Epaper_23-09-09 ISB

SIFC APEX BODY FOCUSES ON WAYS TO IMPROVE BUSINESS, INVESTMENT ENVIRONMENT

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GOVT TO GO FOR ROLLOVER OF DEPOSITS ON MATURITY, SAYS FINANCE MINISTER

g SUPPLY CHAIN SHORTAGES MAJOR CAUSE OF INFLATION: COMMERCE MINISTER

deposits from allied nations to shore up its foreign exchange reserves with $1bn from the United Arab Emirates and $2bn from Saudi Arabia China had also rolled over more than $5bn in loans to Pakistan earlier this year with a further rollover in July of a $2 4bn loan to Islamabad for a period of two years

Questioned about the outflow of dollars from the country, she said the situation was not “unusual” since imports needed to be opened up for industrial revival exports had declined and there was a shortfall in remittances

The finance minister said discussions were underway with multilateral development banks such as the World Bank (WB) and the Asian Development Bank (ADB), adding that the government was hopeful of fast-tracking the process

TH E 5th meeting of SIFC s Apex Committee was held on 8 September 2023 with a singular focus to improve overall business and investment environment in the Country being imperative for ‘Economic Revival’

The meeting was chaired by the Prime Minister and attended by the Chief of Army Staff Federal Cabinet Provincial Chief Ministers and high level government officials

Ministries presented their plans and roadmaps to overcome the macroeconomic challenges, governance related impediments and voids in regulatory mechanisms in a bid to attract both foreign and domestic investment and stimulate economic growth The Committee deliberated upon various measures to be taken in short mid and long term to reap envisaged dividends

Various practical steps were approved by the Prime Minister which will operationalise ASP PM asked the ministries to deliver optimal results irrespective of time

Audio probe commission: SC bins

PDM gov t’s objections to 5-judge bench

The Supreme Court (SC) on Friday rejected the previous PDM government s objections to the five-member bench hearing a set of pleas challenging the constitution of a three-judge commission set up to probe veracity of audio leaks that had implicated politicians as well as judges of the top court and their family members

Justice Ijazul Ahsan announced the short order saying that the objections were an attack on the independence of the judiciary The SC five-member larger bench had earlier reserved its decision on the government s objections The previous coalition government had formed the commission on May 20 under Section 3 of the Pakistan Commission of Inquiry Act 2017 Led by senior puisne judge Justice Isa, the commission also comprised Balochistan High Court Chief Justice Naeem Akhtar Afghan and Islamabad High Court Chief Justice Aamer Farooq

On May 26, the top court had restrained the panel from going ahead with its task The verdict was issued by the five-member bench hearing the case

The order was passed on a set of petitions moved by Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) President Abid Shahid Zuberi SCBA Secretary Muqtedir Akhtar

Shabbir PTI Chairman Imran Khan and Advocate Riaz Hanif Rahi seeking to declare the constitution of the audio commission illegal

Subsequently, the government-appointed commission decided to put its proceedings on hold until the SC decided the petitions

However the PDM government sought the reconstitution of the five-member bench led by Chief Justice of Pakistan Umar Ata Bandial and comprising Justice Ahsan, Justice Munib Akhtar, Justice Syed Hasan Azhar Rizvi and Justice Shahid Waheed hearing the pleas against the formation of the commission

In its application the PDM government had asked CJP Bandial Justice Ahsan and Justice Akhtar to distance themselves from the bench since rules of natural justice demanded that the adjudicator should be impartial

that is available with Interim Government and emphasised to lay a strong foundation for the future Government GOVT TO GO FOR ROLLOVER OF DEPOSITS

N C E M I N I S T E R: Care-

taker Finance Minister Shamshad Akhtar on Friday said the interim government would go for a rollover of the deposits from other countries upon their maturity

Addressing a press conference in Islamabad with other caretaker federal ministers after a meeting of the Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC) Akhtar said the interim government needed to revive the economy and it was important to remove import restrictions “across the board” since Pakistan was an import-intensive country

“Management of foreign exchange reserve is a very high priority for us and we are closely monitoring the situation We are in discussions that that inflows are brought in on a timely basis and we will also go for the rollover of deposits that we have in place right now on their maturity, she said, adding that the situation was “reasonably okay” for now

In July Pakistan had received much-needed crucial

She also said a review of the International Monetary Fund was due in November after which the second tranche of its programme with Pakistan was expected as well as a tranche from the ADB and some loans from the WB What the actual precise amount of [total inflows] will be will take some time in discussions but if you ask for the full year, we are hoping it will be close to about $6 billion cumulative inflows” from various sources

Commenting on her ministry Akhtar said the meeting had decided to adopt a whole-of-government approach to the finance ministry s various divisions and would operate holistically [and] consistently as a team

She said it would be an important change so the segments in charge of managing the economy would work together “Our cabinet subcommittees have been institutionalised so now we are having full-fledged intergovernmental discussions Akhtar added

We are making a sincere effort to define our roadmap for augmenting the country s macroeconomic management for which the anchor is fiscal stability and coordination with monetary police, as well as external policy ” Akhtar further said the government wanted to revive the economy and was beginning the process to determine the necessary steps to jumpstart it

NEPRA notifies Rs1.46 per unit hike under FCA of July

ISLAMABAD S TA F F R E P O R T

Caretaker Foreign Minister Jalil Abbas Jilani on Friday said this week s terrorist attack on two military posts in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa s Lower Chitral district was an isolated incident and not sanctioned by the interim Afghan government On Wednesday at least four security men embraced martyrdom while more than 16 fighters were killed as militants attempts to enter Pakistan from Afghanistan were foiled by troops deployed along the border with Afghanistan Militants had attacked two security checkposts in the southern part of the district The predawn attack had targeted check posts in Astui Pass and Jinjiret Koh situated in the south of Lower Chitral bordering the Afghan province of Nuristan

Astui Pass is located in the Bumburet Valley one of the three valleys in southern Chitral where the Kalash community resides

“Terrorists’ movement and concentration in Gawardesh Pitigal Barg-i-Matel and Batash areas of Nuristan and Kunar provinces of Afghanistan had already been picked up and were timely shared with the interim Afghan government,” the military’s media wing had said adding that the Afghan government was expected to fulfil its

obligations and deny the use of Afghan soil by terrorists for perpetuating acts of terrorism against Pakistan

The outlawed Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) had reportedly claimed responsibility for the attack through its spokesperson Mohammad Khorasani

Commenting on the matter while responding to a question on rising terrorism in Pakistan emanating from Afghanistan, FM Jilani told Dawn com: “It was an isolated incident and we don’t think it had their (Afghan government) sanction

The foreign minister later reiterated his stance and said ongoing dialogue with the Afghan government on surging militancy was “very positive” F

A F G H A N I S TA N : Separately, Foreign Office (FO) Spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra Baloch voiced apprehension about the “large amount of weaponry” available in Afghanistan and in the possession of terrorist entities adding that it posed a threat to Pakistan

Her statement comes two days after White House National Security Council Coordinator for Strategic Communication John Kirby disagreed with the impression that the United States had left behind about $7 billion worth of weapons in Afghanistan and militant groups were now using those

weapons against Pakistan Instead he had said the equipment was transferred to and belonged to the Afghan National Army Caretaker Prime Minister Anwaarul Haq Kakar had recently said that the US leaving behind equipment of war in the war-torn country had a greater role in the recent surge in militancy than the Taliban coming to power in Kabul

U P T I C K I N T E R R O R I S T

AT TA C K S : Pakistan has witnessed an uptick in terror activities in recent months, especially in KP and Balochistan after the outlawed TTP ended its ceasefire with the government in November last year

In July, as many as 12 soldiers of the Pakistan Army embraced martyrdom in separate military operations in the Zhob and Sui areas of Balochistan

That was the military s highest single-day death toll from terrorist attacks reported this year

Before this, 10 personnel were martyred in a ‘fire raid’ in Balochistan’s Kech district in February 2022

A report released in July by the think tank Pakistan Institute for Conflict and Security

Studies said the first half of the current year witnessed a steady and alarming rise in terror and suicide attacks claiming the lives of 389 people across the country

Amid the rise in militancy is a backdrop of growing concerns regarding cross-border terrorism by elements based in Afghanistan

notwithstanding this order NEPRA notification added

Pursuant to Section 31(7) of the Regulation of Generation, Transmission and Distribution of Electric Power Act, 1997 as amended through Regulation of Generation, Transmission and Distribution of Electric Power (Amendment) Act 2011 the National Electric Power Regulatory Authority makes and notifies the adjustments on account of variations in fuel charges in the approved tariff of DISCOs

It should be noted that the people in the country are already protesting against the heavy electricity bills, and in many cities citizens have burned the bills in protest and refused to pay them

Meanwhile NEPRA while taking serious notice of over-billing by DISCOs, summoned the Chief Executive Officers (CEOs) of DISCOs on September 12

According to a statement issued by the NEPRA, a large number of applications were submitted by electricity consumers with the NEPRA headquarters regarding incorrect meter readings

Most of these complaints are about not having a clear picture of the meter reading and recording the wrong date of the meter reading

Taking cognizance of the complaints of electricity consumers NEPRA has summoned the CEOs of DISCOs on September 12

Gas tariff to be increased on IMF demand

Global attention needed on US ar ms lef t in Afghanistan: FO

Commenting on the recent clashes along the Pak-Afghan border, the Foreign Office (FO) spokesperson said on Friday that the weapons left in Afghanistan during the US withdrawal require global attention as they had “fallen in the hands of Afghan terrorists”

In a weekly media briefing spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra Baloch stated that Pakistan s security agencies were determined to eradicate terrorism from the country She added that Pakistan has informed the interim Afghan government about its concerns regarding the recent incident along the border Mumtaz further said that the issue of terrorist attacks from Afghanistan has been raised with the Afghan authorities We do not blame anyone but weapons left in Afghanistan require global attention since they have fallen in the hands of terrorist

now she said

FERENCE: The FO said that Caretaker Foreign Minister Jalil Abbas Jilani will preside over the Commonwealth Youth Ministerial Conference in London from September 12 to 15 to meet the leaders from various countries

She also addressed the issue of continuous human rights violations in Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir of India

(IIOJK) International human rights organisations have written letters to inform G20 countries of the restrictions on freedom of expression and atrocities in the illegally occupied Kashmir she said

The spokesperson exclaimed that the Indian government should focus on the challenges of its own people, and refrain from passing unnecessary comments on Pakistan

When asked about Pakistan’s economic situation Baloch abstained from commenting Pakistan and Russia have important rela-

tions The caretaker foreign minister is finalising matters regarding the UK visit, she added

T O R

A M B O R D E R C L A S H : The Torkham border crossing between Pakistan and Afghanistan remained closed for the second day on Thursday after clashes between security forces of both the countries

A day earlier a gun battle erupted between Pakistan and Afghan border forces, with each side blaming the other for starting the firefight that shut their busiest trade crossing

The closure caused a lot of difficulties for the people as two bodies of Afghan citizens were lying at the crossing point while dozens of patients were waiting for the gate to reopen Citizens, including children, women and patients, are trapped, while business activities have been suspended Due to the closure long queues of hundreds of freight vehicles have been stranded on both sides of the border Afghan forces tried to establish a check

PERVAIZ EL AHI SENT TO ADIAL A JAIL ON 14-DAY REMAND IN FJC RIOTING CASE

ISLAMABAD

S ta f f R e p o R t

TH E Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) Islamabad on Friday remanded

PTI President Pervaiz Elahi to Adiala for 14 days in riots outside the Federal Judicial Complex (FJC) case on March 18

The case was registered on March 18 after clashes between the police and PTI workers amid party chairman Imran Khan s appearance at the FJC for hearing of Toshakhana case On September 5 Pervaiz Elahi was arrested in the case hours after the Islamabad High Court (IHC) had suspended his detention under Section 3 of the Maintenance of Public Order (MPO) ordinance and directed his release

On Wednesday Pervaiz Elahi was produced in an ATC at the FJC where police sought his 14-day physical remand and his lawyers urged the court to discharge him from the case However, the ATC had granted the police two-day physical remand of the PTI president

During hearing on Friday the police produced Pervaiz Elahi in the court of ATC Judge Abual Hasnat Zulqarnain wherein he was represented by lawyers: Sardar Abdur Razzaq, Babar Awan and Ali Bukhari while Prosecutor Tahir Kazim was also present The prosecutor urged the court to extend Pervaiz Elahi’s physical remand by another 10 days while his lawyers reiterated their plea to discharge the PTI leader from the case Rejecting both pleas the ATC then sent the former Punjab chief minister to Adiala Jail on 14-day judicial remand and ordered for him to be produced before the court on September 22 It also directed the investigation officer to furnish a report on the matter Pervaiz Elahi s lawyers then filed a bail plea in the court, following which the

KP gov t seeks

ATC issued notices to the respondents seeking their replies by September 11

The lawyers also submitted a handwritten request to the court, urging to allow the PTI leader ’s family to meet him and for home-cooked food to be provided to him due to medical reasons which the court approved

T h e h e a r i n g : At the outset of the hearing the prosecutor urged the court to extend Pervaiz Elahi s physical remand for another 10 days, at which Judge Hasnat inquired about the previous remand granted

When the prosecutor informed the court that two-day physical remand was granted Razzaq contended The FIR that pertains to the events of that day (March 18) does not mention Pervaiz Elahi s name

Noting that the FIR had been registered against “PTI members”, he claimed his client was not a part of the PTI when the FJC clashes took place and that he joined the PTI in April

Razzaq reiterated his claim that Pervaiz Elahi joined the PTI in April, highlighting that the case was registered in March The lawyer recalled that a “high court had said that a political case was made against Parvez Elahi” and ordered his release but the Gujranwala police arrested him following which a judicial magistrate had ordered his release

Razzaq went on to recall the LHC s order as well wherein it had barred the police from arresting Pervaiz Elahi in any unknown case “In all MPO orders there is not even a difference of a comma just of the name (of who issued it) he asserted

Retelling the events of the day Pervaiz Elahi was re-arrested by the Islamabad police earlier this month, the lawyer alleged that the police had not received any detention orders at that time and the DC issued the order later

Pervaiz Elahi was abducted and de-

tained in the Police Lines He was arrested from my car within Police Lines premises Razzaq said, submitting the LHC and IHC orders to the ATC He argued that the physical remand was being sought by the police

“on the basis of the word ‘perhaps’”

Claiming that Imran PTI Vice Chairman Shah Mahmood Qureshi and others had been granted bail in the same case he urged the court to discharge Pervaiz Elahi from the case

After he concluded his arguments, Awan, another counsel, cited various past verdicts as he defended his client

This case is from March What evidence has the prosecution presented for Pervaiz Elahi being a terrorist? he asked The prosecution does not have a grain s worth of evidence against Pervaiz Elahi

In his arguments, Bukhari said that Pervaiz Elahi had been in police’s custody for the last 72 hours asking whether any investigation was conducted by the prosecution during this time

At this point during the hearing, Prosecutor Kazim began his arguments in favour of being granted physical remand

He insisted that the cases in Punjab were different from the current case and that the current case would have to be looked at in its own way Recalling the IHC order, Kazim claimed that the order directed for Elahi s release if not wanted in any other case” “Parvez Elahi assisted by providing cars, men and financial help, which needs to be investigated ” he alleged

At this the court inquired about the investigation conducted during the past two days Subsequently the ATC rejected the plea for further physical remand and sent the PTI president to the Adiala Jail on judicial remand Following the verdict, Elahi’s lawyers filed a bail plea in the court on which notices were issued to the respondents for September 11

JI councilor shot dead in Karachi’s Surjani area

The plea also urged the court to allow Elahi s family to meet him in jail Let Parvez Elahi s family meet him Parvez Elahi sahib, please come forward, Judge Hasnat said The former Punjab chief minister complied and said, “There is no such jail left in Punjab where I have not been sent I also have stents in my heart

The Punjab chief minister is my relative but is strongly against me he added

T h e F i r : The first information report

(FIR) against Elahi was registered at the CTD police station on March 18 on the complaint of Ramna police Station House Officer Malik Rasheed

The case pertained to the clashes on that day between Islamabad Police and PTI workers outside the Judicial Complex

The case was lodged under Sections 148 (rioting armed with deadly weapon), 149 (unlawful assembly) 186 (obstructing public servant in discharge of public functions) 353 (assault or criminal force to deter public servant from discharge of his duty), 380 (theft in dwelling house, etc), 395 (punishment for dacoity), 427 (mischief causing damage amounting to Rs50), 435 (mischief by fire or explosive substance with intent to cause damage) 440 (mischief committed after preparation made for causing death or hurt) and 506 (punishment for criminal intimidation) of the Pakistan Penal Code and Section 7 (punishment for acts of terrorism) of the Anti-Terrorism Act March 18’s events were marred by clashes between the police and PTI workers amid party chairman Imran Khan s appearance at the Judicial Complex in a hearing for the Toshakhana case

The Islamabad police had alleged that party workers had shelled the Judicial Complex and set fire to a police post In turn the PTI had also accused the police of shelling Imran s vehicle

KARACHI S ta f f R e p o R t J a m a a t - e - I s l a m i ( J I ) u n i o n c o u n c i l l o r w a s s h o t d e a d d u r i n g a b r a w l o v e r K u n d a ( i l l e g a l e l e c t r i c i t y c o n n e c t i o n s ) i n S e c t o r 4 C o f K a r a c h i s S u r j a n i To w n l a t e T h u r s d a y T h e d e c e a s e d i d e n t i f i e d a s M o h a m m a d H a b i b w a s a w a r d c o u n c i l l o r o f J I S o o n a f t e r t h e i n c i d e n t a h e a v y c o n t i n g e n t o f p o l i c e r e a c h e d t h e s p o t a n d s t a r t e d a n i n v e s t i g a t i o n I n a s t a t e m e n t J I K a r a c h i P r e s i d e n t H a f i z N a e e m u r R e h m a n s a i d t h a t H a b i b h a d g o n e f o r a m e e t i n g a f t e r h e w a s i n f o r m e d a b o u t a n i l l e g a l e l e c t r i c i t y c o n n e c t i o n H e w a s g u n n e d d o w n a s s o o n a s h e l e f t t h e m e e t i n g , h e a l l e g e d R e h m a n f u r t h e r s a i d t h a t t h e K u n d a m a f i a h a d t h e b a c k i n g o f t h e P P P T h e J I K a r a c h i c h i e f d e m a n d e d I G P o l i c e t o t a k e n o t i c e a n d a r r e s t t h e c u l p r i t s a n d t h e i r h a n d l e r s H e s a i d t h a t t h e J I w o u l d p r o t e s t i f t h e a u t h o r i t i e s d i d n o t f i l e a f i r s t i n f o r m a t i o n r e p o r t o f t h e k i l l i n g o r f a b r i c a t e t h e m e d i c a l e x a m i n a t i o n o f t h e b o d y

Fees to be paid by LHCBA law yers increase manifold

LAHORE S ta f f R e p o R t

Rs5.34b

for unpaid electricit y dues

PESHAWAR a z z B u n e R i

The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) government is urging the federal government to settle its substantial outstanding dues of over Rs 5 34 billion for electricity generated from provincial resources According to the Ministry of Energy and Power the Pakhtunkhwa Energy Development Organization (PEDO) has completed six power projects across the province, contributing a combined 157-megawatt capacity to the national grid However, there’s an issue of underpayment by the federal government for this electricity The Ministry reports that the federal government s unpaid dues breakdown as follows: Rs 21 36 million for the 2 6megawatt Machai Hydropower Project, Rs 3 28 million for the 1 8-megawatt Shishi

Hydro Power Project, Rs 2 89 billion for the 81-megawatt Malakand III Hydro Power Project Rs 64 5 million for the 36 6megawatt Dara Khwar Hydro Power Project Rs 23 59 million for the 17-megawatt Ranolia

Hydro Power Project and Rs 1 32 billion for the 18-megawatt Pehur Hydro Power Project

In total, the federal government has to pay a total Rs 5 34 billion to KP electricity generated from provincial resources

Char ter of Economy needed to ensure long-term business policies: President ICCI

ISLAMABAD

S ta f f R e p o R t

President, Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ICCI) Ahsan Zafar Bakhtawari has stressed that all political parties should agree to sign a Charter of Economy in order to ensure long-term business and economic policies that would help attract local and foreign investment, facilitate the growth of trade and industrial activities boost exports and revive the economy

This was stated by him while addressing a reception hosted in his honor by Sardar Yasir Ilyas Khan, former President ICCI and CEO Centaurus Mall, Islamabad on Friday The prominent business leaders of the twin cities including representatives of various trade unions/ trade associations like All Pakistan Anjuman-e-Tajiran Anjumane-Tajran Rawalpindi, Markazi Anjuman-e-Tajran, and members of business community were present on the occasion Ahsan Zafar emphasized that the government should formulate a 10-year economic policy that would help the business community and the investors to make long-term business and investment plans in Pakistan He further urged

that all political parties should present their economic manifestoes to give a clear direction to the business community about the future economic outlook of the country

Speaking on the occasion former ICCI President Sardar Yasir Ilyas Khan stressed that the prominent business figures from the twin cities should be included in the Special Investment Facilitation Council to represent the voice of the business community in its decision-making process Khalid Iqbal Malik Group Leader ICCI urged that all economic policies should be formed in consultation with the private sector that would improve the confidence of the business commu-

nity and investors ultimately leading to the better revival of the economy Saqib Rafique President Rawalpindi Chamber of Commerce & Industry, Ms Rizwana Asif President Islamabad Women Chamber of Commerce & Industry Sohail Altaf Group Leader RCCI Sardar Tahir Mehmood President Federation of Realtors Pakistan, Dr Rashid Ilyas Khan, Ch Nadeem ud Din and others also spoke on the occasion They emphasized that the government should take measures to stabilize the local currency bring down the dollar rate increase exports reduce tariffs and improve the ease of doing business in the country that would help revive the economy

Different fees that have to be paid by the lawyers of the Lahore High Court Bar Association (LHCBA) have increased manifold on Friday The life membership fee of the LHCBA has increased by Rs3,000 to reach Rs10,000 from Rs7,000 The visa letter fee has been increased by Rs2 000 to Rs3 000 while the good standing certificate fee has been increased by Rs2 000 to Rs3 000 Similarly the experience certificate, the armed license, and NOC for the membership fees have been increased by Rs500 to Rs1,000 The duplicate life membership fee has been increased by Rs400 to Rs500 while that of the membership identity card by Rs300 to Rs500 The lawyers expressed their worry over the increase and demanded a reduction in the fees On lawyers demand, the General House meeting of the LHCBA has been called on September 11 In the meeting, proposals will be sought to retain or reduce the fees

UoG plans 8th convocation next month

GUJRAT S ta f f R e p o R t

The 8th convocation of the University of Gujrat (UoG) will be held in the last week of October this year said a press release issued by the varsity on Friday A full-dress rehearsal will be held at Hafiz Hayat Campus one day before the convocation, said the press release Graduates of 2019 & 2020 semesters (Fall & Spring) who have received their final transcripts and completed their degree requirements are eligible to apply for participating in the convocation it added First position holders of BA/BSc/BCom and MA/MSc/M Com annual examinations 2019 & 2020 will be awarded medals Candidates can visit UoG website www uog edu pk for application procedure and other details

Audio probe commission: SC bins PDM govt ’s objec tions to 5-judge bench

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 01

In addition to the objection raised about the presence of the CJP on the bench, the application had also pointed out that some of the audio leaks also concerned two other members Justice Akhtar and Justice Ahsan One audio leak pertained to a conversation between petitioner Abid Zuberi and the then chief minister, discussing a case of CCPO Ghulam Mehmood Dogar The bench hearing the case was headed by Justice Ahsan

Similarly another audio leak was about a conversation between a senior lawyer s wife and the mother-in-law of the CJP, wherein reference was made to Justice Akhtar A detailed verdict, authored by CJP Bandial, was issued in the afternoon The detailed verdict said that the court s query about how the CJP or his relative s interest were involved in the case was neither answered nor explained by the attorney general for Pakistan (AGP)

“He candidly admitted though that no pecuniary or propriety interest of either the CJP or his relative was tied with the fate of the said petitions When asked to explain the term conflict of interest the learned AGP merely clarified that as a ground of recusal it was distinct from ‘bias’ The latter being an allegation that the federal government had not raised The diffidence of the learned AGP to respond to the court s questions denotes that the objection of the federal government may have been raised nonchalantly possibly to delay a decision on the merit or to harass the concerned

judge the order said The order said that conflict of interest and bias were indeed grounds on which a party could seek the recusal of a judge from hearing a case

“Whilst conflict of interest is related to the judge’s interest in the subject matter of a particular case bias is concerned with his state of mind and his feelings towards the parties appearing before him Since the learned AGP confined his submissions to the ground of conflict of interest only and not on bias it is clear that the federal government does not anticipate any prejudice from the CJP it said It said that the AGP s failure to identify the specific cause, and the interest of the CJP or his relative rendered the previous government’s allegations against the top judge “fanciful”

Moreover the relative of the CJP is neither a party in these petitions nor is she claimed to be involved in the controversy under adjudication before the court,” the order said Therefore, it appeared that the “illusionary claim of conflict of interest against the CJP had been alleged prima facie to postpone a decision in the case

Such an object appears to be consonant with the federal government’s strategy [ ] of blocking or delaying the court’s decisions on questions of law requiring the interpretation of constitutional principles the judgement said The judgement also reflected on the previous government s inimical treatment of the top court and some of its judges It said that there was a “chain of events” in which the previous government and its ministers

had sought to erode the authority of the court and to blemish the stature of some of its Judges with the object of blocking, delaying or distorting the result of the judgments of the court on the constitutional right of the people to be governed by an elected government

The order said that the PDM government through various machinations and stratagems, had managed to delay adjudication by the court and also discredited its judgments

It cited the Supreme Court (Review of Judgments and Orders) Act 2023 enacted by Parliament which has since been struck down by the court seeking repeated recusals of certain judges and “incendiary” remarks made by former ministers as examples

It also said that the then-government took refuge behind the election watchdog s appeal against the April 4 order of holding elections to the Punjab Assembly

“The court has faced all such actions of the federal government with tolerance forbearance and restraint However it goes without saying that any refusal to implement a final and therefore binding judgment of the court can be visited with consequences laid down in the Constitution,” it said The order said that the application filed by the federal government was declared to be devoid of merit and legal force To our minds the recusal application suffers from the common defect of being motivated and hence constitutes an attack on the independence of the judiciary In view of the foregoing the recusal application is dismissed the order said

PAF UNDERWENT STRATEGIC RESET IN COMBAT TRAINING, EQUIPMENT ACQUISITION

TH E Centre for Aerospace & Security Studies (CASS) Lahore organized a commemorative seminar titled Pakistan Air Force: Second to None” on September 7, 2023 This event paid tribute to the enduring legacy of the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) rooted in Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah s vision of being Second to None

The 1965 and 1971 wars tested PAF s mettle, resulting in shining victories and showcasing professionalism The seminar ’s goal was to extract invaluable lessons from these historical chapters guiding the PAF’s pursuit of becoming a topnotch air force committed to defending the nation with unwavering excellence

Group Captain Faisal ul Rehman, Director Ops and Admin, CASS Lahore, delivered the introductory remarks His

Caretaker gov t continues to implement int’l agreements: Solangi

ISLAMABAD: Caretaker Minister for Information and Broadcasting Murtaza Solangi on Friday said the caretaker government respected the international financial agreements and would continue to implement them in true letter and spirit Addressing a news conference here after the first session of two-day meeting of Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC) the minister said deliberations were held on the measures which were essential for reducing the government s expenditures and circular debt

speech was followed by a keynote address by Air Commodore Kaiser Tufail (Retd) who highlighted accomplishments of the PAF in 1965 and 1971 wars

Following the keynote address, Air Commodore Khalid Chishti (Retd) shed light on the remarkable achievements of PAF war heroes Additionally two distinguished war veterans Air Commodore Abdul Basit (Retd) and Air Commodore Farooq Haider (Retd) shared their personal accounts from the 1965 and 1971 wars

An extensive question and answer session followed the statements by the guest speakers Air Marshal Asim Suleiman (Retd) President CASS Lahore in his concluding remarks said that for an effective watchful and hard-hitting air force it is important to have focused training; state of the art equipment and weapons; and selfsufficient industrial base with indigenously developed technologies

Under the leadership of the current

Chief of the Air Staff Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmad Babar Sidhu PAF has undergone a strategic reset in terms of combat training along with acquisition of requisite equipment and infrastructure development, to maintain its legacy of having cutting edge combat capabilities PAF has recently made extensive inductions to stay abreast with modern technologies and state of the art weapon systems They include induction of PL-15 air to air missiles and its integration to the launching platform, J10-C operationalization, offensive air and ground launched weapons array of UAVs from strategic to tactical usage variety of powerful EW equipment cyber capability in all such domains and launching of PFX Pakistan s Advanced Flight etc The inductions made in last two years are strategic in nature and vision of the Air Chief is to have a long lasting impact on the PAF’s operational preparedness and combat readiness

Vanguard Houses of Schools hosts ‘Meet and Greet’ event

The most important takeaways from the seminar were:

In air battles numerical superiority alone does not determine victory; instead, it is the combination of superior training, unwavering morale, and, above all, an indomitable fighting spirit that emerges as the decisive factor

PAF needs to maintain its legacy with tenacity and hard-hitting capabilities especially in light of India s vast expenditure on its defense budget

Training has always been a hall mark of PAF To remain ahead of its adversaries, PAF has to maintain the highest degree of preparedness; therefore high-quality combat training has to be ensured at all cost

Indigenization and self-reliance for having leading edge technologies is an essential for the future of a modern air force Force goals and developmental strategy has to be in line with National Security and its manifestation

SIFC apex body focuses on ways to improve business, investment environment

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 01

He was flanked by Caretaker Minister for Finance Dr Shamshad Akhtar, Minister for Energy Muhammad Ali, and Minister for Industry and Production Gohar Ijaz Solangi said discussions were also held on working out a schedule for implementing the decisions already taken to carry out privatization of some departments He said measures to stop misuse of international agreements, if there is any, also came under discussion Restructuring of the FBR, measures for removing bottlenecks in foreign direct investment including visa policy reforms and steps to improve performance of different departments were also part of extensive discussion held on the first day of the SIFC meeting

She added that the interim government was also attempting to enhance the various aspects of the social safety net amid the implementation of a structural adjustment reform programme Akhtar pointed out that financial inclusion was the most important and “farreaching sphere of the social safety net and work on it would be expedited to provide opportunities for financial empowerment to citizens, the agriculture sector and small and medium enterprises The finance minister said the government was establishing a central monitoring unit for state-owned enterprises (SOEs) that would help ministries strengthen the corporate governance of SOEs and take forward the entities that were ready for privatisation

Meanwhile, Interim Information Minister Murtaza Solangi said ordinarily a press release was issued on the particulars of the SIFC meeting for the day but federal ministers would now regularly hold press conferences and provide details on what was discussed Solangi said today s meeting focused

on reducing government expenditure, reducing the circular debt, removing obstacles to foreign investment and improving the performance of state-owned enterprises “A lot of time was spent today [in discussions] on curbing smuggling in the country whether of finished products or petroleum products or foreign exchange he said Solangi said the meeting also had a detailed discussion on the misuse of international agreements that the country was a signatory to and measures

: Meanwhile, Caretaker Commerce Minister Gohar Ejaz highlighted that today s SIFC discussion was centred on strategies to bolster the viability of industries citing supply chain shortages as a significant driver of inflation He emphasised the urgent need to boost exports and generate employment opportunities, underlining the shift from relying on imported materials to becoming self-sufficient as a means to meet financial obligations

The minister stressed the essential nature of prioritising the revival of industries saying the SIFC was informed

Book Review: O f histor y, memor y, fic tion, and educ ation

ond Nadeem Aslam s novel The wasted vigil is discussed; and in the third one Uzma Aslam s The miraculous true history of Nomi Ali is the subject of deliberation Section 4 projects the issue of migration as viewed in Mohsin Hamid’s ‘Exit West’; the second essay treats Osama Siddique’s novel ‘Snuffing out the moon’ tracing migration in the Indus Valley over the past 4000 years

In this context the author opines that Migrants and other new comers will continue to arrive not in static pre-existing communities but in communities that were also created through the movement of peoples and cultures, and all of the apocalyptic prognostications and resistance in the name of national and cultural purity proving that civilization outside the cage (Michael Mann’s view of human civilization as a product of fixity which is analogous to living in a cage ) is not only possible but desirable, and ultimately absolutely necessary

about it He underlined that detailed talks covering raw material supply chains, energy pricing, and gas availability were also held Ejaz said that inflation could only be effectively managed by augmenting exports suggesting that by reviving the export industry the burgeoning dollar price of Rs300 could potentially decrease to Rs250, simultaneously mitigating inflation However, he insisted on the importance of market-based approaches cautioning against excessive spending without

Muhammad Ali said important discussions were held in the SIFC meeting on the country s energy issues particularly on controlling electricity prices The minister also stressed the need to boost production of fuel supplies, including gas and oil He said more LNG terminals would be needed and the country would also need to boost its exploration and production activities pointing out that they had reduced after 2013

KARACHI: Vanguard Houses of Schools organized a Meet and Greet event at Vanguard School in Karachi that was attended by the educational experts and dignitaries from different walks of live including media persons Chief Executive of GFS Builders and Developers Irfan Wahid was the Chief Guest Speaking on the auspicious occasion CEO of GFS Builders and Developers, Irfan Wahid, said that the future of the country is in the hands of the youth, so it is very important to groom them It is beyond doubt that youth plays a pivotal role in the nation building and they are the future of the country If they are active and performing their role as nation-builders that means the future of the country is secure The new generation of Pakistan is rich in potential with innovative ideas and completely eligible to bring positive change to society Our youth is too passionate about the growth and development of Pakistan Registrar of Hamdard University Shahmeer Khatak said that the new generation is the future of our country Irfan Wahid of GFS Builder is doing a great job p r e s s r e l e a s e

Pakistan, China sign MoU to address climate change threat

ISLAMABAD: In a major step to jointly work towards environment protection Pakistan and China signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) titled Provision of Goods Under South-South Cooperation for Addressing Climate Change Ambassador of Pakistan to China, Moin-ul-Haque, and Zhao Yingmin, Vice-Minister of the Ministry of Ecology and Environment of the People’s Republic of China signed the MoU at the China International Fair for Trade in Services (CIFTIS) recently Under the MoU according to Gwadar Pro on Friday, China would support Pakistan through the provision of 5,000 sets of Solar Home Systems; a set of Integrated Meteorological Observation Station; and a set of Integrated Cloud-based Early Warning Systems In addition China would offer capacity-building programs for the officials of the Government of Pakistan The MoU would complement Pakistan s efforts to promote renewable energy and enhance its disaster management capabilities, especially in the areas of early warning forecasting monitoring and disaster preparedness response systems While signing the MoU Ambassador Moin-ul-Haque thanked the Chinese side and commended the ongoing collaboration between China and Pakistan to tackle the common challenge of climate change s ta f f r e p o r t

Oxford University Press is the largest international university publishing house in the world, second oldest after Cambridge University Press It is engaged in the publication of pedagogical and other texts for the last 500 years or so The present two books have been lately published by OUP in furtherance of the same objective viz publish promote and preserve the culture of books that teach, train and transform their reading clientele

‘HISTORY, MEMORY, FICTION’: The writer of this book David Waterman is Professor at La Rochelle University France where he is a member of the research team at the Centre for Research in International and Atlantic History (CRHIA) He is the author, among others, of Where Worlds Collide:

Pakistani Fiction in the New Millenium (2015) He is currently working on Pakistani history, culture and literature in English and has also served on the editorial team of Pakistaniaat: A Journal of Pakistan Studies

The instant book envisages an examination of several contemporary novels and memoirs of leading Pakistani and Kashmiri writers, taking them as historical fiction, or as works that are based on real-world facts or possible worlds’, ultimately leading to a plausible story similar to a true story These novels and memoirs provide the readers with fresh insights and moral orientation while suggesting that the past different from history must be given meaning in the present if they wish to create better possible futures Thus they provide readers with a broader perspective of historical consciousness

Noted Pakistani writer in English Muneeza Shamsie in her prefatory remarks gives a resume of the theme and content of the book According to her ‘the history of mankind has been forged by migration and exploration conflict change and adaptation Thus she endorses David Waterman s standpoint that people have always been on the move, and history seems to be driven by movement’

The book is split into four sections Section 1 is intended to review two novels that recreate troubled Kashmir viz An isolated incident by Soniah Kamal and The collaborator and the contested history of a place by Mirza Waheed Section 2 deals with three novels viz Rafia Zakaria’s ‘The upstairs wife’, Basharat Peer ’s ‘Curfewed night: A frontline memoir of life, love, and war in Kashmir ’ and Mohsin Hamid’s ‘How to get filthy rich in rising Asia

I C E S’: ‘Educational research plays an important role in addressing the need to create inspiring and visionary leadership for transforming the world To fully harness the power of educational research it is important to understand the multi-paradigmatic nature of contemporary approaches which offer a rich array of epistemologies (or ways of knowing), enabling us to generate different forms of knowledge objective, subjective critical integral depending on the purpose of our research (Taylor & Luitel 2019)

The book in hand is meant to pursue the aforesaid end It contains some eleven erudite research articles on the following captions:

1) Leadership conceptions in public universities

2) Role perceptions of DEOs in Pakistan

3) School supervision a tool or burden

4) Pedagogies for developing pedagogical leaders

5) Challenges opportunities and lessons learnt from a leadership development programme

6) Administrative support of beginning teachers in Kyrgyztan

7) Support of students affected by war and terrorism

8) School improvement leadership in Gilgit-Baltistan

9) Exploration of self and beyond in educational leadership

10) A case study in Afghanistan regarding culture and organisational knowledge

11) Key lessons and way forward in the domain of educational leadership policies and practices

To quote Michael Fullan of University of Toronto (Canada) in these articles ‘We see the familiar concepts: transformational moral pedagogical capacity building contingent mobilizing community and so on but the contexts are so different that the findings and lessons generate new ideas about leadership The chapters, largely, are based on original empirical field research, learning drawn from applied research, and study of organizational learning

Educational leadership is a challenging area This book has taken a holistic view of the challenge as viewed by Engr Prof Dr Attaullah Shah VC Karakoram International University Prof Dr Muhammad Memon, Chairman BISE, Hyderabad Sindh appreciates the think globally, act locally’ approach in the resolution of the indigenous education leadership issues Thus it is hoped that this book will be of great interest to policy makers researchers educators students at graduate MPhil and PhD levels besides educational leaders of different categories across developing countries of the world

e P r e s i d e n c y

PR E S I D E N T Arif Alvi has completed his five-year term, but is not going to vacate office The reason is that his successor can’t be elected It reflects the importance of the office that the Constitution makes elaborate arrangements for the election of the President The new President is supposed to be elected between 30 and 60 days before the end of his tenure, so that when his tenure ends a President-elect is ready to take the oath of office Originally to be elected by Parliament, but since 1985 to be elected by Parliament and the four provincial assemblies, the Constitution made provision for a situation where the National Assembly had been dissolved saying that the President shall remain in office until a successor is elected, and adding that the President would be elected 30 days after the election of the National Assembly The bar to an election is the non-existence of the National Assembly and one or more of the provincial assemblies being also dissolved does not seem to act as a bar to the election

However, all those assemblies are also dissolved, so the only component of the electoral college in existence is the Senate The Senate itself is heading towards the retirement of half its members, which occurs in March, and which requires the provincial assemblies to be in existence at the time The constitutional scheme is thus revealed as an interlocking sequence of elections such that putting off one means that the whole edifice will collapse Even the delay due to delimitations has knocked the constitutional timeframe out of kilter, with the elections to the National Assembly and all four provincial elections not being held within the 90 days stipulated President Alvi is the first elected President to go beyond his term since Fazal Elahi Chauhdry whose term expired on 13 August 1978, but who continued a month extra till 16 September 1978 because a military coup had taken place a year before President Alvi has hardly distinguished himself in office particularly after his denials of assent to bills sundry refusals to administer oath, after the removal of the Imran Khan government, showing that his primary loyalty has been to his party of which he had been Secretary general until he was elected President When elected the end of his term was defined

However, now it is not, because the Election Commission of Pakistan said it would give the date for elections but has still not done so, Until then, there is no knowing how long Dr Alvi will remain in office

Dedicated to the legac y of late Hameed Nizami

Arif Nizami (Late)

Founding Editor

Yousaf Nizami Editor

M A Niazi Joint Editor Umar Aziz Executive Editor

The need for Islamic modernists

There has not been the reform needed

MU S L I M history is replete with incidents of external aggressions and internal chaos Muslims of every age and area have tried to confront the devastating waves posed to the Islamic civilization

Mutazilites were the first who took philosophy and reason and started exploring new ideas However as soon as the rulers and the fundamentalists knew the rationalists’ different approach to Quran and their inclination to reason they were dubbed as transgressors and infidels

Later another group of philosophers emerged and quite earnestly propagated science and the exploration of nature and natural laws They too were expunged as non-conformists to the Islamic traditions

The surfeit of rhetoric marred them in controversies, created tensions between the philosophers and the orthodox religious group resulting in the exclusion of science and philosophy The laymen thought science is infidelity and transgressions from the very core values of Islam Thus science ceased to exist in an overly orthodoxic society

Moving ahead, Muslims were invaded and destroyed to death by the Mongols in the 13th century Islamic civilization was endangered and Muslims annihilated Now the only way at hand for Muslims was to preserve their culture and religion against not only the internal nonconformists or scientists but the external forces as well Added pain came from the crusades to the north who already had messed up the situation

The remnants of Muslims were preserved and, quite painstakingly, any endeavour deemed against traditional values was stopped and discouraged under various guises On one hand the Muslims had to fight a political war against the external forces and regain the lost glory of Baghdad; and in fact the adopted worldly knowledge too, burnt by the Mongols And on the other hand, no science, reason and philosophy was left to be promoted since it laid roots in sectarian strife: the Shaii’s own it And more so the philosophers averted Muslims from Islam and faith as according to the Ulema of Madrassa Nizamiyyah established in the 11th century

Lately in the 18th and 19th centuries modernism borne by the imperial powers posed again a threat to the Islamic civilization This time modernity was the evil implanted by the imperial powers The youth and Western-educated class got a new look at the world different from those who wanted to preserve Islamic values This class had both Islam-oriented and Western- or science-oriented people

The fundamentalist class had to stand against the Western missionary propaganda and to tackle the evil of modernity penetrating in the youth Whereas the progressive class within the Muslims started their movements to reconcile between modernity and Islam

Although the fundamentalists repudiated the progressive scholars stance of Islamic modernism however they did not have an alternative as Muslim societies around the world were at worst breathing their existence within the imperial powers Muhammad Abduh in Egypt, Sayyed Ahmad Khan in India, Sayyed Jamal Uddin in Iran Rashid Rida in Syria among others strongly upheld that the predicament of modernity could be coped only with reason and intellect

The fundamentalists were mainly bent on a noreform agenda and their core value was imitation of early Muslim society Whereas the Islamic modernists wished to reform Islamic principles according to the modern world challenges The progressive group also endeavoured to master the knowledge and technologies by virtue of which the West had subjugated most of the Muslim world Two major world wars boomeranged the Western influence in the colo-

There is a need to promote the progressive reformists within the Islamic community, those who challeng e the status quo and openly put forward a humanitarian and positive stance on minorities, human rights and g ender equality. The establishment of an Islamic society will ensue only after making an inclusive environment where the life and dignity of ever y human being is safe and respected

The Global Securit y Initiative: Expectations and Implications for the World

IN an era defined by interconnectedness and shared challenges global security has emerged as a paramount concern Against this backdrop China s Global Security Initiative (GSI) assumes a significant role in shaping a safer world The GSI, which Chinese President Xi Jinping introduced in February this year, has garnered interest from scholarly experts in Chinese studies since its inception

As China rises as a global power expectations from the GSI are high and rightly so This proactive and comprehensive initiative holds huge potential to promote international cooperation, address security threats, and foster sustainable peace As this initiative gains traction, it is critical to examine the expectations and implications for the rest of the world GSI revolves around multiple core concepts A primary expectation from the GSI is its commitment to multilateralism The success of any global initiative depends on international collaboration and cooperation In order to encourage inclusive dialogue, consensus-building, and collective decision-making when addressing security challenges the GSI must build on this foundation and further strengthen the current multilateral structures Global security is significantly threatened by cross-border risks like terrorism and organized crime, and the world expects proactive action from the GSI in mitigating these dangers China’s history in managing internal security crises especially its counter-terrorism activities in Xinjiang makes it a key player in international anti-terrorism initiatives The GSI should collaborate with other nations to enhance the exchange of intelligence, orchestrate operations, and devise efficient strategies to counter terrorism

Moreover, as societies evolve towards greater digitalization the importance of cybersecurity as a fundamental aspect of global security is enhanced The GSI is expected to encourage global cooperation in cybersecurity matters, including the establishment of standards for responsible cyberspace conduct by states, enhancing capabilities, and sharing infor-

mation China with its rich cybersecurity knowledge and rapidly growing technological abilities is a pivotal participant in this sector It is irrefutable that conflict and instability causes substantial damage to global security; the GSI possesses considerable potential to foster a meaningful shift in the promotion of global peace and dispute resolutions As a permanent member of the UN Security Council China’s capacity to influence international peacekeeping endeavours and mediation initiatives is greatly amplified The GSI should take a practical role in aiding peacekeeping operations, promoting diplomatic communication, and offering logistical support to nations going through conflicts

The GSI is also expected to prioritise environmental security by promoting sustainable development and addressing climate-related risks China is committed to achieving carbon neutrality by 2060 and has immense investments in renewable energy which make it an influential actor in this domain Moreover, during instances of humanitarian emergencies and natural catastrophes the world expects the GSI to play a pivotal role in delivering immediate and efficient aid and disaster relief

China has already effectively persuaded numerous countries to endorse the concept of the GSI Although the idea might have been ambiguous, when it was proposed by President Xi at the SCO Council of Heads of State in Uzbekistan the initiative was rapidly backed by the majority of SCO members that is Azerbaijan

The transition of the GSI from rhetoric to reality is still in progress, although China has presented numerous rebranding frameworks to other countries, but few have advanced beyond BeijingÊs merely nominal endorsement, raising doubts about this initiativeÊs chances of taking off

Belarus Iran Kazakhstan Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan In addition to these over 80 nations and regional organizations including Cambodia Mongolia Cuba Uruguay and Nicaragua have expressed their appreciation Pakistan also strongly supports the Global Development Initiative, a similar Initiative aimed at expediting the process of achieving Sustainable Development Goals (SDGS) 2030 and the GSI In Africa and the Middle East the GSI has been used in a variety of foreign policy and diplomatic initiatives Moreover Gulf governments consider the GSI as well aligned with their security views, hence it will likely receive support from different parts of the Gulf region

However despite this initial enthusiasm the GSI will face significant challenges in the actual implementation It is essential to comprehend the actual capacity of China to implement the GSI as it appears to function more as a rhetorical tool to promote Chinese perspectives on global security governance than as a concrete strategy for establishing a Chinese world order within the realistic framework of China’s role as a participant in international security It is believed that the GSI actually lacks the necessary regulatory tools to carry out President Xi s aspirational policy objectives, and it also needs an economic programme in addition to security measures The transition of the GSI from rhetoric to reality is still in progress although China has presented numerous rebranding frameworks to other countries but few have advanced beyond Beijing s merely nominal endorsement raising doubts about this initiative s chances of taking off Therefore, it is crucial to track the progress of the GSI over the coming years and how it relates to China’s larger objectives of reforming global governance It is also imperative to take into account the practical limitations that will be placed on China when analysing its motivations Eventually for the GSI process is as important as results and even if the most specialized components of the GSI results in few concrete policy outcomes, the overall initiative will still foster a friendly international network

nial world resulting in the emancipation of nations

In the middle of the 20th century, a number of Muslim countries got independence from the colonial powers Despite the fact that the Muslim world entered a new phase of nation-state and Westminster democracy the fundamentalist theologian class grew even further and posed a serious threat to democracy

Not due to the open ground left by the colonial powers but by the state-sponsored liberalism and secular values, as these were imposed Democracy is about political development, institutionalization and secular values for the ultimate goal of an inclusive environment and prosperity However the fundamentalist class didn t accede to it In Turkey Iran Egypt and Pakistan a reactionary fury was staged against these values

Much has been said about the redundancy of religious ideology as soon as socialism, secularism, liberalism got to the mainstream politics Yet not only the nation-states endorsed it, but they were pushed to the newly established states by the West However the Islamist groups present in the Muslim states have not accepted secular values and most of the time do not deem the state as a separate identity from an individual For that reason, they have always supported parties and groups having authoritarian tendencies These groups have a different view regarding genders, minorities, and human rights They have yet not accepted the 21st century and that’s why they are always silent over the atrocities against minorities and religious victims

With a worldwide hot debate on Islamic reforms and Ijtihad, Islamist groups in the Muslim world are suppressing the Islamist progressive Scholars and movements and labelling them as Western agents Pakistan too is witnessing a situation where an Islamic scholar not having got a certificate from a Deoband-affiliated madrasa is not deemed an Islamic scholar and hence rejected by the vast community There is a need to promote the progressive reformists within the Islamic community, those who challenge the status quo and openly put forward a humanitarian and positive stance on minorities, human rights and gender equality The establishment of an Islamic society will ensue only after making an inclusive environment where the life and dignity of every human being is safe and respected

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

Heritage preser vation

FROM the ancient archaeological sites of Mohenjo-Daro and Taxila to the stunning Mughal architecture of Lahore’s Badshahi Mosque and the vibrant traditions of Sindh’s Thar Desert our country is a treasure trove of history and beauty However in the face of modernisation and globalisation our cultural heritage is faced with the risk of erosion We must take proactive measures to safeguard and promote our cultural identity We need to invest in the preservation and restoration of historical sites and monuments These landmarks not only serve as a link to our past but also attract tourists contributing to the economy and promoting cultural exchange Education plays a vital role in nurturing an appreciation for our cultural heritage Integrating cultural studies into the curriculum and organising educational trips to heritage sites can instill a sense of pride and understanding among the younger generation We should also encourage the promotion of traditional arts crafts and music Supporting local artisans and providing platforms for them to showcase their skills will not only preserve our cultural heritage but also create economic opportunities for communities Lastly, public awareness campaigns and cultural festivals can serve as powerful tools to celebrate and showcase our diverse heritage These events can bring people together fostering a sense of unity and pride in our shared cultural roots In conclusion preserving Pakistan s cultural heritage is not just a responsibility; it is a testament to our identity as a nation HIBA ZAINAB KARACHI

Climate challenges in Chitral

F O R the last several years, Chitral has been experiencing heavy rainfall and subsequent floods that have destroyed critical infrastructure It is becoming increasingly difficult for people to live in the region because of the frequent and intense rainfall People who depend on agriculture for their livelihoods are struggling to get by as heavy rains have destroyed the crops The region has been disconnected from the rest of the country as roads and highways have been wrecked by the recent floods The lack of government attention has left the residents of Chitral feeling neglected and abandoned The absence of aid and relief efforts has worsened the dire situation leaving the affected communities to fend for themselves in the aftermath of each devastating flood The concerned authorities must rise to the occasion and address these challenges to reduce people s miseries Immediate action should be taken to provide relief to the Chitral s residents In addition long-term strategies must be implemented to understand the causes of the emerging climate challenges and equip the region with adequate infrastructure to mitigate the impact of climate change on vulnerable regions AQIBULLAH CHITRAL

Nutrient-rich diet

PROVIDING children with a nutrient-rich diet is essential to support their growth and well-being Nutrient-rich food can be included in daily meals to ensure that children eat a balanced diet from a young age Many young children nowadays prefer snacks and fast-food items over healthier options Perhaps, food and beverage manufacturers should tap into this unexplored market and introduce healthier snacking items for children Given their significant influence, these companies must leverage the opportunity to positively shape the health and nutrition of the young generation Collaboration with nutrition experts is a key aspect of this endeavour By consulting professionals in the field companies can ensure that the products they offer are well-balanced and provide the necessary nutrients for healthy growth and development This partnership can lead to the formulation of food items with higher levels of fibre, protein, calcium, iron, and other vital nutrients

IN D I A N Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited France from 13 July to 14 July, which holds a place in the international arena

There were two major reasons for Modi to visit France First, he had been invited by French President Emmanuel Macron as a guest of honour for the National Day of France Bastille Day which falls on July 14 Secondly that visit also marked the 25th anniversary of the Franco-Indian Strategic Partnership and its continuation through Horizon2047 The strategic partnership between both states is a bilateral agreement made between French President Jacques Chirac and Indian PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee The partnership between India and France started when India emerged on the world map in 1947 but afterward in 1998 it turned into a Strategic Partnership Both India and France possess similar attributes keeping in view their history of politics in the international realm, and that finds a common reason for both countries to move towards multipolarity in the South Asian region and the European region respectively to have strategic autonomy

The recent visit by Modi had great significance for both India and France in terms of defence economy cultural diplomacy and climate issues as well This visit also paved the way for the continuation of the strategic partnership by providing a roadmap under the project Horizon-2047 for the next 25 years Under the project “Horizon-2047,” there would be cooperation in the sectors such as defence nuclear energy space technology cultural exchanges and much more Due to the strategic partnership with France both states agreed to the Rafale jet deal (36 planes) in 2016 and the European pressurized water reactors (EPR) to be installed in 2018 at the Jaitapur nuclear power project

Keeping in view the historical evidence, France, when becoming a nuclear power in the European region was

focused more on autonomy, independence from the great powers (the USA and Russia, then the USSR), and its position at the international level at that time India also started its nuclear weapons programme not because of security reasons but to attain the status of a powerful and modern state and to cherish the weapon for its popularity in domestic politics as well Moreover in the recent times of violation of human rights in Manipur, France did not raise its voice for those people who are abused due to the strategic partnership with India India followed suit when an Algerian immigrant teenager in France was brutally killed So in terms of diplomatic ties both countries are very well-knotted with each other and support the autonomy of their countries at the global and regional level from external pressures to ensure their self-interest

In contemporary times, both the leader,s PM Modi and President Macron, are seen as balance shapers Both Modi and Macron followed the footsteps of Indian PM Jawaharlal Nehru and French President Charles de Gaulle at the global level India and France seem to oppose the global hegemony of a superpower Both have a vision of multipolarity and are striving to reduce their reliance on global powers For instance, France and India are moving towards having strategic partnerships and mutual defence agreements with different countries at different levels i e , bilateral and multilateral The strategic partnership between France and India is one example of defence cooperation

Furthermore India is a member of the BRICS and Shanghai Cooperation Organization and its active participation propagates its strategic autonomy in its decisions which makes the idea of multipolarity flourish because India is playing wisely with both the USA and Russia, and it is evident from the stance of India on the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war

India and France are sometimes seen as criticizing the policies and dominant position of the USA For instance, despite the sanctions on Russia, the crude oil of Russia accounted for about 40 percent of the imports of India in May 2023 with denting of the imports of India from Iraq and Saudi Arabia The same direction of policies can be observed from France’s perspective Despite supporting the USA and the European Union in sanctioning Russia and condemning Russia in the Ukraine war France is still importing oil from Russia It resonates with Macron s allied, but not aligned strategy and Indian External Affairs Minister Jaishankar s stance on international issues based on the national interest of India and the Indian people India has profoundly developed its diplomatic efforts and crystalized its stance in a very stable manner over the

T h e s t r a t e g i c p a r t n e r s h i p b e t w e e n I n d i a a n d F r a n c e i l l u s t r a t e s h o w a c o u n t r y l i k e I n d i a i n t h e g l o b a l S o u t h i s m a k i n g i t s p l a c e i n t h e g l o b a l a r e n a a n d i s t a k i n g s t e p s f o r t h e e m e r g e n c e o f a m u l t i p o l a r s y s t e m i n w h i c h I n d i a h a s i t s p l a c e I n t h e s a m e w a y, Pa k i s t a n m u s t a c t i v e l y e n g a g e i t s e l f w i t h e m e r g i n g p o w e r s a t t h e g l o b a l a n d r e g i o n a l l e v e l b e c a u s e Pa k i s t a n h a s t h e p o t e n t i a l t o o u t s t r i p I n d i a b e c a u s e o f i t s l o c a t i o n a n d i t s s t r e n g t h

Bharat: How Modi’s move to rename India could break the link with 1947

past or continues down Modi s chosen path of Hindutva ethno-nationalism

At one level the name change is a simple rejoinder to the recently formed alliance of 28 opposition parties who are gearing up for the general election by naming themselves INDIA But using the Sanskrit term Bharat is about much more than simple electoral competition For Hindu nationalists, it’s about the soul of the country

AKHAND

MIDDLE EAST EYE

i m r a n m U l l a a n d P e t e r o b o r n e

TH I S weekend, India hosts the G20 summit for leaders from around the world - and on Tuesday the government duly issued the official invitation to a state dinner Yet the invitation contained no reference to India Instead, it described the host country as Bharat, a Sanskrit term rooted in ancient Hindu scriptures This wasn’t a transcription error Over 75 years after independence Narendra Modi s India is preparing to change the nation s name The move may come within weeks

Many believe that a special session of parliament later in September will involve politicians from the ruling partysignificantly called the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) - proposing a resolution to officially call the country Bharat The entire country is demanding that we should use the word Bharat instead of India, declared Harnath Singh Yadav, a member of Parliament for Modi’s BJP “The word India is an abuse given to us by the British whereas the word Bharat is a symbol of our culture Sushil Modi one of the BJP s most prominent politicians echoed his sentiment The name India was given by the Britishers, he argued, defending the use of the name Bharat on the G20 dinner invitation

DECOLONISATION: There is a deep history behind this astonishing development Prime Minister Modi s government, which has governed India since 2014, has long since embarked on a process that it sees as decolonisation This means erasing British influence and Islamic rule both of which the Hindu nationalists in power see as oppressive

It also means fighting the old secular Indian nationalist elite which founded the country and governed it almost uninterruptedly through the Congress Party until 2014

Exemplified by Jawaharlal Nehru, India’s famously charming first prime minister Hindu nationalists have always viewed this elite as westernised and hopelessly out of touch with the people they governed

Undoing the identity constructed for the Republic of India when the British left in 1947 is central to the Hindu nationalist vision for the country

The name change on the G20 invitation comes as India prepares for what some see as the most important general election in the nation s history - a contest which will determine whether India maintains the pluralistic traditions of the

BHARAT: J Sai Deepak the foremost Hindu nationalist intellectual in India today, argues that Indian Hindus have had their minds twisted by Islamic and British rule to the extent that they have lost any understanding of Bharat, which he sees as an ancient Hindu concept Unsurprisingly he couldn t be more enthusiastic about the name change

Deepak is drawing on the ideas of Vinayak Savarkar, the man who, almost a century ago, articulated the first coherent vision of Hindu nationalism as we know it today Hindutva

It was centred on the idea of conflict with Muslims who Savarkar argued were essentially foreign He wrote of an ancient emperor called Bharat whose empire embraced the whole continent from the Indus to the sea and aimed to weld it into a nation”

In recent years this has led to the idea of Akhand (Undivided) Bharat to be an expansionist fantasy popular among Hindu nationalist politicians and ideologues For them it represents a unified polity encompassing India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Afghanistan, Nepal and Myanmar - with Modi’s BJP in Delhi undoubtedly in charge

In June India s minister of parliamentary affairs provoked a diplomatic row by tweeting a map of these places in ancient times displayed in India s new parliament with the caption: “The resolve is clear Akhand Bharat ” Pakistan’s foreign office instantly condemned what it called a revisionist and expansionist mindset and even the generally pro-Indian Bangladeshi government expressed its concern Akhand Bharat has never been more than a fantasy

For now

INDIA AS A CONSTRUCT:

Hindu nationalists aim to establish a Hindu Rashtra (Hindu Nation) within the borders of India that were drawn in 1947 This is an idea which threatens minorities within India but not, at this stage, adjacent nations

Now, in response to the rumours that India could adopt the name Bharat, local media reports in Pakistan are suggesting that their country could stake a claim to the name India

So far this is all just rumour but it recalls the controversy that surrounded the name India when British rule ended and India and Pakistan were formed as separate nation-states Muhammad Ali Jinnah the lawyerpolitician who led the All-India Muslim League and founded Pakistan was outraged that his nation s larger neighbour would be called India He believed that Pakistan was a part of India, the great landmass recognised as a coherent civil-

isation for centuries Jinnah saw India as a construct that was altogether greater than the two new nation-states He suggested calling what is today India Bharat or Hindustan signifying its membership of a larger and even more capacious entity called India Instead the Republic of India presented itself through its name as the natural successor to British India, with Pakistan as an aberration Jinnah never accepted this After partition he refused to renounce his claim to Indianness and even assumed for a while that he would be able to keep his mansion in Bombay and move easily between the two countries This was before the conflict over Kashmir, when many politicians in Pakistan and India alike thought that partition was only temporary and hoped for an eventual reunion

The historian Ayesha Jalal suggests that Jinnah never quite abandoned his strategy of bringing about an eventual union of India on the basis of Pakistan and Hindustan” This theory is unlikely to ever be proven or disproven but it is certainly true that until his death Jinnah insisted on reserving the name India for the entire subcontinent

FREED FROM THE CHAINS OF 1947: Ironically, if India’s Hindu nationalists achieve their aim and rename their country Bharat it would open up the possibility of the subcontinent s other countries emphasising their historical Indian identity With Indianness no longer being a political signifier, it could take on a cultural and civilisational meaning Almost certainly, it would eventually lead to the world describing the subcontinent as a whole as India

The semantic and psychological transformation would be immense You could speak of music produced in Pakistan as Indian music, and of Urdu as an Indian language - as both Jinnah and Nehru knew it was You could talk of Indians in Delhi Dhaka and Lahore

This is why the people most ardently opposed to the idea of renaming India are those wedded to the original Nehruvian conception of the Indian nation Prominent Congress politician and writer Shashi Tharoor is one example On Tuesday he argued that the name India “has incalculable brand value” and urged the government not to relinquish our claim to a name redolent of history Tharoor believes that by adopting the name Bharat, his country would renounce the exclusive claim to Indian identity that it adopted with partition He is correct By imposing its narrow vision of national identity on the country Hindu nationalism could finally unshackle the idea of India from the chains of 1947

Imran Mulla has written for The Critic, Conservative Home, Athwart, Panoramic the Magazine and Traversing Tradition among others

Peter Oborne won best commentary/blogging in both 2022 and 2017 and was also named freelancer of the year in

period India remained non-aligned during the Cold War era when the world was divided into two poles Later it has done what was good for its country at the international and regional levels and for the interest of its people

This kind of diplomatic effort gets its strength when the government or stakeholders of a country are serious about the betterment of its people such that India has been engaged with both Russia and the USA even after so much pressure from the superpower the USA Pakistan also needs to diminish those diplomatic efforts from aligning with the emerging states or the so-called superpower (USA) into mutually agreed upon partnerships

The paramount focal point of the diplomatic efforts of emerging global powers such as China is flexibility and openness In the same way Pakistan needs to have a stable democratic process that could endeavour for neutral and flexible public diplomacy efforts and engage with any state based on parity and mutual national interests of the respective people

The Indo-French strategic partnership presents a crystal-clear example of the mutually agreed upon agreement between two states to foster advancements in different fields This also insinuates the efforts to promote a multipolar world system which may be more peaceful than a world order that is controlled by a sole superpower

The strategic partnership between India and France illustrates how a country like India in the global South is making its place in the global arena and is taking steps for the emergence of a multipolar system in which India has its place In the same way Pakistan must actively engage itself with emerging powers at the global and regional level because Pakistan has the potential to outstrip India because of its location and its strength

The writer is a freelance columnist

How an insecure France criminalises Muslim children

stop there

TH E end of August marks the beginning of the new French political season It s when government officials back from their summer break introduce their new policies In that context newly-appointed Minister of Education

Gabriel Attal announced on live TV the banning of the abaya a traditional long dress worn by Muslim women, in state schools Attal is an ambitious and trusted right-hand man for President Emmanuel Macron He justified the ban by framing the wearing of the abaya as an “attack on secularism” According to education officials a significant number of Muslim girls have worn this garment during recent academic years This is a natural expression of the girls Muslimness and attachment to their heritage, but has been met with moral panic in France A series of polls indicated strong and overwhelming opposition to the wearing of traditional garments in state schools One school teacher described the abaya as a disturbing and threatening phenomenon A secretary of state accused networks of radical Islam of weakening the Republic” through the promotion of the abaya Moral panic and systemic Islamophobia ultimately ushered in this latest policy update

The ban will not require new legislation The 2004 law banning any religious ostentatious symbol from state schools has already been chosen as the legal stick with which to beat Muslim girls The law was originally used to target hijab Its remit has now been expanded to include the abaya

To foreign eyes yet another Islamophobic French controversy looks preposterous; even incomprehensible French Muslims however were not surprised This widespread irrational fear of any expression of Muslimness, especially by children, is part and parcel of French governance and psyche

In the past 30 years French schools have become a space for political conflict Renewed practice of Islam and interest in Islamic education within the Muslim community coupled with the advent of the Islamophobic securitisation narrative of the so-called War on Terror”, have encouraged severe Republican repression in France The state has identified Muslim children as important targets With Islam depicted as an existential threat to French even Western civilisation it became essential for younger generations of Muslims to be assimilated without delay by forcing them to abandon their religious identity So, hijab was banned in state education facilities This didn’t stop girls and women from wearing it though They continued to wear it outside the facilities and simply removed it once inside in scenes reminiscent of the colonial uncoverings The persecution of Muslims didn t

Grassroots community activists have collected numerous testimonies from Muslim girls questioned by their school principals about dresses deemed to be suspiciously long At the request of the interior ministry, state schools in the south of France recorded the identity of Muslim children who attended Eid Al-Fitr celebrations Since the implementation of the systematic obstruction policy and the adoption of the anti-Separatism Law Islamic schools have either been closed or harassed by state officials who use indirect and artificial legal means to target them Muslim children, like their parents before them are now regarded as security threats in the making Their very existence is therefore criminalised by a nation that historically regards Muslim identity and empowerment as catalysts of its own decline

This approach is not new; European colonial authorities used similar tactics In Algeria under French occupation the teaching of Islam and of the Arabic language was curtailed severely Muslim freedom fighters opposed this policy and established the foundations of their liberation struggle upon the spread of Islamic knowledge, which became the main source of Muslim political growth and success Assimilative educational policy was nothing but a path to serfdom and political quietism As a result the indigenous code outlawed public criticism of France and its government by Muslims France maintained a suspicious eye on Muslim empowerment, as this was equated with the state’s strategic downgrade

Nowadays, the education system remains pivotal to the survival and success of the Republic It is the ground where the seeds for its long-term purpose can be planted For French children education provides the environment where Republican supremacy can be rooted firmly The state seeks to establish an education system that destroys the ability of the Muslim community to express legitimate political dissent rooted in their faith It is intended to cut Muslims ties with their spiritual lineage and practice The abaya ban has to be viewed within the context of this destructive, Islamophobic endeavour

The French nation is currently going through a strategic crisis Its ongoing loss of international influence especially in the Muslim world has triggered a wave of anxiety and self-doubt To protect its declining status policymakers seek to emphasise the necessity to have a more united, resilient and, in the end, Republican France To achieve this goal, Islamophobia is needed to silence the political growth of a dissenting minority

Despite its strenuous efforts though the results are poor In the past three years alone France has lost significant influence over some Muslim former colonies such as Mali, Niger and Gabon Moreover, draconian Islamophobic policies have failed to deter Muslim children from maintaining a strong attachment to Islam

Some of them have prayed in their schools challenging the official Islamophobic hatred directed at them They have also observed a one-minute silence in commemoration of the memory of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), in stark opposition to the frequent blasphemous cartoons which target him

It is unlikely that the abaya ban will remove the bond that young Muslims have with their faith On the contrary state injustice is only likely to breed its own future strongest rival

C O U R T T O R U L E O N F R E N C H

A B AYA , M U S L I M D R E S S B A N

FR A N C E’s highest administrative court is to rule on Thursday whether a school ban on abayas traditional over-garments worn by some Muslim women, is legal

President Emmanuel Macron’s government announced last month it was banning the abaya in schools saying it broke the rules on secularism in education that have already seen Muslim headscarves banned on the grounds that they constitute a display of religious affiliation

But an association representing Muslims filed a motion with the State Council France’s highest court for complaints against state authorities for an injunction against the ban on the abaya and the qamis its equivalent dress for men

The association argued the ban was discriminatory and could incite hatred against Muslims, as well as racial profiling

The State Council has been examining the motion filed by the Action for the

Rights of Muslims (ADM), since Tuesday and said it would rule on Thursday France s Council of the Muslim Faith (CFCM) established to represent Muslims before the government warned that banning the abaya could create an elevated risk of discrimination and said it was considering putting its own complaint before the State Council

Exclusive: India’s Reliance explores chipmaking foray, talking with potential par tners

PR OFIT R E U T E R S

Billionaire Mukesh Ambani’s Reliance Industries (RELI NS) has begun exploring a foray into semiconductor manufacturing a move that could address its supply chain needs and cater to growing chip demand in India, two people familiar with its strategy said

The telecoms-to-energy conglomerate, encouraged by the Indian government, has held early-stage talks with foreign chipmakers that have the potential to become technology partners said one of the people who has direct knowledge of the plans

There is intent there is no timeline said the person, adding that Reliance has yet to make a call on whether they want to ultimately invest The names of the foreign chipmakers could not be immediately learned

The sources were not authorised to speak to media and declined to be identified Reliance whose interest in making semiconductors has not been previously reported, did not respond to repeated requests for comment India’s IT ministry and Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s office also did not respond to requests for comment Modi has declared he wants his country to become a chipmaker for the world but those ambitions first laid out in 2021 have suffered setbacks The country does not as yet have any chip manufacturing plants, although India s Vedanta (VDAN NS) and Taiwan s Foxconn (2317 TW) are both looking at building facilities

Reliance sees merit in getting into semiconductors as the move would help safeguard against chip shortages that could affect its telecom and electronic devices businesses the sources said In 2021 for example, the conglomerate delayed the launch of a low-cost smartphone it was developing with Google (GOOGL O) citing the chip shortage Demand for semiconductors in India and globally is also increasing they noted India’s government has forecast the domestic chip market will be worth $80 billion by 2028 compared with $23 billion currently Reliance which has a market capitalisation of around $200 billion, would be one the best-positioned companies in India to delve into semiconductors, said Arun Mampazhy, a former India executive at U Sbased chipmaker GlobalFoundries

They also have deep pockets and know how to work with the government he said

China, Indonesia to enhance synergy of strategies as Premier Li meets President Widodo

JAKARTA

ADM president Sihem Zine said the rule was “sexist” because it singles out girls and “targets Arabs” But the education ministry said the abaya made its wearers immediately recognisable as belonging to the Muslim religion French schools sent dozens of girls home for refusing to remove their abayas a shoulder-to-toe over-garment on the first day of the school year on Monday

Nearly 300 schoolgirls defied the ban Education Minister Gabriel Attal said Most agreed to change garments but 67 refused and were sent home, he said

The absence of “a clear definition of this garment creates vagueness and legal uncertainty it said ADM s lawyer Vincent Brengarth argued during the court hearing that the abaya should be considered a traditional garment, not a religious one He also accused the government of seeking political advantage with the ban

In 2016 the State Council overturned a ban in a French Riviera resort against the burkini saying it failed to see any threat to public order from the long bathing suit worn by some Muslim women

Around 10 percent of France s 67 million inhabitants are Muslim according to official estimates

Most have origins in northern African countries Algeria, Morocco and Tunisia which were French colonies until the second half of the 20th century

M a l i r i v e r b o a t , b a s e a t t a c k s k i l l 6 4

BAMAKO A G E N C I E S

Attacks on an army base and a passenger boat on the Niger River in northern Mali on Thursday by suspected jihadists killed 64 people, a Malian official said

The two separate attacks targeted the Timbuktu boat on the Niger river and an army position at Bamba in the northern Gao region with a provisional toll of 49 civilians and 15 soldiers killed” according to a government statement It did not specify how many died in each assault but the assaults were claimed by a group affiliated to Al-Qaeda

Earlier the Malian army said on social media that the boat was attacked around 1100 GMT by armed terrorist groups The vessel, plying an

established route between cities along the river was targeted by at least three rockets which aimed at its engines, the operator Comana said separately

The vessel was immobilised on the river and the army are evacuating passengers a Comanav official said speaking on condition of anonymity Images on social media showed a cloud of black smoke rising above the river The incident took place in a remote area and the images could not be verified independently The Niger is a vital transport link in a region where road infrastructure is poor and railways absent The attack comes after an al-Qaeda-linked alliance the Support Group for Islam and Muslims (GSIM), announced last month that it was blockading Timbuktu the historic cross-

roads city of northern Mali

The impoverished state has been struggling with insecurity since 2012, when a revolt led by ethnic Tuaregs erupted in the troubled north The insurgency was fanned by jihadists who three years later took their own campaign into central Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso, sending shockwaves across the Sahel In northern Mali, the regional rebellion was formally ended by a peace agreement signed between the rebels and the Malian government in 2015

However, the fragile deal came under strain after the civilian government was toppled in 2020 and replaced by a junta Tensions in the region have revived in recent weeks after the UN peacekeeping mission in Mali, which has been told to leave by year’s end handed

First phase of Fukushima water release to end Monday

The first phase of releasing treated waste water from Fukushima that has angered China will end on Monday as planned, the stricken Japanese nuclear plant’s operator said TEPCO added that levels of radioactive tritium in tested seawater samples near the plant in north-east Japan were within safe limits according to a statement late Thursday Japan began on August 24 discharging into the Pacific some of the 1 34 million tonnes of waste water that has collected since a tsunami crippled the facility in 2011 Japan insists that the discharge is safe a view backed by the UN atomic agency, but China banned all seafood imports from its neighbour, accusing it of treating the sea like a “sewer” Announcing the end of the first phase of releasing 7 800 tonnes of the water on September 11 TEPCO gave no

date for the start of the second discharge

“After completion of the first discharge we will conduct an inspection of (the) entire water dilution/discharge facility and review the operational records from the first discharge it said It added that a leak alarm sounded on Wednesday in a waste water transfer line, but that no leak was detected Staff “quickly conducted a field inspection in accordance with safety check procedures and it was confirmed that there was no leak of treated water the statement said The water equivalent to 540 Olympic pools worth, has been used to cool the three reactors that went into meltdown in 2011, in one of the world’s worst nuclear catastrophes Japan says that all radioactive elements have been filtered out except tritium levels of which are well within safe limits and below that released by nuclear plants in their normal operations around the world

China firmly opposes US’ repor ted probe into Huawei chips

BEIJING

China’s Foreign Ministry said on Friday that products and services from any country are welcome in China as long as they are in line with Chinese laws and regulations, responding to US media reports claiming that China is restricting use of Apple s iPhones by government officials Mao Ning, a spokesperson for the ministry, noted that China’s open attitude is in stark contrast to crackdown and containment policies targeting Chinese businesses imposed by “certain countries ” Mao also expressed firm opposition to a reported

China is ready to work with Indonesia to implement the important consensus reached by the two countries’ heads of state, further enhance the synergy of development strategies promote the common development of the two countries and inject lasting impetus into regional stability and prosperity Chinese Premier Li Qiang said in talks with Indonesian President Joko Widodo in Jakarta on Friday, as the leaders are heading to the G20 Summit in India following the conclusion of the ASEAN Summit Widodo’s meeting with Premier Li marks the second high-level meeting between Indonesia and its largest trading partner in two months after Indonesian president s meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping at the end of July in China The Indonesian president said the comprehensive strategic partnership between Indonesia and China has yielded fruitful results in recent years He added that his country will continue to carry forward the Bandung Spirit and stands ready to work with China to promote regional cooperation and jointly safeguard regional peace stability and prosperity according to the Xinhua News Agency During the visit, the two sides signed a number of bilateral cooperation documents on industry, agriculture, fishery, e-commerce, and scientific and technological innovation Chinese experts said the relatively high frequency of exchanges between the leaders and high-ranking officials of China

CORPORATE CORNER

Auto parts makers’ production shrinks to less than 30%

The 55% drop in auto OEM s volumes during the financial year 2023 and the current sluggish demand amid rapid inflation and higher taxes have shrunk the production of auto parts manufacturers to less than 30% We manufacture 459 dies and 155 parts for the auto industry and for that we have invested billions of rupees from 2019 to 2023 but due to current issues of the industry our production has shrunk to less than 30% from 140% said Mohsin Siddiqui General Manager Plant at Agriauto He informed that they invested Rs 2 5 billion only for Toyota Cross, Pakistan s first hybrid electric vehicle, but the auto industry’s current demand and supply issues are nullifying their overall investments It is worth adding here that all big OEMs were forced to shut their plants due to low demand as Indus Motor Company shut its plants for 58 days Honda Car for 78 days and Suzuki Motors for 89 days from October 2022 to August 2023 PR

Hosting Women’s ODI Cricket at National Bank Cricket Stadium an honor: NBP President

AGRICULTURE UNIVERSIT Y OF CHINA RECRUITING TALENT FROM PAKISTAN

ISLAMABAD S TA F F R E P O R T

TH E research group of Prof Dr

He Cheng at China Agriculture University (CAU), Beijing is offering PhD and post-doctoral positions to Pakistani candidates in “Control of major livestock disease in Pakistan using China-aid technologies of key veterinary vaccines and diagnostic assay

The project aims to develop and promote key vaccines and diagnostic technologies by using cell fermentations and molecular biology techniques in order to control major livestock diseases and contribute to animal products exported to international markets

A Chinese Professor at College of Veterinary Medicine, CAU told Gwadar Pro that Pakistan and China are leading more than 50 collaborative projects in

agriculture and animal husbandry H o w e v e r t h e l i v e s t o c k s e c t o r d o e s n o t c o n t r i b u t e t o G D P w i t h i t s f u l l s t r e n g t h a n d s t i l l n e e d s a l o t o f i m p r o v e m e n t

governor

K A R A C H I: The National Bank of Pakistan (NBP), under the leadership of its President, Rehmat Ali Hasnie, proudly announces its role as the presenting sponsor for the Women's One Day International (ODI) cricket series between Pakistan and South Africa This exciting development not only signifies NBP s dedication to nurturing young cricketing talent but also underscores its commitment to the empowerment and recognition of women in sports In a statement, Mr Rehmat Ali Hasnie President of the National Bank of Pakistan expressed his immense pleasure and honor as NBP embraced this pivotal moment in women s cricket Cricket transcends being just a sport; it becomes an emotion, especially in our part of the world When women step onto the field, they carry not only the hopes of a match victory but also the dreams and aspirations of countless young girls who look up to them for inspiration The courage dedication and resilience displayed by these athletes are truly commendable and serve as beacons for future generations Both Pakistan and South Africa have produced exceptional talent in women's cricket, and the upcoming ODI series promises not only highquality cricketing action but also conveys a powerful message of unity breaking barriers and challenging the status quo "At NBP we believe in empowerment and potential Our association with this ODI series is a testament to our commitment to uplift and acknowledge the remarkable contributions of women from all walks of life PR

EFU General Insurance wins prestigious 20th Annual Environment Excellence Award 2023

EFU General takes great pride in announcing its recent achievement as the recipient of the esteemed 20th Annual Environment Excellence Award 2023 by National Forum of Environment and Health

(NFEH) This accolade recognizes EFU General Insurance's unwavering commitment towards incorporating sustainable practices and environmental stewardship within its operations

The company has consistently strived to develop innovative solutions that not only meet the needs of its clients but also align with the broader goal of protecting and conserving the environment The company remains committed to driving meaningful change, spreading ecological awareness, and fostering a greener and healthier environment for future generations PR

SKH becomes cer tified for high quality c ancer c are

The Shaukat Khanum Memorial Cancer Hospital and Research Centre received certification by the Quality Oncology Practice Initiative (QOPI®) Certification Program, which is associated with the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) This recognition by ASCO makes Pakistan the first country in South Asia and the sixth country in the world to have obtained this certification outside of the USA The QOPI® Certification Program provides a three-year certification for outpatient haematology-oncology practices that meet internationally recognised standards for quality cancer care The certification for SKMCH&RC demonstrates the hospital s commitment to providing high-quality care for all patients irrespective of their ability to pay SKMCH&RC voluntarily participated in a comprehensive site assessment and successfully met the standards and objectives of the QOPI® Certification Program This is a proud moment not only for the hospital but also for the country PR

K A R A C H I: Governor Sindh Kamran Khan Tessori has said mafias and their system would not be allowed any more to operate in the province and stern action would be initiated against them This he said while addressing a press conference with the leaders of business community here at Governor House Chairman Trade Development Authority of Pakistan (TDAP) Zubair Motiwala was also present on the occasion Governor Sindh further said that Chief of Army Staff General Asim Muneer has decided to focus on economic terrorism alongside combating terrorism on borders "He has reiterated that everyone should concentrate on reviving economy as it was essential for survival of the country", Governor Sindh added He further said that the country need all us in these testing times Each and everyone should put Pakistan first at all costs he stressed Governor Sindh said that he was thankful for the trust of business community and was trying to resolve their energy related problems "I have held meetings with caretaker Prime Minister and caretaker Ministers for finance energy and industries in Islamabad and conveyed them the recommendations of KCCI regarding their issues he informed PR

Pakistan Nav y celebrates Nav y D ay with traditional fer vour

K A R A C H I: Pakistan Navy celebrated 58th anniversary of Navy Day to honour heroic achievements of our Ghazis and Shuhadas who fought gallantly against a much bigger adversary with absolute courage and profound faith in Allah SWT Navy Day is a glorious reminiscence of daring operation ‘SOMNATH’ when Pakistan Navy’s Warships destroyed important shore installations and inflicted irreparable damage to the Indian pride Pakistan Navy lone Submarine GHAZI reigned and remained unchallenged at sea throughout the war, because of which the complete Indian Navy did not dare to come out in the open sea and challenge the PN Fleet PR

eminar: ‘Pakistan Air Force : S econd to None’

The Centre for Aerospace & Security Studies (CASS), Lahore organized a commemorative seminar titled "Pakistan Air Force : Second to None" on September 7 2023 This event paid tribute to the enduring legacy of the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) rooted in Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah s vision of being Second to None The 1965 and 1971 wars tested PAF s mettle, resulting in shining victories and showcasing professionalism The seminar's goal was to extract invaluable lessons from these historical chapters guiding the PAF's pursuit of becoming a topnotch air force committed to defending the nation with unwavering excellence PR

He said that this is basically due to t h e c h a l l e n g e s o f d e v a s t a t i n g d i s e a s e s f a c e d b y P a k i s t a n s u c h a s F o o t a n d M o u t h D i s e a s e ( F M D ) , B r u c e l l o s i s , P e s t e d e s P e t i t s R u m i n a n t s ( P P R ) ,

GB govt, Nestlé promote nutritional awareness, sustainability educ ation

GILGIT: Government of Gilgit-Baltistan (GB) and Nestlé Pakistan inaugurated the Nestlé for Healthier Kids (N4HK) room in at KG Model School for Girls in Skardu and conducted trainings for 250 teachers on nutritional awareness and sustainability education with an aim to reach out to more than 15000 children under its flagship N4HK program in Gilgit, Skardu, Shigar and Kharmang N4HK is Nestlé’s global nutritional awareness initiative which supports teachers and caregivers on their journey to raise healthier kids through a curriculum-based education program promoting healthy nutrition, hydration, hygiene and active lifestyles The N4HK rooms in partner schools provide a way for teachers and educators to reinforce importance of good nutrition concept for children Speaking about the partnership Mohyuddin Ahmad Wani Chief Secretary Gilgit Baltistan said This partnership is a way for teachers and educators to reinforce importance of good nutrition for children in classroom through fun and engaging activities Kids are the future of Pakistan and it is important that we encourage them to get involved in activities that inform them about sustainability and conservation practices ” he said while also recognizing Nestlé s other recycling initiatives in the region PR

IESCO power suspension schedule

According to Islamabad Electric Supply Company (IESCO) s spokesman, System Maintenance/Development Work is in process Therefore power supply of below mentioned feeders/areas will be temporary suspended as per given schedule: On 09th September 2023 From 08:00 AM to 01:00 PM Islamabad Circle Comsat Chhata Bakhtawar Park Enclave Lahtrar Tramiri ISI Rahara PHA Kuri Road, CM Pak Zong, Isolation Hospital Feeders, From 06:00 AM to 11:00 AM, Cantt Circle, Shahpur Feeder, From 07:00 AM to 12:00 Noon Islamabad Circle I-8/4 Service Road Muslim Town FHS Jinnah Camp KRL Feeders Rawalpindi Cantt Circle IST New Rawat Lalkarti Cantt Kohala Murt Old Rawat New Rawat CWO, AOWHS, Sparco, Karnab Kaswal Feeders,

Av i a n I n f l u e n z a , S a l m o n e l l o s i s a n d c u r r e n t l y n e w e m e rg i n g L u m p y s k i n disease (LSD)

The coordination in mutual trade can only be achieved to develop and implement a feasible technology-based project between the two countries where the Chinese counterpart is fully equipped with advanced technologies in this regard, the Chinese professor added

During the 2-year course, the Pakistani students will do the Surveillance program of major livestock diseases in sheep water buffalos and dairy cows using antibody tests antigen detections and molecular approaches

The selected candidates will get a chance to help in coordination of developing key vaccines and diagnostic tests with Pakistani research institutes or energetic enterprises They will also organize training programs and institute meetings at national and international conferences

PTA, TikTok sign MoU to foster safer digital environment

K A R A C H I: The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) and TikTok signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for collaboration to promote digital safety in government schools across Pakistan through a multifaceted approach The program includes comprehensive training programs and guidelines for teachers parents and students that will be covered through workshops seminars webinars awareness videos etc to shed light on the legitimate use of social media associated risks and how to tackle the nuisance affectively and wisely This partnership is a testament to PTA's dedication towards safeguarding the interests of the public in the digital realm PR

NTDC MD prioritizes maintenance of transmission lines, grid stations as key for uninterrupted power supply

L A H O R E: The Managing Director National Transmission and Despatch Company Limited (NTDC) Engr Dr Rana Abdul Jabbar Khan has issued directives to the engineers of Asset Management (North) to develop a maintenance plan for transmission lines and grid stations The aim is to enhance the reliability of the system and ensure a smooth power supply during winter and adverse weather conditions Engr Dr Rana Abdul Jabbar Khan emphasized that washing replacement of insulators and other maintenance works must be completed before the foggy / winter season He was addressing a large gathering of engineers from Asset Management North at WAPDA House In addition, MD NTDC inaugurated the Transmission Line Monitoring System application and directed immediate monitoring of aging transmission lines as well as the development of remedial strategies PR

KE combats power theft, conduc ts 14,000 drives this year

S eparate MDC AT exam likely for flood-affec ted students

I S L A M A B A D: The separate MDCAT examination for the students of flood affected areas or with any other valid reason will be convened after consultation with the provincial governments According to a circular issued by the Acting Registrar of Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (PMDC) the Caretaker Federal Minister for Health Dr Nadeem Jan has taken sympathetic view of the plight of the students facing difficulties

It said that same PMDC approved syllabus will apply which is already available on PMDC website The council clarified that the rest of the already registered candidates MDCAT examination is going to be convened nationwide on the already decided date which is September 10, (Sunday) 2023 PR

K A R A C H I: Amid a nationwide focus on curbing the biggest deterrents of uninterrupted supplyelectricity theft and non-payment of bills KE shared that the company has successfully conducted almost 14,000 drives this year, equivalent to 1,800 per month, to remove 94,000 illegal hook connections, also known as kundas The aggregate weight of these illegal cables has been ascertained to be about 130 000 kilogrammes Multiple teams from KE continue to work around the clock to conduct these drives and eliminate the web of cables illegally gaining access to electricity throughout the city The regions which these drives have been conducted in include Baldia, Bin Qasim, Defence, Gulshan, Gulistan-e-Johar Korangi Orangi Society Surjani and Uthal with the highest number of drives taking place in Bin Qasim totalling 3 400 from January 2023 till date Similarly 16 300 illegal hooks have been dismantled from this region, weighing 21,000 kilogrammes However, the maximum number of hooks removed have been from Korangi, with a count of 17 500 Furthermore almost 50 drives have also been conducted in areas of Defence These encroachments damage the power infrastructure and create room for safety hazards thus threatening lives PR

S

Mafias and their system would not be allowed anymore: S indh

Chief Commissioner Islamabad Capt (r) Anwarul Haq meets talks to Ambassador of Republic of Turkiye Dr Mehmet Pacaci during his visit to CDA headquarter PR

PTI URGES PRESIDENT TO GIVE POLLS DATE

AS BL ACK COATS OBSERVE STRIKE TODAY

ISLAMABAD

PA K I S TA N Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) core committee on Friday unanimously passed a resolution demanding President Dr Arif Alvi to announce election date without any delay ahead of lawyers nationwide strike announced by the Pakistan Bar Council to press the demand for elections date on Saturday (today)

During a session held here the PTI core committee members said that the country is facing constitutional political democratic administrative and economic crises as the state infrastructure was shaken after the unconstitutional move of April 2022 Earlier on Tuesday, the Pakistan Bar Council (PBC) had urged President Dr Arif Alvi to announce a date for elections by exercising his constitutional authority under Article 48 of the Constitution

During the All-Pakistan Lawyers Representatives Conference in the Supreme Court, the PBC also announced that lawyers will observe a nationwide strike on September 9 to demand the announcement of election date

In a presser outside the court Haroon Rashid and Hassan Raza Pasha vice-chairman and chairman PBC Executive Committee informed journalists about a resolution passed by the conference, seeking the president s intervention in the matter Hassan Raza Pasha said that lawyers will bring out peaceful rallies on September 9 and there will be a complete strike adding the Punjab Bar Council

LHC directs Punjab CS to decide on judicial commission to probe Jaranwala tragedy

LAHORE

The Lahore High Court (LHC) on Friday directed the Punjab chief secretary to take a decision in connection with a petition seeking formation of a judicial commission for an inquiry into the Jaranwala tragedy within 15 days

While hearing the case Justice Sajid Mehmood Sethi issued the directions to provincial chief secretary after the public prosecutor responded in negative on being questioned if a judicial commission was formed to look into the incident

The petitioner in the pleas has requested the LHC to issue orders for an inquiry into the Jaranwala tragedy by a judicial commission contending that the fundamental rights of the minority community (the Christians) have been violated in the incident

The petitioner has pleaded that the method being employed for investigation has met sluggishness and the Christian community doubts if this method will live up to their expectations for justice and fairness

Citizen moves LHC against sanctioning of Rs360m interest-free loans to 11 judges

LAHORE

S TA F F R E P O R T

A citizen on Friday filed a petition in the Lahore High Court against the Punjab government s decision to approve funds amounting to more than Rs360 million as interest-free loans to 11 judges of the high court Mashkoor Hussain, the petitioner challenged the Punjab government’s decision to approve interest-free loans amounting to over Rs360 million for 11 judges of the Lahore High Court

The petition has made the Punjab government chief secretary, S&GAD secretary, and finance secretary respondents in the case

The Punjab government gave loans to the judges of the Lahore High Court equal to their three years of basic salaries which is an average of Rs30 million per judge

The caretaker cabinet s standing committee on finance approved interest-free loans for the judges Agenda Nos 17, 18, and 19 of the Standing Committee on Finance of the Cabinet contain references to giving money to 11 judges The basic salary of these judges is more than Rs900,000 per month

will also hold a convention in Lahore

Under Article 48 of the Constitution the President of Pakistan is competent to announce the date for holding general elections, and they should be held within the stipulated 90 days, Pasha said Rashid, meanwhile, spoke about the country’s constitutional crisis adding that despite the dissolution of national and provincial assemblies elections do not seem to be held within the stipulated

time of 90 days Therefore, he said it is incumbent upon the president to play his constitutional role and announce the date for general elections in the country The president is not required to hold any consultation with anyone; hence, he should play his constitutional role and announce the date for general elections forthwith,”

Rashid added

The PTI committee pointed out that the Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) assemblies had been dissolved on January 14 and 18 respectively but the Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) government did not fulfil its constitutional duty to conduct polls to both the assemblies in 90 days besides violating the Supreme Court’s April 4 orders

The political party urged for concrete steps to establish a democratic government to resolve the crisis

The PTI core committee said that Article 48 bounds the president to finalise the election date in 90 days and the president should fulfil his constitutional duty

The core committee said that the president would be responsible for violating constitutional and democratic rights if he failed to give election date

NAB summons G andapur in ‘£190m corruption sc andal ’ on S ept 13

The National Accountability Bureau

on Friday summoned former federal minister Ali Amin Gandapur for investigation into corruption of in the case retitled from Al-Qadir Trust reference to the National Crime Agency £190 million scandal against former prime minister and PTI Chairman Imran Khan

Through the office of Dera Ismail Khan DPO the Rawalpindi

NAB sent a call-up notice to Gandapur to appear before the bureau s Central Investigation Team on September 13

The notice states that in the federal cabinet meeting held on December 3, 2019, former prime minister Imran Khan sought the approval of the cabinet to spend £190 million in personal interest instead of depositing it in the national treasury through a secret agreement in a sealed envelope

The notice further states that since Gandapur was also present in the cabinet meeting therefore he should join the investigation and record his statement in this matter

NAB launched an investigation against Imran, his wife Bushra Bibi and others for the alleged gain of hundreds of canals

of land in the name of Al-Qadir University Trust which reportedly caused a loss of £190 million to the national exchequer

According to the NAB charges, the deposed premier and others allegedly adjusted Rs50 billion £190 million at the time sent by Britain’s NCA to the Pakistani government

They also face charges of receiving undue benefits in the form of over 458 kanals of land at Mouza Bakrala in Sohawa to set up the Al-Qadir University

Later then prime minister Imran acquired approval of the settlement with the Britain s crime agency from his cabinet on December 3 2019 without disclosing the details of the confidential agreement

Bilawal demands polls ‘as soon as possible’ in accordance with Constitution

KARACHI

S TA F F R E P O R T

PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari on Friday demanded elections as soon as possible and within the constitutional limit of 90 days

Speaking to the media in Karachi, the former foreign minister said that the people of the country were facing three major issues at the moment inflation, unemployment and poverty

“The PPP’s stance is that we don’t have a political enemy or a political opponent Our fight is against poverty unemployment and inflation he said Bilawal said that the PPP had always helped the people of the country and given aid to the impoverished “Through its performance, the PPP has always proven that it does people-friendly politics and governance And that is why the PPP still says that elections should be held as soon as possible according to the Constitution and within 90 days so that we can win the polls and serve the people of the country and take them out of these difficult economic times

The ECP has ruled out elections this year, while the 90-day limit for holding polls following the dissolution of the National Assembly (NA) as mandated under Article 224 of the Constitution ends on November 9 It reasons its decision to push elections beyond November 9 on the basis of the notification of results of the new digital 2023 census and Section 17(2) of the Elections Act, which states: “The commission shall delimit constituencies after every census is officially published ”

It was decided that the money would be submitted to the Supreme Court on behalf of the tycoon

On May 9 Imran was arrested in connection with the case from the premises of the Islamabad High Court by dozens of Rangers personnel, triggering countrywide protests

However on May 11 the Supreme Court came to his rescue declaring that his arrest was illegal and ordered his release

On May 12, the Islamabad High Court stopped the authorities from arresting the PTI chairman in any case including undisclosed ones filed against him anywhere in the country till May 15 It also granted the PTI chief interim bail for two weeks in the AlQadir Trust case

Minister Communic ation, US Envoy disc uss issues of bilateral interests

ISLAMABAD S TA F F R E P O R T

F e d e r a l C a r e t a k e r M i n i s t e r f o r C o m m u n i c a t i o n s , Railways, and Maritime Affairs Shahid Ashraf Tarar w a s c a l l e d o n b y U S A m b a s s a d o r D o n a l d B l o m e here on Friday and issues of bilateral interests came under discussion

Speaking to the envoy Shahid Ashraf Tarar said that US-Pakistan bilateral relations go back a long way and this relationship has evolved from security to other fields such as trade and investment, science and technology Climate Change and sustainable development health and education

He expressed his profound desire to deepen the relations based on development cooperation Moreover he affirmed that Pakistan has been benefitting from General Electric Locomotives provided by the US to Pakistan Railways, and based on its vitality, another order has been placed recently

Similarly he mentioned Tarbela and Mangla Dams as symbols of Pakistan-US cooperation The Ambassador said that the focus has shifted from Pakistan s bordering and tribal areas to flood-affected areas of Northern Sindh and South Punjab Furthermore, possibilities are being explored for provision of clean drinking water and rehabilitation of damaged infra-

structure in these areas Shahid Ashraf Tarar further stated that KarachiPeshawar Railway line has been affected by floods at certain vulnerable points and US can cooperate with Pakistan Railways to reclaim these vulnerable tracks and secure them from future floods He further apprised that Pakistan has entered into successful international agreements in Gwadar and is further attracting foreign investments from global partners

The US Ambassador Donald Blome expressed that Pakistan has an excellent opportunity to attract foreign investments in the wake of diversification of industries and businesses into South-Asian economies Likewise American International Development Finance Cooperation (DFC) has expressed its eagerness to make large-scale investments in Pakistan In this regard, US is ready to help Pakistan create a business-friendly environment to boost investments Similarly, the US wishes to cooperate with Pakistan in achieving sustainable and green development as per international standards

Shahid Tarar stated that Pakistan has played a vital role in COP-27 and is striving to comply to the environmental standards issued by Climate Conference, in all sectors The meeting concluded by Minister s pledge to work with the US to eradicate poverty and deprivation in the country

During his media talk the PPP chairman was also asked about the recent statement by Jamiat Ulema-iIslam-Fazl (JUI-F) emir Maulana Fazlur Rehman, who headed the Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM), wherein he claimed that general elections would have been held by now if the PPP had not gone back on its words

Talking to journalists in Lahore the JUI-F chief had said that all component parties of the PDM had agreed to hold elections early last year but the PPP went back on its promise and then all parties decided to bring the no-confidence motion against the thenprime minister Imran Khan

In his response Bilawal said that the Maulana was a senior politician adding that he did not wish to go into much detail about the statement made by the PDM chief

But I will tell you this: PPP was ready for elections before, was ready for elections on May 14 and was ready for elections in 60 days and is ready for elections in 90 days according to the Constitution,” he said

The PPP chairman also said that there was a difference in between how the PPP the PDM and the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) interpreted the Constitution

He reiterated that the PPP believed that elections should take place within 90 days, adding that the rest thought that they should take place after the delimitation exercise was concluded

He said that the PPP engaged with the ECP on this issue following which the electoral watchdog brought the dates for delimitation forward At the same time however, Bilawal urged the ECP to announce the dates and the schedule for elections

He also took issue with the ECP’s decision to transfer police provincial secretaries and commissioners of all divisions in Sindh He insisted that transfers could not be carried out until the election schedule was announced

He also said that ongoing development and welfare schemes were also being stopped in the province and called on the ECP to review its two-faced system

In response to another question, Bilawal said that his father, ex-president Asif Ali Zardari, had been in politics for more than 30 years and spent the longest time behind bars

And today we are hearing that those politicians who have to go through this ordeal are facing difficulties

he said in a reference to the PTI chairman

So we are trying to give them a message and offer them support We are trying to tell them that ghabrana nahi hai (do not worry) Now is the time for you and politicians like you [ ] to learn You are being given experience and training and you are now being made a politician

Bilawal said that the puppets imposed on the country had attacked sensitive military installations on May 9

He said that those who participated in the attacks had to be taught a lesson so that no one could think of repeating the same in the future

Customs seizes Rs2.25 billion smuggled goods

Pakistan Customs has seized Rs 2 25 billion smuggled goods during the last two weeks in different areas of the country

According to Fbr essential Commodities including sugar and urea are smuggled from Pakistan and goods including POL are smuggled into Pakistan through unfrequented routes spanning the bordering areas of Afghanistan and Iran These smuggled goods are subsequently transported via trucks and in case of passenger vehicles in smaller quantities to the main urban centers

Being cognizant of this phenomenon

Pakistan Customs has intensified the counter smuggling operations and started crackdown against the smuggled goods especially Es-

sential Commodities, POL, Currency and other goods

During the last fortnight Pakistan Customs seized large quantities of essential commodities worth approximately Rs 2 25 Billion in various operations across the country including Quetta, D I Khan, Multan, Karachi, Sargodha and Lahore regions The major seized essential commodities included sugar, urea, POL, Pak currency as well as tyres black tea betel nuts vehicles iron steel and other goods

In Balochistan region on 2nd September

Customs Enforcement-Quetta seized 1 637 tons of sugar worth approximately Rs 1 0 billion from smugglers in a convoy of 15 trucks This was followed by massive seizure of smuggled goods and vehicles worth Rs 519 million on Daraban-Darazinda Road

DIK on 3rd Sep 2023 in collaboration with local police and 218,000 liters of smuggled POL / diesel valuing approximately Rs 137 6 Million by Customs Enforcement-D I Khan During last week Customs Enforcement – Karachi disrupted the flow of smuggled POL by seizing Iranian origin 115,000 litres diesel and 30,000 liters petrol

Moreover, strict instructions to the antismuggling formations including mobile squads of the Collectorates and airports have been issued to keep vigilance on the illicit movement of essential goods / commodities Iranian POL and currency Chairman FBR Malik Amjed Zubair Tiwana and Member Customs (Operations) Ms Zeba Hai Azhar have appreciated the Pakistan Customs for taking timely action to thwart the smuggling of essential goods

Pakistan Customs is committed to eliminate the menace of smuggling and would continue intensifying its anti-smuggling operations across the country