Epaper_23-08-24 LHR

PRESIDENT ALVI INVITES CEC FOR MEETING TO ‘FIX APPROPRIATE DATE’ FOR POLLS TODAY

dat Ahmed Bilal Mehboob said it seemed that Alvi was aiming to exercise his prerogative under Article 48 However, the president was bound by the prime minister ’s advice and could not independently exercise this authority he said while speaking to Geo News

Demand for Pakistan’s rice surges as India mulls Non-Basmati expor t ban

g Question arises what is more important: foreign exchange reser ves or affordable food?

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PRESIDENT Arif Alvi on Wednesday wrote to Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Sikandar Sultan Raja, inviting him for a meeting to fix an appropriate date” for general elections on Thursday (today) In a letter wrote to the CEC on Wednesday Dr Arif Alvi cited the constitutional requirement for the president to decide a date for general elections within 90 days after the dissolution of the National Assembly (NA)

In the letter, posted on the Presidency’s account on X the president noted that the NA was dissolved on the advice of then-prime minister Shehbaz Sharif on August 9 three days ahead of its mandated period

By virtue of Article 48(5) of the Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan the president is obliged to appoint a date not later than 90 days from the date of dissolution for the holding of general elections of the assembly the letter read In view of this, he added, the CEC was invited to meet him today or tomorrow to set an “appropriate date” for elections

While the president has cited the constitutional provisions that elaborate on his role in deciding the election date, a recent amendment to the Elections Act 2017 empowered the Election Commission of Pakistan to announce the dates for polls unilaterally without having to consult the president

Alvi s invitation to the CEC also comes against the backdrop of the Election Commission of Pakistan having ruled out elections this year, following the notification of the latest 2023 digital census Since the NA was dissolved three days before the end of its constitutional term Article 224 of the Constitution mandates that elections be held within 90 days of the dissolution of the assembly But at the same time, Section 17(2) of the Elections Act states that “the commission shall delimit constituencies after every census is officially published In line with this requirement the ECP said last week the process of fresh delimitation of

national and provincial assembly constituencies was expected to be completed by December 14 over a month beyond the constitutionally mandated deadline for conducting general elections However after the ECP’s announcement last week a Dawn report quoted an official of the commission as saying that the electoral watchdog was not legally bound to immediately carry out fresh delimitation of constituencies after the official notification of census results

‘PRESIDENT BOUND BY PM’S

ADVICE

Sharing his views on the president s letter to the CEC Chairman of Islamabad-based public policy think tank Pil-

If the president s letter is based on the prime minister s advice, it aligns with the Constitution Otherwise, it deviates from the Constitution,” he added “It is not the president’s discretionary power to set a date [for the elections] ” On the recent amendment to the Elections Act he said the law was secondary to the Constitution but again emphasised that the president could not independently set an election date unless advised by the prime minister He further disagreed with the ECP assertion to hold elections after a fresh delimitation of constituencies Personally I find this interpretation unsatisfactory I believe the Constitution mandates elections

From my perspective, delimitations are not constitutionally necessary ” Mehboob said he could see this matter “ultimately ending up in the Supreme Court ECP WRITES TO FOUR PARTIES FOR TALKS ON POLLS

Meanwhile, the ECP has invited four political parties the PPP, PMLN PTI and Jamiat Ulema Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) for discussions on matters regarding the upcoming general elections

The commission has invited the parties through four separate letters to the heads of these parties

The letters state that the ECP is charged with the constitutional duty to organise and conduct elections in terms of Article 218(3) of the Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan and to make such arrangements as are necessary to ensure that the election is conducted honestly, justly, fairly and in accordance with the law and that corrupt practices are guarded against”

The international rice market is witnessing a significant upheaval as India, a major global rice producer, contemplates a ban on non-basmati rice exports This uncertainty has prompted a surge in demand for Pakistan’s rice leading to increased offers and higher prices International buyers are now turning to Pakistan for their non-basmati rice needs INDIA’S POSITION IN THE RICE MARKET

In 2022 India exported over 22 million tonnes of rice to the entire world As the single largest exporter of white rice in the world, India control’s a massive 40% of the global market for rice providing different kinds of rice that many other countries in the world are heavily dependent on for their caloric intake And this year the Indian government has put a ban on the export of all kinds of rice except the aromatic and high-end Basmati variety The ban comes in response to soaring rice prices in India and a general food inflation crisis that has been brewing in the country As a result the international rice market suddenly finds itself short on more than 10 million tonnes of rice With a global food crisis already about to reach crescendo because of the Russia-Ukraine war, rice importing countries and international organisations are suddenly faced with a concerning question: how will this massive shortfall of rice be met? Already the news of India’s rice ban has resulted in supermarkets facing panic buying all the way in the United States and other countries that rely on Indian rice Some other countries that are also exporters may also follow suit with a ban to protect their own domestic markets So who will take the opportunity?

The impact on prices of the world’s most consumed staple has been swift hitting 15-year highs Limited supplies risk a further spike in the price of rice and global food inflation hitting impoverished consumers in Asia and Africa, analysts and traders said Food importers are already grappling with tight supplies caused by erratic weather and disruptions in Black Sea shipments

Domki travels in Green Bus, inquires from passengers about facilities

QUETTA

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Balochistan Caretaker Chief Minister Ali Mardan Khan Domki on Wednesday personally travelled in Green Bus and inquired from the passengers about travelling facilities Talking to the passengers, he assured of measures to expand the Green Bus service to other routes to facilitate maximum numbers of Quetta dwellers Ali Mardan Domki appreciated the former government for launching Green Bus service and termed it a best initiative of public welfare He directed the Provincial Secretary Transport present on the occasion to prepare a plan immediately to expand the project of Green Bus to other areas of the Quetta city

The caretaker chief minister said that safe travel in a pleasant environment is the right of the citizens and feel glad that our female segment can now travel with satisfaction Domki announced extension in the timing of Green Bus service by one hour in the evening from 7 P M to 8 P M

PAF-IAST and Chinese Universit y to jointly launch BSc technology program

ISLAMABAD

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The Pak-Austria Fachhochschule, Institute of Applied Sciences and Technology (PAF-IAST) has invited applications for admissions in the BSc Mechanical Engineering Technology in collaboration with Chengdu University of China This program marks the Institute s first technology offering, launched within the Department of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering as stated on August 21 It’s a joint degree program with Chengdu University where students will spend two years in China fully sponsored by the Chinese government, Gwadar Pro reported on Wednesday The BSc Mechanical Engineering Technology is accredited by the National Technology Council (NTC) This hands-on program is aligned with industrial skill requirements and emerging fields such as Applied Artificial Intelligence and Data Sciences along with traditional computational mechanics A senior official in the admissions department of PAF-IAST mentioned that the BSc programs have a duration of four years

He further stated that students can apply online for the program until the end of September Located in Haripur KP PAF-IAST is a collaborative venture involving three Austrian and five Chinese Universities, according to the PAF-IAST website The foundation stone of PAF-IAST was laid on January 13 2018

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custody of NAB in the case of receiving kickbacks in government contracts

AC i s s u e s ve r d i c t o n L N G r e fe r e n c e t r a n s fe r t o s p e c i a l j u d g e c e n t r a l

ISLAMABAD

s tA f f R e p o R t

An Accountability Court (AC) on Wednesday issued a detailed verdict regarding the transferring of an LNG reference against former prime minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi to a special judge central (SJC) The written order issued by the Accountability Judge Muhammad Bashir stated that the accountability court had no authority to hear this case as per law

The court said that five accused in the case had filed acquittal pleas and the counsels of other accused also raised questions on the jurisdiction of the accountability court

It said that former prime minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi had not filed an acquittal plea in the case However his lawyer also gave arguments regarding the maintainability of the case under NAB amendments The order said that the all accused had been indicted in the case in which Shahid Khaqan Abbasi

was accused of misusing his powers to benefit the co-accused It further said that there was no evidence the former premier had received any amount illegally The verdict elaborated on that the reference fell under Section-V of the Anti-Corruption Act 1947

The court said that the accountability court couldn t even hear the cases under the Anti-Money Laundering Act

Entire nation united against terrorism, extremism: Bugti

ISLAMABAD s tA f f R e p o R t

2010 adding that only the special judge central could hear such cases now

It said that the prosecutor was also of the view that the accountability court had no jurisdiction in this case Therefore the LNG reference was shifted to the court of Special Judge Central The court instructed the investigation officer to submit the case record to the said court for further proceedings

Caretaker Interior Minister Sarfraz Bugti on Wednesday said that the entire nation was united against the menace of terrorism and extremism He was speaking during his visit to National Counter Terrorism Authority (NACTA) during which National Coordinator NACTA Inspector General Tahir Ray gave briefing to the minister Sarfraz Bugti reviewing the National Action Plan said that the terrorism would be completely eliminated from the society and Pakistan would be made peaceful country for all He said Pakistan’s narrative against terrorism and extremism provided complete guideline which needed to be promoted further He said NACTA would make effective and workable policy to counter terrorism and the policy would be shared with all other departments for effective coordination The minister reiterated zero tolerance against terrorism and extremism, adding the law enforcement agencies were taking effective measures to curb the menace from the society The government would provide all resources and facilities to law enforcement agencies to counter terrorism; he said adding that the nation paid tributes to the sacrifice of martyrs which would not go in vain He condemned the recent terrorism activities in the country and said that state would ensure peaceful environment for the people by uprooting terrorism from the country The masses if provided peaceful environment could play their role in better way for development of the country, Sarfraz Bugti said adding that the government provide copies of national narrative against terrorism to the educational institutes to sensitize the students in that regard The government would counter narrative of terrorist organizations and would grab their space in the national media he said The minster further said, no power on the earth could weaken the power of Pakistan as the country came into existence forever The government would assist the police to eliminate hideouts of dacoits of Kacha area in Sindh province he vowed adding that the area alongside river belts would be made secure and peaceful The minister lauded the performance of NACTA and showed interest in its revamping

KARACHI s tA f f R e p o R t

Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) notorious target killer with several other accused on Wednesday appeared before the Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) in a hearing regarding the Tahir Plaza fire case The jail authorities presented a report to the court confirming that Saeed Bharam is currently incarcerated as a convicted prisoner serving a life sen-

tence in Central Jail, Karachi Unfortunately, the hearing hit a procedural roadblock as the lawyers representing the accused were absent Consequently the statements of the witnesses could not be recorded However the Investigating Officer (IO) managed to produce two witnesses before the court Their testimonies are anticipated to shed light on the events surrounding the Tahir Plaza fire which resulted in significant loss of life and property

In response to these developments, the court has summoned the witnesses to testify at the next hearing scheduled for September 2

Earlier in 2017 MQM s Hammad Siddiqui, Saeed Bharam and others have also been nominated in the Tahir Plaza arson attack incident

In police report accused Irfan alias Saeed has confessed that Hammad Siddiqui and Saeed Bharam had ordered the arson attack in Tahir Plaza

The arson attack made to teach a lesson to lawyers for supporting the deposed chief justice According to police, two accomplices of the accused Nawab alias Dhobi and Nawab alias Mota have been at large The court has issued arrest warrants of the accused

Six people including a lawyer and two women were burnt to death in the arson attack Tahir Plaza, a building near City Courts, was set on fire on April 9 2008 in which six people including a lawyer and two women were burnt to death

Indian spy arrested in Karachi

KARACHI

s tA f f R e p o R t

In a joint operation with Law Enforcement Agencies (LEAs) District City Police apprehended an Indian spy engaged in spying activities targeting various key and sensitive locations in Pakistan Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) for the City, Arif Aziz, confirmed that the Indian spy Akhil Dev and his local facilitator Zahoor Ahmed have been arrested During the search the police seized two Indian passports one pistol 500 000 Irani Riyal a fake jewelry box six mobile phones one tablet and various documents from the possession of the arrested persons Arif Aziz revealed that Akhil Dev is a trained Indian spy who was doing undercover work with the assistance of Pakistani facilitators Further investigations into the arrested persons are underway with the possibility of significant revelations during the interrogation process Additionally, raids are being conducted to apprehend other accomplices of the suspects

Around 100,000 people evac uated due to floods in Pakistan

ISLAMABAD s tA f f R e p o R t

Around 100,000 people have been evacuated from flooded villages in Pakistan’s Punjab province, emergency services said on Wednesday Several hundred villages and thousands of acres of cropland in the central province were inundated when the Sutlej river burst its banks on Sunday Emergency services have been working to evacuate residents and livestock to higher ground We have rescued 100,000 people and transferred them to safer places,” Farooq Ahmad spokesman for the Punjab emergency services told media The head of Punjab s government Mohsin Naqvi

issued a flood warning due to the possibility of further increase in water level in River Sutlej due to rains occurred in upper catchments during the last 24 hours

According to Director General PDMA Imran Qureshi instructed the administration of the districts adjacent to the Sutlej to remain alert and deploy sufficient staff roundthe-clock for effective coordination and response He also asked them to collect and share latest information in line with national and provincial authorities Rescue 1122 has also been directed to remain on high alert and ensure sufficient emergency response personnel and equipment during the period The PDMA has advised the people living in low-lying areas to remain cautious and evacuate to safer places if necessary They have also been asked to stay away from river banks and other water bodies The PDMA has set up a control room to monitor the situation and provide updates People can call the control room at 042-99204409 for more information

BRICS nations agree to expand developing world bloc

JOHANNESBUR G Ag e n c i e s

Leaders of the BRICS bloc of leading developing countries have agreed to mechanisms for considering new members, South Africa said on Wednesday, paving the way for dozens of interested nations to join the group

which has pledged to champion the Global South Agreement on expansion could help lend global clout to BRICS Brazil, Russia India China and South Africa at a time when geopolitical polarisation is spurring efforts by Beijing and Moscow to forge it into a viable counterweight to the West

We have agreed on the matter of expansion,” South Africa’s foreign minister Naledi Pandor said on Ubuntu Radio, a station run by her ministry following a meeting by BRICS leaders at a three-day summit in South Africa

We have a document that we ve adopted which sets out guidelines and principles, processes for considering countries that wish to become members of BRICS That’s very positive ”

Enlarging BRICS has topped the agenda at the summit taking place in Johannesburg While all BRICS members

had publicly expressed support for growing the bloc, there had been divisions among the leaders over how much and how quickly Its member countries also have economies that are vastly different in scale and governments that often seem to have few foreign policy goals in common, complicating its consensus-driven decision-making China’s economy, for example, is more than 40 times larger than South Africa’s Africa’s most developed country Pandor did not give details of the framework of criteria for considering candidates simply saying that the bloc s leaders would make an announcement on expansion before the summit concludes on Thursday More than 40 countries have expressed interest in joining BRICS say South African officials and 22 have formally asked to be admitted

They represent a disparate pool of potential candidates from Iran to Argentina motivated largely by a desire to level a global playing field many consider rigged against them and attracted by BRICS’ promise to rebalance the global order

The world is undergoing major shifts, division and regrouping it has entered a new period of turbulence and transformation,” said China’s President Xi Jinping, who has long pushed for the expansion of the BRICS group Development is an inalienable right of all countries It is not a privilege reserved for a few he told the summit earlier on Wednesday Though home to about 40 per cent of the world’s population and a quarter of global GDP the bloc’s ambitions of becoming a global political and economic player have long been thwarted by internal divisions and a lack of co-

herent vision

Russia, isolated by the United States and Europe over its invasion of Ukraine, is keen to show Western powers it still has friends Brazil and India in contrast have both forged closer ties with the West Brazil s President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva on Tuesday rejected the idea the bloc should seek to rival the United States and the Group of Seven wealthy economies Moves to expand the bloc and push its New Development Bank as an alternative to established multilateral lenders are however raising some concern in the West Werner Hoyer, the head of European Investment Bank, warned the West on Wednesday it was in danger of losing confidence of the Global South unless it urgently intensified its own support efforts for poorer countries

Ta h i r P l a z a a r s o n c a s e : M Q M

‘ h i t m a n ’ p r o d u c e d i n ATC

It never stops pouring

TH AT the Supreme Court bench hearing Mr Imran Khan’s appeal against the Islamabad session court’s decision convicting him of corrupt practices observed that there were shortcomings in the judgement of the court, but refused to interefere in the case before a decision by the Islamabad High Court, which is to hear the case on Tuesday (today) This is the first relief afforded to Mr Khan since before his conviction but it did not result in his release Indeed, considering the number of cases against him, it is not likely that he will be released anytime soon He may either have his conviction quashed and obtain bail from the Islamabad High Court or even if his conviction is upheld get bail rom the Supreme Court, as Chief Justice Umar Ata Bandial remarks seemed to hint at

However, Mr Khan can then be arrested in an array of cases ranging from the one registered against him under the Official Secrets Act to the unexplained assets case NAB has against him over the £190 million allegedly given back to property tycoon Malik Riaz in exchange for the land for the Al-Qadir University The initial difficulty as on May 9 or even of his latest arrest was getting hold of him Now as has been demonstrated in the case of so many PTI leaders, when he is bailed in one case, as soon as he is released from jail, he will be rearrested in another case Another door seems to have closed on him, if it was ever really open, and that is the possibility of a presidential pardon That is because it seems President Arif Alvi seems to be getting into hotter water with each passing day over his claim not to have signed two bills before they became law At the beginning of last year, the PTI formed the federal two provincial and the AJK and GilgitBaltistan government It has lost them all and only retains the Presidency After the latest rumpus, that seems to have become increasingly shaky

The immediate future for the PTI does not look very bright With a general election not that far away Mr Khan’s importance as the party’s main campaigner has been enhanced, what with the exodus from the party of most of its next-tier leaders, after the May 9 incidents, but the possibility of his release seems to retreat while his associates find themselves having to leave whatever positions of influence they still hold

Dedicated to the legac y of late Hameed Nizami

Arif Nizami (Late)

Founding Editor

Yousaf Nizami Editor

M A Niazi

Joint Editor Umar Aziz Executive Editor

WI T H the dissolution of the National Assembly on August 9 the political circus finally came to an end According to Shahid Khaqan Abbasi a PML(N) stalwart and ex-PM it was the worst assembly ever which did not legislate for the people who elected it While the nation continues to suffer from the Zia Amendments, the depleted House passed about 70 bills, mostly individual specific in the last ten days of its term which can be termed as Bajwa Amendments The Assembly created after the 1970 elections clearly stands out as the best and should be used as a role model and revered

Historically speaking, elections were scheduled for October 1958 under the 1956 Constitution, but instead the country came under the boots The first usurper not only abrogated the unanimously agreed Constitution but imposed his own deplorable version in 1962 Finally after the massive street protests in 1968, the mighty dictator had to step down in March 1969 Pakistan then moved from the first to the second Martial Law General Agha Muhammad Yahya Khan got rid of Ayub Khan’s constitution and announced elections on the basis of adult franchise which were held in 1970 With the assumption of a split mandate the electoral process was free and fair

Results were surprising The Awami League (AL) won 167 out of 169 National Assembly seats of East Pakistan while Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) won 86 seats in West Pakistan When transfer of power was delayed civil war started in the Eastern Wing resulting in the break-up of Jinnah s Pakistan

Being the largest party of what remained in the 5th Assembly, PPP was asked to form the government It was perhaps the ablest House ever, ably led on both sides by Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto and Abdul Wali Khan

Two constitutions were formulated during this period (1972 1973) The level of debates were exemplary together with people-friendly legislation

The democratic order reached its peak in 1975 when it was hijacked through military action in Balochistan together with the dismissal of the gov-

ernment in NWFP (now KP) In early 1977 ZAB surprised everyone by dissolving the assemblies ahead of time thus bringing to close theFifth National Assembly from which emerged the Islamic Republic of Pakistan the first constitutional democracy of the Islamic world Till today constitutional, orderly transition of power remains a serious challenge for the republic

After deposing the elected government of ZAB, the third usurper took control of the country The assemblies that followed (sixth to 15th) started to regress the democratic order At least Abbasi sahib had the conscience to seek apology from the public for their lack of performance Most members passed the bills they never read There were hardly any debates From the public standpoint the legislation was aimless and directionless

TH E traditional definition of corruption is the misuse of authority by someone in a position of authority who has duties to the general public Such dishonest action frequently suggests the desire of personal gain

The term corruption covers a wide range of behaviour including the misappropriation of public funds and resources by government agencies, the use of state assets for personal gain, the payment of kickbacks in illegal deals, bribes, and nepotism However, it may also take the form of less evident legal or questionably legal acts like lobbying or state capture where a party s political self-interest directs the country s decision-making process in order to covertly advance its own objectives

The different interpretations of corruption suggest that it is a flexible and unstable idea Although there are many phrases that conflict and overlap when describing corruption illegality and breach of duty are the most common ones

Since corruption is a reflection of the social political, and economic structure of a particular State, it may also be a response to subpar or unfavourable policies made by officials People may exploit these monitoring inequalities to circumvent the law when the institutions in charge of policing compliance are ineffective or incompetent people are given positions of authority

Corruption may occur on various levels

Petty corruption occurs where citizens interact with state representatives during the delivery of public services, whereas grand corruption oc-

The highest levels of corruption continue to be a hug e problem for the nation and obstruct real social improvements A chang e in policy has become necessar y for the countr yÊs progress, along with the strengthening of democratic institutions, par ticularly the judiciar y

curs at the highest levels of governance and necessitates deeper infiltration into the political, judicial, and business sectors

Corruption may become endemic, permeate the system and give rise to a sustained corrupt hierarchy if a State is unable to control its misdeeds owing to organisational flaws political economic or social instability Conflicting interests, arbitrary policies, a lack of transparency, monopolisation of power, poor wages, and immunity from punishment are all signs of systematic corruption These indicators are insufficient to identify corruption however as it is a covert activity that is challenging to watch and assess

Since Pakistan s founding in 1947 shortly after British India was divided it has battled the issue of corruption Pakistan thus acquired not only the British legal system but also the institutions that were well-known for their strong bureaucratic elite that had been brought up to support British rule Additionally Pakistan’s anti-corruption legislation was created to defend the political establishment rather than the entire public Given this, it is not surprising that the anti-corruption legislation was essentially set apart from the interests of the general people

The effectiveness of the anti-corruption bodies was further harmed and degraded by the following changes of regimes between military and civilian institutions as a result of numerous successful coup d états This assertion can be supported by the observation that there have been no significant advancements in the fight against corruption in any civilian government Corrupt officials are held accountable and punished severely under Pakistani law although this only happens on paper since society frequently has a tendency to normalise and excuse certain fraudulent practices

The major institution responsible for combating corruption is the National Accountability Bureau (NAB), which was founded by the military administration in 1999 However the NAB faces severe funding and staffing constraints

The anti-corruption laws state that any abuse of official authority is a criminal punishable by up

F i r s t t h e d r a c o n i a n clauses of the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) w e r e r e m o v e d b u t l a t e r added to go after the opposition The decline will cont i n u e u n l e s s t h e f o c u s i s shifted to serving the people instead of the establishment Perhaps for the first time in the checkered political history of the republic, the PM p a i d a f a r e w e l l v i s i t t o t h e G H Q s e e k i n g ; ‘ Vo t e K i Izzat’ While the Constitution has clearly set time deadlines for the interim set-up (60 or 90 days), yet the members are hellbent on defying the limits which clearly indicates lack of confidence in facing the electorate Performance speaks for itself while the lack of it haunts Members of the 15th assembly will need much more than rhetoric to justify continuation of their political journey which seems to have bottomed out Ever since the artificial capital of the republic was established the politics of plots was introduced to gain their loyalty There was an interesting episode between ZAB, the Leader of the House, and Wali Khan, the Leader of the Opposition ZAB alloctaed a plot to WAli Khan for him to build a house The offer was rejected with a note saying; “ I do not have financial resources to build a house Using his administrative authority ZAB gave him two plots with a suggestion to sell one and build on the other Prompt came the reply; No thank you Finally when the Fifth Assembly was dissolved both ZAB and Wali went home without a single plot

To

Manga or Swat to buy and then protect supportive legislators Policies were formulated for the common good As Health Minister Sheikh Rashid Sr introduced the generic medicine scheme which brought the prices down After 50 years Narendra Modi has introduced the same scheme in India Khan Qayyum Khan as Interior Minister introduced major passport reforms enabling the citizens to travel freely Those who availed this facility in the 1970s are now our major source of foreign exchange remittances

ablest

ever that gave us

Constitution and the democratic road map to move forward Pakistan and its people must come first Those who have not served should be pushed out of the ring for the circus to end

While the nation salutes the legislators of the Fifth Assembly they look at the remaining (Sixth to 15th) with disdain A list of elected members should be published together with their assets and perks before and after entering Parliament Some of the members have never uttered a word on the floor of the House The entire exercise has turned into a grand circus where no meaningful work is carried Apology alone is not enough for this lack of performance that has ruined the land of the pure Retribution is needed while stolen wealth has to be returned together with ousting of the non-performers who are now trying to push their next generation to extend and stretch the prevailing disorder

To move forward order has to be restored for which a credible ballot is a prerequisite as was carried out in the year 1970 from which emerged the ablest assembly ever that gave us the Constitution and the democratic road map to move forward Pakistan and its people must come first Those who have not served should be pushed out of the ring for the circus to end

No member was ever charged for financial corruption No camps were established in Changa

Corruption eradication only a dream for Pakistanis?

to 14 years in prison although no one has ever received this sentence

In cultures with high levels of social division, such as Pakistan, the use of public power for personal benefit is likely to create an environment where it is likely to receive societal acceptance and appreciation This is what is known as the moral view of corruption according to which an act of corruption is justified when a public official offers and receives favours from his or her relatives, friends, and supporters

The illegal acquisition of (overseas) properties by government officials Pakistan s ruling class and army personnel is not a recent occurrence Neither are corruption money laundering, or the laundering of corrupt funds All facets of public life demonstrate how ubiquitous corruption, a lack of institutional isomorphism, and a lack of social cohesion are in the nation

The only time a lion works is when he is starving; else the predator and prey coexist quietly

However it appears that in Pakistan rulers whether elected or dictatorial, never manage to satiate their appetite for wealth and power, leaving the nation swinging for decades in a cradle of political anarchy and illegal rule, where the common people are left defenceless and without any hope for peaceful development

The highest levels of corruption continue to be a huge problem for the nation and obstruct real social improvements A change in policy has become necessary for the country s progress, along with the strengthening of democratic institutions particularly the judiciary Regardless of the perpetrators it is imperative to expose the truth in order to bring about justice or at the very least to give the general public more of a sense that corruption cannot go unpunished

The populace deserves a Pakistan free of corruption, based on institutions of accountability run by upright civilian and military leaders

The writer is currently working as a researcher in Mehran UET Jamshoro He can be reached at: yaqoobalibaloch4@gmail com

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

E d i t o r ’ s m a i l

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

In the love of Urdu

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

PEC beyond access

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

Wasting food

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

The problem became formidable after the devastating floods caused by the monsoon rains last year The challenge of food security is severe in Balochistan where poverty is ruling unhindered for many years now The wastage of food aggravates this problem A huge amount of food is wasted at weddings birthday parties and other social events If this wastage is curbed more food can be made available to feed the destitute The government should launch awareness campaigns and bring to light the abject poverty in the country, especially in Balochistan It is high time we behaved and celebrated responsibly

NEMAT ULLAH LAHORE

move forward, order has to be restored for which a credible ballot is a prerequisite as was carried out in the year 1970 from which emerged the

assembly

the

o n o m i c s o f J u s t E n e r g y T r a n s i t i o n P a r t n e r

tions in Ukraine, have exposed the geopolitical risks associated with relying on such a transitional approach As a safer and increasingly viable alternative, a direct transition from coal to renewables gains prominence fueled by recent advancements in renewable energy technologies This shift aligns more closely with the imperatives of climate stability and energy security

JETP nations, endowed with abundant renewable resources, stand poised to capitalize on their wind and solar potential In the case of South Africa, studies suggest that nearly half of its energy needs could be met by renewables within the next decade Similarly Indonesia could expedite its ambitious 2050 renewable energy targets with substantial investments in the sector Unlocking this potential not only contributes to emission reduction but also fosters energy independence and economic growth

ilance and transparency are crucial components of a successful energy transition

JETPs stand on the precipice of transformative change representing a beacon of hope for sustainable energy transition worldwide As nations embark on this collective journey it is imperative to uphold the core tenets of these partnerships: rejecting short-lived solutions like fossil gas, prioritizing the advancement of renewables, and remaining adaptable based on new insights and lessons learned If navigated judiciously, JETPs can serve as trailblazers for the global community ushering in a future characterized by both sustainability and social justice

tial: Pakistan boasts significant solar and wind energy corridors With strategic investments and JETP partnerships, the nation can rapidly scale its renewable energy capacity thereby reducing reliance on imported fossil fuels Such a shift can offset tons of CO2 emissions annually while ensuring the country meets its commitments under the Paris Agreement

Fifth, Addressing Geopolitical Risks: the geopolitics of energy, as seen with the Russia-Ukraine situation, can be tumultuous Relying on transitional energy sources from external actors carries inherent risks A national commitment to JETPs and a focus on indigenous renewables can alleviate such geopolitical dependencies

dR Khalid Waleed

TH E unveiling of the Just Energy Transition Partnership (JETP) during COP 26 in Glasgow marked a pivotal moment in climate financing

This groundbreaking initiative not only holds the promise of a more sustainable and equitable future but also presents a complex array of challenges that demand thorough exploration and analysis The pursuit of global climate goals hinges on the success of these partnerships making it essential to delve deep into their economic dynamics and implications

The inception of JETPs was not a capricious decision; it arose out of dire necessity Emerging economies, heavily reliant on coal for their energy needs, found themselves grappling with the dual challenge of shifting towards cleaner energy sources while safeguarding their workforce from economic displacement Leading the charge countries like South Africa were the first to benefit from these partnerships receiving substantial financial commitments from international powers determined to facilitate their transition This initial step marked the dawn of a new era in global cooperation for sustainable energy development

From its origins as a singular commitment to a single nation the JETP initiative has swiftly evolved and expanded Countries such as India Indonesia Vietnam and Senegal have since joined this transformative approach to energy transition The financing landscape has also diversified, with an increasing number of national and international banks aligning their resources with the cause This growth reflects a growing consensus on the urgency of addressing climate change and the role of partnerships in achieving ambitious targets

The audacious JETP Implementation Plan (JETP IP) put forth by South Africa seeking a staggering $98 billion, inevitably raises eyebrows when juxtaposed against the initial commitments made in Glasgow Similarly, Indonesia, during the G20 summit in Bali, unveiled its own ambitious plan aiming to pool $20 billion over five years while setting stringent emission reduction targets These case studies serve as real-world experiments showcasing the translation of lofty promises into concrete action plans with all their attendant challenges and lessons

A persistent debate revolves around the role of fossil gas as a transitional energy source from coal to renewables Recent geopolitical events, such as Russia’s ac-

The socioeconomic impact of different energy sources cannot be understated Data underscores that investments in clean energy generate more jobs compared to fossil fuels For instance a $1 million investment in renewables could catalyze the creation of 103 jobs in Indonesia while the same investment in fossil fuels would yield a mere 22 jobs The initial strides made by JETPs offer a glimpse into a just transition, but further refinement and a comprehensive roadmap are eagerly anticipated to ensure equitable benefits for society

As the objectives of the Paris Agreement loom large the urgency to reduce gas power generation becomes more pronounced Forward-looking studies emphasize the need to significantly curtail gas-based electricity production by 2035

Investing in gas infrastructure today carries the risk of creating stranded assets that may become obsolete as renewable energy technologies gain economic traction

The imperative to align investment strategies with longterm climate goals cannot be overstated While the foundational principles of JETPs lean towards a commitment to fossil-free energy transition, the practical implementation might diverge due to various factors

Civil society’s role becomes pivotal in acting as a watchdog to ensure that the noble objectives of these partnerships remain uncompromised The undeniable successes and credibility of renewables underscore the trajectory that should be followed emphasizing that vig-

Pakistan endowed with significant renewable energy potential and an ever-expanding energy demand stands at a crucial crossroads concerning its energy trajectory and commitment to climate prosperity The need for Just Energy Transition Partnerships (JETPs) for Pakistan becomes paramount in this context

Firstly Economic Sustainability and Development: historically Pakistan s economy has been entrenched in a carbon-intensive energy matrix mainly reliant on imported fossil fuels This dependency not only strains the country s trade balance but also exposes it to global price volatilities Adopting JETPs, much like its counterparts such as South Africa and Indonesia, can catalyze investments in the indigenous renewable sector fostering energy independence and fortifying economic resilience

Secondly Job Creation and Social Equity: embracing JETPs can bring a socioeconomic windfall for Pakistan As outlined earlier, the renewable sector promises significant job creation, a critical need for Pakistan s young and expanding workforce The energy transition, if managed equitably, can ensure that the benefits permeate to the grassroots level ensuring upliftment of marginalized communities and creating opportunities for local entrepreneurship

Thirdly Strategic Fit with Global Partners: as global financial institutions and partners coalesce around the JETP initiative, Pakistan, by being a proactive participant, can tap into international financial and technological resources This is not merely about gaining access to funds but aligning the nation with a global movement dedicated to sustainable energy transformation

Fourthly Harnessing Indigenous Renewable Poten-

ItÊs imperative that nations, especially Pakistan, leverag e their inherent renewable energy potentials through frameworks like JETPs, aligning with global trends and maximizing benefits for their citiz ens. The integration of such initiatives with mega projects like CPEC fur ther amplifies their impact. As we tread into a future fraught with climate uncer tainties, JETPs symboliz e hope , a roadmap for nations worldwide to follow, ensuring that the transition to sustainable energy is not only environmentally sound but also just and equitable for all

Sixth Civil Society Engagement and Transparency: given Pakistan s vibrant civil society and media landscape, JETPs can ensure a participatory approach to energy transition Through consistent engagements, the state can ensure transparency, credibility, and public buy-in, which are vital for the success of such transformative initiatives

Last but most important CPEC s Energy Focus: a significant portion of CPEC investments revolves around energy projects While a majority are coal-based power projects, there is an emerging realization of diversifying this portfolio Chinese tailored JETPs can bridge this gap, aligning CPEC’s objectives with sustainable energy transition goals Incorporating JETPs within the CPEC framework presents Pakistan with an opportunity to redefine its energy landscape It allows the nation to merge its most ambitious infrastructure endeavour with a global movement dedicated to sustainable energy transformation By doing so, Pakistan can position itself as a leader in sustainability, reaping economic benefits and fulfilling its global climate commitments

For Pakistan JETPs are not just another international collaboration but a strategic imperative They represent a pathway to harness the nation s abundant renewable potential ensure economic prosperity and meet global climate commitments Embracing the principles and ethos of JETPs can place Pakistan at the forefront of sustainable energy champions, weaving a narrative of resilience innovation and social justice

In an era where climate action is more urgent than ever the Just Energy Transition Partnership (JETP) unveiled during COP 26 stands as a testament to international collaboration for sustainable progress Designed to help emerging economies transition from coal dependence to cleaner energy sources, JETPs underscore the delicate balance between ecological responsibility and socioeconomic growth Nations like South Africa and Indonesia have already showcased the potential of these partnerships blending ambitious commitments with pragmatic action plans The recent narrative also sheds light on the evolving energy discourse, with a marked shift from fossil gas to direct renewable energy adoption

It’s imperative that nations, especially Pakistan, leverage their inherent renewable energy potentials through frameworks like JETPs aligning with global trends and maximizing benefits for their citizens The integration of such initiatives with mega projects like CPEC further amplifies their impact As we tread into a future fraught with climate uncertainties, JETPs symbolize hope, a roadmap for nations worldwide to follow, ensuring that the transition to sustainable energy is not only environmentally sound but also just and equitable for all

What was your experience on the television show Devon Ka Dev Mahadev?

The first few episodes weren t quite successful The Ramayana is a ready-made text and there is Ram-Leela But there is no equivalent Shiv-Leela tradition A story needed to be constructed The serial makers were very successful with the hero [Mohit Raina] Whenever he came on, the ratings would go up So whenever he did so he would say something profound I said let s take good philosophical books and have at least one dialogue in simple Hindi that will be the message The key thing that I brought was: what is Shiva s story about? It s about the hermit who becomes a householder Like typical TV serials, they stretched it out in the end but they got the soul right and the actor right never taking away from the dignity of the character

What do you make of the current controversies about the depiction of religion particularly Hinduism?

Believers are fine with diverse interpretations in scriptures or religious art, but not in film or shows

The current Hinduism is highly puritanical It’s a bhakti-based thing We have also had 200 years of British rule

If you look at the Raja Ram Mohan Roy variety of Hinduism the so-called Hindu Renaissance of the 19th century, it s puritanical in a soft, liberated middle-class way The Swaminarayan sect, Ramakrishna Mission, Chinmaya Mission are all run by celibate monks Celibacy is privileged and celibate men are holy That’s not ancient vocabulary but a 200-year-old vocabulary

Then you have the Hindutva movement which also starts around the same time which is puritanical in a weird, patriarchal way

We are a product of the nationalist, anti-British period

Our entire freedom struggle was based on puritanism –the white colour, khadi, simplicity, Gandhianism We don’t talk about bhog vilas the culture of pleasure

So yes there is erotic temple art and there is Tantric literature but who reads them or understands them?

There are also gods who dance and sing – not seen in other religions We don t know how to deal with them

They almost belong to another era and we don t know how to connect with it

What happens when you combine puritanism with Hindutva which offers a narrow definition of a pluralistic faith?

This political project is also run by single men The mahant brigade – which India never previously had – is trying to create a monastic order of highly feudal lords from upper castes They are reimagining Hinduism in a monotheistic line where gods are now supposed to be historically heroes Their Hinduisim is the Hinduism of North India which is Ram from Ayodhya Krishna from Mathura Shiva from Kailash There is no understanding of the hundreds of thousands of communities in India

The Hindutva project is Islamophobic It has nothing to do with Hinduism but with hating Muslims Hindutva

believes in Judgment Day and the Apocalypse, the Great War, which is again a Middle Eastern idea as well as Marxist thinking Tell me the last time you saw a mythological story where God talks about love

There is almost a copyright on religion Hindutva is trying to say we will tell you what religion is and should be

How do you look at the evolution of Hinduism in cinema?

Let’s first clarify that nobody is investing enough time in studying Hinduism They merely want to make a quick buck

Some filmmakers are from a Left essentially atheist background If they are theists they re following the Middle Eastern model of God telling you how to live your life Like the first Oh My God film, the idea behind taking God to court is, you are all-powerful, you didn t serve your purpose, so I’m going to sue you

But there is also shringara [adornment] When Mira talks about Krishna there is a very intimate relationship

The old mythological films came from theatre traditions which in turn were influenced by the Ram-Leela Films like Mayabazar, Ram Rajya and Bharat Milap took tradition and used new technology Jai Santoshi Maa is a vrat katha [ritual observance], an uncomplicated story of devotion without any pretence There was no cynicism

Then there were the Left-leaning filmmakers who considered religion as the opium of the people with stereotyped caricatured characters representing various castes In Shyam Benegal s Bharat Ek Khoj where he presented the Ramayana and Mahabharata, the gods don t smile, they are very serious Nobody is at peace

The new lot is from film school They have been educated on Hollywood The motivation is to make a lot of money They have hubris – they want to do Lord of the Rings Harry Potter They don t know the difference between fantasy and mythology They want to make a rishi [sage] look like Gandalf

Films like RRR talk about God as a violent being –a superhero who solves problems with violence, as there is no room for wisdom In Brahmastra, the attempt is to make Harry Potter

You had people being respectful and then you had people being sceptical And now you have this hollowness

There is informed interpretation and then there is uninformed interpretation There are many different interpretations of the Ramayana, for instance Scholarly interpretation has been completely rejected To say, I have read three books isn’t enough

Indian cinema has a tradition of characters directly addressing their gods in a moment of crisis Yash Chopra’s Deewar (1975) has one such scene Is there still room to question religion, critique it or even mock it, if the need arises?

Complaining to a deity in a temple is the ultimate form of bhakti Remember Hindu gods are not judges or law-givers They are like parents friends even lovers – only wiser as they have knowledge of past and future lives So you argue and shout at them as you would with anyone who you feel should have your back, protect you, privilege you

One

My friend s mother refused to do puja at home after her youngest son died in a road accident My mother was angry with God when I told her I was gay, but later when I bought my house she brought along images of Jagannath and Lakshmi and Ganesh That’s how we are with our gods The current political goons seem to confuse Hindu ideas of the divine with Islamic and Christian notions of God So no jokes allowed No criticism allowed No intimacy allowed

A film like PK targets godmen and the commercialisation of religion It’s hard to make that kind of film anymore

We are now living in an ecosystem where people say you are talking about equality right? So let s look at all religions Why are you only criticising my religion? In this ecosystem, respect is fear

The belief is that Islam is given a free pass, which will hurt me tomorrow and therefore I must not allow it In the process you destroy the ethos of your own culture

You don t understand polytheism or the history of India

Humans follow religion and gurus not out of rationality but out of fear and insecurity A little more empathy and less judgement is what I would have preferred in films like PK

What did you think of Adipurush?

Adipurush has been made by people who were glamorised by Hollywood s Marvel comics far more than Bhakti literature It was less about wisdom and more about power And bad craftsmanship

It s very clear that they want to create a Right-wing Ramayana They also want to make Lord of the Rings, where Ravana is like Saruman and Lanka is Gondor This is a problem I have faced with screenwriters I would tell them what does it mean to say Maryada Purushottam Ram? They would struggle The closest they would come is Amitabh Bachchan from Mohabbatein doing parampara, prathishtan – the school headmaster, who is the follower of rules

I would also say, what is Shiva’s personality? They would say he is angry rudra But why would you get angry when you are all-powerful?

I ll give you an example of the complexity that we are dealing with When I use the word god what do I mean? The phrase All-powerful god is a feudal idea, which isn t there in Indian literature We will say, god is inside you, I can see the divine in you The Upanishads are talking about me as a person atma what is inside me what we talk about in modern language as agency individual freedom free will

This idea of creating an external god is Middle Eastern mythology, which came up with the idea that the divine is outside and you have to submit to it So even today, some Muslims will say, I am obliged to be homophobic because God has told me to be homophobic In America the Christian Right will say my religion tells me what to do In India wherever the idea of feudalism exists this idea of an outside god exists

And Rishab Shetty’s Kantara?

When Kantara was released, for some weird reason, I was targeted and misquoted Kantara turned out to be an anti-Brahmin film with a lower-caste hero I wrote about how people were trying to Brahminise the local

folk tradition shown in the film and then the trolls backed off I liked that they showed the hero of Kantara drinking alcohol and eating meat Rishab Shetty is genuine in the film It s a clever film

So should we stop making devotional and mythological films altogether?

I would advise filmmakers to stay away Let the Right-wingers make such films They will be so bad because they won t be magical In order to be magical, they have to have shringar, karuna [compassion], hasya [humour] They have to have all the rasas

The Rashtriya Swayamsewak Sangh should sponsor a film school for mythology But they can’t because they will insist that mythology is history and science and they want to preach more than learn In Samrat Prithviraj Prithviraj Chauhan talks like a school teacher

You should invest in religion for what it is Religion is very important Human beings are insecure The only thing I have to go through life is belief that there is something out there that is watching out for me

When Mel Gibson made The Passion of the Christ you could feel the pain I really like a scene a very disturbing scene Mary comes to the spot where Jesus has been whipped There is blood all over the floor and she starts wiping it In the wiping, you see the love of the mother for the son It captured a moment of maternal affection for me

The old black-white films like Sant Tukaram Sant Dyaneshwar and Dharmatma – your body responds to them Even now when I am depressed I listen to an abhanga from Sant Tukaram These are high philosophical ideas, sung so beautifully with minimal instrumentation These were not innocent times, like today, but the filmmakers had faith in God

The new filmmakers don’t have faith Somebody who was interested in the Mahabharata wanted to reduce it to a revenge drama When you reduce dharma to vengeance it s a nice Bollywood film but it can t be an epic

o u l d c i n e m a s t a y a w a y f r o m r e l i g i o n a l t o g e t h e r ?

Mythology expert Devdutt Pattanaik

C

H I N A ’ S P R O P E R T Y C R I S I S L E AV E S C O U N T R Y G A R D E N

W I T H U N PA I D W O R K E R S , S I L E N T S I T E S

PR OFIT

r e u t e r s

AT an unfinished Country Garden (2007 HK) residential complex on the outskirts of the northern Chinese metropolis of Tianjin, construction has slowed to a dull whirr and a few idle workers roam a nearempty site

They haven t paid us since Chinese New Year (in January) We are all worried said a labourer surnamed Wang, 50, who said he had stopped work at the Yunhe Shangyuan site last week

The sprawling complex is one of two projects Reuters visited on Friday in Tianjin a port city of 14 million people about 135 km (84 miles) southeast of Beijing Both sites are run by Country Garden China s largest developer by sales volume before

this year, now mired in a debt crisis threatening to spill over to the wider economy

Construction had partially or fully stopped at both sites – the larger one with a few rows of unfinished five-storey apartment blocks and the other with lifeless cranes and thick green scaffolding hanging over skeletal high-rises Workers at dorms on the sites complained of months without pay “I’m under a lot of pressure,” said a worker at the Yunhe Shangyuan site surnamed Wei also in his 50s who added that he had only received a one-off living stipend of 4 500 yuan ($618) so far this year

I have a wife and kid who s about to return to school, as well as elderly parents

Workers can t live on this

Once considered one of the more financially sound developers Country Garden is now a bellwether of how the cycle has turned for developers

Its financial woes have added to the debt crisis in China s real estate sector, which accounts for roughly a quarter of the world’s second-largest economy currently losing steam amid a housing slump and weak consumer spending A representative of Country Garden s Yunhe Shangyuan project said in a Wechat statement its registered employees were all being paid

At the Yunjing Huating site, the government in June ordered construction to be suspended to fix management problems a project representative told Reuters in a separate statement It has since passed inspection and work is expected to resume next week, the person said, adding the suspension would have no impact on the targeted completion date of October 2024

Some workers are not employed directly by the developer the Yunjing Huating representative said but by its contractor

which has promised to pay the workers wages by the end of this month

Construction site of residential buildings by Chinese developer Country Garden in Tianjin Workers walk out of a construction site of residential buildings by Chinese developer Country Garden in Tianjin China August 18, 2023 REUTERS/Tingshu Wang

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The project contractor, Shenyang Tengyue Construction, did not pick up calls from Reuters or respond to emails seeking comment The housing ministry did not comment on Reuters queries about halting of construction in the property sector in general or Country Garden in particular UNFINISHED HOMES Country Garden has nearly 1 million homes to complete according to estimates from Japanese investment bank Nomura It has not publicly acknowledged whether any

Ch i n a’s Xi c a l l s fo r B R I C S u n i t y a s b l o c we i g h s ex p a n s i o n

JOHANNESBUR G M a n a b r a r

Chinese President Xi Jinping said emerging countries are becoming more and more relevant in the international arena, and this summit will very much contribute to the shaping of a new global economic and political order Leaders from BRICS nations representing a quarter of the global economy met on Wednesday in Johannesburg South Africa, eying expansion and deepening cooperation

Xi said when addressing the 15th BRICS Summit on Wednesday that development is an inalienable right of all countries not a privilege of a few countries BRICS countries should be peers on the road of development and revitalization, oppose acts of decoupling and disrupting industrial and supply chains, as well as economic coercion, and focus on practical cooperation in such areas as digital economy green development supply chain among others Xi said

He also called for the speedy expansion of BRICS as well as efforts to promote more just and reasonable global governance “It is unacceptable to package one’s own rules and regulations as international norm ” Xi said noting that international norms should be written and upheld by all countries based on the purposes and principles of the UN Charter, rather than dictated by those with the strongest muscles and loudest voice

Xi, Brazilian President Luiz Inácio

Lula da Silva Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and South African President Cyril Ramaphosa began talks over dinner at a luxury estate in suburban Johannesburg on Tuesday night, ahead of the summit s main day of discussions on Wednesday, the AP reported Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov represented Rus-

sia in person, while Russian President Vladimir Putin participated in the dinner discussions virtually The leaders weighed rules for admitting new members to BRICS on Wednesday as more than 40 countries have expressed interest in joining and of them nearly two dozen have formally asked to be admitted, Reuters said Also, the leaders will discuss reducing the use of dollars for trade at the gathering on Wednesday some media reported

When the leaders kicked off this year s BRICS summit with the Business Forum on Tuesday, Wang Wentao, Chinese Commerce Minister, read out a speech from Xi, which underscored the importance of inclusive development, universal security cultural exchange and the collective rise of emerging economies and developing countries for a better world Xi expressed China s willingness to deepen solidarity and cooperation with other emerging markets and developing countries to make the international order more just and equitable

US says it does not suppor t Ukrainian strikes inside Russia

WASHINGTON: The United States does not encourage or enable attacks inside Russia a US State Department spokesperson said after Russian authorities said they downed drones that tried to attack Moscow early on Wednesday It is up to Ukraine to decide how it chooses to defend itself from the Russian invasion that began in February last year the State Department spokesperson said adding Russia could end the war any time by withdrawing from Ukraine ag e n C i e s

Emerging countries are becoming more and more relevant in the international arena This summit will very much contribute to the shaping of a new global economic and political order It will help change the current situation when it comes to international relations he said Chinese and foreign observers believe that the BRICS bloc is of great significance to global governance today

Whether in global traditional security governance or global non-traditional security governance BRICS countries have put forward their own series of propositions and voices that are conducive to a fair, effective and balanced global order, injecting positive energy to the world

Some Western countries have been closely watching this year s BRICS summit taking the potential expansion of the BRICS grouping as a threat or Beijing s attempt to turn BRICS into an antiG7 group to counter the West Some observers said such misunderstanding reflects their ill-intentioned motives to turn

the multilateral cooperation mechanism into one of clique-driven confrontation and geopolitical rivalry

Hegemonism is not in China’s DNA nor does China have any motivation to engage in major-power competition China stands firmly on the right side of history and believes that a just cause should be pursued for the common good, Xi stressed

Our world today has become a community with a shared future in which we all share a huge stake in survival Xi said noting that what people in various countries long for is definitely not a new Cold War or a small exclusive bloc; what they want is an open, inclusive, clean and beautiful world that enjoys enduring peace universal security and common prosperity

China has been the crucial BRICS member in recent years Not only for the sheer size of its economy and scale of its population but as a result of its concerted effort to raise its profile and role in the global order Paulo Wrobel a researcher at the Brazilian think tank BRICS Policy Center said

The greater interest all over the world about the BRICS is due mainly because China is a member Even though India is also making great efforts to raise its international profile it is China which is leading BRICS ” Wrobel said

The BRICS countries are expected to forge a stronger BRICS strategic partnership, expand the BRICS Plus model, actively advance membership expansion and deepen solidarity and cooperation with other emerging markets and developing countries

I think this expansion of BRICS has the advantage of expanding a group that represents more than ever a balance to the traditional Western powers, Ana Garcia, director of the BRICS Policy Center,

Chandrayaan-3 lands on moon in historic moment for I ndia

BENGALURU

ag e n C i e s

An Indian spacecraft landed on the moon on Wednesday in a mission seen as crucial to lunar exploration and India’s standing as a space power just days after a similar Russian lander crashed

This is a victory cry of a new India said Prime Minister Narendra Modi who was seen waving the Indian flag as he watched the landing from South Africa, where he is attending the BRICS summit

Scientists and officials clapped, cheered and hugged each other as the spacecraft landed and as the government now looks to spur investment in private space launches and related satellite-based businesses

India is on the moon said S Somanath chief of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) as the Chandrayaan-3 spacecraft landed on the lunar south pole This was India’s second attempt to land a spacecraft on the moon and comes less than a week after Russia’s Luna-25 mission failed People across the country were glued to television screens and said prayers as the spacecraft approached the surface Chandrayaan means moon vehicle in Hindi and Sanskrit In 2019, ISRO s Chandrayaan-2 mission successfully deployed an orbiter but its lander crashed

The Chandrayaan-3 is expected to remain func-

BEIJING

s ta f f C o r r e s p o n d e n t

China will further step up support for Africa’s industrialization and economic integration as part of efforts by the two sides to enhance solidarity and cooperation as the world is undergoing a turbulent transformation, according to top Chinese officials

In South Africa on Tuesday, Chinese President Xi Jinping held talks with South African President Matamela Cyril Ramaphosa during which he said that China firmly supports Africa in promoting its industrialization and agricultural modernization, according to an official statement released on Wednesday In recent years

tional for two weeks running a series of experiments including a spectrometer analysis of the mineral composition of the lunar surface

Rough terrain makes a south pole landing difficult and a first landing is historic The region s ice could supply fuel, oxygen and drinking water for future missions

“Landing on the south pole (of the moon) would actually allow India to explore if there is water ice on the moon And this is very important for cumulative data and science on the geology of the moon said Carla Filotico, a partner and managing director at consultancy SpaceTec Partners

Anticipation before the landing was feverish, with banner headlines across Indian newspapers and news channels running countdowns to the landing

Prayers were held at places of worship across the country and schoolchildren waved the Indian tricolour as they waited for live screenings of the landing

Children gathered on the banks of the Ganga river, considered holy by Hindus, to pray for a safe landing, and mosques in several places offered prayers

At a Sikh temple known as a gurduwara in the capital New Delhi Petroleum Minister Hardeep Singh

Puri also offered prayers for Chandrayaan Not just economic but India is achieving scientific and technological progress as well, Puri told reporters

China in addition to helping African countries build critical infrastructure projects such as roads railways and ports has been helping to bolster the continent s industrial sector through projects such as industrial parks, economic zones and vocational education –which all play critical roles in Africa s industrialization Chinese analysts said on Wednesday China s support for Africa s industrialization and economic integration is also likely to be discussed at the upcoming China-Africa Leaders’ Dialogue which is scheduled for Thursday in South Africa on the sidelines of the BRICS Summit It would be the first face-toface group meeting between

of its projects have halted construction due to financial constraints

In an exchange filing on Aug 10, Country Garden said it would “spare no effort to ensure delivery” of apartments and that it would ensure the operation of projects nationwide to fulfill its commitment to home buyers Country Garden built its success by quickly selling a large number of units for low margins and by promising “five-star living” in less popular, smaller cities Tianjin has about a dozen Country Garden projects with the majority finished and delivered said Gao Fei investment advisory manager at the Tianjin branch of Centaline Property Agency Gao said halted construction projects were “relatively rare” in the city, representing about a dozen out of 300 sites for sale but there are indeed projects whose development progress has slowed down

CORPORATE CORNER

Capital Police IG pins badges to newly-promoted DIG Shoiab Khurram Janbaz

Capital City Police Officer (ICCPO) Dr Akbar Nasir Khan on Thursday pinned the badges to the newly promoted Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG) Shoiab Khurram Janbaz a police public relations officer said He said that, the ICCPO Dr Akbar Nasir Khan congratulated the officer on his promotion and wished him all the best for his future endeavors He said that promotion and increase in rank in the police service actually reflects an increase in responsibilities therefore the promoted officer should make equal implementation of law, observance of merit and best service delivery and protection to citizens their motto and goal, he added He further said that the role of supervisory officers is of paramount importance in maintaining the writ of state eradication of crime and ensuring timely measures for the service of the citizens adding that the promoted officer should play the role of best team leader in order to make full use of abilities of their subordinates so that the problems of the citizens could be solved on priority basis The DIG Shoaib Khurram Janbaz thanked the ICCPO Islamabad and said that he would spare no effort for the rule of law merit policy and service to the citizens

KS A H a j j a n d U m r a h M i n i s t r y, N u s u k s u c c e s s f u l l y c o n c l u d e r o a d s h o w i n P a k i s t a n

KARACHI s ta f f r e p o r t

The Pilgrim Experience Program Saudi Arabia s Ministry of Hajj and Umrah and Nusuk successfully concluded a roadshow in Pakistan to showcase Nusuk (nusuk sa), the official digital platform, unifying planning, booking, and experiencing the Umrah journey for Pakistanis and pilgrims worldwide Led by Saudi officials including Dr Tawfiq Al Rabiah the Minister of Hajj and Umrah and the Chairman of the Pilgrim Experience Program Fahd Hamidaddin the Managing Director of Nusuk and Alhasan Aldabbagh, the APAC President of Nusuk, the roadshow achieved remarkable success It emphasized Saudi’s commitment to strengthening collaboration, enhancing the Umrah experience and deepening the historic cultural ties between the two nations During the visit the Saudi Minister of Hajj and Umrah and his team engaged in high-level meetings with prominent Pakistani dignitaries, including the President of Pakistan, the Pakistan Cabinet, the Chief of Army Staff and the Minister of Religious Affairs Fahd Hamidaddin Managing Director of Nusuk said:

“Our inaugural roadshow to Pakistan exceeded expectations with cross-government and trade partner collaborations helping us in unlocking tremendous potential for the Pakistani travellers

with foc us on industrial parks

Chinese and African leaders since the COVID-19 pandemic and is set to inject fresh and strong vitality into the development of the China-Africa comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership

In a signed article on South African media on Monday Xi said that I will work with African leaders to bring more active, effective and sustainable development initiatives to Africa, expand cooperation in agriculture, manufacturing, new energy and the digital economy and facilitate Africa s economic integration industrialization and agricultural modernization

The remarks from the Chinese leader underscored the

great importance China attaches to Africa s long-term sustainable development and signalled that China and Africa will expand cooperation in areas such as industrial capacity building, analysts said, noting that economic integration and industrialization are top priorities for Africa The continent has been promoting the African Continental Free Trade Area, for which China has also expressed support “In the next step, China will increase investment to help promote Africa s integration and industrial development capabilities Song Wei a professor at the School of International Relations and Diplomacy at the

Beijing Foreign Studies University told the Global Times on Wednesday noting that Chinese-assisted industrial parks and vocational education facilities greatly help Africa build local industrial production capacity based on its advantages in resources China has been funding or helping set up industrial parks in South Africa As of the end of June, the number of Chinesefunded industrial parks in Africa that were included in the Chinese Ministry of Commerce’s database reached 25 which collectively attracted more than 620 companies and total investment of $7 35 billion, according to official data

C hina to step up suppor t for Afric a’s industrialization,

Minister lauds NSU role in skills education

ISLAMABAD s ta f f r e p o r t

The newly incoming Federal Minister for Education and Professional Training Mr Madad Ali

Sindhi praised the role of National Skills University Islamabad (NSU) in popularizing skills education in the country We need to educate and provide livelihood-earning capabilities to the masses across the country The ultimate solution for national prosperity lies in equipping youth with the necessary skills employers across the country and abroad seek Importantly there is a need to replicate the concept of skills education implemented at the NSU across the country Particularly far-flung areas in rural Sindh and other provinces could greatly benefit if NSU educational strategy is replicated, thus enhancing the accessibility of skills education

These thoughts were expressed by the Federal Minister Mr Madad Ali Sindhi the Pro-Chancellor of the NSU during a meeting with the university s Vice-Chancellor Prof Dr Muhammad Mukhtar NSU Vice Chancellor, praised his interaction with the Pro-Chancellor during the inaugural meeting

IIUI establishes international office for foreign facult y members & students

ISLAMABAD s ta f f r e p o r t

As per the vision of the International Islamic University President, the varsity has established an International Office in order to facilitate not only international students but also international faculty members and teachers sponsored by foreign agencies Prior to this there was only the overseas section but now as per new strategic plan 2022-26 and organogram of the university the international office will cater the needs of international students and teachers This initiative is part of achieving the strategic plan's goal within the Targeted Priority Areas (Growth and Academic Excellence - the 9th and 13th performance indicators) This significant step will contribute in creating an ideal and attractive scientific environment as it contains an office dedicated for the affairs of international students and faculty members The office will also provide various services to faculty members sponsored by external supporting agencies to serve as a link between teachers and sponsoring parties

PSO continues to dominate energy market; repor ts profits of PKR 5 7 Bn

KARACHI s ta f f r e p o r t

PSO, the nation's leading energy company, has achieved remarkable progress and demonstrated resilience in a challenging energy market During a meeting held at PSO House on August 23 2023 the company s Board of Management (BoM) reviewed the group s performance for the financial year ended June 30 2023 Despite facing galloping inflation, sluggish market growth, volatile currency, and a turbulent geo-political environment, PSO has achieved a gross revenue of PKR 3 6 trillion and a profit after tax of PKR 5 7 billion These results reflect the company s unwavering financial and operational performance in the face of challenging times

Save The Children International committed towards sustainable climate resilient solutions in Sindh

KARACHI s ta f f r e p o r t

As part of response, recovery, reconstruction and rehabilitation under Floods Response 2022, Chief Executive Officer, Save the Children International (SCI) Inger Ashing is meeting with senior officials of Sindh government to seek insights and foster collaborations for carrying out the advanced phase of Floods Response 2022 and contributing towards disaster resilient Sindh, during her visit to the flood affected districts of Sindh The delegation comprising Chief Executive Officer, Save the Children International (SCI) Inger Ashing, Country Director

Pakistan Mr Muhammad Khuram Gondal Senior Management Team of Pakistan Country Office and members from Asia Pacific region and international team visited PDMA Sindh Department of Environment and Climate Change, and Sindh Peoples Housing for the Flood Affectees (SPHF) In their mission towards floods resilient province, Save the Children International and The Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to establish collaborative mechanisms to respond to future emergencies / disasters in the province, and coordinate for sustainable climate-resilient planning, programming, and investments The main objective of this MoU is to make Sindh Province disaster resilient and community well equipped to mitigate the effects of disasters and take timely actions Director General PDMA Syed Salman Shah appreciated the role of SCI during floods 2022 and thanked CEO SCI for taking keen interest in flood response in Pakistan and working towards making Pakistan climate resilient

ISLAMABAD s ta f f r e p o r t

CHAIRMAN Senate Muhammad Sadiq Sanjrani on Wednesday acknowledged the significance of a stable power supply for the socio-economic development and asked Quetta Electric Power Supply (Qesco) Abdul Karim Jamali to address critical matters concerning the efficient power supply in the province Senate Chairman Muhammad Sadiq Sanjrani was talking to Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Quetta Electric Power Supply (Qesco) Abdul Karim Jamali during a meeting on Wednesday

The two held comprehensive discus-

sion on the pressing issues pertaining to uninterrupted and reliable supply of electricity to the province On the occasion the Qesco chief briefed the Senate chairman on strategies and initiatives aimed at enhancing power distribution infrastructure in Balochistan to cater to the growing energy demands of the region

Sanjrani acknowledged the Qesco s efforts to improve their services and infrastructure highlighting the need for collaborative efforts between governmental bodies and power utilities to ensure the well-being and progress of the province s residents The meeting emphasized the impor-

Rs1bn investment to significantly contribute to Pakistan’s agriculture landscape

ISLAMABAD s ta f f r e p o r t

In a momentous event, Abdul Razak Dawood, the Founder of Descon, along with Faisal Dawood, ViceChairman of Descon, marked a significant milestone in the company's journey towards agricultural innovation The occasion celebrated the groundbreaking

ceremony of Blume Agri a PKR one billion pioneering venture that promises to significantly contribute to the Pakistani agriculture landscape Mr Zahid Hussain CEO Rafum Group & Director Blume Agri Mustapha Yousaf CEO Blume Agri were Also present at the occasion Scheduled to commence operations in December 2023, the upcoming venture is geared to serve as a catalyst for change in the local market During its initial two years of operation the focus will be on catering to the local market while fostering import substitution This strategic approach is designed to not only fulfill domestic demands but also drive self-reliance in the agricultural sector

The Blume Agri plant envisages to be a state-ofthe-art fully automated and integrated food processing facility (dehydration of fruits vegetables and spices) employing global best practices of the industry The plant aims to produce high-quality dried products that cater to both local consumption and international export markets The move towards dehydration is a pivotal step in mitigating post-harvest losses, a persistent challenge in the industry, while simultaneously contributing to Pakistan's foreign exchange reserves

C har ting a Proac tive Future: House of Habib par tners with Healthx to revolutionize corporate wellness

KARACHI s ta f f r e p o r t

Pakistan - A revolutionary era in corporate wellness dawns as Healthx a prominent multinational healthcare management company announces a strategic alliance with the esteemed House of Habib (HOH) Revered for its profound legacy and significant contributions to Pakistan's business landscape House of Habib takes the helm in prioritizing the health and well-being of its valued workforce, comprising 14,000 employees, with a sweeping impact on the lives of approximately 70,000 individuals across the organization At the heart of this momentous

partnership lies a pioneering vision one that heralds a proactive data- driven, cost-efficient and phygital (A hybrid of physical and digital) approach to healthcare – leaving the traditional ways behind Embracing evidence-based medicine as its guiding principle the alliance aims to gradually reduce the disease burden experienced across House of Habib's diverse entities, which include prestigious businesses such as Thal Engineering Indus Motor Company and Shabbir Tiles & Ceramics Limited among others This is a one-of-a-kind endeavor to improve employee well-being as well as save costs on healthcare expenditures like never before, through

Healthx s internationally tested proactive healthcare model Khaqan Sikander, CEO of Healthx, stated, "Healthcare should not have to be a zero-sum game where patients have to suffer for providers to thrive With data-driven technology-powered but human centered healthcare delivery systems, we must reinvent ourselves towards models that are incentivized on keeping people healthy House of Habib being one of the largest employers in the country has a history of positively disrupting many industries and today is taking a pioneering step towards transforming the domain of corporate health & wellness "

RUDA hosts public-private dialogue on establishing educational institutions in Ravi City

LAHOR s ta f f r e p o r t

The Ravi Urban Development Authority (RUDA) orchestrated a significant public-private dialogue aimed at establishing cutting-edge educational institutions within Ravi City The dialogue session held with the collaboration of esteemed education and administrative figures, marked a vital step towards the city's holistic development and transformation into an educational hub Co-chaired by CEO RUDA Imran Amin and Chief Operating Officer (COO) Mansoor Janjua, the event drew distinguished attendees, along with secretary from Housing

and Urban Development (HUD) Sajid Zafar Dar and number of known educationists of the country

During the ceremony Executive Director Commercial Kashif Qureshi commenced the session by providing a comprehensive overview of the RUDA project and emphasizing the pivotal role of the education sector in the city's advancement CEO Imran Amin delved into

KARACHI s ta f f r e p o r t Pakistan’s leading educationists policy makers school leaders civil society members researchers parents and other stakeholders are getting together to share their insights on the future of education and the changing needs of learners

The HHS School System and Kifayat Publishers are jointly organizing Envision ED Summit 2023, a one-day education conference soon in which some

topics such as urbanization sustainable infrastructure and the vision for educational complexes that will be facilitated within the city s framework He highlighted the significance of blending modernity with sustainability and creating an environment conducive to learning and growth

The Secretary Higher Education Department Ali Abbas Deputy Secretary School Education Department Naveed Hussain also spoke on the occasion, discussing RUDA's proactive efforts in promoting education within Ravi City Their insights shed light on the strategic measures to be undertaken to nurture a thriving educational system

tance of aligning strategies to overcome challenges and achieve the common goal of delivering consistent electricity to all corners of Balochistan D i s c u s s i o n s a l s o r e v o l v e d a r o u n d h a r n e s s i n g r e n e w a b l e e n e rg y s o u r c e s and implementing advanced technolog i e s t o o p t i m i z e e n e rg y d i s t r i b u t i o n and consumption The Qesco CEO and the Senate chairman expressed their commitment to continued collaboration transparency and effective communication to address energy-related concerns of the region They affirmed their dedication to pursuing solutions that would not only alleviate the current energy challenges but also contribute to the overall prosperity of Balochistan

PPL funds e-skills IT training for deser ving students at Akhuwat

KARACHI: Pakistan Petroleum Limited (PPL), a leading National E&P Company and one of the largest corporate donors has recently funded a 6-month E-Skills IT residential training programme at Akhuwat which leads towards national or international certification Founded in 2001 Akhuwat is a non-profit organization that focuses on supporting the deserving through interest-free micro finance, free-of-cost quality education and healthcare and other socioeconomic measures MD and CEO

PPL Mr Imran Abbasy presented the donation cheque of Rs 10 million to Chief Operating Officer Akhuwat Mr Rehan Hussain at PPL Head Office on August 23

Speaking on the occasion Mr Abbasy highlighted that PPL through its Corporate Social Responsibility programme, remains committed to investing in capacity building of country s youth, particularly the deserving This initiative by Akhuwat is aligned with the company’s focus of provision of Vocation Skills to underprivileged and empowering them for sustainable livelihood generation s ta f f r e p o r t

Islamic Banking holds key to Pakistan's inevitable development , affirms K ATI President

KARACHI: The prospect of Pakistan's development stands interlinked with the adoption of Islamic banking principles asserted Faraz-ur-Rehman President of the Korangi Association of Trade and Industry (KATI) Addressing the Sirat Islamic Banking Seminar held in collaboration with Habib Metropolitan Bank Rehman emphasized the significance of reforming the Islamic banking policy to catalyze growth in the sector President Rehman highlighted the potential for augmenting the banking domain through interest-free banking mechanisms He pointed out that the public's trust in Islamic banking further solidifies the viability of this financial approach which aligns with the principles of Sharia law

Bayer Pakistan Par tners with Agritech Star t-Up Farmdar to bring bata-driven insights to farmers

prominent figures including Dr Ishrat Husain Former Dean of IBA, Dr Mariam Chugtai, Director National Curriculum Council, Abbas Husain, Director Teachers’ Development Centre, and officials from provincial education department will discuss what's next for our students and for their learning

It is a place to come together to understand the changing needs of learners and spark innovation in teaching and learning so that students are ready to take on this world, said Danish Faruqi, Deputy Executive Director HHS School System

Federal Cabinet gov t appoint Chairman independent directors of

SNGPL

ISLAMABAD: Bayer Pakistan has entered into a strategic partnership with Pakistani agri-tech start-up Farmdar to obtain accurate and actionable crop data backed by artificial intelligence and remote sensing Bayer Pakistan s Crop Science division, which offers a portfolio of crop protection and seed products, is continuously innovating to serve the country’s smallholder farmers better, helping them grow sustainably and produce more with less resources ultimately driving sustainable overall growth in the agriculture industry And with the insights provided by Farmdar s technology Bayer Pakistan will take yet another step forward in doing exactly this The data provided by Farmdar will enable accurate, swift tracking of crops with real-time insights s ta f r e p o r t LAHORE

Labour Markets, Industry and Trade, Political Economy and Institutions, Education and Health, and Climate Change with a crosscutting emphasis on gender

This refers to a news item published by a section of media In this regard it is regretted that selective and out of context information has been provided SNGPL’s view point on the same is as follows: The BOD had already completed its term on July 5, 2023 This fact was admitted by the former Chairperson before the High Court during the hearing of her Petition The present appointment of the Chairman and independent directors of SNGPL has been done by the Cabinet i e the Federal Government It is noteworthy that the Federal Cabinet s decision to appoint the Chairman and independent directors has not been challenged by the former Chairperson in her Petition before the High Court None of the other Independent Directors has challenged that decision either

Educ ationists, polic y-makers to disc uss meaning ful educ ation, pedagogic al prac tices

dollars M a n d v i w a l l a h i g h l i g h t e d t h e m a t t e r o f o p e n i n g l e t t e r s o f c r e d i t ( L C s ) t o i mp o r t e l e c t r i c v e h i c l e s ( E V s ) a n d s a i d t h a t t h e g o v e r n m e n t s h o u l d p r i o r i t i z e t h e i mp o r t o f E V s o v e r t r a d i t i o n a l v e h i c l e s a s i t w o u l d c o n t r i b u t e t o a v e r t i n g t h e c l i -

m a t e c r i s i s

While briefing the present status of EXIM Bank Dr Hussain said that Board Members of EXIM Bank have been notified however the bank will become operational on the clearance of FPT forms and documentation of nominated Board Members

The committee directed the SBP to expedite the clearance of FPT forms within two weeks

Regarding assets of officials of the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) Saifullah Niazi said that officials should declare their present assets and assets at the time of joining the FBR FBR Chairman Malik

Amjed Zubair Tiwana apprised the committee that it is mandatory to declare assets at the time of joining the Board and at the time of promotion

The committee chairman said that it has been claimed that FBR officials have benami properties However, Tiwana clarified that if any official is guilty of having benami properties, appropriate action is taken However, he added that FBR has 25,000 officials and it is not possible to check the assets of

FBR seizes cigarettes from leading manufacturer for alleged tax violations

g P h i l i p M o r r i s c o n f i r m s r a i d, s a y s i t i s ‘ c o m p l e t e l y t a x c o m p l i a n t ’

ISLAMABAD S ta f f R e p o R t T h e F e d e r a l B o a r d o f R e v e n u e ( F B R ) h a s t a k e n a c t i o n a g a i n s t a w e l l - k n o w n c i g a r e t t e m a n u f a c t u r e r P h i l i p M o r r i s ( P a k i s t a n ) L i mi t e d ( P M P K L ) , a l l e g e d l y f o r v i o l a t i n g t a x r e g u l a t i o n s T h e o p e r a t i o n w a s t r i g g e r e d w h e n i t w a s d i s c o v e r e d t h a t t h e c o m p a n y h a d b e e n a l l e g e d l y d i s t r i b u t i n g c i g a r e t t e s b e l o w t h e m i n i m u m r e t a i l p r i c e , c o n t r a v e n i n g t a x l a w s U n d e r P a k i s t a n ’s s t r i n g e n t r e g u l a t i o n s t o c o n t r o l t o b a c c o u s e t h e g o v e r n m e n t h a s e n f o r c e d h i g h t a x a t i o n o n t o b a c c o p r o d u c t s t o d i s c o u r a g e s m o k i n g A c c o r d i n g t o o ff ic i a l s a t F B R a p p r o x i m a t e l y 6 5 0 c a r t o n s o f c i g a r e t t e s w e r e c o n f i s c a t e d b y t h e F B R i n t h i s e n f o r c e m e n t a c t i o n a c c o m p a n i e d b y a t h o r o u g h i n v e s t i g a t i o n T h e o p e r a t i o n w a s c a r r i e d o u t i n a c c o r d a n c e w i t h t h e F e d e r a l E x c i s e A c t 2 0 0 5 p a r t i c u l a r l y S e c t i o n 1 9 w h i c h e x p l i c i t l y p r o h i b i t s s e l l i n g c i g a r e t t e s b e l o w t h e s e t r e t a i l p r i c e , w h i c h i s w h a t P M P K L i s a c c u s e d o f d o i n g I n a d d i t i o n t o c o n f i s c a t i o n t h e A c t e m p o w e r s a u t h o r i t i e s t o i m p o s e f i n e s a n d p e n a l t i e s o n v i o l a t o r s T h e l o c a t i o n o f t h e r a i d r e m a i n s a m y s t e r y O ff ic i a l s f r o m F B R c l a i m t h a t t h e r a i d t o o k p l a c e i n K a r a c h i a n d t h e F B R a r m o f K a r a c h i c o nd u c t e d i t T h e s p o k e s p e r s o n f r o m P h i l i p M o rr i s h o w e v e r d e n i e d t h a t t h e r a i d t o o k p l a c e i n K a r a c h i c l a i m i n g t h a t t h e o p e r a t i o n i n q u e st i o n w a s c o n d u c t e d i n S a h i w a l P u n j a b w h i c h w o u l d f a l l u n d e r t h e j u r i s d i c t i o n o f F B R P u n j a b “ T h i s a c t i o n u n d e r s c o r e s t h e g o v e r n m e n t ’s c o m m i t m e n t t o u p h o l d i n g t a x l a w s a n d s a f e g u a r d i n g p u b l i c h e a l t h Vi o l at i o n s o f t h e s e r e g u l a t i o n s n o t o n l y u n d e r m i n e p u b l i c h e a l t h i n i t i a t i v e s b u t a l s o l e a d t o r e ve n u e l o s s e s f o r t h e g o v e r n m e n t ” e x p l a i n e d a n F B R o ff i c i a l w h i l e t a l k i n g t o P r o f i t A s p o k e s p e r s o n f r o m P h i l i p M o r r i s r e s p o n d e d t o t h e s i t u a t i o n , a s s e r t i n g t h a t t h e c o m p a n y i s f u l l y c o m p l i a n t w i t h t a x o b l i g a t i o n s f o r a l l i t s b r a n d s i n c l u d i n g M a r l b o r o A d v a n c e T h e s p o k e s p e r s o n h i g h l i g h t e d t h a t t h e c o m p a n y i s c o o p e r a t i n g w i t h t h e F B R a n d i s d e d i c a t e d t o t a c k l i n g i l l i c i t t r a d e i n P a k i s t a n w h i c h p o s e s a s i g n i f i c a n t c h a l l e n g e d u e t o t h e p r o l i f e r at i o n o f u n t a x e d c i g a r e t t e s

C I

every employee Tiwana’s response was met by Senator Kamil Ali Agha who asked who the FBR can be trusted to check the assets of 250 million people when it cannot verify the assets of just 25 000 of its own staff and said that the FBR chairman s response is not satisfactory Agha said that a former chairman of the FBR told the committee that there is corruption to the tune of Rs 600 billion within the FBR and said that FBR officials should be held accountable Special Secretary Finance Awais Manzur Sumra told the committee that the government does not have any mechanism to check the assets of officials Sumra said that the Establishment Division can make the necessary amendments in law with regard to asset declaration

The committee demanded that changes in the law related to asset declaration should be presented before the committee

The committee members also said that the assets of officials would be made public after approval from the federal government

I O N another Rs2.07 per unit hike in elec tricit y rate

was 19 6%

The cost of electricity import from Iran doubled to Rs23 6 per unit compared to Rs10 per unit in the past Its share in energy supply was 0 19%

Even the cost of electricity generation through indigenous gas rose over 100% Earlier its cost was around Rs5 per unit but it has now surged to Rs13 6 per unit Its share in energy supply came in at 7 6%

The cost of coal-based electricity was calculated at Rs11 5 per unit while its share in energy supply was 14 69%

The share of hydroelectric power was the highest at 37 18% The cheapest electricity was produced through nuclear power plants at a cost of Rs1 16 per unit

Its share in energy supply was 14 2%

All power plants produced 14,839 gigawatt-hours (GWh) costing Rs8 33 per

unit However, CPPA-G supplied 14,833 GWh to power distribution companies at a price of Rs8 96 per unit Transmission losses were estimated at 2 84% Nepra will hold a public hearing on August 30 to take formal decision on the CPPA-G s request for increasing the electricity price on account of fuel charges adjustment “Pursuant to Section 31(7) of the Nepra Act and the mechanism for monthly fuel price adjustment prescribed by the authority in tariff determinations of ex-Wapda distribution companies the authority may on a monthly basis make adjustments in the approved tariff on account of any variations in fuel charges and policy guidelines as the federal government may issue and notify the tariff so adjusted in the official Gazette Nepra said At the public hearing stakeholders from different walks of life will challenge the tariff hike

Electricity rates have already gone up and even base tariff has touched Rs30

terrorists, abettors to be hunted down until surrender to state: CoaS

RAWALPINDI S ta f f R e p o R t

Chief of Army Staff (COAS)

General Syed Asim Munir has said that terrorists, their affiliates and abettors working on the behest of a hostile agenda to destabilise Pakistan will be hunted down until their surrender to the state according to a statement issued by the InterServices Public Relations (ISPR) on Wednesday

The army chief made these remarks during his interaction with officers and troops deployed in the Sherwangi area near Asman Manza in South Waziristan district Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) today where six brave soldiers had embraced martyrdom a day earlier while fighting gallantly against terrorists the military’s media wing added

The COAS appreciated the troops unflinching resolve in

fighting the menace of terrorism Shuhada are our pride and their sacrifices will not go in vain till the return of complete peace and stability in Pakistan ”

During the visit Gen Munir was also given a detailed brief-

ing on the prevailing security situation including ongoing intelligence and counter-terrorism operations Earlier upon arrival, the COAS was received by Commander Peshawar Corps the ISPR added

per unit, which stood at Rs16 per unit a few years ago

Meanwhile the Power Division in a statement said that electricity generation had broken all previous records

On August 21 2023 the highest-ever power generation of 25,516 megawatts was recorded, which surpassed the previous peak of 24,600MW reached on August 18 Moreover, the highest-ever energy supply was also recorded on August 21 at 558 35 GWh breaking the previous record of 555 33 GWh hit on July 8 This tremendous progress has been achieved in a single day, the Power Division said

The overall load-shedding duration and power shortfall have been better this year when compared with the previous year The areas of maximum recovery did not face more than two hours of loadshedding it said adding with 5 000MW already added to the system this year, the generation capacity is now breaking its previous records ”

power generation registers 5pc growth

ISLAMABAD a h m a d a h m a da n i

Pakistan s power generation has witnessed a considerable growth of almost five percent in the first month of the current fiscal year while the cost of power generation decreased by 22 1pc during the said period, it was learnt on Tuesday After a span of thirteen months the nation’s electricity generation has seen a promising start in the month of July 2023 which is notable increase while on the other hand the electricity production cost plummet by 22 1 % during the said month which can be attributed to the reduction in power generation from coal Furnace Oil (FO) and Re-gasified Liquid Natural Gas (RLNG) sources The statistical data reveals that the country s total power generation went up to 14,839 GWh (19,945 MW) during July 2023, up by 4 9% as compared to 14 151 GWh (19 020 MW) during July 2022 According to Tahir Abbas the Head of Research at Arif Habib Limited (AHL) the year-on-year (YoY) increase in the power generation was owed to higher contribution from Re-gasified Liquid Natural Gas (RLNG) sources (37 7%) coal (21%) and hydel (11%) The month on month analysis also points out 8 2 % improvement in power production compared to June, with significant increase in hydel (33 5%), RLNG (14 7%), and nuclear (13 5%) sources However, over the course of the first seven months of the current calendar year power generation experienced a decline of 8 5% year-on-year amounting to 75 861 GWh (14,910 MW), as compared to 82,948 GWh (16,303 MW) in the corresponding period of 2022

there are ‘serious flaws’ in toshakhana c ase judgment, obser ves SC

ISLAMABAD S ta f f R e p o R t

Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Umar Ata

Bandial observed on Wednesday that there were prima facie serious defects in the trial court s judgment in Toshakhana case against former premier Imran Khan

The chief justice’s observation came as a three-judge special bench of the Supreme Court (SC) – comprising the CJP Justice Mazahar Ali Akbar Naqvi and Justice Jamal Khan Mandokhail – heard the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chief s pleas filed against his conviction in the Toshakhana case by the trial court

During Proceedings on Wednesday, the apex court raised questions on the trial court s judgment awarding a three-year sentence to Imran Khan in the case

The three-judge bench asked Islamabad High Court (IHC) to consider the former premier s contentions about the trial court’s jurisdiction, maintainability of the complaint and transfer of judges etc tomorrow The bench adjourned the hearing of the case till Thursday (today) 2pm

The bench also questioned the urgency shown by the trial court in deciding

the case without recording the statements of witnesses Justice Naqvi noted that the trial court defied the orders of the apex as well as high court in passing the Toshakhana judgment

SPECIAL BENCH: Two days ago the SC formed a bench to hear appeals related to Toshakhana case on August 23 (today) following appeals made by the former prime minister against his conviction The PTI chairman had also challenged

the IHC s decision on August 3 wherein the high court had referred the matter to district and sessions judge Humayun Dilawar the judge who convicted the former premier in the case The move prompted the PTI to file an appeal against the decision in the SC Imran was arrested for the second time in three months on August 5 2023 after a district and sessions court sentenced him to three years in prison in the

gifts repository case The party has also challenged the trial court s ruling before the Islamabad High Court

Shortly after the verdict, the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) disqualified the PTI chief for five years and revoked his status as a returned candidate from NA-45 Kurram due to his conviction in the Toshakhana case Over 150 cases have been filed against the PTI chief since he was ousted from office in April 2022 through a vote of no-confidence ‘DEEP, SETTLED BIAS’ With the apex court forming a special bench to hear Imran s pleas the PTI also appeared to giving a momentum to its aggressive policy towards IHC Chief Justice Aamer Farooq Earlier today, it filed a complaint of misconduct against him, accusing him of having “deep and settled bias” against the party chief In a petition filed before the SC the former prime minister has alleged that he was being held in Attock jail after being convicted on a cooked up and fabricated charge after a trial in gross abuse of due process” for which he primarily blamed the IHC chief justice

SC rejects NAB’s plea against order to notif y accused before arrest

ISLAMABAD

S ta f f R e p o R t

Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Umar Ata Bandial on Wednesday observed that the amendments made to the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) Act in July were suspicious The CJP made the remarks during the hearing of NAB’s appeal challenging the order to inform Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N)’s Javed Latif about his arrest During the proceedings the anti-graft watchdog s prosecutor Rizwan Sati argued that notifying the accused before arrest is against the law To this CJP Bandial maintained that Latif s case was in the inquiry stage and that an accused could not be arrested during this stage In his argument, the NAB prosecutor said that following the amendment made to the accountability law on July 3 “arrests could now be made during the inquiry phase The chief justice observed that NAB law amendments are suspicious and conflict with court decisions How can someone being summoned for questioning be sent to jail?” questioned the CJP, adding that the NAB Act was draconian until 2001 He remarked that amendments in the law to reduce the period of remands and grant bail were good