Epaper_22-10-06 ISB

Bajwa signals army staying out of politics

WASHINGTON/ISLAMABAD staff report

tHearmy is not the answer to Pakistan’s political problems, its chief said, insisting the forces have “distanced themselves” from the political arena for good — an unusual occurrence.

gen. Qamar Javed Bajwa communicated his intention during a luncheon held in honour at Pakistan’s embassy in Washington. The United States is hosting the top general for a week-long visit, which has led to speculations on the revival of the historic security partnership between Islamabad and Washington.

With the government having little sway over generals, it was also not immediately clear how the army chief planned to ensure the military would abide by his decision.

Addressing the elephant in the room, gen. Bajwa said he will leave after the completion of his second three-year term

which ends in November, effectively putting to rest rumours that he may seek a third extension in his tenure. He was given an extension in August 2019 when Imran Khan was the prime minister.

He reminded the nation that reviving Pakistan’s ailing economy should be the first priority of all segments of society, adding that without a strong economy the nation would not be able to achieve its objectives.

“There could be no diplomacy either without a strong economy,” told the army chief to an audience which included a number of Pakistan diplomats.

According to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), at the Pentagon, gen. Bajwa met Lloyd Austin, Secretary of Defence; Jacob Sullivan, National Security Adviser; and Wendy Sherman, Deputy Secretary of State.

During the meetings, matters of mutual interest, regional security situations and bilateral cooperation in various fields were discussed, the military’s media wing said.

The army chief thanked Washington for its support and reiterated that assistance from “our global partners shall be vital for rescue/rehabilitation of the flood victims in Pakistan”.

The US has provided $56.5 million in aid to Pakistan for flood relief and humanitarian assistance this year.

The ISPR said gen. Bajwa expressed his condolences over the devastation caused by the hurricane in Florida, saying Pakistan understands the loss and pain of victims of a devastating storm.

Separately, during his meeting with Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken expressed sorrow over the devastation and loss of life throughout the country caused by the catastrophic floods.

“He reaffirmed the US commitment to the people of Pakistan, noting the nearly $56.5 million in flood relief and humanitarian assistance provided this year as well as the additional $10 million of food security assistance announced today,” read the US State Department press release.

PM orders linking of Thar Coal Mines with railway network by March next year

ISLAMABAD staff report

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Wednesday directed the authorities concerned to link the Thar Coal Mines with the country’s railway network by March 2023.

During a meeting chaired by the prime minister, it was principally decided that the project of linking Thar Coal Mines with rail network would be jointly executed by the federal and Sindh governments.

In this regard, Prime Minister Shehbaz and Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah would sign a Memorandum of Understanding today (Wednesday).

The prime minister told the meeting that the development projects needed to be completed with the “Pakistan Speed” as the previous government had inflicted irreparable loss to the country during last four years.

He said the government was trying to revive the development course which the previous government had deliberately kept halted during 2018 to 2022.

“During our previous government, we accomplished the development projects within record period. What to talk of launching

new development projects, the previous government halted the ongoing ones wasting the public money as a grave conspiracy,” he remarked.

He said with the linking of Thar Coal Mines with railway network, local coal would be used in power plants replacing the imported one.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said the usage of Thar coal in power plants would help save $2 billion annually.The meeting was told that after the linking of Thar Coal Mines with rail network, the local coal would be utilized not only the power plants of Jamshoro and Port Qasim but also other power plants and industries in the country to save the public money.

The prime minister instructed the authorities concerned to accelerate the work on the said project to complete it by March 2023.Federal ministers Ishaq Dar, Ahsan Iqbal, Khurram Dastgir, special assistants to PM Jahanzeb Khan, Zafaruddin Mahmood and senior officers attended the meeting. Railway Minister Khawaja Saad Rafiq and Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah joined the meeting via video link.

of law after

the case.

The Supreme Court (SC) on Wednesday said what it could do when the parliament itself had done away with the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) law.

During the hearing of former prime minister and PTI Chairman Imran Khan’s petition against amendments introduced by the coalition government in the NAB law, the SC wondered whether it had ever ordered reenactment of the law after it was repealed by the parliament.

A three-member bench of the Supreme Court, headed by Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Justice Umar Ata Bandial, heard PTI chairman’s petition.

Counsel for the NAB, on the occasion, submitted to the court in writing the statement in which the bureau said that it was in complete harmony with the attorney general of Pakistan’s stance on

Justice Mansoor Ali Shah remarked that Imran could have raised his voice against these amendments in the National Assembly (NA) since masses had also returned him and other members of PTI to the NA. “Why did Imran and other party members of the NA resigned from their seats without taking their electorate into confidence?” he questioned, and added it would have been better if he had raised his voice from the floor of the House.

Khawaja Haris, Imran’s lawyer, replied that the PTI’s decision that its lawmakers would resign from their seats en masse was a political one.

He reminded the apex court that it had declared in its previous decisions that corruption was like a ‘cancer’ for the country.

“How sad it is that instead of further improving the NAB law, the present government preferred to

weaken it,” he regretted.

Imran’s lawyer also reminded the SC that, in one of its decisions, it had ordered reenactment of the law which had been repealed in 1990.

Justice Ijazul Ahsan remarked that parliament was not above the laws of Shariah as well as the constitution. “Accountability is the basic tenet of Islam,” he said.

Khawaja Haris told the court that as per the changes, the principle of ‘plea bargain’ had been done away with.

“Now a suspect, taking advantage of amendments in the NAB law, can also ask for the return of the amount he or she has deposited after striking a plea bargain deal,” he disclosed.

CJP said if that happened, the state would have to pay billions of rupees to the suspect.

Later, the court adjourned hearing of the case until tomorrow.

ISLAMABAD

‘ExPanSIonIST’ IndIa PoSES THrEaT To SouTH aSIa PEaCE, PakISTan warnS un

PAKISTANdrew the global community’s attention to the threat posed to peace and security in South Asia by the “ultranationalist and hegemonic” policies of India that, among other objectives, seek to crush the legitimate quest of the people of Kashmir for self-determination with an army of 900,000 troops.

“Peace and security in South Asia is threatened by the ultranationalist and hegemonic policies of one State, turbocharged by the extremist ideology of Hindutva,” Ambassador Munir Akram told the First Committee of General Assembly which deals with disarmament and

international security matters. As far Pakistan, he said, Islamabad desired — and was determined — to pursue, peace, development and strategic stability based on sovereign equality and mutual respect.

Elaborating on the threat to regional peace, the envoy said New Delhi seeks to establish an exclusively Hindu state in India by oppressing and marginalising its 200 million-strong Muslim population and other minorities, and threaten and intimate Pakistan with the deployment of the vast majority of its land, sea and air forces against it and the adoption of doctrines which envisage fighting a “limited war under the nuclear overhang” and resorting to “Cold Start” surprise attacks.

India, he said, is also building up its conventional and nuclear weapons

PM Shehbaz inquires after Zardari’s health in phone call to Bilawal

ISLAMABAD StAff RePoRt

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Wednesday called up PPP Chairman and Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari and inquired from him about his father former president Asif Ali Zardari’s health. In a tweet uploaded on Wednesday, the prime minister said he also conveyed his prayers and best wishes for early recovery and complete health of PPP CoChairman Asif Zardari.

PTI challenges acceptance of MPs’ resignations in IHC

ISLAMABAD StAff RePoRt

Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) approached the Islamabad High Court (IHC) to contest the approval of the resignations tendered by its lawmakers following the ouster of Imran Khan as prime minister. The party resigned en masse from the National Assembly on April 11, two days after Khan was removed through a no-confidence motion. Former deputy speaker of the National Assembly, Qasim Suri — who was performing his duties as acting NA speaker after Asad Qaiser’s resignation — accepted the resignation letters on April 15. However, once Raja Pervez Ashraf was elected as the speaker, he decided to verify the resignations by interviewing lawmakers individually. Later, the resignations were de-sealed and Ashraf accepted 11 of them. The joint petition, filed by 10 out of the 11 MPs, states that the speaker “unlawfully” declared them as having resigned, which led to the Election Commission of Pakistan’s (ECP) notification to de-seat them. The petitioners requested the court to direct the NA speaker to summon “112 MPs” and petitioners for an inquiry whether the resignations were “voluntary and genuine”, and fulfilled the criteria laid out under Article 64 of the constitution. The party appealed to the court to declare the speaker and ECP’s order on their seats “illegal”, issued “without lawful authority and of no legal effect. They also stated that the orders were in violation of the Constitution and the law settled by the Supreme Court. The IHC on September 6, dismissed a similar plea filed by PTI leader Asad Umar on the party’s behalf, which sought the acceptance of PTI MPs in one go.

capabilities, including by the acquisition of weapons — amounting last year to $73 billion — to threaten neighbours, impose its regional hegemony and promote its great power aspirations. Ambassador Akram also referred to the proclaimed desire of the Hindutvainspired Indian leaders to occupy Azad Jammu and Kashmir and other territories, and even to create “Akhand Bharat” — a concept which envisages Hindu rule over all of South Asia and beyond — are indications of the nature of New Delhi and the threat it poses to peace and security in the region.

“Lack of global accountability and the generous supply of advanced weapons and technologies have enabled India to continue its defiance of Security Council resolutions, and international law, norms and rules.”

One recent indicator of India’s

“reckless” behaviour, he added, was the launch of a supersonic nuclear-capable Indian missile into Pakistan on March 9.

“This could have escalated into a wider conflict, but for Pakistan’s self-restraint. It is insufficient for India to dismiss this incident as an ‘accident’ and pin the responsibility on a few people,” the Pakistani envoy said.

“The joint inquiry called by Pakistan is appropriate and essential for strategic stability in South Asia and should be demanded by the relevant international organisations.” In his remarks, Ambassador Akram said that peace and stability in South Asia can be achieved through:

— The resumption of negotiations to resolve the outstanding disputes between Pakistan and India, especially the resolution of the Kashmir dispute in accordance with

Security Council resolutions and the wishes of the Kashmiri people.

— Maintenance of a balance of conventional and strategic military capabilities and deployments, including reciprocal measures for nuclear, missile and military restraints between the two countries, with Pakistan’s proposal for a Strategic Restraint Regime in South Asia remaining on the table, and,

— The simultaneous opening of trade and investment cooperation, including the implementation of connectivity projects linking South Asia with Central Asia, West Asia, China and beyond.

The envoy hoped that India will help to create conducive conditions for such a broad-based dialogue to realise peace and stability in South Asia.

President urges steps to bring street, out-of-school children into mainstream

ISLAMABAD

APP

S Korea donates additional Rs8.9m for flood victims

ISLAMABAD StAff RePoRt

The South Korean Embassy and companies in Pakistan here on Wednesday handed over an additional cash donation of Rs 8.9 million for flood victims.

The handing over ceremony to this effect was held at the South Korean Embassy which was attended by the Ambassador of Korea, Suh Sangpyo, Additional Secretary of the Asia Pacific of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ms. Mumtaz Zahra Baloch, Director Implementation of the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), Raza Iqbal and representatives of Mira Power, Mr. Han Seung Nam and Korea Hydro and Nuclear Power Lotte E&C, Mr. Ahn Ho Young.

On this occasion, Korea Hydro and Nuclear Power donated Rs 4.6 million, while Mira Power Rs 2 million and the Embassy contributed Rs 2.3 million.

Talking to the participants, the Ambassador said that this donation was in addition to the donations which had already been made by the Government of Korea and Korean private sector companies and associations working in Pakistan, amounting to USD 300,000 and over USD 500,000, respectively.

Cooperation in ICT field beneficial for Pakistan, Japan: amin

ISLAMABAD StAff RePoRt

Federal Minister for IT and Telecommunication Syed Amin Ul Haque Wednesday said that the cooperation between Pakistan and Japan in the field of Information and Communications Technology (ICT) is very beneficial for the two countries. The minister expressed these views during a meeting with a delegation of Japanese company M/s. Plus-W, Inc. led by its CEO Ms Wakako Sakurari, said a news release. During a meeting, matters related to imparting training to Pakistani IT professionals and establishing Japanese centres in Pakistani universities were discussed during the meeting. The Minister said Japanese experts formed a joint venture with Pakistani companies and impart training to Pakistani IT professionals. He said that Pakistan has about 5000 ICT companies and 300,000 ICT technicians and it produces 20,000 IT graduates every year. Japan would need around 800,000 IT engineers by 2030.

The Ambassador recalled that the first shipment of in-kind relief goods consisting of approximately three hundred thousand water purification tablets, thirty thousand emergency blankets and various other essential relief items had already been handed over to the NDMA on 25th September at Jinnah International Airport, Karachi.

The second in-kind shipment of relied items consisting of family-sized tents, collapsible water bags, and thermal blankets is also on route via a cargo ship and will hopefully be docked at Karachi Sea Port by 16th October.

rupee gains rs1.70 against dollar

Pakistan rupee on Wednesday appreciated by Rs 1.70 against the US dollar in the interbank trading and closed at Rs 223.93 against the previous day’s closing of Rs 225.63. According to the Forex Association of Pakistan (FAP), the buying and selling rates of dollars in the open market were recorded at Rs 226 and Rs 228 respectively. The price of Euro declined by 34 paisa and closed at Rs 222.52 against the last day’s closing of Rs 222.86. The Japanese Yen remained unchanged to close at Rs1.55, whereas a decrease of Rs 1.66 was witnessed in the exchange rate of the British Pound, which was traded at Rs 255.39 as compared to its last closing of Rs 257.05. The exchange rates of Emirates Dirham and Saudi Riyal decreased by 46 paisa each to close at Rs 60.96 and Rs 59.57 respectively.

President Dr Arif Alvi on Wednesday said that bringing street children and over 20 million out-ofschool children into the formal education stream was of paramount importance for converting them into valuable and productive human resource. The president made these remarks while talking to the Under-16 Street Children team that would be representing Pakistan in the Street Children World Cup, Qatar 2022 and the officials of Muslim Hands at Aiwan-e-Sadr. The president appreciated the initiative of Muslim Hands for helping unprivileged children by involving them in healthy and constructive activities and giving them proper training, education, social and communication skills, confidence and the opportunity to compete at the international level in football tournaments, President Secretariat Press Wing said in a press release. While appreciating the achievements of the team, the president said that such steps must also be taken for the promotion of other games like hockey and kabaddi. He said although, the government was taking various steps to engage underprivileged children in healthy activities which required support of the private sector, NGOs and civil society. He emphasized the need for creating enabling environment for unprivileged children by providing them with education, training and necessary skill so that they could realize their full potential. The president advised that Pakistan Sports Board should engage street children in sports to build their character and confidence and provide them training to become world class players. He said that Pakistan was a sportloving nation and football was equally popular in every nook and corner of the country. He emphasized that the promotion of sports could help youth in reducing stress and leading a healthy life. He said that 60 percent of the population of the country comprised of youth and they must be equipped with the latest IT tools and training. The president also called upon the Pakistan Football Federation to set aside their petty differences and inter-federation rivalries and to focus on the development of the game, starting from grass roots level and engaging as many young players as possible from across the country, especially the underprivileged children. He said that it would help the country in the development of sports ecosystem which would eventually produce world-class players. Earlier, while briefing the president, Raja Arsalan Nusrat Director Muslims Hands, UK Chapter said that over 1000 children in more than 15 communities across Pakistan were engaged in the sports activities under “Child’s Right to Play” slogan.

Shehbaz lauds Turkish help to flood victims

ISLAMABAD Agency

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has lauded the humanitarian assistance from Türkiye for the victims of recent floods that have affected over 33 million people in the country. Talking to a Turkish Red Crescent delegation led by Hakki Turunc, its goodwill ambassador, the premier commended the relief and rescue and operations launched by several Turkish relief agencies, which helped tens of thousands of flood victims across the country, said a statement from the prime minister’s office.

Turkish Ambassador to Pakistan Mehmet Pacaci was also present at the meeting. “Be it the earthquake of 2005, super floods of 2010 and recent floods, Türkiye has always come forward to help Pakistanis,” Sharif said. Thanking President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and the Turkish people for sending trains loaded with supplies, the prime minister pointed out the provision of 50 boats by Türkiye for rescue and relief operations, which helped relocate hundreds of people stranded in inundated areas of Sindh and Balochistan.

ISLAMABAD

LAHoRe: Evacuee Trust Property Board Chairman Habibur Rehman Gillani presents gift to Pardhan from Delhi Harjinder Singh Dhami upon arrival. PHoto by ZubAiR MeHfooZPHoto by ZubAiR MeHfooZ

CM ordErS foolProof SySTEM To rESolvE

CollEgE TEaCHErS’ ISSuES

LAHORE StAff RePoRt

PUNJABChief Minister Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi on Thursday directed the officers concerned to devise a foolproof mechanism for resolution of college teachers’ issues, stressing that the solution to of the problems of nation-builders is a collective responsibility.

Punjab CM Ch Pervaiz Elahi was talking with the teaching staff of Government Fatima Jinnah College Chuna Mandi who called on him at CM’s House here.

The CM assured to give sympathetic consideration to the issue of contract teachers, saying the Punjab government would solve their genuine issues on a priority basis. On his direction, a committee of secretaries of higher education, regulation

and law departments was formed to present feasible proposals within 14 days.

The CM noted that the teachers are the yeoman service of educating the youth passion and hard work. Meanwhile, he added that strict punishments have been proposed to curb drug addiction in educational institutions and drug pushers would be given strict punishments. An autonomous body would be formed in Punjab to curb drugs along with setting up special courts and police stations; he added and asked the teachers to play their role in sensitising the youth about the hazards of drugs. Attachment to religion and religious education is an important means to remain safe from drugs, he concluded. Former principal secretary GM Sikandar, ACS, secretary higher education and others were also present.

MESSAGE ON WORLD TEACHERS’

DAY: Punjab CM Ch Pervaiz Elahi

felicitated the teaching community on World Teachers Day, saying that his teachers have played a crucial role in the struggle to achieve the position he has today.

In his message issued on Wednesday, the CM said that mentorship, friendship, endless support and kindness are some of the words he associates with the teachers. It goes without saying that teachers rekindle their students’ nascent minds with knowledge and new ideas and help us become better human beings, he said. The teacher enjoys an important societal status and is considered a spiritual father; he said and added that students could earn respect and glory due to the hard work of their teachers. Respect and honor to the teachers is the duty of everyone as they are the benefactors of the nation and pride. Today, we have to reiterate a commitment that respect for the teachers will be ensured in every case, he concluded.

sHC chides sindh officers for lack of facilities in tent cities

SUKKUR StAff RePoRt

The Sindh High Court (SHC) circuit bench on Wednesday expressed dissatisfaction over facilities in tent cities for flood victims and resented misreporting to the court about the medical camp and ordered suspension of the Assistant Commissioner and Mukhtiarkar Gambat.

The court also suspended the Khairpur District Health Officer (DHO) over failure to provide medical facilities to the flood affectees.

An SHC division bench, comprising

nEPra fines nTdC rs10m over power supply failure

Justice Zafar Ahmed Rajput and Justice Shamsuddin Abbasi, heard petitions with regard to floodwater drainage and provision of relief to affected people.

The bench also ordered inquiry against the AC and Mukhtiarkar Gambat. The high court bench directed Secretary Health to initiate an inquiry against DHO Khairpur.

The Khairpur Deputy Commissioner and officers of Revenue and Irrigation departments, SCARP and PDMA appeared in the court during the hearing.

“In Gambat’s tent city a medical camp was established but the staff is unavailable,” the court said while

expressing dissatisfaction over facilities in tent cities.

“The photos submitted, are of a medical camp in a house, when people are living in tents, why the doctors not sitting there,” Justice Zafar Rajput remarked.

DHO Khairpur, AC and Mukhtiarkar Gambat tendered apology to the court. The bench granted the apology and withdrawn suspension orders of the officers. “Earlier, people were dying by water and now they will die from diseases,” Justice Rajput remarked.

“The winter is ahead, how much blankets and warm clothes provided in

relief camps,” the bench questioned.

“What facilities the PDMA providing in tent cities,” the bench asked.

“SCARP tube-wells are discharging water from various areas,” Chief Engineer Sukkur Barrage told the court. The court directed for providing Ring Bund to Thari Mirwah and Khora and pumping out water from the area.

“Diseases are rapidly spreading in camps, necessary measures should be taken to control malaria and other diseases,” court said. The bench adjourned further hearing of the case until October 20

Ministry holds two-day ‘Int’l Seeratun Nabi Conference’

ISLAMABAD: The National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (NEPRA) has imposed fine to the tune of Rs10 million, on National Transmission and Dispatch Company Ltd (NTDC) on account of power supply failure and partial blackout. As per details, NEPRA has imposed fine of Rs10 million on NTDC on account of power supply failure and partial blackout due to collapse of eight towers i.e. two towers of 500 kV Dadu-Jamshoro Transmission Line and six towers of 500 kV Port Qasim Matiari due to cyclonic wind and thunderstorm. Moreover, evacuation of 1320 MW Port Qasim (IPP) was also suspended due to aforesaid reasons, which was restored after nearly 10 days i.e. on May 31, 2022. Earlier, NEPRA took serious notice of the incident and constituted an Inquiry Committee to thoroughly investigate the matter in the light of NEPRA Laws, Rules and Regulations. The committee conducted the inquiry and presented a detailed report to the authority, on the basis of which the authority initiated legal proceedings against NTDC. According to NEPRA, an explanation dated March 29, 2022 was issued to the NTDC under Rule 4(1) of the NEPRA (Fines) Rules 2002, followed by a show cause notice on August 02, 2022 under Section 41 of the NEPRA Act. StAff RePoRt admin decides to punish officers over executing low quality uplift schemes

SWAT: A high-level meeting held here on Wednesday decided to take stern action against the consultants and officers responsible for executing low-quality developmental schemes in Malakand Division. The meeting held at Commissioner’s Office in Said Sharif was chaired by Commissioner Malakand Division Shaukat Ali Yousafzai and attended by the administrative officers of the districts of the Malakand Division and officers of the departments concerned.

Deputy Director Monitoring and Evaluation Planning and Development Department Ashfaq Khan briefed the meeting about the progress and quality of work on the ongoing development schemes across the division. During the meeting, reservations were expressed about the quality of work in some ongoing developmental schemes.

The ministry of Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony is organizing a two-day International Seerat-un-Nabi Conference in connection with Eid Milad-un-Nabi celebrations in the federal capital.

According to the plan chalked out by the ministry, an event titled ‘Mehfil Rehmatul-lil-Alameen and Prize Distribution’ would be held on Saturday (11th Rabi-ulAwwal) here at the auditorium of Pakistan National

Council of Arts.

The event would start with recitation of the verses from the Holy Quran and Naat Rasool-e-Maqbool Peace Be Upon Him. Minister for Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony Mufti Abdul Shakoor would deliver the welcome address on this occasion.

Later on, the renowned Naat Khawans would recite the Naat and Ulema and Mashaykh would shed the light on the Uswa-e-Husna of the Holy Prophet Muhammad Peace Be Upon Him in their speeches.

In the end, prizes would be distributed among the position holders who topped in the book writing competition on Seerat-un-Nabi and Naat.

On Sunday, the main function in connection with 12th Rabi-ul-Awwal would be held here at a local hotel with the title of ‘Social Ethics, Reform and Training in the light of Seerat-un-Nabi Peace Be Upon Him’.

The event would start with the national anthem, recitation of verses from the Holy Quran and Naat Sharif. Secretary for Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony Aftab Akbar Durrani would made introductory speech while the welcome address would be given by the Minister Abdul Shakoor on this occasion.

Shah reviews progress on K-IV project

completion of the project.

IHC orders opening of blocked road immediately

ISLAMABAD APP

The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Wednesday ordered district administration to immediately open the blocked road in federal capital. Justice Mohsin Akhter Kayani of IHC heard the case filed by a citizen seeking the opening of various roads in capital. Deputy Commissioner ICT Irfan Nawaz appeared before the court in personal capacity. The petitioner told the court that Aapara Melody road was still blocked by placing hurdles. The deputy commissioner adopted the stance that the road outside the Lal Masjid was blocked as the students of seminary usually arrange protests there. The court expressed annoyance with the officials of district administration and instructed them to immediately open the blocked Melody Road and outside road of Lal Masjid.

Federal Minister for Water Resources Syed Khursheed Ahmed Shah visited project office of Greater Karachi Bulk Water Supply Scheme, commonly known as K-IV Project, and reviewed progress on the project.

The minister was accompanied by Chairman WAPDA Lt Gen Sajjad Ghani (Retd), said a press release here.

Speaking on the occasion, the federal minister said K-IV is an important project to help address the issue of water shortage in the cosmopolitan city of Karachi. Therefore, the federal government is keen to complete this project in the

shortest possible time, he added.

Expressing satisfaction over the measures taken by the project management, he said that the Ministry of Water Resources will fully support WAPDA for

Earlier, the project director made a detailed presentation to the federal minister about progress on K-IV Project.

He was briefed that the project was being executed through eight different contracts. Phase-I of K-IV Project was scheduled for completion in March 2024. Prompt release of funds was essential for completion of the project as per the schedule.

K-IV Project envisages supply of 650 million gallon water per day (MGD) to Karachi from Keenjhar Lake. WAPDA has been entrusted by the federal government to construct Phase-I of the project, which will provide 260 MGD water to Karachi.

ISLAMABAD StAff RePoRt

APTMA Announces nATionwide closuRe of TexTile fAcToRies

FAISALABAD Staff RePoRt

ALLPakistan Textile Mills Association (APTMA), the representative body of garment-producing businesses, has decided to shut down textile units across the country from Saturday to protest the withdrawal of competitive power tariffs.

“1,600 textile mills have already shut shops. The rest of the units will also follow suit from Saturday,” the association said.

Two Rangers personnel injured in Karachi firing

KARACHI INP

Two personnel of the Sindh Rangers were injured in firing by unidentified assailants near Karachi’s Manzil Pump on Wednesday. The incident took place near Kohi Goth Nadi when four unidentified assailants opened fire on Rangers personnel and escaped. The injured personnel were shifted to Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre (JPMC) while the law enforcement agencies reached the spot and cordoned off the area. Taking to the media, Malir Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Irfan Bahadur noted that the personnel were performing their duty when they signalled four people riding a motorcycle to stop. “The personnel started chasing the assailants when they failed to oblige to being stopped,” he said. In response, one of the motorcycle riders pulled out a pistol and opened fire on them, resulting in injuries to two personnel.

Punjab ombudsman intervenes to rectify delayed revenue record of land transfer

LAHORE: On the order of the Punjab Ombudsman retired Maj. Azam Suleman Khan, the transfer deeds of 30 kanals and 12 marles of land in Jhang worth Rs61.2 million have been corrected after a delay of 15 years. A spokesman for the Office of the Ombudsman said in a statement issued here on Wednesday that one Muhammad Abdullah from Jhang filed a complaint that the staff of the concerned land record centre are reluctant to process the mutation deeds in their record as mutation deeds of land acquired for the construction of the bypass was wrongly recorded. The continuous interposition of the ombudsman office resulted in the much-awaited rectification of the issue of land owners lying unresolved since 2007-8, the spokesman added. Staff RePoRt

“Five million employees will lose their jobs and 30 million people will be affected due to the closure of these units,” it added.

“The government has withdrawn competitive power rates for the textile industry. The closure of the industry will deal a heavy blow to the domestic exports,” it stated.

“Increasing exports is very important and the nly way out for the economy of the country. The government must provide electricity and gas at competitive rates to the textile industry. It should also ensure continuous power and gas supply to the

businesses,” it demanded.

In August, the association warned export proceeds of the textile sector will go down by up to $3 billion in the current fiscal year because of the government’s policies that it believed have “strangulated” the largest dollar-earning sector of the economy.

“I can’t see (us) getting out of this perfect storm… It’d be a miracle if we’re able to retain our exports at the current level,” said Shahid Sattar, secretary general of the body, while speaking at a seminar organised by the Pakistan Institute of Development Economics (PIDE).

Study eyes US cooperation with Pakistan amid China rise

WASHINGTON afP

The United States needs to keep engaging Pakistan despite lingering distrust over Afghanistan, with investment and climate cooperation key to reducing the nation’s “growing reliance” on China, a study group recommended on Tuesday.

The group released its findings during a visit to Washington by the chief of the Pakistan Army, Gen. Qamar Javed Bajwa, a week after a trip by the civilian foreign minister, Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari.

The study group, which did not involve the US government, included scholars and former US ambassadors to Pakistan Ryan Crocker, Cameron Munter and Robin Raphel, along with Husain Haqqani, former Pakistan ambassador in Washington.

Pakistan and the United States were partners in the Cold War and, officially, in the Afghanistan war. But American officials lost patience with Islamabad which they suspected of “quietly maintaining” support for the Taliban, who triumphed as US troops withdrew last year. “Instead of allowing existing differences to define the partnership, it may be time to recognise that both sides need to understand the other’s interests so that they can then find a way to work on areas of mutual

concern,” the study group said. The United States must move beyond leveraging aid to change Pakistan’s policies, a tactic that has been a proven failure.

Islamabad, in turn, needs to accept “that all of Pakistan’s problems, especially terrorism and militancy, cannot be laid at the door of the US.”

Pakistan has forged increasingly close relations with China, triggering warnings from the United States that Beijing — seen as Washington’s key global competitor — will saddle the economically troubled nation with debt. The study group said that after previously linking the Pakistan relationship to Afghanistan or its historic rival India, the United States should avoid now seeing ties through the lens of China.

Instead, the United States can “help build Pakistan’s capacity for transparency and compliance” on Chinese loans and can reduce reliance on China by encouraging investment by US companies and others, it said. The United States can also focus on building climate resilience — a key challenge for Pakistan, which was recently devastated by floods.

While the United States wants to step back from Afghanistan, the study group said the need for counterterrorism cooperation with Pakistan “has if anything increased” due to the loss of US intelligence assets on the ground.

At UN, Pakistan calls for measures to end violence against women

UNITED NATIONS Staff RePoRt

Speaking for the Group of 77 and China, Pakistan has called for steps to avert all shapes of gender-based violence, in particular femicide, and to ensure that women are not subject to multiple or aggravated forms of discrimination. Addressing the General Assembly on “Advancement of Women” on Tuesday, Aamir Khan, deputy permanent representative of Pakistan to the UN, said violence against women continues to be a major obstacle to achieving gender equality and women empowerment. Pakistan is the current chairman of G-77 and China, which now has 134 members and is the United Nations’ biggest intergovernmental group of emerging countries. Ambassador Khan also emphasised that the empowerment of women and full realisation of their rights are essential for achieving sustainable development and for building peaceful and inclusive societies. He noted that discrimination, violence, lack of access to basic healthcare, education and social protection lingers around the world, particularly affecting women and girls, living in countries affected by armed conflict, under colonial administration and foreign occupation.

Rise in dengue fever cases continues unabated

ISLAMABAD Staff RePoRt

The rise in dengue fever cases continued in Pakistan amid an outbreak due to floods triggered by heavy monsoon rains in the country. In the last 24 hours, 385 more people were diagnosed with the disease in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, the provincial health department reported on Tuesday night. The number of active cases in the province currently stands at 2,314 and the total number of cases this year has reached 9,921. Sindh province reported 336 new infections, said the provincial health department. The worst-hit area was Karachi which reported 264 new cases. The total number of cases this year in the province has reached 11,142. Punjab reported 193 new cases in the last 24 hours. Rawalpindi reported 74 new cases, followed by Lahore with 68 cases. The total number of dengue cases in Punjab this year has gone up to 7,428. Islamabad reported 93 new dengue cases in the last 24 hours, the health authorities said on Tuesday night.

US ambassador visits AJK to ‘promote’ bilateral partnership

MUZAFFARABAD aNadolu ageNcy

The US ambassador to Pakistan, Donald Blome, paid an official trip to Azad Jammu and Kashmir for the first time since he landed in the capital Islamabad to take up his job earlier this year.

In a statement, the US Embassy said

Blome’s visit to the region on October 24 was to “promote the US-Pakistan partnership and highlight the two countries’ deep economic, cultural, and people-topeople ties.”

During his stay in Kashmir, he met with Sardar Tanveer Ilyas, the region’s prime minister, and representatives from academia, business, cultural, and civil so-

ciety organisations. He also laid a wreath to honour the victims of the deadly 2005 earthquake. “During the 75 years of our partnership, the United States has always stood by Pakistan, particularly when it’s needed most,” said the American ambassador. “The United States is continuing this strong tradition of supporting Pakistan during times of great need, having

thus far contributed more than $66 million in cash, food, shelter, and health assistance in response to the devastating flooding,” he added. “The US support has included a US military airbridge that delivered lifesaving supplies to the people of Pakistan,” said Blome.

He also visited the University of Azad Jammu and Kashmir, Quaid-i-Azam Memorial Dak Bungalow, the Red Fort, and the Jalalabad Garden — symbols of the cultural and historical richness of Pakistan. Ilyas, during his meeting with the ambassador, raised the ongoing human rights violations in Indian-occupied Kashmir and urged the US to play its role and “stop India from human rights violations against the innocent Kashmiri people.”

corporate corner

PTCL Group, Akhuwat deliver food packages to flood affectees in Balochistan

SPEAkERS CALL FOR EFFECTIVE DISASTER MITIGATION SySTEM TO MEET ANy EVENTUALITy

MUZAFFARABAD staff report

SPEAKERSat a seminar emphasized the need for a coherent grassroots communityled strategy to identify vulnerabilities and develop an action plan for effective disaster management and risk reduction.

The seminar titled “Earthquake Awareness and Preparedness” was jointly organized by the Institute of Geology and Directorate of Students Affairs, University of Azad Jammu and Kashmir (UAJK) in connection with the 17th anniversary of the devastating earthquake of October 8, 2005.

and such events do not respect any border, religion, or origin.

“I can proudly say that today, the state government and the state disaster management authority (SDMA) are now in a much better position to deal with any disaster-like situation,” the CS added.

Dr Chacher underlined the need for the capacity building of the organizations directly or indirectly dealing with catastrophes.

dom and unscientific construction patterns and tremendous increase in population since the last major earthquake combined with a warning level of seismic hazard and high liquefaction potential index leads to the insecure future of the region.

He said with the profound degree of hazard imposed by future earthquakes in the Kashmir valley, the lack of proper disaster mitigation measures increases the level of hazard.

ISLAMABAD: PTCL Group in collaboration with Akhuwat Foundation has delivered food packages to flood-affected communities in Balochistan that have been facing food shortages in the wake of recent monsoon floods.

The food assistance initiative is part of PTCL Group’s PKR 1.75 billion pledge towards relief and rehabilitation of the devastated communities across the country.

Sharing his thoughts, Head of PR & Corporate Communication, PTCL & Ufone, Amir Pasha, said, “PTCL Group collaborated with Akhuwat to provide food assistance to the people, especially women, children, and the elderly. As nutrition is the most fundamental need at this time, the support will provide relief to the communities. I, sincerely believe that relieving the communities of the worry for basic commodities will help them focus their energies on rehabilitation and return to normalcy.”

OGRA, NLC arrange training course for HTV drivers for transportation of dangerous petroleum products

ISLAMABAD: OGRA in collaboration with NLC has arranged Training programme for the Drivers of dangerous petroleum bowsers at Applied Technologies Institute & Driving School (ATIN), having state of the art class rooms, video lectures, driving simulators, highway code model rooms, 3 Kms driving track, Drivers Fitness Labs and Drivers’ test facilities. The session was attended by the sesnior management of NLC, OGRA, Ministry of Communications and the Department of Explosives, LPG Marketing Companies, LPG Terminal Operators, LPG Transporters, PSO, Shell Pakistan Limited etc.

ANF seizes 1,568kg drugs worth $37.901m in 33 operations

Anti Narcotics Force Pakistan seized 1568.32 Kg Drugs worth US$ 37.901 Million internationally, arrested 27 persons including 1 Woman and impounded 7 vehicles while conducting 33 counter narcotics operations throughout the country. The seized drugs comprised 15.833 Kg Heroin, 593.300 Kg Hashish, 848 Kg Opium, 98.187 Kg Methamphetamine (Ice) and 13 Kg Cannabis (Bhang). ANF Balochistan recovered 1221 Kg drugs in 4 operations while arrested 2 accused persons in drug smuggling and seized 1 vehicle. The seized drugs comprised 1 Kg Heroin, 360 Kg Hashish, 772 Kg Opium and 88 Kg Methamphetamine (Ice). ANF KPK recovered 215.953 Kg drugs in 7 operations while 6 persons arrested in drug trafficking and seized 1 vehicle. The seized drugs comprised 6.500 Kg Heroin, 162.200 Kg Hashish, 43.200 Kg Opium and 4.053 Kg Methamphetamine (Ice). pr

IESCO power suspension schedules

According to Islamabad Electric Supply Company (IESCO)’s spokesman, System Maintenance/Development Work is in process. Therefore power supply of below mentioned feeders/areas will be temporary suspended as per given schedule: On 06 th October, From 07:00 AM to 12:00 Noon, Kot Shera, Kot Gullah, Adi, Westridge, Rajahabad, Golla, Dhok Chowdhury, New Race Course, Charing Cross, MFM, Shams Colony, Domeli, Bhagwal, Kot Dhamek, Sohawah City, EME Complex, P&T wini, Jhangi,Azharabad, CWO, Golra, Zircon Heights, New Kliam, Old Kliam, HPT-III, Industrial, Pind Pran, Valley, AWT-4, Sangjani, Shahallah Ditta, Paswal, Sarai Kharboza, Kala Khan, Wahadat Colony, Mushtaq Shaheed, Jalala, Nawababad,

Colony, Malhwali, Karpa,

Town,

AIOU holds seminar on personality-building in light Uswa Hasna

Speakers called for an inclusive capacity-building program for the service providers, sustained awareness campaigns on Disaster Risk Management (DRM), and the establishment of multilayered disaster response teams backed by emergency response centers at the gross root level.

Addressing the seminar as chief guest, AJK Chief Secretary Dr Muhammad Usman Chacher said that no country in the world is immune to disasters

He said it was after the devastating earthquake in 2005 that the importance and need for robust and effective disaster management and disaster risk reduction were truly realized. “The calamity was taken as a wake-up call that led to the establishment of a comprehensive disaster risk management system in the country”, CS said.

Referring to the recent flash flood in the country, the CS said that we are facing a cascade of accelerated climate events with great frequency, and with this challenging phenomenon; we confront extreme weather events as a new normal in the region.

Addressing the occasion, Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Muhammad Kaleem Abbasi highlighted that ran-

Navy delegation visits Ministry of Maritime Affairs on Inland Study Tour

“The region is also a politically conflicted zone where resolution of the political issues is considered more important than disaster preparedness”, he pointed out.

Dr. Abbasi suggested several measures including a Safety audit of buildings in terms of resilience to impending hazards and requirement of retrofitting of critical infrastructure and the strict implementation of building codes.

In conclusion of his address, Prof Dr Kaleem Abbasi recommended more geological, and geotechnical investigations to document the active near source seismogenic structure which would help formulate safer design decisions.

FBR signs MOU with HMRC for enhancing cooperation in tax compliance and systems

ISLAMABAD:

A ten – member delegation of Pakistan Navy War College, headed by Rear Admiral Shifaat Ali Khan SI(M), Commandant Pakistan Navy War College, including officers of Pakistan Navy visited Ministry of Maritime Affairs on their Inland Study Tour to Islamabad.

The PN Staff Course was headed by Rear Admiral Shifaat Ali Khan SI(M), Commandant Pakistan Navy War College. He briefed the Minister about the roles and responsibilities of PN War College and stated that it is a premier seat of learning in

Pakistan Navy and is designed for naval officers of middle order seniority. He further apprised the Minister that the purpose of their visit is to familiarize the student officers with the role and functions of the Ministry of Maritime Affairs (MoMA). The Federal Minister for Maritime Affairs, Senator Syed Faisal Ali Subzwari welcomed the 52nd PN Staff Course at Ministry of Maritime Affairs today. The Minister appreciated their visit at the Ministry and briefed them the roles & responsibilities of

the Ministry and prospects of the Pakistan’s Maritime Sector. He stated that, “For any nation to progress, it is crucial for it security and national economic to grow side by side.” He further said that in our National Security Policy, special focus has given to the pivotal role of national economy. He further apprised the student officers on the contributions of all three Ports of Pakistan to the national economy and highlighted the challenges that Ministry is facing in each department. On the occasion, the student officers from 52nd PN Staff Course briefly asked questions related to Marine Pollution, digitization and role of provincial governments in maritime sector. Minister briefly answered the questions. The meeting ended with a vote of thanks from the participant and with the exchange of souvenirs from both sides. pr

Murtaza appreciates APO’s role in development of Asia-Pacific region

ISLAMABAD staff report

Federal Minister for Industries and Production Syed Murtaza Mahmood on Wednesday delivered appreciated the Asian Productivity Organization (APO)’s role in the development of Asia-Pacific region and conveyed his gratitude to APO Secretary General on APO’s Diamond Jubilee.

He expressed the views while addressing the opening ceremony of International Conference on “Productivity Accreditation and Certification for Pakistan”, said a press release issued here on Wednesday.

The minister added that working in collaboration with similar organizations, the APO and NPOs will be able to find solutions to long-standing problems of the region.

Flt-Lt (r) Iftikhar Ali Sahoo, Additional Secretary Ministry of Industries and Production, said various rapid industrial transformation initiatives are being taken for the sustained growth and development of the economy by improving industrial competitiveness.

and support export sectors in enhancing competitiveness and yielding higher productivity culture in the country.

The conference is being organized by National Productivity Organization (NPO) in collaboration with Asian Productivity Organization (APO), Japan.

Various international and national resource speakers participated in the event. Moreover, participants from Cambodia, Malaysia, Fiji, Nepal, Republic of Korea, Sri Lanka, Iran, Philippine are participating in the program physically.

Appreciating the conference, he said this initiative will play a major role in reversal of the economy through International certification standards implementation in Pakistan.

Iftikhar Ali expressed satisfaction over the participation of a large and diverse group of International and local professional in the conference and expressed hope that through the active participation and sharing of international experience, Pakistan would definitely achieve the status of Certification Body.

Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) and His Majesty’s Revenue and Customs of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland (HMRC) signed a Memorandum of Understanding to work together on capacity building programmes to assist Pakistan in achieving its tax reforms agenda. FBR and HMRC are partnering to work towards two strategic tax reforms objectives-Data utilisation and processes for international tax components and improved institutional capacity to implement strategic plans and reform agenda in areas which include, but are not limited to compliance risk management, AML functions, Information and Data. FBR is also collaborating with HMRC & OECD under the initiative of Tax Inspectors Without Borders (TIWB) for capacity building of FBR officers. Under this initiative, HMRC experts will deliver training to FBR officers in the areas of tax/financial investigations involving tax fraud, money laundering and prosecution. Speaking on the occasion, British Acting High Commissioner Andrew Dalgleish said that partnership between HMRC and FBR through Revenue Mobilisation, Investment and Trade Programme (REMIT) builds on past successes on international taxation such as automatic exchange of information between tax jurisdictions along with new areas of collaboration. The UK is proud to be supporting Pakistan’s efforts and looks forward to the shared benefits it can bring to both economies.

FDB hosts training for potential fish farmers

ISLAMABAD: Fisheries Development Board (FDB) of the Ministry of National Food Security and Research, Government of Pakistan organized a training program under Cage Culture Cluster Development (CCD) Project funded by Prime Minister National Agriculture Emergency Program from 14th to 28th September 2022 in Lahore.

He lauded the efforts of NPO for promoting the Productivity culture in Pakistan through its vision “Economically Productive and Globally Competitive Pakistan”.

Nabi Chair,

Iqbal Open University

The International Conference on Productivity Accreditation and Certification being held in Pakistan is the continuation of the commemoration of the APO’s Diamond Jubilee, which will showcase productivity improvement journeys in the Asia and Pacific region, specifically efforts to enhance capabilities of NPOs through accreditation programs.

Iftikhar said that APO is playing major role in promotion of productivity drive in the region. APO’s services are reorienting the requirements of the current era of competitiveness both in the domestic and global markets

APO Secretary General Dr Indra Pradana Singawinata also addressed the event. He appreciated the efforts of NPO and extended full support in facilitating and strengthening the APO’s mandate in Pakistan. He said that It is a fortunate moment for representatives from APO members to gather to review efforts to enhance the capabilities of NPOs through accreditation programs.

The participants of training were potential fish farmers, university students and government officials from all over Pakistan. Closing ceremony of the Training programme held on 28th September 2022 here at Lahore. Dr. Safia Mushtaq, Project Director highlighted about project objectives and ongoing activities. She briefed that Cage Farming is the best way to use our natural water resources for the development of fisheries sector in Pakistan. Further she stated that such trainings will be organized throughout Pakistan to train 1200 Fish Farmers, Hatchery managers and all fisheries and aquaculture related business operators in public and private sector. Malik Muhammad Ramzan, PD-CCD Punjab component and Dr. Anser Mahmood Chatta, Director Punjab Fisheries Department graced the occasion as Guests of honour. They highlighted the current situation of aquaculture sector and the way forward to boost the economy of Pakistan through aquaculture. The ceremony ended with the vote of thanks and certificate distributions among participants.

Beating the war drums again

Plans, counter plans

PTI chief Imran Khan has decided to initiate the last battle for “real freedom” within days. According to his plans, victory will be followed by the announcement for fresh elections leading to the end of the coalition government and the return of the PTI to power. This is the second time Mr Khan is beating the war drums. The PTI’s May 26 march on Islamabad was to be followed by a sit-in till demands for an immediate dissolution of the National Assembly and the announcement of an election date were accepted. Mr Khan had however failed to pull out the numbers that he had expected from either KP or Punjab. The march had come came to an abrupt end with IK deciding not to go ahead with the sit-in.

Imran Khan has apparently learnt from the past shortcomings.While in Peshawar on Tuesday the PTI chief took oaths from party lawmakers, office-bearers, and members to support the ‘real freedom’ march despite all odds. Ministers, MNAs, MPAs and prominent party leaders were assigned the task to bring a particular number of people to join the rally and the subsequent sitin. Mr Khan hopes this time to have an “ocean of people” that will not leave Islamabad without getting a date for the elections.

Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah has a plan to counter the march. It includes the deployment of the Army in the capital city’s Red Zone to stop the entry of protesters in the high-security area. As many as 30,000 personnel of Islamabad and Sindh Police, Rangers and FC would be deployed to ensure law and order in the capital city.

While the PTI and the government are fully concentrated on their tactical plans two ominous issues loom large on the horizon: the perilous state of the national economy and the dire situation in the vast floodaffected areas of the country. There is a need on both sides to avert the impending confrontation and resolve their disputes without harming the economy or diverting attention from the suffering of millions of people facing hunger and disease. The way out is talks between the government and PTI.

Prison reforms

The report on Attock Jail reveals a system in dire need of change

The report by the Provincial Intelligence Centre on Attock Jail did not come up with anything new, as the problems identified are old ones identified throughout the whole prison system. however, it was an indictment precisely for this reason, as these problems exist in other jails as well. In short, it is not Attock Jail which needs reform, but the entire prison system. As it isentirely under the control of the Punjab government, reforms here will be carefully watched by the other provinces, whose jails are not particularly better run.

One of the main problems has been overcrowding. One solution would be to build new jails and expand existing ones. It would require much more money than has ever been available to the Jail Department. As so many prisoners are in jail on remand, justice system reforms to ensure less time under trial would lead to jails having to hold fewer prisoners. At present, jails are places where major epidemics cannot be controlled, if ever they broke out. The report also noted the pervasive corruption among the staff, which allowed drug traffickers to continue their trade while in prison. however, the complaintthat got the Centre involved was that of sexual harassment, even rapes, of female visitors. That has been shown to be rife, along with more orthodox bribes, in cash, for allowing visits. how exactly the Punjab government wishes to bring this problem under control is not known, but control it, it must, for it might cause unrest among an already desperate and brutalized set of men, and might lead to a prison revolt which the province, not just its government, can ill afford.

Far reaching reforms are needed. They have been pointed out before often enough for them to have become familiar. The equally familiar reason for inaction, lack of money, can no longer serve, because the situation is now showing signs of getting beyond the scope of the government to handle normally. If it unfortunate enough to have to act under the pressure of some great crisis, it may make rash decisions, and waste money, and fail to find a lasting solution. It is always better to act preventively rather than curatively.

Floods will recede debt will not

Water management and money management are not needed

Nations. he is asking the right questions and seeking help while lodging in expensive hotels and enjoying the official protocol. The world is listening and wants to help but is not sure how to proceed as Pakisant has been a bottomless pit where billions have already been squandered by the powerful and the elite. The combined load of floods and debt is unsustainable. The President of France has proposed a Donors Conference, which is a good idea, but at the end of the day the relief will have to be delivered for which effective mechanisms do not exist.

Perhaps a debt write-off seems to be a better option. The loan payments can then be used for rehabilitation. Instead of borrowing the focus will shift to self-reliancewith control of expenses. The expense side has been ignored for a long time. There has been no balancing act between the income and the expenditure of the state apparatus. The books have to be balanced. Pumping in more easy money is not the right approach, which should be avoided to keep the sharks away for all times to come.

to talk about the interest payments. With the availability of 175 billion tons of local coal, most plants are using imported fuel. The previous government started to build dams and the use of local coal which should continue together with the production of SNG (Synthetic Natural Gas) from the Thar deposit.The energy security of the country stands seriously compromised, which has to be checked.

Pakistan needs an effective water management plan to maximize the potential of this important natural resource. Reservoirs and dams have to be built together with water harvesting to raise the depleting groundwater table. There has to be a moratorium on all future borrowing, once the current debt burden is written off, bs that a fresh start can be made.

The party for the few, funded through borrowed money, must come to an end to provide relief to the many. Pakistan and its 220 million people have been used as a collateral to get hold of inexpensive money which is now unpayable. Lessons should have been learnt from the devastating earthquake of 2005 and the ravishing floods of 2010, but unfortunately no preventive measures were implemented to ward off future threats.

A.

Yousaf Nizami

The Islamic Republic of Pakistan is on the brink of being drowned. United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres has highlighted the dual threat of raging waters and spiraling debt. With the world’s largest number of glaciers in the himalayas, Pakistan is illprepared to handle the fast melt due to global warming and heavy downpour. Currently almost one-third of the country is inundated with a massive influx of affected people and widespread damage to the infrastructure.

Next year the country has to pay back around $22 billion to the international lenders. The trade deficit continues to grow. Decades of mismanagement, corruption and incompetence compounded with environmental calamity has finally caught up. The Prime Minister, with his large entourage of courtiers, after participating in the last rites of their Queen in London, were then seen at the United Nations in New York. It is their journey from Imperialism to Capitalism, and I am sure they will all come home enlightened with fresh ideas to handle both the floods and the menace of debt.

I am reminded of a popular Urdu verse; Doob raha hun Dooba to nahin hun ( I am drowning, not yet drowned ). The flood waters are now receding leaving the devastation behind, and the onlookers are back to their old ways.

The PM is presenting his case at the United

Over the years the’marketing’ efforts have been there while ‘delivery’ has been missing. The CPeC ( China Pakistan economic Corridor ) project was marketed as a gamechanger for the republic. China desired land access to the warm waters of the deep-sea port of Gwadar for which the republic decided to borrow money to build the required infra-structure for which the interest payments have started with a rate higher than the traditional lenders in the West.

This insatiable appetite for cheap loans has to be controlled. At the end of the day borrowed money has to be returned with interest. The two calamities (floods and debt) that threaten the very survival of the nation have to be treated in tandem otherwise both will remain unresolved and turn into an unbearable burden.

In the land of the pure, most projects in the last 30 years have been launched mainly on the basis of kickbacks. Starting with the IPPs ( Independent Power Producers ) all the way down to CPeC it is a mind-boggling trail of compromises with total disregard of long-term national interests. The rulers in the past have not missed any opportunity to increase personal wealth resulting in a huge burden for the people to support. Today the republic produces unaffordable power and imports LNGLiquefied Natural Gas) at unbearable cost. The Orange Line train of Lahore cannot even pay its electricity bills, what

In AJK, the Turkish Donors finally decided to implement their projects themselVeS instead of donating funds for this purpose. Like water, the debt has also been mismanaged and squandered. While the leaks have to be plugged to protect national wealth at the same time the water has to be saved to put it to better use to meet the scarcities when they happen. As a nation we cannot continue to rely on life support systems of the West and our neighbour in the North. It is time to live and learn to breathe on our own before there is an internal collapse of our own vital mechanisms. In the words of my ‘old man’, “ One must learn to live within ne’s means”. he had an interesting observation that in the land of the pure everyone is on the lookout for additional cash as budgetary restrictions are seldom respected.

While ‘Time is defined and cannot be stored/stopped ‘ , ‘Money’ is a man-made entity which must be handled carefully and with clean hands to be used frugally as and when needed, not wasted as has been the case in the land of the pure. Dirty hands have to be severed to save the nation from both floods and debt. A write-off is the only way forward as was done in egypt after the Camp David peace accord.

The writer is ex-Chairman, Pakistan Science Foundation. He can be contacted at: fmaliks@hotmail.com.

Pakistan’s confronting gender equality

Meeting the sustainable development goals

port 2022, 2.4 billion working women do not have access to equal economic opportunities, and 176 nations continue to place legislative obstacles that limit their ability to participate in the economy. Ninety-five countries do not guarantee equal pay for equal work, and women are subject to job limitations in 86 of those nations. In the world today, women still only have 75 percent of the legal rights that men enjoy, which results in an overall score of 76.5 out of 100, reflecting the struggle for legal equality. however, 23 countries changed their legislation in 2021 to take more equal measures to improve women’s economic involvement, even though the worldwide covid-19 pandemic had disproportionately adverse effects on women’s lives and earnings.

before COVID-19, and the situation did not change even after the pandemic. In the Global Gender Gap Report2022, Pakistan was ranked 145th in a survey of 146 countries.

Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah, Islamia College for Women, Lahore, 25 March 1940 “I have always maintained that no nation can ever be worthy of its existence that cannot take with them their women.

No struggle can ever succeed without women ever participating side by side with men. There are two powers in the world. One is represented by the sword and the other by pen. There is great competition and rivalry between the two. There is a third power stronger than both. That is the woman.”

COMPLeTe gender equality is one of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). According to the United Nations Department of economic and Social Affairs, due to the global crises, climate change, and escalating gender gaps, no country has achieved gender equality, even though women and girls make up half of the population.

Sustainable development targets are unlikely to be met by the 2030 deadline. The covid-19 pandemic, conflicts, climate change, and other global challenges are worsening the gender gap.

At the current rate of progress, it may take 286 years to ensure that women and girls have the same rights and protections as men.

According to the Women, Business and Law Re-

how far along is Pakistan in reaching one of its 17 SDGs about gender equality?

Pakistan has been experiencing several emergencies and is in an unpredictable condition. Our behaviour, exploitation of the environment, disregard for equality, and the right to basic healthcare are impacting not only economic growth but also our credibility.

Before this year’s floods, Pakistani women had been facing issues related to reproductive health. In the South Asia region, Pakistan had one of the highest maternal mortality rates.

But many people are unaware of the current situation in Pakistan, a flood disaster in which at least 650,000 pregnant women and girls are among the millions of individuals who are severely affected. Of these, 73,000 women are expected to give birth in the coming months, and many of these women lack access to the healthcare facilities and support they need to deliver their children safely.

Without a doubt, floods in Pakistan would cause severe famine and widen gender disparity against women and girls, who are now facing a lack of access to basic and individual human rights. This would undoubtedly result in a regression in women’s lives, and situations here would become significantly worse than in other nations.

Pakistan was already among the worst four nations worldwide in female development metrics even

In the ‘Regional highlights of South Asia’, Pakistan has a population of 107 million women who have only two-thirds of the rights of men. In 2022, Pakistan has closed its gender gap to 56.46%, causing an effect on women’s lives. In democratic areas, 12 million women have not registered as voters. 15% of women are entitled to vote but do not have identity cards, and 60% of registered women voters did not show up at the polls. One-third of women are not allowed to use mobile phones. Women hold one in ten cabinet positions, and in the last 50 years, a woman has led the country for 4.7 years. In terms of economic areas, rural areas account for 77.7 percent of informal employment, and women work unpaid in the family sector at a rate of 41.8 percent, compared to men’s 11.5 percent. Rs 500 billion is the current wage gap in Pakistan. Women hold tw percent of the top leadership and managerial posts. 32 percent of employed young women are working as paid employees, and 52 percent are unpaid family workers. 95 out of 100 women do not have a bank account, and only 4 out of 100 women get loans for agriculture. This is all recorded in the National Gender Development Framework Report 2022.

Before this year’s floods, Pakistani women had been facing issues related to reproductive health. In the South Asia region, Pakistan had one of the highest maternal mortality rates. With political unrest and economic hardship following, it appears that the gender gap will continue to widen because of past and present ongoing issues.

Furthermore, the longer we bear the concept of this destiny, the more it will cost us all. It appears that we will need a decade to stand on our own. Unfortunately, we still have a long way to go until this vision of our society is realized.

The writer tweets at @HoorRizwi.

the legacy of late Hameed Nizami Arif Nizami (Late)

Editor

Hoor rizvi

Dr FariD a Malik

Editor’s mail

Waste-water collection system

A wastewater collection system is a network of pipes, manholes, clean-outs, traps, siphons, lift stations and other required structures to collect all the wastewater or stormwater from an area, and to transport it to a treatment plant or disposal system. The authorities concerned should build such efficient systems to solve Karachi’s chroinic and irritating drainage problems.

Nightmare

China, the Pacific, and US-Pacific Island Country summit

Now the US-China rivalry moves to the Pacific Islands

Islands up front register their concerns purely related to the existential threat they face due to global warming. The Pacific islands neither pledge their loyalty to US’ shared commitment nor are falling into the trap of becoming a US pawn to endure US peace in the region.

China on the contrary offers much more tangible yet Pacific Island Nations are still skeptical and avoid any clear static diplomatic ties with either China or the USA.

An 11-point “statement of vision committing to joint endeavors” was released as a Declaration at the end of the Summit that needs to be shared for analysis of what the US certainly wants to get out of this new move. Instead of adding all 11 points, I will share three points that can serve US interests in the future. They are sixth, seventh, and tenth on the list.

islands, are some of the important moves of the Biden Administration to keep China on its toes.

China had been an active partner of the islands since 2006 when it held the first China–Pacific Island Countries economic Development and Cooperation Forum in Fiji. Since then, China has invested more than $1.78 billion in aid to eight countries in the region and is the region’s second-largest trading partner with diplomatic ties with all countries.

It is interesting to add that in April this year the Chinese Foreign Ministry confirmed it had signed a security agreement with the Solomon Islands. Foreign affairs experts are of the view that this development triggered urgency for the USA to reach unattended islands before China can sign similar agreements of security with other islands.

The Summit of 14 Pacific Island Nations hosted by the USA was held on 28-29 September 2022 in Washington.

Independent foreign affairs experts believe that the overall theme of this gathering was the desire to link the Pacific into the Indo-Pacific strategy to contain China and develop a new alliance that would include a list of Pentagon’s backed projects like Five eye, QUAD, AKUAS, Indo-Pacific Framework, and Indo-Pacific Armies Management seminars.

The overt agenda of the Summit was to discuss global warming, rising sea level, economic investment, natural disaster preparedness, maritime security, and China while the covert agenda of the gathering might be an attempt to install a US-led strategy all over maritime routes China has been using for its trade. The Summit was attended by the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, the Federated States of Micronesia, Fiji, French Polynesia, Kiribati, the Marshall Islands, Nauru, New Caledonia, Palau, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu, Vanuatu, and Wallis and Futuna and New Zealand, with Australia as co-host and observer.

The Washington Post reported the USA had planned to invest $860 million in expanded programmes to aid the islands while US Secretary of State Antony Blinken expressed his desire to establish a partnership between the USA and the Pacific, which would provide a “roadmap” for their future relationship.

I believe the Pacific, once the “maritime backyard” of the USA since the Second World War, constantly heavily dominated by US military presence yet completely ignored otherwise, now has become the centre stage for the Pentagon. These islands are always in contact with the USA but have yet not joined the US Indo-Pacific strategy because they don’t want to see China as the enemy.

The US rubrics for all times to come to remain the same, “shared commitment to enduring peace and security”. however, the Pacific island nations too appear unimpressed by this narrative and clearly demonstrate their hesitations towards enduring anything in order to get the US version of peace and stability. Nonetheless, the Pacific

The Sixth point on the list says that participants resolve to protect the Blue Pacific and enhance the laws that govern it. The Seventh point says that participants resolve to maintain peace and security across the Blue Pacific Continent and the tenth point indicates that participants reaffirm their commitment to comprehensively address the legacies of conflict and the promotion of nuclear nonproliferation.

In the future, the USA and its allies like Australia and New Zealand can demand countries that participated in the Summit allow US allies to maximize their military presence in member countries for protecting the Blue Pacific, maintain peace and security across the Blue Pacific, and to play their role to comprehensively address the legacies of conflict in the region.

US-allied Australia and New Zealand focused on islands in their foreign policies around 2017 when Australia announced a “Pacific Stepup” as part of a white paper on foreign policy.

Indo-Pacific and Pacific islands are new theatres US allies have set for curtailing Chinese trade movements and establishing US maritime power to encircle China’s interests whenever it would be needed. The theatre is here and now we can do nothing but wait for when the curtain will unveil the first scene

We know the USA is a master in creating a scene where any country or region becomes a “security issue” for the world as Iraq had Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMDs) and Afghanistan had a dirty bomb. By first creating a situation in which China can be painted as a “serious threat” to the region, the USA can enhance its presence in the Pacific islands by using the USA-Pacific Island Country Summit Declaration adopted on September 29, in Washington, DC.

The White house indicates that the USA is elevating broader and deeper engagement with the Pacific Islands as a priority of its foreign policy and I believe that this “deeper engagement “is another attempt to frustrate China which according to US President Joe Biden is the biggest threat to the USA and its allies.

Targeting Chinese interests in eastern europe and African countries, placing the Taiwan issue again on the global stage, forming multiple alliances in the Indo-Pacific, and now reaching out to the Pacific

MAH NOOR KARACHI

A dilapidated road leading up to the main entrance of hamdard University’s main campus is a thorn in the side of all who commute to the place every day. Besides, the condition of the road, with thick clouds of dust flying all over the place, makes the entire place look like a village. The dust also causes allergies and breathing issues among the students. When it rains, the road becomes muddy, causing a new set of problems to one and all. The matter needs the urgent attention of the relevant authorities.

MUSTAFA BALOCH KARACHI

Bus drivers

I regularly use the local buses for my commute, but I fail to understand why the bus drivers always seem to be in a hurry. Rash driving is a common practice among the lot and that causes severe discomfort to the elderly and those standing inside the generally crammed bus. Besides, the drivers use foul language that sometimes leads to verbal and physical abuses. There should be proper training for bus drivers, I guess.

UMAIMA KHAN KARACHI

Far-right politics

FAR-RIGhT political forces and hyper-nationalism in the West threaten the survival of Muslims living in the West. The Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) is an ideal platform to develop an action plan and execute it to tackle the issue. Cultural exchange programmes and media campaigns should be launched to let the Westerners see the true face of Muslims.

ASAD AZIZ KHUSHAB

Future in Tatters

ShAh Abdul Latif University in Khairpur had postponed Bachelor of Arts (BA) examinations during the Covid period in 2019. Since then the students who had submitted fees in various branches have been waiting for these examinations to be held. The university is neither announcing the examination schedule nor is willing to reimburse the fees submitted years ago. The future of the students is in tatters.

HIMAYAT HUSSAIN KARACHI

The following year, New Zealand announced the “Pacific Reset” which focused on principles for delivering shared prosperity. even the United Kingdom, half a world away, got involved, announcing its “Pacific Uplift” in 2019. Now the leader of NATO entered the game directly by holding a Summit in Washington. The US Strategic Framework for the Indo-Pacific, released in 2021, included the Pacific Islands region in the Framework.

The importance of the Pacific islands today for the USA can be judged by the statement of President Biden that he delivered at the Summit stating that the USA was a proud Pacific power and it will continue to be an active, engaged partner in the region while Vice-President President Kamala harris was of the view that the history and the future of the Pacific Islands and the United States were inextricably linked.

I am of the view that Indo-Pacific and Pacific islands are new theatres US allies have set for curtailing Chinese trade movements and establishing US maritime power to encircle China’s interests whenever it would be needed. The theatre is here and now we can do nothing but wait for when the curtain will unveil the first scene.

The writer Shazia Cheema is an analyst writing for national and international media outlets. She heads the DND Thought Center. She did her MA in Cognitive Semiotics from Aarhus University Denmark and is currently registered as a Ph.D. Scholar of Semiotics and Philosophy of Communication at Charles University Prague

Anti-Dengue spray

The residents of housing societies located on both sides of the Islamabad expressway, from Faizabad to Rawat, are exposed to the threat of dengue and other viral infections that are spreading across the country postmonsoon. The relevant civic bodies should immediately arrange anti-dengue spray in areas around the expressway. This will surely save many lives.

SYED MUZAMMIL HUSSAIN ISLAMABAD

Results delayed

IT has been around three months since the intermediate exams ended, but the Balochistan Board of Intermediate and Secondary education (BBISe) has not announced the results. No notification has been issued as to when it will be declared. Students planning to study further can do nothing till they have the result in hand. Also, some universities are delaying announcing their admission plans due to the same problem. The BBISe should announce the result without further delay.

ABDUL MALIK RAUF KARACHI

Problematic seats

The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Public Service Commission (KPPSC) turns marriage halls into exam centres, but it does so without proper facilities. I fail to understand how can chairs without arms, used in ceremonies, be suitable for descriptive exams. Candidates had a bad experience during the Provincial Planning Services examination in March this year, which affected their marks. The exam should be conducted in degree colleges and high schools where such facilities are available.

KALEEM ULLAH KHAN ABBOTTABAD

SPSC

The Sindh Public Service Commission (SPSC) has put on hold its recruitment process for local government jobs for unknown reasons. The applicants have been waiting for the announcement of the test date since February, but there is no update from the relevant quarters. As a routine, the SPSC works at a snail’s pace during the recruitment process, from advertising to offering job letters, making life miserable for the unemployed applicants.

SHazia anwer CHeeMa

God sAvE tHE pound?

THE PROBLEM WITH THE UNITED KINGDOM’S GROWING BUDGET DEFICIT AND PUBLIC DEBT IS NOT THAT THEY CONDEMN THE CURRENCY TO BEING WEAK OR STRONG. IT IS THAT THEY CAN CONSTRAIN MONETARY POLICY, CREATE UNCERTAINTY THAT SPILLS INTO FINANCIAL MARKETS, COMPLICATE THE INFLATION-UNEMPLOYMENT TRADEOFF, AND HINDER LONG-TERM GROWTH

in the fundamental solidity of British institutions?

ProjeCt syndiCate aNDrÉs VelasCO

At university in the United States in the early 1980s, i was taught the iconic Mundell-Fleming macroeconomic model, which predicts that a currency’s exchange rate will appreciate in response to an increase in the issuing country’s budget deficit. the asians, africans, Latin americans, and southern europeans in the room reacted in unison, protesting that it is not like that: any sensible trader will dump the currency of a country whose government is about to engage in massive borrowing.

i was reminded of that discussion as i watched the pound sterling hit its lowest level ever against the dollar, in response to the unfunded tax cuts and spending increases announced by the government of the new prime minister, Liz truss. the United Kingdom used to be among the countries – mostly rich and highly developed –where the predictions of Marcus Fleming (a Briton) and Robert Mundell (a Canadian who won the nobel Prize) held true. no more.

it took me a while to figure out why the model that is often described as the “workhorse” of macroeconomics did not apply to emerging markets, but the answer is pretty obvious. Macroeconomics for developed countries is all about the present, because one need not worry too much about the future. Back in the early 1960s, when Mundell and Fleming were writing, it was taken for granted that advanced economies would pay their debts, or at least would not rely on inflation to erode their debts’ value. that, too, apparently is no longer true.

Ultimately, a bet on a currency is a bet on the strength of the political institutions that undergird it. are we to conclude that markets no longer believe

One should not push the point too far. in emerging markets, default risk is the name of the game, and not even the most panic-driven trader is guessing that one day soon His Majesty’s government will formally declare it cannot service its debts. Britain remains a country of formidable institutions. the same palace communiqué that told the world of the queen’s death mentioned that the king and the queen consort would be returning to London the following day. the transition from Boris Johnson to Liz truss was almost as swift. Regal and democratic power changed hands quickly and smoothly, while the population took to the streets expressing both grief and appreciation. not many countries can tell that tale.

But even countries with strong institutions face fiscal limits. the tax cuts just announced amount to 2% of gdP. add to that energy subsidies that could cost £100 billion ($107 billion) in the next year, starting from public debt levels that are roughly 100% of gdP. Until a year ago or so, when zero or negative nominal interest rates prevailed in most advanced economies, this might not have mattered very much. Who cares about debt that has no carrying cost? and when the real interest rate is below the long-term rate of economic growth, a free lunch is possible: higher government spending today need not mean higher taxes tomorrow.

But this is also no longer the case. in response to the fiscal package, the ten-year yield on British gilts surged to 3.77%, completing a rise of more than half a percentage point in a single week. What inflation will turn out to be over that period is hard to guess, but if the Bank of england’s target of 2% holds, the resulting expected real interest rate is 1.77%, which is higher than the British economy’s 1.5% average annual growth over the decade ending in 2021.

if neither default nor sustained high inflation is a likely option, what can go wrong? a lot – and markets know it.

For starters, persistent weakness and volatility in bond prices can damage the financial system, for which the yield on government bonds is the key benchmark. Confronted with such a situation, central bankers find it impossible to look the other way, as european Central Bank president Christine Lagarde learned the hard way in 2020 when she claimed it was not her job “to close spreads” between italian and german bonds. after the italian market took a further beating, she had to walk back that comment.

One can also imagine a situation in which fiscal sustainability begins to constrain the monetary authority’s ability to set interest rates. in Brazil, for example, the public debt is both large and short-term, so that every time the central bank tightens monetary policy, the market worries about the government’s ability to pay its bills. and there is the thorny issue of how long the pound will continue as a major investment vehicle. asset managers at an insurance company or a sovereign wealth fund in east asia or the Middle east are sure to keep sizeable chunks of their portfolios denominated in dollars or euros. it is not written in stone that they should hold the currency of a country of 68 million people whose economic output is a small share of world gdP. even if such a doomsday scenario never materializes, a fiscal policy that is too loose can still create plenty of headaches. UK consumer prices have risen by nearly 10% over the last year. as the treasury pumps up demand by spending more and taxing less, the BOe will be busy curtailing demand by jacking up interest rates. the larger the budget deficit becomes, the higher interest rates will have to go to keep inflation in check. in a country of floating-rate mortgages, it could spell financial and political trouble.

Back in the early 1980s, my professor painstakingly explained that in the Mundell-Fleming model, higher government borrowing pushes up local interest rates, which in turn precipitates capital inflows, causing the currency to appreciate. if rates in the UK end up being higher than in the US or the eurozone, the maxi “mini-budget” announced by Chancellor Kwasi Kwarteng could eventually have this effect on the pound. But that is a mixed blessing: good news for UK importers and Britons vacationing abroad would be bad news for British exporters, jobs, and economic growth. the problem with a large budget deficit and high public debt is not that they inevitably condemn the pound to being weak or strong. the problem is that they remove degrees of freedom from the conduct of monetary policy, create uncertainty that often spills into private financial markets, make the inflation-unemployment tradeoff more difficult to manage, and can hinder long-term growth.

that is the classic conundrum faced by emerging markets, where it is not unusual to see fiscal and monetary policies working at cross purposes. May god save the UK from that fate.

Europe is exporting its energy crisis

TAKE PAKISTAN. A TENDER WHICH CLOSED ON MONDAY TO BUY LNG FOR SIX YEARS FROM 2023 DID NOT GET A SINGLE RESPONSE. PAKISTAN HAD WANTED A LONG-TERM DEAL TO WORK AROUND SPOT MARKET STRUGGLES AND GET TO GRIPS WITH BLACKOUTS — BUT NO SUCH LUCK

BloomBerg Clara Ferreira Marques

Heating season in europe is upon us and there’s increasing optimism the continent may well be able to navigate the coming months — even with gas flows from Russia little more than a trickle. analysts at BloombergneF forecast that even in a worst-case scenario, where there is no piped Russian gas at all and demand destruction is low, europe should have enough to endure even the coldest winter of the last 30 years.

But europe’s survival strategy leans heavily on two factors. First, the ability of high prices to reduce appetite for gas, which assumes governments shield only the most vulnerable consumers. So far, demand destruction has been driven by industry and households will need to play their part.

the second is the continent’s ability to outcompete asia when it comes to liquefied natural gas, a scramble to replace Russian fuel that’s already dramatically inflating prices and tanker rates. no disaster for Japan or South Korea, absent a cold winter, and Zero Covid has dampened China’s appetite. But for emerging asia, the need to attract flexible cargoes to europe has been a recipe for energy uncertainty at a time when inflation is high and currencies weak. asian spot Lng imports fell by over a quarter year-on-year in the first eight months of 2022.

take Pakistan. a tender which closed on Monday to buy Lng for six years from 2023 did not get a single response. Pakistan had wanted a long-term deal to work around spot market struggles and get to grips with blackouts — but no such luck, at least so far. Buyers without term contracts are simply priced out. in fact, traders say, there’s little Lng supply available until 2026, when new export projects bring back an era of low prices. it’s a similar tale in Bangladesh.

Or consider the Philippines, which had bet on Lng to deal with declining domestic gas reserves and an overdependence on coal — but now faces unmanageable prices. terminals and maiden purchases have been delayed.

europe’s Lng needs are supposed to peak by the end of the decade. For many, that’s a long way off. emerging economies, sold gas as a lowcost way to navigate the energy transition, will be feeling the pain of europe’s energy crisis for years to come.

Clara Ferreira Marques is a Bloomberg Opinion columnist and editorial board member covering foreign affairs and climate. Previously, she worked for Reuters in Hong Kong, Singapore, India, the U.K., Italy and Russia.

Is the West turning fascist?

THE ONLY CHOICE WILL BE TO FIGHT FIRE WITH FIRE, AUTHORITARIANISM WITH AUTHORITARIANISM. NATURALLY, THIS ISN’T THE BEST OUTCOME. BUT IT MAY BE THE ONLY WAY TO SAVE THE COUNTRY AND SAVE IT FROM REAL FASCISM, NOT THE FAKE KIND DECRIED BY THE SECULAR LEFT

used to describe the axis powers of nazi germany and imperialist Japan. these leaders wore military uniforms, conducted large military marches, and spoke to homogenous crowds of people who were forced to applaud. How does anyone today labeled a fascist come even remotely close to this?

ACCORding to the corporate media, the West seems to be having a fascist moment. italians just voted for giorgia Meloni, who is apparently the reincarnation of Benito Mussolini because she opposes mass immigration and supports the family. in Sweden, similarly “fascist” candidate Jimmie akesson received a large number of votes after promising to crack down on the surge in rape and terrorism in his country. and here in the United States, Joe Biden and his advisors routinely denounce semi-fascist Maga Republicans for their ongoing criticism of his administration.

indeed, leftists use the smear “fascist” so often that the word has become completely untethered from its original meaning. Much like the term “racist,” “fascist” is simply shorthand for anyone who opposes leftism. thus, a black american like Larry elder who decries racism in his books and documentaries is deemed racist, and a democratically elected Catholic mother, Meloni, who has repeatedly denounced fascism, is nonetheless a terrible fascist.

However, unlike the word “racist,” which one can at least imagine today, the term “fascist” feels ridiculously anachronistic. Whereas one can imagine curb-stomping skinheads from american History X or modern dictators performing “ethnic cleansing” like Slobodan Milosevic in Serbia, it’s difficult to mentally picture a bona fide fascist. the term has its roots in Mussolini’s italy and is also

Of course, one could go beyond aesthetics and consider the actual meaning of fascism, an ideology that calls for centralizing all political and economic power, silencing and punishing dissent, and endorsing a blood-and-soil nationalism. although leftists like to frame fascism as diametrically opposed to communism, the only difference is their respective stance on nationalism. Otherwise, they have almost identical agendas, make the same appeals, and make the same moves once in power. dinesh d’Souza makes this point in United States of Socialism about the national Socialists (aka the nazis) in germany, whose commitment was first to socialism and then nationalism.

By this definition, the closest contemporary representation of fascism is China. the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) controls China’s government and main industries. it enforces conformity through censorship, surveillance, social credits, etc. and there’s plenty of nationalist propaganda in its media and schooling to make all citizens compliant. Because of the way China brands itself, many people in the West are convinced that China simply can’t be fascist—as though this makes it okay to do business with them and overlook their human rights abuses. the Left cannot help but admire the CCP, nor can they help imitating their tactics. after all, one simply has to circumvent the constitutional order to get things done. therefore, democrats have weaponized law enforcement to punish dissent, persecute political opponents, and censor speech. their policies have also fostered the consolidation of all the main economic sectors (Big

Pharma, Big tech, Big agriculture, etc.), making it much easier to enforce social policy through supposedly private institutions. as for elections, they will do all in their growing power to rig them and maintain an unaccountable elite uniparty. But they hate america, so at least it’s not fascism—not like those Maga Republicans. this contradiction makes it necessary to move past the fascist/communist dichotomy and use a better word to denote the current regime: authoritarianism. authoritarianism applies to all forms of centralized governments that curtail the rights of the populace in order to advance a political program. Usually, the antidote to authoritarianism is liberalism, a system of free trade, free and fair elections, an open marketplace of ideas, and an institution of checks and balances.

ironically, it takes an authoritarian to impose this liberalism. a general like george Washington must stand up to King george iii and fight for independence. the american military must stand up to the axis powers and liberate Western europe and east asia from fascist regimes.

By contrast, when authoritarianism is challenged by the liberal system alone, what results is a long, protracted, undefined conflict without much of a resolution. Such was the case in the Cold War or the War on terror where liberalism was only partially introduced because the authoritarian approach was only partially implemented. in the end, Russia and the former Soviet States (including Ukraine) reverted to corrupt authoritarian regimes, as did iraq and afghanistan. this leaves americans in an uncomfortable position. How does a freedom-loving, patriotic american confront the growing authoritarianism of the ruling party? in his book We’ll Be Back: the Fall and Rise of america, Kurt Schlichter goes into some depth about how today’s political situation plays out. either some kind of civil war

breaks out between the red states and blue states, with the former embracing some kind of liberal system and the latter adopting a socialist authoritarian system, or americans will vote for a right-wing authoritarian who uses the same playbook as today’s democrats to advance conservative priorities.

there are historical precedents for this. Before they became vibrant, free democracies, both taiwan and South Korea were under military dictatorships. Before they could establish a working democratic system, they had to restore law and order, ensure that individual rights would be respected, and, most importantly, remove all communists from the levers of power. Unfortunately, this meant censoring certain kinds of speech, prohibiting the assembly of certain groups, and taking aggressive action against dissenters.

the prospect of a conservative authoritarian— which, to be clear, is not the same as a fascist—understandably frightens milquetoast conservatives, like Mitt Romney or Ben Sasse, who still believe in the system. to be fair, american liberalism has a long, distinguished history, and it has its roots in the natural law tradition of the Catholic Church. it’s incredibly tragic that it should fall prey to bad ideas from the Left. Unfortunately, the evidence keeps mounting that this is exactly what’s happening and simply preaching more freedom and civility isn’t going to change anything.

Renouncing donald trump won’t change anything either. if it’s any consolation to his detractors, the donald talked a good game about doing some of these things and becoming an authoritarian for the Right, but he never actually did them. He ended up respecting the process and his experts too much to change or reverse the status quo. at this point, all the people who supported him are now the targets of a regime doing its utmost to destroy american democracy in the name of american democracy.

as conservative writer Michael anton recently argued, the window is closing for a peaceful return to normalcy, if it hasn’t already. the only choice will be to fight fire with fire, authoritarianism with authoritarianism. naturally, this isn’t the best outcome. But it may be the only way to save the country and save it from real fascism, not the fake kind decried by the secular Left.

Auguste Meyrat is an English teacher and department chair in north Texas. He has a BA in Arts and Humanities from University of Texas at Dallas and an MA in Humanities from the University of Dallas.

Care Clinic Opened in Lahore

SINDH GOvT PROvIDES RATION BAGS TO 38,250 FLOOD-HIT FAMILIES DuRING PAST 24 HOuRS: SHARjEEL MEMON

SInDHMinister for Information and Mass Transit Departments Sharjeel Inam Memon has said that Sindh government has distributed ration bags among 38250 flood affected families in the last 24 hours and so far a total of 1322603 families have been provided ration bags. In press statement on Wednesday, he informed

that according to the report of the last 24 hours, 13,010 tents, 35,640 tarpaulins, 36,000 mosquito nets, 2,400 cattle mosquito nets, 24,000 solar lights and 3,000 jerrycans have also been distributed among the flood affectees. So far, the total of 462808 tents, 488778 plastic tarpaulins, 2898008 mosquito nets, 791178 liters of mineral water, 65837 jerry cans, 26916 animal mosquito nets, 87833 cooked food cauldrons and other items have been provided to the victims. He said that 760 people lost their

lives in recent heavy rains and flash floods, while 8422 people have been injured. Sindh Minister told that 435782 cattle have also perished due to recent rains. He said that a total of 2318365 families have been affected in recent natural disaster while the 7383023 people have been displaced. The provincial minister said according to the PDMA's report another 1800 people have left for their homes from the relief camps and 352718 flood affectees are still taking shelter in the relief camps/tent cities

across the province who are being served with two times food a day and alongwith the provision of health facilities. While talking about the water situation at the barrages, Sharjeel Memon told that the water inflow at Guddu barrage has been recorded at 59900 cusecs and outflow at 48600 cusecs. Similarly, the inflow at Sukkur barrage is 46400 cusecs and outflow recorded at 35600 cusecs, while the inflow at Kotri barrage is 102500 cusecs and discharge is 72700 cusecs.

Cognitive Healthcare International announced the launch of their 24/7 advanced urgent care clinic, named eClinic, that incorporates artificial intelligence & machine learning along with superior medical expertise, remote monitoring devices & mobile applications to enhance patient experience by providing better quality care, immediate access to health records, and bridging the reach gap between doctors & patients. Located at Raya Fairway Commercial, Phase 6, Lahore, the launch event started at 11 am and was attended by renowned doctors, influencers, as well as members of the general public/friends of CHI. Founder & CEO of Cognitive Healthcare International, Mr. Faisal Nawaz remarked: "We are very excited to introduce a 24/7 urgent care clinic in Pakistan. Not only does eClinic digitize healthcare, making it efficient, it also improves the patient journey as compared to the traditional clinic experience”. He added that the goal of eClinic was to provide accessibility of the highest quality care within an optimal and efficient environment while ensuring the most beneficial patient treatment

a fast, convenient

SCO, HBL signs interoperable mobile financial services agreement

Atlas makes export breakthrough as it aspires to enter Honda’s ‘Global Supply Chain’

Atlas Group has achieved impressive export sales during the last six months Atlas Honda exported nearly 12,000 motorcycles while additional auto parts of around US$ 2 million were also exported by the group companies. According to a statement issued by the group, the breakthrough reflects acceptability of Pakistan made auto parts products in the international markets.

affordable manner.

FFC awarded Best Corporate Excellence Award by MAP

Special Communications Organization (SCO) has joined hands with Habib Bank Limited (HBL) for the Interoperable Mobile Financial Services (MFS) in Azad Jammu & Kashmir (AJ&K) and Gilgit-Baltistan (GB). In this regard, a contract signing ceremony was held between the two organizations. This collaboration is a step to jointly create the required financial services eco system in the regions.

FFC awarded Best Corporate Excellence Award by MAP in Fertilizer Sector for 8th Consecutive Year Fauji Fertilizer Company Limited (FFC) was conferred with “Best Corporate Excellence Award” in Fertilizer Sector for eighth (08th) consecutive year at 37th Corporate Excellence Awards Ceremony arranged by the Management Association of Pakistan (MAP) in Karachi. Syed Imran Rizvi received the award. This award is an acknowledgement of Best Management Practices, distinguished Corporate Governance, Industrial Laurels and Shareholders’ Value that FFC has been maintaining since its inception.

Mari Petroleum drills first-ever horizontal well in mari gas field

Mari Petroleum Company Limited (MPCL) is an integrated exploration and production company, currently operating Pakistan’s largest gas reservoir in the Mari D&P lease area, Daharki, Sindh. With around 23% market share, it is the second largest gas producer in the country. MPCL plays a pivotal role in ensuring food security of Pakistan as more than 90% of the urea production in the country is made with the MPCL supplied gas. In the last five years, the company has contributed around PKR 366 billion to the national exchequer in the form of taxes, levies and duties, is one of the largest tax payer and has saved around USD 11 billion in foreign exchange against import substitution. Keeping up with its tradition of deploying innovative technologies, the company has drilled its first- ever horizontal well “Mari-122H” in the Habib Rahi Limestone (HRL) Reservoir at Mari Gas Field. This landmark development well was designed to achieve higher gas rate and higher Flowing Well Head Pressure (FWHP) which could not be achieved from conventional vertical wells. The total drilled interval of the well is 1,550 meters including the horizontal section of around 530 meters. The well was successfully tested at a rate of around 21 MMSCFD of gas at a FWHP of 426 psig which is highestever tested gas rate amongst 120 vertical wells drilled during the development history of the HRL Reservoir. This well will allow better management of gas delivery pressure while maintaining the current production rates. This success has delivered a new opportunity for MPCL to further exploit and optimize the remaining hydrocarbon resources from HRL Reservoir. The Company is working to put this well on early production and also evaluating possibility of drilling additional horizontal wells. Mr. Faheem Haider, Managing Director & CEO reiterated his commitment to deploy new technologies in MPCL’s operations to maximize recovery of the indigenous hydrocarbon resources. He further said that MPCL’s aim is to arrest the declining gas production in the country through a combination of maximizing production from current fields and discovering new resources via aggressive exploration strategy in the frontier areas in company’s portfolio.

The contract signing ceremony was graced by Maj Gen Muhammad Shahid Sideeq, DG SCO and Chairman HBL, Mr. Sultan Ali Allana. SCO is providing Digital Financial Services with the brand name of “S-Paisa” in AJ&K and GB since 2019. S-Paisa is exclusively disbursing cash for beneficiaries of Benazir Income Support Program (BISP) in AJ&K and GB and also affected population along Line of control. This agreement will be the catalyst to extend the financial outreach and convenience to more than 6 million people of the region through state-of-the-art, convenient and secure branchless banking services. By virtue of this

agreement, multiple services will be leveraged upon including Mobile Wallet App + USSD, SCOM Prepaid/ Post Paid Biller, AJ&K and GB Barkyaat Bill and Cash in-Cash out through agents, to fulfill the needs of banked as well as the unbanked population of AJ&K and GB. Speaking at the ceremony, Maj General Muhammad Shahid Sideeq, DG SCO said, “This venture is an initiative of Digital transformation of communities. SCO is already contributing in Financial Inclusion Strategy of SBP and trying to support process of digitalized and documented economy. With this collaboration we hope to empower populace to manage their routine financial transactions using Digital Services platform being extended by SCO and HBL. We are proud to be partners with HBL for this initiative, as it progresses our objective and allows us to reduce the current divide between the unbanked and banked population of the region. This initiative will also open the window for E commerce activities by providing secure payment gateway.”

EFU Life conferred with Corporate Excellence Award by MAP

the Company has been recognized by Management Association of Pakistan (MAP) for demonstrating exemplary standards in management practices. The award reflects the Company’s performance and continuous progress in areas of Strategic Planning, Leadership, Social Responsibility, Corporate Governance, Customer & Market Focus, Human Resource, Operations and Information Management.

“The company is looking at more export markets for motorcycles and parts in future. New parts and models are under study for their suitability for export. Evaluation criteria places special emphasis on them having potential of becoming part of the global supply chain,” said Afaq Ahmad, representative of Atlas Honda.

Afaq expressed hope that the motorcycle industry could experience major growth. This has become possible due to the high level of localisation and technology transfer from Japanese companies like Honda, Hitachi, Denso and GS Yuasa. The commitment to quality, product reliability and focus on enhancing exports remains a strategic vision and mission for Atlas Honda.

He was also hopeful that the current economic and foreign exchange restrictions would be resolved soon. Exports, through DTRE like regimes, can give global supply chain decision makers greater confidence in Pakistan as a potential hub. Competing with Asean and India for share of the global parts market is a challenge the country should now prepare for.

Afaq reiterated the resolve to increase its efforts on the export front adding that with the right government support and market access efforts, the auto industry and parts manufacturers have a good chance to explore more international markets. pr

Beacon Energy inaugurates new corporate office in DHA II Islamabad

Karachi: Beacon Energy Limited (BEL), a company of the Beaconhouse group, has inaugurated its new state-ofthe-art corporate office at DHA Phase 2, Islamabad. Mr. Nassir Kasuri, Chief Executive Officer of BEL, cut the ribbon at the ceremony. The event was attended by Beaconhouse’s management, employees and esteemed customers. Mr. Nassir Kasuri, Chief Executive Officer, said at the ceremony “I am pleased and happy to open our 4th office (corporate location) in DHA-II, Islamabad, in just 2 years of operations. At Beacon Energy Limited, we are helping to make Pakistan a more sustainable nation by offering smart solar solutions and alternatives for all industrial, commercial and residential sectors.

I invite you to join us on this journey because together, we can make Pakistan cleaner than ever!

The new office will house various departments including sales, marketing, human resource, finance, R&D, and administration who will be working towards benefiting and helping the customers.

During the inauguration, BEL also unveiled its new app, BEL PARTNER. The application offers incentives to anyone who refers a new B2C client to the firm.

EFU Life Assurance Ltd., the leading private sector life insurance provider in the country, has been honored with ‘Corporate Excellence

Awards 2022 by Management Association of Pakistan (MAP).

The award was received by Mr. Taher G. Sachak, Managing Director & Chief Executive, EFU Life Assurance Ltd.

This is for the 13th time

The Corporate Excellence Award was instituted by MAP in 1982 with the sole aim to recognize and honor companies showing outstanding performance and demonstrating progress and enlightened management practices.

With the inauguration of its new state-of-the-art corporate office, BEL attempts to strengthen its foothold in the industry by offering a host of products and services with a vision of becoming the one-stop solar solutions provider to its customers and bringing positive change to the country. pr

the best Life Insurance Company at the

Corporate Excellence

Meezan Bank wins ‘Best Company in Financial Category’ award at MAP 37th Corporate Excellence Awards

Meezan Bank, Pakistan’s leading Islamic bank has been conferred with the top honour in the Financial Sector category at the Management Association of Pakistan’s (MAP) 37th Corporate Excellence Awards ceremony held recently, at Movenpick Hotel, Karachi. The Award recognizes Meezan Bank for its outstanding performance and demonstrating progress and enlightened management practices.

Founding President & CEO of Meezan Bank, Mr. Irfan Siddiqui received the award on behalf of the Bank at the ceremony which brought together senior management, dignitaries, business leaders and eminent personalities from the corporate sector of Pakistan. Also present at the occasion were Meezan Bank’s Senior Management including the Deputy CEO, Mr. Ariful Islam. This award is a testament to Meezan Bank’s continued leadership in the banking sector. This win also coincides with the Bank’s 25 Year anniversary of providing unparalleled Islamic banking.

NIC Karachi and The Asia Foundation launch ‘Impact Collective’ initiative to address climate crisis

The National Incubation Center Karachi, in collaboration with The Asia Foundation, launched the ‘Impact Collective’.

initiative is a consortium of organizations committed to initiating research and technology-driven dialogue

address the Environmental, Social, and Governance

Two AmericAns And A dAne win chemisTry nobel

StOckHOLm Agencies

THENobel Chemistry Prize was on Wednesday awarded to a trio of chemists from the United States and Denmark who laid the foundation for a more functional form of chemistry.

Americans Carolyn Bertozzi and Barry Sharpless, together with Denmark’s Morten Meldal, were honoured “for the development of click chemistry and bioorthogonal chemistry,” the jury said.

The award marks the second Nobel

for 81-year-old Sharpless, who won the chemistry Nobel in 2001.

Only four other individuals have achieved that feat, including Polish-born Frenchwoman Marie Curie.

Click chemistry “is an elegant and efficient chemical reaction that is now in widespread use,” the jury said in a statement. “Among many other uses, it is utilised in the development of pharmaceuticals, for mapping DNA and creating materials that are more fit for purpose,” it added.

The trio will share the Nobel award sum of 10 million Swedish kronor ($917,500), and will receive the prize

from King Carl XVI Gustaf at a formal ceremony in Stockholm on December 10, the anniversary of the 1896 death of scientist Alfred Nobel who created the prizes in his last will and testament.

Last year, the academy honoured Germany’s Benjamin List and US-British dual national David MacMillan for their development of a precise tool for molecular construction known as asymmetric organocatalysis.

On Monday, the Medicine Prize went to Swedish paleogeneticist Svante Paabo for his discoveries on the genomes of extinct hominins and human evolution.

Physicists Alain Aspect of France, John Clauser of the United States and Austria’s Anton Zeilinger won Tuesday’s Physics Prize for developing experimental tools that helped prove quantum entanglement — a phenomenon Albert Einstein dismissed as “spooky action at a distance”.

The Chemistry Prize will be followed by the highly watched Literature and Peace prizes, announced on Thursday and Friday respectively.

The Peace Prize is expected to hold a special significance this year given the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

South Korea, US fire missiles in response to North Korea test

SEOUL

AFP

The South Korean and US militaries fired a volley of missiles into the sea in response to North Korea firing a ballistic missile over Japan, Seoul said Wednesday, as global condemnation mounted over Pyongyang’s likely longest-ever test. Nuclear-armed North Korea fired an Intermediate-Range Ballistic Missile (IRBM) over Japan for the first time in five years on Tuesday, prompting Tokyo to issue evacuation warnings for some residents.

South Korea and the United States staged a drill of their own in response, firing ground-to-ground missiles into the East Sea, also known as the Sea of Japan, Seoul’s military said. Both militaries fired two ATACMS short-range ballistic missiles into the water “to precisely strike a virtual target,” the Joint Chiefs of Staff said.

The military also confirmed that a South Korean missile failed soon after it was launched and crashed, without causing any casualties. South Korean and US

fighter jets had carried out a bombing drill at a virtual target in the Yellow Sea on Tuesday.

The joint drills aim to “make sure that we have the military capabilities at the ready to respond to provocations by the North if it comes to that,” US National Security Council spokesman John Kirby told CNN.

South Korea’s military also announced Wednesday that the nuclear-powered USS Ronald Reagan aircraft carrier would return to the area, having already conducted joint drills with Seoul’s navy last month.

Pyongyang’s Tuesday launch is part of a record year of sanctions-busting weapons tests by the isolated regime, which recently revised its nuclear laws, with leader Kim Jong Un declaring his country an “irreversible” nuclear power.

US President Joe Biden and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida decried the launch “in the strongest terms” while South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol called it a “provocation”.

The United Nations Security Council was set to

Pitt ‘choked’ one child, hit another in Jolie plane fight: court papers

LOS ANGELES: Brad Pitt allegedly hit one of his children in the face and choked another during a fight with Angelina Jolie on a private plane, according to court papers filed Tuesday in the United States by his ex-wife. The former couple, once one of Hollywood’s highest profile pairings, have been embroiled in a lengthy dispute over their marriage, custody of their six children and shared assets, including a French winery. In papers lodged in a Los Angeles court and widely quoted in US media, Jolie describes a lengthy eruption by Pitt as the couple flew with the children from California to France in September 2016. AFP

meet on Wednesday to discuss the matter.

The IRBM flew about 4,600 km (2,900 miles), Seoul and Tokyo said, likely the longest-ever distance for a North Korean test, which are typically fired on a “lofted” trajectory to avoid flying over neighbouring countries. Officials and experts said it was likely a Hwasong-12 IRBM, a nuclear-capable missile that North Korea likely first tested in 2017, which has a range that could put US bases on Guam within reach. North Korea has not commented on the launch in state media.

‘Ridicule’ response “Regardless of today’s missile launch by the US and South Korean military, North Korea’s plan to carry out its next nuclear test will not change,” Yang Moo-jin, a professor at the University of North Korean Studies, told AFP.

“It’s likely that Pyongyang’s going to ridicule today’s missile launch — especially since one of the launches failed — and proceed with their next nuclear test, given the law changes they made on the nuclear use in September.”

How tweets, lies from India fuelled unrest in UK city

Rumour had it that a Muslim girl had been kidnapped and a Hindu temple had sent masked thugs into combat. Add in local fury over a Pakistan-India cricket match, and Muslim and Hindu men were soon fighting on the streets of central England. It was a social media storm — mostly cooked up a continent away — that materialised in real life in Leicester, where police made almost 50 arrests and a community was left in tatters. “It is a powerful illustration of how hashtag dynamics on Twitter can use dubious inflammatory claims to … escalate tensions on the ground,” said a spokesperson at fact-checking site Logically, which analysed the posts’ veracity. Experts say most of the incendiary tweets, rumours and lies came from India, showing the power of unchecked social media to spread disinformation and stir unrest a full continent away.

“I’ve seen quite a selection of the social media stuff which is very, very, very distorting now and some of it just completely lying about what had been happening between different communities,” Peter Soulsby, Leicester’s mayor, told BBC radio.

Rob Nixon, who runs Leicestershire Police, concurred, telling the BBC that misinformation on social media had played a “huge role” in last month’s unrest.

To counter some of these claims, police took to social media themselves, saying they had fully investigated reports of three men approaching a teenaged girl in an attempted kidnap, and found no truth whatsoever to the online story.

“We urge you to only share information on social media you know to be true,” they said.

Fact-checkers also found no truth to claims that gangs of masked thugs were bussed into Leicester.

Many of the misleading posts alleging that Hindus and Hindu sites were being attacked came from India, analysis showed.

Taste of Qatari hospitality: traditional Arabic coffee

DOHA AFP

With its strong aroma of cardamom and its yellowy, tea-like consistency, Arabic coffee is a ubiquitous symbol of hospitality across Gulf countries, not least in World Cup host Qatar.

Prepared by roasting coffee beans then boiling them with cardamom and saffron, the traditional “qahwa” is usually enjoyed in the Qatari majalis — the allmale gathering that forms the centrepiece of social life in the country.

“I didn’t know it has coffee in it,” said Lanka Perera, 29, a Sri Lankan expatriate who has lived in the tiny, gas-rich Gulf emirate for three years, adding that it doesn’t taste like “the coffee that we know”. As custom dictates, the hot drink is prepared in front of guests by the head of the household and served by his eldest son.

But in more recent years, the beverage has spilt beyond its traditional confines, making its way into commercial establishments and cultural houses, offering a taste of Qatari culture to residents and visitors alike.

One such independent cultural centre is Embrace Doha, where Perera attended a session on coffee and its origins.

“Gahwa is something that we drink almost every day… we see it in our office because there are lots of Qataris, so they bring it and then we taste it,” she told AFP after the session.

“But… I didn’t know what’s in it and the story behind it, the origin behind it,” she confessed.

Ritual and ceremony

Since the introduction of coffee to the region around 600 years ago, it has acquired its own ritual and ceremony, now integral to the culture of the country and region.

Poured out of golden or silver “dallah” pots, it is consumed out of little cups that are only ever partially filled to avoid burning drinkers’ fingers. The coffee keeps coming until the drinker makes a certain waving gesture to indicate that he has had enough — a vestige of an era when it was often poured by deaf servers to prevent sensitive information from leaking out of the majalis.

TrIangular SerIeS Trophy unveIled aS BangladeSh, neW Zealand, pakISTan SeT To ClaSh

AgENcIES

THEtrophy for the triangular series featuring Pakistan, Bangladesh, and New Zealand has been unveiled two days ahead of the first match, scheduled to be played on September 7. The series will kick off with the match between Bangladesh and Men in Green, who reached New Zealand yesterday (September 4). Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on Wednesday released pictures from the trophy reveal event in a Twitter post. The pictures featured the skippers of three teams partici-

pating in the event.

The Men in Green will face tough conditions during the matches as chilly weather welcomed them in Christchurch.

The temperature in New Zealand city sometimes drops to 2 degrees celsius and intermittent rains have made things a bit more difficult for the Pakistani players.

The Green Shirts will start practising on Thursday (October 6), after resting today. All the matches of the tri-series will be played in Christchurch, with the first fixture between Pakistan and Bangladesh due on October 7, and the series decider on October 14. Those slated to play the ICC

T20 World Cup will fly to Australia directly from Pakistan.

Following the tri-series, Pakistan’s squad will participate in the highly-anticipated mega T20 event and will travel back to Australia on October 15 for an actionpacked World Cup 2022.

The team will partake in a practice session on October 17 and 19, ahead of its games in the World Cup.

The T20 World Cup begins on October 16 with the inaugural matches of the qualifiers to be played between Group A teams Sri Lanka and Namibia, as well as UAE and Netherlands.

ICC names Mohammad Rizwan for award

The International Cricket Council (ICC) has nominated Pakistan’s wicket-keeper batter Mohammad Rizwan for the Men’s Player of the Month (September). Rizwan, who finished as the top runscorer in the home T20I series against England, joined Australia’s Cameron Green and India’s Axar Patel in the list of nominations.

Rizwan scored 316 runs in six matches at an average of 63.20. He scored four half-centuries and had a strike rate of 138.59. Meanwhile, Green showed true potential and scored 21-ball 52 runs to become the second-fastest Australian to score a fifty in T20Is. India’s Axar bagged the highest eight wickets in the recently concluded home series against Australia.

Rizwan, BaBaR Retain top positions in iCC Rankings: The International Cricket Council (ICC) on Wednesday updated its T20I men’s player rankings. Pakistan’s wicketkeeper-batsman Mohammad Rizwan continued to retain the top spot in the list while India’s Suryakumar Yadav edged closer, taking the second position. Meanwhile, skipper Babar Azam maintained his third spot on the latest T20I batter rankings. South Africa’s Aiden Markram took the fourth spot while England’s Dawid Malan is on fifth. Moreover, Australia’s Josh Hazlewood retained the top position as the best T20I bowler with Afghanistan’s Rashid Khan on the second and Sri Lanka’s Wanindu Hasaranga on the third positon. Australia’s Adam Zampa took the fourth spot and South Africa’s Tabraiz Shamsi is on the fifth spot.

Beaconhouse Partners with PCB for Pathway Scholarship Programme

RECORD PERFORMANCE LAHoRE staff RepoRt

Wednesday, 5th October 2022: Beaconhouse Group, Pakistan’s largest network of private educational institutions has entered a three-year partnership with the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) for the PCB Pathway Scholarship Programme.

Through this alliance, Beaconhouse will provide 100 academic scholarships annually, to aspiring professional cricketers aged 11, 14 and 16 years. The initiative is aimed towards the education and development of the future stars of Pakistan cricket who will be provided access to free education at Beaconhouse campuses across the country, enabling them to become well rounded professionals.

The partnership further promotes Beaconhouse’s belief in providing the youth with diverse avenues to help them reach

their full potential and promotes the holistic development of youngsters that will consequently enable them to become educated and skilled players on the national as well as international level.Speaking at the event, Kasim Kasuri, Chief Executive Beaconhouse said, “We are delighted to work with the PCB in this important initiative.

Beaconhouse strongly promotes sports at all its schools and believes in encouraging young people to explore their unique interests. Through this partnership, we hope to offer talented young cricketers the opportunity to pursue their passion and talent for cricket while also becoming accomplished individuals, equipped to take on the

unique challenge of becoming future ambassadors of Pakistan.”

PCB Chairman Ramiz Raja said, “The PCB Pathway Programme has the potential to change the fortunes of Pakistan cricket. The partnership with Beaconhouse is a major milestone in our quest of providing a holistic platform to our players for their cricketing and educational needs and requirements. We hope to make them well-rounded ambassadors of Pakistan who can represent the country at international platforms with dignity and pride. It is an investment that will positively shape the lives of players.”

Beaconhouse places equal importance on academic excellence as well as extracurricular and physical activities. Through this initiative, the organisation is committed to shaping the future of young cricketers in Pakistan by providing them with educational opportunities of an international standard.

India monitor Shami’s fitness ahead of T20 World Cup

India head coach Rahul Dravid said team management are monitoring seamer Mohammed Shami’s recovery from Covid-19 as they look to replace the injured Jasprit Bumrah ahead of the T20 World Cup. Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) confirmed on Monday that pace spearhead Bumrah had been ruled out due to a back injury, delivering a huge blow to the team, who are also without injured all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja. Shami, Deepak Chahar and Mohammed Siraj are seen as the frontrunners to replace Bumrah. While Siraj and Chahar were part of India’s 2-1 T20 series win over South Africa, Shami has been out of action after failing to recover in time from Covid. “Shami obviously is someone who’s in the standbys, but unfortunately for us, he couldn’t play this (South Africa) series, which would have been ideal from that perspective,” Dravid told reporters on Tuesday. Shami is undergoing recovery at the National Cricket Academy in Bengaluru.

The Indian team management and selectors have until October 15 to name the replacement. Captain Rohit Sharma said the team would be looking at players who have previous experience of bowling in Australia, where the World Cup begins on October 16.

“I don’t know who that guy is yet. There are a few guys in the reckoning for that, but we’ll make that call once we reach Australia,” he added.

Liverpool edge Rangers as Bayern, Napoli underline credentials

Liverpool eased to a comfortable 2-0 win in the ‘Battle of Britain’ against Rangers in the Champions League group games on Tuesday while Napoli underlined their credentials with an impressive 6-1 thrashing of Ajax in Amsterdam. On a night when a minute’s silence was held before every match in tribute to the 131 victims of the Indonesia stadium tragedy, Bayern Munich and Club Brugge also made it three wins from three while Inter edged Barcelona in a tight contest in Milan.

Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool went into their Group A game against the Scottish champions on the back of just three wins in their first nine Premier League and Champions League games of the season. But they settled quickly when Trent Alexander-Arnold produced a sublime free-kick to put the home side ahead after just seven minutes.

Rangers’ 40-year-old goalkeeper Allan McGregor produced some fine saves, including four to deny Darwin Nunez his first goal for Liverpool, to keep his side in the hunt at half-time. Seven minutes into the second half, however, Leon King’s challenge caught the legs of Luis Díaz to give away a penalty.

Mohamed Salah stepped up and struck the ball down the middle as McGregor was unable to repeat the penalty-saving heroics he produced against Napoli. “It was exactly what we needed. It was a super, solid performance,” said Klopp, who switched from his usual 4-3-3 formation to a 4-2-3-1.

“Sometimes you have to change things.”

Napoli stay top of Group A after another impressive victory, coming from behind to hammer Ajax 6-1 to take their tally of goals to 13 from three matches. Mohammed Kudus put the home side ahead in the ninth minute but Luciano Spalletti’s side bounced back with first-half goals from Giacomo

Raspadori, Giovanni Di Lorenzo and Piotr Zielinski. Raspadori added his second two minutes after the restart and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia added the fifth just after the hour. Ajax’s night was made worse when captain Dusan Tadic was sent off after collecting a second yellow card and Giovanni Simeone closed out the win. Bayern moved to the edge of qualification with a third successive win, thrashing Viktoria Plzen 5-0 in Group C. “We were calm, we dominated and we were in total control,” said Bayern captain and Manuel Neuer.

“When everything is going well, we’re almost unstoppable.” German international Leroy Sane struck twice, opening the scoring from distance after seven minutes and adding a second five minutes after the break.

Between Sane’s two goals, Serge Gnabry added a second on 13 minutes before Sadio Mane posted his first Champions League goal for Bayern with number three

after 21 minutes.

PARIS agencies

Substitute Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting came off the bench at half time and added the fifth just before the hour mark. Hakan

Calhanoglu fired Inter Milan to a 1-0 win over Barcelona at the San Siro which took the Italians into second spot in Group C, three points behind Bayern.

DUBAI staff RepoRt

NEW DELHI ReuteRs

Kh Asif sAys process of new coAs Appointment to begin by month-end

ISLAMABAD Staff RepoRt

EDERALDefence Minister Khawaja Asif said Wednesday that the process of appointing the new army chief would start by month-end.

Addressing a press conference here, he said that five senior officers were shortlisted for the appointment of the new army chief, adding that the new army chief could be chosen from any of those officers.

“All names are sent by the General Headquarters (GHQ), and all these names are thoroughly reviewed,” he added. Responding to queries, Kh Asif said he had two experiences of the appointment of the army chief and the process used to start by the end of October or at the start of November.

“Nawaz Sharif as prime minister had set a precedent that the outgoing army chief should have a respectable departure as he should have proper

time for farewell calls with his staff and troops he had commanded. ”

He said Chief of Army Staff General Qamar Javed Bajwa’s statement in the US had ended the controversy over his retirement issue.

The Minister for Defence hailed the armed forces for distancing from the national politics, terming it a propitious decision. The politicians had made struggle of four decades under dictatorial regimes for democracy, but ironically Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf Chairman Imran Khan was seeking the backing of armed forces, he said addressing a press conference.

The minister said Imran Khan at the same time criticized the state institutions for allegedly not extending support to him, which showed his duplicity.

He said the PTI chief in his speech at the Taxila political gathering maligned the institutions as per his routine in the last five months. He purportedly made statements against the Pakistan Army and the establishment, while on

fiA team to probe imran Khan’s cipher audios notified

ISLAMABAD Staff RepoRt

The government on Wednesday formed a five-member inquiry team of the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) for investigations into the audio leaks of former prime minister Imran Khan about the cipher.

According to a notification, the head of the FIA Islamabad Zone will be the director of the investigation team. The team will also include representatives of Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI), Military Intelligence (MI) and Intelligence Bureau (IB).

The federal cabinet had on October 1 allowed the FIA to investigate the matter of audio leaks. The FIA will also summon Imran Khan, Shah Mehmood Qureshi and Azam Khan. The report of the FIA will be presented before the federal cabinet.

gas production

by 6pc

LAHORE Staff RepoRt

Oil imports went up by 27.82%, while natural gas production dropped by 6% in the fiscal year 2020-21, the annual report of the Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (OGRA) shows. According to the annual report, natural gas production dropped to 2006 mmcfd after a 6% drop in 2020-21. However, local refineries’ production went up by 14.48%, the report read. The refineries’ oil production went up to 10.66 million tons in 2020-21. However, LPG production in local refineries went up by 25.32%. Petroleum demand spiked by 12.95% in 2020-21 and went up from 17.63% to 19.92%. Punjab got 52% (1426 mmcfd) of the total gas, while Sindh got 39% (1052 mmcfd). Despite the crisis, Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (OGRA) gave away 467,000 new connections during the financial year 2020-21. OGRA, in its annual report, said that it gave 305,409 new connections in Punjab, 77,152 in Sindh, 66,209 in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and 18,284 in Balochistan during 2020-21. In 2020-21, OGRA issued 87 various licenses related to LPG.

the contrary he was heard in the leaked audio, asking his party stalwarts to manipulate the cipher through changing the minutes of the meeting while avoiding naming the United States. official sEcrEts act violatEd: “A cipher is a state secret. Such confidential matters should not be made public. Imran Khan has also violated the Official Secrets Act,” he stated.

“This person will surely be held accountable. He dares government to arrest him. He will come to his senses the day he goes to jail,” he added.

He also said that lust for power had turned Imran Khan mad, adding that Imran Khan’s mental state was not stable.

“Imran Khan should be ashamed of himself after audio leaks that have exposed his narrative of foreign conspiracy,” he stated.

Khawaja Asif vowed to fight against anti-army campaign as defence minister. “We do not want any relief to Imran Khan. We will not seek political revenge, but this person is not a politi-

cian from any side. We are aware of the traditions of political workers,” he pointed out.

“We will fight Imran Khan on social media, and we will take him to the courts too. I have not heard the audio leaks of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif myself. But there is no anti-state element in his talk. In the audio leaks of Imran Khan, there is a conspiracy against Pakistan,” he stated.

“It can be inferred from Imran Khan’s talk that the institutions have become neutral. Our institutions, army, judiciary, parliament and media are working according to the Constitution,” he added.

“Such people had been imposed in the country in the past as well. Imran Khan constantly criticises the army chief. Pakistan Army has made countless sacrifices for the country. No other force has given as many sacrifices as the Pakistan Army. The army is still fighting against terrorism,” he emphasised.

Maryam departs for London to see ‘ailing’ Sharif

LAHORE Staff RepoRt

Maryam Nawaz, vice president of Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), left for London early Wednesday, hours after she received her passport from the Lahore High Court (LHC). Nawaz had surrendered the travel document to the high court in 2019 while seeking bail in the Chaudhry Sugar Mills (CSM) graft case.

Apparently, her domestic staff is also travelling with her. Before leaving for London, she visited the graves of her grandparents and mother at the family graveyard in Raiwand.

The visit comes less than a week after her conviction in the Avenfield House reference was overturned by the Islamabad High Court (IHC), paving the way for her to contest the upcoming general elections.

“I am eager to meet my father,” Nawaz told pressmen as she arrived at the airport. She was “thankful to Almighty Allah that I am finally going to meet my father”.

Nawaz is expected to reach London via connecting flight from Doha, the capital city of

Qatar. She is meeting Nawaz Sharif, who’s living in self-exile in London since November 2019, after a period of three years.

Speaking to reporters, her husband, Mohammad Safdar, said Nawaz would look after Sharif in London and also supervise his medical treatment.

“She will also hold detailed discussions on the current political situation,” Safdar added.

not bothered by coAs appointment: imran

ISLAMABAD Staff RepoRt

Former prime minister and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan has said that the army chief should be appointed on merit and that he was not bothered by any individual being appointed to the top military post in Pakistan.

Speaking to senior journalists at the Chief Minister’s House in Lahore on Wednesday, he said that they [the coalition government] wanted to bring the army chief of their choice, which he said was a ‘security threat’ because “how can a criminal appoint the army chief?” Imran said that they were afraid of their corruption, “while I am not afraid”. He said the cypher was not stolen, but its master document was safe at the Foreign Office. “Thankfully they’ve accepted the cypher as a reality… if the investigative committee calls me I would first ask who Donald Lu ordered to remove… and then they were given the NRO,” he remarked.

“EvErything is rEcordEd”: The PTI chairman said that he will not reveal the date of long march to anyone as “everything is recorded… I have kept the date to myself… Shah Mehmood Qureshi is my vicechairman, I did not tell him either”. Commenting on upcoming by-elections, he said, “I think October 16 is far away. There may not be a by-election at all”. “toshakhana”: Imran said the incumbent rulers used to say that the Election Commission was biased, “but now they want to disqualify me in the Toshakhana case”. He challenged that his Toshakhana case was jointly heard with Zardari and Nawaz Sharif’s cases. “Did I do something illegal… no… while they illegally took expensive vehicles home.”

nEgotiations: Imran Khan said that “everything can be done through negotiations… in the end things are settled only through negotiations”.

The PTI chief said that “they have appointed a NAB chairman of their choice… they want to appoint all heads of institutions of their own will… the Election Commission has never been so biased”.

Joint session marks last parliamentary year of incumbent assembly today

ISLAMABAD Staff RepoRt

The joint session of Majlis-e-Shoora (Parliament), convened on Thursday (today), will formally mark the last parliamentary year of the incumbent National Assembly after the address of the President.

The 15th National Assembly would witness the fifth and last Presidential address to the Parliament under clause (3) of Article 56 of the Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan. The first Presidential address to the incumbent Assembly was made on September 17, 2018, second on September 12, 2019, third on August 20, 2020 and fourth on September 13, 2021. It is to mention that the fourth parliamentary year was concluded seven weeks ago on August 13, 2022 and this joint session will be the first of the last year of National Assembly.

In meeting with Dar, ADB announces to provide $2.5b flood relief support to Pakistan

ISLAMABAD Staff RepoRt

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) will provide $2.3 to 2.5 billion flood relief support to Pakistan.

This has been shared by Country Director ADB Yong in a meeting with Federal Minister for Finance and Revenue Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar.

Finance Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar welcomed the delegation and appreciated ADB’s role and support in promoting sustainable development in Pakistan.

He apprised the delegation of devastation caused by the recent floods in the country and its impact on the economy of Pakistan. He further stated that Pak-

istan’s economy faced huge challenges. The present government with its pragmatic policy decisions has not only arrested the decline but has also set the economy in the right direction. Finance Minister Ishaq Dar also shared the priorities of the present government.

Country Director ADB Yong extended felicitations to the Finance Minister on assuming the charge of the office and expressed sympathy on the loss of lives and properties in the devastating floods in Pakistan.

He informed the Finance Minister that ADB will provide flood relief support to Pakistan to the tune of US$ 2.3 to 2.5 billion including US$ 1.5 billion for the BRACE program which will be placed before the ADB Board for approval during this month. He also apprised the meeting about ongoing and future projects of ADB

in different sectors including social protection, food security and energy sectors. Regarding the Country Partnership Strategy for Pakistan 2021-25, it was shared that this strategy is in line with the vision of the government of Pakistan.

In the end, the Finance Minister expressed gratitude to the ADB delegation for their persistent support and assured them of full cooperation by the government for swift execution of the ongoing and future programs.

Minister of State for Finance and Revenue Dr. Ayesha Ghous Pasha, Asad Aleem, Dy Country Director ADB, Kiyoshi Taniguchi Principal Economist ADB, Mr. Laisiasa Tora, Senior Public Management Specialist ADB and senior officers from the Finance Division participated in the meeting.

Marriyum challenges Imran to explain ‘motives’ prior to march on Islamabad

ISLAMABAD Staff RepoRt

Minister for Information and Broadcasting Marriyum Aurangzeb Wednesday said Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf Chairman Imran Khan should fully explain the real motives of the long march, prior to a long march to federal capital.

She put up a formal challenge to the PTI leader to first answer her pertinent questions, and then give a date for the long march.

In a statement, the minister asked why ‘the foreign agent’, playing with national security, was bent upon destabilizing the dem-

ocratic system in the country. She said it was unfortunate that the PTI chairman was busy making preparations for the long march, but alas he had no time to help the flood victims.

The minister said that Imran Khan, who ruined national economy with record loans worth over Rs20,000 billion, was threatening to march towards the federal capital. She questioned why “the foreign agent conspiring to bankrupt Pakistan’s economy” was coming to Islamabad.

Marriyum Aurangzeb said that the foreign agent had rendered 9.5 million people unemployed and pushed over 20 million people into abject poverty. “What he would do

after coming to Islamabad,” she questioned.

She asked why the person, who threatened the judiciary and judges and ridiculed national institutions and dragged them into politics, was planning for a long march to federal capital. She claimed that Imran Khan had a compromise on Kashmir in his tenure and now he was trying to destabilize the system in the country.

Terming Imran Khan “thief of Tosha Khana and partner in corruption of Farah Gogi and Peerni”, she asked why he was planning for a long march. The minister advised Imran to answer these questions first and then announce long march to the federal capital.