Epaper_22-10-23 ISB

PM Shehbaz terMS IMran Khan ‘certIfIed lIar, thIef’

LAHORE staff report

PrIMeMinister Shehbaz Sharif on Saturday castigated PTI Chairman Imran Khan, calling him a “certified thief” after the latter’s disqualification in the Toshakhana reference for making “false statements and incorrect declaration”.

He expressed the views while addressing a news conference in Lahore alongside Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar and adviser Attaullah Tarar.

Commenting on Imran’s disqualification, PM Shehbaz said that his predecessor had been proven to be a “certified liar and a thief”. However, he cautioned that this was not a moment of happiness, but one

of “reflection”.

He alleged that Imran came into power after the “worst rigging”, adding that the PTI chief auctioned off state gifts after claiming the proceeds would go to the treasury.

“The nation would have saluted you if you

had deposited money from selling state gifts in the treasury. I would’ve too despite being your political opponent,” he said, adding that Imran had disrespected Pakistan.

Comparing himself to Imran, PM Shehbaz said that he had once received a letter from the Cabinet Division about being able to buy a state gift after paying a certain amount.

“I answered back to the letter saying, ‘No, thank you’ and deposited [the gift] in the Toshakhana.”

He said state gifts were now being displayed at the Prime Minister House to dispel the impression that they go missing. “Now, I have them [displayed] in PM House so the people know who sold the gifts and pocketed the money.”

A prime minister was disqualified for not taking salary from his son: Justice Faez Isa

LAHORE staff report

In a veiled reference to the former prime minister Nawaz Sharif’s disqualification by Supreme Court in 2017, Justice Qazi Faez Isa Saturday said a prime minister was declared unfit for any public office because he refused to take a salary from his son.

“I will not comment on the decision, but it reads that: You (Nawaz Sharif) did not declare the salary you were to receive. By not declaring that salary, you have misrepresented the facts before the court that’s why you are not a good Muslim,” Isa quoted the text of that verdict while speaking at 4th Asma Jehangir Conference here.

The PML-N supremo was fired as prime minister and disqualified from holding public office by the Supreme Court in July 2017 and convicted in absentia a year later. The five judges in a unanimous ruling said those who are not “honest” and “truthful” under the country’s constitution are “banned from parliament for life”.

IMrAN’s MArch AIMed To creATe ANArchy: ATTAullAh TArAr

LAHORE Staff RepoRt

sPECIALAssistant to Prime Minister Attaullah Tarar has said that Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan’s long march is aimed to create unrest and anarchy in the country.

Addressing a press conference here on Saturday, he said that Imran Khan was not coming to Islamabad for holding a peaceful long march but it aimed to create disruption. While referring to the recent firing incident by a guard of the PTI MNA, Tarar said that armed groups ahead of the long march were coming to fore and it was not happening without the permission of the PTI chief as he wanted to see chaos in the country.

Imran Khan had himself said that there would be chaos when he would come to Islamabad, he said, adding that all these things show ill intentions of the PTI chief. He said that Imran Khan’s performance was zero in the past four years and he destroyed

the economy. He said that after being disqualified, Imran Khan wanted to destabilize the system as he had said that if he did not return to power then the country would be divided in three parts. He talked of the atomic assets and institutions in such a manner which a sensible and patriotic person could not adopt, he added.

The special assistant said that the PTI chief held institutions responsible for his ouster from the power but actually he failed to manage his MNAs, adding that Aleem Khan and Jehnagir Tareen used to do political management for Imran Khan but they stopped it when the cases were registered against them to make Buzdar comfortable. He claimed that Imran Khan remained unsuccessful on fronts of the economy and political management.

Tarar said that the PTI chief must review his actions while raising questions on the sale of Toshakhana gifts by him. He questioned how Imran Khan sold gifts of Toshakhana and where was the profit. He said that Toshakhana case was not decided

The special assistant said that Ali Zafar was a big lawyer but he could not defend

Imran Khan in the case, adding that he (Ali Zafar) admitted that the profit obtained by sale of the gifts was deposited in so and so account. But when he was asked to provide the details of the accused, Ali Zafar adopted the stance that the commission was not the competent forum to hear the matter, he added.

“First they refused to provide details of the account, then they gave the wrong account number but the truth was revealed and it was found that the profit was never deposited into account when the State Bank gave data of the account”, he added, He said that after being involved in trade of the gifts, Imran khan considered himself eligible to hold public office. Whether he believed that he should be allowed to take part in the elections, he questioned. He said that Imran Khan had been accused of stealing as he sold gifts and obtained profit. He said that this act was punishable for three years and how he would escape from it.

Whether Imran Khan could deny that he did not purchase gifts and sold them, he

questioned. He said that it had been heard that the Election Commission verdict had been challenged in the Islamabad High Court, questioning how the verdict could be challenged without a certified copy of the detailed verdict. He said that objections would be raised on maintainability of the petition in the IHC.

Tarar said that the FIA would soon start its investigation in the matter and it would be taken to its logical conclusion.He said that since Imran Khan had been disqualified, his speeches should also not be broadcast.

He questioned why Farrah Gogi was not returning to Pakistan, adding that she was their benamidar and had all the details of their activities. He said that the government had decided to deal with Imran with iron hand and to account for every penny from him.

To a question, he said that the PTI would create chaos in the guise of a long march and strict action would be taken if somebody attempted to disrupt the law and order situation.

PTI leaders charged with terror offences over protest against Imran disqualification

ISLAMABAD Staff RepoRt

The government has announced it will press terrorism charges against leaders of Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) for staging nationwide protests in the wake of the disqualification of former prime minister Imran Khan by the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) for receiving foreign gifts.

Soon after the judgement was issued, thousands of Khan’s supporters took to the streets to protest against his disqualification.

Footages showed demonstrations in Islamabad, Lahore, Faisalabad, Multan, Sialkot, Peshawar, Karachi, Quetta and other towns and districts. Clashes were also reported in the garrison city of Rawalpindi as police dispersed protesters trying to enter Islamabad.

Police’s criminal-like behaviour with PTI MNA condemnable: Ali Muhammad

ISLAMABAD Staff RepoRt

The Islamabad Capital Territory Police meted out worse than a criminal treatment to Pakistan Tehreek-eInsaf (PTI) leader by taking his photos with prisoner-like slate hanging from his neck, regretted PTI leader Ali Muhammad Khan. “In fact the Islamabad have not ridiculed Saleh Muhammad Khan, rather they (police) have ridiculed the Pakhtun nation and tarnished the image of a national institution”, he said. He termed the police’s criminal-like behaviour with Saleh Muhammad Khan inhumane, saying on the one hand DIG Operations Suhail Zafar Chhattha had claimed that Saleh was not arrested but was in protective custody, but on the other hand, picture of the PTI MNA with criminal-like slate in the neck revealed the other side of the story. According to sources, in view the past record of the DIG was known for such treated with accused besides he (DIG operations) was the blue-eyed boy of the PM. Talking to ARY News, PTI leader Ali Muhammad Khan said that the police have behaved ‘ridiculously’ with the PTI MNA. “Saleh Muhammad is being treated like a terrorist, the mafia ruling the country can go to any extent to victimize their opponents,” he added. He added that the Pakistan People’s Party, which pretends to be a champion of human rights, is silent on such behaviour with the lawmaker. They will raise their voice against such atrocities on every platform, he added. Saleh Muhammad and his gunmen were booked in a terrorism case during a protest outside the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) office in Islamabad. According to the First Information Report (FIR), the accused attempted to disturb the law and order situation in an organised way and the lawmaker’s gunmen resorted to firing on police officials to with aim to kill them.

On Friday, the commission disqualified Khan from holding public office, after finding he had “unlawfully” sold state gifts and concealed assets as prime minister, in a move which is likely to deepen lingering political turmoil in the country struggling with a spiraling economy, food shortages and the aftermath of unprecedented summer floods.

The tribunal is yet to officially release a ruling providing details such as how long the former premier would be barred from public office. Azam Nazeer Tarar, the minister for law and justice, claimed on Friday that Khan would be disqualified for five years.

In Peshawar, Khan’s supporters blocked the main motorway, and also set tires on fire to disrupt traffic.

Late on Friday, the police booked PTI leaders — including Aamir Kiani, Wasiq Qayyum Abbasi, Faisal Javed Khan, Raja Rashid Hafeez, Umer Tanveer Butt, Rashid Naseem Abbasi and Raja Majid — on suspicion of leading a large group of protestors in Islamabad.

A first information report (FIR) was registered late on Friday on the complaint of Subinspector Inamullah at the I-9 police station of Islamabad. The complaints was registered under Sections 109 (abetment), 148 (rioting

with a deadly weapon), 149 (every member of unlawful assembly guilty of offence committed in prosecution of common object), 186 (obstructing public servant), 324 (attempted murder), 353 (assault or criminal force to deter public servant from discharge of his duty), 427 (mischief causing damage amounting to Rs50) and 435 (mischief by fire or explosive substance with intent to cause damage) of the Pakistan Penal Code (PPC) and Section 7 (punishment for acts of terrorism) of the Anti-Terrorism Act (ATA).

The FIR said police officers in an official vehicle were posted at Faizabad, a border town between Rawalpindi and Islamabad, to maintain the law, order and security situation after information was received on Thursday that a possible decision could come against Khan.

The FIR added that around 8:00 pm on Friday, a large rally of around 1,000 to 1,200 people carrying sticks and rods started moving towards Faizabad.

“On the leadership’s incitement, the demonstrators started pelting stones at the police, FC (Frontier Constabulary)

Sheikh Rashid claims residence raided by Islamabad police

ISLAMABAD Staff RepoRt

Awami Muslim League (AML) leader Sheikh Rashid claimed on Saturday that his residence in Islamabad was raided by the Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT) police.

In a tweet, the former interior minister alleged that the ICT police raided his house at 12:30 am, while he was at his Lal Haveli residence.

However, the ICT police maintained that Rashid’s statement was “not based on truth”, saying the police did not raid the house of any political leader or worker in Islamabad or Rawalpindi.

They further said that he did not appear to be part of any political protest.

“Spreading false news about the Islamabad police should be avoided,” the ICT advised, warning that the police reserved the right to take legal action in response to false statements against it.

Commenting on the recent disqualification of PTI chief and AML ally Imran Khan, the former minister stated that the Election Commission of Pakistan’s verdict would be struck down in just one hearing of the

high court or apex court. He added that the ECP’s verdict was vague, misleading and unconstitutional.

“Those who escaped prison, want to throw Imran in jail,” Rashid maintained. He also credited the Imran Khan government and institutions for Pakistan’s removal from the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) ‘grey’ list. In his tweet, Rashid welcomed the Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Gen Bajwa’s announcement to not take any extension, and retire from his tenure as per schedule.

According to the AML leader, Pakistan’s rating has been reduced to a CCC+ since Pakistan Muslim LeagueNawaz (PML-N) leader Ishaq Dar took up the reigns of the finance minister’s office . Rashid was referring to Fitch Ratings downgrading Pakistan’s long-term foreign-currency issuer default rating (IDR) to ‘CCC+’ from ‘B-‘ on Friday.

Moreover, he stated that the entire nation was waiting for the Supreme Court’s decision on the amendments to the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) ordinance.

He further said that the date of the election will be set on the streets, by the people, and be tabled in the National Assembly before November 30.

and administration due to which police and FCC officers were injured and immediately shifted to the hospital,” the FIR read.

It added the demonstrators advanced while running over the police contingent with vehicles with the “intent to kill” and announcing that they would reach the ECP headquarters at any cost and did not accept any law.

“The demonstrators on the leadership’s incitement set fire to trees in Faizabad and the surrounding area,” the FIR said, adding that tear gas was used to control the crowd and every participant in it attracted the violation of the law.

The FIR said the protest had joint and orderly intent after planning and on the instructions of its leaders attacked the police force, disturbed the law and order situation, set fire to trees, damaged official property, injured police officers and spread “fear and harassment” among the public.

It requested that an investigation officer be appointed for the case.

— With input from AP, Anadolu Agency

Hamid Zaman granted bail in prohibited funding case

LAHORE: A banking court on Saturday granted bail to PTI founding member Hamid Zaman in the prohibited funding case. Banking Crime Court Judge Aslam Gondal granted bail to Zaman against surety bonds worth Rs one million. Earlier, Zaman’s counsel Khawaja Haris argued against allegations of prohibited funding, adding that all relevant record has been with the FIA. “No recovery made from the accused,” the counsel said. The FIA prosecutor pleaded to the court to dismiss the bail petition of Zaman. The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) had arrested Zaman on Oct 7 and he remained in custody of the investigation agency for two days. The FIA submitted a plea seeking an extension in physical remand of the PTI leader. However, the court rejected the request and sent him to jail on judicial remand. The FIA arrested PTI leader Hamid Zaman in a case pertaining to prohibited funding. The investigation agency registered a case against the trustee of Insaf trust – Hamid Zaman – over prohibited funding. Zaman had contested the 2013 general election from Lahore on the ticket of the PTI. Staff RepoRt

Dar reaffirms resolve to fully implement CPEC, further bilateral ties

ISLAMABAD Staff RepoRt

Minister for Finance and Revenue Senator Muhammad Ishaq Dar here on Saturday reiterated his government’s firm resolve for effective implementation of ChinaPakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) projects as it will play an important role in taking local economy forward as well as cement bilateral relationship between both the countries.

Talking to Ambassador of People’s Republic of

China Nong Rong, who called on him, Ishaq Dar said that Pakistan and China were enjoying deep-rooted friendly relations which were strengthening with each passing day.

The minister further highlighted the economic challenges and policies of the present government, aimed at bring about economic and fiscal stability. He also appreciated the support extended by the Chinese leadership for flood relief and refinancing of syndicate facility of RMB 15 billion (US$ 2.24 billion) to Pakistan.

The Ambassador reaffirmed the Chinese Government’s continued support to Pakistan and thanked the Government of Pakistan on facilitating Chinese companies in various projects in Pakistan. He also assured full support and cooperation of Chinese Government in developing Special Economic Zones as part of CPEC.

The proposed visit of Prime Minister of Pakistan to China was also discussed in the meeting and both sides hoped that the visit will enhance bilateral relations between both the countries.

on technical basis but on merit, adding that the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) would hold a separate investigation of the matter, whether Imran khan had declared all the gifts, other then, the trial by a sessions court on the complaint of the Election Commission.

oIc IsTANbul MooT bAcKs Tech INNovATIoNs

To ‘PreseNT TruTh’ AbouT IslAM

ISTANBUL anadolu agency

THEOrganization of Islamic Conference (OIC), which underscores the need to combat Islamophobia and hatred against Islam in all its manifestations, on Saturday called for “utilizing new and emerging platforms and technological innovations to present truth” about Islam effectively.

A declaration adopted at the end of the two-day 12th Conference of the Information Ministers of the OIC in the Turkish metropolis Istanbul also welcomed the UN General Assembly resolution on International Day to Combat Islamophobia adopted by the global body on March 15.

The multi-national all-Muslim body emphasized on the importance of cooperation among the OIC member states in “developing necessary mechanisms to fight disinformation and other related challenges of the post-truth era, and devising short, medium and long-term strategic processes in the total fight against

disinformation.”

It urged media outlets in the OIC member states to raise global awareness about “deliberate acts” of destruction and desecration of Islamic cultural and religious heritage in non-Muslim countries, especially in those areas where Indigenous Muslim communities were subjected to ethnic cleansing.

Recognizing the importance of focusing on specific issues and possible scenarios in the short term, it called for “multidimensional crisis communication and management and mechanisms to check the accuracy of information in the medium term, and news content, media literacy and digital media literacy in the long term.”

The 57-nation Muslim bloc stressed on the crucial role of media in Islamic countries in “exposing” the Israeli aggression against the Palestinians and called for “illuminating” the legitimate cause of the Palestinian people to end the Israeli occupation of the Palestinian territories.

The Istanbul conference highlighted the

importance of international solidarity and assistance to support refugees, people seeking shelter, particularly in the multi-national body’s member states.

It also praised the efforts of the OIC “towards the advancement of the mission of Islam and promote dialogue between the Islamic culture and the world’s other cultures.”

The Muslim bloc commended constant efforts and initiatives of OIC Secretary General Hissein Brahim Taha and his contacts within and outside the Islamic world and called for a “renewed commitment to the noble objectives of the OIC and support for all its initiatives and activities, particularly in the communication and information domains with a view to encouraging unity, solidarity and cooperation in the Islamic world.”

The OIC information ministers appreciated Türkiye for hospitality during the conference and called on media entities and institutions in the member states to join the OIC Media Forum.

At the conference, a representative of Saudi Arabia

uN boss urged to take note of rights violations in occupied Kashmir

ISLAMABAD Staff RepoRt

The leadership and allied organisations of All Parties Hurriyat Conference (APHC) have urged António Guterres, the secretary general of the United Nations, to pay attention to the unabated violations of human rights committed by India in occupied Jammu and Kashmir.

In separate statements, the APHC, along with Kashmir Peoples League (KPL) and Jammu and Kashmir Hurriyat Front (J&KHF), paid rich tributes to the victims of the Bijbehara massacre on their 29th martyrdom anniversary, according to a press statement issued on Saturday.

Over 50 people were killed in the Anantnag district of Jammu and Kashmir on this day in 1993 when troops from India’s Border Security Force opened fire on a peaceful protest. The demonstrators were protesting against the military siege of Srinagar’s Hazratbal shrine.

The statement urged Guterres to take cognisance of the grave human rights violations being perpetrated by Indian troops in the region and initiate measures for the final resolution of the dispute in accordance with the aspirations of its people.

The APHC sought the role of the world body to stop India from altering the demography of Jammu and Kashmir. They said that under a well-hatched conspiracy, Indian troops were killing innocent Muslims to turn the majority into a minority in the region.

Meanwhile, the Azad Kashmir wing of APHC — comprising Shaikh Abdul Mateen, Altaf Ahmad Wani, Imtiaz Wani and Zahid Ashraf — in a meeting at the Hurriyat office in Islamabad also paid homage to the Bijbehara and other martyrs.

They reiterated that the people of Kashmir will continue their freedom struggle till the resolution of the Kashmir dispute in line with the UN resolutions.

They demanded an impartial inquiry into the Bijbehara carnage and all other incidents of the massacre of Kashmiris. They said that Indian troops were involved in grave human rights violations and war crimes in occupied Kashmir.

handed over to Türkiye the term presidency of the OIC Information Ministers Conference and the next OIC information ministers’ conference is expected to be hosted by Azerbaijan.

Elahi credits COAS, Imran for FATF grey list exit

LAHORE Staff RepoRt

Punjab Chief Minister Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi on Saturday gave credit for Pakistan’s removal from FATF’s grey list to the untiring efforts of Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Qamar Javed Bajwa and former prime minister Imran Khan.

Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi, in a tweet, said that exit from the international financial watchdog’s grey list is a huge success for Pakistan. He further said that PML-N will not be allowed to take credit for the removal from the list as Pakistan was placed on grey list during PML-N’s previous term.

It merits mention that the Financial Action Task Force on Friday removed Pakistan from its grey list.

The Punjab CM that Pakistan

He added that Army Chief General

First shipment through WeBOC from Gwadar Free Zone begins

ISLAMABAD Staff RepoRt

In a landmark development, the first shipment was begun from Gwadar Free Zone putting into operation the Web-Based One Custom Clearance System (WeBOC) on Saturday.

Development has made a mark after the web-based one custom clearance system was successfully launched in Gwadar Free Zone. Earlier this week, FBR issued the operator ID to Gwadar Free Zone Company, transforming the traditional one custom to a modernised WeBOC. Given the new digitalised e-customer clearance system, all entry and exit of shipments in Gwadar Free Zone will be carried out using WeBOC. A consignment of Hangeng Trade Company, an investment firm within Gwadar Free Zone, is first to be shipped under the e-custom service.

Liao Longtai, General Manager of Hangeng told Gwadar Pro, “It is a great honour for Hangeng to be the trailblazer for innovative mode of commerce”, adding that “next week another cargo container will be exported from Free Zone by Hangeng using WeBOC”.

“In the days to come all companies operating in the zone will be registered under WeBOC. Since it is convenient,

transparent and business-friendly, it is highly likely to boost investor confidence and enhance commercial activities in Gwadar,” said an official of Gwadar Free Zone Company.

To give strategic boost to commerce and shipment activities, the e-custom clearance system was installed in Gwadar Free Zone in the last week of July this year, which was featured by paperless, ultra-fast, cost-effective and transparent processes and procedures.

The game-changing e-initiative aims at facilitating companies in Gwadar Free Zone to get integrated with Gwadar Port, customs, NLC, FBR, banking channels and other institutions to increase efficiency and reduce the time taken for processing in various departments.

WeBOC in Gwadar Free Zone will help with the automation, standardisation and harmonisation of all trade procedures and logistic services related to land, air and sea routes under Pakistan Single Window (PSW). Presently WeBOC has thousands of registered users i.e. businesses, government departments including Anti-Narcotic Force, Engineering Development Board, State Bank of Pakistan, Ministry of Climate Change, Railways, Income Tax Department, Provincial Motor Registering Authorities, Commercial Banks, etc.

Govt should expose India after becoming FATF member: Hammad Azhar

ISLAMABAD

Staff RepoRt

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Hammad Azhar on Saturday said that Pakistan should expose Indian conspiracy after becoming a member of the Financial Action Task Force (FATF). According to Kashmir Media Service, Hammad Azhar talking to a private news channel said that India had used FATF platform against Pakistan. Azhar, who had also represented Pakistan in the FATF sessions during PTI government, congratulated the nation after the country came out of the grey list. He said, Pakistan should apply for FATF membership to expose Indian conspiracy. India had used FATF platform against Pakistan, he said, adding that it is the right time for Pakistan to become a member of the FATF and spot Indian regulations.

List AftER fOuR yEARs: The Financial Action Task Force (FATF) has announced the removal of Pakistan from its grey list, appreciating the country’s efforts in anti-money laundering and anti-terror financing.

The Financial Action Task Force has decided by consensus that Pakistan has completed all substantial, technical and procedural requirements of both the 2018 and 2021 Action Plans. As a result, Pakistan has been taken off the list of jurisdictions under increased monitoring, with immediate effect.

This decision was taken during the FATF Plenary meeting held in Paris, France from 20-21 October 2022.

Minister of State for Foreign Affairs/Chairperson National FATF Coordination Committee, Ms Hina Rabbani Khar, led the Pakistan delegation to the FATF Plenary.

exiting FATF grey list was a big achievement for the nation and the credit will be given to ex-PM Imran Khan and his team.

Qamar Javed Bajwa played a vital role in exiting the FATF grey list. “Imran Khan and General Qamar Javed Bajwa are the real heroes of this success.”

PAkistAn Out Of fAtf gREy

CLiMate ChaNge exaCerBates

ChoLera outBreaKs iN PaKistaN

GENEVA anadolu agency

aFTERa long time of decline in cases, the world has seen a rise in cholera outbreaks over the past year due to climate change, poverty and conflicts.

Climate change-related natural disasters, such as heavy rain, drought and hurricane, trigger the lack of access to clean water, which is seen as the main reason behind the rise in cholera cases.

Poverty and conflicts are also among

other factors that are inflaming the cholera problem more than ever, according to international organisations.

26 countries reported cholera outbreaks in the first nine months of 2022 alone, the World Health Organisation (WHO) data has shown.

Between 2017 and 2021, fewer than 20 countries reported cholera outbreaks each year.

“The average case fatality rate reported in 2021 has almost tripled compared to the five previous years,” said Philippe Barboza, who heads the WHO’s cholera and epi-

demic diarrheal diseases section.

Cholera poses a greater risk to flood-hit Haiti and Pakistan, war-torn Syria, and its neighbouring country Lebanon.

The WHO and partners created an international stockpile of cholera vaccines, which last year shipped 27 million doses.

The WHO advises that cholera outbreaks can be prevented by ensuring access to clean water and basic sanitation and hygiene.

Also needed are stepped-up surveillance, access to health care, and effective engagement of communities.

Pakistan needs ‘massive’ help to recover from floods: Masood Khan

WASHINGTON Staff RepoRt

No let up in dengue fever cases

ISLAMABAD Staff RepoRt

The number of dengue fever cases has continued to grow in Pakistan amid an outbreak due to floods triggered by heavy monsoon rains. In the last 24 hours, 306 more people were diagnosed with the mosquito-borne disease in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, the provincial health department reported on Friday evening. The number of active cases in the province currently stands at 1,881 and the total number of cases this year has reached 16,002. Sindh reported 302 new infections, said its health department on Friday evening. The worst-hit area was Karachi, which reported 199 new cases. With the newly reported dengue cases, the October figure to date for the province has risen to 6,734, bringing the local total to 16,888 this year. Punjab reported 280 new cases in the last 24 hours, the provincial health authorities said on Friday. Punjab’s capital Lahore reported 115 new cases, followed by Rawalpindi with 70 cases. The total number of dengue cases in Punjab this year has now gone up to 12,389. The capital Islamabad reported 77 new dengue cases in the last 24 hours, the health authorities said on Friday night. The city’s total tally has risen to 4,272 this year.

Pakistan needs “massive” support from the international community for the rehabilitation of millions of people displaced by the devastating floods and reconstruction of the damaged infrastructure, its ambassador in Washington, Masood Khan, has said.

In an interview with PBS, Khan said that debt restructuring would provide Pakistan with the much-needed fiscal space enabling it to allocate its resources to building climate-resilient infrastructure for its people.

Ambassador Khan, who was discussing the imme-

diate and long-term needs of Pakistan, urged the international community to find collective solutions to dealing with the challenges of climate change and its dire consequences for the planet.

The floods in Pakistan and the hurricane in the southeasternmost US state of Florida have “proved that even if you are a developed country like the United States you have the same challenges when it comes to climate change although you have better, resilient infrastructure.”

On the subject of Pakistan-US relations, Khan said the two countries were pursuing a positive agenda.

Bilateral relations, he said, should not be confined to strategic objectives alone. “We must strengthen our

Malaria claims three more lives in Kashmore

KANDHKOT Staff RepoRt

Three more persons including two minor children, aged between three to six years, died from Malaria in Kashmore during the past 24 hours, taking the death toll from malaria to 12 during a week.

According to details, the deceased were identified as six-year-old Fouzia, daughter of Mohammad Shahban Bhutto, a resident of Badani Town, four-year-old Badaam, son of Ali Hassan Dahani, resident of village Kajlo Khoso and 30-year-old Noor Hassan Oghai, son of Master Siyani Oghai, a resident of village Ghouspur died from malaria.

The sources in Health department, though the death toll from Malaria in Kashmore and its adjoining areas has been on constant rise, the Sindh Health Department and district administration failed to take head-on measures to

control the disease.

When approached local health officials, they said that health teams had been sent to the areas of Badani and Tangwani. It is to be important to mention here that due to the apathetic attitude of the Health’s malaria control department, both public and private hospitals in the district are flooded with patients of malaria and other mosquitoborne diseases. Since there hasn’t been any fumigation by the malaria control program resulting sudden outbreak malaria, causing rapid increase in patients in both public and private sectors hospitals. The sudden rise in malaria cases has also gave birth to shortage of malaria and dengue related medicines, which has been adding to the miseries of the people.

The people have demanded the provincial to take sweeping measures to control malaria spread and avert any outbreak in the district.

A valiant architect of Pakistani literature

Urdu writer and literary journalist, originally from Sargodha but presently settled in Lahore. In his detailed prefatory note he has given a comprehensive introduction of Dr. Sh. Muhammad Iqbal (b. 1945), the protagonist of the tale, highlighting the journey of his life from childhood to the present times.

SyED AfSAR SAjID

Author: Shahid Bukhari

Pakistan Academy of Letters has launched a series of biographical publications on some leading architects of Pakistani literature with a view to highlighting their person and art to the benefit of the reading public.

The instant book relates to a unique multi-talented personality widely reputed for his extra-ordinary academic, literary, social, and philanthropic ventures despite loss of his vision in early childhood. His life story is a long-winding tale of trials and tribulations suffered by his family headed by his valorous father, a matriculate (Senior Vernacular) school teacher by profession with four (postnatally) blind children to breed and tend.

The book bears forewords by Dr. Yousuf Khushk, the dynamic chairman of the Pakistan Academy of Letters, and Shahid Bukhari (b. 1949), a well known

He has also explained his connection with Dr. Iqbal’s family, his father being a contemporary of the latter’s and he himself having studied and taught at Govt. College Sargodha where Dr. Iqbal was also teaching. He regards Dr. Iqbal as a role model besides being his friend and guide. Shahid Bukhari laments our apathy in recognizing Dr. Iqbal in the same mode and manner as did the Americans to Ms. Helen Keller (1880-1968), and Egyptians to Dr. Taha Hussein (1889-1973), both acclaimed writers, intellectuals, and politico-literary activists, having gone blind postnatally.

The biographer of the piece has further elaborated that Dr. Iqbal wears a richly feathered cap: he is the first sightless holder of the degree of Masters in English in Pakistan; the first blind lecturer in English in the country; the first such scholar around with MPhil and PhD degrees (in Urdu); the first blind poet and prose writer in more than one language emerging on the national literary scene in the formative stage of his academic-cumliterary career.

Dr. Iqbal was instrumental in introducing and popularizing the game of cricket among the blind community while he was a student of the Emerson Institute for the Blind, Sheranwala Gate,

Lahore in the late 1950s. The strain of the current foreword lies on the apathetic official non-recognition of Dr. Iqbal’s social, cultural, literary, intellectual and philanthropic feats in the context of his tragic disability which he has all along braved manfully against heavy odds. Both PAL and Shahid Bukhari deserve must be commended for ‘unearthing’ a true luminary to the reading public.

The catalogue of the book comprises ten chapters which encompass the protagonist’s life story, birth, parents, education, MPhil and PhD degrees, different phases of family and marital life, employment, literary achievements, Urdu, Punjabi, Persian and English poetry, prose writing, light essay (‘inshaiya’), short story writing, translation, interest in psychology, literary activities vis-à-vis ‘Bazm-e-Fikro Khayal’, interest in music, broadcasting, and journalism besides an index of articles, books, and journals containing the ones written on Dr. Iqbal himself, views and opinions of his critics, and a list of the awards and souvenirs earned by him, followed by a list of some 171 litterateurs whose biographies have been published by PAL in the ‘Pakistani Adab kay Memaar’ series.

Dr. Iqbal’s literary achievements include nine collections of poetry, seven in Urdu, one in English, and one in Punjabi. He has also composed a few poems in the Persian language. As an Urdu poet he excels in both ghazal and nazm. Life in its variety with all the concomitant sufferings and sorrows of human existence is the central focus of his poetry. He knows the art

of versification in its variegated niceties.

The book also illustrates select critical opinion of literary personages like Dr. Wazir Agha, Dr. Anwar Sadeed, Dr. Khurshid Rizvi, Dr. Asi Karnali, Raees Amrohvi, Prof. Pareshan Khattak, Dr. Rafi-ud-Din Hashmi, Amjad Islam Amjad, Riaz Ahmad Shad, Roohi Kunjahi, Naseem Sehar, Dr. Khalid Iqbal, Dr. Fakhrul Haq Noori, Dr. Ehsan Akbar, Hafiz Ludhianvi, Islam Shah, Shagufta Nazli, Prof. Syed Arif Wasti, Ashfaq Naqvi, Prof. Azmatullah Khan, Dr. Ahmad Hassan, Durr-e-Najaf Zebi, Dr. Kh. Muhammad Zakariya, Maher Allah Yar Sipra, Prof. Ghulam Sarwar, Kh. Hamid Yazdani, Dr. Agha Yameen, Dr. Muhammad Akram Chaudhry, Dr. Tahir Taunsvi, Hussain Majrooh, Dr. Zia-ul-Hassan, Karamat Bukhari, Shakir Kundan, Anwar Masood, Dr. Inam-ul-Haq Javed, Dr. Najma Iqbal Malik, Talat Sohail, Shahida Dilawar Shah, Ghulam Jilani Asghar, Javed Qureshi, Fayyaz Tehsin, Syed Zameer Jafri, Nasir Zaidi et al, on Dr. Iqbal’s brilliant academic, literary, cultural and humanitarian work.

In view of the foregoing facts and figures, one wonders why a man of Dr. Iqbal’s academic, literary, and intellectual stature with a life-long struggle against a lethal disability, has not so far been considered for grant of a national award like Pride of Performance or Tamgha-i-Imtiaz by the State, in recognition of his singular talent, calibre, and creative multeity. PAL also deserves credit for launching and continuing with the instant series for the enlightenment of the reading public.

cooperation in the economic, trade, investment, energy and climate sector.”

Encouraging US investors to reap the benefits offered by Pakistan’s economy, especially in the tech sector, Khan said that “there will be exponential growth (in the sector) because of increase in human capital, techsavvy young population.”

About the use of nuclear weapons, the ambassador said that nuclear capability was acquired and designed basically for deterrence and equilibrium, but their actual use could trigger a global catastrophe.

As such, he said, all countries, particularly the ones having nuclear weapons, should demonstrate restraint and responsibility.

Diwali celebrations in Mirpur Khas

KARACHI Staff RepoRt

Like their counterparts living in other cities of the country, members of the Hindu community residing in the Mirpur Khas district of Sindh also celebrated Diwali, the festival of lights, with jubilation and enthusiasm on Monday. A ceremony was arranged by Zulfiqar Ali Mahar, a deputy inspector general (DIG) of the Sindh police, in the local police office on Saturday. According to a police handout, retired Capt. Muhammad Asad Chaudhry, senior superintendent of police (SSP) of Mirpur Khas, and other policemen also attended the event. Mahar felicitated police and staff belonging to the Hindu community, and distributed sweets and gifts among them. He noted the community has always played a vital role in the development and prosperity of Pakistan and expressed satisfaction over the fact that they enjoy equal rights in accordance with the Constitution. Later, prayers were offered for the prosperity of the country and the development of the police department. Diwali is celebrated with jubilation as one of the biggest Hindu festivals. Hindus living in Pakistan are celebrating Diwali Saturday by decorating their homes with flowers, rangolis, lights and diyas.

Body of newborn baby found in Lahore

LAHORE Staff RepoRt

Authorities are investigating the death of a newborn boy found on a street in the limits of Liaquatabad police station in Lahore on Saturday. According to police, the body was recovered from the Akbar Road neighbourhood in Kot Lakhpat where it was thrown only after a few hours after his birth. After registering a case, police sifted the body to the city morgue. Hundreds of unwanted newborn children are thrown in the streets every year in Pakistan. Though infanticide is a criminal offence but police mostly blame shame, out-of-wedlock births, poverty and illiteracy for the practice.

Title: Pakistani Adab kay Memaar – ‘Prof. Dr. Sh. Muhammad Iqbal: Shakhsiyat aur Fun’

KP ProvIdIng brEAst cAncEr dEtEctIon, trEAtmEnt In sEvEn dIstrIcts: JhAgrA

PESHAWAR staff report

tHEPublic Health Association (PHA) Khyber Pakhtunkhwa in collaboration with the Institute of Radiotherapy and Nuclear Medicine (IRNUM) organized an awareness session on Breast Cancer Early Detection Initiative of KP here on Saturday.

Spekaing on the occasion, KP Minister for Health & Finance Taimur Saleem Jhagra said the KP government is committed to providing high-quality care to breast cancer patients with testing facilities in seven districts.

The event aligned the stakeholders

around the continuous engagement needs for increasing awareness about Breast Cancer, the importance of early detection, and availability of affordable treatment.

Breast cancer accounts for approximately 40,000 deaths per year in Pakistan and is one of the leading causes of cancer-related deaths among females. Any woman can develop breast cancer. The disease also occurs in 1% of the male population. Breast cancer puts a lot of financial burden on families while affecting them both emotionally and psychologically. Lack of awareness and early detection, social barriers, and inaccessibility to the health care system are detrimental to the survival of breast cancer patients.

Empowering under privileged youth critical for future: minister

ISLAMABAD Monitoring report

Empowering underprivileged youth by drastically increasing opportunities for their education, training and employability is critical for the future of Pakistan, Minister for Planning and Development Ahsan Iqbal has said. Iqbal made the remarks during the launch of five “young development initiatives” to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the country’s independence.

According to a statement from the ministry, the five key initiatives include 20,000 internships for young engineers, the uplifting of the 20 poor districts of Pakistan, the establishment of 250 mini sports complexes, the establishment of an innovation fund, and 75 national top talent scholarship programs.

Under the internship program, 20,000 young engineers will be hired to improve their skills and employability, the ministry said. The Pakistan innovation fund is intended to prepare a framework for effective innovation policy for the country including the identification of factors that lead to positive and effective innovative regulatory processes, it added.

“Only by privatising the state investment in the young people can we turn Pakistan’s youth bulge from a liability into an asset,” the minister said while highlighting the significance of the initiatives.

KP govt failed to take action against 150 ‘illegal’ housing schemes

PESHWAR aziz Buneri

The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government yet to take legal action against 150 “illegal” and unregistered housing schemes in provincial metropolis, though the Peshawar Development Authority (PDA) has offered to facilitate the provincial government effort for legal action against the “illegal” housing societies.

According to PDA, under the Local Government Site Development Rules 2005, the PDA was responsible for monitoring and permitting private housing schemes in Peshawar, but in 2021, the provincial assembly approved “Private Housing Schemes Management and Regulation Rules” by abolishing the aforementioned rules.

Under the new rule, the responsibility of looking into “illegal” housing schemes has been handed over to the Tehsil Municipal Administrations (TMAs).

Two and a half years ago, the PDA had identified 150 “illegal” schemes in Peshawar city and sent letters to the police to file cases against their owners.

The risk factors include genetic factors like BRCA 1, 2 & p 53 gene mutations, female gender, growing age, high estrogen exposure, obesity, lack of exercise, stress, early menarche, and late menopause, etc.

The speakers emphasized that the majority of the women assume that breast cancer will not happen to them, while the stats point that 1 out 9 women are at risk of suffering from breast cancer in Pakistan.

Any woman over 40 years, or having a family history of breast cancer should go for the Mammography test since early detection saves lives. Switching to healthy eating habits, regular exercise, maintaining a normal weight, and avoiding the use of over-

the-counter medication, especially hormonal medicines is recommended by physicians.

Despite the fact that the World Health Organization Global Breast Cancer Initiative (GBCI) has set the target to reduce 2% breast cancer-related deaths per year worldwide, Pakistan lacks a Breast Cancer control program. Khyber Pakhtunkhwa is the first province to initiate the Breast Cancer Control Programme in Pakistan which was initiated in 2020.

The programme envisions the provision of modern Mammography machines in seven divisions of KP namely, Bannu, Dera Ismail Khan, Hazara, Kohat, Malakand, Mardan, and Peshawar.

PM Shehbaz terms Imran Khan ‘certified liar, thief’

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PM Shehbaz said that disrespecting the country in this manner was a “very serious thing”. There is nothing worse than a prime minister selling state gifts without having them valued and pocketing the cash, he said.

He reiterated that the person accusing others of being a thief had been proven a “certified thief”.

The prime minister alleged that Imran’s Banigala residence was constructed in violation of rules and regulations, which the PTI chief later regularised. “But he then went to Raiwind to demolish my mother’s home. This is the [extent] of his revenge.”

The premier also took exception to PTI leaders’ assertion that PML-N supremo Nawaz Sharif had “written” the electoral watchdog’s verdict against Imran. By that argument, did Imran pen the decision which led to Nawaz’s disqualification, he questioned.

At the outset of his press conference, PM Shehbaz also congratulated Pakistan on its exit from the Financial Action Task Force’s so-called grey list.

“I congratulate the whole nation from the depths of my heart,” he said, adding that Pakistan had attained this success due to “collective efforts”. He noted that the country’s trade and foreign direct investment had suffered due to being on the list.

After our exit from the list, these problems will end, he said.

“This is not my success but Pakistan’s collective success,” he reiterated, thanking and congratulating those who worked day and night to achieve this result.

He also specifically congratulated Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Hina Rabbani Khar and the Foreign Office officials who worked tirelessly in this regard.

“Similarly, I thank our allied parties that supported me and extended their cooperation.”

PM Shehbaz also had a few words of gratitude for Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Qamar Javed Bajwa, saying that his understanding and the commitment of his sub-divisions played a massive role in achieving this success.

The premier claimed that during the PTI government’s tenure, bills relating to the FATF were presented in parliament, which the then-opposition “fully supported”.

“Despite the pride of the government party and its leader, because it was a national matter [… ] we put all these things to one side and fully supported the legislation.

“We were mocked saying we were seeking a NRO (National Reconciliation Ordinance) […] but we bore it and did not compromise on Pakistan’s interest.”

IRC striving hard to assist 1.5m flood-affected people in Pakistan

ISLAMABAD staff report

The International Rescue Committee (IRC) being the first among other international organizations, who had launched an emergency response in early July, has so far supported over 300,000 individuals and aims to assist some 1.5 million people in flood-affected districts of Sindh, Balochistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Punjab.

According to an IRC and its partners carried out Early Needs Identification (ENI) assessment, immediate reported needs by communities are of cash assistance, food items, protection and health services.

As the nationally coordinated efforts for the provision of relief and subsequent rehabilitation of flood-hit people have been accelerated at all levels, there still needs much to protect flood victims from

water-borne diseases and ensure their rehabilitation.

“Currently, IRC is directing its efforts in 16 districts of Sindh, Balochistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Punjab. The ambit of our protection services is further supplemented by the provision of integrated services of multipurpose cash support and psychosocial support sessions to individuals, families and communities,” said Shabnam Baloch, Country Director, International Rescue Committee, Pakistan, while sharing details of the IRC’s ongoing and future programming for displaced people.

She said that the IRC response had so far supported nearly 300,000 individuals and emphasized that displaced families, particularly women and girls remain a priority along with groups that have been economically and socially marginalized.

A prime minister was disqualified for not taking salary from his son: Justice Faez Isa

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Justice Isa said that Pakistan’s coming into being was unprecedented in the world. “Pakistan was created in a democratic way,” he added.

Summarising the country’s turbulent democratic history punctuated by occasional military interventions, Justice Isa said the first attack on democracy was perpetrated by a bureaucrat Ghulam Mohammad.

“The constitution clearly lays down the distribution of authority for different institutions and the judiciary is one of them,” the judge said and added that Bhutto was tried by a civil court, not a military court.

“I was on the bench that took up the case of establishment of military courts … I was the most junior judge and a part of the minority decision,” he added.

“Pakistan needs both judiciary and executive and it also needs the military as a part of the executive; however, what it needs the most is a [democratic] peoples-elected government.” He said removing democracy from Pakistan would be tantamount to stabbing the country in the back and committing treason. “Everyone should respect the constitution.” Moving ahead, Justice Isa said the third attack on democracy came from General Ziaul Haq. “The constitution was torn apart, but a petition against the act was declared admissible,” he added.

General Pervez Musharraf breached the constitution fourth time in the history of the nation, and the Supreme Court even authorised a salaried government servant to amend the constitution. The judge said criticism should be targeted at the one who abused his/her powers and not the institution.

“Crticise the general by name who breached the constitution and not the armed forces of Pakistan; disagree with me as a judge, but do not condemn the Supreme Court,” he said.

Justice Isa said that he will not point fingers at any institution.

“Under Article 5, all of us including me are bound to abide by the constitution,” he added.

Justice Isa said that if a citizen monitoring institution for democracy was established, it could monitor those getting salaries and pensions from the government.

He said he would place General Ayub Khan, General Zia-ulHaq and General Pervez Musharraf on the executive’s blacklist and the first and second army chiefs of Pakistan on the whitelist.

He said Ayub Khan had asked for a plot from the army chief. Later, the army chief was removed and the politics revolving around plots started. “Politics of plots is very famous in Pakistan,” he said.

“I was a chief justice at the Balochistan High Court for five years and judges cannot say that they were under pressure. If someone says that he is under pressure then he is not following the oath he has taken,” he remarked.

He recalled that once he watched the interview of a chief justice that brought tears to his eyes. “That chief justice said that the verdict of the Bhutto case was given under pressure,” said Justice Isa.

“It is the Constitution that keeps the country united.”

Justice Faez Isa opposes elevation of three judges to SC Meanwhile, just two days ahead of judicial commission’s meeting scheduled for Monday to approve the appointment of new Supreme Court (SC) judges, Justice Qazi Faez Isa of the SC raised objection to the three nominations for their appointment as apex court judges, sources said on Saturday.

In a letter to Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Justice Umar Bandial, the judge raised objections to the nomination of Lahore High Court’s (LHC) Justice Shahid Waheed, Sindh High Court’s (SHC) Syed Hassan Azhar Rizvi and Justice Shafi Siddiqui, saying their elevation to the SC had already been rejected on July 28, 2022, and that it would be inappropriate to reconsider their names.

He stressed the need for considering the names of competent judges for their appointment in the SC.

All set to celebrate 75th Founding Anniversary of AJK tomorrow

MIRPuR staff report

All is set to celebrate the 75th founding day of the emergence of Azad government of the State of Jammu & Kashmir on October 24 in a befitting manner.

As in all previous years, the historical day of exceptional significance will be celebrated with the renewal of the pledge to continue the Kashmir freedom struggle till it reaches to its logical end through the liberation of the Indian Illegally occupied part of the internationally-acknowledged disputed Himalayan State – besides to lend all of the

due contributions for the speedy progress and prosperity of the liberated territory of AJK.

This year too, the anniversary of the emergence of the AJK government is being observed when India, through her shameful, forced, sinister unlawful act of August 5, three years ago, scrapped the special status of the internationally-acknowledged disputed Himalayan state of Jammu & Kashmir through abrogating article 370 and 35-A of her own constitution by blatantly defying the United Nations Resolutions on Kashmir which determine the grant of the right of self-determination to the people of the disputed Jammu & Kashmir state through a free

and fair plebiscite granting Kashmiris the above right to decide about their destiny.

The Founding Day of Azad Jammu Kashmir government is observed every year to celebrate the founding anniversary of Azad Jammu Kashmir government formed this day 73 years ago on October 24, 1947 after the AJK territory was got liberated by the valiant sons of the soil from the clutches of the India-backed despotic Dogra rule.

Speakers will highlight the historic significance of the founding day. Besides, ‘fateha’ will be offered for the Kashmiri martyrs besides offering special prayers for the early success of the Jammu & Kashmir free-

dom movement as well as the progress and prosperity of AJK State.

The day will dawn with special prayers for the early success of the Kashmir freedom movement, as well as for the stability and prosperity of Pakistan, the ultimate destination of the people of Jammu and Kashmir, who (Kashmiris) had attached their destiny with it, the day they raised their voice against the India-backed Dogra regime 75 years ago. It will be followed by rallies in various parts of AJK being organized by public and private organizations to commemorate the day.

In Mirpur special ceremonies would be held to observe the Foundation Day of AJK

government under the auspices of various social, political and public representative organizations under the fold of the National Events Organizing Committee on October 24 across AJK. Major Pakistan and AJK national flags hoisting ceremonies will be held at Municipal Corporation Mirpur lawn at 09.00 am.

According to the organizers, special meetings including seminars and symposia will the hallmark of the founding day of AJK being observed throughout the liberated territory with total deep sympathies of their brethren on the other side of the line of control renewing the pledge to achieve the right of self-determination at all costs.

Off the grey list

Staying off is the new challenge

PAKIStANhas been removed from the FAtF’s dreaded ‘grey list’ after a period of four years after ‘largely addressing’ all ‘action plan’ items. that the PtI came to power in 2018 when Pakistan was placed on the list and is no longer running the federal government when the county is finally off the hook should not mean that it does not get the credit. there were many challenges in the way of satisfying the international terror financing watchdog that not only required a revamp of certain banking procedures, a task undertaken by the central bank, but also the passing of legislation which got the us closer to the goal of exiting the list. there was also the added pressure of regularly garnering international support amongst the member countries of the FAtF to thwart continuous efforts made by India, also a member, to keep Pakistan on the grey list and downgrade it further to the black list. this required effective diplomacy on part of the Foreign Ministry and leadership of the time to keep our friends on the FAtF members list on our side. Even at the latest plenary where Pakistan was moved to the ‘white list’, India had planned to table proposals derailing the move but China was able to stop this.

Now that the immediate challenge has been overcome, the relatively more difficult effort to avoid being downgraded again must begin. Pakistan would not have been in the FAtF watch list if it had already set in place laws, rules and procedures aimed at combating terrorism financing and money laundering. And It was only after the FAtF took notice that the relevant ministries and institutions scrambled to do what was necessary. there still exists a perception internationally, which is justifiable to an extent, that Pakistan sponsors certain terrorist activities and has a rather lax attitude over controlling the flow of the illicit money that finances it. the only way to shed this image and create a credible and clean profile of a country whose interests are aligned with other countries that want to eradicate terrorism by going after its jugular, the money, is by sticking to the FAtF’s reform proposals, building upon them and further strengthening their implementation. Amongst the political and economic chaos currently facing the country that has als o dividedit to the extent that prominent political leaders cannot stand one another, there is a need to at least come together, agree with consensus and ensure that the country does not end up in the position it only just got out of.the best way for the government to achieve that is to comply with the FAtF’s guidelines fully, not because it has to, but because it should.

The Cycle of Poverty in Pakistan

come).

How to Break the Cycle?

ACCORDINGto the United Nations, 10 percent of the world’s population lives on less than $1.90 a day. Globally five percent of people (368 million) are living in extreme poverty and the majority belong to India, Nigeria, Congo, Ethiopia and Bangladesh.

Globally 13 percent of people do not have access to electricity and 40 percent do not have access to clean fuels for cooking.

Approximately 22000 children die each day due to living in poverty. It is a fact that at this time there are 2.2 billion children in this world and one billion of them live in poverty. In the last decade, global poverty has decreased by half but it is a reality that 71 percent of the world population is still living in low-income or poor conditions (less than $10 per day income).

the trend of a gradual decrease in poverty in the last decade was interrupted in 2020 when poverty rose due to the disruption caused by the covid-19 crisis combined with the effects of conflict and climate change. Surprisingly, the wealth of the top 100 people in this world is enough to eliminate extreme poverty in this world.

It is very important to understand the cycle of poverty before statring to think about poverty reduction. It is simple to understand. If there is a poor family then due to poverty their children will grow up in poverty and such poor children have little or no access to education and skills. As a result, in the future, they would be unable to find suitable work. their income will be low then again they become a poor family and this cycle of poverty will remain to continue.

According to HIES surveys, in Pakistan, the poverty rate was 61.6 percent in 1998 which has reduced to 21.5 percent by 2018. But on the other hand, it is a fact that 77.60 percent of Pakistan’s population lives in poor conditions (less than $5.50 per day in-

In Pakistan, the government tried to reduce poverty by introducing different poverty alleviation programmes. In March 1967, the government introduced the Social Security Programme for employees. In 1970, Workers’ Welfare Fund Scheme and Workers’ Children Education Ordinance were initiated by the government. In 1976, the Employees Old Age Benefits Institution (EOBI) was established. the Zakat and Ushr department was established in 1980. Government set up the Pakistan Bait-ul-Mal (PBM) as an autonomous corporate body in 1992. the Pakistan Poverty Alleviation Fund (PPAF) was founded in 1997 by the government to help the poor through loans. Now, it is working with the World Bank. the Benazir Income Support Programme was launched in 2008 especially to help poor women. the Ehsaas Programme was introduced in 2019.

No doubt, the government seriously took the above measures to decrease poverty but these are not enough to achieve the goal. It needs innovative and deep thinking to rapidly reduce poverty.

No doubt, inequality is the main cause of poverty. the biggest inequality that needs to be addressed is gender inequality. So, women's empowerment is the remedy to reduce poverty.

Government must introduce innovative climate change solutions and must promote climate justice to develop resilience against climate change. Education is an effective tool to reduce poverty and improve the lives of people. According to UNESCO, if all students in low-income countries had just basic reading and writing skills (nothing else), an estimated 171 million people could escape extreme poverty. Government must provide technical or skillbased education to the children of poor families or must provide scholarships to a maximum number of students. technical or skill-based education will provide skilled labour to industry. Peace is required for

Is humanity getting better?

the Easterlin Paradox clarifies that with every level of accomplishment human beings reset the level of expectations and satisfaction, thus even richer countries or individuals never get happier as the people in unde-developing phases perceive the individuals or state as better than their subjective conditions. We are getting better collectively but we have not evolved the emotions to perceive well-being and elevated standards in comparison to history.

Itis a common perception that we are living in the most unstable and disturbing circumstances amidst inequality, class differences, and political violence. In reality, our lives in the 21st century have become more prosperous, happier, and safer than ever before in the last 10,000 years of recorded human history which only shows the follies of mankind.

With the advent of the Enlightenment, science, and humanism; global wealth, the quality of life, reducing violence, and school enrolment improved and increased in sheer volume. the popular narrative in the international system is that the richer are happier than the poor and progressive standards are only enhanced for the rich.

On level 1, the most important idea is that human life expectancy increased in the 20th and 21st centuries. Steven Pinker in his Enlightenment Now explains that the life expectancy of human beings was 35 years in the 19th century which jumped to 71.4 years in 2015.

Due to improvements in science and technology, it becomes easy to increase life expectancy. Science helped to multiply crop cultivation through machinery which ultimately increased the food accumulation and the calorie intake of human beings in the last decades which helped to increase the expectancy of life.

On level 2, human life is getting better because the quality of life has improved. It is a misunderstood conception to compare human progress with annual income. Quality of life in recent decades dramatically changed which is a bit of achievement, but in modern days we are only concerned about income and money because income is a proxy to buy all the goods of life. Charles Kenny in his Getting Better: Why Global Development is Succeeding took a different stance and critiqued humans’ focus on income and emphasized other measures of life too like the quality of life which are more encouraging but people only think about income. On level 3; in the 20th Century 50 percent population of the world was downtrodden but in the 21st Century 10 percent population in the world is under the poverty line. In 1898 Malthus affirmed that with the height of the population the bases of food will shrink.

Modern capitalist economies vandalized the classic thoughts of curling population climb and food scarcity.

On level 4; Infant mortality is down and life survivability even amidst the harmful increasing conditions of the HIV pandemic is improving. In the recent history of mankind,

economic activities and it is a basic requirement of any poverty alleviation programme. the Government must provide micro-financing schemes to issue loans to skillful people for small businesses. But to promote small businesses, efficient and easy cash transfer services are also required. Good health is required for focused working. So, the government must provide free or low-cost health facilities for poor families

If the government helps poor children to get a good education (either technical/skill-based or higher education) then in the future they would be able to get good jobs or develop entrepreneurial setups. It will boost their income, they will not remain poor and such families would come out of the cycle of poverty. So free of cost & purposeful education for poor children, the creation of jobs and financing of small entrepreneurial setups are effective ways to break the poverty cycle in Pakistan. Government must formulate and implement policies for the above said three paradigms because it is a way toward a prosperous and sustainable future.

In Pakistan, 60 percent of labour is dependent on agriculture. In rural areas, it is possible to reduce poverty by adopting sustainable agriculture techniques. Home gardening is an effective way to reduce kitchen expenditures and it helps to reduce poverty. Dairy and livestock development could help to improve the financial status of poor families. Government must provide ICt training to poor students and develop ease for ICt or outsourcing-related working. It is an effective way to reduce poverty as well as to bring foreign remittances to Pakistan also.

If the government helps poor children to get a good education (either technical/skill-based or higher education) then in the future they would be able to get good jobs or develop entrepreneurial setups. It will boost their income, they will not remain poor and such families would come out of the cycle of poverty. So free of cost & purposeful education for poor children, the creation of jobs and financing of small entrepreneurial setups are effective ways to break the poverty cycle in Pakistan. Government must formulate and implement policies for the above said three paradigms because it is a way toward a prosperous and sustainable future.

About the Author Currently, the writer is working at the Institute of Humanities and Arts at Khwaja Fareed University of Engineering and Information Technology, Rahim Yar Khan, Pakistan. He has eighteen18 years of teaching and research experience. Currently, he is teaching Philosophy, History and International Relations. He is also the author of eight books.

covid-19 appeared as a potential threat to the existence of humanity but the Global World within the time framework of two years coped with the potential threat and neutralized it to enormous levels. On level 5; in modern civilization, the school enrolment of children is 90 percent as compared to 40-45 percent in 1950. the literacy rate is more than in 1950.

In the last 3,421 years of recorded history, only 268 have seen no war. War has been the source of natural selection and competition among civilizations for the last 3421 years, but with the advent of Global Institutions after WWII and expanding circle of empathy in the world the perception of violence has been reduced.

Peter Singer in his the Expanding Circle explains that the sense of empathy and understanding of interdependence elevated in recent decades which eventually drastically lowered the violence and vicious nature of human beings. For example, quoting from the very near history of humankind the number of deaths due to violence In World War II was 300 per 100,000 which was reduced in the Korean

War(1950-1953) to 30 per 100,000 which further declined in Vietnam War(19551975) to 10 per 100,0000 deaths.

In the 21st Century, the Death rate due to violence is one per 100,000 deaths. the 21st Century is the most peaceful ever in human history. the prevalent standards of altruism and social empathy for people across borders display maturity in cognitive abilities. In this way, humans get better evolution of the computational mind. Humans have evolved the perception of violence and wars and in this way, they are getting better.

to put other yardsticks together, we are getting better in political systems, fundamental rights, and scientific governance day by day, regardless of inequalities. Inequality is not the measure to make social comparisons but the quality of life and collective growth of ideas. Humanity is getting better with expanded circles of Science, Reason, and Enlightenment.

The writer is a transportation engineer with postgraduations in English literature and political science

MuhaMMad wajahat Sultan

Inequality is not the measure to make social comparisons but the quality of life and collective growth of ideas. Humanity is getting better with expanded circles of Science, Reason, and Enlightenment

MuhaMMad anwar Farooq

Nizami

Nizami (Late)

Aziz

Ahmad

More Strife

More unrest in store

DECADESago, it was not unusual in Pakistani tV audience behaviour patterns, for the entertainment-hungry countrymen eagerly to await the last episode of a serial. Streets wer edeserted for something big. Lately the scriptwriter was allowed his independence by the director and the story used to conclude on logical grounds and a sensible trajectory.

Recently, the pushes for advertising space have made the director and the scriptwriter mere pawns in the hands of the advertising executives. Changes in the last episode of any high-grossing drama serial are the norm of the time.

As the article goes into print, the establishment, like an advertisement-hungry media production company, too has made major changes in the final episode. Imran Khan has been disqualified in the famous toshakhana reference, consequently debarred from being an elected representative as well as not allowed to lead his political group in Parliament or any other such forum. the last episode, it seems, has become more exciting and a photo finish, like in an action-thriller movie, cannot be ruled out. that surprise development, when rumour mills were already abuzz with some sort of settlement between the establishment and the biggest opposition to its policies, has sent shock across the country; where everyone seems to be bracing for unrest, strife and consequently a further slowdown in economic activity. taking a page out of the advertising imperatives, the directors and the actors who keep the public busy with their entertainment on the national political scene too have found a way to conclude the longest grossing drama serial of Pakistan recent political history ‘the revolution in the making” is through a predictable timeline. As unconfirmed news streams in or is deliberately leaked through various media, Pakistan might be heading for early polls. As the narrative being injected into the minds builds up, all will be allowed to have their way in the next elections. A few more might be disqualified. they will include political exiles, former prime ministers as well as leaders of the revolution. Whosoever wins the race or is tipped, as a dark horse will be given the reins of the country to once again try to steer the economy out of the quagmire, the country out of its diplomatic isolation and probably the polity out of its uncertainty.

Here many players who will be appearing in the final episode of the serial will be observed somersaulting or u-turning their stated stances. For the leaders of the revolution, it can be a complete turn-around and business as usual, as there is never a last word in politics. the establishment which gave a shock treat-

ment to Khan today, might well be again talking to him the day after tomorrow. Many jilted supporters who risked their lives, careers and other aspects of life to stand with the calls of revolution will be and should be justified in asking the revolutionary brigade where was that Azadi, where was the Mossadegh coup and where is the much-awaited revolution; waiting in the wings to capture the symbols of power?

For the other side, from the traditional businesses and religious backgrounds, steering the country in the mould of the religio-political right wing, will be the priority. these forces cultivated during the Zia years and probably the oldest establishment drones will be laying their claim to the throne of power in Islamabad. that group values each second and minute they are in Islamabad to have their way in the next elections. they would certainly be looking for pre election developments, which might wrest away the jilted revolutionaries from the socalled revolutionary brigade.

Another group, which has been in and out of the corridors of powe,r and has been progressively shedding away its radical credentials after the successive physical exit of its leaders having the Bhutto name, will also be trying to make the most of the developing situation to its advantage; even if it means only one province under their control.

So what is the take-home for the bewildered Pakistani nation? Business as usual. the powers to be, which were supposed to be cornered by the revolutionary brigade, the right wing brigade which cultivated its victim of the establishment image to capture its voters, all seems to be reporting back to that same despised establishment. the elections, which are supposed to be held in the starting months of 2023, will predictably be influenced by the single reason as to how much the expected or engineered new government is able to keep Pakistan financially afloat and avoid insolvency. that so-called financial

stability is an imperative on which the established order can prolong its influence, power and dictation in the so-called land of the pure.

Here the common man needs to gather courage to first question and then show a collective response to the developing scenario. the developments, which started from November last and culminated in the senseless crisis of April 2022 brought misery to the common man life. Pakistan was little more than Games of thrones or Spartacus, where the scandalous elite was enjoying life while the poor man was glued to the tV, Youtube, Blog channels and the like, as if they were shown sitting in the stadiums of those old serials.

the tug of war between one party and the other two parties collectively caused the inflation to break all the records, despite the fact that economic managers might try to move index years here and there to minimize the media impact. As things stand, the proverbial poverty line has submerged the economy in an irreparable way, pushing hordes beneath its waves. It is a pathetic sight that the submerged lot is asking for help from those very people who are responsible for their plight; the established order and those willing to be partners in the musical chairs; not to forget the Rahbar Inqilaab!

Disqualifications or no disqualifications; the people of Pakistan and those who manage it need to come out of that basest thinking level, if they want to ever to prosper as a nation. The disqualification is likely to trigger unrest for a few days and weeks. However the people of Pakistan, inclusive of the supporters of the disqualified leader, are too hard pressed to risk their livelihood for the proverbial games of thrones

Given the indications that Pakistan will return to its beaten track once again; it should be a point of soul searching for the players too. whether their political and management armoury has the weapon to correct the devastation they brought to the country through sheer economic mismanagement. the people of Pakistan might be exhausted to again stand on their feet on the street; fine. But the simmering anger will be a reality, which will continue to bother the established order and its hangerson in times to come.

Disqualifications or no disqualifications; the people of Pakistan and those who manage it need to come out of that basest thinking level, if they want to ever to prosper as a nation. the disqualification is likely to trigger unrest for a few days and weeks. However the people of Pakistan, inclusive of the supporters of the disqualified leader, are too hard pressed to risk their livelihood for the proverbial games of thrones.

The write is a freelance columnist

Editor’s mail

Send your letters to: Letters to Editor, Pakistan today, 4-Shaarey Fatima Jinnah, Lahore, Pakistan. E-mail: letters@pakistantoday.com.pk

Letters should be addressed to Pakistan today exclusively

Leave and Productivity

tHEREis no doubt that leave is an employee’s right, which is guaranteed by law and also in most cases by the collective labour agreement signed between the employer and the collective bargaining agent (CBA) union. However, employees get the leave by virtue of their jobs with the employer. Because of the job an employee gets several other benefits and privileges from his employer as well. Hence, priority is, and should be, the job, and not the leave. Before going further, it is necessary to know the quantum of various types of leave allowed by law. the Factories Act, 1934 and the W. Pakistan Shops and Establishments Ordinance, 1969, have sections prescribing the leave. the Factories Act allows 14 days of annual leave, 10 days of casual leave and 16 days of sick leave on half average pay per annum to the employees engaged in the manufacturing process. the Shops Ordinance allows equal number of leave to the non-production employees except that eight days of sick leave are given on full pay. Irrespective of this, the quantum of annual leave in the organisations having CBA union is 8-10 days more than the statutory limit of 14 days per annum on account of the collective bargaining agreements.

In addition to the types of leave mentioned above, around 12 days of festival holidays and 52 — or 104 days — of weekly rest days are allowed to the employees every year. An employee’s yearly working days are, therefore, reduced to 261 in an organisation having one weekly rest day, and to 209 in having two rest days.

there is a tendency among the employees habitual of availing excessive leave that they finish their quota of all the three types of leave within the first few months of the new calendar year. thereafter, they start absenting from work without leave and expose themselves to disciplinary action by the employer. the industrial and commercial establishments in Pakistan face chronic problem of absenteeism, which ranks among the top two or three key disciplinary issues confronted by the employers. In view of this factor, progressive organisations adopt various measures to counter the impact of high rate of absenteeism. As the annual leave is taken for long durations, the managers prepare a leave roster for each of their employees at the beginning of the year. the dates/month in which the employees wish to proceed on vacation is agreed with the manager and mentioned in the roster. Any change in the vacation plan is also by mutual agreement in advance. the managements are usually considerate in not asking the employees to submit medical certificate for two days of sick leave. As casual leave is taken by the employees at random, managers ask them to quote the reason for such leave. A professional and wise manager will not refuse such a leave if there is a compelling reason for the employee to remain absent from work. In most cases the manager has to arrange for temporary replacement of employee on leave, which involves additional cost to the organisation. As the management has to ensure that the output of the organisation does not suffer due to excessive absenteeism, it possesses the reciprocal right to manage the entire workforce in a manner that is both effective and amicable.

PARVEZ RAHIM KARACHI

Postal charges

WItHwinter approaching, the change in weather is being felt by those affected by the recent floods. Winters in Balochistan are extremely cold and the displaced people in such areas will suffer badly. Many people want to send warm clothes and other necessary stuff through Pakistan Post, but the postal charges are rather high. the British government back in 1935 had waived the charges in the wake of the massive earthquake that had devastated Quetta. Pakistan Post should consider doing the same.

MALIK UL QUDDOOS KARACHI

Living in the Dark

We had to go without electricity for over two weeks straight, thanks to the outdated transformer that breaks down frequently. Once the transformer goes down, the mafia becomes active and collects Rs500 per house for having it repaired. As the fault occurs almost every week, the mafia collects the money at the same frequency. It has become a regular business. the authorities concerned should take prompt action and address this lingering problem.

IMAMA KHALID HYDERABAD

Illegal Barricades

Itseems as if streets in Sachal Goth area have been declared some sort of a no-go area as a number of influential residents have installed iron barricades at entry and exit points of each street. Even those having their houses on the same street are ‘interrogated’ at the entry point regularly, causing serious irritation. Police have been told of the problem many times, but they remain unmoved. the authorities concerned should remove all such illegal barriers.

TARIQ ALI KHOSO KARACHI

Unsafe Passage

tHEtemporary link road connecting downtown Karachi to the Korangi industrial zone through the Malir River rainwater channel has become quite unsafe for commute after the sunset as criminal elements take advantage of the darkness and deprive the commuters of their valuables. the relevant authorities should deploy police on the road or build a flyover to avoid both traffic jams and theft on that road.

SYED HASNAIN MOSIVI KARACHI

KU Point Buses

the condition of the University of Karachi’s point buses is becoming more and more unbearable. the number of buses is disproportionate with the ever-increasing number of students using them. Resultantly, the points always carry students much beyond their capacity. A little while ago, the university did buy new buses, but they are still not part of the fleet owing to some issue with the registration process. the administration needs to wake up and find a solution to the problem.

ZAINAB SHARIQ KARACHI

naqi akbar

american conServative lászló Bernát Veszprémy

wHIlE2022 has already seen its fair share of horror in the ongoing Russo-Ukraine War, this winter might see the further rise of a new specter: civil war. German social researcher Piotr Kocyba expects a new, violent wave of protests as the continent turns colder. Kocyba, who works at the Chemnitz University of technology and is a member of the board of the Berlin Institute for Protest and Movement Research, claims that right-wing extremists are already heating up the mood, but the left also wants to call citizens to street demonstrations. "If the crisis lasts longer, it cannot be ruled out that terrorist groups will form, as was the case during the anti-refugee protests," the researcher explained to German media.

Kocyba is not alone. "Europe's wealthiest nations face rising risks of civil unrest over the winter, including street protests and demonstrations, due to high energy prices and mounting costs of living, according to a risk consultancy firm," writes Reuters. And according to Verisk Maplecroft's principal analyst torbjorn Soltvedt: "Over the winter, it wouldn't come as a surprise if some of the developed nations in Europe start to see more serious forms of civil unrest.” this was before Reuters reported that Europe might have to brace for mobile phone outages, as currently there are not enough back-up systems in many European countries to handle widespread power cuts.

the authorities are not optimistic either. Stephan Kramer, president of the domestic intelligence office for the state of thuringia, told German broadcaster ZDF that he expects “legitimate protests will be infiltrated by extremists…and that it is likely that some will turn violent.” they will likely be worse than what has already been seen. “What we have experienced so far in the Covid pandemic in terms of partly violent confrontations on social networks, but also in the streets and squares, was probably more like a children’s birthday party in comparison,” Kramer said.

John laughland, a visiting fellow at Hungary's Mathias Corvinus Collegium,

The ThreaT of cIvIl war In europe

turn, was a response to attacks on Christians by Muslims in the Far East. From the actions of the European authorities, it appears clear that they are afraid of a back-and-forth series of terror attacks, in which, responding to attacks in various parts of the world, jihadists and neo-Nazi terrorists stage a bloodbath for innocent Christians and Muslims in Europe.

while skeptical of the "power of the street," anticipates that "we are going into uncharted territory. If there are power cuts, if people are cold, if there are breakdowns in food supplies, if the mobile telephone networks break down...because they have batteries and if there are power cuts for too long, they might not work,” the results will be “unpredictable.”

these warnings might come as a surprise for those not paying attention to the social disintegration of Western Europe in the past decade. But Europe has seen a series of escalating social crises in the past ten years, from major cost-of-living increases, to mass immigration, to the pandemic lockdowns. A winter without energy might prove to be the straw that breaks the camel’s back.

Back in 2018, the Yellow Vest movement in France brought 300,000 people to the streets in more than a thousand protests against the rise of the price of diesel fuel, which had risen to an average of €1.51 per liter (today the price stands at €1.65 per liter). they lit fires, tore down street signs, erected barricades, pulled up paving stones and hurled them at police while shouting slogans against liberal President Emmanuel Macron. the Yellow Vest protestors were middle-aged white Europeans from working class neighborhoods. Is France ready for the revolt of immigrant Muslim youth from the ghettos when the heaters go cold and the phone batteries die?

the “protest culture” of immigrant youth has become well-documented over the past twenty years. In France, thousands of cars burn every New Year's Eve, and in the autumn of 2005, more than 8,000 vehicles were destroyed. Of course, the liberal media has trouble dealing with this. One article from the local's French edition almost reads like a piece from the Onion: "Why do the French set fire to cars on New Year’s Eve? ... that’s because of a longstanding French tradition that sees youths in certain parts of cities torching scores of cars." Notice the use of the term "youths" here, without an adjective, is newspeak for "immigrants."

Meanwhile, the news from Sweden this April can hardly be masked by such creative use of words: "Several days of unrest

in Sweden, sparked by a far-right group's burning of the Koran, have injured at least 40 people, police said on Monday, calling for more resources to deal with the violence," France24 reported. Dozens of police cars were burned. Christian Swedes rarely set their neighborhoods on fire to defend the Koran: this was obviously done by immigrants. But it was merely a repeating of previous occurrences: in 2018, 80 cars were set ablaze across the country by "youths,” and similar events transpired in 2013.

these riots are so commonplace that they have even been depicted in tV and movies. Recently, the French action movie Athena told the story of a mass revolt of immigrants against French police following the death of a young group member. It is receiving wide release via Netflix. But the German series Dogs of Berlin from 2018, also now on Netflix, perhaps gives an even better picture. the television show calls attention not only to the possibility of immigrant gangs rebelling, but also to the neo-Nazi groups ready to capitalize on such a crisis that is slowly growing beneath the surface of a liberal utopia.

Few subjects are as controversial as the prospect of civil war between immigrant groups and neo-Nazis in Europe. the topic is a minefield. Anyone who does not condemn far-right violence in strong enough terms can easily find herself accused of "whitewashing" the perpetrators. At the same time, many conservatives in Europe are so sick of everyone and everything being labeled “far-right” that they do not want to hear about the real neo-Nazi threat anymore.

Of course, in a moral and legal sense, the responsibility for any violence lies solely with the perpetrators and the instigators. At the same time, it must not be forgotten that various social phenomena are in constant interaction with each other, and mass migration is described in sociological literature and international journalism as one of the main reasons for the strengthening of extreme right-wing views. this also cuts both ways.

Some have theorized that European Muslim communities might be attacked by far-right terrorists in response to the inter-

national attacks of Islamist terrorism, and that such violence may lead to further radicalization of the immigrant Muslim communities. After the 2015 attacks in Paris, journalist Jeff Guo noted in the Washington Post that many Muslim communities in Western Europe and North America had been threatened after the jihadist attack; this was significant because, as the title of his article put it: “Hating Muslims plays right into the Islamic State’s hands.”

In the years following the migrant crisis of 2015, the possibility of a civil war between Islamic and far-right terrorists in Europe has been increasingly discussed by researchers and politicians. In a rare case of bipartisan consensus, libertarian Islamcritic Ayaan Hirsi Ali, British “anti-fascist” NGO Hope not Hate, and French President Emmanuel Macron all admitted that the prospect of a “civil war” between Muslims and the far-right was dangerously close: granted, Macron spoke of a “civil war” in relation to the burqa-question. In a 2019 presentation, Péter Keresztes, the head of the Hungarian civil intelligence agency, summarized the situation: "as anti-Islamism grows in the West, the Muslim community is being attacked, and the jihadists may want to take revenge."

Other European authorities seem to agree; the Dutch National Coordination Office for Security and Counter-terrorism has long decried the growth of both farright and Islamist extremism). Apparently, one cannot flood a nation of 17 million with 100,000 migrants without sparking some tensions. It is worth noting that after the most infamous far-right attacks in Germany in the recent period, such as the shooting in Hanau in 2020 and the ramming attack in Volksmarsen in February 2020, the authorities have strengthened the protection of Muslim community facilities. Following the March 2019 shooting in Utrecht, where a Muslim perpetrator killed passers-by, the Dutch police also closed the city's mosques, clearly out of fear of a farright counter-attack.

But the Utrecht attack points to an even more worrying trend. this Islamist attack was itself a response to a massacre in a mosque in Christchurch, New Zealand, in the same month, which, in

Will earth remain inhabitable after 2050?

to climate change and renew for the sixth time their commitment to deliver on the Paris Agreement.

ground-level ozone which, when inhaled, will aggravate respiratory conditions like asthma and emphysema.

Itis quite a dicey time for our planet. In the last 100 years or so, because of our unrestrained use of fossil fuels and systematic overexploitation of the natural resources, we have pushed the planet towards climatological catastrophe. Simply put, we dug ourselves into a deep hole, yet we have not stopped digging.

to pull us out of the hole, world leaders agreed in the 2015 Paris Accords to keep the "global temperature increase in this century to two degrees Celsius while pursuing efforts to limit the increase even further to 1.5 degrees." In order to achieve this goal, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) wants us to halve greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 2030 and attain net zero emissions by 2050.

With that in mind, our leaders are going to meet for the 27th time, from November 618, in Sharm el-Sheikh, a resort town in Egypt, to discuss an array of issues related

Realistically speaking, at the current pace of GHG emissions that is even faster than what was predicted in the early 21st century, and, more importantly, our leaders back-pedalling on the pledges made at the Paris conference, the blueprint for net zero emissions seems like a pipe dream. Under these circumstances, the state of our planet in 2050 seems frightening.

In Bangladesh, India, and Pakistan, as well as Europe and North America, summer will arrive months earlier, and with vengeance, as it did in 2021 and 2022. Persistent heat waves will afflictmuch of the population, resulting in hundreds of thousands of heat-related deaths. Furthermore, it is highly likely that the wet-bulb temperature will oftentimes surpass 35 degrees Celsius, which is the upper limit of human adaptability to heat and humidity. Extremely hot summers will mean more frequent, intense and wide-ranging forest fires burning more trees that will release more carbon dioxide, driving global temperatures even higher. the smog-filled filthy air will kill countless people living nearby. In addition to dirtier air, warmer weather will act as a catalyst for chemical reactions, producing many toxic pollutants, including

As the world warms, rainfalls in Bangladesh during monsoon will become more erratic, less predictable, frightfully dangerous, and immeasurably devastating. the recent cataclysmic floods in Bangladesh's Sylhet and Pakistan due to record monsoon rains and melting glaciers in the Himalayas indicate that by 2050, villages will become small islands in an inland sea. Besides floods, heavy and incessant rainfalls will trigger landslides that have already demolished many homes and claimed hundreds of lives in Bangladesh, India, Nepal and high mountain regions in Asia and elsewhere. In sum, the changing pattern of monsoon will put millions of people in peril.

Augmented by rising sea levels, cyclonic storms will cause the coastal cliffs in Bangladesh, that act as natural barriers against high tides, to collapse. As a consequence, people living in low-lying coastal areas will experience incursions of seawater more often during storm surges, where freshwater supplies will be contaminated and undrinkable, agricultural land will be damaged because of increased salinity, and waterborne diseases will become increasingly common. Additionally, along with many coastal cities and island nations, a large por-

tion of Bangladesh will be underwater.

Massive build-up of heat will turn the high latitude regions of the northern hemisphere – within and outside the Arctic Circle – into wastelands. Inland glaciers, a major source of freshwater, will become a thing of the past. A hotter climate in the Arctic belt will impact the global climate system as a whole through the enhanced release of greenhouse gases, especially the highly potent methane, from thawed permafrost.

According to a study published in the journal Nature Climate Change, global warming will turn more than 25 percent of the Earth into desert. the Sahara Desert will extend to parts of southern Europe. A warmer Earth will exacerbate droughts, mainly outside of the tropics, with far-reaching consequences. they will be drawn-out, leading to acute shortages of water and mass starvation in many parts of the world. Droughts will also drastically raise the number of climate refugees.

the UN's International Office of Migration (IOM) speculates that by 2050, over a billion people will be displaced globally due to climate change. the number of people living in cities will likely triple. People in Dhaka, currently 22.5 million, can expect to rub their shoulders with an additional 13–15 million climate refugees.

Food insecurity, dearth of water and en-

So, are the cities of Europe set to burn this winter? While it is impossible to know exactly what will occur, mass protests and civil unrest appear all but inevitable: in fact, protests are already happening in Czechia and Germany. Here I would love to quote some mainstream newspaper reporting on the unrest, but alas, the establishment seems to be blind to these protests.

In other places, too, the general breakdown has already begun. In January, before the start of the Ukrainian War, the Kazakh government almost fell because of violent protests sparked by rising inflation. "Inflation-related discontent has spiraled rapidly in Kazakhstan, where violent unrest has led to the deployment of foreign peacekeeping troops. the speed with which Kazakhstan’s fuel-price protests escalated into a broader challenge to the regime will concern other governments in the region, wary of a demonstration effect on their own citizens," Economist Intelligence explained.

Even by March of this year, high energy costs had already triggered unrest in parts of Europe. As reported by the Associated Press, in Spain, "Picketers threw burning tires onto a highway overnight. ...Police arrested six people and placed 34 others under investigation, the Interior Ministry said. Striking truckers also have been accused of throwing rocks at trucks that are still working this week, tearing cargo tarps, puncturing truck tires, and threatening working drivers with violence."

Perhaps time will prove Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán right yet again. "It is therefore no wonder that people who are angry and feel cheated, replaced one after another the governments that introduced the [anti-Russian] sanctions," he said a few weeks ago in a speech to the Hungarian parliament, in reference to the devastating loss suffered by the Italian left during the recent elections. Considering the coming cold, and hot tensions between far right and Islamist extremists, it could very well be that before winter is over, several other globalist European governments will follow.

László Bernát Veszprémy is a Hungarian historian and the editor-in-chief of Corvinák, the popular science journal of Mathias Corvinus Collegium.

ergy, together with depleted resources, will provide the spark that will push otherwise peaceful nations into war. Moreover, famine, poverty, unstable governments, vast inequalities within societies, and control for life-sustaining resources will incite riots and civil wars. this is just a small glimpse into what our planet may look like in 2050. to keep our planet inhabitable beyond 2050, we need courageous, visionary leaders with new ideas. Arguably, most of the leaders of the major GHG-emitting nations lack these traits.

So, what is the endgame? In January 2016, British-born American astronaut and climate scientist Piers Sellers wrote in the New York times on his perspectives on climate change, "there is no convincing, demonstrated reason to believe that our evolving future will be worse than our present, assuming careful management of the challenges and risks. History is replete with examples of us humans getting out of tight spots. the winners tended to be realistic, pragmatic, and flexible; the losers were often in denial of the threat."

Sellers' optimistic take on confronting climate change gives us hope for the future. Hence, the doom and gloom picture painted here is not the endgame, nor is it an inevitable future. However, because climate change cannot be curbed through established political systems controlled by the "losers," concerned citizens have to shape the agenda through grassroots work. Otherwise, our planet will be thrown off its axis, plunging into an irreversible feedback loop of everhotter, ever-deadlier conditions. And by 2050, uninhabitability of the Earth may become a harsh reality.

Dr Quamrul Haider is a professor of physics at Fordham University in New York, US.

"EUROPE'S WEALTHIEST NATIONS FACE RISING RISKS OF CIVIL UNREST OVER THE WINTER, INCLUDING STREET PROTESTS AND DEMONSTRATIONS, DUE TO HIGH ENERGY PRICES AND MOUNTING COSTS OF LIVING, ACCORDING TO A RISK CONSULTANCY FIRM"

Daily Star

Quamrul Haider

THE UN'S INTERNATIONAL OFFICE OF MIGRATION (IOM) SPECULATES THAT BY 2050, OVER A BILLION PEOPLE WILL BE DISPLACED GLOBALLY DUE TO CLIMATE CHANGE. THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE LIVING IN CITIES WILL LIKELY TRIPLE

corporate corner

fbr played key role in exit from fAtf grey list

Like many other governmental organizations, FBR has played a key role in completing the FATF action plans relating to DNFBPs, cash smuggling, investigating tax crimes for money laundering and confiscating the proceeds of tax frauds. In 34 items of the FATF action plans, FBR has directly dealt with at least 8 actions and spearheaded the process of their implementation. In order to ensure compliance with regard to DNFBPs, FBR has issued AML/CFT regulations, conducted extensive outreach programs to educate about DNFBPs, established a dedicated IT-based DNFBP Management System, launched customized mobile App for registrations and screening purposes, carried out a large number of onsite inspections and imposed a wide range of penalties for non-compliance. pr

islamic relief eyes scaling up flood relief activities

PAkiStAn needS collAborAtion for economic growth: mAP diAlogue

islaMabad staff report

bUSINESSleaders stressed on the collaborated and sustainable efforts for economic growth at the inaugural launch and dialogue of Marketing Association of Pakistan (MAP) on the theme of “Imagining the Unimaginable” here on Saturday.

Muhammad Azfar Ahsan, Former State Minister and Chairman Board of Investment (BOI), President Marketing Association of Pakistan (MAP) said the prevailing economic situation in the country is short-lived but it has to be revived in months to come considering the billions of dollar potential exist in every sector of economy.

He said Pakistan is a very attractive market for foreign investors even in this situation which is evident that the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) is willing to initiate a dialogue with Pakistan for exploring various venues of investment on a long-term basis.

He said that MAP’s role is very meaningful in the contribution of the

private sector and the economy of the country however it needs to enhance its footprint through various chapters and the new membership of experienced members and leaders including women professionals.

Quoting a theme imagine the unimaginable, Faysal Bank Limited CEO & President Yousaf Hussain said the Faysal Bank has been converted to a full-fledged Islamic bank by the end of 2022, which was a dream of its board of directors eight years ago.

The bank will enhance its presence

with nearly 700 branches converted by the end of 2022 to be the second largest Islamic of the country with wide range of innovative products including a Sharia-compliant credit card.

Muhammad Aurangzeb, President and CEO Habib Bank Limited and Chairman Pakistan Banks’ Association (PBA) said Pakistan’s exit from FATF’s grey list is the prime example of the benefits a united efforts by the policymakers, state institutions and the private secto can bring and this should be replicated with the same spirit for addressing

the core macroeconomic issues.

He added that the Charter of Economy is a workable idea at a national level to address the selected areas of the economy by all these key stakeholders on a sustainable basis.

Ghias Khan, President Overseas Chamber of Commerce and Industry (OICCI) and Engro Corporation said the government should devise a comprehensive policy environment that can give a boost to productive sectors and industries rather than unproductive sectors like real estate.

He also said that the government should also realize that the country’s economic growth is bound to regional growth like in the case of the GCC and ASEAN, hence, bilateral trade with neighboring countries should be promoted in the future.

Maheen Rahman, CEO InfraZamin said that Pakistan stands among the five most populous countries in the world but its contribution is negligible in the global economy whereas 60 % GDP of the world is contributed by 10 most populous countries and unfortunately we being part of this select group only contribute 0.4%

Islamabad: The recent monsoon floods have halted millions of lives and did damage beyond estimations which might take years to recover.

Islamic Relief Pakistan being an experienced humanitarian organization was among the first responders on ground.

The organization through its emergency relief efforts has reached half a million people and aims to reach half a million more in the coming months including the worst affected areas including Dadu and Mirpur Khas in Sindh, Sohbat Pur and Jaffarabad in Balochistan alongside Dera Ismail Khan and Nowshera in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

Country Director for Islamic Relief Pakistan, Mr. Asif Sherazi, who himself is a seasoned humanitarian is of the view that recurring disasters are alarming and the country can’t bear these for long. pr

Sanofi unveils diabetes guidelines for Asian countries

Memon credits Pak Army, Bilawal, other institutions for FATF grey list exit

Sindh Minister for Information Transport and Mass Transit Sharjeel Inam Memon said that Friday proved to be a blessed day for nation as Pakistan was removed from the gray list of FATF. The credit goes to Foreign Minister and PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari and his team for achieving this milestone.

Islamabad: Pakistan has the third highest prevalence of diabetes in the world, with one in four adults or over 33 million people living with the condition. These figures were published by the International Diabetes Federation (IDF) Diabetes Atlas (2021). Over a quarter (26.9%) of adults living with diabetes in Pakistan are undiagnosed. China has the highest incidence of diabetes in the world (141 million), followed by India (74 million), making Asia the leader in Diabetes occurrence. Combatting this requires interventions specific to the Asian context, leading to the development of the Diabetes Guidelines for Asian countries, launched in Pakistan at the Sanofi National Diabetes Conference. Developed by the Asian Insulin Steering and Advocacy Committee (AISAC). pr

Mr. ali ashar Jaffri

FinTech, an amalgam of Finance and Technology, has redefined the horizons of the banking industry. FinTech encompasses software, mobile applications, and other technologies created to improve and automate traditional forms of operating business involving financial transactions for both businesses and consumers. Fintech companies are quite literally revolutionizing the financial services industry throughout the world.

By tackling innovation head on, Fintechs are allowing the financial industry to better serve their customers by making feasiblequality services at low costs. Reshaping the banking industry, this technological revolution includes everything from simple digital mobile applications to complex blockchain networks housing encrypted transactions.

FinTech has taken over the global banking industry including the digitalization of various back-end processes and consumer-facing financial solutions. This holds true for both the developed and developing world. According to research, between the years 2021 to 2022, the number of Fintech start-ups in Africa has tripled to around 5,200 companies. African FinTechs have already made significant inroads into the financial market,

Pakistan Army and other institutions played crucial role in completion of all FATF tasks ahead of time. ' All institutions achieved this target with joint efforts and hard work' the minister said and added that India had tried its best to create hurdles in removal Pakistan name from the gray list, but it faced defeat. He expressed these views while addressing a press conference at Sindh Archives Complex on Saturday. The minister said that in another important development yesterday, the mask came off from the face of the biggest hypocrite of Pakistan. A person who was calling others robbers and thieves, he himself was declared ineligible. The minister said that the Election Commission disqualified Imran Khan on the ground of corrupt practices and it was a historic verdict as all the members of the Election Commission unanimously decided that Imran Khan is no longer Sadiq and Ameen.

He added that the Election Commission has also decided to file a criminal case against Imran Khan in the court of law. He said that Imran Khan had concealed the presents taken from tousha Khana , while filing his declaration with the election commission of Pakistan. He said: Imran Khan had no wealth to buy such valuable presents from toushakhana . ' His yearly FBR declaration had revealed that he had limited income sources,' the minister pointed and asked: ' from where Imran Khan paid for these valu-

able gifts,' He said that after the verdict of election commission of Pakistan, Imran Khan no more remained the head of Pakistan Tehreek -e-Insaf as per law of the land and at the same time Imran Khan lost its assembly membership. The minister said that Imran Khan have announced to file appeal in High Court against his disqualification. Now it will be seen whether special treatment will be given to Imran Khan. Will his appeal will be taken up in same way as the cases of other political leaders heard in courts? the minister said. He said that Imran Khan's disqualification is not the first case, the Election Commission, District Returning Officers and High Courts have disqualified hundreds of leaders and nomination papers of many politicians have been rejected in the past.

He asked : whether Imran Khan will be treated as a Ladla' in this case . He said that in 2018, many leaders of Pakistan People's Party had not been allowed to contest the general elections.

Nomination papers of Pakistan Peoples Party Sindh chapter president were rejected on the basis that he had not included the name of one of his family members in his nomination papers. The minister said: though it was his personal matter. But when same reservation were raised on Imran Khan nomination papers, the court gave him an extra ordinary relief and declared it as his personal matter.

The provincial minister said that if any one has to give extra ordinary relief to Imran Khan, the laws of the country should be amended.

It is unfair to make concessions for Imran Khan and its party leaders and workers and set different rules for others political parties. This will not work any more. The provincial information minister said that the reference of the judicial murder of Shaheed Zulfikar

FinTech: The Future of Banking

with estimated revenues of around US$ 4 billion to US$ 6 billion in the year 2020.

The adoption of various key technologies has become a precursor for the development and sustainable development of a country’s banking industry. Pakistan’s banking industry also requires proactive adoption of various emerging financial technologies strategically in every aspect of a bank’s functioning. Technologies like Handheld devices, Artificial Intelligence, Blockchain, Cloud Computing, Internet-of-Things (IoT) and Hyper Automation are revolutionizing the global banking industry and can lead Pakistan towards the development of a carbon-neutral banking sector. Technology advances give businesses, governments, and social-sector institutions more possibilities to enhance productivity, invent, improve, and reinvent offerings, and contribute to humanity’s sustainable development. The development of a country’s green economic system is intricately linked with the adoption of FinTech. It is estimated that Artificial Intelligence can generate up to US$ 1 trillion additional value for the global banking industry annually using available fi-

nancial data processed in machine learning. Customer and its financial data is the key to treasure in the modern era using which an individual or business can be evaluated for target based offering of customized variety of products. Blockchain technology will play an important role in the adoption of various FinTechs including digital wallets, digital assets, decentralized finance (DeFi), and non- fun-

Ali Bhutto which is the oldest and biggest case of this country, is pending in supreme court for many years.

He deplored that no decision has been given till date on the reference of the judicial murder of Shaheed Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, who is the creator of the country's constitution, democracy and nuclear program, and added that courts have no time for the case of country's most popular prime minister. But Imran Khan and PTI who are continuously violating the laws of the country, being given special treatment at all level and courts opens their door for them on off days and even at late night. Though they are running a heinous campaign on social media against the institutions of the country and their heads.

The minister said that PTI leaders and it's workers have taken law into their hands after the EC verdict in Islamabad and other cities. Roads are being blocked. Police personal were being beaten . In Islamabad a guard of MNA belonging to PTI opened fire on police but still they are Ladlas . In response to a question, Sharjeel Inam Memon said that the federal government is taking action against miscreants and, cases are being registered. But they are getting relief from all courts. The decisions in the courts are being taken on the basis of faces not on basis of the cases.

In response to a question, he warned that if PTI blocked the roads, tried to block the way of ambulances and public , they will be dealt with severely.

The Sindh Police have been directed that if they are protesting in any ground or park, they should be allowed and if they block the roads, strict action should be taken against them as per the law. He said that Imran Khan has turned political differences into personal enmity and this person has crossed all limits.

Imran Khan's entire political career is based on corruption, immorality and hypocrisy.

On a question, he said that what is target of Imran Khan long march, if his long march is aimed at announcing the general elections in the country.

Then, according to the constitution and law, PTI should table a motion of no confidence in the assembly, if they succeed , then they should announce new elections.

gible tokens (NFT). Research shows that by the year 2030, cloud technology will account for more than US$1 trillion of the world’s top 500 companies’ earnings before tax.

Fintech and Bank partnership are fulfilling the gaps to digitize business processes and payments. Offering numerous products with effective customer experience integrated with proximity and online payment solution. The partnership generates new revenue streams for both Bank and Fintech specifically targeting Millennials and Gen Z consumers.

In addition to the profound economic benefits of FinTech, this financial and technological revolution promises the attainment of simultaneous economic, social, and environmental sustainability. Adoption of FinTech and Green Banking go hand-in-hand as FinTech can help the banking industry to evaluate and reduce its adverse environmental impact and provide a pathway for the investors to channel their operations towards more sustainable economic solutions. Artificial Intelligence and blockchain platforms can assist a bank to monitor, quantify, and report the various

social and environmental impacts of its various operations. Similarly, big data analytics can play a role in measuring a bank’s carbon emissions or the traceability of its supply chain operations. These technologies can also help reduce the carbon footprint at the banking customer’s end. In a post COVID19 world of financial services, Green Banking is increasingly getting due attention and is now moving into the mainstream through policy, regulation, market forces and, most importantly, consumer demand. The merger of Green Banking and FinTech has become a necessity and a reality which can shape Pakistan’s future as a sustainable and prosperous economy.

(Note: Facts and Figures mentioned in the article are referenced from McKinsey.)

About the Author:-

Ali Ashar Jaffri is the Group Head (Administration, Engineering Projects, BCP & IT) and look after Green Banking as well at Bank AL Habib Limited, Pakistan. He has more than 23 years of managerial experience in a number of reputed national and international organizations.

Email: ali.ashar@bankalhabib.com

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ali-ashar-jaffria1790a1a

karachi staff report

Xi JinPing eXPreSSeS confidence in creAting new, greAter MirAcleS

IsLaMaBaD MiAn AbrAr

tHECommunist Party of China (CPC) is fully confident and capable of creating new and even greater miracles on the new journey of the new era, Xi Jinping said as the 20th CPC National Congress came to a conclusion in Beijing on Saturday.

The CPC congress has realized its goals of unifying thinking, fortifying confidence, charting the course, and boosting morale, Xi told 2,338 delegates and specially invited delegates present at the closing session of the week-long congress at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing. “This has been a congress of holding our banner high, pooling our strength, and promoting solidarity and dedication.”

At the closing session presided over by Xi, the congress elected a new CPC Central Committee, with 205 members and 171 alternate members, and a new Central Commission for Discipline Inspection (CCDI) consisting of 133 members.

The congress passed a resolution on the report of the 19th CPC Central Committee, a resolution on the work report of the 19th CCDI, and a resolution on an amendment to the CPC Constitution.

“We believe that all the decisions and plans set out at the congress and all its outcomes will play a significant role in guiding and underpinning our efforts to build a modern socialist country in all respects, advance national rejuvenation on all fronts, and secure new victories for socialism with Chinese characteristics,” Xi said.

Xi called on the delegates to firmly keep in mind the Party’s original aspiration and founding mission and the country’s most fundamental interests, and firmly keep in mind that “this country is its people; the people are the country.”

Xi Jinping, Li Keqiang, Li Zhan-

Johnson returns to UK as Sunak qualifies for PM race

LONDON Agencies

Former prime minister Boris Johnson on Saturday returned to Britain from a holiday to launch an audacious political comeback, as Conservative leadership rival Rishi Sunak reached the minimum threshold to contest the UK’s top job.

Johnson cut short a Caribbean trip to join the seemingly three-person race to replace outgoing leader Liz Truss, with allies telling British media he was “up for it”.

The divisive 58-year-old Brexit architect only relinquished power in early September, two months after announcing his resignation following a Tory revolt over a slew of scandals. His apparent bid to return to office just weeks later has already been decried by opposition politicians, and even some in his own fractured ruling party who argue that both it and the country need stability and unity.

“We’ve got to go forward, not go back,” Dominic Raab — Johnson’s deputy prime minister — told Sky News, adding an imminent parliamentary inquiry into the “Partygate” scandal that dogged his former boss could prove too distracting.

Raab said former finance minister Sunak’s economic experience meant he was the “standout candidate”. The Tories were forced into a second, this time expedited, leadership contest since the summer after Truss dramatically announced Thursday she would stand down — just 44 tempestuous days into her tenure.

It followed a disastrous tax-slashing mini-budget that sparked economic and political turmoil which had been predicted by Sunak. In a sign of the toll from the tumult, ratings agency Moody’s said Friday it had downgraded Britain’s outlook, blaming in part “heightened unpredictability in policy making”.

shu, Wang Yang, Wang Huning, Zhao Leji, Han Zheng, Wang Qishan and Hu Jintao attend the closing session of the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China (CPC) at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, October 22, 2022. /Xinhua

Xi Jinping, Li Keqiang, Li Zhanshu, Wang Yang, Wang Huning, Zhao Leji, Han Zheng, Wang Qishan and Hu Jintao attend the closing session of the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China (CPC) at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, October 22, 2022. /Xinhua

During the congress, the central

committees of other political parties, the All-China Federation of Industry and Commerce as well as public figures from all ethnic groups and all sectors in China offered their congratulations, as did members of the public through various means. Political parties and organizations in many countries around the world also sent congratulatory messages.

“The presidium of the congress wishes to express its heartfelt thanks to each and every one of them,” Xi said.

Having come through a century of great endeavor, the Party is once again embarking on a new journey on which it will face new tests, Xi noted. “We are fully confident and capable of creating new and even greater miracles on the new journey of the new era – miracles that will amaze the world.”

Xi urged all Party members to stay closely rallied around the CPC Central Committee and hold high the great banner of socialism with Chinese characteristics.

“We must remain confident in our history, exhibit greater historical initiative, and have the courage to fight and the mettle to win,” he said.

Xi called on the Party to stay focused, determinedly forge ahead, and unite and lead all Chinese people in striving to fulfill the goals and tasks set out at the 20th CPC National Congress.

Far-right Meloni sworn in as Italy’s first woman PM

ROME Agencies

Far-right leader Giorgia Meloni was sworn in as Italian prime minister on Saturday, to become the first woman to head a government in Italy.

Meloni took the oath before President Sergio Mattarella at the Quirinal Palace in Rome, once home to popes and kings of Italy.

Her post-fascist Brothers of Italy party — Eurosceptic and anti-immigration — won the September 25 legislative polls but needed outside support to form a government.

Meloni’s appointment is an historic event for the eurozone’s third largest economy and for Brothers of Italy, which has never been in government.

It won 26 percent of the vote last month, compared to eight and nine percent respectively for her allies Forza Italia and the far-right League. Meloni’s list of 24 ministers, including six women, revealed a desire to reassure Italy’s partners. She named Giancarlo Giorgetti as economy minister, who served under the previous

government of Mario Draghi.

Giorgetti, a former minister of economic development, is considered one of the more moderate, pro-Europe members of Matteo Salvini’s League. Meloni also named exEuropean Parliament president Antonio Tajani, of Forza Italia, as foreign minister and deputy prime minister.

Salvini will serve as deputy prime minister and minister of infrastructure and transport.

That appointment is likely to disappoint Salvini, who wanted Meloni to give him the role of interior minister again after he previously held the post between 2018 and 2019. The position went instead to a technocrat, Rome prefect Matteo Piantedosi.

A formal ceremony for the handover of power from Draghi to Meloni will take place on Sunday before the premier leads the first cabinet meeting. European Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen congratulated Meloni on her appointment.

“I count on and look forward to constructive cooperation with the new government on the challenges we face to-

gether,” she tweeted on Saturday, while European Parliament speaker Roberta Metsola tweeted in Italian that “Europe needs Italy”.

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban meanwhile tweeted: “Congratulations @GiorgiaMeloni on the formation of your government! Big day for the European Right!”

The consultations to cobble together a government had been overshadowed by disagreements with her two would-be coalition partners over Meloni’s ardent support for Ukraine since the Russian invasion, whereas the leaders of Forza Italia and the League are both considered close to Moscow.

A recording was leaked in which Italy’s former prime minister Silvio Berlusconi — who heads Forza Italia — talks about his warm ties with Moscow and appeared to blame the war in Ukraine on Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. Berlusconi says the comments were taken out of context. Salvini, meanwhile, is a long-time fan of Russian President Vladimir Putin and has criticised Western sanctions on Russia.

Japan, Australia ink ‘landmark’ security pact

TOKYO AFP

Australia and Japan agreed to share more sensitive intelligence and deepen military cooperation Saturday, signing a security pact aimed at countering China’s military rise.

Prime ministers Fumio Kishida and Anthony Albanese inked the accord in the Western Australian city of Perth, revamping a 15-year-old agreement drafted when terrorism and weapons proliferation were the overriding concerns.

“This landmark declaration sends a strong signal to the region of our strategic alignment”, said Albanese, hailing the “Joint Declaration on Security Cooperation”.

Under the accord, the two countries agreed military forces would train together in Northern Australia, and would “expand and strengthen cooperation across defence, intelligence sharing”, Australian officials said.

Without citing China or North Korea by name, Kishida said the agreement was a response to an “increasingly harsh strategic environment”.

Neither Australia nor Japan has the armies of overseas intelligence operatives and foreign informants needed to play in the major leagues of global espionage.

Japan does not have a foreign spy agency equivalent to America’s CIA, Britain’s MI6, Russia’s FSB or Australia’s much smaller agency ASIO.

But according to expert Bryce Wakefield, Australia and Japan do have formidable signals and geospatial capabilities — electronic eavesdropping and high-tech satellites that provide invaluable intelligence on adversaries.

Wakefield, director of the Australian Institute of International Affairs, said the agreement could also have broader significance, providing a template for Japan to accelerate intelligence ties with countries like Britain.

Some even see the accord as another step toward Japan joining the powerful Five Eyes intelligence-sharing alliance between Australia, Britain, Canada, New Zealand and the United States.

It is “an epoch-making event that Japan can share SIGINT with a foreign nation except for the United States,” Ken Kotani, an expert in the history of Japanese intelligence at Nihon University told AFP.

“This will strengthen the framework of Quad (Australia, India, Japan and the United States) and the first step for Japan’s join to the Five Eyes,” he added.

Such a suggestion would have been unthinkable a few decades ago. But events in Japan’s neighbourhood have forced a rethink of the country’s pacifist policies established in the wake of World War II.

In recent years North Korea has repeatedly lobbed missiles over and around Japan, while China has built the world’s largest navy, revamped the globe’s biggest standing army, and amassed a nuclear and ballistic arsenal right on Japan’s doorstep.

‘Leaked like a sieve’

But hurdles remain for Tokyo’s closer security cooperation with allies.

Japan’s intelligence sharing with the United States and other allies has been hampered by longstanding concerns about Tokyo’s ability to handle sensitive confidential material and transmit it securely.

“To put it bluntly Japan has traditionally leaked like a sieve,” said Brad Williams, author of a book on Japanese intelligence policy and a professor at the City University of Hong Kong. Laws have been introduced to more severely punish intelligence leaks, but for now, Australia will likely be forced to scrub any intelligence it passes to Japan for information gleaned from the Five Eyes network.

Prime ministers Kishida and Albanese also vowed more cooperation on energy security.

Opposing, deterring separatists seeking ‘Taiwan independence’ added to CPC Constitution: Resolution

BEIJING Agencies

The 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China (CPC) on Saturday passed a resolution on an amendment to the CPC Constitution. Fully, faithfully, and resolutely implementing the policy of One Country, Two Systems; resolutely opposing and deterring separatists seeking “Taiwan independence” will be added to the amended Party Constitution. The Congress notes that since the 19th National Congress, Comrade Xi Jinping has put forward a series of new ideas, new thinking, and new strategies on national defense, the armed forces, the united front, and foreign affairs.

It agrees to include in the Party Constitution statements on enhancing political loyalty in the military, strengthening the military through reform, science and technology, and

personnel training, and running the military in accordance with the law; elevating the people’s armed forces to world-class standards; fully, faithfully, and resolutely implementing the policy of One Country, Two Systems; resolutely opposing and deterring separatists seeking “Taiwan independence”; holding dear humanity’s shared values of peace, development, fairness, justice, democracy, and freedom; and advancing the building of an open, inclusive, clean, and beautiful world that enjoys lasting peace, universal security, and common prosperity.

These revisions reaffirm the Party’s commitment to building a strong military with Chinese characteristics, making sustained and steady progress with the One Country, Two Systems policy, advancing national reunification, promoting the building of a human community with a shared future, and leading the tide of human progress.

Speaking at the opening session of the 20th CPC National Congress on October 16, Xi said that “We will continue to strive for peaceful reunification with the greatest sincerity and the utmost effort, but we will never promise to renounce the use of force, and we reserve the option of taking all measures necessary. This is directed solely at interference by outside forces and the few separatists seeking ‘Taiwan independence’ and their separatist activities; it is by no means targeted at our Taiwan compatriots.”

Xi said that the wheels of history are rolling on toward China’s reunification and the rejuvenation of the Chinese nation. “Complete reunification of our country must be realized, and it can, without doubt, be realized!”

The inclusion of “resolutely opposing and deterring separatists seeking ‘Taiwan independence'” in the amended Party Constitution indicates that the CPC leadership

understands national reunification is an essential step toward national rejuvenation and it takes the reunification as a crucial historical task of its governance, Tian Feilong, a legal expert at Beihang University in Beijing, told the Global Times on Saturday.

The Party will lead the entire country to firmly grasp the initiative of the cross-Straits relations, to create and build up the momentum to promote reunification, until the final realization of the national reunification, said Tian.

The 19th National Congress of the CPC, which was held in 2017, adopted the revised Constitution of the CPC, which says that “the Party shall work continuously to strengthen the unity of all the Chinese people, including compatriots in the Hong Kong and Macao special administrative regions and in Taiwan as well as overseas Chinese.

It shall promote long-term prosperity and stability in Hong Kong and Macao and

achieve the reunification of the motherland in conformity with the principle of One Country, Two Systems.

Li Xiaobing, an expert on Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan affairs from Nankai University, pointed out that “fully, faithfully, and resolutely implement the policy of One Country, Two Systems” being included into the amended Party Constitution shows that the Party leadership has formed a “more precise and richer” mastery of legal principle and practice of the policy, and that the Party is more committed to using One Country, Two Systems to promote better development and better opening up.

It also sent a signal to Hong Kong, Macao, and the international community that “One Country” and “Two Systems” are integral to each other, and the CPC is the key to promoting the steady implementation of this policy, said the observer.

All SeT for high - profile pAk - indiA T20 WC enCounTer TodAy

ISLAMABAD stAFF RePoRt

THEhigh-profile encounter of the Men’s T20 World Cup would take place on Sunday (today), when archrivals Pakistan and India will come face-to-face at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.

Both teams were long-time arch rivals and their competition was measured as one of the most intense cricket rivalries known throughout the world.

Pakistan-India cricket match has been estimated to attract billions of viewers around the globe. In ICC World Cup matches, India has a record of 13-1 over Pakistan. India had won all 7 matches of 50-over

ICC World Cup matches while four T20 World Cup games. Pakistan had bagged 1 out of the 6 T20 World Cup games while 1 ended in a draw.

Among the matches played, some memorable moments were shared by Indians while some were cherished by Pakistanis.

Some of Pakistan’s unforgettable moments include, Javed Miandad hitting a six in the 1986 Australasia cup final in Sharjah when Chetan Sharma bowled the last bowl of the match and Pakistan needed four runs to win.

In the Asian Test Championship in 1999 (India), Saeed Anwar struck a match-winning 188* to help Pakistan win the match.

In the Wills trophy final played at Sharjah, Aaqib Javed claimed a

hat trick against India with his best bowling figures of 7/37 off 10 overs.

Pakistan won a memorable 2006 series in India. After losing the first two ODIs, Pakistan went on to win the next 4 ODIs clinically claiming the series 4-2. It was a famous win for Pakistan as they were hinted as the weakest Pakistani team to tour India. Pakistan beat India in the 2009 edition of the Champions Trophy by 54 runs.

Pakistan downed India by 180 runs, which was the largest margin of victory in the final of an ICC ODI tournament in the final of the 2017 ICC Champions Trophy at The Oval in London.

Pakistan also crushed India by 10 wickets in the 2021 T20 World Cup opener and made its first-ever

victory over the “Men in Blue” in a World Cup match. Last month, Pakistan also downed India in the Asia Cup encounter by five wickets.

Pakistan squad includes Babar Azam, Shadab Khan, Fakhar Zaman, Asif Ali, Haider Ali, Iftikhar Ahmed, Khushdil Shah, Mohammad Hasnain, Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Rizwan, Mohammad Wasim, Naseem Shah, Shaheen Afridi, Shan Masood and Haris Rauf.

Whereas, the Indian team comprises Rohit Sharma, Rishabh Pant, Axar Patel, KL Rahul, Dinesh Karthik, Virat Kohli, Hardik Pandya, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Suryakumar Yadav, Ravichandran Ashwin, Harshal Patel, Deepak Hooda, Yuzvendra Chahal, Arshdeep Singh

egyptian players through to CAS international c’ship finals

ISLAMABAD stAFF RePoRt

World No. 27 Mustafa El Sirty of Egypt came through a hard-fought 61-minute contest against World No. 65 Balazs Farkas of Hungary to make it to the final of CAS-Serena Hotels International Squash Championship for Men at Mushaf Squash Complex here on Saturday. El Sirty won the first game 11-5 but lost the next two 9-11, 3-11. However, he back from behind strongly to take the fourth and fifth games 11-6 and 11-622 .into final (EGY) bt World No 65 Balazs Farkas (HUN) 11-5, 9-11, 3-11, 11-6, 11-6. In the final, he will take on compatriot World No. 28 Mohamed ElSherbini, who in the second semifinal overpowered another Egyptian World No. 45 Yahya Elnawasany 8-11, 113, 11-8, 11-6 in 44 minutes. Meanwhile, in the first semifinal of Serena-Combaxx Sports International Championship for Women, World No. 82 Malik Khafagy of Egypt defeated her compatriot World No 157 Nour Heikal 6-11, 11-8, 12-10, 7-11, 11-7 in 49 minutes whereas in the second semifinal, World No. 73 Fayrouz Aboelkheir of Egypt saw off World No. 70 Marta Dominguez Fernandez of Spain 11-6, 11-7, 11-8 in 18 minutes. The finals of the two events will take place on Sunday.

West indies board reacts to T20 World Cup flop show

JAMAICA Agencies

Cricket West Indies Chief Ricky Skerritt came up with a strongly-worded statement, expressing his disappointment over West Indies’s early exit from T20 World Cup 2022. Nicholas Pooran-led side lost to Scotland and Ireland to exit the World Cup before the Super 12 stages. Cricket West Indies president Ricky Skerritt said that the board was deeply disappointed with West Indies’s performance in T20 World Cup 2022, saying he was able to understand the “utter frustration” that is being expressed by a section of fans after their early exit. West Indies failed to make the Super 12 stage of the T20 World Cup, bowing out in Round 1 of the tournament for the first time in their history. The two-time champions, who dominated the format in the past, lost to Ireland and Scotland to suffer an early exit.

and Mohammed Shami. However, Pakistan survived a major injury scare on Friday when opener Shan Masood was hit on the head by all-rounder Mohammad Nawaz.

Rohit says India relishing Pakistan ‘challenge’ in World Cup opener

MELBOURNE AFP

Skipper Rohit Sharma said on Saturday that his India team are relishing the “challenge” of facing arch-rivals Pakistan in their opening match of the T20 World Cup.

The neighbours meet on Sunday at a packed Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) and with cricket administrators of the countries bickering behind the scenes.

“I don’t want to use the word ‘pressure’ because the pressure is constant, I would like to take this as a challenge,” Rohit told reporters on the eve of the blockbuster clash.“This Pakistani team is a very challenging team.”

India have usually dominated Pakistan in the World Cups since the late 1990s but have lost two of their three previous matches including last year’s T20 World Cup group game in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

India, ranked number one in the T20 format, have also not lifted a world title since the 2013 Champions Trophy and missed the final of the recent Asia Cup despite being favourites.

“Pakistan were good on the day of the T20 World Cup match (in 2021). They were also good at the Asia Cup. Luckily for us we got to play them twice at the Asia Cup, we don’t get to play them a lot,” said Rohit.

“We got to gauge them, their strengths, weaknesses.”

“It’s there at the back of our players’ mind (not winning an international event for nine years), but it’s important to just keep that away and just focus on the job at hand,” Rohit added.

“It’s my personal belief that if you think too much of the past, I think you won’t be able to focus on the present.”

India and Pakistan are in Group 2 with Bangladesh, South Africa, Zimbabwe and the Netherlands. The top two progress into the semi-finals in Australia.

Forecast rain looms large over Sunday’s big match

with regular showers in Melbourne this week and more wet weather predicted.

“We need to come here thinking that it’s a 40-over game. We will be ready for that,” said Rohit. “If the situation demands that it’s a shorter game, we will be ready for that as well.”

The cricket boards of both nations are at loggerheads over next year’s Asia Cup after BCCI secretary and Asian Cricket Council (ACC) chief Jay Shah suggested the tournament be shifted out of Pakistan to a neutral venue.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) in return threatened to pull out of next year’s 50-over World Cup in India, but Rohit played down the controversy.

“My take is let’s focus on this World Cup because this is important for us,” said Rohit. “Whatever happens later, the BCCI (Board of Control for Cricket in India) will decide.” The nuclear-armed neighbours have strained political ties and have not played a Test match since 2007, instead meeting only in multi-nation events. They have not played any bilateral cricket since Pakistan toured India for a six-match white-ball series in 2012.

Majestic Conway powers New Zealand to victory against Australia at T20 World Cup

SYDNEY Agencies

New Zealand thrashed hosts and defending champions Australia by 89 runs on Saturday to start the Twenty20 World Cup Super 12 in style and avenge defeat in last year’s final.

Devon Conway carried his bat with a majestic unbeaten 92 to help New Zealand blast 200-3 before Australia were skittled for 111 in the 18th over to make a nightmare start to their title defence.Conway’s knock came from just 58 balls with seven fours and two sixes, joining a select group to make 90 or more at a World Cup. Mitchell Santner and Tim Southee both took three wickets each. It was New Zealand’s first win against Australia in Australia in any format since 2011.

“It was one of those days, an outstanding day,” Captain Kane Williamson purred. “The openers set the tone, lots of contributions right through the batting and that was a very good score on this pitch,” said Williamson.

“The bowlers then did well and were well supported in the field. Everyone knows their roles in this team, we knew about the quality of their bowling, took the game deep and we were very clinical in what we needed to do.” The match at a sold-out Sydney Cricket Ground was a repeat of the 2021 final in Dubai when Australia powered to an eight-wicket win and maiden crown. Aaron Finch’s men now have their work cut out to match that

feat in a tough Group 1 with Afghanistan, England and qualifiers Ireland and Sri Lanka awaiting them. Only the top two make the semi-finals.

“They (New Zealand openers) set the tone in the first four overs and we didn’t recover,” said skipper Finch. “We needed early wickets, which didn’t happen, and when we chased, we lost too many wickets.

“We weren’t good enough, with the net run-rate taking a bad hit. “We play Sri Lanka next, four games left, need to win everything and have some luck on our side.” New Zealand got off to a sensational start after Finch sent them in to bat, with Finn Allen cracking two

Masood was rushed to the hospital for scans. It was later revealed that the batter only received superficial bruising and would be re-tested for concussion.

Ben Stokes criticizes ‘stupid’ boundary markers after Topley’s injury

MELBOURNE Agencies

England all-rounder Ben Stokes has slammed the “stupid” size of boundary marking sponges at stadiums after seamer Reece Topley was ruled out of the T20 World Cup having suffered a leg injury by stepping on one during a fielding drill. Topley, who has picked up 22 wickets in as many T20 games, sustained ligament damage to his left ankle ahead of a warm-up clash against Pakistan and was replaced by fellow fast bowler Tymal Mills for the tournament in Australia. The triangular sponges – which are about 20cm in height and width – have become increasingly common in cricket venues around the world and offer advertising space, but Stokes said the sport’s authorities should also address player safety. “It’s stupid. Unfortunately, it’s taken one of our players to be ruled out. to make people notice,” Stokes said. “I’m pretty sure it’s something they can look at but you know what it’s like – everybody wants to get their names on somewhere,” he added. “But you look at player safety and the fact he’s stood on it and it’s ruptured ligaments and now he’s out of the World Cup; it should be looked at. I’m devastated for him,” the cricketer insisted. Expressing concern for his teammate, he said, “We’re all just absolutely gutted for him that he’s missed out. because he would have been one of the first names on the team sheet.” But England captain Jos Buttler played down the issue, saying that it was an accident. “I don’t think it is a big issue,” Buttler said. “People used to play in the past with no boundary rope and used to run into a fence,” he added. The International Cricket Council did not immediately reply to a Reuters request for comment. England, T20 World Cup champions in 2010, will open their campaign against Afghanistan in Perth later on Saturday.

fours and a six off Mitchell Starc’s opening over. Not to be outdone, Conway then crunched two blistering boundaries off Josh Hazlewood as the Black Caps plundered 29 from the first two overs.

Adam Zampa dropped Allen in the next over as Pat Cummins was similarly punished, taken for 17.

But the young right-hander’s luck ran out when Hazlewood returned and the wily pace spearhead bowled him for 42 — off just 16 balls. The introduction of Marcus Stoinis and Zampa helped Australia stem the run flow, but Conway brought up his 50 with a six off the spinner Zampa, who trapped Williamson (23) lbw in the same over.

Hazlewood removed Glenn Phillips for 12 before Jimmy Neesham hit a six off the final ball to reach 200.

Conway said credit had to go to the 23-year-old Allen. “He’s a young guy and he’s fearless,” he said. “The way Finn plays complements my game.”

Australia’s chase started badly when David Warner fell for three in the second over, dragging the ball onto his stumps off Southee.

Finch (13) hit a giant six off Trent Boult but didn’t last much longer, striking Santner straight to Williamson at cover as his miserable form continued.

It was a similar story for Mitchell Marsh, briefly hitting big to make 16 before being caught by Neesham going for another slog to leave Australia teetering at 342 in the fifth over. Phillips pulled off one of the catches of the tournament so far to remove Stoinis for seven, leaping full length to his left as he ran from deep cover.

And when the big-hitting Tim David, preferred to Steve Smith, became Santner’s third wicket, out for 11, it was all but over at 68-5 in the 11th over.

Matthew Wade (two) and Glenn Maxwell (28) were their last hope with the tailenders offering little resistance for the outclassed hosts.

Imran moves court agaInst ‘unlawful’ dIsqualIfIcatIon

ISLAMABAD staff report

IMrAnKhan, chairman of Pakistan Tehreek-iInsaf (PTI), has approached the Islamabad High Court (IHC) against the Election Commission of Pakistan’s (ECP) decision to disqualify him from holding office, declaring he had unlawfully sold state gifts and concealed the profit made from selling them as prime minister.

The case centres on a government department known as Toshakhana — which during the Mughal era referred to the treasure houses kept by the subcontinent’s princely rulers to store and display gifts lavished on them.

Government officials must declare all gifts to the Cabinet Division, but are allowed to keep those below a certain value.

More expensive items must go to Toshakhana under the administrative control of the Cabinet Division, but in some cases, the recipient can buy them back at around 50 percent of their value — a discount Khan raised from 20 percent while in office.

The ruling coalition of the Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) has for months alleged the former prime minister and his wife received lavish gifts worth millions during trips abroad. They included luxury

watches, jewellery, designer handbags and perfumes.

Khan is accused of failing to declare some gifts, or the profit made from selling them.

The matter will be taken up by Justice Athar Minallah, chief of the high court, on Monday.

In his petition, Syed Ali Zafar, counsel for Khan, requested the court that the order be declared “against the settled principles of law” on Article 63, “misconceived”, and set aside.

The former prime minister also sought a court declaration stating that the tribunal lacked the jurisdiction to decide “any questions of ‘corrupt practices

and disqualification’” under the Election Act and Election rules, 2017. Moreover, “declare that the [disqualification] reference itself is incompetent, illegal, unlawful and without lawful authority, mala fide and devoid of force and in the circumstances of the instant case, declare it null and void in the interest of justice,” the plea read.

In the meanwhile, the plea added, the court may kindly suspend the operation of the ECP’s order and restrain further proceedings by the commission or its behest till its disposal.

The ECP, the national Assembly speaker and house’s secretary and multiple MPs have been nominated as respondents. Zafar had sought same-day hearing of the case. However, the court turned down the request and scheduled the hearing for Monday.

The case is likely to deepen lingering political turmoil in the country struggling with a spiraling economy, food shortages and the aftermath of unprecedented floods this summer that killed 1,725 people, displaced hundreds of thousands and triggered a surge in malaria and other flood-related diseases.

Last night, rana Sanaullah Khan, minister for interior, said that Khan would now be tried in a court of law. Azam nazir Tarar, minister for law and justice, said the body had also recommended that Khan be tried on charges of concealing assets.

marriyum urges oIc states to step up efforts for combating Islamophobia

ISTANBUL staff report

Minister for Information and Broadcasting Marriyum Aurangzeb on Saturday underscored that the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) should more proactively play its role in protecting the fundamental rights of Muslims across the globe, especially in those areas where they were in minority. Addressing the 12th Session of Islamic Conference of Information Ministers, she said it was high time for the OIC member states to step up efforts for combating Islamophobia rising gradually across the world.

“The abhorrent phenomenon of Islamophobia is not abating. In our region – South Asia – hate speech and hate crime against Muslims remain a source of increasing concern. Despite our efforts to the contrary, there has been a constant rise manifested in mob lynching, pre-planned communal riots, and negative portrayal in electronic and social media in India.”

As a representative of the collective aspirations of the Muslim Ummah, she stressed, the OIC was uniquely poised to lead the endeavour, and must throw its full political and economic weight and clout in protecting the fundamental rights of Muslims and interests of Muslim minorities across the globe.

She put forward multiple recommendations coupled with observations regarding the challenges faced by the Muslims, especially their faith Islam in the information domain. The minister highlighted deliberate use of instruments of information control that define perceptions about Islam and the Muslims.