komal mansoor, head of research at tresmark, said demand for dollars in the open market was “creating a stir” in the interbank. “higher import duties and the new regulation on carrying dirhams have led to a surge in dollar demand in the open market,” she said, referring to a new condition requiring pakistanis travelling to the uae to carry 5,000 dirhams with them. she said traders should keep in mind that the rupee would re-adjust its parity after the international monetary fund’s (imf) executive Board approves the loan tranche for pakistan, which is expected later this month. saad bin naseer, director of web-based financial data and analytics portal mettis Global, said the rupee was witnessing volatility in the open market due to rising demand pressures from travellers and students exchanging local currency into dollars at exchange counters. naseer said demand for the dollar was stable in the interbank market as aggregate demand in the economy had slowed down, which meant that there was no pressure on the greenback from importers.
‘technically’
“i cannot grant bail for a longer period and will only grant it for a week. i am granting bail till september 1 and issuing a notice to police,” the judge said. he also issued notices to the petitioner and prosecutor, seeking their replies, and adjourned the hearing.
Punjab judiciary,foragainstterrorismlodgescaseSanaullah‘threateningofficials’
ISLAMABAD inp the pkR continued to lose its value on thursday, with analysts attributing the fall to a higher demand for dollars, particularly by travellers flying to the united arab emirates (uae). according to the forex association of pakistan (fap), the local currency lost Rs1.22 in the interbank market by 1pm and was being traded at Rs219.6 per dollar. in the open market, the rupee was being traded at Rs228 per dollar around the same time.
LAHORE staff report the punjab government on thursday registered a terrorism case against interior minister Rana sanaullah for allegedly threatening judiciary and government officials in his speeches delivered on april 15, 2021 and January 29, 2022. the fiR was registered at Gujrat industrial area police station on the complaint of a citizen namely sheikh shekaz aslam, under section 7 of the anti-terrorism act (punishment for acts of terrorism), and sections 353 (assault or criminal force to deter public servant from discharge of his duty), 186 (obstructing public servant in discharge of public functions), 189 (threat of injury to public servant) and 506 (punishment for criminal intimidation) of the pakistan penal code. the complaint stated that Rana sanaullah, during his speeches on april 15, 2021 and January 29, 2022, had threatened to stop the judiciary from doing its job and kill children of the punjab police officials. the fiR also reproduced his remarks, which according to it were aired on Geo news programme naya pakistan recently. “the purpose of sanaullah’s statements was to terrorise the judiciary, chief secretary, commissioner and people of the country,” the fiR said. “his aim was to stop the officials from working and prevent them from fulfilling their lawful responsibilities.” it added that the minister’s speeches had created fear in the judiciary, bureaucracy, police, administration and the nation. furthermore, it was pleaded in the fiR that sanaullah should be probed for his comments and be punished “to create an example for other citizens speaking against government officials”. the development was also shared by punjab home minister hashim Dogar on twitter.
ISLAMABAD: The international organizations and financial institutions Thursday announced an immediate assistance of more than 500 million dollars for the flood victims on the appeal of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. The PM chaired an important meeting with the international donors here for providing relief to the flood victims. The representatives of World Bank, Asian Development Bank, international financial institutions, development partners and donors attended the meeting. The officials of China, the United States and the European Union, agencies of the United Nations and World Health Organization also took part in the meeting. The Prime Minister briefed the international partners about the devastation caused by floods in the country particularly in Sindh and Balochistan. He said the country faced an emergency situation because of the historic rains and floods and a large number of people including women and children lost their lives. He told that houses, infrastructure, crops and orchards were destroyed, roads and bridges were washed away and land routes were cut off which made it difficult to carry rescue and relief activities. The relief activities were expanded with the help of Pakistan army and helicopters, he informed. The devastation caused by floods was more grave than what happened in 2010, he said adding the affectees needed food, medicines, tents and temporary shelters. He said the federal government undertook relief activities in coordination with the provinces and the federal and provincial departments were working together. The government released Rs five billion for relief and family of every deceased was given the financial assistance of Rs one million. Country Director World Bank for Pakistan, South Asia Region Najy Benhassine informed the PM about the immediate assistance of $ 350 million from his organization. He appreciated the flood relief cash programme of the Prime Minister. The World Bank would provide the financial assistance by the end of the current week. The World Bank would also cooperate with Pakistan through a comprehensive plan for the restoration of the infrastructure after assessment of the losses. The World Food Programme- the agency of the United Nations – also announced $ 110 million for the flood affectees. The Asian Development Bank pledged to give $ 20 million assistance while the UK Aid would give 1.5 million pounds. While the UK Aid also announced another 38 million pounds for the mid term and long term projects for the restoration of the flood affectees. report knock him out
Govt announces emerGency as Pakistan reels under ‘abnormal floodinG’
ISLAMABAD staff report P akistancontinues to reel from the “climateinduced humanitarian disaster” as climate change has directly affected the south asian nation in the wake of above-normal rains, glacial lake outburst flood (Glof) andthecloudburst.inter-services public Relations (ispR) revealed that the residents of the four provinces of pakistan — Balochistan, sindh, punjab (south), and khyber pakhtunkhwa — are fleeing flooding triggered by record monsoon rains. on the appeal of prime minister shehbaz sharif, international organisations thursday decided to donate $500 million for the relief of pakistani as record monsoon rains have caused a “climate-induced humanitarian disaster”, as it killed over 900 people since June. a report released by the national Disaster management authority (nDma) showed nearly 73 deaths were reported in the last 24 hours. meanwhile, 82,033 houses were damaged, and 710 cattle were dead according to nDma, due to incidents related to heavy monsoon rainfall and floods nearly 400 people, including 191 women, lost their lives. While over 1,000 people suffered injuries. Residents are fleeing flooding triggered by record monsoon rains.
Friday, 26 August, 2022 I 27 Muharram, 1444 I Rs 15.00 I Vol XIII No 57 I 12 Pages I Lahore Edition
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Rupee slides by Rs1.22 in interbank market
Imran granted bail in terrorism case
international institutions announce $500m for flood affectees
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HEIGHTENED SECURITY: hundreds of khan’s supporters gathered outside the court building, chanting slogans against the government. Demonstrators said khan is being politically victimised by the government of shehbaz sharif. later, khan left the court for his home on the outskirts of islamabad. legal experts say khan could face from several months to 14 years in prison, the equivalent of a life sentence if he is found guilty by the court during the trial which has not started yet against him on the terrorism charges. thursday’s appearance of the pti chair before the anti-terrorism tribunal amid tight security was the latest development in the saga between the government and khan, who has been holding mass rallies, seeking to return to power.
GoVT DECLARES NATIoNAL EMERGENCY: minister for information and Broadcasting marriyum aurangzeb on thursday, while terming the ongoing flood situation in Balochistan and sindh a national emergency, said at the critical juncture, there was need to show national spirit for dealing with the extraordinary natural disaster. the entire nation, especially the overseas pakistanis, should donate generously to help the flood victims as huge amount of money would be required for their rehabilitation in the wake of large-scale disaster, she said in a statement. the minister said owing to heavy rains and severe flooding, there were difficulties in relief operations. however, the federal government, along with the provinces, was making vigorous efforts, and mobilizing all resources to carry out relief activities, she added. she said the rescue and relief process of the victims could be accelerated with the public support. marriyum said that the details and process for depositing donations in the prime minister’s flood Relief account 2022 had already been released. she said local and overseas pakistanis could deposit their donations in the account (prime minister Relief fund account 2022 account no. ‘G-12164’). “compatriots in trouble were waiting for our help, let us all be a support for them.” overseas pakistanis could also send donations through wire transfers, money service bureaus, money transfer operators and exchange houses, she said, adding the donations could also be deposited in cash at all commercial banks.
ISLAMABAD agencies an anti-terrorism court in islamabad on thursday granted bail to imran khan on charges of terrorism and barred police from arresting the former prime minister through the end of the month. khan is accused of making verbal threats to top brass of islamabad police and a judge in his speech at a rally in Rawalpindi over the weekend. the latest development comes days after the government of the pakistan Democratic movement (pDm) coalition leveled terrorism offences against khan, escalating political tensions and drawing nationwide condemnation. earlier, khan’s lawyer Babar awan requested the court to grant bail to khan. arriving at court, khan was asked to walk toward the courtroom as ordinary suspects do. the court agreed to extend khan’s protection from arrest until september 1 against a surety of Rs100,000. awan, however, requested the court to extend the duration of bail, but the request was turned down.
Miftah also highlighted various reform initiatives introduced by the present government for the social uplift of the masses during a meeting with Princess of Jordon Sarah Zeid Raád, who called on him, said the Finance Division. He, especially apprised the princess of the financial relief provided by the government to the women through the Benazir Income Support Programme and the cash relief announced for the flood victims. The present government’s initiatives for women development, mother and child healthcare, nutrition facilities, and children education were also discussed in the meeting. The minister thanked the World Food Programme (WFP) for their continued support to Pakistan by providing humanitarian assistance. Representative and Country Director- WFP Chris Kaye, Head of Nutrition-WFP Mahamadou Tanimoune, secretary finance and other senior officials attended the meeting. Princess Sarah Zeid highlighted WFP’s various interventions in diverse sectors in Pakistan and appreciated the constant support and assistance at federal and provincial levels in the country.
A “Control Room for Flash Floods 2022” has been established at BISP headquarters for coordination and disbursement of Emergency Cash Assistance to the flood-affected people across the country. The control room has been established on the directives of Federal Minister for Poverty Alleviation and Social Safety / Chairperson Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP) Ms. Shazia Marri. The Control Room will be fully operational from Friday (today) and people can visit BISP headquarters or contact at 051-9246312 from 08am to 07pm for the assistance and other related information.Muhammad Khalifa, Director (Field Operations) BISP will oversee the whole activities of the control room. He may also be contacted at 051-9246352. Moreover 97 campsites have also been established for the disbursement of financial aid to the flood affectees of Balochistan.
KArACHI ProTesTs AGAInsT InflATeD eleCTrICITy bIlls
Earlier on Wednesday, it was reported that the Qatar Investment Authority (QIA) aims to invest $3 billion in PakistanPakistan.isineconomic turmoil and faces a balance of payments crisis, with foreign reserves having dropped to as low as $7.8 billion, barely enough for more than a month of imports. It is also contending with a widening current account deficit, weakening rupee currency, and inflation that exceeded 24% in July.
StAff RepoRt The Islamabad High Court (IHC) has been moved to initiate contempt of court proceedings against Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) leaders. According to details, a citizen – Ijaz Battar – has filed a petition in Islamabad High Court (IHC) to initiate court proceedings against PDM leaders. Maryam Nawaz, Maulana Fazlur Rehman, Rana Sanaullah, Marriyum Aurangzeb and Atta Tarar were made parties in the case. The citizen, in his petition, argued that the PDM leaders made statements against the judiciary through press conference. “The PDM leaders continued to threaten the judiciary through statements and press releases,” he claimed. The petitioner contended that threatening through media fall under the category of Article 204. “Contempt of court proceedings should be taken against PDM leaders for threatening the judges,” he pleaded. for rulers to Abid Ali over violating code of conduct
Friday, 26 August, 2022 LAHORE 02 NEWS ISLAMABAD Staff RepoRt
On the occasion, Addl IG CTD Imran Mehmood briefed the IG Police on actions and activities of the CTD across the province. The IGP while giving instructions to the officers directed to improve coordination with RPOs, CPOs, DPOs, Special Branch and other institutions concerned.
NA-108 by-polls: ECP issues notice
At CTD HQs, IGP orders tightening noose around extremists, facilitators
Sh Rashid predicts September to be ‘savage’
NeWS DeSk r ESIDENTSin several areas of Karachi took to the streets and protested outside K-Electric offices on Thursday against prolonged power outages and inflated electricity bills. In the last few weeks, demonstrations have been reported across the country against the fuel price adjustment (FPA) and taxes on the electricity bills. In Karachi’s Korangi area today, residents stormed into the locality’s KE office and ransacked it. According to witnesses, a group of people — comprising women, men and children — protested outside the KE office near Darul Uloom, blocking the main Korangi Industrial Area road and chanted slogans against the company.Ina statement, the Korangi police spokesperson said that protesters had gathered outside the KE building over complaints of inflated bills. During the demonstration, the protesters set fire to tyres, resultantly disrupting traffic on both tracks near the Singer Chowrangi. Protestors also overpowered private guards of the power utility and later forced their way into its office. To prevent the situation from spiraling out of control, the Landhi district superintendent police and Awami Colony station house officer, along with their contingents, arrived at the site and dispersed the crowd, the spokesperson added. Separately, residents of the metropolis’ Shah Latif Town blocked the National Highway near Jogi Mor in protest against the powerMalirutility.Senior Superintendent of Police Irfan Bahadur told Dawn.com that the residents were protesting against the fuel adjustment charges in their bills, which was hiked last month. The demonstrators submitted a memorandum before the power utility officials and later dispersed peacefully, the officer said, adding that traffic remained suspended on the highway for some time. Similarly, residents of Nazimabad also held protest outside the KE office. Meanwhile, KE spokesperson Imran Rana has said that the reversal of fuel cost adjustments on the bills of those who have consumed less than 200 units would be issued on August 26. The development comes after the government announced that the 17 million of the total power consumers will be exempted from paying the FCA in their electricity bills. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, earlier said that the “considerable increase” for July and August’s power bills, because of high international oil prices, was “intolerable” for the common man. He also stated that the government was also reviewing the situation for the rest of the 13m power consumers who, PM Shehbaz said, were in a better financial position. Last month, the National Electric Power Regulatory Authority allowed distribution companies to charge an additional Rs155 billion to compensate for the higher fuel generation cost in June. The authority allowed an unprecedented FCA of Rs11.37 to K-Electric and Rs9.89 per unit to electricity distribution companies previously owned by Wapda, or Discos. The government had also announced an increase of Rs7.91 per unit in the average base tariff across the country in three phases starting with effect from July. It had approved a Rs1.55 per unit increase in the base tariff across the country under a quarterly adjustment.
In order to get registered in the Emergency Cash Assistance programme, the affected families would need to SMS CNIC number on 8171. Once the eligibility SMS is received from 8171 the emergency cash can be collected from the nearest payment center. The staff of Benazir Income Support Programme is present at the campsites established in flood affected areas and is monitoring to ensure the transparent disbursement of financial aid. The administration of BISP has canceled the holidays of BISP staff with the instructions to fully coordinate and facilitate the flood affectees in their respective regions. A total of 170 campsites have been established for the disbursement of financial aid to the flood affectees of Sindh and the disbursement of emergency cash will be started from Friday.Those flood affected families who have still not registered themselves are advised to immediately SMS their CNIC number on 8171 to check their eligibility status for the financial assistance.
ISLAMABAD Staff RepoRt Finance Minister for Finance and Revenue Miftah Ismail on Thursday urged all the development partners to extend broad-based support and assistance to Pakistan for the rehabilitation of flood-affected people.
StAff RepoRt
Sher
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RAWALpINDI Staff RepoRt Awami Muslim League (AML) Chief and former Interior Minister Sheikh Rashid on Thursday hinted at the possible rift in the PML-N dynamics, saying the party supremo Nawaz Sharif has understood how far his brother Shehbaz Sharif could go for the sake of power. In a statement, Sheikh Rasheed said that the incumbent government has been making terrorism cases against Imran Khan out of fear of his popularity. “They are running away from the elections and calling out to the establishment for help,” he added. Mr. Rashid predicted the forthcoming month as “Savage September.” The former interior minister said that the prayers of people have reached the heaven and September will turn out to be a savagely cruel month for the ‘oppressors’.Sheikh Rashid further criticizing the coalition government said that the voters are dying due to flood, while the incumbent leaders dwell in enjoyment in the capital city. “The IMF’s letter of intent should be made public so that the people are aware of the impending doom,” he said.
BISP sets up control room ‘Flash Floods 2022’ to assist affectees
“Implementation of laws formulated under National Action Plan should be improved for effective eradication of terrorism and extremism from society.” Punjab Inspector General of Police Faisal Shahkar issued the directives while presiding over an important meeting during a visit to Punjab CTD Headquarters here on Thursday. The IG Police said that the Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) had been equipped with modern technology and facilities, adding that it was the integral wing of Punjab Police which had played a very effective role in eradication of terrorism in the province. The IGP directed that zero tolerance should be adopted for the violation of religious hate speeches and content, adding that anti-social elements involved in sectarianism should be brought to justice and punished. He declared that the CTD will be provided with more resources to face the ever-changing challenges, adding that staff shortage will be addressed soon besides consideration will be given to fix the tenure for posting of officers in CTD. The IG Police pointed that elimination of evil-doers, terrorist elements, their facilitators and financiers from the society is one of the primary tasks of the CTD. “The role and sacrifices of CTD in elimination terrorism from the province are commendable.”
IHC moved for contempt proceedings against PDM leaders
LAHoRe Staff RepoRt Punjab Inspector General of Police Faisal Shahkar on Thursday directed to tighten the noose around extremist elements, saying monitoring of banned outfits should be strengthen along with their facilitators and financiers.
Miftah seeks development partners help for flood affectees rehab
Court grants pre-arrest bail to Asad Umar, Afridi
ISLAMABAD Staff RepoRt
The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) on Thursday issued a notice to the Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz (PML-N) candidate Abid Sher Ali for the by-polls in NA-108 over a violation of ECP’s electoral code of conduct. According to details, the District Returning Officer has issued a notice to Abid Sher Ali for reportedly organizing announcements regarding relief in electric bills from mosques. Abid has violated para 42 of the electoral code of conduct, the ECP notice read. The ECP has ordered the PML-N leader to appear to the RO in person. The notice read that Abid Sher Ali stage announcement of relief in electric bills from local mosques which is a blatant violation of the electoral code of conduct. It is to be noted that the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf Chief Imran Khan would take on Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz (PML-N) leader Abid Sher Ali in the NA-108 Faisalabad by-polls. The coalition government will be facing another political challenge on September 25 as PTI chief Imran Khan decided to contest by-polls on nine NA seats.
“Qatar has shown interest in taking over terminal and cargo services at Islamabad airport,” one of the officials said, adding other airports, such as Karachi, could also be considered later on.
“The Qatar Investment Authority has announced its aspiration to invest $3 billion in various commercial and investment sectors in the Islamic Republic of Pakistan,” the Emiri Diwan said, without giving further details.The announcement was made during a visit to Doha by Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, who held official talks with Qatari Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani on Wednesday after a meeting with the QIA on DohaTuesday.hasshown interest in airport management partnership and the Roosevelt Hotel in New York’s Manhattan owned by the Pakistan International Airlines, two Pakistani aviation officials involved in the talks.The officials said Pakistan has offered a 25% stake in the hotel. It shut down in late 2020 during the slump in travel caused by the coronavirus pandemic and has remained closed, in part due to lack of financing and management disputes.
Public-owned Qatari companies to run Islamabad, Karachi airports
A court in Islamabad on Thursday accepted the pre-arrest bail applications filed by PTI General Secretary Asad Umar and former interior minister Shehryar Afridi in a case registered on charges of violation of section 144. In his petition, PTI leaders had said that he was ready to cooperate with police in interrogation of the case. They went on to say they feared that the police would arrest them only to demean and insult them. “When PTI was holding rallies across the country on the call of its Chairman Imran Khan, I was in Lahore,” they said, and prayed to the court to accept his bail plea in the case.
ISLAMABAD INp State Minister for Finance Aisha Ghaus Pasha on Thursday announced that public-owned companies of Qatar plan will run Islamabad and Karachi airports as per an understanding reached between the Gulf country and Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s visit to Qatar. Pasha said that the government is unable to run the public-owned companies whereas profitable public companies are also suffering losses. “It is important to privatize them to maintain them as profitable institutions,” she said, adding that Qatar has expressed interest in investing in Pakistan. She lamented that the power sector was given more funds than defense during the last fiscal year due to circular debt in the sector.
Telling about the details, the minister said that there were 538 settlements in Dera Ghazi Khan, Rajanpur and Mianwali where 4,13,388 people have been affected. He said that over 1.3 million acres area was affected and 41,819 houses damaged. 45 lives were lost due to rains and floods. 36,718 people were rescued and shelter was provided to 3,585 people in 51 relief camps set up at flood affected areas. The administration has provided 25,228 tents, 4400 flour bags, 45,637 food hampers, 2,654 cooked food pots, 12,325 mosquito nets and 3,790 bottles of mineral water to the flood victims in eight tehsils of DG Khan, Rajanpur and Mianwali, he told.
lIKe
Punjab okays package to compensate flood victims
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LAHoRe/Dg kHAN Staff RepoRt Punjab Inspector General of Police Faisal Shahkar on Thursday said that the police teams are actively engaged in relief activities in the flood-affected areas of South Punjab. He directed the Additional IG South Punjab to personally monitor rescue and relief operation, asking the RPOs and DPOs to expedite relief activities personal visits to the affected areas.
‘abnormalPakistanemergencyannouncesasreelsunderflooding’ CoNtINueD fRoM pAge 01
sC issues notice to Hamza shehbaz in nAb’s appeal
‘AlArming’: ForecAst oF monsoon Activity in sept: The minister underlined that there was a forecast of extended monsoon activity in September, which was again “alarming”. She said the Sukkur and Taunsa barrages had high water flow and all available machinery and other resources were being utilised in the affected region. At present all the departments were focused on flood-hit areas to cope with any evolving situation. Sherry said some 913 people had perished in rain-related incidents, with a greater number of deaths of the children in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. However, the number of the injured was also reported high, she added. She said it was now time for donors and the world to support Pakistan, which had always volunteered to assist nations, including its neighbours during natural disasters. pm cAncels london trip, to visit sukkur todAy: PM Shehbaz has cancelled his London visit in view of floods in the country. On his return home from Qatar, he chaired a meeting regarding the flood situation and relief activities. The premier had to leave for London from Qatar due to the ailment of his granddaughter who is under treatment at the British capital. In view of the flood situation, the prime minister, however, decided to immediately return to the country. Information Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb said that PM Shehbaz will visit Sukkur today (Friday) to review flood rescue and relief activities. “PM chaired international partners meeting for cooperation in flood rescue, relief, rehabilitation right after reaching Islamabad at the Economic Affairs Division,” she said in a tweet on Thursday.
CoNtINueD fRoM pAge 01 Khan is also to appear before the Islamabad High Court (IHC) on August 31 to face contempt proceedings on charges of threatening a judge. His conviction, in this case, will mean his disqualification from politics for life under the law. No convicted person can run for office. It is the second time that Khan faces contempt charges. After elections in 1993, he was summoned but pardoned by the Supreme Court after describing the conduct of the judiciary as “shameful” and saying it did not ensure free and fair elections. Legal experts say Khan has limited options and could avoid a conviction if he apologises for his remarks against the junior judge, Zeba Chaudhry, when he told her to “get ready for it, we will also take legal action against you.” Since his ouster, Khan has alleged that the military took part in a US plot to oust him. Washington, the military and the government of Sharif have all denied the allegation. plAn AFoot to technicAlly knock me out: imrAn The PTI chairman, addressing the media after his bail approval, said he had been charged because “they [govt] are afraid of the PTI’s popularity” which was “winning by-elections across the country”. “This is their attempt at a technical knockout,” he said, before adding “whatever decisions they are taking, they should think of the country first”. PTI’s Fawad Chaudhry said that the party will proceed to “move the high court for quashing” the charges against Imran and remained confident that “the FIR will be cancelled”. He further expressed hope that “by September 10, we will rid ourselves of this government”. AsAd deFends imrAn’s stAtement: PTI leader Asad Umar, speaking to the media, defended Imran’s statements against a female judge and police officials and said that the PTI chairman had “clearly said we will take legal action” against them, which he stated was “the legal right of any Pakistani leader and citizen”.
StAff RepoRt Provincial Minister for Revenue Nawabzada Mansoor Ahmad Khan, said that the relief package has been prepared to compensate the losses of lives, properties and livestock of flood victims under the directions of Punjab Chief Minister. He said that the survey of flood hit areas would be conducted as flood situation ended there. The survey report of damages will be compiled in a modern way in order to avert any ambiguity. He expressed these views while presiding over high level meeting on Thursday. The minister further said that the flood victims would not be left helpless under any circumstances.
According to the Punjab Police Spokesperson, in view of the flood situation in DG Khan region and fears of more rains, the Punjab Police have been on high alert and preliminary measures regarding relief work have beenThecompleted.IGPdirected the police to use all possible resources for the relief and rehabilitation of the flood victims. In this regard, the Additional IG South Punjab has dispatched 200 more police officers and personnel from Multan to help the flood victims. The spokesperson informed that police teams have so far shifted 10,787 people from flood-affected areas to safe places while 4,382 cattle have been rescued from the affected areas of DG Khan and Rajanpur. He further said that more than 12,660 packets of relief goods have been distributed to the flood victims.
pti supporters reAch court: PTI supporters and workers had also gathered outside the court in an expression of “solidarity” with their leader, chanting slogans in his support. Meanwhile, strict security arrangements were put in place in the surrounding area of the Judicial Commission, with roads closed for traffic on all sides of the compound. Unauthorised persons were not permitted to enter the court premises while media persons were also denied access. According to security officials, 400 police and FC officials were deployed. The police said that they have been directed not to allow anyone to enter the judicial complex without official orders. imrAn, AsAd get bAil in section 144 cAse: Soon after securing relief from the ATC, Imran appeared before Additional Session Judge Zaffar Abbas in Islamabad where his request for protective bail was granted in the Section 144 case registered against PTI leaders after a political rally in the area. The court also granted Asad’s interim bail request in the same case in lieu of a surety bond of Rs5,000. A heavy contingent of police and FC were deployed at the F8 judicial complex.
ISLAMABAD Staff RepoRt Shahbaz Gill, chief of staff to former prime minister Imran Khan, who is currently in detention in connection with a sedition case involving his remarks critical of the army, on Thursday filed a bail application in a sessions court of Islamabad. The Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) leader, in his application, said those who filed the case against him did so with a mala fide intent and out of a political grudge.
Gill seeks bail in sedition case
StAff RepoRt
International institutions announce $500m for flood affectees CoNtINueD fRoM pAge 01
“My statement was twisted to implicate me in a false case,” he said, adding: “I am a professor and teach at foreign universities. And there was no justification for inserting the sections in the case registered against me.” Therefore, Gill added, his bail application be accepted.
1,450 cops continue relief operation in DG Khan, Rajanpur
Imran granted bail in terrorism case
03NEWS Friday, 26 August, 2022 | LAHORE peSHAWAR Staff RepoRt A Nelection tribunal on Thursday declared PTI Chairman Imran Khan’s nomination papers valid for NA-22 Mardan, allowing him to contest the by-election in the constituency.Thetribunal was hearing an appeal against the approval of the former prime minister’s nomination papers from the constituency.Thepetitioner’s lawyer argued that Khan is already a member of the National Assembly and has not given any reason to contest the election from another constituency. It must be noted that Khan is an MNA from NA-95 Mianwali-I constituency. His resignation in protest after he was ousted from premiership via a no-trust vote has not yet been accepted by NA Speaker Raja Pervaiz Ashraf. At this, the lawyer of the Election Commission of Pakistan said that there is no ban on contesting elections from more than one Onconstituency.theoccasion, Imran Khan’s lawyer took the stand that his client has resigned and can no longer be considered an MNA.
Meanwhile, DG Khan RPO Muhammad Salim said that more than 1,450 police personnel have been engaged rescue and relief operation in DG Khan and Rajanpur, adding that the police personnel have been working to inform residents of low-lying areas in time and shift them to safe places. Police teams are present in sensitive areas across the region under the supervision of RPO DG Khan Muhammad Salim. The RPO informed that all riverine outposts have been put on high alert and more than 500 police personnel are engaged in rescue activities at 25 river outposts.
On Wednesday, a district and sessions court rejected the police’s request for an extension in the physical remand of Gill and instead sent him to Adiala Prison on judicial remand. Islamabad police arrested the PTI leader on August 9 from the limits of Bani Gala police station after he made contentious remarks which the government claimed were aimed at inciting mutiny in the military during a talk show on ARY News. Gill had said in the TV appearance that there were attempts to create hatred against the PTI among the middle and lower ranks of the military, whom he said loved the party. He suggested the junior ranks were being pressured by the top brass and that these orders were against the wishes of the majority, and that the junior ranks should reconsider following orders that were against the law. The police later registered the case against Gill under sections that included using derogatory remarks against state institutions.
Govt
On the appeal filed by the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) filed against the Lahore High Court’s (LHC) verdict, the Supreme Court (SC) on Thursday issued a notice to Hamza Shehbaz, Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader and son of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, in the case of intimating before arrest. A two-member bench of the SC, headed by Justice Ejazul Ahsan, heard the NAB’s petition. During hearing of the case, NAB prosecutor said that the LHC’s verdict was against the constitution. “SC verdicts already exist which say that it is not binding to inform the suspect prior to his or her arrest,” he added. Later, the court adjourned hearing of the case for an indefinite time period. The NAB had filed an appeal in the LHC in the case in April 2019.
The PM told that each flood victim family was immediately given Rs 25,000 and Rs 80 billion were allocated for this purpose. He said the extent of the destruction of floods was so huge that the federal and provincial governments could not complete the rehabilitation of the flood affectees on its own. He urged the international organizations, financial institutions and countries to cooperate with the Pakistan government on emergency basis, adding a large area of Sindh and Balochistan was already declared disaster hit. Shehbaz said, “I am personally overseeing the rescue, relief and rehabilitation activities from day one.” The government had set up a Prime Minister Relief Fund 2022 to speed up the efforts for assistance and restoration of the flood affectees, he said adding the assistance of the international financial institutions and organizations was crucial in the rehabilitation of the affectees. He said the army, government institutions, public service departments, doctors, nurses and volunteers were working with passion in a difficult situation. He lauded all those who were helping out the flood affectees and said he was grieved at the difficult conditions faced by the people stranded in floods. “We want to reach out to every affected Pakistani and we want help of the international partners. We need essential items and medical staff to overcome the difficult situation.” He invited the international partners to visit the flood affected areas. The government would make arrangements for the visit of the international partners.
“Charging [Imran] with terrorism is disrespectful to those that have been fighting in the war against terror and those who lost their lives to it,” he said. “Pakistan has become a joke in front of the international community, where one is charged with terrorism over a political speech”. Expressing solidarity with the PTI chief, Umar said that “the struggle for true freedom will succeed”.
The election tribunal reserved its verdict after hearing the arguments of the lawyers. Announcing it after some time, it declared it has dismissed the petitioner’s appeal and found Imran Khan’s nomination papers to be valid.The development follows the PTI chairman being allowed by a Lahore High Court election tribunal to contest elections from the NA-108 Faisalabad and NA-118 Nankana Sahib constituencies. The by-election on nine NA seats will be held on September 25. The seats were vacated by the PTI after the resignations of 11 lawmakers were accepted by the NA Speaker on July 28 — nine of whom were on general seats and two on reserved seats for women.The MNAs were denotified on July 30. In protest against the ouster of Imran Khan from the top office following a vote of no confidence, more than 100 PTI lawmakers had resigned en masse on April 11. A notification issued by ECP said byelections will be held in NA-22 Mardan, NA-24 Charsadda, NA-31 Peshawar, NA-45 Kurram, NA-108 Faisalabad, NA-118 Nankana Sahib and Karachi’s NA-237, NA239, and NA-246. fAIsAlAbAD, nAnKAnA, IMrAn AlloweD To ConTesT by - Poll froM MArDAn
The deposits could also be made through cross-cheques, mobile and internet banking, ATMs, ABFT, and Rast, the minister said. Meanwhile, addressing a press conference today, Climate Change Minister Senator Sherry Rehman said the country had so far received an average of 166 millimetres of rainfall during the month of August, which was 241% above normal, whereas its southern parts particularly Sindh, got 784% more than normal average rain of the season which was “alarming”. The Met Office statistics were startling, she said, adding the flash floods caused by massive rains had swept away bridges and communication infrastructure in various areas of the provinces. The current deluge in the Indus River was even more than the super flood of 2010, Sherry remarked. The minister said a national emergency had been declared in the country as Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari had postponed their official visits abroad. “We are in the eighth spell of monsoon rains with southern Pakistan receiving heavy rains, including 23 districts of Sindh declared as calamityhit.” She said as half of the country in the south was inundated, the armed forces and NDMA along with provincial governments were actively engaged in rescue and relief activities. “Almost 30 million people are without shelter, thousands of them displaced and have no food. As needs assessment is underway and will be completed soon, which will help in approaching donor agencies for relief and rescue as the crisis has surpassed the capacity of the government.”
ISLAMABAD Xinhua
LAHORE Staff RepoRt
The development comes days after the Islamabad High Court (IHC) granted a four-day protective bail, for a surety bond of Rs25,000, to Sheikh in the case. Ghafoor further said in her FIR that her kidnap and assault was brazenly captured on video by her captors. Ali — who is said to be a financier of Minister for Interior Rana Sanaullah Khan, and appeared on political posters with leading politicians, including Khan, in the past — then allegedly continued to sexually assault and film Ghafoor. Police arrested Ali, Maham and their bodyguards on August 17 and seized an assortment of weapons and illegal liquor from his residence. Police have also succeeded in recovering a pistol which Ali used to kidnap Ghafoor. They took him to his house on Sheikhupura Road where he handed over his unlicensed 9mm pistol to police. Police have also registered a new case of possession of illegal arms against him.
APP Directorate of Central Karakoram National Park (CKNP) Gilgit-Baltistan has completed the cleaning campaign from K2 base camp to camp 4 and delivered 1610 kg of garbage to the base camp. A statement issued by the Directorate of CKNP on Thursday said that during the campaign, all items used during the expedition, including oxygen cylinders, tins, old ropes etc which pose a threat and polluted the sensitive ecosystem of the K2 peak, were cleaned for the first time up to camp 4 with the help of regular expert climbers. The statement further said that during the campaign, 1610 kg garbage was brought back to K2 base camp and initial expenses incurred during this cleaning campaign were covered by the amount of fees collected from the tourists. The campaign was officially started on 19 July 2022 with a formal briefing session at CKNP Headquarters Skardu and concluded on 18 August 2022.
ISLAMABAD Staff RepoRt A first information report (FIR) was registered against Adnan Qaiser, brother of former National Assembly speaker and Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) MP Asad Qaiser, at Margalla police station of Islamabad for occupying a bowling club at Fatima Jinnah Park on Thursday. The case was registered on the complaint of Muhammad Arif, a staffer of Metropolitan Corporation Islamabad (MCI). The FIR read that MCI signed a twoyear contract for the club with Liaquat Ali and Co. in 2019. “But later, Adnan and Fazal and Co. occupied the club. But the fact is that none of them either remained a bidder or a licensee, and that they both were the occupiers,” the FIR added.
ISLAMABAD Ghulam abbaS t HEMinistry of Science and Technology (MoST), which is already in hot water for various malpractices in the attached department, Pakistan Standard and Quality Control Authority (PSQCA) is going to hold departmental promotions soon in violation of set rules. According to sources, the Director General of PSQCA, who is holding the acting charge/day to day affairs in absence of regular DG of the authority, has scheduled the meeting of Departmental Promotion Committee (DPC) on Friday, despite a court verdict in similar case of the ministry in which all recruitments made by a DG holding acting charge was made null and void. MoST Additional Secretary Ataur Rehman, who holds look after charge as DG PSQCA, has asked all employees of the authority to submit their credentials for DPC to be held on Friday (today) for BS-19. Interestingly, the ministry has recently forwarded a panel of three names to cabinet for appointment as DG PSQCA but the existing DG seems in hurry to conduct the DPC before the new/regular head is appointed. The promotions, as per documents, are being made for employees of BS-1-16 and BS-18 to 19 of PSQCA Regular Employees as per Pakistan Standards and Quality Control Authority, Service Regulations, 2015 (SRO 419 (1)12015. On August 19, 2022, the DG PSQCA had issued an urgent letter to the Secretary and other departmental heads of the authority to annual confidential reports (ACRs)/ performance evaluation reports (PERs) of officials/employees working in their supervision. Interestingly, the existing DG was given the look after charge for three months on December 21, 2021 initially for three months. As per the decision of Islamabad High Court in a case of recruitment in Pakistan Halal Authority in 2020, the Director General PHA holding the said office on look-after charge basis had made recruitments. In the Establishment Division’s office memorandum No.8/312020-R-3, dated 20.03.2020 on the subject of “exercise of administrative / financial powers while holding look after charge” it was explained that the look-after charge had not been defined in the Civil Servants (Appointment, Promotion and Transfer) Rules, 1973, and that it is a temporary stopgap arrangement to cater for the day to day affairs of the organization on honorary basis. It was also explained that the officers entrusted with look-after charge are not empowered to take policy decisions. It was also clarified that appointments and promotions do not fall in the category of day to day business of the organization and therefore the head of an organization entrusted with look-after charge cannot chair the meeting of a Departmental Promotion Committee or a Departmental Selection Committee and make recommendations as a Chairman of such committees. Since the Director General, P.H.A. who was holding the said post on look-after charge basis had chaired the Departmental Selection Committee and had also made recommendations for making appointments, this was contrary to the administrative instructions or policy contained in the said office memorandum No.81312020R-3, dated According20.03.2020.toanofficial of the ministry, since the PHA is also an attached department of MoST, the DG holding look-after charges of another attached department, PSQCA also cannot hold the DPC or make any policy decision. Apart from the court’s verdict and rules set by the Establishment Division, there were also technical and legal issues linked with the promotion process of PSQCA which, according to officials, could be challenged in courts. The Secretary MOST, when contacted, did not reply to queries shared with him regarding the scheduled DPC of PSQCA.
Dropped in various upper camps of Tou peak, due to which there was a fear of severe negative impact on the ecosystem, the CKNP constituted team succeeded in cleaning the garbage by working with full dedication.
Friday, 26 August, 2022 | LAHORE 04 NEWS
Economic reforms urged to fight soaring food and fuel prices
Qaiser’s brother booked land-grabin case
On Thursday, Sheikh was present in the court as Additional District and Sessions Judge Haider Ali heard her application and announced the verdict.
The wild poliovirus has recently been detected in the environmental samples of three more cities of Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, the Ministry of National Health Services told Xinhua on Thursday. The virus was detected in the sewage samples of Peshawar, Bannu, and Lahore, the ministry said, adding the samples were taken from 70 sites across the country. A few days ago, the virus was found in the samples from Rawalpindi, Sialkot and Bahawalpur, the ministry said. Wild polio-I has been detected in 17 environmental samples this year. However, the scale of its presence all over the country could not be found due to monsoon rains and floods in Sindh and Balochistan, according to the ministry. According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), Pakistan is one of only two countries, with Afghanistan, where the wild poliovirus is still Anti-vaccinationendemic.sentiment in Pakistan is deeply rooted. Clerics and others have spread myths that vaccines are a conspiracy by the west to sterilise Muslim children, and a husband was allowed to divorce his wife for vaccinating their children against polio. Nationwide vaccination drives have been carried out door-to-door for the past 25 years. The teams are mostly female health workers, often volunteers, who have to be escorted by security guards.
Covid-19 daily update: 313 new cases, four deaths
In vIolatIon of rulEs, Most holds dEpartMEntal proMotIons today
LAHORE Staff RepoRt A district and sessions court in Faisalabad on Thursday granted interim bail until September 3 to Ana Ali Sheikh, daughter of prime suspect Sheikh Danish Ali, after she was charged with sexual assault against a youngKhadijawoman.Ghafoor, a dental student from Faisalabad and Sheikh’s friend, was abducted and sexually assaulted in Ali’s house for turning down his advances. According to the first information report (FIR), Ali, his wife Maham and Sheikh and four bodyguards broke into Ghafoor’s home on August 9 and kidnapped her after she had recently ended ties with the family.Prior to her kidnapping, Ali and Sheikh had repeatedly pressured the survivor to accept Ali’s proposal of marriage, to the point of giving her death threats, according to Ghafoor’s police complaint. According to the FIR, Ali’s family also stole valuables including an iPhone 13 Pro Max, gold bangles and Rs500,000 in cash.
A meeting of the executive council of Engineers Study Forum, a think tank, said it will urge Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to not increase electricity prices as it will further increase inflation, and adversely affect the people and the economy. Instead, there is a need to reduce technical power losses in the power system which are higher than the acceptable standards. Likewise, it is highly imperative to make reforms in the economy with task forces on agriculture and industry. In the past, wheat, sugar and rice were exported. Now these items are being imported. It is high time to construct Kalabagh Dam also with the consensus of all provinces on a fast track basis. It can ensure water in the case of water scarcity and at the same time, it will give additional cheaper power of around 4,000 MW. Thus, it will fast boost the economy. The turnkey style of constructing new power projects enhances capital costs unnecessarily thus adversely affecting the economy. Effective reforms are needed in the power, industries and agriculture sectors as well to enhance the per acre yield of crops and to reduce technical wastage and losses in industries as well. The efficiency of thermal power plants in the public sector is also required to be enhanced to cut unnecessary power losses and waste of energy.
ISLAMABAD Staff RepoRt Pakistan reported 313 new Covid-19 cases over the past 24 hours, the Ministry of National Health Servicessaid on Thursday. The overall tally of the infected people climbed to 1,567,460 across the country after adding the fresh cases, according to the data released by the ministry. A total of 30,563 people died of Covid-19 in Pakistan, with four deaths over the last 24 hours, according to the ministry’s statistics. On Wednesday, 16,339 tests were conducted throughout Pakistan whereas the positivity ratio stood at 1.92 percent. There are 134 patients who are in critical condition.
Poliovirus detected in environmental samples from three cities
This team of adventurers reached K2 base camp on July 24 and set up regular camp and regular work from July 26 keeping in mind the movement of international and other mountaineers going to K2 summit and weather conditions. Despite of strong winds with hard work, all the garbage in the campus was cleaned and transferred to K2 base camp and handed over to CKNP staff. It should be noted that this year, the trek was overcrowded due to the hundreds of people heading together, and the waste was correspondingly high, and unfortunately most of the international, national and local climbers carried their waste up to their tents.
K2 cleaning campaign from base to camp 4 completed
04 NEWS 26 LAHORE_Layout 1 8/25/2022 11:47 PM Page 1
Suspect’s daughter granted protective bail in sexual assault case
Despite steep increases in commodity costs due to soaring inflation, and the rapid, unprecedented devaluation of the Pakistani Rupee, FrieslandCampina Engro Pakistan Limited (FCEPL) registered a Profit After Tax (PAT) of Rs. 938 million in the first half of 2022 against Rs. 1,414 million for the same period last year. The flagship brand, Olper’s, led the growth in the segment along with strengthening its market leadership position through consistent brand building and trade activities. The segment recorded growth of 23.4% versus last year with a revenue of Rs. 26.4 billion. The significant expansion was witnessed in the retail footprint and E-Commerce channels during the period. The segment will continue to explore new channels and routes to market to serve its customers effectively and Inefficiently.Q12022, Olper’s UHT new campaign expanding on the theme of “Happy Mornings” was launched, which is already resulting in strengthening the brand’s equity and accelerating conversion from loose milk. pr
corporate corner Bills for Non-ToU residential consumers with 200 or lesser units consumption being revised: K-Electric Karachi: Following the notification released by the Ministry of Energy, Government of Pakistan (GoP) about the modification of the June Fuel Charges Adjustment (FCA), KElectric will facilitate those Non Time-of-Use (Non-ToU) residential consumers, with revised electricity bills for the month of August who have electricity consumption of equal to or less than 200 units. The revised bills will be available from 26 August onwards and can be collected from KE’s operational customer centers across the city. Agricultural customers in KE territory are also eligible under the Government’s FCA relief.
Ordercall and Oware join hands to strengthen Pakistan’s B2B supply-chain.
However, Exchange Companies Association of Pakistan (ECAP) General Secretary Zafar Paracha disagreed with the view linking the rupee’s fall to travellers buying foreign currency. “80% of the people travelling from Pakistan to the UAE are doing so to take connecting flights. They do not need 5,000 dirhams. On the other hand, 18% Pakistanis are permanent residents so they do not need 5,000 dirhams either. It has not led to an increase in the demand for dollars.” He said there were two reasons for the shortage of dollars — the government’s lifting of the ban on the import of non-essential and luxury items and the smuggling of the greenback into Afghanistan. “Exchange companies were previously surrendering between $25-30 million in the interbank market which has now been reduced to $2-3 million. The currency is being smuggled to Afghanistan because of higher rates there,” the currency dealer said. Paracha said there was a “severe” shortage of dollars and the difference of Rs10-11 between the open market and the interbank market had “never been seen before”. The local currency had fallen to a record low of Rs239.94 on July 28. It had then recovered for 11 straight sessions, closing at Rs213.90 on August 16. However, the rupee again started falling from August 17. It had lost Rs3.5 till August 24.
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Karachi: The National Bank of Pakistan, as part of the “Prime Minister’s Flood Relief Fund 2022" has opened an account for the collection of funds/contributions for the people affected by the recent floods in the country. The Government of Pakistan has established a fund to provide relief and rehabilitation to the people affected by the torrential rains and flash floods in several parts of the country. Under this initiative, an account titled “Prime Minister’s Flood Relief Fund, 2022” has been established and all NBP branches will receive donations/contributions in cash, through Drop Cheques, and through Alternate Delivery Channels (ADCs) across Pakistan. The donations can also be received within Pakistan through Debit/Credit Card and the people living abroad can send in their funds through Internet Payment Gateway.
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Rupee slides by Rs1.22 in interbank market
SC NoTICE To CENTrE AGAINST ChANGE of LoCATIoN for BhoNG INTErChANGE
05NEWS Friday, 26 August, 2022 | LAHORE
“Today, the police have registered an FIR (first information report) at the Industrial Area police station in Gujrat for threatening the honourable judiciary and government officials,” he said. “The allegations are very serious and action will be taken according to the Constitution and law,” Dogar Separately,added.hetold Dawn.com that the minister would also soon be arrested. PML-Q leader Moonis Elahi also took to social media with the news saying that Sanaullah made a “false case” against PTI chief Imran Khan. “Now the people have made a true case against you,” he said, adding that the minister would soon be arrested.Moonis was referring to terror case filed against the former prime minister for “threatening” a female judge and senior police officers in a public rally that had drawn strong reaction from the federal government with the interior minister declaring that the PTI chief would not be allowed to challenge the writ of the state by inciting rebellion.
pr CPG hosts session on ‘Thought Leaders Dialogue –Pakistan: Next Great Infrastructure Connector’
Pakistan Army troops were carrying out rescue and relief operations in flood-hit areas of Sindh, Balochistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Punjab, said Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR). news desk
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iSLaMaBaD: Corporate Pakistan Group (CPG) and Nutshell Group, founded by Muhammad Azfar AhsanFormer Minister of State and Chairman of Board of Investment, held a groundbreaking session,‘Thought Leaders Dialogue – Pakistan: The Next Great Infrastructure Connector’, at Serena Hotel, Islamabad. The session featured Ambassador Ali Jehangir Siddiqui as a keynote speaker and an Issue Brief, he has authored for the Atlantic Counciltitled ‘Pakistan: The Next Great Infrastructure Connector’. The Atlantic Council is a nonpartisan organization that promotes constructive leadership and engagement in international affairs and helps shape policy choices and strategies to create a more free, secure, and prosperous world. The discussed brief explores a yet unchartered future pathway for Pakistan for the country to unlock the potential of its geo-strategic location, to connect landlocked Central Asia, the natural resources of the Middle East, and the markets of China and India. pr National Bank of Pakistan to collect funds for relief, rehabilitation of flood victims
ISSUES
Adamjee insurance brings unlimited digital healthcare for customers in collaboration with Sehat Kahani This collaboration, Adamjee Insurance as the leading general insurance coverage provider, its health Insurance portfolio having one of the largest market shares in Pakistan. With Sehat Kahani application to ensure 24/7 availability of a dedicated telehealth helpline for all the smart phones and non-smart phone users of the health and micro insurance products. In addition, a Special medical helpline will be created for those beneficiaries who do not have smart phones / or are unable to use the application. This dedicated helpline will facilitate users according to Pakistan Medical & Dental Council guidelines and will be available 24/7. pr
Train service between Balochistan and other parts of the country was suspended after a British-built railway bridge collapsed near Bolan’s Machh town on Thursday. According to details, the railway bridge collapsed in Balochistan’s Bolan district due to heavy rains and flash floods, which wreaked havoc across the country. The collapsed bridge is located between Machh and Kolpur at Hirak in the mountainous Bolan valley. All passenger trains were stopped in Quetta and Jacobabad after the collapse of the bridge.Meanwhile, torrential rains and flash floods swept away a gas pipeline in Machh town near Bolan district. The gas supply to Machh town has been suspended after the pipeline was washed away. A day earlier, it was reported that four more people died amid heavy rains and floods in Balochistan, the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) said.
Punjab lodges terrorism case against Sanaullah for ‘threatening judiciary, officials’
FrieslandCampina Engro Pakistan posts profit of Rs938m in 1H-2022 Quetta train service suspended as bridge collapses in Bolan continued from page 01
iSLamaBad staff report T HESupreme Court on Thursday issued notice to the federal government in a petition against change of location for Bhong Interchange on Lahore-Karachi Motorway. A two-member SC bench comprising Justice Ijazul Ahsan and Justice Sayyed Mazahar Ali Akbar Naqvi heard the petition filed by Raees Munir against change of location for Bhong Interchange.During the course of proceedings, the court called for a report on the change of interchange.Advocate Hamid Khan, counsel for Raees Munir, argued that PC-1 of Bhong Temple Interchange was approved. The court had also ordered that a motorway interchange be built at Bhong but the location for Bhong Interchange had been changed with Jamal Dini after the change of government, he Advocateadded.Faisal Chaudhry, counsel for the National Highway Authority (NHA) said that NHA had proposed Interchange at Bhong Temple in PC-1. He said that the interchange had been transferred by the Planning Division. Justice Ijaz asked what went wrong with the location change for BhongSubsequently,Interchange?the court issued notice to the federal government and sought reply and adjourned hearing of the case.
NCHR Punjab Member Nadeem Ashraf, Senator Walid Iqbal, MNA Ms Shaisa Pervaiz, UNFPA Representative Dr Bakhtior Kadirov, NCHR Chairperson Rabiya Javeri Agha, Member Minority Manzoor Masih, K-P Member Tariq Javed, Justice Mansoor Ali Shah and Taskeen COO Dr. Taha Sabri at a function. pr
According to details, PDMA said that a total of 110 men, 55 women, and 69 children have lost their lives to floods and related incidents in Balochistan. A total of 18 bridges and 710 km of roads have been damaged in the recentMeanwhile,floods.
06 Friday, 26 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
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Double standards, double talk 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
The writer is a member of staff
Internetpoliticsdisruption
The writer is a freelance columnist
Disrupted because of the monsoons, internet services are essential for flood relief
MUHAMMAD ALI ALVI How is an accused supposed to be treated? At MPenpointANIAZI Recognizing sports The focus must not be only on cricket 06-07 Comments - 26th August 2022_Layout 1 8/26/2022 12:55 AM Page 1
B eyond the glamorous and popular word of cricket, there are sports and athletes that deserve every bit of appreciation and recognition. These sports need popularity and athletes need recognition. There was a time when Pakistan was excelling in different sports and competing with other great sporting nations but not anymore. There was a time when Pakistan was producing athletes of the highest standard that would make the country proud. That was the time when Pakistan was a force to be reckoned with in hockey and squash. But how Pakistan’s dominance vanished in the last couple of decades leaves us scratching our heads. Having won its last hockey world cup in 1994, Pakistan is still the most successful team with four World Cups. Having won a record number of consecutive matches and titles in squash, Pakistan’s squash players now don’t find a place in the top 20 squash players rankings and the drought for the title continues. The same is the case with other sports. Before every international event, Pakistan pins hope on one or two athletes to win at least a medal for Pakistan and take Pakistan to the medal table. That is how much we have neglected sports and athletes. Pakistan’s athletes often raise their voices against poor infrastructure facilities, lack of funds, and the neglect they face; but their voices remain unheard. despite all the hurdles, Pakistani athletes still produce great performances from time to time. The recent performance of Pakistan’s athletes in the Commonwealth Games 2022 proves that the talent is there and it just needs to be nourished further. It needs to be supported and backed. And the support these athletes got from the public shows that there is a space for other sports in an otherwise cricketobsessedPakistanicountry.superstars like Arshad nadeem and nooh Butt can inspire an entire generation of youth that wants to serve Pakistan in sports other than cricket. But they cannot do it alone. They have done their
He arrest and subsequent remand of dr Shahbaz Gill went to the heart of many of the country’s problems, particularly those dealing with the respect of the citizens. It should not count that dr Gill is an educated man, that he is a prominent public person, or even that he is accused of sedition, and that too of inciting mutiny in the armed forces. All citizens are supposed to be equal before the law, and in a day, the debate over his torture should be irrelevant. no one subject to Pakistani law (which includes non-citizens for the time bring present in Pakistan) is supposed to be tortured in police custody. However, it is commonly assumed that the police routinely use third-degree methods, and are all the more under pressure to do so in a high-profile case of this sort. Whether or not the thirddegree was used on him, it isbelieved they were, because they are nothing special, and have been thoroughly routinized The pre-censorship of Imran Khan’s speeches, which cannot now be broadcast live, but only after they have been cleared by PeMRA, is perhaps the first fruit of that third-degree interrogation. If there is a suspicion that Imran too would incite mutiny, this would be the kneejerk reaction of the military. It should be remembered that intelligence outfits the world over are interested in ‘actionable’ intelligence, information that will enable them to advise their masters (usually the commanders) on the course of action they should take. Thus intelligence outfits wanting to know whether dr Gill was acting on his own or on instructions from Imran, don’t need proof. They just wanted to know, so that they could advise their bosses what course of action should be taken. They did not need proof; that was something they left to the police. The police do not merely arrest criminals or solve crimes. It generates the evidence necessary which will allow the trial court to decide whether the criminal did commit the offence. However, this process of gathering evidence must be in accordance with law. In the lawyers’ term, it must be such as to offer due process. The common-laws law of evidence, the Raj’s law of evidence and the Islamic Qanun-i-Shahadat all show that the defendant and the police are going to do their best to pervert the course of justice, and that is where the effort to follow due process comes.
PTI’s
T He hearing on the Toshakhana reference has begun. The reference filed on behalf of Speaker national Assembly Raja Pervez Ashraf seeks PTI chief Imran Khan’s lifelong disqualification from holding public office. Meanwhile the election Commission of Pakistan has issued notices to Mr Khan and senior party leaders Fawad Chaudhry and Asad Umar for using “intemperate and contemptuous remarks” against the electoral watchdog in recent speeches. Setting aside the PTI chief’s stand that he is not obligated to the FIA, the Agency has reportedly sent a second notice to him seeking the record of PTI’s financial details. FIA is authorized to arrest a person who fails to appear before it after receiving the third notice. Mr Khan failed to realize that while one may come to power with the help of the establishment one will have to act afterwards as a junior partner. once in PM House, the sycophants around Mr Khan started telling him that his personal charisma and unmatched political sense had attracted electables and smaller parties to the PTI. The mammoth crowds that gathered at his call further nurtured the bloated image of the self in the PTI chief. After consigning a fair number his political opponents to nAB, Imran Khan tried to dabble in the Army’s internal affairs too, which gave birth to resentment in the organization. long before coming to power the PTI had started using its social media teams to viciously attack its political rivals and media critics, employing the foulest vocabulary never used before. With Mr Khan blaming the Army for the fall of his government, its highly irresponsible social media teams turned their guns toward the Army. Instead of telling them to act responsibly, Mr Khan’s chief of staff Shahbaz Gill incited mutiny in the Army. Mr Khan is unwilling to play the role of a responsible opposition leader. He has again said he cannot sit together with corrupt politicians comprising the leadership of the ruling alliance. He is however cool with some of the icons of dynastic politics like Ch Pervez elahi and Shah Mehmud Qureshi. Mr Khan is still keen to make up with the Army and rule the country together. To prove that he still possesses formidable street power Khan gave the call for protests all over the country on Saturday. despite the PTI ruling Punjab and KP the party failed to gather its much boasted millions.
That is why the identical statement is given different evidentiary value by a judge, depending on whether it was recorded by a police officer while making an enquiry (‘Section 161 PPC’) or by a magistrate (‘Section 164 PPC’). now when an accused consents to make a statement under Section 164, the police, who would have him or her in their custody, rehearse it, making sure that the accused covers crucial ground establishing his guilt. It must include the magistrate explicitly asking him whether his statement is in any way made under the fear or pressure of the police. So much emphasis is placed on this that the magistrate has to include a statement that he has warned the accused making the statement, and has assured himself that it is made freely. of course, an accused who has recorded a confessional statement under Section 164, is not without a defence. He can resile from the statement, claiming that there was hidden police pressure (such as loved ones in custody). The trial judge will not dismiss the statement, but will treat it as a statement under Section 161. It may be remembered that a statement under Section 160 is of some evidentiary value, but5 the trial judge cannot rely upon it unless there is other evidence confirming it. For example, a statement under section 160 saying that the accused entered a house to rob it will not lead to conviction, but if the police can show that the accused’s fingerprints were there, unless the defence lawyer can explain how they got there (during an innocent previous visit for example), the judge can proceed to a conviction. Therefore what dr Gill is feared to do, is to make a statement under Section 164, and then stick to it in court till the time of trial. on the face of it, he has not made any such statement. Anyway, while it would be enough to convict him, it would only be treated as circumstantial evidence against Imran, if he has been named. To take any example, if A says that B stabbed C repeatedly in a statement under Section 164, while A is probably going to get at least life, the statement only lets the judge admit it as circumstantial evidence, and he will require the knife with which he did the stabbing, to be produced. If the police shows that his fingerprints were on it, he’s probably had it, unless his lawyer can establish that he handled the knife later, entirely innocently. However, agencies do not need such definitive proof to act. In fact, dr Gill need not have stated in so many words that Imran was responsible. He may have even denied it. But if the agent conducting the operation thinks he was, then that is the assumption on which the state machinery will operate, even though it cannot be proven in a court of law.
Blocking mutiny
Furthermore, the government should prioritize this issue and take it seriously because not only do sports and athletes need recognition but they also help in spreading a positive image of the country. All government institutions should have meritbased seats for all sports. And all those which have should make it more beneficial for the players. The selected players should be given incentives and facilities to shine their talent without fears about making a living.All educational institutions should prioritize sports with education. They should promote sports by taking it as an integral part of their activities. The government should develop state-of-the-art clubs with all facilities for all sports within all major and small cities to attract the youth. electronic and print media should glamorize stars of all sports and present them as role models by giving them the coverage they need. There is also a need for a national sports day that should be celebrated with enthusiasm. The achievements of the players who have made Pakistan proud should be highlighted. every sport should be given its due recognition and players should be rewarded. Pakistan should invest in sports as it is a way of spreading the soft image of the country.
part. now it is the hand of authorities to popularise different sports and attract the youth to play for the country by showcasing the achievements of Pakistani athletes who have made Pakistan proud. But this cannot happen in a single day and not with an empty pocket. The authorities with responsibility should invest in players at the grassroots level and provide facilities to them. There is a need to realize that there is a huge difference in the performance of a sponsored player and a player who has his eyes on the prize money to make his life better. Recognition, fame, money, glory, self-interest, and the spirit of making the country proud, are the things that attract youth to play a sport. Cricket provides all these benefits. That is the reason youth are attracted to Similarly,cricket.theperformance of athletes and the popularity of a sport attracts the public to take interest in that sport. And when athletes don’t perform and sport does not get due recognition, people lose interest in that sport. This is the reason that other than determined followers of a sport, others don’t know anything about that sport. For example, very few among the readers could name a few players of our national hockey team. And the irony is that hockey is the national sport of Pakistan. Here the question is why a youth will play hockey or any other sport if he is not going to get recognition, stardom, and money. And why would someone watch a sport if there are no superstars in that sport who could produce excellent performance? The neglect of sports in Pakistan is also because of the neglect of sports in schools, colleges, and universities.during the era of Pakistan’s dominance in hockey, students used to play hockey in educational institutions. Students took pride in playing the sport that was making Pakistan proud globally. They wanted to play for Pakistan. That was the time when Pakistan was producing brilliant hockey players regularly. The craze for the game was so immense that in schools and colleges where students could not afford hockey sticks, they played the game with self-made wood sticks cut from trees. The same was the case with squash. youngsters loved Pakistan’s incredible duo of Jehangir Khan and Jansher Khan and wanted to follow in their footsteps. But now how will a youth play a sport if there are no superstars to inspire him? no infrastructure to nourish him, no funds to support him, and no recognition to make him feel proud? yes, there is a need for good infrastructure, adequate funds, and proper planning to improve the sports in the country and make Pakistan a great sporting nation but the need of the hour is to starts inspiring the youngsters to play different sports. The competent authorities should involve all the athletes who have made Pakistan proud in recent times by winning medals or at least have participated and represented Pakistan to their fullest and present them as the superstars of their respective sports. These athletes should get their due recognition and appreciation. They deserve fame and popularity. These are the ones who will inspire the youth to play different sports. It will bring talent to the top. And then from there good infrastructure, management, investment of funds in the right l areas, and proper planning will produce players of the highest standard that can bring glory to Pakistan in the future.
However, As Imran must be finding, this case is merely an addition to the large number of cases he is facing. Then there are the offences being alleged against him in connection with dr Gill’s case, such as the threats he allegedly hurled against the judge in the case. He has already been called by the FIA in connection with the PTI accounts found by the eCP to have been not declared before the eCP, but operated by such party stalwarts as Asad Umer, Qaiser Mehmood and Qasim Suri. Thus far, he has resisted even However,appearing.theeCPhas also summoned him to answer a disqualification reference regarding his failure to declare the proceeds of the sales of Toshakhana gifts. That he retained and sold them may have been diplomatically uncouth, but not declaring the money is his annual statement to the eCP was illegal. one set of nomination papers has been rejected in the by-elections Imran wishes to contest next month, and it is now for the eCP to ensure there will be a uniform ruling. The paradox of the Gill case is that it is perhaps the most serious case registered against any member of the PTI. The only things worse would be a PTI worker actually taking up arms, or perhaps members of the armed forces getting incited and conspiring to disobey ‘illegal orders., but Imran is not the prime accused. However, it now seems that the dithering of the PTI on whether to back him, or throw him under the bus, is turning into a defence. That might be regretted later by the PTI itself. elections will be held, and the clock is ticking ever louder. All that is left is the appointment of the next CoAS. The PTI should have learnt from the incumbent that none is loyal to the political party, but to the institution, and to the government. It is beyond the ability of the government to appoint someone totally unfit, because the panel that will be put up, will consist of officers who have completed the requirements for the job. However, whoever is selected would have been opposed by the PTI, and it is possible that he will be cleaning up after the incitement episode. Most dangerously though, the Gill episode showed that we might have inched towards rule not by the Army but its agencies. This trend has arisen since 9/11, until now it seems irrelevant what anyone thinks; in the end, it appears that the agencies will decide. At the moment, everyone seems on the same page, so it might seem that it won’t matter who wins the elections. Whoever wins, the agencies will win.
S oCIAl media is not the only thing happening on the Internet. Alongside photos of the latest meal someone has had, or a cute kitten, flood relief activities are reliant on the Internet. This is not just because social media has made the transmission of information that much more rapid, but has made that information that much more precise. The guessing has been taken out of relief or rescue efforts. of course, all these benefits will only flow if the Internet is actually up. one of the problems with flooding is that the heavy machinery used to clear water from flooded areas will cut the fibre-optic cable that carries the Internet. The recent outages appear to have been caused by digging trenches to drain floodwater in Ghotki, Sukkur and Khairpur districts. even though some redundancy has been built in, with a total usage of around six terabytes of data, Pakistan has now been shown to be vulnerable. PTCl not only is in the business as a retail Internet Service Provider (ISP), but it also provides bulk bandwidth to other ISPs, and operates four of the seven cables which link the country to the Internet. The floods are likely to be worse next year, as climate change takes effect. even if they are not as bad, unless the monsoon fails, which is as disastrous as too much rain, this particular problem will persist. Along with the measures the government must take in other areas, a survey of vulnerability of Internet cables would provide a baseline from which the prevention of outages next year can take a start. The government might also remember that some of the world’s most digitized societies, like Japan and Korea, also experience monsoons, while Japan also experiences earthquakes. Best practices can be learnt from these countries, and duly implemented. Apart from the government keeping citizens online, the ISPs also have an interest in licking this problem.
Change on one hand, as it is heartening to see that, over the years, politics and political discourse have permeated all and sundry of state, thanks to social media. But, on the other hand, what remains unchecked is the authenticity of information, intolerance, curse words and gloom that is bound to affect impressionable minds. The kind of void and existential challenges today’s youths face are unprecedented. Hence, the emotionally-charged discourse is not likely to make our young fully aware citizens of the world. nobody seems to be mindful anymore that there has to be deference in difference, there has to be a code of conduct even in the face of adversity. The ethical part of the game is getting lost in the grim situation, and that is putting the future of this country on the path of self-destruction. There is a need for logically planned policies that will be helpful in materialising the dreams our youths are dreaming with wizards of change available on both sides, but warring with each other endlessly. Moreover, it is an illusion of many that mere shift at the top will change everything in society. It will not. It is the troop that wins, not a single soldier. everyone has to pitch in his or her share if we really want to see the country progress; and on this path of progress we need indigenous solutions to problems which can be achieved with dedication, honesty to the cause, diligence and tolerance. Change will not come till we, as a nation, do not think of changing ourselves first.
THe Islamabad Club was established in 1967 as a non-profit organisation to provide recreational facilities to government servants and diplomats. The club is still run through an archaic ordinance issued in 1978 even though a lot has changed for the worse since then. The president of Pakistan, who is patron, nominates an administrator who is all powerful. The administrator appoints a management committee to assist him in running the affairs of the club. over the years, the club has lost sight of its original purpose. Fixed monthly charges have been enhanced several times and catering is more expensive than other comparable clubs in Pakistan. It has now become a commercial entity. Recently, additional monthly charges have been imposed for the use of swimming pools and badminton courts. This is over and above the monthly contribution paid by all the members. This has made the club prohibitively expensive for government servants and pensioners. A closer look at the financial matters reveals that the club had started incurring losses recently because of a newly-established cricket academy and polo ground. The majority of the club membership does not use these facilities, but has been arbitrarily made to subsidise those expensive facilities that are used by some elitist members. Such arbitrary decision-making can only be checked by making the club management more representative. other clubs, including lahore Gymkhana, elect their managers periodically. That makes them more consultative, transparent and accountable. Resultantly, those outfits are far better run. Islamabad Club members, too, should be empowered to elect their represen-tatives in order to maintain the original spirit of this entity, which includes keeping charges under check in order to provide recreational facilities to government servants in our fun-starved capital.
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PARVEZKARACHIRAHIM Islamabad Club
07 Friday, 26 August, 2022 COMMENT
The famed national College of Arts (nCA) was represented in such contests, among others, by nayyara noor, who passed away on Aug 20. even back then, she had a mesmerising effect on the audience with her mellifluous voice and amazing singing. In one such contest held at the UeT, nayyara bagged the first prize hands down. dr nazir Ahmad, who was principal of the Government College and a great connoisseur of music, was a judge in the competition and was full of praise for nayyara. later, I would meet nayyara at the radio music school in lahore, where GA Farooq of Kirana Gharana of music, would teach us the basics of classical singing. As an amateur singer, she used to sing songs of veteran singers with great aplomb, especially the ghazals sung by Begum Akhtar. In a largely attended music programme, held at the UeT in 1971, nayyara asked me to play harmonium with her on stage, which I did, and she sang Begum Akhtar’s Chha rahi kaali ghata and received a rapturous applause from the audience. nayyara made a mark for herself on the television and later in films, with a voice different from the other leading female singers, who would emulate the style of Madam noor Jehan. She would sing in a sweet voice that had a mysterious sadness about it, which together gave a haunting impact to her renderings. It was the launching of the audio album ‘nayyara sings Faiz’, jointly produced by Faiz’s son-in-law Shoaib Hashmi and eMI company as a birthday gift for the great poet in 1976, that marked a turning point in nayyara’s career after which she was taken seriously by music lovers as an accomplished singer. Faiz was nayyara’s favourite poet and she got recognized by singing his ghazal, Hum ke thehre ajnabi itni madaraton ke baad. However, her most famous ghazal remains Ae jazba-e-dil gar mein chaahun, har cheez muqabil aa ja’aye by Behzad lakhnavi, whcih she sand for PTV programme Sukhanwar in 1972. In addition to singing many songs for television and recording companies, nayyara rendered 62 songs for films as playback singer. The most famous among them is Roothe ho tum, tumko kaise mana’aun piya, composed by Robin Ghosh to the lyrics of Tasleem Fazli, for the movie Aina. M. Ashraf’s composition Tera saya jahan bhi ho sajna was another popular song. It was penned by Kaleem Usmani for the 1973 film Gharana. Unassuming, nayyara was the recipient of the President’s Pride of Performance medal, which she fully deserved after extending such devotion and commitment to her chosen field. She would wear simple clothes, and believed that it was her voice and singing that mattered, and not her appearance. She was a showbiz personality of great character who had nothing to do with the ‘show’ part of the ‘business’.
S InCe the late 20th century, China has shifted its policy from isolation and separation to the international community. Today it is on the way to becoming themajor economic power of the world. The Chinese leadership has formulated a more attractive, pragmatic, and flexible foreign policy for the global affairs and issues. Along with economic growth, China is also expanding political influence through investment as well as the installation of industry, which has given a new impetus to its quest for energy resources. Moreover, it is projecting its soft power vigorously and peacefully by promoting culture, sports, education, tourism, and other exchanges. The Chinese believe they are becoming a peaceful great power. once Professor of International Relations yan Xuetong said, “China is the second most powerful state in the world”. A rapid change in the dynamics of security and economy at the local, regional, and international levels has also changed the perceptions, priorities, national interest, and foreign policies of states. That’s why there is a pragmatic shift being observed inmodern diplomacy to inflate influence in the worldand the spreading of their economic and strategic activities on the other spheres of the globe by all the countries. To achieve their national interests, countries are effectively following their geopolitical potential and geostrategic environment. China is following this pattern of foreign policy to establish relationships with its neighbors and regional and international powers to achieve its national interests. In the past, Chinese diplomacy was often employed to pursue goals of unbalanced interests. China was allied with the USSR and viewed the United States as its principal enemy during the 1950s. on the other hand, Washington sought an anti-communist alliance with Pakistan as well as close relations with India. After the Indo-Pak War of 1965, the American-Indian relations became weaker due to Washington’s limited supply of weapons to India. In the 1970s, India moved closer to the USSR, and China becme closer to Islamabad because of the complicated strategic position of India. Then China wisely inclined towards the USA in search of export markets and to counterbalance the USSR. After the collapse of the USSR, the peaceful environment of the Central Asian region was favourable to China and a shift also came in its foreign policy towards South Asia. now,Beijing was seeking political and economicbilateral ties with the regional countries, which was a particularly positive development in the process of the Sino-India rapprochement. This shift was not favouring Pakistan and posed negative consequences for the traditional Pak-China relationship. This shift in the foreign policy of China put the dent during the Pak-India crisis over Kashmir in 1989-90 when Beijing did not support Pakistan on aresolution on Kashmirin the United nations. It remained neutral and calm and gave emphasis on both parties to solve the issue by dialogue. Contrary, during the Cold War, Chinesepolicy towards Pakistanwas supportive against India. during the 1990s, China has been advising both Pakistan and India to solve their problems through dialogue. In 1996, President Jiang Zemin visited Pakistan and in his 45-minute speech to Parliament, he urged Pakistan to develop cooperative relations with India and put thorny issues aside. Pakistan should make trade and economic relations to lessen the hostility with India. At the time of the Kargil crisis, China-India rapprochement had entered a mature phase. This time again, China adopted a neutral policy and stressed to hold talks and solve the issue through negotiations. Pakistan was seeking active support on the issues of Kashmirand Kargil but the Chinese position was unchanged. during the visit of Pakistani Foreign Minister to China in 1999, Chinese Foreign Minister Tang Jiaxuan told the international community that he had great concerns about the South Asian situation and Pakistan should remain cool and exercise self-control. It was a warning to Pakistan that China would not support it by military means, and Pakistan should get out from Kargil and settle the crisis by dialogue. Post-Cold War, the Soviet model ended and India was looking for economic reforms. Therefore, delhi no longer remained allied to Moscow and became less of a danger to Beijing. now the need of Islamabad for Beijing was lessened to counterbalance delhi and Moscow but the delhiWashington closeness was a concern to Beijing because it wanted to prevent India from allying with the USA. This situation was very tough for China to sustain and maintain a balance and demonstrate its ability in the region of nuclear powers. The incident of 9/11 brought regional and international developments and new adjustments in the foreign policy for China. This event led to a diplomatic standoff between Pakistan and India. Almost for a year, military forces of both sides stood eyeball-to-eyeball and came dangerously close to war. The terrorist attack on the Indian parliament and the Srinagar incident flamed insecurity and instability in the region. Beijing has concerns about Pak-India tension and it played a proactive role at the diplomatic level to diffuse tension. China also activated the SCo and other forums to lessen the tension between Islamabad and new delhi. Soon after 9/11, the USA declared a global war against terrorism and China was discomforted and had many internal and external concerns. It warned the USA that counterterrorism should not be used for hegemonic privileges. Although the war against theTaliban regime in Afghanistanwas a serious threat to regional security, China also managed its own domestic situation (the troubled province of Xinjiang) and was unsettled by the presence of US forces near its border. China believed that Washington would create instability in the region and might have new political designs. The region, particularly Central Asia, was more attractive to China due to its energy resources and Washington’s political and military involvement in the region might have caused worries for China. Washington was increasing pressure on Islamabad to get Pakistani support for the War on Terror in Afghanistan after 9/11. on the other hand, China had concerns about expanding delhi-Washington strategic cooperation. India and the USA were considering China as a common rival of both countries and were thinking of how to limit the rise of China as well. Washington made efforts to diffuse the crisis between Pakistan and India by its balancing posture during this period.China also maintained a balanced position towardsPakistan and India during the post-9/11 period. Another worry for China was the Indian move towards Japan and Vietnam with whom Chinese relations remained tense. In this circumstance, China revisited its policy towards Pakistan and enhanced bilateral relations in all the fields related to the national interest of both the countries. The cooperation in political, economic, security, and diplomatic issues and bilateral ties produced a $62 billionChinese investment in Pakistan through CPeC. China has regularly provided support to Pakistan in the United nations Security Council. China has assisted Pakistan to improve its security and defense capability via the joint venture of the JF-17 Thunder in 2003. The deteriorating relationship between Islamabad and Washington also provided it motivation and impetus to improve their bilateral relations. on the other hand, China and India are two natural strategic rivals with great numbers of the population in the region. The sense of competition between the two countries is very high. China has engaged nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh, and the Maldives, which is considered the area of Indian influence. China has tried to build a road in the area of doklam in Bhutan, which is a source of tension for India. It seems that China is occupying the strategic territory, which is very necessary for Indian security. In addition, India thinks that Pakistan is serving Chinese interests by forcing it to fight wars, deterring the Indian ability to counter the Chinese rise. nowadays, China itself has engaged India in the Galwan Valley in eastern ladakh. Since the confrontation between China and India, Pakistan is trying to cash in on this situation. From the diplomatic maneuvering behind the scenes, Pakistan is bashing India for theoverall development in ladakhand Kashmir but standing on the side of China. However, the leadership of both China and India has recognized the need for peace and cooperation to ease the tension. China also seems to be the major beneficiary of the ChinaIndia economic and trade relations. Hence, both countries have recognized that the expansion of cooperation on multiple levels to ensure peace on their borders, is in their interests. As to its rise of economic power, China has its own paradigm of development and new ways of interaction with regional and global powers on a win-win basis, and it has earned the respect and credibility of other nations. Being the neighbour of China, Pakistan has the privilege to achieve investment and trade. The frequent exchange visits by the leaderships of both countries have reinforced mutual trust and cooperation. However, India and Pakistan are challenging each other on the issue of Kashmir and both the countries had fought four wars in the past. on the issue of Kashmir, Beijing put the shoulder behind Islamabad and forced a discussion in the United nations Security Council on India’s reordering of Kashmir. Chinese policy will have significant implications for the China-IndiaPakistan relationship and will be a test of China’s foreign policy towards Pakistan and India.
China’s Foreign Policy towards Pakistan and India had to make adjustments after
Nayyara Noor In 1967, I was a member of Government College, lahore’s music team that used to compete in inter-collegiate music contests that were organised by various colleges and universities. Both the University law College and the University of engineering and Technology (UeT), lahore, were quite active in holding such contests in which the competition used to be tough.
UMME NAUMANLAHORE
Editor’s mail
The writer has a PhD in Political Science and can be reached at akramzaheer86@yahoo.com
JAVEDISLAMABADHAFIZ
TO BOLSTER RUSSIA’S DEPLETED WEAPONS INVENTORY, IRAN HAS BEGUN DELIVERING “HUNDREDS” OF SUICIDE DRONES, ACCORDING TO THE INTELLIGENCE OFFICIALS BewAre the emerGinG AlliAnce Between russiA And irAn
RELATIONS WITH BEIJING ARE CRUCIAL FOR REGIONAL TRADE, BUT IS TOKYO READY TO PUT IT ALL ON THE LINE OVER TAIWAN AND WASHINGTON’S FAVOUR? 08 WORLD VIEW 26th August 22_Layout 1 8/25/2022 9:26 PM Page 1
WaShingTon PoST DaviD ignaTius B EWarE the emerging Tehran-Moscow alliance: russia has begun using iranian-made drones in the Ukraine war and iran has offered to share its financial networks to help russia evade sanctions, according to Western intelligenceForofficials.russia, struggling to maintain momentum in Ukraine after six months of brutal conflict, the new iranian assistance could be a game-changer, the intelligence officials warn. “This is not just a tactical alliance,” explained one official. With China and india refusing to sell weapons to russia, iran could become an essential pipeline for weapons and money. “They know all the tricks in the book,” in terms of evading sanctions, the intelligence official said of iran. iran can tap its existing infrastructure network of shell companies and other financial institutions in this sanctions-busting campaign. iranian financial aid for russia would be even easier if sanctions against Tehran are lifted as part of a renewal of the 2015 iran nuclear deal, the intelligence officials warned. To bolster russia’s depleted weapons inventory, iran has begun delivering “hundreds” of suicide drones, according to the intelligence officials. These drones would probably be part of the “Shahed” series, about the size of a U.S. Predator, which iran has used successfully in iraq and Syria. U.S.-iran tensions have been escalating sharply, even as the two countries appear to be nearing a deal to revive the nuclear agreement. iranian-backed proxies staged a complex drone strike aug. 15 on a U.S. base in al-Tanf, in southern Syria. No americans were killed or wounded. but it was a bold attack, and the U.S. Central Command announced Tuesday that the United States had retaliated with “precision airstrikes” on a base near Deir-ez-Zor used by groups associated with iran’s islamic revolutionary Guard Corps. “We are going to protect our people and strike those responsible, including the irGC, if they keep this up,” a senior administration official said Wednesday. The biden administration has been warning for more than a month about the danger that iran would supply drones to russia. National security adviser Jake Sullivan told CNN on July 15 that iran was “preparing to provide russia with several hundred UaVs, including weaponscapable UaVs,” and that a russian delegation had examined a “showcase” of drones at an iranian airfield. iran promptly assured Ukraine’s foreign minister that the U.S. reports were false. The russians have, in fact, been rushing to put the iranian drones over the battlefield. “During the last several weeks, russian officials conducted training in iran as part of the agreement for UaV transfers,” an NSC spokeswoman told me Wednesday. She also noted that russia this month had launched an iranian “Khayyam” satellite, which has “significant spying capabilities.” To expand russian-iranian economic ties — and build a framework for evading sanctions — russia has sent executives from Gazprom and other companies to Tehran, according to an article Tuesday in Politico. iranian economic officials have also visited Moscow. “Under what traders call a ‘swap’ arrangement, iran could import russian crude to its northern Caspian coast and then sell equivalent amounts of crude on russia’s behalf in iranian tankers leaving from the Persian Gulf,” Politico noted. The budding Moscow-Tehran alliance adds a new obstacle to renewing the 2015 nuclear agreement. U.S. officials remain convinced that its limits on iranian enrichment of uranium would bolster the security of both the United States and israel. but Tehran has demanded concessions, outside the framework of the agreement, that the biden administration has so far refused to make. The most important iranian demand is that the United States press the international atomic Energy agency in Vienna to halt its investigation of undeclared nuclear sites. “No deal will be implemented before the iaEa board of Governors PErMaNENTlY closes the false accusations file,” a spokesman for the iranian negotiating team tweeted Tuesday.
Friday, 26 August, 2022 08 WORLD VIEW
A recent report suggests that Japan’s government is considering positioning over 1,000 ballistic missiles aimed towards China, a move that would mark a major escalation in tensions between Tokyo and beijing. it is unclear if this will ever materialize, given the threat to regional stability it would carry, as well as the limits imposed by Japan’s own constitution, but by this point it is undeniable that geostrategic competition between Japan and China is a new reality. The two countries may well be vastly economically integrated, but they are old enemies at heart, and their geopolitical ambitions are increasingly clashing across the board. The rise of China threatens Japan’s once dominant position in asia, not least in terms of disputed territories, which if beijing succeeds in retaking, would strategically checkmate Tokyo. While the East China Sea and the disputed Diaoyu/Senkaku islands is one thing, the biggest and most urgent flashpoint is in fact a topical subject of late: the island of Taiwan. Japan now makes it publicly known that the continued autonomy of Taiwan is critical to its own survival. Why? because a reunification of the island with mainland China would result in beijing gaining maritime dominance around all of Japan’s southwest periphery. as a result, Japan is upping its own stakes concerning Taiwan. both before and during the current streak of lawmaker visits to the island, parliamentary delegations from Japan have made similar trips of their own. The recently assassinated abe Shinzo, an architect of Japan’s current revisionist foreign policy, was a huge supporter of Taiwan and was set to visit the island Similarly,himself.Taiwan, once under the colonial rule of Japan, which annexed it from China, has also increased its pro-Japan sentiment significantly. The extent of the public mourning it pushed following abe’s murder was very telling. Then there is the growing speculation as to whether Japan would actually defend Taiwan militarily if China invaded it, given the limitations imposed by the Japanese constitution. if it wasn’t obvious already, Japan can’t afford to lose Taiwan, despite the One China Policy being a key condition of the resumption of diplomatic relations between the two countries in 1976. This has put Tokyo in a race against time to try to find loopholes around its current peace-oriented constitution in order to increase its defense spending and attempt to balance against China’s growing military might. in doing so, it finds support from the other members of the ‘Quad’ group, especially the United States and australia, who are coordinating to try and contain China. india is also a critical partner. While New Delhi has distanced itself from the Taiwan issue in a bid to avoid aggravating tensions with China over the disputed border, it nonetheless sees Japan as a long-term strategic partner with a view to beijing. Japan also seeks to woo South Korea into this game, a move that is being encouraged by the US. While new right-wing President Yoon Suk Yeol is more willing to cooperate with Japan on the issue of North Korea, expectations of him being an ultra-hawk on China have in fact fizzled out, and he has continued with the cautious approach of his predecessors. When Nancy Pelosi came to town after her notorious Taiwan trip, the Korean president avoided meeting her, even as Japan nonetheless fully embraced her visit. Japan is undoubtedly the number one and most forward country in support of the United States in asia. Yet despite all of this, there are limits to how far it can rock the boat with beijing, which remains a neighbor, as well as a critical trade and investment partner. Despite the historical enmity between the two, their business ties are very deep. any hit to the Chinese economy hurts Japan too. Japan can’t afford to lose the Chinese market either, especially when it comes to the export of cars, electronics and other consumer goods. The Chinese government can be devastatingly effective in whipping up anti-Japanese sentiment on a whim, which can result in mass boycotts and even destruction of property. Such protests last occurred in 2012 over the Senkaku islands. This reminds us that despite the backing of the US, Japan is in some ways in a delicate position. China’s economy has long outgrown it; the continuing expansion of its military capabilities is unparalleled. Chinese nationalist commentator hu Xijin, the former editor of the Global Times, declared that if Japan dared point 1,000 missiles at China, China would point 5,000 back and target US bases on Japanese soil. Yet despite that, he said that China-Japan relations above all ought to remain friendly. it isn’t China’s choosing, despite everything, to pursue antagonism along this path. This poses the question: Can Japan keep up in the bid to protect Taiwan, and fend off China as a whole? it’s not a straightforward task, which is why relations between the two countries will continue to be torn between longstanding rivalry and historical grievances on the one hand, and restraint and interdependency on the other.
EXCERPTS FROM THE INTRODUCTION OF ‘TEMPLE LAMP: VERSES ON BANARAS’ BY MIRZA GHALIB, TRANSLATED FROM THE PERSIAN BY MAAZ BIN BILAL is Japan getting ready to move against china?
Scroll Maaz Bin Bilal G halib changed his plans and decided to continue westward and to go to Calcutta to petition the Governor General himself. For this, he first went to banda, where he had a wealthy cousin. he fell ill here again and stayed another six months. he also befriended the sadr-e-amin or the civil magistrate, Nawab Muhammad ali Khan, a notable poet of his time. Khan helped to finance the rest of Ghalib’s trip to Calcutta. Next, Ghalib reached allahabad via Chilla Tara, hoping to stay there for some days, but fled the city, possibly on account of some disputes with a fan of the indo-Persian poet, Qatīl, whose work he despised. he took the boat from allahabad and reached banaras. in the often-quoted Persian letter to Nawab Muhammad ali Khan, Ghalib writes disparagingly of allahabad, and fondly of reaching banaras: What a ridiculous place is ilahabad! May God get rid of it; for it has no healing for the sick, nor anything of note for the gentleman. Neither do men and women have any life here, nor do its young and old have any love or kindness in their hearts. its people are a blot on the face of this earth. its desolate inhabitation is only worth tilling as farmland...it is unfair to call this terrible valley a city, and it is so shameful that a person should stay in this dwelling of ghosts...because it has heard that the sinful would also obtain grace for the sake of the virtuous, it has cast its hundred thousand dishonours with its three thousand hopes with the lot of banaras, and sent the river Ganges speeding towards banaras as a sign of respect. however much of a burden banaras may find it to look at this black-faced city, its heart is comforted by the knowledge that the Ganga lies between the two. by God, if the return journey from Calcutta means that i have to travel through ilahabad, then i shall drop the very idea of returning home and never return. Suffice it to say, after spending a night and day in this city of ghosts for the crime of not having had my luggage delivered yet, i found a ride the next morning, and quickly reached the banks of the Jamuna. i crossed the river like a fast gust of wind and made my way to banaras.Ghalib’s health recovered immediately upon arrival here. he rejoiced in the pleasant breeze and the verdant environs of the holy city and stayed in banaras for a month before leaving for Calcutta, even though he had intended to stay here only a few days. he writes fondly of the city of light and recounts his humble living arrangements in the same letter to Nawab Muhammad ali Khan of banda: On Thursday, a heavenly, life-affirming breeze arose from the east that energised me and refreshed my soul. The miracle of this breeze cleared the haze i was enveloped in and lifted my spirits like victory banners. The waves of the cool breeze swept away all weakness from my body. What can i say about the city of banaras! it would be justified if i were to call it the mark on the heart of the universe because of its excessively heart-warming qualities. and what do i say about the surroundings of this settlement? it would be proper to call it heaven on earth because of the foliage and flowers that are in bloom in their full glory. its breeze blows life into dead bodies. its every fleck of dust has the qualities to pull thorns and needles away like magnets from the feet of travellers. The river Ganga would not have been considered so noble had it not rubbed its forehead at its feet. and if the sun had not shone over the walls and gates of this city, it would not have been this bright and radiant. The flow of the Ganga sounds like that of a storm. The banks of the Ganga are home to the most learned of men. With the reflections of the homes of the angel-faced beautiful ladies in the green waters, the homes of the pious have shattered like the Katāñ cloth. if i were to describe the buildings of this city, then they are the abodes of the intoxicated, and the flowers and vegetation of the surroundings suggest that this is the land of perpetualFollowingspring.upon these rapturous praises of the city in prose to his friend, it was here in this garden city of perpetual spring that Ghalib wrote, in Persian, arguably his most famous and best masnavi, Temple lamp. Maaz Bin Bilal is a poet, translator, and academic. His first collection, Ghazalnama: Poems from Delhi, Belfast, and Urdu (2019), was shortlisted for the Sahitya Akademi Yuva Puraskar.
rT TiMur FoMenko
iaEa Director General rafael Grossi had said the day before that his agency wouldn’t halt the probe unless iran cooperated. “Give us the necessary answers, people and places so we can clarify the many things needed for clarification,” Grossi said. The U.S. apparently isn’t willing to budge on the iaEa investigation issue. “We have communicated to iran, both in public and private, that it must answer the iaEa questions. ... Our position on that is not going to change,” White house National Security Council Coordinator John Kirby said Wednesday. iran’s other two demands also appear to be nonstarters. Tehran had asked Washington to remove the irGC from its list of terrorist groups, but the biden administration flatly refused. and the iranians want assurance that a subsequent U.S. administration wouldn’t withdraw from the deal, as President Donald Trump did. biden obviously can’t commit a subsequent president, and Congress wouldn’t pass such a pledge. russia’s drone deal with iran is a sign of how serious Moscow’s weapons-supply problems have become after six months of war in Ukraine. intelligence officials say that Moscow was initially hesitant to reach out to Tehran, whose leaders it mistrusts and whose nuclear ambitions it has consistently opposed. russia likes to think that it’s a superpower that doesn’t need help from a troublesome neighbor. “it shows a lot of desperation on the russians’ part that they’re dependent on the iranians here,” the senior administration official said. right now, struggling to match the flow of weapons from the United States and its NaTO allies into Ukraine, russia can’t afford to be so picky. That serves a shortterm need. but it puts russia in an even more isolated and dangerous place.
Banaras through the eyes of mirza Ghalib
The government has allowed import of lSD vaccine for effective control in the country. The lSD vaccine is freely available in the market. It said negotiations with world Bank for launch of comprehensive lSD control program are also underway.
The management of food delivery and online cab companies on Thursday agreed with Islamabad Capital Police (ICTP ) for their cooperation to minimize the violation of traffic rules and ensure safe road environment in the city. Following the directions of IGP Islamabad Dr. Akbar Nasir Khan ICTP , a special meeting was held with the management of food delivery and online taxi private companies which was presided over by SSP Traffic Dr. Syed Mustafa Tanweer. The management of these companies agreed to provide information about the staff recruited in food delivery companies and to resolve the increasing complaints from the Thecitizens.purpose of this meeting was to prevent violations of traffic rules and ensure a coordinated traffic system in the city. The meeting discussed the increasing violations by the food delivery boys and bike riders of the private companies who don’t use helmets, number plates on their vehicles and indulge in over- speeding, rash driving, signal violation, lane and one way Theviolations.future course of action against the violators was formally decided and SSP (Traffic) said that while recruiting food delivery boys, it should be ensured that they have a driving license and are fully aware of traffic rules. The SSP (Traffic) said that ICTP will use all possible means to maintain the flow of traffic in the federal capital and for the safe travel of citizens. He said that implementation of traffic rules will be ensured and no laxity or negligence would be tolerated in this regard. He also issued special instructions to zonal DSPs for action against food delivery boys and online taxi drivers. The aim is to protect the lives of the food delivery boys, drivers of online cabs and also citizens through pursuance of rules.
pr
ISLAMABAD staff report
Food delivery boys, online cab drivers violating traffic rules to face the music ISLAMABAD pr
Giant leap forward for Pakistani power sector as NTDC submits system operator licence application to NEPRA
ISLAMABAD staff report
corporate corner
ISLAMABAD staff report
In a major development, Deputy Managing Director (P&E), National Transmission and Despatch Company (NTDC) called on Chairman NEPRA, Mr. Tauseef H. Farooqi at NEPRA HQ, Islamabad this morning to submit the System Operator (SO) licence application along with the draft Grid Code, on behalf of NTDC. Mr. Farooqi appreciated the untiring efforts of the NTDC team in preparation of the Grid Code and remarked that this was a fulfilment of the vision laid down by the wAPDA Restructuring Plan 1992. The submission marks a major milestone in the Competitive Trading Bilateral Contract Market (CTBCM) institutional reforms undertaken, envisioned as a critical action item under the CTBCM implementation roadmap approved by the Authority in November 2020. 02.The system operator will be responsible for operations, centralized scheduling and despatch of power plants connected to the National Grid. The independence of the system operator will positively usher in cutting edge technology and modern techniques to ensure the transparent and efficient operations and economic despatch along-with effective longterm system planning of power sector of Pakistan.03.After input from local and international consultants, the first draft of the new Grid Code was shared with NEPRA at the end of last year. Since then, NEPRA professionals worked tirelessly and engaged in numerous detailed consultative sessions with the NTDC team and local stakeholders to align the new Grid Code with the evolving face of the power sector in the light of CTBCM reforms. The Grid Code 2022, once approved, will supersede the existing Grid Code 2005. It addresses the technological developments in the electric power business, including renewable energy power plants and HVDC.04.The Grid Code sets out the guidelines, rules and procedures to be adopted by all stakeholders of the power sector. It is structured to ensure the development and operation of the National Grid in an efficient, safe, reliable, and co-ordinated manner.
PAF names AVM Aurangzeb Ahmed as new spokesperson
05.NEPRA acknowledges the efforts of the NTDC and all other stakeholders that were a part of the development of the SO licence application and the draft Grid Code for achieving the ultimate re-structuring of NTDC as part of the institutional reforms envisaged under CTBCM. Moving forward, NEPRA will process the SO licence application along with the draft Grid Code in accordance with the applicable regulatory framework.
GrAnd oPerAtion to rAze illeGAl StruCtureS on rAilwAyS lAnd ConduCted
China and Pakistan gear up for agricultural cooperation under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). To train talents for China-Pak agricultural cooperation, Tianjin Modern Vocational Technology College (TMVTC), China and MNS-University of Agriculture, Multan (MNSUAM), Pakistan signed online an agreement for an agricultural machinery training program of luban workshop in Pakistan last month. The two institutions will jointly promote the sci-tech exchanges and cooperation on agricultural machinery, germplasm resources and agricultural environment, China Economic Net (CEN) reported. They also aim to deepen the two nations vocational education cooperation and make contributions to Pakistan’s modernization of agricultural machinery. At the ceremony, Kang Ning, President of TMVTC expressed that the luban workshop program is going to launch one or two kinds of vocational training on the whole process mechanization operation of crops for young Pakistanis based on the nation’s agricultural automation development demand. The vocational training of China’s luban workshop has enabled more and more young Pakistanis to participate in the process of globalization, said Afifa Shajia Awais, Education Attache of the Embassy of Pakistan in China, at the world Vocational and Technical Education and Development Conference held in August 2022 in TianjinAccordingChina.to Kang, TMVTC has been engaged in the operation of luban workshop program in Pakistan since it was launched in July 2018. TMVTC has completed totally 3,200 teaching hours in lahore Punjab so far. About 95 young Pakistanis have finished training on electric automatization and mechatronics. The program has been incorporated into G3 vocational training system in Punjab, Pakistan.
ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Air Force (PAF) on Thursday appointed Air Vice Marshal Aurangzeb Ahmed as Director General Public Relations (Pakistan Air Force). Air Vice Marshal Aurangzeb Ahmed was commissioned in GD(P) Branch of Pakistan Air Force in December, 1992, said a PAF media release. During his career, he has commanded a Fighter Squadron and an Operational Air Base. He has served as Assistant Chief of the Air Staff (Operational Requirements & Development) at Air Headquarters, Islamabad. He holds Master’s degrees in Military Arts from China and National Security & War Studies from National Defence University, Islamabad. The Air Officer has served as Directing Staff and faculty member at National Defence University, Islamabad. He has also performed his duties in Saudi Arabia as Contingent Commander of Pakistan Aeronautical Complex team. He is a recipient of Sitara-i-Imtiaz (Military). staff report
FFC holds second corporate briefing for year 2022
ISLAMABAD: Fauji Fertilizer Company (FFC), held its second Corporate Briefing for the year 2022, as a part of its best corporate governance practices. FFC has been recognized by Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) as first amongst Top 25 Companies consecutively for 11 years attributed to its Compliance of Code of Corporate Governance, Company Performance and Efficient Management. In the same backdrop the subject briefing for the period ended 30th June 2022 was held at FFC’s corporate Head Office, Rawalpindi where prominent capital market analysts and dignitary from Pakistan Stock Exchange attended the event. Company Secretary FFC, Brig Asrat Mahmood SI(M) (Retd) opened the meeting and apprised the house about significance of the event. Chief Financial Officer, Syed Atif Ali briefed the house about FFC’s performance for first half of the year 2022 and assured Company’s commitment to achieve higher standards of performance and sustained earnings. pr
09NEWS Friday, 26 August, 2022 | LAHORE
Scholarships and financial aid at FCCu LAHORE: Forman Christian College (A Chartered University), with a history of over 150 years, is an HECrecognized, W-category University; it currently has more than 8,000 students. The University offers Bachelors (Hons), Masters, MPhil, PhD and Executive programs in specific disciplines. The recent Covid-19 pandemic and the unstable economic situation in Pakistan has destabilized households across the country.Increase in cost of living, decrease in real incomes and a global economic downturn are some of the factors that may affect accessibility to higher education. FCCU understands that the need of the time is to provide our youth with affordable and quality education to ensure that they play their role in national development and economic growth of Pakistan.. Under the leadership of Dr. Jonathan S. Addleton, Rector FCCU, The University is strongly following its mission: To impart, create and disseminate knowledge and to develop informed, ethical and responsible citizens who are prepared and committed to learn, lead and serve; persons who exemplify the FCCU motto, “By love serve one another”.
Anti-enCroAChMent
LAhore pr r AIlwAySpolice lahore division in collaboration with railways administration conducted a grand anti-encroachment operation from India railway crossing Mughalpura to Jallo railway crossing about 15 km in length and bulldozed the illegal structures constructed in the form of shops, kiosks, rooms, garage and various forms of small-scale factories and wooden-stalls from railways land. The operation was held under the supervision of SHO railways Mughalpura Inspector Mazahar Abbas, SI M.Shehzad, AEN Munawar Hussain and IOw 4 of railways. Heavy contingent of railways police were deployed at the site, and the structures were razed with the help of railways staff. During the operation, illegally constructed structures on 15 kanals of railways amounting Rs.150 million were bulldozed and the retrieved land was handed over to the railways administration. The operation remained in place from morning to evening for about 7 hours - certainly a prolonged grand anti-encroachment operation of lahore division for an ongoing year 2022. Under the special directions of IG railways Rao Sardar Ali Khan, the railways police are leaving no stone unturned to bring down all illegal constructions in the vicinity of railways and also extending full support in the form of security and registration of FIR's under the Railways Act 1890. IG railways lauded the performance of team including SP lahore Muaz Zafar for successful operation. Public Relations Officer, PRP, CPO, lahore. Ph# 042-99204930
Ministry refutes claims about ‘Lumpy Skin’ transmission from cattle to humans China, Pakistan jointly train talents for CPEC cooperation
The Ministry of National Food Security and Research (MNFSR) on Thursday refuted that there is no reality in rumours spread on social media regarding transmission of lumpy Skin Disease (lSD) from cattle to humans. In a clarification issued here, the Ministry said this disease is caused by a virus, which spreads through bites of mosquitoes, Tsetse flies and ticks. As per current literature, lSD has no public health implications or affect humans. Boiled milk and well-cooked meat from the affected cattle are safe for human consumption, it further stated. To control the disease and to prevent its spread from one place to another, Animal Husbandry Commissioner has issued guidelines to the provinces which, inter alia, include information for the awareness of farmers and professionals.
BEIJING AFP
Chinese Army pursuing Global Security Initiative and world peace: official
Russia says killed over 200 Ukraine troops in rail strike MOSCOW: Russia’s Defence Ministry said Thursday that it killed over 200 Ukrainian troops in a railway station attack in central Ukraine that Kyiv said left 25 people, including children, dead. “As a result of a direct hit by an Iskander missile on a military train at the Chaplyne railway station in the Dnipropetrovsk region, more than 200 servicemen of the reserve of Ukraine’s Armed Forces and 10 units of military equipment were destroyed,” the ministry said in its daily briefing. It added that the train was “en route to combat zones” in the eastern Donbas region that Moscow seeks to fully Thecontrol.EU has condemned the “heinous” attack on civilians that was carried out on the day Ukraine marked Independence Day and six months since the start of Moscow’s military intervention. Ukraine’s railways have been vital in the effort to evacuate vast swathes of the country since Moscow sent in troops. In April, a rocket attack on a station in the eastern city of Kramatorsk killed at least 57 civilians as they waited on the platform to be transported west to safety. Agencies
A crippling drought exacerbated by a record heatwave has spread across half of China and reached the normally frigid Tibetan Plateau, according to official data released ahead of more searing temperatures on Thursday.Theworld’s second-largest economy has experienced over 70 days of heatwaves, flash floods and droughts — phenomena that scientists say are becoming more frequent and intense due to climate change. Southern China has recorded its longest continuous period of high temperatures since records began more than 60 years ago, the agriculture ministry said this week. Experts have said the intensity, scope and duration of the heatwave could make it one of the worst recorded in global history. A chart from the National Climate Centre showed Wednesday that swathes of southern China — including the Tibetan Plateau — were experiencing “severe” to “extraordinary” drought conditions.
CCTV evening news broadcast showed trucks supplying villagers who lacked drinking and agricultural water in rural Sichuan and Chongqing. These regions have also been battling wildfires since last week, exacerbated by high temperatures and water scarcity.
BEIJING Agencies
“High temperatures have basically been alleviated in the regions of south China, Jiangxi and Anhui,” the meteorological administration said. “But high temperatures will continue for the next three days in regions including the Sichuan basin and provinces surrounding Shanghai.”
For a week after Pelosi’s visit, China sent warships, missiles and fighter jets into the waters and skies around Taiwan, its largest and most aggressive exercises since the mid-1990s.
10 FOREIGN NEWS Friday, 26 August, 2022 | LAHORE
China, SoUTh KoRea To join handS foR nexT 30 yeaRS: ChineSe PRemieR
TAIPEI AFP Taiwan announced plans for a record increase to its defence budget on Thursday after huge military drills by China earlier this month sent tensions between the two to their highest in decades. Taipei has proposed a defence budget of Tw$415.1 billion ($13.7 billion) for next year, up 13 percent year-on-year, pending parliamentary approval.
The Ministry of National Defense said on Thursday that the Chinese army will firmly keep on pursuing the Global Security Initiative, promoting the innovative development of international military cooperation and making contributions to global stability.
An additional special budget will also be created specifically to acquire new fighter jets and other projects to boost naval and air capabilities, the top budgeting agency said in a statement.
Half of China hit by drought in worst heatwave on record
“To protect national security, the overall defence budget for next year will reach Tw$586.3 billion to a record high,” a cabinet spokesman quoted Premier Su Tseng-chang as saying. The bolstered military budget was unveiled after Beijing staged unprecedented exercises around Taiwan in retaliation for US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s visit to Taipei earlier this month. Beijing lashes out at any diplomatic action that might lend Taiwan legitimacy and has responded with growing anger to visits by Western officials and politicians.
Even before this month’s drills, Beijing had increased military pressure on Taiwan in recent years, particularly with incursions into the island’s air defence identification zone (ADIZ). Last year, Taiwan recorded incursions by around 970 Chinese warplanes into its air defence zone, according to a database compiled by AFP, more than double the roughly 380 in 2020. The figure this year already exceeded 980, with more than 360 incursions being recorded in August alone.
The increased activity puts further stress on Taiwan’s outgunned military resources, especially its ageing fleet of fighter jets.
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The worst-affected area — the Yangtze river basin, stretching from coastal Shanghai to Sichuan province in China’s southwest — is home to over 370 million people and contains several manufacturing hubs including the megacity of Chongqing. The China Meteorological Administration predicted continued high temperatures of up to 40 degrees Celsius (104 degrees Fahrenheit) in Chongqing and the provinces of Sichuan and Zhejiang Thursday. But some regions gained relief from the heatwave. Parts of southwestern Sichuan were battered by heavy rains overnight, causing the evacuation of almost 30,000 people, state broadcaster CCTV reported. And in the southeast, Typhoon Ma-on made landfall in coastal Guangdong province and Hong Kong Thursday morning.
“There have been significant increases in operation maintenance in response to the cross-strait situation, as our aircraft and naval ships have been (increasingly) deployed,” budgeting chief Chu Tzer-ming told reporters. Historically, Taiwan’s military has favoured big-ticket purchases like fighter jets and warships. But American and Taiwanese strategists have increasingly pushed Taipei to adopt a “porcupine” strategy of asymmetric warfare. That strategy emphasises purchasing comparatively inexpensive and mobile weapon systems, like anti-ship and aircraft missiles, as well as training soldiers and civilian reservists to fight behind enemy lines to make an invasion a grim prospect even for China’s huge military.
Taiwan announces plans for record defence budget after China drills
Tan Kefei, the Ministry of National Defense spokesperson, made the remarks during a regular press conference when asked about details of Chinese State Councilor and Defense Minister Wei Fenghe’s speeches at recent meetings. During the 10th Moscow Conference on International Security on August 16 and the 19th Meeting of the Council of the Defense Ministers of the Member States of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) on Wednesday, Wei delivered speeches via video link about promoting the Global Security Initiative proposed by Chinese President Xi Jinping, pointing out that China will share the common interests and stakes and strive to promote the initiative to build a safer and more peaceful future, Tan Thesaid.spokesperson said the Chinese army attaches great importance to multilateral security dialogue. By actively joining in dialogues such as the SCO and Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Regional Forum, China offers constructive advice on enhancing regional defense cooperation. Actions like establishing the Beijing Xiangshan Forum enable delegations from international communities to discuss ways of tackling regional security threats and challenges, Tan said, adding that China plays an active role in driving Asia-Pacific security dialogue and mutual trust and Presidentcooperation.Xiproposed a Global Security Initiative to promote security for all in his keynote speech delivered via video at the opening ceremony of the Boao Forum for Asia (BFA) Annual Conference 2022 in April, which aims at comprehensive, cooperative and sustainable security ideas to provide a new direction in eradicating international conflict and ensuring lasting peace. Agencies
Livestock owners have fared badly, with Chongqing authorities pledging emergency measures to protect pig farms and a Sichuan farmer’s tearful plea going viral after she said all her chickens had died due to the heatwave and power cuts. Some Chongqing residents complained on social media about queueing for hours in sweltering heat for compulsory mass testing required in the wake of a Covid outbreak. In parts of Sichuan and Chongqing, lo-
cals seeking cooler temperatures have taken to sleeping in car parks and subway stations due to daily power cuts. Record low water levels on the Yangtze River have also put pressure on the region’s hydropower generators, with the National Energy Administration pledging Wednesday to make up the shortfall by ramping up coal production.Recent heat broke records in Sichuan, where one county recorded a temperature of 44 degrees Celsius (111 Fahrenheit) Wednesday.
HINESEPremier Li Keqiang said on Wednesday that China and the Republic of Korea (ROK) will jointly hold hands for the next 30 years of mutual prosperity. The premier made the remarks at a business cooperation forum commemorating the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and the ROK. Noting that the two countries have been good neighbors for years and the two peoples have enjoyed an abundant history of friendly exchange, leaders from both sides attached great importance to this anniversary and exchanged congratulations, Li said. Thirty years of mutual development has brought fruitful achievements in business cooperation, bringing bilateral blessings and making significant contributions to regional and world peace. With the international situation changing amid complex circumstances and global economic development facing multiple unstable and uncertain factors, the two sides should uphold mutual respect and equality to accommodate each other’s core interests and major concerns and promote bilateral development, Li said. The premier suggested ways of deepening cooperation on innovation, advanced manufacturing, digital economy, green development and dealing with climate change, adding that phase two of negotiations on the China-ROK free trade agreement should be settled soon. People and enterprises can benefit from the opportunities presented by the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), Li said. Li highlighted that the door of China will stay open to the world. Devoted to creating a law-based and market-oriented atmosphere, China is becoming rich soil for enterprise investment and a highland for business promotion. The premier said China is embracing investments from every country, including the ROK, to share development opportunities.
‘Severe threat’ China’s State Council on Wednesday announced a 10 billion yuan ($1.45 billion) subsidy to support rice farmers experiencing drought conditions, which authorities have warned pose a “severe threat” to this year’s autumnChinaharvest.produces more than 95 percent of the rice, wheat and maize it consumes, but a reduced harvest could mean increased demand for imports in the world’s most populous country — putting further pressure on global supplies already strained by the conflict in Wednesday’sUkraine.
KARACHI Staff RepoRt
Off SPinner HarMer reCalled aS SOUTH afriCa OPTS TO BaT againST england in 2nd TeST
MANCHESTER, UNITED KINGDOM agencieS S OUTHAfrica captain Dean Elgar won the toss and elected to bat against England in the second Test at Old Trafford on Thursday as the Proteas recalled off-spinner Simon Harmer. Harmer, a stalwart wicket-taker with English county side Essex, returned in place of towering leftarm quick Marco Jansen in the only change to the XI that overwhelmed England by an innings and 12-runs in the first Test at Lord’s last week. The pitch at Old Trafford should offer more assistance to spinners as the game goes on, with Harmer joining an attack that already features slow left-armer Keshav Maharaj.Although Thursday’s overcast conditions promised to aid fast bowlers, history was on Elgar’s side — no team has ever won the toss in a Test at Old Trafford, chosen to bowl and gone on to win the match. England had already recalled Ollie Robinson on Wednesday in the only change to their side at Lord’s. The Sussex seamer replaced fellow paceman Matthew Potts.Victory in Manchester would put South Africa 2-0 up in a three-match contest and give them their first series win over England since 2012. But South Africa have only won one of their nine Tests at Old Trafford, back in 1955, when three of their batsmen scored centuries and Peter Heine took eight wickets in the match.
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“We don’t want to hype this game too much. It’s important to tell the players who haven’t played against Pakistan or played them just one or two times that it’s just another opposition.” India head coach Rahul Dravid has Covid and India late on Wednesday appointed former batsman VVS Laxman to take charge in an interim capacity. Shaheen injured: The match will be Kohli’s 100th T20 international and a chance for the batting great to emerge from his prolonged slump before the World Cup. The 33-year-old has not scored a century in any format since 2019 but should be refreshed after being rested for tours of the West Indies and Zimbabwe. Kohli, who has 27 centuries in 102 Tests, was replaced by Rohit as all-format skipper earlier this year. Pakistan’s fortunes will mainly depend on in-form skipper Azam, fresh from two big half-centuries in his team’s 3-0 ODI sweep of the Netherlands. Azam, 27, tops the world T20 and ODI batting rankings and led his team to victory last year against India with an unbeaten 68. Pakistan have brought in pace bowler Mohammad Hasnain in place of Shaheen Shah Afridi, India’s T20 destroyer last year, who has been forced out by a knee injury. Defending champions India, who won the last Asia Cup in 2018 when it was played over 50 overs, and Pakistan will be joined in Group A by Hong Kong who defeated the UAE in the final qualifier on Wednesday.Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and Afghanistan are in Group B. The top two teams from each group progress to a Super 4 stage, which could witness another contest between India and Pakistan. The great rivals could then meet for a third time should they both reach the September 11 final. Sri Lanka, led by Dasun Shanaka, could be the India-Pakistan party-poopers. They are capable of reaching the final, having enjoyed success in recent home series against a backdrop of a dire economic crisis.
SOFIA ReuteRS
ISLAMABAD Staff RepoRt Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Thursday announced restoration departmental sports in the country, banished in 2019 under the PTI government. According to details, the decision has been made to promote sports and provide better opportunities to youth to earn their bread and butter from sports. The PM, in his address to the nation, had promised to reinstate departmental sports. Players had been urging the government to reinstate departmental sports to provide sportsmen and athletes with better opportunities. Thousand of sportsmen had become jobless after the previous government decided to abolish departmental sports teams. The departmental cricket was banished in 2019 under the then patron-in-chief of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Imran Khan, leaving thousands of players and officials jobless.
Commonwealth Games: Fahad Khawaja cruises into table tennis next round of 32 Pakistan tennis star requests Sania Mirza to coach national squad Watch: Australian cricketers play tennis in hotel However, Anastasiya Azimbayeva managed to level the tie with a 6-3, 6-4 win over Sarah Mehboob in the 2nd single. In doubles, the pair of Sarah and Ushna proved to be too strong for Anastasiya Azimbayeva and Bahar Toymyradova. The Pakistani pair won the doubles contest comfortably 6-1, 6-1. Pakistan had earlier defeated Tajikistan but went down against Mongolia.
DUBAI afp India’s Virat Kohli has the chance to find form before the World Cup while Babar Azam will look to keep Pakistan’s psychological edge when the rival countries clash as the headline acts of the Asia Cup starting this weekend.Cricket giants Pakistan and India could square up three times during the two weeks of the T20 competition in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The six-nation tournament was moved from Sri Lanka because of political unrest and it takes on extra significance this year because the T20 World Cup in Australia is coming up fast, in October and November. Sri Lanka meet Afghanistan in Saturday’s opening match but all eyes will be on Pakistan and India, who clash in Dubai on Sunday. India will be looking to avenge their 10-wicket humiliation by Pakistan at the same venue in last year’s T20 World Cup, and skipper Rohit Sharma is trying to keep his players level-headed as the expectation and excitement among fans hits fever pitch. “Everyone watches the game and it’s a high-pressure game without a doubt, but within the group we want to create a normal atmosphere,” he told Star Sports.
British-Belgian teen becomes youngest person to fly solo around the world
A brilliant performance by Ushna Sohail has helped Pakistan beat Turkmenistan in Billie Jean King Cup (formerly known as FedCup) Tennis. With the 2-1 win on Thursday, Pakistan finished second in Pool B and will now play Sri Lanka for the third position in Asia-Oceania Group II. Pakistan got a victorious start against Turkmenistan when Ushna Sohail defeated Aisha Bikbulatova 6-1, 6-1 to give Pakistan an early lead.
Friday, 26 August, 2022 | LAHORE 11SPORTS
“The ticket release ensures that as many fans as possible can attend,” organisersMatchessaid. between Pakistan and India at cricket World Cups usually sell out quickly because of the lack of bilateral tours involving the archrivals. India edged Pakistan by five runs in the final of the first T20 World Cup in 2007 in South Africa. Pakistan won the next edition with an eight-wicket win over Sri Lanka in the final at Lord’s in 2009. Six countries have won the title, with the West Indies (2012 and ’16) being the only two-time champions. The 2022 edition will start on October 16 and finish with a November 13 final at the MCG. Australia is the defending champion after winning its first T20 world men’s title in Dubai last year. Australia was scheduled to stage both T20 World Cups in 2020 but the men’s tournament was postponed because of travel restrictions in place for the Covid-19 pandemic. Australia won the women’s final against India in March 2020 in front of a crowd exceeding 86,000 at the MCG.
PM Shehbaz departmentalrestoressports
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A British-Belgian teenager became the youngest person to fly solo around the world on Wednesday after a five-month journey that saw him battle monsoon rains, searing heat and bureaucracy. Cheers went up as 17-year-old Mack Rutherford landed at an airfield near the Bulgarian capital Sofia after flying 54,124 km (33,631 miles) and visiting more than 30 countries since he departed from the same site in his Shark Aero microlight aeroplane on March“There23. were many points in my journey where it would have been easy to give up […] But I kept going, even when it seemed like I wouldn’t be able to make it to the end,” he said. His journey broke two Guinness World records, including one set by his sister Zara, 19, who handed him one of the certificates on the tarmac. “Amazing to finally be here again and to have done my goal,” he said with a wide smile. “It took a little bit longer than I had hoped for, but it was a very exciting, very interesting trip and I don’t regret at all going on it.”
“Basically, just work hard and push forward with your dreams no matter how old you are. Just keep moving forwards and your dreams will eventually come,” he said.
Ushna Sohail takes Pakistan to victory against Turkmenistan in Billie Jean King Cup
Rutherford’s journey took longer than planned due to permit delays that forced him to alter his route twice and fly over Africa, the Middle East, South Asia, North America and back to Europe.His favourite flyovers ranged from the Sahara Desert to Greenland and Iceland. But his trip was also full of challenges, like a 10-hour flight from Japan across the Pacific Ocean to the uninhabited U.S. Attu Island during bad weather. In Sudan, his solar panel system fell down because the heat melted the glue maintaining it in place combined with extreme haze. In India, monsoon rains entered his main fuel tanks and soaked his aircraft including some documents on board. Rutherford became the youngest person to fly around the world solo, taking the title from Travis Ludlow, who was 18 when he completed his attempt last Heyear.is now also the youngest person to fly around the world in a microlight aircraft, the title held previously by sister Zara, who completed her own trip around the globe in January this year. For now, he is not planning on breaking any new records but to go back to school and catch up with his studies.Rutherford, who gained his pilot’s licence in 2020 when he was 15 after training with his father, hopes his five-month voyage will encourage young people to pursue their dreams.
England:Teams: Zak Crawley, Alex Lees, Ollie Pope, Joe Root, Jonny Bairstow, Ben Stokes (capt), Ben Foakes (wkt), Stuart Broad, Jack Leach, Ollie Robinson, James Anderson. South Africa: Dean Elgar (capt), Sarel Erwee, Keegan Petersen, Aiden Markram, Rassie van der Dussen, Kyle Verreynne (wkt), Simon Harmer, Keshav Maharaj, Kagiso Rabada, Anrich Nortje, Lungi Ngidi Umpires: Chris Gaffaney (NZL), Richard Illingworth (ENG) TV umpire: Nitin Menon (IND) Match referee: Ranjan Madugalle (SRI).
Form, bragging rights on line as giants clash in Asia Cup cricket Standing room only for Pakistan-India match at T20 World Cup
MELBOURNE the aSSociated pReSS T20 World Cup organisers have had to release standing-room-only tickets for the Pakistan-India group-stage encounter after all seats at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) were sold out within five minutes.Organisers said an additional 4,000 tickets would be sold for the October 23 blockbuster for areas where standing is the only option for spectators. The MCG can hold up to 100,000 for Australian rules football games and more than 90,000 for cricket.
Miftah assures ADB of govt’s resolve for inclusive, developmentsustainable
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LAHORE Daniyal ahmaD
Representative and Country Director- WFP Chris Kaye, Head of Nutrition-WFP Mahamadou Tanimoune, secretary finance and other senior officials attended the meeting.
The National Assembly Standing Committee on Industries and Production on Thursday directed the Ministry of Industry and Production (MoIP) to take strict measures to stop the monopoly of manufacturing companies and middlemen to eliminate on-payment in order to ensure the timely availability of vehicles at controlled prices. During a meeting held here in Punjab’s provincial capital, the committee also expressed concern over the price hike of vehicles despite the fact that the USD had decreased in value against the PKR during the past few days. Many automotive companies revised their prices downwards when the USD was trading for 215 against the PKR. The PKR has since depreciated, however, the degree to which revisions occurred is still a topic of debate between manufacturers and customers. Profit has documented various instances of how automotive manufacturers have made downward revisions as the value of USD changed against the PKR. Further downward revision cannot be ruled out if the PKR continuously gains against the USD, particularly given the sales figures automotive manufacturers posted in July. It is pertinent to note that there is a lag between the price revisions by manufacturers and the PKR’s fluctuation due to the productive models in place across the industry. These models are centered on the near to mid term horizons as manufacturers seek to place.
RAWALPINDI staff rePort The 250th Corps Commanders’ Conference on Thursday expressing deep sorrow over loss of precious lives and extensive damage to infrastructure due to unprecedented rains and floods. The Army top brass resolved to spare no effort for mitigating the sufferings of flood-affected people. The 250th Corps Commanders’ Conference was held here at GHQ presided by Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Qamar Javed Bajwa, an Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR) news release said. In an unprecedented gesture, all the General Officers of Pakistan army donated onemonth salary for flood relief operations. The Corps Commanders Conference was completely focused on Flood situation, impact and most importantly the response and relief efforts and key decisions were made. The forum was briefed in detail on external and internal security situation with particular focus on flood situation in the country and ongoing relief operations being undertaken by the Army Formations.
DOHA staff rePort P RIMEMinister Shehbaz Sharif said that Pakistan and Qatar have a clear vision of the future with new opportunities and greater awareness to upgrade bilateral relations, particularly economic cooperation. As the prime minister headed back to Islamabad after his maiden state visit to Qatar, he announced the conclusion of his “important” trip he made at the invitation of the leader of Qatar, Tamim bin Hamad Al “HeadingThani.back to Pakistan today after the conclusion of my important trip to Qatar. Thank you to the government and people of Qatar, especially my brother [… ] Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani for the warm welcome and excellent hospitality,” the prime minister tweeted Thursday.
The COAS directed formations to maintain operational readiness and continue efforts to counter terrorism particularly in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) and Balochistan. The participants undertook comprehensive overview of the flood situation and ongoing relief and rescue operations by theThearmy.COAS appreciated the ongoing relief efforts and directed the army formations to render all possible support to the flood“Everyaffectees.single affected individual must be reached to bring comfort in this hour of distress,” the COAS concluded.
“Thousands of people trapped in floods are waiting for rescue and relief. This is not the time for division, but for unity. We have to deal with and overcome the humanitarian crisis as a nation, not separately,” the minister said.
ISLAMABAD staff rePort Former prime minister and PTI Chairman Imran Khan Thursday decided to undertake visits to flood-hit areas of Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) provinces following nationwide devastation caused by heavy monsoon rainfall and subsequent flashfloods. According to sources privy to the matter, Khan will commence visits to flood-hit areas of Southern Punjab today including Dera Ghazi Khan and Rajanpur Districts. He would be accompanied by Punjab Chief Minister Pervaiz Elahi and PTI leader Dr Shireen Mazari. He would also visit flood-hit areas of KP and Balochistan and meet the affectees.
The minister was speaking during a meeting with delegation of Asian Development Bank (ADB), headed by its Country Director Yong Ye. Minister of State for Finance and Revenue Dr Aisha Ghous Pasha and senior officers from Finance Division also attended the meeting. The finance minister appreciated ADB for being development partner and valued the bank’s support for carrying out various development-oriented projects, adding that the Bank had always proved itself an effective partner. The delegation briefed the finance minister about various aspects of the Building Resilience with Active Countercyclical Expenditures (BRACE) program. Miftah apprised the delegation of devastation situation caused by floods in the country. The two sides shared that various initiatives being undertaken to minimise and mitigate the issues of people impacted by floods in various regions of Pakistan. In a separate development later in the day, the finance minister urged all development partners of Pakistan to extend broad-based support and assistance to Pakistan for the flood-affected people. He was highlighting various reform initiatives introduced by the present government for the social uplift of the masses during a meeting with Princess of Jordon Sarah Zeid Raád who had called on him. He especially apprised the princess of the financial relief provided by the government to the women through the Benazir Income Support Programme and the cash relief announced for the flood victims. The present government’s initiatives for women development, mother and child healthcare, nutrition facilities, and children education were also discussed in the meeting. The minister thanked the World Food Programme (WFP) for their continued support to Pakistan by providing humanitarian assistance.
Prayer timings FAJR SUNRISE ZUHR ASR MAGHRIB ISHA 4:10 5:00 1:30 5:15 7:08 9:15 Friday, 26 August, 2022 NEWS Published by Arif Nizami at Qandeel Printing Press, 4 Queens Road, Lahore, for PT Print (Pvt) Limited. Ph: 042-36300938, 042-36375965. Email: newsroom@pakistantoday.com.pk
Imran Khan undertakes visits to flood-hit areas today
Met office forecasts more rains in various parts of country
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“The current climate catastrophe needs immediate International and national mobilization of humanitarian efforts, not just in the form of food, shelter and basic survival amenities but we need to amplify our rescue efforts,” she added.
PAkiStAn, QAtAr hAve cleAr viSion of future, SAyS PM
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) forecast rain/thundershower in north/east Balochistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Punjab, Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan during the next 24 hours. Few heavy falls are also likely in north/east Balochistan, upper Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, north Punjab and Kashmir. According to the synoptic situation, a well marked low pressure area (LPA) located over Balochistan and adjoining areas of Sindh. A westerly wave was also present over upper/western parts of the country. Flash flooding is expected in Qilla Saifullah, Quetta, Ziarat, Harnai, Pishin, Loralai, Barkhan, Kohlu, Dera Bugti, Jhal Magsi, Musa Khel, Zhob, Sherani, Sibbi, Naseerabad, Bolan, Awaran, Kalat, Khuzdar, Lasbela and hill torrents of Dera Ghazi Khan during the next 24 hours. Flash flooding is expected in local Nullahs of Islamabad/Rawalpindi, Abbottabad, Mansehra, Dir, Swat, Kohistan, Karak, Bannu, Lakki Marwat and Kashmir during the period. Rainfall may trigger landslides in Kashmir, hilly areas of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Galiyat, Murree, Chillas, Diamir, Gilgit, Hunza, Astore, Ghizer and Skardu during the forecast period. Travelers and tourists are advised to remain cautious during the forecast period. During the last 24 hours, rain-wind/thundershower (with scattered heavy falls) occurred in Sindh, Punjab, Balochistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan. The rainfall recorded was Sindh: Mohenjodaro 116 mm, Larkana 109, Skarand 104, Dadu 87, Jacobabad 62, Padidan 50, Khairpur 47, Shaheed Benazirabad 43, Tando Jam 25, Sukkur 21, Chhor 18, Rohri 17, Hyderabad 04, Mithi 02, Badin, Tando Jam 01. Balochistan: Sibbi 80, Kalat 34, Quetta (Samungli, City 31), Khuzdar 20, Zhob 13, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa: Malam Jabba 56, Dir (Upper 50, Lower 25), DI Khan (Airport 50, City 47), Kalam 49, Mir Khani 36, Bannu 33, Chitral 32, Drosh 30, Saidu Sharif 29, Balakot, Parachinar 28, Kakul 24, Pattan 22, Mardan 06, Bacha Khan Airport 04, Peshawar (City 03), Cherat 01, Punjab: Bhakkar 51, Khanpur 42, Kot Addu, Joharabad 40, Rawalpindi (Chaklala 29, Shamsabad 22, Kachehri 19), Hafizabad 29, Islamabad (Golra 26, Bokra 20, Zeropoint 19, Airport 15, Saidpur 10), Murree 23, Multan (Airport 18, City 16), Attock 16, Sargodha 15, Rahim Yar Khan, Layyah 14, Chakwal, Dera Ghazi Khan 08, Gujranwala 07, Lahore (Wasa, Johor town 05, City 04, Upper Mall 04, Lakshmi Chowk 03, Paniwala Talab 02, Airport 01), Sialkot (Airport 04, City 01), Khanewal, Narowal, Mangla 03, Jhelum 02, Bahawalpur 01, Kashmir: news Desk
ISLAMABAD aPP Federal Minister for Finance and Revenue Miftah Ismail Thursday said that the government was keenly working on all inclusive and sustainable development programs through structural reforms to achieve economic growth and social prosperity in the country.
MoIP directed to take action against automotive manufacturers a first, general officers of Army donate salary for flood relief operations
Explaining the two “noteworthy” aspects of his visit, Sharif said firstly Islamabad and Doha had a clear vision of the future which offered new opportunities and avenues in a swiftly changing world. Secondly, he said there was a greater awareness between the two countries of the need for upgrading the bilateral relations by making economic cooperation the pivot of ties.
“Imran Khan has issued directives to Punjab and KP governments to expedite relief activities for the affectees and is taking regular updates on the relief and rescue operations,” the sources said. The sources said that Imran Khan is also in constant touch with the provincial governments and had directed the KP government to carry out timely relief activities in flood-hit areas of Koshistan, Dir, Swat and Dera Ismail Khan. It is pertinent to mention here that Federal Minister for Climate Change Sherry Rehman on Wednesday said that over 900 people were killed during monsoon rains across Pakistan since June this year. Taking to Twitter, the minister shared that the highest number of deaths and injuries during the time period was recorded in Sindh and Balochistan. “Since June, 903 people, including 326 children and 191 women, have died in various incidents of monsoon rains and floods.”
ISLAMABAD aPP Following the Qatari leadership’s announcement to invest $3 billion in Pakistan, Saudi Arabia has also assured the Pakistani leadership of an investment of $1 billion, it was learnt on Thursday. In this regard, Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto and his Saudi counterpart Faisal bin Farhan had a telephone conversation in which they discussed the promotion of bilateral brotherly relations. During the call, the Saudi FM assured that his country will to invest $1 billion in Pakistan to which Bilawal Bhutto expressed his gratitude. Earlier in July, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) had wanted to ensure that Saudi Arabia will follow through with as much as $4 billion in funding to Pakistan to ensure Islamabad does not have a financing gap after the IMF loan. It is pertinent to mention here that Pakistan had sent the letter of intent (LoI) back to the Washington-based lender, paving the way for the executive board’s meeting in connection with the revival of the stalled programme under the Extended Fund Facility (EFF), on August 16. On August 2, the Fund had confirmed that Pakistan has achieved all the set targets for the revival of EFF programme.
Sharif travelled to Qatar earlier on Tuesday in hopes of attracting trade and investment for his country, his office said.During his visit, he invited Qatar to invest in Pakistan’s energy and aviation sectors during a meeting with the Qatar Investment Authority (QIA) in Doha on Tuesday, according to a statement from his office.Hesaid he planned to highlight sectors including renewable energy, food security, industrial and infrastructure development, tourism and hospitality.
Pakistan is in economic turmoil with a balance of payment crisis as its foreign reserves have fallen as low as $7.8 billion, hardly enough for more than a month of imports. It also faces a widening current account deficit and a historic depreciation of the rupee against the dollar. In July it posted inflation of 24.9 percent.
Saudi Arabia to invest $1b in Pakistan
