Epaper_22-10-31 KHI

SayS exPectS to further

relationS

BEIJING staff report

Primeminister shehbaz sharif said he expected to further deepen strategic relations and enhance trade and business ties with China during his upcoming visit.

“i hope the visit will result in further cementing our strategic relations and enhancing business and trade with China,” he told China global television network (Cgtn) in an interview.

the prime minister is scheduled to begin an official visit to China on november 1. it’s his first visit to China since he took office in april. shehbaz sharif is among the first batch of foreign leaders to visit China after the conclusion of the 20th national Congress of the Communist party of China (CpC) in beijing.

“i feel really honored and deeply touched and it’s very heartwarming to know that i am one of the first leaders from the world visiting my brotherly and friendly country China. that shows and reflects the depth of our friendship and strength of our understanding and our bond,” he added.

the prime minister said that he looks forward to his talks with Chinese president Xi Jinping and

china

pressed gratitude for the Chinese leadership, people and companies who have generously contributed.

“China has supplied food items, medicines, mosquito nets and lots of other items for the flood-affected people,” he added. he said that the Chinese leadership had contributed in a very big way and they want to know from the pakistani government what else China could do to support the floodstricken people.

appreciating the rapid development of China in economic, social and cultural fields, he opined that China believes in globalization and he wanted to emulate the Chinese model of economic development.

TV reporter crushed to death by PTI’s long march container

LAHORE/MURIDKE staff report

premier Li keqiang and Chinese leadership to enhance cooperation in various fields.

regarding assistance extended by China for the flood-hit people in pakistan, he ex-

about China-pakistan economic Corridor (CpeC) which has entered a high-quality second phase, he said that the flagship project of the belt and road initiative (bri) has transformed the energy sector and infrastructure in pakistan. the road network constructed under CpeC in all parts of the country has shortened the travelling time and now people could easily reach from one place to another, he added. the prime minister said he would also discuss expanding the role of CpeC under the belt and road initiative.

Imran hits back at PM Shehbaz over talks offer claim

MURIDKE staff report

pakistan tehreek-e-insaf chairman imran khan announced to end long march’s sadhoke phase following the tragic death of a female reporter in an accident on sunday. the female reporter from a private news channel (Channel 5) namely sadaf naeem died in a horrific accident during pti’s long march. she was crushed to death by a container-carrying vehicle after falling from another container.

it was learnt that sadaf fell down from a container while trying to jump to a nearby container and was crushed by another container-carrying truck. following the accident, imran khan immediately left his container vehicle and rushed to the accident site. the pti chief announced to immediately conclude the long march’s sadhoke phase following the reporter’s death in the tragic accident. he expressed condolences to the deceased reporter’s family. khan said that pti marchers

will resume their journey from kamoke city on monday (today).

“shocked & deeply saddened by the terrible accident that led to the death of Channel 5 reporter sadaf naeem during our march today. i have no words to express my sorrow. my prayers & condolences go to the family at this tragic time. we have cancelled our march for today,” khan said in a twitter message.

earlier in the day, imran khanled pti long march, which was kicked off from Liberty Chowk on

friday, on sunday resumed its journey on third towards the federal capital from muridke.

the second day of pakistan tehreek-e-insaf (pti) long march to islamabad ended had at rachna town near ferozwala.

addressing the participants of long march at muridke, former prime minister imran khan rejected pm shehbaz sharif’s negotiations claim offer, saying that the prime minister had nothing to offer.

a female reporter of a local tv channel sadaf naeem died on sunday after she was crushed under wheel of pti Chairman imran khan’s container durng long march. according to details, the incident occurred near sadhoke, where the female reporter was covering pti’s long march caravan en route to islamabad during which she fell down after being pushed and the truck ran over her.

a person has also sustained critical injuries in the incident. the woman reporter died on the sport after suffered injuries on her face and head and her body was shifted to a nearby hospital for post-mortem by rescue 1122. after the incident, the pti leadership stopped the long march caravan and urged the workers to stay away from the container. pti Chairman imran khan, who was present on the container, expressed deep sorrow and grief over the incident. in a statement, the late journalist’s husband said that his wife died after the truck ran over her when she fell down from a divider on road. “this is an accident and i do not want to initiate any legal action,” he said, adding that he did not want the autopsy of his wife.

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PunjAb CM CLAIMS ‘bACKdooR PARLAyS’ goIng on To End IMPASSES

StAff RepoRt

PUNJABChief Minister (CM) Pervaiz Elahi on Sunday asserted that ‘backdoor negotiations’ were going on during Pakistan Tehreeke-Insaf’s (PTI) long march towards Islamabad.

Addressing a ceremony in Lahore, the Punjab CM said that in politics, backdoor talks always take place, especially during situation of a stalemate. He, however, fell short of sharing details about “who is in talks

with whom.” In response to a question, CM Pervaiz Elahi refused to transfer the services of the Capital City Police Officer (CCPO) Lahore Ghulam Mehmood Dogar to the federal government.

A day earlier, it was reported that the federal government reportedly started backdoor talks with Pakistan Tehreek-eInsaf (PTI) leaders in light of the party’s ongoing Haqeeqi Azadi Long March.

According to sources, the backdoor talks between government representatives and PTI leaders were being carried out through ‘close friends’.

Red Zone extension negates Supreme Court order: Sh Rashid

ISLAMABAD StAff RepoRt

Former interior minister and Awami Muslim League Chief Sheikh Rashid Ahmad on Sunday warned that government’s expansion of Red Zone to Zero Point will gave way to political confrontation, saying the decision also negates the Supreme Court order. Taking to his Twitter handle on Sunday, Sh Rashid wrote: “The government’s decision to expand the Red Zone area of Islamabad is a reason enough to invite a political confrontation. The extension of the Red Zone area to Zero Point is a denial of the Supreme Court’s permission for the long march. The institutions have also said that there is no restriction on holding a peaceful march. On Friday, November 4, we will accord a historic welcome to the long march from Rawat to Islamabad. “He went on to tweet: “The government is running away from elections. Offer of negotiations is just a bluff. Those who originally hold power they should conduct elections for the betterment of the country. Confronting with the will of people means destruction of economy and default. The FIA is putting pressure on the Punjab police to arrest me. There will be a hearing on my petition for my pre-arrest bail in the Lahore High Court on Oct 31.”

Wishing things Vawda predicted don’t happen in PTI long march: Kundi

ISLAMABAD StAff RepoRt

Pakistan People’s Party Spokesperson and Special Assistant to PM Faisal Karim Kundi on Sunday said that PTI’s long march should be renamed as ‘slow march’. Addressing a press conference in Islamabad on Sunday, PPP leader Faisal Karim Kundi said that they wish the things Faisal Vawda predicted about the PTI long march do not happen. PTI’s unique long march should be called a ‘slow march’, he added. He added that the whole country is saddened over Arshad Sharif’s death but the PTI is using it for their political gains. In a time of crisis, Imran Khan chose to launch an assault on the federal capital, he added. Kundi said that whenever China-Pakistan relations are improving Imran Khan initiates a long march. The Chinese President’s tour to Pakistan was delayed due to PTI’s long march back in 2014, he recalled and added that Indian media has been reporting his anti-state statements on their channels. He added that long such long marches have a detrimental impact on the country’s economy. The government has no danger of this long march if Imran wants a fresh election he should dissolve the KP, Punjab, Gilgit-Baltistan and Kashmir assemblies. He added that is a shame that Chief Minister Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) does not visit his own constituency in Swat in this hour of need. The PTI government in KP has not been able to restore peace in Swat, he added.

Sources informed that President Dr Arif Alvi was playing an essential role in the negotiations between the Imran Khan-led party and the government.

During the backdoor talks, sources claimed that the date for general elections was being discussed, adding the second round of negotiations will be held tomorrow.

Later, Prime Minister (PM) Shehbaz Sharif claimed that Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan reached out for talks with the government a month ago through a mutual friend.

Speaking to V-loggers in Lahore, PM

Shehbaz Sharif claimed that Imran Khan had offered to conduct talks on appointment of new Chief of Army Staff (COAS) and fair and immediate elections.

The prime minister further said that the PTI chief had proposed that both sides will agree on the name of the army chief. “Khan offered to conduct negotiations,” he said, adding that the PTI chief wanted to settle two issues through dialogue.

The premier said while he refused to negotiate on the matters, he offered Imran to hold talks on his offer to sign “charter of democracy and charter of economy”.

Targeting institutions for vested interest unacceptable: Ashrafi

ISLAMABAD StAff RepoRt

Prime Minister’s Special Representative for Interfaith Harmony and Middle East Hafiz Muhammad Tahir Mahmood Ashrafi on Sunday said targeting national security institutions for vested interests would not be acceptable at all costs.

Addressing a press conference here, Ashrafi, who is also the chairman of Pakistan Ulema Council, said the continuous defamationcampaign against the country’s defense institutions compelled Director General of Inter-Services Intelligence Lieutenant General Nadeem Ahmed Anjum along with Director General Inter-Services Public Relations Lieutenant General Babar Iftikhar to appear before the nation to disclose the truth.

He said in the wake of senior journalist Arshad Sharif’s murder,

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf chief Imran Khan had launched a malicious drive to build pressure on the security institutions in a bid to achieve his undemocratic and ulterior motives.

“It should be stopped now as the PTI chief was consistently crossing the redline besides promoting and strengthening the anti-state agenda,” he added.

Ashrafi made it clear that the martyrdom of Arshad Sharif was a national tragedy and it had infused grief and sorrow in the people of all segments of the society. “But it is totally against the social and political norms to manipulate the situation for pointscoring and gaining cheap popularity in the public,” he maintained.

He said if the PTI chief’s long march was continuing peacefully, its credit went to the security forces who had rendered unprecedented sacrifices for the restoration of peace in the

Court hands over Dost Mazari to Punjab ACE on two-day remand

LAHORE StAff RepoRt

The court of a Judicial Magistrate on Sunday remanded former deputy speaker Punjab Assembly Dost Muhammad Mazari into Punjab AntiCorruption Establishment (ACE) custody for two days in an alleged land-grabbing case.

Dost Muhammad Mazari was arrested by ACE Punjab yesterday from a private hospital.

According to Punjab ACE, Dost Muhammad Mazari had been arrested in a case related to 40,000 acres of land grabbing case land-grabbing.

They had to arrest Mazari because he did not present himself after two notices from the authority, they added.

Dost Muhammad Mazari was removed as PA deputy speaker through a no-confidence motion by PTI and allies back in July. He ruled in favour of PML-N’s Hamza Shahbaz in the CM election.

The motion of no-confidence was submitted by the Parliamentary Leader in the Provincial Assembly Raja Basharat. The motion of noconfidence against the DS was passed by the house’s majority.

Meanwhile, Speaker Punjab Assembly Sibtain Khan has been asked to send a disqualification reference against former deputy speaker and PTI MPA Dost Muhammad Mazari.

A 67-page handout has been sent to the newly elected speaker from MPA Muhammad Rizwan alleging that Mazari stirred controversy around the

country after the 9/11.

He said Chief of Army Staff General Qamar Javed Bjwa had played a vital role in the war on terror which is also acknowledged by the world powers.

Regarding Senator Azam Khan Swati’s allegations, Ashrafi asked him to appeal in the court against those military officials naming for custodial torture if he had any evidence.

He lamented that Azam Swati was also fueling the malicious campaign launched by the PTI chief in the garb of Arshad Sharif’s murder to malign the national defense institutions.

He categorically stated that “our national security institutions were competent enough to bring the killers of Martyr Arshad Sharif to justice in a short span of time.”

Brushing aside the false impression on the prime minister’s visits to Saudi Arabia and Qatar, he gave good news to the nation

that all those projects which were in doldrums due to PTI’s bad governance were being started in near future. He also informed that Crown Prince Muhammad bin Salman was visiting Pakistan soon. If there would be political stability in Pakistan, the Arab Islamic world was bringing a huge investment in the country’s various economic sectors in a couple of months, he added.

He said Pakistan’s bilateral relations with friend countries were strengthening with the passage of time, urging some elements to avoid the negative propaganda against them as they were friends of Pakistan instead of any individual person or party.

Alerting mischievous persons spreading false notions, he said they would be given a befitting response by the nation, if they did not mend their ways. He also made it clear that national security forces were our redline besides Islam and sacred Islamic personalities.

SAHA Expo: Wah Industries signs bilateral agreement with Turkiye’ Atesci Limited

chief minister Punjab’s elections on April 16 and July 22.

“Dost Mazari invited police inside the assembly and ordered them to torture the lawmakers,” the letter said, further blaming him for contempt of court for violating May 17 orders of the apex court.

It said that Punjab Assembly Speaker Sibtain Khan should send a reference to the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) to disqualify Dost Mazari owing to his conduct.

It is pertinent to mention here that Punjab Assembly Deputy Speaker Dost Muhammad Mazari has lost the no-trust vote on Friday.

Voting began in the Punjab Assembly on a notrust motion against the PA deputy speaker Dost Muhammad Mazari through secret ballot after PTI’s Sibtain Khan was elected as the new speaker of the House.

The PA lawmakers voted on the no-trust motion against the deputy speaker Dost Muhammad Mazari. The government lawmakers required 186 votes for the ouster of the PA deputy speaker Mazari.

PA lawmakers cast 186 votes in the favour of removing the deputy speaker Mazari from the position.

Mazari has been blamed for siding with the PML-N in the Punjab Assembly during elections for the chief minister Punjab despite being elected on a PTI ticket, however, he has denied the allegations and said that he acted as per his constitutional responsibilities.

ISLAMABAD StAff RepoRt

The four-day SAHA Defence and Aerospace Exhibition 2022 concluded in Turkiye that hosted a plethora of global participants, including Pakistan and extended a wide range of modern defence, aviation, aerospace and cutting edge technology based products. The Global Defense Insight, the official media partner of SAHA Expo from Pakistan and a leading defence news portal on its official Twitter handle wrote that Pakistan’s Wah Industries Limited (WIL) and Turkiye’s Atesci Limited signed a contract for a new ammunition line project, on the sidelines of SAHA EXPO 2022. The SAHA EXPO is a biennially held defence, aviation and space industry fair, held by SAHA Istanbul which is the largest industrial cluster of Turkiye and Europe having a consortium of 876 companies and 24 universities. The Turkiye’s Presidency with the collaboration of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Interior, Ministry of National Defense, Ministry of Industry and Technology, Ministry of Trade, Presidency of Defense Industry and other civil and military public institutions organised the mega defence exhibition. The SAHA EXPO 2022 is an international platform that showcased Turkey’s rising domestic production potential and its independent production power. The EXPO, along with high-tech products, also presented various strategically important products in the defense, aviation, maritime and space industries for the first time. Pakistan’s Minister for Defence Production Muhammed Israr Tareen also held a meeting with Turkish Minister of National Defence Hulusi Akar on the sidelines of SAHA EXPO.

Masai or policing Masais. But the absence of a bovine element is not understandable.

Somehow, everything seems to be happening in South-East Africa. Telejournalist Arsad Sharif was killed in Kenya. Then Rishi Sunak became the first person of Asian origin to become Prime Minister of the UK. Both his grandfathers have migrated to the \UK from Africa, his paternal grandfather from Kenya, his maternal from Tanzania. And then Pakistan got beaten in the T20I World Cup by Zimbabwe, which is in the same geographical area.

None of the news has been good. The murder of Arshad Sharif was an unmitigated disaster. Cricket seems to creep in, for the man that Arshad admired so much, Imran Khan, had captained Pakistan, and must be joining the rest of us in rueing this loss. And

then the picking of an Asian as British PM should not be as much stressed as the fact that 10 Downing Street has been taken over by a practicing Brahman. So what is his grandfather was from Gujranwala? No one has ever seen Rishi there downing chjirras.

There are so many questions swirling around Arshad’s death. But what seems fairly well established is that the Kenya Police is ahead of the Punjab Police and other Pakistani police forces. One of the allegations is that it acted as a hit squad, which seems a good way of enhancing foreign exchange earnings.

The extent of the PTI’s dislike of the current military leadership is shown by its hinting that it was behind the killing. No one has so far blamed Nawaz Sharif, which shows a clear dereliction of duty. No one has bothered about recovering either Arshad’s mobile or laptop, which would reveal a lot. Those items, I am afraid, have

probably become case property, which is another way of saying that some Kenyan sargeant’s kid is using them to play video games.

Frankly, there are still two vital links missing from the case. The first is a lalkara, which explain who did the murder and why. None of the Kenyan cops declaimed this particular longwinded exposition. Also, so far, no old enmity has come to light. Remember, an old enmity must be at least three generations old, and must have started with a buffalo theft. The Kenyan police would probably use cows, either being

Instead, we have Azam Swatri claim that he was tortured during incarceration by a major-gneral and a brigadier of the ISI. Either the good senator is guilty, in the words of the late great Winston Churchill, of a terminological inexactitude, or we are to believe that the ISI has very senior officers conduct investigations personally.

Even where torture is part of the culture, in the police (the Punjab Police, not just the Kenyan), you don’t see many SHOs personally carrying out interrogations, no matter how hard of hand they are. I blame Indian cop films, where they show the IPS officer, obviously of SP rank, beating up a suspect. As for the CIA or the UK Secret Service, torture is usually carried out by NCOs. I can imagine the ISI putting JCOs to work at this task, but not officers, let alone senior ones.

But to get back to Rishi Sunak. Apart from being the first British PM to have pujas performed in Downing, he’s a gift to cartoonists because of his ears, which are

big and which stick out. It’s said that ears tell you about the whole personality, and it sounds right in Sunak’s case, because the received wisdom is that jug-eared people are sociable.

Seriously, though, this is the UK’s Obama moment. And though this is the first time a British PM is married to an Indian heiress, the tradition of being married to an heiress is at least a century-old.

Sunak is the son of a doctor. And the first Indian-origin Irish PM, Leo Varadkar, who was only Ireland’s first gay PM, was also a doctor. Sunak’s father, though s doctor, is not gay. Varadkar was the youngest person to become PM, and so is Sunk, at leat since William Pitt the Younger, whose father was not a doctor, but Pitt the Elder, as the Earl of Chatham PM himself. Pitt the Younger was so young, only 24 when he became PM. At that age, you can’t become an MNA over here. Anyhow, older MPs (almost everybody) would threaten to pinch his cheeks and offer him sweets. I wonder if the Opposition in the Commons has any plans.

CEnTEnARy CELEbRATIonS of SAKA PAnjA SAHIb fESTIVAL ConCLudE

RepoRt

THE100-year celebrations of Saka Panja Sahib, a festival of the Sikh religion, concluded at Hassanabadal on Sunday. Hundreds of Sikh yatrees and various political and socioreligious leaders from India and other countries participated in the event.

Addressing the main ceremony, Evacuee Trust Property Board Additional Secretary Rana Shahid Saleem said that development work was under way

HRCP calls for stepping up rehab of flood affectees

LAHORE StAff RepoRt

On concluding its 36th Annual General Meeting (AGM), the general body of the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) has called on the federal and provincial governments to accelerate their efforts to rehabilitate the thousands of people who have lost their homes and livelihoods in the recent floods. While the scale of the disaster was overwhelming, it is now essential to focus on resettling those displaced in habitats that are better adapted to the effects of climate change. HRCP reiterates its call for urgent land reforms, which are critical not only to reducing poverty and realising rights such as equal access to food and housing, but are also necessary if the state is to rehabilitate vulnerable communities affected by the floods. While Pakistan has every right to demand climate reparations, it must also look within and articulate a strategy to ensure that its most vulnerable groups receive climate justice and to secure all people’s right to food, shelter and health amid the economic crisis. HRCP also expresses its concern over the ongoing political turmoil and reminds both the government and opposition that not only is this harmful for Pakistan’s democracy, but it also threatens people’s fundamental rights and freedoms. The continuing impunity for perpetrators of enforced disappearances and

rapidly at all gurudwaras across the country, on the directions of the federal government and the Board chairman. He said that all places of worship were safe, and comprehensive measures had been taken to promote religious tourism.

Indian delegation leader Sardar Harmeet Singh said: “We have been honoured and are grateful for all arrangements made here including security by the government and the board. The 100-year celebrations have proved to be a great event and superb success.”

The Sikh leader said: “Saka Panja Sahib teaches us that we should not hesitate to make any sacrifice

for peace and unity.” Pakistan Sikh Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee Pardhan Sardar Amir Singh said that the government of Pakistan had won the hearts of the entire Sikh nation by issuing special visas and permission for the ceremony in the spirit of goodwill. Former Pradhan Sardar Bishan Singh, Sardar Avtar Singh Sengara, Dr Mampal Singh and other Sikh leaders also addressed the event. Special gifts were distributed among the guests. The pilgrims raised slogans of Pakistan Zindabad.

Later, the Sikh pilgrims left for Nankana Sahib under tight security.

Arshad Sharif Murder: Probing team grills Waqar, brother about incident

ISLAMABAD NewS DeSk

A two-member inquiry team, set up to investigate the murder of renowned journalist and former ARY News anchorperson Arshad Sharif, quizzed Khurram Ahmed, who was driving the vehicle carrying the slain senior journalist and his brother Waqar Ahmed in Kenya. Sources privy to the development told ARY News that the investigation team questioned Waqar Ahmed and Khurram Ahmed about the murder of Arshad Sharif. The Ahmed brothers were hosting the anchorperson in Kenya.

According to sources, Khurram and Waqar Ahmed described the shooting as an “incident of misidentification”. Waqar Ahmed told the probing team that he hosted Arshad Sharif at his friend’s request and ruled out that President and CEO ARY Digital Network Mr Salman Iqbal had asked him to host senior journalist.

“I met Arshad Sharif only once and that too at a dinner,” Waqar Ahmed told the investigation team, adding that he had invited senior journalist for a meal at his lodge outside Nairobi. “On the incident day, Arshad had a meal with us at our lodge. After the meal, Arshad Sharif left with my brother Khurram in car and half an hour later there was a report of firing on the vehicle,” he told the team.

Waqar Ahmed told the investigators that his brother Khurram miraculously survived the incident and they handed over his iPad and mobile phone to the Kenyan authorities. The two brothers told the Pakistani investigating officers that the slain journalist was planning to move to Nairobi and for that, he extended his visa too.

It is pertinent to mention here that the two-member team, consisting of FIA and Intelligence Bureau officers, is currently present in Kenya to investigate the murder of Sharif. Who Was arshad sharif? Why peopLe Loved him?

A seasoned journalist, Arshad Sharif was one of Pakistan’s top news anchors. ARY News show Powerplay was Arshad’s last outing on a national television.

He had worked for the country’s top news channels and newspapers in the past. He was awarded ‘Presidential Pride of Performance’ for his exceptional journalism in the year 2019.

His show ‘Powerplay’ was one of the mostwatched talkshows in Pakistan and people loved the way Arshad came up with stories regarding the ruling elite’s corruption and wrongdoings with strong evidence. The martyr’s family has demanded judicial inquiry and public hearings during the inquiry to reveal the “truth” behind his murder.

Imran hits back at PM Shehbaz over talks offer claim

CONTINuED fROM pAgE 01

KARACHI StAff RepoRt

Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah has said that people of Pakistan, particularly of Sindh are questioning persistently why they have suffered when their total contribution to Carbon emissions is hardly 0.8 percent. Speaking at a diplomatic reception organised by Consul General of Indonesia Mr & Mrs. Ani lune Kuncoro at a local hotel, the CM said the climate change affected Pakistan, particularly Sindh, causing mammoth destruction to life, cattle, and homes. “Climate change has claimed more than 600 lives, displaced over 12 million people, and damaged 1.8 million houses,” he said, adding that people of Pakistan, particularly of Sindh questioning persistently why they are suffering when their share of world’s CO2 emissions was hardly 0.8 percent. Murad Ali said he had no answer to offer to the people, but he left the question as food for thought for the diplomats sitting there. While apologising for speaking about such a tragic and painful issue at a pleasant event, he said, “This is a forum to discuss international issues, and share sorrows and sufferings.” The CM Sindh said the diplomatic reception not only provided him but all of the participants with the wonderful opportunity to sit together, exchange views and share experiences of mutual interest. He said such diplomatic receptions were common, but unfortunately, the Covid-19 pandemic robbed people of such practices and gatherings.

Prime Minister (PM) Shehbaz Sharif has claimed that Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan reached out for talks with the government a month ago through a mutual friend.

“Listen to me Shehbaz: I don’t talk to boot polishers. I am speaking to those with whom you would go to meet while hiding in the trunk of the car,” Imran claimed. The former prime minister also said that he was not raised in a “military dictator’s nursery”. Imran Khan said that journalist Arshad Sharif was “threatened, sent abroad, and killed for raising voice against oppression.

He further said that his party was with the Pakistan Army and wants it “to be strong”. Imran once again urged Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Umar Ata Bandial to establish the rule of law in the country.

PTI’s ‘Haqeeqi Azadi’ began from Muridke on Sunday. Taking to Twitter, Asad Umar said the third day of the party’s march for “Haqeeqi Azadi” will begin from Sheikhupura district’s Muridke. He further said that today’s journey will cover Punjab’s Muridke, Sadhoki, Kamoke, Mor Eminabad and Gujranwala.

Long march day 2 happenings: While addressing the participants at Ferozwala, former prime minister and party chief Imran Khan took an oath from his supporters to always abide by the Constitution. “No one hands freedom on a plate. You have to struggle for it,” he told the march’s participants. ‘imran Khan reached out for

taLKs’: Prime Minister (PM) Shehbaz Sharif has claimed that Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan reached out for talks with the government a month ago through a mutual friend.

Speaking to V-loggers in Lahore on Saturday, PM Shehbaz Sharif claimed that Imran Khan had offered to conduct talks on appointment of new Chief of Army Staff (COAS) and fair and immediate elections.

The prime minister further said that the PTI chief had proposed that both sides will agree on the name of the army chief. “Khan offered to conduct negotiations,” he said, adding that the PTI chief wanted to settle two issues through dialogue.

The premier said while he refused to negotiate on the matters, he offered Imran to hold talks on his offer to sign “charter of democracy and charter of economy”.

imran Khan ruLes out taLKs: Former prime minister and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan has rubbished rumours of a ‘meeting’ in Lahore amid party’s long march towards Islamabad.

Taking to his official Twitter handle, the former premier wrote: “For all those spreading rumours about my [meeting] in Lahore, the reason we returned was that Lahore was closer [and] we had already decided not to move at night”.

“The only demand I have had for 6 [months] is the date for early fair and free elections. That will be the only demand if talks are to be held,” Imran Khan wrote.

Lahore heritage – Preserving beauty of ancient times

LAHORE App

Dating back hundreds of years, Lahore is known for its culture, festivals, rich cuisine and above all the glory of ancient Mughalera architecture. Ever been also known as a ‘Walled City’ or ‘City of Gardens,’ this provincial capital of the largest Punjab province always presented itself as unique among other cities.

Housing over 11 million people, this revered city also boasts to be the centre of great architecture of 16th to 19th century when Mughal emperors erected unmatched structures.

Although some of its 13 gates – the Delhi, Lohari, Akbari, Roshnai, Yakki,

Bhati, Kashmiri, Sheran-wala, Masti, Mori, Mochi, Shah Alam and Texali Gate – some can still be seen but giving a dilapidated look.

Having a uniform pattern of structure, the peculiar architecture of the Mughal era is manifested through slender minarets at the corners, large bulbous domes, massive halls, grand vaulted gateways and delicate ornamentation.

But with the passage of time, the grandeur of these buildings faded although the respective government initiated a number of projects to protect this ancient heritage of the Mughal era.

“This heritage speaks highly of great Muslim rulers of the past. But, over the period, their glory faded away,” said Dr.

Irshad Ahmad, a local historian. “Illplanned construction in the old city areas and encroachments to the historical sites has marred the beauty of these buildings.”

The old city of Lahore, once upon a time was surrounded by a nine-meter high brick wall with edifices like Badshahi Mosque, Shahi Fort, Gurdwara Dera Sahib, Shalamar Garden and a number of other structures portraying the majestic lives of emperors and kings of the gone old days.

Despite being centuries old, these structures even today fascinate tourists who throng these places every year as they watch with awe a circular road around the rampart, providing access to the city through splendidly constructed gates.

TV reporter crushed to death by PTI’s long march container

CONTINuED fROM pAgE 01

Sadaf Naeem’s funeral prayers will be offered at 69 Shah Deen Scheme near Junior Model School Icchra on Monday. Meanwhile, a police constable identified as Liaqat Ali has died reportedly of heart attack while performing duty during the long march. According to local media reports, he is survived by three daughters and a son. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif also expressed sorrow over the incident saying he is “deeply saddened by the death of reporter Sadaf Naeem after falling from a long march container”.

“Heartfelt condolences go to the family. Sadaf Naeem was a dynamic and hardworking reporter. We pray for patience for the family of the deceased,” he added in a tweet. PM Shehbaz also announced compensation of Rs5 million for the family of the late reporter. The premier instructed the authorities concerned to “immediately” complete the due process and hand over the cheque to the family. Later, the premier also telephoned husband of late Sadaf Naeem and extended sympathies to the bereaved family. “Compensation for loss of life is not possible. We will provide all possible support and help to the bereaved family,” the prime minister assured the journalist’s husband. President Arif Alvi expressed regret over the journalist’s death and extended sympathies to the grieved family. “My sympathies are with the family in this hour of sorrow,” the president said in a statement. Meanwhile, Punjab Chief Minister Pervaiz Elahi expressed sorrow over the death of the female reporter, saying he was heartbroken at the incident. “May Allah grant patience to the bereaved family. Heartfelt condolences go out to the bereaved family in their hour of grief,” he wrote in a tweet. He too announced financial assistance of Rs2.5 million for the journalist’s family. “The Punjab government will take full care of the family of late Sadaf. Her death in the accident is very heart breaking. Every heart is saddened by the tragic incident,” the CM said in a tweet from his official handle. The Punjab CM later increased the compensation amount to Rs5 million on PTI chief Imran's directives. “Thoughts and prayers with Sadaf's family – may they find strength, somehow,” said journalist Yusra Askari said. PML-N Vice President Maryam Nawaz offered condolences to the grieved family, saying: “I am deeply saddened to hear about the loss of a precious life of a TV reporter Sadaf in the line of duty. My prayers for the bereaved family. May she rest in eternal peace. Ameen.” “Just heard of the horrible & tragic accident that led to reporter Sadaf Naeem's death during our March. Some of us were far ahead past Kamoke so learnt of the accident late. Such a tragic loss of life. No words can ever suffice to express depth of sorrow to the bereaved family,” PTI leader Shireen Mazari tweeted. Climate Minister Sherry Rehman said she was “shocked and sorry” to hear of the reporter’s tragic passing. “Hear she fell off IK’s container. Heart goes out to her family in this terrible hour of bereavement and tragic loss,” she added. “Terrible tragedy the death of Sadaf Sahiba channel 5 reporter. Deeply grieved. She was a dedicated journalist and died in the line of duty. May her soul RIP,” PTI leader Shafqat Mehmood said. “Terrible news of Channel 5 reporter Sadaf Naeem’s tragic death as she slipped and fell from the moving container… May she rest in peace,” said journalist Shiza Yousafzai.

countless honking vehicles, passing from there round-the-clock.

“Today, except for a handful of elite monuments, a number of other Mughal-era buildings and sites are presenting a deserted look,” Irshad Ahmed said. “Many among them had been blemished with countless holes with walls, arches and ceilings mostly in poor condition.”

The city’s historical Chauburji, a 17thcentury monument, once a gateway to a lovely garden, has now been overshadowed by the newly constructed overhead railway line for the Orange Line train. “Its beauty could have been protected by constructing a tunnel for the train service,” Irshad highlighted.

The large garden around the Chauburji is currently encircled by multi-storey commercial buildings and shops, apart from

The same picture is depicted by the mausoleum of Asif Khan, a governor of Lahore, and the commander-in-chief of Mughal emperor, Jehangir. A plaque fixed at the entrance of the tomb reads how spectacular it was when constructed in the 17th century. But today, this octagonal structure with a high bulbous double tomb tells the tale of its pathetic condition. The 10kilometre area from Zeb-un-Nisa’s tomb to Shalamar Gardens was also once full of heritage buildings and sites.

According to an official at the Punjab Archeology Department since 2015 over 400 heritage sites across the province including 160 in Lahore, had been declared safe and protected. “Repair or conservation work on some 50 sites is continuing, besides a survey being carried out to identify more sites for preservation.”

People ask why they suffer when Pakistan’s Co2 emissions stand at 0.8%: CM Sindh

UNICEF ChIEF UrGEs sCalING UP hUMaNItarIaN assIstaNCE’ FUNDs For PakIstaN FlooD vICtIMs

Staff RepoRt

UNITEDNations International Fund for Children in Emergency (UNICEF) Regional Director for South Asia George Laryea-Adjei on Sunday said the flood devastation in Pakistan was massive by any scale as the agency alone was seeking $173.5 million for providing humanitarian assistance and protection needs of the flood victims in postdisaster relief efforts.

The UNICEF Regional Director for South Asia in an exclusive chat with APP informed about his recent visit to the flood affectees districts of Sindh and Balochistan provinces.

He said the fallout of the disaster was extensive and it contained waterborne diseases

that were affecting the farmland, schools and everyone at large.

George Laryea-Adjei said some 84 districts were to face immense challenges due to disasters, whereas out of the total $173.5 million — $34.6 million was required for nutrition; $35 million for health; $58 million for wash; $11 million for child protection; $23 million for education and $11 million for emergency preparedness.

He said that he had visited many districts of the above-mentioned provinces and felt the distress of the families they were going through.

“The Government of Pakistan is leading the response. However, 9.6 million children need humanitarian assistance and due to floods some 23,000 schools are either destroyed or damaged,” he regretted.

Commenting on the challenges encoun-

tered in post-disaster relief and rehabilitation efforts, the UNICEF Regional Director said he was noticing two massive challenges that the government should address.

“The one is the community in areas ready to return to their destroyed homes after the flood water recedes. They are going to their homes where there is no food, cattle are lost, schools are impacted heavily and farms could be inundated and water polluted. We will have to assist these communities. We will have to come up with alternatives. For example, a tent school could be established as an alternative, whereas temporary facilities must be in place, he weighed in while apprising the problem and a makeshift solution to address this challenge for the time being.

Appreciating the flood cash relief under the Benazir Income Support Programme

(BISP), he said the Government of Pakistan was providing funding which should not halt at any stage.

The second challenge, he said, was also those communities who were still under water. “They are staying with friends and families and others in camps. Some are in informal and others are in formal camps. We must find resources to provide nutrition, health facilities to the affectees,” he asserted.

He warned that Malaria was spreading and it’s treatment should be scaled up in the impacted areas to avoid epidemics.

The UNICEF, he said, had extended assistance in this regard and would have to inject more resources into addressing malnutrition needs.

“We continue to test water and check it’s consumable consistency for the local people in flood-impacted areas. These measures

must be scaled up and continued. We are supporting the provision of water filters and water purification solutions. In some parts, it’s possible to drill borewells and install hand pumps. In some cases, options are very limited. We plan measures like purified water being supplied as well,” he apprised.

He added that the government had released it’s stock of bed nets, insecticides and other items, whereas UNICEF was also bringing tens of thousands of nets as well.

“The government also worked with us to bring medication to control malaria. We have quite good stocks of testing and treating Malaria. We will face a rise in malaria if water stagnation continues. We visited Sohbatpur, Balochistan where water was all over and the deputy commissioner told us that at the moment water was not receding at all,” he shared while discussing the possible looming threat of an outbreak of vectorborne diseases.

He anticipated cholera, malaria and dengue outbreaks in that area.

“This natural disaster is affecting the whole community. The support needs to be scaled up. The UN has not received so much global funds for it’s flash appeal and only the 15% of the total pledged amount.

HEC holds training for managers of business incubation centres

ISLAMABAD Staff RepoRt

The Higher Education Commission (HEC), under the Higher Education Development in Pakistan (HEDP) project, organized a week-long training for business incubation centres (BICs) in Islamabad.

(AJK). HEC in the past has organized multiple capacity building programmes for the BICs staff. However, this training was focused on providing complete hand-holding to startups from induction and incubation to formal graduation.

14 dead, 1,073 injured in Punjab road accidents

LAHORE Staff RepoRt

At least 14 persons were killed and 1,073 others injured in 1,029 road traffic crashes (RTCs) in Punjab during the last 24 hours. As many as 582 seriously injured people were shifted to different hospitals, while 491 others with minor injuries were treated at the incident site by rescue medical teams. The analysis showed that 476 drivers, 31 underage drivers,133 pedestrians and 478 passengers were among the victims of the road crashes. The statistics show that 251 accidents were reported in Lahore, which affected 250 persons, placing the provincial capital at top of the list, followed by 71 in Gujranwala with 63 victims, and at third Multan, with 68 accidents and 73 victims. According to the data, 891 motorbikes, 71 auto-rickshaws, 110 motorcars, 24 vans, 12 passenger buses, 20 trucks and 105 other types of vehicles and slow-moving carts were involved in the road accidents.

Islamabad DIG puts police, FC on high alert to deal with long march

ISLAMABAD Staff RepoRt

DIG Operations Islamabad Sohail Zafar Chatta has instructed the police and FC officers to be highly alert and ready all the time to deal with any emerging the law and order situation. “Will take every possible necessary measures to protect the lives and property of citizens as well as private and commercial property and ready to thwart adventurism from the anti-state elements” Zafar Chatta said while addressing the police, FC officers on duty Sunday. He said on the special directions of IG Islamabad all the officers are putting their best efforts to maintaining the law and order situation in the capital. “Islamabad Capital Police will never allow anyone to disturb the peaceful environment of the city and will take all necessary steps to protect the lives and property of the citizens and private and commercial properties”, he vowed. DIG Operations Islamabad Sohail Zafar Chatta further said all the officers have been instructed to stay vigilant in their own respective areas and brief the personnel time to time to deal with any law and order situation and check all the duties of the Jawans themselves. “All personnel posted on duty should be sent with anti-riots kits”, he further directed. Meanwhile, officers visit different areas of the city and ensure implementation of these special guidelines. SSP Operations Malik Jameel Zafar, Zonal SPs, SP Planning and Patrolling and FC officers were present on the occasion.

The training was held in collaboration with Invest2Innovate (i2i), a leading organization that supports startup communities, a press release on Sunday said.

It was attended by directors/managers of 17 BICs from higher education institutions of Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Peshawar and Azad Jammu & Kashmir

The training plan has been designed in accordance with the BICs needs assessment held in one-on-one session with respective BICs recently.

The training covered A to Z of programme design for executing a successful incubation programme, including research and rapid product prototyping, road mapping startup’s journey, business development, revenue generation, build-

ing a financial narrative and investment readiness.

In her opening remarks, Director (R&D) HEC Noshaba Awais offered her full support to the BIC teams.

During the training, the participants were briefed about their significant roles in the Innovator Seed Fund (ISF) grant.

ISF is a unique national level seed-funding programme where HEC, along with its partner BICs, is implementing this activity to provide a combination of capacity plus seed-funding support to innovative startups in a blended format. The grant winners will receive up to $35,000 in seed funding along with tech-

PM’s ex-focal person terms blaming Salman Iqbal for Arshad Sharif’s murder ‘absurd’

ISLAMABAD Staff RepoRt

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s former focal person for Digital Media Ahmad Jawad has said that the narrative of fixing President and CEO ARY Digital Network Mr Salman Iqbal in the Arshad Sharif’s murder case is absurd.

Ahmad Jawad, who resigned from the post of PM Shehbaz Sharif’s focal person for digital media yesterday, expressed his views on Twitter regarding the killing of senior journalist and former ARY News anchorperson, Arshad Sharif.

Ahmed Jawad said in his tweet that the narrative of proving Salman Iqbal’s involvement in Arshad Sharif’s murder case is illogical and it is like filmstar Meera is giving a lecture on ethics in English.

The narrative of holding President and CEO ARY Salman Iqbal responsible for the murder of Arshad Sharif is far from common sense.

Earlier, President and CEO ARY Digital Network Mr Salman Iqbal called for an independent investigation overseen by the UN Human Rights Office into the slain senior journalist Arshad Sharif.

The president and CEO ARY Digital Network issued his statement on Twitter after Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah levelled baseless allegations against him during his press conference.

Earlier on Saturday, President and CEO ARY Digital Network Mr Salman Iqbal called for an independent investigation overseen by the UN Human Rights Office into the slain senior journalist Arshad Sharif.

Mr Salman Iqbal issued his statement on Twitter after Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah levelled baseless allegations against him during his press conference today.

He said, “No words can express how shocked and heartbroken I am by the brutal killing of my brother Arshad Sharif. Arshad’s death is an immense loss to all of Pakistan and to journalism globally. My thoughts are with his family and all those who are mourning him. Since the beginning of my career, I have always done my utmost to protect my people, and they can vouch for this.”

“It is not easy to be a journalist in Pakistan. All of us face various threats and it is my job to mitigate them. Over the years, we have lost many colleagues in our country’s war against terrorism, and we continue to support their families to this day.”

“We knew that the threats to Arshad’s life were legitimate. He repeatedly appealed in writing to all relevant sectors of government for protection. Instead of receiving help, he was targeted with cases of sedition, multiple FIRS and arrest warrants, which compelled him to make the difficult choice to leave Pakistan. As friends and colleagues, we stood by him and his choices, so following standard procedure our offices helped him with his travel plans. Since when is helping a friend a crime?”

nical support from BICs.

“Aligned with HEC’s mission these, ISF grants are the key components of HEDP project launched for the very first time. HEDP will be holistically supporting development of entrepreneurial and innovation ecosystem, hence will play a key role in transforming Pakistan into a knowledge economy,” said Executive Director HEC Dr. Shaista Sohail in the context of ISF Capacity Building Programme and upcoming awards ceremony.

She stressed the dire national need to use the power of innovation to solve economic, social, environmental and even global challenges.

Missing boy found slaughtered after rape

KASUR Staff RepoRt

A 12-year-old missing boy who found slaughtered after rape was buried in village Dholan here in the limits of Khudian Police. Police recovered the body of the boy, a grade 5 student, adopted son of a rickshaw driver. According to first information report, the victim went missing on Friday as he went to the fields to bring fodder for the cattle. When the boy did not return for hours, the family members and villagers launched a search. Later, the family found his body from sugar cane fields.

It was the second rape-cum-murder case in the area in a few days. Earlier, B-Division police had recovered the body of a missing dwarf woman of Jamatpura locality in Kasur, who was strangled after rape in Multan.

Meanwhile, a man shot dead step-sister in Rawalpindi. According to police, the man opened indiscriminate fire on his step-mother, step-sister and younger step-brother in Rawalpindi on Sunday. Resultantly, 18-year-old step-sister Komal died on the spot, while the mother and brother were shifted to a hospital in critical condition.

The accused killer and assaulter, Babar Khan, managed to escape from the crime scene. According to sources, the mother and younger brother were shifted to DHQ Hospital’s emergency ward in a critical condition. However, the body of the girl has been shifted to mortuary.

Winter timely precautions can reduce risk of heart attacks: expert

ISLAMABAD Staff RepoRt

Expert on Sunday advised the public to take timely preventive steps to reduce the danger of heart attacks in winter and emphasized media for creating awareness about cardiovascular diseases (CVD) to reduce the death rate from them.

While talking to the PTV news channel, Executive Director (ED) of the Rawalpindi Institute of Cardiology (RIC), Major General (R) Azhar Mehmood Kayani said that heart disease could be prevented by changing lifestyle, consuming a healthier diet, quitting smoking and playing sports.

He stressed the importance of educating patients and the general public regarding preventive means by repeating the messages through effective awareness campaigns.

Dr Kayani said that “laziness was the main root cause of heart diseases among youngsters” and people should adopt a healthy lifestyle as well as take exercise to protect themselves from cardiac diseases, especially in the winter season.

It was imperative that people of all ages should regularly get their complete heart check-ups to avoid possible heart diseases, he added.

Replying to a question, he said heart disease is the leading cause of death

globally, including in Pakistan, adding, smoking, excessive intake of sugarsweetened beverages, diabetes, high blood pressure, a sedentary lifestyle, and obesity were all factors that contribute to heart attacks in the country.

Hypertension was increasing among young adults between the ages of 30 and 40, which can lead to a heart attack, he mentioned. He advised that “everyone over the age of 40 should make a kit with these medicines and carry it with them”.

He regretted that a large number of people die of heart attacks due to a lack of awareness, adding, it was important for everyone to know what is high BP level and upon crossing the level how to

treat it in emergencies.

“Obesity by itself is a risk factor for developing cardiovascular diseases as it increases the risk of development of diabetes and hypertension, which in turn increases the risk of heart attack,” he added.

In the future, the burden of cardiovascular disease would increase further unless awareness regarding prevention strategies were increased, he warned.

To protect the heart from the cold, he recommended measures such as eating a healthy diet and avoiding smoking. “But also, in the cold weather, especially if you have known coronary artery disease stay warm.”

GB PlANs ProjECT To FACiliTATE

ExPorT oF PiNE NuTs

ISLAMABAD Ghulam abbaS

ASChilghoza, pine nuts produced in Diamer region of Gilgit Baltistan are famous for its taste and high demand in the local and international market, the GB government would initiate a project of processing, packaging and value addition to get access to a good international market.

According to GB Information Minister Fathullah Khan, the project would facilitate hundreds of locals associated with the business to export their Chilghoza and have better livelihood.

For the first time, a Chilghoza Festival was held in Chilas, Diamer where various varieties of the dry fruit “king” were displayed. The regional government has announced to hold the event as a calendar year to boost the production and business of high valued Chilghoza.

Fathullah Khan, who also holds the portfolio of Minister of Planning and

Development, said that India was earning good revenue from export of Chilghoza, which also ensures the protection of forests. The people of Diamar in GB are getting substantial benefits from this product. With the support of the Government of GilgitBaltistan, a project is being initiated to facilitate production of the product at large scale.

Making possible the access of Chalghoza to the international market will promote economic activities in remote areas like Diamar.

According to officials, in collaboration with district administration, AKRSP and forest department, Chilgoza Exhibition 2022 was held on October 29, 2022 in Chilas. Senior Minister GB Raja Zakaria Muhammad Khan Moqpoon, Information Technology Muhammad Ali Quaid, Secretary Forests Faisal Ehsan Pirzada, Additional Secretary Forests Azimullah, Deputy Commissioner Diamar Fayyaz Ahmed, Conservator Forest Aftab Mahmood and other had attended

People gear up for autumn tourism in November

ISLAMABAD Staff RepoRt

It is the advent of November when Autumn unveils its gems hidden all year and bring unusual sights of nature for those who call it “the second spring when every leaf is a flower”. The interval between two seasons of summer and winter, Autumn is not only a season that makes one feel temperature change but its change in natural landscape changes the mood compelling most of people to spend time being lost in the nature.

Besides the unusual change of plant hues, Autumn is also considered as the most comfortable season for travelling in many areas for those who want to avoid rush of tourists in summers and hindrance of travel due to snowfall in winter in the northern areas of Pakistan. While artists, nature lovers, photographer and videographers also make their domestic and international travel plans to capture the picturesque landscapes and vibrant sights of nature.

“We see the lush green nature right after the spring that continues in summer and blooms more in monsoon while suddenly all changes the greens into burnt orange, rust, bronze and ochre hues that are often called majestic rubies and ambers of this season. Walking on dry leaves producing crispy sound is another factor that compels me to visit natural sites again and again” said Sumaira Raheem, an artist, who paints autumn on her canvases. Commenting on Why tourists must visit Pakistan in Autumn? Managing Director, Pakistan Tourism Development Corporation (PTDC), Aftab ur Rehman Rana told APP that Autumn is the time when the landscape of valleys of Gilgit-Baltistan is at its most picturesque. The valley of Hunza and Nagar districts are the few places where you can enjoy the most colorful autumn season in this area. The trees throughout the valley seem to be on fire, as their leaves turn to gold, red, orange and bronze contrasting sharply with the barren mountains that is not only eye catching but serves as a soothing treat of true colors of nature for the soul. This area hosts a number of famous peaks of more than 6000 meter in height. This trip offer you to see some of the most beautiful mountain peaks of this region including Ultar, Rakaposhi, Diran, Ladyfinger, Golden Peak and many more. “If we visit this area in Autumn, the tour provides us a golden opportunity to capture the stunning autumn scenery through the lens of a camera. This is also time with the local community is free from agriculture activity and you can have chance to visit them and experience their rich culture,” he stated.

the event.

As per a report China was the major importer of Chilghoza from Pakistan which last year had imported $17.67 million worth of Pakistani Chilgoza pine nuts in April 2022 which was a record high.

China is the second largest consumer of pine nuts. China was one of the primary markets for pine nuts imported from Pakistan in the first two months of 2022, importing 1,606.51 tons worth $17.67 million. China has imported $42.35 million worth of pine nuts, with Pakistan accounting for 42% of the total.

In the Chinese market, Pakistani pine nuts are also facing fierce competition from Afghanistan. In the first two months of this year, China purchased 201.2 tons of pine nuts for $2.82 million from Afghanistan, bringing total imports to 5,722 tons worth $42.35 million.

Around 20 percent of Pakistan’s forests consist of chilgoza trees, with

the country producing 15 percent of the world’s total pine nuts at between 3,500 to 4,000 metric tons annually. However, most of these are exported to the Middle East, China, the US, UK and Europe. Diamer in GB is one of the country’s main production regions for pine nuts. Pine nut trees are found in Pakistan’s north and southwestern provinces of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan, including in the northern areas of Gilgit-Baltistan and Kashmir. The tree is hard and tall, and can endure excessive drought, high winds, and severe cold in the winter.

Pine-nut harvesting begins in September. Locals collect the green cones from trees and spread them under the open sky to let them dry in the sun for more than two weeks. Each cone contains between 15 to 20 pine nuts depending on its size. It is then processed through a machine for quality grading before being sold in the market, with the nuts usually eaten raw or roasted.

PM visit to China to further cement bilateral trade relations

ISLAMABAD Staff RepoRt

The business community Sunday viewed that the upcoming visit of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to China would further cement bilateral trade and fortify existing relations.

In a press statement issued here, Coordinator to Federal Tax Ombudsman Meher Kashif Younis hoped that under the leadership of President Xi Jinping, the bilateral relationship would further strengthen.

He said the Chinese President recently announced during his visit to Uzbekistan that “Irrespective of the situation, China will always stand by Pakistan”, which reflects the strong ties that bind both countries together.

He said China is the third largest trading partner.

He said the all-weather strategic cooperation, partnership and exchange of views on regional and global development will be strengthened and solidified; and visit will provide fresh impetus to the bilateral ties besides boosting trade.

He said the visit comes at a time when regional and global dynamics are shifting rapidly. He said the major areas of cooperation are industry, agriculture, and technology.

He said in the second phase of China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), the private sector would take lead and help implement projects through business to business cooperation. He said in the first phase of CPEC, Pakistan is reaping the benefits of enhanced electricity capacity, better infrastructure and great employment

opportunities.

Meher Kashif Younis further stated China has contributed significantly to the development of Pakistan’s industrialization and fields of infrastructure, defence and technology.

He said both leaders will vow to continue cooperation and deepen their strategic partnership. He said during the last 25 years the exports of China to Pakistan have increased at an annualized rate of 13.5%, from $616 million in 1995 to $14.7 billion in 2020.

In 2020, Pakistan exported $1.97 billion to China. He said China exports to Pakistan was US$24.24 billion in 2021 which is all the time in favour of China in terms of Pak exports which he added needs to be narrowed down significantly.

Pak-Italy bilateral trade between can soar to €4 bn annually

ISLAMABAD Staff RepoRt

Bilateral trade between Italy and Pakistan can swell to €4 billion annually by fully exploiting the existing potential of the private sector to a maximum extent.

Talking to the honorary investment consular to Milano, Italy Muhammad Sheheryar Khan, Chief Executive Officer Pakistan Furniture Council Mian Kashif Ashfaq said on Sunday that Ambassador of Italy to Pakistan Andreas Ferrarese is playing key role in boosting the trade

relations and strengthening close coordination between the private sectors of either side.

He said this year trade has exponentially grown and can reach around €2 billion and in 2021 it was recorded to €1.52 billion. It is the first time that Pakistan’s exports surpass €1 billion and are more than imports in Italy, making Italy the second largest export destination in the European market. He told that to achieve the €4 billion goal both countries need to enhance investments and explore new avenues of business cooperation such as in Information and renewable technologies.

Punjab urged to ensure implementation of ‘Free & Compulsory Education Act 2022’

ISLAMABAD Staff RepoRt

As the Punjab government has made a law for free and compulsory education across the province, stakeholders, while welcoming this long due legislation towards improving literacy rate, have urged the provincial government to take practical measures to ensure the law was implemented without any delay and targets of sustainable development goals in education sector are achieved. The provincial government last week had approved ‘The Punjab Free and Compulsory Education (Amendment) Bill, 2022’ after a rigorous initiative of stakeholders, especially educationists, civil society organizations, teachers and parents led by AwazCDSPakistan to make free education compulsory across the province. “The passage of this law is a great achievement on the part of both government and all stakeholders as it would contribute a lot towards popularizing free and compulsory secondary education across the province,” remarked AwazCDS Chief Executive Zia-ur-Rehman while reacting to the government’s major step towards promoting education. Towards achieving the desired goals of this law, he said, the government needs to ensure quick and across the board implementation of this law by taking along all stakeholders through sustainable collaboration.

It is to be mentioned here that the Punjab Education Department has instructed all private schools in the province to provide free education to 10 percent poor and deserving students, which is appreciated by the stakeholders. Zia-ur-Rehman, however, urged the government to ensure that all private schools implement this clause immediately and without any discrimination so that poor, but talented students, could get quality education at these institutions for better future.

He further urged immediate preparations of ‘Rules of Business’ for the said law. He also appreciated the role of Legislatures Core Group Members on Education, especially Mian Muhammad Shafee, Ayesha Iqbal, Aisha Nawaz, Kanwal Liaqat, Uswa Aftab, Shamim Aftab, Seemabia Tahir, and Rahila Khadim Hussian among many others for their regular efforts in that regard. Giving her input on the subject, Program Manager AwazCDS Marium Amjad Khan welcomed the law and suggested the government to establish more and more schools in order to encourage students enrollment ratio. She mentioned that accessibility, low budget, teachers’ improper training and people’s socioeconomic conditions are affecting literacy rate in the province. However, she stressed the need for extensive efforts from both government and stakeholders to sensitize more and more people on education.

‘Tales of Heart’ continues to attract art enthusiasts

ISLAMABAD Staff RepoRt

A solo painting exhibition “Tales of the Heart” by the prominent artist Atif Khan at Tanzara Art Gallery (TAG) continues to attract the art enthusiasts through his unique portrayal of socio-political and cultural narratives. The exhibition was inaugurated by the Vice Chancellor, the National College of Arts (NCA), Professor Dr. Murtaza Jafri, and will continue till November 09. Noshi Qadir, curator of Tanzara Art Gallery (TAG) said as a contemporary image-maker, Khan pushes his artistic limits through varied artistic thoughts and visual explorations of social-political and cultural issues. The work of the noted artist Atif Khan interweaves Islamic miniature painting with modern geometric design and popular culture which successfully creates mysterious narratives through his juxtapositions of Mughal era figures within mandalalike landscapes, she said and added that through his unique artwork, Atif Khan had built a unique visual vocabulary of interweaving storytelling that addresses itself through a soul searching process.

Early detection, treatment can save lives of 85pc blood cancer patients: Experts

PESHAWAR Staff RepoRt

Born with a dream to become doctor to serve ailing humanity, Janas Khan, a poor patient of Pabbi Nowshera was unaware that he would leave this mortal world in very young age due to blood cancer.

“My son Janas Khan was complaining about fever, loss weight and eyes swelling for several days. I took him to nearby hospital where his medical tests were conducted and diagnosed with 3rd stage of blood cancer,” said Nusrat Bibi, mother of the victim while talking to APP.

Facing the disease with patience, Janas’s

mother said that her son faced the unbearable pain with great courage and determination before leaving for eternal abode at the age of 18.

“Janas Khan has a great desire to become doctor and provide free of cost treatment to cancer patients but his dreams was snatched by blood cancer caused by blood disorder apparently due to hereditary reasons,” she said.

She said the killer disease had tarnished his as well as my dreams and urged people to conduct blood screening tests before marriages so that no child and mother can pass through such unbearable pain.

Dr Riaz Khan, senior children oncologist at Govt Hospital Pabbi Nowshera said

that nearly 15 percent children become victims of blood cancer owing to hereditary blood disorder.

Medically known as ‘Leukemia’, he said blood cancer can affect people of all ages but most of its victims were children under 18 years,” he said, adding the fatal ailment first destroys blood cells and later key organs that prove fatal in last stages of its detection.

He said annually 8,000 to 10,000 children become its victims in Pakistan with nearly 15 percent cases related to genetics and hereditary while 85 percent due to other reasons.

He said that most cases of blood cancer were diagnosed as acute lymphoid leukemia (ALL) and acute myeloid leukemia (AML),

adding the latter was more fatal than the former. Dr Riaz said AML normally affects small children who have a family’s history.

He said different organs including heart, liver and kidneys could be damaged in case of delay of treatment, adding the affected organs were being treated first before start of chemotherapy.

Terming blood cancer a curable disease, Dr Riaz Khan said that 85 percent of patients could be cured if the fatal disease was detected and treated at an early stage.

September was observed as ‘Blood Cancer and Childhood Awareness Month’ in the world including Pakistan in which information about its causes, treatment and prevention were dis-

seminated through different stakeholders and communication channels to eradicate it.

Dr Riaz advised parents to bring their children to nearest hospitals and specialist oncologists in case of constant fever, discharge of bleeding from nose and mouth or any other part of the body, loss of weight, pain and change of skin colour. He said blood count tests and bone-marrow biopsy and genetic tests were necessary for diagnoses.

He said cooperation of families was imperative to bring their patients to normal life and make them useful citizens of the society. The senior oncologist recommended blood screening tests before marriages and birth of children for early diagnosis and treatment.

Long March rolls on

tHe possibility that pti chief |imran Khan had left his party’s long March for a meeting in lahore gave rise to speculation that he had gone to take part in negotiations with the government. He himself rubbished these speculations in a tweet, but the departure from shahdara was explained by him as part of the routine, by which the long Marchers would disperse every night and be replaced by residents. Mr Khan further explained that the long March would not move at night, as there was a security risk involved. A less charitable explanation might be a disappointment with the turnout. While there was a healthy debate about how many people had turned up, no one seemed to be arguing that the turnout equalled the pti’s pre-March predictions, even if one allowed for the over-optimism of partisan enthusiasm.

the relation of this claim of talks with prime Minister shehbaz sharif’s claim that Mr Khan had some time ago with an offer of talks on elections and the new cOAs’s appointment was not immediately apparent, though it seemed clear that any talks are not conducted in the public gaze. Mr sharif’s revelation was not counered by any revelation from the pti’s side, even as it tried to avoid the miasma of violence that seemed to creep over the long March.

there were no clear linkages between the muder in Kenya of journalist Arshad sharif and the long March, but the audio clip of former federal minister Ali Amin Gandapur indicated that there was some involvement of the pti with arms and violence. Meanwhile, on sunday, the death by accident of tv journalist sadaf Naeem at sadhoke caused Mr Khan to call off the long March for the day. the only response to Mr Gandapur’s audio clip was that it was faked.

His followers probably hope that there will be fair winds, and the rest of the long March will pass more smoothly. However, party is perhaps seeing the flipside of the coin, and may realise that the long March is not all fun and games. One of the key components should be the maintenance of law and order. Mr Khan had committed to keeping his protest peaceful, and it is essential that he long March remain focused on its goal of obtaining an election date, and should not be diverted to any more nefarious purpose. Apart from such a deed being wrong, the country’s economy, hit by floods even before it had recovered from the covid-19 pandemic, and threatened like the rest of the world by recession, cannot afford it.

Driving the Baloch away

Not too long, several Baloch families, alleging state institutions werre behind arresting and disappearing their loved ones, staged a 51-day protest sit-in outside Governor’s House Quetta in the capital city’s red zone. As they expected, no mainstream media in pakistan covered it. in fact, no one in other parts of the country was even aware of such a massive protest sit-in– that too at such an important location.

the recent arrest-cum-disappearance of saud Baloch and his cousin Kamran Baloch, two intermediate students of pre-medical, from Windar (Balochistan) is the clear proof how Baloch youth are straightforward victimized by enforced disappearances. the last social media post of saud Baloch before going ‘missing’ read: “those companions, which accompany you, are the books.”

Irrespective of whether some people liked or did not appreciate his pursuits as a journalist, particularly his irresistible propensity to hurl incessant flak at the establishment and the pDM leadership in the wake of removal of imran Khan from the premiership as a result of the no-confidence motion against him, the fact is that Arshad sharif was a journalist of considerable standing in his own right. His dastardly murder is a great loss to profession of journalism in pakistan. it is the most tragic happening that has devastated his family, friends and his followers. But none is more hurt than his family which will have to live without him for the whole of their lives. i would like to extend my heart-felt condolences to this family with the prayer that the Almighty may rest his soul in peace and grant him an exalted place in paradise. it is indeed regrettable to note that before the findings of the investigations being held into the incident are made public, there is incessant flow of speculative narratives attributing motives to the murder and naming the possible suspects. people are drawing their own conclusions. efforts are also being made to exploit the situation to their political advantage by the rival political parties. this is

INteNtiONAlly or not, a narrative of a sense of deprivation is built among the Baloch youth of state negligence towards Balochistan for the last seven and half decades. its impacts are observed in the present day Balochistan where the province shows a ‘no-progress’ picture in all its sectors. it is proud of its natural resources, but almost nothing from those resources is spent on the province. the presence of multimillion projects like the china-pakistan economic corridor (cpec), saindak, reko Diq and so forth could not change the fate of the province either. Or at least, what Balochistan is gaining from the above-mentioned projects is never publicized by officials.

And then the question arises of where Balochistan is standing within pakistan’s federation. A region chopped down into pieces, with a part of it under iranian government, another part in Afghanistan, some portions in sindh, Khayber pakhtunkwaa and punjab, questions the state of its stance towards ‘marginalised’ Balochistan.

Here, one remembers a viral media interview of another province, not knowing any city name of Balochistan other than Quetta (because it is provincial capital) and Gwadar (owing to cpec)– still unaware of sui’s existence despite using the regionally-discovered sui gas. With sui gas, let me add a point here that out of 34 districts of Balochistan, only four districts avail the natural sui gas, excluding Dera Bugti itself (where sui town falls in). that is how pakistan’s relationship is with the present Balochistan. coming to education, in contrast to the universally accepted human right to education ensured in pakistan’s 1973 constitution in its Article 25-A, Balochistan is labelled the ‘home for out-of-school children’ with approximately 71 percent of out-ofschool children. this claim was made by Alif Ailaan in 2017, and seconded by UNiceF in 2020. things are worse these days, but not better.

As we are already discussing educational backwardness, let us not forget the recent burning of a private school in Kech’s Buleda town – yes, MpA. Zahoor Ahmed Buledi’s town – where at around 3 am, ‘unknown men’ come and burnt the Kalkashan school, a private school giving quality education in the area. in the morning, no one knew, amidst tight security of levies and other forces, where those persons came from and went. this looks pathetic. education is still a far cry, as the people of Balochistan complain of insecurity within their soil. A new wave of enforced disappearances has taken place in the province which includes abductions of students in particular, others in general. Along with their enforced disappearances, their families claim their loved ones are killed in ‘fake encounters’ by a recently-established force of counter-terrorism Department (ctD).

in a very recent protest arranged by Baloch yakjehthi committee (Byc) on October 20 at Quetta, families were recorded saying their beloved ones were arrested by the ctD in front of their eyes at their homes and later claimed that they were “killed in a clash or operation between forces and the Baloch separatist organisations.”. the families rejected the ctD’s allegations and said they were ready for any court trial as eye-witnesses. Unfortunately, courts too seem to worry not about their vociferations.

in fact, for the last several years, Baloch missing persons’ cases are pending in the Balochistan High court and the supreme court, but other than waits and hopes, the families have received nothing. even, various inquiry commissions, at the provincial and federal levels, have been formed, but they merely ‘irritated’ the families with what they call ‘baseless’ questions other than relating to their missing persons.

things are very ‘rough’ between the federation and Balochistan. the provincial government is nominal which has no role in redressing the state and province relationship, while the federal governments have always used delaying tactics for Balochistan. in these given circumstances, the Baloch have come to a certain point where they are asking the state to clarify its stance towards Balochistan after feeling inferior within the system.

they, too, are fed up with everyday public versus police war on Balochistan’s roads. if fundamental rights are for them as well, render them without any condition: if not, take them back publicly without keeping them in ‘false hopes’. However, things are still at a point of settlement for which state institutions need to play a motherly role.

The writer is a Law student and a journalist based in Quetta, Balochistan. He tweets @Alijanmaqsood12

Disseminating wrong information is unethical

all very distressing and painful for the family and friends of Arshad sharif. the DG ispr, and DG isi who made rare appearance at a presser, rightly said that people should stop speculative stories about the murder and wait until the facts are laid bare by the investigative efforts.

My motivation to write on this episode stems from a story by Haider Mehdi in his vlog of 25 October in which he made unsubstantiated claims about who could be the possible suspects. He rejected the notion that murder of Arshad sharif was the result of mistaken identity as contended by the Kenyan police. His contention was that it was a consequence of a conspiracy by the enemies of Arshad sharif.Among the suspects in this regard he mentioned General Bajwa, who according to him was incensed by the criticism of Arshad sharif against him. He also contended that the other suspects could be the sharifs on whose property and business interests in Kenya Arshad sharif was doing a documentary. He claimed that Kenyan police was the most corrupt entity and could have been purchased by the enemies of Arshad sharif to commit his murder.

i cannot say anything about what his conclusions are but do feel constrained to clarify some of the claims made in the v-log regarding the property and business interests of sharif family in Kenya because i was serving as press counsellor in pakistan embassy in Nairobi during the period Mehdi claims the sharifs bought properties and set up businesses in that country.

the fact is that the Kenyan government had floated tenders for outsourcing management of sugar mills which were running in losses. Hussain Nawaz also submitted a bid and was awarded the contract through open competition.

However when Hussain Nawaz and his team arrived in Kenya to take over the management, the unions of the mills and local people resisted handing over the management of the mills to foreigners. consequently Kenyan

government was forced to cancel the contracts. that closed the issue. i remember that the pakistani media also ran stories about that deal which never materialized. the sharifs never again tried to buy any property in Kenya or establish their business interests in that country. the v-logger made yet another false claim that the sharif family sent Hameed Asghar Kidwai as Ambassador to Kenya to protect their business interests there. that is the most preposterous suggestion as the sharifs had no business interests in Kenya as is evident from my above submission.

i am a strong believer in freedom of expression but also feel that there is no concept of unbridled freedom in this regard. Freedom of expression also makes it obligatory on the media-men and journalists to avoid speculative reports and false narratives. All the professional and ethical codes adopted by the international media organizations stress the need for truthful reporting. i wish the vlogger should have investigated the issue properly in regards to business interests of the sharifs in Kenya before disseminating false information to the audience. the question arises how could Arshad sharif have ventured to do a documentary on non-existent business interests of the sharif family in Kenya?

Hameed Asghar Kidwai was surely a political appointee as per the practice by successive governments. However it is wrong to contend that he was sent to Kenya to protect the business interests of the sharif family which never existed. the fact is that Hameed Kidwai proved to be very successful Ambassador.

During his tenure he organized two solo trade exhibitions of pakistan in Kenya that fetched orders to the tune of millions of dollars for pakistani products.

He was instrumental in the conclusion of a big deal between pOF and the Kenyan defence ministry for purchase of arms and ammunition. He also made relentless efforts for business deals between businessmen of pakistan and ethiopia. in recognition of his successful diplomatic assignment in Kenya he was later made roving ambassador for sub-saharan Africa, a post which he held for quite a long time after the exit of sharif from power.

i thought that as a writer who knew the facts it was my moral obligation to set the record straight so that the people could judge how vested interests were trying to pass on false information to the masses to mislead them and also to tarnish the image of certain individuals who have served pakistan as successful diplomats.

Malik Muhammad Ashraf is an academic. He can be contacted at: ashpak10@gmail.com.

MAlik MuhAMMAd AshrAf

Things are very ‘rough’ between the federation and Balochistan. The provincial government is nominal which has no role in redressing the state and province relationship, while the federal governments have always used delaying tactics for Balochistan.

I thought that as a writer who knew the facts it was my moral obligation to set the record straight so that the people could judge how vested interests were trying to pass on false information to the masses to mislead them and also to tarnish the image of certain individuals who have served Pakistan as successful diplomats

Ali JAn MAqsood

Yousaf Nizami

Hameed Nizami Arif Nizami (Late)

M. A. Niazi

Umar Aziz Executive Editor Aziz-ud-Din Ahmad

Editor’s mail

Localization of Police in Karachi

tHe police force in Karachi seems to be nothing but partners in crime. such a perception is gaining strength among the masses because nothing else rationalises the spike in crimes and almost zero accountability.

it has been pointed out repeatedly and for many years that the proportion of locals in the police force is minimal; the personnel are either from other provinces or from the interior of sindh. regardless of the reason behind it, what this lopsided equation has ensured is that the police force, as a unit, has no bonding with the local population and feels no obligation to serve the city with sincerity and loyalty. Despite being paid from the city’s resources, the personnel treat the city as an alien abode. they are here on an assignment and want to make the most of this opportunity.

Karachi, the biggest contributor to the national exchequer, is perceived as a goldmine by these outsiders and every opportunity is exploited to mint money. it is strange that the incidents of street crimes are rising despite the long-term presence of the paramilitary force in the city. How long will Karachi be given this step-motherly treatment?

KULSOOM ARIF KARACHI

Haqeeqi March: Nothing for you to fear, no punishment to come

creature kicked off his Haqeeqi March after this unprecedented press conference.

this indicates that imran Khan is all ready for a head-on collision with a state institution that allegedly nurtured him for years. Having a cult following with him, Khan is moving slowly but surely toward his destination. Only he knows whether it is rawalpindi Mall road, H-9 ground, or D chowk islamabad. the supreme court of pakistan has already granted him permission for peaceful political activities. God knows whether his March is peaceful or not.

One must accept that imran Khan has become the only person in pakistan who is backed by personalities like shirin Mazari, shah Mahmood Qurashi, Zubaida Jalal, Omar Ayub Khan and many more who are known for their dedicated relations with the military establishment, and their presence around imran Khan indicates “things are not as simple as they look”.

times that he advised Arshad sharif to leave the country. Former Federal Minister shirin Mazari claimed that head money was announced for killing Arshad sharif and he was advised by her party to leave the country. During thursday’s press conference, the DG ispr said that an investigation team had been formed to probe why did Arshad go to Kenya, who advised him to go there, with whom he had been living, and who had been looking after his stay in Kenya?

He said that we all must wait for the findings of the investigations team. the DG ispr maintained that Arshad sharif was a very capable and hardworking journalist, adding that he had no life threats in pakistan. General Babar iftikhar said that as per their information, a threat alert was issued by the Khyber pakhtunkhwa government but no details were shared as to where the provincial government received the threat. He said that the KpK government extended security to Arshad sharif and also facilitated his exit from the country.

Importance of exports

siNce its inception, pakistan has gone through many a boom-and-bust cycle, with the country having been in a number of international Monetary Fund (iMF) programmes, indicating how deep-rooted its structural problems happen to be.

the main reason behind each iMF programme is the headache of current account deficit which is a direct consequence of the country’s fiscal outflows being more than the inflows. the deficit means pakistan needs to borrow dollars from international lenders, like the iMF, in order to bridge the gap between the inflows and the outflows.

the stage of approaching the lenders comes when the current account deficit becomes too massive to be handled otherwise. But, by its very nature, this is a short-term solution. the main point of concern is our incapacity to make use of this short-term remedy to work long-term for us. till that happens, our dependence on lenders will never come to an end. One of the major underlying causes is the absence of diversification of exports. pakistan has been obsessed with the textile sector. the government allocates major chunk of subsidies and incentives to this sector alone. it has not focussed on other potential sectors, like information technology (it), services, minerals and several others.

Moreover, the textile exports have also not increased proportionate to the incentives despite the currency depreciation. currently, the gap between pakistan’s exports and imports is worth billions.

iqrAr hAroon

THere is a saying that hybrid creatures eat their creators once they have grown teeth. chairman pakistan pakistan tehreek-e-insaf (pti) imran Khan started his “Haqeeqi Azadi March” (real independence March) on Friday after an unprecedented press conference held by two lieutenant Generals on thursday who guaranteed the nation that the military is no more involved in politics and the Army as an institution had decided it would not meddle in politics. Khan’s idea of Haqeeqi Azadi is of course independence of the public and the politicians from the Army, which according to imran Khan had been interfering in politics since the independence of pakistan. Of course, his Haqeeqi Azadi is not from politicians in power because they, according to Khan’s narrative, are as powerless as imran Khan claimed he had been when he was prime Minister of pakistan. When DG ispr lt Gen Babar iftikhar was asked to comment about the alleged involvement of the pakistan Army in the exceptional political rise of imran Khan, he and his fellow lieutenant general avoided answering and said some other day this point could be discussed at length.

there is no need to get involved in how imran Khan managed 175-plus National Assembly seats in 2018 though his tally was just 30-plus in 2013, which was the greatest figure the pti ever had in the National Assembly since it was launched as a political party. Hybrid politicians and a hybrid system, like the partyless parliament of 1985 and the formation of king’s parties had always been a part of pakistani politics.

Now political scientists in uniforms say that they have closed down political laboratories and i think we must believe them because we do not have any other option than believing them. By trusting they have closed down the political laboratory, we can discuss what would be next. From Karachi-based ethnic party to the taliban, the pakistani establishment has successfully managed with Frankenstein monsters but this is the first time that a hybrid creature had compelled two prime wings of the pakistan Army to hold a joint press conference where two threestar generals had been explaining the situation they had been facing while the alleged hybrid

the two DGs at thursday’s press conference also said that former prime Minister imran Khan had offered “life-long extension” to cOAs Gen Qamar Bajwa. this reminds me of a scene from the early 1990s. i remember in March/April 1993, the then president Ghulam ishaq Khan and the then prime Minister Mian Nawaz sharif were on the warpath. to ward off the threat of a dissolution under Article 58 (2-b), Nawaz sharif offered his support to Ghuman ishaq Khan if the latter wished to be re-elected.

Ghulam ishaq Khan now felt compelled to dismiss the government lest he was seen to be bargaining for office. in case, imran Khan too similarly offered General Bajwa a bait to wriggle out of the no-confidence motion, it was very likely to backfire. in fact, if another extension was tabled (as the two DGs stated in the famous presser on the 27th), it would be worse than horsetrading, of which our politicians have often been accused. i consider imran Khan’s proposal was just a perversion of an institution and the cOAs took bold steps by not only rejecting it but also deciding on his retirement after the one extension he is already completing now.

On the other hand, the delay in the announcement of the name of the new chief of Army staff has also supported imran Khan because delay in such important announcements always helps to generate gossip and conspiracy theories. All this scene is taking place when anchorperson Arshad sharif had brutally been killed in the restive land of Kenya where he was residing after leaving pakistan.

in thursday’s press conference the DG ispr and the DG isi confirmed that the late Arshad sharif had always been in their contact as he was the brother of a martyred military officer and son of a ghazi as his father was a retired officer of pakistan Navy. Arshad sharif who ran shows “How did Us change regimes all over the world” and “vo Koon tha?” (who was he?) was a polite and well-educated anchorperson who had a remarkable professional rise till his unfortunate death because he had been holding shows to explain alleged corruption of all political parties except pti. He had access to material against pMl(N), ppp, JUi, and other anti-pti parties.

He had to flee the country when the KpK government informed him that his life was threatened by the tehrik taliban pakistan. Former prime Minister imran Khan had said several

He said that an impartial and transparent investigation must be carried out to ascertain the facts which led to the killing of Arshad sharif. He said that the ceO of Ary Digital Network salman iqbal must also be included in the investigation. As a former crime reporter, i believe that one should not comment on the death of Arshad sharif because his dead body had two autopsies, one in Kenya and a second in islamabad, and the autopsy reports would determine in what circumstance he had been shot dead. We all should wait till the investigation report is with us.in homicide crime, the foremost point is who is the beneficiary of any killing and in this case, i believe beneficiaries are those who want to create doubts against the military establishment and the sitting government of pakistan because the late anchorperson had been critical about the military establishment and the pMl(N)-led multiparty government.

in his case, one can write a list of beneficiaries that also include foreign powers who always want to harm the pakistan Army, and indian intelligence agencies rAW can be one of them. possible beneficiaries also include owners of his former television channel who had been using Arshad against the pMl(N), ppp, and the pakistan Army. possible beneficiaries also include those who advised him to leave the country.

Unfortunately, the fears expressed by former pti federal minister Faisal vawda in a hurriedly called press conference are not “so unfounded” that the dirty, brutal, and ruthless game has entered into a deadly phase where spreading corpses in streets is very much likely. His press conference cost him the termination of his basic membership of the pti and the abusive allegations he is now facing from the pti leadership. One should appreciate Faisal that he had exposed many who are allegedly planning dirty scenes to ham this country that is always going through economic disasters.

Nothing for you to fear, no punishment to come. Oh I’d pay you backif I only had the power at my command!”

No more words—he dashed toward the city, heart racing for some great exploit, rushing on like a champion stallion drawing a chariot full tilt, sweeping across the plain in easy, tearing strides—Homer—the iliad

The writer is an international award winning journalist who has been in the field since 1988 and appears in national and international media as analyst and political scientist.

pakistan cannot curb the requisite imports because the latter are also needed for economic growth both in terms of the taxes and duties collected in the process and the employment opportunities thus created. the panacea is prioritising other sectors as well in order to have a diversified export portfolio of the country. take for instance, the it sector. india earns nearly $150 billion in it exports annually, while pakistan earns a meagre amount of $2 billion. these figures indicate how much pakistan lacks in this regard compared to the other regional competitors despite having the fifth largest population in the world. it can exploit this potential by offering incentives and imparting digital literacy to the youth along with due facilitation of digital enterprises.

Another area that has been widely neglected is the services sector. currently, pakistan attracts only $30 billion in remittances despite having a colossal potential in this regard. About 65 per cent of pakistani population (150m) is below the age of 30. rather than being an asset, the youth have become a liability for the state due to the absence of technical education.

pakistan can exploit its youth’s potential by imparting free technical education in line with the demand of the Gulf, european and Japanese markets. these industrial hubs, especially Japan and europe, severely lack adult labour force owing to their growing ageing population. this provides pakistan a perfect opportunity to send its labour force and earn the muchneeded foreign exchange, especially when we lack foreign currency which forces us down the way to the lenders’ doors.

Diversifying the exports is vital for our fragile economy. Managing the current account deficit will lead to the emancipation of the state from the clutches of the various neo-colonialist masters. Without resorting to the diversification of exports, the prospects of sustainable and long-term economic growth would remain bleak.

M ASAD MAJEED BRAR KOT ADDU

University politics

BesiDes providing students with academic knowledge, educational institutes are required to provide students with a nurturing environment and empower them through student unions. Globally, most universities have student unions that are responsible for representing all students, hearing their grievances and communicating them to the administration, and providing students with avenues for extra-curricular activities. the student unions are usually headed by a group of students, which are elected by the student body.

Unfortunately, most pakistani universities do not have student unions and students have few opportunities to participate in extra-curricular activities such as debate, sports, etc. this prevents students from interacting with each other outside of classes and often creates a sense of alienation within the student body. As a student at the University of punjab, i’ve seen many students come to lahore from across the country to study here. Most students either form friend groups with people they already know or keep to themselves. the lack of healthy interaction creates a sense of animosity and in recent times has resulted in heated arguments and quarrels among students. even those who try to break off the fights end up getting beaten up. some students turn these petty fights into larger enmities, which have often resulted in fatalities.

University administrations should remain vigilant of student activities on campus and must discourage students from promoting political agendas at universities. importantly, universities should form student unions and provide students with the opportunity to engage in healthy debate and other activities with each other to ensure a conflict-free and peaceful educational environment.

FAIZAN BASHIR CHINIOT

to Editor, pakistan today,

Fatima Jinnah, Lahore, Pakistan.

letters@pakistantoday.com.pk

should be addressed to pakistan today

the birth Pangs of a new world order Poor air quality

BRACING FOR A SEASON OF DISCOMFORT

Tribune

one, to say the least. The Global South, led by Brics and the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation, is sick of this financial arrangement, in which the dollar is often weaponised. It is thus slowly de-dollarising and distancing itself from New york and London clearinghouses. While this process is still in its infancy, it is certainly underway.

The US, a leading producer of liquified natural gas, is charging astronomical prices for the gas it sells to its european allies. Why should Opec+ care about American consumers’ grievances at the gasoline pumps, when the US is so indifferent towards its own allies?

eration with Riyadh, Congress is looking at halting weapons sales and there is talk of what in the oil world is seen as the “nuclear option”: the so-called Nopec bill, which would allow the seizure of the assets of Opec governments. Saudi Arabia alone is thought to have $1 trillion worth of investments in the US.

middLe eAsT eye MARco cARNElos

anon-American has cast his vote for the 8 November US midterm elections ahead of their scheduled date: Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. This is the tempting conclusion to draw from the recent decision by Opec+ to cut oil production by two million barrels a day, triggering a price increase. Determined to push gas prices down and deprive Russia of added revenue for its invasion of Ukraine, the Biden administration had begged Saudi Arabia to delay the cut - but to no avail. The decision has caused the biggest US-Saudi crisis since Washington’s signing of the Iran nuclear deal in 2015.

Riyadh is apparently set on another course. It intends to join Brics and is increasing its cooperation with China, including through its unprecedented consideration of trading oil for yuan instead of dollars. The UAe is also making moves, with Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Zayed recently visiting Moscow, and his energy minister saying Russia is irreplaceable in the oil market.

All these gestures are red capes waved in front of the American bull. The US has lost control of its traditional Gulf allies. In Washington, these recent moves were seen as a gross betrayal by Gulf allies whose security US forces continue to secure - the worst type of stab in the back.

Apart from the political landscape, however, the economic rationale for the oil output decision could be seen as justifiable, and not just spurred by narrow national interests. A global economic slowdown could reduce oil demand and increase price volatility, thus rationalising a supply cut.

The decision is also consistent with an unwritten pact between the US and Saudi Arabia in place since 1945: The US protects the kingdom and the latter guarantees regular oil flow while protecting against volatility. But since the 2015 nuclear deal and Washington’s unwillingness to respond after Saudi oil facilities were attacked in 2019, the US has not been perceived as an effective protector.

THE ‘NUCLEAR OPTION’ As things stand, US President Joe Biden is reevaluating his country’s military coop-

Nevertheless, the vehement reaction of the establishment in Washington reveals its difficulty in adjusting to a new world order.

The shale revolution has made the US the world’s top oil producer. Its reliance on Gulf oil has thus decreased, but its interest in avoiding price volatility has not. Today’s reality is that oil output and prices are managed by Russia and Saudi Arabia, who push their converging interests through the Opec+ format, an enlarged producer’s group comprising around two dozen nations. Bullying Opec+ is thus neither easy nor advisable.

The war in Ukraine and the global economic war on Russia are both creating new dynamics and reviving old ones. The G7 should not be surprised if its repeated attempts to place caps on oil and gas prices are perceived by Opec+ as a dress rehearsal for an energy consumers’ cartel. The real irony is that in an era characterised by the transition to a green economy, all major powers are stretching every sinew to dominate the fossil-fuel market.

The US-Saudi crisis is another textbook example of what the US should not do if it wants to avoid completely alienating the rest of the world. Washington and its allies should metabolise a tectonic shift: American and european problems are no longer considered the problems of the whole world. Some historical perspective might be helpful in better understanding this shift. In 1971, the US unilaterally ended the dollar’s convertibility to gold, marking the end of the decades-old Bretton Woods system. The dollar’s position gave the US what former French President Charles De Gaulle called an “exorbitant privilege”. The dollar became the global reserve currency for trade and finance, and for raw materials and commodities pricing.

Globalisation has caused world trade and finance to grow exponentially, alongside global demand for the dollar. The US has then been allowed to run huge deficit and debt almost for free, while denying any other country the chance to convert its own dollar reserves in gold, and leaving them only the option to subscribe to US Treasury bonds.

AUSTERITY PROGRAMMES: For the rest of the world, there were heavy fiscal adjustment and austerity programmes dictated by the International Monetary Fund to keep debt under control, in accordance with the infamous Washington Consensus dogma. This has been the financial pillar of the US-led rules-based world order - and not a fair

The US Federal Reserve’s policy of raising interest rates to lower inflation is making the dollar’s value soar. This is causing problems for all world economies due to the increased costs of supplies. Again, why then should Opec+, and by extension the Global South, consider American demands on oil cuts or on sanctioning Russia?

When eU high Representative Josep Borrell issues a wretched statement describing europe as a garden and the rest of the world as a jungle, why should the jungle pay attention to european and American concerns, on the Ukraine conflict or anything else? Why should the jungle be sensitive to western demands to punish Russia for acquiring Ukrainian territories by force, when similar practices by other countries are condoned and remain unpunished?

BINARY THINKING: For those still trapped in binary thinking, framing world politics merely as an us-versusthem affair, such considerations are not meant to deny the solid autocratic credentials of the Russian, Saudi or Chinese leaders, nor to minimise the Ukraine tragedy - but rather to highlight a rising, broader global perspective.

When US and european leaders and opinion-makers reject such objections by emphasising that Ukraine should get priority because it is in the “civilised” part of europe, they are further widening the cultural divide between the West and the Global South.

Let us assume that the Saudis really wished to influence the US economy in order to damage Biden. Why should such a prerogative be denied to them and allowed to former Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu?

For decades, after all, the “international community” has accepted another unwritten principle of the US-led rulesbased world order: the notion that any US president, at his will, can decide who is entitled to rule around the world.

We are currently experiencing the birth pangs of a new world order, a multipolar one. The US and its allies are trying to prevent this by sticking to the current, no longer sustainable, unipolar model. They are misleadingly portraying the current situation as an inflection point, where the future world order will depend on the outcome of an ongoing epic confrontation between democracies and autocracies. They have just received their freshly printed handbook to manage it: the new US national security strategy, released earlier this month. Democracy appears more and more as an ideological travesty to justify geopolitical agendas.

Marco Carnelos is a former Italian diplomat. He has been assigned to Somalia, Australia and the United Nations. He served in the foreign policy staff of three Italian prime ministers between 1995 and 2011.

to tweet or not to tweet, now that elon’s the boss

stick with it, if it will hold his scattered attention.

Will he actually follow through on his reckless fantasies of firing up to 75% of the staff, dropping content moderation, opening up the platform to election and COVID and holocaust deniers, and reinstating Donald Trump, who was banned from Twitter on Jan. 6, 2021, for inciting violence?

What a short, strange trip it’s been. Just five months ago, on April 5, a securities filing revealed that Musk had become Twitter’s largest shareholder. That very day, Twitter’s then-Chief executive, Parag Agrawal, asked Musk to join the board.

horizon for a vibe switch. If the right-wing bellowers fill the Twitter halls with hyena laughter, if the door is opened to 4chan-caliber filth, if black mold chokes the place, it’s hard to imagine staying around.

the after-effects of a crackerfilled Diwali are known all too well. As also the fact that announcements such as giving a twohour window to burst crackers and allowing only green ones are meaningless concessions. Once you lift the cracker ban, there is simply no way to check flouting of the time rule, or the quality of crackers. Not that any such regulatory mechanism was put in place in the region. So, several parts of Punjab and haryana woke up to air quality in the ‘poor’, ‘very poor’ and ‘hazardous’ categories. Citing environmental concerns and health hazards, Delhi had banned the sale and bursting of firecrackers. The unpopular decision had the backing of the Supreme Court. That did not prevent the national capital’s air quality from turning ‘very poor’ overnight — like in the neighbouring Gurugram, Noida and Faridabad, where there was no ban — as firecrackers were set off in several parts.

The data that pollution levels were relatively better than in the previous years would be of little consolation to Delhi. Its season of breathing discomfort is round the corner. The outcome of a complex mix of contributing factors, a fair share of the blame is pinned on the contentious practice of stubble burning in the neighbouring states. Since AAP now holds the reins of power in Punjab along with Delhi, it can no longer play the victim card on the issue of farm fires. So far, AAP’s efforts to prevent stubble burning have failed to get the traction it was hoping for. The project needs sustained support and innovative inputs.

In Delhi, a month-long campaign is under way to check dust pollution at construction sites. Over 580 teams, the government claims, are monitoring compliance with the norms. It’s a commendable exercise, provided it is carried out with all the sincerity and seriousness the effort deserves. The switch to electric vehicles, too, is touted as a pragmatic solution to control vehicular emissions. The push for it is facing a new challenge. The renewed reliance on coal for power generation can prove to be counterproductive.

This week, Reuters acquired an internal research document from Twitter called “Where Did the Tweeters Go?” which revealed that, since the start of the pandemic, power users, who generate half of global revenue and 90% of all tweets, have been in “absolute decline.”

My plan was to dither. I find that if I plan to dither, the chances are high I’ll follow through. This week, while the World’s Richest Man, elon Musk, now Twitter’s owner and overlord, was lying in wait to seize the company, the question before a noisy swath of the platform’s 400 million users had become: Should I stay or should I go? That’s where the dithering came in. I couldn’t decide, so I decided to not decide.

Musk had dithered too. Like a klutzy pickup artist, he courted Twitter and then snubbed it and then proposed marriage, all while proclaiming his contempt for all it stands for. When he finally did close the deal for $44 billion Thursday, he instantly fired several key executives and acted like Twitter was his destiny. But for months there was no telling if he’d really close. There’s still no telling if he’ll

“he would bring great value,” Agrawal tweeted, decorously. One week later, Musk declined. “I believe this is for the best,” Agrawal tweeted, decorously. (Self-appointed Twitter CeO Musk fired former CeO Agrawal Thursday.)

A few days after Musk bowed out of board participation, in a bid that looked hostile, he offered to buy the company at $54.20 per share. Twitter accepted. Then Musk slowed his roll. he told Twitter the platform was filled with spam; Agrawal rebutted the charge, decorously. Musk shot back: Poop emoji. Cool. In July, Twitter sued Musk and Musk sued Twitter. In September, the Twitter board approved the $44-billion deal. If the company dropped its lawsuit, Musk said, he’d be back with his checkbook. On Wednesday, he christened himself Chief Twit, and on Thursday the deal was done.

even as I have weighed the pros and cons of my own Twitter participation, I figure the key is scanning the

Musk tweeted “the bird is freed” on Thursday to celebrate his purchase — or perhaps to cover his buyer’s remorse. I had already downloaded my tweet history, packed my go-bag. Later in the day, I wasn’t the only tweeter wondering: What next? Some are proposing a return to nature. (As if!) Others suggest Instagram. Neither, I have to admit, is suited to my Twitter purpose, which has been — sentimentally enough — to learn. I’m with the yale historian Joanne Freeman who tweeted Thursday: “I would be sad not to have this venue for discussing history and politics!”

Another proposal: Tribel, a Twitter semi-dupe that styles itself as a haven for progressives. I signed on, only to discover that Tribel is a project of Occupy Democrats, a partisan propaganda outfit. There were loony lefty folktales about Fox folding and John Fetterman winning the Pennsylvania Senate race by a million.

Shameless disinformation is repellent, even from one’s own side. I quit Tribel — or, as I now call it, Blue Newsmax — five minutes after I started. Planetary is another service mentioned. It’s promising. It boasts decentralized servers, but it is very, very new and thus very, very buggy. For now, a lot of people appear to be heading for the Twitter exits even without a solid alternative. And even before Musk took over.

Big accounts — @justinbieber, @ladygaga — now post infrequently and in a pro forma style. And tweets that push cryptocurrency and porn are the platform’s fastest-growing topics among heavy users on englishlanguage Twitter. This redlight-district Garbage-PailKids stuff repels advertisers. And the second Musk took the reins, racist trolls cheered, blasting feeds with the Nword and antisemitic hate. “elon now controls Twitter,” one said, “Unleash the racial slurs.”

Anecdotally, follower counts are falling; I know mine are. But boycotts in the digital age are generally busts. Idle threats to delete Uber or Facebook en masse have not amounted to much, so some imperious Twitter quitters (“this is a cesspool, a hellhole!”) are being charged with crying wolf.

Many journalists, writers, professors and performers have resolved to stay on, but just to tweet out their news and work. A jokey movement is also afoot to “Tumblrize” Twitter — overrun it with smut and desert it, as users did to Tumblr after yahoo acquired it in 2013.

I issued a Twitter poll last week. When Musk arrives, I asked, will you (a) leave (b) stay (c) dither (d) fake leave? With some 450 replies, “leave” came in second and “dither” came in first. It’s the only way. Until the vibe shift is clear, I’m giving in to my Clash-like confusion: If I go there will be trouble. And if I stay it will be double.

Virginia Heffernan is a columnist for Wired magazine and the author of “Magic and Loss: The Internet as Art.”

COUNTRIES OF THE GLOBAL SOUTH HAVE GROWN TIRED OF THE US-LED GLOBAL ECONOMIC SYSTEM, IN WHICH THE DOLLAR IS OFTEN WEAPONISED

THE US-SAUDI CRISIS IS ANOTHER TEXTBOOK EXAMPLE OF WHAT THE US SHOULD NOT DO IF IT WANTS TO AVOID COMPLETELY ALIENATING THE REST OF THE WORLD

DEMOCRACY APPEARS MORE AND MORE AS AN IDEOLOGICAL TRAVESTY TO JUSTIFY GEOPOLITICAL AGENDAS

Los AngeLes Times

VIRGINIA HEFFERNAN

WRITERS, PROFESSORS AND PERFORMERS HAVE RESOLVED TO STAY ON, BUT JUST TO TWEET OUT THEIR NEWS AND WORK

corporate corner mondelez Int’l donates Rs22m for flood affectees

ahmadani

CONTRACTORof Diamer Bhasha Dam Project (DBDP) while expressing grave concerns over the overdue payment of USD 60 million has expressed his inability to keep continue the normal pace of construction on the project if the “long-due” payments are not cleared.

critical phase of diversion of Indus River which is due in April-2024, after which the Dam construction will and if this gets delayed it will have direct impact on completion of the project by February-29 by a year, extending completion to 2030.

“The contractor has been making every endeavour to maintain his construction schedule while the over payment has severely been affecting the mobilization of various overseas construction resources including the equipment for cofferdam,” said the sources.

the national exchequer from further loss of time in the dam completion and additional cost. The contractor has to import various equipments from foreign countries and delay in payments has been affecting the pace of construction, especially the diversion work, sources added.

KARACHI: With the entire country standing in unison to aid rehabilitation efforts in flood-affected regions of Pakistan, Mondelez Pakistan Limited, being one of the country’s leading socially responsible corporate entities has played its part by contributing over 100,000/- USD in cash along with in-kind donations to support families in building their homes and livelihoods once again. To ensure that our contribution have been given to the right impacted people, Mondelez Pakistan Limited has partnered with Akhuwat and Pakistan Red Crescent Society (PRCS), both leading institutions in the country working round the clock to facilitate affected people in Pakistan. Recent flooding across Pakistan affected more than 33 million families and there is a lot more that still needs to be done to return these people to their normal lives. In playing its part, Mondelez Pakistan Limited has disbursed cash donations as well as supplies including clothes, medical supplies, food and a Commenting at the occasion, Mr. Sami A. Wahid - Managing Director, Mondelēz Pakistan Ltd stated; Mondelez Changemakers is our global community involvement program that closely ties to Snacking Made Right and allows us to make an impact by giving back to community. While expressing his gratitude, Mr. Kanwar Waseem, PRCS Provincial Secretary thanked Mondelez Pakistan for standing with the people of Pakistan in these testing times. He also added, “The unprecedented floods have played havoc across the country. We need joint efforts for alleviating the sufferings of the flood victims and need speedy compensation for those families who had lost their loved ones and whose property had been damaged during the floods.”

USC making subsidy easier, more transparent

According to sources in the Ministry of Water Resources, the contractor (Power China-FWO Joint Venture) of Diamer Bhasha Dam Project (DBDP) has been facing undue delay in clearing the pending payments due for the last many months especially the foreign component worth approximately USD 60 million despite repeated reminders to the Water and Power Development Authority (WAPDA). However, now the contractor has warned the WAPDA that if payments are not made then it will not be possible to maintain the normal pace of construction on DBDP, said sources.

They added that the project (DBDP) is in a very

Sources also added that DBDP which is the most expensive dam in the history of Pakistan with an estimated cost of around 14 billion US dollars, a year of delay apart from contractor and consultant cost claims will have a direct escalation impact of 15-20 percent roughly amounting to Rs 400-500 million (with current inflation rate) while the country will also be deprived of cheap 4500 MW hydel electricity (roughly cost Rs 300-400 billion) and a loss of 6.0 million-acre feet (MAF) water reservoir for another one year.

Sources further said that the government should clear the dues of the contractor at the earliest to save

It is pertinent to mention that Diamer Bhasha Dam will have a gross water storage capacity of 8.1 MAF to irrigate 1.23 million acres of additional land while it will have a live storage capacity of 6.1 Million Acre Feet (MAF) and it will generate 18,100-Gigawatt hours (GWh) power annually after completion by February, 2029.

Diamer Basha Dam is being constructed on River Indus – 40 kilometer downstream Chilas town. The project is of paramount importance for water, food, and energy security of the country. The installed capacity of Diamer Bhasha Dam will be 4,500 MegaWatt (MW) and live storage capacity of 6.4 MAF.

The total estimated cost of Diamer Basha Dam project is around 14 billion US dollars which includes dam and powerhouse construction, land acquisition, resettlement and other associated costs.

Pakistan Navy demonstrates fire power amid bilateral naval drills with UAE Navy

KARACHI staff report

The Pakistan Navy on Sunday demonstrated fire power in the Arabian Sea amid bilateral naval exercise NASL AL BAHR-IV conducted with United Arab Emirates (UAE) Navy at Karachi.

The exercise comprised of advanced-level naval operations, including practical demonstration of Live Weapons Firings (LWF), said a Pakistan Navy news release.

Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral Muhammad Amjad Khan Niazi and Head of UAE Naval Training Brigadier Staff Abdulla Sultan witnessed the

LWF at the North Arabian Sea. The exercise NASL AL BAHR is the fourth edition among the two navies aimed to enhance interoperabil-

ISLAMABAD: On the special orders of the Prime Minister, Utility Stores Corporation is providing subsidies on basic essential commodities for convenience of the people across the country. These essential commodities include flour, sugar, ghee, pulses and rice. USC is striving its best to make the subsidy being provided to general public more easy and transparent. From November 1, customers of Utility Stores Corporation will have to send SMS (message) with their ID card number to 5566 from their mobile before coming to the utility store and in response they will be provided with a one-time password (OTP) for the purchase. The customers at any utility stores will be able to purchase subsidized items by showing the One Time Password (OTP) and ID card. Through this new system, consumers will be facilitated in purchasing subsidized items at utility stores. This system will save not only precious time of customer but will enable subsidizing items (flour, sugar, ghee, rice, pulses) in a very transparent manner so that only those who are eligible for the subsidy will be benefited and the rights of deserving people should not be violated. It should be noted that one time password (OTP) and ID card are not required for purchase of items other than subsidized items. With this modern system of Utility Stores Corporation, the overall efficiency of the corporation will be improved, subsidy monitoring will be done in a modern way and there will be more transparency in obtaining subsidy for the public. pr

AIOU holds RDs conference to discuss students facilitation

ISLAMABAD: An online meeting of regional directors was held at Allama Iqbal Open University. Director General Regional Services, Dr Malik Tauqir Ahmad Khan presided over the meeting. He said that students are our asset, it is our primary responsibility to take care of them for the development of the institution and we should try to provide them with all possible facilities.

Dr Malik Tauqeer further said that the main objective of this meeting is to discuss strategies, challenges, plans for further increasing the facilities of the students and to bring more students in the educational network across the country, especially from remote areas. He said that the future of 1.2 million students relates to this institution, it is necessary for us to take care of their needs as per the vision of Vice Chancellor, AIOU, Prof Dr Ziaul Qayyum, so regional directors should give suggestions for further increase in their facilities. All the officers of the Directorate of regional Services participated in this meeting. Director Admissions, Syed Ziaul Hussain Naqvi presented a detailed report of the admissions so far for the autumn semester 2022. He said that because of digitization, the students' confidence in the university is increasing. pr

ity, display operational readiness and consolidate existing strong bilateral relations in Naval Operations. The hallmark of the exercise was Live Weapon

Firings by both navies Surface and Aviation platforms. All units successfully engaged the respective targets.

On the occasion, the Chief of the Naval Staff expressed his complete satisfaction over the immaculate war preparedness of the Pakistan Navy against the entire spectrum of threats. He also lauded the successful conduct of joint LWF by Pakistan and UAE Navy which has “strategically underscored strong brotherly relations between the two countries”.

Professional experience gained by both navies during the exercise has been profoundly rewarding and will foster existing bonds between the two navies.

‘Ad hocism’ mars educational standard in capital colleges

ISLAMABAD staff report

Despite the availability of senior associate professors and their willingness to serve as heads of the institutions, many of the ICT colleges are functioning without regular heads or principals.

The regular principals of other colleges have been overseeing the affairs of these colleges on an additional/dual charge basis.

An Associate Professor of a college on the condition of anonymity said, “Stop-gap arrangement has become a norm at the Federal Directorate of Education (FDE). The additional charge of colleges to some principals along with their original postings indicates that the administration continues to encourage and operate through Ad hocism”.

According to him, “there is no regular principal at Islamabad Model College for Boys (IMCB) G15/1. Dr Rashid Ahmed Siddiqui who is basically a professor of BPS-20 at IMCB F-7/3 and principal at

IMCB F-11/1 is holding additional charge of IMCB F-15/1,” he said.

Similarly, there is no regular principal at IMCB Pakistan Town. Mr Shahid Mehmood Abbasi who is the regular principal of IMCB G-11/1, is also holding additional charge of Principalship of IMCB Pakistan Town.

Mr Ihsanul Haq, a regular Principal at IMCB F10/3, is also entrusted with another position of Principal IMCB G-13/2.

Ms. Saba Faisal, who is Principal at Islamabad Model College for Girls (IMCG) F-10/2, is assigned with an additional charge of Principal IMCG F-11/3.

Ms. Shazia Rizvi, who is regular Principal at IMCG G-10/2, is also saddled with an additional charge of Principal G-13/1. Dr Firdous Zara Bashir, who is the principal of IMCG I-8/4, is also holding charge of the Principal-ship of IMCG G-14/4.

There are over 100 capable male and female associate professors in model colleges waiting for their turn at principal-ship.

“Among those, the senior associate professors

could be given the charge of principal-ship but regrettably present management of FDE wants the system run on Ad hocism,” the professor said.

Another associate professor said, “We are witnessing unprecedented Ad hocism in occupying key positions at FDE as an associate professor is holding the position of Principal of IMCB F-7/3 (morning and evening shift)”.

He is enjoying the positions of Director F.G Colleges and Director Model Colleges too. Moreover, he is Area Education Officer as well for the last over four years. Due to holding multiple positions by him, a mess has been created.

Most of the files that need urgent attention are pending with him. He cannot spare time to look after all of his portfolios, resultantly, educational institutions are badly suffering.

Moreover, the mess of Ad hocism is prevalent in the appointment/posting of principals which has unfavorable consequences for educational institutions and students.

Digitization of revenue collection restoring tax payers’ trust

MULTAN app

With the advent of latest techniques to facilitate tax payers for speedy filing of their returns, modern techniques adopted within the country have also helped build trust-based relationship tax collection departments and tax payers.

Moving towards modernization has not only helps to ease of doing business but also removing hiccups for tax payers they have been facing since long due to traditional mechanism in vogue.

After this radical paradigm shift, most of people avoid visiting tax offices and benefit from hassle free filing of returns also showing increasing trend of on time filing the returns.

“The manual systems had made paying of taxes a cumbersome process,” says Ali Hassan Bhatti, who

runs a car showroom in Multan. “We had to take off days from our busy routine to file taxes. But, now it is matter of few hours.”

Bhatti said different other income generating activities going on traditionally should also be brought into digital tax net system. Online system of ET&NC like registration of vehicles has also made processes easy and less timeconsuming in registration of vehicles.”

Online tax filing system has also removed extra burden from the tax officials and reduced rushed from the respective offices. “The online tax payment systems not only help increase tax recovery but also enable people to pay taxes from home,” said Khalid Hussain Qasuri, the Excise and Taxation Officer (ETO) Admin, Zone-II Multan. He said the department had introduced the latest e-payment system

about three years back to facilitate citizens to pay their token tax, property tax and vehicles transfer fee online without visiting the excise office.

He said the e-payment facility has brought about a remarkable increase in tax revenue. “We usually used to collect 70 to 80 percent taxes during manual tax collection era. But, now touching 100 pc mark has become achievable.” Modern means of tax recovery was need of hour to keep pace with the changing world as well as accommodating maximum tax payers increasing every year with the flourishing businesses.

Qasoori said the process of recovery from defaulters was slow under the obsolete traditional practice when the department used to serve three notices on defaulters before resorting to final action against them.

“This process usually took three months to reach the stage of arrest and property sealing,” he said. “The new technology has freed officials from extra labor of pursuing heaps to search defaulters. Now the system indicates simply with a click to see the defaulters list.”

He said with the fast track recovery, it is hoped that more developed work locally would be expedited as around 80 percent of the amount collected through taxes is spent on the local government projects like roads, street lights, sewerage and other small scale projects.

“The annual target of tax recovery has been increased almost three times as compared to the targets of last 10 to 15 years in the district. Therefore, ease of filing taxes and enhanced collection would ultimately result in speedy development at local government level,” he added.

UNITEDNations SecretaryGeneral Antonio Guterres is “deeply concerned” about the UN-brokered Black Sea grain deal, which was set up to reintroduce vital food and fertilizer exports from Ukraine to the world, delaying his travel to Algiers for the Arab League Summit by a day to focus on the issue, a UN spokesperson said on Sunday.

“The Secretary-General continues to engage in intense contacts aiming at the end of the Russian suspension of its participation,” UN spokesperson Stephane Dujarric said in a statement.

“The same engagement also aims at the renewal and full implementation of the initiative to facilitate exports of food and fertilizer from Ukraine, as well as removing the remaining obstacles to the exports of Russian food and fertilizer,” he said.

Russia suspended participation in a UN-brokered Black Sea grain deal after what it said was a major Ukrainian drone attack on its fleet in Crimea, dealing a blow to attempts to ease the global food crisis.

Following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in late February 2022, mountains of grains built up in silos, with ships unable to secure safe passage to and from Ukrainian ports, and land routes were unable to compensate.

This contributed to vertiginous rises in the price of staple foods around the world. Combined with increases in the cost of energy, developing countries were pushed to the brink of debt default and increasing numbers of people found themselves on the brink of famine.

Death toll from Somalia twin bombings climbs to 100

MOGADISHU Agencies

The number of people killed in twin car bombings in the Somali capital Mogadishu, claimed by Al-Shabaab Islamists, has risen to 100, President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud said on Sunday.

“So far, the number of people who died has reached 100 and 300 are wounded, and the number for both the death and wounded continues to increase,” he said after visiting the blast location.

Two cars packed with explosives blew up minutes apart near the busy Zobe intersection, followed by gunfire in an attack targeting Somalia’s education ministry.

The afternoon explosions tore through walls, shattered windows of nearby buildings, sending shrapnel flying and plumes of smoke and dust into the air.

The victims included women, children and the elderly, police spokesman Sadik Dudishe said.

“The ruthless terrorists killed mothers. Some of them died with their children trapped on their backs,” he said on Saturday, adding that the attackers had been stopped from killing more “innocent civilians and students.”

“I could not sleep last night because of the horrible scene,” police officer Adan Mohamed said on Sunday. The attack took place at the same busy junction where a truck packed with explosives blew up on October 14, 2017, killing 512 people and injuring more than 290, the deadliest attack in the troubled country.

Al-Qaeda-linked Al-Shabaab claimed responsibility for the attack in a statement, saying its fighters were targeting the ministry of education.

Shop owner Mohamed Jama said he was in the company of four men when the huge explosions hit. His shop which is located next to a bank collapsed and its windows shattered, the flying glass penetrating the flesh of the men. “One of us had serious injuries… we bled there for a few minutes,” he told AFP in hospital. The bloody siege drew international condemnation from Somalia’s allies, including the United Nations, Turkey as well as the African Union and its force tasked with helping Somali forces take over primary responsibility for security by the end of 2024.

The UN mission in Somalia UNSOM vowed to stand “resolutely with all Somalis against terrorism.”

The Initiative was due to run out in the second half of November, but there was an option to extend it, if all parties, including Russian and Ukraine, agree.

The deal was demonstrably successful in bringing down prices, allowing millions of tonnes of grain to be safely transported from Ukrainian ports, it was pointed out. By September, Rebecca Grynspan, the head of the UN trade body, UNCTAD, and Amir Abdulla, the UN Coordinator for the

Black Sea Grain Initiative, announced that prices had come down five months in a row, and that the Food Price Index, which measures the monthly change in international prices of a basket of food commodities, had decreased nearly 14 percent from its March peak.

According to UN estimates, the Initiative has indirectly prevented some 100 million people from falling into extreme poverty.

However, on Saturday Russia announced that it was suspending its involvement in the deal, citing an attack the same day on ships in the Ukrainian port of Sevastopol in the Crimean peninsula, which was annexed by Russia in 2014.

The move reportedly took traders by surprise, and raised fears of another steep rise in food prices. Arif Husain, Chief Economist at the World Food Programme (WFP), reportedly warned that Russia’s decision poses a danger to a large number of countries, and should be resolved as soon as possible.

Dujarric said that the SecretaryGeneral is continuing to engage in intense contacts aimed at ending the Russian suspension of its participation in the Initiative.

China -Pakistan Health Corridor to bring changes in health sector

BEIJING Agencies

China -Pakistan Health Corridor (CPHC) will provide a platform that can bring changes in the health sector of Pakistan. Working together, both countries can boost this industry around the globe, said Dr. Muhammad Shahbaz, President of China Pakistan Medical Association (CPMA).

According to China Economic Net (CEN), he said that Pakistan has Harappa and Mohnjo Dharro civilizations dated back to 7,000 years ago. Traditional medicinal practices in Pakistan have a long history and are enjoying closer connection with traditional Chinese medicine, which has been widely used in the treatment and management of complications and pandemic. Jinhua Qinggan Granules (JHQG) have been proved effective and safe in treating COVID-19 patients in Pakistan. “Shandong Academy of Chinese Medicine and the Shandong University of Traditional Medicine have signed cooperation agreements with BZU, Punjab University, Gujrat University, and Haripur University.

The government can provide more attractive policies for the Chinese Traditional Medicine and Pharma industry to work together with the local enterprises and institutes”, he added.

Shahbaz told CEN that traditional medicine has played a key role in human history in managing a number of pandemics and plagues such as black fever, SARS, & Covid-19.

“Both countries can play a key role in traditional medicine exchanges and could sign an Initiative for Regional Healthcare Centers where herbal and western medicine can be combined together. Research & development, management and production, extraction, categorization, usage, education and training, and entrepreneurship can also be done” Shahbaz stated.

He further said that Chinese pharma companies could conduct clinical studies in Pakistan with medicine which is already registered or being used in Chinese hospitals for the treatment of respiratory tract infections.

“China’s management experience of highquality herbal medicine resources can be shared with Pakistan. Pakistan is very active in international and exchange platforms, and Pakistan and China can jointly increase the popularity and influence of traditional medicine in the world”, he mentioned. Information in this article comes from third party providers. This website does not provide explicit or implied warranty for such information and is not liable for any losses directly or indirectly caused by using such information.

Head of minor girl goes missing from grave

TAMIL NADU, INDIA: In an unfortunate and shocking incident, the head of a 10-year-old girl, who was buried over a week ago went missing from her grave in India’s Tamil Nadu. Kritika, a schoolgirl from grade 6, was severely injured after an electric pole fell over her head. She was playing outside when the accident took place. Though the girl fought for her life for nine days in the hospital, she died on October 14. The family performed the rituals and buried Kritika on October 15. Nearly two weeks later, her parents noticed something odd about the grave. They suspected that the grave had been tampered with and informed the police. After the police complaint was filed, the investigations began along with the district medical department officials and the district revenue department officials. Agencies

Unresolved Kashmir dispute threat to int’l peace: Speakers

BARCELONA, SPAIN Agencies

Speaker at a large number of students gathered at Universitat Pompeu Fabra (UPF) in Barcelona said the unresolved conflict over Kashmir threatens the international peace and security of the world. It is far past time for the UN to take forceful action in order to restore peace to the region of South Asia, he added. A large number of students gathered at Universitat Pompeu Fabra (UPF) in Barcelona to learn about the latest situation in Indian illegally occupied Kashmir.

Muhammad Shafiq Tabassam, President, Tehreek-e-Kashmir, Spain, expressed appreciation to the students for taking time during their hectic schedule. He expressed the hope for a successful and informative Q & A session after the speeches of the guests.

Dr Ghulam Nabi Fai, the key-note speaker and the Chairman of World Forum for Peace & Justice, thanked the students for taking time to be a part of this academic discourse.

Fai explained that the Kashmir dispute had an international dimension because it has the sanctity of the UN Charter and UN Security Council resolutions and has become a big hurdle or obstacle in the growth and stability of both India and Pakistan. He said the unresolved conflict over Kashmir threatens the international peace and security of the world. It is far past time for the UN to take forceful action in order to restore peace to the region of South Asia, he added.

To a question, Dr Fai said that it was India which raced to the United Nations Security Council on January 1, 1948, and championed resolutions of the Security Council that prescribed a self-determination vote for Kashmiris on the heels of United Nations supervised demilitarization.

He said at that time, the United States championed the stand that the future status of Kashmir must be ascertained in accordance with the wishes and aspirations of the people of the territory. Fai clarified that the people of Kashmir are fully aware that the settlement of the Kashmir dispute cannot be achieved in one move. Like all qualified observers, we visualize successive steps or intermediate solutions in the process. It is one thing, however, to think of a settlement over a relatively extended period of time. It is atrociously different to postpone the beginning of the process on that account.

Answering a question, why resolution of Kashmir was important, Fai stated that peace in the region would benefit not only those who are directly impacted by this conflict –Kashmiris – but India as well. Fahim Kayani, one of the dynamic Kashmiri diaspora youth leaders and President of Tehreek-e-Kashmir, UK, who was the guest of honor, declared that it is interesting how problematic it seems for India & Pakistan to agree that Kashmiris themselves have a stake in any talks about their future.

At least 40 killed in India bridge collapse

AHMEDABAD Agencies

At least 40 people were killed when a pedestrian bridge in the western Indian state of Gujarat collapsed, plunging hundreds of people into a river, a state minister said.

More than 400 people were on the suspension bridge over the Machhu River in the town of Morbi at the time of the collapse, local TV channel Zee News said.

TV footage showed dozens of people clinging onto the cables and twisted remains of the collapsed bridge as emergency teams struggled to rescue them. Some clambered up them to try to make their way to the river banks, while others swam to safety. “At least 40 people have died so far and 30 others were injured,” said Brijesh Merja, a minister and lawmaker from Morbi. “Casualties may rise as rescue operations are ongoing.”

The 230-metre historic bridge was built during British rule in the 19th century. It had been closed for renovation for six months and was reopened for the public last week.

Officials said the victims are mostly local people who were visiting the bridge for recreational purposes.

Morbi is one of the largest ceramic manufacturing clusters in the world and accounts for more than 80% of India’s ceramic output. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who is in his home state Gujarat for a three-day visit, said he had directed the state chief minister to mobilise teams urgently for the rescue operation.

In Canada, Khalistan convoy commemorates ‘1984 Sikh Genocide’

TORONTO Agencies

Over 8,000 Sikhs participated in “1984 Sikh Genocide” Remembrance Truck and Car Rally organised by the secessionist group Sikhs For Justice (SFJ), which at one point brought the traffic to a standstill and blocked the highways leading to Toronto downtown.

The main highway and dozens of linked roads were choked as hundreds of iconic Canadian trucks drove on the highway carrying flags of Khalistan and slogans of ‘1984 Sikh Genocide’. Slow moving vehicles with flags travelling slowly on the highway created long lanes of traffic. The trucks carried banners that read “8 days old Sikh infant burnt alive by Hindu mobs’. The trucks also carried symbolic coffins to internationalise

the genocide of Sikhs in 1984.

The rally was taken out just a week before the second phase of Khalistan Referendum which will be held on November 6 in Mississauga by Sikhs for Justice (SFJ) where tens of thousands of members from the Sikh community are expected to cast their votes at Paul Coffee Arena. At the first phase of Khalistan Referendum on September 18, more than 110,000 Sikhs had voted for Khalistan Referendum.

Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, the SFJ General Counsel and founder, said that 1984 Sikh Genocide is one of the biggest crimes against humanity where an attempt was made to erase Sikh identity and religion.

“Sikhs await justice and the real justice will be Sikh homeland of Khalistan. Sikhs want liberation of Punjab from Indian occupa-

tion through a democratic referendum which will allow Sikhs to vote on question of future association of Punjab with India,” Pannun said demanding justice for the community.

Pannun added that the RSS-BJP regimes is fuelling a narrative which will lead to another genocide of the community in India.

“The successive Indian regimes used violence against Sikh’s sovereignty to silence the independence movement, but now is the time the community must vote in Referendum to have an independent Sikh homeland Khalistan,” the Sikh leader spoke during the rally.

In the aftermath of Indira Gandhi’s assassination on October 31, 1984, organised attacks were carried out with the active connivance of police and administration against the Sikh population throughout India with the intent to destroy the community.

T20 WOrlD CuP: MIller POWers sOuTh AfrICA TO fIve WICkeTs WIn Over InDIA

— a maiden over.

DAVIDMiller hit 59 not out as South Africa beat India by five wickets at the Twenty20 World Cup in Perth on Sunday to brighten their semi-finals hopes. South Africa kept down India to 133-9 and then reached their target with two balls to spare largely due to a 76-run stand between Aiden Markram (52) and Miller. It put South Africa top of Group 2 on five points, one ahead of India and Bangladesh.

South AfricA reStrict indiA

to 133-9: South Africa’s Lungi Ngidi led a fiery pace onslaught to keep India to 133-9 at the Twenty20 World Cup on Sunday, despite an attacking half-century by Suryakumar Yadav.

India won the toss and chose to bat in their bid for a third straight win but the South African quicks made life difficult on a fast and bouncy Perth pitch. Yadav’s 40-ball 68, laced with six fours and three sixes, helped India recover from 49-5.

Ngidi returned figures of 4-29 off his four overs, ably supported by fellow fast bowler Wayne Parnell who finished with 315 after starting the innings with a T20 rarity

Skipper Rohit Sharma hit a six and a four before being caught and bowled by Ngidi, who returned to the side as South Africa’s only change.

He got KL Rahul next for nine but the big wicket came when Ngidi sent back Virat Kohli for 12, caught in the deep, to silence an Indian-dominated crowd. Unable to handle the extra bounce on the Perth track, the Indians lost half their side for 49 inside nine overs.

Kagiso Rabada took a stunning catch at long leg to see the back of danger man Hardik Pandya for Ngidi’s fourth wicket.

Yadav hit back with a couple of sixes as

he rebuilt the innings with Dinesh Karthik.

The in-form Yadav, who hit an unbeaten 51 against the Netherlands in their previous win, even smashed Ngidi for a huge six over fine leg to bring alive the fans. He then reached his fifty off 30 balls with another four.Karthik tried to join the attack but fell to Parnell, who broke the stand which had been worth 52 and the same bowler finally dismissed Yadav for 68 in the 19th over.

The Proteas need 134 runs to win and stay unbeaten in the tournament after a washout in their opening match against Zimbabwe and a big win against Bangladesh.

Playing XIs India: Rohit Sharma (capt), KL Rahul, Virat Kohli, Suryakumar Yadav, Hardik Pandya, Dinesh Karthik, Deepak Hooda, Ravichandran Ashwin, Mohammad Shami, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Arshdeep Singh. South Africa: Quinton de Kock, Temba Bavuma (capt), Rilee Rossouw, Aiden Markram, David Miller, Tristan Stubbs, Wayne Parnell, Keshav Maharaj, Kagiso Rabada, Anrich Nortje, Lungi Ngidi.

Asian Open Int’l Taekwondo C’ship from tomorrow

ISLAMABAD Staff RepoRt

Pakistan Taekwondo Federation (PTF) would host the ‘Combaxx 4th Asian Open International Taekwondo Championship (G2)’, here, at the Pakistan Sports Complex from Tuesday (today).

India not bothered by express pace, says coach

PERTH agencieS

India’s batting coach stated that his side is not fazed by fast bowling as it prepared to face South Africa in their Group 2 game on a bouncy Perth pitch at the Twenty20 World Cup. One of the favourites to win the tournament, India have had a perfect start to the Super 12 stage with two wins, including one over arch-rivals Pakistan. A win against the Proteas on Sunday would all but ensure a semi-finals spot for Rohit Sharma-led India. But a South African attack featuring Kagiso Rabada, Wayne Parnell and Anrich Nortje is set to test Indian batsmen on a Perth track that has provided pace and bounce aplenty in the World Cup so far. Indian batting coach Vikram Rathour, however, expressed confidence in his side’s ability to navigate the conditions. “The group of batters that we have in our team, I don’t think pace really bothers us that much,” he said. Superstar Virat Kohli has led India’s batting charge Down Under, hitting an unbeaten 82 in the last-ball win over Pakistan in Melbourne. Kohli, skipper Rohit Sharma and Suryakumar Yadav then hammered the Netherlands bowling as a second win took them to the top of Group 2. KL Rahul’s form has been a concern, however, after he scored four and nine in the two games. Asked if the team management is looking to replace Rahul with Rishabh Pant, Rathour responded with a firm “No”. “Two games, I don’t think that’s a good enough sample size,” he said. “[Rahul] has been batting really well and he’s batted really well in the practice games also.” So far at the World Cup, India have not made explosive starts and gone instead with a more conservative approach and getting runs in the final few overs. “I don’t think these are 200, 200-plus wickets, so we’ll need to adapt,” Rathour said. “I think we have done pretty well in that regard so far.”

Speaking at a press conference here at a local hotel on Sunday, Lt Col (R) Waseem Ahmed said the championship would continue till November 4.

“Top male and female athletes belonging to various countries from across the globe have arrived at Islamabad’s Liaquat Gymnasium of Pakistan Sports Complex to feature in the championship,” he said.

He said this event was being organized for the first-time in the history of Pakistan. “More than 100 volunteers, technical officials, 600 officials and ath-

letes, 200 international officials/athletes National Demonstration Team will be part of the mega event,” he said.

Waseem said technical delegate from Lebanon, Denial and Referee Chairman Sharam from Iran along with 30 International Referees (Male/Female) would conduct the championship.

“International referees and Member Supervisory Board (Male/Female) from Egypt, Pakistan, Jordan, Iran, Nepal, Bahrain, Iraq, Syria, Kuwait, Palestine and Pakistan will also be part of the mega event,” he said.

He said the bid of the said event was approved in World Taekwondo General Council Meeting held in June this year. “We have got the honour to host the said championship which includes Senior Khyrougi and Poomsae Events. Combaxx Sports, World Taekwondo

Qasim Ali Khan wins Sindh Amateur Golf Championship 2022

Khan of KGC with H-Cap 3 grabbed third position by scoring 223- seven under.

In the senior veteran’s H-Cap 0-7 category, Khurram Khan of KGC leads this year, followed by Brig Mohsin Farooq from Rumanza Multan. Zahid Ibrahim holds third position in this category.

The new leader in Senior H-Cap 8-14 is Brig Qasim Changezi while Salman Ali remained runner-up.

Zahid Ibrahim of KGC is leading in the Senior category, followed by Khurram Khan as runner up.

The prize distribution ceremony was attended by SGA and KGC office bearers, KGC members and leading members of the Golf community.

Federation, Pakistan Sports Board and Ministry of Inter Provincial Coordination (IPC) have made this event possible.”

President PTF thanked to Omer Saeed, CEO Pakistan Taekwondo Federation and President SATA for their support. “I thank IPC Minister Ehsan ur Rehman Mazari for his continuous support. I am also very thankful to my sponsors for their support especially Combaxx Sports which is emerging sports brand in Pakistan as well as abroad.”

He said PTF was extremely grateful to World Taekwondo President Dr Choue who supported Pakistani Athletes in terms of accommodation. “Serena is the main hospitality partner of this event. The role of media always has always played a vital role in highlighting and supporting Taekwondo. I am sure during the next five days will also be highlighted very well.

Ireland women’s team arrives in Pakistan for ODI, T20 series

LAHORE Staff RepoRt

KARACHI Staff RepoRt

The final Round of 22nd Paragon Sindh Amateur Golf Championship was played on Sunday at Karachi Golf Club. Qasim Ali Khan of Lahore Gymkhana became leader of the Championship with score of 220-Four over par.

The runner-up this year is Omar Shikoh Khan (H-Cap 1) from KGC who scored 223- seven over par. Arsalan

President Sindh Golf Association- Khurram Khan congratulated winners and participants of the Tournament. He thanked the sponsors, KGC management his own team in successfully organising the 22nd SGA Amateur Championship.

Khurram Khan said, “This championship is bring forward the new and hidden Golf talent in Pakistan. I am thankful to Zafar Mahmood, Ghazanfar Abbas and Irfan Rasheed for their utmost cooperation and support. I am also thankful to Babar Siddiqui of Paragon Developers for sponsoring the tournament.”

This year sponsors of the championship were Paragon Developers, Tapal and Candyland.

Ireland’s women cricket team has arrived in Lahore on its maiden visit to Pakistan. The visitors are touring the country for the first time to play three ODIs and as many T20Is at Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium, as per the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB). The ODI series will be held from November 4 to 9, as part of the ICC Women’s Championship 2022-25. The T20I series will take place from November 12 to 16. All six matches will be played at the same venue — the Gaddadi Stadium. There is no entry fee for all matches of the series. The visiting team will engage in training sessions for four days ahead of the ODI series. They will start training on Monday. Head of Women Cricket Tania Mallick said: “We had a memorable experience of hosting Sri Lanka earlier this year in Karachi and are now excited to host Ireland here at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore. “This is just the beginning of a new era in women’s cricket. After hosting Ireland we are looking forward to organising a women’s league soon.” Pakistan captain Bismah Maroof said: “We are all up for an exciting series against Ireland.

Bangladesh edge Zimbabwe in last-ball thriller at T20 World Cup

GABBA agencieS

Bangladesh got their Twenty20 World Cup back on track on Sunday with a thrilling lastball win over Zimbabwe, aided by opener Najmul Shanto’s maiden half-century and Taskin Ahmed’s three wickets.

Shanto (71) helped steer Bangladesh to 150-7 at Brisbane’s Gabba ground in a match that went to the wire with Zimbabwe needing 16 off an incredible last over.

It saw two wickets fall, a big six and the teams walking off thinking the match was over, only to be recalled.

Bangladesh believed they had won when Blessing Muzarabani, needing five to win, was stumped trying to hit a six off the last ball with the fielding team celebrating as the players shook hands and left the field.

But a review showed wicketkeeper Nurul Hasan’s gloves taking the ball in front of the stumps, which is illegal, and it was called a no-ball.

The teams had to return to the field for a free hit with four needed to win, but

Muzarabani swung and missed again leaving Zimbabwe short on 147-8.

Victory pushed Bangladesh to four points in Group 2 with two games remaining level with India who face South Africa, who have three points, in Perth later on Sunday.

Pakistan meet the Netherlands in a must-win game, also in Perth, with neither side yet to score a point.

Defeat left Zimbabwe, who stunned Pakistan by one run on Thursday, still in the hunt for a semi-final place with three points.

The top two in each group advance to the last four.

Bangladesh skipper Shakib Al Hasan won the toss and chose to bat on a glorious day only to see opener Soumya Sarkar out in the second over without scoring, caught behind off pace bowler Muzarabani.

Shanto smacked two early boundaries as he put on 22 with Liton Das before Das ballooned a catch to Tendai Chatara off a slower Muzarabani delivery.

Despite some scratchy fielding, Zimbabwe bowled economically to keep the

score down to 63-2 at the halfway stage.

But once past that mark, Bangladesh became more aggressive and rotated the strike well with Shanto reaching his first T20 50 off 45 balls — Bangladesh’s first half-century of the tournament.

Al Hasan, who has played in every T20 World Cup since its inception in 2007, survived a run-out chance on 23 at the other end but fell five balls later, caught brilliantly by Muzarabani from spinner Sean Williams, snapping a 54-run partnership.

Shanto kept going alongside Hossain then holed out to Craig Ervine before Bangladesh took 47 from the last five overs.

Zimbabwe were on the back foot immediately in reply, with Wessly Madhevere out on just the third ball, top-edging Ahmed to Mustafizur Rahman in the deep.

It got worse when skipper Craig Ervine followed him back to the pavilion two overs later, edging to wicketkeeper Hasan with Ahmed taking his second.

Mustafizur Rahman was brought into the attack and took Milton Shumba on his second ball then danger man Sikandar

Raza was out in the same over to leave Zimbabawe on 35-4.

Sean Williams (64) and Regis Chakabva pushed them to 64-4 after 10 overs, but a bowling change broke the partnership with

Ahmed returning to remove Chakabva (15). They needed 56 from the last five overs and when Williams was run out with eight balls left their hopes appeared to end before the dramatic last over.

PRIMEMinister Shehbaz

Sharif on Sunday said that it was the responsibility of the elected coalition government to ensure stability in the country and would not allow anyone to create political and economic crises.

Referring to Pakistan Tehreek-eInsaf’s long march, the prime minister reiterated that any wrong attempt to enter the Red Zone would be thwarted under the relevant laws

During his interaction with UTubers, the prime minister said that PTI’s leader Imran Niazi had the sole personal agenda, and he was hell-bent to push the country into turmoil and economic destruction for the achievement of his vested interests.

“Expect everything from the per-

son. Unfortunately, Imran Niazi’s thinking revolves around his personal vested interests. Even he did not spare his close friends who were sidelined,” he added.

The prime minister observed that PTI’s leader even did not spare the institution that had been rendering unmatched sacrifices for the protection of the motherland and was out to malign it to the pleasure of enemies of Pakistan including India. India was now portraying him (IK) as their hero, he added.

The prime minister said that unfortunately, once again a long march and sit-in was announced by the PTI’s leadership when he would be visiting China and recollected that during President Xi’s visit in 2013 similar sit-in was staged, dirty clothes were hanged on the premises of buildings in the Red Zone and roads were littered with garbage.

The then-Chinese Ambassador met the PTI chief and requested him to va-

cate the place for a few days during the visit but he refused. For seven months, the visit was postponed which had also shaken the trust of the country’s friends, he added.

The prime minister said that the close party leaders of PTI were claiming that the long march could be turned bloody. The PTI’s government had left the country’s economy in tatters and the current government was striving to build it from the straw, he added.

The prime minister said that during their rule, not a single penny of corruption could be proved whereas in the PTI’s tenure, through sugar and wheat scams, people made from the windfall.

The low-priced gas during the Covid period was not imported. What kind of relief the PTI’s chief had provided to the masses? The prime minister questioned and said that there could be no two opinions that Imran Niazi

had the ‘narcissist agenda’. In the past, he had inflicted irreparable loss to the country which was not relevant to him considering his personal agenda.

The prime minister said that the coalition government was grappling with the issues of unemployment and price hike worsened by the rising global oil prices. The prime minister to a question, replied that a person had brought a message from the PTI’s chief suggesting consensus over the appointment of new army chief which was rejected by him as it was the prerogative of the Prime Minister to make such appointment under the Constitution.

Whether they had approached him when the PTI’s government made amendment over the army chief, he said, adding that he told the messenger that he was ready for a dialogue to avoid crises, and to discuss the charters of economy and democracy.

Pakistan’s economic outlook shows optimistic picture in coming months

ISLAMABAD

RepoRt

The trade balance of Pakistan is expected to improve in the coming months on account of import contraction due to a deceleration in domestic economic activities and aggregate demand, the monthly Economic Update and Outlook October 2022 released by the Ministry of Finance said on Sunday.

Besides inflation, also a manageable current account deficit and guaranteed financing of this deficit by healthy financial inflows are required. When markets get convinced about these prospects, speculative bubbles in the exchange market would be highly unlikely.

imran Khan yet again defeats Pdm candidate in Na-45 by-polls

PESHAWAR/KURRAM stAff RepoRt

Chairman Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Imran Ahmad Khan Niazi on Sunday won the by-election to National Assembly seat NA-45 Kurram.

According to the unofficial result, Imran Ahmad Khan Niazi secured 20,748 votes while Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (Fazl) candidate Jamil Khan got 12,718 votes.

The polling process started at 08:00 am and continued up till 05:00 pm without any break. There are a total of 198,618 registered voters in the constituency, of which 111,349 were men and 87,269 were women. Similarly, a total of 143 polling stations were set up out of which 119 were declared very sensitive while 24 polling stations were put in the category of sensitive.

As many as 2,100 policemen were deployed on polling duty to maintain peace during the by-election. The PTI chief among 16 candidates was contesting during the byelection to NA-45 Kurram.

The seat of NA-45 was lying vacant after the demise of the JUI-F MNA Munir Khan Orakzai. This seat was won by PTI candidate Fakhar Zaman Khan in a February 2021 by-election but he later resigned from the along with other PTI member National Assembly.

Pakistan hammer Netherlands to keep T20 World Cup hopes alive

PERTH, AUSTRALIA Agencies

Pakistan’s bowlers, led by spinner Shadab Khan, helped them hammer the Netherlands by six wickets in Perth on Sunday for a first win at the Twenty20 World Cup which kept their faint hopes of reaching the semi-finals alive.

Pakistan restricted the Dutch to 91-9, and then cruised to 95-4 with 37 balls to spare as Mohammad Rizwan made 49.

But it was the bowlers set up victory for a side that lost their opener to India and then were shocked by Zimbabwe in Group 2.

Shadab returned figures of 3-22 and pace bowler Mohammad Wasim took two wickets to set the tone for their team’s domination against a Dutch side who are out of the semi-final running after losing a third straight Super 12 match.

“Very happy. Performed very well in the bowling and in the batting,” Pakistan captain Babar Azam said after the team’s first ever T20 victory in Australia. “In my opinion we could chase better than this. But a win always gives you confidence. We’ll try to do our best in the next matches and win.” Pakistan lost Azam, for four, in the second over of their chase when he was run out by a direct throw from Roelof van der Merwe. But Rizwan attacked from the start, hitting five fours and putting on 37 with the returning Fakhar Zaman. – Nerves calmed –

Fast bowler Brandon Glover had Zaman caught behind for 20 as a crowd of over 10,000, dominated by Pakistan supporters, feared for the worst at a venue where Pakistan fell short by one run in their chase of a modest 130 against Zimbabwe on Thursday.

But Rizwan and Shan Masood calmed the nerves with stand of 30 and, despite both falling near the end, Pakistan sailed past their target as bowling hero Shadab hit the winning four.

Netherlands captain Scott Edwards won the toss and chose to bat first but Pakistan’s new-ball bowlers kept a disciplined line and only three runs came from the first two overs.

Returning opener Stephan Myburgh broke the shackles with a boundary off Shaheen Shah Afridi only to fall next ball, caught at fine leg attempting another big hit to be out for six.

There was no respite from the Pakistan quick bowlers. Wasim took two wickets in two balls only for Paul van Meekeren to survive the hat-trick delivery, and Haris Rauf made good use of the bounce on offer. A nasty bouncer from Rauf got through Bas de Leede’s helmet grill, forcing the batsman off the ground with a bruised cheek bone.

He returned from a medical check to sit out the rest of the match in the dugout sporting a nasty-looking black eye. Shadab’s leg spin had Tom Cooper caught for one after the power play and then trapped Max O’ Dowd lbw for eight in his next over.

“Overall economic outlook shows an optimistic picture of the economic performance in the coming months. The CPI inflation is declining, rupee has gained stability, and current account balance is on improving trend. These development indicate that economic activity will remain positive and persistent in coming months”, the report added.

It said for the future path of inflation, the exchange rate is of utmost importance. Moderating inflation also contributes to exchange rate stability, which in the benign case may generate a virtuous inflation-exchange rate cycle. Further, the exchange rate stability requires sound economic fundamentals.

In the baseline short to medium run, helped by sound domestic fiscal and monetary policies, the current account deficit is expected to reduce. A major risk factor, though, relates to the necessary imports to absorb the devastating consequences of the floods. However, downward revision of Pakistan’s main trading partners’ outlook may have a downside risk for exports in coming months.

For fiscal sector, catastrophic flood require rehabilitation and massive expenditures which will pose significant challenge for fiscal consolidation. On the other hand, growth prospects have weakened, along with contained economic activities and low demand will impact on resource mobilization. Thus, FY2023 is moving with challenges, seeking balance policy mix for stabilization.

There was a tough contest between PTI Chairman Imran Khan and PDM candidate Jamil Kham. According to the Kurram district police officer, as many as 2,100 policemen remained alert to ensure peace during the balloting.

On Oct 21, a four-member bench of the Election Commission of Pakistan declared former prime minister and PTI Chief Imran Khan disqualified in Toshakhana reference. But the PTI head moved to the Islamabad High Court against the ECP verdict.

During the hearing the case on Oct 24, IHC Chief Justice Athar Minallah remarked that PTI Chief Imran Khan had not been barred from contesting in future elections.

After the observation by the IHC CJ, the ECP allowed Imran to run for the new polls. Meanwhile, spokesman for the provincial election commission Sohail Ahmad said by-polls were held in a peaceful manner and no any major incident of violence was reported from any part of the constituency during the polling.