Epaper_22-6-29 KHI

Wednesday, 29 June, 2022 I 29 Dhul-Qadah, 1443 I Rs 15.00 I Vol XII No 360 I 12 Pages I Karachi Edition

Pakistan could receive uP to $2b from imf: Pm shehbaz g

Premier emPhasises financial staBility for Political staBility

ISLAMABAD

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staff report

rime minister shehbaz sharif on tuesday said finance minister miftah ismail has informed him that Pakistan could receive up to $2 billion from the international monetary fund (imf). “miftah ismail in a message said that we will hopefully be receiving $2 billion instead of $1 billion from the imf,” the premier said and added that he told the minister that the “real goal” was achieving self-reliance which was “easier said than done”. the prime minister was addressing the ‘turnaround Pakistan’ conference organised by the ministry of Planning and development.

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says ‘real goal’ is achieving self-reliance that is ‘easier said than done’

shehbaz emphasised the need for all sectors to work together for Pakistan’s progress and reiterated the importance of self-reliance, adding that it guaranteed “political and economic independence”. the premier’s remarks came shortly after miftah revealed that Pakistan has received combined economic and financial targets for the seventh and eighth reviews of its imf bailout programme. discussing the recent opening of a mega-development project in Bangladesh, Pm shehbaz said that the Bangladeshi premier had proudly proclaimed that they did so without the help of international benefactors. “this is a big achievement; however, Pakistan is not lacking in resources or expertise”, he said citing the example of

the reko diq where he claimed Pakistan had lost billions of rupees but was yet to earn anything from it. he maintained that 75 years had passed since the inception of the country and loud claims had been made but no action was taken. “We all have a responsibility, but crying will achieve nothing. unchangeable decisions must be made,” he said. shehbaz said that Pakistan was drowning in debt and the country’s liabilities far outweighed its assets.

SuPER taX: the premier stated that the money the government collected from the recently announced ‘super tax’ would not be wasted or destroyed. “the money will not be wasted and will not be spent on government expenditure,” he said, adding that the rs230 billion collected would be used for the “development and prosperity” of the country. shehbaz vowed that his government would try to bring financial stability in the next fourteen months which would then lead to economic stability.

PoWER PRoBlEMS: the premier also discussed the hike in coal prices across the globe and said that there was a potential danger of running out of foreign exchange reserves if coal was imported to run power plants. he maintained that coal would be imported from afghanistan from july and would be bought in Pakistani rupees, thus saving rs2 billion. “the coal will be used to run coalfired power plants for electricity,” the prime minister said. he further said that the entire world was currently suffering from an economic crisis. highlighting the negligence of the previous government, shehbaz said that the former rulers did not sign any cheap and long-term gas agreements.

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BRICS snub: Hina terms China ‘most effective’ strategic partner ISLAMABAD staff report

minister of state for foreign affairs hina rabbani Khar tuesday dispelled the impression of Pakistan’s diplomatic isolation, saying that there was absolutely no denying of the fact that china was the most effective strategic partner of Pakistan. responding to criticism that india had been able to block Brics invite to Pakistan during a budget session in the national assembly, Khar said Pakistan was playing a much bigger role on the international front than its size in terms of gross domestic Product (gdP).

“We are very happy to state that over the years, Pakistani diplomats, Pakistani statesmen and Pakistani politicians have contributed towards [effectiveness of] a policy in the multilateral institutions. Pakistan’s foreign policy is moving in the right direction with all diplomatic missions ‘working complicatedly on all fronts’,” she added. the Brics (Brazil-russia-india-chinasouth africa) brings together five of the largest developing countries in the world, representing 41 per cent of the global population, 24pc of the global gdP and 16pc of the global trade. “china is part of Brics which

Miftah would leave if Dar returns as Finance Minister g

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more inside

Sindh lG polls review: ECP told staff from Kandhkot uC-28 kidnapped, 25 FIRs registered

But says not ready to serve as junior minister under dar ISLAMABAD staff report

finance minister miftah ismail on monday said that the mooted return of senior Pml-n leader ishaq dar to the country would not bother him and he would be happy to relinquish his position if the party leadership asked him to do so. speaking in a tv talk show, ismail was questioned on circulating rumours of dar’s return to lead the finance ministry. to this, miftah said: “i feel nothing about it. dar sahab can come if he wants to. he is our elder and already a part of the economic team.” miftah said that whatever economic decisions were taken, including the hiking of fuel prices, were taken following consultations with dar and others, even if dar did not agree with the final decision. “What’s the harm if dar sahab comes here (finance ministry) as well.” ismail added that dar was also involved in interviewing the state Bank governor. the finance minister said he was appointed

by Prime minister shehbaz sharif after consultation with Pml-n supremo nawaz sharif. “it is my job to make difficult decisions because i have to protect my country’s state and economy but i seriously have no issue with whether the ministry remains [with me] or not,” he said. he said he did not regret any decision taken so far and made the choice to increase fuel prices “gladly” since he thought it to be in the

means all the member countries have to work to cooperate [with] each other”, the state minister added. if a certain unfriendly country, she said, wanted to block Pakistan and succeeded in doing so, then “how can we doubt china’s intention”? she said in Brics “we don’t have a role but we still have core roles in many other international forums such as heart of asia”. she also asserted that Pakistan was fighting the case of dr aafia siddiqui at every diplomatic level. hina rabbani Khar said that Pakistan was fighting dr aafia siddiqui’s case at every diplomatic level and that the country was consistent in its policy across the governments to fight in favor of the case. she said, however, every country had its own laws, rules and regulations besides its sovereign right. “at present, she has the counsellor access and her requirements are also being fulfilled”, she said, adding aafia’s case was also being fought at every diplomatic level. the minister of state for foreign affairs made it clear that Pakistan was in no isolation as its foreign policy moved in the right direction with all diplomatic missions working complicatedly on all fronts.

STORY ON PAGE 03

KPK inks bill to regularize service of 58k ad-hoc teachers STORY ON PAGE 02

country’s interest. “if anyone has campaigned the most in our government for these decisions then it is me. it’s not hidden that i said since the first day that petrol prices [should be increased].” he said the Pml-n worked together as a team and in coordination with its “generous and wonderful” partners and if the prime minister wanted to make any change then “there is nothing wrong with it.” however, when asked that if dar were to be-

come the finance minister, would he be open to taking the role of state minister for finance, he said: “this, of course, won’t happen. i won’t become the state minister after being the federal minister.” recently, speculation has been rife over dar’s possible return. the former finance minister and senator-elect, who is currently in london, is being tipped to return to the ministry of finance to shore up the government’s economic team.

Kartarpur Corridor symbol of Pakistan’s commitment towards religious freedom: CoaS

STORY ON BACK PAGE

machinations begin to rig Punjab byelections: imran STORY ON BACK PAGE

02-03 NEWS 29 Jun 2022_Layout 1 6/29/2022 12:58 AM Page 1

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Wednesday, 29 June, 2022 | KARACHI

NEWS

KPK InKS BIll to ReGulaRIze SeRvICe of 58K aD-hoC teaCheRS PeShAwAr

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staff RepoRt

HE Khyber Pakhtunkhwa cabinet in its 75th meeting on Tuesday approved “Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Teachers (Appointment and Regularization of Services) Bill, 2021” to regularize services of teachers appointed on adhoc basis through NTS in the province since 2017.

The bill will benefit around 58,000 teachers who have been appointed on merit against the sanctioned posts in various categories (BS-12 to BS-16) and are performing duties in various schools of the province.

The cabinet meeting was chaired by KP Chief Minister Mahmood Khan, which was attended by cabinet members as well Provincial Chief Secretary, Senior Member Board of Revenue, Additional Chief Secretary and Administrative Secretaries of various fepartments.

Special Assistant to CM on Information

& Public Relations Barrister Muhammad Ali Saif while briefing media about the decisions taken by the cabinet at ITLA’A Cell, informed that the cabinet also approved addition of 38 new Public Services of six departments, which have been identified, refined and finalized by the Right to Services Commission (RTS) after holding multiple sessions with Secretaries and different tiers of the Departments. The new Public Services include the issuance of fitness certificate to vehicles, pollution control certificates, issuance of route permits girl to commercial vehicles, repair & maintenance of water supply lines of DWSS of TMAs, sanitation in designated area of TMAs, streetlights, NOC for the establishment of fruit markets and scholarships etc. These public services will be delivered by the departments concerned.

The chief minister, he said, announced Rs100,000 million for the heirs of the deceased girl student who was killed in wall collapse in Dir and Rs100,000 each for those sustaining injuries in the said incident. The school was also named after the deceased

girl student.

The cabinet, he said, also approved the transfer of state land measuring 7 Kanals & 16 Marlas to Tehsil municipal administration Domel, District Bannu for the construction of its office building, which is presently functioning in a rented building. Similarly, the cabinet also approved the ‘Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Mining of Minor Minerals from River Bed Rules, 2022’, which have been prepared in light of the recommendations of the Cabinet subcommittee. The rules will contribute towards regulating and protecting the natural course of rivers, allied infrastructure as well as promoting scientific mining activities in the riverbeds, where minor minerals like Bajri, Shingle, Ordinary Sand, Gravel and Ordinary Stones are found and fulfill the demands of the construction industry. The cabinet also approved the imposition of fines of Rs.0.5 million to Rs.1.5 million on illegal mining.

Barrister Saif further informed that the cabinet also approved a one-time grant of Rs. 16.63 million for the rehabilitation,

functionalization and clearance of the PESCO liabilities of as many as 13 tube wells established by PAK-PWD in Peshawar during the year 2017-18. These tube wells, out of which only one is completed and the rest are non-operational due to various deficiencies, are being taken over from the PAK-PWD by the Water & Sanitation Services Peshawar (WSSP) as per direction of the competent authority to operationalize them in the public interest.

The SACM further said that the cabinet authorized the Secretary Forests, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa to declare/notify Joint Check Posts & Wildlife Check Posts at appropriate places for effective conservation, protection and management of the Wildlife resources of the province. Similarly, the cabinet also approved the establishment of Kabalgram as Waterfowl Public Game Reserve in Shangla District wherein the hunting of wild animals shall not be allowed without special permit.

Muhammad Ali Saif further informed that the cabinet also approved the establishment of an Interim Tribunal in light

5-day rain spell likely to start tomorrow: DG Met office

India blocks Radio Pakistan’s twitter account NewS deSk Radio Pakistan twitter account has been blocked in India, denying access to information and restricting democratic freedom of expression. The social media handle of Pakistan’s state broadcaster has been withheld mainly for highlighting grave human rights violations in the Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir, said a press release issued here on Tuesday. Expressing concern over the blocking of the twitter account, Radio Pakistan Spokesperson Chaudhry Zameer Ashraf said Radio Pakistan always upheld objectivity in its news stories, strictly abiding by international journalistic norms. He urged Twitter to immediately restore access to Radio Pakistan twitter account in India to ensure freedom of speech and access to information. India has already been accused for suspending accounts of so many journalists and scholars critical of Modi’s policies including Rana Ayub and Ashok Swain.

NewS deSk

Youth won’t leave polling stations if polls rigged: Sh Rashid NewS deSk Awami Muslim League Pakistan (AMLP) leader Sheikh Rashid on Tuesday said that if transparent polls will not be ensured then youth will not leave the polling stations. While talking to media in Lahore, former Interior Minister Rashid said that he will be holding rallies in all four constituencies of Lahore after Eid-ul-Azha for the Punjab by-polls. He added that Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chairman Imran Khan will be holding a peaceful rally on July 2 and he will be joining Imran from his residence, Lal Haveli. While he added that if the current government wants to arrest him then they should go ahead. Sheikh Rashid claimed that conference of developing countries did not invite Pakistan after Imran Khan was ousted as prime minister by a conspiracy. “Both the Balochistan Awami Party (BAP) and Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P) have now started saying this openly that they were dodged,” Rashid added. Rahsid rejected the polls in Sindh while he added that the people who have been awarded ticket by Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz (PML-N) must be banned for life. He said that these elections are non-constitutional and against the law. Former Minister went on to say that the common man has started to walk by foot after the increased inflation rates and petrol prices hike. While he also lamented that people would be dumbfounded next time they received their electricity bills.

Raja Riaz vows to facilitate budget passage iSLAMAbAd News Desk

The opposition leader in the National Assembly Raja Riaz on Tuesday said that he will fully support the treasury benches in the budget 2022-2033 approval process. According to media reports, Raja Riaz called on Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and discussed the political situation including appointment of new NAB chairman. On the occasion, Premier Shehbaz Sharif also requested Raja Riaz to suggest names for the NAB chairman as leader of the opposition.

of the directions of the Peshawar High Court to dispose of Mines and Minerals related cases. The cabinet, he said, also approved the abolition of the Interment Centre status of the Interment Centre Fiza Ghat, District Swat in the wake of improved law and order situation in the province. Similarly, the cabinet approved the transfer of required land to the Elementary & Secondary Education Department for upgradation of the Government High School Lilownai to the level of Higher Secondary School in District Shangla. The cabinet, he said, also approved the transfer of 20 kanal land owned by the Industries Department to Higher Education Department for the establishment of Govt.

College of Commerce & Management Sciences at Takhtbai District Mardan.

The Barrister further said that the Chief Minister directed the concerned authorities to devise mechanism for the provision of land for universities so as to ensure the continuation of educational activities in smooth manner as well security of the agricultural land.

LAHORE: Passersby attempting to rescue an Okara resident Azhar Hussain who attempt self-immolation in protest against Ravi Road Police in front of Press Club. photo by ZubaiR MehfooZ

Pakistan earns $634m from transport services export in 10 months APP Pakistan earned $634.760 million by providing different transport services in various countries during the first ten months of fiscal year (2021-22) as compared to the corresponding period last year.

This shows increase of 34.77 percent as compared to $471.010 million earned through provision of services during the corresponding period of last fiscal year (2020-21), Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS) reported.

During the period under review, the exports of sea transport services witnessed an increase of 51.81 percent, by going up from US $ 66.050 million last year to US $ 100.270 million during the period under review.

Among the sea transport services, the exports of

freight services surge by 96.16 percent from US $29.400 million last year to US $ 57.670 million whereas the exports of other sea transport services also rose by 16.23 percent from US $36.650 million to US $42.600 million current year, the PBS data revealed.

The exports of air transport services increased by 33.37 percent by going up from US $ 381.010 million last year to US $508.170 million during July-April (2021-22). Among the air transport services, the exports of passengers services rose by 33.63 percent, from US $ 249.370 million to US $ 333.230 million, whereas the exports of freight services dipped by 1.25 percent, from US $25.570 million to US $ 25.250 million, in addition the export of other air transport services surge by 41.12 percent from US $ 106.070 million to US $ 149.690 million.

PSO struggles with oil imports as foreign banks remain distrustful AribA ShAhid Pakistan’s oil imports have been hit by the continuing crisis of a lack of trust by international sellers in letters of credit (LC) issued by Pakistani banks, and pricier bids received in last week’s tender auction by Pakistan State Oil (PSO) are likely to result in higher oil prices in Pakistan, informed sources told Profit.

The only bidders accepted by PSO in its tender auction on Tuesday were 1Energin and Idemitsu, which

are small and more expensive suppliers.

“Bigger international players are either choosing to wait out until the economic situation in the country improves, or putting up bids at higher premiums to stay in the market,” adds the source. Bids at higher premiums, however, may also be a reflection of the cost of guarantors or the higher rate at which a discount on LCs is provided.

“The cost of cargoes is going to rise as the supplier’s bank (foreign

bank) will bear the brunt of the guarantor’s cost. This will be passed onto consumers,” a source in the oil trading business told Profit. Amid reports of a shortage of US dollars in the interbank market, international banks are not accepting LCs from Pakistani banks without a 100 percent cash margin, and sometimes not even then.

International banks as the receiving party in the LCs, are asking for a thirdparty bank for a confirmation; a guarantee that the Pakistani bank will pay the LC amount when it falls due.

Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) Director General Mehar Sahibzada Khan said on Tuesday that a 5-day rain spell likely to start from Thursday which would continue till July 4. Moist currents from Arabian Sea and Bay of Bengal would likely to enter in upper parts of the country from 29th June (Wednesday) which may intensify and expand to southern parts of the country by the end of this week,he said while talking to a private news channel. He said rain-windstorm/thundershower is expected in Islamabad, Kashmir, Gilgit Baltistan, Swat, Mansehra, Kohistan, Abbottabad, Haripur, Peshawar, Mardan, Swabi, Nowshera, Rawalpindi, Murree, Attock, Chakwal, Jhelum, Sargodha, Hafizabad, M. B Din, Sialkot, Narowal, Lahore, Gujranwala, Gujrat, Sheikhupura, Faisalabad, Jhang, T.T Singh, Okara, Sahiwal and Bahawalnagar from 30th June till July 4. Heavy falls would generate urban flooding in Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Lahore, Gujranwala, Sialkot, Faisalabad from July 2 till 4 and in Karachi and Hyderabad from July 3 to 5.

Fishermen are advised to remain careful due to rough sea conditions from July 3 to 5 ,he added. DG Met further informed that flash flooding is also expected in local nullahs of Kashmir, Khuzdar, Lasbella, Naseerabad, Awaran, Barkhan and Kohlu during the forecast period. Heavy rainfall may trigger landslides in Kashmir, Galliyat and Murree,he said. The rising temperatures are likely to subside during the forecast period. Windstorms may damage loose structures at vulnerable locations travelers and tourists are advised to remain extra cautious during the forecast period,he added.

People’s Bus Service: 100 more buses reach Karachi from China kArAChi News Desk

Good news for Karachiites as 100 more buses for Peoples Intra-District Bus Service have arrived at Karachi Port from China on Tuesday. Sindh Information and Transport and Mass Transit Minister Sharjeel Inam Memon said that 100 more buses of People’s Intra-District Bus Service from China have reached Karachi port. Memon said that route one of People’s Bus Service has become operational, yesterday and Insha Allah, red buses will be seen running on route 2 on July 1, while buses will be seen operational on all seven routes in Karachi within two months. The provincial minister said that Pakistan People’s Party is fast-moving to fulfill the promise made to the citizens of Karachi. Soon after the launch of the Red Bus Service, Orange Line will also be launched for the citizens of Orangi. Sharjeel Memon said that a total of 240 modern buses of the Peoples Bus Service have reached Karachi. He promised the citizens of Karachi that the PPP government will bring thousands of buses in a year or two. Progress has been made on setting up a manufacturing plant.

The provincial minister said that the credit for bringing buses goes to PPP chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, former president Asif Ali Zardari and Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah.

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Wednesday, 29 June, 2022 | KARACHI

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SInDh lG PollS RevIew: eCP tolD Staff fRoM KanDhKot uC-28 KIDnaPPeD, 25 fIRS ReGISteReD iSLAMAbAd

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staff RepoRt

HE Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) on Tuesday termed the kidnapping of election staff from UC-28 of Kandhkot Municipal Committee lamentable and expressed grief over two deaths during polling for first phase of local government elections in Sindh.

“It is responsibility of the provincial government to provide security to the electoral staff,” ECP secretary informed a review session of the commission here on Tuesday.

The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) held the review session about the first phase of LG elections in Sindh. The Sindh Provincial election commissioner participated in the ECP meeting via video-link.

The secretary briefed the participants that on the polling day rioting and scuffles reported in 10 districts, while eight persons were injured during the violent incidents.

“Polling was suspended at 30 polling stations due to lawless incidents, while 13 elections of various categories were postponed owing to allotment of wrong electoral symbols,” the session was told.

“Overall polling deferred at 74 polling stations.”

The ECP secretary informed that moreover, 25 FIRs were registered against responsible persons, adding that the election staff was kidnapped from UC-28 of Kandhkot Municipal Committee. “It is responsibility of the provincial government to provide security to the electoral staff,” ECP secretary said.

He recalled that the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) talked with the

Indian rupee hits record low amid concerns over sustained inflation New deLhi

Sindh Chief Minister and also wrote a letter to him, while the matter was discussed with provincial chief secretary for foolproof security.” “The CEC also talked about deployment of military troops,” secretary said.

“Overall performance of the law enforcement agencies was satisfactory”.

“Polling is required to be held at 74 polling stations owing to various incidents, efforts will be made to redress such incidents,” he said.

“In 2015 local government elections of Sindh, 15 persons were killed in violence and 24 persons were injured. In comparison this election was better than the previous one,” secretary said.

The CEC expressed sorrow over death of persons in the election. He also expressed resentment over violent incidents during the election.

‘Imported govt’ pushing country to brink of economic collapse: Omar

ReuteRs

The Indian rupee hit record lows against the US currency on Tuesday after higher oil prices raised concerns of sustained inflation, although intermittent dollar selling by the central bank helped limit losses. The Indian rupee dropped as much as 0.6 per cent to 78.775 versus the dollar, surpassing a previous all-time low of 78.39 hit last week. Its key equities index, the Nifty 50, also fell 0.4pc. India imports more than two-thirds of its oil requirements, and higher crude prices add to the country’s trade and current account deficits (CAD) and hurt the rupee by pushing up imported inflation.

“With crude rising yet again, we could see rupee head towards 79-79.50 levels in the next week or so depending on what the central bank does,” a senior trader at a private bank said. Oil prices rallied for a third day as major producers Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates looked unlikely to be able to boost output significantly, while political unrest in Libya and Ecuador added to supply concerns. Dealers said the Reserve Bank of India has been intermittently selling dollars via state-run banks to prevent runaway losses in the rupee, but dollar demand in the system was far stronger. Global dollar funding stress is evident through the widening LIBOR-OIS spread, and in the domestic market, RBI’s heavy forwards market intervention has compounded the problem of cash dollar shortage, analysts said.

The RBI has been selling forward dollars to avoid infusing rupee liquidity in the system and that has led to the one-year onshore forward dollar premiums collapsing to below 3%.

“Dislocation in forward rates, falling FX cover, persistently high commodity prices, limited exchange rate pass-through to inflation and elevated INR valuations may call for the RBI to re-orient its FX intervention strategy,” said Madhavi Arora, an economist at Emkay Global. “Allowing INR to gently weaken over time is the right strategy, giving CAD space to improve,” she added.

Jigar Trivedi, a research analyst at Anand Rathi Shares and Stock Brokers, said he expects the rupee to depreciate towards 80-81 per dollar levels by the year-end weighed down by the twin deficits and rising interest rate differentials.

iSLAMAbAd staff RepoRt

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Central Additional Secretary General Omar Ayub Khan made it clear that the imported government was taking the country fast to the verge of economic collapse due to its flawed policies and constant surge in POL prices.

Addressing a press conference here on Tuesday, he said that the imported government would further add to the miseries of the people, as the petrol price would go up to Rs 320 per liter in coming days while OGRA has already approved 4fold increase in gas price.

He said that in this environment of

iSLAMAbAd News Desk

A petition was filed on Tuesday in the Supreme Court against Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Imran Khan and other PTI leaders to restrain them from making statements against the institutions. The petition filed by Advocate Qausain Faisal requested that Imran Khan and other PTI leaders should be restrained from making statements against state institutions and a judicial commission should be set up to investigate the conspiratorial statements of PTI leaders. PTI leaders are blaming the judiciary, army and other institutions including the Election Commission and these statements could damage the country’s sovereignty, the plea further stated.

why the need arises for a change of government?

Omar stated that Muftah Ismail admitted that expensive power deals done during the PML-N era were wrong, which was the main contributor to the current power crisis that’s rear its ugly head again.

He said that around 70% of electricity was generated through imported fuel, which was very expensive. However, he made it clear that there was zero load shedding during PTI government, crediting to the prudent policies of Imran Khan-led government. He revealed that electricity capacity payment was Rs 450 billion in 2018, which now surged to Rs 1250 billion.

Omar alarmed that despite the economic downturn, the imported

government was clueless and directionless, as it did not understand what to do. He stated that as soon as cabal of crooks seized the power, the international rating agency Moody downgraded Pakistan’s banks outlook from stable to negative.

Omar said that despite all the difficulties and international pressure, the PTI government did not burden its people and provided maximum facilitation to the masses instead.

However, he stated that at present, all economic activities have come to a standstill and unemployment was on the rise, adding that the gas bills of the rich have not increased but they were increasing the bills of the working class by 400%.

FBR directs cement manufacturers to fix tax stamps from October iSLAMAbAd shahZaD paRacha

The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has directed cement manufacturers to refrain from removing cement bags from production sites, factory premises, or manufacturing plants without the affixation of tax stamps or Unique Identification Marking (UIMs) from October 1, 2022, onward.

According to Sales Tax General Order (STGO) number 19 of 2022 issued on Tuesday that no cement bag will be allowed to be removed from the

production site, factory premises, or manufacturing plants without the affixation of tax stamps or UIMs from 1 October, which are to be procured from the FBR’s licensee, M/s AJCL.MITAS/Authentix Consortium.

The FBR stated that the provision of section 40C(2) of the Sales Tax Act, 1990 read with Rule 150ZF of the Sales Tax Rules, 2006, mandates it to announce the date for the implementation of the electronic monitoring of production and sales of goods in the manner prescribed in the law on all manufacturing sites of notified sectors.

Govt mulls over proposal to use CNG to reduce fuel import bill iSLAMAbAd ahMaD ahMaDaNi

SC moved to stop PtI leadership from anti institutions statements

spiraling inflation and the fast dwindling economy, the people suffered the most.

Omar went on to say that the imported government was reducing electricity voltage from grade stations due to which homes and industries were not getting sufficient electricity, resultantly the country was facing the worst power outages.

He warned that the imported government has completely failed and was leading the country to disaster, as it made next to impossible for the rank and file to make ends meet.

Talking about PTI government performance, Omar stated that the economic survey testified that the PTI government was performing exceptionally well. However, he raised the question as to

Federal Minister for Finance and Revenue Miftah in a meeting with the All Pakistan CNG Association headed by All Pakistan CNG Association (APCNGA) on Tuesday discussed the proposal for use of CNG as fuel for motor vehicles to reduce the fuel import bill and minimise carbon emissions.

In this regard, the finance minister held a meeting with a delegation headed by APCNGA Group Leader Ghiyas Abdullah Paracha at the Finance Division wherein Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (OGRA) chairman, Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) chairman and senior officers from the Finance Division were present.

Paracha said that balance of payment issues and this issue can be resolved within no time with the promotion and use of CNG as an alternate fuel for the motor vehicles. “Similarly, foreign remittance can be saved by approximately $2.1 billion dollar per annum on account of fuel import

bill while a 40-50% cut in public transport fares is also possible and that the circular debt can also be reduced by Rs1,500 billion besides minimising environmental pollution by ensuring gigantic reduction in the carbon emissions with the use of ecofriendly CNG as a fuel for motor vehicles,” he emphasised. Furthermore, the APCNGA leader said that the revival and expansion of the CNG sector can generate thousands of new job opportunities.

During the course of this meeting, Ghiyas Paracha also requested the finance minister to allow and facilitate the CNG industry to bring LNG at its own risk and experience to meet the needs of the CNG sector.

He requested to restore the gas supply to CNG sector and immediately open CNG stations of Punjab which are facing closure since the last seven months in a bid to save the public from the impact of rising oil prices in the international oil market “Despite high prices of fuel in the international oil market, the CNG is still a cheaper fuel and offered to provide 43percent and 55pc cheaper eco-friendly fuel to the motor vehicles in comparison

As per the board, “The track and trace solution targets the tobacco, cement, sugar and fertilizer sectors from July 1, 2021, in Pakistan with a view to enhance tax revenue, reducing counterfeiting and preventing the smuggling of illicit goods through the implementation of a robust, nationwide, electronic monitoring system of production volumes and by the affixation of more than 5 billion tax stamps on various products at the production stage, which will enable FBR to track the goods throughout the supply chain.” with the price of petrol and diesel respectively in order to provide immediate relief to the public,“ said Paracha.

Paracha said that currently the CNG sector is getting the gas from the government at an expansive price ranging between $13 per Million British Thermal Unit (MMBTU) to $20/MMBTU while the government is supplying the gas to all other sectors at the rate ranging between $3/MMBTU to $8/MMBTU. It is pertinent to mention that total 2300 CNG Stations are established in the country and out of which 1100 CNG Stations are located in Punjab, 600 CNG Stations are situated in Sindh, 575 CNG Stations CNG Stations are operating in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and 25 CNG Stations are have been established in Balochistan province. At present, approximately 50pc of the total CNG Stations of Punjab Province have suspended their operation due to nonavailability of gas. Similarly, Rs150 billion worth local investment so far made in developing the CNG kits has been facing serious danger due to closure of CNG Stations and non-availability of gas as a fuel for motor vehicles. Furthermore, direct and indirect employment in the CNG sector is 5.1 lakh and total gas consumption required by the entire CNG sector is 400 Million Cubic Feet per Day.

eCP bars PM from inaugurating dam in Kahuta iSLAMAbAd staff RepoRt

The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has barred Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif from inaugurating Karot Hydropower Project in Kahuta Tehsil in Rawalpindi. According to details, the electoral watchdog has barred the prime minister from violating the ECP’s code of conduct. PM Shehbaz was due to inaugurate the Karot Hydropower Project, a mini dam in Kahuta Tehsil, on Wednesday (today). In a statement, the ECP said the people of the constituency will exercise their right to vote, stressing the premier couldn’t visit the constituency after the authority has issued a schedule for the upcoming elections. The site of the dam is located within the boundaries of PP-7 Rawalpindi. On the directives from the Election Commissioner, the District Returning Officer (DRO) of PP-7 contacted the Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister and informed about the violation. In this regard, the premier has canceled the inauguration of the Karot Hydropower project to implement the code of conduct. The visit of public officials to a by-election constituency is a violation of the code of conduct. Karot HPP has been completed at a cost of US$1.72 billion. The project will play a vital role in Pakistan’s energy security by providing clean and affordable electricity.

04 NEWS 29 June 2022 (Isb-Khi)_Layout 1 6/29/2022 12:08 AM Page 1

Wednesday, 29 June, 2022 | KARACHI

04 NEWS

Two cops, healTh worker killed as miscreanTs aTTack polio vaccinaTors in nwa IsLAMABAD saleem JaDooN

Unidentified miscreants gunned down two police officials along with a polio worker in Datta Khel area of North Waziristan District of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa on Tuesday.

The district’s polio emergency response unit confirmed the incident and said that a child was also injured in the attack.

The police and health officials informed the policemen were guarding the health officials carrying out anti-polio vaccination in the area.

North Waziristan Deputy Commissioner Shahid Ali Khan confirmed the incident and informed that three persons – two policemen and a health official – were killed in the attacked.

The DC said the team was busy with vaccination when unidentified miscreants attacked them with indiscriminate firing, adding that a child also sustained a gunshot in the leg and was rushed to Miran Shah District Headquarters Hospital.

The attackers, however, managed to flee the scene. Following information about the incident, personnel of the police and other law enforcement agencies rushed to the scene and cordoned off the area for a search operation. An official, who wished not to be named, informed

that a search operation is underway in the area and further information will be shared in due course of time.

It is to be noted that eleven cases of wild poliovirus (WPV) have been reported so far in the current year in the country as compared to only one in 2021. All the 11 cases

Jhang by-polls: Sh Waqas Akram backs PTI candidates JHANG News Desk

Former Federal Minister Sheikh Waqas Akram on Tuesday announced his support for Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) candidates in the upcoming Jhang by-elections. Sheikh Waqas Akram said that he was supporting the PTI candidates on Pir Qasim Sialvi’s request. The by-elections will be held in Jhang on the constituencies PP-125 and PP-127, where PTI candidates Mian Azam Cheela and Mehr Nawaz Bharwana will face PML-N candidates Faisal Hayat Jabwana and Mehr Aslam Bharwana. It is pertinent to mention that the seats fell vacant after the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) de-seated 25 Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) members for voting for Hamza Shahbaz in the election for Punjab Chief Minister. During the 2018 general election, independent candidate Mehr Muhammad Aslam Bharwana from PP-127 won, while independent candidate Faisal Hayat Jabwana from PP-125.

were reported from North Waziristan.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif condemned the miscreants attack on anti-polio workers and paid tribute to the police and health workers for their resolve to purge the country of the crippling disease.

In a tweet, Prime Minister Shehbaz

Sharif said he was “deeply anguished” by the news. The prime minister said he had ordered Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah to conduct a thorough investigation of the incident and submit a report at the next cabinet meeting.” The second Sub-National Immunisation Days (SNIDs) campaign this year began on Monday, aiming at vaccinating 12.6 million children under age of five in 25 very high-risk districts for poliovirus across the country. As many as over 100,000 trained health workers have been engaged in the campaign to inoculate children at their doorsteps.

The emergency committee under the International Health Regulations (2005) (IHR) on the international spread of poliovirus has recently expressed concern over the outbreak of Wild Polio Virus (WPV) in the North Waziristan district.

The committee pointed out that the ongoing circulation of WPV in southern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) has increased risks for the rest of Pakistan.

“The key challenges that hampered progress in southern KP include the complex security situation, specifically in North and South Waziristan, which resulted in inadequate access, missed children and reduced quality of campaigns,” the committee said. Besides, it noted that community resistance with refusals to vac-

cination, lack of female frontline workers, and weak health infrastructure and service delivery all posed challenges. “All WPV cases reported in 2022 are zero dose for routine immunisation, zero dose or underimmunised in supplementary immunisation activities (SIAs), and are from refusal families. Another challenge in South KP is the sub-optimal Routine Immunisation (RI) and progress on strengthening RI in South KP is slow,” it added.

Meanwhile, Health Minister Abdul Qadir Patel stressed that collective efforts are required to eradicate polio from the country.

He appealed to the parents to make sure their children are vaccinated against polio.

Patel also pinned hope on civil society, media and scholars to play an effective role in eradicating the crippling virus.

Polio workers have been targeted within the country as resistance to vaccination drives persists. According to National Emergency Operations Centre Coordinator Dr Shahzad Baig, community resistance, driven by misconceptions and cultural resistance, are hurdle in polio eradication in Pakistan.

Dr Shahzad stated that the polio outbreak in North Waziristan was limited to one tehsil only. “A number of measures are being taken,” he continued.

The NEOC coordinator urged parents to routinely immunize children on time.

PDMA-PaRRSA reconstructs 90 flood affected schools; work on 20 other in progress News Desk The Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA-PaRRSA) on Tuesday completed construction on 90 flood affected schools, while work on 20 other flood damaged schools was in progress in the nine districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

The school buildings have designed with the provision of safety against earthquake, and other requirements for disabled persons.

A meeting was held under the chairmanship of Director General PDMA Sharif Hussain to review the progress of the programme. The forum was briefed about the overall progress.

The total number of facilities and works completed till date include 209 out of 229 schools, 13 health facilities, equipment supplied to 49 health facilities, 56 drinking water facilities, two irrigation head works, two bridges, five roads and a Burn and Trauma Center at Hay-

atabad.

The work on establishment of eight satellite stations for ERS 1122 is underway on major highways and motorways of the province. USAID also showed their satisfaction on both the physical and financial progress.

The PDMA has recently reconstructed 56 schools in Malakand Division including 30 in Swat, seven in Lower Dir , eight in Upper Dir, five in Malakand ,six in Shangla district, and 34 schools in other districts have been completed including 19 in Nowshera, five in Charsadda, four in Peshawar and six in DI Khan district in collaboration with USAID. The local community stated that the standard of school buildings and the facilities helped in attracting more and more students.

These newly reconstructed schools were well equipped with good facilities as required for an institution including boundary walls, furniture and power supply. Ramps and separate toilet for special children were also provided in the schools.

The buildings would provide best learning atmosphere and were welcomed by the community members as the reconstructed was completed timely. The newly constructed schools were also provided with furniture and lab equipment.

Spokesperson PDMA Taimur Ali said that PDMA-PaRRSA had also successfully rehabilitated and reconstructed 56 of water supply facilities, including water storage tanks and hand pumps in the remote areas of district Buner and Swat. This would benefit about 124,355 persons.

PDMA-PaRRSA had completed work on 23 drinking water supply facilities in district Buner and handed them over to the Line Department under KPRP, while work on 33 had been completed in district Swat.

According to details, about 82,341 persons of 11,763 households are benefiting in district Swat. While in district Buner 42,014 people of 6,002 households are benefiting from the water facilities.

WCLA for conservation of Multan monuments News Desk Walled City of Lahore Authority (WCLA), is executing a Rs.100 million project for conservation of five famous monuments in Multan and Kot Mithan, has been asked by Punjab Auqaf authorities to keep experts from Auqaf and Archaeology departments on board after officials noticed flaws in conservation of some monuments.

Punjab Auqaf department had approved the Rs.100 million project in DDSC meeting held in Sep 2021 for conservation of mausoleums of Hazrat Bahauddin Zakariya Multani, the mausoleum of Hazrat Shah Rukln-e-Alam that had won the prestigious Agha Khan Award for best conservation years ago and included in the provisional list of World Heritage Sites, mausoleum of Hazrat Bibi Pak Damina, mausoleum of Hazrat Shah Shams Tabraiz in Multan and Darbar Hazrat Khawaja Ghulam Fareed in Kot Mithan Sharif, officials sources told APP. The project was allotted to WCLA. However, from the very beginning, the contractors started applying sandblasting technique which experts believed could be detrimental to the life of the monument. The technique uses pressure spray of sand with air on the monuments surface for cleaning but experts be-

lieved it was removing the protective layer developed over the years and exposing porous surface before the extreme weather conditions.

At a meeting held last month with officials of Auqaf, Archaeology and WCLA in attendance, then SDO archaeology Multan raised objection over the sandblasting (Abrasive blast) cleaning technique applied on mausoleum of Hazrat Bahauddin Zakariya as totally undesirable and destructive practice with the potential to seriously curtail the life of expectancy of the building fabric. The process caused severe disfigurement of the face brickwork and associated mortar jointing and usually results in an aesthetically unacceptable finish.

Officials also pointed out that after sandblasting, contractors opted for flush pointing of the boundary wall despite the fact there was no evidence to suggest the boundary walls of mausoleums of Hazrat Shah Rukn-e-Alam and Hazrat Bahauddin Zakariya Multani were ever flush pointed.

The officials also raised objections over use of smaller size bricks at Darbar Hazrat Khawaja Ghulam Fareed which made the design deviating from original pattern and some other anomalies. Auqaf officials said that WCLA did not provide copies of approved estimates and

program of work to them.

Zonal administrator Auqaf Multan has asked WCLA to provide copy of approved estimates to Auqaf and archaeology department and immediately stop pointing work on the mausoleum of Hazrat Shah Rukn-e-Alam and also provide a design drawing of retaining wall of mausoleum of Hazrat Bahauddin Zakariya Multani. WCLA officials were further asked to pay fortnightly joint visits with executive engineer Auqaf and SDO archaeology for smooth running of conservation works on monuments. XEN Auqaf was made the focal person and conservation work would be carried out under his supervision.

An Auqaf official said that they along with WCLA and archaeology officials assembled at a meeting on June 24, 2022 and have chalked out a programme of work to remove flaws and move forward on vital components of the project for proper conservation of monuments. An official said that damage done by sandblasting cannot be reversed, however, added the anomaly was detected earlier and work had stopped. Project execution would now be in the right direction, he said, adding that WCLA also has conservation experts credited with conservation of many monuments in Lahore and hoped the project would be completed successfully.

Wednesday, 29 June, 2022 | KARACHI

NEWS

Pakistan could receive up to $2b from IMF: PM Shehbaz continued from page 01 “Instead, they delayed development projects,” he said. He maintained that his government was facing huge challenges but was determined to resolve them. The premier said that recently there was a danger of Pakistan running out of edible oil, however, he wrote to the Indonesian President Joko Widodo in hopes of resolving the issue.

He further said that he instructed a minister to go to Indonesia at his own expense and stay there until the material departed for Pakistan. “The coalition government covers the four provinces of Pakistan. We must work for the development of the country beyond our personal preferences,” he said.

All Lowari Tunnel-linked roads to be completed: NA informed ISLAMABAD: Minister for Communications Asad Mehmood on Tuesday informed the National Assembly that all link roads of the Lowari Tunnel would be completed by the incumbent coalition government during its tenure. “We will work in the same manner as Muhammad Nawaz Sharif has built high-speed motorways in his previous tenure,” he said while winding up a debate on four Demands for Grants of his ministry in the next fiscal year. The House rejected all cut motions of the opposition members, moved on the demands for grants of the Ministry of Communications.

He said it was unfortunate that the projects like Lowari Tunnel faced undue delay and vowed to ensure their completion at the earliest.

The minister said he had got a detailed briefing on the Lowari Tunnel and work on its link roads would be expedited to facilitate commuters.

Asad Mehmood also regretted that the previous government of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) had also miserably failed to construct the approach to the Sargodha-Kallur Kot Bridge that too was built under the leadership of Nawaz Sharif during his last tenure as the Prime Minister. He said the current government had allocated the required funds in the Public Sector Development Programme (PSDP 2022-23) to build the approach road. Staff RepoRt

Action against five MDA officers ordered over corruption Secretary Housing South Punjab Javed Akhtar Mahmood ordered action against five officers of Multan Development Authority (MDA) for alleged corruption of 340 millions under Punjab Employees Efficiency, Discipline and Accountability Act (PEEDA), here on Tuesday.

According to official sources, the officers included Muhammad Ashraf, Mohsin Raza, Waqas Ahmed, Afaaq Bhatti, and Waqar Ali Qureshi. The secretary housing deputed Jam Baqa as inquiry officer. The inquiry officer was bound to submit report within 60 days. Meanwhile, the officers were also instructed to submit their reply within next seven days. The official sources remarked that the officers were allegedly involved in wrong measurement of 27 plots which resulted loss of nearly 340 million to government exchequer. Few days ago, the secretary housing South Punjab had punished another five officers in corruption case. Three officers were dismissed from service while two officers were put on forced retirement. Secretary Javed Akhtar Mahmood said that nobody would be allowed to plunder money illegally. State’s resources would be spent on masses only. There will be no compromise on complain about corruption, said Javed Akhtar. newS deSk

ISrAeLI PArLIAMeNT PASSeS voTe To DISSoLve, hoLD New eLeCTIoNS Jerusalem

I

agencieS

SRAELI lawmakers on Tuesday unanimously approved a bill to dissolve parliament, a key legislative step that pushes the country closer towards its fifth election in less than four years.

Members of Prime Minister Naftali Bennett’s outgoing coalition and the opposition led by ex-premier Benjamin Netanyahu have been sparring in Israel’s parliament, the Knesset, since last week over a dissolution bill.

The coalition said it wanted quick approval of the bill after Bennett announced last week that his year-old, ideologically divided, eight-party alliance was no longer tenable.

But Netanyahu and his allies had been holding talks seeking to form a new Netanyahu-led government within the current parliament, which would

have averted new elections.

The sides have traded legislative jabs but finally agreed late Monday to advance a bill that would be finalised as law by the end of Wednesday. The opposition’s readiness to dissolve par-

liament suggested Netanyahu’s efforts to form a new government had stalled.

Early Tuesday, the Knesset house committee approved the bill. It was then brought to the plenum for its first reading, which it passed 53-0. Accord-

KaracHi A minor boy of the Hindu community was kidnapped from outside his residence by unidentified accused in Ranipur town of Sindh.

According to police and family members, the incident took place on Monday morning when the boy namely Aadesh Kumar, was playing with his two neighbours in front of his house. Two suspects, riding a Honda 125 motorcycle, appeared all of sudden and abducted the boy.

“Initially, the abductors tried to kidnap two children, but one managed to escape, so they fled the scene with Aadesh in front of the area people,” Sawan Raj, maternal uncle of the child.

He said that the local people followed the suspects till Kot Banglow, some 50 kilometres away from the crime scene, but they managed to escape.

A man also sustained injuries after

ing to the bill, parliament would dissolve, with new elections to be held on October 25 or November 1, with the date to be set after further negotiations.

The bill must then be approved in two further full Knesset votes. Some opposition lawmakers said there was a still a chance to stave off another general election and restore Netanyahu to office by recruiting right-wingers from the outgoing coalition. “We can still prevent elections by midnight Wednesday,” Bezalel Smotrich of the far-right Religious Zionism party said in parliament. “But if they’re forced upon us, they will be the dawn of a new day.”

Some Knesset factions, including ultra-Orthodox Jewish parties that support Netanyahu, fear new polls could see them lose seats or end up out of parliament entirely by falling below the minimum support threshold, which is 3.25 percent of all votes cast, according to Israeli media reports.

KE utilising all resources to provide electricity to consumers: spokesman As per KE’s spokesperson, “During last 24 hours, the average power supply to Karachi has been 2700 Megawatts, including an average of 1000 Megawatts received from the national grid. Due to the rise in temperature, the power demand has also surged because of which the power shortfall, which used to be 250 to 300 megawatts on average, has risen to an average of 400 to 500 megawatts. The shortfall persists round the clock, and the utility is compelled to conduct load-shedding even during the night hours for which we deeply regret the inconvenience caused to our consumers.“ The spokesperson further added, “Power production is also adversely affected because of the shortage of fuel for power generation and the steep rise in its prices on a global

scale. Due to the non-supply of indigenous gas, KE’s power plants having the capacity to produce 200 Megawatts, are also non-operational. At the same time, because of the delay in the payment of Tariff Differential Subsidies (TDS) claims by the Government of Pakistan, the utility is also facing challenges in the procurement of

fuel. In this regard, K-Electric has requested the Federal Government to release at least PKR 25 Billion on account of TDS. Currently, K-Electric is utilizing all available resources for power generation and is constantly in touch with the relevant organizations for the availability of fuel in the required quantity. ” pR

BRICS snub: Hina says China is ‘most effective’ strategic partner of Pakistan continued from page 01 Hina Rabbani Khar said the foreign policy of a country was useful if it severed in the interests of the people of that country. “We are making it sure that the government works for Pakistan not for any individual and party”, she added.

Speaking about the case of detained Kashmiri Leader Yaseen Malik, she said Pakistan was raising voice and working on it with effective diplomacy.

“India today is not a secular state, it has become a rogue state and it has become a nation which is not going on the principles and the morals which is said by Nehru and Mahatma Ghandi,” she pointed out.

The minister said Pakistani diplomats worked day and night to make sure that the OIC gave a joint statement in this regard, adding there was a big change in the organization now, as the OIC’s voice had gained weight on the international level.

Hindu boy abducted in Ranipur Staff RepoRt

05

the kidnappers allegedly shot at him as he was trying to save Aadesh.

Raj said that soon after the incident, they informed the police but the law en-

forcers have only given “empty assurances” for the child’s recovery.

According to the police, they have checked the CCTV recordings and have started an investigation into the matter.

“We have also arrested a few suspects and hope that they will be able to recover the boy and arrest the real criminals,” said Ranipur SHO Ameer Ali Chang.

Hero Mal – Aadesh’s father, who runs a grocery shop in Shahbaz Colony area of the town – said that they belong to the lower middle class and cannot afford to pay ransom to recover his son. “We have not received any call from the kidnappers yet, but such incidents frequently happen with the intention of collecting ransom,” he said. After the incident, the Hindu community members and local activists protested in front of the police station by staging a sit-in. The protesters demanded the boy’s recovery and strict security in the area to prevent such incidents from occurring in the future.

Govt decides to ramp up Covid testing in Karachi as cases rise Amid an alarming rise in the coronavirus positivity rate in Karachi, the National Command and Operations Centre (NCOC) has decided to increase Covid testing in the port city to curb infections.

Taking to Twitter, NCOC said that it arranged a meeting Sindh Health Department on directions of Federal Health Minister Abdul Qadir Patel to formulate a strategy at the provincial level amid slight rise in Covid-19 cases in Karachi.

“It was discussed to increase testing, contact tracing and implementation of Non-Pharmaceutical Interventions (NPIs), especially mask wearing at all crowded places, and [during] domestic travel by air, railways or road,” a statement by the National Institute of Health (NIH) said.

In last 24 hours 333 Covid-19 cases diagnosed in Pakistan, while two deaths were reported in the country. newS deSk

PM grieved over demise of Justice Athar Minallah’s mother-in-law Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif Tuesday expressed grief over demise of the mother-in-law of Chief Justice of Islamabad High Court Justice Athar Minallah. He expressed sympathies with the family members of the deceased, who was the wife of late Justice Safdar Ali Shah.

“The death of compassionate person like the mother is a huge tragedy. I share your grief,” the prime minister said. He also prayed for peace of the departed soul and strength to the bereaved family to bear the loss. newS deSk

06-07 Comments - 29th June 2022_Layout 1 6/29/2022 12:09 AM Page 1

Wednesday, 29 June, 2022

06 COMMENT

Will the US ensure equal protection for Arab Americans?

Riding the tiger was risky Would be catastrophic to try to walk away

T

HE parties in the ruling alliance had joined hands on overthrowing Imran Khan’s government through a vote of no-confidence. There was however no ideological cohesion within the alliance which comprised both secular and religious parties, antiestablishment and pro-establishment groups, and idealists and fortune hunters. The PPP and aNP had recently parted company with the PDM amidst a lot of acrimony.

The JUI(F) and MQM(P) considered the PPP as their major rival in Sindh. The PPP wanted to use the opportunity offered by the joint struggle against the PTI government to create a foothold in Punjab to be able to rule from Islamabad.

The recourse to election malpractices including violence, witnessed during Local Government elections in Sindh, made the cracks in the 11-week-old ruling alliance more visible. The PML(N) and the PPP were seen to be taking key decisions by themselves. Mr Shehbaz Sharif was supposed to have authorized PPP cochairman asif Zardari to distribute ministries to parties according to their share while Mr Zardari smugly called himself the guarantor of the system. On Monday a number of lawmakers from allied parties spoke in the National assembly against the PML(N) and PPP. The MQM(P) accused both of not implementing the agreements that had been signed with the party at the time of the formation of the government. The JUI(F) protested the government’s decision to file an appeal before the Supreme Court against a Federal Shariat Court decision in the Riba case. a BaP lawmaker complained of promises not fulfilled. He said those who were desperate to obtain their support at the time of the no confidence vote, did not like their faces now. an MNa from North Waziristan protested the failure of the authorities to produce ali Wazir in the assembly despite the issuance of his production orders. a perception is forming that Mr Sharif lacks the capacity to keep the allied parties together. He has no doubt his strengths. as a good task master, he can get things done by hectoring subordinates. He seems however to be incapable of creating consensus among peers, as required from a PM running a coalition government.

The alliance can complete the remaining 13 months of its tenure only if the alliance heads can jointly devise ways to remove differences instead of making them public. after removing the PTI government they just cannot just walk away accusing each other.

Even being born in the USA doesn’t help

Washington Watch Dr JameS J Zogby

M

aya Berry, the executive director of the arab american Institute, was in the Middle East earlier this month with her children. She had taken them to her ancestral home in Lebanon while in the region for work-related meetings. Since she had a free day in Jordan, Maya planned a 24-hour visit to the West Bank and Jerusalem where she hoped to pray at al aqsa, go to the Ibrahim Mosque in Hebron, and then spend the night in Bethlehem. What should have been a quick and rewarding trip turned into a nightmare —one that is tragically all too common for arab americans visiting the Holy Land.

Maya and her two college-aged children spent hours being rudely interrogated by Israeli border control officials at the allenby Bridge crossing from Jordan to the West Bank. They were asked invasive questions about their Lebanese ancestry, with one of the Israeli officials even correcting Maya’s pronunciation of her own name —all while being scolded for responding in English to the guard who insisted on speaking to her in arabic. She was separated from one of her children who was questioned about his middle name, his ethnicity, his faith. The Israeli official looked through his phone at his photos.

Matters judicial

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Almost a year on, problems are the same

R Justice Qazi Faez Issa has a problem with the apex court’s Registrar. Given the latter post’s relationship to any chief justice, we can’t be faulted for making larger inferences. In this particular round of objections by him, the Justice seems irked by some appointments to the Sindh and Lahore High Courts, that too in his absence. “It seems that more care in the appointment of a cook is exercised than in the appointment of judges,” the justice said in a Whatsapp message to Chief Justice Umar ata Bandial, which was also addressed to the members of the council.

Even though strong words being used by a sitting judge of the apex judiciary is always going to be noteworthy, this particular judge’s comments are more noteworthy still on account of his being the next man to helm the Supreme Court. Given the rather eventful judicial career that Justice Isa has had, it goes without saying that there are a lot of eyes on him, especially in the current charged political climate. One expects for him to be fearless when it comes to the rule of law and to hold all powerful institutions’ feet to the fire if those feet become too big for their boots.

However, the honourable justice would also do well to remember that the judiciary is also part of the establishment. Not the e-word as it has come to mean in the case of our praetorian state, but in the more general sense. The judiciary, from the magistracy and sessions, all the way to the top, has a whole lot of sins to atone for.

There is the issue of needless judicial activism and stepping on to the turf of the executive. There is the stepping on the turf of the legislature whenever a bill has anything to do with the judiciary. There is the selfregulatory, self-perpetuatory spirit of the judiciary. and, most of all, there is the huge backlog of cases, some of whose final hearings are attended by the grandchildren of the litigants.

Dr Saira aSaD

A

FGHaNISTaN, our neighbouring country, is still in a need of financial help as it is on the edge of collapsing at economic and humanitarian levels. after the withdrawal of the USa last august, afghanistan is facing a declining phase. Pakistan is a bordering country and is interlocked geostrategically, geopolitically, culturally, linguistically, historically, traditionally, religiously, and location-wise with afghanistan.

Due to this, Pakistan has shown its concern from time to time which was seen in its arranging negotiations and paving the way towards negotiations between the European Union, US representatives, and the international community by organizing twice conferences of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation at Islamabad in 2021 and 2022.

We are looking forward to a fruitful and beneficial response from the USa in the coming days as the international community has already raised the alarming humanitarian and economic situation of afghanistan. Other than the mentioned issues, terrorism is also affecting, distracting, and proving hindrances to the afghan government. In this regard, almost 100 attacks by the Islamic State Khorasan (ISIS-K, ISK, or ISKP) have been counted by the Center for Strategic and International Studies in Pakistan and afghanistan by 2018. The group’s affiliate has been operating in afghanistan since 2014 and it seems that the greatest challenge to the afghan gov-

Dedicated to the legacy of late Hameed Nizami

Arif Nizami (Late) Founding Editor

Yousaf Nizami M. A. Niazi

Umar Aziz

Joint Editor

Joint Editor

Executive Editor

Lahore – Ph: 042-36300938, 042-36375965

Dr James J Zogby is President, Arab American Institute.

Afghanistan: Still on the edge of collapse and facing terrorism

Trouble amongst the brother judges

Editor Aziz-ud-Din Ahmad

They finally gained entry and were able to proceed to Jerusalem where Maya and her children would fulfill their dream of praying at al-aqsa. They then set out for Hebron where the nightmare continued. There they spent another three hours dealing with the same indignities at a checkpoint near the Ibrahim Mosque. In all, one-third of their entire visit was spent being subjected to humiliating treatment at the hands of Israelis.

In Hebron, right near the mosque where an extremist Jewish settler massacred 29 Palestinians and wounded more than a hundred who were praying during Ramadan in 1994, they were accosted by both gun-toting settlers and foreign Jewish pilgrims who threatened and harassed them —while ubiquitous armed Israeli patrols did little to protect them. The experience was traumatizing and angering.

I’ve been there and have been forced to deal with the same wretched treatment. When I was running a project launched by Vice President Gore in the 1990s, entry and exit was always a frightening, hold-yourbreath experience. On one visit, in which I was to accompany Mr Gore to a dinner at the Knesset, I was delayed for over five hours at the airport by border officials. They interrogated me over and over again about my parents, my origins, and my purpose in being in the country. I was only released after I was able to place a call to the US Embassy. I was then allowed to join the vice president at the dinner. While recounting the events, I told him that while I was there to help advance the peace process, the anger I felt after enduring this treatment made that work personally more difficult.

Over the years Maya and I have fielded hundreds of similar complaints from arab americans, especially Palestinian americans, who’ve provided us affidavits of their treatment on trying to enter Israel/Palestine. They were harassed and interrogated for hours. Some were detained for a day, denied entry, and deported. Palestinian americans, even those born in the USa, were told that Israel didn’t recognize them as americans. They were Palestinians and therefore had to leave the country, secure a Palestinian ID and enter through Jordan. On their behalf, we’ve complained to the State Department demanding that our government insist that our rights as american citizens be protected.

Past Secretaries of State (most notably Madeleine albright and Condoleezza Rice) have forcefully raised this issue with the Israelis, but to no avail. The best we were able to get was a State Department “Travel advisory” warning that american citizens of arab descent, especially those of Palestinian descent, can expect to be treated differently than other US visitors. This acknowledgment of a problem, without doing anything to correct it, only adds insult to injury.

The first page of the US Passport says that the Secretary of State “hereby requests all whom it may concern to permit the citizen/national of the United States named herein to pass without delay or hindrance and in case of need to give all lawful aid and protection.” and in the 1951 US-Israel Treaty on “Friendship, Commerce, and Navigation” both parties agree to guarantee to the rights of each other’s citizens when visiting their countries, including the rights to “travel therein freely; and to reside at places of their choice, enjoy liberty of conscience…free from unlawful molestations of every kind, the most constant protection and security.” From our 40 years of work dealing with the discriminatory treatment of arab americans traveling to Israel/Palestine, it’s clear that commitments found on our passports in the treaty are honoured more in the breach than their observance.”

This issue is once again front and center, for two reasons: Israel’s request that they be admitted to the US Visa Waiver Program (VWP) and President Joseph Biden’s upcoming trip to Israel. Because admittance into the VWP requires reciprocity —that is, each party agrees to fully respect, without discrimination, the rights of each other’s citizens —and because Israel has never demonstrated that it is ready to fulfill this requirement, we’ve had several meetings with administration officials in recent months urging them to reject Israel’s request.

From the treatment Maya Berry and her children received a few weeks back —and the degrading treatment other arab americans will surely be subjected to during the summer travel season —it doesn’t seem that Israel is ready to take that step and Biden should make it clear that its refusal to do so will preclude them from the program. It is the least that could be done to afford our community basic equal protection from Israel’s well-established human rights violations.

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Karachi – Ph: 021-35381208-9

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ernment is in controlling the terrorist attacks.

It is believed that around 2000 fighters located in western and northern afghanistan were involved in terrorist attacks. The ISIS-K was established nearer to eight years ago. Its founding members involved militants who left the afghan Taliban and Pakistan Taliban. The rivalry between these two groups is based on ideological differences and competition for resources. Thus, afghanistan has been affected by the civil war since its emergence, and those who entered, like the USSR for 10 years and the USa for 20, had to leave after gting no result in changing their ideology. The conclusion comes at the end that afghanistan belongs to afghans and should be run by them. The ISIS-K group had to decentralize after significant territorial losses but took the responsibility of string highprofile attacks, airport attacks, bombing at girls’ Kabul school, and so on.

Recently, an explosion occurred at a mosque in northern Kunduz on Friday which has killed one and wounded seven per a released statement by the afghan government. So far, no group has taken the responsibility, but it is being associated with ISIS-K. In May, a similar attack at a mosque made 5 people dead and several wounded, while in april, again a mosque was targeted during Friday prayers, resulting in 10 people being killed and 30 wounded. The group has come up as a competitor of both al-Qaida and the Taliban. apart from terrorism, the afghan government is being criticized also for the non-fulfillment of women’s rights. Regarding fulfilling the human rights clause regarding women, still, after 10 months of the Taliban’s taking over,they don’t seem to intend fulfilling their promises. The situation of a woman is seen getting worse, as seen by the Taliban placing restrictions on them. They are barred from returning to many government jobs, girls’ secondary schools have been shut out, and even the government male employees are

Islamabad – Ph: 051-2204545

suspended if they don’t get the rules implemented on their women regarding the dress code. The dress code is wearing a burqa with a head-to-toe covering. The United Nations has raised the issue again and named it ‘institutionalized systematic oppression’ of females in afghanistan. Even isolation, less funding provision, and sanctions raised the humanitarian crisis i.e. malnutrition, and poverty has made the Taliban stricter.

The international community is required to resolve the deteriorating situation of afghanistan as internal issues should be left to afghans as even after USSR and US interventions, they also weren’t able to change their ideology.

There is a need to save precious lives. Pakistan is always concerned as if the same situation will continue, the country will be unable to accommodate such a large number of immigrants as they previously immigrated to Pakistan in Zia -ul-Haq’s era. The US government evacuated around 124,000 afghans from Kabul who worked for the US government, and still, 60,000 are eligible for the Special Immigration Visa programme.

Other than this, the expected immigrants will surely take a move towards its neighbouring Pakistan which is also facing an economic crisis and will not be able to accommodate and afford such a large number of expected immigrants in the future. Thus, there is an urgent need for an amicable solution for afghanistan.

The current government of Shahbaz Sharif is facing significant economic challenges in Pakistan, and is looking towards upcoming elections; therefore, it seems that it is already in crisis and cannot afford to intervene in afghanistan’s issues at the moment.

On the other hand, the no-confidence vote against Imran Khan’s government has already been related to a conspiracy by the USa. It is a complicated situation on the political and diplomatic grounds for Pakistan.

The citizens can well relate to the situation by observing their surroundings, but there is a need for an urgent interference from the international community to come together and become a strong voice for afghanistan in taking it out from the deteriorating situation.

The current government of Shahbaz Sharif is facing significant economic challenges in Pakistan, and is looking towards upcoming elections; therefore, it seems that it is already in crisis and cannot afford to intervene in Afghanistan’s issues at the moment

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Email: editorial@pakistantoday.com.pk

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Wednesday, 29 June, 2022

COMMENT 07 Editor’s mail Send your letters to: Letters to Editor, Pakistan Today, 4-Shaarey Fatima Jinnah, Lahore, Pakistan.

E-mail: letters@pakistantoday.com.pk Letters should be addressed to Pakistan Today exclusively

Soaring cases of stunted growth in Pakistan STUNTING refers to the stagnation of mental and physical growth due to malnutrition, and entails deficiency of nutrients that are necessary for full-scale growth. Unfortunately, the rate of stunting is quite high in Pakistan. It is estimated that 38 per cent children are malnourished. a large segment of population is at the risk of malnutrition because of insufficient and lownutrition food. almost 60pc population of the country is young, scores of cases related to stunted growth and malnutrition are reported daily, particularly among children who are more prone to such afflictions. according to a research, four out of 10 children in the country are underweight. The condition poses serious health issues, such as functional disability, poor mental health, improper physical growth, fragile skin, and debility with weak immune system. To counter the issue, federal and provincial governments must initiate poverty alleviation programmes to save our children. Besides, awareness campaigns should be conducted regularly to educate people about the detrimental impact of malnutrition on children’s mental and physical health.

ABDUL WAHID LAHORE

Cholera in Balochistan

Debt; poverty and inequality A critical analysis of the World Bank and IMF

muhammaD ShahJahan memon anD aiSha Lareb memon

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HE present global economic system is rooted in the capitalist economic system and well-established in the notion of self-interest through which people and states pursue their own interests with narrow concern for the collective good of the society. To contextualize global capitalism, the philosophy behind neo-colonialism; liberalism and neoliberalism must be understood because global capitalism works under their garb as they are the guiding principles to make us understand what is happening in the world. Furthermore, to understand debt, one has to understand first what is happening today in the global economy. What we see in the broader context is, the largest transfer of public wealth to private hands in history. The process of forcing most countries into debt is a means of controlling their resources; labour and governments.

In the name of development, massive exploitation of the environment takes place, not to mention other damage. The impression is given that they assist the low-income or poor countries; push them out of poverty and reform their domestic institutions. However, academic findings show that this is not always so.

The foundations of World Bank (WB) and IMF were laid down at the Bretton Woods Conference in 1944. Though WB claims its key aim is to promote global development and reduce poverty, critics see it as a tool in the hands of countries that are the world’s major economic powers. after the fall of communism, this financial institution was instrumental in carrying forward the neo-liberal economic agenda of capitalism.

Whereas its policies benefited the governments of the global North, its guidelines harmed the global South. Scholars witnessed a sharp divide within communities and increasing inequality after adopting WB’s policies. The negative impact of its policies is visible across countries in asia, africa and Latin america.

The World Bank gets its funding from its member governments. The USa is a major shareholder and has great influence. The Bank’s data suggests it tries to be neutral in a country’s internal politics. However, critics argue it is a politicized and monopolized institution. It claims it helps the LDCs (Least developed countries) and african countries improve their governance structure and claims poverty is declining, particularly before the covid-19 pandemic.

In the case of the sub-Saharan region, the largest WB recipient, scholars have an opposite

view. For instance in 2007, the bank loaned nearly $70 million to Kenya’s national forest service for a conservation project. However, Kenyan authorities reportedly used the money to vigorously throw out thousands of locals living in the project area. Human rights groups have also criticized the World Bank for ignoring the environmental and social impacts of some projects in countries like Ethiopia and Myanmar.

WB emphasizes good governance and transparency. But critics argue it operates under great secrecy and limited accountability. It attempts to portray itself as an institution looking out for not just poor countries but poor people within those countries; that has always never been so.

WB has supported Pakistan on many occasions. Significant among them were: dams building. Indus Water Treaty where WB was the key mediator. Hence, one can argue that there are some areas in Pakistan where WB has played a vital role. However, there are mixed opinions about its role in LDCs. IMF is responsible for maintaining the international monetary system. It provides loans to LDCs through surveys and capacity building activities. The USa and EU have the maximum share. IMF and WB govern through the quota system in terms of funds, and the voting share is accordingly. The IMF. in the past 40 to 50 years, has intervened in different countries of the South. at present, there are 46 countries defined as least developed by the UN. The main reasons are: unequal distribution of wealth; lack of technology, high birth rate and gender equality issues. Due to these reasons their GDP is low.

Since the IMF is a last option, countries in trouble have no choice but to agree to significant austerity measures that may not necessarily be in their best interests.

Some scholars have argued that institutions like WB, IMF and WTO are run by elite clubs, largely run and monopolized by the EU and USa. The IMF emphasizes privatization, and overall neo-liberal policies. Historically, IMF loans cannot be used for education or health.

IMF policies have cascading effects on developing economies; as it alters their financial policies. However, despite all its claims, the IMF is highly biased by political and economic interests against the LDCs. Biased insurance mechanism system and harsh conditions. In the case of Pakistan, which is currently its fourth largest borrower. We cannot see changes; reduction in poverty or addressing of different issues faced

by Pakistan. This is a clear indication of how economic and political aims are achieved through this institution.

Likewise, Pakistan received a larger amount of aid during the military regimes than democratic periods from the USa. Though the USa claims to be the champion of human rights and promotion of democracy. Some even argue that there is politics of aid. In other words, aid is given to those who are strategically important to the USa. Then Pakistan was a close US ally.

Today there is a divergence of interests between both states, and China is a close ally of Pakistan.

So, it is challenging for Pakistan to maintain friendly relations with both countries, and seek relaxation from the USa for an IMF loan. This shows only interests matter in global politics.

There is another issue, as the WB and IMF do not prioritize the needs of the borrowing

countries. They tend to different treatment between the North and South. Sanctions are imposed on poor countries which default or cannot meet debt obligations, whereas no sanctions on EU countries are imposed. The IMF has come under criticism for continuing to bail out Greece.

It clearly shows that it serves the interest of the elites and Western bias prevails.

Moreover, one of the biggest problems of LDCs are, corruption. Many leaders from low and middle income countries have been known to take bribes. Sometimes there is no guarantee that the borrowed money will be put towards productive use. Some believe it is up to the recipient country to use the loan wisely.

The WB is headed by an american and the IMF by a European. For getting any sort of relief from the IMF, any country needs 85 percent of the votes. It means that, if the USa and the EU are not going to help any country the IMF cannot. What we see in Pak-IMF context is, getting loans is increasingly becoming harder. Part of the reason is worsening Pak-USa relations. IMF says its policies are designed to help nations in recession, restructure the economies and eliminate wasteful spending.

But critics argue the IMF is pushing both countries further into debt by giving them fresh loans instead of aid. They say such lending practices intensify the cycle of deficit and poverty.

Lending policies of the IMF has come under some criticism as money goes into recovery, which has a negative influence on job making and growth. In many instances we have cases where countries are cutting back on spending. Critics point to the conditions attached to their loans, saying that they don’t always address their specific economic issues. Rising debt burden is one of the most critical economic problems facing developing countries. The development efforts by the developing countries are severely hampered by the need to keep a substantial part of their national budget for servicing external debt. Higher debt servicing ratios mean a country uses the major part of its forex earning for just meeting its debt obligation with little left for development.

Dependency theory argues that all countries exist within a wider global system characterized by global capitalism. In this system, liberal economic theory dominates. Multinational corporations and banks, in this system, are instruments of the rich in the core countries. International institutions again, all serve the interests of the richest countries and their richest people. Moreover, they promote underdevelopment of countries. The neorealist approach to economic security suggests that states use economic measures as a means to achieve their aggressive and defensive goals. Critics argue neo-liberal policies exacerbate rather than mitigate economic and social inequalities.

Global capitalism does not always serve the interests of the LDCs, as projected. Rather, global institutions mainly serve the interests of the capitalist states through different means. The whole liberal economic model in practice is exploitative and unequal. Hence, debt-ridden economies have less influence at global level and continue to be exploited. Resultantly, rising debt burden further pushes them into poverty; intensifies inequalities and inflation, which has negative and direct impact on citizens at domestic level.

The writers are can be reached at: muhammadshahjahan574@gmail.com and aishalarebmemon11@gmail.com

THOUGH cholera cases have subsided in Balochistan, the situation is far from being safe because the reasons that cause the spread of the disease are pretty much there. a recent outbreak affected nearly 4,000 people in Pir Koh area of Dera Bugti district, leading to 25 deaths. a poor grieving mother made headlines when she asked a scholar if it was permissible for her to commit suicide, despite the prohibition in Islam, because she had lost her child to cholera, deprivation and injustice. a gas pipeline that passes in front of her home and supplies gas to areas from Khyber to Karachi will keep reminding her of her loss and the brutal ignorance of the authorities forever. The district is rich in natural gas, but its inhabitants are deprived of even basic human needs, like water and healthcare. Ironically, the Balochistan government has enough money to gift an aircraft to azad Kashmir, but it cannot provide water to its own residents. apart from Pir Koh, areas like Zen Koh and Sham Kulchas are also faced with a severe water crisis and the impoverished residents are forced to drink contaminated water. This is more of a man-made crisis than a natural one, and can be controlled if the government and other stakeholders take the issue seriously. The government should also provide relief to all grieving families without any delay. In the long run, the government should install bore pumps and purification plants to mitigate the water crisis, besides improving health facilities in the district. Only concrete steps can address a pervading sense of alienation in these areas.

DR ZAFFAR BUGTI DERA BUGTI

Role of literature in Pakistan aCROSS history, literature has played a major role in inspiring nations.

From ancient Greece, to Rome or Persia and even in the modern world, this equation has remained intact. If anything, literature has painted the colours of a culture in the eyes of those not accustomed to it. It provides a window to the outsides to have a peek into a certain culture.

In Pakistan, however, literature appears to have an increasingly diminishing impact on people’s thinking and lives. and it hardly conveys anything to the outsider; the foreigner. Literature’s role has been taken over by television plays and the movies produced by a fledgling industry.

How they are faring in terms of projecting and representing Pakistan globally, however, is another story altogether. a quick glance at the content of films and television dramas reveals that most of the storylines revolve around matters that in the bigger picture of life and development don’t leave a lasting impact on the thoughts of the viewer. The stories are there for thoughtless consumption, merely designed to hook the viewer through the emotional tropes of love triangles, family disputes and unjust depiction of women plotting to make the life of other women miserable. This is unfortunate, given how rich and beautiful our country’s heritage and history is. There is a minefield of intelligent, informative, inspiring and compelling stories that production houses have not seemed to have discovered yet. The content producers in the country should consider subjects that deal with reallife national heroes who resonate with the larger public so our young, too, may feel proud of their association with Pakistan.

KOMAL KARACHI

Balochi language LaNGUaGE makes a nation alive. To make a nation alive, we must promote its language. If language is promoted, the nation develops. We all should know that language is the recognition of every nation and Balochistan’s language is Balochi, hence, it is our recognition which is now being compressed and lost because we are getting modernized and prioritizing other languages like Urdu and English.

The Balochi language is the language of the Baloch people. Everyone toils to develop his language. Unfortunately, our Balochi language is getting lost with time. according to the experts and reports, in the future, most languages of the world will be lost and there is also a hypothetical guess that after 5000 years only one language will exist in the world. a large number of languages have died and die each year just because they are not being prioritised by their nations and the nations are giving no value to their own languages as compared to other languages of the world. as we all know to make a language alive we must save it by writing various books in our languages, we mostly speak in our languages on national and even international platforms, and we also need to create quality audio and videos in our own languages for our upcoming generations. We also need to make our language easy to learn. Unfortunately, our Balochi is not being taught even in most parts of Balochistan only a small quantity of people learn and teach Balochi as the rest is in love with other languages like English and Urdu. We should work on our language for saving it. We should teach a new generation about our language and we also have to have a command over our language, the Balochi, in order to make it everlasting. Let us save our beloved language, the Balochi language, by promoting it in various ways.

AMEENULLAH QAMAR BALOCH KARACHI

08 WORLD VIEW 29TH June_Layout 1 6/28/2022 10:36 PM Page 1

Wednesday, 29 June, 2022

08 WORLD VIEW

iSrael’S governmenT haS collapSed again, WhaT doeS ThiS mean?

The Saudi acTiviSm in reShaping regional allianceS Saudi Arabia is again becoming the centre of attention of the region Jordan Times Amer Al SAbAileh

ISRAEL IS IN FOR A FIFTH ELECTION IN FOUR YEARS, AND FORMER PRIME MINISTER BENJAMIN NETANYAHU COULD SCORE A COMEBACK

rT robert inlAkeSh

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SRAEL’S unlikely eight-party coalition government took the decision to dissolve itself, last Monday, ushering in the fifth round of elections in just four years. An election in which Israeli opposition leader, Benjamin Netanyahu, eyes a comeback and highlights the domestic vulnerabilities of Tel Aviv that its enemies may seek to exploit.

In June of 2021, an unprecedented Israeli coalition government was sworn in after a tenuous period of two years, during which four national elections had taken place. At the center of Israel’s political mayhem has consistently been former prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu and one year later not much has seemed to have changed. Israeli PM Naftali Bennet, of the far-Right Yamina Party, decided to call it quits and dissolve his government, handing over his title to his coalition partner Yair Lapid, who will soon be sworn in as interim prime minister, awaiting a new round of elections.

What is important to understand about Israel’s political mess, is that the Israeli Knesset has always been and continues to be a deeply divided place, there has never been a single party government, only ever coalitions. Last year’s eight party coalition was perhaps the most ideologically diverse, claiming a slim 61 seat majority needed to

form a government by making sizable political compromises, such as allowing an Arab party into the government for the first time in Israel’s history.

Although many Israelis did initially support the coalition government, it quickly proved ineffective and weak on multiple fronts, due in large part to such a committed opposition bloc led by Netanyahu and his center-right Likud party and also because the coalition parties disagreed on so much. The last straw that broke the camel’s back came earlier this month, as the Israeli government failed to pass an emergency bill that allows illegal Israeli settlers the ability to be governed under civilian law, while the Palestinians in the same territories live under Israeli military law. The bill is normally renewed every five years and is seen as one of the easiest pieces of legislation to pass, yet due to the refusal of the Israeli opposition to vote for it, the governing coalition itself could not muster enough votes in the Knesset to pass it.

From the get-go Netanyahu had been calling the right wing parties of the coalition sellouts, claiming that the Left, along with the Islamist Raam Party, had insideously plotted an anti-right wing takeover. This was despite the coalition mostly consisting of far-right, centrist, islamist and center right parties, with only two espousing a left lean. Whilst popular Israeli political figures on the right, such as Justice Minister Gideon Saar, Finance Minister Avigdor Lieberman, and Naftali Bennett himself, had all received public support from their political loyalists for their anti-Netanyahu stances, the next election results may prove them to have committed political suicide for joining a government with centrists and an Arab party.

If it is true, as is speculated, that former prime minister Naftali Bennett and other right wing members of his dissolved coalition will face a backlash at the polls, Benjamin Netanyahu may have just pulled off a majorly successful powerplay. One that

could secure him, and his allies, enough seats to form a coalition government later this year.

Often left out of the conversation in all of this are the Palestinians, who will not experience much of a change on the ground regardless of which government is ushered in next, but whose political representatives will seek to take advantage of Tel Aviv’s crisis. Hamas, the most popular Palestinian political party that rules the Gaza Strip, will be looking to take advantage of the Israeli political elites’ weaknesses in an attempt to either ease the blockade, or alternatively will be studying the opportune moment to strike Israel.

Over the past year the Israeli ruling coalition has not maintained a unified stance on how to address the Palestinian issue. An example of this was Israel’s West Bank policy, whilst Israeli foreign minister Yair Lapid and defense minister Benny Gantz opted for a closer security cooperation relationship with the Palestinian Authority, based in the West Bank, prime minister Bennett refused to even look their way publicly.

US President Joe Biden has a scheduled Middle East visit in mid-July, during which he will also travel to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and has caused some speculation on a push to normalize ties between Tel Aviv and Riyadh. In reality it is more likely that the visit will be aimed at bringing Middle Eastern countries together to combat Iranian influence in the region. Now that Israel is, in effect, without a government again, Joe Biden will be more likely to have to play a balancing game during his visit, sidelining serious policy objectives. All of this is to say that Israel is in a place of weakness now due to its political uncertainty.

Robert Inlakesh is a political analyst, journalist and documentary filmmaker currently based in London, UK. He has reported from and lived in the occupied Palestinian territories and currently works with Quds News

In his first regional visit, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman (MBS), or MBS, is paving the way for his regional vision with stops in Egypt, Jordan and Turkey. For Jordan, this is a strategically critical opportunity to reengage with Saudi Arabia to capitalise on its geography and build a strategic relationship to leverage the ambitious Saudi vision for future economic benefits, which are sorely needed.

This regional tour anticipates US President Joe Biden’s visit to Saudi Arabia which represents a significant shift in engagement with the Saudi Crown Prince from the US administration. It also presents an opportunity for the so-called Arab “Sunni alliance” to advocate the common risk of Iranian policies in the region, particularly with the current situations in Lebanon and Syria. The expected return of a nuclear deal with Iran also represents an opportunity for this Sunni alliance to present a united front to the US, with a clear vision and expectations of how to deal with Iran.

MBS’ visit to Turkey is also another key tactical play. During the Gulf Crisis, Saudi Arabia was facing two major regional opponents in Turkey and Iran. Normalisation with Turkey represents a new phase of seeking strategic partnerships. The current issue of gas and the Mediterranean would attract the Saudis to be part of this hub from Egypt to Turkey and could lead MBS to both Greece and Cyprus.

Relations with Israel will be one of the issues to be addressed, and politically the Saudis know that this is a critical strategic issue that can reliably be leveraged into political gains with any American administration. Saudi Arabia must be at the centre of peace between Arabs and Israel, including the Abraham Accord.

They represent the Sunni world as the host of the holy sites and are the major Arab country as the leader of the Arab Peace Initiative. So, if the US administration wishes to capitalise on the issue of Arab peace, then having the Saudis on board will be the most important part of any initiative.

Saudi Arabia is again becoming the centre of attention of the region. Perhaps the war in Ukraine has led the US administration to think about how to reengage with its old allies and reconsidering its long-term vision. These factors suggest a strong possibility of a new alliance, and Iran represents a major threat that shapes how the Sunnis view regional politics.

Whether it is security and economic cooperation in the Mediterranean or Red Sea, or reinventing the Hejaz railway with new regional routes, these initiatives suggest a new phase and new rules amongst regional players, as more countries join the peace circle and the Abraham Accords.

retired generals: america’s democracy faces unprecedented threat THE FOLLOWING COMMENTARY ABOUT THREATS TO AMERICAN DEMOCRACY WAS WRITTEN BY FIVE RETIRED U.S. AIR FORCE AND ARMY GENERALS AND LIEUTENANT GENERALS, INCLUDING A FORMER CIA DIRECTOR

Michael Hayden

James Clapper

Stanley McChrystal

Douglas Lute

Mark Hertling

Usa Today

a time when our efforts seem overshadowed by the erosion of democracy here at home.

And for those of us focused on domestic security, the forces of autocracy now trump traditional foreign threats, hands down.

It is no accident that 1 in 3 Americans seem willing to justify political violence as a means for overturning election results.

This mindset has been nurtured by wouldbe autocrats and their enablers, who applaud the willingness of some Americans to rise up, even with weapons in hand, to “take back” a vision of America that’s riddled with contradictions, prejudices and systemic inequalities.

For the rest of us, that willingness is a harbinger of a decades-long challenge that we now face together – to turn the tide of extremism, and to find a starting point for building bridges between those who lean to the right and those who lean to the left.

The Safe and Fair Elections Pledge by Team Democracy is the perfect starting point. Written by Americans who are deeply committed to the health of our democracy, it asks all Americans to come together on an important piece of common ground – a safe place where regardless of political persuasion, we can agree to embrace the most fun-

damental cornerstones of our democracy by committing ourselves to elections that are both secure and accessible; and assuring the peaceful transition of power according to the rule of law.

We are proud to have signed this nonpartisan declaration, and we encourage every local, state and federal official, especially those who achieved (or hope to achieve) their position through the electoral process, to make this same commitment. We and our many partners and friends will personally invite every member of Congress to join us in signing this pledge.

For those who do, we will be forever grateful, and Americans who cherish our democracy will be grateful, too. For those who don’t, we and others will wonder why.

And ask why. And keep asking until there’s no room for ambiguity.

In 2020, Spencer Cox, a Republican, and Chris Peterson, a Democrat, competed in the Utah gubernatorial race. Politically, they agreed on almost nothing. They shared a profound respect for democratic institutions and lawful electoral process. They said so, in combined campaign ads promoting mutual respect, cooperation and peaceful transfer of power no matter who wins.

IT’S TIME TO JOIN TEAM DEMOCRACY: We need to help amplify the CoxPeterson example, so it becomes something more than a one-time novelty. The SAFE Pledge provides an opportunity for candidates and incumbents from every corner of the country to create their own Cox-Peterson moments. And it invites voter participation. too: Not just by signing the election pledge as an American citizen, but by then also insisting that our candidates join Team Democracy by signing it.

A clear majority of Americans favor strengthening our democracy rather than weakening it. We say we want more bipartisanship in our government. For voters who wonder what they can do that might turn down the temperature in Washington, and help make our elected representatives more accountable, the SAFE Pledge is a powerful nonpartisan initiative that fits the bill.

Imagine the impact on our lawmakers if each of them heard from each of us, with the simplest of all messages: Sign the SAFE Pledge, and then honor it by building greater confidence in safe, secure, accessible elections, and committing to the peaceful transition of power, absent intimidation, coercion or violence.

That’s not asking too much of our elected representatives. But in 2022 America, it could prove to be a game changer.

W

E know something about serious threats to America’s democracy. Each of us has invested the better part of our lives in military and public service, and in defense of the democratic institutions that Americans cherish. Our careers have placed us on the front lines of the gravest threats America has faced in the past half-century.

Today, we harbor unprecedented concern for our country and for our democracy.

The nation we have defended for decades is in real peril.

Our democratic institutions and norms are more vulnerable than ever. If you were to ask us when in our lives we were most likely to be losing sleep at night, we would all tell you, “Last night. And tonight. And tomorrow night.” Because history teaches us that democracy is never guaranteed, not even here.

DOMESTIC THREATS MORE DANGEROUS THAN FOREIGN ADVERSARIES: For those of us devoted to protecting democracies abroad, there comes

Gen. Michael Hayden (U.S. Air Force, retired) is chairman of Team Democracy and former director of the Central Intelligence Agency, director of the National Security Agency and principal deputy director of National Intelligence.

Lt. Gen. James Clapper (U.S. Air Force, retired) served as director of National Intelligence, director of the Defense Intelligence Agency and director of Defense Intelligence, while also serving as undersecretary of Defense for Intelligence.

Gen. Stanley McChrystal (U.S. Army, retired) served as commander of Joint Special Operations Command.

Lt. Gen. Douglas Lute (U.S. Army, retired) served as the U.S. ambassador to NATO and deputy national security adviser.

Lt. Gen. Mark Hertling, (U.S. Army, retired) served as the commanding general of the U.S. Army Europe and the Seventh Army.

Wednesday, 29 June, 2022 | KARACHI

NEWS corporate corner IMC Wins top Award from un global Compact network Pakistan

ISLAMABAD: The UN Global Compact Network Pakistan (UNGCP) conferred upon Indus Motor Company Limited (IMC) another accolade to its growing accomplishments, winning the ‘Living the Global Compact Best Practices Sustainability Award 2021 in the Multinational Enterprises category. The award was presented at the SDGs Pakistan Summit 2022 by His Excellency, the Ambassador of Norway to Pakistan, to IMC’s Asad Abdullah, Head of CSR & Media Management and Member of the UNGC Network Pakistan, Board of Directors. This is the seventh year running for IMC to have received this award for its outstanding CSR initiatives and its commitment towards responsible sustainability. A total of twelve awards were distributed amongst twelve companies in four award categories i.e. Multinational Enterprises, Large National Enterprises, National Enterprises and Small Medium Enterprises. Another ten national companies received recognition shields for their SDGs initiatives. Chief Executive IMC, Ali Asghar Jamali, sharing his comments on the occasion said, “First of all, my profound thanks to the UNGC Network Pakistan and the Jury for this honour and recognition of the work we do. pr

Prize Distribution Ceremony of Dollar East Promotional Campaign Shandar Jeet

LAhore: Dollar East held Prize Distribution Ceremony of its promotional Campaign, Shandar Jeet on June 28, 2022 at Eastern Marquee Lahore. Shandar Jeet is a promotional campaign in which gifts were rewarded to the recipients of home remittances, who receive their payments from Dollar East. The purpose of the campaign is to promote the inflow of Home Remittances through legal channels and provide the country with much needed foreign exchange. The duration of campaign was 15 march, 2022 to 30 June 2022.Gifts were rewarded to the winners through lucky draws after every 15 days. A total of 7 lucky draws have been conducted and gifts worth millions of rupees were distributed among lucky winners. The gifts distributed include 7 Motorcycles, 7 Air Conditioners, & LED TVs, 14 Microwave Ovens and 14 Mobile Phones.

Besides, Bumper prizes of Umrah Ticket and 800cc Car have also been awarded. pr

PRESIDEnt FOR MARkEt RESEARCh tO ASSESS DEMAnD FOR ARtS AnD LItERAtuRE gRADuAtES KArACHi

P

Staff report

RESIDENT Dr Arif Alvi has urged the academia to conduct research and market surveys to assess the market value and demand for graduates of different faculties, particularly in the subjects related to Arts and Literature. He added that studies of Arts and Philosophy help shape a comprehensive and balanced human personality, therefore, education in these fields should also be given equal importance.

The President expressed these views while chairing a meeting with the faculty of the Federal Urdu University of Arts, Sciences & Technology (FUUAST), in Karachi, today. ViceChancellor FUUAST, Dr Athar Ata, and faculty heads attended the meeting.

Addressing the faculty of the University, the President said that higher educational institutions must promote the values of peace, welfare and inclusivity through studies in the field of

Arts and Literature. He urged the faculty to make FUUAST a role model institution for the promotion of Arts and Literature in the country, with a special focus on enabling their graduates to utilise their skills in earning a decent livelihood for themselves.

Highlighting the importance of inclusive education for differently-abled

students, the President said that visually and physically impaired students should be enrolled in higher educational institutions with regular students, besides providing faculty training for enabling them to cater for special educational requirements. “The purpose of special education should not only be providing skills and educa-

Management Career Expo 2022 held at University of Wah

WAH CANTT pr

Faculty of Management Sciences, University of Wah, organized Management Career Expo-2022’.

The aim of the event was to provide a platform to the graduating students and alumni for showcasing their academic capabilities and talents to the leading recruiters in the respective fields.

The event provided first-hand exposure and a great networking scaffold to the graduating students of the University with re-

cruiters and employers for better understanding of the options available in the job market.

Prof. Dr. Jameel-Un Nabi, Vice Chancellor, University of Wah graced the occasion and stressed on establishing a strong industry-academia relationship, based on mutual interests, and emphasized on UoW’s ultimate objective to nurture future leaders, who can effectively contribute to socio-economic uplift of the society. Representatives from 23 well-reputed organizations including Qaswa Technologies, Air Weapons Complex

(AWC), Institute of Nursing-POF Hospital, Wah Industries Limited, Askari Securities Limited, Askari Bank Limited, Bank Alfalah, Graana.com, Nestle Pakistan Ltd, Pakistan Mercantile Exchange, Summit Bank, HBL Prestige, Dubai Islamic Bank, participated in the event. Mr. Ahtesham Ali Raja, Program Director NBEAC-HEC was the Chief Guest while Air Commodore Ali Nadeem (Retd), CEO Qaswa Technologies was the Guest of Honor.

The worthy guests appreciated the efforts of Faculty of Management Sciences on successful organization of the event and stressed the need for arranging such industrial fairs as a means of employer-student interaction. The Management Career Expo-2022 comprised different activities including employers’ branding, access to Graduate Directory for potential jobs, walk-in interviews, award ceremony and social networking among employers, faculty, and students. It is hoped that the event will achieved the desired objectives through its immaculate execution.

Amir Fida Paracha joins PBM as MD ISLAMABAD: Amir Fida Paracha Joins Pakistan Baitul-Mal (PBM) as Managing Director, after the approval of Cabinet Division and Notification by Poverty Alleviation and Social Safety Division. Soon after joining PBM, he got a detailed briefing from the officers, about the organization including ongoing social welfare projects. The Managing Director also visited the various departments of PBM and met with the staff there. Chairing a meeting with Directors, he expressed his passion to serve the vulnerable populace of the country. “Being Managing Director PBM, I feel a colossal national, religious and social responsibility and determined to address the thorny issues linked with poverty”, he stated. pr

09

A group photo of guests with Deputy High Commissioner of Bangladesh S.M. Mehbubul Alam at a seminar on “Pakistan & Bangladesh relation” organised by Karachi Council on International Relations and Jinnah Society at Quaid-e-Azam Museum Karachi. Chairman Ikram Sehgal Ch and other guests also present. pr

tion to differently-abled students but they are empowered to actively participate in the socio-economic development of the country”, he said.

While referring to the HEC's Partnership-Research model, the President stressed the need for enhancing collaborations and developing linkages between academia and the private sector.

He said that the practical exposure of students in different sectors would help them understand the market requirements of their respective fields. He further highlighted that HEC in collaboration with Coursera had provided access to 4000 free courses for students and faculty in different fields and urged them to continue to enhance their skills by utilizing this valuable online source of learning.

Earlier, VC FUUAST briefed the President about the performance of the University and thanked him for his continuous guidance and support. The President directed the VC FUUAST to work towards the regularization of the faculty on a priority basis.

Careem launches carpooling service Karachi: Given the massive hike in global fuel prices, the everyday office-goer is the most affected by the current economic conditions.

Careem, the Super App of the greater Middle East and Pakistan, has added a carpooling feature in its corporate portfolio ‘Careem for Business (C4B)’, dedicatedly catering to its corporate clientele.

The carpooling service includes a pool of cars, with 1 pool comprising of three (3) people in one (1) car, in which colleagues in one organization living in proximity will get an optimized route in their daily commute from their homes to and from offices daily. This will enable the working segment of society to minimize travel and fuel costs all while reaping the benefits like door-todoor pickup/drop-off, automated processing, dedicated focal person and enjoy a safe, secure and hassle-free ride from the corporate fleet. This service is currently being utilized by multiple reputed organizations, including Nestle, Sapphire, Packages Limited, BASF, Sadatech, Acascus, Repair Desk, etc. pr

Minister IPC Ehsanur Rehman Addresses 11th Session Of ICtM in Baku Azerbaijan Federal Minister for Inter-Provincial Coordination (IPC) Ehsan-ur-Rehman Mazari, attended the 11th session of Islamic Conference of Tourism Ministers (ICTM- 27-29 June) in Baku, Azerbaijan. The theme of the session is Role of local communities in tourism development.

Addressing at the occasion Federal Minister said that It should be a matter for collective pride that increasing number of Ministers are participating in the Intra-OIC cooperation for Tourism. Tourism is a mainstay of our economies and most important source of generating valuable foreign exchange, economic growth and employment in OIC Member States. Unfortunately, there are several challenges impeding growth & development of this vital sector ranging from lack of peace and stability, weak infrastructural base, weak/nonexistent regulations and standards.

The outbreak of Covid-19 pandemic in 2020 led to significant losses in Tourism sector in the OIC Member States including Pakistan viz-a-viz tourism receipts, employment in tourism sector. In post Covid scenario, owing to immense challenges faced by nascent tourism sector of OIC Countries, there is a need to facilitate knowledge and technology transfers and offer technical assistance for capacity building in member States. pr

Japan provides US $2.3m grant for human resource development The Japanese government here on Tuesday extended grant assistance of Japanese Yen 313 million (Approximately US$ 2.3 million) to Pakistan for the Project for Human Resource Development Scholarship for fiscal year 2022.

A signing ceremony in this regard was held in Ministry of Economic Affairs, according to press statement issued by the Eco-

nomic Affairs Division (EAD).

The exchange of notes and record of discussions for the grant were signed by Secretary, EAD Mian Asad Hayaud Din and Chargé d’affaires of the Embassy of Japan in Islamabad, Ishii Kensuke.

A grant agreement on the details of implementation of the project was also signed

by Kinoshita Yasumitsu, Chief Representa-

tive of Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and Adil Akbar Khan, Joint Secretary, EAD. Through this scholarship, government of Japan would provide 17 scholarships for Master Degree program for two years and 1 scholarship for Doctoral program for 03 years to the officers of the federal government of Pakistan at top Japanese

universities.

This program was introduced first time to Pakistan in 2018. Since then, four batches of JDS fellows have availed this scholarship.

The main objective of JDS is to strengthen the administrative capacities of government of Pakistan by providing the opportunity to obtain the Master and Doctor of Philosophy degree to the capable govern-

ment officers who are involved in formulation and implementation of social and economic development of Pakistan.

On the occasion, Secretary, Ministry of Economic Affairs appreciated the government and people of Japan for their support with the assurance of extending all necessary facilitation for more meaningful cooperation between the two sides in future. newS deSk

Wednesday, 29 June, 2022 | KARACHI

10 FOREIGN NEWS

US, IRAN CHIef NegOTIATORS TO START NUCleAR TAlKS IN QATAR DOHA

C

agencies

HIEF negotiators from the United States and Iran were due to start indirect talks in Qatar on Tuesday, bidding to remove obstacles that have stalled attempts to revive a landmark nuclear deal.

US special envoy Robert Malley and Iran’s Ali Bagheri have landed in Doha and met officials after more than a year of European Union-mediated talks in Vienna on a return to the 2015 agreement.

The Doha talks come just two weeks before US President Joe Biden visits the region for the first time since taking office, when efforts to curb Iran’s nuclear ambitions will be high on the agenda.

They are the start of a process to “unblock” the long-running Vienna

talks, European Union foreign affairs spokesman Peter Stano said.

“We managed to unblock the process and we are going to move forward, and as a first step at this stage we have these proximity talks,” he said

Ahead of NATO summit, South Korea warned over fraying China ties, losing ‘diplomatic freedom’ South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol is expected to meet with US President Joe Biden and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida at the NATO leaders’ summit from Wednesday to Thursday in Madrid, which would become Yoon’s in-person debut on a multilateral stage.

One day before Yoon’s departure Monday, North Korea accused the US, South Korea and Japan of building a NATO-like military alliance in Asia, Reuters reported, citing a statement from North Korea’s foreign ministry. Chinese experts said the US aim to further promote NATO’s Asia-Pacific expansion through talks with Asian allies will create tensions on the Korean Peninsula, while Seoul’s relations with Beijing will be more complicated if the Yoon administration gradually loses its diplomatic independence by relying on the US. An official at Seoul’s presidential office confirmed on Sunday Yoon’s meeting with the Japanese and American leaders, marking the first three-way summit since 2017, on the sidelines of the 72nd session of the UN General Assembly, Reuters reported. South Korea’s Yonhap News Agency said the lull was due to “badly frayed relations between Seoul and Tokyo.”

Some media claimed that the US wants to take the rare occasion with Tokyo and Seoul on the same table to improve ties between its two allies which have territorial disputes and wartime labor issues between them. However, Yonhap reported Saturday that Tokyo said it is unlikely to see the one-on-one leader summit or a pull aside meeting between Japan and South Korea leaders during the NATO summit. Media reported that Yoon aims to seek more international support for his administration’s approach in dealing with the North Korea nuclear issue, which would also likely be one of the topics in a separate trilateral summit. Although the South Korean presidential office has previously explained that Yoon’s Madrid trip should not be interpreted as a shift to an anti-Russia or anti-China policy, some analysts said the Seoul’s new government is losing its strategic independence in boosting its alliance with the US, from exchanges at the US-led QUAD security dialogue, to participation in the IndoPacific Economic Framework and the upcoming NATO summit. And it’s unrealistic to expect a zero response from Beijing agencies .

in Brussels. The deal has been hanging by a thread since 2018, when then US president Donald Trump unilaterally withdrew from it and began reimposing harsh economic sanctions on America’s arch-enemy.

US President Joe Biden’s administration has sought to return to the agreement, saying it would be the best path ahead with the Islamic republic, although it has voiced growing pessimism in recent weeks.

The talks in Doha will take place indirectly, with the delegations in separate rooms and communicating via intermediaries. The US and Iran do not have diplomatic relations.

Earlier, Malley met Qatar’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani to discuss “joint diplomatic efforts to address issues with Iran”, the US embassy in Doha tweeted.

Bagheri met Qatar’s foreign ministry secretary-general, Ahmad bin Hassen Al Hammadi, Qatar’s foreign ministry said.

“Indirect messages have been exchanged between the parties involved,” a diplomat in the region told AFP.

China cuts quarantine time by half for overseas travellers BEIJING agencies

China on Tuesday reduced the length of mandatory quarantine for inbound travellers, in the biggest relaxation of entry restrictions after sticking to a rigid zero Covid policy throughout the pandemic.

The new guideline cuts the length of mandatory quarantine for overseas travellers to seven days plus three more of home monitoring — a drastic drop from about 21 days of quarantine and home monitoring combined.

China closed off its international borders in March 2020 and the number of international flights is still tightly restricted in an effort to tamp down “imported” virus cases as the pandemic rages elsewhere.

Overseas arrivals have faced weeks of strict monitoring and costly quarantine in hotels and designated centres, as well as soaring ticket prices for the slashed number of flights.

Under the latest Covid prevention and control policy guidelines announced by the National Heath Commission and the State Council, inbound travellers entering China will now be required to quarantine centrally for just seven days, with daily tests.

The new policy is “absolutely not a loosening of (Covid) prevention and control” but “optimising and adjusting” existing measures, health official Lei Zhenglong said at a Tuesday briefing.

Since April, a growing number of “pilot” cities have already slashed mandatory centralised

quarantine for overseas travellers to 10 days, with Beijing reducing quarantine as well last month.

However, scarce international flights are frequently subject to cancellations, as Beijing operates a “circuit breaker” system where routes are temporarily cancelled if enough positive passengers are discovered on board.

The announcement on the easing of measures rallied most Asian markets as investors hoped the move could provide a boost for Beijing’s Covidslumped economy.

The cities of Beijing and Shanghai also reported no Covid cases on Tuesday, suggesting they had largely contained outbreaks that forced tens of millions to stay home and snarled up global supply chain chains.

Several local health authorities contacted by AFP on Tuesday, including Beijing and Guangzhou, said they had not received instructions yet to reduce their quarantine for international arrivals.

– Signs of opening up – China’s staunch adherence

to its zero Covid policy is in stark contrast to the rest of the world, which has largely removed most restrictions despite the spread of the highly infectious but less life-threatening Omicron variant. Earlier this month, Beijing marginally relaxed visa restrictions to allow foreigners to visit direct family members and foreign permanent residents in China. And aviation regulation officials have said they are negotiating with more countries to gradually increase the number of flights to China.

Some international students from countries including India and Pakistan have been allowed to return to China for the first time since the pandemic in recent weeks. However, most analysts believe the resumption of inbound tourism and normal travel remains far off.

“I think it’s (reducing quarantine) a policy change in the right direction, but it’s not enough,” said Huang Yanzhong, senior fellow for global health at the Council on Foreign Relations in New York.

49 inmates die in Colombia prison riot, fire BOGOTA: At least 49 inmates were killed and dozens more injured early Tuesday after a fire broke out during a prison riot in southwestern Colombia, the national prisons agency said. The tragedy occurred when rioting inmates set a fire to try to prevent police entering their enclosure at the prison in the city of Tulua, said Tito Castellanos, director of the National Penitentiary and Prison Institute (INPEC).

“Unfortunately there was a riot in the pavilion number eight of the Tulua prison, where there are 1,267 prisoners, with the unfortunate result that 49 people died,” Castellanos told La W Radio. He said another 30 people were “injured and affected by the blaze and the smoke.”

Castellanos said authorities were investigating whether prisoners had lit their mattresses as part of an “escape attempt” or whether the riot was provoked “to cover some other situation.” He made no mention of whether any prisoners actually escaped. A spokesperson for INPEC earlier told AFP that the death toll “may change.”

A report by Caracol Radio said more than 40 people had been injured. There were 180 inmates in the prison section affected by fire. Castellanos praised the efforts of prison guards, some of whom were injured, to control the blaze and help prisoners to safety. He said that without their intervention “the result would have been worse.”

Outgoing President Ivan Duque sent a tweet offering his solidarity with relatives of the victims. “We regret the events that occurred in the prison in Tulua, Valle del Cauca,” Duque said.”I have given instructions to clarify this terrible situation.

My solidarity is with the families of the victims.” Fatal prison riots are not uncommon in Latin America. In Colombia’s neighbor Ecuador, nearly 400 prisoners have been killed in six riots since early 2021. Colombia’s prison system has a capacity for 97,000 inmates but is overpopulated by some 16,000, according to INPEC. agencies

Hindu nationalist groups exploiting YouTube to target Muslims in India: Report Muslims were being targeted on social media by backers of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party and other Hindu nationalist groups in India, said a report published by the New York University (NYU) Stern Center for Business and Human Rights. According to Kashmir media service,The report, titled ‘A Platform “Weaponized”: How YouTube Spreads Harmful Content?–?And What Can Be Done About It’, outlines YouTube’s role in spreading political disinformation, public health myths, and incitement of violence in India. The report flags the mala fide campaign that linked the Muslims with the spread of the coronavirus as a form of ‘jihad’, the targeting of Muslim vendors and the presence of several channels that thrive on Islamophobic content that demeans Muslims and incites violence against them. “Religious intolerance long predated the arrival of YouTube in India, but widespread social media use has intensified the hostility,” the report says.

The report also says, “Menacing online attacks on women often blend with anti-Muslim themes in India”, saying a spate of misogynistic rants by “nationalistic Indian YouTube influencers have made such invective popular on the platform.” It links to a report about popular YouTube personalities who issued physical threats to women.

“When YouTube deleted some of the misogynistic accounts, creators simply started new ones. Another genre of hate videos features photos of Muslim women gleaned from public sources and facetiously puts the subjects ‘up for sale’, sometimes leading to abusive comments and talk of rape,” it says, referring to the Sulli Deals and Bulli Bai apps. agencies

China and Europe are partners rather than competitors: Wang Yi As two important forces in the world, China and the European Union (EU) should strengthen dialogue and communication and unswervingly uphold their partnership, said Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Tuesday.

He made the remarks when meeting with outgoing Head of the Delegation of the EU to China Nicolas Chapuis.

In recent years, China and the EU have reached an Agreement on Geographical Indications, established high-level dialogue mechanisms on digital and green issues, and completed the negotiations on the China-EU investment agreement, yielding important cooperation outcomes, Wang said.

The two sides should uphold the princi-

ple of seeking common ground while shelving differences, uphold mutually beneficial cooperation, uphold the trend of multilateralism and provide more stability and positive energy to the world, he added.

Some differences between China and the EU have affected the sound development of China-EU relations from time to time, he said, calling on the EU to form a more objective and correct understanding of China’s development. China and Europe are partners rather than competitors, let alone systemic rivals, he noted.

China will continue to follow the path of peaceful development and build a new system of an open economy with higher standards, he said.

Noting EU-China relations have great

potential for development, Chapuis said despite differences, the two sides have every reason to seek common interests and achieve win-win outcomes.

The EU, like China, does not want to see the world fall into bloc confrontation, he said. Europe stands ready to work with China to address global challenges such as climate change, the pandemic and digital transformation, he said.

The EU adheres to the one-China principle, and will not break this commitment, he added.

Chapuis also touched on the Ukrainian issue, saying that the EU expects an early ceasefire and end of the conflict, and hopes that China will play an active role in this regard. agencies

11 Sports 29 JUNE 2022_Layout 1 6/28/2022 10:55 PM Page 1

Wednesday, 29 June, 2022 | KARACHI

BaBar azam Believes tri-nation series will helP in t20 world CuP PreParations isLAMAbAD

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stAff RepoRt

AKISTAN cricket team are scheduled to play in a T20I tri-series in New Zealand with Bangladesh participating as the third team ahead of the T20 World Cup. Skipper Babar Azam claims that this tri-series will be a good competitive practice opportunity for Pakistan to prepare for the allimportant mega event in Australia later this year.

Pakistan are currently ranked third and will take on number-eight ranked Bangladesh and number-six ranked New Zealand. The matches

are scheduled from October 7 till October 13 whereas the final match will be played on October 14.

Speaking to media, Babar Azam set his personal sights against New Zealand as he missed the previous series due to a thumb injury.

“I am pleased that we will be featuring in the tri-series in New Zealand as it will help us to arrive early and not only acclimatise for the T20 World Cup in Australia but also give final touches to our preparations,” said Babar.

“I missed the last series in New Zealand due to a thumb injury and look forward to playing cricket in Christchurch against two good oppositions,” he added.

SPORTS 11

T20I Series List 7th Oct 8th Oct 9th Oct 11 Oct 12 Oct 13 Oct 14 Oct

Pakistan v Bangladesh, Hagley Oval, Christchurch (1200 PST) Pakistan v New Zealand, Hagley Oval, Christchurch (1200 PST) Bangladesh v New Zealand, Hagley Oval, Christchurch (0800 PST) Pakistan v New Zealand, Hagley Oval, Christchurch (0800 PST) Bangladesh v New Zealand, Hagley Oval, Christchurch (0800 PST) Pakistan v Bangladesh, Hagley Oval, Christchurch (0800 PST) Final, Hagley Oval, Christchurch (0800 PST)

Balochistan, Punjab clash in Blind Australia pick Swepson for Cricket T20 Super League final today Sri Lanka spin battle isLAMAbAD news Desk

Balochistan and Punjab would be face-off in the final of the 5th PBCC Blind Cricket T-20 Super League 2022 at Ayub Medical College Cricket Ground, Abbottabad on Wednesday (today). Earlier Balochistan outplayed Sindh by nine wickets in the eleventh league match of the league.

Balochistan won the toss and decided to bowl first. Sindh made 191 runs for the loss of 7 wickets in allotted 20 overs. Muhammad Akram was the top scorer for Sindh, he made 100 off 55 balls and Muhammad Faisal made 27 runs off 22 balls. For Balochistan, Badar Munir was the pick amongst the bowlers; he claimed 2 wickets while Akmal and Fakhar took 1 wicket each.

In reply, Balochistan reached the target of

192 runs in 15.4 overs for the loss of 1 wicket.

Badar Munir was the pick of the batters for Balochistan, scoring an unbeaten 122* runs off 48 balls and Mohsin Khan made 34 runs. Kashif Siddique took 1 wicket for Sindh.

Badar Munir was declared man of the match.

In the next match, Punjab downed Khyber Pakhtunkhwa by 3 runs. KP won the toss and asked Punjab to take guard. Punjab made a mammoth total of 250 runs in allotted 20 overs for the loss of 1 wicket.

Muhammad Rashid once again shined with the bat, he played a terrific innings of an unbeaten 146* runs off 66 balls while Anees Javed made 56 runs off 44 balls. Yasir Malik fetched 1 wicket for KP. Rashid was declared man of the match.

KP in reply tried its best to reach the target of 251 runs but fell 3 runs short of the target. KP’s team was able to score 247 runs by losing their 3 wickets in stipulated 20 overs.

Moeen Aslam was the top scorer with an unbeaten 121* runs off 66 balls and Mati Ullah chipped in with 69 runs off 36 balls.

Sajid Nawaz and Shahzeb Haider shared a wicket each.

Abdullah Shafique feels honoured after Babar Azam compares his batting style with Dravid AgeNcies Right-hand opening batter Abdullah Shafique feels honoured after skipper Babar Azam compared his batting style with former Indian great Rahul Dravid.

The 22-year-old Abdullah Shafique impressed many, including Babar with his solid technique during the home Test series against Australia in March, this year.

He scored his maiden Test hundred in the first Test at Rawalpindi, followed by a 96 and 81 in the second and third Test, respectively.

Following his impressive display, Babar appreciated Abdullah and revealed that they compared him with great batters like Kane Williamson and Rahul Dravid. “I am hon-

oured that Babar compared me with Rahul,” he told media in an interaction here.

However, he revealed that the two-time World Cup-winning Australian captain Ricky Ponting was his favorite batter and he emulated him. “But, I follow Ricky Ponting a lot.

I also follow Babar and Yousaf Bhai,” he added.

He said Babar was a world-class better and he was learning a lot from him. “Babar has good faith in all team players and keeps on appreciating their performance.”

About his experience for being with the team during the recently-held home ODI series against West Indies, he said he learned a lot. “It was indeed a great experience for me.

Although I didn’t get the opportunity to play,

No let up in England’s new attacking approach against India Web Desk England will go into Friday’s rearranged Test against India with the same aggressive approach to their batting as they displayed in their 30 series win over New Zealand, said new captain Ben Stokes.

A new era under Stokes, and coach Brendon McCullum, has been characterised by a more swashbuckling style and England have reaped immediate rewards with a clean sweep of their three Tests against New Zealand, who are the reigning world Test champions.

In each of their Test victories, England reached formidable targets as they took to the Kiwi bowling,

digging themselves out of difficult situations.

They now meet India at Edgbaston in a re-arranged Test from last year’s series with no plans to take the foot off the accelerator.

“Trust me when I say that we’ll be coming out with exactly the same mindset even if it’s a different opposition,” Stokes said after England’s comprehensive seven wicket victory at Headingley on Monday.

“For me, when I took over the job, it was more than the results. It was about changing the mindset of the lads towards test cricket, about having fun and enjoying the fact that you’re out there representing your country.

it was good being around the players who were playing,” he added.

He said practicing at Pindi Cricket Stadium Rawalpindi would be beneficial for the upcoming Sri Lanka tour as the conditions there were similar to those of that country.

“We have played good cricket in the last series against Australia. [But] the challenges in Sri Lanka would be different. But we are preparing accordingly.

“I’m also ready to grab the opportunity.

I’m determined to perform well,” he added.

Pakistan are set to tour Sri Lanka for a two-Test series starting 16 July, part of the ICC World Test Championship 2021-23. The Test squad are finalising their preparations for the series at the Pindi Cricket Stadium.

AgeNcies Australia’s Mitchell Swepson will play the opening Test against Sri Lanka, with touring skipper Pat Cummins on Tuesday calling the leg-spinner an “important cog” in their bowling attack.

The 28-year-old Swepson will partner premier spinner Nathan Lyon at the start of the two-match series on Wednesday in Galle, where the pitch is expected to be a turner. Cummins stopped short of disclosing the full Australian XI, with doubts over batsman Travis Head, who injured his hamstring during the team’s loss in the one-day international series.

“Just want to see how Travis gets through, so we’ll give him bit more time.

But yes, Mitchell Swepson will be the second spinner in the Test match,” Cummins told reporters.

Swepson made his debut in Pakistan earlier this year and was part of the visiting team’s 1-0 Test triumph there. He took two wickets in two matches.

But Cummins insists the up-and-coming wrist spinner is ready for the Sri Lankan challenge as Australia look to avenge their 3-0 loss to the hosts in 2016.

“We’re really happy with Swepo. I think he is bowling beautifully and really ready for this one,” said Cummins.

“I think his role here might be slightly different as well. Pakistan we knew was going to be a slow grind and I thought he did his job despite not taking the wickets he would like. He was a really important cog in that bowling engine.”

Sri Lanka skipper Dimuth Karunaratne said leg-spinners were a wicket-taking option and the hosts could hand a Test debut to wrist spinner Jeffrey Vandersay.

“Wrist spinner has more control on these tracks,” he said.

Veteran spinner Rangana Herath was the wrecker-in-chief with his 28 wickets in Sri Lanka’s series sweep of the Australians six years ago.

Karunaratne insists the team’s present spin group of Lasith Embuldeniya, Ramesh Mendis, Praveen Jayawickrama

and Vandersay can match Herath’s exploits.“There are three spinners who can play that role, so whoever comes and bowls well he can do the job,” said Karunaratne.

“Embuldeniya has good experience on these wickets, Mendis, Praveen and Vandersay also there. I think those are capable of doing Rangana Herath’s job”.

Cummins admitted Sri Lanka are a tough side to beat on home soil.

“I think Sri Lanka play really well over here, it’s quite different from what we experience in Australia,” said Cummins. “They are going to pose a challenge but we are up for it.”

All-rounder Glenn Maxwell could return to the Test team after a gap of five years since he last played a five-day game.

Cummins also lauded the Sri Lankan people for their courage during an unprecedented economic crisis on the island nation. “I was on a call yesterday and was chatting to some young girl cricketers.

They’re down to one meal a day and are going to school a couple of days a week because the teachers can’t get to school,” Cummins said.

England’s Morgan retires from international cricket LONDON Agencies

England’s World Cup-winning captain Eoin Morgan has retired from international cricket with immediate effect, the England and Wales Cricket Board announced on Tuesday.

Morgan led England to victory at the 2019 World Cup — their first major global 50-overs title — and took them to the top of the one-day and Twenty20 rankings.

But the 35-year-old batsman has been struggling with form and fitness issues this year.

Dublin-born Morgan was twice out for nought during the recent ODI series in the Netherlands and withdrew from the third game with a groin issue.

Morgan is England’s all-time

leading run-scorer in ODI and T20 cricket with 6,957 and 2,458 runs respectively. His tally of 225 ODI appearances and 115 in T20Is are also England records. But Morgan had made just two fifties from his past 28 international innings across the two white-ball formats, a dip that helped convince him to retire.

“After careful deliberation and consideration, I am here to announce my retirement from international cricket with immediate effect,” said Morgan in an ECB statement. “To call time on what has been without doubt the most enjoyable and rewarding chapter of my career hasn’t been an easy decision. “But I believe now is the right time to do so, both for me, personally, and for both England whiteball sides I have led to this point.”

Wednesday, 29 June, 2022

prayer timings

NEWS

Kartarpur Corridor symbol of Commitment to religious freedom: Coas RAWALPINDI

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staff report

HIEF of Army Staff (COAS) General Qamar Javed Bajwa Tuesday said that Kartarpur corridor is the practical manifestation of Pakistan’s unwavering commitment towards religious freedom and harmony.

A 12-member delegation of British Sikh soldiers – headed by Major General Celia J Harvey, Deputy Commander Field Army UK – visited the General Headquarters in Rawalpindi and met Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Qamar Javed Bajwa, the military’s media wing said.

“Pakistan respects all religions and also recognises the need for promotion of religious tourism in the country,” Gen Bajwa was quoted as saying by the

Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) on Tuesday.

The delegation also visited Lahore where the dignitaries witnessed a flag-

lowering ceremony at the Wagha border.

According to the ISPR, the British Sikh soldiers visited Lahore Fort, Allama Iqbal Mausoleum and Badshahi Mosque.

During their stay, the delegation visited several religious sites in the country which included Darbar Hazrat Mian Mir, Haveli Naunihal Singh, Gurdwara Janamasthan Guru Ram Das, Samadi Ranjeet Singh, Gudwara Dera Sahib, Kartarpur Corridor, Nankana Sahib and Dera Panja Sahib.

They also visited Orakzai District and witnessed Samana Fort, Lockhart Fort and Saragarhi Monument, the military’s media wing said.

It further said, “This was the place where 21 Sikh soldiers laid their lives in 1897 as part of British expedition and has much historical significance for Sikhs.”

The delegation laid a wreath at Saragarhi Monument. They also lauded the efforts of the Pakistan Armed Forces in bringing peace and normalcy to tribal districts.

Pakistan receives MEFP from IMF for 7th, 8th reviews ISLAMABAD staff report

Pakistan has received the Memorandum of Economics and Financial Policies (MEFP) from the International Monetary Fund (IMF).

Finance minister Miftah Ismail tweeted “Early this morning, the Government of Pakistan has received an MEFP from the IMF for combined 7th and 8th reviews”.

The government was expect-

Cad widens to $1.425bn, up 131pc over last month KARACHI

ing that IMF would share the MEFP as PMLN led coalition government has met all the demands last week regarding increase in electricity tariff, withdrawing personal income tax exemptions for salaried class, gradual increase in petroleum levy up to Rs50 per liter and fixing FBR revenue target to 7,442 billion.

Sources said that finance minister and Governor State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) on Tuesday will

sign the contract with the IMF on behalf of Pakistan.

It is expected that Pakistan will receive the next tranche of around $2 billion next month when the IMF Board will approve 7th and 8th reviews.

It is worth mentioning here that Pakistan has requested the IMF not only to enhance the loan program by $2 billion to $8 billion and also make a one-year extension in the IMF program.

ariba shahid & ahtasam ahmad

As per data released by the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP), the current account deficit clocked in at $1.425bn for the month of May 2022, up 131% over April 2022. The CAD is up 123% over last year.

In a tweet, the SBP says, “Moreover, excluding in kind imports that are fully financed and thus do not undermine sustainability of the CAD, the deficit was more modest at $1bn.” During 11MFY22, the country’s deficit reached to USD 15.2bn compared with a deficit of USD 1.2bn during the same period last year. Export of goods went down by 21%, imports down by 6% and remittances declined by 25% in May 2022 compared to April 2022. Total exports increased by 15% YoY during May’22. “The CAD widened primarily due to lower remittances. In April, there was an influx of record high remittances due to Ramzan and Eid,” says Tahir Abbas, Head of Research at Arif Habib Limited. Abbas adds, “In addition, Pakistan purchased four LNG spot cargoes for May to curb power outages across the country. This has resulted in an elevated import bill for petroleum group.”

Petroleum imports clocked in at $1.386 bn for May 2022, up 51% compared to last year. However, the petroleum import bill for May is lower than April.` “Contrary to general perception, petroleum imports actually came down by 23% MoM. However the impact was diluted by a 36% MoM increase in food imports,” says Fahad Rauf, Head of Research at Ismail Iqbal Securities. “Going forward, the deficit is likely to correct its course as international commodities’ prices have started to soften, while rise in inflation would curtail demand in Pakistan,” adds Rauf. As per analysts, the deficit, however, is as per expectations.

“After the numbers for trade and remittances, the deficit was as per expectations. Higher CAD would pressurize parity as exchange rate is now market determined,” says Sami Tariq, Head of Research at Pak Kuwait Investment Company. The Real Effective Exchange Rate (REER) clocked in at 93.57 in May 2022, compared to 95.87 in April 2022 declining 2.4%. This is down 9.11% from its peak in April 2021 when the REER was at 102.95.

Cabinet okays new visa regime for Afghan citizens: Marriyum ISLAMABAD staff report

Minister for Information and Broadcasting Marriyum Aurangzeb on Tuesday said the federal cabinet had approved a new visa regime for Afghan citizens including traders and those who sought to visit Pakistan on medical grounds.

The visa policy for Afghans was reviewed by the Interior Ministry (Afghan Inter-ministerial cell) during an apex committee meeting which also included representatives of the Foreign Office, NADRA and Board of Investment, informed Marriyum Aurangzeb while addressing a news conference, following the federal cabinet meeting chaired by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.

Flanked by Minister for Climate Change Sherry Rehman and Adviser to Prime Minister on Kashmir Affairs Qamar Zaman Kaira, she said under the reviewed policy, the Pakistan missions abroad would process visa applications of Afghans on the basis of existing passport and nationality instead of their country of origin.

In order to further promote bilateral trade with Afghanistan, she said the cabinet has okayed the inclusion of a sub-category in the work visa category for drivers, transporters and helpers.

The approval for introducing the sub-category in the online visa system was also given during the meeting.

The information minister further apprised that a multi-entry visa for six months would be issued within 48 hours, while the interior ministry had been authorized to extend the period to one year.

She said the documents required for obtaining the visa would include the applicant’s picture, passport,

and transport company registration and employment letters, while the entry visa page would need to be submitted for the visa extension.

Marriyum said the Afghans who sought visas in driver, transporter and helper categories were exempted from obtaining the BOI’s letter of recommendation and registration with the Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP).

The initiative, according to the minister, was aimed at ensuring ease of doing business, which would eventually boost trade between Pakistan and Afghanistan, she added.

She said the National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) has been directed to bring changes in the online system after approval of the policy.

A committee has been set up to ensure continuity of ease of doing business for traders, she added.

The minister said the cabinet approved relaxing the visa policy for those coming from Afghanistan on medical grounds.

Meanwhile, the cabinet had also ratified decisions taken by the Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) during its meeting held on June 22.

The technical supplementary grants approved by the ECC included Rs 125,819,029 for various requirements of 6 Aviation Squadron, Cabinet Division (Customs Duties and Payment of Clearing Agent), Rs 40 Million for the media publicity campaign by the NCOC, Rs1,224.41 million for payment admissible to the families of deceased / shaheed families under Prime Minister’s Assistance Package, Rs39.363 million for purchase of surveillance cameras with accessories for maintaining law & order situation during upcoming protest / sit-in by a political party and others.

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fbr’s revenue collection surges to record rs6,000bn ISLAMABAD shahzad paracha & ahtasam ahmad

The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has provisionally collected Rs6,000 billion against the budgeted target of Rs5,829 billion set for the whole fiscal year (2021-22).

The gross revenue collection amounted to Rs6,305 billion for July-June (2021-22) and after payment of refunds of Rs305 billion, the net collection stood at Rs6,000 billion.

The provisionally collected figures mark a 29% growth from the previous year’s Rs4,651 collections.

Breakup of tax collection revealed that the net income tax collection stood at Rs2,191 billion during JulyJune (2021-22) against Rs1,671 billion during the same period of 2020-21, reflecting an increase of Rs520 billion.

The FBR has provisionally collected Rs2,515 billion sales tax during 2021-22 against Rs1,963 billion in the corresponding period of 2020-21, showing an increase of Rs552 billion.

The collection of the Federal Excise Duty stood at Rs320 billion during the period under review against Rs283 billion during the same period of 2020-21, reflecting an increase of Rs37 billion.

The provisional collection of customs duty was Rs974 billion during 2021-22 against Rs734 billion in the corresponding period of 2020-21, showing an increase of Rs240 billion.

The members of the former PTI government were quick to respond to the news of the revenue board meeting its targets.

However, the fact cannot be ignored that the credit for growth in revenue collection goes primarily to a surge in imports and tax demand raised in the last half of the year including those targeting the telecom, cement and fertiliser sector amongst others. You can find out further details in Profit’s feature With a historic deficit looming, what can the FBR do?

Experts were quick to point out that the revenue collection figures were nothing to rejoice about; rather they further highlighted the underlying problems in the tax structure including the surge of 36% in imports during the first 11 months of the fiscal year compared to the same period last year. Further, as per data released by the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP), the current account deficit clocked in at $1.425bn for the month of May 2022, up 131% over April 2022. The CAD is up 123% over last year.

pakistan importing 80,000 tonnes hazardous waste per year: sherry rehman Federal Minister for Climate Change Senator Sherry Rehman on Tuesday said the federal cabinet has approved the National Hazardous Waste Management Policy to curb the growing threats of toxic waste posed to human life and ecology.

Addressing the joint media conference, flanked by Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Marriyum Aurangzeb, Adviser to the Prime Minister on Kashmir and Gilgit Baltistan Affairs Qamar Zaman Kaira and Secretary Ministry of Religious Affairs, she told the journalists that the country was importing 80,000 tonnes of hazardous waste from abroad which was far more than the solid waste produced annually within the country.

Sherry said a landmark policy was approved by the Cabinet moved by the Ministry of Climate Change (MoCC). The policy would help control the Hazardous Waste Management, its mobility, and transboundary movement of toxic material which included plastics, hospital waste, oil, batteries, and electronic waste, she added. “The toxic waste’s formulation, classification and discarding mechanisms will be devised under the policy framework to be established in the next phase,” the Minister underlined.

She underlined that there was no second thought that hazardous waste was injurious to health due its carcinogenic nature and serious health complications.

“It pollutes our ground water reserves and attains the chemical status of poisonous acid after seepage into the aquifer”, Sherry said. news desk

Machinations begin to rig Punjab by-elections: Imran ISLAMABAD staff report

PTI Chairman Imran Khan on Tuesday said accused that the coalition government has started preparations for “rigging the by-elections in Punjab” saying he will fight tooth and nail for “true freedom” in the country.

It is to be noted that by-elections to 20 seats of Punjab Assembly will take place on July 17 after the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) de-seated 25 PTI MPAs for

voting against party lines.

Addressing a press conference, the former prime minister said that Punjab Chief Minister Hamza Shahbaz will “lose his power in Punjab soon” as he is illegally ruling the province.

Talking about the increase in electricity loadshedding across the country, Khan claimed that there were no such issues when he was in power. “The PML-N signed the agreements on power project, yet our party did not increase the prices,” the ex-PM highlighted.

“The PML-N government had installed power plants on imported fuels, however, no electricity is being generated and they are paying money for the capacity charges,” said Khan.

He urged people to come out on the streets to protest against inflation and the coalition government.

Last week, Khan announced that he will hold a public gathering next week at Islamabad’s Parade Ground. He said that he is gathering people from Islamabad and Rawalpindi to join him.

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