Epaper_23-03-15 ISB

Wednesday, 15 March, 2023 I 22 Shaban, 1444

CountrywidE ProtEsts As workErs ‘foil’ AttEmPt to ArrEst imrAn

g PolIce use tear Gas, water cannon anD stun GrenaDes to breaK uP Protests

laHORE Saleem Jadoon

Protestsbroke out in all major cities of country on tuesday against the backdrop of clashes going on intermittently between PtI workers and police personnel around Zaman Park residence of PtI chairman Imran Khan following the police’s attempt to arrest the opposition leader in thoshakhana case.

Intermittent tear gas shelling is ongoing at Zaman Park as police personnel who had reached the security barrier outside the neighbourhood — has been forced towards mall road. PtI workers, meanwhile, have secured the path leading to Imran’s residence as well as canal road.

the clashes erupted between police and supporters of former Prime minister Imran Khan ahead of his potential arrest. the police heavily fired tear gas and water cannon as hundreds of members and supporters of Imran Khan’s Pakistan tehreeke-Insaf (PtI) gathered outside his Zaman Park residence to foil the attempt being made to arrest him.

PtI workers reportedly pelted the police officials with stones as the police resorted to baton-charge on the crowds, turning Zaman Park into a battleground. Police allegedly used water cannons to hold back PtI workers, with some being taken

g asaD omar saYs trYInG Imran In toshaKhana case aKIn to maKInG PaKIstan lauGhInG stocK

protesters”, the party’s woman leader Zartaj Gul told the media while tears rolling down from his eyes due to tear-gas. “It seems the police personnel are Indian forces and trying to suppress the Kashmiris”, he regretted. ‘What they want?’ speaking to reporters outside Imran Khan’s residence, senior PtI leader shah mahmood Qureshi said there was no justification for the police to attack people. “we are ready to talk,” he said.

Qureshi said he wanted to see the warrants himself and will speak to his party chairman once he gets to see them.

Common man failed to access justice system due to corruption: CJP

‘Army will not be available for election duty,’ defence ministry tells ECP

Islamabad Staff report the ministry of Defence on tuesday informed the election commission of Pakistan (ecP) that the Pakistan army will not be available for election duty this year due to the “situation in the country”, noting that the security of the borders and the country was the army’s “first priority”.

into custody.

according to PtI leaders, the police committed worst brutalities against the party workers and sup-

porters and did not spare the children and women. “the police fired expired tear-gas shells and chemical-laden water on the peaceful

“what do they [police] want?” he asked. “after hearing their point of view, I will have a meeting with Khan sahib. we may be ready for arrest ourselves.”

CONTINUED ON PAGE 02

‘Stay steady’ if anything happens to me: Imran

lahore: amid siege of and clashes between PtI workers and police around Zaman Park, Pakistan tehreek-eInsaf chairman Imran Khan aired a passionate recorded message for his supporters on tuesday, urging them to stay put for their rights and “continue the struggle” for ‘haqeeqi azadi’ even if he is arrested or assassinated. the PtI chairman’s video message was released on social media as police arrived at his lahore residence to arrest him. a large number of party workers continued resisting the police personnel who teargassed and baton-charged the crowds to disperse them outside Zaman Park. addressing his supporters and workers in the video, Imran said that the authorities think his arrest would lead to the nation’s “distracting and indifference.” “my fellow Pakistanis, the police are outside waiting to arrest me. they believe that if Imran Khan is put behind the bars, the nation will fall asleep. You must prove them wrong. You must show that this nation is alive and kicking,” he said. Staff report

During the ecP’s third session regarding the elections of Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) assemblies — chaired by chief election commissioner (cec) sikandar sultan raja — Defence secretary lt General (retd) hamood uz Zaman Khan and additional Defence secretary major General Khurram sarfaraz Khan briefed the commission about the current situation of the country, a press release issued by the ecP said. Pakistan has been witnessing a sharp rise in terror incidents for the last few months, which have taken the lives of several people, and as a result, the security forces have upped the ante against militants across the country. the officials of the defence ministry apprised the participants of the session about the situation on the borders and the deployment of the army in the country, along with the overall law-andorder situation. “the army attaches importance to its primary duties, and the security of the borders and the country is its first priority. Due to the current situation in the country, the Pakistan army is not available for election duty at this time,” the ministry’s officials said. “moreover, the current economic situation of the country has an effect on the army as well. and it will be the decision of the ruling administration whether it restricts the army to the performance of primary duties or assigns secondary duties to it — ie election duty.” they also clarified that if the army is assigned election duty, troops would be deployed in quick response (QrF) mode and static deployment of troops would not be possible. It should be noted that on the orders of the supreme court, the polls for the Punjab assembly elections will be held on april 30. apart from this, the election schedule has also been announced and nomination papers are being submitted. KP Governor haji Ghulam ali has also announced may 28 as the date for elections in the province following a meeting with the ecP and President Dr arif alvi.

Deal with IMF just few days away: PM Shehbaz

PROfIt REPORt ISlamaBad

Prime minister shehbaz sharif, on tuesday, said that the staff-level agreement with the International monetary Fund (ImF) would be reached within a few days as the government has accepted even the “toughest” conditions put forth by the global financial institution.

It has been over a month since the ImF mission left Pakistan, however the news about the signing of the staff level agreement is still awaited. the mission was supposed to negotiate with the government virtually after their

physical visit to Pakistan however, it has taken an unusual amount of time to reach that agreement.

the government has been assuring the public of the signing of the agreement “within a few days” for more than 20 days now. however, after the latest episode of devaluation of rupee, and a hike in the policy rate, experts expect the staff level agreement to fall through, sooner than later.

the prime minister, in an interview with a private television channel, said that joint efforts were being made by both his economic team and other national institutions to make the process a success.

the prime minister spoke at length on multiple national issues, including the one-year performance of his government, the economic situation, elections, toshakhana record, party matters as well as a probe into the murder of anchorperson arshad sharif.

he said at the time of assuming government, he did not know that his predecessor Imran Khan had agreed on such conditions with the ImF. conditions which Imran Khan himself later backed out of, to undermine Pakistan in the world as well as among global institutions.

“this is why the ImF is making us accept those conditions and seeking their

implementation. no doubt, these conditions have burdened the common man,” he commented.

Pm shehbaz said that after realising the common man’s suffering, the government has decided to provide relief through the benazir Income support Programme. however, the imported inflation caused by the ukraine war also hit the country in the form of increased fertilizer and oil prices, as per the Pm.

the floods also affected the national economy, and ex-prime minister Imran Khan’s “shameful” lies about regime change by the united states created uncertainty about Pakistan as

a debtor, he added. the prime minister told the interviewer that friendly countries like china were supporting Pakistan despite the fact that Imran Khan had hurt their brotherly ties. recounting the baseless allegations leveled by the Pakistan tehreek-eInsaf (PtI) leadership against him, through local television channels as well the united Kingdom’s Daily mail, shehbaz sharif said that the latter apologised to him. he said that the uK’s national crime agency also exonerated him from the charges hurled at him by that time’s government.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 02

g rana sanaullah vows to arrest Imran Khan at all costs

President quashes sPeculations about delay in Polls

iSLAmABAd StAFF rePOrt

PRESIDENTDr Arif Alvi on Tuesday rejected speculations about any delay in elections, saying that he strongly believed that the polls would be held on time. The president, talking to a delegation of the Council of Pakistan Newspapers Editors (CPNE) here at the Aiwan-e-Sadr, said the timely elections would pave the way for improving the political and economic situation of the country.

On this occasion President CPNE Kazam Khan, Sr. Vice President Ayaz Khan, Secretary General Aamer Mahmood, Deputy Secretary General Yousaf Nizami, Vice Presidents Dr. Jabbar Khattak, Irshad Ahmed Arif, Tahir Farooq, Arif Baloch, Finance Secretary Ghulam Nabi Chandio, Information Secretary Dr. Zubair Mehmood, Joint Secretaries Maqsood Yousufi, Zia Tanoli,

Mumtaz Ahmed Sadiq, Yahya Khan Saduzai, Senior Members Aijaz-ul-Haq, Sardar Khan Niazi, Hamid Hussain Abidi, Muhammad Haider Amin, Khalilur-Rehman, Abdul Khalique Ali, Zulfiqar Ahmed Rahat, Muhammad Owais Raazi, Tanveer Shaukat, Sher Muhammad Khuhawar, Waqas Tariq Farooq, Sajjad Abbasi, Muhammad Akmal Chohan, Tazeen Akhter, Mehmood Alam Khalid, Fazl-e-Haq, Syed Safeer Hussain Shah, Qaswar Jameel Roohani, Munazah Seham and Bilqees Jehan were also presented.

President Alvi emphasised the need for upholding the Constitution as the country’s history had proven that the delay in elections had harmed democracy.

Referring to his meeting with Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Governor Haji Ghulam Ali earlier in the day, the president said the KP governor was a democratic person and he had encouraged him to fix a date for elections in accordance with the Constitution and the order of the Supreme

deal with iMF just few days away: PM shehbaz

ContinuEd fRom PAgE 01

When asked about the ongoing police attempts to arrest Imran Khan, the prime minister said he had been avoiding the arrest on the excuse of illness or injuries. Despite using foul language against the national institutions, Imran Khan was given relief every time.

He said during the PTI government, the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leadership, including himself, Nawaz Sharif, Maryam Nawaz, Hamza Shahbaz, Khawaja Asif and Rana Sanaullah, were implicated in false cases and made subject to inhumane treatment in jails.

With regards to the registration of around 80 cases against Imran Khan, the prime minister said it was not done by him. “He is wanted by courts, not me. The arrest warrants were issued by the courts, not me or the administration. Now what will happen if the administration does not abide by the court orders?” he questioned.

To a question about the implementation of the Supreme Court verdict on elections, PM Shehbaz said no political party could escape the polls. Being the PML-N president, he had already asked the party to submit their applications for the party tickets, to contest elections for which he was also interviewing the candidates.

However, it was for the Election Commission of Pakistan to hold the elections, he added.

Coming to the publicizing of the Toshakhana record, he said retaining gifts by paying a specified amount was a legal process. However, Imran Khan got the gift of a precious watch from a brotherly country and sold it out in Dubai whereas he committed a criminal act of getting a fake receipt from a local merchant.

The record of Toshakhana was made public as per the cabinet decision as well as the Lahore High Court’s verdict, he added.

Prime Minister Shehbaz rubbished the notions of any differences within the party and explained that PML-N Chief Organiser Maryam Nawaz had earned the office through her tireless struggle even when Nawaz Sharif was in jail.

He was confident to say that the party would get stronger as its Quaid Nawaz Sharif would return soon following his doctors’ permission.

Pti approaches admin to seek permission for Minar-e-Pakistan rally

LAHoRE StAFF rePOrt

Pakistan Tehreek-

e-Insaf (PTI) on Tuesday approached the Lahore administration, seeking permission for its public rally scheduled to be held at Minar-e-Pakistan on March 19. PTI Lahore President Sheikh Imtiaz has submitted an application to the district administration in this regard. On the other hand, the district administration denied receiving any application from PTI, for permission the Minar-ePakistan rally. According to the district admin, the permission for Minar-e-Pakistan rally would be given by district intelligence committee by reviewing all safety measures as PSL final is also scheduled on March 19 in Qaddafi Stadium. Former premier and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chief Imran Khan has announced holding a power show at Minar-e-Pakistan on Sunday. A large number of PTI workers and supporters attended the rally led by chairman Imran Khan on Monday. After crossing different routes, the rally reached Data Darbar where the PTI chief addressed the workers.

Court of Pakistan.

He said he had been playing his constitutional role and his decisions had also been affirmed by the apex court. He added that timely elections would pave the way for improving the political and economic situation of the country. He also emphasized the need for upholding the Constitution of Pakistan as our history had proven that delay in elections had caused harm to democracy. He also mentioned that he had good

working relations with the government.

While talking about the prevailing economic situation of the country, the President said that he was of the firm opinion that Pakistan would not default, adding that better and effective financial management could help overcome the economic difficulties faced by the country.

The President said that he was against corruption as Pakistan had badly been damaged by it, and therefore, he returned the NAB Amendment Bill to the

Parliament. He regretted that delayed decision-making, violation of merit, nepotism and corruption had caused immense damage to Pakistan.

The President urged the media to educate the people by providing truthful and responsible analysis and opinions. He stated that despite the rise of new media, print media was still playing a vital role in shaping people’s opinions and informing them about important issues.

The President emphasized the need for upholding the freedom of speech in Pakistan. President Alvi said he had been playing his role to reduce differences and promote reconciliation among the political parties. He was willing to meet any person or political party for the sake of the country, he added.

The president remarked that he had also asked the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf leadership to negotiate with other political parties. He also mentioned that he had good working relations with the government.

Vietnam urges better trade relations with Pakistan

PRofit REPoRt

ShAhAb Omer

While briefing the media at the Associated House in Lahore on Tuesday, Ambassador of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, Nguyen Tien Phong, said that Vietnam wants to have good relations with Pakistan. He said that the main reasons for low bilateral trade between Vietnam and Pakistan is the lack of information about each other and low level of interaction, transportations, logistics and Halal regulations. Similarly, there is no bilateral investment treaty so far between both the countries.

“Our Embassy sees that the number of trade disputes between companies is increasing year by year. The kind of disputes are varying, mostly related to the payment. We hope that both sides will give more support to each other in dealing with these cases in order to build trust among our business community.” said the ambassador.

Phong welcomed general and

special business and investment delegations from Pakistan in general and tea import/export business in particular.

He said the Embassy of Vietnam will provide full support for linking Pakistani enterprises with Vietnamese partners to do business in Vietnam, adding that the Vietnamese government is considering Pakistan’s proposal to sign an agreement on expanding aggregation for a number of products for Pakistan to take advantage of GSP incentives from the EU.

In this regard, he added that the third Bilateral Political Consultation and the fifth Meeting of Vietnam – Pakistan Joint Commission on Trade is scheduled in the first half of 2023 tentatively. He said the meeting is a useful mechanism for both the government to meet and discuss on how to increase trade between Pakistan and Vietnam for economic growth and both countries’ people benefits in the context of globalisation in market integration and development of information technology,” he added.

He informed that trade volume between Pakistan and Vietnam has increased from $54 million in 2005 to more than $700 million in 2017 and reduced in recent years due to some reason, especially after the Covid-19 Pandemic.

The volume of bilateral trade between Pakistan and Vietnam reached more than $794 million in 2021, increasing by 54.41% compared to 2020. In 2022, the figure continuously climbed to more than $904 million (approximately $1 billion), an increase of 12.17% compared to the previous year.

During 2021, Vietnam’s exports to Pakistan $598 million, increased to 50.67% and imports from Pakistan $196 million, increased 66.97% compared to 2020. In 2022, Vietnam’s exports to Pakistan went above $600 million, increasing by 0.33% and the imports from Pakistan went above $303 million, increasing approximately by 35.31% compared to the preceding year. A part of this decrease can be attributed to the import restrictions that Pakistan has had

in place.

However, as per the ambassador, it is still very low as compared to the huge potential of the both sides. Vietnam’s main product exported to Pakistan in 2022 was mobile phones and electronic components of them at the highest position (193 million USD), tea (102 million USD). These two were followed by synthetic yarn and textile, black pepper, natural rubber, and fish products. Pakistan is importing about 95 % of Pegasus from Vietnam. Other items include cashew nut, iron and steel, machinery and equipment, and chemicals. Meanwhile, Vietnam’s key imported items from Pakistan were fabrics, leather, pharmaceutical products, and cotton yarn. As per the Vietnamese ambassador, investment between the both countries is still very limited. In 2022, Pakistan has three new investment projects in Vietnam with a capital of $946 thousand. “Pakistan invests in the fields of textiles, manufacturing of medical equipment,” he concluded.

Countrywide protests as workers ‘foil’ attempt to arrest Imran

ContinuEd fRom PAgE 01

‘Islamabad polIce arrIve to arrest

Imran’: Earlier in the day around 2:30pm, personnel of both the Punjab and Islamabad Police in armoured vehicles arrived outside the residence of Imran Khan in the Zaman Park neighbourhood of Lahore on Tuesday, with the intention to arrest the chairman of the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) party, and threw stones and chemical-adulterated water at protestors to keep them away.

However, the police have refused to disclose any information regarding the case in which they are taking action against Khan. “We are aware of the case, but we cannot discuss any details at this point,” Shahzad Bukhari, deputy operations chief of Islamabad police, said.

Witnesses on the scene reported that Mall Road had been blocked, and a number of party supporters had gathered outside the residence. In response, the Twitter account of the opposition party called on supporters and workers to gather outside Zaman Park and remain peaceful.

Bukhari informed reporters that officials had gathered outside Khan’s residence to serve an outstanding arrest warrant against the PTI chief.

However, Bukhari declined to discuss the details of the case. When asked where Khan would be taken once arrested, he said: “Let it first happen, then God willing, we will keep you informed.”

Bukhari emphasized that police had arrived to “serve the lawful process” and expected cooperation from others. He also called for the public gathered outside Khan’s residence not to take the law into their own hands.

When asked whether police would take action in case of chaos, he responded, “Yes, of course, if someone takes the law into their hands, then we will act in accordance with the law.”

Responding to the situation, Fawad Chaudhry, the senior vice president of the party, said the arrest warrants in the Toshakhana case, issued a day earlier, had been challenged in the Islamabad High Court (IHC). He further mentioned the hearing for the case was expected to begin soon. Shibli Faraz and Barrister Gauhar Ali Khan have reportedly arrived at the IHC, he added. The court has ordered the police to produce him before the court by March 18.

IHc to take up Imran’s on Wednesday: On the other hand, the Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Tuesday rejected the request of PTI’s chairman Imran Khan seeking to fix his appeal for hearing on same day against his non-bailable arrest warrants in toshakhana case.

Chief Justice Aamer Farooq would take up the case for hearing on Wednesday (today) along with the objections raised by the Registrar’s office. The Registrar had objected to the petition for having no biometric verification.

The petition was moved by Imran Khan’s lawyer Intizar Panjutha Advocate. It prayed the court to suspend the non-bailable arrest warrants of his client in Toshakhana case. securIty concerns: Meanwhile, Hassaan Niazi, a member of the party, spoke to the media outside Zaman Park and said the PTI did not trust the police and expressed concerns about the safety of the former prime minister.

Niazi claimed the police had been warned about the anger of party workers after the death of Ali Bilal, Zilli-Shah. He also said he would check Khan’s availability and respond to the police accordingly.

Meanwhile, Farrukh Habib, another PTI leader, shared footage of officials outside Zaman Park and accused them of creating a situation that could endanger his life. Habib also claimed that appearing before a court in F-8 would be like walking into a “death trap.”

In a separate statement, Chaudhry accused the government of looting the Toshakhana, a state treasury, and criticised the police for targeting Khan’s arrest.

‘emergency commIttee’ formed to overlook ptI matters: Meanwhile, former prime minister and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan constituted a six-member ‘emergency committee’ to overlook party matters in case of his arrest.

The six-member committee includes PTI vice chairman Shah Mehmood Qureshi, Senator Saifullah Niazi, Senator Azam Swati, Ijaz Chaudhy, Murad Saeed and Ali Amin Gandapur.

The emergency committee will overlook the matters if Imran Khan gets arrested, as per a statement issued by the political party.

‘WIll arrest Imran kHan at all costs’: On the other hand, Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah said that the police will arrest Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chief Imran Khan today at any cost and produce him before the court.

Rana Sanaullah, while addressing the PML-N organizational convention in Faizpur on Tuesday, alleged that Imran Khan was “evil and will be put back in the bottle.” He further alleged that Imran Khan was evil and wanted to see agitation and anarchy in the country. The interior minister claimed that the country will face more destruction if Imran Khan is not removed from the elections. He alleged that the PTI

chief was imposed on the country as a project and he did not spend a single day serving the country and the democracy.

Sanaullah said that Imran Khan always organise long marches, sit-ins and Jail Bharo Tehreek. He alleged that the PTI chief is now hiding under his bed like a rat.

He claimed that Imran Khan is fleeing from his arrest and they will produce him before the court soon.

While addressing the PML-N workers, Maryam Nawaz slammed the PTI chief once again and said that ‘coward’ Imran Khan is hiding like a rat today.

She, however, said that PML-N do not want such an election until justice is served to Nawaz Sharif. “Nawaz Sharif is still facing sentences and the culprit Imran Khan is walking freely. Elections will not be held in these circumstances. First, both scales should be balanced and then hold the elections.” protests break out In all major cItIes of country:

A series of organised and sporadic protests broke out in Karachi with Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf workers blocking roads and disrupting traffic in several areas of the city.

PTI’s Karachi chapter said that they had shut down or were protesting at at least 14 different locations across the city. They include key routes and thoroughfares including Teen Talwar and Shaheen Complex in South district, Hyderi, the 4K Stop and Five Star roundabouts in Central district, Mauripur Road in West district and Landhi’s Dawood roundabout.

There were protests in Hassan Square, Qayyumabad and Rashid Minhas Road areas of East district, and the Star Gate area which falls in Faisal Cantonment and leads to the airport. There were protests at the Sohrab Goth as well and is one the main routes to the Super Highway.

PTI said that its MPA Shahnawaz Jadoon was arrested during a protest at Native Jetty Bridge.

The road to Numaish was re-opened for traffic after police dispersed protesters who had blocked the road.

There have been reports that police was using tear gas to disperse protesters at the Five Star roundabout.

The flow of traffic was badly disrupted on key thoroughfares after protesters barricaded roads with trucks and burning tyres.

The protests in Karachi began around 6pm with people going home from work stranded for hours at various locations including Hassan Square, University Road and Qayyumabad.

In Peshawar, PTI workers gathered in front of the Press Club and protested.

TTP attackers kill policemen guarding census team

PESHAWAR AFP

Two policemen were killed while guarding teams collecting census data in separate attacks claimed by the Tehreeki-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), police said Tuesday. Pakistan started a month-long digital census at the beginning of March with security officials deployed alongside more than 120,000 enumerators.

Police are increasingly on the frontline of Pakistan’s battle with the proscribed militant group and are frequently targeted by its members who

accuse them of extra-judicial killings.

On Monday, two teams were attacked in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, in separate districts close to the border with Afghanistan. “Gunmen attacked the police party responsible for supervising the security of the census team from two directions,” said Farooq Khan, a police official in Tank district, adding that one officer was killed and four were wounded. Later in the evening, the military reported that one militant was killed in an “intense exchange of fire”.

In the other attack, men on a motorbike opened fire on police, killing

one and wounding three.

“The security measures were further intensified and the census process was resumed,” Lakki Marwat district administration official Tariq Ullah told AFP. The attacks follow a similar assault last week in the same region which left an officer dead.

The TTP, which is separate from the Afghan Taliban but has a similar Islamist ideology, claimed all three attacks.

“Our primary target is the police, regardless of whether they are escorting politicians, polio teams, or census teams,” a TTP commander told AFP.

Pakistan is facing overlapping

political, economic and environmental crises, as well as a worsening security situation, since the Afghan Taliban took control of Kabul in August 2021.

In January, more than 80 officers were killed when a suicide bomber detonated an explosive vest at a mosque inside a police compound in the northwestern city of Peshawar.

The census is gathering demographic data ahead of parliamentary elections due by October. Political parties and ethnic groups regularly criticise census statistics for undercounting, data manipulation and other irregularities.

MaryaM, haMza to contest Pa elections

FroM lahore constituencies

LAHoRE StAFF rePOrt

PML-N Chief Organizer Maryam Nawaz Sharif and Senior Vice President Hamza Shehbaz have decided to contest Punjab Assembly elections from two constituencies of the provincial metropolis.

According to the party sources, PML-N Chief Organizer Maryam Nawaz Sharif will contest the elections from PP-146 seat while former Punjab CM Hamza Shahbaz will contest the polls from PP-150, Lahore.

Hamza returns Home: Pakistan Muslim

chief commissioner assures support to women for sustainable tax culture

RAWALPindi APP

Chief Commissioner, Regional Tax Office (RTO), Rawalpindi Tahmina Amir on Tuesday assured her full support to business women for creating a sustainable tax culture in the country. Tahmina Amir in a meeting with a delegation of Women Chambers of Commerce discussed issues faced by the women in taxation. The delegation appreciated the efforts of chief Commissioner RTO for bringing reforms in the department. They retreited the commitment to continue playing their due role to promote tax culture among the masses. Commissioner withholding Nafeesa Satti and Commissioner Cantt Zone Shabana was also present on the occasion.

League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader Hamza returned to Pakistan after spending three months with his family in US and London.

Hamza Shehbaz Sharif reached Lahore’s Allama Iqbal International Airport in the wee hours of Tuesday where he was warmly welcomed by the PML-N local leaders. The former Punjab chief minister returned home after ECP announced Punjab Assembly elections on April 30.

Sources privy to the development said that Hamza would be given a key responsibility for PML-N’s electoral campaign in Punjab.

Meanwhile, the Parliamentary Board of Pakistan

Muslim League -Nawaz (PML-N) will start awarding tickets to candidates in Punjab for the provincial election from Wednesday.

In this connection, PML-N Punjab President Rana Sanaullah Khan directed all divisional and district organisations of the party to ensure active interaction with the public.

According to the election schedule, candidates could submit their nomination papers from March 12 to 14, while scrutiny of the papers will be held on March 22.

The candidates could withdraw their nomination papers up to April 05 and election symbols to candidates will be allotted on April 06, the ECP announced.

Hamza returns for ‘key role’ in PML-N’s Punjab election campaign

LAHoRE

StAFF rePOrt

Hamza Shehbaz, vice president of Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), has returned after spending three months with his family in the United States and Britain, according to reports in the media.

According to ARY News, the former chief minister of Punjab arrived at Lahore’s Allama Iqbal airport early on Tuesday and was received by local party leaders.

His return comes after the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) announced the elections for Punjab Assembly on April 30. Citing sources, ARY News said that Shehbaz is expected to be given a

key responsibility for PML-N’s electoral campaign in the province.

The parliamentary board of PML-N will start awarding tickets to candidates from March 15. Party’s Punjab President Rana Sanaullah Khan has directed all divisional and district organisations of the party to ensure active interaction with the public.

He further said that all regional organisations should ensure the submission of nomination papers of the “best, most competent, and people-friendly” candidates in provincial constituencies.

Meanwhile, Minister for Information and Broadcasting Marriyum Aurangzeb announced that aspiring candidates for the upcoming election under

Fawad showers ECP with praise for

‘defying

pressure’ to delay polls

iSLAmABAd StAFF rePOrt

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Fawad Chaudhry appreciated the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) for not “succumbing to pressure” aimed at delaying elections in Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP).

The change in the manner and tone of PTI Vice President was witnessed when he appeared before a bench of the ECP members in a contempt case in which PTI Chairman Imran Khan, Asad Umar and other party leaders are also nominated.“We have praised your role but didn’t notice it. Whole nation has trust in two institutions, the election commission and Supreme Court,” he told the ECP members, adding that only these two institutions can save the country from crisis. “We want to strengthen the institutions and we respect you all”. At which, ECP member Babar Bharwana said: “Our priority is Pakistan,” adding that the electoral body was playing his role as per the law. The former information minister made the dramatic political volt-face weeks after he secured bail in a sedition case filed against over criticism of ECP boss and members over delay in announcement of election schedule despite dissolution of assemblies in the provinces. It is on the record that he has been accusing the chief election commissioner of acting as team “B” of the ruling Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM).

Meanwhile, the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) sought a comprehensive report from the Punjab

StAff REPoRt

Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader and former prime minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi on Tuesday said that action must be taken if any Toshakhana gifts were received unethically. Speaking to the media outside the accountability court, Abbasi acknowledged that his name has appeared in the list of Toshakhana gifts. “If any gift is received from abroad, it is deposited in the Toshakhana,” he said. He added that the Toshakhana determines the price of the gift and the money has to be paid in order to receive the gift. Abbasi said that for years, people have been going to the accountability courts but judgements are not being passed. The former premier said that the new National Accountability Bureau (NAB) chairman should end the cases of poor people even if the cases involving politicians continue. In response to a question, the former premier said that there is no ongoing attempt to form a new party. “Pakistan has sufficient political parties,” he added. It should be noted that the PML-N leader was present at the judicial complex as he was to appear before the accountability court in the LNG reference. Judge Nasir Javed Rana heard the case today. During the hearing, the NAB prosecutor said that the arguments in the LNG reference have been completed. He added that NAB rules are being amended in which the court has been empowered. Under the new amendment, the accountability court can refer the pending matter to any tribunal. Abbasi said he could not appear at the previous hearing, to which the judge said that it is not necessary for Abbasi to appear in court and can send his counsel instead. Due to the new amendment, final arguments on the plea of jurisdiction and acquittal could not be made and the hearing of the case was adjourned till April 4.

Chief Secretary by Wednesday (today) regarding the alleged ban on Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s (PTI) election rallies and the imposition of Section 144 in Lahore. The decision was taken during a meeting held to discuss a petition filed by PTI leaders – Dr Yasmin Rashid and Dr Babar Awan, challenging the imposition of Section 144 and stopping of PTI’s election rally by the caretaker government in Lahore.

The ECP underscored the responsibility of the caretaker setup to hold transparent and peaceful elections, and directed the Punjab Chief Secretary to submit a detailed report by Wednesday.

The PTI leaders have accused the caretaker government of imposing a ban on their election rallies and violating their democratic rights.

Maryam criticizes Imran for ‘hiding under bed’ to evade arrest

StAff REPoRt

Maryam Nawaz, the senior vice president of Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), has come down hard on former prime minister and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan, for evading arrest and “hiding under his bed”. Speaking at the organisational convention of PML-N in Sheikhupura on Tuesday, Maryam said that “thieves and dacoits are afraid of arrest, but leaders are not”.

She went on to compare Nawaz Sharif, her father and former prime minister, with Imran Khan. Maryam said that Nawaz Sharif did not hide when times were tough and even came to court his own arrest, while Imran Khan is hiding under his bed. She advised Imran to show some courage and present himself before the judiciary by courting his arrest.

Maryam also criticized Imran Khan for his treatment of political workers, citing the example of Zille Shah, a PTI worker who was killed in Lahore last week. She accused Imran of doing politics on Zille Shah’s death and putting other people’s children on the line to take the police’s beating.

She emphasised that the PML-N is not just competing in the upcoming election but is entering the field to win it.

The PML-N stalwart reiterated that Imran Khan must face accountability before the general election. She criticised the unequal treatment of Nawaz Sharif and Imran Khan, stating that Nawaz Sharif has faced hundreds of court appearances despite being innocent, while Imran Khan is trying to walk free despite “being a criminal”.

Maryam also responded to criticism from former chief justice Saqib Nisar, who accused her of misbehaving, stressing that she was trained by Nawaz Sharif and Kulsoom Nawaz and that she was only showing people the mirror.

PML-N leaders including Rana Sanaullah, Parvaiz Rasheed, Talal Chaudhry, Uzma Bukhari, and Sania Ashiq also attended the event.

The PML-N supporters applauded Maryam’s speech and chanted slogans in support of the party.

Overall, Maryam’s speech was a strong rebuke of Imran Khan and a rallying cry for the PML-N ahead of the upcoming election. The speech highlighted the differences between Nawaz Sharif and Imran Khan and emphasised the PML-N’s commitment to winning the election.

SCCI urges traders to provide special relief to poor masses in food prices during Ramazan

PESHAWAR StAFF rePOrt

President, Sarhad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI) Muhammad Ishaq urged traders’ community in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa to provide food items on subsidized rates to inflation-stricken masses during the holy month of Ramazan, calling it as a vitreous deed and also a great source for gaining great reward in this blessing-full month.

In a statement issued here on Tuesday, Shah said that spiraling ‘price-hike’ has broken the backbone of the poverty-hit people of the society, the SCCI chief

noted. He added the purchasing power of the common man is rapidly dying owing to unprecedented surge in food commodities prices.

Keeping in view the prevailing circumstances, Ishaq said traders’ community across K-P province should provide maximum relief in food prices to inflation-battered poor masses so that all essentials would be available to ‘underprivileged’ and ‘downtrodden’ segments of the society and they would perform the sacred religious obligation in Ramazan.

The SCCI chief mentioned that traders’ communities belonging to other religions sell

essential food items during Ramazan at subsidized rates in Pakistan and different countries around the world.

“Our religion Islam teach us to provide every possible assistance to poor Muslim brothers, especially keeping in view the holy month of Ramazan and following the teaching of Islam, we should give maximum relief to poor people in prices”, Ishaq said inflation has touched a new peak, which was miserably hit by the poor segment of the society. So, he urged the philanthropists and well-off people to extend maximum support at every level in the holy month.

the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) banner must submit their applications to the party secretariat in Lahore.

In a tweet, Aurangzeb emphasized that the deadline for submission of applications is March 18. She added that in line with the party’s decision, all candidates are encouraged to submit their applications as soon as possible.

As per the election schedule, candidates could submit their nomination papers from March 12 to 14, while scrutiny of the papers will be held on March 22. The candidates could withdraw their nomination papers until April 5, and the election symbols will be allotted to candidates on April 6.

Marriyum asks PMl-n candidates for Punjab Pa elections to submit applications by March 18

iSLAmABAd StAFF rePOrt

Minister for Information and Broadcasting Marriyum Aurangzeb on Tuesday said Pakistan Muslim LeagueNawaz candidates, aspiring to participate in forthcoming Punjab Provincial Assembly election, should immediately submit applications to the PML-N Central Secretariat, 180 H, Model, Lahore. In a tweet, she said the last date for submission of applications was March 18. She said in line with the decision of the party, the candidates were once again informed to submit their applications as soon as possible.

Punjab assembly polls: ecP extends deadline for nomination papers filing

iSLAmABAd

StAFF rePOrt

The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) on Tuesday extended the deadline for filing of nomination papers till March 16, to facilitate candidates vying for general elections to the Punjab Assembly. According to ECP spokesperson, the extension was granted in response to the demands of candidates, providing ample time to complete the nomination filing process. The ECP has also extended the deadline for filing nomination papers on reserved seats for women and minorities till March 16. Political parties have been asked to submit their priority lists of candidates separately to the office of the relevant returning officer, the Punjab Election Commissioner said. It is important to note that schedule for the elections, which was issued on March 8, would remain unchanged. The polling was set to be held on April 30, and political parties were expected to comply with the ECP’s instructions to ensure a smooth and transparent election process. ‘report on alleged ban on ptI’s electIon rallIes’: Meanwhile, the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) sought a comprehensive report from the Punjab Chief Secretary by Wednesday (today) regarding the alleged ban on Pakistan Tehreek-eInsaf’s (PTI) election rallies and the imposition of Section 144 in Lahore. The decision was taken during a meeting held to discuss a petition filed by PTI leaders – Dr Yasmin Rashid and Dr Babar Awan, challenging the imposition of Section 144 and stopping of PTI’s election rally by the caretaker government in Lahore. The ECP underscored the responsibility of the caretaker setup to hold transparent and peaceful elections, and directed the Punjab Chief Secretary to submit a detailed report by Wednesday. The PTI leaders have accused the caretaker government of imposing a ban on their election rallies and violating their democratic rights.

Kaira denies seat adjustment decision with PMl-n in Punjab

iSLAmABAd StAFF rePOrt

Advisor to Prime Minister on Kashmir Affairs and GilgitBaltistan Qamar Zaman Kaira said the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) leadership has not made any decision regarding seat adjustment with the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) in Punjab. Speaking to a news station, Kaira emphasized that it is too early to make such a decision. He also criticized Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) chairman Imran Khan, claiming that selling gifts received as head of government from the Toshakhana was not a crime, but selling them and not disclosing the earned income in his income statement amounted to “tax evasion”. He further alleged that Khan had failed to disclose the proceeds from the sale of Toshakhana gifts in his wealth declaration submitted to the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP), which is a violation of the law. Regarding the potential arrest of Khan, Kaira said the matter would be handled in accordance with the court’s orders.

‘action must be taken’ if toshakhana gifts received unethically: abbasi

Terribly overdue

The slow dance with the IMF

nUCleAr fusion technology, goes the joke, is always twenty years away. The same seems to be the case with the government reaching a staff level agreement with the International Monetary Fund: it’s always five days away. ever since the crunch started being felt in the current government, we are on our nth iteration of “five days away.”

As things stand now, international credit circles are abound with apprehensions about Pakistan pausing its debt repayments if it does not secure an arrangement with the IMF soon enough.

It’s been a slow dance, the one with the IMF. The Fund is adamant about certain conditions of it being met. It’s twice shy, having been burnt not just by follies like the last government’s petroleum subsidy, but also by the current dispensations rather confusing behaviour regarding subsidies, which includes the government’s widely-criticised desire to give a rs 150 billion subsidy for motorcyclists.

Despite some confusion, Pakistan has, in fact, held up its own end in certain regards. For instance, the rupee’s slide against the dollar was steep and sharp, electricity prices have increased, fuel prices in general have been increased and there have been increases in tax revenue as well. All this has contributed to the record high inflation rate, of course, but so far its been a bitter pill that has no medicine, as the standoff with the IMF continues.

The most depressing aspect of this entanglement is it’s Sisyphean nature. even if we were to ensure a program with the IMF, the government would merely be kicking the can a little further down the road. We are in dire need for basic structural reforms in order to achieve sustainable results, which would get us out of this rut we end up in every couple of years.

Dedicated

to the legacy of late Hameed

Arif Nizami (Late)

Founding Editor

Yousaf Nizami Editor

M. A. Niazi

Joint Editor Umar Aziz Executive Editor

The lesson of Aqaba: Half-measures won’t work

dreds of those wounded this year have been innocents caught in the gunfire or armed Palestinians who have drawn their weapons to fight off the Israeli invaders.

In addition to the police raids, the settler assaults on Palestinian homes, travelers, and farms and businesses have also increased.

IF the February 26, Aqaba Summit accomplished anything, it was to demonstrate the inadequacy of US policy toward Israel/Palestine.

The Summit, instigated by the USA and hosted by Jordan, brought together leaders from Israel, the Palestinian Authority, Jordan, egypt, and the USA. The goal of the convening was embarrassingly minimalist: to reduce Israeli/Palestinian tensions and create calm in advance of and during the month of ramadan and the Passover. By failing to address the systemic problems at the root of the Israeli/Palestinian tensions, the Summit became an exercise in futility leaving its stated “goal” unattainable.

The USA proposed, and the parties apparently accepted, a number of worn-out half-measures that were intended to reduce tensions during the “next few months.”

Israel, for example, agreed to: a short-term freeze on “discussing” new settlements or demolishing Palestinian homes; a reduction in raids into Palestinian communities; respecting the “status quo” in Jerusalem; and freeing up more of the tax monies they collect for the Palestinians (but have been illegally withholding from the Palestinian Authority).

For their part, the PA agreed to: refrain for a period of time from taking their case to the United nations; improving security cooperation with Israel; and using the additional tax revenues Israel will turn over to hire and train (with US support) new security forces to be better able to control the armed resistance groups that are springing up in the territories.

As if to make the point that these agreements were both inadequate and divorced from reality, while the parties to the Summit were meeting and drafting their communiqué, developments unfolding in Israel and the Palestinian occupied lands demonstrated that the Summit was a failure.

Nizami

Palestinians were still reeling from the February 22 Israeli undercover operation in nablus that turned into a massacre— in which 11 Palestinians were killed and over 100 injured. On February 26, while the Summit was concluding, Palestinian gunmen shot and killed two Israeli settlers who were driving through their village of Hawara. Within a few hours, hundreds of extremist Israeli settlers descended on the village, attacking and injuring hundreds of Palestinian residents and torching hundreds of homes and cars. It was, by any definition, a pogrom.

Such violence has been escalating in the occupied Palestinian Territories. Massive undercover Israeli raids in the heart of heavily populated Palestinian communities have been all too frequent. While Israel claims that these raids are conducted to arrest known terrorists, many of the 75 Palestinians killed and hun-

While we’ve seen these same undercover raids and acts of settler violence in the past, with the installation of the new netanyahu-led government, they are now occurring with greater frequency and impunity. Of the 350 settlers who participated in the initial Hawara rampage, only two remain under arrest. The two Israeli cabinet ministers in charge of the territories are themselves extremists who have often incited other settlers to violence. After the incidents in Hawara, one of these ministers joined lawmakers in his party in calling on the village to be “wiped out.” Another lawmaker said he wanted to see it “closed and burnt.”

In the days that followed the Aqaba Summit there were more deadly raids, more shootings, and more settler assaults. After one Israeli raid killed 6 more Palestinians in Jenin, PA security forces attacked the funeral procession for one of the victims objecting to the display of Hamas flags. This only served to accent the Palestinian perception that the PA has become “an enforcement arm of the occupation.”

When news of the Aqaba “agreements” became known in Israel, Prime Minister netanyahu quickly announced, “There is no settlement freeze.” He was joined by one of his ministers who declared his intention to continue demolitions of Palestinian homes in Jerusalem during ramadan, while another scoffed at the idea that Jews would refrain from praying at the Haram al Sharif during Passover (which occurs during ramadan). One Israeli lawmaker wryly noted, “What happened in Aqaba, stays in Aqaba.”

The bottom line is that while the USA, Jordan, and egypt may want calm, the situation in Israel and Palestine is spinning out of control.

The current Israeli government is made up of ideologically driven extremists inclined toward violence

Human trafficking: A global security concern

Kids used for prostitution and terrorism

Tayyaba Khurshid

One of the leading problems of the globalized world that has increased over time is human trafficking. It has increased in all parts of the world, specially Africa, Asia and europe. It involves kidnapping, trapping or sending individuals from one place to another either within state or outside.

The individuals of underdeveloped states are trapped and manipulated in the name of a good job and attractive salary, and are sent to various countries where they are forced and coerced into labour, sex and other illegal activities. In many cases, the girls are even trafficked through proper channels of marriage but once they reach the country of destination, they are forced into prostitution and other immoral practices.

The victims of human trafficking are not limited to adults, but many children are kidnapped by certain radical groups and trained for terrorist activities. The trafficked individuals face physical and psychological torture and end up in emotional trauma. The women who are trafficked to run the illegal sex industries end up in sexually transmitted diseases and other reproductive health issues. Only Pakistan alone has many reported cases of trafficked individuals and there are many who were never able to escape and tell the world about the inhumanity they have faced in the hands of traffickers.

Human trafficking has increased in Pakistan where many cases of Pakistani women came to the forefront who were trafficked to China in thename of marriage and later were used in China for illegal activities. The story of 27-yearold natasha Khokhar is a living example of such exploitation where she was married off to a Chinese man whereshe was forced to live in

isolation and pressured to get pregnant. Fortunately, she was able to return back and took divorce by contacting the authorities and was able to share her story.

Another Pakistani Christian woman named Samiya David spent two months in China when her parents sold her to a Chinese man where she was tortured and abused. On her return to Pakistan, she was malnourished, disjointed and confused and was unable to talk properly.

The lack of economic opportunities and education has also contributed towards kidnapping and servitude and Muhammad Arif is the one who was abducted and forced to work in quarries for more than 20 years after which he managed to escape. The 20 years of life will never come back to him and he said he will live the rest of life in trauma as he spent 20 years in misery.

Humanity sinks to a new low along with increased cases of human trafficking in Pakistan.

Another heart wrenching story of a 14-year-old girl living in the north West region of KPK reveals the curse of human trafficking. Kanwal Shah on her return home from school was kidnapped by a couple of unknown men. She woke up in a brothel in Khanpur where she was forced into prostitution.

When she refused she was tortured by the owner and sexually abused. She remained there for six years after which she was able to escape with the help of a member of a brothel.

In some cases the trafficked men are sent to conflict-ridden areas to be used for militancy. The seven-year-old Affan was kidnapped by his Madrassah teacher in Gujranwala, and sent to a village in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. There he was given his first weapon and extensively trained for suicide missions. Affan was lucky to be rescued by one of his uncles but there are many who spend their whole lives in the hope of being rescued.

Another 17-year-old girl Asiya was kidnapped from her village near Sahiwal by a Sahiwal-based terrorist group. She was tortured and gangraped and tossed into a room with other

girls. She turned to drugs to numb her senses but when the numbness of drugs ended she always felt as if her life had ended before it had even begun. She said that she would forget the humiliation, the disgrace and the torture she had suffered after she would take drug.

There are millions of people who were unable to get back to their families and hence their stories untold and those who were able to escape the torture reveal the worst side of humanity.

Pakistan has been identified as the main source of women trafficked globally. The wide prevalence of such crimes can be attributed to poverty, economic deprivation and lack of education. Although the government is institutionalizing the counter measures against human trafficking and other illegal crimes, the issue is still unsolved. The issue cannot be catered by individual states because the traffickers are not limited to a single state but they are running their mafias in various states, and therefore collective cooperation by all states is required. It’s not a national but transnational crime and hence could only be solved by transnational actors. The developed states like the USA have also taken the lead, and its Trafficking and Violence Protection Act was formed which helped the foreign governments to draft various anti-trafficking laws, strengthen the investigation procedures of culprits, persecuting the offenders and rescuing the victims.

Although legal procedures exist to control human trafficking, the increasing number of cases each year throughout the world reveal the inability of states to address the problem. All states and global and regional actors including International non-governmental organizations should join hands for the common cause of humanity and work collectively to preserve human dignity and respect.

The writer is a Researcher at the Center For International Strategic Studies, AJK, and can be reached attayaba.khan127@gmail.com

and unwilling to recognize Palestinian rights. Because the USA has historically coddled successive Israeli governments, never enforcing limits to their unlawful behaviour, the Israelis in power today act with a sense of impunity. They are out of control.

For their part, because the PA has been so weakened by its inability to deliver on the “promise of peace” and because it has repeatedly endured humiliation at the hands of the US and Israel, it has lost the respect of angry constituents who now want to strike back when struck. It too is out of control.

The problem is that for decades the US approach to “peace” has consisted of nothing more than insisting that Palestinians crack down on their extremists— even if it meant civil war— but has placed no such demand on Israel to forcibly subdue its extremists. The result is what we have today: an extremist Israeli government hell-bent on subduing the last vestiges of Palestinian dignity and a discredited Palestinian Authority incapable of controlling its people’s anger.

Given this state of affairs, it was at best a fool’s errand for the USA to assume that the Aqaba proposals would create calm. Instead of placing a bandage on a festering wound, the USA should have used a scalpel to attack the root problems: the Israelis’ sense of entitlement and impunity and Palestinians’ anger at the abuse they continue to endure.

Only when the USA establishes firm red lines for Israel and makes clear that there will be concrete negative consequences for continued bad behaviour will we be able to arrest the downward spiral of violence, foster a new direction in Israel’s internal debate, and give the Palestinians a sense of hope that their plight is recognized and will be addressed. Change won’t come overnight. But bad policy has been digging this hole for decades; getting out of this mess will take courage, resolve, and vision.

Until then, it’s safe to assume that we will be witnessing very difficult days ahead.

The writer is President of the Arab American Institute

Editor’s mail

Send your letters to: Letters to Editor, Pakistan Today, 4-Shaarey Fatima Jinnah, Lahore, Pakistan. E-mail: letters@pakistantoday.com.pk

Letters should be addressed to Pakistan Today exclusively

Telecom sharks

FOr telecommunication companies, Pakistan is a jungle in letter and in spirit as there is nobody to hold them accountable for their poor and customer-unfriendly services. The customers are at their mercy.

Almost every subscriber of theirs has gone through this excruciating experience when the prepaid balance evaporates without any knowledge or willingness of the users. A promo message alerts the users that a certain service has been subscribed to their account, and this much amount has been deducted. Many of us have tried to talk to the helpline to lodge our complaints, but that is another ordeal because the callers are put on hold till, as they say, the cows come home. A robotic voice greets us. After choosing from a list of options, we manage to troubleshoot our concerns with the help of that robotic voice. After a long wait while constantly sticking our mobile phone to our ear, the luckier of us get access to the customer care representative. We speak our heart out to them, but they quite indifferently put the whole blame on the callers, telling them that they must have subscribed to the promos or advertisements. Despite earnest assurances to the contrary, we are told that if we follow the directions sent via text messages, we will not receive that particular promo or advertisement, and, hence, no deduction will be made in the future.

But just days later, it happens all over again; the balance again starts leaking. The irony is that the customers are asked to unsubscribe the service they have been tethered to unknowingly and involuntarily. To add insult to injury, we are made to wait even when the call to the helpline is paid or extra charges are to be paid to talk to the customer care representative. Though we are apprised by the pre-recorded automatic voice that our call will be recorded for ‘quality of service’, nobody cares about the jugglery and chicanery on the part of the company representatives.

The telecommunication companies must be reined in from deducting even a single penny from the customers’ balance without their prior approval. Secondly, the telecommunication companies must facilitate customers’ access to their call centres; lodging a complaint should not be cumbersome. Another avoidable nuisance that these companies cause is their promo texts and calls at odd hours. Sometimes we happen to await a call on some urgent matter and there comes a call or a text from these companies advertising their services.

It is suggested that the companies either specify the time window for their promo calls and messages, or attribute a particular ringtone to their promos to save their customers from any distur-bance. All their manoeuvres need to be user-friendly, not money-minting.

M NADEEM NADIR KASUR

Misuse of courts

OVer the last few months, squabbling political parties have all but hijacked the judicial system. every day we read of courts being asked to provide judgements on this or that political issue, or to deal with the arrest or bail of this or that political bigwig.

The courts are there to provide judgement on criminal cases, hand down punishments to those found guilty, and to adjudicate civil disputes. Clogging up the courts with political matters just makes life even more miserable for the tens of thousands of people awaiting trial on criminal charges, and for businesses and private citizens who are awaiting decisions related to commercial transactions, property matters, inheritance issues and divorce settlements. One may also see the decision to court arrests by the main opposition party in the same light. The prisons in Pakistan are chronically under-funded and under-staffed. Increasing the number of inmates with political workers will make life even more difficult for staff and inmates. Besides, the judiciary now has to take care of the various cases seeking release of those who courted arrest on their own. The ultimate sufferers are the people.

Only when the USA establishes firm red lines for Israel and makes clear that there will be concrete negative consequences for continued bad behaviour will we be able to arrest the downward spiral of violence, foster a new direction in Israel’s internal debate, and give the Palestinians a sense of hope that their plight is recognized and will be addressed. Change won’t come overnight.

Washington Watch

dr James J Zogby

If it wants a solution, the USA must be evenhanded

Although legal procedures exist to control human trafficking, the increasing number of cases each year throughout the world reveal the inability of states to address the problem.

Bangladesh: An important player of South Asian geopolitics

The Indo-China rivalry has Bangladesh playing a key role

samara ashraT

THe basic key factor behind the geopolitical importance of Bangladesh is its geography. The country shares land borders with Myanmar and India. Due to its geographical position, Bangladesh is a natural link between South Asia and Southeast Asia. The country is also a vital geopolitical ally to India, in that it has the potential to facilitate greater integration between northeast India and Mainland India. not only that, due to its open access to the Bay of Bengal, Bangladesh has become significant for both China and the USA.

Previously Bangladesh’s importance in South Asian geopolitics was largely defined by the Sino-Indian rivalry and the Indo-Pak conflict; as India, Pakistan and China all are in the close proximity of Bangladesh. But in the post-Cold War era, China’s growing ambition in the South Asian region and the Bay of Bengal has changed the equation of geopolitics for Bangladesh. China followed the combined theories of geopolitics for its expansion.

The “Sea Power” theory of Alfred Thayer Mahan from the USA, said those who controlled the sea would control the world; the “Heartland” theory of Halford John Mackinder from Britain said those who controlled eurasia would control the world; while the “rim land” theory of nicholas John Spykman from the USA said those who controlled the rim land would control the world. To control eurasia, rimland and heartland, China needed to expand its connectivity with the outer world. But due to the rivalry with India, the opportunity of connectivity narrowed down and there came the geopolitical importance of Bangladesh.

Bangladesh is very important to India militarily. China can easily close the Siliguri Corridor in a Sino-Indian military conflict, Through which India maintains communication with its eastern states. In this situation, India’s only option will be to use the territory of Bangladesh to protect its relations with the eastern states. That is why it is very important for India to have friendly relations with Bangladesh, which is necessary for its security.

India is now proposing connectivity of its northeastern part to China via the Chattogram port of Bangladesh,

which will also boost further regional integration by complementing the BCIM and the Bangladesh-BhutanIndia-nepal (BBIn) corridors. India now aims to allow “limited Chinese investment” for boosting connectivity and trade in the northeast by using the BBIn sub-regional hub. This paradigm shift in Indian policies toward the BrI is being considered as the potential for a fresh beginning of India-China regional cooperation centring on Bangladesh, where a critical Bangladeshi port will work as the connecting hub.

The ‘Chicken’s neck’ or Siliguri Corridor created the importance of Bangladesh for India. This corridor is one of the most important geographical compulsions for India. This narrow corridor separated the whole north eastern region from the Indian Mainland. Bangladesh creates a broader nexus between the Indian mainland and the north eastern region, because Agartala is 1,650km from Kolkata and 2,637km from new Delhi through Shillong and Guwahati. The journey between Agartala and Kolkata via Bangladesh, on the other hand, is only about 550 km. Furthermore, the average distance between Bangladesh’s major cities and northeast India is 20 km to 300 km. As a result, Bangladesh is always considered crucial for the north-eastern region’s connectivity with mainland India by rail, road, and river routes. Bangladesh played a major role and has immense potential for the development of Indian northeastern states. And among those states, Tripura and Assam are the prominent. not only that, The northeast region of India is one of the most vulnerable areas in terms of security.

The north-eastern states are almost detached from the Indian mainland. The terrorists and separatists took advantage of the “Chicken’s neck” and carried out their insurgent movements in these states. Bangladesh, in turn, has been always by India’s side in combating the situation

The Indian Ocean is a key trading route for China’s energy supplies, making it also the theatre of vulnerabilities. Out of the 10, the route to nine of its suppliers is through the Indian Ocean region. Securing these critical Sea lines of Communications (SlOCs) is a key priority for China. And to contain Chinese ascension the USA has a similar amount of interest in the Indian Ocean region. The Bay of Bengal is one of the most important areas of the Indian Ocean region.

Due to its open access to the Bay of Bengal, Bangladesh have become significant to both China and

ARGENTINA AND BRAZIL

border transfers through old-school alternatives like email, telephone, and fax.

But, special cases like russia notwithstanding, there is also reason to think that China has limited gravitational pull financially. US complaints that China may be helping russia with war materiel raise the possibility that Beijing could become subject to secondary sanctions, in which case there will be little if any scope for doing cross-border business via Chinese banks.

the USA. Towards the sea, Bangladesh maintains three—Chattogram, Mongla and Payra—out of the 12 ports in the Bay of Bengal.

Bangladesh is a prime candidate to partner with China in the hypothesized “String of Pearls” strategy and the formation of the “Maritime Silk road.” The land dimensions of the BrI consist of several interconnected corridors spanning the entire eurasian continent.

Bangladesh is centrally situated along the Bangladesh-ChinaIndia-Myanmar (BCIM) economic Corridor. Bangladesh also occupies a strategic position along the 21st Century Maritime Silk road with its bustling port of Chittagong as a major maritime hub through the Indian Ocean. Since the inception of the BrI, China with its vast financial clout has launched special initiatives to boost its ties with Bangladesh by pouring billions of dollars into infrastructure projects.

China considers Bangladesh one of the gateways for the Maritime Silk road (one of the segments of the BrI) that allows China access to the Indian Ocean and beyond. Therefore, China showed a keen interest in building a deep-sea port at Sonadia in Bangladesh China’s Western rivals, along with India, are quite aware of this possibility, and have already initiated steps towards building greater ties with Bangladesh. It is also this possibility that has changed Bangladesh’s status from decades of geopolitical irrelevance to a key player in shaping the future of Asia.

Overall, Bangladesh’s location, population, economic potential and regional stability make it a significant player in South Asia and a potential hub for regional connectivity and trade. The country’s geopolitical importance is likely to continue to grow in the coming years, as it continues to develop its economy and promote regional integration and stability

The USA and its european allies started to increase their engagement in this region, and its Indo-Pacific allies such as India, Japan and Australia also started to join in this engagement. Quickly, they inked agreements and pacts to contain China. The revival of Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (QUAD) between the USA, India, Japan and Australia, the AUKUS pact between the USA, the UK and Australia, and the Indo-Pacific economic Framework (IPeF) are the major agreements inked by the west and its Indo-Pacific allies to contain Chinese presence in this region.

Apart from these initiatives, the european Union and other major powers also clarified their stance on the issues. The USA also increased its presence in the region after Biden’s ascent to the Presidency, centring its policy on democracy and human rights.

Such diverse interests and the nature of South Asian politics are making the scenario more challenging for Bangladesh. While many consider the balancing as between QUAD and China, it has to balance between three great powers, India, China and the USA. Since the Ukraine crisis, russia is also emerging as a power to consider in this region as it is an ‘energy giant’ and also has a keen interest in this region. Gradually, russia’s stake in these geopolitics is also increasing.

WHen the United States and its G-7 partners imposed sanctions on russia’s central bank and barred Western financial institutions from doing business with russian counterparties, commentators warned of far-reaching changes in the global monetary and financial order. Other countries would see those sanctions as yet another step in the West’s “weaponisation” of finance. Fearing that they, too, might one day be on the receiving end of sanctions, governments and central banks would reduce their dependence on the dollar, US banks, and the US-dominated Society for Worldwide Interbank Financial Telecommunication (SWIFT).

China would be the principal beneficiary, these predictions continued. So far, China has sought to remain above the fray in the dispute between russia and the West. It has a large banking system. It has created a Cross-Border Interbank Payment System to facilitate renminbi settlement and provide an alternative to Fedwire and the Clearing House Interbank Payments System (CHIPS) through which dollar payments are made. russia already accepts renminbi in payment for fully 14 per cent of its exports. Its sovereign wealth fund holds $45 billion worth of renminbi securities and deposits, and russian companies issued $7 billion worth of renminbi-denominated bonds last year.

Given russia’s circumstances, none of this should come as a surprise. But will other countries also move in this direction? When President Xi Jinping visited Saudi Arabia late last year, there was talk of the Saudis taking payment for their oil exports in renminbi. China has recently concluded renminbi clearing arrangements with Pakistan, Argentina and Brazil. Just last month, Iraq’s central bank announced a plan to allow direct renminbi settlement for trade with China.

Yet this kind of broader shift is not yet visible in the data. According to the International Monetary Fund, the renminbi’s share of global foreign exchange reserves remains less than 3 per cent of the reported global total. Moreover, the renminbi accounts for less than 2 per cent by value of all instructions for cross-border interbank payments sent through SWIFT.

To be sure, not all countries report the currency composition of their foreign reserves and the countries most worried about sanctions are the least likely to report. And, instead of using SWIFT’s electronic messaging service, their banks are most likely to arrange cross-

Moreover, China’s government has repeatedly changed its posture toward the private sector. This points to the possibility that it may change terms of access for foreign central banks holding reserves in Shanghai and for commercial banks seeking to transfer funds through its cross-border payment system. China’s capital controls provide levers with which to make such changes, and Xi’s centralisation of power means that there are few countervailing forces to prevent him from taking such steps were he so inclined. rather than putting their eggs in China’s basket, other countries, in Asia and elsewhere, have been seeking to use their own currencies for cross-border payments. Singapore and Thailand have connected their real-time fast payment systems, Paynow and PromptPay, enabling customers of participating banks to transfer funds between the two countries using just a mobile number. Similarly, Bank negara Malaysia and the Bank of Thailand have expanded their ringgit-baht direct settlement framework to enable Malaysians and Thais to make direct payments through qualified commercial banks. Five Southeast Asian central banks have signed an agreement to link their fast payment systems, bypassing the need to use either the dollar or the renminbi for crossborder transfers. And Indonesia, during its G20 presidency, established a local Currency Settlement Task Force to identify regulatory reforms to encourage the practice.

Similarly, on the foreign-reserves front, diversification away from the dollar has not meant diversification toward the renminbi, in the main, but rather toward the Korean won, Singapore dollar, Swedish krona, norwegian krone and other nontraditional reserve currencies.

These trends reflect not so much geopolitics as developments in technology. Because payment systems like Paynow and PromptPay are digital natives, they are readily linked, removing the need to use the dollar or renminbi when transferring funds. The currencies of these smaller countries have also become easier to hold and cheaper to trade with the rise of digital foreign-currency platforms featuring automated market making and liquidity-provision algorithms. This, in turn, makes such currencies more attractive for payments and as a form of international reserves.

The presumption has been that geopolitics will reshape the global monetary and financial order in China’s favour. But technology may have the final say. And, if it does, it may alter that order in a very different way.

Barry Eichengreen, professor of

Moreover, as the Indo-Pacific trade route is one of the major concerns, the Western powers and their Pacific allies also became worried. China’s Belt and road Initiative (BrI) and its rapid spread worldwide have also increased China’s presence both in this region and beyond. As a result, the geopolitical attention of almost all major powers quickly shifted to the Indo-Pacific region.

Overall, Bangladesh’s location, population, economic potential and regional stability make it a significant player in South Asia and a potential hub for regional connectivity and trade. The country’s geo-political importance is likely to continue to grow in the coming years, as it continues to develop its economy and promote regional integration and stability.

The writer is a freelance columnist

Bollywood’s golden era

“YOU could photograph her from any angle— without make-up—and still come away with a masterpiece. She was a cameraman’s delight.” That was Jethabhai Hansraj Thakker on Madhubala, one of the most beautiful women in the history of Indian cinema, quoted in her biography by Khatija Akbar. Thakker was one of the premier film publicity photographers in Mumbai for two decades since he came to the city as a penniless refugee from Karachi in 1948. The 1,400 sqft, Art Deco photo studio he set up in Dadar, near the once-popular Chitra Cinema, still stands, as do over 4,000 photographs of stars taken in that studio, which belonged to him, not the studios. eighty of them are now in the possession of Kiran nadar Museum of Art in noida and they have put them up in an exhibition, Sitaare Zameen Par, curated by roobina Karode, and the women in them—from Madhubala to nargis to nutan—hark back to an era where beauty was unvarnished by a plethora of imagemakers, stylists and photoshop artists. Thakker, who passed away in 2003 at 80, was close friends with many of the actors who worked in the nearby studios, Filmalaya, Kardar Studio, ranjit Studio and rajkamal Studio. Several of them have been torn down for their real estate value. His son, Vimal Thakker, now 70, and also a photographer, recalls his father telling him about nalini Jaywant, an actor from the 1950s who made a successful pair with Ashok Kumar in a series of films, who would often drop by for a coffee at the studio or even lunch at their home in Sion. She first met Thakker as a newbie and the friendship progressed from there. It was she who recommended him to many of her friends and co-stars. Karode was introduced to Thakker’s photographs by artist-photographer ram rahman through an exhibition he curated in 2015 at Dr Bhau Daji lad Mumbai City Museum. For Karode, the natural beauty of actors of the bygone era was enhanced by Thakker who was a master at sculpting the image with light. As rahman puts it: “The remarkable aspect of Thakker’s photos is that they are all performed in the studio with his complex lighting. It was a collaboration between the actor and the photographer. The abhinaya [expression] was spontaneous and sometimes related to the props in the studio, sometimes brought by the actors themselves.”

Since Thakker was using a large format camera which entailed focusing on a ground glass after which the film was inserted into the camera, the actor would have to hold their position very precisely before he could release the trigger. The focus of these cameras was very shallow.

MADHUBALA

WAS ONE OF THE MOST BEAUTIFUL WOMEN IN THE HISTORY OF INDIAN CINEMA

He could only check the result after the film was processed and printed. The skill of both actors and photographer was astonishing, says rahman, as any photographer would understand.

Both the men and women were looked at as stylised performers. The women were more “feminine” and sensitive, the men more macho. They followed accepted stereotypes of the period. As compared to now, the women are much more sensitively expressive—the moods are of longing, loss, with much less of the sexuality in recent movie images of the women actors. “It was also the result of shooting with hot lights in the studio, unlike the harsh flash lighting which has become the norm now and leads to a more quick, snapshot image,” he says.

The sheer magic of these single edition silver gelatin photographs takes us back to the time when cinema in India was making its presence and potential felt rather strongly in connecting to the larger public. Karode’s three favourites?

nargis, Suraiya and Madhuri Dixit, says Karode. “Thakker has been able to capture their face as well as persona, exuding and exemplifying their beauty through shades of vulnerability and strength in soft light,” she explains.

Taken so long ago, these images still stand out in the age of the ubiquitous paparazzi photograph, because it is the image-makers who manage and approve of the photos released in public. “The Thakker images are from the time when the actors were more human and real in their emotional connect,” says rahman.

“The new aesthetic, on the other hand, comes from our hyper consumer culture. You hardly ever see stars in sarees anymore—almost all in western clothing.

The photoshop post-production now is universal. The Thakker pictures are from the time of film and darkroom printing where the retouching was minimal. The digital era has led to a less real image.”

Thakker stopped shooting film stars in 1968, saying times had changed too much for him. The arrival of eastman Colour meant black and white had ceased to be attractive to stars. Thakker had also lost a lot of money, with producers owing him his fees. There was also a 19-day strike in 1968 in Mumbai cinemas which wreaked havoc on the film distribution system. A disheartened Thakker did only one major film shoot after that, in 1995,

with Madhuri Dixit channeling Madhubala for the 44th anniversary of the film magazine, Screen. Bollywood glamour is now the work of many, not one. every actor now has a dedicated hair stylist, make-up person, fashion stylist, social media publicist and brand manager. Then there is the movie the actor is promoting at a particular point and the demands of fashion glossies which usually put Bollywood women on the cover. The whole process has become more professional, more process-driven, more brand-oriented, and less intimate and indeed less spontaneous. Though individual photographers such as Prasad naik, Avinash Gowariker and Dabboo ratnani are in demand for cover shoots, they usually follow a brief dictated by luxury labels and their seasonal looks.

But none of those instantly consumed photographs have the kind of gravitas enabled by Thakker’s use of chiaroscuro, a technique that plays with light and shadow. Thakker used spotlights and shadow textured backgrounds to create an aura around the stars of what is now known as Mumbai film industry’s Golden era. With printing and film rolls being expensive, Thakker, who was a photographer with the British Army in pre-Partition Karachi, usually could shoot only one frame. The cameras he used—Field, Graflex or rolleiflex—are all preserved by his son in India Photo House. “not for long though,” says Vimal, with builders hoing to demolish the studio to build flats. “We are fighting it in court,” he adds. nutan eating an apple, in a publicity still for Dilli ka Thug (1958); Madhubala in a sari with foliage in the background sourced from Chitra Cinema’s garden; nargis embracing raj Kapoor in a still for Chori Chori (1956), one of the last films in which the pair appeared together; Suraiya shot with hair lights. Thakker’s women had an aura and a mystique about them, absent in today’s all-seeing, all-knowing world.

The photographs bridged the distance between the star and the fan. Sunil Dutt would order his wife nargis’ photographs in bulk to be given to fans with her autograph, the 1950s precursor to the selfie. Thakker was as much an idol-maker as he was a man who connected the celestial body to the ordinary fan, something social media does so effectively now. He and many of his subjects may be gone now but their memory is forever.

Will geopolitics or technology reshape the global monetary order?

CHINA HAS RECENTLY CONCLUDED RENMINBI CLEARING ARRANGEMENTS WITH PAKISTAN,

Open Magazine Kaveree bamZai

RuSSIan SanCTIOnS ShIfT OIL PRICe MakIng POweR TO aSIa fROM euROPe

profIt reuters

wESTERNsanctions on Russian and Iranian oil have channelled cheap fuel to Asia and in the process eroded a decades-long trend whereby the continent has paid more for energy than Europe, according to traders, analysts and Refinitiv Eikon data.

Analysts and government officials from consumer countries use the term Asian premium to refer to the higher prices Asian importers have paid for oil sold by big exporters, such as members of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries.

For Asia, a weakened premium amounts to an economic stimulus, highlighting another unintended consequence of the Western sanctions on oil and gas exporter Moscow, which also led to a surge in the amount Europeans have paid for natural gas.

“It’s safe to say that some major consumers in Asia, most notably India and China, are the major winners of the sanctions,” Ole Hansen, head of the commodity strategy at Saxo Bank, said.

Western Sanctions have led Russia to sell more than twice as much crude to Asia in the year to January, according to Kepler data. Iran, under US sanctions, has boosted exports to the highest in three years on some estimates, with China as the biggest buyer.

Russia’s flagship export blend Urals, which before the Ukraine invasion was sold in Europe at a few dollars a barrel

below the value of benchmark dated Brent, is being sold in Asia at a discount of minus $24, according to Refinitiv Eikon data. Some industry sources, asking not to be named, say the discount is narrower at $10-$15 per barrel.

Even at a discount of around $15 per barrel, a refinery in India processing 200,000 barrels per day would save $3 million a day on its crude purchases compared to a European rival. On an annual basis, the saving would exceed $1 billion.

Hardeep Singh Puri, India’s oil minister, said in early February the country will keep buying from Russia if prices “continue to be good”.

price-takers and makers

The Asian premium dates back to when producer countries began issuing market prices for their crude in the 1980s, and they could be higher for buyers in Asia, who were more dependent on imports, making them price-takers.

Asian buyers have made previous attempts to erode the premium, investing in refining capacity to boost their demand and improve their negotiating power.

Saudi Arabia and other leading exporters have reflected the current shifts in significantly lower official selling prices (OSPs) expressed as differentials to regional benchmarks.

In the three months to February, Saudi Arabia reduced prices for its flagship Arab Light for Asian buyers – although it has increased the prices for April- and March-loading crude.

Even so, since November, Saudi Arabia has lowered the differential for Arab Light sold in Asia by $3.35 a barrel.

China to allow foreign tourist visas for first time since 2020

BEIJING reuters

China said that it will reopen its borders to foreign tourists for the first time in three years since the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic by restoring the issuance of all types of visas from Wednesday. The removal of this last cross-border control measure imposed to guard against Covid-19 comes after authorities last month declared victory over a recent surge in the virus.

The boost to the tourism sector should help rekindle a $17 trillion economy that last year suffered one of its slowest rates of growth in nearly half a century.

Areas in China that required no visas prior to the pandemic will revert to visa-free entry, the foreign ministry said on Tuesday. This will include the southern tourist island of Hainan and cruise ships passing through Shanghai port. Visa-free entry to the southern manufacturing hub of Guangdong for foreigners from Hong Kong and Macau will also be resumed.

The ministry also said foreigners holding visas issued before March 28, 2020 that are still within their validity dates will also be able to enter China.

“Resuming applications for all types of visas removes another significant barrier in the resumption of normal travel between the UK and China,” Tom Simpson, managing director, China-Britain Business Council, told Reuters. “The (council) has already seen business travel applications and arrivals begin to increase since January, however, this news should lead to a significant increase in visits in particular for tourism.”

outbound travel: China, which withdrew its advisory to citizens against foreign travel in January, also added another 40 countries to its list for which group tours are allowed, bringing the total number of countries to 60. Inbound and outbound international flights in the week of March 6 rose more than 350% compared with a year earlier to nearly 2,500 flights, according to Chinese flight tracking APP Flight Master, though the number was still just 17.4% of 2019 levels. In 2022, just 115.7 million cross-border trips were made in and out of China, with foreigners accounting for around 4.5 million. By contrast, China logged 670 million overall trips in 2019 before the arrival of Covid19, with foreigners accounting for 97.7 million.

Beijing abandoned its draconian zero-Covid policies in December and in January cancelled quarantine requirements for incoming travellers.

New Premier Li Qiang said on Monday that China took less than two months to achieve a “smooth transition” in its response to Covid-19 and that the country’s strategies and measures had been completely correct.

SCO members to consider jointly developing emerging fuel projects

The differential for sales to Europe basis Ras Tanura has been increased over the same period by 10 cents a barrel.

Other big OPEC exporters Iraq and Kuwait have also reduced their OSPs to Asia since November. Iraq, the only one of the two which also issues prices for Europe, has cut the differentials for Basrah Medium and Heavy to Asia and increased them to Europe.

“Iran and now Russia increasingly compete on price and the other Middle East producers must adjust their prices accordingly – the result being relatively higher selling prices to Europe,” Saxo Bank’s Hansen said.

europe loses supply source

India was among those to have complained about the Asian premium they paid to the big exporters.

“The Asians used to have less options than the rest of the world as their pricing needed to attract long-haul exports,” said Jorge Montepeque, who during decades working at S&P Global Platts, developed the dated Brent pricing benchmark. “So by definition the Asians had to pay up, while Europe and America had indigenous supplies.”

Now, with Europe losing Russian crude as a source of supply, the continent needs to draw oil from further afield and “in theory, the Middle East pricing becomes worse for the Europeans,” he said.

The outright price of Arab Light crude, according to an approximation based on Refinitiv data, in Europe moved closer to parity and sometimes exceeded that for Asia in 2023.

In 2021 and early 2022, the price in

Asia was mostly at a premium, as shown by the chart below.

‘no free market’ Neil Atkinson, an independent analyst and former senior International Energy Agency official, said the drop in Russia’s Western shipments and its discounted Indian sales were making the Asian premium redundant.

“These normal sorts of patterns of Asian premium or discount don’t really apply,” he said. “The circumstances are so extraordinary. We don’t have essentially the free market that we would have in normal times.”

In another example of firmer European crude markets, Norwegian Johan Sverdrup crude on February 16 was offered at a premium to dated Brent, up from a $5.15 discount in late November. It is unclear whether it found a buyer.

Sverdrup, from Europe’s largestproducing oilfield, made its market debut in 2020. Initially, most shipments went to Asia. After the imposition of sanctions on Russia following its invasion of Ukraine began in February last year, most of the shipments of Sverdrup remain in Europe and have replaced the Russian Urals for many refiners.

Not all see Europe paying elevated prices for the longer term as other suppliers, from which Asia is buying less fill the gap – and an end to the Ukraine war could restore the flow of Russian crude.

“Once the war is over, I believe some normality will return and eventually sanctions will be lifted allowing Russia to compete on equal terms for customers,” Saxo Bank’s Hansen said.

Chinese Premier’s down-to-earth approach charms the world

ISLAMABAD

Mian abrar

Chinese Premier Li Qiang held his first press conference as China’s premier on Monday morning, during which he addressed various key issues concerning the Chinese economy, vowing to further stabilize growth, prices and employment, while making new progress on high-quality development, supporting private businesses and continuing to open up China’s market to the world.

Li’s remarks, coming just two days after he was endorsed as Chinese Premier on Saturday, reflected his down-to-earth approach after working at various levels of local governments in economic powerhouses in eastern China, which inspires confidence among private businesses and the broader Chinese society about the country’s economic and social development prospect, economists said. challenges vs bright future: During the press conference which lasted about 82 minutes, Li, with a steadfast tone and great eloquence, addressed risks and challenges facing the Chinese economy head-on and projected confidence in its future prospects.

On the government’s GDP growth target of around 5 percent for 2023, Li said the target was set after taking into account all factors, but China’s economic output has exceeded 120 trillion yuan, the base is very high and there is no shortage of new challenges this year.

“To achieve the 2023 gross domestic product (GDP) growth target of around 5 percent on the current high base of China’s economic output is no easy task and requires redoubled efforts ,” Li said.

The Premier said that the emphasis will be placed on ensuring

stable growth, employment and prices, and the key to seeking progress lies in making new advancement in high-quality development. Specifically, China will make good use of a number of policy mixes in leveraging macro policies, expanding demand, advancing reform and innovation, and preventing and defusing risks, Li said, adding that the country will enrich, adjust and improve these policies in the course of implementation.

Despite the challenges, China also enjoys a series of advantages in its economic and social development, including a vast market, a complete industrial system, abundant human resources, solid foundation for development, and most importantly, notable institutional strength, Li said, noting he is fully confident of China’s economic prospect. “[China’s economy] will break winds and waves and sail toward a bright future.”

The Premier’s remarks, particularly his down-to-earth approach and his eloquence, boosted confidence in China’s development.

Notably, following the press conference, Chinese stocks closed higher on Monday, with the benchmark Shanghai Composite Index gaining 1.2 percent, even as stock markets in most of Asia Pacific were down due largely to the fallout of the collapse of two banks in the US.

“In general, [the press conference] was down-to-earth with vernaculars that ordinary people can understand,” Tian Yun, a Beijing-based economist, told the Global Times on Monday, noting that the most impressive thing was the focus on promoting the practice of research and studies among officials at all levels.

As part of efforts to improve the conduct of the government, Li said that government officials at all levels will be encouraged to engage more with local communities to learn about what the people need and seek their opinions on the work of the government.

“I have worked at the local level for a long time and I have a deep feeling: When sitting in the office, there are all problems; but when going into the grassroots, there are solutions. The bests are among the people,” Li said.

Throughout the press conference, the Premier also repeatedly referred to his experience working in local governments. When asked about China’s opening-up policies and China-US relations, Li said he worked in Shanghai for the most part of last year, senior managers of multinational corporations he had talked to were all optimistic about the future of Shanghai and China, and they all believed that cooperation is the sure path to win-win outcomes.

The Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) said on Tuesday that its members, including Russia, China and India, would consider jointly developing emerging fuel projects to connect countries emerging as major fuel producers and consumers. Energy ministers from the regional bloc, which also includes Pakistan and four Central Asian nations, met virtually on Tuesday when member states agreed on the need for greater collaboration in the emerging fuels sector, according to a joint statement.

LAHORE: Spotify hosts first-ever gig in Pakistan under “Pakka Hit Hai” flagship at COLABS featuring Abdul Hannan and Taha G. pr

TPL Life onboards

15,000 potential life insurance agents on ‘Muavin’

TPL Life Insurance Limited, Pakistan’s 1st InsurTech enterprise in the innovative insurance business, has launched the country’s most revolutionary Virtual Life Insurance Agent Learning & Earning Platform –“Muavin.” A means for every Pakistani to create an alternate or regular income stream by selling TPL Life’s insurance products. The user can sign-up for free on Muavin, complete the learning phase while referring to available video lectures & course material, become a certified Muavin, start selling from anywhere in Pakistan, and earn a commission for successful sales. A means for every Pakistani to create an alternate or regular income stream by selling TPL Life’s insurance products. The user can sign-up for free on Muavin, complete the learning phase while referring to available video lectures & course material, become a certified Muavin, start selling from anywhere in Pakistan, and earn a commission for successful sales. pr

Building Infrastructure Vital for country’s Sustainability

Karachi: InfraZamin collaborated with Nutshell Group to jointly host Pakistan’s first ever Infrastructure Summit at a local hotel in Karachi. Infrastructure development helps reduce unemployment and stimulates economic growth. In his welcome address, Muhammad Azfar Ahsan, Founder & CEO, Nutshell Group, and former Minister of State & Chairman, Board of Investment, said, “For infrastructure, we need political stability for an empowered public sector funding and though there is a huge potential for economic growth through foreign direct investment, we need to focus on the local investors first and mobilize that money on priority.” pr

China warns AUKUS allies on ‘path of error and danger’ with submarine pact

BEIJING agencies

China on Tuesday warned that Australia, Britain and the United States were treading a “path of error and danger” after they unveiled a nuclear-powered submarines deal.

Australia announced on Monday it would buy up to five US nuclear-powered submarines, then build a new model with US and British technology under an ambitious plan to bulk up Western muscle across the Asia-Pacific in the face of a rising China.

US President Joe Biden has stressed that Australia, which joined the alliance with Washington and London known as AUKUS 18 months ago, will not be getting nuclear weapons. However, acquiring submarines powered by nuclear reactors puts Australia in an elite club and at the forefront of US-led efforts to push back against Chinese military expansion.

Wang Wenbin, China’s foreign ministry spokesman, said: “The latest joint statement from the US, UK and Australia demonstrates that the three countries, for the sake of their own geopolitical interests, completely disregard the concerns of the international communities and are walking further and further down the path of error and danger”.

Wang accused the three Western allies of inciting an arms race, saying the security deal was “a typical case of Cold War mentality”. The sale of submarines “constitutes a severe nuclear proliferation risk, and violates the aims and objectives of the Non-Proliferation Treaty”, Wang said at a regular news conference in Beijing. china to prepare for the chal-

lenge: Li Chijiang, vice president and secretary-general of the China Arms Control and Disarmament Association, told the Global Times in a previous interview that the AUKUS nuclear-powered submarine program could in-

volve the transfer of tons of weapons-grade nuclear material, enough to manufacture nearly 100 nuclear weapons, marking the first time since the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons came into force that nuclearweapon states will transfer a large amount of weapons-grade nuclear materials to a non-nuclear-weapon state. The AUKUS collaboration will damage the global strategic balance and stability, encourage other countries to join the nuclear arms race, escalate geopolitical tensions and bring the Asia-Pacific region to a wrong path of confrontation and splitting-up, completely opposite to the common appeal for development and prosperity from countries in the region, Li said. stability for decades: Monday’s announcement came at an event at a naval base in San Diego, California, where Biden hosted Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak.

Karachi’s development is uplift of Pakistan: Commissioner

KARACHI: Commissioner Karachi, Iqbal the Memon, has said that Karachi is the economic hub of the country, its development is the development of Pakistan, it is the city of all of us, and we all have to take it forward together. He was addressing the annual dinner of the English Speaking Union Pakistan as a chief guest at the residence of Kaleem Farooqui, in DHA. On this occasion, the host Kaleem Farooqui, and President International Council, Pattern Chief Aziz Memon also addressed. Commissioner Karachi added that the government cannot do anything alone, for this, businessmen, industrialists, and people from other sectors have to come forward. Organized the 3rd Marathon Race, in which 40 thousand people participated, this important event was organized with the support of the National Bank of Pakistan, he said that the government is paying special attention to sports in Karachi. pr

Commander Bahrain National Guard Calls on Air Chief

Commander Bahrain

National Guard, General

Shaikh Mohammed Bin Isa Bin Salman Al Khalifa called on Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmed Baber Sidhu, Chief of the Air Staff, Pakistan Air Force during his visit to Air Headquarters, Islamabad today. During the meeting, several key areas of mutual interest along with regional developments were discussed. On his arrival, a smartly turned out contingent of Pakistan Air Force presented General Shaikh Mohammed Bin Isa Bin Salman Al Khalifa the guard of honour. Later the visiting dignitary was introduced to the Principal Staff Officers. He also laid floral wreath on the martyrs' monument.Chief of the Air Staff shared broad contours of PAF's modernization plan of smart acquisitions from allied countries, upgradation of infrastructure and revamping of training. pr

SKMCH hosts carnival in Lahore to mark Int’l Childhood Cancer Day

To mark International Childhood Cancer Day, Shaukat Khanum Memorial Cancer Hospital and Research Centre in Lahore organiseda carnival for children with cancer. A large number of patients and their families attended the event. The hospital annuallyorganises such activities to provide psychological relief for young children going through the challenging and stressful cancer journey. At the event, children enjoyed various activities including jumping castle, movies, and a puppet show. Generous donors and organisations, including Total Parco, Pearl Continental Hotel, Outfitters, McDonald's, CureMD, Shakarganj, Habib Metro, Soneri Bank, Haleeb Foods, Teradata and LUMS, distributed gifts at the event, bringing smiles to paediatric cancer patients. pr

First Pakistan Navy Ship carrying relief goods reaches Syria

IslAmAbAd:First Pakistan Navy Ship PNS NASR carrying relief goods for earthquake affectees reached Syria. The ship is currently deployed on Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) mission to Syria &Turkiye. The HADR mission is aimed to provide support from people of Pakistan to the earthquake affectees of brotherly countries. Upon arrival at port Lattakia (Syria), the ship was received by Governor of Lattakia, Federal Minister of Education, Ambassador of Pakistan to Syria, Cdr of Syrian Naval Forces and other dignitaries. Approx. 665 Tons of relief goods comprising blankets, warm clothing and ration were handed. pr

Careem removes ‘Peak Charge’ on bikes, rickshaws amid high inflation

KARACHI: Careem, the leading ride-hailing service in Pakistan, announces to remove ‘peak charge’ on its bikes and rickshaws categories across Karachi, Islamabad and Lahore. The initiative is taken in light of the recent economic situation in Pakistan where inflation and global fuel prices are at an all-time high. Speaking about the announcement, Muhammad Imran Saleem, General Manager – Ride Hailing at Careem Pakistan, said. pr

NOT-BY- PROFIT

The informal secTor: a significanT conTribuTor To PakisTan's economy

ISLAMABAD

NEWS DESK

WRITINGfor Dawn, au-

thor Dr Abdul Wahid explains that the informal sector has become a significant contributor to Pakistan's economy, adding approximately $661 billion, equivalent to 35.6% of the country's GDP.

According to the International Labour Organisation, this sector employs 75% of the rural workforce and 68% of the urban workforce. However, the informal sector is fraught with issues such as child and bonded labor, gender-based discrimination, and workplace insecurities.

This sector comprises small and medium enterprises (SMEs), which include self-employed entrepreneurs, small businesses, informal associations, and street vendors in agriculture and microenterprise setups. These businesses tend to be more resilient to economic downturns, making them an essential component of Pakistan's economy. Despite its significant contribution to the economy, the informal sector creates financial vulnerabilities for formal businesses.

The Growth Enterprise Market (GEM) board of the Pakistan Stock Ex-

change (PSX) was established to provide a sub-market for SMEs and highgrowth companies looking to go public.

This board is similar to the Alternative Investment Market established in London by the London Stock Exchange in 1995 to provide a platform for SMEs, business startups, and incubates to raise capital and for investors to access returns from small businesses. The GEM board in Pakistan has less stringent listing criteria and regulations compared to the main board of the PSX. However, to date, only three SMEs have made it to the GEM board, namely Pak Agro Packaging Ltd, Supernet Ltd, and Universal Network Systems.

One of the reasons for this is the low investor participation in Pakistan's formal sector. Only 0.3 million accounts are registered with the National Clearing Company of Pakistan Limited out of around 57.5 million bank accounts, indicating less than 0.5% investor participation at the PSX forum. Moreover, the informal sector's regulatory burden is less stringent than that of the formal sector, leading to investor participation in avenues such as real estate property pricing bubbles, higher forex trading returns, and inflationary pressure. The Imran Khan-led government

launched a construction amnesty scheme to promote housing, generate jobs, and fill the gap of millions of housing unit shortages. Since 2018, the average per square feet price has increased from Rs3,300 to 7,000, resulting in 26% returns per annum in open plots investment in Islamabad. This scheme has doubled real estate prices in other cities, such as Karachi, Lahore, Peshawar, and Faisalabad, and shifted the investment chunk toward the real estate sector, leading to industrialists shifting their attention to the real estate sector.

Similarly, the gold price has increased significantly, from Rs56,200 per tola in December 2017 to Rs 201,000 per tola, leading to more than 50% return per annum in gold investment. The exchange rate of rupees to the dollar has also increased from Rs110 to a dollar on 14 Jan 2018 to Rs278, resulting in an average of 30-35% returns per annum.

On the flip side, the KSE-100 Index provided compounded annual returns of 14.55%, and industrial profit was recorded at less than 15% per annum. The inflation rate in 2018 was 5.08%, and now it is above 30%. If the inflationadjusted returns per annum are calculated, it can be said that the real return an investor receives in the formal market

Doodlers assemble to celebrate ‘Phy-gital’ art at Red Bull Doodle Art Pakistan national finals

The doodling season is upon us and with it, doodlers are out in droves to compete in the Red Bull Doodle Art 2023. Out of 3000 entries from across Pakistan, only 20 entries made it to the national finals of the international contest.

On Sunday, March 12, 2023, at the Islamabad Arts Gallery atF-9 Parkin Islamabad, the 19 finalists presented their work and doodled away in order to not only win the Red Bull Doodle Art national finals, and with it, the NFT trophy, but also an opportunity to represent Pakistan in the Red Bull Doodle Art World Final in Amsterdam later this spring.

After an entire day of a showcase of mind-blowing

creativity and doodling techniques and ideas, the jury evaluated the entries based on three criteria: creativity, artistic skill and the way the doodle express a ‘love for life’.

Subsequently, the panel decisively declared Umer Nadeem the winner of the Red Bull Doodle Art Pakistan 2023. Iqra Qureshi and Mominah Arif were the first and second runners-up respectively.

“I expected to be in at least top five, but never thought I’d win. So, this is very encouraging,” said Nadeem, who is an architect by profession and an artist “by birth”, as he defines himself on his LinkedIn profile.

For his entry in the national finals, Nadeem doodled an artwork that wowed the jury and the audience alike. He said, “My design was inspired by my home country, Pak-

PRC conducts dissemination session for PHQ staff on Red Cross & Red Crescent Movement

LAHoRe pr

Red Crescent Punjab conducted a Session for PHQ Staff on Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement. The session was intended to give awareness and refresher about the history of the RCRC Movement to staff, the importance of the movement, mandate, and mission of ICRC, Core Functions & Work, Red Crescent in Pakistan, and ongoing activities of PRCS – PHQ.

Furthermore, the session emphasized seven fundamental principles/pillars of the Red Crescent which include Humanity, Impartiality, Neutrality, Independence, Voluntary Service, Unity, and Uni-

versality. The audience was told about the importance of each principle/pillar and how each principle can be applied in our daily work routine to create synergy among all in a better way.

Prof Dr Niaz Ahmad Akhtar assumes charge as Vice Chancellor Quaid-i-Azam University

ISLAMABAD pr

Prof. Dr. Niaz Ahmad Akhtar

(SI) has assumed the charge as Vice Chancellor, Quaid-i-Azam University on Tuesday.

The President of Pakistan, being Chancellor of the University has appointed him as Vice Chancellor, Quaid-i-Azam University for a period of four years. Prof. Dr. Niaz Ahmad Akhtar is an accomplished scholar and academician

with a Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering from the esteemed University of Leeds, UK, and an undergraduate degree in Chemical Engineering from the University of Punjab. With a remarkable ca-

Nestlé Pakistan to plant 100,000 trees this year

lAHORE: Nestlé Pakistan will be planting 100,000 trees this year around its operational areas to support its endeavors to reduce carbon footprint in its ambition to achieve net zero by 2050. To kickoff, Nestlé donated 5,000 trees to Parks & Horticulture Authority (PHA) for a plantation drive at Jilani Park, Lahore under its employee volunteer program –Nestlé Cares. Leading the activity, Jason Avanceña, Chief Executive Officer, Nestlé Pakistan said, “Under the umbrella of Nestlé Cares, we aim to foster behavior change by engaging our employees in volunteer activities.” “We are committed to be a force for good throughout our value chain by Creating Shared Value,” he said, adding that planting trees is one of the ways to “protect, renew, and restore natural resources while strengthening communities, and bringing our purpose and values to life.” Speaking on the occasion, Tahir Wattoo, Director General Parks & Horticulture Authority said, “In light of the effects of climate change, it is a national responsibility of every citizen to work towards a greener Pakistan. I would like to thank Nestlé Pakistan and their employees for stepping forward with this generous donation and performing their civic duty.” pr

reer spanning decades, Dr. Akhtar has held significant positions in academia. Currently serving as the Vice Chancellor of the University of Punjab, Dr. Niaz also worked as Vice Chancellor of the University of Engineering and Technology (UET) Taxila, Vice Chancellor of the University of Sahiwal, Vice Chancellor of Information and Technology University (ITU-Punjab), and Rector of the National Textile University, Faisalabad (NTU).

and industrial setup is negative.

Moreover, Pakistan already has one of the highest income tax rates in the world for corporations, further decreasing the wealth of formal sector investors. Consequently, since 2013, more than 200 companies have been delisted from the PSX, and only 526 companies are listed on the main board.

In conclusion, Pakistan's informal sector plays a crucial role in its economy, providing jobs and contributing significantly to the GDP. However, the lack of investor participation in the formal sector and stringent regulatory burden make it less attractive for SMEs and high-growth companies to list on the GEM board of the PSX.

This has resulted in a shift of investment towards real estate, gold, and forex trading, leading to a negative impact on the formal sector and industrial setup's real returns. The government needs to address these issues by providing incentives for investor participation in the formal sector and reducing the regulatory burden, leading to a more inclusive and sustainable economic growth path for Pakistan.

To read the full article visit www.dawn.com

istan. I wanted to represent my own country and so I made it the focal point of my doodle.” The winner Nadeem will now spend four weeks collaborating with an industryleader professional artist to create a new doodle NFT to present at the Red Bull Doodle Art World Final in Amsterdam in May. He will compete with national winners of over 60 countries and take part in a series of workshops and creative sessions over the course of a three-day “phy-gital” experience of the World Final where both physical and digital realms of art meet in the artistic hub of the Netherlands.

“For the World Final in Amsterdam, I hope that I’ll nail it and bring the trophy home to Pakistan,” said Nadeem. The finalists came from all age groups and backgrounds and brought with themselves their unique doodling styles influenced by their unique life experiences, culture and inspirations. The top 19 who made it to the finals were Aliyan Salam, Ameer Hamza, HayyanHarmann, Iqra Qureshi, Maria Khalid, Maria Khan, Minahil Noor (the only participant with two entries in the finals), Mominah Arif, Noor ul Ain, Rabia Zafar, Rafia Abid, Rafia Ashraf, Rahat Shakeel, Rumaisa Jabeen.

ke investment plan offers tremendous opportunity for localization: ceo

KARACHI pr

Addressing an audience of industry leaders and policymakers, KE’s Chief Executive Officer Moonis Alvi stated that the company’s proposed PKR 484 billion investment plan is providing a clear, predictable roadmap for the future, which is a tremendous opportunity for local investors to participate in. KE’s Chief Supply Chain Officer Sheraz Kashif also shared that power sector’s potential for localization in Pakistan is an estimated PKR 470 billion over next 10 years. These comments were made at the National Policy Dialogue on Localization for Growth held at a private hotel in Karachi. The event was attended by Chairman NEPRA Tauseef H Farooqi, Governor Sindh Kamran Tessori, Minister of State (Petroleum), Dr Mussadik Malik and Federal Minister of Energy (Power Division) Khurram Dastgir Khan. Executives of manufacturing industries such as Pakistan Cables, Alsons, TransfoPower attended and showcased their progress in developing local alternates for components that are currently being imported. Sharing that the company has “a conviction to base our generation on indigenous sources to reduce reliance on imported fuels,” CEO KE also emphasized that the current macroeconomic conditions make it imperative for all stakeholders – investors, governments, and private sector – to work together in order to build a stronger and self-reliant economy and reduce pressure on the national exchequer. Continuity in regulatory policies and predictable investment plans will increase investor confidence.

Exhibition ‘Potpourri’ begins at COMSATS

An Art Exhibition “Potpourri” opened at COMSATS art Gallery on Friday. The exhibition was inaugurated by Prof. Dr. Sajjad A. Madni, Registrar COMSATS University, Islamabad. The exhibition comprised of Art Works of students of the Department of Art and Design COMSATS University, Islamabad. The art works included paintings, collages as well as Maps of Pakistan. Speaking at the occasion Prof. Dr. Sajjad A. Madni advised students to work hard and produce as much work possible to polish their skills. He said this is critically important for students to get knowledge of trending technologies and bring innovation in their creativity through these. Dr. Madni said that COMSATS University has provided an excellent platform to its students in the form of an art gallery, frequently showcasing international artists as well as local talent. Speaking at the occasion In Charge COMSATS Art Gallery Farrah Mahmood praised the students for hard work that they put in making their art works. pr

Emirates ramp up operations across continents

KARACHI: Emirates has boosted operations by 31% (total ASKMs) since the start of its financial year and has further plans to ramp up seat capacity in its latest published northern summer schedule starting 26 March 2023. In the past months, the airline has planned and executed the rapid growth of its network operations - reintroducing services to 5 cities; adding 251 weekly flights onto existing routes; and continuing the roll-out of service enhancements in the air and on the ground. Adnan Kazim, Emirates’ Chief Commercial Officer said: “Emirates continues to expand its global network and deploy its capacity to meet travel demand across the world. Our financial year started relatively quietly as we held back our ramp up until the planned northern runway rehabilitation program at Dubai International airport was completed in June. From July 2022 onwards, it’s been non-stop expansion.” He added: “Customer demand has been very strong, and our forward bookings are also robust. Emirates is working hard on several fronts - to bring back operating capacity as quickly as the ecosystem can manage, while also upgrading our fleet and product to ensure our customers always enjoy the best possible Emirates experience. pr

PARC Chairman Dr Ghulm Muhammad Ali along with US Ambassador to Pakistan, H.E Donald Blome and Deputy Director General NARC, Dr Shehzad Asad during launching ceremony of ‘Fertilizer Right’ project. pr

In the presence of Governor Gilgit-Baltistan Syed Mehdi Shah, Pakistan Baitul Maal MD Amir Fida Paracha gives away initial payment to a widow, under “Orphans and Widows Support Programme” in GB. pr

GST inCREASE SETS CAR MARKET ABLAzE, COnSUMERS TO FOOT BiLL

FOLLOWING TOYOTA AND LUCKY MOTORS, HONDA, HYUNDAI, DFSK, AND SAZGAR RAISE PRICES

LAHORE daniyaL ahMad

iNthe wake of Toyota Indus Motors and Lucky Motors’ decision to hike car prices, Honda, Hyundai,

FBR allows unlimited refunds on customs duty for businesses

CUSTOMS COLLECTORS GIVEN FREEHAND IN AUTHORISING REBATES

Rs 5.04 million price tag in March 2022. The price increase amounts to an upward revision of 39%.

58% more expensive when compared to March of last year. The 58% difference amounts to a difference of Rs 2.5 million.

Hyundai’s Prices This marks the fourth price increase that Hyundai has introduced this year. The previous price increases came on February 1, February 22, February 28, and March 13. Hyundai’s cars are now 41% more expensive when compared to March of last year. This 41% difference

ECP suspends RO of Karachi’s UC Sultanabad

ISLAMABAD ManaL Jaffery

The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has suspended

Returning Officer of the local government election in Union Committee-7 Sultanabad in Keamari district of Karachi on Tuesday.

The ECP has formed an inquiry committee headed by the provincial election commissioner and ordered it to submit its report.

The probe committee will examine the role of the RO and collect evidence of rigging during the LG polls in Sultanabad union committee.

The committee will also compile recommendations about disciplinary action against the R/O or proceedings under the criminal law.

Regional Election Commissioner has been nominated as the new returning officer and being directed to submit election results within seven days. Regional Election Commissioner has been nominated as the new returning officer and directed to submit the results within seven days. He will also record statements of all candidates.

PPP convens APC on census issue on Friday

KARACHI STaff rePorT

Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) has convened an All Parties Conference (APC) on census on Friday, says in media reports. Meanwhile, the party is sending invitations to leaders of different political parties. PPP Sindh President

Nisar Khuhro has contacted Muttahida Qaumi MovementPakistan (MQM-P) President Dr. Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui, Awami National Party (ANP) Sindh President Shahi Syed and Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) Sindh President Shah Muhammad Shah.

Similarly, PPP Sindh Information Secretary Ajiz Dhamra has contacted Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam’s Rashid Mehmood Soomro, nationalists, including Dr. Qadir Magsi, Ayaz Latif Palejo, Sanan Khan Qureshi, Syed Jalal Mehmood Shah, Riaz Chandio and Lal Jarwar.

5-day rain spell expected in KP

PESHAWAR STaff rePorT

Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) on Tuesday predicted five-day rain spell from March 16-20 in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP). A westerly wave is likely to approach western parts of the country on Thursday (March 16) and may persist till Monday. Rain-wind thunderstorm and hailstorm are expected in Chitral, Lower and Upper Dir, Malakand, Swat, Buner, Shangla, Kohistan, Battagram, Torghar, Mansehra, Abbottabad, Haripur, Swabi, Mardan, Nowshera, Peshawar, Charsadda, Bajaur, Mohmand, Khyber, Kurram, Orakzai, Hangu, Karak, Kohat, Bannu, Lakki Marwat, Tank, Dera Ismail Khan, North and South Waziristan districts. Isolated snowfall over the high mountains of Chitral, Dir, Upper Swat and Kohistan districts is expected during the forecast period.

amounts to a difference of Rs 2.5 million.

DFSK Prices DFSK has increased the price of the Glory Pro by Rs 490,000 from Rs 6.5 million to Rs 6.99 million. The change amounts to a difference of 7.54%. The Glory Pro is now 39% more expensive when compared to its

Sazgar’s Prices Of Sazgar’s portfolio, only the BJ40 has been in the market for over a year. The BJ40 has increased in price by 46% from March 2022 to March 2023, for a whopping increase of Rs 3.5 million. No respite ahead It should come as no shock to automotive customers at this point that these price increases may not be the last for this year. It is likely that these price increases have not factored in the recent round of depreciation the Pakistani Rupee has experienced against the US Dollar as the price notifications only attribute the decision to the FBR’s S.R.O. 297(1)/2023. If the Rupee stabilizes at a level upwards of Rs 280 against the US Dollar, then it is likely that these prices will increase further in the very near future.

ECC pegs cotton price

FIXES COTTON PRICE AT RS8,500 PER 40KG

ISLAMABAD Shahzad Paracha

The Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) on Tuesday fixed cotton price at Rs 8,500 for every 40 kilogram of cotton for the current sowing season.

Federal Minister for Finance and Revenue Ishaq Dar presided over the cabinet meeting of the ECC.

Ministry of National Food Security and Research also submitted a summary on Cotton Intervention Price (CIP) for 2023-24 and argued that price fixing at this time, ahead of the main sowing season, will help growers decide about the area and investment in cotton crop which will potentially enhance the yield by 10-15%.

This is done so to revive cotton production in the country, bring stability in the domestic market and assure fair return to the farmers, as discussed in the meeting. The ECC directed the ministry of finance to constitute the Cotton Price Review Committee (CPRC) with a mandate to review market prices. The ECC further directed the ministry to proactively involve the cotton industry.

The CPRC considered a summary of the Ministry of Commerce on extension in the ship-

ment period of sugar export and after detailed discussion allowed extension from 45 to 60 days time limit for shipment of sugar from date of quota allocation. The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) submitted a summary on financial requirements for executing Pakistan’s assistance towards Turkiye and Syria.

To support the brotherly countries in their difficult time, NDMA was directed to maximise and extend full support from February 6. Considering timely help and support to Turkiye and Syria, the ECC approved immediate allocation of Rs 10 billion for the payment, procurement and transport of the relevant goods.

In the meeting, the Ministry of Energy highlighted PSO’s import of Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) in the country to meet the energy requirement in terms. PSO is importing eight to nine LNG cargoes per month. In order to enable PSO to remain afloat in its payment obligations to LNG suppliers, the ECC allowed a sovereign guarantee in favour of Sui Northern Gas Pipeline Limited (SNGPL) for commercial borrowing of Rs 50 billion on immediate basis.

KP governor proposes May 28 as election date to ECP

ISLAMABAD

STaff rePorT

Haji Ghulam Ali, the governor of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, proposed May 28 as the election date for the province to the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) on Tuesday.

After meeting with Chief Election Commissioner Sikandar Sultan Raja, the governor informed reporters that his responsibility was to provide the election date for the province, but the responsibility of conducting the polls rests with the electoral watchdog.

Ali expressed his satisfaction with the meeting and said it was held in a good atmosphere. He acknowledged the law and order situation as a real challenge and cited the recent attack on police in the Lakki Marwat district as an example.

Earlier in the day, the governor also met President Dr Arif Alvi, who advised him to announce the date for the general elections to the KP Assembly without delay, to avoid

any complications.

According to a press statement from the President’s Secretariat, the governor called on Alvi at the Aiwan-i-Sadr and discussed matters related to the holding of general elections.

“The president advised Ali to implement the apex court’s order in letter and spirit wherein it had been directed that the KP governor, after consultation with the Election Commission of Pakistan, forthwith appoint a date for the holding of the general elec-

tion to the provincial assembly to avoid any complication as almost a period of two weeks had already passed,” it said.

“The president emphasised the need for upholding the Constitution and holding general elections within the given time period, which had been mandated by the Constitution, further affirmed by the Supreme Court of Pakistan, and was essential for strengthening parliamentary democracy in the country.”

The business community can now receive unlimited refunds on customs duty through the authority given by the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) to the Collectors of Customs. The FBR has issued SRO.342(I)2023 to set a maximum limit for refunds issued by Customs officials. However, the SRO specifies that collectors have the legal power to issue refunds without any limit.

According to the new regulations, Additional Collectors of Customs can authorize refunds up to Rs. 2.5 million, Deputy Collectors of Customs can sanction refunds up to Rs. 1 million, and Assistant Collectors of Customs can grant refunds not exceeding Rs. 0.2 million.

The Customs Act 1969 states that any claim for a refund of customs duties or charges paid or overpaid due to inadvertence, error, or misconstruction must be made within one year of the payment date. In the case of provisional payments made under section 81 of the Customs Act, the one-year period is counted from the date of duty adjustment after the final assessment. If a refund is due because of a decision or judgment by an appropriate Customs officer, the Board, the Appellate Tribunal, or the Court, the one-year period begins on the date of the decision or judgment.

LHC seeks reply in plea against appointment of caretaker Punjab CM

LAHORE

TLTP

The Lahore High Court on Tuesday sought reply from respondents while hearing a petition, challenging legality of a notification regarding appointment of the incumbent Punjab Caretaker Chief Minister.

A single-member LHC bench, comprising Justice Shahid Karim issued the notices to respondents in the petition filed by Awami Muslim League Chairman Sheikh Rashid.

Advocate Azhar Siddique, the counsel for the petitioner, contended that the caretaker government has been constituted for a 90 days term, saying reply in the matter has not been submitted in the court yet. He argued earlier notices were issued on February 3 in response to the petition in hand where the LHC has asked for reasons regarding appointment of the caretaker chief minister. However, he submitted that the Election Commission of Pakistan failed to furnish the reason so far.

Veteran politician Sheikh Rashid filed the petition, terming Naqvi’s appointment ‘illegal and against the merit.’ He sought the court directives to declare the notification of Mohsin Naqvi’s appointment null and void.

It is important to mention here that on Jan 22, the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) appointed Mohsin Naqvi as the Punjab caretaker Chief Minister after the parliamentary committee failed to reach a consensus. Following the nomination of Naqvi as caretaker Punjab CM, Imran Khan slammed the commission and tweeted, “PMLN has a history of selecting their own umpires but it’s incredible how ECP has selected a sworn enemy of PTI as Caretaker CM Punjab – a post meant for a nonpartisan person.” Seeking reply in the matter the bench adjourned further hearing of the case till March 27.

Common man failed to access justice system due to corruption: CJP

ISLAMABAD STaff rePorT

Chief Justice of Pakistan Umar Ata Bandial on Tuesday observed the common man failed to access justice system due to corruption in society, saying it would not be appropriate for the top court to wait for approval of the NAB ordinance as it was hearing the case since long.

Chief Justice of Pakistan Umar Ata Bandial made observation while heading a three-member Supreme Court of Pakistan bench hearing of a petition filed by PTI Chairman Imran Khan against amendments to NAB laws. The Supreme Court of Pakistan adjourned the case for further till Wednesday (today).

The three-member SC bench is consisted of CJP Umar Ata Bandial, Justice Ijazul Ahsan and Justice Syed Mansoor Ali Shah.

During hearing, the chief justice asked whether accumulation of assets beyond known sources of income was still a crime as per the NAB law? To which, the government’s lawyer responded in affirmative.

The CJP observed that the amendment to the law of plea bargain was also a good act.

Justice Mansoor Ali Shah asked whether there was any legal precedent for applying amendments to the law from the past and which countries of South Asia institutions like NAB were working?

During the course of proceedings, the federal government’s Lawyer Makhdoom Ali Khan submitted the draft of NAB amendment ordinance 2023 in the court and said that the new amendments to NAB law had been proposed in section-V and others which was lying with the President for a formal approval. The lawyer said that the changes were introduced in the powers of the

NAB chairman through the amendments and now he had to take the approval of the court to quash any case. The court could adjourn the case until the approval of the law by the president, he said.

Makhdom Ali said that debate on corruption and court interference was not only limited to Pakistan. According to an international journal, two political parties were fighting in the US to get control of the judiciary.

The lawyer said that Imran Khan’s led government had introduced amendments to NAB law in 2019 for political victimization and several renowned politicians were arrested. The said amendment was withdrawn in 2021 through an ordinance, he added.

Makhdoom Ali Khan said that the government had made corruption a difficult practice through the fresh amendments to NAB Law. He said that the government had