Epaper_23-06-20 ISB

Profit

G R E E C E S H I P W R E C K T R A G E D Y : F I A A R R E S T S ‘ K E Y S U S P E C T ’ F R O M G U J R AT

ISLAMABAD

S TA F F R E P O R T

AS announced by the prime minister Pakistan observed a day of mourning on Monday for citizens who died when a fishing trawler packed with migrants sank off the Greek coast

As many as 750 men, women and children from Syria, Egypt, the Palestinian territories and Pakistan were on board the vessel trying to reach relatives in Europe

The Greek coast guard has defended its response to the tragedy that left more than 500 migrants presumed drowned

The vessel sank on Wednesday

Last week, Shehbaz Sharif expressed his grief over the tragedy and said Monday would be observed as a day of mourning with the national flag flying at half-staff

He previously said that Pakistan s embassy in Athens has identified 12 nationals who were rescued by the coast guard There was no official information on how many Pakistanis were onboard the vessel, how many survived or how many perished

Meanwhile the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) announced they had apprehended a key suspect from Gujrat

In a statement released today, a spokesperson for the agency disclosed its Anti-Human Trafficking Circle in Gujrat had successfully captured a crucial suspect linked to the tragic boat incident

The suspect identified as Waqas Ahmed allegedly received Rs2 3 million from an individual seeking assistance for an illegal journey to Greece The spokesperson added the agency is also investigating the suspect’s involvement in acquiring money from other citizens

Originating from Wazirabad the apprehended suspect was believed to have played

a significant role in the trafficking operation The FIA further revealed that they are conducting raids to apprehend additional individuals involved in similar human trafficking activities According to the spokesperson a total of three key suspects

Khawaja Asif

associated with the tragic incident have been apprehended thus far The investigations are ongoing with the authorities committed to bringing all responsible parties to justice WORST DIASASTER: Greek authorities have been criticised for their failure to act

faster They say the migrants insisted they didn t need any help but non-governmental organizations say they received a number of calls for help The sinking was one of the worst disasters of its kind this year

Meanwhile police in Azad Jammu and Kashmir said Sunday they arrested 12 people involved in sending local youths to Libya for the onward journey to Europe Senior officer Khalid Chauhan said police picked up the suspects amid a crackdown on human traffickers Police are interrogating them for their alleged roles in luring trapping and sending locals abroad after extracting huge amounts of money from them

Around 28 people from the Koi Ratta area in the district of Kotli have gone to Libya for onward travel to Europe, police said Local official Chaudhry Haq Nawaz said there was still no confirmation on how many young men from the area were onboard the ill-fated boat or how many are among the dead or missing

calls for firm action against human traffickers

I S L A M A B A D: Defence Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif has called for a firm action against those involved in sending the people abroad illegally Acting upon his call, Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) registered four separate cases against human traffickers involved in the Greece shipwreck tragedy

Asif while speaking in the National Assembly on Monday, expressed deep grief and sorrow over the deaths of Pakistani migrants in a boat incident near the coast of Greece He said the government and the opposition parties should work collectively to initiate a stern action against these human traffickers and this illegal movement must stop

He said some people have been arrested in the country but their nexus also exists in other different countries as well The Defence Minister said the nation is observing a day of mourning today to express solidarity with the bereaved families of boat tragedy The Chair, in his remarks, said that the Greece Boat tragedy has aggrieved the entire nation He said the government must take action against the human traffickers and stressed that the people should also be educated about the hazards of illegal immigration Earlier, at the outset, the House offered fateha for the departed souls of Pakistani migrants died in a boat incident near the coast of Greece as well as those who died in other accidents in the country

As many as 78 Pakistani nationals drowned when the ill-fated boat with reportedly 400 to 750 people onboard sank in the Mediterranean Sea near the Greek coast According to media reports some 104 people were rescued and sent to Kalamata Greece Cases were registered against the human traffickers in Gujrat and Gujranwala on the complaints of the people rescued in the boat wreckage tragedy S TA F F R E P O R T

IMF board meetings schedule set without Pakistan

PR OFIT I N P

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) Executive Board has issued meetings scheduled till June 29 without Pakistan as the ninth review under the Extended Fund Facility (EFF) programme still remains pending, sources said

Pakistan has barely enough currency reserves to cover one month’s imports It had hoped to have $1 1 billion of the funds released in November – but the IMF has insisted on a number of conditions before it makes any more disbursements

Sources privy to the development said the IMF had to meet for the release of $1 1 billion tranche under the 9th review of the EFF programme which is expiring on June 30 Pakistani authorities are optimistic that the fund will complete the ninth review before the deadline and the meeting for the release of the tranche to Pakistan can be summoned at any time

It may be noted that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif in his telephonic conversation with the IMF chief requested for the early completion of the 9th review for the release of the loan

Last week the International Monetary Fund (IMF) expressed dissatisfaction with Pakistan s recently presented budget Policy talks are underway with Pakistan However, the draft FY24 Budget misses an opportunity to broaden the tax base in a more progressive way, Esther Perez Ruiz, the International Monetary Fund’s resident representative for Pakistan said Esther Perez Ruiz further added that the long list of new tax expenditures further reduces the fairness of the tax system and undercuts the resources needed for vulnerable recipients in the Benazir Income Support Programme

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on

Monday lauded Chinese government for extending all-out support to Pakistan during challenging economic times and expressed resolve to steer the country out of crisis

“China is fully supporting Pakistan and $1 billion have been received from China the premier said while addressing the PM s National Innovation Awards ceremony here on Monday

In a major boost to the forex reserves China announced refinancing $1 billion loan in Pakistan the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) confirmed late on Friday

The news of the refinancing came after Finance Minister Ishaq Dar informed the National Assembly’s Standing Committee on Finance and Revenue on Friday that China would be refinancing the $1 billion loan it had given to Pakistan earlier

“$1 billion will come from China today or on Monday,” Dar had told the lawmakers He also said that talks are ongoing with the Bank of China for a loan of $300 million He added that Pakistan would also receive dollars under China’s swap agreement

Speaking at the ceremony ear-

lier today, the prime minister also praised Saudi Arabia, Qatar and UAE for helping Pakistan in the challenging times PM Shehbaz emphasised the need for getting rid of foreign loans saying the friendly countries also urged Pakistan to use foreign loans efficiently to fully utilise the potential of natural resources

The prime minister said Pakistan has been blessed with natural resources and it has capacity to become self-sufficient We will come out of the economic and financial challenges, the premier said He also proposed non-partisan agenda to lift the country out of crisis saying that all stakeholders including opposition parties

SC reserves verdict in petitions challenging review of judgement law

ISLAMABAD S TA F F R E P O R T

The Supreme Court on Monday reserved its judgement on petitions challenging the Supreme Court (Review of Judgements and Orders) Act 2023

The Act widened the scope of review in cases decided under Article 184(3) of the Constitution which states that “without prejudice to the provisions of Article 199 the Supreme Court shall if it considers that a question of public importance with reference to the enforcement of any of the Fundamental Rights conferred by Chapter 1 of Part II is involved, have the power to make an order of the nature mentioned in the said Article

A three-member bench of the apex court led by Chief Justice of Pakistan Umar Ata Bandial and comprising Justice Munib Akhtar and Justice Ijazul Ahsan heard the matter

The chief justice maintained that the judges would consult with each other and give a decision soon

During the hearing today, the Attorney General for Pakistan (AGP) Dr Mansoor Awan came to the rostrum and said he would give arguments regarding the legislative authority of the Parliament adding that several judgements of the SC pertained to the legislative power of the Parliament

He continued that Article 184(3) reserved a separate scope for revision in cases and the perception of exploitation of some people from the right of revision appeal was incorrect

CJP Bandial questioned if the AGP was saying that the Constitution was exploiting people before the right of appeal He further asked how the entire Constitution could be ignored for a constitutional issue

Awan said that before Article 184(3) there was no way of review, and no one was abused by government legislation

The chief justice said that the government can legislate but it did not seem right to give the right of appeal in review He continued that in Article 184(3) cases, very thoughtful decisions should be taken to grant the right of appeal

According to the CJP, in India, there was no right of direct revisional appeal in Article 184(3) cases

Last week Justice Bandial said that law related to the scope of review should be framed carefully with the advice of the Attorney General for Pakistan (AGP) as he has experience in litigations

The CJP wondered whether a review could be merged with an appeal as he expressed reservations about the newly introduced Supreme Court (Review of Judgments and Orders) Act 2023

needed to agree on the economic and foreign policy agenda to ensure continuation of the policies

In the past he said as Khadime-Punjab he introduced the Punjab Skills Development Company initiative which was first launched in the southern Punjab

He said that millions of rupees were spent not on brick and mortar type of structures but training was imparted to the talented youth

They gave away Rs10 000 per student and companies trained them, he added Further elaborating his point of view, the prime minister said governments always played a catalyst role to spur activities for industries and agriculture

Some grounds should be added for reviewing the judgments given under Article 184(3) of the Constitution, the chief justice said, otherwise, that would mean rehearing the case

Nonetheless, the CJP said that the court would welcome the decision to provide a remedy in judgments decided under the original jurisdiction provisioned by Article 184(3) of the Constitution

In May a three-member bench headed by CJP Bandial and comprising Justice Ijazul Ahsan and Justice Munib Akhtar was hearing the Election Commission of Pakistan’s (ECP) review petition against its April order with regard to elections in Punjab when the AGP revealed that a new law enlarging the scope of review petitions had been enacted

Subsequently, the apex court decided to hear the petitions filed against the review law together with the poll authority’s review plea

4 billion which will

and improve-

Additionally, the agricul-

sector will benefit from an approved allocation of PKR 47 6 billion, aimed at boosting agricultural growth and enhancing farmers livelihoods Mujahid Sher Dil the Secretary of the Finance, explained the budget s provisions to control inflation Furthermore, the Punjab government has taken the initiative to repay loans amounting to PKR 60 billion, which were acquired from banks for wheat procurement This measure will help reduce the daily interest payment of PKR 25 crore from the

provincial treasury It is expected that these loans will be fully repaid within the next four months allowing the saved interest amount to be utilized for public welfare projects, he said In addressing pension-related concerns, the Secretary Finance announced a 5% increase for pensioners aged 60 to 80, while retired employees above the age of 80 will receive an approximate 20% increase in their pensions

This decision rectifies the previous practice of stopping pension payments on the day of retirement, forcing retirees to wait for one and a half years to receive their pension documents With the Punjab government’s approval retired employees will now be able to receive 65% of their pension one year after retiring bringing significant relief to pensioners, he added Secretary also clarified that election expenses are the responsibility of the federal government However, the provincial government will allocate funds for security expenditures during general elections Additionally the increase in the wheat subsidy loan is a re-

sult of the previous untargeted subsidy where even affluent individuals were benefiting from the prescribed price of wheat The new budget aims to provide targeted relief for public welfare, which may include cash transfers alongside subsidies on food items

Later in a press conference, the provincial minister of Information and Culture Aamir Mir along with Provincial Minister for Industries and Commerce SM Tanveer expressed satisfaction with the people-friendly budget presented by the caretaker government Amir Mir commended Chief Minister Mohsin Naqvi’s leadership in crafting a budget that does not impose new taxes and abolishes the sales tax on IT-related businesses promoting IT exports Furthermore the budget allocates 70 billion rupees to provide relief to the poor The Provincial Minister highlighted that the caretaker government is working under the supervision of the Election Commission and the Chief Minister s selection was made by the commission He con-

firmed that as soon as the election date is announced, the caretaker government will oversee the electoral process Provincial Minister SM Tanveer revealed that the caretaker government has initiated the reduction of a 600 billion rupee loan obtained from Punjab Bank and other banks for wheat procurement

“The current daily interest payment amounts to 250 million rupees and if not addressed the loan would accumulate to 1 000 billion rupees in 2024 and 2 000 billion rupees in 2025 requiring a daily interest payment of 800 million rupees This loan repayment initiative by the Punjab government will allow the saved interest amount to be directed towards the welfare of the people Furthermore the caretaker government aims to complete 50% of ongoing development schemes in the province within the next four months The Punjab Thermal Power Company Limited will expedite the completion of the 1,240megawatt RLNG-based power plant within the next two months aided by an allocation of 16 billion rupees The budget also reflects a 31% increase in the allocation for education and health sectors, and a 20% increase in pensions for pensioners above the age of 80,” he added

P M S h e h b a z l a u d s C h i n a f o r s u p p o r t i n g Pa k i s t a n d u r i n g ‘ t o u g h t i m e s ’

No new taxes in Punjab ‘mini-budget’ as allocations for health and education increased

N N AT U R A L P D M A L L I A N C E I S S P L I T T I N G , S AY S Q U R E S H I

ISLAMABAD

S ta f f R e p o R t

PAKISTAN Tehreek-e-Insaaf

(PTI) Co-Chairman Shah

Mahmood Qureshi has said that the PDM alliance has disintegrated only a formal announcement is needed Talking to media here at the F-8 courts on Monday, he said disintegration of the alliance started yesterday [when PPP chief Bilawal complained of low allocation for Sindh in budget] Practically the alliance has dismembered he added I had said that the PDM alliance is an unnatural alliance It is beginning of the end, the alliance is crumbling, Qureshi continued

He said Bilawal expressed his concern

[on budget allocations for Sindh] in a rally in Swat yesterday Bilawal is right Why was there no mention of the allocation of Sindh in the budget?

The PTI leader said he was aware of the devastation caused by last year ’s floods in Sindh Rehabilitation of the displaced people was not possible without huge allocation in the budget And the PML-N government had not allocated funds for the purpose he maintained

Regarding rift between the PPP and the PML-N, Qureshi said the ministers were objecting to the by-election of Azad Kashmir They accused the PPP of “massive rigging” in the by-election

Despite alleging rigging in the Azad Kashmir by-polls 14 PML-N members voted Murtaza Wahab in the mayoral election, Qureshi observed

These are the indications of an imminent split in the alliance he remarked He said it was difficult to deceive the educated youth by rhetoric The things are different now About the upcoming general elections, he announced to name candidates [of the PTI] in every constituency Everyone has the right to find their candidates he added Qureshi also expressed his deepest condolence with the bereaved families of over 300 Pakistanis who lost their lives in the Greece boat disaster, saying that economic meltdown state sponsored censorship and culture of fear and insecurity leading them to find any means necessary to leave He said: My deepest condolences go to the families of over 300 Pakistanis who

lost their lives in the Greece boat disaster ”

He said that young men women and children all victims of human smuggling networks, made to journey through unspeakable conditions that ultimately led to the loss of their lives

“May the families of all the victims be given the solace they need to bear such a tragic loss he prayed

He further urged that the state must find punish and put an end to human trafficking networks in Pakistan, adding that equally, they must create a Pakistan where people see and have a future

“ N o P a k i s t a n i s h o u l d h a v e t o b e a r the brunt of a total economic meltdown s t a t e s p o n s o r e d c e n s o r s h i p a n d t h i s c u l t u r e o f f e a r a n d i n s e c u r i t y l e a d i n g t h e m t o f i n d a n y m e a n s n e c e s s a r y t o leave, he added

Karot Hydropower Project central to President Xi’s people-centric development vision: Mushahid

ISLAMABAD

M i a n a b R a R

Chairman Senate Standing Committee on

Defence Senator Mushahid Hussain Sayed

Monday said the Karot Hydropower Project built as the flagship initiative under the China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) was central to the Chinese President Xi Jinping s iconic vision of people-centric development rolled out in the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI)

The chairman led a delegation comprising of members of the Parliament to the Karot Hydropower Project (KHP) site in Kahuta on the occasion of the project s first anniversary and the 10th anniversary of the China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) and BRI

Senator Mushahid Hussain Sayed who is also Chairman of Pakistan China Institute (PCI) was flanked by Executive Director of Pakistan China Institute

Mustafa Haider Sayed

It was the first cross-party parliamentary delegation of its kind to visit the Karot Hydropower Project, which included Senator Waleed Iqbal (PTI)

Senator Taj Haider (PPP) Senator Sadia

Abbasi (PML-N) Senator Palwasha

Muhammad Zai Khan (PPPP) and Senator

Muhammad Asad Ali Khan Junejo

Senator Mushahid said Karot Hydropower Project was the strong pillar of CPEC and was tantamount to the vision of Chinese President Xi Jinping who demanded the development that ensured its benefits to people at the grassroots level

While extending his gratitude to the China Three Gorges South Asia Investment Limited (CSAIL), Senator Mushahid commended the commitment and quality of work shown during the

Cour t extends interim bail of PTI chief in six cases

ISLAMABAD S ta f f R e p o R t

The interim bail of Chairman Pakistan Tehreek-eInsaf (PTI) chairman and former prime minister in six cases registered against him in Islamabad was extended on Monday In six cases registered against PTI chief at Karachi Company police station, PS Secretariat, Ramana police station and Tarnol police station, he appeared before the Islamabad court The judge during hearing asked Salman Safdar the lawyer of Chairman PTI when do you want to join the investigation We want to join the investigation today at this court building Safdar replied to the judge I don t have the power to order the PTI chief to join the investigation in this building Later the court extended interim bail of the former prime minister in six cases until July 4 The PTI chief had been facing over 100 cases under different charges in the country Earlier on May 23 an Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) extended interim bail of former premier and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chief Imran Khan in eight cases registered against him

execution of KHP

He said the CPEC project was changing but rather diversifying Pakistan’s economy and the lives of its people China Three Gorges Corporation (CTG) has done miracle at Karot despite various challenges and it is a living example of the BRI and CPEC success, he added

He said that KHP was an excellent example of energy security and green technology securing people of Pakistan

PPP’s Mur taza Wahab takes oath as Karachi mayor

While lauding the Community Investment Plan (CIP) implemented by the CSAIL under its corporate social responsibility, Senator Mushahid said the CTG had invested over Rs 650 million that helped in building schools, healthcare facilities and road infrastructure in the project

The top of it was Tehsil Headquarters Hospital (THQ) Kahuta which was a 60bed facility catering the needs of masses of the local and adjoining areas and bearing a patient load of 30,000 patients per month

He also appreciated the fully funded scholarships offered by the CSAIL to local masses to study in China S e n a t o r M u s h a h i d s a i d t h e C P E C s e a r l y h a r v e s t p r o j e c t s w e r e c o m p l e t e d i n t i m e i n P a k i s t a n t h a t p r o v i d e d o v e r 1 5 0 , 0 0 0 j o b s , 6 , 0 0 0 m e g a w a t t s ( M W ) p o w e r g e n e r a t i o n , 1 , 0 0 0 k i l o m e t e r s h i g h w a y s a n d m o t o r w a y s c o n s t r u c t i o n w h e r e 4 0 0 0 P a k i s t a n i s t u d e n t s w e r e s t u d y i n g i n C h i n a w h i c h w a s a g r e a t c h a n g e C h i n a c a m e t o P a k i s t a n f o r i n v e s t m e n t a t t h e t i m e w h e n n o M u s l i m o r We s t e r n c o u n t r y w a s r e a d y t o i n v e s t a p e n n y i n P a k i s t a n d u e t o t e r r o r i s m a n d a l a r m i n g s i t u a t i o n i n A f g h a n i s t a n ” h e s a i d

PTI chief visits Latif Khosa’s residence, demands strict actions against attackers

LAHORE S ta f f R e p o R t

Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI)

Chairman Imran Khan Monday arrived at the residence of senior jurist Latif Khosa and strongly condemned the gun attack on his house demanding strict action against those responsible for cowardice attack

During the meeting, PTI Chairman stressed the need for initiating a comprehensive investigation into the attack in order to bring the responsible to book

On the occasion Imran Khan expressed deep concern and regret over the curb on freedom of expression, non-implementation of the constitution and law, the worst violations of human rights and the rapidly shrinking civil liberties in the country

PTI Chairman lauded Latif Khosa for his bold stand for upholding supremacy of the constitution and the

rule of law in the country They strong condemned the murder of constitution law independent judiciary and democratic values in the country through use of oppression repression and fascism During the meeting, they agreed on starting a struggle for restoration of

the constitution in its true form without any further delay to save the country from falling into the deep abyss of dictatorship They also agreed to speed up their peaceful democratic struggle for the protection of basic human rights enshrined under the constitution

JI demands formation of JIT to probe into K arachi mayor elec tion

KARACHI S ta f f R e p o R t Hafiz Naeemur Rehman the chief of Jamaat-i-Islami s Karachi chapter on Monday said they would move the court and demanded formation of a Joint Investigation Team (JIT) to ascertain why the union council chairmen belonging to the PTI remained absent on the day election was for the port city s mayor

Representatives from all the spy agencies should be made part of the JIT to determine how these elected members

went missing during the process, said Rehman told media and accused the PPP and the ECP (Election Commission of Pakistan) of having a nexus Describing the election of PPP’s Murtaza Wahab as Karachi mayor a robbery committed against the city s mandate and totally fake he said the process was exposed the reality of PPP and ECP

The JI s local head said they would also stage a “massive protest” outside the ECP office in Islamabad adding that the top electoral body would have to declare the election invalid and rectify all the

Iran depor ts 45 trespassers back to Pakistan

CHAGAI

S ta f f R e p o R t

Iranian border officials have arrested 45 Pakistan nationals who had trespassed into Iran and deported them back to their country on Monday

Iran’s officials handed over 45 persons to Pakistan’s border officials who had crossed into the country in hope to illegally emigrate to Europe for economic reasons The deportees were intending to illegally emigrate to Greece and other European countries via Iran Pakistan s border officials said Those deported from Iran have been handed over to the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) for investigation, border authorities said Most of the deportees belong to Punjab province,” officials added The issue of illegal immigrants has highlighted on global level with recent boat sinking incident near the coast of Greece in which several Pakistani nationals have reported died Pakistan is observing a day of mourning today over the deaths of its nationals in the boat tragedy At least 78 people were drowned when the illfated boat with reportedly 400 to 750 people onboard sank in the Mediterranean Sea near the Greek coast Meanwhile, some 104 people were rescued and sent to Kalamata, Greece, as per to the latest media reports On Sunday, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif announced to observe mourning day on Monday (today) and constituted a four-member high-level committee to probe into the death of dozens of Pakistanis in the tragedy

mistakes Rehman said the failure to hold fair and free local government polls in Karachi was just a trailer and questioned how the body would be able to hold elections across the country This was just a trailer; the entire film is yet to be unveiled How can we trust this institution to hold unbiased elections? If the ECP works as a facilitator for parties, how will democracy flourish in Pakistan?”

Last week Wahab was elected Karachi mayor by defeating Rehman while Salman Abdullah also of PPP grabbed the deputy

mayor s slot Wahab bagged 173 votes while Rehman could secure 161 votes only Out of 366 members, 333 members were present at the polling venue while 33 members could not reach the polling venue to cast their vote

The results triggered a clash between the PPP and JI supporters as rival political workers, armed with clubs and sticks, pelted each other with stones and created chaos Police and Rangers sprang into action and dispersed the mob by mounting baton-charge while also arresting some of the troublemakers

KARACHI S ta f f R e p o R t P P P s M u r t a z a Wa h a b t o o k o a t h a s t h e K a r a c h i m a y o r a t a c e r e m o n y h e l d a t t h e c i t y s P o l o G r o u n d o n M o n d a y A c c o r d i n g t o u p d a t e s o n t h e P P P ’s Tw i t t e r p a r t y ’s S a l m a n M u r a d w a s a l s o s w o r n i n a s t h e c i t y ’s d e p u t y m a y o r a t t h e c e r e m o n y S i n d h E l e c t i o n C o m m i s s i o n e r E j a z A n w a r C h a u h a n a d m i n i s t e r e d t h e o a t h t o Wa h a b a n d S a l m a n w h i l e S i n d h C h i e f M i n i s t e r S y e d M u r a d A l i S h a h , G o v e r n o r K a m r a n Te s s o r i a n d F o r e i g n M i n i s t e r B i l a w a l B h u t t o - Z a r d a r i w e r e a l s o p r e s e n t o n t h e o c c a s i o n B o t h Wa h a b a n d S a l a m w o n t h e e l e c t i o n s f o r t h e i r r e s p e c t i v e p o s t s o n J u n e 1 5 i n a c o n t e s t t h a t w a s m a r r e d b y c l a s h e s a n d c o n t r o v e r s y w i t h t h e J a m a a t - iI s l a m i t h e P P P s s o l e c o n t e n d e r f o r t h e m a y o r s s e a t a l l e g i n g t h a t t h e r u l i n g p a r t y i n S i n d h u s e f o r c e t o e n s u r e i t s v i c t o r y P r i o r t o t h e m a y o r ’s e l e c t i o n t h e P P P h a d f o r m e d a n a l l i a n c e w i t h t h e P M L - N a n d J a m i a t U l e m a - i - I s l a m - F a z l t a k i n g t h e i r c o m b i n e d s t r e n g t h t o 1 7 3 w h i l e t h e J I h a d t h e s u p p o r t o f 6 1 P T I m e m b e r s , t a k i n g t h e e x p e c t e d n u m b e r o f v o t e s f o r i t s c a n d i d a t e , J I K a r a c h i c h i e f N a e e m u r R e h m a n , t o 1 9 2 W h i l e Wa h a b s e c u r e d a l l 1 7 3 e x p e c t e d v o t e s , R e h m a n o n l y m a n a g e d t o g e t 1 6 0 a f t e r 3 0 u n i o n c o u n c i l m e m b e r s a b s t a i n e d f r o m t h e p o l l i n g p r o c e s s H o w e v e r t h e J I h a s a l l e g e d t h a t t h e p r o v i n c i a l g o v e r n m e n t h a d c o e r c e d t h e P T I m e m b e r s a n d r e j e c t e d t h e p o l l s T h e p a r t y a l s o o b s e r v e d B l a c k D a y o n J u n e 1 7 a n d h e l d p r o t e s t s a c r o s s t h e c o u n t r y o v e r t h e e l e c t i o n r e s u l t s , a n d i t h a s n o w a n n o u n c e d a p r o t e s t o u t s i d e t h e E l e c t i o n C o m m i s s i o n o f P a k i s t a n ’s o ff i c e i n I s l a m a b a d J I a n n o u n c e s p r o t e s t o u t s i d e E C P i n I s l a m a b a d E a r l i e r t o d a y J I K a r a c h i c h i e f N a e e m u r R e h m a n s a i d o n t h a t h i s p a r t y w o u l d s t a g e a p r o t e s t o u t s i d e t h e E l e c t i o n C o m m i s s i o n o f P a k i s t a n ( E C P ) o ff i c e i n I s l a m a b a d o n J u n e 2 3 ( F r i d a y ) a g a i n s t t h e P P P g o v e r n m e n t ’s a l l e g e d u s e o f f o r c e t o w i n t h e K a r a c h i m a y o r a l e l e c t i o n I t w i l l b e a m a s s i v e p r o t e s t a n d w e w i l l q u e s t i o n t h e E C P a b o u t t h e p o l l s i t h e l d i n K a r a c h i [ ] t h e E C P w i l l h a v e t o d e c l a r e t h e e l e c t i o n i n v a l i d a n d r e c t i f y a l l i t s m i s t a k e s , h e s a i d A d d r e s s i n g a p r e s s c o n f e r e n c e i n K a r a c h i t o d a y, J I ’s R e h m a n s a i d t h a t t h e p a r t y w a s m u l l i n g t a k i n g a c o n v o y o f p r o t e s t e r s f r o m K a r a c h i t o t h e f e d e r a l c a p i t a l o n J u n e 2 3 We c a n t a c c e p t t h e s e f a k e a n d r i g g e d e l e c t i o n s h e a s s e r t e d a d d i n g t h a t t h e P P P h a d u n l a w f u l l y h e l d K a r a c h i s m a n d a t e t o k e e p i t s d o n k e y n e t w o r k ” a c t i v e R e h m a n w e n t o n t o s a y t h a t t h e E C P h a d c o m p l e t e l y f a i l e d t o h o l d f r e e a n d f a i r e l e c t i o n s i n K a r a c h i q u e s t i o n i n g h o w t h e b o d y w o u l d b e a b l e t o h o l d p o l l s a c r o s s t h e c o u n t r y T h i s w a s j u s t a t r a i l e r t h e e n t i r e f i l m i s y e t t o b e u n v e i l e d

MNA Ali Wazir arrested from Bannu

BANNU S ta f f R e p o R t

Member of the National Assembly from South Waziristan and PTM leader Ali Wazir was arrested in Bannu on Monday and shifted to Miranshah According to official sources security forces personnel took Ali Wazir who was travelling to Razmak from Miranshah into custody from Damdeel checkpost Police have registered an FIR against Manzoor Pishtin, Ali Wazir and other leaders for holding a protest against the abduction of PTM activists Ali Wazir had been released after more than two years in prison in February this year He had been arrested in December 2020 on charges of various charges of sedition

Pakistan-Iran sign MoU to enhance maritime cooperation

ISLAMABAD S ta f f R e p o R t Pakistan and Iran have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to enhance maritime cooperation, and to enhance and diversify bilateral trade and expand cooperation in mutual interest T h e P a k i s t a n i d e l e g a t i o n l e d b y S e c r e t a r y D e f e n c e

i f i c a n c e o f r e g u l a r c o n v e n i n g o f v a r i o u s i n s t i t u t i o n a l m e c h a n i s m s i n c l u d i n g J o i n t

E c o n o m i c C o m m i s s i o n a n d J o i n t Tr a d e C o m m i t t e e t o f o rg e c l o s e r c o o p e r a t i o n i n a r e a s o f m u t u a l i n t e r e s t

I H C D E M A N D S R E S P O N S E F R O M S TAT E W I T H I N

F O U R W E E KS I N A U D I O L E A KS C A S E

ISLAMABAD

S ta f f R e p o R t

The Islamabad High Court (IHC) has instructed the attorney general of Pakistan to present his reply in the audio leaks case within a period of four weeks Justice Babar Sattar presided over the hearing of a petition filed by the son of former chief justice Saqib Nisar regarding his summoning before the special committee investigating the alleged audio tapes involving judges and politicians

During the proceedings the court directed Mansoor Usman Awan to submit his reply within four weeks and also ordered him to provide copies of the reply to all parties involved

KARACHI S ta f f R e p o R t

Crimes ratio in Karachi has increased as police data shows 44 citizens were killed by muggers, 38 suspected robbers were killed in encounters , over 5,600 motorbikes, 518 cars snatched/stolen in the first five months of 2023

According to the data compiled by the Sindh police as many as 44

Karachiites were murdered by robbers from January to May this year

However, the number of people killed during the

Sajid Sadpara to summit Nanga

The court extended the injunction against summoning the former chief justice’s son before the special committee

On May 31 the IHC suspended the summons issued to Najam Saqib Nisar s son by the Parliamentary Committee established to investigate the alleged audio leaks, and set a deadline of June 19 for the government to respond to the case

The court had asked the government to disclose the individuals responsible for recording the audio conversations

In his petition, Saqib had requested the court to halt the proceedings of the parliamentary panel led by Aslam Bhootani claiming that the committee was formed in violation of National Assembly rules

He also argued that although he was not summoned by the committee, the committee’s secretary had still asked him to appear before the panel

During the recent hearing Awan court advisor Barrister Aitzaz Ahsan and the petitioner s lawyer Sardar Latif Khosa appeared before the court

The court has appointed Ahsan, Mian Raza Rabbani, Makhdoom Ali Khan, and Barrister Mohsin Shahnawaz Ranjha as amici curiae (friends of the court)

T h e a t t o r n e y g e n e r a l i n f o r m e d t h e c o u r t t h a t t h e m a t t e r w a s u n d e r j u d i c i a l c o n s i d e r a t i o n i n t h e S u p r e m e C o u r t a n d r e q u e s t e d t h e I H C t o w a i t f o r t h e a p e x c o u r t ’s d e c i s i o n o n t h e i s s u e s d i s c u s s e d Accordingly the court adjourned the c a s e u n t i l A u g u s t 1 6

same period last year was 26, indicating that murders by robbers had doubled during the current year

Police list incidents of mobile phone snatching robberies motorcycle/car snatching and theft in the category of street crime The data of the Sindh police shows an overall situation of serious lawlessness in the provincial capital

The data shows Karachi witnessed 116 shop robberies and 1,713 other robberies during the first five months At least 518 cars were taken away from citizens during the same period of which

Parbat without supplemental ox ygen

ISLAMABAD S ta f f R e p o R t P a k i s t a n i m o u n t a i n e e r S a j i d A l i S a d p a r a h a s a n n o u n c e d t o s u m m i t N a n g a P a r b a t w i t h o u t s u p p l e m e n t a l o x y g e n S p e a k i n g t o r e p o r t e r s a t t h e N e p a l E m b a s s y i n I s l a m a b a d o n M o n d a y, S a j i d S a d p a r a s a i d t h a t h e w a s o n h i s w a y t o N a n g a P a r b a t b a s e c a m p a n d h e w o u l d s u m m i t i t n e x t m o n t h a l o n g w i t h h i s f r i e n d s T h e i n t e r n a t i o n a l l y r e n o w n e d m o u n t a i n c l i m b e r S a j i d S a d p a r a s a i d N a n g a P a r b a t i s 8 , 1 2 6 m e t e r s h i g h a n d i t i s t h e n i n t h h i g h e s t m o u n t a i n i n t h e w o r l d H e s a i d h e w a n t e d t o c l i m b a l l 1 4 p e a k s a b o v e 8 0 0 0 m e t e r s w i t h o u t s u p p l e m e n t a l o x y g e n a d d i n g t h a t s o f a r h e h a d c l i m b e d 6 h i g h e s t p e a k s w i t h o u t s u p p l e m e n t a l o x y g e n Wi t h a n e l a t e d s e n s e o f p r i d e h e s a i d t h a t h e w a s t h e s o n o f l e g e n d a r y m o u n t a i n e e r A l i S a d p a r a a n d I m p r o u d o f i t H e s a i d h e w a n t e d t o f u l f i l l h i s f a t h e r ’s d r e a m b y c l i m b i n g a l l 1 4 p e a k s S a j i d S a d p a r a t w e e t e d o n T h u r s d a y t h a t h e w a s d e p a r t i n g f o r N a n g a P a r b a t E x p e d i t i o n 2 0 2 3 f r o m I s l a m a b a d t o C h i l a s a n d h e w o u l d b e c l i m b i n g w i t h o u t s u p p l e m e n t a l o x y g e n O n A p r i l 1 5 S a j i d A l i S a d p a r a m a d e h i s t o r y a s h e b e c a m e t h e f i r s t P a k i s t a n i t o s c a l e t h e N e p a l s 8 , 0 9 1 m e t r e t a l l A n n a p u r n a m o u n t a i n w i t h o u t t h e s u p p o r t o f h i g ha l t i t u d e p o r t e r s a n d s u p p l e m e n t a l o x y g e n I n A p r i l 2 0 2 1 c l i m b e r s S i r b a z K h a n a n d M u h a m m a d A b d u l J o s h i h a d b e c o m e t h e f i r s t P a k i s t a n i s t o s u m m i t A n n a p u r n a b u t w i t h s u p p l e m e n t a l o x y g e n a n d n o t i n A l p i n e s t y l e T h e t y p e o f a s c e n t , w h e r e c l i m b e r s a r e n o t s u p p o r t e d b y h i g h - a l t i t u d e p o r t e r s f r o m b a s e c a m p t o t h e s u m m i t , i s c a l l e d A l p i n e s t y l e

PML-N to par ticipate in general elections with winning strategy: Rana

ISLAMABAD a p p

Minister for Interior Rana Sanaullah on Monday said that Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) would participate in the general elections with a winning strategy We have evolved a strategy for winning the next elections being held in October or November this year, he said while talking to a private television channel

Commenting on the rift between PPP and the ruling party s government he said there is no rift among the coalition partners We are running the government smoothly, he said About Greek s tragedy, he said, it is a very sad incident Human trafficking, he said is an issue that must be addressed to control such incidents in the future About PTI Chairman he said that investigations are underway against Imran Khan He said PTI had been involved in creating a law and order situation on May 9 He said that action would be taken after the completion of the inquiry against the PTI Chairman

46 were snatched at gunpoint and 472 were stolen Over 11,500 cell phones snatched or stolen

Some 4 441 motorcycles were stolen and 1 191 snatched at gunpoint during the first five months The number of mobile phones snatched or stolen during the same period stands at 11,936 The police claimed to have arrested 477 suspects in injured condition during such encounters T h e d a t a s u g g e s t s t h a t a s m u c h a s 3 8 s u s p e c t e d r o b b e r s w e r e k i l l e d i n a l l e g e d p o l i c e e n

MoU signed to strengthen research collaboration on CPEC

ISLAMABAD

A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed by Centre for BRI and China Studies (CBRICS) Institute of Peace and Diplomatic Studies (IPDS) and Centre for China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CCPEC), Kashi University (KSU) to strengthen research collaboration on CPEC

The MoU was inked during the third Muztagata Forum, an International Symposium dedicated to CPEC held in Kashgar China on June 18

Through the MoU according to Gwadar Pro on Monday CBRICS and CCPEC are committed to organizing joint research projects conferences seminars, and workshops that bring together scholars, experts, and policymakers from China, Pakistan, and beyond

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 01

Whereas thousands of laptops were given to the high achievers in the Punjab province on pure merit the same were also distributed in Gilgit-Baltistan and Kashmir, he added The prime minister said during the Covid pandemic, those laptops helped the students to continue their educational activities, besides providing them with self-employment opportunities He said during the tenure of former prime minister Nawaz Sharif laptops were also distributed by the Federal Government He said it was his desire to provide laptops to every child of the country On the occasion, the prime minister called the ambassador of Azerbaijan

The collaboration will also facilitate faculty and student exchange programs enabling the exchange of ideas, experiences, and cultural understanding between the two institutions

The collaboration between CBRICS and CCPEC aims to foster academic cooperation exchange of knowledge and joint research endeavors in the field of China-Pakistan Economic Corridor and Belt and Road Initiative studies

The partnership seeks to deepen the understanding of the economic, social, and geopolitical dynamics surrounding CPEC and its implications for regional connectivity, sustainable development, and peace

By leveraging the expertise and resources of both institutions the collaboration intends to contribute to the scholarly discourse policy formulation and strategic thinking related to CPEC and the broader Belt and Road Initiative

Nafisa optimistic about coalition par tners addressing PPP concerns

ISLAMABAD S ta f f R e p o R t

Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) MNA Nafisa Shah expressed hope on Monday that coalition partners would address the ruling party s concerns regarding the allocation of the budget for rehabilitating flood victims She also emphasized the need to prepare for timely and transparent elections In an interview with a news station, Shah said her party neither advocated for early nor delayed general elections She stressed that elections should be conducted in accordance with the Constitution and democratic principles Shah considered timely elections as a crucial step to overcome the prevailing chaos and instability in the country She asserted that no one should dare to deprive the people of their right to elect representatives and choose their government Shah further highlighted the PPP’s appreciation for its dedicated workers, who have made sacrifices and supported the party during challenging times When asked about potential confrontation or deadlock Shah emphasized that the PPP seeks peaceful resolution through dialogue and prefers table talks to address any issues In response to another question, Shah said that while the PPP is always prepared for elections, they will continue to support coalition partners until the completion of their respective terms in the assemblies The lawmaker assured that the PPP will stand by its allies and provide assistance during challenging circumstances

Naqvi reviews treatment facilities at Punjab Institute of Cardiology

LAHORE S ta f f R e p o R t

on stage and appreciated Azerbaijan leadership for an agreement to supply LNG (liquefied natural gas) to Pakistan Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Youth Affairs Shaza Fatima Khawaja in her speech said meetings of the youth with top business ideas would also be arranged with the investors to implement their ideas

She said Rs 100 billion business loans were dispersed in the last decade while over one million free laptops had been distributed among talented students that proved lifechanging for them On average, she said, Rs 7 billion per year business loans was distributed in last 10 years while Rs 30 billion in business loans were distributed among the youth in last one year

PML-N given many programs for people’s prosperity: Musadiq

ISLAMABAD a p p

Minister of State for Petroleum Dr Musadiq Malik on Monday said that Pakistan Muslim League-N, last governments had given many programs for people s prosperity and the country’s development

Talking to a private television channel he said that the PML-N had provided many jobs to people besides constructing motorways power plants hospitals educational institutions metro buses orange trains clean drinking water plants, laptop schemes, green, blue and yellow bus services for twin cities Commenting on Greek human tragedy, he said, it is a sad incident

He said that Pakistan is rich in natural resources which must be utilized in a proper manner In reply to a question about inflation he said we are facing inflation

Te c h n o l o g y s e c t o r h a s g r e a t p o t e n t i a l f o r p o s t i n g a n i n c r e a s e i n t h e e x p o r t o f t h e c o u n t r y S h e s t r e s s e d o n m i n i m i z i n g t h e t a x e s o n I n f o r m a t i o n Te c h n o l o g y s e c t o r T h e S e n a t o r s a i d S o l a r i z a t i o n i n t h e c o u n t r y s h o u l d b e e n c o u r a g e d t o p r o m o t e r e n e w a b l e e n e rg y

but it is a global issue He said that the government is trying to provide maximum relief to the poor masses He said there are also many organizations like Edhi and charity institutions working in Pakistan for poor people

He said that PML-N government had made agreements to achieve progress in TAPI, and Russian Oil for Pakistan He said that the government had also initiated health programs to facilitate poor families About elections he said the PML-N, would win the general elections with a thumping majority

S e n a t o r M o h a m m a d A b d u l Q a d i r s a i d w e n e e d t o t a k e t o u g h d e c i s i o n s t o b r i n g s u s t a i n a b l e g r o w t h i n t h e c o u n t r y H e s a i d t h e g o v e r n m e n t s h o u l d w o r k o n f e a s i b i l i t i e s f o r c o n s t r u c t i o n o f d a m s i n B a l o c h i s t a n A t t h e o u t s e t t h e H o u s e o ff e r e d F a t e h a f o r t h e d e p a r t e d s o u l s o f P a k i s t a n i m i g r a n t s d i e d i n t h e b o a t i n c i d e n t n e a r t h e c o a s t o f G r e e c e S e n a t o r M u s h t a q A h m a d l e d t h e p r a y e r

The caretaker chief minister of Punjab Mohsin Naqvi paid a visit to the Punjab Institute of Cardiology (PIC) on Monday where he inspected the emergency wards inquired about the patients health, and reviewed the treatment facilities available Naqvi spoke with patients to inquire about heart bypass and angiography facilities He also took note of the shortage of angioplasty guiding catheters at the hospital and promptly directed the health secretary to ensure their immediate provision Furthermore Naqvi reviewed the availability of primary angiography facilities for cardiac patients and assessed the cleanliness arrangements at the PIC Acknowledging the dedication of the doctors and paramedical staff despite the high number of patients, the chief minister said: “Efforts are being made to enhance the treatment facilities at the PIC ” He also instructed the health secretary to address the shortage of angioplasty guiding catheters at the institute

Greece shipwreck tragedy: FIA Arrests ‘key suspect’ from Gujrat

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 01

He said efforts are underway to collect relatives DNA and the test results will be sent to Greece to help identify victims People have been offering their support to relatives of those presumed to have been on the boat Raja Sakundar, of Bindian village in Kotli, said his four nephews aged 18 to 36 remain missing “We were informed by the media (of the tragedy) When children are not found or die you can understand what a parent goes through he said Raja Muhammad Majeed asked the Pakistani government to bring back his nephew Raja Awais If he is dead, bring back (the) body, he said When we bury him here, his mother, sisters and others can go to his grave and offer prayers We will be patient ”

S enate continues disc ussion on budget for next fisc al year

Tragedy at Sea

IN the vast expanse of the Mediterranean Sea another heart-wrenching incident unfolds, leaving hundreds of lives in a perilous balance Over 600 migrants embarked on a treacherous journey from Libya to seek refuge on European shores only to meet a tragic fate when their vessel capsized The majority of the passengers were from Pakistan Afghanistan Egypt Palestine and Syria Shockingly up to 300 Pakistanis may have perished This recurring tragedy forces us to confront the economic, political and environmental crises that compel people to flee their homes

Questions arise about the role of Greek authorities, who were present and had interacted with the ill-fated boat before it sank Attempts were made to tow the vessel raising concerns about the potential contribution to the tragic outcome However a broader inquiry looms: how could such a calamity unfold in the presence of maritime authorities? A comprehensive and impartial investigation is needed to understand the events that transpired from the initial alert to the vessel s capsizing The failure of coastal authorities to provide assistance underscores systemic issues within European policies, rather than the actions of a single institution

Beyond assigning blame, we must understand why individuals from developing nations, like Pakistan, leave their homelands This is not the first time Pakistani migrants have lost their lives at sea In an earlier tragic incident, Shahida Raza, a talented sportswoman unable to afford medical treatment for her son perished when their migrant vessel crashed Shahida sought a better future for her child This narrative epitomizes the tragedy that unfolds when an incapable government neglects a network of human smugglers preying on desperate individuals Few victims families filed complaints against the smugglers, perhaps due to limited expectations of justice or fear of retribution When a government fails to fulfill its social contract and address a pressing issue that escalates into a deadly crisis, it becomes a crime

Governments and international organizations must act to address the underlying causes of mass migration This holistic approach includes economic opportunities and dismantling human trafficking networks Combining compassion with pragmatic solutions, we can create a future where no one risks their lives for safety and prosperity

As the world grapples with these devastating incidents rhetoric must translate into action Extending a helping hand to those in need and tackling root causes are paramount Together we can forge a path towards a compassionate and equitable world, where no life is lost at sea in pursuit of a brighter future

Dedicated to the legac y of late Hameed Nizami

Arif Nizami (Late)

Founding Editor

Yousaf Nizami Editor

M A Niazi Joint Editor Umar Aziz Executive Editor

S y m p a t h y

P o t e n t i a l a n d a c t u a l i t y

pacity Similarly, it is hard to find bovine and saurian counterparts of Albert Schweitzer, Abdus Sattar Edhi or Mother Teresa These, most certainly, belong to the credit column of humanity’s ledger

But there is the inevitable debit column as well For when man decides to tie in his lot with hedonism (which he often does), he gives bonobos and swine a real run for their money Whatever one may think

o f t h e m a n - c r e a t e d - i n - t h e -

S i m i l a r ly, i t i s h a rd

t o f i n d b ov i n e a n d

s a u r i a n c o u n t e r p a r t s o f

NO B O D Y knows who first referred to human beings as the best of creation The only thing that can be said with any sort of certainty is that it must have been a human being A story is narrated about Prophet Moses who pointing to a lizard asked God why He had created such a creature To which God is supposed to have retorted that the lizard in question had just asked Him why He had created Moses Although obviously apocryphal the story raises a good point For there is a huge subjective element involved in such judgment calls While we do not know what cattle say to one another while they graze away on the meadows, it is a safe bet that they think rather highly of the bovine species – certainly higher in the hierarchy of creation than human beings Besdies (and this is probably of more concern to humans) the distinction between man and beast is getting hazier all the time There is no denying that man is capable of remarkable feats There is no way a lizard or a cow could ever have come up with Hamlet, the theory of relativity or Symphony #40 Only men (and in some cases women) demonstrate this sort of creative ca-

i m a g e - o f - G o d m e t a p h o r (another rather self-congratulatory expression), there is little doubt that there is a div i n e s p a r k i n h i m s o m ew h e r e T h i s s p a r k w h e n m a n r e s o l v e s t o p r e s e r v e and nurture it results in his t u r n i n g i n t o a r e m a r k a b l e individual, like the prophets of God and their committed f o l l o w e r s B u t w h e n t h e same man decides to imitate the mannerisms and fashion s t a t e m e n t s o f s t a r s a n d media personalities it is impossible to find an ape who can even come close to him when it comes to the art of imitation Parrots, despite having many merits, have earned the unfortunate reputation for mindless repetition of sentences and phrases usually at the most inopportune of moments The verb parrot in the English language is unfair to the raucous bird considering the fact that in every household, office, factory and classroom one is sure to find men with a habit of repeating second-rate political or ideological arguments that they have only heard last night on some TV show passing it on as their own argu-

A l b e r t S c h w e i t z e r, A b d u s

S a t t a r E d h i o r M o t h e r

Te r e s a T h e s e , m o s t

c e r t a i n ly, b e l o n g t o t h e c r e d i t c o l u m n o f h u m a n i t y Ês l e d g e r

ment Worse still, what with parroting having become their second nature, they often sincerely believe themselves to be the source of those ideas In public discourses most of the instances of slogans masquerading as thought can be classified as parroting which no parrot in the world is capable of The nature of cats as lazy, entitled creatures that are happy to lie around all day bossing their ‘owners’ around has been immortalized by Jim Davis in the character of Garfield There is no denying the accuracy of Davis s depiction, but modern civilization produces untold number of couch potatoes (Jim Davis s fellow human beings) who in lethargy lazing around and entitlement stakes, put the most sluggish and ungrateful of cats to shame U p u n t i l a f e w d e c a d e s a g o c a t t l e a n d s h e e p w e r e a b s o l u t e l y u n s u r p a s s e d when it came to grazing for hours on end Not any m o r e t h o u g h , f o r t h e y h a v e u n q u e s t i o n a b l y b e e n relegated to the second-place Modern man, with a s e e m i n g l y i n e x h a u s t i b l e c a p a c i t y t o m u n c h o n g u m s C h e e t o s f r i e s c o o k i e s c a k e s a n d s w e e t s now rules this roost as well Modern intellectual man (of whom there is a surplus today) has also trumped the ruminants in the fine art of regurgitation Only, where the animals do it with food, the self-proclaimed intellectual does it with what he likes to refer to as ideas and beliefs Hence the daily encounters one has with men believing their own propaganda with all the satisfaction at their disposal

We owe all the architectural marvels culinary delights works of music art and literature and scie n t i f i c a c h i e v e m e n t s t o m a n y r e m a r k a b l e m e n

F o r t h e r e i s a h u g e s u b j e c t i v e e l e m e n t i nvo l v e d i n s u c h j u d g m e n t c a l l s . W h i l e w e d o n o t k n ow w h a t c a t t l e s ay t o o n e a n o t h e r w h i l e t h ey g r a z e aw ay o n t h e m e a d ow s , i t i s a s a f e b e t t h a t t h ey t h i n k r a t h e r h i g h ly o f t h e b ov i n e s p e c i e s – c e r t a i n ly h i g h e r i n t h e h i e r a rc hy o f c r e a t i o n t h a n h u m a n b e i n g s B e s d i e s ( a n d t h i s i s p ro b a b ly o f m o r e c o n c e r n t o h u m a n s ) , t h e d i s t i n c t i o n b e t w e e n m a n a n d b e a s t i s g e t t i n g h a z i e r a l l t h e t i m e

b I L L N E S S O R I N J U RY: Sympathy is frequently shown to individuals facing health challenges, such as a serious illness, chronic condition, or significant injury It can involve providing emotional support helping with practical needs or offering assistance in navigating medical treatments

c PERSONAL SETBACKS: Sympathy can be expressed when someone experiences personal setbacks, such as the loss of a job, financial difficulties, or relationship problems It entails understanding and acknowledging their distress and offering empathy and support

d N AT U R A L D I S A S T E R S O R

someone within the context of a personal connection such as a family member, friend, or colleague

e G L O B A L S Y M PAT H Y: Global sympathy extends beyond personal connections and encompasses empathy and concern for people on a broader scale It involves caring about and expressing support for individuals and communities worldwide who are experiencing adversity or suffering

f C O N D I T I O N A L S Y M PAT H Y:

However, Homo sapiens have another side to them as well They can easily be lazier than sloths, more v i c i o u s t h a n c r o c o d i l e s d u m b e r t h a n k i l l d e e r g r e e d i e r t h a n s q u i r r e l s a n d m o r e g l u t t o n o u s t h a n pigs Unfortunately an overwhelming majority of them ends up answering to one (or more) of these descriptions

In the hierarchy of creatures then, man is certainly up there Potentially, that is Sadly, few manage to convert that potential into actuality Those who want to must first stop competing with and beating the beasts at their game

The author is a connoisseur of music literature and food (but not drinks) He can be reached at www facebook com/hasanaftabsaeed

E d i t o r ’ s m a i l

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

Novel financing

Sympathy is a term used to describe the feeling of compassion, understanding, and care for someone who is experiencing pain, suffering, or hardship It involves recognising and acknowledging the emotions and struggles of others and expressing support and concern for their wellbeing When we feel sympathy towards someone we are able to empathise with their situation and imagine what it must be like to be in their shoes It can be expressed through various means, including offering kind words, providing a listening ear helping or providing practical help It is often shown in times of grief loss illness or other challenging circumstances It is important to note that sympathy is different from empathy, although the two terms are closely related While sympathy involves understanding and caring for someone’s situation, empathy goes a step further by actually sharing and experiencing the emotions of the other person Expressing sympathy can be a way to provide solace support and reassurance to those in need and it can foster a sense of connection and understanding between individuals The beginning of sympathy often arises from witnessing or learning about someone’s hardship, pain, or distress

It is a response to recognising and acknowledging the emotional state of another person The initial trigger can vary such as hearing about a loss illness or difficult life circumstances through personal interaction, news, or other sources of information

Upon becoming aware of someone s situation, individuals may experience an emotional reaction that leads to sympathy This emotional response can be influenced by personal experiences values and beliefs as well as cultural and social factors The starting point of sympathy involves the recognition of another person s suffering or challenge, which then prompts a compassionate and caring response This response can manifest as a desire to offer support understanding and comfort to the person in need

TA N C E S O F S Y M PAT H Y Sympathy can arise in various situations where individuals experience pain, suffering, or hardship and it may be expressed in: a

AV

M E N T: When someone loses a loved one sympathy is often extended to them to offer comfort and support during their grieving process

T R A G E D I E S: In the aftermath of natural disasters, accidents, or other tragic events, sympathy is often extended to affected individuals or communities It includes providing assistance donating resources or offering emotional support to help them recover and rebuild e E M O T I O N A L D I S T R E S S: Sympathy can be shown to individuals experiencing emotional distress, such as depression, anxiety, or trauma It involves listening validating their feelings and offering understanding and encouragement

f S O C I A L I N J U S T I C E: Sympathy is often expressed in response to instances of social injustice, discrimination, or systemic oppression It can involve standing in solidarity, advocating for change, or supporting marginalized communities g PERSONAL CHALLENGES: Sympathy may be shown when individuals face personal challenges such as financial struggles, addiction, or loss of a home

K I N D S O F S Y M PAT H Y

There are different kinds of sympathy that can be experienced and expressed based on the nature of the situation and the depth of emotional connection It can largely include:

a E M O T I O N A L S Y M PAT H Y: This is the most common form of sympathy, where individuals feel and express emotional support for someone in distress It involves understanding and sharing the emotions of the person offering comfort, and showing empathy

b P R A C T I C A L S Y M PAT H Y: Practical sympathy focuses on providing tangible assistance or practical help to alleviate the difficulties faced by someone It can involve offering resources taking care of daily tasks or providing physical support to make their situation more manageable

c S O C I A L S Y M PAT H Y: Social sympathy refers to expressing support and solidarity through social means This can include raising awareness about an issue participating in advocacy or fund raising efforts or engaging in collective actions to address the underlying causes of someone s hardship

d R E L AT I O N A L S Y M PAT H Y: Relational sympathy is specific to interpersonal relationships It involves offering comfort understanding and support to

Conditional sympathy refers to sympathy that is dependent on certain circumstances or criteria It might be based on shared values beliefs or personal experiences that influence the level of empathy and support extended to someone These different types of sympathy are not mutually exclusive and can often overlap or coexist depending on the situation and individuals involved

R E S E A R C H F I N D I N G S O N S Y M PAT H Y Research on sympathy has explored various aspects of this complex emotion, shedding light on its psychological social and physiological dimensions The key research findings are:

a E M PAT H Y A N D P E R S P E C T I V ETA K I N G: Sympathy is closely linked to empathy and perspective-taking abilities Research has shown that individuals who are more skilled at empathising with others and imagining their perspectives are more likely to experience and express sympathy

b D E V E L O P M E N TA L PAT T E R N S: Research suggests that sympathy develops and strengthens over the course of childhood and adolescence Young children may show rudimentary forms of sympathy but as they grow older their ability to understand and respond to others emotions deepens

c I N D I V I D U A L D I F F E R E N C E S : Studies have explored individual differences in sympathy, highlighting that factors such as personality traits, cultural influences and personal experiences can shape the extent and expression of sympathy d EMOTIONAL CONTAGION: Sympathy can be influenced by emotional contagion, wherein individuals unconsciously mimic and internalise the emotional states of others This phenomenon plays a role in the transmission and amplification of sympathetic responses

Sympathy is closely tied to social relationships and support networks Research indicates that receiving sympathy from others can have positive effects on well-being and resilience particularly during times of adversity

pathy is associated with increased prosocial behaviour, such as helping, comforting, and providing support to others Studies have shown that individuals high in sympathy are more likely to engage

acts of kindness and altruism

T H E concept of blue finance has grabbed considerable international attention as a policy instrument to refresh economies and target cooperative growth of local communities by preserving the oceanic environment and related resources

Blue finance focusses on ocean-linked sectors, including but not limited to shipping seafood marine renewable energy including coastal wind energy ocean thermal energy and tidal energy port construction coastal tourism coastal infrastructure offshore oil and gas exploration etc

Blue finance is all about monetary tools or reserves that ensure the conservation of the ocean environment Moreover, it addresses the resources of relevance that boost the ocean economy The expansion of blue finance is thus critical since it supports and promotes the global transformation into economic growth associated with ocean sustainability It applies to any debt format including private placement securitisation and investments like blue bonds

The emerging global intimidations in the form of climate change and man-made pollution have been challenging concerning the growth of blue finance The quest for sustainability and conservation of the marine ecosystem, and resources allied with economic growth are progressively accepted as global necessities and are the primary notion of the blue economy In this regard the consumption and production of solid waste materials such as nuclear waste plastic etc have also been addressed regarding local and international legislation

For Pakistan there is a growing need to research and highlight the potential for ocean financing and the challenges focusing on the subthemes, such as marine conservation, fisheries and coastal infrastructure

The financial community shall be guided properly regarding the contexts to safeguard investment to attain the UN Sustainable Development Goal (SDG)-14 namely ‘life below water ’ enabling conservation and sustainability using the oceans seas and marine resources DR INTIKHAB ULFAT KARACHI

Silence of the West

INDIA S stratagem of holding the summit meeting of the heads of states in Srinagar, the capital of occupied Kashmir, was an attempt to gain international recognition of its contro- versial annexation of disputed territory

The strategy failed miserably as some of the G20 countries either refused to attend the Srinagar moot or delayed the confirmation of their participation which was clearly a diplomatic snub of sorts China a G20 powerhouse, was the most outspoken entity as it flatly refused to attend the summit It announced its decision early and specifically mentioned the venue of the summit as the reason behind its decision, saying it was “firmly opposed to holding meetings in disputed territory” That was as unambiguous as it gets

The most unfortunate part of the whole episode however was the decision by G20 members from the Western world to attend the summit regardless of the controversy surrounding the event These very powers are never tired of crying hoarse over Russian military intervention in Ukraine, but chose to attend the summit in a territory occupied by India That was as hypocritical as it gets

During the meeting as per reports by global media India took all the steps that it could to ‘sanitise the situation’ New Delhi accelerated raids arrests and persecution of the local people ahead of the summit

The UN rapporteur on minority rights noted that by organising the meeting in Srinagar, India sought to normalise brutal and repressive denial of the rights of Kashmiri Muslims The office of the rapporteur further said that G20 was unwittingly providing a venue of support to India’s violation of human rights in disputed regions The silence of the entire West on the matter was criminal to say the very least

The US and the EU need a new roadmap to solve the Serbia-Kosovo conflict

It is naïve to assume that given the current geopolitical conditions in the Balkans a resolution can be found unless the EU and the US develop a clearly articulated cost-and-benefit strategy

Serb Municipalities and their potential implications for Kosovo’s territorial integrity Even though he was imprisoned during the war he was well aware of the atrocities and war crimes committed by Serbia against Albanian Kosovars and he still suffers from psychological scars the war inflicted on him and his countrymen He resents Vucic s continuing refusal to account for thousands of missing Albanian Kosovars believed to be buried in mass graves

Alon Ben Meir

TH E recent demonstrations following municipal elections in the three Serb-majority municipalities in northern Kosovo, and the events that followed strongly suggest how raw the nerves are between Prime Minister Kurti and ethnic Serbs in Kosovo as well as between Kurti and Serbia s President Vucic They demonstrate how far apart they remain, and how distrustful they are of each other

The unfortunate developments that occurred before and after the demonstrations include: the dispatch of police by Kurti to quell the demonstrations; Kurti’s refusal to sign off on the Association of Serb Municipalities; Vucic s refusal to sign the Franco-German agreement even though he agreed verbally to abide by its provisions; Vucic s call on Kosovar Serbs to boycott the elections and resist the occupation; and his dispatch of a Serbian military contingency to the border with Kosovo

The violent flareup that ensued, in which 30 KFOR peacekeepers were injured prompted intense criticism by the EU and the US of Kurti’s misguided action

To maintain stability in the Balkans and make tangible progress in the negotiations between the two sides the EU and the US must consider the factors that continue to weigh heavily on the thinking and attitudes of both Vucic and Kurti First, there is a need to understand and address the psychological dimension of the conflict that continues to haunt them Second there should be a clear framework that spells out the cost and benefit if they negotiate in good faith and deliver on the promised concessions they make And finally the EU must demonstrate their keenness to facilitate the process of integration and spell out what Vucic and Kurti would gain to advance their integration into the EU, to which both strongly aspire

Before delving deeper it is necessary to have a better grasp of the character of these two leaders their strength and weakness what they want to achieve and how they want to be perceived by their own publics their allies and their foes Kurti is a nationalist for whom Kosovo s independence is sacrosanct and cannot under any circumstances be compromised This explains his resistance to the Association of

Moreover Kurti does not trust Vucic to deliver on any promises he makes which explains his reluctance to follow through on commitments he made including several of the provisions in the Franco-German plans He still has an antiAmerican streak from the time he was in the opposition, albeit he recognizes the indispensable role of the US as the guardian of Kosovo’s security and independence

Vucic has a no less complicated personality and set of hang-ups He is a nationalist to the core who plays at the public sentiment He staunchly refuses to recognize Kosovo s independence as he stated in his appearance on Happy TV: The Serbian leadership will not sign a capitulation, will not support the membership of the selfproclaimed Republic of Kosovo in the United Nations, and will not recognize its independence ” He hardly ever negotiates in good faith as was demonstrated by his first accepting the Franco-German plan in Ohrid North Macedonia on March 18 but then refusing to sign it which he in fact stated weeks in advance As for signing something (in Ohrid), he said, I m not planning anything He consistently encouraged ethnic Serbs in Kosovo to defy the central government as he called on them to boycott the elections and not abide the authorities in Pristina

Moreover although he professes to seek integration into the EU he does not share Western values He is authoritarian and a denier of war crimes committed by the Serbian army against Albanian Kosovars He has maintained close ties with Russia, Serbia s traditional Slavic ally, especially because Belgrade still depends heavily on Russia for military hardware and training and because there are strong religious ties between the Serbian and Russian Orthodox Churches He relies on Moscow s opposition to Kosovo s independence in the UN and is fearful of Putin s ire should he toe the Western line particularly now as the Ukraine war is raging Finally, he refused to join the sanctions against Russia, and is unlikely to change his position as long as Putin is in power

W H AT T H E E U S H O U L D D O: The EU with the full support of the US should develop a new strategy that would induce both Kosovo and Serbia to cooperate and accept the eventuality of mutual recognition through a process of reconciliation and intermediate agreements in which both countries develop a vested interest The EU needs to provide a clear horizon for both Kosovo and Serbia based on reciprocity and a full adherence to any agreed-upon issue

In dealing with Kurti the EU must first make it clear that integration into the bloc is a process that requires full cooperation with the EU and full adherence to the rules and

If one perceives a shift towards free speech absolutism as an inherently far-right position then perhaps it is not Twitter that has changed, but rather our understanding of what liberal ideals truly entail At its core, liberalism champions open discussion, civil liberties, and the right to express one’s opinion without fear of retribution If these are now far-right qualities then we indeed find ourselves in a paradoxical situation

agreements that bind the EU together

By dispatching the police to Northern Kosovo in an extremely sensitive context and time without consultation with the EU he ignored the advice of the EU to reduce the tension and maintain calm which suggests to the EU that he is not a reliable partner

Second, since the EU and the US are the guardians of Kosovo s security and independence, Kurti must demonstrate greater trust in their judgment as neither wants to compromise Kosovo’s independence and territorial integrity Kurti should sign off on the Association of Serb Municipalities without any further delay In addition he should begin to implement the Franco-German accord and put Vucic rather than himself on the defensive

Third, as a prospective EU member, Kurti should demonstrate considerable sensitivity regarding the West’s concerns over the stability of the Balkans especially now due to the war in Ukraine and Putin’s determination to do everything he can to destabilize the region and engage the West in another volatile front

Fourth, however distrustful Kurti is of Vucic, he must learn to deal with him and demonstrate to the EU that he will always negotiate in good faith He should not allow any failure in the negotiating process to be attributed to him while enhancing his credibility with the EU which is central to advancing Kosovo s integration

Fifth Kurti ought to pay far greater attention to his domestic affairs He ought to progressively meet the EU s socio-economic, educational, cultural, and human rights standards He should weed out corruption, encourage foreign investments, create jobs to prevent the brain drain which is hampering Kosovo’s growth and progress invest in education healthcare infrastructure and housing and tend to the needs of the poor especially children

Since Kurti has cast Kosovo s fate with the EU he must now demonstrate that Pristina is worthy of EU membership, because, regardless of when that might happen, its voice will be equal to that of France, Germany, Italy, and every other member state This will be an incredible feat for Kosovo which also carries an awesome responsibility His standing with the EU and the US is currently questionable; the burden is on him to prove that he is trustworthy and has the leadership quality, the acumen, and the skills to live up to the call of the hour

The EU on its part should offer Kosovo a framework for its prospective integration by reciprocating Pristina’s commitment to follow EU guidelines and condition the process of integration to the progress that Kosovo makes on all fronts The areas where Kosovo wants to realize important gains and where the EU and the US can play a critical role include the following:

n Membership in international organizations;

n Recognition of its independence by the five EU states that have not yet recognized Kosovo Romania Cyprus Greece Spain and Slovakia;

n Opening a dialogue with the EU in connection with the integration process;

n Exerting pressure on and/or persuading Vucic to fully implement the Franco-German agreement which is central to the reconciliation process between the two countries

In dealing with Vucic the EU is fully aware that unlike Kurti by virtue of his connection to Putin Vucic is not as free to act transparently to advance Serbia s integration with the EU But given Serbia s aspiration to become an EU member state, he has to come around and accept the inevitability of coexistence with an independent Kosovo

Vucic must stop defying and denying Kosovo’s independence publicly knowing that its independence is irreversible He must stop instigating ethnic Serbs in Kosovo to rebel against Pristina as he has recently done following the elections in the three Serb-dominated municipalities

He should slowly and gradually distance himself from Russia and be reminded of Moscow’s growing international isolation its military failures in Ukraine and its much-diminished global stature and power; it is becoming an uncertain ally on whom he cannot depend

Moreover, Vucic should actively persuade the Serbs in the north of Kosovo to return to the institutions and play a constructive role to stabilize the area He should sign and fully adhere to the Franco-German agreement to enhance his credibility which presently is in tatters Vucic should also should take steps to normalize relations with Kosovo by reaching interim agreements regarding water distribution from Lake Ujmani and mining at Trepça Mine, expanding trade, and encouraging cultural ties, student exchanges, and more

Although these activities do not constitute recognition of Kosovo they will prepare the Serbian public psychologically for such an eventuality especially once Putin departs the political scene

In return the EU should offer Serbia a roadmap that would lead to full integration and open up a dialogue towards that end The EU should also develop and agree on a quid pro quo so that Vucic will know what he might receive in return for any concession he makes This includes compliance to the provision of any accord verbal or otherwise especially the Franco-German agreement which is crucial to bring an end to the conflict between Serbia and Kosovo

Since for the EU and the US, solving the SerbianKosovar conflict is critical to the stability of the Balkans, they should change the dynamic of the conflict between Belgrade and Pristina by offering a roadmap to integration with the EU that both countries aspire for It is now up to Vucic and Kurti to either squander the prospect of becoming an integral part of the European community, or work together, seize the opportunity, and enjoy the growth, prosperity, and security accorded to all member states of the EU

Dr Alon Ben-Meir is a professor of international relations at the Centre for Global Affairs at NYU He teaches courses on international negotiation and Middle Eastern studies alon@alonben-meir com

France: Veiled Muslim women and the politics of the new secularism

gion of the dominated but also previously of the colonised under protection or French domination France has thus built a relationship of domination with Islam and Muslims, and sometimes even an enterprise - at times concealed, at times assumed - to domesticate Islam and Muslims

RT i A n M i l e s C H e o n g

EV E R since its inception Twitter has stood as a nexus of conversation debate and exchange of ideas Today, the platform, now under the stewardship of Elon Musk, continues this tradition, albeit with changes that invite a closer examination Critics have labeled these changes as a descent into right-wing extremism

However upon closer inspection these claims seem more rooted in the fear of a genuine marketplace of ideas than any objective transformation of Twitter s purpose or ideology Twitter has become a “hellsite,” the critics proclaim Yet the reality is that under Musk’s leadership Twitter has undergone a metamorphosis

Its evolution is not towards an ideological extreme but towards a reclamation of its initial promise: a platform where every voice, every perspective, is given an opportunity to be heard

Critics are pointing out the supposed transformation of Twitter into a “right-wing social network,” as Charlie Warzel recently wrote in his article for The Atlantic They see Musk s leadership and his vocal opposition to what he calls the woke mind virus as proof of this However their rhetoric conveniently overlooks the fact that having an aversion to what one perceives as extreme political correctness does not automatically align one with far-right ideology

Moreover the argument seems to purposefully conflate the platform with its users

It is crucial to remember that the presence of conservative voices on Twitter does not transform it into a right-wing social network Twitter, like any social media platform, is a mirror of society, reflecting the ideologies and beliefs of its diverse user base Pointing to the partnership between Twitter and conservative figures such as Florida Governor and presidential hopeful Ron DeSantis Tucker Carlson and personalities from The Daily Wire critics assert that the platform is acting as a launchpad for right-wing political leaders

However, one must question whether such an assertion would hold if these partnerships were with liberal figures instead Would the platform then be labeled a “far-left social network?” Unlikely The freedom to express differing viewpoints whether liberal conservative or otherwise should not be seen as an endorsement of those views by the platform Instead it should be understood as a celebration of free speech, which is a cornerstone of any functioning democracy

The same critics argue that Twitter is turning into an echo chamber for the far-right pointing to instances where accounts that were previously banned for violating Twitter s rules were reinstated Yet is it not plausible that these account reinstatements represent a recalibration of what constitutes acceptable discourse on the platform?

Perhaps Musk’s Twitter is moving away from previous standards which many had viewed as excessively censorious towards a more open arena of debate and dialogue

The critics warn that Twitter by leaning into this supposed right-wing echo chamber, may be on the road to becoming boring and predictable, much like other social networks that cater to a specific ideology However their argument is based on a false premise Twitter is not catering to a particular ideology but is rather simply opening the doors wider for discourse and debate

It is disingenuous to label a platform as far-right or far-left solely based on the users it hosts Twitter is not endorsing any particular ideological stance by allowing different voices to be heard; it is merely providing a space for these views to be expressed

The presence of conservatives liberals and those in between should be viewed as a reflection of our heterogeneous society rather than as a political endorsement from Twitter or Musk himself The strength of any democracy lies in its ability to accommodate various perspectives and engage in healthy dialogue Twitter under Musk seems to be doing just that

The critics are quick to point out that under Musk Twitter is becoming a bastion for figures who have been deplatformed elsewhere due to their controversial views While this criticism holds some merit, it also falls into a simplistic trap Social media platforms have a duty to balance their community guidelines with the ideals of free speech a task that is increasingly challenging in our polarized times Musk s decision to offer a podium to these voices could be seen as a challenge to the overzealous censorship that some users felt was part of the previous Twitter regime – and there is plenty of evidence in the Twitter Files to back these assertions

There is also concern abound about Twitter ’s survival and relevance in the social media landscape speculating that it could fade away due to becoming an echo chamber of right-wing discourse However this view dismisses the reality of Twitter s vast and diverse user base Not everyone using Twitter shares the same political alignment or viewpoint The site thrives on the vibrancy and diversity of its users, a far cry from being a monotonous echo chamber The very fact that critics can openly express their concerns about Twitter on the platform is a testament to its commitment to free speech Lastly it is important to understand that the character of a social media platform, Twitter included, does not solely reflect the values of its owners or managers It also mirrors the values, ideas, and discourses of its user base As a space where everyone from world leaders to everyday people can express their thoughts freely Twitter is more than just a social media platform it is the new town square of our world in the digital plane

Instead of hastily labeling Twitter a right-wing social network, we should appreciate it for what it truly is – a dynamic platform dedicated to the open exchange of ideas If we were to find ourselves sharing a digital space with someone whose ideas drastically differ from ours we should consider it not a threat but an opportunity to broaden our own perspectives After all, it is in the crucible of robust and uninhibited debate that the most profound ideas are often forged And for that, we should be grateful

TH E exclusion of Muslim women who wear the headscarf in France reveals the hegemonic order enforced in the country, as well as the sexism and racism that characterise it In my book Are Muslim Women Not Women? I borrow from bell hooks an African-American intellectual and apply to Muslim women who wear the Islamic headscarf in France the question she asked about the exclusion of Black women from the feminist struggle In the end, they, too, are excluded from the cause of women This is what struck me in 2017 during a public debate on the question “Does secularism guarantee equality between men and women? an event organised by the Senate delegation for women s rights In the heart of the Luxembourg Palace, I was publicly booed because I had dared to respond to feminists who were advocating for an even wider ban on the veil

“If I understand correctly, you want to exclude women under the guise of gender equality ” I said “Isn’t that p a r a d o x i c a l ? N e e d I r e m i n d y o u t h a t u n d e r t h e v e i l there are women

These women oppose women who choose to wear the headscarf in France, comparing them to those who suffer in Iran, Saudi Arabia and Afghanistan, where they are forced to wear it These very women are fighting in these countries to be able to survive as women to go about their lives freely to study or work or to become top athletes And yet there we were in the process of deciding on the merits - about equality between men and women - of excluding them from participation in the Olympic Games because they wore what is imposed on them in their countries

RADICAL OTHERNESS: This dilemma guided the writing of this book the chapters of which come from sections of my doctoral thesis Assignment to Radical Alterity and Paths to Emancipation: A Study of the Agency of French Muslim Women I wanted to focus my remarks on the origin of the discrimination and exclusion that target Muslim women who wear the headscarf

To do so, I traced the fabrication of “the radical otherness” of French people of African and North African descent which finds its origins in the exclusion and stigmatisation of post-colonial immigrants in the 19th century and before that in the way French imperialism viewed Islam as the imperial enemy , as the French philosopher Mohamed Amer Meziane has explored I relied on many authors to retrace this socio-history, in particular the Algerian sociologist of “emigration-immigration” Abdelmalek Sayad who was a true precursor of a new sociology of Islam In this work I paid particular attention to questioning the framework from which we think about social phenomena, without which biases and unexamined assumptions, especially regarding North/South relations, prevent objective reflection Islam is a “dominated” religion because it is a “reli-

Tracing the political socio-history of the marginalisation of immigrant and Muslim populations of African and North African origin has allowed me to study the filiation between the hated figure - the incarnation of heretical femininity - of veiled women and her ascendants

UNDESIRABLE AND ILLEGITIMATE: This is what I propose in my work where I focus on this “figure” on the political discursive construction of which it is the object and on the alleged or perceived dangerousness associated with that figure Women who wear a headscarf are not only undesirable and illegitimate in the eyes of the nation - they are undisciplined creatures who must be educated and converted If they resist, they become dangerous and are then stigmatised as such: now they are the Muslim enemies

The goal is to prevent them in a civilised way from evolving in their society by restricting their access to certain spaces and certain functions through the creation and expansion of rules of religious neutrality that are incompatible with the wearing of the headscarf Laws and regulations, speeches and attacks, make them in the eyes of their detractors women stripped of their humanity and their femininity

I then describe the discriminations the exclusions; their mechanisms but also the forms of domination and their alienating effects I also identify the alliances that are created to protect the French hegemonic order, in particular between feminist groups and political groups that come together to reorient and redefine secularism - what I call the policies of the new secularism

Ultimately what is at stake is the preservation and centrality of a hegemonic and it must be remembered normative order Its centrality allows me to conceptualise the notion of paradoxical femininity

A PARADOXICAL FEMININITY: In the game of domination women are positioned on a scale designed to evaluate their conformity to good femininity Bad femininity meaning bad or dangerous women are disqualified caricatured despised and stigmatised - they are targeted as heretics to the hegemonic order And the women who personify this bad femininity endorse a paradoxical femininity: they embody both a heretical femininity vis-a-vis the partisans of the new secularism and a hegemonic femininity vis-a-vis the supporters of an orthodox reading of Islam My book also aims at a disalienation vis-a-vis the hegemonic order and more specifically one of its mainsprings: hegemonic femininity This is why

I have also chosen to name the alienation of the dominant group a racial hegemony, which is never recognised as such but which is nonetheless real as is the case with universalist feminists

I also name the alienation of the dominated who find themselves locked up despite themselves in a reactionary posture towards the power that the dominants exercise over them

Relations of domination imply effects: alienation is unknown, implicit and mechanical It affects perceptions and perspectives worldviews and bodies

This aspect seems central to me Excerpts from interviews provide a striking account of how Islamophobic domination distorts the bodies of the women concerned altering their self-esteem, which sometimes leads to the desire to distinguish themselves from the group of stigmatised peers This distinction is also a source of alienation and illustrates the incorporation of social contempt racism and Islamophobia

T witter is not a far-right platform, but a place for voicing all opinions

Dr

P R E S I D E N T X I J I N P I N G M E ET S W I T H U S S E C R ETA R Y O F S TAT E A N T O N Y B L I N K E N

BEIJING M A n A b r A r

CH I N E S E P r e s i d e n t X i J i n p i n g met with U S Secretary of State

A n t o n y B l i n k e n a t t h e G r e a t Hall of the People in Beijing on Monday President Xi pointed out that the world needs a generally stable China-U S relationship and whether the two countries can find the right way to get along bears on the future of humanity

The Chinese, like the Americans, are dignified, confident and self-reliant people, and they both have the right to pursue a better life, he said Noting that the common interests of the two countries should be valued and their respective success is an opportunity instead of a threat to each other Xi said the two countries should act with a sense of responsibility

for history, for the people and for the world, and handle China-U S relations properly In this way, they may contribute to global peace and development and help make the world which is changing and turbulent more stable certain and constructive added Xi He stressed that major-country competition does not represent the trend of the times, still less can it solve America s own problems or the challenges facing the world China respects U S interests and does not seek to challenge or displace the United States and in the same vein the United States needs to respect China and must not hurt China s legitimate rights and interests, said Xi “Neither side should try to shape the other side by its own will, still less deprive the other side of its legitimate right to development Xi said China always hopes to see a sound and steady China-U S relationship

and believes that the two major countries can overcome various difficulties and find the right way to get along based on mutual respect peaceful coexistence and win-win cooperation calling on the U S side to adopt a rational and pragmatic attitude and work with China in the same direction

The Chinese president pointed out that the two sides need to remain committed to the common understandings he and U S President Joe Biden reached in Bali and translate the positive statements into actions so as to stabilize and improve China-U S relations Blinken for his part conveyed President Biden s greetings to President Xi He said Biden believes that the United States and China have an obligation to responsibly manage their relations This is in the interest of the United States China and the world he said adding that the United States is committed to returning to the agenda set by the

two presidents in Bali

The United States stands by the commitments made by Biden, namely the United States does not seek a new Cold War, it does not seek to change China’s system, its alliances are not directed at China it does not support Taiwan independence and it does not seek conflict with China said Blinken

Russia says regional free trade pac t with

Iran possible by year- end

PR OFIT r e u t e r s

A free trade zone agreement between Iran Russia and several countries that cover the vast Eurasian region spreading from the borders of Eastern Europe to Western China is possible by the end of the year, Russia s TASS news agency reported on Monday Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexei Overchuk told the state TASS agency in an interview that talks between the Eurasian Economic Union – which comprises Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Russia – and Iran are in their final stages

“We are moving forward,” Overchuk said “We very much hope that such an agreement can be signed by the end of the year

Both the region and Iran have taken on additional significance for the Kremlin after Western sanctions over

Moscow’s invasion in Ukraine limited Russia’s foreign trade routes and forced it to look for markets outside Europe However despite tighter ties be-

Africa push for peace as Kremlin shows caution with peace proposal

KREMLIN Ag e n c i e s

South Africa’s president Cyril Ramaphosa told his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin on Saturday that the fighting had to stop in the Ukraine conflict The African delegation put forward a set of principles that the Kremlin deemed very difficult to implement, a day after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy ruled out talks with Moscow The delegation, made up of leaders and senior officials from seven African countries brought the voice of a continent that has badly suffered from repercussions of the conflict particularly with rising grain prices This war must be settled, through negotiations and through diplomatic means, Ramaphosa said after talks in the suburbs of St Petersburg, adding they “would like this war to be ended ” Ramaphosa listed 10 principles which included de-escalation the recognition of countries’ sovereignty security guarantees for all countries unimpeded grain exports through the Black Sea and sending prisoners of war and children back to their countries of origin The mission included the presidents of South Africa, Senegal, Comoros and Zambia, as well as top officials from Uganda, Egypt and Congo-Brazzaville “Any initiative is very difficult to implement Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov was quoted by the state-run agency RIA Novosti But President Putin has shown interest in considering it Putin praised the delegation s balanced approach and said he was open to a constructive dialogue with all those who want to implement peace based on the principles of justice and respect for the parties’ legitimate interests ”

tween Moscow and Tehran since Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022 and began big purchases of Iranian-made drones to attack the country trade be-

tween the two markets have grown only moderately Russian-Iranian commodity turnover rose 20% in 2022, according to government data, two-thirds the overall growth rate Moscow saw with China another key partner with whom Russia has expanded political and economic alliance in the past two years The regional agreement with Iran would replace and expand an interim pact that already provides a reduction in customs duties on hundreds of categories

Pakistani bestowed British Empire Medal for ser ving free meals

LONDON

tA f f

The award was established by King George V in 1917 to honour those who had served in a non-combative role and made contributions to arts sciences charitable work and public service The OBE also includes the British Empire Medal presented to those who have contributed to service in their community

The charity Muslim Hands was started in Nottingham in 1993 when, in the wake of the Bosnia war Muslims in the UK began to collect donations and charity for the people of Bosnia

In 2018, Choudhry launched The Open Kitchen, a service through which low-income families can get

free lunch throughout the year

The charity focuses operates in London and Nottingham home to some of the most deprived communities in the country, according to its website

Through the food kitchen, the charity is able to serve 500 meals a day to needy families With a team of almost 30 volunteers The Open Kitchen runs across the week in both cities Food poverty has become a growing problem in the UK with many now struggling to put food on the table, said a report presented in the UK parliament last week

It stated that in 2021/22 4 7 million people or 7 percent of the UK

population were in food poverty including 12 percent children

The situation has been aggravated due to rising food prices which have gone up by 19 percent between April 2022 and 2023, according to the report

An earlier survey by the Food Foundation think tank reported the number of UK children in food poverty has nearly doubled in the last year to almost four million

The survey reported that one in five households was skipping meals, going hungry or not eating for a whole day in January up from 12 percent at the same time in 2022

C hinese premier c alls for new development in C hina- Germany ties

BERLIN

s tA f f c o r r e s p o n d e n t

Chinese Premier Li Qiang arrived here on Sunday for an official visit to Germany where he will also hold the seventh China-Germany inter-governmental con-

sultation Upon his arrival Li said Beijing is ready to work with Berlin to further explore cooperation potential and push for new development in bilateral ties Li noted that Germany is the first stop of his first overseas visit since he became Chi-

nese premier and this visit will carry forward the two countries traditional friendship and deepen their cooperation

Last year, Chinese President Xi Jinping excanged congratulations and held a telephoe conversation with his German counterpart Frank-Walter Steinmeier to mark the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations providing strategic guidance for the development of bilateral ties said Li

In recent years, the China-Germany relationship has seen steady progress, Li said, adding that bilateral cooperation has been continuously deepened and expanded with new achievements being made in such areas as economy and trade technologies people-to-people and cultural exchanges, as well as green development He pointed out that the seventh China-Germany inter-governmental consultation is the first time the newly formed governments of two countries interface with each other in such an allaround fashion

The Chinese side is ready to engage in frank and in-depth exchanges with the German side based on the principles of mutual respect, seeking common ground while reserving differences and achieving mutual benefit and win-win outcomes to further explore cooperation potential properly handle differences

He added the U S side looks forward to having high-level engagement with the Chinese side, keeping open lines of communication, responsibly managing differences, and pursuing dialogue, exchanges and cooperation Xi asked Blinken to convey his regards to President Biden

Muslims’ body opposes Indian government proposal to apply same civil laws to all religions

NEW

India’s largest socioreligious Muslim organisation on Monday rejected the government s move to seek public and religious organisations views on the Uniform Civil Code which meant that all people regardless of region or religion, would be subject to the same set of civil laws

The Jamiat Ulama-e-Hind said in a statement that the Uniform Civil Code is completely contrary to the religious freedom and fundamental rights guaranteed to citizens in Articles 25 and 26 of the Constitution and that the organization will protest it within the legal framework

The civil code governs marriage, divorce, succession, and other major social issues, and Muslims publicly protested against changes to Islamic laws, particularly those pertaining to divorce when the Law Commission of India first proposed them in 2018 The commission issued a Consultation Paper on Reform of Family Law in which it stated that forming a Uniform Civil Code (UCC) is neither necessary nor desirable at this stage However, the commission on June 14 asked the public and registered religious organizations to submit their opinion on the civil code within 30 days Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind while opposing the latest government move unequivocally claims that it is part of an attempt to undermine citizens religious freedom and the original spirit of the Constitution

and enrich their all-round strategic partnership so as to send a positive and strong signal for maintaining stable global supply chains and world peace and prosperity, Li said

Noting that the world today has arrived at a new period of turbulence and changes Li said the more chaos and changes this world is witnessing the stronger a need should be advocated for the people of the two countries to carry forward their traditional friendship, enhance exchanges and cooperation, pool their wisdom, overcome challenges, and seize opportunities

Li expressed Beijing’s willingness to work with Berlin to push for new development in China-Germany ties and create a bright future for humanity by following the major consensus reached between the heads of state of the two countries During his stay in Germany, Li will m

n

n t a l c o n s u l t a t i o n together with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, attend the China-Germany Econ o m i c a n d Te c h n i c a l C o o p e r a t i o n F o r u m a n d a r o u n d t a b l e f o r C h i n e s e a n d G e r m a n e n t r e p r e n e u r s m e e t w i t h representatives from German industrial a n d b u s i n e s s c o m m u n i t i e s a n d v i s i t Germany companies in Bavaria state

EFFORTS NEEDED TO RESTORE CONFIDENCE, ENCOURAGE LEGAL REMITTANCE CHANNELS

billion in FY20 to a peak of $31 3 billion in FY22 the ongoing fiscal year has seen a substantial drop In the first 11 months until May the country has lost $3 7 billion in remittances with inflows decreasing by almost 13% to $24 8 billion compared to $28 5 billion the previous year The amount lost in remittances over the past year is more than three times the size of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) tranche of $1 2 billion that the government has been struggling to secure for the last seven months Remittances have played a crucial role in supporting Pakistan's external account in the absence of sufficient foreign assistance

Turkish celebrity Engin Altan

experienced a significant increase of over 35% from $23 1

To address the severe balance of payments crisis and the uncertainty surrounding the restoration of a suspended $6 7 billion funding program with the IMF, the government aims to achieve $33 billion in remittances in the next fiscal year, according to budget documents for FY24 However many experts argue that this target is unrealistic given the economic and political turmoil as well

as the growth of the informal foreign exchange market Karachi along with Cape Town and Dubai is one of the four cities globally closely connected to the Hundi/Hawala trade networks Extensive networks operate from Karachi, and in various places, including Europe, the majority of individuals associated with legal money transfer markets are Pakistanis followed by Indians Bangladeshis and others

One of the main reasons for the decline in remittances is the significant gap between the official interbank exchange rate and the grey market, where the exchange rate recently reached over Rs20 to a dollar This gap has incentivized overseas Pakistanis to choose illegal channels to remit money for family support and investments

The depreciation of the Pakistani rupee, consistent over time, is another crucial factor contributing to the drop in remittances Many overseas Pakistanis send money for investment in property stocks etc but they have incurred significant

Tribal chief tains, their sponsor equally responsible for deprivation of B alochistan: Hidayatur Rehman B aloch

LAHORE

S TA F F R E P O R T

Secretary General Jamaat-e-Islami

(JI) Balochistan, Maulana Hidayatur Rehman Baloch has held the sardars of Balochistan and their sponsors equally responsible for the deprivations of the people of the province

While addressing a press conference at Lahore Press Club on Monday said, We are Pakistanis, not traitors Stop deserting us ”

Chairman Balochistan Rights Movement (Haq Do Tehreek Balochistan) Maulana Hidayatur Rehman Baloch who recently se-

cured bail from the Supreme Court after four and half months detention on false and fabricated charges, said he was put in jail only because he was demanding clean drinking water, education and health facilities for the locals of Gwadar He said the people of Balochistan wanted due share in the CPEC and they were not opposing any development He said the inhuman treatment with the locals on security check posts was cause of concern for him demanding removal of unnecessary pickets The JI leader expressed concern over corruption and unfair distribution of resources and said

over 70 percent money from a project went unchecked in the province He said the people of Balochistan were not against Punjab and Punjabis, rather both faced oppression from the hands of powerful and feudal lords Baloch said there was not even a single hospital in Gwadar and other areas for the local community and poor had to go to Karachi for minor treatments He said the plunder of the resources of Balochistan continued and those who were the real owners of the wealth were deprived He said he would continue raising voice for the rights of the people

MoIB must pay retirement benefits to PBC employees, directs President

competent authority to obtain funds for payment in lieu of pension gratuity and commutation within three months and report compliance to Wafaqi Mohtasib These remarks were given by him while disposing of a representation filed by PBC against a decision of the Wafaqi Mohtasib directing it to make the payment to the aggrieved employees

The act of non-payment of benefits to employees under the garb of financial constraints amounted to maladministration he added

losses due to currency devaluation in the past year This has undermined confidence and discouraged further investment

Other factors affecting remittances include the poor financial conditions in the US and Europe, with rising living costs, inflation, rent, and job losses due to a weak economy The disposable income of Pakistanis residing abroad has decreased impacting their ability to send remittances Furthermore overall financial and political instability in Pakistan has discouraged overseas Pakistanis from sending their savings back home

The change in government in the country has also played a role in the decline of remittances Pakistani workers and the diaspora who supported a particular political party especially its leader were driven by their political views to contribute to Pakistan, which led to significant growth in remittances over the past two financial years However, this drive has diminished with the political change

To read the full article visit www dawn com

up the matter of

to PBC at the highest level and directed

MoIB to seek approval of the

The Mohtasib had regretted that the superannuated employees were roaming to get their genuine and legal rights, in such old ages, where every penny was a basic necessity of that retired employee

Islamabad c apital police saved Rs 183.7 million through Police K hidmat Mark az single shift i

has resulted in savings exceeding PKR 183 6 million annually According to details, Islamabad Capital City Police Officer (ICCPO) Dr Akbar Nasir Khan issued orders in March to work a single shift at the F-6 Khidmat Markaz instead of operating on a 24/7 basis as per the government's cost-saving policy Despite the shorter working hours the Khidmat Markaz managed to provide various facilities to 34 737 citizens during the past three months

In contrast in the same months of 2022 when the Markaz operated 24/7 services were extended to 29,001 citizens P R

S ajid Hussain direc ts for a thorough repor t on Jāmshoro Coal Mines incident

"We will ensure that those responsible for the incident are brought to justice said the Federal Minister It should be noted that two laborers who belonged to a tribe hailing from the district of Karam Seharif in Sindh, lost their lives due to suffocation in Jāmshoro Coal Mines during work According to rescue officials, the incident occurred because of a rope breaking while they were working in the mine Initial investigations revealed that the incident occurred on a disputed land belonging to the Goharullah Off Fath Group which has been in dispute for a long time The owners were previously stopped from working on the land, and the case is currently under investigation by the Sindh High Court, NAB, and other government agencies P R

Commander Iran Nav y c alls on Air C hief

CAsh-stRAPPEd gOvt inCREAsEs sAl ARY, AllOwAnCEs

And AdditiOnAl PRivilEgEs OF PARliAmEntARiAns

ON E would think that in a country that is undergoing a severe financial crunch where the government is strapped for cash and is fighting against its political mandate to balance a budget austerity would be the first step taken by the legislative bodies

However the details of the proposed federal budget 2023 are contrary to that

Not only has the government proposed to increase salary, allowances and other privileges of parliamentarians but according to media reports, 3 bills pertaining to the privileges of senate chairman and members were also passed in quick succession before the conclusion of Friday s session

Overall, The federal government has allocated Rs 13 billion (1300 crore) budget for Parliamentarians including Chairman and Deputy Chairman Senate Speaker and Deputy Speaker National Assembly and members of lower and upper house of Parliament This is to say that for every parliamentarian a gross amount of 2 9 crore/annum has been allocated on average

The highest increase, in this regard, has been made in the salaries al-

lowances as well as travel and transportation expenses of the Speaker Deputy Speaker, Chairman and Deputy Chairman of the Senate

The Federal government has allocated Rs 26 4 crore budget for Speaker and Deputy Speaker National Assembly for the next year 2023-24 increasing it by Rs 17 3 crore as the Finance division had allocated Rs 9 1 crore in the budget of 2023-24 for the Speaker and Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly

While making an increase of Rs 12 6 crores the budget of National Assembly members surged to almost Rs 148 crore in 2023-24 from Rs 135 crore in 2022-23

Documents show that the government has also increased the budget of the opposition leader in the National Assembly which increased to Rs 47 lakh in 2023-24 from Rs 38 7 lakh in 2022-23

Meanwhile an increase in the budget of Rs 24 lakh which was initially at Rs 94 lakh in 2022-23 was also made for the Chairman of Kashmir Committee

Similarly, the government has also allocated Rs 11 7 crore as budget for Chairman and Deputy Chairman Senate for next fiscal year This marks a record increase of Rs 4 9 crore While the other increases are marked as proposed under the budget for 2023-24 Media reports

Balochistan unveils Rs750b budget for F Y2023-24

The Balochistan government on Monday unveiled a budget with a total outlay of Rs750 billion and a deficit of Rs49 billion

As per the budget document Rs437 billion have been allocated for non-development expenditures whereas Rs229 are proposed for Public Sector Development Programme (PSDP)

The provincial finance minister, Engineer Zmarak Khan Achakzai, while announcing the budget, said that a 35% hike has been proposed in the salaries of government employees from grade-1 to grade-16

Similarly a 30% increase in the salaries of grade-17 to grade-22 employees has been recommended The pensions of retired employees have been jacked up by 17 5%, he added

In addition to this, the budget document revealed, the minimum wage of a labourer of the provincial government has been increased to Rs32,000 from Rs25 000 The document stated that 4 389 new positions have been created in the budget whereas the province will receive Rs521 billion under the NFC award for the next fiscal year

The budget document revealed that the estimated income from the expansion of Sui gas pipeline is Rs55 billion whereas the province would also receive Rs37 billion in terms of foreign assistance

It further said that the estimated total revenue for Balochistan for the next fiscal year is Rs701 billion

Zilhaj moon sighted in Pakistan, Eidul A zha on June 29

ISLAMABAD

The Zilhaj moon has been sighted and Eidul Azha will be celebrated across the country on Thursday June 29

Central Ruet-e-Hilal Committee Chairman Maulana Abdul Khabir Azad announced on Monday

The announcement was made following a meeting of Central Ruet-e-Hilal Committee convened in Karachi for the sighting of the crescent of the Islamic month of Zilhaj

Zonal and district committees in Islamabad, Lahore, Peshawar and other areas also held their meetings

The testimonies for sighting of Zilhaj moon were received from various parts of the country including Lahore Islamabad and Peshawar Maulana Azad said

As per tradition, the Ministry of Religious Affairs will soon issue a notification based on the confirmation received by the committee

The central and zonal Ruet-e-Hilal committees were also accompanied by meteorological experts as well as members of the Pakistan Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission (SUPARCO) for the moon sighting in Pakistan The Central Ruet-e-Hilal Committee convenes on the 29th of each Islamic month and officially declares the sighting of the moon

The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) had predicted the new moon to be born on June 18 at 9:37 pm local time with the sighting expected on June 19

Audio leaks inquir y commission: sC upholds may 26 order ISLAMABAD

have confirmed that a private member bill for the increase in the salaries of Chairman and Deputy Chairman senate has already been passed during the senate session on Friday

According to reports, the bill The Chairman Senate (Salaries Allowance and Privileges) Act 2023 will benefit all the past present and all future Senate chairmens at the cost of taxpayers money

As published, the Section 21 of the Bill reads, Every person who has held the office of Chairman for a full term of three years shall be entitled for life to full security detail that is to say six sentries at the declared residence four personnel of police anti-terrorism force rangers frontier corps or frontier constabulary in one squad vehicle, for which the federal government in Islamabad, or a provincial government in the respective province shall make the required arrangements

In Section 16 the bill says that the chairman shall be entitled to such personal staff as may be prescribed by the Finance Committee, which shall be authorised to provide personal staff, regular or contractual, not exceeding the limit of 12 in number who has held the office of chairman for a full term

The Section 20 reads as The Finance Committee of the Senate may

grant the chairman and the person who has held such office for a full term of three years, such additional privileges as it may deem fit

The Chairman senate, however stated that, “such reports were not based on solid facts and there was wrong information being communicated related to this bill He says that in the bill the old act of 1975 was rectified and corrected as per the decisions of the concerned committees from time to time The chairman said that this bill was presented with an objective to make clarity on the matter without getting any financial benefit Coming to the presented budget FY24 the revised allocated budget for Chairman and Deputy Chairman Senate was already recorded at Rs 6 9 crore during the current year 2022-23 Documents show that the government has allocated Rs 65 1 crores budget in 2023-24 for Members of the Senate against the total revised allocation of Rs 56 3 crore in 2022-23 This shows an increase of Rs 8 76 crores in the Pay and other allowances of Senators

The documents of the budget also show that the budget of the Leader of the House and Opposition leader in the Senate has surged to Rs 61 lakh and Rs 75 9 lakh respectively

Roadmap devised to reconstruc t infrastruc ture destroyed by 2022 flood: Dar

PR OFIT

N P

I

Federal Minister for Finance and Revenue Senator Muhammad Ishaq Dar informed the Lower House of the Parliament on Monday that a comprehensive roadmap has been devised for reconstruction and rehabilitation of the infrastructure destroyed by the 2022 flood

Responding to the concerns of Pakistan Peoples Party Parliamentarians (PPPP) lawmaker Dr Nafisa Shah in the National Assembly he said “Immediate relief work has already been done throughout the country with the disbursement of Rs25000 per family through the BISP programme Almost Rs100 billion have already been spent in addition to the assistance extended by NDMA in kind

Ishaq Dar said that the Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) of the cabinet had recently approved Rs12 billion to replenish the stock of the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) keeping in view the predicted threats of the monsoon and the cyclone

Following the widespread destruction caused by the heavy rains and floods, he said a comprehensive report had been prepared in collaboration with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)

World Bank (WB) Asian Development Bank (ADB) European Union and the Ministry of Planning Development and Special Initiatives that suggested the economic and physical loses stood at around $30 3 billion

The finance minister said that funds valuing $16 3 billion were required to execute the physical work like repair of damaged houses and infrastructure under the 4RF strategy i e resilient recovery rehabilitation and reconstruction he said less than $400 million were received while the pledges were made for bearing 50 per cent financing for the reconstruction and rehabilitation work Ishaq Dar said a committee, comprising the Sindh Chief Minister, and federal ministers including

Khursheed Ahmed Shah, Syed Naveed Qamar and Sherry Rehman, was holding meetings and the roadmap in this regard had almost been devised “It (the reconstruction & rehabilitation) will be like a 4-5 year medium-term development plan It is not an issue and will be resolved as there are no two opinions Roughly $11 billion out of $16 3 billion will be spent in Sindh under the 4RF policy, he said

The finance minister assured the PPPP lawmaker that ‘everything is under planning as work is going on it ’ so there was nothing to worry about “The work is in progress and hopefully it will be concluded today

Commenting on another issue he said originally the Charter of Democracy (CoD) was signed with the code of conduct that whosoever was elected to power, should not be backstabbed, adding afterwards civilmilitary relations, constitutional amendments as a result of which 18th NFC award legal reforms truth & reconciliation commission “I was in all that process ”

Ishaq Dar said all things [included in the CoD] had been implemented except the Constitutional Code and the Truth & Reconciliation Commission

During 2013-18, he said he had constantly been advocating and offering for devising a Charter of Economy (C0E) so that whosoever came into power followed it in the supreme national interest

Endorsing the views of Dr Nafisa Shah in this regard the minister said I think once the budget [ongoing budget session of the Parliament] is over all-out efforts should be made to prepare a charter of economy to come out of the mess in which the nation had stuck

“The quagmire is bigger than 1999 when the nuclear tests were carried out and the country faced international sanctions ” Ishaq Dar said adding the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) government had overcome it in a short span of time

Now the declining graph [of the national economy] has stopped, and has attained stability We need to make collective efforts to take it towards a growth trajectory, which will be achieved by the grace of Allah Almighty ” he remarked

Power generation from Neelum Jhelum likely to resume by July-end

ISLAMABAD S TA F F R E P O R T

Power Generation from Neelum Jhelum Hydel Power Station is likely to resume by the end of July as hectic efforts are underway to complete the remedial works being carried out in the tail race tunnel of the project This was stated in the briefing given to the Chairman WAPDA Engr Lt Gen (R) Sajjad Ghani during his visit to the project on Monday The chairman had a detailed visit of the 3 5-Km long tail race tunnel, the affected stretch in particular

The consultants dilating upon the progress of rehabilitation works briefed the Chairman that concrete lining is in progress in the area that had collapsed and caused a blockade of the tail race tunnel

The rest of the affected area is also being strengthened through lattice girders and rock bolting followed by shotcrete inside the tunnel The contractor has been carrying out rehabilitation works roundthe-clock in accordance with the guidelines of international consultants

The Supreme Court of Pakistan (SC) on Monday upheld its May 26 order staying the proceedings of an inquiry commission led by Justice Qazi Faez Isa, probing the veracity of recent audio leaks and their impact on the independence of the judiciary

The apex court issued an order for the previous hearing of the petitions filed against the inquiry commission In the written order the SC stated that the Attorney General of Pakistan (AGP) Mansoor Awan had raised objections to the three judges included in the bench

During the hearing, Awan said that the three judges should separate from the bench while the petitioner ’s lawyer gave counterarguments

After hearing the arguments of both parties the court reserved its verdict stating that the order of May 26 will stand till the objections raised on the formation of the bench are decided and the hearing of the case was adjourned for an indefinite period

Earlier the federal government had objected to the inclusion of Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Umar Atta Bandial Justice Ijaz-ul-Ahsan and Justice Muneeb Akhtar in the bench

On May 26, the apex court had stayed the proceedings of an inquiry commission led by Justice Qazi Faez Isa, probing the veracity of recent audio leaks and their impact on the independence of the judiciary

A five-judge SC bench which apart from the chief justice included Justice Ijaz-ul-Ahsan Justice Munib Akhtar Justice Syed Hasan Azhar Rizvi and Justice Shahid Waheed issued the order while hearing four petitions filed by PTI Chairman Imran Khan, Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) President Abid Zuberi as well as others against the inquiry commission formed by the federal government

The commission also included Balochistan High Court Chief Justice Naeem Akhtar Afghan and Islamabad High Court Chief Justice Aamer Farooq

During the hearing, the AGP sought permission to make a preliminary submission, saying that CJP Bandial ought to consider recusing himself from the bench on account of a certain conflict of interest

The order however maintained that it was an accepted and settled constitutional principle acted upon several times in the constitution of commissions that whenever a sitting judge was intended to be made a member of the body, the permission of the chief justice of Pakistan had to be sought first

The order further noted that as the federal government appeared to have acted unilaterally in this matter, a “constitutional principle” of the highest importance had been prima facie breached

The order also noted that therefore prima facie the very constitution of the commission was cast in doubt

no political differences between PPP, Pml-n, claims Bilawal

KARACHI

S TA F F R E P O R T

Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairman and Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari on Monday responded to the reports of rifts between his party and Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz (PML-N) saying that there are no no political differences between the ruling parties The PPP s committee will meet Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif today once again There is no political difference with the PML-N, however, there can be differences in policy ” said Bilawal while addressing the media persons after Mayor Karachi Murtaza Wahab s oath-taking ceremony

His comments came after differences emerged between the PPP and PML-N regarding administrative matters in the province of Punjab and the federal budget The PPP members had shared their concerns with Bilawal saying the government is not paying heed to their requests There has been a good working relationship with the PML-N leaders However it is our right to have a difference of opinion and we will continue to raise it on a relevant forum, said the PPP chairman Bilawal said that he doesn’t see any political difference with the PML-N in future as well Talking about the concerns of his party the chairman said that the PPP wants a non-controversial census adding that they had issues with the previous census as well I think that this census will remain controversial in the future, he added Bilawal also spoke about the funds for the rehabilitation of the flood victims in Sindh, hoping that the reservation of funds will be resolved and the federal government should contribute to the relief He added that they will place the party s manifesto before the entire nation He also said that PPP cochairman Asif Ali Zardari is coming back soon and will go to Lahore Bilawal had earlier said his party will abstain from endorsing the recently-announced budget in the National Assembly unless the commitments made to the party regarding areas affected by flooding are honoured A high-level meeting chaired by the premier between the two political entities took place last week; however the PPP chairman was unable to attend the meeting, as he was out of Islamabad

Amid rumours, Moonis Elahi says his father stands with PTI

ISLAMABAD

S TA F

Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) leader and former federal minister Chaudhry Moonis Elahi on Monday quashed rumours about his father s return to the Shujaat-led Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid (PML-Q), saying that Chaudhry Parvez Elahi was standing strong and there was no truth in such rumours

“He’s in PTI and standing strong AH ” Moonis Elahi wrote on social media blogging site Twitter while responding to rumours about his father s alleged return to the PML-Q fold

The clarification came following rumours spreading about Elahi s return to the PML-Q after PML-Q chief Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain held a quiet meeting with Pak-

istan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) President Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi and his cousin in Camp Jail Lahore on Monday and inquired after his health Shujaat s son, Salik Hussain, was also present during the meeting which lasted for about an hour According to insiders, Shujaat inquired about his brother ’s well-being The meeting also involved discussions about the political situation in the country Sources privy to the meeting said that during the meeting, Chaudhry Shujaat persuaded Elahi to return to the PML-Q but Elahi resisted The sources said that Shujaat also expressed concerns over the ill-treatment meted to Elahi Later Shujaat told media that Elahi looked frail and his feet were swollen Meanwhile Elahi s son Moonis Elahi

tweeted that his father was not being allowed to meet his lawyers while his mother is also not being granted permission for a meeting with Parvez Elahi Moonis said that Inspector General (IG) Prisons himself took Shujaat and his son Salik Hussain to meet Elahi, but Elahi’s lawyers and his mother were being denied permission for a meeting

Now they will say that they have already arranged meetings for family members this week, he concluded The former chief minister was sent to prison on June 4 for a 14-day judicial remand by a judicial magistrate in Lahore after he was arrested by the Anti-Corruption Establishment (ACE) in a case pertaining to bribery and illegal recruitments Elahi is among the remaining members

of the PTI leadership standing with the party

Most of the senior party leaders including Fawad Chaudhry Usman Buzdar Maleeka

Bokhari and Shireen Mazari have called it quits with some of them announcing a break from politics altogether