Epaper_23-02-21 LHR

AlvI orders eCP to hold eleCtIons In PunjAb And KP on APrIl 9

g Pdm lEadErs says PrEsidEnt

Could not announCE datE for ProvinCial assEmbliEs' Polls

tHEpresident an-

nounced that general elections for the parliaments of Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa will take place on april 9, a day after the chief election commissioner declined point-blank his summon for an “urgent meeting” on the subject.

the decision on monday to hold the elections in the two provinces follows the dissolution of their respective legislatures by Pakistan tehreek-i-insaf (Pti) governments at the behest of former prime minister imran Khan, ahead of the completion of their constitutionally-mandated five-year terms in october.

according to a statement issued by the press wing of the presidency, the date for the general elections for the two parliaments has been set under section 57(1) of the Elections act, 2017. the law stipulates the

g ECP summons ‘imPortant mEEting’ tuEsday (today) to disCuss PrEsidEnt’s announCEmEnt

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president shall “announce the date of the general elections after consultation with the [election] commission.”

the release said President arif alvi has ordered the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) to “issue election programme in accordance with section 57(2) of the act.” the letter to sikander sultan raja, its chief, said the decision to hold the elections was made under section 57(1) of the Elections act, 2017. the president has, therefore, asked raja to issue the election programme under section 57(2) of the same law.

alvi defended his announcement of the date by saying there was “no impediment in invoking the power and authority vested in him” as there was “no restraining order from any of the judicial fora”.

He also criticised baligh urrehman and Haji ghulam ali, the governors in Punjab and KP, for not performing their constitutional duties to appoint a date not later than 90 days from the

Imran gets protective bail till Mar 3 in terrorism case

LAHORE

Staff RepoRt

a lahore High Court (lHC) division bench on monday granted protective bail to Pakistan tehreek-e-insaf (Pti) Chairman imran Khan till march 3, in a terrorism case registered by sangjani Police (islamabad). the case was registered on charges of rioting and clashes with islamabad police in october in the aftermath of his disqualification by the Election Commission of Pakistan in the toshakhana reference. His plea for bail in another case — which was also registered in islamabad and pertained to protests outside the office of the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) — was disposed of after the ex-premier withdrew his petition. the proceedings in both the petitions culminated only after the high court had to wait for hours and set multiple deadlines for imran to arrive. once the Pti chief reached the court premises, a number of his supporters had gathered around him. the lHC bench directed imran Khan to approach the court concerned till march 3, adding that the order would cease to have its legal effect after the said date. the division bench comprising Justice ali baqar najafi and Justice syed shahbaz ali rizvi passed the orders while disposing of a petition filed by imran Khan for protective bail. during the proceedings, Pti Chairman imran Khan appeared before the bench. imran’s counsel argued before the bench that sangjani police had registered a case against his client under section 341, 427, 353, 186, 147, 149, 188, 506, 109 of Pakistan Penal Code and section 7 of anti-terrorism act.

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date of dissolution of the assemblies.the president lambasted the commission for “not fulfilling its constitutional obligation for holding polls” of the assemblies concerned. He said the ECP had already indicated the possible dates for the elections in its various communications to the constitutional functionaries and that it was the commission’s responsibility to hold the elections within ninety days.

He also revealed that he had initiated a “serious consultation process” with the ECP for the date announcement, but the commission replied it “could not participate in a meeting on the subject matter” with the president.

ecP suMMons ‘iMPoRtant

MeetinG: the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has summoned an ‘important meeting’ on tuesday to discuss President arif alvi’s announcement of date for holding elections for the Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) assemblies. according to sources, the

Govt taking tangible steps to strengthen economy: PM

ISLAMABAD Staff RepoRt

Prime minister muhammad shehbaz sharif on monday said the government was taking tangible and necessary steps to strengthen the economy and prioritizing reduction in unnecessary imports by enhancing exports. He said the incumbent government also faced the issues of mismanagement of the previous regime, and still in the face of such issues, but it was committed to improving the economy with strenuous efforts. the prime minister was talking to a delegation of rothschild and Co, one of the world’s largest independent financial advisory groups, that called on him, the Pm office media Wing said in a press release. the meeting was attended by minister of state for finance dr ayesha ghous Pasha and other relevant officials. talking to the delegation, the prime minister mentioned that Pakistan faced natural calamity in the shape of recent floods spurred by the worst climate changes. the delegation members termed the economic situation in Pakistan stable and said its talented manpower was its real strength. the present government was taking steps to take the economy on the right path, they observed. they also commended Pakistan stock Exchange as among the bestperforming stocks in the region.

‘PM invites Dutch coMPanies to invest in Pakistan’: on the other hand, Prime minister shehbaz sharif on monday held a telephone call with Prime minister of the netherlands mark rutte wherein he invited the dutch companies to invest in the areas of agriculture, horticulture, water management and renewable energy. during the telephonic conversation, the two leaders took stock of bilateral relations and expressed satisfaction at its positive trajectory, besides agreeing to further enhance trade and economic relations.

meeting would review the President’s announcement and would take a decision according to ‘Constitution and law’.

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Contact: 0307-7338168 irfan.farooq@pakistantoday.com.pk

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ISLAMABAD Staff RepoRt

Dar Claims ‘new taxes’ to Cut buDget DefiCit as finanCe (suppl) bill sails through na

iSLAMABAD

staff RepoRt

tHENational Assembly passed the Finance (Supplementary) Bill, 2023 aimed to amend certain laws relating to taxes and duties. Minister for Finance Ishaq Dar introduced the bill in the House on February 15, and the formal debate started on it after moving a motion by Minister for Commerce Syed Naveed Qamar on February 17, 2023. In his concluding speech, the Minister for Finance and Revenue Senator Muhammad Ishaq Dar said that this bill proposed to impose new taxes of Rs170 billion to minimize the fiscal deficit.

He said that his economic team had hectic routine during last ten days and it held talks with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to revive the program, during which it agreed to take some tough decisions for streamlining the deteriorating condition of the economy.

He said the new revenue measures would not affect the poor segments of society. In order to help the poor cope with the rising inflation, he said the government had also proposed a Rs40 billion increase in the budget of the Benazir Income Support Program (BISP).

The government has proposed to increase the BISP budget from Rs360 billion to Rs400 billion, by allocating additional

Kp assemblies

iSLAMABAD staff RepoRt

Former Interior Minister and Awami Muslim League (AML) Chief Sheikh Rashid Ahmad on Monday expressed his full confidence in the Supreme Court (SC), predicting the top court will give a historic verdict on the election date. “Am confident the SC will give its verdict in favour to conduct of the elections of the Punjab and KPK assemblies on the dates announced by President Arif Alvi,” AML Chief Sh Rashid declared while talking to a private TV channel. Sheikh Rashid stated that after the assembly dissolution, it is necessary to hold elections within 90 days in accordance with the Constitution. He lauded President Arif Alvi for announcing the PA election date in Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) provinces. Earlier, speakers of the Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa assemblies filled a joint petition in the Supreme Court for elections of both the assemblies. In response to a question, Sheikh Rasheed said, “Qamar Zaman Kaira is like a brother but he does not know the seriousness of the situation.”

It is pertinent to mention here that President Arif Alvi announced Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) provincial assembly’s election date. As per details, the president announced April 9 for election in Punjab and KP under section 57(2) of the constitution. In a letter written to Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Sultan Sikandar Raja president Arif Alvi said the constitution does not allow to exceed 90 days for holding elections after the dissolution of assemblies and he has taken the oath to defend and protect the constitution. On the other hand, another plea seeking election dates in Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has been filed in the Supreme Court (SC) moved by the speakers of the Punjab, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa assemblies and the former MPAs. The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) governors, president, Punjab and KP caretaker governments, law ministry, and others have been made respondents in the plea.

funds of Rs40 billion to benefit the (BISP) beneficiaries,” he added.

He said Senate Standing Committee on Finance has proposed some amendments related to federal excise duty on air tickets to different countries which have been adopted. The minister said that every cigarette brand would pay the duty as per category which it had been paying before the introduction of the bill.

Ishaq Dar expressed satisfaction with the performance of the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) and hoped that the revenue collection target set for the year 2022-23 would be achieved easily. The additional proposed tax measures of Rs 170 billion, he added, were not meant to

bridge the gap of the collection target, rather the same would help minimize the budget deficit for the FY23.

He said the IMF was much concerned over the huge losses, such as the power sector was facing losses of around Rs 1,450 billion per year. He said that a total amount of Rs3,000 billion is being spent to generate electricity while the government collects only Rs1,550 billion. He said that due to power theft, line loss and non-payment of electricity bills, the government was facing about Rs1,450 billion deficit.

The minister said that both houses of parliament talked about reducing the expenses and the Prime Minister would give

a comprehensive road map in coming days for austerity measures.

Ishaq Dar also criticized the economic policies of the previous government and said that poor management and lack of fiscal discipline damaged the economy.

He said that PTI government did not fulfill commitments with IMF and sabotaged the economy before its ouster. It was the obligation of the State to honor the agreement signed with IMF so the present government was implementing point agreed by the PIT government.

Ishaq Dar said due to the reforms being taken by the incumbent government, the economy would first get stabilized and then witness rapid growth in the coming years. He said the new revenue measures would not affect the poor segments of society as most of the new taxes were being imposed on luxury items not used by them.

The minister also thanked the members from both houses of parliament for their recommendations on the bill. He said their feedback has been reviewed and it would be incorporated in the upcoming budget.

Indian shares fall on US rate-hike worries

profit report

ReuteRs

Indian shares fell on Monday after U.S. export prices data last week stoked fresh fears that the Federal Reserve would keep interest rates higher for longer, while investors waited for minutes of the Fed’s meeting due on Wednesday.

The Nifty 50 index (.NSEI) closed 0.56% lower at 17,844.60, while the S&P BSE Sensex (.BSESN) fell 0.51% at 60,691.54.

The benchmarks struggled for direction in the first half of the day, before settling lower to extend losses for a second straight session.

“Inflation remains the number one risk to global

markets,” said Pramod Gubbi, co-founder of Marcellus Investment Managers. Eleven of the 13 major sectoral indexes fell with heavyweight financials (.NIFTYFIN) losing nearly 1% and pharma index (.NIPHARM) shedding 0.81%.

Cipla (CIPL.NS), the second-highest weighted stock in the pharma index, tumbled over 6% to a nearseven-month low after the company’s Pithampur unit received eight observations from the U.S. drug regulator after inspection.

The top two stocks in Nifty 50 in terms of weightage – Reliance Industries (RELI.NS) and HDFC Bank (HDBK.NS) fell nearly 1% each and led the slide in the benchmark.

Information technology stocks (.NIFTYIT) rose

Ericsson to cut 1,400 jobs in Sweden

profit report

ReuteRs

Telecoms gear maker Ericsson (ERICb.ST) plans to cut about 1,400 jobs in Sweden as part of a broader plan to reduce costs globally, it said on Monday. The company had earlier announced plans to cut costs by 9 billion crowns ($880 million) by the end of 2023 as demand slows in some markets, including North America.

Further job cuts, numbering several thousands

in other countries, are likely to be announced in the coming days, said two sources close to the matter. Ericsson last made deep cuts in 2017 when it laid off thousands of employees and focused on research to pull the company out of losses. The company was negotiating with its employee union in Sweden for months on how to handle cost cuts. Agreement has now been reached with Swedish unions on how to manage headcount reductions, a spokesperson said, adding that the company intends to make the cuts through a voluntary programme.

Skills development and tourism agencies sign MoU to boost Punjab industry

LAHore staff RepoRt

Punjab Skills Development Fund (PSDF) and Punjab Tourism for Economic Growth (PTEGP) have signed an MoU (memorandum of understanding) to upgrade the skillsets of workers in Punjab’s tourism industry. The partnership aims to train 10,000 individuals in the hospitality sector by activating three main elements — increasing private sector participation, improving infrastructure services, and enhancing the skillsets of tourism sector workers.

To achieve this, PSDF will identify professional areas and mobilize training service providers to implement skills training, while PTEGP will finance the training and raise awareness of the project’s goals.

A project management unit (PMU) will be formed to monitor the training’s outcomes. PSDF COO, Ali Akbar Bosan, stated that the training and

knowledge required for the industry will be shaped by PSDF to enable competent workers to deliver quality service and performance, which is essential for boosting Pakistan’s economy.

LHC suspends ECP de-notification of 70 PTI MPs

The Lahore High Court (LHC) has granted relief to the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) by suspending the order of the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) that denotified 70 lawmakers of the former ruling party who resigned en masse last year.

Justice Shahid Karim issued notices to the tribunal and National Assembly Speaker Raja Pervez Ashraf, among others, directing them to respond to the ruling by March 7.

The future of the by-elections in the constituencies, which were represented by the de-notified MPs and originally scheduled to take place on March 16 and 19

in two phases, now hangs in the balance due to the latest development. More than 120 MPs loyal to former prime minister Imran Khan resigned en masse on April 11, two days after he was ousted in a contentious vote of noconfidence marred by unprobed allegations of military intervention.

Qasim Khan Suri, then deputy speaker of the National Assembly who was acting as speaker after Asad Qaiser’s resignation, accepted the resignation letters on April 15. However, once Ashraf was elected as the speaker, he decided to verify the resignations by interviewing lawmakers individually, but instead decided in favour of stalling the entire process by blaming it on the lawmakers’ reluctance to step down.

Such situations require a lot of thought process, he

had said, declaring he will not accept the letters until he was completely satisfied they were not stepping down under pressure.

However, after Khan hinted at “testing” the prime minister, Shahbaz Sharif, through a confidence vote in a tit-for-tat move similar to the one he himself had faced, Ashraf hastily accepted the resignations and sent the list to the commission.

The ruling came after a plea was filed by lawmakers challenging the approval of their resignations.

On February 8, the LHC suspended a similar order by the commission regarding a group of 43 MPs.

The judgement on Monday has resulted in PTI emerging as the largest opposition party in the lower house, prompting Fawad Chaudhry, senior vice

over 0.5%, with nine of the 10 constituents gaining on Monday. The recent correction in IT stocks have made their valuations attractive, and long-term investors are increasing allocations to utilise the opportunity, three analysts said.

Since the start of 2022, the IT index (.NIFTYIT) has lost nearly 20% compared to 3% rise in the Nifty 50 (.NSEI) index.

The ongoing concerns over the future rate-hiking path in the U.S. remained an overhang after official data showed a rise in export prices in January.

Investors await the minutes of the Fed’s meeting, due on Wednesday, to assess the U.S. central bank’s future rate hiking path. U.S. markets are closed on Monday for Presidents’ Day.

14 passengers killed, 63 injured in Chakwal bus crash

LAHore staff RepoRt

A speeding passenger bus crashed off a motorway and overturned near Kallar Kahar town of Chakwal district in Punjab, killing at least 14 passengers and injuring 63 others, police and government officials said Monday. The crash happened overnight, deputy commissioner of Chakwal, Qurat-ul-Ain Malik, said. In a statement to the press, the official said the incident occurred when the vehicle transporting a wedding party was navigating a curved section of the Islamabad-Lahore (M2) motorway and experienced a brake failure. As a result, the bus collided with two cars traveling in the opposite direction. Malik confirmed that six passengers sustained critical wounds and were promptly transported to Holy Family Hospital in Rawalpindi. The exact extent of their injuries is currently unknown. The authorities are investigating the incident. Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif in a statement expressed his deep grief and sorrow over the loss of lives in the crash and ordered authorities to provide the best possible medical treatment to the injured. Last month, a passenger bus crashed into a pillar and fell off a bridge, catching fire and killing 40 people in the Lasbela district of Balochistan. Traffic accidents in Pakistan generally happen due to violations of traffic rules, resulting in the deaths of thousands every year.

president of the opposition party, to “immediately” begin the process to replace “turncoat” opposition leader Raja Riaz Ahmed.

sh rashid confident sC to give ‘historic verdict’ on date for punjab,

pm’s son engages in ‘CruCial meetings’ with nawaz in lonDon: report

LonDon/LAHore MonitoRing RepoRt

sULEMANShahbaz, the younger son of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, has reportedly been holding a series of meetings with Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) supreme leader Nawaz Sharif in London.

According to Geo News, Shahbaz arrived in London last week and has been meeting with the elder Sharif daily for several hours to discuss matters related to the

Pakistan

iSLAMABAD

anadolu agency

government, the party, and the family’s political future.

The report claims that Shahbaz brought a message from his father for Sharif to strategize ways to handle the latest political challenges, including the upcoming elections.

The meetings were held one-on-one, with him briefing the deposed prime minister on various issues. The Sharif family sources confirmed that important matters were discussed, and the family remains united under the leadership of the two brothers.

During the meetings, Shahbaz reportedly briefed

to dispatch 100,000

the earthquake-hit areas.

Sharif on various matters and discussed future strategies to deal with legal and political matters. The duo have also reportedly met with a group of senior businessmen from Pakistan over the past week.

Declared an absconder over his prolonged absence, Shahbaz ended his self-imposed exile in December of last year and returned to Pakistan. He spent two months in Lahore and appeared before the courts in cases registered against him.

Subsequently, the FIA informed the courts they don’t have a case against Shahbaz.

winterised tents to

for the earthquake victims.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said the country will dispatch 100,000 winterised tents to the earthquake victims of Turkey by the end of this month. These tents, Sharif said, are being prepared in consultation with Turkey’s Disaster and Emergency Management Authority (AFAD), considering the weather conditions of

Sharif made the announcement in Lahore during a meeting with the representatives of charities taking part in relief and rescue operations in Turkey and Syria, said a statement from the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO).

The purpose of the meeting attended by the representatives of AlKhidmat Foundation, Sailani Welfare Trust, and Edhi Foundation, was to improve coordination and accelerate the funds and relief goods collection

Among other attendees were Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal, who also heads the relief operation for the earthquake victims, and Pakistan’s ambassadors to Turkey and Syria.

Lauding the efforts of Pakistani charities, the premier directed that the relief goods collected by all the local charities be sent to Turkey and Syria through the National Disaster and Management Authority (NDMA).

Imran gets protective bail till Mar 3 in terrorism case

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He submitted that the court concerned dismissed the interim bail of his client for non-prosecution after he failed to appear due to injuries Imran sustained during as attempt on his life in Wazirabad. He submitted that his client wanted to approach the court concerned for relief but needed some time for the purpose. He pleaded with the court to grant two weeks protective bail to his client to enable him to appear before the court concerned.

At this stage, the PTI chairman submitted that his leg had been healed to some extent but doctors had advised two weeks’ rest, adding that he would undergo check-up on February 28. The PTI chairman further submitted that he respected courts.

Subsequently, the court granted protective bail to the PTI chairman till March 3.

Earlier, the bench took up the matter and ordered the LHC security incharge to produce the PTI chairman in the court after being informed that he was present on the court premises, while rejecting a request to verify his presence through court staff.

Imran’s counsel had pleaded with the court to mark

large steel producers demand opening of lCs

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Further price increases in the coming weeks cannot be ruled out due to the shortage. Domestic scrap has gone from 120,000 rupees per ton to over 200,000 rupees per ton, a record jump of 40% in raw material cost in just a few weeks. PALSP urges the Ministry of Industries to implement a Scrap Recycling policy like India to increase domestic generation and bring prices down urgently.

The sharp increase in local scrap prices and lack of options to import raw material has already led to approximately 80% of small to medium-sized mills shutting down, suggesting a massive wave of unemployment. Additionally, 45 allied industries are related to the steel industry, and there will be 7.5 million jobs at stake if LCs are not opened urgently. PALSP urges the SBP to act on war footing and ensure that LCs are opened as soon as possible. This is the time to act in order to prevent the situation from deteriorating further.

suzuki increases prices for third time within 30 days

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The price increase comes off the back of Suzuki recording one of its lowest monthly sales numbers in recent memory. The company saw a 74% month-on-month (MoM) reduction in its sales volume based on data provided by the Pakistan Automotive Manufacturers Association (PAMA). Going forward, the company might experience a similar month in February. This is due to the confluence of the two back to back price increases within February, and the company observing non-production days from February 13 to February 20. These two factors in conjunction are likely to exert demand and supply constraints on Suzuki.

the attendance of his client through the court staff as he was facing difficulty in entering the court due to the security reasons and presence of a large number of workers. The PTI chief arrived at the LHC amid tight security. He entered the court premises following security clearance, whereas a large number of party workers were also present on this occasion.

It is pertinent to mention here that the same division bench had earlier dismissed Imran Khan’s petition for protective bail on February 16. Imran Khan had again approached the LHC on Monday through a fresh petition.

Later on, the PTI chairman appeared before Justice Tariq Saleem Sheikh for clarification of his different signatures on affidavit and power of attorney in a petition for protective bail in another case registered at Secretariat police station (Islamabad).

To a court query, Imran Khan said that the petition was filed without his consent. He submitted that he advised counsel Azhar Siddique to withdraw the petition after the matter came to his knowledge, while seeking apology from the court.

Subsequently, the court disposed of the petition on being withdrawn.

alvi orders eCp to hold elections in punjab and Kp on april 9

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The development came after President Dr Arif Alvi announced April 9 as the date for holding general elections for Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) assemblies. The announced the date under section 57(2) of the constitution. In a letter written to Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Sultan Sikandar Raja president Arif Alvi said the constitution does not allow to exceed 90 days for holding elections after the dissolution of assemblies and he has taken the oath to defend and protect the constitution. Earlier in the day, the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) decided against attending the meeting summoned by President Arif Alvi to discuss the dates for holding elections in Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The decision was taken in a consultative meeting of the ECP chaired by Chief Election Commissioner, Sikandar Sultan Raja, to decide whether to accept or reject the invitation made by Presidency.

‘sindh to take measures to avoid terror incidents’

KArACHi staff RepoRt

The Sindh government has decided to take special measures in order to avoid and handle any sort of terrorist activity in the future. Addressing a press conference on Monday, Sindh Information Minister Sharjeel Inam Memon said that Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah had taken tough decisions to avoid any hindrance during the management of terrorism incidents.

Separately, Maryam Nawaz, after returning to Pakistan, said her father would return to Pakistan but a date has not been given yet. The family is said to be weighing its options around the return of Sharif to Pakistan at the “appropriate time”, which is likely to be around the forthcoming general elections.

Turkey beverages industry to bear 10pc feD

He also directed the NDMA to further strengthen the supply chain of relief goods to Turkey and Syria, besides preparing a supply plan for March, the statement added. Sharif formed a sub-committee of the Cabinet that will coordinate between the government and the local charities for the collection and dispatching of relief goods to Turkey and Syria. Pakistan has already dispatched over 500 tons of relief goods to Turkey.

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The industry also helps with providing better processing and more efficient ways of fruit preservation to prevent wast when produced in bulk.

In line with local regulations (such as Punjab Food Authority), fruit drinks have minimum 8% fruit content, nectars have 25-50% fruit content and pure juices have 100% fruit content. In fact, fruit juices are promoted as healthier options by food authorities across the country for consumption in schools and colleges.

Wanted in many cases, imran must be arrested for provoking attack on LHc: marriyum

ISLAMABAD Staff RepoRt

mINISTERfor Information and Broadcasting Marriyum Aurangzeb on Monday said Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan had made the Constitution, law, and judicial system a joke and instigated his party workers to attack the Lahore High Court.

Talking to the media here at the Parliament House, she said Imran Khan should be taken to task for provoking his workers to attack the court which had summoned him in a case earlier in the day. “Imran Khan is wanted in many court cases, but for provoking an attack on the Lahore High Court today, he must be arrested immediately,” she stressed.

The minister said the court wanted Imran Khan’s presence in a matter pertaining to his ‘false’ signature on the bail petition, but he refused in the first place on the pretext that he was unable to leave his Zaman Park residence due to injury.

But before appearing in the court, which had given him another deadline to ensure his presence by the evening, Imran Khan gave a call to his supporters on social media to swarm into the LHC building, she added.

Once he arrived in the court, another excuse was made that he could not come out of his vehicle to present himself before the judge, she said, adding such tactics were employed to gain some time so that his workers could gather to attack the court premises.

It was an irony that how Imran Khan’s lawer had asked the court to send a person

to get his signature on the petition from outside the court where he was sitting in the vehicle, she remarked.

Marriyum asked whether such relaxation was available to all the people who were summoned by the same court and whether special hearings would also be arranged for them. A layman, she said, did not have all those facilities which were available to Imran Khan, who at one moment requested an ambulance and at the other sought an extension in the deadline for appearing before the court. “This is (the matter of) bail before arrest, which shows his mala fide intention that he does not want to be part of the investigation,” she said, asking how could a person present himself before the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) if he did not bother to appear before the court.

Senators demand action to lift curbs on girls education in Afghanistan

Senators on Monday demanded the upper house of the parliament to ensure measures to remove obstacles to girls’ education in Afghanistan that were causing negative ideological impact along the areas of the country with the Pakistan-Afghanistan border.

Senator Rubina Khalid of Pakistan Peoples Party Parliamentarians (PPPP) on a point of public importance highlighted that the curbs on girls’ education in Afghanistan were casting negative ideological impacts along the border region of the country.

She said the House should refer this matter to the committee to work out solu-

tions to address this matter on priority as girls’ education was a prerequisite for nation-building. Senator Rubina also underlined that the population was the elephant in the room that was rising with every passing year and unfortunately no one was paying attention to it.

Senator Mushtaq Ahmed of Jamaat-e-Islami Pakistan (JIP) also underscored that the issue of girls’ education in Afghanistan was necessary to address as it had across-the-border impacts due to cultural affinities among both nations. This issue, he said, should be referred to the committee to resolve the problems of girls in merged districts who are likely to b negatively impacted due to the decision of the Afghan government.

“The FIA says it wants to interrogate Imran Khan while the court is asking him to appear before it, but he is listening to nobody in a total disregard of the law and Constitution,” she quipped. The minister also recalled that Imran Khan had abused and threatened a female sessions court judge, who had summoned him in another case but later apologized to save his skin. He used to say that the country would achieve independence when the rich would come under the law, but ironically, he himself had been ridiculing the system and violating the law with impunity. She said the three times prime minister Nawaz Sharif had presented himself before the court despite knowing that all the cases and witnesses were false and fabricated. Nawaz Sharif was not given an exemption from appearance before the

He also demanded the attention of the house on issues of missing persons and Maulana Hidayat ur Rehman Baloch facing detention due to the Haq Do Gwadar movement. This issue should also be referred to the committee to provide a way for the family of the aggrieved, he added.

Senator Dr Zarqa Suharwardy Taimur of PTI also raised the issue of a controversial question placed in COMSAT University’s paper of English and demanded the House to take up the matter for disciplinary guidelines to address such attacks on social, and religious norms and ethics of the country.

The Chairman Senate referred the matters raised by the Senators to the relevant committees for proper action.

court when it was sought due to the deteriorating health of his wife.

He (Nawaz Sharif) had never disrespected the court, law, and system, rather he appeared before the court as well as a joint investigation team on regular basis, she added. Likewise, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Shahid Khaqan Abbassi, Maryam Nawaz, Ahsan Iqbal, Khawaja Asif, Hanif Abbasi and other leaders of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz presented themselves before the courts in false cases, but never resorted to any attack, the minister maintained. On the one hand, she said, Imran Khan was not appearing before the court, and on the other, he violated the Constitution multiple times through a constitutional office. Imran Khan wanted President Dr Arif Alvi to exercise powers of all constitutional offices, including the Chief Election Commissioner, Supreme Court, and Parliament.

She said the international community was closely watching as to how a person who threatened and abused the institutions was given so much relaxation. He must be arrested for disrespecting the court and violating the law.

iHc summons dg ecp in shandana gulzar case

ISLAMABAD: The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Monday summoned the director general (Law) Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) in a case against the de-notifying of PTI’s lawmaker Shandana Gulzar. Justice Miangul Hassan Aurangzeb heard the case filed by PTI’s leader challenging the ECP’s notification which de-notified her from the NA seat. At the outset of the hearing, the ECP’s lawyer informed the court that the DG couldn’t appear before the bench this day due to an important meeting in the office. Justice Miangul Hassan remarked that some disqualifications had even far-reaching effects.Petitioner’s lawyer Barrister Gohar said that the decision taken by the ECP was not in its mandate. At this, the court remarked how it’s so as it was the responsibility of the ECP to conduct the scrutiny of the nomination papers of the candidates. The court instructed the petitioner’s lawyer to present the references of law and courts’ verdicts related to his case. The court summoned DG (law) ECP on the next hearing and adjourned the case till February 22. Staff RepoRt

Mushaal blasts world’s callous approach towards smoldering Kashmir

ISLAMABAD Staff RepoRt

Chairperson of Peace and Culture Organization, Mushaal Hussein Mullick lashed out at the international community and UN for adopting a “deaf and dump approach” towards shouldering Kashmir, which, she said, they can’t even hear the heartbreaking pleas of Kashmiri little daughters demanding re-

lease of their fathers illegally detained in Indian jails for years.

In a statement on Monday, she said that several families from Baramulla district along with their children protested at Srinagar’s press colony against the delay in trials of their kin held in several jails for many years.

She said that the innocent daughters of incarcerated Kashmiri fathers were demanding release on a fast-track basis

with eyes full of tears since they are cognisant of the brutal treatment being meted out by the fascist Indian government against their fathers.

The Hurriyat leader stated that the notorious Indian government was brazenly violating the fundamental rights of Kashmiri people and unleashed state terrorism in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) but the socalled civilized world “sewed their lips”

on the world’s worst human rights abuses in the occupied valley.

Musshaal said that a little girl, who did not see her father for the past five years, was crying seeking to meet her jailed father. The chairperson urged that world powers and human rights organisations should listen to the pleas of the innocent souls who wanted the release of their fathers incarcerated in Indian jails in fake politically-motivated cases.

ISLAMABAD Staff RepoRt

Senate barS houSe MeMberS froM tabling two aMendMent billS about biSP, State bank

ISLAMABAD

Staff RepoRt

tHESenate on Monday denied House members permission to table two bills – The State Bank of Pakistan (Amendment) Bill, 2022 and The Benazir Income Support (Amendment) Bill, 2022.

Senator Zeeshan Khan Zada of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) sought permission to present The State Bank of Pakistan (Amendment) Bill, 2022, before the House.

The Senate, rejected the bill with major-

ity vote. Seventeen members opposed the motion whereas 11 lawmakers supported the move. Likewise, Senator Samina Mumtaz Zehri wanted permission to table The Benazir Income Support (Amendment) Bill, 2022. The bill was rejected by Senate with 17 supported the motion while 22 lawmakers opposed the same.

The Senate rejected the bills moved by the members of the House on bringing amendments to the State Bank of Pakistan Act, 1956 and Benazir Income Support Act, 2010.

The bill was proposed to shift SBP to Islamabad which was currently in Karachi and

therefore, all banks had their head offices in Karachi. The Senator mentioned that if it was shifted to the federal capital then it could help resolve issues of banking and other monetary matters faced by Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) and Balochistan.

The motion was opposed by the House and was rejected after voting.

Senator Samina Mumtaz Zehri of Balochistan Awami Party (BAP) moved the Bill to amend Benazir Income Support (BIS) Act, 2010. She maintained that the BIS programme was conceived for supporting the poor which was not conforming to the spiking

up inflation. “If inflation is at 40% then whatever they are giving to the people it is not beneficial for the poor masses,” she added.

After the opposition of the House to her motion, Senator Zehri requested the Chairman to refer the motion to the committee and the committee members should be allowed to discuss on the matter. The Senator also sought response from the Law Ministry on rejecting the motion.

Minister of State for Law, Shahadat Awan opposed the Bill pertaining to SBP Act, 1956. Moreover, he also opposed the Bill on BIS Act amendment that was pro-

President for using digital tech to improve healthcare services

ISLAMABAD Staff RepoRt

President Dr Arif Alvi has called for using digital technologies to improve the health and well-being of the people of Pakistan and provide them with quality healthcare services. He emphasised that advances in medical technology could help transform the country’s medicine and healthcare system.

The President expressed the views while talking to the Chief Executive Officer of Pakistan and Afghanistan Siemens Healthineers, Mr Khurram Jameel, who called on him, at Aiwan-e-Sadr, today.

Mr Khurram Jameel briefed the President that

Make cigarettes hard to buy, demand academicians

LAHORE Staff RepoRt

The rise in cigarette taxes in Pakistan is a significant step in the direction of lowering tobacco use and advancing public health, say social scientists.

Academicians believe that this action demonstrates the government's dedication to shielding its population from the perils of smoking. “To further lower smoking rates in Pakistan, NGOs and other public health advocates must continue to push for stricter tobacco control laws,” said Prof Dr Muhammad Zaman of the Quid-i-Azam University, Islamabad.

“It is vital to invest in public education and effective enforcement of tobacco control laws to achieve a tobacco-free Pakistan,” he said.

He expressed his gratitude by thanking the government for increasing FED after an SRO was released on 14th February 2023. The SRO stated revised taxes on locally produced cigarettes, and FED has doubled on cigarettes (16500/- per 1000 cigarettes if the initial price on the packaging exceeds 9000 per 1000 cigarettes). He further stated that the government of Pakistan can now inflate the national exchequer by billions of rupees from this initiative.

Agreeing with him, Dr Hassan Shehzad of International Islamic University Islamabad, said smoking is a major issue in Pakistan, where millions of people are dependent on this destructive behaviour. Smoking is a major contributor to a number of illnesses, such as lung cancer, heart disease, stroke, and other respiratory difficulties. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that smoking causes around 166,000 deaths per year in Pakistan. This figure is concerningly high, and it necessitates quick action to stop the nation's tobacco pandemic.

Dr Shehzad said a tried-and-true way to decrease tobacco use is to raise the charge on cigarettes. Because of this approach, cigarettes are more expensive, which may deter individuals from smoking—especially young people. Also, the extra tax money can be utilised to assist with smoking cessation programmes and finance anti-smoking ads.

Siemens Healthineers was one of the leading healthcare solution providers in Pakistan and its mission was to transform healthcare delivery and improve patient experience through digitalization.

Talking to the CEO, the President emphasised that Pakistani healthcare providers needed to embrace innovation and transform healthcare delivery to successfully meet the challenges in the health sector, besides fulfilling the future healthcare needs of the country.

He underlined the need for establishing partnerships among government institutions, private organizations, and NGOs to work together for the betterment of persons with disabilities and raise awareness about breast cancer.

The President appreciated the efforts of Siemens Healthineers for the development of the healthcare sector of Pakistan.

Increasing tobacco price to help meet IMF requirements

The increase in tax on tobacco products is being seen as too little and too late as health activists have urged the government implement health levy on tobacco products to meet the criteria set by International Monitory Fund (IMF).

Malik Imran Ahmed, country head, Campaign for Tobacco Free Kids, has stated that the government has been repeatedly talking about hard choices to meet IMF’s requirements. He said increasing tax on tobacco sector will not only help solve our economic woes but also benefit public at large.

Malik Imran mentioned that tobacco induced disease causes an annual economic burden of 615 billion which is 1.6% of Pakistan’s GDP. On the other hand, the revenue generated from the tobacco industry is 120 billion. When a product is causing this much health loss, a levy must be im-

ISLAMABAD

Staff RepoRt

Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) carried out independent Quality of Service (QoS) surveys in 22 cities of Punjab, Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa as well as 13 motorways and highways across the country to evaluate the performance and quality of services offered by Cellular Mobile Operators (CMOs) to their customers.

The survey results revealed that CMOs are compliant with respect to upload and download speed to a great extent, while network latency and webpage loading time was found below the threshold. Some of the Voice Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) have also been found below the licensed threshold in a few areas, said a news release issued here on Monday.

During the survey, QoS KPIs of Voice, SMS and Mobile Broadband including Mobile Network

plemented on it. Pakistan moved in this direction in 2019 by tabling a tobacco health levy bill but it hasn’t seen the light of the day due to continuous interference of tobacco industry.

Prof Dr Muhammad Zaman, the founding chairman of Department of Sociology at Quaidi-Azam University, said that steps are needed to discourage smoking among youth. Easy and cheap availability of tobacco products is discouraged all through the world. He added that Pakistan needs to follow the developed countries in putting a levy on cigarettes in general.

According to an estimate, tobacco products cause 170,000 deaths every year in Pakistan. On an average, Pakistani smokers spend 10% of their average monthly income on cigarettes. Due to cheap and easy affordability nearly 1200 children begin smoking every day in the country. A struggling economy such as Pakistan can’t afford this much loss of precious human and finance resources.

Coverage were assessed in accordance with Next Generation Mobile Service (NGMS) licenses and Cellular Mobile Network Quality of Service (QoS) Regulations, 2021, using state-of-the-art automated QoS Monitoring & Benchmarking Tool. The drive test teams selected survey routes to cover main roads, service roads and the majority of sectors/colonies in surveyed areas. Based upon the compliance level of each KPI against the threshold defined in the respective licenses and QoS Regulations, CMOs have been ranked between 1st to 4th position in Mobile Network Coverage and Voice Services for surveyed cities and roads/motorways. Similarly, in the Mobile Broadband Speed segment, the ranking is with respect to the highest data download and upload speed, network latency and webpage loading time. Necessary instructions have been issued to the operators for taking corrective measures to ensure improvement in service quality up to licensed standards.

NIMA hosts conference on ‘Prospects of Establishing Green Ship Recycling Industry’

A Roundtable Conference titled: “Prospects of Establishing Green Ship Recycling Industry in Pakistan”, was organized by the National Institute of Maritime Affairs (NIMA) in collaboration with the Royal Norwegian Embassy Pakistan at NIMA Islamabad.

DG NIMA welcomed the delegation, worthy speakers & participants. He highlighted the need for establishing a green ship recycling industry in Pakistan through compliance and ratification of relevant international governing instruments, especially theHong Kong Convention (HKC).Guest of Honor His Excellency Mr. Erling Rimestad, Deputy Foreign

Minister, Norway emphasized on importance of environmental regulations for Shipping and Ship Recycling to achieve milestones for Blue Economy and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). He called for the ratification and effective implementation of HKC for which Norwegian government would like to support the process in Pakistan.

Earlier, Cdre (Retd) Saeed Khalid from Bahria

Foundation presented an overview of the infrastructural, regulatory, and legal aspects pertaining to the green ship recycling in Pakistan and related challenges. Mr. Jawed Iqbal, member Pakistan Shipbreakers’ Association highlighted the various requirements related to compliance of HKC. PSBA’s member Mr. Asif Ali Khan shared that they have agreed to move on with ratification of HKC for which Ministry of Maritime Affairs (MoMA) has initiated the process.

Ms. Line Falkenberg Ollestad, Advisor to Norwegian Ship Owners’ Association spoke on the significance of HKC and EU Regulation in promoting and establishing green ship recycling industry, particularly in the context of EU flag carriers.

posed to link the funding with inflation. He added that it was not advisable as it would impact the budget of the federal government.

“The intentions of the Senator are good but it is not advisable as per article 44 as it was linked to the finances of the government and budget that will add more to its financial budget,” he added.

The Bill was granted ascent to be presented before the house whereas the Chairman Senate put the motion before the house twice but remained indecisive and ordered for voting. Some 17 members voted in favour and 22 opposed the motion and was rejected.

Senator Saleem Mandviwalla of Pakistan People’s Party said that he would suggest the mover of the motion on BIS Act amendment Bill to discuss it with the ministry and a revised Bill would be tabled in the House as her intention was noble and good.

FFC hands over food hampers for earthquake victims of Turkiye, Syria

ISLAMABAD: Fauji

Fertilizer Company Limited

(FFC) Gothmachi handed over 200 food hampers worth Rs2 million to Deputy Commissioner Rahim Yar Khan, Shakeel Ahmed Bhatti for the earthquake victims of Turkey and Syria.

Resident Manager FFC, Brigadier Talat Mehmood Janjua (Retd) while talking to the journalists said that FFC Gothmachi is grateful to the district administration especially Deputy Commissioner Shakeel Ahmed Bhatti for inviting him to contribute to this good cause. He said that FFC has always contributed to welfare projects and will continue to play its role in the future. Spirit of serving the suffering humanity is one of our top priorities, he added.Mr Shakeel Ahmad Bhatti, while thanking the management of the Fauji Fertilizer Company Gothmachi, said that the way in which the FFC has played its role for the completion of welfare projects is commendable. On the other hand, Deputy Commissioner Rahim Yar Khan said that by helping Turkey and Syria, the FFC Gothmachi has played a key role in this difficult time. pR

IHHN, partners help youth develop career in healthcare

KARACHI: Indus Hospital & Health Network (IHHN) not only strives for excellence and quality in healthcare, but it is also committed to preparing a legacy of exceptional healthcare professionals, who are ready to tackle the challenges of healthcare with empathy, compassion and dignity.

IHHN is thrilled to partner with Chanan Development Association (CDA) - a national youth-led organization – and Prince’s Trust International to deliver their programme. Prince’s Trust International was founded by His Majesty King Charles III, formerly The Prince of Wales, to help tackle the global crisis in youth unemployment. Now present in 18 countries, the organisation supports young people into sustainable careers through education, employment and enterprise programmes. pR

UAJK, UKM join forces in scientific collaboration, student exchange program

MUZAFFARABAD: The University of Azad Jammu and Kashmir (UAJK) and The National University of Malaysia (UKM) have officially formalized their partnership through the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). The completion of the MoU required the signature of both university Vice-Chancellors, Prof. Dato' Dr Mohd Ekwan Hj Toriman, the VC of UKM and Prof. Dr. Muhammad Kaleem Abbasi, the VC of UAJK and signifying the formalization of scientific collaboration and exchange programs between the two institutions. UKM, recognized for its excellence in research and education, ranked 129th in the QS World Ranking, provides UAJK with access to a wealth of knowledge and resources, fostering a wide range of joint research, faculty and student exchange, and academic pursuits. pR

Adamjee Insurance, Pak Suzuki celebrating 15 years of partnership

LAHORE: Adamjee Insurance and Pak-Suzuki have recently celebrated their 15-year partnership at a renewal ceremony of the Suzuki Insurance Program, held at the regional office of Pak-Suzuki Motor Company Limited. At the signing ceremony, Mr. Adnan Ahmad Chaudhry, the Executive Director Commercial at Adamjee Insurance, signed the agreement with Mr. Aamir Shaffi, the Executive Officer Sales and Marketing at Pak Suzuki. Mr. Adnan Chaudhry stated, "We believe in Long term relationships with partners, helping them grow with us and Longlasting customer relationships, maintaining transparency in all interactions, keeping them fair, and supporting our customers throughout the journey, delivering on every promise made. Through this strategic partnership, Adamjee Insurance continues to provide efficient, innovative, and secure insurance solutions to meet the growing customer needs of Pak Suzuki." pR

ISLAMABAD Staff RepoRt

PTA conducts QoS survey in Punjab, Balochistan, KP

Nation of jailbirds

WHILE the judiciary and its workings have been the cause of high drama yesterday, it would do us, as a polity, well to take a step back and look at the malaise that surrounds the mechanics of our judicial system.

the hamfisted, intrinsically defective case against Ali Wazir is a case in point, where an elected representative of a constituency (a restive one at that) was jailed for over two years, only to eventually be released. Who is to pay the father of six back those years? Him and his PtM associate, the NDM’s Mohsin Dawar, were also in jail during the last government over the Kharqamar incident, in which the state ultimately conceded that it was the aggressor and actually paid compensation to the families of the fallen PtM members, whose killing was captured in high definition by multiple cell phone cameras. this attitude isn’t limited towards PtM and PtMadjacent voices but also the political opposition. though all cases against the League has gaping holes, the ones against Shahid Khaqan Abbasi and Miftah Ismail were glaringly flimsy. but it didn’t stop at that. these two had to put in month on end in jail. Now that the shoe is on the other foot, we can see Shehbaz Gill, Fawad Chaudhry and others facing a similar, if diminutive, fate.

And it doesn’t stop at the political class as well. What about the bureaucracy? If the cases against the likes of former principal secretary to the PM, Fawad Hassan Fawad and Ahad Cheema were indeed strong, then an establishment-backed PtI government could have shaken a conviction out of the system. that didn’t happen, but the time that they spent in jail remains unaccounted by Lady Justice.

It is a sad state of affairs when acquittal from (presumably) sham cases is thought of as a personal victory, with even victims not decrying their illegal incarceration.

The second-best way to mislead yourself

Aboutcouple of months and so back, worthy Vice-Chancellor of Harper university, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), Professor Dr Shakilur Rehman while speaking at a gathering has expressed his deepconcern quite emphatically aboutincreasing trend of committing suicideamong the students. this obviously warrantedimmediate attentionof the parents, teachers, educational institutionsand official quarters concerned of the federal and provincial governments and all line departments downwards. Quite pertinently this called for direly needed starting for discussion and talking aboutthe role played by somewhat unrealisticacademic expectationsas well as known and unknownignorance on the part of the parents to say the least. Very unfortunately, researchon suicidal ideation was rather limited to the extent of being negligent as the mental diseaseswere somehowwere viewed with shame and disgust , the stigma aroundmental health prevented any such discussions and talkingfrom entering the mainstream discourse at the appropriate level in the educational institutions as well as by the governmentat any levels. official statistics, very sadly being stated here, were either not documentedor remainedunreported mostly but anecdotal violencedo suggest that the incidents of suicide were definitely on the rise in the country in a quite worrisome manner. It was regrettably being mentioned here that because of embarrassmentsocially in the society and police action as committing suicide is strictly prohibited in our religion Islamand a criminal offence also under the Criminal Procedure Coe (Carps). because of these and other factors, the parents

THE surest way to mislead yourself is to love and revere an individual or a group so much as to consider them infallible on any and all matters. ‘If such-and-such says so, it must necessarily be right, and ipso facto worth emulating’, or so this type of ‘reasoning’ goes.

Paradoxically, a close-second to this self-deception technique lies at the other extreme. that is, to hate a person or a group so much as to consider everything they ever say as automatically wrong and therefore unworthy of as much as a sympathetic hearing, let alone serious consideration. In many respects, the two approaches represent two sides of the same coin. both these recipes for self-deception are equally effective, although the first one is arguably somewhat more popular among the masses. both methods owe their popularity to the fact that they allow their practitioners to bask in an ‘enlightened’ self-righteousness without necessitating their using their minds in the least. It would indeed be a tough ask to come up with a more desirable method for deceiving one’s self.

If the first recipe enjoys slightly more favour from the masses, it is the second approach that is the modusoperandi of choice when it comes to those who like to think of themselves as intellectuals. Probably the reason for it is that it is arguably easier than the first to

A clarion call

ensure to keep committing of suicide on any count by their children tight-lipped andwell-guarded secret even from close relative.this scribe knows very well about some cases in which a young boy committed suicide when his widowed mother married her colleague in the organization where she was working and another family hushed up burial of the young girl who had committed suicide in quite mysterious circumstancesensuring no word went outside the house.

Students in Pakistan, like in other South Asian countries,experiencedimmense pressure for performing exceptionallywell in the educationalinstitutions from schools to the universities level regardless of the psychological toll it may be taking .Failure on the part of the studentsin coming up to high expectations was typically viewed with disdain.

Since education, particularly higher education inmedical or any other field, was so critical for achieving upward mobility, a failure to perform wellacademically pushed many intothe pitfallsof depression. Indeed, unemploymentand suicide, however, have always been co-related to each other. Medical students were especially vulnerable to suicide due to the very demanding nature of their studies. overbearing parents of such students somehow certainly do not help in this turning issue either If some young students choose to confidein their parentsor another forgiver, they were quite unfortunately, bluntly asked to suck it up. Expressing their feelings about depressionwas certainly not a luxurywhich most people could afford in the country.

Presently, moststudents in the country, somehow, lackedaccess to deserving and required support systemsin the form of mental health counselors or even a vague sense of community appreciation. Precisely speaking,this social alienation wasthat whichdried the people to take the extreme and extraordinary decision to end their lives. When the bond that united an individualwith their groupwassevered, they lose the stability to sustainthe pressurecoming to their life. Most studentsin the country,irrespectiveof their living in the urban areas or in a town or village, lackedthis direly neededsense of belonging, long hoursin the educational institutionsright from schools up to colleges and universities and even longer all nightsstudies for their examinations meant that there was no timeto develop and promote any sort of relationship. With no one left to turn, committing suedebecame an appallingoption: a de-

pass off as honest, sound thinking. It is common observation that most people adopt a philosophy or a way of life based on pragmatic and emotional reasons. the logic or the rationale is searched later, and is often easily found. this is true of masses as well as the so-called intellectual-elite. but it is the more intellectual types who find this putting of the cart before the horse more problematic than their counterparts amongst the masses. they therefore need to invent ingenious ways to camouflage the trickery from others (and more importantly) from themselves. the formula of rejecting anything that is not quite up their alley merely by dismissing the group that it is (rightly or wrongly) associated with proves to be a godsend in such situations. the formula is accompanied by all the delicious utilities of ad-hominem. Repudiating an individual or a group altogether is much easier than constructing or de-constructing an argument. Instead of the difficult task of analysing and responding to an argument on its own merits, all that it requires is labelling of a group or a person unfavourably followed by dismissing the argument out of hand. A mere slogan then is successfully passed off as argument. For it is an unfortunate fact about the universe we happen to live in that way too many people consider slogans to be legitimate substitutes for thinking; and this includes the very men raising those slogans. When confronted with a point of view that is different from one’s own cherished opinions, a man has two options open to him: either to accept and adopt it based on its merits, or voice his objections on the reasoning that supports the conclusion. but this calls or hard work, and most people would rather die than submit to any of that. the other option is to (correctly or incorrectly) label the man or the group that has presented the idea as a liberal, a communist, a Wahhabi, or what have you, and consider the matter settled once for all – problem solved! the unsurpassed merit of this latter approach is that one can preserve one’s innocence for as long as one wants or till one dies, whichever comes later.

the man who dismisses something he is uncomfortable with based on the ‘grounds’ that it comes from

pressed person, ofany gender, was somehow unable torationalizeas to why he or she should continue to live in rather unfriendlyand unconcerned society. Since students were speciallymore vulnerable to suicide ideation,it wasessential thatthe educational institutions should integrate mental health diseases that were among than most of us were unfortunatelyinclined to assume, quite emphatically it was high timethat our educational institutions and their teaching staffas well as parentstake much overdueand ignored notice of this burning situation without delaying it any further.

In order to ascertain more views in this regard particularly from the students themselves, the other day this scribevisitedthe university of Lahore and there came across young Zunaira Qayyum Khan who is doing higher studies in ClinicalPsychologyand quite frequently intermingled and interactedwith fellow students, girls and boys and exchanged views on wide rangingsubjects particularly those concerning young people’s social and mental problems and issues.

Responding to some pertinent queries from this scribe, Zunaira Qayyum Khan said that both girls and boys ,undoubtedly, none wantedto end their own lives, there was always stress of this and that sort and loneliness behind these harmful thoughts and subsequent fatal decisions. When people do not getdue and expecteddeserving attention and care fromtheir loved ones, they obviously feel much depressed in their life and then they want to end their life when these things becomeintolerable any longer for them. She said that as a matter of fact she has always welcomed such people who having great stress in theirlives and tried to help them as her determined mission in life was not money but more importantly and devotedly to make such depressed and ignored people who were having issues of stress in life feel better.

It is a matter of bitter fact that psychological problems were pretty widespread in our society. According to onesomewhatconservativeestimate around 50 millionpeople ofall genders and ages were suffering from one or the other mental and psychological disorders. A wide range of psychiatric disorderswhich were generallyreportedwere depression, substance and alcohol use, schizophrenia, polar disorder and post-traumaticstress disorder. Even tensions prevailing in the families particularlyamong the parents also caused mental and psychiatric problems for the young girls and boys who

(say) a Wahhabi fails to realize (or deliberately chooses to fail to realize) that he shares numerous beliefs – fundamental beliefs at that – with the Wahhabis: oneness of God, the belief in the Hereafter, the nature of the test for man here on earth. the same goes for all such repudiations. It is hardly the smartest idea in the world to dismiss something on a ‘rationale’ that, were it applied consistently, would demolish the very foundation of one’s own belief system. but it is extremely convenient; hence the undying popularity of the approach. there is this old idea that one of the core activities in any educational program must be to make the same pupil plead the case from both sides of the aisle even if only to make him realize that there could be two (or more) alternative views on an issue. unfortunately, this is not put into practice nearly enough, with obvious results.

Acknowledgment and appreciation of the valid portions of the opposing party’s arguments in any conflict, or at the very least an understanding of where the ‘enemy’ is coming from are capabilities that very few possess. For the rest, the world is divided into heroes who can do nothing wrong and villains who are devils incarnate, with nothing in between. this urgently needs to be addressed. And since man tends to become more rigid as he ages, the earlier this training starts the better.

Educators, whether parents or professional teachers, must make it their business to start teaching the young ones to think for themselves. And their focus must be on how to think, not what to think. that way, they can be expected to cite much better grounds for their opinions than having to rely on hero-worship on the one hand or ad-hominem on the other. the great difficulty in this project is that the idea is alien to most of the educators themselves, who have come to regard education as the activity to teach their students the ‘correct’ things instead of inculcating in them the ability to discover for themselves the sound stance on any given issue.

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

somehow failed to comprehend as to what was wrong with their fathers and mother.

According to another estimate,a pretty large number of about 36 per centof Pakistanis sufferedfrom anxietyand depressions, which was often causedby strained family and friendly relations, negative feelings of beingunfit in the society, the unrealistic economic and political conditions which somehow very unfortunatelywere continuously prevailing in the country thus persistentlygiving to unemployment and poverty in the country.

It was generally said and believedthat if a doctor only listens to his patient attentively almost half of his/her ailment or painowing to disease was gone even using any formal medication.As a matter of fact, clinicalpsychologists and psychiatrists were trained to identify mental disorders and issues. And suggest suitable and affordable treatment to such patients.

In the backdrop of what hasstated above and cutting long sad storyshort, it was quite appreciable and encouraging indeed thatmore and more people particularly young women like Zunaira Qayyumwere now opting for studying and specializingin clinical psychology for treating theirfellow countrymenof all genders and ages . She claims herself tobean emphatic listener and pointedlystated that she was about to achieveher childhood dream of becominga successful girlin the medical profession wascoming to be trueas she was very close of becominga clinical psychologist soon and other half will hopefully be accomplished when she becomeswellknown throughout Pakistan as an emphatic listener.

Please join this scribein wishing all the best to her and many other young girls greatsuccess in life after they become fully qualified clinical psychologists and selflessly, sincerely, dedicatedly and devotedly serve and treat their sick and suffering people of all genders and ages as long as theyare livingand helping in particular the people getting rid of their suicide tendencies which werequite alarmingly increasing presently in the country.

Indeed that wasa clarion call whicha senior educationist of the high rank of the Vice-Chancellor had given regarding increase in incidence ofsuicide among the young students. but very unfortunately, allows this scribe to say, nobody in the government, educational circles have taken any much direlyneeded notice of it. Same may also be true about the parents to say the least. All concerned better act now seriously, collectively and genuinely before the ugly situation goes out of control, of everyone please.

The writer is Lahore-based Freelance Journalist, Columnist and retired Deputy Controller (News) , Radio Pakistan, Islamabad and can be reached at zahidriffat@gmail.com

A stint in the slammer if you want to be a public figure

MuHAMMAD ZAHiD RiFFAT

Educators, whether parents or professional teachers, must make it their business to start teaching the young ones to think for themselves.

HASAN AFTAB SAEED

Editor’s mail

EOBI’s contempt towards retirees

by virtue of the 18th Amendment, the labour laws were devolved to the provinces in April 2010. While all the other labour laws were transferred to the provinces, the federal government for some inexplicable reasons retained the management of the Employees’ old-Age benefits Institution (EobI) which was constituted under an Act of parliament passed in 1976. Since then, the pension scheme for the retired employees of industrial and commercial establishments has been facing tremendous difficulties, jeopardising its efficient running.

Any amendments brought to the relevant Act after the devolution now remain confined to the Islamabad Capital territory (ICt), and do not extend to the rest of Pakistan. the federal government is unable to even increase the amount of monthly pension under the relevant law.

Whenever EobI increases the amount of contribution by employers and employees towards the scheme, the same is challenged by the employers in the superior courts and they get favourable judgements.

How the Palestinians lost their way

Since Israeli-Palestinian coexistence is inevitable, both sides must choose between living in peace orperpetual violent conflict

not delineated, and in Palestinian maps the ‘state of Palestine’ covers the entire landmass from the Mediterranean to the Jordan River. In the studies of Palestinian refugees, the blame is placed squarely on Israel for causing the catastrophe, al-Nakba, which is being inculcated in the mind of young pupils. the continuing occupation only reinforces what these young students are misled to believe.

FoR the past 75 years, the Palestinians have raised four generations of aspiring youth who, like their counterparts in Israel and other advanced countries, dream of growing and flourishing while making their own mark by contributing to their community’s and their country’s prosperity and growth. they have failed not because they are incapable, or less talented, or unworthy of success: they have failed because their leaders failed them. Palestinian leaders failed them due to their shortsightedness, misguided policies, and unwillingness to accept Israel’s ineliminable reality. As such, they have played directly into Israel’s hands by threatening its very existence, which provided Israel with the rationale and justification for continuing the debilitating occupation.

Ironically, during the 75- year-old conflict between the two sides, Israel became a global power, a leader in every sphere of science and technology, with a powerful economy and formidable military, while millions of Palestinians are still languishing in refugee camps. If this does not demonstrate the utter moral and political bankruptcy of the Palestinian leadership, I don’t know what does. thus, their insolvent policy only compounded their youth’s despondency and despair for which they conveniently blame Israel, giving rise to militancy and violence against a country with which they must coexist.

From the onset of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict in 1948, the Palestinian leadership adopted a policy of resistance and confrontation against Israel. Even at times of relative calm, the persistent denunciation of Israel on various issues, especially in connection with the Palestinian refugees, Jerusalem, and the Israeli settlements provided a constant reminder to every Palestinian youth that Israel is the obstacle that hinders their progress and shatters their dreams.

that is, the Palestinian leadership linked the fortunes and the future well-being of their youth to the destruction of Israel. As such, successive Palestinian generations condemn Israel for their misfortune which is constantly reinforced not only due to lack of genuine efforts on the part of the Palestinians to find solutions, but also because the longer the conflict persisted, the more it became intractable. At the present, the two sides are further apart than they were 30 years ago when the oslo Accords were signed.

IndoctrInatIon In schools: the indoctrination of Palestinian youth begins from a very young age in schools; it is one of the most potent ways to sway the minds of the young, and get them to believe whatever they are taught. In essence, Palestinian schools have become in part laboratories for anti-Israeli disinformation both through the teachers and textbooks. For example, in history books Israel is depicted not only as an occupying power that must be resisted, but as having no right to exist at all.

In geography books, the 1967 borders are

As Mark twain observed in his autobiography, “When even the brightest mind in our world has been trained up from childhood in a superstition of any kind, it will never be possible for that mind, in its maturity, to examine sincerely, dispassionately, and conscientiously any evidence or any circumstance which shall seem to cast a doubt upon the validity of that superstition…” to be sure, in schools the Palestinian people are portrayed as being the victims of a brutal power. the misinformation and the selected truth about the conflict with Israel passes from one generation to the next, and today Palestinian youths view Israel the way their parents have, as an irreconcilable enemy to be resisted at all costs.

BraInwashIng through puBlIc acrImony: Whereas the anti-Israel schooling is poisoning the minds of the young, it continues to be reinforced by the Palestinian leaders’ acrimonious public narrative against Israel. the day-to-day public denunciation of Israel further resonates in the minds of the young and they become increasingly in tune to resistance, rather than reconciliation. this state of mind is further bolstered, especially when they hear from extremist Palestinians leaders, such as Hamas, and the media about Israel’s ruthlessness which will not end until Israel is soundly defeated.

Moreover, disunity between extremist groups such Hamas and the more moderate Palestinian Authority makes it impossible for the latter to moderate its public acrimonious narrative against Israel, fearing being accused of appeasing the Israelis. Indeed, rather than preparing the public for the inevitability of peaceful coexistence and engaging in constructive public dialogue, they are poisoning the political atmosphere by promoting the belief that only the destruction of Israel would liberate the Palestinians from the bondage of occupation, allow them to reclaim the land, and restore their national pride and dignity.

FaIlIng to Invest In natIon-

BuIldIng: the Palestinian leadership’s dismal failure to dedicate itself to nation-building made it impossible for hundreds of thousands of young people to find respectable employment, which kept them deprived of decent wages to support themselves and denied them a dignified life. tens of thousands of young Palestinians cannot pursue higher education because more often than not they are forced to find menial jobs to help feed their families. thus, idleness and the lack of any prospect for a better and more productive life radicalizes many Palestinian youths who become disposed to join militant groups where they are embraced, feel respected, and are rewarded for their willingness to join the fray against Israel. basically, they escape from their imprisonment in a life of despair as they are lured to go to a ‘new prison’ where they presumably find meaning to their lives. As Aldous Huxley cogently stated, “It is perfectly possible for a man to be out of prison and yet not free — to be under no physical constraint and yet to be a psychological captive, compelled to think, feel and act as the representatives of the national State, or of some private interest within the nation, want him to think, feel and act.”

exaltatIon oF martyrdom: Many young Palestinians who feel left out without any

prospect of living a normal and productive life often search for a greater meaning to their lives and are swayed to believe that they can find in death the salvation that eludes them when they are alive. Martyrdom is glorified, especially when the cause for which they sacrifice themselves is for the good of the entire Umma (nation). the Quran makes many references to martyrdom including the following: “think not of those who are slain in Allah’s way as dead. Nay, they live, finding their sustenance in the presence of their Lord; they rejoice in the bounty provided by Allah….” (3:169).

the problem here is that the Palestinian leadership, especially the extremists, do not preach for peaceful coexistence; instead, they praise acts of violence and terrorism against Israel, and honor the perpetrators’ courage and valor in sacrificing themselves for the greater cause of national liberation. thus, for a multitude of young Palestinians, killing Israeli Jews and ridding themselves of the occupation has become a holy mission as if it were sanctioned by Allah. they seek martyrdom because they truly believe what they are told, that they will rejoice in heaven instead of continuing to be humiliated and mortified on earth. mIssIng opportunItIes to make peace: From the time Israel was established in 1948, the Palestinians missed many opportunities to make peace. the late Israeli foreign minister Abba Eban put succinctly when he stated: “the Palestinians never missed an opportunity to miss an opportunity,” a fact that prevented a multitude of young Palestinians from enjoying the fruits of peace and becoming constructive players in nation-building who are able to take pride in their achievements.

Starting with their refusal to accept the uN partition plan in 1947, the Palestinians have indisputably missed a number of opportunities, but it will suffice to name only a few. Following the Six Day War in 1967, the Palestinians turned down Israel’s offer to return all the territories captured in war in exchange for peace (with the exception of the final status of Jerusalem). In 1977, the Palestinians rejected the invitation to join the Israeli-Egyptian peace negotiations which could have resulted in in an Israeli-Palestinian peace along with the Israeli-Egyptian peace agreement signed in 1979.

At Camp David in 2000, the Palestinians missed another historic opportunity and walked away the last minute when a comprehensive agreement was afoot. the most violent uprising—the Second Intifada—that began a few months later stunned the Israelis who concluded that Palestinians are simply not interested in peace. And finally, in 2007-2008 the Palestinians once more walked away from negotiations, this time over a disagreement in connection with percentages of land swaps. Since then, largely under Netanyahu’s and Abbas’ leadership, no substantive peace negotiations have taken place, and sadly a fourth generation of Palestinians is now flagging between corrupt dictatorial leadership, self-destructive extremism, and no prospect for any meaningful life. Neither the Palestinian Authority nor Hamas have any plans or strategy that will bring an end to the most destructive conflict to which they have subjected their youth for 55 years and counting.

this is how the Palestinians lost their way. As they continue to revel in the illusion that they can destroy Israel, they in fact are sowing the seeds of their own destruction. It’s time to wake up before they forfeit the next generation’s chance to live in peace and realize their dreams and aspirations to prosper in their own country, which they richly deserve if only given the opportunity.

In 2005, the government had made an amendment to the Eob Act, whereby the basis of paying the contribution was changed from certain percentage of a fixed amount to six per cent of the prevalent minimum wages. It declared that the term ‘Wages’ means the rates of wages as declared under the Minimum Wages for unskilled Workers ordinance, 1969.

After the devolution, the federal government is unable to make any amendment to the ordinance of 1969, applicable to all the provinces, as its authority is confined only to the ICt. A few months ago, EobI increased the amount of contribution payable by the employers in its online portal from 6pc of Rs13,000 to Rs25,000; an increase of 92pc. As per the decision, 1pc of the contributory amount was to be shared by the insured employees.

As the revised amount of minimum wage of Rs25,000 fixed under the ordinance of 1969 is applicable only to the ICt, 75 employers based in Sindh challenged the revision before the Sindh High Court (SHC) through the Employers’ Federation of Pakistan. In its interim order, the court asked the employers, who are party to the petition, to deposit the amount of EobI contribution with the court till the final disposal of the case.

As the last month’s contribution has been deposited in the SHC, in compliance with the latter’s order, EobI has retaliated by not accepting the pension claims of new retirees from the petitioner companies. this act of the EobI officials is highly unjustified and undignified, while it also constitutes a violation of the SHC’s order.

the retirees are being penalised even when they are not at fault as they have been regularly paying the 1pc share of contribution to EobI, which is now refusing to entertain their pension claims. the EobI management should stop being vindictive and should start honouring the claims of new retirees, who are now also among senior citizens.

AHMAD KHAN KARACHI

Arming people isn’t the right way ahead

tHIS is with reference to the editorial ‘Call for arms’ (Jan 27). It is unfortunate to say that the government has abdicated its responsibility by employing private workers or individuals to fight street crimes. Handing over its duty in sectors like health and education is quite different from letting private workers take over law and order situation in a city.

the scheme, People’s Chowkidari System, introduced by the Sindh government under which arms and ammunition were distributed among watchmen in Naudero, seems to be an illogical step. Instead of launching a crackdown against street criminals in society, the residents are being armed to fight dangerous thugs, while it is actually the job of the police.

Despite being the largest and one of the most so-called developed cities, Karachi is the one plagued by street crimes the most. It looks obvious that the manner in which street criminals operate without any fear that they are involved in terrorising citizens with the ‘cooperation’ of lawenforcement agencies. It would be better to have a professional police force having personnel recruited on merit, having advanced training and arms, rather than leaving the citizens on the mercy of ruthless criminals who have no remorse even if they kill people on even the slightest of resistance or even displeasure expressed by their victims.

People are not trained for law-enforcement, and having gunfights with hardened or trigger-happy criminals is not their job. the provincial government must raise a professional and efficient police force capable of dealing with the criminals instead of shifting that responsibility on to hapless citizens.

MAZHAR YOUSUF ANSARI HYDERABAD

KPPSC affairs

tHE recently declared result of Provincial Planning Services (PPS) cadre has raised many questions about the credibility of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Public Service Commission (KPPSC). Many candidates, myself included, who secured good marks in the written examination have been awarded zero marks out of 50 in the interview. Does that make any sense at all?

I possess a higher degree (MS) than the required qualification and have four-year relevant professional experience in the development sector. I have previously got good marks in the interview in all my previous appearances in the KPPSC, and have topped one of the lists. Had I been given only passing marks in the interview, I, and many others, would have made the cut without any difficulty. on the other hand, some candidates, who have got comparatively less marks in the written examination, were given 35-45 marks in the interview out of 50. the aspirants work hard to prepare for competitive examinations in order to get a respectable job. they expect to be treated judiciously and justly without any undue favour being given to the fellows in competition. the careless marking criteria certainly dishearten many aspiring candidates who question the credibility of the KPPSC. the top officials of the KPPSC must be held answerable for the abrupt marking system of awarding zero to high-scoring candidates and awarding 35-40 marks to the low-scoring candidates. the higher authorities should also take notice of this practice.

DR AloN BEN MEiR

Modi’s Model is at last Revealed foR What it is: violent hindu nationalisM undeRWRitten By Big Business

cated at scale.

“First Modi flew in Adani’s plane,” the bitter joke goes. “now Adani flies in Modi’s plane.” And now both planes have developed engine trouble. Can they get out of it by wrapping themselves in the Indian flag?

GuarDian arundhati roy

indIA is under attack by foreign powers. Specifically the United Kingdom and the United States.

Or so our government would have us believe.

Why? Because former colonialists and neo-imperialists cannot tolerate our prosperity and good fortune. The attack, we are told, is aimed at the political and economic foundations of our young nation.

The covert operatives are the BBC, which in January broadcast a two-part documentary called India: The Modi Question, and a small US firm called Hindenburg Research, owned by 38-year-old nathan Anderson, which specialises in what is known as activist short-selling.

The BBC-Hindenburg moment has been portrayed by the Indian media as nothing short of an attack on India’s twin towers – narendra Modi, the prime minister, and India’s biggest industrialist, Gautam Adani, who was, until recently, the world’s third richest man. The charges laid against them aren’t subtle. The BBC film implicates Modi in the abetment of mass murder. The Hindenburg report, published on 24 January, accuses Adani of pulling “the largest con in corporate history” (an allegation that the Adani Group strongly denies).

Modi and Adani have known each other for decades. Things began to look up for them after the 2002 antiMuslim pogrom, which raged through Gujarat after Muslims were held responsible for the burning of a railway coach in which 59 Hindu pilgrims were burned alive. Modi had been appointed chief minister of the state only a few months before the massacre.

At the time, much of India recoiled in horror at the open slaughter and mass rape of Muslims that was staged on the streets of Gujarat’s towns and villages by vigilante Hindu mobs seeking “revenge”. Some old-fashioned members of the Confederation of Indian Industry even made their displeasure with Modi public. enter Gautam Adani. With a small group of Gujarati industrialists he set up a new platform of businessmen known as the Resurgent Group of Gujarat. They denounced Modi’s critics and supported him as he launched a new political career as Hindu Hriday Samrat, the emperor of Hindu Hearts, or, more accurately, the consolidator of the Hindu vote-bank.

In 2003, they held an investors’ summit called Vibrant Gujarat. So was born what is known as the Gujarat model of “development”: violent Hindu nationalism underwritten by serious corporate money. In 2014, after three terms as chief minister of Gujarat, Modi was elected prime minister of India. He flew to his swearingin ceremony in delhi in a private jet with Adani’s name emblazoned across the body of the aircraft. In the nine years of Modi’s tenure, Adani’s wealth grew from $8bn to $137bn. In 2022 alone, he made $72bn, which is more than the combined earnings of the world’s next nine billionaires put together.

The Adani Group now controls a dozen shipping ports that account for the movement of 30% of India’s freight, seven airports that handle 23% of India’s airline passengers, and warehouses that collectively hold 30% of India’s grain. It owns and operates power plants that are the biggest generators of the country’s private electricity. The Gujarat model of development has been repli-

episode one of the BBC film The Modi Question (I appear briefly in the documentary as an interviewee) is about the 2002 Gujarat pogrom – not just the murdering, but also the 20-year journey that some victims made through India’s labyrinthine legal system, keeping the faith, hoping for justice and political accountability. It includes eyewitness testimonies, most poignantly from Imtiyaz Pathan, who lost 10 members of his family in the “Gulbarg Society massacre”, which was one of several similarly gruesome massacres that took place over those few days in Gujarat.

Pathan describes how they were all sheltering in the house of ehsan Jafri, a former Congress party member of parliament, while the mob gathered outside. He says that Jafri made a final, desperate phone call for help to narendra Modi, and when he realised no help would come, stepped out of his home and gave himself up to the mob, hoping to persuade them to spare those who had come to him for protection. Jafri was dismembered and his body burned beyond recognition. And the carnage rolled on for hours.

When the case went to trial, the state of Gujarat contested the fact of the phone call, even though it had been mentioned not just by Pathan but several other witnesses in their testimonies. The contestation was upheld. The BBC film clearly mentions this. Vilified though it has been by the BJP government, the film actually goes out of its way to present the BJP’s point of view about the pogrom, as well as that of the Indian supreme court, which on 24 June 2022 dismissed the petition of Zakia Jafri, ehsan Jafri’s widow, in which she alleged there was a larger conspiracy behind the murder of her husband. The order called her petition an “abuse of process”, and suggested that those involved in pursuing the case be prosecuted. Modi’s supporters celebrated the judgment as the final word on his innocence.

The film also showcases an interview with the home affairs minister, Amit Shah, another old pal of Modi’s from Gujarat, who compares Modi to Lord Shiva for having “swallowed poison and held it in his throat” for 19 years. After the supreme court’s “clean chit”, the minister said: “Truth has come out shining like gold.”

The section of the BBC film that the government of India has acted most outraged about was the revelation of an internal report commissioned by the British Foreign Office in April 2002, so far unseen by the public. The fact-finding report estimated that “at least 2,000” people had been murdered. It called the massacre a preplanned pogrom that bore “all the hallmarks of ethnic cleansing”. It said reliable contacts had informed them that the police had been ordered to stand down. The report laid the blame squarely at Modi’s door. It was chilling to see the former, but obviously still cautious, British diplomat who was one of the investigators on the factfinding mission choosing to remain anonymous, with his back to the camera.

episode two of the BBC documentary, less seen but even more frightening, is about the dangerous divisiveness and deep fault lines Modi has cultivated during his tenure as prime minister. For most Indians it’s the texture of our daily lives: sword-wielding mobs, saffron-clad god-men routinely calling for the genocide of Muslims and the mass rape of Muslim women, the impunity with which Hindus can lynch Muslims on the street, and not only film themselves while doing it but be garlanded and congratulated for it by senior ministers in Modi’s cabinet.

Though The Modi Question was broadcast exclusively for a British audience, and limited to the UK, it was uploaded by viewers on YouTube and links were

posted on Twitter. It lit up the internet. In India, students received warnings not to download and watch it. When they announced collective screenings in some university campuses, the electricity was switched off. In others, police arrived in riot gear to stop them watching. The government instructed YouTube and Twitter to delete all links and uploads. Those sterling defenders of free speech hurried to comply. Some of my Muslim friends were baffled. “Why does he want to ban it? The Gujarat massacre has always helped him. And we’re in an election year.” Then came the attack on the second tower.

The 400-odd-page Hindenburg report was published on the same day the second episode of the BBC film was broadcast. It elaborated on questions that had been raised in the past by Indian journalists, and went much further. It alleges that the Adani Group has been engaged in a “brazen stock manipulation and accounting fraud scheme”, which – through the use of offshore shell entities – artificially overvalued its key listed companies and inflated the net worth of its chairman.

According to the Hindenburg report, seven of Adani’s listed companies are overvalued by more than 85%. Based on these valuations, the companies reportedly borrowed billions of dollars on the international markets and from Indian public sector banks such as the State Bank of India and the Life Insurance Corporation of India, where millions of ordinary Indians invest their life savings.

The Adani Group responded to the Hindenburg report with a 413-page rebuttal. It claimed the group had been cleared of wrongdoing by Indian courts and that the Hindenburg allegations were malicious, baseless and amounted to an attack on India itself.

This wasn’t enough to convince investors. In the market rout that followed the publication of the Hindenburg analysis, the Adani Group lost $110bn. Credit Suisse, Citigroup and Standard Chartered stopped accepting Adani bonds as collateral for margin loans. The French firm Totalenergies has paused a $4bn green hydrogen venture with the Adani Group. The Bangladesh government is reportedly seeking a reworking of a power purchase agreement. Jo Johnson, a former minister in the British government, and former prime minister Boris Johnson’s brother, resigned as a director of Londonbased elara Capital, one of the companies mentioned in the Hindenburg report as tied to the Adani Group.

The political firestorm caused by the Hindenburg report brought squabbling opposition parties together to demand an investigation by a joint parliamentary committee. The government stonewalled, alarmingly indifferent to the concerns that managers of international finance capital might have about India’s regulatory systems. In the continuing budget session of parliament, two opposition party MPs, Mahua Moitra of the All India Trinamool Congress, and Rahul Gandhi of the Indian national Congress, both of whom have raised questions about the Adani Group years before the Hindenburg report, stood up to speak.

Among the questions Moitra raised were: how did the home ministry give security clearance to the “A” Group for operating ports and airports while refusing to divulge the identity of one of its shareholders? How did the group amass about $5bn in foreign portfolio investments from six Mauritius-based funds, all which have the same address and company secretary? On what grounds did the public sector State Bank and the Life Insurance Corporation continue to anchor investments in the group?

For his part, Gandhi noted the prime minister’s travels to Israel, Australia and Bangladesh, and asked: “In how many of these countries that you visited did Adaniji get a contract?” He listed some of them: a defence contract with Israel, a billion-dollar loan from the State Bank of India for a coalmine in Australia, a 1,500MW electricity project for Bangladesh. Last, and most pertinently, he asked how much money the BJP received from the

Adani Group in secret electoral bonds.

This is the nub of it. In 2016, the BJP introduced the scheme of electoral bonds, which allow corporations to be able to fund political parties without their identities being made public. Yes, Gautam Adani is one of the world’s richest men; but if you look at its rollout during elections, the BJP is not just India’s, but perhaps even the world’s, richest political party. Will the old friends ever let us look at their account books? Are there separate account books? Moitra’s questions were ignored. Most of Gandhi’s were expunged from parliament records. Modi’s reply lasted for a full 90 minutes.

He did what he does best – cast himself as a proud Indian, the victim of an international witch-hunt that would never succeed, because he wore the protective shield made up of the trust of 1.4 billion people that the opposition could never pierce. This figure (a politician’s equivalent of inflating the value of his shares) peppered every paragraph of his spongy rhetoric, ridden with derision, barbs and personal insults. Almost every sentence was greeted with desk-thumping from the BJP benches accompanied by the chant of “Modi! Modi! Modi!”

He said that however much filth was thrown at the lotus – the BJP’s election symbol – it would bloom. He never mentioned Adani once. Maybe he believes it’s not a debate that should concern his voters because tens of millions of them are unemployed, live in abject poverty on subsistence rations (delivered with his photograph on the packaging) and will not remotely comprehend what $100bn even means.

Most of the Indian media reported Modi’s speech in glowing terms. Was it a coincidence that in the days that followed a number of national and regional newspapers carried a front-page advertisement with a huge photograph of him announcing another investment summit, this one in the state of Uttar Pradesh?

days later, on 14 February, the home minister said in an interview, on the Adani matter, that the BJP had “nothing to hide or be afraid of”. He once again stonewalled the possibility of a joint parliamentary committee and advised the opposition parties to go to court instead. even as he was speaking, office premises in Mumbai and delhi were being surrounded by police and raided by tax officials. not Adani’s offices: the BBC’s.

On 15 February, the news cycle changed. And so did the reporting about the neo-imperialist attack. After “warm and productive” meetings, Modi, President Joe Biden and President emmanuel Macron announced that India would be buying 470 Boeing and Airbus aircraft. Biden said the deal would support more than a million American jobs. The Airbuses will be powered by RollsRoyce engines. “For the UK’s thriving aerospace sector,” Rishi Sunak, the prime minister, said, “the sky is the limit.” So the lotus blooms on, in a bog of blood and money. And the truth most definitely shines like gold.

Arundhati Roy is a novelist and writer. Her novel The God of Small Things won the Booker prize in 1997.

Editorial

We are very concerned and disappointed with the raids at the BBC offices in India, following the recent controversy over its showing of a two-part investigative documentary on the Gujarat riots of 2002. It is a direct threat to freedom of the press. The Indian government has argued that the sudden raids on the BBC’s offices by the Indian tax authorities have no relationship with the news agency’s airing of the documentary – but we in the media have become quite used to this phenomenon. Whenever the media publishes something that governments do not approve of, we see governments resorting to tactics of harassment – whether through legal, financial, or other threats. And these events are never coincidences.

Any government may feel aggrieved by certain media coverage. And it may also be because the coverage was inaccurate, in which case the fault could lie with the media. But the right way to go about addressing this is through providing accurate counter information. If there were any flaws within the BBC’s documentary, the correct way to expose those mistakes would have been for the Indian authorities to provide counter facts. Any government, when it is unsatisfied with a media content, has the right to challenge it by pointing out flaws and factual errors. However, to use the might of the state machinery to harass the media should never be acceptable in any democratic society. Moreover, such

pressure – whether it be legal, financial, or otherwise –never works to achieve the end goal.

Ultimately, the media’s job is to inform the public. And the public never sees suppression of the media in a positive light. Whenever a state machinery harasses the media right after it has revealed information that the government feels apprehensive of, the people never see it as being a coincidence. Rather, it only further corrodes the state’s credibility in the eyes of the public.

Rights groups around the world have already expressed their concerns about the deterioration of press freedom in India. And this latest incident only brings it under more global spotlight for the wrong

reasons. Therefore, we agree with the statement of the Indian Press Club that, “Such an action against an international broadcasting network will damage the reputation and image of India as the largest democracy.” As such, we hope the Indian government will restrain its agencies from misusing their powers to intimidate the media.

Unfortunately, the misuse of state power to harass the media has been increasing all around the world, including in our country. It is something that should concern all those who believe in the values of a democratic society. We hope the Indian government, as well as all other governments around the world, realise how counterproductive such actions are, and refrain from any such intimidation tactics. Instead, governments should engage more with the media in the realm of information, and look to provide counter evidence when it believes certain coverage by the media has not been accurate.

“FIRST MODI FLEW IN ADANI’S PLANE,” THE BITTER JOKE GOES. “NOW ADANI FLIES IN MODI’S PLANE.” AND NOW BOTH PLANES HAVE DEVELOPED ENGINE TROUBLE. CAN THEY GET OUT OF IT BY WRAPPING THEMSELVES IN THE INDIAN FLAG?

Raids at BBC’s india offiCes deeply ConCeRning

ANGST OVER MEDIA COVERAGE SHOULD BE COUNTERED WITH FACTS, NOT HARASSMENT

Dr Zakaria admires visionary leadership of UAE at 10th World Govt Summit

ISLAMABAD: Executive Director of the Commission on Science and Technology for Sustainable Development in the South (COMSATS), Ambassador Dr Mohammed Nafees Zakaria, was invited by the UAE government to the 10th World Government Summit held in Dubai. This year’s theme of the summit was:"Shaping Future Governments". Ambassador Zakaria was accompanied by the COMSATS' experts on Artificial Intelligence, Technology, Science, and Innovation –Kamil Mehmood and Mr. Parvez Abassi.

During the summit, he had the opportunity to meet with the UAE’s Ministers, including Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, HH Omar bin Sultan Al Olama, and Sarah Amiri. Dr. Zakaria admired the visionary leadership of the UAE and the strides the country had made in diverse fields, most prominently in education and Science & Technology. He extended sincere thanks to the UAE Government and its Ambassador to Pakistan, H.E. Mr. Obaid Alzabbi for his facilitation and courtesies. He also met Vice President of Uganda, Jessica Rose Epel Alupo. pr

Settlement of consumers’ complaints top priority: Iesco

ISLAMABAD: Chief Executive Officer IESCO, Dr Muhammad Amjad Khan will hold E-court on 22nd February (Wednesday) From 10:00am to 12:00noon and will attend consumer calls and necessary directives to relevant offices will be issued at spot for rectification of valuable consumer electricity related issues. Consumers related to Islamabad, Rawalpindi City, Rawalpindi Cantt, Attock, Jhelum, Chakwal Circles and surrounding areas can contact Chief Executive IESCO on Facebook ID CEOIESCO E-Kachery and Telephone No. 051-9253105 according to above mentioned schedule. IESCO customers are requested to mention name, bill reference number and contact number while lodging complaints. pr

Traffic division Faizabad office fully operational

ISLAMABAD: The headquarters of Islamabad Capital Police Traffic Division has been formally established, citizens should now come to the traffic division Faizabad office to get driving permits and licenses, a police public relations officer said. He said that, with the special interest of the Inspector General of Police (IGP) Islamabad Dr. Akbar Nasir Khan, the Islamabad Capital Police Traffic division got its office which is being shifted from Sector F-8 to Faizabad. pr

NOT-BY- PROFIT

Increase In foreIgn reserves: True IndIcaTor of a counTry's progress?

islamabad News desk

ISan increase in foreign reserves the true indicator of a country's progress? This is a matter of debate, but foreign reserves can be as indicative of a country's strength as the stock market. However, those in the lowest income bracket may not benefit from these indicators, and may not be concerned about them.

An increase in foreign reserves can indicate the balance of payments, but it is optimistic to assume that it will have a direct impact on the lives of the

poorest. The socio-political decisions made by politicians can affect foreign reserves, as the country often relies on borrowed money. Pakistan has faced several balance of payments crises in recent years, and has turned to the International Monetary Fund (IMF) for financial assistance.

To address the crisis, Pakistan implemented a series of reforms and policies as part of the IMF loan program, which had both short-term and long-term effects on the economy. These measures helped stabilize the currency, reduce inflation, and improve Pakistan's external balance. Foreign exchange reserves increased, which reduced the risk of a balance

of payments crisis in the near future. However, the reforms also came with social costs, including increased poverty and unemployment. Pakistan's foreign exchange reserves have increased significantly since 2018, helping to stabilise the country's economy and restore confidence in its financial system. However, poverty in the country has also increased, and an increase in foreign reserves may not necessarily lead to a reduction in poverty. The government must implement policies that focus on reducing poverty and addressing structural issues in the economy.

To read the full article visit www.tribune.com.pk

International Financial Institutions: Trapping and exploiting developing countries

islamabad News desk

In recent years, it has become clear that international financial institutions (IFIs) often trap and exploit countries, and then proceed to blame others for the consequences of their own actions. This unwritten rule of business has been applied with dedication by IFIs around the world. It is a well-known fact that many countries have crumbled under the weight of IMF programs, including Latin American economies and, more recently, Hungary and Greece.

Hungary started an IMF deal with the implementation of austerity measures, reduction in pension benefits, freezing wages and reducing deficits. These actions badly affected social welfare spending and systems. People started to agitate against the government, but the IMF was comfortable. When Hungary's government tried to create some space for the poor and introduced a banking transaction tax, the IMF reacted very strongly and halted cooperation.

Greece, despite all recipes of the IMF and European institutions and partners, has still been unable to find a sustainable solution to its economic woes.

Pakistan is one of the victims of this cycle of

exploitation. It has been entangled in a debt trap, and is paying the price in the form of high inflation, a free fall of the rupee, shrinking production, and elimination of social welfare spending under the dictation of IFIs.

Instead of accepting responsibility for their mistakes, however, the IFIs are trying to shift the blame onto China. They want to make China a scapegoat for their own failures. Opponents of the China-Pakistan relationship and the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) are finding it an excellent opportunity to exploit the situation. They have begun smear campaigns and are trying to tag the bad economic situation of Pakistan with CPEC and Chinese investment.

This is particularly evident in the actions of the US and India, who are both fierce opponents of CPEC and the China-Pakistan relationship. It is an open secret that the US has been pushing Pakistan for a long time to quit CPEC and the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). This is part of the US policy to contain China and check its peaceful rise. To achieve this objective, the US is pressuring Pakistan in many ways.

First, Pakistan was put in the grey list of the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) with the objective of squeezing its economic space. Second, the

IFIs are playing their role in piling on pressure.

Third, the US has allocated hundreds of millions of dollars to run a campaign against China and CPEC. Through the Countering Oppressive Politicization of Economies (COMPETE) Act, Washington has reserved $500 million for the media to keep a close watch on China and the BRI, including CPEC.

On the other hand, India is also trying to step in to sabotage CPEC. It is spreading false rumors about Chinese personnel and its embassy in Pakistan.

An analysis of events in recent decades reveals that the current economic crisis has stemmed from two main factors – IFIs (which have been discussed above) and the war on terror. The war on terror has undermined Pakistan's standing in the global arena and its security situation. Although Pakistan did not want to become part of the war, the US and the West forced it to become a frontline ally.

As a result of the war, the country suffered huge losses on all fronts, including the economy, security situation, social sector, and human life. It had to bear an economic loss of $150 billion, which is beyond the country's capacity. This figure is higher than the current external debt of $130 billion.

To read the full article visit www.tribune.com.pk

Growing demand for sustainable investment in hedge fund industry

islamabad News desk

Writing for Financial Times, Hedge Fund Correspondent Laurence Fletcher reports on the increasing popularity of sustainable investing among hedge funds. Hedge funds are increasingly viewing sustainable investing not just as a "nice-to-have", but as a "need-to-have" strategy that can both benefit their returns and help to future-proof their businesses.

The Covid-19 pandemic has played a significant role in driving this trend, as it has highlighted the risks of investing in companies with poor environmental, social, and governance (ESG) practices. Many hedge funds have also come under pressure from investors and regulators to take ESG considerations more seriously. For example, the European Union's Sustainable Finance Disclosure Regulation (SFDR), which came into force in March 2021, requires hedge funds to disclose how they integrate

ESG risks into their investment decisions.

To meet these demands, hedge funds are increasingly incorporating ESG considerations into their investment processes. This can involve engaging with companies to improve their ESG practices, as well as avoiding companies with poor ESG records. Some hedge funds are also developing proprietary ESG ratings and analytical tools to help them make more informed investment decisions.

However, sustainable investing can still be a controversial topic in the hedge fund industry. Some managers believe that ESG considerations can be subjective and difficult to quantify, and that they may not always align with their fiduciary duty to maximize returns for their investors. There is also concern that ESG investing could lead to a lack of diversification in portfolios, as many sustainable investment strategies tend to focus on a narrow subset of companies.

Despite these concerns, the article argues that the trend towards sustainable investing is likely to

NAVTTC-trained over 100,000 youth contributing to national development

islamabad pr

National Vocational and Technical Training Commission (NAVTTC) is equipping youth with income-generating skills for employment generation, economic development and productivity.

NAVTTC has made significant achievements and has elevated the quality of Skills &Technical and Vocational Education & Training (TVET) training in Pakistan under Chairman Shahid Khan and former Executive Director NAVTTC, Sajid Baloch.

NAVTTC has equipped youth with in demand income generating technical and High Tech IT Skills trainings in cutting edge technologies like Robotics, Artificial Intelligence, Apps & Game Development, Cyber Security, Industrial Automation, Cloud Computing, Mecha-

tronics, E-Commerce, beautician etc.

NAVTTC has already trained 143,000 highly skilled professionals, with 71% employment; 75,268 have been trained in Hi-Tech Digital IT skills; and 53,598 in Conventional trades. Over 13,000 NAVTTC skilled and certified youth got employed abroad and are earning billions to improve the national economy.

NAVTTC has also launched the highly promising Matric-Tech and Middle Tech programmes for Skills education in Formal Education schools.

Takamol Saudi Arabia and NAVTTC

Pakistan are partnering in the joint skills testing and certification programme called “Skills Verification Program” (SVP), for ensuring a competent skilled work force and employment. More than 2500 youth has been tested/certified and got employed in Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. NAVTTC pioneered fully automated

software based system for SVP, which is being implemented as a global best practice by Takamol Saudi Arabia in other countries of Asia. NAVTTC is empowering expatriate Pakistani skilled workforce with globally recognized skill certification, by enhancing the prospects in international labor market employment/skill visas opportunities for Pakistani workforce, including KSA, thereby providing income, enhancing their quality of life, and earning precious foreign remittance.

NAVTTC has developed skilled workforce and jobs portal, National Employment Exchange Tool (NEXT) i.e. jobs.gov.pk which is fully operationalized, with available data of 458,959 skilled youth with 689,878 jobs posted from 1,085 employers. The NAVTTC jobs and skills portal is a bridge which connects the skilled youth

and the employers, opening new vistas of employment and empowerment with State providing valuable services to public for getting employment and realizing their potential.

Under National Vocational Qualifications Framework (NVQF), NAVTTC has developed over 200 qualifications. More than 655 TVET institutes have been accredited across the country bringing them at par with international standards of job market.

NAVTTC has contributed significantly to improve the skills training system in Pakistan and has developed a highly skilled and international standard workforce. International development partners have been partnered NAVTTC to benefit Pakistan, including European Union, Germany GIZ, Japan JICA, British Council, UNHCR,

continue, as both investors and regulators increasingly demand that hedge funds take ESG considerations into account. This trend is also likely to be driven by the growing body of evidence that suggests that sustainable investing can lead to better long-term returns. A recent study by the Harvard Business School, for example, found that companies with strong ESG performance outperformed their peers by an average of 4.8% per year.

In conclusion, sustainable investing is becoming an increasingly important part of the hedge fund industry, and that funds that fail to take ESG considerations seriously risk being left behind. While there are still challenges to be overcome, Fletcher believes that the trend towards sustainable investing is likely to continue, as investors and regulators continue to demand greater accountability and transparency from the industry.

To read the full article visit www.ft.com

Rear Admiral Faisal Abbasi takes over as Commander Pakistan Fleet

KARACHI: Rear Admiral Muhammad Faisal Abbasi assumed the Command of Pakistan Fleet as COMPAK during Change of Command ceremony held at Karachi. Vice Admiral Ovais Ahmed Bilgrami handed over the Command to the newly appointed Commander Pakistan Fleet. Rear Admiral Muhammad Faisal Abbasi is a graduate of Pakistan Navy War College, Lahore and National Defence University, Islamabad. The Admiral has an illustrious naval career covering vast experience of various Command and Staff appointments. In recognition of his meritorious services the Admiral was awarded Sitara-i-Imtiaz (Military) & Hilale-Imtiaz (Military) by Government of Pakistan. The Change of Command ceremony was attended by Pakistan Navy officers, CPOs/ Sailors and Navy Civilians. pr

UNICEF, ADB etc.

China’s Spring Festival, Lantern Festival 2023 Celebrations at Rashakai Special Economic Zone (RSEZ) Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Pakistan. Cake-cutting on the occasion was graced by (L-R) Pakistan China Friendship Association’s Secretary General Syed Ali Nawaz Gilani, Project General Manager Mr. He Bing, China Road, Bridge Corporation’s Mr. Zheng Fang Sophia, KPEZDMC Chief Operating Officer Mr. Adil Salahuddin, Pro-Vice Chancellor (UOP) & DirectorGenral China Study Centre Prof. Dr. Zahid Anwar and KPEZDMC’s CEO Mr. Javed Iqbal Khattak. pr

Biden makes surprise trip to kyiv Before invasion anniversary

KYIV, UKRAINE Agencies

uS President Joe Biden on Monday made a trip to Kyiv organised in strict secrecy, promising $500 million in fresh arms deliveries and “unwavering” American support ahead of the first anniversary of Russia’s invasion.

Air raid sirens rang out across the capital at one point as Biden walked alongside Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky during what was the US president’s first visit to the country since Russian troops invaded on February 24, 2022.

“One year later, Kyiv stands. And Ukraine stands. Democracy stands,” Biden said, speaking alongside Zelensky at the Ukrainian president’s official residence, the Mariinsky Palace.

“I thought it was critical that there not be any doubt, none whatsoever, about US support for Ukraine in the war,” he continued. ussian President Vladimir “Putin thought Ukraine was weak and the West was divided. He thought he could outlast

us.” “He’s just been plain wrong,” Biden said, adding: “Putin’s war of conquest is failing”. The visit was organised in conditions of strict secrecy. Biden left Andrews Air Force in the early hours of Sunday.

After handing over their devices, journalists were made aware of his presence

Bangladesh halts printing of main opposition newspaper

DHAKA Agencies

The only newspaper of Bangladesh’s main opposition party halted printing on Monday after a government suspension order was upheld, stoking fears about media freedom in the South Asian nation. Campaigners and foreign governments including the United States have long expressed worries about efforts by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to silence criticism and what they see as creeping authoritarianism. The Dainik Dinkal, a broadsheet Bengali-language newspaper, has been a vital voice of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) for more than three decades. It employs hundreds of journalists and press workers. It covers news stories that the mainstream newspapers, most of which are controlled by pro-government businessmen, rarely do. This includes the frequent arrests of BNP activists and what the party says are thousands of fake cases against its supporters. The newspaper said the Dhaka district authorities ordered the shutdown on December 26, but it continued to publish after making an appeal at the Press Council headed by a top high court judge. “The council rejected our appeal yesterday (Sunday), upholding the district magistrate’s order to stop our publication,” Shamsur Rahman Shimul Biswas, managing editor of the newspaper, told. The council said the paper’s publisher, Tarique Rahman — the acting chief of BNP — was a convicted criminal and was living abroad without handing over his job to another person. Biswas said Rahman, now based in London, submitted his resignation and appointed a new publisher, but the authorities did not accept the changes.

BEIJING

Agencies

Beijing strongly denied on Monday US claims that China was considering arming Russia in its war against Ukraine, as it reiterated a call for dialogue to end the conflict.

On Sunday, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Beijing was now “considering providing lethal support” to Moscow ranging “from ammunition to the weapons themselves”.

“It is the United States and not China that is endlessly shipping weapons to the battlefield,” China’s foreign ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin said Monday, when asked about the US claims.

“We urge the United States to earnestly reflect on its own actions, and do more to alleviate the situation, promote peace and dialogue, and stop shifting blame and spreading

turkey winds down quake rescue as Blinken pledges fresh us aid

ANTAKYA, TURKEY Agencies

During the trip, Biden promised an additional $500 million (468 million euros) in arms deliveries for Ukraine, mentioning in particular artillery ammunition, howitzers and Javelin anti-tank missiles. Ukraine is estimated to be burning through thousands more shells each month than the EU defence industry is currently able to produce.

on Air Force One just 15 minutes before the plane took off.

The White House did not report how he eventually reached Ukraine but other foreign leaders have travelled to Kyiv by train from Poland. It was the first visit by a US president to Ukraine since 2008.

The European Union is weighing up plans to try to speed up its production and delivery of much-needed ammunition to help Kyiv’s fight. Zelensky said he and Biden also discussed the possibility of supplying “longrange weapons” to Ukraine, a long-standing request from Kyiv that has been met with reticence in Washington where there is concern that they could be used to strike deep inside Russian territory. Zelensky hailed the visit as a key sign of support.

“This conversation brings us closer to victory,” he said, calling the visit and the promise of additional US arms supplies “an unequivocal signal that Russian attempts to win will have no chance”.

North Korea fires ballistic missiles, warns of more action over US-South drills

SEOUL AFP

North Korea fired two rockets on Monday from its latest launcher, claiming it is capable of a “tactical nuclear attack” that can take out entire enemy air bases.

It was North Korea’s second weapons launch in 48 hours, after it fired one of its most powerful intercontinental ballistic missiles on Saturday, in response to planned US-South Korea military drills.

Japan said the ICBM landed in its exclusive economic zone, and its launch prompted the United States and South Korea to stage joint air drills on Sunday.

Pyongyang said the Korean People’s Army conducted the Monday drill in response to those US-South Korean exercises, blaming the allies for the deteriorating security situation, according to a report by the official Korean Central News Agency.

“Through today’s firing drill with the involvement of super-large multiple rocket launchers, the tactical nuclear attack means, the KPA demonstrated its full readiness to deter and will to counter” the joint air drills, KCNA said.

The South Korean military said it detected the launch of two short-range ballistic missiles on Monday

at 0700-0711 (2200-2211 GMT Sunday). One travelled 390 km (240 miles) and the other 340 km, before they landed in the East Sea, it said, referring to the body of water also known as the Sea of Japan.

It described the launches as “a serious provocation that undermines peace and stability on the Korean peninsula”, and called on North Korea to stop “immediately”.

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un’s powerful sister warned the country was closely monitoring Washington and Seoul’s moves to deploy more US strategic assets to the region, vowing “corresponding counteraction” if Pyongyang deemed such moves a threat.

“The frequency of using the Pacific as our firing range depends upon the US forces’ action character,” Kim Yo Jong said in a statement published by KCNA. ‘surprise’ drill: Pyongyang said its Saturday ICBM launch was a “surprise” drill that demonstrated North Korea’s capacity to carry out a “fatal nuclear counterattack”.

Japan said that ICBM flew for 66 minutes and landed in its exclusive economic zone (EEZ).

In response, Seoul and Washington staged joint air drills on Sunday, featuring a strategic bomber and stealth fighter jets.

Turkey on Sunday said rescue efforts following last week’s devastating earthquake had ended in all but two provinces as visiting US Secretary of State Antony Blinken announced $100 million in fresh humanitarian aid. The 7.8-magnitude tremor that struck southeastern Turkey and northern Syria on February 6 has killed more than 44,000 people, with the likelihood of finding survivors two weeks on extremely remote. The head of Turkey’s disaster agency Yunus Sezer on Sunday said search and rescue efforts had been completed in all provinces apart from Hatay and Kahramanmaras, the earthquake’s epicentre. They were continuing at around 40 buildings in the provinces on the 14th day, said Sezer, but he expected the number to fall by late Sunday. The agency head also said Turkey’s death toll had risen to 40,689. The total toll including Syria is now 44,377. Blinken also met members of the White Helmets rescue group, which operates in rebel-held areas of Syria, and discussed the relief effort there. The windingdown of rescue operations came as Blinken arrived in Turkey to show solidarity with a NATO ally and announce a new aid package worth $100 million. Washington’s top diplomat met his Turkish counterpart Mevlut Cavusoglu at Incirlik air base in southern Turkey, through which the United States has shipped aid. Blinken then accompanied Cavusoglu in a helicopter to view the damage wrought by the disaster in Hatay province. The new aid “will be moving soon. Sadly, it’s less about search and rescue but longterm recovery,” Blinken told reporters. “This is going to be a long-term effort. It’s going to take a massive effort to rebuild but we’re committed to supporting that effort,” he said. Washington has now contributed $185 million in assistance to Turkey and Syria, he added The trip had been planned before the earthquake, the worst natural disaster to hit Turkey in its post-Ottoman history. On Twitter, the White Helmets group said they had met Blinken in southern Turkey discuss “the response to the earthquake in NW #Syria, the humanitarian situation, ways to support affected civilians, and mechanisms for achieving early recovery. The group’s deputy director Farouk Habib told Blinken he was grateful for US support after the quake, while Blinken offered condolences and commended the rescuers’ “heroic efforts”, the group tweeted. Blinken, also referred to their meeting on Twitter, adding: “Thank you for your heroic efforts to rescue Syrians after the earthquakes. “The United States is proud to support you and other organizations providing lifesaving aid in response to this tragedy.” In the devastated southeastern city of Antakya, three bodies were retrieved from one building with a woman still thought to be inside, an official briefed on the recovery effort told AFP on condition of anonymity.

Record 6,542 guns intercepted at US airport security in ‘22

ATLANTA The AssociATed Press

The woman flying out of Philadelphia’s airport last year remembered to pack snacks, prescription medicine and a cell phone in her handbag. But what was more important was what she forgot to unpack: a loaded .380-caliber handgun in a black holster.

The weapon was one of the 6,542 guns the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) intercepted last year at airport checkpoints across the country. The number — roughly 18 per day — was an all-time high for guns intercepted at US airports, and is sparking concern at a time when more Americans are

armed. “What we see in our checkpoints really reflects what we’re seeing in society, and in society, there are more peo-

ple carrying firearms nowadays,” TSA administrator David Pekoske said. With the exception of pandemic-dis-

China rejects US claim of planning to arm Russia

false information,” Wang told a regular briefing.

Moscow’s offensive in Ukraine is a sensitive issue for Beijing, which has sought to position itself as neutral while offering diplomatic backing to its strategic ally Russia.

“It is clear to the international community who is calling for dialogue and fighting for peace, and who is adding fuel to the fire and encouraging opposition,” Wang added, reiterating a call for support for a Chinese proposal to end the war.

On Saturday, China said it would publish this week a proposal to find a “political solution” to the Ukraine crisis, with Beijing’s top diplomat telling a conference the country is “on the side of dialogue”.

Wang Yi told the Munich Security Con-

ference that China was against attacks on nuclear power plants, opposed the use of biochemical weapons and was willing to work with “all parties”.

Later on Monday, the EU’s foreign policy chief warned China against providing weapons to Russia for its war on Ukraine.

Josep Borrell said he told Wang Yi that “for us, it would be a red line in our relationship. He told me that they are not going to do it, that they don’t plan to do it. But we will remain vigilant”.

Alleged spy bAlloon: Blinken’s accusations came as relations between China and the United States were further strained after Washington shot down what it said was a Chinese spy balloon earlier this month.

The United States has repeatedly warned

China against providing support to Russia for its war in Ukraine, which is nearing its one-year anniversary.

Appearing on Sunday on ABC, Blinken said that US President Joe Biden had warned his Chinese counterpart, Xi Jinping, as long ago as last March against sending weapons to Russia.

Since that time, “China has been careful not to cross that line, including by holding off on selling lethal weapons systems for use on the battlefield”, according to a US administration source familiar with the issue.

In Munich, Blinken and Wang Yi clashed over Washington’s shooting down of a Chinese balloon over its airspace.

During their encounter, Blinken “directly spoke to the unacceptable violation of

rupted 2020, the number of weapons intercepted at airport checkpoints has climbed every year since 2010. Experts don’t think this is an epidemic of wouldbe hijackers — nearly everyone caught claims to have forgotten they had a gun with them — but they emphasise the danger even one gun can pose in the wrong hands on a plane or at a checkpoint.Guns have been intercepted literally from Burbank, California, to Bangor, Maine. But it tends to happen more at bigger airports in areas with laws more friendly to carrying a gun, Pekoske said. The top 10 list for gun interceptions in 2022 includes Dallas, Austin and Houston in Texas; three airports in Florida; Nashville, Tennessee; Atlanta; Phoenix; and Denver.

US sovereignty and international law by (China’s) high-altitude surveillance balloon in US territorial airspace”, State Department spokesman Ned Price said.

He also warned Wang “about the implications and consequences if China provides material support to Russia or assistance with systemic sanctions evasion”, Price said.

In turn, Wang Yi told Blinken that their countries’ relations had been damaged by how Washington reacted to the balloon, which China has repeatedly described as a civilian craft for weather research that veered off course.

Wang Yi “made clear China’s solemn position on the so-called airship incident”, and “urged the US side to change course, acknowledge and repair the damage that its excessive use of force caused to ChinaUS relations”, state news agency Xinhua reported.

NeeshAm, Powell Power PeshAwAr ZAlmI to thrAsh QUettA GlAdIAtors

KARACHI

NewS DeSk

All-rounders James Neesham and Rovman Powell played sensible knocks in the run chase to steer Peshawar Zalmi to a convincing four-wicket victory over Quetta Gladiators in the ninth match of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) season eight.

Set to chase 155, Zalmi amassed the target in the 19th over with four wickets to spare at the back of a crucial partnership between Neesham and Powell.

Earlier, the Zalmi got off to a poor start to the pursuit as the side lost three wickets for 47 runs in the fifth over with in-form batters Mohammad Haris, Saim Ayub and Tom Kohler-Cadmore perishing cheaply.

9th JA Zaman memorial open Golf begins today

LAHORE StAFF RePoRt

Zalmi then endured a huge blow to their pursuit as they lost their skipper Babar Azam in the eighth over and consequently slipped to 67/4. Babar could score 19 off 18 deliveries.

Put into bat first, the Gladiators raised 154/4 despite a dismal start at the back of a magnificent half-century by Iftikhar.

Gladiators openers Jason Roy and Martin Guptill started cautiously against a disciplined bowling attack of Zalmi as they could score 28 runs in the powerplay before the latter lost his wicket in a desperate attempt to go big. Guptill could score 12 off 16.

Following his dismissal, leg-spinner Usman Qadir struck twice in his consecutive overs; removing Roy (14) and Mohammad Nawaz (2) as the Gladiators slipped to 37/3 in the ninth over.

The landmark 9th JA Zaman Memorial Open Golf Championship will go under way from Tuesday (today) at Lahore Gymkhana Golf Club. This was stated by Sarmad Nadeem of Lahore Gymkhana Golf Club at a media conference, attended and addressed by Hamid Zaman, head of Zaman Family, Bilal Zaman, Taha Mehmood, Captain Golf and Ayesha Hamid, Lady Captain of Gymkhana Golf Club. Hamid Zaman, speaking on the occasion, said the golfing activity which is a PGA and PGF-sanctioned tournament has evolved to become one of the biggest golf tournaments nationwide with total prize money of Rs6.0 million.The tournament attracts the top golfing talent from across the country and is one of the most anticipated match ups of the golfing calendar in Pakistan. The salient features of this year’s edition include: Top 100 ranked golf professionals of Pakistan will compete in the Main Draw from the 23rd to 26th of February making it one of the most competitive fields in golf across the country. The championship includes nationally recognized golf amateur players who compete for glory and honors in victory. Total Prize Money of Rs6.0 million and a chance to win a 1,300 CC Honda City on a Hole-in-One makes the match one of the top purses in Pakistan golf. 6 categories of players including juniors, ladies, senior professionals and amateurs, and veteran golfers all participate in the tournament. Record number of entries highlighting the anticipation and excitement the championship brings forth with more than 500+ participants. Bilal Zaman said that the tournament is being held in the memory of late JA Zaman; an iconic symbol who was a man of enormous dignity. He left behind an indelible impact of his entrepreneurial abilities and his passion for golf in particular.

J.A.Zaman’s family, which is the principal sponsor of this championship, is pleased to make possible, with the gracious cooperation of the Lahore Gymkhana Golf Committee, such a prestigious event where, no doubt, only the best of the sport will be showcased. Playing Arena & The Players: Regarding the playing arena Sarmad Nadeem said that Lahore Gymkhana Golf Course is one of the oldest golf courses in Pakistan tracing its origin to the 19th Century. It is an 18 holes championship course, with a par 72 spread over 65 acres.

Following the slump, skipper Sarfaraz Ahmed and Iftikhar anchored the innings with a gritty 74-run partnership for the fourth wicket and broke the shackles.

Meanwhile, Arshad Iqbal castled Sarfaraz in the 17th over to dent the Gladiators’ march to a big total. The skipper could score 39 off 30 deliveries and hit five boundaries.

Iftikhar, however, held his ground firm and kept charging on the Zalmi bowlers in the death overs and received significant support from all-rounder Odean Smith, who struck a blistering 12-ball 25. Iftikhar was top-scorer for the Gladiators with 50 off 34 deliveries, laced with two boundaries and four sixes.

Qadir led the bowling attack for Zalmi with 2/26 while Arshad and James Neesham could make one scalp.

Problems mount for New Zealand as Jamieson ruled out for months

WELLINGTON AFP

Injured fast bowler Kyle Jamieson was on Monday ruled out of cricket for a lengthy spell in another blow for New Zealand following their 267-run first Test drubbing by England.

Coach Gary Stead confirmed that Jamieson had been diagnosed with a back stress fracture and will undergo surgery this week, with a minimum recovery time of four months.

The 28-year-old had been poised to return from a long layoff for the Test at Mount Maunganui, but could only watch as England consigned the home side to an eighth successive Test without a win.

“It’s been a challenging and difficult time for Kyle and a big loss for us,” Stead said.

Jamieson, whose absence has coincided with the side’s poor run, had been “fantastic” when part of the New Zealand team, Stead said. “We will know more in about three to four months about what that end prognosis looks like for him,” he added.

Jamieson’s pace and bounce was missed by New

Zealand, whose inexperienced attack struggled to contain England’s aggressive batting in the day-night Test at the Bay Oval.

Stead confirmed pace bowler Matt Henry will join the squad for the second Test starting in Wellington on Friday after attending the birth of his first child.

Seamer Jacob Duffy and legspinner Ish Sodhi have been released from the squad.

Stead urged his team to find a way to hit back at an England side who dictated terms in the first Test.

“The way England are playing isn’t a surprise to us at all but they are playing very, very well,” he said.

“For us, it’s finding ways now that we can counter that and, I guess, try and slow them down in the pace they are playing the game.

“We want to go out and throw some punches back at England.” Stead suggested the batting line-up would be unchanged despite their problems at the top of the order, having failed to counter the intensity of pace pair James Anderson and Stuart Broad under lights.

“We believe these are our best cricketers. We won’t make wholesale or snappy changes when all of our top order struggled,” he said.

GCU wins All Pakistan Inter-Varsity Gymnastics Champions 2023

The All Pakistan Inter-Varsity Gymnastics Championship 2023 concluded on a high note with the GC University Lahore clinching the championship trophy here on Monday. More than eleven universities participated in the tournament held under the auspices of Higher Education Commission at GCU Sports Hall. GC University Lahore Vice Chancellor Professor Dr Asghar Zaidi, Director of Sports Wasim Akhtar, and officials of Higher Education Commission, including Muhammad Asif, attended the ceremony. The GCU team emerged as the winners of the event with Punjab University and University of Central Punjab securing joint second place and University of Management Technology (UMT) achieving the third position. The teams competed in a variety of disciplines, including floor exercises, balance beam, vault, and uneven bars. Speaking at the closing ceremony, Professor Dr. Asghar Zaidi congratulated the winning team and thanked all the participants for making the championship a success.

Former captains slam Australia’s batting after India collapse

SYDNEY

AFP

Former Australia cricket captains Allan Border and Michael Clarke on Monday denounced the team’s batting performance against India, calling the second innings collapse “panicky” and ill-executed.

Spin bowler Ravindra Jadeja had figures of 7-42 as he tore through Australia’s batting in the second Test in Delhi on Sunday to enable India to take an unassailable 2-0 lead in the fourmatch series.

Australia repeatedly employed cross-bat sweep shots on a turning Dehli

wicket and paid the price as they tumbled to 113 all out in their second innings after resuming on the third day at 61-1.

“I’m disappointed, I’m shellshocked and angry about the way we went about our work,” Border told Fox News.

“It was a panicky, frenetic sort of batting,” said Border, who scored more than 11,000 Test runs and was renowned for his tenacious batting.

Australia captain Pat Cummins said the post-match team review would look at why his players kept employing the sweep, accelerating their collapse.

Cummins was among Jadeja’s victims as four Australian wickets fell for

no runs with the score on 95. Set 115 to win, India cruised to a six-wicket win in less than 27 overs. “They were all getting out playing sweep shots, reverse sweeps and playing just about every ball,” said Border, 67. “No one got in there and tried to stem the flow with just some good defensive cricket,” he said.

“You just can’t get away with it on that sort of track.”

Clarke echoed Border’s criticism.

“They’re not the right conditions to sweep when you start your innings,”

Clarke told Sky Sports radio. “And they’re never going to be the right conditions to reverse sweep against the spin at the start of your innings.”

Rimsha Ijaz wins 2nd Ghazala Ansari Ladies Golf Challenge Cup

LAHORE

StAFF RePoRt

The 2nd Ghazala Ansari Challenge Cup Ladies Amateur Golf Championship, a world amateur golf ranking event, culminated with a graceful prize distribution ceremony held at the historic Lahore Gymkhana Golf Club.

The most striking feature of this unique event was the ambience of Ghazala Ansari’s presence that prevailed throughout the Lahore Gymkhana Golf Club on all three days. Equally evident was the unbounded euphoria and air of festivity that became the hallmark of this event.

Begum Parveen Sarwar, wife of the former Governor Punjab, consented to be the chief guest to demonstrate her continued personal support for Dr

Asma Shami’s unique initiative of honouring the achievements of Lady Golfing icons of yesteryears. It may be recalled that, last year, Begum Sarwar had insisted on holding the Prize Distribution Ceremony of the 1st Ghazala Ansari Cup in the Durbar Hall of the Governor’s House Lahore that enhanced the status of the championship and raised the prestige of ladies golf to an unimaginable level.

In her address, the chief guest praised this concept in general and legendary Ghazala Ansari’s feats in particular. She lavished well deserved praise on Dr Asma Shami, the Chief Organizer, for conceiving this concept and conducting this championship in a professional manner, with her dedicated team, Bela Azam as Tournament Director, Munazza Shaheen as Chief Referee and Mrs Mamoona Azam as Coordinator. After the three days of tough competition, Rimsha Ijaz,

handicap 1, with a gross score of 239 over 54 holes, emerged as winner of the gross section in Category A (handicaps 0-12). Defending champion Parkha Ijaz, handicap 0, was runner-up with a gross 241, while Suneyah Osama finished 3rd, Ghazala Yasmin fourth, Daniyah Syed fifth and Abiha Syed sixth.

In Category B (handicaps 13-24), Shahzadi Gulfam won the 1st prize, Tehmina Rashid second and Hadiyah Osama third. The first net position was secured by Momina Tarar, second by Shabana Waheed and third by Hareem Tahir.

Moreover, in Category C (handicaps 25-36), the gross winner was Aleesa Rashid, a 11-year-old, who led in both net and gross categories. The second gross went to Mina Zainab and third to Tasleem Hussain. In the net competition, Saqiba Batool was winner, Humera Zeeshan second and Aliha Amjad third. In

Bilawal declareS end to Pti ‘Policy of aPPeaSing’ ttP even aS attackS riSe

ISLAMABAD

stAff RePoRt

tHEforeign minister declared that Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) has put a halt to the “policy of appeasing” militants, which he claimed was championed by former prime minister Imran Khan, even as the country continues to experience a spike in attacks.

Pakistan has observed a rise in Tehreeki-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) attacks, particularly targeting security forces. However, authorities have downplayed the violence as “isolated incidents of terrorism.”

The government of Shahbaz Sharif blames the resurgence in militancy on the Taliban’s control of Afghanistan, where TTP militants have found refuge and continue to launch cross-border attacks.

In an interview with CNBC, Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari accused the chairman of the opposition Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) party of negotiating with the Afghanistanbased group “unconditionally”.

He emphasised that Pakistan remains committed to combating terrorism, saying: “We will fight terrorism on our soil.” He further asserted that until the threats to Pakistan’s security from Afghanistan are eliminated, Islamabad will continue to face challenges.

The new leadership in Pakistan has prioritised the issue of terrorism and taken steps to address it, including carrying out military operations in areas where terrorists are known to operate.

The country’s efforts to combat terrorism are seen as crucial for regional stability, particularly given the instability in neighbouring Afghanistan.

Zardari’s comments underscore the importance Pakistan places on addressing the issue of terrorism and its commitment to maintaining stability in the region.

He acknowledged the nation’s history of military governments, saying that “for more than half of its past, it has been under military rule.” However, he also noted that Pakistan is currently going through a transitional phase.

‘Imran could make a comeback by pursuIng path of democracy’: The foreign minister highlighted the removal of Khan through a vote of no-confidence in April of last year as a significant moment in Pakistan’s history, observing it marked the first time that parliament has removed an elected prime minister democratically, without the involvement of the judiciary or military.

He said Imran Khan could make a comeback by pursuing the path of democracy but so far he was undemocratic in his approach which would not be beneficial for him.

“If Imran Khan does not adopt a democratic path then he has no political future.”

He said it should be kept in mind that in the country’s history, the undemocratic forces had their rule but every time democracy returned. ‘retIred gen Qamar Javed baJwa’s admIssIon’: He also referenced former army chief retired Gen. Qamar Javed Bajwa’s admission of military intervention in politics throughout the country’s history. Zardari welcomed Bajwa’s state-

ment and noted if the military is willing to change its conduct constitutionally, it should be embraced.

Pakistan’s history of military rule has been a contentious issue, and the country has been working towards strengthening its

Beverages industry to bear a 10% FED

DESPITE REQUESTS PUT FORWARD BY INDUSTRY, BEVERAGES SECTOR SET TO RAISE COST AFTER FED IMPOSITION

investment of Rs 40 billion.

ISLAMABAD GhulAm AbbAs

The mini-budget passed on Monday, February 20, 2023, imposes a 10% Federal Excise Duty (FED) on fruit beverages, despite the industry’s plea against it earlier on the same day.

According to a letter sent to the Prime Minister on Monday, the All Pakistan Fruit and Vegetable Exporters, Importers and Merchant Association (PFVA), the growers of fruits, pulps and concentration beverages would terribly suffer if the FED is implemented.

“PFAV humbly wishes to bring into your kind attention that the 10% FED would have a disastrous impact on the growers of fruits, exporters of fruit pulps and concentrates,” reads the letter, and warns that such a development could deprive government of huge revenue. what the costs look lIke: The details, as mentioned in the letter, state that the FED will hamper procurement of more than 200,000 tons of fruits and vegetables from local farmers. It will also negatively impact the Juice industry that has annual revenue of approximately Rs 60 billion and

Suzuki increases prices for third time within 30 days

PRICES RISE BY RS175,824 ON AVERAGE WITH SWIFT EDGING OVER RS4M FOR ALL VARIANTS

LAHORE

dAniyAl AhmAd

The association believes that the imposition of FED will reverse the industry’s growth and diminish earnings of local farmers. It will negatively affect the volumes produced in the business business volumes and result in a reduction in the tax collection for national exchequer. Furthermore the move will encourage the tax evading informal sector to gain a foothold in the market.

Last week, the Senate’s standing committee on Finance and Revenue had rejected the proposal and suggested that duty should be just 5%, rather than 10%.

The horticulture sector believes that the fruit growing value chain of Pakistan is on the right path towards improvement since the involvement of the fruits and juices industry. A beverages industry source, that wishes to remain anonymous, mentioned that because of the industry’s collaboration with the farming community the issue of storing excess food is curbed. During the peak season, there is a lot of overripe fruit which the formal fruit industry sector helps to store.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 03

Pakistan, Taliban trade fire at Afghanistan border crossing

PESHAWAR the AssociAted PRess

Pakistan’s border guards and Taliban forces traded cross-border fire on Monday morning, officials said, a day after Afghanistan’s rulers closed the Torkham border crossing amid increasing tensions between the two neighbours. There was no immediate word on casualties on either side.

On Sunday, the Afghan Taliban shut Torkham, a key trade route, over Pakistan’s alleged refusal to allow Afghan patients and their caretakers to enter Pakistan for medical care without travel documents, security officials in Pakistan said. They spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss border issues.

Khalid Khan, a police official, confirmed the border closure and what he described as intermittent exchanges of fire at Torkham, located in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The

Suzuki’s decision marks the third price increase it has made within the span of a month with the previous two upwards revisions being made on January 24 and and February 8. The current increase will come into effect immediately as of February 20. “Due to recent increase in electricity, gas, GST, different utilities and overhead expenses, currency fluctuation, economic uncertainties, too much increase in local and international raw material parts & accessories cost. So, keeping in view this big adverse impact, we are passing a very minimal portion through this price increase,” explains Shafiq Ahmed Shaikh, Head of Public Relations at Pak Suzuki Motor Co. Ltd, to Profit.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 03

military and the Foreign Office made no immediate comments.

Mullah Mohammad Siddiq, a Taliban-appointed commissioner at Torkham, said Pakistan has not been abiding by its “commitments, so the crossing point was shut down.” He did not elaborate. Siddiq advised Afghans to avoid traveling to the border crossing, located on Afghanistan’s side in the country’s eastern Nangarhar province, until further notice. Cross-border fire and shootouts are common along the Afghan-Pakistan border. Each side has in the past closed Torkham, and also the Chaman border crossing in Balochistan, for a multitude of reasons. Both crossings are vital for landlocked Afghanistan for trade and travel.

The Taliban seized power in Afghanistan in August 2021 as US and NATO troops were withdrawing from the country after 20 years of war. Like the rest of the

world, Pakistan has so far not recognised Afghanistan’s Taliban government.

The international community has been wary of the Taliban’s harsh measures, imposed since their takeover, especially in restricting the rights of women and minorities.

Pakistan has witnessed a surge in militant attacks since November, when the Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) ended a monthslong cease-fire with the government. The TTP is a separate militant group but allied with the Afghan Taliban. Islamabad has demanded the Afghan Taliban stop offering sanctuary to Pakistani militants and prevent the launching of cross-border attacks on Pakistan.

Since the Taliban takeover, the government in Islamabad has allowed critically ill or injured Afghans to enter Pakistan for medical treatment along with a limited number of caretakers.

democratic institutions.

‘pakIstan has capacIty to become emergIng economy’: FM Bilawal said Pakistan was faced with a difficult economic condition but it had the capacity to become an emerging economy and resolve its financial issues.

During the interview, the minister expressed views about climate change, his country’s economy and the situation in Afghanistan.

He said the Ukraine war and floods had badly damaged the economy of Pakistan, adding a large part of Pakistan was submerged in water due to the floods caused by climate change.

The floods had changed the direction of Pakistan’s economy which still could not come out of financial difficulties and had to undertake negotiations with the International Monetary Fund (IMF), he added.

To a question, he said the statement of Defence Minister Khawaja Asif should be taken in the political context and in the backdrop of the difficult economic conditions faced by Pakistan.

large steel producers demand opening of lcs

The Pakistan Association of Large Steel Producers (PALSP) has sounded an alarm, urging the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) to take immediate action to open LCs, and address the severe shortage of rebars in the domestic market. The situation has reached a critical level, with imports for the first seven months of FY23 down by 40% from the same period last year, which was 2.5 million metric tons. In January 2023, only 220,000 metric tons of scrap were imported. This is the lowest January import since the last 5 years. It also represents a sharp decline of 50% compared to January 2020. According to Wajid Bukhari, Secretary General of PALSP, “This is the worst crisis that has ever hit the steel industry as manufacturers are unable to secure raw material, entering into a forced major shutdown in the coming months.” The shipbreaking industry, which accounts for 15% of all local raw material scrap, is operating at only 5%, indicating that the entire long steel industry can only operate at 30% capacity utilization levels, and the situation is expected to worsen in the coming months. “The shortage of rebars in the domestic market is a major concern for the steel industry and the customers who rely on it. It is essential that the SBP takes immediate action to open LCs to address the severe shortage of raw material and ensure smooth operations of the steel industry,” noted Bukhari. “Imports of raw material in FY23 have more than halved compared to last year’s figures, which is alarming and is contributing to the shortage of rebars in the market. The situation is only going to get worse if the SBP does not act quickly.” Not only is the shortage causing problems for the steel industry, but it is also impacting customers who rely on it. Genuine builders who have taken billions of rupees from investors and potential tenants are still constructing their projects, yet inflationary cost escalations continue to irk the construction industry. PALSP notes that approximately 80% of builders, holding strong reputations, are continuing their projects and honoring their commitments as they had booked raw materials in advance from the rebar manufacturers with the income received during the launch of their projects. However, the actual problem will arise when the rebar manufacturers shut down in the coming months due to zero availability.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 03

Iran’s currency falls to record low as sanctions to continue

DUBAI ReuteRs

Iran’s troubled currency broke below the psychologically key level of 500,000 rial per U.S. dollar on Monday, as market participants saw no end in sight to sanctions. The Iranian rial plummeted to a new record low of 501,300 against the U.S. dollar, according to Bonbast.com which gathers live data from Iranian ex-

changes.

Facing an inflation rate of about 50%, Iranians seeking safe havens for their savings have been buying dollars, other hard currencies or gold, suggesting further headwinds for the rial.

The reimposition of U.S. sanctions in 2018 by former President Donald J. Trump have harmed Iran’s economy by limiting Tehran’s oil exports and access to foreign currency. Since September, nuclear talks be-

tween Iran and world powers to curb Tehran’s nuclear programme in exchange for the lifting of sanctions have stalled, worsening economic expectations for Iran’s future. Over the last six months, Iran’s currency has slumped nearly 60% in value, according to Bonbast.com.

Meanwhile, the central bank said it was opening a new foreign exchange centre to ease access to foreign exchange and increase the volume of offi-

cial transactions.

“The rate set in this exchange will become the market’s rate. It should be free from expectation factors that do not reflect our assessment of the country’s financial situation,” Mohammad Reza Farzin, the central bank governor, told state TV on Monday. Farzin was appointed in December as governor with the key job of controlling the value of foreign currencies, according to IRNA.