Epaper_23-05-4 LHR

4 May, 2023 I 13 Shawwal, 1444

ECP CHALLENGES SUPREME COURT VERDICT ON PUNJAB ELECTION DATE

ISLAMABAD STAFF REPORT

THEElection Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has requested the Supreme Court to review its order to hold the general election in Punjab on May 14, claiming the verdict was not in accordance with the Constitution and previous judgments and lacked regard for the law or the facts.

On April 4, a three-judge bench of the court headed by Chief Justice Umar Ata Bandial had directed the government to release Rs21 billion for the elections in Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and had fixed May 14 as the new date for elections to the Punjab Assembly, after quashing the electoral body’s decision to extend the polls date from April 10 to October 8.

The court had also instructed the government to provide a security plan to the tribunal regarding the polls and keep the court informed of its measures.

In response, the ECP had submitted reports to the court blaming the Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) coalition for delaying the release of funds. The commission had argued that holding staggered polls in Punjab and KP would be more expensive than holding the exercise on a single day.

Additionally, the ECP had said the security apparatus required advance preparation and was already depleted. With less than two weeks to go before the May 14 election date set by the

court, the ECP has filed a review petition through Sajeel Swati. The petition seeks a review of the court’s April 4 verdict on multiple grounds. This comes after the government and PTI developed a consensus on holding elections across the country on the same day but have yet to decide on a date. The hearing for the petition is yet to be fixed.

The application said that “the framers of the Constitution have given the judicial institution a pivotal role in safeguarding and preserving the Constitution, but have at the same defined the ambit and scope of judicial intervention under sub-article 2 of the Article 175 of the Constitution”.

The law mentioned above reads: “No court shall have any jurisdiction save as is or may be conferred on it by the Con-

Fiscal year 2023-24 federal budget likely on June 09

stitution or by or under any law.”

The electoral body said the superior courts in Pakistan had been granted a special power by the Constitution to judicially review actions and decisions taken by public bodies, but “never substitute their own decision in lieu of the public bodies”.

“The superior courts can define the contours within which the power (which vests in the public bodies) is or is to be exercised. At no instance, can the superior courts take upon themselves the role of the public body. With utmost deference, the appointing of the date for the election is not the mandate of superior courts under the Constitution.

“Such power exists elsewhere under the Constitution but certainly does not lie in a Court of law,” the plea pointed out.

Cement despatches declined

Therefore, it highlighted, while passing the order on April 4, the court “disregarded its constitutional jurisdiction and assumed upon itself the role of a public body in giving a date [for elections]; thus intervention by the Court is necessitated to correct an error which has effectively changed the settled constitutional jurisprudence of the country.”

The petition also highlighted the “trichotomy of power”, saying that the division of power between different organs of the state was the “hallmark of the Constitution” and “essential sine qua non” for the smooth and efficient functioning of the country.

“This well-embedded constitutional concept isolates the three organs from interfering and treading into the domain of the other. The judicial institution has been conferred the power to judicially review the actions and decisions of the executive while at the same time being restrained from exercising the executive authority itself.”

The commission highlighted that the announcement of the date of general elections was “vested in the bodies” and not the judicial institution as per the Constitution.

“Therefore the impugned order under review, humbly submitted, has breached the salient principle of the trichotomy of powers and thus is not sustainable,” it stated.

The ECP explained that the conduct of free, just, and fair elections in accordance with the law was the “sole responsibility” of the commission.

Dar reassures IMF of commitment to programme

PROFIT

STAFF REPORT

Pakistan’s Finance Minister, Senator Ishaq Dar, has reiterated the federal government’s commitment to the International Monetary Fund (IMF) programme during a meeting with US Embassy Charge’d Affaires Andrew Schofer.

The meeting comes amid reports of blame being shifted between Pakistani authorities and the IMF for the delay in reviving the bailout programme. The existing IMF programme expires on June 30, 2023.

The finance minister informed Schofer about the ongoing IMF programme and assured him of the coalition government’s commitment to completing the programme. Schofer expressed his

confidence in Pakistan’s policies and programmes for economic stability and extended his support to advance economic and trade relations between the two states. The finance minister also discussed the economic situation and the difficult policy decisions

recently taken by the government to stabilise and boost the economy, ensuring sustainable and inclusive growth. Dar thanked the US charge’d affaires and reiterated the government’s desire to expand bilateral trade and investment ties with the US.

by 16.55pc during April 2023

Federal Budget for Fiscal Year 2023-24 will likely to be presented on June 09 or 10, sources said on Wednesday.

The National Economic Survey will likely to be presented on June 08. Sources said that the National Economic Council (NEC) session, to be chaired by the prime minister will likely to be summoned in the first week of June.

“The annual planning coordination committee will hold its session in the mid of May. The planning coordination committee will prepare features of the development budget.

“The federal development budget will likely to be enhanced by 250 billion rupees in comparison to the current financial year budget,” sources said. The development budget for Fiscal Year 2023-24 could be over 900 billion rupees,” according to sources.

A prior report said that the federal government has started preparations for the budget 2023-24 in which conditions forwarded by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) are likely to be implemented.

Sources privy to the development said the budget for Fiscal Year 2023-24 will be the ‘toughest’ in the country’s history. The mini budget might be merged with the budget 2023-24.

With the merger of the mini budget in the federal government, the masses will be overburdened with taxes worth Rs 680 billion. The tax relief for the protected class is also considered to be tighter. Tax income will be increased in the FY2023-24 budget with regard to the inflation, the sources said.

GHULAM ABBAS

As the economic turmoil continues to grip the country, the cement industry in Pakistan is facing trouble with declining despatches during the month of April 2023. According to the data released by the All Pakistan Cement Manufacturers Association (APCMA), cement despatches declined by 16.55% during April 2023 as compared to the same period in the previous fiscal year.

The local cement despatches by the industry in Pakistan during April 2023 were 2.531 million tons, which is a 25.13% decline from 3.380m tons in April 2022. However, export despatches increased by 168.61%, with the volumes increasing from 156,613 tons in April 2022 to 420,677 tons in April 2023.

The North-based cement mills despatched 2.193m tons of cement in April 2023, showing a decline of 23.54% as compared to 2.868 million tons despatched in April 2022. Meanwhile, the Southbased mills despatched 0.758m tons of cement during April 2023, which was 13.44% more compared to the despatches of 0.669m tons in April 2022.

During the first ten months of the current fiscal year, the total cement despatches (domestic and exports) were 36.55m tons, which is 17.50% lower than 44.306m tons despatched during the corresponding period of the last fiscal year. The domestic despatches during this period were 33.095m tons, against 39.506m tons during the same period last year, showing a reduction of 16.23%. The export despatches were also 27.99% less as the volumes reduced to 3.456m tons during the first ten months of the current fiscal year compared to 4.800m tons exports done during the same period last fiscal year. The current economic situation has badly impacted the cement consumption in the country, as stated by the spokesperson of APCMA. The decline in cement despatches is a reflection of the broader economic downturn in Pakistan. With the ongoing uncertainty and economic instability, it remains to be seen how the cement industry in Pakistan will perform in the coming months.

PTI seeks implementation of SC order on Punjab polls ‘in letter, spirit’

ISLAMABAD STAFF REPORT

A day after the government and the opposition reached some semblance of consensus on country-wide polls, the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) on Wednesday submitted a letter to the Supreme Court, seeking the implementation of the court’s order on holding elections in Punjab on May 14 “in letter and spirit”, stating that “in spite of the best efforts of parties, no solution within the Constitution” was found.

A day earlier, the PTI and federal coalition concluded the make-or-break round of the much-awaited negotiations on polls. The talks began on the top court’s advice last week.

Speaking to reporters after the sitting last night, Finance Minister Ishaq Dar — who was leading the government side — had told reporters that both sides had agreed to hold elections to the national and provincial assemblies on a single date under the watch of caretaker setups, but it had yet to be decided what that date would be.

On the other hand, PTI leader Shah Mehmood Qureshi had regretted that no decision could be taken

on “practicable proposals” put forward by his party.

Subsequently, PTI lawyers Faisal Chaudhry and Ali Bukhari submitted a report on the government-PTI negotiations in the apex court today.

The report, a copy of which is available with this scribe, stated that after the Supreme Court’s order, talks between the government and the PTI were held “with full sincerity” on April 27, April 28, and May 2.

It outlined that the parties arrived at the consensus that a dialogue between political parties was important and the solution to all political questions ultimately lay with the political parties.

“Both teams shall endeavor to hold this dialogue with full sincerity and try to arrive at a solution that is (a) in the best interest of the people and Pakistan and (b) in accordance with law and the Constitution,” the report highlighted.

It said that the parties also agreed not to use the dialogue as a “delaying tactic” and the talks “have no bearing” on the Supreme Court’s April 4 judgment “until and unless an agreement within the confines of the Constitution is arrived at between the parties and such agreement is implemented”.

The PTI recalled in the report that its initial stance was that elections to the assemblies needed to be held within 90 days as already determined by the SC.

“This being the constitutional mandate, there is no scope for changing this date by ordinary consent of the parties. The request was accordingly made to the PDM/alliance to abide by the Constitutional provisions and the orders of the Supreme Court of Pakistan and hold the elections to the Punjab Assembly on 14.05.2023. It was also stressed that elections to Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly be held forthwith as well,” the petition added.

However, the PTI contended that the government’s stance was that elections to the national and provincial assemblies should be held on the same day in October 2023 after the dissolution of the National Assembly (NA) and the legislatures of Sindh and Balochistan.

After deliberations, the report continued, the PTI extended a proposal to the ruling alliance that it was willing to hold the elections across the country on the same date subject to the following conditions:

If the NA and other remaining provincial assemblies were dissolved by or before May 14.

PSX breaches 42,000 level despite political, economic woes

PROFIT

TLTP

Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) managed to break the psychological barrier of 42,000 points on Wednesday amid AKFED’s intention to purchase HBL shares and LUCK’s buyback, with the benchmark KSE-100 Index gaining 160.29 points (+0.38 percent) to close at 42,087.93 points.

The market opened on a sharp positive note, toeing previous sessions’ bullish momentum and remained in green for most of the day despite political instability and economic slowdown. However, profit-taking activity was witnessed and the market took a dip but it recovered soon and turned to positive again. The indices remained

volatile during the last half an hour trading; however, the benchmark index managed to close above 42,000 level. Around 23.53 million shares of HBL and 2.45 million shares of Luck were traded during the session. The Aga Khan Fund for Economic Development (AKFED) intends to purchase HBL shares. The KSE-100 Index moved in a range of 255.87 points, showing an intraday high of 42,171.68 and a low of 41,915.81 points.

Among other indices, the KSE All Share Index gained 123.86 points (+0.45 percent) to close at 27,769.64 points, while KMI All Share Islamic Index gained 152.29 points (+0.77 percent) to close at 20,049.97 points.

A total of 380 companies traded shares in the stock exchange. Out of

traded companies, shares of 163 closed up, shares of 192 closed down while shares of 25 companies remained unchanged. A total of 97 companies traded shares in the KSE-100 Index, out of which 47 closed up, 48 closed down and two remained unchanged. The overall market volumes remained 287.75 million shares. Total volumes traded for the KSE-100 Index remained 135.52 million.

The number of total trades increased by 13,353 to 113,758, while the value traded increased by Rs3.68 billion to Rs10.18 billion. Overall market capitalisation increased by Rs27.95 billion. Among scrips, WTL topped the volumes with 55.3 million shares, followed by

HBL (23.53 million) and MLCF (16.46 million). Stocks that contributed significantly to the volumes included WTL, HBL, MLCF, TPLP and FFL, which formed around 42 percent of total volumes.

In terms of rupee, UPFL remained the top gainer and witnessed an increase of Rs1,537.5 (+7.46 percent) per share, closing at Rs22,137.5. The runner-up remained BHAT, the share price of which climbed up by Rs69.03 (+7.5 percent) to Rs989.55.

SAPT remained the top loser in terms of rupee and witnessed a decrease of Rs74.06 (-6.3 percent) per share, closing at Rs1,100.94, followed by SFL, the share price of which fell by Rs50 (-4.76 percent) to close at Rs1,000 per share.

The sectors taking the index towards

north were cement (139 points), paper & board (22 points), oil & gas exploration companies (17 points), food & personal care products (11 points) and oil & gas marketing companies (10 points). The most points added to the index were by LUCK (82 points), PKGS and CHCC (22 points each), and OGDC and PIOC (17 points each).

The sectors taking the index towards south were technology & communication (60 points), insurance (10 points), automobile assembler (9 points), refinery (5 points) and automobile parts & accessories (4 points). The most points taken off the index were by SYS (49 points), EFUG (12 points), TRG (9 points), BAHL (7 points) and MEBL (6 points).

ISLAMABAD

ISLAMABAD MuhaMMad ahMad Saad

THEprime minister on Wednesday departed for London to attend the coronation ceremony of Britain’s new monarch, King Charles, on Saturday, his office said. In a brief statement, Shehbaz Sharif’s office expressed the strong bond between the two nations as “great friends” and said the prime minister would also meet other world leaders.

“[I’m] leaving for the UK today to represent Pakistan at the coronation ceremony of His Majesty King Charles III,” he tweeted.

“The UK-Pakistan relations are rooted in shared history and multifaceted bonds that have grown stronger over the decades. The British monarch and the royal family have

BATTLE LINES DRAWN

ISLAMABAD Staff rePort

The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) of the Parliament has once again summoned Supreme Court’s (SC) registrar on May 16 as it decided to conduct an audit of the apex court from 2010-2021.

In the meeting on Wednesday, PAC

Chairman Noor Alam Khan stated that the committee had decided to conduct an audit of the Supreme Court (SC) from 2010-11 to 2020-21.

During the meeting, Noor Alam Khan also warned of issuing arrest warrants if the registrar failed to appear before the committee. In response to a question, Khan assured that he will summon the registrar again if the court orders a stay on the warrants.

The PAC chairman asked the auditor general to present a comparative observation report on the salaries and privileges received by the president,

been great friends of Pakistan,” said the prime minister.

Charles, 74, along with his wife Camilla, 75, will be crowned at Westminster Abbey, a royal church in the British capital, in a historic event whose origins date back some 1,000 years, and involving thousands of military personnel in a mile-long procession through central London.

The ceremony will be the most glorious display of pageantry seen in the United Kingdom for a generation and will provide an economic boost to the nation, its organiser and Buckingham Palace said.

Some 7,000 armed forces personnel will be involved in ceremonial duties, with more than 4,000, including military bands, taking part in a procession from the Abbey back to Buckingham Palace where the newlycrowned king and queen will be given a

royal salute in the gardens.

Meanwhile, in London, Sharif is also expected to have a series of consultations with Nawaz Sharif, the socalled supreme leader of Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N). It is believed that the meetings will result in some important decisions being finalised, according to The News.

The brothers were unable to meet during the deposed prime minister’s recent tour to Saudi Arabia, where he spent the final days of the holy month of Ramadan, due to junior Sharif’s inability to attend. He will travel to London via a special flight and may have a stopover in Istanbul before returning home, with a potential stop in Saudi Arabia. However, the schedule for these stopovers is yet to be confirmed, Geo News reported.

Over 100 FBR officers apply for leave for not raising salary, allowances

ISLAMABAD Staff rePort

Soomro had handed over the parliament’s record to the SC without asking anyone.”

prime minister, federal ministers, members of parliament and chief justice of Pakistan.

CJP should be summoned for seeking parliament’s record: Khaqan Abbasi

Former premier and Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz (PML-N) senior leader Shahid Khaqan Abbasi has

Suspect in corruption case against Elahi ‘escapes’ police custody

LAHORE

Staff rePort

In a dramatic incident, Sohail Asghar, a suspect in the corruption investigation against former Punjab chief minister Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi, escaped from the custody of anti-corruption police on Wednesday in Gujranwala. Asghar was reportedly being transported from the police station to the hospital after he complained of feeling ill when unknown individuals intercepted the police van near General Bus Stand, snatched the accused, and fled away. Asghar is accused of awarding development project contracts to his preferred contractors after offering a cut to Elahi, then chief minister. It is worth noting that a second corruption case was filed against Elahi in Gujranwala on Sunday, where he allegedly made an advance payment of Rs20 billion for a contract after accepting an Rs2 billion bribe. Nine accused, including Asghar and contractor Tariq, were nominated in the case. Elahi had allegedly received a bribe while awarding the contract for the construction of a 29-kilometre patch of road, with the deal apparently brokered by Asghar. Earlier, anti-corruption and police officials had raided Elahi’s residence in Lahore to arrest him, but they were unable to apprehend him as he was not at home at the time.

Railway employees’ pension stopped by banks

ISLAMABAD

Staff rePort

Banks have stopped the pensions of more than 17000 retired railway employees. As per details, the pension of the retired railway employees was stopped as they did not submit the required documents. Pakistan Railways spokesperson said that the employees have not submitted the nomarriage and life certificate and did not verify their biometrics. He urged the employees to submit their documents to restore their pensions.

According to the State Bank of Pakistan, the documents must be submitted twice a year in March and September. Earlier, the railway employees staged a protest due to non-payment of salaries in the month of Ramadan.

demanded to summon the Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) for seeking the parliament’s record.

Shahid Khaqan Abbasi, while speaking on the floor of the National Assembly (NA), said that the Supreme Court (SC) had earlier sought records of the parliament in 1997.

“The then NA speaker Elahi Bux

ISLAMABAD Staff rePort

A district and sessions court in Islamabad has granted a one-day exemption from appearance to Imran Khan, the chairman of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), in the Toshakhana case.

The case was filed by the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) against the former prime minister, accusing him of concealing gifts he received from the Toshakhana.

During the hearing, Khan’s lead counsel Khawaja Haris Ahmed was unavailable, and his representative requested an adjournment until May 5 without any proceedings. Additionally, they filed a plea for exemption, citing security threats to Khan’s life.

The judge suggested that Khan could attend the hearing through a video link if he was unable to come to Islamabad. The lawyer of the ECP said there had been no development in the case since the electoral body announced its verdict in October last year.

After hearing arguments, the judge approved the exemption plea and summoned arguments on the admissibility of the ECP case on May 5.

The case centres on a government department known as Toshakhana — which during the Mughal era referred to the treasure houses kept by the

The former premier asked the NA Speaker Raja Pervaiz Ashraf to seek the opinion of the House over the matter of SC’s request for the parliament’s records. “SC’s request for the parliament’s record is a serious issue and this House must decide on whether to hand over the records to the top court or not.” He further demanded the NA speaker constitute a special committee over the top court’s request and SC judges should be summoned to ascertain the reasons. “The SC’s request should be taken seriously. It is a serious matter if these records are sought in the PAC [Public Accounts Committee].”

Abbasi reiterated that it is a sensitive matter for the survival of the House which should be overlooked carefully. “CJP should be summoned to know the reasons for summoning the records.”

ISLAMABAD Shahzad Paracha

The Federal government on Wednesday posted BS22 officer of Pakistan Administrative Service (PAS) Imdadullah Bosal as Special Secretary Finance as the Notification states that Imdadullah Bosal, a BS22 officer of PAS presently posted as OSD in Establishment division is transferred and posted a special Secretary Finance division on the newly created post with immediate effect and until further orders.

Imdadullah bosa was working as Additional Secretary Finance division in Imran

subcontinent’s princely rulers to store and display gifts lavished on them.

Government officials must declare all gifts to the Cabinet Division, but are allowed to keep those below a certain value.

More expensive items must go to Toshakhana under the administrative control of the Cabinet Division, but in some cases, the recipient can buy them back at around 50 percent of their value — a discount Khan raised from 20 percent while in office.

The ruling coalition of the Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) parties has for months alleged Imran Khan, former prime minister, and his wife, Bushra Maneka, received lavish gifts worth millions during trips abroad. They included luxury watches, jewellery, designer handbags and perfumes.

Last year, lawmakers from the ruling coalition filed a reference against Khan, accusing him of not sharing the details of gifts he retained from Toshakhana in his assets declarations. In October, the election commission concluded that Khan filed false statements regarding the gifts.

The electoral watchdog subsequently disqualified him for being dishonest and corrupt and approached the district and sessions court seeking criminal proceedings against him for allegedly misleading officials about the gifts.

Over 100 officers of Inland Revenue Service (IRS) Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) working in different field formations have applied for almost 52 days leave together for not raising salary as well as other allowances. Leave applications written by Assistant Commissioners, Deputy Commissioner or additional DC ranks officers asked their high ups to approve leave from May 8, 2023 to June 30, 2023 citing the reason for the extremely low salary. According to one IRS officer, “I am writing this application to highlight a pressing matter that has prompted me to apply for leave of absence from work from 08.05.2023 to 30.06.2023. Over the past few months, with the sky-rocketing inflation. I have been unable to make ends meet with the amount of salary that I earn, he further mentioned that I have been living hand to mouth and the amount of low salary barely fulfills the basic needs of my family which is a cause of continuous financial stress and mental health issues for me. “I have highlighted this issue to my worthy seniors many times but to no avail, Adding insult to injury. I have not been provided any other perquisite like fuel. accommodation, transportation which is being provided to my fellow batchmates from other services”. Moreover. recently executive allowance @I50% of the basic salary was granted to the employees of other cadres while the employees of IRS were deprived once again. Nevertheless, I still remained committed to my duties and fulfilled my responsibilities sincerely to the best of my abilities as the top leadership had promised the implementation of Common pool Fund (CPF) from 1″ March 2023 but that promise too has not been fulfilled to date. The low salary, lack of basic perquisites, denial of Executive allowance 150% of the basic salary and / or de-freezing of UP, the unfulfilled promise of the implementation of CPI’. Delay in rewards and promotions has resulted in significant financial issues for me, which has affected my overall well-being as well as motivation in the workplace. It is essential for me to take some time off to address this matter and explore potential solutions that would ensure a fair and reasonable compensation for my contributions. In the light of aforementioned issues, I won’t be able to attend the office from 08.05.2023 to 30.06.2023, he informed his Commissioner.

Over 100 Chinese enterprises, companies to participate in Karachi TEXPO

ISLAMABAD

Over 100 Chinese enterprises and companies are expected to participate in the 4th International Textile Exhibition, also known as TEXPO 2023, scheduled to be held in Karachi next month. Commercial Counselor, Pakistan Embassy Beijing, Ghulam Qadir said on Wednesday, “Around 70 Chinese enterprises have already consented to attend the TEXPO while over 30 others have shown interest to participate.” He said that the Pakistan Embassy in Beijing and Pakistan’s Consulates in Shanghai, Guangzhou, Chengdu and Hong Kong would facilitate the participation and visit of Chinese enterprises and companies. “Trade Development Authority of Pakistan (TDAP) is organizing TEXPO 2023 from May 26 to 28 at Karachi Expo Center,” he added. Ghulam Qadir said that TEXPO was Pakistan’s largest textile and leather exhibition providing a platform for local and international companies dealing in raw materials to finished products with globally competitive prices and premium quality. The theme of this year’s TEXPO is leading the way to sustainability and this theme is a tribute to the efforts of the local and global textile industry that continues to strive towards ensuring compliance with local and international environmental laws ensuring consumer protection and eco-friendly practices. He said that TEXPO offers three days exhibition, business-to-business opportunities, fashion shows, a design studio, product display, press and media events, industry visits and business opportunities seminars. The products in focus would be apparel, art and silk synthetic textile, carpets, denim, fabric yarn, finished leather products, footwear, home textiles, personal protective equipment, sportswear, tents and canvas, textile machinery, towels and many more, he added.

Staff rePort

IHC SEEKS POLICE RECORD IN MURDER CASE OF UK-RETURNED MAN

ISLAMABAD Staff rePort

AFTERa profound hearing of a matter relating to alleged murder of UK national of AJK origin, Farooq Ali, in one of the world’s luxury hotel brands in Islamabad, the Islamabad High Court has directed local police to submit a complete police record in the case.

A single-member bench of the Islamabad High Court (IHC) comprising Justice Arbab Muhammad Tahir heard the case. Over alleged assassination of Farooq Ali, 44, who was found dead in his room at Ramada, Wyndham Islamabad Hotel, on March 16, Islamabad, the deceased’s sister Dr Rehiana B Ali has invoked jurisdiction of the Sessions Court Islamabad for registration of first information report (FIR) but all in vain as concerned police officials failed to take measures in the matter.

Her counsel Advocate Sharafat Ali Chaudhry told the session court that Station House Officer (SHO) of

Secretariat police station Qurban Ali Anwar failed to register FIR of this cognizable offence to which Dr Rehiana invoked the jurisdiction of trial court under Section 22-A of the Criminal Procedure Code and sought direction for registration of FIR.

Despite registration of the FIR No. 204 in April 11 this year under Sections 302/34 of the Pakistan Penal Code in response to the trial court directions, the police failed to conduct the investigation properly as cops failed to collect evidence properly without apprehending and investigating the nominated accused persons so far. Upon failure of the police in the matter, again the petitioner filed a complaint under Section 200 of the Criminal Procedure Code before trial court to adjudicate the case but the additional district & sessions judge dismissed the complaint on October 22.

Filing a criminal revision petition before the IHC against impugned order of the additional district & sessions judge, Advocate Sharafat A Chaudhry urged the high court to set aside the sessions judge’s dismissal and issue directives to adjudicate the case on merit in

Attacks on journalists, disinformation threaten press freedom, warns UN boss NEW YORK aPP

the large interest of justice.

Challenging the additional district & sessions judge’s decision before the IHC in the matter, the petitioner’s counsel Advocate Sharafat Ali Chaudhry filed a criminal revision and urged the single-member bench comprising Justice Arbab Muhammad Tahir to pass an order for resumption of the complaint against preparators while turning down the decision of the session judge.

Among others the petitioner made three police officials as accused persons in the complaint namely, Tariq Mehmood, Sub-Inspector/I.O, P.S. Secretariat, Islamabad Police, Qurban Ali Anwar, S.H.O, Secretariat Police Station, Islamabad Police and Akram Nagra, Inspector, Islamabad Police in the matter.

On Wednesday, Justice Arbab Muhammad Tahir issued the directives to police in the matter after hearing arguments of counsel of the petitioner Advocate Sharafat A Chaudhry at length whereas the bench also provided ample opportunity to hear the petitioner Dr. Rehiana B. Ali in person.

Imran ordered to attend court to extend bail

ISLAMABAD

Staff rePort

The Islamabad High Court (IHC) ordered former prime minister Imran Khan to appear in court on Thursday in connection with various complaints registered against him across the country, extending the deadline by a day after originally demanding his appearance on Wednesday.

This decision came after Aamer Farooq, chief justice of the high court, expressed his dissatisfaction with Khan’s “persistent absence”, while hearing his request for interim bail for a case involving murder attempt charges filed against him by Pakistan Muslim LeagueNawaz (PML-N) MP Mohsin Shahnawaz Ranjha last year.

A criminal complaint was lodged on October 23 by Ranjha alleging that a shot fired by a Khyber Pakhtunkhwa police officer outside the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) on October 21 was an attempt on his life

allegedly at the behest of Khan.

Khan’s disqualification in the foreign gifts case had sparked protests in Islamabad and Rawalpindi, resulting in the arrest of a Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) lawmaker and his two police guards after a clash between protesters and police outside the ECP. The shot was fired by the KP police guard of MNA Saleh Mohammad.

Previously, on April 18, the court

Parvez Elahi granted interim bail till May 23 in corruption cases

GUJRANWALA

Staff rePort

An anti-corruption court on Wednesday approved interim bail till May 23 in two cases of former Punjab chief minister Chaudhry Parvez Elahi. Two cases have been registered in Gujranwala Circle against the president of Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) and former chief minister on the complaint of anticorruption officials of Gujarat. Elahi appeared before Special Judge Rana Muhammad Saleem who approved his bail. It may be recalled that Elahi had obtained protective bail from the Lahore High Court in two cases ó one filed by the Punjab Anti-Corruption Establishment (ACE) and the other linked to terrorism. Elahi was granted bail in the corruption case until May 15 and in the terrorism case until May 4. He had moved the LHC after the anti-corruption and police carried out a raid late on Friday night at his Lahore residence to arrest him. A separate raid was carried out early Tuesday morning at Elahiís residence in Gujrat, his son Moonis said on Twitter.

Pakistan gears up for 10-Year CPEC celebration

ISLAMABAD GhulaM abbaS

The Federal Minister for Planning Development & Special Initiatives, Prof Ahsan Iqal, has directed all ministries and divisions to finalize proposals of development projects for an upcoming Joint Coordination Committee (JCC) meeting to be held in July 2023. The meeting is expected to celebrate the completion of ten years of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) initiative. According to officials, during a meeting to review progress over CPEC projects held here on Wednesday, the Minister highlighted the importance of completing the ongoing projects in a timely manner. The meeting was attended by senior officials from various ministries, divisions, and stakeholders. The CPEC agreement was signed between Pakistan and China on July 5, 2013, during the tenure of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) government. As the ten-year mark approaches, the Minister directed all concerned parties to hold meetings of Joint Working Groups (JWGs) regularly to ensure that the projects are completed on time. In addition, the Minister urged each ministry to prepare a detailed report on its project, highlighting the economic and social benefits it would bring to Pakistan. He emphasized that the decade of CPEC should be celebrated while rejecting negative propaganda against the initiative. The minister claims since coming into power in April last year, the present government has expedited the CPEC projects, and the Minister’s visit to China in April 2023 further strengthened ties between the two countries. The Minister also directed the relevant ministry to expedite work on Special Economic Zones (SEZs) to attract Chinese industry’s relocation to Pakistan with low-cost production.

As per details, over the past ten years, CPEC has contributed significantly to Pakistan’s economic growth, particularly in the areas of energy, infrastructure, and industrial development.

had granted him an extension of bail in eight cases, including those regarding violence outside the Federal Judicial Complex, until May 3. After Khan requested an extension of bail and exemption from court appearance on May 3, Justice Farooq made it clear that his bail in all the cases would be revoked if he failed to appear in court on that day.

Later on Wednesday, a two-member

division bench consisting of Justice Farooq and Justice Miangul Hassan Aurangzeb heard Imran’s bail plea in seven cases. Khan was represented by Naeem Haider Panjhuta, Salman Safdar and Faisal Chaudhry, while Islamabad Advocate General Jahangir Jadoon was also present in the court. One of the cases concerns making allegations against top officers of state institutions and inciting mutiny, for which Imran was granted protective bail by the Lahore High Court on April 14.

During the hearing, Justice Farooq reminded Imran’s lawyers of his previous warning to cancel bail if Imran did not appear in court. The court granted Khan until Thursday to appear, with the warning that his interim bail would be revoked otherwise. Safdar asked the court for a three- to four-day extension for the former prime minister, but the IHC rejected the plea and adjourned the hearing until the following day.

Bilawal Bhutto to leave for India today to attend SCO moot

ISLAMABAD

Staff rePort

Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari will leave for India Thursday to attend a meeting of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) in Goa, sources said Wednesday.

FM Bhutto will be the first Pakistani foreign minister to visit India in nearly 12 years.

According to MOFA spokesperson Mumtaz Zahrah Baloch, Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari will be leading the Pakistan delegation to the SCO Council of Foreign Ministers (CFM), which will take place in the Indian city of Goa on May 4 and 5.

Pakistan’s foreign minister will also hold meetings on the sidelines of the SCO moot during his visit of

India. “Our participation in the meeting reflects Pakistan’s commitment to the SCO charter and processes and the importance that Pakistan accords to the region in its foreign policy priorities,” Baloch said in a weekly press briefing.

She recalled that Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari had last year in July also attended the session of the Council of Foreign Ministers in Tashkent.?

The foreign minister attending the moot on the invitation of current chairman of SCO CFM Dr S Jaishankar, India’s Minister for External Affairs.

Separately, Foreign Minister Bhutto also confirmed that he would be attending the upcoming SCO moot in India. “It will be a gathering of foreign ministers and I will go there as a representative of Pakistan,” he told reporters at a press conference in Islamabad.

Medical board advises Imran Khan to take complete rest

LAHORE

Staff rePort

The former prime minister and Pakistan Tehreek-eInsaf (PTI) chief Imran Khan has been advised on Wednesday to take complete rest in order to avoid further complications with his affected leg.

The medical board at Shaukat Khanum Hospital advised PTI chief Imran Khan to take complete rest otherwise the increased swelling could pose a risk of infection, which can lead to a surgery again.

The medical board has also directed Imran Khan to use a wheelchair for any non-routine movement to avoid any extra movement in this condition.

It is pertinent to mention here that PTI Chairman Imran Khan, who was shot during long march in November 2022 in Wazirabad, has been shifted to hospital after he experienced inflammation in his feet.

Sources said that the PTI chief experienced inflammation in feet due to pressure, after which he was shifted to hospital for medical examination.

Sources claimed that Imran Khan’s feet experienced pressure during his appearance in the

Lahore High Court (LHC) today, which caused swelling.It is worth mentioning here that the former premier and several other PTI leaders were injured after a man opened fire near the PTI reception camp at Allahwala Chowk during party’s long march.

According to details, unidentified assailants opened fire on PTI Chairman Imran Khan’s container near the Allahwala Chowk in Wazirabad, injuring six people and killing one.

Earlier in the day, the Islamabad High Court (IHC) expressed annoyance over the non-appearance of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan in inciting mutiny case.

Hearing the case, IHC Chief Justice Aamir Farooq warned that if Imran Khan did not appear before the IHC in inciting mutiny case during working hours, the interim bail granted to him will be dismissed.

As the hearing began, IHC Chief Justice Amir Farooq inquired where was the petitioner. At this, Lawyer Naeem Haider Panjotha said that he could not appear before so he had filed an exemption plea.

The IHC chief justice then asked about the exemption request. To this, the lawyer replied that the application had been filed.

Under-treatment female Congo virus patient dies at govt hospital Quetta

QUETTA Staff rePort

A woman affected of Congo virus and under treatment at government hospital of the provincial capital expired on Wednesday after which toll in the said hospital due to the disease during last two weeks climbed to two.

According to details, a lady shifted to Fatima Jinnah Hospital

two weeks earlier was diagnosed with Corona virus and admitted for treatment.

However, despite all out efforts of the medics, the lady expired taking the two-week toll in the hospital to two.

According to administration of Fatima Jinnah Hospital Quetta, five more including two women affected of the Corona fever were still under treatment at the hospital.

In a speech ahead of World Press Freedom Day, United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres emphasized the importance of press freedom as the “foundation of democracy and justice” and the “lifeblood of human rights.” He also highlighted the alarming trend of the targeting of journalists and the spread of disinformation worldwide, calling it a threat to truth and democracy. Guterres did not name any specific countries or individuals, but other speakers at the event highlighted individual cases, such as that of Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich, who is detained in Russia on espionage charges. Other journalists spoke about the dangers of their profession, with one Iranian-American journalist noting that being a journalist is a crime in Iran and can result in imprisonment, torture, or death. According to Reporters Without Borders, 55 journalists and four media workers were killed in the line of duty in 2022. The head of UNESCO also spoke out against harassment and intimidation of journalists, stating that the digital age is making professional, free, and independent journalism more necessary than ever. Meanwhile, New York Times publisher A.G. Sulzberger warned the internet has unleashed an avalanche of misinformation, propaganda, and clickbait that is overwhelming the information ecosystem and accelerating the decline in societal trust. Finally, the secretary-general of Amnesty International, Agnes Callamard, noted that censorship has become the default position of many governments in controlling the knowledge of their societies.

U.S. expresses confidence in Pakistan’s economic policies

ISLAMABAD Staff rePort

US Embassy Chargé d’affaires Andrew Schofer called on Finance Minister Ishaq Dar on Wednesday and discussed overall economic situation. Both sides discussed bilateral relations between Pakistan and USA in economic and trade fields. US Embassy Chargé d’affaires Andrew Schofer expressed confidence in Pakistan’s policies and programs and assured his support to advance economic and trade relations. Finance minister informed about the country’s economy and the challenges faced and also informed the Mr. Andrew about ongoing program of the International Monitory Fund IMF. It is pertinent to note that IMF and Pakistan are holding negotiations for the ninth review of the IMF for release of $1.1 billion as part to revive loan programme. Ishaq Dar said government is committed to complete IMF programme. The finance minister reiterated to further expand bilateral trade and investment relations with the United States.

Earthquake of magnitude 5.7 jolts parts of Capital, KP

ISLAMABAD

Staff rePort

Earthquake of magnitude 5.7 on Richter scale jolted the federal capital Islamabad and various districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) on Wednesday but no causalities or property damages were reported from anywhere. According to Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD), tremours measuring 5.7 on Richter scale were felt in Islamabad, Peshawar, Hangu, Kohat, Swat, Lower Dir, Kurram, Swabi and surroundings. People of the area where quake was felt rushed out of their homes and buildings in panic reciting verses from Holy Quran. However, no loss of life, injuries and property damages were reported from any of the areas where quake was felt. The epi-centre of the quake was stated to in Koh Hindu Kush in Afghanistan at the depth of 187 kilometer inside earth crust.

After the breakdown

IT seems that even the last hope held out for a break in th deadlock over the election date is now ended, with the Election Commission of Pakistan having told the Supreme Court that the Rs 21 billion it had demanded had not been transferred to it by the federal government, and the armed forces not having moved from ts previous position that th security situation did not allow it to comply with the ECP’s demand for security personnel to provide it enough security to conduct tthe election. The ECP’s expression of inability to meet the May 14 deadline was accompanied by the National Assembly’s refusal to provide the Supreme Court the record it had asked for, related to the passage of the Supreme Court (Custom and Practices) Bill. Unless there is an unconditional surrender by one side, it seems that the country is in for more harrowed nerves and court battles.

The establishment has not been able to avoid the effects of what started with the PTI being brought to power in 2018, the runaround the economy got, and then the toppling of that government. There are still doubts over the neutrality of one section, but the judiciary has taken a series of actions which has left it liable to accusations of favouring the PTI.T^rue, the most common accusation against a court when its decision goes against one, is that the judges are prejudiced, but if the decisions by the Supreme Court have created the impression that that prejudice exists. It is unfortunate that the Supreme Court has allowed that impression to be created, that it is not interpreting the law and the Constitution, but is finding ways to help the PTI. Perhaps the most unfortunate fall-out of the present case is the impression that the Supreme Court wants elections on May 14, not because of the constitutional mandate of 90 days, but because early elections suit the PTI.

One result is that the Supreme Court will not have its orders obeyed. That should be unthinkable, and forces all citizens to consider whether they are any more living in a law-abiding society any more, where Court warrants are defied (as the recent Zaman Park drama showed), where the Supreme Court is set at naught. There may be legal grounds for doing so, but what sort of comment is it on the polity we are developing?

Dedicated to the legacy of late Hameed Nizami

Arif Nizami (Late)

Founding Editor

Yousaf Nizami Editor

M. A. Niazi

Joint Editor Umar Aziz Executive Editor

COAS versus IGP

Nawaz wants to subordinate the COAS, as he did to the IGP

ready to strike, never missing an opportunity to seek gratification both from the accuser and the accused.

“WELCOME to Purana Pak-

istan.” These were the words of Bilawal Zardari after the vote of no-confidence succeeded against Imran Khan. While both Nawaz Sharif and IK seek change in their own ways, the Zardaris are comfortable with the status quo, as it suits them. After several blood sacrifices by the Bhuttos (Zulfiqar, Shahnawaz, Murtaza, Benazir), Asif Zardari continues to encash their legacy based on the principle of ‘Live and let live’.

Nawaz Sharif desires total control to establish the ‘Sharif Dynasty’ but the Chief of Army Staff comes in the way. He has tried unsuccessfully three times now he is ready for the fourth under the ‘London Plan’. It n5s his life’s mission to bring the standing of the COAS to that of the Inspector General of Punjab Police who can be sent home at will. While the IGPs quietly surrendered the COAS’s hit back with full force as the institutional chain of command remained intact.

The Prime Minister cannot directly intervene in the affairs of the Armed Forces as they possess the weapons to guard their autonomy. Since coming into power with the support of the establishment he has clashed with every COAS (Asif Nawaz, Waheed Kakar, Jehangir Karamat, Pervez Musharraf, Raheel Sharif, Qamar Bajwa). His mentor President Ishaq Khan even blamed NS for the sudden death of Gen Asif Nawaz.

IK seeks a more rational change. He desires for the ‘Khakis ‘ to return to the barracks where they belong with due respect and strength. Degrading them to the level of Punjab Police is not his agenda. Considering the long term good of the nation and the institution, it is the best available option as the other two are no longer workable. Performance of Punjab Police is deplorable, IGs change on a quarterly basis despite a tenure assignment of three years. There is no chain of command. Law enforcers break the law with impunity, they don’t even follow the traffic signals. Major restructuring is required for them to perform.

Police Stations are auctioned. The SHOs operate on their own whims with short-term appointments.

From the IGP down to the SHOs, Musical Chairs are the order of the day with lack of accountability and cover-up. In KP under IG Nasir Durrani reforms were introduced. He not only completed his term but was then sent to Punjab to carry on the reforms where his tenure was short lived.

After a brief stint he went home, falling victim to the Corona Pandemic- finally the innings of an honest, able and upright police officer came to an end. Till the fateful partyless elections of 1985, the Punjab Police indulged in corruption but with the induction of ruffians it has turned into an anti-people coercive force

The Khakis crossed the line with the appointment against merit of the first Desi Commander-in-Chief Gen Ayub Khan (PA 10). There were nine senior officers who were considered but General Ayub, despite a very poor service record, was promoted by Prime Minister Liaquat Ali Khan. First it was the assassination of the PM followed by blatant interference in civilian matters by Iskander Mirza and General Ayub, both graduates of the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst. With the fall of Dacca in 1971, the establishment had to bite the dust. Bangladesh emerged on the world map while Bhutto took control of what was left of the Quaid’s Pakistan. Under the 1973 constitution the command structure was changed. For better co-ordination, a new position of Chairman Joint Chief of Staff Committee (CJCS) was created. The post of C-in-C was replaced with COAS. With inclusion of Article 6 in the Constitution Bhutto was sure that no General would ever dare to cross the line again as its violation carried the death penalty.

As head of a progressive party of change, Bhutto succeeded in exercising control over both the Armed Forces and Police. The COAS and IGP had to behave and serve, not rule and manipulate as was the case before.

The old colonial ways were unacceptable to the ‘People’s Government’. Unfortunately the Quaid-eAwam with the passage of time started to rely on the establishment instead of his popular support. After the term of first COAS Gen Tikka Khan ended, Bhutto fell into the same trap, and appointment against merit of Gen Zia-ul-Haq proved to be his undoing. On 5 July 1977, Zia crossed the line. In the words of Comrade Hanif Ramay, Bhutto left us from where his struggle had started, back in the lap of the establishment, and

How long will the audio leaks last?

Why are they still happening?

AttiyA MunAwer

THE country is going through a very critical period, but the rulers are starting a new game day by day without getting the country out of the dire situation. The game of not having elections in Pakistani politics was still going on when the game of audio leaks was started once again and this time instead of a political figure, the audio of a conversation between the mother-in-law of the Chief Justice and the wife of a lawyer, Tariq Rahim, was leaked, in which the mother-in-law of the Chief Justice is talking about her son-in-law. As soon as this audio was leaked, the PML(N) people have made a noise that the Chief Justice will have to resign but no one is talking about the moral status of this audio leak. How long will this hideous game continue like this and the dominant sections of the country will have to raise their voice against this hideous game?

It is with great sadness that the safe and normal telephone conversations of key government officials, politicians, judges and their families have been exposed over the past year. But this recording is not being considered as a crime, nor is it being considered as a cause of shame, on the contrary, for those whose private lives are being unconstitutionally, illegally and morally intruded upon are being blamed. As soon as there are audio leaks, there is an uproar but in this country there is no one asking about

the audio or video leaks and no one investigating who made the recording? Under what law and justification and who is the leaker? These questions are very important, but there is no seriousness in the search for their answers.

The filthy game of audio and video leak has been played in this country for a long time but everyone is watching as silent spectators, enjoying humiliating each other without taking any effective measures to prevent it. On the one hand, there is a repetition of real or imitation and on the other hand, there is a clamour of demands.

To stop this series of audio leaks, everyone has to adopt an agreed plan of action but this plan of action will be decided only by sitting together, which is not seen to be settled for a long time. In this situation, it is to be seen how long the game of audio and video leaks in Pakistan will continue like this and everyone will continue to play madly at each otherÊs turn

If we assume for a moment that the latest audio is genuine, it also proves that Begum Mah Jabeen Noon is concerned about her son-inlaw Chief Justice Umar Atta Bandial and like millions of people who are praying for the Chief Justice to take the right decision and remain firm in the face of all pressures, she is also praying. The discussion she has given on the current political situation is such a conversation as educated men and women continue to have every day in their home. Nothing is heard in this audio which the ruling coalition is making so much noise about, but is silent against those who recorded and leaked the audio.

The appeal of the ruling coalition is not in vain, they want judges of their choice, who make decisions in their favour and cultivate their interests. These people who are amusing

today were angry about the audio recording of Rana Sanaullah and Maryam Nawaz. Now, the PTI people are shining light on the audio leak and the Muslim League is playing the trumpets. This is a revolting act, the less it can be condemned but there seems to be a common attitude from the most serious politicians to the frivolous people on how to use it for their own political ends, while together they should make a lesson by finding the audio recorder and the leaker.

It is not a hidden matter who has all this technology and capability and who is facilitating it, instead everyone’s hands and tongue are burning when it is mentioned. So, knowingly, no one points it out, neither raises a voice nor tells who is a participant; but by adopting a flattering attitude, all try to ensure their defense that they are out of politics and political games. Declaring no relationship is a very silly joke but it has become a compulsion for everyone to endure this joke even if they don’t want to. To stop this series of audio leaks, everyone has to adopt an agreed plan of action but this plan of action will be decided only by sitting together, which is not seen to be settled for a long time. In this situation, it is to be seen how long the game of audio and video leaks in Pakistan will continue like this and everyone will continue to play madly at each other’s turn.

The writer tweets @AttiyaMunawer

the rule of the COAS and IGP was back with full vengeance. Civilian institutions came under attack. Since 1985 the slide down has continued unabated mainly because of the influence/interference of the COAS and complete subservience together with foul play by the IGP. Recently out of turn loyalty based promotions case of Police Officers was heard by the Supreme Court and some orders were declared null and void. In case of the appointment of COAS, Nawaz as PM has tried his best to win loyalty to expand his influence/interference in running of the force but has repeatedly failed as the successive COASs have not fully followed his directives unlike the IGPs who have lost control of their force turning it into a private militia, Even the change of uniform in Punjab had made any difference. Pakistan is at the crossroads again. The establishment is comfortable with Zardari as he ensures continuity of the old ways. The Nwaz option can be deadly for the future of the republic. The fate of ther Punjab Police should be an eyeopener. Rule of law and constitution followed by return to the barracks is the most viable way forward. Nawaz’s anger against the armed forces or Zardari’s appeasement will not deliver. Naya Pakistan is now unstoppable. Bilawal Zardari will return to Nawabshah, the land of the Zardaris where he belongs, not Larkhana the land of the ‘Martyrs of Democracy ‘ who launched the first real political party of the country which succeeded in turning the land of the pure into a constitutional democracy to be ruled by elected representatives of the people, not by the COASs and IGP’s. .

The writer is ex-Chairman, Pakistan Science Foundation. He can be contacted at: fmaliks@hotmail.com.

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

Electric vehicles

WITH everything that is going on in the country’s economy, the government should actively encourage people to convert their vehicles, such as motorcycles, rickshaws and smaller cars, from petrol to electric. In our region, such a conversion costs anywhere from the equivalent of Rs50,000 to Rs250,000. Kits may be available from companies from Vietnam or China.

The cost of operating these converted e-vehicles would be about onefifth of what it would be if they were running on petrol. The kits may be subsidised by the government and commercial banks may also be encouraged to issue loans for the purpose.

Some local auto manufacturers have been raising the prices of their brands and even then they are shutting down plants because there are no buyers. If this continues, many workers would become unemployed, adding to the overall economic burden.

Some of these companies should be encouraged to produce electric versions of their vehicles and to start converting the existing vehicles to set the ball in motion and then to keep it rolling.

DR SYED ARIF KAZMI KARACHI

Liaquat, the leader

QUITE a few letters have appeared in these columns in recent times lamenting the absence of Liaquat Ali Khan from the portraits of the founding fathers that adorned the celebratory currency note issued by the State Bank of Pakistan to mark the 75th anniversary of the country’s Independence Day.

As a biographer of Pakistan’s first prime minister (Liaquat Ali Khan: His Life and Work, Oxford, 2003 with many reprints), I want to add that the character assassination of Liaquat was the precursor of attacks on Mohammad Ali Jinnah at the Karachi Adab Festival in 2020. Seasoned writer Javed Jabbar had responded to that propaganda by quoting excerpts from Ishtiaq Ahmed’s book, stressing that the assassination of Liaquat was a deep-rooted conspiracy.

The late Dr Safdar Mahmood, while he was education secretary, had straightaway named Ghulam Muhammad and Mushtaq Gurmani as the abettors (Barg-i-Gul, Karachi, Federal Urdu College Magazine, 1999, Pp4144), while Syed Muhammad Zul- qarnain Zaidi established that Liaquat was shot in the back, and that Said Akbar was not the murderer (Pakistan Perspectives, University of Karachi, Vol XIII: January-June, 2008).

The story of the Quaid-i-Azam’s broken ambulance is widely cited as a condemnation of Liaquat, while Brig Noor A. Husain, the ADC of the governor-general on duty, wrote that the first ambulance had been chosen by the governor-general’s military secretary and Liaquat was following the second ambulance in his car (The News, March 23, 1995).

On the pages of Dawn itself (March 13, 2019), Liaquat was accused of having turned Pakistan into a theocracy through the Objectives Resolution. This is despite the fact that the Constituent Assembly of Pakistan Debates (Vol V, p5) carries these words from Liaquat: “Sir, I just said that the people are the real recipients of power. This naturally eliminates any danger of the establishment of a theocracy.”

As for the prime minister’s Russian invitation, Liaquat said before embarking on his trip to the United States that the erstwhile Soviet Union’s invitation was outstanding and he was waiting for a date as the host country had advanced the date (Karachi Press Conference, Aug 23, 1950).

Lastly, people would do well to read John Connell (Auchinleck, London, Cassell, 1959, Pp 872-873). If they do, they will find that it was Liaquat who was named as the leading personality in having Indian armed forces divided.

No one has announced that the talks have broken down, but that’s how everyone’s behaving

Pakistan is at the crossroads again. The establishment is comfortable with Zardari as he ensures continuity of the old ways. The Nawaz option can be deadly for the future of the republic.

Dr FAriD A MAlik

Russia Ukraine Crisis: Implications for Pakistan COMMENT 05

Pakistan too has been hit by the global impact

Ukraine exports wheat, sunflower oil, and other agricultural products. The conflict could disrupt the supply of these goods, which could lead to higher prices and food shortages in Pakistan. Additionally, the crisis could lead to a decrease in foreign investment in Pakistan, as investors become wary of investing in countries that are politically unstable. The ongoing crisis could also have significant political implications for Pakistan. For example, the crisis has already led to increased tensions between Russia and NATO. Moreover, Pakistan has recently become more friendly towards Russia, and the current crisis could strain their relationship. The conflict could lead to increased tensions between Pakistan and India, as both countries compete for Russia’s support. In addition, Pakistan could face pressure from the USA and its allies to take a stance against Russia, which could further complicate the country’s foreign policy.

THE war between Ukraine and Russia started in 2014, when Russia annexed Crimea from Ukraine. The conflict escalated into a full-scale war between the Ukrainian government and Russian-backed separatists in the eastern regions of Donetsk and Luhansk.

Then Russia invaded Ukraine on 24 February 2022 under the pretence of national security. This war has given birth to severe issues like economic implications for parties involved and exclusively for the atomic states, and one of them are global oil prices. The economic sanctions imposed by Western states on Russia will further determine disruption in the supply of Brent crude oil and other exports by Russia. While Ukraine, which is the largest producers of wheat and sunflower, among other things, will bring enormous challenges to the world economy, including Pakistan.

This crisis has far-reaching implications for the world, including Pakistan. The conflict has already resulted in increased tensions between Russia and NATO, and has the potential to destabilize the entire region. This crisis has significant economic and political implications for the entire world including Pakistan. The surge in global oil prices, disruptions in the supply of agricultural products, and decrease in foreign investment could lead to serious economic problems for these countries. Additionally, the crisis could lead to increased arms sales, strained relationships with Russia, and heightened tensions with India. One of the most significant economic impacts of this crisis is global oil prices. As a result of the sanctions imposed on Russia, there will be a disruption in the supply of Brent crude oil, which could lead to a global shortage of oil. This shortage could result in higher prices for oil and gas, which would increase the cost of living for people in Pakistan.

Both Russia and Ukraine are important agricultural suppliers in the global food chain, and the disruption of their exports due to the ongoing conflict has led to food shortages in several countries, including Pakistan. The blockade of Ukrainian ports by Russia has further exacerbated the situation, as it has prevented Ukrainian exports from reaching several countries. This has put pressure on countries like Pakistan to find alternative suppliers for essential commodities such as wheat. As a result, the government may need to cover any shortages with expensive wheat imports, which could have significant economic implications for the country. If the conflict between Russia and Ukraine continues and spills over into other regions, it could have an even more severe impact on the global economy and international relations. It is important for policymakers to monitor the situation closely and take measures to mitigate the potential impacts of the conflict.

Russia and Ukraine have had significant impact on the Pakistani economy, and there has been a difference in the supply and demand of other commodities, which has led to concerns among Pakistani industrialists. The increase in prices of raw materials such as oil, wheat, and steel, will not only affect the industrial sector but also have a cascading effect on other sectors of the economy, including the construction industry. The shortage of exported goods from Ukraine could also lead to price increases and shortages of essential commodities, which could directly affect the common man.

It is important for the Pakistani government to take measures to mitigate the potential impacts of the conflict, such as diversifying trade relationships with other countries and finding alternative sources for essential commodities. The government can also take steps to support industries that may be directly af-

Will India follow in China’s footsteps?

CITY JOURNAL Guy SorMAn

THE world underwent a seismic shift last month: India now has more inhabitants than China. The country that for centuries boasted the largest population on Earth has been overtaken. Indians have no reason to celebrate this new demographic status, however. In 1960, both nations had similar economies and comparable poverty rates. Today, the per capita annual income in China— around $12,000—is five times that in India. Of course, these figures fail to consider the often-spectacular regional disparities. China’s maritime eastern coast is twice as prosperous as its inland provinces, whereas the Indian South is twice as rich as the North. This simple equation also overlooks inequalities. China is the most unequal country in the world, followed closely by India. Nevertheless, China’s relative economic success has deeply shaken India’s elites.

Buoyed by this success, China’s leaders have declared that its achievements are the result of an allpowerful central government, the unchallengable ideology of the Communist Party, and the embracing of globalization from the 1970s onward. Meantime, India was insular and hostile to foreign investment until the 1990s, focusing on traditional agriculture and crafts, in line with the moral teachings of Mahatma Gandhi and his idealization of frugality.

Against the backdrop of this Gandhian heritage, Jawaharlal Nehru, the first prime minister following India’s independence in 1947, and his daughter, Indira Gandhi (no family connection with the Mahatma) shared an admiration for Soviet-style socialism. This half-Gandhian, half-Soviet regime lasted for nearly 50 years; capitalism was frowned upon, and it was almost impossible to create even the smallest business without countless bureaucratic authorizations. This inspired the nickname “The License Raj” (a play on the defunct British Raj), referring to the system of multiple rubber stamps that fostered a notorious culture of corruption among even the lowest-ranking civil servants. Around the same time, the Indian state—or rather the Indian states, as the country remains a confederation for all intents and purposes—failed to fulfill basic tasks, leading to deplorable public schools, disgraceful sanitation, and a lack of road, maritime, and railroad infrastructure. It took the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991 for India to change its model. However, China got there first, flooding the global market with cheap manufactured goods. India arrived on the scene late, behind China and Vietnam, with less experience and a less-educated workforce.

After turning its back on socialism, the Indian government under the BJP (Bharatiya Janata Party, or “Indian People’s Party”), in power since 2014 and led by Narendra Modi, has taken a page out of China’s book. At great expense, it has built ports, highways, and airports to unite the Indian market. It is also

staunchly capitalist and open to both domestic and international investment—ill-gotten or otherwise. Corruption has declined slightly, while education and public health have seen improvements. Modi has inaugurated several thousand public restrooms across India, which has put a dent in epidemics and particularly benefited women, who had long been ignored by Indian democracy.

India’s pro-capitalist, Chinese-inspired U-turn is also profitable. The economy is now growing at an annual rate of between 3 percent and 4 percent. These are meager gains, given the growing population, but they represent a vast improvement on the zero percent growth during the Nehru–Gandhi era, during which economists joked that zero was the “natural rate” of Indian growth.

Unfortunately, Modi also seems drawn to the worst aspects of the Chinese model, including the one-party system, a state that operates above the law, and the cult of personality. India is the world’s largest democracy, but having previously enjoyed unprecedented press freedom and judicial independence, the country now finds itself at the mercy of the BJP’s despotic whims. The party is seeking to impose a nationalist ideology based on a cheap form of Hinduism and traditions completely divorced from the linguistic, religious, and cultural diversity of eternal India. I have attended street demonstrations in Mumbai in which fanatic BJP supporters shout that Ram, one among many Hindu gods, was more powerful than Jesus and Allah. The victims of this neo-religious nationalism are the country’s 175 million Muslims, along with Christians and freethinkers. The movement has gained so much ground that the more the economy grows, the more freedoms are stripped away.

India’s economic and political evolution raises the question: What is progress? Renowned Indian economist and Nobel Prize laureate Amartya Sen suggested replacing the strictly quantitative concept of GDP with one based on well-being—an idea that the UN has since adopted. According to Sen, material production is only one part of prosperity; one should also consider the degree of freedom, the level of education, quality of life, and equality of the sexes. Sen calls this “capability.” Of course, we can see that the wealthiest countries are also the most equal and the best educated. Yet what a loss it would be for Indians to be slightly less poor at the cost of their human rights.

My knowledge of India leads me to believe that Modi will never be enshrined as a Hindu god. India already has about 10,000 lesser and greater gods. Modi may have put up portraits and statues in his honor across the country, but the public is not so easily fooled.

Muzzling the people, as the Chinese Communist Party does, might be achievable due to centuries of subjugation. But silencing Indians? No one has ever succeeded in doing that—not even the British. India will certainly become an economic and military power, finally taking its place on the world stage. Modi and his radical Hinduism will have contributed to this evolution, but only Mahatma Gandhi and Amartya Sen will remain the saints of India. Guy

fected by the conflict, such as the construction industry, to ensure that the economic impacts of the conflict are minimized. Pakistan heavily relies on steel imports from Ukraine, and any disruption to the supply chain due to the conflict could increase the burden on the industry.

Furthermore, Pakistan also imports defence equipment from Ukraine, and the ongoing conflict could lead to disruptions in this supply chain, which would be detrimental to Pakistan’s security. The situation of Pakistani students and citizens in the conflict-affected region is also a cause of concern. The evacuation process is underway, but the disruption to education and employment opportunities could have a longlasting impact on the affected individuals and the Pakistani economy as a whole.

Pakistan is caught in a complex situation diplomatically as it wishes to keep the relations with both Russia and the West and European countries including the USA. Due to poor experience in camp politics Pakistan cannot go against Russia at UNGA to stay neutral and the West may compell Pakistan to review its stance against Russia.

Pakistan has maintained trade relations with both Russia and Ukraine, and these relationships have been particularly important for imports of wheat. In 2020, Pakistan faced acute wheat shortages due to mismanagement and failed crops. To stabilise prices and accumulate stocks, the government allowed private companies to import wheat, and Ukraine emerged as the main supplier, exporting 1.2 MT of wheat to Pakistan between July and November 2020. Russia also supplied 0.92 MT of wheat to Pakistan during the

same period. In total, wheat imports from Russia and Ukraine exceeded 2.1 MT over the course of the 20202021 period. Both Russia and Ukraine exports LNG to Pakistan; since this crisis, this country faces severe shortage as many companies have backed out of their contracts with Pakistan, and this has harmed local industries and has slowed down the import of fossil fuel, LNG and coal. Pakistan is caught in a complex situation diplomatically as it wishes to keep the relations with both Russia and the West and European countries including the USA. Due to poor experience in camp politics Pakistan cannot go against Russia at UNGA to stay neutral and he West may compell Pakistan to review its stance against Russia. In such a situation the government and stakeholders should maintain diplomatic ties with Russia and China for geopolitical reasons as this crisis would not be resolved so quickly. It is important for policymakers and the government of Pakistan to monitor the situation closely and take measures to mitigate the potential impacts of the crisis.

The writer is freelance columnist based in Islamabad, He can be reached at rashidmehmoodkayani@gmail.com

When the machines tell you where to invest

value. We aren’t seeing a substitution. If you take the bureaucratic work away from an advisor, and instead of having to read 55 newspapers you have it all summarized, you can be much closer to the client,” he said.

The Arcano investment bank does not share that vision. “Artificial intelligence won’t affect whoever cuts your meat at the butcher’s or brings your Amazon package, but in asset management it will have a significant impact. Part of our job is to filter information to make investment decisions, and if a system does that it doesn’t need so many people,” said Francisco Navas, Investment Director of Venture Capital at Arcano Partners. To make his point land, he offered up a bitter reminder to journalists: ChatGPT can write news stories.

IT is eleven o’clock in the morning at the Madrid headquarters of the Renta 4 bank and a group of eight young people from various countries are typing away concentrated in front of their screens. Some are industrial or aeronautical engineers, others mathematicians or have a master’s degree in artificial intelligence. They are the team chosen by the bank to create new AI (artificial intelligence) tools, the technology that seems set to revolutionize everything. Investment, too. “With four clicks, clients have access to a series of analyses with millions of calculations behind them, and it gives them the best fund options,” explained Celso Otero, who leads the team.

A test on their website allows you to check how these intelligent digital advisors work: you choose a sector among finance, technology, energy or water; you enter the amount to invest with a minimum of 5,000 euros; and the most recommended funds appear in order according to profitability, risk, or a mixture of both. You can accept the suggestion or not, but the artificial intelligence, without the need for human intervention, has already done its job: to show the options with the highest probability of success.

The tool is just one of the many available. You can also have a mixture of artificial intelligence and bank advisors build your portfolio, after responding to a series of questions so that it is as individualized as possible. Otero says that it is a matter of statistics: the more information, the better. “Is that a guarantee that you’re going to have a positive profit or better results than everyone else? It’s not. It’s like when you take a test. If you study everything you have more possibilities of getting a good grade. Does that guarantee that you’ll have a 10? No. AI is one more tool. You won’t always win,” he explained.

Technology tends to jump rapidly into the world of finances, because it can make all the difference in a sector that moves staggering quantities of money at high speeds. The financial news outlet Bloomberg, whose terminal has 325,000 subscribers who pay $25,000 a year, has announced the development of BloombergGPT. The enormous quantity of data involved has encouraged the American company to make the leap to generative artificial intelligence. The new model includes sentiment analysis, news classification and question-answering functions. It will be able to comb thousands of news items about companies and evaluate whether they are pessimistic or optimistic for investors, and even write headlines based on brief articles.

If it’s possible to create applications that tell you where to invest your money, are financial advisors’ jobs at risk? Otero isn’t sure. “Think about the Industrial Revolution or when tractors reached the countryside. There have never been so many people living in the world, and there have never been so many people working as today, and we’re in the most evolved world in history. The advisor can do other things that add more

The professional trader Francisca Serrano pointed out some advantages of machines investing on our behalf: “Human beings, by nature, are subject to cognitive and emotional biases that can affect their capacity to make rational and objective decisions. Automatic algorithms, however, are designed to operate objectively, based on data, which eliminates emotional interference.”

But unexpected events, as Otero from Renta 4 explained, can work against the machines: “There are market movements that don’t depend on concrete patterns but have a randomness that can’t be predicted. Anyone who says they can predict the short term, in my opinion, is lying.”

No model can anticipate a sudden declaration of war or the beginning of a pandemic, but it can identify trends, comparing millions of data points at a velocity impossible for human beings. That can open up a divide between those who have access to such applications and those who don’t, as trader Jordi Martí explained. “AI will give professionals more powerful and efficient tools to trick and manipulate, and we will have to keep copying their movements. Nothing will change. The market is still ruled by emotions: euphoria, panic and fear. They will make money, the great majority of small-scale traders will lose it and a small number of people will keep copying the professionals,” he predicts.

All things indicate that there will be more sophistication, but algorithms have played a role in the financial industry for decades. Early experiments included some notable disasters, such as the high-risk fund Long-Term Capital, whose board included two Nobel Prize winners. It ended up being bailed out in 1998.

Markets also move without human participation in so-called high-frequency trading. Algorithms create thousands of buying and selling orders in fractions of a second, in order to take advantage of small price changes and glean higher profits. These transactions tend to take place from powerful computers situated close to business centers. Being a few kilometers away could mean being later and, therefore, earning less or losing.

The risks are there. One of Wall Street’s worst memories was caused by automated systems: on May 6, 2010, Navinder Singh Sarao provoked the so-called Flash Crash, an accelerated plunge in stock markets, using his knowledge about the reactions of high-frequency machines. He used his home PC to trick them with an algorithm that simulated creating sale orders, which pushed the rest to sell en masse. He was detained in 2015 and sentenced to a year of house arrest in January 2020.

AI’s irruption into the investment world has provoked plenty of questions. “Who is responsible if an automatic algorithm does something that results in significant losses, the developers of the algorithm, the operators of it or the financial institutions that use it?” Francisca Serrano asks.

Martí does not believe that the overarching dynamics will change. “If professional money wants to buy cheap, it will generate or take advantage of panic situations, just like 100 years ago. And if they want to sell high, they will generate or take advantage of situations of euphoria, just like 100 years ago.”

rAShiD MehMooD

EL PAIS ÁlvAro SÁnchez

Under Narendra Modi, economic growth and political illiberalism have advanced together

RUSSIA SAYS UKRAINE TRIED TO KILL PUTIN WITH DRONE ATTACK ON KREMLIN

UKRAINE agencies

Raccused Ukraine on Wednesday of attacking the Kremlin with drones overnight in a failed attempt to kill President Vladimir Putin.

A senior Ukrainian presidential official said Kyiv had nothing to do with the purported incident, the most dramatic accusation Russia has levelled against Ukraine since invading its neighbour more than 14 months ago. The Kremlin said two drones had been used in the alleged attack on Putin’s residence in the walled Kremlin citadel, but had been disabled by electronic defences. It said Russia reserved the right to retaliate — a comment that suggested that Moscow might use the alleged incident to justify a further escalation in its war with Ukraine.

“Two unmanned aerial vehicles were

aimed at the Kremlin. As a result of timely actions taken by the military and special services with the use of radar warfare systems, the devices were put out of action,” the Kremlin said in a statement. “We regard these actions as a planned terrorist act and an attempt on the president’s life, carried out on the eve of Victory Day, the May 9 parade, at which the presence of foreign guests is also planned.

“The Russian side reserves the right to take retaliatory measures where and when it sees fit.”

Baza, a Telegram channel with links to Russia’s law enforcement agencies, posted a video showing a flying object approaching the dome of the Kremlin Senate building overlooking Red Square — site of the Victory Day parade — and exploding in an intense burst of light just before reaching it. Reuters could not immediately verify the video’s authenticity.

The statement from the presidential administration said fragments of the

Bringing cancer screening closer to home

The new Shaukat Khanum Walk-in Clinic becomes functional at DHA City, Karachi. The Shaukat Khanum Memorial Trust has opened a new Walk-in Clinic in Karachi, which is its second cancer screening centre in the city. This Walk-in Clinic is located in DHA City at Pakistan’s third and largest specialist cancer hospital, the Shaukat Khanum Memorial Cancer Hospital and Research Centre, and serves as the first point of contact for patients with suspected or confirmed cancer diagnosis for further evaluation and treatment.

drones had been scattered on the territory of the Kremlin complex but there were no casualties or material damage.

RIA news agency said Putin had not been in the Kremlin at the time and was working on Wednesday at his Novo Ogaryovo residence outside Moscow. Another video circulating on Russian social media showed a plume of smoke over the Kremlin after the purported attack.

The video was posted in the early hours of Wednesday on a group for residents of a neighbourhood that faces the Kremlin across the Moskva River. It was picked up by Russian media, including the Telegram channel of the military news outlet Zvezda.

Victory Day is a major public holiday commemorating the defeat of Nazi Germany in World War Two, and a chance for Putin to rally Russians behind what he calls his “special military operation” in Ukraine. Russia marks the occasion with a huge military parade on Red

Health, safety & transport facilities are basic rights of employees

Square, for which seating has already been erected.

The state news agency TASS said the parade — for which the Kremlin last week announced tighter security — would still go ahead.

Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin said earlier today that the city had introduced an immediate ban on unauthorised drone flights.

Russia has accused Ukraine of numerous cross-border attacks since the start of the war, including strikes in December on an air base deep inside Russian territory that houses strategic bomber planes equipped to carry nuclear weapons. In February, a drone crashed in Kolomna, about 110 kilometres from the centre of Moscow.

Ukraine typically declines to claim responsibility for attacks on Russia or Russian-annexed Crimea, though Kyiv officials have frequently celebrated such attacks with cryptic or mocking remarks.

16th International Conference on Managing Pakistan’s Economy concludes at LSE

The Lahore School of Economics held the second and final day of its Sixteenth International Conference on “Managing Pakistan’s Economy Building upon the informative and enlightening sessions of the conference’s first day, researchers and economists discussed their findings and offered sober insights in regards to

(i) Pakistan’s banking sector, the state of its capital markets and export-led growth, and (ii) the country’s long-running issues concerning fundamental economic rights.

With regards to the Banking Sector and Capital Markets, Dr. Inayat Hussain, Deputy Governor of the State Bank of Pakistan, recommended a comprehensive reform program to address vulnerabilities and bottlenecks across all sectors of the Pakistan economy, as the financial sector and capital markets in Pakistan remain suboptimal, and stressed the importance of documentation of the economy. Digitalisation of the conventional banking system and a steady maintenance of fiscal deficits at a manageable level were also recommended. Dr. Jamshed Uppal, Associate Professor of Finance at the Catholic University of America, in Washington, DC, and member of the Lahore

Journal of Economic’s editorial board, proposed an integrated and long-term strategy that would incorporate measures to strengthen financial institutions and markets, via public-private dialogue. Dr. Uppal suggested policies to create a supporting and complementary environment for export growth that includes dual exchange rate policy, long term trade financing to promote exports and FDI based on increasing exports He stressed the importance of restoring fiscal balance through financial discipline to implement the required strategies for export-led growth. Mr. Khalid Mirza, Senior Fellow at the Lahore School of Economics, discussed the development and regulation of capital markets.

Mr. Mirza, formerly Chairman and Chief Executive of the Competition Commission of Pakistan and Chairman of the Securities & Exchange Commission, stressed the importance of four key elements, macroeconomic stability, efficacious financial institutions, recognised government norms, and capable, empowered and independent regulators, to robust economy and financial stability.

Mr. Mirza discussed that the capital market flourishes with the supply-side financial security mechanisms and not on the demand-side – the latter for which he recommended investment banks regulated by SECP and security exchanges to provide the required financial security.

Bringing cancer screening closer to home

KARACHI staff report

The new Shaukat Khanum Walk-in Clinic becomes functional at DHA City, Karachi. The Shaukat Khanum Memorial Trust has opened a new Walkin Clinic in Karachi, which is its second cancer screening centre in the city.

This Walk-in Clinic is located in DHA City at Pakistan’s third and largest specialist cancer hospital, the Shaukat Khanum Memorial Cancer Hospital and Research Centre, and serves as the first point of contact for patients with suspected or confirmed cancer diagnosis for further evaluation and treatment.

The hospital, expected to open in December this year, will mark a new age in cancer diagnosis and treatment, not only for the people of Pakistan’s largest city and economic powerhouse, Karachi, but also for people from all over Sindh and from Southern Baluchistan.

The newly functional Walk-in Clinic will especially benefit cancer patients from interior Sindh, providing access to cancer screening facilities closer to their homes. Similar to the other Walk-in Clinics

in Lahore, Peshawar, and Karachi, patients will be seen on first come first served basis and evaluated according to medical guidelines. Patients accepted for treatment will undergo world-class treatment, irrespective of their ability to pay, at Shaukat Khanum facilities in Karachi and elsewhere in the country.

It is estimated that there are nearly 200,000 new cancer cases in Pakistan each year and more dedicated cancer facilities are needed to cater to the disease burden in the region. The treatment of cancer can be prolonged and it is extremely difficult for the majority of our population to undertake long and costly trips to access life-saving treatment.

ISLAMABAD staff report

Chairman Board of Directors IESCO Engineer Qamarul-Islam Raja has said that the officers and staff of IESCO are ensuring the best services to the electricity consumers thanks with their tireless efforts. The Provision of best health, safety and transport facilities to these hardworking employees is the top priority on the part of IESCO Board of Directors and Management, he expressed these views during the ceremony of newly purchased 2 coasters for employees at IESCO Regional Store Islamabad. He further said that due to the old vehicles, not only the employees were facing travel difficulties but also the maintenance and fuel costs of these vehicles were high. Now the employees will not only have better travel facilities but also the unnecessary expenses will be significantly reduced. On this occasion, Chief Executive IESCO Dr. Muhammad Amjad Khan thanked Chairman Board of Directors

IESCO Engineer Qamar-ul-Islam Raja and other members of the board, whose positive decisions have not only eliminated the shortage of materials required in the field but also implementation of welfare projects for IESCO employees are also going on rapidly.

FBR Signs Data Sharing Agreements with Sindh and Balochistan Boards of Revenue

SINDH staff report

In line with the vision of the Prime Minister to enhance efficiency and transparency in the tax collection system and to promote digital integration, Federal Board of Revenue has entered into data sharing agreements with Board of Revenue Sindh, and Board of Revenue Balochistan. The agreements were signed on April 19, 2023 and April 28, 2023 respectively. Under these Agreements, the two organizations will share specified digital data including data about land/property ownership and agricultural income. This will help improve their tax collection activities in their respective domains. On behalf of the Sindh government, agreement was signed in Karachi by Member (R&S), Board of Revenue, Government of Sindh, Mr. Syed Ahmed Ali Shah. The other agreement was signed in Quetta by Senior Member Board of Revenue Balochistan Mr. Roshan Ali Shaikh. FBR was represented by Member (IT), Mr. Abdul Majid Yousfani in both the agreements. The Agreements envisage to further develop integrated IT based platforms through which automated exchange of data will be possible in future. FBR has been making consistent efforts to acquire third party data by linking its IT systems with different provincial departments and other organizations in order to broaden the tax base and improve transparency in tax collection system.

Dr.Waqar Wadho, Matthew, Dr.Rashid Amjad, Dr.Shahid Amjad Chaudhry Haja Ranaivo and Hamna Ahmad at the 16th International Conference on the Management of the Pakistan Economy held at LSE.

CORPORATE CORNER

Paymob and 1LINK partner to Fuel Digital Payments in Pakistan

NOT-BY- PROFIT

LOW INSURANCE PENETRATION RATE REFLECTS INDUSTRY CHALLENGES

THE STATE LIFE INSURANCE CORPORATION IN PAKISTAN PUSHES FOR SMALL TICKET INSURANCE POLICIES AND ONLINE CHANNELS ISLAMABAD

NEWS DESK

karachi: Paymob, the leading financial services enabler in the Middle East, North Africa and Pakistan (MENA-P) and Pakistan’s largest interbank network, 1LINK, have announced a partnership agreement to power instant online payouts for merchants registered with Paymob via 1LINK’s payment infrastructure, with Bank Alfalah Ltd. serving as its settlement bank. PR

5 million people likely to face starvation amid recent FED hike

lahore: All-Pakistan Union of Pan Cigarette Beverage Retailers has expressed concern over the government's unprecedented increase in the FED rate on locally produced cigarettes. This increase is now seen as a threat to the employment of pan cigarette vendors. The retailers demand an immediate solution to the serious impact on their business due to the high cost of legal cigarettes.

A protest was held outside the Lahore Press Club, where a large number of pan-cigarette vendors participated. The protesters carried placards and raised slogans, demanding that the government revise the tax rate on legal cigarettes, which has led to increased demand for illegal cigarettes.

The protest was led by Haji Muhammad Mubeen Yusuf Butt, President of the All-Pakistan Union of Pan Cigarette Beverage Retailers. PR

Faysal Bank announces strong financial results for first quarter 2023

ACCORDINGto an article in Dawn, Pakistan's insurance industry is facing a significant challenge in reaching the country's population, despite the high demand for insurance due to various uncertainties.

Pakistan has a very low insurance penetration rate of just 0.91%, which is one of the lowest among regional or economic peers. The reasons for the low uptake of insurance in Pakistan are varied.

One of the main reasons is religious perceptions. Many people in Pakistan believe that insurance is a form of gambling and, therefore, against Islamic principles.

Additionally, distribution channels for insurance products are not efficient, which makes it difficult for insurers to reach po-

tential customers. However, there are some promising signs for the insurance industry in Pakistan. The public sector entity, State Life Insurance Corporation, has been an outlier and has recorded a net income of Rs9.32 billion in the first nine months of fiscal year 2022. State Life is among the largest employers in the country, with around 5,500 staff and 130,000 sales personnel registered. The company has a 52% market share in insurance in Pakistan, and premium revenue increased by 64% compared to the previous year. State Life is, by far, the largest player in the insurance market in Pakistan.

State Life's success is partly due to its ability to innovate and offer new products that appeal to customers. The company has launched 22 new products across life and health over the past two years. One of the products that have been successful

for the company is the golden endowment, which has been technically revised in terms of the premium and payout timelines. Additionally, State Life is now focusing on small ticket insurance policies that can be sold conveniently through online channels.

State Life has also launched a digital portal for policy purchases, which is available to anyone and can be paid for via card. Although the uptake is still low, the company sees potential in using digital technology to improve its internal systems, such as the claims process, which is yet another reason why people run away from insurance.

State Life is now pushing towards making insurance products more accessible to customers in Pakistan. For example, the company won the Sehat Card tender for Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, which provides access to

Dubai welcomes 4.67m overnight visitors in first quarter of 2023

DUBAI

AGENCIES

Dubai welcomed 4.67 million international overnight visitors in the first quarter of 2023, compared to 3.97 million tourists during the same period in 2022. This marks a 17 % YoY growth and the city’s best Q1 performance since the pandemic, placing it firmly on track to becoming the most visited international destination, according to the latest data published by Dubai’s Department of Economy and Tourism (DET).

The growth, which sets the city on course to full tourism recovery, contributes to the goal of the Dubai Economic Agenda D33 launched by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai this January, to consolidate Dubai’s status as one of the world’s top three cities.

His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of The Executive Council of Dubai, said: “The remarkable growth in international visitation achieved by Dubai in the first quarter of 2023 demonstrates the city’s emergence as one of the key destinations leading the way in the rebound of the global tourism sector. This achievement has been made possible by the far-reaching vision of the leadership to transform Dubai into one of the world’s fastest-growing metropolises and the globe’s preeminent hub for travel, talent, entrepreneurship and investment.

The Dubai Economic Agenda recently launched by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, charts an ambitious new path for Dubai to enhance its contributions to shaping

the future of the global economy. The tourism sector is not only the strongest pillars of our economy but also a key enabler of Dubai’s distinctive role in the world as a bridge between markets, cultures and regions. In the years ahead, Dubai will continue to introduce new pathbreaking initiatives to offer a distinctive proposition for travellers and achieve its goal of becoming the world’s best place to live, visit, work and invest in.”

The latest industry results - announced at the ongoing 30th edition of Arabian Travel Market in Dubai World Trade Centre, positions Dubai as the fastest recovering destination globally, achieving 98 % of pre-pandemic levels in Q1 2023, and exceeding the projection made by the United Nations World Trade Organisation that international tourist arrivals could reach between 80-95 % of pre-pandemic levels this year, especially in Europe and the Middle East.

around 175 million Pakistanis, or twothirds of the country's total population. However, managing the execution of the program was a herculean task, as it required hiring and training staff and setting up service desks at every hospital.

In conclusion, the insurance industry in Pakistan faces many challenges, but State Life Insurance Corporation has been successful in overcoming some of these challenges. The company's focus on innovation and accessibility has allowed it to grow and maintain a dominant position in the market. As the insurance industry in Pakistan continues to develop, it is essential that insurers focus on making their products more accessible to customers and improving their internal systems to increase customer trust and confidence.

To read the full article visit www.dawn.com

HBL launches Digital Invoicing to support entrepreneurs and freelancers

karachi: HBL launches Digital Invoicing, an innovative payment solution designed for social media sellers, small businesses, and freelancers. The service enables them to offer their customers a convenient, secure, and cost-effective alternative to traditional payment methods, i.e. Cash-on-Delivery and account transfers. Merchants can create einvoices for each order and send them to their customers as a shareable link over SMS, WhatsApp, email, or any communication channel for instant digital payment; the customer clicks on it to make a payment using their MasterCard or Visa credit/debit card. HBL Digital invoicing has been developed to enable digital payments for sellers that conduct business over Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, and other platforms in the social commerce domain. It’s a low-investment solution that is specially designed to empower budding entrepreneurs with improved record-keeping and regular reporting. PR

karachi: Faysal Bank Limited, one of the prominent Islamic banks in Pakistan, has shown exuberant performance in the first quarter of the year, reflecting its strong business fundamentals and prudent risk management.

According to the financial report released by the Bank, the Bank’s net profit for the first quarter of 2023 was Rs. 3.2 Bn, which is a 51% increase compared to the same period last year. The Bank’s total assets also increased to Rs. 1.13 trillion, representing a 5.5% growth compared to the first quarter of 2022. The Bank’s earnings per share (EPS) also showed impressive growth, increasing to Rs 2.12 per share. The Bank’s management attributes this growth to its diversified business model, sound credit policies, and efficient cost management. PR

Packages-led consortium concludes; Share Purchase Agreement of Sanofiaventis Pakistan

karachi: Sanofi is pleased to announce the successful conclusion of the Share Purchase Agreement initiated in late 2021 with an investor consortium led by Packages Limited.

Following completion of all legal and regulatory formalities and requirements, all 52.87% shares held by Sanofi Foreign Participations B.V. in Sanofiaventis Pakistan Limited have been transferred to the consortium, led by Packages Limited and including IGI Investments, and affiliates of Arshad Ali Gohar Group, effectively acquiring ownership of Sanofi-aventis Pakistan Limited. The company will be initiating the process for a name change in due course. PR

Driving license suspension notices of 34 e-challan defaulters issued

islamabad: Islamabad Capital Police has issued notices to suspend the driving licenses of 34 echallan defaulters. An additional 84 lawbreakers who had violated traffic rules have submitted their 1,390 e-challans and paid a fine of Rs 2.78 lakh, a police public relations officer. He said that the echallan defaulter vehicles are being traced and impounded in different police stations with the help of the brief cam software and Safe City cameras. Meanwhile, the remaining defaulters are being informed through messages, phone calls and on the official website of the Islamabad capital police, www.islamabadpolice.gov.pk.

While Citizens can also check their e-challan status by entering their vehicle registration number on the following link: https://ict.islamabadpolice.gov.pk:8081/veri/verify _e_challan.php. PR

Flight tactical exercise ‘Anatolian Eagle-2023’ kicks off in Konya, Turkiye

ISLAMABAD STAFF REPORT

The opening ceremony of Anatolian Eagle 2023, International Flight Tactical Exercise was held in Konya, Turkiye. Pakistan Air Force contingent, consisting of F-16 fighter jets along with the air and ground crew is also amongst the exercise participants. Anatolian Eagle is an annual exercise which is being hosted by the Turkish Air Force. The exercise is one of the largest and most complex joint air force exercises in the world which aims at promoting inter-

A New World Disorder: Navigating a Polycrisis–Ipsos Global Trends 2023 launched in Pakistan

operability between participating nations while providing an opportunity for shared learning. The exercise mimics a realistic aerial war and provides a real-time opportunity for the participating Air Forces to test their operational readiness. Other than Pakistan and Turkiye, Air Forces of five other countries, including Azerbaijan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates and the United Kingdom are participating in the seventh consecutive edition of the exercise. In the face of challenging contemporary strategic situation and growing complexity in the security environment, such exercises will leverage PAF.

karachi: “As 2023 continues to unfold, we’re entering a New World Disorder filled with crises on multiple fronts. Yet the largest trends survey ever from leading insights firm Ipsos, shows that 74% worry that their government and public services will do too little to help people in the years ahead. More troubling is their lack of faith that in the institutions with the scale to help”, remarked by Ipsos Global CEO, Mr. Ben Page while addressing top notch corporate leaders at a special seminar organised by Overseas Investors Chamber of Commerce and Industries (OICCI) in Karachi earlier this afternoon. Mr. Aamir Ibrahim, CEO Jazz Pakistan, Mr. M. Abdul Aleem, CEO & General Secretary OICCI and Mr. Abdul Sattar Babar, Managing Director Ipsos. PR

ADB PRESIDENT REAFFIRMS BANK’S CONTINUED SUPPORT FOR PAKISTAN

INCHEON STAFF REPORT

ASIANDevelopment Bank (ADB) President Masatsugu

Asakawa on Wednesday reaffirmed the Bank’s continued support for Pakistan.

The ADB President made the reaffirmation during a meeting with a Pakistani delegation led by Secretary Economic Affairs Division (EAD), Dr Kazim Niaz. The meeting took place on the sidelines of the 56th Annual Meeting of the Board of Governors of the Bank.

Masatsugu Asakawa reposed his trust in Pakistan’s reform agenda and appreciated the required tough stabilization measures taken by the government to bring about macroeconomic stability in the country.

He assured that the Bank would continue support to Pakistan in the areas of domestic resource mobilization, enhancing public-private partnership, promot-

ing women-inclusive finance, and transitioning to renewable energy.

It is pertinent to mention that the ADB Annual Meeting of the Board of Governors brings together senior leadership from the member countries to dis-

cuss the emerging issues of global concern, including food security, climate change and dealing with external shocks.

The central theme of the 56th meeting is “Rebounding Asia: Recover, Reconnect, and Reform”.

Appreciating the ADB’s long-standing and generous support to Pakistan, the Secretary EAD briefed the president on a series of reforms introduced by the government.

“The key reforms include containing spending, reduction in untargeted subsidies, scaling up social protection, enhancing tax revenues, adherence to market-determined exchange rate and improving the financial sustainability of energy sector,” he said.

The Secretary EAD also welcomed the ADB President’s announcement of the landmark Innovative Finance Facility for Climate in Asia & the Pacific (IF-CAP).

Being one of the top ten most affected countries by the adverse impacts of climate change, he said Pakistan was interested in leveraging the new facility for its mitigation and adaptation efforts.

The Secretary EAD, on behalf of Prime Minster Shehbaz Sharif, extended an invitation to the ADB President to visit Pakistan, which he accepted.

Google, Microsoft CEOs called to AI meeting at White House

PROFIT

REUTERS

The chief executives of Alphabet Inc’s Google (GOOGL.O), Microsoft (MSFT.O), OpenAI and Anthropic will meet with Vice President Kamala Harris and top administration officials to discuss key artificial intelligence (AI) issues on Thursday, said a White House official.

The invitation seen by Reuters to the CEOs noted President Joe Biden’s “expectation that companies like yours must make sure their products are safe before making them available to the public.”

Concerns about fast-growing AI technology include privacy violations, bias and worries it could proliferate scams and misinformation.

In April, Biden said it remains to be seen whether AI is dangerous but underscored that technology companies had a responsibility to ensure their products were safe. Social media had already illustrated the harm that powerful technologies can do without the right

safeguards, he said. The administration has also been seeking public comments on proposed accountability measures for AI systems, as concerns grow about its impact on national security and education.

On Monday, deputies from the White House Domestic Policy Council and White House Office of Science and Technology Policy wrote in a blog post about how the technology can pose a serious risk to workers.

The Thursday meeting will be attended by Biden’s Chief of Staff Jeff Zients, Deputy Chief of Staff Bruce Reed, National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan, Director of the National Economic Council Lael Brainard and Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo among others, said the White House official who did not wish to be named.

The companies did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

ChatGPT, an AI program that recently grabbed the public’s attention for its ability to write answers quickly to a wide range of queries, in particular has

attracted U.S. lawmakers’ attention as it has grown to be the fastest-growing consumer application in history with more than 100 million monthly active users.

“I think we should be cautious with

Parliament opens probe into ‘leaked’ call involving son of ex-chief justice

ISLAMABAD STAFF REPORT

A 10-member committee has been set up by Raja Pervaiz Ashraf, speaker of the National Assembly, to ascertain the authenticity of an audio conversation that allegedly features a Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) ticket hopeful and the son of former chief justice Saqib Nisar.

The audio clip, shared on Twitter by a progovernment commentator, appears to suggest that Najam Saqib demanded a “reward” for ensuring Abuzar Chadhar was granted a PTI ticket for the election to the parliament of Punjab.

The development came a day after Maryam Nawaz, senior vice president of Pakistan Muslim LeagueNawaz (PML-N), accused Nisar of orchestrating the ouster of her father Nawaz Sharif. She had also said the contents of recently leaked calls that had featured the former chief justice were “important” because they discussed actions that could “decide the nation’s fate.”

The motion on Wednesday to authorise the speaker to constitute the committee was approved by the lower house of parliament after a number of lawmakers called for action against those who facilitated Imran Khan.

AI, and I think there should be some government oversight because it is a danger to the public,” Tesla Chief Executive Elon Musk said last month in a television interview.

The National Assembly Secretariat issued a circular announcing the committee — headed by Aslam Bhootani, a Balochistan Awami Party (BAP) lawmaker — will conduct a thorough investigation and inquiry of the said audio leaks and present a comprehensive report to the National Assembly. The committee will be assisted by “any investigative agency” as deemed necessary.

Maryam Nawaz hires young professionals to counter ‘PTI’s hegemony’ on social media

PROFIT STAFF REPORT

Gold prices in Pakistan have reached an all-time high again, according to data from the All Pakistan Sarafa Gems and Jewellers Association (APSGJA). The price of gold (24 carats) rose by Rs1,700 per tola and Rs1,457 per 10 grams, reaching Rs222,700 and Rs190,929, respectively. The increase is a result of the country’s poor economic prospects and inflation, which hit a record high in April.

People are turning to gold as a protection against inflation and currency depreciation.

Additionally, the delay in securing an economic bailout from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) is negatively impacting the currency market, boosting demand for gold. Meanwhile, the price of silver also rose, reaching record highs of Rs2,750 per tola and Rs2,357.68 per 10 grams.

Inflation in April clocked in at 36.4% year-onyear — a record high — which means Pakistan has the fastest rising prices in Asia, beating even Sri Lanka where inflation was measured at 35.3% in the previous month.

Meanwhile, the price of gold jumped $25 at $2,015 per ounce in the international market.

CAA to install bird repellent system at all airports of country

ISLAMABAD STAFF REPORT

The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) has decided to install acoustic bird repellent system at all airports of the country aimed at avoiding frequent bird strikes. As per details, the CAA in first phase is going to install the system at Jinnah International airport of Karachi and Allama Iqbal International airport of Lahore. It was hoped that the step would reduce the birds strike rate. The expression of interest (EOI) has been invited by the CAA from notable firms and from individual’s experience in wildlife management at airports for developing a reasonable report of the project. Generally, the bird strikes at airport result in heavy damages to airlines each passing year. In previous year, the birds hit 36 PIA planes, which cause great loss in millions of rupees. Even there are some of the aircrafts, which damage in such that after it, they become grounded for long period of time.

ISLAMABAD SHAHZAD PARACHA

The ruling party Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz has hired young professionals to counter PTI’s hegemony on social media platforms. Highly placed sources told this scribe that the social media platforms have emerged as the new battleground as mainstream political parties of Pakistan are now at sea as to how to combat PTI’s dominance in the digital space.

“The PML-N has so far hired 20 young professionals having vast experience of digital and communication transformation in the corporate sector in the last three to four months on the instructions of the party Chief Organizer Maryam Nawaz to rattle the absolute hegemony of PTI in the digital space,” the sources said. “Maryam Nawaz wanted to re-energize the party’s social media to counter PTI and one official on the condition of anonymity told that MN’s decision to reenergize the party’s social media is yielding unbelievable results for the party in a very short period of time,” the sources added.

“The PML-N is focusing a lot more on the content development to expose its political arch riyals adding that officials said that the social media team is sharing a large variety of content to party leaders, official handles, social media activists and even volunteers,” the sources said. Officials claim that the content development strategy is immensely helping the PML-N win the narrative war on social media.

“The strategy for the coming months is to keep developing a diverse and targeted set of digital communications to target different voter segments at the same time besides improving and increasing the number of social media activists and volunteers,” officials added.

The political opponents of PTI claim that Imran Khan’ party has invested heavily into creating ‘troll armies’ for pushing their narrative whereas the party on its website mentioned that the PTI Social Media Team strives to propagate PTI’s Manifesto and values on Social Media.

A team of 150 plus volunteers from all over the World update the party’s official social media accounts (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, etc.) 24 hours a day, they added.

Economic woes drive gold prices to new high yet again