Epaper_22-10-29 ISB

Imran comes out wIth guns blazIng agaInst establIshment

for the capital to pressure the government into calling snap polls.

Khan plans to lead the motorised caravan slowly northwards up the GT road to Islamabad, drawing more support along the way before entering the capital in a week.

The distance between the two cities is about 380 kilometres. Khan’s entourage is expected to arrive in Islamabad on November 4.

By the time he gets there, Khan said he expects to have hundreds of thousands of people with him, and his party has asked authorities in the capital to allow a protest sit-in.

“I want that all of you participate. This is not for politics or personal gain, or to topple the government […] this is to bring genuine freedom to the country,” Khan said in a video message on the eve of the march.

Since April, when the chairman of PTI was ousted in a contentious vote of no-confidence, the political environment in Islamabad has been supercharged. Khan has repeatedly accused the PDM leadership of colluding with the army and the United States to remove him.

PM thanks US over additional $30m aid for flood victims

ISLAMABAD staff report

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Friday expressed gratitude to the United States for additional $30 million flood relief assistance for the flood-affected people of Pakistan.

photo by zubair mahfooz

ISLAMABAD staff report

aday after the military accused Imran Khan of asking the establishment for “unconstitutional” support for his government in the run-up to the contentious vote of no-confidence, the former prime minister took a dig at two top generals, saying their press conference was more “political than Sheikh rashid”, the chief of Awami Muslim league (AMl).

The scathing and unprecedented news conference by the chief military spokesperson and intelligence chief came after Khan upped his criticism of the military, accusing them of plotting his removal in April and supporting the government of the Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM).

Putting to rest the assumption that he would observe restraint while commenting on the army, Khan thundered at the protest march: “DG ISI, listen carefully, the things I know […] I am staying silent for my institutions and the country. I don’t want to damage my country.”

He referred to the press conference held by Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) Senator Azam Swati earlier in the day in which the latter had revealed the names of the officers from the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) agency responsible for his custodial torture on him.

“Azam Swati took the names of two people. one is Brigadier Faheem and one is Maj. Gen. Faisal. This Dirty Harry, ever since he has come to Islamabad, he is torturing people,” Khan alleged.

“This Dirty Harry [sic] first picked up Azam illegally, stripped him naked and then tortured him in front of his grandchildren,” he claimed. “Faisal and Faheem did the same with Shahbaz Gill.”

Khan then addressed the army chief and said: “When Bilawal Bhutto gave a statement against the ISI sector commander in Karachi, you removed the official. remove them [Faisal and Faheem] too now.

“These people are defaming you Gen. Bajwa,” he said.

The former prime minister gathered hundreds of supporters in liberty Square of lahore to join a caravan of cars and trucks heading

He has organised large political rallies demanding that the government step down. last week, smaller protests by his supporters took place after the election commission of Pakistan (ecP) declared the former prime minister guilty of unlawfully selling gifts from foreign dignitaries and heads of state, removing him from his National Assembly seat.

The government has repeatedly rejected Khan’s demand for elections. Writing for Foreign Policy, Michael Kugelman, deputy director of the Asia Programme at the Wilson center in Washington, argued the government’s position makes sense because “right now, [if the elections are held] the current government would likely lose elections.”

‘MARch fOR PRESS fREEDOM’: The party has dedicated its long march to Arshad Sharif, journalist and outspoken critic of the military who was killed under mysterious circumstances in Kenya last week, and members of the press.

Addressing a press conference in lahore, party leaders Fawad chaudhry and Asad Umar said Khan was the only leader who could bring about “much-needed” change in Pakistan.

“Grateful to U.S. govt for the announcement of an additional $30 million in humanitarian assistance for flood victims,” he said in a tweet.He mentioned that with the onset of winter, the challenges of food, health and shelter still persisted.

Shehbaz Sharif urged the international community to show urgency in contributing to the UN flash appeal on relief assistance for the flood-struck people of Pakistan.“World should promptly contribute to UN aid appeal to mitigate the impact of tragedy,” he said.U.S. Ambassador Donald Blome on Thursday announced an additional $30 million in humanitarian assistance to support flood-affected populations in Pakistan.

This new funding brings the United States’ total assistance to Pakistan for flood response, food security, and disaster preparedness and capacity-building efforts to $97 million this year. The new funding, according to a press statement by the U.S. embassy, will expand efforts to address immediate needs, scaling up assistance to the most affected communities and enabling USAID to reach more than 4 million people. With the additional funding, the U.S. government, through USAID, will provide life-saving food, nutrition, and health assistance to mitigate increased food insecurity and malnutrition resulting from the impact of the floods, as well as curb the rise of diseases resulting from stagnant flood waters.

The new funding will also provide shelter supplies to help families rebuild as well as winterization kits to help families prepare as cold weather approaches.

ISLAMABAD staff report

As the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) kicked off its much-hyped long march to the federal capital, Interior Minister rana Sanaullah on Friday warned party chairman Imran Khan that red Zone was government’s “red line” which should not be crossed.

“Those who “attack” the federal capital will be “met with such dire consequences that no one will ever think of committing such an act again”, rana Sanaullah threatened while talking to the media after inauguration of Passport office at lahore High court (lHc) rawalpindi Bar on Friday.

The minister said that the government was prepared to deal with anyone attempting to break the law with an iron fist. Warning protesters of “strict action”, Sanaullah said “if they [protesters] abide by the law, we will facilitate them”.

“We will fulfill our responsibility according to the situation. If they are coming to march on Islamabad, they should understand that no group will be allowed to march on the capital”.

He urged the nation to reflect on “this kind of thinking”, adding that “a lot has been revealed about the case of

Arshad Sharif. Who helped him go abroad, who issued the false threat alert”. He also said that the full report on the matter will be presented to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.

on the question of potentially imposing governor’s rule in Punjab, the interior minister said that the issue rested with the cabinet. However, he added that “if any such situation arises, I will move a summary”.

It may also be noted that during a hearing at the Supreme court (Sc) over the PTI’s May 25 March, the cJP had said that the march was the party’s political strategy, and everyone had the right to protest, but not be violent or damage public property. He added that the government had the authority to take action against the violation of law.

Acknowledging the Sc’s orders, Sanaullah said that the government would abide by the law, but added that democracy will be compromised if “mob culture” was allowed to continue to grow in the country.

“Two days ago Imran Khan said that these people could not arrest rana Sanaullah and the Punjab government has failed.”

He said that today the anti-corruption unit has withdrawn the warrant. “It

was a shameful example of political revenge. Imran Khan should dismiss the Punjab government,” he said.

AZAM SWATI’S ALLEGATIONS BASELESS:

Addressing a press conference in Islamabad, Sanaullah threatened that any untoward situation will be dealt with iron hands as no one was above the law.

The minister rebutted PTI leader Azam Khan Swati’s allegations regarding his arrest and handing over to security personnel, saying that no medical report has been submitted by him to

support his allegations.

He said Azam Khan Swati’s allegations are baseless and will be challenged legally. condemning the allegations of Swati, Sanaullah said that FIA’s case against the PTI leader was lawful, completing all legalities.

He said that Swati remained under FIA’s custody throughout the investigation and it was not even demanded by any other institution. “We treated him according to the law during the custody and even medical facility was provided

to him properly,” he added.

commenting on the press conference held by the DG ISPr and DG ISI yesterday (Thursday), Sanaullah said that “if an institution is accused of something then it has the right to present its position with the permission of the head”.

He also said that “DG ISI’s conference helped the nation a great deal as a false narrative was rejected”.

A day earlier, the interior minister had said the PTI could stage its long march at the federal capital’s sectors H-9 and G-9 as allocated by courts, but its participants were restricted from entering the red Zone, which would be protected by rangers and Pakistan Army personnel.

NATION REjEcTS cALL fOR ‘BLOODy MARch’: MARRIyUM: Minister for Information and Broadcasting Marriyum Aurangzeb said on Friday that the nation has rejected the call for “bloody march” by refusing to become a slave to the foreign-funded person who violated the constitution. In her tweet in reaction to PTI leader Fawad chaudhry’s tweet, she said that Pakistan’s youth could not become the protectors of “the system of Toshakhana thief, Farah Gogi and Bushra Bibi”. The minister maintained that the people have refused to become pawns in one person’s lust for power.

DAR REITERATES CEMENTINg MulTI - DIMENSIoNAl

HISToRIC TIES wITH uS, CHINA

Staff RepoRt

FEDERAlMinister for Finance and Revenue Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar on Friday held important meetings with US Ambassador to Pakistan Donald Blome and Ambassador of People’s Republic of China Nong Rong.

According to the Finance ministry, US Ambassador to Pakistan Donald Blome called on Federal Minister for Finance and Revenue Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar at the Finance Division.

On the occasion, Finance Minister Senator Ishaq Dar welcomed the US Ambassador and highlighted that both Pakistan and the United States have historic, long-standing, extensive and durable

Ministers hold first meeting of Pakistani-Saudi steering committee

RIYADH ReuteRS

Finance Minister Ishaq Dar and Saudi Arabia’s Energy Minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman discussed cooperation in the energy sector as they held the first meeting of the Saudi-Pakistani Steering Committee of the Economic Pillar, the state-run Saudi Press Agency said early on Friday. “Prince Abdulaziz pointed to the cooperation in energy, under which many topics are currently being discussed, such as cooperation in the oil industry and supply, petrochemicals, electricity, renewable energy, industry, transport, and many other potential opportunities,” SPA added.

PM approves appointment of Tariq Pasha as SAPM on Revenue

ISLAMABAD Staff RepoRt

The Prime Minister has approved the appointment of a close aide of Finance minister Ishaq Dar’ Tariq Pasha as special assistant to the PM on Revenue. According to notification, the Prime Minister, in terms of rule 4(6) of rules of business 1973, has been pleased to appoint Tariq Mehmood Pasha as special assistant to the PM on Revenue with the status of minister of state, with immediate effect. According to details, Tariq Pasha would be seventy six cabinet members of Shahbaz Sharif led cabinet. Finance minister Ishaq Dar is gradually consolidating its powers with the appointment of close aides on important positions and he is chairing important meetings in the Prime Minister secretariat also. It is pertinent to mention here that Ishaq Dar has already appointed Tariq Bajwa as SAPM on Finance.

IHC orders shifting of case against Imran Khan to banking court

ISLAMABAD Staff RepoRt

The Islamabad High Court (IHC) Friday issued written order regarding the shifting of PTI prohibited funding case against former prime minister Imran Khan to the banking court. Justice Mohsin Akhter Kayani issued a 16-pages judgment stated that Imran Khan’s bail petition pending with the special judge central would also be shifted to the banking court Islamabad. The court said that the matter was started with a first information report (FIR) so it was shifted the relevant forum as per the directives of the Supreme Court. The IHC order said that it was granting two week protective bail to the two accused including Tariq Shafi and Faisal Maqbool and instructed them to approach the concern court for the relief and also appear before FIA investigation team within five days. It may be mentioned here that the FIA had registered FIR against Imran Khan and others under Foreign Exchange Act with regard to prohibited funding scam.

relations.

The Finance Minister apprised the US Ambassador of the estimated losses faced by Pakistan due to recently devastated floods.

Donald Blome expressed the same sentiments on bilateral relations between the United States of America and Pakistan. He further informed about his recent visit to flood-affected areas in Pakistan and expressed sympathies over the enormous losses caused by floods. Moreover, he apprised the Finance Minister on additional flood relief assistance to Pakistan by the US government in this time of crisis.

The Finance Minister appreciated the support of the United States for flood relief and mentioned that the US has always supported Pakistan in its hour of need.

He further expressed the intention of the present government to further augment

the bilateral relations between the two countries in fields of economy, investment and trade.

The Finance Minister thanked Donald Blome for his support to Pakistan.

Meanwhile, Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China Nong Rong called on Federal Minister for Finance and Revenue Senator Ishaq Dar at the Finance Division.

Finance Minister Ishaq Dar welcomed the Chinese Ambassador and highlighted the friendly and multi-dimensional historic ties between Pakistan and China.

The Finance Minister shared huge gratitude toward the Government of China for providing support to Pakistan in this time of devastated floods. The latest flood losses were also discussed in the meeting. Both sides further discussed fast-

tracking progress on CPEC and exchanged views on further enhancing brotherly relations between both countries. It was also shared that CPEC is a key project and its completion in a timely manner is imperative for reaping the lucrative returns.

The Chinese Ambassador shared historical brotherly ties between both the countries and assured the Finance Minister of continuous facilitation and support to Pakistan. At the same time, the Chinese Ambassador also shared thankful sentiments toward the government of Pakistan for facilitating the Chinese companies working on various projects in Pakistan.

In concluding remarks, the Finance Minister thanked Chinese Ambassador Nong Rong for continuous support and cooperation being offered by the government of China.

Pakhtun leaders reiterate a united stand against terrorism

SWAT Syed Shahabuddin

Pakhtun leaders from across the country declared here on Friday that they could no more be deceived in the name of religion and they would not tolerate terrorists and terrorism under any garb on their land.

They were speaking during a huge protest at Barikot Tehsil organized by Swat Olasi Pasoon and Swat Qaumi Jirga, to reaffirm resolve to durable peace in Malakand division and the

entire Pakhtun belt.

A large number of people including leaders of various political parties from across the country participated in the protest.Prominent among the speakers were PTM head Manzoor Pashteen, MPA Ahmad Kundi, Jamaat-i-Islami Senator Mushtaq Ahmed Khan, Khushal Kakar, QWP provincial president Sikandar Sherpao, ANP Salim Khan Advocate, Ayoub Khan Asharey, Attaullah Jan, Idrees Bacha, PkMAP Mukhtiar Yousafzai, Aftab Khan, Dr Khalid Mahmood, Sher Shah Khan,

Adalat Khan, Engineer Sharafat Ali and Syed Muhammad Ali Shah.

The speakers said that the uprising for peace and prosperity by the residents of Swat gave spirit and courage to all the Pakhtuns across the world. “History will remember the Swat uprising in golden words, which not only shook the state institutions but also gave a spirit to all the oppressed Pakhtuns,” said Khushal Kakar, who came from Balochistan to address the protest. He said it was high time for all Pakhtuns to stand united for their rights.

The speakers said that Pakhtuns sent

a message to the entire world that they were peace loving nation and not terrorists, adding that they would never allow anyone to sabotage the hard-earn peace in the entire Pakhtun Belt in general and scenic Swat vally in particular. They also declared that from now on, nobody would be allowed to use religion as tool for imposition of their narrative in the society, adding that Pakhtuns would deal all such powers and elements with sternly who ever tried to divide the society or create law and order under any garb.

INP CNE Naseer Qureshi passes away; laid to rest

ISLAMABAD Staff RepoRt

Naseer Qureshi, senior journalist and founding member and Chief News Editor of national news agency “INP”, has passed away. His Namaz-eJanaza was offered in DI Khan and later he was laid to rest at his ancestral graveyard in DI Khan city. Well-known socio-political figures, including editor of “INP” Aftab Chaudhry participated in the funeral prayers. According to details, Naseer Qureshi went into a coma after he met with an accident on motorcycle last week when he was returning home from the office. He was undergoing treatment in a private hospital. He passed away on Thursday night. The funeral prayers of late Naseer Qureshi were performed Friday after Juma prayer at Jamia Masjid Dhok Qureshi in Qureshi Mor area of Dera Ismail Khan’s hometown, after which he was buried in his native graveyard. INP Editor-in-Chief Syed Asif Salahuddin has expressed deep sorrow and regret over his death and said that the late Naseer Qureshi was very hard-working, well-mannered and very skilled in his field.

following flood devastation

ISLAMABAD Staff RepoRt

Federal Minister for Climate Change Senator Sherry Rehman on Friday said “there are resources for the developed nations to go on wars but not for saving human lives as their response is slow in the case of Pakistan and other natural calamity-stricken nations.”

The federal minister said this while briefing the media on the findings of the PDNA Report, launched earlier at the Planning Ministry, which was a finalised and important document based on the joint surveys conducted by the federal government with the provinces.

Meanwhile, Post Disaster Needs Assessment (PDNA) report underscored trillions of rupees cumulative damages, losses and requirements to ensure rehabilitation of the 33 million flood affected people.

Senator Rehman said, “the federal government will also launch the rehabilitation plan in 4-5 days that will cover the key aspects of revival efforts to ensure sustainable relocation of the affected communities.”

The minister added that some 90 districts remained calamity-hit and it was revealed after the joint survey results which were partnered by World Bank, other donor agencies and development partners.

The provinces also gave their input and recommendations in the PDNA, she added.

She said the fact sheet clearly stated that one out of seven Pakistanis were affected due to the recent

monster floods whereas four million children were out of health services.

“We are going to enter the recovery and rehabilitation phase, and as per the PDNA the combined total losses accounted of Rs 3.3 trillion, damages of Rs3.2 trillion and needs of Rs 3.4 trillion. All ministries and provinces worked with the development partners to collate the date and compile these figures.”

She said further planning would have to be made keeping in view the risk of future hazards as 5.5 million in households having children below five not immunised, 1.5 million households having no water sanitation and hygiene (WASH) facilities, and 2.8 million households did not get postnatal treatment.

She noted that the two lakes formed in the floodaffected region primarily Sindh and Balochistan could not lose water as the water was not receding due to the terrain and topography of the region.

“The destruction caused by the massive torrential rain floods is high and the resources are limited to support the impacted communities.”

The opposition, she said, was dragging the country towards a bleak direction as their fake narrative had cast serious impacts on the society that also gained huge media coverage. “World Bank, AIB, UNDP and all ambassadors of diplomatic corps sat together to provide assistance to the nation. The government is doing its job and will continue to do so whereas the Opposition will do bloody long march.”

The minister while taking the Pakistan Tehreek-e-

Insaf leadership to task said Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari also did long march from Karachi and not even a single vase was damaged.

“Imran Khan lacked public support that’s why he is starting his march from lahore otherwise he should have called it from Karachi. His close party associate Faisal Vawda claimed it a bloody march and predicted bloodshed during the march.”

The trolling brigade of Imran Khan continued their narrative of abusive language all over the social media, she said, adding, “Imran Khan made propaganda on the diplomatic cable and uttered lies blatantly before the nation. He abused his opponents in the morning and besieged them in the evening.”

She alleged that Khan was going to sacrifice the country for his insatiable urge for power as there were 33 million people were affected equal to the population of Belgium, Netherlands and Sweden combined. “You did two telethons for them where is that money and where it was spent? Did you ever query what damages you incurred to the country? Imran Khan lied to the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and isolated the country.”

Commenting on the killing of late senior journalist Arshad Sharif, she said the PTI leadership used a very capable journalist and made his tragic death controversial. Arshad Sharif was a dear one of everyone and after all he was a journalist apart from his ideology and political thinking, she added.

LAHORE: Rush of lawyers during annual of elections of Supreme Court bar Association. (Inset) Senior lawyer Aitaza Ahsan cast vote vote during polling. photoS by zubaiR Mehfooz

TCP gETS go- AHEAD FoR IMPoRT oF 0.80 MMT wHEAT

PRIoR To NEw CRoP HARvESTINg

2022. APTTA has again approached with the same request to support the wood business sector.

THEEconomic Coordination Committee (ECC) of the Cabinet on Friday allowed Trading Corporation of Pakistan (TCP) to arrange import of the remaining quantity of 0.80 MMT of wheat through open tendering or through G2G arrangement, before harvesting of the new crop.

According to details, meeting the ECC of the Cabinet was held here with Federal Minister for Finance and Revenue Senator Ishaq Dar in the chair on Friday.

On the occasion, the Ministry of National Food Security & Research tabled a summary, seeking permission for the import of 0.80 MMT of wheat through TCP. It was submitted that ECC on 09-05-2022 allowed TCP to import 3 MMT of wheat and directed to devise import modalities. Modalities were devised and TCP was allowed to import 1.00 MMT of specified milling wheat through an international tendering process.

later, public wheat stocks were re-verified by the Committee and reported that actual shortfall would be 2.60 MMT, instead of 3 MMT. Therefore, TCP was allowed to import only 0.80 MMT through open tendering as well as through G2G basis out of remaining 1.60 MMT on 06-09-2022.

In view of the aforementioned, the ECC approved the proposal and allowed TCP to arrange import of the

NEPRA imposes Rs10 mln on CPPA-g for revision in minimum loading

ISLAMABAD Staff RepoRt

National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (NEPRA) has imposed a fine of Rs.10 million on Central Power Purchasing Agency – Guarantee ltd (CPPA-G) due to its failure to satisfy the authority in the matter of revision in minimum loading limit of lalpir and Pakgen power plants. The minimum loading limit of lalpir and Pakgen power plants was revised from 20% to 50% in April 2021 without placing the case before the Authority as it was required to do under the relevant documents, said a press release issued here Friday. On inquiry, CPPA-G failed to satisfy the authority regarding violation of the relevant provisions of the NEPRA Act, Rules and Regulations made thereunder. Subsequently, the Authority initiated legal proceedings against CPPA-G. Consequently, an explanation October 13, 2021, was issued to CPPA-G under Rule 4(1) of the NEPRA (Fines) Rules 2002, followed by a show cause notice dated February 14, 2022, under Rule 4(8) & (9) of the NEPRA (Fines) Rules 2002. Moreover, an opportunity of hearing was also granted to CPPAG on June 02, 2022, however, CPPA-G failed to provide any satisfactory response and was found guilty of violating relevant provisions of the NEPRA Act, Rules, and Regulations made thereunder. Therefore, the authority has imposed a fine of Rs.10 million on CPPA-G.

remaining quantity of 0.80 MMT through open tendering or through G2G arrangement, before harvesting of the new crop. Further ECC directed the concerned Ministry to frame and submit a logistic plan within 15 days.

The Ministry of Commerce presented a summary on suspension of import conditions contained in Import Policy 2022 with regard to import of Timber/Wood.

It was informed that all Pakistan Timber Traders Association (APTTA) requested for extension in the date of implementation of conditions of import permit.

The Federal government subsequently suspended the operation of Import Policy provisions till 31st August,

In order to facilitate the import of wood/timber, the ECC directed Department of Plant Protection (DPP) of Ministry of National Food Security & Research to review the conditions for import of wood and timber and to bring them in conformity with the international best practices so that the import of wood and timber will not be subjected to unnecessary and cumbersome procedures however, to address the immediate concerns of the wood/timber industry, the ECC approved the proposal to suspend the date of implementation of IPO 2022 regarding import of timber and wood till 31st March, 2023.

The ECC approved summary presented by the Ministry of Industries and Production and allowed TCP to proceed ahead with the lowest subject offer received @ US$ 520/MT for import of 300,000 MT of Urea Fertilizer. TCP floated an international tender in this regard on Oct 19, 2022 and the same was opened on Oct 26, 2022. Three bidders offered rates. lowest responsive bid was @ US$ 520 PMT for 300,000 MT.

The Ministry of National Food Security & Research submitted another summary regarding the request of Food Departments Government of Punjab, Sindh, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan for additional supply of imported Wheat from PASSCO’s stock. It was presented that the Ministry of National Food Security &

Senior anchor remanded to jail for 14 day in case registered in 2003

LAHORE Staff RepoRt

A district and sessions court in lahore on Friday sent ARY News anchor Chaudhry Ghulam Hussain to prison on judicial remand for two weeks, a day after his arrest in connection with a purported bank fraud case dating to 2003.

A Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) statement claimed the journalist was “wanted” in connection with the fraud. Hussain, who is known for his strong pro-army views, has lately become a fierce critic of the security institution. According to the agency’s statement, Hussain submitted fake documents to secure an Rs57 million loan from a bank.

Hussain’s two sons were also nominated in the case, the agency said, adding that a banking court in lahore issued a non-bailable warrant for the journalist.

During the hearing, the FIA requested a 14-day physical remand of the journalist.

“Chaudhry Ghulam Hussain wilfully defaulted on the loan,” FIA prosecutor Munim Bashir told the court, claiming the loan was secured by submitting forged documents. However, Azhar Siddiqui — counsel for Hussain — argued the case was over a decade old and the first information report (FIR) against his client was registered in 2011.

“Has the FIA started working for banks to recover the loans,” asked Siddiqui. He said that Hussain has never been accused of submitting fake documents.

“late at night, 30 to 40 people came [at a restaurant] to arrest him. Did they come because of a personal grudge,” Siddiqui asked, demanding to know the motive behind the arrest.

The court then asked the FIA prosecutor about how Hussain was appearing on primetime television every day if he had been declared a proclaimed offender in 2013.

“What were you doing since 2013,” the judge asked. At that, Hussain’s lawyer said that his client had no role in the case, adding that all the other people named in the case have been released in the past.

“Hussain has already returned 47 percent of the amount as a guarantor,” he disclosed.

Siddiqui went on to add that his client was a journalist and, hence, was being falsely implicated. “Ever since his arrest, Hussain is being defamed on television.”

Meanwhile, Hussain said the property in question was worth Rs450 million out of which Rs250 million had already been paid. “This matter is now pending in the Supreme Court,” he added.

Subsequently, the court rejected the FIA’s request for physical remand and sent the journalist on judicial remand. It also instructed the agency to return Hussain his identity card.

Weekly inflation for combined consumption group increases by 4.13pc

ISLAMABAD Staff RepoRt

The Sensitive Price Indicator (SPI) based weekly inflation for the combined consumption group witnessed an increase of 4.13 percent during the week ended on October 27, as compared to the previous week.

The SPI for the week under review in the combined consumption group was recorded at 213.74 points against 205.27 points registered in the previous week, according to the latest data released by the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS) here on Friday.

As compared to the corresponding week of last year, the SPI for the combined consumption group in the week under review witnessed an increase of 30.68 percent.

The weekly SPI with base year 2015-16 =100 is covering 17 urban centres and 51 essential items for all expenditure groups.

The SPI for the lowest consumption group up to Rs17,732 witnessed 4.64 percent increase and went up to 220.56 points from last week’s 210.78 points.

Meanwhile, the SPI for the consumption groups from Rs17,732-22,888; Rs22,889-29,517; Rs29,51844,175 and above Rs44,175 witnessed an increase of 6.76 percent, 4.55 percent, 3.41 percent and 0.88 percent respectively.

During the week, out of 51 items, prices of 21 (41.18%) items increased, 16 (31.37%) items decreased and 14 (27.45%) items remained stable.

The items which recorded decrease in their

average prices on week-on-week (WoW) basis included tomatoes (3.77%), onions (2.97%), pulse masoor (2.50%), chicken (1.86%), pulse gram (1.35%), gur (1.09%), pulse mash (0.84%), lPG (0.72%) and potatoes (0.47%).

The commodities which recorded increase in their average prices included salt powder (2.57%), tea packet (1.89%), rice Irri-6/9 (1.24) and garlic (1.04%), non-food items, electricity Quarter 1 (89.34%), energy saver (1.57%) and firewood (1.31%).

On year-on-year (YoY) basis, the commodities

that witnessed decrease in prices included chillies powder (41.85%), sugar (16.45%) and gur (5.01%).

The commodities that witnessed increase in prices on YoY basis included onions (177.37%), tomatoes (84.17%), diesel (74.51%), pulse gram (64.73%), petrol (62.75%), cooking oil 5 litre (55.13%), washing soap (54.97%), pulse moong (54.19%), pulse masoor (52.33%), vegetable ghee 2.5 kg (52.31%), gents sponge chappal (52.21%), mustard oil (50.97%), pulse mash (50.08%) and vegetable ghee 1 kg (49.44%).

Research prepares a list of allocations of the recipient agencies at the start of each food year and simultaneously local and imported wheat is supplied. However, provinces have demanded additional supply of imported wheat from PASSCO’s stock. Considering the urgent demand of Provincial Food Departments of Punjab, Sindh, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan and subject to the approval of respective provincial cabinets, the ECC granted permission to provide 1.00 MMT of imported wheat from PASSCO’s stock to Punjab ( 0.50 MMT) , Sindh ( 0.30 MMT) and KPK ( 0.20MMT) with full cost and incidentals of PASSCO. Further, 0.04 MMT of local and imported wheat @ 50:50 ratio with full cost and incidentals of PASSCO may be provided to Baluchistan.

The ECC also discussed in detail another summary of the Ministry of National Food Security and Research regarding urgent advice related to the award of 6th International Wheat Tender-2022 opened on 26th October, 2022 for 500,000 MT. Keeping in view results of 6th International Tender, the ECC approved the lowest bid offered @ US$ 373.00/MT for 380,000 MT on CFR bulk at Karachi.

The ECC also approved a technical Supplementary grant of Rs. 333.915 million in current financial year 2022-23 in favour of the Interior Ministry enabling Frontier Constabulary to establish an anti-riot unit of 2000 personnel.

Team probing Arshad Sharif’s killing leaves for Kenya to begin investigation

ISLAMABAD Staff RepoRt

A two-member team constituted to probe into Anchorperson Arshad Sharif’s killing on Friday left for Kenya to start their investigation. According to details, the two-member team headed FIA Director Athar Waheed, left for Kenya to investigate the gruesome murder of Arshad Sharif, where it will investigate the murder case from different angles and determine motive and other facts surrounding the incident. On the orders of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, the two members team formed by the Interior Ministry comprising FIA Director Academy Athar Waheed and Deputy Director Intelligence Bureau Omar Shahid Hamid left for Doha from Islamabad on Friday morning. According to the flight schedule, head of the team, Athar Waheed, flew from Islamabad to Doha by Qatar Airlines flight number 615, while Omar Shahid Hamid left Karachi for Doha. Both the members will gather at Doha Airport, from where they will fly to Nairobi through Qatar Airways Flight 1341, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Embassy of Pakistan in Kenya will be obliged to provide facilities and assistance to the investigation team during its stay. According to sources, the investigation team will find out the facts about the circumstances and events that took place, including Arshad Sharif’s arrival in Kenya, accommodation arrangements and who was making arrangements for him. The investigation team will review the post-mortem report of Arshad Sharif in Kenya, the vehicle and travel records of the victim of the shooting, as well as the police team there. The team could be staying Kenya for almost two weeks.

Institutions being used as tools to hound opponents, rules lHC

LAHORE Staff RepoRt

A judge of the Rawalpindi bench of the lahore High Court (lHC) said the institutions have become tools in the hands of politicians as they register a case at the leadership’s behest and when an administration changes, the incoming government demands quashing of cases. The judge expressed these remarks on Friday during the hearing of a case pertaining to an inquiry against Minister for Interior Rana Sanaullah Khan into the purchase of plots by him in a housing society at “throwaway prices”.

During the hearing, the director general of the AntiCorruption Establishment (ACE) told the court that Khan should not be arrested in this case. He elaborated that if the challan was presented in the court, then the name of the accused could not be excluded from the case. The judge, however, remarked that “institutions have become a political tool. One (authority) comes and registers a case and then the other (authority) comes and requests for cancellation of the same case.” After this, the judge disposed of the petition seeking the cancellation of the arrest warrants for the interior minister. On October 8, a special judicial magistrate in Rawalpindi issued nonbailable arrest warrants for Khan for not appearing before the ACE in connection with a corruption inquiry. An ACE team went to Islamabad to arrest Khan but failed to do so as the concerned police station’s SHO refused to comply with the orders. On October 10, the court again issued fresh arrest warrants for the interior minister but the ACE team again could not arrest Sanaullah citing a “lack of cooperation” from the Islamabad police.

ISLAMABAD Shahzad paRacha

ICT admIn sEEks PTI ExPLanaTIOn OvER vIOLaTIOns duRInG maRCh On may 25

ISLAMABAD Staff RepoRt

ISLAMABADCapital Territory (ICT) administration on Friday sought an explanation from a political party (Pakistan Tahreek-e-Insaaf) over violations it made during May 25 public gathering in the federal capital.

The ICT Administration had issued a written reply in response to the letter submitted by the PTI regarding permission of holding Jasla, sit-in from November 4, at Srinagar Highway (between H-9 and G-9) lslamabad.

Railways to restore Jaffer Express train from next month

LAHORE

Staff RepoRt

“It is stated that section 144 Cr PC is imposed on all kind of public gatherings in Federal Capital including in & around Red Zone. Furthermore, the instant application has been examined at length in the context of previous NoCs permissions issued by the undersigned upon submission of undertakings by you. Whereas, it is imperative to mention here that on numerous occasions various clauses of terms & conditions were violate, ” said the reply.

It added that keeping in view the following violations of undertakings submitted by PTI and the past record, please explain (point wise) as to why the party in-

stant application may be considered favorably and may not be turn-down rejected.

“On May, 25 2022 it was decided that you will convene Jalsa at H.9 (in-front of Metro depot) Islamabad but you failed to adhere to the agreement and the protesters moved towards the Red Zone of Islamabad. For July 2nd, 2022, public gathering NOC was issued by the civil administration upon submission of consent and undertaking by you that being organizer you will be responsible of any damage caused to the public property (clause 9), However, a sustainable damage was caused to the public property and

liabilities are still pending”.

“On June, 30th 2022, you agreed to install CCTV cameras at the venue but you failed to do so, which is sheer violation of clause 34 of agreed terms & conditions. Dur-

Pakistan firemen killed during Qatar training exercise

DOHA MonitoRing RepoRt

The Pakistan Railways has decided to partially restore train operation for Quetta from the month of November. This was decided in a meeting presided over by Railways Minister Khawaja Saad Rafique held at the PR Headquarters, here on Friday. The PR will restore Jaffer Express train from Peshawar to Mach, Balochistan in the next month. The minister directed the PR administration to form a strategy about management of carrying the passengers from Mach to Quetta by road transport. It was also decided to complete Sibbi-Harnai Section in 3 months. It is pertinent to mention that the construction of the track at the section has been delayed for the last 4 years. The minister also directed to ensure capacity building of the railway police on better lines. The Pakistan Railways Freight Transportation Company was directed to form a plan to increase its income and to enhance the performance, the company was directed to induct young railway officers as well as experts from the market.

Three firemen from Pakistan have died in a training accident in Qatar just weeks before the startof the World Cup, officials have confirmed.

Authorities said the three were not taking part in a multi-national World Cup security exercise currently being held around Doha that includes simulations of “chemical incidents” and demonstrations.

But accounts given by friends of the three and posted on social media said they were on a firetruckmounted crane that collapsed in Doha’s main Hamad Port as part of a separate training exercise.

Officials did not give details of the accident late Wednesday. Photographs circulating on social media appeared to show the crumpled crane whose

walkway seemed to have buckled midway up the structure.

The images showed how the metal frame had folded at a precarious angle, sending the upper section of the crane smashing into the roof of an adjacent building.

Timestamps on the images suggested the incident unfolded on Tuesday morning.

Initial reports suggested the three victims were Qatari and Kuwaiti nationals, but these theories were challenged by a relative of one of the victims who confirmed to Doha News that the men, all three in their 30s, were of Pakistani origin.

The trio were identified as Yosef Mindar, Kaleem Allah, and Jalal. Mindar, a father of two, had lived his entire life in the Gulf state.

The two other victims have families based in Pakistan, according to Doha News‘ report.

UN-declared right to self-determination inalienable right of Kashmiris: Envoy

WASHINGTON app

Pakistan’s embassy in Washington organised an event to observe “Black Day” in which Ambassador Masood Khan said that Kashmiris’ will and the steadfast support of the Pakistani nation would continue to sustain the movement for justice.

“The right to self-determination is an inalienable right of people of Jammu & Kashmir and no power on earth can deny that fundamental right,” Khan told the gathering, which included the president of Azad Jammu and Kashmir, Barrister Sultan Mehmood

Chaudhry, as the chief guest, and other Kashmiri leaders, including Ghulam Nabi Fai and Imtiaz Khan. Also present were members of the Pakistan-American community, activists, students and media representatives.

The messages of President Arif Alvi and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif were read out on the occasion. Senator Mushahid Hussain Sayed, member of the House of Lords of the United Kingdom Wajid Khan, UK’s shadow Justice Minister Afzal Khan, US activist for Kashmir cause Daniella Khan, Associate Professor of History at Quaid-i-Azam University Dr Ilhan Niaz, and Kashmiri activist Shaista Safi sent video messages.

ing last gathering, steamers and banners were installed without prior permission of Metropolitan Corporation Islamabad which were removed by the Metropolitan Corporation Islamabad,” read the reply.

Pakistan witnesses 300pc rise in GLOF, sea levels in one year

ISLAMABAD app

The Senate Standing Committee on Climate Change was briefed on Friday that the country witnessed a 300 percent increase in glacial lake outburst flood (GLOF) incidents and rising sea levels threatening the existence of cities such as Thatta, Badin and Karachi in just one year. The meeting of the Senate Standing Committee was held under the chair of Senator Seemi Ezdi and was attended by Senators Khalida Ateeb, Keshoo Bai, Abida Muhammad Azeem, Taj Haider, Kamran Michael and senior officers of the Ministry of Climate Change along with its attached departments and agencies. Minister for Climate Change, Senator Sherry Rehman was also present. During the briefing issues taken up entailed preparations of the Ministry for the 27th Conference of the Parties of the UNFCCC (COP27) and the Living Indus Initiative. The Committee was informed about the major issues that the Ministry of Climate Change would bring to the table in context of drastic effects of Climate Change in Pakistan. It was asserted that Pakistan in the last two decades has witnessed 152 extreme climatic events that have led to an increase in food insecurity. It added that the World Bank had estimated Pakistan flood losses at USD 40 billion. In wake of the pledges made during previous COP26, Pakistan was in the frontline for advocacy for climate finance that was most essential for any progress on environment and climate issues, the meeting was told. The Committee was informed that Pakistan was suggesting the development of a transparent mechanism clearly defining Climate Finance needs and encouraging simplified procedures for its access. Forums for advocacy would include high level roundtables with the Prime Minister; bilateral engagements at the Ministerial levels and negotiations on eight dedicated streams by the Country delegation.

UNITED NATIONS Staff RepoRt

Pakistan’s Ambassador to the United Nations, Munir Akram, delivered to the UN leadership a letter by Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari on the worsening situation in Indian-occupied Kashmir, as Muslims across the world observed October 27 black day. The day marks the anniversary of India’s invasion and occupation of the Himalayan state in 1947.

The ambassador met the president of the General Assembly, Csaba Korosi, and the Security Council president for the month of October, Michel Biang, and handed over to him the letter, which was delivered to Secretary General Antonio Guterres. Winding up the discussion on the dispute at a webinar earlier in the day, Ambassador Akram said Pakistan had kept the Security Council informed almost every month about the evolving situation in occupied Kashmir.

Bilawal’s letter on HR situation in held Kashmir delivered to UN leadership

corporate corner

SWAT Syed Shahabuddin

DESPITElapse of two months of devastating floods in Swat District, rehabilitation and resettlement of the affected people could not started and it is feared that their miseries will be compounded by the winter, which is about to start.

According to data compiled the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) during a damage assessment survey, 34 people including six children and a woman were killed in the devastating flood of August 26 in Swat District, while 28 injured were injured. Similarly, 88 houses were completely destroyed during the flood while 145 were partially damaged. Apart from this, 29 other buildings have also been affected by the flood. The PDMA statistics are correct but the reality is quite the opposite. Many hamlets along river banks in Kalam, Bahrain, Madyan, Matta and Khwazakhela were washed away by the roaring floodwater. The number of damaged houses is in hundreds, while more than 200 trout fish farms, 2 large hatcheries, several educational institutions, mosques, religious schools (Madrasas) and many hotels have also been washed away by the flood.

Apart from this, peach, persim-

mon, apricot, plums, apple and other fruit orchards and vast fields of vegetables were also washed away by floodwater. According to a conservative estimation, flood caused a huge loss of Rs20 to 25 billion in Swat valley.

On other hand, the KP government has provided compensation amounting to Rs0.5 million each to the heirs of those who lost lives and Rs0.2 million to the injured, but unfortunately, despite the passage of two months, no relief money could be provided to the displaced victims. The affected people complained that despite the fact KP Chief Minister Mahmood Khan belongs to Swat, he has so far failed to take any step for resettlement of those rendered homeless by the devastating flood.

The Village Council Roringar in Tehsil Matta, where village Mandaldag was completely wiped out by furious floodwater while the surroundings have also changed drastically after calamity.

Iftikhar Ali, a local body representative of the village council, informed that 96 houses and more than 40 shops had been washed away by floodwater in one of the villages in his village councils besides wiping out 17 Trout fish farms, schools, mosques and orchards from the village map and where now only destruction and big stones were visible. “Though the calamity has gone now and become a part of the past, condition of the affected people

UNDP puts estimated rehab, reconstruction cost of flood-hit areas at $16.3b

ISLAMABAD Staff RepoRt

The updated post-disaster needs assessment has called for urgent support to implement a recovery and reconstruction that ‘Builds Back Better’ based on the principles of the poor first, transparency, inclusion, and climate resilience in flood hit-area of Pakistan. The assessment estimated total damages to exceed USD 14.9 billion, and total economic losses to reach about USD 15.2 billion. Estimated needs for rehabilitation and reconstruction were at least USD 16.3 billion, not including much needed new investments to strengthen Pakistan’s adaptation to climate change and overall resilience to future climate shocks, or reconstruction needs of affected private entities, an updated report of United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Pakistan said. Housing; Agriculture and Livestock; and Transport and Communications sectors suffered the most significant damage, at USD 5.6 billion, USD 3.7 billion, and USD 3.3 billion, respectively. Sindh is the worst affected province with close to 70 percent of total damages and losses, followed by Balochistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and Punjab. The Ministry of Planning, Development and Special Initiatives led the PostDisaster Needs Assessment (PDNA), which was conducted jointly with the Asian Development Bank (ADB), the European Union (EU), the United Nations agencies with technical facilitation by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), and the World Bank. The PDNA, in addition to estimating damages, economic losses and recovery and reconstruction needs, also assesses broader macroeconomic and human impacts and recommends principles along which to develop a comprehensive recovery and reconstruction framework. The floods affected 33 million people and more than 1730 lost their lives. They are particularly impacting the poorest and most vulnerable districts. The situation is still evolving, with flood waters stagnant in many areas, causing waterborne and vector-borne diseases to spread, and more than 8 million displaced people now facing a health crisis.

has not changed and cold weather has entered from above, multiplying difficulties of the victims”, he said.

“I am the youth councilor of my area and the residents have elected me by giving more than 1,600 votes, but it is a pity that neither we have the authority nor the Chief Minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Mahmood Khan and MPA elected from the area and provincial minister Muheebullah Khan do not even listen to us and people come to us and demand us.” Iftikhar Ali said.

Amir Salam Khan, 65, a resident of village Mandaldag, said that he had built an eight-room house for himself after working hard for a lifetime and was living in his house with his married sons, but his house was completely destroyed and now they have taken refuge with their relatives, adding that at this time their life is going through a lot of difficulties and now the winter season has also started.

“We don’t have a house and we don’t have the money to run the wheel of life. What we had with us has been washed away by the flood and our provincial government has not helped us,” he regretted.

Amir Salam Khan said that Chief Minister KP Mahmood Khan belongs to this area but unfortunately he has not asked about condition of people of the area so far, nor has bothered to visit the area and “console the people with

mere claims.”

Forty-eight-year-old Umar Farooq said that it has been two months since the floods but they have not received anything from the government.

“In this situation, if we are not helped immediately, our life can be very difficult,” he said, adding that people of the area go to work in sugarcane mills in Sindh and Punjab at the end of November, but after the floods, there are no signs of their employment.

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Mahmood Khan visited Swat last week and spoke to the media in Gabin Jabba area of Tehsil Matta. He said on this occasion that after the flood disasters, restoration and rehabilitation has been underway at a brisk pace.

“The KP Government will compensate all the affected people in 15 to 20 day,” he had claimed and added that construction of houses was his first priority and in this context he had increased the compensation for the construction of damaged houses from Rs0.2 Million to Rs0.4 million to help affected people resettle in their houses.

The flood affectees have expressed regret that the government officials come and hold photo sessions with announcements, but practically no steps could be taken so far for their rehabilitation and resettlement, which is a question mark on the performance of the rulers.

Naveed Qamar urges diversification of Pakistan’s export portfolio with EU

ISLAMABAD Staff RepoRt

Federal Minister for Commerce and Investment Syed Naveed Qamar in a meeting with Executive Vice President of European Union Commission and EU Trade Commissioner Valdis Dombrovskis in Brussels on Friday expressed Pakistan’s desire to diversify its export portfolio with EU.

The commerce minister was joined by Pakistan’s Ambassador to Belgium, Luxembourg and the European Union Dr. Asad Majeed Khan, said a press release from the Pakistan’s embassy in Belgium.

During his meeting with Valdis Dombrovskis, the minister underscored that the GSP Plus facility had been mutually beneficial and played an

important role in the growth of trade between the two sides.

He reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment towards the effective implementation of GSP Plus-related international Conventions and hoped that the new scheme would continue to focus on its primary aims of sustainable development, good governance and poverty alleviation without overburdening the partner countries with fresh conditionalities.

Naveed Qamar stressed that investment from the EU in manufacturing and agro-food sectors will help Pakistan diversify its exports to EU in a sustainable manner.While highlighting the importance of Pakistan-EU trade and investment relations, Vice President Dombrovskis reaffirmed EU Commission’s interest in further strengthening this partnership.

Severe dengue outbreak sparks fear in KP

PESHAWAR Staff RepoRt

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) health department has confirmed dengue infliction in at least 299 persons in the province during the last 24 hours. With the latest addition to the list of affected, the number of dengue-virus patients soared to 17,543. As per the health department spokesperson, the provincial capital was the most affected by the mosquitoborne virus. In 24 hours, 120 new cases of dengue infliction were reported in Peshawar, putting the total number of virussick persons in the district at 7,204. As of now, the total number of dengue cases in Mardan stands at 3,496, Khyber at 1,076, and Nowshera at 898. At least 14 persons have lost their lives to the virus in the province during the current season of which eight persons hail from Nowshera, five from Khyber, and one each from Mansehra and Mardan. Moreover, a total of 85 patients are under treatment for the mosquitoborne virus in different hospitals in the province, according to the data provided by the health department.

BHC CJ summons Home Secretary over court firing incident

QUETTA Staff RepoRt

Chief Justice of Balochistan High Court (BHC) Naeem Akhtar Afghan on Friday took suo motu notice of the firing incident which occurred outside the premises of District and Session Court here. According to official handout issued by the BHC Registrar, The chief justice directed Secretary Home and Tribal Affairs, IG Balochistan Police, Commissioner Quetta, Deputy Commissioner Quetta, CCPO Quetta and DG Levies to appear in person before the court on Saturday. At least one person died and several others were injured in a firing incident that took place between two rival groups outside the District and Session Court on Thursday morning.

52,000 new teachers recruited to address teachers shortage in Sindh

KARACHI Staff RepoRt

Sindh Education and Culture Minister Syed Sardar Shah, on Friday said that over 52,000 new teachers have been recruited in a transparent manner to address the issue of shortage of teachers in government schools of the province.

He while addressing a press conference, here, at the Sindh Assembly Building, said that process of recruitment on 60,000 vacancies of teachers was initiated through a neutral testing service, and so far posting orders had been issued on 70% available posts to eligible candidates.

Due to certain issues offer letters of some candidates

have been withheld and those would be issued after verification of the documents, he said, and added that in Thatta and Sujjawal districts 70 percent of the posts of teachers were left vacant.

Sardar Shah said that posting of newly recruited teachers in schools with shortage of teachers would be first priority so that the closed schools could be opened and teaching process be resumed in such schools.

He claimed that after the new recruitment none of talukas would be left without a teacher in the school.

The education minister informed that education ministry has communicated to Sindh Public Service Commission for recruitment on another 4,800 new vacancies of music and art teachers as well.

Giving details of damages to school building due to

flood, he said that 12,000 schools have been affected and out of them 5,000 of them have been completely destroyed.

Schools partially affected must undergo fitness checks to ensure the safety of children, he maintained, and vowed to take measures for restoring the teaching process in 15 thousand classrooms.

He said that out of Rs. 271 billion education budget 80% goes on salaries and 15% on other expenditures so government needed support of international institutions for the development of education. Earlier, the education minister also chaired a meeting on teacher recruitment that was attended by Secretary School Education Akbar Laghari, Directors of Schools, DEOs and other officers.

The meeting was informed that the offer letters had been issued to 15,885 candidates against 17,684 vacant posts of junior elementary school teacher while offer letters had also been issued to 35,153 candidates against 40,167 vacancies of primary school teacher.

The education minister instructed District Education Officers to attach first priority to posting of teachers in such schools where there was a shortage of teachers and ensure that no school remain closed due to non availability of teachers.

Imran comes out with guns blazing against Establishment

ConTInUED fRoM PAgE 01

“You should take part in this march even if you do not belong to the PTI. The nation must reject decisions taken behind closed doors,” Chaudhry told the press.

He underlined the future of Pakistan was dependent on the success and failure of today’s march. “If this movement fails, then the nation will fail,” he added.

Meanwhile, speaking to the media earlier in Islamabad, Minister for Interior Rana

Sanaullah Khan said the government will deal with long march participants with an iron hand, and take “strict action” if they attempt to break the law and create a law and order situation in the capital.

He said the Supreme Court’s orders regarding the protest were clear. “If protesters abide by the law, we will facilitate them,” he added.

He said democracy will be rendered meaningless if “mob culture” continued to grow in the country.

STRICT SECURITY: Authorities have tightened security in Islamabad ahead of the march. The government has deployed thousands of security personnel to block the protestors from entering the capital.

According to officials, the Ministry of Interior has decided to deploy around 30,000 police, rangers, and para-military troops in Islamabad and not allow protesters to enter the Red Zone near the Parliament House.

The residences of the president and prime minister, ministers’ offices, parliament,

and other important buildings, including foreign embassies, are located in the Red Zone.

The ministry has also deployed paramilitary Frontier Constabulary (FC), while police from Sindh will be called out to assist the Islamabad police.

The authorities also sent hundreds of containers into Islamabad to barricade all entry points before the arrival of demonstrators.

Meanwhile, Islamabad police have issued instructions to its officers pertaining to the code of conduct during the march. Offi-

cers deployed at the frontline will be wearing anti-riot gear whereas those without proper gear will be posted outside the reach of the protesters.

Similarly, police personnel deployed to counter the long march will not be armed with weapons and would only be allowed to carry batons.

They have been told to avoid the upper parts of the body when hitting protesters in case of baton charge and use their shields effectively in case of stone-pelting by the protesters.

Islamabad: Federal Minister for Human Rights Mian Riaz Hussain Pirzada addressing as Chief Guest the Consultation and Analysis session arranged by National Commission on the Rights of Child on the issue of Child Marriages in Pakistan. pR

Polarized Pakistan

hOUgh PTI chief Imran Khan’s much-awaited Long March did not start on Friday after prayers, the verbal battle between him and the establishment was joined on Thursday, with an unprecedented appearance by Dg ISI Lt gen Nadeem Anjum, accompanied by Dg ISI Lt gen Babar Iftikhar, at a press conference. The presser did not target the Long March, nor general Nadeem mention Mr Khan specifically, but he clearly indicated the military’s distancing from the Long March, and he also made a couple of revelations which dented Mr Khan’s narrative.

First was his pointing out that Mr Khan met people in the night and called them traitors the next day. The revelation that Mr Khan had offered the COAS a lifetime extension just before the no-confidence bote that ousted him, goes against Mr Khan’s narrative that the military had conspired to oust him as PM. The presser also discussed the muder in Kenya of journalist Arshad Sharif, with general Babar stressing Mr Sharif’s departure from Dubai had to be investigated. The hints that were being made about Mr Sharif’s killing, that it was targeted, were reversed, and both generals spoke about the need to determine who had persuaded Mr DSharif to go to Kenya. Mr Khan has upped his attacks on the military since his ouster, and on Friday evening showed no deviation from this, while reacting in a TV interview to the presser, asking why the ISI and ISPR had held a political press conference if the institution had indeed become apolitical. By refusing to respond on the ground that he would be led into attacking the institution, he made his feelings clear.

One of the effects of the presser was that the rift between the PTI and the military, once so firmly on the same page, has come out in the open. The institution has finally reacted to the uncountable pinpricks to which it had been subjected by the PTI, especially its social media trolls. There should be no confusion, going forth, about institutional support for the PTI. It is significant that both Dgs also separately said that the decision to be apolitical was institutional, not individual, and would not be reversed. The thrust of their remarks also indicated a resentment that the COAS had been targeted. It would be difficult to see a worse curtain-raiser for the Long March, which is aimed, among other things, at persuading the military to make sure that elections took place soon.

WhO murdered journalist Arshad Sharif in Kenya? This is the major question every Pakistani is asking. The answer is simple: Arshad Sharif was the victim of polarized Pakistan.

eight years ago, in 2014, Pakistan was not so divided politico-socially. Polarization was made possible by pitting one media channel against the other. One team of newspapers was hired to undermine the other newspaper. One squad of reporters was made to stand against the others. A team of analysts was asked to peddle one kind of narrative opposed to the other one. Dissenting journalists were intimidated, kidnapped and beaten. Freedom of expression was made selective. Freedom of press was rendered discriminatory.

Billionaires were marshaled to fund the campaigns. electables were arranged to swell the political ranks of a political party. ethnic parties were extorted for their existence. Islamism was fanned and regionalism was projected. Nationalism was exploited to meet political objectives. Judges were blackmailed and hired to issue one kind of decision. The possibility of like-minded judges was frozen. All circumstances were made to project one type of account at the cost of the rest.

Social media teams also jumped into the fray, taking the rift to a new height. The users were bombarded with cropped pictures, forged data, and phony information to serve a given purpose. A club of volunteers appeared to disrespect any given opponents. Money was brought in to pollute the electoral campaigns more than before. It took a lot of effort to make Pakistan polarized by the year 2018.

Today, in 2022, the political chessboard is divided viciously. Along the same lines, society is also forked. hatred in one section is dominant against the other. Mutual respect has waned. Vituperation is a norm. Differentials are more than togetherness. Sharing is both minimized and missing.

The strife surrounding the division has increased manifold. Like-mindedness has got entrenched in the

higher judiciary, which hates the difference of opinion even in its decisions. Provinces want to win against the Centre. The Punjab Assembly has witnessed the longest session of four months, before proroguing the session for an indefinite period.

One Pakistan is now fighting against the other. Who is responsible for this all? Who polarized Pakistan? Polarization consumed the life of Arshad Sharif.

Listen to the speech of Manzoor Pashteen at the Asma Jahangir Conference in Lahore, the other day. he has been booked on terrorism charges for his speech. Can a speech invite terrorism charges? The assumption is that he would moderate his words: he would not speak the truth. Is it possible? Instead of addressing his grievances, he is being penalized.

Owing to polarization, anyone can be a victim. In 2019, the Anti-Narcotics Force claimed to have recovered 15 kg heroin from the possession of Rana Sanaullah, today’s Interior Minister. Though yet to be proven, mere indictment carries a death penalty or life imprisonment. It is known that the heroin trafficking case was a fake.

The case was an example of how the uniform was used to penalize targeted politicians. Can anyone think that a uniformed force could stoop so low to hush up a politician? Respect of the uniform was put at stake by the wearers themselves. This was an example to reckon with. The point is simple: when the uniform is not conscious of its credibility, how can Pashteen respect the same? Now, respect is being earned through registering cases on terrorism charges.

prone to sentimentalism in the name of religion or even ethnicity, would take informed decisions. What an expectation!

Why was there no possibility for diverting funds to lay infrastructure for schools and colleges to educate the masses who would take informed decisions in the future? What not invest in the future of the country?

Journalist Arshad Sharif was not assassinated in the wild confines of Kenya but on the border of polarized Pakistan. He was a victim of the division that he had to follow advertently or inadvertently to make his survival possible in the media. The dissection haunted him to death. If Pakistan had not been polarized, Arshad Sharif would have been alive today

Around 2014, the promoters of polarized Pakistan remained obsessed with the ideals of the Bangladesh Model. The model was an expression of a soft coup which was justified on the excuse that the political system was replete with corrupt politicians and that the voters were also incapable of electing honest politicians. That is, both should be honest, politicians and the voters. hence, it was a self-assumed nationalist duty to cleanse the political system of corrupt elements and educate the masses to elect honest politicians.

The ultimate objective was the welfare of the public: People should be rightly guided to make informed decisions. The idea was the wonder of the age. Uneducated and semi-literate people, who are

For how long would Pakistan amass tanks and guns, especially when Pakistan is a nuclear-capable country? Why should it be the case that the masses arrange for education on their own, but then vote for the politicians required by the proponents of the soft coup?

Nevertheless, the soft coup was possible if both judiciary and military joined hands to help the masses winnow the right from the wrong. The advocates of polarized Pakistan made the existence of the soft coup a necessary instrument before it was too late to correct the country’s trajectory. In 2014, the time was running out.

In 2022, however, the genius of the soft coup is on a retreat. Neutrality is being proclaimed. Association with politics is being regretted and dissociation from politics is being pronounced. For the champions of the soft coup, withdrawal is an option. What about the masses and what about the sufferers? The question is this: Who would reap the reward and retribution of the soft coup which polarized Pakistan? Why should one not trace the footprints of the soft coup that left Pakistan polarized?

Journalist Arshad Sharif was not assassinated in the wild confines of Kenya but on the border of polarized Pakistan. he was a victim of the division that he had to follow advertently or inadvertently to make his survival possible in the media. The dissection haunted him to death. If Pakistan had not been polarized, Arshad Sharif would have been alive today.

The writer can be reached at qaisarrashid@yahoo.com

Mental health and societal pressures

accept her decision irrespective of what society says.

nomic, biological, environmental, in a broader sense.

But having said that, the impact of societal expectations, daily interactions, and set standards have a huge impact on an individual‘s mental health. And its negative impact encompasses all sections of society.

The World health Organisation defines mental health as “mental health is a state of mental well-being that enables people to cope with the stresses of life, realise their abilities, learn well and work well, and contribute to their community”. Learning and spreading awareness about mental health is important because “it encompasses our emotional, psychological and social well-being and affects how we think, feel and act”.

Mental health affects people in their daily life behavior, acts, interactions, and relationships. It also impacts physical health. Similarly, physical health, daily routine matters, and interactions, and acts affect mental health.

Mental health is like physical health that needs proper care and people should be made aware of it.

But, while people care about their physical health, mental health remains ignored. The concept of keeping at the front our mental health and also of others in our daily lives is rare and not taken care of. expressing mental health is a challenge and if someone gathers the courage to talk about it, he is termed weak and vulnerable in most cases.

Many factors are responsible for poor mental health or mental health disorders. These include social, eco-

A student suffers from depression for getting fewer marks in exams and failing to get admission to a desired discipline or university. A married woman suffers from mental illness because of domestic violence which she tolerates just for the sake of saving her marriage and avoiding a ‘divorcee’ tag. A person suffers from depression for not having a home, not having a car, not earning enough, and not enjoying the privileges of life. A bulky person suffers from a mental disorder because of continuous bullying and body-shaming.

It shows that a society that should have been progressive is regressive. And, mental health is not a priority. And a family that should have been a protective and encouraging force has given up on societal expectations and standards. Both society and family should play a positive role in an individual’s life.

A society should be progressive with a healthy environment for everyone without setting high standards. A family should be an encouraging force in an individual’s life. It should leave aside all societal expectations, provide support and accept its members as they are, care about their mental health, and not put an extra burden on them.

A student who got fewer marks in exams should not be compelled to attempt suicide or pressurised enough to go into a state of depression, but rather be accepted and encouraged.

A person who cannot give his family a luxurious life but works hard to provide a standard life should be appreciated rather than pressured to do more. A woman who lives in an abusive marriage should have enough freedom to expose her perpetrator and her family should

Society should accept people as they are rather than disturbing their lives by setting high standards. The priority should be given to the mental health of individuals rather than making them vulnerable.

These are things that can be controlled and are manageable and everyone can play a role.

Peace of mind and good mental health will help individuals to do the work they love to the fullest of their capacity. It will help them perform routine activities in a better way. It will help in the creation of a progressive society.

Unfortunately, we are living in a world where run-

ning after perfection and chasing dreams has taken centrestage. And, if somehow someone tries to break this chain he is designated a loser and is left behind. In all this materialism, people have forgotten that mental wellbeing and good mental health hold a key place in life. And, without peace of mind, all their achievements and successes have no value.

As materialistic values and materialism have taken over human beings over the last couple of decades, the level of contentment has declined. And the greed to achieve more and more has destroyed peace of mind.

Society has set the same high standards for every individual. Those who achieve these standards are successful while those who fail to do so are unsuccessful.

All human beings are different. They all have different talents and capacities. By Judging every individual on the same standards, society has created an environment where mental well-being is compromised for unnecessary societal pressures.

With other factors, the most important reason for all this restlessness and confusion is that in all these materialistic standards we have forgotten that not everything is in the hands of individuals. What is in the hands of an individual is effort and hard work and after that everything should be left to the Almighty.

If that is kept in mind, then the one living in his house and the one in a rented house both will be happy and have contentment and peace of mind.

every occupation will be worthy and every individual will be judged on his qualities and not on his status. It will help individuals to not surrender to societal pressures and live a life of their choice. hence, a progressive and free society could be achieved.

This cannot happen in a single day. every section of society should contribute to letting people think about their mental health and well-being and helping them leave aside all societal pressures and unreasonable standards.

The writer is freelance columnist

Unfortunately, we are living in a world where running after perfection and chasing dreams has taken the centre stage. And, if somehow someone tries to break this chain he is designated as a loser and is left behind. In all this materialism, people have forgotten that mental wellbeing and good mental health hold a key place in life.

Dr QAIsAr rAsHID

Yousaf Nizami

late

Nizami

Nizami (Late)

has

MUHAMMAD

Bangladesh’s involvement in UN peacekeeping

1988, Bangladesh participated for the first time in both the United Nations Iran-Iraq Military Observer group (UNIIMOg) in Iraq and the United Nations Transition Assistance group (UNTAg) in Namibia.

In addition to multiple successful operations in Somalia, Sierra Leone, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Bangladeshi troops ensured that rebels in Liberia and the Ivory Coast (Côte d’Ivoire) gave up and laid down their arms. The country also closely monitored the elections in Mozambique, the Congo, Sierra Leone, Liberia, the Ivory Coast, and other African countries.

In November 2019, the Bangladesh Police received the Best Police Unit Award for its dedication to UN Peacekeeping missions. The Nyala Super Camp in South Darfur, Sudan, was secured by the Bangladesh Formed Police Unit (FPU) 11, which received praise for its outstanding efforts in boosting the capabilities of the police force.

Editor’s mail

Importance of research to manage floods

IN 2020, when Covid became a reality and the world community endeavoured to find a solution to the problem, doctors and the research community stood up to the challenge and answered the call. Across the world, doctors and scientists tried to have the vaccine ready and suggested preventive procedures to slow down the spread of the virus. In comparison, after the devastating 2005 earthquake and the equally, if not more, catastrophic floods of 2010, our departments and institutions remained unprepared and all but paralysed.

It took intense international pressure and extremely generous foreign funding to not only support us in recovering from those unfortunate times, but also to help us stand on our feet and establish relevant platforms, such as the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) and its provincial counterparts. They were supposed to work towards reducing the disastrous effects of future earthquakes and floods by conducting research and setting enhanced standards in addition to establishing a plan of action in case bridges or roads were swept away or damaged.

Unfortunately, looking at the events of the last few months, it seems none of that happened as there was a visible disconnect between the government and various institutions not only in terms of priorities, but also understanding. This year’s floods affected the same infrastructure in many of the same locations that it had done in 2010. Likewise, the floods this year affected the same families that had suffered back in 2010.

This has not only brought back memories of their loved ones, but also of the apathy of the government that seems to be caring more about who is in power instead of whom it rules over.

The flow of information this year was better compared to 2010, and people themselves had been aware of the actual risk which made them evacuate their towns and villages before the disaster struck. Things could have been even better had the NDMA and PDMAs been given their due rights and powers in the absence of which they are nothing more than paralysed institutions much like the rest of the government departments.

The establishment and maintenance of stability through cooperation was the key motivation behind the UN’s founding in 1945. The primary objective of the UN is to “maintain international peace and security, and in pursuit of such ends, to take effective collective measures for the prevention and removal of threats to the peace and for the suppression of acts of aggression or other breaches of the peace and to bring about by peaceful means and in compliance with the principles of justice and international law, adjustment or settlement of international disputes or situations which might lead to a breach of the peace.”

As a part of a global peace movement, the UN Peacekeeping Operations (UNPKO) were established in 1948 to settle international conflicts. The first mission was to send UN Army investigators to the Middle east to observe the agreement between Israel and its Arab neighbours. In recent years, the UN peacekeeping operation has changed to reflect the dynamic nature of international conflicts and the global political landscape. The UN peacekeeping role was specifically extended after the Cold War.

South Asian countries send a sizable contingent of soldiers to peacekeeping operations. Peacekeeping operations are one area of international activity where the region’s united efforts have had a positive effect.

Bangladesh has assumed a leadership position in the UN’s peacekeeping mission and is well-versed in the history of such missions. Bangladesh is one of the UN’s most significant and trustworthy partners thanks to its ongoing commitment, adherence to the organization’s regulations, and prompt adaptation measures. It has stayed committed to acting as an accountable UNPKO stakeholder despite the changing nature of the world’s security environment.

Instead of concentrating only on peacemaking and peacebuilding, modern peacekeeping aims to ensure social protection in both pre- and post-conflict environments and to seal harmonious connections. After inter-state warfare ended and armed conflict began, peacekeeping now has a variety of responsibilities that go beyond its core duties. One of the main goals of UN peacekeeping missions may be to increase state efficiency and reduce state fragility. As a result, the current batch of troops may significantly affect the UN forces’ ability to operate.

Despite challenging topographical, meteorological, and other unfavourable conditions, Bangladeshi forces are completing the job with the utmost integrity, dedication, and professionalism. Bangladesh has been actively taking part in peacekeeping operations all over the world for the past three decades, and it has been essential to maintaining world peace and stability. In

Since 1988, Bangladesh has sent almost 175,000 soldiers, including more than 1,800 women, on 54 peacekeeping operations to 40 different countries on five continents. Presently, around 7,000 military and police are participating in ten distinct tasks. The majority of Bangladesh’s peacekeepers are stationed in Africa. The nations and names of the missions where Bangladeshi personnel are presently stationed are included in the following table.

When they first joined the UN Transitional Authority in Cambodia in 1993, a detachment of 1,002 soldiers was headed by the 3rd east Bengal Regiment, an infantry regiment from the Bangladesh Army. The operation in Cambodia was a huge endeavour for Bangladesh, and the military of that nation contributed a sizable detachment to the peacekeeping effort.

The Bangladeshi military participated in DDR efforts in Kosovo, Timor-Leste, Sierra Leone, and Liberia as well as demining operations in South Sudan. They have also helped Juba have access to water, sanitation, basic education, jobs, and other means of livelihood. In response to the growing threat presented by improvised explosive devices, Bangladesh’s engineer Centre and School of Military engineering and Ordnance Centre and School have started providing specialized training on counter-IeD. All peacekeeping units getting ready for deployment to Mali receive specialized training from these two institutes.

Bangladesh was one of the first countries to adopt the 2016-introduced Peacekeeping Capability Readiness System. It has accelerated its deployment by contributing troops to the UN mission in Mali. Bangladesh is dedicated to upholding its reputation in order to bring about world peace.

The most casualties occurred during three large ambushes against Bangladeshi contingents in 2017 and 2018. eight valiant Bangladeshi warriors gave their lives in these three ambushes, inflicting serious injuries on 10 more troops.

A brigade-sized force was able to be sent to Freetown, Sierra Leone as a result of Bangladesh’s prompt provision of more troops in response to the UN’s request and in compliance with the mission’s increased mandate.

Bangladeshi soldiers continued to serve in places like the Democratic Republic of the Congo by frequently keeping an eye on villages to maintain security. Missions by Bangladeshi contingents in Darfur, Cyprus, the Central African Republic, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo were completed successfully.

Former peacekeepers and observers claim that the UN hired the majority of Bangladeshi soldiers for peacekeeping operations worldwide over the previous three decades because of their neutrality, professionalism, and quick responsiveness during the deployment. In addition to their competence, former members of the military forces and the police claimed that Bangladeshi peacekeepers’ high moral standing while serving in UN missions also assisted the country in sending out more troops. In 2011, 2014, 2015, 2021, and 2022, Bangladesh was the country that supplied the most troops.

In 2021, some 110 Bangladesh Navy servicemen who took part in the UN mission to uphold stability in Beirut, Lebanon, were awarded the Peacekeeping Medal. Rear Admiral Andreas Mugge, the Maritime Task Force (MTF) Commander of the UN Interim Force in Lebanon, presented the medal to the officers and crew of the Bangladesh Navy destroyer Sangram in recognition of their contributions to peacekeeping operations. Since the Navy was sent to Lebanon 11 years ago, its personnel have performed their responsibilities with the utmost integrity, commitment, and efficacy. The Navy’s proud participation has strengthened Bangladesh’s status and image overseas.

Additionally, Bangladesh was warmly commended this year by the US embassy in Dhaka for their contributions to UN peacekeeping missions. When Ahmad Tejan Kabbah, the former president of Sierra Leone, paid a visit to Bangladesh in 2003, he expressed his appreciation for Bangladesh’s significant help to Sierra Leone as a result of the performance of the nation’s peacekeepers in Africa. Ivorians frequently called Bangladeshi soldiers “munami,” which is Ivorian for “my friend.” Additionally, the UN awarded medals to about 861 members of the Bangladesh Armed Forces, including 19 women, who were serving with the UN peacekeeping force in South Sudan (UNMISS) in 2020 for their unwavering efforts to ensure the safety of civilians.

The UN peacekeeping deployment is a significant illustration of internationalism and world collaboration. It has been proven to be one of the best strategies for promoting and upholding global peace and stability. The “Blue helmet” now stands for global cooperation and collective leadership for world peace.

Bangladesh eventually joined the “Blue helmet” family with pride due to its enormous commitment to UN peacekeeping efforts over time. The nation of Bangladesh has reached unprecedented heights as a result of its participation, service, and sacrifice in UN peacekeeping missions for world peace. Bangladesh has been building its reputation in the UN for more than three decades thanks to its diligence and commitment.

As a global peacekeeper and advocate, Bangladesh may be regarded as exceptional and exemplary. Bangladeshi peacekeepers have served in Africa’s arid regions and continue to do so. They have made a significant contribution in a variety of fields as security personnel, medical professionals, engineers, trainers, and advisors while dealing with numerous security threats, difficulties, and challenges. Around the world, threats are currently taking on new dimensions, which is likely to jeopardize world peace.

Radicalization, environmental concerns, enormous human migration, the growth of rightwing extreme nationalism, catastrophic catastrophes, trade conflicts, etc. are some of the primary security dangers of the new millennium. The UN may react to the fresh challenges and change its emphasis to take into account the developing nature of the dispute and the evolving role of PKO. If Bangladesh is to keep up with the rate of global development and manage difficult disagreements, it may need to make progress.

The

is

Therefore, instead of expecting the government or its institutions to do anything on account of pre-planning — something that they seem to be simply unable to comprehend — I would much rather ask the research community of the country to take the lead in this regard. For the last 75 years, the community has been acting pretty much independently and selflessly in carrying out research on critical issues even though nobody has shown the willingness to make use of such efforts. In an approach similar to what the doctors took during the Covid outbreak, researchers in the fields of engineering and all other relevant field should work on understanding the effects of the previous floods. This should be done not only to establish cause-and-effect relations for the damaged infrastructure, but also to find the shortcomings in the design and/or execution of the structures that have been damaged, and the strengths of those that survived.

OMAIR SHAFIQ PESHAWAR

Clinical Pharmacy

The emergence of clinical pharmacy as a practice was because of the seriously poor medicine control systems that existed in hospitals during the early 1960s. It was initially termed ‘ward pharmacy’, but participation in medical ward rounds in the late 1970s signalled the transition to ‘clinical pharmacy’.

Clinical pharmacy in the 1980s grew because of its ability to promote medication safety and to ensure that cost-effective medicines were used in hospitals. In the United States, pharmacists’ participation in physicians’ ward rounds have shown reduced adverse drug events by as much as 78 per cent and 66pc in medical and intensive care settings, respectively.

Today, clinical pharmacy is an integral part of the health profession worldwide as its primary role is to provide safe, effective and accurate medicine dose. Regretfully, this profession is not much known in Pakistan. except a few well-known, mostly private hospitals, the rest do not acquire the services of clinical pharmacists. Balochistan does not have a single clinical pharmacist. Some hospitals in Quetta, including the Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayyad hospital, the Bolan Medical Complex hospital and the newlyestablished branch of Indus hospital, are considering hiring the services of clinical pharmacists by utilising hospital pharmacists.

The absence of clinical pharmacists in the health profession puts the life of thousands of patients at risk, promotes ineffective use of medication, and accelerates medication wastage. Additionally, it leaves thousands of pharmacy graduates in a mental dilemma who go through five years of extensive study only to find there is limited practical implementation of their skills and knowledge post-graduation. The government must consider the integration of clinical pharmacists in the healthcare system. It is their job to promote medication safety, reduce medication-related issues and boost cost-effective medication. It will also open up job opportunities for pharmacy graduates who frequently switch careers or move abroad in search of employment.

SHAMIR MURTAZA QUETTA

Coastal villages of Karachi

The coastal areas of Karachi are threatened by the infamous land mafia that has been active in centuries-old fishing localities in the Keamari district. Bhit Khori, too, is affected by the mafia now. The landgrabbers are making fake documents in connivance with certain officials on the basis of which they are purchasing and selling properties in Bhit Khori.

They use residential land for commercial purposes, and are said to be planning to construct motels and restaurants on such plots of land. Bhit Khori is an abandoned fishermen’s locality near Mubarak village. Fishermen from Shams Pir Island, Kaka village and Khadda Lyari used to come here for fishing. The activities of the land mafia will harm the culture and tradition of Mubarak village because the Bhit Khori link road passes through the residential areas of the village. Commercial activities will affect the life of the village locals. In fact, they are already being harassed by the mafia gangsters. The same mafia has already grabbed the residential area of Manjhar goth located near Sunehra beach. The local people have complained to the authorities concerned against the mafia, but there has been no response. The authorities concerned should stop the illegal selling and purchasing of properties in Bhit Khori and surrounding areas, and cancel all the fake documents that are issued by the corrupt officials in the area.

SARFRAZ HAROON KARACHI

should be addressed to Pakistan Today exclusively

KAMAL UDDIn MAzUMDer

Why AMeriCAns ConsisTenTly MisreAd soCiAl Uprisings in The MUsliM World

tion the sacrosanct liberalism might be, the distinguished New York Times columnist appears to be confusing the strategic rivals of US imperial designs for the region with competing ideologies.

What ultimately drives Douthat and other reactionary pundits is the notion that the debunked triumphalism of Francis Fukuyama’s “end of history” was correct, and thus their dearly beloved liberal democracies are not actually mired in calamitous neoliberal economics and warmongering neoconservative foreign policy.

In other words, all these people see in the Muslim world is Islamic terrorism. They habitually pronounce that Islamism has failed, and therefore their treasured neoliberal economics and liberal democracies have triumphed.

aries, and the failure of one is the promise of another.

It is thus no accident that a recent New York Times editorial, headlined “how the US can help support the women of Iran calling for change”, takes almost all of its cues from a regime-change enthusiast committed to dismantling the ruling Islamist regime.

equally ridiculous is the recent misguided piece on the Iran protests published by the New Yorker, where the subject of the piece has sold herself as the leader of the current uprising. It is therefore quite natural that despite its legitimate roots and aspirations, the uprising is seen so suspiciously by many progressive forces around the world.

tural-functional readings are first and foremost in service of corroborating the ideological triumph of US and european neoliberalism, on the model that Fukuyama diagnosed and his neoliberal fan club now trumpets.

For the world at large, what matters is: what did the iconic egyptian revolutionary Alaa Abdel Fattah mean exactly when he said, in the title of his prison notebook, You have Not Yet Been Defeated?

The most recent series of protests in Iran have baffled, intrigued and excited people everywhere - perhaps none more than the easily excitable American pundits, who are eager to read anything that happens around the world as a commentary on how exemplary their history and political ideologies have been in the context of humanity at large. Of course, they are sadly mistaken in this habitual assumption.

Take the recent effort by New York Times columnist Ross Douthat, headlined “From Moscow to Tehran, a crisis of illiberalism.” The first part is a critique of Russian President Vladimir Putin and his invasion of Ukraine.

Douthat then turns to China with the same critical edge, before moving to Iran, where he notes that the “Islamic Republic represents a different sort of rival to western liberalism, [and] is enduring a wave of protests that, even if they don’t topple the regime, are a reminder of just how miserably unpopular the Islamic Revolution is today”.

The moral of the story for Douthat is the triumphant assurance of “western liberalism”. he continues: “So their mixture of failure, defeat and, in the Iranian case, corruption and stagnation stand as a sustained caution to western thinkers trying to imagine something after liberalism.” Whoever these “western thinkers” plotting to ques-

In the age of former US President Donald Trump and Trumpism, with armed mobs attacking their most sacrosanct institutions, you might think these people would pause before making these assertions. But you would be mistaken: these commentators are blind to their own calamities and still need liberal lullabies, even as rioters storm the US Capitol and fascist political parties triumph across europe.

ENDURING ANTI-COLONIAL FORCES: These folks see nothing around the world except failed ideological attempts, particularly of the Islamist variety, to dethrone liberal democracy.

And of course, they always find the writers who tell them what they want to hear. “As Shadi hamid noted in a provocative essay for First Things,” Douthat informs his readers, “the Muslim world’s various Islamist movements anticipated the more recent western fascination with (and fear of) ‘post-liberal’ politics.”

Sorry to break the news, but not everything that has happened in the Muslim world involves “Islamist movements”. We have had profound and enduring forces of anti-colonial nationalism and non-eurocentric socialist movements, equally - if not even more - important than Islamist movements.

The cumulative effect of these movements is still unfolding towards a post-neoliberal politics and economics. Political ideologies bleed into each other’s porous bound-

To be sure, US pundits are not the only ones misreading and thus misrepresenting these protests. Reactionary regimes in the Arab world, led by Saudi Arabia and the Israel, do the same for their own nefarious reasons.

They do not see such movements as a concerted rebellion for political freedom and economic justice, but as an opportunity to dismantle a strategic enemy. The fact that the US, Israel and Saudi Arabia believe they are the direct beneficiaries speaks to their inability to read the roots and consequences of these protests.

What is lost on American pundits and their Arab and Israeli sidekicks is how revolutionary momentum across the Middle east - from civil rights movements in Iran to the Gezi Park protests in Turkey - reveal a far more potent and progressive force at work than their dreaded Islamism. Islamism has always been integral, but never definitive, to these uprisings, and even Islamist movements themselves are generally in a state of flux.

The point here is not the potential success or failure of such movements. The massive trust and confidence in Arab revolutions ended with torture chambers in Syria and egypt, corruption and authoritarianism in Tunisia and Sudan, and civil war in Yemen. The point is to have an accurate conception of what is happening in our homelands, from Morocco in the west to Iran and Pakistan in the east.

NEW FORM OF POLITICS: Given the common reading of the vast and variegated Middle eastern revolutions as having failed to deliver, it is not strange to consider the current uprising in Iran as already doomed. Such struc-

By what authority and audacity does he have this confidence? It is by the sheer fact that in his person and persona, Abdel Fattah represents the collectivity and plurality of a revolutionary aspiration that does not remain fixated on one state or another, but constitutes an openended rebellion of all nationals against all states.

From one end of the Arab and Muslim world to another, Abdel Fattah’s brothers and sisters are in jail, dreaming and delivering on the mandates of a deferred defiance. This is a new form of politics that has not been conceived of in the neoliberal and neoconservative imagination.

Amid the rise of anti-liberal and anti-democratic movements across the US and europe, this revival of Fukuyama’s prognostications might seem utterly bizarre. But the resurrection of the dead hobby horse of Fukuyama by reactionary American pundits is a desperate and feeble attempt to reassure themselves that all is well and dandy in their western dreamland.

Yet, all is not well. Something is indeed rotten in their state of Denmark. They are no longer the measure of anything but the havoc, both political and environmental, that they have wreaked upon the world.

The world at large is on its own. We may fail or succeed, but in terms entirely domestic to our hopes and despairs - and neither our failures nor our triumphs are any commentary on how close or far we might be from the false promises of their “liberal democracies”.

Hamid Dabashi is Hagop Kevorkian Professor of Iranian Studies and Comparative Literature at Columbia University in the City of New York, where he teaches Comparative Literature, World Cinema, and Postcolonial Theory.

Umar Khalid’s real crime? Challenging the government as a Muslim

produced at the time of trial. But that time never comes.

scroll apoorvanand

As feared, the Delhi high Court on October 18 rejected the bail application of Umar Khalid. The activist has been behind bars since September 2020 in connection with an alleged conspiracy related to the communal riots in the national capital in February that year.

Justice from India’s courts has become a rare exception, especially when the justice seekers are Muslims or critics of the government. Indian courts have reversed the rule of “bail and not jail” for such citizens. It requires extraordinary courage for a judge to apply this norm to them. If they do, as was done in the case of student activists Natasha Narwal, Devangana Kalita and Asif Iqbal Tanha, the Supreme Court warned that this should not become a practice. This explains the contradiction in the two judgements for which Justice Siddharth Mridul is responsible – one that freed Narwal, Kalita and Asif and one that denied freedom to Khalid. The context of the cases is the same: the communal riots in North east Delhi in 2020.

Looking at the proceedings that ultimately resulted in Khalid being denied liberty, one wonders if the courts have forgotten that while deciding a bail application, an individual is not to be subjected to trial. When deciding a bail plea, the judiciary only has to ensure that freedom for the accused will not interfere with the course of further investigation or trial. All aspects of the case are not to be discussed. This is unfair because the prosecutor is allowed to level charges without needing to produce evidence, putting the defendant at great disadvantage. The prosecution keeps saying that it has evidence that will be

Meanwhile, the word of the prosecution is accepted by the court, which acts like – as advocate Guatam Bhatia has said – a “stenographer of the police”. The court appears to have forgotten its duty to guarantee that the police or the state do not deprive an individual of liberty.

If granted bail, is Khalid a flight risk? Could he influence a trial that depends on the whims and fancies of the police? Or is he fated to wait in jail for a trial based on a fantastic tale woven by the police? The bigger picture is more terrifying. The promptness shown by the Supreme Court on October 15 in suspending the Bombay high Court order acquitting former Delhi University professor GN Saibaba within a day shows that the judiciary does not exist to safeguard the freedom of Indian citizens, but to ensure that society loses this very sense of freedom. In a democracy, the spirit of freedom survives only when the critics of the state are free to express their views, and remain free even after expressing such criticism.

India’s judicial system appears to be saying that it cannot tolerate the freedom of the government’s critics. The Bombay high Court made it amply clear on October 17 while rejecting the bail plea of Kabir Kala Manch singer Jyoti Jagtap that no one can lampoon or criticise the government. The rejection of Khalid’s bail petition followed this order as well. When read together, both orders demonstrate that though geographically apart there is a meeting of minds. Is this a conspiracy against democracy? Is it blasphemy to ask this question?

Yet, even after the judicial atrocity against Saibaba and Jagtap, there was a flicker of hope, an expectation that the idea of justice might be still alive somewhere in the justice system. That hope was belied.

It is also clear from the reason given by the court while dismissing Khalid’s petition that logic is taking a backseat. The court agreed with the premise of Delhi Police that Khalid’s speech at Amravati in Maharashtra was responsible for provoking violence in the national capital. But where is the evidence? To reach this conclusion,

the bench seized upon the word “inquilab”, or revolution, that Khalid used in his speech. In fascinating innocence, the bench wondered why Khalid offered a revolutionary salutation in a democratic country like India. It remembered Jawaharlal Nehru who had said that revolution was superfluous in India as it was a democracy. Revolution is red. Red is the colour of blood. So, when one says “inquilab zindabad”, the court hears bloodshed.

The court felt that the women in Shaheen Bagh – a prominent site of sit-in protests against the Citizenship Amendment Act – and elsewhere decoded the command issued by Khalid in faraway Amaravati and perpetrated violence in Delhi. Going by this logic, all leaders of the Communist parties should be in jail as no meeting starts without a krantikari salaam or revolutionary salutation.

The court felt that if the word “revolution” was not prefixed with the word “bloodless”, it intended bloodshed. Since Khalid did not specify “bloodless” before “revolution”, he was definitely giving a call for violence.

Do the courts need to be reminded of the many revolutions that have taken place since the 18th century French Revolution? From the 2014 Maidan revolution in Ukraine and Armenia’s 1989 Velvet Revolution to the 2010 Arab Spring, there have been many revolutions –bloodless and involving people. Should the courts be urged to read freedom fighter Bhagat Singh’s article on the use of the word “revolution”? Singh defends the word “revolution” saying that it does not mean pistols and bombs and that it is essentially about ideas.

Should courts be given examples of the use of the word revolution in the writings and speeches of Mohandas Gandhi, Nehru, freedom fighters Sardar Valbhbhai Patel, Sarojini Naidu and more that revolution does not mean bullets, arson or murder? Should the courts be reminded of the slogan Inquilab Zindabad or Long Live Revolution?

Suppose one were to agree with the court that Khalid’s speech is crucial in this case. Why does the court then choose to ignore those parts of the speech where Khalid asks participants to respond to violence

with non-violence with the tricolour in their hands? Why is the court not convinced that Khalid was sincere when he was asking citizens to remain non-violent in the face of violence? Is it because his name is Umar Khalid?

Why does this court refuse to believe that a hindutva leader can never mean violence, even when he openly talks of taking up arms? The Delhi high Court’s order is a warning sign to Indian citizens. Because it says that if anyone opposes the government, they are criminals. Their protest itself is a crime.

The court feels that the anti-Citizenship Amendment Act movement was not a typical protest. What is the court’s idea of what a typical protest should look like?

What was suspicious about a movement led by women braving the harsh winters of Delhi in the winter of 2019 and early 2020? Was it suspicious because it was led primarily by Muslim women? Does the court also believe, like the Bharatiya Janata Party, that women in general and Muslim women specifically cannot have independent minds and can only be a cover for violent men?

The real tragedy, made clear from the police investigation, is that the Delhi Police are not interested in finding out the real cause of the riots in the national capital nor bringing the perpetrators to book. The Delhi Police believe the protest against the Citizenship Amendment Act was a criminal act, a conspiracy against the country. everyone associated with the protest is deemed a conspirator or someone involved in violence.

The police have been asked time and again, and that too by one of the judges of this court, why no case was filed against BJP leaders who threatened violence. On October 11, BJP legislator Nand Kishor Gurjar alluded to his involvement in the riots, though he later claimed his remarks had been misinterpreted. has he been questioned?

Umar Khalid’s only crime is that his name is Umar Khalid, and that he had the audacity to question the government as Umar Khalid.

Apoorvanand teaches Hindi in Delhi University.

AMID THE RISE OF ANTI-LIBERAL AND ANTI-DEMOCRATIC MOVEMENTS ACROSS THE US AND EUROPE, THIS REVIVAL OF FUKUYAMA’S PROGNOSTICATIONS MIGHT SEEM UTTERLY BIZARRE. BUT THE RESURRECTION OF THE DEAD HOBBY HORSE OF FUKUYAMA BY REACTIONARY AMERICAN PUNDITS IS A DESPERATE AND FEEBLE ATTEMPT TO REASSURE THEMSELVES THAT ALL IS WELL AND DANDY IN THEIR WESTERN DREAMLAND. YET, ALL IS NOT WELL

PUNDITS OBSESSED WITH THE NOTION OF ‘ISLAMIC TERRORISM’ ARE QUICK TO PRONOUNCE THE TRIUMPH OF THEIR TREASURED NEOLIBERALISM

Middle east eye

Hamid dabasHi

corporate corner

BoP announces results for 1st nine months of fY-2022

LAhore: A meeting of the Board of Directors of The Bank of Punjab was held on October 28, 2022 to consider and approve the un-audited Financial Statements for the 1st nine months of year ended on September 30, 2022. The Board reviewed Bank’s financial performance and expressed its satisfaction over results achieved during 1st nine months of year 2022. Despite very challenging economic conditions and tough operating environment, the Bank has shown improvement in all facets of operations. Bank’s Total Assets as at September 30, 2022 improved to Rs. 1,309.5 billion as against Rs. 1,197.0 billion as of December 31, 2021. The Deposits of the Bank also improved to Rs. 1,040.5 billion as against Rs. 1,003.0 billion as on December 31, 2021. Investments and Gross Advances were recorded at Rs. 576.2 billion and Rs. 598.4 billion, respectively. Equity improved to Rs. 64.4 billion and Capital Adequacy Ratio (CAR) stood at 14.14% against regulatory requirement of 11.50%. Whereas, Leverage Ratio stood at 3.89% as against requirement of 3.00%. pr

Jazz supports breast cancer awareness campaign

stAff report

ThEPakistan Cotton Growers Association (PCGA) has demanded the government to take immediate notice of the crisis in cotton sector and take head-on measures to resolve the problems confronted the industry.

In a statement issued here on Friday, PCGA Chairman Chaudhry Waheed Arshad pointed out that without drastic measures on war-footing, wheat cultivation will not be possible in the

country, which may result in food shortage and food crisis.

The government should save farmers from major economic crisis through timely steps, he stressed and added that the process of cotton purchase by the textile sector is stalled.

The ginning industry has stopped purchasing cotton as the textile sector is the sole and major buyer of white gold and farmers have stopped picking cotton as the market mechanism is badly affected, the PCGA chairman claimed.

The agriculture department is re-

DGPC conducts bidding round for 8 blocks of Balochistan

ISLAMABAD AhmAd AhmAdAni

Petroleum Division’s Directorate General Petroleum Concessions (DGPC) on Friday publicly opened bids for eight (8) onshore Blocks located in Balochistan province for grant of Petroleum Exploration Rights through open bidding.

peatedly issuing instructions to the farmers to cultivate wheat, while wheat cultivation is possible only when the farmers complete the sale of cotton and prepare the land for it, Mr Chaudhry said.

“The local production of edible oil is also decreasing because cotton seed is still in field”, he said, adding that last year Pakistan imported edible oil worth $7 billion. Moreover, due to lack of cotton seed crushing, its quality is deteriorating and livestock is being deprived of quality food.

A major crisis has arisen as the en-

tire supply chain and stakeholders are affected, he disclosed.

By now the sale of the cotton crop should have been completed and the fields should be ready for wheat cultivation, the PCGA chairman maintained.

The ginners are not getting the best quality cotton and the ginning factories have turned into warehouses of unsold cotton. The increase in stocks has stopped the process of new purchases as the ginners are not financially able to make new purchases due to the existing stocks of cotton, he concluded.

PNSC hosts 44th annual general meeting for financial year 2021-22

ISLAMABAD: Aimed at raising awareness on breast cancer, Jazz, Pakistan’s leading digital operator and the largest internet and broadband service provider, conducted month-long campaigns to drive reinforcement for prevention, reminder of periodic checkups, and educate the masses including its own employees. Pakistan has the highest incidence of breast cancer among Asian countries; one in nine women is at risk of being diagnosed with breast cancer, and 40,000 women die of breast cancer every year, out of which only 19,000 women are diagnosed with breast cancer. Jazz offices and experience centers were lit up pink to serve as a reminder and draw attention to this critically important message, encouraging women to have regular check-ups and destigmatize the taboos associated with breast cancer. pr

part in anti-cancer fight

As per details, this positive DGPC has publicly opened bids for eight Blocks of Balochistan province for grant of Petroleum Exploration Rights through open bidding which in result will possibly create job opportunities for thousands of countrymen besides decreasing country’s fuel import bill.

Sources in the petroleum division informed that these Blocks are situated in district Pishin, Killa Abdullah, and Killa Saifullah of the Balochistan province. And five E&p Companies have participated in the bidding round including Oil and Gas Company Limited (OGDCL), Mari Petroleum Company Limited (MPCL, Pakistan Petroleum Limited (PPL) and Pakistan Oilfields Limited (POL).

According to the petroleum division, this was the second bidding round conducted during this year. Bids were received for five Blocks. The minimum investment to be carried out by the Exploration and Production (E&P) companies in these Blocks will be over USD

8TH convocation BUHSC held in Karachi

22.6 million in three years. Apart from E&P activities, the successful companies will also spend over USD 450,000 in social welfare for the areas of their respective Blocks, said the petroleum division.

For blocks that have discoveries, investments of several hundred million dollars will be made by these companies to develop the production, the petroleum division added.

Petroleum division also said that the auction of new oil & gas blocks is aimed at less reliance on imports in the oil and gas by promoting and facilitating exploration in the petroleum sector and transparency to ensure a level-playing field for all competitors in the E & P sector. The onset of E&P activities will help to create job opportunities and possible decrease in import bill, said the petroleum division.

Islamabad Police conduct flag march to maintain peace

The National Flag Carrier, Pakistan National Shipping Corporation (PNSC), convened its 44th Annual General Meeting for the financial year 2021-22 on October 28, 2022 in Karachi.

Chairman PNSC, Rear Admiral Jawad Ahmed, SI (M), chaired the meeting with all Executive Directors and other senior company officials.

Shareholders were apprised about record breaking results as the company surpassed its previous financial performance. Chairman PNSC informed that at the time of existence, Pakistan National Shipping Corporation had about cumulatively 500,000 DWT and today we are operating in excess of 1.046 Million tons DWT which is highest ever in the history of PNSC.

Shell Pakistan promotes biker and rickshaw fuelling safety

October reminds us that cancer is a journey and Sindh Transmission and Dispatch Company (ST&DC) stands with grit to support all the fighters, admiring the survivors, honoring the departed, and never giving up hope. The knowledge and minds of people who are captivated by ignorance need to be dismantled to overcome the stigma, as Pakistan alone has the highest incidence of breast cancer in Asia, with 90,000 new cases diagnosed annually. Sindh Transmission and Dispatch Company is honored to host a breast cancer awareness session for #WomenofSTDC/EnergyDepartment held at our head office. The event was attended by female employees, organizers, and guest speakers, health care manager Dr. Nadia Shahzad and Dr. Kanwal Khalid Khimji from KElectric. Join the fight, one step at a time, as every ribbon makes a difference. pr

NBP achieves PKR 5tr milestone with 34.3pc YTd growth in assets

KArAchI: The Board of Directors of National Bank of Pakistan “NBP” “the Bank” met today to approve the condensed interim financial statements for nine months period ended September 30, 2022. The Bank has delivered another quarter of strong returns, and posted Profit before Tax of PKR 14.5 Bn for 3Q’22. Consequently, total 9M profit before tax stood at PKR 48.3 Bn i.e. 20.1 % higher than PKR 40.2 Bn for the 9M period of 2021. With strong income momentum and returns across major businesses segments, the Bank’s fund-based net interest income was particularly strong. The Bank has continued to provide support for its customers and clients facing an uncertain economic environment and higher cost pressures amid the devastating floods.

KArAchI: 8th Convocation Ceremony of Bahria University Health Sciences Campus (BUHSC) was held at Karachi. Chief of the Naval Staff and Pro- Chancellor Bahria University Admiral Muhammad Amjad Khan Niazi graced the occasion as Chief Guest and awarded Medals and Merit Certificates to the students having outstanding achievements in academics A total of 262 graduates were conferred degree of M Phil, MBBS, BDS, BS (Nursing), DPT and MLT. Certificates of merit and medals were awarded to the position holders. Speaking on the occasion, Chief of the Naval Staff congratulated the students, parents and faculty on achieving a significant milestone in their life and also appreciated extensive efforts put in by the students and BUHSC faculty. pr

21st Shaukat Khanum Cancer Symposium from Nov 4

The 21st Shaukat Khanum Cancer Symposium is going to be held from the 4th to the 6th of November 2022 in Lahore. The event this year will be a hybrid meeting where the delegates will be welcomed back in person for the first time since the start of the coronavirus pandemic. This symposium is the largest oncology meeting in Pakistan, It will have nearly 100 international speakers from around 20 countries. This meeting will provide a platform to delegates from a variety of areas, including leading researchers, scientists, practitioners and trainees from across the world to exchange knowledge and expertise related to cancer diagnosis, treatment and research.

ISLAMABAD: According to the details Senior-Superintendent of Police (SSP) Operations Islamabad Malik Jameel Zafar has said that Islamabad police have made a comprehensive security plan to maintain high vigilance in the city. Following the special directives of Inspector General of Police (IGP) Islamabad Dr Akbar Nasir Khan, Islamabad Capital Police conducted a flag march in different areas of the city to maintain peace and tranquility in the city. Flag march was headed by SSP Operations Malik Jameel Zafar. SP Industrial Area, SP City Zone, SP Industrial Area and SP Rural were also present during the flag march.

PMC opens MdCaT registration portal for change of provincial centres

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Medical Commission has opened its MDCAT registration Portal for change of provincial centers for students. All students who intend to change their MDCAT provincial centers for the MDCAT exam can now change their province centers. PMC has opened its registration portal for only those students who want to change their examining university from one province to another province (only inter-provincial). The students can only change their examination center one time. The PMC MDCAT registration portal will be opened from 29th October 2022 till 2nd

2022

KArAchI: Shell Pakistan promotes biker and rickshaw refuelling safety to its consumers and has launched a safety campaign, named “Ehtiyaat Bunay

Ziauddin University holds 16th interactive series of ZU dialogues

KArAchI: "Mental health is no different from physical health," the saying goes. Mental health issues can be inherited through a person's parents or picked up in their environment. Mental problems can be brought on by a variety of behaviors, including drug usage, smoking, and the use of tranquilizers. The majority of these issues affect young children; however, adults can also contribute to them”, said Prof. Dr. Imran Bashir Chaudhry, Chairman of Psychiatry & Consultant Psychiatrist, Dr. Ziauddin Hospital. He was talking at the 16th interactive series of ZU Dialogues, titled “Make Mental Health and Well-Being for all a Global Priority”, organized by College of Clinical Psychology, Ziauddin University. Putting mental health first and making it available to everyone is the primary priority of the event.

EloN MuSK taKES coNtrol of twittEr, firES ExEcutivES

SaN FRaNCISCO AhmAd sAAd

ELONMusk took control of Twitter and fired its top executives late Thursday in a deal that puts one of the leading platforms for global discourse in the hands of the world’s richest man.

Musk sacked chief executive Parag Agrawal, as well as the company’s chief financial officer and its head of safety, the Washington Post and CNBC reported citing unnamed sources.

Agrawal went to court to hold the Tesla chief to the terms of a takeover deal he had tried to escape. The reports came hours before the court-appointed deadline for Musk to seal his on-again, off-again deal to purchase the social media network.

Musk tweeted earlier in the day that he was buying Twitter “because it is important to the future of civilisation to have a common digital town square, where a wide range of beliefs can be debated in a healthy manner.”

The New York Stock Exchange, meanwhile, posted a pending order to suspend trading in Twitter before Friday’s session.

Twitter did not immediately reply to a request for comment on the departure of its top executives, but the platform’s co-founder Biz Stone thanked the three men in a tweet for their “collective contribution to Twitter.”

“Massive talents, all, and beautiful humans each.”

‘CHief twit’ The closure of the deal marks the culmination of a long and drawnout back-and-forth between the billionaire and the social network.

Musk tried to step back from the Twitter deal soon after his unsolicited offer was accepted in April, and said in July he was canceling the contract because he was misled by Twitter over the number of fake “bot” accounts — allegations rejected by the company.

Twitter, in turn, sought to prove Musk was contriving excuses to walk away simply because he changed his mind.

After Musk sought to terminate the sale, Twitter filed a lawsuit to hold Musk to the

agreement.

With a trial looming, the unpredictable billionaire capitulated and revived his takeover plan.

Musk signaled the deal was on track this week by changing his Twitter profile to “Chief Twit” and posting a video of himself walking into the company’s California headquarters carrying a sink. “let tHat sink in!” He quipped.

He even shared a picture of himself socializing at a coffee bar at Twitter headquarters earlier in the day on Thursday.

Musk said during a recent Tesla earnings call that he was “excited” about the Twitter deal even though he and investors are “overpaying.” twitter free-for-all?

Some employees who would prefer not to work for Musk have already left, said a worker who asked to remain anonymous in order to speak more freely.

“But a portion of people, including me, are willing to give him the benefit of the doubt for now,” the employee said.

The idea of Musk running Twitter has

alarmed activists who fear a surge in harassment and misinformation, with Musk himself known for trolling other Twitter users.

But Musk said he realizes Twitter “cannot become a free-for-all hellscape where anything can be said with no consequences.”

Musk has vowed to dial content moder-

ation back to a bare minimum, and is expected to clear the way for former US president Donald Trump to return to the platform. The then-president was blocked due to concerns he would ignite more violence like the deadly attack on the Capitol in Washington to overturn his election loss.

North Korea fires two missiles into sea as South Korea wraps up drills

LONDON Agencies

President Vladimir Putin said that the world faced the most dangerous decade since World War Two, accusing what he cast as a declining West of engaging in nuclear blackmail against Russia.

Putin said he had no regrets about sending troops into Ukraine, and accused the West of inciting the war and playing a “dangerous, bloody and dirty” geopolitical game that was sowing chaos across the world. “The historical period of the West’s undivided dominance over world affairs is coming to an end,” Putin, Russia’s paramount leader, told the Valdai Discussion Club, a gathering of Russian specialists.

“We are standing at a historical frontier: Ahead is probably the most dangerous, unpredictable and, at the same time, important decade since the end of World War Two.”

Though he laid into the West, Putin appeared remarkably relaxed as he was questioned about

the prospects for nuclear war and how he felt about Russian soldiers killed in the Ukraine war, which he cast “partly” as a civil war.

Putin blamed the West for stoking nuclear tensions, citing remarks by former British Prime Minister Liz Truss about her readiness to use London’s nuclear deterrent if the circumstances demanded it.

Putin also repeated an assertion that Ukraine could detonate a “dirty bomb” laced with radioactive material to frame Moscow and dismissed as false Kyiv’s suggestion that the allegation might mean Russia plans to detonate such a device itself.

“We don’t need to do that. There would be no sense whatsoever in doing that,” Putin said, adding that the Kremlin had responded to what it felt was nuclear blackmail by the West.

Russia invaded Ukraine on Feb 24, triggering the biggest confrontation with the West since the 1962 Cuban Missile Crisis in the depths of the Cold War when the Soviet Union and the United States came closest to nuclear war.

World faces most dangerous decade since WWII: Putin At least 42 killed as storm lashes southern Philippines

COtaBatO, PhILIPPINES Agencies

Landslides and flooding killed at least 42 people as heavy rain from an approaching storm lashed the southern Philippines, a disaster official said Friday.

The storm unleashed flash floods carrying uprooted trees, rocks and mud overnight in nine mostly rural towns around Cotabato, a city of 300,000 people on Mindanao island.

Many residents were caught by surprise as floodwaters rose rapidly before dawn, Naguib Sinarimbo, the spokesman and civil defence chief for the regional government, told AFP.

Sinarimbo said 27 died in the town of Datu Odin Sinsuat, including 11 from a mountain village buried in mud, while 10 died in Datu Blah Sinsuat town and five were killed in Upi town.

Teams in rubber boats had rescued

residents from rooftops in some towns, Sinarimbo said, adding that 16 people were missing in the region.

In recent years, flash floods with mud and debris from largely deforested mountainsides have been among the deadliest hazards posed by typhoons on Philippine communities. Mindanao is rarely hit by the 20 or so typhoons that strike the Philippines each year and kill hundreds of people. But those that do tend to be deadlier than those that hit Luzon, the main island. A long mountain range walls off most of Luzon from the Pacific, where most storms are spawned, helping to absorb the blow, the state weather service said.

Local filmmaker Remar Pablo told AFP he was shooting a beauty pageant in Upi when the floodwaters suddenly came in after midnight and forced audience members to flee.

A row of cars sat half-submerged on the street outside, his clips showed.

“We were stranded inside,” said Pablo, who eventually waded through the water to get home.

Rescuers carried a baby in a plastic tub as they navigated chest-deep water, a photo posted by the provincial police showed. Floodwaters have receded in several areas, but Cotabato remained almost entirely waterlogged.

Sinarimbo said there could be more flooding over the next few hours because of heavy rain over mountains surrounding the Cotabato river basin.

“Our focus at this time is rescue as well as setting up community kitchens for the survivors,” he said.

The army deployed its trucks to collect stranded residents in Cotabato and nearby towns, provincial civil defence chief Nasrullah Imam said.

“It was a shock to see municipalities which had never flooded getting hit this time,” Imam said, adding that some fam-

ilies were swept away when the waters hit their homes.

The heavy rainfall began late Thursday in the impoverished region, which is under Muslim self-rule after decades of separatist armed rebellion.

The state weather office in Manila said the downpours were partly caused by Tropical Storm Nalgae, which it expects to strengthen at landfall overnight Friday.

Nalgae was heading northwest with maximum winds of 85 kilometres (53 miles) an hour and could hit Samar island late Friday or the Bicol peninsula on the southern tip of Luzon early Saturday.

Nearly 5,000 people were evacuated from flood- and landslide-prone communities in these areas, the civil defence office said.

The coast guard also suspended ferry services in much of the archipelago nation where tens of thousands of people board boats each day.

SEOUL Agencies

North Korea fired two short-range ballistic missiles (SRBMs) off its east coast on Friday, South Korea’s military said, while South Korean forces were wrapping up nearly two weeks of exercises aimed at deterring their northern neighbour. The missile launches, at a time of growing fears that North Korea is preparing its first nuclear test since 2017, were the latest in a year in which North Korea has tested a record number of missiles, whether short-range missiles, intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs), or others. The SRBMs were fired from the Tongcheon area in the North’s Gangwon province, the South’s Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) said, four days after the neighbours exchanged warning shots off the west coast of the divided peninsula. “Our military is maintaining full readiness posture,” the JCS said in a statement, adding that it had stepped up monitoring and security while co-ordinating closely with the United States. The launches did not pose an immediate threat to the United States or its allies, the US military’s Indo-Pacific Command said in a statement However they “highlight the destabilising impact” of North Korea’s unlawful weapons of mass destruction and ballistic missile programmes, it added. The nuclear envoys of South Korea, the United States and Japan spoke by telephone and condemned the launches as a provocation and violation of UN Security Council resolutions, South Korea’s foreign ministry said. “North Korea’s nuclear and missile development will only lead to strengthening security cooperation in the region and abroad,” the ministry said in a statement, urging North Korea to return to talks. South Korean troops were set on Friday to finish the 12-day Hoguk 22 field exercises, which have included some drills with US troops. About 240 South Korean and US warplanes are due to begin the Vigilant Storm drills on Monday, flying 1,600 sorties in the largest number of missions everstaged for such exercises, the US Air Force said.

‘inCredibly ConCerning’ The allied aircraft will perform “major air missions such as close air support, defensive counter air, and emergency air operations 24 hours a day during the training period,” the air force said.

Xi stresses advancing rural revitalization on inspections to Shaanxi, Henan

BEIJING Agencies

Chinese President Xi Jinping has stressed the importance of advancing rural revitalization across the board and striving tirelessly for achieving agricultural and rural modernization.

Xi, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, made the remarks during his inspections to the city of Yan’an in northwest China’s Shaanxi Province and the city of Anyang in central China’s Henan Province,

from Wednesday to Friday.

In his first inspection after the conclusion of the 20th National Congress of the CPC, Xi came to Yan’an and visited an apple farm in the Nangou Village on Wednesday afternoon.

Noting the great changes brought by agricultural modernization, he said more efforts are needed to prioritize the development of agricultural and rural areas, and consolidate and expand China’s achievements in poverty alleviation.

China eradicated absolute poverty and finished building a moderately prosperous society in all respects in 2021, thus complet-

ing the First Centenary Goal. Xi said the Party will do more to keep making people live an increasingly better life.

The Communist Party of China is a party of the people, a party that serves the people, he said. Hard work urged: Xi called for the enterprising spirit of self-reliance and hard work when he visited the Hongqi Canal, or the Red Flag Canal, in Linzhou City of central China’s Henan Province on Friday morning.

The canal, a key irrigation project and major engineering feat of the 1960s, took local people almost 10 years to complete. It

was built across the steep Taihang Mountain to bring water to the parched Linxian County, which is now known as Linzhou City. The Red Flag Canal itself is a monument to the heroic spirit of the people of Linxian County who did not resign themselves to fate or give in to defeat, Xi said.

He urged the younger generation to carry forward the spirit and contribute to the realization of the Second Centenary Goal of building China into a great modern socialist country in all respects.

‘Cultural ConfidenCe’

During his inspection to the central Chinese city of Anyang, Xi also underscored the

importance of building cultural confidence when he visited the Yin Ruins on Friday afternoon.

The ruins boast archaeological remnants of the ancient city of Yin, the last capital of the Shang Dynasty (1600-1046 B.C.). The oracle bone scripts discovered within the ruins are considered to be the oldest Chinese inscriptions. In 1928, Chinese archaeologists discovered the complex of the ruins, which were added to the World Heritage List in 2006 by UNESCO.

Xi said fine traditional Chinese culture can be better preserved through excavation, studying and protection of cultural relics.

CAn PAkistAn still mAnAge to quAlify for t20 World CuP semifinAls?

tHEunexpected win by Zimbabwe over Pakistan in the ICC T20 World Cup 2022 on Thursday has made Group 2 interesting for all the teams, but Pakistan’s chances of moving on in the tournament are now up in the air.

After two games, Pakistan is in fifth place because they lost to India and Zimbabwe. On the other hand, India, South Africa, Bangladesh, and Zimbabwe are ahead of Pakistan.

India has four points after two games, while both South Africa and Zimbabwe have three points after two games. Bangladesh is good for two points.

Pakistan’s next game in the tournament is against the Netherlands. After that, they play South Africa and Bangladesh. All three of these games are now must-win for Pakistan. Pakistan will not make it to the semifinals if they lose one more game.

But it won’t be enough for Babar Azam’s team just to win three games in a row. They’ll also need help from other teams. Now, Pakistan’s bestcase scenario is for Bangladesh to beat Zimbabwe, India to beat South Africa, and Pakistan to beat the Netherlands on Sunday. India will be in first place with six points, followed by Bangladesh with four, Zimbabwe with three, and Pakistan with two points.

Then, on November 2, it will be

necessary for Pakistan for the Netherlands to beat Zimbabwe and India to beat Bangladesh. On November 3, Pakistan will need to beat South Africa in Sydney.

In this case, India will have 8 points, Pakistan and Bangladesh will each have 4 points, and South Africa and Zimbabwe will each have 3 points.

On November 6, all of the teams in the group will play. Pakistan should beat Bangladesh and hope

India beats Zimbabwe and South Africa beats the Netherlands.

If wishes were horses and everything went according to Pakistan’s equation, India would be in first place with 10 points, Pakistan would be in second place with 6 points, and South Africa would be in third place with 5 points.

But Pakistan will be in trouble if South Africa beats India on Sunday. If South Africa beats India, SA will have five points, and India will have four. South Africa will play the Netherlands and is likely to win. India will play Zimbabwe and Bangladesh and will likely win both games.

So, if South Africa beats India, Pakistan will have to hope that the Netherlands beats South Africa and Zimbabwe beats India to improve their NRR.

Pakistan’s situation is likely to become clear by Sunday evening. So, let’s keep Pakistan’s hopes alive by hoping India keeps winning and beats South Africa easily.a

Australia vs England washout leaves group wide open for T20 World Cup

MelBoUrne AFP

A highly anticipated clash between Australia and England at the Twenty20 World Cup was abandoned without a ball being bowled due to rain on Friday in Melbourne, leaving their group wide open.

It was the second match of the day, after Ireland v Afghanistan, to be washed out at the Melbourne Cricket Ground and means all four sides take a point each in their hunt for a place in the semi-finals.

New Zealand lead Group One on three points — the same as England, Ireland and holders Australia — but the Black Caps have a better net runrate and have a game in hand.

Sri Lanka and Afghanistan have two points. The top two from the group will

reach the semi-finals.Four matches have now been rained off at the marquee tournament in Australia.

The showdown between Ashes rivals England and Australia had been billed as a must-win for both sides after each had won one and lost one.

Ireland skipper Andrew Balbirnie expressed his frustration after the rain denied his giant-killers a crack at a win over Afghanistan.

The Irish were pumped up after stunning England by five runs on Wednesday in a rain-affected encounter, but the wet weather checked their momentum against winless Afghanistan.

The Afghans have now had two games abandoned. Balbirnie said the situation was “very disappointing”. “We played some really good cricket the other night and were looking forward to this fixture against a team we know really well,” he said. “We spoke a lot about it after the England

game, about backing up that performance and coming out here and playing some good cricket. We didn’t get to show what we could do today, unfortunately.

“If it could have gone our way we could have gone to Brisbane (to play Australia on Monday) with a lot of hopes of going into the next round.”

Ireland had form against the Afghans, winning a five-match T20 series 3-2 earlier this year.

Afghanistan are bottom of the group and skipper Mohammad Nabi was equally disappointed.

“The preparation was really good, we learned a lot from our first game against England and worked on our particular mistakes,” he said.

“We were fully ready… the plan was to put a score on the board and bring the spinners into the game during the chase.”

Next up in Group One is New Zealand against Sri Lanka on Saturday in Sydney.

sindh Amateur golf Championship – Abdullah Ansar leads on first day

Karachi stAFF RePoRt

The First Round of 22nd Paragon Sindh Amateur Golf Championship was played on Friday at Karachi Golf Club. Abdullah Ansar from KGC is leading with 73-one over par. Arsalan Khan of the same club along with Qasim Ali khan of Gymkhana Club are jointly following Abdullah with 75- three over par. Danyal Khan from KGC is holding 4th position on Day 1. In the veteran’s category, Major Rizwan Farooq of DHA is leading with 40 – four over nine holes. He is followed by Rehan Mirza with 41 – five over nine holes. Col Shahid Mahboob is leading in over 75 years category with 39 – over five holes. The final round will be played on Sunday 30th October, 2022. Weather and visibility today at KGC were helpful. The defending champion Yashal Shah is not competing due to his participation at Asia Pacific Amateur Golf Championship in Thailand.

Batsman Shan Masood warned that his “demoralised” side must pick themselves up quickly and keep believing if they are to salvage their fading Twenty20 World Cup dreams.

Pakistan suffered a shock one-run loss to Zimbabwe in Perth on Thursday, four days after they went down to arch-rivals India in their tournament opener in a similarly agonising fashion.

One of the pre-tournament favourites, they now must win all their remaining games — starting with the Netherlands on Sunday — and hope other re-

sults go their way.

“We have three games that are in our hands, yes, we have to depend on few other results, but that’s the beauty of sport,” Masood, who made 44 before Zimbabwe choked Pakistan to 129-8, told reporters in Perth.

“There are funny things that have happened in sport and we are going to believe and we are going to give it all in these three games.” Their bowlers kept Zimbabwe down to 130-8, but Pakistan faltered in their chase with Pakistan-born Zimbabwe all-rounder Sikandar Raza taking three key wickets, including Masood, in the space of nine balls.

With 11 needed off the

final over, Pakistan fell just short to hand Zimbabwe a famous victory.

“There is disappointment, no doubt. To lose two matches with fine margins is very demoralising as we know the importance of every point in this group,” Masood said.

“But till the tournament doesn’t end, we can’t think ahead and can’t look ahead. What we can do now is to find our mistakes and to win the next three matches.”

He added: “To overcome this disappointment we have to come out on the ground and play well. It’s only a good performance on Sunday that will help us feel better.”

Psl holds its annual Corporate Briefing session

islaMaBad stAFF RePoRt

Pakistan Services Limited (PSL) conducted its third Corporate Briefing session at the Islamabad Marriott Hotel in compliance with the directives of the Pakistan Stock Exchange on Thursday, 27th October 2022. Senior Management of the Company, including Mr. M. A.Bawany, Vice Chairman - Hashoo Group and Director of the Company, Syed Haseeb Amjad Gardezi, Chief Operating OfficerHashoo Group and Director of the Company, Mr. Tahir Mahmood, Chief Financial Officer, Mr. Muhammad Amir, Company Secretary, and Board Members, Mr. Shakir Abu Bakar, Mr. M. Ahmed GhazaliMarghoob, Mr. Shahid Hussain and Mr. Rohail Ajmal were present at the event. The event was also attended by Chartered Accountants, Corporate Law Professionals, Lawyers and Company members. Mr. Amir opened the programme by presenting PSL's brief profile and success story, followed by Mr. Tahir Mahmood, who shared the company's financial highlights to brief the investors and analysts about the company's current financial performance and outlook. On the occasion, Mr. Syed Haseeb Ajmal Gardezi shared details on all the recent management agreements and introduced two upcoming five-star hotels, Pearl-Continental Hotel Multan and Pearl-Continental Hotel Mirpur. The event concluded with a comprehensive question-and-answer session.

Akhtar wants Babar to shuffle batting, bowling order

ISLAMABAD: Shoaib Akhtar, a legendary fast bowler, was upset that Pakistan lost to Zimbabwe in their T20 World Cup Group 2 game at the Optus Stadium in Perth. Zimbabwe chose to bat first; Mohammad Wasim Jr. came back into the team and took four wickets; Zimbabwe scored 130/8. In response, Pakistan fell short by just one run, thanks to Brad Evans’ brave last over. During his game analysis, Akhtar criticized the team’s strategy and said Babar Azam was not a good captain.

“I don’t know why it is so hard for you guys to understand. I have said this before, and I am saying it again with our top and middle order, we can achieve big success. We can’t win consistently. Pakistan has a bad captain. Pakistan is out of the World Cup. stAFF RePoRt

Spain prosecutors drop charges against Neymar and others

Barcelona Agencies

Prosecutors in Spain on Friday dropped corruption and fraud charges against football star Neymar and others accused in a trial over the Brazilian’s 2013 move from Santos to Barcelona.

In a dramatic move, the prosecutor announced the “withdrawal of the charges against all the accused and for all the allegations” they had faced.

Neymar, 30, had said he did not remember if he took part in the negotiations which led to an agreement

sealed in 2011 with Barcelona over his transfer two years later to the Spanish side from Brazilian club Santos. Spanish prosecutors had sought a two-year prison term for Neymar, a key member of the Brazil team that will be heading to the World Cup in Qatar next month, and the payment of a 10-million-euro ($9.7-million) fine.

The dropping of the charges is the culmination of a years-long legal saga over Neymar’s high-profile transfer to Europe.

He then joined Qatar-owned Paris Saint-Germain in a world record 222-million-euro transfer in

2017. Neymar had been one of nine defendants on trial on corruption-related charges, among them his parents and their N&N company, which manages his affairs. Even if he had been convicted, prison terms of two years or less are never enforced in Spain for a first-time offender.

Investigators began probing the transfer to Barcelona after a 2015 complaint filed by DIS, a Brazilian company that owned 40 percent of the player’s sporting rights when he was at Santos, the club where he rose to global prominence.

The firm claims that Neymar, Barcelona and the Brazilian club

colluded to mask the true cost of his transfer thereby defrauding it of its legitimate financial interests.

Barca said the transfer was valued at 57.1 million euros, with 40 million euros paid to N&N and 17.1 million to Santos, of which 6.8 million was given to DIS.

Spanish prosecutors believe the actual value was at least 83 million euros. Neymar gave evidence earlier this month, telling the court he had done nothing illegal and that he only signed documents his father gave him. “My father has always been in charge” of contract negotiations, he said. “I sign what he tells me to.”

DIS also claims financial harm from the 2011 pre-contract agreement with Barca, claiming it had impeded other clubs from making offers and affected the value of the transfer fee.

But the player’s father, Neymar Sr, told the court the talks had been authorised by the Brazilian club at the time and that “it was Santos’ responsibility” to inform DIS, and not his. Apart from Neymar, his father and his mother Nadine Goncalves, two former Barca presidents, Sandro Rosell and Josep Maria Bartomeu, and ex-Santos boss Odilio Rodrigues Filho are among the defendants.

Neymar’s lawyers insist their client is innocent, saying the 40-million-euro payment from Barca was a “legal signing bonus which is normal in the football transfer market”. Neymar is having one of his best seasons since he joined PSG and is expected to play a key role for Brazil at the World Cup in Qatar. He has scored nine league goals in 11 matches and made seven assists. He is expected to lead the Selecao into their World Cup Group G opener against Serbia on November 24 as the South American giants begin their quest to win the trophy for the first time since 2002, and the sixth in total.

stAFF RePoRt

MelBoUrne AFP

SAudi Crown PrinCe will Soon viSit PAKiStAn, AnnounCeS PM

Staff RepoRt

MOHAMMEDbin

Salman has expressed willingness to support development projects in Pakistan, said the prime minister, announcing the crown prince of Saudi Arabia would soon be visiting the country.

His remarks come days after he concluded a three-day state visit to the kingdom during which the two leaders resolved to upgrade bilateral relationship and fraternal bonds. Speaking at the passing out parade of the Specialised Training Programme (STP) batch of the National Police Academy in Islamabad today, Shehbaz Sharif lauded the role of police in eradicating terrorism from the country, and maintaining law and order.

He also paid rich tributes to the sacrifices rendered by the police in the line of duty.

The prime minister expressed confidence the police would live up to the expectations of the people and won’t refrain from any sacrifice to maintain law and order.

He also emphasised setting up a counter-terrorism centre and forensic laboratory in the capital and urged working out a project in this regard.

He mentioned that the counter-terrorism department and Punjab Forensic Science Agency (PFSA) were role model departments which needed to be replicated in other parts of the country.

Sharif congratulated the cadets who achieved awards in their professional field and also expressed satisfaction over the contribution of the women police force towards national development. He urged the cadets to

demonstrate dedication, professionalism and commitment in their field.

Sharif said the government despite financial constraints would provide funds to Islamabad police to enhance its professional capacity.

He announced that the adjacent vacant land to the National Police Academy (NPA) would be transferred in the name of the academy by this evening.

He also announced an increment in the salaries of faculty and staff of the academy at par with other police training institutions located across the country.

The prime minister regretted that Pakistan despite being blessed with the resources lagged behind the rest of the world in the area of progress and development.

He reiterated the government’s resolve to work for the progress and development of the country.

He congratulated the graduating of-

ficers and their parents. He also lauded the staff of the academy for imparting the required skills to all police officers.

Commandant of the facility, Allah Dino Khawaja, said 24 officers including seven women officers passed out from the academy. He said the graduates had been imparted training as per modern policing techniques and urged them to serve people professionally.

He said training of young officers had been designed to be academically challenging and physically rigorous to prepare them for leading modern police forces in the 21st century.

Khawaja said officers had been given thorough exposure to forensic science, cyber-crime, public order duties, investigations and operations.

The prime minister distributed shields and medals among the officers who secured distinction during the course.

Prime Minister’s China visit to advance CPEC cooperation: FO

ISLAMABAD

Hamid Khan group’s Abid Zuberi elected SCBA President

Staff RepoRt

Abid Shahid Zuberi of the Professional Group of lawyers also known as the Hamid Khan group has been elected president of the Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) for 2022-23. Advocate Hamid Khan is considered a central leader of Pakistan Tehreek-e- Insaf and a close ally of its chairman Imran Khan.

As per unofficial results, Abid Zuberi won by a margin of 199 votes. Abid got 1347 votes while his close rival Khalid Javed of the late Asma Jahangir group got 1148 votes. Abid Shahid Zuberi has defeated Khalid Javed in 12 polling stations across the country. Hamid Khan Group has won the battle after three years.

As per unofficial results declared by the presiding officer, Abid Shahid Zuberi of the Professional Group’s President Candidate and Khalid Javed of the Independent Group’s President Candidate bagged 470 votes each in the Lahore Registry elections.

Abid Shahid Zuberi of Professional Group won from Karachi by four votes. Abid Zuberi secured 170 votes while his close contestant Khalid Javed of Independent Group got 166 votes. Khawaja Naveed Advocate got one vote, Khalil Dogar secured four votes and Jameel Ahmed Advocate could get one vote. Four votes were declared rejected. Khalid Javed from the Asma Jahangir group won by one vote from Multan. Khalid Javed secured 75 votes, while his close opponent Abid Shahid Zuberi of Hamid Khan Group got 74 votes.

Abid Zuberi is also successful from the principal seat of Islamabad as he got 251 votes while his close rival Khalid Javed of Asma Jahangir Group got 227 votes. Ahmad Zuberi also grabbed the first position in the Peshawar registry elections. He bagged 92 votes while Khalid Javed came second with 89 votes.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif is scheduled to visit China next week which, the Foreign Office spokesperson said, would mark the conclusion of MoUs and agreements in the diverse areas and help advance the agenda of bilateral cooperation.

In his weekly press briefing, spokesperson Asim Iftikhar said the visit scheduled on November 1-2, was expected to advance wide-ranging bilateral cooperation agenda in which two sides would review the All-Weather Strategic Cooperation Partnership and exchange views on regional and global developments.

He said the visit would also help consolidate the momentum of CPEC cooperation in wake of the 11th meeting of the CPEC Joint Cooperation Committee (JCC) held on Thursday, in which both sides expressed satisfaction over the ongoing projects under CPEC while several new projects were also proposed.

The prime minister, who would also be accompanied by Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari would meet with President Xi Jinping and hold delegation-level talks with Premier Li Keqiang.

The spokesperson started his remarks by expressing condolences over the “shocking and untimely” death of prominent journalist Arshad Sharif in Kenya and apprised the newsmen how the Foreign Office remained engaged with the Kenyan authorities on the matter.

He said as Pakistan had formally requested the Kenyan government for a detailed investigation and the government also formed a two-member team to ascertain the facts related to the murder.

Referring to the observance of Kashmir

Black Day on Thursday, the spokesperson said the country’s leadership, foreign ministry and Pakistan’s missions abroad, through multiple events, underscored Pakistan’s principled position, and resolve to support the Kashmiri people, and called upon the international community to play its due role in urging India to end its illegal occupation, halt massive human rights violations and cease repressive measures against the Kashmiris.

On Black Day, the foreign secretary briefed the resident ambassadors of OIC, P-5 and European countries on the egregious human rights situation in IIOJK.

The foreign minister addressed letters to the President of the UN General Assembly, President of the Security Council, UN Secretary-General, the High Commissioner for Human Rights, and the OIC Secretary-General.

“The situation remains grave meanwhile in the IIOJK. We condemn the recent killings of civilians in fake encounters in Shopian and Kupwara districts. Also condemnable is the stopping of Kashmiri photojournalist Sanna Irshad Mattoo at Delhi airport to prevent her traveling to New York to receive her Pulitzer Prize,” he told the newsmen.

The spokesperson also expressed concerns over the recent attack and ransacking of the All Parties Hurriyat Conference head office in Srinagar by Hindutva fanatics supported by the Indian Army.

He also apprised the media of the prime minister’s recent visit to Saudi Arabia on October 24, where he held consultations with the Saudi Crown Prince and attended the Saudi Future Investment Initiative Summit.

PTI long march: Islamabad’s red zone sealed

ISLAMABAD: All the routes towards the Red Zone area of the federal capital Islamabad were sealed amid the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) long march.

As per details, all the routes going towards the Red Zone area of the federal capital Islamabad were closed again with containers. The law enforcement agencies have placed containers on Meerat chowk, NADRA chowk and other main entrance points of Islamabad. The route from Dchowk to Red Zone has also been closed. Staff RepoRt

MPA Khurram leghari backtracks on his claim of parting ways with Pti

ISLAMABAD Staff RepoRt

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif suffered two blows on Friday. Member Punjab Assembly Khurram Leghari late Friday evening backtracked on his decision of parting ways with Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) and said that he had rather was leading a march to join party leader Imran Khan in PTI’s long march.

Earlier in the day, Leghari had vowed to parting ways with the PTI. While in Centre, Focal Person to Prime Minister on digital media Ahmad Jawad resigned from his post on Friday.

Khurram Leghari, a member of a dissident group within PTI previously led by Jahangir Khan Tareen (JKT), had earlier claimed that five more lawmakers have decided to defect from the PTI. However, later all the MPAs refused to leave the PTI, leaving an embarrassed Leghari to review his decision.

Leghari had informed he might also resign from the Punjab Assembly in the next three to four days. “We were promised one thing but offered the opposite,” lamented the lawmaker.

He also expressed his concerns regarding the Punjab cabinet, saying they should know the criteria for becoming a minister.

Leghari contested in the 2018 general elections as an independent candidate and later joined the PTI. He served as the special assistant to then-chief minister Usman Buzdar but was removed in 2020.

PM’S foCAL PeRSon ReSIgnS: Meanwhile, Focal Person Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on digital media Ahmad Jawad resigned from his post on Friday.

Ahmad Jawad in his resignation to the prime minister said: “In a country where the blood is shed unjustly, and the facts never come to the fore. In a country where the ruler is helpless whether it is Imran Khan or you. In a country where the truth means death, and the lie is a key to success. In a country where the narrative of lies is the way to progress, and its buyers are the respected citizens. In a country where slogans like ‘respect the vote’ are limited to the acquisition of power only.”

“The people of such a country, especially the youth, will have to decide what is true and what is false. The hour of decision has come. Listen to your conscience. I invested my precious time and money in search of the truth, and I did my duty for the sake of the country. This country has been deceived many times, and I will not become part of any such deception.”

MoRe ReSIgnAtIonS to CoMe fRoM PMLn, not PtI: Meanwhile, commenting on the resignation handed over by Ahmad Jawad, focal person of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s social media team, PTI leader Fawad Chaudhry said: “More resignations will come from PML-N, and not PTI.”

He rejected the possibility of PTI MPAs resigning following Laghari’s departure from the party.

“The MPAs, whose names were given, have denied quitting PTI,” he said, adding that earlier Sheikh Rasheed was rumoured to not participate in the long march, but now he is partaking in it.

He further claimed that at this time, PTI will only be left by the faction that doesn’t want to continue politics in the future. “Only those who want to commit political suicide would leave Imran Khan. Who else would leave otherwise? Unless the rate is too high, which is a separate discussion,” Fawad remarked, stressing that the entire party stands with Khan, as people are with him.

Senator Swati demands removal of military officials over his ‘custodial torture’

ISLAMABAD Staff RepoRt

Almost two weeks after arrest and alleged custodial torture for posting a tweet against COAS, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Senator Azam Swati on Friday blew the lid off “identity” of who had allegedly assaulted him in custody and offered a peek into the power corridor practices by some of the country’s most powerful institutions.

Addressing a news conference here, the PTI senator reiterated that he had been stripped naked and beaten up while in custody.

“I was beaten up in front of my innocent granddaughters and that trauma will stay with them forever.” He took the names of

two senior officers, claiming that they were involved in beating him up. Swati went on to demand that two senior officers should be removed from their posts immediately for torturing a senior parliamentarian.

Claiming that his pleas were ignored and trivialized, adding that the doctors who examined him should be asked at whose behest torture marks on his body were ignored.

“How did they not see this violence even after 15 days and how did I continue to be handed over to them on physical remand?”

Swati stated that the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA), who had arrested him, will have to answer at whose behest an FIR was lodged against him. He also asked who were the unidentified people to whom he

was handed over?

Calling on the Chief Justice of Pakistan, he said that he had taken his case to the Supreme Court along with his fellow senators and journalists and provided evidence; further saying that he was waiting for justice as any ordinary Pakistani. He demanded the CJP provide him with justice as a basic right should be made available.

Azam Swati said that he has high hopes that the court will investigate the illegal behavior of the authorities against him, including custodial torture.

Citing the preamble of the constitution, he said that true authority lies with Allah and then the people of Pakistan who will use that right. He said that no military officer can use

that authority.

Earlier at the start of the press conference, he said that he would not speak to recent political issues, including the press conference by the director generals of Inter Services Intelligence (ISI) and Public Relations (ISPR) where they stated the army would not have any role in politics.

Maintaining that he did not wish to malign the military rather provide constructive criticism on what needs to be corrected, he stated that security institutions should not have a political role and all such practices which used to be carried out, must be left in the past.

SwAtI’S ALLegAtIonS ‘DefAMIng’ StAte InStItutIonS: Re-

sponding to PTI senior leader and Senator Azam Swati’s allegations against state institutions over his arrest, Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah criticised him for “defaming” them.

The senator’s accusations were categorically rejected by the interior minister who said that the FIA did not hand him over to any other institutions and denied allegations of torture, alleging Swati and PTI of instigating mischief.

“Imrani fitna’s characters have adopted the agenda of chaos to create riots and anarchy in the country,” he told journalists during a press conference, adding that they have been targeting the officers of the institutions for the past few days.