Epaper_23-08-21 LHR

L AW MINISTRY REBUTS AS PRESIDENT ALVI DENIES HAVING SIGNED T WO KEY L AWS

g MINISTRY A SKS PRESIDENT TO ‘TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR HIS OWN ACTIONS,’ CITING ARTICLE 75 OF CONSTITUTION

20 killed, 15 injured in bus fire after colliding van near Pindi Bhattian

the President House has not released a statement

Section 6-A of the secrets act creates a new offence of unauthorised disclosure of the identities of members of intelligence agencies, informants or sources The offence would be punishable by up to three years in jail and a fine of up to Rs10 million

The Army Act paves the way for the punishment of up to five-year rigorous imprisonment to any person guilty of disclosing any information, acquired in an official capacity that is or may be prejudicial to the security and interest of Pakistan or the

Bills become law af ter no objection from president within ten days: Caretaker Law Minister

ISLAMABAD: Caretaker Minister for Law and Justice

Ahmed Irfan Aslam on Sunday said that under Article 75 of the Constitution a bill automatically becomes law if the President didn t approves or reject it within stipulated time period of ten days Caretaker Minister for Law and Justice Ahmed Irfan Aslam was addressing a press conference along with Caretaker Minister for Information Murtaza Solangi here

The law minister said that the caretaker government has no political agenda and its mandate was also limited He said that being the head of the federation the president is revered in all of our hearts He said that The Pakistan Army (Amendment) Bill 2023 was received by the presidency on August 2 while Official Secrets (Amendment) Bill reached there on August 8, after being passed by the two houses of the Parliament

The caretaker law minister said that when a bill is sent to the President, he has two options: either to approve the bill or

send it back to the Parliament with his observations in writing

There is no third option under Article 75 of the Constitution, he said adding that ten days of time period is fixed in the Constitution to exercise one of these options Ahmed Irfan Aslam said that the President has exercised these powers many times in the recent and distant past The President gave observations in many laws and also sent back bills to the Parliament, he said Before today, he said, no such situation has come before us that anything has returned from the presidency without the signatures of the President The law minister said that these two bills have not been received back from the President Office despite Article 75 of the Constitution clearly provides a period of ten days in order to avoid any political ambiguity If the President does not exercise the authority within this time period, the bill is considered to be approved and automatically becomes law as per the constitution, he said

The DPO said that the passenger bus had collided with the pick-up truck which caused the former to burst into flames He said that the drivers of both vehicles were killed in the accident

He said that the seriously injured, some of whom were critical, were being shifted to a hospital in Faisalabad

The accident happened because the driver of the passenger bus fell asleep and his vehicle smashed into a pick-up van carrying drums of diesel The bus suddenly caught fire As a result 20 passengers died and 15 sustained serious injuries The process of identifying the burnt passengers is still going on and the officials said the Islamabad-bound bus, coming from Karachi, was carrying 35-40 passengers Hafizabad DPO Dr Fahad said that bodies of the passengers died in the accident have been shifted to Tehsil Headquarters Hospital He said that the fire engulfed the bus shortly after it hit the pick-up He said most of the injured are in critical condition According to Rescue 1122, its teams reached the scene within five minutes of being informed Among those who died in the accident included six members of a same family while those injured belonging to Karachi Khairpur Faisalabad Jalalpur Bhattian and Pindi Bhattian Hafizabad DSP Ahsan Zafar said that the passenger bus was burnt into ashes after crashing into the van carrying drums of diesel

g SAYS ‘STAFF UNDERMINED MY WILL AND COMMAND’ BY GIVING ASCENT TO OFFICIAL SECRETS, ARMY ACT AMEND BILLS

g PPP, PML-N DEMAND RESIGNATION OF PRESIDENT AFTER HE DENIED SINGING BILLS

NATION REMEMBERS RASHID MINHAS FOR HIS HEROIC LEGACY, UNDYING COURAGE

LAHORE a p p

The 52nd martyrdom anniversary of Pilot Officer Rashid Minhas Shaheed, one the youngest recipients of Nishan-e-Haider, was observed on Sunday across the country He embraced martyrdom at Goth Ahmed Shah in Sujawal district on this day in 1971

Lt-Gen (r) Naeem Khalid Lodhi while talking to APP said that the defence of Pakistan is safeguarded by its venerable armed forces, which also monitor and watch the ideological frontiers of the motherland every moment

At the time of need sons of the valiant armed forces combated and defeated the cowardly enemy including the scourge of terrorism in a befitting manner, he added

The brave armed forces and sons of the soil have a wide range of experience to deal with any aggression or the menace of terrorism and the entire world could learn from Pakistan how to cope with the enemy or terrorism, he said He said that the nation, standing with its forces, displayed unanimous spirit in facing any challenge or enemy boldly and defeated them on all fronts

In fact there have been rare examples of such extreme valour and courage in global military history which the Pakistani nation and its heroes and soldiers showcased at various occasions, Lodhi said

A similar poignant story is of Rashid Minhas Shaheed, who after having joined the air force was commissioned on March 13 1971 in the 51st GD(P) Course

He began training to become a pilot

On August 20 of that year in the hour before noon, he was getting ready to take off in a T-33 jet trainer in Karachi, his second solo flight in that type of aircraft Minhas was taxiing towards the runway when a

Ranipur maid case: Medical repor t confirms physical violence on girl

KHAIRPUR s ta f f r e p o r t

The initial medical examination of the 10year-old domestic worker Fatima who allegedly suffered fatal abuse by a spiritual leader in Ranipur has confirmed signs of physical violence inflicted upon her

The deceased girl was employed as a domestic maid at a mansion owned by local influential Pir Asad Shah in Ranipur town of district Khairpur A case was lodged against Pir Asad on the complaint of victim s mother Shabnam Khatoon Later Pir Asad was arrested by the police On Friday, Khairpur police constituted a medical board to exhume the victim’s body and conduct a post-mortem analysis, which was completed yesterday As reported by the Sukkur DIG Javed Jiskani the medical board has also expressed concerns about the possibility of sexual assault prompting the collection of samples from the primary suspect for DNA testing

Furthermore, the Sukkur DIG said the remand of the Ranipur station house officer and head muharrar a doctor and a compounder all of whom were included in the case s investigation would be sought These suspects are expected to be formally implicated in the case for tampering with evidence and burying the victim without a proper postmortem examination The DIG has additionally issued orders to rescue all children residing in the spiritual leader's residence and ensure their safe return to their families A police outpost will be established at the residence, and DNA samples will be collected from all adult males present there The samples obtained from the victim's body have already been dispatched to the laboratory for analysis The primary suspect

Asad Shah has undergone tests at GIMS Hospital including the collection of nose and blood samples, as stated by the investigating officer The DIG said that the findings of the report would be made public

Bengali instructor pilot, Flight Lieutenant Matiur Rahman signalled him to stop and then climbed into the instructor ’s seat The jet took off and turned towards India Minhas radioed PAF Base Masroor with the message that he was being hijacked The air controller requested that he resend his message, and he confirmed the hijacking Later investigation showed that Rahman intended to defect to India to join his compatriots in the Bangladesh Liberation War along with the jet trainer In the air Minhas struggled physically to wrest control from Rahman; each man tried to overpower the other through the mechanically linked flight controls Some 32 miles (51 km) from the Indian border the jet crashed near Thatta Both men died Minhas was posthumously awarded Pakistan s top military honour the NishanE-Haider, and became the youngest man and the only member of the Pakistan Air Force to win the award

Minhas’s Pakistan military citation for the Nishan-E-Haider states that he “forced the aircraft to crash in order to prevent Rahman from taking the jet to India This is the official, popular and widely known

version of how Minhas died Yawar A Mazhar a writer for Pakistan Military Consortium relayed in 2004 that he spoke to retired PAF Group Captain Cecil Chaudhry about Minhas and that he learned more details not generally known to the public According to Mazhar, Chaudhry led the immediate task of investigating the wreckage and writing the accident report Chaudhry told Mazhar that he found the jet had hit the ground nose first instantly killing Minhas in the front seat Rahman s body however was not in the jet and the canopy was missing Chaudhry searched the area and saw Rahman’s body some distance behind the jet the body found with severe abrasions from hitting the sand at a low angle and a high speed Chaudhry thought that Minhas probably jettisoned the canopy at low altitude causing Rahman to be thrown from the cockpit because he was not strapped in Chaudhry felt that the jet was too close to the ground at that time too far out of control for Minhas to be able to prevent the crash On August 20 2023 in various events on his 52nd martyrdom anniversary, Armed Forces of Pakistan, Chairman

Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee and Services Chiefs have paid glowing tribute to Pilot Officer Rashid Minhas Shaheed

In a media release, the ISPR said Pilot Officer Rashid Minhas’s martyrdom anniversary serves as a powerful reminder of the extraordinary sacrifices made by Armed Forces of Pakistan

It said in the line of duty Pilot Officer Rashid Minhas lived up to great traditions of Pakistan Armed Forces in defending the motherland

Meanwhile, Pakistan Air Force Directorate General Public Relations has released a short documentary to pay homage to youngest recipient of Nishan-e-Haider Pilot Officer Rashid Minhas Shaheed

Caretaker Prime Minister Anwaar-ulHaq Kakar on Sunday also paid a rich tribute to the courage and sacrifice of Pilot Officer Rashid Minhas Shaheed In a tweet today the premier said observing the 52nd anniversary of martyrdom of Pilot Officer Rashid Minhas Shaheed (Nishan e Haider) today, we as a nation salute his undying courage His heroic act on 20 Aug 1971 preserved our national dignity and his legacy of valor remains undimmed Mahboob Ali a retired PAF officer told APP that after his death Minhas was honoured as a national hero In his memory the Pakistan Air Force base at Kamra was renamed PAF Base Minhas, often called Minhas-Kamra

In Karachi, Minhas was honoured by the naming of a main road Rashid Minhas Road and a two-rupee postal stamp bearing his image was issued by Pakistan Post in December 2003

Rashid Minhas was a very young and inexperienced pilot The crash took place during his second solo flight on T-33 aircraft In the run up to the 1971 crisis the PAF had grounded all East Pakistani pilots in PAF and assigned them ground jobs

Energy projec ts proved to be game changer in economic stability: CEO PEDO

PESHAWAR

a z z B u n e r i

Pakhtunkhwa Energy Development Organization (PEDO) Chief Executive Officer Engineer Naeem Khan Sunday said that the ongoing energy projects for the production of cheap hydropower in the province will be proved as game changer for the stability of the economy of province and to control the ongoing energy crisis in the country

Apart from the production of cheap electricity the industrial sector would be developed on one hand while on the other hand, new employment opportunities will be available in the province The damages caused to some parts of the energy projects in the district of Swat due to the disastrous floods in August last year and the importation of electrical equipment was stopped, there was a slight delay in the completion of the projects, but now these projects are being completed rapidly while some are passing through the final stages of completion

He expressed these views while visiting various ongoing hydropower projects under the supervision of PEDO in Swat and Lower Dir districts On this occasion, he was accompanied by a team

of project directors of various projects

He went to Daral Khwar power plant Swat of 36 MW where he reviewed the emergency safety arrangements and speed of work on flood protection for power plant and colony

He also issued necessary instructions to the authorities on slowness of work, after which he reviewed the construction of the colony at the site of Gabral Kalam 88 MW hydropower project and expressed satisfaction with the ongoing work of the project authorities to complete the ongoing work before the scheduled time

Moreover, he went to the site of the ongoing 84 MW Gorkin Matiltan hydropower project in Swat district where he urged the project authorities to speed up the work saying that there is no doubt that due to the dilapidated condi-

‘Melody Queen’ Nayyara Noor remembered on 1st death anniversar y

ISLAMABAD s ta f f r e p o r t

tion of the road between Bahrain and Kalam, the project was delayed Furthermore, difficulties are being faced in the supply of machinery and material however the contractor insisted on transporting the goods through alternative small transport to complete the work more quickly CEO PEDO, Engr Naeem Khan also visited the 40 8MW Koto power plant in Lower Dir district where he met with a team of Chinese engineers expressed concern over the problems faced in importing electromechanical equipment and the slow pace of work, urging the project authorities to speed up the work Naeem Khan issued strict instructions to all project directors to speed up work on their projects on an urgent basis otherwise they would be responsible for the losses in case of any delay

Transparent polls govt's top priorit y: Balochistan caretaker CM

SIBI

s ta f f r e p o r t

Caretaker Chief Minister Balochistan

Mir Ali Mardan Domki said Sunday that transparent election in a peaceful environment was the mandate and priority of the interim government

These views were expressed by him while chairing a meeting held during his visit to Sibi He said that an effective strategy would have to be adopted by law enforcement agencies to cope up with security challenges and maintain

law and order situation

Highlighting the smart policing ins t e a d o f t r a d i t i o n a l p o l i c i n g , h e s a i d that the usage of latest technology in p o l i c i n g w a s i n e v i t a b l e a d d i n g t h a t police ought to have improved its performance in order to obtain confidence of the people It was required to highlight the sense of security amongst the c i t i z e n s b y a d o p t i n g t h e c o n c e p t o f “ S a f e C i t y ” i n b i g c i t i e s o f t h e province said Domki Ali Shair Jhakrani Deputy Inspector General of Police Sibi Range on the occasion gave briefing regarding law and order situation in district Sibi

S choolboys stealing buffaloes

City notes M a n i a z i

FO R M E R US President Donald Trump has been charged in Georgia with trying to overturn the 2020 election, and charges have been more normally used in organized crime such as racketeering and conspiracy Now Imran would have preferred a longer sentence if only they had used the right charges Those charges of watch-theft are likely to bring him down in the estimate of his fellow villagers

Now when Ch Zahoor Elahi was hauled up on Zulfikar Ali Bhutto on a charge of buffalo theft that was not something that demeaned one in the eyes of rural society Even now rural society shows a distressing sense of meum and tuum as far as livestock is concerned Such new-fangled ideas as misappropiating or misdeclaring the proceeds from a sale would not create much of a revulsion of feeling Imran would probably like a charge where he could be imagined going

about the place doing violence, with some-

one like Ali Amin Gandapur in tow

Now if someone goes to jail for a mul-

tiple murder that is probably going to enhance his respect in the village There re probably some in Garhi Khuda Bux itself who believe that Bhutto did order the murder for which he was hanged, and honour him for it, though they would be puzzled by his hanging Abettors usually get only a life sentence which means release in 14 years time

Of course Imran might find himself in more trouble yet on trial by a military court for the attacks on military installations and memorials on May 9 Matters seem worse because his nephew Hassaan Niazi has been captured d Hassaan arguably performed the most symbolic of the actions of May 9 by waving the trousers of the Corps Commander Lahore to a crowd of PTI supporters

I don t think I can imagine anything more schoolboyish The looting of the kitchen was perhaps more childish, but only by a whisker And maybe that is the spirit inspiring Imran Maybe he’s just a 71-year-old schoolboy maybe he s still just a child The unfortunate part is that a lot of Pakistanis

expected him to solve their problems At least Anwarul Haq Kakar was not acting like a schoolboy, and the caretaker Cabinet he inducted was neither too wonkish or too schoolboyish

The Ecuadorian presidential election was recently thrown into turmoil by the assassination of a candidate He was campaigning against corruption That meant he was campaigning against the drug cartels The drug there is cocaine for the US market Well at least he wasn t thrown into jail for corruption On the other hand Imran hasn t been assassinated Well, nobody was assassinated in Jaranwala Very thin consolation that was, though, for the attacks on the churches there mark a dangerous sign Desecration of the Holy Quran seems to have become a Scandinavian thing with another incident in Denmark by the same guy as burnt one in Stockholm Very bad, and truly condemnable But does that mean churches must be razed? There was a deliberate movement about 1000 years ago in Cordova seeking martyrdom by blaspheming against the Holy Prophet (PBUH) The blasphemers were executed and there was no apology

First death anniversary of renowned Pakistani singer Nayyara Noor, commonly known as ‘Bulbul-e-Pakistan’ was observed on Sunday Fans of the Melody Queen belonging to different walks of life through media platforms paid rich tributes for her unforgettable contribution to the entertainment industry Nayyara Noor was one of the top playback singers in the country With no formal musical background, Noor also did not receive any formal training in music, however, she proved her God-gifted singing talents all over the subcontinent She was born on November 3 1950 in Guwahati Assam where she spent her early childhood days She was seven when her family migrated to Pakistan, a private news channel reported From her early childhood, she took fancy to Begum Akhtar ’s ghazals, thumris and Kanan Devi’s bhajans Later in 1968 Noor started singing songs on Radio Pakistan and then on Pakistan Television in 1971 The singer then never looked back as her unstoppable musical journey began In 1973, she was accorded the Nigar Award for Best Playback Singer in the film Gharana In 1977, her reputation peaked as the songs of the film Aaina touched the hearts of Pakistanis Nayyara Noor showed her excellence while working with every major composer for film and TV during her time She sang Ahmed Shamim s Kabhi Hum Bhi Khoobssorat Thay for the PTV drama serial ‘Teesra Kinara ’ Nayyara liked to sing Ibn-e-Insha’s ghazals as she believed they carry a unique pathos like Jalay tau jalao gori Initially she came to be known for singing Faiz Ahmad Faiz s poetry Her iconic rendition of Faiz s poetry turned out to be probably the most known and celebrated work she produced in 1976 as a birthday gift for Faiz In her long career as a singer Nayyara Noor received a lot of praise and was given the title of Bulbul-e-Pakistan (Nightingale of Pakistan) In 2006 Noor was honored with the Pride of Performance Award and in 2012, she bid farewell to her professional singing career by saying that it is honorable to step back in time Her famous songs were Watan ki matti gawah rehna, ‘Jalay tau jalao gori’ and Kabhi Hum Bhi Khoobssorat Thay She also sang patriotic songs including Sohni Dharti as well as countless ones for Pakistani films

ECP begins delimitation process in Sindh

KARACHI s ta f f r e p o r t Election Commission Sindh has begun the process of new delimitation according to census results of 2023 After the announcement of a new delimitation by the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP), Election Commission Sindh began the work across the province The Provincial Election Commission has directed the district election commissioners to obtain materials statistical blocks and maps from the deputy commissioners and administrations of their respective districts? Earlier, the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) announced that general elections are not possible within 90 days As per details, the Election Commission of Pakistan has decided to hold the upcoming general election on the census 2023

The ECP stated that the commission is bound to carry out the delimitation process The first publication will be on October 9 while the final publication will be on December 14

The ECP meeting decided to seek assistance from the provincial governments and the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS) in the delimitation process

for that But there is no record of any blasphemy in response against Christian prophets or saints Churches continued to be protected as before FOOTNOTE TO THESE NOTES: I had a funny realisation We have managed to make ‘disappear ’ a transitive verb When I was a young shaver learning the ins and outs of the Enlish language (which I still haven t done) I always looked on disappear as an intransitive verb, which had no

object just a subject Now disappearing is done to others It doesn t just happen People disappear other people It s not as if its an invention of anybody here Or even a copying of a technique in the War On Terror, though admittedly where once terrorists disappeared now it’s Baloch young people Has anyone heard of the desparecidos the disappeared ones all those young people who disappeared in Latin America in the war against communism back in the 1970s?

EXORBITANT PRICES OF BACK-TO-SCHOOL SUPPLIES HAUNT INFLATION-STRICKEN PARENTS

ISLAMABAD a p p

WI T H back-to-school essentials in demand amid opening of the educational institutions in the federal capital after summer vacation break majority of the parents are grappling with the exorbitant prices of all school items

Most of private schools start their new academic session after the summer break when most of parents have to purchase back-to-school essentials for their kids by physically visiting the stationary stores or ordering through online suppliers

The price of school supplies from glue color pencils, markers, lunch box, water bottles, geometry boxes, school bags, and cut boxes to textbooks, notebooks, and uniforms has registered a significant increase which made it difficult for families especially salaried class to manage the educational expenses

I have spent around Rs 20,000 to purchase only the textbooks of my son studying in Grade II while I still have to buy the stationary items and uniform as per the list provided by the school administration”

Shaista Adil a mother of two children said

Although it has become difficult to bear the expenses of my one school-going son who is studying in private school, we

20 killed, 15 injured in bus fire after colliding with van near Pindi Bhattian

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 01

People nearby tried to pull the passengers out of the bus by breaking windows The accident happened around 4:30 in the morning while the fire was brought under control after the hectic efforts of an hour A surviving passenger in the vehicle said that the bus driver was changed at Rahim Yar Khan while the petrol of the vehicle started leaking near the M3 toll plaza on Pindi

Bhattian Later, Punjab caretaker Transport Minister Ibrahim Murad expressed grief in a statement on the loss of 18 lives in the accident and extended condolences to the bereaved He said those responsible for the deadly accident would be taken to task after an investigation

The interim minister said 33 passengers were travelling in the ill-fated bus and the 12 injured among them were being provided with the best possible medical facilities He lamented that “bus company owners do not ensure the fitness of their vehicles in the country” and emphasised the need for a strategy to prevent the entry of unfit vehicles in Punjab and other provinces Caretaker PM President Info minister aggrieved at loss of precious lives

have no option left when the government institutions lack facilities and educational standards,” she lamented Abid Shah another parent said “I was surprised to hear the price of the trolley bag which was Rs 12 000 during my visit to the school supplies shop what to talk about the other items

Talking to APP, he said, Getting education in a private school has become a luxury keeping in view the increasing fee structure and a long list of stationary and other items they give The fee of my son studying in early year class is Rs 23 000 besides annual charges of Rs 25,000 which is too hard to afford during the prevailing price hike situation”

Another parent, Farah Hamid said that instead of making things easier for the parents, the private schools provide a long list of stationary items to the parents for buying which are hardly used during the whole year

Not only do the parents have to buy all the stationary themselves but these schools also grab annual charges for stationery too in the name of artwork, overburdening the parents” she observed She urged the relevant authorities to keep a check on unusual increases in the prices of school items in the markets and take action against the unjust price hike Tahir Mehmood, who is associated with the profession of teaching for a long

time said that parents already struggling amid rising inflation and facing a cost of living are forced to pay high prices for essential school items for their kids

He said “Back-to-school shopping is really stressful for them but they have to pay as being parents they consider these items as an essential category in their shopping list

Parents are making some real sacrifices and leading uncomfortable life in these days due to soaring inflation highpriced fuel electricity and gas ” Prices of school items like shoes uniforms backpacks and lunch boxes crayons, markers, notebooks, chart papers, binders, papers, pens, erasers, and pencils have increased substantially due to the prevailing inflation,” he added

When contacted the owner of a prominent book and stationery shop in F-8 said

The inflation has not only distressed the parents of the school-going kids but every section of life

He said, Since our country import paper and the price of paper has increased the prices of textbooks and notebooks have registered a 40 to 45 percent stationery increase this year which is very unusual

We cannot less the price of stationery items on our own as we are getting these items at increased prices too Ultimately, we are left with no option but to shift this burden on the customers” he said

FA F E N u r g e s e l e c t o r a l f a i r n e s s t h r o u g h d e l i m i t at i o n exe r c i s e

ISLAMABAD s ta f f r e p o r t

The Free and Fair Election Network (FAFEN) on Sunday called upon the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) to prioritize the principle of population equality in electoral constituencies during the upcoming delimitation exercise

It said the 7th Population and Housing Census-2023, necessitates adjustments to constituency boundaries to ensure fair representation for all citizens said a press release

FAFEN said in light of recent amendments to the Elections Act 2017 including the addition of a new proviso to Section 20 (3), the ECP was no longer bound to strictly adhere to existing district boundaries This change was implemented to prevent population disparities in constituencies from exceeding 10 per cent it added

It emphasized that such measures were essential to uphold the fairness of the electoral process, as stipulated under Article 218 (3) of the Constitution

citizens constitutional right to equality (Article 25) but also undermined the spirit of fair representation The insertion of the new proviso in Section 20 (3) effectively neutralized the requirement that previously compelled the ECP to consider existing administrative unit boundaries during delimitation it added

Islamabad Club put on hold membership despite getting Rs830m advance entrance fee

ISLAMABAD s h a h z a d pa r aC h a Islamabad Club has put on hold dozens of government officials as well as private citizens membership despite getting advance entrance fee amounting Rs830 million, disclosed the Federal government (Civil) Audit Report 2022-23 According to documents the management of Islamabad Club received advance entrance fee amounting to Rs83 7 million during the financial year

Meanwhile, Radio Pakistan said that Caretaker Prime Minister Anwaarul Haq, President Dr Arif Alvi and Interim Information Minister Murtaza Solangi expressed sorrow over the bus accident They stressed the need to determine the reasons behind the accident in order to avoid the same in the future

They ordered the departments concerned to take ensure best treatment facilities to the injured and take effective measures to avoid such incidents in the future They also sympathized with the bereaved families and prayed for those killed in the accident

Meanwhile, Punjab Caretaker Chief Minister Mohsin Naqvi expressed sorrow over the loss of precious human lives due to the fire in a passenger coach near Pindi Bhattian

The chief minister expressed heartfelt sympathies and condolences to the families of the deceased He also sought a report on the tragic incident from the administration and the police The best treatment facilities should be provided to the injured, he directed “The Punjab government equally shares the grief of the bereaved families ” he stated

FAFEN highlighted that the unequal size of constituencies not only violated

It said the previous delimitation of National and Provincial Assembly constituencies in 2022 resulted in 82 National Assembly (NA) and 88 Provincial Assemblies (PA) constituencies having population variations exceeding 10 per cent from the respective seat quotas such as; NA-39 Bannu, the largest constituency, was nearly three times larger in population compared to the smallest, NA-42 Tank FAFEN estimated that if district boundaries were followed constituencies from two-thirds of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa districts, half of Sindh districts, one-third of Punjab districts, and all Balochistan districts may experience population variance exceeding 10 per cent It recommended the ECP consider amending its rules for delimitation to align with the new proviso in Section 20

(3) Specifically, FAFEN suggested changing Rules 10 (4) and 10 (5) to limit population variance within a province to a maximum of 10 per cent, instead of five per cent within a district Additionally it called for the inclusion of an updated population column in Form-7 (Final List of Constituencies) after addressing representations filed on the draft list FAFEN also advocated for greater transparency by urging the ECP to make it mandatory for Delimitation Committees to provide detailed explanations for cases where variance exceeds 10 per cent The organization emphasized the need for clear definitions of factors to be considered during delimitation and recommends amendments to Rules 12 and 13 to streamline the representation process

In conclusion FAFEN underscored that enhancing the delimitation process was pivotal to ensuring electoral fairness and preventing imbalances in population representation The organization stressed that delimitation was a crucial mechanism for allocating political power and must be carried out justly fairly and transparently

of membership cases is leading to undo retention of money deposited by the applicants and non-finalization of cases is a question mark on the transparency of allotment of membership Management replied that applicants from the year 2003-16 were mostly interviewed However pending applications due to file status are incomplete, remained absent in interviews and Deferred by the balloting committee Other applicants are also being interviewed or scheduled for future interviews on their turn The para was discussed in the DAC meeting held on December 14, 2022 The DAC directed the Islamabad Club to submit a revised and cogent reply to Audit within four weeks Revised and cogent reply was not furnished to Audit within two weeks on 02 01 2023 Audit recommends that effective steps should be taken for finalization of outstanding membership

Gwadar to glor y, a tale of D r Raheela Baloch

GWADAR s ta f f r e p o r t

Shattering stereotypes, Dr Raheela Shay Baloch’s story is a tale of lifelong struggle hardships and commitment according to a report Gwadar to glory published by TMagazine

She was born in the home of a fisherman in Gwadar, but that didn t stop her from dreaming for a better life Early in her life she had resolved to not only become financially independent but also to take care of the family when she grew up Dr Baloch has set a precedent for the women of Balochistan to follow their dreams and that the sky is the limit

“My father was a fisherman who

worked in Iran and our family was barely able to meet the daily needs of life,” says Dr Baloch “When I look back I remember how hard those times were for us as a family We didn t have money to even buy shoes Words cannot express how much we have suffered When she was in the tenth grade, she got her first job as receptionist “I knew that the dream of being financially independent could not be turned into reality especially if you belong to a poor background she says

After completing my intermediate I joined Isra University in Karachi and along with that I worked as an assistant to a gynecologist in the Anklesaria Hospital At the time my salary was only Rs5000 which wasn’t enough to meet expenses

but I had no option but to stick to this job ”

It was difficult to pay the semester fees “My father paid the fee for one semester but he clearly said that he could not afford to pay for the rest of the semesters she says I couldn t complain because I knew that he didn t make much as a fisherman I also understood that if I wanted to pursue my education, then I had to keep my eyes open for scholarships and try my best to avail any such opportunity Her real struggle began in 2013 when she applied for an MBBS scholarship in China I was successful in achieving the scholarship, says Dr Baloch But right f r o m t h e b e g i n n i n g , i t w a s t o u g h , b ecause there were financial problems I arrived in China with no money and I was

n o t a l l o w e d t o w o r k a s p e r r u l e s o f m y s c h o l a r s h i p I f I d i d , m y s c h o l a r s h i p would be cancelled ”

But that was not all as life kept throwing her curved balls My father had a heart attack after I had spent two years in China, she says, remembering how she was left with no option, but to return home to look after, and support her family “I asked my father to stay home and ensured him that I would take care of him and the family Having three younger brothers was a great responsibility So I had to skip my studies for two years During that time I not only took care of my parents, but also worked to be able to meet the expenses for my education and my siblings’ education as well ”

Law Ministr y rebuts as President Alvi denies having signed two key laws

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 01

The president then went on to “ask forgiveness from those who will be affected” by the development Law Ministry responds to President Alvi s tweet on key bills: Following President Dr Arif Alvi s post the Law Ministry quickly issued a statement, expressing grave concern over President Arif Alvi’s post and said he should “take responsibility for his own actions”

In a press release it said as per Article 75 of the Constitution when a bill is sent for assent the president has two options: either give assent, or refer the matter to the parliament with specific observations

“Article 75 does not provide for any third option ” It noted that in the instant matter neither of the requirements were fulfilled

Instead the President purposely delayed the assent it alleged Returning the bills without any observations or assent is not provided for in the Constitution Such a course of action is against the letter and spirit of the Constitution,” it added

Returning the bills without any observations or assent is not provided for in the Constitution Such a course of action is against the letter and spirit of the constitution If the President had any observations, he could have returned the bills with his observations like he did in the recent and distant past He could have also issued a press release to that effect It is a matter of concern that the President has chosen to discredit his own officials The President should take responsi-

bility for his own actions,” it concluded

O F F I C I A L S E C R E T S A C T: According to the Official Secrets (Amendment) Bill a person will be guilty of an offense if he intentionally creates a problem of public order or acts against the state

In addition, if a person attacks or damages a prohibited place and the purpose of this is to directly or indirectly benefit the enemy then it is also punishable Under the said amendment bill the accused will be tried in a special court and a decision will be taken after completing the hearing within 30 days

A R M Y A C T: The Army Act has provisions relating to the retirement of military personnel According to this law no military personnel will be able to participate in any political activity for two years after retirement resignation or dismissal while military personnel or officers performing duties related to the sensitive nature of duty shall not participate in political activities for five years after termination of service

A retired army officer found guilty of violating the Army Act will be punished with imprisonment for a term of up to two years

Also, if any serving or retired army personnel scandalises or ridicules the army on digital or social media, he will be punished under the Electronic Crimes Act According to the said law any serving or retired officer who causes defamation of the army or spreads hatred against it will be punished with imprisonment of two years and a fine under the Army Act

Q U R E S H I ’ S A R R E S T, C Y P H E R C O N T R O V E R S Y: The shocking revelation by President Alvi comes only a day after Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Vice Chairman Shah Mahmood Qureshi was arrested by the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) from his residence in the federal capital in the cypher leak case under the Official Secrets Act, 1923

The FIA has launched a thorough probe into the alleged “disappearance” of the diplomatic cypher booking former prime minister Imran Khan and former foreign minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi under the recently enacted Official Secrets Act

The FIA’s Counter Terrorism Wing filed an FIR against the PTI chairman and the vice chairman on August 15 The sources said that the act of leaking sensitive content is a blatant violation of the Official Secrets Act The case will be pursued as the relevant sections of the Official Secrets Act, they added

F O R P R E S I D E N T A LV I : Meanwhile, the PTI President Dr Arif Alvi’s party –announced on X that it would take the matter to the Supreme Court It thanked the president for rising above fears and taking a stand for the Constitution and law, the fundamental rights of citizens and the survival and security of democracy and the Parliament” The party also declared “complete support” for the president

against the president’s staff for “disobeying” his orders He also demanded that an inquiry be launched to ascertain “how and why the orders regarding such a sensitive issue were

The Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) and the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) on Sunday demanded resignation of President Dr Arif Alvi after the latter denied singing bills amending the Official Secrets Act and the Pakistan Army Act Taking to X (formerly Twitter) PML-N leader and former finance minister Ishaq Dar termed the president s remarks unbelievable and urged him to resign on account of “having failed to run his office effectively”

Minimum morality warrants [President] Alvi to resign having failed to run his office effectively efficiently and as per Rules of Business, the finance minister, whose government s term came to an end earlier this month said “Official work is conducted on files and implementation ensured such statements only indicate playing with the gallery God help us! the PML-N leader added PML-N Senator Irfan Siddiqui also demanded President Alvi to resign Alvi speak openly If there was disagreement with the bills, why didn’t he register his objections?”

he asked “What was the purpose of sending back the bill without a yes or no? Why did he remain silent for two days despite the news of the bills being signed coming in the media? the senator asked

“Now that he has spoken, the matter became more confusing If his staff is not in his control then he [Alvi] should resign and go home he added Meanwhile PPP Vice President Sherry Rehman – in a statement – said the Arif Alvi s remarks raise questions about his ability to continue as the president “Is he trying to say that someone else signed the bills under from under his nose ” the PPP leader said adding that if that s the case then the president should resign Moreover Sherry Rehman said: If your staff is not in your control then leave the presidential office, adding that the president was no longer fit to continue in his constitutional position PPP leader Farhatullah Babar said in fewer than 100 words the president has done what no one could do in the last decade

Mess in Presidency P

R E S I D E N T Arif Alvi has thrown the country into a tailspin by his claim that he had not assented to the bills amending the Official Secrets Act and the Army Act The amending acts had duly been passed by the National Assembly and the Senate, and the media was full of the news that they had received the presidential assent, and had been signed into law President Avi then tweeted that he had not given assent, and that his signature had been forged He tweeted that he had told his staff that the bill was to be returned This implies that his staff is not to be trusted, to the extent that it is capable of forwarding an un-assented bill for publication in the Gazette of Pakistan The other eventuality is that the President himself is not being frank It might be realized that the successive arrests of former Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi and former Planning Minister Asad Umar could attract the new laws, something which President Alvi would not have liked for his party chief, Mr Imran Khan

Whatever the case, the President s position is now untenable There is no way he can continue with the same staff A thorough investigation is required, and one that cannot be conducted by the Presidency itself, because its staff stands compromised, including the senior staff which would order this The President should resign, but this should not stop the investigation The acting President should not have to look over his shoulder to see if the staff is doing what it is told The most appropriate body would be a parliamentary committee, but since the National Assembly is involved, a Senate committee would be best This is especially appropriate because the Senate Chairman acts as President in his absence,

It also needs to be determined what is the status of those laws over which the controversy has been raised It must be remembered that they were already controversial, both for the partisan reasons already mentioned, and because they could lead to the violation of fundamental rights Can a President say, after it is widely disseminated that he has assented he did not assent and thus throw the bill from a published Act back to a bill which will be deemed to have received assent after the passage of 10 days It should not be forgotten that the President could not have prevented the passage of the laws merely delayed it a little

The BRICS Summit: Exploring digital cooperation

members have caused divisions

Alongside the long list of traditional topics like trade expansion health and climate change the upcoming BRICS summit is anticipated to delve into numerous unconventional subjects Although a central feature of this summit is the discussion on the BRICS membership expansion process and BRICS unified currency, it is also exploring fresh opportunities for cooperation, particularly in the digital economy an arena of increasing importance in today s interconnected world

The essence of BRICS cooperation lies in equality mutual benefits inclusivity and common development It is not a means of confrontation against any third party but a collaborative effort aimed at fostering economic growth and shared prosperity While BRICS nations exhibit varying levels of economic development and priorities shared interests bind them Overcoming challenges requires unified efforts beyond isolated initiatives Prioritizing shared concerns like infrastructure, tech R&D, and industrial transformation can foster practical cooperation Similarly, embracing the digital economy holds the potential to forge a strong cooperative path forward The digital economy presents an immense arena for future cooperation bolstered by the collective economic might and vast market potential of the BRICS nations

These countries together constitute over 40 percent of the world s internet users and possess abundant digital resources China s 2022 data achievements, contributing 10 5 percent and 14 4 percent to the global tally underscore the group’s prowess Furthermore the ongoing membership expansion will further amplify opportunities for enhanced BRICS cooperation within the digital economy Yet the BRICS cooperation in this realm remains at an embryonic stage, trailing behind the global average in indicators such as digital GDP and digital trade However, over the past decade, the BRICS members have made tangible strides in digital collaboration Notable examples include China’s AliExpress commanding a remarkable 25 8 percent of Russia s e-commerce domain Further Russia s ecommerce giant Ozon is also collaborating hand in hand with China Post, forging a strategic cross-border e-commerce logistics network that unites the strengths of both nations This dynamic synergy exemplifies the potential for BRICS nations to propel each other forward in the vibrant landscape of the digital economy carving a path of cooperation and mutual growth Bilateral investments are also on the rise evident in China and Russia s joint Sino-Russian Research Center for the Digital Economy and other projects

Developed nations like the USA and Europe have

Wi t h o u t g e t t i n g t h e p o l i t i c s r i g h t, t h e e c o n o m i c s wo n’t wo r k

should qualify for the larger perhaps a threeyear Extended Fund Facility (EFF) It s ironic but the success of this IMF programme may be measured in terms of qualifying for another IMF programme, without the sort of unnecessary drama that accompanied this one

Think of the nine-month SBA as a patient being rushed to the emergency ward of a hospital The doctor shifts them to intensive care right away but has to restore the body s vital signs–blood sugar pulse and so on– in order to stabilise them and prepare them for operation The three-year EFF may be thought of as the extended surgery and rehabilitation that the patient is to be administered later to get him to his feet

advanced digital cooperation from first-generation basics like internet and e-commerce to second-generation realms: artificial intelligence, big data, cloud computing, IoT, open source, and digital security BRICS’ digital collaboration, however, remains in “first-generation” infancy Disparities persist including e-commerce rules and authentication of e-payments In contrast to the second-generation digital cooperation witnessed among developed nations BRICS cooperation still predominantly centers around first-generation policies, with disparities even within the bloc itself Nationalist sentiments and skepticism are the two reasons that have impeded the development in this domain Growing suspicion among certain members, driven by external influences and domestic developments, has tested the bloc’s unity Lately India has championed a India first and data localization ethos bolstered by escalating nationalist sentiments within its borders This stance has extended to “data localization” policies reflecting the nation’s determination to safeguard its digital domain Taking a more punitive approach, India has reined in Chinese digital entities operating within its borders, aiming to restrain their activities devoid of ethical standards This crackdown while domestically justified disrupts the unity of BRICS digital economy cooperation, challenging the coalition’s cohesiveness and shared objectives Primarily India has escalated its endeavours to align with the US-led West in a bid to counterbalance China s ascent However this pursuit undermines the cohesiveness of the BRICS coalition eroding its solidarity Amidst these challenges, the BRICS nations must summon political courage and wisdom, transcending divisive forces By utilizing the potential of the digital economy they can overcome these obstacles and pave the way for cooperative solutions The summit serves as an opportunity for displaying resolve charting a course toward cohesive growth Unlike trade and investment in other sectors, the digital economy triggers greater sensitivity due to its impact on development and security Recent years have seen China’s ascent provoke suspicions among certain BRICS members The US-led West’s efforts to woo BRICS

Initiatives should transcend mere symbolism, resonating tangibly in areas crucial to all constituents

Infrastructural bolstering and technological innovation incubation are emblematic The formulation of prototype projects within these domains could breathe life into the collaborative spirit, surmounting the challenges that often obstruct bigger projects.

As the political landscape shifts and trust between nations wavers, the BRICS bloc must rise above the tide of conflict and polarization A commitment to common ground, underpinned by digital cooperation, could break the cycle of declining trust and foster a renewed era of mutual understanding While challenges abound the BRICS nations collective endeavour in the digital realm offers a hope a testament to their commitment to inclusive development and cooperative progress In an increasingly interconnected world, the BRICS members should look beyond differences and work together for the common good ultimately redefining the contours of global economic and digital cooperation Amidst the BRICS, economic disparities, policy disparities, and strategic discrepancies cast shadows However amidst these differences lies a nexus of shared interests and mutual dependencies Escaping the current gridlock of myriad initiatives and implementation hurdles requires decisive action The path ahead necessitates a robust allocation of resources towards joint concerns notably infrastructure technological R&D, and industrial metamorphosis Crafting prototype ventures of practical collaboration within these realms could inaugurate fresh avenues for raising the collective cooperation threshold The digital economy looms as a ripe sphere for bolstering their joint endeavours The amalgamation of BRICS’ multifaceted landscapes –their unique socio-economic trajectories divergent visions and shared aspirations– dictates a roadmap that deftly manoeuvres through these intricacies Initiatives should transcend mere symbolism, resonating tangibly in areas crucial to all constituents Infrastructural bolstering and technological innovation incubation are emblematic The formulation of prototype projects within these domains could breathe life into the collaborative spirit surmounting the challenges that often obstruct bigger projects Yet, the digital economy, emblematic of our interconnected era, stands as a pinnacle Within its vast domain, the BRICS’ collective weight could spark new dimensions of collaboration The intricate task is reconciling their unique national interests with a collective agenda

The writer is a freelance columnist

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

The AI revolution: Balancing innovation and regulation

J U S T a couple of weeks ago I was jolted by a surreal image that greeted me when I switched on the TV to catch up with the evening news The United Nations was holding its first ever robot press conference to discuss the current and future status of Artificial Intelligence Nine female robots were perfectly lined up behind their creators and were fielding questions thrown at them by the journalists gathered in the hall Their replies were precise concise and carefully worded Their faces looked eerily humanlike as they talked - with frown lines blinking eyes and raised eyebrows adding to the illusion of their humanity

TH E complexity in the embeddedness of the economic within the political (or vice versa?) and an economist s ordeals in steering clear of value judgements in what is essentially a social science is captured succinctly in Lionel Robbins s works The departure from attempts at holistic analyses covering the political social and moral aspects of policies to a purely mathematical-logical approach aimed at quantifying policy effects marked the transformation of what was known as political economy in the 16th-19th centuries to ‘economics’ beginning the late 19th century

While quantitative comparisons of the effectiveness of alternative policy choices proved to be immensely helpful, attempting to predict the direction of a country s economy still forces one to grapple with issues that lie in the political sphere Policy uncertainty and expectations for instance are essentially political questions but now part of most mainstream economic models

Consider a set of questions on everyone s mind these days Resuscitated by the IMF Stand-by programme (SBA), what will be the course of the Pakistan economy? Will the GDP recover? Will there be more jobs? Will the inflation ease?

One way to answer these questions is to take a pure economics approach devoid of the political It gives rather simple straightforward answers The GDP growth will not rebound substantially and there won’t be noticeable growth in opportunities either An IMF SBA, after all, is meant to stabilise the economy not bootstrap economic growth or rescue the poor (even if IMF s official press releases assume a somewhat philanthropic air)

As for inflation, it will likely ease only very slightly– if at all– declining in the monetary component but rising due to fiscal readjustments as new taxes are imposed and subsidies are eliminated

Still at the end of the SBA the economy would be in a somewhat better position and

This however delineates the rather rosier scenario Here we are discussing the economy i n p u r e l y b i o l o g i c a l - p h y s i c a l t e r m s w i t h o u t the trickier stochastic human-political aspect: we give this medicine and that happens– simple and sweet

Yet, given the intricate relationship of the economic and the political spheres the doctor may not be allowed to administer the medicine as scheduled as the guardians of the patient may consider the pills to be too bitter not least because it may reflect badly on them, such as the IMF-advised market determined exchange rate may cause the Rupee to be revalued further downwards and the removal of subsidies may make the utilities and/or makes fuel too costly even if both these steps are crucial to balance the country s external and domestic payments position

Put differently, even if sticking with the IMF-programme is the rational economic choice, the logic that governs politics may not, unfortunately be in tandem and may throw the

programme off track Zoom out a little more to have a sense of the longer run uncertainty that the economic and political layers are operating within Will there be elections at all? If yes, when? Which party–if one– is going to form the next government? What will their economic manifesto be?

For things to improve the complex interconnectedness of the political and the economic needs to be understood The road to economic recovery, in a world of free capital flows and geographically dispersed supply chains– where businesses are hunting globally for places to reduce costs (and nuisance) to a minimum– can only be paved through an effective system of justice contract enforcement and upholding of property rights The political and the social, precede the economic, not follow it But we seem to be putting the cart before the horse

The writer is a member of SZABIST Islamabad s Social Sciences faculty where he teaches Economics and holds a PhD in Economics from Ibn Haldun University Istanbul and an MSc in Political Economy from the London School of Economics

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

T h e r o a d t o e c o n o m i c r e c o v e r y, i n a w o r l d o f f r e e c a p i t a l f l o w s a n d g e o g r a p h i c a l l y d i s p e r s e d s u p p l y c h a i n s – w h e r e b u s i n e s s e s a r e h u n t i n g g l o b a l l y f o r p l a c e s t o r e d u c e c o s t s ( a n d n u i s a n c e ) t o a m i n i m u m – c a n o n l y b e p a v e d t h r o u g h a n e f f e c t i v e s y s t e m o f j u s t i c e , c o n t r a c t e n f o r c e m e n t , a n d u p h o l d i n g o f p r o p e r t y r i g h t s . T h e p o l i t i c a l a n d t h e s o c i a l , p r e c e d e t h e e c o n o m i c , n o t f o l l o w i t . B u t w e s e e m t o b e p u t t i n g t h e c a r t b e f o r e t h e h o r s e .

Artificial intelligence has been a buzzword in the tech circles for quite a while now but recent entrants like ChatGPT and the rapid induction of humanoids in mainstream workforce has sparked new debates and fear in policy makers regarding issues like regulation But according to renowned tech-specialists Blair Levin and Larry Downes this is a cause for excitement but also an alarm for incumbent businesses The potential of AI seems limitless perhaps revolutionizing everything from online search to content generation customer service to education

At the same time, the dangers AI poses are varied and encompass all aspects of life – from privacy concerns to national security threat, misinformation, copyright and trademark abuse, to the potential harm to our fundamental liberties AI regulation helps to protect user data and ensure responsible AI use for the purpose of effective risk management strategies by introducing training data sets implementing cybersecurity measures and eliminating potential biases and errors in AI models However, regulation of any kind is easier to pen down on paper than to practically implement due to the rapidly evolving nature of this technology

Most governments in the Western world, particularly the EU, are currently hunkered down in their basement offices trying to come up with solutions which will enable humanity to benefit from the use of AI in medical science education software development etc all the while safeguarding human interests at large

It s far from clear that any combination of government action legislative, regulatory, or judicial can really achieve the balancing act of maximizing the value of AI while minimizing its potential harm But that should definitely not deter them from trying!

RAYAAN MAHMOOD MALIK LAHORE AITCHISON

Deliver y riders

COVID has resulted in a mushroom growth of e-commerce and online purchases and deliveries have seen a spike especially food delivery services across the country In Karachi also many online home delivery businesses have expanded their operations to cater to the growing market demand

This growth has resulted in addition on the city’s roads of hundreds of motorcycle riders who are involved in home delivery services Lately some of these motorbike riders have become moving traffic hazards as they ride at dangerous speeds and with utter disregard for traffic rules in order to speed up their deliveries They suddenly appear on the road out of nowhere and try to jump traffic lights whenever they can They are also often seen riding on the wrong side of the road in order to save time I have recently witnessed many such riders involved in traffic accidents due to their reckless riding Ironically very few of them wear a safety helmet while riding which is compulsory under the traffic rules Some of them move on motorcycles with malfunctioning headlights making it difficult for motorists to see them from a distance past sunset

President Alvi ’s claim that he had not assented to bills need investigation

G overnment ac tion is needed

dr KHalid WalEEd

TH E recent calamities linked with anthropogenic climate change have compelled macroeconomists to undergo a profound reevaluation of macroeconomic modelling that integrated climate risk shifting their focus towards sustainability as a pressing priority In this paradigm shift climate risk emerges as an indispensable component of the modern production function, emphasizing the urgency to incorporate it into macroeconomic planning Without the integration of green energy and environmental policies, such planning remains incomplete and inefficient failing to address the critical challenges posed by climate change This notion carries multifold importance particularly for developing countries like Pakistan both vulnerable to climate change and victims of climate injustice, as its share in global emissions is less than one percent Sometimes, we are faced with floods, and sometimes droughts

We need to solve this climate change-induced crisis through an integrated approach of 3Es Economics Energy and Environment Recognizing the interconnectedness between sustainable energy policies climate resilience, and macroeconomic stability, policymakers in Pakistan must now prioritize green energy initiatives and environmental policies By embracing renewable energy sources, optimizing resource efficiency, and implementing stringent environmental regulations Pakistan must mitigate climate risks reduce greenhouse gas emissions and foster sustainable economic growth

Pakistan faces a multifaceted crisis encompassing economy, energy, and environment The severity of this crisis has been exacerbated by poly crises, including rampant inflation, the Russia-Ukraine conflict, the covid-19 pandemic aftermath and the impacts of climate change Pakistan thus has a substantial current account deficit due to the widening gap between capital inflows and outflows resulting in escalating debt levels According to the SBP, the total imports for March were $3 99 billion, of which 36 52 percent were petroleum products

On the energy front, Pakistan heavily relies on imported energy, particularly for power and transportation This reliance presents a significant challenge and adds to the country s economic woes Additionally in terms of the environment Pakistan experiences adversities such as flash floods heatwaves melting glaciers droughts, and changing weather patterns These crises are interconnected, as an economically vulnerable situation prompts inefficient choices in the energy sector, leading to environmental deterioration such as air pollution smog heatwaves inadequate flood management and insufficient adaptation measures

Therefore, changes in one area reverberate across others For example Pakistan’s heavy dependence on petroleum products for transportation is both financially burdensome and environmentally unsustainable The country spends a staggering $15 billion annually solely on petroleum products for transportation This heavy reliance on fossil fuels not only exacerbates the country s balance of payments issues but also contributes to severe environmental degradation and public health hazards Furthermore, the volatility of global oil prices exposes the economy to external shocks as rising oil prices not only increase the trade deficit but also lead to currency depreciation and inflation

So green investments particularly in the renewable energy sector are most critical for Pakistan They can provide a cushion to macroeconomic shocks, inflation, current account vulnerabilities and self-sufficiency However, without integrating green solutions into economic policies the problems seem unresolved Presently it seems to be treated as residual It needs to be built into the macroeconomic and financial stability framework and policies

Below are actionable pathways to achieve an integrated approach to deal with macroeconomic crises that endogenize climate risk We need a comprehensive framework to raise green financing

It must be built on three key pillars The first is Public Sector Policies To address the pressing issue of climate change and promote sustainable development the government should implement a range of public sector policies At the forefront is the need for a comprehensive tax policy that actively encourages and supports green investments By introducing tax incentives, such as tax credits, for businesses and individuals investing in environmentally friendly initiatives the government can potentially stimulate the transition to a low-carbon economy

A recent example of such a policy is the US inflation reduction act that targets the reduction of inflation through the provision of tax incentives to green initiatives such as green hydrogen and other renewable energy initiatives This policy will not only create financial incentives for companies to adopt greener practices but also accelerate the deployment of renewable energy sources sustainable transportation and eco-friendly technologies Additionally it should include measures discouraging polluting industries such as higher taxes or penalties for businesses with high carbon emissions By implementing a robust national green tax policy, the government can play a crucial role in driving sustainable investments and fostering a greener future

Another crucial national solution is the adoption of green central banking principles Green central banking entails integrating environmental sustainability considerations into the decision-making processes of central banks and monetary transmission mechanisms This approach recognizes the significant financial sector role in driving economic activities and can influence capital allocation By incorporating green criteria into its monetary transmission mechanism SBP can incentivize financial institutions to prioritize investments in sustain-

able projects and businesses Green central banking involves conducting environmental risk assessments and climate stress tests to evaluate the potential impact of climate-related events on the financial system

By embracing green central banking principles Pakistan can align their monetary and financial policies with its National

Determined Contributions and foster the development of green financial markets and contribute to the transition towards a more sustainable and resilient economy

Another essential solution is the implementation of green lending practices Green lending refers to financial institutions providing loans and credit specifically for environmentally friendly projects and initiatives By offering favourable terms, lower interest rates, and longer repayment periods for green investments, financial institutions can incentivize businesses and individuals to undertake sustainable projects This encourages the transition to cleaner energy energy-efficient infrastructure sustainable agriculture and eco-friendly technologies Green lending not only supports the growth of sustainable industries but also mitigates the risks associated with climate change by redirecting capital away from environmentally harmful activities By integrating green lending practices into the national financial system, governments can harness the power of finance to drive positive environmental change and contribute to a greener and more sustainable future

Another potential solution is to foster the growth of sustainable investments and encourage participation from small investors, a domestic solution which lies in the development of capital and equity markets This entails creating an enabling environment that facilitates the pooling of funds from small investors into green projects

One crucial aspect is de-risking investments in green bonds and other sustainable financial instruments This can be achieved through various measures such as providing government guarantees or insurance against potential losses, establishing green investment funds, and promoting transparency and standardization in the evaluation and reporting of environmental performance By de-risking green investments the barriers to entry for small investors are reduced making it easier for them to participate in sustainable projects Capital and equity market development combined with de-risking strategies can unlock new funding sources, mobilize private capital, and significantly contribute to the scaling up of sustainable initiatives, ultimately accelerating transition to a low-carbon economy

The second pillar is international collaboration in terms of climate financing To mobilize green financing and investments from international funds and forums the government should establish a dedicated department for engagement, develop a national climate finance strategy, strengthen institutional capacities, promote an attractive investment environment, and actively engage in terms of climate diplomacy with international platforms These actions will enable the country to effectively access and utilize international funds attract green investments and drive the transition towards a sustainable future

Internationally, it is crucial to foster collaborations and secure sustainable financing for green infrastructure projects In this regard the government should actively seek partnerships with organizations like the European Union and other development partners to unlock multilateral and bilateral green financing, thereby accelerating transition towards a sustainable future It is crucial to foster collaborations that facilitate the issuance of dollar-denominated green bonds, leveraging expertise and market presence This can be achieved by establishing dedicated channels of communication and negotiation promoting policy harmonization and providing necessary support for the development and implementation of green infrastructure projects

The last pillar is to ensure sustainable green financing, with active engagement with and participation from the private sector There is a need for a stronger focus on the local market which holds significant growth potential for green financing To create a conducive environment clear guidelines for green investments must be established going beyond traditional green bonds to include innovative green financial instruments Incentives should be provided to encourage green investments, moving beyond mere moral duty slogans, and ensuring competitive returns on green financing instruments Furthermore eligible categories for the use of proceeds should be extended to encompass a wider range of sustainable projects Capacity development efforts should target both the supply and demand sides of the market to foster a robust ecosystem The corporate sector must lead by example, integrating sustainable practices into their operations Drawing lessons from successful models like China the role of the Central Bank becomes critical in developing a comprehensive framework for green financing attracting both local and foreign investors By implementing these measures, the private sector can play a significant role in driving sustainable and climate-friendly investments

The time is ripe for an integrated approach to address the macroeconomic challenges posed by climate change It emphasizes the urgency of incorporating sustainability and climate risk into macroeconomic planning and policymaking By prioritizing green energy initiatives implementing environmental policies and fostering sustainable investments, Pakistan can mitigate climate risks, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and promote sustainable economic growth By these actionable pathways through public sector policies international collaboration for climate financing and engagement with the private sector with a comprehensive framework Pakistan can pave the way towards a greener and more resilient future, simultaneously addressing the economic, energy, and environmental crises it faces

The writer has a doctorate in Energy Economics and serves as a Research Fellow in Sustainable Development Policy Institute (SDPI) He can be reached at khalidwaleed@sdpi org and tweets @Khalidwaleed

OBSERVER E d i to r i a l

IF it sounds like a new cold war and looks like a new cold war then it probably is a new cold war For what other interpretation is to be placed on US president Joe Biden s latest ramping up of diplomatic economic and military pressure on China?

Western officials tend to avoid the term, recalling as it does decades of hair-trigger confrontation with the former Soviet Union They talk instead about enhanced security and defence cooperation and the importance of a free and open Indo-Pacific region But such bland generalisations belie the fact that Biden is now pushing back hard at a repressive authoritarian regime in Beijing that he and many Americans believe is determined to overthrow the international democratic, geopolitical and legal order safeguarded by the US Last week’s groundbreaking Camp David summit hosted by Biden for Japan s prime minister Fumio Kishida and South Korea s president Yoon Suk Yeol perfectly fitted this agenda It produced a series of measures aimed squarely at China and its dangerous and aggressive behaviour They include a trilateral mechanism to deal with perceived security threats; expanded military exercises; and increased ballistic missile cooperation – despite the risk that China could retaliate in like fashion or use economic sanctions as in the past to punish export-dependent Tokyo and Seoul

For Japan, the Camp David agreement marks another significant stage in its journey away from postwar pacifism towards becoming a fully fledged, fully armed member of the US-led western democratic alliance It will add to Tokyo s sense of growing confrontation with China

For South Korea the trilateral pact may come to be seen as the moment it finally moved on from the bitter feud with Japan over the latter s 20th-cen-

tury colonisation of the peninsula Credit is due to Yoon who has taken to describing Tokyo as a partner with shared values and interests

Biden s success in bringing old enemies together is a notable achievement, too He is hoping to pull off a similar feat with Israel and Saudi Arabia

The contrast with Donald Trump’s fatuous attempts to woo Kim Jong-un North Korea’s nuclear-armed dictator is striking

Improved three-way cooperation in facing down the threat posed by Pyongyang may be another benefit of Camp David Defying UN sanctions, Kim has stepped up his intimidatory missile “tests” this year China, disappointingly, has done little to stop him Beijing’s ally Russia’s Vladimir Putin is positively encouraging him

While US officials are careful how they frame the new agreement China is in no doubt it is aimed directly at itself It follows Biden s upgrading of the so-called Quad, which groups the US, India, Japan and Australia; the creation of Aukus, a security pact with Australia and the UK; and a raised US naval and air force profile in the Philippines South China Sea and around Taiwan In another message to Beijing Biden will visit India next month

The numerous, ill-judged actions of President Xi Jinping s regime have brought much of this down on its own head Nevertheless, Beijing blames the west whose nefarious aim, it says, is containment designed to stifle China’s development State media described Camp David as the launch of a mini Nato that will threaten regional security and exacerbate tensions US officials reject the analogy But the claim brings us back to the question of a new cold war China evidently believes one has already begun Is this really what Biden the UK and regional allies want? If that is the case they should have the courage to say so in terms – and explain what they plan to do if it turns hot

I s n o n e o f o u r d a t a s a f e w i t h t h e g o v e r n m e n t ?

WE are deeply concerned by the regularity with which cyberattacks seem to be crippling many organisations in the country Just over the past few months we have witnessed a handful of serious incidents wherein sensitive data of citizens and organisations (both private and government-run) have been compromised In the latest iteration, websites of at least 25 institutions were allegedly hacked by a group of Indian cyberattackers on August 15

What is more concerning is that the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) and the Investment Corporation of Bangladesh (ICB) were among the 25 victims The exposed data ranges from information about thousands of investors and investment applicants, to the addresses and bank account numbers of people investing in government mutual funds It is unacceptable that the cybersecurity for such sensitive data should be this lax

One thing that exemplifies the authorities lack of priority when it comes to ensuring cybersecurity is the focus of the Digital Security Act, 2018 (DSA), which has been repackaged and proposed as the Cyber Security Act (CSA), 2023 For a law with that name we would have liked to see it actually stamping down on the increasing threats to the data security of countless public and private organisations Instead as before the focus of the pro-

Pakistan must adapt to climate change. But who will help us?

For countries drowning in ex treme weather, exogenous shocks, and high public debt, where will this money come from? Especially in the amount that the World B ank in its 2022 Countr y Climate and D evelopment Repor t c alc ulated for Pakistan: a staggering $348 billion by 2030 This is just the number to stay resilient

culated for Pakistan: a staggering $348 billion by 2030

This is just the number to stay resilient to keep our heads above water and build sustainability into a climateadaptive future All this while a summer of fresh flooding and melting glaciers redefines our lives our social and economic experiences into a lifelong struggle to rebuild with resilience while we fight the climate devastations wreaking havoc again

W h o i s c o m i n g t o t h e r e s c u e o f s u c h c o u n t r i e s ?

TIME MAGAZINE

S H E r r Y r E H M a N

TH E record-breaking mega-flood in August 2022 that impacted 33 million people in Pakistan brought home to the world the urgency and scale of the climate crisis afflicting developing countries At the 27th United Nations Climate Change conference (COP 27), it triggered widespread worry among other countries about the state of preparedness many will have to gear up to even if like Pakistan they remain negligible emitters of the greenhouse gases In 2022 Pakistan s pavilion at Sharm-al-Shaikh positioned not just the global connectedness of the crisis by pointing out that what goes on in Pakistan will not stay in Pakistan,” it also became the hub of the climate finance deficits that are growing exponentially in inverse proportion to global emissions This has led in part to the creation of the Loss and Damage (L&D) fund at the end of the conference Ye t a s G 2 0 s e n e rg y m i n i s t e r s r e m a i n e d u n a b l e t o a g r e e o n a r o a d m a p t o r e d u c e e m i s s i o n s b y J u l y 2 0 2 3

posed law remains on punishing dissent and gagging freedom of the press

Meanwhile cybersecurity threats to sensitive data keep increasing every day Between June 20 and August 1 alone, our e-Government Computer Incident Response Team (BGD e-Gov CIRT) recorded at least five such attacks (or alleged attacks) on multiple government organisations Of particular concern among these was hackers claiming to have compromised the security of the stateowned investment company ICB and gaining access to the data of over 100,000 investors and investment applicants No one can forget the 2016 breach into the central bank, when hackers used the SWIFT system to steal $101 million of Bangladesh Bank s funds from the Federal Reserve Bank of New York It is alarming that this incident seems to have taught our authorities very little

We hope that the incidents of the past couple of months will nudge the authorities to focus where focus is due: thoughtful investments in strengthening cybersecurity across the board The BGD e-Gov CIRT itself has urged all organisations within Bangladesh to take precautionary measures to safeguard their infrastructures providing specific recommendations such as implementing 24/7 network and user activity monitoring, deploying firewalls to filter out malicious requests, and maintaining regular backups of website content and databases We urge the relevant authorities to pay heed to these recommendations and protect citizens from ever-evolving cyberthreats

(even as COP28 approaches) the realization set in that many of us will remain in the frontline of the burn Pakistan has been home for three successive years where on at least one day temperatures reached 53°C (127 4°F) T h e h o p e t h a t w e w e r e w o r k i n g w i t h n e e d e d a h o m egrown plan As heatwaves coupled with slow global act i o n t r a n s f o r m e d t h e e a r t h i n t o a r e d p l a n e t i n t h e summer of 2023, Pakistan launched a National Adaptat i o n P l a n i n J u l y t o c h a r t a s t r a t e g i c w h o l e - o f g o v e r nment appr oach w ith a f r amew o r k to olkit th at allo w s it to protect its population

For instance the province of Sindh which to this day stands transformed by the 2022 deluge and recently saw evacuations in the coastal areas from cyclonic activity in a warming Arabian Sea, began its rehabilitation process by transferring new land titles to the women of afflicted households In all such crises, the most vulnerable always remain the poorest the women and children impacted disproportionately by multiple crises of food insecurity displacement and disease That said while Sindh is struggling to cope with a c a s c a d e o f d i s a s t e r s , i t w i l l n e e d n o t j u s t t h e N a t i o n a l Adaptation Plan, but the resources to transform municipal, rural, and agri-water governance for the dangerous d e c a d e a h e a d a l l o f w h i c h n e e d s t i m e , c a p a c i t y, a n d

liquidity Similarly the province of Balochistan has alr e a d y d e c l a r e d a f l o o d e m e rg e n c y w h i l e t h e n o r t h e r n

province of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa is impacted too by a gathering storm

For countries drowning in extreme weather, exoge-

While U N has been in the frontline of immediate relief, e v e n i t s f l a s h a p p e a l s g l o b a l l y r e m a i n u n d e r- f u n d e d S t r u c t u r a l r e f o r m s i n v o l v e p a i n We a r e w i l l i n g t o u ndergo more pain especially for enabling resilience but s o m e a m o u n t o f c h a n g e h a s t o c o m e f r o m t h e B r e t t o n Woods system the monetary management structure that c o n t r o l s t h e U S , C a n a d a , A u s t r a l i a , We s t e r n E u r o p e , and Japan meant to lead the world out of egregious inequality and now climate distress The financing gap to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in developing countries has enlarged from $2 5 trillion in 2019 to $4 2 trillion in 2023 Add to it the cost of realizing climate goals, and the amount reaches a whopping $5 2 trillion annually O u r N a t i o n a l A d a p t i o n P l a n ( N A P ) i s d e s i g n e d t o build climate-adaptation goals into every aspect of development planning The international financial system must do the same As we approach COP 28 the Global Goal on Adaptation remains under-capitalized while the L&D fund is yet to start functioning The U N Secretary General António Guterres made detailed recommendations in a press conference on July 27 that countries must operationalize and scale up the funding of renewables Donor countries have been bilaterally supportive but they too need to fulfill their commitment to provide 0 7% of their Gross National Income as development assistance Multilateral Development Banks should be recapitalized and be enabled to provide portfolio and budgetary support to developing countries, rather than project finance only They should vastly expand grant and concessional lending to developing countries, enhance the vote and the voice of the developing countries in both International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank and link the distribution of new IMF SDRs to development and climate goals

The transition to a sustainable global economy will require an investment of around $1 5 trillion each year in the developing countries Business as usual will certainly not work A large part of this funding pool will have to come from the private sector which will need new structural incentives to bring their leverage and capital to the business of bending development history Vulnerable countries cannot attract investment in times of epochal climate distress, but they do need more than band-aid financing We now need transformational milestones to building global consensus for a financing architecture that can face the 21st century’s rapidly changing conditions that challenge resilience while fueling crippling inequalities

Critical assistance for the most climate vulnerable countries must not further burden the poor Actions will be as important as pledges and plans at this point A real message of change from global leaders would contribute substantially to the success of the forthcoming SDG Summit in September and COP28 in December and restore trust in global cooperation and international solidarity Our people are looking to us with renewed hope for action We must not fail them

Sherry Rehman is a politician diplomat author and former Federal Minister of Climate Change of Pakistan

a c r o e c o n o m i c p o l i c y m a k i n g a n d c l i m a t e r i s k

SPAIN REIGN OVER ENGL AND TO WIN WOMEN’S WORLD CUP FOR FIRST TIME

had been aiming to join Alf Ramsey the only other manager to win a World Cup for England

SPA I N won the Women s World Cup for the first time in their history with skipper Olga

Carmona striking in the first half for a deserved 1-0 victory over England in Sunday s final

The gripping encounter was a fitting conclusion to a tournament in Australia and New Zealand which has broken records and will be remembered for how the supposed minnows closed the gap on the sides at the top

In front of a packed crowd of nearly 76 000 at Stadium Australia in Sydney Spain was the more accomplished side and had more chances, including missing a second-half penalty Spain’s triumph was vindication for Jorge Vilda and the Spanish football federation who stuck with the coach even after 15 players last year said they no longer wanted to represent their country under him

Defender Carmona scored what turned out to be the winner, rampaging from left-back to thrash the ball in low and hard on 29 minutes past England

goalkeeper Mary Earps

It s difficult to describe immense joy

I m so proud of this team said the 42year-old Vilda, who was accused of being too strict, among a litany of complaints

There was a smattering of boos when his image was put up at Stadium Australia during the game and again when he

strode up to the podium before Spain lifted the trophy “I’m so happy for everyone watching us right now we ve made them happy too We re champions of the world, added Vilda, who recalled three of the 15 mutineers for the tournament but left several top players at home England coach Sarina Wiegman has now suffered back-to-back defeats in the final and her European champions can have few complaints

In front of the watching Queen Letizia, Spain won a penalty 20 minutes from the end when Keira Walsh was ruled to have handled in the box after a long VAR review

But Jennifer Hermoso’s weak

‘India hoodwinking world over Kashmir situation’

The All Parties Hurriyat Conference (APHC) and other Hurriyet organisations have said that India is hoodwinking the world over the situation in Jammu and Kashmir

According to Kashmir Media Service the Hurriyet organisations, including Jammu and Kashmir Muslim League, Jammu and Kashmir Democratic Freedom Party, Tehreek-e-Muzahamat Jammu Kashmir, Ittehade-Islami Jammu and Kashmir, advocate Mudasir

Ahmed Falahi Jammu and Kashmir Political

Resistance Movement Chairman Jameel Ahmad and Jammu Kashmir Democratic Hurriyet Front in their separate statements in Srinagar said that India could not retain its illegal occupation over the territory through military might and state terrorism forever

The statements said the Kashmiri people are demanding peace political and economic stability in the region as per the United Nations resolutions

They stressed the need for greater unity among the ranks of Kashmiri people to take their righteous demand of right to self-determination to its logical conclusion in a more effective manner

The statements, terming the Kashmir dispute a political and human problem, said the freedom-loving people of Kashmir have rendered unprecedented sacrifices for the sacred mission of freedom from Indian subjugation since 1947

The Hurriyet organizations stressed for the early resolution of the lingering Kashmir dispute in accordance with the United Nations Security Council resolutions The Kashmiris’ resistance struggle is a legitimate movement aimed at getting rid of India’s illegal and forcible occupation through a peaceful and democratic formula of right to self-determination

they added

They said as foreign soldiers withdrew from Afghanistan, India would also have to leave Jammu and Kashmir and the people of Kashmir would succeed in getting their birthright to selfdetermination

The Hurriyat leaders strongly denounced the surge in human rights violations and continued cordon and search operations and house raids by Indian forces across the occupied territory

penalty was easily saved by Earps to give England a lifeline and keep alive their dreams of winning the World Cup for the first time

But if anything Spain looked more likely to score again Spain s players raced off the bench at the final whistle, while England’s players were left distraught, some with their heads in their hands and others in tears Spain is the fifth team to lift the World Cup since the tournament began in 1991 joining outgoing champions the United States, Germany, Norway and Japan – Wiegman s final pain again –Wiegman, who suffered agony in the final four years ago when her Netherlands team lost 2-0 to the United States

She admitted that Spain, who had never won a World Cup knockout game until this tournament, were the better team

“Of course it feels really bad now

You go to the final you want to give everything to win the final then you lose it said the Dutch coach who took England to their first major title last summer by winning their home Euros “What we have done, how we have shown ourselves as a team how we want to play overcoming so many challenges

I feel we can be very proud of ourselves even though it doesn t feel that way at the moment, she added Aitana Bonmati, one of the original refuseniks who returned for the World Cup, won the Golden Ball for the best player at the tournament while Japan’s Hinata Miyazawa took the Golden Boot as top-scorer with five goals Earps who was kept busy for much of the evening by a slick Spain, won the Golden Glove as best goalkeeper

The 19-year-old Spain attacker Salma Paralluelo who replaced reigning two-times Ballon d’Or winner Alexia Putellas in Spain s starting line-up was named best young player – Minnows make mark –

Women s football still faces a battle for equality with the men’s game and several teams at the World Cup were in open dispute with their federations over pay and conditions

Russia’s first lunar mission in 47 years smashes into the moon in failure

MOSCOW

R E U T E R S

Russia s first moon mission in 47 years failed when its Luna-25 spacecraft spun out of control and crashed into the moon after a problem preparing for pre-landing orbit underscoring the post-Soviet decline of a once mighty space programme Russia s state space corporation Roskosmos said it had lost contact with the craft at 11:57 GMT on Saturday after a problem as the craft was shunted into pre-landing orbit A soft landing had been planned for Monday

The apparatus moved into an unpredictable orbit and ceased to exist as a result of a collision with the surface of the Moon, Roskosmos said in a statement

It said a special inter-departmental commission had been formed to investigate the reasons behind the loss of the Luna-25 craft whose mission had raised hopes in Moscow that Russia was returning to the big power moon race

The failure underscored the decline of Russia’s space power since the glory days of Cold War competition when Moscow was

the first to launch a satellite to orbit the Earth Sputnik 1 in 1957 and Soviet cosmonaut

Yuri Gagarin became the first man to travel into space in 1961

It also comes as Russia s $2 trillion economy faces its biggest external challenge for decades: the pressure of both Western sanctions and fighting the biggest land war in Europe since World War Two

Though moon missions are fiendishly difficult and many US and Soviet attempts have failed, Russia had not attempted a moon mission since Luna-24 in 1976, when Communist leader Leonid Brezhnev ruled the Kremlin Russian state television put news of the loss of Luna-25 at number 8 in its lineup at noon and gave it just 26 seconds of coverage, after news about fires in Tenerife and a four-minute item about a professional holiday for Russian pilots and crews

FA I L E D M O O N S H O T: Russia has been racing against India whose Chandrayaan-3 spacecraft is scheduled to land on the moon s south pole this week, and more broadly against China and the United States which both have ad-

Zelensky hails

‘historic’ decision to hand F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine

KYIV UKRAINE

A G E N C I E S

President Volodymyr Zelensky on Sunday hailed on a visit to the Netherlands a historic decision to supply F-16 fighter jets to strengthen Ukraine’s Soviet-era air force It came two days after the United States approved the transfer to Ukraine of Dutch as well as Danish US-made warplanes a key demand by Kyiv as it seeks greater firepower from allies during a grinding counteroffensive against Russia

Zelensky landed at a Dutch airforce base in Eindhoven at around midday (1000 GMT), a Dutch government spokesperson told AFP and inspected the aircraft shortly after Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte rubber-stamped the deliveries saying: The Netherlands and Denmark commit to transfer F-16s to Ukraine once the conditions for such a transfer have been met

The decision is “absolutely historic, powerful and inspiring for us,” Zelensky said at a press conference with Rutte “This is another step towards strengthening Ukraine s air shield

Details of the aircraft delivery to Ukraine have not been unveiled

The Dutch and the Danes are leading a plan to train Ukrainian pilots to fly the US-made aircraft as part of an 11-nation coalition, with training potentially complete by early 2024

Washington has strict rules on the sale or transfer of US military equipment by its allies

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov has said Moscow will regard Western F-16 fighter jets sent to Ukraine as a nuclear threat because of their capacity to carry atomic weapons

vanced lunar ambitions

As news of the Luna-25 failure broke the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) posted on X formerly Twitter that Chandrayaan3 was set to land on August 23 Russian officials had hoped that the Luna-25 mission would show Russia can compete with the superpowers in space despite its post-Soviet decline and the vast cost of the Ukraine war The flight control system was a vulnerable area, which had to go through many fixes, said Anatoly Zak, the creator and publisher of www RussianSpaceWeb com which tracks Russian space programmes Zak said Russia had also gone for the much more ambitious moon landing before undertaking a simpler orbital mission the usual practice for the Soviet Union, the United States, China and India While Luna-25 went beyond the earth s orbit unlike the failed 2011 Fobos-Grunt mission to one of the moons of Mars the crash could impact Russia s moon programme, which envisages several more missions over coming years including a possible joint effort with China

Zelensky was in Sweden on Saturday, finalising with Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson the production of CV90 armoured vehicles in Ukraine and Ukrainian pilots participating in test trials of Swedish Gripen fighter jets

Russia said it thwarted Ukrainian drone attacks on Moscow and its region on Sunday, the second such incident in two days

Both sides have reported regular drone incursions during the conflict with strikes on Russian territory becoming increasingly regular

At around 4:00 am (0100 GMT) an attempt by the Kyiv regime to carry out a terrorist attack by drone on infrastructure in Moscow and the Moscow region was thwarted,” the Russian defence ministry said in a statement The Moscow-bound drone was destroyed by “electronic warfare” and crashed into an uninhabited area after losing control the ministry added reporting no victims or damage

Moscow mayor Sergei Sobyanin thanked Russia s military for their work on the Telegram messaging app Aviation agency Rosaviatsia said flights to the Domodedovo and Vnukovo international airports were “temporarily limited” at night before returning to normal according to the RIA Novosti news agency

A Ukrainian drone raid also hit a railway station in the western Russian city of Kursk injuring five people, the regional governor said early Sunday

In the southern region of Rostov that borders Ukraine, Russian air defence intercepted two Ukrainian drones, the governor said Zelensky has vowed “a tangible answer” to Saturday’s attack on the northern Ukrainian city of Chernihiv which came during the Orthodox holiday of the Transfiguration of the Lord as some attended morning church services

Cricket exper ts tip Pakistan as strong contender for ICC World Cup 2023 Semi-Finals

ISLAMABAD S TA F F R E P O R T

As the ICC Men s Cricket World Cup approaches the cricket community is once again abuzz with predictions and expectations, despite historical lessons about the fallibility of hot favourites, players worldwide have not hesitated to voice their thoughts on the likely semi-finalists for the upcoming ICC World Cup 2023 in India

Drawing from sources across various reputable websites news channels the excitement grows as insights from cricketing legends and experts offer glimpses into what the semi-final stage might hold Greg Chappell, the former Australian cricketer, has confidently placed his bets on Pakistan to secure a place among the semi-finalists In addition to Pakistan, Chap-

pell s esteemed list of last-four contenders includes cricketing giants India Australia and England Chappell s endorsement of Pakistan s potential showcases the sport s unpredictability and the diverse range of outcomes that await on the grand stage

Adding his insights to the mix former Indian captain and BCCI president Sourav Ganguly provided his predictions anointing Australia England and India as his top three choices Ganguly who understands the pulse of cricketing battles, wisely acknowledged that New Zealand should never be underestimated in highstakes clashes His anticipation for an India-Pakistan semi-final at the iconic Eden Gardens reflects the riveting narrative these clashes bring to the tournament Renowned Indian cricketer turned analyst Aakash Chopra has offered his perspective on the matter as well

According to Chopra the likely semi-finalist quartet comprises Pakistan England Australia and India This alignment of predictions across different cricketing minds highlights the consensus around these powerhouse teams The West Indies’ dynamic opener, Chris Gayle, has shared his picks for the semi-finalists Affectionately known as the Universe Boss Gayle envisions Pakistan India England and New Zealand making it to the semifinals His foresight reflects the intriguing mix of established cricketing might and potential underdog triumphs Notably, former Indian cricketer Virender Sehwag echoes the sentiments of several other players Sehwag boldly singles out Australia, England, India, and Pakistan as his four chosen teams His characterization of Australia and England s unconventional style of play underlines their distinctive approaches to the game

OIC delegates praise improvements to people’s livelihoods on X injiang tour

A group of diplomats and delegates from the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) began visit of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region of China

In the city of Kashgar they visited a residential community a village known for planting mushrooms and the ancient city The group praised the progress made to the development of the city and region, CGTN reported on Sunday Diplomats from the Organization of Islamic Cooperation gain first-hand insight into the efforts of the local government during a visit to the Kunlunjiayuan residential community, in Xinjiang s Akto County

The government was forced to relocate the community, as the residents faced water scarcity in the mountains and relied on herding for income But now their lives have been transformed and at no cost to themselves

Syed Mohammad Fawad Sher Perma-

nent Representative of Pakistan to OIC said, The visit to China is indeed a very thoughtful initiative, providing us with the opportunity to see its remarkable transformation The visit to Xinjiang and the cities of Kashgar and Urumqi provided us with the opportunity to see the reality and will help to address the misconceptions attached with the region

It will also help the OIC to dismantle the misconceptions associated with the region Zhou Yixin, Akto County said, “The people who moved to this residential community learned how to grow vegetables in greenhouses creating a stable income for themselves Some opened shops and restaurants Others went on to work for different companies Life here has offered up a host of new opportunities ” The delegates praise the policy to relocate the residents for free saying it has clearly improved the quality of life of residents Dya-Eddine Said Bamakhrama Perma-

nent Representative of Djibouti to the OIC Ambassador of Djibouti to Saudi Arabia said, Our visit this morning covers many areas of this region We are very glad about what we saw We saw the development of the region And I hope this development will be continuing in this region and all parts of China

The delegates next stop was NoquchiEriq village known for growing mushrooms The village now has over fifty greenhouses for growing them, allowing farmers to drastically increase their income

The delegates also visit the Kashgar Old City Protection and Management Memorial Hall where they learn about people s lives in the city before and after its transformation Infrastructure in the city used to be poor, including a struggling sewage system But since 2010, authorities have renovated about 50,000 dilapidated homes as well as water, heating electricity gas roads and other critical infrastructure

districts The delegates say they re glad to see

The delegates also visited the ancient city of Kashgar and the Id Kah Mosque

The group praised the preservation of the

historic architecture saying they re impressed by the modern infrastructure and facilities at the mosque

Envoys show keen interest in RCCI

‘Health Expo’

RAWALPINDI S TA F F R E P O R T

Ambassadors of different countries have shown keen interest in the two-day RCCI Health Expo and Summit 2023

According to a statement issued here on Sunday,

Atadjan N Movlamov Dean of Diplomatic Corps

Ambassador of Turkmenistan Yerzan Kistafin

Ambassador of Kazakhstan Ambassador of the Kyrgyz Republic to Pakistan Ulanbek Totuiaev

Syrian Ambassador Rameez Alraee, Ethiopian Ambassador Jamal Becker, among others who visited different stalls and appreciated the products

Ethiopian Ambassador Jamal Becker in his tweet lauded RCCI's efforts for a successful event MedHealth Expo 2023 showcasing the health sector s potential He also desired close cooperation in the health sector between the two countries

The official Twitter and Facebook accounts of the

Kazakhistan embassy in Pakistan also highlighted the visit of the ambassador of Kazakhistan, Yerzan Kistafin, at the RCCI Med-Health Expo and Summit 2023

The major aim of the expo was to provide a platform to explore the export potential and address the key challenges faced by the health and pharmaceutical sectors in Pakistan

A panel discussion was also organized on the sidelines of the expo where speakers highlighted the export potential of pharmaceuticals in Pakistan given its capabilities in drug manufacturing a skilled workforce and a growing global demand for affordable medicines Pakistan s pharmaceutical industry was known for producing high-quality generic medicines at competitive prices and this costeffectiveness makes Pakistani pharmaceutical products attractive to countries seeking affordable healthcare solutions they added

The topics for the panel discussion include Medical Care and Challenges in the Modern Era the Development of Health Care Equipment in Pakistan

Biological and Vaccine Development in Pakistan, Industry-Academia Linkage and Research in the Health Care Sector and health tourism in Pakistan

COMSATS, Carol Tech formalize understanding to collaborate for tech-driven initiatives

fO R M E R federal minister Professor Ahsan Iqbal here on Sunday called on Ma Xingrui

Member of the Polit Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Secretary of the CPC [Communist Party of China] Xinjiang Uyghurs Autonomous

Regional Committee

He was accompanied by Senator Mahmood-ul-Hassan and other officials of the Embassy of Pakistan in Beijing a news release said

The Chinese side also included Erkin Tuniyas, Governor of Xinjiang, Chen Weijun, Executive Vice-Chairman of the People’s Government of Xinjiang, Kaysar

Abdukerin Vice Chairman of the People’s Government of Xinjiang and other high-ranking officials from Xinjiang

Warmly welcoming the Pakistani side, Party Secretary Ma Xingrui remarked that both countries have withstood the vicissitudes of times, despite the global political landscape

He conveyed President Xi Jinping’s strong commitment to further solidify Pakistan-China strategic cooperative partnerships in diverse fields

Party Secretary Ma lauded the statesmanship, professionalism and educational background of Prof Ahsan Iqbal which enabled valuable contribution towards the development and success of the China-

Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC)

He called him a seasoned and accomplished politician to make more contributions toward the success of CPEC in the future

He remarked that President Xi Jinping desired to make CPEC an exemplary Project of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), with Xinjiang playing a central role in regional and economic development

The Party Secretary reaffirmed his Government’s strong commitment to fully realize the potential of the Khunjrab-Sost-Kashgar border market

Prof Ahsan Iqbal congratulated the senior leadership of Xinjiang on the successful hosting of the China-Eurasia Commodity and Trade Expo-2023 in Urumqi

He praised the CPC leadership for

PAF pays tribute to Rashid Minhas

achieving significant industrial growth and economic development besides addressing terrorism and extremism issues in Xinjiang

Remarking that Xinjiang is strategically located on the map of the world Professor Iqbal termed Xinjiang as a gateway to Pakistan and proposed to establish a Border Market across Khunjrab Pass to promote trade, development and investment across both countries

In that context he shared his vision to connect Xinjiang with Gilgit-Baltistan (GB) and Gwadar regions through the development of road and railway networks which could provide Xin Jiang shortest route to the seaport

While recalling the All-Weather Strategic Cooperative Partnership be-

Shaheed on 52nd mar tyrdom anniversar y

ISLAMABAD S TA F F R E P O R T

To pay homage to Pakistan s valiant son and the youngest recipient of Nishan-e-Haider, Pilot Officer Rashid Minhas Shaheed, the Directorate General Public Relations (Air Force) has released a short documentary on his 52nd martyrdom anniversary Pilot Officer Rashid Minhas

Shaheed was born on 17 February

1951 Having a dream of defending the aerial frontiers of the motherland, he got commission on 14 March 1971 in the 51st GD (P) course He was later posted to No 2 Squadron stationed at Maripur (Masroor) for an Operational Con-

version Course where he was destined for sublime heights by Almighty Allah On 20 August 1971 an unforgettable saga of bravery was crafted with his ultimate sacrifice On this

tween the two iron brothers he also proposed to establish a dedicated Joint Working Group on the promotion of trade, development and cultural cooperation between GB and Xinjiang under the framework of CPEC

Highlighting the importance of CPEC Professor Iqbal termed the Project strategic and emphasized the importance of working together for the completion of the second phase of the high-quality development of CPEC

He said Strong links between Xin Jiang and Gilgit-Baltistan are vital for the success of CPEC He urged the need for exchange programmes between Xin Jiang & GB universities for promoting youth engagement Senator Mahmood-ul-Hassan proposed to streamline custom clearance procedures at Tashgurkan and Urumqui airports to facilitate trade and commercial activities

He highlighted the need to further promote cooperation in the fields of agriculture and livestock while transferring breeding technology to Pakistan

Emphasizing the importance of enhancing trade and investment cooperation he invited Chinese enterprises from the Xinjiang region to participate in the Pakistan-Xinjiang Trade and Investment Conference in Pakistan

Party Secretary Ma Xingrui accepted the proposal to establish a border market at the Pak-China border and directed to establish a team to work out details

AIOu holds national songs competition

fateful day, Rashid vanquished the iniquitous intentions of his instructor pilot Flight Lieutenant Mati-urRahman who tried to hijack his training jet T-33 towards India Rashid battled to take back the controls of the aircraft and finally prefered to crash the plane before it could cross the border The brave son of soil accepted to sacrifice his life but didn t allow the country's dignity to be tarnished In recognition of Rashid Minhas s supreme sacrifice and indelible courage the Government of Pakistan awarded him with the highest gallantry award Nishan-e Haider He will always be remembered as an icon of bravery & sacrifice and will remain a beacon for our future generations

Allama Iqbal Open University (AIOU) has organized a national songs competition in connection with Independence Day celebrations in which 50 students from different institutions participated

The event was arranged by the University's Regional Campus at Sir Syed Science, Rawalpindi

Female students took the top three positions, with Hajra Batool winning first place Faiza Ali second and Rida Arif third Prof Muhammad Arif Prof Muhammad Bashir Malik and Prof Baqir Wasim served as judges for the event

The Commission on Science and Technology for Sustainable Development in the South (COMSATS) signed on Sunday a Memorandum of Understanding with the Carol Technology aims at facilitating joint R&D projects for technological advancements COMSATS is an intergovernmental organization of 27 developing countries focused at promoting S&T development of its Member States Whereas Carol Technology is dedicated to offering cutting-edge technical expertise, a team of skilled personnel, and specialized knowledge to actively contribute to the collaborative research projects addressing the particular needs of industries and academia It is one of the pioneers in Pakistan that introduced inspection of wind turbines through Unmanned Aerial vehicles (UAVs)

The MOU was signed by Executive Director COMSATS, Amb Dr Mohammad Nafees Zakaria, and Head of R&D, Consultant, Carol Technology, Prof Dr Zeeshan Ali This formalized cooperation agreement will serve as a framework to make joint efforts in facilitating Research and Development for advancing research in areas of Vertical Axis Wind Turbines (VAWT), Internet of Things (IoT), and a range of innovation projects

LAHORE

S TA F F R E P O R T

The two-day 8th Color & Chem Expo 2023 successfully concluded on Sunday at the International Expo Center Lahore with the signing of business deals worth billions of rupees More than 200 domestic and foreign companies participated in the mega show The exhibition was organized by Event & Conference International

Exper ts term ecotourism vital for sustainable loc al development

ISLAMABAD S TA F F R E P O R T

The experts have called for promoting ecotourism for sustainable development of local resources and communities Speaking to the participants of the National Centre for Rural Development (NCRD) three-day training workshop on ‘Ecotourism and Sustainable Development’ on Sunday, they urged the participants to play their role in practicing the ecotourism framework right from individual and family picnics to larger group tourism

The experts also urged the authorities to ensure implementation of sustainable development models in letter and spirit engaging community-based interventions

The provincial government shall devolve powers to union council level and develop a system for local development and community empowerment As many as 34 mainly mid-career professionals from different cities including northern parts of Pakistan participated

Former Federal Minister Khurram Dastgir and other personalities visited the exhibition and discussed the business conditions with the participants Dastgir also distributed shields among Mr Zhou the head of the Chinese delegation participating in the exhibition and others

agricultural landscape and cultural fabric

They are renowned for their delectable taste and exquisite aroma capturing the hearts of fruit enthusiasts globally

Pakistani Mango Festival showcased sweet and juicy mangoes allowing a large number of visitors to savor King of fruits at the ongoing five-day China-Eurasia Commodity and Trade Expo in Urumqi, the capital city of the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region of China

“Top Pakistani mango exporters are displaying different varieties of mango such as Sindhri Chaunsa and Anwar Ratol among others, Commercial Counsellor, Pakistan Embassy, Beijing, Ghulam Qadir said

He believed, “The event is not only a treat for the taste buds but also symbolizes the strength of cultural exchanges and economic partnerships Ghulam Qadir remarked Pakistani mangoes hold a special place in Pakistan s

About other Pakistani products, he said, Visitors to the festival could explore stalls showcasing various Pakistani products, textiles handicrafts and more This cultural exchange bridges gaps facilitating cultural diplomacy and fostering relationships built on mutual respect and curiosity

The commercial counselor informed, On the invitation of the government of Urumqi, Senator Rana Mehmood Ul Hassan is leading a six-member delegation from the Senate of Pakistan Additionally 20 top mango exporters from Multan are participating in this expo

Promoting the Silk Road Spirit Strengthening Eurasian Cooperation is the

in the three-day training workshop It was organized by the Akhtar Hameed Khan National Centre for Rural Development (NCRD) and concluded on Sunday

The expert trainers included founder and director Pakistan Mountain Festival and Executive Director Devcom-Pakistan Munir Ahmed, EvK2CNR Scientific Advisor Ashiq Ahmed Khan, PTDC managing Director Aftab-ur-Rehman, former IG Forests Syed Nasir Mahmood and former bureaucrat Zafarullah Siddiqi Director Devcom-Pakistan Executive Munir Ahmed conducted a brainstorming session based on the SWOT analysis He also presented a 10-point action agenda for the participants to take upon their future discourse He urged the provincial governments to urgently form and establish the provincial tourism coordination boards, and the local tourism coordination committees to ensure ecotourism practices The infrastructure at the tourist destinations shall be environment friendly

The second day of the exhibition was also attended by people from various related industries and academia in large numbers Rashidul Haq, the organizer of the exhibition, said that business to business (B2B) deals worth billions of rupees were made in two days of the exhibition

Thousands of people visited the exhibition he said adding despite the difficult economic situation the response of the industry is encouraging This exhibition will prove to be a breath of fresh air in an atmosphere where businesses have adversely suffered," Mr Haq added He announced that next exhibition of color and chemical will be held in August next year at the Lahore Expo Center

theme of this year ’s expo which covers an exhibition area of 70 000 square meters

Seven international organizations are participating in the expo

Additional Director Regional Services, Safeerullah presided over the event whereas the Director Student Affairs, Syed Ghulam Kazim Ali and Regional Director Rawalpindi Nasreen Akhtar Mirza were the chief guests while Assistant Regional Director Mehar Un Nissa hosted the event Safeerullah congratulated the students and expressed the Vice Chancellor s interest in providing opportunities for co-curricular activities He congratulated the students who secured positions and participated in the competition on behalf of the Vice Chancellor and guaranteed that the university would continue to offer these opportunities Syed Ghulam Kazim Ali congratulated the students for their participation and achievement

IESCO issues power suspension schedule for today

ISLAMABAD

S TA F F R E P O R T

According to Islamabad Electric Supply Company (IESCO) s spokesman System

Maintenance/Development Work is in process

Therefore power supply of below mentioned

feeders/areas will be temporary suspended as per given schedule: On 21st August 2023, From 08:00 AM to 01:00 PM, Islamabad Circle, COMSAT, Chhata Bakhtawar Park Enclave Lahtrar Tramiree

ISI Rahara PHA Kuri Road CM Pak Zong

Isolation Hospital Feeders From 09:00 AM to 2:00 PM Islamabad Circle Upper Topa Patriata TDCP

Feeders, From 07:00 AM to 12:00 Noon, Islamabad Circle, Margalla Tower, FHS Feeders, Rawalpindi City Circle, HPT Radio Pak, Kamalabad, Captain Amir, People's Colony, Azizabad, Chakra, Madina Colony Bajanyal Feeders Rawalpindi Cantt Circle Zaraj Dhok Awan IST Old Rawat New Rawat CWO AOWHS Sparco Lal Karti Cantt Feeders Attock Circle Shakardara Qutbal Morat Fateh Jang Rural, Karima, Bolinwal Feeders, Jhelum Circle, Chakiyam, Bhagwal, Shah Safir

GOVT TO ENSURE SECURIT Y, CREATE JOBS IN BACKWARD AREAS OF BALOCHISTAN: PM

CA R E TA K E R Prime Minister

A n w a a r u l H a q K a k a r s a i d on Sunday that efforts would be made to provide employm e n t o p p o r t u n i t i e s a n d maintain peace and security while exp e d i t i n g t h e d e v e l o p m e n t p r o c e s s i n K a n M e h t a r z a i K i l l a S a i f u l l a h a n d other areas of Balochistan

PM Kakar while addressing a reception through a video link, organized by the All Parties Conference in his native village Kan Mehtarzai, said that he would visit Kan Mehtarzai soon and review the issues faced by local people

Anwarul Haq Kakar said that he was grateful to all the organizers of today s reception for felicitating him on behalf of all political parties, tribal elders, scholars, civil society and lawyers from his native town after his nomination as caretaker prime minister

A large number of people including leaders of various political parties tribal

elders, scholars, journalists, farmers, lawyers and students participated in the reception ceremony

The government and opposition parties unanimously nominated Anwar Haq Kakar as caretaker Prime Minister

The local notables expressed confidence that Anwaarul Haq Kakar as caretaker Prime Minister would play his key role in the elimination of terrorism in the

Law yer Imaan Zainab Mazari, ex-lawmaker Ali Wazir arrested in capital

ISLAMABAD

The Islamabad Capital Police on Sunday said that human rights lawyer Imaan Zainab Mazari-Hazir and former lawmaker Ali Wazir were arrested for investigation hours after the activist posted on social media platform X that unidentified people were breaking into her home Islamabad Capital Police has arrested Ali Wazir and Imaan Mazari, the police said on X (formerly Twitter) “Both suspects were wanted by the Islamabad Police for investigation All action will be taken in accordance with law

The police did not specify what case they were investigating the human rights lawyer and the lawmaker from South Waziristan in It added that the news issued by the public relations department of the Islamabad Capital Police should be accepted as correct “No one is authorised to give a statement from a police station ”

The development comes after Imaan posted on X in the early hours of Sunday that unknown persons breaking down my home cameras banging gate jumped over

About an hour later her mother former PTI leader

Shireen Mazari, posted that policewomen, plainclothes people and r ager (sic) types took my daughter away after breaking down our front door”

“We asked who they had come for and they just dragged Imaan out They marched all over the house ”

Shireen said The former human rights minister said her daughter was in her sleeping clothes and asked to change but they dragged her away

Of course no warrants or any legal procedure State

fascism Remember we are only two women living in the house This is an abduction,” she said

Speaking to the media outside a district and sessions court Shireen said that officials scaled the gate of her home beat up her guard and locked him inside his cabin

She said that officials also seized the guard s phone and his gun, and then broke down their front door

Shireen said that they then began to bang on her bedroom door “As soon as we opened the door, they dragged Imaan and took her away Policewomen were also trying to drag me outside ” she said

The ex-minister said she then asked the officials whether they were here to arrest both her and Imaan to which a man in plainclothes gestured to the other to let Shireen go

Shireen said that officials asked her to point out Imaan s bedroom as they needed her laptop and phone Twenty men went upstairs They found the room, turned it upside down and seized her laptop and cellphone ” She said that a policewoman also told her to surrender her own phone which she did She said that Imaan was willing to go with the police officials but asked to change her clothes

They said there is no need and dragged her away

She said that 20 people entered their home while more officials were standing outside “There were six female officers that I saw but there was no male wearing the blue uniform of Islamabad Police ” she said

I M A A N, WA Z I R R E M A N D E D I N T W O C A S E S Imaan and Wazir were later presented in a district and sessions court on the count of two cases which were heard by Judicial Magistrate Ihtasham Alam Khan

According to the detailed court order, the investigating officer (IO) requested 10-day physical remand for the two in a terrorism case but the judge ordered that the two be presented before an anti-terrorism court for the request with Imaan kept in a women police station till tomorrow

country, conduct of transparent elections and restoration of law and order

: Caretaker Prime Minister Anwaarul Haq Kakar was called on by Senator Arbab Umar Kasi here on Sunday During the meeting, the two discussed the issues relating Balochistan

province said a press release issued by PM Media Wing

The caretaker Prime Minister on Sunday also held a meeting with Senator Arbab Umar Kasi and discussed issues related to Balochistan Senator Kasi felicitated him on assuming the office of prime minister and expressed his best wishes

He informed the prime minister about the situation of flooding in Hanna Orak after the recent rains

The Senator told him about the need to repair Spera Ragha-Loralai

Cour t remands PTI’s Qureshi in FIA custody for one-day in cypher case

A local sessions court on Sunday remanded PTI Vice President Shah Mahmood Qureshi into the Federal Investigation Agency s (FIA) custody for one-day in a case pertaining to the missing of diplomatic cypher registered against Qureshi and former prime minister Imran Khan The PTI stalwart, who was arrested from Islamabad shortly after a news conference a day earlier is to be produced before a relevant court tomorrow (Monday)

Meanwhile the FIA denied having arrested PTI leader and former federal minister Asad Umar

Govt not to rest until culprits involved in Jaranwala incident brought to justice: FO

The government of Pakistan will not rest until those responsible for the vile acts in Jaranwala were apprehended and brought to justice

While responding to media queries about the remarks by some governments on the unfortunate incident in Jaranwala, Faisalabad, on 16 August 2023, Spokesperson Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Mumtaz Zahra Baloch Sunday said:

“We reiterate what we have said earlier The Faisalabad incident is a sad reprehensible incident that has hurt the sentiments of Christians across Pakistan The incident has been strongly condemned by Pakistan’s leadership and the entire Pakistani society Such intolerant and violent acts are unacceptable to the ethos of Pakistani society

She said The wheels of justice have been set in motion The incident has also reignited an interfaith dialogue of tolerance and mutual respect and understanding in Pakistan " she added Religious scholars from all hues see antistate elements hand in incident

The religious leaders from different schools of thoughts on Sunday gathered to denounce the recent incidents of violence against the minority community in Jaranwala in a strong display of interfaith unity

They emphasized the importance of safeguarding the rights of minorities and upholding the prin-

ciples of humanity

The leaders voiced concerns about the activities of hostile elements seeking to create religious strife and chaos in Pakistan They expressed alarm over the spread of divisive ideologies and religious unrest within the country They unanimously condemned this act as a flagrant violation of Islamic teachings and the constitutional rights of religious minorities

Leading a delegation of eminent scholars and representatives from different faiths during the visit to Essa Nagri, Jaranwala, Central Ruet-e-Hilal Committee Chairman Maulana Syed Mohammad Abdul Khabir Azad who also serves as Imam and preacher at the Badshahi Mosque in Lahore expressed his unequivocal condemnation of the Jaranwala incident

He reiterated that Islam underscored the protection of minority rights and advocated respect for the dignity of every human being He highlighted that the Constitution guaranteed the preservation of minority rights, and if any individual is found guilty of such actions, it is the responsibility of the state to ensure swift justice ”

Maulana Azad also pointed out the sinister plot behind the incident suggesting that there were anti-state elements aiming to sow discord between Muslim and Christian communities He warned that the nation would not tolerate such nefarious designs and that

unity among Pakistan's diverse populace would prevail Archbishop Sebastian Shaw expressed deep concern over the attacks on Christian places of worship He affirmed that the safety and security of all citizens of Pakistan regardless of their faith, were paramount

The religious leaders unanimously called upon the government to take immediate action against those responsible for the attacks and to differentiate between the innocent and the guilty They also urged state institutions to ensure the protection of places of worship for all faiths, emphasizing that this shared commitment to safeguarding religious spaces was intrinsic to their faiths

The delegation included esteemed figures such as Archbishop Sebastian Shaw, Allama Zubair Ahmad Zaheer, Bishop Andreas Rahmat, Father Abid, Qadir Khalid, Father Naqash, Sardar Ranjit Singh Giani Maulana Qazi Abdul Ghaffar Qadri Dr Markus Fida Pandit Bhagat Lal Pandit Kashi

Ram Maulana Aslam Saqi Mufti Mubasher Ahmad, Allama Hafiz Kazim Raza Naqvi, Maulana Fateh Mohammad Rashidi, Allama Haider Ali Najafi, Pir Waliullah Shah, Mufti Ashiq Hussain Maulana Ehsanulllah

Tabasum Sahibzada Syed Abdul Basir Azad Maulana Ubaidullah Naqshbandi Allama Rashid Turabi Pastor Ashar Nazeer, Father Ashfaq Anthi, Haji Ghulam Rasool Shah and other scholars, members of the peace committee and social personalities

According to the agency s senior officials, Umar isn t in their custody Umar and Qureshi’s role in the cypher case will be determined during the investigation they added

The counter-terrorism wing of the FIA had registered the case against the former prime minister who was ousted from office after a no-confidence motion in April last year after ascertaining his deliberate involvement in misusing the classified document following a probe Qureshi, who has been booked in the case along with Imran under the Official Secrets Act was arrested in Islamabad yesterday Both of them have been accused of sharing contents of the cipher with unauthorised persons to achieve ulterior motives Qureshi was presented before judicial magistrate

Ihtasham Alam Khan, who observed in the court order that the FIA had sought the PTI leader’s physical remand for 14 days “for the purpose of interrogation regarding the involved accused person and to be confronted with the relevant record recovery and logical conclusion

The order stated that the judge heard arguments from both sides and noted that in cases registered under the secrets law, the jurisdiction of physical remand was with the special court constituted under the said act

However, he said, Qureshi was presented in his court due to a public holiday today

“Being the duty court therefore the remand of one day is granted subject to pre-and post-medical examination the judge ruled directing the investigating officer to present Qureshi before the special court tomorrow (Monday) and request for his remand

In a video shared by the PTI from today, Qureshi is seen speaking to media persons outside the court where he says: “I have not shared any document of secret nature with any unauthorised person I have not compromised any code

T H E C A S E: The case was registered against Qureshi and Imran after an American news outlet, The Intercept, recently published what was claimed to be the diplomatic cable which had reportedly gone missing from Imran’s possession

Shehbaz Sharif depar ts for London to meet Nawaz Sharif

LAHORE S TA F F R E P O R T

KARACHI/PESHAWAR

The Pakistan Coast Guards (PCG) seized a large quantity of drugs worth millions from Balochistan while the Airport Security Force (ASF) foiled separate bids to smuggle drugs to Doha and arrested three passengers at Islamabad Multan and Peshawar airports on Sunday

According to spokesman for PCG on Sunday, the PCG on a tip off recovered 1,488kg fine quality hashish dumped underground The seized drugs were reportedly to be smuggled abroad via sea route

The PCG spokesperson claimed that approximated value of the recovered drugs in the international market was $24 83 million dollars The PCG has initiated further legal proceedings

On the other hand the Airport Security Force (ASF) foiled separate bids to smuggle drugs to Doha and arrested three passengers at Islamabad Multan and Peshawar airports on Sunday

According to the ASF spokesperson, a passenger leaving from Doha from Multan airport was held after recovery of 1 170 kilogram methamphetamine (Ice), a passenger leaving for Doha from Islamabad airport was held with 810 gram Ice while a passenger leaving from Doha from Peshawar airport was held after recovery of 2 73 kilogram Ice

The detainees after preliminary investigation were handed over to Anti Narcotics Force (ANF) along with recovered drugs for further investigations, the spokesman added

Former Prime Minister Mian Shehbaz Sharif left for London on Sunday to meet two time former premier Nawaz Sharif to discuss the political scenario, upcoming elections and likely return of the party’s supremo to Pakistan Former information minister and the Pakistan Muslim League (N) leader Maryam Aurangzeb also took to the X (formerly known as Twitter) and said that Shehbaz Sharif would leave Lahore for London today

She mentioned that Shehbaz Sharif would also meet party leader Mian Nawaz Sharif in London During the meeting, sources said consultations would be held on party leader's return home and various party matters The legal team of the PMLN participation in the meeting is also expected they said adding the legal aspects related to the possible return of Nawaz Sharif would be discussed

After the resignation of Shehbaz Sharif from the slot of PM, Anwarul Haq Kakar has taken the post of caretaker PM in his place

Law Ministr y ’s clarific ation removes ambiguity created by President ’s ‘tweet ’: S olangi

ISLAMABAD

S TA F F R E P O R T

Caretaker Minister for Information and Broadcasting Murtaza Solangi on Sunday said the clarification issued by the Ministry of Law and Justice had removed the ambiguity created by a statement posted by President Dr Arif Alvi on his personal account on X (formerly known Twitter) regarding signing of two legislations

The President is head of the state and his position demands respect No one should expect that we would speak against the respect of the President, said the information minister while addressing a news conference here

Flanked by Caretaker Minister for Law and Justice Ahmed Irfan Aslam and Principal Information Officer Asim Khichi the minister said there was no need for politicizing the caretaker government s efforts aimed at removing ambiguity on important matters

He said the President had posted a statement on the X about the two bills, sent by the Parliament, which might have created some sort of confusion but did not cause any upheaval

However it was imperative to remove

confusion on the matter and the Law Ministry had issued a statement in this regard, he added

To a query, Solangi said he did not have any knowledge about the President’s intentions and desires particularly concerning his continuation in office Institutions existed in the country for enforcement of laws and a complete system was in place to ensure provision of rights to citizens and uphold the supremacy of the Constitution and laws, the minister said in response to another question

He stressed that the caretaker government was fully committed to upholding the constitution and would not engage in any actions that violated the laws

With a clear understanding that their mandate is not political in nature, Murtaza said the caretaker government would refrain from engaging in any political discussions In case any attempt was made to create confusion on national issues he said the response would be given which would strictly be adhered to the boundaries defined by the constitution and law

Speaking on the occasion, Caretaker Minister for Law and Justice Ahmed Irfan

Aslam said that under Article 75 of the Constitution a bill automatically becomes law if the President didn’t approves or reject it within stipulated time period of ten days

The law minister said that the caretaker government has no political agenda and its mandate was also limited He said that being the head of the federation, the president is revered in all of our hearts He said that ‘The Pakistan Army (Amendment) Bill 2023 was received by the presidency on August 2 while Official Secrets (Amendment) Bill reached there on August 8, after being passed by the two houses of the Parliament The caretaker law minister said that when a bill is sent to the President he has two options: either to approve the bill or send it back to the Parliament with his observations in writing There is no third option under Article 75 of the Constitution, he said, adding that ten days of time period is fixed in the Constitution to exercise one of these options Ahmed Irfan Aslam said that the President has exercised these powers many times

in the recent and distant past The President gave observations in many laws and also sent back bills to the Parliament, he said Before today he said no such situation has come before us that anything has returned from the presidency without the signatures of the President The law minister said that these two bills

have not been received back from the President Office despite Article 75 of the Constitution clearly provides a period of ten days in order to avoid any political ambiguity If the President does not exercise the authority within this time period the bill is considered to be approved and automatically becomes law as per the constitution, he said