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Wednesday, 30 August, 2023

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IMRAN’S TOSHAKHANA SENTENCE SUSPENDED, DETENTION GOES ON IN CYPHER CASE

SPECIAL COURT ASKS JAIL OFFICIALS TO KEEP PTI CHIEF IN ‘JUDICIAL LOCKUP’ IN CYPHER CASE

ISLAMABAD STAFF REPORT

THEIslamabad High Court

(IHC) on Tuesday announced the much-anticipated verdict, suspending PTI Chairman Imran Khan’s conviction and threeyear sentence in Toshakhana case but the latter could not be released from Attock Jail as he was “detained in cypher case” registered under the Official Secrets Act.

The much-anticipated order was announced by a division bench of the IHC comprising Chief Justice Aamer Farooq and Justice Tariq Mehmood Jahangiri on a petition filed by the former prime minister against his sentencing in Toshkhana case.

The special court recently established to hear cases under the Official Secrets Act has directed Attock Jail authorities — where the former premier is incarcerated — to keep Imran in “judicial lockup” and produce him on Aug 30 (today) in connection with the cypher case.

In a letter addressed to the Attock jail superintendent, Special Court Judge Abual Hasnat Muhammad Zulqarnain said: “That accused Imran Khan Niazi s/o Ikramullah Khan Niazi r/o Zaman Park, Lahore is hereby ordered for judicial remand in case FIR mentioned above, who is already detained in district jail, Attock.” Later, a notification issued by the law ministry said the interior ministry had conveyed security concerns to it in a letter today the Law and Justice Division had “no objection” to Imran’s trial in the cipher case being held at Attock jail tomorrow.

One of Imran’s lawyers, Gohar Khan, told AFP by phone that the ex-pre-

mier was “arrested [in the cipher case] prior to today’s court ruling. The exact date of his arrest remains unclear”.

Another, Muhammad Shoaib Sha-

heen, said “his legal team was intentionally left uninformed and kept in the dark. This constitutes a manipulation of justice”. The cypher case pertains to a diplo-

matic document which reportedly went missing from Imran’s possession. The PTI alleges that it contained a threat from the United States to oust Imran from power. Proceedings against PTI Vice Chairman and former foreign minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi in the same case are also under way. “The copy of the judgment will be available shortly … all we are saying now is that [Imran’s] request has been approved,” Justice Farooq said. In the order issued in the evening, the court noted that the three-year jail term awarded to Imran “qualifies as a short sentence”. “The arguments raised by both sides as to the jurisdiction and other issues involve a deeper appreciation of the matter which at the stage is not warranted, especially, where the sentence is a short one […],” it said.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 03

PTI denounces re-arrest of party chairman

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Core Committee strongly condemned the re-arrest of PTI Chairman Imran Khan in “frivolous” cypher case despite clear orders of his release by the Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Tuesday.

Termed the cypher case frivolous and meaningless, the PTI Core Committee demanded open hearing of the case, which was one of the over 180 false, fabricated and fake cases registered against PTI Chairman under a nefarious plan to force him to shun his struggle for making Pakistan an independent country in true sense. They said that the constitution and law guaranteed his complete freedom and release from prison but the extra-constitutional and democratic elements occupying the state were adamant to keep him in the prison.

PTI Core Committee stated that like a judge who sentenced PTI Chairman to jail in Thoshakhana case by flouting all rules and regulation, the judge of the special court also kept Imran

Fuel Price Forecast: Massive oil price hike estimated for first half of September

Already burdened masses should get ready to bear a jolt in the form of massive oil price hike as per litre prices of all petroleum products are estimated to witness colossal hike during first fifteen days of September 2023. According to sources in oil industry, petrol is expected to see a rise of of Rs 9.65 per litre, high-speed diesel (HSD) could rise by Rs 19.42 per litre, kerosene oil may witness an increase of Rs 13.82 per litre, and Light Diesel Oil (LDO) might go up by Rs 8.66 per litre. These estimates are based on the current tax structure, and if approved, would mean that consumers could be paying Rs 300.10 per litre for petrol, Rs 312.82 per litre for HSD, Rs 230.97 per litre for kerosene oil, and Rs 208.79 per litre for LDO, all starting from the next month of September 2023, sources added. These proposed changes in petrol and diesel prices are grounded in the existing rates of Petroleum Levy and GST, with the Pakistan State Oil (PSO) projecting an exchange adjustment of Rs 2 per litre for petrol and Rs 7 per litre for diesel. In addition, the government currently imposes an Inland Freight Equalization Margin (IFEM) of Rs 4.13 per litre on petrol. It’s essential to note that final price adjustments might vary if the Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (OGRA) alters the IFEM. At present, petrol is available at Rs 290.45/litre, HSD at Rs 293.40/litre, Kerosene oil at Rs 217.15/litre and LDO at Rs 199.79/litre. It is relevant to note that Petrol (Gasoline) is primarily used as fuel for cars, motorcycles, and other vehicles. High-Speed Diesel (HSD) is mainly used as fuel for heavy vehicles like trucks, buses, and industrial machinery. It is also used in generators and some agricultural equipment. Kerosene Oil is used for cooking and lighting in households without access to electricity. Light Diesel Oil (LDO) is used in industrial boilers, furnaces, and certain types of engines. It’s commonly utilized in sectors like textiles, cement, and power generation. It is pertinent to mention that the likely upcoming increases in the price of oil may have a significant influence on already burdened masses’ day-to-day expenses, household budgets, and inflation rates as a whole. Besides, these proposed changes are subject to government approval and will depend on various factors, including global oil prices, currency exchange rates, and the financial implications for the energy sector.

Govt engaging with IMF on relief measures for electricity consumers: Solangi

Khan in prison in total disregard for the constitutions and laws. They said that the unacceptable decision of the special court in the Cipher case was a complete negation of the criminal code and totally against the law of the land.

The participants of the meeting were of the view that it was essential to present the accused in the court to obtain physical and judicial remand under Section 167 of the Criminal Code. They went on to say that PTI Chairman, who was illegally imprisoned in Attock Jail, was neither presented before the special court nor was the decision of his remand made public prior to the release order of the IHC. They stated that the date and time of conducting the trial on the said decision of the Special Court was not mentioned, adding that the arrest in another case after being released in one fake and false case was also a clear negation of the recent decisions given by Chief Justice Peshawar High Court andIHC Judge Justice Babar Sattar. STAFF REPORT

Justice Shah reiterates request for full bench to hear plea against amended NAB law

ISLAMABAD STAFF REPORT

Supreme Court’s Justice Mansoor Ali Shah on Tuesday reiterated his previous request to the Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) to either issue a final verdict on the Supreme Court (SC) Practice and Procedure Act 2023 first or constitute a full bench to hear the Pakistan Tekreek-e-Insaf’s (PTI) petition against the amendments made to the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) law.

The federal government lawyer Makhdoom Ali Khan seconded the appeal to the CJP.

A three-member bench comprising CJP Bandial, Justice Mansoor, and Justice Ijazul Ahsan resumed hearing Imran Khan’s plea against the NAB amendments. The PTI chief had challenged the National Accountability (Second Amendment) Act 2022 passed by the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawazled coalition government.

Later, a report submitted by the graft buster to the apex court revealed that the NAB ordinance had ended up solving over 90 per cent of the cases, including high-profile ones, that it was dealing with.

However, the PTI heavily criticised the PDM’s decision to approve the amendments, denouncing it as an attempt to limit the graft buster’s authority.

Further, in July of last year, the federal cabinet passed the National Accountability (Third Amendment) Bill for 2022. This bill further restricted NAB’s role

in corruption cases involving amounts exceeding Rs500 million. Additionally, it rescinded the president’s ability to appoint judges for the accountability court.

During the last hearing, Justice Shah reiterated his previous request for the formation of a full court to decide the matter, emphasising the need for the apex court to decide the SC (Practice and Procedure) Act.

Referring to his note written in the military trial case where he had made the same suggestion, he said that the NAB amendments case should be heard by the full court.

Today, as the bench took up the matter again, CJP Bandial observed that through the SC (Practice and Procedure) Act, “the independence of the judiciary has been attacked and the foundations of this independence have been shaken”.

“A fellow judge of mine has referred to the SC (Practice and Procedure) Act. You may not know this but the Attorney General of Pakistan (AGP) had spoken of inconsistencies between the SC (the Practice and Procedure) law and the SC (Review of Judgment) Law, on June 1, 2023. The AGP had asked the apex court for some time and on June 8, 2023, he said that after the budget session, the parliament will correct the law,” said CJP Bandial.

“I am unaware what the current (interim) government’s stance on the matter is,” the top judge added before questioning whether “hearings on all cases should be stopped on the basis of a suspended law’.

“The only other option is that the court continues to work and let the parliament decide,” said Justice Bandial.

“I regret to say this but it is only an impression that the law is in place,” he added, “because if it is indeed effective then why did they [the government] speak of amendments?”. Upon this, the government’s lawyer urged the court to also proceed with “extreme precaution” before declaring any law null and void.

“We are not declaring any law as null and void,” responded the CJP, stressing that the law had for the first time in history interfered in the administrative affairs of the SC, “granting a remedy that is not available in the Constitution”. Still, CJP Bandial urged the government to submit its application on the SC (Practice and Procedure) Act, but in the same breath expressed reluctance in allowing “the courts to simply stop working” in the meantime.

Justice Ahsan said “we hope to see this law amended so that it is in line with the Constitution”.

Upon this Justice Shah reiterated his earlier stance saying “I request the CJP to give a decision on the SC (Practice and Procedure) Act before the NAB amendments issue. Otherwise, the SC should constitute a full court on this case”.

The federal government lawyer Makhdoom Ali Khan seconded the appeal to the CJP.

PTI’s lawyer Khawaja Haris raised the point that a five-member bench of the SC has given the decision and stated that only the CJP has the authority to form benches.

ISLAMABAD STAFF REPORT

Caretaker Minister for Information Murtaza Solangi said on Tuesday the caretaker government was engaging with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) regarding relief measures for electricity consumers and an announcement was expected soon.

Solangi made this revelation after a federal cabinet meeting, chaired by Prime Minister Anwaarul Haq Kakar, deliberated on the Ministry of Energy’s recommendations for reducing high electricity bills in Islamabad on Tuesday.

The meeting was convened in response to public demonstrations across the country, with a considerable number of people taking to the streets to protest against the excessively high electricity bills following a significant rise in the national average tariff.

The outrage prompted interim PM Kakar on Saturday to summon an “emergency” meeting for Sunday to discuss the issue, a second round of which was supposed to be held yesterday.

However, a source told Dawn that the caretaker prime minister did not preside over the meeting, and instead, asked the ministers for energy, finance, information and others to hold the meeting and come up with a solution that would be presented before the federal cabinet today.

Meanwhile, interim Information Minister Murtaza Solangi said the energy ministry had finalised a list of proposals to provide relief to the inflationhit populace, which would be presented in today’s meeting.

The energy ministry confirmed this on X, formerly Twitter, earlier today.

When Solangi was asked about the progress made in the meeting today, he said during an appearance on a TV talk show that decision for providing short, medium- and long-term relief to consumers were taken.

But, he added, these decisions entailed some implications on which the IMF needs to be taken onboard.

“As we speak, our [interim] Finance Minister Shamshad Akhtar is talking to them. So I hope we will soon be in a position to make the announcement,” he said.

Asked when the announcement would be made, he replied: “It is a matter of few hours. You are aware of the time difference and complications pertaining to talks with the IMF.”

The interim minister said he was expecting that a decision would be reached without any difficulty as the relief measures finalised by the caretaker cabinet would not affect the “two pillars” of primary surplus and circular debt.

Last month, the global lender’s executive board had green-lit a $3 billion nine-month standby arrangement (SBA) for Pakistan in order “to support the authorities’ economic stabilisation programme”. The board had approved the bailout package for the country for an amount of $2.25bn Special Drawing Rights — reserve funds that the institution credits to the accounts of its member nations — the IMF had said in a statement, adding that this amounted to about $3bn, or 111pc of Pakistan’s quota.

One of the IMF’s requirements under this package was an increase in uniform national tariffs to ensure “further progress on structural reforms, particularly with regard to energy sector viability and stateowned-enterprise governance”.

g CLOSED AT RS303.05 IN INTERBANK, DOLLAR BEING SOLD AS HIGH AS RS323 BY EXCHANGE COMPANIES

PROFIT UROOJ IMRAN

The rupee’s value continued to decline against the US dollar on Tuesday as the gap between the interbank and the ‘official’ and ‘unofficial’ rates in the open market widened, potentially putting the government in a precarious position weeks ahead of an International Monetary Fund (IMF) review.

The rupee lost Rs 1.05 or 0.35 percent in the interbank market to close at a historic low of Rs 303.05 per dollar in the interbank market, according to State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) data. The rupee has been in a freefall in recent days especially as the government lifted import restrictions, resulting in increased demand for the dollar. Tuesday’s

loss marks the eighth straight session that the rupee’s value has declined.

Meanwhile, the US dollar was being sold at Rs 318 in the open market, according to the Exchange Companies Association of Pakistan (ECAP). This was an increase of Rs 3 or 0.95 percent from yesterday’s rate. However, the ‘official’ rate shared by the Association was significantly lower than the rate exchange companies were actually selling at.

According to two exchange companies that Profit reached out to, the US dollar was being sold at around Rs 323, and was in short supply.

Why do these different rates matter?

Under the terms of a Standby Agreement with the IMF that Pakistan signed in

June this year, the government must adhere to a market-based exchange rate and the difference between the rates in the interbank and open markets must not exceed 1.25 percent for more than five business days. The difference between the interbank rate shared by the SBP and the ‘official’ open market rate shared by the ECAP is Rs 14.95 or 4.93 percent, which is already much higher than the premium the IMF wants to maintain. However, the gap between the interbank rate and the ‘unofficial’ open market rate is even higher – Rs 19.95 or 6.58 percent.

This means that if the rate of the dollar does not fall in the open market, the interbank rate will have to catch up no matter what. And if this premium is not reduced by

the time the next IMF review rolls around – in October or November – or the government imposes any restrictions on selling dollars to try and bring down the open market rate, it may put the government in a weaker position to negotiate with the IMF for the release of the next tranche of the $3 billion SBA.

Ismail Iqbal Securities’ Head of Research Fahad Rauf said reducing the gap between rates in the interbank and open market warrants further depreciation. “The government needs to either bring the open market rate down or let the interbank rate match it,” he commented.

If the government did not allow the rupee to depreciate in the interbank market, or breached the Standby Agreement’s con-

ditions, it would become difficult to convince the IMF for the release of the next tranche, he pointed out.

The next tranche of about $710 million is crucial for Pakistan as the SBP’s foreign exchange reserves fell below $8 billion in the week ending August 18, 2023, which are not enough to even fully cover two months of imports. In such a situation, it is essential that Pakistan completes the next review to shore up its reserves as it has to service debts amounting to $25 billion in FY24.

It is pertinent to mention that the IMF has already begun virtual talks with the Federal Board of Revenue to review its tax collection performance in the first two months of FY24 as part of the SBA.

g

g LEGAL TEAM TERMS RE-ARREST MANIPULATION OF JUSTICE, SAYING THEY WERE INTENTIONALLY LEFT UNINFORMED

PROFIT AHMAD AHMADANI

rupee freefalls, differing exchange rates may land govt at odds with IMF

PTI MOVES SC FOR POLLS WITHIN 90 DAYS

ISLAMABAD Staff RepoRt

THE Pakistan Tehreek Insaaf (PTI) moved the Supreme Court (SC) seeking its directives to hold general elections in the country within 90 days of the dissolution of the National Assembly.

The petitioner, who is PTI’s Secretary General Omar Ayyub, requests the apex court to direct President Arif Alvi to give a date for the polls and the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) to issue an election schedule accordingly.

The petition filed under Article 184(3) of the Constitution prays to declare as illegal and void ab initio the decision of the Council of Common Interest (CCI) dated August 5, 2023, approving the census.

It is pertinent to mention that this is the second petition filed with the apex court. Earlier, Supreme Court Bar Association President Abid S Zubairi had filed the same petition in the apex court.

Filed through Barrister Ali Zafar, the petition also seeks that the notification by the Bureau of Statistics dated August 8, 2023, be declared illegal, unlawful, and void ab initio, while the delimitation exer-

cise proposed to be taken by the ECP, dated August 17, 2023, be declared illegal, unlawful, and void ab initio as well.

“Section 57(1) of the Election Act, 2017, providing that the date of elections is to be fixed by the ECP may be declared to be ultra vires the Constitution and being contrary to Articles 48(5)(a), 58(1), 105(3)(a), 112(1), and 224,” wherein it is stated that the president or governor is to set the date of elections after dissolution by them on the advice of the prime minister or chief minister, the PTI further prayed.

The PTI has made the ECP, the federation, the Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs, the Council of Common Interest (CCI), the chief secretaries of Punjab, Khyber, Sindh, Balochistan, and other respondents.

The PTI further prayed to the apex court that the Sindh governor may also be required to announce the date of elections within 90 days of the dissolution of the Sindh Assembly and the ECP be directed to issue the election schedule accordingly, and same for the Balochistan province.

Meanwhile, the elections to the Punjab and KPK assemblies may be held according to the judgments of this court

IT sector capable to address country’s trade imbalance: Umar Saif

ISLAMABAD Staff RepoRt

Caretaker Federal Minister for Information

Technology and Telecommunication Dr

Umar Saif has said that Pakistan’s IT sector is capable to address the trade imbalance of the country. Talking to a private TV channel on Tuesday, he said that the IT sector held an almost 80 percent trade surplus, making it an attractive industry for boosting the country’s economy. Dr. Umar Saif emphasized that the untapped potential within the IT sector could significantly contribute to the country’s economic advancement. The current value of Pakistan’s IT exports stood at $2.6 billion, providing employment opportunities for around 150,000 individuals within the sector, he pointed out. He noted that software developers presently earned an annual income of approximately $17,000 to $18,000, whereas their Indian counterparts earned around $30,000. Discussing the academic landscape, the minister revealed that Pakistani universities currently produced 20,000 to 22,000 IT graduates, of which only 2,000 to 2,200 secured jobs. He mentioned a disparity in skills, often falling short of international standards. To bridge this skill gap, he stressed the necessity of collaboration between Pakistani IT experts and universities. Dr Saif proposed that several IT companies channel funds abroad out of which a significant amount could be repatriated to Pakistan by offering incentives to them. According to the minister, these incentives could potentially bring an additional $1 to $2 billion to the country. He also acknowledged Pakistan’s global standing as the seventh-largest mobile phone market, boasting an impressive usage of 190 million mobile phones. Dr Saif shared the government’s vision of fostering local manufacturing of affordable, high-quality mobile phones.

“This strategic step aims to diminish the reliance on imported phones, thereby mitigating the outflow of foreign exchange,” he said emphasizing that this initiative rod a two-fold potential Elaborating, he said it could generate employment opportunities at the local level while propelling the nation’s high-tech industry. He explained the advantages of domestic mobile phone production, noting its capacity to meet the escalating demand for mobile devices and invigorate Pakistan’s economy.

and within a time frame fixed by the court, it added.

The PTI submitted that, vexatiously, the census is being used by the ECP as an excuse to delay the elections to the National Assembly, as shown by the ECP in its reply dated August 24, 2023, to the letter of the president dated August 23, 2023.

ECP PROVIDED CENSUS RELATED REQUISITE INFORMATION BY PBS: All requisite information related to the 7th Population and Housing Census has provided to the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) by Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS). According to press release issued on

Tuesday, the PBS stated, “The information includes gazette notification of Census Charges, Circles and Blocks, colour prints of Digitized maps of 1,85,514 Blocks, Circles and Charges (excluding Sindh) and Census Block wise data etc..”. However, it said the colour prints of Digitized maps of Sindh would be handed over by August 30.

The PBS said the census results were unanimously approved by the Council of Common Interests (CCI) in its 50th meeting held under the chairmanship of the then Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif on August 5, 2023. It said that the census data was important for the delimitation of boundaries for the conduct of general elections in the country.

Accordingly, the PBS was assigned the task of providing important information to the ECP which has been completed and the requisite information and the block-wise census data have been handed over successfully to the ECP.

The required information and data were handed over to the ECP in a meeting held on August 28 at the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics, chaired by Chief Census Commissioner Dr Naeem uz Zafar. The meeting was attended by senior management from both organizations.

Elahi seeks relief from LHC again

LAHORE Staff RepoRt

Former Punjab chief minister and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf President Pervez Elahi approached the Lahore High Court (LHC) on Tuesday to challenge his arrest by the accountability court ‘in violation of LHC orders’.

The petition, filed on behalf of the former CM by his counsel Amid Saeed Rawn, referred to LHC’s order restraining the Anti-Corruption Establishment (ACE), Federal Investigation Agency (FIA), National Accountability Bureau (NAB) and Punjab Police from arresting Elahi in any blind or undisclosed FIRs or pending inquiries.

The petition maintained that NAB’s professed inquiry, initiated on June 9, 2023, was not disclosed by the antigraft watchdog despite court orders to submit information detailing all criminal cases and pending inquiries against Elahi. Hence, NAB’s arrest in this inquiry stands in contravention of LHC’s orders issued on July 13, 2023 – the detailed verdict for which was issued earlier this week.

The petition states that since the caretaker Punjab CM Syed Mohsin Raza Naqvi was appointed, Elahi has been subjected to political victimization by law enforcement agencies, with the state implicating him in dubious cases with the sole purpose of humiliating him.

It further adds that despite being granted protective bail for two disclosed FIRs and a restraining order acquired against blind or undisclosed FIRs and inquiries, Elahi was not released from

Lahore district jail on July 15, when his counsel approached prison authorities.

The grounds cited for keeping Elahi behind bars were a detention order allegedly issued by the Lahore deputy commissioner but that order was in fact not actually issued till July 16, 2023, according to the petition. Elahi’s counsel has further stated that an inquiry was initiated by NAB on June 9, 2023, which was then upgraded into an investigation on July 18, 2023.

NAB then issued an arrest warrant on August 11 and took Elahi into custody on August 14, according to the petition, which adds that Elahi was informed of another inquiry-turned-investigation through a call-up notice issued on August 25 while the former CM remains in the bureau’s custody.

The petition moved the court to bar all the respondents from arresting Elahi

Flooding moderate at three points in Sutlej River: PDMA

MULTAN Staff RepoRt

in all undisclosed criminal cases, inquiries or investigations and ensure his release for “at least a reasonable time as the court may deem appropriate” so the former CM has the opportunity to approach the courts of law.

It further prays the court to declare Elahi’s latest arrest and call-up notice issued by NAB null and void as it stands in violation of court orders.

An accountability court had remanded Elahi in NAB custody for one week on August 15 in connection with a case related to the alleged award of illegal contracts during his second term as the Punjab CM. He was arrested a day prior by the country’s top graft buster from outside Adiala Jail in Rawalpindi minutes after his release on the conclusion of his 30-day detention period. The former CM has been under arrest multiple times since May 9 riots.

ATC remands Imaan Mazari in custody for three days

ISLAMABAD Staff RepoRt

An Anti-Terrorism court (ATC) Islamabad o Tuesday remanded human rights lawyer Imaan Mazari in the police’s custody for three days.

On Monday, the human rights lawyer had been granted bail by the ATC in another case registered against her for participating in a protest in the federal capital organised by the Pashtun Tahafuz Movement. She, however, was arrested release from Adiala Jail by Islamabad police another case registered at the Bara Kahu police station under the Anti-Terrorism Act (ATA).

On Tuesday, ATC Judge Abul Hasnat Zulqarnain presided over the proceedings and the prosecution argued for

Imaan’s physical remand saying that they had reasons to believe she had been collecting money from people and using it for anti-state activities. “We need to recover the amount in her possession,” said prosecutor Raja Naveed, stressing that it was crucial to investigation to get to others involved in the activity.

On the other hand, Advocate Zainab Janjua, the counsel for Imaan Mazari, argued that there was no need for her physical remand to be granted as she was already cooperating with the authorities. “She is not an office holder for the PTM,” argued Janjua, adding that she was “willing to provide the bank statements”.“Her laptop and phone are already in the police’s possession,” said the lawyer, questioning why the police needed to keep the accused in their custody.

“Imaan Mazari never met the person who filed the FIR, nor has she collected any money,” stated her counsel, bringing to the court’s attention the fact that the case was registered on August 26, when the accused was already in police custody. “When Imaan was being released from Adiala Jail, Bara Kahu police was already present there,” she continued as she stressed that “one cannot register multiple FIRs over the same incident”. This way, she said, “if the court discharges [the accused] in one case, they are arrested in another”.

She also emphasised that the PTM’s organisers had obtained permission (NOC) from the authorities to hold the rally, requesting the court to dismiss the matter. “Granting NOC does not mean permission for anti-state sloganeering,” argued the prosecutor. “If the court grants remand, evidence will be collected,’ he added. This request, Janjua argued, was “unnecessary” as she assured the court of their full cooperation.

“Courts are being used to settle scores,” she said, “the judiciary must take note of that”. The ATC then went on to reserve its verdict after the completion of arguments. Later, the activist was sent on physical remand for three days.

Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) Punjab has stated that there is moderate level flood at Ganda Singh, Head Sulemanki and Head Islam in Sutlej River. In a statement, the Spokesperson of the authority said water level is decreasing at Ganda Singh Wala with the inflow and outflow is 108000 cusecs. He said inflow of water at Head Sulemanki is 98,878 cusecs and the outflow is 85,014 cusecs while inflow and outflow at Head Islam is 82,916 cusecs. He said relief activities continue in flood-affected areas. Meanwhile, flood in the Sutlej river has breached the dyke protective embankment of Jalalpur, inundating hundreds of acres of land and triggering evacuations of the affected people and their livestock. According to the rescue officials, people trapped in the Sutlej river are being transported by 14 boats.The flash flood wreaked havoc in the riverine belt of Ahmedpur Sharqia, destroying standing crops on thousands of acres of land. Similarly, dozens of establishments were also inundated in Bahawalnagar. Monsoon rains are likely to continue till Sep 4 and heavy rains are expected in the upper parts of all major rivers. Relief goods distributed among flood-affected people Punjab govt distributes relief goods among flood-affected people surviving in tehsil Alipur here, Tuesday. The relief goods included a large number of tents and mats. The flood aid offered to the people was displaced due to the sharp erosion of the Satluj River. According to the focal person of the aid distribution Tehsildar Muhammad Iqbal Abbasi, relief goods were given away among the affectees on the direction of the local Deputy Commissioner (DC) on a merit basis. Iqbal Abbasi said that crops spreading on vast areas of the field were destroyed due to the inundation of the villages of Dada, Nalka Ada, and Basti Naqli same with the erosion of the Sutlej River. Dozens of the houses were swapped away by the rapid river flow, he added. The Tehsildar said residents of about 50 houses situated at Moza Kundrala became homeless as per a survey of the Revenue Department. He said medicine, food, and fooder of cattle were also provided to flood victims.

53 lower courts judges transferred across Punjab

LAHORE

Staff RepoRt

The Lahore High Court (LHC) has transferred and posted a large number of district and session court judges, including those hearing political cases, across the province. According to a notification signed by LHC Registrar Irfan Ahmad Saeed, 53 district and session judges have been transferred from one station to another. Around 22 of these judges, including anti-terrorism court Judge Izaj Ahmad Buttar and Central Special Judge Bakht Fakhar Bahzad, were directed to report to the LHC for further orders. Cases pertaining to Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leaders and workers allegedly involved in May 9 riots, particularly vandalism of Lahore Corps Commander House (Jinnah House), were being heard by ATC Judge Whereas Judge Bahzad was hearing different cases of a political nature including money laundering cases against family members of former Punjab chief minister Pervez Elahi. He is also the judge who acquitted former premier Shehbaz Sharif and others in the Federal Investigation Agency’s (FIA) Rs16 billion money laundering case. Meanwhile, Faisalabad

District and Sessions Judge Sheikh Khalid Bashir has been appointed as the LHC registrar, a Lahore District and Sessions Judge Tanveer Akbar as been posted as LHC director for general case management and Kasur District and Sessions Judge Qaiser Nazir Butt has been transferred to a local court in Lahore. According to the notification, the relevant officers have been directed to resume charge by September 4.

Senate body takes decisive action to reinstate over 500 daily wage teachers

ISLAMABAD Staff RepoRt Chairman Standing Committee on Education and Vocational Training, Senator Irfan Siddiqui while chairing an important meeting of the committee on Tuesday passionately articulated that the abrupt dismissal of teachers with years of dedicated service amounts to criminal offense. He emphasized that even a household maid, who has worked diligently for fifteen years, should not be subjected to such unfair treatment.

Senator Siddiqui continued to advocate for fairness, highlighting that long-serving teachers, deserve better than sudden terminations without proper justification.

During the meeting, actions of Director General and Director of Federal Directorate of Education (FDE) misleading the Senate Standing Committee came under scrutiny. Consequently, the matter was referred to the Senate Privileges Committee for thorough investigation and appropriate action.

The committee’s meeting was marked by Senator Irfan Siddiqui’s strong assertion that the sudden dismissal of teachers without valid reasons is an unacceptable criminal act. He passionately expressed that these actions should not be tolerated under any circumstances. He drew attention to the fact that even a domestic worker with a decade or more of service should not be subjected to such unjust treatment. The Senator also criticized the arbitrary interpretation of court decisions that led to the dismissal of over 500 teachers, a move that disregarded established legal principles. In light of the incident, it was revealed that 551 teachers teaching in Islamabad’s model colleges were instructed to cease their duties from August 10 without proper justification. Concerned about the sudden turn of events, the affected teachers sought the intervention of the committee’s chairman, Senator Irfan Siddiqui. Subsequently, the matter was included in the agenda of the ongoing committee meeting. Efforts were made by the Director Gen-

eral and Director of FDE to validate their actions by referring to court orders. However, they failed to provide concrete evidence supporting their claims. The Ministry of Law’s opinion was also invoked, but representatives of the Law Division clarified that it was a standard response and was not a specific querry from the Ministry of Education.

The committee was informed that Secretary Education is currently attending a cabinet meeting, Committee chairman directed the ministry officials to contact the secretary, Meanwhile a brief ten-minute break was observed in the committee meeting. Education Secretary Waseem Ajmal joined the committee meeting following this brief pause. Meanwhile, committee members expressed strong dissatisfaction with the Ministry of Education’s unwarranted dismissal of teachers with over fifteen years of experience.

Rabia Waheed, a female teacher representing the affected educators, provided a comprehensive account of the situation and presented relevant court decisions. After ex-

tensive deliberation, Senator Irfan Siddiqui gave a ruling in favor of the immediate reinstatement of all 551 teachers to their positions as of August 9.

Education Secretary informed that a committee has already been setup chaired by Dr. Niaz Ahmed, Vice Chancellor of Quaide-Azam University, to address the matter.

Senator Siddiqui directed to include the affected teachers in the committee’s proceedings. The committee acknowledged the Education Secretary’s understanding of the matter and expressed hope for a satisfactory resolution. In strong disapproval of the conduct of two ministry officials, DG FDE and Director Colleges, the committee referred the matter to the Senate Privileges Committee for misleading the standing committee.

The committee meeting also encompassed discussions on the dismissal of Montessori teachers, with assurances from the Secretary of Education of their prompt reemployment.

The issue of promotion of teachers and viceprincipals of grades 17 and 18 within federal

educational institutions was addressed, with ministry officials assuring the committee of imminent and appropriate action.

During the committee session, various bills concerning the establishment of new higher education institutions were under consideration. However, proceedings were adjourned due to the absence of the bill proposers. The committee engaged in an indepth conversation about the prolonged vacancy of Pakistan chairs abroad. After due consideration, the Chairman of the Committee tasked the Chairman of the Higher Education Commission (HEC) to collaborate with the Ministries of Education and Foreign Affairs to address appointments to these international chairs. A comprehensive report is expected to be submitted within ten days. The committee meeting saw active participation from Senators Fawzia Arshad, Falak Naz, Professor Dr. Mehr Taj Roghani, Jam Mehtab Hussain Dahar, Secretary Education and Vocational Training, DG FDE, Chairman HEC, and officials from the Ministry of Law.

AIR POLLUTION CUTS LIFE EXPECTANCY BY NEARLY 4 YEARS IN PAKISTAN: REPORT

ISLAMABAD Staff RepoRt

INCREASING air pollution in Pakistan may shorten life expectancy by at least seven years in the country’s most polluted regions like Lahore, Sheikhupura, Kasur and Peshawar, according to a report published by the University of Chicago’s Energy Policy Institute (EPIC) in its latest Air Quality Life Index (AQLI) on Tuesday, reports in media.

According to AQLI a pollution index that translates particulate air pollution into its impact on life expectancy particulate pollution is the second greatest threat to human health in Pakistan (behind cardiovascular diseases), reducing 3.9 years of life on average.

If Pakistan meets the World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines of limiting average annual PM 2.5 concentration to 5 micrograms per cubic meter, the average resident in the country could gain 3.9

years. In contrast, child and maternal malnutrition, and maternal and neonatal disorders reduce average life expectancy by 2.7 years. All of Pakistan’s 240 million people

live in areas where the annual average particulate pollution level exceeds the WHO guideline. According to the report, 98.3% of the country’s population lives in areas that exceed its own national air quality

standard of 15 micrograms per cubic meter.

The AQLI also stated that from 1998 to 2021, average annual particulate pollution increased by 49.9% in Pakistan which reduced life expectancy by 1.5 years.

In Punjab, Islamabad, and Khyber

Pakhtunkhwa — the most polluted provinces of the country 65.5 million residents, or 69.5% of Pakistan’s population are on track to lose between 3.7 to 4.6 years of life expectancy on average relative to the WHO guideline and between 2.7 to 3.6 years relative to the national standard if the current pollution levels persist, AQLI stated.

The report further read that if Pakistan would meet WHO’s guideline, then Karachi residents would gain 2.7 years of life expectancy whereas residents of Lahore would gain 7.5 years and people in Islamabad would gain about 4.5 years of life expectancy. The report added that India is responsible for about 59% of the world’s increase in pollution since 2013.

Asad Umar’s bail extended in cypher case

ISLAMABAD

Staff RepoRt

Shah Salman Relief Center to deliver Food baskets, winter’s shelter bags to deserving Pakistanis

ISLAMABAD

Staff RepoRt

Saudi Arabia’ Shah Salman Relief Center will deliver food packages as well as winter’s shelter bags in two different projects costing 36 million Saudi Riyal in the Islamic Republic of Pakistan during the year 2023-24. An official of the relief center confirmed that as many as 105,000 families or 735,000 individuals will be benefited from the food security relief projects costing 36 million Saudi Riyals during the year 2023/2024. The official explained that the food security projects involve four phases under which there are 105,000 food baskets included throughout the year. One Food package contains (80 kg flour, 5 kg sugar, 5 kg split chickpea, 5 liters cooking oil) which is enough for a family for a month. The first phase of the project has been implemented with 26,400 food packages and currently, work is underway to implement the second phase of 32,400 food packages in flood-affected areas during August and September. Sources further said that the center will distribute winter bags to the most affected (14 areas) of cold and snowfall in three provinces (Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Gilgit-Baltistan and Balochistan) during the months of October and December this winter. The total number of beneficiaries of the project is 175,000, the official added.

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 01

The court pointed out in the order that even though long arguments were presented by both sides, such questions were left to be decided at the stage when the appeal was taken up for adjudication.

“For the above reasons, the instant application is allowed and the sentence awarded by the trial court dated Aug 5 is suspended; consequently, the applicant is ordered to be released on bail in the instant matter subject to furnishing bail bonds in the sum of Rs100,000 with one surety in the like amount to the satisfaction of the deputy registrar (judicial) of this court,” it ruled.

On August 5, a trial court in Islamabad had convicted the PTI chief in the case filed by the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) that involved concealing details of state gifts and jailed him for three years. The verdict meant he was disqualified from contesting general elections for five years.

Imran had subsequently filed an appeal in the high court against his conviction. He had also approached the Supreme Court (SC) against the IHC’s decision to remand the case back to the trial court judge who had convicted him.

Last week, however, the SC had acknowledged “procedural defects” in Imran’s conviction but had opted to wait for the IHC decision on Imran’s plea. The court’s observations had drawn the ire of the Pakistan Bar Council, which said there should be no “interference” in matters pending before the subordinate judiciary.

A day ago, ECP’s counsel Advocate

Amjad Pervaiz concluded his arguments and urged the court to issue a notice to the state to make it a respondent in the case. For his part, Imran’s lawyer Latif Khosa had said he had no objections to Pervaiz’s plea but had also expressed that the action was not required by the law. Ahead of today’s proceedings, a large contingent of Islamabad police stood guard’s outside the IHC. The PTI legal team and Imran’s sisters Aleema Khan and Uzma Khan were among those who attended the hearing.

Ahead of Tuesday’s proceedings, PTI lawyers Babar Awan and Salman Safdar reached the IHC. Speaking to media persons outside court, Awan said their fight was not

Senate body lambasts

IPPs for Pakistan’s electricity woes

CONTINUED FROM BACK PAGE

Furthermore, up to an agreed-upon ceiling, the company is required to pay the supplier even for products not taken. This “penalty” price is lower — say $40 per ton.

Ruhail Mohammad, Chief Executive Officer at Lucky Electric Power Company, elucidates, “The power plants were built on take-or-pay contracts because no lender will provide the requisite finances unless there is a defined offtake for the electricity for which the government was the only buyer. Unlike commodities — where there are millions of buyers and you can satisfy the lender based on demand projections — there is no such thing in the power sector.”

Mohammad adds, “The large chunk of capacity payments remains debt servicing and return on equity injected.” He continues, “The debt repayment period is normally 10 years where the IPPs are still recouping the cost of investments undertaken”

So why have these capacity payments risen so exponentially now?

Ghanghro explains, “A significant part of the IPP tariff is fuel cost; if we manage that, generation cost can come down. This recent mess and consumer tariff increase are due to transmission and distribution losses — mainly theft. Paying customers are being forced to pay for stolen electricity and inefficiencies of DISCOs; therefore, more paying customers are shifting to solar/net metering.”

Mohammad adds, “The tariff for starters was an upfront one set by NEPRA after conducting a rigorous study. It was not something forced upon the government by the industry at that time.”

He continues, “The problem with capacity payments right now is that tariff was based on certain demand assumptions made when tariff was set. Unfortunately, demand for electricity in Pakistan has actually gone down which in turn has led to higher per unit capacity charge.

The capacity charge for the newer plants are in US dollars (mainly due to Chinese US$ denominated

loans) which has further aggravated the situation as the Rupee has depreciated almost 300% against the US$ in the last 6 years.”

HOW DOES THIS WORK?

Consider capacity payment per unit as a mathematical equation: tariff divided by units of electricity consumed. As electricity consumption has reduced — the denominator has decreased — pushing up per unit capacity cost.

The severity of the capacity payments subsequently is dependent on the aforementioned factors. How dire is the state of these underlying factors? The Committee’s terming the matter “unprecedented” should perhaps make the matter self explanatory.

WHERE DO WE GO FROM HERE?

“The decision-makers in the sector are sadly deprived of the accurate data they need to address the various problems. Consequently, we face the dilemma that we cannot control what we cannot measure. Ideally, we should be able to trace every unit of electricity generated in a power plant till the end user, but given the complexity of the system and the number of consumers in our country, this is not feasible in the short term, Ghanghro adds. What alternatives do we have then? Profit came across a plethora of suggestions in conversation with different players in the industry.

These spanned from modest reforms such as metering the electricity from generation to all the 11 kV feeders in the country, providing electricity to at least industrial clients at a subsidised rate for one to two years with some form of forecasting whereby they can determine if energy uptake will increase to improve the aforementioned denominator, and shifting state gas based electricity power plants from RLNG to indigenous gas. We also encountered more radical reforms in terms of privatising the entire distribution network, or renegotiating the Chinese portion of the debt on a government-to-government level.

Are any of these viable? That is perhaps a tale for another time.

Special court hearing cases under the Official Secrets Act on Tuesday extended bail granted to former secretary-general of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Asad Umar in cypher case. Asad Umar along with his lawyer Babar Awan appeared before the court of Judge Abu Al-Hasnat Zulqarnain. The bail of Asad Umar was extended by the special court until September 14. In his statement after getting bail extension, Asad Umar said cipher is a classified document, that cannot come out of the foreign office. The former prime minister has given his response to the Federal Investigation Agency about the cipher. On last Tuesday, it was reported that Asad Umar had been arrested in a cipher probe, but he refuted the news and appeared on the scene to secure bail in the case after the arrest of party leaders.

Earlier, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) vice chairman and former foreign minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi was arrested from his residence in Islamabad. PTI vice chairman Shah Mehmood Qureshi was arrested in connection with the Cypher case and shifted to Federal Investigation Authority (FIA) headquarters.

Woman among five dead in van-trailer collision

RAWALPINDI

Staff RepoRt

Five persons including a woman died and six others suffered multiple injuries in a collision between a Hiace van and 22-wheeler trailer near T-Chowk Rawat, rescuers informed on Tuesday. According to rescue and police officials, a Gujranwala-bound Toyota Hiace picked up Umrah pilgrims from New Islamabad International Airport (NIIAP) and was returning when at T-Chowk Rawat, it rammed into a trailer head-on. Resultantly, five persons died on the spot and six others sustained injuries. On information, Rescue 1122 rushed to the scene and carried out the rescue and relief operation. The rescuers moved the bodies and injured to hospitals for post-mortem and medical treatment. The dead in the accident were identified: as 45year-old Mehreen Bibi, 27-year-old Muhammad Danish, 60-year-old Haji Nazir, 62-year-old Haji Shafique and 50-year-old Mian Idrees. The police also arrived at the scene and carried out investigation besides assisted traffic police in regulating traffic flow. Meanwhile, a man died after being hit the fast-moving train in Dhoke Wajan area of Taxila. Rescue 1122 moved the body to hospital for autopsy. Identity of the deceased could not be ascertained yet while the police have launched investigation.

Imran’s Toshakhana sentence suspended, detention goes on in cypher case

just for a single case or one judgment. “You all are in a bigger prison and we want to free all of you,” he said.

Only yesterday, the Attock Jail authorities submitted a report to the Supreme Court, detailing the facilities being provided to the ex-prime minister. The report, submitted by the jail superintendent to comply with the SC’s August 24 order, states that meals were being provided periodically on the convict’s demand and that his washroom facilities have also been improved. The Supreme Court had sought Previously, Imran’s wife, Bushra Bibi, had moved an application before the Supreme Court wherein she expressed apprehensions that her husband’s health was deteriorating fast, threatening his life.

The facilities provided to the ex-premier had been upgraded after Additional District and Sessions Judge Shafqatullah Khan submitted an inspection report based on his visit to the prison on August 15.The report had declared that Imran’s grave concern regarding a lack of privacy around his prison cell’s toilet facilities in the jail due to a CCTV camera’s presence was “genuine” and pointed to a violation of prison rules.

The case, filed by lawmakers of the then coalition government, was based on a criminal complaint filed by the ECP.

The case alleged that Imran had “deliberately concealed” details of the gifts he retained from the Toshaskhana — a repository where presents handed to government officials from foreign officials are kept — during his time as the prime minister and proceeds from their reported sales.

According to Toshakhana rules, gifts/presents and other such materials received by persons to whom these rules apply shall be reported to the Cabinet Division. Imran has faced a number of legal issues over his retention of gifts. The issue also led to his disqualification by the ECP.

On the other hand, on Aug 26, a team of the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) investigated the PTI chief in Attock Jail in the US cipher case.

The former prime minister was questioned about the alleged disappearance of the cipher. The FIA cybercrime team headed by Deputy Director Ayaz investigated the former prime minister. The suspect was ques-

tioned for more than an hour regarding the illegal use and disappearance of the cipher.

PTI DEMANDS IMRAN’S RELEASE

TODAY: Reacting to the development, the PTI demanded that Imran should be released from jail today. A video posted by the party on X showed lawyers chanting “riha karo [release him]” outside the IHC.

Speaking to Geo News, PTI Barrister Ali Zafar said: “The high court has fulfilled the requirements of justice. I’ll tell you why:

Aside from the merits of the Toshakhana case — which are baseless — the trial judge did not allow Imran to submit witnesses in his defence. “If witnesses in one’s defence are not allowed, there is no greater [example of a] mistrial.” He further clarified that for now only the sentence has been suspended.

PTI lawyer Shoaib Shaheen, while talking to media outside the IHC, said Imran should be provided compensation for the number of days he was kept behind bars.

According to PTI Information Secretary Raoof Hasan, Imran’s arrest in any other case after the suspension of his sentence in the Toshakhana case would be “ill-intentioned and mala fide”. “We are fortunate to be witnessing the re-scripting of Pakistan’s political and legal history,” he said, adding that “justice shall prevail”.

Former National Assembly speaker Asad Qaiser said the suspension of Imran’s sentence confirmed that the Toshakhana verdict was announced “in haste” and did not give the PTI chief a chance to defend himself.

He further stated that if Imran was arrested in another case, it would be an attempt to “push the country towards anarchy”.

PTI leader Taimur Khan Jhagra said the nation expected Imran to be released from jail today. “The ‘abuse of the law’ campaign against Imran Khan has sunk the country’s systems far enough. We cannot afford more,” he said on X.

Senator Faisal Javed Khan posted verses from the Holy Quran expressing gratitude.

‘GOOD TO SEE YOU’ AND ‘WISH YOU GOOD LUCK’ MESSAGE

REACHES IHC’: The PML-N expressed its displeasure over the high court’s verdict and the party president Shehbaz Sharif said that Imran’s sentence had been suspended and “not terminated”.

“The Chief Justice of Pakistan’s message of ’good to see you’ and ‘wish you good luck’ has reached the IHC,” he said, claiming that “everyone knew about the verdict before it was even announced”. “This moment is a matter of concern for our justice system,” Shehbaz said. “If a clear message is received from the higher judiciary, what else should the subordinate court do?”

Former law minister Azam Nazeer Tarar said that the detailed verdict had not been released. He said that the IHC had only suspended the sentence as that was the matter pending before it. “This was a short sentence. Ordinarily, sentences are suspended,” he said.

He asserted that Imran’s disqualification had not ended. “This is only suspension of sentence which means that he be set free in this case if he is not wanted or arrested in another. Apart from this, there is no other definition or meaning of suspension of sentence. Neither his punishment nor his qualification have been ended or even the declaration that he was dishonest.”

At the same time, Tarar said that he did not wish to comment further as the detailed verdict had not been released. He said that the suspension of the sentence could be challenged, again reiterating that the detailed reasons had not been issued.

In a post on X last night, former interior minister Rana Sanaullah said, “He Imran will not come outside of the jail — release is not possible, [he] will have to face the prosecution in other cases!”

‘SUSPENSION DOES NOT AFFECT

CONVICTION’: Speaking to DawnNewsTV, Barrister Asad Rahim Khan said that typically the suspension of a sentence did not affect the status of the conviction. “Conviction means you have been held responsible in the eyes of the law. So only when you are completely acquitted in an appeal does it” end the disqualification, he said.

Rahim said that the detailed verdict was awaited to see whether the court had said anything about Imran’s disqualification. “If we keep this only to the suspension of the sentence, then it has no relation to disqualification,” he said.

When asked about the PTI lawyers filing another plea seeking a bar on arresting Imran in any other case, Rahim said that there was

no bar on requesting the courts to restrain law enforcement bodies from unlawfully arresting an accused; but the ex-premier would nonetheless have to face the cases registered against him on an individual basis.

He said that after a sentence was suspended, there were some procedural formalities which needed to be completed. “It is hoped and written in a sentence that if the person is not required in another case, he should be set at liberty, meaning he should be set free,” he said. The lawyer said that the same should be done in Imran’s case but noted that there were many cases registered against the PTI chief. He said that the suspension of the sentence could be challenged in the apex court. “You can challenge this order, the state can come into action. But the next question will be how the SC considers its own precedents in reply,” he said.

PTI SEEKS BAR ON IMRAN’S AR-

REST IN OTHER CASES: On the other hand, legal team of the imprisoned former premier filed a fresh petition in the IHC, requesting the court to refrain authorities from further “illegal and unjustified arrest” of the former premier in any case filed against him after August 5, when he was convicted in Toshakhana case. The plea mentioned the cypher case as one of the FIRs under which the PTI chief is seeking protection from arrest. The FIA had last week grilled Imran in the said case, registered under Official Secrets Act, for over an hour at the Attock Jail.

Filed through Barrister Salman Safdar, the petition named the state as a respondent and alleged that the cypher case had been filed against Imran “with malafide intentions” and termed it of “bogus nature”.

The plea stated that the “only remedy available to avoid unjustified, illegal and straightaway arrest” was by invoking Article 10 (safeguards as to arrest and detention) of the Constitution for the “protection of his fundamental rights and safeguards”.

The petition further said that the petitioner would “suffer irreparable loss in case he is arrested for another offence, which he has not committed”. It further expressed the apprehension that the PTI chief’s “political adversaries and opponents would be able to further their nefarious designs and political ambitions in the absence” of the IHC’s “kind intervention”.

Free and fair polls

The PPP weighs in, but is the ECP listening?

WHILE appearing before the Election Commission of Pakistan on Tuesday the PPP demanded that the Commission give an election date falling within the 90-day limit set by the Constitution for a poll after the dissolution of the National Assembly. It has had to make this demand because the ECP, while it has arrogated to itself the right to fix the date of general elections, has not done so even though the National Assembly was dissolved on August 9, and thus 20 of the 90 says have already passed without the ECP even giving a date. Instead, the ECP has said that it would carry out delimitations afresh under the recent census, of which the approval was the last act of the Council of Common Interests at a meeting summoned by the outgoing government. The ECP argued that it was constitutionally bound to carry out delimitations, and would only hold elections afterwards. The PPP has noted that delimitations would not be very extensive, and thus need not take the poll beyond the 90-day limit.

The moving forward of the election date is being taken with more nonchalance than it should. The 90day limit was violated in the case of the Punjab and KP Assemblies, even though the matter ended up in court, with the Supreme Court ordering the ECP to hold elections to these two assemblies. Apart from the delay, there is the question of whether the polls that will be held will be free and fair. In principle, the elections should be held in a level playing field, with no interference by outside forces, with parties free to select the candidates of their choice.

However, there is the problem of certain favoured parties giving tickets to ‘electables’ because these have been told to move in a particular direction. Far from getting electables given to it, the PTI has found that its leadership is behind bars, assuming it has not abjured the party altogether. Apart from candidates, even the ordinary voter may well stay at home rather than turn out and vote for a party that has been earmarked for defeat.

It is the ECP which must ensure that parties, candidates and voters all feel that they are getting a fair shake, and that the elections are going to be so conducted that all will feel that the result will reflect the popular will, not the wishes of one narrow section.

Dedicated to the legacy of late Hameed Nizami

Arif Nizami (Late)

Founding Editor

Yousaf Nizami Editor

M. A. Niazi

Joint Editor Umar Aziz Executive Editor

Trump beats GOP

The party can’t control him

see the need to provide his challengers an opportunity to attack him.

pared Trump’s absent presence to Harry Potter’s archnemesis, Voldemort— always there and such a threat that his name could not be uttered.

When two brave candidates— both accomplished governors— dared to condemn Trump’s actions on 6 January 2021, they were loudly booed by the audience.

dr JaMes J Zogby

IF we’ve learned anything during the leadup to the 2024 Republican primary contests, it’s that the Republican Party no longer exists— either as a body that represents, organizes, and governs its members and candidates, or as a policymaking entity that shapes the ideas around which Republicans coalesce.

The Grand Old Party, as it is called, is not the party of former Presidents Eisenhower, Nixon, Reagan, or George HW or even George W. Bush. Those Republican standard-bearers of the last 70 years would neither recognize nor find a home in today’s party.

It would be easy just to blame Donald Trump for the party’s loss of control over its processes, ideology, and even its “brand.” But while Trump bears some blame for the GOP’s demise, the problems that are distorting American politics are far more serious. Before taking a deeper dive, a look at the role Trump is playing in damaging the GOP is in order.

If nothing else happened during last week’s inaugural Republican primary debate, the way the event unfolded exposed the party’s loss of control. In preparing for that first sanctioned Republican presidential debate, the party laid out its rules for candidates seeking to be included in the proceedings. Prospective participants needed to register at least one percent in a number of national or state polls and have recorded a specified number of donors (40,000) to their campaign from at least 20 different states. These rules, though appearing arbitrary, are normal and necessary— especially in years with a glut of candidates when the party seeks to winnow down the field to include only “serious,” competitive candidates for the debate stage.

There was, however, an additional rule put forward by the party that shed light on just how broken the GOP has become. They stipulated that in order to gain access to the debate, prospective candidates had to sign a pledge that they would endorse whoever won the primary and became the Republican nominee. This was unacceptable to Mr Trump and he refused to join the debate. He argued that, being so far in the lead in all national and state polling, he didn’t

Sanity and reason

The limits of fundamental rights

Iam a staunch proponent and supporter of the inviolability of the fundamental rights of citizens guaranteed by the Constitution, the predominance of sanity in the domain of politics, adherence to reason in the matters related to governance and in the furtherance of state affairs. They provide a strong foundation for sustained socio-economic development, a vendetta-free political culture and peaceful social environment imbued with the capability to subdue the emergence of fissiparous tendencies. No person in his right mind can take an issue with it.

Therefore, I am against the enactment of any law or step that encroaches upon fundamental rights of the citizens. Any such attempt must be resisted by the members of the Parliament. In this regard it was heartening to note that the members of the Senate, including some belonging to the Treasury benches, opposed the proposed amendments to the Official Secrets Act which they thought violated fundamental human rights. The Pakistan Bar Council also rightly condemned the incorporated amendments to the Official Secrets Act wherein intelligence agencies are granted blanket powers to raid and detain any citizen or enter or search any person in any place without search warrants from any court of law, merely under suspicion of them breaching the law, as unethical and against the norms of justice as well as violation of Articles 8, 9 and 10 of the Constitution.” The pressure exerted did produce positive results as the Act was ultimately passed by deleting the controversial clause.

Having said that, I would like to reiterate that enjoyment of fundamental rights is contingent upon allegiance to the state. The state has the right to prosecute and punish any citizen in consonance with the laws of the country who acts against the interests and security of the country or is guilty of insurgency and rebellion against it. It is however the responsibility of the courts to determine whether any action of the government is in conformity with the law and constitution or not?

Unfortunately our history is replete with

instances where observance of fundamental rights, prevalence of sanity in politics and reason in carrying out affairs of the state have been sacrificed at the altar of narrow political interests and agendas with impunity, which adequately explains why Pakistan has always been at the cross-roads and immersed in inextricable situations.

The tragedy is that there has been very little resistance to such ploys by the rulers. Even the intellectuals who are considered architects of the intellectual development of a society through identification of the correct course to be followed have failed in performing this sacred duty. Instead many of them have been found propagating partisan views and narratives to aggravate the situation.

A number of such self-styled intellectuals who are affiliated with a political party in their discourses have been persistently dubbing the leaders of the other parties as thieves and plunderers and eulogizing the indiscretions of the leader of their own party as epoch-making initiatives. They saw no problem with his politics of political vendetta, or the framing of false corruption cases against opposition leaders which were never proven in the courts of law, as well as his coming into power through a conspiracy.

They have never condemned the fake case of drug-smuggling against Rana Sanaullah and the reference against Justice Qazi Faiz Isa though the leader of the party admitted that it was a mistake on the part of his government to file it. They never had the heft and conscience to condemn acts of violence that were committed by the party workers on the instigation of the leader of the party. So much so that they

This is the same position Mr. Trump took in 2015, though he eventually relented saying “of course I’ll support the nominee”— adding that he would do so only because he was sure that he would be that nominee. This time, Trump took a different and more defiant tack. He not only boycotted the official GOP-sanctioned debate to be broadcast on Fox TV, but also set up his own counter-programme— an interview with recently fired Fox TV host Tucker Carlson— to air on social media at the same time the official Republican debate was being televised. While making direct comparisons between social media views and television ratings is difficult, here’s what we know: The Fox GOP debate had 11.8 million viewers— that’s one-half of the audience that watched the first Republican debate during the 2016 primary season. During the time slot allocated for the debate, the TrumpCarlson interview received 73 million views. Although it’s uncertain how many of these “views” were for more than a few seconds, what was clear was that Trump got the best of the party. They were unable to govern candidate behaviour.

Though not on stage and rarely mentioned by name, Trump loomed large over the event. One political observer likened the eight candidates to “the kids’ table at Thanksgiving dinner.” Another com-

Many Republican Party leaders do not want Trump to be their nominee (they also didn’t want him in 2016). His radical populism violates Conservative principles. His divisive and sometimes violent rhetoric causes concern. And the fact that he very well may spend much of the next year in court facing multiple indictments is worrisome. In addition to all of this, Trump won’t play by the rules set up by the party. And yet there is nothing they can do.

Polls show that Mr Trump continues to hold the support of more than one-half of those who call themselves Republicans. They will not only vote for him, but also still cling to the many fictions he has created over the years: from “birtherism” claiming Obama wasn’t born in the USA and was a Muslim to the contentions that the 2020 election was stolen, Joe Biden isn’t a legitimate president, and January 6 was a peaceful protest. A recent poll of Trump voters shows that 71 percent believe him; that’s more than the number who say they believe their family, other political leaders, and news media.

The party leaders may not want him, but there’s little they can do to him without alienating a significant portion of their voters. The party can’t control Trump or his voters. And now with so many alternative social media platforms, Trump can have greater reach than the party or its once media ally, Fox News.

The writer is President of the Arab American Institute

Editor’s mail

have been trying to justify the May 9 attacks on the military installations and memorials of the martyrs which have been condemned by the entire nation and have also led to almost all the party stalwarts ditching the party in protest against what transpired on that day.

It was actually a rebellion against the state and a conspiracy against the incumbent COAS, as the evidence coming forth so far has revealed. They have also been part of the sustained campaign to malign the government and military establishment and condemning the arrests made in connection with the attacks on military installations and also polluting the minds of the people through their unscrupulous discourses.

They have been persistently propagating that Imran Khan has been implicated in false cases which is the worst kind of political victimization. Only fools can give credence to what they are trying to rub in with so much evidence available to incriminate their leader in those cases. There might be some truth concerning some cases because we do have an established history of political victimization.

However that will be sorted out when the courts decide on those cases. I am not in any way trying to defend all that the PDM government has done. Some steps might have been taken as a revenge for what was done to them during the PTI regime.

Sanity and reason are alien to our political culture and the political leaders on both sides have a myriad of skeletons in their cupboards.

It is the moral duty of intellectuals to call a spade a spade and let the nation know the reality of the prevailing situation and guide it in regards to the corrective measures needed to rectify the situation. Selling one’s soul to the devil and indulgence in promoting partisan and false narratives only leads to erosion of the credibility and stature of such self-styled intellectuals. I am baffled by their amazing effrontery to speak from a higher moral pedestal in a situation like this when the leader has been found guilty of fraud in the Toshakhana case.

The fact of the matter is that Imran Khan was never a genuine political leader, notwithstanding the propaganda by his social media warriors regarding his popularity. A leader is the one who unites the nation, thinks and acts for the welling being of the people, believes in democratic norms and supremacy of law and upholds the prestige and sanctity of Parliament.

Unfortunately he was found lacking in all these traits, leave alone his moral bankruptcy and sexual exploits as a known playboy. The leaked audios and videos also shed adequate light on his non-political pursuits. How can a man like him be the chief executive of Islamic Republic of Pakistan and how can people have the spine to project such a person as the most conscientious and honest individual? Those who have been performing this unholy duty need to scratch their conscience.

Malik Muhammad Ashraf is an academic. He can be contacted at: ashpak10@gmail.com.

Laptops for teachers

THE laptop scheme for university students reflected the vision of the past government related to the country’s educated youth. The scheme allowed students to enhance their learning experience and to keep themselves up-todate with the exponentially growing body of knowledge.

The next such scheme should be extended to teachers nationwide. In the light of the ongoing financial crunch and an increased focus on online learning, universities, colleges and schools have added online learning resources into their everyday lessons. Laptops are essential for teachers to prepare lesson plans, create presen-tations and communicate with their students. Teachers also need to have premium access to the world of knowledge. With access to these resources and devices, teachers can keep up with the demands of online teaching. The government should immediately launch such a scheme and provide laptops to the teachers. This will support the education sector and clearly demonstrate the government’s commitment to ensuring that our teachers have the necessary resources to deliver quality education.

DR IRFAN AZIZ KARACHI

Textbooks unavailable

THE summer break has ended, and we now have a new academic year in Sindh. It has been almost a month since both public and private schools resumed classes, but all government schools in the province are experiencing shortage of textbooks.

The crisis is creating hurdles for both teachers and students. Education is a fundamental right of every individual. The enrolment in government schools is increasing because the admission criteria and required standards set by the government are way better than what used to be the case earlier. Owing to rising inflation, majority of people cannot afford the rather exorbitant fee of private schools. People have turned their focus on government schools as their only choice, and it is just as well that the government has been able to improve the system to some extent. All that now remains to be done is to somehow supply textbooks so that the process of education may start in earnest. Sindh has the second lowest literacy rate in the country. This is not a matter of one individual or a few families. It has been so for generations. Everyone should raise their voice as this issue needs to be sorted out quickly. Those concerned should resolve this issue on a priority basis. They must ensure that the Sindh Textbook Board publishes enough textbooks to overcome the crisis.

An appeal to mayor

THIS is an appeal to Karachi Mayor Murtaza Wahab to look into the scandal the hydrant at Maskan Chowrangi in Gulshan-i-Iqbal has become. It has given up its duty of supplying water.

It has all the water in the world for tankers, but it has no water for those to whom it is supposed to supply water by pipe in Blocks 4, 4-A and others in the vicinity. If it has no water, how do the tankers get it? Once I asked a tanker driver where he was getting the water from, and he said he was getting it regularly from the Maskan hydrant. Recently, someone from our neighbourhood went to the hydrant and he found only a watchman there. One could withstand some difficulty in getting water for a week or so, but in our case it has become a regular feature. A big tanker costs Rs6,000, and the water lasts a week. Then what? We have to arrange another tanker. How can I afford this money every now and then? Is there no one in the Karachi Water and Sewerage Corporation to remove this gross neglect of duty concerning such an essential need as water? I am sure only intervention by the mayor will relieve us of this torture. I appeal to the mayor to order an inquiry into this gross neglect of duty.

The party leaders may not want him, but thereÊs little they can do to him without alienating a significant portion of their voters. The party canÊt control Trump or his voters. And now with so many alternative social media platforms, Trump can have greater reach than the party or its once media ally, Fox News.

Washington Watch

The fact of the matter is that Imran Khan was never a genuine political leader, notwithstanding the propaganda by his social media warriors regarding his popularity. A leader is the one who unites the nation, thinks and acts for the well being of the people, believes in democratic norms and supremacy of law and upholds the prestige and sanctity of Parliament

Malik MuhaMMad ashraf

Pakistan’s long night and collective wisdom

Things are falling apart

Pakistan’s long dark night has lasted 76 years now. And still there seems to be no end in sight. One hopes that collective wisdom will prevail but this is just a hope for now. In the Game of Thrones, a series of fantasy novels by George RR. Martin, the Long Night is how the Westerosi refer to a period when a terrible darkness befell the known world. Eventually, the First Men and the Children of the Forest formed an alliance and defeated the White Walkers and brought an end to the Long Night. The Battle was led by Azor Ahai who had a great sword of fire called Lightbringer. He also died a valiant death during this battle.

Pakistan is no fantasy land and its chequered history is no fantasy novel. No Azor Ahai with his sword Lightbringer will come forward to lead Pakistan out of its long dark night. Ultimately, it is up to the common people of Pakistan if ever they wake up from their deep slumber to end this long night.

Pakistan’s predicament continues to be no rule of law as well as utter disregard of the constitution. The country continues to face insurmountable challenges and is stuck in the midst of political, constitutional, economic and security crises. The governance model, if ever there was any, has completely failed. A military junta in front, middle or at the back also has not worked. At some stage, the continuous experimentation with governance models (civilian, military, hybrid) need to end and we need to give people their voice in what matters most to them.

There is only one way to effectively deal with these seemingly insurmountable challenges and that is through collective wisdom and people’s support. Collective wisdom is often defined as shared knowledge arrived at by individuals and groups, used to solve problems and conflicts.

It is also the ability of the groups to use their knowledge and experience to make good decisions. This, however requires an assessment of the current operating environment

faced by Pakistan which can be described thus:

n A population of over 240 million with a demography in which the median age is around 20. Almost 65 percent are under 30 and around 30 percent between 15 and 29,

n An economy in tatters with rising inflation and unemployment. This is further aggravated with increasing income disparities as increasing numbers fall below the poverty line

n Most of the state institutions have failed to deliver; whether it is bureaucracy, police, judiciary or others

n Crumbling social services infrastructure, including health and education

n Lack of tolerance and rise of extremism of all sorts combined with resurgence of terrorism

n Increasing use of social media and technology

n Impact of climate change

n Increasingly complex geopolitics of USAChina/Russia confrontation and a neighbourhood including India, Afghanistan and Iran

Since April 2022 while things took a disastrous turn for the worse in some ways, it has also stripped bare all the weaknesses in the current status quo. Never in Pakistan’s history has the rottenness of the entire system been exposed as in these past months. It appears there is no vision or long-term thinking. Society’s moral and social fabric seems completely broken down. Over the past several decades was the country mostly governed by psychopaths in turn were served and supported by sycophants?

Getting down to realpolitik, we observe a number of changes within the power dynamics in the system and its main stakeholders. This is assuming ordinary citizens have never been stakeholders in this system which is led and managed by the elites. Common citizens have not had much influence over these power dynamics except to cast their votes. Following themes emerge for the key players in the recent power struggles.

n While the military still continues to be the strongest institution in the country and wields most of the actual power as well as fire power, this may not be so in coming years. Its credibility has weakened significantly since the ouster of the PTI government.

Can people snoop on our WhatsApp messages?

The

thing possible to go unnoticed,” said Suárez, who recommends keeping an eye on app settings. “Attackers will turn off the timestamp and message received/read settings (two blue checkmarks) in WhatsApp to avoid raising suspicions.”

EL

PAIS José MenDiola Zuriarrain

IS there anyone who doesn’t use WhatsApp? If someone were to access an account on this popular messaging platform, they could build a detailed personal profile. This includes photos, messages, audio and even writing style. Our lives revolve around WhatsApp notifications, but can we have confidence in the security of our information on WhatsApp?

To begin, let’s understand what happens when you send a WhatsApp message. The app uses a client-server model, where messages are first encrypted and sent to the platform’s servers before being delivered to the recipient. This end-to-end encryption ensures that only the intended receiver can decode and read the message, guaranteeing privacy and security. There is a risk that conversations could be intercepted and read, but it would be very difficult. “It is not impossible, but it does require a significant effort,” said Ángela G. Valdés, from Spain’s National Cybersecurity Institute (INCIBE). “Generally, the threat is more likely to come from individuals with specific interests in our communications, rather than cybercrime networks.”

Cybercriminals usually try to circumvent the platform’s security measures by resorting to deception. They pretend to be someone with an urgent problem who needs a code that will be sent to the phone of the WhatsApp user. “The most common inquiries we receive regarding risks and fraud associated with WhatsApp include account theft and fake messages impersonating family members or friends, requesting money,” said Valdés.

If you receive this type of message, do not click on any links or respond. ”It’s important to be cautious about any links or files sent through WhatsApp, text messages, emails or any other channels,” said Luis Suárez, a sales engineer at Fortinet. “Always update your phone’s system software and its applications, and don’t leave your device unattended where someone can install malicious software.”

How can you tell if your WhatsApp account has been compromised? As mentioned, hacking a WhatsApp account is extremely difficult due to end-to-end encryption. However, criminals often use very subtle tactics, leading one to wonder if their WhatsApp accounts have been compromised. “If the goal of the attacker is to spy on the victim, they’ll do every-

Suárez also recommends regularly reviewing active sessions on WhatsApp Web and closing inactive ones, particularly on shared computers. However, there are additional signs that can indicate a compromised WhatsApp account, like abnormal battery consumption when the device isn’t in use. Suárez suggests periodically checking battery usage (on Android: go to Settings/ Battery/ Battery Usage; on iPhone: go to Settings/ Battery) and verifying if the resource consumption of each application aligns with actual usage. Service providers are the most interested parties in ensuring user security. WhatsApp, for instance, provides a service for swiftly verifying account privacy. Users are required to activate two-factor authentication, app protection via biometric systems, and receive enhanced privacy recommendations.

HOW TO PROTECT YOURSELF: Although WhatsApp is a very secure platform, it is not impregnable. Users can maximize security by following these simple tips.

Keep software updated: Software developers and platforms constantly repeat this recommendation. Why? Because developers are always working to fix potential system weaknesses, and updated software ensures that you have the version with the latest security patches, says Juan Manzano from Stratesys. He recently identified and resolved two significant vulnerabilities in WhatsApp through which attackers could remotely execute code by exploiting the Video File Handler component. “One security breach happened during a manipulated video call and the other through a malicious video file.”

Avoid clicking on links or sending codes: In cybersecurity, once you’ve installed the latest platform version, the next crucial protection is being cautious and using common sense. Never click on links unless you’re absolutely certain of the sender’s authenticity. But if you accidentally click on one, there’s still another layer of defense – malware detection systems. Manzano suggests installing an antimalware application that keeps your phone updated and continuously protected by detecting and blocking any malicious elements.

Password-protect WhatsApp and keep your phone close: Bad guys are well aware of human frailties, and overconfidence is one of them. Leaving your phone unlocked on a table while you go get a drink from the bar can be disastrous. It’s always best to keep your phone in sight and locked when not in use. WhatsApp provides a password lock feature, and can even lock individual chats, adding an extra layer of security.

n The military’s own space for manoeuvring is currently quite limited given that there is no Russian invasion of Afghanistan nor an international war on terror led by the USA, and hence not much dividends to reap from the West. And there is no fiscal space given IMF conditionalities.

n Unlike the past, people have better and wider access to technology and social media together with a large young population. Over the past few decades, the military has moved into spheres that are neither its domain specialization nor in accordance with its primary mandate.

n As history tells us this generally does not bode well for the institution itself or the nation-state especially in the case of Pakistan with its social, ethnic and religious fault lines. This in itself should be a reason enough to avoid use of force and negotiate a governance model that is transparent and accountable as well as supported by the general populace. All successful corporations in the context of a corporate world have governance models where authority and accountability rests in the same place. Given Pakistan’s own history of flip-flopping between military, civilian and hybrid regimes, it seems legitimacy will continue to elude the military. Even a formal hybrid governance model would only work if supported by a majority, and accountability must be across the board and not just for civilian governments or institutions.

n The PTI and Imran Khan have been pushed back in every possible way. While the PTI may have lost its ability to organize and function effectively, it seems likely to win a majority if and when free and fair elections are held. It would make good sense for PTI and its chairman to step back a little from their stated position and accept or work on a new social contract with other key stakeholders while staying true to its commitment to primacy of the rule of law.

n It is the sharp divides between parties and political players that created a vacuum for the Army to play a more active role. Whether it is a charter of democracy combined with a charter of economy, the PTI may have to tone down its rhetoric on corruption related to PDM

parties as well as regime change. Maybe the focus on eradicating corruption can begin from 2024 onwards and not retroactively, though this should mean that rule of law is applied to everyone including the powerful and not just the common people going forward.

n For PDM parties including the PPP and PML(N), they have more or less lost all political capital and credibility among the public. They need to stop blaming the PTI and Khan for everything wrong with Pakistan– they know better, and are aware what the real issue is. Khan and his party cannot be blamed for Pakistan’s woes that have been in making for decades.

n Part of the blame also rests with Khan. Khan’s lack of understanding of Machiavellian politics and possible naivety about the military’s own interests, so a political vacuum was created which was filled by the then COAS. Maybe PDM can work on a formula where no one over 50 is a candidate for PM from their platform or let someone outside of the Sharifs and Zardaris become leaders of these parties while they remain in the background. And they can build upon from there. The focus needs to be on a new social contract and a charter of democracy and economy and not on vendetta and victimisation. This can start with a good will gesture by releasing all political prisoners and withdrawing frivolous cases against PTI and its leaders.

It would not be wrong to say that all institutions including parliament, judiciary, bureaucracy, police and others seem to have lost credibility. While at the same time, no one person, political party or institution can get Pakistan out of the present mess. This can only happen through collective wisdom and action by all key stakeholders with the support of the people. The foundation of long term sustainable economic growth can only be based upon rule of law that includes strong efficient institutions operating within the ambit of their respective mandate. No government of technocrats or billions in foreign direct investments alone can achieve this. Till this is understood by all stakeholders and powerbrokers there is no moving forward. No one can be above the law.

What can be resolved through dialogue and negotiation will be longer lasting than what is forced. Use of force will only further weaken the federation. Pakistan’s problems can only be solved within Pakistan by Pakistanis themselves. Given the magnitude of the rot occurring over many decades, these challenges will take at least a decade to reverse and only then perhaps the country can move in the right direction.

The real question is if collective wisdom will prevail together with a will and commitment to break away from the status quo or will Pakistan just tumble through life and tumble out of it at some point, like, as the historian Stanley Lane-Poole famously wrote, emperor Humayun tumbled through life, and he tumbled out of it.

The author is a senior international banker, with degrees in economics and political science from University of Pennsylvania and Brown University

Want protection from AI? The first step is a national privacy law

other countries are not waiting as we sit still.

IN the six months since a new chatbot confessed its love for a reporter before taking a darker turn, the world has woken up to how artificial intelligence can dramatically change our lives—and how it can go awry. AI is quickly being integrated into nearly every aspect of our economy and daily lives. Yet in our nation’s capital, laws aren’t keeping up with the rapid evolution of technology. Policymakers have many decisions to make around artificial intelligence, like how it can be used in sensitive areas such as financial markets, health care, and national security. They will need to decide intellectual property rights around AI-created content. There will also need to be guardrails to prevent the dissemination of mis- and disinformation. But before we build the second and third story of this regulatory house, we need to lay a strong foundation and that must center around a national data privacy standard. To understand this bedrock need, it’s important to look at how artificial intelligence was developed. AI needs an immense quantity of data. The generative language tool ChatGPT was trained on 45 terabytes of data, or the equivalent of over 200 days’ worth of HD video. That information may have included our posts on social media and online forums that have likely taught ChatGPT how we write and communicate with each other. That’s because this data is largely unprotected and widely available to thirdparty companies willing to pay for it. AI developers do not need to disclose where they get their input data from because the U.S. has no national privacy law.

While data studies have existed for centuries and can have major benefits, they are often centered around consent to use that information. Medical studies often use patient health data and outcomes, but that information needs the approval of the study participants in most cases. That’s because in the 1990s, Congress gave health information a basic level of protection, but that law only protects data shared between patients and their health care providers. The same is not true for other health platforms like fitness apps, or most other data we generate today, including our conversations online and geolocation information.

Currently, the companies that collect our data are in control of it. Google for years scanned Gmail inboxes to sell users targeted ads, before abandoning the practice. Zoom recently had to update its data collection policy after it was accused of using customers’ audio and video to train its AI products. We’ve all downloaded an app on our phone and immediately accepted the terms and conditions window without actually reading it. Companies can and often do change the terms regarding how much of our information they collect and how they use it.

A national privacy standard would ensure a baseline set of protections, no matter where someone lives in the U.S. And it would restrict companies from storing and selling our personal data.

Ensuring there’s transparency and accountability in what data goes into AI is also important for a quality and responsible product. If input data is biased, we’re going to get a biased outcome, in other words, “garbage in, garbage out.” Facial recognition is one application of artificial intelligence. These systems have by and large been trained by and with data from white people. That’s led to clear biases when communities of color interact with this technology.

The United States must be a global leader on artificial intelligence policy. But

The European Union has moved faster on AI regulations, because it passed its privacy law in 2018. The Chinese government has also moved quickly on AI, though in an alarmingly anti-democratic way. If we want a seat at the international table to set the long-term direction for AI that reflects our core American values, we must have our own national data privacy law to start.

The Biden administration has taken some encouraging steps to begin putting guardrails around AI, but it has been constrained by Congress’ inaction. The White House recently announced voluntary artificial intelligence standards, which include a section on data privacy. Voluntary guidelines don’t come with accountability, and the federal government can only enforce the rules on the books, which are woefully outdated.

That’s why Congress needs to step up and set the rules of the road. Strong national standards like privacy must be uniform throughout the country, rather than the stateby-state approach we have now. It has to put people back in control of their information instead of companies. It must also be enforceable so that the government can hold bad actors accountable. These are the components of the legislation I have introduced over the past few Congresses and the bipartisan proposal the Energy & Commerce Committee advanced last year.

As with all things in Congress, it comes down to a matter of priorities. With artificial intelligence expanding so fast, we can no longer wait to take up this issue. We were behind on technology policy already, but we are falling further behind as other countries take the lead. We must act quickly and set a robust foundation. That has to include a strong, enforceable national privacy standard.

Congresswoman Suzan K. DelBene represents Washington’s 1st District in the United States House of Representatives.

BRICS establishes a new international order

GLOBAL RESEARCH Manlio Dinucci

THE 15th BRICS Summit, held in Johannesburg, South Africa, made a series of decisions that lay the foundation for a new international order, an alternative to that imposed by the West. The BRICS association-formed by Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa-expands to include 6 more countries, which will become full members as of January 1, 2024: the Argentine Republic, the Arab Republic of Egypt, the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, the Islamic Republic of Iran, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates. At present, 44 countries want to join BRICS: 22 have already officially applied, and another 22 have expressed their intention to do so. Therefore, the Summit instructed foreign ministers to prepare a list of partner countries as a basis for further enlargement. The five current members together account for more than 42 percent of the world’s population, 30 percent of the world’s territory, 23 percent of GDP and 18 percent of global trade. Candidates that could join the 6 already admitted as full members include: Afghanistan, Indonesia, Thailand, Algeria, Nigeria, Senegal, and Nicaragua.

A BRICS expanded to include these 13 countries would have more than 4 billion people, or more than half the world’s population, it would own 45 percent of the world’s oil reserves and more than 60 percent of the world’s gas reserves. Its total GDP would amount to about $30 trillion, more than the GDP of the United States and twice that of the European Union.

The realization of a new international order, alternative to that imposed by the West, is therefore possible: indeed, the founding value of the BRICS is the shared commitment to restructure the global political, economic and financial architecture so that it is fair, balanced and representative. Within this framework, the BRICS have launched a plan to de-dollarize trade, which is already reducing the hegemony of the dollar, and have created the New Development Bank, an alternative to the World Bank. Further steps in this direction are expected from the 16th BRICS Summit, to be held in 2024 in Russia.

This article was originally published on byoblu in Italian.

Manlio Dinucci, award winning author, geopolitical analyst and geographer, Pisa, Italy. He is a Research Associate of the Centre for Research on Globalization (CRG).

What can be resolved through dialogue and negotiation will be longer than what is forced. Use of force will only further weaken the federation. PakistanÊs problems can only be solved within Pakistan by Pakistanis themselves. Given the magnitude of the rot occurring over many decades, these challenges will take at least a decade to reverse and only then perhaps the country can move in the right direction.

app is more secure than you’d expect, but precautions can minimize risks

Chinese premier Calls for enhanCed China-Us Cooperation

BEIJING STAFF REPORT

CHINESEPremier Li Qiang on Tuesday called on China and the United States to enhance mutually-beneficial cooperation.

Li made the remarks when meeting with visiting U.S. Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo in Beijing.

Li said the economic and trade relations between China and the U.S. are mutually beneficial and win-win in nature.

Politicizing economic and trade issues and overstretching the concept of security will not only seriously affect bilateral relations and mutual trust, but also undermine the interests of enterprises and the people of the two countries, and will have a disastrous impact on the global economy, he said.

Noting that China is the largest developing country and the U.S. is the largest developed country, Li said the

two sides should strengthen mutually beneficial cooperation, reduce friction and confrontation, and jointly promote world economic recovery and cope with global challenges. For her part, Raimondo said the Biden administration supports China in its economic development and improving people’s livelihood. The U.S. has no intention to contain China’s development or seek decoupling from China, she said, pledging to keep communication to maintain normal economic and trade relations between the two countries, and promote the stable development of bilateral relations. The U.S. is also willing to strengthen cooperation with China in areas such as artificial intelligence, climate change, and combating the fentanyl issue. China, U.S. agree to maintain communication, carry out cooperation Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng also met with visiting U.S. Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo in Beijing on Tuesday. The two sides have agreed to

India-held Kashmir to host Miss World contest

ISLAMABAD AGENCIES

The Miss World beauty contest will be held in the disputed territory of occupied Kashmir as part of a month-long series of events across India, organisers have said.

India has been promoting tourism in the disputed region — home to spectacular mountain scenery — and more than a million Indian citizens visited it last year. Miss World Organisation chair Julia Morley said that India will host a month-long series of events for the annual international beauty pageant from November to December, with part of the

schedule to be held in occupied Kashmir.

“This is a blessed place for tourism,” Morley told reporters while on a visit to Srinagar on Monday, the region’s main city. Competitors will take part in “talent showcases, sports challenges, and charitable initiatives” to shortlist participants before the grand finale in December, the organisation said. Miss World organisers say the contest “celebrates the beauty, intellect, and humanitarian efforts of women”. The pageant has in the past sparked protests from critics who say it perpetuates the objectifi-

cation of women and contributes to a beauty industry that pressures women to appear a certain way. Dissent has been criminalised, media freedoms curbed and public protests limited in what critics say is a drastic curtailment of civil liberties by Indian authorities. Miss World 2022 Karolina Bielawska said she was stunned by held Kashmir’s scenery. “I cannot wait to welcome 140 nations, and all my friends and family, to bring them here to India and to show them places like Kashmir, like Delhi, Mumbai… you have so many beautiful places”, the Polish model said on Monday

India’s top court seeks timeframe to restore Jammu and Kashmir’s status as state

NEW DELHI

ANADOLU AGENCY

India’s Supreme Court on Tuesday asked the federal government to indicate if there is a time frame to restore the status of Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu & Kashmir (IIOJK) as a full-fledged state.

The remarks by the top court came as it heard petitions challenging legislation that stripped IIOJK of its statehood and special status on Aug. 5, 2019.

“…we are conscious of the fact that

these are matters of national security… the preservation of nation itself is the overriding concern. But without putting you in a bind, you (solicitor general) and AG (attorney general) may seek instructions on the highest level – is there some time frame in view?” Chief Justice DY Chandrachud asked on Tuesday. Solicitor General Tushar Mehta referred to the 2019 Indian government statement in parliament stating the “Union territory (of Jammu and Kashmir) is not the permanent feature.”

Mehta also told the bench on Tuesday after the lunch break: “The instructions are that UT (union territory) is not a permanent feature. But, I will make a positive statement the day after tomorrow….”

India repealed the special status of the disputed territory of IIOJK, stripping it of its flag and legislature.

Article 35A was also scrapped, which had allowed the region to define its residents and barred outsiders from buying.

continue to maintain communication and support enterprises of the two countries in carrying out pragmatic cooperation.

The two sides had candid, pragmatic and constructive discussions over implementing the important consensus reached at the Bali meeting last November between the two countries’ heads of state, as well as economic and trade issues of common concern. The Chinese side expressed its concerns over measures taken by the U.S., such as Section 301 tariffs, export controls against China and two-way investment restrictions.

China, US agree on new channels to address trade issues

Chinese Commerce Minister Wang Wentao and US Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo held “rational, candid and constructive” talks on Monday, the second day of the US commerce chief’s four-day high-stake trip to China, and the two sides announced to set up new communication channels to address various issues.

In a late-night statement, the Chinese

Commerce Ministry (MOFCOM) said

Wang also raised serious concerns about various US policies toward China such as Section 301 tariffs, semiconductor policies, restrictions on investments and sanctions on Chinese firms, stressing that overstretching the concept of national security is not conducive to bilateral trade. Establishment of the new communication mechanisms showed both sides are taking necessary measures to enhance talks to address disputes; however, concrete actions by Washington to address China’s core concerns over crackdown measures are needed for a stable bilateral economic and trade relationship, experts said.

Even though major differences between the two countries will remain, efforts to stabilize bilateral economic and trade ties and enhance cooperation in areas of common interests could help the US tackle its own economic challenges, including high inflation and lingering recessionary pressure, as the Chinese economy remains resilient thanks.

CORPORATE CORNER

Dr Theresa Thompson talks export growth driven by productivity gains at firm level

The second day of the conference opened with a plenary address by Dr. Theresa Thompson Chaudhry (Professor, Lahore School of Economics; Research Affiliate, International Growth Centre; CoDirector; Lahore School of Economics Innovation and Technology Center) on firms and exports in Pakistan. Her talk focused on export growth driven by productivity gains at the firm level which can be made possible through innovation. Dr T. Chaudhry also highlighted that while exports may have increased by 20% over the last year, the long run growth in exports has been exceptionally low despite repeated depreciations and Pakistan continues to rely on labor remittances to keep the external economy afloat. PR

Sunridge Foods winning trust through transparency

LCCI URGES COMMERCE MINISTER TO ADDRESS EXPORTERS GRIEVANCES REGARDING SBP REFINANCE SCHEME

LAHORE SHAHAB OMER

THELahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) has appealed to Dr. Gohar Ejaz, the Federal Minister for Commerce, to urgently address the concerns raised by exporters regarding the newly issued guidelines to banks concerning the SBP Refinance Scheme.

“The new guidelines are poised to significantly impact exporters, exacerbating the challenges faced by our already struggling economy,” stated Kashif Anwar, President of the LCCI. This call to action comes in response to a series of grievances lodged by LCCI members.

Anwar stressed that numerous firms within the LCCI representing the export sector are grappling with serious compli-

cations arising from the recent guidelines conveyed to banks concerning the SBP Refinance Schemes. Recognizing exporters as the backbone of the nation’s economy, he stressed the critical importance of promptly addressing their concerns, especially during these trying times. Anwar revealed that commercial banks are notifying exporters about directives from the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) that compel them to reduce the disbursed funds to exporters against their export limits exposure for refinancing by August 31, 2023, during the extension of credit limits. Consequently, exporters are faced with a dilemma: either repay the funds before the aforementioned date or obtain them from commercial banks at a rate of 25% (comprising 22% KIBOR and 3% Banker Spread).

Anwar expressed deep concern over

the potential repercussions of this measure on an already burdened Export Sector. He argued that complying with such short-notice instructions would prove immensely challenging for exporters who are already meeting the criteria set by the State Bank. Furthermore, he highlighted that many exporters are still awaiting approval of their EE Statements, a process currently underway at the State Bank. Anwar questioned the fairness of curtailing their limits without considering their performance, particularly given the dire economic circumstances. He pointed out that the refinancing rate for exporters had incrementally risen from 3% to 19% over the past two years, purportedly due to inflation-based increments. Despite grappling with this substantial increase, exporters were striving to cope. However, Anwar contended that the new curtailment policy would se-

Pathways to Trade Growth: Pak-Malaysia friendship leading the way: Ambassador

KArAchI: Sunridge Foods Limited (SFL), a subsidiary of Unity Foods Limited (UFL) opened its doors to the media to win trust through transparency for an exclusive visit to their Sunridge Flour processing factory in Port Qasim.

Approximately 40 media professionals from various print, electronic, and digital outlets accepted this invitation, showcasing SFL's strong commitment to transparency, quality, and innovation.Sunridge Foods remains committed to providing safe & fortified nutrition to Pakistan through its products. The purpose of this visit was to maintain complete transparency of farm to fork journey and to familiarize the media with the entire process of food quality and safety deployed by Sunridge Foods. PR

23rd ITCN Asia to begin tomorrow at Expo Center

KArAchI: The 23rd edition of ITCN Asia, the flagship event of the IT and telecom sector, will be held from August 31 to September 02 in Karachi at the Expo Center. Caretaker Federal Minister Dr. Umair Saif will be the chief guest.Tech Destination Pakistan will be the title partner of this event for the first time. Google, P@SHA, and UNIFONIC are also leading partners.Over 450 organizations are participating in the event, including 100 foreign delegates from eight countries: China, Singapore, Azerbaijan, UAE, KSA, USA, etc.For the first time, the mobile phone companies are participating under a separate Telecom Pavilion promoting Madein-Pakistan mobile devices. The CIO Global Forum will also organize its exclusive event in Pakistan. PR

NBP records pre-tax profit of PKR 47.7 Bn, 41% up YoY

KArAchI: Financial results of National Bank of Pakistan “the Bank” for the half-year ended June 30, 2023 were approved today (August 29, 2023) by the Board of Directors in their meeting held at the Bank’s Head Office. The meeting was chaired by the Chairman of the Board, Mr. Ashraf Mahmood Wathra. The President/CEO of the Bank Mr. Rehmat Ali Hasnie was also present in the meeting. Recording yet another period of a remarkable performance, the Bank reported a profit before tax (PBT) of PKR 47.7 Billion, nearly 41% higher than PKR 33.9 Bn for H1’22. The Bank’s performance remained particularly strong during Q2’23 as the Bank earned a PBT of PKR 29.5 Bn as against PKR 18.2 Bn earned in Q1’23. These results were driven through a commendable performance in both the fund based and non-fund based earning streams. Despite a continued challenging environment during the period, the Bank’s profit after tax more than doubled to PKR 26.0 Bn depicting a massive increase of 114% over the PKR 12.1 Bn for H1 period of the previous year. Accordingly, Earnings Per Share closed at PKR 12.23 as against PKR 5.71 for H1’22. PR

OGDCL workshop on energy explores latest trends, future prospects, and collaboration avenues

ISLAMABAD: The Oil and Gas Development Company Limited (OGDCL) on Tuesday hosted a dynamic workshop on energy in collaboration with the Lahore University of Management Sciences (LUMS). The workshop, held at the OGDCL headquarters, provided a platform for industry experts and thought leaders to convene and deliberate on the current landscape, future prospects, and collaborative initiatives within the energy sector.The workshop was graced by the presence of Mr. Ahmed Hayat Lak, the Managing Director of OGDCL, alongside all Executive Directors of OGDCL, and other senior officers. The gathering facilitated constructive exchanges of insights and perspectives on the advancements in the energy domain, fostering a deeper understanding of ongoing projects, challenges, and emerging opportunities. P

The Malaysian Ambassador to Pakistan emphasized the pivotal role of the strong and enduring friendship between Pakistan and Malaysia in fostering enhanced trade prospects. Highlighting the shared cultural heritage and close ties between the two nations, the Ambassador expressed that Pakistan-Malaysia Friendship is paving the way for enhanced trade and collaborative efforts in this respect driving economic growth and bilateral cooperation. The amicable relations are expected to further catalyze trade development, strengthening the bonds that unite Pakistan and Malaysia. This was expressed by Malaysian Ambassador H.E. Mohammad Azhar Mazlan in the 4th Meeting of the Rotary Club of Islamabad Metropolitan held today in Islamabad.

The Meeting was held in the Ambassador Hall at Mariott Hotel Islamabad. Club President Dr. Azra Yasmin chaired the meeting. The event commenced with the opening of the session, marked by the recitation from the Holy Quran by Secretary Abdul Qadir Sultan, followed by Pakistani National Anthem.

On the occasion H.E. Ambassador Mohammad Azhar Mazlan, the High Commissioner of Malaysia in his address, shed light on the theme of Pakistan-Malaysia

Relationship. He underscored the commonalities shared between Pakistan and Malaysia, encompassing cultural, religious, and friendly ties. Ambassador Azhar also highlighted Malaysia's perception of Pakistan as a vital trade partner. He recounted Malaysia's assistance to Pakistan during the previous year's floods and emphasized the genuine fondness Malaysians hold for Pakistanis, positioning Pakistan as an important strategic ally.

SAPM Jawad Sohrab Malik chairs maiden meeting on Workers Welfare Fund

briefed the Chair on the status of completed, ongoing, and upcoming development projects of WWF, highlighting the challenges in the operationalization of five hospitals in Balochistan. He also briefed about liquid and fixed assets of WWF.

Mr. Waseem Afzal Warraich, Director (OW), WWF, suggested prioritizing the welfare of mine workers and briefed the Chair on the welfare schemes of WWF. He shared that the Pakistani Army is interested in signing an MOU with the WWF to facilitate the functioning of five hospitals in Balochistan to cater to the needs of workers and their families.

ISLAMABAD PR

The Special Assistant to Prime Minister of Pakistan for Overseas, Mr. Muhammad Jawad Sohrab Malik, chaired the maiden meeting on Workers cWelfare Fund at the WWF Secretariat, Islamabad on August 29, 2023. The meeting discussed a range of topics related to Workers Welfare Fund, including its development projects, with a particular emphasis on those in Balochistan.

The Secretary of WWF, Mr. Zulfiqar Ahmad,

Mr. Malik appreciated the work of Mr. Zulfiqar Ahmad and proposals put forth by Mr. Warraich and directed WWF to prepare concise briefs on various points, including the status of development projects in Balochistan, capacity assessments of students in WWF schools, operationalization of development projects, overview of liquid and fixed assets of WWF and strategies for enhancing the welfare of mine workers.

The meeting concluded with a vote of thanks to the Chair, and souvenirs were presented to Mr. Malik.

TCL crowned Electronics Company of Year at 2023 International Business Awards

LAHORE PR

TCL Electronics (1070.HK), the global top 2 TV brand and top 1 98-inch TV brand, has clinched the illustrious Gold Stevie Award for Large Electronics Company of the Year at the 20th International Business Awards. In addition, Ms. Sunny Yang, General Manager of TCL MEA, was honoured with a Silver Stevie Award for Woman of the Year, and the company's C-Series Televisions earned a Bronze Stevie Award for Achievement in Product Innovation.

The Stevie Award winners were selected through a meticulous judging process, involving evaluations from over 230 executives worldwide. This esteemed panel assessed over 3,700 nominations from organizations of all sizes based on their accomplishments, contributions, and impact across various categories. Commenting on the achievement, Ms. Sunny Yang said, "It is an honour and a privilege to be recognized by the prestigious International Business Awards. At TCL, we are dedicated to improving people's lives and experiences

with our innovative technology. This recognition is an affirmation of our guiding philosophy at TCL, to inspire and empower people to pursue greatness in their lives."

"This win is dedicated to the hard work, passion, and creativity of the entire TCL family whose hard work and tenacity made these achievements possible. It is a testament to the strength of the TCL promise and commitment to inspire greatness, and we aim to continue raising the bar with the help of our immensely talented team at TCL," she added.

Bridging gap between policy, laws and practice key to lessen gender-based violence : Advisor

ISLAMABAD APP

Prime Minister's Special Assistant for Human Rights and Women Empowerment Mushaal Hussein Mullick Tuesday stressed the need for bridging gap between women empowerment laws and practice for lessening the gender discrimination and violence against them in the society. She was addressing at a national conference of service providers on gender based violence here.

Representatives of different stakeholders participated in the conference and shared their valuable views on this occasion.

Highlighting the deplorable condition of women of Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK), the Special Assistant said that Indian armed forces had been committing henious crimes especially, against women in the IIOJK for the last seven decades.

She said, rape was being used as a ferocious tool of weapon against Kashmiri women in order to demoralize them and suppress Kashmiris's just cause for the right to self-determination. Indian state au-

thorities not only condone such condemnable acts but also encourage such nefarious crimes as a state policy, she added. Mushaal Mullick said that being the daughter of Kashmir, she had the true realization of the state of women rights in IIOJK which led her decision to become powerful voice of Kashmiri women.

She further said that she has also been advocating for rights of children and women in Pakistan for last many years. The advisor expressed her satisfaction that a lot of progress had been made regarding women empowerment in terms of policy making and formulation of different laws, however narrowing the gap between policy and implementation was key to end gender based violence and discrimination in the society. She said there was need to create conducive environment for women where she could exercise her rights with free will. The special assistant also encouraged electric and print media to come forward and play their pivotal role in creating awareness among masses and society for discouraging gender based violence and discrimination especially against women in the society.

verely hamper their working capital capacities and elevate the cost of conducting business, thereby eroding their ability to compete with international suppliers.

“The proposed policy change risks undermining the slight advantage that the Export Sector currently holds. We firmly believe that such shifts in policy should be undertaken after thorough consultation and consensus among private sector stakeholders,” asserted the LCCI President. He urged Dr. Gohar Ejaz, the Federal Minister for Commerce, to reconsider this policy alteration and adopt a more equitable approach that duly recognizes the challenges faced by exporters. Anwar firmly believed that a fair and supportive policy stance would not only aid exporters but also contribute significantly to the broader economic growth of the nation.

Mansha Brothers unveil cutting-edge NEC communication products

KArAchI: Mansha Brothers, a renowned name in the technology industry, proudly announced the launch of their latest line of NEC products at a grand event held here earlier today at a five-star hotel. The event was marked by the presence of distinguished guests and media, insightful speeches, and a comprehensive product showcase, highlighting the brand's commitment to pushing the boundaries of innovation and connectivity in the business communication sector.

The evening commenced with an engaging guest registration process, setting the stage for an evening of technological revelations. The master of ceremonies, Hira Khan welcomed the guests and attendees, setting a tone of anticipation for the unveiling of the latest advancements in communication technology.

Tahir Lone, Director Mansha Brothers, took the stage to express his enthusiasm about the launch, stating, "At Mansha Brothers, we believe in bringing revolutionary solutions to the market. PR

IESCO’s power suspension schedule for today

ISLAMABAD: According to Islamabad Electric Supply Company (IESCO)’s spokesman, System Maintenance/Development Work is in process. Therefore power supply of below mentioned feeders/areas will be temporary suspended as per given schedule:

On 30th August 2023, From 08:00 AM to 01:00 PM, Islamabad Circle, Comsat, Chhata Bakhtawar, Park Enclave, Lahtrar, Tramiree, ISI, Rahara, PHA, Kuri Road, CM Pak Zong, Isolation Hospital , Anguri, NCP, Mangyal, Shahdara, Shahpur, Khayban Iqbal, Peer Suhawah, Quaid-e-Azam University, Punjab House, Bri Imam, Mandala, Athal, NIH Feeders, From 07:00 AM to 12:00 Noon, Islamabad Circle, Frash Town, Karpa Feeders, Rawalpindi City Circle, Bajnyal, F-17/1, F-17/2, Nogzi Feeder, Rawalpindi Cantt Circle, Morgah, Park View, Pindi board, Shahpur, Old Rawat, New Rawat, CWO, AOWHS, SPARCO, Islamabad Feed Mill, Jhata Hatial. PR

Govt committed to supporting overseas: SAPM

ISLAMABAD: In line with the vision of the honorable Prime Minister of Pakistan to enhance the facilitation and support for overseas Pakistanis, the Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Overseas Pakistanis & Human Resource Development, Mr. Jawad Sohrab visited the Overseas Pakistanis Foundation (OPF) head office to inaugurate a stateof-the-art 24/7 Complaint Monitoring Cell. This cell aims to provide a dedicated platform for registering complaints from overseas Pakistanis around the world, ensuring that their grievances are promptly addressed and resolved; a positive step towards citizen-centric governance and service delivery.

The key feature of this new Complaint Monitoring Cell is the introduction of a dedicated Universal Access Number (UAN) +92 51 111 040 040, along with two WhatsApp numbers (+92 301 9872195 & +92 306 0329901), enabling overseas Pakistanis to easily reach out and register their complaints. PR

WALEE partners with Pakistan’s biggest creator Waliya Najib

LAhore: WALEE, Pakistan’s first influencer marketing platform is on the mission to unify the creator economy. Walee has established a reputation as a strong MarTech players with its use of data and AI to help advertisers in Influencer marketing. And now, Walee is taking the same technology and aiming to help Creators with their “Walee Partners” program. The AI-powered program aims to provide creators with advanced insights, inspirations, predictive analytics. With the launch of this groundbreaking program, WALEE takes a giant leap towards realizing the vision to identify how creators can tap into new technology, data, and AI and be able to provide a product that adds value to their ‘creator careers’ by teaming up with none other than one of Pakistan's biggest creators, Waliya Najib.Waliya has taken on the role of Creator partner on this project. Her firsthand experience as a creator with over 1.4 million followers, provides WALEE. PR

ISLAMABAD STAFF REPORT

PROTESTS AGAINST INFLATED ELECTRICITY BILLS

MOUNTING POWER TARIFF STRAIN HOUSEHOLDS, BUSINESSES: FPCCI

PROFIT SHAHAB OMER

INa press conference held in Lahore, Irfan Iqbal

Sheikh, President of the Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI), voiced deep concerns over the escalating electricity prices in Pakistan. Sheikh highlighted the distressing impact of the National Electric Power Regulatory Authority’s (NEPRA) forecast for power purchase prices in the upcoming fiscal year 2023-24.

He said that NEPRA’s forecast revealed a significant financial burden on both households and businesses, with consumers expected to bear a staggering 68 percent of the fixed capacity payment costs. Sheikh highlighted the potential economic instability posed by the substantial fuel costs, particularly those associated with petroleum imports.

He expressed worries about the volatility these costs could introduce and the strain they could place on Pakistan’s foreign exchange reserves. Moreover, Sheikh lamented the lack of a clear solution or comprehensive governmental strategy to address

these pressing issues.

“To counter these challenges, the government has already increased the consumer-end tariff, effective from July 1, 2023. This move would have adverse effects on both residential and commercial consumers, especially given the existing burden of inflation on businesses, rendering them unprofitable and at risk of bankruptcy,” he said.

One of the most concerning aspects highlighted by Sheikh was the current inability of residential consumers across the country to pay their electricity bills.

“On average, consumers are already burdened with paying an additional 15 to 20 percent in the form of various charges, including uniform quarterly adjustments, fuel price adjustments, and surcharges. The added costs don’t stop there for consumers. On top of these charges, residential users are subject to an extra 20 to 25 percent in the form of electricity duty, sales tax, and income tax. The disparity between the charges and the consumers’ ability to pay is evident in the figures: off-peak load consumers are paying Rs. 35.57 per kWh, while peak load consumers are shelling out Rs. 41.89 per kWh.

VOA Chief South, Central Asia calls on PM Kakar

ISLAMABAD

STAFF REPORT

Head of South and Central Asia Division, Voice of America, Ayesha Tanzeem on Tuesday called on the Caretaker Prime Minister Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar here and discussed matters relating to mutual interests. Minister for Information and Broadcasting Murtaza Solangi was also present in the meeting.

PTI President Pervaiz Elahi’s remand in NAB custody extended again

LAHORE

STAFF REPORT

The National Accountability Bureau (NAB) on Tuesday was granted a four-day extension in the physical remand of Punjab’s former chief minister and Pakistan Tehreeki-Insaf (PTI) President Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi in a case related to alleged kickbacks in development projects. Earlier, NAB officials produced Elahi before the accountability court on the expiry of his physical remand. At the outset of today’s hearing, Elahi’s counsel — in response to the NAB’s allegation — apprised the court that PML-Q President Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain, his client’s cousin, had deposited Rs120 million in Elahi’s bank account. The NAB’s prosecutor pleaded with the court to extend the physical remand of the PTI leader for another 14 days to complete the investigations. The court, however, extended the physical remand of Elahi till September 2. Meanwhile, the Lahore High Court (LHC) reserved its verdict on a plea seeking implementation of its earlier order restraining the authorities from arresting Elahi in any undisclosed FIR or pending inquiry.

Earlier today, the PTI leader moved the court to challenge his detention “in violation of the LHC’s order”. In his plea, Elahi requested the court to ensure implementation of its previous verdict and declare his arrest null and void. NAB accused Elahi of receiving over Rs1 billion as kickbacks through intermediaries in more than 200 development projects of Gujrat district, during his second term as chief minister of Punjab. Elahi was initially arrested on June 1 from outside his residence in a Rs70 million graft case related to the embezzlement of development funds allocated for the Gujrat district. Since then, the former Punjab chief minister has been behind bars on various charges. During a span of around two and half months, the PTI leader was released multiple times on the courts’ orders but was re-arrested immediately every time. The PTI president was taken into custody during a crackdown launched against the party’s leadership following the May 9 riots.

These numbers exclude additional charges like taxes, fuel cost adjustments, uniform quarterly adjustments, and surcharges. Commercial consumers are also facing the brunt of these price hikes, coupled with additional taxes and duties. In the current billing scenario, commercial users are paying a staggering 37 to 40 percent of their total electricity charges in the form of taxes and duties,” he added. Sheikh proposed several steps to alleviate this crisis. He called for a reduction in operational costs for power distribution companies, including withdrawing the provision of free electricity to WAPDA employees, addressing transmission and distribution losses, and tackling electricity theft. He also suggested renegotiating debt payment periods with power plants to reduce the capacity component in the power tariff.

Highlighting the gravity of the situation, Sheikh stressed that businesses cannot sustain themselves with unaffordable electricity costs. He cautioned that the economic growth of the nation is at risk, and many small and medium enterprises could be forced to shut down.

SENATE BODY LAMBASTS IPPS FOR PAKISTAN’S ELECTRICITY WOES

g WANTS IPPS TO FACE HEAT AS CAPACITY PAYMENTS IN CURRENT FISCAL YEAR RISE TO RS1.3 TRILLION

PROFIT

DANIYAL AHMAD

ONthe 29th of August, the Senate Standing Committee on Power convened to address the pressing issue of “unprecedented electric bills” that have sparked nationwide protests. The committee, led by Senator Saifullah Abro, tasked the Power Division with compiling a comprehensive ledger of electricity defaulters and outstanding dues across all Distribution Companies (DISCOS).

Representatives from the Power Division revealed that the capacity payment to Independent Power Producers (IPPs) for the current fiscal year had reached a staggering total of Rs1.3 trillion. They identified the dollar-to-rupee conversion rate, imported coal prices, RLNG, and KIBOR as the primary drivers behind these capacity payments.

Electricity theft had incurred a cost of approximately Rs 467 billion, while the government had earmarked Rs 976 billion for electricity subsidies in the current fiscal year’s budget.

Senator Saifullah Abro castigated the IPPs, branding them as the main culprits behind the exorbitant electric-

ity costs. He underscored that IPPs had inflated the invoices of three significant power plants—a fact acknowledged by the Secretary of the Power Division. Senator Abro emphasised that resolving the IPP issue is critical for effectively mitigating the electricity crisis. The committee has instructed the Power Division to provide a list of defaulters and outstanding dues for each DISCO at their next meeting. This narrative serves as a stark reminder of the complexities and challenges inherent in managing a nation’s power infrastructure.

The matter transpires amidst a maelstrom of dialogues, brimming with a multitude of stakeholders vociferously advocating for a comprehensive renegotiation of the contracts binding the IPPs. A handful of audacious individuals have even commandeered the media platforms, proposing that the IPPs should cease operations in their entirety. So, what’s going on?

The problems of having just one customer

“One fundamental question that has been repeatedly raised concerns the payment of capacity payments to IPPs. This discussion arises due to a need for clarification on the tariff

Interior Ministry constitutes JIT to probe ‘smear drive’ against IHC CJ

ISLAMABAD STAFF REPORT

The Ministry of Interior on Tuesday constituted a Joint Investigation Team (JIT) to probe into a smear campaign on social media against Islamabad High Court (IHC) Chief Justice Aamer Farooq.

According to the notification issued by the Ministry of Interior, the Special JIT headed by the FIA Director Cybercrime will be comprised of representatives from Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI), Intelligence Bureau (IB) and Islamabad Police.

The FIA will provide secretarial support to the special JIT tasked with furnishing its report to the Interior Ministry within 15 days.

The Federal Ministry of Law and Justice on Sunday condemned the “social media attack” on the IHC chief justice, declaring it as “utterly reprehensible”.

“The social media attack by a political party on chief justice Islamabad High Court is utterly reprehensible. Political parties should refrain from attacking the Institutions of the country,” the ministry said in a rare brief message posted on X, formerly known as Twitter.

The Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) and Islamabad High Court Bar Association (IHCBA) also strongly condemned the “malicious social media campaign” targeting the judge.

“Justice Farooq, renowned for his unwavering commitment to principles of honesty and competence, has consistently demonstrated these qualities through his impartial and merit based judgments.

“These relentless campaigns, driven by ulterior motives to tarnish his impeccable reputation, can only be perceived as a deliberate malevolent effort to undermine the stature of a distinguished judge and erode public trust in the judiciary,” the IHCBA statement said. “We are resolute in our determination to prevent such evil intentions from coming to fruition at any cost.”

The bar association urged the authorities to take swift and decisive action against the instigators of the malicious propaganda and for holding them accountable in the court of law.

“It is imperative that the true motives and the full extent of their disinformation efforts be exposed and addressed promptly,” it said.

Bushra Bibi granted bail in Toshakhana case

ISLAMABAD STAFF REPORT

An accountability court on Tuesday approved the bail plea of Bushra Bibi, the wife of former prime minister and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chairman in the Toshakhana case till September 12.

AC judge Abul Hasnat Muhammad Zulaqrnain heard the case and granted bail to Bushra Bibi till September 12 in the Toshakhana case. Bushra Bibi’s bail was accepted against surety bonds worth Rs500,000. The ex-first lady has been accused of keeping a locket, chain, earrings, two rings and bracelet from the Toshakhana gifts. She is also accused of keeping gold, diamond, necklace, bracelet, as well as gold and diamond rings, earrings and bracelet.

The NAB has maintained that the gifts were not submitted to Toshakhana (state depositary) to calculate their prices. The

Toshakhana issue became a major point of contention in national politics after the Election Commission of Pakistan disqualified the PTI chief for making “false statements and incorrect declaration”.

The reference, which alleges that Imran failed to share details of the gifts he retained from the Toshaskhana (during his time as

the prime minister) was filed by lawmakers from the ruling coalition last year.

The judgement added that the former premier was found to be indulged in corrupt practices under sections 167 and 173 of the constitution. “A criminal proceeding will be initiated against him over filing a false statement.

structure, explains Zaheer Ghanghro, Chief Executive Officer at Halmore Power Generation and Director at Lalpir & Pakgen Power”, “No one wants to understand that IPPs have a single buyer, hence the capacity payment. This will only change once the market structure changes, but that is only possible after the sector has paying capacity.” Ghanghro adds.

It is pertinent to mention that Pakistan’s IPPs were built on a “take-orpay” model. A “take-or-pay” provision in a purchase contract guarantees the seller a minimum portion of the agreed-upon payment if the buyer does not follow through with actually purchasing the full amount of goods. This type of agreement benefits the supplier by reducing the risk of losing money on any capital spent to produce the product it is trying to sell. It also benefits the buyer by allowing it to negotiate a lower price elsewhere. With this kind of contract, the company either takes the product from the supplier or pays the supplier a penalty. For any product taken, they agree to pay the supplier a certain price, say $50 per ton.

Ex-cricketer Khalid Latif on trial in Dutch MP threat case ISLAMABAD AGENCIES

Khalid Latif, a former Pakistani international cricketer, went on trial on Tuesday in the Netherlands for allegedly attempting to incite the murder of anti-Islam MP Geert Wilders, with prosecutors demanding a 12year sentence if convicted. Dutch public prosecutors alleged Khalid Latif, 37, who remains in Pakistan, had offered 21,000 euros ($23,000) in an online video from 2018 in which he called for Wilders’ killing. The outspoken Dutch MP at the time cancelled a competition for caricatures of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) after angry demonstrations broke out, particularly in Pakistan, and the far-right politician was inundated with death threats.

“Latif tried to move others to murder Wilders and to avenge the cartoon contest,” prosecutor FA Kuipers told the judges. “Not only was his goal to end a human life with violence, but with his appeal he tried to silence a Dutch representative,” she claimed at a court hearing, held at a high-security courthouse near Schiphol airport. “Calling for a murder to prevent the cartoon competition and offering a sum of money to kill the organiser of that competition, should be very severely punished as far as the public prosecution is concerned,” Kuipers added, before asking for a 12-year sentence. Neither Latif, nor any lawyer were present in the courtroom. The Pakistani embassy in The Hague had no comment directly after the hearing and Latif could not be immediately reached for comment.

Kuipers said prosecutors have tried since 2018 to speak to the cricketer and handed over a request to Islamabad for legal assistance, to no avail.

The Netherlands does not have a treaty regarding legal assistance with Pakistan, she said.

“The questions we have for Latif remain unanswered,” Kuipers said.

‘Won’t be silenced’

Wilders, who was in court during the hearing, told the judges death threats on his life increased after his plans to stage the controversial cartoon competition. Known for his firebrand comments about Islam, Wilders has been under 24-hour state protection since 2004. “Whatever you find of the cartoon competition, there is no reason to put a price of death on somebody’s head for it,” Wilders said.

Addressing Latif personally, Wilders, known for his peroxide bouffant hairdo, said “your call to have me murdered will never silence me”. But at the time, the plan to stage the contest received widespread criticism at home, with politicians, local media and ordinary citizens slamming the idea as needlessly antagonising Muslims. Latif’s call resonated in the real world, Kuipers said.

A Dutch court in 2019 sentenced a Pakistani man to 10 years in prison for plotting to assassinate Wilders in the wake of the cancelled contest. The man, identified as Junaid I. was arrested in 2018 at a train station in The Hague after he posted a film on Facebook in which he said he wanted to “send Wilders to hell” and urged others to help. The verdict is due to be handed down on September 11. Latif, 37, who played five one-day internationals and 13 T20Is for Pakistan, was banned from cricket for five years in 2017 for spot-fixing in a Pakistan Super League match in Dubai. Latif, who had shown tremendous early promise as a cricketer but failed to make an impact at international level, made his last appearance for the national team against the West Indies in Abu Dhabi in September 2016.

ECP emphasizes posting, transfers of key officers, officials for impartial elections

ISLAMABAD STAFF REPORT

Chief Election Commissioner Mr. Sikandar Sultan Raja on Tuesday chaired two important meetings with Chief Secretaries and Inspector General (IGs) of Sindh and Balochistan regarding upcoming general elections held at EC Secretariat Islamabad.

The members of the Election Commission, Secretary ECP, Provincial Election Commissioner Sindh and Balochistan, and other senior officers of ECP also attended the meetings.

During the meeting, the Chief Secretary and IG Sindh briefed the Election Commission on preparations for the upcoming general elections and assured full cooperation.

The Election Commission emphasized on the Chief Secretary and IG Sindh that conducting transparent and impartial elections are fundamental responsibility of ECP. In this regard, the first step is the transfer and posting of all officers and officials who are important in the perspective of impartial elections.

The Election Commission has issued directives in this regard, because transfer/posting is the first step towards transparency.

After that, there will be appointments of District Returning Officers, Returning Officers, Assistant Returning Officers, and Monitoring Teams will be made. Commission have very limited time, the Election Commission expressed its concern and issued directives for the prompt submission of proposals for transfers/postings so that remaining steps for the elections can be taken as soon as possible. Election Commission assured full support and cooperation to Chief Secretary and IG Sindh.

In the second meeting, the Chief Secretary, IG Balochistan, and Provincial Election

Commissioner Balochistan briefed the Election Commission on preparations for the upcoming elections. The Chief Secretary informed that recommendations for postings/transfers of different officers, Deputy Commissioners, and Additional Deputy Commissioners have been sent to the Election Commission. This recommendation highlights officers’ performance and merit, and other postings/transfers will also be conducted in accordance with the Election Commission’s directives.

Furthermore, the Chief Secretary Balochistan informed that the maintenance of

flood-affected polling station buildings has been ensured. The IG Balochistan briefed the Election Commission on the security situation in the province. The Election Commission directed the Chief Secretary and IG Balochistan to ensure impartial duties and assured them that the Election Commission would provide all possible assistance to them.

The Chief Election Commissioner stated that the Election Commission, being an impartial and Constitutional organization will ensure that elections be conducted peacefully and impartially as per Constitution and the Law.