Epaper_23-08-18 LHR

ELECTIONS POSTPONED AS ECP ANNOUNCES DELIMITATION SCHEDULE

CO N F I R M I N G the reports that the next general elections would be delayed, the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) on Thursday announced its decision to complete the process of delimitation exercise on the basis of new digital census

According to the schedule announced through a notification, the date for the final publication of the delimitation is December 12, 2023 This shows that elections will not take place within the 90-day constitutional period

In pursuance of Article 51 of the Constitution and Section 17(2) of the Election Act of 2017, the ECP has approved the schedule for carrying out delimitation of the constituencies afresh in accordance with official results of 7th population and Housing Census-2023 it reads

With ECP s decision to conduct delimitation exercise on the basis of new digital census, the general elections cannot take place by November

Earlier, polls were also not held within the 90-day period in Punjab and Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa provinces and the interim setup continues in both the provinces till now

Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) chairman Imran Khan had dissolved the assemblies hoping that it would force the then federal government to go for snap polls However this did not happen The population census 2023 was approved just days before the previous government s term concluded Sources indicated that the ECP had initiated informal discussions with legal experts regarding the process of con-

stituency delimitation, following the Council of Common Interest’s (CCI) endorsement of the seventh digital census on August 5

Pertinently Article 51(5) of the Constitution and Section 17 (2) of the Elec-

tions Act, 2017 stipulate the requirement for finalised and published census data for delineating constituencies

Once the census data is officially released the ECP was obligated to initiate the delimitation procedure

A senior ECP official elucidated that there is no immediate necessity to announce the date for general elections as a window until September 12 is available Another official noted that the ECP could potentially extend this date until September 20 Legal experts posit that the Supreme Court may play a role in orchestrating the next general elections The actions of the upcoming Chief Justice of Pakistan Qazi Faez Isa could significantly influence the electoral landscape

These experts suggested that the ECP should proactively approach the Supreme Court, seeking guidance on conducting elections within the 90-day timeframe following the digital census approval

A recent judgment by Justice Munib Akhtar similarly advocates for the ECP to seek relief from the top court if executive authorities hinder the commission from fulfilling its constitutional duty under Article 220 ensuring fair elections

PTI, PPP strongly reject ECP ’s move of holding fresh delimitation, postponing polls

ISLAMABAD: Two major political parties of the country

Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) and Pakistan People s Party (PPP) on Thursday strongly rejected the Election Commission of Pakistan s (ECP) schedule of holding fresh delimitation, with PTI announcing the party would challenge the decision of the Council of Common Interests before the Supreme Court (SC) today (Friday)

In a strong reaction to the ECP s move of fresh delimitation the PTI spokesperson said that the ECP s schedule of redrawing constituencies was based on malicious intent and a clear deviation from the Constitution

He said that in the case of premature dissolution of the National Assembly, the ECP was constitutionally bound to

Both main accused in Jaranwala rampage now in CTD custody: Naqvi

LAHORE

Punjab caretaker Chief Minister Moshin Naqvi on Thursday said that “both main accused” in yesterday’s Jaranwala rampage when a mob torched several churches ransacked Christian homes and vandalised a graveyard were now in the custody of the Counter Terrorism Department (CTD)

On Wednesday, a violent mob of hundreds had ransacked and torched several churches while also attacking the residences of members of the Christian community A Christian cemetery and the office of the local assistant commissioner were also vandalised

The incident had led the Punjab government to call in Rangers while 3,000 police personnel from various police units, including the Elite Force, had been deployed as well

As per police and local sources the violence erupted after some locals alleged that several desecrated pages of the Holy Quran had been found near a house at Cinema Chowk in Jaranwala where two Christian brothers resided

The Punjab government had ordered the formation of a high-level inquiry committee to investigate the incident, in line with directives issued by Caretaker Prime Minister Anwaarul Haq Separately in a statement issued late on Wednesday night Punjab police said it had made over 100 arrests while the Jaranwala police booked over 600 people in two terror cases

hold elections within stipulated 90 days

PTI spokesperson said that the ECP s schedule was a criminal attempt to prolong the tenure of the caretaker government in sheer violation of the constitution

He stated that in the wake of violating the SC’s order on holding elections in Punjab and Pakhtunkhwa and breaching the constitution the ECP was once again resorted to violating the constitution to delay the polls unlawfully and unconstitutionally PTI spokesperson went on to say that in the light of the decision of the CCI, the redrawing the constituencies could not be used as an excuse and justification to escape from the elections

Caretaker federal cabinet sworn in at Aiwan-e-Sadr

ISLAMABAD M I A N A B R A R

A 19-member interim cabinet was sworn in on Thursday at a ceremony held at Aiwan-e-Sadr in Islamabad as President Arif Alvi administered the oath to the federal cabinet

According to a document, 16 federal ministers, 6 special advisers and 3 advisers are part of the new cabinet

The ceremony started with the national anthem before the recitation of verses from the Holy Quran and was attended by Intermin Prime Minister Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar, Punjab Caretaker Chief Minister Mohsin Naqvi, politicians and prominent figures from all walks of life

According to the notification Senator Sarfaraz Bugti has been given the charge of Ministry of Interior while he would also look after Ministry of Overseas Pakistanis and Narcotics Control

Veteran diplomat Jalil Abbas Jilani will handle Ministry of Foreign Affairs while former Governor State Bank of Pakistan Shamshad Akhtar has been given the charge of Ministry of Finance and Revenue Economic Affairs Statistics & Privatisation

Senior anchorperson and journalist Murtaza Solangi will take charge of Ministry of Information and Broadcasting while Lt General (retd) Anwar Ali Hyder will take up affairs of Ministry of Defence

Production & Aviation Sami Saeed has been entrusted with the Ministry of Planning & Development while Chairman Federal Public Service Commission (FPSC) Shahid Ashraf

Tarar who resigned from his office the same day, was given charge of Ministry of Communication, Railways Postal Services Ports & Maritime Affairs

Mr Ahmad Irfan Aslam has been appointed Minister for Law and Justice National Resources Climate Change and Water Resources while Mr Muhammad Ali would take up the affairs of Ministry of Energy and Power, Petroleum

RAWALPINDI

Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Syed Asim Munir on Thursday termed the Jaranwala incident extremely tragic and totally intolerable”, the military said in a statement

“There is no space for such incidents of intolerance and extreme behaviour by any segment of society against anyone particularly against minorities, COAS Gen Asim Munir was quoted as saying by the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR)

The chief of army staff said this while addressing the participants of the yearly ISPR Internship Programme being attended by over 370 students from various universities across Pakistan

A day earlier a mob vandalised and torched several churches and scores of houses after two men living there were accused of desecrating the Holy

Quran police and witnesses said

The attack took place in Jaranwala in the industrial district of Faisalabad on Wednesday, and continued for more than 10 hours without any intervention by police who were at the scene residents and community leaders said Police denied the accusation saying security forces had prevented an even worse situation

The rioters were demanding that the two accused men who had fled their homes be handed over to them

Residents said thousands of people led by local clerics were carrying iron rods, sticks, knives and daggers during the rioting

A provincial government statement said paramilitary troops were deployed to help police control the situation

Gen Asim Munir said that all citizens of Pakistan are equal amongst each other irrespective of religion, gender, caste or creed He emphasised that no one will be al-

lowed to take the law into their own hands and those culpable of committing such crimes will be brought before the court of justice

While addressing the participants the army chief emphasised the role of youth towards national development Youth is future of Pakistan which can contribute immensely towards peace, progress and prosperity of the country,” he added

The army chief also highlighted the efforts of inimical forces towards creating and fomenting fissures intolerance mistrust and violent behaviour among the people to spread anarchy and unrest in the country

“It’s imperative for the youth to discern the difference between truth half-truth lies misinformation and disinformation the COAS remarked

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

Mr Gohar Ejaz would take up Ministries of Commerce Textile Industries & Production while outgoing prime minister Shehbaz Sharif s confidant Umar Saif has been given task of Ministry of Information Technology and Telecommunication and Science and Technology

Mr Nadeem Jan has been given Ministry of National Health Services, Regulation and Control while Khalil George will look after the affairs of Ministry of Human Rights

Mr Aneeq Ahmad will look after Ministry of Religious Affairs Hajj & Interfaith Harmony while Jamal Shah would handle the affairs of National Heritage and Culture Mr Madad Ali Sindhi would take over Ministry of Federal Education, National Harmony & Youth Affairs

Among advisers to PM Air Marshal (retd) Farhat Hussain Khan would look after Aviation; while Mr Ahad Khan Cheema would oversee establishment and Mr Waqar Masood Khan Finance Special Advisors include Mushaal Hussain Malick who would oversee Human Rights and Women Empowerment while Jawad Sohrab Malik would tackle Overseas and Vice Admiral (retd) Iftikhar Rao Maritime Affairs Wasih Shah would look after Tourism while Dr Jehanzeb Khan would handle Govt Effectiveness and SIFC while Syeda Arifa Zehra would deal with Education and National Harmony Affairs

Continued losses, provincialisation of DISCOs to go to caretaker cabinet g COMPANIES HAVE SUFFERED AGGREGATE TECHNICAL & COMMERCIAL LOSSES OF

MORE THAN RS292BN

Caretaker Prime Minister Anwar-Ul-Haq Kakar has brought the important matter of transfer of ownership and control of power distribution companies (DISCOs) from the federal government to provincial governments before cabinet

On the very day that the new caretaker cabinet took oath, the PM made this a toppriority issue

There are currently ten Distribution Companies (DISCOs) under the administrative control of Ministry of Energy (Power Division) Recovery against the electricity bills by DISCOs has been a consistent challenge for a long time and it has regularly been felt that DISCOs cannot pursue this task effectively while being administered on a federal level This has resulted in development of the circular debt which has already swelled up to

trillion

is

apprehended that owing to the theft and non-recovery against billing, the circular debt will be on an upward trajectory The current legal and administrative structure of electricity distribution business entails a pivotal role of the provincial governments including but not limited to enforcement through police coordination through district administration and legal role of the provincial departments in recovery against the billing including recovery of the receivables from the provincial government The provincial government does not lend the requisite support to these DISCOs in collection of the electricity bills from the defaulters viewing this function purely as federal subject Whereas, the fact is that performance of DISCOs can not improve without active support of the provincial governments Earlier the former Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif constituted a committee under the Chairmanship of the Minister for Defence on transfer of DISCOs to provinces According to sources the power division has proposed that the federal govern-

ment may accord its in-principle approval/concurrence as per Schedule-II of the Rules of Procedure of the Council of Common Interest, 2010 required for placement of the summary to CCI as per recommendations of the committee for transfer of ownership of these DISCOs to the provincial governments based on subsequent agreement between the respective provinces may be governed under the draft policy which may also be approved by the Council of Common Interest (CCI)

Available documents transpire that all distribution companies are beset by serious governance and commercial challenges Efforts to improve performance through better corporate management, private sector participation and greater oversight by the Ministry of Energy have so far not yielded the desired outcomes The situation deteriorates on the contrary The companies have suffered Aggregate Technical & Commercial Losses of more than Rs 292 billion These can be attributed to a range of factors-technical infrastructure issues, theft and illegal connections non-technical losses related to billing and revenue collection inaccurate

metering voltage fluctuations and power quality issues, operational inefficiencies, and inadequate investment and maintenance

According to documents, the federal government has provided subsidies of Rs 596 billion and Rs 535 billion in FY 2022 and FY 2023 respectively to the power sector to ensure affordable electricity prices for consumers Despite these subsidies, the tariffs are unsustainably high The inter-corporate circular debt also piles up and presently stands at Rs 2631 billion The subsidies have strained government’s finances and hampered the development and maintenance of power infrastructure Because of such factors, the federal government has expressed intentions to transfer the ownership and control of DISCOs to the respective provincial governments subject to provincial concurrence

The rationale is that provincial governments are better positioned to manage the distribution companies, given their presence and resources in the field Provincial governments can more effectively address issues of electricity theft and recovery of outstanding dues due to their control on local admin-

istration and police Additionally provincializing DISCOs would decentralize power and decision-making in the electricity sector to enhance local governance, customer care and accountability

As per documents the provincial government can play a crucial role in the management and administration of the distribution companies Some areas are:

Policy input and implementation: While the overall policy framework for the electricity sector would be determined at the CCI (federal-provincial) level the provincial governments will have the autonomy to implement measures specific to their jurisdiction This will allow them to address local challenges and promote sustainable and efficient electricity distribution

Local Administration and Oversight:

Provincial governments will have the authority to oversee distribution companies within their respective jurisdiction also through local administration This will include monitoring operations, ensuring compliance with regulations, and addressing issues specific to the local context

Jaranwala incident

‘extremely tragic and totally intolerable’: Gen Asim Munir

g LEGAL EXPERTS OPINE SUPREME COURT MAY PLAY A ROLE IN ORCHESTRATING NEXT GENERAL ELECTIONS

g ECP BEGINS LEGAL CONSULTATION FOR CONSTITUENCY DELIMITATION, AFTER CCI ENDORSED 7TH DIGITAL CENSUS

U S V O I C E S C O N C E R N O V E R VA N D A L I S M O F C H U R C H E S I N J A

WASHINGTON S ta f f R e p o R t

TH E U n i t e d S t a t e s h a s e x p r e s s e d c o n c e r n o v e r t h e c h u r c h b u r n i n g i n c i d e n t s i n J a r a n w a l a o n

Wednesday In his press briefing

Ve d a n t P a t e l t h e p r i n c i p a l d e p u t y s p o k e s p e r s o n o f t h e U S S t a t e D e p a r t m e n t s a i d t h e U S w a s c o n c e r n e d o v e r t h e i n c i d e n t

The US speaks about the right to peaceful freedom of speech and the right to freedom of religion and belief for everyone

He hoped the Pakistani authorities fully investigate the incident and urged the people of Pakistan to remain peaceful S o w e a r e d e e p l y c o n c e r n e d t h a t c h u r c h e s a n d h o m e s w e r e t a rg e t e d i n r e s p o n s e t o r e p o r t e d Q u r a n d e s e c r a t i o n i n

R A N WA L A

P a k i s t a n We s u p p o r t p e a c e f u l f r e e d o m o f e x p r e s s i o n a n d t h e r i g h t t o f r e e d o m o f r e l i g i o n a n d b e l i e f f o r e v e r y b o d y ” M r

P a t e l s a i d

He further remarked that the US has previously said it is always concerned about incidents of religiously motivated violence

“Violence or the threat of violence is never an acceptable form of expression, and we urge Pakistani authorities to conduct a full investigation into these allegations and call for calm for all of those involved he concluded his remarks

On Wednesday, the political leadership and civil society representatives condemned the burning of churches in Jaranwala tehsil of Faisalabad as an enraged mob vandalized the worship places over alleged blasphemy

allegations

Caretaker Prime Minister Anwaarul Haq

Kakar condemned the incident and said, “I am gutted by the visuals coming out of Jaranwala Faisalabad ” Stern action would be taken against those who violate law and target minorities All law enforcement has been asked to apprehend culprits and bring them to justice

Rest assured that the government of Pakistan stands with our citizenry on equal basis,”

Kakar said

Former prime minister Shehbaz Sharif said all religious places books and persons were sacred and deserved the highest level of respect

I urge the government to take action against the culprits I also appeal to Ulama, Mashaykh and religious scholars from all schools of thought to come forward and condemn the reprehensible actions Such madness can t be allowed Pakistan belongs

to all religious minorities he said

Pakistan People s Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari tweeted that he was horrified to hear about the attack on churches in Jaranwala Faisalabad

Rail ways generates Rs5.2m through commercial use of salons, inspec tion coaches

ISLAMABAD S ta f f R e p o R t Pakistan Railways has generated revenue worth Rs5 269 315 by utilizing its 23 salons and inspection coaches for commercial purposes, during the past three years

According to an official in the Ministry of Railways the salons are allocated to different dignitaries of the country including the Prime Minister s Secretariat, the Minister for Railways, the Secretary/Chairman of Railways, the Governors of Sindh, Balochistan, Punjab, and the provincial governments

The Principal Officers of Pakistan Railways are entitled to travel at these salons or inspection coaches only when

Work stepped up on Balakot Hydropower Project

PESHAWAR a z i z B u n e R i

they are travelling on duty However, the coaches are also available for private travel on a rental basis The official said the salons are very luxurious and have two rooms a bath a dining area and a kitchen like a tiny house on wheels with the availability of every facility Some of these salons are inspection coaches and their back wall is made of glass from where officers could view the track and surrounding area T h e o ff i c i a l a d d e d t h a t P a k i s t a n Railways officers are not entitled to use t h i s f a c i l i t y o t h e r t h a n d u t y a n d a l l t h e s e s a l o n s a r e m o s t l y 4 0 - 5 0 y e a r s o l d T h e r e v e n u e g e n e r a t e d f r o m t h e c o m m e r c i a l u s e o f t h e s e s a l o n s h a s b e e n u s e d f o r t h e m a i n t e n a n c e a n d u p g r a d a t i o n o f t h e c o a c h e s

Govt to confer Hilal-i-Imtiaz upon officers for settlement of Reko -Diq dispute

ISLAMABAD S ta f f R e p o R t

Chinese engineers have accelerated the pace of work on Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s (KP) largest hydropower project Balakot Hydropower Project located in district of Mansehra of the province

The project will generate 300 megawatts of electricity which is expected to result in annual revenue amounting to over Rs15 billion for the province Chief Executive of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Energy Development Organization, Engineer Naeem Khan conducted an on-site visit to the project He was informed that work on the tunnel and colony is progressing at a brisk pace

The issue of land acquisition for the project has been resolved, and other pending matters are expected to be resolved soon On the occasion, confidence was expressed in the progress made in the land acquisition for the project, and it was stated that the project’s design has already been completed within the specified timeframe The Balakot Hydropower Project is a flagship venture with a hefty investment of $27 55 million The project is set to be completed in the next 7 years through financial cooperation from the Asian Development Bank and the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank Upon project completion the province is projected to receive an annual revenue of Rs15 billion and provide employment opportunities to around 1 400 individuals At this occasion, Chief Executive Engineer Naeem Khan expressed his satisfaction with the ongoing work in the project’s tunnel and colony, urging the Chinese contractors and staff to continue their efforts and further expedite work on the project

The federal government will confer Hilal-i-Imtiaz to officers who contributed to the successful settlement of the billion-dollar Reko-Diq dispute According to details the federal government will confer Hilal-i-Imtiaz to federal Secretary for Law and Justice Raja Naeem Akbar former head of the International Dispute Unit Ahmed Irfan Aslam and Brig Atif Rafique on Pakistan Day March 23, 2024

The officers handled the Reko-Diq litigation and represented the Pakistani government in various legal forums, resulting in an out-of-court settlement that saved the national exchequer from significant financial losses Raja Naeem Akbar the Federal Law Secretary

effectively represented Pakistan in negotiations and litigation ensuring fair transparent and beneficial settlement agreements for all parties involved The RekoDiq dispute settlement attracted $10 billion in foreign investment which was practically stuck for years The proceedings also helped in introducing the necessary legislation required to give confidence to foreign investors and streamline all procedures

The TCC had filed a case at the World Bank Group’s Intenational Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes (ICSID) alleging that Pakistan unlawfully denied the TCC a lease to mine copper and gold deposits at the Reko Diq mine breaching the Fair and Equitable Treatment Standard (FET) and breaching the Australia-Pakistan bilateral investment treaty The ICSID awarded $5 976bn (Rs950 billion) in damages to TCC in 2019

SC dismisses plea seeking c ancellation of Fawad Hassan Fawad’s bail

ISLAMABAD

The Supreme Court on Thursday dismissed an application seeking bail cancellation of Fawad Hasan Fawad, principal secretary to former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif A three-member bench of the apex court headed by Justice Ijazul Ahsan heard the case The apex court dismissed the plea against Fawad on the grounds of being ineffective

During the hearing, special prosecutor National Accountability Bureau (NAB) Rizwan Sati said that

Fawad had been acquitted by the trial court in the reference and the request for cancellation of bail has become ineffective due to his acquittal

Later the Supreme Court dismissed the plea declaring it ineffective Suo motu notice on hike in petroleum prices

A lawyer filed a petition in the Supreme Court (SC) requesting the court to take suo motu notice of the increase in the prices of petroleum products Advocate Mudassar Chaudhry said, in his plea, that the prices of petroleum products have been increased The inflation-stricken

Onus on India to provide foolproof security to

ISLAMABAD S ta f f R e p o R t

Reacting to India s refusal to separate security arrangements for the Pakistan cricket team during its visit to the archrival country for the World Cup this year Foreign Office (FO) on Thursday put the onus of providing fool-proof security and the right environment for Green Shirts during the mega event on New Delhi

Responding to a question during the weekly media briefing today, FO

spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra Baloch said:

“We believe that it is their responsibility to provide fool-proof security and the right environment for our team to participate an environment in which our players are able to participate without fear for their safety and without undue harassment by the spectators in the stands ”

Last week the official spokesperson of the Ministry of External Affairs of India Arindam Bagchi had said that there would be no special treatment for the Pakistan team “For us, Pak Team is as important as any other team No

will

Bilawal said: Violating the sanctity of places of worship is absolutely unacceptable

The administration must ensure the safety of the Christian community and their churches ”

Riz wana tor ture case: LHC makes accused’s judge husband OSD

LAHORE S ta f f R e p o R t

The Lahore High Court (LHC) on Thursday made Civil Judge Asim Hafeez the husband of the main accused in Rizwana torture case as Officer on Special Duty (OSD) The Lahore High Court (LHC) chief justice issued order and the registrar also issued a notification in this regard, posting the civil judge as OSD in Rawalpindi Asim Hafeez was directed to take charge in Rawalpindi before August 19 next It is to be noted here that Civil Judge Asim Hafeez had been summoned by a Joint Investigation Team (JIT) in Rizwana torture case on August 15 last The judge however did not show up before the JIT The Rizwana torture case came to light on July 24 last The mother of the 14-year-old housemaid had accused the judge’s wife of torture

13 Muslim families in UP ser ved eviction notices on false charges

LUCKNOW ag e n c i e S

poor people are committing suicide due to price hike while the constitution ensures right to life to every citizen

He requested the Chief Justice of Pakistan to take notice of the recent price hike as the nation sees him as a saviour It may be remembered that the caretaker government increased the prices of petroleum products a day ago despite the fact that crude oil prices declined in the global market The caretaker government on Tuesday increased the price of petrol by Rs17 50 per litre, taking the price to record high of Rs290 45 per litre

Pakistan Cricket team: FO

when & wherever required ”

Earlier the government in Islamabad gave a green signal to the national team to participate in the World Cup to be held in India in October-November this year

Pakistan has consistently maintained that sports should not be mixed with politics It has, therefore, decided to send its Cricket Team to India to participate in the upcoming ICC Cricket World Cup

2023 the Ministry of Foreign Affairs had stated in a press release However the foreign ministry had expressed concerns over security for the national team in India

Pakistan will kick off their World Cup campaign on October 6 against the Netherlands at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium The day matches will start at 10:00am Pakistan Standard Time (PST) while all other matches will be day-night fixtures and will begin at 01:30pm (PST) If Pakistan qualifies for the semifinals they will play in Kolkata If India qualifies for the semi-finals they will play in Mumbai unless playing against Pakistan in which case they will play in Kolkata The Cricket World Cup will be played

in a round-robin format with all teams playing against each other for a total of 45 league matches The top four teams will qualify for the semifinals which will be held in Mumbai on November 15 and in Kolkata on November 16 The semi-finals and the final will have reserve days

ILLEGAL DETENTION OF KASHMIRI ACTIVISTS

To another query the FO spokesperson urged India to bring an end to the unjustified and illegal detention of Khurrum Pervaiz and Irfan Mehraj and numerous other Kashmiri activists who were languishing in jails for raising their voices against Indian oppression She said “In a communication addressed to the government of India UN special procedures for human rights have expressed serious concerns at the arrest detention and charges against Kashmiri human rights defenders Khurram Pervaiz and Irfan Mehraj ” “The communication has been signed by the UN Special Rapporteur on the Situation of Human Rights Defenders; the Working Group on Enforced or Involuntarily Disappearances; the Special Rapporteur on the Rights of Freedom and Peaceful Assembly and of Association; and the

Special Rapporteur on the Promotion and Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms ” she added Pervaiz who was the Programme Coordinator of the Jammu and Kashmir Coalition of Civil Society (JKCSS) and Irfan Mehraj, a researcher with JKCSS, were detained in Rohini prison in New Dehli The UN Special Procedures had expressed concern that their arrests and detention were designed to delegitimize their human rights work and to obstruct monitoring of the human rights situation in IIOJK The Spokesperson said the communication by the UN Special Procedures was yet another indictment of the Indian occupation authorities in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) as it continued to silence and harass Kashmiri human rights defenders PAKISTAN IS IN CONTACT WITH AFGHAN INTERIM AUTHORITIES

To another question about Taliban’s Supreme Leader Mullah Haibatullah’s recent remarks in which he forbids cross-border attacks the FO spokesperson said Pakistan welcomes all statements that would lead to cessation of terrorist activities against Pakistan

Thirteen poor Muslim families, who are being victimized in Jaunpur city of the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh are worried after they were served eviction notices on false charges On 1st August 33 people were arrested by the local police after it was claimed that the Pakistan Zindabad slogan was raised during a Muharram procession in Kishundaspur village The authorities have served notices to thirteen of these 33 persons asking them to vacate their “encroachments” from the government land These notices have added to the problems of these families as they were already suffering due to the imprisonment of their breadwinners The affected families said that it was the Tajustan Zindabad slogan raised during the procession but some miscreants made it into Pakistan Zindabad That is the Tajustan Zindabad’ slogan He was our teacher He has died We raised a slogan to hail him ” an upset woman was quoted by the local media as saying after receiving an eviction notice She appealed to the government to verify the video The woman said the video has not been investigated properly and they are being punished merely on the basis of false claims made by some miscreants After the arrest of their men, the families are finding it difficult to sustain themselves They sleep hungry “No one has come to inquire how we are living or surviving False allegations were levelled against us she said Her son was arrested on 31 July while the family slept at night Several women from the affected families asserted that it was Tajustan Zindabad not Pakistan Zindabad They fear that their houses could be bulldozed by the administration after serving notices to them All the arrested Muslims have been booked under various sections of Indian Penal Code

Shifting to Adiala Jail: IHC couldn’t hear PTI chairman’s plea due to unavailabilit y of CJ

ISLAMABAD

S ta f f R e p o R t

O P E N C O U R T H E L D T O R E S O LV E P R O B L E M S

FA C E D B Y W O M E N , T R A N S G E N D E R S

ECP reminds political parties about last date for submitting statement of accounts

LHC orders authorities to produce Hassaan Niazi today

LAHORE S ta f f R e p o R t

PTI, PPP strongl y rejec t ECP ’s move of holding fresh delimitation, postponing polls

CONTINED FROM PAGE 01

He recalled that apart from the Prime Minister the four elected provincial chief ministers were part of the CCI adding that a major irregularity was committed by making the illegal caretaker chief ministers of Punjab and KP a part of the decision-making process in the meeting of the CCI PTI Spokesman said that they were looking for poll escape route due to fear of crushing defeat because of the rising popularity of the PTI

However, he vowed that the party would resist all such conspiracies and attempts to deprive the people of their right to vote according to the constitution PTI spokesperson stated that the ECP s anti-constitution schedule would

be challenged in the apex court

Shortly after the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) announced holding fresh delimitations, the PPP also opposed the decision, saying drawing new boundaries of constituencies is not a “constitutional requirement

The electoral authority has announced that new delimitations will be carried out across the country on the basis of a new census approved by the Council of Common Interest (CCI) meeting last month meaning the general elections in the country will be delayed beyond its 90 days constitutional requirement

The ECP schedule showed that fresh delimitation will take nearly four months, to be held from September 8 to October 7, as per the electoral body’s schedule

Yasmin Rashid, Cheema’s remand extended in Askari Tower case

LAHORE S ta f f R e p o R t

An Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) on Thursday extended the judicial remand of Pakistan Tehreek-eInsaf (PTI) leaders – Dr Yasmin Rashid and Omar Sarfraz Cheema in Askari Tower attack case Earlier both Yasmin Rashid and Cheema were produced before ATC Judge Aijaz Ahmed Battar upon expiry of their judicial remand The court while extending the judicial remand for 14 more days, ordered the police to file a challan of the case on the next hearing Meanwhile the investigation officer (IO) sought more time for the submission of the challan stating that the proceedings are in the final stage

Last month, the former Punjab health minister and former Punjab governor Omar Sarfraz Cheema were sent to jail in a case related to May 9 riots

Both main accused in Jaranwala rampage now in CTD custody: Naqvi

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 01

Taking to X (formerly Twitter) today, Naqvi said: Major breakthrough in the Jaranwala Incident both main accused now in CTD custody ” He appreciated the provincial chief secretary and police chief for their “relentless efforts” and thanked the interim premier for driving the swift arrest process In a meeting with religious leaders earlier today Naqvi also announced that the Punjab government would restore all the churches and homes ransacked in the incident and asserted that such incidents were anti-Islam and against the teachings of the Holy Prophet “Whatever damages took place as a government Muslims and humans we will restore them He claimed the mob-led attack was a planned conspiracy to light a fire in the country and sabotage its peace For the future, we should sit with our minorities and chalk out a plan to prevent such incidents,” he stressed, urging religious leaders to spread the message of the Holy Quran among the people The caretaker CM added that all Pakistanis were one and promised to prevent any such conspiracy in the future There is no space for this in our country Naqvi also appreciated the provincial chief secretary and police chief for effectively controlling the situation in Jaranwala yesterday and preventing any loss of life

Reacting to the ECP s announcement PPP spokesperson Faisal Karim Kundi said the party has been demanding elections to be held as per the Constitution “There is no constitutional requirement to do delimitations but there is [a] constitutional requirement to hold elections within 90 days he added h e P P P w a s a k e y a l l y o f t h e P a k i s t a n D e m o c r a t i c M o v e m e n t ( P D M ) - l e d g o v e r n m e n t i n t h e C e n t r e , w h i c h “ u n a n i m o u s l y ” a p p r o v e d t h e n e w c e n s u s e a r l i e r t h i s m o n t h r e q u i r i n g t h e E C P t o c a r r y o u t f r e s h d e l i m i t a t i o n s b e f o r e h o l d i n g p o l l s A s p e r t h e s c h e d u l e t h e n e w d e l i m i t a t i o n o f t h e c o n s t i t u e n c i e s a c r o s s t h e c o u n t r y w i l l b e n o t i f i e d i n D e c e m b e r t h i s y e a r As per the Election Act, the ECP said

it is bound to draw new boundaries for hundreds of provincial and national assembly constituencies across the country

According to Article 51 (5) of the Constitution, the seats of the National Assembly to each province and the federal capital shall be allocated on the basis of population in accordance with the last preceding census officially published

A day earlier, a petition was also filed in the Supreme Court for holding seeking its orders for the ECP to announce a date for polls to the national and provincial assemblies as per Article 224(2) of the Constitution

In its petition the Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) top lawyers body pleaded with the top court to suspend the August 5 decision of the CCI

SCCI chief invites Belgium companies to invest in KP ’s impor tant sec tors

PESHAWAR

a z i z B u n e R

Sarhad Chamber of Commerce and Industry acting

President Ijaz Khan Afridi invited Belgium companies to invest in mine, mineral and other important sectors in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa

“Prospects of enhancing mutual trade ties between Pakistan and Belgium are brighter,” said Ijaz Afridi while speaking to Mr Charles Delogne and his delegates during their visit to the chamber s house on Thursday

Commercial

Attaché in Belgium Embassy in

Islamabad Abid Hussain Trade Officer Shoukat Niazi

former presidents of the chamber Zulfiqar Ali Khan, Sherbaz Bilour, former vice president Malik Niaz Muhammad, members of executive committee of the SCCI Naeem Qasmi Kashif Amin Hafaf Ali Khan

Javed Ahmad Khan Laal Badshah Monawar Khurshid Abdul Hakim Shinwari Qurtul Ain and Ihsanullah Fazl e Wahid Saddar Gul Faiz Rasool Ishtiaq Muhammad

and others were present during the meeting

The SCCI s acting president stressed the need for business to business contacts, holding joint exhibitions and benefiting from each other ’s experiences to further strengthen mutual economic cooperation between the two countries

Charles Delogne while speaking to members of the SCCI said that his country gave much importance to Pakistan to further enhance the diplomatic and bilateral trade relations with Pakistan, because of which cordial diplomatic and trade relations were established between the two countries for the last 75 years

He said bilateral cooperation has been improved to some extent after granting of GSP+status to Pakistan

However the envoy stressed the need for further enhancing bilateral trade and economic relations with Pakistan

Mr Delogne mentioned that his country is working on several social and economic uplift projects including education health and infrastructure sectors

Continued losses, provincialisation of DISCOs to go to c aretaker c abinet

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ANTI-THEFT MEASURES: They will be responsible for implementing robust measures to detect and prevent theft, such as conducting regular inspections, employing advanced metering systems, and strengthening law enforcement efforts to deter illegal connections

Revenue Management: Enhancing the recovery of outstanding dues is another vital aspect of the provincial government s role They will employ strategies to improve revenue collection, including introducing efficient billing systems addressing billing discrepancies and implementing effective debt recovery mechanisms

nfrastructure Development and Maintenance: Provincial governments will be entrusted with the task of infrastructure development and maintenance within the

distribution companies This involves investing in modernising the distribution network, upgrading equipment, and ensuring regular maintenance to minimise technical losses

Consumer Service and Grievance Handling: Being closer to the customers provincial governments will be responsible for ensuring quality consumers service and handling grievances This includes addressing consumer complaints establishing effective customer service mechanisms and promoting transparency in billing and metering processes Collaboration and Coordination: The provincial governments will collaborate with the federal government, regulatory authorities and other stakeholders to ensure effective coordination in the functioning of the electricity distribution system This includes sharing information, aligning strategies, and

The Lahore High Court (LHC) on Thursday ordered the authorities to produce PTI chairman’s nephew Hassaan Khan Niazi before court today Justice Sultan Tanveer of Lahore High Court issued the written order on a petition filed by Hafeezullah Niazi, father of Hassaan Niazi, seeking recovery of his son The Punjab IG Police and others have been made parties in the petition In a written order by the LHC, the court said parties should submit a report on the next hearing regarding recovery of Niazi If Niazi is in the custody of any party he should be produced in the court on August 18 said the court order The name of Hassaan Niazi, the nephew of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chairman, has been included in the A-Plus category of accused Police sources said the accused involved in the May 9 incident had been named in A-Plus and A categories

Mur taza Solangi assumes charge of Ministr y of Information & Broadcasting ISLAMABAD S ta f f R e p o R t M i n i s t e r f o r I n f o r m a t i o n a n d B r o a d c a s t i n g M u r t a z a S o l a n g i a s s u m e d c h a rg e o n T h u r s d a y M o r t a z a S o l a n g i a r r i v e d a t t h e M i n i s t r y o f I n f o r m a t i o n a n d B r o a d c a s t i n g a f t e r t a k i n g o a t h a t t h e P r e s i d e n t ’s H o u s e A f t e r a s s u m i n g t h e r e s p o n s i b i l i t i e s a s t h e i n t e r i m i n f o r m a t i o n m i n i s t e r M u r t a z a S o l a n g i h e l d a m e e t i n g w i t h t h e m i n i s t r y s o ff i c e r s a n d h i s s t a ff a n d g o t b r i e f i n g o v e r c e r t a i n i s s u e s

MQM leader Kanwar Naveed Jameel passes away

KARACHI: Muttahida

Qaumi Movement (MQM) leader and former Sindh Assembly member Kanwar Naveed Jameel passed away in Karachi after a prolonged illness on Thursday He was 59, his family said The funeral prayer will take place tomorrow after Friday prayers at Mustafa Masjid in DHA phase-I In a statement MQM said Jameel was born in Hyderabad He held the position of a member of the National Assembly twice and similarly served as a member of the Sindh Assembly on two occasions, the party said In the year 2005, he was chosen as the Mayor of Hyderabad He is survived by a widow and two sons,” according to the party Sindh Governor Kamran Khan Tessori said that Jameel was an experienced politician who consistently advocated for the underprivileged within the provincial legislature S ta f f R e p o R t

collaborating on broader sectoral goals

The success of the provincial governments in managing DISCOs will depend on their capacity to effectively execute these responsibilities allocate adequate resources and establish transparent and accountable mechanisms for governance and operations

DRAFT POLICY FRAMEWORK

In view of the foregoing considerations, the Government of Pakistan (GoP) has decided to transfer the shareholding and control of the DISCOs to the provincial governments under the following policy framework: T h e g o v e r n m e n t ( G o P ) s h a l l t r a n s f e r t h e s h a r e h o l d i n g o f t h e DISCOs located in each province to the r e s p e c t i v e p r o v i n c i a l g o v e r n m e n t s o n t h e b a s i s o f m u t u a l a g r e e m e n t w i t h e a c h p r o v i n c i a l g o v e r n m e n t i n c l u d i n g a g r e e m e n t o n t h e n u m b e r a n d / o r sequence of each transfer

p e c t i v e terms

C a r e t a k e r C a b i n e t a r r i v e s

THE swearing-in of the caretaker Federal Cabinet was supposed to be a further step on the path to elections, but the decision of the Election Commission to proceed with fresh delimitations was going to create difficulties in the path of having elections within 90 days after the dissolution of the National Assembly

The date given by the ECP for the finalisation of constituencies on the basis of which the polls are to be conducted was December 15, which is over a month beyond the constitutionally prescribed 90 days It is at that point that the ECP will announce an Election Programme, of roughly 90 days, which will lead up to the polling day, which thus will fall somewhere in the latter half of March That means that the caretaker government is expected to hold office until then as will the Punjab and KP governments inducted at the beginning of the year

In this context the choice of caretaker Finance Minister is crucial, because the country is on a Stand-By Agreement with the IMF, which should cover even the prolonged caretaker period, and is about to engage with foreign investors through the SIFC The choice of Shamshad Akhtar, the former State Bank governor (2006-2009) who was caretaker Finance Minister in the 2018 Nasirul Mulk government She has certainly got the credentials for the job and adds balance to the caretaker PM Anwarul Haq Kakar who makes no claim to being a technocrat

However, the certainty now that elections have been moved forward, must raise concerns Previously, the only way that elections could be put off was to impose martial law This is the first time that an apparently constitutional dispensation is going to go beyond its prescribed time limit If the election is allowed to go four or five months beyond the constitutionally prescribed timeframe what is there to prevent the next caretaker government going a year over time? Or the one after that two years? The frightening thing is that there is no lime-limit beyond the time-limit That limit is supposed to be absolute and inviolable, not a suggestion that is open to negotiation Perhaps the pity, and the irony, is that the very constitutional mechanism used to enforce democracy, the ECP inits role as delimiter of constituencies, is being used to make for this delay

Dedicated to the legac y of late Hameed Nizami

Arif Nizami (Late)

Founding Editor

Yousaf Nizami Editor

M A Niazi Joint Editor Umar Aziz Executive Editor

EVERyTHINg seems to be going according to plan Here former Prime Minister Imran Khan was arrested, there the National Assembly was dissolved a day in advance of its natural expiry Here Imran had his bail petitions rejected, there Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Leader of Opposition Raja Riaiz completed three rounds of talks (though not before Raja Riaz had milked the opportunity for all it was worth) before agreeing on Senator Anwarul Haq Kakar as caretaker prime minister Senator Kakar belonged to the Balochistan Awami Party, which does not seem to have been as big a problem as Finance Minister Ishaq Dar belonging to the PML(N) or former Finance Minister Hafeez Sheikh having served in both PPP and PTI governments, especially as he resigned from it He also resigned from the Senate, which was not that much of a sacrifice, as his term was due to expire in March next year His appointment has not attracted as much comment as could have been expected The PTI has refrained from comment, even though one would have expected a knee-jerk condemnation similar to the infamous 35 punctures comment about Punjab caretaker CM Najam Sethi in 2013, or the recent tigerish condemnation of Punjab caretaker CM Mohsin Naqvi as one of those responsible for toppling the Khan government Only Hasan Askari Rizvi, who held the office in 2018 and presided over a PTI victory, has escaped PTI fulminations against the Punjab caretaker CM

The PTI has been relatively mild on caretaker PMs That may be because of the realization that caretaker PMs do not play as much of a role in the fairness of an election as the provincial CMs Without the CMs helping, no PM can influence an election However, even if the caretaker PM is committed to a fair poll, a CM can do a lot in his province

Therefore it is not entirely clear why the virtually sole critical voice has emerged from Sardar Akhtar Mengal, who was part of the outgoing coalition One possibility is that Sardar Akhtar is defining the limits of Baloch identity narrowly, so as to exclude Kakar

The problem for Baloch nationalists is how to handle Balochistanis who are not Baloch, as Kakar is not

This is perhaps more of a problem than is apparent, because though Balochistan has been named after the Baloch, it is actually a rich tapestry of several peoples brought together by history The Baloch are apparently concentrated in the old princely state of Kalat, which extends all the way down from the Takht-i-Suleiman Mountains to the Makran Coast, where the Khan had two subordinate Nawabs, of Jhalawan and Sarawan

Also Baloch are the Jams of Lasbela

However, there are also a large number of Pashtuns, who were conquered from Afghanistan after the first Afghan War, and added to what was called British Baluchistan One of the leading tribes to come under the British thus were the Kakar, who are centred around Zhob The previous prominent

Kakars, Sardar Abdur Rab Nishtar and former COAS gen Abdul Waheed Kakar, belonged to Peshawar, but their family had migrated from Zhob

If not his Pakhtun origin, then Sardar Akhtar may be concerned about his own seat It is also possible that he is concerned that the new caretaker PM was affiliated to the Balochistan Awami Party until very recently, and this might put him and his Balochistan National Movement colleagues at a disadvantage

This is the first time that a Balochistani Pashtun has become PM A Baloch from Balochistan became caretaker PM in 2013, when Mr Justice (retd) Hazar Khan Khoso held the job, and the last caretaker PM, Mr Justice (retd) Nasirul Mulk, was a Pushtun, from Swat While the last two caretakers were retired Supreme Court judges, Kakar is a politician He is clearly an establishment man, for before BAP, he had once been in the PML(N)

The task before him is that of conducting the general election on the date intimated by the Chief Election Commissioner and which must be within 90 days of the dissolution There is a strong rumour that elections will not take place on time, because, just before the end of the coalition government, it pushed the results of the census held earlier this year The fear is that the census results will require fresh delimitations and that would prevent the Election Commission from conducting the elections until they are not just complete and notified but candidates have had time to campaign Indeed delimitations could conceivably influence not just a candidate s choice of constituency, but whether or not he would contest at all The delimitations issue may well illustrate the kind of ‘perfect storm’, that combination of coincidences, which make it impossible for the ECP to have to disobey the constitution in Obeying another The clash of timings is not really of the Constitution, but of the Constitution and a law made under it The constitution mandates the fresh delimitations whenever a census is published A census was conducted in March, and its results approved for publication

start with a constitutional amendment but if the census results keep the interprovincial distribution unchanged there need be no recourse to Parliament

However there is no need to go to Parliament unless one wants to change the number of seats in a provincial assembly which is not a delimitation requirement However the delimitation of provincial assembly seats will have to take place according to the census so as to reflect any shifts in population It is conceivable therefore for a district to be allocated the same number of seats but to have the lines radically revised This is where the clash arises Section 22 of the Act says the ECP may notify any amendments four months before the issuing of an election programme This after the process of delimitation which will itself take a certain period of time Then there is Section 21 which mandates the publication of delimitations in the gazette and allows 30 days for the filing of objections

There are many reasons for delay, but none outweigh the responsibility to remain within the bounds of the Constitution The most obvious solution is for the ECP to carry on its duty of delimitation, but conduct the elections according to the previous delimitations, and to make no amendments until afterwards The ECP is not bound by a timeframe, though it is bound to carry out the delimitations

The inter-provincial seat allocation is given in the Constitution in its Article 51 A re-delimitation will

Old Engagements Getting Stronger

did though continue to provide Mali with military assistance including pilot and artillery training

termination of the UN-sponsored Black Sea grain deal made the situation more critical

An Election Programme is issued at least 45 days before the poll and specifies the date on which each activity is to take place The last activity is polling and the first is nomination of papers Before this returning officers have to be appointed According to Section 22 of the Act delimitations must have been made four months before the Election Programme is issued and thus at least five and a half months before the poll which is considered a sufficient time for a potential candidate to get acquainted with the constituency There are many reasons for delay but none outweigh the responsibility to remain within the bounds of the Constitution The most obvious solution is for the ECP to carry on its duty of delimitation but conduct the elections according to the previous delimitations and to make no amendments until afterwards The ECP is not bound by a timeframe though it is bound to carry out the delimitations A n w a r u l H a q K a k a r m a y h a v e b e e n b r o u g h t i n t o s e r v e m o r e t h a n t h e s t a n d a r d c a r e t a k e r t e n u r e A l r e a d y t h e c a r e t a k e r g o v e r n m e n t s i n P u n j a b a n d K P h a v e o v e r s t a y e d t h e i r c o n s t i t ut i o n a l l y p r e s c r i b e d l i m i t s b y f i v e m o n t h s a n d i f t h e y r e m a i n i n o ff i c e u n t i l t h e e l e c t i o n s w h i c h m a y g o w e l l b e y o n d t h e p r e s c r i b e d N o v e m b e r l i m i t t h e y w i l l p r o b a b l y c e l e b r a t e t h e i r f i r s t a nn i v e r s a r i e s i n o f f i c e T h a t m i g h t w e l l b e t o o m u c h f o r t h e p e o p l e t o s t a n d The writter is member of staff

E d i t o r ’ s m a i l

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

Labour unrest: a different view

Ngũgĩ wa Thiong’o, in “Secure the

Base: Making Africa Visible in the globe”, revealed the four stages of Africa’s exploitations by the West

The first was African enslavement in Europe after which Africa lost its best workforce for economic growth The second was African labour in European fields and mines, treated inhumanely The third factor was colonization, where seven European powers Belgium, Britain, France, germany, Italy, Spain, and Po+rtugal fought and divided Africa for its natural and human resources The fourth is "debt slavery," as this poor continent keeps providing developed states even after its independence global financial institutions, such as World Bank, IMF, and WTO govern debt servitude Furthermore, the West has plundered Africa's natural riches, such as uranium, gold, diamonds, and other precious metals, leading to neo-colonialism

Africa's resentment towards the West is visible in last week's Niger coup, which shook the Sahel and the world Niger was the final proWestern country in Africa's "coup belt," raising concerns for the USA and Europe Nigeriens displaying pro-Putin protest banners and Russian flags have startled them The Western public has often been told that Russian President Vladimir Putin is a “pariah around the world ” However, these photographs illustrate a stark contrast

The intriguing point is why African states like Russia? Russian involvement in Africa is not new The USSR, Russia's communist predecessor, partnered with African states after independence due to its decolonization ideology Ideological conviction, pragmatic economic goals, and Cold War alliances drove its involvement The newly independent African states required non-colonial trade partners to grow their economies In this quest, a few eventually turned into battlegrounds for Cold War proxy battles, such as the Angolan civil war (1975) and the Ethiopian–Somali war (1977)

The USSR worked with numerous African rulers and regimes, including Modibo Keita in Mali and Sekou Touré in guinea Mali reduced its dependence on France in 1960 by signing trade, economic, and cultural cooperation agreements with the USSR It established cement factories and gold mines to help Mali industrialize Malian President Keita was deposed in 1968 by an administration that enhanced relations with France The USSR

The USSR also partnered with guinea after it became the first former French colony in West Africa to reject French participation and declare independence in 1958 This caused France to withdraw guinean leader Sekou Touré allied with the USSR rather than the USA guinea received military training arms and economic aid The USSR gave guinea millions of dollars to build cement and leather mills and assist its industries This relationship became stronger after the first decade of the 21st-century oil boom Russia always envisaged a multipolar world in reaction to the unipolar US hegemonic design Since then Russia has expanded its regional partnerships President Vladimir Putin visited Libya in 2008 to discuss energy and weaponry sales and pay off billions in Soviet debt President Dmitry

Medvedev visited Egypt Nigeria Namibia and Angola with a 400-person business group including gazprom executives on a four-day tour in 2009 The expedition focused on energy mineral development and Russian technology sales Russia supported African states in industrial military economic and educational spheres too Western sanctions on Russia s Crimea and Ukraine policy since 2014 prompted it to increase its African alliances However through conditional support and lucrative economic ties with African elite France is perceived as maintaining an imperialist policy in West Africa

Although China offered an alternative many became disenchanted with it since it burdened African partners with loans while carrying out its projects with Chinese workers and specialists This disappointment caused ghana to cancel Chinese-led projects Trump prioritized Iran China and American isolationism so Russia s re-engagement coincided with US withdrawal

Rising energy prices due to Western restrictions on Russian oil and gas exports are also harming the African market and it has undermined financial stability and worsening economic situation Some African states have had credit downgrades and high borrowing rates Recently President Putin at the RussiaAfrica 2023 summit promised free grain shipments to Burkina Faso Zimbabwe Mali Somalia the Central African Republic and Eritrea portraying Russia as an ally of Africa and the global South Russia has wiped off $23 billion of African debt and is discussing an additional $90 million to reduce African debt

Russia has also promised to help Africa get a voice on the UN Security Council and propose full membership of the African Union at g20 scheduled in New Delhi later in September

This results in accelerating the Global South's disengagement from the European Union in particular, where lingering colonial views are widely despised throughout Africa Russia is ready to align itself with other significant regional powers and further its interests during its ongoing conflict with the West Nevertheless, Russia should address African states' concerns related to the economy, energy, and infrastructure to keep this alliance getting stronger further

Early this year Russia introduced a new Foreign Policy Concept that criticized Western hegemony and portrayed Russia and Africa as striving for a more equitable polycentric world and elimination of social and economic inequality The Ukraine conflict disrupted grain exports via the Black Sea which affected 15 African states that used to import more than half their grain from Russia and Ukraine Later the

Russia-led BRICS and SCO are also ready to discuss expanding their membership to a number of African states Algeria Morocco Nigeria and Senegal have applied to join the BRICS New Development Bank which Egypt already owns With the help of Russia Burundi Egypt Rwanda South Africa Tanzania and Zimbabwe are nuclear-ready to counter the energy crisis These a d v a n c e m e n t s will not only boost productivity but also allow n e i g h b o u r i n g African countries to import energy from them Russia s influence in Africa has grown in recent years maybe more than that of any other superpower These engagements include strengthening ties in North Africa expanding its presence in the Central African Republic and the Sahel and reigniting Cold War ties with southern Africa This results in accelerating the global South s disengagement from the European Union in particular where lingering colonial views are widely despised throughout Africa Russia is ready to align itself with other significant regional powers and further its interests during its

THIS is with reference to the letter ‘The leftists and the labour movement’ (June 12), which lamented that the labour movement of 1972 had been oversimplified and that the significance of the struggle had been “overlooked” Besides, it argued that workers “under the banner of the PPP” had played a decisive role in the restoration of democracy in the country The fact is that it was not the workers’ support alone that had brought a landslide victory for the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) in the 1970 general elections; it was the masses across the then West Pakistan who had rallied behind the call given by a leader who was seen as charismatic at the time

A book entitled Zara Rehguzar Tou Dekho, based on the interviews by Dr Syed Jaffar Ahmed of veteran labour leader Karamat Ali, who was among the founders of the Pakistan Institute of Labour Education and Research (PILER), describes in detail the events related to industrial relations situation, especially in the industrial areas in Karachi The book mentions the death of 10 workers during the intense protests (Pp 117,118)

The public humiliation of many mill-owners by the agitating workers is in the knowledge of people associated with the manufacturing industry during that era However, one incident mentioned in the said book needs to be quoted here (p 113) It relates to a silk mill in the Sindh Industrial and Trading Estate (SITE) that was owned by Ashraf Tabani and his elder brother Habib Wali Muhammad, who was also a famous ghazal and playback singer Habib had allocated a room in the factory for his riyaz The protesting workers approached him and broke his favourite harmonium, which left Habib, who was quite a noble and gentle person otherwise, seriously bitter I had started my career in industrial relations in the same eventful year of 1972, from a state enterprise in Kot Lakhpat, Lahore I am witness to the unfolding of many incidents of industrial unrest Despite introducing a progressive and unprecedented labour policy tilted towards workers’ welfare, the government had to create and deploy the Federal Security Force (FSF) to control the law and order situation in the country The first managing director (MD) of the state enterprise where I worked had reached a wise and competitive settlement with the union of the factory Instead of appreciating the initiative and ensuring peace within the factory, the workers overpowered the MD’s office and tried to pressure him to agree to their unlawful demands

It was unfortunate that no harmony could be developed among the three stakeholders of the industrial and commercial establishments, i e , the workers, the employers and the government Had the workers and their unions availed of the opportunities made available in 1972, and the employers had acted responsibly, it would have developed a solid base for congenial labour relations and industrial progress in the future

In marked contrast to the hyperactive 1972, currently the labour federations are maintaining a low profile, and the tripartite labour conference has not been held at the federal level since a long time

PARVEZ RAHIM KARACHI

Issues and politeness

WITH increasing economic challenges people tend to lose their composure earlier than when they are in a stable frame of mind More than ever before there is a need to consciously make an effort to be courteous kind and amiable towards each other While these acts may appear trivial they can be highly significant in making ourselves and others around us happy I once greeted a shopkeeper warmly and he refused to take payment He considered me his guest and worthy of honour even though I was a stranger to him Just imagine the power of politeness and kindness With sincerity and warmth even a smile can make someone s day Collectively it leads to a better society Of course it cannot solve our issues but it can help us deal with them with less frustration and more courage By showing courtesy and warmth to everyone we come across we may make this positive change contagious Optimism is the need of the hour in our collective effort to make Pakistan more progressive prosperous and positive SYED ZOHAIB RIZVI

The ECP decision on delimitations means the caretaker Cabinet is going to go beyond 90 days

05

Revival of Sectarianism: An Prominent Threat to Pakistan’s Peace and Social Harmony

ations against terrorists and extremists has been underway

The operation is codenamed

‘Operation Radd ul Fasaad’ (Elimination of Chaos) The operation has ruptured the organized terror groups' backbone forcing them to either cease their operations or flee the country Still their complete eradication is yet to be achieved

were found Haq Nawaz Jhangvi a radical Sunni cleric (from the Deobandi school of thought) resident of Jhang started spreading the anti-Shia narrative in the early 1980s and later in the mid-1980s formed the SSP as a political party

LAST week three policemen were killed in Quetta, among whom two belonged to the Hazara community, in two incidents Both the incidents occurred in a matter of hours of each other, raising suspicions among the common citizens who, being themselves survivors, sufferers, and observers of the same precarious situation a few years back, were quick to react towards these two separate incidents as the revival of sectarianism

However, it is essential to analyze the role of violent extremist entities such as Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and antiShia militant organization Lashkar-eJhangvi (LeJ), which was once the active militant network that carried out manifold violent attacks against the Shias of Pakistan Are they again regrouping themselves for their malicious activities?

According to the statistical data available on the South Asia Terrorism Portal (SATP), in the last two years, a surge has been observed in terrorism incidents nationwide Last year alone, 365 such incidents were carried out, claiming the lives of 229 civilians and 379 security personnel This year, up until now, 255 terror attacks have been recorded, mostly targeting security forces with 336 casualties in just 7 months

However, for the last eight years, one of the most successful intelligence-based oper-

The first-tier leadership of LeJ was eliminated by the end of 2017 and the organization broke into several splinter groups and fled to Afghanistan Some splinter groups merged into TTP and some into the Islamic State of Khorasan Province (ISKP the Afghan chapter of ISIS/ISIL) The LashkarJhangvi Al-Almi had the backing of both TTP and ISKP and operated as rental fighters on their behalf inside Pakistan Despite these mergers and rebranding one thing remained constant: anti-Shia ideology which provided these terror groups a motive to operate collectively and effectively

The historical roots of sectarianism in Pakistan date back to the early 1980s when Tehreek

Though they might have been of most wanted criminals, these extra-judicial killings are visibly illegitimate and unsustainable solutions to this prominent problem of sectarianism The divide sown on an ideological ground cannot be ripped out with bullets Instead, long-term policy options based on a factual understanding and knowledge of the current scenario must be devised to eradicate the menace of sectarianism. Law Enforcement Agencies (LEAs) should be trained for counterinsurgency and counter-extremism operations Institutions such as the National Counter Terrorism Authority (NACTA) should be granted intellectual autonomy to formulate feasible long-term counterterrorism academic discourses, which can eventually provide our policymakers with a clear policy roadmap Lastly, the most important thing is public awareness campaigns and programs must be launched to teach common citizens about religious tolerance

Nifaz-e-Fiqh Jafriya (TNFJ) a Shia political organization came into existence post Iranian revolution publicly opposed Zia-Ul-Haq over the Zakat and Ushr Ordinance Jhang a city on the east bank of the Chanab River in central Punjab was where traces of a spreading anti-Shia narrative

Tariq Khosa former Director general of the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) was then posted as Assistant Superintendent of Police in Jhang recalled one incident when on the 7th of Muharram Shia took-out pro-

cession and passing by the mosque where Jhangvi was serving as preacher and custodian Jhangvi was delivering an anti-Shia sermon which instigated the sentiments of Shias conducting a procession Khosa along with 25 other policemen reached the scene and warned Jhangvi to stop but he did not listen and was eventually arrested Khosa told the Senate standing committee in 2012 that right after Jhangvi s arrest he was summoned by the District Commissioner and Superintendent of Police who ordered him to release Jhangvi immediately because President Zia was unhappy with the development When a state becomes the protector of such sectarian organizations the implications are bound to have a giant impact on the state s social and political fabric Haq Nawaz Jhangvi is also considered the founding father of the anti-Shia proactive movement in Pakistan Jhangvi along with his other confidants formed one of the notoriously known so-called political parties named the Sipah-e-Sahaba Pakistan (SSP) in 1985 Later on this antiShia movement took a violent route and commenced killing highprofile Shia personalities around the country throughout the 1980s; events following till 1995 it completely transformed the sectarian outlook of the country Malik Ishaq and Riaz Basra along with Akram Lahori co-founded Lashkar-e-Jhangvi the violent militant wing of Sipah-e-Sahaba Pakistan (SSP) in 1996 to

How the rich really live

But if the dollar should lose its privileged place, what could replace it? At present, the euro, which accounts for 20% of global central-bank reserves, is the only currency that could realistically serve as a substitute Its appeal, however, is undermined by the fragmentation of Europe’s national sovereign-debt markets, as well as lingering doubts about the European Union’s long-term viability in the wake of the UK’s departure

AT the end of World War II, the United States accounted for more than half the world’s economic output and gold reserves The United Kingdom was effectively bankrupt, with the remnants of the sterling area bound together by capital and trade controls Once the British pound became convertible in July 1947 owing to US insistence it succumbed to overwhelming selling pressure The dollar which was pegged to gold at $35 an ounce was buoyed by America’s privileged position within the newly formed International Monetary Fund and quickly established itself as the bedrock of global trade and finance

While the US today accounts for only 25% of global output the dollar remains involved in nearly 90% of all foreign-exchange transactions Despite its central role in cross-border trade and borrowing however the greenback’s share of central-bank foreign-exchange reserves has fallen from 72% in 2000 to 59% today given recent harsh criticism of US currency policy by officials in China Russia Brazil Saudi Arabia and elsewhere it may therefore appear that the dollar ’s uncontested reign is coming to an end with far-reaching global economic consequences

Importantly the biggest threat to the dollar ’s dominance comes not from competitive alternatives but from the US government itself The recent standoff over the federal debt ceiling which threatened to trigger global financial instability is a case in point The prospect of endless repetition of such reckless partisan conflict prompted Fitch Ratings to downgrade the country’s credit rating from AAA to AA+ highlighting doubts about whether global investors can continue to trust the “full faith and credit of the US government ”

But an even more immediate threat to the greenback’s dominance is its growing weaponization Whereas US-led sanctions have been largely ineffective in changing the behavior of autocratic regimes in North Korea Iran and Russia they have inflicted considerable economic pain And just as the overuse of antibiotics fuels antimicrobial resistance excessive use of sanctions prompts targeted countries as well as potential targets to reduce their engagement with the US financial system Although this avoidance is costly the costs are trivial compared to those of say having one’s central-bank reserves frozen or even seized Prominent US commentators have advocated such seizures in the case of Russia in order to compensate Ukraine for the horrific costs of Russia’s invasion

The Chinese renminbi, which accounts for less than 3% of global reserves, is not a serious threat to dollar hegemony given China’s deteriorating legal protections, stringent capital controls, and relatively underdeveloped bond markets – from which foreign investors pulled a record $91 billion in 2022 – the renminbi is still far from a credible store of value The currency’s internationalization stalled a decade ago when capital inflows driven by expectations of perpetual appreciation came to an end

So, whereas the dollar ’s continued dominance should not be taken for granted, there is currently no viable single alternative Instead, many commentators have pointed to the probable emergence of a “multi-currency” world in which the dollar plays a much-diminished role Such a world, however, is not compatible with the multilateral trading system as we know it To be sure, countries can sidestep the dollar through barter trade, using commodities such as gold or oil Iraq, for example, swaps oil with Iran in exchange for natural gas But governments will not accumulate currencies for which they and their citizens have no practical use Thus, the greenback’s fading dominance could mark the demise of a highly efficient structure of global commerce in which the flow of goods and services is determined by cost and quality Instead, this flow would reflect whether a bit more or less of a given foreign currency is wanted in an exporting country

Once countries abandon the practice of stockpiling currency through current-account surpluses, they are compelled to implement trade restrictions and other distortive measures to maintain flat bilateral trade balances That is why the dollar, despite its drawbacks as a global reserve currency, remains integral to the multilateral trade system built up under the 1947 general Agreement on Tariffs and Trade and its successor, the World Trade Organization Although this regime is often criticized in the US for helping China rise through mercantilist means, it has played a critical role in spurring global innovation, reducing costs, and lifting hundreds of millions out of poverty

Although the US can and should do more, through better education and job training, and stronger social safety nets, to support its citizens left behind by globalization, it must also ensure that its currency remains reliable enough to continue supporting world trade That means putting an end to periodic partisan default brinkmanship, and exercising greater prudence and restraint in the use of unilateral financial sanctions

B e n n S t e i l i s D i re c t o r o f I n t e r n a t i o n a l

E c o n o m i c s a t t h e C o u n c i l o n F o re i g n R el a t i o n s a n d t h e a u t h o r o f T h e M a r s h a l l P l a n : D a w n o f t h e C o l d Wa r ( S i m o n a n d S c h u s t e r, 2 0 1 8 )

the fact they don t do anything complicated beyond securing the right property at the best possible price : the conveyancing solicitors do the nitty gritty and earn far less

Indeed any idiot can show someone around an empty house and say This is the bathroom or I can picture you having kitchen suppers around that table you appreciate why Anne Robinson disguised in the book as an adored international TV personality has a policy of telling estate agents to remain silent on pain of torture and

death

Max Thomas the (pseudonymous) author operates in London s super-prime sphere £22 million apartments in the City an £18 5 million house in Regent s Park a flat in Chelsea Barracks with a £35 million price tag which also comes with an £80 000 per annum service charge

Though Thomas comically tries to make his life sound as exciting as James Bond ( I ve got to salvage this deal by 6pm! ) in fairness he is likeable and diligent mugging up on speculative costs of refurbishment pound-per-square-foot value potential swiftness of transaction Thomas has the addresses of builders architects and fengshui experts

He finds himself turning into a psychological counsellor his clients wanting recommendations for reflexologists masseurs and private jet charter companies The fun of Highly Desirable is learning all about the high net-worth individuals whom Thomas encounters There are lots of rich people about apparently and you ll hear them coming because they do nothing except complain loudly about staffing problems caterers private tutors club memberships and beauty regimes Wives and daughters have so much surgery and so many artificial additions they can t be recognised from week to week We are told about rich kids spending thousands on champagne and

avenge the death of Haq Nawaz Jhangvi Two violent sectarian networks emerged on the one hand Lashkar-e-Jhangvi - LeJ (an antiShia violent group) and on the other hand Sipah-i-Muhammad - SM (Shia-led militant group) were formed to target each other in a tit-for-tat killing strategy which engulfed the country in the late 1990s and early 2000s

From 2015 onwards strict actions were taken against the proscribed terror groups and their hidden networks were disrupted or eliminated

But the approach utilized was not legitimate and was based on short-sightedness Numerous police-led encounters made headlines in which the high-profile leadership of LeJ and SSP was targeted

The then law minister of Punjab and the current Federal interior minister Rana Sanaullah argued: If a wanted criminal is killed in an encounter the first public response is that this is a good act he said in an interview The person killed was after all a murderer and not a law-abiding citizen If a law minister of Pakistan s largest province Punjab himself did not have faith in the country s judicial system what hope was anyone else left with on the institutions?

Though they might have been of most wanted criminals these extra-judicial killings are visibly illegitimate and unsustainable solutions to this prominent problem of sectarianism The divide sown on an ideological ground cannot be ripped out with bullets Instead long-term policy options based on a factual understanding and knowledge of the current scenario must be devised to eradicate the menace of sectarianism Law Enforcement Agencies (LEAs) should be trained for counterinsurgency and counter-extremism operations Institutions such as the National Counter Terrorism Authority (NACTA) should be granted intellectual autonomy to formulate feasible long-term counterterrorism academic discourses which can eventually provide our policymakers with a clear policy roadmap Lastly the most important thing is public awareness campaigns and programs must be launched to teach common citizens about religious tolerance

The writer can be reached at: usama khalid uk456@gmail com

venture capitalists, oligarchs, sheiks and gangsters these are the characters and wannabe Bond villains who travel by chauffeur-driven limousine and in firstclass cabins, who are 'never polluted by contact with the outside world' They expect to dwell in homes with media and massage suites, games rooms and have 'all the trimmings , such as lifts and garages for four cars Notting Hill has been colonised by the hedge funder, Americans favour St John's Wood, and Hampstead 'is full of the moneyed intelligentsia' Holland Park, where houses have a £17 million ticket price, is the location of the late Michael Winner's palace, now owned by Robbie Williams and rented to Richard Caring, the British billionaire nightclub and restaurant entrepreneur When as a new owner Williams wanted to scoop out the basement for a swimming pool and a cinema room, there was a feud with the neighbour, Led Zeppelin guitarist Jimmy Page, who feared subsidence 'I can't begin to imagine,' says Thomas, 'the number of unused underground pools that have been built in London over the last decade For the paradox with the rich is that they are seldom in residence Houses and

black walls, leatherette sofas and leopardskin pouffes

There s a Queen Anne property in Chiswick Mall along the banks of the Thames, a riverside flat in Battersea with 24-hour concierge service, an elegant townhouse in Onslow gardens in South Kensington: once the potential buyer turns up with a cavalcade of bodyguards, days are numbered for any surviving plaster cornices in the drawing room, the craftsmanship of Victorian fireplaces and folding wooden window shutters Everything gets stripped out It takes a lot of money to look this cheap', Thomas comments wryly of the results

The wealthy expect 'discretion all the way', buying and selling off-market, without any digital footprint' or recourse to 'online portals', as this risks advertising on the internet, which can be perused by anybody

Thomas meets a grim old miser in Kensington, whose house contains such original features as a butler's pantry and kitchen nursery The whole house has a cloying claustrophobic odour of musk, antique cologne and talcum powder ' I dread to think what the developers did though the owner is to be applauded for not wanting to sell to foreigners or common sorts, e g , the yorkshireman who'd amassed his large fortune from owning care homes 'We are dealing with very wealthy people and they don't tend to elicit sympathy,' says Thomas, who is not going to be contradicted by me on that point

flats are investment assets, not homes to inhabit Most of the time the owners are on the yacht or in tax-efficient Switzerland, Monaco or Dubai London is simply where a place is needed ( I feel it is a sensible £2 95 million') for an occasional drinks party for 40 Often, the rich never materialise in person at all They just google-map it and peruse the floor plan, then make Zoom calls with decorators Worse than this, the rich openly flout planning permission rules and bypass due process regarding listed building regulations A stucco mansion in Chester Terrace, Regent's Park, unoccupied for years, is found to have chain metal lights, velvet

Despite their self-help podcasts, almond cappuccinos, artisanal bread and cupcakes, these yacht-hoppers and villa fillers, who run off with 28-year-old Pilates instructors, or who retrain as therapists having left banking; who need two chefs to pack a picnic, and have ex-spouses 'who only need £3 million for the house in Queen's Park in NorthWest London all these people in Thomas's book come with an 'aura of paranoia' Beyond doing deals, 'there's not much that seems to give them pleasure , he says Eventually, Thomas has a heart attack 'you need to be kinder to yourself, you need to minimise the stress in your life and you need to prioritise your needs above the needs of everyone else,' states his doctor Funnily enough, that s exactly what my cardiologist told me, when I crashed to the ground the other day with a myocardial infarction Except, I live in a mortgaged hut in a shabby South-Coast town The world portrayed in the highly enjoyable Highly Desirable could be on another planet, it is so alien to my own pitiable state Nevertheless, I wouldn t want a life of bodyguards and almond cappuccinos, either Highly Desirable: Tales of London’s s u p e r- p r i m e p r o p e r t y f r o m T h e S e c r e t A g e n t b y A n o n y m o u s

H e a d l i n e £

,

QURAN DESECRATION: ‘SPEECH FREEDOM CHAMPION’ SWEDEN TIGHTENS TERROR ALERT FEARING BACKL ASH

FO L L O W I N G a series of incidents involving the desecration of the Holy Quran, which hurt the religious feelings of Muslims all over the world Sweden

Thursday raised its terror alert to the second-highest level

The nation s national security service has sounded the alarm, cautioning that the potential for attacks remains significant, driven by the desecrations that have incited outrage within the Muslim community Recent months have witnessed anti-

Islam activists carrying out acts of burning and defacement of multiple copies of the Quran These actions have rippled beyond Sweden’s borders, evoking concerns in Denmark as well The resulting tension has prompted both nations to intensify their border controls in anticipation of potential responses from individuals deeply affected by these events

The SAPO security service in Sweden has taken a definitive stance, elevating its warning level from 3 to 4 on a threat scale ranging from 1 to 5 This adjustment signifies a substantial high threat that necessitates careful attention

The shift is emblematic of the transi-

tion from Sweden being merely a potential target for terrorism to being classified as a prioritized target In a recent news conference, SAPO’s leader, Charlotte von Essen highlighted the increased menace posed by violent Islamist actors underscoring an alarming escalation in the past year Global repercussions have ensued, with both Britain and the United States advising their citizens against travelling to Sweden due to the possibility of terrorist activities

This advisory is particularly pertinent given the ongoing protests not only within Sweden but also in neighbouring Denmark Both nations, known for up-

holding liberal values and fostering open dialogue, are navigating the complexities of protecting freedom of expression while safeguarding against acts that deeply offend faith communities

This heightened alert inevitably draws comparisons to Sweden s history notably the 2017 terrorist attack where an individual affiliated with the Islamic State carried out a vehicular assault that claimed five lives

As Sweden grapples with the evolving situation the escalated alert serves as a poignant reminder of the paramount importance of unwavering vigilance and proactive security measures to ensure the safety and wellbeing of the nation and its populace

Why is C hina not rushing to fix its ailing economy?

PR OFIT R E U T E R S

With China at risk of tipping into prolonged stagnation and a spiralling property crisis threatening financial stability there is growing unease over why its leaders are not rushing to revive the world’s second-largest economy Even in a country known for opaque and drawn-out decision making investors analysts and diplomats are pointing to signs that Beijing seems hesitant to deliver the bold policies needed to prop up an ailing post-COVID recovery This is not just an economic problem but a geopolitical one

U S President Joe Biden – at loggerheads with

China over hot-button issues like Taiwan the democratic island Beijing claims as its own – last week called China a ticking time bomb due to its economic ills That s not good because when bad folks have problems, they do bad things,” Biden said So why has China’s response been so tepid?

The view of several China watchers is that President Xi Jinping s focus on national security is restricting and working counter to the economic effort scaring off the money Beijing says it is seeking to attract

The core problem this year is that the leadership has given vague, high-level instructions for officials to balance economic development against national security ” said Christopher Beddor deputy director of

PTCL Group partners with PHA to plant trees at Murree Expressway to foster resilience against climate change

China research at Gavekal Dragonomics

If officials are unsure what the leadership wants them to do, they re likely to put off any action until they receive more information The result is policy paralysis, even if that comes at a substantial cost ” Others say the Communist Party’s ingrained hesitancy towards measures that could shift power from the state to the private sector and a government stacked with Xi s loyalists may be stifling the policy debate and stymieing the response

To be sure, change in China can take time, as demonstrated by its insistence on maintaining economically damaging COVID-19 restrictions through most of last year even as the rest of the world opened up

N C H R i n q u i r y te a m v i s i t s J a r a nwa l a

ISLAMABAD: According to an inquiry conducted by National Commission for Human Rights (NCH) on Thursday, a total of 17 churches were gutted in the unfortunate Jaranwala incident, including 12 registered and 5 smaller, unregistered churches Some 80 homes have been vandalised and damaged of which 30 to 40 homes gave been completely burnt The NCHR team led by Chairperson NCHR Rabiya Javeri Agha visited Jaranwala on Thursday to inquire into the illegal desecration of Churches and homes belonging to Christian community The delegation held meetings with the Commissioner Faisalabad Ms Silwat Saeed, RPO and officers of the district administation The team also met families of the affected community as well as saw first hand the devastation wrought by the rioters the day before P R

Iran FM touts unit y on first Saudi visit since ties restored

TEHRAN

A G E N C I E S

Iran s top diplomat preached unity and dialogue during a visit to Saudi Arabia on Thursday, his first since the two Middle East rivals announced a surprise rapprochement in March Hossein Amir-Abdollahian also took the opportunity to reiterate the Islamic Republic’s support for the Palestinian cause at a time when Riyadh is in discussions with the United States about potentially normalising ties with Israel Ties between Sunni-majority Saudi Arabia and Shiite-majority Iran are progressing in the right direction Amir-Abdollahian told reporters at a press conference with his Saudi counterpart Prince Faisal bin Farhan, touting economic and security cooperation without announcing any new agreements Thursday s meeting in the Saudi foreign ministry’s Islamic Solidarity Hall “will be a prelude to the meeting of the heads of the two countries” he added without specifying when President Ebrahim Raisi would visit Saudi Arabia at King Salman’s invitation We are sure that these meetings and cooperation will help the unity of the Islamic world The foreign ministers did not take questions

The two countries severed ties in 2016 after Saudi diplomatic missions in Iran were attacked during protests over Riyadh s execution of Shiite cleric Nimr al-Nimr But in March, a China-brokered deal saw the long-time rivals agree to restore diplomatic relations and reopen their respective embassies

In June Iran reopened its embassy in Riyadh with a flag-raising ceremony

Its new ambassador Alireza Enayati travelled with Amir-Abdollahian to Riyadh on Thursday Earlier this month Iran said the Saudi embassy in Tehran had begun operations but Riyadh has yet to confirm this or announce an ambassador of its own Amir-Abdollahian s one-day stop in Riyadh came two months after Prince Faisal became the first Saudi foreign minister to travel to Iran since 2006

year The afforestation drive will ensure the sustainability of the local environment and natural resources that usually come under pressure due to greater human and vehicular influx Apart from carbon reduction the new forest cover will also add to the region's natural splendor P R

AIR CHIEF, US AMBASSADOR AGREE TO ELEVATE SYNERGISTIC PARTNERSHIP BET WEEN T WO KEY ALLIES

ISLAMABAD S TA F F R E P O R T

UN I T E D States of America

Ambassador to Pakistan H E

K arachi to be made safe city, vows Mayor Mur taza Wahab

officials and members at the office of Karachi Electronics Dealers Association On this occasion Mayor Karachi s spokesperson for political affairs Karamullah Waqasi, parliamentary leader in city council Najmi Alam, UC Chairman Inayatullah Marwat, president of the association Muhammad Rizwan Irfan and other officials were also present Mayor Karachi said that in addition to water sewage transport and road infrastructure there has also been hopelessness in the minds of people PR

Pakistan Nav y ’s ship SAIF visits D ubai UAE

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Navy Ship SAIF visited Dubai, UAE during deployment on Regional Maritime Security Patrol Upon arrival Pakistan Navy Ship was received by Defence Attaché of Pakistan at Abu Dhabi and Senior Officials of UAE Navy

During the port visit Commanding Officer of PNS SAIF called-on Deputy Commander UAE Naval Forces and other senior Officials of UAE Navy

During the interactions, matters of mutual interests were discussed and enhancement of bilateral ties in all spheres was re-affirmed The Commanding Officer of PN ship conveyed well wishes from Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral Muhammad Amjad Khan Niazi for the people of UAE in general and UAE Navy in particular PNS SAIF celebrated Independence Day of Pakistan at UAE In this connection, a flag hoisting ceremony was held onboard the ship which was attended by DA (P) and children of Pakistani School at UAE PR

Mr Donald Blome called on Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmed Baber Sidhu, Chief of the Air Staff Pakistan Air Force in his office on Thursday The discussion underscored matters pertaining to geo political environment leading to emerging regional security challenges, augmenting the already fortified bilateral ties and fostering collaborative endeavours within the realms of defence and aviation

The Air Chief accentuated the cordial relations that exist between the two nations while emphasizing his steadfast de-

termination to elevate the existing synergistic partnership between the two key allies Chief of the Air Staff further said, "Pakistan deeply values its robust diplo-

matic, economic and defence ties with the United States of America which are firmly rooted in mutual consensus concerning all important matters pertaining

Japan's Success Stor y in Reducing Smok ing R ates

In 2000, 50 percent of all men and 33 percent of all adults in Japan smoked cigarettes

But in 2015 something changed Sales of cigarettes began declining five times faster than in the years before Japan s success in reducing smoking rates through the widespread adoption of heat-not-burn (HNB) tobacco products has caught the attention of health professionals and policymakers worldwide With its unique regulatory framework and effective public health campaigns, Japan has paved the way for offering smokers a potentially reduced-risk alternative to cigarettes

Smoking remains a significant public health issue in many countries causing numerous preventable diseases and premature deaths Cigarettes, as they burn tobacco, release harmful chemicals and toxins that pose serious health risks to both smokers and those exposed to secondhand smoke

To combat this issue alternatives provide nicotine to smokers without the associated

combustion and smoke-related risks

Tobacco use in Pakistan has serious consequences for public health

Each year tobacco use claims the lives of over 163 600 individuals with approximately 31,000 deaths attributed to secondhand smoke exposure alone These alarming statistics underline the urgent need to explore alternatives to cigarettes and Pakistan can learn from Japan which once had alarmingly high rates of smokers

The crucial factor behind Japan s success in promoting HNB products is its progressive regulatory framework In 2016, the Japanese government categorized HNB devices as "non-combustible cigarettes"

The Japanese Ministry of Health Labor and Welfare conducted extensive scientific studies to evaluate the risks and benefits of HNB products, engaging with industry stakeholders and independent experts This evidence-based approach ensured that regulatory decisions were informed by the best available

NTDC approves two specifications for human safety, asset protection of DISCOs

Dr Rana Abdul Jabbar Khan at the NTDC headquarters The meeting was attended by DMDs (P&E) and (AD&M), GM (D&E), GM (AM) North & South, CE (P&C), CE (SS Design), and CE (S&S) and other senior officers The APMS NTDC Specification DDS-76:2023, prepared by the Office of Chief Engineer Standard & Specification NTDC, aims to improve the life and performance of Distribution Transformers This will result in significant cost savings for Distribution Companies (DISCOs) by reducing the damage and burning ratio of these transformers Distribution Transformers are the backbone of the Distribution Network, and the automation of Distribution Substations will enhance the visibility of the LT network enabling Utility Companies to optimize the utilization of the Power Network through real-time

Telenor's Climate Change Dialogue unites industr y leaders for greener tomorrow

K a r a c h i: In a resolute bid to confront the pressing issue of climate change,

data, contributing to public trust and acceptance of HNB devices

The introduction of HNB products in Japan has had a profound impact on smoking rates and public health: The reduced-risk nature of HNB devices attracted many smokers who were hesitant to adopt traditional smoking cessation methods These products mimic the ritualistic and sensory aspects of smoking while significantly reducing the exposure to harmful chemicals found in combustible cigarettes

By embracing HNB technology, Japan has managed to shift a significant portion of the smoking population towards a less harmful alternative effectively reducing the overall harm caused by tobacco use and Pakistan can encourage smokers to switch to less harmful alternatives by adopting a similar regulatory framework that recognizes the potential harm reduction benefits of HNB products thereby empowering them to make informed decisions about their health

S indh governor administers oath to Interim CM Maqbool Baqar

K a r a c h i: Governor Sindh Kamran Khan

Tessori administered the oath of office to Justice

Retired Maqbool Baqar as caretaker Chief Minister of Sindh in simple ceremony at Governor House Judges of the Superior Courts, Consul Generals of Different countries, former federal and provincial ministers businessmen political and social figures senior officers and dignitaries of the city attended the ceremony Governor Sindh congratulated justice retired Maqbool Baqar on assuming the post of Caretaker Chief Minister Chief Secretary Sindh Dr Sohail Rajput was master of the ceremony Former Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah was also present on the occasion PR

Punjab Governor confers commendation awards upon eminent individuals

L a h o r e: The 76th Independence Day of Pakistan was marked by an extraordinary celebration as Governor Punjab Muhammad Baleegh ur Rehman, bestowed the coveted commendation awards upon eminent individuals who have exemplified unwavering dedication to empowerment, education, and youth development The commendation ceremony, held in the illustrious Governor House Lahore saw the convergence of luminaries who are driving positive change across the nation Dr Rukhsana David, Principal of Kinnaird College for Women, was recognized for her exceptional devotion to advancing education and facilitating access to quality learning opportunities for women across the nation PR

Shell Pakistan announces financial results for H1 2023

K

to regional peace, security and stability "

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

Force personnel and acknowledged the r e m a r k a b l e s t r i d e s m a d e b y PA F t h r o u g h i n d i g e n i z a t i o n u n d e r t h e c u rr e n t l e a d e r s h i p R e c o g n i z i n g t h e i mp o r t a n c e o f r i g o r o u s a n d c o m p r e h e n s i v e t r a i n i n g h e a s s u r e d t o p l a y h i s r o l e t o a d d r e s s t h e g a p s i n t h e t r a i n i n g d o m a i n s o a s t o e n s u r e t h a t PA F p e r s o n n e l r e c e i v e t h e h i g h e s t quality training, enabling them to meet t h e e v o l v i n g c h a l l e n g e s o f m o d e r n w a r f a r e T h e U S A m b a s s a d o r a l s o e xp r e s s e d h i s a d m i r a t i o n f o r P a k i s t a n ' s u n w a v e r i n g c o m m i t m e n t t o f a c i l i t a t e r e g i o n a l p e a c e a n d s t a b i l i t y

PSW extends digital trade network, adding more government depar tments

i s L a m a b a d: Pakistan Single Window (PSW) has successfully integrated its digital services with four government departments as part of the initiative s Phase-II rollout The integration of PSW’s digital services with the Mercantile Marine Department (MMD), the Marine Fisheries Department (MFD), the Ministry of Narcotics Control (MNC) and partially with the Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (DRAP) enables these departments to ensure the swift issuance of certificates, licenses, and permissions to cross-border traders electronically, providing a more comprehensive and inclusive platform for trade facilitation PSW has also successfully integrated with the Sindh Excise Taxation & Narcotics Control department for collection of provincial cess and other services related to cross border trade Integration of the PSW system with MNC and MFD enables the online processing and issuance of Import Permits and Export Certificates, resulting in significant time and cost savings, while PSW’s DRAP mechanism

K hushhali Microfinance Bank celebrates 23 years of empowering lives

K a r a c h i: Khushhali Microfinance Bank Limited (KMBL), Pakistan s first microfinance institution, commemorated its remarkable 23-year journey at their Head Office in Islamabad Established in August 2000, KMBL has consistently upheld its mission of financial inclusion and empowerment Over the past two decades KMBL has been at the forefront of revolutionizing financial accessibility for low-income individuals, households, and entrepreneurs across Pakistan By championing the concept of microfinance, KMBL has provided vital financial services that were previously out of reach for many This commitment to social impact has not only transformed countless lives but also earned KMBL the distinction of being named Pakistan s best microfinance bank for four consecutive years PR

Indonesia Consulate General in K arachi celebrates 78th Independence Anniversar y with remark able fer vor

K a r a c h i: The Consulate General of Indonesia in Karachi with a spirit of jubilation and camaraderie fervently marked the auspicious occasion of the 78th Indonesian Independence Anniversary This momentous event was graced by a distinguished flag hoisting ceremony, attended by a multitude of esteemed Indonesian citizens residing in Pakistan The commemoration an resonated an array of spirited games and interactive activities were thoughtfully orchestrated punctuated by the distribution of prizes to the enthusiastic participants Notably, a separate section dedicated to engaging the younger attendees featured an assortment of games designed to captivate the imaginations of the children adding an element of familial joy to the occasion PR

S tormFiber Unveils HighS peed Internet in SWAT

economic indicators and policies in empowering the private sector towards sustainable futures PR

StormFiber a well-known fiber-broadband company has unveiled that it has expanded to the beautiful city of Swat, the very heart of Pakistan, celebrated for its unmatched natural beauty and cultural opulence Often referred to as the "Switzerland of Pakistan," Swat now proudly joins StormFiber's digital network, becoming the 23rd city to benefit from its advanced connectivity Achieving the milestone of deploying 100% fiber-optic internet coverage across the mountainous expanse of Swat serves as a testament to StormFiber s unwavering commitment to facilitating a nationwide digital transformation The consistent and lightning-fast broadband quality they offer assures uninterrupted connectivity effectively becoming a lifeline for Swat s influencers entrepreneurs and talents enabling them to bridge the gap to global opportunities PR

P D M g o v t D e S t r o y e D e c o n o M y f u r t h e r D u r i n g y e a r 2 0 2 2 - 2 3

Rs59 billion According to the document, Primary Balance remained Rs 690 billion and Statistical Discrepancy Rs 380 billion Document states that the total financing remained Rs6521 billion in which the government has borrowed Rs 7201 billion from domestic sources (Bank Rs3528 billion and Non banks Rs 3672 billion) and also retired Rs 679 8 billion on account of external financing According to the document Out of total revenue Rs5300 billion an amount of Rs 4223 billion transfers from Federal Govt under the NFC Award The provincial taxes remained Rs 649 5 billion and non taxes Rs 165 8 billion

Falling share prices at PSX

g FALLING RUPEE, FEARS OVER SURGING INFLATION DETERMINANTS IN STOCKS CLOSING SHARPLY LOWER

PR OFIT

S TA F F R E P O R T

Pakistan Stock Exchange on Wednesday witnessed a bearish trend and closed in red zone with heavy losses as investors opted to book profits on available margins

Syrus Sajjad

Qazi assumes responsibilities as 32nd

foreign secretar y

Muhammad Syrus Sajjad Qazi assumed responsibilities as the country s 32nd foreign secretary on Thursday, replacing Asad Majeed Khan who retired from government service upon attaining superannuation In a post on social media site X

(formerly Twitter) the Foreign Office (FO) stated

Ambassador Syrus Qazi has assumed responsibilities as the 32nd foreign secretary of Pakistan

The FO further said, Ambassador Qazi brings with him an extensive experience in bilateral & multilateral diplomacy with postings in India, US & UN Geneva”

It added that the newly appointed official has served as the ambassador to Hungary from 2015 to 2017 and to Turkiye as well from 2017 to 2022

Following the announcement Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister for Political Affairs Ali Bagheri congratulated Qazi and wished him success in the heavy responsibility you have taken on at this time”

“Pakistan is our friendly and brotherly neighbour, and

I am happy to work closely with you ” the Iranian official had added In response Qazi thanked Bagheri for the warm felicitations and reciprocated the desire to work closely in further strengthening the close brotherly relations between the two countries

The development comes a day after he had been appointed to the role, according to the FO

Following the appointment the ex-foreign secretary had also wished Qazi success terming him “one of our best and most experienced diplomats

In March this year the High Powered Selection Board (HPSB) headed by former premier Shehbaz Sharif had promoted Qazi of the Foreign Service of Pakistan (FSP) to Grade 22

According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ (MoFA) website the 59-year-old joined the FSP in 1990 and holds an MBBS degree

Qazi has acted as Pakistan s third secretary/second secretary in Geneva from September 1995 to December 1999, as the first secretary in New Delhi from February 2005 to July 2006 and as the first secretary/counsellor/minister for Pakistan in Washington from August 2006 to June 2013

He has served as the Pakistani ambassador to Hungary from November 2015 to August 2017 and to Turkiye from September 2017 to October 2022 as per MoFA s website Qazi has also remained on deputation as the joint secretary for the Prime Minister s Office from June 2013 to October 2015, the MoFA website states

Asad Majeed’s retirement

In a post on X on Wednesday Khan had officially announced that he was retiring from the position

As I retire I want to thank all those who have been part of this incredible journey for their cooperation during my long and eventful career, he had stated Recalling his nearly 35-year-long career in the FSP, Khan had said, “While I will not hold any official position, public service remains my passion and giving back in whatever humble way I can my priority”

He had also paid a farewell call to Caretaker Prime Minister Anwaarul Haq Kakar where the latter congratulated him on a distinguished career and wished him well for the future

hit by taxation, Philip Morris faces 10.89% decline in sales

Reeling from soaring cigarette prices because of added taxation one of Pakistan s two big players in the tobacco industry, Philip Morris, marked a 10 89% decline in their sales from the same time frame last year The company revealed the statistics on their half-yearly results

The benchmark KSE-100 Index plunged by 419 31 points or 0 86 percent and closed at 48 146 44 points The index hit 48 614 47 points intra-day high and 48 108 88 points intra-day low level Trading activity remained thin as total daily volumes on ready counter decreased to 194 576 million shares as compared to 251 692 million shares traded on Tuesday while total daily traded value on ready counter declined to Rs 7 670 billion against previous session s Rs 9 038 billion

BRIndex100 decreased by 52 18 points or 1 06 percent to close at 4 881 49 points with total daily turnover of 174 862 million shares

BRIndex30 declined by 274 18 points or 1 57 percent to close at 17,162 79 points with total daily trading volumes of 112 664 million shares

The market capitalization declined by Rs 71 billion to Rs 7 179 trillion Out of total 339 active scrips 227 closed in negative and only 88 in positive while the value of 24 stocks remained unchanged

K-Electric was the volume leader with 19 296 million shares however lost Rs 0 08 to close at Rs 2 28 followed by Dewan Motors that increased by Rs 1 06 to close at Rs 15 14 with 14 109 million shares

OGDC declined by Rs 2 99 to close at Rs 98 28 with 10 957 million shares

Bata Pak and Reliance Cotton were the top gainers increasing by Rs 44 00 and Rs 25 79 respectively to close at Rs 1770 00 and Rs 488 29 while

Allawasaya Textile and Rafhan Maize were the top losers declining by Rs 140 00 and Rs 100 00 respec-

tively to close at Rs 1760 00 and Rs 8500 00

Ahsan Mehanti at Arif Habib Corporation said that stocks closed sharply lower led by scrips across the board on falling rupee and fears over surging inflation to keep interest rates high after caretaker government hiked POL prices to highest ever level

Surging industrial power tariff impacting corporate earnings outlook and dismal data on negative 10 26 percent LSM growth for FY23 played a catalyst role in bearish close

BR Automobile Assembler Index lost 54 66 points or 0 6 percent to close at 9 029 16 points with total turnover of 15 245 million shares

BR Cement Index inched down by 42 66 points or 0 83 percent to close at 5,099 78 points with 7 438 million shares BR Commercial Banks Index fell by 50 17 points or 0 44 percent to close at 11 413 46 points with 17 536 million shares BR Power Generation and Distribution Index declined by 148 45 points or 1 57 percent to close at 9,277 02 points with 31 208 million shares BR Oil and Gas Index decreased by 83 64 points or 1 87 percent to close at 4,380 18 points with 29 677 million shares BR Tech & Comm Index gained 2 74 points or 0 07 percent to

Pir, SHO, doc tor arrested in K hairpur housemaid murder c ase

KHAIRPUR S TA F F R E P O R T

The Police arrested a Pir at whose haveli a 10-year-old housemaid died allegedly due to torture Ranipur station house officer (SHO) and a doctor on the charge of facilitating and hiding the crime on Thursday

According to police, Fatima, 10, a daughter of Nadeem Ali from the Khanwahan area used to work as a housemaid for Pir Syed Asad Shah Jilani in the Ranipur area of Khairpur Her mother told the police that her daughter had been murdered as there were marks of torture on her body

The Sukkur deputy inspector

general (DIG) of police suspended the Ranipur station house officer (SHO) after videos of the girl, suffering from extreme physical pain, went viral on social media

In one of the videos torture marks were visible on Fatima s body while in another video the girl was panting in a room She was buried without a post-mortem

The videos went viral on social media that sent a wave of shock and anger among netizens Upon being informed of it Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Mir Rohail Khan Khoso reached Ranipur police station and arrested accused Syed Asad Shah Jilani Family members of the girl

Chairman Imran Khan in the Toshakhana case for hearing on August 22

A two-member IHC bench comprising Chief Justice Aamer Farooq and Justice Tariq Mehmood Jahangir

were also summoned for further legal action No matter how influential the accused is, he will be punished severely,” the SSP vowed Meanwhile the police also arrested the Ranipur SHO and a doctor who forged a fake medical report of the girl on the charge of facilitating and hiding the crime

A DVR of CCTV camera was also recovered from SHO Amir Chang Police said that they were trying to recover the record of previous weeks of the haveli with the help of DVR

The entire team of the Ranipur SHO and the doctor have been involved in the investigation on the order of DIG Javed Jaskani

will hear the case The court has also issued notices to the respondents over the appeal against the sentence The court had already sought a complete record of the Toshakhana case It is to be noted here that a sessions court of Islamabad had sentenced the PTI chairman to three years in prison and fined him Rs100,000 in the Toshakhana case After the court verdict, the PTI chairman was arrested from Lahore and transferred to Attock Jail

FBR set to auc tion proper ties of iconic Bio

The manufacturers of the iconic shampoo brand Bio Amla in Pakistan are set to have their properties auctioned to recover unpaid taxes The auction will be carried out by the Federal Board for Revenue and is the first such auction that the board is conducting in its history

The upcoming auction caps a yearslong saga in which the board has been running after the directors of Forvil Cosmetics Pvt Ltd the company that manufactures the famous black shampoo bottle that has

The decrease in sales had a direct impact on the net profits for the company for these months it fell to Rs 37 2 crores from Rs 1 53 billion which is a 76% decrease in profits Similarly in the first quarter the company faced a 102% decrease in profits, which is directly proportional to the sales which decreased by 33% in the first quarter compared to similar period last year This was during the time the government released the mini-budget in February 2023 skyrocketing the prices for cigarettes and the taxes on each pack To put the numbers from the Philip Morris report in context according to an article published on Profit earlier, the Pakistan Tobacco Company (PTC) officials revealed that sales volumes for March 2023 were around 1 84 billion sticks as opposed to 4 84 billion sticks in Jan 2023 before the mini-budget was released”

Following that tobacco companies in Pakistan announced an increase in cigarette prices of 250% per pack since the implementation of the government s Rs 170 billion mini-budget It incorporated a rise in sales tax from 16% to 17%, along with a 150% surge in federal excise duty (FED) on cigarettes Various cigarette brands such as Marlboro Gold Leaf Capstan and Gold Flake were then being sold for around Rs 500-550 per pack This increase in FED allowed local non-taxpaying tobacco companies to expand their business by selling these cigarettes at an average price of Rs 100 per pack which is significantly below the legal minimum price PTC additionally revealed that over 100 illicit cigarette brands lacking graphic health warnings had inundated the market These brands brazenly ignored all regulations established by the Pakistani Government, displaying a complete lack of concern about the potential of facing consequences

As of recently, Philip Morris Pakistan has set the retail price of one of its cigarette brands below the stipulated Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) rate of Rs 330 for FED of Tier-1 As per PMI the retail prices for Marlboro Advance Royals and Marlboro Gold will be Rs326 27 Rs118 64 and Rs409 32 per 20-cigarette pack, respectively

To put this in perspective, the Federal Excise Act 2005 states that selling cigarettes below the retail price plus sales tax is an offense Offenders can be fined up to twenty thousand rupees or a hundred thousand rupees under clause (b) with imprisonment up to five years The Marlboro Advance s retail price is now compliant with the Act

Earlier, the Managing Director of Philip Morris Pakistan complained about the illicit tobacco companies stating that an implementation of track and trace must be consistent and carried out rigorously to ensure the right results for the legit industry In addition to this Philip Morris Pakistan Executive Director and Chief Financial Officer Muhammad Zeeshan in May referred to a EuroMonitor research during a press conference stating that Pakistan held approximately 40% market share of illegal cigarettes in 2022, solidifying its position as the largest illicit cigarette market in South Asia

With that being said tobacco company officials had stated that despite the complaints to the Ministry of Finance addressing the need to rectify the tax discrepancies that arose following the mini-budget, the ministry has not taken into account the industry’s appeal Philip Morris Pakistan saw a significant drop of 70% sales and 60% reduction in production volume during March and April 2023 This negative trend is expected to persist due to the increase in the prevalence of illicit cigarettes According to earlier reports, it has been stated that the tobacco sector contributes a significant 98% of the total tax revenue from the tobacco industry whereas the illicit cigarette manufacturers contribute only 2% It also holds a total market share of 40% as of now which is projected to rise to 50% if left unchecked This will then make Pakistan one of the largest illicit cigarette markets worldwide

manufac turer to recover taxes

been around in Pakistan since at least the early 1980s The auction will take place on the 21st of August this year

The initial investigation into the manufacturers of Bio Amla began back in 2017 Reports of serious under-invoicing had emerged back then after which the FBR had asked the Intellectual Property Organisation (IPO) to block the transfer sale and subleasing of the copyright, trademark, patent etc of Bio Amla and others owing to the default of sales tax Forvil Cosmetics, which was founded back in the early 1960s, has long been a mainstay in Pakistan’s cosmetics market as an initial local player that cre-

ated products domestically instead of importing them

However, because the company is privately owned and was allegedly involved in tax evasion, the FBR has put the organisation and its owners under intense scrutiny Back in December 2022 the FBR had first moved to auction these properties It had been brought to the attention of the office of the FBR that Zakauddin Shaikh, Zunir Ahmad, Khalida Parveen and Wamiq Zaka were directors of Forvil Cosmetics and hence defaulters of sales tax amounting to Rs 310 7 million along with default surcharge The named defaulters have failed to