Epaper_23-05-15 ISB

PDM refuses to relocate venue as all set for sit-in outsiDe sc toDay

g INTERIOR MINISTER SAYS GOVT ASKED PDM TO MOVE SIT-IN OUTSIDE RED ZONE DUE TO ‘SECURITY

tHEPakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) on Sunday refused to relocate its planned protest sit-in outside the Supreme Court in Islamabad despite the government’s request to move it outside the Red Zone due to security concerns.

Speaking at a press conference with Information Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb earlier on Sunday, Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah said that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif had directed him to meet with Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) and PDM chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman.

After receiving “alarming” information from security institutions, Sanaullah had urged the PDM chief to relocate the planned protest sit-in of his multi-party coalition away from the Supreme Court building. Sanaullah, who belongs to the ruling Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) which is also part of the PDM coalition, said that the administration has informed him that it will be very difficult to control the protest and that the information being received from security institutions was very alarming.

He said that he had requested the JUI-F chief to hold the protest outside the Red Zone.

According to sources close to PDM, the PDM leadership is holding firm on its choice of venue, with Fazl and other leaders rejected any chance of relocating the sit-in which is supposed to continue for an indefinite period.

‘NO CHANGE IN PROTEST VENUE’” In a statement later in the evening, JUI-F Central Secretary General Senator Maulana Abdul Ghafoor Haideri ex-

CONCERNS’

During his press conference earlier today, Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah also lashed out at PTI Chairman Imran Khan over the violent protests and vandalism by his party workers and supporters following his May 9 arrest, and urged the people to use their voting power to negate any attempts to spread unrest in the country.

The interior minister stated that investigations are ongoing to identify the malicious elements involved in the recent tragic events, and those who were involved in attempting to set fire to sensitive installations and public and private property will be brought to justice with evidence presented in court.

The minister emphasized once again that the political party responsible for inciting unrest should be declared a proscribed organisation. However, he stated that this is a legal process and that facts will come to light in due course.

are expected to arrive in Islamabad on Monday, including a large number of workers who will stop in Hyderabad next.

A JUI-F spokesperson has reported that convoys from Sindh are set to depart for Islamabad to participate in the sit-in outside the Supreme Court.

The Rohri Interchange has been designated as the central point for gathering, where the convoys from all over Sindh, including Karachi and Hyderabad, will assemble before departing for Islamabad together. The spokesperson also noted that the convoys from Sukkur and Larkana divisions will join the groups travelling from Karachi. According to him, the main convoy en route from Karachi is expected to reach Sukkur by evening. Arrangements have been made for food and accommodation at Rohri for the main convoy.

pressed concern over the spread of false rumours that the planned location of the protest had been changed. “Some mischievous elements are spreading misinformation that the protest site has been changed. This is not true,” he said in a statement. He clarified that the sitin protest will be held in front of the Supreme Court and urged the workers to not pay attention to false rumours.

“The protest will be held in front of the Supreme Court on Constitution Avenue,” Haideri assured the party workers in the statement. He further stated that the sit-in protest outside the top court will continue for an indefinite period of time, adding that the decision to end the sit-in protest will be made tomorrow.

The protest sit-in by the ruling multiparty coalition comes days after violent

protests erupt across major cities in the country following the arrest of former prime minister and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan. The former prime minister was arrested on May 9 by the paramilitary Rangers on orders of the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) from the Islamabad High Court (IHC) over allegations Rs50 billion corruption in the Al Qadir Trust case.

However, a three member bench of the Supreme Court led by Chief Justice Bandial, later declared Imran’s arrest as illegal and ordered his immediate release. The ruling PDM coalition has been voicing their protest against what they describe as the double standards of the judiciary, openly accusing the apex court judges of favouritism and asking the top judge to step down from his position.

SC hears ECP’s review plea as deadline for Punjab polls lapses

STAFF REPORT

The Supreme Court is set to take up the Election Commission of Pakistan’s (ECP) petition seeking a review of its April 4 verdict regarding elections in Punjab on May 14 – a deadline lapsed on Sunday without implementation, on Monday (today).

The elections did not take place nor could the orders of the Supreme Court be implemented. The Election Commission claimed that it had completed the preparations but owing to unavailability of funds, it was unable to move forward. The political parties also did not agree on the elections only in Punjab.

On May 3, the ECP approached the court seeking review of its order to hold polls on May 14. Three days later, CJP Bandial said the apex court would proceed in line with the constitution and would not sit idle on the May 14 election issue if the dialogue between the government and the PTI failed. A three member SC bench, headed by Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Umar Ata Bandial and comprising Justice Ijazul Ahsan and Justice Muneeb Akhtar, would take up the plea.

The SC had ruled the order of the ECP regarding delay in elections in Punjab as null and void, ordering polls on May 14. The apex court had also asked the gov-

ernment to release Rs21 billion in supplementary grant to hold polls, until April 10.

The court also ordered the electoral watchdog to present a report on the provision of funds on April 11. It came as Imran Khan-led party had filed the petition regarding delay in elections after the ECP on March 22 put off the polls till Oct 8, citing financial and security constraints.

Later, the federal government, in response, took the matter to the parliament to get the funding approved. Finance Minister Ishaq Dar presented the election expenses bill in the National Assembly.

The ECP, on April 11, apprised the SC in a report that the government had not provided funds to the commission for holding elections in Punjab.

According to the Election Commission, the government had not yet provided Rs21 billion despite SC’s order and the Punjab caretaker government had agreed to provide only 75,000 personnel for security. “There is a shortage of three lakh security personnel for the elections in Punjab,” the ECP noted.

Upon this, the court issued notices to top officials including Attorney General Mansoor Awan, State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) Governor Jameel Ahmad, Secretary of the Finance Department, and Secretary of the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) over failing to provide funds for upcoming Punjab elections.

Pakistan’s external financing requirements for IMF deal unchanged: IMF

PROFIT REUTERS

Pakistan’s external financing requirements have not been changed in talks with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) over bailout funds, the IMF Resident Representative in Pakistan said, denying local media reports that the Fund was seeking fresh financing.

“There is no truth to reports that the IMF is asking Pakistan to raise $8 billion in fresh financing,” Esther Pérez Ruiz said in a text message sent to Reuters on Sunday. The clarification comes after a report published by the Express Tribune on Saturday, which quoted sources as saying that the IMF had raised the demand for additional financing from an earlier unmet condition of $6 billion to $8 billion aimed at ensuring debt repay-

ments coming up for the May-December 2023 period.

On Sunday, Pérez Ruiz said that external funding requirements had not changed throughout the discussions, under a review that would unlock $1.1 billion in financing for the cash-strapped South Asian nation as part of a $6.5 billion IMF package. A staff-level agreement on the review has been delayed since November, with nearly 100 days passed since the last staff level mission to Pakistan — the longest such delay since at least 2008. On Thursday, the Fund reiterated that obtaining commitments on external financing from friendly countries would be essential before the IMF approves the release of bailout funds. The United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia and China came to Pakistan’s assistance in March and April with pledges that would cover some of the funding deficit.

Pakistan’s central bank reserves fell $74 mln to $4.38 billion, barely a month’s worth of imports, according to data released on Thursday.

Finance Minister Ishaq Dar said during a seminar on Thursday that Pakistan would not default, with or without the IMF, and that the country could not afford to take any additional harsh measures to accommodate the IMF. Pakistan has reversed course on implementing a fuel cross-subsidy that had raised concerns at the IMF.

IMF Resident Representative Pérez Ruiz said that Pakistani authorities committed to the IMF during last month’s spring meetings that they would not introduce the crosssubsidy scheme in fiscal year 2023 or beyond. She said the scheme was “typically regressive and prone to abuse”.

Earlier in the day, the PDM coalition sought permission from the local district administration to hold a sit-in outside of the Supreme Court premises in the federal capital.

Former minister and PML-N leader Dr Tariq Fazal Chaudhry confirmed to journalists that an application on the matter had been submitted to the concerned authorities.

“PML-N workers from across Islamabad will fully participate in the protest,” he said.

The application states that the ruling party alliance wishes to “hold a public gathering at D-Chowk, Islamabad on Monday at 10am”.

CONVOY FROM KARACHI SETS OFF FOR ISLAMABAD SIT-IN: A convoy of workers and activists from political parties that make up the Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) has left Karachi and is currently travelling to Islamabad, the federal capital.

Convoys from different cities in Pakistan

KP WORKERS ALL SET TO PARTICIPATE IN SIT-IN: After the announcement of the JUI-F protest sit-in outside the Supreme Court, the workers have started their movements with the main departure of the workers from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa on Monday morning.

This was stated by Maulana Ahmad Ali Darwish while talking to media men here Sunday. He said the Caravans of the JUI-F workers will depart from each district according to their schedule and all convoys will reach Haklah Interchange on Monday afternoon.

The convoy from Peshawar city will depart from JUI center at 9.00 am on Monday morning, Ahmad Ali Darwish informed. After reaching Haklah Interchange, all convoys from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa will go to the Supreme Court in the form of a central convoy, Maulana Ahmad Ali Darwish explained.

g WORKERS OF JUI-F, PPP, PML-N FROM KP, SINDH OTHER PARTS OF COUNTRY START ARRIVING IN CAPITAL ISLAMABAD

USMAN DAR REJECTS ASIF’S APOLOGY AFTER ‘POLICE THREATENS MOTHER WITH RAPE’

SIALKOT MoNitoRiNg RepoRt

PAKISTAN Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) leader Usman Dar accused Defense Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif of masterminding the late-night raid on his residence in which his mother was harassed by the police. The opposition party has alleged that the

Alvi orders inquiry into workplace harassment case in Islamabad police

ISLAMABAD: President Dr Arif Alvi has ordered the Federal Ombudsman for Protection against Harassment of Women at Workplace (FOSPAH) to investigate allegations of workplace harassment against a male employee of the Islamabad police by a female colleague. The president emphasised that the right to a fair trial is a fundamental right of every citizen as enshrined in the Constitution, and that both the rights of the complainant and the accused must be protected. To ensure transparency and prevent the abuse of power, the president deemed it appropriate to entrust the inquiry proceedings to FOSPAH. The inquiry must be concluded within 90 days. The case involves a harassment complaint filed by the employee against a male colleague within the departmental hierarchy of the police. The matter was referred to a departmental inquiry committee, which recommended the accused be placed under suspension and charged for conducting a regular inquiry. The accused filed a representation with FOSPAH, which ordered a de-novo trial. Dissatisfied with the decision, both parties filed separate representations with the president. The president observed that the allegations of workplace harassment had yet to be probed into, and that the accused had expressed apprehension that remitting the matter again to the DIC was not fair due to a likelihood of administrative bias. The president therefore set aside the orders of FOSPAH and directed it to conduct its own inquiry within the statutory period. Staff RepoRt

Imran created fake trust to ‘whiten’ black money: Tarar

raiding team entered the home of Dar and threatened his sister with the rape of his septuagenarian mother if the former minister did not surrender to the police.

A video circulating on the internet claimed that after issuing the threat, the police locked the doors of a room with Dar’s mother inside.

Following the incident, the party took to Twitter to share the news, stating, “[…] po-

lice raided the residence of […] Usman Dar. The mother of the Dar brothers was harassed by violating the sanctity of the chadar and the four walls.” The party also shared visuals of the house on Twitter.

On Saturday, Asif took it upon himself to apologise for the raid, after the people from his own constituency in Sialkot called it a massive overreach of executive authority. “I’m willing to apologise to women who

have been disrespected,” he told reporters.

“I am not making this statement for any political reason. I am personally embarrassed, this has nothing to with politics, I have had personal relationships with these families before politics was involved and I respect their women like I respect the women in my own house,” he said.

Responding to the event, Dar held the minister responsible for the attack on his

house following the arrest of former prime minister Imran Khan in a land dispute on Tuesday.

Rejecting Asif’s apology, Dar said: “[There’s] no need for sympathy, stop shedding crocodile tears.”

In clashes, Imran showed he commands huge crowds. What’s driving them?

ISLAMABAD the aSSoCiated pReSS

The arrest of former prime minister Imran Khan on Tuesday has shown how quickly his fervent loyalists can mobilise in large numbers.

Within hours of his detention, protestors torched vehicles and buildings, and attacked police and military facilities to express their fury over the treatment of the 70-year-old opposition leader.

Khan’s supporters have emerged as a major force, challenging the authority of the government and military, aware that they can shift the political balance through unrelenting pressure. Although Khan has since been released from detention, it’s clear his supporters are ready to stay on the streets. Here’s a look at who they are and what’s driving them:

WHAT IS IMRAN KHAN’S APPEAL?

Khan has been a star in Pakistan for

decades. As an athlete, in 1992 he led the country to its only World Cup victory in cricket, a massive sport in South Asia. That made him a hero to tens of millions of people before he even entered politics. He founded Pakistan’s first cancer hospital, named after his mother, and ventured into philanthropy. His anti-corruption mantra is a hit in a country riddled with graft. And he has claimed he is the only leader who can stand up to the West and, in particular, the United States. It’s a popular narrative in Pakistan, where resentment of foreign involvement in domestic matters is deep-seated.

WHO ARE HIS SUPPORTERS?

Khan’s appeal spans social classes. Loyalists include young educated people without links to the two main political dynasties, the Sharifs and the Bhuttos. He also appeals to the diaspora and illiterate people in rural areas who have no access to social media or the Internet.

Unifying these groups is Khan’s message about challenging the elites and the status quo. He feeds his supporters’ sense of disenfranchisement. Men, women, young and old travel by the thousands to hear him speak at open-air rallies. His support among people in their 20s and 30s explains his party’s dominance of social media, especially Twitter. Most of his power base lies in Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

HOW IS THIS OUTBREAK OF VIOLENCE DIFFERENT?

Neither this week’s violent clashes with law enforcement nor the mass arrest of activists and leaders from Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) have deterred his followers. They say they will not allow harm to be done to Khan, and swear to take revenge against anyone daring to cross what they call their red line, in this case his arrest. This level of violence hasn’t been seen

LHC resumes hearing plea seeking Imran Riaz’s release today

The Lahore High Court (LHC) will resume hearing on a petition seeking release of anchorperson Imran Riaz Khan as the journalist’s whereabouts remain unknown for the fourth day on Sunday.

On Friday during hearing of the case, LHC Chief Justice Muhammad Ameer Bhatti had ordered the police to produce a video record of anchorperson Imran Riaz release from Sialkot jail after the anchorperson’s mother informed the court he was ‘still missing.’

The officer informed the apex court that later the government withdrew the detention order after the anchorperson submitted an affidavit and he was subsequently released from jail. The court, however, expressed displeasure over the statement and directed the official to submit CCTV footage of the journalist leaving Sialkot jail.

Now, the court will resume hearing the case on Monday (today) and his family is hopeful about either Imran Riaz will be released or brought to court.

since 2007, when former prime minister Benazir Bhutto was assassinated and her followers rampaged for days. The suspension of social media and mobile internet hasn’t stopped Khan’s supporters from turning out in the thousands.

WHAT HAPPENS NEXT?

The turmoil this week has placed the government, security forces and judiciary in a tough position. While Khan’s supporters haven’t brought Pakistan to a standstill, they have disrupted daily life. Educational institutions have shuttered temporarily, consumer spending has fallen as people stay home, the industry has slowed, and daily governance has ground to a halt, while the suspension of mobile internet impacted services like food delivery and ride-hailing apps. Khan’s arrest and what critics view as the government’s fixation on him have only stoked the passions of his loyalists, who say they are prepared to do anything to save him.

Lahore police arrest another 340 vandals

ISLAMABAD: Special Assistant to Prime Minister (SAPM) on Interior Attaullah Tarar Sunday said that the Al-Qadir Trust case was the biggest scandal of corruption as PTI Chairman Imran Khan created a fake trust to whiten his black money. Addressing a press conference, he said, that Imran Khan and his wife were trustees of Al-Qadir Trust and both were accused of corruption of Rs. 60 billion and Imran Khan would have to answer in this case. “Being an office holder, he has to answer for Rs. 60 billion corruption in an open and shut case,” he added. He said that loot and plunder of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf chief during his government tenure had been caught. Tarar alleged that Imran Khan caused a loss of billions of rupees to the national exchequer. Tarar claimed that a direct bribe was caught in the case, adding a sealed envelope was shown to the cabinet, where two to three ministers objected. He further alleged that Imran Khan had received 458 kanals of land from the property tycoon for illegal benefits. Tarar added that no written answer was submitted by the PTI chief in the accountability court and that Imran Khan would have to answer for his theft. He said that the PTI chief had registered fake cases against his political opponents. He vowed that “the gangs produced by PTI chief Imran Khan” would never be given forgiveness. “They will be identified through CCTV cameras and will not be allowed to go free.” To a question, he said the terrorists trained by Imran Khan burnt houses and defence installations and the violent protesters were involved in the looting of shops and residences. Staff RepoRt

According to legal team representing Imran Riaz in LHC, the anchorperson was arrested by the Punjab police under the Maintenance of Public Order rules — which allows preemptive detentions to ensure law and order — at the Sialkot airport on May 11 — two days after violent protests broke out across the country following PTI Chairman Imran Khan’s arrest — and taken to the Cantt police station. He was later shifted to the Sialkot prison. “During this time, his family

had no contact with him and after certain rumours started making rounds on social media, the family filed a writ petition in the LHC on the morning on May 12.

“During the hearing, the honourable chief justice directed the attorney general to present Riaz in court by afternoon the same day,” he said.

However, when the hearing resumed the Punjab IG Police told the court that Imran Riaz was arrested at the airport while trying to fly abroad and shifted to jail as the district government issued his detention order.

Strict action should be taken against rioters: Ch Shujaat

LAHORE Staff RepoRt

Pakistan Muslim League Quid chief

Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain said Sunday that strict action should be taken against those who are involved in the 9th May violent protests.

This he said while delivering his presidential address at the party’s central leadership meeting. The meeting was convened to review the present political situation of the country following the arrest and release of PTI chief Imran Khan.

PML-Q chief organizer Chaudhry

Sarwar and general secretary Chaudhry

Shafay Hussain also participated in the meeting. In the meeting, serious concern was expressed over the situation in the country.

Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain deplored

Not dressed properly

City NoteS

M.a. Niazi

IMRAN KHAN was finally arrested. And then released, after the Islamabad High Court said the arrest was legal, and then said it wasn’t. The reason was that he was arrested on the premises of the court while not wearing uniform. He was wearing shalwar qameez, nt a dhoti, and his qameez was not yellow with large blue polka dots.

It took the Supreme Court to announce an end to the glorious police tradition of arresting an accused from the verandah or corridors of a high court, once he has been denied bail. Of course, it did not specify the offences for which arrest is now illegal. NAB offences are out, but can murder accused be arrested that way?

that a political party attacked the armed forces, GHQ, Jinnah House, and public and private properties for the first time in the history of Pakistan, He said that PML-Q will hold a rally to show solidarity with the Pakistan Army.

“The rally will be taken out from the Muslim League House to the Press Club on Wednesday, May 17 at 3 pm,” Chaudhry Shujaat said. An appeal to all patriots and workers of the Pakistan Muslim League to participate in the rally, Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain Shujaat Hussain said that political leaders have encouraged their workers to attack army installations and try to cause chaos in the country. They tried to demoralize Pak Army, Shujaat lamented.

Chaudhry Sarwar said that the attacks on public and private properties

And what about arson? They burned down the Corps Commander’s residence here in Lahore, and it seems that the arsonists also did their bit for a new Pakistan, such as liberating a soft-drink bottle and freeing some white peacocks. The PTI was needlessly defensive about this, and it showed how badly rattled they were that they didn’t blame Shehbaz Sharif for having ser the fire with the help of Gullu Butt. One of Imran’s great achievements, up there with winning the World Cup and his successful Prime Ministership, is having spent a night in police custody and living to tell the tale.

The breakdown in the PTI has reached the point where no spokesman has claimed that Maryam Nawaz was seen pouring petrol over the Peshawar Radio Pakistan building, or even that Mian Shahbaz was seen firing at the crowd in Quetta when one person was killed. There’s a focus on Imran, with an attempt to build the narrative that there were two attempts on his life, one

The LHC chief justice had warned the officials that the court could take strict action if the police or jail authorities tries to mislead the court.

On the other hand, the PTI has also raised concerns over the “disappearance of Imran Riaz”. In his first video message after release a day earlier, Imran feared that Riaz would be tortured just like Azam Swati and other PTI leaders. “We also fear that he will be killed … and if anything happens to him the same will be responsible … those who killed Arshad Sharif.”

LAHORE: The Lahore police on Sunday arrested another 340 miscreants involved in the May 9 vandalism and arson incidents. The rioters were identified from their photos and videos posted on social media, the authorities said. According to the spokesperson for Punjab police, as many as 152 police officers and officials were seriously injured in the violent acts across Punjab. The process of identifying the accused from the CCTV and mobile videos is going on, he added. The spokesperson said that the number of arrested miscreants involved in vandalism and arson has reached 3,185 He said that 94 vehicles used by the Punjab police were vandalized. He said that the vandals set on fire 27 vehicles of the Lahore police, 21 of Faisalabad police, 19 of Rawalpindi police, 9 of Mianwali police, 5 of Sialkot police, 3 of Gujranwala police, 4 of Multan police, 1 of Attock police, 1 of Jhang, 1 of Toba Tek Singh police, 3 of police constabulary, while 8 private vehicles were also destroyed by the miscreants. The spokesperson said that 22 government buildings including police stations and offices were severely damaged. Punjab IG Police Dr Usman Anwar vowed that the vandals who have destroyed private and government property and set to fire vehicles could not escape from the grip of the law. Staff RepoRt

22 protestors remanded in prison, 63 given bail in rioting cases

and military installations are regrettable and condemnable. These incidents earned a bad name for Pakistan, he added.

Sarwar said that a conspiracy to start a fight between the people and the army has failed. Ch Sarwar said that all praises are for the armed forces for showing patience and tolerance. Chaudhry Shafay Hussain said that those who attack military installations are enemies of Pakistan and its people.

“They should be punished severely so that no one will have the courage to do such a heinous act in the future, Shafay advised.

foiled by China’s intervention, the other by Saudi PM and Crown Prince MBS’s intercession.

The way things are going, Imran might claim that a high Air Quality Index in Lahore is actually an attempt on his life. Apparently, while Imran was in jail, he was careful to eat or drink nothing. No wonder he didn’t use the washroom. In this weather, he would soon be suffering from constipation. I don’t know how that plays out with an anal prolapse (which he submitted in his MC), but The Chief Justice was taking a big risk by admitting Imran to his courtroom. What if there had been an accident? Anyway, Imran needed to stay hydrated. I mean, all things apart, he is 71.

It’s interesting that the medical reports coming out of the detention don’t mention the prolapse. There is an X-ray doing the media rounds showing an absolutely undamaged bone, with the claim that Iran’s bone was never broken by any firing.

The medical report also indicated that Imran’s blood did not have enough cocaine to kill him. Of course, as the test was conducted in a government hospital, we know that it was not reliable.

KARACHI: At least 63 members of the opposition Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) party were granted bail by judicial magistrates in cases relating to rioting and violence following the arrest of party chairman Imran Khan. However, 22 activists were sent to prison on judicial remand in cases registered under the Anti-Terrorism Act by the administrative judge of the anti-terrorism courts. The activists were arrested following Khan’s detention on Tuesday, and were alleged to be involved in the violence in different parts of the metropolis. The police brought 54 suspects into court and sought their physical remand, but the defence counsel argued that the protests were peaceful and the suspects were being framed in the cases, pleading for bail. The courts of judicial magistrates (west) granted them bail against a surety bond of Rs5,000 each. In another case, police produced nine activists before a judicial magistrate (Malir) for remand in a case pertaining to blocking a road in Sohrab Goth and damaging property. The lawyers of the suspects pleaded for bail, and the court ordered their release under Section 63 (discharge of person apprehended) of the Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC). Staff RepoRt

Now one begins to understand why he said that Shehbaz Gill, Azqam Swati and all PTI leaders jailed were sexually abused. Notice that no one is making this claim for Imran. That’s right, he controls the narrative, especially of that claim. It seems that Dirty Harry isn’t so attractive after all. I see that the Hanud-o-Yashud took advantage of the confusion to do what they do best, which oppress the Muslims under their control. Outside o Tauru, a district in India’s Haryana state, a Muslim was killed after it was found he was carrying a cow in the back of his car. No one tried to find out how he had got the cow into the car. He was bringing the cow from nearby Rajasthan, where cow slaughter is also banned.

The Israelis launched an attack on Gaza as usual, killing 22, including women and children, upto Thursday. I wonder if the people killed carried very much whether Imran was free or ont (or whether Arm installations were being damaged). To find ou8t, perhaps one should ask Ali Amin Gandapur, the renegade disciple of Ali Wazir. I don’t know if he’ll answer,so pleased he would be at the fact that he was recognized at Zaman Park, even without his flowing locks.

LAHORE Staff RepoRt

YASMIN KEY PLAYER IN PROTEST OUTSIDE LAHORE GENERAL’S HOUSE, CLAIMS NAQVI

LAHORE Staff RepoRt

THE interim government of Punjab accused Dr Yasmin Rashid, a leader of Pakistan Tehreek-eInsaf (PTI), of playing a “significant role” in the violent protests that erupted following the arrest of former prime minister Imran Khan on Tuesday.

For two days, several thousand enraged supporters of the chairman of the opposition party rampaged through cities around the country, setting fire to buildings and blocking roads.

At least nine people have died in the unrest, police and hospitals said. Hundreds of police officers have been injured and more than 2,000 people arrested, mostly in Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

Since Wednesday, the army has been deployed in two provinces and in the capital. The interior ministry has also restricted access to social media sites Twitter, Facebook and YouTube, according to the telecommunications regulator.

Addressing a news conference in La-

Yasmin hospitalised after rearrest by Lahore police

hore on Sunday, Mohsin Naqvi, caretaker chief minister of the province, said he wanted to uphold women’s dignity and that Rashid was taken to the hospital to ensure her safety and prevent her from being victimised.

Naqvi claimed, without providing sufficient evidence, that Rashid was a key figure in the entire episode, and expressed his hope that the judiciary would treat the case fairly, as they were equally concerned

about the “terrorist incidents” that occurred. Disclosing the extent of the damage caused during the protests, Naqvi said that 108 cars, including police vehicles, were set ablaze across the province, along with 23 buildings, including banks and the residence of the commander of Lahore Corps, being damaged.

Naqvi also claimed that in Lahore, six Hilux, two police Vigo trucks, 12 buses, one jail van, four bikes, and two singlecabin vehicles were burnt, in addition to six vehicles belonging to the Water and Sanitation Agency (WASA) and eight Rescue 1122 ambulances.

Furthermore, an Audi showroom was targeted in Lahore, with one car completely burned and the rest left with varying degrees of damage.

He said that while staging protests is the right of every political party, the moment the protestors reached the barricaded cantonment neighbourhood, they “transformed into militants.”

He said that the protestors responsible “attack” on the house of the Lahore Corps Commander were not political workers,

Punjab ombudsman steps in to reclaim state-owned land valued at Rs64m

but “terrorists.” According to him, approximately 400 people entered the building, while a further 3,400 remained outside.

Naqvi emphasised that the authorities would not rest until every person involved in the incident was arrested. He also declared that the protests were “pre-planned”, leaving no doubt in his mind that the “violence was not spontaneous.”

Naqvi also denounced the recent comments made by former US envoy for Afghanistan Zalmay Khalilzad as “interference not only in Pakistan’s matters but in our army’s matters.”

In response to a journalist’s question, Naqvi called on the federal government to take serious notice of Khalilzad’s statements while cautioning the public not to give them any credence.

Naqvi went on to remark that in his opinion, Khalilzad’s worth was “no more than that of a peon or chaprasi,” and that the former envoy had no current affiliation with the US government, having served solely during the tenure of former US president Donald Trump.

Crackdown continues as Saifullah

Niazi,

Mehmoodur Rasheed, Shamim

Naqvi held, Zartaj Gul booked

ISLAMABAD Staff RepoRt

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Senator Saifullah Niazi, former Punjab minister Mian Mehmoodur Rasheed and Sindh MPA Shamim Naqvi were arrested during the ongoing crackdown while a terrorism case has been registered against former federal minister Zartaj Gul and 54 other leaders and workers in DG Khan.

He said that Mian Mehmoodur Rasheed was arrested when he was going to court for a hearing.

The arrests were made following the violent protests, arson and vandalism by supporters of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf workers after the arrest of Imran Khan.

male party workers from Insaf House at Shahre Faisal.

ZARTAJ GUL AMONG 55

LAHORE: The administrations of Kasur, Toba Tek Singh, Mianwali, Khanewal, Bahawalpur, Sargodha, Hafizabad, Jhang, Mandi Bahauddin, and Faisalabad districts have successfully reclaimed over 35-kanal state land within their jurisdictions following the intervention of the Office of the Ombudsman, Punjab. These lands hold a combined market value of Rs63.85 million. According to the spokesman, the ombudsman’s office acted upon applications seeking the removal of encroachments and the recovery of government lands from occupiers in these districts. Meanwhile, in response to an own-motion notice issued by Ombudsman retired Maj. Azam Suleman Khan, the health department promptly addressed the issue of nonpayment of salaries to 700 anti-dengue daily-wagers in Multan. The outstanding salaries, amounting to Rs62 million, were disbursed to the employees. In another development, Punjab Benevolent Fund Board, under the direction of the ombudsman’s office, awarded educational scholarships worth Rs0.17 million to six applicants. Mayo Hospital Lahore, in compliance with the provincial ombudsman’s order, reimbursed Yasser Taj a total of Rs46 million. Additionally, DHQ Hospital Toba Tek Singh paid Gohar Ali Rs0.6 million for laboratory supplies, and the Public Health Engineering Department Nankana Sahib returned a security deposit of Rs30 million to another complainant, Chaudhry Abdul Ghafoor, the spokesman reported. Furthermore, the office played an important role in addressing complaints from individuals in various districts, including Lahore, who sought relief from government departments. As a result, these complainants have received a cumulative financial relief of Rs28 million, ensuring their rights were upheld. The plaintiffs have expressed their gratitude to the Office of the Ombudsman for safeguarding their legal rights. Staff RepoRt

LAHORE: Dr Yasmin Rashid, president of the central Punjab wing of Pakistan Tehreek-iInsaf (PTI), was taken into custody in Lahore once again on Sunday, just after her release from detention by the Lahore High Court (LHC). On Friday, the court suspended the detention of the former provincial health minister and 17 other women workers of the opposition party, who had been held under Section 3 of the Maintenance of Public Order (MPO), and ordered their release. However, the Lahore police re-arrested Rashid in several other cases registered against her in various police stations of the city, all related to terrorism, which have been filed in Sarwar Road, Gulberg, and Shadman police stations. The 70-year-old politician was taken to the Services Hospital in Lahore on the night of her arrest due to some health complications. Different tests were conducted, according to hospital sources. Rashid has been having various medical conditions due to her age, they added. The head of Lahore police, Bilal Siddique Kamyana, visited the hospital and inquired about Rashid’s health. He also sought the opinion of the hospital doctors regarding her transfer to the Police Lines. However, the doctors told him that they could give their opinion only after examining her medical reports in the morning. A large force of policewomen was also present at the hospital during Kamyana’s visit. The reasons for Rashid’s detention and multiple arrests have not been specified, nor have the details of her health complications been shared. Staff RepoRt

180 terrorist attacks rocked Khyber Pakhtunkhwa this year: report

PESHAWAR: The anti-terrorism department in Peshawar has issued the data regarding an increase in terrorist incidents in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. According to the report, 133 incidents of terrorism took place in KP during the four months of the last year. This year, the number of terrorist attacks increased to 180 during the same period. The maximum number of 50 terrorist attacks was reported in February, the report stated. It further claimed 158 terrorists were arrested in 711 intelligence-based operations. In these operations, the security forces killed 62 terrorists, and seized 47 kilograms of explosives and 150 hand grenades from the hunted terrorists. The report added that suicide jackets and other weapons were also recovered from the terrorists. Staff RepoRt

Taking to Twitter, the PTI stated the Islamabad police arrested its leader and Senator Saifullah Niazi, adding that he was moved to an undisclosed location now.

The PTI demanded the immediate release of party leaders who were “illegally arrested” following protests erupted across the country against the arrest of former prime minister Imran Khan. It is pertinent to mention here that the police have launched a crackdown on Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leaders and workers following the ‘violent protests’ held after the arrest of party chairman Imran Khan in Al-Qadir Trust Case.

Violent clashes broke out across Pakistan after former prime minister and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf chief Imran Khan was arrested from the Islamabad High Court (IHC) on May 9. The protests were held in remote and major cities as the party workers are agitated due to their chairman’s arrest, with Balochistan, Punjab, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and Islamabad summoning the armed forces to ensure law and order.

MEHMOODUR RASHEED

NABBED: On other hand, the Lahore Police on Sunday arrested Pakistan PTI leader Mehmoodur Rasheed from Lahore, his secretary confirmed Sunday.

Earlier, Police arrested against Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Dr Yasmin Rashid from hospital following her release on the orders of the Lahore High Court.

Yasmin, who was still waiting for her release from Kot Lakhpat Jail has earlier experienced a rapid deterioration in her health. The PTI leader was rushed to the Services Hospital in Lahore where her treatment is underway.

It is pertinent to mention here that the Lahore High Court ordered the immediate release of 18 PTI women workers, including former Punjab health minister Dr Yasmin Rashid.

FIRDOUS SHAMIM NAQVI

HELD: In Karachi, PTI leader Firdous Shamim Naqvi was arrested by the police on Sunday.

The police arrested the Member of Sindh Assembly (MPA) from Karachi’s Pehlwan Goth following his participation in ‘peaceful protests’ staged by the PTI in a bid to “Save the Constitution and Save Pakistan”. In a statement, the police said several cases were registered against Firdous Shamim Naqvi during the recent protests following the arrest of PTI chairman Imran Khan –who was later released on Supreme Court’s (SC) orders.

The senior PTI leader was leading a rally in different areas. Meanwhile, the Karachi Police also detained four fe-

BOOKED IN DG KHAN: Meanwhile, the Dera Ghazi Police on Sunday registered a case under the Anti-Terrorism Act (ATA) and several sections of the Pakistan Penal Code (PPC) against 55 PTI demonstrators, 25 of whom were nominated, including former federal minister Zartaj Gul.

The Gaddai Police registered the case against former federal minister Zartaj Gul, former health adviser to Punjab CM Hanif Patafi, Malik Iqbal Saqib, and others on charges of disturbing the peace, obstructing traffic, chanting anti-government and anti-army chants, assaulting police officers, and other unlawful behavior. The police are conducting raids to detain PTI leaders and workers.

According to the FIR filed on the complaint of Sub-Inspector Imtiaz Alam at the Gaddai police station, he was at Pul Dot with a police team when Zartaj Gul, Hanif Patafi, Malik Iqbal Saqib, Ruqiya Ramzan, 25 nominated protesters, and 30 unidentified protesters blocked the Dera-Quetta Road and interprovincial Indus Highway.

According to the report, the “miscreants” allegedly shouted insulting slogans against Pakistan Army and the government, and encouraged the protesters to vandalize public and private vehicles as well as other assets.

The demonstrators were informed that Section 144 had been imposed by the Punjab government, according to the FIR, but they disregarded the police’s advice, broke the law, assaulted the officers, and blocked the road.

Over 2m kids to be immunised in week long anti-polio drive

ISLAMABAD: Starting Monday, a week-long anti-polio campaign will take place across various districts of all four provinces in the country as part of the National Immunisation Programme. The campaign aims to immunise over two million children under the age of 5 to boost their immunity against polio. It will run from May 15 to May 19 in most districts, while in Lahore, Rawalpindi, and Faisalabad, it will continue for seven days. A total of 12 districts of Punjab, including Lahore, Faisalabad, Rawalpindi, Bhakkar, Dera Ghazi Khan, Layyah, Mianwali, Multan, Muzaffargarh, Rajanpur, Rahim Yar Khan, and Sheikhupura have been made part of the campaign. To ensure that all children are reached, mobile teams have been formed, which will visit all areas, including remote and far-flung areas, flood-affected areas, and Afghan refugee camps in Islamabad and other districts. The district health officer of Punjab, while speaking to a cable-news station, urged religious scholars, NGOs, and the local community to participate actively in making the campaign successful. The private schools have also been requested to cooperate with the district administration in implementing the polio eradication program. It is crucial for the government to strengthen polio surveillance systems and ensure high vaccination coverage to eradicate the disease from the country. The immunisation campaign has finalised all arrangements to save children from the crippling disease. Staff RepoRt

PDM refuses to relocate venue as all set for sit-in outside SC today

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 01

The workers have been instructed to bring essential supplies, Maulana

Ahmad Ali Darwish replied to a question of how long the sit-in will be. “It depends on the high command who can answer to such questions, however, the workers will be ready for any kind of the situation,” he added PML-N ALSO SEEKS PERMIS-

SION FOR GATHERING AT D-

CHOWK: Meanwhile, the ruling coalition party, Pakistan Muslim LeagueNawaz (PML-N) on Sunday sought the local district administration’s permission to hold a sit-in outside of the Supreme Court premises in Islamabad. Former minister and PML-N leader Dr Tariq Fazal Chaudhry confirmed to journalists that an application on the matter had been submitted to the concerned authorities.

“PML-N workers from across Islamabad will fully participate in the protest,” he said. The application states that the rul-

ing party alliance Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) wishes to “hold a public gathering at D-Chowk, Islamabad on Monday at 10am”.

Notably, the top court had come to the rescue of former prime minister Imran Khan on Thursday as it declared his arrest by the country’s top graft-buster from the premises of the Islamabad High Court (IHC) illegal and directed immediate release of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chief.

Shortly after the IHC’s decision was reported, PDM announced that it will stage a protest demonstration in front of the SC over its “unjust behaviour”. “We have decided that we will protest against this behaviour. As someone who is representing the PDM, I appeal to the entire nation to reach Islamabad on Monday. We will stage a sit-in and protest in huge numbers,” said Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam –Fazl (JUI-F) chief and PDM President Maulana Fazlur Rehman while addressing a press conference in Islamabad.

Fazl had said that every worker of

his party will participate in the protest and no one will stay at home. “If someone tried to stop us, we will reply back with clubs, slaps and punches if needed,” he had warned.

JUI-F SEEKS PERMISSION FOR

PEACEFUL PROTEST: The Jamiat

Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) on Sunday submitted an application to the Deputy Commissioner, Islamabad seeking permission for a “peaceful protest in front of the Supreme Court (SC)”.

JUI-F Senator Kamran Murtaza and Mufti Abdullah in the application also requested for adequate security and other necessary arrangements for the sit-in.

In a statement, JUI-F spokesperson Muhammad Aslam Ghauri expressed the party’s commitment to maintain order in the demonstration, saying that volunteers would be deployed for the purpose. He said no JUI-F worker would enter the premises of the apex court or the Judges’ Colony. “The JUI-F adheres to the principles of law and will not resort to violence

Mammoth-sized golden female eagle dies of Paramyxo virus at falconry

LAHORE Staff RepoRt

Named as Regent Empress of Asia – a mammoth-sized female Mongolian golden eagle, worth over PKR 150 million, expired at East Continental Falconry & Aviary (ECFA) Pakistan two days back, said a news release, issued here on Sunday.

According to Dr Fraz Mian, a spokesperson for the falconry, sudden death of the extraordinarily giant bird was suspected of being caused by the Paramyxo virus attack. Avian veterinarians believe the virus affects the wild and domestic birds, and damages their digestive, nervous and respiratory systems, leading to their death eventually,

he explained in the release.

The spokespersons said the 14 to 18 months old regal bird belonged to Aquila Crysaetos family of Accipitridae, commonly known as golden eagle. The bird was adequately capable to dive at a speed of up to 320 km/hour – glide at a speed of over 190 km/hour, with a horizontal speed of over 127 km/hour.

Golden eagles are known for their agility, speediness and the strident snatching talons. At present, there are only six living sub-species of golden eagles across Eurasia, North Africa, North America and certain parts of Asia.

Dr Fraz Mian said the majestic bird held top scores of falconry genera, prominence, figure celebs and aesthetic personae to its credit. The illustrious

sized 4-inch tarsus, far-flung 85-inch wing span, 27-inch outlying wing chord, excellent 3.1-inch talon, preeminent head size, far-stretching hallux claw, measured at 9.9 inches, and far pervasive claw-hook were the distinctive features that set the majestic bird aside from the contemporary. The Regent Empress of Asia was a captive golden eagle, and the taxidermy process on the royal bird

would be carried out soon, and it would be placed at the national museum, revealed the spokesperson.

Dr Fraz Mian said the East Continental Falconry is dedicated to retaining the rare species, the unusual bloodlines and the distinct heritage of eagles, falcons, hawks and harriers.

The East Continental Falconry is one of the prime falconries of the region, dreamt up and maintained by Prof Dr Aurangzeb Hafi of Gujranwala, who is a multi-disciplinary researcher of postdoctoral studies in Asia. In 2020, he was chronicled amongst ‘Top of the Top 10’ extravagantly towering silhouettes, who were shortlisted out of 1.6 million notables from over 190 countries by the ‘Impact Hallmarks [IH]’.

or disrespect to any institution,” Aslam Ghauri said.

PPP DECIDES TO PARTICIPATE IN PDM’S SIT-IN OUTSIDE SC: Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) has decided to participate in the Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM)’s sit-in outside Supreme Court (SC).

Addressing a news conference the

PPP leaders Nayyar Hussain Bukhari and Faisal Karim Kundi said that Supreme Court has refused to constitute a full court for Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) elections that’s why PPP will participate in the protest outside Supreme Court.

Nayyar Hussain Bukhari said that the nation needs a judiciary that makes a decision irrespective of their personal likes and dislikes, and who can work for the supremacy of law and constitution.

He maintained that when the PTI chairman was summoned before the court on May 11, he was an accused at that time. On what basis the Chief Justice declared Imran Khan’s arrest illegal?

Trying to shift the debate P

rIMe MINISTer Shahbaz Sharif made all the right noises while declaring that all the arsonists who were guilty of the attack on the Corps Commander’s residence in Lahore must be arrested in 72 hours, but the videos that have been released of arsonists supposedly confessing their crimes, and saying that they were instructed by PTI leaders does not seem to be the fulfilment of the PM’s promise that they were supposed to be. They might be satisfying to some, as they produced indications that the PTI was guilty of rioting, and thus increased the volume within the ruling coalition of those calling for a ban on the PTI because it was a violent party. however, they are not evidence which will be accepted in any court of law, and are no substitute for the thorough investigation that needs to be conducted.

Apart from courts of law, the court of public opinion is unlikely to be convinced, because the authorities are clearly approaching the problem with traditional outdated methods. The shouts of ‘Long live the Pak Army’ at the end of the videos do not seem spontaneous, but the brainwave of someone acting as a producer. The public is uneasily aware that sufficient third-degree torture will make a suspect confess almost anything and implicate whomsoever the investigator wants. Therefore, the publicly broadcast confessions are not going to convince anyone. Then there are several audio leaks of those allegedly involved in the attack. These do not constitute evidence unless difficult criteria are met, and at best, indicate the lines on which investigations must be conducted. Another issue arising at this stage, when recorded footages are being collected in the affected areas, is whether someone who found himself as part of an attacking mob, must be as severely punished as the leader. The COAS might well have said that the Army will never forget the attacks, but there is still a thorough investigation lacking.

The basic problem is that the investigation being conducted is not so much meant as to uncover the truth, as to reach a predetermined conclusion. The government must realise that the conclusion it wants to reach, that the PTI was involved, is not easily accepted by people already asking questions about the role of the military in recent years. It will take more than a few contrived confessional videos to convince people.

Dedicated to the legacy of late Hameed Nizami

Founding Editor

Yousaf Nizami Editor

Russia’s New Foreign Policy Vision for 2023

organisations’ friendliness, neutrality, or cooperation. Its main goal is to accelerate integration and find a system of all-encompassing cooperation based on Central Asian republics and the united CIS and eAeU that benefits all parties. russia wants to deepen its strategic partnership with China and India. It will boost connections with Middle eastern and North African countries by combining the resources of all regional governments and interstate coalitions, such as the League of Arab States and the Gulf Cooperation Council.

M.

Abid HussAin

There are speculations that conventional libraries will no longer run and go extinct if they do not diversify their activities from manual to smart technologies. The emerging technologies have made information professionals refer to the library as smart libraries. The influx of emerging technology has compelled librarians and patrons to search for fast and easy access to information in their time of need.

This gave credence to the usefulness of Artificial Intelligence applications for library services. AI is defined as using computer algorithms that think, work and react like a human being. Different fields have already deployed AI for exponential growth; however, libraries worldwide have been experimenting with this technology for the last two decades to use it in the era of information and communication technologies. AI has been used in the advanced world to enhance staff job capacities, bridging the knowledge gap and meeting customer demands. Developing countries like Pakistan still need to decide whether to use it.

AI is the most productive technology for commercial and research applications and is becoming increasingly important. AI is used to predict customer behaviour, improve products, keep track of inventory, and analyze Big Data. There are several ways to include AI in library operations, especially in data analysis, making the library a centre for research activities using Big Data, supporting remote access to library services, and performing the routine tasks that now require a human being to reach advanced research with in-depth expertise.

Libraries in advanced countries have entered the Fourth Industrial revolution and are developing diverse technologies to empower the library with rich collections and modern services. Upon the arrival of AI in library operations, librarians now provide a growing array of digital services and resources. It is no longer news that AI will become part of library operations, but now we are living in the real world where the use of advanced technologies is considered. Now we have arrived at a stage where what we heard in science fiction is becoming a reality.

The exceeded volume of books is no longer controllable to purchase each title in this age of financial crunch. everything has been made possible by AI; now, patrons can access enormous resources instead of physically visiting the library. The widespread use of mobile phones has made it possible to access resources on anywhere and anytime basis.

The COVID-19 pandemic accelerated the

RUSSIA’S geography, history, and the dynamics of global power have all had a role in shaping its approach to international affairs. The Primakov Doctrine, named after former russian Prime Minister (1998-99) and Foreign Minister (1996-98) Yevgeny Primakov, is one noteworthy foreign policy strategy that has arisen in recent decades. For approximately 20 years, this doctrine served as the cornerstone of russian foreign policy.

It has important implications for global power politics and stresses the significance of a multipolar world order where power is balanced among many big states. It suggests a triangular alliance between russia, China, and India to thwart the ascent of the USA as the only powerhouse in the world. The rIC has long been hailed as the non-Western centre for dialogue and cooperation that would usher in a new multipolar world. It also signifies a change from russia’s early pro-Western position following the fall of the USSr, which now focuses on boosting russia’s power inside its own region and abroad.

The Primakov Doctrine’s tenets can be summed up as follows: multipolarity, strategic autonomy, regional integration— which emphasizes the significance of regional integration— pragmatism, and non-intervention. This doctrine is evident in russia’s new foreign policy document, which was authorized by Presidential executive Order 229 of March 31, and was published the same day on the website of the russian Federation’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs (in english, Spanish, and French).

The 42-page paper has six sections and 76 paragraphs in all. The concept’s prior edition was approved in November 2016. here are a few key components of the new strategy, which is primarily based on the russian Federation Constitution, including its strategic aims, significant objectives, and priority areas.

The new russian foreign policy upholds international law and seeks equitable international involvement to solve shared concerns and advance shared interests. Peaceful, open, reliable, and pragmatic. russia’s stance depends on foreign nations and interstate

The new concept also claims that russia shares African nations’ aspirations for a more just polycentric world and the abolition of social and economic inequality, which are rising due to some industrialised nations’ sophisticated neocolonial practices against Africa. russia wants to help Africa become a global growth hub. The African Union and the russia-Africa Partnership Forum are the key venues for bilateral and multilateral russian-African cooperation.

The russian Federation wants to develop practical, de-ideological, and mutually beneficial relations with Latin American and Caribbean states to help them secure sovereignty and independence from the USA and its allies. Latin American and Caribbean republics are increasing their autonomy and varied potential. It prioritises strengthening links with other Latin American states while taking into mind their in-

Its independent and multifaceted foreign policy approach, guided by both the countryÊs own interests and its specific obligation to uphold international and regional peace and security. Moreover, it is a strong indicator of the emergence of a multipolar world in which states are devising broader strategies to protect their own interests in this period of transition. They are more preoccupied with optimizing their political benefit and influence in global politics.

Nexus of Artificial Intelligence and Libraries

The AI revolution reaches libraries

shift to remote access and digital platforms due to the advancement of AI. It has experimented that integrating AI into library operations and services will be a windfall for professionals working in different spheres. Most libraries use AI for complete technical services that require a massive team. The important thing of AI in library operations is correct metadata for the available information. Now AI replaced human work by putting metadata of extensive volumes in a few hours. In most libraries, AI is used to improve device performance, manage facial recognition, do an image search and provide virtual assistant services with the help of SIrI, Alexa and Google Assistant. Chat-bot feature, Chat GPT and GPS has become the need of the hours, which are robust applications of AI in this present age of information technologies. The Turnitin application is a common type of AI for similarity index and has been brought into use for the last few years in library operations.

services have been integrated into the libraries of advanced countries.

Some obstacles are associated with AI in library operations, like lack of finance, shortage of skilled labourers, insufficient power supply, slow speed of internet, copyright and licence problems, unemployment, and so on; AI greatly influences library operations. Some other obstacles to AI are libraries which need more information communication technologies and digital resilience in the libraries.

Still, AI is believed to be a formidable and co-disciplinary approach to understanding.

Librarians in Pakistan must ensure AI for fast and quality services and reach the patrons who need more time to visit the library physically.

Other popular search engines like ebscohost search discovery have been deployed in collective searches. Now people can discover all their belongings in a single search engine. Other services like the Internet of Things, Big Data, Blockchain Technologies and Virtual reality

Still, AI is believed to be a formidable and codisciplinary approach to understanding. Librarians in Pakistan must ensure AI for fast and quality services and reach the patrons who need more time to visit the library physically. AI has already been implemented to support new forms of computational research, discovery and reuse of library collections engagingly. In other words, AI and libraries have a great nexus to empower library operations with quality services. Dave Waters rightly said, “If people trust artificial intelligence (AI) to drive a car, people will most likely trust AI to do your job.”

The writer is Deputy Director of Library Services at the Institute of Strategic Studies Islamabad, a think-tank based in Islamabad.

dependence and constructive relations with the russian Federation. This includes diverse, mutually advantageous partnerships with Brazil, Cuba, Nicaragua, and Venezuela.

It also stressed that most european nations have an aggressive foreign policy towards russia that seeks to undermine russia’s security and sovereignty, gain economic advantages, undermine domestic political stability, erode traditional russian spiritual and moral values, and obstruct russia’s relations with allies and partners. The russian Federation will defend its national interests in the eU. The USA is a major sovereign centre of global development and the main driver, organiser, and implementer of the West’s aggressive anti-russian policy, which threatens the security of the russian Federation, international peace, and humanity’s balanced, equitable, and forward-moving development. russia’s US policy considers this. Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said the new plan encompasses the 2021 National Security Strategy. “The logic of the document reflects changing geopolitical realities— revolutionary advances on the outer contour, which have received a visible acceleration with the start of a special military operation.” he continued, “In particular, the unprecedented level of international tension over the past decade is stated. Unfriendly states pose grave threats to our security and prosperity. US-led hybrid warfare against russia.”

Being a permanent member of the United Nations Security Council, a participant in the major international organizations and associations, one of the two largest nuclear powers, and the successor (continuing legal personality) of the USSr, russia has significant resources in all spheres of human endeavour. Its independent and multifaceted foreign policy approach, guided by both the country’s own interests and its specific obligation to uphold international and regional peace and security. Moreover, it is a strong indicator of the emergence of a multipolar world in which states are devising broader strategies to protect their own interests in this period of transition. They are more preoccupied with optimizing their political benefit and influence in global politics.

The writer can be reached at guleayeshabhatti@gmail.com

Editor’s mail

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

Illogical banking

AS the country faces challenges with respect to foreign currency reserves and has historically been struggling to maintain them at the desired or required level, the banking rules in Pakistan are being compromised. I have had a US dollar account in one of the commercial banks for the last about seven years in which I receive my pension from United Nations and other remunerations. The usage of these funds is mainly for covering the university fees of my children studying in other countries.

I recently received a remittance of $2,000 from Australia and the bank concerned informed me that it has been converted into Pakistani rupee (PKr) and deposited into my local currency account with the same bank. I told the bank official that I had to remit right away $1,000 to my son in Malaysia, and was informed in return that I should now go to the money changer, or the illegal market, and purchase US dollars (of course, at a higher rate) and then deposit those dollars back into my dollar account. Only then it would be remitted by the bank. Is this not a complete nonsense? My earned US dollars were taken away by the bank without my consent and now I was being asked to go to the illegal market to get dollars and deposit them into my account. It means the bank itself is encouraging the illegal market.

I asked the bank officials to show me a single State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) circular in this regard or any bank policy advisory/alert. There was none. If the bank was unable to receive my dollars in my foreign currency account due to one or the other reason, it should have asked me for a choice to receive the amount in rupees or to have it returned to the sender.

Besides, who authorised the bank to make a self-deposit into my rupee account without my consent? I could have easily requested the sender to pay my son’s fee on my behalf had the bank returned the amount. Is the bank not driving away people from bringing their dollars to Pakistan? It is. But why? In developing countries, governments are allowing people to open multi-currency accounts linked with the local currency to boost their foreign exchange. People can receive money in any currency, but cash would be given only in the local currency. The hard currency could be used for covering children’s education abroad or one’s foreign travel or purchase of any essential item from overseas.

DR CHAUDHRY INAYATULLAH ISLAMABAD

Time to encourage women in politics

Women’s right to engage in politics has generally been restricted and disregarded in Pakistan despite a lot of rhetoric surrounding the matter. Yes, indeed, we were the first in the entire Muslim world to have a woman as head of the government, which is something that even the United States has not been able to register. But that was an exception rather than the norm.

Despite making up over half of the population, many women are not allowed to exercise their constitutional right to free and equal participation in decision-making and governance. Their right to vote, to run for office, and to participate in larger politics has been sabotaged by various cultural factors and patriarchal beliefs. The fact is that women’s baseline participation in the electoral process — as a voter — is still incredibly low, particularly in rural areas of the country. In contrast to 32.6 per cent of men, only 18.2pc of women cast their ballots in the 2018 general elections, according to a study by a non-governmental organisation (NGO). This is true even though women make up over 50pc of Pakistan’s electorate.

There are several reasons behind the low participation of women in the electoral process, especially in rural Pakistan. The first issue is that rural women are not aware of their rights or the significance of voting. Second, many women are reluctant to disagree with the thoughts and beliefs of the male family members out of concern for social shame.

To guarantee that their opinions are heard in the decision-making process, more and more women must participate in elections in Pakistan in order to encourage larger participation at the grassroots level.

The confessional videos being produced are unconvincing

Gul.i.AyesHA bHAtti

Indian nuclear ambitions COMMENT 05

Fueling tensions and escalation in South Asia

AHsAn Ali ZAHid

AFTer the first Indian nuclear test on 18 May 1974, the international community was alarmed, prompting the formation of the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG), also known as the London Group, to counter the threat of Indian proliferation. Led by the USA., the UK, France, Germany, and Japan, the London Group attempted to impose economic sanctions and diplomatic pressure on India to discourage further nuclear activities and prevent such instances of proliferation from other countries. The formation of the London Group also demonstrated the gravity with which the international community perceived India’s nuclear ambitions.

Despite international condemnation and economic sanctions, India conducted additional nuclear tests on 11 and 13 May 1998. These tests demonstrated India’s hawkish commitment to its nuclear weapons programme and its stubbornness in defying global norms in pursuit of its strategic objectives. Indian tests further heightened tensions in South Asia and reinforced concerns about the potential for a dangerous regional arms race.

India’s nuclear tests marked the first instance of state-sponsored nuclear proliferation, because, firstly, in the past, countries like the USA, the USSr, the UK, France, and China developed their nuclear capabilities in response to perceived external threats or as part of a broader arms race during the World War II and Cold War. So, the development of nuclear weapons was driven by security concerns and strategic competition.

however, when India conducted its nuclear tests, particularly the 1998 tests, its motivations were different. India’s nuclear program was driven primarily by a desire to establish itself as a regional

power and gain strategic advantage over its neighbours, particularly Pakistan. While there were certainly external security concerns that influenced India’s decision-making, the tests were more about asserting India’s regional dominance and enhancing its international prestige.

Secondly, India’s nuclear tests violated its civilian nuclear cooperation agreements with Canada. India used plutonium produced in a ‘CANDU reactor provided by Canada to conduct its nuclear tests, thereby undermining the trust between the two nations and jeopardizing future cooperation. This breach of trust not only strained bilateral relations between India and Canada but also called into question the effectiveness of international safeguards designed to prevent the misuse of civilian nuclear technology for military purposes.

The startling consequences of Indian procurement of nuclear weapons are clear as crystal. It further contributed to the fragility of the region, which has witnessed several conventional conflicts in the past. Indian nuclearization attempts paved a way towards increased risks of nuclear brinkmanship and contributed to an alarming arms buildup in South Asia that has far-reaching implications for regional and global security. Indian nuclear weapons ambitions also heightened tensions and prompted neighbouring countries, particularly Pakistan, to think about going down the nuclear route in response. Pakistan’s nuclear weapons programme is largely a response to Indian nuclear activities, driven by regional security concerns and the desire to maintain a balance of power in South Asia.

These developments led to a precarious situation in the South Asian region. Consequently, the potential for a nuclear arms race, spearheaded by India, between the two countries poses a significant threat to regional stability and peace with global implications.

India has consistently disregarded international arms control and non-proliferation efforts, for instance, India re-

The battle of the Turkish centuries

eastern Turkey, Palestine and Syria.

mained outside the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) and resisted efforts to sign the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT) without providing logical explanation for not signing the treaties. In fact, it is believed that India in future wants to test thermonuclear weapons, which is why it is not signing the CTBT. Therefore, Pakistan’s stance has been influenced by such Indian nuclear ambitions and its threat perception that its security depends on possessing a credible nuclear deterrent against Indian strategic weapons buildup is validated.

India’s refusal to participate in critical disarmament initiatives undermines global efforts to prevent the spread of nuclear weapons and to promote disarmament. however, Pakistan has shown willingness to engage in nuclear arms control measures in the region. For example, Pakistan proposed a Strategic restraint regime (Srr) in 1998, which aimed to address the nuclear and conventional arms imbalance in South Asia. The proposal included three interlocking elements: nuclear restraint, conventional balance, and conflict resolution. While the proposal has been rejected by India, it demonstrates Pakistan’s recognition of the need for arms control measures in South Asia.

India’s ongoing investment in expansion of its nu-

clear weapons programme has contributed to transforming the arms race in South Asia into an even more dangerous and complex competition. South Asia now faces the risk of a destabilizing arms race, with potentially catastrophic consequences for regional security. Indian expansion and modernization of its nuclear weapons programme has further escalated tensions in the region, it has encouraged deadly technological advancements in the ballistic missiles field, prompted shifts in nuclear strategy, and has also impacted global non-proliferation efforts.

The international community must engage with India to address its nuclear arms buildup in South Asia. International forums, such as the UN, and dialogue, should be encouraged to promote confidence-building measures and cooperative security arrangements. By fostering open communication and encouraging regional cooperation, it is possible to mitigate the potential for conflict, reduce the risks associated with nuclear proliferation, and establish a more stable security environment in South Asia.

The writer is a Senior Research Officer at Center for International Strategic Studies (CISS), Islamabad.

Why did BJP’s big guns fail to fire in Karnataka?

POLITICO HuGH PoPe

The promise of a “Turkish Century” has been one of President recep Tayyip erdoğan’s big slogans ahead of the country’s presidential and parliamentary elections this Sunday. And there’s little doubt as to what he’s competing against: the upcoming centennial of the republic of Turkey, founded under Mustafa Kemal Atatürk on October 29, 1923.

Since rising to national power in 2002, erdoğan has certainly proved himself to be the most impactful Turkish leader since Atatürk. he’s held onto power the longest, shown himself to be a skilled politician and presided over the construction of triumphal infrastructure projects, including huge bridges, giant airports, high-speed railways — as well as a 1,100-room palace for himself. But can this cure him of what some have called “Atatürk envy”?

That is, can erdoğan’s legacy eclipse that of Turkey’s extraordinary liberation hero? And to what extent is that related to Atatürk’s vision of ironclad secularism versus erdoğan’s longing to re-embrace his nation’s roots in Islam?

These questions will largely be answered by Turkey’s electorate, if there is either a clear victory for erdoğan and his Justice and Development Party, or for a more secular, six-party coalition led by Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu — a former bureaucrat and the leader of the republican People’s Party, which was founded by Atatürk. And the elected future leader will also win the power to define the tone of what will certainly be huge celebrations for the centennial in five months’ time. In this upcoming battle of the centuries, while erdoğan’s grand projects are well known by many — partly because he trumpets them frequently — what is often forgotten is how they compare, in relative terms, to the journey the young Turkish republic made under Atatürk in the decades after 1923.

It would, of course, be hard for anyone to match Atatürk’s early career. As a high-ranking military officer — later a commander in chief — he led with courage and distinction on most of the fronts in which the British, French, Italian, russian and Greek armies pummeled the Ottoman empire from 1908 to 1923, ranging from Libya to Gallipoli,

Against great odds, Atatürk sealed his heroic reputation on the domestic stage after 1919, personally dreaming up, organizing and leading the resistance to internal and external rivals who were seeking to fracture the country into foreign-dominated pieces, according to the ill-fated Treaty of Sèvres. It was his iron will that forced the great powers to recognize the new republic of Turkey in the 1923 Treaty of Lausanne, drawing Turkey’s borders — even while disagreeing on some details — and sticking to them.

The first challenge then faced by Atatürk after the republic’s founding was that of a traumatized, impoverished population. Greeks and Armenians who had often made up the majority of Ottoman cities had been forced out of Asia Minor with wars, population exchanges and terrible massacres. And in their place came Turkish Muslims, forced out of their former homes in the lost provinces of the empire.

To reboot the country, Atatürk created a new culture for this new people, especially for those to whom this was a new land. Thus, an empire once ruled by a sultan-caliph became a republic with a nominal electoral system; the Ottoman language was stripped of Arabic and Persian loan words and switched to Latin script; Islam was demoted from the prime source of national identity in favor of an overbearing secularism; and Istanbul’s Byzantine cathedral of Aya Sofya — for centuries an Ottoman mosque — was symbolically turned into a museum.

As Turks learned the urban trades and crafts of the lost Armenian and Greek middle classes, Atatürk also pushed them into the process of industrialization. Progress, however, was slow — partly since history and 1930s fashions prized the heavy hand of the army, state control and national sovereignty — and the country’s main exports remained hazelnuts and dried figs until the 1980s.

As for europeanization — seen as synonymous with modernization at the time — Atatürk left the early 2000s’ painstaking process of adopting the eU acquis in the dust. In rapid succession, his government adopted close copies of the Swiss family code, the German commercial code, the Italian penal code and the French civil code.

But this break with the past was wrenching and left many who favored Islamic traditions behind. These were often Anatolians — the conservative, pious rural inhabitants of Asia Minor who had not been forced to move — and political currents harnessing their vote began to emerge after 1950, growing more powerful as they flocked to work in cities and backed erdoğan’s political mentors, and later erdoğan himself.

It was Turkey’s “opening up,” unleashed by Prime Minister Turgut Özal after 1983, which then laid the basis for many of the country’s real international success stories: Contracting and manu-

facturing brands that have conquered european markets; the wide regional success of Turkish film, music and television; and the extraordinary rise of Turkish Airlines. And erdoğan’s rule was built on the shoulders of all this that came before.

erdoğan’s background is as an amateur footballer, charismatic politician and an active, effective mayor of Istanbul, and early on, he inherited an eU accession process started by his predecessors, who had also successfully stabilized an economy ravaged by the chaos of the 1990s. he pushed forward with Özal’s efforts to give full respect to religious conservatives and gave even more priority to building relations with Islamic states — particularly those on former Ottoman territory. erdoğan’s Turkish Century — announced last year — continues this long-standing, implicit challenge to Atatürk’s imposition of Western ways and a narrow idea of Turkishness. And at home, this fuzzy neo-Ottoman culture has so far featured a museum, built outside the Byzantine walls, celebrating the 1453 conquest of Constantinople with startling realism; the reconsecration of Aya Sofya as a mosque; and a mentality that leans on state employees to attend Friday prayers as communal obligation. But abrupt changes make it hard to speak of a consistent vision for erdoğan’s Turkish Century that could match Atatürk’s Kemalist ideology. Authoritarianism is now back in force, economic missteps mean the Turkish lira has dropped to one-tenth of its value from a decade ago and annual inflation is over 43 percent, while internal conflicts fester. The eU accession process has stalled, Muslim neighbors have proven uninterested in a neo-Ottoman older brother and external conflicts simmer.

Meanwhile, erdoğan’s energies as a leader haven’t focused on clear policy goals either. he both opened talks with insurgents of the Kurdistan Workers’ Party and unleashed the armed forces to try to crush them; he let in 3.5 million Syrian refugees and then created Turkish army-controlled zones along the Syrian border to repatriate them; he supported talks to end the division of Cyprus and then sent warships to threaten gas prospecting ships off the internationally recognized, Greek Cypriot-run south of the island. And there has been no resolution to any of these conflicts.

Not all of this was wholly erdoğan’s fault though — for instance, the eU is guilty of double standards, misleading promises over visas and grave mistakes over Cyprus. It does, however, mean that 100 years after the last Ottoman sultan fled the capital aboard a British battleship, few imagine that Atatürk’s century will be eclipsed anytime soon.

Hugh Pope is a Brussels-based writer and was a reporter based in Turkey for three decades. He is the author of several books on the country and the region.

SCROLL sHoAib dAniyAl

“PM Modi roars after Cong promises Bajrang Dal ban in Karnataka,” read a headline in a Delhi-based newspaper on May 4. Another spoke of how the “hindutva card in the final stages…helped the BJP get back on track”. With only a week to go for the elections in Karnataka, the prime minister had hit the election trail, addressing rallies across the state. A key issue Modi brought up was the Congress promise to ban militant organisations such as the Bajrang Dal. Modi played up the fact that the first word in the name of the hindutva organisation was also a popular hindi soubriquet for the hindu god hanuman. While the issue played prominently in the national media when Modi raised it, it was clear on results day that the Karnataka voter had largely ignored the prime minister’s pitch. This is not surprising. Like any form of religious nationalism, hindutva depends on a call to emotion. But equating the Bajrang Dal, whose members have been associated with several violent crimes, with a god was a bridge too far. Instead, what clearly dominated the election was the more rational idea of economic distress. Urban voters were angry with the lack of jobs. Farmers were exasperated with a retreat in welfare. And everyone was smarting under the unrelenting inflation. When I travelled through Karnataka to report on the elections, I heard an unrelenting stream of complaints about economic distress. even traditional Bharatiya Janata Party voters were unhappy with the state of affairs, although caste-based voting made it unlikely that everyone who was displeased would also switch their vote.

The BJP’s chief minister, Basavaraj Bommai, had picked up on this trend and had reversed his government’s big hindutva push in the lead up to the elections. While he was in power, the BJP had raised a host of far-right issues such as preventing Muslim girls who wear the headscarf from going to school, banning halal meat and inventing a fictional tale of Tipu Sultan, the eighteenth century ruler of Mysore, being assassinated by two men from the Vokkaliga caste. (As every schoolchild in India knows, the king was killed fighting the British.) PUSHBACK TO HINDUTVA: None of it stuck.

In fact, as Bommai probably realised in the weeks leading up to the elections, this hindutva push was clearly harming the BJP. hindu voters were unenthused and would vote along lines of caste and/or economics issues anyway. even worse, this hard hindutva made the state’s Muslims consolidate completely behind the Congress. Post-poll survey data from Axis shows Congress saw a significant 10% rise in Muslim votes. In a volatile state, where small changes in vote share could have a big effect, this was bad news for the BJP. The Congress’ promise to ban the Bajrang Dal and Modi’s amplification of it further underlined this

trend. The result was a pushback to hindutva in Karnataka. BC Nagesh, the BJP minister responsible for banning Muslim girls wearing the hijab from schools, lost his seat. CT ravi, a far-right BJP leader who rose to prominence by championing a conflict around a Sufi shrine and recently pushed bans on halal meat, lost. Kodagu, one of the strongest hindutva’s regions in the country, saw a complete reversal, as BJP lost both seats in the district. Karnataka is a salutary lesson for the BJP on the limits of hard hindutva. In the face of economic distress, hindutva will not impress hindu voters and could even backfire by consolidating Muslim votes against the party. MODI MAGIC? The other lesson: a limit to the power of Modi. The past decade in Indian politics has seen the prime minister loom large. Few can deny that Modi is massively popular and the BJP’s success depends on him significantly. however, as Karnataka made clear, to depend on him alone is a mistake. The BJP’s Delhi high command decided to play god in Karnataka and depose mass leaders such as BS Yediyurappa. This is not an accident: the BJP does not like strong state units and wants Modi to be the sole star.

however, this didn’t work in Karnataka. There are indications that Lingayats, the powerful caste to which Yediyurappa belongs and is a significant BJP vote bank, did not support the saffron party in the same way as in 2018. Post-poll survey data from Axis shows a 7% surge in Lingayat votes for the Congress. By himself, Modi was largely ineffective as a campaigner. A pre-poll survey conducted before the prime minister hit the ground predicted the same number of seats as the Congress eventually won. Modi’s blitzkrieg had failed to make any change in the election.

Worse, this complete dependence on Delhi made the BJP vulnerable to issues of state identity. In the final stages of the campaign, the Congress launched a strong campaign around allegations that the BJP was trying to subsume Nandini, a Karnataka dairy cooperative under the Gujaratbased Amul. This had some impact in the state’s Old Mysore region.

Shiv Kumar, a Lingayat voter I met in the temple town of Nanjangud in Old Mysore told me that “the raitha, farmer in Karnataka will not be able to live without Nandini”. It is unclear whether he would switch his vote but for the BJP, to have core voters parrot the opposition’s line was not encouraging. Towards the end of the campaign, Modi took the issue of Kannadiga identity head on by claiming that state identity was actually a plot to get Karnataka to secede from the union. however, as is clear from the results, the Kannadiga voter did not buy this exaggerated portrayal.

TOUGH ROAD: Unfortunately for the BJP, there are no easy fixes for the Karnataka defeat. economic challenges will continue to dominate politics as it is clear that most Indians have seen no rise in wages in the Modi age even as galloping inflation rips through incomes. As a temporary bandaid, the BJP has pushed welfare but that has its limits too as economic growth itself slows down. Moreover, as an ideological party, the BJP can hardly expect to stop pushing hard hindutva. Nor can it suddenly promote state units and end Modi’s hegemonic position in the party. Any internal “glasnost” that drastically changes the party structure in the 12 months leading up the Lok Sabha elections runs the risk of disrupting the party organisation – which, let us remember, is still India’s most formidable political machine.

In the face of economic distress, Hindutva will not impress Hindu voters and could even backfire by consolidating Muslim votes against the party

The international community must engage with India to address its nuclear arms buildup in South Asia. International forums, such as the UN, and dialogue, should be encouraged to promote confidence-building measures and cooperative security arrangements.

Erdoğan has certainly proved himself to be the most impactful Turkish leader since Atatürk

ERDOGAN AHEAD IN TURKEY INITIAL VOTE RESULTS, BUT HIS MARGIN IS EXPECTED TO NARROW

ISTANBUL, TURKIYE AGENCIES

PRELIMINARYresults from Turkey’s presidential election on Sunday showed Tayyip Erdogan ahead with 59.47 per cent compared to opposition rival Kemal Kilicdaroglu with 34.79pc, though pollsters expected the gap to narrow in the tight contest.

HaberTurk and other Turkish broadcasters said the results, given less than two hours after polling stations closed, were based on 9.1pc of the ballot boxes counted.

The head of Turkey’s High Election Board earlier lifted a publication ban and said to wait until it announces official tentative results later.

Pre-election polls had given the edge to Kilicdaroglu, who pledges to roll back much of Erdogan’s two-decade legacy.

Turks voted in a pivotal election today, poised either to unseat President Tayyip Erdogan and halt his government’s increasingly authoritarian path or

usher in a third decade of his rule.

The vote will decide not only who leads Turkiye, a NATO-member country of 85 million, but also how it is governed, where its economy is headed amid a deep cost of living crisis, and the shape of its foreign policy. Opinion polls have given Erdogan’s

New Twitter CEO says she is excited to help to transform Twitter

SAN FRANCISCO

REUTERS

Newly appointed Twitter CEO Linda Yaccarino said in a tweet on Saturday that she has been inspired by owner Elon Musk’s vision to create a brighter future and is excited to help to transform the social media platform. It was the first time Yaccarino has spoken publicly since the news broke Thursday that she was in talks to become the next CEO of Twitter. Musk, who has served as CEO since his $44 billion buyout of Twitter last October, announced her appointment on Friday. “I’ve long been inspired by [Musk’s] vision to create a brighter future.

I’m excited to help bring this vision to Twitter and transform this business together!” Yaccarino tweeted. Yaccarino, who as advertising chief for Comcast Corp’s NBCUniversal spent several years modernising its ad business, said she is committed to Twitter’s future, and said user feedback is vital to build Twitter 2.0.

Yaccarino will take over a social media platform that has been trying to reverse a plunge in ad revenue and is beset with challenges, along with a heavy debt load. Since Musk acquired Twitter, advertisers have fled the platform, worried that their ads could appear next to inappropriate content after the company lost nearly 80 percent of its staff. Musk earlier this year acknowledged that Twitter had suffered a massive decline in ad revenue. While Musk said Yaccarino would help build an “everything app,” which he has previously said could offer a variety of services such as peer-to-peer payments, his selection of an advertising veteran signaled that digital ads would continue to be a core focus of the business. Musk has long said he intended to find a new leader for Twitter. Musk, who is also the CEO of electric-vehicle maker Tesla Inc, on Friday said that bringing Yaccarino on as Twitter’s new chief will help him devote more time to Tesla.

Posters again appear in Srinagar asking people to observe shutdown on May 22

SRINAGAR AGENCIES

In Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir, posters again appeared in Srinagar and different areas of the valley, urging people to observe a complete strike on May 22 against the hosting of G20 meeting by Narendra Modi-led fascist Indian government in Srinagar. According to Kashmir Media Service, the posters are carrying the pictures of illegally detained All Parties Hurriyat Conference (APHC) leaders, including Chairman Massarat Alam Butt, Shabbir Ahmed Shah, Muhammad Yasin Malik, Aasiya Andrabi, Nayeem Ahmed Khan and house detained senior APHC leader Mirwaiz Umar Farooq. The APHC has called for a complete strike in occupied Kashmir and Azad Jammu and Kashmir on May 22 to protest against the nefarious move of the Modi regime. The posters were pasted by APHC and supported by different groups in Srinagar, Budgam, Kupwara, Baramulla, Bandipore, Islamabad, Pulwama, Shopian, Kulgam and other areas of the occupied territory.

Gaza truce holds as Palestinians count deadly cost

tion, which is also for a new parliament, close at 5pm (1400 GMT). Turkish law bans the reporting of any results until 9pm By late on Sunday there could be a good indication of whether there will be a runoff.

A woman votes during presidential and parliamentary elections at a polling station in Istanbul, Turkiye May 14.–

Reuters/Hannah McKay

“I see these elections as a choice between democracy and dictatorship,” said Ahmet Kalkan, 64, as he voted in Istanbul for Kilicdaroglu, echoing critics who fear Erdogan will govern ever more autocratically if he wins. “I chose democracy and I hope that my country chooses democracy,” said Kalkan, a retired health sector worker.

GAZA CITY

AFP

Calm returned to Gaza Sunday as a fragile ceasefire ending five days of fighting held, leaving Palestinians and Israelis to count the cost of cross-border fire which has killed dozens.

Fishermen took to their boats in the coastal Palestinian enclave, as Gazans emerged from sheltering in their homes amid the fierce exchange of fire.

The fighting which broke out Tuesday with Israeli strikes on the Islamic Jihad group ceased late Saturday, following days of truce talks led by Egypt.

main challenger, Kemal Kilicdaroglu, who heads a six-party alliance, a slight lead, with two polls on Friday showing him above the 50pc threshold needed to win outright. If neither of them wins more than 50pc of the vote on Sunday, a runoff will be held on May 28.

POLLING: Polling stations in the elec-

Erdogan, 69 and a veteran of a dozen election victories, says he respects democracy and denies being a dictator.

Illustrating how the president still commands support, Mehmet Akif Kahraman, also voting in Istanbul, said Erdogan still represented the future even after two decades in power.

Nepali sherpa becomes world’s second person to scale Everest 26 times

KATHMANDU REUTERS

A Nepali sherpa guide climbed Mount Everest for the 26th time on Sunday, hiking officials said, becoming the world’s second person to achieve the feat.

Pasang Dawa Sherpa, 46, stood atop the 8,849-m (29,032-ft) peak, sharing the record number of summits with Kami Rita Sherpa, said Bigyan Koirala, a government tourism official.

Kami Rita, who is also climbing on Everest now, could set another record if he makes it to the top.

Pasang Dawa reached the top with a Hungarian client, said an official of his employer Imagine Nepal Treks, a hiking company.

“They are descending from the top now and are in good shape,” the official, Dawa Futi Sherpa, told Reuters.

Sherpas, who mostly use their first names, are known for their climbing skills and make a living mainly by guiding foreign clients in the mountains.

Dawa Futi said a Pakistani woman, Naila Kiani, who also climbed the peak on Sunday, was the first foreign climber to summit Everest in this year’s climbing season, which runs from March to May.

This could not be independently confirmed as many foreign climbers are now headed for the peak, a day after the ropes to the top were fixed.

Kiani, a 37-year-old banker

based in Dubai, had climbed four of the world’s 14 highest mountains before Everest, the Himalayan Times newspaper said.

Nepal has issued a record of 467 permits this year for foreign climbers seeking to reach the summit of Everest.

Each climber is usually accompanied by at least one sherpa guide, fuelling fears that a narrow section below the summit, known as the Hillary Step, could get crowded.

Everest has been climbed more than 11,000 times since it was first scaled by Sir Edmund Hillary and Sherpa Tenzing Norgay in 1953, with about 320 people dying in the effort, according to a Himalayan database and Nepali officials.

Afridi announces special food ration drive for poor in Sindh

KARACHI STAFF REPORT

Sports star and charity leader Shahid Afridi Sunday announced the launch of a special food ration program for the destitute families of the students enrolled in the charitable schools supported by his non-profit in Sindh so that these children shouldn’t be forced to leave the classroom to earn a living for their households.

According to a statement, Afridi, who is also Chairman of the Shahid Afridi Foundation (SAF), made the announcement to this effect as he spoke as the chief guest

at the inauguration of the new block at First Floor of his combined charitable school in Wangi Goth in Karachi’s suburbs. The school is jointly run by the non-profits Shahid Afridi Foundation SAF and Green Crescent Trust (GCT).

“The economic conditions have become so much adverse that the underprivileged families whose children are admitted to the charitable schools would soon think about the food shortage they are going to face as these students are no longer doing any labour work to earn money to feed their household members,” said Afridi on this occasion. The star cricketer

said the special ration drive would be launched with his vision that charitable work by him in the education sector should become sustainable as the out-of-school children once enrolled wouldn’t be compelled to leave school at any time in future due to the economic compulsions.

“Up to 25 million to 30 million children are out of school in the country. It is a very alarming number so I call upon all the concerned charities and NGOs like as Green Crescent Trust to join hands with SAF, to combine their efforts for tackling this issue in the shortest possible time,” he said.

As the skies fell silent, residents were left to mourn the 33 people killed in Gaza, as well as the two in Israel — a Palestinian labourer from the territory and an elderly Israeli. After the ceasefire took effect in Gaza, ambulances and fire trucks drove in convoys while Palestinians gathered in the streets to celebrate.

More than 50 homes were destroyed and around 950 people displaced in Gaza, said the United Nations citing local officials. “We’re on the street, there’s no home for my children or their children,” said Mohammed al-Louh, whose house was destroyed by Israeli strikes.

“After the ceasefire, we have an ongoing tragedy because of the great scale of the destruction,” his relative said, standing beside the rubble.

Medics said 190 people were wounded in Gaza and 30 in Israel — seven with injuries resulting from rocket fire and the rest while heading to shelters.

In Tel Aviv, Anat Dolev, a resident from the suburb of Ramat Gan, said it was a shame to see repeated rounds of fighting. “We have friends who live in the south and their lives are very difficult. I hope that someday the situation will improve, too bad we are killing each other,” she told AFP.

Movement restrictions imposed on Israelis living in areas near Gaza were lifted on Sunday.

‘QUIET MET WITH QUIET’: UN Middle East envoy Tor Wennesland welcomed the truce and said he was “deeply saddened by the loss of life and injuries”. Sunday also saw Israel re-open its two crossings with Gaza, the closure of which had affected Palestinians with work permits or permission to access essential medical treatment not available in the impoverished territory.

The move also paved the way for supplies of medicine, food and fuel to reach Gaza.

While Israel and Islamic Jihad committed to the ceasefire, both warned they would not hesitate to resume fire if the other side violated the agreement.

“Quiet will be met with quiet,” the office of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said in a statement. Speaking at the start of Sunday’s cabinet meeting, Netanyahu said “the execution (of the operation) was indeed perfect”.

“Today Israel’s enemies in Gaza and far beyond know that even if they try to hide, we can –- and will — get to them at any point in time,” said the premier.

Tariq Salmi, an Islamic Jihad spokesman, said if Israel “commits any foolish act or any assassination […] the resistance will resume where it left off”.

But as calm returned in Gaza, clashes persisted in the occupied West Bank.

Israeli forces raided central Nablus early Sunday, sparking clashes with Palestinian residents, according to an AFP photographer.

An army statement said troops had arrested two people suspected of shooting at soldiers in the West Bank, which has been occupied by Israel since the 1967 SixDay War.

The Israeli strikes on Gaza killed at least six top figures from Islamic Jihad, which is considered a terrorist group by the United States and the European Union.

At least six children and multiple civilians were also among the dead in Gaza, which is ruled by the Hamas. Islamic Jihad responded to the Israeli strikes with volleys of rocket fire, prompting sirens to blare as Israel’s defence system intercepted most of the projectiles.

Pakistan to play three Tests in Australia in Dec-Jan: PCB

KARACHI STAFF REPORT

Sports star and charity leader Shahid Afridi Sunday announced the launch of a special food ration program for the destitute families of the students enrolled in the charitable schools supported by his non-profit in Sindh so that these children shouldn’t be forced to leave the classroom to earn a living for their households.

According to a statement, Afridi, who is also Chairman of the Shahid Afridi Foundation (SAF), made the announcement to this effect as he spoke as the chief guest at the inauguration of the new block at First Floor of his combined charitable school in Wangi Goth in Karachi’s suburbs. The school is jointly run by the non-profits Shahid Afridi Foundation SAF and Green Crescent Trust (GCT).

“The economic conditions have become so much

adverse that the underprivileged families whose children are admitted to the charitable schools would soon think about the food shortage they are going to face as these students are no longer doing any labour work to earn money to feed their household members,” said Afridi on this occasion. The star cricketer said the special ration drive would be launched with his vision that charitable work by him in the education sector should become sustainable as the out-of-school children once enrolled wouldn’t be compelled to leave school at any time in future due to the economic compulsions.

“Up to 25 million to 30 million children are out of school in the country. It is a very alarming number so I call upon all the concerned charities and NGOs like as Green Crescent Trust to join hands with SAF, to combine their efforts for tackling this issue in the shortest possible time,” he said. He reiterated his resolve that

the SAF would continue to do charitable activities in such remote areas where neither the government, any charity, nor any non-governmental organisation was available to help out the underprivileged people. Afridi expressed gratitude to all the donors, supporters, and well-wishers of the SAF for helping it to build charitable schools in Sindh.

In his message, read out on the occasion, GCT CEO Zahid Saeed, acknowledged the unwavering support provided by the SAF, especially by its Chairman and CEO for running charitable schools in the underprivileged parts of Sindh.

Zafar Malik, SAF CEO, said that only quality education would enable the children from the deprived communities to transform not just their own lives but that of their family members and enable them to come out of the vicious cycle of poverty.

PCB: Hybrid model for Asia Cup and beyond may end Pakistan-India ‘logjam’

ISLAMABAD THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is still hopeful India agrees to its hybrid model of hosting the majority of the Asia Cup games at a neutral venue in September.

The hybrid model is the brainchild of Najam Sethi, who is the head of the PCB management committee.

Sethi met with the members of the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) this week to work out a solution after India said it will not travel to Pakistan for the event, apparently because of political tensions between the two countries.

Pakistan, India, qualifier Nepal, Afghanistan, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka are the six nations due to compete in the Asia Cup which is seen as a major tune-up for the teams due to participate in

the World Cup in India.

“Until India is ready to play Pakistan bilaterally and in Pakistan, let’s have a hybrid solution,” Sethi said. Sethi’s suggestive model to end the impasse means India could play Pakistan at a neutral venue in major tournaments like the Champions Trophy and even the World Cup, while the remaining matches are played in the host nation as scheduled. After India hosts the World Cup later this year, Pakistan is due to host the Champions Trophy in 2025.

Sethi believes the hybrid model could work in both major events because he could face a similar situation if Islamabad asks him not to send the national team to the World Cup in October-November.

“I am concerned about not just the Asia Cup but also the World Cup and the Champions

Trophy,” Sethi said. “The World Cup will be in India […] my government might turn around to me and say we have security issues there, you don’t go.

“And then the Champions Trophy following the World Cup, which we are hosting. India might turn around and say the same thing. We are not going to play in Pakistan and ask the ICC to shift the venue […] this is not going to work. What I am proposing is the way out of this logjam.”

Sethi has reportedly even suggested that Pakistan hosts only four games of the Asia Cup while the remaining 13 games can be staged at a neutral venue which would most likely be in the UAE. He is even willing to host the final at a neutral venue even if Pakistan qualifies for it against India or any other nation. Sethi said he wanted an amicable solution for the Asia Cup

which could pave the way for both nations to compete against each other in other major tournaments at a neutral venue.

“I have not been threatening anybody, give me a break,” Sethi said. “I am trying to be positive and find a way out of this problem. I could have easily said that if India is not going to come and play in Pakistan, we will not play in India, but I tried to find a hybrid model.”

Sethi hoped ACC president Jay Shah, who is also secretary of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), could take the first step and accept Pakistan’s hybrid model for the Asia Cup and keep all the Asian nations united.

“I think Jay (Shah) is a young man, he aspires to be the head of the ICC,” Sethi said. “My advice to my young friend would be if you want to be a leader, you have to keep the herd together, keep the flock together.

CZECH REPUBLIC VALUES HISTORICAL LINKS, MULTIFACETED COLLABORATION WITH PAKISTAN: ENVOY

ISLAMABAD APP

AMBASSADORof Czech Republic to Pakistan Tomáš Smetánka on Saturday said that the bilateral trade volume between Pakistan and Czechia had reached over $300 million and both countries were focusing on enhancing trade in multiple sectors like the mining industry and agriculture sector.

“Pakistan’s exports to the Czech Republic are about four times higher than the Czech exports to Pakistan. Pakistani exports in textile, sportswear, foodstuff, and leather products were much higher. However, the embassy in Pakistan is working hard to ensure the bilateral trade exchange is more balanced as Pakistan has surplus exports,” Ambassador told APP during an exclusive interview.

He said it was primarily due to introducing the GSP plus trade mechanism, which allowed Pakistani exports to the European Union.

He declared the Czech Republic val-

ued its historical links with Pakistan and enjoyed the multifaceted collaboration, adding that the two countries significantly developed their political, economic, and defence cooperation. He said, “Few delegations are coming to Pakistan to enhance trade and investments. They are interested in the mining sector, particularly in Balochis-

PHC CJ chairs full court meeting, takes important decisions

PESHAWAR STAFF REPORT

A Full Court meeting of the Peshawar High Court (PHC) was convened and chaired by Chief Justice PHC, Justice Musarrat Hilali the other day.

According to a press release issued on Sunday, all the judges attended the meeting that took important decisions. The chair welcomed the participants and opened the house for discussion on the agenda already circulated to the Judges and following policy decisions were made. The chief justice appreciated the performance of the special benches of this Court and unanimously agreed to continue the same practice. This would help expeditious disposal of matters of the same nature, it added. It was also decided that strict observance of the official timing of the courts by Judges of the High Court and the judges of the District Judiciary will be ensured.

Pakistan provides fertile ground for new investment ventures for Qatar: Jawad Malik

ISLAMABAD STAFF REPORT

Special Assistant to Prime Minister (SAPM) Jawad Sohrab Malik underscored the vast investment potential of Pakistan, particularly in the fields of renewable energy, education, seaport fuel terminals, wind and hydro-power projects and airport infrastructure projects. In a meeting with the Ambassador of Qatar, Sheikh Saoud Abdul Rahman Al-Thani here Saturday, he urged for the conversion of current bilateral relationship between Pakistan and Qatar into a mutually advantageous economic collaboration for the future. Moreover, the SAPM also discuss mutual collaboration in exploring avenues of tourism, small-medium enterprises (SMEs), chemicals and exchange of technology hold mutually enriching opportunities with the envoy. The Qatar envoy showed keen interest in exploring new opportunities in SMEs, manpower export and new investment prospects in various sectors under the Qatar’s national rejuvenation project, Vision 2030.

Tessori inaugurates

JDC free bus transport service

LAHORE

STAFF REPORT

Sindh Governor Kamran Khan Tessori on Sunday inaugurated free bus transport service by JDC, which would ply on three different routes initially. It would provide travelling facilities on the routes from Surjani to Tower, Orangi Iqbal Market to Tower and Sohrab Goth to Quaidabad.

Governor Sindh while eulogizing the contributions of JDC lauded its latest initiative of free bus transport for Karachiites. Governor Sindh announced to handover buses available at KMC to JDC, so they could be utilized for this free transport service.

Mr. Tessori said that he would approach Sindh Government to start free bus service in other cities of the province. Masses are facing immense difficulties in their day to day life and it was our duty to provide maximum relief to them, he added.

3-day 'Tablighi Ijtama' concludes

istan’s legal human and labour rights. “Pakistan fulfilled the conditions of ratifying the 26 agreements that are a condition for GSP plus status. But, there are still some questions about the actual implementation of it. Therefore, it depends on what the members of the European Parliament will decide in light of the progress and compliance of Pakistan on conditions and international agreements.”

The three-day 'Tablighi Ijtama' organized at Masjid Abul Qasim, concluded here on Sunday afternoon.

"Over three hundred thousand people participated in the Ijtama that started on Friday," said a spokesperson of the National Highways and Motorway Police (NHMP). He said that all the participants in their vehicles safely had moved towards their respective destinations.

tan, as the Czech Republic has relatively well-developed mining technologies.”

In reply to a question regarding the renewal of GSP plus the status of Pakistan, the Ambassador said that it contributed to our relations with Pakistan in both ways. One supports Pakistani industries and exports to the European Union, while the other improves Pak-

Talking about educational cooperation, he said, “Presently, the Czech Republic has seven times more Pakistani students than it had ten years ago. These students are studying on different scholarships at leading universities.” He said, “Czech universities have agreements on cooperation with Pakistani universities and urged for institutional partnerships between the Czech Republic and Pakistani universities to seek potential, talented, and skilful students in science and technology and higher education for better outcomes. So this would enhance educational cooperation and people-topeople relationships.”

First int’l seminar on China-Pakistan science, technology cooperation held in Beijing

BEIJING

STAFF REPORT

The first international seminar on “China-Pakistan Science and Technology Enterprises Cooperation” was held in the recently established China-Pakistan Science and Technology Cooperation Center, Beijing. The seminar, participated by more than 30 Science and Technology organizations, was co-hosted by Zhongguancun, the Belt and Road Industrial Promotion Association (ZBRA) and the Embassy of Pakistan in China.

While introducing the development of Zhongguancun Science and Technology Park, Lu Yinming shared the achievements of the park.

He informed that in 20 years of development, the park has gathered nearly 20,000 high-tech enterprises represented by Lenovo

and Baidu, forming six advantageous industrial clusters such as the next-generation Internet, mobile Internet and a new generation of mobile communications, satellite applications, biology and health, energy conservation and environmental protection, rail transit, and four potential industrial clusters such as integrated circuits, new materials, high-end equipment and general aviation, new energy and new energy vehicles, and high-end development of modern service industries etc.

While introducing the construction of the China-Pakistan Science and Technology Cooperation Center, the President of ZBRA, Zhang Xiaodong shared that the objectives of the Center viz., to build a bridge between China-Pakistan youth innovation and entrepreneurship; to open up

China-Pakistan science and technology cooperation channels; to build a technology transfer cooperation platform; to provide scientific and technological support for China-Pakistan production capacity cooperation, and to strengthen the foundation for China-Pakistan scientific and technological exchanges.

He informed that under the framework of China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), the Center will prepare a cooperation plan for China-Pakistan science and technology enterprises, dock the development needs of artificial intelligence, big data, cloud computing, financial technology, biotechnology, agriculture and other fields, gather innovative elements and financial resources, and serve Chinese technology enterprises to develop in Pakistan.

Acts of kindness, compassion make Madina a ‘welcoming destination’

ISLAMABAD STAFF REPORT

The Royal Embassy of Saudi Arabia Press Attaché Dr. Naif AlOtaibi on Sunday said Madina, the bustling holy city known for its significant Islamic sites, had earned praise from visitors worldwide for the warm welcome received from the local community.

In a remarkable display of generosity and compassion, Madina residents had taken it upon themselves to assist tourists in navigating the city and finding their desired destinations, creating an unforgettable experience for the visitors, he said in an exclusive talk with APP.

The Saudi Press Attaché said with millions of visitors flocking to

Madina each year to explore its historic landmarks, such as the revered Prophet’s Mosque which is known as Masjid-e-Nabawi, it could be overwhelming for travelers to navigate the streets and locate specific places of interest. However, the people of Madina had risen to the occasion, going above and beyond to extend a helping hand to those in need, he added.

He said one young visitor from Indonesia shared a heartwarming encounter: “I was lost and unsure of how to reach the mosque. But a compassionate local noticed my struggle and generously offered to accompany me. Not only did he guide me to my destination, but he also shared fascinating insights about the

Speakers underscore comprehensive legislative framework for indigenous digital culture

ISLAMABAD: Participants at the International Conference have called for developing a comprehensive legislative framework for indigenous digital culture. They were addressing a two-day international conference on the “transition of traditional universities to online mode” organized by the Directorate of Distance Learning Faculty of Education of the International Islamic University Islamabad (IIUI). They opined that teachers should be fully equipped with the digital skills to create a collaborative learning environment in the online distance learning mode of education. In this conference that was held here at the Faisal Masjid Campus, the participants recommended that using the best of traditional and online instruction to develop a better future for higher education. STAFF REPORT

mosque’s history and significance.

It was an incredible and enlightening experience.”

Echoing these sentiments, a woman from Malaysia expressed her appreciation for Madina’s locals: “The people of Madina are incredibly welcoming and helpful. They willingly go out of their way to ensure that visitors feel comfortable and can navigate the city with ease. It’s a genuinely heartwarming gesture”.

Dr. Naif said for the residents of Madina, this act of kindness toward visitors was observed as a fundamental duty and they firmly believed in assisting those in need, taking great pride in exemplifying the values of hospitality and compassion that were deeply rooted in their culture.

Saifullah expresses concerns over escalating mark-up rates

PESHAWAR: Former chairman of Khyber

Pakhtunkhwa Textile Mills Association (KP-TMA)

Salim Saifullah Khan has expressed concerned over escalating mark-up rates in the country and termed it a threat to the national economy. Talking to the media here on Sunday, Salim Saifullah Khan, who is also a former federal minister, said that over the last year, interest rates have registered unprecedented increases, resulting in a slowdown of economic growth. As a consequence, the loan default ratio has surged, painting a challenging picture for the financial sector. The State Bank of Pakistan has implemented its largest policy rate hike, marking the ninth increase since September 2021. He further highlighted that fuel prices in Pakistan last year have been increased approximately by 90 percent and concurrently, the government has to terminate fuel and energy subsidies to the industry. STAFF REPORT

Under the supervision of Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG) Motorway North Zone, Muhammad Yusuf Malik, special monitoring of the traffic situation was carried out by the NHMP and additional staff was deployed to ensure the smooth flow of the traffic. The spokesperson said, "Now traffic flow on Link Road Motorway is normal." The organizers of the congregation thanked NHMP for the excellent traffic arrangements.

COMSTECH plans free eye camp, doctors training in Chad from 21st

ISLAMABAD STAFF REPORT

COMSTECH in collaboration with the Islamic Development Bank, Layton Rahmatullah Benevolent Trust (LRBT) and the Ministry of Health of Chad will conduct a free eye camp and doctor training at a local hospital in Nadgemana, Chad on May 21-28.

"An eight-member delegation of Pakistani ophthalmologists from LRBT and COMSTECH officials is set to leave for Nadgemana, Chad on May 21 to start this eight-day activity, in which more than 400 free cataract surgeries will be done," said a press release here on Sunday. "The team will also train local doctors in the latest cataract surgery techniques, conduct postoperative examinations of patients, and launch an awareness campaign targeting youth to prevent avoidable blindness." "Moreover, COMSTECH, with the assistance of the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) has planned to provide a two-year specialized postgraduate training program to 16 African ophthalmologists in diabetic retinopathy and glaucoma surgery at local institutes."

Retired teachers of ICT schools struggle for their pending dues

ISLAMABAD APP

Retired teachers from various colleges of Islamabad under the ambit of Federal Directorate of Education (FDE) find themselves caught in a distressing situation as they face difficulties in obtaining their pending dues, including the grant of traveling allowance (TA) on retirement and house rental ceiling.

Despite years of selfless service to the federal department and the nation, these educators have been left disappointed and disheartened by the callous attitude displayed by the authorities.

Inam Ellahi, a retired Associate Professor of Islamabad Model Postgraduate College H-8, who served for about 30 years in different ICT colleges, while sharing his concerns told APP, "I retired in August 2022, and it's now May 2023, but my pending grant of TA has not been cleared by the FDE. Additionally, my rental ceiling remains unpaid for a year. It would have been a fitting gesture if retired teachers were given their dues before retirement, but unfortunately, nobody seems to care."

Prof Azhar Ali Abbasi who got retirement in August 2022 expressed similar sentiments, revealing that he had also been denied his rental ceiling.

Budget deficit widens to Rs3.6tr as govt spending, debt servicing rising: APBF

ISLAMABAD STAFF REPORT

The All Pakistan Business Forum (APBF) has warned that the federal budget deficit has widened by Rs3.6 trillion in the first nine months of the current fiscal year (9M FY23) on the back of a massive surge in spending on debt servicing, as the government paid Rs3.6 trillion in debt servicing in this period, which is very alarming. APBF President Syed Maaz Mahmood said that the country's economic viability was at stake, as its gross official foreign exchange reserves plunged to lower level. As against the budgeted over $7 billion foreign commercial loans, the government still saw $6.5 billion materializing in the current fiscal year. He said that the country’s debt servicing cost may cross well over Rs7.6 trillion in the next fiscal year, which is roughly 15% more than the projected net income of the government but is still lower than the estimates made by the International Monetary Fund.

Top Chinese machinery manufacturers urged to relocate, develop industrial parks in Pakistan

BEIJING STAFF REPORT

Commercial Counselor, Pakistan Embassy, Beijing, Ghulam Qadir has invited top Chinese enterprises to develop industrial parks in Pakistan, encouraging investment and relocation in export-oriented, efficiency-seeking and labor-intensive sectors.

He highlighted Pakistan’s strategic location, lucrative investment incentives, demographic dividend and favorable economic outlook and potential during the 3rd Changsha International Construction Equipment Exhibition.

During the exhibition, he addressed a forum tilted “2023 Belt and Road International Business Summit on Infrastructure and Construction Machinery,” China Eco-

nomic Net (CEN) reported.

He sensitized the audience about the government’s strong will to facilitate and support Chinese companies who would enjoy substantial market access in EU and USA by manufacturing in Pakistan.

“China is the largest producer and exporter of industrial equipment and construction machinery which can also develop Pakistan as the next hub of Chinese manufacturing,” Qadir added. While citing the vision of leadership of both countries, trade and investment counsellor also urged industrial experts and academics to provide guidance on how to make these industrial parks and economic zones more effective and conducive to attract critical levels of investment in the country. It is to be noted that the exhibition is

scheduled to be held at Changsha International Convention & Exhibition Center and Changsha International Conference Center from May 12 to 15 with the theme of “new generation of high-end, intelligent and newenergy construction machinery”.

It covers an exhibition area of 300,000 square meters and brings together 1,500 Chinese and foreign companies, among which 35 of the world’s top 50 construction machinery companies while more than 300,000 people are expected to visit the exhibition, and the transaction volume of the exhibition is expected to exceed 50 billion yuan.

The exhibition will launch six major events, seven main events, two competition shows, nearly 20 professional forums, and more than 100 trade negotiation and matchmaking activities.

UNFAZED IMRAN WARNS DEMOCRACY IN PAKISTAN IS ‘HANGING BY A THREAD’

ISLAMABAD

STAFF REPORT

AFTERhis brief arrest and detention last week triggered deadly unrest, former prime minister Imran Khan raised concerns about the fragile state of democracy in the country, observing that it is currently “hanging by a thread”.

In an interview with Britain’s Sky News which aired early Sunday, Khan accused the government of the Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) of being “petrified of elections” and fearing the potential for his party to win at the polls, claiming they would be “wiped out”.

The former prime minister, who has been tied up in dozens of legal cases since being ousted from power last year, further alleged the government’s only condition for allowing elections is if he is either imprisoned or killed.

The one-time cricket superstar was

freed on bail on Friday after his detention was declared unlawful by the Supreme Court.

Enraged by the arrest, supporters set fire to government buildings, blocked

Bilawal declares May 14 as historic day for Pakistan, democracy

KARACHI STAFF REPORT

Chairman of Pakistan People’s Party and Foreign Minister, Bilawal Bhutto Zardari on Sunday declared May 14 as a historic day for Pakistan and democracy as well. On this day, the most popular political leader Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto and Pakistan Muslim League leader Mian Nawaz Sharif signed the Charter of Democracy (CoD) in 2006.

PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari said that by following the Charter of Democracy, the prestige of the country has increased and democracy is strengthened. Former President Zardari handed over all his powers as President to the Parliament through a constitutional amendment. He said that the 18th constitutional amendment is a pact between the federation and all federating units. He said that only the parliament has the power to make the law and constitution. It is the duty of the rest of the institutions of the state to follow the laws passed by the parliament.

Bilawal said that due to the great sacrifices of Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto and the workers of the Party, the constitution of 1973 was restored in its original form which was the defeat of those who despise and hate democracy. He said that due to the great struggle for the security of the country and restoration of democracy, the graveyard of Garhi Khuda Bakhsh Bhutto was inhabited by martyrs from where the sun of democracy rises with the blood of the martyrs. He said that it is encouraging that today members of parliament and democratic political parties are united on the same page on the principle of an empowered Parliament. He said that undemocratic thinking has to be defeated by strict and steadfast adherence to the Charter of Democracy. He said that Parliament is supreme and everyone has to submit to it.

Suspect who stole corps commander’s uniform arrested

LAHORE STAFF REPORT

The police on Sunday arrested a suspect who allegedly stole the uniform of Corps Commander Lahore during protests following the arrest of Pakistan Tehreek-eInsaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan. According to details, the Punjab police intensified their crackdown against those who recently attacked the Lahore Corps Commander House during protests following the arrest of former prime minister in Al-Qadir Trust case. Sources said that one of the perpetrators stole the uniform of the Corps Commander and worn it. However, the police have arrested the suspect and shifted him to an unknown location for further investigation. It is pertinent to mention here that the police have launched a crackdown against Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leaders and workers following the ‘violent protests’ held after the arrest of party chairman Imran Khan in Al-Qadir Trust Case.

Political chaos, IMF uncertainty drag rupee 0.53pc down versus dollar

attempts, with one taking place last November during a rally in Punjab where he was shot in the leg. He also disclosed that his home in Lahore was raided while he was detained. However, when asked about alleged violence by the protesters, Khan condemned all violence.

“The only hope we have is the judiciary,” Khan said, emphasising his concerns about the current state of democracy in Pakistan.

Khan expressed his shock at the circumstances of his arrest, saying the first time he was shown an arrest warrant was while he was inside the jail. He further criticised the situation, questioning the role of the police and questioning whether martial law had been declared in the country.

KARACHI

TLTP

Pakistani rupee managed to recoup most of the losses during a volatile week against the US dollar and fell by 0.53 percent on a week-on-week basis.

According to the figures shared by the central bank, the dollar opened at Rs283.59 in the interbank market on Monday and closed at Rs285.08 on Friday. During the preceding week, the local unit was appreciated by 25 paisas (+0.09 percent) in the interbank market. Within the open market, the rupee opened at 286/289 a dollar on Monday and closed at 289/292 per dollar on Friday, after crossing the 300 mark on Thursday.

During the current fiscal year 2022-23, Pakistani rupee has lost Rs79.21 against the US dollar in the interbank, while it plummeted by Rs58.65 against the greenback in the current year.

roads and damaged property belonging to the military, which they blame for Khan’s downfall.

During the interview, Khan noted that he has survived two assassination

However, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif criticised Khan’s release, claiming there was a “genuine corruption case” against him, and that the judiciary had become a “stone wall protecting him”.

Marriyum claims Imran planned attacks on sensitive facilities

Federal Information Minister

Marriyum Aurangzeb on Sunday termed PTI Chairman Imran Khan’s statement is a confession.

In a statement, she ridiculed Imran for his statement that he did not know anything about attacks, terrorism and riots “just like you did not know about your marriage during Iddat and paternity of Tyrian White.”

She claimed that Imran planned attacks on sensitive facilities, buildings, ambulances, children, schools, hospitals, mosques and animal markets. “You desecrated memorials of martyrs and ghazis.” She continued. The minister addressed Imran that “you repeatedly said that if I were arrested, attacks would be carried out.” Marriyum called Imran the “biggest terrorist” of Pakistan who masterminded attacks across the country. She castigated Imran

for naming the chief of army and ISPR director general who “were not taking dictations from abroad and visiting the Presidency.”

She referred to the watch Imran got from Toshakhana and sold it and said he embezzled Rs60 billion of public money. “You will not be allowed to act on

your whims. Why 190 million pounds from Britain were given to the Supreme Court?”

She said alleged that Imran and his wife grabbed 458 and 254 kanals of land in Al Qadir Trust case. Referring to foreign funding case, she called Imran a “foreign agent whose agenda has been fully exposed.”

PTI decides on lodging FIRs against Rangers, NAB for ‘kidnapping’ Imran from IHC

FIRs,” read a statement issued after the meeting.

The PTI statement said the Punjab caretaker government has no legal or Constitution justification to continue as the Supreme Court’s deadline (May 14) for holding elections in the province expired on Sunday and termed it “murder of the Constitution.

The PTI urged authorities concerned to launch a probe into a “pre-planned” strategy to create anarchy during the “peaceful” protests of the party workers and incidents of firing on the citizens.

It is to be recalled that violent protests erupted in different parts of the country soon after the PTI chairman was taken into custody by the Rangers personnel.

LAHORE STAFF REPORT

The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leadership on Sunday decided to lodge a case against the Rangers and the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) for “whisking away” its Chairman Imran Khan from the premises of Islamabad High Court on May 9, according to a declaration issued by the main opposition party on Sunday night.

The Rangers personnel had arrested the former prime minister — who was voted out of office through a no-confidence motion in April last year — in the AlQadir Trust case while executing a arrest warrant issued the National Accountability Bureau (NAB).

A meeting of the party’s central leadership was held on Sunday with its Chairman Imran Khan in the chair. The meeting strongly condemned the “abduction” of the PTI chief and said that a Supreme Court’s high-powered commission be formed to investigate killings of citizens on May 9 and attempts of creating anarchy in the country.

During the meeting, it was decided to lodge cases over murders of unarmed citizens during the peaceful protests. “Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah, caretaker Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa chief ministers — Mohsin Raza Naqvi and Azam Khan — police officers, including IGs and others, will be nominated in

At least 10 people were killed and dozens of others sustained injuries during the days-long protests with internet services remaining suspended since then across the country.

After the supporters attacked military installations, the army said that May 9, — the day when chaos gripped the nation following Khan’s arrest — would go down in history as a “dark chapter”.

The PTI meeting also expressed severe concerns over the “handing over” of Islamabad’s Red Zone to the private militia of an allied party of the government — referring to the ruling Pakistan Democratic Movement’s (PDM) key ally Jamiat Ulema-e-IslamFazl (JUI-F) whose chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman announced a sit-in outside the Supreme Court on Monday (today).

In its declaration, the PTI vowed to respond to the efforts made by the ruling alliance to blackmail the apex court or stop it from performing its Constitutional duties with people’s force.

On Friday, the PDM announced staging a “peaceful” sit-in outside the SC in Islamabad on May 15 against Chief Justice Umar Ata Bandial for “facilitating” and giving “extraordinary protocol” Imran Khan.

“Free, fair and immediate general elections are the sole solution to national stability, political and economic crisis [being faced by the country],” it added.

The rupee started the week on a negative note versus dollar and struggled for the next four days. The local unit depreciated by 26 paisas (-0.09 percent) on Monday, 99 paisas (-0.35 percent) on Tuesday, Rs5.38 paisas (-1.85 percent) on Wednesday, and Rs8.71 paisas (-3 percent) on Thursday. The losing spree picked up pace on Wednesday after the arrest of former prime minister Imran Khan a day earlier and the rupee printed one of the worst losses of history on Thursday due to political turmoil and law and order situation across the country. Khan’s arrest sparked nationwide protests and drew criticism from political parties. The resulting political turmoil had a detrimental impact on investor confidence and the rupee’s value.

The rupee turned around against the US dollar on Friday, clawing back most of the losses of the week, and appreciated by Rs13.85 (+4.63 percent), as political temperature went down in the country. The dramatic surge in rupee was witnessed after investors received positive cues from the political front, following the Supreme Court’s ruling declaring the arrest of Imran Khan as illegal, and the end of violent protests across the country. Furthermore, Finance Minister Ishaq Dar’s reassurance that Pakistan would fulfil external obligations timely, with or without the International Monetary Fund (IMF), helped pacify markets.

Besides Khan’s arrest, ongoing uncertainties related to IMF negotiations and increased demand for the US dollar played a significant role in the instability of the rupee, creating confusion and panic in the market. This volatility highlighted the complex interplay among economic, political, and market factors that influence currency values, making them highly susceptible to fluctuations.

Pakistan has been facing a shortage in its foreign exchange reserves for quite some time, which is affecting the overall exchange rate, and business and economic activity in the country. Moody’s Investor Service has warned that Pakistan could default without an International Monetary Fund bailout.

The Washington-based lender has yet to approve the release of the crucial instalment of $1.1 billion, originally due to be disbursed in November last year as part of a $6 billion bailout secured in 2019.

Sajid Sadpara makes history as he climbs Everest solo without oxygen

ISLAMABAD STAFF REPORT

Pakistan’s ace climber, Sajid Ali Sadpara, made history when on Sunday he climbed the world’s tallest peak, Mount Everest (8848m) solo without using supplemental oxygen and taking personal sherpa assistance. “This is an incredible achievement for the mountaineer [Sadpara]. He is conquering the mountains in a stunning way,” Karrar Haidri, secretary Alpine Club of Pakistan told APP. Sadpara also took to his twitter handle to announce his accomplishment. “History has been made as 1st Pakistani to be on the top of Everest; Solo, without the use of supplemental oxygen & personal sherpa assistance,” he said.

Sadapra, who is the son of late Ali Sadpara, who scaled eight of the world’s 14 above 8,000m mountains, said it was a dream of his father’s for the nation. The legendary Ali Sadpara was found dead after he went missing in 2021. Earlier, Naila Kiani became the first Pakistani woman climber to summit five peaks of over 8,000m height when on Sunday she successfully ascended Mt Everest.

“She reached the summit point at 8:02 am,” Haidri said.

A mother of two kids, Kiani is a Dubai-based Pakistani banker and an amateur boxer. She first rose to prominence after images of her wedding shoot at K2 Base Camp in 2018 circulated on social media. She summited Gasherbrum-II (8,035m) in 2021, Gasherbrum-I (8,068m), K2 (8611) in July 2022 and Annapurna (8,091m) in 2023. She had climbed K2, the world’s second tallest peak shortly after Samina Baig, who was the first Pakistani woman to achieve the feat.

Another female British Pakistani mountaineer Nadia Azad, who is a member of Imagine Nepal’s Annapurna Expedition

Team also successfully summited Everest on Sunday.

“She ascended the peak at 11:10 am today,” Haidri said.

This is Nadia’s second 8,000m peak climb, following her recent ascent of Annapurna in April.

Legal, political developments to keep haunting PSX

PROFIT KARACHI

Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) remained under pressure last week amid political uncertainty and law and order situation and the benchmark KSE-100 Index lost 754.4 points (-1.79 percent) to close at 41,487.6 points.

The Supreme Court may take up the Punjab election case this week and the ruling parties are set to stage a sit-in in front of the apex court. Under these circumstances, the political temperature is unlikely to subside and this may not be a good sign for the bourse, as market sentiment will be heavily influenced by political developments.

After a rise of 1.59 percent by the bench-

mark index in the preceding week, the market closed red in the first three days of the week; however, the trading during the last two sessions helped recoup some of the losses.

Among other indices, the KSE All Share Index fell by 1.69 percent to 27,406.52 points from 27,876.27 points, while KMI All Share Islamic Index decreased by 2.16 percent to 19,771.47 from 20,208.75 points on a week-on-week basis.

The benchmark index commenced the week with a dip when bears took control of the market over growing political turbulence and persistent delay in reviving the IMF programme, which dragged the index below the 42,000 mark to 41,829.49 points, shedding 412.49 points (-0.99 percent). The

situation remained the same on Tuesday due to the arrest of former prime minister Imran Khan and KSE-100 Index shed 455.68 points (-1.09 percent) to close at 41,373.81 points. The losing streak continued on Wednesday and the index was deprived of another 298.86 points (-0.72 percent) to reach 41,074.95 points. The market turned positive on Thursday amid hopes of revival of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) loan programme and gained 250.68 points (+0.61 percent) to close at 41,325.63 points. The winning streak continued on Friday and the index gained 161.95 points (+0.39 percent). However, volumes remained low during both of the sessions.

According to JS Global analyst Muhammad Waqas Ghani, the market closed negative in the outgoing week, losing 754 points over growing political temperature and delay in completion of IMF’s ninth review. “Investors chose to stay on the sidelines as a result of the former premier’s arrest and the subsequent nationwide violent protests,” he said.

On a week-on-week basis, the oil exploration and production sector went down by 6 percent and the tech sector witnessed 3.5 percent dip. Positive contributions came from tobacco and modaraba sectors.

Arif Habib Limited, in its report, said that the stock market commenced trading on a negative note on Monday as Fitch Rat-

ings revealed that Pakistan was facing a substantial debt payment of $3.7 billion in the May-June period. Moreover, Pakistan was not on the agenda of IMF meetings, which dampened hopes for the resumption of the loan programme. Furthermore, the arrest of ex-PM Imran Khan sparked protests across the country, leading to political instability. However, as the week progressed, the political situation relatively eased.

The benchmark KSE-100 index is currently trading at a price-to-earnings ratio (PER) of 3.9x (2023), which is comparatively lower than the Asia Pacific regional average of 12.3x. Additionally, it offers a higher dividend yield of 11.9 percent compared to the region’s 3.0 percent.