Epaper_23-08-27 KHI

PM CONVENES MEETING AS PROTESTS AGAINST ‘OVERBILLING’ GALORE

Langrial explained that the National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (Nepra) determined electricity tariffs using three distinct methodologies, adding that the Rs5 40 per unit additional quarterly tariff adjustment (QTA) for April-June was meant for new power plants

Moreover he said electricity prices were subject to fluctuations based on the Consumer Price Index

The secretary also elaborated on the necessity of tariff alterations due to the upsurge in the Karachi Inter-Bank Offered Rate or Kibor rate which are quoted on a daily basis by a large number of banks to indicate the cost of borrowing and lending money for tenors ranging between one week and 3 years

In addition to this fuel price adjustments also impacted electricity costs, Langrial added

Christian community moves LHC against ‘police pressure to reach compromise’

mob violence

IN the wake of rising despair and anger among the masses against unprecedentedly high electricity bills and extra taxes with even threats of civil disobedience, prompted caretaker Prime Minister Anwaarul Haq Kakar on Saturday to convene an emergency meeting to provide maximum relief to public on Sunday (today)

Caretaker Prime Minister Anwaarul Haq

Kakar called the emergency meeting at the Prime Minister s House tomorrow (Sunday)

In the meeting, a briefing will be taken from the ministry of power and distribution companies and consultations will be held regarding giving maximum relief to consumers regarding electricity bills the premier said on X (formerly Twitter) Saturday

Last month, the power regulator raised the national average tariff by around Rs5 per unit,

pushing the base unit power tariff from Rs24 82 to Rs29 78 On Aug 22 the government once again sought to raise the power rate by Rs3 55 per unit

Earlier in the day, caretaker Minister for Information and Broadcasting Murtaza

Solangi along with Federal Secretary of the Power Division Rashid Mahmood Langrial held a media briefing in Islamabad to explain the current state of electricity tariffs

At the outset of the briefing with anchorpersons and bureau chiefs from various media outlets, the minister acknowledged the difficulties faced by the people due to the escalating electricity prices He said all stakeholders within the power sector would participate in the prime minister s emergency meeting

The Power Division secretary confirmed that the facility of free electricity units to officers of power distribution companies would be discontinued insisting that the burden was not being transferred to regular bill-paying individuals

The secretary said in the fiscal year 2023, the tariff was initially set at Rs195 per dollar, but the value of the dollar surged to Rs284

We initially aimed to set the price of RNLG (regasified liquefied natural gas which is used as fuel for electricity generation) at Rs3,183 per mmBtu, however, the actual price ranged between Rs3,000 and Rs3,800, he said

Similarly, the secretary said the price range for imported coal remained between Rs51 000 and Rs61 000 per metric tonne

He further said that Rs2 trillion would be exclusively allocated to capacity payments in the upcoming year

The secretary insisted that the increase in electricity tariffs predominantly affected consumers utilising more than 400 units adding the tariff remained unchanged for 63 5 per cent of domestic consumers

For 31 6pc of domestic consumers he said electricity prices saw an uptick of up to Rs6 5 per unit, and a tariff of Rs7 5 per unit was only applied to 4 9pc of domestic consumers

FIA team inter rogates Imran for an hour in Attock Jail

The Federal Investigation Agency’s (FIA) counter-terrorism wing (CTW) on Saturday interrogated incarcerated former prime minister Imran Khan for over an hour Attock Jail in missing cypher case under the Official Secrets Act

The FIA team questioned the PTI chief for over an hour regarding revelations made by former foreign minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi They also inquired about the whereabouts of the missing cypher copy

According sources privy to the development the FIA team arrived at Attock prison around 2:15pm and continued investigation from Imran Khan until approximately 3:30pm Later, the team returned to Islamabad

The FIA’s CTW had filed an FIR against the PTI chairman and the vice chairman, Shah Mahmood Qureshi on August 15 under the Official Secrets Act

and other relevant laws

The FIA is also assessing the roles of former principal secretary Azam Khan and PTI leader and former finance minister Asad Umar in the matter

Last week, the FIA arrested Qureshi in the cypher leak case under the Official Secrets Act from his residence in the federal capital Imran who was ousted from power through a noconfidence vote in parliament in April last year is currently serving a three-year sentence in Attock Jail after being convicted in the Toshakhana (gift repository) case

On March 27, 2022, ahead of a vote of no-trust that resulted in his ouster, the PTI chief had pulled out a piece of paper from his pocket and waved it at the crowd attending a massive public meeting in Islamabad claiming it was evidence of an “international conspiracy” being hatched to topple his government

Pa k i s t a n w h i t e w a s h

A f g h a n i s t a n i n O D I s e r i e s

Ahead of the match today Pakistan skipper Babar Azam remarked that the first 10 overs would be tough

“We will increase the pressure on the Afghan team by setting a huge target ” he said adding that four changes had been made to the playing eleven He added that Saud Shakeel, Mohammad Nawaz, Faheem Ashraf and Mohammad Wasim Jr are playing today in place of Usama Mir, Iftikhar Ahmed, Naseem Shah and Haris Rauf

On the other hand Afghanistan suffered a blow when all-rounder Azmatullah Umarzai was ruled out of the third ODI match due to side strain All-rounder Gulbadin Naib has been brought in to replace Azmatullah, the Afghanistan Cricket Board said

During the last match both sides went head-to-head in an intense clash The Men in Green continued their superb form, even as the match seemed lost at one point However, Naseem Shah who led Pakistan to a victory against the same opposition in Asia Cup 2022 once again guided Pakistan to a thrilling victory in the last over helping the side score the muchneeded 11 runs off 6 balls

Pakistan reclaims No 1 spot in ICC ODI rankings

The Christian community moved the Lahore High Court (LHC) on Saturday against what it called the pressurised by police officials to reach a compromise in the Jaranwala rampage case, requesting for a judicial inquiry committee to be formed to fairly investigate the incident In a petition filed through advocate Shahbaz Fazal Saroya petitioner Peter Charles chairman of Grace Bible Fellowship Church Pakistan also informed the court of the continuous threats to the community by some locals

The petitioner complained against the state local administration and law enforcement authorities which according to the community have terribly failed at keeping them safe He lamented that these institutions could not refrain the flared mob from torching nearly two dozen churches and attacking residents’ homes over blasphemy charges

Charles also called for upholding due punishment for all the accused identified in the CCTV footage as well as through other relevant evidence

The petition further implored the court to pass directions to state authorities to immediately provide financial and administrative resources to victims of the Jaranwala incident to assist them in returning to routine life following the

The petitioner contended that on August 16 an unreal fake and frivolous case regarding the defiling of the Holy Quran, unfortunately, happened in the city of Jaranwala district in Faisalabad The news reached them through an announcement by a “fanatic” at a local mosque

He continued that the news resulted in a severe reaction where a charged mob set fire to over 25 churches and more than 50 homes using chemicals and petrol bombs The enraged crowd destroyed and looted 200 homes belonging to the Christian community

The mob also disrespected defiled and derogated the valuable holy cross and holy books of Gospel, Torah and Psalms with the intention to disrespect our religion,” the petition stated “The flared mob equipped with clubs, rods, chemicals and petrol bombs succeeded in invading the properties of the Christian Community it further read

Last week, a day after several churches were attacked and Christian homes ransacked by an enraged mob in Jaranwala tehsil of Faisalabad – following the alleged desecration of the Holy Quran – the Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) arrested both main suspects allegedly involved in the sacrilegious act and shifted them to an undisclosed location

g KAKAR SAYS STAKEHOLDERS TO MULL WAYS TO PROVIDE MAXIMUM RELIEF TO CONSUMERS g COUNTRYWIDE PROTESTS CONTINUE WITH REPORTS OF UNPLEASANT INCIDENTS

g POWER DIVISION SECY CONFIRMS FREE ELECTRICITY UNITS TO OFFICERS OF DISCOS WOULD BE DISCONTINUED

S O L A N G I , P O W E R S E C R ETA R Y B R I E F

M

E D I A O N E L E C T R I C I T Y TA R I F F

ISLAMABAD S ta f f R e p o R t

CARETAKER Minister for Information and Broadcasting

Murtaza Solangi along with Federal Secretary of the Power Division Rashid Mahmood Langrial held a media briefing on Saturday to explain the current state of electricity tariffs

At the outset of the briefing with anchorpersons and bureau chiefs from various media outlets the minister acknowledged the difficulties faced by the people due to the escalating electricity prices

In response Caretaker Prime Minister Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar had called a highlevel meeting on Sunday to address concerns related to electricity pricing, he added He said all stakeholders within the power sector would participate in the meeting

The Secretary of the Power Division informed the media that the National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (NEPRA) determined electricity tariffs using three distinct methodologies

The three-month tariff adjustment was meant for new power plants, he said, adding electricity prices were subject to fluctuations based on the Consumer Price Index

General elections: ECP summons Sindh, Balochistan officials

ISLAMABAD

S ta f f R e p o R t

The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has summoned officials from Sindh and Balochistan for consultation on forthcoming general elections According to details the electoral watchdog has summoned inspector-generals of police (IGPs) and chief secretaries of Sindh and Balochistan on August 29 (Tuesday)

Meanwhile, the ECP also summoned election commissioners of both the provinces for consultation on general elections The Sindh election commissioner will apprise the electoral body about the election preparations Moreover Sindh Chief Secretary will brief the officials about the appointment and transfer of officers Sindh inspector general will inform about the law and order situation and security arrangements Earlier, it was reported that the ECP decided to hold general elections in the second week of February 2024

By-polls in 65 village, neighborhood councils in KP today

PESHAWAR S ta f f R e p o R t T h e b y - e l e c t i o n s t o v a c a n t s e a t s o f 6 5 v i l l a g e s a n d n e i g h b o r h o o d c o u n c i l s i n K h y b e r P a k h t u n k h w a w i l l b e h e l d o n S u n d a y ( t o d a y ) T h e b y - e l e c t i o n s i n 6 5 v i l l a g e s a n d n e i g h b o r h o o d w i l l b e h e l d i n 2 1 d i s t r i c t s i n c l u d i n g P e s h a w a r N o w s h e r a C h a r s a d d a K h y b e r M a r d a n K o h a t B a n n u L a k i M a r w a t D I K h a n Ta n k A b b o t t a b a d H a r i p u r M a n s e h r a B a t t a g r a m To rg h a r S w a t S h a n g l a , M a l a k a n d , U p p e r a n d L o w e r D i r a n d B a j a u r A c c o r d i n g t o t h e E C P, a t o t a l o f 2 5 6 p o l l i n g s t a t i o n s h a v e b e e n e s t a b l i s h e d f o r t h e b y - e l e c t i o n o u t w h i c h 1 5 9 p o l l i n g s t a t i o n s h a v e b e e n d e c l a r e d e x t r e m e l y s e n s i t i v e w h i l e 8 4 a s s e n s i t i v e T h e p o l l i n g w i l l b e g i n a t 8 : 0 0 a m i n t h e m o r n i n g a n d w i l l c o n t i n u e t i l l 5 O C l o c k i n t h e e v e n i n g w i t h o u t a n y b r e a k T h e s e n i o r p o l i c e o ff i c i a l s i n f o r m e d t h a t e l a b o r a t e d s e c u r i t y a r r a n g e m e n t s h a v e b e e n m a d e t o e n s u r e p e a c e f u l c o n d u c t o f t h e b yp o l l s T h e y c o n f i r m e d t h e d e p l o y m e n t o f s e c u r i t y f o r c e s a t p o l l i n g s t a t i o n s t o m a i n t a i n l a w a n d o r d e r a n d g u a r a n t e e a p e a c e f u l v o t i n g e x p e r i e n c e

Moreover he elaborated on the necessity of tariff alterations due to the upsurge in KIBOR rates However fuel price adjustments also impacted electricity costs

In the fiscal year 2023, the tariff was initially set at Rs 195 per dollar, but the value of the dollar surged to Rs284

“We initially aimed to set the price of RNLG at Rs 3 183 per MMBTU however the actual price ranged between Rs 3 000 and Rs 3,800, he noted

Similarly, the secretary said the price range for imported coal fell between Rs 51,000 and Rs 61,000 per metric ton He further disclosed that a staggering Rs 2

trillion would be exclusively allocated to capacity payments in the upcoming year

The increase in electricity tariffs predominantly affected consumers utilizing more than 400 units, he said, adding the tariff remained unchanged for 63 5 per cent of domestic consumers

For 31 6 per cent of domestic consumers he said electricity prices saw an uptick of up to Rs 6 5 per unit Notably a tariff of Rs 7 5 per unit was only applied to 4 9 per cent of domestic consumers, he added Langrial asserted that the average tariff increase for domestic consumers stood at Rs 3 82

UoE hosts Karo Mumk in’s projec t launch, closing ceremony

LAHORE S ta f f R e p o R t

The launch and project closing ceremony of Karo MumkinDigital Market Place –funded by British Council and SEED Ventures – was held in collaboration with the Women Development Center (WDC) here at the University of Education (UoE)

Karo Mumkin is a platform established to empower women by providing them opportunity and arranging training sessions on different topics related to startups and doing business Till now 30 trainers have delivered trainings on different topics including Digital Marketing how to launch a startup etc and 3000 entrepreneurs have benefited from it Eminent personalities participated in the event wherein Director University of Education Prof M Alam Saeed was the chief guest

In his keynote address Prof M Alam Saeed said that women have great potential for and doing great work in the field of entrepreneurship Women have numerous responsibilities even if they are doing business or job they have to manage homes unlike men who generally

enjoy the liberty to work only,” he pointed He shared details about some states in the US where female heads are performing better than other states where there are male heads of states He emphasized that the students should pursue their career in entrepreneurship even during their studies

Ms Sammer Mumtaz, Assistant Director Oric Virtual University of Pakistan Operations and Development lead Karo Mumkin shared objective behind initiative which is to empower women and help them do business in

Pakistan

by get guidance from professionals and industry experts

Ms Dua Sukhera shared her success story with the audience She shared how from a small city of Arifwala she started career of Freelancing and how she not only changed her own life but also improved the lives of many girls from different walks of life in Arifwala by providing them training on freelancing at her institute She started the institute from home with few computers which she bought with earning from freelancing and

Irani diesel, NCP items wor th millions of rupees seized

by SDPO Sher Ullah Khan along with SHOs Din Muhammad and Rehmat Ullah of Mughalkot and Darazinda police stations foiled smuggling bid and recovered around 65,000 liters of Irani Diesel from an oil tanker coming from Quetta

Meanwhile, the police also recovered NCP items worth Tens of Millions rupees during checking of various vehicles at the check post

In July 2022, the highest recorded electricity tariff was Rs 31 02 per unit, he affirmed, also revealing that by August 2023, the price had increased to only Rs 33 89 per unit He confirmed that the facility of free electricity units to DISCO officers would be discontinued emphasizing that the burden was not being transferred to regular billpaying individuals

now she owns a setup of 100 computers lab Dr Aqsa Shabbir Associate Professor LCWU shared her remarks about the opportunities students have in the form of incubation centers where students can apply with their ideas and can translate these ideas into reality

Mr Mike was Litman talked on why to choose entrepreneurship and why someone should become entrepreneurs

He also shared examples of Warren Buffet and some great entrepreneurs

Dr Syed Abdul Majid, Head of ORIC shared his valuable thoughts about the entrepreneurship He focused on a Hadith in which the term Ehsaan was guided by Holy Prophet Hazrat Muhammad (PBUH) about how much important it is to do the work with full sincerity, dedication and commitment

Syed Kashiful Hasnain, Manager Marketing Virtual University of Pakistan shared his remarks about importance of entrepreneurship ideas and how the students can take initiatives based on their ideas and convert them into a career Karo Mumkin Project team comprising: Ms Sammer Mumtaz, Assistant Director ORIC, Ms KhusaKhawar Lecturer PIFD and Ms Sadaf Amin Agriculture Department Ms Sammer Assistant Director ORIC VU was the Master of Ceremony as well as one of the team members of Karo Mumkin Project She shared various quotations by the entrepreneurs as well as the Islamic teachings

Maulana Khabeer briefs

The police on Saturday claimed to have foiled smuggling attempt recovering 65,000 liters Irani diesel and non custom paid items (NCP) worth millions of rupees here According

The NCP items included 456 bundles of cigarette packs one sack of Foreign Koot one sack of spare parts two sacks of Laptop Chargers, two Solar Inverter, one carton Spray, two Inverters, 11 foreigner tyres, 15 cartons white paper, three cartons soap, three submersible pumps 109 tyres one carton foreigner injections two carton glass 200 sacks Irani plastic bags 30 sacks dry milk four roll to-chain cable 24 cartons cigarettes and 52 cartons of lotions

Later, the police handed over all the recovered NCP items to the customs authorities a

PTI’s Q ureshi moves IHC against physic al remand in Cypher c ase

ISLAMABAD

S ta f f R e p o R t

PTI leader Shah Mahmood Qureshi on Saturday moved the Islamabad High Court against his physical remand granted by a special court to the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) in cypher case against him and incarcerated PTI chairman Imran Khan

In his petition, Shah Mahmood Qureshi pleaded with the high court to declare the trial court’s decisions announced on August 20 21 and 25 as void requesting the court to send him on judicial remand by annulling physical remand decision

With malicious intent and connivance of the federal government, the case has been against me I didn’t receive the cypher telegram, neither shared its transcript with any person ” he

pleaded “The record proves that the cypher has been in possession of the foreign ministry he petitioned

The FIA arrested me and got my physical remand thrice Prosecution failed to bring the evidence, still the trial court granted physical remand,” petitioner said The federal government and the secretary interior have been made respondents in the petition

On Friday the Special Court Islamabad granted the FIA three days physical remand of PTI Vice Chairman Shah Mahmood Qureshi in the cypher case Judge Abu Al-Hasnat Muhammad Zulqarnain heard the case against Shah Mahmood Qureshi under Official Secrets Act 2023 The court asked the investigation officer to present Qureshi again on August 28

Q u r e s h i , w h o s e r v e d a s f o r e i g n m i n i s t e r, w a s a r r e s t e d i n t h e c a p i t a l

I s l a m a b a d l a s t w e e k T h e f i r s t i n f o r m a t i o n r e p o r t ( F I R ) w a s r e g i s t e r e d o n A u g u s t 1 5 u n d e r t h e O ff i c i a l S e c r e t s A c t o n t h e c o m p l a i n t o f t h e H o m e S e c r e t a r y F o r m e r p r i m e m i n i s t e r I m r a n K h a n a n d f o r m e r

f o r e i g n m i n i s t e r S h a h M a h m o o d Q u r e s h i w e r e n o m i n a t e d i n t h e r e p o r t w h i l e n a m e s o f f o r m e r p r i n c i p a l s e c r e t a r y A z a m K h a n a n d f o r m e r p l a n n i n g m i n i s t e r A s a d U m a r w e r e a l s o m e n t i o n e d

British HC on measures to safeguard minorit y rights

LAHORE S ta f f R e p o R t

Chairman Central Ruet-e-Hilal Committee Maulana Abdul Khabeer Azad on Saturday welcomed British High Commissioner Jane Marriott at the Badshahi Mosque and shed light on its historical significance and architectural beauty Maulana Azad who is also the Khateeb and Imam of Badshahi Mosque extended warm greetings and focused on matters of mutual interest The recent tragic incident in Jaranwala was also discussed during the meeting Maulana Azad highlighted the role of religious leaders and scholars of various faiths in the context of the Jaranwala incident He emphasized the importance of safeguarding the rights of minorities and assured that Islam guarantees the protection of minority rights The chairman RHC reiterated that the responsibility of imposing penalties lies with the state and Pakistan as a nation upholds this principle Expressing condemnation for the incident, Maulana Azad stated that the government, armed forces, and the entire nation were resolute in preventing such incidents in the future emphasizing the need for effective measures and practical wisdom to ensure lasting peace He conveyed to the British High Commissioner the solidarity and cooperation of all compassionate individuals and minority communities residing in the country He also commended the efforts of Prime Minister Anwar-ul-Haq Kakar and Punjab Chief Minister Mohsin Naqvi for their commendable initiatives in swiftly rebuilding the affected houses and places of worship in Jaranwala Maulana Azad also presented the great national narrative Paighame-Pakistan to British High Commissioner Jane Marriott British High Commissioner Jane Marroitt commended his leadership and contributions in addressing the situation

Pioneering Pakistani ser vice firms set to showc ase exper tise in Beijing CIFTIS

telecommunications finance and more

This represents a strategic endeavor by Pakistan to strengthen economic ties with China and explore opportunities for

In a move that underscores Pakistan s growing presence on the global economic stage a delegation of top Pakistani service firms is gearing up to participate in the highly anticipated China International Fair for Trade in Services (CIFTIS) This was stated by Ghulam Qadir, Commercial Counsellor at Pakistani Embassy in Beijing He told China Economic Net (CEN) that a delegation comprising some of Pakistan’s leading service companies will showcase the nation s prowess in various sectors including information technology

and its commitment to digital banking solutions Qadir said that The Pakistani delegation’s participation in CIFTIS signifies a landmark moment in the nation’s journey towards becoming a prominent player in the global services trade arena As the event unfolds all eyes are on these pioneering companies as they take center stage and contribute to Pakistan s ongoing economic transformation, he hopes that CIFTIS will be a bridge between China and Pakistan to enhance trade and economic cooperation CEN added

SPREAD of dengue fever has gone out of control throughout Punjab, especially the provincial metropolis Lahore and 42 new cases have reported from across the province during the past 24 hours

With the fresh cases the total number of dengue cases reported in Punjab so far in the current year has increased to 888, the health department informed

It further said that Friday, 22 patients of dengue fever were reported in Lahore and the number of dengue patients in the metropolis rose to 304 so far this year

The health department further said that during the last 24 hours, seven dengue patients were reported in Rawalpindi, three each in Multan and Gujranwala and two

cases each in Attock and Gujrat

The department further said that currently 40 dengue fever patients are under treatment in hospitals across Punjab Out of these 21 are admitted to hospitals in Lahore

Moreover, 2,678 beds have been allocated for dengue fever patients in hospitals across Punjab, the health department said

CASES IN RAWALPINDI CLIMB TO 137

Meanwhile the total number of dengue case Rawalpindi has reached 137 cases with seven more patients reported during the past

24 hours

Chief Executive Officer of District Health Authority Dr Ijaz Ahmad said that two each patients had arrived from the Potohar town Cantonment and Municipal Corporation areas

H e i n f o r m e d t h a t 1 2 0 p a t i e n t s h a d b e e n d i s c h a r g e d a f t e r r e c o v e r y w h i l e 1 7

c o n f i r m e d p a t i e n t s w e r e a d m i t t e d t o t h e d i s t r i c t ’s h e a l t h f a c i l i t i e s D u r i n g t h e

l a s t 2 4

Azerbaijan envoy calls for greater bilateral cooperation in Science & Technology

ISLAMABAD S ta f f R e p o R t I n a s i g n i f i c a n t s t e p t o w a r d s f o s t e r i n g i n t e r n a t i o n a l c o l l a b o r a t i o n i n t h e r e a l m o f S c i e n c e Te c h n o l o g y a n d I n n o v a t i o n t h e A m b a s s a d o r o f t h e R e p u b l i c o f Azerbaijan Mr Khazar Farhadov undertook a visit t o C O M S AT S ( C o m m i s s i o n o n S c i e n c e a n d Te c h n o l o g y f o r S u s t a i n a b l e D e v e l o p m e n t i n t h e South) and held a substantive meeting with Executive Director of COMSATS, Ambassador Dr Mohammed Nafees Zakaria

During the meeting Ambassador Zakaria appreciated the fruitful visit of the Azerbaijan Minister for Digital Development and Transport last month during which an important Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed He briefed the Ambassador on the diverse range o f i n i t i a t i v e s a n d a c t i v i t i e s b e i n g p u r s u e d b y C O M S AT S f o r t h e a d v a n c e m e n t o f S c i e n c e Technology and Innovation (STI) among its member a n d n o n - m e m b e r c o u n t r i e s H e u n d e r s c o r e d COMSATS commitment to facilitating the exchange of knowledge, expertise, and best practices among its member states and others

Expressing profound interest in the endeavors of COMSATS, Ambassador Khazar Farhadov highlighted

the Republic of Azerbaijan s strong commitment to the fields of Science and Technology Ambassador Farhadov visited COMSATS Telehealth center

Pakistan reclaims No. 1 spot in ICC ODI rankings

P M c o nve n e s m e e t i n g a s p ro te s t s a g a i n s t ‘ove r b i l l i n g ’ g a l o re

Langrial asserted that the average tariff increase for domestic consumers stood at Rs3 82 In July 2022, the highest recorded electricity tariff was Rs31 02 per unit, he said, adding that by August 2023, the price had increased to Rs33 89 per unit The press conference was held against the backdrop of countywide protests against exorbitant electricity bills

RAWALPINDI: In Rawalpindi a large number of people protested at Rawalpindi s Liaquat Bagh against the high electricity bills They held banners and placards while chanting slogans against the local electricity provider O u r b i l l h a s d o u b l e d I d o n t h a v e m y b i l l i n h a n d r i g h t n o w b u t t h i s t i m e o u r b i l l w a s R s 8 4 , 0 0 0 W h e n I s e n t m y s o n t o g e t i t f i x e d , t h e y a d j u s t e d t h e b i l l t o R s 5 4 , 0 0 0 I f y o u a r e i n c r e a s i n g t h i s b i l l b e c a u s e t h e I M F a s k e d y o u t o d o s o i t i s s t i l l w r o n g o n e p r o t e s t e r s a i d

There is no notification from the government and these Wapda and all [electricity suppliers] are increasing it at their own whim, he added Another angry protester said: “Our next move will be a strike throughout the country from Karachi to Peshawar by the traders community He added some protesters told him that if the taxes weren t taken back, they would move towards Islamabad and start a civil disobedience campaign

ISLAMABAD: A visibly annoyed resident of the capital city told DawnNewsTV that he was in no position to say anything and the government s increase in electricity taxes had rendered him speechless Last month my bill was Rs38,000

Christian

communit y moves

and after many hardships I paid it Now

it is Rs48,000 We can neither live nor die The government has snatched all our happiness away from us ” he said

Meanwhile a day earlier the Islamabad Electric Supply Company (Iesco) wrote a letter to the chief police officer seeking police protection for its staff and property fearing adverse reactions from electricity consumers in different localities in the garrison city

In a letter to the CPO the superintending engineer (SE) said that consumers were visiting different offices of Iesco in mobs and groups to protest against the increase in electricity bills The employees of the distribution company feel insecure while performing their duties he said in the letter The SE termed the situation alarming which may lead to a law and order situation and protesters may damage property and installations

PESHAWAR: A cobble identifying himself as Hameedullah said his daily earning was Rs600 but he was charged with a bill of Rs16,424 “We have three lights four bulbs and one fridge in the house he said Pointing to his inventory he added: This is [worth] Rs6 000 I don t have any more money

Fearing the protests, the Peshawar Electric Supply Company (Pesco) has directed its staff to refrain from putting nonessential and “green number plate” vehicles on the roads till the “normalisation of the law and order situation

LAHORE: An exasperated rickshaw driver lashed out at the government saying: First my bill used to be Rs2000Rs2500 and now it is Rs10,300 Where should we go to clear this?

“I don’t even earn this much How should I pay for this? My daily wage is Rs1 000-1 200 out of which we pay

he added

PAGE

ISLAMABAD

Telehealth is a successful project of COMSATS in a pioneering role It demonstrates how technology can be harnessed for the betterment of society

for groceries at home

Rs500 for petrol Running a stove at home costs between Rs500-Rs600

Where should we go? This inflation has destroyed us We just have one energy saver at home that runs throughout the day and night Separately activist Ammar Ali Jan announced on X that a campaign against electricity bills in Lahore would be held tomorrow “We need coordinated action across the country to demand relief for salaried class and ending privileges worth $ 17 4 billion annually for the elites If people fight back they will win he said KARACHI: A shopkeeper in Karimabad Market explained that the main problem was that there wasn t much business these days He added that there were new bills every day “Should we pay the bills or buy groceries for home? Our children are also very worried He said he was left with no choice but to protest Dawn com staffers also raised similar concerns One staffer said his bill amounted to Rs12,000 this month He urged the government to think differently and find a way to despite the current IMF agreement as consumers can t pay extra taxes on bills amidst exorbitant prices of necessities

On Thursday, reports of traders allegedly attacking K-Electric employees at a market in Karachi emerged KE CEO Moonis Alvi later confirmed the same on X (formerly Twitter) and demanded that a first information report be registered against the attackers QUETTA: A daily wage labourer at Meezan Chowk told DawnNewsTV that these days work opportunities were “really few” as cement and steel had become expensive He also posed the same question that others asked: whether he should pay his bill or fulfil the need

“Please for the sake of God control the inflation I m very worried the daily wage earner bemoaned MULTAN: The protests in Multan were emotionally charged Protesters tied their electricity bills to donkeys as they marched towards the Gujranwala Electric Power Company (Gepco) while chanting slogans against the government K-ELECTRIC RESPONDS: In an audio message broadcast on television KE spokesperson Awais Rasheed Munshi could be heard saying: We understand that many conversations and arguments are taking place between people throughout the country regarding the rising electricity prices People might be getting angry while being worried Pakistan s electricity system works in a regulated environment This falls under Nepra and power ministry K-Electric’s work is related to performance profit and loss

When the prices of electricity rise the company doesn t make any profit KElectric and no other distribution company have any part to play in the rising prices and taxes, he said ‘SHEER CRUELTY’ On Friday people from all walks of life took to the streets in Karachi Gujranwala Peshawar Toba Tek Singh and other areas against exorbitant power bills They blocked roads set fire to power bills and announced they would challenge the “injustice” by the public utility in the court of law

Speaking to DawnNewsTV today one person deemed the taxes imposed by the government as sheer cruelty adding that he would be old by the time he paid off his entire electricity bill

T h e b i l l s a r e s o h i g h t h a t w e a r e u n a b l e t o p a y t h e s c h o o l f e e s o f children ” he said “If a person is living i n a r e n t e d h o u s e h e h a s t o d e c i d e either to pay the rent or the electricity bills

Meanwhile, former parliamentarian Nafisa Shah called the electricity bills “backbreaking” and “unacceptable”

JI not to tolerate single day delay in elec tions: Sirajul Haq

Pakistan has moved to the top spot in the ICC men’s ODI rankings after whitewashing Afghanistan in a three-match series in Sri Lanka Prior to the series Pakistan was in second place with 116 points just two points behind Australia However, with their 3-0 victory, Pakistan has now moved to the top of the rankings with 119 points This is Pakistan’s second time at the top of the ODI rankings this year They first reached the top after winning their first four matches against New Zealand in a five-match series in May However they lost the fifth and final match to New Zealand which allowed Australia to reclaim the top spot Pakistan will now take part in the 2023 Asia Cup and their first match in that six-team tournament comes against Nepal in Multan on August 30 They then take on New Zealand and Australia in official warm-up fixtures for the World Cup with their first clash at this year s tournament coming against the Netherlands in Hyderabad on October 6 LAHORE

Ameer Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) Sirajul Haq

while announcing the party s intention to approach the Supreme Court to ensure the timely execution of the national vote has said that the JI will not tolerate even a single day’s delay in the elections beyond the constitutional 90-day period required to organize the polls following the dissolution of assemblies

Talking media after addressing a condolence reference for JI Bangladesh

reverse the recent hikes in electricity tariff and petrol prices Sirajul Haq pointed out that the caretakers should refrain from blindly adhering to the policies dictated by the IMF He said the masses were unable to bear the burden of inflated bills The JI he said to stage protest demonstrations across the country against the surge in power tariff and overall inflation, forcing the government take back decision aimed at targeting the poverty-stricken masses at the behest of the IMF He said it was due to ill-conceived economic policies of past governments of the PDM PPP and PTI that the people were starving to death appealing the masses to actively participate in JI s peaceful protests and raise their voices against injustice T h e J I c h i e f s a i d t h e f o r m e r r u l e r s l a c k e d s i n c e r i t y t o w a r d s t h e p u b l i c T h e rulers he said amassed wealth in foreign

6 dead, 5 injured after passenger van falls off bridge in Mansehra

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

governments backed

establishment

a c c o u n t s d e p r i v i n g t h e p e o p l e o f f r o m b a s i c r i g h t s H e e m p h a s i z e d t h a t b o t h m i l i t a r y r e g i m e s a n d p o l i t i c a l p a r t i e s instead cast their votes for the JI which promises genuine transformation and the establishment of an Islamic welfare state in Pakistan

THERE have been widespread protests against electricity bills The latest bills reflect the recent rise in tariffs as well as increases in various other charges which have beenn added to the bills Were large protesters in Karachi and Rawalpindi and while electricity bills were burnt in Muzaffarabad in AJK there were protests in Lahore Attock Peshawar Quetta Taunsa, Hyderabad, Nawabshah, Rahim Yar Khan and Multan as well Perhaps particularly worrying for the government is the fact that there is no single organization, let alone any political party behind the protests

First of all, it means there is no one to talk to Also, it means that the protesters cannot really be given concessions that might bring the protests to an end So far, the situation has not reached the point it did during the Arab Spring protests, where protests which started in Tunisia over a street vendor s death ended in the toppling of several governments It should not be forgotten that while the power tariff hikes are themselves the cause of much pain for consumers they are not the sole inflationary pressure faced by the consumer The fuel price hikes and rupee devaluation are also important pressures

Part of the public’s ire stems from the lack of communication between government and public The present caretakers have come to stabilize the economy

Which means doing everything the IMF says The caretakers might not only be non-elected, but intend to stray longer than their constitutionally stipulated time limit, but they cannot survive without obtaining pub;ic consent, if not approval After all, at the end of the day, they do not face an election The caretaker government needs to take the public into confidence, and give some sort of timeline, along with d up atreasonable precise quantities, such as where it intends the dollar parity of the rupee to en That might not prevent people from protesting, but it should take the edge off the protests The government must not wait for protests to grow and must avoid the sort of clash with the public that it avoided on May 9 It should not be forgotten that there have been protests when LESCO and KElectric offices have been razed The government must avoid such a situation

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

THE concept of equilibrium between demand and supply has long been studied in conventional theories of economics

However, when we direct our attention to the dynamics of the labour market in Pakistan we notice that there exists a perpetual disequilibrium between labour supply and the skill set demanded by the market Since the quality of the labour force is the outcome of the education system, which is devoid of imparting practical knowledge about the complex dynamics and true needs of the economy, our students, despite being good in theoretical knowledge find themselves struggling with the practical implications of the theories they study throughout their academic career As a result despite having a considerable youth population and being ranked among the top 10 countries with a considerable labour force, Pakistan is facing the problem of youth’s unpreparedness to be an efficient resource for the labour market

Although it remains undisputed that the primary aim of pursuing education is to secure employment educational institutions still seem reluctant to recognize their responsibility for the shortcomings observed in the labour force Instead, they tend to attribute the issue to various other constraints absolving themselves of their role in this matter At the students’ end it would be fallacious to argue that they are not dedicating time and resources to acquire education They certainly are BUT it seems that all of their efforts diminish to zero the moment they embark on a job hunt

Recently, there has been a growing emphasis on technical and vocational training and short courses However it is crucial to recognize that in Pakistan technical and vocational education are seen as alternatives rather than complements to the traditional education system Advocating for technical and vocational training could be interpreted as surrendering to the shortcomings of the current model of education and instead of restructuring the higher education system, expecting students to further invest in developing skills even after dedicating at least 16 years of time and resources to formal education Nevertheless with both employers and employees – the key stakeholders of the labour market and economy s circular flow of income model – voicing their dissat-

State's Systemic Failure

AMID economic turmoil in June 2023

the country experienced a decrease in year-on-year inflation for the first time in seven months It fell from a record high of 38 percent in May to 29 4 percent However, due to compulsion under the International Monetary Fund's loan programme the government had to raise the cost of liquefied petroleum gas and electricity tariffs by as much as 17 percent and 26 percent respectively

Consumers were already feeling the direct and highly inflationary impact, but the recent hike in petrol and high-speed diesel prices, which have risen to Rs 290 45 and Rs 293 40 per litre in line with the international market has particularly affected the budgets of the middle and lower-middle classes

The government s decision to raise petrol prices has caused triple inflation, which is insensitive to the needs of the general public

The increase in the prices of food, and petroleum coupled with the significant depreciation of the currency has intensified the challenges faced by various sections of society

Many Pakistanis capacity to exercise their economic rights has been restricted by this careless choice of increased inflation, raising the question, why have the authorities become indifferent to the lives of the poor and middle classes?

The latest household survey of 2021 evidently indicates that food expenditure accounts for a whopping 83 35 percent of GDP with more than half of a household s income going towards it Unfortunately, food inflation has led to an unequal impact on household budgets, especially for those in the most vulnerable sectors

As a result they involuntarily cut back on their calorie intake It is an alarming issue in a country where over 42 percent of children are stunted and hunger has been a widespread occurrence

It is an unequivocal and conclusive confirmation of a specific issue: the state's systemic failure to provide even the basic necessities for its citizens

It is impossible to overlook the impact of inflation on households The effect of reduced purchasing power has been severe and longlasting, forcing many individuals below the poverty threshold This crisis not only affects

the present generation but also endangers future

ones Its repercussions could have profound implications for society

All socioeconomic backgrounds are affected by inflation

The lowest and middle classes are typically the worst afflicted As prices rise these populations purchasing power erodes, resulting in financial difficulties and a decline in their overall standard of living

L o w e r - i ncome households small margin of adjustment makes it harder for them to absorb the impact of inflation, resulting in increased financial stress and economic vulnerability

Based on the fiscal data provided by the World Bank, in the year 20202021 Pakistan s poverty rate was a staggering 39 3 percent using the lower middle-income poverty rate of US$3 2 per day and a shocking 78 4 percent using the upper middle-income poverty rate of US$5 5 per day

isfaction there is a need to reevaluate the determinants of the performance of the labour force

Besides budgetary constraints the problems inherited by the education sector arise from the reluctance and lack of readiness to implement necessary changes to the structure of teaching practices and methods adopted by educational institutions Surprisingly, when establishing new educational instit u t i o n s t h e r e i s o f t e n a l a c k o f p l a n n i n g a n d research concerning the suitable education model to be implemented Recent decisions such as the National Assembly swiftly passing bills to set up 24 universities in a single sitting without conducting thorough planning and research beforehand, exemplifies this issue

In Pakistan there is a gap of 5 1 years between learning adjusted years of schooling (LAYS) and actual grade level of students (World Bank) This implies that a student enrolled in grade 9 may have the learning proficiency corresponding to a grade 4 student or even less than that Moreover, the dynamics of this learning gap become even more intricate in the context of higher education, given the frequent changes in degree levels every two to four years and the substantial disparity observed in course content taught across various universities

These obstacles hamper the development of a standardized approach to calculate learning adjusted years of higher education, leaving public policy and education practitioners vague about the necessary interventions required for higher education

t u t i o n s h a v i n g f a c u l t y m e m b e r s w i t h o u t s t a n d i n g t h e o r e t i c a l k n o w l e d g e b u t l i m i t e d p r a c t i c a l e x p er i e n c e f r o m r e a l - w o r l d j o b s e t t i n g s A s a r e s u l t a g r e a t m a j o r i t y o f t e a c h e r s s t r u g g l e w i t h e ff e ct i v e l y p r e p a r i n g s t u d e n t s t o m e e t t h e d e m a n d s a n d r e q u i r e m e n t s o f t h e j o b m a r k e t

In our higher educational institutes, a significant number of faculty members possess PhD degrees and are responsible for instructing M Phil, PhD candidates as well as undergraduate (BS) students However it is essential to revisit this practice as pursuing a PhD often fosters a research-oriented mindset making teachers with PhDs more suitable for instructing MPhil and PhD candidates rather than undergraduate students As far as undergraduate programmes are concerned, a more effective strategy would involve engaging professionals from the labour market or the practitioners of public policy depending upon the nature of subjects who possess extensive practical experience Carefully selected based on their teaching expertise these professionals are ideally suited to serve as instructors for undergraduate (BS) students, particularly in applied subjects, where they can offer practical insights into the subjects being taught

The nation's future prosperity depends on its employment rate and labour market productivity

By fundamentally restructuring the higher education model as proposed above, we may possibly eliminate the need for additional short courses and be able to empower the labour force with relevant skills and knowledge, leading to poverty reduction and significant contributions to the economy

Furthermore, because of this disparity in course content, candidates in the labour market often encounter recruitment bias where they are assessed based on the reputation of the higher education institutions they attended rather than considering the highest level of academic degree they have achieved T h e m i s m a t c h b e t w e e n s k i l l s d e m a n d e d b y t h e l a b o u r m a r k e t a n d t h e s k i l l s e t o ff e r e d b y t h e l a b o u r f o r c e c a n b e a t t r i b u t e d t o t w o p r i m a r y r e as o n s F i r s t l y, d e s p i t e s i g n i f i c a n t a d v a n c e m e n t s i n k n o w l e d g e p r o d u c t i o n w o r l d w i d e o u r t e a c h i n g m e t h o d s c o n t i n u e t o r e l y o n a n o u t d a t e d a n d s t a g n a n t p o o l o f i n f o r m a t i o n t h a t h a s b e e n p a s s e d d o w n t h r o u g h g e n e r a t i o n s o f t e a c h e r s T h i s a pp r o a c h d i s r e g a r d s t h e i m p o r t a n c e o f i n c o r p o r a ti n g t h e l a t e s t d e v e l o p m e n t s i n k n o w l e d g e p r o d u c t i o n a n d f a i l s t o m e e t t h e d e m a n d s o f t h e m a r k e t f o r u p d a t e d a n d r e l e v a n t k n o w l e d g e S e co n d l y t h e l a c k o f c o l l a b o r a t i o n b e t w e e n e d u c at i o n a l i n s t i t u t i o n s a n d t h e l a b o u r m a r k e t i s w i d e s p r e a d r e s u l t i n g i n h i g h e r e d u c a t i o n i n s t i -

The rationale behind this shift lies in the fact that not all students aspire to pursue advanced degrees like MPhil or PhD after completing their undergraduate studies Many of them prefer to enter the job market directly Hence prioritizing m a r k e t - o r i e n t e d knowledge over a purely research-oriented mindset would be more advantageous for these undergraduates in their career pursuits Furthermore, it is crucial to introduce research methods as a mandatory subject in undergraduate programmes This measure may provide students who have an inclination towards research with the fundamental knowledge to assess their suitability for pursuing advanced degrees such as MPhil and PhD Moreover equipping undergraduates with research skills can better prepare them for various professional opportunities and can ensure a more qualified labour force that meets the evolving needs of the labour market

The nation's future prosperity depends on its employment rate and labour market productivity By fundamentally restructuring the higher education model as proposed above, we may possibly eliminate the need for additional short courses and be able to empower the labour force with relevant skills and knowledge, leading to poverty reduction and significant contributions to the economy

The author an education consultant (@iammishalenoor) is concurrently pursuing her PhD from Quaid-i-Azam University

’

E d i t o r

s m a i l

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

Overcoming blood donation my ths

IN Pakistan the need for blood donation is enormous and it is a challenge to keep the supply chain moving The country faces several issues in maintaining an adequate and safe blood supply owing to various factors, such as limited awareness, misconceptions, cultural barriers and inadequate blood donation infrastructure However, none of the challenges is unsurmountable Pakistan faces blood shortage particularly during emergencies disasters and other such peak phases The limited availability of safe blood hampers the delivery of quality healthcare leading to increased mortality rate One of the major obstacles in encouraging blood donation in Pakistan is the prevalence of myths and misconceptions surrounding the process Common misconceptions include concerns about religious beliefs, fear of infections, and doubts regarding the safety of the donated blood It is crucial to debunk these myths and to educate the community about the reality of blood donation

must prioritize the well-being of disadvantaged groups and take action to stabilize the economy and combat inflation It s time for the state to decide whether it exists to serve the country's population or merely serve the interests of a select few households through bureaucratic extensions Even seniors reading this are equally responsible and part of the same households

We have all let down the people of this country, and it's evident that things won't improve anytime soon Introspection is necessary Immediate and eff e c t i v e implementation is required to alleviate the suffering of the people

It is the responsibility of authorities to address this matter and ensure that the general public, along with both blue-collar and white-collar individuals, is able to uphold their dignity and have access to better living standards

As of September 2021 an alarming 22 percent of the population s standard of living was below the national poverty level and unfortunately the situation has only worsened since then

During the covid-19 pandemic, a survey found that a disturbing 60 percent of households in Pakistan were not food-secure, with 30 percent experiencing moderate food insecurity and 10 percent facing severe food insecurity

In Pakistan inflation has hit the middle and lower classes harder worsening the dire situation The government s policies are to blame for the inflation crisis, which has left individuals struggling to make ends meet The government

It is unacceptable that the government is not providing enough food for its citizens Our society and economy are reminiscent of the Hunger Games with only the Capitol having wealth and power and entirely unaware of the suffering of the rest of the population The government's policies have resulted in the most vulnerable members of society experiencing mistreatment while benefiting the few elites at the top Our country is governed by powerful groups in just a few cities with policy decisions favouring the interests of a select few households instead of the broader population It is the responsibility of authorities to address this matter and ensure that the general public along with both blue-collar and whitecollar individuals is able to uphold their dignity and have access to better living standards

Through awareness campaigns accurate information can be disseminated helping to alleviate fears and misperceptions and encouraging more people to donate blood Pakistan needs to foster a culture of voluntary blood donation Traditionally, blood donation in the country has been reliant on replacement donations from family and friends, which often leads to inadequate supply and a lack of diversity in blood types

What we need to do is to shift the paradigm and emphasise the importance of voluntary blood donation We should actively work towards promoting a culture where individuals willingly donate blood without any expectations of reciprocity ultimately saving human lives and improving overall healthcare outcomes Engaging young people in blood donation initiatives is essential for building a sustainable blood donation system The youth is a significant segment of the population and possesses the potential to drive positive change

We should mobilise our young educating them about the importance of blood donation and equipping them with the necessary knowledge and skills to become advocates for this cause By encouraging youth participation, the community may create a long-lasting impact and ensure a continuous supply of safe blood for those in need Improving the blood donation infra- structure is crucial for enhancing the efficiency and safety of blood donation programmes in Pakistan We should also focus on developing well-equipped blood centres where the donation process may be seamless and the safety of both the donors and the recipients gets prioritised Through active participation the community can urge policymakers and stakeholders to invest in upgrading the existing infrastructure and establishing more blood donation centres across the country ALI ASGHAR MIRJAT KARACHI

Peshawar cemeter y

THE few Zoroastrian families living in Peshawar before 1947 had established their cemetery on the then North Circular Road (since renamed Sunehri Masjid Road) in the Peshawar Cantonment area That cemetery is no more in use It was handed over to a private contractor who has turned it into a paid car parking lot There are reasons to suggest that the sprawling place should be put to better use, such as, say, a public park

First, the government is committed to respecting all faiths and their sensitivities As such turning the place into a public park would be more respectful of the choice than a commercial activity Second, Peshawar, known as the city of flowers is fast losing its sprawling public parks and the metropolis has turned into a concrete jungle Over the last decade Peshawar Cantonment has been denuded of its public parks The hockey ground on Fakhr-i-Alam Road is housing a three-storey store The Aman Chowk with its flower-laden park was excavated to build a bus station Nearby, the playing field that was publicly used by the youngsters day and night, was first temporarily closed and has since been slapped with prison-like concrete boundary walls to keep the public away SAYED GB SHAH BOKHARI PESHAWAR

descending United States

THE supply of F16 jets to the Ukrainian military for purposefully altering the balance in the air war by the USA is just one instance of fact that the superpower leading the West and the capitalist system is a receding one Doing much of the work proverbially through ‘contract employees’ as against ‘permanent employees’ (practically the only permanent employee is Israel with a few noble exceptions around the globe!) That receding from the scene explains much of the developing geopolitical makeup of the world taking place, the economic outreach of the superpower in question; consequent economic doctrine coupled with military doctrine Last and not least what is in store for the previously permanent employees, now being hired on ‘contract’?

From the Pakistani standpoint the question of economic doctrine takes precedence on the count that previous engagements have been complete packages; right from a controlled exchange rate to the payment of ammunition as part of the deal

banking system was evolved which was not the lender to the poor or working class, rather tailored to cater to the capitalist running finance’ Similarly, to cultivate a crop of business managers well versed in cutthroat capitalist culture institutions like IBA were set up across the country to supply the needful to the business houses The role of the state was visualized as the agency which keeps the law and order intact by baton charging the protesting mouths and stomachs, and keeps the prices as low as possible

The first test to that system was the

1965 War which was partly due to the delusion of an over-confident establishment What followed was an increased threat paradigm which forced the state to wade through the arms embargo with open-market purchases The MiGs and Mirages paid for, when Sabres were clandestinely bought on

That period was characterized by Pakistan remaining in the Western Bloc, yet trying to tread an independent path That ‘flirtation’ soon gave way to renewed engagement with the Pentagon The coup by Zia ended the dream of balanced foreign engagement Pakistan got into the alliance without the formal umbrella of a CENTOlike arrangement An engagement which has stayed in one way or another However, the rules of business have changed radically, especially after the 9/11 incidents

To explain that it is necessary that the internal mechanics at work in the US system are understood The 9/11 incidents triggered two successive wars in West Asia and the Middle East The wars also created dissent in the USA against what the electorate regarded as unnecessary foreign engagements

The rationale within the USA for that dissent rested in the fact that the economy took the full load of the war effort in the form of a worsening balance-sheet of the incumbent US Administration of that time in the form of inflating ‘internal debts’ The impact on an otherwise business friendly economy could well be imagined

For good or for bad; the current establishment-backed configuration with political uncertainty at high peak or a genuine return to democracy, important economic decisions, especially with reference to a trade-based development strategy, are imperatives for all the concerned decision makers Pakistanis, whether they are key decision makers, political leaders, community leaders, men in uniform or anyone else, not the least the ambitious middle class, needs to look beyond their noses and take the country out of the quagmire they helped develop

Without going into the details of how Pakistan was recruited into the SEATO and CENTO engagements the World Bank and IMF packages ensured that the Dollar would not fly unhindered as has been the case now Similarly, the Pakistani defence procurements were paid and there was no issue of open-market purchases, needing precious foreign exchange

To couple that up the status quo was maintained to ensure the Capitalist Surplus justified for the growth of industrial families

To buck up that status quo a compliant

Iranian vouchers drastically disturbed the industry-led calculations of the economic planners The failure in achieving goals set for the third plan period ending 1970, led to the Pakistani economy’s first bout of ‘stagflation’ (the terminology gained currency much later in the 1990s) The resultant political unrest imploded the system in the form of an independent federating unit declaring separation from the centre What was left was to endure other experiments in economic planning

It was no coincidence that the vote for Democrats for successive terms in 2008 and 2012 were in fact an antiwar reformoriented vote The USA coming out of the ashes of the Afghanistan and Iraq engagements, was much against current wars and getting into new engagements

The succeeding Republican Trump administration could not turn the tide against the reform vote, despite all the rhetoric In the case of the Yemen war, much was sublet to the Saudi and Emirati war machines The only symbolic anti-Iran gesture on part of the USA war machine were the weekly or monthly long haul flights of B-52 bombers taking off from NATO designated airfields in the UK or Germany; dutifully escorted by the Israeli and Saudi air arms, when flying over the Gulf and Middle East Despite the high tempers between Iran and the USA in

The reshaping of the Middle East

deed a similar broadening of horizons has lately occurred in east Asia too which many now dub the Indo-Pacific

Another theme, familiar from his earlier works, is an indifference to democracy and an admiration for a certain species of benevolent autocrat Gulf monarchies such as Jordan Morocco and the United Arab Emirates he says stand out as bastions of relative stability Kaplan was a longtime admirer of Sultan Qaboos, who ruled Oman for half a century until his death in 2020

FINANCIAL TIMES

J A M e S C R A B t R e e

THE Middle East has been awash of late with diplomatic initiatives driven by outside powers Back in March, China brokered an agreement to restore ties between Iran and Saudi Arabia underlining Beijing’s growing regional clout The US is now pushing a second pact between Saudi Arabia and Israel providing security guarantees to Riyadh in exchange for an agreement to end decades of enmity towards Israel Rather than a sign of growing stability, these realignments reflect the rise of a disorderly multipolar world in which US power is in relative decline T h e s e s h i f t s p r o v i d e R o b e r t D K a p l a n s m a i n t h e m e i n T h e L o o m o f Ti m e , a b o o k e x a m i n i n g t h e p o w e r f u l f o r c e s r es h a p i n g t h e M i d d l e E a s t O f t e n i t s i n s t a b i l i t y i s blamed on too much interf e r e n c e f r o m o u t s i d e r s Kaplan s view is the opposite There are no longer any world empires to keep o r d e r T h e A s s y r i a n R o m a n P e r s i a n B y z a ntine Ottoman British Sov i e t a n d A m e r i c a n empires are gone from the r e g i o n , h e w r i t e s I n sum, the Middle East after a h u n d r e d y e a r s h a s s t i l l not found an adequate sol u t i o n t o t h e c o l l a p s e o f the Ottoman Empire This is provocative to say the least, but Kaplan at least knows the area well He weaves in a lively and opinionated intellectual history praising the American anthropologist Clifford Geertz and his understanding of national cultures while sharply criticising the Palestinian-American academic Edward Said and his classic 1978 work Orientalism, which argues that westerners often misinterpret the Islamic world as part of a programme of political domination Kaplan puts forward a range of further interesting arguments One is a call to dub the region the Greater Middle East a term he uses to describe the Islamic world of the desert and plains stretching from Ethiopia and the Mediterranean to China s western province of Xinjiang Such geographic redescriptions can be useful, he suggests, giving a clearer sense of the outside forces shaping the region’s future In-

Underlying all this is a concern with regime stability “As a journalist traveling around the world,” he writes “I have experienced regimes across a wide spectrum of gray shades with relatively few being either stable and exemplary democracies at one end of the spectrum or brutal and asphyxiating tyrannies at the other end Unsurprisingly, he views talk of a global battle between democracies and autocracies a favourite discussion point of US president Joe Biden as unhelpful

Kaplan’s most controversial idea remains his admiration for empire however Imperial rule often created stable politics he suggests Dynasties like the Ottomans even allowed periods of relative tolerance, especially compared with the nation states that succeeded them Too often our antipathy towards imperial rule is driven by the recent bloody history of European conquest Instead Kaplan writes we should see empire as a natural form of government and a facet of history in almost every part of the world

As a historical observation there is some truth t o t h e f a c t t h a t i m p e r i a l r u l e w a s n o t a l w a y s a s bad as it is made out Yet this insight is sadly of little use in solving current g e o p o l i t i c a l p r o b l e m s Kaplan often implies that the US should play something akin to a neo-imper i a l r o l e b r i n g i n g stability to otherwise turb u l e n t r e g i o n s Wa s h i n gton s record in the Middle East makes this a hard arg u m e n t t o s u p p o r t K ap l a n h i m s e l f b a c k e d t h e U S i n v a s i o n o f I r a q i n

2 0 0 3 I t i s a d e c i s i o n h e says he now regrets having seen that the post-war c h a o s f a c e d b y o r d i n a r y

I r a q i s w a s w o r s e e v e n t h a n t h e a w f u l d i c t a t o rship it replaced The process of recreating any new system of quasi-imperial rule in the Middle East or elsewhere would surely be intolerably destructive Russia s recent invasion of Ukraine, which is best viewed as a war of neo-imperial conquest provides only one obvious example Kaplan’s main insight therefore is what will remain in the absence of any new hegemonic project The Greater Middle East as he calls it will continue to be an area of contention not just between the US and Russia, but rising Asian powers like China and India too And the political stability Kaplan so craves will remain as elusive as ever

Crabtree

executive director of the Inter-

the aftermath of the Soleimani strike; the USA choose to de-escalate after the Iranian symbolic onslaught on the US base of Ain al Assad in Central Iraq near Fallujah

The incumbent Democrats under Biden are following the same mode The signs of that de-escalation can be found in Saudi disillusionment with the USA in the military and economic domains It is teaming up with China, mending fences with Iran; to the point where Crown Prince Muhammad Bin Salman is quoted sending his regards to the Iranian Supreme Leader means a new world order; with Pakistan no exception to that Consequently, what has been observed since the Obama and Trump days and now under Biden, Pakistan is expected to mind its proverbial ‘kitchen’ itself As evident, there are no efforts on part of the IMF or the USA to ensure that the exchange rates in Pakistan remain stable Rather it is the other way round While the USA is interested in military alliances on a case-to-case basis, and the Pakistani counterparts are literal ‘head over heels’ over any such offer, even if the engagements like the one witnessed in Ukraine are without any CSF type of arrangement

Here comes the task of how the policymakers, economic managers and background players make the most of the available options The beaten track option of following the capitalist world as per the Pentagon plans does not hold promise given the dire economic straits Pakistan is into now with no visible respite over how the economy can be micromanaged In a scenario which started during the hybrid years of 2018-2022 when the exchange rate of a stagflation-ridden economy was gambled for a free fall which resulted in serious economic distress both at the macro and micro

level; any further dependence on the same rules of business can cause even more devastation Pakistan needs to identify more with the emerging economic bloc led and cajoled by China than to have photo ops with the USA

One dividend can be mending fences The MBS-Khamenei rapprochement can be a reference point for the Pakistani planners in mending fences with neighbours If Pakistan can generate enough foreign exchange from regional trade; eastward or westward SAARC or ECO; it can come out of the woods with economic and political stability within and along the international borders

The stakes for the background powers are high; whether they look at things with their respective tunnelled vision or are willing to look beyond Here it is imperative that regional developments like BRICS are made a reference point for joining new economic and even strategic configurations The general perception aided by political hotchpotch and energy shortage has created scepticism that Pakistan needs to say goodbye to the Western bloc or at least make a balance

For good or for bad; the current establishment-backed configuration with political uncertainty at high peak or a genuine return to democracy, important economic d e c i s i o n s , e s p e c i a l l y w i t h r e f e r e n c e t o a trade-based development strategy, are imp e r a t i v e s f o r a l l t h e c o n c e r n e d d e c i s i o n m a k e r s P a k i s t a n i s w h e t h e r t h e y a r e k e y decision makers political leaders commun i t y l e a d e r s m e n i n u n i f o r m o r a n y o n e e l s e n o t t h e l e a s t t h e a m b i t i o u s m i d d l e class, needs to look beyond their noses and take the country out of the quagmire they helped develop

The writer is a freelance columnist

Leaders that shook the world

us of the limits of leadership: While the actions of the war leaders obviously paved the way for military success or failure, victory depended heavily upon forces beyond their individual control: economic might geography international relations scale of armaments production and the ability to sustain huge armed forces for far longer than the enemy was able to do

Kershaw begins his tour of this hall of fame and infamy with Lenin, and from the start raises questions about his worthiness in this literary Madame Tussauds: He paled against Trotsky as the most dynamic revolutionary of the time; he wasn’t alone or even at the forefront of opposition to the tsar; and he had nothing to do with the outbreak of rebellion in February 1917 – in short he was in the estimation of Russia s revolutionaries, a little less than a prophet – a guru of revolutionary thinking and also the inspirational organizer of a revolutionary movement whose time has come ” “Lenin made a greater impact on history than any other individual of his era He was a prime maker of Europe s 20th century

LET us now praise famous men And one woman

And then condemn half of them In Personality and Power: Builders and Destroyers of Modern Europe the distinguished historian Ian Kershaw takes on the eternal question of the role of the individual in history His quest takes us to mini-biographies and assessments of 12 leaders of the 20th century and prompts us to assess 10 decades that – as John Reed put it in his 1920 volume that dealt with one of these figures, Lenin – shook the world Indeed, how many centuries can claim the richness of for better and very often for worse of Lenin Mussolini Hitler Stalin Churchill and de Gaulle –all on one continent, and all entering the world stage in the century’s first 40 years? Not arguably the 18th; a similar group necessarily would span continents for it would include Washington and Jefferson along with Louis XIV, George III and Frederick the Great and Peter the Great Perhaps only the 19th with the presence of Napoleon Garibaldi Mazzini Queen Victoria Bismarck and Lincoln and Lord Durham, comes close

But the 20th century offers us inspiring leadership (Churchill even de Gaulle) mass warfare and industrialized civilian killing (Hitler Stalin) and global disruption (Lenin Gorbachev) – and in Kershaw s portraits each about 30 pages we are exposed both to a century pockmarked by war and to the enduring conundrums of the historian s quest: What is greatness? Do leaders change the world or respond to great change in the world? Is war –which brought Lenin, Mussolini, Hitler, Churchill, de Gaulle Adenauer Tito and Kohl to power– the principal engine of transformation on earth?

These will never be fully answered but Kershaw gives us a guide: The scope for individual impact is greatest in or immediately following huge political upheaval when existing strictures of rule break down or are destroyed

That’s a starting point, though Kershaw also argues that armed conflict does not singly make for greatness –a term he pointedly avoids Hitler and Mussolini proved terrible military leaders he tells us He could have thrown in Churchill whose military acumen has been under recent assault Plus there is this counsel, reminding

At this faraway distance from the Second World War Mussolini – the first populist politician of the mass media age – seems to sink into the position of an afterthought to Hitler Kershaw puts us right, reminding us not to minimize “what a malign, cruel individual he was, the baseness of his character the brutality of his politics and the assault on humanity that he directed as Italy s leader

In that Mussolini was prologue to Hitler, who stands as Kershaw s most persuasive case study on the importance of preconditions to politics –and history “Without the searing impact of the First World War on Germany Hitler would have remained a political nobody, he writes Without the devastating impacts of the Great Depression of the early 1930s on Germany Hitler would not have been thought of as a possible head of government Stalin is harder to evaluate – a monstrous individual whose “very monstrosity made possible the wider victory of the Allies ” So too Churchill who helped preserve liberty democracy and the rule of law in the western world but whose racial views belonged to a rapidly fading age ” Then there is de Gaulle, who kept alive the flame of France after 1940 moved the country into decolonization and created a government the Fifth Republic that has endured for decades

Kershaw s portraits remind us of the huge importance of Europe in a century that brought the United States to its greatest power, prestige and cultural influence for no American leader with the exception of Franklin Roosevelt approaches the impact of these European figures These sketches also remind us of the primacy of the 1939-1945 conflict for his postwar leaders – Adenauer ( one of western Europe s outstanding statesmen ), Tito ( intelligent, self-confident, resolute, a dynamic man of action”), Thatcher (“unusually sure of her views”), even Gorbachev (’the towering European personality of the second half of the 20th century” and Kohl (author of a pivotal moment for Europe ) – reacted to a world Lenin Mussolini Stalin Churchill and de Gaulle created

D E N M A R K T O B A N B U R N I N G S O F H O LY Q U R A N

STOCKHOLM A G

DE N M A R K on Friday said it plans to ban Holy Quran burnings after a string of desecrations of the holy book in the Scandinavian nation sparked anger in Muslim countries

Denmark stepped up security earlier this month following the backlash as did neighbouring Sweden which has also seen a spate of Holy Quran burnings in recent months

The Danish government intends to “criminalise the improper treatment of objects of significant religious importance to a religious community Justice Minister Peter Hummelgaard told reporters

He said the proposed legislation was aimed especially at burnings and desecrations in public places

Hummelgaard said Holy Quran burnings were a “fundamentally contemptuous and unsympathetic act” that “harm Denmark and its interests

The new legislation would be included in chapter 12 of Denmark s penal code, which covers national security

Hummelgaard said that national security was the main “motivation” for the ban

“We can’t continue to stand by with our arms crossed while several individuals do everything they can to provoke violent reactions Hummelgaard said Sweden and Denmark beefed up border controls in early August as a result of the reactions Denmark ended the measure on August

22 though they remain in place in Sweden

The proposed Danish legislation would also apply to desecrations of the Bible, the Torah or, for example, a crucifix Those who break the law risk a fine or up to two years in prison

The law will however not encompass verbal or written expressions offensive to religious communities including caricatures the justice minister said

He stressed Denmark remained firmly committed to its freedom of expression laws, amid criticism from several opposition parties who fear a ban would infringe on those

The ban due to be presented to parliament on September 1 comes six years after Denmark abolished its 334-year-old blasphemy law The bill is expected to pass through parliament, where the left-right government holds a majority

Danish Foreign Minister Lars Lokke

Rasmussen said Friday the Holy Quran burnings had sparked enormous anger in the entire world

We have made great efforts to contain this anger At the moment the situation is fairly calm, but it’s also uncertain and unpredictable,” he told reporters

He said that in the “short term we’ll probably see more Holy Quran burnings rather than less before the new law goes into force In 2006 a wave of anti-Danish anger and violence erupted in the Muslim world following the publication of caricatures of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) Sweden last week heightened its terror

UoE hosts Karo Mumkin’s project launch, closing ceremony

LAHORE

S TA F F R E P O R T

The launch and project closing ceremony of Karo

MumkinDigital Market Place – funded by British Council and SEED Ventures – was held in collaboration with the Women Development Center (WDC) here at the University of Education (UoE)

Karo Mumkin is a platform established to empower women by providing them opportunity and arranging training sessions on different topics related to startups and doing business Till now 30 trainers have delivered trainings on different topics including Digital Marketing, how to launch a startup, etc and 3000 entrepreneurs have benefited from it

Eminent personalities participated in the event wherein Director University of Education Prof M Alam Saeed was the chief guest

In his keynote address Prof M Alam Saeed said that women have great potential for and doing great work in the field of entrepreneurship Women have numerous responsibilities even if they are doing business or job they have to manage homes unlike men who generally enjoy the liberty to work only,” he pointed He shared details about some states in the US where female heads are performing better than other states where there are male heads of states He emphasized that the students should pursue their career in entrepreneurship even during their studies

Ms Sammer Mumtaz, Assistant Director Oric Virtual University of Pakistan, Operations and Development lead Karo Mumkin shared objective behind initiative which is to empower women and help them do business in Pakistan by get guidance from professionals and industry experts

Ms Dua Sukhera shared her success story with the audience She shared how from a small city of Arifwala, she started career of Freelancing and how she not only changed her own life but also improved the lives of many girls from different walks of life in Arifwala by providing them training on freelancing at her institute She started the institute from home with few computers which she bought with earning from freelancing and now she owns a setup of 100 computers lab Dr Aqsa Shabbir, Associate Professor, LCWU shared her remarks about the opportunities students have in the form of incubation centers where students can apply with their ideas and can translate these ideas into reality

Mr Mike was Litman talked on why to choose entrepreneurship and why someone should become entrepreneurs He also shared examples of Warren Buffet and some great entrepreneurs

Dr Syed Abdul Majid Head of ORIC shared his valuable thoughts about the entrepreneurship

alert level to grade four on a scale of five after the Holy Quran burnings made the country a prioritised target , security services said The Swedish government has condemned the desecrations of the Holy Quran while upholding the country’s constitutionally protected freedom of speech and assembly laws

It has vowed to explore legal means of stopping protests involving the burning of holy texts in certain circumstances Earlier on Thursday, plainclothes police attempted to silence a man who was protesting against Iraqi-born refugee Salwan Momika’s desecration of the Holy Quran in the Swedish capital Stockholm

Police intervened as Kais Tunisia was loudly responding to Momika s words while desecrating the Holy Quran in front of the Stockholm Mosque Tunisia defended his response, saying it was freedom of expression “Momika insults the Holy Quran He insults us When we respond the police immediately warn us not to raise our voice Tunisia told Anadolu Stressing that the attitude of the police surprised him, he said: They brought the provocateur in front of our mosque and they gave him a megaphone We heard his insults [ ] When we reacted to this we met with the reaction of the police I condemn this too Momika who carried out the act in front of the Stockholm Mosque in Medborgarplatsen under extensive police protection, threw the Holy Quran on the ground, stepped on it, uttered insulting words against Islam and set it on fire despite the reaction

of the people around Momika left the scene in an armored police vehicle and approximately 20 police vehicles, 10 of them armored, and 100 police officers escorted them Momika targeted the Holy Quran on Au-

gust 14 in the capital Stockholm in yet another desecration incident

Assisted by Salwan Najem, also of Iraqi origin, he perpetrated the attack once more on August 18 under police control in front of the Iranian embassy in Stockholm

Pakistan lauds Denmark ’s proposed legislation to outlaw Holy Quran desecration

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has appreciated the legislation proposed by the Government of Denmark to criminalise the desecration of religious texts and objects of significant importance, including the holy book of Islam

Caretaker Foreign Minister Jalil Abbas Jilani said Islamabad has commended the Danish government’s proposed legislation to outlaw improper treatment of religious texts and objects of significant importance including the Holy Quran

Taking to social media platform X formerly known as Twitter on Saturday FM Jalil

Jilani wrote he also had a welcome exchange with Denmark s Foreign Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen, who reiterated the Danish government s strong commitment to respecting these religious sensitivities “Looking forward to working closely with him to advance our common interests,” Jilani said concluded On Friday the Danish government framed a bill that proposed a ban on burning the Holy Quran in public and other religious scriptures The proposed bill would make it a criminal offence to burn the Holy Quran the Bible or the Torah publicly

The Danish foreign minister told local radio that the presenting of the bill would send an important political signal to the rest of the world The bill proposed up to two years imprisonment and fines over desecration of the holy books The justice minister of the country said the Danish law would stop the “improper treatment of objects of significant religious significance to a religious community” The Danish government is yet to announce when the bill will be tabled in the parliament to make it a law In recent months several copies of the Holy Quran have been burned by Islamophobic agitators in Denmark and nearby Sweden A G E N C I E S

Iran cour t orders US to pay $330m for ‘planning coup’

h o h a

w

TEHRAN

A G E N C I E S

A court in Tehran has ordered the US government to pay $330 million in damages for planning a coup against the newly established Islamic republic in 1980, the judiciary said Saturday

A year after the 1979 Islamic revolution that toppled the USbacked shah a group of mostly army officers tried to overthrow the new government State news agency IRNA said the “insurgents” were led by Saeed Mahdiyoun a former Iranian air force commander and had their headquarters in Nojeh an air base in the western Hamedan province

Several people were killed in clashes between the coup plotters and government forces, and scores of others were arrested

“Their objective was to seize control of military bases across the

country and target strategic centres and residences of the revolution’s leaders However their efforts were thwarted ” IRNA said

Last year relatives of those killed in the coup filed a legal petition with Iran s International Court demanding damages, the judiciary’s Mizan Online website said

They specifically accused the United States of “planning and executing the coup Mizan said

The court ruled in their favour ordering the American government to pay the plaintiffs 30 million dollars in material and moral damages, and 300 million dollars in punitive damages ” it added Te h r a n a n d Wa s h i n g t o n h a v e h a d n o d i p l o m a t i c r e l at i o n s s i n c e t h e a f t e r m a t h o f t h e

In March this year the International Court of Justice ruled that Washington s freezing of funds belonging to several Iranian individuals and companies was manifestly unreasonable

But it ruled it had no jurisdiction to unblock nearly $2 billion in Iranian central bank assets frozen by the United States Tehran which denies all responsibility for the attacks blamed on it by the United States, says that a series of US court judgments have awarded victims a total of $56 billion in damages

Niger’s militar y rulers order French ambassador out

NIAMEY

A G E N C I E S

C

border areas before border issue is resolved

ests of both countries, analysts noted, urging India not to focus on only differences while ignoring the larger room for cooperation

Xi talked with Modi on the sidelines of the BRICS summit at the latter s request on Wednesday during which the two leaders had a candid and in-depth exchange of views on current China-India relations and other questions of shared interest according to the Chinese Foreign Ministry on Friday

R E P O R T

S TA F F

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin made the remarks at Friday s regular press briefing after Chinese President Xi Jinping talked with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the sidelines of the BRICS Summit at the latter s request on Wednesday

Niger s military rulers who seized control of the government in July gave the French ambassador 48 hours to leave the country Niamey s foreign ministry said in a statement Relations between the new regime in Niamey and several Western powers, as well as the West African bloc ECOWAS have deteriorated since the coup on July 26 France’s government quickly rejected the order against its ambassador repeating that it did not recognise the military rulers authority The French foreign ministry told AFP on Friday evening: The putschists do not have the authority to make this request, the ambassador ’s approval coming solely from the legitimate elected Nigerien authorities ” The ultimatum against the French envoy comes days after ECOWAS threatened military action to reverse last month s coup which overthrew president Mohamed Bazoum Earlier Friday the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) urged Niger s coup leaders to reconsider their position and pushed for a return to civilian rule, with the threat of force still “very much on the table” While the generals who ousted Bazoum have called for a three-year transition period ECOWAS demands the immediate return to constitutional order With delegations shuttling into Niamey, ECOWAS said negotiations remained its priority as defence chiefs prepared a standby mission for a possible “legitimate use of force” to restore democracy if needed “Even now it is not too late for the military to reconsider its action and listen to the voice of reason as the regional leaders will not condone a coup d etat ECOWAS commission president Omar Alieu Touray told reporters in Abuja

It is left over from history and does not represent the entirety of China-India relations while calling on the two countries to consider the overall situation of bilateral relations, properly handle the border issue, and jointly maintain peace and tranquility in the border areas

Analysts said that the talk between leaders from China and India on the sidelines of the BRICS summit has laid a cornerstone for stabilizing bilateral relations China and India are two of the largest developing countries and cooperation between them rather than friction is in the inter-

Xi stressed that improving China-India relations serves the common interests of the two countries and peoples, and is also conducive to peace, stability and development of the world and the region The two sides should bear in mind the overall interests of their bilateral relations and handle properly the border issue so as to jointly safeguard peace and tranquility in the border region, according the ministry Border issues should be placed in an appropriate position in bilateral relations and resolved through peaceful and friendly negotiations to find a just, reasonable, and mutually acceptable solution, Wang, the spokesperson said

US, China set to discuss American restric tions on Chinese tech expor ts

The real issue is the determination of the community to halt the spiral of coup d’etats in the region ” ECOWAS has already applied sanctions against Niger to pressure the new regime Three other governments have fallen to military rebellions in the Sahel region since 2020 and jihadists control swathes of territory ECOWAS leaders are already negotiating with military administrations in Mali, Burkina Faso and Guinea who are all working towards transitions to democracy after their own coups After initially balking Niger ’s new rulers have said they remain open to negotiations ISLAMABAD

As US Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo is due to arrive in China on Sunday for a high-stakes visit Chinese experts said that whether or not the two sides can reach some constructive outcomes for ever-growing US restrictions on tech exports to China, which are overseen by Raimondo’s agency, will be a test for the US’ sincerity in pursuing dialogue with China

Raimondo will visit China from Sunday to Wednesday China s Ministry of Commerce announced this week The trip is widely seen as another positive signal that China and the US remain committed to dialogue even as bilateral relations are still at the lowest ebb in decades

Many including US media outlets have expressed high expectations for the trip Bloomberg reported on Saturday that Rai-

mondo may have the best chance among the Biden officials who ve make the trek to China recently of taking the current tension between the world’s two biggest economies down a notch ”

In China many experts still express doubt about the US sincerity in pursuing dialogue with China because the US continues to step up crackdowns on China They said that talks over ever-growing US restrictions on tech exports to China, which have been imposed by Raimondo’s agency, would be a main focus He Weiwen a senior research fellow at the Center for China and Globalization said that much attention of Raimondo s visit will focus on the issue of US restrictions on high-tech exports

We are interested in observing if there will be a constructive dialogue in this regard, since it could lay the foundation for further dealing with some economic and trade issues in the future He told the Global Times on Saturday

According to He Raimondo will likely reiterate during her visit that the US is not decoupling from China, but this has been said many times, and “the key is to see what actual efforts the US side has made instead of what it has said ”

The New York Times reported on Saturday that Raimondo will likely be the clearest demonstration yet of the balancing act the Biden administration is trying to pull off in its relations with China, adding that Raimondo will travel to China to both promote trade and restrict it In a worrisome signal the report said that the US could expand restrictions on sales of chips software and machinery to China s semiconductor industry after Raimondo s trip Chinese experts said that such an approach does not show US sincerity or help stabilize bilateral ties, if the US continues to impose arbitrary restrictions on normal trade and investment If the US does not seek to

decouple from China it should not impose restrictions under the guise of an overstretched concept of national security, experts said Still, Raimondo’s trip comes as the US side has made several moves that are seen in China as friendly gestures On Wednesday the US State Department said that it was seeking a six-month extension of the US-China Science and Technology Agreement, which was signed decades ago and is due to expire on August 27

This week, the US Commerce Department also removed 27 Chinese entities from its so-called “unverified list ” which contains foreign entities that are restricted from purchasing US technologies In a separate move, the US Department of Transportation announced that it has agreed to add six more flights operated by Chinese airlines, effective September 1

“Such moves indicate that the Biden administration is gradually realizing that relent-

less suppression and restraint of China s development will impact America s own interests Gao Lingyun, an expert at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences in Beijing, said

“It also suggested that the US still has a strong desire to improve the current economic and trade relations with China which is consistent with China s goal over the matter Gao said adding that Raimondo s visit to China is a good signal, and both sides have done enough homework for this visit

However, more observation is still needed regarding the possible result of her visit and more efforts need to be made by the US side in creating a good atmosphere for the stability of bilateral relations experts said Maintaining stable economic and trade relations between China and the US is not only crucial for both parties at present, but also for the world at large, He said, noting “tangible outcomes rather than mere rhetoric is needed in this regard

hina tells India to bring peace to

Punjab CM unveils Lahore Global Village at CBD ’s investor summit

L A H O R E: Punjab Central Business District

Development Authority (PCBDDA) with an aim to attract potential buyers PCBDDA organized an Investor Summit for the much-awaited Lahore Global Village (LGV), which was graced by Chief Minister Punjab, Syed Mohsin Raza Naqvi, as the chief guest The authority also known as Central Business District Punjab (CBD Punjab) has entered into a momentous partnership with the Lahore Development Authority (LDA) to bring forth the most-awaited Lahore Global Village (LGV) project

Formerly known as LDA Walk & Shop Arena CBD

Punjab is entrusted with the marketing and sales of this remarkable venture The event was attended by prominent officials including Chief Secretary Punjab Zahid Akhtar Zaman Provincial Minister

Information Punjab Amir Mir IG Punjab Dr Usman

Anwar Secretary Finance Mujahid Sherdil

Commissioner Lahore and DG LDA Muhammad

Ali Randhawa, CEO CBD Punjab Imran Amin, COO CBD Punjab Brigadier (R) Mansoor Janjua, and other key figures from CBD Punjab, LDA, government dignitaries, potential investors, and members of the business community PR

Hashoo Hotels welcomes A sif raza as Vice President, Development

50 PAKISTANI STUDENTS RECEIVE PRESTIGIOUS CHINESE GOVERNMENT SCHOL ARSHIPS

The Higher Education Commission (HEC) hosted the sent-off ceremony for 50 Pakistani students who were awarded prestigious Chinese government scholarships

The scholarships were awarded under prestigious Chinese Government Scholarship Program Pang Chunxue, Charge D Affaires of Chinese Embassy was the chief guest on the occasion, according to Gwadar Pro

Speaking to the audience, she emphasized that the educational relationship particularly the collaborative efforts in science and technology pave the way forward and hold the potential to greatly benefit both nations In his speech, HEC Chairman Dr Mukhtar Ahmed highlighted that the current count of Pakistani students in China exceeds 30 000

“Among them some are recipients of Chinese government scholarships while others have been directly awarded schol-

arships by various provinces and universities and even companies, he added

Upon your departure, you won t just be students; you will be ambassadors of Pakistan And upon your return you will serve as China’s ambassadors in Pakistan Hence you are shouldering dual responsibilities now he added

Chairman HEC Dr Mukhtar Ahmed Mukhtar Ahmed assured the students that they would not only receive education but also gain insights into the successful practices that have propelled this Chinese nation’s transformation into a global powerhouse over the past 25 to 30 years

Since 2019 the Chinese Government

has been extending scholarships to aspiring Pakistani students, covering a wide spectrum of educational pursuits including undergraduate masters and PhD programs

Over the course of the last five years a noteworthy total of 243 Pakistani students have successfully secured these prestigious scholarships

This initiative stands as a testament to the robust educational collaboration between China and Pakistan providing valuable opportunities for Pakistani scholars to pursue higher education in various fields on an international platform

The scholarship offerings encompass an extensive array of disciplines, ranging across science, engineering, agriculture, medicine, economics, legal studies, management education history literature philosophy and fine arts

This comprehensive selection underscores the commitment of the Chinese Government to support Pakistani students in their pursuit of academic excellence across a diverse spectrum of fields

World junior squash champion Hamza K han meets Naval C hief

caretaker government led by interim Chief Minister Justice (retd) Maqbool Baqar was sworn in August 19

IIOJK exper ts urge UN to honour commitments on K ashmir dispute

The political experts and analysts talking to media men in Srinagar said that every democratic and justice loving person must raise voice for the people of occupied Jammu and Kashmir who are under Indian military and police repression for the last 76 years They said supporting the beleaguered Kashmiris is to support humanity peace and truth It is time to stand up for the Kashmiri people before it is too late It is time to raise voice for the voiceless people of occupied people It is time to stop Hindutva BJP/RSS ideology regime and their establishment from targeting Kashmiris in false cases It is time to halt demographic changes being made by BJP government in IIOJK ” they said

I S L A M A B A D: World Junior Squash Champion Muhammad Hamza Khan met the Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral Muhammad Amjad Khan Niazi at Naval Headquarters, Islamabad Hamza recently won the World Junior (U-19) Squash Championship held at Melbourne Australia It is after 36 years when any Pakistani squash player has secured such a remarkable triumph and brought a moment of pride for the entire country During the meeting Chief of the Naval Staff congratulated the young champion for winning the title and bringing laurels for the country PR

Consumer protec tion primar y foc us, claims O G r A chairman

I S L A M A B A D : Hashoo Hotels is delighted to announce the appointment of Asif Raza as the Vice President, Development, Hospitality Division With a remarkable track record in the hospitality industry, Asif joins our team with a wealth of experience having worked with Hyatt Hotels and Resorts for the last 23 years across the globe His extensive background in representing both ownership and brand operation will add value to the existing and future projects as we continue to sketch the hospitality landscape in Pakistan Asif brings an impressive blend of leadership, expertise and global perspective to his new role

He served in several key markets progressively including Switzerland United States United Arab Emirates Oman Saudi Arabia and South Africa

His last venture as Country Head for Hyatt South Africa, included Hyatt Regency Cape Town, Hyatt House Sandton, Hyatt House Rosebank, and Park Hyatt Johannesburg, which symbolizes his dedication innovation and passion for serving best of hospitality PR

IESCO offers bill installment option to consumers

I S L A M A B A D : Islamabad Electric Supply Company has offered its customers the option of paying their electricity bills on installment In a statement, the IESCO Chief Executive, Dr Muhammad Amjad Khan directed all offices of the company to offer the convenience of electricity bill installment plans to visiting customers He said if the customers have any inquiries about their electricity bills, they can contact the relevant Sub-Divisional Office, Revenue Office or Customer Service Centers The company made the offer amid protest against heavy billing PR

Political experts and analysts have urged the international community particularly the UN to stand up for the oppressed people of Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir who are facing the worst and brutal violations of their human rights in the internationally recognized disputed territory

The political experts and analysts said the world community must shun its double standards and help the people of Jammu and Kashmir who are demanding their right to self-determination guaranteed to them by the UN resolutions They asked India to remember that its cruel methods in IIOJK are bound to backfire They urged the UN to honour its commitments regarding the Kashmir dispute

Govt urged to lower elec tricity rates, abolish taxes in bills

MUZAFFAR GARH S TA F F R E P O R T

In a significant show of dissent the District Bar Association of Muzaffargarh orchestrated a full-day strike and protested against the relentless surge in electricity bills and mounting inflation

The President of the District Bar Association Sardar Sher Khan Korai Advocate and General Secretary Bar Raffaqat Bhatta Advocate led the demonstration, conveying the collective rejection of the legal community in Muzaffargarh towards the daily escalation in electricity costs

Speaking passionately amidst the protest Korai and Bhatta expressed grave concern over the proliferation of unwarranted taxes on electricity bills, which have bur-

dened the local populace beyond tolerable limits They noted that the surge in electricity costs coupled with rampant inflation had detrimentally impacted the citizens District Bar Association Muzaffargarh demanded of complete elimination of taxes embedded in electricity bills and an

immediate reduction in the per-unit electricity rate They also warned of intensified protests if these demands were not met timely

As a manifestation of their discontent lawyers boycotted court proceedings, causing inconvenience to litigants who had traveled from distant areas

I s l a m a b a d: Mr Masroor Khan Chairman-Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (OGRA) along-with his enforcement team visited the nearby areas of Islamabad During inspection it has been found that LPG cylinders were randomly stacked in the basement of some commercial buildings and restaurants from where the LPG was being supplied to different floors through sub-standard rubber pipes having loose connections with poor quality endangering with serious threat to the lives and property of general public Many innocent lives have been lost due to inappropriate usage of LPG; therefore, OGRA has set consumer safety as primary focus Masroor Khan PR

CTD arrests eight ‘suspects’ of banned outfits in Punjab

LAHORE: The Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) Punjab on Saturday arrested eight suspected terrorists allegedly belonging to banned organisations says in media reports According to CTD spokesperson the arrested terrorists include 2 commanders of the banned Al-Qaeda Officials said explosive material, grenades and cash were also recovered from those arrested terrorists The terrorists were arrested from Lahore, Rawalpindi, Gujranwala, Sargodha and Multan it added I N P

Pakistani-British entrepreneur shor tlisted for Business Person of Year Award

Jhoti, Co-Founder of Astex Pharmaceuticals

both in the international and local arenas

One of the standout nominees who has earned acclaim for his exceptional accomplishments is Zeeshaan Shah who is the youngest ever shortlisted nominee for “The Businessperson of the Year Award

The panel of judges for this event include some of the leading industry thought leaders from leading industries honing prestigious positions in the field of Sports Humanities Media and Tech amongst others

tremendous contributions by the South Asian diaspora towards Britain and will witness the convergence of high achievers who have made indelible marks in their respective domains fostering British investment and forging valuable trade ties with their hometowns

Under the banner of the The 21st Asian Achievers Awards this distinguished occasion will honour and showcase the journeys of exceptional personalities who have risen to prominence in the British landscape

From the world of Arts & Culture to outstanding Community Service and from Entrepreneurship to the dynamic realm of Media this event promises to spotlight luminaries who have set benchmarks for success

Zeeshaan Shah is a British-Pakistani serial entrepreneur who has established himself as a mogul in the business world and is the youngest entrepreneur to have been nominated this year He is the Chairman and Founder of One Group a diverse global business group primarily focussed within the real estate & venture capital sectors His immense contributions towards the British economy and strengthening trade ties with his hometown Pakistan have garnered him this recognition from the esteemed judges Fellow nominees for the Business Person of the Year Award include Dr Dharminder Nagar Managing Director of Paras

Among them included Mohammed Amin MBE, Chair of the National Muslim Memorial Trust, Shatish Dasani, Chair of UNICEF, United Kingdom, Farzana Baduel, C E O and Co-Founder of Curzon PR and Azeem Rafiq former British Cricketer amongst other esteemed entrepreneurs and leaders

With regards to Zeeshaans nomination

Azeem Rafiq expressed I was delighted to be a Judge for this year s Awards The diversity and range of talent across the South Asian community in the UK is breathtaking It’s important to recognise people contributing to the world as well as fostering greater trade and investment relationships with their home countries such as Zeeshaan I wish all the shortlisted candidates the best of luck on the night

On receiving this nomination, Zeeshaan expressed his deep appreciation and gratitude to the esteemed jury, saying, “It’s an honour to be a finalist at the Asian Achievers awards which is certainly the most prestigious platform for the British Asian community in the United Kingdom I recall visiting as a guest years ago and seeing industry giants who I looked up to winning this very

award It is a surreal experience to be a finalist myself today

Previous Business Person of the Year winners at the Asian Achievers Awards include G P Hinduja Chairman Hinduja Group in 2014 and Iqbal Ahmed CEO of Seamark Group in 2015 amongst many other of the most prominent achievers of the British Asian community

KATI President Farazur Rehman presenting a shield to Sindh Home Secretary Ejaz Ali Shah joined by Zubair Chhaya Nighat Awan Muslim Mohammadi Danish Khan, Masood Naqi, Hanif Gohar and Rafiq Pardesi PR

LWMC ADOPTS DIGITAL REFORMS, MODERN TECHNOLOGIES TO TACKLE URBAN WASTE ISSUES

LAHORE

TH E Chief Executive Officer of Lahore Waste Management Company (LWMC) Babar Sahib Din stated that in order to tackle the challenges of waste management in urban areas there is a need for digital reforms and modern technologies to effectively address these issues In an exclusive interview with Profit, Babar Sahib Din explained that waste management remains a significant challenge not only for Lahore but also for cities worldwide To address this global problem and establish a comprehensive solid waste management system, he emphasized the necessity of adopting digital reforms He stated, “The era of digitalization has commenced at LWMC and the department is taking all the necessary steps to integrate modern technologies into an effective solid waste management system

He added that LWMC has taken significant steps towards establishing an in-

tegrated solid waste management system in Lahore These initiatives include the utilization of Artificial Intelligence (AI) to optimize waste collection routes, waste segregation through the introduction of a 3-bin system digital monitoring of field operations tracking of operational vehicles implementation of a digital inventory system creation of a green channel for composting, establishment of a central control room, and digitization of the revenue generation mechanism, among others

The CEO mentioned that to further enhance these efforts LWMC entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Center for Urban Information, Technology, and Policy at LUMS University This partnership aims to leverage AI for Fleet Route Optimization and Digitalization

A pilot project was initiated in Gulberg Town optimizing vehicle routes using AI in collaboration with LUMS University This initiative resulted in reduced travel distances and a substantial monthly fuel saving of 150,000 to

Khosa vows to launch law yer’s movement from Peshawar

Senior lawyer and PPP’s former Punjab governor Sardar Latif Khosa vowed to launch a lawyers’ movement from Peshawar to lodge protest against the maltreatment and humiliation faced by the legal fraternity Now the time has come to take things to the defining moment and the lawyers, in this regard, will kick off their movement from Peshawar,” said Khosa while speaking to media at his office situated near the Lahore High Court (LHC)

No one is ready to stay in Pakistan owing to the economy s destruction he said adding that over 1 6 million people have left the country for foreign destinations during the last 16 months

He said the way lawyers are being treated could not be tolerated at any cost Shedding light on the PPP’s central executive committee’s meeting he said that timely general elections were his demand and the party is also demanding the same now

He added that those who used to lambast him and Barrister Aitzaz Ahsan had to hear a shut up call from PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari

Responding to a query, he said he started reciting the first kalma when they believed no one was coming to rescue them after they were trapped in an elevator on the premises of the Islamabad High Court (IHC)

Expressing his displeasure over recent incidents the senior lawyer said he has been targetted along with his family, but such moves would not affect his morale Khosa further said that Pakistan is his first priority and then the political parties of the country

Responding to another query he said the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has become a party in the Toshakhana case but everyone knows the Toshakhana case amounts to nothing

PM reviews irrigation projects in Balochistan

QUETTA S TA F F R E P O R T

Prime Minister Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar here on Saturday chaired a meeting to review the pace of progress on the irrigation and water supply projects of Balochistan

During the meeting he said despite the economic difficulties of the country all assistance would be provided for the completion of these projects The meeting was briefed on ongoing projects of irrigation in Balochistan including the Kachhi Canal, Pat Feeder Canal Awaran Dam Gashkor Dam and Winder Dam

The prime minister said Balochistan had huge potential for agriculture but complete advantage was not taken from it He said issues related to the provision of clean drinking water should be resolved on a priority basis

He said inter-provincial concerns regarding irrigation would be removed so that the country could make progress speedily and the federation could get strong

He directed the relevant authorities to complete the projects in the stipulated time The caretaker federal ministers Sarfraz Ahmed Bugti Shahid Ashraf Tarar

Sami Saeed Caretaker Chief Minister Balochistan Ali Mardan Domki, and provincial ministers and officials attended the meeting

200 000 litres

He added that live monitoring of attendance has also been introduced to increase operational efficiency Field staff now share their real-time locations and images with date and time stamps through an official group leading to a remarkable 82-90% increase in attendance and the identification of over a thousand ghost employees

Furthermore, LWMC introduced an Android-based application named ‘Hot Spot ’ allowing live monitoring of waste containers and real-time clearance status This application facilitates improved monitoring with before-and-after images of clearance, contributing to a cleaner Lahore Innovative measures are being taken to enhance revenue streams”

“LWMC aims to revamp its revenue by targeting Rs 1 billion annually a significant increase from the current collection of Rs 40 million This involves expanding the number of units being serviced, including commercial shops, offices, banks, workshops, fuel stations, private clinics, marriage halls, and indus-

trial units This diversified revenue approach is projected to support the ambitious financial goal, he stated In addition to these efforts, LWMC’s collaboration with Harvard University International Growth Centre and Center for Economic Research in Pakistan for research innovation and digitization is a major milestone This partnership is expected to empower research teams with access to data and waste collection centers, leading to reduced landfill waste through efficient segregation and recycling Babar Sahib Din concluded by explaining the importance of citizen engagement in maintaining a clean environment He called upon citizens to support these modern reforms by adhering to waste management practices and using LWMC’s official helpline and social media platforms for waste-related complaints With these comprehensive reforms LWMC is poised to usher in a new era of waste management, transforming Lahore into a cleaner and more sustainable city

Pak istan Army ’s sacrifices keeping world safe: UK envoy

ISLAMABAD

British High Commissioner to Pakistan Jane Marriott lauded the sacrifices rendered by the Pakistan Army in the war against terrorism and asserted that the high price paid by the armed forces was not only to maintain peace in the country but to keep the world safe

The British envoy’s resolve came during a special interview with a private Tv news channel on Saturday wherein she stated that Pakistan is on the frontlines in the war against terrorism and her country s most important ally My condolences to the families of those who sacrificed their lives in the war against terrorism, Marriott said

The envoy said that Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and other terrorist organisations including the Haqqani Group continued to operate in Afghan territory which was a matter of concern Taliban should take action against them If they are not stopped from terrorist activities, they are a threat not only to Pakistan but to the entire world, as everyone saw on 9/11,” she said

She further added that the war between Ukraine and Russia was the most watched on UK TV channels but that didn t mean we ve forgotten about Afghanistan The eyes of the world are still on the problem and situation of Afghanistan Britain is working on how to negotiate with the Taliban government in Afghanistan

“In Doha, all parties participated in dialogue with the Taliban There is concern over the humanitarian situation in half of Afghanistan particularly the lack of rights for girls and women for which we will continue to negotiate with the Taliban government she explained We are told that the security situation in Afghanistan has improved with the arrival of Taliban,

so this is because the Taliban used to attack the Afghan security forces and people which worsened the security situation However, the important development is that during the rule of the Taliban, there has been a huge reduction in the cultivation of heroin, which was destroying the lives of young people around the world Their efforts should be recognised

Furthermore on the rehabilitation of Ukraine Marriott said that construction companies in Pakistan could play an important role in the reconstruction of the war-stricken country and it would be fully supported “There is a large number of skilled labour in Pakistan who can work there for the reconstruction of Ukraine Russia attacked Ukraine a year and a half ago Everyone has seen the horrific pictures of Russia s bombing of Ukraine and the treatment of prisoners of war Russia is a bad country that attacked its small neighbour The West will continue to support Ukraine as an independent country Ukraine never thought of attacking Russia The war started when Russia attacked Ukraine ” she added

Moreover in response to a question Marriott said that climate change could not be ignored

Pakistan s position regarding climate change is very critical which is evidenced by the floods Britain has seen the industrial revolution, so it has to work with the world to minimise the damage caused by climate change Dealing with climate change requires money all over the world In this regard the UK will fully support Pakistan in international climate financing through private investors she said

The envoy added that the current volume of trade between Pakistan and Great Britain was 4 4 billion pounds (Rs1,672 billion), which was a huge amount

“Pakistan and the UK understand each other ’s needs which makes us good trading partners ” Marriott concluded

Cour t extends judicial remand of PTI female workers by 14 days

LAHORE S TA F F R E P O R T

An anti-terrorism court (ATC) here on Saturday extended the judicial remand of diehard PTI workers, including Khadija Shah, Sanam Javed, Tayyaba Raja, Afshan Tariq and Aliya Hamza Malik in Jinnah House vandalism and arson case by another 14 days

Judge Ejaz Ahmad Buttar ordered the police to produce suspects in the court on September 9

Earlier the ladies were produced in the court after the completion of their judicial remand Investigation Officer (IO) in the case sought extension in the judicial remand of the suspects, saying the case’s challan was being prepared; therefore more time was required

A case had been registered against the PTI workers at Sarwar Road police station of Lahore Thousands of people came out on streets in several cities of the country following the arrest of former prime minister and PTI Chairman Imran Khan by Rangers personnel on May 9 They vandalized and set fire to military installations and government buildings besides damaging memorials of martyrs of the Pakistan Army to register their protest against the arrest the arrest of their leader

Cour t puts off Imaan

Mazari, Wazir Ali’s bail pleas till Monday

ISLAMABAD STAFF REPORT

An Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) in the federal capital on Saturday adjourned the hearing of post-arrest bail petitions filed by human rights lawyer Imaan Mazari and former MNA and co-founder of Pashtun Tahafuz Movement (PTM) Ali Wazir until Monday

Duty Judge Raja Javed Abbas also directed petitioners lawyers to give arguments on the next hearing

Police had arrested Imaan in overnight raid in Islamabad last Sunday Imaan was taken away by police officials and “men in plainclothes and masks” from her home Moments before the arrest Imaan posted on X that unknown persons were breaking down the security cameras in her home and that the gate to her house was jumped over Ali Wazir was also arrested by police in Islamabad a day before Imaan Mazari, daughter of former PTI leader Shireen Mazari, was taken into custody

Both Imaan and Wazir drew the ire of authorities after they made anti-state institutions speeches at a rally taken out by the PTM in the federal capital last Friday

MQM-P, JI to hold talks with eCP tomorrow for consultation on elec toral roadmap

The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has invited the Jamaat-i-Islami (JI) and Muttahida Qaumi MovementPakistan (MQM-P) to separate meetings on Monday on the electoral roadmap for the upcoming general elections

According to notices issued today (Saturday) to MQM-P convener Dr Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui and JI emir Sirajul Haq the ECP invited the two leaders to discuss the electoral roadmap with their feedback on the five areas including Delimitation of constituencies; Upgradation of electoral rolls; Conduct of general elections; Schedule of election; and Other related matters

The notices said the ECP was charged with the constitutional duty to organise and conduct elections and to make arrangements to ensure they were held honestly, justly, fairly and in accordance with the law and that corrupt practices are guarded against”

Meanwhile a statement issued by the MQM-P after a meeting of its coordination committee categorically said: It is not possible to hold transparent elections without new delimitation

It added the MQM-P would use all constitutional and legal measures for new

and fair delimitation

Separately, the electoral watchdog also decided to hold a meeting with the police chiefs chief secretaries and election commissioners of the four provinces in a high-level meeting on Tuesday on preparations for the elections

All parties will give briefings to each other on the security situations and plans in the provinces for the upcoming elec-

tions as well as the administrative preparations for the polls

The ECP’s consultations with mainstream political parties on devising a roadmap to the general elections kicked off on Thursday with meetings with the Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam-Fazl and PTI followed by a session with the PML-N on Friday and one scheduled with the PPP for Tuesday

In its meeting with the PML-N the ECP said it would carry out work on delimiting constituencies and updating the electoral rolls side by side to ensure the work is done in the minimum possible time, rekindling hope for polls in February next year

Earlier this month the ECP had ruled out elections this year following the notification of the latest 2023 digital census

Though it would still be a violation of the Constitution, which requires holding polls within 90 days after the dissolution of assemblies, the ECP’s reassurance to the PML-N allayed fears that the elections could be delayed for several months after completion of delimitation on the pretext of synchronisation of electoral rolls with new census blocks

The decision, if implemented, would ensure that the electoral college is in place for the Senate before the expiry of the term of half of its members in March

The ECP spokesman said the commission had begun the task of simultaneously conducting the delimitation and updating electoral rolls with the intention to complete both processes concurrently

He had dismissed the speculations that ECP would commence the process to update electoral rolls only after the delimitation process concluded in December

Mastercard, BOK, LMK team up to introduce digital payment system for commuters at Peshawar ’s mass transit system

Mastercard in collaboration with Bank of Khyber (BOK), and LMK Resources Pakistan (Private) Limited (LMKR) have introduced debit and credit cards or digital wallets payment system eliminating the need to buy separate tickets for Commuters at Peshawar s mass transit system

The parties, Mastercard, BOK, and LMKR have signed Mastercard Transit Partner Program Agreement to transform Peshawar ’s mass transit system Under this agreement Commuters can enjoy a seamless experience using their debit and credit cards to pay for bus fares in line

with Pakistan’s digital transformation goals The agreement will see Mastercard’s digital payment platforms embedded first into the Zu Peshawar Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) payments infrastructure used by over 200,000 commuters daily, followed by a wider rollout According to details, the partnership empowers BOK and LMKR to leverage Mastercard’s expertise to enable the development and implementation of cuttingedge EMV® transit solutions Cluster General Manager MENA East Mastercard J K Khalil after the signing ceremony in his address said that Mastercard has been at the forefront of shaping smart cities and urban mobility solutions for over a decade as we engage in transformative

transit projects across the globe

“We are committed to introducing innovative digital solutions to enable faster safer and more convenient payment experiences for the communities we serve adding that he said that Our alliance with BoK and LMKR harnesses our global expertise, ensuring a seamless travel experience for Peshawar ’s commuters through our renowned transit payment solutions ” he added CEO & MD Bank of Khyber Ali Gulfaraz on this occasion said that at Bank of Khyber we are committed to enhancing the everyday experiences of our customers This collaboration with Mastercard and LMKR marks a leap forward in that direction with introducing a smarter and more efficient

way to travel With the combined expertise of our partners we’re now turning this dream into reality ” he added “Our collective efforts aim to bring unmatched ease and convenience to daily commutes while also building a system that promotes financial inclusivity for the people of Peshawar, he added Meanwhile, CEO & Chairman of LMKR Atif Rais Khan in his turn said that At LMKR our commitment is to reshape transit payments through innovative collaborations envisioning a future where seamless contactless payment solutions redefine commuting convenience for all This vision echoes in our dedication to enhancing connectivity, streamlining journeys and elevating overall commuting ex-

periences Ultimately, this creates a more accessible efficient and interconnected transit landscape he expressed

This collaboration highlights Mastercard s commitment to enhancing transit solutions and the collaboration of BOK with LMKR reflects their drive to create a unified financial and digital ecosystem that caters to evolving commuter needs The innovative open-loop payment solution ensures secure scalable and cost-effective travel payments while offering flexible fare calculation methods Aligned with Pakistan s digital transformation ambitions, this partnership sets a new standard in transit solutions, placing strong emphasis on accessibility, convenience, and financial inclusion