Weaken counTry, imran To neuTrals Monday, 22 August, 2022 I 23 Muharram, 1444 I Rs 40.00 I Vol XIII No 53 I 48 Pages I Lahore Edition g islAmAbAd Police registered fir under terrorism chArges AgAinst Pti chief g A lArge number of workers gAthered At bAni gAlA following rumours About imrAn’s likely Arrest
CONTINUED ON PAGE 05 Weakening PTi
RAWALPINDI staff report F ormerprime minister and Pakistan tehreek-i-insaf (Pti) chairman imran khan on sunday declared the Pti is only federal party in Pakistan right now to keep Pakistan united. “Army alone cannot keep a country united… political parties do that and if you weaken Pti you will weaken the country," he added. Addressing a mammoth public meeting in historic liaquat bagh here sunday night, the Pti chairman said if Pti is pushed against the wall, the country will face a situation similar to sri lanka. "if we step aside who will stop these people from making the current situation even worse in the country? he posed a question without naming anyone, adding that there is only one way out of the prevailing situation and that is free and transparent elections. imran khan said that a plan has been hatched to systematically suppress Pti, that’s why they are trying to make an example out of shahbaz gill. "he was abducted, stripped naked and beaten... we were told by our lawyers what they did to him," he regretted. "i'm saying all this today because i know their plan. i know what mr y is planning but let me tell you today that imran khan will not budge even if you throw me in jail… i will never go abroad… i will live and die in this country," the Pti chief declared. he said whatever is being planned including his disqualification will damage Pakistan. imran disclosed that he did not want to end his may 25 rally but he did so anyway to avoid bloodshed in the country. "i will not rest until i give real freedom to my people." he also congratulated his party workers and supporters in advance for winning the nA-245 by-elections in karachi. imran revealed that people who come to his residence to support him get calls from agencies, asking why they were there. "i want to ask whether you are neutral or not. if not then why are you damaging this country so much? why do you want to stand with these people (the imported government)? do you think the nation will believe these people who have been looting this nation for the past 30 years," he questioned. he said that when police resorted to violence on Pti’s may 25 rally, they were informed that they had orders to do so. "it means they were under pressure from the neutrals," he added. imran said that the chief election commissioner is giving all his verdicts against Pti as they wanted to disqualify him but when they seek information they get replies that they are under pressure from the "boots". Will
Monday, 22 August, 2022 | LAHORE 02 NEWS ISLaMaBaD AhMAd AhMAdANi t HEprice of electricity is likely to go up once again as the Central Power Purchasing Agency (CPPA) has filed an application with NEPRA seeking power tariff increase by PKR4.69 per unit, it was learnt on Sunday. According to the details, CPPA on behalf of power distribution companies (DISCOs) except K-Electric has asked the National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (NEPRA) to approve Rs4.6954 per kilowatt hour (kWh) under FCA of July. NEPRA will conduct a hearing in this regard on August 31. Once approved, the increase will put an
Zamung Kor Assistant Director Rafiullah who heads the center told APP on Sunday. He said the facility being opened in Sanghar Sharif, a village some 5-kilometers away from main city on Chashma road, was equipped with all necessary facilities to provide a home-like environment to street and needy children. He said the orphan children, street child, homeless children, children of disabled persons would be admitted at this facility. Moreover, the center would also house those children who were addicted to drugs or smoking and they would be rehabilitated in a dignified manner, he added. “This initiative is unique because of its special education programme and psycho-social support.” Rafiullah observed. He said the Zamung Kor facility was also designed to explore the strength and talent of street children so that they could become an asset for society. Replying to a question, he said that orphan and poor children would be provided with free of charge contemporary education including digital and Emarketing, religious and technical studies and sporting facilities. He said”Those children who will be weak in education would be provided technical education under competent teachers and psychologists.” He said that facilities also include free accommodation and food. He appealed to the philanthropists to contribute in this noble cause as a water filtration plant and solar plates were needed at this facility which were not added in the PC-1 of the project.
Parents cry foul: Sikh schoolteacher coverts to Islam; marries Muslim youth
PowER PRICE LIKELy to go uP By Rs4.69 PER unItCPECbrings
era of green development to Pakistan under BRI: experts
MQM challenges Imran Khan’s nomination from Lyari constituency NeWS DeSk The MQM-P, has challenged the approval of nomination papers of Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) chairman Imran Khan on the National Assembly seat from Lyari. Returning Officer’s decision of approving nomination papers for NA-246 Lyari, has been challenged by the MQM-P candidate Tayyab Hashmi in election tribunal, Salman Mujahid Baloch said. MQM-P candidate in his plea said that Imran Khan has misreported his assets in nomination papers. ” He fails to meet the criteria set by the constitution’s Article 62 and 63 for public office,” the MQM argued in its petition. The federal and provincial election commission, the returning officer and Imran Khan has been made party in the petition. The PTI has submitted nomination papers of Imran Khan from three constituencies of the National Assembly in Karachi vacated after the speaker accepted resignations of the party’s MNAs. Former governor Sindh Imran Ismail submitted nomination papers of Khan while former PTI MNA from the Lyari constituency NA-246, Shakoor Shad submitted nomination papers as a covering candidate. The nomination papers of Imran Khan were also submitted from NA-237 and NA-239 with Captain (retd) Jamil submitting his nomination papers as covering candidate in the former and Raja Azhar in the latter.
additional burden of over PKR65 billion on consumers. The CPPA has submitted that the total electricity generated with various fuels in the month of July was recorded at 14,150.91 GWh, at a basket price of PKR10.7093 per unit. The total cost of energy was PKR151.546 billion. The power generation with hydel source was 4,976.93 GWh constituting 35.15% while power production with coal-fired power plants was 1,802.19 GWh which was 12.74% of total generation at a price of PKR20.2176 and power production with high speed diesel (HSD) was recorded at 205.97 GWh, which was 1.46% of the total power generation, at a cost of over PKR27.8886 per unit in the month of July 2022. Similarly, power generation with RFO was 876.92 GWh, 6.20% of total generation, was calculated at PKR35.6984 per unit, while the generation from gasbased power plants was 1,466.41 GWh, 14.603% of the total generation, totaling PKR9.9585 per unit and the generation from RLNG was 2,119.55 GWh, which was 14.98% of total generation, at PKR28.2899 per unit.Likewise, power generation from mixed sources was 16.92 GWh at a price of PKR4.7567 per unit, generation from bagasse recorded at 40.63 GWh, the price of which has been calculated at PKR5.9822 per unit. The electricity generated from wind was recorded at 518.50 GWh, 3.66% of total generation and solar at 70.77 GWh, 0.50% of the total generation in July. Moreover, electricity generation from nuclear sources was 2,009.54 GWh which came out at PKR1.0493 per unit, 14.20% of the total generation, and electricity imported from Iran was 46.57GWh that amounted to PKR22.8380 in the said month. Profit also learnt from data submitted by the CCPAG with NEPRA that net electricity delivered to Discos in July 2022 was 13,760.32 GWh at a rate of PKR10.9833 per unit, total price of which was PKR151.133 billion. The CPPA-G in its tariff adjustment request advocated that the reference fuel charges for July 2022 were fixed at PKR6.2879 per unit while the actual fuel charges were recorded at PKR10.9833 per unit. So an increase of PKR4.6954 per unit in the power tariff should be made for the month under FCA mechanism.
LAHORE: People protest to express solidarity with flood-affected people of Taunsa and other areas, outside Press Club on Sunday. Photo by zubAir Mehfooz
By going after the Chief Election Commissioner, Imran Khan is not venting out spleen against the head of the bench that made the finding in the foreign funding case, totally unfounded and without any basis, that he was issuing false certificates for his party, and that it had accounts that had been opened on his signature that had not been declared. (Just as the PML(N) had better watch out for what they did on May 29 to stop the PTI, so there are going to be SBP employees who will be punished for their filthy lies when Imran gets back into power.) Actually, Imran wants to save Pakistan from what is happening in Kenya, where there is not just a presidential election, but also parliamentary and local elections. The election commission over there has obviously got its nerves frazzled, not to forget that the presidential election result was very narrow. Still, that was probably no reason why the next stage should have been reached, which was for members to start throwing chairs at each other. Now that is probably the reason Imran wants a clean-up at the ECP, which might well see chairs flung about, especially since it is not, as it originally was, one CEC, but a full-fledged ECP, with a CEC and four members, one from each province. I suppose Imran knows something we ordinary mortals don’t, because I don’t suspect Sikander Sultan Raja of getting twitchy fingers from the sight of a chair. I don’t think he or his members are acquainted with the use of chairs in combat situations. Raja being an ex-bureaucrat, might know something about stilettos, and any ex-judge would know about knives, axes or firearms, but chairs? And Imran doesn’t know about them, unless it is the need to stick to them once you’ve got one. In fact, the ECP shouldn’t have been so casual about summoning him. What iif he turns up, and then refuses to get out of the chair? He could always say it was a new method of protesting. Will he suddenly develop respiratory problems? Like Dr Shahbaz Gill? There have been claimsv of police torture, and a medical board has been constituted at PIMS to check him. There have ben allegations by Imran Khan that Dr Gill was sexually abused. In police custody, though you can’t really claim that until chilli powder is pushed up your backside, creating a burning that can only be imagined even by someone who had too much peppery food, you can;t claim to have been tortured. Not unless you have had rats pushed up your shalwar legs, and had them tied at the cuffs. That is worse for women,but it works very well on men as well. I suppose Imran, being an Aitchisonian and an Oxonian, would be thinking in terms of Dr Gill having batteries attached to his private parts. Frankly, that is quite expensive, not to mention that some devices need uninterrupted mains electricity, which we can’t promise in this area of lad-shedding. Another effective method is to put the accused in the middle of a circle of rookies, who will give him a slap each in turn. This is a training exercise, but if the accused confesses, good enough. It doesn’t matter what the confession is to. The assassination of Lord Mayo, the only Viceroy to be killed in office. The shooting of Liaquat Ali Khan. Anything. The amount of torture allegedly administered by the cops should have got Dr Gill to have confessed to all the unsolved house robberies in the federal capital, as well as to all eveteasing cases reported, apart from having implicated Imran in the incitement the PTI now reluctantly admits he committed, so as to drive a wedge between the PTI and the armedOneforces.wonders if Imran wants at some point to claim that Dr Gill had been crazed by the chilli powder today that Imran was in any way involved. Or that the rats up his shalwar had made him say what he did. Of course, Imran’s claim means that Gill was on Nawaz Sharif’s payroll (though what he had been saying about Nawaz’s daughter should put him out of suspicion). More evidence of corruption. Though that was not why chairs were thrown in the Kenyan Election Commission City Notes M A NiAzi City notes: Chilli powder and rats Staff RepoRt
The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government was going to extend the facility of ‘Zamung Kor’ project to the main southern city of Dera Ismail Khan where a center was going to be inaugurated to look after street the destitute children in the district. “Yes, all formalities has been completed and we are going to formally introduce ‘Zamung Kor’ facility at Dera Ismail Khan district too in the first week of September,”
Jordan rights activist arrives kaRaCHI stAff rePort Princess Sarah Zeid of Jordan, who advocates for mother and child rights, arrived in Pakistan Sunday morning. At Jinnah International Airport in Karachi, she was received by Shazia Marri, minister for poverty alleviation, and Karachi administrator Barrister Murtaza Wahab. Zeid will call on Syed Murad Ali Shah, the Sindh chief minister, and members of his administration during her visit. She will also pay a visit to a nourishment centre in Nawabshah. Born Sarah Butler, Zeid is a US national who studied international relations and in 2000, married into royalty. Her husband, Zeid bin Ra’ad, is a former diplomat and the apparent first in line to the throne of the defunct Kingdom of Iraq. SWat syed shAhAbuddiN A schoolteacher Dina Kumari, belonging to the Sikh community of village Pacha Kale in Buner district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, accepted Islam and got married with youth of her village. The parents of Dina and local Sikh community members, however, demanded action against the youth, alleging that the girl was kidnapped and forced to marriage. On the other hand, Schoolteacher Dina Kumari, whose Islamic name is Dina, said in a video message that she is wise and mature, added she is happily inspired by the religion of Islam and accepted Islam and married a youth namely Hizbullah of her village. He also demanded protection from the government. The Sikh community took to the streets in Buner to protest against “what they called kidnapping and forced marriage.” Dina’s father Gurchran Lal filed an application to the administration and accused his daughter of kidnapping and forcefully accepting her to Islam. The Sikh community blocked the main highway in protest to register a case of abduction of a Sikh girl. On the other hand, Buner police took Newly Muslim Dina and her husband Hizbullah into custody from Shangla District and produced them in the court. Where Dina recorded a statement under Section 164 and demanded that she be allowed to live with her husband because she has accepted Islam by marrying of her own free will and she is not ready to go with her parents in any case. After this incident, there are fears of a rift between the residents of Buner and the Sikh community, and local leaders are trying to resolve the issue in the light of the court’s verdict and evidence. During the protest of the Sikh community, a patient died on the way because he did not reach the hospital on time. After which the relatives of deceased protested by keeping the body on the road.
ISLaMaBaD stAff rePort China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) has brought an era of green development through green projects for future generations to have a healthy environment, officials and analysts have said. The officials and analysts highlighted the success achieved by the CPEC for green development at a policy dialogue organised by the Sustainable Development Policy Institute in Islamabad, which was attended by diplomats, ministers, officials, media persons, think tanks and representatives of Chinese companies working in Pakistan. Chinese Ambassador to Pakistan Nong Rong appreciated the CPEC Green Development High-Level Policy Dialogue as a valuable platform for gathering wisdom from all stakeholders and jointly promoting the green development of the CPEC. The CPEC is an important pilot project of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), which promotes the construction of green infrastructure, the development of green technology and green finance, he noted. Nong described how the energy sector is one of the fastest growing and most fruitful areas of cooperation under the CPEC. Cooperation between the two countries in the field of clean energy has been continuously strengthened by completing five wind power projects, one solar power project and one hydropower project, besides three hydropower projects under construction, he said. “Green development of the CPEC is boosting local employment and skill up-lift in Pakistan and also enhancing Pakistan’s green and sustainable development capacity,” said the ambassador, adding China is ready to make use of its experience and technology in related fields to assist Pakistan to realize its vision for green development. “China’s investments under the CPEC supported the development of infrastructure and introduced alternative energy sources. The success of the CPEC has become a milestone for Pakistan, which would provide a foundation for the development in the decades to come,” said Ahsan Iqbal, the minister for Planning, Development and Special Initiatives. Iqbal said the CPEC converted Pakistan into a good investment destination and changed its energy deficiency to energy sufficiency, adding that “the environment was an ideal component of the CPEC since its start.” Describing the impacts of global warming and weather changes on Pakistan, the minister said that Pakistan would join hands with China for colossal cooperation to initiate more green development projects under the CPEC for future generations. During the dialogue, Ambassador of Pakistan to China Moin ul-Haque commended CPEC projects for taking environment, ecology, and biodiversity into consideration, saying that the CPEC has transformed the landscape of Pakistan with its all-encompassing nature and has driven development and employment in the remotest areas in Pakistan.
‘Zamung Kor’ facility to be inaugurated on Sept 1
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The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) government departments owe a total of Rs2.14 billion to the Peshawar Electric Supply Company (PESCO) due to non-payment of bills, Profit learnt on Sunday. According to the sources in the provincial Finance Department, PESCO has notified the government that arrears till July have crossed Rs2.14 billion and are continuously increasing as most departments are unable to pay their bills due to the a financial crisis. In addition to this, these departments will have to deposited a huge fine every month in the form of late payment surcharge. The authorities concerned have expressed displeasure over the delay in payment of bills by provincial institutions and departments, however, disconnecting electricity connections of government institutions will create another dispute between the provincial and federal governments. Late payment surcharge was abolished till June, however, a 10% surcharge has been imposed again from July. The provincial government has warned that if the bills are not submitted on time, the concerned officer will bear the expense of the fine. Therefore, all institutions have been directed to clear their dues immediately to avoid any embarrassment and loss of public funds.
“Pakistan Army and FC are continuing to provide full support to the civil administration by utilizing all available resources for the rescue and relief of the flood-affected people, it maintained.
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peSHaWaR Aziz buNeri
three amongchildrenfourdead in Indian-made mine blast in Zafarwal NeWS DeSk Four people including three children died in an explosion caused by an Indian-made anti-tank mine in the Punjab city of Zafarwal on Sunday morning. The blast took place in the Nulleh Deg in Zafarwal as the children were trying to catch fish in the floodwater coming from India. They instead caught up by an Indian-made anti-tank mine floating on the floodwater. Personnel of bomb disposal squad, Zafarwal Police Station and Rescue 1122 reached the spot and shifted the bodies to a nearby hospital. Rescue officials said another child was injured in the blast who was rushed to Rural Health Centre (RHC) Zafarwal for treatment. On Tuesday last, two Indianmade anti-tank mines were recovered from a nullah, making its course into Pakistan from India, in a bordering village of Zafarwal. According to the bomb disposal squad, the anti-tank mines came to the village while flowing in the floodwater coming from India.
Pak Army continues relief operation in flood-hit areas of Balochistan QUetta stAff rePort Pakistan Army and Frontier Corps Balochistan in collaboration with the civil administration were carrying out relief and rescue operations in the flood-affected areas of Balochistan. Due to heavy rains in Quetta, Kalat, Khuzdar Lasbela, Kohlu, Sui, Naseerabad, Hub, Othal and other areas of Balochistan, low-lying areas were submerged in water during the last 24 hours. “On the special directives of Chief of Army Staff General Qamar Javed Bajwa, Pakistan Army and FC Balochistan in coordination with civil administration continued the rescue and relief operations in the calamity-hit districts of Balochistan,” a handout issued here by ISPR said. Mani shaheedian and surrounding areas near Dera Murad Jamali were affected due to cracks in the pit feeder canal at three places. “With the efforts of the Irrigation Department and the Pakistan Army, all the cracks have been filled. “More than 60 families have been rescued and shifted to the relief camp in Jhal Magsi, Khuzdar and Nasirabad districts,” the handout further said. “Prepared food, tents and rations are being provided to the families at the relief camp. Free medical camps are also being organized by the Pakistan Army and FC in the affected areas, in which free medical aid and medicines are also being provided to the flood victims.”
Addressing a PTI power show in Rawalpindi’s Liaquat Bagh ground, Rashid took a jibe at the incumbent rulers and said that “thieves and robbers” are busy closing down their corruption cases after coming to power. He added that the national security institutions always stood by the nation while “the nation is with Imran Khan”. “The real prime minister of the country is Imran Khan, not these thieves,” the AML chief remarked.
Koh E-suLEMAn hILL toRREnts wREAK hAvoC AftER hEAvy Monsoon
“The statements noted that the civil administration and Pakistan Army are also working on repairing roads and bridges for the speedy restoration of transportation.”
RaWaLpINDI stAff rePort Awami Muslim League (AML) chief and former interior minister Sheikh Rashid Ahmed on Sunday said that the game of selection and rejection politicians will result in a major crisis, saying the entire Pakistan nation stands by PTI Chairman Imran Khan. “The pick and choose of politicians without considering the masses inspirations will lead to a major crisis and will never benefit the country either way.”
Legendary singer Nayyara Noor passes away at 71
Calling the former premier Nawaz “biggest thief” of the world, Sh Rashid said the country’s economy witnessed 6 percent GDP growth during the previous tenure of the Imran-led government. “I am telling all institutions to stop if you can… see Imran Khan is coming.”
ISLaMaBaD stAff rePort Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif expressed grief and sorrow over the accident of an army vehicle near Bagh in Azad Kashmir. In a statement here on Sunday, he condoled with the families of the nine soldiers who were martyred in the accident. He said the nation saluted the sons who were martyred while performing their sacred duty to defend the motherland. He prayed to Allah Almighty for grant of high ranks to the martyrs in heaven and patience for the bereaved family. He also prayed for the early recovery of the injured soldiers.
CONDOLENCES OVER LOSS OF LIVES IN TÜRKIYE Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif on Sunday extended condolences to President Recep Tayyip Erdogan,on behalf of the government and people of Pakistan, over loss of lives in traffic incidents. On his Twitter handle, the prime minister expressed his deep grief and sorrow over the news of the loss of precious lives and the injuries to dozens as a result of traffic incidents in Türkiye. The prime minister also condoled with the bereaved families over their losses. “Saddened by the news of the loss of precious lives, the injuries to dozens as a result of traffic incidents in Türkiye. PM Shehbaz condoles martyrdom of nine soldiers
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03NEWS Monday, 22 August, 2022 | LAHORE NeWS DeSk M OSTof the hill torrents originated from Koh-e-Suleman range have become ferocious after heavy spell of monsoon rains in the region, the Flood Control Room stated here. Kaha Sultan nullah roaring with flood stream of 40,905 cusecs, while another flood flow of 72,600 cusecs arriving from Chhachhar Pass, Flood Control Room said in a Anotherstatement.hill torrent from Kala Baga Khosar releasing a stream of 15,000 cusecs floodwater, while Nullah Suri South carrying another 4,000 cusecs water flow, Nullah Suri North 2,100 cusecs and Patok torrent with 900 cusecs of floodwater, according to the Flood Control Room. Moreover, Zangi nullah also carrying 2,700 cusecs of flood stream, officials said. The hill torrents raging with heavy flood flow could inflict heavy losses to the nearby settlements, officials have apprehended. According to officials hill torrents originated from Suleman Mountain Range following recent heavy spell of monsoon rains were the ferocious most and affecting over 100,000 people besides damaging homes and crops in Dera Ghazi Khan and Rajanpur, the two districts sandwitched between hill torrents from mountains in the west and river Indus in the east. According to reports, the water from Indus River did not touch the alarming levels as it did in 2010 floods, the hill torrents from Koh-e-Suleman did the most damage this year, leaving behind a trail of homelessness and material losses like livestock, crops and valuables in homes. The floodwater swept away full or parts of many mud houses, cattle, and crops besides damaging transportation and communication infrastructure. Officials said that, excessive monsoon rains over Koh-e-Suleman has triggered water flow through 13 hill torrents in DG Khan and Rajanpur districts that has played havoc with the life and property.
NeWS DeSk Renowned singer Nayyara Noor passed away at 71 in Karachi after a brief illness on Saturday night, her family announced. She had been under treatment for the past few days. The legendary singer’s funeral prayers will be offered at 4pm later today at Imambargah Yasrab in Defence Housing Authority. She will be laid to rest in a cemetery at phase eight. She called Bulbul-ePakistan and was conferred with the Pride of Performance Award by the President of Pakistan in 2006. Earlier, she was also honored with the Nigar Award in 1973. She was known for her ghazals Ae Jazba-e-Dil, Woh Jo Hum Mein Tum Mein Qarar Tha, Aye Ishq Hamay Barbaad Na Kar, and patriotic song Watan Ki Mitti Gawah Rehna. Her other work included Barkha Barsay Chhat Per, Mein Teray Sapnay Deikhuun, Kabhi Hum Bhi Khoobssorat Thay, Jalay Tau Jalao Gori and her most famous. Noor was one of the most famous playback singers in the country even though she had no musical background nor had she undergone any formal training in music. Born in November 3, 1950, in Assam’s Guwahati, she was aged seven years old when her family migrated to Pakistan. In 1968, Noor began singing songs on Radio Pakistan and then on PTV in 1971. She sung many songs for films and her fans are spread out through the subcontinent.
Medical board examining Shahbaz Gill changed again: sources KP govt riseelectricitydepts’arrearstoRs2.14bn
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Earlier in a tweet from his official handle, Sh Rashid while referring to the Pakistan Electronic Media Authority (Pemra) notice banning live broadcast of former PM Imran speeches warned of a crackdown on social media. “Ahead of the crucial decision, the authority will be formed against social media. YouTubers are also going to be surrounded,” he added. The former interior minister said the ruling party’s two factions PML-N and PML-S will come face to face. “[Former finance minister Ishaq Dar was stopped by S group,” he said while referring to the possible return of the PML-N leader to Pakistan from London.
Pick and choose of politicians will bring about ‘disaster’: Sh Rashid NeWS DeSk The federal government has once again changed members of a medical board examining PTI leader Shahbaz Gill, saying that the new four-member board will submit its report before the court. According to sources privy to the matter, Dr. Atif Inam was replaced by Dr. Tariq Abdullah in the board after the former excused himself owing to his personal engagements. “Dr Tariq Abdullah is member of general surgery ward of PIMS,” they said, adding that doctors part of general surgery, pulmonology, medicine and medical ICU are included in the medicalTheyboard.said Associate Professor Medicine Shafat Rasool is heading the board along with Dr Zia as pulmonologist and Dr Salman from medical ICU. “The four-member board will prepare his medical report which will be presented before the court,” they said. On Saturday, doctors at Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) have decided to conduct CT pulmonary angiography to examine lungs of PTI leader Shahbaz Gill, who is suffering from chronic asthma.
According to sources at PIMS hospital, Shahbaz Gill is undergoing regular clinical tests after he is suffering from chest infection, body pain and sore throat.“He is being administered anti-biotic to deal with chest infection besides also being nebulize regularly,” they said, adding that his blood pressure, sugar and pulse are recorded in normal range. To ascertain causes behind his breathing issues, the sources said that he would undergo CT pulmonary angiography. “Gill is currently being staying at a single room in cardiac centre of PIMS and is being provided with facilities of AC, TV, sofa and food as per the advice of doctors,” they said. The sources further shared that the PTI leader is allowed to walk during evening and morning besides being allowed to take full nap.
The notification states that the PTI chief’s statements are detrimental to the maintenance of law and order as he is constantly inciting citizens against institutions and officers in his speeches. Only pre-recorded speeches can be broadcast now with effective monitoring and editorial control, per the new PEMRA notification. According to the PEMRA, the ban has been put in place under Section 27 of the PEMRA Ordinance 2002. The PEMRA notification mentioned Khan’s speech at the F9 Park,TheIslamabad.notification said the former PM’s hate speech is against the Supreme Court’s verdict in the suo motu case. The contents of Imran Khan’s speech are also against the Lahore High Court verdict, says the PEMRA. The PEMRA also warned news channels of strict action if the directives were not followed. In the meantime, sources said the government has lodged an FIR against Imran Khan under the Anti-Terrorism Act (ATA) for threatening a judge and two top police officials during an above-mentioned public gathering.
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232 new cases of Covid-19, 1 death reported in Punjab Staff RepoRt As many as 232 new cases of coronavirus with one death were reported in Punjab during the 24 hours. According to the data shared by the spokesperson of Punjab Primary and Secondary Healthcare Department (P&SHD) on Sunday, the number of coronavirus cases in the province reached 519,674 while death toll 13,596 and recoveries 502,558. The P&SHD confirmed that 133 new cases of COVID-19 were reported in Lahore, 16 in Rawalpindi, 18 in Faisalabad, 21 in Hafizabad, 3 in Multan,14 in Bahawalpur, 3 in Rahimyar Khan, 2 in Chiniot, 2 in Okara, 01 in Gujranwala, 01 in Kasur, 01 in Sheikhupura, 03 in Pakpattan, 08 in Sargodha, 02 in Nankana Sahib, 01 in Toba Tek Singh, 02 in Gujrat and 03 in Sialkot district during the last 24 hours. The Punjab health department so far conducted 11,823,715 tests for COVID-19 in the province. The Punjab health department has urged the masses to follow SOPs for their protection and cover their faces with masks. The people should wash their hands with soap several times in a day to protect themselves from COVID-19. The citizens above the age of 12 years must ensure vaccination against the coronavirus.
It warned of legal action as per PEMRA laws in case of any violation of the directives. The Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) on Sunday imposed a ban on the live telecast of speeches of former prime minister and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan. Imran Khan’s addresses are in open violation of the PEMRA rules, according to the PEMRA notification issued in Sunday’s wee hours.
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PEMRA bAnS lIvE tElECASt Of IMRAn KhAn’S SPEEChES app Pakistan Railways has leased out around 4,687 acres of its land during the last four years with the aim to transform the department into profitable entity by generating moreTherevenue.leased-out land was located in seven divisions including Lahore, Karachi, Peshawar, Quetta, Rawalpindi Multan and Sukkar, an official of the Ministry of Railways told APP. He said Pakistan Railways (PR) had also decided to accelerate its ongoing anti-encroachment operation against land grabbers across the country to recoup its land from different individuals, groups and even business organizations using it for residential, commercial and agriculture purposes for decades.“The encroachment operation will be launched with the assistance of Railway Police and district administrations of the relevant provincial governments,” he added. He said that the PR had retrieved over 500 acres precious land worth billions of rupees from illegal occupants under its antiencroachment operation across the country. The government was taking steps to retrieve encroached land, adding that a detailed survey was being carried out to identify the encroached land, illegally occupied by individuals or various government departments he said. The official said that First Information Reports (FIRs) were being lodged and cases being registered and sent to PR Judicial Magistrates for expeditious trial. The issue regarding illegal occupation and possession of the department’s land by government departments and institutions had also been taken up with the relevant departments, he added. He said that the department owned 167,690 acres of land across the country, out of which 90,326 acres was in Punjab, 39,428 acres in Sindh, 28,228 acres in Balochistan and 9,708 acres in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
Kashmiri women seek inclusivity, equity and justice
NewS DeSk Women should prirotize their respective growth targets while overcoming obstacles in achieving their aims. Only then, women will be able to recognize their true potential and make their voice heard in the society, said Nighat Khan, the head of New Vision for Women based in London while talking to a group of women from diverse backgrounds gathered on the same floor to share their life experiences, perceptions, opinions, achievements, struggles, and passions at a capacity~building workshop hosted in Rawalakot Azad Jammu Kashmir on Sunday. Besides, they also discussed the steps and strategies that need to be implemented to overcome the challenges they face because the existing status quo does not meet their need for gender equality. According to March 2022 data, women have only three quarters of the legal rights guaranteed to men globally, she lamented. Nighat Khan highlighted the emerging global opportunities for women and suggested upscaling their skills, and lobbying for their participation in political and peace processes within communities. She suggested women to create learning opportunities and support each other so that their voice in society heard and valued. “Only a woman can understand the pain of a woman and only she can bring a change in another woman’s life”, she said.A participant shared her view that the lack of representation of women in decision-making processes is not because women are not qualified or skilled but rather an absence of willingness for inclusion. She said that the Kashmir conflict, deteriorating human rights conditions in Indian-held Kashmir and worsening India-Pakistan relations are tearing down the region. The women, considered the marginalized section in the male-dominated society, can now claim their role as they are trying their best to create a sanctioned space for themselves where they can show the best of their capabilities. The Centre for Peace, Development and Reforms (CPDR), a research and training civil society organization, brought together women from different backgrounds and different experiences to reflect on various aspects of women’s lives, the challenges they face, and ways and means to improve their participation in the decision-making, conflict resolution and mediation processes locally and regionally. Fatima Khan was of the view that woman carries equal human rights and no authority can deny those rights. Additionally, she raised the concern that there are no institutions in Azad Jammu Kashmir that focus on the capacity building of women, their role in the decision-making and peace process as mediators. According to Eman Hassan, women grow up in a society where their presence is undermined and the established narratives, unconsciously, control their lives. Hence, the role of women, predetermined by men, is the real challenge they face in today’s world. Kashmiri women are capable of doing marvels only if they are given better learning and growth opportunities. Despite having limited career opportunities in Azad Kashmir, they still utilize the best of their talents to make a difference in the world around them, says Shabana Kiyani.
Monday, 22 August, 2022 | LAHORE 04 NEWS NewS DeSk P AKISTANElectronic Media Regulatory Authority( PEMRA) on Sunday clarified that it had imposed ban on live coverage of Imran Khan’s speeches on electronic media, but they could telecast recorded speeches with effective delay mechanism in line with PEMRA code of conductEarlier,2015.the PEMRA had issued the prohibition order on telecast of live speeches of Imran Khan under section 27 of the PEMRA Ordinance 2002 as amended by PEMRA ( Amendment) Act 2007. According to the PEMRA statement, “It has been observed that chairman Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf Imran Khan in his speeches/statements is continuously alleging the state institutions by leveling baseless allegations and spreading hate speech through his provocative statements against state institutions and officers which is prejudicial to the maintenance of law and order and is likely to disturb public peace and tranquility,” a statement from the regulatory authority read. Pemra said that after analysing the content of Imran’s speech, it has been observed that the content was aired live by the license holder channels without effective time delay mechanism which was the violation provisions of PEMRA laws and in disobedience of judgements passed by the honourable courts. “The competent authority i.e. Chairman PEMRA in view of the above mentioned background and reasons, in exercise of delegated powers of the Authority vested in Section 27(a) of the PEMRA Ordinance 2002 as amended by PEMRA (Amendment) Act 2007, hereby prohibits broadcast of live speech of Mr Imran Khan on all satellite TV channels with immediate effect,” it said. The media watchdog, however, said that the recorded speeches of the former PM would only be permitted to be aired after effective delay mechanism put in place in order to ensure effective monitoring and editorial control in conformity with PEMRA laws. “Furthermore, all satellite TV channels are directed to ensure that an impartial and independent Editorial Board be constituted as required under Clause 17 of Electronic Media (Programmes and Advertisement) Code of Conduct 2015 in order to ensure that their platform is not used by anyone for uttering remarks in any manner which are contemptuous and against any state institution and hateful, prejudicial to law and order situation in the country (in any manner even repeatedly in programmes,talk shows,news bulletins).”
NewS DeSk As of August 20, as many as 728 people have died due to recent rains and floods across the country Sunday reported citing a report of the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA). The NDMA has released the details of the loss of life and property due to rains. Among those who died the most were men, whose number was 309, the NDMA report said. The majority of the people who died were from Balochistan, whose number was 207, the report added. At the same time, the number of people killed due to recent rains in Sindh has reached 177, whereas, the number of people killed in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa was recorded at 149. Moreover, at least 151 people lost their lives in Punjab, nine in GilgitBaltistan (GB) and 34 in Azad Jammu and Kashmir Collectively,(AJK).as many as 309 men, 156 women and 263 children have lost their lives across the country due to recent rains and floods. Whereas, the total number of people who were injured across the country from June 14 to August 20 was recorded at 1,291. The majority of people who were injured in rain and flood related incidents belonged to Sindh, whose number was Besides,701.300 people were injured due to rains in Punjab, 81 in Balochistan, 186 in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and 19 in AJK. Apart from the human loss, as many as 31,047 houses were completely destroyed while 85,724 houses were damaged across the country in rains and floods. At least 18 bridges in Balochistan, 52 in GB, 45 in Sindh and seven in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa were damaged in the recent rains. More than 503,000 cattle heads were lost across the country, whereas, 2866.9km roads in the country were damaged. The shops were also not spared by the torrential rains and flash floods, as 17 shops were damaged in AJK while 32 shops were damaged in Sindh. As many as 103 districts across the country have been affected by the recent rains and floods. Among the affected districts, four are in Balochistan and as many in GB. Whereas, communication roads are blocked in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.Threechildren, including two brothers and a sister, were crushed after the roof of their house collapsed on them due to rain in Garello Town, Larkana. The deceased were identified as 13year-old Kashif Shah, nine-year-old Ehtisham Shah and seven-year-old Bisma.The locals removed the debris and shifted the bodies of the three children to the hospital. It merits a mention here that the death toll in roof collapse incidents has reached 18. died in recent rains, floods so far: NDMA
Sindh CM calls for rehabilitation of rain affected areas NewS DeSk Chief Minister (CM) Sindh, Syed Murad Ali Shah on Sunday has said all the available resources are being utilized for the rehabilitation of the rain and flood-affected areas in the province. Talking to people during a visit to flood-affected areas in Khairpur district, he said no affected family would be left alone. The Chief Minister said record recent rains had caused huge losses to infrastructure, livestock and crops. He directed the Deputy Commissioner Khairpur, Saifullah Abro to submit a comprehensive report after assessment of losses. Provincial Ministers, Advisors including Mukesh Kumar Chawala, Manzoor Wassan, Nawab Wassan and others were accompanied with CM Sindh. On the other hand, flooding continues across northern Sindh as floodwater inundated electricity gridstations while more houses collapsed as flooding continued in Sukkur, Khairpur, Shikarpur, Ghotki, Jaccobabad, Kashmore-Kandhkot and other districts of northern Sindh on Sunday. Power supply to various areas and communication system disrupted after precious equipment worth millions of rupees burnt due to the floods triggered by torrential rains in Thull taluka of Jaccobabad district. The floods also devastated Katcha areas of Ghotki, Khairpur and Kashmore-Kandhkot districts and others where mudthatched houses collapsed, causing huge losses to the residents. Intra-district land links remained cut off in a number of areas as floods washed away roads and bridges besides collapsing houses and destroying standing crops. The flood affectees in several areas of northern Sindh were living under the open sky, the relief was being provided by provincial government.
AIOU closes admissions today app Allama Iqbal Open University (AIOU) has set August 22 (Monday) as the last day of admissions in merit-based programs including certificate courses, BS, MBA, MS/MPhil, and Ph.D. offered in semester autumn, 2022. According to AIOU, the prospectuses and admission forms for these programs are available online on the university website (www.aiou.edu.pk) and admission can only be applied via online mode. The online admission procedure is presented in the prospectuses in detail. Admissions to BS, 1.5 and 2.5 year MBA (New Scheme) programs will be granted purely on merit basis whereas the candidates will appear in entry test to qualify for admission in Commonwealth of Learning (COL) MBA/MPA, MS/ MPhil and PhD. These entry tests will be conducted in the university’s academic complex from August 26-31, 2022. First and second merit lists will be displayed on the university website on September 5 and September 12 respectively. On the other hand, deadline for depositing fee for the first and second merit lists will be September 9 and September 16 respectively. Transparency in the entire admission procedures will be strictly ensured on the special directives of VC, AIOU, Prof Dr Zia Ul -Qayyum. It is pertinent to mention here that admissions for Matriculation and FA programs will continue till September 6.
Railways leased out 4,687 acres land in four years
To a question, he said that PR had started special master level classes in railway engineering department in collaboration with Pak-Austria Fachhochschule Institute of Applied Sciences (PAFIST) to enhance the capacity of its engineers and technical staff. The classes had been organized through the Pakistan Railways Training Academy Walton, Lahore. A special cell for foreign training had also been set up at the Ministry of Railways.“Apolicy for transfer of technology and indigenization of railway rolling stock manufacture in Pakistan Railways facilities is being pursued in closer collaboration with the People’s Republic of China,” he added.
Govt accused of blockinG Youtube: Former prime minister and PTI Chairman Imran Khan accused the government of “blocking YouTube” in the country on Sunday evening to prevent people from listening live to the speech he delivered at the Rawalpindi rally today, ARY News reported. “The fascist Imported govt sunk to a new low today by banning live coverage of my speeches on TV & then blocking YouTube temporarily during my speech at Liaquat Bagh. All this after continuous intimidation of media persons & taking channels off air earlier,” Khan said on Twitter. “This is not only a gross violation of freedom of speech but also negatively affects the digital media industry and the livelihoods of many. What they need to understand is that no matter what they do, they cannot suppress the will of the people which is Haqeeqi Azadi,” he added.
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The Hurriyat leaders said that the eyes of the Kashmiri people are on Pakistan. so that it could convey the voice of Kashmiris to the international community. They said Pakistan is the advocate of Kashmiris who has raised the voice of Kashmiris at every forum.
The Convener of Pakistan Federation of Chamber of Commerce Industries Kashmir Affairs, Muhammad Iqbal Asad, said the people and government of Pakistan are behind the Kashmiri brothers and Pakistan will continue political, diplomatic and moral support to Kashmiris until the Kashmir dispute is resolved. He said Kashmiris are actually fighting for Pakistan. On the occasion, a shield was presented to Dr Humayun, Member Chamber of Commerce Kashmir Affairs. At the end, prayers were offered for the martyrs of Meanwhile,Kashmir.leaders of Jammu and Kashmir Freedom Movement (Forum) Muhammad Hussain Khateeb, Muhammad Lateef Lone, Mushtaq Ahmed Zargar, Khawaja Naeem-ul-Hasan and Advocate Mahmood Akhtar Qureshi have strongly condemned the right to vote for Indian citizens in Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir. The Hurriyat leaders in a joint statement said the Bharatiya Janata Party’s conspiracy to continue India’s illegal occupation of Kashmir and divide the people has been exposed. They said that by giving the right to vote to Indian citizens, India has not only violated the United Nations resolutions and international laws related to Kashmir, but has also made another attack on Kashmir’s identity and culture, which every Jammu and Kashmir has to face. They said if the world remains silent on this situation or if India continues to be a tool of communalism, it will be impossible to prevent a destructive war. They said that not only Kashmir will be destroyed by this war, but it will engulf the east and the west as well. The Hurriyat leaders strongly condemned the martyrdom of a Kashmiri, Mini Muhammad, detained in Kot Bhalwal jail, Jammu, by the Indian troops and agencies in a fake encounter near the Line of Control and appealed to the international organizations to stop India from taking illegal actions in IIOJK and play role in giving the Kashmiris their birthright the right to self-determination, which has been promised to them by the United Nations.
InDIa CommITTIng WorST bruTalITIeS agaInST InnoCenT KaShmIrIS
peSHaWar APP Emerged as a silent killer, the erratic weather variations by climate change have started posing serious threats to humans beings, wildlife and aquatic resources in developing countries including Pakistan due to its geographical placement, emissions of hazards gases, deforestation and rapid population growth. Losing about 27,000 hectares of forests per year especially in the community and private lands of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Gilgit Baltistan, Pakistan has witnessed substantial changes in the weather patterns including untimely rainfall, increase in temperature, heatwaves, drought and floods in recent years causing an adverse effects on human life, wildlife and aquatic resources besides converting fertile lands into deserts affecting agriculture productivity. According to National Forest Policy 2015, Pakistan has one of the lowest forest covers in the world where only five percent of its areas were under the green gold, and was losing about 27,000 hectares forests per year due to deforestation, urbanization and rapid population growth. The yesterday’s flash floods at Shishikoh valley in Lower Chitral and Balochistan that claimed many lives, destroyed standing crops and orchards besides irrigation and communication channels were apparently caused by the climate change. The devastation of 2010 flood, worst drought during 1999-2003, cyclones in Karachi and Gawdar coasts in 2008, Glacial Lake Outburst Floods (GOLFs) including Atabad Lake in Gilgit Baltistan, Chitral and July 28, 2021 flood in Islamabad, Murree’s snowfall tragedy 2021 and human losses in recent floods in Balochistan have testified that Pakistan was most vulnerable to climate change. Muhammad Mumtaz Malik, former Chief Conservator Wildlife Department told APP that Pakistan was among 10 countries mostly vulnerable to climate change. Terming climate change as a silent killer, he said it was converting fertile agricultural lands into deserts, drought, water scarcity and flash floods owing to the weather’s vulnerabilities in the region. He said thousands acres of lands barren caused by desertification and drought could be seen at Swabi and Mardan while travelling on
According to the FIR registered at Islamabad’s Margalla police station at 10pm on Saturday, under the complaint of Magistrate Ali Javed, it has been stated that Imran Khan terrorized and threatened top police officials and a respected female additional and sessions judge in his address to a rally at F-9 park. The FIR reproduced the comments of PTI chairman where he spoke about the female judge as well as Islamabad police officials and warned them not to be spared. It is to mention that Additional District and Sessions Judge Zeba Chaudhry approved Gill’s two-day physical remand at the request of the capital police. Imran Khan threatened her by saying that she should prepare herself as action would be taken against her. He also warned IGP Islamabad and DIG that they both also would not be spared. The FIR argued that Imran’s speech was meant to terrorize the top police officials and the judiciary so they could not perform their functions and abstain from pursuing any action against any PTI-related individual(s) if required to do so. The magistrate argued that Imran’s speech had spread fear and uncertainty among the police, judges and the nation. It stated that country’s peace had been harmed and legal action should be pursued against accused and an exemplary punishment to be meted out. Pti cHief sHould Get ReadY to face laW: Responding to Imran Khan's speech Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah said that the PTI Chief should get ready to face the law as he verbally threatened the IG, DIG and Magistrate Islamabad. He added that the PTI Head will have to answerable for threatening the officers. Pakistan would turn into a jungle if the law does not take its way, Rana added. Rana added that they cannot let people challenge the writ of the government because it would fan extremism. PTI Cheif, addressing a party rally in Islamabad, said that they would lodge cases against the officers for torturing PTI leader Shahbaz Gill. Govt PlanninG aRRest of iMRan kHan: PTI Vice-Chairman Shah Mahmood Qureshi expressed fear of Imran Khan’s arrest and said that the incumbent government was planning to detain the party chairman. Shah Mahmood Qureshi, while addressing a press conference today, said that a case was lodged against PTI chief Imran Khan today. “I think, the government is planning to arrest Imran Khan. PTI workers should stay alert and wait for the party call.”
The Elementary and Secondary Education Department Khyber Pakhtunkhwa on Sunday celebrated ‘School Cleanliness Day’ to improve the appearance of schools and provide a clean environment to children. On the directives of Provincial Education Minister Shahram Khan Tarakai, more than 30,000 primary, middle, high and higher secondary schools throughout the province, and over 100,000 people, including administrative officers, principals, teachers and cleaning staff participated in the cleanliness campaign led by Secretary Education Motasim Billah Shah. The provincial minister said that they wanted to give the children the best quality education in a clean atmosphere and environment. He said that teachers were the builders of the nation, and urged the children to follow their teachers. The campaign would instill in students the importance of cleanliness, and they (students) would also keep their schools clean, he added. “These are our schools and all moral, social and administrative responsibility for the safety, beauty and cleanliness of these schools lies with the principal, teaching staff and cleaning staff,” he said.
ONVENERof Pakistan Federation of Chamber of Commerce Industries Kashmir Affairs Muhammad Iqbal Asad along with his delegation visited the office of All Parties Hurriyat Conference Azad Jammu and Kashmir (APHC-AJK) chapter, today, and met Convener Mehmood Ahmed Saghar and other Hurriyat leaders. Mahmood Ahmed Saghar informed Muhammad Iqbal Asad about the latest situation in Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir. He said that the Indian forces have practically converted the occupied territory into a military cantonment and the Indian troops were committing the worst kind of brutalities on innocent Kashmiris. He said India is using every tactic to change the demography of IIOJK on the pattern of Israel, which it has done on Palestinians. Among other Hurriyat leaders, Muhammad Farooq Rahmani, Ghulam Muhammad Safai, Sheikh Abdul Mateen, Sheikh Muhammad Yaqub, Syed Ejaz Rahmani, Zahid Safai, Mushtaq Ahmed Butt, Zahid Ashraf and Imtiaz Wani were also present on the occasion.
Islamabad-Peshawar motorway and Kohat, Karak, Lakki Marwat, Bannu and DI Khan districts while moving on Indus highway. The environmental and weather variations were making an adverse effect on around 786 wildlife and biodiversity due to loss of their habitats and flora in the country, he added. Former wildlife chief said climate change had endangered about 90 different wildlife species include siberian crane, white backed vulture, long-billed vulture, redheaded vulture, saker, peregrine falcons, hawksbill sea turtle, Kashmir grey langur, indus dolphin, finback whale, Baluchistan bear, musk deer, hog deer, pangolin, egyptian vulture, green turtle and narrow-headed turtle. “Torrential rains, floods and drought destroy wildlife’s flora at their grazing habitats especially in wet lands and high alpine pasture areas. Resultantly, they come down to lower areas for food thus exposing themselves to illegal hunting.”
midterm assessment by the federal board for elevating the standards of lagging students, mandatory sports facilities in schools, mandatory public speaking classes by best debating coaches, the transformation of all higher secondary and intermediate schools into smart schools with blending learning opportunities, zero per cent of teachers’ shortage after induction of 170 more teachers and teachers training by best service providers all the year would help to provide the best schooling to the students of Gilgit-Baltistan to grow. enablinG tHe disabled: In addition, the Skardu administration is in the process of making the region’s first-ever educational institute for the blind and a vocational centre for the physically disabled. The region boasts a sizable population of differently-abled people, most of whom are devoid of opportunities for growth and empowerment.Theoffice of Ibrahim Shah, Skardu assistant commissioner, has generated funds for the project and is executing it. The regional government has provided land and will own the project.
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Top GB civil revolutionisesservantpublic schooling ‘School Cleanliness Day’ observed to provide environmentcleanto children
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The education minister further said that in the results of the recent matriculation examinations, students of government schools had secured the best positions. In the ongoing admission campaign, millions of children had taken admissions in government schools throughout the province, which showed that public confidence in government schools had been restored, he said. APP
Weakening PTI will weaken country, Imran to neutrals continued from page 01 "Now in Shahbaz Gill's case, police say they are under pressure... whatever is happening in Pakistan will be blamed on you," he said while addressing the "neutrals". During his address, a video clip was also played in which Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz leaders can be seen issuing statements against the military and judiciary. Imran asked why Shahbaz Gill is being treated any differently.
05NEWS Monday, 22 August, 2022 | LAHORE
“The rapid increase in human population was exerting extraordinary pressure on forest and converting agricultural lands into housing societies, thus habitats of indigenous wildlife including jackals, monkeys, foxes, ducks and doves were adversely affected.” Dr Mumtaz said opening of abundance of poultry forms was making negative effects on the population of jackals, foxes and mongoose due to eating of infected dead chickens. “The enhanced discharge of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in our outer atmosphere due to fossil fuel combustion leads to a rise in earth’s average temperature besides polluting the air, thus leading to poor economic and agriculture productivity besides causes disruption in climatic processes in addition to leading flash floods, droughts and cyclones.”
The setup promises to empower individuals marginalised in society and aims to provide them with an avenue for growth and empowerment. weather climate change posing threats to humans beings, wildlife
Latifur Rehman, Spokesman KP forest, wildlife and environment department told APP that survey of existing glaciers in Chitral, Upper Swat, Upper Dir, Kohistan and Manshera were made in 2019-20 and GIS maps shared with UNDP for identification of glacial lakes to avert flash floods. He said KP Government had taken cognizance of the increased deforestation and climate change’s damages in 2014 and implemented Green Growth Initiative (GGI) focusing on six key sectors including forestry, protected areas & national parks, clean energy, climate resilience, water & sanitation and waste management that produced positive results today. To combat climate change, he said the federal and provincial governments had joined hands by launching a 10 billion trees project (10 BTAP) under which 10 billion saplings including one billion in Khyber Pakthunkhwa would be planted by 2023 following successful completion of its first phase with over 1.280 billion plantations. He said 10BTAP was successfully underway in the province where 566.54 million saplings were planted till May 2022. KP’s share in 10 BTAP is Rs27.3 billion under which plantation on 68,074 hectares and raising of seeds on 15,402.73 hectares achieved and forest enclosures on 239,560 hectares set up for natural generation. Plantation of fruits plants were also made part of 10BTAP and over 137.65 million fruits plants were distributed among masses and farmers till May this year. Besides establishment of 115 ponds for storage of rainwater and using water of 152 waterfalls for plantations, green jobs provided to over 713,165 people and 19, 353 jobs to labourers during 2020 COVID pandemic.
giLgit stAff rePort Against the backdrop of an uncertain political situation, the region of picturesque Gilgit-Baltistan is showing signs of hope and development when Mohyuddin Ahmad Wani, an ace civil servant with a public-centric approach, was posted as its chief secretary in April. It is sanguine that holistic reforms have been introduced by the new chief secretary to attract children of remote and mountainous areas to government schools. Among other things, he has also worked to transform the government’s educational paraphernalia to provide good quality education to the students who mostly belong to outlying areas. He has asked the regional education department to study the reasons behind the addition or reduction in enrolment along with other motives for the transfer of students from private schools to publicTheschools.findings are interesting from all districts of the Baltistan division. The comparative analysis of student enrolment in 2021 and 2022 shows that new admissions this year increased to 8,973, of which 2,259 came from the private sector. This is very encouraging on both fronts i.e., a general increase in enrolment and increased preference of parents for public schools over private schools. One reason behind this change is the induction of 270 new teachers in May after years of recruitmentThehiatus.teachers were selected purely on merit and the majority were working in private schools so they brought experience and students along with them. The region’s government has also introduced school meal programs in public sector primary schools and established technology labs and libraries in all middle and high schools besides the induction of 200 technology fellows to teach computer education in Meanwhile,schools.
teRRoRisM case ReGisteRed aGainst Pti cHief: A case has been filed against Pakistan Tehreek-eInsaf (PTI) Imran Khan under Anti-Terrorism Act for threatening Additional District and Sessions Judge and police Accordingofficers.todetails, an anti-terrorism case has been filed against Imran Khan for using derogatory language and threatening Additional District and Session Judge Zeba Chaudhry in his speech in Islamabad on August 20.
The BJP’s various narratives Modi portrays the Congress as a dynastic party. But, the BJP itself owes its electoral victories to dynasties. Many dynasts joined the BJP earlier this month. They include former Haryana Congress leader Kuldeep Bishnoi, son of former chief minister Bhajan Lal, and Kuldeep’s wife and exlegislator, Renuka Bishnoi. Union minister Rajnath Singh’s son, is an MLA from Noida and vice president of the BJP’s UP unit.
06 Monday, 22 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
Providing women with proper public transport all draw them into the job market
Banning Imran on the airwaves may be a preliminary to something bigger YousafEditorNizami 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 I nDIa’s prime minister narendra Modi is adept at performing stunts. to strengthen his electoral position, he carried out “surgical strikes” that Pakistan treats as a hoax. He understands that India’s gullible voter takes his slogans at face value. that is to say without “a pinch of salt”. at India’s 75th Independence Day, Modi asked the people to make five resolves to be achieved in next 25 years. these include “inculcating a culture of thinking big”, “shun desire to seek foreign validation of national achievements”“playing a proactive role to make government policies successful”, “being proud of Indian civilisational heritage”, and “unity and togetherness”. all these resolves seem hollow in the light of the facts on ground; lynching minorities, demolition of Babri mosque, attacks on churches, and so on. Modi expects his party to remain in power for another 25 years, ignoring the formidable challenge from arvind Kejriwal (aam admi Party). through hollow prans (oaths) and slogans, Modi was able to fool Indian people to stay in power. India’s history is full of slogans.nehru’s slogan was “aaraam haraam hai.” (rest is not kosher), Lal Bahadur shastri’s slogan was “jai jawan jai kisan” (long live farmer, long live soldier), Indira Gandhi’s slogan was “garibi hatao” (eradicate poverty). a post-Indira-assassination (October 31, 1984) slogan coined by the congress was “jab tak suraj-chaand rahega, Indiratera naam rahega” (till sun and moon shines Indira will live on).the BJP’s 1996 slogan was “sabko dekha baari-baari, abki baari Atal Bihari” (now it’s atal Bihari’s turn), its 2014 slogan was “achchhe din aane waalehain” (good days are in theHisoffing),2019) slogan was Modi hai to mumkin hai (If Modi is there, then it’s possible). “achchhe din aane waalehain” (good days are in the offing), BJP (2019), jal sey nal jal shakti (water power), jal jeevan (water is life ), ayushman Bharat (happy India) and swachh Bharat (clean India). ‘Jai anusandhaan (hail innovation)’.In his Independence Day speech, headded ‘Jai Anusandhaan (hail innovation)’ to the already existing slogan of ‘Jai Jawan, Jai Kisan, Jai Vigyan’, the congress called it a gimmick. His latest slogan was “har ghar tiranga” (every house is tricolor, India’s national flag) or “har mandir tiranga” (every temple is tricolor). the tiranga slogan bounced back. the congress showcased the national flag with the first PM Jawaharlal nehru’s photo next to it. the communists, as usual, remained indifferent to the national flag debate as they love their own red flag more. the rashtriya swayamsevak sangh (rss), for a long time, opposed the current Indian flag with the ashoka chakra at its centre. M. s. Golwalkar, the second sarsanghchalak of the rss, in his book Bunch of Thoughts, said: “Our leaders have set up a new flag for our country. Why did they do so? It is just a case of drifting and imitating. the rss saw the reddish saffron (different from the rss saffron) in the tricolour as communist and the green as Islamic. the communists, since the early days, have no respect for any other flag except the red flag, which symbolises the proletarian revolution. they have written hundreds of songs on the red flag, as it is the global representative of the working class.”ambedkar chose the blue colour for the flag of the party floated by his scheduled castes federation of India in 1942. It is now the flag colour of the Bahujan samaj Party. Modi portrays the congress as a dynastic party. But, the BJP itself owes its electoral victories to dynasties. Many dynasts joined the BJP earlier this month. they include former Haryana congress leader Kuldeep Bishnoi, son of former chief minister Bhajan Lal, and Kuldeep’s wife and ex-legislator, renuka Bishnoi. union minister rajnath singh’s son, is an MLa from noida and vice president of the BJP’s uP unit. similarly, former rajasthan chief Minister Vasundhara raje’s son, Dushyant singh, is a BJP MP. the long list of the BJP’s dynasts include the likes of Karnataka chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai, Punjab leader sunil Jakhar and former minister of state in the union home affairs ministry, r.P.n. singh. While Basavaraj’s father, s.r. Bommai, was the chief minister of Karnataka in 1988-89, making them the second father-son duo after H.D. Deve Gowda and H.D. Kumaraswamy to occupy the cM’s chair in the state, Jakhar , who joined the BJP in May this year, is the son of Balram Jakhar, an active member of the congress, who was also the speaker of the Lok sabha between 1980 and 1989. Meanwhile r.P.n. singh, who joined the BJP in January, ahead of this year’s assembly elections in uttar Pradesh, hails from sainthwar royal family of Padrauna, Kushinagar. His father, Kunwar chandra Pratap narain singh, was MP from the Padrauna Lok sabha constituency, who served as the minister of state for defence in the Indira Gandhi cabinet in 1980.Many prominent faces in his own cabinet are members of political families: Piyush Goyal, Dharmendra Pradhan, anurag thakur, Kiren rijiju and Jyotiraditya scindia, among others. ahead of the West Bengal assembly election last year, the party inducted chief Minister Mamata Banerjee’s former aide, suvendu adhikari, and also his father, former union minister sisir adhikari, into the BJP .suvendu went on to become the leader of opposition in the West Bengal assembly after the elections. the BJP also inducted Jitin Prasada, son of prominent congress leader Jitendra Prasada, and made him a minister in the Yogi adityanath’s cabinet in uttar Pradesh. Devendra fadnavis, who is the deputy chief minister of Maharashtra is the son of Gangadharpant fadnavis, a former member of the Maharashtra legislative council. Devendra’s aunt, shoba fadnavis, was a state minister.
t He shehbaz government is taking two steps that show its desperation for foreign exchange, the first being an attempt to make chinese companies pay 20 percent of the project cost in fix cPec projects that will go into special accounts and would be used only to pay rupee expenses, not being used even for letters of credit. In return for the deposit of $1.4 billion, Pakistan would expedite implementation. that might be a clever scheme from Pakistan’s point of view, but surely somebody in china would notice that these projects should be expedited anyhow. unfortunately, some of the hurdles that cPec projects have faced have included failure to provide proper security, and to detect and punish criminals after they committed outrages against chinese workers. there are also payment issues, and while projects have been put up, the chinese claim payment for electricity generated is not forthcoming. While it is easy to demand that chinese companies put up foreign exchange up front, there is the problem of whether the IMf will give Pakistan the goahead (not to forget that it is hardly a done deal; and the chinese side has to be convinced). the IMf itself is scheduled to release $1.2 billion to Pakistan, which means that its leverage over Pakistan will be about the same as that of china. In its scrabbling for foreign exchange, the government has tried to sneak in its ban on luxury cars and mobile phones by imposing hefty regulatory duties of 100 percent after lifting the ban, which the IMf told it to do. It could well have left the two items to be priced out of the market by the collapse of the rupee, which is still at rs 215 to the dollar, and which is not expected to fall much further, even when the IMf gives Pakistan the money. Pakistan is in the midst of a foreign exchange crisis, but even if the government has the task of resolving the crisis, it must not attempt to go further than the inherent strength of the economy allows. at this juncture, the government must not attempt to put its basic responsibilities on sale, as it seems to be doing in the cPec case, but must put its head down and do what is necessary to keep the country afloat, without driving anyone out of business.
06-07 Comments - 22nd August 2022_Layout 1 8/21/2022 11:21 PM Page 1
Desperate for dollars
Feminism and urban geography
How Modi fools gullible Indians
“I nfrastructure that works for women will work for everyone and will promote inclusive cities that work for all who live in them.” the more equitable and sustainable organization of the society is just like a reverie unless every section of the society participates for the due share both in the privileges and responsibilities. Gender like class and race is a cornerstone of social organization. Had the women not been bestowed with their due share in rampant urbanization, the sustainability would have been futile,and precarious even if it would be achieved. as consciousness and awareness has been evolving in the sphere of climate change, people are talking more about inequality, injustice and prejudices as the drivers which are raison d’être for a belated and reluctant response towards the eroding environment. the economic, political, social and environmental injustices augment the pace of climate change and at the same time, putting the spoke in the wheel of machinery entrusted to thwart global warming from becoming unable to sustain human life on the planet earth. Women have always been systematically marginalized, but now as they are getting opportunities to heal the wounds of historical oppression and persecution, leaving no stone unturned. as it was not until the 1970s that the theories germane to feminism and gender entered into the field of geography. the feminist urban geographers are now critically examining at the large scale how different structures and relations of the inequality and injustice are mutually constituted. this exploitation of differences in women’s experience of the cities often requires reconceptualizing great feminist urban theory. as asserted by nicolas Ginsburger in an article that since the turn of the 20th century, women have existed in the french academic field of geography, and their presence increased dramatically after 1945 and the feminization trend accelerated in the 1960s. thereby, we are becoming more and more cognizant of the discriminatory and often oppressed behaviour the women in urban centers have to face while mobilizing. More systematically, the women in the field of geography are studying and accentuating the woes of the urban women while making any trip from origin to destination. these discriminatory behaviours can be analysed by studying the journey-to-work patterns. a significantly lower level of mobility exists for working women than for working men as can be found in urban centres. Women have shorter commuting times and distances than men and spend fewer nights away from their main place of abode for work-related reasons. there are a slew of reasons for the gender differences in work-related high mobility, like traditional gender roles and resulting gender-specific division of labour, and a patriarchal power structure. this is broadly known as the household responsibility hypothesis (HrH). But even due to the recent surge in the female employment rate social gender roles remain largely unaffected. accordingly, women undertake more household-support and child-serving trips than men. all of these, accompanied by economic disadvantages, show women are still primarily responsible for the domestic labour. this leads to the spatio-temporal constraints for women which in turn limits their urban mobility. along the hitherto explained contours, the orientation of society and the rate of gender-related crimes have a huge impact on work-related urban mobility. resultantly, this restricted mobility reduces the women’s labour market opportunities. as one study made by asian Development Bank entitled Women’s Mobility and Labour supply: experimental evidence from Pakistan, quantifies the impact of that urban mobility to the work on both genders and the differential impact of that transport on the female exclusively. according to them, one quarter of women in Pakistan’s Demographic and Health surveys work outside the home, another
The writer is a freelance columnist
Amjed jAAved AnsAr AbbAs
The next step P tI chief Imran Khan has tasted censorship for the first time ever, and PeMra’s ban on showing live addresses by him, is the first time such a restriction has been placed on him. It may be a preliminary to something he hasn’t experienced before, during his days in opposition, arrest. the reason this is new to him that the practice of opposition figures being taken off air was unknown in his opposition days, allowing him to harangue the nation nightly during the 2016 dharna. this particular innovation was introduced during his period in office, when attempts to defy the ban led to leading opposition figures being taken off the air as soon as their interview went on. It is possible to see the ban as a sort of preliminary, as the second phase of an operation that was started by the arrest of his chief of staff, Dr shahbaz Gill, on sedition charges. the same forces that did not like Dr Gill’s message of incitement to the military, are also wary of Mr Khan, whose recent speeches seem to indicate that he is likely to go further than before in his attacks on all those who drove him out of office. However, there is already the danger of jumping out of the frying-pan to land in the fire. those forces which are so bothered by Mr Khan free should think about what might happen if Mr Khan was arrested. the attempt at censorship is hopelessly old-fashioned. It assumes that media access is limited, that this is a presocial media era. Mr Khan should get the opportunity he worked assiduously to prevent, to participate in the free marketplace of ideas. Imposers of censorship should remember that no one airs a speech that will not get viewers. If Mr Khan keeps on being telecast, it is something that viewers want to hear. this will only be counterproductive; as he finds other media to transmit his message, which will be surrounded by an aura of martyrdom to the person at the other end.
quarter say they are willing to work—suggesting that female labour force participation could double if these women will seek employment. It is enough to shed the light on the importance of full participation of both genders equally for Pakistan amid such an unprecedented economic crisis. In this pursuit, weeding the physical mobility impediments out as said earlier can increase the chances of social upward mobility. stigmatization of public transportation, sometimes legitimate while considering the abominable public transportation, harassment and violence in public places and public transport badly need to be ameliorated in order to stretch the commuting time and distance which ultimately incentivize the women to actively participate in economic activities. after establishing the fact that women have far less commuting time and distance than the men have and then explaining the reasons behind that disparity, and then establishing the importance of women’s full economic participation, it comes naturally to propose the real-time solutions to encourage the women for mobility therefore we can achieve parity. Intervention of high-quality public transportation which should be environmental and gender-sensitive can be the effective solution. Gender-sensitive policing has also become inevitable for women’s safety. reserving the seats and spaces for women can encourage the women to use such service with great ease. as the women value such spaces. Better and stable internet availability of the internet can be proved more beneficial in this regard. Inclusive infrastructure which aims to improve women’s safety and provide better public spaces that should be inclusive of women’s needs. succinctly, it is imperative especially for the developing countries like Pakistan to incorporate women in all aspects of infrastructure and developmental projects. all such kinds of gaps should be bridged at the utmost priority lest the dreams of sustainable development and environmental friendly growth will remain a chimera.
CPEC sleight of hand; heavy RD on luxury cars
The writer is a freelance journalist, has served in the Pakistan government for 39 years and holds degrees in economics, business administration, and law. He can be reached at amjedjaaved@gmail.com
every day against the multiparty government (a recent case is the alleged torture of shabaz Gill), while the former Prime Minister Mian nawaz sharif is sitting in London and watching where the political situation is moving. Will he come back to Pakistan? that is the hot question in corridors of power in Islamabad, but the most important question is: should he come back or not? Giving huge sacrifices for his party for the last three decades, Mian nawaz sharif cannot be happy to digest the results of the Punjab by-elections in which the PML(n) faced momentous defeat and he cannot afford to see the same situation in forthcoming by-elections in which Imran Khan is contesting from almost every seat his party Mna vacated by resigning. Politically, Imran Khan has nothing to lose if he fails to win the by-elections, but the PML(n) has everything at stake if it fails to win seats in forthcoming by-elections. the defeat of the PML(n) will end all moral justifications for it to stay in power. almost every impartial writer and analyst is of the view that the PML(n)’s defeat in Punjab was not only because the PML(n) gave tickets to turncoats and its voters rejected the party decision, but also the absence of any narrative it could pitch against Imran Khan. another reason was the reactionary media management the PML(n) followed during election campaigns instead of proactive narrative. even today, cohesion, consistency, and uniformity are lacking in PML(n) media management. One day you can watch eight or 10 press conferences of PML(n) federal ministers against Imran Khan and the next day you do not find a single one. even pointers of these press conferences differ from each other. the Great philosopher and writer of the first ever “communication method” we find in political philosophy; aristotle believes that rhetoric is only possible when the speaker confines himself to the same points he raises in his last speech. I have no doubts over the expertise and credibility of multiparty government’s federal ministers as they have given their lives to their parties and I know several of them personally and that they are focused, excellent orators, and logical; but interconnection among them is not seen and they are lacking consistency and continuity in hammering the wall. Moreover, media management of a party must not be the responsibility of everybody but the head of the government must take this responsibility by adding other experts from other political parties of the multiparty government. I believe it should be Prime Minister Mian shahbaz sharif or party supreme leader Mian nawaz sharif who must head the media team of the government because they are going to pay the cost.
Fertilisers and Economy as one of the representatives of the growers of sindh and a practical field farmer, I can say with certainty that none of the farmers has gained in any meaningful way by the subsidies extended to the manufacturers for passing out to the farmers. the installed capacity of the urea fertiliser manufacturing is 6.5 million tonnes, while the total consumption demand across the country round the year is 6 million tonnes. this means urea fertiliser is produced more than the requirement, but every other year the farmers face shortage and fertiliser has to be purchased at a ‘premium’ — black market — price by the dealers. During the last rabi season, wheat-growers faced unprecedented difficulties for obtaining urea fertiliser for their crops. While, on the one hand, the whole country faced severe shortage of urea fertiliser, on the other, the product was available to those who were ready to pay the premium of rs700 to rs1,000 per bag, a price most of the farmers could not afford to pay. as a consequence, the country faced 1.5 million tonne shortfall in the expected production of wheat. a few weeks ago, the Ministry of Industries and Production organised a Zoom meeting for fixing the urea fertiliser price to ensure its availability to the growers during the current Kharif season. I, as a representative of the growers of sindh, also attended the meeting. the urea price was fixed with consensus at rs1,950 per bag and the notification was issued the same day. the manufacturers committed that the commodity would be available to the farmers across Pakistan. But after two weeks, the manufacturers unilaterally increased the price by rs400 per bag, making it rs2,350 instead of the agreed upon price of rs1,950. no official notification was issued by the ministry concerned or the federal government on this increase. the delay in the payment of the last year’s subsidies by the government to the manufacturers was given as an excuse by the fMPac. even if one accepts this unjustified excuse, why have the farmers been made a victim and are being exploited by increasing the price? If the manufacturers wanted to exert pressure on the government, it would have been better had the fMPac declined to pay government taxes unless all their dues were cleared. But, here it seems owing to the mutual understanding, rather I should say the nexus between the fMPac and the authorities that are supposed to regulate the affair, has been exploiting the sector. If such illegal and unlawful acts by fMPac continue without any check, not only the farmers will suffer, but the agro-economy of the state will also suffer.
PMLN’s media management and Imran Khan’s morality narrative
Editor’s mail
The writer is an international award winning journalist who has been in the field since 1988 and appears in national and international media as analyst and political scientist.
The PML(N) is not focusing on Imran Khan’s morality
Last but not least, invigilation staff, instead of frowning and frightening the candidates, should motivate them by being cooperative. the fPsc should also contemplate conducting one paper at a time which would help students manage their time and will relieve them of pressure and anxiety that may have an impact on their performance.
Moreover, media management of a party must not be the responsibility of everybody but the head of the government must take this responsibility by adding other experts from other political parties of the multiparty government.
In a chaotic situation where former Prime Minister Imran Khan is building a “morality case”
07 Monday, 22 August, 2022 COMMENT CSS
Apathy
MIAN MUHAMMADGUJRANWALAAMIN
I voluntarily offer my services to help out fPsc in scrutinising the examination centres. One more issue that merits mention here is that in case there are more than one candidate from one family, they should be allotted the same centre. In my case, my daughter and son appeared in the examinations and both were allotted different centres situated miles apart.
tHIs year’s central superior services (css) examinations were held in May when the summer season was at its peak, and so was electricity loadshedding. to make things worse, no water was available at examination centres for the candidates who could not perform well enough under such irritating circumstances. the furniture of the examination hall was in a poor state, and most of the chairs were broken. unfortunately, there were also no proper seating arrangements for parents and guardians who had accompanied their children/wards from nearby towns and far-flung cities. Moreover, students had no proper place to sit and revise their notes for their second paper during the break between papers I and II. as far as I know, the federal Public service commission (fPsc) acquires on rent these examination centres, paying a handsome amount to the owners. to facilitate the candidates and their parents, the fPsc must have scrutiny of the proposed examination halls well before the commencement of the examinations to ensure the availability of at least basic facilities. Over and above, there must be designated waiting areas for parents and guardians. the fPsc administrative staff must seek feedback from parents and students about the arrangements.
I have been recently appointed as a primary school teacher at the Government Girls Primary school II, shahdadkot. the pathetic condition of the school shocked me on day one, and I have yet to come out of that shock. the place is not too far away from the ruins of Mohenjodaro, and, trust me, if those who inhabited the heritage site thousands of years ago somehow get a chance to visit the said school, even they will stand shocked. the whole infrastructure is in such a poor state that it is probably still standing on the sole basis of its willpower, or, else, it would have collapsed to the ground long ago. the worst and the most frightening thing is the crumbling ceiling of classrooms. a mishap is waiting to happen. Instead of looking at the classroom blackboard, I often find students keeping an eye on the ceiling in order to have just enough time to react if a piece of concrete falls off. the eyes of the teachers are not too different in their movements either. One can see debris everywhere from the ceilings as well as cement coming off the crumbling walls, giving the schools a haunted look. Besides, there is a serious shortage of drinking water, and lack of furniture to accommodate all the enrolled students who number around 600. there is no janitorial staff at all associsted with the school and that has its own consequences. adding to the woes is the prolonged spells of loadshedding that makes it impossible for one and all to focus on the studies while sitting in dark, suffocating rooms and keeping an eye on the ceiling to stay away from the path of falling debris. On its part, the school management has done everything possible within its domain, like keeping the authorities updated on the deteriorating condition of the school infrastructure, sending them reminders, and requesting them for funds to be able to provide a certain level of basic infrastructure and baseline facilities to the students and the staff. there has been no response from the authorities concerned. I wonder if the relevant authorities have abandoned the school.
C HaIrMan Pakistan tehreek-i-Insaf (PtI) and former Prime Minister Imran Khan in his twitter message on august 20 stated that all the pictures and videos show clearly Gill (Shabaz Gill) was tortured both mentally and physically including sexual abuse Imran Khan was referring to the arrest and police custody of his chief of staff, shabaz Gill, who is facing a case of abusing state institutions and trying to divide the rank and file of the Pakistan army. Imran’s twitter message was very interesting for everyone, including me, because this could be the rare case I have seen of sexual abuse where no photo of private parts was available and only his facial photos were shared, claiming that his face is telling he was sexually abused. One can say this is a shallow statement of Imran Khan but I believe this is the perfect media management the bPtI successfully runs and is an expert of. Party chairman Imran Khan leads the campaign and pitches information with full force and then his media team strongly spreads it to every corner of the world. I believe the multiparty alliance is yet to gauge the depth of PtI media tricks. On the other hand, the whole PML(n) campaign over three important cases: tosha Khana, al-Qadir university, and foreign funding, lacks unity, cohesion, consistency, uniformity, and interconnection; and these five components are the foundation of any successful media campaign and communication management. the PML(n) is focused on the “volume of money Imran Khan allegedly got” instead of playing on “morality and illegality” Imran Khan plays on “morality discourse” and tags his all opponents chor (thieves), traitors, etc. Imran Khan always questions all important state institutions on “morality ground” instead of the legal ground because most state institutions are on the right path legally and Khan cannot build a legal case against them but can easily question their acts on moral grounds.for example, the army should be neutral legally under constitutional oath but Imran questions it on the moral ground that it must support him because he is on the right path. On the other hand, the PML(n), instead of generating opinion over the morality of Imran Khan has become a victim of “facts” and the PtI has successfully diverted all cases to “moral obligation”. there is no doubt the PML(n) government got good enough chances to establish moral cases against Imran Khan but its loose, stretched, and illogically far-spread media management is seen as having no homework behind it. the PML(n) did not release any factsheet about the PtI to the media in the foreign funding case, like how many times PtI sought adjournments of the case (54 times PtI asked the election commission to adjourn the case) in eight years. the media was not given the names of the lawyers the PtI had been changing, therefore no interviews of former lawyers of PtI were recorded/promoted asking them why did PtI change them? there were no series of talk shows arranged by the PML(n) before and after the announcement of the foreign funding case verdict and the issue was taken just as a “one-day event” and a lot of content appeared on television screens and newspapers but without any unity, cohesion, consistency, uniformity, and interconnection. Instead of generating the opinion that taking any amount from foreigners, even $100, is illegal and immoral, the PML(n) kept talking about the amount of money in the foreign funding case and PtI easily justified the issue stating that PtI got just $100 or $200 from overseas Pakistanis. no documentary /long reports or memes were produced by the PML(n) for providing to social media and electronic media before or after the verdict, though the PML(n) could have produced such material covering eight years of this case in court, and 13 illegal accounts had come to the surface before the election commission much before the announcement of the verdict. Instead of focusing on three important cases, the tosha Khana, al-Qadir university and foreign funding case, the PML(n) stretches discussions, press conferences, and op-ed articles on too many issues. It looks that everything is done on a “need basis” instead of with a well-planned transfer of the ball from one hand to another. there was no “Grand Dialogue” or “Grand talk” kind of shows/discussions arranged through think tanks, non-government organizations, and state-run institutions spreading the message that PtI is involved in large-scale illegalities. the al-Qadir university case is almost dead in the media although Interior Minister rana sanaullah raised this case very strongly. the majority of the multiparty government’s federal ministers always avoid talking about this case in their press conferences due to the possible link of this case with a business tycoon. no series of shows was planned/conducted to tell people step by step and in detail what links alQadir university has with business tycoon Malik riaz and his money that came from england.
NABI BUX HYDERABADSATHIO
06-07 Comments - 22nd August 2022_Layout 1 8/21/2022 11:21 PM Page 2
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A Letter from Prometheus AghA IqrAr hAroon
SAREEKASHAHDADKOTNAGPAL
oping thermonuclear bombs, in which a small, Hiroshima-type bomb is used just as a trigger for the much larger “nuclear fusion” explosion that can have the destructive power of up to a thousand Hiroshimas. In just one bomb. That is the kind of bomb whose existence in some numbers in Israel’s arsenal was revealed by Mordechai Vanunu. There is another reason, in addition to the sheer destructive power of nuclear weapons, why at the level of most global arms-control or disarmament efforts nuclear weapons are addressed separately from all other types of weapons, including chemical and biological weapons. That is because all the states that have nuclear weapons— of which there are currently nine—find they have to develop “doctrines” for using them that place all these nine nuclear arsenals on, essentially, a status of hair-trigger alert that can all too easily catapult all the world’s nuclear powers into a political-nuclear chain reaction that would speedily destroy all human life on earth. By contrast, in none of the many known cases of the use of biological or chemical weapons did their use lead to any unstoppable “chain reaction,” or not in the same way the nuclear weapons doctrines of all the nine existing nuclear-weapons states predictably would. This clear distinction between the effects (both destructive and globally chained) of nuclear-weapons use and those of the use of any other kind of weapons found today long ago led to a clear separation between efforts to control or dismantle nuclear arsenals and efforts to control or dismantle any other kinds of weapons. Hence, back in the Cold War we had all those nuclear arms-control agreements concluded between Washington and Moscow. And hence, globally, we had the NPT and now—much more recently and hopefully—the worldwide Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons, TPNW, which came into force just last year. Parallel to those efforts, but always separate, there were also international efforts to control or eliminate chemical weapons, biological weapons, land-mines, and so on. Additionally, at the global level, there are now five good, formal treaties whose signatories have created Nuclear Weapons Free Zones in five different portions of the earth’s surface: in latin America and the Caribbean (1969), in the South Pacific (1986), in ASEAN (1997), Central Asia (2009), and all of Africa (2009). The U.S.-dominated United Nations has given robust support to the creation of these NWFZs. But how about those portions of West Asia that include Israel and its neighbors, you may ask? Nah. There is no NWFZ for that region. Because– well, I’m sure you can guess why there is no Middle East NWFZ… But the story gets more interesting, too. The 1970 NPT, as I noted above, placed different obligations between those states that joined it as nuclearweapons states, of which there are five, and all the other members of the treaty. But in Article VI of the treaty, all the members vowed to “pursue negotiations in good faith on effective measures relating to… nuclear disarmament, and on a treaty on general and complete disarmament under strict and effective international control.” The NPT also had an initially agreed term of 25 years, after which, its members agreed, they would convene a special conference to decide whether to extend its term. When they held this meeting in 1995, a vast majority of the treaty’s 150-plus members noted that the five nuclear “have” states had done nothing effective to move towards nuclear disarmament. And a vast majority of the memberstates also noted that Washington, which by then was clearly the world’s strong hegemon, had done nothing to meet the concerns that many of them had long voiced regarding Israel’s nuclear scofflawry. So after much haggling on the conference floor, the majority of NPT members agreed to extend the term of the NPT indefinitely—provided the NPT also support the creation of a “Zone Free of Weapons of Mass Destruction in the Middle East.” You can see how this proposal, for a clunkily named “ZFWMD” in the Middle East, already differed clearly from the NWFZ projects that were by then starting to spread in other parts of the world. But even with that concession to the Israeli-U.S. desire to obfuscate the role of nuclear weapons, over the 27 years since 1995 the United States has continued to block the implementation even of any plan to work for a Middle Eastern ZFWMD. And at each of the four NPT RevCons held since 1995, the failure to make any progress on this issue has been a bone of increasing contention among the NPT delegations. As it still is, this year. At an extremely lame online “event” that the UN hosted on the issue in early August, the most the participants could come up with was a complex “infographic” about all the still-differing “narratives” regarding the ZFWMD proposal. Israel is committing so many terrible atrocities, on a daily and continuing basis, against Palestinians inside historic Palestine and far beyond. Why should we worry, additionally, about its arsenal of nuclear weapons? There are two main reasons, I think. The first is the ability this arsenal gives Israeli leaders to use nuclear blackmail against many of the world’s states—including, crucially, the United States. Bill Quandt and other former U.S. national-security officials have talked clearly about the way that, in arms negotiations with Washington, Israeli officials have been prepared to use arguments along the lines of, “if you don’t give us X, Y, or Z version of an advanced fighter jet, then we might have to base our military planning on something less conventional.”
Monday, 22 August, 2022 08 WORLD VIEW
Mondoweiss HELENA COBBAN a ll this month, representatives of the 191 states that are parties to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) are meeting in New York for the tenth of the “Review Conferences” they regularly hold to assess the effectiveness of this creaking, 52-year-old treaty. The last RevCon, held in 2015, ended in a deadlocked failure— because the U.S. delegate refused to let the other conferees hold Israel accountable for its decades-long flouting of the world’s non-proliferation rules. In other words, the Obama administration, like every U.S. administration since JFK, refused to do anything that might publicize or challenge Israel’s possession of a large arsenal of very advanced and destructive nuclear weapons. Might Washington’s shielding of Israel’s nuclear arsenal be repeated at this year’s NPT RevCon, and might it yet again lead to the failure of the RevCon to produce any meaningful results? That’s a distinct possibility, but don’t expect the titans of the corporate media to be reporting this significant story any time soon. By common agreement, the barons of the corporate media adhere almost wholly to a strict vow of omertà regarding any news about Israel’s nuclear arsenal. Their longstanding practice has been to keep the attention of their readers and viewers focused elsewhere: either on the possibility that Iran might edge closer to acquiring a nuclear weapon, or on “threats” from a range of non-nuclear weapons around the region, primarily alleged chemicalweapons threats in Iraq, or Syria, or wherever. One tiny recent exception to the vow of omertà was last year’s NYT op-ed by Peter Beinart, “America needs to start telling the truth about Israel’s nukes.” Apart from that,Israelcrickets.put its first Hiroshima-style, nuclear- fission weapons together in 1967. It had benefited from technological help from the French government and from other actors in Norway and the United States. less than two decades later, Israel had developed the ability to build a large number of the much more destructive thermonuclear type of weapon. We know that, because in 1986 nuclear technician Mordechai Vanunu heroically blew the whistle on what he and his colleagues had been doing at Israel’s main nuclear facility in Dimona. Based on the information that Vanunu provided, the British nuclear-weapons expert Frank Barnaby concluded that at that point, “Israel could produce about 7 nuclear weapons a year and may now have well over 100.” Barnaby added that Vanunu’s evidence about Dimona “implies that Israel has thermonuclear weapons.”
Helena Cobban is the President of Just World Educational (JWE), a non-profit organization, and the CEO of Just World Books. She has had a lengthy career as a journalist, writer, and researcher on international affairs, including 17 years as a columnist on global issues for The Christian Science Monitor.
The poliTical power of israel’s noT-so-secreT nuclear arsenal BY COMMON AGREEMENT, THE BARONS OF THE CORPORATE MEDIA ADHERE ALMOST WHOLLY TO A STRICT VOW OF OMERTÀ REGARDING ANY NEWS ABOUT ISRAEL’S NUCLEAR ARSENAL. THEIR LONGSTANDING PRACTICE HAS BEEN TO KEEP THE ATTENTION OF THEIR READERS AND VIEWERS FOCUSED ELSEWHERE: EITHER ON THE POSSIBILITY THAT IRAN MIGHT EDGE CLOSER TO ACQUIRING A NUCLEAR WEAPON, OR ON “THREATS” FROM A RANGE OF NON-NUCLEAR WEAPONS AROUND THE REGION IN 1986 NUCLEAR TECHNICIAN MORDECHAI VANUNU HEROICALLY BLEW THE WHISTLE ON WHAT HE AND HIS COLLEAGUES HAD BEEN DOING AT ISRAEL’S MAIN NUCLEAR FACILITY IN DIMONA…THE BRITISH NUCLEAR-WEAPONS EXPERT FRANK BARNABY CONCLUDED THAT AT THAT POINT, “ISRAEL COULD PRODUCE ABOUT 7 NUCLEAR WEAPONS A YEAR AND MAY NOW HAVE WELL OVER 100” AND DID YOU KNOW THAT THE BEST-DOCUMENTED CASE OF BIOLOGICAL WEAPON USE IN THE MIDDLE EAST WAS THEIR USE BY ZIONIST MILITIAS IN ACRE, IN 1948?
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Imagine if members of Congress who claim to be concerned about the global proliferation of nuclear weapons were to form a committee tasked with investigating the situation in Israel and demand that, to investigate these dangers, they intend to conduct their own inspection of Dimona and all of Israel’s other nuclear facilities! Well, this last hypothetical is not going to happen any time soon. But that should not prevent any of us who care about Palestinian rights and are determined to counter Hasbara from raising this issue of Israel’s nuclear arsenal at every possible opportunity. If we let Israel and its vast cohorts of apologists in the West get away with lying to us repeatedly about Israel’s large and dangerous nuclear arsenal, then what else will we let them lie about? Ever since the United States was the first—and only—state ever to use nuclear weapons in war, in August 1945, these apocalyptic devices have been a key ingredient of imperial power. Today, nine states have nuclear arsenals. Of these nine, China and India have made formal pledges that they will not be the first to use nuclear weapons in any conflict—that is, that they built and are keeping their arsenals only to retaliate if another state has used nukes against them first. The rest—including the United States and Israel—retain the option of using their nuclear arsenals even against opponents who have not used nukes against them first. For its part, Israel long ago adopted the too-cute-byhalf locution that it “will not be the first country in the Middle East to formally introduce nuclear weapons into the region.” But the country’s leaders have never been prepared to explain what they mean by “introduce.” Mordechai Vanunu’s story is one that is both heroic and sad. It needs to be known and be told as often as those of other persecuted whistleblowers like Julian Assange or Ed Snowden. As we know, empires can be ruthlessly cruel to those who spill their most closely-guarded secrets. Meanwhile, people in the Palestinian-rights movement should also be working to strengthen their links with the broad nuclear-ban movement that has erupted so successfully onto the world scene over the past decade. This movement has been led by many of the governments of the Global South that have chafed for more than half a century under the discriminatory, apartheid-like structure of the NPT. They’ve acted in concert with a smart, savvy civil-society network called the International Campaign Against Nuclear Weapons (ICAN) and with two states in Europe that remained determinedly neutral between “east” and “west” throughout the Cold War, and until today—Ireland and Austria. ICAN was established in 2006 and built on worldwide anti-nuclear networks established back during the Cold War. Then, in 2015, when that year’s NPT RevCon failed to make any substantive headway– because of, mainly, the ever-sensitive Israel issue—leaders of Global South nations, ICAN, and their allies decided to focus instead on building the treaty for the prohibition of all nuclearTheyweapons.succeeded in concluding this treaty with remarkable speed. At a large gathering in the U.N. headquarters in July 2017, delegates from scores of countries agreed to the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW). By the end of that year more than 50 governments had signed it. And then, in January 2021, the fiftieth government had also ratified the treaty, and that brought the treaty into full force among all its members. Since then, the number of full member states has risen to 66. As of now (no surprise here) none of the nine states that have nuclear weapons has signed the TPNW. But this global nuclear-ban movement is one that Palestinians and their allies should be enthusiastically joining— and helping to Palestinianslead.suffer from the effects of Israel’s nuclear-weapons blackmail every day of their lives. In today’s world, nuclear weapons are an essential pillar of imperial control. If imperial control is to be dismantled, then so too must the nuclear arsenals that protect it.
Throughout the late 1960s and 1970s, U.S. presidents made some (usually half-hearted) attempts to get Israel to join the NPT. But the Israelis always refused. If they had joined, they would have had to make an open declaration as to whether they were a nuclear-weapons state or not. The obligations on states that are members of the treaty are different for nuclear-weapons “haves” and “havenots.” Crucially, the “have-not” states have to submit to regular inspections by the International Atomic Energy Agency, IAEA, of all the facilities they have for peaceful nuclear purposes—nuclear power, research, medical-related devices, etc—to ensure that all weapons-capable nuclear materials are carefully safeguarded and accounted for, and that none gets diverted to weapons development. Did you know that Iran has been a member in good standing of the NPT since 1970, whereas Israel has never joined it? If you did know that already, you are in a tiny minority of Americans! And you almost certainly didn’t learn these facts from the corporate media, which goes to great lengths to obfuscate this essential point. One of the main ways in which, for over more than 30 years now, the media have cloaked the essential fact of Israel’s scofflaw status is, as noted above, by diverting the attention of readers interested in the Middle East to claims about the much vaguer, more amorphous category of “Weapons of Mass Destruction,” WMDs. That’s a category that includes nuclear weapons—but along with chemical and biological weapons, as though all those types of weapons have roughly the same kinds of (mass) destructive effects. That is not the case. Chemical and biological weapons have horrible effects, it is true. Thousands of people in the trenches of WW-I were killed, blinded, or maimed by them. Saddam Hussein used (U.S.-supplied) CWs to horrible effect against Kurdish villages in the north of Iraq in the mid-1980s. (And did you know that the best-documented case of biological weapon use in the Middle East was their use by Zionist militias in Acre, in 1948?) But all those terrible types of harm pale into insignificance compared to the damage that even one, very “primitive” nuclear bomb can have. The one single atomic bomb the U.S. Air Force dropped over Hiroshima on August 6, 1945 created a firestorm that engulfed the city and ended up killing 200,000 people. Some died instantly and some over the months and years of often excruciating pain. In the early 1950s, the United States started devel-
There are also a number of other scenarios, especially those involving large-scale regional crises, in which the merest reference by Israel’s leaders to their ability to trigger a global nuclear-war chain reaction would serve either to compel other actors (including the United States) to act in a certain way, or to deter them from acting in other ways. This fact of Israel’s ability to use nuclear blackmail for either compellence or “deterrence” needs to be clearly understood by anyone studying the country’s role in the global system—and not just within the Middle East. In Washington and elsewhere, military planners have long had a clear understanding of Israel’s ability to make its own decisions regarding the use or deployment of nuclear weapons, including decisions that might jerk the whole world into a nuclear confrontation. There is an instructive parallel here with France, which kept control of its powerful nuclear force de frappe (strike force) outside of NATO’s central military planning process until 2009, precisely in order to allow Paris more independence in its decisionmaking. (The same France, that is, that back in the 1950s gave Israel essential help in building its first nukes.) Another reason to understand the nuclear dimension of Israel’s position in the world is the hypocrisy and outright lying with which this topic is treated at every level of U.S. public discourse. This hypocrisy is always worth noting and exposing. It is a prime example of the “Israel exception” to just about all the rule-books followed by anyone in the Western political elite. Imagine if the editorial boards of The Washington Post, the NYT, NPR, or any of the TV networks devoted even one-tenth as much space to covering Israel’s large and super-destructive nuclear arsenal as they do to the latest breathless “exposés” about Iran’s (IAEA-inspected) nuclear facilities, or to claims about alleged “WMD” facilities in Iraq, back in the day (before all those claims were roundly disproven in the aftermath of the 2003 invasion), or to claims about chemical weapons in Syria. Imagine if, every time there is a news report about the JCPOA—the 2015 “nuclear deal” with Iran, from which Pres. Trump abruptly exited in 2017—the reporter or commentator would also routinely remind viewers or readers that there is only one nuclear-weapons state in the Middle East (Israel) and that it (unlike Iran) is not even a member of the NPT.
PAF relief flood-hitcontinuesoperationinareas
Traders need to tap $3 trillion ASEAN market: RCCI RAWALPINDI Staff RepoRt Thailand can significantly provide economic and trade opportunities to Pakistan by connecting it with the ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) market. The speakers expressed these views on the occasion of the 34th Achievement Awards ceremony and conference organized by the Rawalpindi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (RCCI) in Bangkok, Thailand, said a statement issued here Sunday. They said that the share of ASEAN countries in world trade was around 25 per cent while Pakistan’s trade volume with ASEAN countries was only around seven billion dollars which were very low in terms of potential. They added that the awards and business conference aimed to increase trade relations between the ASEAN countries and bring the business community and private sector of Pakistan and Thailand closer. Ms Arada Fuangtong, a representative from the Prime Minister’s office and Department of International Trade Promotion, Ministry of Commerce, Thailand (DITP), who was the chief guest on the occasion, lauded RCCI’s efforts for promoting trade ties between the two countries. She also agreed and appreciated the recommendations and suggestions, including opening a DITP office in Pakistan. RCCI president Nadeem Rauf in his keynote address said that the ASEAN region, with its significant economic power, vast natural resources, and dynamic workforce, has a considerable development potential which needs exploration in the better interest of all member nations. He added that there were vast opportunities for mutual trade in many sectors, including marble, medicine, automobile, construction, seafood, tourism and clothing. Chamber President Nadeem Rauf said that about a hundred businessmen, institutions and government representatives from Thailand, including Pakistan, participated in the awards and business opportunities conference. He said that there were fraternal relations between Pakistan and Thailand, tourism, especially the tourism of religious places, was very important, and many signs and relics of Buddhism were still present in Pakistan. He added that the two countries also share a deep connection with each other under the Gandhara civilization. He urged Thai investors to look into the opportunities concerning construction and real estate, tourism and the hotel industry, as Pakistan was a huge market in terms of Electronics and Automobiles.
PESHAWAR: The business community of Peshawar has committed to provide employment to 475 rehabilitated drug addicts for their better future and to prevent them return towards addiction.Theysaid this in a meeting with Commissioner Peshawar Division, Riaz Khan Mehsud in the chair, said a press release issued here on Sunday. The meeting was attended by the representatives of the Tanzim-e-Tajran, Anjuman-Tajran, Tajir Insaf Group, Hotel & Restaurants’ Association, Petroleum Association and Peshawar Cantonment Tajir Association. Those who attended the meeting were included Additional Deputy Commissioner (ADC) Dr Ihtesham-ul-Haq, General Manager (GM) KP Economic Zones Development & Management Company (EZDMC) Ishfaq Afrid while the trading community was represented by Malik Meher Elahi, Haji Mohammad Afzal, Shahid Khan, Mujeeb-ur-Rehman, Abdul Majid, Habibullah Zahid and Onothers.this occasion, the representatives of the traders’ associations expressed full confidence in the efforts of the Commissioner Peshawar, Riaz Khan Mehsud for the rehabilitation of drug addicts and assured him full cooperation in provision of employment to them. Staff RepoRt HAyAH BAHRoNI
DHAI-R signed a contract with HBL for the digital collections through a customized HBL Mobile App and Internet baking for the convenience of the members.
ISLAMABAD Staff RepoRteR
HBL to represent Pakistan at SCO-IBA annual council meeting '22
A step towards digitalization for DHAI-R members
Brig Muhammad Jawad, Administrator DHA IslamabadRawalpindi and Mr. Adeel Hassan Behroz Country head, Commercial Banking HBL honored the event while other senior officials from both organizations were also present on the occasion. pR
WEEkly CuRRENCy uPDATE: RuPEE lIkEly To STAy STAblE AgAINST DollAR NExT WEEk
“He who plants a tree, plants a hope” – Lucy LarcomNature is God’s most beautiful creation. It facilitates the growth, development and nourishment of all its creatures. In order to pay tribute to our country on the 75th Independence Day of Pakistan, Team Save Dreamshosted a plantation drive on 13 August, 2022in collaboration with Environment Wing of Capital Development Authority and Team Wefixers under the banner “Muhm Shajr-e-Sayadar”. Considering the manifold benefits of trees, including that they provide us with oxygen, have given rise to sustenance, absorb unpleasant odors as well as harmful gases from the air and filter it, protect us from dangerous ultra-violet rays, provide us with food, give shelter to various species of animals; and the pivotal role played by trees in preventing soil erosion, maintaining ecological balance and most importantly in reducing the effects of global warmingand environmental changes, made us realize that it was about time that we initiate a project preserving the beauty of our capital city, Islamabad. The drive “Muhm Shajr-e-Sayadar” was inaugurated in the presence of Miss Javeria Maqbool, Deputy Director Environment Wing, CDA. A total of 150 trees, including Lagerstroemia Indica, PongamiaPinnatacommonly known as SukhChayn, Bauhinia Variegata and Cassia Fitsula, were planted by the 15 enthusiasts of two teams at the event site; the grounds of Convention Center, Islamabad. 50 of these were provided to us by Team WeFixers and 100were provided by CDA Environment Team, who not only allotted us the site to carry out the event smoothly, but also provided us with their team of professional gardeners. A Letter of Gratitude was also presented by our team to Miss Javeria Maqbool who in return honoured our team members namely; Hayah Bahroni, Rafia Ali, Ayesha Siddique, Noor-ul-Huda, Omama Basit, Mohammad Ibrahim, Abdullah Siddique, Humayal Ahmed and QasimWaqar; withLettersof Appreciation acknowledging our hard work towards this noble cause. Ecological disruptions or imbalances can lead to droughts, flooding and numerous other calamities and natural disasters that can cause immense harm and destruction to life and property alike, which is why it is imperative that we save trees and conserve them, so as to be able to maintain a balance in the ecosystem and ensure overall health and harmony. To make that happen, we must plant more and more trees to neutralize the damage already done. It’s about time that we all break the mold and start planting because the solution to saving Mother Earth; which is being destroyed at the hands of its own children by deforestation, littering and spilling oils & fuels into its once clear rivers and oceans; is to grow trees. Today, let us all make a pledge that we will actively contribute in giving rise to a healthy, green, clean, prosperous and self-dependent Pakistan, and that we will take at least one small step to protect our environment by PLANTING TREES. Let’s all Save Trees and Save Dreams.
KARACHI Staff RepoRt Habib Bank Limited will officially represent Pakistan at the 18th Annual Council Meeting of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization Interbank Association (SCO – IBA) scheduled to be held on August 23 in Tashkent,AccordingUzbekistan.tothe details, HBL Chairman Sultan Ali Allana will address the gathering. As the only commercial bank on this forum, and Pakistan’s largest bank, HBL is positioned to play an integral role in promotion of regional trade, investment, and finance. The SCO-IBA is a multilateral regional body that encompasses a region that comprises 40 per cent of the world's population. It has been making efforts to ensure peace and stability in the region, reduce poverty, and ensure food security. Business and economic opportunities between countries is the real potential of this organization. HBL has been associated with SCO-IBA since 2014. Its presence on the body as the only commercial bank representing Pakistan is a milestone for Pakistan. The creation of the SCO was announced in June 2001 in Shanghai. The SCO currently comprises eight member states including China, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Pakistan, Tajikistan and India. With a combined population of over 3.3 billion, the SCO member states cover nearly half the human population. It is the largest regional establishment in the world in terms of geographical coverage and population and is also one of the world’s most powerful organizations. The SCO-IBA enhances sustainable development agenda through collaboration with multilateral institutions, working on unified approaches as a collective forum. This includes promotion of regional trade and investments and exploring new mechanisms to develop transnational mega projects. It may be recalled that HBL was the first bank from Pakistan to receive a license for setting up a branch in China. It was also the first South Asian bank to receive permission to set up its banking operations in Urumqi, the largest city in the province of Xinjiang, which borders Pakistan along the traditional Silk Route. HBL’s Urumqi Branch is now fully functional and the bank is in the advanced stage of consultation with Chinese banking regulator to open its second branch in Beijing. Pakistan officially became a member state of SCO in June 2017. In 2018, HBL was officially granted the status of a member bank, during the 14th council meeting of SCO IBA held in in Beijing, China.
ISLAMABAD Staff RepoRt T HErupee is expected to remain stable against the US dollar in the coming week due to subdued demand for the local unit from importers, say Theytraders.said that market players are also eyeing the central bank’s monetary policy meeting on Monday. The greenback traded at 213-214 during the outgoing week. It closed at 213.98 per dollar on Monday and finished at 214.65 on Friday. The rupee fell 0.31% against the greenback during the “Theweek.market has stabilised over the last week, and the rupee will likely to remain stable at the same levels in days ahead,” said a foreign exchange trader. “Apart from forex inflows and outflows, the monetary policy decision will be instrumental to gauge the rupee’s future direction. The market is looking at Monday’s meeting,” the traderTheadded.government lifted a ban on the import of non-essential and luxury goods to meet a condition of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) ahead of the board’s meeting later this month to revive the loan programme. However, it announced imposition of heavy duties on completely built units cars, mobile phones, and electronic appliances to discourage imports. The market will also evaluate the impact of opening up of luxury imports on the rupee, according to traders. The foreign currency reserves have started to recover. The foreign reserves held by the State Bank of Pakistan slightly increased by $67 million or 0.9% to $7.9 billion as of August 12. In a poll conducted by Tresmark Research, 69% of traders predicted no change in interest rates. The SBP hiked the policy rate by 125 basis points (bps) to 15% on July 7. Unchanged rates during the previous auction and that the central bank will not seek positive real interest rates are the main causes of the market sentiment of “No Change, according to the poll’s“However,findings. in our view, the most likely outcome is a 50bps rate increase,” Tresmark said in a note. “The primary reasons for this are, inflation has still not peaked, Fed is increasing US interest rates aggressively (with LIBOR [London Interbank Offered Rate] equivalent trending around 3.50%), Rupee has appreciated 4 days out of 5 last week, but is still viewed as being vulnerable and the government has not shown particular interest in slowing down growth, to compress the twin deficits, and the central bank may feel obliged to increase policy rates to temper expectations,” it added. The poll also suggested that the majority believe the sweet spot of USD-PKR to be between 205 and 215. While the rate would be good for the economy and for tempering inflation, it may be difficult to maintain the level on some factors.
Business community to provide employment to 475 rehabilitated drug addicts
In the current unprecedented monsoon rain spell, Pakistan Air Force continued to provide humanitarian assistance and disaster relief support to the people stranded in flash floods affected areas of South Punjab, Balochistan and Sindh. The relief efforts were going on in the areas of Nurwah, Madadpur, Kot Magsi, Mauripur, Sohbatpur, Habib Kot, Fatehpur, Sadiq Pul, Fazilpur and Hajipur, a PAF news release said. On the special instructions of Chief of the Air Staff, Pakistan Air Force, Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmed Baber Sidhu, emergency response teams of PAF were working round the clock to provide rations to people trapped in their homes. During the operation hundreds of flood affectees had been evacuated to safer places. Additionally, all available resources were being utilized to provide treatment and medicine to the flood affectees at the field medical camps established by the PAF. The PAF has always remained at the forefront in extending humanitarian assistance during natural Thecalamities.reliefoperation in South Punjab, Balochistan and Sindh areas is a practical manifestation of PAF's resolve to extend all out support to fellow countrymen in the hour of need.
09NEWS Monday 22 August, 2022 | LAHORE corporate corner
Team Save Dreams Carries Out Tree Plantation Drive
10 FOREIGN NEWS Monday, 22 August, 2022 | LAHORE
U N Secretary-General Antonio Guterres Sunday paid tributes to victims of terrorism, marking the international day established to ensure that “victims and survivors are always heard and never forgotten.”
TOKYO AFP Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida has tested positive for Covid-19, his office said Sunday, a week before the leader was expected to attend an African development conference in Tunisia. Kishida took a PCR test “after experiencing a mild temperature and a cough” from Saturday evening, an official from the Prime Minister’s Office of Japan told AFP. Reports in local media including public broadcaster NHK said he may now attend the August 27-28 Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD) remotely. Japan has logged record Covid-19 cases in recent days, although its total death toll from the disease is far lower than many other countries, at 36,780. The 65-year-old Kishida, who took office in October, had his fourth vaccine shot earlier this month. He has been on holiday with his family and was due to return to work on Monday. Japan has never imposed a strict lockdown, and anti-infection measures mainly targeting bar and restaurant opening hours were lifted in March across the country. The nation’s borders have partially reopened although tourists are still banned unless they are on organised group trips. Tokyo has partnered with African countries since 1993 to hold TICAD around every five years. At the upcoming meeting, Japan will strongly support “African-led development” with a focus on the economy, society, and peace and stability, a Japanese foreign ministry briefing document said. Japan would also contribute to enhancing food security in Africa to address the food crisis which had worsened due to the situation in Ukraine, the document said.
COVID-19 on rise in Afghanistan as over 700 cases confirmed KUNDUZ, AFGHANISTAN Agencies
The daughter of an ultra-nationalist Russian ideologue who advocates Russia absorbing Ukraine was killed in a suspected car bomb attack outside Moscow on Saturday evening, Russian state investigators said on Sunday. Darya Dugina, daughter of prominent ideologue Alexander Dugin, was killed after a suspected explosive device detonated on the Toyota Land Cruiser she was travelling in, investigators from the Moscow region said in a statement. Russia’s TASS state news agency quoted Andrei Krasnov, someone who knew Dugina, as saying the vehicle belonged to her father and that he was probably the intended target. Father and daughter had been attending a festival outside Moscow and Dugin had decided to switch cars at the last minute, Russian government newspaper Rossiiskaya Gazeta reported. TV footage accompanying the statement showed investigators collecting debris and fragments from the spot where the explosion happened. Investigators, who described Darya Dugina as a journalist and political expert, said they had opened a murder case and would be carrying out forensic examinations to try to determine exactly what had happened.Theysaid they were considering “all versions” when it came to working out who was responsible for theAlexandercrime. Dugin, Darya’s father, has long advocated the unification of Russian-speaking and other territories in a vast new Russian empire. He wants that empire to include Ukraine where Russian forces are currently carrying out what Moscow calls a “special military operation” to demilitarise Ukraine. The influence of Dugin, who is on a US sanctions list, over Russian President Vladimir Putin has been a subject of speculation, with some Russia watchers asserting that his sway is significant and others calling it minimal. Darya Dugina, who also went by the surname Platonova and was reported by Russian state media to be 30 years old, broadly supported her father’s ideas and appeared on state TV in her own right to offer support for Russia’s actions in Ukraine. In a statement in March, the US Treasury said Dugina, the chief editor of the United World International website, which has suggested Ukraine would “perish” if admitted to the NATO military alliance, had been put on a US sanctions list.
the extremism being pursued by the RSS and other extremist organizations. He said that these organizations consider Muslims and other minorities as an obstacle to India’s development and openly threaten them to convert to Hinduism or leave India. He added that these extremist Hindu organizations have made the lives of Indian minorities miserable and they are forced to live like slaves.
Taking a dig at the BJP Government in Uttar Pradesh, Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) chief Mayawati has said that “jungle raj” prevails in the state and the drumming of development is merely a deception. In a series of tweets in Hindi, Mayawati said, “A number of people died in a boat tragedy due to an incomplete bridge over the Yamuna river in Banda. An undertrial who had been brought to Hapur for a hearing was shot dead, and now the painful incident of gangrape in Hamirpur. These incidents prove there is jungle raj in Uttar Pradesh and the drumming of development is only a deception.” She said, overall, lack of judicious use of law in UP and fearlessness among criminal elements are proof of poor law and order. “Their (BJP government’s) development is also limited to certain districts, while there is extreme poverty and unemployment in all parts of UP,” she said.
Japan PM tests positive for Covid-19
UNITED NATIONS Agencies
Daughter of Putin ally killed in suspected car bomb attack
‘Hindutva ideology a serious threat to world peace’ ‘Jungle Raj’ prevails in UP: Mayawati LUCKNOW Agencies
the same objective of furthering the HindutvaTheideology.Tehreek-e-Kashmir, UK, leader said that the RSS and other Hindu extremist organizations believed in violent means for the Hindu supremacy and could go to any extent to impose their ideology. She added that the ideology of Hindutva was itself a threat to the survival of Hinduism and the Hindu society was also in grave danger due to the extremistGurchuranorganizations.Singhsaid that the very existence of India was in serious danger due to
The Sikh community leader maintained that the RSS was also active in the UK and is advancing its fascist ideology. He said that the BJP was in fact the political wing of the RSS and was furthering its Hindutva ideology. He said that the BJP, under the ideology of RSS, had made the life of the Muslims of Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir a hell and was using every brutal tactic to turn the Muslim majority of the territory into a Heminority.urgedthe international community to take steps to curb the dangerous ideology of Hindutva, otherwise it could prove extremely disastrous not only for South Asia but for the entire world.
Pope ‘concerned’ after Nicaraguan bishop detained
TeRRORIsM VICTIMs, sURVIVORs MUsT neVeR be FORgOTTen: Un ChIeF
“On this international day and every day, let us make sure that victims and survivors are always heard and never forgotten. And let us do everything we can to prevent more victims in the future,” the UN chief said in a message for the International Day of Remembrance of and Tribute to the Victims of Terrorism, observed on August 21 annually. The international day “is a day of reflection, recognition and action. We reflect on the pain and suffering of those who lost loved ones; and we resolve to listen to them and learn from them,” he said. “We commit to support survivors scarred by heinous acts of terrorism by amplifying their voices, protecting their rights and seeking justice. And by mobilizing member states to provide the legal, medical, psychosocial, or financial support they need to heal and live with dignity.”
VATICAN CITY Agencies Pope Francis said Sunday he was “concerned” by rising tensions between the state and the Catholic church in Nicaragua, two days after bishop and regime critic Rolando Alvarez was detained. Francis said he was following “closely with concern and sorrow” the situation in Nicaragua, amid a worsening standoff between the Church and a government accused of increasing authoritarianism. “I would like to express my conviction and hope that through open and sincere dialogue, the basis for respectful and peaceful coexistence can still be found,” the head of the world’s 1.2 billion Catholics said after the Angelus prayer. The Catholic Church in Nicaragua has been under increasing government pressure since opposition protests in 2018 were met with repression that resulted in hundreds of deaths. President Daniel Ortega maintains the protests were part of a Washington-backed opposition plot to unseat him, and accuses bishops of complicity. The Vatican has said Nicaragua expelled its ambassador to the country in AlvarezMarch.wasdetained Friday for “destabilizing and provocative” activities aimed at destabilizing the Central American country. His detention followed two weeks under police siege at his official residence in Matagalpa, central Nicaragua, after he criticized the closure of Church radio stations and newsSupporterschannels.said Alvarez was taken “with violence” to an unknown location, prompting the United Nations and Organization of American States (OAS) to express concern. Eight others, including five priests, who had been holed up with Alvarez were taken to Managua with him, according to the Latin American Bishops Conference (CELAM), and were all under investigation. Later, the church said Alvarez was being held at his “family home” where Cardinal Lepoldo Brenes was allowed to visit him. Brenes reported the bishop’s “physical condition has deteriorated” but his “spirit is strong,” the archdiocese of Managua said in a statement. The other eight were being held at El Chipote prison, according to the Nicaraguan Center for Human Rights (Cenidh), which is a notorious lockup for government critics. Last week, the Cenidh said another Nicaraguan priest, Oscar Benavidez, was “removed from his vehicle and taken by patrol car to an unknown destination.”
LONDON Agencies
Speakers at a panel discussion have termed Hindutva ideology a threat to world peace and security and called upon the international community and the United Nations to play their role in tackling it. According to Kashmir Media Service, the discussion on “Hindutva in London” was hosted by Raja Aijaz Ahmad Shaiq while the participants were Rehana Ali, Information Secretary of Tehreek-e-Kashmir, UK, and Gurchuran Singh of Dal Khalsa, a SikhToorganization.aquestion Rehana Ali said that the Hindutva ideology is dangerous not only for South Asia but for the whole world. She said that the sole aim of this ideology put forward by Vinayak Damodar Savarkar in 1922 was to cleanse India of minorities and make it a HinduSheRashtra.saidextremist Hindu organizations, including Rashtriya Swayamsevak Singh (RSS), Bharatiya Janata Party and Vishva Hindu Parishad, were working for
The theme of this international day focuses on the importance of memories, said Guterres. “Too often victims feel abandoned after the initial shock of a terrorist attack. It is our collective responsibility to remember and honor victims and Guterressurvivors.”saidthathe looks forward to learning and hearing directly from survivors about their needs and challenges, at the Global Congress of Victims of Terrorism next month. The International Day of Remembrance of and Tribute to the Victims of Terrorism was established by the UN General Assembly in 2017. It designated August 21 as the International Day of Remembrance of and Tribute to the Victims of Terrorism, in order to honor the victims and survivors of terrorism. Each year, acts of terrorism harm and kill thousands of innocent people. Despite international attention, those affected often struggle gaining access to key physical, psychological, social, and financial services, it was pointed out.
MOSCOW AhmAd sAAd
The number of COVID-19 cases has constantly risen in the northern Kunduz province with more than 700 people testing positive in the province over the past one month, a health official said Sunday. “We have registered 727 positive cases of COVID-19 in Kunduz province over the past one month,” head of the province’s health department Mohammad Shafiq Sadeq said at a meeting with local hospital staff. Warning of the fast spread of the virus in the province, Sadeq urged the public to follow health guidelines and wear masks when going outdoors. He also called upon the people to take vaccine shots against the virus. Only a 30-bed hospital is available for providing medical treatment to COVID-19 patients in Kunduz province, and 65 patients have been hospitalized there, Sadeq added. Floods, landslides kill dozens as monsoon rains lash northern, eastern India
LUCKNOW ReuteRs Floods and landslides triggered by intense monsoon rains killed at least 50 people in northern and eastern India over the last three days, officials said on Sunday. The rains overwhelmed hundreds of villages, sweeping away houses and leaving residents stranded as rescue crews have been racing to evacuate survivors. Earlier this month the federal weather office had predicted that India was likely to receive an average amount of rain in August and September, pointing to overall good crop yields in Asia’s third-biggest economy that relies on farming to boost growth and generate jobs. Farming contributes around 15% to India’s $2.7 trillion economy while sustaining more than half the population of 1.3 billion. Heavy showers followed by landslides and flooding in the Himalayan state of Himachal Pradesh over the past three days killed at least 36 people, a state government official told Reuters. In the neighbouring mountainous state of Uttarakhand, an official government release said that four were dead and 13 were missing due to continuous rainfall. The state has evacuated 120,000 people so far from the affected areas. Authorities in the Ramgarh district of the eastern state of Jharkhand said five people had been swept away by the waters of the swollen Nalkari river on Saturday. Four bodies have been recovered so far, said Madhvi Mishra, a district official in Ramgarh.
The project of the Pakistan Junior League (PJL) is yet to take off after only one company came forward for the live October,firstHePCBectistorights.streamingAccordingthedetails,PJLthedreamproj-ofChairmanRamizRaja.announcedtheeditioninefforts have been going on for some time to sell the rights but the response is very disappointing. The board also faced bitter disappointment in the live streaming tender after the title sponsorship, with only one party coming forward, sources said. For the one-year contract, the private sports channel bid only Rs 70 lakh, which is about 17% of the reserve price of PKR 4 crores 20 lakhs. The channel is also more interested in a three-year contract, but the board wants only a one-year contract due to some reasons. Negotiations will be held on Monday, but the possibility of a major change in the situation is unlikely. Meanwhile, viewing the possible lack of interest in TV rights, the rights have been given to the government channel. 72% of the income will be shared by PCB and 28% by the channel. Earlier, the board had received less than 25 per cent of the reserve price for PJL’s title sponsor. The board kept a reserve price of about PKR 44 crores and 80 lakhs for three years, but, both the companies in the race offered PKR 9 crores only. PCB had decided to sell the title sponsorship itself by cancelling the tender as there was no increase in the submission of new bids. According to the sources, T20 World Cup is also scheduled after the England series, so who will be interested in the junior league, as people like to watch stars and junior matches are less likely to succeed. On the other hand, Chairman Board has been on holiday in England for more than a month, he has not returned since the ICC meetings, and many unresolved issues are pending in his absence. According to the board spokesperson, Ramiz has extended his stay in the UK due to some cricket-related meetings.
PESHAWAR Staff RepoRt
LAHORE Staff RepoRt
batters: Waqar LAHORE Staff RepoRt Former Pakistan pacer and head coach Waqar Younis said on Saturday that Shaheen Shah Afridi’s injury is a big relief for India’s top-order batters. Shaheen was ruled out of the Asia Cup 2022 and England T20Is after being advised rest for 4-6 weeks on the basis of the latest scans and reports. The left-arm pacer had a right knee ligament injury while fielding against Sri Lanka in the first Test at Galle. The left-arm pacer had a right knee ligament injury while fielding against Sri Lanka in the first Test at Galle. “Shaheen’s injury Big relief for the Indian top order batsmen. Sad we won’t be seeing him in Asia Cup2022, Get fit soon Champ,” Younis tweeted. PCB said he is expected to return to competitive cricket in October with the New Zealand tri-series, which will be followed by the ICC T20 World Cup in Australia. India and Pakistan will face each other at the Dubai International Stadium on August 28, the same venue where Pakistan had dismantled a Virat Kohli-led India by 10 wickets in the 2021 T20 World Cup. Afridi dismantled India’s toporder back then when he singlehandedly took the wickets of Rohit Sharma, KL Rahul and Virat Kohli.
LAHORE Staff RepoRt
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Cantlay edgeS Clear at BMW ChaMpIOnShIp
Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag can boost his hopes of securing his first Premier League point against Liverpool on Monday if he dropped Cristiano Ronaldo and Marcus Rashford, Red Devils legend Wayne Rooney writes in the Sunday Times. United have opened their campaign with embarrassing defeats, Brighton recording their first ever win at Old Trafford followed by a 4-0 whipping by Brentford last Itweekend.leavesthem rooted to the bottom of the Premier League for the first time in 30 years. United host a Liverpool outfit who are also seeking their first win of the campaign following two draws against Fulham and Crystal Palace. United and England record goalscorer Rooney says his former side requires players who run their hearts out on the pitch and neither Ronaldo nor Rashford provide that. Ronaldo in his second spell at United has been rumoured to be seeking a move away from the club as he wants to play Champions League football. Rashford’s loss of form since playing in the Euro 2020 final last year has seen him lose his place in the England squad and there have been reports of him being linked with French champions Paris Saint-Germain. “I wouldn’t play Cristiano Ronaldo, and I wouldn’t play Marcus Rashford,” said Rooney. “If I was in Ten Hag’s position my main concern would be getting energy on the pitch, and United’s failure to recruit a No 9 means they relied on Ronaldo against Brentford, even though he hadn’t trained a lot with the team. “He looked like he needs time to get match fit.” Rooney – who is now coaching another of his former clubs DC United in the MLS – said United should let Ronaldo leave, as at 37 he is not a player to build a potential title winning team around. “He has also let it be known that he wants to leave the club,” said Rooney. “I don’t know his reasons but, as I wrote in my last column, I’d let him – he’s a great player and will always score goals but the task for Ten Hag is to produce a team that can compete for the title in three or four years’ time. “That means rebuilding with younger players.”
Govt of Pakistan and KP govt should also encourage them and provide them with an international standard mat in their village where they train on a mat installed in their Hujra, Aqil Shah said. He said that wrestling is no longer a game of “Akhara” rather it is now being played on the mat and has become a scientific sport. Shah Faisal said winning a bronze medal is a great honor for Pakistan and KP and a proud moment for the entireHenation.said Chief Minister KP Mahmood Khan and Provincial Minister Muhammad Atif Khan have already announced cash prize and soon an honoring reception would be organized. He said that due to the personal interest of CM Mahmood Khan, the KP athletes are shining the name of the country and nation at different levels. In his chat, Inayat Ullah said that our players will achieve more success in the future if provided facilities. “We have no shortage of talent but lacking facilities,” he added.
Australia’s second-round leader Scott, meanwhile, is a shot further back on 10 under after battling to a twounder-par 69 that included four birdies and two bogeys. Scott was joined by world number one Scottie Scheffler, who had threatened to challenge for the outright lead early in the round after four birdies and six pars over the opening 10 Scheffler’sholes.round came unstuck though down the stretch, with back-to-back bogeys on the 16th and 17th holes. Scheffler recovered from that setback with a birdie on the 18th that left him firmly in the hunt heading into Sunday’s final round. Collin Morikawa will also fancy his chances of making a final-day charge after a 65 propelled him to nine under, three off the pace. Morikawa pocketed seven birdies and only one bogey and shares sixth on the leaderboard alongside Aaron Wise, who shot a 67. But Saturday’s third round marked the end of Will Zalatoris’s challenge. The in-form American, winner of last week’s St. Jude Championship, withdrew from the tournament after suffering a back injury on the third hole.
The Lahore Qalandars High-Performance Center has world-class facilities and Namibian cricketers are availing it to the full potential under the guidance of Director and head coach Aaqib Javed. The four emerging Namibian players have recognized the facilities and are grateful to veteran David Wiese for making the visit possible. The players talked exclusively to Cricket Pakistan and expressed their desire to participate in Pakistan’s domestic cricket and Pakistan Super League (PSL). “It’s been good so far, the hospitality of the people here is amazing, everyone is friendly and welcoming to us. The food has been amazing too,” Nicol Loftie-Eaton said. “Lahore Qalandars High-Performance Center has world class facilities, we don’t have such resources for training in our country,” he added. Loftie-Eaton featured had the opportunity to face Shaheen Afridi in the U19 World Cup, he rated him as one of the dangerous bowlers. Mauritius Ngupita opened up on Lahore’s weather and food. “The weather is a bit humid compared to back home, but now we are used to it. Pakistan food is very tasty, it has a lot of spice and we are enjoying it a lot,” he said. Lupita is inspired by former Pakistan all-rounder Mohammad Hafeez and learns from his off-spin bowling. “I try to learn by watching Hafeez, the allrounder consistently bowls on good line and length.” Shaun Fouché was in awe of David Wiese, who played an important role in making training possible at the Lahore Qalandars High-Performance Center. “He has played in different countries of the world and in the PSL, his guidance is always useful, there is a good opportunity to prepare for the World Cup Qualifiers in Lahore, there will be plenty of T20 matches to be played in the Namibia League starting from September 1.” Fouché’s favorite batter is Pakistan captain Babar Azam from whom he learns a lot. “The way Babar takes his innings forward and scores big runs, t gives us a chance to learn a lot.”
Saudi minister eyes Olympics as ‘ultimate goal’ JEDDAH, SAUDI ARABIA agencieS Saudi Arabia sees hosting an Olympics as its “ultimate goal” in a growing sports portfolio, its sports minister told AFP, while rejecting criticism of the kingdom over its rights record. Investing in sport is part of a multipronged strategy approved six years ago to diversify the oil-reliant economy, under de facto ruler Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, 36. Sports Minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki Al-Faisal spoke to AFP in the Red Sea city of Jeddah ahead of the heavyweight boxing clash in which Ukraine’s Oleksandr Usyk beat Anthony Joshua of Britain in the early hours of Sunday. In 2034, the capital Riyadh will host the Asian Games, a large-scale multi-sports event that Prince Abdulaziz said could foreshadow a bid for the Summer Olympics. “Our main focus now is the 2034 (Asian Games),” which will take place two years after Brisbane, Australia hosts the 2032 Summer Games, he said.
LONDON agencieS
Namibian players in awe of facilities in Qalandars High-performance center
KPOA accords red carpet welcome to CWGs’s bronze medalist
Ten Hag should drop Ronaldo and Rashford: RooneyShaheen’s injury a big relief for Indian top-order
WASHINGTON agencieS d EFENDINGchampion Patrick Cantlay fired a six under-par 65 to open up a one-shot lead at the PGA Tour’s BMW Championship in Delaware on Saturday. Cantlay, bidding to become the first player in FedEx Cup post-season history to successfully defend a tournament title, conjured six birdies and an eagle at Wilmington Country Club for a 54-hole aggregate of 12-under 201. The 30-year-old world number four started the day two shots adrift of second-round leader Adam Scott but quickly halved that deficit on the opening hole, rolling in a monster 43-foot birdie putt. Birdies on the third and the seventh — after another long birdie putt from 30 feet — took Cantlay to the turn at three-under for the day. A bogey on the par-four 11th briefly checked his progress but Cantlay responded with back-to-back birdies on the 12th and 13th before a magnificent eagle three on the 14th, the American holing out with a sublime lob wedge from 104 yards. That took Cantlay a shot clear of the field at 12 under but a rare putting blunder on the 17th — missing a threefooter for bogey — dropped him back to 11-under. Yet once again, Cantlay responded in style, blasting his second shot on the 18th to the back of the green with sharp backspin that left him with just a seven-footer for birdie. “I hit the ball really well today,” Cantlay said afterwards. “Left a few out there but I think today was really about my bounce backs — after the two bogeys I made which were mistakes, I made birdies on the next two holes and got back into the round and kept the momentum to take into tomorrow.” Cantlay said he was not thinking about possibly emulating his 2021 FedEx Cup victory, when he won both the BMW and the Tour Championship. Zalatoris injury: “My head is not even there right now,” he said. “I think the best way to handle this playoff system is to just focus on doing your best in the tournament that you’re in and not worry too much about the points. So that’s what I’m going to do.” Cantlay’s 65 leaves him one clear of close friend Xander Schauffele, who posted a five-under 66 on Saturday to finish the day on 202 alongside fellow American ScottSchauffele’sStallings. bogey-free round included an eagle, three birdies and 14 pars. Stallings advanced up the leaderboard with a 66 that featured six birdies.
The office-bearers of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Olympic Association (KPOA) and Directorate General Sports KP warmly welcomed the bronze medalists of the Commonwealth Games Inayat Ullah soon after arriving in his native town Pir Bala, Warsak Road on Sunday. President KPOA and former Sports Minister Syed Aqil Shah, President KP Wrestling Association Arshad Durrani Advocate, Presidents and Secretaries of various associations affiliated with KPOA, his father Ustad Palawan Zahid Ullah, his brother wrestler and international medalists in Russia Niamat Ullah, elders of the village Pir Bala, players and large number of youth were also present. Similarly, on behalf of Secretary Sports Tahir Khan Orakzai and DG Sports KP Khalid Khan International Karate coach Shah Faisal and Administrator Peshawar Sports Complex Syed Jaffar Shah visited the home of promising wrestler, hailing from KP Inayat Ullah for winning bronze medal in Birmingham Commonwealth Games-2022 65kg weight category and congratulated him and his family. Shah Faisal and Syed Jaffar Shah met with Inayat Ullah and his coach father Zahid Ullah and garlanded them over Inayat Ullah winning bronze medal for Pakistan in Wrestling. There was doll (Drums) and Surna (Pipe) as well wherein all the Pehlawans (wrestlers) have their “Dhamal” on the tones of the Drums and Pipe. Speaking on this occasion, Syed Aqil Shah congratulated his father Zahid Ullah. He said earlier, young promising Inayat Ullah also won gold medal in the South Asian Games, World Youth Games and World Beach Games and with the grace of Almighty Allah one he would win gold medal in the Olympic Games as well if provided due support and giving his international exposure of playing against world best wrestlers. He said out of the 8 total medals, six members of the wrestling team won five medals.Hesaid that Inayat Ullah has once again made the country proud despite the lack of facilities, which is a great honor for the whole country, if they are given facilities, opportunities, diet, coaching and training in other foreign countries, they can bring gold medals for the country and the nation at all levels and hopefully they will bring more honors.
Monday, 22 August, 2022 | LAHORE 11SPORTS pCB fails to receive expected bid for pJl’s live streaming rights
Fawad Ch for independent inquiry board to probe torture on Gill Pakistan rejects India accusation it’s planning Mumbai-style attack
pRayeR timingS FAJR SUNRISE ZUHR ASR MAGHRIB ISHA 4:10 5:00 1:30 5:15 7:08 9:15 Monday, 22 August, 2022 NEWS attention Some readers have complained that they are not getting the magazine with their newspaper copy. Please call or WhatsApp us at the following number to register a complaint. Contact: irfan.farooq@pakistantoday.com.pk0307-7338168 in today’s issue
The Foreign Office “firmly rejected” what it said was a “spate” of terrorism-linked “assertions” — one of them claiming Islamabad was planning a Mumbaistyle attack inside the neighbouring nation — India peddled through its newspapers. Pointing to a variety of news reports involving Pakistan that recently appeared in the Indian press, Asim Iftikhar Ahmad, the Foreign Office spokesperson, Sunday said India, in an attempt to build on its “orchestrated terrorism narrative against Pakistan,” has claimed interception of a conversation from a Pakistan-registered WhatsApp number. New Delhi also claimed to have seized an “empty boat” in the western state of Maharashtra along with some assault rifles, he recalled. Some segments of the Indian media sought to link these to “preposterous claims about a so-called Mumbai-style attack being planned,” he added. On Thursday, Devendra Fadnavis, deputy chief minister of the state, conceded that the “abandoned boat” belonged to an Australian woman travelling from Muscat to Europe, Hindustan Times reported. In a similar manner, the Indian media also reported that the country’s intelligence and border forces were on high alert for possible “cross-border infiltration” along Rajauri district in occupied Kashmir, the statement said. Ahmad completely rejected the report. “All this is nothing but a continuation of the sinister Indian design to yet again raise the terrorism bogey to malign Pakistan. We reject these allegations and Indian machinations outrightly,” he said. “This mischievous Indian propaganda campaign and baseless allegations against Pakistan reflect India’s utter desperation emanating from its complete failure to break the will of the Kashmiri people in the Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK). “The possibility of a choreographed ‘false flag activity’ to target Pakistan and negatively affect its political and economic interests cannot be ruled out, as Indian propaganda is pointing in that direction,” the statement added. “New Delhi must recognise that no amount of its false propaganda can deter Pakistan from exposing India’s brutalisation of the Kashmiri people through an unabated military siege, indiscriminate use of force, extra-judicial killings, incarceration of Kashmiri leaders and youth, the crackdown on the media and rights activists, and denial of access to international human rights and humanitarian organisations. “While strongly denouncing the latest Indian insinuations and allegations, Pakistan calls upon India not to make any mistake again. Pakistan stands ready and resolute and is fully capable of effectively responding to any misadventure as was manifestly evident in response to India’s ill-advised and irresponsible action in February 2019,” the spokesperson said, referring to when Indian warplanes violated Pakistan’s airspace before being shot down by the air force. Pakistan also captured one of the pilots but returned him to India days later as a peace gesture. “Pakistan also urges the international community to take immediate cognizance of the fact that India is yet again resorting to classic ‘false flag’ methods to advance its sinister designs and that this could have serious implications for peace and security in the region.
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ISLAMABAD Staff RepoRt As Imran Khan stepped up pressure on the government over his claim that Shehbaz Gill, his chief of staff, was tortured and subjected to sexual abuse in police custody, Minister for Interior Rana Sanaullah Khan dismissed the accusation and asserted the government did not believe in the ill-treatment of political Islamabadprisoners. police have been accused of inflicting medieval torture on Gill, a startling claim it first sought to brush off but after coming under intense public criticism, began an internal inquiry into it. Addressing a press conference on Sunday, the minister said Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) chair had started propaganda that police tortured Gill and sexually abused him in the custody. He claimed that PTI, on the behest of Khan, launched a campaign over the helicopter crash, which killed a serving lieutenant general among others, by levelling heinous accusations against the victims and their families. He said that such allegations against the state were not leveled even by the “enemy state of Afghanistan”. Gill was arrested after appearing earlier this month on private ARY News in Karachi when he allegedly incited troops and officers to mutiny. During the broadcast, Gill, a known critic of the military, said soldiers and officers should refuse to obey “illegal orders” from the military leadership. He implied the rank and file in the military overwhelmingly supports Khan, who was ousted in a noconfidence vote in the National Assembly in April. After the TV interview, he was arrested and charged with treason, which under the law carries the death penalty. ARY News was taken off air and its broadcasting license was subsequently revoked. The station’s director Ammad Yousaf was briefly arrested but was later released. On Sunday, Sanaullah said that politicians had talked about the intervention of the establishment in politics but not a single person had ever stated that army officers should not obey the orders of the high command. He said that any state or institution could never allow anyone to spread such kind of allegations. He said that Gill was produced before the judicial magistrate within 24 hours of his arrest and he did not say any word regarding torture and ill-treatment before the judge and media. “I can confirm as the interior minister, that no torture was inflicted on Gill during the custody,” he said and added the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) as a party always opposed and condemned any kind of torture as it was a clear violation of the Constitution.Thewhole leadership of the PML-N was put behind bars during the tenure of Khan. He said that Khan should seek an apology from the nation over his acts during his tenure. He said that Gill remained in Adiyala Prison from August 12 to 17 and Shahbaz Gill never stated that he was Termingtortured.thePTI’s narrative as drama, he said that Gill had never stated that he was tortured or sexuallyHeabused.saidthat the whole nation condemned “antistate propaganda” of Khan about the martyrs and due to this campaign PTI was severely damaged. He said that PTI did not own Gill’s statement and diverting the issue started a new drama of torture on him. Referring to Saturday’s speech of Khan wherein he assailed the Islamabad police chief, his deputy and a junior judge, Zeba Chaudhry, Sana said a case would be registered against Khan for inciting the public against civil servants who were only fulfilling their duties, per the law. He clarified that police interrogated Gill over his remarks but there was no torture during ingestions. The whole drama was launched to divert the attention of the nation from the controversial statements made by Gill as well as the hateful social media campaign against the Lasbela copter crash martyrs.
ISLAMABAD Staff RepoRt P RIMEMinister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif on Sunday discussed with Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Qamar Javed Bajwa and Chairman National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) Lt General Akhtar Nawaz the flood situation, and rescue, relief and rehabilitation operations in the flood affectedDuringareas.the telephonic conversation, the prime minister and the chief of army staff discussed the situation of flood affectees and relief and rehabilitation operations in the flood-hit areas, especially in Sindh province. The prime minister stressed upon acceleration of the rescue, relief and rehabilitation efforts, PM Office Media Wing said in a press release. The army chief apprised the prime minister of the army’s full cooperation in the rescue and relief operations in Sindh province. The prime minister directed for provision of helicopters in the province as the road and bridges had been damaged in the province. He observed that helicopters would be helpful in the rescue and relief operations since the linking roads between Sindh and Balochistan provinces had been eroded. He also appreciated the cooperation and spirit of the Pakistan Army in the rescue and relief operations. General Bajwa also informed that he had issued special direction to the Commander Southern Command over the relief activities in Balochistan. The prime minister directed the relevant authorities of Benazir Income Support Programme to immediately distribute supporting amount among the flood affectees of Sindh province. Chairman NDMA apprised the prime minister of the latest situation of rainfall and floods in Sindh and also about the cooperation extended during the ongoing rescue and relief operations in the two provinces and the measures taken so far. CondolenCe over deAth oF sinGer nAYYArA noor: Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif on Sunday expressed his deep grief over death of renowned singer Nayyara Noor. On his Twitter handle, the prime minister said that her death was an irreparable loss to the world music.Late singer was known for her melodious voice and emotions, he said, adding whatever she sang, whether it were ghazals or songs, these became remarkable. The prime minister said with her death a vacuum was created which would not be filled. He also prayed for the high ranks of the departed soul. Nayyara Noor died in Karachi after illness. She was 72. Her long career spanned over several decades during which she sang popular national and movie songs. Late singer was awarded with multiple national honours including the title of Bulbul-e-Pakistan alongside the Pride of Performance Award in Nayyara2006.Noor was also honoured with the Nigar Award in 1973.
ISLAMABAD Staff RepoRt
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The truck — part of a military convoy — was heading towards Mang Bajri in the Bagh district of Kashmir when the incident occurred near Shujaabad, some 12km before its destination, at about 4am on Sunday, the ISPR said. Following the incident, locals rushed to the scene with mobile phones and lanterns to carry out rescue work in a very difficult situation. Other personnel of the convoy and police from the post also rushed to the site to carry out operation. According to rescuers, there were seven dead bodies and six injured soldiers, of whom only two were able to speak. They informed that the police post official informed police control rooms in Bagh and Rawalakot to dispatch ambulances to the accident site. Within less than an hour, all six injured soldiers were taken to the Shaikh Khalifa bin Zayed al Nahyan Hospital, also known as CMH Rawalakot. “There were 13 soldiers, including the driver, on board the truck and seven of them died on the spot while the rest were injured,” a military official said on condition of anonymity as he was not authorised to speak to the media.
ISLAMABAD Staff RepoRt Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Fawad Chaudhry on Sunday asked why the Federal government is avoiding inquiry into the matter if Shahbaz Gill was not tortured. Addressing a press conference, the PTI leader and former Information and Broadcasting minister demanded independent inquiry board to investigate the matter. The PTI leader also clarified that announcing legal action against someone is not a threat and claimed that government is scared of Imran Khan’s rallies. Fawad Chaudhry further said that it is unfortunate for the country that Rana Sanaullah is the Interior Ministry. Earlier in the day, Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah Khan rejected allegations of torture on PTI leader Shahbaz Gill in police custody. Addressing a news conference in Islamabad on Sunday, he said PML-N is against any kind of torture. He said our government believes that torture is against dignity of a man and a violation of constitution. The Minister said story of torture on Shahbaz Gill is a drama to divert the attention from original matter. He said an FIR was lodged against Shahbaz Gill as per law for instigating army officers and soldiers. He said state cannot tolerate such malicious conspiracies.TheMinister said Shahbaz Gill was produced before judicial magistrate within twenty four hours and he was absolutely fine and did not complain of torture. He said on 11th of this month medical board did not indicated any torture in its report. He said Shahbaz Gill was not tortured by Islamabad Police. He said a campaign against martyrs of Lasbela was run by PTI on the behest of Imran Khan. More AdMinistrAtive Units to deAl With Floods: Former information minister and PTI leader Fawad Chaudhry on Sunday stressed the need for formation of more administrative units to deal with flash floods in the country. Taking to Twitter, Fawad Chaudhry said that the floods have wreaked havoc in Sindh and Balochistan and the provincial governments have failed to provide relief. “This has once again exposed the delimitations of the provincial governments and there is now need for new administrative units to deal with it,” he said. He added that there are no chances of improving the governance if more administrative units are not formed. On August 20, eight more people were reported dead amid heavy rains and floods in Balochistan, the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) said.
PM, COAS dISCuSS
Sana rejects Gill’s torture claims
RAWALPINDI/MUZAFFARABAD Staff RepoRt Nine soldiers of Pakistan Army lost their lives and another four suffered injuries after their vehicle plunged into a ravine in Bagh district of Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) in the wee hours of Sunday, according to a press release from the military’s media wing. The Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR) said the incident took place in Shujaabad area of Bagh district while the soldiers were on routine military duty. It added that the injured were moved to Combined Military Hospital (CMH) Rawalpindi while funeral prayers for the martyrs were offered at Mangla garrison. The press release said Rawalpindi Corps Commander Lieutenant General Sahir Shamshad Mirza and other military officials attended the funeral prayers. The ISPR said the bodies will be sent back to their hometowns and buried with “full military honour”.
flOOd SItuAtION, ReSCue, RelIef OPeRAtIONS Nine soliders martyred, 4 injured in Bagh road accident: ISPR
