Epaper_23-07-14 LHR

Profit

Power to be handed over to caretaker set-uP in august, says PM shehba z

g HIGHLIGHTS GOVT'S ACHIEVEMENTS

ON ECONOMIC, POLITICAL FRONTS INCLUDING IMF DEAL

ISLAMABAD

S TA F F R E P O R T

PR I M E Minister Shehbaz Sharif announced on Thursday that the incumbent government will hand over power to the caretaker set-up in August 2023

PM Shehbaz Sharif made the announcement while addressing the nation

Besides, the premier also highlighted the economic and political achievements including the successful talks with International Monetary Fund (IMF) and also covered his plans about the upcoming general elections PM Shehbaz Sharif said that he assumed the prime minister ’s office in April 2022 and power will be handed over to the caretaker set-up in August 2023

The premier said that the incumbent government fended off landmines laid by the previous government of Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) besides ending Pakistan’s isolation on the economic and foreign-level fronts

He termed his government the beginning of a new era from economic destruction to the initiation of economic stability

He also claimed that the incumbent government culminated worst corruption and conspiracies of the previous government

He added that the government starts the journey from unemployment to the provision of employment as well as the freedom of the press and speech

Process to outsource airpor ts initiated

g

CLAIMS ‘ BEGINNING OF A NEW ERA’ FOR PAKISTAN AFTER INITIATION OF ECONOMIC STABILITY

tional plan has been devised for economic stability and a special investment council was formed and made functional

The premier said that the government is paving the path to receiving big investments from the Gulf countries He vowed that the plan will be executed with tireless efforts PM Sharif said that global institutions are predicting further improvement in Pakistan s rankings

“The investors expressed their full confidence in the stock exchange after the announcement of the IMF agreement The stock exchange crossed the 45 000 points mark and the value of the Pakistani rupee is gradually increasing he asserted

The coalition government was established for a short period in which it made maximum and intelligent efforts for addressing the issues We sacrificed our politics to save the state ” he said

He criticised that the previous government for signing an agreement with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) on tough conditions and later it violated the terms PM Sharif said that the incumbent government made tireless efforts to revive the IMF agreement PM Sharif said that friendly and brotherly countries cooperated with Pakistan On behalf of the nation PM Sharif thanked friendly countries including

China, Saudi Arabia and United Arab Emirates (UAE) for their financial support to Pakistan

He said that they are grateful to the leaders hip of the friendly countries for p r o v i d i n g t i m e l y f i n a n c i a l a s s i s t a n c e t o P a k i s t a n

The premier also praised Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari s efforts on the diplomatic front He also praised Finance Minister Ishaq Dar and Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Syed Asim Munir s efforts PM Shehbaz Sharif said that the time has arrived to regain the lost ground He highlighted that a comprehensive na-

The incumbent government gave Rs2,000 billion Kissan Package Easy loan schemes were launched to promote agriculture IT and other sectors besides awarding laptops to the students The initiation of new projects are glimpses of the successful economic journey of Pakistan

PM Sharif said that there is only one way to cope with the challenges which is becoming a self-sufficient state He added that the entire nation is focused to get rid of the loans He prayed that the country would never see a black day like May 9 riots in future The premier said that Nawaz Sharif will bring the country to the path of development and prosperity once again PM Shehbaz Sharif called for national unity by spreading peace and love and eliminating hatred

Pakistan receives first tranche of $1.2b from IMF: Dar

pointed out that the reserves of State Bank of Pakistan has increased by four point two billion dollars this week

He said it is expected that our foreign exchange reserves will be between thirteen and fourteen billion dollars when the central bank will share the exact figures tomorrow at the close of the week The Finance Minister said Pakistan will receive the remaining 1 8 billion dollars from the IMF after two reviews in November and February

Ishaq Dar said this stand by arrangement has been limited to nine months so that the next elected govern-

ment could take its own decisions

The Finance Minister expressed his gratitude to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif for the support extended by him in reaching the stand by arrangement with the IMF

He was also appreciative of his economic team for supporting him during this difficult process The Finance Minister said Pakistan has been put on the positive journey stressing for collective efforts to further consolidate these gains and take the country towards positive growth trajectory

Caretaker Prime Minister yet to be decided; says Khawaja Asif

removed from power via a vote of noconfidence in April last year wants Pakistan to remain unstable They have targeted defence institutions only, said Asif, referring to the May 9 mayhem when defence institutions were mostly targeted The defence minister was connecting the former prime minister to Israel as Tel Aviv had recently targeted Pakistan during the presentation of the Universal Periodic Report of Pakistan at the United Nations Human Rights Council The report was unanimously adopted with Pakistan receiving commendations from various states and civil society organisations for its significant strides in advancing human rights

The Government of Pakistan has initiated the process to delegate the operations and management of Karachi Islamabad and Lahore airports – with the aim of generating foreign exchange to support the economy This development was conveyed to the National Assembly Standing Committee on Aviation by the management of the Pakistan Civil Aviation Authority (PCAA) during a meeting held on July 13 The PCAA elucidated to the Committee that it is not relinquishing ownership of the airports, but rather conferring control over their operation and management for a specified duration “Rest assured, no airport is being sold This is merely a process of delegating specific activities while retaining state ownership of the asset declared PCCA s spokesperson Saifullah Khan The transaction to any potential bidder is set to be governed under the Public Private Partnership Authority Act (2017)

Which airport is set to go first?

The PCAA, however, did not delineate which airport is set to be outsourced first The Committee also did not broach the aforementioned question during the meeting Based on the meeting alone one would surmise that all airports might be simultaneously outsourced – but that is not the case Media reports from last month indicate that the Government of Pakistan has opted to initially commence with the Islamabad Airport as they have encountered practical complexities in executing the outsourcing for the Karachi and Lahore airports for now These two are set to follow suit after the Islamabad airport has been successfully outsourced What does outsourcing an airport mean?

Outsourcing control of airports can take many forms but there are three main approaches: outsourcing airport services airport concession and lease agreements and divestiture of ownership The final option does not exist in the case of Pakistan So what about the remaining two?

Outsourcing airport services involves the state retaining ownership and control of the airport, but contracting out specific services to private companies such as cleaning maintenance or technology For instance the state-owned airport in Athens Greece outsourced its ground handling services to Swissport, a private company This approach enables the state to retain overall control of the airport while benefiting from the expertise and efficiency of private companies However it also means that the state remains responsible for the overall management and development of the airport Airport concession and lease agreements involve the state transferring most of the authority and control of the airport to a private enterprise for a long period of time while imposing regulatory conditions to protect the public interest The private enterprise pays a royalty to the state for using its assets An example of this is the 30-year concession agreement between the Brazilian government and the private consortium Invepar-ACSA for the operation and expansion of São Paulo-Guarulhos International Airport This approach allows for greater private sector involvement in the management and development of the airport while still ensuring some level of public oversight Nevertheless it also means that the state has less direct control over the operations of the airport Which form of outsourcing is Pakistan taking again?

The initial meeting chaired by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on 31st December 2022 envisaged a twenty-year arrangement between the Government of Pakistan and the party that wins the tender for the airport Based solely on the duration of the transaction, it is likely that the agreement will be arrangement number two

(PTI) Chairman Imran Khan had been involved in a “proxy war” since his ouster from the prime minister ’s office

For one-and-a-half years Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf Chairman Imran Khan was involved in a proxy war, the federal

minister said during Geo News show Capital Talk Asif who is also a senior leader of the Pakistan Muslim LeagueNawaz (PML-N) alleged that the PTI chief was fulfilling the Israeli agenda in the country, adding that Tel Aviv was

worried that its “agenda” was being stopped in Pakistan The PML-N stalwart further said that the PTI chief asks his people to tweet to check the response of institutions adding that the deposed prime minister, who was

However, Pakistan slammed Israel for objecting to it, with the Foreign Office saying that Islamabad believes that Israel’s statement at the UN Human Rights Council during Pakistan s UPR review process was politically motivated

Furthermore looking back at the transactions involving the terminal at berths 6-9 on Karachi

Port – a concession agreement was agreed upon both times: with PICT in 2022, and more recently with Abu Dhabi Ports Group last month

how

manage affairs

deciding

move forward with this plan A

company ”

Understanding the ownership structure There is some background needed to understand the current happening at KE The company was owned by the federal government until 2005 which is when it was privatised and sold to the Al Jomaih Group a consortium of Saudi and Kuwaiti investors When the Al Jomaih group entered the picture in 2005 they created KES Power Limited (KESP) which was a Cayman Islands company This company paid the government of Pakistan directly and acquired a 66 4% stake in K-Electric in Pakistan This essentially means that since 2005,

while KE has remained a Pakistani company listed on the Pakistan Stock Exchange the majority of its shares (66 4%) have been owned by KESP the Cayman based holding company In 2009 after failing to turn KE around Al Jomaih had enough and decided to exit Except it did not sell its direct stake it simply restructured the ownership makeup of KESP Abraaj funnelled over $370 million in foreign direct investment into KE through the KESP company in Cayman To date the US$360 million invested by Abraaj in KE (routed through KESP) remains the only equity FDI invested into KE as new capital used principally to fund capital expenditures driving efficiency This is where another name enters the picture Abraaj s investment in KE was undertaken through the Infrastructure & Growth Capital Fund L P ( IGCF ), a $2 billion Cayman Islands private equity fund with investment contributed by over 100

different international investors, managed then by Abraaj Investment Management

When Abraaj faced bankruptcy in 2019 management of IGCF was taken over by Abraaj s liquidator So when new investors wanted to

r d i n g t o t h e n e w o w n e r s n o w looking to dissolve the holding company, minority shareholders (which includes the original Al Jomaih) have been “denying us from exercising our rights as KESP shareholders by preventing us from appointing our nominees to the KE Board of Directors, stymying the smooth functioning of KESP, whose sole function is to act as the holding company for KE and consistently and wilfully misrepresenting our plans to improve KE

The detailed statement essentially points out that despite Sage coming in and acquiring a majority stake in IGCF and thus in KESP, the minority shareholders have not been giving them their due rights In a recent conversation with Profit Shaheryar Chishty had said their aim was to come in as long-term owners and that they were not looking for a quick-flip

g OPERATIONS AND MANAGEMENT OF KARACHI, LAHORE AND ISLAMABAD AIRPORTS SET TO BE OUTSOURCED TO GENERATE FOREIGN EXCHANGE

PA K I S TA N U R G E S A F G H A N I S TA N T O E N S U R E I T S S O I L W I L L

N O T B E U S E D F O R T E R R O R I S M A G A I N S T PA K I S TA N

ISLAMABAD S ta f f R e p o R t

PAKISTAN has reaffirmed its commitment to engage with Afghanistan on all aspects of cooperation and concern including issues relating to terror

threats At her weekly news briefing in Islamabad on Thursday, Foreign Office

Spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra Baloch urged the Afghan authorities to fulfill their promises that their soil will not be used for terrorism against Pakistan S h e s a i d i t i s t h e i r r e s p o n s i b i l i t y t o

e n s u r e t h a t t h e i r l a n d i s n o t u s e d a g a i n s t P a k i s t a n a n d A f g h a n a u t h o r i t i e s h a v e a c c e p t e d t h i s r e s p o n s i b i l i t y o n v a r i o u s

occasions

On the situation in the Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir Mumtaz

Zahra Baloch said since 5th August 2019 over seven hundred and eighty Kashmiri people have been martyred by the Indian occupation forces She said India s unabated repression over the last seven decades has failed to break the will of Kashmiri people for the right to self-determination She said Pakistan will continue to support its Kashmiri

brothers and sisters in their just struggle against Indian oppression till the realization of their inalienable right to selfdetermination as enshrined in the UN Security Council Resolutions

Responding to a question the spokesperson said Indus Water Treaty is an important document that has served both Pakistan and India She said Pakistan is committed to its full implementation and hoped India will remain committed to it The Spokesperson said the UN Human Rights Council recently adopted a historic resolution presented by Pakistan on the behalf of the OIC which condemned any

advocacy of religious hatred including the recent acts of desecration of Holy Quran and underscored the need for holding the perpetrators to account She said Pakistan shared the disappointment of the OIC countries that despite its balanced and apolitical nature this important resolution was put to vote on fallacious grounds derailing the council s consensus She said Pakistan believes that the Human Rights Council must speak with one voice on the issue of Islamophobia which affects human rights, fundamental freedoms, dignity and identity of over two billion Muslims She said Pakistan will continue to

Tarar says elec toral reform committee completes 99% work

ISLAMABAD S ta f f R e p o R t

Federal Minister for Law & Justice

Senator Azam Nazeer Tarar said on Thursday the Parliamentary Committee on Electoral Reforms has completed 99 per cent of work, explaining that the pending things were not politically contentious issues

In addition the law minister while talking to media after the meeting said that the best thing about Thursday s meeting was that a consensus was reached on the things that were not agreed upon earlier

Surprisingly, the minister revealed that the proposal to make parliament as the supreme authority in matters pertaining to ceasing a party or the membership of a member of the party instead of the Supreme Court has already been dropped by the committee

Giving credit to chairman of the committee – Federal Minister for Economic Affairs Sardar Ayaz Sadiq – the law minister said that the chairman has thoughtfully resolved 99 per cent of

issues being deliberated by the committee in its 3rd in-camera meeting held at Parliament House today

Referring to the remaining one per cent issues the law minister said that PTI’s Senator Syed Ali Zafar has said that he would give his suggestions to the committee on the remaining issues

Tarar, however, clarified that the pending issues were not of political nature as they were more of legal and technical nature “These are not politically contentious issues rather of technical and legal nature he said

Subsequently Tarar while responding to a question about the proposal of empowering the parliament instead of the Supreme Court to cease a political party said that “the issue was dropped in a previous meeting ”

Earlier on Tuesday Tarar had categorically said that there would be no extension in the term of the National Assembly but kept the option of early dissolution of the assembly open, saying no one has the knowledge of “Ghayb” (unseen or all that is hidden)

Evacuations under way as floodwater enters 40 villages of Jhang district

JHANG S ta f f R e p o R t

Punjab Caretaker Chief Minister Mohsin Naqvi on Thursday said Chenab river water had entered over 40 villages of Jhang district as evacuations intensified to protect villagers amid the flood situation In a tweet Naqvi posted helicopter footage of flooded lands that was reminiscent of the imagery that followed the catastrophic rains that left more than a third of the country under water last year The northern states of India, where the catchment areas of Sutlej and Ravi rivers are located have witnessed torrential downpours in the past week As a result India is releasing more water towards the downstream areas in Pakistan In Pakistan the Meteorological Department has forecasted another spell of monsoon rains from July 13 to 17 in the upper and central parts of the country In a statement, the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) in Punjab has stated that the district administrations of Okara Pakpattan Bahawalnagar and Wazirabad had been placed on high alert in response to the flood situation The PDMA further confirmed that the necessary preparations to address the flooding in areas connected to the Chenab River had been successfully completed According to the PDMA, relief camps had been established in Kasur district with a total of 11 camps accommodating 211 officers and personnel engaged in rescue operations Similarly in Bahawalnagar district 26 rescue and relief camps have been set up, with 578 officers and personnel assigned to duty In Pakpattan district, 20 rescue and relief camps have been established, involving 220 personnel Additionally, Wazirabad and Okara districts have 12 camps each The PDMA also reported that Punjab Relief Commissioner Nabil Javed was closely monitoring the situation across all districts with an appropriate increase in the number of personnel involved to address the challenges effectively During his visit to various points in district Jhang, caretaker Chief Minister Naqvi was informed by the irrigation department that more than 40 villages in the district were affected by the inflow of river Chenab water Recognising the need for administrative improvements he emphasised the importance of expediting rescue operations The chief minister issued instructions to the Jhang deputy commissioner to ensure the accessibility of rescue teams to all flood-affected villages

ISLAMABAD S ta f f R e p o R t

Minister for Commerce Naveed

Qamar of the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) who was also walking out of the conference room after attending the meeting revealed that it was the PPP s proposal to dissolve the remaining legislatures on Aug 8, four days before the completion of their five-year term The proposal to dissolve the national and two provincial legislatures – Sindh and Balochistan – can be dissolved a few days before the end of their term to give an

The Ministry of Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony on Thursday emphasized the urgent need for awareness among all sections of society, particularly religious scholars, professors, journalists, lawyers, traders, political and social leaders, and institutions in the country in an effort to prevent the misuse of social media platforms for spreading derogatory and inappropriate content

It called upon them to play their responsible role in the campaign to curb offensive material and, in every circumstance to utilize legal avenues to combat such content by reporting it to the relevant cybercrime authorities and the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA), it said

According to details released by the Ministry, nefarious elements have been actively using social media to launch a well-organized campaign aimed at undermining the ethics behavior and beliefs of our youth for several years The negative and harmful effects of social media on

society have become a matter of great concern While indecency itself is intolerable, the situation has escalated to the point of blasphemy, which is an extremely grave offense As per the Ministry’s statement h i g h l y o rg a n i z e d c a m p a i g n s o n s o c i a l m e d i a p l a t f o r m s a r e b e i n g c o n d u c t e d t o s p r e a d e x t r e m e l y b l a s p h e m o u s m a t e r i a l a g a i n s t t h e most revered figures, including Allah A l m i g h t y ( G o d ) , t h e P r o p h e t Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him) t h e A h l a l - B a y t ( P r o p h e t s f a m i l y ) t h e M o t h e r s o f t h e B e l i e v e r s t h e Companions of the Prophet the Holy Q u r a n , a n d t h e n a t i o n a l f l a g S u c h o ff e n s i v e c o n t e n t i s b e i n g s h a r e d t h r o u g h i m a g e s a n d v i d e o s o n specific applications and groups

The Cyber Crimes wing of the FIA has apprehended individuals involved in these crimes including doctors professors engineers chartered accountants, lawyers, and people from various walks of life

According to the Ministry, the report filed by the FIA Cyber Crime and the investigation conducted by the Legal Commission in the Rawalpindi

additional 30 days to political parties to run their election campaigns Both the ministers had, however, clarified that a decision with regard to early dissolution of assemblies had not yet been taken

The two other assemblies Punjab and Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa were dissolved by the PTI in January this year in an attempt to force the federal government to dissolve the National and two other provincial assemblies as, under the constitution, it is mandatory to hold polls within 90 days if an assembly is dissolved However it didn t happen and the caretaker setups have continued to function even beyond 90-day period Since then, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has been vocal about leaving the government’s affairs to the caretaker setup in August 2023 strengthening the notion that there will be no extension in NA and other assemblies tenures The prime minister as well as the federal ministers, however, haven t yet announced if the government would go for early dissolution of the assemblies or the assemblies would automatically dissolve on the completion of the term

take lead in raising global awareness about Islamophobia and Xenophobia and fostering interfaith dialogue, harmony and peaceful coexistence

Mumtaz Zahra Baloch said that Azerbaijan’s Minister for Digital Development and Transport will undertake a three day visit to Pakistan from Monday next She said the visiting Minister will meet with Pakistani counterparts in the ministries of Information Technology, Aviation, Communications, Railways and Maritime Affairs and explore bilateral cooperation in the areas of connectivity and Information Technology

ATC issues arrest warrants of PTI chief in judicial complex attack case

ISLAMABAD S ta f f R e p o R t

An anti-terrorism court of Islamabad on Thursday issued a bailable arrest warrant of the chairman Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) and other party leaders in the judicial complex attack case According to details the ATC along with PTI chief issued bailable arrest warrants for Shibli Faraz Farrukh Habib Hassaan Niazi and other leaders and summoned them in person on July 19 The counsel for the PTI chairman requested the court for exemption from appearance as his client was to appear before the Lahore High Court Judge Abul Hasnat stressed that the PTI chairman would have to appear before court The judge later adjourned the hearing for July 19 with the directive that all the suspects should appear in person

Awn Chaudhr y, Nauman

Langrial resign as cabinet members

LAHORE S ta f f R e p o R t

Being part of Istekham-e-Pakistan Party (IPP)

Bench of the Lahore High Court revealed that more than four hundred thousand accounts in Pakistan are involved in disseminating such severe blasphemy

The proliferation of indecency through social media is promoting the degradation of our society and dragging the new generation into the quagmire of blasphemy Currently, over 100 million people in the country use social media, which demonstrates the rapid spread of this evil

In 2019 four individuals formed a blasphemous group which was subsequently apprehended by the FIA Cyber Crime in 2022 However, by the time of their arrest, the number of members in this group had significantly increased and this increase continues to this day

The primary objective of this alarming trend is to create chaos in Pakistan destabilize peace and security, and sow seeds of hatred among different religious communities and sects The act of blasphemy is being orchestrated through conspiratorial means using accounts with names that appear to belong to a particular religion or sect to defame and insult opposing religions or sects

The Ministry urges parents, who bear the greatest responsibility in current circumstances to be mindful of the content their children are exposed to on mobile phones laptops and the internet They should ensure that their children do not inadvertently stumble u p o n i n d e c e n t m a t e r i a l a n d e n d u p o n t h e p a t h o f i m m o r a l i t y, e v e n t u a l l y l e a d i n g t o o b s c e n e v i d e o s a n d m o s t e g r e g i o u s l y b l a s p h e m o u s a c t s C o n t r o l l i n g t h i s e p i d e m i c r e q u i r e s n o t o n l y p a r e n t s awareness but also education within s o c i e t y t o p r e v e n t t h e c i r c u l a t i o n o f s u c h m a t e r i a l a n d t o u t i l i z e legal measures in all circumstances to obstruct these crimes

CPEC fruits to be shared with whole region, says Ahsan Iqbal

ISLAMABAD

S ta f f R e p o R t

Pakistan is looking forward to taking the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) into the next phase with greater vigour and hopes to see its fruits benefit not only China and Pakistan but the whole region said

Minister of Planning Development and Special Initiatives Ahsan Iqbal

In an interview with the Global Times after a meeting of the 12th Joint Cooperation Committee (JCC) of the CPEC in Beijing, Iqbal, who has extensive experience and long-standing involvement in the CPEC, said that he was overwhelmed at how much has been accomplished by the CPEC in just 10 years The beauty of the CPEC is that it is a project between two countries that enjoy a very unique relationship, Iqbal said Normally, countries come close when

they need to, and they get farther away when they do not need each other But in the case of China and Pakistan it has always been spring There has never been autumn in this relationship he said This year marks a decade of the CPEC as the landmark project was formalised on July 5, 2013

CPEC has done a great service to Pakistan, helping it overcome the energy crisis, develop modern infrastructure and restore the country’s image as an investment destination he said highlighting that prior to the CPEC the world used to look at Pakistan as a very dangerous country Pakistan would be facing an extreme energy crisis today without the projects launched under the CPEC, Iqbal emphasised Everyone in Pakistan has benefited from the great contribution that has been made by the CPEC he added If there was a lack of electricity factories would be closed and

workers would be laid off; patients in hospitals and students in educational institutions would also be stranded he further said

He mentioned the Thar region of Pakistan which was once a backward area saying thay CPEC has transformed the region into a source of energy for the country Local education, employment, hospitals and schools have also flourished The projects also empower local women in the region, Iqbal noted “You will be amazed to see that local women are driving the heavy trucks which take coal out of the mines he remarked adding that in total the CPEC projects have created about 200,000 job opportunities Iqbal also said that Pakistan now has a lot more vigor to move forward on the CPEC adding that many projects that were delayed in previous years were completed in the last year He said that Pakistan is looking forward to taking the CPEC into the next

Awn Chaudhry and Nauman Langrial on Thursday resigned as special assistant to PM Shehbaz Sharif on the orders of the party leadership The two leaders, recently joined IPP, the resignations have been handed over to the party’s Patron-in-Chief Jahangir Khan Tareen the sources said Is should be mentioned here that Istehkam-e-Pakistan Party (IPP) President Aleem Khan had directed party members Nauman Langrial and Awn Chaudhry to resign from cabinet Aleem Khan said the IPP had no relation with the PDM-led government, adding that Langrial and Chaudhry were independent members of the cabinet The IPP will contest election separately the IPP President added

Rana Sanaullah vows to provide all facilities to police force

ISLAMABAD S ta f f R e p o R t I n t e r i o r M i n i s t e r R a n a S a n a u l l a h K h a n l a i d t h e f o u n d a t i o n s t o n e o f Wo m e n P o l i c e S t a t i o n i n I s l a m a b a d a n d p l e d g e d t o p r o v i d e a l l f a c i l i t i e s t o p o l i c e f o r c e A s p e r d e t a i l s t h e i n t e r i o r m i n i s t e r s a i d s e v e n t e e n h u n d r e d r e c r u i t m e n t s h a v e b e e n m a d e i n I s l a m a b a d p o l i c e w h i c h a l s o i n c l u d e s w o m e n R a n a S a n a u l l a h f u r t h e r s a i d t h a t d e v e l o p m e n t p r o j e c t s o f o n e h u n d r e d a n d f i f t y b i l l i o n r u p e e s a r e u n d e r w a y i n t h e f e d e r a l c a p i t a l T h e M i n i s t e r s a i d t h e g o v e r n m e n t h a s e n s u r e d p r o v i s i o n o f f i n a n c i a l p a c k a g e s t o t h e f a m i l i e s o f m a r t y r e d p o l i c e p e r s o n n e l H e h a i l e d t h e e ff o r t s o f f e d e r a l p o l i c e a n d o t h e r a u t h o r i t i e s f o r m a i n t a i n i n g a p e a c e f u l a t m o s p h e r e i n t h e a r e a H e s a i d t h e s a l a r i e s o f I s l a m a b a d P o l i c e h a v e b e e n e q u a l e d t o t h e P u n j a b p o l i c e T h e M i n i s t e r e m p h a s i z e d i m p l e m e n t a t i o n o f d i s c i p l i n e i n p o l i c e f o r c e t o i m p r o v e i t s p o s i t i v e i m a g e i n t e r n a t i o n a l l y

phase with greater vigour I hope that the next phase will bring many dividends for the wider region beyond Pakistan and China We hope one day the whole of South Asia Central Asia and the Middle East will benefit from the CPEC he added

When talking about the mega projects within the second phase of the CPEC, Iqbal expressed his hope to see the start of major upgrades to the Main Line 1 railway between Karachi and Peshawar with China’s help as soon as possible in 2023

Modernisation and upgrades are urgently needed for this aging railway line especially as it was badly damaged by the floods last year, he added This $10-billion project was supposed to be done in the first phase, but it got delayed in the last four years Iqbal said

He refuted claims in the Western media that the CPEC has not lived up to expectations and has become a debt trap

saying that instead it has “outperformed the expectations The propaganda [from the West] that the CPEC is a debt trap is all false All the negative propaganda against the CPEC has a political element It has no reality, he told the Global Times Infrastructure was the priority of the first-phase of the CPEC and the second phase will focus on industrial cooperation and business linkage through increasing investment in sectors such as energy agriculture, information technology and mining, according to Iqbal

Spreading blasphemy in countr y, over 400,000 social media accounts exposed; confirms FIA

P M S AY S PA K I S TA N I P E O P L E J O I N K A S H M I R I S I N

S O L E M N LY O B S E R V I N G K A S H M I R M A R T Y R S ’ D AY

defiance has remained unwavering he said

K a s h m i r l a i d t h e s t r o n g f o u n d a t i o n f o r t h e f r e e d o m s t r u g g l e o

PRIME Minister Shehbaz Sharif has said the people of Pakistan join their Kashmiri brothers and sisters in solemnly observing the Kashmir Martyrs Day and paying rich tribute to those who laid down their lives on this day in

1931

The prime Minister in a tweet, today, said these Kashmiris chose to embrace martyrdom b u t r e f u s e d t o g i v e i n t o t h e o p p r e s s i o n o f

Dogra rule

He said the spirit of sacrifice has been embedded in the Kashmiris DNA While the oppressors may have changed, Kashmiris

The Prime Minister said it is the firm belief in their destiny and strong conviction in the justness of their cause that continues to blaze the path even in darkness Kashmiri youth determined to continue struggle for right to self-determination: Kaira

P r i m e M i n i s t e r s A d v i s e r o n K a s h m i r

A ff a i r s a n d G i l g i t - B a l t i s t a n Q a m a r Z a m a n

K a i r a , p a y i n g g l o w i n g t r i b u t e s t o t h e

K a s h m i r i s m a r t y r e d o n J u l y 1 3 , 1 9 3 1 , h a s s a i d t h a t t h e m a r t y r s h a v e s e t a n e t e r n a l e x a m p l e o f f a i t h a n d d e t e r m i n a t i o n b y

c o m p l e t i n g t h e A z a a n i n f r o n t o f t h e b r u t a l

soldiers of the Dogra Maharaja

Qamar Zaman Kaira in a statement issued i n I s l a m a b a d s a i d t h i s h i s t o r i c a l e v e n t o f

for securing right to self-determination

C TD arrests six suspec ted militants in Punjab

LAHORE S ta f f R e p o R t

In a series of intelligence-based operations (IBOs) the Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) Punjab has successfully apprehended six suspected terrorists among them a prominent commander affiliated with a proscribed militant organisation The arrests took place in various locations across the province

A spokesperson for CTD confirmed that multiple operations were carried out in different areas of Punjab, resulting in the arrest of Bakht Sher, a key figure within the banned outfit Additionally, five other individuals were detained in separate IBOs conducted by the department

During the operations the CTD recovered a significant amount of explosive material, mobile phones, weapons, and a sum of money from the

possession of the arrested suspects These seized items are expected to aid in ongoing investigations and shed l i g h t o n p o t e n t i a l t e r r o r p l o t s o r n e t w o r k s a s s o c i a t e d w i t h t h e d e t a i n e d individuals

The spokesperson commended the efforts of the CTD personnel involved in these operations and emphasized the importance of intelligence-driven strategies in the fight against terrorism F u r t h e r i n v e s t i g a t i o n s a r e

Major changes in the offing at K-Electric

c u r r e n t l y u n d e r w a y t o g a t h e r m o r e i n f o r m a t i o n a b o u t t h e a r r e s t e d s u s p e c t s a n d t h e i r p o t e n t i a l i n v o l v e m e n t i n t e r r o r i s t a c t i v i t i e s T h e C T D r e m a i n s v i g i l a n t i n i t s m i s s i o n t o d i s m a n t l e t e r r o r i s t n e t w o r k s a n d u p h o l d p e a c e i n t h e r e g i o n The arrested individuals will now be presented before the relevant authorities for legal proceedings in accordance with Pakistan s anti-terrorism laws

O n M ar t yrs ’ D ay, Al vi urges peaceful settlement of K ashmir dispute

ISLAMABAD S ta f f R e p o R t

President Dr Arif Alvi has called on the international community, particularly international rights organisations and the United Nations’ human rights machinery to acknowledge the severe human rights and humanitarian situation in the Indian-occupied Jammu and Kashmir

In a press statement issued by the presidency he appealed to these global bodies to ensure a peaceful resolution of the Kashmir dispute in accordance with the UNSC resolutions and the aspirations of the people of Kashmir

On the occasion of the 92nd Martyrs’ Day observed on July 13 the president paid rich tribute to the 22 people from Kashmir who sacrificed their lives in 1931 while facing indiscriminate firing by the forces of Maharaja Hari Singh

Alvi reiterated the nation s respect for the sacrifices of the heroes of 1931 and all innocent Kashmiris who

lost their lives in their just struggle

He once again urged India to immediately cease repression in the region put an end to human rights violations release political prisoners lift the military siege refrain from altering the demographic structure of the occupied territory, and allow the Kashmiri people to exercise their legitimate right to self-determination

The president expressed solidarity with the Kashmiri people on this solemn day, as they continue to resist India’s illegal occupation He highlighted that the Indian occupation forces consisting of over 900 000 personnel continue to oppress the Kashmiri people and maintain an unjust occupation of Jammu and Kashmir

Alvi emphasized that India s illegal and unilateral actions on August 5, 2019, were an attempt to undermine the distinct identity of the Kashmiri people and reduce them to a minority in their own land

He also denounced India’s decision to cancel the regional public holiday on Martyrs Day which had been observed annually since 1948 as well as the discontinuation of the traditional Guard of Honor

ceremony at the Martyrs’

Pakistani, Indian lovers defy all to be together

LAHORE

a f p

A love-struck couple from arch-rivals

Pakistan and India who met in a gaming chatroom before sneaking across borders to be together say their passion trumped national rivalries or fear of religious backlash Sachin Meena, 22, an unmarried Indian shopkeeping assistant and a Hindu, connected with 27-year-old Seema Haider, a married Pakistani mother of four and a Muslim playing the online shooting game PUBG during the coronavirus pandemic in 2020

We became friends and our friendship turned to love and our chats became longer every morning and night before we finally decided to meet ” said Seema speaking to AFP from the cramped courtyard of Sachin’s tworoom family home where she now lives

Seema who left Pakistan and her husband with her four children by smuggling herself into India via Nepal in May for which the couple were arrested then bailed out last week said she has since married Sachin and taken

NEW YORK

S ta f f R e p o R t

Pakistani education advocate and UN Messenger of Peace Malala Yousafzai called for increased efforts to provide education to over 120 million girls who are currently out of school

Speaking at a gathering in the Nigerian capital of Abuja on the tenth anniversary of her landmark Malala Day address at the UN Headquarters, Yousafzai emphasized the need for global action against illiteracy poverty and terrorism

The event was attended by UN Deputy Secretary General Amina Mohammed, who introduced Yousafzai as someone who has transcended borders, cultures, and generations with her message and passion Mohammed highlighted that quality education for both girls and boys is not merely a dream but a fundamental human right Over the past decade Yousafzai has completed high school and university, traveled to more than 30 countries, and established the Malala Fund, which

his name I converted to Hinduism she said sitting next to Sachin in the village of Rabupura about 55 kilometres (35 miles) from New Delhi I d rather die than return or leave Sachin” While the lovers have found each other the history of their respective nations is bitter India and Pakistan both nucleararmed nations have fought three wars since being carved out of the subcontinent in 1947 Each expelled the other s high commissioner in 2019, and bilateral diplomatic, cultural, business and sporting links are very limited Indian police insist that Seema’s long-term stay will be impossible I request the Indian government to grant me citizenship Seema pleaded a red headscarf covering her hair and her four young children playing nearby ‘DESTINED’

Apostasy is considered punishable by death in some interpretations of Islam

Seema said she had already received online threats and insisted the couple would live and die together

Seema s proclamation of undying love for Sachin and a promise to only return to Pakistan “as a dead woman” when

they featured on a raucous Indian TV debate this week drew cheers from the crowds sitting around them Seema said she had been first attracted by Sachin s gaming skills Three years later, the couple met in person in March in Nepal She became sure about leaving her abusive Pakistani husband charges he denies after the first meeting

The couple said it took months of meticulous planning with help from YouTube videos on how to enter India via Nepal In May, she succeeded “It was very difficult to travel from Pakistan to India ” she said I believe that with God s love we were destined to meet Sachin s family only learned of her existence when he rented a nearby apartment with her There was some resistance, but my father and everyone accepted us They are happy for us,” said Sachin “I will do everything for them ” Indian police found out after they tried to get married at a local court ‘STILL MY FAMILY’ Seema s estranged husband, Ghulam Haider, left his job as a labourer and rickshaw driver to earn more money for

as indigenous girls in Brazil

She has also made multiple trips to Nigeria engaging with activists young women and parents of the Chibok school kidnapping victims W h i l e a c k n o w l e d g i n g g l o b a l i n i t i a t i v e s t o p r o m o t e e d u c a t i o n a n d

g e n d e r e q u a l i t y, Yo u s a f z a i w a r n e d t h a t s u b s t a n t i a l p r o g r e s s h a s y e t t o b e a c h i e v e d S h e e x p r e s s e d c o n c e r n o v e r t h e l i m i t e d i m p a c t o f t h e s e

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

his family in Saudi Arabia

Haider who said he had not heard of PUBG wants his family back I earnestly appeal to Indian and Pakistani authorities to bring my wife and children back to me,” Ghulam Haider told AFP by phone from Saudi Arabia

Haider said the couple from different Baloch tribes have a defiant love story of their own Forbidden by their families from marrying they ran away to get hitched a taboo in Pakistan that can sometimes lead to so-called honour killings “Later, a jirga (council of elders) was summoned to settle the matter and a fine of Rs1 million was slapped on me he said I am far from my home from my family and it is very agonising for me because we married out of love ‘SHE IS AN ADULT’ In India, the couple have received a popular welcome Crowds from nearby villages have been visiting them since their arrest grabbed national headlines

We took selfies said Rakesh Chand, 37, who drove over an hour to offer his congratulations, one of the dozens lining up to greet them

provide 12 years of quality education to all children She stressed the importance of holding leaders accountable for their commitments to gender equality and education

Addressing the cultural and religious barriers faced by girls, Yousafzai urged the breaking of the stranglehold of patriarchy and misogyny disguised as traditions She expressed hope for the future having met young girls who understand the power of education and are actively working to ensure access for all children

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 01

PLANS FOR KE

The news owners of the company have ambitious plans for its future One of the biggest plans they have is the utilization of solar and wind power The biggest problem with solar and wind is that it is very expensive to set up for the average household So if a utilities company like K-Electric can harvest this energy it can provide significantly cheaper electricity to households Another major area of possibility is Thar Coal Spread over more than 9000 square kilometres, the Thar coal fields are one of the largest deposits of lignite coal in the world with an estimated 175 billion tonnes of coal that according to some could solve Pakistan’s energy woes for not decades but centuries to come Discovered in the early 1990s by the Geological Survey of Pakistan (GSP) Thar Coal accounts for around 660 MW of electricity produced in the country Officials of KE in Pakistan did not respond to Profit’s request for comment According to a Reuters report, Sadia

Dada Chief Marketing and Communications Officer at K-Electric said the utility was neither privy to the contents of the petition nor in a position to comment

Lahore prison introduces video calls for inmates to connect with families

LAHORE S ta f f R e p o R t

In a groundbreaking move the District Jail of Lahore unveiled a pilot project on Thursday that brings video calling facilities to inmates, transforming the way they can communicate with their loved ones The inaugural video call was made by Shakeel Ahmad Mian, the Additional Chief Secretary Home, who emphasized the government’s commitment to prisoner welfare This innovative service represents a significant step forward in enhancing prisoner wellbeing fostering a sense of connection and support during their confinement With the implementation of the video-calling system, prisoners will no longer feel isolated from their families, as they can now engage in video calls from behind bars The new system provides 100 juvenile prisoners with the opportunity to connect with their families twice a week This development marks a historic milestone in the country, as it is the first time such a facility has been made available to prisoners The Inspector General of Jails expressed optimism about the positive impact that video calling will have on the overall well-being of inmates Buoyed by the success of the pilot project plans are already underway to expand videocalling facilities to other jails in Punjab In April the caretaker chief minister of Punjab Mohsin Naqvi chaired a meeting focused on prison reforms, with a specific emphasis on conducting prisoner trials through video links

Bailable arrest warrants for Imran, aides in vandalism cases

ISLAMABAD S ta f f R e p o R t

An Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) in Islamabad has issued bailable arrest warrants for Pakistan Tehreek-iInsaf (PTI) chairman Imran Khan and other party leaders in three separate cases related to vandalism outside the judicial complex during his court appearance During the hearing presided over by ATC Judge Abul Hasnat the lawyer representing the PTI chairman filed an exemption plea citing his necessary appearance in the Lahore High Court (LHC) However Judge ATC Abul Hasnat emphasized the significance of Khan s presence in the ongoing proceedings, stating that he would be required to appear before the court Consequently, bailable warrants were issued for Imran Khan as well as prominent PTI leaders Farrukh Habib Shibli Faraz and Hassan Niazi in connection with the case The court has directed all the accused including Khan, to personally appear on July 19 to address the charges leveled against them Furthermore, the hearing of the case has been adjourned until July 19

works to reduce barriers to girls education

She has consistently advocated for the rights of girls and highlighted the challenges they face due to poverty patriarchy climate issues and conflicts

During her travels Yousafzai has met with young women and activists in different countries, including refugees in Jordan, Iraq, Kenya, and Rwanda, as well

During her visit, Yousafzai, accompanied by her father Ziauddin Yousafzai co-founder of the Malala Fund traveled to Maiduguri the capital of Borno State in Nigeria They visited three schools focusing on providing quality education to girls affected by violence

Following her visit Mohammed will join the secretary general in UNEuropean Union meetings in Brussels to further discuss education and gender

Cemetery, where many of those killed in the freedom movement are buried which deeply hurt the sentiments of the Kashmiris

As money flows in, the fear of default should recede

IT seems that with elections just around the corner, the coalition government has managed to avert the threat of default and with the inflow of $4 2 billion Pakistan’s forex reserves have thus doubled This clearly means that Pakistan is not likely to default any time soon

However, it should be remembered that the fresh $2 billion from Saudi Arabia and the $1 billion from UAE are deposits and cannot really be used for paying for imports However that does not mean that the country is out of the hole it was in

The news of the bolstering of reserves had led to a strengthening of the rupee, but it is likelier than not to decline once the euphoria dies down For a start one of the conditions imposed by the IMF was the opening up of imports As the pent-up demand exaggerates the outflow of foreign exchange, the rupee will come under pressure

As it was, if the present coalition, or the expected caretaker government or both tries to bring the present loadshedding under control by importing furnace oil for thermal generation, the import bill will climb up

The coalition has ridden the crisis, and the caretakers do not have one to face, while it will be up to the elected government to take the steps needed for an end to crises

If it doesn’t watch out the elected government could find itself once again embroiled in a crisis as soon as the middle of next year The IMF has set tough conditions for the current loan, but it has not insisted on several which it sees as essential for righting the country s finances

Actually the economy must either be able to export more or attract sufficient foreign direct investment to service its debt, and stop incurring more That is only possible by long-term investments in human capital and in other areas where the state has stinted before Such measures are not possible for the present government or the caretakers simply because there is not enough time Indeed even if the government thrown up as a result of the coming elections, was to focus on such measures, it would find that it had laid the groundwork only if it managed to complete its full five-year tenure To help it whatever its complexion to stick to the task it is essential that all parties, government or opposition, come together, and agree on what steps are needed, and further to agree to implement those steps if elected to power In short, there must be a Charter of the Economy If there isn t the next crisis is inevitable

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

A renewed hateful spirit

TH E R E is a new spirit of Islamophobia abroad, which has made the desecration of the Holy Quran in Sweden merely one of a number of incidents, though it remains the most hurtful to Muslims and is clearly the one motivated by Islamophobia The others may be brushed off as violence against Muslims which is often enough the result of Islamophobia but need not be

While hackles of Muslims rose at the other incidents of Islamophobia out of solidarity, and which all merely confirmed existing stereotypes, the Quran burning in Stockholm evoked a more visceral reaction just as the blasphemous cartoons depicting the Holy Prophet (PBUH) in 2005 did It was not just a sense of the West being unfair but a visceral feeling of being assaulted As believers have some sort of personal relationship with the Prophet (PBUH), there was a personal edge to the feeling

The Holy Quran is the source of a Muslim’s faith

In many Muslim households it may be the only book or maybe there might be a commentary or two along with it Burning it is not just a challenge to their beliefs but also a reminder of the Nazi book burnings

The Quran banishes ignorance, so destroying it means taking away that light

The complicity of the Swedish state was also noticeable It was not total The police had tried to stop the protest but had been overruled by a court However the police had not changed the location or the timing of the protest which coincided with the Eidul Azha congregation at the city s central mosque

The protester, an Iraqi Christian migrant, had acted to irritate, tearing the Quran, using the pages to wipe his shoes, wrap bacon in them, and then burn them Clearly this was a provocative act It was not political as was the burning of the Quran in front of the Turkish Embassy by a far-right politician who was protesting Turkey s blocking Sweden s membership of NATO

However, one of the problems with such acts is that they do nothing but provoke What do they provoke to? Muslims may be angered, but they can’t very well retaliate though there have been requests filed with the Swedish police for permission to burn the Torah In fact the blasphemer is to be punished if not by the state then by an act of private vengeance

The whole affair seems to be an attempt to exploit Western ideals of free speech, of which Sweden is a leading exemplar, to score points in a debate occurring elsewhere Whatever points against Muslims an Iraqi Christian wished to score he was doing so in a country which is eone s considered one of the most irreligious in the world with various estimates of atheism randing between 45 percent and 85 percent

Pehaps, in a paradoxical kind of way, it is that lack of religiosity which is behind the concept that burning any sacred scripture including the Quran

should be banned Almost as a substitute for Christianity humanism demands a due regard for people s feelings Freedom of speech has to be retrained As the saying goes, My freedom ends at the beginning of your nose The Quran (and other sacred books) must be protected from desecration because that desecration hurts someone’s feelings, not because it is what Muslims believe it is the Word of God the speech of the Creator This could be problematic Who determines which book is indeed sacred? For example, Muslims do not believe the Bible is a sacred book, though it does contain (although distorted) Revelations made to Moses David and Jesus Christians believe it is Divine Revelation Not all Christians do Presumably not the ones who also identify as atheist Then what is the position of the Book of Mormon which Mormons believe is the word of God but which other Christians do not Why go any further than Catholics and Protestants? The latter do not accept the Books of the Apocrypha as part of the Old Testament; the latter do There is an element of racism in Islamophobia, but this incident had an Iraqi commit the desecration, so that cannot be said here The Quan burning in January was by a far-right politician who has advocated deporting all Muslims There is a strong element of racism in that demand, for Muslim migrants are racially different from the Swedes The racism evident in the riots in France came from the fact that the riots were set off by the police gunning down of an Algerian-descent teenager Nahel Marzouk, during a traffic stop, for driving down a bus lane, and trying to run down the cop who fired Traffic policemen in France have been allowed to shoot at traffic offenders since 2017, in which Frenchmen of colour have been disproportionately killed These were not the first riots in France with this cause

T h e r e a c t i o n t o M u s l i m

m i g r a n t s i s n o t p u r e ly

e c o n o m i c T h e r e a c t i o n o f

We s t e r n E u ro p e a n s t o E a s t

E u ro p e a n s w h o h a d m ov e d

But perhaps the most brutal example of both Islamophobia and racism was the latest attack by Israel of the Jenin refugee camp The whole operation, at the centre of which was the Israeli military occupation of the refugee camp on July 3 took place in the background of renewed occupation of land by settlers Jenin is at the front line of the resistance to Israel not just physically but also in terms of the great fortitude of the fighters in Jenin Israel, both people and state, have been racist and Islamophobic for a long time The real reason is their need g Palesitinto replace the Palestinians who do not want to abandon their land However the origins of Zionism in the USA have made Israel racist and thus anti-Arab That racism has created difficulties even for Sephardic Jews, and especially the Falashas from Eritrea and combines with an Islamophobia that originates in that racism One result is that there has been the first Israeli aerial bombardment of the West Bank since 2004

w i t h i n t h e E u ro p e a n U n i o n w a s mu ch m i l d e r t h a n i t w a s t o m i g r a n t s , v e r y o f t e n

M u s l i m , f ro m fo r m e r

c o l o n i e s . I n d e e d , t h e

e c o n o m i c a rg u m e n t

s o u n d s l i k e a b i t o f s p e c i a l

p l e a d i n g . I s l a m o p h o b i a

i s a m a n i fe s t a t i o n o f t h e cl a s h b e t w e e n C h r i s t i a n i t y a n d I s l a m .

Then there was the assault on State Representative Maryam Khan the Connecticut House of Representatives member Maryam Khan, the first Muslim elected to the Connecticut House, when she was leaving an Eid gathering in Hartford, the state capital, by a white man with a history of mental issues The Islamophobia in this incident was clearly intertwined with racism

P a k i s t a n ’ s b r e w i n g m o n s o o n c o n u n d r u m

MoMMeN KhAN

PA K I S TA N is significantly prone to climate change effects due to several factors including its geographical location high reliance on agricultural and water resources, an inefficient emergency preparedness system, and the limited adaptive capacity of the general populace

Despite having a contribution of less than one percent to global carbon emissions it is ranked as the most vulnerable country to climate change effects A year after the devastating floods of 2022 Pakistan is still struggling to recover with 1 8 million people residing close to floodwater that is contaminated and stagnant Moreover, another monsoon season is around the corner to worsen the situation The most recent record-level rain of 291mm in Lahore and its outskirts is a reflection that worse is still to come

The most concerning fact is that it has increased the vulnerability of its already underprivileged population, affecting 33 million people, and areas already having the lowest score on the Human Development Index have been the hardest hit

The loss of 1500 human lives is an immeasurable tragedy portraying a subdued picture of human loss due to climate disasters Thus the plight of Pakistan is an utter reminder of the urgent need for global community action in fighting climate change and its distressing effects

Though the human cost is a significant one that occurred the economic fallout is another dimension of the calamitous hit with an estimated economic loss of $30 billion Substantial damage to infrastructure occurred with 500 000 km of roads and 269 bridges damaged This in turn disconnected the local communities and hindered the relief efforts of the authorities at the time and eventually the transportation cost in-

creased Moreover the education of countless children is jeopardized as 18590 schools were damaged in those areas that were already facing serious educational crises Thus this will aggravate the downward spiral effect in the literacy rate in Sindh and Balochistan

Economically, agriculture is a vital lifeline for the rural populace in Pakistan Therefore, any disruption in this sector strengthens socio-economic issues The distressing floods have resulted in 750 000 livestock deaths in both Sindh and Balochistan aggravating food security and leaving the farmers of flood-hit areas in dire straits This portrays the fact that poverty will increase at a significant rate, if timely measures are not taken In addition Pakistan’s already crippling agricultural sector was further destroyed by heavy monsoon rains which covered 18 000 sq km of cropland resulting in a significant reduction of 45 percent in cotton production, a major export product of Pakistan Besides, Pakistan witnessed a 60 percent decline in mango production last season due to climate change, of which Pakistan is the fourth largest exporter in the world Thus the country is confronted with serious economic losses due to the floods

The monsoon season of 2022 has resulted in a heightened risk of disease spread The stagnant floodwater provides a favourable condition for pathogens to emerge, and a vast number of these displaced people have poor hygiene and sanitation in their impermanent accommodations Notably there has been an outbreak of waterborne diseases (cholera and diarrhea malaria skin and eye infections) across Sindh and Balochistan

Currently, the health facilities in their peripheries are not effective enough to deal with this spread, as 1460 health facilities have been destroyed by the floods which severely compromised the already inadequate0 healthcare system

As the monsoon season is impending again the country is in a serious economic crisis with a bleak picture of damage from the previous year

Earlier in June, winds and heavy rainfall killed 27 people, including 8 children and 200 livestock in four districts of Khyber

Pakhtunkhwa province In the majority of areas of the country which were severely affected by the heavy rains last year there has been no progress Reconstruction of houses and water scheme infrastructure has not been completed

Besides, the health infrastructure in parts of the country, particularly in Sindh and South Punjab, is damaged, exacerbating the woes of the people

There is a great fear that the monsoon season this year will add fuel to the fire

In the past the drainage system and infrastructure could not withstand heavy rainfall Consequently, Pakistan should learn from the experience of 2022, make the necessary preparations for mitigating disaster impacts by developing a climate-resilient infrastructure While some countries and international organizations have helped Pakistan by supplying food tents medicines and other relief supplies these are shortterm help The Country is already in a serious economic crisis with low foreign exchange reserves, currency depreciation, and a high inflation rate Amid this situation, it is difficult for Pakistan to bear this massive cost For this reason at the Geneva Conference Pakistan secured pledges of over $10 57 billion from different donors for areas destroyed by the massive floods but the aid has not reached yet due to several reasons Earlier, it was claimed that due to bad governance funds were diverted from their intended purpose Therefore good governance and proper checks and balances are prerequisites for effective utilization of any aid For the current monsoon authorities need to have a practical and implementable disaster management plan to deal with such a disastrous situation In the longer run, proper rainwater harvesting systems need to be adapted in all cities prone to flooding while transformation of agri-food systems and strengthening human capital should be prioritized to achieve equitable and sustainable development and climate resilience

The writer is an Assistant Research Fellow at Balochistan Think Tank Network (BTTN), Quetta Twitter: @KhanMommen

The problem with Islamophobia is that it is tied to racism Western racists have adopted Christianity as a suitable symbol of nationalism, so the overtly religious symbol of the Quran is being used to hurt Muslim feelings

However, that has not stopped other more traditional methods of expressing racism Such as offing blacks in France and bombing Palestinians in the West Banks The hostility that Muslims face is both religious and racial Muslims along with others want access to the West

The recent incident of the deaths of so many illegal immigrants when their boat sank off the Greek coast shows this Xenophobes object, showing it in ways that even their fellow citizens do not like Islamophobia and racism merge in a toxic mixture Islamophobia cannot be uprooted easily and cannot be at all unless racism is also uprooted The reaction to Muslim migrants is not purely economic The reaction of Western Europeans to East Europeans who had moved within the European Union was much milder than it was to migrants very often Muslim from former colonies Indeed the economic argument sounds like a bit of special pleading Islamophobia is a manifestation of the clash between Christianity and Islam It has a very long history, and will probably not end so long as both religions still have followers

The writer is a member of staff

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

Drug prices affect one’s right to life

T H E prices of medicines have increased by a massive 200 to 400 per cent which is condemnable Every now and then the prices keep rising forcing people further down the poverty swamp Disappointingly, no steps have been taken by the government to stop the rot It is living in its own dreams and fantasies

While medicines even the essential ones for say heart diseases diabetes blood pressure and cancer have become expensive the injections and contrast material for computed tomography (CT) scans have gone off the shelves The patients are forced to buy injections worth Rs3 500 for as high as Rs10,000 Strict action needs to be taken against those who charge such exorbitant prices against such essential medical supplies

The ruling class is busy filling up its own coffers, already brimming as they are They have no idea about the problems of the masses Many people in the country do not have access to quality healthcare facilities Pharmaceutical companies have become completely desensitised to the reality of life in Pakistan All they bow down to is the temptation of making money and even more money

The condition of government hospitals is sad and pitiful There is nothing in the relief for the people Even free medicines that one is supposed to get at public-sector hospitals end in the hands of the commission mafia and corrupt agents in collusion with hospital staff

Forget the poor even those in the middle class cannot afford to buy medicines at the current prices The decision to increase the drug prices in a struggling economy is like playing with people s lives

The rulers certainly have no sense of what life is like for the common man The increase in the prices of medicines is nothing but a symbol of the disconnect between the rulers and the ruled It has put severe financial pressure on patients and their families Earning a livelihood is a struggle in itself due to lack of job opportunities Misery and anxiety are the hallmarks of life in today s Pakistan Intentionally or otherwise the right to life is being snatched away from the people and increasing the prices of essential necessities like medicines is a major step in that critical direction MUHAMMAD IMRAN UL HAQ

Deadly swings

T H E safety issues plaguing amusement parks in Pakistan have raised serious concerns in recent years A tragic incident at an amusement park in Karachi’s Clifton area resulted in the death of a 17-year-old, prompting questions about responsibility Some have attributed the accident to the boy s negligence in not wearing his seat belt properly and standing up on a moving ride while others have questioned the effectiveness of the security system in place

Despite the significant increase in the number of amusement parks in Pakistan, there is a noticeable lack of effective supervision and safety protocols Urgent action is needed to rectify this deficiency and prevent harm to unsuspecting individuals Regular inspections of rides are often not done which has led to worn-out components faulty safety features and compromised structural integrity increasing the likelihood of accidents and severe injuries or worse Additionally the presence of inadequately trained or inexperienced ride operators further exacerbates the risks involved Amusement parks must adhere to a set of rules and regulations State and local government norms, requirements, guidelines and standards should be followed by the management of amusement parks

To ensure that all of the rides and attractions are secure the parks should regularly be subjected to safety assessments by insurance firms Collaboration with international safety experts and organisations is strongly encouraged to adopt global best practices and improve the safety culture at the local amusement parks, providing visitors with a secure and enjoyable environment Lives should not be endangered for entertainment MALAIKA

Earlier, it was claimed that due to bad governance funds were diver ted from their intended purpose . Therefore , good governance and proper checks and balances are prerequisites for effective utilization of any aid.

The countr y has not yet

Threat to COAS COMMENT

for the prevailing situation in the country After May 9 this campaign has gained momentum and some of the Pakistani journalists who have fled the country and those already living in the western countries are leading this smear campaign against the COAS and the state interests This latest dimension to the smear campaign is indeed a very worrying development

A similar campaign to build an anti-Army mindset was carried out which led to horrendous happenings on May 9 when military installations and memorials of the martyrs were attacked and damaged In view of the audio and video leaks concerning those regrettable incidents and the statements given by some arrested individuals, there is hardly any doubt about the fact that it was a well conceived and planned effort on the part of the PTI and the mastermind was none other than Imran Khan himself The disintegration of the PTI in the backdrop of May 9 itself is a clear proof of its terrorist credentials

ON Sunday Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif made a stunning revelation through a tweet claiming that Imran Khan was using the proxies to threaten the Army Chief with an assassination attempt and stands exposed as a result of a continued vile sinister and malicious campaign against him Referring to the campaign to this effect on social media he tweeted Imran Khan continues to engage in a vile, sinister & malicious campaign against COAS General Syed Asim Munir His trick of using the proxies to threaten the Army Chief of an assassination attempt has been badly exposed After his methodically planned attack on the state symbols failed he is clearly desperate & wants to coerce his way back into power little knowing that the time of his politics of intimidation, violence & hatred is over Through such highly condemnable antics, he is only exposing himself, the core of which is defined by putting his personal interest (power grab) over everything else The people of Pakistan and the political parties stand behind their Army Chief & the armed forces like a rock & will thwart any attempt and conspiracy at undermining their prestige honour and integrity

This revelation coming from the chief executive of the country cannot be dismissed lightly He could not come out with such a sweeping and alarming statement without credible evidence and intelligence available to him Circumstantial evidence also lends currency to what the Prime Minister has said Ever since his ouster from power Imran Khan has been consistently engaged in heaping flak on the Army and its leadership and building a hostile narrative against them, particularly General Bajwa Of late the trend on the social media has been to malign General Asim Munir and hold him responsible

The Prime Minister in a statement after his tweet has justifiably condemned the social media campaign against the Army Chief and ordered the concerned authorities to take legal action against those involved in such malicious plots He noted that similar minds were involved in the conspiracy of May 9 warning the May 9 planners facilitators and handlers that the conspiracy against Pakistan and its institutions would be crushed He also emphasized that the media drive against the armed forces and its chief did not fall within the domain of freedom of expression but was only a conspiracy and it was a legal responsibility to eradicate such a tendency with full strength He also expressed the nation’s resolve not to allow the disappointed and panicked elements to create new crises in the country

Nobody in his right mind can take an exception to what the Prime Minister has said regarding the exposed conspiracy and the way it would be dealt with In my view the delay in action against Imran

When Imran Khan was shown the door through a constitutional process, he should have not left the National Assembly and should have chosen to stay in the parliament and fight his case politically He could have made a formidable opposition and contributed to the continuation of the political process uninterrupted But he regrettably preferred to foment a political crisis in the country which has also badly affected the economy.

Khan and his accomplices who enacted the dastardly incidents on May 9 has provided the PTI chairman and its social media warriors yet another opportunity to carry on their sinister campaign against the COAS and the overall interest of the country What happened on May 9 was clearly an attack on the symbols of the state authority and rebellion against the state Those who conceived and planned these attacks obviously did it for the fulfillment of their narrow political agenda, not realizing that by doing so they were sending a very wrong message to the world Their acts not only lowered the prestige and credibility of the country s armed forces, which unquestionably are guardians of our ideological and physical frontiers notwithstanding their past interference in the political affairs of the country The May 9 incidents also re-ignited fears about the capability of the armed forces to protect the nuclear assets of the country The PTI and its supporters in a way played in the hands of the enemies of the country The enemies had a good laugh at it What Imran Khan and his party have done is not politics but terrorism against the state Regrettably the PTI is also guilty of making attempts to thwart the IMF deal and a campaign against GSP Plus

The illusion of a US-India par tnership

TH E state visit by Prime Minister Narendra Modi of India to Washington last month was billed as a meeting of two of the world’s greatest democracies and the countries duly declared themselves “among the closest partners in the world But what sort of partners will they be? What sort of partners can they be?

President Biden claims that the defense of democracy is the central tenet of his administration

That’s commendable, but what happened in Washington was the exact opposite The man Americans openly fawned over has systematically undermined India s democracy

We needn t be shocked by America s choice of friends The enchanting folks that the U S government has cultivated as partners include the shah of Iran, Gen Mohammad Zia ul-Haq of Pakistan, the Afghan mujahedeen, Saddam Hussein of Iraq, a series of tin-pot dictators in South Vietnam and Gen Augusto Pinochet of Chile A central tenet of U S foreign policy has too often been democracy for the United States dictatorship for its (nonwhite) friends

Mr Modi certainly does not belong in that rogues gallery India is bigger than him It will see him off The question is: When? And at what cost?

India is not a dictatorship, but neither is it still a democracy Mr Modi heads a majoritarian Hindusupremacist electoral autocracy that is tightening its grip on one of the most diverse countries in the world This makes election season which is just around the corner, our most dangerous time It s murder season, lynching season, dog whistle season The partner that the U S government is cultivating and empowering is one of the most dangerous people in the world dangerous not as a person but as someone turning the world s most populous country into a tinderbox

What kind of democrat is a prime minister who almost never holds a news conference? It took all of the U S government s powers of persuasion (such as they are) to coax Mr Modi into addressing one while in Washington He agreed to take two questions, only one of them from a U S journalist Sabrina Siddiqui

The Wall Street Journal s White House reporter stood up to ask him what his government was doing to prevent discrimination against minorities particularly Muslims Given the worsening abuses against Muslims and Christians in his country, it s a question that really ought to have been raised by the White House But the Biden administration outsourced it to a journalist In India we held our breath Mr Modi expressed surprise that such a question should be asked at all Then he laid out all the bromide that he had brought along in his baggage Democracy is our spirit Democracy runs in our veins We live democracy ” He added, “There’s absolutely no discrimination ” And so on In India the mainstream media and Mr Modi’s vast fan base reacted as though he had hit the ball clean out of the park Those who oppose him were left sorting through the debris for shreds of reassurance ( Did you notice Biden s body language? Totally hostile

so on ) I was grateful for the

hypocrisy Imagine if Mr Modi had felt confident enough to tell the truth Hypocrisy gives us a sort of ragged shabby shelter For now it’s all we have Mercilessly attacked by the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party s cheerleaders and other Hindu nationalists on Twitter Ms Siddiqui was accused of being a biased Pakistani Islamist hatemonger with an antiIndia agenda Those were the more polite comments Eventually the White House had to step up and condemn the harassment as “antithetical to the very principles of democracy ” It felt as if everything that the White House had sought to gloss over had become embarrassingly manifest Ms Siddiqui may not have anticipated what she walked into The same cannot be said of the State Department and the White House They would have known plenty about the man for whom they were rolling out the red carpet

They would have known about the role Mr Modi is accused of having played in the 2002 antiMuslim pogrom in the state of Gujarat in which more than 1 000 Muslims were killed They would have known about the sickening regularity with which Muslims are being publicly lynched, about the member of Mr Modi’s cabinet who met some lynchers with garlands and about the precipitous process of Muslim segregation and ghettoization

They would have known about the hounding of opposition politicians students human rights activists, lawyers and journalists, some of whom have received long prison sentences; the attacks on universities by the police and people suspected of being Hindu nationalists; the rewriting of history textbooks; the banning of films; the shutdown of Amnesty International India; the raid on the India offices of the BBC; the activists journalists and government critics being placed on mysterious no-fly lists; and the pressure on academics, both Indian and foreign

They would have known that India now ranks 161st out of 180 countries on the World Press Freedom Index that many of the best Indian journalists have been hounded out of the mainstream media and that journalists could soon be subjected to a censorial regulatory regime in which a government-appointed body will have the power to decide whether media reports and commentary about the government are fake or misleading

They would have known about the situation in Indian Occupied Kashmir which beginning in 2019 was subjected to a month s long communication blackout the longest internet shutdown in a democracy and whose journalists suffer harassment arrest and interrogation Nobody in the 21st century should have to live as they do, with a boot on their throats

They would have known about the Citizenship Amendment Act passed in 2019 which barefacedly discriminates against Muslims; the massive protests that it touched off; and how those protests ended only after dozens of Muslims were killed the following year by Hindu mobs in Delhi (which, incidentally, took place while President Donald Trump was in town on a state visit and about which he uttered not a word)

They might also have known that at the same time they were feting Mr Modi Muslims were fleeing a small town in northern India after Hindu extremists affiliated with the ruling party reportedly marked Xs on their doors and told them to leave It s time we retired that stupid adage about speaking truth to power Power knows the truth far better than we do

In addition to everything else the Biden administration would have also known that every moment of the grand reception and every episode of bogus flattery will be spun into pure gold for Mr Modi s 2024 election campaign, in which he is seeking a third term Ironically, Mr Modi had openly campaigned for Mr

Trump in 2019 at a huge gathering of the Indian diaspora in a Texas stadium attended by Mr Trump Mr Modi revved up the crowd shouting “Ab ki baar Trump sarkar! (Once more for a Trump government!)

Still Mr Biden pulled out all the stops for this most polarizing figure in the history of modern Indian politics Why?

In an interview with Christiane Amanpour that aired on CNN during the state visit and it’s tempting to believe that this too was a piece of White House outsourcing President Barack Obama told us why He was asked how a U S president should deal with leaders like Mr Modi who are widely considered autocratic and illiberal It s complicated, he said, mentioning the financial, geopolitical and security concerns that any American president must consider To those of us listening in India, what came through was simply “It’s China stupid!”

Mr Obama added that if minorities are not protected India could at some point start pulling apart The trolls in India went to work on him but these words were a balm to many in India who are paying a hard price for standing up to Hindu nationalism and have been shocked by how Mr Biden has moved to strengthen Mr Modi’s hand

But if the president of the United States is allowed to consider national self-interest in his dealings with other countries that courtesy must be extended to other countries too So what kind of ally can India be to the United States?

Washington’s top envoy to East Asia has said the U S military expects India to help it patrol the South China Sea where the atmosphere has thickened with tension over China s territorial claims So far India is playing along but will it really risk putting skin in this game?

India s ties with Russia and China are deep, wide and old An estimated 90 percent of India s army equipment and around 70 percent of its air force equipment including fighter jets are of Russian origin With 2 2 million barrels a day in June and in open defiance of U S -led sanctions on Russia India is among the biggest importers of Russian crude oil some of which it refines and sells overseas, including to Europe and the United States Not surprisingly, Mr Modi has kept India neutral on Russia’s invasion of Ukraine

Nor can he truly stand up to China, which is India’s biggest source of imports India is no match for China not economically not militarily For years China has occupied thousands of square miles of land in Ladakh in the Himalayas which India considers its sovereign territory Chinese troops are camped on it Bridges, roads and other infrastructure are being built to connect it with China Other than banning TikTok Mr Modi’s government has responded with timidity and denial

And what kind of an ally will the United States be to India in the event of a confrontation with China?

The United States is far from the potential battlefield The only price it might pay if things go badly is a bloody nose and a last helicopter ride out of the war zone as collaborators hang on to its landing skids We need only look around our neighborhood at the fate of America s old friends Afghanistan and Pakistan

A bad moon is rising in the South China Sea But for India its friends and enemies are all wrapped up together in a tight ball of wax We should be extremely, exceedingly, exceptionally, extraordinarily careful where we place our feet and float our boats

status granted to Pakistan by the EU which are clearly meant to undermine state interests No genuine leader and politician would ever go to such an extent to achieve his political objectives

This country has witnessed great tragedies for which mostly the military dictators were responsible, but nobody ever thought of attacking the military installations and memorials of the martyrs The outstanding example of this utmost restraint and sagacity was exercised by PPP after the hanging of Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto the most popular leader ever after Quaid-i-Azam The removal of Nawaz Sharif from power through a conspiracy involving establishment, Imran Khan and some pliable judges of the apex court, is another recent example of the injustice meted out to a political party and its leadership But nobody resorted to any violence Former Army Chief Gen Aslam Beg in his biography has said that Nawaz Sharif was removed through a conspiracy Nobody not even the judges who punished Nawaz Sharif, ever contested his claim

When Imran Khan was shown the door through a constitutional process he should have not left the National Assembly and should have chosen to stay in the parliament and fight his case politically He could have made a formidable opposition and contributed to the continuation of the political process uninterrupted But he regrettably preferred to foment a political crisis in the country which has also badly affected the economy Polluting the minds of the youth and preaching violence is not the way of politicians

Under the prevailing circumstances it is desirable that the government should accelerate the process of bringing to book all those who are responsible for the May 9 mayhem so that nobody ever dares to declare war on the state As far as the allegations of assassination threats to COAS are concerned it would be advisable to immediately form a judicial commission to probe the issue and action taken in the light of its findings

Malik Muhammad Ashraf is an academic He can be contacted at: ashpak10@gmail com

Hope India not too silly to ‘miss oppor tunities for fear of China’

Western diplomats once said that India considers itself clever but in reality behaves like an immature child, always nitpicking

AC C O R D I N G to several Indian media reports, India did not sign the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Economic Development Strategy for 2030 because the document had too many Chinese catchphrases The document was a significant achievement of the SCO Summit in New Delhi and had been approved by the Heads of State Council However, India, as the rotating chair of the organization, became an absentee In the New Delhi Declaration issued after the summit, there was a section where member states reaffirmed their support for the Belt and Road Initiative but India refused to include its name as usual making it appear quite peculiar within the SCO

In fact this strategic document isn t dominated by China at all It was initially proposed by Tajikistan with the aim of promoting regional economic cooperation and integration, focusing on the entire region’s development Although the details of the document are not disclosed, it is in line with the consensus of regional countries in the general direction and reflects the collective interests of all member states China as a founding member has provided many valuable new ideas for the development of the SCO It would be abnormal if an economic development plan like this had no proposition from China However, even this makes India feel robbed of its limelight, which reveals the worsening “China hypersensitivity” symptoms in New Delhi

In fact does it really matter which words are used in the text or who proposed them? From a practical and rational perspective it truly doesn t matter The key is whether the arguments being made are reasonable and whether the proposed actions are appropriate It is illogical for India to refuse to join simply because there are so-called “Chinese catchphrases” in the document, which inevitably brings to mind the prevalent habit among some politicians in Washington in recent years of opposing China at every opportunity Now some Indian politicians and elites always put their eyes on Washington and the Indian media s focus is also shifting accordingly However instead of learning the good things, they have adopted the detrimental opposing China at every opportunity syndrome, which has already proven to be a mistake It is probably not a good thing for India

To be honest it may not necessarily be a bad thing if members lacking team spirit choose not to join or participate in collaborative projects Take for example India s withdrawal from the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) negotiations; it had no impact on the effectiveness and development of RCEP Ultimately, India missed an opportunity India’s behavior in multilateral organizations has often been characterized as somewhat peculiar Western diplomats once said that India considers itself clever but in reality behaves like an immature child always nitpicking Chinese netizens have jokingly said that if India were to become a permanent member of the United Nations Security Council, it would exercise the veto power every day, making it impossible to reach any resolutions While this statement may be somewhat exaggerated, it is worth contemplating for India

India s distinctive character combined with its wariness vanity and desire to compete with China has created an unusual sensitivity or even rejection of China s voice The delicate relationship between the two major Asian countries has fueled ill intentions of external powers to seek to gain advantages from it The efforts of the US and the West to woo India and the risks to butter India up are increasing but this won’t enhance India’s value It can however create an illusion that tempts India into making incorrect choices and judgments India s role and influence within organizations such as the SCO and BRICS are inevitably affected and this is what India truly needs to be vigilant about

MAlIK MuhAMMAd AshrAf

T O P U S , C H I N A D I P LO M AT S T O M E ET AT A S E A N TA L KS

WASHINGTON A F P

THE top US and Chinese diplomats will hold their second meeting in as many months on Thursday in Jakarta seeking to manage tensions that risk flaring anew over alleged Chinese hacking US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Wang Yi, the top Chinese foreign policy official, will meet on the sidelines of Association of Southeast Asian Nations talks in the Indonesian capital the State Department s public schedule showed The meeting is going ahead despite Microsoft claiming two days earlier that Chinese hackers had breached US government email accounts, including those of the State Department

The Jakarta talks come nearly a month after Blinken travelled to Beijing the first visit by the top US diplomat in nearly five years and met President Xi Jinping as well as Wang and Foreign Minister Qin Gang Wang, who leads the foreign affairs commission of the Chinese Communist Party’s Central Committee, is representing China at the Jakarta talks among foreign ministers as Qin is ill the foreign ministry in Beijing said Blinken s trip opened a flurry of diplomacy with Treasury Secretary Janet

Yellen visiting Beijing last week and a trip by climate envoy John Kerry set for the coming days But the United States has still not achieved a key goal of resuming dialogue with the Chinese military, seen as critical to avoiding worst-case scenarios Tensions between the world’s two largest economies have soared in recent years over a host of issues including China’s assertiveness in the region and sweeping restrictions imposed by the United States on exports of advanced semiconductors

US officials fear China is readying plans to invade Taiwan, the self-governing democracy it claims, and want to preserve the status quo that has reigned often uneasily for nearly five decades Productive coexistence ?

Neither the United States nor China has predicted breakthroughs in the renewed diplomacy, but both have spoken of making sure that disagreements do not lead to outright conflict

Blinken after his trip to Beijing spoke in unusually sanguine terms on China avoiding the Cold War-like talk popular under former president Donald Trump s administration of a long-term global confrontation with the rising Asian power At least in the near term, maybe even in the lifetimes of most people in this room I don’t think (there is) a clear finish line ” Blinken said of US goals in

China during a recent appearance at the Council on Foreign Relations in New York

This is more about getting to a place where we have peaceful and maybe somewhat more productive coexistence between us, because the bottom line is this: China s not going away, we’re not going away, so in the first instance we have to find a way to coexist and coexist peacefully ” But incidents have repeatedly crept up to overshadow the relationship

Microsoft this week said that a Chinese hacking group had gained access to nearly 25 organisations with the goal of espionage

The State Department said it detected “anomalous activity” but stopped short of publicly blaming China saying an investigation was underway Blinken s first plan to visit Beijing was scuttled in February after Washington said it detected a Chinese espionage balloon over the mainland United States TENSIONS ON SEA, MYANMAR

The South China Sea is set to be a major topic at the ASEAN talks in Jakarta where Washington and Beijing will both take part in an 18-nation East Asia Summit foreign ministers meeting on Friday China claims almost the entirety of the strategic waterway and several ASEAN members complain about Beijing infringing on their own overlapping territorial claims

I n d i a g i ve s i n i t i a l n o d t o b u y

NEW DELHI R e u t e R s I n d i a ’s d e f e n c e m i n i s t r y h a s g i v e n i n it i a l a p p r o v a l t o p u r c h a s e 2 6 R a f a l e f i g h t e r j e t s f o r i t s n a v y a n d t h r e e S c o rp e n e c l a s s s u b m a r i n e s a h e a d o f P r i m e M i n i s t e r N a r e n d r a M o d i s a r r i v a l i n F r a n c e D e f e n c e M i n i s t e r R a j n a t h S i n g h s a i d Modi began a two-day visit to Paris on Thursday to deepen ties with New Delhi’s oldest strategic partner in the West with a slew of high-profile defence deals expected and a new joint plan to ensure stability in the Indo-Pacific

The Singh-led Defence Acquisition Council, the apex body for military capital procurements, granted the approvals earlier in the day

The deal will cover the purchase of 26 Dassault Aviation Rafale fighter jets including four trainers and three Scor-

LONDON

A F P

In the Conservative stronghold of Uxbridge west London many voters hope that change is in the air as they prepare to choose former prime minister Boris Johnson s replacement as MP Johnson quit parliament last month and the main opposition Labour party is the favourite to pick up the seat when voters go to the polls on July 20

The Conservatives are languishing in the polls after 13 stormy years in power, and face a daunting electoral test next week with by-elections in three traditionally Tory constituencies

The results are being seen as a bellwether of support for the ruling party before a general election due to be held next year

The most closely watched battle is for Uxbridge and South Ruislip, which has been Conservative for decades and was served by Johnson until his shock resig-

pene class submarines to be built by India s Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders and France’s Naval Group, two sources familiar with the details told Reuters

The total value of the purchases is expected to be around 800 billion rupees ($9 75 billion) according to one of the sources The government did not provide

any cost figures, saying the prices are yet to be negotiated

In the past few years, Modi has ramped up spending to modernise the military while underlining his government s commitment to boosting domestic production to supply forces deployed along two contentious borders with Pak-

ASEAN will also meet jointly with the foreign ministers of China Japan and South Korea, a dialogue in place since the 1997 Asian financial crisis

The crisis in coup-racked Myanmar will also be on the list of topics to be addressed because it is a thorny issue that divides ASEAN members said Teuku Rezasyah international relations expert at Padjadjaran University Japan and South Korea have an interest to prevent Myanmar from joining China’s orbit,” he said

istan and China

Earlier this year, the government proposed a 13 percent hike in defence spending to 5 94 trillion rupees for the 2023-24 financial year The ageing fleet of India s Russian-made platforms Moscow s inability to perform maintenance work, and delays in India s indigenous manufacturing plans for parallel platforms have necessitated the two new defence deals

The marine version of Dassualt’s Rafale jets intended for India s first indigenous aircraft carrier commissioned last year, outperformed the American Superhornet F18s in tests last year for Indian requirements Singh said in a tweet that the “price and other terms of purchase will be negotiated with the French Government after taking into account all relevant aspects including comparative procurement price of similar aircraft by other countries India has relied on French fighter jets for four decades now Much before buying Rafale in 2015 India bought Mirage jets in 1980s which still comprise two squadrons of the air force

In 2005 India bought six Scorpeneclass diesel submarines from France for 188 billion rupees ($2 29 billion), the last of which will be commissioned next year

Thailand s foreign minister on Wednesday said he met with ousted Myanmar democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi last week in her first known meeting with a foreign envoy since she was detained in the military takeover more than two years ago Thailand s army-backed government has also sought engagement with the junta in neighbouring Myanmar drawing criticism that it is weakening ASEAN unity on pressing the military rulers

Doctors walk out in UK health ser vice’s biggest strike

LONDON

A F P

Hospital doctors in England will on Thursday stage the biggest walkout in the history of the UK’s statefunded National Health Service prompting fears for patient safety The unprecedented five-day stoppage over pay and staffing is the latest in eight months of industrial action across the NHS which is already reeling from a vast pandemic backlog Nurses, ambulance staff and other medical staff have all joined picket lines in recent months, adding to pressures on patient appointments The industrial action by junior doctors those below consultant level is due to begin at 7:00 am (0600 GMT) and last until 7:00 am on Tuesday It comes against a background of walkouts across the economy from train drivers to lawyers over the past year as the UK battles a crippling costof-living crisis Senior hospital doctors, known as consultants in England will also begin a 48-hour strike on July 20 with radiographers following suit from July 25 The bitter row between junior doctors and the government has seen them call for their 20089 pay levels to be restored something the government says would mean an average pay award of about 35 percent The British Medical Association’s Junior Doctors Committee says medics have effectively had a 26 percent pay cut in real terms in the last 15 years as salaries have failed to keep pace with soaring inflation

nation from parliament

He was elected in 2019 with only a 7,210-vote majority, but he helmed his party to a crushing victory across the country Aoife Jenkinson a 45-year-old psychologist is very eager for this election and hopefully for a new government Although she usually votes for the smaller opposition Liberal Democrats, this time she will opt for Labour to try and secure them a comfortable majority “He’s bereft of any morals he’s a selfish man-child ” she said of Johnson He was forced to resign as prime minister last summer after a series of scandals

The most damaging was Partygate , when illegal gatherings were found to have taken place in his Downing Street office during the pandemic

A report concluded in June that he had deliberately lied to parliament about his knowledge of the parties Shortly after reading the report, he resigned as an MP in order to avoid humiliating sanctions

But that hasn t drained him of all support and he still has fans in Uxbridge, like Debbie Cusmans, a 59-year-old carer “I miss him,” she said, adding that she will vote Conservative She trusts them more on security and most importantly they re going to try to stop the £12 50 charge There s no need to explain what she means in this part of the capital, with the ULEZ (Ultra Low Emission Zone) on everyone’s lips This tax on the most polluting vehicles is due to be extended to Greater London on August 29 It means that residents of Uxbridge with pre-2006 petrol cars or pre-2015 diesels face a daily charge of £12 50 ($16 23, 14 80 euros)

‘PEOPLE ARE SUFFERING’

This is a blow for many residents of U x b r i d g e w h i c h i s h o m e t o a m i x o f middle- and working-class residents “I can t afford it said Cusmans attacking London s Labour mayor Sadiq Khan for t h e p o l i c y, d e s p i t e i t o r i g i n a l l y b e i n g l a u n c h e d b y J o h n s o n h i m s e l f i n 2 0 1 5

while mayor Given the strength of feeli n g C o n s e r v a t i v e c a n d i d a t e S t e v e Tuckwell is trying to make the by-elect i o n a n U L E Z r e f e r e n d u m L a b o u r s D a n n y B e a l e s h a s d i s t a n c e d h i m s e l f from the extension, deeming it not the r i g h t t i m e ” “ I t ’s b e t t e r t o p o s t p o n e , ” said Ajith Wickramanayake a 49-yearold barista who will vote Labour

The environment is important but people need to recover from inflation he added Inflation is currently running at 8 7 percent, the highest in the G7, and is causing a severe cost-of-living crisis in the UK

The government claims that backdating their pay to reflect inflation since 2008 is too costly and has instead offered an extra five percent, as it battles to reduce inflation Today marks the start of the longest single walkout by doctors in the NHS’s history but this is still not a record that needs to go into the history books ” BMA leaders Robert Laurenson and Vivek Trivedi said ahead of the action We can call this strike off today if the UK government will simply follow the example of the government in Scotland and drop their nonsensical precondition of not talking whilst strikes are announced and produce an offer which is credible to the doctors they are speaking with ” Similar stoppages in June and April resulted in massive disruption with hundreds of thousands of hospital appointments and operations rescheduled The complete inflexibility we see from the UK government today is baffling, frustrating, and ultimately destructive for everyone who wants waiting lists to go down and NHS staffing numbers to go up ” Laurenson and Trivedi added

CHINA s tA F F C o R R e s P o n d e n t China s foreign trade grew by 2 1 percent year-on-year to 20 1 trillion yuan ($2 8 trillion) in the first half of 2023, data from the General Administration of Customs showed on Thursday Exports grew 3 7 percent year on year to 11 46 trillion yuan while imports edged down 0 1 percent from a year earlier to 8 64 trillion yuan, the data showed “China has seen its economic performance picking up on the whole despite a severe and complex external environment while the volume and quality of its foreign trade improved steadily and in line with expectations in the first six months of the year, said Lyu Daliang, spokesperson of the General Administration of Customs Bruce Pang chief economist and head of research at JLL Greater China expressed a positive view of China s foreign trade, saying that strengthening of the U S dollar could help boost the competitiveness of China’s export commodities and continue to consolid a t e C h i n a ’s p o s i t i o n i n t h e g l o b a l supply chain The export of domestic enterprises and electromechanical products the electric vehicle continued to rise, said

Pang adding that demand from the countries along the Belt and Road is still strong China s trade in goods with countries along the Belt and Road jumped 9 8 percent year-on-year in the first half of 2023 accounting for 34 3 percent of the country s total foreign trade volume In the meantime the Association of Southeast Asian Nations remained China s largest trading partner, with total imports and exports expanding 5 4 percent year on year to 3 08 trillion yuan accounting for 15 3 percent of China

total foreign trade volume T h e d a t a a l s o r e v e a l e d t h a t t h e value of China s trade in goods with other members of the Regional Comp r e h e n s i v e E c o n o m i c P a r t n e r s h i p r o s e 1 5 p e r c e n t y e a r o n y e a r i n t h e same period

China’s foreign trade in goods up 2.1% in first half of 2023

Fr e n c h R a f a l e j e t s, s u b m a r i n e s

Labour Par ty set to clinch Boris Johnson's former constituenc y

CORPORATE CORNER

Muhammad Amjad Khan has said that field formations have been put on high alert due to the forecast of monsoon rains by the Pakistan Meteorological Department The primary objective of IESCO is to ensure the power supply remains uninterrupted and that any faults in the system are cleared promptly To achieve this measures have been taken to enable direct monitoring of power supply and faults from the control room at the central and circle level Additionally, the availability of officers has been ensured to address any issues that may arise CEO IESCO further said that Customers are advised to maintain a proper distance from electrical wires, poles transformers and other electrical installations during rainfall It is recommended to avoid touching electrical equipment when the body and hands are wet Properly fix any faulty wiring and never leave electrical equipment on standby It is also advised not to iron clothes with bare feet, avoid using metal wire to hang clothes, and refrain from touching broken electrical wires PR

Climate change threats highlighted in guest lec ture

P H A I M P L E M E N T S G E O TA G G I N G O F T R E E S I N U R B A N F O R E S T S

LAHORE S H A H A B O M E R

TH E Parks and Horticulture Authority (PHA) has announced the implementation of geotagging for trees in urban forests parks green belts and cities

PHA, in collaboration with the Punjab Information Technology Board (PITB), has introduced a mobile application called “Re-Green Lahore” specifically designed for tree geotagging

To ensure the successful deployment of this initiative horticulture directors and field supervisors received training sessions at the PITB headquarters The training was provided by expert PITB and Deputy Director of PHA Hassan Haq empowering officers with the knowledge and skills required for efficient use of the mobile application

The mobile application assigns geot-

I S L A M A B A D: Zong 4G, the leading network provider in Pakistan launches the most economical international roaming bundle for pilgrims traveling to Iran Recognizing the importance of staying connected, Zong 4G is committed to delivering unparalleled convenience and affordable solutions that cater to the diverse needs of travelers Whether customers are traveling

agging tasks to officers and relevant incharges across all zones Consequently the respective in-charges of PHA will geotag both existing and newly planted trees, creating an extensive and accurate record of the tree population

A n o ff i c i a l o f P H A i n f o r m e d t h i s scribe that the decision to make the Geo g r a p h i c I n f o r m a t i o n S y s t e m ( G I S ) t r e e m a p p i n g d a t a p u b l i c c o m e s w i t h

n u m e r o u s a d v a n t a g e s F i r s t l y, i t f o sters transparency and accountability in tree management practices by allowing the public to access and view informat i o n a b o u t t h e l o c a t i o n s p e c i e s a n d h e a l t h o f t r e e s i n t h e i r a r e a T h i s i nc r e a s e d t r a n s p a r e n c y h e l p s p r e v e n t i ll e g a l t r e e c u t t i n g o r u n a u t h o r i z e d removal of trees and ensures responsible practices,” he said “Moreover public access to GIS tree mapping data encourages community engagement in tree conservation efforts

to Iran for Ziyaraat during the sacred month of Muharram or for business, Zong 4G’s affordable bundles will ensure that they are connected with their loved ones back at home The offer provides an exclusive calling bundle, enabling travelers to remain in touch By paying just PKR 1000 plus tax, prepaid customers can enjoy 60 minutes of uninterrupted calls for 30 days For

Residents can actively participate by reporting tree health issues suggesting maintenance or planting initiatives, and monitoring the progress of tree-related projects

This level of involvement instills a sense of ownership and responsibility in the preservation of urban forests and green spaces he added

The official believes that the availability of GIS tree mapping data also proves invaluable in urban planning and decision-making processes City planners, policymakers, and researchers can utilize this information to assess the distribution and density of trees identify areas with low tree cover and make informed decisions regarding tree planting initiatives and urban development projects By incorporating this data, authorities can ensure sustainable urban development while preserving and enhancing green spaces Furthermore GIS tree mapping data

those who have a longer stay in Iran, Zong 4G also offers 200 minutes of talk time for PKR 3000 plus tax with a validity of 60 days

Subscribers can avail the bundles by dialing *4225# from their mobile phones, or by visiting the Zong online shop at h t t p s : / / w w w z o n g c o m p k / o n l ineshop/ir-bundles or through the My Zong App P R

enables effective monitoring and management of urban forests Authorities can analyze the data to identify areas with high tree mortality rates, detect disease outbreaks, and implement targeted interventions for tree care and maintenance This proactive approach ensures the health and longevity of the urban tree canopy thereby creating a greener and healthier environment for all, he said He also informed that the availabili t y o f p u b l i c G I S t r e e m a p p i n g d a t a also promotes research and educational opportunities

Scientists environmentalists and students can utilize this data to conduct studies on urban ecology climate change mitigation, and the impact of trees on air quality and biodiversity This not only enhances our understanding of the benefits of urban forests but also encourages further research and innovation in the field he concluded

Fac ulty of Engineering of Technology holds Techspark Exhibition at I I U I

The Centre for Aerospace & Security Studies (CASS), based in Islamabad, successfully concluded a Distinguished Guest Lecture titled ‘From Crisis to Opportunity: Harnessing Climate Change for Pakistan s Sustainable Future by Dr Adil Najam President WWF International and Dean Emeritus and Professor of International Relations and Earth and Environment at Boston University’s Frederick S Pardee School of Global Studies The lecture shed light on the pressing global issue of climate change and its far-reaching impacts on the environment and overall human society especially for developing countries like Pakistan PR

LSE listed as one of top 200 International Trade Programs in world

QS International Trade Rankings 2023We re excited to announce our newest rankings – the QS International Trade Rankings These rankings explore programmes that upskill their students for a career in international trade using criteria that rates universities on Programme content innovative teaching practices, and how universities get students ready for employment If you re a student pursuing or considering a career in international trade, then these rankings will help you discover the courses that could get you into the sector most effectively The QS International Trade Rankings can include any MBA or master s programme with the content to prepare students for a career in international trade The rankings use indicators including programme content and teaching, faculty experience in international trade, university academic and employer reputation, return on investment for graduates and university partnerships with employers These new rankings have been made possible by The Hinrich Foundation, a philanthropic organisation working to advance mutually beneficial and sustainable global trade through research and education The Hinrich Foundation offers research and teaching materials to aid the strengthening of global trade education as well as grants and scholarships to support candidates P R

NTDC restores DG KhanLoralai Transmission Line

NTDC Headquarter WAPDA House Lahore July 12 2023 - The National Transmission and Despatch Company Ltd (NTDC) has successfully restored power supply through the energization of the 220 kV Double Circuit D G Khan - Loralai transmission line The achievement comes after the completion of rehabilitation works on three towers near Kingri in Balochistan which were effected due to torrential rains in the area four days back Responding swiftly to the situation, NTDC mobilized its team and contractor under the guidance of Engr Dr Rana Abdul Jabbar Khan, Managing Director NTDC As a result of the tireless efforts the rehabilitation works were completed within just four days PR

AKU Workshop Addresses

Cer vic al Cancer Burden in Pakistan, Highlights

Impor tance of Awareness and Prevention

K a r a c h i : The Aga Khan University in collaboration with the Centre for Women and Child Health at AKU and Liaquat University of Medical and Health Sciences (LUMHS) Hyderabad, held a workshop on the "Burden of Cervical Cancer" at Civil Hospital, Hyderabad The aim was to raise awareness and promote prevention strategies for cervical cancer Cervical cancer is a significant concern globally ranking as the fourth leading cause of cancer-related deaths among women P R

Imran Ghaznavi appointed as A ssistant Rotar y Public Image Coordinator Zone IB

I S L A M A B A D: Rotary International is pleased to announce the appointment of Imran Ghaznavi as the Assistant Rotary Public Image Coordinator for Zone IB which includes Pakistan Indonesia and Bangladesh (This is an honorary appointment serving communities in need) With his extensive experience in communication and reputation management, Mr Ghaznavi brings a wealth of knowledge to this important role

Mr Ghaznavi has accumulated an impressive 33 years of experience in both the public and private sectors establishing himself as a highly accomplished communication and reputation management professional His expertise and dedication to promoting positive public image make him a valuable asset to Rotary International

In addition to his role as Assistant Rotary Public Image Coordinator Mr Ghaznavi serves as the Chair of the CSR Committee for the Rotary Pakistan Smart Village Project His leadership in this capacity shall be instrumental in driving the success of the project

and its commitment to sustainable development

Furthermore, we are pleased to announce that Mr Ghaznavi will be presenting at the Rotary Leadership Seminar in Colombo, Sri Lanka, scheduled to be held in the third week of July 2023 His insights and knowledge in the field of communication public image and perception management will undoubtedly enrich the seminar and inspire fellow Rotary members P R

Rising prices of sugar and flour create hardships for KP residents

PESHAWAR A Z I Z B U N E R I

The people of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa are once again facing a significant hike in prices of basic commodities such as sugar and flour

The cost of sugar has surged by Rs 30 per kilogram, reaching up to Rs 150 per kilogram Moreover utility stores in Peshawar have run out of stock causing inconvenience for consumers However in some locations, consumers are still able to purchase the commodity at inflated rates from stores

Furthermore at the retail level sugar has reached an alarming price of Rs 150 per kilogram Several traders have taken matters into their own hands by fixing higher rates for sugar as there is no mechanism in place to enforce government-set prices

Over the course of a few days the price of sugar has witnessed a Rs 30 increase per kilogram, surpassing Rs 6,000 for a 50-kilogram bag This continuous surge in prices has also resulted in a subsequent rise in the prices of goods made with sugar

On the other hand alongside the increase in sugar prices the cost of flour has also risen The price of a 20-kilogram bag of flour has exceeded Rs 3,100, after a substantial increase of Rs 100 The local administration’s attempts to control the price hikes in essential commodities have proven unsuccessful causing hardships for consumers

A c c o r d i n g t o d i s t r i c t a u t h o ri t i e s , v a r i o u s m a r k e t s a r e b e i n g r a i d e d o n a d a i l y b a s i s , w h e r e a d d i t i o n a l c h a rg e s a r e b e i n g l e v i e d a b o v e t h e g o v e r n m e n ts t i p u l a t e d r a t e s

Senate body briefed on govt’s steps to highlight issues of repealing Ar ticles 370, 35A

ISLAMABAD S TA F F R E P O R T

Senator Prof Sajid Mir chaired the meeting of the Senate Standing Committee on Kashmir Affairs and Gilgit Baltistan held at the Parliament House on Thursday

During the meeting Additional Secretary Ministry of the Foreign Affairs gave a comprehensive briefing regarding the steps taken by the Government of Pakistan to highlight the issue of repealing Articles 370 and 35A, which revoked the special status of Indian Occupied Jammu and Kashmir by India, on various international forums

The officials emphasized that Kashmir is a cornerstone of Pakistan s foreign policy Since India s unilateral actions on August 5, 2019, the Government of Pakistan made a fundamental decision not to engage with India bilaterally until the previous status of Jammu and Kashmir is restored

They stated that Pakistan s commitment to the Kashmir cause is evident from our efforts to raise awareness about the plight of Kashmiri people at international platforms such as the UN These efforts aim to sensitize the international community about the human rights violations committed by Indian forces

The officials cited the Pak-China joint statement as an example which called for the peaceful resolution of the

Kashmir issue in accordance with relevant UN resolutions and bilateral agreements Senator Prof Sajid Mir the chairman of the committee, emphasized the need to highlight these efforts to dispel the perception that the Kashmir issue is being ignored

The committee was also briefed on the progress of the construction of Ms Benazir Bhutto Shaheed Medical College in Mirpur and Mirwaiz Muhammad Farooq Shaheed Medical College in Muzaffarabad It was informed that the revised project, which includes the construction of 11 buildings such as an auditorium hostels for boys/girls/doctors library and sports gymnasium was approved by the CDWP in 2022

Regarding Mirwaiz Muhammad Farooq Shaheed Medical College Muzaffarabad, the revised project for civil and external development works was also approved by the CDWP in 2022 During the discussion some issues and bottlenecks arising from the change in the mechanism of engagement between AJK and the federal government were highlighted The chair directed the ministry to collaborate with the AJK government and resolve these pending issues as soon as possible Furthermore the committee received a briefing on the means of energy supply to Gilgit Baltistan including the feasibility of constructing new small and large dams

i s l a m a b a d: The Industrial Liaison Office of the Faculty of Engineering & Technology (FET) at the International Islamic University Islamabad (IIUI) recently organized the TECHSPARK exhibition This event showcased final year design projects (FYDP) of students from the Department of Mechanical Engineering (DME) and the Department of Electrical, Computer Engineering (DECE) and Department of Civil Engineering

The exhibition aimed to provide a platform for students to demonstrate their innovative projects and foster their professional development It also offered an opportunity for stakeholders from various industries institutes and community members to visit the Faculty of Engineering and Technology at IIUI P R

NAPA applauds S indh Government ’s suppor t in developing music in schools

K a r a c h i : Syed Jawaid Iqbal, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the National Academy of Performing Arts (NAPA), has applauded Mr Bilawal Bhutto Zardari Foreign Minister of Pakistan and Chairman of the Pakistan People s Party Syed Murad Ali Shah Chief Minister of Sindh and Syed Sardar Ali Shah Minister for Education and Literacy, Culture, Heritage, and Antiquities Government of Sindh, for their dedicated efforts in promoting performing arts education in Sindh and integrating arts into mainstream school education as promised This commendable initiative taken by them should serve as an inspiration for other provinces and the Federal Capital to follow suit and make music a mandatory subject in schools The recognition of NAPA's diploma/certification in Music by the Government of Sindh is a testament to the hard work and dedication of our team at NAPA initiated by the legendry Zia Mohyeddin We are grateful to the School Education and Literacy Department for understanding the importance of music education in fostering creativity and holistic development among students This step will undoubtedly strengthen the education system in Sindh," said Syed Jawaid Iqbal P R

PAKISTAN SET TO STRENGTHEN PRIVATE SECURIT Y SERVICES WITH NEW REGUL ATORY BILL

ensuring better security measures, the bill is expected to reduce the reliance on Law Enforcement Agencies for project security thereby saving precious resources

Limited growth of small and medium enterprises in Pakistan linked to lack of financing, CCP study reveals

A recent study conducted by the Competition

Blinken welcomes Pakistan-IMF deal

ISLAMABAD

S TA F F R E P O R T

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has welcomed the International Monetary Fund’s approval of a programme to support Pakistan saying he stood by the Pakistani people during these hard times

We urge Pakistan to continue working with IMF toward macroeconomic reforms and sustainable economic recovery, he said on microblogging website, Twitter, on Thursday

Earlier in the day, Finance Minister Ishaq Dar had said that the IMF has transferred $1 2 billion to the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) Dar s statement comes a day after the IMF Executive Board approved a $3 billion bailout package to save Pakistan from default and put it back on the reforms path – a journey that Islamabad undertook only after friendly countries linked its support with the fund’s deal

The Board approved a nine-month Stand-by Arrangement (SBA) in the amount of SDR2 25 billion or about $3 billion The amount is equal to Pakistan s 111% of the quota

In a televised address today the finance minister said that the global money lender has transferred the first installment to the central bank as part of the bailout package “The country will receive the remaining amount after two reviews – one in November and the other in February next year he added

The minister stressed that this funding is expected to significantly improve the country s reserves a much-needed change for the cash-strapped country that had reported foreign exchange reserves barely enough to cover a month’s exports last week

to the weak regulatory framework, personnel provided by these companies often lacks the requisite competence posing a serious threat to the security of these crucial projects The Joint Working Group meetings between Pakistan and China on the safety and security of CPEC have reiterated the need for improved security measures in this regard

Recognizing the need for a comprehensive regulatory framework inspired by the practices of the United Kingdom and other developed countries the Interior Division has prepared a draft Private Security Services Bill The proposed legislation aims to enhance the regulation of security service providers leading to significant improvements in their quality and capacity By

The approval of the Cabinet was sought in accordance with rule 16(1) (a) and the Rules of Business 1973 to initiate the legislative process required for enacting the Private Security Services Regulatory Bill, 2023 The Cabinet, after careful consideration of the summary titled “Enactment of Private Security Services Regulatory Bill 2023” submitted by the Interior Division granted approval for the initiation of the legislative process

Once enacted the Private Security Services Regulatory Bill, 2023, will pave the way for a comprehensive regulatory framework for private security services in Pakistan It is expected to enhance the safety and security of the community while improving the competence and standards of private security service providers The implementation of this regulatory framework will not only strengthen security measures but also contribute to the successful execution of critical projects in the country

PM Shehbaz direc ts completion of public welfare projec ts on priority basis

MULTAN S TA F F R E P O R T

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has directed completion of public welfare projects on priority basis and stressed that such programs should not be politicized in the best interest of people S p e a k i n g d u r i n g h i s v i s i t t o u n d e r- c o n s t r u c t i o n 5 0 0 - b e d

Nishtar Hospital II he said publ i c w e l f a r e p r o j e c t s s u ff e r e d a m a j o r s e t - b a c k d u r i n g t e n u r e o f previous government Prime Minister said non-implementation of development work affected the large population of patients in the city and adjoining areas He expressed confidence that under the supervision of Interim Chief Minister Mohsin Naqvi, the

expansion of hospital would be completed by September 30 PM Sharif also lauded the efforts of Commissioner Multan, the Health Secretary and other officials concerned in carrying out the hospital project effectively He proposed the idea of establishing a Medical City in the area to facilitate the locals with state-of-the-art medical facilities

S hehr yar Afridi ’s sister passes away

ISLAMABAD S TA F F R E P O R T

Elder sister of former minister and PTI s incarcerated leader Shehryar Afridi passed away on Thursday

The deceased was suffering from ailment for some time and breathed her last on Thursday morning The funeral prayers for the departed soul were offered at Naway Kalay graveyard in Kohat

However Shehryar Afridi was not released on parole Shehryar being the last child of former MNA Nadir Shah Afridi, was very close to his sister

Last month, Afridi s elder brother also died and Shehryar Afridi was not allowed to attend his funeral too

Taking to his twitter handle PTI leader Kamran Bangash said all party leadership and workers were w i t h t h e i r b r a v e b r o t h e r a n d h i s f a m i l y i n t h i s c r i t -

i c a l t i m e Kamran Bangash prayed for the departed soul to rest in eternal peace and courage for the bereaved family to bear this irreparable loss with fortitude

Is should be mentioned here that Shehryar Afridi’s brother has also passed away one month earlier and he was not able to attend the funeral procession for being in prison

C O N D O L E N C E S P O U R I N : Opposition Leader in Senate, Senator Dr Shahzad Waseem has expressed profound grief and sorrow over demise of sister of incarcerated party leader Shehryar Afridi

In a condolence message here on Thursday he while lauding the Afridi s courage prayed for departed soul to rest in eternal peace and for bereaved family to bear this irreparable loss with equanimity Senator Dr Shahzad Waseem said that Shehryar was not able to attend the funeral procession who died one month earlier and now he will again have to endure the same pain Columnist and anchor Salim Safi also condoled with the bereaved family and called on the government to release Afridi on parole enabling him to attend funeral of his sister

Wheat flour price reaches all-time high 2nd time in month

LAHORE: The price of wheat flour second time in the month has reached all-time high on Thursday

According to details, the prices of 10- and 20-kilogramme flour bags rose by Rs50 and 20, respectively

After recent increase the 20-kilogramme flour bag’s price is now Rs2 850 the Karyana Merchant Association said adding that the flour prices were increased due to the increase in wheat price that rose to Rs4 800 per maund The flour price had recently been increased in Lahore, adding to the financial burden the masses were reeling under S TA F F R E P O R T

GILGIT

S TA F F R E P O R T

Gulbar Khan leader of a so-called forward bloc within Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) emerged on Thursday as the new chief minister of GilgitBaltistan in a contentious election overshadowed by allegations of forced defections Khan secured a resounding victory, garnering 19 out of 20 votes from the members present in the legislative assembly The other three candidates who had initially expressed interest in the position withdrew their nomination papers leaving him unopposed Nawaz Khan Naji an independent lawmaker, chose to abstain from voting, while members from the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) and the Pakistan Muslim LeagueNawaz (PML-N) lent their support to the newly elected chief minister Notably all 11 members belonging to the so-called like-minded group of PTI opted to boycott the vote citing allegations of rigging highlighting the divisions within the opposition party, which splintered into two factions following the removal by the top regional court of former chief minister Khalid Khursheed Khan

The electoral turmoil resulted in Khan s uncontested victory cementing his position as Gilgit-Baltistan s new chief minister

In his address to the assembly following the election, Khan expressed gratitude to the

Commission of Pakistan (CCP) sheds light on the limited growth of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in the country identifying access to finance as a significant barrier hindering their development

Titled Enhancing Economic Efficiency of SMEs in Pakistan, the study examines barriers to competition and provides recommendations to improve the economic efficiency of SMEs The research draws on data from 50 financial institutions, 18 focused group discussions 362 SMEs across 11 cities and a seminar conducted by CCP focusing on women entrepreneurs

Despite policy measures aimed at increasing financing for the SME sector to 17 percent Pakistan s SMEs only receive 6-7 percent of private sector financing In contrast, SMEs in Bangladesh receive 25 percent financing, while in India, it is 18 percent Findings from CCP’s questionnaire indicate that 93 percent of SMEs find it cumbersome to avail financing facilities from banks with 80 percent having never utilized bank financing at all

The study recommends that the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) consider allocating separate lending targets for financial institutions, establish sectorspecific targets, introduce separate financing facilities for economically disadvantaged districts and standardize pricing for insurance and evaluation reports Public sector commercial banks should also be encouraged to take the lead in SME financing aligning with international practices

The CCP study suggests that non-bank financial institutions (NBFCs), leasing companies, crowdfunding and equity financing can play vital roles in providing credit to startups and SMEs However regulatory improvements are necessary to enhance the environment for these alternate financing channels

The study also highlights the complex regulatory landscape faced by businesses in Pakistan, with at least 12 different categories of general regulatory layers applicable to all firms Simplifying the licensing and registration system and establishing one-stop portals for SME licensing permits and registration are proposed to alleviate these challenges

The data further indicates that excessive regulatory duties on imported raw materials make downstream businesses costly Consequently, a critical review of import duties is recommended The study also highlights the need to address the complex and nonconducive tax structure which poses difficulties for SMEs in compliance It suggests developing a fair efficient convenient and certain tax system

To support SMEs their interests should be safeguarded in existing Special Economic Zones (SEZs) and industrial parks

The study proposes engaging small chambers on the board of SEZs and providing affordable land rates for SMEs Learning from international jurisdictions the study underscores the importance of having legislation or master plans to foster growth in the MSME sector Skills and training gaps were identified among SMEs, prompting recommendations for increased funding for Technical and Vocational Education and Training institutions It further suggests fast-tracking nonoperational training institutes and focusing on higher education institutions and business incubation centers

While SMEDA (Small and Medium Enterprises Development Authority) is part of the National Coordination Committee (NCC) for reviewing SME policies and the regulatory framework, the study recommends the inclusion of women departments and women-led SMEs in the NCC to propose concrete measures in policy and legislation for women s inclusion

SC to hear pleas against militar y cour ts on July 18

LAHORE: Supreme Court (SC) on Thursday fixed pleas against trials of civilians in the military courts, for hearing

A six-member bench headed by CJP Justice Umar Ata Bandial will take up the pleas on July 18 Justice Ijazul Ahsan Justice Muneeb Akhtar Justice Yahya Afridi Justice Sayyed Mazahar Ali Akbar Naqvi and Justice Ayesha Malik will be the other members of the bench

Notices have been served to the respondents for the hearing

On the last hearing, Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Umar Ata Bandial hoped that no civilians would be tried in military courts until the outcome of proceedings against them in the Supreme Court (SC) S TA F F R E P O R T

lawmakers for their support despite his ailing health He emphasised his unwavering dedication to fostering peace and prosperity in the region, underscoring his commitment to the task ahead Hailing from the Diamer district Khan had been leading a group of defectors within the ranks of PTI and had previously announced his intention to contest the position independently

His experience in public service includes a tenure as the health minister of GilgitBaltistan under the previous PTI government, as well as his affiliation with the far-right Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) party during 2010-2011

According to the website of the GB assembly he took the oath as a member on November 15, 2020, representing the GBA-18 (Diamer-IV) constituency of the Darel district

PTI condemns ‘ broad daylight robber y ’ of public mandate in GB

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) strongly condemned the ‘broad daylight robbery’ of public mandate in Gilgit-Baltistan (GB) and said that it was the darkest day for the democracy Reacting to the GB CM s elections PTI spokesman that depriving a party with 22 seats in the 33-member house of the right to rule was slap on the face of democracy and the constitution He said that democratic and constitutional identity of Pakistan was badly dented in front of the world due to this insult of public mandate

The PTI spokesperson stated that the unscrupulous criminal elements in the guise of politics facilitated the shameful invasion on people’s right to vote and democracy He went on to say that conspiracies hatched behind closed rooms turned the minority into a majority in the GB like these elements did in AJK PTI spokesperson warned that such unlawful and unconstitutional coercive measures to deprive public of their mandate had disastrous consequences as it could cause irreparable damage to national unity solidarity and federation He said that if there was any lesson from the tragedy of the fall of Dhaka it has been completely forgotten, adding that fascist tactics to cut the bonds between the people and PTI would have disastrous results PTI Spokesperson warned that actions based on hatred and revenge against the only federal political party was tantamount to weakening the federation S TA F F