Epaper_23-07-18 ISB

Profit

T O P M I L I TA R Y B R A S S F U L LY B A C KS

G O V T ’ S E C O N O M I C R E V I VA L P L A N

ISLAMABAD

S TA F F R E P O R T

TH E Pakistan Army’s top brass on Monday vowed to fully support the strategic initiatives planned by the government of Pakistan for the revival of the economy by providing all possible technical and management support for the overall good of the people of Pakistan the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said in a statement Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Syed Asim Munir presided over the 258th Corps Commanders Conference (CCC) held at General Headquarters (GHQ) in Rawalpindi the military’s media wing said

The sanctuaries and liberty of action available to the terrorists of proscribed TTP [Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan] and other groups of that ilk in a neighbouring country and availability of latest weapons to the terrorists were noted as major reasons impacting the security of Pakistan it added

The statement came a day after the Afghan Taliban spokesperson rejected

Pakistani allegations and insisted that TTP was not operating out of Afghan soil The spokesperson also said that the Doha agreement was between the Afghan Taliban and US and Pakistan was not part of it

The Taliban denial of the presence of TTP is seen as astonishing as the interim government previously hosted talks between Pakistani officials and TTP leadership in Kabul

Pakistan Refinery Limited, and Airlink make joint play for Shell

The new stance by the Afghan Taliban suggests a growing mistrust between Pakistan and Afghanistan

The TTP has emerged as a major stumbling block between the two countries Despite Pakistan’s repeated requests the Afghan Taliban were not willing to tackle the TTP

The lack of action and recent surge in terrorist attacks compelled the civil and military leadership to adopt more ag-

gressive stance against Kabul

The forum was apprised about the government’s economic revival plan and the role of the army in uplifting agriculture, IT, mining and mineral and defence production sectors under the ambit of the Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC)

The forum also paid rich tribute to the supreme sacrifices persistently being offered by the valiant soldiers in the defence of their motherland against the threat of terrorism

According to ISPR the participants were briefed in detail about the prevailing internal security environment

The forum deliberated in detail upon the operational preparedness and training aspects of the army

“Objective training remains the hallmark of our professionalism and we must always remain prepared to guard against any threat to our national security COAS was quoted as saying

The participants vowed to fully support the strategic initiatives planned by the government of Pakistan for the revival of the economy by providing all possible technical and management support for the overall good of the people of Pakistan

PTI chairman skips NAB appearance over ‘securit y concerns’

Former prime minister and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf

(PTI) chairman Chairman has skipped National Accountability Bureau (NAB) appearance in the Toshakhana case, citing security concerns

The graft-buster body has summoned the chairman of PTI to appear before its investigation team at 10 am on Monday (today) for a probe in the Toshakhana case

The former prime minister in his response submitted to NAB stated that due to security concerns he cannot appear before the bureau today (Monday)

The PTI chief in his response said that he is scheduled to appear before a court in Islamabad on July 19 and asked the NAB to fix his appearance on the same day

The reference which alleges that the former PM failed to share details of the gifts he retained from the Toshaskhana (during his time as the prime minister) was filed by lawmakers from the ruling coalition last year The Toshakhana issue became a major sticking point in national politics after the Election Commission of Pakistan disqualified the PTI chief for making “false statements and incorrect declaration” last month

PTI expresses concerns over ‘election reforms’, accuses PML-N of instability

The federal government has once again requested the Supreme Court (SC) to form a full court for hearing pleas against trials of civilians in military courts

In its plea on Monday, the federal government stated that Army Act and Official Secret Act were present before the Constitution “The actions under both the acts are in accordance with the law ” the plea added

The trial under the Army and Official Secret Acts give the right of fair trial to the accused

A full court should be formed to hear the pleas against the military courts as the matter is highly sensitive and important, the federal government pleaded with the SC

It may be noted that Supreme Court (SC) will take on the pleas challenging trials of civilians in the military courts on July 18 (Tuesday)

A six-member bench headed by CJP Justice Umar Ata Bandial will take up the pleas Justice Ijazul Ahsan, Justice Muneeb Akhtar, Justice Yahya Afridi,

S

adds

Who are Pakistan Refinery Limited, and Air Link?

PRL is a hydro-skimming refinery that processes various crude oils into distilled petroleum products It is one of five refineries operating in Pakistan and is a subsidiary of the Pakistan State Oil Company (PSO) Air Link Communication, on the other hand, is a local smartphone distributor and manufacturer The company has the rights to manufacture various smartphone brands in Pakistan including Xiaomi Redmi MI Xcell Qmobile Qsmart Qtab MAXX Maxfone Gionee X Mobile and Sparx phones Additionally, Air Link Communication is the official distributor of Samsung, and Huawei phones

Justice Sayyed Mazahar Ali Akbar Naqvi and Justice Ayesha Malik will be the other members of the bench Notices had 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)

Earlier the seven-member bench of the Supreme Court was dissolved after Justice Mansoor Ali Shah recused himself from hearing over the reservations raised by the federal government

During the month of May this year, the government decided to try the suspects accused of attacking military installations on May 9 under army laws

Violent clashes broke out across Pakistan after the former prime minister and Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf was arrested from the premises of the Islamabad High Court (IHC) on May 9 Army installations, Corps Commander ’s house in Lahore and General Headquarters (GHQ) in Rawalpindi came under attack during a protest by PTI workers

h a r i f h o l d s p h o n e c a l l w i t h

La n ka n p r e s i d e n t t o d i s c u s s

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

ISLAMABAD

S TA F F R E P O R T

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif engaged in a telephone conversation with Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe on Monday, focusing on matters pertaining to the current economic conditions of both nations

During the call Sharif expressed his gratitude to the Sri Lankan president for the support extended to Pakistan regarding its agreement with the International Monetary Fund (IMF)

He commended President Wickremesinghe for playing the role of a true friend and well-wisher to Pakistan, conveying his appreciation on behalf of the people of his country

In addition he acknowledged Sri Lanka’s efforts in promoting regional peace and development He expressed optimism that both Pakistan and Sri Lanka would swiftly overcome their economic challenges President Wickremesinghe, in turn, congratulated Prime Minister Sharif on the staff-level agreement reached with the IMF The president also expressed his gratitude to Sharif for the good wishes extended to his own country

Furthermore Wickremesinghe lauded the struggle and efforts of Sharif in navigating Pakistan through its challenging economic situation Having experienced the difficulties resulting from default, the Sri Lankan president emphasized the importance of IMF assistance to help Pakistan avoid a similar predicament

MULTAN

Shah Mahmood Qureshi, the deputy chairman of Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI), voiced the opposition party’s dissatisfaction on Monday, saying they were not being consulted on election reforms despite being a significant stakeholder During a media talk at a district court in his hometown of Multan Qureshi criticized Section 9 of the Election Act 2017 considering it to be vague and in need of clarification

The parliamentary committee on electoral reforms has recently intensified its efforts to amend election laws by reviewing 73 proposed certifications according to a The News report published last week

However Qureshi directed his criticism towards the leading coalition party, Pakistan Muslim LeagueNawaz (PML-N), accusing them of suffering from instability Qureshi also drew attention to the ongoing legal battles faced by former prime minister Imran Khan mentioning that despite the government fabricating cases against him the courts have granted relief to their party leader

Addressing the announcement made by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif about dissolving the parliament before its designated term, Qureshi commented on the implications of such a decision Prime Minister Sharif had said his government would step down before completing its tenure paving the way for an interim government By doing so the government could potentially gain additional time before the upcoming elections, as per the constitutional provision that mandates elections within 90 days following the dissolution of assemblies In contrast if the assemblies complete their term the Constitution stipulates that elections should be held within 60 days

Qureshi remarked: It appears that the government is inclined towards 90-day elections However, the election commission is responsible for determining the exact date of the election ”

‘Another flop’: Khattak launches breakaway faction of PTI

Another visible flop show was staged on Monday to form a breakaway faction of the Imran Khan-led Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) as party s estranged leader Pervez

Khattak launched his own faction by the name of Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf- Parliamentarians (PTI-P) Khattak visibly failed to attract the PTI loyalists from the province of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) that is considered the heartland of the Imran Khan-led PTI Only former Khyber Pakhtunkhwa chief minister Mahmood Khan was a big name among those who joined Khattak while most of others mentioned in the handout refuted of Khattak s claim However, within minutes of the Khattak s handout, at least ten of the party s former lawmakers mentioned by Khattak’s

party distanced themselves from his faction, bringing a huge backlash for Khattak Prominent figures including PTI leaders

Muhammad Jan Iftikhar Mashwani Malik

Shaukat Taj Muhammad Khan Pir Masoor Khan and Sajida Zulfikar have all denied being part of Khattak s new party F o r m e r M PA f r o m S w a t A z i z u l l a h

K h a n , f o r m e r M PA f r o m A b b o t t a b a d Q a -

landar Khan Lodhi as well as former lawm a k e r f r o m L o w e r D i r A z a m K h a n h a v e a l s o r e f u t e d r e p o r t s o f j o i n i n g P T I - P s t a ti n g t h e i r u n w a v e r i n g l o y a l t y t o t h e P T I a n d i t s c h a i r m a n I m r a n K h a n u n t i l t h e i r l a s t b r e a t h

Observers argue that the initial dissenting messages from members are a clear indication that the party s political manifesto does not hold much significance

According to a handout issued by the party, Khattak is the new party s chief while more than 57 ex-PTI MPAs also joined the

party with more inductions under way

“Formation of new party came due to differences and conflict within the PTI on May 9 tragedy the handout reads adding that all political leaders joining the PTI-P held PTI Chairman Imran Khan responsible for the May 9 riots Imran Khan s anti-national agenda was not only rejected by the public but the party’s own leadership These patriotic politicians parted ways with the PTI over May 9 s events it further said

A PTI leader termed Khattak s party as another flop show as the old man failed to woo most of PTI lawmakers despite worst tactics used to create what he called “the puppet party” Interestingly the name chosen by Khattak looks like a copy of another group carved out of Benazir Bhutto s PPP – PPP Parliamentarians – which was actually formed just to confront a possible ban on PPP

P T I R E S P O N D S: The PTI and what’s left of its leaders came out guns blazing against the new party in an official response

The party reacted to the development through metaphors saying the monsoon season is under way and political parties were springing up like weed Attempts are being made to destroy the standing crop of democracy in the country with a locust horde of 14 parties ” the party spokesperson added in a statement

In politics the officials of the Department of Agriculture are working hard day and night in the challenge of cultivating these new crops Taking a dig at the formation of the Istehkam-i-Pakistan Party (IPP) in Lahore the PTI said: That seed turned out rotten and was ground into the soil even before harvest Similarly it said: The seed in KP called Parliamentarian will also be washed away in the first rain of public reaction

Nonetheless, the party said it was grateful to the “Department of Agriculture” and its staff for “exposing the dirty eggs involved in behind-the-scenes conspiracies and separating them from PTI

Meanwhile PTI leader Hammad Azhar said the faces of the new faction s members showed disappointment

“All of them know that they are attending their own political funeral not a new party [launch] he said

PTI KP President Ali Amin Gandapur said no one s departure would affect the party or its chairman Imran

He pilloried the lawmakers in the new party, asserting that they “should not forget that they are parliamentarians because of PTI and Imran Khan

He asserted that the PTI s voter base still stood intact and the party would defeat all others to form its government in the elections

G o v t s e e k s S C ’ s f u l l c o u r t h e a r i n g o n p l e a s a g a i n s t m i l i t a r y c o u r t s

g HUDDLE TAKES NOTE OF TTP SANCTUARIES IN ‘ NEIGHBOURING COUNTRY ’ IMPACTING PAKISTAN ’S SECURITY

g FORUM BRIEFED ON ARMY ’S ROLE IN UPLIFTING AGRICULTURE, IT, MINING, MINERALS UNDER SIFC AMBIT

COURT ACQUITS CEO LMKT OF E-SERVICES PROJECT CASE

Pakistan to follow China’s experience unleashing potential of digital innovation

ISLAMABAD

S ta f f R e p o R t

Pakistan and Region countries needed to follow China’s experience unleashing potential of digital innovation said Prof Seyed Komail Tayebi President of the ECO Science Foundation a Pakistanbased regional scientific alliance

China s experience in digital transformation provides us with invaluable lessons and policy strategies that we can learn from and adapt to the unique context of each ECO member country especially Central Asian economies and beyond Prof Seyed Komail Tayebi said This will not only strengthen the ties between China and the ECO region but also foster welfare sustainable

development and prosperity for all

During the symposium on the ChinaCentral Asia Forum on Digital Innovation and Governance, held as part of the 2023 Global Digital Economy Conference (GDEC) in Beijing earlier this month Prof Tayebi acknowledged and commended the remarkable progress that China has made in its digital transformation journey

He added that China s success in embracing digital technologies, fostering innovation, economic digitalization, and implementing effective policy strategies serves as an inspiration to countries around the world including the ECO Member Countries

As part of its digital transformation initiatives, ECOSF recognizes the immense value of technology-enhanced

learning in today s digital age

We are actively promoting the use of digital and innovative tools to enhance e-learning, scientific and technical literacy across our member countries, he said “Moreover ECOSF is driving the transformation of traditional educational practices leveraging digital technologies to make learning more interactive immersive, and tailored to the needs of learners

We are equipping individuals and institutions with the necessary skills and knowledge to navigate the digital realm fostering a culture of lifelong learning and technological literacy Pakistan is rapidly embracing digitalization as a key driver of economic growth and connectivity, with the

KP plans development of Thandiani as sustainable adventure tourism zone

PESHAWAR a z i z B u n e R i

government and private sector collaborating to harness the potential of technology and innovation

As the nation steps into the digital age, various initiatives and projects are underway to transform key sectors, enhance digital infrastructure and empower citizens In this regard Prof Tayebi noted that Pakistan is playing an increasingly important role in developing communication and networking instruments in the region

“By implementing China’s strategies on promoting digitization the immense potential of digital innovation and governance investment can be unlocked in Pakistan and the region to drive socioeconomic growth and development in the respective nations, he added

Pakistan Refiner y Limited, and Airlink make joint play for S hell

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 01

So, why have two companies that operate in such different industries come together to take over Shell

Pakistan?

Why does Pakistan Refinery want Shell?

The elephant in the room for Pakistan Refinery Limited (PRL) is its relationship with PSO PSO has 63 56% of PRL s shares, while the Government of Pakistan holds 22 47% of PSO’s shares – according to both companies’ most recent annual financial statements This essentially implies that the State of Pakistan is acquiring a private company thereby raising apprehensions individuals may harbour regarding both the transaction and the future operations of the new entity following Shell s departure

The government of Pakistan lacks proficiency in managing businesses for a multitude of reasons and should abstain from meddling in private enterprise ” asserts Yousuf Farooq Director of Research at Chase Securities He continues The potential acquisition by PRL epitomises the government s unnecessary involvement in industry Farooq suggests, A more prudent approach would be for the government to take a step back and permit private companies to operate efficiently, resulting in increased tax contributions as these businesses flourish ” Does PRL’s move make sense then?

PRL is convinced it does Any oil marketing company (OMC) for instance because we operate in a regulated environment, confronts two forms of risks that have wreaked havoc on some companies, states Mir He elucidates, “One is the security of supply –they lack a reliable source of petroleum The second is that they are susceptible to certain losses such as exchange losses Mir claims These two issues are resolved in our proposal We have local supply readily available, and PSO s import volumes are also accessible He adds, “When these two factors are available, then the losses incurred in pricing due to PSO’s exchange gain or exchange loss are neutralised Ultimately you either have to procure locally or synchronise with PSO We can do both

It s an impeccable strategic fit Worldwide

Elahi challenges preventive detention in LHC

Chaudhry Parvez Elahi president of Pakistan Tehreeki-Insaf (PTI) and former chief minister of Punjab has approached the Lahore High Court (LHC) to challenge his preventive detention under the colonial-era Maintenance of Public Order (MPO) The plea was filed by Elahi’s lawyer, Amir Saeed Rawn, who argued that his client is being unfairly targeted as part of a political vendetta Elahi s lawyer emphasized that his client has been granted bail in all previous cases and has consistently proven his innocence Additionally the court has also granted protective bail to Elahi in a separate terrorism-related case The petitioner hopes that the high court will suspend the detention orders against Elahi with the filing of this application The deputy commissioner of Lahore issued a 30-day detention order for Elahi under Section 3 of the MPO following a written request by police alleging his involvement in disturbing the peace related to three cases The order, issued late at night, stated that Elahi was an “active member and firebrand speaker” of the opposition party, as reported by Lahore police and the district intelligence branch According to the order his detainment is based on concerns that he and his followers may cause unrest disturb public peace and tranquility provoke illegal actions and damage public and private properties

refineries aspire to have an OMC

PRL is the only one which does not have an OMC Every other refinery does: Parco has Total Parco; Attock Refinery has Attock Petroleum; Cynergico has Byco, Mir concludes O n e p a r t i c u l a r a d v a n t a g e f o r P R L , w h i c h t h e i r p a r t n e r A i r L i n k a c c e n t u a t e s , i s t h e l u b r i c a n t s business Acquiring Shell would empower PRL to sell th eir lu b r ican ts d ir ectly th r o u g h S h ell’s d is tr ib u tio n n e t w o r k C u r r e n t l y P S O i s P R L s p r i n c i p a l b u y e r

PSO has no guarantee over our lubricants Yes they c o n s u m e 4 0 - 5 0 % o f o u r p r o d u c t s , b u t t h e y h a v e t o vie for them like everyone else for how we allocate it,” elucidates Mir

Strictly in terms of the PSO connection, Mir states

“The new entity will have no relation to PSO It will have a separate structure and organisation altogether

Why does Air Link want Shell?

Why would a company centred around mobiles desire an Oil Marketing Company (OMC)? Particularly when Air Link has a good thing in terms of their financials

“Acquiring Shell would introduce a slow-growth business into Air Link’s existing portfolio potentially diverting the management s attention from their primary focus highlights Farooq Air Link s management might have to raise funds or take on debt to make the acquisition, potentially negatively affecting minority shareholders who have invested in the company for its promising high-growth prospects,” Farooq adds

“Airlink also sought to diversify keeping current business trends in line Thus we resolved to opt for a diversified portfolio declares Muzzaffar Hayat

Piracha CEO of Air Link

The question of finances

How will they secure the funds to acquire the shareholding? That is the main question PRL has cash and cash equivalents of Rs 18 arab ($6 2 crore) whereas Air Link has cash and cash equivalents of Rs 75 6 crore ($40 lakh) How can they finance the acquisition?

probes Mustafa Mustansir Director Research and Business Development at Taurus Securities

The question is especially relevant, given that Shell Petroleum wants to depart Pakistan Mustansir expounds, “The current owners of Shell want to depart Pakistan as far as I understand This means they will

only be keen on a cash settlement and not willing to go for a share swap with another local company They will not only want cash but they will want this cash to be remitted to them abroad in foreign currency Mir exclaims, It is always feasible to arrange financing from outside of Pakistan This is about devising a transaction model and that is a subsequent matter ” He continues “What will the transaction model be that is yet to be discerned Mir adds Getting financing from outside of Pakistan is not a challenge He explains, What will transpire is that you will arrange to settle the matter abroad Now Air Link, they have 5-6 companies that are incorporated outside of Pakistan, and they do conduct business outside of Pakistan ” Given that it s been striving to conserve every last dollar it can over the past year would the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) permit such an outflow of foreign exchange? Piracha states, Look, when a company like this exits, then SBP always has special provisions That is not an issue ” He asserts, “And now Pakistan’s foreign reserves are also improving so those issues will gradually be solved ” Mir contends that the State Bank does not have any other alternative here He elucidates An outflow is a certainty because Shell wants to leave He concludes, There are only two outcomes here: either the SBP allows for the transaction to materialise and the money is repatriated, or the buyer can settle the transaction abroad through a different company and recoup their earnings as dividends The floodgates are now open PRL and Air Link have declared their intentions However, they are not the only contenders One source Profit contacted declined to comment on the matter because his firm was devising a bid for their client who also covets Shell Petroleum’s stake in Shell Pakistan PRL and Air Link are aware of the fact that other players are circling It s everyone s right to make a bid states Piracha Whilst local players seem to have been galvanised into action, there is still no news on the potential acquisition of Shell Pakistan by Saudi-based firms that were reported in the media since Shell Petroleum first expressed its intention to depart Pakistan

K aira c alls for designating politic al people in c aretaker setup

The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) government has unveiled its plans to transform Thandiani resort in Abbottabad district into an Integrated Tourist Zone (ITZ), aiming at establishing it as a premier ecoadventure tourism destination The project, set to be initiated through a public-private partnership will focus on sustainable development and conservation of the natural ecosystem Spanning across 49 acres of land the Thandiani ITZ will offer a range of modern facilities and amenities, including modern hotels, condo hotels, serviced apartments, recreational areas, shopping malls, commercial complexes, leisure parks, wellness complexes, and family-oriented recreational spaces The project is expected to boost tourism and create new opportunities for sustainable livelihoods for the local communities Thandiani slated to become the first properly developed tourism hotspot in the region, will adhere to international standards for sustainable development, following a comprehensive destination management system The project will be divided into four main zones: the central village zone the destination zone the northern accommodation zone and the southern accommodation zone To attract investors and developers the government plans to provide tax exemptions and other incentives, while strictly enforcing regulations related to nature conservation and maintaining a pollution-free environment within the area Aitezaz Mahfooz, the Divisional Forest Officer of the forestry planning and monitoring circle in Peshawar highlighted the challenges of preserving natural ecosystem in hilly areas due to their unique climate and distinct flora He said expertise from developed countries will be sought to establish a robust ecosystem conservation mechanism, while highlighting the need for coordination among relevant departments to promote environmental protection in tourist hotspots

ECP files intra-cour t appeal against IHC verdict in PTI foreign funding

ISLAMABAD S ta f f R e p o R t

The Election Commission of Pakistan (EPC) on Monday challenged the single bench verdict of the Islamabad High Court (IHC) that stated fact-finding report of ECP was not final verdict in the PTI foreign funding case An intra-court appeal was filed by ECP against Justice Babar Satar ’s June 6 decision The single bench in the judgment said that the fact-finding report was not final The single bench decision is against the established legal principles the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) pleaded in its application The single bench decision should be annulled, the ECP pleaded

‘Another flop’: Khattak launches breakaway faction of PTI

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 01 T h e p a r t y s h a r e d a p i c t u r e o f f o r m e r N a t i o n a l A s s e m b l y s p e a k e r A s a d Q a i s e r w h o s a i d h e c o n t i n u e d t o s t a n d w i t h t h e P T I c h i e f s a y i n g i t w a s “ i m p o r t a n t t o a p p r e c i a t e a l l t h o s e w h o w e r e a b l e t o r e s i s t e x t r e m e f a s c i s m Q a i s e r w a s s e a t e d b e s i d e K h a t t a k i n l a s t m o n t h s p r e s s e r w h e n t h e l a t t e r h a d a n n o u n c e d h i s r e s i g n a t i o n f r o m h i s p a r t y p o s i t i o n T h e p a r t y a l s o p o s t e d s t a t e m e n t s b y I f t i k h a r M a s h w a n i a n d A z a m K h a n p a r t y l e a d e r s f r o m K P s a y i n g t h a t t h e y c o n t i n u e d t o s t a n d b y t h e P T I a n d w e r e n o t p a r t o f t h e s p l i n t e r g r o u p T h e i r n a m e s w e r e o n a l i s t c i r c u l a t i n g o n l i n e o f P T I m e m b e r s w h o h a d a l l e g e d l y j o i n e d K h a t t a k s p a r t y E x - M PA M u s a w i r K h a n a l s o a s s e r t e d h i s c o n t i n u e d a ff i l i a t i o n w i t h t h e P T I H i s n a m e w a s a l s o i n c l u d e d i n t h e a l l e g e d l i s t o f P T IP ’s m e m b e r s K h a t t a k , a f o r m e r p a r t y l e a d e r w h o s e r v e d a s t h e f e d e r a l d e f e n c e m i n i s t e r f r o m 2 0 1 8 t o 2 0 2 2 w a s e x p e l l e d f r o m t h e P T I l a s t w e e k o n t h e c h a rg e o f e n c o u r a g i n g f o r m e r l a w m a k e r s t o l e a v e t h e p a r t y S o u r c e s f a m i l i a r w i t h t h e d e v e l o p m e n t e a r l i e r t o l d D a w n t h a t K h a t t a k w a s e x p e c t e d t o a n n o u n c e t h e l a u n c h i n g o f h i s p a r t y o n S a t u r d a y a t a p r e s s c o n f e r e n c e , b u t i t c o u l d n t t a k e p l a c e d u e t o t h e n o n - c o m m i t t a l a t t i t u d e o f s o m e o f t h o s e w h o h a d p r e v i o u s l y a g r e e d t o j o i n t h e n e w v e n t u r e K h a t t a k w h o w o n N o w s h e r a ’s N A - 2 5 c o n s t i t u e n c y i n t h e 2 0 1 8 g e n e r a l e l e c t i o n w a s s t i l l i n c o n s u l t a t i o n w i t h h i s f o r m e r p a r t y c o l l e a g u e s a n d w a s s t r i v i n g t o p u t u p a b i g s h o w, t h e s o u r c e s h a d s a i d T h e y h a d s a i d t h a t f o r m e r P T I l a w m a k e r s a n d s o m e c a b i n e t c o l l e a g u e s w a n t e d c l a r i t y a n d g u a r a n t e e s a n d a s s u r a n c e s o f a w i n i n t h e u p c o m i n g e l e c t i o n s a n d w e r e r e l u c t a n t t o t a k e p o l i t i c a l r i s k s K h a t t a k w h o h a d b e e n i n A f t a b S h e r p a o s Q a u m i Wa t a n P a r t y f o r f o u r y e a r s b e f o r e j o i n i n g t h e P T I i n 2 0 1 2 i s w i d e l y k n o w n f o r p u t t i n g t o g e t h e r a g r o u p o f e l e c t a b l e s H e i s n o w k e e n t o a s s e m b l e e n o u g h n u m b e r s t o s t a k e a c l a i m t o t h e t o p s l o t i n K P a f t e r t h e e l e c t i o n s H o w e v e r t h e b i d s e e m s t o b e f a i l e d a t t e m p t a s p a r t y s f o r m e r l a w m a k e r s f e a r t h a t t h e i r b e t r a y a l m a y e n d u p i n a f l o p s h o w a s i s t h e c a s e o f I s t e h k a m - i - P a k i s t a n P a r t y ( I P P )

T h e m o re th i n gs chan ge …

TH E patently thinkable has happened Hot on the heels of the Istehkaam-ePakistan Party, another political party has been formed this time in the PTI s stronghold, Khyber Paskhtunkhwa The name: PTI-Parliamentarians Since it’s the same playbook from 02 might as well have named it PTI-Patriots

The new party includes some pretty heavy hitters, including the party’s two chief ministers for the province There are two reasons why this is a particularly bad look for the PTI One, the party had taken to boast that it had performed very well on the governance front; if both the captains of that ship have jumped, well, ship, what does the party say now against those two? Second - and this is as devastating - there seems to have been no great pressure on these two specially Mehmood Khan The powers that be, seemed to have cut through the party’s ties like a hot knife through butter

They claim that they have 57 legislators that have jumped ship, which is quite a haul One doesn’t know, however, how much they will be able get and dent electorally the PTI which remains hugely popular in the province

This episode is just another sad reminder that the more things change, the more they stay the same in our hapless republic The engineering corps, whatever they may or may not be able to do on the battlefield, they can carve out political parties at will But as engineering corps around the world know, it is tricky to deal with the minefields that they themselves have laid in the past

Dedicated to the legac y of late Hameed Nizami

Arif Nizami (Late)

Founding Editor

Yousaf Nizami Editor

n b e i n g t o o p i o u s

IT is easy to be too pious for one’s own good or for the good of anybody else for that matter

Overstepping one s limits even with the best intentions in the world, is a temptation always best resisted

In religion, as in any other sphere of life, erring on one side is almost as calamitous as erring on the other Not aiming for excellence in one’s religion is no doubt a waste of potential at one s disposal But overdoing it is usually equally unfortunate Considering this very fine balance that needs to be maintained, there is no shame if one occasionally errs in one direction or the other Even those possessing the soundest of judgement cannot help slipping up But the point is that one must remain ever self-accountable always striving to get one s life back on an even keel after every lapse

This overstepping of boundaries is hard to miss Extension of the prohibition of eating swine flesh to prohibition (to self or others) of any product made of pig-skin is a common example Some ‘pious’ folks go as far as to avoid mentioning the name of the poor animal like they avoid the plague This is silly (which is bad enough) but there is much more to this sort of piety than that

Similarly, while consuming of blood is prohibited, trying to get rid of the last traces of it from meat is not only an impossible task, but (more importantly) unnecessary as well The mindset that prompts one to overdo ‘care’ and ‘caution’ like this is against the spirit of humility in which man should seek to have a relationship with God

Opting not to benefit from concessions granted by God in extraordinary circumstances also smacks of thanklessness

In case of illness, travel or scarcity of water, for example, it is no pious act to postpone prayers in order to ‘do it the proper way’ instead of timely availing of the concession of tayammum and/or praying in the car standing up or even while walking The Quran explicitly makes it clear that while there is no excuse not to pray regularly and on time, God imposes no more restrictions on man than can reasonably be imposed It is true that thanks to modern transportation and utilities travel is not typically the exhausting affair

S h a t t e r e d F o u n d a t i o n s

ture elections rather than engaging in long-term developmental planning The ruling elite fails to realize that the short sightedness in the policymaking process not only hampers the present situation of a country but also leaves behind a mark that keeps tarnishing the very fabric of this nation Political polarization and absence of confidence building measures give impetus to survival politics which halt the way for structural reforms across institutions

No country on this planet can ever ensure socio-economic prosperity unless it has its political stability in line The economic development in a country like Pakistan requires several structural changes Attracting foreign investments in pivotal development sectors is the paramount factor in accomplishing stability To facilitate such progress, political stability stands as an indispensable prerequisite

that it used to be even some decades ago But in case travel is inconvenient or tiring (which still frequently happens to be the case) it is certainly not the occasion to show bravado by opting not to avail of the concession of a shortened prayer Bravado in this, and similar matters, is in bad taste because when God is gracious enough to offer something man’s place is to accept it gleefully Similarly it is no sign of courage to fast while ill or facing other difficulties, when one is allowed to make up for it on a later day Or choosing not to eat sehri and/or showing no urgency or enthusiasm to break the fast as soon as the call to maghrib prayer is heard Far from being proofs of religious resolve, by making men attempt more than what is required of them such attitudes tend to put man s relationship to God (which ought to be based on appreciation and gratefulness on man s part) on the wrong footing Although more visible in practical affairs this sort of misplaced piety is most damaging to the very foundations of one s religion For once the fundamentals are compromised, it is a matter of time before every act is adversely affected Recognizing man s needs and aspirations nowhere does the Quran recommend or even condone a life that foregoes his needs, even legitimate desires While it warns against excess in everything (including excess in material goods and luxuries) it does not paint beauty and the pleasures of life as necessarily evil – to the contrary it points to the joys and delights of life as God s favour to his

men In fact it uses the words khair and fazl – the same words it uses for good and God s blessings – to refer to money and income On the contrary all mystic religions emphasise shunning of the material world declaring it unalloyed evil The mystic streams in Islam are no different Which is very unfortunate, and can be attributed mainly to man having attempted to bite off more than he could ever chew No Muslim is a Muslim unless he believes in the One God, the Hereafter, God s angels, Revelation, Paradise and the Fire No page of the Quran goes without mention of one or more of these but the reader is advised to be content with whatever he has been told and not to add anything to it from his imagination or flights of philosophical fancy He is commanded to recognize the boundaries of his knowledge and is cautioned against trying to figure out the reality of these concepts because there is no way he can wrap his head around them; which means that the attempt is certain to lead him astray Disregarding the Quranic injunction the mystics insist on making it their mission to figure out the ultimate reality of the universe, with disastrous consequences Most innovations in religion have roots in curiosity of this sort getting the better of men making them overstep their boundaries at their peril

In Islam, striving for good and refraining from evil, although necessary, are not enough for success Every bit as crucial is halting precisely where God and His messenger (peace be upon him) command one to stop making sure not to take even one step after that in either direction no matter how good one s motivations may be This was perfectly demonstrated by the noble companions of the Prophet (peace be upon him) through their attitudes and acts There was nobody they loved and revered more than the Prophet of God (PBUH) They wanted to show their respect for him on every occasion But they never overstepped the bounds established by the Prophet (PBUH) For example, they never stood up in his honour when he joined their gathering because they knew that he did not like it They understood that while one could be motivated by the best of intentions without obedience there was no good whatsoever

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

E d i t o r ’ s m a i l

portance of price stability recognizing that the absence of a state-provided safety net exacerbates their challenges

Unfortunately, there seems to be no immediate solution to stabilize Pakistan’s current state Even receiving tranches from the IMF, has only offered temporary relief What the country truly needs are substantial structural changes which unfortunately no stakeholder in this country appears to be pursuing Without such changes, we risk regressing to the starting point, falling back into the twin deficit trap, encompassing tight fiscal and monetary policies This cycle has occurred repeatedly and we find ourselves currently trapped within it Simultaneously the government s priorities lie in philosophy of doing less while expecting more focusing solely on short-term gains without fostering actual long-term development

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

A tragic spectacle

T H E practice of lifting animals through cranes to apartments in high-rise buildings especially during the days leading up to Eidul Azha has been going on for the last several years This is quite tragic actually In many cases animals suffer injuries and harm during the lengthy and cumbersome process but the practice has continued without there being any rationale behind it In all such cases, there is a lot of noise and commotion in the area as people gather to watch the ‘spectacle’, and they all have some piece of advice for the owner of the animal the crane operator and even for the poor animal All this actually adds to the tragedy as it unfolds

The provincial government needs to take effective measures to stop this practice immediately With a full year to go before Eidul Azha visits us again, the government definitely has time on its hand to plan, legislate and execute the ban on this preactice effectively

LAT E LY, a prevailing narrative is floating around: “Pakistan is facing the worst socio-economic and political crisis in its 75-year history However what often goes unnoticed is that Pakistan s decline has been ongoing since its independence The pervasive culture of doing less while wanting more’ has plagued Pakistan’s governance landscape throughout its history Ruling elites have prioritized short-term gains to serve their own interests rather than implementing substantial measures for the country s benefit

Undoubtedly, political instability stands as a glaring reason behind Pakistan s economic downfall Not even a single Prime Minister in Pakistan’s political history has completed a full term with oscillations between democratic and military rule being the norm Even during democratic regimes instability persists

When a new government assumes power, its initial step typically involves shutting the initiatives and programmes of its predecessors and establishing its own Subsequently, by the time it begins executing its policies iy is overthrown by another entity

For instance when General Zia came into power in 1978 he imposed a blanket ban on students unions and enforced strict media censorship

After his demise in 1988, Benazir Bhutto took office as Prime Minister, granting freedom to the media and formulating liberal policies However she too was overthrown on charges of corruption and bribery resulting in the government of Mian Nawaz Sharif who in order to secure his conservative vote bank suspended the progressive and liberal developments This pattern has persisted since independence, with each government or leader pursuing their own preferences and diverting policies in different directions

The implications of this political instability are severe Political leaders while entering office, assume that the opposition may attempt to overthrow their government, leading them to focus solely on survival rather than achieving meaningful development Consequently, power struggles ensue resulting in short-term policies instead of long-term sustainable solutions

Presently Pakistan finds itself in the same predicament where the government s primary focus lies in surviving the term and securing fu-

Despite boasting valuable assets, including a skilled labour force and abundant raw materials foreign companies exhibit hesitancy when it comes to establishing ventures in a nation plagued by political and economic instability This apprehension stems from the belief that in an unpredictable environment the adherence to agreements and the continuity of policies are compromised

For instance, a company may establish a manufacturing facility in Pakistan under the administration of one government, benefiting from a favourable 5 percent tax rate and a flexible economic landscape

The myriad challenges confronting Pakistan at present do not require ground-breaking innovations or revolutionary approaches for resolution

These practices extend beyond the purview of government institutions alone; they necessitate mobilizing the masses as well. In the absence of a vibrant and inclusive public, a country can never truly progress

However if another government assumes power sudden revisions may ensue such as a significant tax increase of 15 percent or a complete overhaul of economic policies Consequently, the absence of political stability restrains foreign investors and companies from making substantial commitments to Pakistan

The adverse repercussions of political uncertainties extend even to the local industry which grapples with the deleterious effects of high inflation and a volatile political climate

The local industry emphasizes the utmost im-

Monsoon fears

The prevailing political and economic turmoil stems from the implementation of irrational policies adopted across the realms of governance economy and politics Thus the solution lies in altering the status quo within these critical spheres Through formulating crucial regulatory frameworks and confidence building measures among key stakeholders we can effectively deal with the plethora of challenges currently faced by our country These practices extend beyond the purview of government institutions alone; they necessitate mobilizing the masses as well In the absence of a vibrant and inclusive public a country can never truly progress Undoubtedly, this demands a willingness to challenge the status quo and foster an allinclusive environment where progressive and sustainable approaches are not only favored but deemed indispensable

Muhammad Faizan Shaukat is a public-policy Graduate from NUST

ENGR WAQAR BADAR KANDHRO LARKANA

W I S E nations learn from their past and never repeat mistakes Last year Pakistan suffered unprecedented rains and floods that resulted in loss of lives and property while there was a huge negative impact on several other domains of national life such as education economy and agriculture

The monsoon is back, and heavy rains are expected once again But, unfortu-nately, the provincial authorities, including the chief minister, do not seem concerned about the impending danger

Some areas in the country are still inundated owing to the last year ’s floods How can the upcoming floods be controlled? This is a question that all government authorities must answer

Although much time has been wasted plans can still be made and executed to save the lives and property of public from the impending losses

A proactive approach is better than taking actions after the losses

The floods last year wreaked havoc only because of lack of contingency planning and apathy of those who were responsible for taking preventive measures

MUHAMMAD ISHAQUE MEMON TANDO MUHAMMAD KHAN

Neglected facilit y

R E C E N T LY I used the Lyari Expressway for getting home and found it to be a completely neglected facility I saw people jaywalking and crossing the expressway right from the starting point on Mauripur Road till at least the Garden interchange Young boys going to self-designated play areas along the Liyari River below the expressway were running blindly on either side of the road Likewise people in groups of three to four were also seen walking on either side of the road A patrol car of the National Highways and Motorway Police, quite ignorant of this unchecked dangerous pedestrian movement, was also seen standing on the alert without doing anything about the whole activity It was stationed right after the toll-collecting booths and was seen busy stopping and checking most commercial loading vehicles That was the only activity the patrol care was alert about There were no police patrol cars for surveillance on the unlit expressway The toll-collecting booths were without any protective arrangement to facilitate the staff to survive the vagaries of weather It was a disappointing experience The authorities concerned should take notice of this neglect and take appropriate measures for the prevention of fatal road accidents to make the Lyari Expressway a safe and rapid route for users

In Islam, striving for good and refraining from evil, although necessar y, are not enough for success Ever y bit as crucial is halting precisely where God and His messeng er (peace be upon him) command one to stop, making sure not to take even one step after that in either direction, no matter how good oneÊs motivations may be

Faizan Shaukat

Iam still at pains to internalize what sinister schemes Republican leaders in the House and Senate are concocting only to retain power at whatever cost to the country and its future The Republicans are terrified of the changing demographics of this country Many demographers have concluded that by the year 2045 whites will become a minority in the country with Hispanic Black and Asian Americans who overwhelmingly vote for Democrats becoming the collective majority In reality the Republican Party is already the minority party and their numbers will continue to shrink with the demographic evolution

Indeed, if the presidential elections were truly free and fair, and not skewed through the grossly uneven representation created through the Electoral College which gives outsized influence to the least-populated states it would be most unlikely that another Republican president could set foot in the White House For this reason the Republican Party will resort to any means, regardless of how racist and corrupt they may be, to tamper with elections in order to change their outcomes in their favor

Instead of adjusting to the demographic reality facing the USA and developing new policies and socio-economic programmes to meet the new challenges and attract more Hispanic and Black voters to their ranks the Republican Party chose to resort to extreme conservatism and white supremacy to shield their turf

As of 15 December 2021, 32 bills across 17 states were passed that interfere with electoral administration creating criminal and civil penalties for election administrators and public officials Florida Georgia and Virginia created electoral fraud law enforcement units after the 2020 election despite no widespread fraud in any of these states A Wisconsin GOP election commissioner bragged about the state’s voting suppression efforts against Black and Hispanic voters A new Arizona law passed in March 2022 requires documented proof of citizenship in order to vote In 2021 restrictions passed in Florida and Georgia add barriers to voting by mail restrict the use of ballot drop boxes and

more On a federal level, in 2018 the Supreme Court ruled in favour of an Ohio law that removes individuals from voter rolls if they haven’t voted in a two-year period, even if they remain eligible to vote

Other than enacting these new laws and rules to impact election results in favor of white people Republicans need a popular leader who is shameless and a bigot like Trump who is openly a white supremacist and will do anything to regain power Indeed, it is not for the love of Trump, who a growing number of Republican leaders despise, but for the millions that follow him who have deliberately been misguided and misinformed but still bask in his lies and whose votes the Republican Party needs to win an election

The fact that Republican leaders cling to such a loathsome character simply boggles the mind But to grasp the magnitude of how corrupt the GOP has become and how low it has descended by following this irredeemable criminal a quick look at Trump’s character and misdeeds will tell the whole sad story

In this year alone Trump has faced multiple indictments and civil lawsuits In April he was charged with 34 felony counts of falsifying business records in the first degree (all related to hush payments to Stormy Daniels)

The following month, Trump was found liable for sexually abusing E Jean Carroll in 1996 This month, he was indicted on 37 felony counts related to mishandling classified documents and in October a civil case against Trump for fraudulently overvaluing the company s assets and his personal net worth is scheduled to begin Last December, the Trump Organization was convicted on 17 counts and was fined $1 6 million over a 15-year tax fraud scheme And in November 2016, Trump settled a lawsuit against Trump University and paid $25 million over fraud allegations

In addition there are still other ongoing investigations against Trump which more than likely will lead to new indictments, including in Fulton County, GA, where Trump attempted to illegally overturn the 2020 election result He is also being investigated about his role behind the 6 January 2021 insurrection Indeed, none of the above can hardly come as a shock He is the only president in American history to be impeached twice first in 2019 on charges of abuse of power and obstruction of Congress, and second in 2021 on charges of insurrection related to January 6 (on which 57 Senators voted to convict, including seven Republicans just shy of the 60 votes needed) The man’s vacuous narcissism simply knows no bounds: every time he opens his mouth he brings shame on the USA

India’s boom is a dangerous my th

competitive manufacturing sector Since the liberalising reforms of the mid-1980s the manufacturing sector s share of GDP has fallen slightly, to about 14 per cent, compared to 27 per cent in China and 25 per cent and rising in Vietnam India commands less than a 2 per cent global share of manufactured exports and as its economy slowed in the second half of 2022 the manufacturing sector contracted further

More alarmingly though, Trump embodies the darkness of nihilism; he is the very personification of a solipsistic outlook on the world which cares for nothing but oneself and which values nothing but self-aggrandizement The truth is that he is a pitiful creature whose loathsomeness and moral decrepitude should serve as a warning to all that a life pursued solely for the sake of one’s own power and privilege is a life that leads necessarily to ignominy and disgrace

What is even more depressing is that the majority of Republicans continue to rally to Trump s defence Rather than acknowledge the overwhelming evidence against him they choose to follow him blindly insisting that his woes are a politically motivated witch hunt when in fact it is that these Republicans are the ones who are haunted by their fear of never gaining power again Speaker Kevin McCarthy the leading Republican in Congress (third in line for the presidency, no less) had the beastly audacity to tweet in reaction to Trump’s latest indictment “I and every American who believes in the rule of law stand with President Trump against this grave injustice McCarthy reveals by this tweet that he endorses the criminal behaviour of Trump and could not care less for the rule of law and the future of this great nation He is just like his master a bald-faced liar and hypocrite who put to shame the position of Speaker of the House of Representatives And this is the man standing at the helm of the Republican party The one most terrifying aspect of the felonious Republican conduct that must be emphasized is that the

unauthorized disclosure of classified documents could put at risk the national security of the USA and the security of our friends and allies the safety of the US military the human sources and the continued viability of sensitive intelligence collection methods This is the highest of the Republican party s moral and political bankruptcy and constitutes nothing less than a betrayal of the USA and the commitment that every Congressman is sworn to uphold to protect the USA from foreign and domestic enemies

Indeed the Republican Party has become naught but an organization dedicated to tearing down whatever vestiges of decency remain in this country This is not the Party of Lincoln that chose to preserve the Union at all costs, but the party that chose to destroy it and would worship the devil, the likes of Trump, who will stop short of nothing to use the Republican party, just as the party uses him to reclaim power This is the horror of this symbiotic relationship which poses the greatest menace to America today which must be arrested

Trump has not only utterly corrupted the soul of this nation; he represents and epitomizes the moral, epistemic, and spiritual decay of America He is the single most naked symptom of our ruination as a country that values truth justice the rule of law and the light of reason

If the Republican Party continues to travel this perilous path it will be tantamount to political suicide and they have Trump to thank for the party s demise as we know it

Republican leaders who claim to put country before party must now rise up along with their Democratic colleagues and together save the country from extremist rightwing Republicans before it’s too late Those Republicans surrendered their soul and conscience to Trump a criminal and corrupt wannabe dictator who flouts the rule of law and is ready to burn down the country only to regain power

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

New technological cold war

possible war over Taiwan all rely crucially on advanced computer chips to tell them where the enemy is Semiconductors mean death on delivery And in the age of AI this will only be more true

Anyway to make a long story short the U S is winning the semiconductor wars for now Despite the fragmentation of the supply chain for the highest-end chips, all the basic components are in the hands of either the U S or its allies

PR OJECT SYNDICATE a S h o k a M o Dy

IN D I A N elites are giddy about their country s economic prospects, and that optimism is mirrored abroad The International Monetary Fund forecasts that India’s GDP will increase by 6 1 per cent this year and 6 8 per cent next year, making it one of the world’s fastest-growing economies Other international commentators have offered even more effusive forecasts declaring the arrival of an Indian decade or even an Indian century

In fact, India is barreling down a perilous path

All the cheerleading is based on a disingenuous numbers game More so than other economies, India’s yo-yoed in the three calendar years from 2020 to 2022 falling sharply twice with the emergence of COVID-19 and then bouncing back to prepandemic levels Its annualised growth rate over these three years was a feeble 3 5 per cent, about the same as in the year immediately preceding the COVID crisis

All forecasts of higher future growth rates are extrapolating from the latest pandemic rebound Yet even with pandemic-related constraints largely in the rearview mirror the economy slowed in the second half of 2022 and that weakness has persisted this year Describing India as a booming economy is wishful thinking clothed in bad economics

Worse, the hype is masking a problem that has grown over the 75 years since independence: anemic job creation Over the next decade India will need 200 million more jobs on net to employ those who are of working age and seeking work But this challenge is virtually insurmountable, considering that the economy failed to add any net new jobs over the past decade, when 7-9 million additional jobseekers were entering the market each year

This demographic pressure often boils over fuelling protests and episodic violence In 2019 12 5 million people applied for 35 000 job openings in the Indian railways: a job promised for every 357 people who sought one In January 2022, the railway authorities announced that they were not ready t o m a k e t h e j o b o ff e r s T h e a p p l i c a n t s w e n t o n a r a m p a g e b u r n i n g t r a i n c a r s a n d v a n d a l i s i n g r a i lway stations Wi t h u r b a n j o b s s c a r c e t e n s o f m i l l i o n s o f workers returned during the pandemic to eking out meager livelihoods in agriculture, and there many have remained India s already distressed agriculture sector now employs 45 per cent of the count r y ’s w o r k f o r c e F a r m i n g f a m i l i e s s u ff e r f r o m s t u b b o r n l y h i g h u n d e r e m p l o y m e n t w i t h m a n y m e m b e r s s h a r i n g l i m i t e d w o r k o n p l o t s r e n d e r e d steadily smaller through generational subdivision The epidemic of farmer suicides persists To those anxiously seeking support from rural employmentg u a r a n t e e p r o g r a m m e s , t h e g o v e r n m e n t u n c o ns c i o n a b l y d e l a y s w a g e p a y m e n t s t r i g g e r i n g

Yet it is through exports of labour-intensive manufactured products that Taiwan, South Korea, China, and now Vietnam came to employ vast numbers of their people India, with its 1 4 billion people exports about the same value of manufactured goods as Vietnam does with 100 million people and Vietnam is poised to race ahead

Those who believe that India stands at the cusp of greatness usually focus on two recent developments First, Apple contractors have made initial investments to assemble high-end iPhones in India, leading to speculation that a broader move away from China by manufacturers will benefit India despite the country s considerable quality-control and logistical problems While such an outcome is of course possible, academic analysis and media reports are discouraging Economist Gordon H Hanson anticipates that Chinese manufacturers will move labour-intensive manufacturing from the country’s expensive coastal hubs to its less-developed interior where production costs are lower

Moreover investors moving out of China have gone mainly to Vietnam and other countries in Southeast Asia, which (along with China) are members of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership India has eschewed membership in this preferential trade bloc because its manufacturers fear that they will be unable to compete once the other member states gain easier access to the Indian market

As for US producers pulling away from China most are near-shoring their operations to Mexico and Central America Altogether, while some investment from this churn could flow to India, the fact remains that inward foreign investment fell year on year in 2022

The second source of hope is the Indian government s Production-Linked Incentive Schemes which were introduced in early 2021 to offer financial rewards for production and jobs in sectors deemed to be of strategic value Unfortunately, as former Reserve Bank of India Governor Raghuram G Rajan and his co-authors warn these schemes like previous sops to manufacturers are likely to end up merely fattening corporate profits India s heroic run with startup unicorns is also fading The sector s recent boom relied on cheap funding and a surge of online purchases by a small number of customers during the pandemic But most startups have dim prospects for achieving profitability in the foreseeable future Purchases by the small customer base have slowed and funds are drying up even for firms like edtech giant Byju

Looking past the illusion created by India s rebound from its COVID depths, the country s economic prognosis appears bleak As the demand for jobs continues to grow the economy will struggle evermore to supply decent honorable employment Rather than indulge in wishful thinking and gimmicky industrial incentives policymakers should aim to power economic development through investments in human capital and by bringing more women into the workforce

MY last reading series was about China so I decided to make my next one about a related topic: U S -China technological competition This is of huge economic importance, because government policies aimed at dominating strategic high-tech industries are poised to reshape the global economy It’s also interesting in its own right because now we’re getting to see the big innovations of the past few decades in a very different light I ve been predicting for a while that we d see a rotation from civilian applications of information technology to military or quasi-military ones, and now we re seeing that happening ‘’Chip war ’’ by Chris Miller offers a real master class on how to write an accessible engaging book about an esoteric technical subject He starts with the narrative of how the U S invented the semiconductor industry and how it defended its supremacy in that industry from challenges by the USSR and (especially) Japan He then moves on to how the U S outsourced much of the industry to Taiwan South Korea and the Netherlands during the age of globalization before finally discussing China s challenge and the U S response in the 2010s All along the way, Miller explains the intricacies of chipmaki n g t e c h n o l o g y i n s u r p r i s i n g l y clear and simple terms from the d a y s w h e n s i l i c o n w a f e r s w e r e cut by hand to the days when cutt i n g - e d g e c h i p m a k i n g r e q u i r e s the world s most powerful lasers a n d t h e w o r l d s s m o o t h e s t m i rr o r s A t t h e e n d o f t h i s b o o k , i f y o u d i d n ’t k n o w a l r e a d y y o u ’ l l u n d e r s t a n d t h e d i ff e r e n c e b etween the capital requirements of the NAND flash memory industry and the DRAM industry, between D U V a n d E U V l i t h o g r a p h y, a n d between a foundry and a fabless design firm And you’ll have enj o y e d l e a r n i n g a b o u t t h e m b ec a u s e t h e y w e r e i n t e r w o v e n seamlessly with stories about the colorful heroes of the chip indust r y, l i k e B o b N o y c e , M o r r i s Chang, and Andy Grove My favorite thing about Miller ’s book though is the relentless focus on why the chip industry is so strategically important It s really all about precision weaponry The pinpoint HIMARS strikes that are devastating Russian forces in Ukraine, the precision bombs that decimated Iraqi forces in 1991 and the long-range missiles that China is building for a

The U S makes the design software and the highend lasers for lithography Germany makes the lithography mirrors the U S UK and South Korea design the chips the Netherlands and Japan make the lithography machines, and Taiwan and South Korea actually f a b r i c a t e t h e c h i p s T h e r e i s d a n g e r i n t h i s , b e c a u s e C h i n a c o u l d b l o c k a d e , b o m b a r d , o r c o n q u e r Ta i w a n and South Korea pretty easily in a war situation, and b e c a u s e Ta i w a n e s p e c i a l l y i s t h r e a t e n e d b y e a r t hquakes But overall we re not reliant on China for any part of this industry And thanks to export controls we likely won t be Over the last few years, the U S has been rolling out increasingly sweeping and stringent restrictions on the s a l e o f c h i p s a n d ( m o r e i m p o r t a n t l y ) c h i p m a k i n g e q u i p m e n t t o C h i n a T h e s e c o n t r o l s r e q u i r e i n t e r n at i o n a l c o o r d i n a t i o n t h a t ’s s o m e t i m e s d i ff i c u l t t o e nf o r c e b u t s o f a r t h e y s e e m t o b e h i g h l y e ff e c t i v e T h o u g h m a n y p r e d i c t e d t h a t e x p o r t c o n t r o l s w o u l d create a Sputnik moment that would prompt China t o z o o m a h e a d i n c h i p t e c h n o l o g y, s o f a r i t s e ff o r t s have fallen flat in a big way

That doesn’t mean China won’t have enough chips to make cutting-edge precision weapons of course As Miller explains the country will still be able to make vast quantities of trailing-edge chips which may be good enough to win in a conflict But for now at least the U S looks like it has a decisive advantage in the new technological cold war

Semiconductors mean death on deliver y

Republican leaders who claim to put country before party must now rise up along with their Democratic colleagues and together save the country from extremist right-wing Republicans before itÊs too late.

H E AT WAV E S : W O R L D R E E L S F R O M W I L D F I R E S , F LO O D S

A S U S A N D C H I N A D I S C U S S C L I M AT E C R I S I S

PR OFIT

r e u t e r S

GLOBAL temperatures headed towards alarming highs and extreme weather proliferated as the world s two biggest polluters, China and the United States, sought on Monday to reignite climate talks

With scientists saying the target of keeping global warming within 1 5 degrees Celsius of pre-industrial levels is moving beyond reach, evidence of the crisis was everywhere

A remote town in China’s arid northwest, Sanbao, registered a national record of 52 2 Celsius (126 Fahrenheit)

Wildfires in Europe raged ahead of a second heat wave in two weeks that was set to send temperatures as high as 48C

In the United States, a quarter of the population fell under extreme heat advisories, partly due to a heat dome that has settled over western states

“In many parts of the world today is predicted to be the hottest day on record tweeted Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus director-general of the World Health Organisation

“The #ClimateCrisis is not a warning

It’s happening I urge world leaders to ACT

now ”

In a resumption of diplomacy on global warming between the two superpowers U S climate envoy John Kerry met Chinese counterpart Xie Zhenhua in Beijing urging joint action to cut methane emissions and coal-fired power

In the next three days we hope we can begin taking some big steps that will send a signal to the world about the serious purpose of China and the United States to address a common risk threat challenge to all of humanity created by humans themselves

Kerry said noting the proliferation of storms and fires

It is toxic for both Chinese and for Americans and for people in every country on the planet ”

Prolonged high temperatures in China are threatening power grids and crops and raising concerns about a repeat of last year s drought the most severe in 60 years

Typhoon Talim was gaining strength and due to make land at night along China s southern coast, forcing the cancellation of flights and trains in the regions of Guang-

dong and Hainan

In South Korea torrential rains left 40 people dead as river levees collapsed causing flash floods They followed the heaviest recorded rain in the capital Seoul last year

An anticyclone nicknamed Charon –who in Greek mythology was the ferryman of the dead – could cause Europe to break its highest recorded temperature of 48 8C possibly on the Italian island of Sardinia

‘VERY SCARY’

The high temperatures are especially risky for people like teenage sisters Matilde and Angelica Aureli from Rome, who during extreme heat can only venture outside after 9 p m because they are albinos

In the summer it is getting hotter year by year it s actually very scary as an ex-

perience because for people with albinism the sun keeps getting worse Matilde said Tourists in the Italian capital cooled themselves under giant fans set up outside the Colosseum and took turns to drink from a fountain near the Spanish Steps

In Spain, temperatures could rise to as high as 44C in some regions However a forest fire on the island of La Palma in the Canaries that forced the evacuation of 4 000 people was being brought under control as temperatures fell, local official Sergio Rodriguez said in an interview on TVE

Scientists have long warned that climate change caused by CO2 emissions from burning fossil fuels will make heatwaves more frequent severe and deadly

The European Union s Copernicus Climate Change Service says 2022 and 2021

were the continent’s hottest summers on record Buildings and roads are storing heat during the day and releasing it at night causing temperatures to remain up to 4C higher than in surrounding areas and contributing to health risks for vulnerable people, said Andreas Flouris, associate professor of physiology at Greece’s University of Thessaly

We ve seen that this night-time temperature increase in cities often contributes a lot more than we thought to mortality, Flouris said UNCHARTERED TERRITORY

As many as 61 000 people may have died in Europe during heatwaves last summer with a repetition feared this season

My worry is really health – the health of vulnerable people who live just below the

rooftops of houses which are not prepared for such high temperatures, said Robert Vautard, a climate scientist and director of France’s Pierre-Simon Laplace Institute

“That could create a lot of deaths ”

In Cyprus a 90-year-old man died and three people were in hospital with heat stroke symptoms as temperatures spiked at over 45C on Saturday, authorities said The heat dome across the western United States also helped to generate heavy rains in the northeast claiming at least five lives The heat warnings spread as far as Florida

In California s Death Valley tourists gathered in Furnace Creek on Sunday in anticipation of witnessing the hottest recognised temperature on earth: 134 Fahrenheit (56 7C) in 1913 according to the World Meteorological Organization

They cheered as a digital display of 132F ticked up to 133F while National Park rangers stood by in case anyone succumbed to heat stroke “It’s my first time being here so I feel it would be really cool to be here for the hottest day ever on Earth for my first time ” said Kayla Hill 24 of Salt Lake City Utah Carlo Buontempo director of the European Union s Copernicus Climate Change Service, said there was a clear pattern of heatwaves becoming more common as predicted by scientists

“We are already in uncharted territory completely We have never seen anything like this in our living memory in our history Buontempo said

ISLAMABAD S ta f f C o r r e S p o n d e n t

China s special envoy for climate change Xie Zhenhua and visiting US climate envoy John Kerry held talks that reportedly lasted about four hours on Monday, which are seen as the latest effort to revive climate cooperation between the two countries and a positive signal for bilateral relations, currently at a historical low With the topics of reducing methane emissions and coal use on the agenda experts said that climate change cooperation is not an ivory tower or safe house for China-US relations as the two sides face the complexity of rivalry and cooperation divergences and shared responsibilities Washington claims to seek climate cooperation while maintaining its suppression of Beijing in areas such as trade and technology, and has been flip-flopping on climate policy under partisan politics, creating obstacles for China-US cooperation in this field some experts said China is seeking substantial dialogue this week and exchanges on climate and the green transition could contribute to improving China-US bilateral relations Xie said on Monday as officials from both sides gathered for three days of talks, Bloomberg reported

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h i n a , Pa k i s t a n t o t a p p o t e n t i a l i n t r a d i t i o n a l C h i n e s e m e d i c i n e c o l l a b

ISLAMABAD S ta f f r e p o r t

Experts from China and Pakistan have expand cooperation in medical field with a specific emphasis on Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) medicines

We welcome young talents in the medical field of Pakistan to visit our hospital and we will provide training opportunities lasting for several months Also we’re more than willing to send our medics to Pakistan for further research in TCM ” Prof Liu Qingquan President Beijing Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine Capital Medical University told media

He made the above remarks while welcoming the Pakistani delegation in Beijing, led by Dr Azra Fazal Pechuho, Minister for Health & Population Welfare Sindh arrived in China on July 12 for a 12-day visit

The delegates were to participate in health dialogues with Chinese health departments hospitals, institutions, enterprises for more possibilities in cooperation between China and Pakistan in fields of health, medicine and so on

During the visit to Beijing Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine the delegation showed great interest in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) Both sides exchanged ideas and information on topics including talent exchange construction of TCM teaching system, clinical research, compilation of China-Pakistan herbal books

A c c o r d i n g t o t h e h o s p i t a l , t h e r e a r e 7 c h a ra c t e r i s t i c d i a g n o s i s a n d t r e a t m e n t c e n t e r s o f

Tr a d i t i o n a l C h i n e s e M e d i c i n e i n B e i j i n g i n -

cluding Dermatology Department of TCM Card i o v a s c u l a r D e p a r t m e n t o f T C M , D i g e s t i o n

C e n t e r, A c u p u n c t u r e a n d M o x i b u s t i o n C e n t e r, P e d i a t r i c s D e p a r t m e n t o f T C M , G y n a e c o l o g y Department of TCM and TCM Preventive Treatm e n t C e n t e r “ We w e l c o m e P a k i s t a n i t a l e n t s t o e x p l o r e m o r e i n t e r m s o f t h e c o m b i n a t i o n o f T C M a n d m o d e r n t e c h n o l o g y t o i m p r o v e t h e q u a l i t y o f l i f e o f p a t i e n t s L i u n o t e d

On the occasion, Prof Dr M Iqbal Choudhry, director of International Center for Chemical and Biological Sciences (ICCBS), Pakistan, was invited to be a visiting professor by Prof Liu Qingquan

Established in 1956 Beijing Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine is the only comprehensive and m o d e r n i z e d grade-A tertiary hospital of traditional Chinese medicine in Beijing In recent years, the hospital had undertaken several national technical aid projects and organized multiterms of

international training on Chinese medicine health care and traditional medicine management T h e h o s p i t a l also sent experts and s c h o l a r s t o v i s i t , a tt e n d t r a i n i n g g i v e l e c t u r e s c o n s u l t at i o n a n d a c a d e m i c e x c h a n g e s g l o b a l l y to promote the intern a t i o n a l i m p a c t s o f T C M a n d e n h a n c e t h e f r i e n d s h i p b et w e e n C h i n a a n d other countries

South Korea flood death toll rises to 41 as Yoon blames ‘botched responses’

Tuesday 18 July 2023 | ISLAMABAD 06 NEWS PID (I) 366/23

CORPORATE CORNER

The

four decades in Ministry of Finance Banking and Financial Sector reforms Mr Younis brings in extensive knowledge of Corporate Sector Governance and financial markets Mr Younis has also served at the Board of Directors of Meezan Bank Limited, as the Chairman of the Board Audit Committee and was also a member of the Board Risk Management Committee He has been part of the Board of Directors at Faysal Bank Limited for more than nine years where he has been the Chairman of Board Audit and Corporate Governance Committee in addition to being a member of other key committees He has played a key role in planning and implementation of corporate governance audit and controls framework at Faysal Bank PR

Telenor Pakistan Hosts GSMA’s Workshop Addressing Mobile Gender Gap and Driving Digital Inclusion

I s l a m a b a d: Telenor Pakistan, in partnership with the GSMA organised a capacity-building workshop at its headquarters in Islamabad as part of GSMA s Connected Women initiative The event was significant in the Connected Women strategy, with a focus on exploring ways to bridge the mobile gender gap and promote digital inclusion The workshop revealed key findings from GSMA’s recently released ‘Mobile Gender Gap Report’ followed by a discussion on how different stakeholders can be engaged to bridge this digital divide in the country Considering various socioeconomic factors, concerns surrounding the narrowing gender gap in mobile ownership and usage of mobile internet have become increasingly apparent, especially across lower and lower-middleincome countries (LMICs) The discussion highlighted the importance of including women in the digital economy PR

ISLAMABAD S TA F F R E P O R T

tH E government of France has announced to extend a financial support valuing three million Euro for supporting UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency for its critical programmes for Afghans in the Islamic Republics of Iran and Pakistan

The funding will enable the agency to intensify the provision of lifesaving assistance and protection for some of the most vulnerable refugees and their local host communities, said a press release issued here on Monday In Pakistan, EUR

2 million will enable UNHCR to boost primary and secondary level education strengthen skills and vocational training and reinforce access to public health care in host communities in 2023

A particular focus of the Government of France s support will be on supporting women and girls This funding comes in addition to another contribution of EUR

2 million for 2022 activities which has already delivered results in the area of increasing girls access to education and expanding skills training for women

In Iran, France has allocated EUR 1 million to support UNHCR’s programmes in 2023 This contribution will

help strengthen ongoing efforts to provide lifesaving assistance to Afghans and host communities including access to essential healthcare, education, and protection services This new funding is in addition to a similar contribution of EUR

1 million for UNHCR Iran in 2022

UNHCR deeply appreciated France for their unwavering support in addressing one of the world s most enduring refugee crises

This funding represents France s recognition of the urgent need to alleviate

C itizens' safety our foremost priority, says CPO

A high level meeting was held to review the security arrangements made by Islamabad capital police to shield Muharram ul Haram processions in the capital, a Police Public Relation officer said According to the details a security meeting was held to review security arrangements for Muharram ul Haram and establish an atmosphere of communal harmony during Muharram and to make the fool-proof security of the Majalis and processions The meeting was chaired by CPO/ DIG Operations, while SSP (Operations) AIG Special Branch Zonal DPOs DSP Security Chairman members of peace committee and organizers participated On this occasion CPO/ DIG (Operations) Islamabad Syed Shehzad Nadeem Bukhari issued instructions to further improve the security arrangements and said that no lapse in security matters will be tolerated PR

Finance Minister c alls on Air C hief

Finance Minister of Pakistan, Mr Muhammad Ishaq

Dar called on Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmed Baber

Sidhu Chief of the Air Staff Pakistan Air Force during his visit to Air Headquarters Islamabad today Matters pertaining to evolving geo-economic environment and regional security situation were discussed during the meeting The Air Chief briefed the visiting dignitary about various ongoing projects being carried out by Pakistan Air Force with special focus on modernization and development of indigenous capabilities Chief of the Air Staff briefed the Finance Minister about PAF s National Aerospace Science & Technology Park project and highlighted that the mega project is aimed at fostering collaborative research, development and innovation in the domains of aviation, space, IT, cyber & computing in order to accrue maximum economic technological and scientific dividends for Pakistan

The Air Chief also praised the pragmatic policies and initiatives of the government to lead the economy towards growth and stability PR

Pakistani microfinance pioneer D r. Amjad S aqib named ‘Global Man of the Dec ade’

Founder and Chairman of the world s largest interest-free microfinance organization

Akhuwat, Dr Amjad Saqib has been named ‘Global Man of the Decade’ for his extraordinary contributions by Global Men Magazine He was honoured by this award during an awards ceremony held at the Hilton United Kingdom (UK), which was attended by the most influential individuals from 35 countries This award is given to those who make remarkable contributions to the welfare of humanity that are recognized on an international level Dr Amjad Saqib was nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize last year for his philanthropic contributions to poverty reduction and he also received the Ramon Magsaysay Award2021 known as

the suffering of millions of Afghans affected by displacement while emphasizing the importance of international solidarity and responsibility–sharing in finding solutions to their plight French Ambassador to Iran, Nicolas Roche noted that “by contributing to UNHCR’s work in Iran for the second year in a row we are committed to supporting the Afghan people driven out of their country following the 2021 developments in Afghanistan

It is also essential for us to support the resilience of the local Iranian

Mobilink Bank S ets New Benchmarks in Women Empowerment, MSME Lending

I s l a m a b a d: Mobilink Bank achieved notable growth in Loan Disbursement and Gross Loan Portfolio (GLP) across two key segments, Women as well as Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), as evident in its H1 2023 results These achievements underline the Bank's commitment to fostering financial inclusion and supporting the growth of small businesses further demonstrating the effectiveness of its strategies and initiatives implemented over the past year Mobilink Bank is part of the VEON group, a global digital operator that provides converged connectivity and online services across seven countries As part of its digital operator strategy, VEON is transforming people s lives creating opportunities for greater digital inclusion and driving economic growth across countries that are home to more than 8% of the world s population PR

Riphah International University Gifts 1000 Trees to C itizens of Islamabad

Riphah International University generously contributed 1000 trees for Islamabad to promote a cleaner and greener Pakistan In this regard Riphah International University and the Capital Development Authority (CDA) partnered to host a Tree Plantation event on July 17, 2023, at Islamabad Chowk, Srinagar Highway This collaboration between CDA and Riphah International University highlights their shared commitment to the environment The event was graced by the presence of Captain (Retd ) Noor ul Amin Mengal the Chairman CDA and Chief Commissioner Islamabad, as the Chief Guest, and Captain (Retd ) Anwar ul Haq, member Environment as the Guest of Honor and Chancellor Riphah International University Mr Hassan Muhammad Khan PR

S indh Government gifts 5 state - of-the -ar t Resc ue 1122 ambulances to the people of Tando Muhammad K han

k a r a c h I: Sindh Integrated Emergency & Health Services ( SIEHS ) 1122, the leading emergency humanitarian service in Sindh, has started operations in all its districts It has successfully facilitated the rescue of millions of emergency victims with its emergency ambulances and allowed thousands of deliveries to be supervised by its trained male nurses which SIEHS proudly calls Born together The organization has extended its network of ambulance services to Tando Muhammad Khan, held on Indus University Hospital’s lawn on 14th July 2023 SIEHS has provided five ambulances along with paramedics to attend to any medical emergencies in the district People of the district of Tando Mohamed Khan joins health coverage services of Rescue 1122 through DoH- SIEHS, making it the 26th out of 30 districts to be covered P R

population through this assistance

One of UNHCR’s top 10 donors, France is a committed partner providing predictable and flexible contributions In 2022 some 20 per cent of the annual contribution from France was earmarked giving UNHCR critical flexibility to address emerging crises or underfunded situations

Iran and Pakistan host over 9 2 million Afghans of varying statuses, including 2 3 million registered refugees Many of them have left their country propelled by insecurity instability and grinding poverty

Despite limited resources and strained economies, both Iran and Pakistan, through their refugee inclusive policies, have demonstrated a commitment to upholding the principles of hospitality and protection The international community must rally behind and support Afghanistan s neighboring countries enabling them to maintain and further expand their progressive policies Our support is a gesture of solidarity and gratitude for the four decades of hospitality extended by the governments and people of Pakistan for Afghan refugees ” noted Nicolas Galey Ambassador of France to Pakistan A co-convener at December s Global Refugee Forum the funding also reflects France s commitment to increasing cooperation and solidarity with refugees and affected host countries

NTDC hires 100 loc al sec urity guards for protec tion of Transmission Lines in S outh Region

k a r a c h I : NTDC Headquarters, Lahore, 17th July 2023 - National Transmission and Despatch Company Limited (NTDC) has hired 100 local security guards from a private security agency to combat the increasing theft of transmission line material in the South region These security guards will be responsible for the protection of transmission lines An oath taking ceremony for the newly hired security guards from SIGMA Security Services was held at the Hyderabad Club The Managing Director NTDC Engr Dr Rana Abdul Jabbar Khan administered the oath to the security guards through a video link Dr Rana Abdul Jabbar Khan, during his speech, emphasized the significance of this historic and proactive step taken by NTDC to ensure the protection of transmission lines in theft-prone areas of Sindh PR

Bank Alfalah welcomes the 9th batch of management trainee program

k a r a c h I : Bank Alfalah has successfully onboarded the 9th batch of its esteemed Management Trainee Program following a rigorous selection process that included gamified assessments, video interviews, virtual assessment centers, and panel interviews Out of approximately 6,500 applicants, the Bank has warmly welcomed 20 talented graduates who will undergo three months of comprehensive classroom training focusing on key development areas Upon completion they will be placed in departments that align with their skill sets A meet and greet session on July 17th featured an address by Atif Bajwa, President and CEO P R

O il companies ’ advisor y council celebrates the grand inauguration of its renovated office

Dr Syed Nazir Abbas Zaidi (Secretary General OCAC) warmly welcomed the esteemed guests and members of the Executive Committee who graced the occasion with their presence The inauguration ceremony marked the official unveiling of the renovated office, showcasing the efforts that went into enhancing the working environment The inauguration was followed by a cake cutting ceremony distribution of awards and lunch The guests admired the office décor and effective space utilization, describing it as tasteful and aesthetically pleasing P R

g D I S C O V E R Y H A S R A I S E D C O N C E R N S A B O U T U N A U T H O R I Z E D U R B A N I Z AT I O N A N D P OT E N T I A L E X P LO I TAT I O N O F A G R I C U LT U R A L L A N D F O R R E S I D E N T I A L P U R P O S E S

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Islamabad police revamps securit y division, establishes judicial protection unit

ISLAMABAD

S TA F F R E P O R T

The security division of Islamabad police has undergone a comprehensive revamp accompanied by the establishment of the first-ever Judicial Protection Unit, aimed at strengthening the security of judges

Led by the head of Islamabad police, Akbar Nasir Khan, these initiatives seek to fortify the security of judges’ offices court premises and residences

T h e d e c i s i o n t o r e v a m p t h e s e c u r i t y d i v i s i o n a n d e s t a b l i s h t h e J u d i c i a l P r o t e c t i o n U n i t w a s m a d e i n r e s p o n s e t o t h e g r o w i n g n e e d f o r e n h a n c e d s e c u r i t y m e a s u r e s

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif issued special directives, reflecting the government’s commitment to ensuring the safety of judicial authorities Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah Khan played a key role in driving these efforts according to the state-run

Associated Press of Pakistan

Under the supervision of the SSP Security Division the newly formed Judicial Protection Unit will operate in close coordination with the security division

To augment surveillance capabilities a standard operating procedure (SOP) has been implemented and over 500 high-tech security cameras have been installed on court premises These cameras are integrated with the advanced surveillance system of the Safe City Islamabad project, enabling real-time monitoring

Recognizing the significance of adequate personnel, the Ministry of Interior has received a request for the recruitment of 550 individuals to further strengthen security for residences and courts

Once the necessary financial resources are allocated it is expected that the unit s performance will see significant improvement

Previously, the Islamabad police established various specialized units to address specific security concerns in the federal capital These include the Diplomatic Protection Unit (DPU) responsible for safeguarding foreign diplomats and delegations the Special Protection Unit (SPU) ensuring the safety of Chinese nationals and other foreigners, the VVIP Protection Unit, focused on comprehensive security measures for high-profile national leaders, and the High-Security Zone Protection Unit tasked with protecting members of the parliament and other officials Khan stressed that the restructuring of the Security Division aims to enhance the safety of foreign embassies and diplomats, protect national dignitaries, and secure important offices This step signifies a crucial milestone in Pakistan’s ongoing efforts to enhance security and uphold the rule of law

ISLAMABAD

S TA F F R E P O R T

Federal Minister for Information Technology and Telecommunication, Amin-ul-Haque has said that the government has initiated a crackdown against illegal loan providers to combat with the fraudsters

In a statement issued here on Monday he said that Chairman Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) Major General (r)

Hafeezur Rehman has issued directives to take swift action on the illegal loan applications

Amin-ul-Haq said that under the orders issued, 43 loan applications had already been blocked The targeted companies operating within the lending industry were registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission he added

Highlighting the severity of the issue, he shed light on the involvement of mafia groups operating through social media plat-

the situation and announced that a comprehensive report on these illegal farm housing societies will be presented within the next fifteen days This report will serve as a basis for further action against those involved in the unauthorized schemes, aiming to preserve the integrity of the city s urban planning and protect agricultural land from unauthorized encroachment,” he said An official of the district administration believed that the discovery of these illegal farm housing schemes in Lahore highlights the need for strict enforcement of regulations and continuous vigilance to prevent the unauthorized expansion of residential areas and preserve agricultural resources for

Tehsil Shalimar, schemes

USD gets a boost in value by Rs1.41 in interbank market

After almost a week of losing value, the American dollar continues its comeback streak

In the interbank market the greenback gained 41 paisas at the opening of the first day of the business week

After gaining some strength, the currency was being traded at Rs278, according to currency dealers

A short while later the mighty American currency gained 66 paisas in the interbank trading, and reached a value of Rs278 25 against the rupee However, later the dollar saw a big jump and strengthened by Rs1 41 trading at Rs279 against the rupee On the last day of the

SC orders handover of 14-year-old married girl to her parents

ISLAMABAD

A two-member bench of the SC, headed by Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Justice Umar Ata Bandial, ordered Khanewal police to complete investigation in the case in one month and also ordered medical examination of the child in order to ascertain her real age

The apex court also ordered Mehwish s the girl husband to stop teasing his wife and cooperate with the police in the investigation

In his petition, girl s father had said that his daughter was 12 years old when the suspect kidnapped her and then married her CJP Bandial remarked that the girl’s age was by no means ripe for marriage while Justice Ayesha Malik expressed her indignation over her early marriage Her husband could even be sent to jail for marrying an underage girl, she said, and asked the police about the inquiry conducted in the case so far

She expressed surprise that how on earth could police close an inquiry merely on the basis of a statement given by a child

The CJP remarked that the girl was innocent and did not have the capacity to understand things I am at a loss to understand what would be the future of her two daughters, he said, and asked her husband, could there be a rapprochement between him and his wife’s parents?

He replied that his wife’s parents wanted to tie the knot of their son with his sister in return for reconciliation

The chief justice replied that it appeared as if the girl s father was looking for revenge

He then asked the child to come up to the rostrum Justice Ayesha asked her with whom she wanted to go “I want to go to my parent’s home ” she replied The court adjourned hearing of the case for one month

Karachi Cit y Council meeting turns into ruckus after JI, PTI’s protest

PESHAWAR A Z I Z B U N E R I

Sarhad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI) acting president Ijaz Khan Afridi urged the government to take pragmatic steps for promotion of furniture industry in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and issues businesspeople attached with this sector

difficulties due to current economic turmoil and other issues T h e r e f o r e , h e u rg e d t h e g o ve r n m e n t t o t a k e s e r i o u s s t e p s f o r r e s o l u t i o n o f b u s i n e s s p e r s o n i ss u e s a t t a c h e d w i t h t h e f u r n i Shalimar had 29 such schemes These unauthorized developments have caught the attention of local authorities who are determined to take action against those responsible The legality of these schemes falls under Section 9 of the West Pakistan Border Area Regulation 1959 which prohibits unauthorized development in border regions Additionally authorities are bound by Section 145 of the Local Government Ordinance 2021 to address and combat such violations The identified illegal farm housing schemes encompass various projects In Tehsil Cantt schemes such as Al-Falah Housing Scheme Lahore Green City Vital City and others have been found to operate without proper authorization Similarly, in

Speaking at a ceremony of three-day Pakistan Furniture Expo in Peshawar Ijaz Afridi said that the furniture industry has played a pivotal role in economic development and enhancement of the country’s export, which should be lifted up at an optimal level Afridi said huge potential exists to make investment in the furniture sector of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa

He asked to create maximum opportunities for promotion of the furniture industry and investment in the sector

Various Pakistani and international furniture stalls set up in the expo Organiser of the Pakistan Furniture Expo Mohsin Faisal was also present in the exhibition

forms particularly Facebook

These unscrupulous entities have resorted to blackmailing innocent individuals exploiting their financial vulnerabilities

To raise awareness and safeguard the public, a comprehensive public awareness campaign has been launched

The citizens are urged to report any suspicious loan applications or incidents involving the loan mafia groups to the PTA the Federal Investigation Agency s (FIA) Cybercrime wing, or their local police stations

The collaborative efforts of various law enforcement agencies aimed to address the increasing cybercrime wave in the country

To ensure effective coordination the minister has a direct contact with the Director-General of FIA providing regular briefings on the progress of the operation

Amin emphasized the need for proactive measures, rather than waiting for complaints to accumulate, against those involved in

fraudulent loan schemes

He stressed the importance of protecting the public from financial exploitation and curbing such illegal practices within the lending industry

The minister condemned the tactics employed by loan mafia groups including threats of violence blackmail and misuse of personal data

He reaffirmed that these actions were in clear violation of the law and must be halted immediately

The citizens are advised to exercise caution when engaging in online financial transactions and refrain from sharing personal information with unknown parties

The ministry has noted the prevalence of online posts promoting money-making schemes, urging individuals not to respond to such advertisements and avoid sharing sensitive data or money

The government’s crackdown aims to safe-

KARACHI STAFF REPORT

The Karachi City Council meeting on Monday turned into ruckus after members of the Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) and the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) staged protest and also came to face to face against each other Presided over by PPP Mayor Murtaza Wahab the meeting witnessed slogans of “mandate thief” The meeting passed a resolution to condemn the desecration of Holy Quran

guard the interests of the public and maintain a secure online environment for all citizens

As the operation progresses the authori-

ties remain vigilant in their efforts to bring the culprits to justice and protect the citizens from falling victim to fraudulent loan schemes