Epaper_22-11-22 LHR

PM sets the ball rolling for Coas aPPointMent

reach its completion and this unrest will subside,” he asserted.

ISLAMABAD Staff RepoRt

PriMeMinister Shehbaz Sharif on Monday asked the ministry of defence to commence the process of appointment of new Chief of Army Staff (COAS) by moving a summary of the much-anticipated list of five senior-most generals to choose a new chief, it emerged on Monday.

Under the Standard Operating Procedure (SoP), it is the GHQ which initiates the process by moving a summary to the ministry of defence containing a list of senior-most officers of the army and the defence ministry sends it to the PM Office for making a formal decision.

However, the PM took initiative on

Monday to set the ball rolling as the PM Office did not receive a summary till Monday.

Defence Minister Khawaja Asif told the National Assembly on Monday evening that the process of making appointments to the top slots of the Pakistan Army had begun and the General Headquarters (GHQ) rawalpindi had already been informed about the PM’s letter.

Speaking in a session of the National Assembly, Asif said his ministry has received the prime minister’s letter about initiating the process for the next army chief’s appointment. This comes on heels of media speculations that the GHQ had already sent a summary to the PM’s office through the ministry of defence – though it is not the case.

Furthermore, Asif said that the PM’s letter was communicated to the GHQ as well. Asif said there was a state of “unrest” now that the process for the ap-

pointment was initiated.

“it’s possible that tomorrow or the day after tomorrow or two days later or three days later this whole process will

The defence minister criticised the media for contributing to the charged atmosphere by airing news about whether the summary of the army chief candidates was sent or not but not bothering to verify the information.

Asif said the process was being treated as if it was the only issue in the country today and nothing else.

“This distress is at a time when our economy is weak and we can’t stand on our feet. Hopefully, our effort is that this process passes so we can go towards stability,” he said, hoping that this threshold of the appointment would be crossed in the next two to three days.

he probable list of five senior-most lieutenant generals may include Asim Munir, Sahir Shamshad Mirza, Azhar Abbas, Nauman Mehmood, and Faiz Hameed.

Punjab Govt was comPelled not to reGister Fir

oF assassination bid on imran Khan: Qureshi

ISLAMABAD Staff RepoRt

PAkISTAnTehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leaders on Monday said that they do not doubt the intention of Punjab government as they have been compelled not to register the first information report (FIR) of an assassination attempt on party chief Imran khan’s life as per their wishes.

Ever since a gun attack took place at PTI’s long march in Wazirabad, the PTI chief has been demanding that a case be

sharifs embark on europe tour

LONDON NewS DeSk

PML-n leader nawaz Sharif accompanied by his daughter, Maryam nawaz and other family members, embarked on a five-nation tour of Europe amid political turmoil in Pakistan. Sources privy to the matter said that Sharif, Hussain nawaz, Maryam nawaz, Junaid Safdar and other family members departed from London to Europe. During a 10-day-trip, the family will visit different European countries. The family reached a European country last night, the sources added. It merits mention here that Maryam nawaz and her son Junaid Safdar were spotted standing in a queue at the US Embassy in London, apparently seeking a US visa. A video of Maryam nawaz and her son standing outside the US Embassy in London is making the rounds on social media. It is pertinent to mention here that Maryam nawaz was in London for the past couple of days to spend her time with his father. On October 5, Maryam nawaz left for London to reunite with her father nawaz Sharif. “I cannot wait for the plane to land [in London] and meet my father,” Maryam had said at the airport.

shc hears mQm plea on empowerment of sindh lG system

KARACHI Staff RepoRt

The Sindh High Court (SHC) on Monday heard a petition of the MQM seeking empowerment of the local government system in Sindh. A high court bench heard the petition filed by Faisal Sabzwari, kanwar naveed and other leaders of the party. The bench expressed annoyance over failure of the Secretary Local Government Sindh to submit reply on the court notice. Additional Secretary of the department appeared before the court in the case. The court directed the government lawyer to submit reply in the next hearing at any cost. Additional Secretary local government assured the bench of submitting the government reply in the next hearing. The bench adjourned further hearing of the case until December 20. The MQM has submitted petition in the court for implementation of the Supreme Court order with regard to empowerment of the local bodies in Sindh. The Sindh High Court on Friday in its written verdict over petitions filed by Jamaat-e-Islami and PTI ordered the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) to immediately release the schedule for LG polls in karachi and Hyderabad. “The ECP should release the schedule within the next 15 days and announce the election date by December 3. The ECP should complete all the necessary measures within 60 days”, the court ruled. The verdict stated that Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM) has reservations about the new amendments in the LG law and the delimitation of constituencies for LG polls. The reservations of MQM are not satisfactory enough to delay the local government elections, the court ruled.

a military officer for plotting against him.

Imran along with his party leaders are adamant that any FIR lacking these three names would simply be a piece of paper and nothing else. “We do not doubt the sincerity of the Punjab government, but they are under compulsion [to not register the FIR],” former foreign minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi said while talking to the media in Islamabad following a party meeting.

He said that the FIR for the assassination attempt on Imran could not be registered despite their best efforts.

“Despite the attack, we did not lose our

patience. We continued the long march keeping in mind the rights of the people. It was our responsibility to keep it peaceful,” he added.

He said that the only way to save the country’s economy was to hold general elections as soon as possible.

Speaking on the occasion, PTI leader and former finance minister Asad Umar said that the people were questioning the state’s role in the entire episode. “People are saying if a former prime minister cannot nominate people of his wishes [in the FIR], what treatment would they get,” he said.

He said Pakistan’s economy was on ventilator, adding that all big industries in the country were performing negatively as opposed to Imran khan’s rule when they were growing at 12 per cent.

Umar said that all preparations regarding their long march have been completed. “We have chosen Pindi and Murree road. It will be Pakistan’s biggest rally. All tanzeems are in close coordination.”

The PTI leader further said that all Pakistanis should participate for ‘real freedom’ so that Pakistanis make decisions for Pakistan and not some foreign country.

Govt gears up to deal with PTI long march

GUJRANWALA Staff RepoRt

With the long march of the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) final date just round the corner, the government is finalising the preparations to deal with it.

Special Assistant to Prime Minister on narcotics Control Attaullah Tarar has said that an action will be taken as per law against the PTI if the party violated the prescribed code of conduct during its long march in Islamabad. Talking to journalists in Gujranwala, Tarar said PTI chief Imran khan “will not be allowed to land his helicopter in Islamabad during the march”. He stated that action will be taken as per law against PTI on any violation during its long march in Islamabad.

He said that this time PTI Chairman Imran khan will not be allowed to land his helicopter in Islamabad during the long march. Separately, Minister for Energy,

Engineer khurram Dastagir khan stated that Pakistan Tehreek e Insaf (PTI), is not allowed to block roads for general public during long march.

The PTI workers and supporters can launch protest demonstration in a peaceful manner but damaging property would not be permitted at any cost, he said while talking to a private television channel.

The Supreme Court, he said has given permission to PTI to use specific area for public gathering in the federal capital. He said that PTI could create law and order situation near the sensitive sites during long march. He said, the government would not tolerate any violation by the workers of PTI, he added.

Commenting on energy shortage, he said the Pakistan Tehreek e Insaf (PTI), last regime had made the shortfall in energy sector. He said that incumbent government is taking steps and making agreements with foreign companies for importing alternate energy

COAS pays farewell visits to Naval, Air headquarters

The COAS met with the Principal staff officers at naval headquarters. During his meeting with Chief of the naval Staff Admiral Muhammad Amjad khan niazi, the COAS admired the role of the Pakistan navy in safeguarding the maritime frontiers of Pakistan. On arrival at Air Headquarters, the COAS was presented with a guard of honour by a contingent of Pakistan Air Force (PAF) followed by interaction with Principal Staff Officers of Air Headquarters.

resources. The minister said that Musdaiq Malik dealing petroleum sector would announce good news soon regarding energy. In reply to a question about army chief, he said that army chief would be appointed on merit.

Meanwhile, the Islamabad police have decided to equip personnel deployed at entry points of the capital with body cameras to ensure accountability during the protest. In a pre-emptive measure, the police also decided to deploy officials at the entry points and strategic locations in the federal capital. In case the protesters tried to attack the police officials or destroy public property during the long march, the audio and video recordings from these cameras will be used to identify and nab the culprits.

This is not the first time that the police have decided to use body cameras for the sake of transparency. During the tenure of the PTI government, the police had decided to equip officials at check posts with body cameras after complaints of misbehaviour and extortion.

RAWALPINDI Staff RepoRt

On

Later the COAS met the Chief of the Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmed Baber Sidhu and appreciated the thorough professionalism of PAF defending the aerial frontiers of Pakistan and highlighted the critical role played by PAF during war against terrorism. The COAS also visited Headquarters Rawalpindi Corps and laid a floral wreath at the Martyrs’ Monument. While addressing the officers and troops, the COAS applauded the Rawalpindi Corps in befittingly defending the country’s borders including Siachen and Line Of Control.The COAS also interacted with troops. Earlier on arrival, the COAS was received by Commander Rawalpindi Corps, Lieutenant General Sahir Shamshad Mirza.

SC acquits man convicted in Musharraf’s attack case

ISLAMABAD Staff RepoRt

The Supreme Court (SC) has acquitted the accused Rana Tanvir convicted in the attack on former president General (retd) Pervez Musharraf.

A three-member bench headed by Justice Sardar Tariq Masood rejected the plea filed by federal and Punjab governments against the acquittal of the accused. Rana Tanvir’s counsel, Hashmat Habib told the court that the accused has not been released despite of completion

of his life sentence. The life imprisonment span is 14 years whereas the accused is in jail for 20 years now, the counsel added. After hearing arguments from both sides the court decided to acquit Rana Tanvir, accused of attack on former president General (retd) Pervez Musharraf.

It is pertinent to mention here that the accused Rana Tanvir was sentenced to life imprisonment in 2005 by Supreme Court. In December 2003, a powerful explosion targeted former president General (retd) Pervez Musharraf’s motorcade as it was passing over a bridge in Rawalpindi.

CM Elahi assures to resolve issues of dairy farmers on priority basis

Staff RepoRt

Punjab Chief Minister Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi has assured to resolve the issues faced by the dairy farmers of province on priority basis.

He was talking to a delegation of dairy farmers association including Rashid Haleem of Ever Fresh Farms, Anjum Zafar of Eastern Dairies, Faizan Elahi of Sapphire Dairies, Muhammad kaleem of Athoor Limited and Haroon Mk Lodhi of Corporate Dairy Farmers Association which called on him at his office here on Monday.

The delegation apprised the chief minister about the problems of the livestock and dairy farming sector and prayed for early

resolution of the issues.

CM Pervaiz Elahi issued instructions to resolve the issues and imposed a ban on the interprovincial transportation of maize in Punjab. The maize would not be taken out of the province to meet the needs of livestock, especially the poultry industry and dairy farming.This decision would benefit the local poultry industry by meeting its needs; he said and added that instructions have been issued to the DPOs and deputy commissioners of the respective districts to prevent the transportation and movement of maize on the exit routes of Punjab.

He also directed the livestock department to prepare the provincial livestock policy in consultation with the

lhc disposes of plea against Pti’s long march

LAHORE Staff RepoRt

The Lahore High Court (LHC) on Monday disposed of a plea seeking to halt Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s (PTI) long march. As per details, Justice Jawad Hassan heard the plea seeking to halt the PTI long march. The court ordered the Additional Inspector General (AIG) Punjab to take a decision on the petitioner’s plea in seven days. The petition was filed by Muhammad naeem Mir, chairman Supreme Council of All Pakistan Anjuman-e-Tajran (APAT), stating that the long march is badly affecting our businesses. Earlier, the Supreme Court (SC) dismissed a plea seeking to stop Pakistan Tehreek-eInsaf chairman Imran khan’s long march, terming the petition infructuous. On november 19, Imran khan called on his party workers and supporters to reach Rawalpindi on november 26. He asked the party workers and supporters to reach Rawalpindi between 1-2 pm. “I will meet you there,” he added. It is pertinent to mention here that PTI’s Haqeeqi Azadi march, which demanded early and fair elections, was brought to an abrupt halt after Imran was shot in the leg during a procession. The former prime minister and several other PTI leaders got injured after a man opened fire near the PTI reception camp at Allahwala Chowk during party’s Haqeeqi Azadi march.

The chief minister stated that the Punjab government would prepare locally effective vaccines to protect animals from diseases and added that the private sector would also be included in this. He also tasked the VC UVAS to prepare the local vaccine in six months and added that the animals would be vaccinated every year to protect them from diseases.

He directed the livestock department to prepare a timetable for the vaccination of diseases and said that the staff should regularly conduct field visits to keep an eye on animal diseases.

CM Pervaiz Elah said that the Punjab Livestock and Dairy Development Board would be activated and it would be

reconstituted to include experts. Consultants will be hired from local universities to promote livestock and dairy farming at the grassroots.

The federal government was not doing anything; he regretted and announced that the Punjab government would also buy vaccines from abroad.

Provincial Livestock Minister Sardar Shahabuddin, Rasikh Elahi, Principal Secretary Muhammad khan Bhatti, former BoP president Hamesh khan, secretaries of livestock and food departments, VC University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences Prof. Dr naseem Ahmad, DG livestock (production) ) and others were also present.

LAHORE

stakeholders. A committee was also formed under Provincial Livestock Minister Sardar Shahabuddin to formulate a livestock policy. The committee would include manufacturers and farmers of the livestock and dairy farming sector.

Chief Of Army Staff (COAS) General Qamar Javed Bajwa on Monday visited the naval and Air Headquarters, here, as part of his farewell visits.

arrival at naval Headquarters, the COAS was presented the guard of honor by a smartly turned out contingent of Pakistan navy, an Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) news release said.

registered against Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah and

murad saeed, vawda join Fia Probe into arshad shariF murder

ISLAMABAD Staff RepoRt

FORMERPakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) lawmaker Faisal Vawda on Monday appeared before the factfinding committee established for the investigation of senior journalist Arshad Sharif’s murder case. However, PTI leader Murad Saeed responded to the committee through a letter.

Vawda reached the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) headquarters in Islamabad

and appeared before the fact-finding committee. On the other hand, PTI leader Murad Saeed submitted his written response to the fact-finding committee.

In a letter emerged on Monday, the PTI leader said the “impartial, transparent and independent inquiry” was not expected from FIA as it is working under the federal government. He accused the PML-n-led government of harassing and intimidating the slain journalist. He claimed that the federal government continued to take hostile actions against Sharif when his life was in

danger in the country.

Murad said the “imported government” started harassing the slain journalist as soon as it came to power in April this year. Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah made irresponsible statements and tried to link the journalist’s killing to gold smuggling in kenya, he added.

“An impartial, transparent and independent inquiry from the FIA was not expected in the context of the current situation and the attitude of the federal government,” he added.

Murad demanded that the fact-finding

committee must reveal identification of plaintiffs who lodged over 16 cases against Sharif in Pakistan. He also asked FIA to find out “who used to threaten and harass Arshad Sharif in Pakistan”.

“Before his murder, Sharif was compiling an investigative report against which powerful Pakistani?”

Meanwhile, sacked PTI leader Faisal Vawda told media that the agency had given him a questionnaire. He claimed that the journalist’s murder was planned in Pakistan and that the fact-finding committee was

doing ‘great work’.

“Hopefully the untouchable bigwigs will be reached,” he said.

Vawda further stated that the CEO of a local news channel had “nothing” to do with the case and requested that he return to Pakistan. He also said that pushing PTI chief Imran khan into the party’s long march was akin to taking him to a dead-end.

“I will not become prime minister if Imran khan is disqualified, these people will,” he said, not naming any official. He further urged Imran to “clean up” the PTI.

LHC summons principal secretaries on plea against Quran’s ‘distorted’ translation

LAHORE Staff RepoRt

swati urges people to join haqeeqi azadi march in large numbers

ISLAMABAD Staff RepoRt

Join ‘Haqeeqi Azadi’ march now or you will remain trapped in chains of slavery forever, Azam Swati tells nation PTI Senator Azam Swati urged citizens to join the party’s ’Haqeeqi Azadi’ marching, warning that otherwise, the nation would remain trapped in the chains of slavery forever.

Speaking to the media, he said, “The people of my country, question why was I subjected to cruelty. Why was there an assassination attempt on Imran? Who martyred Arshad Sharif?” Swati added that now was the time for the nation to join the struggle for ‘Haqeeqi Azadi’ for the promotion of justice and law. “Otherwise, remember that you will remain trapped in the chains of slavery forever.”

On the other hand PTI leader Shibli Faraz questioned the unresponsiveness of the court regarding the PTI’s complaints against the gun attack on Imran khan, alleged torture of Senator Azam Swati and the murder of journalist Arshad Sharif. “Because we are the representatives of the public, no one is listening to us,” he said while speaking to the media.

drive to register unregistered afghan refugees extended upto dec 31, na told

ISLAMABAD app

Minister for States and Frontier Regions Talha Mahmood on Monday said that the registration DRIVE (Documentation Renewal and Information Verification Exercise) for unregistered Afghan refugees in the country has been extended up to December 31, 2022. Responding to a question of Shamim Ara Panwar in national Assembly during question hour, Parliamentary Secretary for Overseas Pakistanis and Human Resource Development Syed Agha Rafiullah said the drive exercise will ensure to compile complete data of registered and unregistered Afghan refugees as well as those, who have gone back to Afghanistan. He said as many as 1,282,963 registered Afghan refugees residing in the country have been already been verified under the DRIVE exercise. He said additionally 136,490 undocumented members of registered families have also been documented whose confirmation is in process. If they are found eligible under prescribed criteria, the number of registered Afghan refugees would increase further.

The Lahore High Court (LHC) on Monday summoned principal secretaries of prime minister and chief minister Punjab in personal capacity on December 7, on a petition filed against distortions in translation of Holy Quran and its printing without permission from the Quran Board.

The court also summoned officers of relevant departments on the next date of hearing, and directed that the officers must be of grade 20 or above.

The single bench comprising Justice Shujaat Ali khan passed the orders while hearing a petition, filed by one Hassan Muawiyah,

The petitioners’ counsel argued before the court that in a 2019 judgement, the LHC had ordered the authorities

concerned to ensure that the copies of the Holy Quran were duly approved by the Quran Board before printing and uploading it on the internet.

He submitted that the court had further directed the Quran Board and others to have a vigilant eye on printing of any religious material, in particular the Holy Quran, and ensure verification of its original text and authentic meaning.

He submitted that distorted

Reko Diq settlement to restore Pakistan’s economic

credentials: Zahid Ibrahim

ISLAMABAD

Amicus curae Zahid Ibrahim on Monday submitted that the Reko Diq settlement will restore Pakistan’s economic credentials on the world stage and will also resonate much beyond the mineral rich hills of Chaghai.”

A five-judge bench, headed by Justice Umar Ata Bandial and comprising Justice Ijaz ul Ahsan, Justice Muneeb Akhtar, Justice Yahya Afridi and Justice Jamal khan Mandokhail on Monday heard the presidential reference on the Reko Diq project. Zahid Ibrahim said; “Yes, the foreign mining companies in TCCA will stand to recover their investments, but Pakistan too stands to gain.”

He said that the Balochistan government vigorously defended CHEJVA before the Balochistan High Court as legal and transparent. However, its representatives made a drastic and unexplained reversal during pendency of the proceedings in the Supreme Court where it resiled from its stated position and instead targeted CHEJVA as illegal and contrary to the interests of the Balochistan.

In the proceedings in the BHC “Advocate General, while supporting the arguments of learned counsel for respondents, stated that Government of Baluchistan has rightly entered into CHEJVA and it is in the best interest of the people of Balochistan that the Project should continue and in case, it is stopped, it would not be interest of the people of Baluchistan and further stated that business of exploring and mining is risky business involving huge amounts and modern

technology and the Government of Balochistan has no resources to explore the minerals, thus CHEJVA was rightly arrived at with BHP and thereafter the area was assigned to respondent no.4 who as spent a huge amount in exploration.”

In appeal against the BHC in the Supreme Court the counsel of the Balochistan government made shocking disclosures of extensive irregularities and corruption. Such change in position was critical in the denial of the mining lease application and the ultimate conclusion reached in the Maulvi Abdul Haq Baloch Judgment.

The proceedings in the Balochistan High Court were instituted on the basis of allegations made in a newspaper article dated 26.5.2004, which were ironically withdrawn by the same newspaper a week later. However, the petition took a life of its own during the hearings in the Apex Court.

He stated that the settlement agreements, arrived at after seven years of negotiations, which have been annexed with the President’s Reference, would have recorded broad assurances and warranties from the parties that no commissions, fees, payments, by any name whatsoever were procured, paid or promised in arriving at such settlements.

He further said that the Reconstituted Reko Diq Mineral Agreement draft Clause 14.18 (at pg. 212) includes provision of anti-bribery compliance. Similar provision is also provided in the Reko Diq Project Joint Venture Agreement Clause 18.13 (at page 858). However, such provisions could be more emphatic in also covering the negotiations leading to the procurement of the Implementation and the Definitive Agreements.

PDWP approves 7 development schemes of various sectors

LAHORE Staff RepoRt

The Punjab Provincial Development Working Party approved seven development schemes of various sectors with an estimated cost of Rs. 57,654.746 million.

These schemes were approved in the 29th meeting of Provincial Development Working Party (PDWP) of current fiscal year 2022-23 presided over the Chairman Planning & Development Board Abdullah khan Sumbal.

The approved development schemes included Construction of Building of Women University, Sialkot on Acquired Piece of Land at Sialkot (Revised) at the cost of Rs. 2,880.370 million, construction of Metalled Road from Sheikhupura Interchange (M-2) to QAAP along Motorway, Length 3.00 km at the cost of Rs. 1,566.249 million, Umbrella

PC-I / Cost Estimate for Rehabilitation and Reconstruction of 87 no. Roads in Rajanpur, 97 no. Roads in Taunsa and 30 no. Roads in D.G. khan at the cost of Rs. 16,532.600 million, Providing River Training Works for Protection of Link no. 1 in D.G. khan at the cost of Rs. 1,245.232 million, Management of Vidore Hill Torrent (Suchani & Phullar Branch) at the cost of Rs. 4,815.084 million, Management of Sori Lund Hill Torrent (Jamallar & Talli Branch) at the cost of Rs. 5,969.211 million and Punjab Police Integrated Command, Control and Communication (PPIC3) Centre, Rawalpindi (Revised) at the cost of Rs. 24,646.000 million.

Provincial Secretary P&D Board Dr. Muhammad Sohail Anwar Chaudhary, all Members of the Planning & Development Board, Provincial Secretaries of concerned departments, and other senior representatives of the relevant Provincial Departments also attended the meeting.

translation of the Holy Quran was being published. He submitted that the relevant authorities were not taking action against the printing press.

He pleaded with the court to direct implementation of the court orders in letter and spirit.

The court, after hearing arguments of the petitioner’s counsel, summoned the principal secretaries of the prime minister and chief minister on December 7.

79 new dengue cases reported

LAHORE Staff RepoRt

Punjab Primary and Secondary Healthcare Department (P&SHD) Secretary Irshad Ahmad said that 79 new dengue cases were reported in Punjab during the last 24 hours. In a statement issued here on Monday, he said that 24 dengue cases were reported in Lahore,15 in Gujranwala, 11 each in Multan and Sheikhupura, 2 each in Sargodha and Muzaffargarh,1 each in kasur, Okara,Vehari, and khushab, during the last 24 hours. He said that a total of 18,091 dengue virus cases have been reported so far during the current year. “no death was reported during the last 24 hours ,whereas 41 people died of the virus in the current year so far”. The P&SHD secretary said that 593 patients were under treatment in different hospitals of the province. “The anti-dengue squad conducted surveillance at 229,542 indoor and 62,192 outdoor points to detect dengue larvae during the last 24 hours.The anti-dengue squad, under the P&SHD, killed dengue larvae at 1124 places in the province during daily surveillance”, he added.

two dead bodies found under suspicious circumstances in iiojK

JAMMU Staff RepoRt

In Indian illegally occupied Jammu and kashmimr, two dead bodies were found hanging in two different districts of Jammu region. Body of one Madan Lal (27) was found hanging from the wooden ‘Shehteer’ under mysterious circumstances at his residential kucha house in Pathi area of Udhampur district. Police said the death of deceased occurred under suspicious circumstances and the matter pertains to human life and to ascertain the actual cause of death, an inquest proceeding has been initiated. The dead body of the deceased person was sent to DH Udhampur, for postmortem. Meanwhile, another body of a 46year-old business man Manzoor Wani of Pulwama was found hanging from a tree with the help of a scarf (dupatta) in Bagh-e-Bahu area of city outskirts of Jammu city.

Trial Court to start proceedings against Imran Khan in Toshakhana Reference

ISLAMABAD Staff RepoRt

A trialcourt in Islamabad has sent a notice against PTI Chairman Imran khan for commencement of the trial today (Tuesday) in the Toshakhana reference.

The notice was sent to khan after the court received a copy of the reference ordering criminal proceedings against khan as per the Election Commission of Pakistan’s (ECP) order.

Additional Sessions Judge Zafar Iqbal

will hear the reference on Tuesday (today) filed against khan for being involved in corrupt practices. In the reference, khan can be sentenced to three-year imprisonment and fine can also be imposed on him.

Last month, the ECP, in a verdict in Toshakana reference, disqualified the former prime minister and ruled that the PTI chief was no more a member of the national Assembly.

The ECP stated that the PTI chief had submitted a false affidavit and was

found involved in corrupt practices under Article 63(1)(p).

The ECP order stated, “As a sequel to our above-mentioned findings, facts available on record and keeping in view the argument of learned counsel for parties herein, we are of the considered opinion that the Respondent has become disqualified under Article 63(1)(p) of the Constitution read with Section 137,167 and 173 of the Elections Act, 2017, consequently he ceases to be a member of the national Assembly of Pakistan

and his seat has become vacant accordingly.”

In the verdict, ECP also declared that khan had made “false statements and incorrect declarations, therefore he has also committed the offence of corrupt practices defined under Sections 167 and 173 of the Elections Act,2017”.

It added that the offence was, punishable under Section 174 of the Elections Act, 2017 and directed legal proceedings and follow-up action under Section 190(2) of the Elections Act.

IHC to resume HearIng of PtI PetItIon CHallengIng eCP’s faCt fIndIng rePort today

ISLAMABAD Staff RepoRt

theIslamabad high Court (IhC) will Tuesday (today) resume hearing of Pakistan Tehrik-eInsaf (PTI) petition challenging the election Commission of Pakistan (eCP)’s fact finding report in prohibited funding case against the party.

Three-member bench of IhC headed by Justice Aamer Farooq and comprising Justice Miangul hassan Aurangzeb and Justice Babar Sattar will conduct hearing of the petition filed by the PTI additional secretary general Omar Ayyub through his counsels former attorney general Anwar Mansoor Khan, Shah Khawar Advocate and Faisal Fareed Advocate and prayed to the court to declare the eCP’s decision dated August 2 as illegal.

In the petition, the PTI lawyer stated that the petitioner is grossly aggrieved by the Fact Finding Report heard on 21-062022 and announced on 02.08.2022 by the

election Commission of Pakistan. he added that the petitioner being utterly dissatisfied of the Impugned Fact Finding Report, being contrary to facts and the law, additionally having been passed in excess of authority and in violation of the judgments of the Superior Courts, seeks to challenge the Impugned Fact Finding Report.

The petitioner added that as the impugned Fact Finding Report followed by the Show Cause Notice dated 05.08.2022 (received on 06.08.2022) is of the Respondent, being an administrative authority, and whereas there is no provision in law providing for an Appellate Authority to challenge the illegal Orders passed by the Respondent, the Petitioner, has no other efficacious remedy available but to impugn the Impugned Fact Finding Report of the Respondent, in this present writ petition before this high Court.

The PTI contended that the eCP has passed the Impugned Fact Finding Report

dated 02.08.2022, based on incorrect facts, incorrect application of law, beyond its jurisdiction and in an unreasonable, irrational, bias manner. “The exercise of executive is to be exercised reasonably, rationally, proportionately, justly, without any bias or ulterior motive, supported by reason and explanation. The eCP, in the Impugned Fact Finding Report, has not adhered to any principles which regulate the discretion of an executive body,” said the party.

It maintained, “The Impugned Fact Finding Report is tainted with malafides, arbitrary and without lawful jurisdiction, in excess of lawful authority and in violation of Articles 17(1) & (2) of the Constitution of Pakistan. The Impugned Fact Finding Report in fact shakes the principles of democracy and violates the fundamental rights of the Petitioner under Article 9 & 17(1) & (2).”

Therefore, it prayed to the court to suspend the operation of the Impugned Fact Finding Report dated 02.08.2022 of

the eCP and suspend Show Cause Notice dated 05.08.2022, issued by it.

The PTI also requested the court to declare that the said Fact Finding Report

IHC summons DG Environment in Bhara Khau bypass c ase

ISLAMABAD

Sta ff R ep o Rt

The Islamabad high Court (IhC) on Monday summoned the Director General environment in a case of Bhara Khau bypass on the land of Quaid-e-Azam University

Ju st ic e M ia n G ul h a sa n A u ra ng ze b o f Is la m ab ad h ig h C o ur t he ar d th e ca se . D u ri n g th e co ur se o f p ro ce ed in gs pe ti ti o ne r’s la w ye r K as hi f M al ik Q ua id e- A za m U n iv er si ty ’s l aw ye r N au m an P ra ch a, C D A la w y er N az ir J aw ad , A d d it io na l A tt o rn ey G en er al M un aw ar I qb al D o ga l, a nd o th e rs a pp ea re d be fo re th e co ur t.

T he a dd it io na l at to rn ey g e ne ra l to ld t h e co u rt th at a m ee ti n g of t h e un iv er si ty a nd C D A r ep re se n ta ti v es w as h el d on N ov em be r 13 t o re so lv e th e m at

te r. T h e p et it io ne r’s la w y er s ai d t h at t he s ta y o rd er w a s be in g vi ol at ed b y co n ti nu in g t o w or k o n th e B h ar a K ha u pr oj ec t.

While presenting the report to the court on behalf of the environment Protection Agency, it was stated that a fine of Rs one million had been imposed on the CDA for violating the rules and regulations. he said that the agency would approve the project after payment of the fine amount

On this occasion, the court expressed its displeasure and said that there was no concept of conditional approval in the law and there was only approval The court told the petitioner’s lawyer that it was not in hurry and action would be taken according to law. Sub sequently, the hearing of the case was adjourned till No vember 25

Plea against eCP powers referred to lHC chief justice for larger bench

LAHORE Staff RepoRt

A Lahore high Court (LhC) judge on Monday referred a petition, challenging the powers of the election Commission of Pakistan (eCP) to initiate contempt of court proceedings, to the LhC chief justice with a request to form a larger bench for its hearing. The court observed that the petitioner had raised important law points which needed consideration. Justice Abid Aziz Sheikh heard the petition filed by one Mian Shabbir Ismail challenging Section 10 of the election Act 2017. The petitioner had submitted that the eCP was neither a court nor could it exercise judicial powers, but it had been given powers to initiate contempt proceedings under section 10 of the election Act 2017. he contended that as per constitution, only courts were empowered to initiate contempt proceedings, adding that the powers of the courts could not be delegated to the administrative authorities such as the election commission. he contended that the Section 10 of the election Act was a violation of the Constitution of Pakistan, 1973 and pleaded with the court to set aside the section. It is pertinent to mention here that the petitioner filed the petition apparently in wake of contempt proceedings initiated by the eCP against some leaders of Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI).

Pml-n leaders’ bails extended in Imran threat case

An anti-terrorism court in Gujranwala on Monday extended the interim bails of PML-N leaders Attaullah Tarar and Saira Afzal Tarar in a case pertaining to hurling threats at PTI Chairman Imran Khan. The anti-terrorism court while accepting the bail applications of Special Assistant to PM Attaullah Tarar, Saira Afzal Tarar and Muhammad Bakhsh Tarar extended their interim bails for another seven days. The court ordered them to reappear before the ATC on Nov 28. The court sent the main accused in the Imran Khan threat case Qamar Zaman Kharal on judicial remand during the previous hearing of the case. The PML-N leaders were accused of hurling threats at former premier and PTI Chief Imran during a rally in hafizabad.

Court extends physical remand of former DC Matiari

An Anti-Corruption Court (ACe) here on Monday extended the physical remand of former Deputy Commissioner Matiari Adnan Rashid for three days after the completion of his initial five days remand.

According to details, a team of ACe produced Rashid before the court in Rs 2.14 billion land acquisition scam and sought a 7-day remand but the court

granted only 3-day physical custody for further investigation. Separately, an Assistant Manager of the Sindh Bank’s branch in Matiari district, Syed Tabish Shah, obtained a 7-day interim bail from Sindh high Court against a surety of Rs 50,000. Rashid, Shah and former Assistant Commissioner New Saeedabad taluka Mansoor Abbassi have been charged with getting released a sum of Rs 2.14 billion through 438 cheques in bogus ways under the pretext of buying land for M6 Sukkurhyderabad Motorway.

GUJRANWALA Staff RepoRt

HYDERABAD Staff RepoRt

IHC Adjourns HeArIng In gIll’s PetItIon seekIng quAsHment In sedItIon CAse

ISLAMABAD StAff RepoRt

tHEIslamabad High Court (IHC) has adjourned the hearing of Shahbaz Gill who filed a petition before the court against the sedition case registered against him by terming it as ‘malicious’ and requested the court to quash the said FIR.

The Chief Justice of IHC Justice Athar

Minallah conducted hearing of the petition moved by Shahbaz Gill and deferred the hearing for indefinite period.

During the hearing, Justice Aamer asked that whether trial of this court has started and whether the Challan has been submitted before the court. He also inquired that has the trial court framed the charges in this case.

At this, the state council informed the IHC bench that the copies have been

given and tomorrow the court would indict the accused.

Then, the IHC Chief Justice said to the petitioner’s counsel that the challan has been submitted to the court and therefore, they could approach the trial court. Later, the court adjourned the hearing for indefinite period.

In the petition, Gill stated that “malicious” case against him was filed by the police to show their “loyalty” to the in-

IHC issues notices in petition challenging appointment of VC of PIDE

ISLAMABAD StAff RepoRt

The Islamabad High Court (IHC) has issued notices in a writ petition requesting the court to declare the appointment of vice-chancellor (VC) of the Pakistan Institute of Development Economics (PIDE) illegal, unlawful, and against the rules, policy, and directives issued by the Government of Pakistan.

The IHC judge Mohsin Akhtar Kayani issued pre-admission notices to all the respondents seeking detailed replies on the matter while adjourning the hearing till 26th January 2023.

According to details, a Rawalpindi resident Ozair Salik filed a writ petition in IHC praying from the court that the appointment of PIDE Vice Chancellor may be declared null & void from the date of his appointment in the best interest of justice.

He further prayed that the PIDE

VC be ordered to deposit all perks and privileges including salary and allied benefits/allowances received as PIDE VC in the account of PIDE. Furthermore, all of his orders passed as VC may be declared null and void ab-initio.

PIDE sought to recruit a Vice Chancellor for itself. In this regard, an advertisement containing certain terms and conditions, and qualifications for the post was got published in newspapers on 08.01.2019. As per the advertisement, the appointment was to be in pay scale MP-I on a contract basis for the period of 5 years in terms of provisions of the PIDE Act 2010.

Cabinet Division, Government of Pakistan after having undertaken a comparative study regarding the age limit of Chairmen, Chief Executive Officers, Heads of Autonomous Bodies, etc came to the final conclusion that the upper age limit for the persons

Pakistan rejects ‘baseless’ India accusation of terrorism support

ISLAMABAD StAff RepoRt

Pakistan strongly dismissed allegations of support for militancy on Monday after the foreign minister of India accused it of supporting terrorists and having made terrorism the state policy to counter its arch-rival neighbour. Addressing a counter-terrorism summit in the capital of New Delhi, S. Jaishankar said “some countries repeatedly support terrorists and have made terrorism their state policy“, according to Hindustan Times. “It is important that all states collectively follow an undifferentiated and undiluted approach to terrorism. Terror is terror, and no political spin can ever justify it,” said Jaishankar in a veiled attack on Pakistan and China, according to Republic World. Responding to the allegations, the Foreign Office said: “India, guided by its incorrigible and incurable desire to malign Pakistan at every available forum, continues to mislead the world about Pakistan’s counter-terrorism credentials by repeatedly levelling false accusations of Islamabad’s alleged involvement in the financing of illegal terrorist organisations.” India’s hollow rhetoric has fallen flat in the face of Pakistan’s successful counterterrorism measures, which have been accorded due recognition and acknowledgement from the Financial Action Task Force (FATF), the Foreign Office said in a statement. It mentioned that Pakistan’s robust and credible AML (anti-money laundering) and CFT (counter financing of terrorism) actions, and satisfactory implementation of the FATF action plan duly secured Islamabad’s removal from the so-called grey list in October. “Regrettably, India is continuing its relentless terror campaign in the occupied Jammu and Kashmir. “There is no justification for India’s state-sponsored terrorism in the occupied region where its security forces terrorise, torment and torture innocent Kashmiris with impunity, every day.“Most deplorably, India has been harbouring and protecting terrorists for decades. In 2019, it acquitted Swami Aseemanand, the main character of the 2007 Samjhauta Express blast that killed 43 Pakistan nationals on Indian soil.” The Foreign Office also recalled that in October, the government of Prime Minister Narendra Modi approved the premature release of 11 Hindu men who were convicted for the 2002 gangrape of a pregnant Muslim woman, Bilkis Bano, and the murder of 14 members of her family, including her three-year-old daughter. In a similar manner, during the trial in 2008 attacks in Mumbai, India deliberately withheld witnesses and credible evidence from Pakistan, despite repeated requests over the last 14 years, only to drag and perpetuate the case to serve its sinister political agenda, it added.

to be appointed in MP-I Scale will be 65 years. Any Chairmen, Chief Executive Officer, or Head of Autonomous Body will cease to hold the office on attaining the age of 65 years vide its Policy dated 09.10.2007.

The petition said that Dr. Nadeem Ul Haq happened to be over 68 years of age on the closing date of the submission of the application for the post.

Being a member of the Search Committee HEC chairman also failed to observe/implement its own policy/ rule and that of Cabinet Division Policy dated 09.10.2007 was ‘also cast aside, it added.

The petitioner stated that the process of recommendation of the Search Committee was neither transparent nor competitive rather was illegal, unlawful, and against the law, policy, and rules on the subject. Henceforth the appointment made by the Patron cannot sustain and hold ground

cumbent government.

He further stated that the case was filed only to “satisfy the political agenda of the government”.

The petitioner said that there is no option but to knock on the door of the high court to seek refuge from oppression. He added that the court should accept the petition for dismissing the case and declare the first information report (FIR) against him as null and void.

Pakistan reopens Chaman border with Afghanistan shut over shooting

since the recommendations do not fulfill the criteria laid down by the law, rules, or policy on the subject. The petition states that Dr. Nadeem Ul Haq was ineligible to be appointed as VC even on the date of advertisement, so could not have been considered, recommended, and appointed as ViceChancellor.

PIDE Islamabad is a research and teaching institute under the administrative control of the Ministry of Planning Development & Reform, Government of Pakistan, Islamabad. Under section 3 of the PIDE Act 2010, the status of PIDE is of an Autonomous Body working within the administrative control of the Ministry of Planning, Development & Special initiative and also holds the status of a Body Corporate. Thus, compliance with Government Rules, Regulations, and Policies is integral to PIDE’s existence, the petition said.

QUETTA the ASSociAted pReSS

The government on Monday reopened the key Chaman border crossing with landlocked Afghanistan for trade and pedestrian movement after shutting it down a week earlier after an Afghan gunman shot and killed a soldier and wounded two others, an official said. The deadly shooting on November 13 shuttered the border, which is also known as Friendship Gate, causing heavy losses to traders and stranding thousands of people on both sides. Apart from trade activities, thousands of people, mainly Afghans, daily cross into the two bordering areas for medical and labour purposes. Abdul Hameed Zehri, the deputy commissioner of Chaman, told reporters the decision to reopen the border came after talks with Taliban officials. They are searching for the attacker and would hand over the suspect to Islamabad, he said. Zehri said Afghan officials also expressed grief and sorrow over the killing of the border guard. There was no immediate comment from Kabul. It was unclear what exactly promoted the Afghan attacker to open fire at Pakistan guards before fleeing the scene. According to TV footage, the attacker in the presence of Taliban border guards suddenly pulled out his gun and opened fire. Angered over the incident, Pakistan quickly closed the border. Pakistan and landlocked Afghanistan share 18 crossing points, with the busiest ones being the northwestern Torkham and Chaman border posts.

PM sets the ball rolling for COAS appointment

ConTInUED froM pAgE 01

While one of the men will enter the shoes of Gen. Qamar Javed Bajwa, the outgoing army chief, the other will chair the Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee (JCSC).

Only on rare occasions has the baton been passed to someone outside the top four most senior officers in an army that, with just under a million personnel in 2019, was the sixth largest in the world.

An army chief’s tenure is for three years, but they often obtain extensions, as did Gen. Bajwa in 2019.

Earlier in the day, Khawaja Asif tweeted about the commencement of the process of making appointments to the top office of the Pakistan Army. The process would be completed soon in line with all constitutional requirements, he tweeted.

According to Article 243-3 of the Constitution, the president appoints all service chiefs on the recommendation of the prime minister who may consult his aides but he solely has the power to make the appointment.

The appointment of chiefs of the navy and air force goes unnoticed but it is not the case with the nomination of the army chief. The guessing game

starts months before the end of the tenure of the incumbent.

A meeting was reportedly held at the PM’s office to discuss the appointment of next army chief and the reports said that Asif, Rana Sanaullah Khan and Ayaz Sadiq attended.

Once Sharif approves the names for the two offices, the list will be forwarded to the President’s Secretariat for ratification. Following his approval, it will be sent back to the PMO for a formal announcement.

With the current army chief, Gen. Bajwa, set to retire on November 29, the appointment of his successor has prompted a new set of challenges, especially amidst an economic crisis and climate catastrophe.

Pakistan is in the midst of another bout of political uncertainty as Imran Khan, the former prime minister, has led country-wide protests in an attempt to force his successor, Shehbaz Sharif, into early elections.

The incoming army chief could potentially play a key role in lowering the political temperature as Pakistan attempts to survive the economic and climate crises.

BAJWA’S LEGACY: Appointed chief in 2016, Gen.

Bajwa sought to balance ties with China and the United States. While Islamabad moved closer to Beijing, Bajwa also worked to thaw relations with Washington, with whom he worked closely during the evacuation of Kabul in 2021 when western forces pulled out of Afghanistan.

He also took an active interest in economic matters, and made highly-publicised visits to Beijing and the Middle East — helping to secure financial assistance for Pakistan. Recently, he also lobbied Washington to help strike a deal with the International Monetary Fund (IMF).

He even summoned the nation’s top industrialists to a meeting at General Headquarters (GHQ) to encourage them to pay more taxes.

During his tenure, Pakistan and India fought air skirmishes in 2019, but he was a public proponent of better ties and avoided escalation when tensions ran high, such as when an Indian missile accidentally crashed into Pakistan early this year.

In early 2021, Gen. Bajwa sanctioned a restoration of a ceasefire agreement with Delhi in the disputed region of Kashmir.

PIMS doctors go on strike in row over ‘privatisation’ law

on duty in the emergency department.

Services were crippled at the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) on Monday as doctors and staff launched an indefinite strike against a 2019 law governing major public healthcare institutions, keeping the outpatient departments (OPDs) of the Islamabad-based facility shut for six hours.

The Medical Teaching Institutions (MTI) Ordinance was promulgated in August 2019 apparently to privatise public hospitals falling under its jurisdiction. According to the law, these hospitals will be run by a fully empowered board of governors (BoGs) consisting of members from the private sector.

“The BoGs shall also have powers for the appointment of admin officials on key slots and appointment of senior faculty members. The post of Principal

shall be converted into Dean who shall be appointed by the BoG for a period of five years,” it read.

Patients

and

They

“indefinite

The protestors also accused the office of the president of taking a dillydallying approach towards the annulment of the ordinance. “We condemn the obstruction caused by the president in repealing the law,” their spokesperson added.

“The abolishment of the law has been approved by both Houses of Parliament. So the current management committee and BoG running the facility should be rolled back, and the hospital be taken over by the government,” the protestors demanded.

The president of the union, Dr Haider Abbasi, said the medics protested against the “black law” in the past as well and will continue to do so until they achieved their objective.

“We are on strike for the protection of our doctors and paramedics,” another leader of the association that arranged the protest said.

ISLAMABAD

AhmAd SAAd

were left without treatment

their families shut out of wards as doctors went on an

strike”.

were backed by paramedics who walked out of the hospital.

Quoting Dr Asfandyar Khan, spokesperson of the Federal Health Alliance (FHA) union, a report said the facility will remain closed between 8:00 am and 2:00 pm every day until the law was repealed.

Another doctor, Shah Jahan, tweeted that doctors, however, will stay

Future of the long march

Imran Khan has few options

WITH still at least a week to go before his cavalcade of followers, party workers and senior leaders reaches its final decision, Imran Khan has dragged out his long march towards Islamabad far too long. While the latest update, that of staging a sit-in at Faizabad in the 26th, provides some clarity in an otherwise fluid schedule, it is a clear departure from the original plan to reach Islamabad and pressurize the PDM government to resign. As Faizabad is a main highway, a central artery. Closing it will severely affect traffic, creating unnecessary problems for residents of the twin cities of Rawalpindi and Islamabad. Imran Khan, having few options other than street agitation is clearly targeting a TLP-like situation of chaos that would force the establishment to negotiate with him. However, considering his recent backtracking and simmering down on key talking points, it seems those backdoor channel talks may have already begun. His new stance that neither the US nor the establishment were involved in a grand conspiracy against resulting in his ouster indicates that he is fulfilling certain prerequisites before his demands can be considered by the powers that be.

A lot hinges on the appointment of the next army chief and with the announcement set to be made in the next couple of days, Imran Khan has to be very calculated with his timing and who exactly he is negotiating with before a name is finalized. Once the new man is sworn in at the top job he will have officially inherited the political baggage of his predecessor and will expectedly approach the PTI very differently. Imran Khan has said he will turn around with nothing less than an election date, preferably an immediate one. This does not suit the PDM, particularly the PML-N that has to contend with a fledgling economy that is at the mercy of bilateral loans but more importantly the IMF that has demanded the federal government to take some very unpopular inflationary decisions that will hurt politically, especially in an election year. Whichever way one cuts it, the political atmosphere in the country will affect the working class and common man the most, be it bad traffic, high inflation or general uncertainty and resultant anxiety over where the country is headed.

Non-issues

And the undying obsession with them

the national media for any length of time. My own memories go as far back as the mid-eighties. My contemporaries probably remember the furore when Usman Pirzada had divorced Samina Pirzada, his onscreen better-half in the PTV serial ‘Darya’. For the benefit of the younger generation, what made the divorce problematic was the fact that the two actors were a couple in real life as well. This was too good of an opportunity to be missed by the non-issues brigade. Quite a passionate debate ensued regarding whether the couple could lawfully live together in real life or stood divorced instead.

competes with New Delhi for the first place in terms of the worst AQI in the world, and the rest of the country is not much better. The educational infrastructure in the country is a mess. The same goes for health. The economy is usually in a shambles, and there is rampant lawlessness to top it all.

Probably the answer to this is that these issues are a bit too real. So, even the most naïve simpleton realizes that he does not have the requisite insight or the knowhow to offer expert opinion on these issues. Most countrymen have probably also lost hope for amelioration of these real problems. When it comes to passing judgment on the aesthetic and ‘moral’ choices of others however, most people believe that they can make a difference by voicing their valuable opinion. Moreover, they consider themselves the final authority on such issues and unfortunately feel little goodwill for humanity at large. Last but not the least, they have way too much time on their hands.

IF there was a World Non-issues Championship and each nation was allowed to field three teams in the competition, it is a safe bet that we would have the tri-level podium all to ourselves. For when it comes to expending untold amounts of time and energy on trivial and loopy matters, we just have no competition.

This was once again proved last week by the brouhaha on the social media over a private-school kid dressing up as Iblees (Lucifer) for a school play. By way of commemorating Iqbal Day, the hapless school authorities had decided to stage Iqbal’s ‘Iblees ki Majlis-e-shura’. This, apparently, was too much for the netizens. Some of the observations on the social media were as follows: ‘You are teaching kids to be shaitan?’, ‘Astaghfirullah’, and ‘Laanat!’ (Other, much more impassioned, comments cannot be reproduced on account of being unpublishable.) Reading these opinions, I could not help recalling the inimitable Shafiq-ur-Rehman, who had reported how the cinema front-benchers typically reacted to the villain receiving a well-deserved beating at the hands of the protagonist by yelling ‘Ab maza aaya?’, ‘Maaro khabees ko’, ‘Fulaan ka pathha’, and the like.

The highly nuanced nature of that particular debate can be judged from the fact that some of the more ‘sensible’ folks who thought that the divorce had not taken place had based their conclusion on the fact that the three divorces had been pronounced at once –an age-old Pakistani tradition that makes it sound mighty dramatic but fails to conform to the teachings of Islam. An opinion that was there all right but was drowned in all the commotion was that if two actors who exchange the sacred vows on screen do not become lawfully-wedded husband and wife (much to the regret of the male actor), why should there be a debate about a possible divorce between a real-life couple?

It would probably require several columns if I were to list from memory alone all the non-issues since Darya. A more worthwhile option would however be to consider why non-issues continue to have such an irresistible appeal for so many fellow countrymen when we have our plates more than full when it comes to genuine problems. Lahore consistently

In the eighties too, there were few who had any genuine pastimes; so, minding their own business was not an option for most. If anything, things have gone from bad to worse in this respect. Despite smartphones and the ubiquitous internet now, the situation has deteriorated. For hardly anybody does anything creative, with all activity being in the nature of distraction of one sort or another. There has got to be a limit to the number of times one can laugh watching silly clips. Convincing oneself how great a time one is having is bound to take its toll too. Any wonder that even a 5-min video is too long for most, with one of their eyes always on the ‘next’ clip. All this frustration naturally needs an outlet, preferably with an opportunity to showcase one’s superiority. Any wonder that we continue being world beaters when it comes to pulling non-issues out of thin air and then discussing them to death?

The author is a connoisseur of music, literature, and food (but not drinks). He can be reached at www.facebook.com/hasanaftabsaeed

M. A. Niazi Joint Editor

Nizami Editor

Aziz Executive Editor Aziz-ud-Din Ahmad Joint Editor

It is obvious that we have managed to reach depths that would have scarcely seemed possible to Rehman when he had chronicled the abysmal state of desi films and cinema-goers in 1944. For whatever else may be said about those front-benchers, at least they recognized the utility of the villain, even if he served merely as the entity that copped the worst from the hero. The present social media crowd, on the other hand, takes exception to the villain (shaitan) even appearing onstage. If there is a way of enacting something like the ‘Parliament of Satan’ without featuring the character of Satan, these critics have kept it a jealously-guarded secret. It is a good thing Rehman’s stories were never produced for the stage or the screen, because one of his best-loved characters was Rufi alias Shaitan!

The reaction to the Iblees character could hardly have been surprising for anybody who has following

Unhealed Complications of doctors

A tale of bad governance

the ever-soaring number of doctors that graduate every year. Albeit the patient to doctor ratio is relatively high in the region, the government job vacancies for the graduated doctors is intensively low. To add to the miseries of the graduated doctors, government announces either an inauguration of a private medical college every now and then, or an increment in the seats of MBBS or BDS, which further adds fuel to the fire. Though this step of inauguration of new medical colleges subscribes to the wishes of the general public, the far reaching impacts of unemployment that has to follow is never kept in notice, either due to the lack of vision or to get the popular support for the vote bank, which is heinously unethical. There is a substantial disparity between the number of doctors produced per annum and the jobs available for them, which marks an inevitable vicious cycle.

hype, was when doctors graduated to cure the miseries of the nation. The prevailing circumstances are the otherwise as the doctors are a product of a business. With the massive number of private medical colleges inaugurated, state is manoeuvring this sacred task of producing doctors into a business. The same doctors charge loads of money when themselves at helm. Well aware of the fact that job opportunities are egregiously limited for the doctors, the state values the business-nature of this affair more.

the stake holders are worsening the crisis. This makes this degree more a purchase and less a token of meritocracy. Hence, already surrounded by the wealth, these students become doctors for the title and prestige. Class-conflict and monopoly of the money prevails, justice for merit dies.

Anationwide medical entry test was held by the relevant authorities the previous Sunday i.e 13th November, and an overwhelming number of aspirants took the test. Some candidates would have appeared just to quench their parents’ thirst for the ‘prestigious’ occupation while a very few, barely a cent percent, by their own will and passion to become doctors. This is not an alarming concern; rather the provoking issue is the inept governance, which I will discuss in the succeeding paragraphs that will grow its sour fruits in a few years time to follow.

A staggering number of 46,232 candidates took the medical entry test in Khyber Pakhtunkhawa (KPK), some more than 80,000 in Punjab and so forth. Seats on the other hand are very limited with near 1500 in public sector medical colleges in K.P.K and approximately 3000 for Punjab. These statistics are to give you a clue about

This maladministration has severe repercussions. First and the foremost is the prevailing trend of Pakistan’s newly graduated doctors fleeing the country in an anticipation of a better future vis-à-vis a job and a handsome pay. Keeping in perspective various insecurities rooted from the bad governance, hundreds of young talented doctors despite of paying back to the mothercountry, depart at the climax. Departure of such capable and refined lot has manifestations to intensify not only the prevailing health issues, but also the lack of faith in the government and its institutions.

Second in the never ending list of such snags is the strategic shift in the nature for which doctors are produced in the country versus a few decades ago. Previously, about some decades ago, when this occupation was actually worth the

Third, last in the list but not the least, implication is the switching of profession, which is the least noted. After years of blood and sweat and sleepless nights spent to one day cure the diseased, the last thing a doctor would want to confront is the switching of the profession for the sake of solely to make the ends meet. There are an appreciable number of such precedents. With more than 140 active medical colleges producing doctors, and their unplanned future by the state, this is a bound-tohappen event.

With the yearly-usual event of bulking the fees of the private medical colleges as well as the self-finance,

The government of Pakistan in general, and of the provinces in particular, needs to underscore this emergency. Issuing health cards and announcing free health policies would not cater all the health related issues. Losing a colossal proportion of self-made talent is the worse possible happening for a developing state to undergo, the aftermath of which is horrible. The leadership, under the ambit of the law, should take radical steps to rejuvenate this sacred occupation as a symbol of merit and value.

Enchanting incentives for the doctors should be made prevalent to attenuate the complication of the foreign occupation. In this weak phase of our history, where our country is already trouble-stricken, Pakistan can not afford this predicament. To stay aloof of these health departments’ aggravations, the concerned governing bodies should identify all the maladies and workout remedies.

The author is a medicine student and writes for various digital and print media outlets. He can be reached at the email ‘asad.mrwt.37@gmail.com.’

ASAD MArwAT

The reaction to the Iblees character could hardly have been surprising for anybody who has following the national media for any length of time. My own memories go as far back as the mid-eighties.

The leadership, under the ambit of the law, should take radical steps to rejuvenate this sacred occupation as a symbol of merit and value. Enchanting incentives for the doctors should be made prevalent to attenuate the complication of the foreign occupation.

HASAN AFTAB SAEED

Yousaf

Dedicated to the legacy of late Hameed Nizami Arif Nizami (Late) Founding Editor

Umar

The midterm election

Republicans who continue to pose a threat to our democracy. Those who are seeking authoritarian one-party state rule in practice along the line of Hungary’s President Orban want to politicize the judiciary, manipulate the electoral system, abolish social security and Medicare, make dissidents powerless, control the media, and tolerate violence against any opponents.

The question is, will pro-democracy Republicans eventually acquire the upper hand, and what will it take? To do so, they need to develop a constructive conservative agenda, work with Democrats whenever and wherever possible to advance socio-economic causes, and make room for compromises in the service of the national interest.

election deniers, repudiate those who are, and pledge that they will respect the results of future elections and will never again engage in the falsity that the 2020 election was “stolen.” The proof showing that the 2020 election was legitimate is overwhelming, and the vast majority of the American people want the chaos and circus to end. It will only further emasculate the GOP if they continue engaging in this falsehood.

Finally, constructive conservative Republicans in the House and the Senate must pledge to not support any bogus investigations against Biden, Attorney General Garland, or any other frivolous investigations, as they are solely political in nature and do nothing but distract the country from the urgent issues facing the nation.

THE final results of the 2022 midterm election demonstrated several critical revelations. First, the majority of the American public still believes strongly that our democracy remains the bedrock of our political system and strongly repudiated political violence. Second, whether running for re-election or for a new position, the vast majority of those candidates who questioned the results of the 2020 election or promised to overturn future election results, have generally been soundly defeated. Third, this election has splintered the Republican party, between those who still believe in the constitution and the principles of democracy, versus those who follow Trump and hold extremist positions—election deniers and white supremacists who are ready and willing to violate the constitution and our democratic form of government only to hold onto power.

Finally, the election has dramatically weakened the Republican party due to the division within the party, which was largely precipitated by the result of the election. There are those who continue to support Trump, the extremist MAGA Republicans who are out of touch with the American people, and those constructive conservatives who view Trump as an albatross on the party and who are abandoning him. They want their party to solidify its footing and redeem itself, especially as we approach the 2024 election.

This month’s results have shown that a great majority of the country will no longer follow Trump, including Republican leaders such as former Vice President Pence, who said it’s now time to move on. Although many Republican leaders urged Trump not to run again because the future of the party is on the line, he nevertheless announced his candidacy for the 2024 presidential election, which has now further increased the pressure on many Republican leaders to decide whether to follow him or abandon him.

The reaction to Trump’s announcement was very lukewarm, from both the public in general and from the media, especially the conservative outlets who blame him for the results of this election and see him as a loser and openly condemn him for what he has done. It made the schism within the party ever greater while emboldening those who oppose him, who fear that following him any further will doom the party perhaps for a generation.

The constructive conservative Republicans who have chosen to stick with democracy must now develop their own agenda as to how to strengthen their anti-Trump wing of the party. They must first begin to systematically deny, defy, and distance themselves from the MAGA

First, the constructive conservative Republicans will need to campaign against the idea promoted by election deniers of sending new slates of electors to the electoral college should they not like the results of the election. And to engender more public support they must fight to strengthen American democracy, strongly support the rule of law, and fully abide by the result of fair and free elections, which the American public badly wants as they have demonstrated by the result of the midterm elections.

Second, they need to show that they are willing to work with Democrats, especially because that party is in control of the Senate and White House. Obstructionism will not work for much longer, and those Republicans need to show that they are willing to work for the benefit of the American people. Democrats and Republicans have collaborated on scores of legislation over the years and they can continue to cooperate in areas of critical importance to the national interest.

Third, the American people have shown in numerous referenda that there is majority support for some form of abortion access. The constructive conservative Republicans must cease trying to implement any further legislation to ban abortion on the state level, and drop the idea of a nationwide abortion ban. Not only is this wholly unpopular across the country, but given that in the leadup to the Dobbs decision GOP leaders promoted the idea that abortion is a states’ right issue, to turn around and call for a nationwide ban on abortion is the height of hypocrisy.

Fourth, they must not support the call to end Medicare and Social Security, calls that have been echoed for decades yet remain extremely unpopular. They must also discourage others in their party from continuously promoting unpopular ideas which will only cause further harm to the party.

Fifth, instead of merely criticizing Trump for his false statements, which are sure to explode in number and scope during his campaign, they must fact-check him and point out the truth. Refuting his lies publicly and often will restore the public’s trust and also give them an opportunity to promote their own constructive conservative agenda.

Sixth, it must henceforth be a given that they make it absolutely clear that they are not

The result of the election gave the Democrats some room to breathe and considerably enhanced Biden’s credibility. The administration must now focus on charting a new path for growth and opportunity for all who seek it, while continuing to deliver on promises they have made and build on what they have achieved. This included rejoining the Paris Climate Agreement, reversing Trump’s cruel family separation policy at the southern border, and reauthorizing the Violence Against Women Act while closing the “boyfriend loophole.” And in addition to the $2.2 trillion CARES stimulus bill in the wake of the pandemic, the Biden administration passed a $1 trillion infrastructure bill, created a plan to forgive up to $20,000 in student loan debt per borrower, and passed the most significant gun control law in 30 years, as well as the Inflation Reduction Act.

Most importantly, the Democrats need to continue to aggressively pursue climate change and address its effects, which are far-reaching and causing an increasing displacement of millions of people, which is fueling a massive influx of immigration. In that regard, the Democrats also need to continue to address immigration and search for a solution to bring immigration under control while remaining consistent with our culture and history of being a country of immigrants, which made America great and powerful.

Under Trump, the United States saw for the first time in its history a president who challenged and violated the constitution, and refused to accept the results of a legitimate election. He was willing and very nearly succeeded in burning our democracy to the ground by plotting and executing a violent insurrection to annul the legitimate result of a free and fair election, which is tantamount to treason. And for this, he must have his day in court. This must be a very serious wakeup call for all Republicans.

Democrats and Republicans alike should be united and unequivocal to ensure that America will never again face the likes of Trump. They must commit to preserve, protect, and defend our democracy, which is the most precious value that has defined America since its inception.

Dr Alon Ben-Meir is a professor of international relations at the Centre for Global Affairs at NYU. He teaches courses on international negotiation and Middle Eastern studies.alon@alonben-meir.com

Editor’s mail

Send your letters to: Letters to Editor, Pakistan Today, 4-Shaarey Fatima Jinnah, Lahore, Pakistan.

Selecting or picking?

THE Sindh Public Service Commission (SPSC) had announced vacancies in the department of Sindh Environmental Protection Agency (Sepa) about two-and-a-half years ago and the final interview was conducted last month. I possess four years of environmental experience and passed the SPSC written examination. So, I had ground to be optimistic about my chance in the interview. What I did not realise was that, probably owing to the temporary closure of the SPSC, things would have gone messier between the exam and the interview. Here is what happened.

An interviewer clearly unfamiliar with the technicalities of the job description asked me about the biggest environmental problem of Pakistan. I talked about water and wastewater pollution because people do not have access to drinking water and the problem of wastewater could not be ignored. The learned interviewer refused to take it as an answer.

I tried to explain myself, pointing out that our mega industries, like fertiliser and power plants as well as oil and gas processing facilities have treatment plants, but small industries do not spend on such things. This basically means that their outflow, combined with municipal waste, does not get treated before it flows into streams and rivers. The learned interviewer was not convinced, insisting on the primacy of air pollution. There is no denying the issue of air pollution, but I was asked to name ‘the biggest environmental problem of Pakistan’, not a major one, and drinking water and wastewater issues remain the topmost concerns for any practising environmentalist worth his salt.

When the gentleman engaged me in an argument over the matter, I wondered if I was there for an interview or a debate.

But the learned interviewer was surely in a different mood and mode altogether. I know a candidate working in Saudi Arabia as a senior environmentalist who also failed to ‘clear’ the interview. He had spent a decent sum of money for a round trip from Saudi Arabia just to appear in the interview, but, as it turned out, it was not worth the effort or the money.

Most of the candidates ‘selected’ had no relevant field experience, which makes the whole selection process and criteria dubious. Besides, the quota system for urban and rural areas is always there to keep things below the bar of merit. Is it any wonder that the country has for long been suffering from brain drain? We often talk about qualified, skilled people leaving the country in search of greener pastures, but never attempt to set things right internally and allow merit to take the country forward in all disciplines. All stakeholders and relevant authorities must think about this dark side of SPSC and its selection criteria. Else, the brain drain will continue taking away the talent from among us.

FAYAZ HUSSAIN SUKKUR

Saving environment

FORMER caretaker prime minister Balakh Sher Mazari passed away earlier this month. Besides our friendship around the Punjab Club, I will always remember him as the prime minister who, in 1993, held the first meeting of the Pakistan Environmental Protection Council (PEPC).

That meeting adopted, in my presence, the National Environmental Quality Standards (NEQS) for Pakistan for the first time; a pioneering step towards implementation of the then applicable Pakistan Environmental Protection Ordinance, 1983, which was subsequently replaced by the Pakistan Environmental Protection Act, 1997.

The 1983 ordinance established the PEPC and required it to hold at least two meetings each year. The president of Pakistan was the president of the council under the 1983 Ordinance. As the draftsman of the ordinance, I had included this requirement following the experience of the Philippines where president Ferdinand Marcos, as the head of the Philippines Environmental Protection Council, had led several environmental initiatives. I was appointed a member of the PEPC in 1983 (and continue to date), and because there was a statutory requirement provided in the 1983 ordinance for the council to hold at least two meetings every year, I wrote to Ghulam Ishaq Khan, the president of the council, to hold such a meeting. His office contacted me and informed that it was against the ‘protocol’ to ask the president of Pakistan to call a statutory meeting. My reply was that I was not requesting the president of Pakistan, but the president of the PEPC. But this distinction was not appreciated.

The council was established in 1983, and, despite the statutory requirement, it did not meet for 10 years. In the meantime, the office of the head of the council got changed from the office of the president of Pakistan to that of the prime minister. It was against this background that we environmentalists welcomed the holding of the first meeting of the council in 1993 on the directions of caretaker prime minister Balakh Sher Mazari. As we mourn the death of a distinguished political leader, I thought of expressing my personal gratitude to the man for having kick-started the nation’s journey towards having a better environment. The NEQS, which, following the 18th Amendment, has led to the establishment of Provincial Environmental Quality Standards (PEQS), was first adopted with his dynamic initiative and support. Those standards continue even today and form the backbone of the national and provincial environmental regimes.

DR PARVEZ HASSAN LAHORE

Flood was not our fault

THE recent floods in Pakistan displaced and injured millions of people. The authorities failed to rescue the citizens in time, and many of them lost their lives. There was water and suffering in most parts of Sindh, Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. People were left stranded, surrounded by water and nothing but skies overhead.

The situation post-flood is no less harrowing. The survivors lack essential supplies and are afflicted with various diseases, with scarcity of life-saving drugs making the situation even more miserable. With winter setting in, the situation is all set to get worse.

Pakistan has suffered a loss of billions of dollars. It has paid the price of bowing down to powerful monsters and bore the brunt of global capitalism. The government should stand firm against these countries and demand not just the rehabilitation of the flood victims, but also a blanket waiver from all international debts and financial commitments.

If the world ignores this rightful demand, the government should sue all these industrialist countries in the International Court of Justice for the climate change phenomenon which has caused heavy rains in this region.

BASHIR NICHARI QUETTA

Dr AloN BEN MEir

A rude awakening for the Republican Party

The result of the midterm election has caused a seriously widening fissure within the Republican Party.

Will GeRMaNy be The NexT NUCleaR WeapONs sTaTe?

abundantly clear that the main threat to German and european security does not come from Russian conventional forces but from nuclear blackmail and hybrid war. The Russian military’s failure in the conventional area has pushed Moscow to rely on nuclear blackmail in Ukraine. However, this is not a new development. Russia announced a first-use policy years ago on the rationale that nuclear weapons would prevent the escalation of a conventional conflict. The rationale for the U.S. deployment of intermediate nuclear forces on German soil in the 1980s was seen as a way of preventing Russia from using nuclear blackmail.

in no way end the era of atomic weapons—one can lament this but that is the reality.”

Translation of Muneer Niazi’s ghazals in a new book

An excerpt from ‘Lost Paradise: Selected Ghazals’ translated from the Urdu by Amitabha Bagchi

scroll Muneer niazi

One major consequence of Germany’s strategic reorientation, or Zeitenwende, will be a reinvigorated debate about the development of a nuclear deterrent. This is an issue that no one in Germany wants to discuss given its history and aversion to all things nuclear. However, this will become an unavoidable question facing German policymakers in the medium term. Russian leader Vladimir Putin’s reckless war in Ukraine and his threat to use nuclear weapons have made it clear that the issue of nuclear deterrence is now very much front and center in european security policy.

The Russian invasion of Ukraine marks the end of the post-Cold War security arrangement reached with German unification in 1990. All of the assumptions and policies shaped around that settlement are now dead, including Germany’s commitment to not produce or possess weapons of mass destruction. A recent speech by German president Frank-Walter Steinmeier, who was a proponent of close relations with Moscow for many years, makes it clear that Berlin now views Russia as a threat for the foreseeable future. Accordingly, this reopens Berlin’s commitment to the non-Proliferation Treaty (nPT) and its reliance on the U.S. nuclear deterrent as the bedrock of its security policy.

The major factors inhibiting the development of a German nuclear force are now much weaker. These include arms control agreements, the credibility of the U.S. deterrent, Germany’s retreat from its civilian nuclear power program, domestic resistance to a nuclear force, and the fear that a nuclear-armed Germany would revive the “German question” with its european partners.

On the strategic level, there has been a clear role reversal from the Cold War when nATO was concerned about the conventional superiority of the Soviet Union. Today, it is

The implications of these developments are already being drawn out in Washington and Paris. The 2022 nuclear Posture Review allows for the possibility of nuclear first use in American doctrine and President emmanuel Macron recently made it clear that the French deterrent is there to protect and defend French territory, and does not extend to its european partners. Additionally, Germany cannot rely anymore on the United States to be a stable partner given the dysfunction of American democracy and increasingly isolationist trends within the Republican Party, as well as the strategic shift in U.S. policy towards China.

Germany had a discussion in the late 1960s about whether it should have a nuclear force, something that Defense Minister Franz Josef Strauss advocated for. This was averted by the proposal of a so-called multilateral force (MLF) which was proposed by nATO as an alternative to an independent German nuclear force. MLF never saw the light of day and Germany was given a role in the nuclear planning group of nATO as compensation. It agreed to sign the nPT and renounced the production of atomic, biological, and chemical weapons.

During the presidency of Donald Trump, this discussion was revived given the loss of confidence in U.S. policy. In 2018, the distinguished political scientist Christian Hacke published an op-ed in Welt am Sonntag arguing that “Germany’s new role as enemy number one of the American President forces Germany to a radical rethinking of its security policy.” He explained that “Germany is for the first time since 1949 without the nuclear umbrella of the United States. Germany is defenseless in case of an extreme crisis.” Hacke was not alone in raising this point. The leading defense expert of the Christian Democrats in the Bundestag, Roderich Kiesewetter, made this case as well. Alexander Graf Lambsdorff, the vice chair of the Free Democrats and its leading foreign policy expert, agreed that German policymakers must openly discuss this issue. “The end of the Cold War did

Another key factor limiting Germany’s nuclear options relates to the shutdown of its civilian nuclear power facilities, which was first announced by Chancellor Angela Merkel in 2011 and is scheduled to be completed this year. As Ulrich Kuehne, Tristan Volpe, and Bert Thompson have contended, the planned phaseout of nuclear power makes it more difficult and costly to start a military nuclear program. While Japan and Iran could go nuclear quite quickly, this would not be the case for Germany. However, Berlin’s decision to shut down its nuclear power plants has been delayed by Putin’s war in Ukraine and the resulting energy cut-off. Therefore, Germany will soon have the ability to utilize its civilian nuclear expertise for military purposes on short notice.

Of course, this would be a very difficult policy to sell at home. not only is there an empowered Green Party which has been anti-nuclear since its founding but also a strong pacifist strain on the Left, particularly in the Social Democratic Party (SPD) and the Greens. But Germany is being forced to reconsider its nuclear stance given the geostrategic environment. Already the Greens and the SPD have been forced to modify their views on military and climate policy. A further deterioration of the european geostrategic environment will lead to more changes in future governing coalitions.

Finally, there is the concern that a nuclear force would reopen the German question and incentivize the organization of countervailing european coalitions. Yet, the Ukraine crisis has made it clear that europe is more concerned about a lack of German leadership in defense and not with strengthening its deterrence. As Steinmeier observed, Germany is now faced with some very difficult choices. A nuclear north Korea, a nuclear curious Iran, and the prospect of Japan and South Korea becoming nuclear powers begs the question: Why should Germany stay behind given its power and centrality to european security? The Russian military is so degraded that there is no reason why europe and Germany can’t provide an alternative conventional and nuclear deterrent. Putin may have been surprised by the reactions in Finland and Sweden to his invasion but he may be even more surprised by the long-term reaction in Germany to his brutal policies.

Stephen F. Szabo is an Adjunct Professor at the BMW Center for German and European Studies, Georgetown University, and author of Germany, Russia and the Rise of Geo-economics.

SHE PASSED BY ME ON HER WAY TO SOMEONE ELSE’S HOME she passed by me on her way to someone else’s home trailing through the air, the scent of silken clothes once I caught a glimpse of a captivating face my eyes have never seen another sight like that again heavy darkness wailed through the streets of the town terror struck my heart when dark clouds came swirling round a lovely pair of waiting eyes watched for him at home who knows which desert’s sun burnt that traveller to his bones the light that came before dawn, Muneer, was filled with so much pain it filled my heart with sorrow, the whistle of a passing train WHEN THE COLOURS OF SPRING SETTLED ON THE GARDEN THEN I SAW when the colours of spring settled on the garden then I saw when the bitterness in my heart relented then I saw I used to look at the expanse of the midnight sky when that garden came down to earth then I saw outside that lane, everything the eye could see had changed when the shadows lifted from my lover’s street then I saw that face looked like something else in the drunken night when sobriety dawned with the morning then I saw there was another river, Muneer, looming ahead of me I had somehow crossed one river when I saw THIS GIRL WHO IS STANDING ON THE BALCONY TODAY this girl who is standing on the balcony today she is a cloud in flight or flowers in a bouquet demurely she unfastens the buttons of her dress a fragrance is about to fill the night’s darkness the light from a red dress fills up my gaze a face is embedded like a jewel in my heart my desires, like buds, once flowered over there that window has been desolate for many, many days the call of the peacock fills the dark with light a hundred beautiful songs, the monsoon pours down tonight STRONG DRINK SHOULD BE DRUNK NOW THAT EVENING HAS COME strong drink should be drunk now that evening has come it has been quite a while, I should now soothe my hurt where will this beautiful garden be once you are dead? no matter how deep the wounds, keep drawing your breath he is wandering through the garden, deep in reverie quietly go, snatch that rose, bring it back to me clouds in the sky and a fragrance rising from the flower-covered land my beautiful one in my lap, and a bottle by my hand fetes of red lips, Muneer, have taken over the streets to spot them in the darkness you need an eye that can see I WAS NOT SOOTHED BY THE BREEZE THAT BLEW IN THE SPRINGTIME OF MY GRIEF

I was not soothed by the breeze that blew in the springtime of my grief and nor was that charming one to be seen on her balcony I have suffered in separation all through this life although I could have had you without any strife walking down the way I saw a forgotten face when I called out to her, I couldn’t recall her name Muneer, you kept kicking up dust in grief’s wilderness although there wasn’t a single thing you wanted and didn’t get

Critical mass of Urdu speakers

ganisers needed some practitioners of journalism in other languages to both expose them to the issues confronting Urdu speakers and writers and, at the same time, be exposed to other national and international trends.

ReCenTLY, I attended a conference organised by the Maulana Azad national Urdu University in Hyderabad to commemorate 200 years of Urdu journalism in India. Initially, the invitation struck me as a bit odd since my knowledge of Urdu is less than basic. Like most people who have an elementary knowledge of spoken Hindi, I can broadly follow what is called Hindustani, but this gives way to incomprehension when a speaker lapses into more classical Urdu. I also freely admit that when some people in northern India try to drive home a point by falling back on Urdu couplets, my stony face gives the game away.

My invitation was explained by the fact that the or-

I am glad to have attended the event because it gave me an insight into the minds of a small but extremely erudite community that sees itself as extremely beleaguered in contemporary India. The declining importance of Urdu in post-Independence India has, however, nothing to do with the election of the narendra Modi government in 2014. Urdu’s importance has been declining steadily since a mass of Urdu speakers and writers migrated to Pakistan from northern India and the erstwhile Hyderabad state after Partition. Although Urdu had an appeal beyond the Muslim community, the critical mass of Urdu speakers was Muslim. When the strategic clout of Indian Muslims declined after 1947, Urdu was an early casualty. Today, a significant section of young Muslims may be Urdu speakers, but they have been tutored in school in Hindi in the Devanagari script.

The champions of Urdu make it a point to stress that the appeal of the language goes beyond religious boundaries. To some extent, they are right. However, it is un-

deniable that through much of the first half of the 20th century, the Hindu-Muslim tensions in the subcontinent were played out in the Urdu-Hindi tussle. The proponents of Muslim separatism equated Urdu with Islam and identified other Indian languages with the Hindu inheritance. The Urdu-Bangla clash that erupted soon after Partition in east Pakistan and culminated in the formation of Bangladesh in 1971 owed almost exclusively to the Pakistani perception that Urdu was the language of Islam. Urdu has forever been haunted by this legacy and its implied political identification has proved a big liability in today’s India.

However, there is an undeniable soft power of Urdu that extends far beyond its formal popularity. The Urduised Hindustani that is often the hallmark of dialogue in Bollywood films is a testimony. However, when an attempt is made for the spoken and written language to converge, the enterprise falters. Over the years, various attempts were made—outside the state sector—to establish Urdu TV channels, not least by the legendary Ramoji Rao who controlled the market of undivided Andhra Pradesh. It never got the necessary commercial traction and had to shut shop. The situation hasn’t changed fun-

damentally.

The future of Urdu as a spoken language, if it is not excessively Persianised, is assured in India because its catchment area is the Hindi-speaking population of northern India. Those who speak Hindi, but not as a mother tongue, are more familiar with the Sanskritised Hindi that All India Radio once broadcast the news in. However, in today’s rush to make Hindi more colloquial, Urdu has secured a new lease of life. This wouldn’t have been the case had the language in the Arabic script been on offer. If the Urdu establishment can make the mental leap into accepting the Devanagari script, its future will be assured in India. However, the political implications of that switch may prove a bit too hard for a minority community to digest. However, it would be an acceptance of reality. The students who graduate in journalism having been instructed in Urdu will, most likely, secure employment in TV stations and digital media platforms that communicate in Hindi.

There is, however, the literary Urdu tradition that needs to be preserved and nurtured. Just as classical Sanskrit requires patronage of the state and religious endowments, the organised study of Urdu as a literary language will need subsidies. This is where universities, such as the one in Hyderabad, or more established institutions, such as the Aligarh Muslim University, come in.

In sum, the future of Urdu in India is inextricably tied up with certain key strategic choices that the Muslim community must exercise, but dispassionately. Rhetorical flourishes may secure thunderous applause but will also guarantee the further marginalisation of an Indian language.

Swapan Dasgupta is India’s foremost conservative columnist. He is the author of Awakening Bharat Mata.

THE RUSSIAN MILITARY IS SO DEGRADED THAT THERE IS NO REASON WHY EUROPE AND GERMANY CAN’T PROVIDE AN ALTERNATIVE CONVENTIONAL AND NUCLEAR DETERRENT

opeN MagaziNe

Swapan DaSgupta

AND WRITERS MIGRATED TO PAKISTAN FROM NORTHERN INDIA AND THE ERSTWHILE HYDERABAD STATE AFTER PARTITION

NatioNal iNterest Stephen F. Szabo

corporate corner

All eYeS on TruMP AfTer MuSk reSToreS hIS TwITTer AccounT

cial is special!”

DoNALDTrump has seemingly rejected returning to Twitter, but as he embarks on a new presidential campaign, will he be able to resist? All eyes were on his account Sunday for any activity, after it was reinstated by the platform’s new owner Elon Musk.

Twitter had issued a “permanent” ban on Trump in the wake of the January 6, 2021 attack by his supporters on the US Capitol, as he sought to overturn his election loss to Democrat Joe Biden.

Rear Admiral Raja Rab Nawaz got commission in Operations Branch of Pakistan Navy in 1991. The Admiral has an illustrious career with vast experience of various Command and Staff appointments. His major Command & Staff appointments include Commanding Officer PNS ZULFIQUAR, Fleet Operations Officer to Commander Pakistan Fleet at Karachi, Director Operational Research, Director Naval Operational Plans, Assistant Chief of Naval Staff (Plans), Chief Staff Officer to Commander Pakistan Fleet, Deputy Chief of Naval Staff (Welfare & Housing) and Commander West. Rear Admiral Raja Rab Nawaz has also served as Defence & Naval Advisor of Pakistan in United Kingdom. Previously, he was serving as Flag Offcer Sea Training (FOST) at Karachi. The Flag Officer is a graduate of Pakistan Navy War College Lahore and National Defence University, Islamabad. He is also a holder of Master's degree in Security Studies from United States. The Admiral is also a recipient of Hilal-e-lmtiaz (Military).

During Change of Command ceremony, the Admiral was presented Guard of Honour and introduced to the Commandants/ Commanding Officers of units under Command. The ceremony was attended by Pakistan Navy officers, CPOs/ Sailors and Navy Civilians. Pr

Grand opening of NAMI ZUMI at Marriott Hotel Karachi

But Musk, who describes himself as a “free speech absolutist,” posted a Twitter poll Saturday that saw a majority support the former president’s reinstatement, and the platform’s new owner wasted no time in acting on it.

As of 01:19 am EST (0620 GMT) Monday, the revived account of the “45th President of the United States of America,” with its blue “verified” checkmark, had not posted any new messages.

The last message dates from January 8, 2021, when the billionaire said he would not attend Biden’s inauguration ceremony.

on the same day, Twitter banned the account, which was being followed by some 88.8 million people, citing the risk

of further incitement to violence. Campaign linKs: Trump’s followers numbered 87.3 million as of Monday — though it was unclear how many of those were real and how many were bots — while the number of accounts followed by him went from zero to 49.

The account also linked to a campaign website seeking donations for Trump’s 2024 presidential run.

It was not clear who linked the website to the account or what any changes in the number of followers means — mass layoffs in recent weeks under Musk have seen Twitter’s communications team decimated.

Trump reveled in using Twitter as a mouthpiece during his presidency,

posting policy announcements, attacking political rivals and communicating with supporters.

More than 15 million votes were cast in Musk’s poll — Twitter has 237 million daily users — with 51.8 percent in favour of reinstating Trump’s controversial profile and 48.2 percent against.

Musk asked for a simple “yes” or “no” response to the statement, “Reinstate former President Trump.”

on Saturday, while the poll was still underway, Trump posted a link to it on Truth Social, the Twitter alternative he founded, urging his 4.6 million followers there to vote for him.

But he also wrote: “don’t worry, we aren’t going anywhere. Truth So-

Founder of Argentina’s anti-dictatorship ‘mothers’ dies aged 93

Hebe de Bonafini, who led a group of Argentine women known as the Mothers of Plaza de Mayo in defying the military dictatorship and demanding the truth about their missing children, died Sunday at 93, the country’s vicepresident said.

Bonafini was one of the founders of the group in 1977, uniting a group of mothers who protested in front of the presidency, desperate to know the whereabouts of tens of thousands who were abducted during the brutal 19761983 military regime.

also paid tribute to Bonafini. Kidnapping of leftists, babies: Some 30,000 people were abducted and presumed killed by the regime or rightwing death squads in the 1970s and 1980s for being suspected leftists.

That was compounded by the drama of the widespread kidnapping of babies born to suspected dissidents being held during the rightwing dictatorship.

Many babies — offspring of now-dead dissidents — were born in captivity without the knowledge of their blood relatives and were given to military families to adopt.

Karachi:

Yair Binyamin, has worked extensively to recreate the menu, introducing specialties from Hong Kong, Singapore, Japan, Korea, Thailand, Vietnam, Malaysia and Mongolia, in addition to Chinese cuisine. Present amongst the guests were Consul Generals from different countries, Corporate Executives, celebrities, influencers, socialites and Management from Karachi Marriott Hotel. The event entailed a red-carpet reception followed by a musical performance and a Chinese dragon dance, while the guests sampled through the latest culinary additions onthe revamped menu such as Singapore Kung Pao Lobster, Indonesian Wok Chart Shrimps, Szechuan Crispy Caramelized Sticky Fish, Singapore Rock Shrimps, Beijing Crispy Beef, Soups, Panna Cotta, Crème Brûlée and fancy mocktails. "We wanted to create a space where people can experience a taste of modern Pan Asian cuisine," said Mr. Gregor Schmidt Kiefer, the hotel’s General Manager. "You can come by yourself or arrive as a group and experience a selection of delicious dishes from nine countries, all under one roof. It's a place for people to connect over good food," he added. A little dessert neatly rounds off the new menu, putting an Asian spin on classic French desserts. Pr

Jubilant firing claims life of woman

KHANEWAL INP

Jubilant firing during a 'mehndi' function claimed life of a woman turning the wedding into mourning house. Heavy aerial firing was witnessed during a mehndi ceremony held in village 85/15-L of Khanewal. A bullet hit a woman resulting in her instant death turning the wedding ceremony into mourning house. The body was shifted to hospital for postmortem and police after registering a case into the incident started investigation.

For 45 years, through different governments, the women continued to meet, marching around the Plaza de Mayo in their trademark white headscarves, in an often futile search for justice. Vice President Cristina Kirchner announced Bonafini’s death on Twitter, praising her as a “world symbol of the fight for human rights, pride of Argentina.”

Her daughter, Alejandra Bonafini, confirmed her death at a Buenos Aires hospital where she had been admitted for several days.

“These are very difficult moments of deep sadness, and we understand the love people have for Hebe. But, right now, we need to cry in private,” wrote Alejandra.

Argentina’s President Alberto Fernandez said Bonafini was a “tireless fighter for human rights,” and declared three days of national mourning. “The government and the Argentine people recognize her as an international symbol of the search for memory, truth and justice for the 30,000 missing,” he added in a statement.

“As founder of the Mothers of Plaza de Mayo, she shone a light in the middle of the dark night of military dictatorship, and lay a path to the recovery of democracy.”

The governments of Cuba and Venezuela

Bonafini, who attended rallies in recent years in her wheelchair, was born in 1928 in Ensenada, a town 60 kilometres (37 miles) from Buenos Aires. She was a housewife when the military seized power in 1976, ousting Isabel Peron, the wife of late president Juan Peron.

However, in 1977, her sons and daughterin-law were kidnapped and disappeared.

“I forgot who I was the day they disappeared. I never thought of myself again,” Bonafini said recently at the launch of a photo exhibition on her life.

A few months later, she and a small group of women began protesting in front of the Casa Rosada, the pink presidential palace.

The mothers risked the same fate as their political activist children — torture, death or simply disappearing without a trace. Instead, the generals tried to laugh them off, mocking them as “madwomen.”

The women circled the Plaza de Mayo every Thursday until the Covid-19 pandemic broke out, becoming famous worldwide for their struggle. In later years, Bonafini became a more controversial figure, becoming a radical supporter of leftist Kirchnerism and staunch backer of former president Nestor Kirchner and his wife Cristina, the current vice president.

And, appearing via video at a gathering of the Republican Jewish Coalition in Las Vegas, Trump said he welcomed the poll and was a fan of Musk, but appeared to reject any return to the platform.

“I don’t see it, because I don’t see any reason for it,” he said.

‘better ChoiCes’: Trump posts often on Truth Social, sometimes dozens of times a day, and in recent months has engaged more brazenly than ever with extremist content, including dozens of posts from promoters of the QAnon conspiracy theory.

Although his reach there is relatively small, experts say the misinformation he spreads reverberates across the internet.

His reinstatement to the much larger and more mainstream platform of Twitter comes as his announcement that he will run for president again in 2024 is not being met with the kind of enthusiasm that marked his earlier bids.

He announced his candidacy just after the midterm elections, in which he had endorsed hundreds of candidates.

But Democrats did unexpectedly well and a predicted Republican “red wave” did not materialise, prompting a backlash against Trump and extremism in the Republican Party.

Youth killed in road mishap, robber shot during robbery

SHEIKHUPURA INP

A youth was killed while his two family members injured in mass collision of bikes and rickshaw. A robber was shot death during a dacoity attempt here on Monday. According to details, two motorcycles and a rickshaw collided due to over speeding near Sajwal Stop in Sheikhupura. A youth Umair 18, was killed in the accident while his mother Mussarat Parveen 35, and sister Sehar 10, were injured. A robber later identified as Babar Dindar was killed in firing of citizen during robbery attempt near Taredy Wali stop at Sharqpur Road. A passerby was also injured in firing of robber. Police also recovered arms, a bike and cash from possession of the killed robber. The bodies and injured of both incidents were shifted to different hospitals and police after registering separate cases at concerned police stations started investigation.

PSMA thanks Ishaq Dar for listening to its issues

LAHORE APP

Pakistan Sugar Mills Association (PSMA) central office bearers on Monday thanked Federal Minister for Finance and Revenue Ishaq Dar and Federal Minister for National Food Security and Research Tariq Bashir Cheema for patiently listening to the issues of the association. According to a press release issued here by PSMA, central office bearers of PSMA would once again meet the Federal Minister for National Food Security on coming Thursday and hoped for positive outcome in this regard.

Minister directs IPC, PSB to submit PC-1 of Narowal Sports City on Nov 30

ISLAMABAD APP

Minister for Planning and Development and Special Initiatives, Professor Ahsan Iqbal on Monday directed the Ministry of Inter-Provincial Coordination (IPC) and Pakistan Sports Board (PSB) to submit PC-1 of the Narowal Sports City on November 30.

The minister made these directions while chairing a meeting to review the progress of Narowal Sports City. The officials of IPC, PSB, NESPAK and

P3A Board attended the meeting.

The minister expressed dissatisfaction over the delay and reprimanded the IPC’s officials for not executing the projects. “There is no progress despite the lapse of seven months which shows the non-serious attitude of the Ministry,” said the minister, adding that it's public money which must be utilized for the public.

The sports city has 14 stadiums and courts of sports, such as cricket, football, hockey, volleyball, squash, table tennis, lawn tennis, badminton

court and other games besides swimming pools which was started by the minister. However, in 2018, Pakistan Tehreek-e- Insaf (PTI) stopped this project as a result athletes were deprived from this facility.

During the meeting, the Minister also directed the P3A Board to establish a company on December 15, which will help in maintenance of the Sport City while recommending people from different walks of life in the company. The minister observed that CDWP had directed to establish such a

company that would be responsible for the management and maintenance of the Sports City.

The minister noted that Narowal Sports City should be a national asset that not only becomes the face of Pakistani sports spirit but a profitable and credible resource for the country.

This project should be functional on March 23, 2023 and necessary procurements should be ready before the deadline, directed the minister while highlighting the significance of the public interest project.

Food enthusiasts in the city of lights can now enjoy a new variety of Pan Asian cuisine at the recently launched NAMI ZUMI Restaurant at Marriott Hotel, Karachi. Previously known as Suzie Wong, the restaurant was relaunched as NAMI ZUMI unveiling its new menu during an exclusive and grand opening event hosted at the Hotel on 10th November. The specialty Chef,

BUENOS AIRES AFP

Rear Admiral Raja Rab Nawaz assumes command as Commander Coast

Karachi: Rear Admiral Raja Rab Nawaz assumed command as Commander Coast (COMCOAST) during Change of Command ceremony held at Karachi. Rear Admiral Javaid Iqbal handed over command to the newly appointed Commander Coast. Upon assumption of Command, Rear Admiral Raja Rab Nawaz is now Commander of all Coastal units of Pakistan Navy.

ChIna pledgeS To CoopeRaTe WITh naTIonS on ouTeR SpaCe exploRaTIon

HAIKoU Agencies

CHINAis willing to work with other countries to strengthen exchanges and cooperation to jointly explore the universe, peacefully utilize outer space and promote space technology to better benefit the people of the world, said Chinese President Xi Jinping.

President Xi made the remarks on Monday in a congratulatory letter to the United Nations/China Global Partnership Workshop on Space Exploration and Innovation, which opened on Monday in Haikou City, south China’s Hainan Province.

With the Chang’e probes flying to the moon, the Zhurong rover probing Mars, the Xihe satellite chasing the sun and the China Space Station’s traveling among the stars, China has deepened understanding of the universe and is committed to improving the well-being of mankind, according to Xi.

China’s first Mars rover Zhurong with its landing platform. /China National Space Administration

There is no end to China’s space exploration, Xi added.

The workshop is hosted by the China National Space Administration, the People’s Government of Hainan Province and the United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs.

China welcomes COP27 results, terms it ‘positive sign of strengthened joint efforts’

The results of the 27th session of the Conference of the Parties (COP27) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) sent a positive sign of countries’ intensified cooperation in the fight against climate change, Chinese Foreign Ministry said on Monday. The remarks were made by Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning at a regular press conference as she commented on the outcome of the UN climate conference ended on Saturday.

Turkey mulling land operation in Syria: Reports

ANKARA Agencies

The air operation that Turkey has carried out in northern Syria could be the first step toward a land operation. Earlier, it reported that Turkey had once again carried out an air attack against the city of Kobani in northern Syria. Farhad Shami, the head of the media center of the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), said on Twitter late on Saturday night that Turkish aircraft were attacking the city of Kobani. It reported citing Turkey’s defense ministry that an air operation against YPG, the military wing of the PKK, or the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (both designated by Ankara as terrorist organizations), was being carried out in northern Syria and northern Iraq. It reported on Monday that 89 terrorist targets were destroyed during the air operation in Syria and Iraq and many PKK leaders were eliminated. The air operation is considered the first step toward a potential land operation in Syria, the newspaper said. According to Yeni Safak, Turkey’s operation was initially planned for Sunday night but was launched a day earlier after US officials, who were informed of the operation, deciphered it in advance. The Counter-Terrorism Group (CTG) Kurdistan said on Sunday that the Turkish air force had conducted over 25 attacks on the positions of Kurdish armed groups in Iraqi Kurdistan and in northern Syria, eliminating 32 YPG militants. Turkish Defense Minister Hulusi Akar said on Sunday that Turkey’s most recent air strikes in northern Syria and Iraq

Held in the year of UNFCCC’s 30th anniversary, COP27 has reached a package of achievements following principles of the Paris Agreement, a positive sign that countries have strengthened their joint efforts to cope with climate change by upholding multilateralism, Mao said.

She noted that progress made in areas such as mitigation and adaptation promoted the implementation of the Paris Agreement, and establishing “loss and damage” fund responded to the crying need of developing countries.

However, Mao mentioned, developed countries’ failure to provide developing countries with $100 billion climate finance per year as they promised hindered global climate governance.

China’s special envoy for climate change Xie Zhenhua also made a great effort to help the conference to achieve positive results, she said, adding that China will continue to actively participate in the global governance of climate change.

Opposition parties defeat PM Yaakob’s Alliance in Malaysian polls

(0600 GMT) on Monday.

Though Malaysia’s elections resulted in a divided mandate but the inconclusive election saw Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob’s Barisan Nasional Alliance suffer its worst electoral defeat ever, winning just 30 of the 178 seats it ran for.

Longtime opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim, whose Pakatan Harapan coalition won the most number of seats in Saturday’s election with 82, is also racing to win support from other groups.

Former premiers Muhyiddin Yassin’s Perikatan Nasional coalition came second with 73 seats. Yassin however claimed of secured backing from two political blocs on Sunday as he sought to form a new government after a general election produced a hung parliament, but he had yet to win the required majority.

Muhyiddin said he had won support from two regional blocs based in the island of Borneo. That would boost his alliance’s seat tally from 73 to 101 – still short of the required 112 majority.

“I am confident I will obtain enough support from lawmakers that will enable

me to be appointed by the king as Prime Minister,” he said, without saying which other parties might back him.

It prolongs political uncertainty in the Southeast Asian nation, which has seen three prime ministers in as many years, at a time of slowing economic growth and rising inflation.

The instability reflects a transformation in a country that has been one of the most stable for decades in a region that has had its share of military coups, violent political upheavals, and insurgencies.

Harris’ Philippines visit aims to fan conflicts surrounding South China Sea

BEIJING Agencies

Pursuing an agenda of fanning conflicts surrounding the South China Sea and Taiwan questions and containing China, US Vice President Kamala Harris was in the Philippines for a three-day visit after attending the APEC meeting in Thailand and met with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr on Monday, becoming the highest-ranking American official to visit the country since Marcos took power in June.

But for officials in Manila and other countries in Southeast Asia, who loathe being caught in a big power rivalry, the US peddling of the “China threat” in the region will make them realize who is the real saboteur of regional security and stability, and alienate them further from the US, Global Times report said.

Harris’ visit is seen by Chinese observers as a glimpse into US policy on China after the leaders of the two countries met in Indonesia last week. They believed that while the leaders’ meeting ushered in a “remission” of conflict, Harris’ visit, along with US politicians’ recent remarks, serves as a reminder that Washington’s antagonism and hostility toward China remain unchanged. They believed the next two years will be a “window of opportunity” for both if they can translate positive signs into momentum of pushing forward bilateral ties,

before relations are thrown into uncertainty again when the next US prsidential election comes. During her meeting with Marcos on Monday, Harris said the US has an “unwavering” commitment to the Philippines.

“We stand with you in defense of international rules and norms as it relates to the South China Sea,” Harris told Marcos at the start of talks in the presidential palace in Manila, the Straits Times reported. “An attack on the Philippine armed forces, public vessels or aircraft in the South China Sea would invoke the

US mutual defense commitment… That is our unwavering commitment to the Philippines,” Harris said, according to the report.

Harris is the highest-ranking American official to visit the Philippines since Marcos took power in June. She also met with her Philippine counterpart, Sara Duterte, daughter of the former president Rodrigo Duterte.

On Tuesday, she will fly to Palawan province, which lies along the South China Sea, to meet fishermen, villagers, officials and the coast guard. Palawan province is also home to the Antonio Bautista Air Base in Puerto Princesa, the center of the Philippine military command. She will be the highest-ranking US leader to visit the frontier island at the forefront of the disputed waters, media reported. When asked about Harris’ trip to the Philippines and to the military base, Mao Ning, spokesperson of China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said, “We don’t oppose US interaction with regional countries. But such interaction should promote regional peace and stability, not damage other countries’ interests.”

Harris’ visit aims to reinforce Washington’s Indo-Pacific strategy, and demonstrate US support for the Philippines and other Southeast Asian allies, said Chinese experts. “Although China has not publicly been mentioned during her visit yet, the US vice president seeks to fan disputes surrounding the South China Sea in this region, and remind

On Sunday, the palace instructed the parties to each present the name of a lawmaker it thinks has majority by 2 p.m.

Race and Religion: A record number of Malaysians voted on Saturday, and they rejected Ismail’s multi-ethnic Barisan coalition, led by the United

National Organisation (UMNO)

has long been the country’s dominant political force.

Race and religion are divisive issues in Malaysia, where the mostly Muslim Malays are the majority of the population, with sizable ethnic Chinese and Indian minorities.

A key winner in the election was the Islamist PAS party in Muhyiddin’s Perikatan grouping, securing the largest number of seats of any single party.

“I think what we learned here is that the country is more divided,” said Asrul Hadi Abdullah Sani, deputy managing director at political risk consultancy BowerGroupAsia.

Mahathir Mohamad, 97 and Malaysia’s longest-serving premier, suffered his first election defeat in 53 years, losing his seat to the Perikatan alliance.

Muhyiddin became prime minister in 2020, but his administration collapsed last year, paving the way for Barisan’s return to power with Ismail at the helm.

Iranian WC squad declines to sing national anthem, backing protests

DUBAI Agencies

Iran’s World Cup soccer team declined to sing their national anthem before their opening match against England on Monday after many fans back home accused the squad of siding with a violent state crackdown on persistent popular unrest. Protests demanding the fall of the ruling Shia Muslim theocracy have gripped Iran since the death two months ago of young woman Mahsa Amini after her arrest for flouting the strict Islamic dress code. Dozens of Iranian public figures, athletes and artists have displayed solidarity with the protesters – but not the national soccer team, until Monday’s match when all team members remained silent when the national anthem was played. Iranian state television did not show the players lined up for the anthem before the match got under way in Qatar, just across the Gulf from their homeland. The Iranian squad could not avoid being overshadowed by the anti-government unrest that has rattled Iran’s theocracy, while other World Cup teams were squarely focused on their tactics on the pitch. Ahead of the match, no Iranian player had voiced support for the demonstrations by compatriots from all walks of life, one of the most sustained challenges to the cleric elite since the 1979 Islamic Revolution. In the past, the Iranian soccer team was a source of fired up national pride throughout the country. Now, with mass protests, many would prefer it withdrew from the World Cup. Before travelling to Doha the team met with hardline Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi. Photos of the players with Raisi, one of them bowing in front of him, went viral while the street unrest raged on, drawing an outcry on social media. “I have mixed feelings. I love football but with all these children, women and men killed in Iran, I think the national team should not play,” university student Elmira, 24, said, speaking by telephone from Tehran before the match. “It is not Iran’s team, it is the Islamic Republic’s team.

KUALA LUMPUR Agencies

Gabungan Parti Sarawak, one of the Borneo regional blocs, said it was willing to work with Muhyiddin and the incumbent Barisan alliance to form a government. Forming a government may require the involvement of Malaysia’s king, whose largely ceremonial role includes the power to appoint as prime minister a lawmaker he believes will command a majority.

Malays

which

EnglAnD ThRAShES IRAn by 6-2 In WC oPEnER

DOHA AgencieS

bUKAYOSaka said England sent a statement of what they can achieve in Qatar after thrashing Iran 6-2 on Monday to launch their World Cup in style. The Arsenal winger scored twice on his World Cup debut and Jude Bellingham, Raheem Sterling, Marcus Rashford and Jack Grealish also struck to end a six-game winless run for Gareth Southgate’s men.

“We needed that good start. We haven’t played the best coming into the tournament. There was a lot of talk and speculation about our form but we showed everyone how much quality we have and what we can do,” Saka told the BBC.

“It is amazing to get the win under so much pressure. But we have to be consistent because we have the next game coming up in a few days and we have to win again.” aka missed the decisive penalty as England lost the Euro 2020 final to Italy 16 months ago.

But the 21-year-old has bounced back at club level to help Arsenal top the Premier League and he justified Southgate’s call to start him ahead of Manchester City’s Phil Foden.

“I can’t describe the feeling, it is amazing. I am so happy and so proud. We got the win as well so it is a really special day,” added Saka. “I feel in a good place. I feel the support and love from the fans, the coaching staff and my teammates. “That is all I need. I feel ready to give 100 percent and I will continue to do that every time

I put the shirt on.” southgAte frustrAtion: Teenager Bellingham opened the floodgates with a deft header to score his first England goal.

“I told you I wanted to try and score more goals for Dortmund and England,” said the 19-year-old Borussia Dortmund midfielder. “It was a brilliant ball from (Luke) Shaw and I was just there to flick it away. Really proud moment for me. It’s a really good day for us. Six goals in a World Cup game is really impressive regardless of who you play against.”

However, Southgate was left frustrated at the manner of Iran’s two goals, scored by Mehdi Taremi. The Porto striker fired in off the underside of the bar to reduce the deficit to 4-1 and then converted a penalty with virtually the last kick of the game.

“I’ve got to be very happy, but we shouldn’t be conceding two goals at that stage of the game,” said Southgate, who was under pressure in the lead-up to the World Cup.

“We’re going to have to be right on our game against the (United) States (on Friday), it’s a great start but we are going to have to be better.”

The late goal denied England a record-equalling victory at the World Cup to match their 6-1 win over Panama in Russia four years ago. “To win by that margin, to play as we did for the majority of the game, we’ve got to be happy,” added Southgate.

“The way the players have prepared, they looked ready. We felt they wanted to be that type of team and they dealt with the game really well.”

Pakistan names mystery spinner for Tests against England

LAHORE the ASSociAted PReSS

Pakistan has named uncapped mystery spinner Abrar Ahmed and fast bowler Mohammad Ali in its 18-member squad for next month’s three-Test home series against England.

The 24-year-old Ahmed is in top form in the ongoing domestic first-class tournament, where he has picked up 43 wickets at an impressive average of 21.95.

Ali has made his way into the Test squad after grab bing 56 wickets in the last two domestic seasons and his tally of 24 wickets this season are the most by any fast bowler in the tournament.

England will play a Test series in Pakistan 17 years after last touring the country in 2005. Pakistan has twice hosted England during this period in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). England toured Pakistan before the T20 World Cup in Australia for a seven-match T20 series and went on to beat Pakistan in the T20 World Cup final at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG).

Door opens for Warner’s Australia captaincy ban to be lifted

SYDNEY AFP

“Mohammad Ali has shown great patience and control, and his numbers speak for his consistency,” chief selector Mohammad Wasim said on Monday.

“Abrar is in outstanding form this season, so it does make sense to make him

available to (captain) Babar Azam so he can use the confidence and talent of this youngster in the upcoming series.”

England will be arriving later this week and will kick off the tour with the first Test at Rawalpindi from December 1. Multan

will host the second Test from December 913 before Karachi hosts the final Test from December 17-21.

Two more uncapped bowlers — fast bowler Mohammad Wasim and leg-spinner Zahid Mehmood — are also part of the squad. Both players were part of the squad for the home series against Australia but were not used.

Pakistan will be without key fast bowler Shaheen Shah Afridi after the leftarm paceman underwent appendicitis surgery on Sunday. Afridi needs three to four weeks to recover, after which he will undergo rehabilitation on his right knee.

Afridi did represent Pakistan in the T20 World Cup after recovering from a knee injury, but sustained another blow to the same knee while fielding during the final against England.

The selectors have also dropped seasoned leg-spinner Yasir Shah, middle-order batter Fawad Alam and fast bowler Hasan Ali after below-par performances in Pakistan’s two-Test series, against Australia and Sri Lanka.

Batters dominate tenth round matches of Quaid trophy

Cricket Australia amended its player code of conduct policy Monday, paving the way for David Warner to apply to have his lifetime leadership ban lifted. The dynamic opener and former Test vice-captain was banned from any leadership role in Australia over his part in the Cape Town balltampering affair in 2018. He was also slapped with a one-year playing suspension, but bounced back to reclaim his place in the national side across all three formats of the game. Under Cricket Australia’s amended policy, Warner will now be able to request a review of his captaincy ban before a panel of three code of conduct commissioners. The 36-year-old must show that “exceptional circumstances exist to justify modifying a sanction”, including demonstrating remorse and evidence of improved behaviour. The new rule “acknowledges that players and player support personnel are capable of genuine reform or rehabilitation”. “It is intended to provide the player or player support personnel with an opportunity to resume their previously held positions or responsibilities in specific circumstances,” CA added. Under the previous code of conduct, players had no right to review a sanction once it had been accepted. Pat Cummins is currently Australia’s Test and ODI captain and Aaron Finch skipper of the T20 side. A lifting of WArner’s bAn Would mAke him A pri: me candidate to take over the T20 captaincy should Finch step down, as he recently did from the 50-over format.

Sindh further consolidated their chances of a final’s appearance in the Quaid-eAzam Trophy 2022-23 season by cruising past the 600-run mark in the first innings against Balochistan in their tenth round match here at the LCCA Ground. while Southern Punjab were helped by centuries from Salman Ali Agha and Imran Rafiq on day-two of their tie against Central Punjab at the Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore on Monday. Khyber Pakhtunkhwa on the other hand took a slender first innings lead against tabletoppers Northern at the Shoaib Akhtar Cricket Stadium, Rawalpindi.

t the LCCA Ground, Khurram Manzoor and captain Saud Shakeel resumed the Sindh first innings at 349 for one. The two took the partnership to 279 before the seasoned Khurram was dismissed by left-arm spinner Kashif Bhatti for 174 off 260 balls (24 fours, one six). Saud fell for 181 off 259 balls (19 fours, one six). The left-hander spent 414 minutes at the crease during his outstanding innings. Omair Bin Yousuf who had scored a century in the previous game in Karachi scored 71 off 132 (nine fours, one six).

awad Alam (55 not out, 135 balls, four fours) and Saad Khan (57 not out,

113 balls, six fours, one six) had both passed their fifties when stumps were drawn for the day. The two have so far added 103 runs for the fifth-wicket. Sindh finished day-two at 607 for four –155 overs. A draw will all but guarantee Sindh a place in the five-day tournament final that will be played from 26 November.

Southern Punjab resumed their first innings at 270 for three at the Gaddafi Stadium. Middle-order batter Salman Ali Agha led the way for his side on day-two with an imperious 158 not out off 168 balls (23 fours, one six). Salman added 134 runs for the fourth-wicket with Imran who converted his overnight unbeaten half-century into a 117-run innings. Imran faced 211 balls and hit 17 fours and a six.

kipper Hasan Ali blazed a quickfire 38 not out off 24 balls (five fours, two sixes) as Southern Punjab declared their innings at an imposing 550 for eight total. Central Punjab openers Imran Dogar (39 not out) and Abid Ali (35 not out) provided their side a confident 70run start in 20 overs before stumps were drawn for the day.

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa resumed their first innings at six for one and reached 241 for five by close of play on day-two. Middle-order batter Kamran Ghulam topscored with 81 off 128 balls (10 fours and

one six). Talented youngster Maaz Khan was unbeaten on 70 (178 balls, eight fours, one six) when stumps were drawn for the day. Opener Israrullah scored 49 runs, Kashif Ali with two for 47 was the most successful Northern bowler. Northern had been dismissed for 223 runs in their first innings on day-one. scores in brief:

Sindh won the toss and opted to bat against Balochistan at the LCCA Ground, Lahore

Sindh 607 for 4, 155 overs (Saud Shakeel 181, Khurram Manzoor 174, Omair Bin Yousuf 71, Saad Khan 57 not out, Fawad Alam 55 not out; Kashif Bhatti 2-13.

Toss uncontested – Central Punjab chose to field against Southern Punjab at the Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore

Southern Punjab 550 for 8 (declared) 126 overs (Salman Ali Agha 158 not out, Zeeshan Ashraf 145, Imran Rafiq 117, Hasan Ali 38; Qasim Akram 3-43, Umaid Asif 2-87)

Central Punjab 75 for no loss, 20 overs (Imran Dogar 39 not out, Abid Ali 35 not out) Toss uncontested – Khyber Pakhtunkhwa chose to field against Northern at the Shoaib Akhtar Stadium, Rawalpindi

Northern 223 all out, 72.2 overs (Rohail Nazir 82, Mubasir Khan 31; Ihsanullah 4-41, Niaz Khan 3-59)

Ronaldo says row with Man Utd ‘won’t

shake’ Portugal team

DOHA AgencieS

Cristiano Ronaldo said Monday that his row with Manchester United would not have an ad-

Cup

the

Qatar. Reduced to a peripheral role at United this season, the superstar last week lashed out at his club and United coach Erik ten Hag in a tv interview. “I have no doubt that this recent episode, that interview, and other episodes with other players that happen sometimes, can sometimes shake the player but won’t shake the team,” Ronaldo said at a press conference at the Portugal camp.

Ronaldo was suspended for the Premier League club’s 1-1 draw at Chelsea after refusing to come on as a substitute against Tottenham last month.

The 37-year-old claimed during the interview with British journalist Piers Morgan that he felt “provoked” into that reaction by Ten Hag. The five-time Ballon d’Or winner remains the spearhead for Portugal despite his struggles at club level and hopes to keep playing until he is 40.

Pakistan to play England Test series without Shaheen Afridi

LAHORE StAFF RePoRt

Pakistan pace bowling spearhead Shaheen Shah Afridi has been ruled out of the three-match Test series against England following an appendicitis surgery. Pakistan cricket team’s Chief Selector Mohammad Wasim on Monday announced the national squad for the home Test series against England, starting December 1. The pace bowling spearhead Shaheen has been ruled out of the three-match Test series following an appendectomy surgery to remove the appendix when it is infected at a local hospital on Sunday. The absence of Shaheen has dealt a huge blow to the Pakistani side, who rely massively on the young bowler to lead the team’s pace attack. The star pacer’s availability in the 18-member squad was already doubful due to a knee injury, which he suffered during the T20 World Cup 2022 final against England on November 13. Then, he also underwent appendicitis surgery.

verse effect on

Portugal team at the World

in

LAHORE StAFF RePoRt

Dar taKes notIce of ‘unwarranteD leaK’ of tax InforMatIon of coas faMIly

isLaMaBad shahzad Paracha

MINISTERfor Finance & Revenue Senator Ishaq Dar Monday took serious note of “illegal and unwarranted leak” of tax information of the family members of General Qamar Javed Bajwa, Chief of Army Staff (COAS) as the offence is a blatant violation of Income Tax Ordinance, 2001.

“This [leak] is clearly violative of the complete confidentiality of tax information that the Income Tax law provides,” said an official handout issued by the finance ministry. However, the statement did not rebut the allegations leveled against the family of the army chief.

“In view of this serious lapse on the part of to-date unknown functionaries, the Finance minister has directed the SAPM on Revenue Tariq Mehmood Pasha to personally lead an immediate investigation into the

violation of tax law and breach of FBR data, affix responsibility and submit a report within twenty four hours,” the statement asserted.

Sources in the FBR, however, told Pakistan Today that under the law, no official can share or leak the tax details of any taxpayer as the tax details are protected under section 216 of Income Tax Ordinance, 2001 as explained in the disclosure of information by the taxpayer.

The law states that any statement made, return furnished, or accounts or documents produced under the provisions of this Ordinance; any evidence given, or affidavit or deposition made, in the course of any proceedings under this Ordinance, other than proceedings under Part XI of Chapter X; or any record of any assessment proceedings or any proceeding relating to the recovery of a demand, shall be confidential and no public servant save as provided in this Ordinance may disclose any such particulars.

“If some official violates the privacy of

the taxpayer under section 198 of Income Tax Ordinance 2001 with regard to unauthorized disclosure of information then he/she can be fined (not less than five hundred thousand rupees) or could be subjected to imprisonment for a term not exceeding (one year) or both,” said the official.

Sources said that there are two systems in place with regard to access of someone’s tax details. “One is the IRIS system and the second is the Integrated Tax Management System (ITMS)”.

“No one, except an designated official, in the IRIS system can access the tax record including wealth statements of any individual whereas any official can access or misuse the tax record of any individual under ITMS,” said the official.

Recently, Justice Yahya Afridi in the detailed judgement of Justice Qazi Faez Isa case in a separate note mentioned, “Section 216 of the Income Tax Ordinance, 2001, commands confidentiality of the information of a tax filer and breach therefore ex-

poses the delinquent to penal consequences under sections 198 and 199 of the Ordinance”.

It is worth mentioning here that the incumbent government had also established a 10-member committee under the supervision of the Minister for Law and Justice to fix responsibility, who had leaked confidential tax information of Justice Qazi Isa and his family.

However, contrary to the law, the official said that the International Monetary Fund (IMF) had directed the federal government to make tax details of all public office holders by September 30, 2022, but the government has failed to fulfill the condition of the IMF.

It is pertinent to mention here that a website namely, Fact Focus, has published an article about members of Gen Bajwa’s immediate and extended family, alleging that they started a new international business, shifted capital abroad, and bought foreign properties.

Food security, finance ministries clash over export of sugar

SUGARCANE CROP IN SINDH DAMAGED 40% DUE TO FLOODS, EXPORTS MAY LEAD TO PRICE HIKE

provinces would also have to provide written verification in this regard.

Imran Khan sees no hope for normalisation with Modi’s India

isLaMaBad agencies

A divide has appeared within the federal government over the issue of exporting sugar. A high powered meeting between members of the sugar industry and different government ministers ended with the food ministry opposing the export of sugar despite finance minister Ishaq Dar being in favour of exporting excess stock.

The meeting had been called yesterday after federal minister for Food Security and Research, Tariq Bashir Cheema, said he would not allow the export of sugar without proper verification on the floor of the national assembly last week. In Monday’s meeting, which was also attended by Ishaq Dar and representatives from the Pakistan Sugar Mills Association (PSMA), Cheema said that the sugar crop has already been damaged by the floods and exporting the proposed 1.2 million tonnes would result in a price hike of at least Rs 25 per kg of the essential commodity.

While the powerful sugar millers

are anxious to export over 1.2 million ton sugar, which they term surplus stock, the Ministry of Food Security and Research (MoFS&R) has opposed export for anticipated shortage in the next crop. It was earlier reported that sugarcane worth Rs20.56 billion were lost because of the floods.

“Mr Cheema was of the opinion that at least 40 percent of the sugarcane crop in Sindh has been damaged by the flood which could ultimately create shortage of the largely consumed commodity in the country,” said a reliably placed source that was present at the meeting. Meanwhile, powerful sugar barons have threatened to not begin the crushing season until export of the one million tonnes of sugar is allowed.

As per the association it was necessary to start the crushing season by November 30, but sugar mills already had surplus stocks from the last season, amounting to more than one million tonnes, which was enough to meet the national sugar requirements till January 15. “Though Finance Minister

Ishaq Dar was much in favour of exporting the surplus stock as per demand of PSMA, the food ministry showed its reservations,” said a participant of the meeting. For now, no decision has been made and the issue will be reviewed during a meeting of MoFS&R scheduled for Thursday, where the relevant data will be evaluated. The disagreement between the food and finance ministries is slightly complicated by the fact that Mr Cheema also holds the added portfolio of chairman of the Sugar Advisory Board. In his speech on the floor of the house last week, he said he would resign from the board if Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif could not sustain the pressure from sugar mill owners. He said the permission to export sugar could only be granted if the concerned deputy commissioners would personally inspect each and every sack of the commodity and verify the surplus stock available in the mills operating in their respective areas. He said, the chief secretaries of respective

Meanwhile, the sugar industry is keen on making sure that one million tonnes of sugar are exported. The finance ministry is also on board with the export plan because it will mean the inflow of vital dollars that may help bolster the country’s depleted foreign exchange reserves.

“We are expecting another one million ton of surplus stock of sugar during next crop despite the estimate damages by flood,” said a member of PSMA adding that maintaining the surplus stock for price issue was irrational keeping in view the government’s fixed price of Rs 300/40 kg of sugarcane would ultimately jump the ex-mill price of sugar to Rs 115/kg.

Another industry insider claimed that the 40 percent estimate of damage to crops in Sindh is an exaggerated figure. However, since the figure has officially been shared with relevant authorities, the crop data was also being estimated accordingly. According to the association at present 1.2 to 1.3 million tons of sugar is available in godowns, which is sufficient to meet the national domestic requirement till January 15, 2023.

PTI chief and former prime minister Imran Khan has expressed a desire to improve ties with India but added that there is “no chance” of this happening while PM Modi-led BJP is in power in New Delhi. In an interview with The Telegraph, the ex-premier highlighted the potential economic benefits of maintaining trade ties between the two arch-rivals but said these would never be realised until Delhi changes its stance on the Kashmir dispute. “The benefits would be enormous. But, we are stuck on this issue and we need a strong roadmap to resolve it. I think it’s possible but the BJP government is so hardline, they have a nationalistic stance on issues,” the former PM was quoted as saying. “It is frustrating as you have no chance [for a resolution] as they whip up these nationalistic feelings. And, once this genie of nationalism is out of the bottle it is very difficult to put it back in again.” In 2019, the Modi-led BJP government unilaterally abrogated the autonomous status of Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK), bringing it under central control. Imran went on to say that Pakistan had no option but to downgrade its ties with India after it took away the statehood of IIOJK. Pakistan formally downgraded its trade relations with India in August 2019 to the level of Israel with which Islamabad has no trade ties at all. The decision had come as a reaction to India’s decision to revoke Article 370 of its constitution that granted occupied Kashmir a special status.

Deadly quake kills 162, injures hundreds on Indonesia’s Java island

Cianjur, indonesia sTaff rePorT

Much hailed, and much highlighted, the decision at COP27 to set up a global fund for “loss and damage,” providing financial assistance to poor nations stricken by climate disaster presents a double-edged sword for Pakistan.

On the one hand, the hard fought accord is a great moral victory for the developing world. According to the Center for Global Development, developed countries are responsible for 79% of historical carbon emissions. Yet studies have shown that residents in least developed countries have 10 times more chances of being affected by these climate disasters than those in wealthy countries. Further, critical views have it that it would take over a 100 years for lower income countries to attain the resiliency of developed countries.

The data on emissions and their disproportionate effects have long been damning for the global north and has been the cause of the demand for climate reparations. On the flipside, the current deal has many holes in it that need to be addressed. The setting up of a global

fund marks an important milestone, but no agreement has been reached as of yet regarding how fossil fuels will be phased out, which countries will be expected to pitch in for the global fund, and under what conditions funds will be dispersed.

Pakistan’s role at this year’s conference was front and center because of the disastrous floods that the nation faced this year which captured the attention of the global community. Minister for Climate Change, Sherry Rehman, was

among the delegates that fiercely debated the setting up of the fund in Egypt — a meeting that carried on all night before a final accord was reached and announced at 7AM the next morning. The problem is, while a fund has been set up, it will be many years before money starts pouring in and getting access to that capital will be a continued challenge.

While this is a diplomatic success for Pakistan specifically and a cause for celebration all across the developing world, relying on it to fight climate change may prove to be a flawed strategy. The crisis that confronts Pakistan and other third world countries at this hour is immediate. There is a dire need to limit temperatures to 1.5C, and ensure that money is spent not just on rehabilitation of damaged property and persons but on crafting policies that combat climate change.

This will mean two things. The first will be continuing the fight for reparations. The fund is only a first step, and

with Pakistan emerging as a leader on this issue this year, a sustained policy of pushing for quicker action from the global north is vital. That is where the second part comes in. Pakistan has to get its own ducks in a row by cutting down emissions and making climate friendly policies. If this is not done, the rest of the world will have enough ammo to dismiss Pakistan’s demands for financing.

The reality is that while the demand for climate reparations is legitimate, it is a demand the global north will not feel particularly pressured by. Why would they? The argument at the disposal of developing countries is entirely moral. Already, countries like the United Kingdom have said they feel no obligation to make up for the damages.

Climate change is the biggest threat to Pakistan right now. More than political instability, civil-military unrest, and recession, climate change is our most major concern. It goes to the heart of our food security and the livability of our cities. The only way to solve it is through money. To make this work, it will require unfettered determination and single-minded policy.

A deadly 5.6-magnitude earthquake killed at least 162 people, with hundreds injured and others missing, when it toppled buildings and triggered landslides on Indonesia’s main island of Java on Monday, officials said. Doctors treated patients outdoors after the quake, which was felt as far away as the capital Jakarta, left hospitals in the West Java town of Cianjur without power for several hours. “I regret to inform that 162 are dead and 326 are injured with most of them sustained fractures from being crushed in ruins,” Ridwan Kamil, governor of worst-hit province West Java, told a press conference in a video seen by AFP. He said most of the victims were children. Indonesia’s national disaster mitigation agency, BNPB, still lists the toll at 62. Due to miscounting, officials offered wildly fluctuating death tolls after an Indonesian stadium disaster last month. The BNPB said 25 people remained trapped under the rubble as the rescue mission stretched into the night. The agency said more than 2,000 houses were damaged and Kamil said more than 13,000 people were taken to evacuation centres. “You can see it yourself, some got their heads, feet sewn outdoors. Some got stressed and started crying,” Kamil said. Kamil said power had been partially restored by the evening, without specifying if that meant by generators or connection to a power grid. The afternoon quake was centred in the Cianjur region and local authorities earlier said as many as 700 had been wounded, warning the death toll could rise further.

Published by Arif Nizami at Qandeel Printing Press, 4 Queens Road, Lahore, for PT Print (Pvt) Limited. Ph: 042-36300938, 042-36375965. Email: newsroom@pakistantoday.com.pk

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