Epaper_22-6-9 KHI

Thursday, 9 June, 2022 I 9 Dhul-Qadah, 1443 I Rs 15.00 I Vol XII No 340 I 12 Pages I Karachi Edition

Coalition govt to unveil Federal Budget with rs 9.5tr outlay on Friday IsLAmAbAD

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shahzad paracha

rime minister Shahbaz Sharif led coalition government will present rs9.5 trillion budget for fiscal year 2022-23 on friday. as per the details, finance minister will present the budget in national assembly. the total outlay of budget would be around rs9.5 trillion including rs8.79 trillion current expenditures and rs800 billion for public Sector development program (pSdp). out of rs800 billion pSdp, the government has allocated rs2.2 trillion for 160 new schemes on the recommendation of coalition partners in next year pSdp. Sources said that government has pro-

posed to allocate rs4 trillion for debt servicing including rs3.5 trillion for interest payments on loans and rs500 billion for interest payments on external loans. in addition, sources said that government has also proposed to allocate rs1.6 trillion for defense budget for the next fiscal year.

Sources said that government has decided to allocate rs530 billion for payment of pension to retired government servants while it has also proposed to allocate rs550 billion for running the civil government for the next fiscal year. meanwhile, the government is allocating rs1,232 billion for grants and transfers, rs578 billion for subsidies and rs398 billion for other expenditures for the next fiscal year.

Sources said that government has de-

cided to set rs7.25 trillion tax revenue target and rs1.5 trillion for non-tax revenue for the next fiscal year. on the other hand, the fbr on the instruction of imf has decided to impose new taxes worth rs1,100 billion besides withdrawing sales tax exemptions.

Sources said that the finance ministry is projecting a budget deficit of 4.8 percent of gdp (rs3.8 trillion) for the next fiscal year to revive the stalled imf loan program. meanwhile, federal minister for finance and revenue miftah ismail will chair the launching ceremony of the economic Survey for the outgoing fiscal year on thursday. it will provide details on the major socioeconomic developments during the financial year 2021-22.

ISPR warns of legal action over ‘malicious allegations’ against army, its leadership g

Social media inSinuationS about former finance miniSter are baSeleSS propaganda: SayS dg iSpr

RAWALPINDI staff report

the military on Wednesday dismissed allegations hurled against its top leadership by senior journalist Shaheen Sehbai, terming them a ‘baseless propaganda’.

Sehbai, in a tweet, had claimed that former finance minister Shaukat tarin was asked by the establishment to “betray”

former prime minister imran Khan and help the incumbent premier, Shehbaz Sharif.

“NEUTRAL EXPOSED: i am going to write soon about WHy the chief neutral, proved by Shaukat tareen as non-neutral as he asked tareen to betray iK n help Shehbaz, is so sensitive and dead Scared about his remaining 4 months in office.

Something fishy, intriguing,

alarming, unpatriotic,” Sehbai claimed in a tweet.

However, military’s media wing, the inter-Services public relations (iSpr), denied the charge in a statement issued today. “the insinuations by Shaheen Sehbai and some others on social media quoting the former finance minister are baseless propaganda,” it said. “the same has also been duly rebutted by mr Shaukat tarin himself. peddling malicious allegations and blatant lies against the institution and its leadership to promote vested interests is condemnable and institution reserves the right to take legal action against those involved.”

Sehbai’s claims were also denied by the former finance minister himself in a twitter post. “i categorically deny what has been attributed to me by Shaheen Sebhai. i was never asked by anyone in the establishment to leave iK and join Shahbaz Shareef govt,” he wrote on his official twitter handle..

Tough decisions taken to stabilise economy: PM prime minister Shehbaz Sharif has asserted that the federal government has taken tough decisions to stabilise the country’s economy. taking to twitter, the prime minister noted that the coalition government has taken some difficult decisions to stabilise the economy. “We didn’t care for their impact on our political capital, for doing so is in the best interest of pakistan,” pm Shehbaz added. “for how long will we continue to be consumed by our narrow interests at the cost of national duties?” the premier asked. in another tweet, the prime minister reiterated that pakistan’s economic security was deeply linked to its political stability. “time has come for political forces and all stakeholders to rise above their narrow interests and agree on charter of economy,” he added.

“We need to increase our exports and reduce

imports to come out of recurrent balance of payment crisis. i proposed the public-private partnership as a way of involving our private sector in the conception and execution of development projects,” he wrote. referring to the outcomes of the pre-budget business conference, pm Shehbaz Sharif said that he has decided to form various task forces consisting of experts and professionals belonging to it, export, agriculture, finance sectors and food security to finalise the proposals for fast-paced implementation. the prime minister further said that what the nation is going through right now is certainly a difficult time. “the hard decisions were necessitated by circumstances. We will sail through these times. the government has introduced austerity measures to share the burden that you are feeling,” he added. inp

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Thursday, 9 June, 2022 | KARACHI

NEWS

MarriyuM KiCKS OFF ptv prOjeCtS tO prOMOte yOuth engageMent in FilMMaKing

M

NEwS DESK

INISTER for Information and Broadcasting Marriyum Aurangzeb on Wednesday inaugurated PTV Film Division aiming to promote youth engagement in filmmaking.

The minister also inaugurated the PakFlex project to make Pakistan Television drama and other content in archives available online for the benefit of viewers, especially those living abroad.

Addressing the inaugural ceremony, she said the government was taking all possible measures for revival of the film industry. She recalled that in 2017, work had been started on PTV Film Division and in 2018, with the approval of the Cabinet, Pakistan’s first film policy was launched.

The minister said that on the completion of 70 years of the independence of Pakistan, Jamal Shah had formulated the first culture policy of Pakistan.

“In 2018, we not only formulated the film policy but for the first time we engaged the film and culture sector in it,” she said adding “We had given a comprehensive draft to all the stakeholders in the film policy, giving industry status to the film sector.

The first ever film policy,she said included tax related incentives for the film industry and infrastructure incentives for cinemas, but unfortunately, in the past, the film policy could not be implemented in its letter and spirit.

The present government wanted to provide a platform where all stakeholders come together for resolution of the problems of the industry.

She said that in the past film was a popular medium due to its strong content, but now technology had become advanced, cinematography also better but there was a lack of content on the screen. She said that long-term reforms were necessary in the filmsector and the first step should be to promote the content immediately.

Appreciating the role of PTV, she said it had maintained its reputation till date due to its strong foundations, integrity and credibility.

Marriyum Aurangzeb said that the PTV screen formed narratives for the society as its mandate was to formulate national narratives. The country has fought a war on the terror with a long history and there was a need to protect the society, especially the young generation from its negative effects.

She said that lack of children’s content was a major issue in both television and film sector and Pakistani children were forced to watch foreign content due to lack of children’s content at television channels, movies, documentaries.

Marriyum Aurangzeb said that steps were being taken regarding resolution of the problem of children’s content in PTV. The minister said that it was necessary to convey the real facts through the news for the awareness of the people of Pakistan.

She said that efforts were being made

SC stays criminal proceedings against Meesha Shafi ISLAMABAD

to meet the demand for entertainment of the people as they were weary of round the clock news content on the screen.

The minister said that all the archives of PTV and film would be available on PakFlex and people sitting outside Pakistan would also benefit from it and the project was being launched on the occasion of Pakistan’s 75th anniversary.

The Ministry of Information, she said, was setting up a film directorate to facilitate the producers, directors and distributors of the industry. She said that the film was an important means of promoting tourism and the primary objective of PTV Film Division was to promote tourism. Earlier, Federal Minister for Information Maryam Aurangzeb inaugurated the PTV movie by pressing a button.

Secretary Information,Shahira Shahid, MD PTV Mubashir Tauqeer Shah and other senior officials of the Ministry of Information were also present on the occasion.

Nine of same family among 18 die in Qilla Saifullah bus plunge QUETTA News Desk

LAHORe: students take keen interest in thesis work of home economics students put on display during an exhibition at Lahore College for women University. Photos by Zubair Mehfooz

Sindh lg polls: 946 elected unopposed

As many as 18 passengers died and seven others sustained multiple injuries when a passenger bus plunged into a gorge in Qilla Saifullah district of Balochistan on Wednesday. According to the district’s deputy commissioner, the ill-fated passenger van was on the way to Zhob from Loralai when it overturned near Akhtarzai due to speeding.

Resultantly, 18 passengers dead on the spot while

seven others sustained multiple injuries. On information, rescue teams rushed to the scene and shifted the bodies and injured to a nearby hospital. Identities of the dead and injured persons could not be ascertained immediately and the police, however, launched an investigation into the accident.

According to rescue sources, women and children among nine of the dead belonged to the same family. The rescue operation was underway to retrieve the bodies from the gorge, said District Deputy Commissioner Hafiz Muhammad Qasim.

News Desk

The Supreme Court on Wednesday admitted a petition filed by singer Meesha Shafi against Section 20 of the Pakistan Electronic Crimes Act (PECA) as it ordered officials concerned to stay criminal proceedings against her till the next hearing. The top court said that civil proceedings against the singer regarding defamation would continue, however. The bench issued notices to the attorney general and Punjab advocate general for assistance and postponed the proceedings indefinitely. During the hearing, Justice Qazi Faez Isa said that one high court – the Islamabad High Court – declared Section 20 void whereas another, the Lahore High Court, kept it intact.

“What would be the constitutional status of two [high court] rulings that contradict each other,” he questioned. “Can a defamation case be filed under the criminal law,” he further asked.

Meesha’s lawyer said that defamation was a non-criminal offence and a fine is usually imposed in case it’s proved. Justice Isa further asked whether Section 20 was in contrast to Article 19 of the Constitution.”Why is the freedom to express being turned into a criminal act,” Justice Isa asked. The judge added whether there will be a sentence for “calling a thief a thief”. “If someone calls someone a thief or a murderer, will they be punished for just saying that? Justice Isa asked. “Nowadays, you will only hear ‘thieves, thieves’ on every TV channel”, the judge said, adding that fingers were also being pointed at judges, why? All of these campaigns attract defamatory proceedings, Zafar’s lawyer added. Justice Isa added that the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) turned blind eye to the content of proscribed outfits on social media but it would swing into action quickly on a single tweet. “In Pakistan, you could say anything about anybody and no one will be bothered to take action,” the judge added. Justice Isa said during military dictator Ziaul Haq’s rule, women were convicted under the Qazf ordinance.

Forest fire video case: IHC grants Dolly pre-arrest bail

KARACHI

ISLAMABAD

stAff RePORt

stAff RePORt

As many as 946 candidates from 14 districts have been elected unopposed in the first phase of Local Government elections in Sindh. According to details, 946 candidates have been elected unopposed from 14 districts of Sindh in the first phase of the local body elections in Sindh. Data issued by the ECP shows that a total of 96 candidates from Kashmore Kandhkot, 70 from Qambar Shahdadkot, 135 from Jacobabad, 94 from Shikarpur, and 11 from Larkana, 65 from Mirpur Khas and 65 candidates from Umerkot have been elected unopposed. Moreover, 18 candidates from Tharparkar, 34 from Sukkur, 48 from Ghotki, 67 from Khairpur, 105 from Shaheed Benazirabad, and 48 from Noshero Feroz and 87 candidates from Sanghar have been elected unopposed. Among the 946, 135 have been elected as Chairman, and Vice-Chairman, while the election will be contested on the remaining 752 Chairman and Vice-Chairman seats. While 107 out of 794 district council seats have been filled unopposed, the remaining will be decided via elections. Moreover, 622 seats out of a total of 3,548 general ward counselors, have been filled unopposed. The polling for the first phase of the local body election in Sindh will be held on June 26, 2022. The government has ordered deployment of Rangers to maintain law and order situation in the local body elections.

The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Wednesday approved TikToker Nosheen Saeed alias Dolly’s pre-arrest bail application in a case related to a forest fire at Margalla Hills last month.

Nosheen Saeed, who has more than 11 million followers on TikTok, had posted a clip of herself walking playfully in a silver ball gown in front of a burning hillside, presumably the Margalla Hills in Islamabad, with the caption: “Fire erupts

wherever I am.”

Her video was immediately criticised on social media as people initially assumed that she had started the blaze herself at a time when a devastating heatwave was under way in Pakistan causing forest fires. Within hours after it was uploaded, the video was taken down from the application.

Later, Saeed said in a clarification released by an assistant that she did not start the fire and there was “no harm in making videos”.

She had applied for pre-arrest bail

after registration of a first information report by Kohsar Police under various sections of the Environment Protection Agency and Islamabad Wildlife Ordinance. After the preliminary hearing, the court granted her interim bail till June 8 (today).

During today’s hearing, Justice Tariq Mehmood Jahangiri asked the police if they had evidence that proved that the blaze was started by the TikToker. “And what is the worth of the trees damaged in it,” he further inquired.

The investigating officer responded

that the authorities yet still determining the total loss incurred in the blaze.

Subsequently, the court approved Saeed’s request for pre-arrest bail and instructed the police to include her in the investigation of the case.

The Islamabad Police had registered two separate FIRs after two videos went viral on social media; one showing two young TikTokers setting the forest on fire with a lighter on Margalla Hills. Another video that went viral on social media showed a model and TikToker Dolly performing in front of a fire.

Murderers of Saudi diplomat to be nabbed soon: Sanaullah ISLAMABAD stAff RePORt

Federal Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah on Wednesday expressed the resolve to bring the culprits involved in the assassination of Saudi diplomat Hassan al-Qahtani in 2011 t to justice soon.

The Interior Minister made these remarks during a meeting with Ambassador of Saudi Arabia Nawaf bin Said Al-Malki who called on him in Islamabad here on

Wednesday. During the meeting, Rana Sanaullah said that security cooperation between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia would be further enhanced. “Both the countries would jointly fight internal and regional security challenges,” he said, adding that any conspiracy to weak Pak-Saudi relations would be foiled jointly.

He also pointed out that culprits involved in the assassination of Saudi diplomat Hassan al-Qahtani in 2011 would be brought to justice soon. “Red notices had been issued by FIA for the culprits involved in the

murder”, he said, adding that all available resources would be utilized to nab the culprits.

Sanaullah thanked the Saudi government for rolling over $ 3 billion for Pakistan’s economic stability.

“Rolling over of $3 billion by the Saudi government was crucial to stabilizing Pakistan’s economy”, he added. He said Pakistan enjoyed cordial and fraternal relations with Saudi Arabia. “The people of Pakistan had immense devotion and love for the custodian of the Holy mosques”, he added.

Police claim on recovery of ‘illegal weapons’ from PTI’s Lahore leader falls flat LAHORE sHAHAb OMeR

The claim of the Punjab Home Department and the Punjab Police about alleged recovery of ‘illegal weapons’ from the house of PTI’s Lahore chapter leaders, Zubair Niazi and Bajash Niazi, fell flat on Wednesday and the Punjab government’s position on the seizure of illegal weapons from PTI Lahore chapter leaders has weakened, Pakistan Today had learnt.

It is pertinent to mention here that in order to foil the long march planned by Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) on May 25, several PTI workers were arrested from their homes and cases were registered against them.

A day before the long march, the house of PTI leader and well-known transporter Bajash Khan Niazi and Zubair Niazi was also raided by the police and according to the police, modern and huge quantity of arms

were recovered from his house.

Later, in a press conference, DIG Operations Sohail Chaudhry informed that Lahore police had intelligence that deadly and modern weapons were being brought to Lahore to disturb law and order and create an atmosphere of insecurity.

According to the DIG, strict checking was started on all the entrances of the city and late at night, some suspicious vehicles broke through the roadblock and entered the city, which was pursued by Lahore police whereas vehicles entered the houses of PTI General Secretary Zubair Niazi and Bajash Niazi and meanwhile police raided their house.

He said that a large quantity of modern, deadly and unlicensed weapons including 6 rifles of 223 bore, 13 SMGs, 10 pistols, 96 rifle magazines, 26 pistol magazines, 6 large and 50 small boxes of ammunition were recovered.

However, the police could not arrest

Bajash Niazi but registered a case against him under terrorism provisions.

In a recent development, it has been proved that the licenses had been issued against the recovered weapons. But Police has now got the 14 licenses against the recovered weapons cancelled by the Arms Branch of District Commissioner. The 14 arms licenses were issued to Bajash Niazi and his transport company in the light of the recommendations of Punjab Home Department and Police.

When contacted, the district administration’s spokesperson Imran Maqbool confirmed that 14 licenses were issued to Bajash Niazi and Niazi Express Transport.

“A total of nine licenses were issued in the name of Bajash Khan Niazi and five licenses were issued in the name of Niazi Express Transport Company (Shifaullah).

The Punjab Home Department had directed DC Lahore to cancel these licenses. These licenses have been revoked

in the interest of law and order and for misuse,” Maqbool said.

When contacted, Home Department and Punjab Police sources informed this scribe that the weapons recovered from Bajash Niazi’s house were not illegal.

“Since Bajash Niazi was arranging transport for the PTI’s long march and the PML-N leader Rana Mashhood had directed that arms be recovered from Bajash’s house.

Although Bajash had weapons for a long time which was rarely used but it was definitely on display. Similarly, he has some animosities and keeps the weapons with him,” they said. According to a Home Department official, the police and the Home Department have shown great folly by canceling Niazi’s weapons licenses.

“The purpose of canceling these licenses is to keep Niazi’s weapons in the possession of the police, but it also proves that the said weapons were not ‘illegal’. When the

weapons were recovered from Niazi’s home, there was widespread outcry from government officials that the weapons were illegal and intended to destabilize the law and order situation. Now canceling the licenses of the said weapons means to misrepresent and deny the position of the government,” he said.

When contacted, DIG Operations Sohail Chaudhry said that unless an arms license is presented, it is illegal.

“If they had shown us the license, something else would have happened but they escaped,” he maintained.

However, Bajash Niazi claimed that the police party did not have a warrant when his house was raided and searched which continued for two and a half to three hours.

“The police broke down the doors of my house which could have been easily opened.

I was already saying that all my weapons are legal and licensed.

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Thursday, 9 June, 2022 | KARACHI

NEWS

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MOre ChineSe inveStMent expeCted in paKiStan SOOn: MiniSter INP

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AKISTANI Federal Minister for Planning and Development Ahsan Iqbal said on that more Chinese investment was expected in Pakistan soon, according to a report published by Gwadar Pro. He mentioned that during Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s recent visit to

Balochistan and his meeting with Chinese investors, the Chinese companies had shown interest in investments in Gwadar.

The minister reiterated that the government was according topmost priority to speeding up work on projects under China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).

Briefing the journalists on different projects approved by Central Development Working Party (CDWP), he informed that a

power project at Diamer Bhasha dam worth Pakistani Rs900 billion had also been approved.

Iqbal remarked that work on water supply scheme in Gwadar will be completed

by September this year while the 1.2 million gallon per day de-salination plant work will be completed by October to solve water issue in Gwadar.

He elaborated that 65 percent funding of

the project will be made by the federal government while 35 percent will be borne by the provincial government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

He underlined that the new Gwadar International airport will also be completed

by March next year.

Ahsan Iqbal said CDWP had also accorded approval to a project for provision of water to southern districts of Khyber

Contract signed to develop ‘One Window portal System’ for facilitation of StZs

Pakhtunkhwa.

The Minister stated that Chaman-Quetta, and Karachi road N-25 dualization project had also been approved. He said roads infrastructure in Balochistan has been prioritized in the upcoming budget which was aimed at providing a well laid network of roads in the province to help provide people with better health, employment and education opportunities.

aC testifies witness against Zardari, gilani in toshakhana reference ISLAMABAD stAff RePORt

APP The Special Technology Zones Authority (STZA) on Wednesday signed here a contract for development and implementation of ‘One Window Portal System’ aimed at supporting ease of doing business initiatives and facilitating licensed domestic and global technology companies in Special Technology Zones (STZs). Among others, the signing ceremony was attended

by Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) chairman Asim Ahmad, senior representatives from both organizations along with leading professionals from the tech industry, business community, academia, government and think-tanks.

“STZA’s One Window Portal will be a digital system to facilitate STZA licensed companies,” a news release said. The facility would enable companies to be digitally on boarded and connect them with various government and regulatory agencies. This would also help promote transparency, improving ease of doing business and facilitate Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in the country. The One-Window Portal is a key component of the STZA’s overall vision of developing a scientific and technological ecosystem through development of zones to accelerate technology development in the country. Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Systems Limited Asif Peer gave an overview of the scope of work and said his company was committed to bring technology-driven innovative solutions to the public sector in the country. Asim Ahmad said, being the apex revenue collection body of the government, the FBR had a strategic role in providing business-friendly environment.

“The STZA One Window Portal will facilitate local and foreign investors. It will also be integrated on real-time basis with FBR and Customs systems. We are fully committed to provide all requisite support to STZA in this regard,” he added. Chairman STZA Amer Hashmi presented a strategic overview of the global innovation and technology ecosystem. He explained that how technology interventions could standardize and optimize the investor journey, including fast-tracking investor facilitation in areas like regulatory approvals and troubleshooting. “STZA is building a world-class technology ecosystem. Special Technology Zones will provide an enabling business environment for local and foreign firms. The One-Window facility will be provided to all Zone Enterprises and Zone Developers” he remarked.

An Accountability Court (AC) on Thursday testified another witness in toshakhana reference against former president Asif Ali Zardari and ex-prime minister Syed Yousaf Raza Gilani. AC-III Judge Syed Asghar Ali heard the graft reference filed by National Accountability Bureau (NAB). NAB prosecutor Waseem Javed and witness additional commissioner FBR Karachi Mirza Nasir appeared before the court.

The court also granted one-day exemption from hearing to former president Asif Ali Zardari on his lawyer’s request. The court recorded the statement of Mirza Nasir and adjourned the case till June 29.

LAHORe: Activists of Milli Rickshaw Union stage a protest outside press club against blasphemous remarks of bJP’s leader. staff photo

APP

World Bank approves $258m to support healthcare in Pakistan INP The World Bank has approved $258 million to strengthen primary health care systems and accelerate national efforts towards universal health coverage in Pakistan, a press release issued by the international financial institution said on Wednesday.

The National Health Support Programme “Complements ongoing investments in human capital and builds on health reforms that aim to improve quality and equitable access to healthcare services, especially in communities lagging behind national and regional-level health outcomes”.

It identified three areas of focus for healthcare reforms under the initiative: healthcare coverage and quality of essential services, governance and accountability and healthcare financing. Elaborating on these areas, the statement said the programme focused on healthcare coverage and quality of essential services to ensure availability of adequate staffing, supplies and medicines and to enhance patient referral systems for expediting

emergency and higher-level care.

Similarly, the focus on governance and accountability was intended to strengthen oversight and management of primary healthcare services through real-time monitoring of available supplies and essential medicines.

The statement further explained that initiatives in this area included setting up a central information platform for provincial authorities to assess gaps in service delivery across public and private healthcare facilities.

Moreover, the focus on healthcare financing was to improve the financial management of primary healthcare centres for better expenditure tracking and budget forecasting to sustain quality healthcare services and delivery.

“The programme will benefit all communities through improvements to provincial primary healthcare systems, particularly [those] in approximately 20 districts that suffer from having the least access to health and nutrition services,” the press release read.

According to the press release, the NHSP is co-financed by the International Development Association ($258 million) and two

grants ($82 million) from the Global Financing Facility (GEF) for Women, Children and Adolescents (GFF), including a $40 million grant for protecting essential health services amid multiple global crises.

“The partnership between the GFF and the government of Pakistan focuses on building sustainable health systems while ensuring that all women, children and adolescents, especially in the most vulnerable communities can access the services they need amid multiple crises,” the statement quoted Monique Vledder, head of secretariat at GFF as saying.

“By investing in primary health care, strengthening the health workforce and equipping community health centres to both respond to emergencies and deliver quality services, Pakistan can drive a more equitable and resilient recovery,” she added. World Bank Country Director for Pakistan, Najy Benhassine explained that “by strengthening provincial health systems, this programme is foundational to building the country’s human capital and improving health and nutrition outcomes for its citizens”.

Economic Survey 2021-22 to be unveiled today APP The federal government will launch the pre-budget document, Economic Survey of Pakistan 2021-22 on Thursday showing a robust GDP growth rate of 5.97 percent, with higher Current Account Deficit of over $13.7 billion, and a mixed trend of performance by the key macro economic indicators during the year.

The Survey is scheduled to be shared with media at a press conference here during which an overview of the economic progress made in recent years in Pakistan would also be provided, official sources said.

The Survey would highlight the main features of the policies undertaken by the present government, which are focused on bringing macro-economic stability and putting the

Balochistan govt to present balanced, relief-oriented budget

economy on growth trajectory.

The survey would cover the development of all the important sectors of economy, including growth and investment, agriculture, manufacturing, mining, fiscal development, money and credit, capital markets, inflation, debt and liabilities. Most of the targets set for the outgoing fiscal year 202122 seemed to be achieved or even surpassed the previous years’ targets, as the macro economic indicators have showed good performance during the year.

However performance of some sectors such as balance of payment, foreign direct investment and fiscal deficit remained below average during the year.

According to the Planning Commission’s estimations made in the 105th meeting of National Accounts Committee (NAC),

the provisional GDP growth rate for the year 2021-22 is estimated at 5.97%. Broad based growth witnessed in all the sectors of the economy.

The growth of agricultural, industrial and services sectors is 4.40%, 7.19% and 6.19% respectively. The growth of important crops during this year is 7.24%. The growth in production of important crops

namely Cotton, Rice, Sugarcane and Maize are estimated at 17.9%, 10.7%, 9.4% and 19.0% respectively.

The services sector shows a growth of 6.19%. Wholesale and Retail Trade industry grew by 10.04%. It is dependent on the output of agriculture, manufacturing and imports.

The GDP of the country at current market prices has reached

to Rs.66.949 trillion in 2021- 22 which has resulted in increase in per capita income from Rs.268,223 in 2020-21 to Rs.314,353 in 2021-22. The per capita income in US$ has increased from 1676 in 2020-21 to 1798 in 2021- 22. Further, the volume of the economy in US$ in 2021-22 stands at $383 billion.

Meanwhile, on Friday, June 10, the government would present its Federal Budget for the fiscal year 2022-23 in the Parliament, with special focus on fiscal management, revenue mobilization, measures for economic stabilization and growth, reduction in nondevelopment expenditures; boosting exports besides providing relief to the masses, promoting investment for job creation and people friendly policies for the socio-economic prosperity of the country.

Spokesperson of Balochistan government Farah Azeem Shah on Wednesday said that the provincial government would present balanced, relief-oriented and pro-people budget for the upcoming fiscal year 2022-23, to provide maximum relief to the masses.

Balochistan Chief Minister Mir Abdul Quddus Bizenjo has directed the departments concerned to prepare balanced budget while focusing education, health, law and order, clean water schemes to provide facilities to the people, said a statement issued here.

The CM has also directed that to determine development and non-development expenditures by balancing the provincial budget so that the development process in the province continues.

Prisons reform and inmate welfare programs should be included in the budget, he added. The overall development of the province especially of less developed areas was top priority of the government.

Bizenjo lead government has been ensuring provincial socio-economic development with a growth oriented economy which would improve the overall socioeconomic situation in the province. The provincial government is pursuing a policy of austerity and taking all possible steps to reduce all unnecessary expenditure to provide relief to the people. The provincial budget for the next financial year will be the first budget in the history of the province which will be in the true interest of the people. The Balochistan government is expected to present its budget for the fiscal year 2022-23 in the Provincial Assembly on June 18.Provincial Finance Minister Noor Muhammad Dummar would present the budget.

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Thursday, 2 June, 2022 | KARACHI

04 NEWS

CCP PRobEs CARTElisATioN iN TENdERs floATEd foR PRoCuREMENT of sTEEl sTRuCTuREs by disCos ISLAMABAD

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Staff rePOrt

S part of an ongoing investigation into the prima facie violations of Section 4 of the Competition Act 2010, the Competition Commission of Pakistan (CCP) on Wednesday carried out search and inspection of the offices of three companies (undertakings) based in Lahore, engaged in the supply of steel structures to DISCOS across Pakistan, on the suspicion of facilitating a possible bid-rigging/cartelisation in the procurement of steel structures by various power distribution companies (DISCOs).

Three different teams of duly authorized officers of the CCP entered and searched the premises of the respective undertakings and seized pertinent information. The search and inspections were carried out under Section 34 of the Act during which the office of the undertakings fully cooperated with the CCP’s search teams by handing over the documents and computer-stored information

relating to the suspected role of the respective undertakings in the alleged anti-competitive activities.

During the investigation, the enquiry committee analyzed the five years (2015 – 2020) tender documents provided by the DISCOs which revealed that only a few companies participated in the bidding process of steel structures floated by DISCOs apparently in a collusive manner which may constitute prima facie contravention of Section 4(2)(e) of the Act. Data available with the enquiry committee also indicated that the companies quoted identical or near identical rates with other parties in the bidding and in some instances purchased the bidding document but did not participate in the respective tenders raising suspicion of collusion.

Given the importance of the power sector in Pakistan’s economy, the CCP has been keeping a close check on the sector to enforce the prohibition of the anti-competitive practices, especially the instances of bid-rigging in the tenders floated by DISCOs.

In 2012, the CCP issued a landmark decision by granting leniency to an undertaking to break the cartel in the switchgear and transformer markets. This became the basis of a subsequent administrative investigation by the World Bank into corrupt, fraudulent, collusive, and coercive practices in World Bank-funded power projects in Pakistan, which was only recently concluded and that led to the blacklisting of several businesses involved.

Similarly, in 2020, the CCP in an enquiry report, prima facie, detected another cartel in the power sector, involved in bidrigging in the tenders floated by the power distribution companies for procurement of fifty line-hardware products worth billions of rupees.

The CCP is mandated under the Act to ensure free competition in all spheres of commercial and economic activity, to enhance economic efficiency and to protect consumers from anti-competitive practices, including fixation of prices of various goods and services.

Indian Sikh yatrees arrive to observe Guru Arjun Devji’s martyrdom day NEwS DESk More than 150 Sikh yatrees from India arrived on Wednesday via Wahga Border to attend the celebrations of Guru Arjun Devji’s Martyrdom Day (Jore Mela). Additional Secretary Shrines of Evacuee Trust Property Board (ETPB) Rana Shahid, Deputy Secretary Imran Gondal, former Pardhan Sardar Bishon Singh and other sikh leaders accorded them a warm welcome.

According to spokesman for the ETPB, Board Chairman Habibur Rehman Gilani said that all religious rites were performed according to the schedule of Sikh Parbandhak Committee in Pak-

Toyota Gujranwala Motors, Real Estate scams affectees get compensation LAHORE Shahab Omer

The National Accountability Bureau (NAB) on Wednesday distributed compensation cheques worth Rs367 million to affectees of Toyota Gujranwala Motors, Homeland Real Estate and Builders along with Land Acquisition Collector (LAC). In this connection, a ceremony was held wherein NAB Director Investigation Lahore was the chief guest. Addressing the ceremony, the NAB director stated that the NAB Lahore has successfully held plea bargain (PB) worth Rs1.5 billion in Toyota Gujranwala Motors case, adding that an amount of Rs1.21 billion has so far been distributed to all the affectees of the scam. Talking about PB in Homeland Real Estate Scandal, he informed that an amount of Rs84.668 million was recovered which is being returned to all affectees of the financial scandal.

He further stated that NAB’s high-ups have chalked out a comprehensive strategy for early recovery of looted money from corrupt and dishonest elements. Under the dynamic supervision of NAB Lahore Director General (DG) Saleem Shahzad, the Regional Bureau has assigned top priority to the cases pertaining to cheating public at large matters to safeguard public interests. He further talked about the observations summed up regarding cheating public matters that the plunderers usually target certain sections of society as their bait. On the other hand, NAB officers and staff are struggling hard to protect the public investments and interests. The NAB director also informed that NAB Lahore has recently recovered the biggest-ever PB amount to the tune Rs16 billion, adding that the affectees of that scam will be disbursed with the recovered money soon. Later, the NAB director gave away cheques worth Rs367 million to 728 affectees who heartedly admired and appreciated the performance of NAB Lahore.

Govt approves Rangers’ deployment for NA-240 by-polls ISLAMABAD: Ministry of Interior on Wednesday issued orders for the deployment of Rangers at polling stations during by-election in Karachi’s NA240 constituency. “The Rangers will be deployed outside all polling stations of NA-240 during by-poll from June 15 to 17,” the interior ministry said in its order. The ministry issued the order for maintenance of law and order at the request of the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP). It is pertinent to mention here that the ECP had declared all polling stations for the NA-240 by-polls as sensitive. INP

istan. The Government of Pakistan and Trust Board in collaboration with PSGP was engaged in other arrangements including security of Sikh pilgrims at Wagah border.

Speaking on the occasion, ETPB additional scretary shrines Rana Shahid said that Pakistan was a holy place for Sikhs. “We take all possible steps for the payment of religious ceremonies and hospitality every time”, he added.

Sardar Sikh Mandir Singh, the party leader of Sikh yatrees said that Pakistan was their second home and no one could stop them from visiting here, “we will keep coming to visit our Guru’s land”. “There is a lot of love for Pakistan, other yatrees who came

with the group, said this while expressing happiness for coming for Pakistan Yatra”.

They said that they were grateful for this everlasting love of the Muslims.

After performing religious rites in Hassanabdal, Sikh yatrees will visit Gurdwara Janamasthan Nankana Sahib on June 10 where they will visit Gurudwara Sacha Sauda and perform their rituals. They will visit Gurudwara Rohri Sahib Aimenabad and Kartarpur Narowal on June 13 to 15.

The main ceremony will be held on June 16 at Gurudawara Dera Sahib Lahore. The Sikh yatrees will return home on June 17.

PM fulfilled promise of flour at Rs40 per kg with people of KPK: Marriyum NEwS DESk Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has fulfilled his promise of providing flour at discounted price to the people of Khyber Pukhtunkwa with the commodity being supplied at Rs 40 per kg.

Sharing the details of this initiative, Federal Minister Information and Broadcasting Marriyum Aurangzeb said the provision of flour at discounted price to the people of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa would be ensured at the PM’s signature ‘Shehbaz Speed’.

She said the supply of flour at Rs 40 per kg had already started in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. For expedient and effective realization of the PM’s initiative for the people of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, 100 Mobile Stores had been launched, she said.

The province had been divided into two zones visà-vis Abbottabad and Peshawar zone for this purpose.

This systematic supply of flour at discounted price would be gradually extended to the entire Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, she assured.

The minister said that so far more than 50,000 bags of flour had been sold in Abbottabad and Peshawar zones in line with PM Shehbaz’s initiative.

Flour at discounted price was being provided through separate mobile stores in Abbottabad and Peshawar

zones, she added.

She said that in Abbotabad alone 22,070 flour bags at the discounted price of Rs 40 per kg were sold over the last two days. Meanwhile, more than 23,400 bags were sold to the people in the Peshawar zone during the same time.

The minister said that the number of mobile stores would be increased to 200 by June 13, so that more people of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa could benefit from the Rs 40 per kg flour.

In addition to this, temporary flour selling points in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa would also be operational by June 9, and by June 17 they would increase to 500, to further facilitate the p rocess.

Marriyum said, in line with the vision and promise by PM Shehbaz, there would more than 2000 selling points in KPK province at 993 locations where people would be able to buy flour at the discounted price. She said that the prime minister had fulfilled his promise with the brave people of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, who had suffered under an incompetent regime for 8 years that had stalled welfare and progress in their province.

She pledged that PM Shehbaz would continue to take more of such initiatives for the welfare and betterment for the people of KPK.

Karachi’s crime ranking is better than new Delhi, Dhaka, Chicago: IG Sindh NEwS DESk Inspector General (IG) Police Sindh Ghulam Nabi Memon has said that Karachi has a better crime index ranking than many major cities including Chicago, Kuala Lumpur, Dhaka and New Delhi.

Talking to a private Tv news channel, Ghulam Nabi said that they have emphasized quick judgements on street crime cases to curb the situation.

The IG said that Karachi’s crime index rating has improved over time. Karachi is currently ranked 129 on the world crime

index, at one time Karachi’s ranking was 13, he added. Nabi said that the metropolitan’s ranking is better than its contemporary cities such as Kuala Lumpur, Dhaka, Chicago and New Delhi. Street crime cases should be decided on priority, all stakeholders should talk about this issue, he added.

Talking about the media’s outcry on the spike in cases Ghulam Nabi said that when the cases arise, the media criticizes and we are ready to bear any constructive criticism.

We will have to move toward FIRfree registration to make the process easier for the people, he added.

The IG Sindh added that they want the legislation of property act so that the stolen property can be handed over to the owner after recovery. We are doing our best to control the law and order situation of the city via better policing, he added.

He said that Karachi should be as safe as possible, which is why we are trying to increase the number of policemen in the city, improve our investigation branch, and 44,000 cameras have been installed throughout the city with the help of citizens. Sindh Government’s safe city project would also be completed soon, he added.

Truck driver beaten to death over minor dispute in Karachi NEwS DESk Intolerance among the citizens is now taking lives as a truck driver was beaten to death over a minor dispute in Karachi’s Gulshan-e-Hadeed area, media reported on Wednesday. According to details, shopkeepers beat a truck driver to death near the Murshid Market within the limits of the Steel Town police station. The tragic incident took place yesterday when the burqa of a woman on a motorcycle got stuck and shopkeepers rushed to her aid. The brawl began when a Mazda truck driven by Sadiq collided with the motorcycle. Meanwhile, other shopkeepers jumped into the fray and started beating the truck driver. The shopkeepers tortured the truck driver and dragged him to a street, where he succumbed to injuries Later, a contingent of police reached the scene and arrested four suspects. A case has been registered and investigations are underway.

PiA set to resume flight operations to Kuala lumpur kARACHI NewS DeSk

The national flag carrier, Pakistan International Airline (PIA), on Wednesday announced restoration of flight operations to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. PIA had suspended flight operations to the Malaysian capital as a measure to mitigate the spread of coronavirus pandemic. According to the national airline spokesperson, the PIA will start flight operation to Kuala Lumpur from June 26. The first flight will take off from Lahore. In addition, the national airline has increased flights to Azerbaijan’s capital Baku. As per new schedule, the Pakistan International Airline will operate four weekly flights to Baku. The flights will operate from Islamabad, Karachi and Lahore airports Last month, Pakistan International Airlines launched direct flights to Syria’s capital Damascus from Karachi’s Jinnah International Airport.

National Assembly rejects bill on compulsory drug test for students NEwS DESk The National Assembly Wednesday rejected a motion for introduction of a bill aimed at declaring drug test of students compulsory because of already existing laws on it. The bill was sponsored by a PML-N lawmaker Shakila Luqman and was supported by lawmakers belonging to MMAP including Salahuddin and Akbar Chitrali.

However, Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Murtaza Javed Abbassi said there is already a law regarding sample testing of students while Higher Education Commission (HEC) and Anti-Narcotics Force (ANF) had a joint venture for creating awareness among students to avoid menace of drugs. PML-N MNA Ch. Bashir Ahmed Virk said that there would be financial implications as well as psychological impact on students and their parents after passage of this legislative proposal. He suggested to have massive drug tests of all, including parliamentarians and visitors of parliament in case this law is approved for students. Later, the Deputy Speaker Zahid Durrani put the motion seeking leave for introduction of the bill in the House.

Thursday, 9 June, 2022 | KARACHI

NEWS Coalition govt to unveil federal budget with rs 9.5tr outlay on friday coNtiNueD from page 01

NatioNal assembly passes eleveN bills, refers four to joiNt sittiNg isLamaBaD

Pakistan Economic Survey contains performance of the various sectors of the economy including Agriculture, Industry and Services.

Pakistan Economic Survey also highlights the performance of other sectors like Energy, Capital Market, Health, Education, Transport and Communication, Inflation, Trade and payments, Public Debt, Population, Climate Change, and Social Protection.

sports promotion core policy of pti govt: Kp Cm

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News Desk

ATIONAL Assembly passed nine private members’ and two government bills on Wednesday and referred four bills to joint sitting of parliament.

Sponsored by PPPP lawmakers including Mahreen Razzaq Bhutto and Syed Agha Rafiullah, the House passed the Pakistan Medical and Dental Council Bill, 2022. The House also passed the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) Bill, 2022 which was sponsored by Syed Agha Rafiullah.

The House also passed the Criminal Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2021 which was moved by PML-N MNA Mehnaz Akbar Aziz. Minister for Parliamentary

Affairs Murtaza Javed Abassi moved two bills which were considered as supplementary agenda in the House. These bills were the National Assembly Secretariat Bill, 2022 and the Diplomatic and Consular Officers (Oath and Fees) (Amendment) Bill, 2021.

The House also passed six other private members’ bills which were the Islamabad Community Integration Bill, 2020; the Pakistan Courier and Logistics Regulatory Authority Bill, 2019; the Code of Criminal Procedure (Amendment) Bill, 2022; the Specific Relief (Amendment) Bill, 2021; the Limitation (Amendment) Bill, 2020 and the Criminal Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2020.

The National Assembly referred four bills to the joint sitting of the Parliament for consideration which were the Pakistan Psychological Council Bill,

2021; the Protection of Parents Bill, 2021; the National Information Technology Board Bill, 2022 and the Pak University of Engineering and Emerging Technology University Bill, 2022.

Minister for National Health Services, Regulations & Coordination Abdul Qarid Patel thanked the National Assembly for repealing two controversial acts passed by the previous government of Pakistan Tehreek-eInsaf (PTI). Speaking on a point of order in National Assembly, he said the repealing of two black laws including Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (PMDC) Act and Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) Act were welcome step.

Due to the PMDC Act, over 55 percent Sindh seats in medical college remained vacant. While over 18,000

Gillani challenges Senate chairman election in Supreme Court Chief Minister Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Mahmood Khan Wednesday termed the promotion of sports activities in the province as an integral part of his government’s priorities.

This he said while chairing a meeting held here on Wednesday to review progress on the project regarding construction of playgrounds at union council level in the province.

Additional Chief Secretary Shahab Ali Shah, Principal Secretary to Chief Minister Amjad Ali Khan, Secretary Sports Muhammad Tahir Orakzai, Secretary Planning & Development Shah Mehmood, Director General Sports Khalid Khan and other relevant officials attended the meeting.

The chief minister said that the provincial government was working under an integrated strategy to provide playgrounds and other allied facilities at district, tehsil and union council level adding that work on various projects was underway for this purpose.

These projects on completion would also be helpful in creating a strong and healthy society by enabling the youth to utilize their capabilities in positive activities.

The forum discussed the various aspects of the project and took a number of decisions with regard to land acquisition mechanism and other related matters to implement this important project.

Briefing about the various aspects of the project, it was informed that this project would be completed by fiscal year 2024-25 at an estimated cost of Rs. 3 billion.

Under the project playgrounds of two categories would be constructed at union council level. The playgrounds for which land will have to be acquired would be completed at an estimated cost of Rs. 28 million whereas the playgrounds for which land would not be acquired would be completed at an estimated cost of Rs. 15 million.

It was further informed that according to the approved mechanism, one playground would be constructed at each union council however more than one playgrounds would also be constructed in those union councils where needed.

The chief minister has termed this project as of vital importance to boost the sports activities in the province and directed the quarters concerned to fix realistic timelines for the completion of this project. He further directed them to take necessary steps to complete the upgradation of Arabab Niaz Cricket Stadium by the end of July this year.

Meanwhile, the chief minister chaired another meeting convened to further streamline the matters of the tourism, sports and youth affairs department. The forum discussed the proposal regarding bifurcation of the sports & youth affairs department from tourism and to give it a status of separate department. The chief minister has directed the authorities concerned to come up with a viable plan for the purpose within a month. He also directed the quarters concerned to complete homework for the bifurcation of Agriculture and Livestock Department as well. News Desk

News Desk Former prime minister Yousaf Raza Gillani has challenged the election of Sadiq Sanjrani as Senate chairman in the Supreme Court on Wednesday.

Gillni has filed appeal in the apex court against the decision of the Islamabad High Court (IHC) seeking the court to declare the high court’s verdict as void.

“The decision of the single and division bench of the IHC has been against the law and the facts of the matter,” Gilani pleaded in his appeal to the Supreme Court.

“The high court’s verdict is against the parameters fixed by the supreme court in its decision over the case pertaining to the ruling of the deputy speaker,” according to the appeal.

“Yousaf Raza Gilani bagged maximum votes in the March 2021 election of the Senate Chairman and his seven votes were rejected wrongfully,” according to the plea.

“The presiding officer rejected his seven votes with malicious intent,” he pleaded.

A division bench of the Islamabad High Court (IHC) dismissed a petition filed by PPP

senator Syed Yousaf Raza Gilani in April this year.

The division bench, comprising Justice Aamer Farooq and Justice Tariq Mehmood Jahangiri had reserved the judgement on December 22, 2021.

Gilani, a former prime minister of Pakistan, in his petition sought the court to abrogate the presiding officer’s decision of rejecting seven votes polled in favour of him in the Senate chairman’s election.

Initially, IHC Chief Justice Athar Minallah had dismissed the petition filed by Mr Gilani against the result of the election of the Senate chairman, noting that proceedings of the upper house of parliament were immune from the interference of the high court.

PPP senior leader Yousaf Raza Gillani had pleaded the court to declare the rejection of seven votes polled in favour of the petitioner by the presiding officer as illegal and suspend the notification dated March 13 last year regarding the re-election of Sadiq Sanjrani as Senate chairman and restrain him from carrying out his duties in this capacity until this petition is decided.

belt and road arts festival to offer pakistani youth platform to show talent The 2022 Belt and Road Online Arts Festival was launched both online and offline recently at the Northwest Minzu University,China, providing a platform for Pakistani youth to showcase their talent, China Economic Net (CEN) reported on Wednesday. To participate in the event, youth in Pakistan and other countries can prepare music or dancing videos and share them on designated channels that will be announced soon. Selected videos will be broadcast on mainstream international and Chinese media platforms. The event, under the “100 Sister Schools Initiative”, is hosted by Gansu Provincial People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries and the Education Department of Gansu Province, organized by Northwest Minzu University, China and co-organized by the Gansu Association of 100 Sister Schools Initiative and Gansu UNESCO Association. “The 100 Sister Schools Initiative opens an avenue for people-to-people exchanges by enabling the middle. News Desk

Lawmakers call for increased funding for family planning isLamaBaD staff report

Lawmakers on Wednesday agreed to increase funding for family planning programs to help Pakistan achieve a sustainable population growth rate.

During a meeting amongst legislators representing major political parties in a dialogue also agreed that funds were necessary to initiate subsidised and free services through voucher programs to improve access of poor and marginalised populations and harness the private health sector to enhance outreach of population programs.

The meeting was organized by the Population Center Pakistan with support from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and in collaboration with the Pakistan Institute for Parliamentary Services (PIPS) and Population Council.

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The seminar was held to facilitate legislators on the multifarious challenges of a rapidly growing population which call for stronger political commitment and investment in family planning and reproductive health programs in the country.

The meeting featured dialogues with subject experts, program managers and health practitioners to focus attention on parliamentarians’ role for advocating high impact practices that can be a game changer to promote family planning in Pakistan. Members of the Senate, legislators from the national and provincial assemblies, and regional body of Gilgit-Baltistan representing all major political parties attended the meeting.

In her welcome remarks, Dr. Zeba Sathar, Country Director, Population Council emphasised the role of increased and better resource allocation for family planning services to im-

prove maternal and child health indicators due to decline in unintended pregnancies.

She called on the parliamentarians to advocate for allocation of Rs. 10 billion of the Special Population Fund stipulated by the Council of Common Interests (CCI) in 2018 to ensure CCI targets of reducing population growth are met. Dr. Sathar also stressed on greater equity for poorest women with unmet family planning need through subsidies for travel expenses and provider costs.

In his opening remarks, Mohammad Anwar, Executive Director, PIPS said parliamentarians’ role is pivotal for oversight and accountability to address the population challenge. He stressed for legislators’ role to drive political discourse on the population issue in the assembly floors by regularly dedicating time to discuss its impact on the country’s development.

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students preferred getting admissions abroad to pursue medical education Another PIMS Act made Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences as a private entity. Certain favorites were getting Rs 01 million, 2 million and Rs 800,000 salaries with the consent of the government.He said the current government was concentrating to show performance and providing optimum facilities to the masses.

The House also referred four private members’ bills to the relevant committees for further consideration.

These bills were the National University for Security Sciences, Islamabad Bill, 2022; the Pak China Gwadar University, Lahore Bill, 2022; the Criminal Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2022 and the Smart Institute of Sciences and Technology Bill, 2022.

sHC allows Dua Zehra to decide where she wants to go Teenage girl Dua Zehra on Wednesday met with her parents after directives from the Sindh High Court (SHC) as the family later claimed that she expressed her desire to go with them.

The girl along with her alleged husband appeared before the court after a medical examination which stated that she is aged between 16 to 17-year-old.

During the hearing, the counsel representing the father of the girl said that they wanted to present some documents to prove her age at 14.

The SHC judge, however, rejected the plea and said that the case pertains to her recovery and now the matter should be raised with the trial court. The court also allowed the parents to meet the girl.

A meeting was later arranged between the parents and Dua Zehra and later the police took her along with them. “We met our daughter in the chamber and she wanted to go with us,” the mother of Zehra said and added that they also asked the judge to take another statement from her but he refused.

The father also appeared before the judge and asked him to review his decision as the girl wanted to go with them. The court, however, rejected the plea and said that the girl has given a statement on oath that she did not want to go with her parents.

“The statement on oath has an importance and we cannot believe your words when the girl has given a written statement in this regard,” the court said while admonishing the father. News Desk

06-07 Comments - 9th June 2022_Layout 1 6/9/2022 12:23 AM Page 1

Thursday, 9 June, 2022

06 COMMENT

Moving away from Riasat-e-Gawalmandi

The battle for Punjab PTI fighting on its own

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he break-up of the hybrid system which depended on the establishment’s support has exposed the lack of competence in the PTI leadership. Among other things PTI has lost Punjab which it had ruled for more than three years and where it was also hoping to retain a hold after the next elections. CM Usman Buzdar, called Wasim AkramPlus by Imran Khan, turned out to be a nonentity unable to play any role in the political crisis that has hit the province. The recently appointed party chief of the province resigned within weeks. Punjab was ‘ruled’ by a single man but the Punjab party has been divided into three regions led by three presidents for lack of a single suitable leader capable of running the party affairs.

Imran Khan was removed as PM on April 10.

Within a week he received another shock as hamza Shehbaz was elected CM of Punjab with the help of PTI dissidents. This was a big setback to the PTI which depended on manpower as well as fund-raisers from Punjab to hold rallies and marches. The failure of the Long March showed that after the loss of Punjab it might become difficult for PTI to put up major power shows while Mr Khan, who is scared of arrest, might not feel secure in the province. henceforth KP was to be the sole reliable province from where PTI leaders could freely call their opponents traitors, thieves, looters, and boot lickers. In the case of Mr Khan this amounts to confining a whale to a small pond.

In view of threats to the Buzdar government from the nine party alliance and PTI dissidents, Mr Khan had nominated Ch Pervaiz elahi as PTI’s candidate for the slot of Punjab CM. The PTI was however outmaneuvered by the alliance, which succeeded in getting hamza Shehbaz elected.

The eCP has announced by-polls to 20 Punjab constituencies on July 17. The other five comprise seats reserved for women and non-Muslims. With the ruling alliance united and the PML(N) and PPP putting up joint candidates, there is a likelihood of the alliance out-voting the PTI.

The country will become a progressive welfare state

Dr FariD a Malik

O

N 14 August 1947 a new sovereign state called ‘Pakistan’ emerged on the world map. Under the selfless leadership of Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah, the most brilliant legal mind of his times, it was designed to be a progressive welfare state. As the two wings (east and West) of the new country were thousands of miles apart, constitution making was an uphill task.

Finally, by 1956 finally a constitutional framework was developed and a republic emerged. Ayub Khan, the first Desi Army Chief, had his own plans of creating ‘Takht-e-hazara’. he took control of the government, abrogated the constitution and moved the capital to Rawalpindi which was close to his roots and seat of power. he ruled with an iron hand for a decade. his socalled ‘Golden era’ was based on loans and loot.

Under his flawed policies, Pakistan became a debtor nation. his imposed 1962 Constitution was disgraceful as it was formulated for him, quite like the city of Faisalabad (Lyallpur) was built around the Ghanta Ghar (Clock Tower). he even compromised the sovereignty of the state. The designated heir to the ‘hazara Throne’ was his eldest son Capt (retd) Gohar Ayub Khan. Before he could formally designate his successor, he had a massive heart attack. his personal physician Dr Mohyuddin was able to save his life but the damage had been done. A palace revolt took place. Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto, his foreign minister, and Air Marshal Asghar Khan revolted. ZAB then formed his own political outfit in 1967 called the PPP, which promised to build a progressive, democratic state as envisioned by the founding fathers. During his misrule the first dicta-

The fire next time This year’s fires are not a one-off

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OReST fires are terrible things, whether they are caused by nature or man. Pakistan had a sampling of both this year. First there was a terrible fire in Balochistan, which wreaked destruction in the pinenut (chilgoza) orchards of the province. The pinenut tree takes a long time to grow, it being famously said that the grandson reaps the fruit of the tree the grandfather planted. The blaze is ascribed to a natural forest fire, which was probably the result of the recent heatwave, which made the blaze not only easier to set off, but harder to put out.

Then in the KP forests, another blaze engulfed a large area, but this time it seems the result of human neglect. The pity of it is that it neglect, not arson. It is a carelessly thrown away cigarette butt, or an improperly put-out campfire that leads to a fire setting off, which then takes many days and specialised equipment to put out.

This is where the government comes in. These fires were only combatted because special firefighting helicopters were borrowed from Iran. The heat will come next year, and even though there may be awareness campaigns conducted, it just takes one fool to cause a huge blaze. It makes sense, therefore, to obtain the necessary firefighting equipment.

It should not be forgotten that the temperatures which cause such fires are the result of global warming, and it should not be ignored that forest fires make matters worse because they release vast amounts of greenhouse gases (mostly carbon dioxide) into the air. Air pollution is not just a First-World, industrial, problem. Third-world countries do not merely contribute by consuming petrol and diesel, but also through the fires in their wildernesses. Prevention must therefore be considered as a global duty, rather than merely a national one.

SajiDa BiBi

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he recent incident of terror committed by woman at Karachi University is not unprecedented. Multiple cases of similar acts have been witnessed in Pakistan’s history involving women participants. If we try to delve into the historical records, we will find a long list of attacks primarily committed by women extremists. It shows that women have always been at the cutting edge either by facilitating or by actively involving themselves in such criminal behaviour.

But the dilemma here in Pakistan is that the security organizations have overlooked the role played by women in such violent and extremist initiatives by considering them anomalous while focusing solely on male radicals. In this way they are paving the way for this kind of behavior to become a norm.

Closer examination of the matter suggests that on one hand women’s radicalization turns out to be beneficial to the recruiting organizations. While on the other hand women perceive it as a panacea to the multidimensional sufferings they face under the prevailing socio-political order.

The most effective and long-lasting benefit terrorist organizations may get out of women recruits is their role as socializing agents for their children and other family members by instilling in them the spirit and passion required by the terrorist organizations to substantiate their agenda. Young and innocent minds are injected with poisonous and hateful ideologies against the state or system which these rebels counter.

And this process starts from childhood when young minds are delicate and could easily be moulded.

It is also worth acknowledgement that women are relatively less likely to be susceptible of being caught by the security officials while they are in the process of suicide bombing or any other such act, which brings a considerable benefit to the extremist organ-

Founding Editor

Yousaf Nizami Umar Aziz

Joint Editor

Joint Editor

Executive Editor

Lahore – Ph: 042-36300938, 042-36375965

The writer is ex-Chairman, Pakistan Science Foundation. He can be contacted at: fmaliks@hotmail.com.

The Karachi University incident was horrifying, but it showed that women can be effective suicide bombers

Arif Nizami (Late)

M. A. Niazi

Despite several hiccups (Takht-e-Hazara, State of Gujrat, Riasat-eGawalmandi, four Martial Laws) our journey towards freedom has been kept alive through the relentless struggle of our generation.

In the words of Comrade Aitzaz Ahsan, “We are the hinge between the founders and the future, we cannot fail the coming generations”

The women-extremism nexus

Dedicated to the legacy of late Hameed Nizami

Editor Aziz-ud-Din Ahmad

tor also tried to create the ‘State of Gujrat’ led by a dismissed Police constable by the name of Chaudhry Zahoor elahi. his vision was his Kingdom at the centre with satellite states under him.

With his fall in March 1969, the fabric of the nation was shattered and a new state emerged in 1970 in the eastern Wing called ‘Bangladesh’.

As the most popular leader of the Western Wing, ZAB picked up the pieces of what was left of Pakistan. The process of rebuilding was started. On 14 August 1973. The Islamic Republic of Pakistan emerged after the enactment of the unanimously agreed constitution. The democratic journey was short-lived. On 5 July 1977 the third usurper took control of the country and decisively moved to create ‘ Riasat-e-Gawalmandi ‘ led by Mian Muhammad Nawaz Sharif,.the eldest son Mian Muhammad Sharif the foundryman ( Lohar ) of the area. Nawaz. was first inducted as the Finance Minister of Punjab, then Chief Minister and finally the Prime Minister. In every position he consolidated his grip over power by inducting loyalists and winning political support by doling out state resources for personal favours. Riasat-e-Gawalmand’ is real and in control of the levers of power in the largest province of the federation. The recent blatant use of force against peaceful citizens by rhe Punjab Police and ‘Gullu Militia ‘clearly exposed the undemocratic evil designs of the ‘Sharif Dynasty who have now managed to build a huge estate outside Raiwind which they have named after their village Jatti Umra from where the founder migrated with his seven brothers to start a small foundry in the Fleming Road area where manhole or gutter lids were produced after melting scrap in a small graphite crucible called a ‘Kuttali’ in the local language.

Pakistan struggled to become a republic in its formative years (1947 to 1958). Then a brief democratic sojourn took place under ZAB (1971 to 1977) in which ‘People’s Power’ prevailed. ZAB was punished for standing up for his country and its sovereignty which had been compromised by the dictators. In 1996, Imran Khan, the cricketing hero

of the country, launched his movement under the banner of ‘Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf ( PTI ). he promised to build an Islamic Welfare State replicating Riasat-e-Madina which was built by the holy Prophet (PBUh) in 622. While IK desires to build a welfare state to uplift the people of Pakistan, he faces stiff resistance from the rulers of ‘ Riasat-eGawalmandi ‘ who are allegedly being backed by the establishment, the most powerful status-quo force in the country. In other words the choice is now between the two ‘Riasats’ , Madina versus Gawalmandi, one led by IK while the other by NS or his partners in crime.

Theoretically, Pakistan has been a constitutional democracy since August 1973 but practically it continues to be the fiefdom of the elite who indulge in corrupt practices of all kinds, yet they go unpunished. Nawaz is a typical example of this selective justice. While serving his jail term for corruption, he managed to seek parole for medical treatment abroad based on false medical reports. his platelets count and health both recovered when he set foot on the Royal Qatar Airways which was supposed to be an air ambulance used to transport the sick and dying.

Azadi March is in fact a march towards a republic where people matter. First it was Nawabzada Liaquat Ali Khan then ZAB and now IK the three real PMs of Pakistan who have led from the front.

Despite several hiccups (Takht-e-hazara, State of Gujrat, Riasat-e-Gawalmandi, four Martial Laws) our journey towards freedom has been kept alive through the relentless struggle of our generation. In the words of Comrade Aitzaz Ahsan, “We are the hinge between the founders and the future, we cannot fail the coming generations “.

The journey will remain incomplete till the constitutional republic emerges and the ‘Gullu Miliitas’ are disbanded together with their founders and benefactors. Pakistan was designed and is destined to be a progressive welfare state ‘ Stars of Gawalamandi ‘ cannot stop our ‘ Azadi March ‘.

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Karachi – Ph: 021-35381208-9

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izations at a relatively lower cost. This is particularly true in the case of Pakistani society owing to its respect for Islamic dress like burqa which goes unchecked by the security officials. Owing to these and other benefits conferred from the part of women terrorist organizations are motivated to recruit them as participants.

Participation of women in these organizations could partly be attributed to the society’s denial of empowerment which ends up in releasing the heat of anger through violent behaviour.

This view is also shared by the prominent researcher in the field of terrorism, D. Mia Bloom, in her famous book Bombshell: Women and Terrorism. According to her, terrorism is the tool of the oppressed against the powerful for their sufferings.

A fnother widely held belief is that the increasing involvement of women in extremist organizations is largely because of their intent to take revenge in case they have witnessed the murder or other suffering of their beloved ones, including parents and other close relatives.

But the current scenario is depicting neither of the above narratives in that, a multitude of such cases witnessed today assert that most of the violent acts are committed by women who are highly educated and who have no record of marginalization and poor treatment. Neither have their family members been killed or tortured in the hands of state or security officials. This trend could partly be attributed to the no-

Islamabad – Ph: 051-2204545

tion that these women were inspired from the ideologies of the extremist organizations, started following them and went to the extent of sacrificing their own lives as well as other people around them. The recent incident at Karachi University provides a good example where an educated woman, pursuing an MPhil degree, and having a normal lifestyle, blew herself up along with four other innocent people.

A similar incident was witnessed in 2015 in Lahore where a woman named Noreen Laghari was arrested prior to her suicide attack attempt. She was found to be a follower of the violent extremist organization, Daulat e Islamia. Noreen Laghari was pursuing her MBBS and belonged to an educated family, her father being a professor at a wellknown university.

The departure of Bushra Cheema with her four children to Syria to join ISIS in 2016 is not hidden from anyone where she was manipulated in the name of religion. There are a lot of such women like Bushra who could easily be susceptible to such tactics driven by terrorist groups.

It is a very demanding task to instill in such mature minds a counter-narrative and motivate them to substantiate it. So, the conundrum that how terrorists carry out the skillful management of educated minds is still waiting to be solved.

It is a very demanding task to instill in such mature minds a counter-narrative and motivate them to substantiate it. So, the conundrum that how terrorists carry out the skillful management of educated minds is still waiting to be solved.

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Web: www.pakistantoday.com.pk

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The writer is a freelance columnist

Email: editorial@pakistantoday.com.pk

06-07 Comments - 9th June 2022_Layout 1 6/9/2022 12:23 AM Page 2

Thursday, 9 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

Financing of Overseas Pakistanis ThIS refers to ex-Information Minister Ch. Fawad hussain’s remarks were uttered at the Pakistan Film Festival held in the Pakistani Pavilion at Dubai expo a few months ago.

Mr Fawad Ch. extended gratitude to the UAe-based overseas Pakistanis for their major contribution to the US$ 31 billion annual remittances derived by Pakistan. he went on to state that “Overseas Pakistanis are the precious asset of the country; PM Imran Khan stands with Pakistani expatriates in the same way as they do with him”. A fair enough observation!

If the overseas Pakistanis are a precious asset, how long will they continue to finance, bankroll, and prop up our struggling economy? how long will they continue spoon-feeding the resident Pakistanis, whose performance as conscientious and capable citizens is almost always off the mark, marked by incompetency, insincerity, or inadequacy?

Therefore, the citizens of Pakistan must rise up and join hands with their overseas brethren in efforts to reform, reformulate, and revitalize Pakistan so that step by step it succeeds in attaining its rightful abode in the “association of developed, respected, and successful nation-states”; this, precisely, is the crying need of the hour.

ABBAS R SIDDIQI LAHORE

Foreign Debts

NATO expansion: consequences of another conflict Letting Finland and Sweden into NATO would be a bad idea kHaDija Bilal

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eFLeCTING on the history of World War I; we are well aware of how europe was ravaged completely, millions of civilians became the victim of this war, economies were shattered and ruined, and the Soviet armies began directing all the states of central and eastern europe- moreover how the USSR began to exert its control on these states, by consolidating with the communists and suppressing all the noncommunist political activities, the destruction of wartime cooperation with the Western Allies and the continual military occupation on each side of Germany, leading the Western allies to question their own political and national security. Such opposing circumstances ultimately led to the formation of NATO, whose sole purpose was to keep “America in, Russia out and Germany down.”

Consequently, in 1949, the first-ever military organisation was formed as a respite from the destruction and suffering of World War II in Western europe and to consequently cease the expansion of communism all across europe, today known as NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organisation). europe, as well as the USA, soon realized that if they didn’t consolidate or strengthen themselves any sooner there might take place an unlikely invasion within Western europe by the USSR and would ultimately grant a hold to Russia.

NATO, which began with the unification of 12 countries and gradually extended to 30 countries, is now about to accept Sweden and Finland as new members, as both of these european neutral states have simultaneously handed over their official applications to join NATO, for the sake of regional stability across europe. No doubt Finland and Sweden have always supported NATO’s significant actions but this time, Finland and Sweden showed their independent desires to join NATO, just after the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

Yet the addition of these two new members might lead to another conflict in europe as the Russian invasion in Ukraine took place to prevent Ukraine from becoming a part of NATO and further to prevent it from seeking any sort of help from NATO, and there lies another possibility for Finland and Sweden, they might face the same ramification as Ukraine is now going through.

Moreover, Russia is highly against all european countries

becoming a part of NATO, as Russia would never allow the USA to dominate its power and control across europe and leave Russia alone to endure misery.

Dating back in time when the USA and the USSR signed a Treaty, in order “to reduce the nuclear arms instead of creating an arms ceiling”; in this Treaty the USA confirmed to the USSR that the NATO’s expansion wouldn’t cross the boundaries of west Germany, yet here we are witnessing the USA assisting the expansion of NATO across europe, as the USA only expressed such condition and never itself concluded it as a part of that Treaty, hence Russia can never claim its right to prevent european countries from becoming NATO members.

As a consequence of Russia’s opposition to Ukraine, Ukraine never officially became a member of NATO hence it wasn’t in NATO’s authority to send its troops to Ukrainemoreover NATO members believed that NATO’s troops against Russia would lead to a crucial conflict between Russia and the West. Therefore America helped Ukraine by providing it with weapons worth $400 million, to keep its very own purposes straight; first to keep this conflict within the boundaries of Russia and Ukraine, and second, to erode Russia’s economic and political strength.

Turkish president Tayyip erdoğan has also opposed these two countries from becoming NATO members, as the Turkish government has claimed that these two european states relentlessly support Kurdish terrorists. As Sweden persistently funds the Kurds, hence erdoğan says that accepting such states, which continually support such terrorist groups should not be allowed to become a part

Turkish president Tayyip Erdogan has also opposed these two countries from becoming NATO members, as the Turkish government has claimed that these two European states relentlessly support Kurdish terrorists.

of NATO, as the Kurdish party has always been the cause of conflicts within Turkey. No doubt Turkey is the second most influential state in NATO, after the USA, and the withdrawal of these two european states might not leave that deep effect as Turkey’s.

Doubtlessly NATO has flourished and strengthened with the financial funding of the USA, as its incentive was to use NATO to assert its control all across europe as both the USA and europe have the largest economic and military power and they together possess half of the world’s GDP. But in 2019, US former President Donald Trump thought it necessary for the USA to withdraw from NATO, claiming that the USA had spent 4 percent of GDP on the defence budget for NATO while the rest of the members have only spent 1 percent of their GDP, and he maintained that the USA had sacrificed too much for NATO; and now it was time for NATO to move on without the USA. A turmoil arose in the US administration just after Trump claimed his desires, as such an act would let the USA lose its peaceful partnership and control across europe and would prove to be an evident victory for Russia, moreover about 29 countries across europe joined this alliance for the sake of the USA’s defence after the 9/11 attack, and if the USA somehow withdrew from NATO, its worth would sway away.

After the Ukrainian War, europe is facing a food, energy, economic and security crisis while on the other hand, the USA alongside europe is isolating Russia from the rest of the international world. The idea of accepting Finland and Sweden would lead to more destruction in europe and would be unfair to Ukraine not to accept it as a NATO member as well.

Maybe it’s time for a brief pause in NATO’s expansion, as the war within the Ukraine boundaries would consequently expand and the idea of isolating Russia and securing europe might lead to the demolition of europe and the USA’s dominance across europe might end as well. NATO should overlook its military strategy with increasing Russian threats or should rather think twice before expanding NATO, which is said to be one of the major threats to peace.

Maybe it’s time for a brief pause in NATO’s expansion, as the war within the Ukraine boundaries would consequently expand and the idea of isolating Russia and securing Europe might lead to the demolition of Europe and the USA’s dominance across Europe might end as well. NATO should overlook its military strategy with increasing Russian threats or should rather think twice before expanding NATO, which is said to be one of the major threats to peace.

The writer is a freelance columnist

NOBODY ever imagines themselves as poor, or illiterate, when they are born. Due to the world’s major social problems, the desire to achieve everything good remains a dream. Many dreams are shattered every day in a developing country like Pakistan due to social issues. Pakistan is a developing country in South Asia. Pakistan is hampered in its development and progress by a slew of social issues and problems. Many limitations exist in Pakistan, including societal, familial, social, and psychological ones. It is difficult for an individual to excel and grow without proper guidance and opportunities. Youth in Pakistan face numerous issues as a result of these social issues.

According to the research of different scholars, the major economic challenges faced by Pakistan are poverty, unemployment, large foreign debts, low investment, and high fiscal debt. The government is being blamed the most for its inability and helplessness in breaking free from the IMF and World Bank’s shackles. Pakistan is burdened by huge foreign debts and economic instability every day as a result of this dependency and inability to take bold measures, resulting in a slew of problems.

Today, I’d like to focus on a question that is on everyone’s mind: why haven’t things improved in recent years in accordance with popular expectations?

To begin with, the 1990s were a lost decade in terms of Pakistan’s economic development. By October 1999, frequent political changes and a lack of policy continuity, poor governance, and the events of May 1998 had combined to create extremely difficult economic conditions in the country. The task of halting the downward trend and bringing the economy out of such dire straits was therefore enormous. The task was made more difficult by the international community’s initial reaction to the government change and the conflicting demands of various segments of the population. One of the major demands articulated by the public and the media was accountability for all those found guilty of past corruption and malpractices. however, this created a conflict with the goal of economic recovery because businessmen and bankers felt threatened by such actions.

Second, we must determine whose expectations we are discussing.

Pakistan’s credibility was low both internationally, especially among international financial institutions, and domestically, among the general public. This government had to decide whether or not to seek assistance from the International Financial Institutions.

The gap between expectations and actual economic performance can be explained by a number of factors, but the global environment’s constraints, including the IMF’s conditionalities, our key economic institutions’ inability to implement policies, and unanticipated external developments, are the main ones. This does not imply that we wish to absolve ourselves of our errors or that we should overlook our shortcomings in decision-making. I can assure you that if this has occurred, it was entirely unintentional because our commitment to turn things around for the betterment of the country is as strong and fierce as anyone else’s.

MUHAMMAD ASHAR SUKKUR

Trade with India SINCe India abolished Kashmir’s special constitutional status in August 2019, trade ties between the two countries have mostly remained frozen. The ministry of commerce, on the other hand, claims that Pakistan’s trade policy with India has not changed, implying that business ties will stay blocked.

South Asia, as has been well documented, is one of the least economically linked regions in the world, with the tense Pakistan-India relationship hampering business activities. Resuming commerce, however, can be a way to better bilateral ties and, if done right, can contribute to mutual economic success, as many in the government and the private sector have pointed out.

In fact, the former PTI-led government toyed with the idea of allowing limited imports from India last year (before backing down) through former Prime Minister Imran Khan, who also used mixed messaging when he said there would be no trade until changes to India-held Kashmir’s autonomous status were reversed.

Naturally, some in the country will object to retaining trade links with India, accusing it of betraying the Kashmir cause. Support for Kashmir is founded on values, and it should be maintained. If trade relations with India improve, it may create more favourable conditions for the resumption of bilateral discussion and negotiations to resolve the decadesold Kashmir problem peacefully and judiciously.

Allow it to investigate the possibility of resuming trade, especially if it benefits the local economy. This can result in both economic revitalization and normalisation of relations with India, which is unquestionably a better alternative than the current state of distrust in South Asia.

MUHAMMAD QASIM QAISER GUJRANWALA

08 WORLD VIEW 9th June 22_Layout 1 6/8/2022 9:57 PM Page 1

Thursday, 9 June, 2022

08 WORLD VIEW

InsultIng ProPhEt MuhaMMad (PBuh) Is straIght out of thE BJP PlayBook PRIME MINISTER NARENDRA MODI, TRIED TO MAKE CONNECTIONS BETWEEN MUSLIM FIGURES FROM INDIA’S DISTANT HISTORY AND CURRENT-DAY “TERRORISM AND RELIGIOUS EXTREMISM” IN TWO OF HIS PUBLIC SPEECHES, IMPLYING THAT INDIA’S MUSLIMS SHOULD BE HELD RESPONSIBLE AND PUNISHED FOR THE ALLEGED CRIMES COMMITTED BY THEIR “ANCESTORS” Al JAzeerA apoorvananD

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n the past few days, india’s governing Bharatiya Janta Party (BJP) has found itself in the middle of a political and diplomatic storm after two of its high-ranking staffers – the party’s national spokeswoman nupur Sharma and Delhi media operation head naveen Kumar Jindal – publicly made disparaging remarks about Prophet Muhammad (PBUH).

On Friday, hundreds of Muslims took to the streets in the Uttar Pradesh city of Kanpur to protest against the offensive remarks. rather than moving to calm the tensions and punish those responsible under india’s hate speech laws, the authorities responded with violence: The police booked protesters under the state’s stringent “Gangster act” and even threatened to “seize and demolish” their properties. as the news about the offensive remarks – and the government’s response to protests over them – reached beyond the country’s borders, at least five arab nations, including Qatar, lodged official protests against india.

Calls for a boycott of indian goods have also been made on social media in several arab countries and indian products were removed from shelves in some shops in Kuwait. in the end, not the understandable anger of indian Muslims, it seems, but the threat of international condemnation and economic repercussions motivated indian authorities to embark on an operation to limit the damage.

Soon after the diplomatic protests, the government announced that strong action had been taken against the accused – Sharma was suspended and Jindal expelled from party membership. The BJP also issued a generic statement, saying: “[The party] strongly denounces insults of any religious personalities of any religion.” india’s ambassador to Qatar, Deepak Mittal, meanwhile,

said the offending remarks were made by some “fringe elements” within the party, and did not represent the views of the indian government.

The move to “suspend” and “expel” the staffers who insulted the Prophet (PBUH), and the efforts to distance the government from their comments, however, did not satisfy anyone inside or outside india – and for good reason.

First of all, Sharma and Jindal can hardly be described as “fringe elements” within the party. after all, prior to the incident, they both held high-ranking positions within the BJP – positions that allowed them to speak for the governing party and communicate its policies and strategies to the nation. Secondly, and perhaps most importantly, it is difficult to argue that their islamophobic views do not represent the government of india when none of the BJP’s leaders came out to issue a strong apology and the party’s islamophobic policies, actions and statements are already well documented. indeed, islamophobia has always been part and parcel of the BJP’s governing strategy. in the not so distant past, for example, the BJP’s leader, Prime Minister narendra Modi, tried to make connections between Muslim figures from india’s distant history and current-day “terrorism and religious extremism” in two of his public speeches, implying that india’s Muslims should be held responsible and punished for the alleged crimes committed by their “ancestors”. He received no pushback from the party for these blatantly islamophobic comments.

Yogi adityanath, the BJP affiliated chief minister of Uttar Pradesh, also made anti-Muslim speeches during the last state assembly elections. in one such speech, he mocked Muslims and said he sees the state elections as a battle between the 80 percent (the percentage of Hindus in the state) and the 20 percent (the percentage of Muslims).

The BJP-affiliated Chief Minister of assam Himanta Biswa Sarma is even more brazen in his speeches. Last year, he called the killing of two Muslims, including a minor, by police officers during a forced eviction drive in assam “an

Iran warns IaEa agaInst rEsolutIon Iran has threatened to reduce its cooperation with the IAEA if a resolution is written against it

act of revenge” for past “martyrdom” of Hindus.

Under the BJP’s rule, several campaigns have been started to ensure mosques and other places sacred to Muslims across the country are handed over to Hindus who claim that these places were originally Hindu. There are, for example, such campaigns currently under way to transfer the Gyanvapi Mosque in Varanasi, Jamia mosque in Srirangapatna, Qutub Minar in Delhi – and many others – to Hindus.

Earlier this year, right-wing Hindu groups held processions in Muslim neighbourhoods and made hate speeches during ram navmi celebrations in several states. in states ranging from Gujarat to Delhi, Hindu men wearing saffron scarves – and in some cases carrying sticks and swords – played provocative songs laced with threats of genocide outside Muslim homes and mosques, and raised hate slogans.

The BJP authorities not only refused to punish these provocateurs but also used all of the indian state’s might to prevent Muslims from defending themselves. indeed, Muslim men who stood up to these mobs were swiftly arrested and their properties bulldozed by authorities. and beyond casually and regularly making islamophobic comments, and supporting the violent islamophobia of their supporters, BJP leaders have also passed countless islamophobic and discriminatory policies and laws in the past few years.

Laws criminalising triple talaq or instant divorce, banning cow slaughter, criminalising religious conversions supposedly in the name of “preserving religious freedom”, criminalising unions between Muslim men and Hindu women and executive orders across the country practically banning all meat consumption are but a few examples of the islamophobic policies that took effect during the BJP’s reign in india.

Of course, there is also The Citizenship amendment act (Caa), which discriminates against Muslims as it makes faith a basis for granting indian citizenship. The BJP government not only passed this anti-Muslim law

Apoorvanand teaches Hindi at the University of Delhi. He writes literary and cultural criticism.

why did India listen to arab governments before its own Muslim citizens?

Al-Monitor StAff

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ranian officials have continued to fire back at the United nations nuclear watchdog over its findings as the negotiations to revive the iranian nuclear deal remain at a standstill. During a television interview, Foreign Ministry spokesman Saeed Khatibzadeh discussed the latest findings of the international atomic Energy agency (iaEa). Khatibzadeh said that the iaEa’s board of governors is currently in a meeting that is expected to last several days. One of the points on the board’s agenda is to discuss the status of the iran nuclear deal, officially known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of action (JCPOa).

The JCPOa was signed in 2015. it reduced iran’s nuclear program in exchange for sanctions relief from the United States. in 2018, then-President Donald Trump exited the JCPOa and reimposed sanctions on iran. in response, iran increased its nuclear program and reduced its cooperation with the iaEa. Western countries that were part of the signing of the JCPOa (France, the United States, Germany and the United Kingdom) are urging the iaEa to write a resolution condemning iran for its lack of cooperation.

Khatibzadeh accused iaEa director rafael Grossi of writing a “hurried, biased and inaccurate” report against iran. He said that iran and the iaEa still have a third round of meetings and added that iran has already addressed the technical questions of the iaEa, stating that accusations in the iaEa are “footprints of the Zionist regime.” Grossi visited israel recently and met with israeli Prime Minister naftali Bennett. israel reportedly has nuclear weapons and has never signed the nonproliferation treaty, but its research activities are subject to iaEa verification — though nothing that would require the head of the agency to personally visit.

Khatibzadeh said that the iaEa board of governors would likely be discussing iran on Tuesday or Wednesday. iran will make its next decisions based on what’s discussed, he said, but he warned it would impact the nuclear negotiations. as part of a previous deal with the iaEa, iran had agreed to continue to record work at its nuclear sites but keep the recordings until negotiators agreed to a nuclear deal. iran is a member of the nonproliferation treaty but has also signed additional protocols and permits deeper inspections due to the JCPOa. iran’s position is that if the JCPOa is not implemented, it should reduce cooperation with the iaEa — presumably just short of leaving the iaEa. iran’s Foreign Minister Hossein amir-abdollahian tweeted that he spoke with High representative of the EU for Foreign affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell about the nuclear talks in Vienna and how to move forward. He warned that the countries pushing for a resolution from the iaEa against iran “will be responsible for all the consequences.” He added that iran would welcome a “good, strong and lasting agreement,” and it can happen if the United States and the three European countries are “realistic.”

but also allowed its supporters to target indian Muslims protesting against it. none of the BJP leaders who added fuel to the Caa-related clashes faced any meaningful rebuke from the party, despite the violence claiming hundreds of lives. in light of all this, it is clear that the BJP government’s claims that the offending comments by Sharma and Jindal do not represent its views are deeply disingenuous.

Those remarks were not missteps by “fringe elements” within the governing party or mistakes by a few low-ranking staffers, but an accurate reflection of the BJP’s views on and attitudes towards Muslims and islam.

This reality was perhaps explained best by the Saudi arabia-based Organisation of islamic Cooperation (OiC) in a statement issued about the latest controversy.

The OiC not only condemned the offending remarks by the BJP staffers in its official statement but emphasised that they came in a “context of intensifying hatred and abuse toward islam in india and systematic practices against Muslims”.

The OiC’s statement clearly struck a chord, as the indian government swiftly and sharply rejected it, calling the criticism “unwarranted” and “narrow-minded”. “it is regrettable that OiC Secretariat has yet again chosen to make motivated, misleading and mischievous comments.

This only exposes its divisive agenda being pursued at the behest of vested interests,” it said. The government responded harshly to the OiC’s statement because it pointed out that india, under BJP rule, is becoming an islamophobic country where attacks and insults against Muslims are commonplace. as the world reacts to the latest islamophobic controversy in india, it should keep this in mind and not buy the BJP’s story that the offending remarks were mere emotional eruptions by some wayward individuals whose views do not represent the governing party.

WAShington PoSt Barkha Dutt

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UPUr Sharma, the now-former spokeswoman for india’s ruling Bharatiya Janata Party, has been shamed on the global stage for insulting the prophet Muhammad on prime-time television. after unprecedented backlash from Muslim-majority nations — starting with Qatar and including the United arab Emirates, Saudi arabia, iran, indonesia and Maldives — she was suspended from the party and naveen Jindal, a BJP spokesman in Delhi who also tweeted derogatory remarks about islam, was expelled. in reality, however, the diplomatic kerfuffle is unlikely to draw any long-term red lines around the Hindu right wing’s anti-Muslim rhetoric. if anything, positions might become even more hard-line. Sure, for now, media representatives of the BJP will watch their words when they appear on panels. But let’s not kid ourselves. For hundreds of thousands of far-right supporters of the Modi government, Sharma is a cause célèbre. Just look at the flood of “i stand with nupur Sharma” comments on social media and calls to boycott Qatar airways. This mass messaging once again appears to be coordinated by a well-oiled, centralized machinery. i wouldn’t be surprised if, after some time, Sharma’s political career is eventually made rather than unmade by this ugly controversy.

Should india be lectured on pluralism and

human rights by undemocratic nations, some of them theocracies with poor records on diversity? There is some merit to the questions being raised along these lines. Even the most ferocious critics of the BJP’s Hindutva politics are often uncomfortable with sermonizing from external powers, including strong democracies such as the United States. Many applauded india’s foreign minister when he recently reminded the United States that any dialogue over human rights has to be between equals and not framed as a patronizing admonition. and india’s Muslim politicians have repeatedly pushed back against Pakistanis who offer commiserations to the community.

But this only makes the ultranationalist BJP more answerable for why it responded to outrage from governments of at least 15 Muslimmajority nations, but did not react to the hurt triggered in its more than 200 million Muslim citizens. Perhaps the answer lies in the billions of dollars of trade, oil, food exports and remittances at stake in these countries. Or it could be that Prime Minister narendra Modi — who has had considerable success at enhancing diplomatic relations with the Muslim world — feels his personal brand has been sullied. india’s vice president, who was on a visit to Qatar when its government summoned the indian ambassador over the issue, has been embarrassed abroad.

Whatever the reason — and perhaps it is a combination of several — the BJP and the government took days to act against Sharma, and only did so when it became an international issue.

That the government ignored domestic criticism speaks to what retired diplomat navdeep Suri calls the “duality” of the BJP. “The party thought … the government, the diplomats and the prime minister could woo the Muslim world, but back home the politics of polarization could be pursued for electoral gain,” Suri, who served as indian ambassador to the UaE, told me. “is this a diplomatic failure for india? no, it is a political failure that diplomats have to fix.” in truth, the furor over Sharma’s comments were initially ignored because the BJP has never had to pay a political price for the other-

ing of the Muslim community. nor is it especially bothered if religious diversity and inclusiveness get rolled over by its victorious electoral juggernaut. There is a chance that the party might soon have no Muslim in parliament. if that happens, it won’t be sheepish.

But today the Modi government is having to firefight on two fronts: with angry islamic nations, where millions of indians live and work, and rabid sections of its own base who are apoplectic about what they see as surrender. Online right-wing platforms are full of provocative outbursts about “betrayal.” Clearly, the BJP’s backers believe the last word has yet to be spoken.

The perfect enabling environment for these dog whistles is provided by india’s private television news channels and their toxic culture of coarseness. Every evening, anchors deliberately pit the most extreme voices against each other, chosen precisely for how undignified, venomous and unsubstantial they are. noam Chomsky has lamented the “manufactured consent” of mass media; indian channels upend that with a theatrical model of “manufactured dissent.” While the newspaper arms of these media conglomerates publish editorials on the perils of polarizations, their broadcast businesses thrive on being factories of hate. This has continued even in the aftermath of the fracas with Persian Gulf nations.

Supporters of Sharma have argued that the response from the gulf countries is a result of an organized campaign by india’s adversaries. reports of threats by al-Qaeda to carry out suicide attacks over the ‘“blasphemous” comments will only bolster this narrative. it goes without saying that all violence, including threats to Sharma, is indefensible. But the irony is that — while terrorists issue threats with impunity, politicians argue and point fingers, great powers joust for strategic one-upmanship and performative television hosts debase the profession — ordinary indian Muslims and their voices will likely remain on the margins.

Sharma might have been disingenuously labeled “fringe” in india’s official clarifications. But chances are that today’s “fringe” is tomorrow’s mainstream.

Thursday, 9 June, 2022 | KARACHI

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ENVoyS of KAzAKhSTAN, TuRKMENiSTAN CALL oN CoMMuNiCATioNS MiNiSTER ISLAMABAD

Dollar East Director Marketing Nadeem Mustafa hands over AC units to luck draw winners. Faisal Butt and Khawaja Sohail also present on the occasion. pr

Officials of Afghanistan Government posing for a group photo with Additional Secretary Ministry of Commerce, Syed Hamid Ali on the occasion of a closing ceremony of short term training course on international trade dynamics in Islamabad on 8.6.2022. pr

K-Electric Announces Revised Load-shedding Plan Karachi: Amid rising temperatures driving a surge in electricity demand, K-Electric announced a revision in its load-shed plan to manage the ongoing power shortfall in the city. As per the revised policy, 3 hours of loadshed will be undertaken in low loss areas within KE’s service territory. Talking about the ongoing regime, spokesperson KE further added “This revised plan will provide a relief of 1-2 hours to areas which are already impacted by loadshed. The revised load-shed schedule can be obtained via KE’s website, KE Live app, and through the KE WhatsApp Self Service Portal. Consumers registered with KE’s 8119 service who may be affected by this change are also being informed through SMS.” The utility expressed its apologies for the inconvenience caused to its customers due to this extraordinary situation and vowed to continue to undertake all possible measures for its mitigation. pr

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NvOYS of brotherly countries Kazakhstan and Turkmenistan Ambassador Yerzhan Kistafin and Ambassador Atadjan Movlamov separately called on Federal Minister for Communications and Postal Services Mr. Asad Mahmood here on Wednesday and discussed ways and means to promote cooperation of their respective countries with Pakistan.

Senior officers from the Ministry of Communications and National Highway Authority were also present.

Taking to the Kazakhstan Ambassador, Mr. Asad Mahmood said that Pakistan and Kazakhstan are bound in age-old cultural and religious values and the time to revive this relationship as per requirement of the existing conditions.

To this effect, people to people contacts and exchange of delegations may pave the way to bring both the brotherly countries closer. He said, there are vast opportunities of working together in the construction sector. To achieve the targets in the prevailing environment, coordinated planning on bilateral, regional and global level is the

dire need of the time. He said, landlocked republics will avail access to rest of the world through development of Gwadar Port which will bring about socio-economic uplift in the whole region, Mr. Asad Mehmood added.

Expressing a deep sense of gratitude, the Ambassador of Kazakhstan Mr. Yerzhan Kistafin said, in the recent past an international gathering was arranged in Kazakhstan on philosophy and services of Dr. Muhamamd Iqbal, poet of the east. Besides an international trade conference was also

ISLAMABAD pr

NAVTCC imparting skill training to youth through universities

arranged participated by more than 120 international traders including Turkey, Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan. He said Kazakhstan takes interest in developing close relationships with Pakistan in various economic sectors. The visiting ambassador desired to enhance the trade volume by one billion dollars with Pakistan.

Separately, Ambassador of Turkmenistan based in Pakistan Mr. Atadjan Movlamov also called on Federal Minister for Communications and Postal Services Mr. Asad Mahmood. Welcom-

ing the honourable guest, Mr. Asad Mahmood said, great potential exists between Pakistan and Turkmenistan to expand the range of bilateral relations.

He termed the TurkmenistanAfghanistan-Pakistan-Iran (TAPI) Gas Pipeline project a big move to overcome the energy crisis. He recalled that fibre optic project is another example of brotherly relationship between the two countries. He said, Pakistan possesses an extraordinary ideal location on the world map and that all possible measures will be taken to have maximum benefits from this location.

Mr. Asad Mahmood also desired to nominate focal persons and working groups to explore areas of mutual interests. Speaking about the shared values Mr. Asas Mahmood pointed out about 500 joint words which are used in Urdu and Turkmen languages.

On this occasion Mr. Atadjan Movlamov said, work on a Transit Trade Agreement is underway to prepare the ground for extending the range of cooperation between the two countries and that Afghanistan will also be benefitted from this agreement. He said deep rooted shared cultural ties will cement bilateral relationships in the coming years between the two countries, he hoped.

Jazz and UNDP commit to accelerate digital inclusion amongst women

Reon Energy and Artistic Milliners Announce 8.5 MW Solar Power Project

Karachi: Artistic Milliners, and Reon Energy today announced an 8.5 MW captive solar power project. The project is set to be installed across Artistic Milliner’s 7 units located in Korangi, Landhi and Port Qasim industrial areas in Karachi. The 8.5 MW solar PV project is expected to produce approximately 13.5 GWh (Gigawatt hours) annually. The output energy will be used on-site resulting in substantial savings for the company in cost of energy and will also cut around 8,279 tonnes of CO2 equivalent emissions annually. pr

09

Reiterating their commitment to accelerate digital inclusion in the country, Jazz and UNDP Pakistan organized a ‘Girls in ICT’ event highlighting the importance of digital skills for women and promoting Digital Gender Inclusion through enhanced access to ICTs (Information and Communications Technology).

According to the GSM Association (GSMA) there exists a significant digital gender gap in Pakistan where approximately 38% of women are less likely than men to own a smartphone and 49% do not use mobile internet.

Furthermore, there are drastic differences in levels of ICT access between different population groups,

particularly the rural and marginalised women and girls.

Considering this prevailing scenario, the event included a panel discussion on ‘How to enhance Digital Literacy amongst school-going girls?’ with chief guest SAPM on Youth Affairs Shaza Fatima Khawaja, Additional Secretary of Ministry of IT & Telecommunications Ayesha Moriani, Director Communications and Sustainability at Jazz, Fatima Akhtar, and Founder of AGAHI and Lecturer at NUST Puruesh Chaudhary, in participation.

Ideas were exchanged on multilevel solutions towards ensuring safe and meaningful access to digital technology and ICTs for girls. Speaking at the event, SAPM on Youth Affairs reiterated the commitment of the incum-

bent government on quality girl education, health, and financial inclusion.

SAPM said that the Prime Minister's Youth Program is ensuring gender parity to ensure maximum engagement of young girls through our hi-tech skills trainings, business loans and gender quotas in the laptop scheme.

"Access, affordability, and lack of literacy remains a core impediment for women’s inclusion in ICT. To further our vision for an inclusive and digital Pakistan, there is an immediate need to facilitate women participation in technology through public and private cooperation," said Shaza Fatima Khawaja, SAPM Youth Affairs.

Speaking at the event, Jazz CEO, Aamir Ibrahim, said, “Considering the importance of women to lead Pakistan into the future, Jazz has programs in place to enhance digital literacy among girls, maximising women-led enterprises in the startup ecosystem, promoting diversity & inclusion within our workplace besides enabling women to access health, financial, and other life-enhancing services through mobile broadband. It is heartening to see government representatives championing women inclusion in ICT because their support is absolutely necessary to achieve our objectives.”

“The Girls in ICT agenda is an area that UNDP Pakistan sees as a key opportunity for youth and women’s eco-

nomic empowerment, and we are keen to continue to support this space as we move forward in developing a digital space holding many untapped opportunities for women's economic empowerment in Pakistan and in the region,” said Amir Goraya, Assistant Resident Representative, UNDP Pakistan. Numerous students at the event participated in a group activity to brainstorm ideas on promoting inclusion of girls and women in the ICT space.

These ideas were then presented to the audience and panel. Aziza Soleh, Founder of the startup Mountain Shop, a part of Jazz and UNDP’s recently concluded SDG Bootcamp, took to the stage to share her entrepreneurial journey as well. Jazz is playing a critical role in addressing many of the wider gender inequalities by digitally enabling women to access health, financial, and other life-enhancing services.

As part of the GSMA’s Connected Women Commitment Initiative, Jazz has committed to increase the proportion of women by 8 percent in its mobile internet customer base by 2023.

Its digital financial service, JazzCash has already met its GSMA Connected Women target two years ahead of time with 22 percent women subscribed to JazzCash wallets. GSMA in its ‘Making internet-enabled phones more affordable in low and middle-income countries’ 2022.

Supply of flour to KP begins on subsidized rates ISLAMABAD: On the special directive of the Prime Minister of Pakistan, the supply of cheap flour to the people of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa began. A 10 kg bag of flour is being provided at Rs. 400 at all utility stores in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Flour is being supplied from 100 mobile stores to provide cheap flour to the people at their doorsteps. 50 mobile stores in Abbottabad zone while 50 in Peshawar zone are engaged in flour supply The number of these mobile stores is gradually increasing. 300 bags of flour are being provided at each mobile store 500 cheap flour points have also been set up in different parts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa to supply cheap flour which will start functioning from tomorrow.

Dr Ayesha Isani calls on Riaz Pirzada The management of National Vocational and Technical Training Commission (NAVTTC) under the leadership of Minister for Federal Education and Professional Training, Mr. Rana Tanveer Hussain, is imparting sate of the art skill trainings to youth through well reputed universities and technical and vocational institutes. A freelancing skills workshop organized by Pakistan Software Board was held at Baltistan University, Skardu. The male and female students from all over Baltistan participated in the workshop. The trainees of Minister’s “Skills for All Program, executed by NAVTTC under the Ministry of Federal Education and Professional Training got top positions.

NAVTTC is providing free of cost, income generating skills trainings with the objectives of employment for youth and quality skilled workforce for industry, focusing on Hi Tech trades. pr

ISLAMABAD: Senior consultant and radiologist Dr. Ayesha Isani Majeed called on Federal Minister for Human Rights Mian Riaz Hussain Pirzada here at his office and discussed at length the potential of screening centre and issues they are facing particularly regarding the women empowerment and gender discrimination in her area of work.

Dr. Ayesha is currently serving as Head of Radiology, Federal Breast Cancer Screening Centre at PIMS Islamabad.

She is also looking after the project of Cancer Hospital in Islamabad as Project Director.

She requested the minister that Ministry of Human Rights, in collaboration with Ministry of Health Services, should take concrete steps for more women empowerment; an inclusive environment and elimination of all kinds of gender disparities in health sector.

She expressed her gratitude that the current government has revived the project of cancer hospital in Islamabad that was at standstill position

for last few years. She especially acknowledged the efforts and patronage of Minister for Planning Prof.

Ahsan Iqbal in this regard.

While appreciating her services for awareness on breast cancer in Pakistan, minister stated that he would personally convey these concerns to the health minister and Ministry of Human Rights would take every possible step for uplift of women rights, gender equality, women empowerment and provision of equal opportunities at workplace. pr

Thursday, 9 June, 2022 | KARACHI

10 FOREIGN NEWS

UProAr over BJP LeAderS’ BLASPhemoUS remArkS deePeN INdIA’S dIPLomAtIC, eCoNomIC WoeS

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HE uproar over BJP leaders’ blasphemous remarks has put the Narendra Modi regime in a catch-22 situation with its cliché of Hindu supremacy on one side while on the other is the huge economic cost of its straining ties with the Gulf nations.

A spokesperson of Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Nupur Sharma made some controversial remarks in a televised debate last month.

Naveen Jindal, who was media head of the party’s Delhi unit, had also posted a provocative tweet on the issue.

The issue had upset the Muslim world bringing a diplomatic nightmare for India. The Muslim nations including Pakistan, UAE, Oman, Indonesia, Iraq, the Maldives, Jordan, Libya and Bahrain have condemned the remarks.

The respective Foreign Offices also summoned the Indian envoys to register their protest besides issuing strongly worded statements.

In order to avert a huge dent to its economy, the BJP government is trying to subside the issue but the storm is not yet over as the reactions from across the globe is getting momentum.

Pakistan summoned the Indian diplomat and handed over a strong demarche calling the remarks “totally unacceptable” which had not only deeply hurt the sentiments of the people of Pak-

istan but of Muslims across the world.

Pakistan also deplored the belated and perfunctory disciplinary actions taken by the BJP government against the said officials, “which cannot assuage the pain caused to the Muslims.”

“Allowing such Islamophobic remarks to continue without punishment, constitutes a grave danger to the protection of human rights and may lead to further prejudice and marginalisation, which will create a cycle of violence and hate,” Qatar’s ministry of foreign affairs said.

Saudi Arabia also used some strong words in its statement. “The Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed

its condemnation and denunciation of the statements made by the spokeswoman of the BJP,” it said.

The Organization of the Islamic Cooperation also issued a strongly worded statement which did not go well with India. In response, the spokesperson of the Indian foreign affairs ministry called the OIC’s statement as “narrow-minded” and “unwarranted”, adding that the comments “denigrating” the prophet were made by “certain individuals.”

India receives remittances of $87 billion per year and half of it of it comes from five Islamic countries: UAE, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Qatar,

and Oman.

Besides, 8.9 million Indians currently work in the Gulf nations. 60% of India’s crude oil comes from the Middle East with the UAE being the third largest trade partner of India.

Indian PM Narendra Modi has been a regular visitor to the region since coming to power in 2014. The country has already signed a free trade agreement with the UAE and is in talks with the GCC for a wider deal.

At the moment, a major portion of India’s energy requirements is met by countries of the GCC. India also imports meat, cereals, sugarcane, coffee, cocoa products, and processed tobacco products, among other commodities, from them. In 2021-22, India exported products worth $421.89 billion to the six GCC nations United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Oman, Kuwait, and Bahrain. Its imports stood at $612.60 billion in this period, according to the Indian ministry of commerce.

However, the Indian media is still busy appeasing the BJP government. Instead of showing remorse on its own biases or condemning the blasphemous remarks, they are out to criticize the Muslim nations for their unified reaction.

The Indian social media is also running a trend of boycotting Qatar Airways, in retaliation to the country’s strong reaction over the issue. App

China, Central Asia agree on broader cooperation covering BRI, trade, security China and five Central Asian countries achieved fruitful cooperation and broad consensus on issues covering the economy, trade and security during Wednesday’s third China+Central Asia (C+C5) foreign ministers’ meeting. Chinese analysts said the outcomes addressed the region’s most acute challenges of an economic downturn and the threat of a “color revolution” following the RussiaUkraine conflict, and also smashed the US’ recent malicious attempt to pressure Central Asia with ideological tools in order to drive a wedge between China and the region.

State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi attended the third C+C5 foreign ministers’ meeting in Kazakhstan on Wednesday, along with ministers from Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan.

Wang said that the most important outcome of the meeting was that representatives agreed to establish a mechanism of regular meetings among the heads of state of the C+C5 countries. The meeting also adopted four documents including on data secu-

rity, deepening connectivity, roadmap for implementing consensus of video summit between China and five Central Asian nations.

They reached agreement on 10 areas of consensus, including a plan to push forward the Belt and Road initiative (BRI) with high quality, expand local currency settlement, ensure the safe and stable operation of China-Europe freight trains and an integrated industrial chain and a continuous supply chain, uphold security in both traditional and non-traditional fields and work together to combat the “three evil forces” (terrorism, extremism and separatism).

Wang said that China will always firmly support Central Asian countries in upholding their sovereignty and independence, pursuing development paths suited to their national conditions, maintaining political security and social stability, and building a peaceful Central Asia.

Central Asian representatives thanked China for providing strong support for infrastructure construction, improvement of people’s livelihoods, and connectivity in the region, and they are ready to tap the

potential of the C+C5 cooperation mechanism and fully supported the high-quality BRI. Chinese analysts said that the C+C5 foreign ministers’ meeting took place as China and regional countries’ relations ushered in a new era, following the virtual summit between state leaders commemorating the 30th anniversary of diplomatic relations between China and Central Asian countries in January.

The fruitful achievements of the meeting suggested that future relations between China and Central Asia will be more comprehensive and deeper.

Qian Feng, director of the research department at the National Strategy Institute at Tsinghua University, told the Global Times on Wednesday that Central Asian countries face great challenges in improving their economies and stabilizing supply chains, which were hit hard by the pandemic and the Russia-Ukraine conflict, as well as safeguarding their sovereignty and territorial integrity and dealing with the threat of “color revolutions.” Cooperation with China has addressed the pragmatic and urgent needs of these countries. AgeNcies

Now ex-serviceman moves Indian SC against Places of Worship Act nEW DELhi AgeNcies

With a nefarious intention to pave way for the demolition of mosques in India, a fresh petition has been filed in the Indian Supreme Court challenging the validity of certain provisions of the Places of Worship (Special Provisions) Act, 1991. According to Kashmir Media Service, encouraged by the demolition of historic Babri Masjid in Ayodhya, the Hindutva workers are claiming that many mosques were built on the sites of old Hindu temples by the Muslim rulers and emperors. They are demanding conversion of many mosques into Hindu temples.

This is the eighth petition against the law that declared that the character of places of worship shall be maintained as it was on August 15, 1947. Earlier, Vishwa Bhadra Pujari Purohit Mahasangh, Ashwini Kumar Upadhyay, Subharanian Swamy, Rudra Vikram Singh, Chandra Shekhar, Devakinandan Thakur and Swami Jitendranand had moved the top court against various provisions of the Act. The Supreme Court had in March 2021 issued notice to the Indian government on some of the petitions challenging the validity of certain provisions of the 1991 Act. In the fresh petition, the petitioner Anil Kabotra – a retired Army officer – claimed that the 1991 law created an “arbitrary and irrational retrospective cut-off date” of August 15, 1947, for maintaining the character of the places of worship or pilgrimage against encroachment done on them.

China willing to help Sri Lanka deal with debt burden China is willing to play an active role in helping Sri Lanka deal with its debt burden along with other countries and international organizations, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Zhao Lijian said at a regular press conference on Wednesday. Sri Lankan President Gotabaya Rajapaksa recently said in an interview that, “China appears to be shifting its strategic focus toward Southeast Asia and Africa, noting that South Asian countries in financial trouble aren’t getting the same attention from Beijing as before.” In a response to the Sri Lankan president’s remarks, Zhao said that after the Sri Lankan government announced the suspension of foreign debt repayment, Chinese financial institutions took the initiative to consult with the Sri Lankan side and expressed their willingness to properly handle maturing China-related bonds and debts and help Sri Lanka cope with the current difficulties. China calls for Sri Lanka to safeguard the legitimate rights of foreign investment partners and ensure the stable operation of its domestic market, he added. Noting that China is a traditional friendly neighbor to Sri Lanka, he said that the country has been closely following the difficulties and challenges facing Sri Lanka and has been helping Sri Lanka’s economic and social development within its capacity. China has provided several batches of relief to the Sri Lankan people, including 500 million yuan (around $74.9 million) in humanitarian aid, he said. China attaches great importance to developing good-neighborly relations with South Asian nations, the spokesperson added. History shows that China has always stood firmly with South Asian countries in the face of natural disasters such as earthquakes and tsunamis, as well as global challenges such as the financial crisis and COVID-19 pandemic, he said. Under the current circumstances, China will work with relevant countries to tackle risks and challenges, jointly build the Belt and Road with high quality, maintain the sound momentum of security, stability, cooperation and development in the region, and bring more benefits to the people of the region, he added. AgeNcies

Nuke contaminated water from Fukushima may be out of sight, not of one’s mind Zhou Dingxing News Desk

In 2011, the “3/11” earthquake in Japan caused the meltdown of the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant reactor core, unleashing enormous amounts of radioactive material. The operator of the plant, Tokyo Electric Power Company (TEPCO), decided to pour in seawater to cool the reactor and contain the leakage. And because the used seawater became highly contaminated with radioactive material, TEPCO had to put it in storage tanks. A decade on, the nuclear contaminated water generated by the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant are about 150 tons per day in 2021, and will reach the upper limit of the storage tank capacity of 1.37 million tons in the spring of 2023.

According to estimates by the Japan Center for Economic Research, it will cost 50-70 trillion yen (about $400-550 billion) to scrap and decontaminate the reactor, the bulk of which goes to the treatment of contaminated water. So in April 2021, the Japanese government announced that the problem of increasing amounts of nuclear contaminated wastewater would be addressed by dumping it into the sea. On May 18, 2022, the Japan Atomic Energy Regulatory Com-

mission granted initial approval for TEPCO’s ocean dumping plan.

After the Fukushima nuclear accident, the Japanese government set up the “Nuclear Damage Compensation and Decommissioning Facilitation Corporation” (NDF), which is an official agency with 50.1 percent of TEPCO’s voting rights, in order to prevent TEPCO from going bankrupt. In other words, TEPCO is now under direct jurisdiction and control of the Japanese government. It is not hard to see that both TEPCO and the Japanese government are the masterminds behind the nuclear contaminated water dumping plan, because for them, this is the most expedient, cost-effective and trouble-saving way. Japan would need to spend only 3.4 billion yen (about $27 million) according to this plan. But the threat to nature, the environment and human life as a result of such reckless actions was probably never on their minds.

Nuclear coNtamiNated water is Not Nuclear treated water: Monitoring data collected in 2012 showed that the concentration of Cesium in the waters near Fukushima was 100,000 becquerels per cubic meter, which is 100 times higher than what was detected in the Black Sea after the Chernobyl nuclear leak. Ten years later in 2021, 500 becquerels

of radioactive elements per kilogram of weight could still be detected in the flat scorpionfish caught by Japanese fishermen off the coast of Fukushima Prefecture, or five times higher than Japan’s own standards. In the 11 years since the nuclear disaster, one or two thyroid cancer cases have been reported for every 60,000 children in Fukushima Prefecture, much higher than the normal rate.

The Japanese government and TEPCO have repeatedly claimed that nuclear contaminated water is “safe” to be dumped into the ocean because it would go through the multi-nuclide removal system (Advanced Liquid Processing System, ALPS). But it is only the radioactive substance called “Tritium” that has reached this standard. And what Japan doesn’t say is that, even after treatment, the water still contains other radioactive substances such as Strontium 90 and Carbon 14 that cause genetic mutation in the ecosystem.

Since the release of the ALPS-related report, the Japanese government has not held any briefings or hearings for the public.

And in order to justify the dumping plan, the Japanese government contacted citizen and groups to ask them to stop using the words “nuclear contaminated water”, and use “nuclear treated water” instead. Vigorous public

relations (PR) efforts have also been carried out to whitewash the plan. In the 2021 budget of the Japanese Reconstruction Agency, PR expenses related to the Fukushima nuclear accident have increased to 2 billion yen (around $16 million), over four times than the previous year figure. The money has been used on professional teams to weaken and remove negative public opinion in Japan and abroad about the nuclear contaminated water through various propaganda programs.

Furthermore, TEPCO’s track records for handling the nuclear accident have been filled with deception and distortion. In 2007, TEPCO admitted that it had tampered with data and concealed potential safety hazards in a total of 199 regular inspections of 13 reactors in its nuclear power plants since 1977, including the cooling system failure in the Fukushima nuclear accident. One week after the 2011 nuclear accident when experts had already made the judgment that the cores of Units 1 to 3 of the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant had melted, the company still refused to announce the truth to the public, and instead chose to use “core damage,” a term that was significantly less alarming.

With a past so bad it is hard to make one believe that TEPCO will dump “safe” nuclear contaminated water into the sea.

waves of oppositioN at home aNd abroad: The Japanese government has so far failed to provide sufficient and credible explanations on the legitimacy of the nuclear contaminated water dumping plan, the reliability of nuclear contaminated water data, the effectiveness of the purification devices, and the uncertainty of the environmental impact. To promote the plan under such circumstances has only brought about wide criticism and questions by various communities in Japan and beyond.

Up to 70 percent of the people in Fukushima Prefecture have expressed opposition to the dumping plan. Konno Toshio, former president of Fukushima University, was opposed to advancing the ocean dumping plan without prior understanding at home and abroad, because this plan could affect future generations and must be treated with great caution. The fishery cooperatives and local councils in Miyagi Prefecture, which is adjacent to Fukushima Prefecture, believe that the dumping of nuclear contaminated water into the ocean may affect the safety of local aquatic products and cause significant economic losses to related industries. Already, 180,000 people in Japan have signed the petition to the Japanese government to adopt disposal options other than ocean dumping.

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Thursday, 9 June, 2022 | KARACHI

BaBar azam, KHuSHdiL SHaH Lead PaKiStaN to victory over WeSt iNdieS iN firSt odi MULTAN

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Staff RepoRt

KIPPER Babar Azam and young batsman Khushdil Shah led Pakistan trash West Indies by five wickets in the first ODI here at Multan Cricket Stadium on Wednesday.

While Babar Azam broke records once again by scoring his 17th ODI century, Khushdil Shah played an aggressive knock of 41 runs to finish off 306-runs chase against the visitors in style.

In twilight phase of the second innings, Pakistan suffered tough situation after they lost in-form skipper Babar.

However, Khusdhil stood firm with his fire power knock to take Pakistan over the victory line.

Centurion Shai Hope and Shamarh Brooks were on song as they set the tone for West Indies to score 305-8 against Pakistan after the visiting team opted to bat first. Hope and Brooks stayed long at the crease to put the home side under pressure.

Attacking shots and aggressive mindset must have amused almost a full house here at the stadium but the fans really wanted to see their team making a comeback.

After Shaheen Shah Afridi picked up Kyle Mayers for just nine runs, Pakistan generated a hope of getting tourists bowl out earlier. But, Hope shattered the hopes of the men in green by scoring his 12th ODI century.

Hopes and Brooks scored 154 runs together, registering second-highest second-wicket partnership at Multan Stadium. The highest is of 159 runs between Graeme Smith and Shaun Pollock which

they scored back in 2007.

A twist was needed in the game as fans were chanting ‘out, out, out’, generating a mesmerizing chorus voice in the ground. And, finally the twist came on the last ball of 31st over when Shadab Khan took a blinder at short third man.

In-form, Brooks edged off Mohammad Nawaz and never knew he had to walk off in such a way. Shadab stretched for full length dive to take a one-handed blinder. The right-handed batter scored 70 runs off 83 balls including seven

zverev undergoes ankle surgery BeRLIN agencieS

boundaries. It was Brook, who got out but the real threat in the form of Hope was looming over Babar Azam XI. He went onto score runs and completed his 12th century of 118 balls. Also, this magnificent performance helped him break the highest runs record of his countrymen and former West Indian captain Richie Richardson.

In 1987, Richardson had scored highest 110 runs in ODIs in Pakistan.

However, Hope is now the new highest ODI run-scorer in Pakistan with 127 off

134 balls laced with 15 boundaries and a maximum. Pakistan made a comeback in the field but Romario Shepherd (25) and Rovman Powell (32) smacked the Pakistani bowlers to race West Indies’ score once again.

Haris Rauf remained expensive for conceding 77 runs off his 10 overs but also took four wickets. Afridi bagged two wickets while Shadab and Nawaz shared a wicket apiece. Hasan Ali went wicket-less and conceded 68 runs in 10 overs.

AgeNcIes Delayed starts, extra breaks and ice collars are some of the measures being taken to help players beat the heat in Pakistan’s one-day series against West Indies but visiting skipper Nicholas Pooran is not overly concerned about the conditions in Multan. The sides begin a three-match series later on Wednesday in one of Pakistan’s hottest cities, with temperatures likely to hover around 45 Celsius (113 Fahrenheit) on all three days. The series could not be played in December due to a COVID-19 outbreak in the West Indies camp and was shifted out of Rawalpindi last month following political rallies in nearby Islamabad. The matches will start at 1600 local time (1100 GMT) and the Pakistan Cricket Board is providing ice collars, vests, and extra water breaks, cricket website ESPNcricinfo reported. However, West Indies captain Pooran was not too worried about the conditions after the team’s first practice session on Tuesday. “Hopefully it doesn’t affect us. Coming from the Caribbean, it is quite similar, so I think we’ll be alright,” he said. “The guys are coping well, the medical team is doing everything to keep us protected. “You can’t see the future, but I don’t think the heat will be too much of a problem after what I saw this afternoon.”

Sindh Premier League on the cards: Nasir Hussain Shah News Desk Provincial Minister for Local Government Syed Nasir Hussain Shah has said that they are planning to organize Sindh Premier League soon.

He was speaking at the soft launch ceremony of the season 2 of Karachi Tapeball Premier League at a local hotel here the other day. “This SPL is similar to Kashmir Premier League to give a boost to cricket and we are organizing a program soon in this regard,” said Nasir. He said that they support KTPL at government level and to give due support to cricket the provincial government has cleared a number of playgrounds in the city that were illegally occupied. “Now they are being used once again for sports activities. We still have many such grounds that can be used for establishing sports academies. We are ready to give these facilities to interested people for sports activities in the areas where there are no such facilities,” said Nasir. Nasir said that the provincial government also started providing jobs and allowances to talented players of different sports and in this regard few players have been provided with jobs at Karachi Development Authority. Zohair Naseer, the organizer of KTPL, in his speech said that with the support of cricket legends they have given a beautiful shape to an idea by making this unstructured sport of tape ball an organized activity. “We are also in talks with the Cricket Council USA (CCUSA) to support our local players and soon they will endorse this program under which our local players can go to the USA to play this sport,” said Zohair. He added that the huge success of KTPL has given us motivation to transform this in an international activity and they are planning to host a tapeball cricket world cup in 2024. KTPL Javed Miandad in his speech said that this league is producing not only fresh talent in cricket but also grooming young players. “We want to take this cricket in the interior parts of Sindh. I am available for this cause because there is lot of potential for this sport there,” said Miandad.

ICC Rankings: Babar Azam overtakes Kane Williamson in Tests News Desk

Alexander Zverev has had surgery on torn ligaments in his right ankle following his painful exit from the French Open semi-finals. The German world number three turned his ankle while trailing eventual champion Rafael Nadal in the last four in Paris last week, screaming in pain before retiring from the match. The 25-year-old did not say when he will be back on court, but looks certain to miss Wimbledon which begins on June 27. The US Open starts on August 29. “We all have our own journey in life. This is part of mine,” Zverev wrote to his 1.8 million followers on Instagram late Tuesday alongside a picture of him giving a thumbs-up from a hospital bed. “Next week I’ll reach a career-high ranking of number two in the world, but this morning I had to undergo surgery. “After further examination in Germany, we received confirmation that all three of the lateral ligaments in my right ankle were torn. “To return to competition as quickly as possible, to ensure all the ligaments heal properly, and to reclaim full stability in my ankle, surgery was the best choice.” Zverev is still waiting for a maiden Grand Slam title, despite winning five Masters trophies and the ATP Finals twice. Roland Garros last week was his fifth major semi-final. He lost the 2020 US Open final to Dominic Thiem, having led by two sets.

Windies captain Pooran not overly concerned about conditions in multan

SPORTS 11

The battle for prestige among the top five batters in the world has further intensified following the latest update of the MRF Tyres ICC Test batting rankings.

Reigning ICC Test Cricketer of the Year Joe Root has been the big mover on the latest rankings release, with the former England captain rising two spots to sit in second place behind Australia’s Marnus Labuschagne.

Root’s sudden rise comes on the back of his match-winning century in the first Test against New Zealand at Lord’s, an innings that also saw the right-hander become the second Englishman and 14th player overall to register 10,000 Test runs.

The 31-year-old moves within just 10 rankings points of Labuschagne and could close the gap even further

when the second Test between England and New Zealand commences in Nottingham on Friday.

With Root’s rise, it also sees a small re-shuffle within the top five as Australia’s Steve Smith drops one place to third on the latest rankings.

Pakistan captain Babar Azam jumps a spot to claim fourth place, while New Zealand skipper Kane Williamson – who managed scores of just two and 15 at Lord’s – drops two places to fifth.

There are also some changes in the latest Test bowler rankings, with towering New Zealand pacer Kyle Jamieson the biggest mover on the back of his six wickets for the match against England.

Jamieson rises two places to claim third, with India speedster Jasprit Bumrah (fourth) and Pakistan quick Shaheen Shah Afridi (fifth) dropping one spot apiece.

Mohammad Rizwan explains why he says ‘our Virat Kohli’ News Desk Pakistan’s wicket-keeper batsman Mohammad Rizwan has praised Virat Kohli for his humble attitude off the field as he opened up about his meeting with the Indian superstar after winning the ICC T20 World Cup match last year.

“It was the first time I was meeting Kohli. The kind of things I had heard about him, other players also told me ‘Virat is aggressive and all’. But the way he met me before and after the match, it was amazing,” said Rizwan in an interview on the Youtube channel Cricket Baaz.

Virat Kohli has become a global superstar and recently became the first cricketer in the history to reach 200 million followers on social media.

“We all belong to the cricket family. If I call him ‘our Virat Kohli’, it is correct in the sense,” Rizwan added.

Last year, the pictures of Mohammad Rizwan and Babar Azam went viral after all three players were seen engaging in a casual chit-chat after Pakistan secured the 10-wicket victory against India in the T20 World Cup. “Obviously, when we enter the ground, no one is a star. There we have no brotherhood or anything of that sort. But outside the field, when we met Kohli, and some of our players also met MS Dhoni, we met with a lot of love and affection,” claimed Rizwan.

Rizwan further complimented Cheteshwar Pujara, with whom he played alongside in the County Championship.

“Even in County cricket, where Pujara is with me, believe me, we live with so much love. In fact, I am the one who keeps bugging him, calling him out. He keeps laughing,” he shared.

Thursday, 9 June, 2022

PRAyeR tImINgS

NEWS

COAS ExPRESSES SAtISfACtIOn OvER PROGRESS On OPERAtIOn RAdd-Ul-fASAAd RaWalPiNdi

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APP

HIEF of Army Staff (COAS) General Qamar Javed Bajwa on Wednesday expressed satisfaction over progress of Operation Radd-ul-Fasaad and lauded the achievements made thus far.

The army chief presided over the 80th Formation Commanders’ Conference held here at (GHQ), said an InterServices Public Relations (ISPR) news release.

The COAS laid special emphasis on

Federal Minister for Finance and Revenue, Miftah Ismail on Wednesday assured full support by present government to Ambassador of the United Arab Emirates, Hamad Obaid Ibrahim Salim Al-Zaabi and offered him welcoming sentiments for pursuing new investments in Pakistan Talking to UAE’s Ambassador, who called on him here, the finance minister highlighted the long-standing bilateral ties between both countries in areas of trade, energy, refinery, and petroleum, said a statement issued here by Finance Division. He shared that Pakistan is aiming at taking the existing bilateral relations to next level especially in economic area. He also shared with the UAE’s Ambassador about the potential investment avenues present in Pakistan and shared welcoming sentiments.

The Ambassador of UAE expressed interest in boosting and strengthening bilateral ties between both the countries through investments in various new avenues. APP

Imran Khan seeks more personnel from GB CM for personal security ISLAMABAD: Former prime minister and Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan on Wednesday demanded more officials for his personal security from the GilgitBaltistan government.

According to sources, the former premier Imran Khan expressed his satisfaction over the official security provided to him by the GB chief minister. However, the PTI chief demanded of GB chief minister to provide him another 30 officials for his personal security. These officials would not only perform security duty at Imran’s residence in Bani Gala, but they would also be the part of his security detail during his caravans.

Sources said that the former prime minister has ordered his Chief of Staff Shehbaz Gill to take measures to keep his security arrangements foolproof. INP

14 persons caught trying to travel abroad on fake visa KARACHI: The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) on Wednesday claimed to have foiled an attempt by 12 persons to travel abroad on fake visas. The FIA sources informed that the arrests were made at Jinnah International Airport Karachi. According to FIA sources, the FIA Immigration cell arrested 12 people in multiple operations in May for travelling on fake visas.

The accused were offloaded from the planes and arrested at Jinnah International Airport Karachi, FIA sources said. The detained passengers were moved to the passport cell where further investigations are underway. Some days back, another man trying to travel abroad using a fake visa was arrested at the Jinnah International Airport in March. The passenger was trying to use a fake Afghan passport to travel to Belgium via a private airline, FIA reported. On June 7, FIA AntiHuman Trafficking Cell Lahore has arrested the most wanted outlaw named in the FIA’s Red Book. According to FIA officials, the proclaimed offender named Kashif Rafique was wanted in eight cases of human trafficking. StAff RePoRt

Will announce date for Azadi March in a few days: Imran Khan Former prime minister and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan said on Wednesday that his party will announce the date for second phase of “Haqeeqi Azadi March” in a few days after getting clearance from the Supreme Court.

“It will be the biggest protest in Pakistan’s history. I am asking you to remain prepared as once we get clearance from the Supreme Court, I will give you the date,” he said while addressing PTI’s national council meeting in Islamabad.

He urged his party workers that what they were doing was not politics but ‘jihad’. “We will take this country to real freedom and democracy,” the former premier said.

Noting that his party had an additional responsibility being the “only federal party” in Pakistan, Imran Khan said that PPP and PMLN had become regional parties with the former ruling interior Sindh and the latter just one province.

He said that preparations were being made to make the current government win the next elections. “No one has faith in ECP. Police officials and bureaucrats fear them even institutions fear them. They are trying to appoint their own people in different institutions.”

Khan said that the only reason the current regime came into power was to remove all the cases against

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Budget 22-23: KP formulates Rs379.99bn development program islamabad AzIz BuNeRI

maintaining high standards of operational preparedness in the wake of evolving geo-strategic milieu.

“Pakistan Army being a professional institution shall always fulfill its responsibilities towards security, integrity and sovereignty of Pakistan as a sacred duty”, the COAS concluded.

The conference was attended by Corps Commanders, Principal Staff Officers and all Formation Commanders of Pakistan Army.

The participants were briefed on professional matters, national security challenges and response measures.

Miftah offers support for new investment from UAE

FAJR SUNRISE 4:10

them, not because they were sympathetic to the people.

“They say country is in bad shape but the same people ruled this country for 30 years and only moved the country to the point of destruction,” he added.

The former prime minister said that the PTI government launched 10 dam projects after 50 years including two big ones, adding that all these projects would not face difficulties as it would be hard to get loans for them.

“Moody’s has given them negative rating. WAPDA’s credit rating is also negative after Muzammil’s resignation. In future, we will also have water shortage issues. All the development projects would be jeopardised because we will not get loans,” he added.

Imran said that during the tenure of his party’s government, the country’s GDP was growing at a rate of 6 per cent and the growth rate was projected to reach 7 per cent.

Lashing out at the government for making the life of all Pakistanis miserable, he said that the country had never witnessed such inflation as it did during these two months.

“During our three-and-a-halfyear tenure, we increased petrol price by Rs55 and diesel by Rs50 but the current government raised the price more than that during these

two months.”

He said that the PTI government had negotiated to purchase cheap oil from Russia at 30 per cent discounted rates. “Now the finance minister says Russia should come to us. India is buying oil from Russia at 40 per cent discounted rates and they managed to decrease the price of petrol in their country,” he added.

The former premier said that the current government will never buy oil from Russia as it will annoy their masters – the United States. “They can never take a stand because they have billions of dollars stashed in foreign countries… they know the US will do to them what it did to Russian oligarchs.” He said that the US conducted 400 drone attacks in Pakistan but the same rulers did not even condemn them once.

He said that India, Israel and some Western countries were the happiest after he was removed from power. “They are happy that Shehbaz is now prime minister because now their agenda will be followed, not what is in the interest of Pakistan,” he added.

Imran Khan further said that the agenda of Pakistan’s enemies is to disintegrate Pakistan into many pieces.

“Indian analysts on their media openly say this. Those who brought them here want them to serve accordingly,” he further said. NewS deSk

NEC meeting: provinces agree on closure of markets at 8:30PM The National Economic Council (NEC) has decided to close markets across the country at 8:30pm.

The decision was taken during the NEC meeting chaired by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. The meeting was attended by chief ministers of Sindh, Balochistan and Punjab while Khyber Pakhtunkhwa was represented by its chief secretary Dr Shehzad Khan.

During the meeting, the provincial chief ministers were apprised of the proposals and decisions taken during the June 7, 2022 meeting of the federal cabinet to deal with the energy crisis in the country.

The chief ministers agreed with the federal government’s proposal to close the markets at 8.30pm. Meanwhile, Sindh, Punjab and Balochistan have asked for two days to implement the decision as they wish to con-

sult the traders’ association in their provinces.

The chief ministers also backed the decisions of the federal cabinet on nationwide measures to deal with the energy crisis and assured their full cooperation in tackling the energy crisis. INP

The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) government has formulated a development program of Rs379.99 billion – Rs310.89 billion for settled areas and Rs69.9 billion for tribal districts – in the 22-23 budget to announced soon.

The government officials informed that a total of 2,194 development projects are part of the development program. The provincial government will try to complete some 2,128 projects with its own resources while 66 projects will be implemented with foreign aid and loans.

The development program is expected to receive more than Rs93.18 billion in foreign aid and loans.

It is proposed to set aside Rs41.80 billion for local bodies. According to KP government officials, the volume of proposed development program is Rs379.99 billion which is Rs63.43 billion more than last year.

For the financial year 2022-23, the government has proposed Rs60.39b for roads construction, Rs48.39b for multi-sector development, Rs41.80b for local government, Rs28.78b for energy and electronics, Rs20.51b for elementary and secondary Education, Rs28.65b for health, Rs20.3b for irrigation, Rs19.69 billion for sports, tourism, culture, archeology and youth affairs, Rs18.23b for finance, Rs15.76b for urban development, Rs14.67b for agriculture, Rs12.49b for water and sanitation.

Similarly, Rs43 billion has been proposed for higher education, Rs7.9 billion for transport, Rs6.48 billion for municipalities and rural development, Rs4.21 billion for rehabilitation and resettlement, Rs4.14 billion for forestry, Rs3.85 billion for industry, Rs3.29 billion for law and justice, Rs3.15 billion for social welfare, Rs1.58 billion for social welfare, Rs1.53 billion for science and information technology, Rs1.37 billion for board of revenue, Rs1.14 billion for religious and minority endowments, Rs875 million for population welfare, Rs668 million for housing, Rs500 million for Publicprivate partnership, Rs421 million for management and staff, Rs413 million for food, Rs381 million for labour, Rs380 million for information, Rs359 million for minerals. Rs191 million for excise and taxation, and Rs47 million for environment.

Country faces upto 8-hour loadshedding as shortfall reaches 6,500 islamabad INP

Electricity shortfall in Pakistan has reached 6500 along with power outages of upto eight hours in the country, despite an announcement from the government to bring down loadshedding to three and a half hours.

According to sources in the power division, the demand for electricity peaked at 28,000 MW against the available supply of 22,000 MW, bringing the shortfall to 6500 MW. They said that some of the urban centres and rural areas are experiencing loadshedding between six to eight hours, contrary to the government’s claim of reducing the duration.

Moreover, the electricity quota of LESCO has been raised to 5000 MW against an existing demand of 5,700 MW, resulting in a shortfall of 700 MW. The LESCO has issued a loadshedding duration of a three-and-a-halfhour. Meanwhile, the sources shared that an improvement in supply of gas, and furnace oil have been witnessed to the power plants and the duration of loadshedding will be reduced in the coming days.

It is pertinent to mention here that former prime minister and Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader Shahid Khaqan Abbasi has announced that the power loadshedding would be reduced to 3.5 hours from Tuesday. Addressing a press conference in Islamabad flanked by federal ministers, Shahid Khaqan Abbasi said that the country’s electricity demand has exceeded 25,000MW. He pointed out that when the current government assumed charge, the electricity generation capacity was at 17,000MW which was increased to more than 21,000MW. Previously, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif had directed the power authorities to limit loadshedding across the country to two hours, warning that he wanted results not explanations over the matter.

Good news for IT industry in budget, claims FBR chairman islamabad ShAhzAd PARAchA

Chairman Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) Asim ahmad has said that government will give good news to IT industry in new budget.

The chairman FBR said this while addressing at Special Technology Zone Authority (STZA) One-Window signing ceremony with Systems Limited He said that there will be a good

news for IT industry in budget, there was a lack of coordination between FBR, STZA and Tech companies but we will improve our coordination in coming days, he added.

Asim Ahmad said that FBR has a strategic role in providing businessfriendly environment being the apex revenue collection body of the government.

Business community is asking for exemptions but we will have to collect Rs6.1 trillion tax revenue in ongoing year, he

added.

Ahmad also said that the STZA One Window Portal will facilitate local and foreign investors.

It will also be integrated on real-time basis with FBR and Customs systems and we are fully committed to provide all requisite support to STZA in this regard.

A working group is constituted and work with PRAL and PSW is already in progress, he added.

Chairman STZA Amer Hashmi also

gave a strategic overview of the global innovation and technology ecosystem.

He went on to explain how technology interventions can standardize and optimize the investor journey, including fast-tracking investor facilitation in areas like regulatory approvals and troubleshooting.

“STZA is building a world-class technology ecosystem. Special Technology Zones will provide an enabling business environment for local and foreign firms.

Published by Arif Nizami at Plot No 66-C, 1st Floor, 21st Commercial Street, Phase-II (Extension), DHA Karachi and printed at Ibn-e-Hassan Printing Press, Hockey Stadium, Karachi, for PT Print (Pvt) Limited. Ph: 021-35381208-9. Email: newsroom@pakistantoday.com.pk