Epaper_23-08-01 LHR

Profit

N E I T H E R W I L L M A K E FA L S E P R O M I S E S N O R

D E V I AT E F R O M O B L I G AT I O N S T O I M F : P M

t t o c o m e u p w i t h s o l u t i o n w i t h i n n e x t 4 8 h o u r s t o p r o v i d e r e l i e f t o p u b l i c

g C l a r i f i e s a r m e d f o r c e s n o t u s i n g a s i n g l e f r e e u n i t o f e l e c t r i c i t y, u s a g e b y W a p d a e m p l o y e e s t o b e r a t i o n a l i s e d

CARETAKER Prime Minister Anwaarul Haq Kakar on Thursday said the matter of inflated electricity bills is being discussed with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the government has given proposals to the fund, saying the government would “fulfill its obligations towards the global lender at all costs”

We will not make false promises nor would we deviate from our responsibilities

We will let everyone know the measures we cannot take and why, Caretaker Prime Minister Anwaarul Haq Kakar said while speaking to senior journalists and anchorpersons in Islamabad

The caretaker premier said the consumers will have to pay the electricity bills

The statement came days after the IMF refused to immediately approve Pakistan s

request for recovering August s electricity

bills over a period of six months amid raging protests in many parts of the country that continued against back-breaking bills

So far, the caretaker government has failed to come up with any solution

It is trying to avoid breaching the conditions of the IMF programme that require keeping the overall circular debt at Rs2 310 trillion and timely passing on the increase in electricity prices on account of annual, quarterly and monthly adjustments

PM Kakar said that the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) will give the final date for holding the elections and the interim setup would conclude following the elections

The interim prime minister acknowledged being informed recently about protests concerning inflated electricity bills

He said that the interim setup does not have any hidden agenda plans or ambitions It is not like some oppressive rulers

GOVT HIKES PETROL PRICE BY NEARLY RS15, HSD BY RS18

ISLAMABAD

S ta f f R e p o R t

have come to power and were draining the resources of the impoverished he added ‘GOVT TO COME UP WITH SOLUTION IN 48 HOURS’ PM Kakar said that the government has minutely looked into the problem of inflated electricity bills and would come up with a solution within next 48 hours adding that the authorities were considering various options to provide relief to the people

To a question, he clarified that the Pakistan army, navy and air force were not using a single free unit of electricity and their bills were paid from the allocated financial budget While employees of WAPDA were using free electricity units and their usage would be rationalised especially of the higher grade officers as some of them were getting huge quantity of free electricity, he added Over the years he said the generation and transmission system of electricity remained flawed and the government had to

SC dismisses ECP plea seeking review of verdict on Punjab elections

ISLAMABAD

S ta f f R e p o R t

The Supreme Court (SC) on Thursday dismissed the Election Commission of Pakistan’s (ECP) petition seeking a review of the top court s order regarding holding elections to the Punjab Assembly on May 14

Chief Justice of Pakistan Umar

Ata Bandial said that court would intervene whenever there was a constitutional violation because the Constitution was not someone s property No institution can transgress the Constitution and under the Constitution, the ECP is bound to hold elections within three months ” the CJP said

The court will intervene whenever the Constitution is violated Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Umar Ata Bandial remarked while heading a three-member bench, comprising Justice Ijazul Ahsan and Justice Munib Akhtar hearing ECP petition for a review of the verdict regarding elections to the Punjab Assembly on May 14 In a unanimous judgment on April 4, the bench had quashed the electoral body’s decision to extend the date for polls in the province from April 10 to Oct 8 and fixed May 14 as the new date

It had earlier directed the government to release Rs21 billion for the elections in Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and provide a security plan to the ECP regarding the polls Moreover the court had instructed relevant authorities to

keep it in the loop

However, in reports submitted to the apex court in subsequent days the ECP had said the then ruling coalition was reluctant in releasing the funds

It had contended that staggering polls by holding them in Punjab and KP separately, before elsewhere, was not feasible since it would incur significantly more expenses compared to holding the exercise on one day It had further said that an already depleted security apparatus would require weeks in advance for its mobilisation

On May 3, with fewer than two weeks to the May 14 election date ordered by the court the election commission had filed its plea seeking a review of the court s April 4 order At the outset of the hearing, the ECP lawyer sought one more week for preparation

However the CJP asked the lawyer to inform the court of his stance saying that the bench would review the case The lawyer responded that he required time to

ECP hopeful about general elections by mid-Feb

ISLAMABAD

S ta f f R e p o R t

In a bid to dispel the speculations being spread about the conduct of general elections, the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) on Wednesday assured the leadership of ANP BNP and the BAP that the elections would be held by January end or most probably in the mid-February if delimitation of constituencies is completed earlier The ECP statement came after separate consultative meetings of the Chief Election Commissioner and other officials with the leadership of ANP, Balochistan National Party (BNP) and Balochistan Awami Party (BAP) held at the commission to discuss matters regarding general election Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Sikandar Sultan Raja chaired the meetings which were attended by the commission members, the secretary and senior ECP officers The ANP delegation was led by its Secretary General Mian Iftikhar Hussain, comprising central spokesperson

Zahid Khan Khushdil Khan and Abdul Rahim Wazir

On behalf of the BAP Naseebullah Manzoor Kakar

Noor Muhammad Domar Sardar Abdul Rehman

Khetran appeared and BNP was represented by Abdul Karim Noshrawani, Sana Jamali and Danesh Kumar

The commission, ANP leaders said, assured them of squeezing the timelines of delimitation to the maximum possible extent The commission also assured them elections would not go beyond mid-February According to a statement released by the commission the ANP team insisted on the date and schedule for the electoral exercise, if conducting the election within 90 days was not feasible

prepare additional grounds in the case He said that the most important question was regarding the power to give a date for elections

After amendments to Section 57 and 58 of the Elections Act 2017, the power now rests with the ECP, the lawyer argued “Vakil sahib, keep in mind this is a review (plea) ” Justice Akhtar remarked “Don’t raise points that were not raised in the original case he said The ECP lawyer then said he wished to highlight the Workers Party case, to which Justice Akhtar said that the court had given its opinion in this regard “Tell us from the record about mistakes in the order for which a review is required the judge told the ECP lawyer PTI announces to file a contempt petition against ECP Meanwhile Pakistan Tehreeke-Insaf (PTI) Spokesperson announced that the party would file a contempt petition against Election Commission of Pakistan

The caretaker government has pushed through a sharp hike in the price of petrol by Rs14 91 per litre and high-speed diesel (HSD) by Rs18 44 per litre The increase brings the price of petrol to Rs305 36 per litre and HSD to Rs311 84 per litre, the Ministry of Finance said in a post on X (formerly Twitter) after midnight No revision was specified in the rates of kerosene of light diesel oil The price increase comes on the heels of an already massive hike on August 15 when the interim government raised fuel prices by up to

deal with serious issues of line losses power theft, high circular debt, use of expensive imported fuel and capacity payments to electricity companies “These issues cannot be ignored by just closing eyes We need to diagnose treatment for the disease

He made it clear that the government would fulfil its agreements with the international financial institutions He lamented that the country was faced with economic stag-

nation and there was less investment in sectors like manufacturing, real estate and stock exchange, and the trend was to only take up profit from certain businesses

He said that the caretaker government was formed for the continuity of constitutional order and was dealing with economic and security challenges

(ECP) in the Supreme Court (SC) after the apex court dismissed the electoral watchdog s review petition asking the top court to revisit its order of holding elections to the Punjab Assembly on May 14 Reacting to the SC verdict, the PTI spokesperson said that the PTI would approach the apex court and file a contempt petition against the ECP by delaying polls in Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa in sheer violation of the constitution

The spokesperson said that the PTI had taken a constitutional and democratic step to dissolve the provincial assemblies of Punjab and KP and the ECP should have held elections in the provinces within the constitutionally mandated 90 days of the dissolution

However he stated that the ECP took the criminal step of postponing elections for an indefinite period instead of following the intent of the constitution and the order of the apex court, adding that today’s verdict had brought forth ECP’s real intent as the commission even completely failed to satisfy the court about its unconstitutional actions during the hearing on the review petition

The spokesperson stated that the top court indicted the electoral body by dismissing its review petition for having violated the constitution He announced that the party would file contempt pleas against the ECP and its members, including the chief election commissioner, so that they could be held accountable for their crime

Suicide attack on militar y convoy leaves nine soldiers mar t yred in Jani Khel

RAWALPINDI

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A Motorcycle-borne suicide bomber on Thursday exploded himself on a military convoy in general area Jani Khel Bannu District leaving nine soldiers martyred On 31 August 2023 a Motorcycle borne suicide bomber exploded himself on a military convoy in general area Jani Khel, Bannu District Resultantly, nine soldiers including Naib Subedar Sanobar Ali, embraced shahadat, while five soldiers were injured,” an ISPR handout said The area has been cordoned by security forces and sanitization is being carried out to eliminate any terrorists found in the area Security forces of Pakistan are determined to eliminate the menace of terrorism and such sacrifices of our brave soldiers further strengthen our resolve the statement added Prime Minister Anwaarul Haq Kakar has condemned the attack and expressed grief over the martyrdom of the soldiers Taking to social media platform X, formerly Twitter, he said: “Heartbroken by the loss of 9 valiant soldiers in Bannu Division, KP, to a cowardly terrorist act that injured many ” The premier called such acts “utterly reprehensible and said his thoughts were with the families of the martyred and injured Pakistan stands resolute against such terror he added Pakistan has witnessed an uptick in terror activities in recent months especially in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan, after the outlawed TTP ended its ceasefire with the government in November last year

Bearish sentiment prevails as PSX tumble over 1,700 points on r upee’s steep decline

i t t e e o n F i n a n c e a n d R e v e n u e H e r c a n d i d statement about efforts to undermine the economy added to existing concerns The historic decline of the Pakistani Rupee and expectations of a substantial 2-3 percent interest rate hike by the State Bank of Pakistan further aggravated the selling pressure on the benchmark KSE-100 index

On a related note, the PKR/$ exchange rate at the interbank level had dropped to 304 on Wednesday, while rates in the open market and black market had plunged to as low as 312 and 325 respectively

IHC SERVES NOTICES TO RESPONDENTS ON IMRAN’S PLEA AGAINST JAIL HEARING OF CYPHER CASE

ISLAMABAD

S ta f f r e p o r t

TH E Islamabad High Court (IHC)

on Thursday sought replies from the Law Ministry and other respondents on PTI Chairman

Imran Khan s plea against the hearing of cypher case in Attock Jail

Yesterday, the special court, established to hear cases registered under Official Secrets Act heard Cypher case against Imran Khan in Attock Jail

IHC Chief Justice Aamer Farooq took up the petition for hearing with objections while Advocate Sher Afzal Marwat appeared before the court as Imran’s counsel

At the outset of the hearing Marwat informed the IHC that two objections had been raised by the registrar office on the petition He then explained that one of

Balochistan gov t reiterates commitment to rescuing missing persons

them was that more than one request had been made in the same petition At this, the chief justice asked, Why does it matter?

“I can remove the objections [if] you present arguments on merit,” he added

The petition filed a day after cypher case hearing was held in the office of the deputy superintendent Attock district jail where he is currently incarcerated after his conviction in the Toshakhana graft case

The cypher case pertains to a diplomatic document which reportedly went missing from the former premier ’s possession The PTI alleges that it contained a threat from the United States to oust Imran from power Justice Farooq then asked: Was the court venue shifted? The PTI lawyer answered that the court designated to hear cases filed under the Secrets Act was that of a magistrate “Authorising an anti-ter-

QUETTA: The Balochistan government on Thursday expressed deep disappointment over the continued politicization of the missing persons issue and reiterated its unwavering commitment to locating and rescuing all missing individuals In a statement issued here on Thursday the provincial government vehemently denied the allegations and emphasized its zero-tolerance policy towards the politicization of this issue The government firmly advises against exploiting this sensitive matter for political gains”, the statement said The government’s statement comes in response to certain political parties who have raised the issue of missing persons in the lead-up to elections campaign accusing the government of being responsible for these disappearances The government, in the statement, highlighted that the missing persons issue was often exploited as a “vote gainer” by political parties becoming a contentious topic during election periods However the government clarifies that it has not received any substantial complaints regarding missing persons thus far, it added Moreover, the government exposed the propaganda surrounding the missing persons’ issue, attributing it to India the human rights industry left-wing factions and ethnic nationalists The government in its statement asserted that this propaganda merely aimed to exert pressure on the current caretaker government and law enforcement agencies The government said that the last report of the Balochistan Missing Persons Commission (BMPC) found that a total of 9 231 complaints of missing persons had been received by the Commission Of these complaints 5 574 cases had been solved and 3 743 missing persons had been recovered, it added According to the statement, the BMPC also found that 241 bodies of missing persons had been received, while 974 people were in custody and 616 people who had been declared missing were currently jailed As of November 30 2022 there were 2 207 cases of missing persons pending with the BMPC These cases included multiple types of cases, including voluntary disappearances, personal enmity, and absconders S ta f f r e p o r t

Electricit y bills:

Lahore traders to obser ve shutter down strike on Sept 2

LAHORE: The business community of Lahore on Thursday announced to observe a shutter down strike on September 2 (Saturday) against the inflated electricity bills and rising inflation In a statement, Mujahid Maqsood Butt – President of Traders Association – said that markets across Lahore will remain closed on Saturday (September 2) in protest against inflated electricity bills and rising inflation in the country Traders cannot pay such heavy bills as it is destroying our businesses Butt said and urged the Caretaker PM Anwaarul Haq Kakar to take back the recent hike in the electricity bills

Meanwhile, Karachi traders have also announced a shutter down strike on September 1 against inflated electricity bills

The inflated power bills triggered countrywide protests from Karachi to Khyber and protests in some parts of the country are turning violent The protesting masses have been demanding that the government should end the provision of free electricity to the notables and provide them relief as the bills they have been receiving are more than their salaries S ta f f r e p o r t

rorism court judge to hear cases filed under the Official Secrets Act is wrong, Marwat asserted

On Tuesday, hours after the IHC suspended Imran’s sentence in the Toshkhana case the special court had directed the Attock jail authorities to keep him in judicial lockup and produce him the next day in connection with the cipher case

The same night, a notification issued by the law ministry said the interior ministry had conveyed security concerns to it in a letter and that the Law and Justice Division had “no objection” to Imran’s trial in the cipher case being held at Attock jail

Subsequently a day ago Judge Zulqarnain presided over an in-camera hearing of the cypher case against Imran at the jail, where he extended the ex-premier ’s judicial remand till September 13

CYPHER CASE RECORD HANDED

O V E R: The record of cypher case and the details of remand of PTI chief were handed over to the former prime minister s legal team, lawyer Khalid Yousaf confirmed on Thursday The counsel of PTI premiere had moved the court for the record of cypher case and subsequently the court provided record to the legal team after accepting the plea Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) earlier rejected the transfer of cypher case hearing against the former prime minister to Attock jail The party spokesperson said that PTI urged the Supreme Court to take notice of the human rights violation

The hearing of cypher case against the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chief was shifted to the Attock jail The notification issued by the law ministry stated that the ministry permitted the hearing of cypher case against the former prime minister in Attock jail

Cypher hearing conducted in jail for Imran’s safety: judge

ISLAMABAD S ta f f r e p o r t

A special court recently established to hear cases filed under the Official Secrets Act, 1923, has stated that the hearing against former prime minister Imran Khan in a case related to the illegal possession and disclosure of a classified diplomatic cypher was conducted in Attock Jail to avoid any untoward incident and to ensure the safety of PTI chief

Special Court Judge Abul Hasnat

Muhammad Zulqarnain, in his written order of hearings on August 16 and 30, said that hearing in the case took place on August 16 at the Judicial Complex during which the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) sought 14-day physical remand for Imran who was already imprisoned in Toshakhana case

He said that the Official Secrets Act gives the court the authority to decide on physical judicial or bail-related custody of an accused individual

As per Section 13 (3) of Official Secret Act 1923 it is crystal clear that it is discretion of this Court to send accused on physical remand, judicial remand or grant him bail Moreover, in order to avoid any untoward incident and bringing accused Imran Ahmed Khan Niazi outside from jail premises there is no touch stone what may happened during this time Since, the valuable life of accused is at peril who is already under judicial custody in Toshakhana Case being convicted accused Keeping in view the alarming situation and prevailing circumstances it

is not appropriate to give physical custody of accused in the instant case by way of bringing him before this Court

In order to save his precious life being a citizen of Pakistan from any untoward incident

It is pertinent to mention here that it is not an ordinary trial This Court is also a Special Court which deals with very sensitive/high profile cases registered under Official Secret Act 1923 Undersigned was designated to conduct trial of these cases under above said Official Secret Act 1923 Keeping in view since the instant matter is Cypher Case Proceedings the sensitivity and sovereignty of the State is also involves in instant matter, the court order stated

The court directed the Superintendent Attock Jail to confine Imran Khan on judicial remand for 14 days in instant matter “Hence in view of above said prevailing situation and to counter the life threats faced by accused Imran Ahmed Khan Niazi and also in view of threats facing by the whole society and

LHC calls for releasing Per vaiz Elahi as NAB seeks more time for submitting reply

sovereignty of the State, his attendance is dispensed with and he be considered as present before this Court on account of serious alarming situation as discussed above because he is already being convicted in Judicial Custody

Moreover the order stated in absence of the accused due to non-production his valuable right is not going to be prejudice under the fundamental rights given in the Constitution of Pakistan

1973

“The Superintendent Jail has been taken on board regarding the availability and live status of accused Imran Ahmed Khan Niazi In the light of supra mentioned observations the request of FIA Officials stands declined ”

The court also asked Imran whether he has any inconvenience problems or complaints in any manner in the jail regarding provisions of facilitates as prescribed under jail manual

So keeping in view the submissions of accused, Superintendent Attock Jail is directed to provide all kind of facilities as enshrined for prisoners under Jail Manual which are necessary for maintenance of valuable health of accused Imran Ahmed Khan Niazi the court order said Currently, the order said, the accused s lawyer has presented two separate applications, adding that the first application seeks to label a notification from August 29 illegal whereas the second application aims to move the ongoing case to a regular court and allow public access

It further said that a notice has been issued for the state and FIA authorities to these matters on September 2

SHC suspends flight ban on Jibran Nasir, his wife

The Sindh High

LAHORE: The Lahore High Court (LHC) on Thursday called for releasing former Punjab chief minister Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi after the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) sought more time for submitting reply, ordering the anti-graft watchdog to produce him before the court at 2pm on Friday (today) A single bench comprising Justice Amjad Rafiq was hearing the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) president’s plea challenging his detention by the country s top graft buster despite court orders refraining law enforcement agencies from arresting him

A day earlier, the bench expressed its displeasure at the repeated arrests of political leaders and undisclosed cases surfacing one after the other in apparent disregard of court orders Justice Rafiq had summoned the NAB director-general in person and directed the bureau to submit details of all disclosed and undisclosed cases against Pervaiz Elahi

When the proceedings commenced today, NAB’s counsel requested more time from the court to submit a detailed reply as to how and why Pervaiz Elahi was arrested in a previously undisclosed inquiry when the LHC had ordered his release At this Justice Rafiq remarked that arrest warrants were issued despite court orders Till NAB submits its detailed reply, this court orders his release,” said the LHC judge, expressing his ire at repeated arrests of the former Punjab CM NAB s counsel contended that LHC orders had not specifically mentioned the anti-graft watchdog in its orders Which authority granted permission to arrest Pervaiz Elahi? inquired Justice Rafiq, adding that NAB can continue conducting its inquiries against the ex-CM and in the meantime he can be released Subsequently it ordered the authorities to produce the senior politician at 2 pm today T H E P E T I T I O N : The petition, filed through Pervaiz Elahi s counsel Amir Saeed Rawn, has challenged his detention by NAB on August 14 The petitioner contends that his detention is a sheer violation of LHC’s order that had restricted law enforcement agencies and federal authorities from arresting the former Punjab CM in undisclosed FIRs or pending inquiries The petition maintains that since the professed NAB inquiry reportedly initiated on June 9 was never disclosed by the anti-graft watchdog Pervaiz Elahi s detention is in violation of court orders passed on July 13 It further moves the court to direct all respondents not to arrest Pervaiz Elahi in any other undisclosed criminal case, inquiry or investigation and set the PTI leader at liberty for at least a reasonable time period as the court may deem appropriate so that he may have the opportunity to approach the relevant courts of law

T H E A R R E S T S : An accountability court had remanded Pervaiz 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 the May 9 riots S ta f f r e p o r t

ICSF inaugurates ‘Shared Future Bazaar ’ in Islamabad

ISLAMABAD

S ta f f r e p o r t China-Pakistan think tanks, the Institute for a Community with Shared Future (ICSF), and the Pakistan Research Center for a Community with Shared Future (PRCCSF) inaugurated the ‘Shared Future Bazaar ’ in Islamabad

Designed to foster connections through commodities with China and Central Asia this unique market will not only retail imported goods from China and Central Asian countries in Pakistan but also provide a platform to export Pakistani products to China and the Central Asian regions

The Chinese delegation from ICSF joined members of

PRCCSF at the inauguration site

Speaking

Communication University of China (CUC), remarked during the ceremony that the project would leverage the CPEC route He drew parallels between the historical significance of trading through the ancient Silk Road and the modern transformation of that route into the CPEC The Shared Future Market will bolster bilateral ties between the Chinese and Pakistani communities, he noted In a related event, the Chinese delegation from CUC also inaugurated the ‘Social Media Cell’ at the PRCCSF headquarters in Islamabad This media cell will disseminate Chinese news in English aiming to address and rectify misconceptions about CPEC and Chinese investments in Pakistan

Swiss govt announces Excellence S cholarship for Pakistani students

The Swiss Government has announced the “Excellence Scholarship for Pakistani students” for the academic year 2024-25 according to the Higher Education Commission Each year the Swiss Confederation awards Excellence Scholarships to promote international exchange and research cooperation between Switzerland and over 180 other countries

The research scholarship (research fellowship PhD Postdoc) is available to post-graduate researchers in any discipline (who hold a master s degree is the minimum qualification required) who are planning to come to Switzerland to pursue research or further studies at doctoral or post-doctoral level

The Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships

are aimed at providing education opportunities to the young researchers from abroad who have completed a master s degree or PhD and foreign artists holding a bachelor s degree

The recipients are selected by the awarding body, the Federal Commission for Scholarships for Foreign Students (FCS) The prospective applicants can study in the categories including one-year Research after Masters 03-year PhD after Masters one-year Post Doctorate

The interested candidates may also request for all necessary information and requirement regarding the scholarship by sending an email to Islamabad scholarship@eda admin ch

The deadline for submitting the application to the embassy is September 30 while more information is available through the weblink: https://www sbfi admin ch/sbfi/en/home/education/sch

olarships-and-grants/swiss-government-excellencescholarships html The applications are subject to preliminary selection by the relevant national authorities and/or the Swiss diplomatic representation

The short-listed applications are then assessed by the Federal Commission for Scholarships for Foreign Students (FCS) which takes the final decision The FCS assesses scholarship applications a c c o r d i n g

NO ONE WILL BE ALLOWED TO SABOTAGE ‘HARD-EARNED PEACE’ IN SWAT REGION: RPO

be restored

Malakand Regional Police Officer (RPO) Mohammad Ali Khan Gandapur was addressing a Police Darbar held at Javed

MALAKAND Regional Police Officer (RPO) Mohammad Ali Khan Gandapur on Thursday declared that no one will be allowed to sabotage the peaceful atmosphere established as a result of numerous asking the police personnel to discharge their responsibilities with utmost diligence

Iqbal Shaheed Police Lines Kabal here in Swat district on Thursday Earlier on arrival in the police lines the smart contingent of police saluted the RPO He also laid a floral wreath on the Police Martyrs Memorial and offered Fateha for the martyrs Police personnel including all District police officers (DPOs) of Malakand region attended the police darbar On the occasion

WAPDA employees protest for continuit y of free electricit y

facility A protest demonstration was held in Lahore after sources claimed that the caretaker government is considering ending free electricity facilities for WAPDA employees The President of the WAPDA Union threatened for strong reaction if the facility of free electricity to the employees was revoked He also demanded to end all the taxes slapped on the bill and end political ‘interference’ in the sector S ta f f r e p o rt

UK HC gifts two state-of-the-ar t airpor t securit y scanners to Pakistan

two airport security scanners to Pakistan during a ceremony held at Karachi Airport on Thursday Addressing the ceremony British High Commissioner Jane Marriott CMG-OBE said I m delighted to handover these state-of-the-art airport security scanners here in Karachi, a demonstration of UK support for security at Pakistan s airports

“We all want travellers to fly safely and securely, this new technology means passengers can fly with greater confidence from Pakistan Aviation plays a vital role in growing trade between the UK and Pakistan and enabling the diaspora to travel Making flying safer brings the UK and Pakistan even closer together”, she added “I want to thank the Pakistan Civil Aviation Authority for arranging today’s ceremony and for the excellent cooperation we have on both aviation security and safety issues With over 1 6 million people of Pakistani heritage in the UK making up every part of British society, we have a special and ever-growing special bond, she concluded It is pertinent to mention here that the hundreds of thousands of people travel between the UK and Pakistan every year proof of the hugely significant UKPakistan people-to-people relationship Air links are of vital importance for trade between the UK and Pakistan and the diaspora UK funding of £164,000 (60 million Rupees) has provided two state-of-the-art screening units for Karachi and Lahore airports to detect illicit items in passenger baggage This technology will help to protect both British and Pakistani nationals travelling from Pakistan to the UK and elsewhere This is one small part of the UK’s ongoing aviation work with Pakistan, which is helping to raise safety and security standards The UK takes aviation safety very seriously International minimum standards help ensure that air travel is safe and secure for UK and Pakistani nationals and support international aviation to flourish S ta f f r e p o r t

the police personnel conveyed their problems they faced during performance of duty to the RPO Upon which, the RPO Malakand immediately issued orders to the officers concerned for resolution of these problems RPO Gandapur asked the police officials that people have a lot of expectations from them and if the police force performs all the responsibilities, with sincerity and faith and treat the public with courtesy and love, then the gap between the public and the police will be removed and trust will

He said that the police should step up their operations for effective crime prevention and against anti-social elements harming peace in the area and mafias involved in the heinous drug trade so that the elements that harm the society can be completely suppressed

The RPO further said that the complaints of the criminals coming to the police stations should be fully and satisfactorily resolved and in the investigation of the cases merit justice and transparency should be taken care of Addressing the police personnel the RPO asked them to remain alert during duty and ensure the use of helmets and jackets, because the police force is a disciplined force and no compromise will be made in this regard

“The police officers and other personnel who show good performance will be awarded with certificates of appreciation and cash rewards but legal action will be taken against officials who neglect their duty and lose public trust ”He concluded

Ne i t h e r w i l l m a ke f a l s e p ro m i s e s n o r d ev i ate f ro m o b l i g at i o n s to I M F: P M

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 01

The premier also talked about the challenges the country faced in the 1990s when electricity shortages emerged adding that the governments at that time engaged with independent power producers (IPPs) to augment power generation

However, we failed to anticipate the consequences of these agreements, including pay surcharge,” he remarked He also highlighted issues within the transmission systems and the billing retrieval process The prime minister said that Pakistan had security concerns on its Western borders He stressed that no terrorist organisation had the capacity to overtake any territory in Pakistan but they could sabotage and create terror Pakistan was in capable hands and every sacrifice would be rendered to defend every inch of the country s territory and steps would be taken for elimination of terrorism,” he remarked

The prime minister said that the government was determined to hold transparent free and fair elections and transfer power to the next elected government He said that recently formed Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC) had huge potential to attract investment in sectors of information technology defence production mining and agriculture and Pakistan had a bright future due to such initiatives

On Wednesday, Interim Finance Minister Dr Shamshad Akhtar, in her first public appearance after assuming the responsibility had candidly told the Senate Standing Committee on Finance that the government s coffers were empty and therefore no one should pin any hope for subsidies She warned of further increase in power and fuel prices in relation to higher prices in the global markets and lack of availability of any fiscal space for subsidies said there was no choice but to stick to the IMF programme

Countr y rapidly heading towards civil-disobedience: Sheikh Rashid

“Pakistan is an import dependent country and the commodity prices have to be passed on as we do not have the fiscal space and any room for subsidies, which is going to hurt people – whether in the shape of electricity or fuel prices,” said Dr Shamshad in her policy statement

Meanwhile protests and demonstrations against rising inflation were held across the country today with Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) calling a shutterdown strike on September 2

The JI has announced that the party will be approaching the Supreme Court to seek judicial assistance over rising electricity costs while the incumbent government burdens the public with conditions imposed by the IMF

In various cities across the country, including Karachi, Lahore, Gujar Khan, Okara, Murree, Vihari, Chistian, Multan Haveli Lakha DG Khan Swabi Mardan and others protests were held on the call of traders associations

ECP hopeful about general elec tions by mid-Feb

FROM PAGE 01

CONTINUED

They briefed the election commission that the election should be held within 90 days as per the Constitution and that the ECP should have consulted political parties before initiating delimitation, as the commission could not reduce or increase the seats given in the provinces given under the Constitution Therefore there was no need for new delimitation

The ECP they said could only accommodate seats within the province and that the commission was a constitutional body and they had full faith in it Therefore the delimitation decision taken by the commission must have been taken after due deliberation Therefore now the date and schedule for elections should also be announced so that political parties and people could

be satisfied The CEC said that according to the schedule issued by the commission, the delimitation work was to be completed within 120 days on December 14 2023

The election schedule would be announced soon after It is also possible that the election schedule will be announced in the next few days after reducing the duration of the constituency

The BAP delegation supported the ECP decision to carry out delimitation and members of the delegation said that because the results of the census had been published not going for delimitation as per the new census would be an insult to political parties, candidates and the public The BAP expressed full confidence in the ECP and also expressed confidence in several decisions taken by it in the past

BNP representative Agha Hassan

Baloch said the ECP should try to hold elections within 90 days He noted the new census appeared to be faulty in which the population of Balochistan had been reduced Therefore our party believes that there is no use of new delimitation If the election commission believes that delimitation is necessary, then the process should be corrected,” he said The CEC assured the delegations that the commission would ensure immediate elections after reducing the duration of delimitation

Talking to media persons outside the ECP, Mian Iftikhar said the electoral body had assured completing the delimitation of constituencies on fast track to enable it to hold general election not later than mid-February

RAWALPINDI: Awami Muslim League (AML) Chief and former interior minister Sheikh Rashid Ahmed said on Thursday that country was heading towards civil-disobedience Using microblogging website X the senior politician said no one knew when the elections would be held Rashid said the 13 parties which had plunged the country into a sea of economic problems were now trying to be a part of the protest by shedding crocodile tears He said the caretaker finance minister had also said that financial crisis was getting serious and 240 million people were at the mercy of the IMF Without political stability economic and financial stability could not be achieved, he added The former federal minister said that Justice Miangul Hassan Aurangzeb had said that 2023 was the darkest year in terms of implementation on the constitution and laws and his remarks stated much in a few words The AML head further said they (former ruling coalition partners) allowed to export sugar at Rs 85 (per kg) and were now going to import sugar at Rs220 (per kg) For 75 years, sugar mafia and flour mafia have always robbed the poor, sucked the blood of the poor and achieved their nefarious motives Awami Muslim League leader and former interior minister Sheikh Rashid Ahmed says the 16-month rule of the 13 incompetent parties is the cause of ruination of Pakistan s economy Taking to social media website X, formerly Twitter, the ex-minister wrote on Wednesday that inflation had gone sky-high Electricity bills have doubled Soon the IMF will withdraw support S ta f f r e p o r t

CEC seeks Caretaker CM’s feedback on Sindh officials reshuffle

ISLAMABAD:

Chief Election Commissioner on Thursday asked Sindh s care taker CM in a letter to dispatch proposals to the election commission with regard to transfer of officers within one week CEC Sikandar Sultan Raja in a letter addressed to caretaker Chief Minister of Sindh retired Justice Maqbool Baqar wrote that the election commission had directed provincial governments for transfer of administrative officers The election commission had instructed for transfer of commissioners, deputy commissioners and additional commissioners in the province,” CEC wrote in letter “The ECP had also asked for transfer of the RPOs DPOs and other police officers of the province letter read

The election commission had directed for posting of impartial officers for monitoring the election, according to letter Caretaker government of Sindh didn’t send any suggestions this lack of preparations of the government is regretful ” CEC wrote in letter to the Caretaker CM He asked Caretaker CM to send proposals to the election commission with regard to transfer of officers in the province within one week S ta f f r e p o r t

ISSI launches book on ‘Emerging Threats, Shifting Doctrines: Challenges to Strategic Stability in South Asia’

ISLAMABAD S ta f f r e p o r t

Lt-Gen (r) Sarfraz Sattar former Director General of Strategic Plans Division (SPD)

Thursday said that India was feverishly indulged in unprecedented increase in its fissile material stockpile and acquisition of all kinds of weapon systems and technologies, posing a great risk to the region and beyond In his keynote address at the launch of a book titled Emerging Threats and Shifting Doctrines: Challenges to Strategic Stability in South Asia edited by Malik Qasim Musfata, he said that the book was a second breath of fresh air coming out of Pakistan’s strategic community during the current year after Ambassador (R) Zamir Akram’s book on “Pakistan’s Nuclear Deterrence and Diplomacy

Other speakers at the seminar hosted by the Arms Control & Disarmament Centre (ACDC) at the Institute of Strategic Studies

(ISSI), included Major General (Retd) Ausaf Ali, Advisor, SPD; Malik Qasim Musfata Director ACDC-ISSI; Ms Ghazala Yasmin Jalil Research Fellow ACDCISSI; Dr Aqeel Akhtar ACDA SPD; Dr Ahmad Khan ACDA SPD; Ms Aamna Rafiq, Research Associate, ACDC-ISSI; Air Commodore (Retd) Khalid Banuri, former DG, ACDA, SPD; and Dr Adil Sultan, Dean FASS Air University Islamabad Sarfraz Sattar said topics covered in the ACDC s book were contemporary in nature arranged in a logical sequence and related to the subject of strategic stability He added that Pakistan needed to brace itself for future contingencies where it could see the application of such a course to gain ascendency over a short span of time He said there was already talk of such a thing happening around the next Indian elections India with its nuclear power had a hegemonic design and it would continue to pressurize Pakistan and force it to either

Gwadar S afe City Projec t on upward trajec tor y

ISLAMABAD S ta f f r e p o r t

In a significant development the Gwadar Safe City Project (Phase I) has seen substantial progress with the establishment of the Project Management Unit (PMU) and the submission of technical and financial feasibility reports all

fight or give in, he concluded Earlier, in his welcome remarks, ISSI Director General Sohail Mahmood said that it was no exaggeration to say that the world today was at a major inflection point There was an intensification of geopolitics and the proliferation of old and new threats, both in traditional and non-traditional security domains He said it was important to view the developments in South Asia against this backdrop Without a doubt the transformation in South Asia s security environment had both global impulses and regional dynamics Malik Qasim Mustafa, Director ACDC-ISSI, and editor of the book, stated that each chapter of the book was unique in a way that each highlighted the impact of shifting doctrines and various emerging threats and when all are put together it presented a bigger picture He added that India was shifting away from its positions and developing conventional and nuclear war-

fighting doctrines; modernizing and enhancing its conventional and nuclear weapons capabilities; pursuing hypersonic and ballistic missiles programs; increasing its naval build-up; adding a nuclear dimension wanted to control the Indian Ocean as a so-called net security provider; militarizing space developing LAWS and weaponizing AI, and the cyber domain

Given the rapid technological revolution at the global level and India-Pakistan conflictual relations Major General (Retd)

Ausaf Ali stressed the need to take timely actions to address the risks generated by LAWS In her remarks, Ms Ghazala Yasmin Jalil said that India’s doctrinal transformation and precision strike weaponry eroded nuclear deterrence

Dr Aqeel Akhtar said that the development of sea-based nuclear capabilities constitutes a significant component of India s nuclear modernization which raises the risks of arms race instability

P l u n g i n g e v e r d o w n w a r d s

The stock market crash combined with the PM’s lack of a solution means future trouble

TH E crash of the stock market on Thursday, when the benchmark KSE-100 lost 1750 points to close below 44,500 points showed that more attention was paid to the continued side of the rupee, which hit another low at Rs 305 55, than to caretaker Prime Minister Anwarul Haq Kakar s promise to announce relief measures for electricity consumers in two days Much of the steam of that announcement by Mr Kakar ’s caveat that all international lenders What little if any was left will be taken out by the expected hike in fuel prices As if all of that was not enough it seems that The State Bank of Pakistan’s Monetary Policy Committee is to be summoned ahead of its scheduled meeting which will raise the interest rate prematurely, even though it is already at a record level This not only reflects the sort of control the IMF exercises (raising the interest rate was a deeply held desire), but also makes nonsense of the whole MPC iea, which is meant to reduce arbitrariness and assure businesses that the interest rate will remain the same for a fixed period of time It may brith fact that hiking interest rate has failed to tame inflation so far, and as nothing else has changed, there is no reason to assume that this measure will change anything

The country is on the edge of a precipice where default seems a minor problem The power sector is already facing financial difficulty in the shape of the circular debt and is not likely to be able to sustain the effect of the mass defaults that may follow the current bills, and the ones after that If the entire power sector goes, it will mean that those who somehow paid their bills will also be left in the dark

The original plan of holding elections as late as possible now seems not just unconstitutional but unviable It is not at all certain that an elected government will have solutions, but it is certain that the caretaker government does not The only feasible solution is to hold elections within the constitutionally prescribed 90 days and let the newly elected government take what measures it will The caretakers do not have a stake the way elected officials do and will work to satisfy the IMF not the people of Pakistan

Dedicated to the legac y of late Hameed Nizami

Arif Nizami (Late)

Founding Editor

Yousaf Nizami Editor

M A Niazi Joint Editor Umar Aziz Executive Editor

B u i l d i n g B R I C S

BRICS may well have become unmanageable By a happy coincidence the first letters of the names of the members (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa) not only could be combined, but combined into a word with an appropriate meaning With the new admissions it does not seem that any acronym will emerge let alone an appropriate one

At the same time the organization has certainly changes direction, while some would say it has even lost it Originally, BRICS was a sort of gathering of countries which were expected to be the emerging powers of the new 21st century

When it was formed in 2009 it was BRIC and South Africa only joined a year later The acronym was first used in 2001 as BRIC or BRICS as those countries which deserved watching got the 21st century

It is an economic grouping, and all the original members are also members of the G20 Russia was once admitted to the G7, which then became the G8 joining in 1998 but had its membership suspended after it annexed Crimea in 2014 leaving finally in 2018 The G7 is a grouping of the USA and its closest allies comprising Canada France Germany, Italy, Japan, the UK and the USA The Eur o p e a n U n i o n i s a n n o n - e n u m e r a t e d m e m b e r , represented at Summits by the EU Council President It is worth noting that France, Germany, Italy a n d t h e U K t h u s h a v e d o u b l e r e p r e s e n t a t i o n b ecause of this

The G& was founded as a grouping of the seven largest economies of the world back in the 1970s, but the rise of China has made it slightly less powerful than before The G20, which began joining the G7 after 1999, consists of the G7 members plus Argentina Australia Brazil China India Indonesia Republic of Korea Mexico Russia Saudi Arabia South Africa and Türkiye It will thus be noted that the original BRICS members are part of the G20 already

While China is eminently qualified for inclusion in the G7, being a large economy, it does not share the same commitment to Western democracy and European values Perhaps more important it is not a US ally There are a large number of economic issues on which it cooperates with the USA but politically it has become a rival

The BRICS expansion more than doubles the membership of the organization, going from five to 11 Though it has been confidently said by Chinese President Xi Jinping that the foreign ministers have worked out the criteria by which expansion is to be conducted the process has not been clear At the same time it is worth noting that of the new members (Iran Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Argentina, the UAE and Ethiopia), two are already G20 members

While it may be an ego boost for such a country as Ethiopia to be included it does seem that the or-

e y o n d t h e B a d g e

equate infrastructure for training and investigative efforts which leads to an environment that is perfect for the spread of corruption

ganization is no longer one of emerging powers There were about two dozen applications, but only six were accepted It is interesting that Indonesia was among those countries whose applications were not accepted even though its population and oil wealth both make it a surprise omission from the G20 Bangladesh was also an applicant but was apparently not included Pakistan was not an applicant It is also worth noting that Nigeria is more populous, and is an oil power Vice-President Kashim Shettima, who was in Johannesburg for the Summit, said that Nigeria had not yet applied

The new configuration makes oil very important Saudi Arabia Iran and the UAE are major oil producers along with original members Russia China and India (though the latter two are net importers, their domestic production is considerable) The omission of Indonesia is therefore of great interest The inclusion of Egypt begs the question why not Pakistan After all not only are both Muslim countries dominated by an exotic river, but the military has great political influence (one is under military rule the other is experiencing another hybrid regime ) and each has got a problem with a US ally For one, Pakistan did not apply For another, none of the original members objected to Egypt India was there to object to Pakistan if it indeed had applied South Africa was there to push for Egypt s inclusion, as it did Ethiopia’s Ethiopia is growing at five percent which makes it one of the most dynamic economies in Africa but it is still a developing economy As a matter of fact none of the BRICS countries is really a developed country, not even Russia

At the moment, it seems, BRICS membership seems to be about supporting China and Russia, which is presently given great importance because of its invasion of Ukraine That could explain Iran’s presence

But Saudi Arabia and the UAE are supposed to be US allies so why would they want to be on board?

Saudi Arabia and the UAE clearly want to get out of the US camp Clearly Saudi Crown Prince Muhammad Bin Salman does not see the USA as providing sufficient guarantees for his succession He is gathering support, it seems, for joining BRICS is accompanied by more noises of Saudi Arabia recognizing Israel

C h i n a m ay w e l l b e t h e

c o m i n g s u p e r p ow e r, bu t i s

i t ov e r- ex t e n d i n g i t s e l f ?

A n d t h a t t o o i n a n o rg a n i z a t i o n t h a t h a s I n d i a a s a m e m b e r. W i l l C h i n a b e t h e U S S R o f t h e n ew C o l d Wa r w i t h I n d i a , o r t h e U S A ?

I t s h o u l d n o t b e fo rg o t t e n t h a t ev e n h a s b e e n s c a n p a ck a p u n ch

It might escape the notice of many but when the UN was originally established it grew out of the Atlantic Charter which was actually merely the World War II alliance of the USA, the UK, the USSR, China and France These were also the five veto powers in the new organization As the seven decades since have shown the veto has been exerted either to save an ally or even oneself from any action At the time, in a bipolar world, the UN served as an arena for the USA and the USSR to fight But in a unipolar world the UN became more or less an instrument of the USA s will (Think about the US interventions in Iraq and Afghanistan) Rather than mount an attack to capture the UN is China thinking of setting up a different organization? Will BRICS remain a platform for would-be powers, or will it be open to countries with no ambitions, like Kiribati or Tuvalu? Is a BRICS member to be like China wishing to challenge the USA or like Ethiopia?

So is BRICS going to turn into another club of developing nations, like the Group of 77? It could, but Western countries are more worried that it might become a sort of pro-China and pro-Russia club The BRICS countries perhaps could have been accommodated because the West has seen a multipolar world before It has seen the Netherlands Spain and Belgium all stake a claim to being powers, but not necessarily Great Powers Formerly undisputed Great Powers, like the UK, France, Italy and Germany saw themselves fall back after World War II when the world became bipolar

A multipolar world sees lesser powers competed for by larger The aim is not necessarily very purposeful, and may simply amount to the need to be consulted, just as Italian dictator Benito Mossolini was invited to Munich even though he had no role or stake in the German-Czechoslovakian problem

BRICS is an economic organisation and one of its purposes is to break the monopoly of the US dollar, especially over world trade, particularly over oil Though much has yet to be developed, there are two events which have already occurred First, BRICS has set up an international development bank like the USA s World Bank or Asian Development Bank

It is to be seen how it complements China s own Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (which has scheduled its annual meeting next month in Sharmal-Sheikh, Egypt) Second, Pakistan paid Russia for its oil imports in Chinese yuan And Pakistan isn’t even in BRICS

China may well be the coming superpower but is it over-extending itself? And that too in an organization that has India as a member Will China be the USSR of the new Cold War with India, or the USA?

It should not be forgotten that even has-beens can pack a punch

The writer is a member of staff

E d i t o r ’ s m a i l

TH E idea that law enforcement organizations serve as reflective microcosms of the societies they serve is inherently axiomatic; however, doing so implies a necessary symbiosis in which all constabulary institutions must coordinate their development with the constantly changing social fabric necessitating ongoing adaptation The constabulary framework appears in the context of Pakistan as an institution that is egregiously afflicted by systemic mismanagement due to its pitiful state, marked by a lack of resources inadequate training programmes pervasive politicization and a chronic illness of corruption The primary cause of the current state of affairs is the government s continued failure to make significant investments in the recalibrating and modernizing of law enforcement systems

Whereas setting higher standards for law enforcement would not only increase public confidence in the government it would also be a vital tool for regaining governmental control in regions that are coming under the influence of militant organizations The government has begun a difficult reform initiative in response to this need The heart of these reforms lies in the meticulous design of a police force that upholds the tenet of political neutrality and shuns any authoritarian tendencies A core value of the organization is accountability to the populace which is complemented by a quick and intelligent response to community needs The development of a professional ethos that is not just a token but a crucial component of the legal system harmoniously aligned with its principles is the sine qua non though

Unfortunately Pakistan s police force is in terrible shape; it suffers from incompetence, a lack of modern equipment, subpar training techniques, and the pervasive taint of political interference This distressing reality has its roots in the government’s persistent refusal to devote the necessary time and resources to the urgent need for law enforcement reform Half-hearted reform initiatives and Machiavellian political scheming highlight the structural issues that plague this important institution These issues are exacerbated by the blatant disregard for the sanctity of human rights and the lack of an ad-

On the other hand, the Police Order of 2002 must be fully implemented as a result of the imperative, not just as a formality but also as an embodiment of its true meaning On the other in order to achieve a thorough overhaul of the law enforcement system it is essential to revoke the contentious amendments made around 2004 that have weakened the legal system s jurisprudential integrity The main objective is to meticulously restructure the police apparatus into a model of effectiveness, professionalism, and political neutrality The effective expansion of the power granted to police safety commissions to conduct vigilant oversight of the conduct displayed by the police fraternity is of utmost importance

Despite all of this, the institutional embedding of change or the ongoing consolidation of reforms in today’s law enforcement landscapes stands out as a challenging conundrum for policing entities This complicated issue is embodied in Islamabad where a clear reform pattern has emerged and is being appropriately guided by the laws of the current administration

Notably, the legendary Dr Akbar Nasir Khan has demonstrated a profound commitment to the development of effective policing paradigms while carrying the mantle of police leadership

Meanwhile through the Safe City initiative a pioneering e-challan system has been seamlessly integrated at the same time, acting as a pivot for the containment of traffic infractions within the urban fabric The deliberate application of cutting-edge technology has brought a perceptible sense of order to the chaotic vehicular environment symbolizing the seamless fusion of digitalization with legal requirements Therefore the professionalism of the police force has also increased, and it is now more in line with contemporary practices due to a wide range of initiatives that have been launched concurrently with some strategic changes A modernized trajectory for the police force that is responsive to the needs of the modern era has been orchestrated by these initiatives working together The modernization challenge demands a relentless demolition of the outdated support structure that restrains the police apparatus Concurrent with this a concerted effort must be made to develop a corps of officers that is free from political favoritism strengthened by unwavering accountability and infused with a sense of duty that resonates with professionalism and ethical rectitude Such an elevation of the policing paradigm serves as an unquestionable tool for the realization of a safe and just society not just as an aspiration

The writer is a student of Strategic & Nuclear Studies at the National Defence University Islamabad He can be reached at hafiznadirali7@gmail com

The modernization challeng e demands a relentless demolition of the outdated suppor t structure that restrains the police apparatus. Concurrent with this, a concer ted effor t must be made to develop a corps of officers that is free from political favoritism, strengthened by unwavering accountability, and infused with a sense of duty that resonates with professionalism and ethical rectitude .

Protecting Karoonjhar is in ever yone’s interest

KAROONJHAR hills, located in Sindh, have a rich historical background, and there is a deep, rather poetic sense of attachment the locals have for the range, including a whole set of myths associated with it, like, for instance, the misplaced belief that it produces gold in massive quantities It has immense significance for the local Hindus as there are several places sacred to the community One of the notable legends associated with Karoonjhar is the story of Roplo Kolhi a rebellious figure who fought against the British rule in the area The hills are said to have provided shelter and a strategic advantage to Roplo and his followers during their resistance movement This historical connection has further enhanced the cultural heritage of Karoonjhar In addition to their historical and cultural importance, Karoonjhar hills are also known for their rich biodiversity Thousands of herbs and shrubs some with even medicinal properties are found on the hills

However despite their significance Karoonjhar hills have faced threats over the years Influential individuals and organisations have attempted to exploit the resource-rich hills for their own gain, which has always been strongly condemned and resisted by the local community The exploitation of the hills not only damages the natural beauty, but also threatens the delicate balance of the whole ecosystem For the last few months, a movement to save Karoonjhar has gained momentum across social media platforms drawing attention to the potential dangers the hills are faceing

Unfortunately the relevant authorities in the province had floated a tender published in local newspapers to grant a lease for the exploration of Karoonjhar hills for minerals The advertisement should have actually mentioned the word exploitation instead of exploration The action has earned wide condem-nation from the local community as well as environmental activists They are raising their voices in opposition of the potential lease advocating the preservation of Karoonjhar hills It is crucial for all concerned to listen to these voices and take necessary steps to protect this natural and historical treasure The concerns should be taken seriously and preservation of this unique natural resource should be prioritised MUKESH RAJA THARPARKAR

Awakening in Sindh

T H E people of Sindh, controlled for years by feudal lords and faith healers seem to be waking up raising their voice peacefully but consistently against the oppressors who have been treating farmers and their families as their personal property

Be it the destruction of Karoonjhar hills kidnappings for ransom or highway robberies, people have started to speak out, which was not always the case The brutal murders of an academic and an animal rights activist were also protested against by a large number of local people, who, in the days gone by would have preferred to move on with their own lives In fact in one case that took place in Mehar taluka of Dadu an FIR was boldly registered by a female member of the victim s family It was an act of absolute courage that was never expected before It is in this particular light that we must see the recent protests against the death of a domestic maid in the house of a spiritual leader in Sindh The widespread protest on social media platforms brought the matter to the attention of society at large and forced the administration to get involved in the matter This awakening among the people of Sindh is reassuring The good thing is that the people are raising their voice collectively peacefully and consistently This is an evolution that we can and should trust; not a revolution that might lose steam overnight Federal and provincial governments would do well to understand this awakening and take due steps to respond rationally so that the energy of the people may get channelised positively

KARACHI

T

e S i c

M a n o f A s i a

Since technology exports only account for a fraction of Pakistan s economic potential its success in these areas is evidence that its technology has stopped As a result Pakistan s economic competitiveness needs to improve due to insufficient support Regarding innovation and adoption of new technologies, Pakistan routinely ranks lower in the World Economic Forum’s Global Competitiveness Report This hinders Pakistan’s ability to entice FDI and foster long-term economic progress

PA K I S TA N boasts a superb strategic location at the crossroads of Asia Historically, its economic woes have been likened to Turkey’s, earning it the harsh moniker “Sick Man of Asia ” Pakistan’s persistent issues require a close examination at a time when the Asian economy is growing stronger Understanding the gravity of the current economic crisis in Pakistan requires a look back in time There has been a tendency to prioritize short-term gains above long-term economic progress as a result of the country’s tumultuous political history, which military interventions unpredictable economic policies and a volatile democratic landscape have distinguished This convoluted history provides context for understanding current issues Pakistan s economic status in the international community has risen and fallen throughout history The Sick Man of Asia” label it’s been given in recent years doesn’t have to stick around for good Pakistan may learn from the extensive research and data-driven insights that can help it succeed in the dynamic Asian economy Pakistan s underinvestment especially in technology significantly contributes to the country s economic woes Recent statistics show that the government needs help conducting R&D and developing new ideas Research and development spending in Pakistan is a worryingly low 0 29 percent of GDP well below global and regional standards The tiny number of research universities and institutions compounds the effects of the country s dismal investment in innovation There is also a need for more participation in R&D from the commercial sector Companies invest a negligible portion of their profits in these kinds of things This contrasts with countries like South Korea and Singapore which have robust innovation ecosystems in which substantial private-sector funding supports technological innovation and economic expansion

Let s lighten the complex geopolitical issues that significantly impact Pakistan s economy The economic relationship between Pakistan and India has been negatively affected due to the continued tensions between the two countries over the Kashmir dispute The statistics show a steep decline in commerce between the two countries suggesting lost economic prospects The $1 billion trade volume in 2020–2021 represented a fraction of the potential between the two countries Pakistan s textiles agricultural and manufacturing sectors suffer due to the constrained commerce resulting from the heightened tensions with India Problems stemming from shifts in regional geopolitics extend beyond the commercial sphere They impact the business climate foreign investment and the ease of doing business Pakistan must learn to swim across these turbulent geopolitical waters to take advantage of its strategic location and realize its economic potential Pakistan s water crisis is a pressing issue that has received less attention than the country’s energy transformation According to the data compiled by the Pakistan Council of Research in Water Resources the government is heading toward a water problem that might hurt agriculture a significant contributor to the country s gross domestic product Pakistan is rapidly approaching a state of water stress, and severe water scarcity is imminent The country s agricultural output is threatened, and millions of people’s food security and standard of living are at stake if nothing is done

The rising youth unemployment rate is particularly concerning in light of the persistence of demographic challenges According to the statistics from the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics, young unemployment defined as anyone between the ages of 15 and 24 is at 9 8 percent; it’s nearly twice as high as the national average The persons in this group are both an asset and a potential liability The economic growth potential of this youthful population can be wasted if they are not given employment and the training they need to succeed in a rapidly evolving labour market Pakistan s economic problems, which have earned it the nickname “Sick Man of Asia,” may appear severe at first glance However, beneath these difficulties lie openings for improvement While Pakistan has yet to invest nearly enough in R&D this could be the beginning of a thriving tech scene Pakistan has a large population of young people interested in and skilled in technology

Pa k i s t a n c a n a l t e r t h e c o u r s e o f i t s e c o n o m i c h i s t o r y by fo s t e r i n g i n n ova t i o n , e n c o u r a g i n g r e g i o n a l c o l l a b o r a t i o n , a d d r e s s i n g w a t e r s c a rc i t y s u s t a i n a b l y, c a p i t a l i z i n g o n t h e c o u n t r y Ês e n o r m o u s yo u t h p o p u l a t i o n , a n d m ov i n g t o w a rd e c o n o m i c i n t e g r a t i o n I f Pa k i s t a n t a k e s t h e s e r e c o m m e n d a t i o n s s e r i o u s l y a n d p l a n s fo r w a rd , i t c a n s h e d i t s „ s i ck m a n ‰ l a b e l a n d e m e r g e a s a s i g n i f i c a n t e c o n o m i c fo rc e i n A s i a B y t a k i n g t h i s s t e p

Spy vs spy

to accept Russian defeat – which is all that the Ukrainian and US governments are presently offering Nobody with whom I have spoken within the Moscow elite, and very few indeed in the wider population, has said that Russia should surrender Crimea and the eastern Donbas Unless Russian sovereignty over these territories is formally recognised by Ukraine – something that Kyiv has categorically excluded – the Russians who take this view believe that Russia must hold the additional territory it has taken since last year s invasion to head off any future Ukrainian attack on Crimea and the Donbas

PR OJECT SYNDICATE

K e n t H a r r i n g to n

The geopolitical conflicts that have hampered commerce might be transformed into opportunities for regional collaboration and economic integration through which diplomatic dialogue and cross-border trade could lead to new markets and economic opportunities

The impending water problem is dangerous, and to combat it we must develop long-term strategies for water management and disseminate our expertise to regions with limited water resources Taking advantage of the demographic dividend requires the creation of youth employment initiatives that provide training and education for entry-level positions Pakistan has to actively participate in regional economic union programs to expand its economy and trade with more nations

Establishing tech incubators and other startup support systems may foster a vibrant startup ecosystem attracting investors from inside and outside the country There has to be more variety in exports particularly in emerging fields like IT and renewable energy Investing in education and economic growth is essential for ensuring a trained workforce that can adapt to the market’s demands Pakistan is at a crossroads economically and the country is facing significant challenges that have earned it the label Sick Man of Asia But underlying these difficulties are openings for improvement Pakistan can alter the course of its economic history by fostering innovation, encouraging regional collaboration, addressing water scarcity sustainably, capitalizing on the country’s enormous youth population and moving toward economic integration If Pakistan takes these recommendations seriously and plans forward it can shed its sick man label and emerge as a significant economic force in Asia By taking this step

The writer has a degree in International Relations from Abbottabad University of Science & Technology (AUST)

the message to the rank and file has remained simple: say what your leader wants to hear, because unvarnished reporting and analysis can have deadly, not just career-ending consequences According to Walton the crippling conformity that characterised Soviet intelligence assessments meant that they played at most a marginal role in the Kremlin s Cold War decisionmaking The disconnect between approved narratives and reality has also led to signature strategic failures, such as Stalin’s rejection of intelligence warning of Hitler ’s impending invasion in 1941, and Putin’s disastrous decision to invade Ukraine in 2022 Walton s historical perspective also provides a valuable framework for assessing the performance of Russia s Western counterparts From the outset he argues, Western leaders only belatedly recognised the vulnerabilities of their open societies and the magnitude of the threat posed by Soviet intelligence

In fact US intelligence got off to a rocky start

GUARDIAN a n ato l l i e v e n

IT is highly probable that we will never know precisely how or why Yevgeny Prigozhin leader of the Russian mercenary group Wagner was killed

It is also highly probable that he was assassinated most likely on the orders of Vladimir Putin but possibly on the orders of his enemies in the Russian defence ministry, who had probably been dreaming of this moment for a long time and believed they could finally kill him with impunity Most western commentary on the assassination has focused on the fear of Putin that Prigozhin s death will cause among the Russian elites or on the underlying fragility it reveals in the Russian regime

This is not wholly wrong, but it misses several longstanding fears that are widespread within the Russian establishment – and indeed in the wider Russian population – that will influence how events play out: fear of defeat chaos and of each other What really worried most members of the elite was Putin s failure to act much earlier to end the public feud between Prigozhin and the Russian defence minister, Sergei Shoigu, and that Prigozhin s armed demonstration risked a catastrophic internal split in Russia, leading to defeat in Ukraine

The outcome of the war is central to everyone’s thinking

To judge by the recent failures of Ukrainian offensive operations if the Russian regime and state remain united the Russian army stands a good chance of defending its existing lines From conversations I ve had it appears that a large majority of elite and ordinary Russians would accept a ceasefire along the present battle lines and would not mount any challenge if Putin proposed or agreed to such a ceasefire and presented it as a sufficient Russian victory

Hardline nationalist elements in the establishment and military would be deeply unhappy; but they have been weakened by Prigozhin s fall and the accompanying steps that Putin has taken to curb their influence, including the dismissal of two generals and the arrest of the ultra-nationalist leader and former Donbas militia commander Igor Girkin However, Putin is clearly still afraid of their influence and their continued admiration for Prigozhin; which is doubtless why he made sure that Prigozhin s funeral was strictly private

The hardline nationalists preferred programme which is total victory in Ukraine and would entail the complete mobilisation of the population and the economy along the lines of 1942, would be deeply unpopular among most of the population and would pose a mortal threat to the property of the economic elites – which is doubtless why Putin has so far rejected it

There was no evidence the Russian elite, and indeed regular Russians, wanted the invasion to happen in the first place That decision was made by Putin and his immediate entourage But there is still a general unwillingness to see Russia defeated and humiliated in Ukraine A comparison can be made here with certain US soldiers of my acquaintance, who had not wanted the invasion of Iraq, but who also, once the US military was engaged there, did not want to see it beaten

This causes a severe dilemma for Russian liberals: how to oppose the war without supporting the Ukrainian side in a war in which Russian soldiers are dying and that threatens Russia with catastrophic defeat It recalls an interview with John Musgrave a wounded Vietnam veteran who had become a passionate opponent of the war, but who nonetheless reacted with shock and fury when Jane Fonda travelled to North Vietnam and was photographed with Viet Cong soldiers Many Russian liberals in the west have essentially taken the Fonda approach of open support for Russia s enemies This may be morally correct but it is extremely unlikely to help them win a future free election in Russia, should one ever happen Elite fears of Russian defeat are linked to an ultimate fear of Russian anarchy, which is shared by much of the population at large They actually agree with some of the toughest anti-Russian elements in the US and eastern Europe: that complete defeat in Ukraine would lead to the fall of the Putin regime and that this in turn could lead to a period of chaos that would gravely weaken or even destroy the Russian Federation

Fears of a new Time of Troubles have very deep roots in Russian culture and were strongly revived by the disastrous experience of the 1990s Speaking from the perspective of the smaller business community the owner of a chain of cafes told me that despite very considerable anger at the corruption of Putin s cronies most of the businesspeople of her acquaintance are still loyal to Putin because he ended the mafia extortions and conflicts of the 1990s, which had made running a successful business not just very hard but sometimes fatal

At the heart of this fear on the part of the elites is a fear of each other or even one might say of themselves The chaos of the 1990s included vicious struggles among the socalled oligarchs including in some cases murder It would seem that the elites of today believe that without a strong leader like Putin to keep them in order, they would be unable to mediate their differences and hold the state together

Despite all these factors favouring Putin’s continuation in power another severe defeat in Ukraine would very likely doom his regime Then again possible rivals to Putin from within the establishment do not need to know the melancholy history of Weimar Germany to realise that a regime that takes power under the shadow of a disastrous defeat is unlikely to be a stable or successful one

Anatol Lieven is director of the Eurasia programme at the Quincy Institute for Responsible Statecraft and

of books including Ukraine and Russia: A

ST U D I E S of the role of intelligence operations inevitably have a Rashomon-like quality, with the same events yielding various, sometimes contradictory, interpretations The world of intelligence, after all, is one of secrets, special-access compartments, covert action clandestine relationships and occasionally offthe-books escapades This makes it very difficult to assess successes and failures and to chronicle the role of intelligence in political leaders decisions

Harvard historian Calder Walton confronts this challenge head on in a new book, Spies: The Epic Intelligence War Between East and West, which recounts the rise and role of modern intelligence capabilities through the history of the West’s competition with the Russian security services It is an ambitious and entertaining story but one that is also firmly grounded in academic research In fact, Walton s account sheds new light on seemingly well-studied events, from the Bolshevik Revolution and World War II to the deployment of moles in the ranks of American, British and Russian intelligence services at the end of the century Walton draws on newly opened archives formerly classified in-house histories memoirs and interviews with policymakers and spies He thus illuminates how intelligence contributed to episodes like the 1962 Cuban Missile Crisis and the 1983 Able Archer incident, when a NATO drill triggered Soviet fears of a Western first strike bringing the world to the brink of nuclear war But Walton does more than add previously secret details to old accounts In an example of applied history he uses his examination of the past to weigh in on current events, such as the Ukraine war, and raise important questions about the future, including whether Western intelligence can prevail against China in the new cold war

Spies details the rise and role of Russia’s intelligence services from Lenin s Cheka to Stalin s KGB to their post-Soviet incarnations It offers new insights into their domestic and international missions from the murderous role of the NKVD, the KGB s predecessor, in Stalin s Great Purge to the penetration of the Manhattan Project by Soviet spies gathering secrets vital to Moscow’s nuclear breakthrough And it describes how the SVR and the FSB the KGB’s successors still use a Soviet-era playbook to guide their espionage disinformation and covert action abroad and repression at home

Thanks to President Vladimir Putin, a former KGB man himself, KGB alumni dominate the Russian elite, including its corrupt economic oligarchy, and lead the powerful coercive institutions that are transforming Russia into an authoritarian security state Whatever their labels Russia s security services have formed the backbone of its ruling regimes in the twentieth and twenty-first centuries But, as Walton demonstrates, Russia s intelligence services have always had significant deficiencies, rooted not least in a totalitarian culture that has made it impossible to speak truth to power From the deadly purges that reached deep into the NKVD in the 1930s to the top-down decision-making in Putin s Kremlin

When the Central Intelligence Agency was created in 1947 chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Omar Bradley was angry that he was not put in charge So he teamed up with FBI director J Edgar Hoover, himself no fan of the intelligence start-up, to keep the CIA s director, Roscoe Hillenkoetter, in the dark Hillenkoetter was thus not informed of the top-secret Venona project or the revelations of far-reaching Soviet spying before during and after WWII that the programme s cryptologists produced This US intelligence mess as Walton aptly calls it lasted until 1952

Of course, bureaucratic rivalries and political infighting continued, even as the US intelligence community matured But popular ambivalence has also affected the trajectory of America’s intelligence services owing to disagreements about their role in a democracy together with decades of controversy from failed covert-action programs and proxy wars abroad to abuses of power at home As a changing world transforms the security landscape, national leaders will need public cooperation But deep polarisation and growing popular distrust in government, exemplified by (but not confined to) those who believe former president Donald Trump s claims about the mythical Deep State pose significant hurdles and threaten America s democracy and international role

While Walton acknowledges this danger, he is far more concerned about the threat China poses in an increasingly technology-driven world Here, Walton does not mince words US leaders he contends have ignored China’s massive multi-front intelligence offensive underfunding collection and counterintelligence and underplaying the economic technological and strategic challenge the country poses If I were to situate where we are [regarding China] today, he writes, I would place us at approximately the year 1947 ”

That said, Walton’s case for action on China lacks the depth of analysis that buttresses his judgments about Russia And his recommendations for future intelligence efforts based on lessons from the last 100 years are thought-provoking though less than persuasive The age of the secret service is over, he writes in his conclusion In a world that will be increasingly dominated by opensource information, the “future of intelligence lies in the private sector not with governments ” Maybe so But Walton’s faith in technology as the intelligence world’s silver bullet and in the power of persuasion to enlist corporations that demonstrate daily their reluctance to leave the Chinese market, merit skepticism As Walton notes, history may not repeat itself, but it does, as Mark Twain quipped, sometimes rhyme Whether high-tech tools and open-source collection or classic espionage will deliver what countries need remains to be seen But one thing is certain: in any democratic society popular and political support for intelligence is vital The success of any intelligence service begins at home

Calder Walton, Spies: The Epic Intelligence War

Between East and West (Simon & Schuster, 2023)

Kent Harrington a former senior CIA analyst served as national intelligence officer for East Asia chief of station in Asia and the CIA s director of public affairs

Few Russians wanted the war in Ukraine – but they won’t accept a Russian defeat either

CHINA , US TRADE MINISTERS TO MEET AT LEAST ONCE A YEAR, TALK DIRECTLY ON ‘KEY MATTERS

BEIJING

s tA f f c o R R e s p o n d e n t

CHINA S Ministry of Commerce (MOFCOM) has given a further explanation on the results of the latest trade talks amid US Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo s visit to China saying the two nations trade ministers have agreed to meet at least once a year, and will talk directly on “key issues” in a prompt, timely manner

While emphasizing the importance of maintaining healthy China-US relations the ministry also lodged a series of concerns over discriminatory tariffs on Chinese imports and sanctions on Chinese companies urging the US to scrap discriminatory measures, which have seriously interfered with normal bilateral trade and disrupted the global order

A more detailed explanation on the meeting results indicates the two did achieve progress during talks but a reiteration on the

removal of tariffs and sanctions demonstrates a bottom line Zhang Hong an independent macroeconomic analyst told the Global Times on Thursday

It s a clear signal that China will not give in when it comes to its core interests in future dialogues, Zhang said China and the US agreed to establish a multi-level communication mechanism to strengthen talks on economic and trade affairs with Chinese Commerce Minister Wang Wentao and Raimondo agreeing to maintain regular communication, discuss key issues directly in a timely manner, and meet at least once a year, the MOFCOM said on Thursday

The multi-level mechanism includes the setting up of a joint working group composed of officials at the deputy minister and bureau chief levels, convening biannual deputy ministerial-level meetings and inviting representatives from businesses on both sides The working group will focus on addressing concerns voiced by businesses from

both nations striving to collaboratively explore solutions for specific commercial issues Shu Jueting a MOFCOM spokesperson told a regular press conference held in Beijing

Moreover, a mechanism for exchanging export control information has been initiated, serving as a platform for elucidating each side’s export control systems and enhancing communication

Both parties will share export control-related information in accordance with their respective laws This mechanism is expected

to facilitate mutual understanding and communication regarding export control policies conveying the concerns of businesses from both countries Shu said In addition, the two sides agreed that experts from both countries will conduct technical consultations on strengthening the protection of trade secrets and confidential business information in the process of administrative licensing according to the official Commenting on the meeting results Shu said the new communication channels that were established will provide significant platforms for the two nations’ commerce ministries to conduct normal dialogue, and it’s a major step in stabilizing China-US ties and promoting practical cooperation among business communities from the two nations Shu also mentioned that China has expressed serious concerns over issues including the US Section 301 tariffs, semiconductor policies, investment restrictions discriminatory subsidies and sanctions on Chinese firms

Russia faces domestic fuel crunch, braces for more shor tages

PR OFIT R e u t e R s R u s s i a , o n e o f t h e w o r l d ’s b i g g e s t o i l producers, has faced shortages of fuel c r u c i a l f o r g a t h e r i n g t h e h a r v e s t i n s o m e p a r t s o f i t s s o u t h e r n b r e a d b a sk e t a n d t h e s i t u a t i o n m a y g e t w o r s e i n c o m i n g m o n t h s m a r k e t s o u r c e s t o l d R e u t e r s

Traders said that the fuel market has been hit by a combination of different factors including maintenance at oil refineries infrastructure bottlenecks on railways and the weaker rouble which incentivises fuel exports Russia has tried to tackle diesel and gasoline shortages over recent months, contemplating export curbs as the lastditch attempt to prevent a serious fuel crisis – which is sensitive for the Kremlin ahead of a presidential election in March

A government decision to cut subsidies for refineries is likely worsen the availability of fuel in the world s biggest grain exporter

Regional oil product depots in Russia s southern regions have had to cut or even suspend fuel sales while retail filling stations were forced to limit fuel sale volumes to customers

“The Ai-92 gasoline is not available for retail sales in Krasnodar region, Adygea and Astrakhan there is hardly any Ai-95 gasoline and diesel a trader in Russia s south said

Another trader said there have been no diesel sales at oil depots and there is no diesel on retail markets for the second week running in the whole Samara region located in the Volga river region

Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak said on Wednesday that there were no fuel shortages

But he also said government was working on measures to ensure a stable supply of it on the domestic market, including increasing levels of mandatory sales on exchanges and limiting the number of exporters

FUEL CRUNCH

Traders said the shortages on the retail market followed by a sharp rise of

wholesales prices The state caps the retail prices ordering the sellers to raise prices of gasoline and diesel only in line with official inflation

Industry sources say the situation will improve no earlier than October when many oil refineries will wrap up their maintenance while seasonal demand is expected to decline

Some farmers also complained about scarcity of fuel

There are shortages of fuel oil products prices rose in the range of between 10% and 20%,” Andrei Neduzhko director general of agricultural holding Step said in written comments His company operates in Russia s southern regions of Rostov Krasnodar and Stavropol He said, however, there are no risks to the autumn sowing campaign for his holding Wholesale diesel prices started to sharply rise in July For the past two months commodity exchange diesel prices jumped on average by more than a quarter to 67 000 roubles ($700) per ton We do not buy The prices are

crazy ” an owner of a fuel depot said

The energy ministry said last week that the volume of Russia s oil products output fully met current demand for fuel, taking into account the redirection of some gasoline and diesel exports to the domestic market as well as the use of stockpiles

The energy ministry also was recommending earlier this month that oil companies find ways to curb wholesale fuel price rises in agricultural regions

It has said in a statement that some supply issues had arisen due to high congestion on railways in southern Russia during the tourism season

Russian Railways has said it was in discussions with oil producers and were ready to solve the issues

It also said in comments to Reuters that fuel supplies to southern regions via railways do not depend on an increase in passenger traffic All requests for the transportation of fuel on domestic routes are given a priority and almost 100% of all products are delivered on time, it said

After Putin, Chinese President also likely to skip G20 summit in Delhi: Repor t

BEIJING

Ag e n c e s

Chinese President Xi Jinping is likely to skip a summit of G20 leaders in India next week says a media report

Two Indian officials one diplomat based in China and one official working for the government of another G20 country, said that Premier Li Qiang is expected to represent Beijing at the Sept 9-10 meeting in New Delhi, news agency Reuters said in the report However it said the Spokespersons for the Indian and Chinese foreign ministries did not respond to requests for comment One senior government official from India told Reuters that we are aware that the premier will come in place of President Xi Jinping In China, two foreign diplomats and a government official from another G20 country said that the Chinese President will likely not be travelling for the summit

“China stressed that a broad approach to national security hampers normal economic exchanges and unilateral protectionist measures conflict with fair competition principles undermining global supply chains and business collaboration, Shu said The remarks came after Raimondo wrapped up her “successful and productive” four-day visit to Beijing and Shanghai on Wednesday The US official said at a press conference in Shanghai that she did hope to see some results in the next few months as a result of her visit, according to a Reuters report American businesses – who are eager to expand in the world’s second-largest economy – said they are encouraged to see the established dedicated channels for constructive dialogue Given the significant US commercial and investment interests in China, we are appreciative of Secretary Raimondo’s efforts to recalibrate this important yet complex relationship

CORPORATE CORNER

Relaunch of Pakistan’s ver y own domestic payment scheme

KARACHI p R

1 LINK management proudly announces the revamp of PayPak – Pakistan s first domestic payment scheme Under this revamp, PayPak has been given a brand-new identity to give it a modern look and feel This new identity aims to attract youth and give an association of Pakistaniyat to all PayPak cardholders PayPak has achieved significant milestones since its launch in 2016 and it is expected to gear up for the unprecedented growth in taking Pakistan s digital payments ecosystem to the next level PayPak s current active card base is over 10 Mln and with the new features it will be the first-choice card for issuers, acquirers merchants and most importantly for the common Pakistanis PayPak offers a unique rewards program to cardholders which include discounts special deals across merchant outlets and various insurance offerings To facilitate international transactions, PayPak currently has co-badge arrangements with Union Pay International (UPI) and Japan Credit Bureau (JCB) and is working on a co-badge launch with Mastercard in early 2024 We would like to thank State Bank of Pakistan 1LINK Board of Directors 33 banks and six affiliate issuers and six acquirers for their patronage of the PayPak Scheme and look forward to their continued support to make PayPak the top card scheme of choice in Pakistan

R O YA L N AV Y S H I P V I S I T S PA K I S TA N ,

C O N D U C T B I L AT E R A L E X E R C I S E

KARACHI S ta f f R e P o R t

ROYAL Navy Ship HMS LAN-

CASTER with embarked helicopter visited Karachi and conducted bilateral exercise WHITE STAR IV with Pak-

istan Navy Upon arrival at Karachi Port Royal Navy Ship was warmly received by senior officials of Pakistan Navy and British High Commission

On completion of the port visit Pakistan Navy Ships TAIMUR, ASLAT, Pakistan Navy Maritime Patrol Aircraft, helicopters and PAF fighters carried out two days bilateral exercise with Royal Navy Ship and helicopter The bilateral exercise covered a range of advanced operational drills encompassing major facets of maritime warfare, operations,

Dr Umar Saif unveils IT expor t plan of $10B

ISLAMABAD P R

Caretaker Federal Minister for IT and Telecommunication Dr Umar Saif has unveiled the roadmap to achieve the target of $10 billion in annual exports through four major dimensions Speaking as a chief guest at the 23rd ITCN Asia 2023 “Declaring Pakistan The Regional ICT Hub ” he stated the annual IT export could be increased to $3 5 billion from the present level of $2 6 billion by providing confidence to IT companies to retain their exports income in special accounts of Pakistan banks rather than offshore offices in different countries Special forex accounts and online banking platforms are necessary for IT companies to invest in the core infrastructure for purchasing essential software services and hardware equipment he remarked The ministry through a partnership with the private sector will train 100 000 software developers to enhance the exports by $2 billion per annum, which will translate the export values to $5 5 billion In this regard, various training programs and boot camps will be organized to build the capacity of our university graduates in accordance with in-demand skills of the IT industry he said and added The training and development will also employ thousands of graduates in the country who will support themselves and their families

Special 7th advisor y board of NIMA held

ISLAMABAD P R

A Special 7th Advisory Board meeting of

Tahir Bhatti takes charge as President , CEO ZTBL

MBA

and M Com from Hailey College of Commerce Lahore He is also qualified DCMA (Gold Medalist) and fellow of Institute of Bankers in Pakistan (IBP) He is certified director from IBA Karachi and remained on Board of Faysal Asset Management Ltd, ABL Asset Management and Board of Studies of Punjab University for Commerce education During his illustrious banking career Mr Bhatti is also recipient of various professional trainings and courses both local and international with top-notched institutions including High Impact Leadership Program at Columbia Business School, New York, USA

live gunnery firing and defence against asymmetric threats The exercise is aimed to further enhance collaboration through mutual exchange of experience and improve interoperability between the two navies Exercise WHITE STAR is a testimony of PN s resolve to contribute towards regional peace and stability and enhance interoperability The visit of Royal Navy Ship and conduct of exercise has further strengthened the ties between two navies Concurrent to ship s visit Deputy Commander Combined Maritime Forces Commodore Philip Edward Dennis RN also visited Pakistan and called-on senior Pakistan Navy officials During the calls, matters of mutual interest and avenues of future collaboration to enhance regional maritime security were discussed

IBA Karachi, AAA Associates partner to establish scholarship endowment fund

KARACHI P R

The Institute of Business Administration (IBA) Karachi and AAA Associates a real estate organization have partnered to establish a Scholarship Endowment Fund With an aim to advance the institute s financial assistance program for its deserving students, the AAA Associates Scholarship Endowment will benefit deserving students in perpetuity

Executive Director IBA Dr S Akbar Zaidi and Managing Director, AAA Associates, Mr Shahzad Ali Kiani signed the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) at the Main Campus Under this MoU the latter will provide financial support to set up

an endowment fund which will benefit students in posterity Other members gracing the event included Mr Wajid Riaz, General Manager AAA Associates; Ms Malahat Awan Director Alumni Affairs and Resource Mobilization IBA; and Mr Moeid Sultan Director Finance, IBA Mr Kiani shared AAA Associates’ resolve towards building a brighter future for our country by

investing in education Dr Zaidi appreciated AAA Associates for its initiative and for supporting the IBA in its mission of providing quality education to all the students regardless of their financial backgrounds The IBA ensures inclusivity through its financial assistance program by supporting approximately 30% of its student body every year

Mobilink Bank forges multiple partnerships to facilitate customers, employees

ISLAMABAD S ta f f R e P o R t

Mobilink Bank has entered a series of strategic partnerships to foster holistic well-being for its valued customers and dedicated employees These partnerships underscore the Bank's commitment to advancing financial inclusivity and creating a positive social impact within the communities it serves

In collaboration with Taqwa

To u r s a n d Tr a v e l s I s l a m a b a d Mobilink Bank has introduced an exclusive 10% discount for individuals seek i n g H a j j a n d U m r a h p a c k a g e s To b e n e f i t f r o m t h e d i s c o u n t b o t h c u s t o m e r s a n d e m p l o y e e s c a n u t i l i z e t h e D O S T

A p p a n d M o b i l i n k B a n k d e b i t c a r d t o m a k e t h e i r p a y m e n t s T h r o u g h t h i s p a r t n e r s h i p , t h e

B a n k s t r i v e s t o e l e vate the spiritual experience for its customers a n d e m p l o y e e s s i m p l i f y i n g t h e pilgrimage booking and payment process In alignment with its dedication

to environmental sustainability, Mobilink Bank has signed an agreement with National Links Solar Company Under this agreement the Bank s customers and employees can avail of a 10% discount on bookings for solar system installation services The partnership reflects the Bank's strong commitment to promoting eco-conscious practices proactively addressing the urgent challenges posed by climate change and aiming to mitigate high electricity expenses Mobilink Bank's commitment to health and wellness takes a momentous stride forward through

its partnership with Medxol, a pioneering Digital Sehat Card and home healthcare company in Pakistan Under this partnership Mobilink Bank employees and customers can avail 40% discount on a wide range of health services, including telehealth services for remote medical consultations, diagnostics In-patient Department (IPD) insurance affordable insurance options starting at just PKR 999 discounted physiotherapy and homecare services, discounted ambulance services and the innovative “Doctor at Home” service

New hajj agenda to focus on pilgrims educ ation, discipline and improving physic al fitness: Aniq

ISLAMABAD

S ta f f R e P o R t

Under the leadership of the Minister of Religious Affairs Aniq Ahmed a comprehensive Debriefing session for Hajj 2023 preparations was conducted today The session saw the participation of Director-General of Hajj Jeddah,

ISLAMABAD S ta f f R e P o R t

The Caretaker Federal Minister for Communications Shahid Ashraf

he

On

representatives from airlines, banks, and the Hajj group organizers Addressing the participants Minister Aniq Ahmed emphasized that while making no grand claims he reassured all stakeholders of his commitment to ensure the facilitation of pilgrims We are here today to ensure the provision of the best facilities for our esteemed pilgrims," stated Minister Aniq Ahmed The agenda for this year's Hajj includes focusing on pilgrim education, maintaining discipline, and improving physical fitness, Minister Aniq Ahmed informed "We will work diligently to instill confidence in the comprehensive training organization and fitness of the pilgrims he added Efforts are underway to introduce both short and long Hajj packages in the government scheme, according to the Minister of Religious Affairs

PESHAWAR P R

Medxol Healthcare Management Company (MHMC), a project of Medxol Private Limited, and Bank of Khyber have entered into a comprehensive Agreement for Medical Services aimed at offering top-tier medical care to the employees of the Bank The agreement effective from August 17 2023 highlights a commitment to providing inpatient outpatient and home-based medical services through a panel of qualified healthcare service providers Under this groundbreaking partnership, MHMC will offer a range of medical, surgical, and diagnostic services The healthcare service provider will extend discounts to Bank of Khyber s employees and their dependents Bank of Khyber s employees will be required to present identification including official Bank identification cards or digital identification means, to avail discounts and medical services The Bank will facilitate connecting its employees with MHMC's healthcare services ensuring smooth access to highquality medical care Mr Ali Iqbal the CEO of MHMC expressed his enthusiasm about the partnership stating We are proud to collaborate with Bank of Khyber to provide exceptional medical services This agreement reflects our commitment to the health and well-being of the Bank s employees and their dependents "

easypaisa, foodpanda transforming food orders with seamless digital payment integration

LAHORE P R

easypaisa and foodpanda have joined hands to introduce seamless payment options for customers Users will now be able to pay for their orders directly through their easypaisa wallet This partnership empowers millions of easypaisa customers to conveniently order meals from the foodpanda app and make payments directly from their easypaisa mobile accounts The integration of easypaisa s payment gateway ensures a secure and hassle-free user experience, eliminating any dependency on cash

CEO RUDA scouts environmental initiatives during visit to Industrial, Chahar Bagh sites

LAHORE P R

CEO of Ravi Urban Development Authority (RUDA), Imran Amin, conducted a comprehensive visit to the Industrial and Chahar Bagh sites, with a strong emphasis on environmental sustainability and ongoing efforts to minimize ecological impact During this visit CEO Imran Amin reviewed the progress of eco-friendly initiatives implemented at both the Industrial and Chahar Bagh sites Notably the Chahar Bagh project spanning an extensive area of 128 acres, showcased the integration of modern sustainable practices, aligning with environmental directives from time to time Significant attention was dedicated to addressing environmental factors within the Industrial Zone Phase-1 A comprehensive environmental survey had previously highlighted concerns including air and noise pollution water quality, and compliance with necessary environmental approvals In response, strategic measures have been implemented to mitigate these concerns and promote a cleaner urban environment The CEO emphasized the organization's unwavering commitment to the safety and well-being of the local community

Medxol Healthcare Management company, BOK collaborate to provide enhanced medical ser vices

S T E E L S E C T O R C O N T I N U E S T O G R U M B L E

a c e o f s m u g g l i n g

ISLAMABAD

G h u l a m a b b a S

RAMPANT smuggling of steel from neighboring countries namely Iran and Afghanistan has the country s already unhappy steel sector in a bind Industry representatives have claimed that unchecked practice is pushing the nation s currency value to the brink and sparking urgent calls for immediate action to salvage the domestic steel industry and protect the country’s economic future

The Pakistan Association of Large Steel Producers (PALSP) has raised alarms over the authorities lack of effective measures to counter the menace of smuggling

Despite fervent appeals to the highest levels of government, the smuggling operations continue to thrive inflicting staggering annual losses of over 25 billion PKR in tax revenues and foreign exchange reserves Annually around 5 lakh metric tons of steel are illicitly fun-

neled into Pakistan from Iran and Afghanistan leading to the rapid depreciation of the Pakistani Rupee and destabilizing the economy

Unchecked steel smuggling is causing severe damage to our economy, eroding the value of our currency, and undermining our domestic industries ” warns Wajid Bukhari Secretary General of PALSP Failing to address this issue will have dire consequences for our present and future

One significant consequence of the unregulated smuggling is its impact on the open market USD rates, resulting in a surge in interbank rates While some financial experts suggest increasing interest rates to control interbank rates PALSP argues that such measures could inadvertently harm the legal tax-paying sector and exacerbate smuggling This approach, instead of addressing the root problem, could compound pressure on open market USD operations

The repercussions of this inaction are already visible The unchecked steel smug-

gling has contributed to a drastic fall in the Pakistani Rupee s value pushing the open market USD rate to an alarming 325 As smuggling operations flourish, legitimate manufacturers within the interbank sector struggle, leading to market distortions

“Declaring a war on smuggling is not merely a choice; it is an imperative to safeguard our country s economic future stresses Bukhari Our financial stability and the prosperity of generations are at stake

Beyond its economic toll, the smuggling crisis erodes the rule of law and accountability Reports of official complicity and corruption underscore the systemic challenges aggravating the issue PALSP emphasizes the need for comprehensive measures including diverting steel imports exclusively to sea routes enhancing surveillance, digitizing processes, and imposing strict penalties for complicity

The consequences of this illicit trade extend to terrorism-related activities raising international concerns including Pakistan s

standing with the Financial Action Task Force (FATF)

The smuggling crisis has dealt a severe blow to the domestic steel industry, particularly in Baluchistan Smuggled, untaxed Iranian billets have flooded major city markets undermining local producers The sit-

R aza R abbani alarmed over ECP meetings with foreign diplomats

KARACHI S ta f f R e P o R t

Pakistan Peoples Party s (PPP) senior leader Senator Raza Rabbani has objected to the Election Commission of Pakistan’s (ECP) interactions with foreign diplomats

The former Senate chairman has expressed his concerns over foreign dignitaries holding meetings with Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Sikandar Sultan Raja in his personal capacity and issuing statements regarding the election timeline and transparency “Elections are Pakistan’s internal matter We’re not a client state

The veteran politician is of the view that whatever s left of Pakistan s political independence mustn t be allowed to be violated via foreign involvement

The development comes as the country’s top electoral body has held meetings with all the major stakeholders in order to create a consensus for the upcoming general elections

The ECP has held consultations with various political parties including PPP,

Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PMLN) Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P) Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) and Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) Balochistan National Party (BNP), Balochistan Awami Party (BAP) and Awami National Party (ANP)

A day earlier the electoral body once agai reiterated its commitment to finish the delimitation process by December and hold elections by mid-February

Last week the PML-N s delegation backed the election organising authority to hold polls after carrying out delimitation of constituencies based on the new census As per the election watchdog the Nawaz Sharif-led party informed the ECP that the Council of Common Interest (CCI) had unanimously given the approval for the publication of census results All political parties agreed that 2023 elections should be held as per the new census The delimitation schedule issued by the Election Commission is in accordance with the Constitution and the law the PML-N informed the ECP as per

the watchdog

Moreover the electoral authority had also interacted with delegations of the JUI-F and PTI separately

In those meetings the JUI-F had backed the ECP to hold general elections after the delimitation while the PTI had urged the electoral watchdog to drop the process and conduct polls with 90 days

The decision to hold the consultative process came after uncertainty emerged on when the general elections will be conducted

The Shehbaz Sharif-led previous government dissolved the National Assembly on August 9, while Sindh and Balochistan assemblies were also prematurely dissolved to allow the electoral authority to hold elections in the country within 90 days instead of 60 days if the legislature completed its constitutional tenure

However, the ECP may not be able to hold the polls within the stipulated time as the CCI days before the dissolution of the assemblies approved the 7th Population and Housing Census 2023

The CCI meeting chaired by then-

prime minister Shehbaz approved the final results of the census reporting the country s population at 241 49 million with a growth rate of 2 55%

The CCI approval made it constitutionally mandatory for the poll watchdog to hold elections following fresh delimitations in the light of the results of the 7th census According to Article 51 (5) of the Constitution the seats of the National Assembly to each province and the federal capital shall be allocated on the basis of population in accordance with the last preceding census officially published

Subsequently, on August 17, the ECP announced the schedule of new delimitations to be carried out as per the new census approved by the CCI

As per the schedule the new delimitation of constituencies nationwide will be notified in December this year

The ECP schedule showed that fresh delimitation will take nearly four months, meaning the general elections in the country cannot be held within 90 days of the dissolution of the provincial and national assemblies

PTI chief allowed to make phone c alls to sons

The Special Court Islamabad on Thursday granted permission to former prime minister and Chairman Pakistan Tehreeke-Insaf (PTI) Imran Khan to talk to his sons on phone Former premier Imran Khan who is in judicial custody till September 13 in cypher case, has been incarcerated in Attock prison since his arrest on August 5 The PTI chief, through his lawyers Umair Niazi and Shiraz Ahmed approached the special court with the request to allow the former PM talk to his sons – Qasim and Sulaiman – on the telephone I want to talk to my sons Qasim and

Traders on strike over inflated electricit y bills

LAHORE

S ta f f R e P o R t

All Pakistan Anjuman-e-Tajran announced a shutterdown strike across the country on Thursday over the issue of inflated electricity bills In this connection, Ajmal Baloch who is the president of All Pakistan Anjuman-e-Tajran said the rate of taxes imposed on the commercial bills was the highest adding that the traders would keep their businesses closed on Thursday

On the other hand protests are being held against the rising electricity tariff as people set the bills on fire to express their anger Jamaat-i-Islami

uation s gravity lies not only in economic losses but also in the erosion of the rule of law The lack of weighing bridges and scanning facilities at Baluchistan s border checkpoints has emboldened smuggling networks Allegations of official involvement and corruption deepen concerns

FBR surpasses August revenue target by Rs20b

ISLAMABAD

S h a h z a d Pa R ac h a

Federal Board of Revenue has surpassed August revenue target by Rs 20 billion As per the details, FBR has achieved Rs 669 billion net revenue against the target of Rs 649 billion in August FBR has collected Rs 1 207 Billion against an assigned target of Rs 1 183 billion for the first two months Meanwhile, FBR has also issued Rs 42 billion refunds in August 2023 as against Rs 38 billion in August 2022 FBR has collected Rs 488 billion under the head of Income tax compared to Rs 347 billion in the same period thereby showing a growth of 41% A healthy growth of 16% was achieved in the collection of sales tax with collection surpassing Rs 473 Billion as against Rs 407 billion in July and August 2022 Almost Rs 80 billion were collected as FED showing an increase of 57% Cumulative growth of 29% has been achieved in the collection of Inland Revenue taxes On the import side however the same momentum could not be maintained due to compression in imports This has impacted collection of Customs duties where Rs 166 Billion was collected as against Rs 151 billion in July and August 2022 with growth of 10% According to FBR, the team FBR is dedicated to not only achieve the assigned target but surpass them for the year ahead

Sulaiman Khan on the telephone or WhatsApp ” he pleaded which was approved by the court A special court on Wednesday extended the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chairman s judicial remand till September 13 in the cipher case Judge Abual Hasnat Zulqarnain, who heard the case at the Attock District Jail under Official Secrets Act 2023 issued the decision in the case of the missing cypher a classified state document Hearing of the case took place at the Attock Jail following approval by the Law Ministry amid security concerns expressed by the Interior Ministry Former premier Imran Khan has been imprisoned in Attock jail since his conviction in the Toshakhana case on August 5

UNDP critic al par tner in national development agenda: Jalil Abbas

Flood renders 162,000 people homeless in Bahawalpur

PPP CEC to meet ‘next week’ to decide on elections

KARACHI S ta f f R e P o R t

Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) has decided to call next meeting of its Central Executive Committee in Lahore next week to further deliberate on general elections delimitations and the country s overall political situation Media reports said that PPP CEC summit is likely to be held in the first week of September However, the final date of the CEC meeting was yet to be finalised by the party leadership The meeting will be attended by the top leadership of the party including former president Asif Ali Zardari party chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari The meeting would be briefed on party s recent meeting with the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) regarding elections, say sources The CEC will mull over various options including organising All Parties Conference (APC) and engaging with other political parties on delay in polls matter they say In its CEC meeting held in Karachi recently the PPP formed a 5-member committee comprising Syed Nayyar Bukhari Sherry Rehman Faisal Karim Kundi, and two others on early polls