Epaper_22-12-20 ISB

OppOsitiOn submits nO trust mOtiOn against Cm

Elahi in punjab assEmbly

LAHORE Staff RepoRt

DAySahead of the PTI’s planned dissolution of provincial assemblies in Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, a delegation of PPP and PML-N lawmakers submitted on Monday night a noconfidence motion against Chief Minister Pervaiz Elahi in the Punjab Assembly (PA).

Opposition lawmakers, including PPP Parliamentary Leader Hassan Murtaza, PML-N’s Khawaja Imran Nazir, Chief Whip of PML-N Tahir Khalil Sindhu, and others reached the Punjab Assembly Secretariat and submitted the notrust motion at 9:35pm.

It was formally received by Punjab Assembly Secretary Inayat Hussain Lak.

The document submitted by the opposition, a copy of which is available with Pakistan Today, stated that “members of the PPP and the PML-N of the provincial assembly have lost confidence in CM Pervaiz Elahi’s ability to lead the house as per the Constitution”. It added that Elahi had “massacred democratic traditions” and thus he had lost the confidence of the majority of members of the house.

The no-trust move was moved under “Article 136 of the Constitution read with Rule 23 of the Rules of Procedure Provincial Assembly of Punjab (PAP), 1997”.

According to Article 136, a resolution for a vote of no-confidence moved by not less than twenty per cent of the total mem-

bership of the provincial assembly may be passed against the chief minister by the provincial assembly. A resolution referred to in clause (1) shall not be voted upon before the expiration of three days, or later than seven days, from the day on which such resolution is moved in the Provincial Assembly.

If the resolution referred to in clause (1) is passed by a majority of the total membership of the Provincial Assembly, the Chief Minister shall cease to hold office.

Separately, a no-trust motion has also been submitted against PA Speaker Sibtain Khan under Article 53 of the Constitution.

PML-N’s Nazir, in a TV interview after the submission, said the noconfidence motion was submitted against the chief minister, PA speaker, and deputy speaker.

He said there were signatures

of “around 150 members” and there were more members coming from outside Lahore.

“A constitutional and legal action has been undertaken after consultation from constitutional experts and we are completely confident,” Nazir added.

Meanwhile, Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah, in an interview with journalist Shahzeb Khanzada on Geo News, said that if a chief minister wanted to dissolve an assembly then it was necessary for him to have its confidence.

“That is why […] today, the Punjab governor sent a piece of advice to the chief minister to take a confidence vote before dissolving the assembly […], and then the no-confidence motion was submitted.

Hence, the chief minister can’t dissolve the assembly without taking a vote of no-confidence,“ the

interior minister added.

Immediately after the resolution was submitted, Punjab Governor Baligh ur Rehman directed Elahi to seek a vote of confidence from the assembly on December 21.

In an order, shared by the PML-N on Twitter, the governor said that the chief minister has “lost the confidence of his party president Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain and members of his own party belonging to the PML-Q”.

“It is widely known that over the last few weeks serious differences of opinion erupted between two coalition parties of the ruling alliance in the Punjab Assembly i.e. PTI and PML-Q regarding political strategies, dissolution of the assembly, development schemes, and transfers of public officials,” it stated.

The order highlighted that the aforementioned differences became evident after the appointment of a PTI member — namely Khayal Ahmed — to the provincial assembly without the knowledge of PTI Chairman Imran Khan.

It added that the most recent evidence of “cracks between the ruling alliance” was the resignation of a cabinet member after he engaged in a “verbal spat” with Elahi.

“The chief minister has stated in a TV programme on Dec 4 that he is not going to dissolve the provincial assembly until March 2023, a position which is completely at odds with the PTI’s public opinion on the issue.”

No breakthrough as ‘talks with TTP underway in Afghanistan’

Staff RepoRt

There was no breakthrough in the hostage situation in the Counter-Terrorism Department’s (CTD) compound in Bannu as talks between Pakistani officials and the leadership of Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) were reportedly underway in Afghanistan, confirmed Mohammad Ali Saif, spokesperson of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government late on Monday. According to a foreign news agency, Pakistani authorities opened talks to try to resolve a stand-off with the TTP who were holding several security personnel hostage after seizing control of a counter-terrorism facility in the country’s northwest a day earlier. “We are in negotiations with the central leaders of the Pakistani Taliban in Afghanistan,” said Saif. The spokesperson warned of strict action if the armed men do not surrender. Internet services have been suspended in Bannu and the roads leading to and from the Bannu Cantonment have been blocked. Miranshah Road and Jumma Khan Road are closed for all sorts of movements. The sources have claimed that the terrorists are demanding a safe air route to Afghanistan. In a bid to defuse tension at Pak-Afghan Chaman border, a 16-member jirga comprising eminent clerics, local elders and traders left for Afghanistan to negotiate with the TTP’s leadership on Monday. Talking to journalists ahead of leaving the country, Mufti Muhammad Qasim said they are carrying a “message of peace and friendship” with them. “We received positive response from the Afghan authorities,” he added. The cleric added that loss of the common man is not in anyone’s interest. Following the contacts and negotiations, the ongoing tension would be defused, hoped Malik Abdul Khaliq Achakzai. A day earlier, four police personnel were martyred and as many others wounded in an overnight terrorist attack on the Bargai Police Station of Lakki Marwat area. Terrorists launched an armed assault on the police station from two sides.

BANNU CTD HOSTAGE SITUATION

BANNU

g Punjab Governor asks CM Elahi to seek vote of confidence

imran’s intimidating politics pushes Pti to blind alley sans political options: sherry

ISLAMABAD Staff RepoRt

Federal Minister for Climate Change Senator Sherry Rehman on Monday said Imran Khan’s politics of intimidation has led Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf (PTI) to such a blind alley that it had run out of political options. In a series of tweets, the Minister said Imran Khan did not believe in parliamentary democracy nor in dialogue. “When you do the politics of fascism instead of democratic and constitutional politics, this will be the end.” Senator Rehman underlined that the differences between Imran Khan and his allies were exposed whereas the PTI members were also unhappy with Imran Khan’s decision. “It means only one person wants to dissolve break the assemblies. In the past, Ishaq Khan and dictators had dissolved the assemblies, Imran Khan’s thinking is not different from them.” She added that Khan was blaming others for the failure of his political narrative. When the narrative of foreign conspiracy was exposed, he (Imran Khan) started blaming the former chief of army staff for the success of no confidence motion. The Minister said Imran Khan had a misconception that the government and institutions would accept their demands under pressure. “Only Parliament can get them out of this blind alley.”

seeks details of all recipients of toshakhana gifts

LAHORE Staff RepoRt

The Lahore High Court (LHC) on Monday sought details of all recipients, who have retained gifts from the Toshakhana from 1947 till date. Lahore High Court (LHC) Justice Asim Hafeez issued the order while hearing a petition filed by a citizen named Munir Ahmed through his counsel Advocate Azhar Siddique. The petitioner argued that the details of the gifts obtained by the officials from Toshakhana should be made public. The federal government’s lawyer while opposing the plea said in his statement that said the details about the gifts could not be provided since they are confidential. The court ordered the federal government to submit the details by January 16, adding that it would be decided then if the details are confidential or not. Established in 1974, Toshakhana is a department under the administrative control of the Cabinet Division and stores precious gifts given to rulers, parliamentarians, bureaucrats and officials by heads of other governments, states and foreign dignitaries as a goodwill gesture. It has valuables ranging from bulletproof cars, gold-plated souvenirs, expensive paintings to watches, ornaments, rugs and swords. The existence of the Toshakhana represents a very standard practice in global diplomacy. Whenever the leaders of two countries meet, it is customary to exchange gifts. In most democratic states, however, these gifts are considered the property of the state and received by individuals on behalf of the country.

Khan forms committee to worK out seat adjustment with PmL - Q

LAHORE Staff RepoRt

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chairman Imran Khan on Monday formed a threemember committee to discuss seat adjustment with the PML-Q for the next elections. It stated in media reports that PTI Vice President Shah Mahmood Qureshi led the committee while former defence minister Parvez Khattak and former information minister Fawad Chaudhry were its members.

The committee would hold its first

meeting with Punjab Chief Minister Chaudhry Parvez Elahi and his son Moonis Elahi on Tuesday to decide SOPs for negotiations. The committee, sources said, would also review the electoral position of the PTI in constituencies where the PML-Q was asking for seat adjustment. It would later submit a final report on negotiations to the PTI chief.The PMLQ has demanded seat adjustments in more than two dozen constituencies with the PTI before the dissolution of the Punjab Assembly. Last week, Mr Khan

announced that the assemblies in Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhawa would be dissolved on Dec 23.

Meanwhile, the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) said on Monday new provincial assemblies would be elected for five years if the PTI disbanded the Punjab and KP assemblies. It said by-election could not be held now after dissolution of an assembly. It also expressed resolve to hold polls within 90 days in line with the Constitution of Pakistan after the dissolution of assemblies.

Rule of law guarantees political stability in country: Former CJP

MULTAN Staff RepoRt

Former Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP), Justice (R) Gulzar Ahmed, on Monday said that law guaranteed political stability in the country as it was linked with rule of law.

Speaking at a seminar titled “Rule

of Law” at BZU Gilani Law College here he stated that each law could be changed except laws of nature which are absolute.

He maintained 1973 constitution was the biggest force and the fountainhead for all laws of the country adding that parliamentarians are also custodians of the Constitution and the law and adding

that Pakistan’s development and political system also depend on it. Law is reflected in every sphere of our lives, ex CJP remarked.

He lamented that an important institution like Police were not working according to law and it has miserably failed to safeguard citizens.

Later, a question-answer session was

Urgent humanitarian assistance needed by 20m flood victims: Sherry

ISLAMABAD Staff RepoRt

Federal Minister for Climate Change Senator Sherry Rehman has said that the disaster amnesia is not uncommon in a world driven by competing goals and the human tragedy wrought by Pakistan’s catastrophic flooding has been forgotten by many where 20 million flood affectees still needed urgent humanitarian assistance.

In a media statement on Monday, she said that the climate-induced crisis in Pakistan has long-term implications for recovery and resilience in a context defined by systemic deficits in climate financing with 20 million people still currently dependent on humanitarian aid, while flash appeals just for the humanitarian gap by the United Nations have received only 30% of the US$816 million.

Sherry Rehman said, “When a country has people living on relief and multilateral assistance on the shores of vulnerability, with new lakes being created by climate events, it is not easy to plan for resilient recovery, because building back for complex climate polycrises implies transformational re-sets.

These floods caused loss and damage worth US$30 billion, so just the rehabilitation and disasterreconstruction needs are at least US$16.3 billion, she said adding this amount does not include investments required to support Pakistan’s adaptation to climate change and overall resilience of the country to future climate shocks.

The Minister said, “The UN has warned that 8.4 to 9.1 million people will be pushed below the poverty line. Winter will be harsh on the forgotten arc of climate misery here. The numbers are too huge; 33

million impacted literally meant we were reinventing the lives of populations covering the size of three medium sized European countries at the same time. Today, after months of humanitarian operations, 14.6 million is the number of people who still need emergency food assistance from December 2022 to March 2023.”

She further stated, “We should not forget that almost 3.9 million people in Sindh and 1.6 million in Balochistan are facing severe food insecurity, with 5.5 million people no longer having access to safe and clean drinking water. The UN’s ongoing assistance is facing a looming risk of ending prematurely as they are running out of funds to continue the needed support. World Food Programme (WFP) has said that they will run out of funds by mid-January for Pakistan, putting an additional 1.1 million people at extreme risk of food insecurity. Funds are being taken from every sector of the Pakistan government to meet survival needs, but the size of the need is huge.”

The UN has received only US$262 million or just 30% from international donors out of the US$816 million under the Floods Response Plan.

“While the level of human suffering from the floods cannot be monetized, repercussions of climate extremes have torn apart the social infrastructure in the flood-affected zones and people need immediate and urgent relief.

Sherry Rehman said that over 240,000 people remain displaced with at least 10 districts of Sindh province continuing to report standing water, while the same situation persists in two districts of Balochistan. People have started returning to their homes, but they now face compounding issues of food insecurity and health-related challenges, she added.

Customs Intelligence registers ‘flawed FIR to benefit accused persons’

rupees bribe and with Ahmad Raza’s connivance and facilitation stole four bundles of clothes and scrap from the same state warehouse.

Customs Intelligence has registered a First Information Report (FIR) of theft, an offence under section 380 Pakistan Penal Code, under an inapplicable and wrong law in order to protect its own official involved in theft from the punishment.

According to the content of FIR, Intelligence and Investigation Customs Lahore has registered an FIR against sepoy Ahmad Raza and three other accused persons, namely, Muhammad Sajjad, Muhammad Abdullah and Muhammad Furqan for their involvement in the theft of tyres, clothes and scrap from the custom intelligence ware house situated in Lahore.

As per details, Muhammad Abdullah, Usman and Muhammad Furqan with the connivance of sepoy Ahmad Raza loaded 10 bundles of tyres and one bundle of scrap on vehicle and took away the goods so stolen from the ware house.

On December 13, 2022, the accomplices of the intelligence official Ahmad Raza offered him a 50,000

Though the theft of seized, confiscated goods from a customs warehouse is an offence defined in section 378 and punishable under section 380 of Pakistan Penal Code, yet the FIR registered under the irrelevant and inapplicable customs law claims that the accused persons committed an offence under section 156(1), (59), )(62), (77), (81), (82) and 178 of the Customs Act 1969.

Section 156(1)(77) defines the offence which is committed when a person alters or destroys any customs document or does not produce a document or does not answer a question which is required from him by a custom officer. The directorate of customs intelligence seems to have discovered for the first time in the history of legislative interpretation that the customs law also defines the offence of theft.

The provisions of the customs law invoked in FIR are misused by the senior custom officers to cover up the recurrent thefts of seized goods from the customs

warehouses by their own subordinates and these provisions are invoked by them in the FIRs to protect their subordinate officials from the punishment of theft because, if not protected, these subordinate officials risk disclosure of seniors officers’ secrets which the seniors can hardly afford.

The provisions of customs law under which an FIR of theft has been registered define offences which have nothing to do with the offence of theft. Section 156(1)(59)62) invoked in the FIR defines the offence in respect of non duty paid goods deposited by the importers in a public or private warehouse pending payment of duty taxes thereon.

If those importers remove such goods from the warehouse without payment of duty and taxes or otherwise tinker with the goods so deposited, they commit an offence under these provisions of the customs law. In the instant case, seized, confiscated goods have been stolen from the customs department’s official warehouse with which these provisions of customs law do not deal.

Among the provisions of customs law charged in

held wherein he stated that politicians should work for the welfare of the masses because they are voted to power for this purpose.

Mr Gulzar recalled that he had taken suo moto on Army Public School case and summoned former PM Imran Khan adding that its report has been published after an inquiry fixing responsibility on those who carried out a bloodbath in 2014.

BZU VC, Dr Mansoor Kundi, Justice (retd), Khalid Alvi, Principal Gilani Law College, Dr Samza and other also spoke.

A large of students, retired and serving judges and faculty members attended the seminar.

Lhc hears plea against possible Punjab assembly dissolution today

LAHORE Staff RepoRt

The Lahore High Court will Tuesday (today) conduct hearing of a petition challenging the possible dissolution of the Punjab Assembly.

Namdar Ali, a citizen of Toba Sheikh Singh, filed the petition on Monday and the LHC will hear the petition as an urgent case.

The TLTP learnt that in the petition, Imran Khan, Punjab Government, Chief Election Commissioner, Punjab Governor and Chief Minister have been made parties through the Principal Secretary.

It was argued in the petition that Imran Khan announced the dissolution of the Punjab and KPK Assemblies on December 17, which is against the constitutional autonomy of the provinces.

The petition stated that in an interview, Punjab Chief Minister Pervez Elahi gave a statement to fulfill the constitutional time of the assembly.

The Punjab chief minister also made a statement about signing the summary of the dissolution of the assembly a month ago.

The petition said the dissolution of the Assembly on Imran Khan’s request will be against the constitution and law.

The petitioner said Imran Khan wanted to dissolve the Punjab Assembly for his own interests, which will harm the country and prayed to the court to issue an order to stop the dissolution of the Punjab Assembly.

FIR, section 156(1)(81)(82) are the most interesting provisions. These provisions define an offence which is committed when a custom officer duly employed for the prevention of smuggling does not prevent smuggling and instead colludes with the smugglers to make money.

The provisions are very interesting in that the whole custom department is presently doing nothing under the Prevention of Smuggling Act, 1977 and is instead colluding with the smugglers on highways and committing the offence under section 156(1)(8) and is colluding with importers at ports and custom stations and committing the offence under section 156(1)(14A) of the Customs Act, 1969.

It is worth noting that section 156(1)(8)(14A) of the Customs Act deals with the most serious offences under the customs law and provides for the harshest and highest imprisonment for those guilty of these offences.

Section 178 of the Customs Act invoked in FIR deals with the vicarious liability of a person who accompanies another person found in possession of any contraband goods.

It is evident that none of the provisions of customs law charged in FIR define and punish the offence of theft. The senior custom officers have fallen in the habit of registering such meaningless and fraudulent FIRs not without reason.

ISLAMABAD Shahzad paRacha

Lhc

Pm directs reduction in energy sector circuLar debt

ISLAMABAD Staff RepoRt

PRIMEMinister Shehbaz Sharif on Monday directed the officials concerned to reduce the circular debt in the energy sector.

The prime minister was chairing a high-level meeting here regarding the energy sector. During the meeting, the participants considered the adoption of a comprehensive strategy to control the present circular debt in the oil and gas sectors.

PM Shehbaz said the Pakistan

Muslim League-Nawaz government completely eradicated the circular debt during its tenure of 2013-2018.

He resolved to bring the problem of debt under control with continuous efforts and effective planning.

He directed that reforms in the energy sector should be undertaken in a way that the circular debt could be eliminated.

The distribution companies of natural gas should improve the system of recovery of bills, he ordered, adding no additional burden should be put on the gas and electricity consumers.

He said the system for payment of

Foggy conditions to persist in plain areas of Punjab, upper Sindh

ISLAMABAD Staff RepoRt

Foggy conditions are likely to persist over plain areas of Punjab and upper Sindh during the next 24 hours, according to the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD).

According to the synoptic situation, continental air was prevailing over most parts of the country.

Cold and dry weather is expected in most parts of the country, while, very cold/partly cloudy in northern areas and north Balochistan.

Frost is likely to occur at isolated places in the Potohar region during morning hours.

During the last 24 hours, cold and dry weather prevailed over most parts of the country, while very cold in GilgitBaltistan and north Balochistan during night and morning hours. Foggy conditions prevailed over a few areas of Punjab.

The lowest minimum temperatures recorded during the period were Leh -10 C, Skardu -09, Ziarat, Gupis -06, Gilgit, Astore -05, Hunza, Kalat -04, Kalam & Bagrote -03C.

ISLAMABAD Staff RepoRt

An old Buddhist temple discovered last year in Pakistan’s Barikot town has been featured in the Top 10 Discoveries of 2022 by the renowned Archaeology Magazine. Barikot is a town located in Pakistan’s Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) province. It serves as an entrance town to the picturesque Swat Valley in KP province, where thousands of tourists flock to each year to vacation in the mountains. The Gandhara region makes up part of present-day northern Pakistan and northeast Afghanistan. The area is famous for its Gandhara style of art which is heavily influenced by classical Greek and Hellenistic traditions. This region in northwestern Pakistan was a crossroads for the exchange of goods and culture among the civilizations of the Middle East, and Central Asia since the sixth century B.C. In its Top 10 Discoveries of 2022 section, Archaeology Magazine featured the old temple, discovered by archaeologist Luca Maria Olivieri of Ca’ Foscari University, Italy and his team in collaboration with the provincial department of archaeology and museums in December last year, saying that the monument dated back to at least as early as the end of the second century B.C., Arab News reported.

bills of gas and electricity should also be made effective.

The meeting also reviewed the energy-saving plan, which would be presented before the Federal Cabinet on Tuesday.

Chief ministers of provinces were also invited to the cabinet meeting.

The prime minister instructed that all possible steps should be taken for ensuring an increase in revenue from the energy sector.

He said the energy transmission system should be improved and the losses and theft of electricity and gas should be stopped.

‘ungrateful Khan’ keeps on changing colour like chameleon: marriyum

ISLAMABAD Staff RepoRt

Minister for Information and Broadcasting Marriyum on Monday dubbed Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan an “ungrateful person”, who would change “his colour like a chameleon” once his motives were achieved. Her remarks came in the backdrop of the current political situation that evolved after Imran Khan’s announcement for the dissolution of assemblies in both Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Punjab. “Imran Khan is a political chameleon who changes his colour to fulfill his motives,” she said while accusing him of a conspiracy aimed at bringing political instability to the country. She said Imran Khan had the audacity to offer a lifetime extension to those whom he termed “Mir Sadiq, Mir Jafir and neutrals” in public gatherings.

un chief urges afghan taliban to stop terrorist attacks against Pakistan

UNITED NATIONS app

At least 13 injured in blast in Balochistan’s Khuzdar: police

KHUZDAR agencieS

At least 13 people were injured in a blast near the Umar Farooq Chowk in Balochistan’s Khuzdar district on Monday night, police officials said. Khuzdar Station House Officer (SHO) Muhammad Jan Sasoli, while confirming the blast, told media that the explosive was attached to a motorcycle in the area. He said that the wounded have been moved to the District Headquarters Hospital, Khuzdar.

“The police have reached the area and cordoned it off,” Sasoli added. Earlier, the head constable of Khuzdar police station, Ali Khan, told media that two injured persons were in critical condition. He also said that checkpoints have

been set up in the city to arrest the suspects.

Meanwhile, Balochistan Chief Minister Abdul Quddus Bizenjo condemned the attack and imposed an emergency in hospitals across the city. “Terrorists who target innocent people are enemies of the nation. No religion or society gives permission for this bloodshed,” he said in a statement. The minister further instructed the law enforcement agencies and administration to immediately arrest the perpetrators and increase security at the Khuzdar highway. Bizenjo also directed the provision of the best treatment to the injured people and prayed for their speedy recovery. Separately, Adviser to the Chief Minister for Home Mir Zia Langove summoned a report of the attack from the police and prayed for the speedy recovery of the wounded.

Dania Shah seeks bail in obscene video case

KARACHI Staff RepoRt

Dania Shah, widow of well-known late TV personality Aamir Liaquat Hussain has approached the court for bail in a case filed against her for allegedly sharing an obscene video of her husband. The petition submitted in the Karachi City Court said that the case filed against her is fake rebuffing the claims of sharing the video. The TLTP learnt that the lawyer of Dania Shah said that the host had no complaints with his third wife and the case has been forged

to deprive her of her right to inheritance.

The court sought an answer from Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) in this regard and the hearing was adjourned till December 20. Dania Shah was arrested from Lodharan as Aamir Liaquat’s daughter Dua Aamer submitted an application against the former for sharing an objectionable video of her father. FIA officials told that Dania Shah is being interrogated over the objectionable video that she allegedly leaked, adding that a new mobile device has been recovered from the suspect at the time of her arrest.

United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Monday called on the Afghan Taliban to prevent terrorist organizations from attacking Pakistan or any other neighbouring country from Afghan territory, saying the UN was in discussions with the de facto authorities in this regard. “We consider that it is absolutely essential for the Taliban not to allow any form of terrorist activity that might have an impact in relation to Pakistan, as in relation to any other country of the region,” the UN chief said in response to a question from a reporter about the stepped-up crossborder terrorist attacks from the Tehreek-i-Taliban (TTP) against Pakistan that have resulted in many casualties. “There are several clear things that we believe the Taliban must deliver from the point of view of the interests of the international community and from the point of view of the interest of Afghanistan itself,” he said at his year-end press conference. “One thing is that they must deliver in relation to inclusion in the power structures in Afghanistan,” the secretary-general said, emphasizing that all ethnic groups in Afghanistan should be represented. “A second aspect is in relation to human rights and particularly women and girls’ rights, the right of women to work, the rights of girls to attend school at all levels without discrimination,” he said. “And there is another clear ask from the international community, which is for Afghanistan to stop all forms of activity of terrorist organizations from Afghanistan that represent the threat to neighboring countries, including Pakistan, and so we are actively engaged in our discussions with the Taliban de facto authorities in relation to this,” the UN chief added.

BHC quashes FIRs registered against Senator Azam Swati

QUETTA Staff RepoRt

The Balochistan High Court (BHC) has quashed all eight FIRs registered against Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), Senator Azam Swati, in the province.

The BHC Justice Abdul Hameed Baloch while announcing a reserved verdict directed to quash all the cases registered against Azam Swati after his controversial tweets against the state’s institution.

It may be noted that the PTI lawmaker was booked in eight cases in Bela, Windar, Chaman and other areas of the province following his arrest by the FIA team from Islamabad.

Earlier, the Sindh police quashed all cases registered against Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Senator Azam Swati in the Larkana division.

The TLTP learnt that the incarcerated PTI leader was

and presented in

The

physical remand.

Earlier, Sindh High Court (SHC) barred the

provincial police from arresting Pakistan Tehreek-eInsaaf (PTI) Senator Azam Swati in cases registered against him. TLTP

Meanwhile, the PTI lawyer has told a special court in Islamabad that the Federal Investigation Agency’s case against Senator Azam Swati on his controversial tweets was unreasonable.

Special Judge Central Azam Khan heard the petition filed by Swati’s son, Usman Swati, seeking his father’s bail in a controversial tweets case registered by the FIA.

During the hearing, PTI lawyer Babar Awan presented his arguments. He contended that the complainant was not the affected party in this case. He said the case was registered by the FIA.

The TLTP learnt that he argued that it was not a contempt case either ‘but if we presume that it’s a contempt case, then it warrants only Rs1,000 fine on the contemnor’. He said that it’s a height of apathy that a

75-year-old man was roamed between two provinces.

The PTI lawyer completed his arguments. However, special prosecutor Raja Rizwan Abbasi will start his arguments tomorrow. The court adjourned the hearing till tomorrow.

Earlier, special judge central Raja Asif Mehmood reserved the judgement on Swati’s bail application. But on Dec 14, he was transferred to the Islamabad High Court and Azam Khan was appointed as special judge central in his place.

Azam Swati was arrested last month by the FIA on the charge of posting highly objectionable tweets against the state institutions on the social media site Twitter.

A number of cases were registered against him in Sindh and Balochistan. It was the second time that the PTI leader was taken into custody by the FIA in less than two months.

2,300-year-old buddhist temple in Pakistan among ‘top 10 discoveries of 2022’

arrested by the Sindh Police from Quetta on Saturday,

front of a judicial magistrate in Qambar on Sunday.

court handed over Swati to police on three-day

Sehat Card PlUS flagShIP aChIevement of KP government: Cm mehmood Khan

Buneri

CHIEFMinister Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Mahmood Khan

has termed the Sehat Card Plus initiative as a flagship achievement of the provincial government which, in addition to providing free healthcare facilities, is also playing an important role in providing social security to citizens by reducing burden of healthcare ex-

penses and improving the standard of living.

In a statement issued from Chief Minister’s Secretariat, the Chief Minister maintained that Sehat Card Plus has revolutionized the health sector in the province adding that the initiative has ensured provision of uniform healthcare facilities to all segments of the society irrespective of their social status due to which it has been widely appreciated at national and international level.

According to details, a total of

1,058,797 patients have been admitted under Sehat Card Plus from January 2022 till November 2022 and Rs. 25,834 million has been spent on their treatment. During the same period, 73 kidney transplants and 49 liver transplants have been carried out at a cost of Rs. 102 million and 199 million respectively.

As far as category wise admissions of patients is concerned, a total of 47,679 patients of cardiology, 146,840 of general surgery, 124,328 of Gyne, 142,615 of med-

Senate Body laments noncompletion of FGEHA projects

ISLAMABAD Staff report

Senate Standing Committee on Housing and Works lamenting the non-completion of projects of Federal Government Employees Housing Authority (FGEHA) said, “There is no single projected which is finished.”

Chairman of the Senate Body, Senator Haji Hidayatullah chaired the meeting held on Monday to discuss the pending projects and agreements of FGEHA.

While inquiring implementation status of the previous meeting, the committee on the matter of meeting with the D.G (FGEHA) along with his team and representatives of SCBA with the local community and come up with an amicable solution, was apprised that since the property has divided ownership, the main issue is of enhancing the mortgage rates however after the award

the rates cannot be increased, he said that we are ready to release cheques to the affectees at the rate of 34 lacs.

The secretary housing and works informed the committee that we have held meetings with the main guarantor owner of the disputed land. The committee also suggested constituting committee having two senior members from the Ministry of Housing and Works which was acknowledged by senior Joint Secretary Housing and works. The committee recommended expediting the resolution of the matter in consultation with the committee members. The matter of briefing of the Director General (Estate) regarding detail of commercial Properties leased out by the estate office in the country during the last five years was deferred for further deliberation. The committee sought date wise report on the name of the owners and year of allotment.

The committee was briefed that there are total 09

ical, 16,340 of neuro surgery, 52,481 of orthopedic, 37,384 of oncology, 42,914 of urology, 3,388 of cardiac surgery, 48,386 of throat, 55,229 of ophthalmology, 171,195 of dialysis and 1,768 patients of peads cardiology have been admitted during the last eleven months.

Keeping in view the utility and benefits of the Sehat Card Plus initiative, the government is taking pragmatic efforts to include treatment of diseases that are currently not covered in the

Sehat Card. In order to provide legal cover and to ensure sustainability of the programme, the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Universal Health Coverage Act 2022 has also been passed from the Provincial Assembly.

Mahmood Khan concluded that the Sehat Card Plus is an important achievement of the incumbent provincial government towards the establishment of an Islamic Welfare state as per the manifesto of Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI).

number of petrol pump with covered area of 7965.72 square yard and rent fixed as 784167.5 as per lease. It was revealed in the meeting that the commercial land of the Estate Office was leased at Rs 3 per month, the authorities informed that 532 square yard land allotted to mosque in Karachi Sadar area, the estate office officials informed the committee that on behalf of the people of the mosque, the land with a monthly lease of 3 rupees has been rented out for 3 lakh rupees per month and the people of the mosque have rented a petrol pump in front of this ground to run the expenses of the mosque. The matter was deferred for further deliberation.

While taking briefing by the Director General (Estate) on the detail of the allottees of the Federal Lodge, Islamabad along with their names, designation, CNIC Nos., date of allotment, rent per day, maximum period allowed under the Rules and the period after the maximum period expired; the committee again sought report while also including the date of births of the allottees.

On details of whether certificate for having no residence in the name of the officials and their spouses are furnished by the officers before allotment of E-type or above category government accommodation, matter is sub-judice in the court.

While giving detail briefing by the Director General (FGEHA) on the present status of Sectors F-14 & F-15, it was discussed in detail issues of total number of land, number of allottees so far and no. of allottees left. The committee also sought report on tendering and bidding process including details of the advertisement. The DG Housing Authority said that, we have also accepted the land sharing and land value enhancement formula on behalf of local people, and have approved PC-1 of this project, made belt and also made a lot of progress. Senator Saifullah Abro inquired on the present details of how the contract for the development of this project was given to FWO, to which the DG Housing Authority informed that the FWO was mobilized after the court stopped the work. He further informed that the contractor has been mobilized; the development work of this project will be completed in 18 months.

Court extends Imran Khan’s interim bail till Jan 10

ISLAMABAD Staff report

An Anti Terrorism Court (ATC) on Monday extended the pre-arrest bail of PTI’s chief Imran Khan till January 10, in FIR registered in Sangjani Police Station. ATC Judge Raja Jawad Abbas Hassan heard the bail case of PTI’s head Imran Khan in FIR registered under the Anti-Terrorism Act (ATA) on protest and damaging the public property after the decision of ECP in Toshakhana case. The court also granted one-time exemption from appearance to Imran Khan on medical grounds. Dr. Baber Awan Advocate appeared before the court on behalf of Imran Khan. The further hearing of the case was then adjourned till January 10.

LAHORE Monitoring report

In yet another hard-hitting statement against the former army chief, PTI Chairman Imran Khan on Monday said that General (retd) Qamar Javed Bajwa was “solely responsible for the country’s prevailing political and economic crises” — including his ouster from power in April this year. Speaking to foreign correspondents at his Zaman Park residence in Lahore, the former premier alleged that Gen (retd) Bajwa was controlling the National Accountability Bureau (NAB). He claimed that the former army chief granted NRO — relief in corruption cases — to the incumbent rulers despite his opposition. The exPM claimed that initially, Gen (retd) Bajwa did not oppose his anti-corruption drive to hold culprits accountable “but eventually asked me to focus on the economy and to move away from accountability”. Commenting Punjab Chief Minister Pervaiz Elahi’s statement favouring the former army chief, Imran clarified that the PTI and the PML-Q were two independent political parties and hence the latter has its different policy on Gen (retd) Bajwa. “The Punjab chief minister has handed over a summary for the dissolution of the Punjab Assembly to me and I will send this advice to the Punjab Governor on Friday,” he added. He maintained that the PML-Q was an independent party and thus it can hold negotiations with the PML-N. The deposed PM said that he could not say to what extent the Americans were involved in the removal of his government. “Hence, I had demanded an inquiry into the cipher,” he said.

Court extends interim bail of Usman Buzdar till Jan 5

LAHORE Staff report

An accountability court on Monday extended prearrest interim bail of former chief minister Punjab Sardar Usman Buzdar till January 5 in an illegal liquor licence case. Accountability Court Judge Naseem Ahmad Virk conducted the hearing on the bail application of the former chief minister. Usman Buzdar also appeared before the court on expiry of his interim bail. The National Accountability Bureau’s (NAB) investigation officer submitted that the NAB regional board had recommended closing the inquiry into the illegal liquor licence case and the matter had been sent to NAB headquarters for final decision. He further submitted that only the NAB headquarters had the powers to close the inquiry. At this, the court adjourned further hearing till January 5 and sought a report, besides extending pre-arrest interim bail of the former chief minister. The NAB launched investigations against Usman Buzdar and officials of Excise & Taxation Department Punjab on charges of misuse of authority, corruption and corrupt practices. It was alleged that the accused issued an illegal liquor licence to an under-construction hotel in violation of rules.

PESHAWAR aziz

Imran holds Gen Bajwa ‘solely responsible’ for prevailing political, economic crises

ToyoTa To shuT down producTion for remaining year

ToyotaIndus Motors has notified the Pakistan Stock Exchange that it will cease production from December 20 to December 31. this will be the third time that toyota will observe non-production days in 2022.

toyota has cited insufficient inventory levels due to the State Bank’s restrictions on imports of completely knocked-down (CKD) kits as the main reason for its actions. the company had previously halted production from September 1 to September 16 and august 1 to august 13 due to the same reasons.

ToyoTa’s Boogeyman throughout 2022, toyota has blamed the central bank for single handedly forcing it to observe a cumulative of 41 non-production days. It has not been alone in doing so. Suzuki and Honda had also previously blamed it for the 20 and 15 non-production days the two had observed respectively.

their blame, however, is not misplaced. In May, the State Bank issued a circular stating that it now possessed administrative oversight over the import of CKD units of cars being imported into the country.

the State Bank’s announcement regarding CKD imports came only a day after the government imposed an import ban on luxury items in an attempt to stem foreign exchange outflows. While cars were not a part of the ‘luxury’ items banned by the government, they did come under scrutiny from the State Bank in a much subtler manner.

Essentially, the State Bank told car companies in Pakistan that they needed to seek permission before performing transactions in dollars for the import of CKD kits. this meant that auto assemblers in the country will now need express permission from the State Bank to assemble them in the country.

through this permission, the State Bank was now able to control how many cars were being imported and how many

no breakthrough as ‘talks with TTp underway in afghanistan’

a fierce exchange of fire took place between the police and the outlaws that left four policemen dead and as many injured. the attackers escaped after the assault. Police have launched a search operation in the area for the saboteurs. Constables Ibrahim, Imran, Khairur Rahman and Sabz ali are among the deceased. the hostage situation in the Counter-terrorism Department (CtD) police station in Bannu district of KhyberPakhtunkhwa (K-P) continues after almost 17 hours as the militants occupying the compound of the police station on Monday reiterated their demand for safe passage to afghanistan. the militants reportedly control the entire police station compound. as per reports, the body of a policeman, who was martyred last night by the firing of the militants, has been transferred to the police lines. Roads adjacent to the CtD compound and Bannu cantonment have been closed to traffic due to the security situation in the area. according to reports, the militants have appealed to Bannu’s scholars and leaders for talks. a day earlier, at least two CtD officials were martyred and many more injured after a militant overpowered interrogators, snatched an aK-47 rifle, and opened fire inside the CtD facility.

sc moved against approval of rs100b for gujrat division

iSLaMaBaD STaFF rePOrT

a petition had been moved to Supreme Court of Pakistan on Monday challenging the approval of funds worth Rs100 billion for Gujrat division by Chief Minister Punjab. the petitioner also prayed the court to issue a stay order against the release of the said funds till the judgment in this case. the petition alleged that the Punjab government had illegally allocated the said budget against the alleged bogus development schemes in the constituency of CM Pervaiz Elahi. the allocation of the said fund was a violation of article 120 and 124 of the Constitution. It further said that previously, the apex court had also declared the approval of funds without the permission of assembly as illegal. the chief minister office, it said, was arranging the record pertaining the bogus development schemes. the petition prayed the court to issue a stay order against release of the funds and order an investigation regarding said development projects worth billions of rupees for solely Gujrat.

dollars were outflowing. this became the cudgel that the State Bank now uses against the automotive industry in an attempt to provide life support to Pakistan’s dwindling current account position.

Link BeTween The sTaTe Bank’s measures and The worsT sTarT in Three years the ramifications of the State Bank’s decisions has been that toyota has had the worst start to a fiscal year since Fy 201920. toyota, like the majority of Pakistan’s automotive industry, operates on a just-intime model. Per the model, toyota only begins manufacturing vehicles after having taken orders for the vehicle. a consequence of this model is that it has relatively high lead times. an inability to freely access letters of credit needed to import the CKD kits to manufacture the cars pushes up lead times even more so.

this, consequently, leads to toyota being able to take lower orders all in-advance due to its inability to handle similar levels of volume it saw in previous years. the inability to actually cater to their cus-

tomer’s demand, and/or in a timely manner also led to toyota offering refunds to customers over the summer.

Five month sales volume is 51% lower year-on-year compared to the same period in Fy 2021-22. However, as with non-pro-

LDA conducts operation against eight illegal housing schemes

than two years.

Lahore Development authority (LDa) has conducted an operation against eight illegal housing societies in the provincial capital and demolished the structures there.

according to information available to Profit, a grand operation was conducted against a&M Homes, Palm Villas, Ehsaas Villas, Maraka Marketing and Punjab Estate, while action was taken against Mohalinwal Nagar, Bismillah associates and an illegal land subdivision near Greenview.

according to further details, during the operation, offices, roads, boundary walls and other structures of the said illegal housing schemes were also demolished.

the sources in LDa informed Profit that all the above-mentioned illegal housing societies were engaged in defrauding the public for more

“Principally and legally, it should have been that the operation against these societies should have been started only when these illegal projects were started but due to the connivance of the LDa staff, this operation took so long to start,” they said. Sources also claimed that the said societies will rebuild their boundary walls and offices in a few days and start cheating the people again.

“this is not a new thing, but this is the style of housing societies. after a few days, you will see these illegal societies re-activating in the market and their offices will be established again. actually demolishing their offices and conducting grand operations against them is not the real solution. the LDa officers should arrest the owners/master-minds of these illegal housing societies and keep the local police in the loop so that these societies cannot do business again,” they added.

1320 MW coal-fired energy added to national grid: Sindh CM

KaraChi STaFF rePOrT

Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad ali Shah has said that 1320 MW of coal-fired energy has been added to the national grid during the current month and another 660 MW would be added next year. this he said on Monday while presiding over a board meeting of thar Coal Energy here at the CM House.

the meeting was attended by Minister Education Syed Sardar Shah, Minister Energy Imtiaz Shaikh, advisor to CM on Law Murtaza Wahab, Chief Secretary Sohail Rajput, PSCM Fayaz Jatoi, DG Coal authority Khadim Channa and others.

Minister BISP Shazia Marri, Special assistant to PM tariq Bajwa, Federal Secretary Energy Rashid Langrial, Federal Secretary Law Raja Naeem akbar, and others attended the meeting through video link. Sindh Minister for Energy Imtiaz Shaikh briefing the chief minister said that

Sino-Sindh Resources (SSR) started coal excavation work in Block-I in January 2022 it has completed 99 percent of work to excavate 7.8 mtpa coal by December 31, 2022. He added that it was a CPEC project. the CM was told that the Power engineering Company has installed two 660 MW coal-fired power plants for $2 billion. Both the power plants successfully synchronized with the national grid on December 2 and December 11, 2022. Imtiaz Shaikh told the chief minister that SECM planned to expand the mine from 7.6 Mtpa to 12.2 Mtpa mine.

He said that Lucky Electric Power has started work on a 660 MW power plant for which it would be supplied 3.6 Mtpa coal. this plant would start commercial operation in 2024.

It may be noted that thar Energy has already synchronized its 330 MW coal-fired power plant with the national Grid in october 2022 and another 330 MW would start commercial operation by 2023.

2.8m people received free treatment through Sehat cards: Yasmin Rashid

STaFF rePOrT

Punjab Health Minister Dr yasmin Rashid said on Monday that providing better healthcare facilities to the people was top priority as in Punjab, more than 2.8 million citizens had received free treatment facilities through Sahat Sahulat card.

She stated this while inaugurating the 42nd annual International Scientific Symposium here at King Edward Medical University. the 42nd annual International Scientific Symposium was organized at King Edward Medical University with the collaboration of KE almanai, KEMKaNa, KEMKa UK and aPNa. Dr yasmin

Rashid said: “a professor is a role model for children as transferring knowledge to someone is a great charity”. She said that she got the opportunity to teach children in three government medical colleges of Punjab including Fatima Jinnah Medical College, King Edward Medical College and Rawalpindi Medical College.

She said that delegates from different countries came for the symposium. It was very important to spread awareness in the symposium organized at King Edward Medical University, she added.

Dr yasmin said that 11 mother and child hospitals were being built in Punjab. the opening of Mother & Child Block in Ganga Ram Hospital was the realization of a dream of many

decades.

By the grace of allah, a mother & child block consisting of 550 beds in Ganga Ram Hospital was operational, she said.

the provincial health minister congratulated Prof Dr Mahmoyaz and his team for organizing the international symposium.

Provincial Health Secretary Dr ahmed Javed Qazi said the Punjab government was utilizing all resources to provide better healthcare facilities to the people. “through the seven medical universities of Punjab, we were providing high quality education to the children”, he said.

He said that world’s first University of Child Health Sciences was located in Punjab. He paid tribute to the

provincial health minister Dr yasmin Rashid for her valuable services in the health department. Vice Chancellor King Edward Medical University Prof Dr Mahmoud ayaz said the graduates of King Edward Medical University were still brightening the name of Pakistan in the whole world. the main objective of today’s international symposium was to provide awareness to the participants, he said.

Prof Dr Mahmood Shaukat, ProChancellor Prof Dr Ijaz Hussain, Prof. Dr. tabinda, Prof. Dr. Saqib Saeed, CEo Punjab Institute of Cardiology Prof Dr Bilal Mohiuddin, Prof. Dr. Saqib Shafi, faculty members and a large number of students including 106 delegates from different countries attended the ceremony.

duction days, toyota is not the only one suffering from demand destruction in the current climate. the notification comes the week following Millat tractors’ decision to permanently observe a four-day work week due to insufficient demand.

cm gilgit Baltistan visits cambridge international uK

iSLaMaBaD STaFF rePOrT

Chief Minister Gilgit Baltistan Khalid Khurshid Khan alongwith a high level delegation from the federal and provincial governments visited the global headquarters of Cambridge International in Cambridge, UK on 19th and 20th December 2022. Hosted by Cambridge International, the two-day visit included discussions to evaluate the current state of education in Pakistan and the government’s vision for the country’s longterm education roadmap. Discussions were also held around educational reforms to understand the government’s educational reform plans, and to identify current priorities given covid, economic and environmental challenges. Speaking on the occasion, the Chief Minister Gilgit-Baltistan Muhammad Khalid Khurshid Khan said “the government of Gilgit Baltistan has been putting special focus towards creating avenues of highquality education for the children in the region, as we believe it is important for them to understand and realise the educational opportunities available for them across the world. With our recent MoU with Cambridge International to work together to create world-class learning opportunities for our children, we are confident that we will be able to achieve the vision we have set up for the future of our country especially for GilgitBaltistan. our government in Gilgit-Baltistan is fully committed and seeks assistance from Cambridge International and other international partners to uplift the quality of education in the province.” the high officials of Cambridge International appreciated the vision of the Chief Minister Gilgit-Baltistan and expressed their full willingness to work the provincial government in turning the vision of uplifting the Gilgit-Baltistan's education sector into a reality. the delegation also visited Cambridge’s warehouse facility where they were shown the state-of-the art processes and systems involved in delivering examinations to millions of learners worldwide every year, which are managed to the highest levels of quality and security. Rana taveer Hussain, Federal Minister for Education, Dr. Ghulam ali Mallah, Secretary IBCC and Qaiser alam, Chairman, FBISE were also the part of the delegation.

opposition submits no trust motion against cm elahi in punjab assembly

the order also referred to CM Elahi’s criticism of Imran during an interview yesterday for the latter’s comments on former army chief General (retired) Qamar Javed Bajwa. Citing these facts, Governor Rehman said that Elahi “does not command the confidence” of the Pa and subsequently summoned a session on Dec 21 at 4pm under Section 130(7) of the Constitution for the no-trust vote against Elahi. Section 130(7) states: “the Chief Minister shall hold office during the pleasure of the Governor, but the Governor shall not exercise his powers under this clause unless he is satisfied that the Chief Minister does not command the confidence of the majority of the members of the Provincial assembly, in which case he shall summon the Provincial assembly and require the Chief Minister to obtain a vote of confidence from the assembly.” Responding to the development, PtI leader Fawad Chaudhry said that the purpose of the no-confidence motion was to “escape from elections”. “We won’t allow [them to run]. the noconfidence motion will fail and Parvez Elahi will dissolve the assembly. the people’s decision is final,” he said. PtI leader Babar awan said that if the government alliance had a majority then Hamza Shehbaz would not have lost the chief minister’s election. “the mafia will get nothing but regret and defeat due to the no-confidence [motion] in Punjab this time as well. the PDM alliance can do nothing but cry to run away from the election,” he tweeted.

Lahore

Lahore Shahab Omer

profit report

Daniyal ahmaD

Toxic air

PAkISTANI cities are getting the dubious distinction of having the dirtiest air in the world. Lahore, of course, is most affected by the problem but Faisalabad is toxic, as is Peshawar, and also green Islamabad. Yes, karachi’s breeze takes out the pollutants in the air but there are days when even the breeze isn’t enough to clear out the sheer toxic nature of the air.

Our cities are becoming unlivable, that much is for sure. And from the look of it, the various governments don’t seem to have this problem too high on the list of priorities. A stark contrast from next door in info

Delhi, India. The UCT Chief Minister’s talking points, and criticism of the same, revolve a lot around clean air and lack thereof. The opposition, which is the BJP in the UCT, is also told that this isn’t an issue that can be wrestled by any one individual government. In fact, there are voices in the political dispensation and the media that have realised that perhaps this isn’t something that even one national government can handle. International coordination is the need of the hour, especially between India and Pakistan. The peculiar wind corridor in the greater Punjab area ensures that even the best, most meticulously executed efforts will be for nought if neighboring countries have no plan to deal with the menace.

And there is no one simple solution that can resolve this. No bitter pill that will at least mitigate the problem. The solution involves cutting down on car fumes, industrial air pollution, clamping down on stubble burning during a particular season by rice and sugarcane farmers, and also other related steps.

In the meantime, the government can only hope to mitigate the crisis by, say, cutting down on the number of vehicles plying the roads through either number plate-based on and off days or shutting the markets earlier COVID-SOP-style. Though these would still not be enough, just the signaling of government intentions would be good enough to allay the fears of a hapless citizenry. For now.

Not so quiet on the Eastern front

AGAINST the backdrop of unprecedented environmental catastrophe, economic jeopardy, and political turmoil, troubling events have gone unnoticed which — in the notso-distant future — will give much cause for concern.

In August 2021, a thorough investigation by AlJazeera unearthed strong evidence that the Mauritian island of North Agaléga was undergoing heavy construction work under wraps that appeared to be a militarization — by the Indian navy and partners with links to the Indian government and military. The infrastructure also included a 3000-metre runway, a jetty, and what appears to be barracks and infrastructure that adheres to requirements suitable for military use. According to a report by the Asia Maritime Transparency Initiative of the Washington DC-based Centre for Strategic and International Studies, the hangers measure 180 feet long by 200 feet wide, large enough to house large military aircraft such as India’s P-8I Poseidon.

In September of 2022, news emerged that India’s long-delayed aircraft carrier — the INS Vikrant — was finally inducted into the Indian navy. Although based on an old Soviet design and virtually obsolete even before it finished construction, it is nonetheless a major milestone for the Indian military-industrial complex and a starting point for more advanced, indigenously produced carriers to follow. The INS Vikrant places India alongside a handful of nations to have an aircraft carrier capable of launching fixedwing aircraft in its arsenal.

Then, in October, India successfully carried out submarine-launched ballistic missile tests, making India the sixth country to have nuclear-powered submarines capable of ballistic missile launch capabilities. Put together, these developments paint a disturbing image that does not bode well for peace and stability in the region. The Indian military’s technological capability has made notable strides — no doubt indulged by the West — as it positions itself as a counter to a considerably more powerful China. The combined impact of these developments threatens to tip the delicate balance of power in the region where three nuclear-armed nations border one another.

Pakistan cannot afford to ignore these developments. India is not just militarising, but also virtually sees itself as an ascendent superpower drunk on state-endorsed, hate-filled, revanchist RSS propaganda seeping through every level of Indian society and state. A military base in the Indian Ocean would allow India to project power across vast swathes of the Indian Ocean — impacting critical maritime routes and transit — and allow India to wield considerable clout in the region, making naval blockades against unfriendly states a possibility. Furthermore, by international law, an aircraft carrier is legally allowed to position itself within 12 nauti-

cal miles (22 kilometres) of any country’s coast. It is not difficult to imagine the devastating consequences this tactical advantage can offer. Combined with nuclear-powered ballistic missile-capable submarines, India has considerably upped the ante when it comes to the challenge it poses to regional peace and stability.

There are some critical factors to consider in this situation, and why this is a complex problem for Pakistan to address beyond falling into another arms race. Any procurement of advanced military hardware by Pakistan will be made more challenging due to the current geo-political climate, as it is not in Pakistan’s best interests to alienate important allies. An arms race is also not an optimal approach due to the colossal strain — economic and diplomatic — it puts Pakistan under as it tries to compete with a belligerent foe that has broader access to financial resources and enjoys encouragement from developed nations in its armament.

Any procurement of advanced military hardware by Pakistan will be made more challenging due to the current geopolitical climate, as it is not in Pakistan’s best interests to alienate important allies.

fective in the field, with hypersonic missiles currently having no effective counter. In modern warfare, there are no examples where a force with air superiority has suffered defeat. A concerted effort to go to every length to acquire and indigenise technology is needed. Pakistan has a budding armament manufacturing base that is primed to acquire, indigenise, adapt, and incorporate advanced technologies — the Sino-Pakistani JF17 Thunder has been a resounding success. Indigenisation of technology would allow Pakistan to technologically develop, enrich its industrial base, and bolster defensive capabilities at less cost. It would also boost self-reliance with the possibility of exporting the developed military solutions to other nations and offset the cost of technology acquisition and indigenisation. The key to stability in the region revolves around a sustained and sustainable balance of power.

The best path forward would not be to compete directly but to counter effectively. Drones and hypersonic missiles are just some promising paths to pursue to that end. They have proven incredibly ef-

The centre of gravity

accustomed to, globalization is dissipating and international norms are being revised.

The current chaos is the result of a disagreement over the center of gravity, or centers of gravities. As a result of this disagreement over authority and location of these centers of gravity, there has been an imbalance in global and regional affairs. Wars and conflicts have arisen in many areas, including financial, trade, and currency wars, as a result of a significant eastward shift in the global economic and demographic center of gravity. The global centers of gravity for governance, the military, and finance are all changing, on the other hand. A power imbalanced “gray area” has been produced as a result. Disparities in economic resources and social influences are thus increasing because of this, combined with human and social constraints, which has created a combustible environment.

In order to maintain the structures, orders, and institutions that people had grown

The so-called global rule-based order is being replaced by creative methods and the selective application of laws through tactics like coercion and law fare. International organizations created with the United Nations as their apex body to foster peace and security have, at best, been reduced to conflict management tools. Strong man politics are prevalent, hyper nationalism, protectionism, and populism are most definitely ascendant, and each has a cost and a historical context. This does not make for comfortable reading. These debating clubs with power held by the “few” have lost real relevance to the real world. This results in the rise of zelophobia, islamophobia, intolerance, racism, and all the other signs and symptoms of populism.

Unfortunately, these symptoms have been made legitimate at times by pallet. This is a sign of the chaos brought about by the process of society’s transformation because social media, which was initially seen as a mechanism for fostering knowledge and camaraderie, has instead shown to be just as effective at fostering prejudice, paranoia, propaganda, and conspiracy theories. As evidenced by Cambridge Analytica, it has evolved into a tool, if not a mega-tool, for manipulation. A deadly concoction of social despair, if not outright revolt, is being produced by the asymmetry of politics and economics. Furthermore, the geopolitics of the world are increasingly based on zero sum

paradigms. Unfortunately, this is the situation. every old structure pertaining to arms control, security, governance, trade, economics, and regional structures like South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) in a regional context has either become abundant or is no longer relevant.

These structures have produced a perilous illusion and delusion system. The economic conditions in the region and around the world as well as new security concerns are reshaping and changing how nations relate to one another. Conflicts between states are no longer purely between military forces or between states; they also involve all facets of social and political power. While open conflicts and wars are evolving into non-traditional, less kinetic gray hybrid domains, new geopolitical organizations and non-state domains are emerging that cross international boundaries. This is a new reality and a new normal that Pakistan is currently experiencing and most likely will continue to experience.

Last but not least, nationalism has taken on a hideous new shape and a hideous new meaning. There has been a swing towards absolute religious ideological nationalism as well as ultra-nationalism, which is what is igniting the right wing’s revival of medieval moments. The geostrategic significance of the South Asia region has persisted and is likely to grow in the twenty-first century. This is brought about by the advantageous location, abundant natural resources, population, economic opportunities, cultural di-

versity, and historical power.

Therefore, the external powers seek to engage South Asian countries in pursuit of their grand strategic interests. There is a kind of cold war revival with hard underpinnings and historical overtones. We did not choose this to happen, nor did it choose us. Despite how unpleasant this reality is, it is the reality. It didn’t have to be this way. A recent example of shifting interests and re-aligning power structures is how South Asia is also affected. Global strategy has become necessary due to the potential growth of China and India, as well as the resurgence of Russia.

Nadir is associated with the Institute of Strategic Studies Islamabad (ISSI). He has written for Pakistan Today, Pakistan Observer, Global Affairs, and numerous other publishers. He tweets at @hafiznadirali7 and can be reached at hafiznadirali7@gmail.com

No one step, no one government, can solve this

Hassan Arshad Chattha is currently the Editor at the Centre for Aerospace and Security Studies (CASS), Lahore, Pakistan. He can be reached at casslahore@gmail.com

Every old structure pertaining to arms control, security, governance, trade, economics, and regional structures like South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) in a regional context has either become abundant or is no longer relevant.

Hassan arsHad CHattHa

‘Homemade’ weapons will provide a more sustainable future

Looking towards South Asian countries

Yousaf Nizami Editor

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

M. A. Niazi Joint Editor

Umar Aziz Executive Editor

Aziz-ud-Din Ahmad Joint Editor

Water crisis

destruction, cattle to die and drive families out of their homes in search of water. Children and families are at risk of disease, hunger and death due to acute water shortages as all surface water is drying up and edible vegetation is becoming scarce. Millions of people including children, in ethiopia, kenya and Somalia will face water and food insecurity because of climate change and rapid population growth.

tually fly into the environment and contaminate food and drinks which cause health issues. The lives of mothers and children are also at stake when women are forced to give birth in poor conditions. Also, the price of water has increased by 400 percent in these areas. This means that many families are forced to choose between water and other household needs such as food. Others can no longer pay for water at all.

Editor’s mail

Rehabilitation is a right of prisoners

PRISON laws have evolved over time, and specialised methods of imprisonment have developed to regulate prisons in many parts of the world.

The transition away from inflicting excruciating torture as a tool to develo-ping upright citizens is a profound shift, which we need to consider in our own context. Offender rehabilitation is a scientific and systematic process of assessment, intervention and feedback with the aim of bringing offenders back into the social fold with minimised potential for future offences. Thus, rehabilitation has been acknowledged as a ‘right of the criminal’ in modern times.

This right is recognised to help the offenders get their life back on track and prevent relapse into criminal behaviour. hence, various institutional and non-institutional programmes have been designed and offered for various categories of offenders throughout the world within and outside their correctional institutions to achieve this uphill challenge of the criminal justice system.

Within the domain of institutional programmes, Criminon, meaning ‘no crime’, is an important and effective model for inmate correction and ultimate reintegration. Criminon is an international non-profit-based programme dedicated to the rehabilitation of criminals by addressing the loss of self-respect which has been identified as a major reason why a person turns to a life of crime. The programme was designed by L. Ron hubbard, who, while talking about death penalty, said: “killing a man is not justice, but merely a type of revenge.

WATeR is a basic human need. The issue of water quality in the developing world affects millions of people every day. More than half of the developing world’s population suffers from water-related diseases, and nearly 6,000 children die every day from water-related diseases. Similar to many African countries the horn of Africa, located on the easternmost part of the African mainland is facing water shortages, poor sanitation, and a lack of access to clean water resources. The region is suffering due to the non-availability of water. Somalia, ethiopia and kenya have been in a state of emergency for years. This year, another season of failed rains has accelerated the emergency to breaking point, affecting at least 36.4 million people. People’s lives and livelihoods depend on the high rainfall in March and May and the low rainfall in October and December. Thus, this article aims to find out how water scarcity is affecting millions of people in the horn of Africa. The horn of Africa experienced its fourth repeated season of below-average rainfall in April and June 2022. The situation became catastrophic due to unfavorable climate-induced emergencies. Water shortages can result in crops

The total population of the horn of African countries is about 200 million. According to an estimation about 4.2 million people in Somalia, 61 million people in ethiopia and 17 million people in kenya are facing severe water shortages. Although the water they have access to, may not be safe, but many people have no choice, but to pay for unsafe water supplies. The consequences of unsafe drinking water are cholera, diarrhea, typhoid and polio which are causing years of sickness and lead to other health problems such as dehydration and infections.

The majority of the population in the Horn of Africa, lacks access to basic water supplies, forcing people to fetch water from distant and unsafe open wells.

For decades, water scarcity has been a major problem in the horn of Africa and the situation is worsening due to factors like rapid population growth. Population growth increases demand for water for all kinds of usage like domestic, agriculture, industry and as well as energy. A growing population has put huge pressure on municipal water utilities and private providers to conserve water resources and provide enough safe water to the public. At the same time, informal settlements are growing, and access to basic water services continues to be limited as these areas are severely water scarce.

The majority of the population in the horn of Africa, lacks access to basic water supplies, forcing people to fetch water from distant and unsafe open wells. Open defecation is common and about 28 percent of the population defecates in the open. Open defecation attracts flies that even-

Since water is not on the premises and needs to be collected so, traditionally it is the responsibility of the women and girls to collect water which can be very dangerous. Many women and girls face the risk of conflict and physical assault at water points. Spending more hours collecting water also limits their time and opportunity to go to school and work. This affects not only girls and women, but also their communities and the economy at large. In conflict-affected areas and camps for displaced people, access to safe water is often further compromised, infrastructure is damaged, pipelines are in poor condition, and water collection is dangerous. People often live in congested camps and without access to clean water, diseases spread even faster.

In conclusion, improving access to water in the horn of Africa will boost economic growth, increase food security, and reduce the burden of diseases, putting countries like Somalia, ethiopia and kenya on a path to more sustainable and inclusive development. Water will have shaped the region’s history and will be critical to its future. With one in three people experiencing water scarcity, the region is grappling with dangerous water levels, but it also has significant unexploited resource potential. Well- managed water resources, both surface and groundwater, can help meet the current and future needs of the horn of Africa. Tackling the water crisis in these countries is becoming more important day by day as the effects of climate change, expressed largely through the water cycle, affect millions of lives.

writer is a freelance columnist

It is not a solution. Nor does locking a person away for life solve the problem.” The programme is based on courses that encourage learning how to learn, restor-ing self-respect, overcoming addiction, learning skills for life and many other such courses. This type of rehabilitative programmes must be implemented in all prisons across Pakistan, with the aim of rehabilitating and ultimately reintegrating inmates in society.

TANIYA AHMED JAMSHORO

The science of reading

LeARNING is a continuous process. In order to learn, one must read. Thus, it is highly significant to understand the fundamentals of reading. With the passage of time and advances in research, reading has evolved as a science.

The science of reading encompasses the findings of experts from diversified fields, including education, psychology, linguistics, and neuroscience. It paves the way for what the students need to learn and how they need to learn it. The foundational areas of literacy instruction include phonemic, like the skill to emphasise and control sounds in spoken word, awareness, phonics, like teaching ways to read and write an alphabetic language, fluency, vocabulary and comprehension. each of these components plays a crucial role in increasing literacy skills of students.

To deliver instructions on the subject of reading science, the multifaceted, structured literacy approach is employed worldwide. One aspect of this approach is explicit teaching which is teacher-centric. The teacher is in continuous interaction with the students. The idea underlined is that the concept taught is something other than what students naturally pick up. Another component of a structured literacy approach is a systematic curriculum that ensures the logical order of lessons concerning language. To remain focussed on diagnosis with ongoing assessment is also crucial. The assessments can be formal and informal, but should ultimately monitor students’ growth. The diagnostic aspect is essential because it allows teachers to see where their students are struggling, and to help them adjust instruction modes and methods.

The educators need to be well aware and open-minded about the science of reading. In Pakistan, the necessary homework on the science of reading must be completed. The efficacy of explicit training in various aspects of reading science shall be evident.

To do so, it should be an integrated part of the curriculum from the initial to the most advanced level, irrespective of the discipline of studies. The necessary professional development may enable teachers to use the most effective strategies in this regard. Institutions involved in research in education especially should recommend changes, and serve as significant resource centres. Support at the governmental level is indeed crucial.

With the help of the science of reading, the best approach for reading may get some clarity.

The teachers and administrators working as a team can incorporate the best strate-gies for their students to become strong readers, lifelong learners and leaders.

DR INTIKHAB ULFAT KARACHI

Saving a school

The deplorable condition of Mukhi Dewandas Topandas Vernacular School in old Sukkur deserves the attention of the relevant authorities. The old school, established in 1872, is a reminder of the art and architecture prevalent during the British rule in the subcontinent.

The school is located near the Tonga stand in old Sukkur, with a current enrolment of more than 220. The school has a grand total of nine staff members, and there has been neither a peon nor a watchman since 2010.

The school has a rich history of achievements. It has been producing bright students for more than 150 years since its establishment. The alumni of the school have achieved milestones in their individual lives, and the trend is continuing to date, with the school being a major source of enlightenment among the younger generations.

however, the monsoon spell earlier in the year severely damaged six classrooms and four washrooms. The school administration and parents are worried about the safety of the students. The parents are reluctant to send their children to school for seeking education at the risk of their lives. Such fears have a direct impact on the attendance of the students, leading to dropouts.

Months have passed, but no official of the relevant government department has even paid a visit to the school. The building needs to be fixed or rebuilt. Unfortunately, nothing has been done so far to address the issue.

The alumni of the school occupying higher positions today in public and private sectors need to step forward in order to do something for their alma mater. The authorities concerned should also look into the matter and take immediate action so that the school may retain its students.

IZHAR AHMED SHAIKH SUKKUR

The

sHaHzadi irrum

An Alarm for the Horn of Africa

InDIa’S looMIng DeMograPhIC DIvIDe

ProjecT syNdicATe SHASHI tHAroor

INDIA looks set to end a tumultuous year on a celebratory note, marking both 75 years of independence and the start of its G20 presidency. But another milestone is looming. United Nations experts estimate that on April 14, 2023, India will officially overtake China and become the world’s most populous country. That is not necessarily cause for celebration. China occupies approximately 9.6 million square kilometers (3.7 million square miles), compared to India’s 3.3 million square kilometers, which makes India’s population density nearly three times higher than China’s. Yet, unlike China, India struggles to feed, educate, and care for its 1.4 billion people, despite its impressive growth rate over the last three decades.

Population growth poses both opportunities and challenges. India’s population is expected to grow over the next four decades to approximately 1.7 billion, before plunging to 1.1 billion by 2100. owing to the declines in its mortality and fertility rates, India has a narrow window of opportunity to harness the growth of its productive labor force to boost economic development.

But uneven regional patterns, if not addressed, could turn India’s demographic dividend into a permanent demographic divide. While India’s northern states continue to grow, population growth in southern India has already stabilized; in some states, like Kerala in the south and Nagaland in the northeast, the population has already begun to shrink. This means that parts of India may ex-

perience baby booms while other regions grapple with aging populations.

That said, the effects of climate change make it extremely difficult to predict India’s demographic trends. The country is experiencing extreme weather events – cyclones, heatwaves, droughts, and floods – with alarming frequency. Some rivers overflow while others run dry. Millions across the subcontinent already suffer from water scarcity, leading to mass displacement and migration from uninhabitable areas, exacerbating the regional divide.

The political implications of these trends could be far-reaching. India’s population grew from 350 million to more than a billion between 1947 and 1997, with the poorer, less educated, and largely Hindi-speaking northern states accounting for much of the increase, whereas southern states curbed population more effectively, owing to better human development and education policies. While northern families had 6-7 children on average for decades, the average for southern Indians dropped quickly to two children per household.

Given that India is a democracy, the more populous north should have had more parliamentary seats and, therefore, greater political power. But in 1976, anxious not to reward poor population control with increased political influence, Prime Minister Indira Gandhi froze parliamentary representation at the level of the 1971 census. The constitutional amendment that enabled the freeze was supposed to expire 25 years later, but Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee renewed it for another quarter-century.

As a result, some southern MPs represent fewer than two million voters, while some from the north represent as many as 2.9 million. Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), which elicits over-

Positioning China as a ‘threat’? Japan advised to take it easy

whelming support from voters in the northern Hindispeaking Cow Belt, appears set to end this anomaly and to restore equal representation when the amendment lapses again in 2026.

While this scenario would make the Indian parliament more representative, it would also give the northern states a two-thirds majority, enabling the BJP to amend the constitution at will without regard to the wishes of the southern states. Modi’s cabinet would be able to pursue nationalist policies that the less populous states may find unpalatable or discriminatory, thus threatening India’s hard-won national unity.

Today, just two northern states, Bihar and Uttar Pradesh, account for the bulk of India’s population increase. With 220 million people, Uttar Pradesh would be the world’s fifth most populous country if it were independent. These states, which already have a disproportionate influence on Indian politics, will likely gain even more power as their populations grow over the next decade.

Ignorance about family planning and the benefits of smaller families in the less-literate north is likely the principal factor behind India’s uneven population growth. While the southern states have already transformed themselves, partly thanks to higher education levels among women, female literacy in the north is still far below the national average. Whereas Bihar’s population grew by 25.4% between 2001 and 2011, Kerala’s increased by just 4.9%. The 2021 census was postponed because of the CoVID-19 pandemic, but the gap has likely grown over the past 11 years.

Meanwhile, India’s labor market has never fully recovered from the pandemic. According to the Centre for Monitoring Indian Economy, employment in India fell from

408.9 million in 2019-20 to 387.2 million in 2020-21 as the unemployment rate soared during the first year of the crisis. While employment has since recovered, there are 4.5 million fewer jobs than there were before the pandemic.

The sharp increase in youth unemployment is particularly worrying. The unemployment rate for Indians aged 19-25 rose to 23% nationally, reaching 40% in Kerala and Indian occupied Kashmir. Female participation in the labor force, which had previously been in line with global trends, has plunged in the last few years. At the other end of the spectrum, southern India has witnessed a proliferation of assisted-living facilities, as many aging parents have no one to look after them after their children emigrate in search of better work opportunities.

Instead of starting 2023 on a promising note, India is struggling with a worsening north-south divide, uncontrolled urbanization, water shortages and resource scarcities, an aging population in some areas, and mounting youth unemployment in others. India’s impressive growth and economic development offer reason for hope, and Indians have proved themselves to be resilient and resourceful in trying times. But to seize the opportunities offered by the looming demographic shift, India must acknowledge and address these trends. otherwise, what looked like a dividend could fuel a disaster.

Shashi Tharoor, a former UN under-secretarygeneral and former Indian Minister of State for External Affairs and Minister of State for Human Resource Development, is an MP for the Indian National Congress. He is the author, most recently, of Pride, Prejudice and Punditry: The Essential Shashi Tharoor (Aleph Book Company, 2021).

US Muslims being let down

THE INSECURITY SHOWN BY JAPAN IS LARGELY FEIGNED TO FIND EXCUSES FOR THE LOOSENING OF CONSTRAINT ON ITS MILITARY POWER. EVERY POINT JAPAN ARCHES FORWARD IN THIS DIRECTION IMPLICATES THE FRACTURING OF THE SECURITY PATTERN IN THE ENTIRE EAST ASIAN REGION

GlobAl Times EDItorIAL

JAPAN’S Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) and the Komeito party reached an agreement on Monday on the draft revisions of three security documents of “National Security Strategy,” “National Defense Strategy” and “Defense Force Preparedness Plan.” The 2013 version of Japan’s security strategy describes China’s actions as an “issue of concern,” while in this draft revision, China is labeled as an unprecedented “strategic challenge.” It was also written in the draft that Japan will possess the capability to launch counterstrikes against facilities such as missile-firing sites and other enemy targets. The document is planned to be finalized through a cabinet resolution. This is the first revision since Japan formulated its current security strategy in 2013, and it is also a major change in Japan’s security policy after World War II. The signal it releases is undoubtedly very dangerous.

According to media reports, these documents have been discussed for a long time in Japan, and the most argued subject is whether China should be positioned as a “threat” or a “challenge.” It is reported that the LDP advocates the use of “threat.”

In the previous draft, the Chinese People’s Liberation Army’s military exercises surrounding the island of Taiwan were described as “a threat to our country and the residents of the region.” However, the Komeito party, which values relations with China, took a relatively cautious attitude. A “compromise” plan was finally adopted, retaining the word “threat” but deleting expressions such as “our country,” which intends to downplay the connection with the China-Japan relationship. obviously, they all know what it means to directly refer to its neighboring country as a “threat” in national strategic documents.

It is possible that Japan played a bit of wordplay on the final wording, but the differences are superficial. Its real meaning, intent and target cannot be concealed. Even the right-wing Yomiuri Shimbun said that in international relations, calling a country a “threat” is actually declaring it an enemy. It is not difficult to find that the Japanese authorities are increasingly inclined to treat China as a “threat” in actual actions. This is also the most important reason why Japan’s radical and irrational behavior has begun to increase significantly in the past two years. If you treat China as a “threat,” you actually become a “threat” to China, and in turn China will really become a “threat” to you. Japan is creating a crazy vicious circle. However, China’s current comprehensive strength is much higher than that of Japan, and most of the destructive impact of this vicious circle will be digested and borne by Japan alone.

The latest “capability to launch counterstrikes” written in the new security strategy actually means to develop the external attack capability of the Japanese Self-Defense Forces. Ac-

cording to reports, Japan plans to deploy 1,000 cruise missiles with a range of more than 1,000 kilometers. The range of its self-developed missiles has also been extended to 1,500 kilometers. It also plans to deploy hypersonic missiles in 2030, greatly breaking through the long time maintained 200-kilometer “self-defense range.” The country has also achieved many “breakthroughs” in trying to get rid of the shackles of the pacifist constitution, including the Self-Defense Forces “going overseas” and selling arms to other countries. The SelfDefense Forces have no longer merely targeted “self-defense.” Many even believed that the pacifist constitution has existed in name only. For Japan, which once went astray and caused serious disasters in the Asia-Pacific, the consequences of falling into a wrong path again are absolutely unbearable, but now the country has stepped in with one foot.

We have noticed that Japan’s relevant strategy documents over the years have shown a clear escalation process in terms of its position on China: from “worry” to “serious concern” and “graveconcern” to “the biggest strategic challenge.” During this period, China’s policy toward Japan has not changed, and has always followed the four political documents between China and Japan, which are reflected in all strategicl documents related to China-Japan relations. The important consensus that the two countries should “be partners, not threats” has been clearly written into the fourth political document between China and Japan, and has been repeatedly confirmed in the meetings between the leaders of the two countries. What has changed is the power balance between China and Japan and Washington’s attitude toward China. The rise of Japan’s hostility toward China is not unrelated to these two variables.

In our opinion, the insecurity shown by Japan is largely feigned to find excuses for the loosening of constraint on its military power. Every point Japan arches forward in this direction implicates the fracturing of the security pattern in the entire East Asian region. December 13 is the 85th anniversary of the Nanjing Massacre. But on this day, from politicians to the media in Japan, almost all of their attention was put on the discussion of arms expansion and war preparations, which is very ironic. This step is not only wrong but also dangerous. Using this to guide the national security strategy will definitely lead Japan into a dangerous and barbaric drift, and the end is a huge dark vortex. We advise Japan to take it easy.

Let’s be more realistic. Since China is regarded as a security “challenge” or even “threat,” it is logical to expand its armaments. Japan will greatly increase its defense budget for the next five years, and the funding gap will reach trillions of yen. Here comes the question: where does this money come from? Fumio Kishida’s government proposed tax increases, which were met with fierce opposition in Japan. We would like to say to the Japanese people, save your money, it is really a pure waste.

Do you remember American actor and singer Jussie Smollett? In January 2019, Smollett became known worldwide as the victim of a racist and homophobic hate crime. He reported to the Chicago police that two men had punched him in the face, poured an unknown chemical substance on him and wrapped a rope around his neck. He described his attackers as MAGA (Make America Great Again) supporters, a slogan former President Donald Trump used.

As a result, he immediately received support from celebrities in political and cultural circles and his claims were met with outrage about how the country was divided between the white oppressor and the oppressed minorities. With tears in his eyes, Smollett suggested to “Good Morning America” that his attackers were white. “If I had said he was a Muslim, or a Mexican, or someone Black, I feel like the doubters would have supported me much more. A lot more,” he said.

It did not take the Chicago police long to solve this heinous crime and reveal the shocking truth. The “Empire” actor came up with the plan, staged the attack and paid two Nigerian men, who worked as extras on the show, to pretend to be the racist, homophobic attackers. The police added that Smollett “took advantage of the pain and anger of racism to promote his career.”

In March 2022, Smollett was sentenced to 150 days in jail after being found guilty on five of six counts of disorderly conduct for making false reports to the Chicago Police Department. This story should have been a good lesson for those who try to incite hatred and racism for their own personal gain. But some do not want to learn or perhaps think they are more intelligent than the rest of us.

In San Diego, California, a local imam who was well known for publicly debating with people about Islam claimed in March that he was attacked by a man who called him a terrorist, according to the San Diego Union-Tribune. In a viral video, Uthman ibn Farooq claimed that a man motivated by Islamophobia stabbed him while he was in downtown San Diego providing information about Islam. “I punched him, and he was too cowardly to fight like a man; he took a knife and tried to cut me,” he said, adding that he went to an urgent care clinic for treatment on a wound to his abdomen.

There was no reason to doubt Uthman’s claim, especially with him being a religious leader — ex-

WITH TEARS IN HIS EYES, SMOLLETT SUGGESTED TO “GOOD MORNING AMERICA” THAT HIS ATTACKERS WERE WHITE. “IF I HAD SAID HE WAS A MUSLIM, OR A MEXICAN, OR SOMEONE BLACK,

cept that no records support his claims. The Islamists’ narrative and the victimhood card have become known to many in the Western world, regardless of the support they provide each other to give themselves credibility.

The questionable Council on American-Islamic Relations hastened to stand by the founder of the one Message Foundation, condemning the “bias-motivated attack.” Its statement added: “Hate rhetoric can quickly turn into a hate crime, causing harm to life and property. We call on members of the public to offer any information they have about this attack and for city officials to take immediate action to ensure public safety for all minority communities.” The council also wished Uthman a speedy recovery. Recovery from what?

The police denied any knowledge of an attack. No crime was reported, no charges were brought and nobody was tried or sent to jail, as Uthman claimed in September. Freelance journalist Ahnaf Kalam was forcibly removed from a mosque in Colorado for asking Uthman to provide the name of the jailed attacker. Kalam was led out of the building by Karim Abu Zaid, imam of the Colorado Muslims Community Center.

Why would Uthman lie? Why wouldn’t he answer a simple question? Hasn’t he heard of Smollett?

According to its website, the one Message Foundation, a nonprofit organization established in 2014, aims to educate people to bring about better understanding of Islam. However, Islamists continue to portray the US as an enemy of all Muslims; this incident was just one example. Moderate Muslims who want to live in harmony with the rest of their society should confront this dangerous agenda and refuse to be used and represented by radical ideology-driven so-called religious leaders.

Uthman needs to come clean and apologize for tainting the reputation of American Muslims. He must be held accountable for spewing racism and hatred under the pretext of fighting Islamophobia. Islamists should have no place in Western societies.

AS IT PREPARES TO OVERTAKE CHINA AS THE WORLD’S MOST POPULOUS COUNTRY, INDIA IS STRUGGLING TO HARNESS THE ECONOMIC BENEFITS OF ITS DECLINING MORTALITY AND FERTILITY RATES. UNEVEN POPULATION GROWTH, WITH SOME INDIAN STATES EXPERIENCING BABY BOOMS WHILE OTHERS CLOSE SCHOOLS, COULD TURN THE DEMOGRAPHIC DIVIDE INTO A DISASTER

ArAb News

DALIA AL-AQIDI

I FEEL LIKE THE DOUBTERS WOULD HAVE SUPPORTED ME MUCH MORE. A LOT MORE,” HE SAID

corporate corner

President asks Pakistani diasPora to helP transfer technology, exPertise

iSLaMaBaD Staff report

PRESIDENTDr Arif Alvi has called upon the Pakistani diasporas in North America and Europe to create linkages with relevant institutions, departments and the country’s private sector for the transfer of technology, expertise and intellectual capital to catalyse Pakistan’s progress and development.

stitutions of Pakistan involved in research and development for the transfer of knowledge and technology and setting up of relevant infrastructure.

in the health sector of Pakistan to enable our young physicians to remain competitive on the world stage.

bat the Covid-19 pandemic.

Hyundai

Nishat Motor,

Shell Pakistan join hands to launch co-branded lubricant products

The President expressed these views while talking to the President of the Pakistani Descent Physician Society, Dr Asif Syed, who called on him, here at Aiwan-e-Sadr, on Monday.

During the meeting, the President said the Pakistani diaspora should make efforts to create linkages between the institutions of higher learning and institution of research and development in North America and Europe with the in-

The President also appreciated the idea of setting up a strategic reserve in Pakistan of essential commodities, which may include relief goods needed to cater for any manmade or natural calamities and the strategic reserve of essential medicines, which are needed for the victims of manmade and natural calamities. He said the government is trying to resolve the economic issues faced by the nation, especially in ensuring the availability of urea and meeting the energy needs of the population. He commended the Pakistani-Descent Physicians Society (PPS) and its welfare activities during the Covid-19 pandemic and the recent floods in Pakistan and stated that the entire world is appreciative of Pakistan’s efforts to com-

Dr Arif Alvi also appreciated the PPS for their advocacy efforts related to training medical graduates of Pakistan in the USA and providing alternate pathways to physicians who are unable to get a residency slot. He urged that the collaboration of PPS with the government can make a remarkable change in the quality and standard of the healthcare system in Pakistan.

He said the PPS can play an active role in bringing technological advances

Faysal Bank declared ‘Best Bank of the Year 2021’ by CFA Society Pakistan

Karachi pr

the

has collaborated

The collaboration will create the fully synthetic, next-generation co-branded lubricant 5W-30 AH, specially formulated and built to keep the Hyundai vehicle's engine running at full performance. The Chief Executive Officer of Hyundai Nishat Motor, Mr. Hasan Mansha said, “Hyundai Motor has complete trust in the high-quality lubricants and fueling products marketed by Shell all over the world. This collaboration reflects the inspiration of both companies for innovation and greater reliability in automobiles which is based on extensive research and development.” The Chief Executive & Managing Director of Shell Pakistan Limited, Mr. Waqar Siddiqui, expressed his commitment to introducing a fully synthetic lubricant, “We are pleased to work in cohesion with a world-class automobile producer, like Hyundai.

UMT holds moot on impactful Research

CFA Society Pakistan hosted the 19th edition of its prestigious Annual Excellence Awards in Karachi to recognize the outstanding performances of financial institutions, corporates and professionals. Faysal Bank Limited (FBL) was declared “Best Bank of the Year 2021” amongst mid-size banks of the country.

Mr. Yousaf Hussain – President & CEO, Faysal Bank Limited received the award from Mr. Jameel Ahmed - Governor, State Bank of Pakistan who graced the occasion as the Chief Guest.

Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Hussain said, “Alhamdolillah, we at Faysal Bank are

honored and thankful to Allah Almighty for this coveted award. Our recognition today is a culmination of our journey of belief, planning, commitment and dedication, supported all the way by our Sponsors, Board of Directors, State Bank of Pakistan, employees and above all our customers.”

FBL carries the highest local Sharia rating of SCFR1 by the International Islamic Rating Agency and provides the best and widest range of Shariah compliant banking products and services to meet their customer’s Halal banking needs with convenience. With an expanding network of almost 700 Islamic branches, Faysal Bank has a footprint in 253 cities/towns across Pakistan.

Pak Suzuki Motors construct Science lab in Govt School in Pipri under CSR

pr

Pak Suzuki Motor Co. inaugurated a newly constructed Science Lab at Govt. Girls Secondary School Pipri along with furniture and necessary practical equipment. The ceremony was held on 7th December 2022. Mr. Masafumi Harano MD & CEO Pak Suzuki inaugurated the project along with other officials of Pak Suzuki & School.

pr

the UMT administration. Research plays an important role in the development of any country, so we have to improve the country's conditions by doing research in diverse areas, said Chairman HEC. He also said that universities need to adapt to the changing landscape of today's world. Dr. Mukhtar Ahmed highlighted that writing research papers is good but we need to focus on research that can provide solutions to social and economical problems of society. pr

Shan Foods achieves grade AA BRC rating for 3rd consecutive year

Karachi: Maintaining its excellence in quality & food safety, Shan Foods has achieved the ‘AA’ grade rating for the third year in a row in the Brand Reputation Compliances Global Standard (BRCGS) re-certification audit, becoming the first spice company in Pakistan to achieve ‘AA’ rating consecutively 3rd time. Apart of being certified on BRC Food Standard, Shan Foods holds certifications which are recognized globally such as FSSC, QMS, EMS, OHSMS and Halaal certifications i.e. PS 3733 OIC SMIIC 1 and JAKIM MS 1500. Commenting on the achievement, Mushkbar Zehra, Director Quality Assurance, HSE & Compliance at Shan Foods, remarked, “This is just one of the chapters in Shan Foods' success story, and we intend to keep expanding and bringing our customers' happiness and high-quality food.” pr

New and advance technology always play vital roles towards better services and goal achievement smartly by following the same on the instructions of Government of Pakistan and Federal Minister Power Division Engineer Khurram Dastgir Khan, the implementation of Automated Metering Infrastructure (AMI) in IESCO region is going on rapidly and in this regard Chairman Board of Directors Engineer Qamar ul Islam Raja and Chief Executive Officer IESCO Dr Muhammad Amjad Khan is specially supervising this project directly.

Initially, the work of data center building and other installations is going on rapidly. In the first phase Rawalpindi City Circle, Rawalpindi Cantt Circle and all IESCO industrial tariff consumers and high losses feeders will be transferred to AMI metering and this initiative will directly be benefited both consumers and Institution. Automated 100% accurate and timely meter reading will be possible resulting in significant reduction in costs incurred on meter reading. In case of any power theft, tripping, power failure, power theft, or defective meters automated intimation/notification will be received in data center and immediately instructions.

Dr Asif Syed, President PakistaniDescent Physicians Society, stated that PPS is a medical non-profit organization and a part of APPNA with a member base of 600 plus physicians from Illinois, Michigan, Indiana and Wisconsin. The focus of PPS is to support and develop as a grassroots-level organization facilitating healthcare services, community outreach, policy, advocacy and legislation in the USA and in Pakistan. PPS participates in numerous philanthropic, community-based initiatives in the USA and Pakistan, such as free clinics, immunization campaigns, disaster relief, and food/ration pantries. They are working on establishing an endoscopy suite at Jinnah Hospital, Karachi and supporting the flood relief efforts in the country.

corporate corner

Dawlance Dealers’ Convention 2022 features revolutionary new products

Karachi: Dawlance is the leading manufacturer

While it has established a

network of 1800+ dealers all over Pakistan. This grand event in Islamabad was also enriched by the introduction of Dawlance’s newly launched Television, Air-conditioner, Washing-Machine and other high-performance product categories. This ceremony was a winning stroke, as it highlighted the extensive research and award-winning technologies of Dawlance that conserve up to 55% energy, for greater environmental sustainability. Dawlance, being the wholly-owned subsidiary of Arçelik – the 2nd largest manufacturer in Europe, always strives for excellence. Being a global company, based in Turkey - Arcelik has always maintained the highest standards of performance, safety and service. The Chief Executive Officer of Dawlance – Umar Ahsan Khan stated: We are grateful to all our dealers and distributors for inspiring a highly responsive customer-care culture, to ensure customers’ satisfaction, while we are offering better comforts and health for the consumers. I would like to attribute our success and achievements to our diligent dealers and employees, while the company remains committed to their wellbeing and the progress of our whole nation.” The wide range of Dawlance products also includes; Refrigerators, Microwave ovens, dishwashers, water dispensers, hoods & hobs, steam-iron, Air-Fryer, Minitoaster, etc. The three large factories of Dawlance in Pakistan are also exporting various products to other parts of the world. This socially-responsible organization has a vision for humanitarian development, as it has launched many resourceful initiatives and adopted global best practices to promote public health, education, empowerment, etc. pr

Naval Chief lauds holding of International Maritime Symposium

pr

It is a matter of immense pleasure that National Institute of Maritime Affairs, is organizing 3rd International Maritime Symposium 2022 on the “Geo-Economic Dimensions of IOR – Opportunities for Region and Beyond”. The subject is important not only for Pakistan but also for the regional and extra regional countries. I am confident that this Symposium would provide a unique forum to a wide range of speakers: from inland

and abroad, the maritime community, policy makers, academia and other stakeholders to deliberate and proffer recommendations on issues related to the “maritime connectivity”

and in particular, on its economic opportunities and maritime security dimensions.

The importance of Indian Ocean Region needs no emphasis since it provides major connectivity routes for global trade, and contains vast natural resources such as oil, gas, minerals and seafood. It is imperative for the IOR countries to cooperate so as to accrue maximum dividends from the immense maritime economic potential. Pakistani ports have the desired transit and transshipment potential to con-

tribute significantly towards economics renaissance through maritime connectivity in the region and beyond, including the land locked Central Asian Republics, Afghanistan and Iran for which Gwadar Port is ideally located. In this regard, Gwadar Port, designed to be a deep draught port, will consolidate geographical linkages, stimulate trade and propel Pakistan into a position of centrality and pre-eminence.

Notwithstanding, certain elements inimical to the prosperity of Pakistan, do not wish

to see this project succeed and the country progress economically.

Pakistan Navy remains vigilant to safeguard our shared maritime interests with the international community and is a committed partner to maintain peace and order at sea. Pakistan Navy’s contributions in Combined Task Forces, Bi-literal and Multi-lateral naval engagements and Regional Maritime Security Patrols are manifestations of this commitment at the global level.

Karachi: Pakistan Council on Foreign Relations (PCFR) Karachi think-tank hosted a dinner in honor of the H.E. Brahim Romani, Ambassador to the People's Democratic Republic of Algeria in Islamabad. Photo shows Ambassador (R) Shahid, Chairman, Ahsan Mukhtar Zubairi, Secretary General of the PCFR, Justice (R) Gulzar Ahmed, Sindh Minister Imtiaz Ahmed Shaikh, Kazi Asad Abid, diplomats from Iran, Russia, honorary Consul of Georgia Khawaja Murad Mashooqullah, and Mrs. Mashooqullah, with other guests. pr

Lahore: Hyundai Nishat Motor (Private) Limited (HNMPL)

with Shell,

leading global supplier of finished lubricants for 16 years, to launch co-branded lubricant products exclusively designed for Hyundai vehicles.

Lahore: University of Management and Technology (UMT), Lahore held a conference on Impactful Research: Convergence of Basic and Applied Research to Create RealWorld Impact. Chairman HEC Dr. Mukhtar Ahmed attended the conference as the chief guest. President UMT Ibrahim Hasan Murad, Rector UMT Dr. Asif Raza, Director General UMT Abid Sherwani, Dr Mujahid Kamran, Dean Research UMT Dr. Sammia Shahid, Registrar Saleem Atta, Controller of Examinations Haseeb Haider, Deans, Directors and a large number of faculty participated in the conference. Chairman HEC Dr. Mukhtar Ahmed in his address said that basic and applied research must be combined for realworld impact. Expressing his views, Dr. Mukhtar said that UMT has become the first private university in Pakistan because of its quality research, for which I congratulate

Awn Chaudhry Advisor to the Prime Minister on Sports and Tourism met the Prime Minister of Pakistan Shehbaz Sharif. Awn Chaudhry informed about the steps taken to promote tourism at the domestic and international level. In the meeting, besides discussing the current political situation in the country, promoting Pakistan as a tourist destination and bringing foreign investment in the tourism sector was also considered. pr

of highly innovative home appliances in Pakistan, with 4 decades of experience in creating unmatched convenience for consumers.

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Automated metering infrastructure a revolutionary initiative in power sector

North KoreaN defector stages oNe-maN protest demo agaiNst Kim JoNg-UN’s ‘aUtocratic rUle’

rights in North Korea.

ISLAMABAD MiAn AbrAr

JOOILKim, a North Korean military officer who defected and lives in self-exile in United Kingdom, has landed in Pakistan to win diplomatic and public support for his plans to rescue millions of his colleagues in North Korea, who according to him, are victims of blatant human rights violations under the authoritarian regime of Kim Jong-un.

Jooil Kim staged one-man protests outside the North Korean Embassy here as well as at the Centaurus Mall to raise his voice against the massive human rights violations by what he called the North Korean dictator Kim Jong-un. He later in the day also addressed the participants of a seminar here and discussed the gross human rights violations in North Korea.

Jooil Kim holds a one-man protest demonstration at Centaurus Mall

Following the protest demonstration at Centaurus Mall, Jooil Kim sat down with daily Pakistan Today for an exclusive interview. Jooil Kim said that he was serving as a young captain in the North Korean army. Kim belonged to the North Korean elite but he soon began to harbour doubts about the autocratic regime when he saw the gap between the harsh realities

UN food chief stepping down

WASHINGTON The AssociATed Press

and the texbook socialism he had been taught. In 2005, Kim decided to breakaway for Kim Jong-un’s rule.

Born in Gilju County of Hamgyeong province in North Korea, Jooil Kim was serving in the Military Demarcation Line when he decided to defect.

“I was sent to the China-North Korea border to track down army defectors but there I decided to seize the opportunity and defected myself. A young man of 26 years, I swam 200 metres across the Duman River at night and escaped to China where I made enough money to survive by washing dishes in a restaurant,” Jooil Kim said, adding that later he moved to Vietnam and then to Cambodia and finally arrived South Korea in year 2007.

“Once I landed in South Korea, I decided to help my countrymen who

are suffering under the dictatorial regime of Kim Jong-un’s father. For this purpose, I decided to move to United Kingdom from where I could launch a campaign. I chose London because South Korea is demonized in North Korea,” he added.

When asked how he did know about the plight of his countrymen back in North Korea, Jooil Kim said, “I was able to confirm the actual situation of human rights violations in North Korea and I hope to solve the human rights problem in North Korea through solidarity and cooperation of the international community”. I was able to realise the importance of freedom and human rights, and it is necessary to secure specific evidence to enable accountability, such as records and investigations of human

Asked to explain why he had arrived Pakistan, Jooil Kim said that Pakistan government and its people can assist his campaign.

“Since Pakistan is a democratic state and is also a friend of North Korea and South Korea, I suppose Pakistan would support peace efforts in the Korean Peninsula. Moreover, Pakistan has housed North Korean embassy and I believe North Korean regime would listen to Pakistan’s advice. I wish Pakistan to urge North Korea to restore democratic order and ensure the people exercise their basic human rights. My wish is that the level of democracy Pakistan enjoys, North Korean people should also have the same,” he said.

Asked if Pakistan was the only destination he planned to stage the demos, Jooil Kim said he plans to take this campaign further and would use all international platforms to raise awareness on the brutalities committed against the people of North Korea.

“I have visited United Nations too and raised my voice there. I also addressed British Parliament and other key international forums to register my concerns for my countrymen,” he asserted.

Kim says he has support of around 35000 North Korean refugees in South Korea, 800 in England, 60 in Netherlands, 120 in Belgium, 200 in Japan and 240 in the USA.

North Korea conducts ‘final-stage test’ for spy satellite: state media

The executive director of the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP), which won the Nobel Peace Prize two years ago, says he will step down at the end of a six-year term heading the world’s largest humanitarian organisation. David Beasley, a Republican, served one term as South Carolina’s governor from 1995 to 1999. In a statement Saturday, Beasley said he will exit his role at the conclusion of his term in April 2023. “Serving in this capacity has been the greatest joy and deepest heartache of my life,” Beasley said. “Thanks to the generosity of governments and individuals, we have fed so many millions of people. But the reality is we have not been able to feed them all — and the tragedy of extreme hunger in a wealthy world persists.” Beasley was appointed to the UN post in 2017 by then-US President Donald Trump, and was recommended for the job by Nikki Haley, another former South Carolina governor. Haley also served as the US ambassador to the UN during the Trump administration. Beasley succeeded Ertharin Cousin, an American lawyer and former US ambassador. WFP won the Nobel Peace Prize in 2020 for fighting hunger and seeking to end its use as “a weapon of war and conflict” at a time when the coronavirus pandemic threatened to exacerbate starvation. In March 2022, Beasley’s term was extended under the Biden administration for an extra year.

North Korea carried out an “important final-stage test” for the development of a spy satellite, which it will complete by April next year, state media said on Monday.

The report comes a day after Seoul’s military said it had detected launches by Pyongyang of two mediumrange ballistic missiles, the North’s latest in a year of unprecedented weapons tests.

Analysts say developing such a satellite would provide North Korea with cover for testing banned intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs), as they share much of the same technology.

The launches were “an important final-stage test for the development of (a) reconnaissance satellite”, a spokesperson with the North’s National Aerospace Development Administration (NADA) said, according to the official Korean Central News Agency on Monday.

State media also said the vehicle carrying the “testpiece” satellite — which included cameras, image transmitters and receivers, control devices and batteries — reached an altitude of 500 kilometres (311 miles) when it was fired at a high angle.

“The NADA said this is an important success which has gone through the final gateway process of the launch

of (a) reconnaissance satellite,” the spokesman said, adding that preparations will be completed by April.

Rodong Sinmun, the official newspaper of North Korea’s ruling Workers’ Party, carried two black-andwhite photographs that appeared to show South Korea seen from space.

The development of a military reconnaissance satellite was one of Pyongyang’s key defence projects outlined by North Korean leader Kim Jong Un last year.

Pyongyang carried out two launches earlier this year, claiming it was testing components for a reconnaissance satellite, which the United States and South Korea said likely involved components of its new Hwasong-17 intercontinental ballistic missile.

Nuclear state: On Thursday, the North tested a “high-thrust solid-fuel motor” at the Sohae launch site, which analysts say would allow quicker and more mobile launches of ballistic missiles.

All of Pyongyang’s known ICBMs are liquid-fuelled, and solid-fuel ICBMs that can be launched from land or submarines are on Kim’s wish list revealed last year. Kim, who has doubled down on his banned weapons programmes since nuclear talks collapsed in 2019, said this year he wants the North to have the world’s most powerful nuclear force, and declared his country an “irreversible” nuclear state.

musk asks twitter users if he should stay in charge of social media platform

SAN FRANCISCO The AssociATed Press

Elon Musk is asking Twitter’s users to decide if he should stay in charge of the social media platform after acknowledging he made a mistake Sunday in launching new speech restrictions that banned mentions of rival social media websites. In yet another drastic policy change, Twitter had announced that users will no longer be able to link to Facebook, Instagram, Mastodon and other platforms the company described as “prohibited.” But the move generated so much immediate criticism, including from past defenders of Twitter’s new billionaire owner, that Musk promised not to make any more major policy changes without an online survey of users. “My apologies. Won’t happen again,” Musk tweeted, before launching a new 12-hour poll asking if he should step down as head of Twitter. “I will abide by the results of this poll.” The action to block competitors was Musk’s latest attempt to crack down on certain speech after he shut down a Twitter account last week that was tracking the flights of his private jet.The banned platforms included mainstream websites such as Facebook and Instagram, and upstart rivals Mastodon, Tribel, Nostr, Post and former President Donald Trump’s Truth Social. Twitter gave no explanation for why the blacklist included those seven websites but not others such as Parler, TikTok or LinkedIn. Twitter had said it would at least temporarily suspend accounts that include the banned websites in their profile — a practice so widespread it would have been difficult to enforce the restrictions on Twitter’s millions of users around the world. Not only links but attempts to bypass the ban by spelling out “Instagram dot com” could have led to a suspension, the company said. A test case was the prominent venture capitalist Paul Graham, who in the past has praised Musk but on Sunday told his 1.5 million Twitter followers that this was the “last straw” and to find him on Mastodon. His Twitter account was promptly suspended, and soon after restored as Musk promised to reverse the policy implemented just hours earlier. Musk said Twitter will still suspend some accounts according to the policy but “only when that account’s (asterisk)primary(asterisk) purpose is the promotion of competitors. Twitter previously took action to block links to Mastodon after its main Twitter account tweeted about the @ElonJet controversy last week. Mastodon has grown rapidly in recent weeks as an alternative for Twitter users who are unhappy with Musk’s overhaul of Twitter since he bought the company for $44 billion in late October and began restoring accounts that ran afoul of the previous Twitter leadership’s rules against hateful conduct and other harms.

Xi stresses writing new chapter in China's Constitution practice in new era

CHINA sTAFF rePorT

Chinese President Xi Jinping has stressed writing a new chapter in the practice of China's Constitution in the new era, as the country marks the 40th anniversary of the enactment of its current Constitution this year. Efforts are needed to raise awareness of the Constitution, carry forward the spirit of the Constitution, promote the implementation of the Constitution, and better leverage its important role in state governance, said Xi, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, in a signed article published on Monday.

By doing so, a solid guarantee can be provided for building China into a modern socialist country in all respects and advancing the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation on all fronts, said Xi.

The legislation and implementation of constitutions marks the progress of human civilization and underpins the modernization of the human society, Xi said.

The CPC, after arduous exploration and practice, has successfully formulated and implemented the Constitution with distinctive socialist characteristics, one that is truly of the people, in China. It breaks new ground

in the history of the development of China's constitutional laws and the world's history of the constitutional system.

The CPC has led the people in formulating the Constitution, which overcomes the shortcoming of all previous constitutional laws that only represented the will of a handful of people and only served the interests of a small group of people, and thus is widely supported and observed by the general public.

After the current Constitution was enacted in 1982, the National People's Con-

gress conducted five amendments to some individual articles and contents, which were necessary and very important, Xi said.

Over the past 10 years in the new era since 2012, the development of China's constitutional system and the oversight of the implementation of the Constitution had seen major progress, and the awareness of the Constitution among the whole Party and the society had been greatly enhanced, generating fruitful results in the advancement of socialist rule of law, he added.

In the signed article, Xi summarized the experience in advancing the implementation as well as the theoretical and practical innovation of the Constitution.

He stressed the imperative of upholding the leadership of the CPC, saying that this is the most marked feature of China's Constitution and the fundamental guarantee for its full implementation.

Xi also stressed the importance of ensuring that the people run the country. The fundamental purpose of the Party leading the people in formulating and implementing the Constitution is to safeguard the people's interests, reflect their will, protect their rights and interests, and improve their well-being, said the article.

"It is imperative that we stay committed to Constitution-based governance and Constitution-based exercise of state power," said Xi, adding that the Constitution is the fundamental legal basis for the Party's long-term governance.

Highlighting the position of the Constitution as China's fundamental law, Xi said the Constitution enjoys supreme legal status, legal authority and legal validity in the country. Xi stressed the need to ensure the implementation of the Constitution via sound, effective, systematic and complete institutions and regulations and better conduct constitutional oversight.

Xi also stressed the need to safeguard the sanctity and authority of the Constitution. No organization or individual is allowed to have the power to overstep the Constitution or the law. All acts in violation of the Constitution or the law must be dealt with, it said.

Xi urged improving and developing the Constitution with the times to ensure its long-lasting vigor and vitality.

The 20th CPC National Congress stressed the importance of better leveraging the important role of the Constitution in state governance and called for efforts to build a modern socialist country in all respects under the rule of law, he added.

Xi ordered that the Party's overall leadership over the work related to the Constitution should be upheld and enhanced, stressing that without the leadership of the CPC the Constitution will not be fully and effectively enforced.

The leadership position of the CPC should not be wavered nor should the people's democratic dictatorship as the state system and the people's congress system as the system of state power, all of which are enshrined in China's Constitution, he said.

The country will never copy the models or practices of other countries, he added.

The Constitution should be enforced in all aspects and the whole process of the country's governance.

SEOUL AFP

ArGEnTinA AwAiTs To wELcoME hoME MEssi And worLd cuP winnErs

BUeNOs Aires Agencies

LIONELMessi and his teammates set off for Argentina with the most coveted prize in football as millions of compatriots waited to welcome them home on Monday and catch a glimpse of the World Cup trophy.

In the capital Buenos Aires and throughout the country, millions took to the streets to celebrate remarkable penalty shoot-out victory over France in the World Cup final in Qatar.

Messi finally crowned his record-breaking career with the one trophy that was missing as he produced a performance that will go down in World Cup history, scoring a first-half penalty and netting again in extra time.

France had fought back from 2-0 down in the last 10 minutes as Kylian Mbappe scored twice to equalise and force extra time in a pulsating match watched by an 89,000 crowd in Lusail Stadium.

Messi seemed to have decided the match in extra time with his second goal of the game before his Paris Saint-Germain teammate Mbappe completed only the second World Cup final hat-trick to bring the score to 3-3 and force penalties.

And while the players were able to celebrate with an estimated 40,000 fans inside the stadium on Sunday night, there are 45 million back home eager to welcome their heroes on Monday evening.

“Of course, it’s what we’re all waiting for,” teacher Veronica Silva, 44, told from the Plaza de Mayo square in central Buenos Aires where celebrations went on into Sunday night.

“This will continue for a couple of days. It started now and it won’t end tomorrow because they arrive tomorrow: it will go on for longer.” “Of course we can’t wait to see the players, all of them,” added cleaner Rosa Rodriguez, 63.

Messi had tasted bitter defeat in the 2014 final against Germany but in his fifth and final World Cup, the 35-year-old finally emulated Argentina idol Diego Maradona by leading his nation to World Cup glory for the first time since 1986.

Tens of thousands of blue and whiteshirted Argentina fans rose to salute Messi as he told them “We’re champions of the world!” on the stadium microphone. Later he told Argentine television: “Obviously I

wanted to finish my career with this. I can’t ask for any more.

“My career is coming to end because these are my final years. What more could there be after this?” But he said he would

continue with the Argentina squad. “I want to keep experiencing a few more matches as world champion,” he added.

FIFA will be delighted with a pulsating final that capped one of the most con-

After World Cup, Qatar seeks Olympic gold

After the World Cup earned Qatar both plaudits and censure, the energy-rich Gulf state is now starting a marathon to secure the 2036 Olympics and a place as a pillar of world sport.

Even as Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo scored goals and shed tears in Qatar’s multi-billion-dollar stadiums, its sports administrators were booking new victories off the pitch.

During the tournament, Qatar was awarded the 2025 world table tennis championships and the opening race of the world endurance championship in 2024, adding to its packed sports calendar. Formula One returns in 2023, and a major renovation of Qatar’s race track went ahead during the World Cup shutdown.

Qatar also stepped in when China withdrew from holding the 2023 Asian Cup football and is to stage the world swimming championships in 2024.

Its beIN Sports channel with its growing viewership and rights portfolio only adds to Qatar’s sports muscle.

Hosting events is “a very powerful game-changing tool”, said Michael Payne, a former head of marketing for

Lionel Messi: The Greatest?

DOHA AFP

the International Olympic Committee (IOC).

Qatar is ploughing ahead with its sporting ambitions despite criticism of its rights record — particularly the treatment of foreign workers who built the stadiums and power the economy of one of the world’s richest countries.

FIFA president Gianni Infantino repeatedly said Qatar was hosting the “best ever” World Cup, and other federations have also welcomed Qatar’s largesse.

An official with the International Table Tennis Federation said “Qatar stepped in to help organise events when

Covid devastated the calendar, and its facilities are all in place”.

Qatar won an overwhelming majority in the ITTF vote against Spain for the 2025 championships.

‘Own gOals’: The 2036 Olympics — which will not be awarded before 2025 — is the next big prize. The emir, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani, is an IOC member and Qatar has already bid for the 2016, 2020 and 2032 Games.

Some analysts say its World Cup record will count against Qatar in the Olympic bid.

Changing the date of the opening

match three months from the start of the World Cup and banning beer around stadiums two days from the start were “errors”, said Jean-Loup Chappelet, an Olympic movement specialist at the University of Lausanne.

“The International Olympic Committee wanted none of it (for 2032) and I think that after the World Cup it will be exactly the same,” added Chappelet.

Veteran marketing specialist Payne also said Qatar and FIFA had scored “own goals”, but added that these had been quickly forgotten.

The IOC has a declared policy of rotating the Games, and the Olympics have never been held in the Middle East.

But the scorching summer temperatures of up to 50 degrees Celsius (122 Fahrenheit) mean the IOC would have to switch the Games to the winter months.

Qatar could face competition from Saudi Arabia and Turkey, which has previously bid five times.

The Saudis were part of a Gulf blockade of Qatar from 2017 to 2021.

Ties have since been restored, and Qatar has highlighted the Arab fervour shown at the World Cup to claim its success. The Saudis pulled off a shock win over Argentina, and Morocco reached the semi-finals.

Messi echoes Maradona as Argentina win World Cup on penalties

For his legions of admirers, the debate about Lionel Messi’s right to be regarded as the greatest footballer in history is officially over. The absence of a World Cup winners’ medal has long been Exhibit A in the argument about why Messi does not rank above Pele and Diego Maradona in football’s pantheon. But with Argentina’s victory over France in Sunday’s jaw-dropping World Cup final in Doha, the case against the 35-year-old maestro is now surely closed. In a glittering career that has spanned three decades, Messi has won 37 club trophies, seven Ballon D’Or awards and six European Golden Boots. There has been a Copa America title, an Olympic gold medal and a list of scoring and statistical records that may never be beaten. The only remaining gap on Messi’s CV — a World Cup victory — was comprehensively filled in on Sunday night over the course of 120 mesmerising minutes at the Lusail Stadium. In his final World Cup appearance — a record-breaking 26th for what it’s worth — Messi scored twice as Argentina battled to a 3-3 draw in extra-time before prevailing on penalties. Not even Kylian Mbappe’s magical hat trick for Les Bleus could upset Messi’s appointment with destiny on a night that seemed pre-ordained.

DOHA Agencies

Lionel

Argentina won their third World Cup in extraordinary style on Sunday, beating France 4-2 in a penalty shootout after Lionel Messi scored twice in a 3-3 draw that featured a hat-trick for Kylian Mbappe as the holders recovered from 2-0 down after 80 minutes.

It was an incredible night of drama and fluctuating fortunes, delivering one of the all-time great finals to cap a wonderful tournament.

Duel in the Desert.

uldn’t ask for a better game. Incredible play by ���� & ���� !!!! pic.twitter.com/XUZxjymAx0

— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) December 18, 2022

Argentina had looked to be cruising to a one-sided victory after Messi’s penalty and a brilliant goal by Angel Di Maria in the first half put them in total control but Mbappe converted an 80th-minute penalty and volleyed in an equaliser a minute later to take the game to extra time.

Messi put Argentina ahead again but Mbappe levelled with another penalty, becoming the second man to score a World Cup final hattrick after Geoff Hurst for England 1966.

In the end, the greatest player of his generation, possibly of all time, bowed out with victory in arguably the greatest World Cup final of them all. It was a perfectly scripted farewell for the 35-year-old Argentine captain, playing in what he has said will be his fifth and final World Cup tournament.

Messi was a beacon of calm amid frequent outbreaks of pande-

monium at the Lusail Stadium as Argentina twice squandered winning positions, eventually taking the title on penalties after the game finished 3-3 in extra-time.

Before kick off, Argentina’s raucous supporters had roared their appreciation as a giant television screen played a tribute to the late Diego Maradona, with clips of his legendary goal against England at the 1986 World Cup.

That was all the inspiration Messi needed as he set about delivering Argentina their first World Cup title in 36 years. Maradona had also inspired that 1986 win, helping Argentina recover after they gave up a 2-0 lead before defeating West Germany 3-2.

Eight years ago, Messi had cut a forlorn figure, finishing on the losing side as Argentina slumped to a 1-0 extra-time loss to Germany at the Maracana Stadium in the 2014 World Cup final.

troversial World Cups in history, with the Qatari organisers having to face persistent questions about the country’s treatment of migrant workers and its laws on homosexuality.

Ahmed takes five wickets as Pakistan crumbles vs. Englan

Pakistan’s batters crumbled for 216 as 18-year-old legspinner Rehan Ahmed became the youngest men’s Test cricketer to claim a five-wicket haul on his debut to leave England in sight of a 3-0 sweep on Monday. Ahmed grabbed 5-48 and Jack Leach (3-72) claimed all three of his wickets in the space of six deliveries on Day 3 of the third and final Test to leave England needing 167 runs with plenty of time in hand. Harry Brook’s third successive century had given England a 50-run first-innings lead when it replied with 354 after dismissing Pakistan for 304, with Ahmed and Leach sharing six wickets between them. England won the first two Tests by 74 and 26 runs, respectively, on flat and slow-turning pitches with its aggressive brand of Test cricket in its first tour to Pakistan in 17 years. Pakistan, staring at its firstever 3-0 whitewash at home, lost the last seven wickets for 52 runs in the second innings as Ahmed stifled the middle-order with his sharp googlies and legspin. Captain Babar Azam (54) hit his third half-century in the last four innings and Saud Shakeel (53) made his fourth fifty in his debut series before Ahmed left the lower order clueless on a wicket which has a variable bounce and slow turn from Day 1. Babar and Shakeel had rebuilt Pakistan’s hopes with a 110-run stand before both fell late in the second session to Ahmed. Babar became the fourth Test player to complete 1,000 runs this year, but played an overambitious pull against Ahmed’s short ball soon after completing his half-century and Ollie Pope held a sharp catch at short mid-wicket. Ahmed, who also became the youngest England Test debutant at the age of 18 years, 126 days, then picked up the wickets of Mohammad Rizwan (7) and Shakeel in successive overs to seize complete control as Pakistan reached 177-6 at tea. Shakeel followed up his three previous half-centuries in his maiden Test series with another defiant fifty before he top-edged a sweep against Ahmed and was caught by Leach at square leg. Babar and Shakeel had defied spin and pace for 2 hours, 45 minutes after Leach’s triple strike had reduced Pakistan to 54-3. Pakistan was ahead by just three runs when the top order crashed against Leach on a wicket where spinners have dominated. Former captain Azhar Ali had a disappointing end to his 97-Test career as the 37-year-old fell without scoring in his last innings when Leach knocked back his off stump with a sharp turning delivery. England players applauded and shook hands with Azhar before he took the final guard with his wife and two sons among a sparse crowd at the National Stadium. But Azhar lasted for only four balls against his former Somerset teammate Leach before the England players again shook hands with him for one last time. Azhar was accorded a guard of honour by his teammates on the edge of the boundary line as he slowly walked back into the dressing room.

Gonzalo Montiel swept home the decisive spot kick to win the shootout 4-2 for Argentina — but this was Messi’s moment.

DOHA AFP

KARAcHi THe AssOciATeD Press

Messi saved his best for last on Sunday, bringing the curtain down on his World Cup career by finally landing the one major title that has eluded him.

Competition Commission rules pesCo disCriminated against two isps

profit report staff report

iSLAMABAD

The Competition Commission of Pakistan (CCP) has ruled that the Peshawar Electric Supply Company (PESCO) had acted unfairly against two prominent internet service providers by charging them an enhanced fee for using their electricity poles, and said it would slap millions in fines if it did not stop the practice.

The commission has directed PESCO to restore access to Right of Way (ROW) to the complainants — Nayatel and Cybernet — on fair, reasonable and non-discriminatory terms 21 days from the date of receipt of the order. A failure to do so would result in PESCO having to cough up a fixed penalty of Rs 75 million and an additional penalty of Rs 0.5 million for every day after the first of such violations.

The CCP found PESCO acting in vio-

lation of Section 3 of the Competition Act, 2010, by charging the complainants Rs 100 per pole as opposed to a Rs 10 rate given to basic TV cable operators, and not providing any reason for the enhanced charges.

PESCO was found to have abused its monopoly over critical public infrastructure in violation of Section 3 of the Act.

PESCO owns and manages the electric poles in the market which are available to different types of cable service providers within Peshawar. The utility’s actions were further discriminatory because only the complainants received decommissioning notifications regarding the removal of wires.

However, since there are no alternative means available for the complainants to provide cable, internet, and telephone services to consumers, it negatively affected both consumers and other stakeholders.

In this connection, the Bench found support from the applicable telecommunication regulatory regime, particularly, in terms of Section 27A of the Pakistan

Telecommunication (Re-organization) Act, 1996 and the 2020 Public and Private Right of Way Policy Directive, which states that the licensees can use the poles of government and privately owned electricity distribution and supply companies (DISCOs) for aerial installation of optical fibre cables.

Moreover, it broadly states that the fee imposed by a public authority for a public right of way shall be on a no profit no loss basis, should not be a means of commercial benefit and there shall be no discrimination against any licensee in terms of the fee charged. As for the safety grounds argu-

ments raised by PESCO, it could not satisfy the Bench. In the order it is observed that, as per the findings, the accidents and incidents had decreased from the year 2017-2018 till the year 2020-2021. No further evidence was provided to substantiate these assertions.

Moreover, since other DISCOs are already providing ROW on similar rates to fibre optic cable operators and, as such, no denial on safety grounds has been reported or witnessed.

The Commission emphasised that access to broadband technology has significant beneficial economic and social impacts and is in line with the objectives of the Government of Pakistan to promote digital inclusion. The Commission has also recommended that all private and government stakeholders, including PESCO, create a uniform policy for the deployment of broadband technology and ROW that may address any space or safety issues, including considering any shared infrastructure possibilities to fulfil the overall public policy objectives.

National Bank suspends thousands of pension accounts

profit report

There is a whole Pandora’s box that opens up if you look under the stone of government pensions. Be it their defined benefit model, the legal by-pass in their increment method, or just the sheer magnitude which the government is liable for. On top of it, is the whole issue of ghost pensioners. Just in the federal budget for FY23, The annual pensions of federal employees (civil and defence), is budgeted at approximately 600 billion rupees. This is in absence of all non-federal, provincial and State Owned Enterprises’ pensioners. In the spirit of addressing this issue and starting somewhere, the National Bank of Pakistan employed an amended method of pension disbursement, called DCS, in 2016. Regular pension payments required people to stand in long queues The system required a biometric verification of the pensioner along with various steps of attestations, making it difficult for ghost pensioners to seep through. Reportedly, this step did not stop the leakage through the pension fund, as considerably as it should have. The original banking regulation required pensioners to submit life and marriage certificates twice a year to maintain their active status. However, no drastic measures were taken to ensure that submission. This time around the National Bank has taken action and suspended thousands of accounts, conditioned upon these submissions. Until these submissions are verified, these pension accounts will reportedly remain suspended. Like anything, this winds up to be a double edged sword. While it might help the bank and the government to filter out fake accounts, a delay in the disbursement of pensions, for a lot of these households, can prove to be a drastic hit on their ability to sustain a livelihood.

LAHore

If you drive across Lahore’s Kalma Chowk today, chances are you’ll have to take a massive detour to reach your destination. Kalma Chowk standing at the intersection of Lahore’s busiest roadsFerozepur Road, Main Boulevard Garden Town and Main Boulevard Gulberg is being drastically restructured.

Not only has this been disruptive for daily commuters, the project is also costing taxpayers Rs 5 billion — which makes us question: is the project worth the cost, and why is it being undertaken?

For starters, the project is not even meant to improve Lahore’s traffic congestion. It is part and parcel of an effort to improve access to Lahore’s Central Business District (CBD). The CBD project is a major undertaking of the Punjab Government billed to utilise government owned land for urban regeneration. The government claims that the efforts of the district will attract investors to the area and boost economic development in the province.

Yet there is more than meets the eye when it comes to the CBD and its projects, including the extension of the Kalma Chowk extension project. Environmental experts and urban researchers say that the infrastructural development is not meant for public interest and incurs a huge environmental cost in addition to the massive Rs 5 billion development bill.

Punjab Central Business District Development Authority (PCBDDA)

The CBD was launched by the Punjab Government last year to develop commercial real-estate in Punjab. The ethos behind the project was to use unused government land to develop a district within Lahore where commercial and residential real estate projects could be developed.

A major avenue for the project has been the dead-centre of Lahore, where the CBD wants to knock down the old Walton Airport (the area located between the entrance towards Model Town and the Falcon Enclave) and hand it over to real estate developers to make both commercial and residential high-rise real estate.

The problem for the CBD was, however, that the area in which they were developing this real estate is land-locked. That is why in November this year, the CBD initiated the extension of the Kalm Chown underpass. The project constitutes two parts: the construction of the CBD

Punjab Boulevard and the remodelling of Kalma Chowk Underpass. With a 10month timeline for completion, the contract has been given to Habib Constructions Services — a construction conglomerate that has been involved most notably in the recent construction of Lahore’s Ring Road.

The CBD claims that better access will be vital to invite more investors to put their money in the CB project. While the concept behind high-rise real estate development is important, particularly in a city like Lahore with a massive urban sprawl problem, it is worth looking at what exactly the CBD is doing, and how it will impact Lahore.

Who will the project actually benefit?

“The underpass serves primarily to facilitate the business district, by providing car access to landlocked property. Such infrastructure only benefits motor transport, that includes both cars and motorcycles”, says Raffay Alam, Pakistan’s leading environmental lawyer. “Only 8% of Lahore’s residents own cars, which exposes the classist nature of this project. Secondly, a very miniscule percentage of car owners are women and older residents, which means that it only improves the mobility of the already most privileged demographic- elite men.”

The building of extravagant underpasses and overpasses is already a double-edged sword in urban planning. Money that could be spent on improving public transporta is spent on widening roads to help traffic congestion. However in the case of Kalma Chowk’s extension, the purpose is less to improve traffic congestion and more to provide access to a glorified real estate project — the CBD.

“The remodelling of Kalma Chowk

Underpass has largely been proposed and implemented for the Central Business District. The project was planned for the former area of the Walton airport and plots were auctioned earlier this year. Part of the CBD’s plan was to provide direct access to major arteries such as Ferozepur Road and Main Boulevard,” says Dr Umair Javed, assistant professor of Politics and Sociology at LUMS. “Essentially, the value of plots auctioned is contingent on providing this particular access which means that the project is designed to benefit a very few people- primarily investors who have purchased these plots.”

According to Mr. Arif Hasan, a leading architect, planner and social researcher, design and development in Pakistan had been hijacked by property developers and people with automobiles.There’s clearly no large-scale public benefit attached to it, which shows the misplaced priorities of municipal authorities in provincial governments: they are willing to spend Rs 5 billion on a project that benefits a very limited set of residents.

There are many ways to make better use of Rs 5 billion. How could we make better use of Rs 5 billion? Ideally, there should be greater investment in public transportation. This would be of a greater benefit to the residents of Lahore, especially given the smog and the role of private transport in creating this crisis. However, public transport seems to be nowhere on the agenda of this particular government. In fact, no major investment in public transport has occurred over the last three years, which shows that the present infrastructural development has very little to do with concerns of the city’s residents. Indeed, construction dust is a main pollutant in Lahore.

“While the city was enveloped in haze 3-4 weeks ago, the remodelling of the Kalma Chowk Underpass began. Delhi was also severely beset with haze at the same time. However, the Delhi administration immediately halted such ongoing projects. The timing of the project therefore also flies in the face of it being a means of public good,” adds Dr Javaid.

The rouTe: The project’s construction begins from the Kalma Chowk underpass, separates it from the first underpass access towards the Lahore Central Business District, and then opens to another underpass, as it turns towards Firdaus Market (Ali Zeb Road) from Centre Point. The first underpass measuring 632 metres will have two barrels and a 5.1 metres vertical clearance. The second underpass from Barkat Market to CBD area at Walton will be of 285 metres and have two barrels (each of 35 feet width and 17 feet vertical clearance).

The project will ultimately offer signal-free access to motorists from the CBD project area (including Ali Zeb Road and Walton) towards Firdaus Market and finally to Cavalry Ground through Lal Shahbaz Qalandar underpass.This means that if you were to drive through Gulberg main boulevard, you will find no signals from Centre Point till Siddique Trade Centre, and then from Jail Road till Mozang/Qartaba Chowk.

The ConsTruCTion Phases: The technical team of the PCBDDA met with the Lahore Traffic Police to finalise traffic diversion plans during the remodelling of the Kalma Chowk underpass and the construction of the CBD Boulevard. The PCBDDA’s Executive Director (technical) Mr Riaz Hussain, Director Project Management Mr Asif Iqbal, Lahore Traffic Police SP Mr Asif Sadiq, DSPs Muneer Hashmi, Rashid Hayat, Azam Chohan and Akhlaq Ahmed attended the meeting. According to the PCBDDA team, during the first phase of construction, one side of the main boulevard would be open to incoming traffic from Barkat Market towards Liberty Market. If you were to drive from Firdaus Market (Ali Zeb Road) towards Barkat Market and Ferozepur Road, you will find the service lane operational. The traffic coming from Model Town towards Liberty would be diverted from Gaddafi Stadium. The plan further entailed a clear passage for residents of Falcon Society. The project is intended as an “amenity” for Lahore’s residents with the authority’s guarantees of safe, comfortable and hassle-free routes for commuters during the phases’ construction.