Epaper_23-09-04 ISB

GOVT TO COME UP WITH PL AN TO RESOLVE ISSUE OF ELECTRICIT Y BILLS : PM

g SAYS THERE ARE ACUTE FLAWS IN GENERATION, TRANSMISSION SYSTEM OF POWER SECTOR

PR I M E Minister Anwaarul Haq Kakar on Sunday said the government would come up with short medium and longterm plans to resolve the issue of electricity bills and initiate reforms in the power sector

In an interview with a private television, he also assured that the government would implement a plan for the conservation of electricity as was practiced in the Western world and taught by Islam

To a question about public agitation on the issue of electricity bills, the prime minister said extreme political and social attitudes were not beneficial for society

He said the system of taxation was meant to tax the rich and spend on the poor but at present the system was in the clutches of profiteers and was marred with inefficiency, adding indirect taxation system was responsible for many of the woes of the poor “We needed to tax different sectors which are still not brought under the tax net

He said Pakistan s economic conditions were affected by the international financial institutions and we have to fulfil the agreements made with them

The government also had to fulfil the agreements made with the power companies in the past decades he continued

He said flaws in the power sector and generation and transmission system were acute, adding the issue of electricity bills was multidimensional and the government had held numerous meetings related to issues of taxation and the

JI going to challenge agreements with IPPs in SC: Sirajul Haq

Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) Ameer Sirajul Haq on Sunday announced his party would move Supreme Court against agreements with independent power producers (IPPs), blaming these agreements as the reason for skyrocketing electricity bills and inflation

power sector

He assured that the Finance Ministry would come up with recommendations to provide relief to vulnerable sections of society He said he was misquoted about the recent protests on the issue of electricity bills

He understood that there was a section of society which was heavily burdened with electricity bills and he could identify with the social and economic problems of people as he himself faced these problems in the past he added

To a question about privatization he said the privatization of state sector entities including Pakistan International Airlines was on the agenda of the government and work was being done on it

He said the caretaker government was the continuation of the constitutional

order and it would not remain in place any extra time on the expiry of its term

‘Law empower ECP to announce polls date’ He clarified that the Election Comm i s s i o n w o u l d a n n o u n c e t h e d a t e f o r the election

According to the law of the land Election Commission will decide about elections, he said adding however, the superior judiciary after listening to the legal experts could decide about the elections Law and a binding judgment of the Supreme Court will decide The respect and reverence of judiciary is important for democratic dispensation and social order and these should not be disturbed, he remarked

He said according to its constitutional role the Supreme Court will remove any

News about Ar my deployment in GB completely baseless: Solangi

Interim Information Minister Murtaza Solangi took on Sunday that clarify that "news and speculations circulating in media regarding the deployment of Pakistan Army are completely baseless

Interim Information Minister Murtaza Solangi took to X, (erstwhile Twitter), on Sunday and wrote:

"All roads, trade centers, business activities and educational institutions in GB are open as usual The services of Pakistan Army and Civil Armed Forces have been requisitioned only to maintain law and order on the occasion of Chehlam of Hazrat Imam Hussain (RA)," he said

On the other hand, the home department of Gilgit-Baltistan (GB) issued a statement on Sunday to assert that the situation in GB is completely peaceful terming media reports pertaining to the deployment of Pakistan Army as "completely baseless"

The interim information minister added that "special measures have been taken for the security of proces-

sion routes and Imambargahs as per past practice" Referring to the provincial department's statement, he said that "Section 144 of the Code of Criminal Procedure 1898 has been imposed across the region to maintain law and order protect lives and property of the people and avoid any untoward incident"

The GB government had decided to call in the army to quell escalating unrest in the region on the Parliamentary Peace Committee s - which decides law and order matters - decision on Friday, according to earlier reports

The day after, state media APP, reported that the GB home department had denied such reports as "baseless" and that the situation in the region was completely peaceful Media reports had earlier stated that the GB government had imposed Section 144 in Diamer and Chilas, a ban on the display of weapons aerial firing religious gatherings and any attempts to obstruct highways as a form of protest

It had also reportedly decided to deploy Rangers, GB Scouts and Frontier Corps personnel in major

cities across the region

It was said that 4G broadband services in the area were temporarily suspended in response to the unrest with only 2G services remaining operational

The decision came in the wake of the recent unrest triggered by protests in Chilas, where protesters blocked the Karakoram Highway and Babusar Pass for three days demanding the arrest of a religious leader from Skardu for his alleged controversial remarks

As per earlier reports, protests were also staged in Astore and Gilgit but came to an end following the registration of an FIR against the religious leader

In reaction to these events a market and transport strike was observed in Skardu, with protesters obstructing major thoroughfares, including the Juglot-Skardu Road

In response the GB government deployed the Karakoram Task Force and police on Karakoram Highway Juglot-Skardu Road and Babusar

Top to ensure passenger safety and the smooth flow of vehicular traffic

A t L C C I m e e t i n g , C OA S e m p h a s i z e s S I F C ’ s p o t e n t i a l t o a t t r a c t $ 1 0 0 b i n v e s t m e n t

Lahore Chamber of Commerce & Industry (LCCI) President Kashif Anwar along with prominent business figures held a meeting with Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Asim Munir here on Sunday

Caretaker Punjab Chief Minister Mohsin Naqvi also attended the meeting in which country s economic trajectory was discussed in detail the LCCI spokesman confirmed to the media

During the meeting, General Asim Munir highlighted the pivotal role of the Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC) emphasizing its potential to attract substantial investments of up to 100 billion dollars from countries such as Saudi Arabia the UAE Kuwait and others To bolster economic decision-making he revealed the formation of task forces focused on economic matters and different sectors Kashif Anwar, in alignment with the broader business community, recommended active engagement with all chambers to incorporate diverse perspectives into the task force s agenda Addressing critical issues faced by the public Kashif Anwar proposed

reduction in income and sales tax rates on electricity bills He noted that the populace grapples with the burden of high taxation on electricity, impacting daily lives, businesses and common people

A d d i t i o n a l l y, K a s h i f

A n w a r i n t r o d u c e d a p r a gmatic approach to fuel adjustment charges, advocating f o r t h e i r c o l l e c t i o n d u r i n g t h e w i n t e r m o n t h s w h e n

electricity consumption is lower alleviating financial stress on consumers Recognizing the pivotal role of exchange rates in Pakistan s economic landscape the LCCI President called for greater control over the rates of the US dollar in both interbank and open markets

The COAS General Asim Munir responded positively, assuring that money exchanges would be brought under the purview of taxation fostering transparency in dollar exchange and interbank rates

President LCCI also pointed out that the disparity between the State Bank s rate and the Hundi rate often leads to the preference for Hundi channels when it comes to remittances He emphasized that if these rates were aligned, remittances would naturally flow through the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP)

Kashif Anwar emphasized the importance of an enhanced and sustained interactive dialogue between the business community and relevant authorities He expressed concerns over the prevailing lack of responsiveness to suggestions put forth by the business sector Furthermore, Kashif Anwar called for a unified commitment from political parties suggesting the signing of a charter of the economy as a precondition before any upcoming elections

doubt about the timing of elections

He agreed that because of the past circumstances there were concerns among the political parties about the schedule of polls

Responding to a question, he said the situation in border areas was aggravated due to the situation emerging after the withdrawal of the United States and NATO from Afghanistan

There was an inventory of weapons and equipment that was left by the US in Afghanistan and now the terror outfits were more equipped and were not only dangerous for Pakistan but also for China and other countries he said adding the US should have handed over the inventory of weapons responsibly but there was a rushed withdrawal by the US and now it was not clear who was in possession of these weapons and equipment He was of the view that the state had two tools including negotiations and the application of force against militants to achieve peaceful social order We have to use both approaches to achieve our goals

The stability, prosperity and peace of Afghanistan were linked to peace, stability and prosperity of Pakistan, he opined ‘May 9 like Incidents intolerable’

The PM said the incidents of May 9 were watched by the whole world and the international media reported these incidents and analyzed them

Such vandalism was not tolerable in any democratic dispensation, he said, adding it was an attempt to lead to a civil war and mutiny and the target was the leadership of the army and the present chief of army staff

“This clearly evident from the public anger expressed during their peaceful protest this week that they do not accept the agreements with the IPPs JI Ameer Sirajul Haq declared while addressing a press conference after meeting of the party

Haq expressed gratitude to the people and trader community for participating in Saturday’s strike, elaborating on that it had sent a message to the government that “we don’t accept those agreements which past governments made with IPPs

Those who signed these deals had betrayed the nation and committed injustice he added

He highlighted the high cost of electricity despite the country being blessed with five rivers, adding that the government would soon raise the electricity tariffs to Rs90 per unit “We will approach the Supreme Court against the agreements with the IPPs The burden [of these agreements] is falling on the pockets of the people he added Haq said that Pakistan is being pushed into darkness through artificial agreements, conspiracy to hinder the country’s progress, and the construction of dams

JI leader expressed his dismay over the prime minister s dismissal of inflation and electricity bills as non-issues He criticised the continuous rise in petrol prices questioning the government s rationale for imposing additional burden on households

I want to tell the prime minister that it is the mistake of government to buy expensive electricity Why are you burdening the masses further with your mistakes ” he questioned He said the strike had provided an opportunity for the caretaker government to renegotiate the deals citing the public dissatisfaction and resentment at large with power costs

Haq went on to assert that Pakistan was plagued by a cartel of petrol and diesel profiteers, mercilessly exploiting the populace

He also called for protests outside the governor houses in all four provinces and warned that the JI could go for a wheel-jam strike if the need arose and the increase in electricity prices was not reversed

g STRESSES NEED FOR TAXING DIFFERENT SECTORS WHICH ARE STILL NOT BROUGHT UNDER NET

g SAYS ELECTION COMMISSION WILL DECIDE ABOUT ELECTIONS DATE A S PER LAW

PIDE RELEASES REPORT ON UNRAVELING STATE OF INDUSTRY IN COUNTRY

PESHAWAR S ta f f R e p o R t

TH E Pakistan Institute of Development Economics (PIDE) has unveiled a groundbreaking report shedding light on the challenges faced by the engineering industry in Pakistan

The comprehensive study conducted by a team of esteemed researchers led by Dr Nadeem ul Haque, and including Dr Usman Qadir, Dr Abid Rehman, and Mr Mohammad Armughan, delves into the realities faced by engineering firms and provides valuable insights into the state of the industry according to a press release issued here on Sunday

The report is based on an extensive survey of 328 engineering firms from across the Golden Triangle of Lahore, Gu-

Saints, Sufis taught lesson of love, peace, sincerit y and devotion: Tessori

BHITSHAH: Sindh Governor Kamran

Tissori has said that Sindh was the land of saints and sufis and Shah Abdul Latif Bhitai as also among them who always taught lesson of love peace sincerity and devotion He expressed these views while talking to media after laying chaadar on the shrine of Shah Abdul Latif Bhitai in the concluding ceremony of 280th Urs of Gear Saint Governor said that although we belong to the land of saints but are facing several crises because we have not adopted and spread the message of Sufi and saints He said that it was moment of immense pleasure for him that around 500000 devotees were visiting Urs celebration daily basis The Governor said that this Urs was being celebrated after 4 years which was hampered due to Covid restrictions and people also earn their livelihood as usual In reply to a question About meeting with PML(N) leader Muhammad Nawaz Sharif, the Governor said that it was a part of political wisdom as we want to maintain our political relationship with key political parties He said that various problems related to the economy particularly the energy crisis facing sindh were discussed in the meeting Tissori said that such a crisis could not be resolved by a single political party but could be tackled collectively The Governor further said that Sindh was badly affected in last year ’s flood catastrophe and people of Sindh were still facing its aftermath He urged all political parties to shun their differences to resolve the problems of the masses and for this purpose he could also consult with political leaders including Muhammad Nawaz Sharif and Asif Ali Zardari if needed The Governor said that prosperity and stability of Pakistan should be our top priority and we have to support the Election Commission so that fair, free and transparent elections can be conducted Earlier, the Sindh Governor listened to Shah Sain’s poetry in the courtyard of Shrine and distributed clothes among poor and destitute people Caretaker

Minister for Culture Syed Junaid Shah

Secretary Auqaf Munawar Ali Mahesar

Secretary Culture Abdul Aleem Lashari, DIG Hyderabad Pir Muhammad Shah, Deputy Commissioner Matiari Syed Jawad Muzafar and others were also present on the occasion S ta f f R e p o R t

Vietnam’s female teacher reaches Pakistan, conver ts to Islam

jrat, and Gujranwala

It reveals compelling statistics that underscore the critical concerns affecting the industry s growth and productivity

One of the foremost issues outlined in the report is the severe impact of electricity unavailability on daily production targets

A staggering 83% of surveyed firms expressed that the unavailability of electricity creates hurdles in achieving their production goals resulting in a detrimental gap between demand and supply for the industry

Moreover, 78% of these firms reported that electricity scarcity hinders their operational efficiency, a crucial factor where economies of scale need to be achieved Load-shedding and voltage fluctuations further exacerbate the challenges by increasing the risk of machinery malfunctions and damage affecting 68% of the firms

The financial strain of arranging alternate supply, amounting to PKR 71,000 per unit annually adds to the burden on firms operations impacting 72% of the surveyed companies The report underscores the significance of addressing these challenges It recommends that engineering firms adopt international and national quality standard certifications to maintain quality standards a move endorsed by 89% of the surveyed firms

Moreover the government is urged to focus on enhancing the electricity supply in industrial areas, with smaller firms exploring backup power options to ensure uninterrupted operations, a sentiment echoed by 76% of the respondents

An interesting finding of the report is the lack of an online presence among Pakistani engineering enterprises With a surprising 63% of surveyed

firms lacking any online presence, there is an urgent need for businesses to establish themselves online to reach a wider customer base and enhance engagement

The study also reveals that while a significant portion of firms (63%) show no intent to expand in the coming years, a proactive minority plans to invest in advanced technology, machinery, land, and skilled labor to boost their business prospects

Another critical issue highlighted in the report is the lack of access to credit for the majority of firms The majority of firms lack adequate collateral to secure loans due to their small size This reduces their marketability to commercial lenders and has resulted in only 5% of surveyed companies having loans or lines of credit Limited access to finance hampers the industry s growth potential

Iranian ambassador condemns disrespect of Holy Quran in Europe, calls for global action

ISLAMABAD S ta f f R e p o R t

Iranian Ambassador Reza AmiriMoghaddam, in a recent gathering of religious scholars and leaders from various faiths and sects raised concerns about the increasing incidents of disrespect towards religious symbols particularly the Holy Quran in European nations

The event, titled Honoring the Holy Quran from the Perspective of Religions and Sects,’ witnessed a unified call for safeguarding religious sanctity and promoting mutual coexistence

Ambassador Amiri-Moghaddam speaking at the event organized by the Iranian Cultural Consulate in collaboration with Majlis Wahdat-e-Muslimeen, underscored the distressing trend of disregarding the sanctity of religious symbols He pointed out that over the past six months the Holy Quran had been desecrated on more than six occasions in Europe

Expressing his pleasure in joining the assembly of learned individuals, the Ambassador extended his appreciation to those involved in organizing the event which brought together scholars and devotees from diverse religious backgrounds including Shia Sunni

Christian, Sikh, and Hindu The event focused on the importance of honoring and revering the Holy Quran from a multi-religious perspective

Ambassador Amiri-Moghaddam emphasized its timeliness given recent

incidents in European countries that showed disrespect for the Holy Quran

He specifically highlighted the permission granted by the Swedish government for such disrespect under the banner of freedom of expression, labeling it a dangerous precedent He expressed disappointment over the lack of preventive actions and raised concerns about similar incidents in the future

Ambassador Amiri-Moghaddam stressed that the desecration of the Holy Quran transcended religious boundaries, representing an affront to all divine scriptures He noted that condemnation for such acts came from religious leaders globally uniting against such unacceptable behavior

Moreover the Ambassador pointed to the violation of international law that prohibits the propagation of religious hatred, highlighting the contradiction between these actions and international agreements and human rights principles

He characterized the act of disrespecting the Holy Quran as emblematic of an agenda seeking to create discord among Islamic nations and expressed concerns about the silence of European nations on these matters within their borders In the age of technological advancements that amplify ethical and spiritual capacities Ambassador AmiriMoghaddam urged scholars to promote positive discourse and create an environment where all religions can effectively counteract the trend of disrespect

Concluding his address he com-

mended Pakistan’s resolute stance against the disrespect of the Holy Quran and praised the country s commitment to safeguarding religious symbols

Iranian Cultural Counselor Ehsan Khazaei echoed these sentiments, stating that defaming the Holy Quran was an affront to all religions and humanity

He quoted Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei’s assertion that such insults revealed an imperialistic agenda aimed at Islam and its sacred text

The religious scholars and leaders, in a unanimous resolution, strongly condemned recent incidents of disrespect towards the Holy Quran and called them attacks on global peace and religious freedom They urged the United Nations to take prompt action and appealed to Pakistan to convene an emergency session of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation to address the issue comprehensively

In their statement they emphasized the importance of knowledge pride and understanding as means to human excellence condemning violence and divisive agendas They pledged to uphold the sanctity and reverence of the Holy Quran, vowing to remain vigilant and steadfast against such actions The conference attended by a diverse group of religious scholars faith leaders and members of diplomatic communities concluded with a call for justice in the Jaranwala tragedy and a collective commitment to promote respect and unity among different faiths and sects

CM orders preparation of package for farmers

LAHORE S ta f f R e p o R t

On the direction of Caretaker Chief Minister Punjab Mohsin Naqvi, a special package would be prepared to provide facilities to farmers of the province

In this regard the CM sought comprehensive recommendations for preparation of the special package Chairman Planning & Development Board, secretaries Agriculture, Livestock, Irrigation, Finance and a team comprising officials of Punjab Bank would prepare recommendations for the package Mohsin Naqvi also sought a durable plan for the establishment of a Model Agricultural Market in every division Pesticides, agricultural equipments, fertilisers and seeds would be available in the Model Agricultural Market V I S I T T O ‘ S H E H R - E -

K H A M O S H A N Meanwhile Punjab

Caretaker Chief Minister Mohsin Naqvi visited Shehr-e-Khamoshan (graveyard), being built at Sundar Road Raiwind, here on Sunday He reviewed facilities being pro-

vided for burial at Shehr-e-Khamoshan and inspected various sections of the project including waiting area ablution place funeral place and ambulance Mohsin Naqvi stated that burial facilities in Shehr-e-Khamoshan had been provided in an organised manner, adding that it would be built in other cities as well on the pattern of Sundar Road Raiwind He underscored that it was need of the time to establish the latest graveyards with increase in popula-

From G abon to Attock via Ranipur

tray the legitimate demands of the Nigerien people in the border dispute with Benin

tion, adding that all requirements with regard to the latest graveyard had been fulfilled at Shehr-e-Khamoshan

It was informed during the briefing that a model graveyard comprising 127 kanals of land had been built at the Sundar Road Raiwind A four wall, funeral place ablution place along with an ambulance had been provided in the model graveyard A capacity of more than 12 thousand graves had been kept in the model graveyard The burial fee in the model graveyards had been reduced from rupees 10 thousand to rupees 3500 The citizens could contact on(1190) to avail the service of ambulance in the model graveyard Model graveyards are also being built at DG Khan Faisalabad Sheikhupura Rahim Yar Khan and Sahiwal Secretary Local government gave a briefing about Shehr-e-Khamoshan Provincial Minister for Information & Local Government Amir Mir, Chief Secretary Secretary Local government Secretary C&W Commissioner Lahore Deputy Commissioner DG Shehre Khamoshan Authority and officials concerned were present

NAROWAL: Influenced by Islamic teachings a female teacher from Vietnam reached Pakistan and converted to Islam The Vietnamese lady identified as Low Beechman embraced at the hands of Hazrat Maulana Zakaria Mohsin in Jamia Masjid Hanafia, Narowal a district of Punjab After Kalma recitation she was given a new name of Amina Maulana Qari Abdul Qadoos recited Naat in English on the occasion of Amina s acceptance of Islam while sweets were also distributed in the Jamia Masjid The locals congratulated the woman on her acceptance of Islam On this occasion Amina said that after reading the religion of Islam she decided to embrace this religion as it teaches peace brotherhood and tolerance S ta f f R e p o R t

Rickshaw driver catches two robbers

KARACHI: Brave rickshaw driver caught two robbers fleeing after injuring a citizen upon resistance who were later handed over to police after sound thrash by citizens According to details two robbers shot injured a citizen upon resistance during robbery near Mosamiat Mobile Market in Gulistan-e-Johar area of Karachi A rickshaw driver present near the scene hit the bike of fleeing robbers and held them Citizens gathered at the scene and gave sound thrash to robbers before handing them over to police The citizen injured by robbers was shifted to hospital for treatment Citizen set ablaze bike after manhandled by police A citizen set ablaze his motorcycle outside Karachi Press Club on Sunday in protest against manhandled by 15 Madadgar Police personnel Harison who runs online bike service said that after seeing suspects near Cantt Station he informed 15 Madadgar He said that when 15 Madadgar Police reached the scene they instead of searching for suspects said that you seem to be drunk and tortured me Harison in protest of police behavior burnt down his motorcycle outside Karachi Press Club He was shifted to police station for investigation SSP South taking the notice of the incident directed an inquiry and assured that action will be taken against police if found guilty S ta f f R e p o R t

36 new dengue cases reported in Lahore

LAHORE

S ta f f R e p o R t

Thirty-six more cases were reported within 24 hours as dengue is on the rise in provincial metropolis the health department official source told APP on Sunday According to the sources besides the dengue virus cases 1 043 larvae spots were reported in the last 24 hours, with many patients under treatment in different hospitals of the city Various squads conducted surveillance at indoor and outdoor places to detect dengue larvae during the last 24 hours

The anti-dengue squad destroyed dengue larvae at 1 043 places in the province during continuing surveillance Moreover, 2,678 beds have been allocated for dengue patients in hospitals across Punjab, the health department said Deputy Commissioner (DC) Lahore Rafia Haider Additional Deputy Commissioners and Assistant Commissioners are continuously paying surprise visits to check the performance of dengue teams working on the ground in the wake of increasing dengue cases after rains

The DC reviewed the performance of dengue teams in various towns of Lahore Checking of more than 5 000 places would be ensured on daily basis she said Ms Haider recently announced that the number of dengue surveillance teams could be increased keeping in mind the rain alerts of the Meteorological department Issuing directions for controlling dengue, she warned all town officers to surely complete the set targets on a daily basis She vowed to monitor various hotspots areas in the city with swift and strict surveillance urging citizens to not let water accumulate in their homes and surroundings Rafia Haider sternly warned the authorities and staff concerned that no negligence would be tolerated regarding the anti-dengue campaign The DC directed all assistant commissioners and health officials to remain in the field and inspect performance of dengue workers on a daily basis in their jurisdiction Staff RepoRt

SO M E B O D Y had better do some-

thing fast Even in Gabon they are showing more patriotism than in Pakistan Men of vision and saturated with love for their country dedicated to the defence of every sacred inch of the motherland, they will not allow it to be averted from its glorious destiny of taking its rightful place in the comity of nations and bringing glory to the Gabonese people

The Gabonese military took a forthright stand against dynasticism in politics overthrowing A;i Bongo, who was the son of Omar Bongo, who was President for 42 years He had converted to Islam in 1973, and being in OPEC probably had nothing to do with it His son Ali Bongo was 14 then and also converted Omar was originally Albert-Bernard and Ali Alain-Bernard

But patriotism is not restricted to Gabon, it seems Before it, there was a coup in Niger, where the courageous and devoted armed forces overthrew the corrupt, useless and scoundrelly regime that had helped be-

Niger is an example of what true patriots do where the national interest is involved There was even a takeover by a major who assassinated the President and took over That involved the airport because the President was apparently taking off in a helicopter on his way out of the country

It s interesting for Pakistanis, for one martial law (that of Ziaul Haq) ended with a plane explosion and the next one started with an alleged hijacking Neither the Ayub nor Yahya Martial Laws involved the air at either imposition or lifting unless you count the Ganga staged hijacking, which India used as an excuse to stop Pakistani overflights from West to East

It might thus be a good sign that Imran Khan was not released after his bail but merely re-arrested in another case So there was no flight back to Lahore It seems he s going to get the sort of treatment that so many PTI leaders did, who were merely rearrested at the gates of the jail after release on bail That cycle can only be brought by a press conference in which you announce your love for the Pakistan Army condemn

the actions of May 9 abjure the PTI and all his works and announce that you will take a break from politics And then go off and join the Istehkam Pakistan Party If Imran was to do that, he would avoid not just rearrest but the fate being suffered by Ch Pervez Elahi who is given bail by the Lahore High Court but was still arrested by the Islamabad police under MPO He has been sent to Attock Jail, where Imran is I suppose neither has yet realized the importance of the polka dots on the kurta and why the whole ensemble must be accessorized by white shoes and a garish green chaddar Unless the judge has his eyes assaulted he won t give bail Maybe they can work out some sort of compromise, something along the lines of what Pir Syed Asad Shah Jilani is said to have managed in the case of the murder of Fatima Furiro whose body was found in his haveli in Ranipur Khairpur District She was only 10 And of course there was no one to get angry to ensure that he would be rearrested The pir, his wife and his father-in-law have been accused of beating the girl She and her father have feld Why didn’t Pir Asad flee? Perhaps because he had to go on meeting his mureeds who havwe been fa-

cilitated by the SHO One of the mureeds, who has warned of consequences if the Pir Sahib was not released is a dacoit I am not suggesting that Pir Asad was a patharidar (someone operating a pathari or refuge where the dacoit could keep people until their ransom was paid) or even an a meen (someone with whom dacoits deposit their proceeds) but these are both tasks dacoits prefer pirs to undertake

And you know what was the really frightening part of the story? That at least two other girls continued to work at the

haveli afterwards (among the three women and three children recovered) even when the post mortem showed that poor Fatima had not only been tortured but criminally assaulted even unnaturally Meanwhile, everyone may have been disappointed at how the India-Pakistan match literally fizzled out, but it seems that India treachery to Imran Khan has not stopped Or else why did Shaheem Afridi take four wickets? Why are the batsmen of the world bent on putting Shaheen on the same page?

D O M K I D I R E C T S E F F O R T S F O R

B ET T E R M E N T O F Q U ET TA C I T Y

exploiting the general public and take action against the shopkeepers and traders for overcharging

Gov t to come up with plan to resolve issue of electricit y bills: PM

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 01

CA R E TA K E R Chief Minister Balochistan Mir Ali Mardan

Khan Domki highlighted the efforts of the Quetta administration for initiating anti-encroachment, cleanliness, price control and plantation drive in the provincial capital In a statement he said that measures should be taken to bring a positive change in the city s landscape besides multiplying its beauty and resolving public issues

He welcomed the Commissioner Quetta Division and his entire team on initiating a plan for a cleanliness campaign and eliminating encroachments from the city Ali Mardan said the residents of the provincial capital have been suffering from multiple problems due to the lack of planning and attention by the civic authorities

He directed the officials concerned to collaborate closely and develop a coordinated plan to resolve the city’s problems

At LCCI meeting, COAS emphasizes SIFC’s potential to attract $100b investment

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 01

Expanding on General Asim Munir s earlier remarks regarding the existence of a grey economy, accounting for 2 to 3 times of the overall documented economy, Kashif Anwar proposed an innovative approach He recommended incentivizing the grey economy to transition into the formal white economy offering a strategic solution to combat this pervasive issue President LCCI said that the expansion of the tax base would remain elusive as long as the grey economy remains unincorporated, unable to contribute to the formal white economy This gathering exemplified the shared dedication of both the business community and the military leadership to work collaboratively in addressing pressing economic challenges and propelling the nation toward growth As Pakistan continues to navigate economic complexities this constructive dialogue signifies a promising step toward finding practical solutions and fostering economic prosperity for the nation he concluded

and restore the lost beauty of Quetta

The Chief Minister while expressing his dismay over the prevailing hygienic and sanitary conditions in Quetta said that steps should be taken on a war footing basis to improve the sanitation situation and to ensure neat and clean bazaars and markets in the city

He said the provincial capital was increasingly facing water scarcity but the government has doing its best to tackle the situation and ensure safe drinking water to every citizen

He directed Commissioner Quetta to ensure the effective working of price control committees to prevent profiteers from

He called for the early completion of the Quetta development package in the best possible manner for the betterment of the city

The construction and expansion of various roads improvement of the sewerage system and rehabilitation of footpaths under the Quetta development package will significantly restore the lost beauty of Quetta and provide better facilities to the masses He said the government has made efforts to make the metropolitan city the cleanest and most environment-friendly to be visited by the local and foreign tourists

He also welcomed the Prime Minister s package of 100 green buses for Quetta, announced during his visit last month He said green bus service will be also run on other routes of the city to provide modern travel facilities to the citizens

The provincial government will fully support the commissioner and his team in resolving the problems of Quetta City

Thousands of devotees to attend annual Urs of Data Ganj Bakhsh

LAHORE S ta f f R e p o R t

The three-day 980th Urs of Hazrat Ali Hajveri, popularly known as Data Ganj Bakhsh, will begin on September 5 at his shrine in Lahore Thousands of devotees from across Pakistan and abroad are expected to attend the annual festivities

The Urs will start with a traditional chaddar laying ceremony at the shrine

The Auqaf Department has made elaborate arrangements for the devotees, including langar (free food), mehfil-e-naat (religious gatherings) qawali (Sufi music) and tableghi (spiritual) programs Walkthrough gates and CCTV cameras have also been installed inside and around the shrine to ensure security

The district administration has also taken all necessary measures to maintain peace and order during the Urs

The department has finalized some specific arrangements for the devotees as free Langar The Auqaf Department will provide free food to the devotees at the shrine

M E H F I L-E-N A AT: Religious gatherings will be held at the shrine where fa-

mous naat khawan (poets who recite naats or poems in praise of the Prophet Muhammad) will perform Sufi music programs will also be held at the shrine Spiritual gatherings will be held at the shrine, where ulema (Islamic scholars) will give lectures and guidance to the devotees

S E C U R I T Y: Walkthrough gates and CCTV cameras have been installed in-

Anwaarul Haq said due process of law was being followed after these incidents and there was a standard operating procedure everywhere in the world to legally deal with cases of attack on military installations He said the matter of cypher was sub judice and the best judicial minds would deliberate on it to come to a decision The foreign policy of Pakistan was aimed at friendship with the world including the United States and diplomacy needed wisdom and deliberation he remarked The prime minister said that Pakistan historically did not have friendly relations with India, both countries became nuclear and India violated international principles and helped in the separation of East Pakistan Kashmir was an unresolved issue and the UN Security Council resolutions on plebiscite should be implemented he said adding Kashmir was a core issue and relations could not become normal with India without resolving this issue

16 BZU girls fell unconscious due to gas leak in passenger vehicle

VEHARI

S ta f f R e p o R t

Meanwhile Kamran Khan, one of Pakistan's most distinguished print and TV journalist revealed that COAS Gen Asim Munir held meetings with around 100 businessmen in the business capitals Karachi and Lahore Kamran Khan took to X (erstwhile Twitter), on Sunday posted a video and wrote: Developments in the last 24 hours confirmed that COAS Gen Asim Munir will now lead Pakistan's battle for economic survival from the front In meetings with around 100 businessmen in the business capitals Karachi and Lahore Gen Asim Munir maintaining a tough and decisive tone, resolved to implement an ambitious plan to reform the economy He pledged the eradication of smuggling particularly rampant oil smuggling from Iran; an end to the nonfilers culture in the country s taxation system; inclusion of non-tax-paying sectors such as retail in revenue systems; encouragement of rapid privatization of sick state units in the next six months; introduction of a rapid reform process in state-owned companies; and to confront dollarization with state might The Army Chief sounds absolutely determined to root out system-led official corruption in Sindh Gen Asim expected that a free judiciary will support the economic revival mission

ECP should immediately announce election schedule: PPP

KARACHI S ta f f R e p o R t

Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) has demanded the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) to immediately announce the election schedule In a statement issued here on Sunday PPP senior leader Nasir Hussain Shah said that the ECP understood their stance and shortened the time for delimitation process He urged the ECP to announce the election schedule as the current situation in the country demands timely elections Nasir Hussain Shah claimed that PPP has solution for the country s problems and will take the country out of this current crisis

Earlier, Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) announced to finalise delimitation of constitutes by November 30 which was earlier scheduled to be completed on December 14

The decision was taken after consultations with the political parties to ensure an early election

The purpose of reducing the time frame of delimitation is to hold the election as soon as possible, the press release stated The polls schedule will be announced keeping this date in mind ” It is pertinent to mention here that Pakistan People s Party (PPP) reiterated its demand for holding of next general elections within the constitutionally mandated 90-day period in a meeting with Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) officials

side and around the shrine to ensure security The district administration has also taken all necessary measures to maintain peace and order during the Urs

The Urs is a major religious event in Pakistan, and it is expected to attract a large number of devotees The arrangements made by the Auqaf Department and the district administration are aimed at ensuring that the devotees have a safe and enjoyable experience

HEC announces scholarship program for Gilgit-Baltistan students

the academic year 2023-24 in all areas of study or disciplines

The HEC set criteria for scholarship is to be a domiciled in Gilgit-Baltistan, have a Higher Secondary School Certificate (HSSC) or equivalent be 22 years old or younger as of the closing date for applications and not be currently enrolled in any other scholarship program

In a harrowing incident that underscores a critical safety concern, 16 female students went unconscious due to a gas leak from the cylinder of the passenger van during en route from Burewala to Multan on Sunday Shockingly this incident highlights the authorities disregard for ensuring the safety of such vehicles The mishap occurred as the van Pul-14 (Jehanian) on its journey to Multan Suddenly, a gas leak from the vehicle’s cylinder left all 16 female students unconscious Adding to the alarming situation the van s driver abandoned the vehicle and fled the scene leaving the helpless students behind Prompt action by the police led to the transportation of the affected students to hospital It is crucial to note that all these female students are enrolled at Zakaria University and were returning from their Sunday vacation This unfortunate incident serves as a stark reminder of the pressing need for stricter regulations and oversight regarding the installation and maintenance of gas cylinders in passenger vans The safety of passengers must be a top priority for authorities, said Muhammad Asghar, a guardian of two female students Three girls are stated to be in a critical position However the rest of all are stable said sources

ICT Police set up special cell to probe terror finance cases

ISLAMABAD:

S ta f f R e p o R t

A special investigative cell in the Anti-Terrorism

ISLAMABAD S ta f f R e p o R t

The Higher Education Commission (HEC) has announced a scholarship program for outstanding students of GilgitBaltistan who wish to pursue undergraduate studies at top Pakistani universities or institutions According to HEC the scholarships are being offered for

The scholarship covers tuition fees hostel fees and other charges up to Rs 240,000 per year It also includes a stipend of Rs 15,000 per month and books and traveling allowances of Rs 30,000 per annum Candidates will be shortlisted based on their scores in an aptitude test to be conducted by the Education Testing Council (ETC) HEC They must also secure at least 50% marks in their academic credentials Students who are already enrolled in a BS program at a public sector university or institution prior to the advertisement or announcement of the scholarship may also apply

The award of the scholarship is purely merit-based and is not based on gender caste race or religion

The application can be submitted online through the HEC website: http://eportal hec gov pk The last date for submission of applications is September 30, 2023

Department of Islamabad Capital Police has been set up which will investigate cases related to financing terrorism and extremism On the special directions of Federal Interior Minister Sarfraz Bugti Islamabad Capital City Police Officer (ICCPO) Dr Akbar Naseer Khan has taken the initiative to set up this special cell A police spokesperson said, “The in-charge of this cell will be an officer in Grade 17 and it will operate under the supervision of SSP CTD The ICCPO has stated This cell will function in accordance with international standards and will also seek cooperation from other law enforcement agencies in matters of special investigations ” He further said, “Robust legal actions will be taken against the individuals involved in the financing of terrorism and extremism Previously ICCPO Dr Akbar Nasir Khan had established an anti-terrorism and extremism unit in CTD which was the first one of its kind in Pakistan In this unit, Islamabad Capital Police teams are working to combat extremism in educational institutions and schools

Inter faith Harmony Conference promotes unity, tolerance among religions

ISLAMABAD S ta f R e p o R t

Religious leaders and scholars from diverse religious backgrounds converged at the Interfaith Harmony Conference recently held at the Pakistan National Council of the Arts in the federal capital

The conference organized by the Ministry of Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony, served as a platform for prominent figures to advocate for unity, peace, and tolerance among different religious communities Minister of Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony Aneeq Ahmed opened the conference with a powerful message of unity He strongly condemned any distortion of faith and emphasized the need for all religions to come together He shed light on the recent tragic incident in Jaranwala expressing his belief that such incidents should never have occurred Minister Aneeq also pointed out that neighbouring India had witnessed even worse atrocities against various communities, highlighting that the lives lost among Christian brethren in India were not just Christians but "our brothers " He extended his message of inclusivity by highlighting the divine nature of all scriptures including the Torah Psalms Bible, and the Holy Quran, affirming that these are all divine revelations, with the Quran being the final one Pakistan Ulema Council Chairman

Hafiz Muhammad Tahir Mahmood

Ashrafi who also serves as the President of the International Interfaith Harmony Council shared valuable insights on the importance of religious cohesion He emphasized that the teachings of Islam inherently advocate for peaceful coexistence among all communities

Ashrafi made it clear that the individuals allegedly involved in the Jaranwala incident were not representatives of any religion but rather of extremism and terrorism Expressing deep regret over the Jaranwala incident, Ashrafi extended heartfelt apologies to the Christian community He personally met with Christian leaders to seek forgiveness reaffirming the commitment to mutual respect and understanding

However, he also voiced concerns about Pakistan's judicial system acknowledging that if the perpetrators of the Joseph Colony incident had been properly prosecuted, a shameful recurrence in Jaranwala could have been averted He pointed out several instances of blasphemy and desecration cases awaiting resolution in trial courts which had remained undecided for years Ashrafi mentioned that numerous individuals had been apprehended in connection with the Jaranwala incident and expressed optimism that they would expeditiously receive fair legal treatment in accordance with the country s laws Mufti Muneebur Rehman emphasized the need to discard the term minorities' and

asserted that "regardless of our religious affiliations we all share a common identity as Pakistanis He raised concerns about the nomenclature of religious groups in Pakistan, urging the government to consider more inclusive terms He reminded everyone that the rights granted to Muslims by the Constitution were equally applicable to all Pakistanis irrespective of their beliefs

Mufti Muneeb also stressed the importance of using appropriate terms, such as Christian for followers of Jesus Christ and specific terms like Jewish, Sikh, Hindu, and Buddhist for followers of those respective faiths In line with the spirit of inclusivity Mufti Muneeb suggested refraining from using the term infidel if it carries negative connotations about certain groups He challenged the notion that terrorism is tied to religion and emphasized that it stems from individual actions He called for the nation to prioritize combating terrorism and corruption above linguistic debates Mufti Muneeb acknowledged the importance of unity in safeguarding the respect of religions and holy books He called upon adherents of different faiths to stand united against any disrespect towards sacred figures or scriptures He also cautioned against providing refuge to individuals who commit blasphemy against revered personalities or holy texts emphasizing that such acts should not be tolerated Several other faith leaders and schol-

ars including Bishop Sarfraz Peter Pastor Emmanuel Khokhar Sardar Santok Singh and Archbishop Dr Joseph Arshad made significant contributions to the conference They emphasized legislative measures to control religious violence, the elimination of hate materials from national curricula, and the need to shun discriminatory attitudes towards minority communities

Proposing an enabling environment across the nation Pastor Emmanuel Khokhar stressed the importance of immediately stopping the teaching of hate material in educational institutions He urged the government to ensure the swift trial of all those allegedly involved in the Jaranwala tragedy Sardar Santok Singh proposed the creation of Amman Committees at the grassroots level to promote peace and tranquillity in all segments of society On behalf of the Sikh community, he pledged continued participation in nation-building programs Archbishop Dr Joseph Arshad emphasized that faith leaders would persist in their efforts for peace progress and prosperity in Pakistan He called upon relevant authorities to use all possible means to create an environment of religious harmony In addition to these faith leaders, religious scholars and figures including Dr Abdul Qadir Haroon Maulana Abdul Rauf Air Marshal (retd) Farhat Hussain Malik Emil Darinoz Tekin Dr Sarfaraz Awan and Bishop Nadeem Kamran, contributed their insights during the conference

COMMENT Commission on LCs

FO R E I G N banks have started charging a whopping 10 percent commission before opening letters of credit for our imports/ This step has a number of implications, all of them negative for the country First it means that the country’s import bill will go up for the commission will be charged in the same currency as the LC which is usually the US dollar The 10 percent will be passed on to the importer who in turn will charge the consumer All imported goods, which include fuel (both for transport and generation), palm oil and medicines, are about to get a 10 percent increase without exception Actually, the hike will be more than 10 percent, because the rupee is also depreciating, and having crossed 300 to the dollar, is going down no one knows how much more

Apart from such tangible economic consequences, the charge reflects a total lack of confidence of the international banking system in the country’s economy

This is reflected in no small measure by the foreign banks’ describing this as a cover for risk This also shows that the foreign banks’ do not trust the caretaker government to make the right decisions It is also a vote of no-confidence in the credit rating agencies who have not changed Pakistan’s ratings recently their last revision Indeed, the last change by Fitch s was when Pakistan was bumped up from CCC- to CCC in July, after it was granted an IMF SBA Indeed, it seems that being on an IMF programme cuts no ice any longer with foreign banks anxious to secure their LCs

It should be noted that this move is quite unprecedented and reflects the worry by foreign banks that Pakistan might not be able to manage its debt, despite the SBA and help from foreign friendly countries On top of it all the increase in uncertainty caused by the caretakers’ intention to hang on by postponing elections does not seem to have helped

The result is that the country may avoid default but it will soon face a default-like situation where it finds itself unable to import essentials True, the news of Pakistan being unable to service its debt may not convulse the world s financial system, but the people of Pakistan will be convulsed when they sit at home in the dark with nothing to eat, and no medicines for their ill

The Camp David Summit

the summit’s underlying motives

TH E just-concluded Camp David summit, attended by South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol, US President Joe Biden and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, is being interpreted variously by all the stakeholders

Whereas Beijing has reasons to see it as an indirect attempt to create a Pacific NATO the White House is overjoyed at this major political venture that has apparently brought Seoul and Tokyo together in the US camp Following their landmark trilateral summit at Camp David, the leaders of South Korea, the USA and Japan displayed palpable satisfaction

Among them President Biden radiated a particularly pronounced contentment– a sentiment hardly surprising Biden has succeeded in fostering reconciliation between Seoul and Tokyo, aligning their focus with Washington s bid to curb Beijing s influence both regionally and worldwide This diplomatic feat undoubtedly bolsters Biden’s reelection aspirations adding another feather to his cap of achievements to counter the rising tide of Donald Trump

Biden hopes that the three-way summit with the leaders from America s two strongest allies in Northeast Asia will lead to a unified trilateral bloc Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, striving to avoid relegation to a mere backseat in Asia’s dynamics behind China maintained a measured countenance during the summit Outwardly South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol mirrored his counterparts but hints of strain were perceptible Understandably so, as Yoon shoulders the gravest political gamble within the trio The intricacies of his situation are quite papable: A significant proportion of his populace remains ambivalent about Seoul’s unilateral drift towards Tokyo underscoring the formidable political tightrope he navigates

Despite the ostensible attempts emanating from the White House to portray the Camp David summit as a successful milestone heralding peace and stability within the Korean peninsula and the Indo-Pacific region, the situation is quite different This summit stands as a manifestation of a calculated endeavour to engender the inception of what can only be construed as a Pacific counterpart to NATO orchestrated with the sole purpose of encircling and confining China

President Biden s strategic manoeuvres during the summit offer ample grounds for suspicion His persistent efforts to channel deliberations toward China, evident in both discourse and the joint statement suggest a calculated manipulation It becomes increasingly apparent that Biden instrumentalized the specter of the China threat to steer the participants collective narrative thereby raising questions about

Amidst South Korea’s historical reluctance to openly designate China as a threat or aggressor in regional security dialogues the Camp David summit yielded an unexpected outcome a blunt call for the cessation of Beijing s maritime and territorial assertions in the Indo-Pacific Moreover, the leaders made a commitment to upholding “peace” in the Taiwan Strait While these proclamations may fall short of some form of an alliance however amplified economic and military collaboration send a different message toward China This undercurrent suggests that South Korea and Japan are signalling their unwillingness to remain passive, unveiling a subtle stance against China’s growing influence Apparently, the Camp David summit outcomes might seem like a repackaged rendition of familiar rhetoric Yet a deeper analysis unveils a different narrative Yoon and Kishida are trying to breathe new life into the historically erratic South Korea-Japan diplomacy, with Biden propelling their efforts under his Indo-Pacific gaze

Historical precedent underscores the fragility of ROK-Japan rapprochement In 2015, a similar accord vowed to definitively settle “comfort women” matters only to be revoked by President Moon Jae-in in 2019 amid waning public support Yoon s conciliatory overtures to Japan reflect a very risky political gambit on his part The entwining of strategic manoeuvring and political expediency marks this saga, raising questions about its sustainability The question looms: How far can the South Korean President forge ahead with his increasingly aggressive foreign strategy toward China while aligning with Washington s militaristic game plan?

Doubts run deep Yoon s growing intent to carve a role within Washington s containment playbook against China not only contradicts his predecessor ’s measured foreign approach but also opposes the broader public sentiment Most recent surveys reveal that a significant majority of South Koreans does not support the notion of China as a foe and favours a nonaligned posture in the US-China rivalry The tenuous nature of Yoon s Japan policy raises scepticism among analysts about its post-Yoon viability, transcending ideological leanings

T h e C o l d Wa r e t h o s

a n d s t r a t ag e m s i n h e r e n t i n myo p i c a l l i a n c e s f a i l t o a s s u r e l a s t i n g s e c u r i t y, r a t h e r a m p l i f y i n g

A mix of consequential ramifications has eventually cascaded forth from this summit setting Strangely, less limelight is cast upon the profound implications arising from the growing trilateral collaboration between the United States Japan and South Korea This partnership s reverberations extend to Southeast Asia and the Pacific Islands, arenas that have lately burgeoned as theatres for geopolitical contest Amidst the intricate interplay between China the USA and the latter s web of allies and associates comprising Japan, South Korea, India, Australia, and beyond these domains have witnessed a mounting tug of war, one overshadowed by the more conspicuous developments in East Asia

t h e p ro s p e c t o f s t r i fe a n d h e a p i n g a dd e d r e s p o n s i b i l i t i e s o n U S p a r t n e rs

Amidst the grand theatrics and exuberant proclamations surrounding the summit s promise a notable void persists: the deliberate omission of the intricate underpinnings threading through these three nations and the broader region Conspicuously absent is the historical hostility deeply rooted between South Korea and Japan The facade of their reconciliation masks a swift regression

Meanwhile the conflicting strategic pursuits of these actors cast a shadow of doubt over the very viability of the trilateral alliance This veneer of unity seems detached from the complex realities, raising suspicions about its longevity Beyond the apparent, the existing reconciliation pact emerges as a hasty consequence of Washington’s strategic impetus to reconcile Tokyo and Seoul aligning with its East Asian interests

e

N o g o v t h a s t a c k l e d t h e re a l p ro b l e m s I n c l u d i n g t h e c a re t a ke r s

no people in the front lines of this government nor are there any institutional reforms From recruitment to transfers in the police department everything is done on the basis of recommendation, nothing has ever happened on merit, nor is it happening now, after that, expecting improvement in increasing crimes is tantamount to self-deception

The caretaker government may try to protect itself as much as it wants but this increase in corruption lawlessness and crimes is happening due to the failure of the government If the provincial chief ministers consider inflation as the biggest problem, then some practical measures should also be taken to deal with it whilst nothing is being done except for verbal talk

Moreover indications of an orchestrated move to untangle from Beijing surface as Washington, Tokyo, and Seoul amplify talks on economic security The ambition: to reshape supply chains curbing reliance on China particularly in domains like semiconductors and vital minerals – core to U S strategic objectives

Capitalizing on the U SJapan-ROK framework and the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework the USA aspires to weaken China s role in regional supply chains eroding its ties with neighbours

Crystallizing the USA-Japan-ROK trilateral bond marks a pivotal stride in the recalibration of America’s Asia-Pacific alliance framework, intensifying the spectre of “polarized confrontation ” The IndoPacific poised for collaborative growth should shun the mantle of a geopolitical battleground Amidst the ongoing Ukraine turmoil nurturing peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific assumes paramount importance on a global scale The Cold War ethos and stratagems inherent in myopic alliances fail to assure lasting security rather amplifying the prospect of strife and heaping added responsibilities on US partners such as Japan and South Korea The burden on US allies is exacerbated rendering them vulnerable associates in a high-stakes gambit, contrary to the spirit of cooperative global development Thus, the Camp David summit appears, in addition to AUKUS and Quad, to be another attempt by Washington to encircle China in the IndoPacific through the tool of alliance diplomacy

The writer is a freelance columnist

E d i t o r ’ s m a i l

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

Private-sector job is bonded labour

WI T H inflation rising daily and increase in robberies in the country there is a question mark on the performance of the police along with the government but both the police department and the provincial governments are turning a blind eye to this increasing rate, while the deteriorating law and order situation has disturbed the sleep of peaceful citizens as well as shopkeepers traders and industrialists who are now pleading with the government to protect them Nevertheless they do not expect any action from the police because often the police of the area not only patronize the criminals but also give free rein to thieves and dacoits It is the job of provincial governments to take strict measures to control street crime and other misdemeanours along with reducing inflation

Instead of solving the problems of the people they are engaged in fulfilling their political agenda in collaboration with the federation

It cannot be denied that the crime rate is increasing in Pakistan like other countries in the world and according to the Global Organized Crime Index 2023 the crime rate has reached 3 98 In this regard where the government and the police are blamed the increase in the crime rate across the country is also linked to unemployment, illiteracy, rising inflation and poverty, if the reason for the rising crime in the country is really inflation then the responsibility of reducing it also rests on the government

No government has been able to create employment opportunities as per need nor has it been possible to control the unnecessary increase in the prices of commodities If the rulers will take away everything from the hands of the people due to their incompetence then the poor will commit crimes to meet their needs in helplessness On the one hand there is the incompetence and extravagance of the rulers and on the other hand the poor are forced to steal and commit suicide because of their hunger and poverty

The PDM government came with the claims of solving public problems but did nothing during its tenure except save itself Now that the caretaker administration took office it has shattered every record set by the PDM administration On the one hand, it is putting the burden of inflation on the people and on the other hand, it is not making sincere efforts to solve the problems of the people

The crime rate is increasing across the country and all the Chief Ministers are doing nothing except making verbal claims There are

In every period of government the debris of its incompetence has been put on others and now when the caretaker government has come, there is an outcry of unavailability of resources along with inflation and unemployment This uncontrollable inflation and poverty has led to street crime and terrorism has definitely increased to a great extent but the bad policies of the government have also had a big hand in it

Because of this the signs of civil war have started appearing in the country and the government should reconsider its policies The relief packages of the government are nothing but artificial measures unless the government formulates a solid and comprehensive strategy these worsening conditions are not going to be brought under control

Like every government the caretaker government is also showing some reluctance This is a proof of the working of the four provincial governments that they are protecting themselves by declaring inflation and non-availability of resources as the reason for the increasing crimes in the country Some mercy must be bestowed on the populace The increasing crimes in the country may be due to any reason It is ultimately the responsibility of the government to stop them This government will not be able to spend time with excuses, nor will it be able to give up the power Whether this government shows clemency to the people or not the people will not show tolerance nor forgiveness

The writer tweets @AttiyaMunawer

Like ever y government, the caretaker government is also showing some reluctance This is a proof of the working of the four provincial governments that they are protecting themselves by declaring inflation and non-availability of resources as the reason for the increasing crimes in the countr y Some mercy must be bestowed on the populace The increasing crimes in the countr y may be due to any reason It is ultimately the responsibility of the government to stop them This government will not be able to spend time with excuses, nor will it be able to give up the power

W E come across news reports almost daily about successive governments’ mishandling of the economy, corruption scandals, leadership crisis, injustice to the poor brutality lawlessness and such other things But capitalist manipulation and worker s exploitation rather subjugation in the private sector is a topic not discussed by the media; at least the news media I worked in the private sector a school for special children for three years, and those years were nothing less than bonded slavery and a mission to make the master happy even if one had to earn a petty yearly increment of, say, two to three thousand rupees There was a race among the employees to be the most appreciated one even in a small meeting or gettogether because they were conditioned to imagine themselves on the top of the hit list that the master maintained Before anyone gets it wrong let me clarify that there was no gender issue involved The boss was a 50year-old woman and 95 per cent of the workforce was female

The criteria for promotion along with sustaining the master-slave relationship comprised dressing up, wearing Western clothes, talking as an ‘influential’, bragging upon successful handling of parents, and stopping their interference even if it was necessary for their children’s wellbeing The one who disobeyed the master was bound to face planned torture shrinking workspace freedom blockage of opinion and getting insulted for being opinionated This is not to suggest that the said institution was alone in its misery-causing ways Not at all It happens to be a routine practice at small-scale businesses run by the elite They practice tax evasion, deduct salaries for this thing or that, fire people on the basis of whim and fancy and praise the best ‘captive’

After facing exploitation and motional torture I finally quit As it turned out a while later I became part of the government sector

Having had exposure to both sectors I found the public sector way healthier than the private sector, because when a number of people frame policies sitting in parliament, passing bills with majority, the end result promotes diversity and flexibility with defined administrative hierarchy A private-sector entity frames policies to suit one’s interest, including the profit margin There is clearly a need for the government to intervene to set things right in the private sector at least for tax evasion practices if nothing else NIDA RAFAQAT LAHORE

Call for inter vention

T H E Sukkur-based institute conducting tests for various government jobs has been engaged in exploitative practices to boost its business at the expense of unemployed and impoverished candidates This troubling trend emerged almost immediately after the provincial government awarded several projects to the institute which has been charging exorbitant amounts in the name of fee from desperate individuals seeking to secure their future

The initial major project entrusted to the institute was the recruitment of primary school teachers (PSTs) and junior elementary school teachers (JESTs) for the education department Prospective candidates were required to pay a hefty challan fee of Rs700 each Subsequently, another project was assigned, involving the recruitment of personnel for various general administration departments across Sindh Again millions of people submitted a challan fee of Rs700 for each test The tests were conducted in three categories: graduation intermediate and matriculation

In a new development the institute has recently introduced a scheme to charge Rs350 for obtaining a verified certificate, claiming that the certificates will help the aspirants during the application process for various government departments However, it is clear that this practice will allow the institute to earn profit worth millions of rupees at the expense of the poor and the unemployed It is imperative that decisive action be taken to prevent such exploitative practices that undermine the principles of fairness and equal opportunity

SALMAN AHMED LAKHO SUKKUR

The commission charged by foreign banks on opening reflec ts the bankruptc y of the countr y ’s policies

T h e h a r d e s t c r i m

DR IMRAN KHALID

I n d i a n S C s e e s a b s o r p t i o n o f H e l d K a s h m i r a s i l l e g a l

The Modi government is ignoring the SC

TH E region of Jammu and Kashmir has been marred by a history of conflict with the issue of Indian aggression casting a long shadow over its past and present The complex and contentious relationship between India and the people of Jammu and Kashmir has had profound consequences on the region’s political landscape social fabric and international relations

The seeds of Indian aggression in Jammu and Kashmir were sown during the partition of India in 1947 As the Subcontinent gained independence from British colonial rule, the princely states were given the choice to accede to either India or Pakistan based on their geographical and demographic realities

The princely state of Jammu and Kashmir under Maharaja Hari Singh was predominantly Muslim but ruled by a Hindu monarch The decision to accede to either India or Pakistan was met with uncertainty and tension Amidst this uncertainty, Maharaja Hari Singh signed the Instrument of Accession with India in October 1947, seeking military assistance against tribal militias and forces from Pakistan that had invaded the region India’s intervention however was met with resistance from local Kashmiri leaders who sought a more democratic and inclusive approach to determining the region s future The conflict escalated into the first IndoPakistani war over Kashmir, leading to a de facto border known as the Line of Control (LoC) dividing the region between Indian-administered Occupied Jammu and Kashmir and Pakistan-administered Azad Jammu and Kashmir This division resulted in a complex territorial and political dispute that has persisted for decades

Indian aggression in Jammu and Kashmir has been accompanied by human rights concerns, with allegations of extrajudicial killings, disappearances, arbitrary detentions, and excessive use of force by Indian security forces The Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) grants Indian security forces wide-ranging powers in the

region, and it has been often criticized for enabling impunity and inhibiting accountability These allegations have drawn international attention and criticism from human rights organizations putting pressure on India to address these concerns and ensure the protection of civilians in the conflict zone

The issue of Indian aggression in Jammu and Kashmir has not only strained relations between India and Pakistan but has also impacted the broader geopolitical landscape of South Asia The two countries have fought several wars and skirmishes over the region with the potential for armed conflict always looming Efforts by international actors including the UN to mediate and find a peaceful resolution have faced challenges due to Indian stubbornness

As the international community watches and calls for peaceful resolutions, it is clear that the issue of Jammu and Kashmir remains a critical factor in shaping the political and social dynamics of the region

On 5 August 2019 India made a controversial decision that sent shockwaves worldwide The Indian government, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, announced the abrogation of Article 370 of the Indian Constitution, revoking the special autonomous status of Jammu and Kashmir This marked a significant turning point in the region’s political landscape sparking debates and discussions on its implications for the people of Jammu and Kashmir India s federal structure and its global relations Article 370 was a provision in the Indian Constitution that granted a special status to the state of Jammu and Kashmir This special status allowed it its own constitution, autonomy over internal matters except defense, foreign affairs and communications and a separate set of laws that governed various aspects of the state’s affairs It was a unique arrangement aiming to respect the cultural religious and political diversity of the region The abrogation was framed allegedly by the Modi government to merge Jammu and Kashmir in India Critics saw it as a violation of the unique identity of Jammu and Kashmir and a threat to its demographic and cultural fabric

The immediate aftermath saw significant changes

The state was reorganized into two union territories–Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh The removal of Article 370 resulted in the loss of special autonomy While the Indian government promised economic development, investment, and opportunities, there were concerns about the communication blackout, restrictions on movement, and human rights violations following the decision

These concerns sparked debates on the balance between security measures and fundamental rights The abrogation of Article 370 had broader geopolitical implications

It led to tensions between India and Pakistan Pakistan criticized the move, and the relations between the two nuclear-armed neighbours further deteriorated, resulting in increased military activities along the LoC Article 35A a provision enshrined in the Indian Constitution held a special place in the context of Jammu and Kashmir until its abrogation in 2019 Article 35A was

A C h i n a - U S a c c o r d o n A I ? U S s h o u l d u n c l e n c h i t s f i s t f i r s t

In 2021, Stanford Universit y ’s AI Index, which assesses AI advancements worldwide, ranks China among the top three countries for global AI vibranc y O ne year later, McKinsey predic ted that AI could add some $600 billion to China’s economy by 2030

GLOBAL TIMES

FO L L O W I N G Huawei s 5G

chokepoint breakthrough,

Baidu another Chinese tech giant announced on Thursday its ChatGPT-like Ernie bot was now open to the public China s artificial intelligence (AI) industry is currently experiencing a development boom However, the Chinese are well aware that the US leads the way in the field

Nevertheless in US public opinion arguments like why China has an edge on artificial intelligence are bubbling

A simple Google search using keywords like AI, China, and US would yield terms such as AI race and “tech war ” Apparently, AI has already become a new battlefield between China and the US As early as 2018 US media began hyping the idea of China s Artificial Intelligence Revolution: a Sputnik Moment for the West?

AI, a core driving force in the new wave of technological revolution and industrial transformation, has the potential to propel social productivity to new heights Despite starting relatively late Chinese AI development has achieved significant milestones in recent years making it a notable contributor in both research and application in the AI field

In 2021, Stanford University’s AI Index which assesses AI advancements worldwide ranks China among the top three countries for global AI vibrancy

One year later McKinsey predicted that AI could add some $600 billion to China s economy by 2030

It goes without saying that the US won’t sit idle Its reactions are so predictable as in recent years almost all high-tech products exported from China to developed countries have faced hindrance due to so-called security concerns Huawei and ZTE have long been blacklisted by the US due to perceived “unacceptable risks” to US national security DJI drones have been accused of collecting sensitive information that can be accessed by Beijing British ministers said that Chinese electric cars imported by the UK to help hit net zero targets will enable Beijing to spy on British citizens

The excuses are getting increasingly laughable but they all reflect an ideological factor

China s AI industry has confronted similar treatment On July 13

2021, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken hinted that China s application of AI technology “could threaten human rights ” stressing that “whenever rules and norms that affect American lives are being debated and

decided American diplomats will be leading the charge ”

In other words Blinken was saying that the US has to maintain absolute shaping power and discourse power over the international system and ideology, refusing to accept any country that might be able to challenge the rules set by Washingtonthis is all about US hegemony

The competition has raised concerns Peter Bittner a lecturer from University of California, Berkeley, wrote an article earlier this month, stating that the lack of standardized AI norms could see countries indulging in covert AI activities fostering suspicion and increasing the chances of preemptive actions based on misinterpreted intentions Moreover, the strategic and tactical advantages that AI can offer to military operations are enormous An uncontrolled AI arms race won’t merely be a bilateral issue but a global one Therefore Bittner said a ChinaUS accord on AI is imperative

This proposal is well-intentioned and necessary Currently, there is no truly effective framework to support global collaboration in AI governance, which is essential for the healthy development and application of the AI industry

However when it comes to a bilateral AI accord between China and the US, it needs to be incorporated into a more systematic and comprehensive strategy It cannot be separated from the big picture of China-US ties The establishment of an AI accord requires mutual trust and the US must demonstrate sincerity It must not take advantage of China s restraint and goodwill to harm China s core interests, for instance, asymmetrically restricting China in the field of AI while continuously challenging China’s red lines on the Taiwan question will not be allowed Shen Yi a professor at Fudan University told the Global Times

After all, the US has a track record of being fond of blabbering on rules and “norms” while simultaneously stirring up troubles across the world China is prepared for both cooperation and struggle Huawei s comeback in the 5G industry serves as a lesson to the US - containment won t bring China s high-tech capabilities to its knees, but will only make it stronger China has been prepared for cutthroat competition in any field China and the US can fully cooperate in the AI industry and utilize the technology for the benefit of their people and human development, on the simple premise that We will extend a hand if you are willing to unclench your fist ”

added to the Indian Constitution through a Presidential Order in 1954 effectively granting the state government of Jammu and Kashmir the authority to define who qualified as a permanent resident of the State These permanent residents were entitled to certain rights and privileges, including the right to own property, access government jobs, and avail of social benefits Supporters of Article 35A argued that it was a vital safeguard for the unique identity and cultural heritage of Jammu and Kashmir They believed that the provision protected the region s demographics and preserved its distinct character by preventing non-residents from acquiring property or benefiting from employment opportunities For many residents of Jammu and Kashmir, Article 35A represented a symbol of the special autonomy that the state enjoyed within the Indian Union It was seen as a measure to protect the region’s interests in the face of integration

Article 35A faced challenges over the years with petitions questioning its constitutionality The abrogation of Article 370 in 2019 which granted special autonomy to Jammu and Kashmir, also led to the nullification of Article 35A This move was met with a range of reactions, including support from those who believed that it would promote greater integration and equal rights across the nation and criticism from those who saw it as an erosion of the region s distinct identity

The abrogation of Article 35A led to significant changes in Jammu and Kashmir s legal and administrative landscape The region was reorganized into two union territories – Jammu and Kashmir, and Ladakh The decision sparked debates on the balance between integration and preservation of identity and raised questions about the future trajectory of the region’s socio-political and economic development Article 35A was a provision that evoked strong emotions and divergent viewpoints in the context of Jammu and Kashmir Its abrogation marked a turning point in the region s history, leaving a lasting impact on its relationship with the Indian Union, its identity, and its aspirations for the future

Recently An Indian Supreme Court bench has asked the Narendra Modi-led government about the time needed to restore statehood of occupied Jammu and Kashmir as enshrined in the country s constitution The court said this after the incumbent government told it the bifurcation of Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir into UTs was “temporary” The Indian top court was hearing a batch of petitions that challenged the abrogation of Article 370 in the Indian Constitution in Indian-Occupied Kashmir More than 20 petitions were filed questioning the constitutional validity of the Indian government s August 2019 decision to abrogate Article 370

The Modi-led government stripped Kashmiris of the special autonomy they had for seven decades in the Indian Constitution through a rushed presidential order on 5 August 2019 prompting condemnations from Pakistan and political leaders in India Petitioners have claimed that constitutional provisions were violated while making the decision– a claim

a r e

T“HERE are two industries that call their clients ‘users’: illegal drugs and software The phrase appears in the Netflix documentary The Social Dilemma, in which the subjects explain ways to turn dopamine into a weapon to manipulate emotions via immediate-reward systems like the “like” button When a user receives a lot of “likes ” dopamine is released and when they feel rewarded recognized and applauded they get hooked

The creator of the button was the cofounder of the productivity application Asana, Justin Rosenstein Paradoxically, he no longer likes the “like” button He explains why: “I thought about how we could make it easier for people to express that they like something with minimum effort Then I discovered it was as easy as clicking I wanted it to be easy to share that positivism, and that s what gave shape to the like button Now, what is most used on Facebook is the ‘dislike’ button, and that’s strange because it has erased the original purpose which was to promote and design an infrastructure that would create a world in which we all support each other says Rosenstein

THE EVOLUTION OF THE ‘LIKE’:

FROM APPLAUSE TO MONEY: Facebook introduced the “like” button, which then consisted of a thumbs-up in 2009 The company allowed other websites to adopt the button so users could share their interests on their Facebook profiles allowing Facebook to access information about the activities and feelings of people outside its own site The purpose? To target them more directly through advertising

In 2015 the button became a heart on Twitter the same icon that Instagram and TikTok have chosen and that now extends to dating apps like Hinge Instagram in 2011 allowed users to like posts simply by tapping the screen twice, which increased the gamification of social media and daily social interactions: “You see something You like it You keep scrolling ”

“At first a ‘like’ could indicate a simple ‘I saw this but with time it turned into a race to get likes not just with friends and family members but anonymous people who don t only press like but also follow you When you re able to bring together large communities, you can start to believe that thousands, and even millions of people follow you because they admire you and you feel a rush but that isn’t always the truth Users are simply indicating that they like a photo or video that you shared That s why they click like and they follow you, just like thousands of other users The like fever moves millions of dollars of users who buy followers and likes on different platforms to have apparent growth and with that basis they try to get real followers and likes Humans are so absurd that if we see an account with few followers we look down on it while an account with a lot of followers and likes seems to push you to follow it, because if so many people follow it, it must be interesting That’s how most users grow ” says Fátima Martinez López a specialist in digital marketing and social media

which has been denied by the ruling party members

The repealing of Article 370 of the constitution allowed people from the rest of India to have the right to acquire property in occupied Kashmir and settle there permanently Solicitor General of India Tushar Mehta contended that any change in the Constitution that brought everyone at par can never be faulted He defended the government’s decision to revoke the special status of Held Kashmir

The verdict said that the word “fraternity” has to be given effective meaning Mehta added The Indian solicitor general demanded that the law in question should be treated as permanent This argument came up first in the Madharao Scindia case after the government withdrew the privy purses , he said The central government exercised its powers, he argued and added that since ‘Princely states’ do not exist any longer the privy purses also cease to exist Jammu and Kashmir as union territory is not a permanent feature However Ladakh would remain a UT We will make a statement on this in detail and AG and I will visit the government officials and make a statement, Mehta said

Attorney General R Venkatramani told the court that Article 370 was “nothing but the finality of integration” of Indian-Occupied Kashmir into the union of India Mehta informed the court that a positive statement on the restoration of Indian-Occupied Kashmir s status was likely by August 31 after a meeting at the highest level The apex court remarked that restoration of democracy was important after the arguments of the solicitor general Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud observed that fundamental rights of equality liberty to practice profession in any part of the country and others were virtually taken away by enacting Article 35A

During the hearing of the illegal revocation of the special status of Occupied Kashmir in the Indian Supreme Court, the Indian government did not give any time frame while avoiding the restoration of the statehood of Occupied Kashmir in the court In the Supreme Court, the Indian public advocate Tushar Mehta calling for the improvement of the situation in Occupied Kashmir said that the government is ready to hold state elections in the occupied valley Responding to the public prosecutor the petitioner s lawyer Kapil Sibal said that the government should not make a mockery of democracy, if Article 144 is implemented in Kashmir and five thousand people are detained and the internet is shut down how can the situation improve? A 5-member bench headed by the Chief Justice of India is hearing the case on a daily basis

The recent developments from the Indian Supreme Court are an eye opener for India and the world India should refrain from changing the special status of Jammu and Kashmir It’s the need of time for the world to force India to give the right of self determination to Kashmiris under UN regulations and stop violating human rights in Kashmir

The writer is a freelance columnist

Marc Masip, psychologist and addic tion exper t, says that what most concerns him is the difference bet ween who we are and the image we sell on social media “ That generates frustration, which has t wo friends: addic tion and depression”

a tool of manipulation, at least a tool that affects social media users It is a way to measure falsely, of course who you are, so it is like a fake happy pill or a substitute for pleasure or satisfaction For me it s more important to have a friend in a bad moment than to have 100 000 likes from strangers There is an economic value behind those likes, and it has created a false status: the more followers and likes you have, the better you are Unfortunately, we are de-virtualizing the human emotional part because when you have infinite likes but you need another person and you don t have them those likes are obsolete Marc Masip psychologist and expert in technology addiction, explains The use of likes is a delicate topic Though occasional users will rarely fall into the obsession, the problem comes with active users “In these cases it is difficult to avoid it because we tend to compare ourselves with similar people and there a kind of rivalry comes in On the other hand social media helps you to position your personal brand and get ahead in your profession, as the more likes you have, the more your content will be visible, and you’ll have more opportunities to grow be visible and recognized in your career or skills And another point is that users know that they can earn a lot of money with social media The more followers and interaction you have, the more attractive your profile will be so that agencies and companies will notice and hire you It is a perfect cocktail for obsession: ego, personal or professional status and the possibility of earning money ” says Martinez López

44% of those polled in Aegon s Health and Lifestyle Study believe that social media has a negative or very native influence on emotional health That doesn t surprise Martine López at all Without a doubt, likes have an emotional impact, and they have become a personal validation tool that could become an addiction

Many adults young people and teens even children subject themselves to the generalized opinion and questioning of other users because they need a daily dose of recognition The necessity is such that some people will do or say anything to get more ‘likes,’” she says Sergio Magán, social media consultant, ex-

plains that every action on social media is meant to cause a reaction “We really don’t have any real need to share what we do on our profiles If we do so it’s because we want to cause a reaction or an opinion for a group of people or even for a certain person Currently likes have become social validation: the more likes you have the more value you have, and we associate having a lot of likes with social success, he says

THE EFFECTS OF THE ‘LIKE’ OFF THE SCREEN: The “like” button can not only cause self-esteem issues but also cause problems between couples A like can awaken jealousy and fears or show evidence of attraction How is our need for validation reflected in our physical, day-to-day relationships? Sergio Magán says:

“Throughout the day, we have hundreds of interactions on social media videos of less than 15 seconds tweets that we read in 10 seconds and Instagram photos that we like after looking for three seconds Distancing ourselves from that universe, going out with our friends, socializing, going to the movies or reading are getting harder and harder for us My recommendation is that if you stop doing any of those things or you do them while looking at social media you should take a break give yourself some limits and disconnect What worries experts is the fact that on social media, we can pretend we live a life that isn’t real

“Many unhappy people appear to be the happiest people in the world, when in reality they don’t have a euro but they make videos in hotels or luxury cars wear clothes for photos that they return to the store and show off a life that isn t who they are creating a false image that others admire or envy If the analog and digital world share anything, it s that in both there are really people who work hard to achieve their goals and others who maintain false appearances ” says Fátima Martinez López Marc Masip psychologist and addiction expert says that what most concerns him is the difference between who we are and the image we sell on social media That generates frustration, which has two friends: addiction and depression,” he says

N U C L E A R AT TA C K D R I L L

NO RT H Korea conducted a simulated tactical nuclear attack drill that included two long-range cruise missiles in an exercise to warn enemies that the country would be prepared in case of nuclear war, the KCNA state news agency said on Sunday KCNA said the drill was successfully carried out on Saturday and two cruise missiles carrying mock nuclear warheads were fired towards the West Sea of the Korean peninsula and flew 1 500 kilometres at a preset altitude of 150 metres

Pyongyang also said it would bolster its military deterrence against the United States and South Korea

South Korea’s military said the claim of success could be an exaggeration as not all of them succeeded Seoul s

Yonhap News reported citing a senior official at the Joint Chiefs of Staff KCNA also reported that North Korean leader Kim Jong Un visited the Pukjung Machine Complex, which pro-

Zimbabwe cricket great Heath Streak dies aged 49

JOHANNESBUR G S TA F F R E P O R T

Heath Streak one of Zimbabwe s greatest cricketers died on Sunday aged 49 his wife said in a social media post He had been battling colon and liver cancer

"In the early hours of this morning, Sunday 3 September, the greatest love of my life and the father of my beautiful children was carried to be with the angels from his home where he wished to spend his last days surrounded by his family and closest loved ones Nadine Streak wrote

A family member told AFP Streak died on his cattle farm 55 kilometres (34 miles) northeast of Bulawayo, Zimbabwe's second most populous city

"Heath had travelled to South Africa several times each month for treatment At home he spent much of his time fishing and farming said the member who requested anonymity

Streak was an outstanding fast bowler and capable batsman He was a key member of Zimbabwe teams that were competitive against cricket's bigger nations in the late 1990s and early 2000s

His cricket career ended in ignominy however when he was banned for eight years for breaching the International Cricket Council (ICC) anti-corruption code

It was announced in May this year that Streak was seriously ill -- and it was reported in August that he had died, following a message on social media from former teammate Henry Olonga

Streak himself was quick to assert that he was still alive but not before numerous tributes by former teammates and opponents

In a tribute on Sunday Olonga wrote on Facebook:

RIP Streaky You were a titan

On X (formerly Twitter), several former India batting stars also paid tribute to Streak

"He was a fierce competitor and led Zimbabwe admirably May God give strength to the bereaved family wrote VVS Laxman

Virender Sehwag wrote: He was a prominent figure in the rise of Zimbabwe cricket in the late 90s and early 2000s, and very competitive

A strongly-built fast bowler, able to extract movement from unhelpful pitches, Streak took 236 wickets at an average of 28 14 in 65 Test matches -

Battled almost alone –

No other Zimbabwean has taken more than 80 Test wickets

He made 1 990 runs at 22 35 in Tests to stand seventh on the country's all-time list His highest score and only century was 127 not out against the West Indies in Harare in 2003

Streak took 237 wickets -- 104 more than his nearest rival - and scored 2 901 runs in 187 one-day internationals He often battled almost alone for his underdog nation against powerful opponents

His best Test bowling performance was typical He took six for 73 while India piled up a total of 366 on the way to a 10-wicket win in Harare in 2005

Streak had two spells as Zimbabwe captain interrupted by a dispute with Zimbabwe Cricket in 2001 over pay and racial quota issues

The highlight of his four wins in 21 Tests as captain was Zimbabwe s first Test victory against India in Harare in 2001 He took seven wickets in the match -dismissing Sachin Tendulkar in both innings -- and scored 40 runs in the first innings

He led Zimbabwe in 68 one-day internationals including the 2003 World Cup in southern Africa when Zimbabwe reached the Super Six stage

He was sacked as captain in 2004 at a time of upheaval in Zimbabwe cricket when 15 leading players rebelled against the administration

This, in turn, led to a much-weakened team temporarily losing their Test match status

He retired from international cricket in 2005

After a playing spell with English county

Warwickshire he became Zimbabwe s bowling coach in 2009 His coaching career included stints in Bangladesh, India, England and Scotland

He was Zimbabwe's head coach from 2016 to 2018, when he was fired after the team failed to qualify for the 2019 World Cup

WASHINGTON

S

A noted Kashmiri leader told the annual Convention of the Islamic Society of North American (ISNA) in Chicago that Jammu and Kashmir, which India unilaterally annexed in August 2019, was now “a full-fledged settlercolonial project ” one similar to Israel’s in the occupied Palestinian territories “A genocidal and ethnic cleansing plan is in place Ghulam Nabi Mir President of the World Kashmir Awareness Forum and Chairman of the Kashmir Global Coalition, said in a speech

duces marine engines and a munitions factory to stress the importance of strengthening Pyongyang s naval forces He affirmed that a future plenary meeting of the Central Committee of the

WPK (Worker ’s Party of Korea) would set forth an important modernisation of the complex and the development direction of the shipbuilding industry a KCNA statement said

It did not specify the date of his visit

The latest missile test came just after the joint annual exercises between South Korea and the United States, known as Ulchi Freedom Shield came to a close on Thursday It featured air drills with B1B bombers North Korea has been stepping up its military deterrence against Washington and Seoul and has criticised last month s summit agreement between the two on improving military cooperation

KCNA said on August 21 that Kim recently visited a navy fleet stationed on the east coast to oversee a test of strategic cruise missiles aboard a warship and he stressed the ship would maintain striking power for combat situations

Swedish police arrest t wo as riot breaks out at protest involving Holy Q uran’s desecration

STOCKHOLM

The Swedish police on Sunday arrested two people and detained around 10 people after a violent riot broke out at a protest involving the burning of Holy Quran, police said

The protest was organised by Iraqi refugee Salwan Momika whose protests which have included public desecrations of the holy book have sparked outrage across the Middle East

Sunday’s protest was held in a square in the southern city of Malmo which has a large immigrant population and according to public broadcaster SVT around 200 people had showed up to watch

“Some onlookers have shown upset feelings after the organiser burned writings ” police said in a statement

The mood was at times heated the statement said adding that a violent riot occurred at 1:45 pm (1145 GMT)

According to police, the event had ended after the organiser left but a group of people remained at the scene

About 10 people were detained for disturbing the public order and another two were arrested, suspected of violent rioting

Local media reported that

M

compound on the second occasion

some onlookers threw rocks at Momika and video from the scene showed some trying to break through the cordon before being stopped by police

In another video, a man could be seen trying to stop the police car that transported Momika from the location by getting in front of it

Through a series of demonstrations Momika has sparked anger directed at Sweden and diplomatic tensions between Sweden and several Middle Eastern countries

The Swedish government has condemned the desecrations of the Holy Quran while noting the country s constitutionally protected freedom of speech and assembly laws Iraqi protesters stormed the Swedish embassy in Baghdad twice in July, starting fires within the

Centuries from Mehidy Hasan Miraz Najamul Hasan Shanto and 4-fer from Taskin Ahmed helped Bangaldesh ease past Afghanistan by 89 runs to keep their hopes alive of making to the Super 4 stage of the Asia Cup 2023 at the Gaddafi stadium on Sunday night Taskin Ahmed claimed four wickets while Shoriful Islam bagged three wickets to help Bangladesh restrict Afghanistan to 245 runs in 44 3 overs Hasan Mahmud and Mehidy Hasan Miraz claimed one wicket each to keep Bangladesh's hopes of qualifying for the Super 4 stage of the Asia Cup 2023 alive Afghanistan lost their way in the beginning of the chase after fire-brand wicket-keeper batsman Rahmanullah Gurbaz fell cheaply off Shoriful Islam Ibrahim Zadran 75 (74) and Hashmatullah Shahidi 51 (59) hit half-centuries but the rest of the batsmen could not keep pace with the mounting pressure of a big total above 300 Earlier, Mehidy Hasan Miraz and Najamul Hossain Shanto scored scored individual centuries in an unbroken partnership of 196* runs for the fourth wicket on a placid pitch to help Bangaldesh post mammoth 334-5 runs in the group stage of the Asia Cup 2023

Mehidy 112 (119) and Shanto 104 (105) got together with the team reeling at 63-2 and went on to build a remarkble partnership on a hot and humid afternoon with the meecury reaching 37 degree celesius

Both the batters kept the Afghan spin bowling trio of Rashid Khan Mujeeb ur Rehman and Muhammad Nabi at bay and scored at will during the unbroken partnership which was halted only after Mehidy Hasan had to retire hurt due to cramps The weather took its toll on the players' fitness as the players resorted to three short water breaks besides the two of-

to delegates from across the United States Under the new Domicile Law, he said,

4 2 million Indian Hindus have been issued domicile certificates to demographically flood Kashmir with non-Kashmiri Indian settlers to dilute the Muslim population Kashmir has had its checkered history of strife foreign invasion and occupations just like all other nations of the world Mir pointed out Referring to several of India s actions to occupy Kashmir after the independence, he said “In August 2019 (Prime Minister Narendra) Modi revoked Kashmir ’s semiau-

Turkish ar tist first to showcase ar twork on world’s largest LED screen

ISTANBUL

A G E N C I E S

Türkiye’s renowned media artist Refik Anadol has become the first artist to exhibit his artwork on the Sphere the world’s largest LED screen located in the US Anadol s digital artwork Machine

Hallucinations: Sphere was showcased on the massive LED screen in Las Vegas on Friday Showcasing his art on Sphere s exterior, Anadol integrates media arts into architecture, creating living architectural works that constantly interact with their surroundings

Anadol said on X: Dear friends I am very excited to announce that I am the first artist of The Sphere media architecture project which has the most comprehensive technological infrastructure in the world Sphere will host its opening event on Sept 29 with a concert by the Irish rock band U2, and it was announced that tickets for the concert are already sold out Anadol’s artwork will be visible on Sphere for four months Sphere built with a $2 3 billion investment has a capacity of 18,600 people

The structure which is 111-meter (366-foot) tall and 157-meter wide (512-foot) wide, offers viewers animations adorned with 1 2 million LED lights on its 580 000-square-meter (6 2 million-square-feet) fully programmable giant screen

The structure sets a record with its colossal LED screen known as the Exosphere

Swedish envoys have also been summoned in a slew of Middle Eastern nations

In mid-August, Sweden s intelligence agency heightened its terror alert level to four on a scale of five, noting that Sweden had “gone from being considered a legitimate target for terrorist attacks to being considered a prioritised target Sweden also decided to beef up border controls in early August

In late August, neighbouring Denmark which has also seen a string of public desecrations of the Holy Quran said it plans to ban the burnings

Sweden has, meanwhile, vowed to explore legal means of stopping protests involving the burning of texts in certain circumstances

ICC World Cup 2023 Trophy to reach Pakistan tomorrow

LAHORE S

The schedule for a two-day tour of ICC World Cup 2023 Trophy has been finalised Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) sources said

The elusive trophy is likely to reach Lahore on the morning of September 5 and will stay in Pakistan till September 6 (Tuesday)

During the two-day visit, the trophy will be taken to historical places shopping malls and educational institutes the sources told

It may be mentioned here that the World Cup trophy was supposed to be in Pakistan for five days from July 31 to August 4 However trophy tour was delayed since there were question marks over Pakistan’s participation in the mega event

ficial water breaks The second water break was taken even earlier after 31 overs instead of the 33 The afghanistan bowlers could claim only two wickets with Mujeeb ur Rehma and Gulbadin Naib claiming one wicket each while three batsmen were run out including Najamul Hossain Shanto 104 (105)

Mushfiqur Raheem 25 (15) and Shamim Hossain 11 (6)

Miraz played a fighting knock as he suffered from severe cramps during latter part of his innings and had to ask for treatment on three different occasions during his memorable knock of 119 runs Mujeebnur Rehman was the other bowler to complete his quota for 62 runs while Gulbadin bowled eight overs

Fazalhaq Farooqi was the most expensive among the bowlers as was taken off the attack as he conceded 53 runs off his 6 wicketless overs while Rashid Khan and Mohammad Nabi conceded 66 and 50 runs respectively off their quota of 10 overs Karim Janat was somewhat economical as he conceded 39 runs off six overs Taskin Ahmed and Shoriful Islam were the pick of the bowlers among the Bangaldesh bowling lineup and they claimed four and three wickets respectively for 36 and 44 runs Hasan Mahmud and Mehidy Hasan Miraz claimed one wicket each Shakib Al Hasan and debutant Shamim Hossain conceded 10 runs off the only over he bowled while Afif Hosain gave away 6 runs off the one over Afghanistan did not start well in pursuit of 335 after Rahmanullah Gurbaz fell for 1 (7) in the 3rd over of the innings Ibrahim Zadran Ibrahim Zadran was the most successful batsman for Afghanistan who scored 75 (74) while Hashmatullah Shahidi played a captain s knock 51 (59) in an effort to overhaul the total but fell to Shoriful Islam off a miscued hit in the 38th over with the team total at 196 Rahmat Shah 33 (52) Najibullah Zadran 17 (25) and Gulabadin Naib scored 15 (13)

tonomous status and imposed a media and internet blockade, after building up a massive military presence in the area and shutting down and imposing curfew that virtually cut off the disputed territory from the world “Thousands of additional Indian troops were deployed a major Hindu pilgrimage was canceled schools and colleges were shut tourists were ordered to leave telephone and internet services were suspended, and thousands of youth and resistance leaders and activists were detained, Mir said ‘The Hindu nationalist BJP wants to change the demographic character of the Mus-

Concern expressed over Kashmiri detainees’ plight in jails

SRINAGAR

S TA F F R E P O R T

All Parties Hurriyat Conference (APHC) leaders Khawaja Firdous Syed Bashir Andrabi and Muhammad Shafi Lone have expressed concern over the plight of illegally detained Hurriyat leaders languishing in different jails of India and the territory

According to Kashmir Media Service the APHC leaders in a joint statement issued in Srinagar lamented that the Modi s government is using illegal and crude tactics to prevent Kashmiri Hurriyat leaders from the freedom movement

They said Kashmiri leaders have been illegally arrested and imprisoned for demanding their rights and urged the international community to take notice of the plight of Kashmiri leaders and help in their immediate release

The Hurriyat leaders said the Indian troops have been committing atrocities on the innocent people in occupied Jammu and Kashmir for the past seven decades It should be raised in the Security Council and the human tragedy happening in pccupied Jammu and Kashmir should be stopped they added They said the Kashmiri people have made a lot of sacrifices for the Kashmir cause which will not be allowed to go waste They also paid tributes to the martyrs of Kashmir and expressed their determination that the Kashmiri people would continue their struggle till taking it to its logical conclusion

The Hurriyat leaders appealed to the international community to play its role in resolving the lingering Kashmir dispute in accordance with the United Nations resolutions to make South Asia peaceful and the two neighbouring nuclear countries can live in peace

lim-majority region by allowing non-Kashmiris to buy land there Dr Ghulam Nabi Fai, Secretary General of the World Kashmir Awareness Forum was the Emcee of the event

He said that Kashmir, Palestine and Rohingya genocide are the three important international conflicts The Palestinians and Kashmiris should be provided an opportunity to decide whatever they want without any external pressure or compulsion That choice was given to Palestinians under UN Security Council resolutions as well as to the Kashmiris also under the 15-member Council’s resolutions “The denial of the right to

self-determination to the people of Palestine and Kashmir is a clear danger to the international peace and security, Dr Fai warned

He added that the genocide in Myanmar should not go unnoticed as more than 1 million Rohingya Muslims have fled and are languishing in refugee camps in Bangladesh and some other countries

The pain and suffering of Rohingya Muslims are a challenge to the world s conscience, Dr Fai said, Time has come that the United Nations need to intervene in all these three situations to bring peace to the region of South Asia and Middle East ”

CORPORATE CORNER

NUMS successfully conduc ts MDC AT-2023 in Pakistan, abroad

National University of Medical Sciences (NUMS) has once again achieved a remarkable milestone by orchestrating the seamless execution of theMedical and Dental Colleges Admission Test{MDCAT (NUMS) -2023}across Pakistan and abroad

MDCAT (NUMS) is a mandatory examination held annually for the aspiring students willing to join NUMS constituent and affiliated Medical and Dental Colleges The exam was conducted on Sunday 3rd Sep 2023 simultaneously in 20 cities across Pakistan as well as in Riyadh (Saudi Arabia) and Dubai (United Arab Emirates) More than 74 000 candidates participated in this competitive assessment, marking a significant achievement for NUMS and the education sector at large A Central Control Room was established at NUMS Secretariat to continuously monitor the conduct of the exam Lt Gen WasimAlamgir HI(M) Vice ChancellorNational University of Medical Sciences along with Pro Vice Chancellors visited different examination centers and saw the conduct of examination He also visited the Control Room where all the activities were being monitored centrally and expressed his satisfaction over the successful conduct of the exam The Vice Chancellor attributed the accomplishment to meticulous planning efficient coordination PR

ICCPO orders to expedite crackdown to rein in criminal

CONSUMER SPENDING TO HIT $108B AS MOBILE GAMING TO REMAIN MOST LUCRATIVE IN 2023

ISLAMABAD S TA F F R E P O R T

Anew study has revealed that mobile gaming remained the industry s most lucrative segment with consumer spending set to hit about $108 billion in 2023, though spending figure will be declined by 2 percent against 2022

The study says mobile still holds a significant edge over the rest of the field remaining the largest market opportunity for games and developers according to a report from market intelligence platform data ai, formerly known as App Annie, and the International Data Corporation

“Despite the softening in direct consumer gaming spend mobile is still the largest market opportunity for games In this fast-changing landscape it s critical to stay ahead of trends streamline your acquisition and optimise your monetisation strategy, the study said Gaming has become a big business globally, gaining traction during the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020 with new technology providing both an opportunity to reach a wider audience and develop new titles to cater to consumer

demand The National UAE reported Revenue in the global gaming market is projected to hit $212 4 billion by 2026 a 13 per cent increase over 2023, with mobile platforms continuing to lead the growth, market data platform Newzoo said in its August market update That revenue surge will be dominated by mobile games which are seen to marginally grow 0 8 per cent and account for $92 6 billion, or nearly half of

all revenue this year the Amsterdambased company said Mobile gaming is expected to continue to lead in the industry with the widespread adoption of smartphones and the increasing power of mobile computing, Boston Consulting Group said in a recent study

The growth in gaming s overall revenue will be underpinned by a growing gamer population which is projected to rise 6 3 per cent year-on-year and hit 3 381

PIA, Air China partner to connec t Pakistan, 16 Chinese cities via Beijing

BEIJING

S TA F F R E P O R T

Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) has introduced connected flights between Pakistan and 16 captivating cities of China via Beijing in partnership with Air China, PIA Country Manager, Bilal Afzal said on Sunday

These Chinese cities include Guangzhou Wuhan Urumqi

Shenzhen Xian Shenyang Shanghai, Ningbo, Nanjing, Harbin, Hangzhou, Hohhot, Dunhuang, Chengdu, Changchun, and Chongqing he told APP on the sidelines of China International Fair for Trade in Service (CIFTIS)

in Beijing PIA has set up a booth in Pakistan Pavilion at CIFTIS to showcase its accomplishments, particularly the role played by the

visits Iraq to fur ther bilateral ties

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Navy Flotilla comprising PN Ships HIMMAT DEHSHAT and MUHAFIZ visited Port Umm Qasr Iraq during Overseas

Deployment to Gulf countries

Upon arrival at the port PN Ships were received by Commander of Umm Qasr Naval Base Rear Admiral Laith Abdal Satar, senior Iraqi Navy officials and Defence Attaché of Pakistan at Iraq

The Mission Commander along with Commanding

Officers of ships called on Commander Iraqi Navy

Rear Admiral Mazin Abdul Wahid and senior naval leadership of host Navy

During the interactions, matters of mutual interest were discussed and enhancements of bilateral ties in all spheres were reaffirmed Mission Commander conveyed well wishes from Chief of the Naval Staff

Admiral Muhammad Amjad Khan Niazi for the people of Iraq in general and Iraqi navy in particular A reception dinner was also hosted onboard PNS MUHAFIZ which was hosted by Ambassador of Pakistan to Iraq PR

national flag carrier to promote people-to-people contacts between the people of Pakistan and China

He said that the passengers could also travel from 16 cities in China to Islamabad by availing of this offer “PIA is currently operating one weekly flight on the Islamabad-Beijing-Islamabad route every Sunday but working on a plan to add a new direct flight between the two countries ” About discounts, he said, “PIA offers a 20 per cent discount for students with free baggage of 80 kg for economy class and 100 kg for executive economy respectively on flights between Pakistan and China

The passengers can avail further discounts if tickets are purchased online ” he said “We have also offered discounts on cargo from China to Pak-

istan and vice versa and businessmen and traders could benefit from it, he added Pakistani community especially businessmen and students living in China have expressed pleasure over discounts ”

Talking to APP Ali Imran a Pakistani educationist in Hangzhou said, The connected flights to different destinations in China are a big relief and it provides great convenience to the passengers travelling between the two brotherly countries ”

He said that the discount on fare and cargo service would greatly facilitate Pakistani professionals and students to meet their families more frequently

The passengers could also avail increase in baggage allowance during their travelling between the two countries

S A P M vows to ex p l o re m o re ove r s e a s e m p l oy m e n t o p p o r t u n i t i e s

Special Assistant to the Prime Minister (SAPM) on Overseas Pakistanis & Human Resource Development Jawad Sohrab Malik has expressed his resolve to address the public grievances and explore more and more overseas employment opportunities

The SAPM on Sunday visited the autonomous bodies of Ministry of Overseas Pakistanis & Human Resource Development including Employees Old Age Benefits Institution (EOBI) Overseas Employment Corporation (OEC) and Bureau of Emigration & Overseas Employment (BE&OE) an attached department

On the occasion he was briefed by head of each organization about their working mechanism on public complaints and their resolution The SAPM also interacted with concerned officials dealing with public grievances and enquired about the attending and disposal method of complaints

Reiterating the vision of the Prime Minister to ac-

cord priority to resolve public grievances particularly public grievances Jawad Malik urged the management to ensure timely delivery of old-age pension for retired workers alleviating any hurdle in receiving their rightful and other legal benefits

He asked the Managing Director, OEC and Director General Bureau of Emigration & Overseas Employment to explore new avenues for employment abroad for Pakistanis along with making efforts to increase export of workforce to the existing destinations which will not only help to mitigate unemployment but also generate remittances for our fragile economy

The Director General, Bureau of Emigration & Overseas Employment was also asked to ensure early digitization of different emigration related process to facilitate intending migrants SAPM particularly emphasized the Director General Bureau of Immigration & Overseas Employment and Managing Director Overseas Employment Corporation to intensify their efforts and focus on to increase the export of manpower from Pakistan

Businessmen vow to continue protests till power tariff hike withdrawal

KARACHI S TA F F R E P O R T

The Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce & Industry’s Businessmen Panel (BMP) has pledged to carry on protests until government withdraws unprecedented hike in power bills and rising fuel cost

The FPCCI s Businessmen Panel (BMP) Chairman

Mian Anjum Nisar stated that the inflated power bills triggered country-wide protests, demanding that the government to abolish imposed taxes on electricity, saying that increase in electricity bills is unbearable and demanded relief

the previously determined national average tariff of Rs24 82

While the regulator cited the rupee’s devaluation high inflation and interest rates the addition of new capacities and overall low sales growth as reasons behind the increase, it was actually hiked to meet one of the conditions set by the International Monetary Fund of introducing structural reforms in the energy sector He said that the applicable tariff would be much higher after including surcharges taxes duties and levies besides monthly and quarterly adjustments

Extra-running time of trains in timetable cost millions to

billion players in 2023 Newzoo said Mobile gamers are varied and demanding Staying on top of popular features and revenue-driving updates are the keys to better daily active users and stickiness, the data ai and IDC report said

Gaming in the cloud is also gaining momentum with its share of global hours on smartphones and tablets pegged to rise to about 26 per cent in 2023 it said

That would translate into global consumer spending of around $3 8 billion, which would be a rise of more than half compared to 2022, it said

The Asia-Pacific region continues to drive mobile gaming’s momentum in 2023 across all platforms with Brazil Turkiye and Mexico leading growth in the rest of the world the study shows

However, despite the present growth and perceived potential, the gaming sector is not without its challenges

While mobile remains the largest opportunity continuing updates to privacy regulations macroeconomic instability and rising competition have made acquisitions and growth more challenging, which in turn makes finding new users and setting expectations for revenue growth “tougher”, the report said

Sindh providing all-out facilities to investors: Tessori

KARACHI

S TA F F R E P O R T

Sindh Governor Kamran Khan Tessori has said that the government was providing possible facilities to investors in the province

This was stated by him while talking to President of Fincantieri Group of Italy General Claudia Graziano who called on him at the Governor House in Karachi on Sunday

During the meeting the investment opportunities in Sindh, Pak-Italy relationships and other matters of mutual interest came under discussion

Kamran Tessori invited the Fincantieri group to invest in the vast business opportunities present in the province especially Karachi which is an economic hub of the country Italian Ambassador Andreas Ferraarese and Consul General Danilo Glurdanella were also present on this occasion

Indonesia to allocate bigger impor t quota of rice from Pakistan, says envoy

KARACHI

S TA F F R E P O R T

The Consulate General of Republic of Indonesia in Karachi under the leadership of Dr June Kuncoro Hadiningrat, hosted a Diplomatic Reception in commemoration of the 78th anniversary of the Independence of the Republic of Indonesia

The event was held at a local hotel and attended by the diplomatic corps in Karachi representatives of the Sindh Government business education and media communities and Pakistani colleagues

The caretaker Minister of Home and Prison, Bring (retd) Haris Nawaz as chief guest joined the event along with officials from the Sindh Government and Diplomatic Community in Karachi

The event shows a celebration of cultural diversity strengthening diplomatic ties and fostering goodwill between Indonesia and Pakistan

Indonesian Consul General Dr June Kuncoro

Hadiningrat delivered a heartfelt speech, that deliberated the cooperation between IndonesiaPakistan through joint research, scholarships from Indonesia to Pakistanis gastronomy and Indonesia's commitment to allocate a bigger import quota of rice from Pakistan Haris Nawaz also expressed his appreciation and gratitude to Indonesia for the support and camaraderie shared with Pakistan

A joint collaboration by Indonesian and Pakistani students under the Indonesia-Pakistan Children

Friendship enthralled the audience with a captivating dance performance of Tari Priring (plate dance) showcasing the vibrant cultural diversity of Indonesia

Special prestigious Friends of Indonesian Award was presented to Mr Saleem Bikiya from IBM whose initiative in develop stronger economic and sociocultural relations between Indonesia and Pakistan

The evening concluded with a splendid dinner and another dance performance by the Consulate highlighting the infectious energy of Indonesian music and dance

The Diplomatic Reception organized by the Consulate General of Indonesia in Karachi was a testament to the enduring friendship and cooperation between the two nations It brought together diplomats, dignitaries and friends from both Indonesia and Pakistan fostering a deeper understanding and appreciation of each other s cultures

PRAYER TIMINGS FA J R S U N R I S E Z U H R A S R M AG H R I B S H A 5:00 5:40 1 30 5:00 6:28 8:15 Monday 4 September 2023 NEWS

KARACHI S TA F F R E

P O R T

In a letter to the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC), PPP Central Election Cell in charge Senator Taj Haider requested the ECP to reverse its decision to freeze the funds

He added that the freeze on the funds for ongoing development schemes was illegal under the Election Act 2017

When amendment to Section 230 of the Election Act 2017 was being discussed by the Parliamentary Committee on Electoral Reforms the members had unanimously held that the caretakers

would not be allowed to block or alter any policies or to stop ongoing development projects, he recalled

H E Pakistan People s Party (PPP) expressed its surprise on Sunday over the Election Commission of Pakistan s (ECP) decision to freeze development funds in Sindh, including the budgetary allocation for providing flood-resistant houses to the floods victims and solar panels to the poor familiesHe stressed that 50,000 houses, out of the planned 2 million had already been built in a three months, while 200,000 houses had been provided solar panels

The budgeted target is to put solar panels on 2 1 million houses he added

The most marginalised of our people, living in the remotest and most backward areas of our country deserve electricity as a fundamental right and this is what the Pakistan People’s Party is endeavouring to ensure ” the senator wrote in the letter

A technical and financial model based on the concept of reconstruction of Germany after the World War II has been designed and is being implemented for reconstruction of 2 million houses swept away by the torrents in Sindh ” the senator explained

Urging the ECP to reverse the freeze on the funds he said: Legality or illegal-

ity aside there is also a human side to development issues especially those issues which are oriented towards providing relief to the wretched of the earth This perhaps should remain our prime concern ” Separately, senior PPP leader and former water resource minister Syed Khursheed Shah said in a statement that some urgent measures for public relief and economic stability by the caretaker government were inevitable in the current situation Shah said that the people and the state had always been at the centre of the PPP’s politics therefore the part always took its decisions keeping in mind the interest of the nation He urged the caretaker government to show extraordinary abilities to deal with the ongoing difficulties Shah linked a stability rupee to the economic prosperity and development, stressing that immediate measures were needed to stabilise the rupee against the dollar With the strengthening of the rupee he said the economy would also

LAHORE

The concerns were expressed during Executive Council meeting of the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) held here to discuss situation prevailed in the country especially the uncertainty about the general elections

The HRCP emphasized that delimitations should be done promptly and efficiently and should not be used as a pretext to further delay the elections Besides, the HRCP is also concerned about the possibility of manipulation of the election process by agencies like NADRA The Commission has requested the ECP to take all necessary action to address this concern

The HRCP is also concerned about the growing chaos in the country, where religious and sectarian divisions are reportedly being fueled to create artificial political space for far-right political parties such as the TLP Such political parties occupy the lively political and civic atmosphere by using controversial and violent tactics for their political identity at the expense of religious minorities and sects in particular Furthermore, due to ongoing terrorism in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, political parties are afraid of campaigning in the province We have observed this trend in the past and it should not be repeated under any circumstances Apart from ensuring the conduct of free fair and credible elections the current caretaker government will have to face the test not only of whether it has protected and respected the people s right to peaceful protest, but also whether it has addressed these issues will take serious notice of the reasons that people are mobilizing

13 killed in three incidents in different areas

NUSKHI/MUZAFFARABAD STAFF REPORT

As many as 13 persons including women and children were killed in three different incidents occurred in various areas on Sunday

According to details four persons including two women were burnt alive when two vehicles caught fire after a collision here rescue sources said on Sunday

According to details, two speeding vehicles collided near Nushki town in Nushki district of Balochistan and fire broke out in both vehicles

As a result of fire, four people including two women were burnt to death Rescuers and police rushed to the scene and carried out the rescue and relief operation

The bodies were shifted to Teaching Hospital Nushki

Meanwhile four members of a same including a woman died and another woman injured when a car fell 2000 feet down in river at Patika, some 30 kilometers from here in the wee hours of Sunday, Rescue official said

According to police they received information that a few bodies were lying near the bank of the river Neelum at Choon Village near Patika in the early morning

The rescuers retrieved four bodies and one injured woman from the spot and shifted them to a Hospital, said an official adding the victims were traveling on a Suzuki car from Patika to Devliyan village in Neelum Valley when they met an accident

The deceased were identified as Arif son of Rehmat

ISLAMABAD T LT P

Gold price in the country surged for the third straight week by Rs8,500 (+3 63 percent) per tola on a week-on-week basis on the back of rupee’s depreciation and rise in price in the global markets where it surged by $24 80 (+1 30 percent) per ounce

The gold rate in Pakistan for a single tola of 24-karat on a week-on-week (WoW) basis increased to Rs242,600 from Rs234,100, according to the data provided by All Pakistan Sarafa Gems and Jewellers Association (APSGJA)

Similarly the gold rate for 10 grams of

be strengthened

The former federal minister expressed the hope that the caretaker government would take decisions on matters of the public interest in favour of the people, so that some solution to the current problems of the people could be made possible Can join PTI chief for protest if elections delayed

Separately, Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader Attaullah Tarar said that they can join PTI chief in protest for the elections if the polls were delayed

In an interview on Sunday he said it was hoped that the elections would be held in February 2024

To a question about PML-N s response if elections were not held by February next year, Attaullah Tarar said that his party and PPP would be on same track Responding to another question he said there was possibility of alliance with PTI chief for protest against delayed elections

N A B a r re s t s ex- p r i n c i p a l s e c re t a r y to Pe r va i z El a h i f ro m j a i l

LAHORE S TA F F R E P O R T

The National Accountability Bureau (NAB) Lahore on Sunday arrested Muhammad Khan Bhatti the principal secretary to former Punjab chief minister Pervaiz Elahi from jail in a corruption scam worth Rs1 billion

The development comes two days after Elahi was arrested against the Lahore High Court s order by the Islamabad police under Section 3 of the Maintenance of Public Order (MPO) when he was on his way to Zahoor Elahi Road escorted by heavy contingent of Lahore police

A team with the court s permission had visited Gujranwala Central Jail to interrogate Bhatti and served him arrest warrants issued by NAB director general

Allegedly Bhatti used his influence and position in connivance with Elahi and other accused persons to appoint their confidant Mahr Azmat Hayat as XEN of Punjab Highways Department Gujrat Division and then promoted him to the post of Superintending Engineer Gujrat Circle Elahi allegedly in connivance with Bhatti and other accused persons, disregarding rules, approved 116x Road development schemes under supplementary grants with the ulterior motives of receiving bribe/kickbacks”

Accused Elahi Moonis Elahi and Bhatti got awarded contracts of road development works to their nominated contractors through Hayat

The accused persons allegedly issued payments to the contractors without work done at site for the purpose of collecting bribe/kickbacks from the contractors

The amounts of bribe/kickbacks were collected by Elahi, Moonis and Bhatti through Hayat and Sohail Asghar Awan (personal secretary of Moonis) NAB has taken him into custody from jail

He will be presented before an accountability court in Lahore for physical remand

PTI leader, brothers booked in fraud case

On the other hand, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Sindh top leader Haleem Adil Sheikh and his three brothers have been booked in a fraud case

A fraud case was lodged against the PTI leader Haleem Adil Sheikh and his three brothers at the Memon Goth police station on the complaint of a citizen

The complainant claimed that Haleem s brother Aleem had promised to give the ownership of a plot in a housing society after receiving Rs60 million on November 26, 2019

He added that he then found out that the original documents of the land did not exist The citizen alleged that he had been threatened at gunpoint in a farmhouse for raising his voice over the financial fraud

n a u l l a h b l a s t s P T I c h i e f fo r d e f a m i n g Pa k i s t a n i n t e r n at i o n a l l y

ISAMABAD

S TA F F R E P O R T

Pakistan Muslim League (Nawaz)

Punjab President and former interior minister Rana Sanaullah has criticized former prime minister and PTI Chairman Imran Khan for taking his case to the international court terming it an anti-Pakistan act

In his statement released on Sunday, the former interior minister wondered why the "ladla" (blueeyed) wants to take his case to the International Court of Justice

G o i n g t o t h e I n t e r n a t i o n a l C o u r t o f J u s t i c e m e a n s m a k i n g

Pakistan stand criminal in the international court ” he said adding t h i s d e s p i c a b l e a c t i s d o n e o n l y by the enemies of the country and t h e i r o p e r a t i v e s T h e o n e w h o b r o u g h t t e r r o r i s t s b a c k t o t h e country, freed them, and resettled them, is now showing them a new p a t h , ” S a n a u l l a h l a s h e d o u t a t Imran Khan He said that those who launched Imran were now trying to save him They first made him a hero, then supported him through foreign funding and brought him to power After he (Imran) came to power he destroyed the country’s

economy, and foreign relations He paved the way for social unrest after unleashing inflation and infused dirty ideas into the minds of Pakistani youth so that they would attack state institutions in the form of groups Sanaullah deplored that by taking Pakistan into the International Court of Justice the usurpers of the rights of Palestine and Occupied Jammu and Kashmir would be extremely happy The puppet (Imran Khan) is being used for the international defamation of Pakistan,” the PMLN leader rued

World IPO registers Sindhri, Chaunsa mango as Pakistan’s products

HYDERABAD STAFF REPORT

The World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) has registered a Geographical Indication of Sindhri and Chaunsa varieties of mangoes which have been recognized as the products of Sindh Pakistan Mehmood Nawaz Shah, Vice President of Sindh Abadgar Board, which spearheaded the activity for the registration around a year ago, informed here on Sunday that the crucial milestone had been achieved thanks to the cooperation of IPO Pakistan

He apprised that a meeting was also held in this regard through a video link attended by IPO Pakistan s Chairman Farrukh Aamil Consultant WIPO Noor Asifa Mohsin Bullo of Trade Development Authority of Pakistan (TDAP) and office bearers of SAB Shah said the meeting discussed the export-related benefits of the geographical indication

The meeting was told that no other country could lay a claim on Sindhri and Chaunsa varieties of mango other than Pakistan The meeting according to Shah referred to the ongoing dispute over Basmati rice between Pakistan and India and expressed hope that such a dispute over the 2 varieties would never crop up The SAB’s Vice President said the registration would also help enhance the fruit’s export

3.1 magnitude earthquake jolts Balochistan

QUETTA S TA F F R E P O R T

A mild intensity earthquake on Sunday jolted the areas of Balochistan bordering Afghanistan

According to seismological departments tremours measuring 3 1 in Richter scale were felt in border areas of Balochistan

The epi-centre of quake was stated 79 kilometer North-West of Quetta at depth of 56 kilometer inside earth However no causality or property damages were reported due to quake

Sugar price shoots to Rs220 per kg

QUETTA S TA F F R E P O R T

Sugar price spiked to a record high of Rs220 per kg in retail markets of Balochistan

The sugar that was earlier being sold at Rs200 suddenly recorded a Rs20 per kg rise in Balochistan to reach an all-time record high of Rs220

The commodity’s wholesale price is Rs210 per kg in the province while a 50-kg sack has reached Rs10 500 the market sources said

According to dealers the price of the commodity increased after the supply of sugar got suspended as vehicles got stuck on the national highways after the suspension of permits

The sudden rise in sugar prices has added to the misery of the people who are already bearing the brunt of inflation Earlier sources claimed that the Ministry of Commerce and Industries ruled out the shortage of sugar in Pakistan

The clarification came after sources claimed that Pakistan is seeking to import sugar from Brazil

The sources within the ministry said Pakistan has sufficient stock of sugar more than 2 million metric tons which is sufficient for the country s use until December

M ar yam Nawaz, US envoy explore areas of cooperation

ISLAMABAD

24-karat rose to Rs207,990 from Rs200,710

Likewise the 22-karat gold rates for 10 grams went up to Rs190 656 from Rs184 294 during the week while price of a single tola of 22-karat gold increased to Rs222 382 from Rs214 957

In the preceding weeks, the price surged by Rs6,700 (+2 95 percent) and Rs5,600 (+2 52 percent) per tola on a week-on-week basis Prior to this the gold price for a single tola of 24-karat in the country fell by Rs2 000 during the preceding three weeks

It is essential to understand that the exchange rate and international market prices play a direct and influential role in shaping the prices of precious metals like gold in

Pakistan

The Pakistani rupee’s depreciation against the US dollar kept the gold price high in the country The rupee depreciated by Rs4 47 (-1 49 percent) against the US dollar during the week under review This rise in local prices also indicates a trend of increased demand for gold among local investors Market analysts attributed the surge in gold prices to the ongoing volatility in both the foreign exchange and financial markets

The gold rate has been volatile in Pakistan recently amid continued political and economic uncertainty, and high inflation The people prefer to buy this precious commodity in such times as a safe investment and a

rose to its strongest level in a month above $1 950 The benchmark 10-year US Treasury bond yield turned negative and went below 4 1 percent after the US jobs report which showed that the unemployment rate rose to 3 8 percent and provided a boost to gold price Gold price remains calm before the US Nonfarm Payrolls (NFP) and ISM Manufacturing PMI data for August, which will set an undertone for the Federal Reserve’s (Fed) interest-rate decision to be taken on September 20 Fed Chair Jerome Powell at the Jackson Hole Symposium that further policy action will depend on incoming data and cited that inflation has become more responsive to the job market

S TA F F R E P O R T