Epaper_23-04-30 KHI

Sunday, 30 April, 2023 I 9 Shawwal, 1444 g

PTI READY TO CONTINUE TALKS ON FRAMEWORK OF POLLS: FAWAD CH

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ISLAMABAD STAFF REPORT

PAKISTANTehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Senior Vice President said that the PTI leadership rejected the attempts to sabotage the talks and decided to continue the negotiations with the government on the framework of the elections within the ambit of the Constitution.

PTI Senior Vice President, in a statement on Saturday said that keeping in mind the orders of the Supreme Court (SC), PTI decided to continue the talks with the government and the final agenda would be discussed in next round of talks scheduled for Tuesday.

Lashing out at the imported government, Fawad strongly condemned the raid on PTI President Parvez Elahi’s house and the continued detention of PTI Senior leader Ali Amin Gandapur despite being granted bail.

Fawad stated that the arrests of workers were making the negotiation process meaningless if the government negotiation team cannot play any role in maintaining the atmosphere after the assurance, how will they make big decisions?

Meanwhile, Fawad expressed serious reservations over the highly controversial and full of faults census results, which would result in reducing seven national assembly seats of Punjab and one of Karachi.

He said that the results of the new census were devastating because the whole process was highly controversial and unbelievable.

Fawad Chaudhry said that the process was full of mistakes adopted only to stop the elections, as a result of which the country would suffer immensely.

GOVT-PTI TALKS: Hours before the raid, efforts to find common ground through dialogue between the

SAYS FINAL AGENDA TO BE DISCUSSED IN NEXT ROUND OF TALKS ON TUESDAY

leaders of the ruling alliance and the PTI continued as the talks remained on track, and the leaders on both sides had, so far, refused to let their differences come in the way of forging a consensus on general elections.

On the second day of talks, the government and the PTI teams once again entered a room in the Parliament House, shut the door and emerged after a couple of hours, agreeing that the third – possibly final – round

would take place on coming Tuesday after which a decision would be announced.

Though the leaders emerged sounding hopeful about the future prospects, the second round of talks between the PTI and the ruling coalition to break the ongoing political and constitutional impasse in the country ended with both sides agreeing to take input from their leadership and continue negotiations next week.

Dar tells Qureshi Centre not involved in raid on Elahi’s residence

ISLAMABAD

STAFF REPORT

Finance Minister Senator Ishaq Dar on Saturday denied involvement of the federal government in the last night’s raid on the residence of former Punjab chief minister Pervaiz Elahi — a key ally of deposed prime minister Imran Khan and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s (PTI) Central President. A team of the Anti-Corruption Establishment (ACE), Punjab, and the Lahore police conducted the raid to arrest the PTI leader. The raiding teams remained on the premises of the former CM’s residence for more than three hours during which they took around nine people into custody, but were unable to find Elahi.

The ACE team, led by Additional Director Waqas Hassan, along with heavy contingents of the Anti-Riot Force (ARF), raided the residence of the former Punjab chief minister in a case reportedly registered at the ACE Gujranwala. According to a statement issued today, Dar con-

SC to resume hearing on pleas against bill seeking end to CJP’s suo motu powers on May 2

ISLAMABAD STAFF REPORT

The Supreme Court (SC) will resume hearing on identical petitions challenging a bill seeking to ‘clip’ suo motu powers of the chief justice of Pakistan (CJP) on May 2 (Tuesday).

tacted senior PTI leader Shah Mahmood Qureshi and denied any involvement of the Centre in the police action, saying that it was instead carried out by the caretaker Punjab government.

Dar expressed sorrow over the raid and the violation of the sanctity of the “veil and the four walls”. Qureshi informed Dar about the emotions of Elahi’s family as well as the sentiments within the party.

“We will inform our leadership about the emotions of the PTI,” Dar assured Qureshi, adding that his party will soon contact the opposition party again in this regard.

Earlier in the day, Punjab police booked Elahi on terror charges. The case has been registered against 50 individuals including the former chief minister in Lahore’s Ghalib Market police station.

The FIR invokes Section 7 of Anti-Terrorism Act 1997 and has 13 other charges included pertaining to attempted murder, rioting and assault on government officials.

COAS says nothing more sacred than safety of Pakistanis

ISLAMABAD STAFF REPORT

The army chief on Saturday reaffirmed his institution’s unwavering commitment to the nation’s security, emphasising that nothing is more sacred than the safety of the people of Pakistan.

Gen. Syed Asim Munir, delivered these remarks during the passing out parade at the Pakistan Military Academy

(PMA) in Kakul village of Abbottabad, in his first speech as the military chief. During his address, Gen. Munir stressed the people of Pakistan are at the heart of the state’s unity, and loyalty to Pakistan is paramount. He said the institution of the army upholds the vision of Pakistan’s founder, Muhammad Ali Jinnah, and does not discriminate based on caste, colour, creed, gender, or geography. The general also expressed Pak-

istan’s commitment to peaceful coexistence with all nations, particularly its neighbours. He welcomed recent regional engagement and peace initiatives and expressed hope they would bring a positive impact on peace in the region.

He stressed the importance of safeguarding Pakistan’s territorial integrity, saying that Islamabad was well aware of the means to protect its sovereignty. He further assured the people that the military was al-

ways ready to render any sacrifice necessary for the defense of the motherland.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 03

According to the roster issued on Saturday, the eightmember larger bench will comprise: CJP Umar Ata Bandial, Justice Ijazul Ahsan, Justice Munib Akhtar, Justice Sayyad Mazahar Ali Akbar Naqvi, Justice Muhammad Ali Mazhar, Justice Ayesha Malik, Justice Syed Hasan Azhar Rizvi and Justice Shahid Waheed. The SC bench will conduct hearing on three petitions filed under Article 184(3) of the Constitution by Advocate Muhammad Shafay Munir, Raja Amer Khan, Chaudhry Ghulam Hussain and others against the bill.

Article 184(3) of the Constitution sets out the SC’s original jurisdiction, and enables it to assume jurisdiction in matters involving a question of “public importance” with reference to the “enforcement of any of the fundamental rights” of Pakistan’s citizens.

The bill, titled the Supreme Court (Practice and Procedure) Bill 2023, is aimed at curtailing the suo motu powers of the office of the CJP of powers in an individual capacity.

It was initially passed by both houses of parliament and sent to the president for his assent. However, the president had sent it back, saying that the proposed law travelled “beyond the competence of parliament”. The bill was subsequently adopted by a joint session of parliament — albeit with some amendments.

However, while hearing the set of three petitions challenging the bill, the eight-member apex court bench on April 13 ruled that after the bill received either the president’s assent or it was deemed to have been given, the act that “comes into being shall not have, take or be given any effect nor be acted upon in any manner” — halting the law’s implementation when the bill came into effect.

The ruling coalition government was swift to reject the apex court’s ruling. President Dr Arif Alvi again refused to give his assent to the bill on April 19 and sent it back to parliament, following which it technically became an act of parliament on April 21.

THE PETITIONS: The three petitions argued that the concept, preparation, endorsement and passing of the Supreme Court (Practice and Procedure) Bill, 2023 is an act tainted with mala fide. Therefore, they urge the SC to strike it down after declaring it to be without lawful authority and of no legal effect.

Inflation levels to plateau in coming months, say finance ministry

g BALANCE OF PAYMENT FOR MARCH REVEALS TRADE DEFICIT IN GOODS, SERVICES DECLINED BY 9.1% ON A MOM AND 54% ON YOY BASIS

PROFIT

ISLAMABAD

The monthly economic outlook report of April 2023 reveals that inflation is expected to remain at elevated levels in coming months.

The report indicates that food and energy prices are major drivers for this hike. Currency depreciation and raising administered prices have also contributed majorly to jack up overall price levels.

The trend in MEI during the first nine

months of the current fiscal year remained volatile on account of high inflation, high-interest rates, fiscal consolidation, and lack of confidence in economic agents. However, slight improvement has been observed in the month of March due to some growth in exports on a month-on-month (MoM) basis and uptick in CLI of Pakistan’s main export markets.

The balance of payment (BoP) for the month of March reveals that the trade deficit in goods and services declined by 9.1% on a MoM basis and 54% on year-on-

year (YoY) basis. Other positive developments includes an increase in exports of goods and services by 9.6%, whereas imports of goods and services increased by only 2.3%. High growth in exports has offset the impact of increase in imports as the trade deficit remains contained.

Remittances increased by 27% on MoM basis to $2.5 billion in March 2023 as compared to $1.99 billion in February 2023. This is due to improved situation after exchange rate adjustments, Ramzan and Eid

that played an instrumental role in attracting higher proceeds. All above favorable factors have been translated into the current account which turned to surplus of 6864 million in the month of March, a level observed after November 2020.

For the month of April, it is expected that imports will increase somewhat at a higher level as compared to March due to the government decision for some relaxation in pro-growth imports, to stimulate domestic economic activities. However, remittances

will remain at the same level as observed in March. Accordingly, all these factors will contribute in curtailing the overall current account deficit. Amidst unprecedented challenges due to domestic and global economic situations, fiscal consolidation efforts are on track. The objective is not only to create much-needed fiscal buffers but also to restore macroeconomic stability.

The effective implementation of consolidation measures contributed to a sharp increase in revenues from both tax and non-tax collection while containing overall spending growth due to a large drop in nonmarkup expenditures.

ELAHI’S SON MOVES LHC SEEKING IMMEDIATE HALT TO POLICE RAID ON HIS RESIDENCE

LAHORE Staff RepoRt

PAKISTANTehreek-i-Insaf (PTI)

President Pervaiz Elahi’s son Rasikh Elahi moved the Lahore High Court (LHC) on Saturday seeking immediate halt to police operations at their residence and prevent the police from arresting his family members.

In his petition, Rasikh contended that police officials entered the house without search warrants and conducted an operation similar to those being conducted “in Waziristan or the tribal areas of South Punjab”.

The chief secretary Punjab, director general Anti-Corruption Establishment (ACE) Punjab, additional director ACE Punjab, senior superintendent of police (SSP) operations Lahore and superintendent of police (SP) Model Town Lahore were listed as respondents in the plea.

He detailed that on April 27, 2023, a first information report (FIR) was registered by ACE Gujranwala against Pervaiz Elahi who was later granted bail from the LHC till May 6.

Despite the court orders, on April 28 the respondents raided the house along with 300 to 400 police officials. He added that they broke the main gate of their residence with their armoured vehicle and entered the house without showing any respect to Elahi’s family.

“The police not only broke down the main gate but also the inner gates of the homes of Rasikh and Pervaiz Elahi and of Chaudhry Wajahat Hussain.

The police officials allegedly “threatened” them with dire consequences and closed the main road during the operation. No one was permitted to enter or exit Elahi’s residence. He contended that Elahi’s legal team told the officials that he was on protective bail but the additional director of ACE

Punjab vehemently denied obeying court orders. Rasikh quoted the ACE official as saying that he “had to fulfil the orders given to him and that the courts can be dealt with later”.

He submitted that during the operation the police officials illegally arrested 30 servants and drivers.

According to the petition, “Respondents have made the raids on the house of the

Reported submitted in IHC: FIA implicates Chairman Changezi in PCATP polls hacking case

ISLAMABAD tLtp

While submitting a report before Islamabad High Court in the PCATP Elections Hacking Case, the Federal Investigation Agency has disclosed that the IP address used for hacking is registered at the house of Chairman PCATP, Architect Arif Changezi. Besides, the agency apprised it has served an inquiry notice on Chairman Arif Changezi in the matter; his reply is awaited.

After every two years more than 10,000 registered architects and town planners elect as many as 15 executive committee members, including chairman, to run the affairs of Pakistan Council of Architects and Town Planners (PCATP).

During the last month architects Jehangir Khan Sherpao, Azhar M Sualehi, Farmanullah Khan, and Husnain Raza Khan invoked jurisdiction of the IHC, claiming the online voting system was hacked. They urged the court to set aside the election results and issue

Pakistan, UAE discuss food security initiatives for vulnerable population

ISLAMABAD Staff RepoRt

Minister of State and Special Assistant to Prime Minister on Public Communication and Digital Platforms, Fahd Haroon, met with Bakheet Al Romaithi, United Arab Emirates Consul General in Karachi. They both discussed the importance of public communication in raising awareness about food security and the impacts of climate change. The meeting centered around the UAE food program for Pakistan, initiated by His Highness Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan. During the meeting, Haroon also informed a visiting media delegation from the UAE about the initiatives taken by Pakistan, particularly in the Sindh province, to combat food insecurity. The Consul General expressed satisfaction with the cooperation between the government of Sindh and UAE on the ‘Emirates Humanitarian’ medical campaign in Pakistan’s southern Sindh province to provide health facilities to the poor. Pakistan and UAE have a long history of friendly relations, with the UAE serving as a trusted ally for Pakistan. The UAE Pakistan Assistance Programme (UAE-PAP) reflects His Highness Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan’s love for the people of Pakistan. The program has provided assistance in various social and humanitarian fields, including health, poverty alleviation, education, and disaster relief.

LAHORE

Staff CoRReSpondent

Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) chief Imran Khan on Saturday strongly condemned the police action against party’s president Pervaiz Elahi, saying that it was an illegal raid carried out by police at Elahi’s house with no regard for the presence of women and family members.

“Strongly condemn the illegal raid on Pervez Elahi’s home with no respect to the women and family members present,”

PTI chief Imran Khan tweeted past midnight on Saturday.

directives for transparent re-polling to protect their right of vote. Advocate Umer Ijaz Gilani and Jehanzeb Durrani appeared before a single-member bench of the IHC comprising Justice Babar Sattar and prayed for directives to the FIA to probe into the hacking, terming it an offence under the Pakistan Electronic Crimes Act, 2016. They also sought the court’s directives for the FIA to initiate an inquiry into the matter.

The FIA submitted a report before the IHC (copy of which is available with TLTP). Citing the director of the IT company Oath Systems, the company which conducted elections, Mr. Azm Hermain, the FIA said this IT company provided an online voting system for the election of the executive committee. The FIA quoted Mr. Hermain that their system got a cyber attack at 2:00am on March 07, 2023 and the hacker changed the number of votes in the system.

The FIA report further disclosed that Mr. Hermain recovered and restored the electronic voting system and tried to change the data in its original form. “I also

informed about that hacking attempt to PCATP through email”, the director told the FIA.

After analysing and examining the IP addresses, a total of two IP addresses were extracted, the FIA further said, adding both were involved in the criminal activity. Citing two different IP addresses, the FIA report further disclosed that both the IP addresses were sent to concerned quarters for their subscriber details.

Reply regarding IP addresses received from PTCL showed that the IP addresses were registered in the name of Mohammad Arif (Incumbent Chairman of the PCATP), resident of Karachi. On April 4, 2023, during enquiry, attendance notice was sent under the CRPC to Mohammad Arif to join the enquiry for his statement.

An assistant director of the cybercrime FIA Islamabad Sh Amer Sohail Anjum submitted the report, saying enquiry about hacking of Electronic Voting System is under probe and will be concluded at the earliest to secure the ends of justice.

Digital Agri Expo opens up vista of sustainable Sino-Pak agriculture cooperation

ISLAMABAD Staff RepoRt

First World Expo on Digital Agriculture held in Weifang, China’s Shandong province has opened up new vista for sustainable Sino-Pak agriculture cooperation, said Dr Hussain Ahmad Janjua, Principal, Attaur Rahman School of Applied Biosciences (ASAB), National University of Sciences and Technology (NUST).

“Undoubtedly, the Smart Agriculture Expo has opened up a brand-new path for sustainable agriculture worldwide in the future,” , he said in an interview with the China Economic Net (CEN).

At the just-concluded first World Expo, NUST showcased agricultural technologies including cotton virus prevention and control, plant vaccines, climate change monitoring equipment, agricultural product transportation and preservation, looking forward to all-round and indepth cooperation with Chinese agricultural enterprises and universities.

“We have signed a contract with Weifang Engineering Vocational College, carrying out cooperation on crop fertilizers, such as the application of ecological organic fertilizers in the fields,” Dr Janjua said, “in addition, we have just visited Qingzhou Jiuzhou Farm Vegetable Cooperative, which impressed me greatly. We are very interested in their vegetable

Taking to social media blogging site, Twitter, Imran Khan asserted that the Constitution, Supreme Court’s verdicts, and fundamental rights of the people are being disrespected, and the law of the jungle is being imposed on Pakistan. Khan announced that he would present a roadmap to the nation later on Saturday on how to resist the “destruction” of Pakistan’s constitution and democracy.

It merits mention that an AntiCorruption Establishment (ACE) team along with a heavy contingent of Punjab Police on Friday night raided the house of former Punjab

greenhouse technology. A series of agricultural APP they developed for monitoring the realtime status of the field is also a technology that we are very happy to apply in Pakistan, by which researchers and farmers can accurately monitor the biotic and abiotic stress on plants.”

“For agricultural by-product processing, wheat gene editing, soil microbiology, rice planting and processing, etc., all of which NUST is currently researching, but has not yet cooperated with China. To my way of thinking, these are promising fields.” Dr Janjua told the reporter that how to deal with climate change in the agricultural field is a hot issue that is of great concern to the whole world and China has made great achievements in this regard. “If we can cooperate with our friends in

Chief Minister and Pakistan Tehreeki-Insaf (PTI) President Pervaiz Elahi located at Zahoor Elahi Road in Lahore. The raid was made despite the fact that Elahi had secured bail from court in the case the same day. At least 25 individuals, including servants working in the household of the former Punjab chief minister, were arrested by the police during the raid.

The eight-hour-long police action came to a halt after the Director General of Punjab’s Anti-Corruption Establishment (ACE), Sohail Zafar Chattha, left the scene along with the

petitioner with the mala fide and ulterior motives merely to politically victimise the petitioner’s father on the orders of the leaders of the ruling parties in the federation of Pakistan”.

It continued that “the use of unreasonable force while raiding the house” violated the fundamental rights of the petitioner and his family members.

It merits mention that a team of the ACE, Punjab, and the Lahore police conducted a raid in Lahore on Friday night to arrest Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi.

The raiding teams remained on the premises of Elahi’s residence for more than three hours during which they took into custody around nine people, but were unable to find Elahi.

The ACE team, led by Additional Director Waqas Hassan, along with heavy contingents of the Anti-Riot Force (ARF), raided the residence of the former Punjab chief minister in a case reportedly registered at the ACE Gujranwala.

Pakistan hails China’s support in evacuating 216 Pakistanis from conflict-hit Sudan

ISLAMABAD Mian abRaR

Pakistan has expressed gratitude towards China for helping evacuate a group of 216 Pakistani citizens from Port Sudan to Jeddah aboard China’s Weishanhu naval vessel. Mumtaz Zahra Baloch, spokesperson for Ministry of Foreign Affairs, expressed gratitude towards China for helping evacuate a group of 216 Pakistani citizens from Port Sudan to Jeddah aboard China’s Weishanhu naval vessel. “A batch of 216 Pakistani nationals arrive in Jeddah from Port Sudan aboard Chinese Navy’s Weishanhu today. We are grateful to our Chinese friends for this gesture of support and friendship,” she tweeted. Currently, 573 Pakistani citizens have been safely evacuated from Sudan through the collaborative efforts of Pakistan and China. Meanwhile, Pakistan Air Force (PAF) on Saturday successfully accomplished its third mission to evacuate stranded Pakistanis from conflict-torn Sudan since mid-April. A PAF C-130 aircraft has returned to Karachi carrying 96 more stranded Pakistanis from Sudan, taking the number of compatriots to be airlifted from the conflict zone to 355, a PAF news release said. MoFA also confirmed the development. As per the direction of the Chief of the Air Force, Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmed Babar Sidhu, the fleet of transport aircraft of the PAF successfully carried out the evacuation missions with complete professionalism and determination to bring their Pakistani brothers and sisters to safety immediately. Pakistan Air Force’s successful missions to evacuate Pakistanis from Sudan have been greatly appreciated by the government and people of Pakistan.

GB govt implements fuel consumption reduction plan

ISLAMABAD Staff RepoRt

smart agriculture to tackle climate change, it will be so meaningful.”

2023 marks the 10th anniversary of the Belt and Road Initiative and the 10th anniversary of the ChinaPakistan Economic Corridor. On this occasion, Dr Janjua expressed his vision for the future, “Many of our researchers and students are conducting research in China related to sustainable agriculture, smart agriculture and the like.

The day before yesterday I visited the Weifang National Comprehensive Pilot Agriculture Zone, where many university professors are working closely with agricultural enterprises to apply their own scientific research results, such as preservatives and plant vaccines, to the field directly, by which inspires me a lot. Both being great agricultural countries, we should contribute to the future of sustainable agriculture hand in hand.”

The Government of Gilgit-Baltistan has issued a circular on Thursday, reducing fuel consumption by 50% in government vehicles at the disposal of entitled officers and departments, effective immediately until further notice. The decision was made in light of the fiscal crisis being faced by the country. The circular, issued by the General Administration Department, stated that the reduction would not apply to vehicles used for essential and rescue services, hospitals, and school and college buses and vans. The circular also stated that no cases for additional demand of funds or reappropriation under the POL head would be entertained. The heads of departments were directed not to approach the Finance Department of Gilgit-Baltistan with such cases. The Finance Department of Gilgit-Baltistan was also directed not to process or entertain any additional demand of funds under the POL head. The circular emphasized that all Pay and Accounts Officers should ensure the implementation of the directive in letter and spirit.

Funeral of three soldiers martyred in Lakki operation offered

RAWALPINDI

Staff RepoRt

police contingent. The ACE team along with police contingents led by the superintendent police (SP) Model Town raided Pervaiz Elahi’s house in Lahore. A large number of senior lawyers were present at the PTI president’s house at the time of the raid.

The police entered the house after jumping from the walls and an armoured personnel carrier (APC) of police dstroyed the main gate of the residence. The police officials also faced resistance while attempting to enter the house as people from inside the residence pelted stones at them.

Funeral prayers of three soldiers who embraced martyrdom while fighting gallantly with terrorists in District Lakki Marwat on the night of 27/28 April 2023 were offered at their respective home towns. The funeral of Naib Subedar Taj Mir (age 40, resident of District Nowshera), Havaldar Zakir Ahmed (age 38, resident of District Abbottabad) and Sepoy Abid Hussain (age 29, resident of District D.I. Khan) were offered at their respective home towns, said a statement issued by the ISPR The Shaheeds were laid to rest with full military honours, the statement added. A large number of serving and retired military & civil officials, relatives and people from all walks of life attended the funeral prayers “These sacrifices only strengthen our resolve to eliminate the menace of terrorism from Pakistan, InshaAllah,” the ISPR statement added.

‘Enough is Enough’: Imran Khan takes Punjab govt to task over police raid on Elahi’s House

AUDIO OF EX-CJP’S SON DISCUSSING ‘CUT’ IN PTI TICKET DEAL SURFACED

MARYAM SAYS CONSPIRATORS WHO WORKED AGAINST NAWAZ SHARIF BEING EXPOSED ON DAILY BASIS

Anew alleged audio of former chief justice Saqib Nisar’s son surfaced on Saturday, in which he discuss distribution of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s (PTI) election tickets for money. The leaked audio purportedly features two separate telephonic conversations between former CJP’s son and Abuzar Chadhar — a Pakistan Tehreek-eInsaf (PTI) candidate from PP137 — and another person Mian Uzair, whose identity remains unknown.

The three could be heard allegedly talking about the provincial assembly ticket recently issued by PTI.

It may be noted that the party had recently withrawn tickets for 21 constituencies and fielded fresh candidates after a backlash.

In one of the leaked audios, Najam Saqib allegedly asked Abuzar Chadhar to pay a visit to his father to thank him for a favour, while in the other, he argues with Mian Uzair over money.

During the purported conversation, Abuzar greets Najam and praises his efforts. Upon Najam’s response, Abuzar says that his efforts have borne fruit.

Najam: I have received the information.

Abuzar: Okay, sir.

Najam: Yes, tell me, what needs to be done now?

Abuzar: We are currently printing the tickets. Once they are printed, please do not delay in distributing them. Time is very limited.

Najam: Okay, just come to meet baba (father ex-CJP Nisar) to thank him. Nothing else (needed).

Abuzar: That’s not a problem.

Najam: He’ll come to the office by 11 o’clock. Just come and hug him. He’s worked very hard.

Abuzar: Indeed, he has. I was thinking of going to uncle’s place first or should I submit the tickets in the evening?

Najam: It’s up to you. But make sure to meet baba today.

Abuzar: Yes, I will come straight to him.

Najam: Okay.

Abuzar: We’ll have time only till 12 o’clock.

Najam: Get the tickets printed, send the picture, and then you can do it at the office.

Reforms being introduced to set economy on positive trajectory: Dar

ISLAMABAD Staff RepoRt

Federal Minister for Finance, Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar on Saturday said the government is determined to set the economy on a positive trajectory by introducing reforms in various sectors to achieve economic stability and growth. While presiding over a meeting of the Reforms and Resource Mobilisation Commission here on Saturday, he highlighted the current economic and financial outlook of the country. Dar lauded the efforts of the commission in recognising issues and challenges in the existing taxation system. He also appreciated the commission’s role in devising valuable suggestions for reforms in the revenue policies for resource mobilization, ease of doing business, and taxpayer facilitation to achieve sustainable economic growth. The meeting deliberated upon the suggestions being put forward by the Commission and agreed to come up with business-friendly tax reforms after interacting with all the stakeholders. It should be mentioned here that during earlier this month, the Asian Development Bank (ADB) said in a report that Pakistan’s economic growth is expected to slow significantly in FY2023 (ends 30 June 2023) in the wake of last year’s devastating floods, ballooning inflation, a current account deficit, and an ongoing foreign exchange crisis.

Inflation levels to plateau in coming months, say finance ministry

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 01

Despite improvement, risks to the fiscal sector still persist. Such as the FBR tax collection although growing at 18%, it remained below the target set for the first nine months of the current fiscal year owing to a slowdown in domestic economic activity and import compression. On the expenditure side, despite of reducing non-markup spending, higher policy rates both at the domestic and global levels have contributed to higher markup payment.Under these circumstances, the government has a daunting task to follow effective revenue mobilization and cautious expenditure management strategy to end the current fiscal year with a substantial decline in fiscal deficit as compared to last year.Pakistan’s economy is still facing significant challenges characterized by high inflation and a slowdown in economic activity. Nonetheless, some positive signals appear as a result of the government’s stabilization policies. For instance, the current account of the BOP turned into a surplus. This might improve the external financing constraint, contribute to more exchange rate stability, and promote confidence in the economy. Further, successful completion of the IMF program will pave the way to attract more capital inflows, further stabilization in exchange rate and alleviating the inflationary pressures.

Abuzar: Okay.

In another alleged conversation between Najam and Mian Uzair, the former asks the latter to check his WhatsApp.

Uzair: Has Abuzar sent this to you?

Najam: Friend, I am also a lawyer.

Uzair: No, did Abuzar send it to you or did you get it directly?

Najam: It can also come to me directly, it’s not necessary that Abuzar sends everything.

Uzair: Should I bypass him?

Najam: If you want to you may but this was sent to me by Abuzar.

Uzair: Okay.

Najam: So who got the job done? Did someone else get it done?

Uzair: It’s all good.

Najam: So what’s the matter?

Uzair: Let me talk to him, alright?

Najam: What do you mean you will talk? Everything was decided already.

Uzair: I will call him to send me the stuff.

Najam: Don’t just send the stuff. Don’t take anything below 120 or I’ll break your legs.

Uzair: Dude, you’re talking about this on the phone again.

Najam: Uzair, this is not an issue for me. Just don’t take anything below 120 from him.

Uzair: Okay.

Najam: I’m telling you, I’m not joking… this is a very serious matter, Uzair.

Uzair: Brother, I understand, let me handle it, okay?

Najam: Otherwise, I’ll get direct to him and you won’t be able to do anything.

Uzair: It will be better if I tell him.

Najam: He’s coming to the office after submitting. If you want you can come as well.

Uzair: Okay.

Najam: Come, then.

‘Conspirators being exposed on daily basis’

In her reaction to the audio clip, Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) Senior Vice President Maryam Nawaz Sharif said: “Just imagine what they would have been doing with their authority when they were drunk with power and sitting on their chairs like the pharaoh

of their time.”

She said that the former prime minister and her father Nawaz Sharif was silent but the conspirators who worked against him are being exposed daily.

A new alleged audio of former chief justice Saqib Nisar’s son surfaced on Saturday, in which he discuss distribution of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s (PTI) election tickets for money.

The leaked audio purportedly features two separate telephonic conversations between former CJP’s son and Abuzar Chadhar — a Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) candidate from PP137 — and another person Mian Uzair, whose identity remains unknown.

The three could be heard allegedly talking about the provincial assembly ticket recently issued by PTI.

It may be noted that the party had recently withdrawn tickets for 21 constituencies and fielded fresh candidates after a backlash.

In one of the leaked audios, Najam Saqib allegedly asked Abuzar Chadhar to pay a visit to his father to thank him for a favour, while in the other, he argues with Mian Uzair over money.

During the purported conversation, Abuzar greets Najam and praises his efforts. Upon Najam’s response, Abuzar says that his efforts have borne fruit.

Najam: I have received the information.

Abuzar: Okay, sir.

Najam: Yes, tell me, what needs to be done now?

Abuzar: We are currently printing the tickets. Once they are printed, please do not delay in distributing them. Time is very limited.

Najam: Okay, just come to meet baba (father ex-CJP Nisar) to thank him. Nothing else (needed).

Abuzar: That’s not a problem.

Najam: He’ll come to the office by 11 o’clock. Just come and hug him. He’s worked very hard.

Abuzar: Indeed, he has. I was thinking of going to uncle’s place first or should I submit the tickets in the evening?

Najam: It’s up to you. But make sure to meet baba today.

Abuzar: Yes, I will come straight to him.

Najam: Okay.

Abuzar: We’ll have time only till 12 o’clock.

Najam: Get the tickets printed, send the picture, and

President directs EOBI to issue pension to retired female teacher within 30 days

ISLAMABAD Staff RepoRt

President Dr Arif Alvi has directed the Employees’ Old Age Benefit Institution (EOBI) to issue pension to a retired female teacher within 30 days, who had been deprived of her pension since February 2019.

The EOBI had withheld pension of the teachers on the flimsy ground that the beat officer of the complainant had verified her service period of only 03-years.

Expressing displeasure over the failure of EOBI to address the grievances of the complainant, the President regretted that EOBI had unnecessarily wasted its precious time by submitting representation against the decision of the Wafaqi Mohtasib who had referred the case to EOBI for resolution within 45 days. He also directed the secretary, Ministry of Overseas Pakistanis and Human Resources Development to take effective measures to enhance the service delivery of EOBI immediately.

As per details, Zohra Bibi (the complainant) had stated that she served with the Oxford Public School,

Hayatabad, Peshawar, w.e.f. 01-071996 to February 2019 (almost 23-years) and that the contribution from her salary had been deducted and this fact had been admitted by the Employees’ Old Age Benefit Institution (EOBI) that the concerned school was registered with it.

According to her, after retirement she applied for grant of EOBI’s pension but to no avail. Feeling aggrieved, she approached Federal Ombudsman who passed the order in her favour but the EOBI filed a representation with the president. The president rejected EOBI’s

No rift with US over Pakistan’s oil deal with Russia: ambassador

WASHINGTON Staff RepoRt

According to Pakistan’s ambassador to the United States, Masood Khan, there is “no misunderstanding” between Pakistan and the US regarding Islamabad’s purchase of discounted Russian oil.

Speaking at a conference in Washington, Khan emphasized that the reset of the Islamabad-Washington relationship is “transcending the past.” He confirmed that Pakistan had placed its first order for Russian oil and that the purchase had been made in consultation with the US government.

Khan added that the US had suggested that Pakistan is free to buy anything below or up to the price cap, which is set at $60 per barrel, and that Washington was fine with the arrangement.

He said that Pakistan’s relationship with the US had suffered a “brief period of uncertainty” following the US-led military withdrawal from Afghanistan in August 2021, when the Taliban seized control of

representation and observed that the registration card dated 29-11-2006 of the pension scheme issued by EOBI was genuine and it was written on the card that the effective date was 07-051996; whereas the complainant was eligible for EOBI pension with effect from 01-07-1996. He further pointed out that the contribution was deducted throughout from the monthly salary of the complainant and it was admitted by the EOBI that the concerned school was also registered with it. He said that EOBI had failed to computerize the complete record of that school and also failed to recover its share, if any, from the school, and resultantly the low paid female complainant was kept deprived of her due pension since February 2019.

In his decision, the president said the pension was not a bounty rather an employee earned it by dint of long, continuous and faithful service and this constituted a fundamental right to livelihood under Article 9 of the Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, 1973, adding that this hard-earned right could not be denied to a pensioner except in accordance with law.

the country. However, Khan confirmed that the relationship was back on track and that both sides were working to boost economic and security partnerships.

Elizabeth Horst, a senior State Department official who also spoke at the conference, concurred. She said that the last year had helped reset the US-Pakistan relationship.

Horst highlighted the close cooperation between the two countries in areas such as trade and investment, climate change, security, and regional security. Horst also praised the Green Alliance and collaboration in energy security and climate change as the new anchor to further advance bilateral ties.

On the security front, Horst observed the US was more aligned than ever with Pakistan on how to prevent Afghanistan from becoming a base for terrorism. She added the two countries were looking at how they can cooperate on counterterrorism, counter-narcotics, anti-human trafficking, and ensuring that Afghanistan is never again a base for terrorism.

Khan said that Pakistan seeks to forge strong ties with the US and make them stronger. He also urged the US to revive its role in strategic stability in South Asia, cautioning about the serious perils of the policy of imbalance in the region. In this regard, Khan said the US should restore Foreign Military Financing and Foreign Military Sales, which were suspended by the previous administration.

then you can do it at the office.

Abuzar: Okay.

In another alleged conversation between Najam and Mian Uzair, the former asks the latter to check his WhatsApp.

Uzair: Has Abuzar sent this to you?

Najam: Friend, I am also a lawyer.

Uzair: No, did Abuzar send it to you or did you get it directly?

Najam: It can also come to me directly, it’s not necessary that Abuzar sends everything.

Uzair: Should I bypass him?

Najam: If you want to you may but this was sent to me by Abuzar.

Uzair: Okay.

Najam: So who got the job done? Did someone else get it done?

Uzair: It’s all good.

Najam: So what’s the matter?

Uzair: Let me talk to him, alright?

Najam: What do you mean you will talk? Everything was decided already.

Uzair: I will call him to send me the stuff.

Najam: Don’t just send the stuff. Don’t take anything below 120 or I’ll break your legs.

Uzair: Dude, you’re talking about this on the phone again.

Najam: Uzair, this is not an issue for me. Just don’t take anything below 120 from him.

Uzair: Okay.

Najam: I’m telling you, I’m not joking… this is a very serious matter, Uzair.

Uzair: Brother, I understand, let me handle it, okay?

Najam: Otherwise, I’ll get direct to him and you won’t be able to do anything.

Uzair: It will be better if I tell him.

Najam: He’s coming to the office after submitting. If you want you can come as well.

Uzair: Okay.

Najam: Come, then.

‘Conspirators being exposed on daily basis’

In her reaction to the audio clip, Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) Senior Vice President Maryam Nawaz Sharif said: “Just imagine what they would have been doing with their authority when they were drunk with power and sitting on their chairs like the pharaoh of their time.”

She said that the former prime minister and her father Nawaz Sharif was silent but the conspirators who

COAS says nothing more sacred than safety of Pakistanis

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 01

He made it clear that Pakistan’s peace efforts should not be viewed as a sign of weakness. He assured the nation that the security forces have the will, capability, and capacity to defend the country’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, and are prepared to make any necessary sacrifices to safeguard the nation’s future. The army chief also underlined that Pakistan’s stability was closely linked to the stability, security, and peace of Afghanistan. He noted that Pakistan’s support for peace talks was a testament to its commitment to a peaceful, economically integrated, and prosperous region. General Munir acknowledged that Pakistan had been a hospitable host to approximately five million refugees over four decades, and emphasised that Pakistan had made significant sacrifices in terms of blood, toil, and treasure in seeking enduring stability in Afghanistan. Gen. Munir also underscored that Pakistan’s enemies are determined to drive a wedge between the country’s people and armed forces, and called for vigilance to identify and combat these forces. He urged the international community to take note that regional peace cannot be achieved without a just and peaceful resolution of the Kashmir issue. Gen. Munir reassured the people of Kashmir of Pakistan’s unwavering support in their struggle for basic human rights and the right to self-determination. He pledged to continue providing political, moral, and diplomatic support to occupied Kashmir.

Pakistan-China medicine cooperation can bring fruitful results: experts

ISLAMABAD

Xinhua

Cooperation between Pakistan and China in the field of traditional medicine can bring fruitful results and serve humanity across the globe, experts in Pakistan have said.

“In Pakistan, 70 percent population relies on traditional medicine for various diseases, so through cooperation with China, we are not only looking to launch traditional Chinese medicine in Pakistan, but also promote our own traditional ‘Greek medicine’ and streamline it to establish its proper market,” said Professor Muhammad Iqbal Choudhary, coordinator general of the Standing Committee for Scientific and Technological Cooperation of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC-COMSTECH).

Speaking to Xinhua on the sidelines of an event here themed on strengthening cooperation between China and the OIC in traditional medicine, Choudhary said the OIC member states including Iran and Indonesia are exploring traditional medicines, and in this regard, COMSTECH seeks to facilitate liaison between OIC member states and Chinese institutions for strengthening cooperation in the field of healthcare.

A delegation of 16 Chinese comprising researchers and industrialists from central China’s Hunan Province is

currently visiting Pakistan to participate in the dialogue for collaboration in the fields of traditional medicine and biomedical sciences in the sphere of research, education, and industrial linkages.

The delegation also attended the event and showed interest in cooperating with Pakistan to promote traditional Chinese medicine, some of whose trials are also being conducted at Karachi University of Pakistan’s south Sindh province.

Speaking at the event, the president of the Hunan University of Chinese Medicine, Dai Aiguo, said that in recent years, the acceptance rate of traditional Chinese medicine in countries along the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) has become higher, and cooperation between traditional Chinese medicine and traditional medicine of other countries has become extensive. The professor said that in the future, the integration and innovation of traditional Chinese medicine and modern technology will become a new highlight and new engine in the construction of the BRI.

In his remarks, Syed Farooq Bukhari, chairman of the Pakistan Pharmaceutical Manufacturers’ Association, said that the Sino-COMSTECH collaboration initiative provides an excellent opportunity for Pakistan to learn from China’s experiences to develop strategies and policies that are tailored to its own needs and priorities.

LAHORE Staff RepoRt

COMMENT

And now Ch Pervaiz

It is almost as if the Punjab Police is obliged by force of habit. The night-time raid on former Punjab CM and PTI President Ch Pervaiz Elahi’s Lahore residence was almost identical to the one on former PM and PTI Chairman Imran Khan’s Lahore residence. The raid on Mr Khan’s residence came after the failure to arrest him, and after he had gne to Islamabad. Just as the raid was conducted after he had flown the coop, so does it appear that Ch Pervaiz was not at home. However, just as the police intruded on Mr Khan’s home in the presence of his wife, so too did the police enter Ch Pervaiz’s residence by breaking down the gate forcibly, and disturbing the women of the house. Ch Pervqaiz was wanted for a police investigation, not having appeared to join the investigation. Mr Khan too was wanted to appear before a court in Islamabad to be formally indicted . It could be argued that these raids could have been avoided had Mr Khan and Ch Pervaiz cooperated, in the execution of the warrants.

This seems valid enough, but it is not simply a matter of joining an investigation, but of ending up in the custody of the intelligence agencies, for whom a favourite method of getting custody of someone is to have them arrested by the regular police. The agencies have also been accused of vile tortures of suspects by Mr Khan himself. So long as the police continues to be suspected of behaving in the same way as the past, such resistance is perhaps inevitable, though it should not happen. Unfortunately, the behaviour of the police while attempting to arrest both Mr Khan and now Ch Pervaiz indicates that attitudes have not changed.

The attitude that matters is that of the government, for the police are finetund instruments, who only misbehave as much as their political masters want, especially in such cases.The conversion of the case into one of terrorism,, by filing a case uder the Anti-Terrorism Act of resisting arrest, indicates that this case is political vengeance. Ch Pervaiz knows better than most how the police is misused to settle political scores, having been twice PM, twice Speaker and thrice a minister. Also, at the age of 77, there should be some care exercised by the police in arresting him, not in terms of severity, but in terms of leniency.

Dedicated to the legacy of late Hameed Nizami

Arif Nizami (Late)

Founding Editor

Yousaf Nizami Editor

M. A. Niazi

Joint Editor Umar Aziz Executive Editor

Kishida’s trip to Africa

imRan khalid

JAPANESEPrime Minister fFumio Kishida embarked on a seven-day diplomatic yatra to Egypt, Ghana, Kenya and Mozambique on Saturday. This visit comes at a critical juncture, as it precedes the forthcoming Group of Seven summit in Hiroshima in May. As Prime Minister Kishida embarks on his diplomatic voyage to Africa, the world will be watching closely to see how Japan's efforts to counterbalance China in the Global South unfold.

It is a critical moment in African politics, and Japan's actions will have far-reaching implications for the future of the region and the world. By opting to visit Africa, Kishida has made a major change in the traditional pre-G7 summit itinerary of his predecessors, who had shown a proclivity for travelling in the direction of the USA and Europe prior to hosting the Group of Seven summits. As past precedent suggests, before hosting the G-7 leaders, Japanese Premiers have preferred to visit them in their home countries as a goodwill gesture. Take, for instance, the case of Yasuo Fukuda, who embarked on a tour to Germany, the UK, and Italy back in 2008, ahead of the G-8 summit in Toyako, Hokkaido. Similarly, in 2016, Shinzo Abe traversed through Italy, France, Belgium, Germany, the UK, and even Russia, all before the G-7 summit in Ise-Shima. But, this time, by prioritizing his trip to Africa ahead of hosting G-7 leaders, Kishida wants to give an indirect message about his desperation to strengthen the ties with the continent. Apart from the economic concerns, Kishida's recent fascination with the African continent can be attributed to three major factors: acquire the permanent seat at the UN Security Council, bolster Japan's presence in the Global South and counteract the growing influence of China.

Economic factors have a limited role in the sudden interest of Tokyo in Africa. Rather, Japan has political objectives in mind. The African continent seems to be garnering increased attention from Tokyo with a view towards political gains. Specifically, the

Cyber Espionage A Big Threat

A threat that needs vigilance

INtoday's interconnected world, where businesses and governments rely heavily on technology, cyber espionage has become a significant threat. Cyber espionage is the practice of using computer networks to gather confidential information for the purpose of gaining a competitive advantage, political advantage, or financial gain. Cyber espionage is not a new phenomenon. Governments and intelligence agencies have been conducting espionage activities for centuries, but with the widespread use of the internet and digital devices, cyber espionage has become easier and more prevalent. Today, cyber espionage is a major concern for businesses, governments, and individuals alike. One of the most significant threats posed by cyber espionage is the theft of intellectual property. Businesses invest heavily in research and development to create new products and services, and the theft of this intellectual property can be devastating. In some cases, cyber espionage has led to entire industries being disrupted as companies struggle to compete against stolen technology. For Instance, the knowledge of silk is involved in a more than 1,500-year-old case of business espionage. While donning a flowered hat, a Chinese princess traveled to other nations. She hid the silkworms in the flowers and handed the Indian guy the silkworms. As a result, economic espionage allowed China's silk-making secret to get out. The theft of private government data is a serious concern posed by cyber espionage. Nation-states and other malicious actors may seek to gather intelligence on a country's military capabilities, political strategies, or economic strengths. This information can be used to gain a competitive advantage or to weaken an adversary. Cyber espionage is also a substantial threat to individuals. Hackers may target individuals to gain access to their personal information, such as bank account details or social security numbers. This information can be used to commit identity theft or financial fraud. The meth-

country is vying for a permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council, while China looms as a major challenger in the pursuit of this goal. African nations hold a significant proportion of the voting power in the UN, making them a crucial bloc in Japan's diplomatic pursuits. Tokyo is also mindful of the potential for African countries to throw their weight behind China's positions, such as in the dispute over the Senkaku Islands in the Western Pacific, as was the case with some African nations in the Ukraine conflict. Hence, Japan's growing focus on Africa extends beyond mere economic interests and into the realm of global politics. Concerns abound in Japan that African countries could potentially be swayed to support China's strategic positions on critical issues, as experts have noted. This apprehension is a key driver behind Japan's current efforts to re-engage with African countries in a more robust diplomatic fashion, particularly through the Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD). By intensifying diplomatic ties with African nations, Japan hopes to counterbalance any potential influence that China may wield in the region and safeguard its strategic interests in key areas. In light of the ongoing conflict in Ukraine and the United Nations' inability to effectively address it, Japan has invigorated its longstanding effort to reform the UN Security Council. At the heart of this effort lies Japan's aspiration to secure a permanent seat on the council, along with its push for the inclusion of Africa in the council's permanent membership. Tokyo sees this as a strategic move to rally support from African nations and bolster its bid for permanent council membership.

To counterbalance China's clout in Africa, Japan is pursuing a twopronged strategy. Firstly, instead of competing quantitatively, it aims to differentiate its financial aid and support package from China's offerings on the basis of “quality”.

Secondly, it is trying to intensify diplomatic engagements with African countries. By distinguishing itself from China and enhancing its presence in Africa, Japan hopes to bolster its strategic positioning in the region. Japan aims to distinguish its development lending approach from China by placing greater emphasis on the quality, rather than the quantity, of

aid provided. Japan is stressing on personnel training as the criteria for ‘quality’.

At the same time, Japan is augmenting the hype against China for its so-called debt trap diplomacy. Although economists are increasingly reaching a consensus that the debt-trap allegations are unfounded, it remains a common criticism leveled against China by Western nations and their allies.

Such accusations are still being fanned enthusiastically by Japan to discredit China in Africa. At the TICAD 8 in August last year, in an effort to offset China’s economic engagements in Africa, Kishida pledged $30 billion in public and private contributions to the African continent over the course of the next three years. But this amount is far less than China’s pledge of $40 billion at the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) in Senegal in 2021. The fact is that Japan, owing to its high national debt and shrinking economy, is in no position to match China's level of financial assistance to Africa. Kishida also knows this reality very well. That is why he is desperately trying to “differentiate” Japan’s offerings from China’s. When contrasting Tokyo's strategy with that of Beijing, it becomes evident that Japan is harboring ambitious designs in Africa and sees China as a formidable rival. Tokyo is pitching such an extensive collaborative undertaking just to muffle the growing influence of China in Africa.

The writer can be reached at qaisarrashid@yahoo.com

Editor’s mail

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

ods used in cyber espionage are diverse and constantly evolving. Hackers may use malware, phishing emails, or social engineering tactics to gain access to computer networks. Once they have gained access, they can use a range of techniques to extract information, such as keystroke logging, screen scraping, or data exfiltration. In December 2020, it was revealed that Russian hackers had breached the software systems of SolarWinds, a US-based IT company. The hackers were able to insert a backdoor into SolarWinds' software updates, which gave them access to the systems of thousands of SolarWinds' customers, including several US government agencies. This attack was widely attributed to Russian intelligence agencies and is considered one of the most momentous cyber espionage attacks in recent years. A fundamental concept in the study of economic espionage is referred to as economic intelligence. Economic intelligence, according to the CSIS, is "policy or commercially relevant economic information, which includes technical

data, financial, proprietary commercial and government information, and whose acquisition by foreign interests could, either directly or indirectly, assist the relative productivity or competitive position of the economy of the collecting organization's country." People that conduct economic espionage actively look for this kind of information. Only 22 percent of industrial espionage is attributed to actions backed by foreign governments, according to the FBI's 2001 Annual Report to Congress on Foreign Economic Collection and Industrial Espionage. Instead, 58 percent of industrial espionage is carried out by corporations and individuals.

Defending against cyber espionage requires a multilayered approach. This includes implementing strong security measures such as firewalls, intrusion detection systems, and encryption. It also requires training employees to be vigilant against phishing emails and other social engineering tactics. Additionally, businesses and governments need to work together to share information on threats and vulnerabilities. Cyber espionage is a serious threat to Pakistan's national security. State-sponsored attacks, stealing sensitive information, compromising critical infrastructure, and disrupting communication networks can have a significant impact on the country's defense and security. Pakistan has established the National Cyber Security Division and developed its cybersecurity framework to address this threat. However, the country still faces challenges in ensuring its cybersecurity and needs to invest in cybersecurity measures, enhance its capabilities to detect and respond to cyber-attacks and improve collaboration with international partners

APT29, also known as Cozy Bear, is a Russian state-sponsored hacking group that has been implicated in several high-profile cyber espionage campaigns. The group is believed to have been involved in the 2016 US presidential election interference, as well as several other attacks on US government agencies and private companies. In 2020, it was revealed that APT29 had been targeting organizations involved in COVID-19 vaccine research.

Defending against cyber espionage requires a multilayered approach. This includes implementing strong security measures such as firewalls, intrusion detection systems, and encryption. It also requires training employees to be vigilant against phishing emails and other social engineering tactics. Additionally, businesses and governments need to work together to share information on threats and vulnerabilities.

Cyber espionage is a serious threat to Pakistan's national security. State-sponsored attacks, stealing sensitive information, compromising critical infrastructure, and disrupting communication networks can have a significant impact on the country's defense and security. Pakistan has established the National Cyber Security Division and developed its cybersecurity framework to address this threat. However, the country still faces challenges in ensuring its cybersecurity and needs to invest in cybersecurity measures, enhance its capabilities to detect and respond to cyber-attacks and improve collaboration with international partners.

Letters should be addressed to Pakistan Today exclusively

Not enough remedy

JUDICIARYis a critical branch of the state, and for its proper functioning and timely dispensation of justice, the bar (lawyers) and the bench (judges) work together. Lawyers are duty-bound to perform their responsibilities towards their clients as officers of the court.

Whenever lawyers sign a power of attorney on behalf of their clients, they enter into a legally enforceable contract. Considering this, strikes or boycott by lawyers is merely a breach of trust.

On their part, the lawyers take the plea that they are members of bar associations and are bound to follow their decisions. Now the question is: which one should be given preference; the rules of the bar association or their commitment to the litigants?

It can be easily observed in society that local bar associations call for strikes over petty issues, even non-issues, and hold the entire judicial system hostage.

A bench of the Supreme Court of Pakistan had observed earlier this year (Jan 11) that the legal profession cannot be undermined by lawyers’ strikes for a lesser cause than to defend and protect the Constitution, and that the lawyers concerned should at least return the fee if a loss is caused to their clients on account of a strike.

But this is not enough remedy. The clients, who suffer due to their own lawyers, must be given heavy damages. The ‘accused’ who cannot get bail or whose trial is prolonged or delayed owing to lawyers’ strikes must be compensated, although the period during which he remained behind the bars or in some disease-ridden jail cannot be compensated with money.

The lawyers must let the judicial system run. They must remember that the litigants and the public are the sufferers because of their meaningless activism, which brings the whole judicial machinery to a screeching halt.

ADVOCATE SAIRA AHMAD TOBA TEK SINGH

Social malaise

THErecent attempted suicide by a BPS-19 government official is enough to show the dismal state of social security amid political and economic chaos in Pakistan. An official in the Sindh Health Department left a fivepage suicide note, which tells us the extent of the corruption that left no option for the doctor but to end his life.

His note highlighted the prevailing menace of corruption. To process even every legal procedure, such as transfer from one area to another, one needs to grease this palm or the other. Besides, pressure is also put on anyone who does not toe the line and appease the masters.

On the one hand, the doctor was struggling to secure a posting at a respectable position, but due to a personal grudge, he was placed at a health facility with minimum resources to the extent that he once even had to pay the sweeper privately with the help of paramedics.

All this while, his own financial position was precarious. Measures like deduction of Rs35,000 for flood relief from his salary by the government took a heavy toll on his finances. With all this happening, the constant pressure from the officials from the relevant quarters drove him near suicide. Overall, heavy debt coupled with relentless mental pressure made a doctor with experience of more than 20 years vulnerable and without any guard. The state is a sovereign guarantor of its citizens’ rights. The right to live is one of the basic human rights.

In a country where members of the educated class are committing suicide, we need to worry. We really do. It should ring alarm bells in the power corridors. The continuum of corrupt practices by government officials portrays a gloomy picture of the actual writ of the state. Immediate and drastic measures are needed without any ambiguity or delay.

Recent police raids show the old methods are alive and well

When contrasting Tokyo's strategy with that of Beijing, it becomes evident that Japan is harboring ambitious designs in Africa and sees China as a formidable rival. Tokyo is pitching such an extensive collaborative undertaking just to muffle the growing influence of China in Africa

The Tale of two twins

A retrospective of how India and Pakistan fared...

naqi akbaR

ITis not unusual in the Pakistani creative arts inspired or backed by the established order to pin anything unfavourable with India or the majority belief-system that the nation-state professes. Any diplomatic opening can fall flat within no time; if the ‘Indian’ aspect is added to that (not to forget IranPakistan rapprochement falling flat with the ‘discovery of Husain Mubarak Patel alias Khulbhoshan Yadav” in Balochistan). In the week following Eid, a number of movies were released for public entertainment.

One such movie; ‘Hooey Tum Ajnabi’ (You have turned a stranger); a so-called revisit or soul-searching into the 1971 separation of East Pakistan and creation of Bangladesh proved to be the outcome of the typical Pakistani way of looking at things. Despite the fact that intellectuals and journalists have been in the forefront to advocate soul searching, the movie in fact advocated ‘mob judgement’. Going by the script of the movie and the screenplay, the movie looked more like an assortment of hatred and jokes following the stereotypcal definitions; not offering the viewers any indication to think over where the fault lay in the whole process.

Unfortunately, the state of mind is illustrative of how the Pakistani nation-state had directly refused to have a retrospect of how it managed itself from Day One; what was the composition of its leadership; the quality of leadership and above all the preferences. The next paragraphs seek to look at the way Pakistan has conducted itself and how its erstwhile twin nation-state has, with the same set of people, has achieved a level of stability; if not ideal, but not dismal either.

At the very onset, the constitution-making process in Pakistan was not a preferred action point to complete. Without going into the details, the 1956 and 1962 documents were only reflective of a particular set of political ambitions. It was not before 1973, when the country was already down with the loss of half of its land and people, that a document was promulgated.

Ironic that those who parted ways were the ones who advocated the creation of Pakistan in the first place. The nation never showed any curiosity as to why a group of people; which produced journalists likes Tafazul Hossain Manek Mian and businesspersons Abul Hasan Isphahan,i

opted to part ways for good.

Contrary to that, Indians were done with their constitution in 1950. The architect of that document was a person from the scheduled castes. True that the union governments were not above the desire to push the state governments to the wall; there were a few instances of left-wing communist state governments subjected to Governor’s Rule, at no point of time was there a need to abrogate the constitution or keep it in abeyance. The constitution even had the strength to weather the Emergency rule promulgated by Congress, the vanguard party, unscathed.

Moving a step further; at no point during the insurgencies in state territories; did the union governments in India resort to intense firepower in the form of artillery or air support. Contrary to that, the Pakistan state tended to deal with political problems in a military manner. Regretfully, the movie discussed in the first paragraph, very proudly showed the use of firepower; though it avoided depiction of collateral damage. The underlying reason behind the two different approaches have been precisely the lack of supremacy of the Constitution and the consequent civilian rule. It is a fact that points of no-return in Pakistan were created through the indiscriminate use of firepower; while in the case of India; political mishandling was the real culprit in occupied Kashmir and East Punjab. Consequently, a political path was taken for correction.

Taking note of the other major aspect of any nation-state working; the efforts to make the economy grow; the two twins; India’s and Pakistan’s, approaches have been radically different. It would not be out of context or unfair praise for the Indian nation-state that the first generation of leadership in New Delhi, composed of Nehru, Azad and company laid down the foundation of what today can be called the firm foundations of the knowledge-based economy. During the current decade and before, Indian strides became clear in IT and jewellery, the flagship export sectors of the Indian economy, and the strength of its economy towards the IMF and other international financial institutions.

Contrary to that, a walk through the policy documents and actions reveals that Pakistan inflates its wars with neighbours. Despite sharing taste buds with India; its agri-based trade is dismal or has to take place after

Today, 85 percent of countries have policies or laws related to sexuality education

THEevidence for the many benefits of comprehensive sexuality education (CSE) – which teaches adolescents and young people about the cognitive, emotional, physical and social aspects of sexuality – is mounting. We know that CSE not only helps reduce the number of unintended pregnancies and HIV transmissions but also gender-based violence. It is a safe and effective way to protect and empower young people and to advance gender equality.

Yet not all governments are investing in CSE programmes, which leaves many adolescents and young people with no access to potentially life-saving information that can help them make healthy choices about their bodies, lives and relationships.

Without information on sexual and reproductive health and gender equality, young people face a heightened risk of contracting HIV or experiencing an unintended pregnancy, which might not only limit their future prospects but also put their lives at risk. Worryingly, we are currently facing a wave of misinformation about CSE and what it does. This is causing decision-makers around the world to roll back support for it.

When CSE is not widely available to young people, harmful practices and beliefs, including gender-based discrimination, are allowed to flourish. These discriminatory norms can also lead to increased sexual and genderbased violence. CSE can empower young people and adolescents to know their rights, make healthy choices, stay in school and flourish. It supports and strengthens efforts by parents, families, healthcare providers and governments to inform and protect young people and benefits not only those who receive it but also the wider society.

CSE is a powerful tool that can challenge harmful gender norms, stereotypes and practices that stand in the way of gender equality. It can help build young people’s understanding of love, respect, consent, care and integrity, contributing to healthy families and just societies. Importantly, it can provide them with the tools they need to identify abuse and coercion, set boundaries and know when and how to seek help.

When young people learn about gender inequalities, discrimination and power dynamics, they are five times more likely to act in a way that successfully prevents unintended pregnancy, HIV and sexually transmitted infections.

Despite all this, today young people’s right to quality sexuality education and information is under attack. Numerous well-funded organisations are working in coordination to spread disinformation about CSE and to pressure governments to roll back their efforts to increase young people’s access to crucial knowledge about their sexual and reproductive health. One of their primary claims is that CSE leads to an early sexual debut among young people. The opposite is true. Evidence shows that young people delay their sexual debut when they have access to CSE, which increases their confidence and provides them with the critical skills, self-esteem and confidence they need to make informed choices. Despite these baseless attacks, progress is happening. In recent years, many governments across the globe passed laws and policies to ensure young people’s access to sexuality education. Today, 85 percent of countries have policies or laws related to sexuality education, and more than four in five countries cover relevant sexuality education content and topics in their national curricula in some form.

All of the world’s governments have committed to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals for Gender Equality, Education and Health by 2030. This March, however, the secretary general of the United Nations, António Guterres, warned that at the current rate of progress, it may take close to 300 years to achieve full gender equality.

This is unacceptable. All governments must commit to incorporating comprehensive sexuality education in national curricula and invest in quality teacher training to ensure that young people get the education they demand, need and deserve. At the same time, more must be done to engage adolescents and young people, parents, teachers, community leaders and politicians to better understand the long-term benefits of CSE.

Alexander de Croo is Prime Minister, Belgium. Lindiwe Zulu is Minister of Social Development, South Africa. Memory Zonde-Kachambwa is Executive Director, FEMNET and Chair of SheDecides Guiding Group.

much hassle. Similarly, the ‘apparel’ sector is another area where the two countries have many opportunities. Pakistan could have benefited from these opportunities and can still make a difference; but for its nation-state’s willingness to make enemies rather than trade links.

The western borders with Afghanistan and Iran are designated ‘dangerous geographies’ by the FATF-influenced regulatory discourse. Today the state functionaries pride themselves on the fact that they complied with the international dictates to isolate Pakistan in the domain of trade.

Today, as we tend to analyze our failures as a nation- state; the political discourse, the deep state discourse, all seems to lead towards what can be proverbially called a blind alley. The reasons for that stalemate, rather a stinking one. has not been created in one day. The underlying reasons have been refusal to act in unison as a nation and then as a nation-state.

The decay was first visible in 1971, when the prime stakeholders were more interested in keeping their flanks protected. It is a sorry state that the nation is still fed on the tales of hate to consume; instead of a deepdown look; as to what went wrong, in the administrative sense,the constitutional sense and so on.

As Pakistan stands around another blocked thoroughfare, the reluctance to solve the problems; evasive behaviour to take the country out of the stalemate are evident. Such a situation usually calls for adherence to a consensus document, like theCconstitution, to lead the way out.

Regretfully, the Pakistani polity, judiciary and the deep state are behaving like a country like Iraq, where

Regimes that crushed the Arab Spring are warning those who participated that further resistance is futile

MIDDLE EAST EYE

FeRas abu helal

Last week, Tunisian police raided the home of Ennahda leader Rached Ghannouchi, the former parliament speaker. The move came amid a broader crackdown in the wake of President Kais Saied’s 2021 “constitutional coup”.

Ghannouchi has been investigated for money laundering and incitement to violence, charges his family says are politically motivated. His arrest comes in the context of a broader struggle in the Arab world between people fighting for freedom, dignity and social justice, and governments that have failed to fulfill their basic duties. The conflict between people and regimes is nothing new. It has been ongoing for decades, but became more comprehensive and clear at the end of December 2010, when a popular uprising started in Tunisia and spread to many Arab countries.

People or revolutions won in the first round of the uprisings, toppling longtime dictators in Tunisia, Egypt, Libya and Yemen within months. They also gained unprecedented reforms in Morocco and Jordan. Fearing a domino effect, Saudi Arabia launched a massive programme of social spending.

Although the uprising backfired in Syria, the atmosphere across the Arab region was in favour of the people. But this triumph did not continue

Priyanka

democracy has just dawned. All the stakeholders seem to be bent on taking their own path; instead of taking a middle course. Practically, each political faction has cultivated the institution of its choice for fighting the political battle. That battle has generated an unprecedented episode of ‘stagflation’ where the economic fortunes of the country in the form of dismal ’macroeconomics’ have gone down to dangerous limits. On the microeconomics scale, unemployment coupled with rising cost of living has played havoc with individual lives, causing lost tempers on roads, markets and in the private dwellings.

Despite that, a sort of dialogue seems to have kicked off between the warring factions. However, given the lineup of the political forces during the last one year, the unspoken body language of the key institutions and the hotchpotch generated due to extreme distrust of the factions, it seems unlikely that a compromise formula will be managed that easily as it might have been presumed in the first place.

The identification of heads with institutions in foul language with certain political trends is illustrative of the fact that national dialogue has practically broken down. Conclusively, the country needs a reset, not for a particular political movement; rather t6 allow a revisit to its basics. Pushing bad patches beneath the rug and moving forward with borrowed time and resources will only sink the system further into an unmanageable crisis. So unmanageable that there may be no one to make a film about it even half a century later.

The writer is a freelance columnist

been doing everything possible to destroy any remaining legacy of the Arab Spring.

Tens of thousands of people have been imprisoned in Egypt, with many dying in custody amid poor conditions and a lack of healthcare services; Arab regimes are closing the curtains on the revolutions in Syria and Yemen, years after they turned into civil wars; regional powers continue to enable conflict and political divisions in Libya; and Jordan and Morocco have used a soft approach to marginalise Islamist parties.

for long: it took the counterrevolution just a couple of years to reclaim the lead and restore the situation to the way it was before December 2010 - or even worse. After Saied’s regime ended the democratic process in Tunisia, dissolved parliament and changed the constitution, Ghannouchi’s arrest was, in theory, unnecessary. Rather, the move must be understood as a part of the conflict between the people and the regimes, or the forces of the counterrevolution.

Authoritarians in the Arab region do not merely want to prevent their opponents from achieving victory. They want to end the conflict with their people by dealing a knockout blow. To do so, they must decimate all political factions that were part of the uprising, showing that they will tolerate no opposition, criticism or questioning of their power.

EXISTENTIAL THREAT

The Tunisian people were the first winners, and the last losers, of the Arab Spring - and the counterrevolution wanted to make them an example for Arab people in this stage of the revolution’s decline, particularly since they were an inspiration for all Arabs at the beginning, when it looked like the people were winning. Against this backdrop, Ghannouchi’s arrest is not a surprising move. All regimes that crushed these revolutions have continued punishing the people and the factions that played a role. Across the Arab region, counterrevolutionary forces have

Arab peoples and their countries are connected. Despite the isolationist policies all Arab regimes adopted for decades, the Arab Spring proved this fact. Arab regimes believed that the success of any revolution posed an existential threat; as such, they did not support any uprising, even if it was against a ruler with whom they had ideological or political differences.

Even in cases such as Syria, Libya and Sudan, the ultimate goal of counterrevolutionary Arab regimes was to sabotage the revolutions by militarising them or enabling political and military divisions.

The exact role of regional powers in Ghannouchi’s arrest remains unclear. But it is fair to say that Arab regimes are happy with this move, if the coverage in Emirati, Saudi and Egyptiancontrolled media is an indicator. His arrest is unrelated to his personality, policies or leadership of an Islamist party; it is just the latest step in the comprehensive, transnational counterrevolution against all Arab people.

All people, factions and figures who were part of the Arab Spring must act peacefully to condemn this arrest and continue their struggle for freedom and social justice. Otherwise, Ghannouchi will not be the only loser in this battle; it will be a knockout blow to all Arab reformers.

Feras Abu Helal is the Editor-in-Chief of Arabi 21 news website.

INthe dead of night on May 22, 1991, Priyanka Gandhi accompanied her mother Sonia in an Indian Air Force (IAF) jet to Sriperumbudur, the temple town 42 km from Chennai, where her father Rajiv had been assassinated hours ago.

Priyanka was 19. Her brother Rahul, then 20, was abroad. Sonia had dreaded this moment ever since she pleaded with her husband Rajiv not to accept the prime ministership following Indira Gandhi’s assassination on October 31, 1984. It was a poised Priyanka who consoled her shattered mother as the two flew back to Delhi with Rajiv’s remains. Now 51, Priyanka has long been Congress’ secret weapon. Her resemblance to grandmother Indira Gandhi, her sharp political instincts, and her empathy that helped heal fissures within the party led many Congress workers to see her as a natural heir to the Gandhi dynasty. But things haven’t quite worked out as ex-

stealthy rise

pected. Sonia chose Rahul to be the family’s flagbearer. Aged 34, he was given the (then) safe Amethi constituency in 2004. Priyanka, 33, withdrew into the background. Born in a patriarchal tradition of post-war Italy, Sonia believed her son, not her daughter, was the custodian of the Gandhi dynasty. Following Sonia’s poor health in recent years, Priyanka has increasingly taken on a role as the party’s interlocutor, bridging differences between factions (most recently, during the Sachin Pilot protest fast against Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot). Party insiders expect her to expand her role and replace Sonia as Congress’ guiding force.

Priyanka accompanied Rahul to his constituency Wayanad on April 11, 2023. Suppose Rahul’s disqualification from Parliament is not set aside by the courts on time. In that case, the Election Commission of India (ECI) will be constitutionally bound to hold a by-election in the constituency which has been lying vacant since March 24, 2023, when Rahul’s disqualification came into effect.

Priyanka is the obvious choice to keep the seat warm till Rahul is reinstated as an MP and can seek re-election from Wayanad or another ‘safe’ constituency.

For the Gandhi siblings, the worry is that Rae Bareli could meet the same fate as Amethi in the 2024 Lok Sabha election. The incumbent MP from Rae Bareli, Sonia, may relinquish her seat to a family faithful. Priyanka was the clear choice for Rae Bareli before Rahul’s disqualification queered the pitch. However, no constituency in Uttar Pradesh (UP) is deemed electorally safe for the Gandhis any longer.

Besides, Priyanka has often flattered to deceive. The Congress high command put her in charge of the 2022 UP Assembly election. She managed to erode Congress’ vote share from 6.25 per cent in the 2017 Assembly election to

2.33 per cent in 2022. Has the Gandhi family now retreated to familiar territory in Kerala? Wayanad’s population is 45 per cent Muslim and 13 per cent Christian. Congress knows that with a total minorities’ population of 58 per cent, Wayanad is what Amethi and Rae Bareli no longer are: Gandhi family boroughs.

Could we then see both Rahul and Priyanka contesting the 2024 Lok Sabha polls from safe constituencies in Kerala, a state that gave Congress 15 of its 52 Lok Sabha seats in 2019?

That could guarantee Rahul and Priyanka two seats in Parliament in 2024. But it would reduce Congress to a party that relies excessively on minorities to win elections. That feeds straight into the hands of BJP’s playbook. It can turn around and say, look, we aren’t majoritarian. It’s Congress that’s minoritarian. For the Gandhis, that is a losing argument.

Priyanka’s marriage in 1997 to a relatively unknown brass trader Robert Vadra raised eyebrows in Delhi’s elite circles where you are supposed to make a good marriage. In the medieval patriarchy that infects the elite, girls ‘marrying up’ is okay but men marrying above their station is not.

Vadra has retreated into the background after the Enforcement Directorate (ED) questioned him for days over his land deals in India and Dubai. BJP, however, has been careful not to let ED’s case progress. As in the National Herald case where Rahul and Sonia are out on bail, ED’s and CBI’s sword of Damocles is more useful left hanging over their heads.

Priyanka has been content to play second fiddle to Rahul since her elder brother— whom she dotes on—entered Parliament in 2004. But changing times call for a change in strategy. Kerala may be Priyanka’s ticket to Parliament.

Minhaz Merchant is an author, editor and publisher.

Comprehensive sexuality education is the key to a better tomorrow

Ghannouchi's arrest is a knockout blow to all Arab reformers

AL JAZEERA alexandeR de CRoo, lindiwe Zulu and memoRy Zonde-kaChambwa

AIRSTRIKES, ARTILLERY FIRE CONTINUE AS SUDAN FIGHTING ENTERS THIRD WEEK

KHARTOUM AGENCIES

THEsounds of airstrikes, anti-aircraft weaponry and artillery could be heard in Khartoum early on Saturday and dark smoke rose over parts of the city, as fighting in Sudan entered a third week.

Fighting between the army and a rival paramilitary force continued despite the announcement of a 72-hour ceasefire extension on Friday, when strikes by air, tanks and artillery rocked Khartoum and the adjacent cities of Bahri and Ombdurman.

Hundreds have been killed and tens of thousands have fled for their lives in a power struggle between the army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) that erupted into violence on April 15, derailing an internationally-backed transition toward democratic elections.

The fighting has also reawakened a

two-decade-old conflict in the western Darfur region where scores have died this week. The army has been deploying jets or drones on RSF forces in neighborhoods across the capital. Many resi-

US Republicans divided over abortion rights as states balk at bans

WASHINGTON AFP

The failure of bills curbing abortion rights in two deeply conservative US states this week underscored the growing disquiet felt by Republicans over the threat the issue poses to their political ambitions. Reproductive rights are set to take centre stage in the 2024 election, with President Joe Biden’s Democrats and their Republican opponents seeking to capitalize on an issue that polarizes Americans like almost no other. But conservative politicians hoping to enact severe restrictions after the US Supreme Court gutted federal protections last year have been having second thoughts amid a backlash from voters galvanized by the threat to their freedoms. South Carolina’s Senate and Nebraska’s legislature — both about two-thirds Republican — rejected a near-total prohibition and a six-week ban respectively on Thursday as conservatives defied their own parties to block the legislation.

It was the third time draconian curbs had failed in South Carolina since the high court’s ruling in June and abortions in both states remain legal for at least the first 20 weeks of pregnancy.

“Some of you follow the leader off the cliff time and time again, every time, when it comes to abortion,”

South Carolina state senator Sandy Senn admonished her fellow Republicans in a debate ahead of the vote. Abortion laws are about nothing more than “control,” she argued, pointing to the gender disparity in the 46member chamber, which has just five women.

All five female senators — three of them Republican — tanked the abortion vote with fiery speeches defending reproductive rights.

‘Signer’s remorse’

“The only thing we can do when you all — when you men in the chamber — metaphorically keep slapping women by raising abortion again and again and again, is for us to slap you back with our words,” Senn said.

In Lincoln, Nebraska the failure of a ban at six weeks provoked a visceral reaction on both sides of the debate, but the cheers of dozens of pro-abortion rights activists who embraced outside the chamber drowned out the anti-abortion voices.

India arms Hindu village militias to combat Kashmir freedom-fighters

the real toll is much higher. More than 75,000 people were internally displaced within Sudan just in the first week of the fighting, according to the UN. Only 16 percent of hospitals were operating as normal in the capital.

The latest ceasefire, brokered by foreign powers, is supposed to last until Sunday midnight. The RSF accused the army of violating it with airstrikes on its bases in Omdurman, Khartoum’s sister city at the confluence of the Blue Nile and White Nile rivers, and Mount Awliya.

The army blamed the RSF for violations. The violence has sent tens of thousands of refugees across Sudan’s borders and threatens to stir instability across a volatile swathe of Africa between the Sahel and the Red Sea.

SRINAGAR

AFP

Brandishing a bolt-action rifle, civil servant Sanjeet

Kumar is one of 5,000 villagers in occupied Kashmir who have joined all-Hindu militia units armed and trained by Indian forces to fight off attacks.

dents are pinned down by urban warfare with scant food, fuel, water and power.

At least 512 people have been killed and close to 4,200 wounded, according to the United Nations, which believes

In Darfur, at least 96 people had died since Monday in inter-communal violence rekindled by the army-RSF conflict, UN human rights office spokesperson Ravina Shamdasani said.

India probes education platform Byju’s over alleged forex law violations

PROFIT REUTERS

India’s financial crime-fighting agency said on Saturday it had raided three premises linked to education platform Byju’s and its billionaire CEO Byju Raveendran over suspected breaches of the country’s foreign exchange laws.

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) said in a statement it had seized various documents and digital data during the search, and had issued summons for the CEO, but he did not appear.

Byju’s is one of India’s biggest startups, once valued at $22 billion. It has attracted global investors such as General Atlantic, BlackRock and Sequoia Capital, which have invested in the company over the years.

The searches under alleged foreign exchange law violations revealed that Think and Learn Private Limited, Byju’s parent firm, had received foreign direct investment of nearly 280 billion rupees ($3.43 billion) during the period from 2011 to 2023, ED said.

Byju’s legal spokesperson said the visit by ED officials to one of the company’s offices in Bengaluru was related to a routine inquiry under foreign exchange laws.

“We will continue to work closely with the authorities to ensure that they have all the information they need, and we are confident that this matter will be resolved in a timely and satisfactory manner,” the spokesperson said.

The searches come at a time when Indian startups have struggled to raise funds and been questioned by investors over their high valuations.

The platform saw its usage swell during the pandemic, but announced the layoff of 2,500 of its 50,000 employees as educational institutions resumed in-person classes. The company reported a loss of 45.64 billion rupees ($558.49 million) in May for fiscal 2021.

Byju’s spent $2.5 billion in fiscal year ended March 2022 to acquire companies such as Aakash, U.S.-based Epic, kids’ coding platform Tynker, professional education firm Great Learning and exam perpetration platform Toppr.

New York-based investment firm BlackRock in a private assessment last month slashed its valuation of Byju’s by almost half to $11.15 billion.

The statement issued by the agency said the company also remitted 97.5 billion rupees to various foreign jurisdictions between 2011 and 2023 in the name of overseas direct investments.

ED said Think and Learn had not prepared its financial statements since the financial year 2020-21, nor had its accounts been audited.

Byju’s spokesperson said the company had provided authorities with all the information they requested.

“We have nothing but the utmost confidence in the integrity of our operations,” the spokesperson added.

India has more than half a million soldiers permanently stationed in the parts of Muslim-majority Kashmir it occupies, as the Hindu nationalist government presses a bid to crush a decades-long freedom movement. Authorities announced the new militias last year, and a deadly assault in Kumar’s frontier village in January prompted him to sign up. “We were totally terrorised by the attack,” the 32-year-old municipal worker in the electricity department told AFP. Wearing a saffroncoloured tilak on his forehead to mark himself as a member of the Hindu faithful, Kumar said he was ready and able to defend his home. “Anyone who turns a traitor to our nation is my target,” he told AFP.

‘Only one community’

Kashmir has been disputed between India and Pakistan since both countries achieved independence 75 years ago. Both sides claim the territory in full.

India has fought against pro-freedom groups demanding the territory’s independence, or a merger with Pakistan, in a movement that has claimed tens of thousands of lives. The new militia units, known as Village Defence Guards, were unveiled last year in the wake of a string of murders targeting police officers and Hindu residents of Kashmir. The scheme has been broadly popular among the region’s Hindu residents but Muslim villagers are concerned the militia will only exacerbate Kashmir’s woes.

Kim Jong Un’s sister says US-S. Korea plan risks ‘serious danger’

SEOUL AFP

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un’s powerful sister warned Saturday that a US-South Korean agreement aimed at strengthening deterrence against Pyongyang will lead to “more serious danger”, state media reported. The United States and South Korea vowed this week that North Korea would face a nuclear response and the “end” of the leadership there should it use its own nukes against the allies, as the two countries’ presidents met in Washington. In Pyongyang’s first response to the Washington summit, Kim Yo Jong said the North remained convinced that its nuclear deterrent “should be brought to further perfection.” “The more the enemies are dead set on staging nuclear war exercises, and the more nuclear assets they deploy in the vicinity of the Korean peninsula, the stronger the exercise of our right to self-defence will become,” she said, according to the official Korean Central News Agency. South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol and US counterpart Joe Biden on Wednesday issued what was called the Washington Declaration, bolstering the US nuclear umbrella over South Korea, which is increasingly nervous about Pyongyang’s aggression.

China calls for more representation of developing countries at UNSC

BEIJING STAFF CORRESPONDENT

The reform of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) should uphold fairness and justice and raise the representation and say of developing countries, Wang Yi, director of the Office of the Foreign Affairs Commission of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, said on Saturday.

Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee, made the remarks when meeting the co-chairs of the Intergovernmental Negotiations on Security Council Reform of the 77th Session of the UN General Assembly, namely Permanent Representative of Kuwait to the UN Tareq Albanai, and Permanent Representative of Austria to the UN Alexander Marschik, in Beijing.

He urged for more small- and medium-sized countries to be given the opportunity to participate in the decision-making of the council, especially to correct the

historical injustice against Africa.

It is necessary to uphold the position of the intergovernmental negotiation platform as the main channel, he said, adding that the co-chairs should guide all parties to remove interference and gather consensus, so the UNSC reform process will be widely recognized by the international community and the results will stand the test of history.

Albanai and Marschik said the principles of the UN Charter are particularly important to small- and medium-sized countries, and they are willing to strengthen communication and consultation with member states, including China, on the issue of UNSC reform.

In the face of the intertwined international situation and the interference and destruction of unilateralism and power politics, we must hold high the banner of true multilateralism and promote the key role of the UN in maintaining world peace and development, Wang added.

Diplomats laud religious freedom, rural development in Xinjiang region

URUMQI

MIAN ABRAR

Envoys from 14 countries, including Brazil, Iran, Indonesia, Pakistan, Ecuador and Senegal, have lauded the religious freedom enjoyed by ethnic minority groups and rural development in northwest China’s Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region.

The diplomats visited Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region from April 24 to 28 at the invitation of the Chinese Foreign Ministry.

Consuls general of 14 countries, stationed in different cities across China, visited the regional capital city of Urumqi, as well as Kashgar, Turpan and other locations in Xinjiang to experience first-hand social and economic development of the region. They said that Xinjiang’s achievements are remarkable, and that people of all ethnic groups live in harmony and happiness. They noted that the various lies fabricated by certain Western media are com-

pletely inconsistent with the reality of Xinjiang.

“To root out terrorism, it is crucial to have a comprehensive plan for a region’s development and help people improve their lives,” said Agha Hunain Abbas Khan, Pakistani acting consul general in Chengdu, after visiting an exhibition on Xinjiang’s counterterrorism and deradicalization work.

“And China has made tremendous strides,” he added.

The envoys also visited the old town in the city of Kashgar and experienced the tourism boom in the run-up to the May Day holiday.

Zaw Linn Oo, consul general of Myanmar in Chongqing, hailed Kashgar as a “land of hope” that is attractive to both local and distant visitors.

“A country needs social stability and economic development, and both are well-reflected in Kashgar,” he said.

Mehmet Mert Tokman, Turkish consul general in Chengdu, paid a

visit to the region years ago. During this visit, he said that the land has a rich heritage and has undergone tremendous development and change, which can be seen particularly in the region’s incredible infrastructure construction achievements. Giving high praise to the local government’s efforts to guarantee people’s freedom of religious belief, Ben Perkasa Drajat, Indonesian consul general in Guangzhou, said that Muslims in Xinjiang are free to go to the mosque to pray, after visiting the Eidgah Mosque in Kashgar and the Xinjiang Islamic Institute. “The news from the Western media that the Chinese government doesn’t allow Muslims to do religious activities is not true.”

As the country with the world’s largest Muslim population, Indonesia resolutely opposes external forces that manipulate the Xinjiang issue, interfere in China’s internal affairs and attempt to split China, the Indonesian envoy said.

Pakistan among toP 20 countries to face above-normal rainfall: sherry rehman

ISLAMABAD

fEDERALMinister for Climate

Change, Senator Sherry Rehman on Saturday said Pakistan has been placed among the 20 countries where above-normal rainfall is predicted in the current year.

BankIslami announces 262pc growth in profit before tax in Q1-2023

KArAchI: BankIslami Pakistan Limited (‘the Bank’ or ‘BankIslami’) announced its financial results for the quarter ended March 31, 2023 registering a notable increase of 262% in profit before tax i.e. Rs. 3.16 billion as compared to Rs. 0.87 billion for corresponding period of last year. Profit after tax closed at Rs. 1.79 billion as compared to Rs. 0.52 billion during same period last year i.e. growth of 244%. From beginning of the year 2023, BankIslami focused on deployment of its surplus liquidity in profitable Shariah compliant avenues due to which its financing book increased by 19.6% in first three months of 2023, improving the Advance to Deposit ratio (gross) from 53% in Dec 2022 to 63% at the end of Mar 2023. Likewise, investment portfolio also grew by 11.9% during first quarter of 2023. Owing to growth in credit book and persistent recovery efforts against delinquent exposures, infection ratio reduced from 9.0% to 8.0% during first quarter of 2023. PR

Bank Alfalah continues growth momentum

The Board of Directors of Bank Alfalah Limited (BAFL), in its meeting held on April 27, 2023, approved the Bank’s financial results for the quarter ended March 31, 2023.The beginning of 2023 has been challenging due to the economic slowdown in the country, high inflation, and currency devaluation. Despite the challenging landscape, the Bank posted a profit after tax of Rs. 10.743 billion for the period ended March 31, 2023. The Earning Per Share (EPS) stood at Rs. 6.81. The results reflect strong momentum in line with the Bank’s strategy. The Bank’s market share increased for several of its products while it continues to invest in people, technology and physical infrastructure. Bank Alfalah’s deposit base increased by 31.9% year-on-year (YoY), closing at Rs. 1.554 trillion as at March 31, 2023. CA and CASA ratios stood at 43.7% and 68.0%, respectively. PR

Pakistan-origin Aga Khan University to build new campus in Kampala, Uganda

KArAchI: Pakistan's first private university to expand its operations in Africa, the Aga Khan University (AKU) celebrated the start of construction of its new campus in Kampala at a ceremony attended by the First Lady of Uganda, Her Excellency Janet Museveni, and Princess Zahra Aga Khan. The 60-acre campus located in the Nakawa area, at New Port Bell Road and Jinja Road will feature in its first phase a seven-storey University Centre, a nine-storey student housing building and the Aga Khan University Hospital, Kampala. The hospital will offer care in nearly two dozen specialties, ranging from family medicine to oncology. The project represents one of AKU’s largest investments in East Africa to date. This will enable a significant expansion of the University’s existing School of Nursing and Midwifery in Kampala and will also allow the University to begin training medical specialists in fields such as internal medicine and surgery. Construction of the University Centre and student housing is currently underway. Construction of the hospital will start early next year. A four-storey ambulatory care building will offer outpatient care in a wide range of specialties in advance of the hospital’s completion. PR

SDPI, ZTBL sign MoU

ISLAMABAD: A Memorandum of Understanding was signed between Zarai Taraqiati Bank Limited (ZTBL) and Sustainable Development Policy Institute (SDPI) to collaborate for the promotion and adoption of latest/novel technologies, practices, and techniques for improving agricultural productivity and livelihood of rural communities. Both the institutions will jointly organize webinars, field days, seminars, and workshops to share latest advancements in agriculture with rural communities and small farmers. Under a multi-partnership approach, other stakeholders will also be invited to develop and carry out joint ventures, pilot projects, and research activities to cater for today’s farm needs. To further its activities, ZTBL has been conducting Zarai Baithaks (get-togethers) with an integrated approach and SDPI experts will collaborate to develop new ideas and mechanisms to strengthen this initiative by educating masses in rural vicinities of the country. In this regard, the two sides have agreed to develop joint proposals for development of new green-loan products and environmentally sustainable value-addition opportunities in the existing loanable credit products.SDPI Executive Director Dr Abid Qaiyum Suleri, while delivering a lecture, said that food security is a major concern of Pakistan that is linked with other national security issues and needs to be resolved urgently. Though Pakistan has improved productivity of certain crops, diversification of food basket continues to be a challenge and inadequacies in access to safe drinking water and sanitation facilities. PR

According to the report of the Global Information and Early Warning System of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), Pakistan is included in the list of 20 countries at risk of heavy rains, the federal minister took to Twitter to share the important update on future weather predictions indicating heavy rainfall.

Senator Rehman said the return of the El Nino (scientific term of weather system) ocean trend forecast for June

this year was similar to the country’s local forecasts. She added that the return of the El Nino oceanic phenomenon could trigger severe

environmental events worldwide, including higher-than-normal rainfall, floods, droughts and threats of malnutrition.

“Pakistan is among the 20 countries

Turkey-Pakistan relations are unparalleled in the World: Dr Yusuf

ANKARA

STAFF REPORT

Pakistan’s Ambassador to Turkey, Dr. Yusuf Junaid has said that Pakistan and Turkey have ideal fraternal relationships which are growing further with each passing day.

“After spending long time here, I have realized that Turkey’s and Pakistan’s relations are unparalleled in the world”, Dr. Yusuf said while talking to Shabana Ayaz President of the Pak-Turkish Solidarity Forum (Women Wing).

During the meeting he discussed in detail Pakistan-Turkey relations and the various problems faced by Pakistanis living in Turkey. Other officials including Musab Khan and Fateh Jan were also present.

He said Pakistani embassy is making great efforts to promote relations in all fields; it attaches great importance to relations with President Rajab Erdogan and the government of Pakistan.

Dr. Yusuf Junaid said Pakistanis should avoid coming to Turkey through illegal means to move forward to other European countries to seek jobs, because Illegal activities damage the reputation of Pakistan and Turkey.

Dr. Yousaf said all the visiting Pakistanis should ensure the observance of the law here as any unlawful activity may land them in trouble.

He said the Pakistani Embassy in Ankara is providing full assistance to the Pakistanis coming to Turkey to solve their problems.

The Pakistani Ambassador said that he was the Consul General of Pakistan in Istanbul from 2013 to 2018 before assuming the duties of Ambassador in June last year. Apart from this, he has also served as Commerce and Trade Minister here. Due to his long stay in Turkey, he is well aware of the problems of Pakistanis living and visiting here, and efforts are made to solve them.

Dr. Yusuf Junaid said that

Pakistanis living abroad can seek many services from their Pakistani embassy, including consular services, welfare services, services in the field of education, and services in emergency situations.

Above all, the poor and destitute Pakistanis who are locked up in jails must be freed by global efforts and provided protection in every possible way.

Dr. Yusuf Junaid said that while living abroad, we should always feel that we are representing Pakistan, so first of all, living in our own country is a priority. And if it is necessary to live in foreign countries, then follow the laws there.

Shabana Ayaz appreciated the efforts made by Ambassador Yusuf Junaid and other officials to solve the problems for Pakistanis.

Repatriation of stranded Pakistanis from Sudan

ISLAMABAD STAFF REPORT

On the direction of honorable Prime Minister of Pakistan and under supervision of honorable Foreign Minister of Pakistan, Ministry of Foreign Affairs in coordination of relevant stakeholders including Ministry of Overseas Pakistanis & HRD/OPF has started evacuation of Pakistanis stranded in Sudan. The sudden eruption of violence between the military and the well-armed Rapid Support Forces (RSF) paramilitary group on April 15, 2023 has triggered a humanitarian crisis. This emerging situation in Sudan necessitated repatriation of around 1500 Pakistanis who were stranded in Sudan for their safe evacuated amid growing security concerns. Pakistan Mission, Khartoum has started evacua-

tion of stranded Pakistanis from Khartoum to Port Sudan through Saudi naval vessels and Pakistan Airforce C130s and Airbus to Jeddah for their onward evacuation to Jeddah, KSA and subsequently to Pakistan.

As of today, 260 stranded Pakistanis have safely arrived at Jinnah International Airport (JIAP), Karachi in two separate special flights of Pakistan Airforce.

Overseas Pakistanis Foundation (OPF) on the direction of Federal Minister for Overseas Pakistanis & HRD, Mr. Sajid Hussain Turi has established facilitation desk at Jinnah International Airport (JIAP), Karachi to facilitate Pakistanis being repatriated from Sudan. In addition, OPF Airport Facilitation Counters at all international airports in Pakistan have also been instructed to remain vigilant and to provide necessary facilitation /assistance to the overseas Pakistanis being repatriated from Sudan. The OPF Airport Counters are operative 24/7.

SECP announces fourth cohort under its Regulatory Sandbox

ISLAMABAD PPI

The Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP) will be accepting applications for testing in the Regulatory Sandbox from May 02, 2023.

The applications submission window shall remain open till May 31, 2023. Complete applications can be emailed to: sandbox@secp.gov.pk The Regulatory Sandbox – now successfully entering its fourth Cohort – provides a tailored regulatory environment that allows entities to conduct limited scale live tests of innovative products, services, processes, and business models in a controlled and supervised environment, according to a statement issued here on Saturday. The upcoming fourth cohort is divided into two segments: (i) Islamic Finance; and (ii) Conventional Finance. In Islamic Finance segment, ideas related

to Shariah-compliant digital finance (e.g., crowdsourced finance, liquidity management solutions, micro- and nano-finance), shariah-compliant products (e.g., small ticket savings and sukuk fractionalization), new takaful models and digital intermediation in regulated Islamic financial services shall be preferred.

In Conventional finance segment, preference will be given to ideas related to Robo-Advisory, AI

Based Automated Fund Management, Asset Fractionalization and Single Window Lending Platform. Approved applicants, after evaluation, will be allowed to test and experiment their innovative ideas and solutions generally for a period of six months.

Upon completion of experimentation period, the entities testing in the Sandbox will submit detailed completion report. SECP shall determine future course of action w.r.t. the tested solutions based on the test results.

where above-normal rainfall is predicted. These 20 countries include America, Turkey, Iran and others. The third return of the El Niño ocean trend in the last 2 years is a cause for concern,” Sherry Rehman said.

“We are already in the recovery phase after last year’s rains and flood disasters. We have to be prepared to deal with extreme environmental events. Due to the ongoing rains across the country till May 5, the Meteorological Department and NDMA expressed concern that there may be damage to standing crops, recently harvested crops and new sowing,” Sherry Rehman added. The Minister underscored that the government had issued instructions to the concerned institutions to the public and farmers to take precautionary measures and remain alert.

Mortein donates an year's worth of mosquito repellent products to Ziauddin Hospital to combat vectorborne diseases

ISLAMABAD: In the wake of the devastating Dengue outbreak that hit Pakistan in 2022, Mortein, a leading pest control brand of Reckitt, has been taking several measures to help in preventing dengue and other vector-borne diseases by partnering up with various hospitals, NGOs, and federal agencies around the country over the past few years to reduce the spread and effect of dengue outbreaks. Mortein has announced the donation of one years’ worth of their mosquito repellent products to Ziauddin Hospital to protect against dengue and other vector-borne diseases. The donation includes LED Complete with Refills, and Aerosol Sprays for each functional room at the hospital. This initiative brings us one step closer to achieving a dengue-free Pakistan.

As part of the initiative, an interactive storytelling session was held in the children's ward to spread awareness about dengue protection and prevention. Additionally, product samples and informational booklets were provided to the public at an experience booth/kiosk set up on the hospital premises, to raise public awareness on the detrimental effects of Dengue and how to combat them effectively. PR

Improving education, law & order situation among top priorities: Governor

QUETTA: Balochistan Governor Malik Abdul Wali Khan Kakar on Saturday said that improving education, health and law and order situation were among our priorities.

He expressed these views while talking to the National Party delegation led by former Chief Minister and National Party Central President Dr. Abdul Malik at Governor House Quetta. During the meeting, matters of mutual interest were discussed, including the overall political situation of the country, economic changes taking place in the country and relief operations in the areas affected by the rains and flood.

On the occasion, Governor Balochistan Malik Abdul Wali Khan Kakar said that the lasting solution to all the economic, political challenges of the country and the province linked in mutual consultation and understanding. He said that political parties have a very important role in promoting democratic attitudes in the society, creating political awareness and awakening the sense of rights and duties in the people. Governor Balochistan said that the leaders of the National Party have political experience and understand the background and foreground of the province and we valued your cooperation in this regard. In future too, priority will be given to understanding for the development of the province and public welfare, he noted. APP

Kakar, Iranian CG discuss Quetta-Iran flights restoration

QUETTA: Governor Balochistan Malik Abdul Wali Khan Kakar said that the new plan of establishing four border markets on Pakistan-Iran border would prove to be a precursor for economic revolution. He expressed these views while talking to Iran's Consul General Hasan Darvishwind posted in Pakistan called on him here.

During the meeting, matters of mutual interest including Pakistan-Iran relations, new possibilities of increasing border trade, restoration of QuettaIran flight service and full functioning of the railway line were discussed. APP

SCBA condemns attack on Elahi’s residence as unconstitutional

ISLAMABAD STAFF REPORT

The Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) on Friday strongly condemned the cowardly attack and vandalization of the residence of former Punjab CM Ch Parvaiz Elahi by the Anti-Corruption Establishment team over the so-called charges of corruption.

President Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA)

Barrister Abid S. Zuberi and Muqtedir Akhtar Shabbir, Secretary SCBA, stated they stand with the rule of law, the supremacy of the Constitution and the independence of the institutions and in doing so, they termed this attack an attack on the independence of the bar and judiciary.

In a press release issued on Saturday, the SCBA of-

fice-bearers termed the act unlawful, saying such politically-motivated acts are unacceptable and have no place in a democratic society.

It is pertinent to mention that the Lahore High Court Lahore, had already granted bail to former Chief Minister Punjab in said case.

“We strongly believe that every citizen of Pakistan has the constitutional right to live in peace and security, as enshrined in Article 9 of the Constitution of Pakistan, which states that ‘no person shall be deprived of life or liberty’.

The SCBA office-bearers pointed out that being citizen of this country, Ch Pervaiz Elahi rights are protected under Art 4 read with Art 10A and Art 14 of the Constitution. The SCBA termed raid on former Chief

Minister Punjab house as a sheer violation of constitutional fundamental rights. “We urge the government of Pakistan to take immediate action to bring the perpetrators to justice”, the SCBA demanded.

While urging for a thorough investigation into the raid in order to ensure that culprits are held accountable for their actions, the SCBA said it is the government’s duty to uphold the rule of law and ensure the safety of all citizens, regardless of their political affiliations. “We stand in solidarity with former Chief Minister Punjab and his family during this difficult time and extend our deepest sympathies to them. We also urge the government to take all necessary measures to protect the safety and security of all politicians and citizens in the country”, the SCBA press release concluded.

Advisor to Prime Minister on Tourism and SportsAwn Chaudhry held a meeting with Chief of Pakistan Muslim League (N) - Nawaz Sharif in London. The current political situation of Pakistan was discussed during the meeting. PR

GOVT ENDS SUBSIDIZED GAS TARIFF FOR FIVE EXPORT ORIENTED SECTORS, EFFECTIVE MAY 1ST

ISLAMABAD AHMAD AHMADANI

THEgovernment has withdrawn Rs80 billion subsidy on gas to five export-oriented sectors and Sui Northern Gas Pipelines Limited (SNGPL) has informed its noble customers about an end to the supply of subsidized gas from May 1, 2023.

The government was previously paying the subsidy to the textile, sports, surgical, leather, and jute sectors. These sectors were offered concessionary tariffs for the supply of gas/re-gasified liquefied natural gas (RLNG).

SNGPL, in a letter dated 29th April, 2023 to a customer, informed that the subsidy allocated by the government for supply of gas/Re-gasified Liquefied Natural Gas (RLNG) at subsidized rate to five export-oriented sectors for financial year (FY) 2022-23 has been fully exhausted.

Therefore, the SNGPL is constrained to withdraw concessionary tar-

iff to five export-oriented sectors with effect from 01-05-2023, said SNGPL letter carrying subject “Exhaustion of Allocated Budgeted Subsidy on RLNG Price to Export Oriented Sectors” dated 29-04-2023.

“Please note that Gas/RLNG supply to your industrial units shall remain available at OGRA notified tariff w.e.f 01-05-2023,” reads SNGPL letter. According to sources, the supply of RLNG to these sectors will end at $9, and they will have to pay an additional $4 per MMBTU on supply of RLNG. The federal government ended the series of concessions on the continuous demand of the IMF and other sectors.

This decision was also endorsed by the National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (NEPRA) in March 2023. The NEPRA approved the federal government’s decision to withdraw concessional tariffs of five export-oriented sectors and agriculture tube-wells from March 1, 2023.

Earlier in March 2023, the National Electric Power Regulatory Authority

Aviation Ministry to increase flights; review fares for flights to GB

ISLAMABAD GHULAM ABBAS

Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) has increased the fare of light to GB up to 100 per cent as compared to other domestic routes, Profit learnt on Friday.

For reference, the minimum fare for Islamabad to Karachi, a two hour flight, is around Rs 16,000 whereas the fare for Islamabad-Skardu flight is over Rs25,000. The maximum fare for this route which takes 35 minutes to cover goes up to Rs 40,000. In another development, the frequency of flights to Gilgit and Skardu will be increased and special flights would be arranged to facilitate hajj pilgrims traveling directly from GB. These flights will be started from Lahore to Gilgit, as well as Lahore and Karachi to Skardu, starting from May 2023. The decisions were taken in a bid to promote tourism in Gilgit-Baltistan during a meeting held in the Aviation Division in Islamabad on Friday. The meeting was held to address issues related to flights to the region. It was attended by high-level officials from the GB government, the Aviation Division, Civil Aviation Authority, PIA, and Airblue. The decision to increase flight frequency to GB comes as part of the government’s efforts to promote tourism in the region, which attracts a large number of tourists each year. By increasing flights, the government hopes to make travel to the region more convenient and affordable for visitors.

Additionally, the meeting also discussed the issue of high airfares to GB. The matter was raised by the attendees and it was decided that the issue would be reviewed considering the route timings of the flights from/to GB. The government is committed to making travel to GB accessible to everyone, and the issue of high airfares will be addressed to ensure that tourists can travel to the region without breaking the bank.

As per details the meeting also addressed the issue of emergency medical evacuations from GB. It was decided that a special package would be given to deserving poor patients to ensure their immediate lifting in case of emergencies, and their airfare would be recouped either from Bait ul Mall or the Social Welfare Department of Gilgit-Baltistan.

The representatives of PIA and Airblue also expressed their commitment to promoting tourism in the region. The PIA representative was positively inclined to add Faisalabad and Multan flights as well to Gilgit-Baltistan, while the Airblue representative stated that three flights to Skardu would be ensured from July 2023 on a weekly basis. However, a request was made to ensure the facility as soon as possible to get maximum tourist flow to GB.

The Civil Aviation Authority also mentioned that once the old airport of Skardu was renovated, it would be outsourced for operationalization and to attract maximum local and international tourist attractions. According to Chief Secretary GB MOhyuddin Ahmed Wani, the overall meeting was a positive step towards promoting tourism in Gilgit-Baltistan, and the attendees expressed their commitment to working together to make travel to the region more accessible and affordable for visitors.

Dismissal of 121 cases: LHC to hear Imran’s plea on May 2

LAHORE STAFF REPORT

(NEPRA) had endorsed the federal government’s decision to withdraw concessional tariff of five export-oriented sectors and agriculture tube wells from March 1, 2023.

According to NEPRA’s decision, Power Division, on March 7, 2023, has intimated the following decision of the Federal Cabinet of February 28, 2023; (i) discontinuation of concessional tariff being provided @ Rs. 19.99/kWh all-inclusive to the five export-oriented sectors from March 1, 2023; (ii) discontinuation of special relief of Rs.3.60/kWh provided to the private agriculture consumers in their current base rate of Rs. 16.60/kWh from March 1, 2023.

It is pertinent to mention that the export-oriented sectors, including the textile industry, have been facing criticism from different quarters over getting subsidized gas and electricity at the same time. The textile sector had captive power plants meant for producing electricity in case they did not secure power from the national grid. These textile

units had been receiving electricity and gas at discounted rates at the same time. The previous government linked the provision of gas to the textile units with the performance audit of the captive power plants.

The petroleum division conducted a study explaining that while sales from textile mills had increased locally, there had not been a substantial increase in textile exports. There had been a misuse of the gas subsidy provided to the captive power plants as those textile units were also receiving subsidized gas.

The government’s decision to withdraw subsidized gas tariffs to the export-oriented sectors will help reduce the burden on the national exchequer. However, it remains to be seen how these sectors will cope with the increased costs and maintain their competitiveness in the global market. Overall, the government’s decision is a bold step towards rationalizing energy prices and ensuring that sectors do not receive undue benefits at the expense of others.

Congressman hails SC’s verdict on polls, says America stands by democracy in Pakistan

WASHINGTON MONITORING REPORT

Brad Sherman, a member of the American House of Representatives, has said that it was difficult for us (the US) to talk to Imran Khan, while it is easier with Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif.

Brad Sherman said in his address to the US House on Friday that ‘America stands not with its short-term bilateral concerns, but with its commitment to democracy and human rights.’

At the beginning of his address, he said that ‘I would like to discuss the recent events in Pakistan. Looking at these events, some would say that America should support a political leader who is more pro-American. This will make it easier for us to deal with this or that bilateral issue.’

“But I will say, and I think the State Department would agree, that our commitment to democracy and the rule of law comes first.”

Brad Sherman said that it was difficult for us to talk to Imran Khan, but it is easier with Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif. But the question is about democracy and the rule of law.’

Referring to the recent decisions and instructions of the Supreme Court regarding the provincial elections in Pakistan, he said that the Supreme Court of Pakistan has decided that provincial elections should be held in Punjab and later in other provinces. This is the rule of law.’

He further said that ‘I believe that the Supreme Court has ruled that its preliminary decision is final and non-appealable and the Supreme Court has ordered that the necessary funds be released for the holding of these provincial elections.’

‘America does not have a policy or a government that agrees with it. America supports democracy and the rule of law, and we also support human rights, freedom of expression and the right to express our opinions.’

“Certainly I have been concerned about some horrific disappearances, some human rights abuses, some concrete evidence of violence,” said Brad Sherman, a member of the US House of Representatives. So we need human rights and democracy in Pakistan. We want the rule of law.’ “America stands not with its short-term bilateral concerns, but with its commitment to democracy and human rights.”

The Lahore High Court (LHC) fixed for hearing a petition filed former prime minister and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chairman Imran Khan seeking dismissal of 121 cases against him.

According to the LHC roster, Justice Ali Baqir Najfi will head the five-member bench comprising Justice Amjad Rafique, Justice Anwarul Haq, Justice Tariq Saleem Sheikh and Justice Alia Neelam that will hear the case on May 2. The plea stated that the cases registered against the PTI Chief Imran Khan are based on false accusations and these cases are on political basis. Furthermore, the PTI premier urged the court to stop the concerned authorities from registering illegal FIRs and dismiss the plea against him.

Imran suspects ‘ill intentions’ behind PDM’s wish to hold polls after budget

LAHORE STAFF REPORT

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan Saturday suspected “ill-intentions” of the Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM)-led government behind its proposal to hold elections simultaneously after this year’s budget. “[The government] is saying that first, it would pass the budget, and then hold the election. This shows its ‘ill-intention’,” PTI Chief Imran Khan said while addressing the party workers and supporters in Zaman Park Lahore on Saturday.

The budget is traditionally presented within the first two weeks of June and the federal government has maintained that it would be too early to hold general elections the next month, stressing for holding polls later this year. The federal government and the opposition party PTI are in negotiations over a date for holding elections across the country on directions of the Supreme Court — and a final meeting is expected next week. The former prime minister said his party would be ready to move forward with the negotiations if the government dissolves the national and provincial assemblies before May 14. The Sindh and Balochistan assemblies and the National Assembly have not yet been dissolved, while the Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa legislatures were dissolved in January on Khan’s directions.

Civil society has urged political forces to reach a consensus over the elections and end the persistent impasse, which has severely hurt Pakistan’s fragile economy. And Khan is insistent that his party does not want to delay the elections, stressing that “we will not accept polls after the budget” — as suggested by the ruling coalition. “If the hope of elections ends, then Pakistan could face a worse situation than Sri Lanka. I am not frightening you; I am just expressing my opinion,” the PTI chief told his workers.

PTI’s senior leaders — Fawad Chaudhry and Shah Mahmood Qureshi — had a day earlier warned of the election talks derailing if the government does not stop arresting its workers. Hours after their warning, police and anti-corruption officials raided PTI President Parvez Elahi’s residence in Lahore, but failed to arrest him despite a more than six-hour-long operation.

Police charge Elahi under anti-terror law after

violent

The investigators Saturday charged Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi under anti-terrorism legislation after a joint team of the anti-corruption and Lahore police raided the residence of the former chief minister of Punjab in the small hours to arrest him in an investigation in which he is on bail until May 6. TV footage showed the officials used an armoured vehicle to forcefully enter the sprawling property in the upscale Gulberg neighbourhood of the provincial capital and arrest 12 people, mainly Elahi’s employees, while female police officers took some women into custody.

Videos posted on the internet revealed that the raiding team resorted to physical force, with riot police officers beating the domestic help using batons.

Despite a thorough search of the premises, which commenced around midnight and concluded at 6:00 am on Saturday, the officials failed to locate the president of the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) party.

Speaking with media, Sohail Zafar Chattha, the director general of the anti-corruption bureau of Punjab, maintained the police had not acted illegally, claiming they had been “forced” to react after a “petrol bomb” was thrown on their forces from within Elahi’s residence.

Furthermore, the officials also attempted to enter the adjacent residence of Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain, the president of the Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid (PML-

midnight raid on his home

Q) party. However, the attempt was unsuccessful, as Hussain’s sons resisted the officials’ efforts to gain entry.

Subsequently, a case invoking Section 7 of the Anti-Terrorism Act, 1997 and various sections of the Pakistan Penal Code (PPC), including attempted murder, assault, abetment, rioting, and obstruction of public servants, was registered against Elahi at Ghalib Market police station. The complaint was filed on the complaint of a duty officer who said the police arrived at Elahi’s residence to make an arrest. However, members of his staff locked the house from the inside, and a large number of people present inside “threatened” the raiding team, “pelted them with stones, and even doused them with petrol,” causing a fire to break out.

As a result, more police contingents were called to control the situation, and an armoured personnel carrier (APC) was used to gain entry into the house.

The report claimed that Elahi escaped using the rear entrance of the house as his supporters and workers baton-charged the police party.

‘DISMANTLING DEMOCRACY’

Fawad Chaudhry, senior vice president of the party, condemned the event and said the opposition party will Saturday decide whether or not to continue the talks with the government to end an impasse over elections in Punjab.

The second round of talks between the ruling Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) alliance and the party of former prime minister Imran Khan concluded on Friday with both sides agreeing to consult with their

respective leaderships before re-convening for a “final” round on Tuesday.

“The attack on Parvez Elahi’s house, keeping Ali Amin Gandapur in wrongful confinement despite being granted bail and workers’ arrests are making the negotiation process meaningless,” Chaudhry said in a tweet.

Separately, responding to the crackdown through a series of tweets early Saturday, Khan promised to provide a “roadmap” to resist the government’s actions against members of his party. Khan strongly denounced the raid on Elahi’s home, saying it showed no respect for the women and family members present.

He further expressed his concerns that the current government was dismantling democracy in Pakistan before their eyes. Khan questioned whether similar action had been taken against the Sharifs and Zardaris, who are currently in power and have faced corruption allegations.

Khan ended his statement by declaring that enough was enough and that he would provide a roadmap to the nation on how to stand up against the destruction of their constitution and democracy.

‘ILLEGAL RAID’

Rasikh Elahi, son of Elahi, filed a petition in the Lahore High Court (LHC) against the raid at his father’s residence. The petition nominated the Punjab government, the anti-corruption bureau’s director general and additional director general, the chief of Punjab police, and senior superintendent and the Model Town superintendent of police as respondents.

Fakhar leads the way as Pakistan thrash New Zealand by 7 wickets

RAWALPINDI STAFF REPORT

Star batsman Fakhar Zaman led the way with an unbeaten 180 as Pakistan chased down a gigantic target of 337 runs against New Zealand in 48.2 overs in the second ODI of the five-match series in Rawalpindi on Saturday.

The left-handed opener was phenomenal with the bat as he lit up Pindi Stadium to help Pakistan take a 2-0 lead in the ODI series.

Opener Imam-ul-Haq was sent to the pavilion after he was dismissed for a total of 66 runs. But, Fakhar remained top of the table with his magnificent performance.

Set to chase 337 runs, Fakhar got full support from skipper Babar Azam after Imam departed. They both scored a matchbuilding partnership of 135 runs.

Babar went out on a soft dismissal off Ish Sodhi after scoring 65 runs. Fakhar kept going and in the end, partnered strongly with Mohammad Rizwan to complete the highest chase in ODIs in Pindi.

The left-handed batter remained not out for 180 runs laced with 17 boundaries and six maximums. Meanwhile, he also became the fastest Asian to score 3,000 runs.

It was Fakhar’s third consecutive century in ODIs, which made him only the fourth Pakistan batter to do so after Zaheer Abbas, Saeed Anwar, and Babar.

Rizwan, on the other hand, brought up his 19th half-century and too in a winning cause for Pakistan. The wicket-keeper batter smoked 54 not out including six boundaries.

For New Zealand, Matt Henry, Henry Shipley and Sodhi shared a wicket apiece.

Earlier, Daryl Mitchell showed commit-

ment to his team once again as he registered another ODI to help New Zealand post 336-5.

After being sent into bat first, New Zealand lost their opener Will Young in the sixth over. Haris Rauf, who ended up taking four wickets in his 10 overs, started the proceedings by removing Young (19) in the sixth over.

Mitchell and Chad Bowes built the innings from there with Bowes scoring his maiden ODI half-century. The two batters were too good against Pakistani bowlers who went for plenty of runs initially. They scored 86 off 80 together to put New Zealand in a position to score something over 300.

It was again Rauf who provided a breakthrough to Pakistan as they left out their key bowler Shaheen Shah Afridi for this match. Rauf bowled a slower one to get rid of

Bowes who scored run-a-ball 51.

Later on, Mitchell got the support of captain Tom Latham who in the end missed his century by just two runs. Latham and

Mitchell partnered strongly for 183 runs and ensured a big total in the first innings. Latham was given out on a review when nobody else believed it except Rauf.

g GOVT WAS PAYING SUBSIDY TO TEXTILE, SPORTS, SURGICAL, LEATHER, AND JUTE SECTORS