Epaper_23-08-10 ISB

Profit

N E V E R H A D T O G O T H R O U G H S U C H A

D I F F I C U LT T E S T I N P O L I T I C A L C A R E E R : P M

g Begins, ends his farewell speech at NA by thanking lawmakers for supporting him g Says will meet Leader of Opposition to discuss candidates for interim PM today

ISLAMABAD S ta f f R e p o R t

PRIME Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Wednesday termed his 16month-long tenure as the country s chief executive the most difficult test of my life” Delivering his farewell speech at the National Assembly (NA) the premier claimed he never had to go through such a difficult test before in my 38-year-long [political] career as

the country was mired in a severe economic crisis, oil prices remained high and there was political chaos

The prime minister who had earlier announced that the NA would be dissolved on August 9 (Wednesday) told the lawmakers that he would be sending the summary for the dissolution of the assembly to the president tonight

Moreover, he said he would meet Leader of the Opposition Raja Riaz tomorrow to discuss the candidates for the interim PM

Tomorrow will be our first meeting and as per the Constitution, we will have three days to reach a decision

He began and ended his speech by expressing gratitude to lawmakers on both sides of the aisle for electing him as the PM showing confidence in him and supporting him throughout his tenure at the helm

The government faced several challenges and difficulties during its 16-monthlong brief tenure, he said, adding, “We had to bear the burden of the previous government’s failure and negligence ”

The premier painted a bleak picture of the aftermath of what he termed the previous government s failures

He maintained that his government did “not send any political rival to jail or bothered them unfairly This was never our practice ”

If a leader of a party a reference to PTI Chairman Imran Khan was put behind bars today, we are not happy about it , he said And if some people have distributed sweets [to celebrate the punishment], it is not right It is not a good tradition ”

The premier also condemned the May 9 episde when protests had erupted across the country following Imran s arrest in a graft case While the protests were under way, several properties, including military installations, were vandalised

“May 9 will be remembered as a black day ” PM Shehbaz said paying tributes to the armed forces and its soldiers for their sacrifices It was a rebellion against the army, the state and [army chief] Gen Asim Munir, he added

PM Shehbaz urged the house to adopt a resolution and pledge that “no one will be allowed to commit such acts against the state or army of Pakistan ever again

He also recalled the sacrifices rendered in the fight against terrorism Eight thou-

Senate passes resolution urging ECP to hold timely elections

ISLAMABAD

S ta f f R e p o R t

The Senate on Wednesday passed a resolution urging the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) to take measures for holding general elections across the country within the stipulated time given under Article 224 of the Constitution (time of election and by-election)

Presented by JI Senator Mushtaq Ahmad the resolution also asked all the state institutions to assist in every possible manner the ECP in holding polls

The resolution comes as the government gears up to dissolve the National Assembly (NA) today, three days ahead of its mandated period following which elections are supposed to be held within 90 days

However ministers have recently stated that there was a possibility of a delay in holding the next general elections due to constitutional requirements Earlier this week Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah said 2023 was not an

election year while Defence Minister Khawaja Asif stated polls were due in November

The resolution passed in the Senate today highlighted that the top court had ruled that holding elections under Article 224 of the Constitution after the National Assembly completed its term or was dissolved was a divine responsibility which could not be disobeyed It stated that a person or institution only had the jurisdiction given to them under the law or Constitution and a caretaker government was only appointed to hold elections and take decisions pertaining to dayto-day affairs Therefore this House demands the CP to ensure holding polls within the stipulated period of time given under Article 224 of the Constitution and take all necessary measures in this regard

The House also demands state institutions to provide all the possible assistance to the ECP for conducting elections on time, fulfilling its constitutional responsibility,” the resolution added

NA stands dissolved as President signs PM’s advice

ISLAMABAD S ta f f R e p o R t

President of Pakistan Dr Arif Alvi Wednesday night signed the advice sent by Prime Minister (PM) Shehbaz Sharif for dissolution of the National Assembly (NA) The president dissolved the National Assembly on the advice of the prime minister under Article 58-1 of the Constitution,” read an official statement issued by the President’s Office on X, formerly known as Twitter With the dissolution of the lower house of parliament the current government’s tenure came to an end prematurely The prime minister while addressing the National Assembly s (NA) session earlier in the day said he would write to President Dr Arif Alvi tonight to dissolve the National Assembly (NA) which would bring the government s term to a premature end The government had announced that assemblies would be dissolved on August 9 (today), three days ahead of its mandated period, following which elections are to be held within 90 days

‘ELECTIONS LIKELY TO BE DELAYED’

However ministers have recently stated that there was a possibility of a delay in holding the next general elections as the Council of Common Interest (CCI) unanimously approved the 2023 census Khawaja Asif stated that there is a possibility of a delay in holding the next general elections I do believe that elections will be held in November But you asked me if there is a possibility of delay: There is a possibility of a delay but not more than a couple of months on technical grounds,” he said When asked whether the approval of the 2023 census would result in an election delay, Khawaja Asif said: “I cannot speculate at the moment but it is a possibility I won’t rule that out ” On the other hand Rana Sanaullah said that the general elections would be held in the third week of February or the first week of March after new delimitations

sand Pakistanis lost their lives and the world acknowledges these great sacrifices

It always uses words of praise for our sacrifices and those of our army”

He further mentioned the Special Investment Facilitation Council as one of the achievements of his government and expressed the hope that the interim government work further on its progress

Speaking on Balochistan, he said the province’s lagged in comparison to that of other provinces

The people of Balochistan have some other complaints as well Their demands are fair During my 16 months in the government, I tried my best to fulfil their fair demands ” he said stressing that Balochistan’s issues needed to be addressed and resolved with sincerity We will work together to try and resolve the remaining issues of Balochistan, but all of us need to show some patience and tolerance

“Pakistan cannot grow without Balochistan,” he said

PEMRA AMENDMENT BILL

SAILS THROUGH SENATE

During Wednesday s session

the Senate also passed the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (Amendment) Bill, 2023

The bill aimed at streamlining the procedures to register and monitor ratings of TV channels as well as elaborating on the definitions of disinformation and misinformation

When presented in Senate the bill faced fierce opposition after which it was sent to the relevant standing committee for discussion A day earlier the government had announced the withdrawal of the bill following objections raised by certain stakeholders regarding specific provisions in the proposed legislation

The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP), as well as journalists’ bodies had expressed concerns that the law could be misused and may allow powerful groups or individuals to stonewall journalists seeking both sides of a story

Iran

rejected force majeure notice for Iran-Pakistan Gas Pipeline, has granted ten year extension instead: Musadik Malik ISLAMABAD a h m a d a h m a da n i

Iran has refused to accept Pakistan’s force majeure notice to halt construction of the multibillion-dollar IranPakistan (IP) gas pipeline project and has instead granted two five-year extensions to meet the responsibilities of the IP Project Dr Musadik Malik, Minister of State for Petroleum, while addressing a press conference on Wednesday, highlighted his achievements as State Minister for Petroleum and clarified misconceptions about the IranPakistan (IP) gas pipeline project The minister also emphasised the country s commitment to finding positive solutions in the face of international sanctions

According to Malik, Iran refused Pakistan s force majeure notice to halt building of the multibillion-dollar IP gas pipeline project Instead, Iran has granted Pakistan two five-year extensions to allow it to meet its responsibilities under the project s Gas Sales and Purchase Agreement (GSPA) Malik stated that Pakistan had issued a force majeure notice to Iran under the GSPA a decade ago, which Iran refused to acknowledge He emphatically denied recent claims that Pakistan had issued a new force majeure notice Misinformation circulated during the National Assembly’s question-and-answer session was corrected confirming that Iran s extension of time for commitments ex-

tends until March 2024 He rejected the misinformation regarding force majeure in relation to the IranPakistan Gas Pipeline project and aimed for a cooperative solution on the matter, similar to the approach taken with Russia Pakistan is actively engaged with Iranian officials to find a positive settlement in the face of continuous international sanctions said Musadik Malik adding that the government is also in contact with international forums to find out the possibility of waivers for the import of Iranian energy Minister Malik disclosed that Pakistan is negotiating an exemption from US sanctions for the IP gasline project through diplomatic channels Work on the pipeline had previously been halted due to US sanctions against Iran as the US government refused to issue exceptions for petroleum product imports said Musadik Malik Malik highlighted that project activities will restart once the embargo on the importing of Iranian petroleum products was lifted He emphasised that in contrast to other countries the US administration has not offered waivers to Pakistan to import petroleum products from Iran Clarifying the penalty clause Malik stated that there is no punishment in the GSPA, which is based on a take-and-pay mechanism

ECNEC APPROVES PROJECTS WORTH HUNDREDS OF BILLIONS ON NA’S L AST DAY

considered at an updated cost of Rs 26, 440 704 million, and is to be fully financed by the World Bank The project is to be executed by Punjab Board of Revenue (BoR) through Punjab Land Records Authority (PLRA) in Punjab Province

on a 50:50 cost sharing basis between Federal Government and Government of Punjab with condition of confirmation of Punjab Government’s cost share

Land Systems Enhancement Project (PULSE) This project was

PTI chief’s law yers booked for ‘physical altercation’ with Attock Jail personnel

RAWALPINDI S ta f f R e p o R t

A case was lodged against two of former prime minister and Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) chief Imran Khan s lawyers on Wednesday for allegedly resorting to a physical altercation with Attock Jail personnel The case was registered at Attock City Police Station on the complaint of Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Afzal Ahmed Warraich According to the FIR the PTI chief s lawyers were accused of making serious threats among other unlawful acts The FIR states that wanting to meet the PTI chief after hours lawyers Sher Afzal Khan and Umair Khan Niazi tore the uniform of Head Warrant Abrar Khan It adds that the lawyers were informed at the jail picket that the prison was locked Expressing anger at this, the lawyers resorted to a physical altercation with the jail staff The former PM was arrested on August 5, 2023, after a district and sessions court in Islamabad found him guilty of making false declarations to the Election Commission of Pakistan about his assets Convicting the PTI chief in the Toshakhana case Judge Humayun Dilawar sentenced him to three years in prison and ordered his immediate arrest Imran was also fined Rs100,000

Court transfers LNG reference against Shahid Khaqan Abbasi

ISLAMABAD S ta f f R e p o R t

An Accountability Court (AC) on Wednesday transferred the LNG reference against former prime minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi to the court of special judge central while declaring the case beyond its jurisdiction AC-I Judge Muhammad Bashir announced the verdict which was reserved previously after hearing arguments from the two sides The defence side had challenged the maintainability of the case on the basis of amendments in NAB Act

The court stated that the reference didn t fall into its jurisdiction after the amendments in the NAB law and ordered to transfer it It may be mentioned her that the reference had named former prime minister Shahid Khaqan

Abbasi his son Abdullah Khaqan Abbasi exfinance minister Miftah Ismail, Sheikh Imran ul Haq, Agha Jan Akhter, Saeed Ahmed Khan, Aamir Naseem, Uzma Adil Khan, Shahid M Aslam, Hussain Daood, Abdul Saman Dawood Muhammad Amin and Chaudhry

Muhammad Aslam as accused The accused had challenged the maintainability of the reference in accountability court after amendments in the NAB law The court announced its verdict Wednesday

KARACHI S ta f f R e p o R t

The Sindh High Court (SHC) on Wednesday sought responses from the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) and the federal government on a plea filed by lawyer Jibran Nasir against an “unlawful restriction” on his travel

The court asked the authorities to submit their replies by August 17 The court action came after the activist who was picked up by unidentified men outside his residence in Karachi in June and released 24 hours later revealed that he was stopped from travelling to Dubai by the FIA last month

Taking to social media platform X, Nasir said: “On June 27 my wife and I were scheduled to travel to Dubai via Emirates EK601 to visit my family for Eid and we were scheduled to return to Karachi on July 5

We checked in our luggage, got boarding passes, cleared immigration and got the exit stamps but while approaching the departure lounge we were called by an FIA official who appeared to be receiving instructions from someone on his phone

The official he continued took their passports and read the names to the person he

A project of the Ministry of Kashmir Affairs & Gilgit Baltistan titled Establishment of Regional Grids in Gilgit-Baltistan Phase-I (Revised)” was also considered and approved, with a more rationalized scope and cost of Rs 9 148 509 Million with FEC of Rs 1 679 274 million The project will be executed by W&P Dept Gilgit-Baltistan in Districts Gilgit, Hunza, and Skardu in GB region The Ministry of Communication submitted a summary regarding the project “Dualization of road from Chistan to Chak no 46/3R via Dahranwala (41 154 km) including two lane Link Road from Dahrnawala to Chaki 175m (4 859 km) to be executed in District Bahawalnagar of Punjab by National Highway Authority and Ministry of Communications The project was approved by ECNEC at a total cost of Rs 8 962 982 million without FEC

A project submitted by the Ministry of Water Resources namely Construction of Awaram Dam (Revised) was also submitted for the approval of ECNEC The project was approved at a cost of Rs 23, 579 263 without FEC It will be executed in District Awaran of Balochistan by the Irrigation Department Government of Balochistan Moreover the project is to be financed through the Federal and Provincial Government on an 80:20 cost sharing basis Another project of the Ministry of Water Resources regarding “Construction of Panjgur Dam in District Panjgur, Balochistan” was also approved by the ECNEC at a revised cost of Rs 22 340 59 without FEC The project is to be financed by both Federal and Provincial Governments on an 80:20 cost sharing basis This project will also be executed by the Irrigation Department, Government of Balochistan in District Panjgur A project of Government of Sindh re-

garding Construction/Reconstruction of Existing Schools in Sindh affected under Rain/Flood 2022 in Sindh (1800 units)” was also considered and approved at a cost of Rs 12 338 294 million with 50:50 cost sharing basis between Federal Government and Government of Sindh with the condition to fulfill the uncompleted observations in accordance with the decision of CDWP The project is to be executed by School Education & Literacy Department (SE&LD) Sindh in various Districts of Sindh The project is to be financed through PSDP (2023-24)

Lastly an already approved Project of Government of Sindh, namely Sindh Solar Energy Project (SSEP) with an updated cost of Rs 27,418 13 million was also reconsidered The meeting was updated on the site of implementation of the project and substantially savings in the electricity units The meeting was attended by Federal Minister Planning, Development and Special Initiatives Ahsan Iqbal, SAPM on Finance Tariq Bajwa, Federal Secretaries and other senior officers from Federal Ministries and Provincial departments

UN chief urges Pakistan to respec t law in proceedings against PTI chief

UNITED NATIONS ag e n c e S

UN Secretary-General Antonio

Guterres has called on the Pakistani authorities to respect due process and the rule of law in proceedings against former prime minister and PTI Chairman Imran Khan

The secretary-general takes note of the ongoing protests that have erupted following the arrest of former prime minister Imran Khan in Islamabad, and he calls for all parties to refrain from violence,” said Farhan Haq, deputy spokesman for Guterres

He (Guterres) stresses the need to respect the right to peaceful assembly Haq told a daily press conference The secretary general urges the authorities to respect due process and the rule of law in proceedings brought against the former prime minister ”

Imran the chairman of Pakistan

Tehrik-e-Insaf party was arrested from Lahore s Zaman Park residence on Saturday after a court found him guilty of selling state gifts illegally and sentenced him to three years in prison

Imran’s conviction bars him from

contesting the upcoming National Assembly election due within months He and his party have called for peaceful protests but the response has been feeble and the expected mass demonstrations have not materialised so far unlike in May when he was arrested on corruption charges

At that time massive protests erupted in several places in Pakistan with death and injuries reported from clashes between his supporters and security forces He was released soon after on the orders of the Supreme Court only to be rearrested

PTI law yer blames Police for ‘abducting’ PTI MNA Shandana Gulzar Khan

ISLAMABAD

S ta f f R e p o R t

Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) Chairman

Imran Khan’s lawyer Sher Afzal Khan Marwat on Wednesday claimed that PTI’s former female MNA Ms Shandana Gulzar Khan has been abducted at gunpoint by Islamabad Police Sher Afzal Marwat said that PTI former MNA Shandana Gulzar was abducted at gunpoint by Islamabad Police on Wednesday at 5 pm He stated: “Her mother has confirmed this to me, who is an eyewitness of the ghastly incident ” PTI secretary-general Omar Ayub Khan strongly denounced the abduction of Ms Gulzar Strongly condemn the arrest of Shandana Gulzar Sahiba at gunpoint by Islamabad Police You don t have the courage to confront terrorists and point guns at innocent unarmed women!!! Shame on you!! The officers of Islamabad Police have just dug a more pathetic pit for themselves in the annals of history! he wrote on social media blogging site X

Punjab Cabinet okays change in vehicle rules for simplified biometric transfer process

LAHORE

S h a h a b o m e R

after his conviction in a different case

The multi-millionaire former cricket star was transferred to a prison in Attock, 80 kilometres from the capital Islamabad, where his party says he is treated as a common “C-Class” prisoner with few amenities in a cramped cell Khan was Prime Minister from 2018 to 2022 when he was ousted by a non-confidence motion and was succeeded by Shehbaz Sharif of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz, who heads the Pakistan Democracy Movement coalition

Abbasi terms c urrent NA ‘worst

Pakistan’s histor y ’

ISLAMABAD S ta f f R e p o R t

Former prime minister and senior leader of ruling Pakistan Muslim LeagueNawaz (PML-N) Shahid Khaqan Abbasi on Wednesday termed the current National Assembly as the worst in the history of Pakistan”, expressing his regret for being a part of it

“Today is a moment of joy as the people of Pakistan have been salvaged from this assembly he remarked while talking to the media outside the parliament house The former premier didn’t shy away from accepting responsibility for his role in what he termed “the worst assembly in the history of Pakistan I seek forgiveness from the people for being a part of this assembly We all played our part in constituting it, he added

He highlighted that history would ultimately pass judgment on the actions taken during that period “History will decide what we achieved The people have

was on the phone with Nasir quoted the officer as saying “yahi log hain aap kay (these are your people)” after which “we were made to miss our flight our baggage returned and offloaded stamps affixed on our passports

No formal explanation was given except for samjha karain sir, hamain instructions hain aap ko janay nahi dena (please understand sir, we have been given instruction to not allow you to leave) ” the activist said

Nasir said neither he nor his wife received any information pertaining to the matter from the interior ministry He also shared photos of passports, which showed an offloaded stamp Recalling his “abduction”, the lawyer said: “On June 1 I was abducted by around 15 armed men who acted with the confidence and bravado of having official authority and during their captivity I was asked to give up on my human rights work and cases He stated that he saw the restriction on his family’s travel as the continuation of the “unlawful and unconstitutional tactics adopted on June 1 to harass and intimidate” him and his family Neither do I intend to give up on my human rights work and political activism nor

gained nothing but suffered tremendously Only the MNAs got universities

Commenting on the recent arrest of former prime minister Imran Khan, he said that he did not desire the PTI chief to be imprisoned However he added that if he s innocent he will ultimately get justice He recommended that the ex-prime minister should take some time to contemplate his actions, which ultimately led to his incarceration Abbasi’s remarks came as the farewell session of the National Assembly was underway Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif in his address stated he will move the summary to dissolve the National Assembly to President Arif Alvi tonight Earlier in the day, in an interview with a private news channel, he said as per law if the president did not take up the summary within 48 hours it would stand implemented and the NA would stand dissolved Regarding the caretaker set-up, the PM said consultations are underway with coalition parties to agree on a neu-

do I have any intention to move out of Pakistan Will stay here and will keep resisting unlawful and unconstitutional policies and actions of any and all institutions Nasir added

The petition filed by Nasir in court named the federal and Sindh governments directorate general of Immigration and Passports, secretary of aviation ministry and FIA director general as respondents

It stated that the Constitution protected the fundamental rights of the petitioner and any violation of the fundamental rights of the petitioner without any due course of law is illegal, unlawful and unconstitutional

It is a fundamental right of a person to travel abroad and the same is protected under Articles 4 9 14 15 18 and 25 of the Constitution which pertains to the important issue of personal liberty right to due process and dignity freedom to travel and profession Hence, any restriction on a person to leave the country or enter the country is equivalent to imposing physical restraint on a person which is in violation of fundamental rights ” the plea contended Nasir said in the application that despite the incident of his abduction the respondents instead of ensuring the fundamental

tral interim prime minister who would be acceptable to the people

He added that the decision would be a collective one and after finalising the names he would hold the first meeting with Opposition Leader Raja Riaz PM Shehbaz also said all political parties unanimously want elections as early as possible and dismissed talks of a possible delay in polls as mere speculations He stressed the need for a balanced and inclusive approach to civil-military relations and called for all national institutions to cooperate with each other albeit within their constitutional limits The confirmation of the decision to dissolve the NA from the premier means that the government’s term would be cut short prematurely, paving the way for a caretaker setup to take up the reins after consultations with the opposition leader

Once the assembly is dissolved PM Shehbaz and opposition leader Raja Riaz will conduct final discussions to determine the caretaker prime minister

rights of the petitioner and his family in accordance with the law and providing a sense of security in their own country” were instead subjecting the petitioner to harassment ridicule and mental agony and being made to feel like criminals with arbitrary restrictions being placed on them such as the refusal to travel freely”

The petition further highlighted that the only mechanism in the law to impose an embargo on citizens from travelling abroad was under the ambit of the Exit from Pakistan (Control) Ordinance 1981 and the Exit from Pakistan (Control) Rules, 2010 However, it said, neither Nasir nor his wife had been placed on the Exit Control List and were also not subjects of any investigation

It also referred to previous verdicts issued by courts that held that travel abroad was considered a fundamental right

The failure of the respondents to provide any reason, let alone justification, for causing hindrance in the petitioner ’s travel, prima facie shows that the same is unwarranted and illegal ”

The petition added that Nasir and his family were expected to travel to UAE and USA for proposed university talks but

The Punjab Provincial Cabinet has granted approval for amendments to the Motor Vehicles Rules, aimed at streamlining the biometric process for the transfer of vehicles The decision comes after collaborative consultations between the Excise Department and the Motor Dealers Association Profit learnt here on Wednesday According to the spokesperson of the Excise Taxation and Narcotics Control (ET&NC) Department Punjab Under the previous system both the buyer and seller of a vehicle were required to undergo biometric verification for the transfer process However the approved amendments now alter this requirement Only the seller of the vehicle will be responsible for initiating the biometric transfer application Following this change buyers will have the option to obtain their biometric verification within a thirty-day window by paying the designated fee It is noteworthy that a penalty of RS 10,000 per month will be imposed upon buyers who fail to submit their biometric verification within the stipulated thirty-day period Furthermore, if a buyer neglects to provide their biometric information for a total of 120 days they will be subjected to acquiring a new biometric verification accompanied by a full penalty He also informed that the amendments also introduce a significant modification pertaining to acceptable documentation for vehicle transfers Alongside the inheritance certificate individuals seeking vehicle transfer will now have the option to utilize a family certificate issued by the National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) In comparison to the previous procedure, which was introduced by the ET&NC just over a year ago either the buyer or seller had the authority to apply for vehicle transfer online The implementation of this process saw a prevalence of vehicle transfers especially in urban regions, through the Punjab government s mobile app, ePay However, representatives from the second-hand car market assert that the transfer fee should be borne by the buyer as per market norms as they are the ones assuming ownership This led to a practice where buyers initiated the transfer request and shared a corresponding code with the seller The seller, in turn, would provide their biometric data to a nearby agent for verification, confirming the legitimacy of the vehicle sale Subsequently the buyer would proceed to verify their biometric information and complete the vehicle transfer process under their name

“due to the actions of the respondents the petitioner neither can finalise nor conclude any travel plans and is not only suffering from uncertainty but also as a consequent loss on professional engagements It subsequently urged the court to declare actions of offloading Nasir and restraining his travel abroad “illegal, unlawful and unconstitutional”

“Permanently and during pendency of this petition restrain the respondents from disallowing/stopping the petitioner from exiting Pakistan and travelling abroad and creating any hindrance in such travel except in accordance with law, the petition prayed It also sought an inquiry on the officers who stopped the activist and his wife from travelling abroad and compensate Nasir against all charges/fines/penalties imposed while seeking refunds of the tickets

Direct the Respondents to issue a letter in the name of the Petitioner vide the concerned authority admitting that the act of offloading him from Flight EK601 on 27 06 2023 was unlawful so that the Petitioner may have same for easy reference if facing any query or explanation regarding the offloading incident while applying for visa for seeking entry in another country, it added

SHC puts FIA, govt on notice over Jibran Nasir ’s plea against ‘unlawful travel restriction’

PTI TO OBSERVE ‘THANKSGIVING AND SALVATION

DAY’ TODAY AS PDM RULE COMES TO AN END

term The PTI has decided to put forth a detailed analysis of the “devastation” caused by the PDM-led incompetent government before the nation read the statement

PA K I S TA N Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI)

Wednesday announced to observe

August 10 (Thursday) as Thanksgiving and Salvation Day” as the National Assembly is all set to be dissolved

In a statement issued on Wednesday the PTI core committee decided to commemorate the day as the 16-month tenure of the Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) government will end tonight

Earlier today, addressing the farewell session of the lower house of parliament, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif announced that he would write to President Dr Arif Alvi tonight to dissolve the National Assembly three days before the end of its constitutional

PTI suppor ters protest against judge who convicted Imran in Toshakhana case

LONDON N e w S D e S k

Scores of PTI supporters in the United Kingdom held a protest against Humayun Dilawar, a district and sessions court judge who convicted Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI)

Chairman Imran Khan in the Toshakhana case

The judge attending a judicial conference at the University of Hull from August 5 to 13 has been pursued by supporters and workers of the former ruling party including women and children Videos capturing the incidents of harassment have gone viral on social media platforms The judge is being provided security by the British police who are taking extensive measures to ensure his safety and prevent any harm The confrontation has escalated to the extent that hashtags against the judge have begun trending on Twitter

According to BBC, the University of Hull, which is hosting the judicial conference, has clarified that it had no role in selecting participants for the conference The current cohort of participants including judge Dilawar was chosen by the Supreme Court of Pakistan and the high courts of Islamabad and Peshawar The University has been providing training for Pakistani judges since 2014 and is not involved in the political dynamics surrounding the attendees Judge Dilawar had presided over the Toshakhana case in which former prime minister Imran Khan was sentenced to three years in prison This highprofile case had already sparked controversy and political debates within Pakistan This protest is not the first time that PTI supporters have engaged in such actions overseas In the past government officials and opposition figures have been targeted by PTI workers in international settings Last year Information Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb was heckled by PTI supporters during a visit to London, and more recently, renowned singer Abrarul Haq was mobbed by PTI party workers after a performance at a concert in London

Senate passes resolution urging ECP to hold timely elections

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 01

Additionally, broadcasters had expressed concern over the government move and said that the powers to monitor the rating agencies should be given to advertisers However during the Senate session today Informational

Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb who tabled the bill once again stated that one of the amendments to the law included giving the power of selecting the Pemra chairman to the Parliament “The second amendment we got a suggestion that word ‘salaries’ could create confusion and should be replaced with dues she told the House adding that further amendments included changes to the definitions of misinformation and disinformation Aurangzeb decried that the bill was criticised as a “black law” by certain segments of the society and a campaign was run against her “Without reading the bill it was made controversial deliberately But then all working journalists gave awareness on the amendments to the law for three days I pay tribute to these workers and today I want to say that this bill if it is passed today, would belong to these workers,” she added Subsequently the Pemra amendments bill was passed by the Senate after which it was also cleared by the NA

The former ruling party will inform the masses about censorship of media and repression against journalists, it added

Details related to skyrocketing inflation and economic disaster will also be brought before the nation

The PTI expressed its disappointment over the court hearing in connection with an appeal against the sentence handed down to the deposed prime minister, who was removed from office in April last year via a vote of no confidence The PTI core committee urged the authorities concerned to take serious notice of threats to Khan’s life

On August 7 Khan s counsel Naeem Haider Panjotha claimed that his client has

been provided C-class facilities and kept in “poor condition” in Attock jail

The lawyer said that the former prime minister was provided with a small room which has an open washroom Elaborating on the poor conditions of the cell, the lawyer said the jail cell was infested with flies and bugs where the PTI chief is being kept

The party also condemned the harassment of Khan’s counsel Panjotha and Khawaja Haris Ahmed via the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA)

A day earlier, the FIA cybercrime wing grilled Panjotha for nearly eight hours, said well-placed sources Amid reports of his arrest, the sources had said the lawyer left the FIA headquarters where he was summoned for investigation in the social media posts of Judge Humayun Dilawar

Hybrid electric vehicles offer potential reductions in Pakistan’s impor t bill and carbon emissions

ISLAMABAD

G h u l a m a b b a S

Pakistan is grappling with the significant challenges posed by climate change and its efforts to mitigate the impact of carbon emissions have led to strategic measures on various fronts

According to the Global Carbon Budget 2022 report, Pakistan’s annual CO2 emissions reached 229 51 million tons in 2021 marking a 9 percent increase from the previous year s 210 38 million tons with oil consumption emerging as the second-largest contributor after coal The production of electric vehicles (EVs), particularly Hybrid Electric Vehicles (HEVs) is a step towards addressing this environmental concern In alignment with the Automotive Industry Development & Export Plan (AIDEP 2021-2026), two prominent automakers have announced their intention to manufacture HEVs in Pakistan

The anticipated benefits of this en-

deavour extend to both economic and environmental domains By adopting HEVs, Pakistan could potentially reduce its dependency on fossil fuels, leading to a projected 50 percent decrease in the import bill This reduction translates to an estimated annual saving of USD 37 million

From an environmental perspective introducing 30 thousand HEVs to the Pakistani market could potentially reduce carbon emissions by around 35 percent This envisaged decrease from the current annual output of 203 000 tons attributed to internal combustion engines (ICEs) to approximately 132,000 tons, aligns with emission reduction objectives Ali Asghar Jamali, Chief Executive of Indus Motor, emphasizes the role of HEVs as a pragmatic solution for carbon dioxide reduction particularly in nations heavily reliant on fossil fuels like Pakistan and India These countries with fossil fuel shares of 62 percent and

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa to generate $140m annually from carbon credits

75 percent respectively can potentially benefit from the adoption of HEVs to address their emissions profiles

According to Jamali the fuel efficiency advantages of HEVs, noting a 53 percent improvement compared to ICE vehicles With an average fuel efficiency of 26 kilometers per liter for HEVs versus 12 kilometers per liter for ICE vehicles, the potential for cost savings is evident However, while the prospects for HEVs are promising, it is essential to maintain a focus on consistent planning and long-term policy commitments Ensuring a sustained trajectory of supportive policies is crucial to fostering an environment that encourages manufacturers to invest in and contribute to Pakistan’s economic and environmental sustainability objectives

As Pakistan navigates its journey towards reducing carbon emissions and diversifying its transportation landscape the emergence of HEVs offers a pragmatic avenue for progress

S ino -Pak feature film to strengthen bilateral c ultural exchanges: Zhang Heqing

ISLAMABAD S ta f f r e p o r t

First Sino-Pak feature film premier held to strengthen bilateral cultural exchanges, said Zhang Heqing, the Cultural Counselor of the Chinese Embassy in Pakistan

The Pakistan National Council of the Arts (PNCA) recently hosted the premiere of Ba tie Girl the inaugural Sino-Pak feature film marking a decade of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) celebrations Zafar Uddin Mahmood, Special Assistant to Pakistani Prime Minister honored the film with the Sino-Pak Friendship Award He emphasized the film s role in celebrating the enduring bond between the two nations and expressed hope for deeper cultural ties and

future collaborative film projects Zhang Heqing, the Cultural Counselor of the Chinese Embassy in Pakistan underscored the film’s pivotal role in enhancing cultural dialogue between China and Pakistan He also lauded CPEC projects for bolstering both economic and cultural connections, promoting greater interpersonal interactions between the two countries Xie Peng, the executive producer of “Ba’tie Girl ” shared with Gwadar Pro that this collaboration the first of its kind since the two countries established diplomatic ties 72 years ago, is a significant milestone He expressed gratitude for the comprehensive support from the Pakistani government, the heartfelt assistance of its people the steadfast backing of the Chinese Embassy and the invaluable aid from Chinese expatriates

Xie optimistically remarked, Given the unwavering support from both Chinese and Pakistani governments towards cultural collaborations we anticipate an increasing number of filmmakers from both nations to harness this momentum crafting even more exceptional cinematic masterpieces Set against the backdrop of the ambitious “Belt and Road” initiative, “Ba’tie Girl” narrates the intertwined lives of Lu You a translator for a Chinabacked hydropower project in Pakistan and Nasa a local Pakistani girl Their journey, from initial encounters to deep-rooted camaraderie, encapsulates the profound bond between China and Pakistan The film is a testament to the essence of humanity celebrating genuine friendships filled with warmth and compassion

ISLAMABAD S ta f f r e p o r t

The recent passage of the Criminal Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2023 by the Parliament has ignited a wave of concern among various segments of Pakistani society

The Majlis Wahdat Muslimeen (MWM-Pakistan) a prominent religious and political organization, has strongly criticized the amendment, warning that it threatens to unravel the delicate social fabric and generate controversy within state institutions

In a press conference held at the National Press Club Chairman of MWM

Allama Nasir Abbas expressed his apprehensions regarding the far-reaching consequences of the amended bill He asserted that the controversial legislation, approved by Parliament could erode the cherished values of tolerance open dis-

course, and learning that have long defined the nation “This amendment risks ushering in a culture of mob justice fostering an environment where law is misused to settle personal vendettas cautioned Allama Nasir Abbas He further contended that the amendment s real implications go beyond its stated purpose of safeguarding the respect for Ahle Bait (AS) and Sahaba Karam “The amendment s true intent is suspect – it seems to legitimize and enforce reverence for figures like Yazid However, this endeavor is bound to fail, as the overwhelming majority of Pakistanis reject the deeds of Yazid,” remarked the MWM chief He highlighted the irony that those who lauded Yazid publicly are now declaring victory following the bill s passage

Allama Nasir Abbas reflected on Pakistan s history, noting that the nation was established through the combined efforts of Shia and Sunni communities

However, he lamented that during the 1980s the military dictator General Ziaul Haq introduced divisive policies and schemes that aimed to pit these communities against each other

The scholars and religious leaders of all denominations in Pakistan demonstrated responsibility by thwarting these divisive tactics Together, they prevented extremist elements from tearing the country apart emphasized Allama Nasir Abbas He contended that the amendments, while attempting to protect the sanctity of revered figures, could inadvertently embolden extremists He cited instances of brutal incidents, such as the public lynching of a Sri Lankan national in Sialkot and the targeted killing of a teacher in Balochistan neither of which involved Shia individuals

These incidents, he argued, were driven by extremist ideologies that could flourish under the amended legislation

PESHAWAR a z i z b u N e r i

The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Forest Department plans to launch a carbon credit project under a public-private partnership to conserve forests and generating revenue through carbon dioxide sequestration The project is estimated to sequester tons of carbon dioxide annually potentially generating $140 million for the province each year The project which was initiated in 2014 by the Pakistan Forest Institute and the forest department is expected to generate significant revenue for the province and will also helping to combat climate change

There are numerous industries in KP, including steel pharmaceuticals paper and pipe manufacturing emit a significant amount of carbon dioxide daily but they currently lack any checks and balances The project will first assess the carbon stock in the province s forests This is done by measuring the amount of carbon dioxide that is stored in trees, soil, and other vegetation Once the assessment is done carbon credits are then issued to the province These credits can then be sold to companies that are looking to offset their emissions Companies that purchase carbon credits are essentially paying the province to preserve its forests and protect its carbon stock This helps to reduce the amount of carbon dioxide that is emitted into atmosphere which helps to combat climate change The Carbon Stock Assessment and Marketing of Carbon Credits of Forests project has the potential to generate revenue for the government The project is also expected to create jobs and boost the local economy In addition, the project will help to protect province’s forests and its carbon stock The Carbon Stock Assessment and Marketing of Carbon Credits of Forests project is still in its early stages However the project has the potential to be a major source of revenue for the government

Iran rejected force majeure notice for the Iran-Pakistan Gas Pipeline, has granted ten year extension instead: Musadik

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 01

He stated that if Pakistan fails to meet contractual responsibilities Iran would determine any potential consequences through legal processes During the news conference, Malik also provided insights into the country’s energy diversification plans such as the monthly delivery of liquefied natural gas (LNG) from Azerbaijan He emphasised plans for more oil and gas exploration zones as well as the country s stringent gas strategy The minister revealed a $12 billion planned investment in a refinery, facilitated by a Middle Eastern country Malik emphasised that while the impact of Russian oil on the public is yet to be determined it is expected in the near future He also debunked claims concerning fines for the Iran-Pakistan gas pipeline project, stating that those issues were settled more than a decade ago Malik underlined the government’s intention to differentiate gas pricing based on income levels assuring a more egalitarian approach He acknowledged the difficulties in addressing the LNG circular debt and underlined attempts to improve energy management

PM chairs meeting to fine-tune plan for Olympic Village in Islamabad

sports university in Islamabad was also laid

stadium indoor sports an international hotel and parking facilities

It was told that an estimated budget of Rs3 billion has been allocated for the construction of the Olympics Village Speaking on the occasion PM Shehbaz directed the authorities concerned to formulate a corporate structure for construction of the Olympic Village which should be supervised by the relevant experts

Sharif in the chair

The meeting was told that the Olympic Village would be developed over 1200 kanals of land at the foothills of Margalla Hills It would feature facilities of international standards for various sports, including a cricket academy, an international cricket stadium, a hockey ground, a tennis complex, an athletics

The prime minister said the majority of Pakistan’s population comprised youth The sports activities enable the youth to utilise their energies in a productive manner he added Recalling the government s historic steps for promotion of sports in the country he said a national sports program was launched and the foundation for the first

Calling the Olympic Village a national project, the prime minister said a corporate structure be formulated for the project and the relevant experts should monitor the construction The prime minister directed to ensure transparency in the construction of the facility Former members of the National Assembly Tariq Fazal Chaudhry, Hanif Abbasi and Anjum Aqeel, Chairman of Capital Development Authority and relevant senior officers attended the meeting

Earlier Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif on Wednesday lauded and appreciated the coalition partners for

demonstrating maturity sincerity dedication, and loyalty for bringing economic stability in the country Addressing the Cabinet meeting, he stressed the need for ensuring national unity as it was vital for socio-economic development of the country The prime minister said the political leadership had set aside all their political differences and worked diligently to bring the country out of crises He said the coalition government in its 16-month stint, the shortest tenure of a government in the country’s history endeavoured to serve the people

The big challenge faced during the period was of flash floods that hit most parts of the country, especially in Sindh and

Balochistan but the way the federal and provincial governments joined hands to cope with the calamitous situation was worth appreciating, he said All the institutions including National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) and Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP) played a crucial role in the rehabilitation process he added

The prime minister also thanked Chief of the Army Staff General Qamar Bajwa, Minister for Climate Change Sherry Rehman Minister for Economic Affairs

Ayaz Sadiq Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal and Minister for BISP Shazia Marri who worked as a team during the rehabilitation process in the flood hit areas

‘Controversial amend’ sparks concerns over social fabric, institutional integrit y

How the Might y have fallen!

IT is perhaps not the time to examine why former PMs end up behind bars especially if they have a large public following More immediately, PTI chief Imran Khan’ filing with the Islamabad High Court an application asking for the grant of A Class privileges shows that he has had enough after just three days behind bars Without belittling Mr Khan s tribulations it should be pointed that these sufferings are a corollary of punishment for an offence Mr Khan’s request for an air-conditioner and a TV cannot but recall his own boast while PM when addressing the Pakistani community in New York, that he would ensure that Mian Nawaz Sharif would have his airconditioner removed It also recalls the conditions under which he had another ex-PM Shahid Khaqan Abbasi, held It is perhaps not the right time to go into the rights and wrongs of the cases against Mr Khan or Mr Sharif who was wrongfully convicted who rightly However, in Mr Abbassi s case, he was held on physical remand by NAB and was never convicted of any offence For what it is worth, Mr Sharif was convicted by a court just as much as Mr Khan has been convicted by one Both should remember that if one verdict could be manipulated, so could the other It is perhaps best to let all matters be settled in court Mr Khan has every right to try to obtain his legal rights by approaching the courts However it seems a little odd that he should be asking for rights which he had denied to others

Mr Khan evokes a certain surprise for those who, without being supporters had credited him with a certain raw courage Even if former PMs proved pusillanimous, one would expected a former national captain to have shown more resolution in adversity Clearly, it now seems, the party insiders who made the Jail Bharo Tehrik such a flop knew something the man in the street did not

The positive is that whether guilty or wrongfully convicted, Mr Khan has now the leisure to think He can either repent his crimes or think about what he had done wrong in his term of office If he makes any plans for revenge, or indulges in any such negative thoughts, he will be wasting his time in jail And in jail all that one has is time

Dedicated to the legac y of late Hameed Nizami

Arif Nizami (Late)

Founding Editor

M A Niazi Joint Editor Umar Aziz Executive Editor

MA RT I A L Laws have proven to be the Mother of Corruption in the land of the pure though we started off well in August 1947 Every ‘Mother of Corruption’ 1958, 1969, 1977, 1999, 2022) has added to this menace which now threatens the very existence of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan As the first-born free generation of Pakistan we were required to either submit or suffer Those who joined the bandwagon prospered For an upright existence many had to sever their links with their motherland The rate of attrition of qualified individuals has increased manifold over time touching millions in 2023 October 1958 has proven to be deadly for the nation with not one but two Martial Laws First it was President Iskander Mirza who abrogated the 1956 constitution to clamp Martial Law with the help of Gen Ayub Khan, the first Desi Sipah-e-Salar After getting clearance from his foreign masters Khan decided to take complete charge by deposing the President on 27 October 1958 Thus started the first derailment of the republic Those who came in the way were crushed Instead of nation empire building started Nation was denied the fruits of the labour of the founding fathers Over- and under-invoicing became the order of the day The wealth of the nation was concentrated into a few hands (22 families)

With borrowed easy money floodgates of corruption were opened Upright businessmen were sidetracked while those who were willing to play ball with the establishment and its nefarious designs were patronized with loans and permits The founding fathers of Pakistan were pushed out of the political arena through EBDO (Elected Bodies Disqualification Order) While most leaders went home out of fear of the establishment and its coercive ways only two challenged their disqualification (Suharwardy Bokhari) Being an astute legal mind Hussain Shaheed Suharwardy defended himself very well He was exonerated by the Military Tribunal presided over by a lieutenant-colonel but his opening remarks proved to be a prophecy; A country where a colonel holds trial of a Prime Minister cannot survive for long “ Indeed Jinnah’s Pakistan was dismembered in 1971 only 13 years later

Progressive Papers Limited (PPL) founded by Mian Ifthikaruddin a stalwart of the Pakistan Move-

ment was the voice of the nation

It had three major publications: The Pakistan Times Imroze Sports Time PPL came under attack during the Ayub regime

It was taken over and handed over to a dismissed police constable of Gujrat by the name of Chaudhry Zahoor Elahi As part of the package he was given a house in FCC colony and a factory as bait thus with the formation of the National Press Trust (NPT) freedom of the press was taken away

A new political dynasty was formed from scratch several then followed In the new capital Islamabad, after taking over the choicest land for his own mansion, plots were doled out to important people to win their loyalty Justice A R Cornelius was also allocated a fourkanal plot He returned the papers saying; No thanks I am very happy to stay in the Faletti’s Hotel “ Till his last day he lived there with his Austin car parked outside his room Justice (retd) Jawad Khwaja has that car with him which he purchased for the Supreme Court museum

The second usurper ’s term was short as the situation spun out of control The CMLA (Chief Martial Law Administrator) did agree to elections but with an assumption of a split mandate In the Eastern Wing the Jamaat-eIslami had the establishment support while in the Western part Qayyum League was the favourite Popular support of both the mainstream parties the Awami League and Pakistan People s Party (PPP) was taken lightly There was a big upset as both parties won big in their areas

out in most departments

Against national interests he entered the Afghan war

The dollars that came with that sell out were squandered A new breed of Millionaire Generals came to the fore

Able honest officers who resisted were sidetracked Only NESPAK (National Engineering Services of Pakistan) the engineering design house, survived as that expertise did not exist with the men in uniform Corrupt practices became the norm all around the principle being; ‘No cash no service’ To check the popularity of Bhutto s party new ethnic and sectarian parties were created (MQM TTP and so on)

In Punjab his created Muslim League came up with a unique slogan; Jaag Punjabi Jaag Together with corruption the policy of divide and rule was also followed Musharraf came with tall claims but lacked the required focus His first hand-picked PM Mir Zafarullah Jamali tried his best to contain the prevalent corruption but was soon replaced by the sweet-talking Shaukat Aziz who had mastery of fudging figures to look good on paper The dictator surrounded himself with all the corrupt politicians except the Sharifs who went into selfexile to Jeddah under an agreement Business as usual continued Major financial scandals were highlighted in the lease of expensive Railway lands and misuse of NLC funds Nation building that had been stalled by the first usurper saw no change Finally the Lawyers Movement in 2007 proved to be his Waterloo

The present regime keeps complaining that Nawaz Sharif was made to suffer for no fault of his own. They also claim that in the 2018 electoral contest ÂJhurluÊ denied them victory Without naming the villian behind these evil acts they demand justice and a level playing field for their leader who is absconding in London mainly because of the benevolence of their appointed Sipah-e-Salar who finally retired in November last year

When the people s mandate was not honoured civil war broke out in East Pakistan Lt Gen Sahibzada Yakub Ali Khan the commander on the ground advised negotiations and so did Vice Admiral ( R ) S M Ahsan, the Governor, but Gen Yahya Khan opted for a military solution After the surrender of the armed forces Bangladesh emerged on the world map The Jamaat had to bite the dust Qayyum Khan did manage to win some seats mainly because of his personal standing

Then started the innings of the third usurper which tormented the nation for over 11 years (July 1977 to August 1988) Zia discovered the Sharifs of Gawalmandi to lead the largest province of the country Together they destroyed all civilian institutions The democratic gains of the 1970s were neutralized by the dictator Recruitment against merit was carried

After Gujarat , It’s Manipur under the BJP

elling All these measures made no difference to the violence other than creating a huge information vacuum The reported casualties are around 160 but the question is how is it possible when the state becomes a war zone and more than 60,000 people are displaced and above 1700 buildings are vandalized? Dead bodies cannot be balanced at all, but why is there no explanation about how many Meiteis were among the dead and how many Kukis?

Why is there no confident answer about which community attacked first? The police armouries, which were raided, were utilized by whom, by Meiteis or Kukis?

will surely pardon the convicts of the Kuki women parade on malicious excuses Just like the culprits of Bilkis Bano who were released on the pretext of Good Behaviour by the Modi government The Hindu-centric approach has washed out all the moral values of BJP & Hindu supremacists For the Modi government, human rights are nothing before Hindu majoritarianism Nothing shakes them neither the dignity of women nor the innocence of children They can sacrifice anything for Hindutva ideology

The present regime keeps complaining that Nawaz Sharif was made to suffer for no fault of his own

They also claim that in the 2018 electoral contest Jhurlu denied them victory

Without naming the villian behind these evil acts they demand justice and a level playing field for their leader who is absconding in London mainly because of the benevolence of their appointed Sipah-e-Salar who finally retired in November last year

Before stepping down he ensured that all the corrupt were safe and back in the corridors of power Due to weak prosecution most cases against them have been shelved with witnesses in their graves

The coalition in power with the blessings of the establishment and continued to enjoy the perks of power with galloping corruption all around with major complaints in the ‘Atta Distribution’ scheme and import of solar panels The men in uniform have always claimed that they had to intervene to contain corruption but the facts are otherwise Indeed Martial Laws have proven to be mothers of corruption, and this experimentation must end for Pakistan to move forward

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

E d i t o r ’ s m a i l

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

In the love of Urdu

TH E world has rarely seen the conflicts where the majority feels threatened by minorities but the Manipur conflict is one of them It s more than three months of fierce ongoing violence between the majority Meitei and minority Kuki over the constitutional status of Scheduled Tribe’ Now it’s not only the battle of land and influence, but has also changed its colours

Initially the Manipur conflict had nothing to do with religion or insurgency but was purely an ethnic conflict that has been used by BJP leaders in accordance with the policies of a Hindu Rashtra An ethnic clash gives a chance to the BJP to practise its Hindutva ideology and Hindu majoritarian policies as most Meiteis are Hindus and Kukis are Christians The state government is not neutral being run by Meiteis

They imposed military curfews internet shutdowns deployed troops & restricted trav-

India may be the fastest growing economy but not without its minorities If India needs to maintain this status and heg emony then it has to stop religious and ethnic cleansing. India has to understand it does need minorities. Manipur continues to burn, Manipuris continue to die , Modi continues to remain silent, and the BJP continues to practice its divisive Hindutva ideology

It’s pretty definite under the BJP Meiteisrun government, if more casualties were among Meiteis if Kukis waged attacks and if Meiteis were being subjected to looted police armouries then Modi would not remain silent for so long

The conflict would absolutely not be protracted for three months under the government of Hindutva followers There would be a ceasefire far before It makes explicit that the Manipur violence has the state’s patronage Here the point is that first it was the genocide of Muslims in Gujarat under the BJP government and now it s Christians in Manipur

Among all the minorities in Manipur, Christians are primarily targeted and these killings are being assisted by the police and government machinery as well If the Indian media unveil the situation in Manipur without any government-told premises and the BJP government grants unhindered access to outsiders to look then the world will surely call this violence the Genocide of Kuki Christians

Rape and sexual assault is a weapons of violence in conflict and in Manipur under the BJP this weapon is bluntly used The BJP cadres worship women goddesses but don’t protect the dignity of women which becomes evident after the heinous incident of the naked Kuki women parade, which was filmed and put on the Internet) The aftermath of this gruesome incident will be as same as the heartbreaking Bilkis Bano case in the Gujarat riots (in which a pregnant woman was subjected to gangrape) The BJP

This war scenario in Manipur raises a few questions for Modi Is Manipur not a part of India? Are the people living in Manipur, not the humans? Why is the government of more than a billion people so powerless in Manipur? Why is the government unable to stop the violence?

If Manipur can be discussed in the European Union and the United Kingdom s Parliament then why not in India s Lok Sabha? Why can evident measures not be seen for peace in Manipur? And why are all these anxious questions left unentertained?

The BJP turned the beautiful lush green valleys of Manipur into pools of blood The immobility of the central government made it explicit that they don t want to control the violence The divisive policy of the BJP will tear the world s biggest democracy apart The BJP government considers the Manipur violence as an internal affai,r but it is not an internal problem of India because human rights have no borders It equally matters for all In the aftermath of the conflict the displacements and non-traditional insecurity will be more deadly than the violence India may be the fastest growing economy but not without its minorities If India needs to maintain this status and hegemony then it has to stop religious and ethnic cleansing

India has to understand it does need minorities Manipur continues to burn Manipuris continue to die, Modi continues to remain silent, and the BJP continues to practice its divisiveHindutva ideology

The writer is a freelance columnist

IT all started with my desire to subscribe for myself and a friend the Mahana Akhbar Urdu published by the Idara-i-Farogh-i-Qaumi Zaban (IFQZ) in Islamabad The initial shock was that the subscription amount could be sent only through money order; no cheque, no payorder, nothing An online transaction entailing direct transfer to IFQZ s bank account, I suspect, was not something the officials working there might have even heard about Anyway, that is not the reason I am writing these lines In August 2022, I sent two money orders of the relevant amount each through Johar Town post office in Lahore as can be seen in the accompanying image After a fortnight I tried many a time to contact the relevant IFQZ official but could not There was some fault in its telephone exchange that left the caller frustrated, irritated and clueless It used to terminate the call right after a lengthy welcoming recorded message So, cutting a long story short, I could not contact anybody at IFQZ I then requested a friend in Islamabad to visit the relevant office which he was kind enough to do All he got there was a telephone number of an official who was not around at the time When contact was established on cellphone the gentleman concerned informed that the magazine had not been published yet and that it would be sent to me and my friend as soon as the IFQZ received it from the printer S S TANWEER HUSSAIN LAHORE

PEC beyond access

THE Pakistan Engineering Council (PEC), whose responsibility it is to help the country advance in the field of technology and innovation, has become a glaring example of incompetence mismanagement and carelessness All the helpline numbers of PEC remain ‘busy’ all the time and if by chance someone does receive a call the caller is directed to other extensions to talk to And of course no one takes the call on that extension All the numbers available on the official website are either dysfunctional or irresponsive Furthermore, PEC s mobile app is equally problematic and fails to be of any help to millions of engineers The same is the case with PEC website’s continuing professional development (CPD) portal The Council’s IT and CPD departments have failed to make the portal fully operational It crashes every other day Engineers across the country face numerous problems but have nowhere to go to register their complaints The PEC s administration and elected governing body must take serious action in this regard and make PEC a more cooperative, efficient and innovation-friendly organisation ABDUL QAYOOM LAHORE

Wasting food

F O O D wastage is a common yet dange-rous problem of society Pakistan is an agricultural country that can easily cater to the food requirements of its people The fertile soil of Punjab and other provinces complemented by sufficient water resources provided by the Indus and its tributaries make Pakistan a country perfect for producing food not only for its own population but also for exporting to other countries to underpin the troubled economy Yet, we are faced with severe food insecurity

The problem became formidable after the devastating floods caused by the monsoon rains last year The challenge of food security is severe in Balochistan where poverty is ruling unhindered for many years now The wastage of food aggravates this problem

A huge amount of food is wasted at weddings birthday parties and other social events If this wastage is curbed more food can be made available to feed the destitute The government should launch awareness campaigns and bring to light the abject poverty in the country, especially in Balochistan It is high time we behaved and celebrated responsibly

NEMAT ULLAH LAHORE

Sowaiba MahMood

e r o l e o f M a d r a s s a s i n P a k i s t a n :

c h a l l e n g e o r a n o p p o r t u n i t y ?

mainstream work environment Third madrassas frequently have areas of strength for strict examinations which can leave graduates with few attractive abilities This can make it hard for madrassa graduates to secure positions that match their abilities and interests

nations which leave graduates with few decisive reasoning abilities This can make it hard for madrassa graduates to distinguish fanatic philosophy Third madrassas are frequently separated from the rest of society, which can make it simpler for fanatic philosophy to flourish

agricultural nations

The absence of interest in schooling has prompted a decrease in education

Madrassas have been especially impacted by this downfall Numerous madrassas cannot give quality schooling This is because of such variables as absence of government financing qualified instructors and access to course readings and other instructional materials

Madrassas frequently centre taround the past than what is to come This attention to the past can make it hard for madrassa graduates to adjust to change For instance numerous madrassas do not teach software engineering or different subjects that are fundamental in the advanced economy

MA D R A S S A S are Islamic schools that have been a part of Pakistani society for a long time They offer an educational programme highlighting the investigation of the Quran, Hadith, and Islamic regulations Nevertheless there has been developing worry about the madrassas in Pakistan One of the principal worries is that they do not add to the nation s economy Most students do not proceed to get any sort of mainstream schooling and accordingly, they are not equipped for most positions This implies they are a weight on the nation s economy, as they depend on government sponsorships or charity to get by

One more worry about madrassas is that they promote fanaticism Many terrorists in Pakistan have attended madrassas This is on the ground that madrassas frequently show an extreme understanding of Islam that underscores brutality and narrowmindedness Madrassas also produce graduates who are jobless and uninformed This can prompt social turmoil and wrongdoing The financial, social, and security issues presented by madrassas are difficult It is necessary to figure out how to change its madrassa framework

Madrassas have been part of Pakistani society for some time

Of late there has been developing worry about their financial burden on the country One of the primary worries is that madrassas produce graduates who are jobless and uninformed Therefore, they are frequently compelled to depend on government appropriations or charity to get by The monetary weight of madrassas is not simply a monetary one It is likewise a social weight Madrassas frequently produce graduates who are jobless and uninformed This can prompt social turmoil and wrongdoing For instance, a 2016 report by the Unified Countries Improvement Program found that the joblessness rate among madrassa graduates in Pakistan is two times the average The report additionally found that madrassa graduates are likelier to be associated with wrongdoing than different portions of the populace

The joblessness rate among madrassa graduates is a significant issue A recent report by the Seat Exploration Center viewed that just 10 percent proceed to get any sort of common schooling This implies most madrassa graduates cannot secure positions that pay a living compensation

There are a few justifications for why madrassa graduates are so prone to be jobless In the first place madrassas regularly show no common subjects like maths science or English This implies that madrassa graduates are not equipped for most positions Second, madrassas frequently show an understanding of Islam inconsistent with the innovative working environment This can make it hard for madrassa graduates to fit in a

As well as being jobless, madrassa graduates additionally come up short on abilities important to compete in the labour force A 2016 report by the Unified Countries Improvement Program found that madrassa graduates are bound to be more uneducated than different portions of the populace They are likewise more averse to having any sort of professional preparation This absence of abilities makes it hard for madrassa graduates to secure positions that pay a living compensation This adds to the social turmoil and wrongdoing that are frequently connected with madrassas

Numerous madrassas in Pakistan depend on government appropriations This is on the grounds that madrassas do not charge educational fees, and frequently give free food and lodging to students The government spends billions annually on madrassas This cash could be better spent on schooling or medical care

One of the primary worries is that madrassas generate fanaticism Many terrorists were educated in madrassas This is because madrassas frequently show an extreme understanding of Islam that underscores savagery and prejudice Another worry is that madrassas are absent from social portability Madrassas frequently show an understanding of Islam at odds with presentday culture This can make it hard for madrassa graduates to prevail in the advanced world

There are a few reasons why madrassas are favourable for radicalism Madrassas frequently show an extreme understanding of Islam that underlines viciousness and prejudice This can prompt students to become radicalized and join terrorist organizations Second, madrassas frequently have areas of strength for exami-

One more friendly issue is the absence of social mobility Madrassas frequently show an understanding of Islam inconsistent with current culture This can make it hard for madrassa graduates to prevail in the innovative world

One of the primary worries is that there are an excessive number of madrassas and insufficient colleges

This unevenness in the school system has prompted a deficiency of trained specialists, which has upset economic development Another worry is that madrassas do not get sufficient attention from the public authority This absence of speculation has prompted a decrease in training at madrassas which has made it harder for graduates to secure positions in the innovative economy

Madrassas frequently centre around the past instead representing things to come This emphasis on the past can make it hard for madrassa graduates to adjust to changing social needs

There are an estimated 30 000 madrassas in Pakistan that are registered and around 22 000 that are unregistered contrasted with only 244 colleges This imbalance in the educational system has prompted a deficiency of trained specialists, which has obstructed economic development Most madrassas do not offer common subjects like maths science or English This means that madrassa graduates are not equipped for most positions in the advanced economy Furthermore madrassas frequently have serious areas of strength for strict investigations which can leave graduates with few attractive abilities

The government does not invest enough in education In 2017, it spent just 2 2 percent of GDP on training This is well below the average of 4 6 percent for

The future of madrassas in Pakistan is questionable The government must guarantee that madrassas show a moderate understanding of Islam and offer a more adjusted educational plan incorporating mainstream subjects. The government must also act against madrassas advancing radicalism. If the government can chang e madrassas, they could play a positive role . Madrassas could give students quality schooling equipping them for occupations in the advanced economy. They could likewise teach students about the significance of resilience and understanding.

The emphasis on the past can likewise make it challenging for madrassa graduates to comprehend presentday culture This can prompt radicalism and narrow-mindedness The role of madrassas in Pakistan’s absence of development is mind-boggling

The government must guarantee that madrassas show a moderate understanding of Islam and that they offer a more adjusted educational plan that incorporates common subjects The government must get serious about madrassas advancing fanaticism

The main change the government can make is to require madrassas to offer common subjects This would assist with guaranteeing that madrassa graduates are equipped for the innovative economy and can add to society emphatically It can be hard for madrassa graduates to secure positions that match their abilities and interests

The government must also provide greater funds to mainstream schools This would help all children have access to quality training Presently the government spends more on madrassas than on common schools This has prompted a deficiency of qualified educators and different assets in common schools

Giving greater government financing to common schools would assist with resolving these issues It would give mainstream schools the assets they need to give quality training to all understudies

Finally the government must get serious about madrassas teaching fanaticism This incorporates madrassas advancing viciousness disdain or prejudice

The government must do whatever it takes to get serious about madrassas that are instructing fanaticism This could include shutting these madrassas, capturing those running them, or trying them in court

The future of madrassas in Pakistan is questionable

The government must guarantee that madrassas show a moderate understanding of Islam and offer a more adjusted educational plan incorporating mainstream subjects The government must also act against madrassas advancing radicalism If the government can change madrassas, they could play a positive role Madrassas could give students quality schooling equipping them for occupations in the advanced economy They could likewise teach students about the significance of resilience and understanding If the public authority cannot change madrassas they could keep on being a wellspring of terrorism

The issues with madrassas are mind boggling, yet they should be addressed for Pakistan to prosper The government needs to get serious about madrassas advancing fanaticism These changes will not be difficult to carry out yet they are fundamental if Pakistan needs to defeat the difficulties it faces and accomplish its maximum capacity

The writer is a freelance columnist

Ar tificial intelligence and its investment implications I n d i a i s o n t h e b r i n k

t i s i

f l i c t zo n e o r a n e co n o m i c p owe r h o u s e n o t b o t h .

c re a s i n g l y c l e a r w h i c h o f t h o s e t wo d e s t i n i e s awa i t s t h e co u nt r y

a brutal place a window on the everyday hatred and violence that has come to colonize the country in the nine years since Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government came to power But the images from the northeastern state of Manipur that began circulating in July were shocking even by those low standards A video clip showed two women being sexually assaulted as they were paraded naked by a crowd of men who later gang-raped one of them, according to a police complaint The horrific scene was part of an explosion of ethnic violence since May that has turned the small state into a war zone killing more than 150 people and displacing tens of thousands

The state has a long history of ethnic animosities that predate Mr Modi s rise But the fuse for the current unrest in Manipur was lit by the politics of Hindu supremacy, xenophobia and religious polarization championed by his Bharatiya Janata Party India is a diverse nation, crisscrossed by religious, ethnic caste regional and political fault lines Since Mr Modi took office in 2014 his ruling party has torn those asunder with dangerous exclusionary politics intended to charge up the party s base and advance its goal of remaking India s secular republic into a majoritarian Hindu state The repugnant nature of this brand of politics has been clear for some time, but the situation in Manipur shows what’s ahead for India: The world’s most populous country is slowly degenerating into a conflict zone of sectarian violence

Under Mr Modi s government the state monopoly on violence is being surrendered to extremists and vigilantes

Those targeted by the kind of mob violence that we are seeing in India may conclude that equal rights are no longer guaranteed, that political differences can no longer be peacefully reconciled or fairly mediated and that violence is the only way for them to resist

The targeting of minorities particularly Muslims by right-wing Hindu extremists is now a way of life in many states Vigilante mobs who often assemble provocatively in front of mosques, regularly assault Muslims as understaffed and underequipped police fail to intervene Lynchings and open calls for genocide are common India now ranks among the top 10 countries at the highest risk of mass killings according to Early Warning Project which assesses such risks around the world

In Manipur Christians are bearing the brunt as the state s B J P government stokes the insecurities of the majority ethnic Meitei, who are predominantly Hindu State leaders have branded the Kuki tribes who populate the hill districts, and who are mostly Christian, as infiltrators from Myanmar have blamed them for poppy cultivation intended for the drug trade and evicted some of them from their forest habitats The specific trigger for the current violence was a court ruling in the state in favor of granting the Meitei af-

firmative action provisions and other benefits that have long been enjoyed by the Kuki and other tribes, which sparked a protest by tribal communities opposed to the ruling The Manipur government this year also began a citizenship verification drive that infringes on the privacy of Kuki A similar drive in neighboring Assam state targeting Muslims has already reportedly disenfranchised nearly two million people Emboldened by the state government s rhetoric, Meitei militias in Manipur have gone on a rampage of raping, pillaging looting police armories and burning villages More than 250 churches have been burned down Those were Meitei men in the horrific 26-second video sexually assaulting two Kuki women (The video was shot in early May but came to light only in July, possibly delayed by a government internet ban imposed in the state in response to the violence ) Many similar attacks on Kuki women have been reported Mr Modi has called the rape incident “shameful” but has otherwise said little about the chaos in Manipur

The violent impact of his party s polarizing politics is acutely felt in India s heartland too The area near a tech and finance hub on the outskirts of New Delhi was rocked by violence last week as Hindu supremacists staging a religious procession clashed with Muslims Mosques were attacked, an imam was killed, businesses were burned and looted and hundreds of Muslims have fled

In tandem with the B J P ’s demonizing of India’s nearly 200 million Muslims television cinema and social media are deployed to radicalize the Hindu majority pumping out a steady stream of Islamophobia and vile dog whistles Extremist groups, at least one of which appears to have received the public support of the prime minister, run amok Muslims have been arrested for praying, had their livelihoods and businesses destroyed and their homes razed Bulldozers used to demolish homes have become an anti-Muslim symbol proudly paraded by B J P supporters at political rallies

As John Keane and I argue in our book To Kill a Democracy: India s Passage to Despotism, it s a signature tactic of modern-day despots: tightening their grip on power by redefining who belongs to the polity and ostracizing others In the ultimate subversion of democracy the government chooses the people rather than the people choosing the government India is already a complex federation of regional identities, many of which consider themselves distinct from Hindi-speaking north India, the power base of Mr Modi s party This federal structure is held together by delicate bonds of social and political accommodation But they are fraying fast under Mr Modi who has no appetite for either shrinking the space for nonviolent political contestation

Some regional political parties see the Bharatiya Janata Party s centralizing and homogenizing Hindu-first thrust as a cultural imposition from outside and are assailing it with the same divisive us-versus-them vocabulary

Due to its giant and growing population, India will become more important to the rest of the world both geopolitically and due to the promise of its massive market And so Western leaders like President Biden who staged a lavish welcome for Mr Modi on a state visit to Washington in June engage with the prime minister, downplaying his government s assaults on liberalism

But a political strategy of conspicuous humiliation and subjugation of ethnic and religious minorities that make up around one-fifth of the population is dangerously deluded India can be either a conflict zone or an economic powerhouse not both It is increasingly clear which of those two destinies awaits the country

Debasish Roy Chowdhury (@Planet Deb) is a Hong Kong-based Indian journalist and the author, with John Keane, of “To Kill a Democracy: India’s Passage to Despotism ”

AI tr ying to predic t market prices is like self-piloting c ars tr ying to read stop signs with words, shapes, and colors that differ from one day to the nex t The continuous emergence of new information material to market prices is antithetic al to static patterns fostering predic tabilit y

not clear AI tools are a recipe for consistently generating abnormal returns Material information gleaned from running AI processes is very likely a subset of the vast information set known by the market in aggregate and reflected in market prices

EQUIUS PARTNERS/ WEALTHENHANCEMENT COM w e s C R i l l

IF you were to poll strangers on what comes to mind when they hear the term AI (artificial intelligence), I suspect the two most likely answers would be Skynet or ChatGPT

The generative chat program launched in 2022 seems to have drawn the most mainstream attention to AI applications since Arnold Schwarzenegger promised he d be back But the history of AI tools is far older than ChatGPT although less dramatic than its depiction in 1990s science fiction films And from an investment standpoint, artificial intelligence pales in comparison to the informational content of the market’s AI aggregate intelligence

AI HAS BEEN AMONG US FOR YEARS:

ChatGPT is but a recent example of AI One watershed moment came in 1997 when the machine named Deep Blue became the first computer to secure victory in a match against a chess grandmaster In the mid-2000s, IBM researchers created the Watson computer to compete with star Jeopardy! contestants ultimately defeating two of the show s most decorated past champions And how many of us routinely dispense orders to and receive suggestions from, Siri or Alexa?

The common thread among these examples is that each represents a tool that processes and organizes data to identify patterns and summarize information or make suggestions This type of interaction with AI has grown to permeate our everyday lives Have you noticed your phone offer an unsolicited ETA for your commute when you get in your car? Does your text app suggest grammar revisions based on the context of your overall message? Congrats you’re an AI user, even if you’ve never opened a ChatGPT session AI MAY NOT HELP PICK

vestors

If new information is obtained, the process of acting on that information (buying or selling stocks/bonds) incorporates it into market prices As more investors employ these tools any edge from doing so should wane Another reason to question AI s role in helping market timing is limitations with its predictions AI s forecasting ability fares well when assessing patterns that are relatively stable For example, my phone’s navigation app is often successful at “guessing” when I’m commuting to work because I come to the office on the same days each week Autonomous car navigation programs know to slow down at the sight of a stop sign because these visual cues are universal and evergreen AI is far less likely to successfully predict changes within complex systems that are as dynamic as stock and bond markets AI trying to predict market prices is like self-piloting cars trying to read stop signs with words shapes and colors that differ from one day to the next The continuous emergence of new information material to market prices is antithetical to static patterns fostering predictability

BUT IT MAY ENHANCE A FUND MAN-

AGER’S PROCESS: AI can make businesses more efficient if used as a tool for what Professor Robert C Merton describes as assisted implementation interrogating data servicing clients or making processes more efficient But like any tool, you have to know how to use it For example, if it makes interrogating data much easier, then the chances of finding results from data dredging increase Where using AI can be very helpful is for firms with massive data sets on their customers activities It can help those firms identify what their customers are more likely to buy next and advertise in a smart way

Over time, the best chess players realized chess computers were a powerful supplement to strategy and pattern recognition Similarly the best path forward for investment management is likely an amalgam of humans and technology such as AI

Wes Crill PhD is Dimensional Fund Advisors Senior Investment Director and Vice President

AFGHAN TALIBAN SAY DOZENS OF PAKISTANIS INVOLVED IN RECENT ATTACKS

KABUL A f p

KABUL’S Taliban authorities said on Wednesday that dozens of Dai sh militants from Pakistan have been killed or captured in Afghanistan in the past year T h e s t a t e m e n t c a m e d a y s a f t e r I s l a m a b a d b l a m e d A f g h a n s f o r i nv o l v e m e n t i n s u i c i d e a t t a c k s o n i t s t e r r i t o r y Tensions between the neighbours have mounted recently over an uptick in suicide attacks in Pakistan, with Islamabad claiming terrorists are frequently helped by Afghans

A f g h a n g o v e r n m e n t s p o k e s m a n Z a b i h u l l a h M u j a h i d told AFP on Wednesday that in the p a s t y e a r 1 8 p e o p l e e l i m i n a t e d b y o u r f o r c e s i n A f g h a n i s t a n

China

PR OFIT R e u t e R s

w e r e P a k i s t a n i c i t i z e n s

They were Daeshis and they were involved in various bombings and attacks, he said, adding that dozens of others were being held in Afghan prisons

He was expanding on a statement issued late Tuesday that said Taliban authorities should not be blamed for the security failure of any country in the region I n s t e a d o f b l a m i n g P a k i s t a n , the government of Afghanistan has s t r e n g t h e n e d i t s s e c u r i t y m e a sures ” it said

It was the first time the Taliban authorities have publicly blamed Pakistanis for attacks in Afghanistan

Islamabad says militants carrying out attacks in Pakistan are operating from sanctuaries in Afghanistan and being aided by Afghan citizens

O n M o n d a y C h i e f o f A r m y S t a ff ( C O A S ) G e n e r a l S y e d A s i m M u n i r s a i d t h e i n v o l v e m e n t o f A f g h a n n a t i o n a l s i s d e t r i m e n t a l t o r e g i o n a l p e a c e , s t a b

t i o n Taliban authorities

China s consumer sector fell into deflation and factory-gate prices extended declines in July, as the world’s second-largest economy struggled to revive demand and pressure mounted on Beijing to release more direct policy stimulus Anxiety is rising that China is entering an era of much slower economic growth akin to the period of Japan s lost decades , which saw consumer prices and wages stagnate for a generation a stark contrast to the rapid inflation seen elsewhere China’s post-pandemic recovery has slowed after a brisk start in the first quarter as demand at home and abroad weakened and a flurry of policies to support the economy failed to shore up activity he consumer price index (CPI) dropped 0 3% year-on-year in July the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) said on Wednesday compared with the median estimate for a 0 4% decrease in a Reuters poll It was the first decline since February 2021 The producer price index (PPI) declined for a 10th consecutive month down 4 4% and faster than the forecast 4 1% fall

China is the first G20 economy to re-

port a year-on-year decline in consumer prices since Japan’s last negative headline CPI reading in August 2021 and the weakness adds to concerns about the hit to business among major trading partners For China the divergence between manufacturing and services is increasingly apparent, meaning the economy will grow at two speeds in the rest of 2023 especially as the problem in real estate re-emerges ” said Gary Ng Asia Pacific senior economist at Natixis

It also shows China s slower-than-expected economic rebound is not strong enough to offset the weaker global demand and lift commodity prices ”

The data comes a day after trade figures showed exports and imports both slumping in July and follows a spate of reports on more debt troubles in China s giant property sector Worried consumers and companies are hoarding cash rather than spending or investing it, despite lower interest rates sian shares were on the defensive on Wednesday as the Chinese price data confirmed its economic recovery was losing steam

MIXED

PROSPECTS: Hina s

anaemic prices contrast sharply with the crippling inflation most other major economies have seen, which forced cen-

Power ful factor y explosion outside Moscow leaves 52 injured

MOSCOW

Ag e n c e s

Authorities started evacuating people after a powerful explosion rocked a factory located in Sergiyev Posad, outside Moscow, Russian media reported Wednesday leaving at least 52 to seek medical assistance with three in critical condition The incident occurred within the premises of the Zagorsk Optical-Mechanical Plant a designing and manufacturing optical and electronic equipment company Initial findings indicate that the explosion originated in the pyrotechnics warehouse Andrey Vorobyev, the Governor of the Moscow Region said that the blast inflicted injuries upon 31 individuals with three of them critical He later noted that 43 people had been taken to a local hospital with six of them who suffered burns and head injuries being treated in intensive care He further noted that a total of 52 people sought medical assistance after the blast, adding that five people may still be trapped under the rubble In response to the situation a comprehensive mass evacuation plan has been set in motion encompassing all facilities within the factory s vicinity Local media showed smoke ascending from the factory, casting a shadow over nearby structures Russian media agency RIA Novosti reported that the explosion resulted from a breach of technical protocols A Telegram channel Mash released footage captured by a nearby security camera showing a fiery explosion followed by a plume of smoke in the distance According to eyewitnesses the shockwave shattered windows in approximately ten surrounding buildings and led to the collapse of ceilings within office structures

BEIJING

Ag e n c i e s

tral banks elsewhere to rapidly raise interest rates However, there are signs global inflation may be peaking and in some cases reversing Brazil last week cut interest rates for the first time in three years amid more benign inflationary conditions Beijing has set a consumer inflation target of around 3% this year, which would be up from 2% recorded in 2022 and for now authorities are downplaying concerns about deflation

Liu Guoqiang deputy governor of the central bank, last month said there would be no deflationary risks in China in the second half of the year, but noted the economy needs time to return to normal after the pandemic

China s CPI fall in July was mainly caused by an acceleration in pork price declines to 26% from 7 2% due to a combination of weak consumption at a time of ample supplies On a month-onmonth basis, the CPI actually rose 0 2%, defying expectations for a fall driven by a surge in holiday travel Core inflation which excludes food and fuel prices picked up to 0 8% onyear from 0 4% in June

That suggests comparisons with Japan may be premature, some analysts say Xia Chun, chief economist at Yin-

tech investment holdings in Hong Kong, expects China’s deflation will last for six months to 12 months but won’t follow Japan s history where price stagnation has persisted for much of the past two decades

In recent weeks, policymakers announced measures to boost sales of cars and appliances while some cities eased property curbs but some market participants say more decisive stimulus is needed

Uncertainties remain in China s plan to revive consumer spending, said Fitch Ratings, noting the plan will largely hinge on a rebound in consumer confidence and local governments’ policy implementation while details on the measures remain vague Investors have been anxiously waiting for policymakers to inject stimulus after the powerful Politburo meeting last month, with the stock market mostly underwhelmed by the lack of concrete action “Markets and businesses should get used to the ‘new normal’ in which the Chinese government will avoid rolling out big stimulus said Tommy Wu senior economist at Commerzbank

Instead, targeted stimulus will be implemented and most policy measures will focus on the supply side,” said Wu

India succeeds in reducing emissions rate by 33% over 14 years: sources

PFORIT R e u t e R s

A total of 33 people had died and 18 were still missing as of Tuesday in Beijing following severe flooding a Beijing municipal government official confirmed on Wednesday, noting that Beijing had rolled out a plan for restoring affected areas in the capital, the first step of which is to restore the basic functions of conservancy facilities damaged by flooding Beijing will be fully engaged in post-disaster recovery and reconstruction work, executive vice mayor of Beijing Xia Linmao told a press conference on Wednesday Efforts will be made to finish the restoration of damaged hydraulic facilities reinforcement of damaged houses of rural residents, and construction of infrastructure such as transportation, energy, communication, and public service facilities within a year to ensure the basic livelihood of local residents according to Xia The restoration work is expected to be fully completed after three years In a long-run, infrastructure and basic public services in affected areas will be comprehensively lifted up, Xia noted

So far Beijing authorities have conducted a systematic assessment of the restoration and reconstruction

needs of water, transportation, electricity, communication, and other water-damaged infrastructure and drawn out a plan for the restoration

The recent flooding has severely damaged some places in Beijing but as authorities have issued timely early warnings and taken actions such as closing scenic spots and suspending some large-scale activities more damage had been avoided Ma Jun director of the Beijing-based Institute of Public and Environmental Affairs, told the Global Times on Wednesday

As to the work to restore infrastructure in affected areas in the future Ma called for more review and attention be paid to low-lying and mountainous areas to prevent these

Concerns grow over allegations of rising ‘US instigation’ after US -Philippine defense chiefs ’ c all

ISLAMABAD

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

Chinese observers on Wednesday warned over growing US instigation and intervention after

Philippine Defense Secretary

Gilberto Teodoro Jr and US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin reaffirmed the “ironclad” relations amid the recent tension between China and the Philippines over the Ren ai Reef in China s

Nansha Islands

According to a statement released by the Pentagon on Wednesday, the two defense chiefs reiterated both nations’

commitment to bolstering cooperation including strengthening bilateral training, interoperability, and support for the modernization of the Philippine Armed Forces ” Austin backed the Philippine s stance in the disputes over the Ren ai Reef and voiced support for the 2016 arbitral ruling on the South China Sea, CNN reported, as the two countries are seeking an in-person meeting in the near future China does not accept nor recognize the so-called ruling which is illegal and invalid seriously violating international

laws including the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea Song Zhongping, a Chinese military expert and TV commentator, told the Global Times on Wednesday that China should stay alert to the Philippine s moves and the US strategic purposes concerning the South China Sea

The Philippines could be hijacked by the US, which will spare no efforts to woo the Philippines to confront China

The US aim is crystal clear

Song said The Philippines is just a disposable chess piece or cannon fodder in US strategic

architecture and Manila should be cautious of being abandoned at any time, he said Xu Liping, director of the C e n t e r f o r S o u t h e a s t A s i a n S t u d i e s a t t h e C h i n e s e A c a de m y o f S o c i a l S c i e n c e s b e -

l i e v e t h a t n e i t h e r t h e U S n o r the Philippines is eyeing direct c o n f l i c t w i t h C h i n a o v e r t h e Ren ai Reef The US-Philippine alliance is unequal as the US is dominant Cooperating with the US on some very sensitive topics the Marcos administration is playing a delicate and dangerous balance between China and the

places from being flooded in the future as heavy rainfall is expected to happen more often due to climate change Ma also noted the importance of networking as a vital part to enhance a modern city s response system to extreme weather events

Not only does our communication rely on a network, but meteorological monitoring and early warning mechanisms both require a strong network Affected by Typhoon Doksuri the Chinese capital suffered extensive flooding caused by the heaviest rainfall in six decades from July 29 to August 2 Among the 18 people who were still missing as of Tuesday five are volunteers and one is a rescuer according to officials at the Wednesday press conference

US Xu told the Global Times on Wednesday In 1999, a Philippine warship illegally grounded at the Ren’ai Reef, prompting immediate and serious representations from the Chinese side T h e P h i l i p p i n e s h a s r ep e a t e d l y p r o m i s e d t o t o w t h e g r o u n d e d w a r s h i p a w a y, b u t 24 years later, not only has the s h i p n o t b e e n r e m o v e d , b u t there have also been attempts at repairing and reinforcing it w h i c h a i m f o r p e r m a n e n t o cc u p a t i o n o f t h e R e n a i R e e f

The Philippine vessel has been g r o u n d e d o n R e n a i R e e f f o r 2 4 y e a r s , a n d s u d d e n l y b ec a m e a n i s s u e w h e n t h e U S s e e k s a s t r o n g e r p r e s e n c e i n t h e r e g i o n a n d d r o v e t h e

said

India s greenhouse emissions rate dropped by a faster-than-expected 33% in 14 years as renewable energy generation rose and forest cover increased according to two officials privy to latest assessment made for submission to the United Nations The report s findings showed India well on the way to meeting a commitment to the United Nations Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), to reduce emissions intensity by 45% from the 2005 level by 2030 India’s rate of emissions intensity – the total amount of greenhouse gas emissions emitted for every unit increase of gross domestic product (GDP) – fell by 33% from 2005 to 2019 officials privy to the preparations of the Third National Communication (TNC) report said Many countries are preparing their TNC reports to update the UNFCCC on their efforts to mitigate emissions India’s average rate of reduction in emissions increased to 3% annually in the period 2016-2019 from just about 1 5% in the period 2014-2016 It was the fastest reduction so far and was largely attributable to the government s push towards renewables, even as fossil fuel continues to dominate the energy mix “There is continuous reduction in the emission intensity of the Indian economy which shows the country has been able to completely decouple its economic growth from greenhouse gas emissions one official who declined to be named, told Reuters The progress made on reducing emissions intensity should help India avert pressure by developed nations to stop using coal, the second official said This official said a substantial increase in forest cover and schemes promoting non-fossil generation and targeting emissions in industrial automotive and energy sectors has led to the sharp reduction in India s emissions intensity As of 2019, forests and trees covered 24 56%, or 80 73 million hectares, of India Recently, India has also been trying to promote green hydrogen manufactured by splitting water molecules using renewable energy A third official said the report is yet to be ratified by the federal cabinet India s environment ministry did not respond to queries sent on Monday by Reuters Central Electricity Authority data shows that non-fossil fuel-based power – including hydro, nuclear and renewable energy – accounted for 25 3% of India’s total power generation in the fiscal year that ended in March up from 24 6% three years earlier Thermal power stations still provide 73% of the electricity consumed, down from about 75% in 2019 REUTERS GRAPHICS REUTERS GRAPHICS: The Group of 20 (G20) major economies failed twice last month to agree on phasing out the use of fossil fuels and on setting concrete targets to cut emissions Developing countries including India are resisting higher emission reduction targets, arguing that industrialised nations unfettered use of fossil fuels have depleted resources

tips into deflation as effor ts to stoke recover y falter

B e i j i n g ro l l s o u t re s to r at i o n p l a n fo r a re a s d a m a g e d by fl o o d s

CORPORATE CORNER

S H R A S H I D P I N S H O P E S O N J U D I C I A R Y F O R

I M P O R TA N T D E C I S I O N S T I L L S E P T E M B E R

RAWALPINDI s ta f f r e p o r t

Awami Muslim League

(AML) chief and former federal interior minister Sheikh Rashid on Wednesday hoped that the judiciary would take all important decisions till September

Taking to his twitter handle he said today (Wednesday) is the last day of the government but the rulers are going to increase the unit price by Rs6, putting a financial burden of Rs721 billion on electricity consumers

Sh Rashid said the name of caretaker Prime Minister is still

Unilever, HANDS Pakistan par tner to develop model village in Thatta

KARACHI

s ta f f r e p o r t

Unilever Pakistan and HANDS Pakistan have rehabilitated the village of Essa Rajero, Thatta, which was devastated by the floods of 2022 Following the catastrophic floods Unilever Pakistan had announced an Adopt a Village project to create model communities in flood-affected areas As part of this effort, Unilever Pakistan adopted villages in Thatta and D G Khan In partnership with HANDS Pakistan, this initiative has developed resilient communities with sustainable houses and basic infrastructure providing WASH services access to clean water energy and education

CCP fully functional after appointment of chairman, two members

ISLAMABAD

s ta f f r e p o r t

The Government of Pakistan appointed four Members of the Competition Commission of Pakistan namely Dr Kabir Ahmed Sidhu Salman Amin Abdul Rashid Sheikh, and Captain (retired) Saeed Ahmad Nawaz on 17 July 2023 Dr Kabir Ahmed Sidhu was subsequently nominated as the Chairman of CCP Dr Sidhu has taken charge following the issuance of a notification by the federal government on 8 August 2023 Two newly appointed Members Mr Salman Amin ad Mr Abdul Rashid Sheikh have also joined the Commission The appointment of Chairman and Members have now rendered the Commission fully functional Dr Kabir Ahmed Sidhu completed his undergraduate, Master and PhD from Manchester University He specializes in the Regulation of Abuse in Markets He has previous experience of working in insurance legal financial academic research and government Institutions in the UK and Pakistan He will bring a wealth of experience to CCP Mr Salman Amin brings with him extensive experience He is a Fellow CA and Fellow ACCA (UK), besides having major regulatory certifications from institutions such as the University of Florida and the Centre for Energy Economics (Texas USA) He also holds Project Management certification from ILO Training Centre (Italy) and is a certified director by the Pakistan Institute of Corporate Governance (PICG) His regulatory expertise, especially in the energy sector, covers roles in mergers and acquisitions restructuring and due diligence Mr Abdul Rashid Sheikh holds an MBA from IBA Karachi a Master of Public Administration from Cornell University and a Fulbright Scholarship

During his 35 years in the Pakistan Customs Service, he has worked in a variety of fields, including federal excise, sales tax, and customs He excelled in intelligence and anti-smuggling tactics while also being skilled in tariff analysis enforcement audits and inspections among other things

Wild bear attack claims woman life, injured another in Balakot

BALAKOT I N p

In a series of wild animal attacks people of Tehsil Balakot were frightened as a woman lost her life in Mang village and another woman was injured in village Pambara by a wild bear attack According to the details a wild bear attacked a woman identified as Fatima in Mang village, resulting in fatal injuries that she couldn’t survive In another incident the wife of Wali ur Rehman sustained severe facial injuries from a bear attack in the village of Pambara Kaghan She was subsequently rushed to a hospital, where doctors declared her condition as critical The recent surge in climatic changes has prompted wild animals including bears and leopards to migrate from the forests of Kaghan and Naran to residential areas This movement has led to an alarming increase in the frequency of wild animal attacks on both humans and domestic animals throughout Mansehra district Talking to the media Muhammad Javed a general counsellor from village Ghanool Kaghan highlighted a concerning incident where a leopard attacked and killed three horses along with numerous other animals in broad daylight in Siri Pai He expressed concern over the safety of the thousands of tourists who frequently visit the popular tourist destination, particularly due to the presence of leopards during daylight hours Muhammad Javed called upon the forest department and wildlife authorities to take concrete measures to protect the local residents their animals and the visiting tourists

hanging in the air that and the new premier would be landing in a day or two The rulers are not in a position to face masses that s why they are employing delaying tactics in the name of census ”

We are waiting for the Election Commission s decision after the new census the seasoned politician added The ex-minister said the constitutional issues would benefit those who wanted to delay the elections Keep in mind that the Senate elections are also to be held in March and all political decisions are in the courts and revolving around them He said that people are find-

ing it difficult to make both ends meet that s why they have no interest in politics Economic destruction political chaos constitutional destruction and mockery of law have become the

Karandaaz partners with GBRSP, NIBAF to empower youth with financial literacy training

KARACHI

s ta f f r e p o r t Karandaaz Pakistan, in collaboration with the National Institute of Banking and Finance (NIBAF) and Gilgit Baltistan Rural Support Programme (GBRSP) successfully conducted a comprehensive series of financial literacy training sessions across five districts in Gilgit Baltistan These impactful training sessions were held in Nagar Ganchay Kharmang Shigar and Gilgit educating a total of 2000 public school students with an encouraging participation of 52% girls The initiative aimed to educate the youth on key financial concepts for financial well-being

The comprehensive training program spanning a week was held across twelve public schools in the region A total of 27 local government teachers were selected for Training of the Trainers (ToT), enabling them to deliver the training to the students under the supervision of NIBAF The initiative aimed to enhance the skills of local teachers making them a valuable asset for the region s educational ecosystem To support the initiative, 4,000 books containing carefully curated content on financial literacy for the age group of 13th to

17th years were dispatched by NIBAF to the participating schools further enriching the educational experience of the students Highlighting the significance of the program, Mr Waqas ul Hasan, CEO Karandaaz Pakistan, remarked, “We believe that financial literacy and entrepreneurship education are vital for the holistic development of our youth This successful intervention underscores Karandaaz Pakistan s commitment to empowering the youth and fostering financial inclusion in Gilgit Baltistan The organization remains dedicated to implementing sustainable initiatives that equip individuals with the necessary tools for a financially secure future

Chief Secretary Gilgit Baltistan said, Karandaaz Pakistan s financial literacy training program in collaboration with NIBAF and GBRSP is a commendable effort to equip the youth of Gilgit Baltistan with essential financial management skills This initiative will empower our students and contribute towards a financially inclusive and prosperous future for our region ”

Mr Sharjeel Murtaza Director

Digital Financial Services at Karandaaz Pakistan commented

An enabled DFS ecosystem can

destiny of Pakistan s politics

Bilawal is seeking an easy way through ‘charter of democracy’ which can provide him and Maryam Nawaz thirty years he claimed Sh Rashid said why the

only be as good as its adoption The lack of financial literacy has proven to be a primary barrier to financial inclusion and it is fully recognized that financial inclusion can only be achieved when the users of financial services not only have access to a range of financial services but are able to use them regularly Therefore alongside enablement and market systems development we at Karandaaz have now honed in on the critical aspect of adoption and increasing financial literacy is one of the top priorities ”

Karandaaz Pakistan also signed an MoU with NIBAF for increasing financial literacy amongst the youth of Pakistan This financial literacy training program is the first of many more, aiming to achieve several outcomes It seeks to empower students with essential financial management skills develop entrepreneurial skills and foster an environment of entrepreneurship and economic growth Additionally, it aims to increase awareness of financial services such as credit, saving and budgeting, digital payments and the benefits of bank accounts while paving the way for future financial literacy initiatives in Gilgit Baltistan ensuring sustainability and continuity

PMD forec asts hot, humid weather for most par ts of countr y

ISLAMABAD s ta f f r e p o r t

As the scorching summer sun maintains its grip on the country, the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) has predicted hot and humid conditions for most parts of the country during the next 24 hours

The Pakistan Meteorological Department, however, forecast indicates the possibility of rain accompanied by strong winds and thundershowers in specific regions

According to the PMD s latest update Northeast Punjab South Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and Kashmir are likely to experience rain with strong winds and thundershowers Meanwhile central and southern parts of Sindh are also expected to witness a change in weather patterns, as rain and wind are anticipated to provide some relief from the stifling heat

Coastal areas are also forecasted to experience rain accompanied by thunderstorms In Khyber Pakhtunkhwa the Department of Meteorology has projected that the majority of districts will continue

to experience hot and humid conditions

For specific areas within Khyber Pakhtunkhwa including Abbottabad, Balakot, Malakand, DI Khan, Bannu, and Waziristan, the Meteorological Department has raised concerns about the potential for heavy rainfall with strong winds and thundershowers

Flooding continues in Punjab rivers

From August 9 to 15, the majority of districts in Punjab are expected to experience hot and humid weather conditions according to the PDMA spokesperson Meanwhile the situation of flooding in the rivers of Punjab persists, as reported by the Provin-

cial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA)

The flow of water in the Ravi Jhelum and Chenab rivers remains normal, offering a brief respite However, the Indus River s water levels are steadily increasing, resulting in a low-level flood situation in Kalabagh and Chishma areas

The Mangala Dam and Tarbela Dam s water levels have risen to 94% and 97%, respectively

The PDMA spokesperson also highlighted an increase in water levels at Khanki and Trimmu along the Chenab River while the Islam Head region in the Sutlej River continues to experience lowlevel flooding

rulers were escaping elections had they made considerable progress in one-and-a-half year Why are they not going to the public, Rashid asked He said those had been talking about the protection of constitution now want to extend elections duration for ninety days We had approached the International Monetary Fund (IMF) 24- 25 times as our affairs are not in order, he added He said the stock exchange shed by 1000 points in a day and US dollar price rose to Rs302 As many as one million people are leaving Pakistan and the condition and political issues of Pakistan are going from bad to worse

Reaffirms commitment to unlocking Pakistan’s textile industr y potential at GTEX Expo 2023

KARACHI s ta f f r e p o r t

Alibaba com a leading platform for global business-tobusiness (B2B) e-commerce has concluded its participation in the GTEX Textile Machine and Chemical Brand Expo held from 3 to 5 August 2023 in Karachi reaffirming its commitment to assisting Pakistan businesses on their journey towards digitalization and global expansion The expo served as a valuable networking platform for textile industry players showcasing a wide range of raw materials finished products state-of-the-art technologies and machinery As a participant Alibaba com had the opportunity to interact with hundreds of suppliers and manufacturers to highlight global trading opportunities available through B2B e-commerce Through personalized one-on-one consultations, Alibaba com experts provided them with tips and advice on how to embark on online trade connect with global buyers secure orders and boost their export performance

Public-private par tnership mandator y to streamline railways operations: Saad

ISLAMABAD s ta f f r e p o r t

Minister Pakistan Railways Khawaja Saad Rafique has said that public-private is mandatory to streamline the operations of Railways and make it as a profitable entity During a news conference at Islamabad on Wednesday the minister while giving details of the steps taken for uplift of Pakistan Railways said about 25 to 30 billion dollars investment was needed to transform the entire infrastructure of Pakistan Railways Saad Rafique said ML-1 project will prove to be a game changer for Railways and for this purpose, the government was paying special attention this project Speaking on the occasion, the Secretary Railways Mazhar Ali Shah gave a detailed briefing about the ongoing developmental projects of the department Terming the ML-1 project as a transformational project for the country, he said it will not only reduce the cost of doing business up to 33 percent, but also bring significant increase in the market share of Railways to 20 percent from 4 percent Mazhar Ali revealed that Railways network would be connected to Mazar-e-Sharif in Afghanistan via Kohat under the trilateral agreement of Pakistan, Afghanistan and Uzbekistan The Secretary said new induction including power plants and 230 new coaches in the Railways system will help rationalize the operations of department He said e-Procurement system is being introduced to avoid the issue of malfeasance in Pakistan Railways Mazhar Ali Shah revealed that land has been acquired in Gwadar to construct Railway Station in order to connect it with Railways network in rest of the country

GB Tourism Dept lauds Austrian climber for heroic rescue on Broad Peak

GILGIT s ta f f r e p o r t

The Tourism Department of GilgitBaltistan commends the exceptional heroism of Austrian climber Mr Lukas Woerle who on the 15th of July 2023 chose to forego his lifelong dream of paragliding from the summit of Broad Peak to save the life of local mountaineer and High Altitude Porter, Mr Murtaza

Sadpara

Facing a life-threatening situation near Camp 3 of Broad Peak (8047m) Mr Woerle demonstrated unparalleled courage and selflessness by putting humanity above personal ambition Mr Woerle s act of kindness and bravery in rescuing Mr Murtaza Sadpara at the peak’s perilous altitude showcases a new standard of morality and humanity in the history of mountaineering This remarkable display of empathy has not only earned Mr Woerle admiration but has also set an inspiring precedent for fu-

ture mountaineering endeavors

In recognition of his dedication and sacrifice Syed Mehdi Shah the Governor of Gilgit-Baltistan presented Mr Lukas Woerle with a prestigious Commendation Certificate The certificate was conferred during a special event organized by the Tourism Department of Gilgit-Baltistan at it’s Islamabad office where Mr Fateh Ullah Khan Minister for Planning and Development of GilgitBaltistan conveyed the Governor s appreciation to Mr Woerle Furthermore, the government of Gilgit-Baltistan, under the recommendation of the Governor has announced its intent to nominate Mr Lukas Woerle for the presidential award Pride of Performance next year acknowledging his outstanding contributions

In addition to these honours, Chief Minister Mr Gulbar Khan of GilgitBaltistan has declared that the government will cover Mr Woerle’s permit

R M S M A K E S B I D F O R B A L U C H I S TA N W H E E L S

We are facing a foreign exchange crisis,” laments Zeeshan Ali, Chief Executive Officer of RMS “Imports are taking a heavy toll on the country It’s severely affecting everyone in the local market including local vendors I perceived an opportunity to be seized by purchasing Baluchistan Wheels, and bolstering local manufacturing It’s imperative; we need to have local manufacturing The major automotive companies are still heavily reliant on imported parts Ali adds We need to elevate this factory to a level where they can procure those parts here rather than resorting to imports That was my initial thought process regarding the

acquisition,” Ali elucidates However, there’s more depth to the acquisition than merely RMS fulfilling its patriotic duty in its own unique way The reality is regardless of the current situation our people possess latent buying power, don t they?, postulates Ali He continues: Pakistan has successfully avoided default The International Monetary Fund’s funds are incoming The China-Pakistan Economic Corridor is back on track and there s also the establishment of the Special Investment Facilitation Council These are all positive indicators in my estimation

I am optimistic that the country will improve going forward; we have weathered

Ye t a n o t h e r p owe r h i ke a s

N E P R A n o t i fi e s F C A fo r J u n e

g Consumers of DISCOs and KE to pay Rs1 81 and Rs2 31 more per unit, respectively

the result

the Central

(CPPA)

a somewhat lower rise

81 per unit for DISCOs and a similar Rs 2 31 per unit increase for KE’s electricity consumers This hike in power tariffs will be reflected in consumers electricity bills for August 2023

Though expected, NEPRA s decision

has alarmed consumers who are already dealing with rising energy expenses following the regulator s notification of an increase of up to Rs 7 5 per unit in the uniform national tariff last month With the exception of lifeline category and electric vehicle charging stations the increase in power costs will affect all consumers of both DISCOs and KE

It is important to note that, while implementing the FCA, NEPRA urged the different DISCOs and KE to strictly follow court rulings regardless of the regulator ’s decision The decision has reignited a debate regarding the economic ramifications for consumers, particularly in light of the ris-

ing cost of energy

The general population is concerned about the impact of the tariff rise on their household budgets, especially at a time when the economy is already facing issues and masses are already bearing the brunt of sky-rocketing inflation in the prices of essential commodities petroleum products and energy etc Consumers will see the impact of this rate hike on their monthly expenses when their electricity bills arrive in the coming month This development has once again emphasized the delicate balance between delivering reliable electricity services and guaranteeing widespread affordability

US says it is watching situation in Pakistan ‘with concern’

WASHINGTON ag e n C i e s

The United States said on Wednesday it was watching with concern the prospect of election violence in Pakistan, which is set for polls from which the former prime minister Imran Khan has been barred

“We’re obviously concerned about any actions particularly violent actions that can contribute to instability in Pakistan or frankly any other country with whom we share a set of common interests when it comes to counterterrorism,” said John Kirby, spokesman for the White House National Security Council

“So we’re watching it with concern of course he told reporters Kirby was responding to a question on whether violent extremists were taking advantage of political turmoil as the world s fifth-most populous country heads to the polls

IHC seeks Centre, Punjab’s replies on plea seeking transfer of Imran to Adiala jail till 11th

ISLAMABAD s ta f f r e p o r t

The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Wednesday sought reply from the federal and Punjab governments by August 11 on a petition filed by Pakistan Tehreeke-Insaf (PTI) Chief Imran Khan requesting transfer from Attock district prison to Rawalpindi s Adiala Jail

During the proceedings on Wednesday IHC Chief Justice Aamer Farooq stated the court will issue an order today regarding the meeting with the former prime minister (today) and adjourned the hearing till August 11 On August 5, Mr Imran Khan was sentenced to three years in jail in Toshakhana case after an additional district and sessions court in the federal capital convicted him for corrupt practices related to the state gift depository Sher Afzal Marwat the counsel for the imprisoned for prime minister, appeared in the court and informed that he went to Attock jail as per the court order a day earlier but he was not allowed to meet his client To which the court inquired if the jail has any specified meeting times The lawyer replied that visits are allowed till 6pm in the evening The former prime minister s lawyer further stated that his client is being kept in a small cell measuring 9×5

There are mosquitoes, insects and rainwater also seeps into the cell,” he said, adding that “there is no reason to keep the former premier in Attock Jail During the hearing Marwat argued that there was no justifiable reason to detain the PTI Chairman in Attock jail requesting the court to permit home-cooked meals and visitation rights The IHC chief justice then stated that an investigation does not equate to harassing individuals, adding that he will look into the matter on the administrator ’s side “Be careful not to violate the law, the court said that you must give what is in the law ” the IHC chief justice directed The lawyer then requested the court to order visitation according to the list the court replied that it will order according to the list but warned not to hold a political gathering In addition, both the federal government and the Punjab government have been called upon to submit their responses by Friday, contributing to the broader legal discourse surrounding the matter The lawyer further implored the court for an expedited resolution by the following day but the decision was ultimately reached to adjourn the hearing until August 11 The court then issued a notice and adjourned the hearing till August 11

The country s parliament was set to be dissolved on Wednesday with an in-

terim government appointed to oversee elections Khan was booted from power in April last year and recently jailed on corruption charges that his supporters dismiss as politically motivated

The United States has been cautious in its comments on Khan and the election itself, fearing it will stir up conspiracy theories Khan, a critic of US military operations had alleged that a senior US official worked to oust him claims strongly rejected by the United States State Department spokesman Matthew Miller said on Tuesday that Khan s arrest was an internal matter for Pakistan ”

“But of course we continue to call for the respect for democratic principles human rights and the rule of law in Pakistan as we do around the world he said

the storm of panic and anxiety attacks we ve witnessed in the recent past across the economy Capital flows will be incoming in the near future, and we ll require financial engines to accommodate those flows, Ali asserts “The acquisition enables us to play our part in capturing as much future growth as possible when the economy rebounds which I wholeheartedly believe it will reflects Ali Profit made inquiries to Razak H M Bengali, Muhammad Siddique Misri, and Muhammad Irfan Ghani of Baluchistan Wheels all of whom declined to comment on the matter Profit also contacted Asad Saeed the Company Secretary of Baluchistan Wheels However no response was forthcoming

So we understand why one company desires to acquire the other But who are these two companies to begin with? Who are Baluchistan Wheels, and RMS?

Historic Sukuk issuance: Rs37 1b generated for Islamabad Expressway

g Sukuk auction was oversubscribed by 200pc

ISLAMABAD s ta f f r e p o r t

The government successfully generated a total of Rs 371 billion (equivalent to over $1 29 billion) through the issuance of GOP Ijarah Sukuk related to the Islamabad Expressway project This marks the highest value of Sukuk issued in a single auction by the government since the launch of the GOP Ijarah Sukuk program in 2008, significantly boosting the overall value of Sukuk issued to Rs 3 5 trillion The recent auction saw the participation of various banks with 6 different denominations of Sukuk available for bidding These included 1 3 and 5 Year Fixed Rate

Sukuk, as well as 1, 3, and 5 Year Variable Rate

Sukuk Though the government s initial target was to raise Rs 240 billion from the auction, the response was overwhelming, and the Sukuk received bids amounting to over Rs 508 billion (approximately $1 77 billion) surpassing the target by more than 200% Ultimately Sukuk worth Rs 371 billion were issued across 5 denominations and bids for the 5 Year Fixed Rate denomination were rejected The rental rates associated with these Sukuk varied from 18 49% to 23 62% per annum, depending on the Sukuk’s duration Rental payments will be made semi-annually and the Sukuk will mature upon redemption The underlying asset for the Sukuk issuance was the Islamabad Expressway involving an Ijarah Sale and Lease Back transaction The Shariahcompliant structure of the Sukuk was approved by the Shariah Advisory Committee of the State Bank of Pakistan The transaction was facilitated by Meezan Bank Limited Dubai Islamic Bank Pakistan Limited and Bank Alfalah Limited acting as Joint Financial Advisors The increased involvement of banks in Sukuk issuance not only boosts the profitability of Islamic banks but also enables the government to raise capital for various projects or expenses at relatively lower profit rates, presenting a mutually beneficial scenario In the year 2023 the government has already raised a historic sum of Rs 700 billion through various projects setting a significant milestone in the banking sector Ahmed Siddiqui Director of the Center of Islamic Finance and Economics at IBA, highlighted that the growing inclination toward Sukuk for fundraising aligns with the objective of transitioning away from interest-based economic models

COAS lauds ‘battle wor thiness’ of troops on visit to firing range

RAWALPINDI s ta f f r e p o r t

Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Syed Asim Munir visited Tilla Field Firing Ranges near Jhelum on Wednesday

The COAS witnessed live fire and maneuvers by recently acquired VT-4 tanks the shoot and scoot capacity of long-range SH15 self-propelled artillery guns and innovative equipment display General Munir appreciated the combat proficiency of the crews and their mastery over state-of-the-art weaponry according to

In farewell meeting, federal cabinet gives nod to key appointments

ISLAMABAD s ta f f C o r r e s p o n D e n t

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Wednesday chaired the farewell meeting of the Federal Cabinet wherein it was told that the federal body made 1295 decisions in 53 sessions during the last 15 months

In the meeting the Secretary Cabinet presented a detailed report on the cabinet s performance from April 20 2022 to August 8, 2023 It was told that of 1295 decisions, around 99% were implemented The prime minister thanked the cabinet members for their untiring efforts for the country’s development The cabinet offered Fateha for those who lost their lives in an accident of Hazara Express that took place near Nawabshah

The body approved the draft of the National Music Policy as well as the National Aviation Policy 2023

Under the National Music Policy, the application of legal frameworks and modern technological resources would be used to protect the musical heritage of Pakistan promote contemporary music and prevent the plagiarism of musicians’ works On the prime minister ’s instructions the cabinet approved the auction of all the valuable gifts received by him during the last 15 months in a transparent manner He directed that the proceeds

should be donated to organizations working for the welfare of orphans and destitute children in Pakistan

The cabinet also decided that the public would be able to participate in the auction process On the Commerce Ministry s recommendation, the meeting approved the appointment of Abdul Rasheed Sheikh, Naeem Anwar, Iqbal Tabish and Ahmed Sheraz as the technical members of the National Tariff Commission

The appointments of Salman S Mehdi as Chairman of Board of Directors of State Life Insurance and Saleemullah as Deputy Governor of State Bank of Pakistan were also approved After detailed consultation on the summary of the appointment of Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of Oil and Gas Development Company Limited (OGDCL), the body decided that the vacancy would be re-advertised

The cabinet approved the inclusion of cabinet members in various committees of the Special Investment Council

As per the decision the Federal Minister for Law and Justice would be the member of the Apex Committee; the Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting would be the member of the Apex Committee and the Executive Committee; and the Foreign Secretary would be the member of the Executive Committee and the Implementation Committee In addition the cabinet also approved the ap-

pointment of Dr Muhammad Jahanzeb Khan as the Secretary Apex Committee of SIFC It approved the establishment of the SIFC Secretariat and the appointment of Jameel Ahmed Qureshi as Secretary/Principal Accounting Officer

The appointment

formance of the coalition government and his 488 days of premiership The cabinet endorsed the decisions made in the Cabinet Committee on Energy meeting held on August 7, 2023, as well as those of Economic Coordination Committee in its sessions of July 26, August 7, and August 8, 2023 It also endorsed the decisions made in the Cabinet Committee on Inter-Governmental Trade meeting held on August 3 2023 and Cabinet Committee on Privatization in its meeting on August