Epaper_23-05-28 LHR

AGENCIES THWART PTI CONSPIRACY TARGETING INTELLIGENCE AGENCIES: RANA SANAULL

AH

IN T E R I O R Minister Rana Sanaullah late Saturday night claimed that the intelligence agencies had intercepted a telephonic conversation between some PTI leaders “planning to stage police raid to kill the party leader and

Imran constitutes 7-member committee for talks with govt over elections

nounce this tomorrow,” he announced

press conference here R a n a S a n a u l l a h s a i d t h a t f o l l o w i n g t h e i nt e r c e p t i o n o f t h e c o n v e r s a t i o n , t h e g o v e r n m e n t d e c i d e d t o m a k e t h e p l o t p u b l i c a n d f o i l t h e s i ni s t e r p l a n H e a l s o r e i t e r a t e d t h e g o v e r n m e n t r es o l v e t o b r i n g a l l t o j u s t i c e w h o h a d a t t a c k e d a n d v a n d a l i s e d t h e s t a t e i n s t i t u t i o n s b u i l d i n g s w o u l d n o t b e s p a r e d H o w e v e r, t h e g o v e r n m e n t i s q u i t e c l e a r t h a t t h o s e f o u n d i n n o c e n t w o u l d b e r e l e a s e d , ” h e a s s e r t e d C o n s i d e r i n g t h e i m m i n e n t p o s s i b i l i t y o f t h e s e d r a m a t i c e v e n t s u n f o l d i n g t o n i g h t t h e i nt e r i o r m i n i s t e r s t r e s s e d t h e n e e d t o r a i s e a w a r en e s s a m o n g t h e n a t i o n r e g a r d i n g t h e s e n e f a r i o u s d e s i g n s " T h e f a b r i c a t e d s c e n a r i o s w o u l d h a v e b e e n e x p l o i t e d t o p o r t r a y a n e g a t i v e i m a g e o f P a kistan to the international community " he added S a n a u l l a h a l s o e x p r e s s e d h i s d e t e r m i n a t i o n t o h o l d a c c o u n t a b l e t h o s e i n d i v i d u a l s r e s p o n s ib l e f o r i n s t i g a t i n g c o n f u s i o n , m i s l e a d i n g t h e p u b l i c , a n d c a u s i n g h a r m t o t h e c o u n t r y ' s d ef e n c e i n s t a l l a t i o n s " T h e i n d i v i d u a l s i n v o l v e d i n t h e e v e n t s o f M a y 9 t h o s e w h o i n i t i a t e d a n d m i s l e d a n d t h o s e w h o w e r e m i s g u i d e d a n d p a r t i c i p a t e d i n c a u s i n g d a m a g e t o d e f e n c e i n s t a l l a t i o n s w i l l f a c e t h e f u l l f o r c e o f t h e l a w N o r e l i e f w i l l b e g i v e n t o t h e m H o w e v e r, n o i n n o c e n t p e r s o n w i l l b e p u n i s h e d , " h e c o n c l u d e d

On the instruction of party chairman Imran Khan, the PTI has constituted a seven-member negotiation committee for talks with the incumbent government over elections Taking to Twitter the PTI said that the seven-member committee – which will be headed by Shah Mehmood Qureshi – will decide the plan of action with the government regarding the elections

The committee comprises party vice chairman Shah Mahmood Qureshi Pervez Khattak Asad Qaiser Hammad Azhar Haleem Adil Sheikh Murad Saeed and Aon Abbas Buppi

The development came after Pakistan Terheek-e-Insaf (PTI) suffered major blows as prominent leaders –Ali Zaidi Khusro Bakhtiar Imran Ismail Fawad Chaudhry Shireen Mazari Maleeka Bokhari and many others publicly announced parting ways with the party

It is pertinent to mention here that several PTI lawmakers and members have parted their ways with the party following the May 9 violence wherein military installations including General Headquarters (GHQ) in Rawalpindi and Corps Commander House Lahore were attacked after the arrest of party chairman Imran Khan

Earlier PTI Chairman Imran Khan on Wednesday asserted that he was ready to constitute a committee for talks and would step back if the panel is convinced on two conditions

“I am forming a committee for dialogues It will talk about two things if the country can function better

without me, I will leave politics Second how is it beneficial for the country if elections are held in October the former premier said while addressing the party workers and supporters

Imran Khan said that convince them on these two things, and he was ready to retreat for the sake of the country “I am forming a committee and I will an-

‘Would spring a surprise soon’

Meanwhile Pakistan Tehreek-iInsaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan on Saturday appeared optimistic about the future of his party and political situation, saying that he would spring a ‘surprise’ soon

Marriyum rules out talks with elements which ‘attacked state institutions’

ISLAMABAD: Minister for Information and Broadcasting Marriyum

Aurangzeb on Saturday ruled out negotiations with Imran Khan, stating talks could not be held with those who attacked the state rather were awarded punishment

In a statement issued here, the minister said Imran Khan was not appealing for negotiations, he was in fact, seeking an “NRO” Taking a jibe at Imran she said the foreign agent who committed robbery on Rs 60 billion was to be brought to justice

She ruled out talks with those who attacked sensitive installations and buildings which were symbols of national pride including General Headquarters those who desecrated the memorials of martyrs and Ghazis who attacked ambulances hospitals and schools and were involved in vandalism She said talks cannot be held with those who poisoned the minds of the youth

The minister said that negotiations could not be held with the leaders of the criminals and terrorists

She said while his party crumbled like a castle of sand, Imran was pleading for talks, recalling how electables were brought in planes to join the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf Marriyum Aurangzeb opined that parties not formed on any political ideology were disintegrated like the PTI The entire leadership of the PML-N including Nawaz Sharif, Shehbaz Sharif, Hamza Shahbaz, Maryam Nawaz spent hundreds of days in jails and detention centres she said adding they faced false cases but stood firm and finally emerged victorious

She said Imran Khan refused to negotiate with his political opponents on the economy Kashmir and security issues

Imran was not ready to sit with the opposition parties on critical issues like corona pandemic and the FATF issue, she said She maintained that dialogue could not be held with those who set the country on fire create chaos and anarchy fills the minds of masses with hatred and harbour armed groups S

N AT I O N C E L E B R AT E S 2 5 T H A N N I V E R S A R Y O F N U C L E A R T E S T S

ISLAMABAD

a p p

PAKISTAN is currently in the midst of fervent celebrations a s th e n a tio n c o mme mo r a te s t h e 2 5 t h a n n i v e r s a r y o f i t s n u c l e a r t e s t s c o n d u c t e d o n

May 28 1998

This historic milestone marked a significant turning point, enabling Pakistan to achieve invincible defense capabilities and establish regional stability through a delicate power equilibrium

The anniversary now known as

Youm-i-Takbeer is celebrated nationwide each year as a day of national pride and gratitude It commemorates Pakistan’s transformation into the seventh nuclear nation globally and the first Muslim state with a nuclear arsenal which serves as a deterrent for peaceful

Defiance of Punjab election order prompts contempt petition in Supreme Cour t

purposes The nuclear tests not only showcased the unwavering determination of the Pakistani nation to safeguard its territorial integrity independence and sovereignty but also reflected its commitment to preserving strategic balance in South Asia

The visionary statement made by former prime minister Zulfikar Ali Bhutto expressing the nation s willingness to endure hardships to become a nuclear power played a pivotal role in achieving this significant milestone On that momentous day, despite external pressures and India’s attempts to disrupt the power balance through its own nuclear tests the Pakistani leadership fearlessly responded by conducting nuclear tests effectively restoring equilibrium in South Asia

The events of May 28, 1998, marked a monumental occasion in Pakistan’s history, effectively silencing the bellicose

AGP repor t exposes massive embez zlement , irregularities in KP

PESHAWAR a z z B u n e R i

The Auditor General of Pakistan issued an audit report for 2022-23 highlighting severe financial irregularities in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) During FY 2021-22, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) faced significant financial mismanagement, resulting in various departments suffering notable irregularities and embezzlements amounting to a staggering Rs 551 33 billion The report highlighted irregularities amounting to Rs 128 11 crore relating to employees It revealed Rs 162 3 crore in funds misappropriated for capital investment, Rs 522 6 million in unauthorized payments, and reported irregularities of Rs 13 65 billion in 41 different cases The lack of record availability led to a loss of Rs 569 million while non-payment of fines and other factors resulted in a loss of Rs 2 2419 billion to the Finance Non-recovery of taxes led to a loss of Rs 4 5862

ruling junta in the neighbouring country, which had been promoting ill-conceived expansionist ambitions

Youm-e-Takbeer meaning the day when Allah s name was exalted rejuvenates the indomitable spirit of a nation that refuses to succumb to the repeated threats from warmongering mindsets in its vicinity

The history of acquiring modern nuclear technology for peaceful purposes underscores the commitment patriotism and steadfastness of the Pakistani leadership in safeguarding the nation s territorial integrity Pakistan’s decision to accelerate its nuclear program was largely influenced by India s first nuclear test in 1974 which compelled Pakistan to act swiftly and resolutely Amidst the resounding chants of Allah-o-Akbar, Pakistan conducted its first nuclear test on May 28, 1998, in the

Ras Koh hills of the Chaghai district in Balochistan

Despite mounting external pressures urging restraint the then Prime Minister of Pakistan Muhammad Nawaz Sharif made the courageous decision to conduct the tests, effectively rebalancing the strategic power dynamics in the region Pakistan remains steadfast in its commitment to promote a peaceful and stable environment in South Asia while maintaining its capability to defend against aggression or adventurism in any form As a responsible member of the international community, Pakistan actively supports global nonproliferation efforts based on the principles of non-discrimination and equal security for all states The country adheres to the highest international standards regarding export controls and prioritizes nuclear safety and security as paramount concerns SA

LAHORE S h a h a B o m e R

The President of the Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) Kashif Anwar has emphasized the need to develop a comprehensive strategy aimed at eliminating obstacles that impede trade within the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) In a warm welcome address to SAARC Vice President Mian Anjum Nisar at the LCCI, Anwar, along with other LCCI officials, expressed their optimism and high expectations for promoting trade and economic relations among SAARC member countries Anwar praised the invaluable contributions of the outgoing SAARC President, Iftikhar Ali Malik, in advancing the interests of the business community and fostering trade and industry within SAARC nations He expressed hope that the new SAARC management would follow in Malik s footsteps to further strengthen trade ties and economic cooperation among member states

Extending his congratulations to Mian Anjum Nisar on his election as the Vice President of the SAARC

Chamber of Commerce and Industry

Anwar highlighted the significance of South Asia, which is home to over a quarter of the world’s population Despite this Anwar pointed out that a well-defined strategy to improve trade links between SAARC countries is still in the works He expressed confidence in Nisar s ability to play a pivotal role in building trust among member nations Anwar stressed the need to address various challenges hindering intra-SAARC trade such as visa restrictions for the general public particularly businessmen as well as facilitating seamless transportation of goods, investment, and services across respective countries He pointed out that SAARC’s share in global exports stands at 1 9% while ASEAN enjoys an 8% share Over the period from 2017 to 2022 SAARC s total exports rose by 26% to $468 billion, while ASEAN countries experienced a 54% increase to $2 trillion Mian Anjum Nisar highlighted the lack of banking connectivity among SAARC member states as a major obstacle preventing the realization of the region s trade potential He underscored the need for Pakistan to address issues such

ISLAMABAD

S ta f f R e p o R t

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) senior leader Hammad Azhar said that PDM government ruined the fastthriving economy of the country and termed the reports about reliance on single bilateral support of China to avoid a default as alarming PTI senior leader, in a statement on Saturday, said that the reports surfaced that PM Shehbaz Sharif told

as rupee devaluation inflation and the cost of doing business to secure a significant share in intra-SAARC trade Nisar noted that the substantial devaluation of the Pakistani rupee has led to a manifold increase in external debts

Anwar stressed the importance of enhancing productivity and promoting the use of indigenous raw materials to reduce the cost of doing business He also called for improved connectivity between SAARC countries not only through road and railway networks but also through ports shipping and aviation which would facilitate and enhance mutual connectivity Furthermore, Anwar advocated for the establishment of a Regional Energy Market within SAARC incorporating a SAARC Power Grid for electricity trading as well as the trading of other energy sources such as oil, gas, and renewable energy technologies

LCCI officials, including Senior Vice President Zafar Mahmood Chaudhry and Vice President Adnan Khalid Butt emphasized the importance of financial cooperation among SAARC countries to bridge infrastructure gaps and increase productivity

t e m p t p e t i t i o n w a s s u b m i t t e d t o t h e S u p r e m e C o u r t o n S a t u r d a y h i g h l i g h t i n g t h e f a i l u r e t o c o m p l y w i t h i t s d i r e c t i v e s r e g a r d i n g t h e

c o n d u c t o f e l e c t i o n s i n P u n j a b a n d K h y b e r P a k h t u n k h w a T h e p e t i t i o n , m o v e d b y f o r m e r l a w m a k e r s Z a i n a b U m a i r a n d Ta l a t F a t i m i , s e e k s a c t i o n a g a i n s t t h e p r i m e m i n i s t e r c h i e f e l e c t i o n c o m m i s s i o n e r a n d a c t i n g S t a t e B a n k o f P a k i s t a n ( S B P ) g o v e r n o r f o r c o n t e m p t o f c o u r t I t a l s o u rg e s t h e c o u r t t o t a k e a c t i o n a g a i n s t t h e a t t o r n e y g e n e r a l , s p e c i a l f i n a n c e s e c r e t a r y, a n d t h e s e c r e t a r y a n d m e m b e r s o f t h e E l e c t i o n C o m m i s s i o n o f P a k i s t a n ( E C P ) T h e p e t i t i o n u n d e r s c o r e s t h a t t h e S u p r e m e C o u r t h a d p r e v i o u s l y o r d e r e d t h e e l e c t i o n s i n P u n j a b t o b e h e l d o n M a y 1 4 H o w e v e r i t p o i n t s o u t t h a t n e i t h e r t h e n e c e s s a r y f u n d s n o r a d e q u a t e s e c u r i t y a r r a n g e m e n t s w e r e p r o v i d e d f o r t h e e l e c t i o n s F u r t h e r m o r e , t h e p e t i t i o n h i g h l i g h t s t h a t t h e c o u r t h a d s p e c i f i c a l l y d i r e c t e d t h e S t a t e B a n k t o e n s u r e t h e p r o v i s i o n o f f u n d s b y A p r i l 2 7 A c c o r d i n g t o t h e p e t i t i o n b o t h t h e S B P a n d t h e M i n i s t r y o f F i n a n c e f a i l e d t o c o m p l y w i t h t h e c o u r t s o r d e r s I t a l s o a s s e r t s t h a t t h e E C P a s t h e c u s t o d i a n o f p u b l i c o p i n i o n h a s n e g l e c t e d i t s c o n s t i t u t i o n a l d u t y a n d d i s r e g a r d e d t h e c o u r t s d i r e c t i v e s T h e c o n t e m p t p e t i t i o n r a i s e s c r u c i a l c o n c e r n s r e g a r d i n g n o n - c o m p l i a n c e w i t h c o u r t o r d e r s a n d e m p h a s i z e s t h e n e e d f o r a c c o u n t a b i l i t y a n d a d h e r e n c e t o c o n s t i t u t i o n a l r e s p o n s i b i l i t i e s

Wanted by anti-corruption bureau, Elahi remains at large

LAHORE S ta f f R e p o R t

Police have taken measures to secure his residence in Lahore erecting barriers on both sides of the thoroughfare it is located, but former Punjab chief minister Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi, who is wanted by the anti-corruption bureau following the dismissal of his bail has yet to be apprehended The installation of barriers has caused inconvenience for residents living along Zahoor Elahi Road hindering their movement

Earlier an anti-corruption team accompanied by the police, conducted a raid on Elahi s residence situated on Zahoor Elahi Road However, he managed to evade arrest, prompting the police to take additional security measures by setting up roadblocks that restrict general traffic In addition to the heightened security measures internet services in the vicinity of Elahi s house have been temporarily suspended It is worth noting that non-bailable arrest warrants have been issued for Elahi, and authorities have set a deadline of June 2 to produce him in court

Vacant posts filled on ombudsman’s order

LAHORE S ta f f R e p o R t

traders that IMF program was off the table and reliance would be on China to avoid a default which is alarming Hammad Azhar stated that a single bilateral support was in no way enough to now meet the external debt obligations “PDM has no handle on the economy,” he added IMRAN KHAN, PEOPLE INSEPARABLE

Meanwhile Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) senior leader Dr Iftikhar Durrani said that PTI Chairman Imran Khan s personality was much higher than politics and political interests; hence they tyrants cannot separate Imran Khan and the people through use of these brutal and fascist tactics

In a statement on Saturday PTI senior leader said that PTI Chairman s personality was much higher than politics and political interests who had been making Pakistan proud in the world for almost half of a century Dr Iftikhar Durrani stated that all his steps ranging from establishing world-renown Shaukat Khannum hospital Namal University to Al Qadir University were for the welfare of the nation

Therefore he made it clear that they cannot separate Imran Khan and the people through these oppression and fascism

Raoof Hasan notified as PTI Central Information Secretary Meanwhile Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) senior leader Raoof Hasan was notified as PTI Central Information Secretary with immediate effect

PTI Additional Secretary General Omar Ayub Khan on Saturday issued the notification of Raoof Hasan as PTI Central Information Secretary Omar Ayub Khan issued the notified with the approval of Chairman PTI Imran Khan

14 applicants from across Punjab have been provided with employment in government departments under Rule 17-A of Punjab Civil Servants (Appointment and Conditions of Employment) Rules 1974 after the involvement of the Office of Punjab Ombudsman In a statement issued on Sunday a spokesman for the office mentioned that Aqsa Naz of Nankana Sahib has been recruited as a data entry operator in BPS-12 in Punjab Employees Social Security Institutions in Lahore while Syed Mohsin Qurban from Lahore has been recruited as accounts assistant in Punjab Workers Welfare Fund in BPS-11 after the involvement of the agency As a result of the intervention of the office Anam Ali of Lahore has been appointed to the forests department, Aoun Muhammad of Bahawalpur to the metropolitan corporation Bahawalpur, Muhammad Asad of Mianwali to the deputy commissioner ’s office, Osama Akram of Gujranwala to the local government and community development department Shahbaz Jabbar Khan to the district education authority Rajanpur and Muhammad Aftab of Vehari has been hired in BPS-11 as a junior clerk in the highways department, the spokesman added In the meantime, Adnan Hussain of Jhelum has been recruited as a water carrier in BPS-1 in the police department while the son of another applicant from Gujranwala Hameedan Bibi has been hired as a naib qasid in the education department along with payment of Rs0 8 million as pension arrears

Yasmin Rashid seeks bail in Jinnah House vandalism case

LAHORE S ta f f R e p o R t

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader

Yasmin Rashid on Saturday filed a bail petition in a case linked to the vandalism of Corps Commander House in Lahore, also known as Jinnah House, on May 9

According to details the former Punjab minister moved Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) of Lahore seeking bail in Jinnah House attack case The court has fixed the bail plea for hearing on May 30 ATC Judge Ijaz

Buttar will hear Yasmin Rashid s post-arrest bail application PTI Central Punjab

President Yasmin Rashid was taken into custody under section three of the Maintenance of Public Order (MPO) It is pertinent to mention here that the court had sent the PTI leader to jail on 14-day judicial remand She was booked in a case under various sections, including terrorism

Gov t cancels diplomatic passpor ts of 10 Imran’s ‘confidants’

ISLAMABAD

S ta f f R e p o R t

The coalition government on Saturday cancelled the diplomatic passports of nine prominent leaders affiliated with the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party This decision carries significant consequences for the leaders affected namely Shah Mehmood

Qureshi Asad Umar Azam Swati Pervaiz

Khattak Ali Amin Gandapur Farrukh Habib

Aun Abbas, Zartaj Gul, and Ali Muhammad Khan, who were all in possession of diplomatic passports Furthermore, the diplomatic passport belonging to Sheikh Rashid Ahmed an ally of the PTI has also been suspended With the cancellation and suspension of these passports the associated privileges and benefits, such as streamlined visa procedures, expedited airport screenings, and enhanced travel facilities, are no longer available to these individuals

ISLAMABAD S h a h z a d pa R ac h a

THE Federal Board of Revenue Intelligence and Investigation directorate Karachi has arrested two persons involved in over Rs12 billion two Fake & Flying

Invoices Cases

According to details, the Directorate of I&I IR Karachi in the last one week has lodged two FIRs in line with the nationwide crackdown against suspected business individuals on the above account involving billions of rupees revenue loss

After inquiry monitoring of different persons and discrete vigilance, a primary suspect in one of the FIR involved in the scam has been arrested and produced in the

Court of Special Judge (Custom & Taxation) Karachi According to details I&I IR Karachi has also obtained seven days remand of the accused from court

On the basis of investigation, and on pointation of the arrested person, search has been carried out by a team of Directorate at the office of an Advocate/ Tax consultant in a posh area of Karachi under court search warrant The said premises were unearthed during investigation which is used for issuance of fake /flying invoices and filing of dummy/bogus sales tax returns of various firms During search of Advocate office certain very significant record/evidence including pre signed blank/unsigned cheque books of various firms large number of rubber stamps of assorted companies, bank deposit slips of

heavy cash amounts sales tax returns and invoices of firms involved in fake /flying invoices scam in the shape of hard copies and soft data were recovered from said office along with Laptop and computer

During the search, another suspect who was in contact with an already arrested accused and involved in supply chain of fake/flying invoices in the instant crime of claiming bogus/fake/inadmissible tax credit was also taken into custody

Later on the second accused was also produced in court and a five days remand was obtained Scrutiny of data/record of delinquent firms indicated that a large number of registered trades and businesses have taken undue benefit of such fake /flying invoices for claiming excessive credit of sales tax and to reduce their tax liability

Imran constitutes 7-member committee for talks with govt over elec tions

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 01

Talking to senior journalists and lawyers at his residence in Lahore’s Zaman Park the former prime minister said that some of PTI lawmakers have been forced to quit the party while others have been exposed As the exodus from the party continues, Imran Khan noted that it he gets arrested or disqualified, PTI senior vice chairman Shah

Mehmood Qureshi will lead the party Responding to a question the former premier praised his party s leader Murad Saeed as the future leader He also clarified that there is no conflict with the army, stating, This army is mine

He appeared optimism about the future of his party mentioning that times are about to change and promising a significant surprise in the future Imran Khan also lambasted the incumbent government over failed

economic policies and said that the country s economy was deteriorating rapidly He emphasised that elections are the only solution to address the situation

The PTI chief further said that the youth are the party’s most valuable asset stating “The youth are our greatest capital He added that the party ticket is their rightful claim

In response to a question regarding President Dr Arif Alvi, Khan expressed confidence that he will work in accordance with the Constitution He also hoped that PTI will the next general elections whenever they happen

Earlier in the day PTI Chairman Imran Khan said that the fascist government was busy using all coercive and oppressive measures to crush PTI, while the country s economy is crashing right before our eyes I n a s t a t e m e n t o n S a t u r d a y P T I C h a i r m a n s a i d t h a t d o l l a r s e l l i n g a t R s

Pakistani designers impress Chinese at TEXPO 2023 fashion show

KARACHI S ta f f R e p o R t

PTI Chairman stated:

While our debt is accumulating at the fastest rate ever, the economy is shrinking ” He went on to say that all our annual tax revenue collections do not even cover the interest that we have to pay on our loans While the country s economy is crashing right before our eyes, all this fascist government is thinking of, are more coercive and oppressive measures to crush PTI,” Khan added PTI Chairman recalled that of course to the PDM leadership this historic devaluation of the rupee did not matter because all their ill-gotten wealth was stashed abroad in dollars

It will be the people of Pakistan who will experience inflation and poverty while PDM leaders will be beneficiaries of this fall in rupee ” he added

The TEXPO 2023 fashion show in Karachi was a remarkable event, showcasing the best of Pakistani design and textiles to the international audience This event was organized by the Trade Development Authority of Pakistan (TDAP) Gwadar Pro reported on Saturday A Chinese citizen Zhang from Guangzhou told China Economic Net that the fashion show highlighted the rich culture and heritage of Pakistan, while also showcasing its modern designs It was a great opportunity for Pakistani designers to showcase their talent and skills to the Chinese audience and make an impression on them He further said that the Texpo 2023 fashion show served as a platform for both countries to strengthen their economic ties through trade in textiles today show featured some of the most talented designers from Pakistan I m thankful to Guangzhou Consulate that providing me this opportunity to attend the textile exhibition and honestly before coming to Pakistan I was not expecting such a great fashion show and exhibition as well It was really surprising for me and now I can say that Pakistan is one of the advanced countries in these sectors he added It is pertinent to mention that after COVID-19 Pakistan is organizing the largest textile exhibition where more than 400 delegates from 60 countries participated in the exhibition with around 100 Chinese enterprises participating On the sidle forums of TEXPO 2023 a fashion show was held in Karachi and it was attended by Chinese Pakistani and other international entrepreneurs textile manufacturers, designers, and fashion enthusiasts

Imran’s offers of talks should be taken seriously

EVEN though PTI chief Imran Khan is still sounding some of the themes that resound with his base, the implosion that has afflicted his party since May 9 seems to have brought him to the point where he wants talks to take place He has gone so far as to name a seven-member negotiating team consisting of people who wee still within the party, and if not arrested, underground while trying to avoid arrest Of the three who had engaged in talks with the government earlier in the month one Fawad Chaudhy ha already left the party over the May 9 incidents I n r e j e c t i n g t h i s l a t e s t o ff e r, P M L ( N ) s u p r e m o M i a n N a w a z S h a r i f r e f e r r e d t o t h o s e i n c i d e n t s w h e n h e s a i d t h a t t h e p a r t y n e g o t i a t e d o n l l y w i t h p o l i t i c i a n s n o t t e rr o r i s t s T h a t m i g h t h a v e b e e n s a t i s f y i n g , a n d e v e n p a t r io t i c , b u t i t w a s h a r d l y a d d r e s s i n g t h e p r o b l e m , w h i c h w a s t h a t t h e c o u n t r y ’s a l m o s t c o n t i n u o u s p o l i t i c a l t u rm o i l f o r t h e l a s t y e a r e v e r s i n c e t h e n o - c o n f i d e n c e v o t e t h a t s a w M r K h a n o u s t e d a s P r i m e M i n i s t e r, h a s b l o c k e d t h e s o r t o f e c o n o m i c r e v i v a l t h a t w o u l d c a u s e t h e r e p a i r t o t h e e c o n o m y t h a t w e r e n e e d e d a f t e r t h e y e a r s M r K h a n w a s P M I t i s t r u e t h a t t h e w o r l d e c o n o m i c s i t u at i o n h a s b e e n h o s t i l e , t h a t a c o u n t r y s o h i g h l y d e p e n d e n t o n e x p o r t s a n d f o r e i g n w o r k e r s r e m i t t a n c e s h a s s e e n b o t h c o l l a p s e B u t i t c a n b e a rg u e d t h a t t h a t m a k e s p o l i ti c a l s t a b i l i t y a l l t h e m o r e e s s e n t i a l i f t h e c r i s i s i s t o b e o v e r c o m e Mr Khan is trying something very innovative, negotiating from a position of weakness Actually it is not the case that his undoubted public support has disappeared The May 9 incidents did lost him a lot, but he still remains one of the country s popular leaders As such, he should be negotiated with Unfortunately if he continues to take a rigid position on any point he is likely to find that the other side will not be willing to concede anything He must no longer insist on involving anyone else, such as the establishment, in talks which should only take place among politicians and while it went down well on the campaign trail in 2018 he must refrain from any name-calling this time His appeal over the heads of the government to the establishment, for having installed a ‘cabal of crooks’ in his place will not help matters The last time when the Supreme Court intervened, talks were held, and the PDM was reluctant Mr Khan helped them by placing preconditions He cannot let that happen this time

Dedicated to the legac y of late Hameed Nizami

Arif Nizami (Late)

Founding Editor

Yousaf Nizami Editor

M A Niazi Joint Editor Umar Aziz Executive Editor

Jammu and Kashmir is a disputed territory and Kashmiris are still waiting for a referendum to be held there under the United Nations This issue has been raised by Pakistan in every forum but the United Nations has not been able to fulfill its promise for a long time Now after ending the special status of Kashmir, India has not only given an explicit answer to the whole world but also boldly held a meeting of G20 in a disputed area India has played a strategic trick on itself that when the significant nations from around the world will proceed and participate in Srinagar it will be as if they will seal the confirmation that this disputed region is Indian territory but this move has also cost India a lot and instead of suppressing the issue of Kashmir it is once again becoming more prominent in front of the whole world India is not doing this for the first time, India has been laying new nets for a long time to subdue the freedom fighters of Kashmir Yet again a ploy of registering a stamp on their cruel and oppressive occupation in Kashmir was devised But this was reversed, China announced in clear words that it will not participate in the Srinagar meeting while Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Egypt also refused India’s insidious thinking behind holding the G20 meet in Srinagar is being ex-

posed On the one hand there is a general strike in the Occupied Valley, on the other hand there are protests by Kashmiris all over the world and other dominant organizations including the United Nations are being reminded of their resolutions promises and memoranda India has been attempting to enslave the Kashmiris for the past seven decades but the brave sons and daughters of this Valley have broken all the chains of servitude with their tenacity Kashmiris of the occupied region are continuing their freedom struggle and the people of Pakistan have also been helping them in every way; however the response from the Pakistani government is not coming as desired and a lax approach has been adopted in all tenures

Subsequently, the Foreign Minister has been sent to address the Azad Kashmir Assembly If along with the announcement of G20, the foreign minister and a delegation consisting of representatives of political parties loyal to the Kashmir cause were sent to visit the G20 countries then India could have at least been forced to change the venue of the conference but this conference is being held in Srinagar and Pakistan has not been able to do anything except condemn India’s audacity is increasing only because of the loose response from the Pakistani rulers Since August 2019 attention has been drawn to this aspect that despite declaring Kashmir as a part of Pakistan the

sults of a successful foreign policy

If this is not possible at least restrictions should not be imposed on the populace and those struggling for Kashmir So India gets the message that do what you have to do Pakistan also has like-minded rulers

All the parties included in the PDM have been accusing the Imran Khan government of the Kashmir deal till yesterday but right now they are in power and Kashmir cause has been limited to mere speeches

Pakistan has to focus on solving its own problem instead of looking at the world, but the biggest difficulty is that, if the rulers and institutions do not have free time from political upheaval, then how will they review their own policy on Kashmir? The establishment of peace in Occupied Kashmir is connected with the roots of Pakistan. Until the Pakistani rulers correct the direction of their foreign policy and make it active, India’s pressure cannot be ignored nor can it be brought to negotiations; and unless India gives the right to vote to the people of occupied Kashmir as per UNO resolutions, the dream of establishing peace in the region will remain unfulfilled

rulers are not trying with all their heart to prove it as their part Verbal claims and speeches regarding the Occupied Valley are not a solution to the problems; statements and advertisements in newspapers can never stop India s path

If India is to be stopped, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs will have to be mobilized These Foreign Ministry tours should be converted into positive re-

Honour Killing in Gilgit Baltistan: A Grave Violation of Human Rights

in certain remote areas Among these areas, the districts of Diamer Ghizer and Nagar face particularly high rates of honour-based crimes The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan s Gilgit office reported a significant increase in honourbased crimes, receiving reports of 60 such incidents from January to November 2015

From 2016 to 2022, approximately 344 females in Gilgit Baltistan have suffered due to honour killings Unfortunately many cases go unreported in the media leaving a significant portion of these crimes hidden from public knowledge Districts such as Nagar Diamer and Ghizer witness 60 percent of the reported cases

ACCORDING to Human Rights

Watch, honour killings are acts of violence, often resulting in murder, committed by male family members against female family members The involvement of women in planning such murders is also very common These acts are carried out when women are believed to have brought shame upon their families

Such crimes occur when women engage in activities such as conversing with men outside their family experiencing rape refusing arranged marriages, leaving abusive husbands, or adopting a more Western lifestyle

These actions are deemed highly shameful and disgraceful leading some to believe that the women involved deserve nothing less than death

Honour killing represents a deadly and criminal form of violence mostly against women and often men, perpetuated under the guise of preserving honour and societal values Tragically these women often lack legal protection resulting in an alarming increase in the number of honour killings

The ratio between honour killings in Gilgit Baltistan reveals a significant disparity in the suffering experienced by men and women According to available data the male percentage of honour killings is 35 percent while the female percentage is 65 This imbalance clearly illustrates that women are disproportionately affected by honour killings in the region The ratio difference further highlights the urgent need to address the systemic discrimination and violence faced by women in Gilgit Baltistan

Addressing the issue of honour killings in Gilgit Baltistan necessitates tackling these sociocultural barriers

Comprehensive education programmes promoting gender equality, human rights, and critical thinking play a crucial role in this regard Additionally, raising awareness about alternative conflict resolution methods, providing support to victims, and implementing stringent legal measures can contribute to reducing honour killings and fostering a more inclusive and equitable society

It is also seen that women show no resistance to such acts and in fact many even praise it as they consider it the best solution for such problems

Gilgit Baltistan, a region known for its unique geography and natural beauty, also carries a dark reputation for crimes against women

Several factors contribute to honour killings in Gilgit Baltistan One major reason is the occurrence of extramarital affairs In conservative societies, such actions are viewed as a violation of cultural norms and moral values Engaging in relationships outside of marriage is considered dishonourable and brings shame to the family In extreme cases, this perceived dishonour may lead to the killing of those involved in order to restore family honour 0

Another contributing factor is the refusal to abide by family decisions In tightly-knit communities like Gilgit Baltistan family decisions hold significant importance When individuals go against their families' wishes or expectations, it is seen as a defiance of traditional values In order to preserve family honour and maintain social order, honour killings may be carried out Raising a voice against cultural traditions is also a trigger for honour killings Gilgit Baltistan boasts a unique cultural heritage and challenging traditional practices can be seen as

a direct affront to the community's values and customs Individuals who question or speak out against these traditions may face severe consequences including honour-based violence

The prevalence of illiteracy and lack of awareness further contribute to honour killings in Gilgit Baltistan Limited education and awareness regarding human rights, gender equality and alternative dispute resolution mechanisms hinder progress in eliminating such practices Illiteracy perpetuates regressive beliefs and reinforces patriarchal structures that underpin honour killings

In the region of Gilgit Baltistan, the presence of religious sectarian tensions serves as a significant factor in instances of honour killings

Specifically when individuals from the Shia and Sunni sects respectively form emotional connections and express a desire to unite in marriage they often encounter a grave risk of being subjected to violence and ultimately killed by their own families The primary motivation behind these tragic acts is the deeprooted sectarian discord and animosity prevailing in the region

However the primary underlying factor in honour killings in Gilgit Baltistan is the presence of sociocultural barriers These barriers encompass a range of societal norms, beliefs, and expectations that perpetuate the concept of honour and shame Strict adherence to cultural traditions the preservation of family reputation and the need to conform to social norms create an environment where honour killings are seen as a means to maintain societal order

Addressing the issue of honour killings in Gilgit Baltistan necessitates tackling these sociocultural barriers Comprehensive education programmes promoting gender equality human rights and critical thinking play a crucial role in this regard Additionally raising awareness about alternative conflict resolution methods providing support to victims, and implementing stringent legal measures can contribute to reducing honour killings and fostering a more inclusive and equitable society

The writer is a

The people of Pakistan have supported the Kashmiris in Pakistan otherwise, the rulers have been just using the Kashmir slogan for their political purposes and the result of this policy is that the world is also adopting a duplicitous policy In this case, Pakistan has to focus on solving its own problem instead of looking at the world but the biggest difficulty is that if the rulers and institutions do not have free time from political upheaval, then how will they review their own policy on Kashmir? The establishment of peace in Occupied Kashmir is connected with the roots of Pakistan Until the Pakistani rulers correct the direction of their foreign policy and make it active, India’s pressure cannot be ignored nor can it be brought to negotiations; and unless India gives the right to vote to the people of occupied Kashmir as per UNO resolutions the dream of establishing peace in the region will remain unfulfilled

The writer tweets @AttiyaMunawer

E d i t o r ’ s m

a i l S e n d y o u r l e t t e r s t o : L e t t e r s t o E d i t o r Pakistan Today 4 - S h a a re y F a t i m a J i n n a h L a h o re P a k i s t a n E - m a i l : l e t t e r s @ p a k i s t a n t o d a y c o m p k L e t t e r s s h o u l d b e a d d re s s e d t o Pakistan Today e x c l u s i v e l y

Bump in the way of growth and progress

ACCORDING to media reports initial figures generated by the ongoing census put the country s population at 235 million a whopping increase of 27 million or 12 98 per cent since 2017 And there is already a hue and cry over the official data being supposedly well below the actual numbers By the time the final count is announced, we may have an astounding shock to deal with Being a practising doctor and someone who has been actively involved with the Pakistan Medical Association (PMA) for the last four decades I feel not only worried but concerned and scared because the impact of uncontrolled population spike inevitably falls mainly on health and education sectors L e t u s t a k e e d u c a t i o n f i r s t T h e n a t i o n a l l i t e r a c y r a t e i s 5 8 p c w h i c h i s t h e l o w e s t i n S o u t h A s i a ; a n d i f w e g o f o r t h e s t a n d a r d o f e d u c a t i o n , i t m i g h t b e a m o n g t h e l o w e s t , i f n o t t h e l o w e s t , i n t h e w o r l d I n a c o u nt r y w h e r e 2 6 m i l l i o n c h i l d r e n a r e o u t o f s c h o o l a n d t h e r e m a i n i n g a r e n o t r e c e i v i n g q u a l i t y e d u c a t i o n t h e s i t u a t i o n i s f a r f r o m b e i n g s a t i s f a ct o r y r e g a r d l e s s o f t h e d e f i n i t i o n o n e m i g h t p r e f e r t o u s e t o d e s c r i b e t h e t e r m s a t i s f a c t o r y

Private-sector education is so expensive that an average breadwinner in a family with four to five children can barely afford the expenses There is no organised system of giving vocational training to these young children

The overall picture is grim, and there is no sign of improvement in sight

As for the healthcare system, it is unfortunately one of the worst and that explains the seriously rather embarrassingly pathetic health indicators especially infant and maternal mortality rates According to the Health of the Nation 2023 report produced by PMA our 80pc of the population has no access to clean drinking water

Waterborne diseases are common and so are polio, typhoid, hepatitis, cardiovascular diseases, infectious diseases, tuberculosis, kidney diseases, chest diseases, diabetes, hypertension, mental health conditions, cancers, especially oral cancer Most of these diseases are preventable with vacci-nations and lifestyle modifications

We are fortunate that the country has a fairly organised system of public-private partnership and some individuals as well as welfare organisations provide healthcare services either free or against fairly subsidised charges That is actually the only reason the system is still alive Otherwise, the situation would have been much uglier than what it is right now DR MIRZA ALI AZHAR KARACHI

Census woes

THE repeated extension of national census deadlines suggests that the relevant authorities are not getting the desired results They may not realise it but the fact is that our policymakers are being laughed at by their countrymen and are being made fun of by inter-national media

An enumerator alone can make a better plan than the mighty experts working for the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS) After hard work of almost two months, it has been confirmed that inexperienced teams have been provided gadgets and sent to carry out the field work

There are issues such as division of the blocks selection of enumerators lack of experienced supervisors delayed payments and dictatorial attitude of assistant commissioners in various districts Also the teachers carrying out the exercise have been in the field for more than two months now, and that has affected the academic year rather badly T h e S i n d h s e c r e t a r y o f e d u c a t i o n h a s r e c e n t l y d i r e c t e d t h e t e a c h e r s t o a b i d e b y P B S i n s t r u c t i o n s I n s t e a d , h e s h o u l d h a v e s u p p o r t e d t h e t e a c h e r s i n g e t t i n g t h e i s s u e s s o r t e d o u t a n d t o r e s t o r e t h e a c a d e m i c a ct i v i t i e s u n d e r h i s w a t c h

As for the enumerators all they want is to be left alone to join their schools so that their students may not suffer anymore

B I D E N S O U N D S H O P E F U L O N D E B T C E I L I N G ;

T R E A S U R Y WA R N S O F J U N E 5 D E FA U LT

DE M O C R AT I C President Joe Biden and a Republican negotiator said on Friday they were working on a deal to raise the U S government’s $31 4 trillion debt ceiling after the Treasury Department warned that a June 5 default loomed without action

The two sides have been negotiating for weeks on an agreement to raise the federal government s selfimposed borrowing limit, with Republicans also pushing for sharp spending cuts Without a deal, the United States could face a calamitous default

“Things are looking good ” Biden told reporters

I m optimistic

Republican Representative Patrick McHenry said he concurred with Biden s comments while cautioning that negotiations had not yet concluded

I m hopeful, said McHenry, one of House of Representatives Speaker Kevin McCarthy s lead negotiators with the White House “But we have to make sure we have a line on tax we have a line on agreement – there’s significant challenges ahead ”

The two spoke separately shortly after U S Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen said the government would run short of money to pay its bills on June 5 Yellen had previously said that date could come as soon as June 1, meaning that the new forecast allowed for more time but a harder final deadline

Negotiators are discussing a deal that would lift the limit for two years but remain at odds over whether to stiffen work requirements for some anti-poverty programs McCarthy left the Capitol on Friday following a conference call in which one of his top lieutenants told fellow Republicans no deal had been reached, CNN reported

Any agreement would have to win approval in the

Republican-controlled House and the Democratic-led Senate before Biden could sign it into law – a process that could take more than a week

Negotiators have tentatively reached an agreement that would cap spending on many government programs next year, according to a U S official

REQUIREMENTS IN DISPUTE

WORK

The safety-net programs remained a sticking point Lead Republican negotiator Garret Graves said his party would not drop its demand that they require more participants to hold a job

Hell no Not a chance, Graves told reporters

U S President Joe Biden speaks to the media before departing the White House in Washington Biden and his fellow Democrats have resisted a Republican push to require childless adults under age 56 to show they are working or looking for work in order to qualify for the Medicaid health plan and the SNAP food-assistance program

The Republican proposal would require more participants in those programs to show they are working or looking for work That would save $120 billion over 10 years but also force more than a million Americans out of those programs according to the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office Democrats have said the proposal would only create more red tape that would exclude people who would otherwise qualify Medicaid and SNAP have scaled back in recent months after expanding dramatically during the COVID-19 pandemic Biden in particular has resisted the work requirements for Medicaid which covered 85 million Americans as of January

The deal under consideration would increase funding for the military and veterans care while essentially holding non-defense discretionary spending at currentyear levels according to the official who spoke on

JPMorgan cutting about 500 jobs this week

PR OFIT

R E U T E R S

condition of anonymity

The deal might also scale back funding for the Internal Revenue Service, which got an extra $80 billion last year, in part to bolster enforcement and bring in more tax revenue Republicans have sought to revoke that funding

The White House is working on a way to preserve its effort to target wealthy taxpayers the official said

The Treasury Department had previously warned that it could be unable to cover all its obligations as soon as June 1 Several credit-rating agencies have said they have put the United States on review for a possible downgrade, which would push up borrowing costs and undercut its standing as the backbone of the global financial system

A similar 2011 standoff led Standard & Poor s to downgrade its rating on U S debt

Even if they reach a deal, leaders from both parties will have to work hard to round up enough votes for approval in Congress Right-wing Republicans have insisted that any deal must include steep spending cuts, while Democrats have resisted the new work requirements for benefits programs

Most lawmakers have left Washington for the Memorial Day holiday but congressional leaders have told them to be ready to return for votes when a deal is struck House leaders have said lawmakers will get three days to ponder the deal before a vote Any single lawmaker in the Senate has the power to tie up action for days At least one Republican Mike Lee has threatened to do so

Reporting by Jarrett Renshaw, Richard Cowan, Trevor Hunnicutt, Andy Sullivan, Gram Slattery, David Lawder and Nandita Bose; writing by Andy Sullivan; Editing by Scott Malone, Will Dunham, Alistair Bell, Rosalba O’Brien David Gregorio and Kim Coghill

Erdogan is ‘ family ’ in Turkey ’s conser vative hear tland

BAYBURT A F P

Old Fiat cars and yellow tulips dot the eastern Turkish town of Bayburt, the heart of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s ultra-loyal conservative base that is ready to extend his two-decade rule to 2028

Betraying a serene calm hanging over the picturesque province of the same name Bayburt voters roared into life for Erdogan in the first round of Turkey s pres-

idential election on May 14

Almost 80 percent of the electors there plumped for Erdogan his highest vote share in a single province helping him win 49 5 percent of the national ballot and become a strong favourite in Sunday s runoff vote

Getting to know the heart of Bayburt is getting to know Turkey, said Orhan Ates, a newly elected MP for Erdogan s ruling AKP party in the parallel parliamentary vote

“Are you ready to re-elect our president?” he asks

passers-by, greeting men holding Islamic prayer beads with a knowing nod

A 47-year-old eye doctor Ates holds impromptu appointments with patients in the street issuing a prescription on a crumpled piece of paper to one man wearing worn-out shoes I started as a shoe shiner, I became a medicine professor People see themselves in me, like we see ourselves in Erdogan,” whose family originates from neighbouring Rize province Ates told AFP Erdogan “talks to everyone not just to the elites” he said ‘Big family’ We re a big family here and Erdogan is a part of it He s as solid as our castle, said provincial AKP official Haci Ali Polat, referring to a centuries-old fortress towering over the town

JPMorgan Chase & Co (JPM N) is cutting about 500 employees this week across its various departments, according to a person familiar with the situation who asked not to be identified discussing personnel matters The layoffs will affect employees across the bank s main businesses consumer commercial banking, asset and wealth management as well as technology and operations, the source said JPMorgan is the largest U S lender

There are more than 13 000 current job openings at the bank the source added JPMorgan declined to comment

On Thursday a JPMorgan source said the lender was laying off nearly 1,000 First Republic Bank employees after acquiring the failed bank earlier this month First Republic became the largest U S lender to fail since 2008 after it was seized by regulators and sold to JPMorgan in early May

JPMorgan s workforce stood at 296 877 at the end of the first quarter up 8% from a year earlier according to a filing

11 dead, 13 others sustained injuries in Astore avalanche

GILGIT S TA F F R E P O R T

At least 11 persons were killed and 13 others injured when a snow avalanche occurred in Astore area of Gilgit-Baltistan on Saturday, according to officials

According to the GB Disaster Management Authority (GBDMA), eight dead bodies have been retrieved from underneath the snow so far, fearing the death toll could rise as some of the injured were in critical condition Deputy Inspector General of Police for Diamer-Astore Division Tufail Mir confirmed to the media that the incident occurred when 25 people of Gujjar family were travelling along with cattle from Kashmir to Astore and were hit by the avalanche

The GB DMA said the rescue operation was being conducted by Rescue 1122 the district administration and the local community for retrieving the remaining bodies Mir said that rescue teams were facing challenges in reaching the affected area due to its remote location and difficult terrain Furthermore, communication difficulties were also impeding the officials efforts Gilgit-Baltistan Chief Minister Khalid Khurshid Khan expressed grief and sorrows over the loss of precious lives and directed the local authorities to launch rescue operation He directed the secretary interior Director General of Gilgit Baltistan Disaster Management Authority (GBDMA) and other officials to rush to the spot immediately Muhammad Riaz, a police official from the area, told AFP that residents were taking the lead in the rescue operation in the difficult-to-reach area Meanwhile Diamer-Astore Division Commissioner Altamash Janjua said one body was retrieved while 11 injured were being moved to the district headquarters hospital for treatment, adding that the injured were out of danger Meanwhile, GB Chief Secretary Mohiuddin Wani said that rescue teams had been dispatched

CORPORATE CORNER

Man held for making, selling fake railway tickets

CM GB APPoiNtS 14 New CoordiNAtorS to CouNter likely No-CoNFideNCe Move or diSquAliFiCAtioN

ISLAMABAD G H U L A M A B B A S

iN anticipation of a possible vote of no confidence or disqualification, the Chief Minister of Gilgit Baltistan, Muhammad Khalid Khurshid who is facing allegations of possessing a fake degree has appointed 14 new coordinators bringing the total number of his team to 24

The move is seen as an attempt to galvanise his support base and strengthen his position In addition to the 24 coordinators, the Chief Minister ’s cabinet already comprises of 12 ministers two advisers and five special assistants

L A H o R e: Railways Police Multan Division have arrested the accused who made and sold fake railway tickets The accused Naveed Ahmed was arrested by SHO Railways Police Khanpur Malik Fayyaz during the investigation of the case filed a few days ago A large number of fake ticket making tools, second-hand open railway tickets and platform tickets were also recovered from the suspect The accused used to sell these tickets to passengers after tampering and forging the used railway tickets The accused admitted during interrogation that he has been involved in this forgery for about the last 10 months and has been selling fake tickets PR

No change in loadshedding schedule since March 2023: KE

KARACHI: Spokesperson KE in an online statement reiterated that loadshedding schedule for Karachi has not changed since March 2023 The company conducts periodic assessments of theft losses and recoveries on over 2 000 feeders which form the basis for loadshedding schedules in the city Speaking about the power supply situation, KE spokesperson stated “about 70%-75% of our network is currently receiving uninterrupted electricity These areas show low instances of electricity theft and bills are being paid on time and in full Speaking about the remaining network the announcement stated that this comprises areas where up to 90% electricity is stolen, and bills against actual consumption remain unpaid These areas account for approximately 25% of our network " Even in these localities the company is providing electricity for up to 14 hours a day However utility services do not operate in a vacuum Amid current macroeconomic conditions and rising fuel costs for energy generation free electricity cannot be provided where bill payments are low and declining Clarifying misconceptions on the tariffs, spokesperson shared that across Pakistan, rates charged in customer bills are equal for each category These are determined by NEPRA notified by Government of Pakistan and apply on DISCOs and KE No company can change tariff on its own As the government increases rates, DISCOs & KE must charge the same to customers The spokesperson affirmed that loadshedding can be reduced if customers pay their bills regularly He also appreciated the cooperation of the Sindh Government and Power Division for their support in inculcating a culture of regular bill payments through their elected representatives in various areas of Karachi P R

IC T Police saves Rs74m by shifting police stations to solar energy

ISLAMABAD: Islamabad capital police has embarked on a groundbreaking initiative to shift various police stations to solar energy as part of the austerity campaign launched by the Government of Pakistan and change management unit project The move aims to promote sustainability, reduce costs, and contribute to a greener environment, a police public relations officer said He said that, following the vision of Prime Minister Mian Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif the Islamabad capital police has made significant strides in embracing renewable energy sources As part of the austerity campaign, all police stations and buildings of the Islamabad police will be transitioned to solar energy, marking a major step towards energy efficiency and environmental preservation In the last three months alone this initiative has resulted in remarkable achievements

The implementation of solar energy systems in seven police stations including Golra Sihala Women, Bhara Kahu, Shahzad Town, Sabzi Mandi, and Tarnol has led to substantial savings The Islamabad Capital Police has successfully saved an impressive 68,648 units of electricity, amounting to more than Rs 74 million P R

TDAP

Political analysts have expressed concerns that this large number of positions places a heavy burden on the limited budget of the regional government

According to a notification issued on May 20 the Chief Minister appointed 14 new coordinators The newly appointed coordinators include Ashraf Hussain and Hussain from Bara District in Ghanche

Syed Mehdi Shah from Skardu District, Abdul Khaliq from Ghanche Muhamad Adeel Ram from Shigar District Ghulam Haider from Skardu District Sajida Sadaqat from Astore District Raja Shehbaz Khan from Hunza District, Manzoor Hussain from Gilgit District, Sarwar Shah from Diamer District, Kalbe Ali from Nagar District Muhammad Yousuf from Skardu District Atique Peerzada from Gilgit District Muzamil Hassan from Skardu District and Sana Ullah Khuram from Astore District These coordinators will serve at the pleasure of the Chief Minister and will receive a fixed monthly salary of Rs150 000/- The addition of these 14 coordinators brings the total number of public office holders in the Chief Minister s team to over 45

It is worth noting that there were already 10 coordinators, including two media coordinators, representing the Chief Minister in Islamabad The GB government had previously amended the rules of business to allow for the creation

of these 10 coordinator positions

The coordinators are appointed by the Chief Minister and serve at his pleasure They are entitled to a salary equal to half of the salary of a special assistant to the Chief Minister With the inclusion of 24 coordinators, along with the speaker, deputy speaker focal person to the Chief Minister political secretary to the CM and four parliamentary secretaries the total number of public office holders in GB reaches around 50 This is significantly larger than the total number of members from the ruling party and its allies in the Gilgit Baltistan Legislative Assembly, which is only 23 Critics have raised concerns about the large size of the cabinet given that the region has a population of only 1 6 million According to the constitution, the cabinet can have a maximum of 11 percent of the total strength of the parliament with each cabinet member required to be a member of parliament In GB this would mean there could

S ocial and economic impac t of less harmful alternatives in Pakistan

Less harmful alternatives, such as nicotine pouches, heated tobacco products and vaping devices, have become popular worldwide as an alternative to cigarettes

The reason for so many governments around the world supporting smokers switching from cigarettes to alternatives is because these products have been proven by science to be less harmful than continued smoking In Pakistan where smoking rates remain high less harmful alternatives have the potential to address social and economic disparities by promoting less hazardous consumption

Here are some of the key ways that such products can ad-

dress social and economic disparities in Pakistan:

Damage limitation: nicotine delivering devices offer a less harmful alternative to cigarettes as they remove the aspect of burning which is the major reason behind the development of smoking related diseases This can be particularly important in developing countries like Pakistan where the consequences of smoking can be devastating for individuals and their families By providing a less harmful alternative they can promote a better quality of life

Education and awareness: The availability of less harmful alternatives can provide an opportu-

nity for education and awareness campaigns These campaigns can help to raise awareness about the dangers of smoking and promote better lifestyles They can also provide information about the potential benefits of these products as a less harmful alternative to cigarettes

In Pakistan, there is a potential to reduce environmental impact through the use of less harmful alternatives like e-cigarettes vapes nicotine pouches snus and heated tobacco products With a balanced approach to regulation and education, the benefits of these products can be maximised to their full potential, while also creating new economic opportunities

E M E x p o to b e g i n f r o m J u n e 2

2nd International Solar Energy Meet (ISEM) & IEEEP IREM Expo (Pakistan s Premium Electronics and Electrical Exhibition) will start from Friday (June 02) here at Expo Center Lahore which will be attended by the local and international energy & power sector experts primarily working in renewable power with focus on solar power generation

According to the details the expo will be held June 02-04 from the platform of White Paper Summits Besides the expo, WPS (White Paper Summits) in a strategic partnership with IEEEP (The Institution of Electrical and Electronics Engineers Pakistan) will also organize a conference with 11 expert speakers as one of the main events of the three days in which these speakers will share their Case Studies Technical Presentation and Latest Insights on the problems and solutions addressing the Power and Renewable Energy Sector of Pakistan

The sessions will be attended by the IEEEP members and Technical Delegates The conference will include active Q&A sessions networking programs and

B2B networking to facilitate much needed access to a wealth of industry leading knowledge information exchange and actionable takeaways

More than 150 stalls are booked including over 30 by the international exhibitors after the government of Pakistan’s favoring policies towards solar power generation which attracts the foreign investors to come to Pakistan

Besides over 120 local exhibitors will also be displaying their products during the three days Solar show

The organizers are expecting over 8000 attendees during the three days event and including the top international and local exhibitors, acclaimed technical expert speakers The event will provide unlimited business networking opportunities, besides B2B deals

The organizers believed that the ISEM is the ideal meeting place for global and local stakeholders Clevel executives leading industry experts manufacturers and suppliers decision makers policy makers and government officials who are shaping the future of the solar energy sector in Pakistan ISEM will focus on Off-Grid and On-Grid Solar PV Applications, Solar Financing, Solar Investments, PV Modules & Hybrid Systems Battery and Storage Technologies Inverters and Solar Structural Systems

CO M S AT S , N at i o n a l C e n t r e fo r P hy s i c s a g r e e to s c i e n t i f i c c o l l a b o r at i o n

The Executive Director COMSATS, Amb Dr Nafees Zakaria was invited to visit the National Centre for Physics (NCP) Islamabad for a briefing on the academic and R&D work being carried out by the Centre and to witness its technical facilities first-hand

During the visit meeting with the Director General NCP, Dr Mansoor Hameed Inayat, and briefing on the role NCP is playing in key scientific areas, boosted greater interest for strengthening scientific collaboration around joint R&D activities and building synergy The Director General NCP and Executive Director COMSATS exchanged views on ways to use each other s strengthens and expertise to the mutual advantage

hosts fashion show as par t

KARACHI

S TA F F R E P O R T

An extension of its 4th International Textile and Leather exhibition TEXPO the Trade Development Authority of Pakistan (TDAP) hosted a fashion show on May 26 at the Expo Centre in Karachi Welcoming the who’s who of the fashion world, the event is set to be a two-day fashion extravaganza closing on May 27 Chief guests for the evening were Federal Secretary Commerce

Muhammad Sualeh Ahmad Faruqui Chief Executive TDAP Zubair Motiwala, and Secretary Fareed Iqbal Qureshi

An exclusive showcase for the media and foreign buyers, the event featured a treasure trove of designs putting the spotlight on ready-to-wear resort wear and luxury pret items All collections showcased at the event were exclusively curated with a focus on sustainable fashion, keeping in line with the theme of this year s TEXPO, ‘Weaving the Way to Sustainability’

The first day of the event offered collections by designers and design houses Riwan Beyg Adnan Pardesy J Huma Adnan Sana Safinaz Wardha Saleem Salt by Ideas

be only four cabinet members, including the Chief Minister However through the Self-Governance Ordinance of GB introduced by the Pakistan People s Party in 2009 the suggested size of the GB cabinet was increased to nine members, including six ministers, two advisers, and the Chief Minister

The PTI government in GB has expanded the cabinet and the number of office holders to around 50 members including the Chief Minister which is 151 percent of the total number of GBLA members (33), far exceeding the 11 percent limit set by the constitution of Pakistan

Experts have expressed concerns that expanding the cabinet and increasing the number of political figures will burden the limited budget of the region without yielding any significant benefits The increased expenditure on administration and employees expenses has resulted in reduced allocations for the education and health sectors both in terms of development and non-development budgets in recent years

Sindh decides to setup motor way-like force in transpor t dept

KARACHI S TA F F R E P O R T

The Sindh government has decided to establish a force within the transport department, based on the model of the motorway force An important meeting of the Sindh Mass Transit Authority Board took place in Karachi chaired by Sharjeel Inam Memon the Minister of Information Transport, and Mass Transit Secretary Transport Saleem Rajput, Managing Director of Sindh Mass Transit Authority Kamal Dayo and other board members participated in the meeting During the meeting a decision was reached to appoint inspectors from the transport department across the province These inspectors will have the responsibility of ensuring passenger safety and conducting vehicle inspections it was decided in the meeting to undertake measures for capacity building of drivers, conductors of the People's Bus Service and inspectors from the Transport Department Specifically the training of drivers and conductors of the People s Bus Service will be modeled as air stewards emphasizing professionalism and customer service In order to facilitate this, a training school will be established dedicated to this purpose

Pakistan Nav y, ANF seize narcotics in joint operation

Dr Inayat shared his vision for upscaling scientific work of NCP

KARACHI: akistan Navy and ANF seized huge quantity of narcotics in Counter Narcotics Operation Pakistan Navy troops and ANF personnel in a joint Intelligence Based Counter Narcotics Operation in North Arabian Sea seized approximately 4020 Kgs narcotics (Hashish) worth approximately US $ 65 148 Million in international market The successful counter narcotics operation by Pakistan Navy reaffirms Pakistan Navy's resolve to deny illegal activities at sea as well as along the coast PR

of 4th International Tex tile and Leather Exhibition

AIFD M Jaferjees House of Aamna Aqeel and Deepak Perwani

Beyg opened the show, followed by Adnan Pardesy, who lit up the runway with his ‘Roshnai’ A modern take on a classic fabric, the collection pushed the boundaries

of what denim can be A standout piece from the collection was a metal corset painstakingly created by the designer himself Huma Adnan presented Tolerance – a collection of beauty born of cross-cultural expression Standing firm on her belief in cause-based

fashion Adnan s designs were representative of cultures adopted in a sustainable way Sana Safinaz presented Raya , a curation of 11 unique designs redefining monochrome couture with silhouettes that fuse timeless forms, draped in layers of mystical embroidered textures and glimmer Salt by Ideas unveiled Sleek-Spectra inspired by the allure of structural and boxy silhouettes and the expressive power of neon colors M Jafferjees Resort 2023 , showcased an array of timeless classics that blend traditional values with modern sensibilities House of Deepak Perwani closed the show with its collection Starry starry night a minimal diffusion collection with silhouettes blending eastern and western fashion with subtle embellishment on lux fabrics The two-day gala, directed by Nubain Ali, boasts Dino Ali and Anoushey Ashraf as its red-carpet hosts TEXPO 2023 paid tribute to the textile and leather industries for their resilience in the fight against the impact of climate change on Pakistan It hosted 300 plus exhibitors, international textile sourcing agents, Pakistan’s leading designers and industry specialists from around the world, all

while reflecting offerings ranging from leather garments footwear cotton readymade garments, home textiles, denim, knitwear, sportswear, among others Buyers from Australia, Bangladesh, Belgium, China, Japan, Columbia, Egypt, France Germany Iran among others attended the TEXPO this year While buyers from 48 non-traditional markets and 286 new consumers registered Top international brands registered for the event include Smiffys, Royce Too LLC, Pem-America’s INC, Komex and Faro (Poland) – apparel and home textiles Action (Netherlands) C&A (Germany) – apparel chain French Connection (UK) –apparel chain El Corte Ingles (Spain) – departmental stores, Essenza Home (Netherlands) –Tchaikovsky Textile (Russia), among others

Official media partner for TEXPO 2023 is Hum TV while the official radio partner is FM91 PR and event management of TEXPO 2023 is being handled by Take II PR For more information visit TEXPO s website, www texpo com pk For any queries, please contact Taketwo pr@gmail com