Epaper_23-09-13 ISB

Chaos-mongeRs using Religion to Be dealt with steRnly: Pm

A SKS GB GOVT TO CONCENTRATE ON SELF DEPENDENCE FOR ECONOMIC REVIVAL

CA R E TA K E R Prime Minister (PM) Anwaarul Haq Kakar on Tuesday directed the authorities concerned to identify the elements spreading chaos in the name of religion in Gilgit Baltistan and take strict action against them Protection of every citizen is the state’s responsibility and the government would not tolerate spreading chaos in the name of religion and a strict action would be taken against such elements Caretaker Prime Minister Anwaarul Haq Kakar warned while chairing a meeting of the Gilgit-Baltistan Cabinet here during his two-day visit to the region on Tuesday

The premier urged all the sectors to concentrate all of their attention and energies on achieving self-dependence which was inevitable to put the country s economy on course to revival He advised the GB government to fully exploit the potential of the cultivable land of the region instead of depending on the government’s subsidy In the meeting the prime minister was apprised of different issues including the non-provision of the subsidy on the wheat crop

The prime minister assured the GB leadership of the federal government’s all-out cooperation In the meeting pro-

g LAYS FLORAL WREATH AT MARTYRS MONUMENT AFTER ARRIVAL ON 2-DAY VISIT

He was told that steps had been taken to identify and address the problems confronting the education sector in all GB districts particularly Diamer and Astore

The measures taken for the promotion of education sector included the provision of food to the students, reconstruction of buildings and rehabilitation of dilapidated structures, professional training of teachers and establishment of smart schools

PM Kakar was also apprised of projects in the GB health sector including the establishment of a 24-hour helpline to address the issue of mental health

posals were put forward to improve the performance of the GB police as well as enhancement of investment and business activities in the region

The prime minister directed the relevant authorities to formulate a comprehensive strategy for GB’s economic revival In the briefing, it was highlighted that the resolution of most of the GB issues was linked with the investment in the region

Interim

Interior Minister Sarfaraz Bugti, Interim Information and Broadcasting Minister Murtaza Solangi, Gilgit Baltistan Governor Syed Mehdi Shah Chief Minister Gulbar Khan cabinet members GB chief secretary

Rupee gains strength in open market

The crackdown against illegal currency dealers has proven highly fruitful, as the dollar rate in the open market fell below the price at the interbank market on Monday Currency dealers have reported that the open market is now flush with dollars and will sell more than $100 million to the banks this week while they sold $20m in the last two days of the previous week The State Bank of Pakistan reported the closing price of the dollar as Rs301 16 down Rs1 79, from Rs302 95 on Friday

However, a more interesting situation unfolded in the open market, where the dollar fell by Rs32 in just six days reaching Rs300 This drop in the dollar s value in the open market was due to higher supplies and lower demand The buying rate for the dollar was Rs297 representing a Rs3 drop in the open market Zafar Paracha, General Secretary of the Exchange Companies Association of Pakistan, commenting on the situation said “It was not the first time that the dollar fell below the interbank market rate but this time it was the outcome of the crackdown on illegal currency trading which eroded the grey market from Pakistan

He said the continued crackdown against illegal currency traders proved vital for the market and created surplus dollars He said exchange companies deposited $20m in the last two days of the previous week and now they expect to sell $100m to $150m this week Some currency dealers suggested that this situation could have happened earlier and could have saved the country from an extremely dry market

and IG Police, and senior officers attended the meeting Assess scope of ongoing development projects

Earlier, Prime Minister Anwaarul Haq Kakar chaired a meeting to discuss development projects and law and order situation in Gilgit Baltistan (GB)

The premier directed the GB administration and leadership to assess the scope of the ongoing development projects and give a special focus on those of a crucial nature In the meeting, the prime minister was briefed about the progress on projects in information technology health education and other sectors as well as the issues

Making the eagerly-anticipated announcement PML-N President on Tuesday declared that former prime minister and Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) supreme leader Nawaz Sharif is set to return to Pakistan on October 21 after a four-year of self-exile

With the arrival of Nawaz the country s economy would move on the right track and the journey of development will start again ” said Shehbaz while talking to the media in London claiming that this would be reminiscent of the span of years from 2013 to 2018, when Nawaz was the premier of the country

He also added that his elder brother would keep the country’s interest at the forefront just like the latter did not succumb to any pressure while carrying out nuclear explosions in 1998

Party s Central Information Secretary and former information minister Marriyum Aurangzeb, taking to microblogging site X said that Nawaz will be accorded a grand welcome once he arrives in Pakistan The PML-N president said that he would give a grand welcome to his party’s supremo in Lahore, adding that the people of the entire country were waiting for Nawaz s return

Calling Nawaz s ouster from power a conspiracy , Shehbaz said that this became the reason for the country of getting deprived of development and prosperity

“Nawaz was deprived of power under conspiracy after

of yet More on that later

Since it is close to Karachi it generates power for the port-metropolis The problem is that since the prices of gas and other imported fuel sources are so high, electricity is incredibly expensive One possible solution that has been proposed time and again is Thar Coal Cheap indigenous and plentiful Thar Coal has the capacity to be the fuel source for the production of cheap electricity

Besides the performance of the environment and tourism sectors the prime minister was also briefed about the sowing of wheat and subsidy on the crop production and potential of hydel power in GB as well as the budget

It is pertinent to mention here that the caretaker premier is in Gilgit to review progress on developmental projects as well as law and order situation in the region

Earlier on arrival the Prime Minister laid a floral wreath at the monument of martyrs and a contingent of Gilgit Baltistan Scouts presented guard of honour to the prime minister

Later the Prime Minister visited an exhibition of science models by students of local schools and evinced a keen interest in the innovative models made by the students

Bilawal decries ‘absence of level playing field’ for all political leaders

SUKKUR S TA F F R E P O R T

PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari on Tuesday decried the absence of a level-playing field in the prevailing political scenario demanding there should be equal opportunities for all political leaders to contest the upcoming general elections

“This is my “objection” to the alleged inequality faced by political stakeholders as the country is heading towards elections” “former foreign minister Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari said while talking to media persons during his visit to slain journalist Jan Muhammad Mahar s house in Sukkur on Tuesday

He remarked “it exists for one person” before adding: “The level-playing field is absent, and this is the basis of my objection ”

He also expressed his confidence in the ECP emphasising that the electoral watchdog was the authority to announce the poll date We will also request [the ECP] to hold polls timely,” said Bilawal Bhutto while responding to a question regarding the level-playing field available to his party as the two political bigwigs PML-N supremo Nawaz Sharif and PTI chief Imran Khan are currently ineligible to contest upcoming general elections owing to convictions in separate corruption cases

a mix of gas, coal (both imported and local) and furnace oil to produce electricity

The Government has wanted to shift the plant to more affordable electricity options such as local coal in hopes of which it sought out to build Blocks 5 and Block 6 of the plant Neither of which is operational as

The concept of cheap electricity through Thar Coal has been a major talking point of AsiaPak Investments which recently acquired K-Electric The investment company also owns Daewoo in Pakistan and is an early investor in Block 1 of the Thar Coal fields which is also a project of the China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC)

If the Jamshoro Power Plant agrees to the plan AsiaPak has claimed they will have the plant up and running on coal by next year At present Block 6 utilises an entirely

which Nawaz Sharif did not lose power, but the people were deprived of development and prosperity he bemoaned Shehbaz earlier this month had already clarified that his elder brother would face cases and lead the PML-N election campaign, negating the impression that the return of the former prime minister was a result of any “settlement”

Nawaz who is embattled in various cases left for his current abode in London in December 2019 on the pretext of a medical ailment, will return after almost four years just when the elections are around the corner

His departure from the country followed the relief provided to him by the Islamabad High Court (IHC) in the Al-Azizia reference case on the pretext of medical grounds

The Imran-led government declared Nawaz fugitive in February 2020 and the accountability court proclaimed him an offender in the Toshakhana vehicles reference later in that year

It is pertinent to mention that the preceding National Assembly

and the Senate enacted the muchdiscussed Elections (Amendment) Act 2023 which not only empowered the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) to unilaterally announce the election date but was also seen by many to pave the way for Nawaz s The act which was dubbed as “person specific” also limits the lawmakers’ disqualification period to five years with a retrospective effect

Earlier this month PML-N Punjab spokesperson Azma Bukhari said that the PML-N supremo would not adopt an antiestablishment narrative

“Nawaz Sharif ’s narrative will not be against anyone It will certainly not resemble the narrative of the deposed prime minister Imran Khan, who continually criticises state institutions

“The PML-N supreme leader will aim to educate the people about the ground realities and lead the nation out of the existing crises, Azma stated Nawaz Sharif knows a lot [of secrets] but he prioritises national interests above all else ”

Thar based generation architecture whilst Block 5 of the Jamshoro Power Plant harnesses a blend of imported and local coal for power generation The current coal composition, as per design, leans heavily on imported sub-bituminous coal at 80%, with local Thar lignite coal making up the remaining 20% The envisaged transformation of Block 5 from a mixed-coal power plant to an entirely local operation comes with a hefty $50 million price tag, a sum that AsiaPak appears undeterred by The particulars of the financing for this ambitious venture remain under wraps

The Thar potential

It is a simple problem Pakistan relies heavily on imported fuel sources such as reliquified natural gas (RLNG) to produce electricity Whenever there is an internat i o n a l c r i s i s , s u c h a s t h e R u s s i a - U k r a i n e war, Pakistan’s energy sector is rocked by the ripple effect There is a simple solu-

The statement from the ex-foreign minister comes days after the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) assured political parties that transparent polls would be conducted in the country as soon as possible and a level-playing field would be provided to all political parties to take part in the democratic exercise Concerns on the poll timing have arisen from the ECP ruling out elections this year 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

With elections potentially just a few months away, Bilawal has been engaging in public meetings and organising party meetings as part of the party s electoral preparations of late One such media interaction in this regard took place in Sukkur today Bilawal emphasised that the most pressing issue confronting the country today was inflation, which he believed could only be alleviated through timely elections and the election of representatives who would advocate for their constituents in legislative bodies Expressing his condolences for the recent loss of lives in terror incidents he said that the country must be moved away from the old ways of governance and rules and must prioritise delivering justice to the people

The former minister also highlighted Pakistan’s successful battle against terrorists following the Army Public School attack in 2014 He subtly referenced the Imran Khan-led PTI government suggesting that in subsequent years, important decisions were made by only a handful of individuals, leading to the pardon of the nation’s enemies without broader consultation

He pointed out that the economic crisis had exacerbated crime rates across the country and criticised Imran for damaging the national security policy, which had been developed over many years and was, according to him, now undermined in a matter of months

tion Cheaper fuel something like coal perhaps And the source is right there too S p r e a d o v e r m o r e t h a n 9 0 0 0 k m 2 t h e Thar coal fields are one of the largest deposits of lignite coal in the world with a n e s t i m a t e d 1 7 5 b i l l i o n t o n n e s o f c o a l t h a t a c c o r d i n g t o s o m e c o u l d s o l v e P a kistan’s energy woes for not decades but centuries to come

The question is if this rich natural resource is available, why has it not been utilised more than it is currently? Discovered in the early 1990s by the Geological Survey of Pakistan (GSP), Thar Coal accounts for around 2000 MW of electricity produced in the country The potential is much greater If new projects that are currently under construction become operational, in the next year electricity production from the Thar coalfields is expected to be much higher In short Thar Coal offers a cheap alter-

native local source of energy that can be used to produce electricity and help Pakistan escape its topsy-turvy reliance on international markets to maintain its energy supply The concept is pretty simple and AsiaPak’s interest in it is obvious What’s in it for AsiaPak?

K-Electric akin to any other distribution company (DISCO) is unable to impose a separate electricity tariff that deviates from the uniform one established across Pakistan Therefore, residents in Karachi are not privy to cheaper electricity than those in other parts of the country at least not on the base tariff If the cost of generation is reduced customers benefit from fewer fluctuations in fuel charge adjustments Moreover, transitioning to local fuel sources is crucial as it diminishes reliance on imported fuels and mitigates exposure to USD/PKR fluctuations

S h e h b a z c o n f i r m s N a w a z ’ s

‘ h o m e c o m i n g ’ o n O c t 2 1

A M B A S S A D O R D O N A L D B LO M E R E I T E R AT E S U S

S U P P O R T F O R B A LO C H I S TA N ’ S D E V E LO P M E N T

GWADAR S ta f f R e p o R t

US Ambassador Donald Blome on Tuesday reiterated U S support for Balochistan s development touching on economic growth disaster relief and preparedness; security; the benefits of U S trade and investment; and measures Pakistan can take to strengthen and improve its investment climate

The envoy made this commitment during a visit to Gwadar Balochistan The visit he said was aimed at underscoring the United States commitment to the people of Balochistan, a partnership that remains steadfast and robust

The visit explored opportunities to enrich development trade and commercial

Mar t yrdom anniversar y of Maj A ziz Bhatti Shaheed obser ved

RAWALPINDI

S ta f f R e p o R t

The 58th Shahadat

Anniversary of

Major Raja Aziz Bhatti Shaheed was observed on

Tuesday On this occasion, the Armed Forces of Pakistan including

Chairman Joint

Chief of Staff

ties building on the successful outcomes that underpin the robust U S - Pakistan bilateral relationship

The United States and Balochistan have a strong history of successful collaboration

In the face of last year ’s devastating floods, the United States helped 661 000 individuals providing both food and muchneeded cash assistance And nearly 90 000 children were given nourishing meals to combat the threat of starvation, a statement issued by the US Embassy said Over the past year, with U S support, 41 health facilities were successfully renovated In the field of education U S support is strengthening programs at BUITEMS and Sardar Bahadur Khan Women s University and empowering the next generation of youth by developing literacy and education materials in Balochi and various local

languages During his visit the Ambassador held productive discussions with political leaders, representatives from the Gwadar Chamber of Commerce, and a diverse group of government and private sector leaders Ambassador Blome’s meeting with members of the Gwadar Chamber of Commerce focused on ways to increase U S trade and investment in the region s business logistics tourism fisheries and blue economy sectors The group shared how growing these business-to-business relationships can help create inclusive, Pakistani-led growth that supports jobs across Balochistan They also discussed how deepening business partnerships can enhance technical skills in Balochistan and help increase bilateral trade In his meetings with government and business leaders, Ambassador Blome

discussed the U S -Pakistan Green Alliance framework which is helping our countries jointly meet climate, energy, water, and economic needs

“We are especially focused on supporting Balochistan and all of Pakistan as it strengthens climate resilience pursues energy transformation and fosters inclusive economic growth Ambassador Blome said Under the Green Alliance U S assistance has helped more than 12,000 farmers, including many in Balochistan, across 2,000 hectares increase yields and reduce harvest and postharvest losses through improved technology and management practices Ambassador Blome also visited Gwadar Port and met with Port Authority Chairman Pasand Khan Buledi to learn about port operations and development plans, Gwadar s potential as a regional trans-shipment hub,

Zardari to camp in Lahore for general elections strategy

LAHORE S ta f f R e p o R t

F o r m e r p r e s i d e n t a n d P a k i s t a n P e o p l e s

P a r t y ( P P P )

C o - C h a i r m a n A s i f A l i

Z a r d a r i w i l l r e a c h L a h o r e t o m o r r o w

( We d n e s d a y ) t o f o c u s o n t h e p a r t y ’s affairs in Punjab

The former president will participate in party s Central Executive Committee

(CEC) meeting In Lahore scheduled for September PPP chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari will also reach Lahore from Multan tomorrow

The former foreign minister will stay in Lahore for 4 days where the latter will meet with party workers

It is pertinent to mention here that Pakistan People s Party (PPP) has convened a meeting of its Central Executive Committee (CEC) to mull over the upcoming general election date The meeting will discuss the country’s current political situation and plan for future political developments The CEC will also review its stance on general elections

The invitations have been sent to all

the CEC members which will take place at 3 p m on September 14 in Bilawal House Lahore and PPP chairman Bilawal will preside over the meeting E a r l i e r a n u m b e r o f P P P l e a d e r s i n c l u d i n g i t s c h a i r m a n B i l a w a l B h u t t o , d e m a n d e d t h e E C P a n n o u n c e t h e e l e c t i o n d a t e , a d d i n g p o l l s s h o u l d b e h e l d i n 9 0 d a y s a c c o r d i n g t o t h e C o n s t i t u t i o n P P P C h a i r m a n B i l a w a l B h u t t o u rg e d t h e E C P t o a n n o u n c e t h e date for general polls and adhere to the c o n s t i t u t i o n a l r e q u i r e m e n t o f h o l d i n g elections within 90 days

Committee and Services Chiefs paid glowing tribute to him as he stood as a leaden wall in front of the enemy and sacrificed his life for the defence of the motherland in 1965 war

Major Raja Aziz Bhatti’s martyrdom anniversary serves as a powerful reminder of the extraordinary sacrifices made by the Armed Forces of Pakistan to defend the motherland He was born in Hong Kong in 1928 He moved to Pakistan before it became independent in 1947 and lived in the village of Ladian, in the district of Gujrat There he enlisted with the newly formed Pakistani Army and was commissioned to the Punjab Regiment in 1950 On 6 September 1965 after India attacked Pakistan with the largest ever number of tanks

Major Bhatti as Company Commander in the Burki area of the Lahore sector chose to move with his forward platoon under incessant artillery and tank attacks for five days and nights in the defence of the strategic BRB canal Throughout undaunted by constant fire from enemies’ tanks and artillery he organized the defence of the canal directing his men to answer the fire until he was hit by an enemy tank shell which killed him on 12 September 1965 He was 37 years old Raja Aziz Bhatti was rewarded with the prestigious Nishan-e Haidar for his services to Pakistan

PML-N Senator Rana Maqbool Ahmad passes away in Lahore

LAHORE

S ta f f R e p o R t

Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) Senator Rana Maqbool Ahmed passed away in Lahore on Tuesday after having been well unwell for some time Ahmed was elected as a Senator in 2018 on a general seat His tenure was to end next year in 2024 The deceased PML-N leader was the chairman of the Senate s Standing Committee on Cabinet Secretariat Condolences poured in following the news of the Senator s demise In a statement, PMLN president and former prime minister Shehbaz Sharif expressed grief over the politician’s passing In a post on X, the former prime minister said that the PML-N leader’s demise has robbed him off a close and trusted friend Shehbaz added that Ahmed was a brave practical and intelligent person who tended to matters wisely During his police service he did valuable work for the eradication of crime and his services to the nation will be remembered forever, the former prime minister stated Separately, in a post on X Senate Chairman Sadiq Sajrani also expressed his “deepest” condolences to the family of the PML-N leader

Establishment of Gandhara Corridor indispensable

y: Dr

President emphasizes enhanced cooperation with C hina, Venezuela, Colombia

ISLAMABAD

S ta f f R e p o R t

President Dr Arif Alvi has called for further strengthening the cooperation with China in the areas of trade economy culture and defense

This was remarked by him on Tuesday during his meetings with the Ambassadors-designates of China Venezuela, and Colombia, who presented their diplomatic credentials to the President and separately called on him in Islamabad

Dr Arif Alvi said that China is a reliable and tested friend and Pakistan wants to further strengthen the strategic relations with China for the mutual benefit of the two countries

Welcoming the Ambassador-designate of China to Pakistan, Mr Jiang Zaidong, he said Pakistan highly values its ties with China as it has always stood by Pakistan at difficult times

The President while highlighting the importance of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) said that

it would greatly contribute to the socio-economic development of Pakistan He said Pakistan was fully committed to timely completion of all projects under CPEC He expressed his gratitude for China s unflinching support to Pakistan’s socio-economic development as well as its principled stance on the Jammu and Kashmir dispute In his meeting with the Ambassador-designate of the Venezuela Mr Jose Rafael Silva Aponte Dr Arif Alvi said Pakistan places special emphasis on improving trade and economic relations with Venezuela He highlighted that the Venezuelan investors can benefit investment-friendly policies of Pakistan While talking to the Ambassador-designate of Colombia Mr Julio Anibal Riano Velandia the President underlined the need for further enhancing economic culture and trade relations with Columbia President Alvi congratulated the envoys on their appointments and expressed the hope that they would play their role to further enhance bilateral cooperation between their respective countries and Pakistan

Indian forces martyr 68 Kashmiris in IIOJK this year

SRINAGAR

S ta f f R e p o R t

Indian forces during their continued state terrorism martyred 68 Kashmiris this year in a bid to break their resolve for securing the UN-pledged right to selfdetermination O f t h o s e m a r t y r e d 3 b o y s a n d a s m a n y w o m e n w e r e m a r t y r e d b y t h e t r o o p s s i n c e J a n 2 0 2 3 t o

A u g u s t 2 0 2 3

The Indian forces martyred the youth in

r e b e i n g m e r c i l e s s l y k i l l e d , t o r t u r e d & h u m i l i a t e d f o r

demanding their right to self-determination Presence of one million Indian troops has made the occupied territory the most militarized zone in the world

and ways to connect with Pakistan’s largest export market: the United States In a meeting with Pakistan Naval West Command Ambassador Blome discussed regional issues and emphasized a continued partnership in the years ahead

Fawad Hassan Fawad inducted into PM Kakar’s interim cabinet

ISLAMABAD

Caretaker Prime Minister Anwaarul Haq Kakar on Tuesday inducted former bureaucrat Fawad Hasan Fawad into the interim cabinet President Arif Alvi has approved the appointment under Article 224 (1A) on the advice of Premier Kakar During his career Fawad held highly sensitive and important positions in Pakistan and abroad Before his retirement, Fawad s last post was director general of the Civil Service Academy in Lahore He also served as principal secretary to the then-prime minister Nawaz Sharif as well as the Punjab chief minister He also served as secretary to various offices including Excise and Taxation Communication and Works Health and S&GAD with the Punjab government He served as Deputy Commissioner Quetta and Lahore After Nawaz s ouster from office and indictment in the Avenfield corruption case Fawad was also arrested by the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) for his alleged involvement in the Rs14 billion Ashiana-e-Iqbal Housing Scheme scam in 2018 However in February 2023 he was acquitted in the case Reacting to the appointment Caretaker Information Minister Murtaza Solangi welcomed the former civil servant to the cabinet Make the country proud as you always have,” Solangi said The info minister added that he is “looking forward to work” with Fawad and tap into his rich reservoir of knowledge and experience

Nepra sets up committee to check billing irregularities by DISCOs

ISLAMBAD S ta f f R e p o R t

Taking notice of the irregularities in the billing of power distribution companies (Discos) the National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (Nepra) has formed a high-level committee to check performance of all Discos in light of the recent discrepancies and other issues According to Nepra, the high-level committee is tasked with submitting a detailed report within one month

The Chief Executive Officers (CEOs) of the Discos, in a hearing held on Tuesday explained irregularities and intimated that action against the relevant officers/officials has already been initiated The Nepra also directed all CEOs to eradicate all such billing issues and provide relief to the consumers on an urgent basis The authority on the basis of the report will initiate legal proceedings against those Discos where irregular bills have been issued said the Nepra

L ack of ownership among tax machiner y hampers broadening tax base: FBR

p l e m e n t a t i o n o f r e f o r m , i t s a i d

U n d e r t h a t s y s t e m t h e o ff i c e r i nc h a rg e w a s e n t r u s t e d w i t h a l l t h e r e s p o n s i b i l i t i e s o f m a i n t e n a n c e o f r e c o r d s , r e c e i p t , a n d e n f o r c e m e n t o f i n c o m e t a x r e t u r n s / s t a t e m e n t s , c o n d u c t i n g a u d i t a n d a s s e s s m e n t , r e c o v e r y o f t a x e s f i l i n g o f a p p e a l s a t v a r i o u s a p p e l l a t e f o r a i s s u a n c e o f r e f u n d s a n d a s s i s t i n g t h e C o m m i s s i o n e r i n t h e i s s u a n c e o f e x e m p t i o n c e r t i f i c a t e s S i n c e a l l t h e w o r k w a s t h e r e s p o n s i b i l i t y o f o n e p e r s o n , t h e r e w a s a u n i t y o f c o m m a n d , a b e t t e r u n d e r s t a n d i n g o f i s s u e s a n d a s e n s e o f o w n e r s h i p a m o n g t h e t a x o ff i c i a l s In 2000 it became function-based

in which there was a lack of ownership a n d o ff i c e r s d i d n o t k n o w a n y t h i n g o u t s i d e t h e i r f u n c t i o n T h e s y s t e m h a s n o w i n t r o d u c e d a c o m p o s i t e s y s t e m broadly similar to the comprising work units, the jurisdiction of which is by and l a rg e b a s e d o n t e r r i t o r i a l specifications, and the work is entrusted to one person H e n c e I R S i s o rg a n i z e d a l o n g t a x i n s t r u m e n t s t e r r i t o r i a l j u r i s d i c t i o n s a n d t a x p a y e r s e g m e n t s ( e g L a r g e Ta x p a y e r O f f i c e s ) r a t h e r t h a n f u n c t i o n s , f o r i n s t a n c e , t a x p a y e r r e g i s t r a t i o n , a s s e s s m e n t , a n d t a x a u d i t T h i s a s p e c t o f t h e O rg a n i z a t i o n m a y b e e x p l o r e d f u r t h e r t h r o u g h c o n s u l t a t i o n s a s i t h a s i m p l i c a t i o n s f o r t h e e f f i c i e n c y o f w o r k p r o c e s s e s a n d w o u l d i m p a c t t h e r e f o r m a g e n d a o f t h e p r o j e c t F B R h a s b e e n i n t e g r a t e d w i t h N A D R A a n d S E C P, i n p a r t i c u l a r a b o u t r e g i s t r a t i o n o f t a x p a y e r s a n d t h e e a s e o f d o i n g b u s i n e s s U n d e r t h e O n e Wi n d o w O p e r a t i o n s P o l i c y p e o p l e c a n o b t a i n t h e i r N T N f r o m S E C P t h e r e p o r t

A I L T R I A L I N C Y P H E R C A S E : I H C R E S E R V E S

V E R D I C T O N I M R A N ’ S P L E A

ISLAMABAD s ta f f r e p o r t

THE Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Tuesday reserved its verdict on a petition filed by PTI Chairman Imran Khan against his trial in the cypher case at Attock jail

On August 5, the PTI chief was sent to jail after he was convicted in Toshakhana case On August 29 the IHC had suspended his sentence However a special court directed the Attock jail authorities to keep him in judicial lockup in connection with the cypher case

Last month the law ministry had designated Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) Judge Abual Hasnat Zulqarnain as the judge of the special court to try suspects under the Official Secrets Act

The special court had subsequently extended Imran s judicial remand till Sep 13 (Wednesday) during a hearing held at Attock jail

On August 30, Imran had approached the IHC against the appointment of Judge Zulqarnain to the special court and also raised objections to the law ministry’s notification allowing the trial to be heard in prison

On Tuesday IHC Chief Justice Aamer Farooq presided over hearing

during which lawyer Sher Afzal Marwat appeared on behalf of the PTI chief Marwat read out the notification issued by the law ministry and then proceeded to question as to under which laws the ministry had allowed the trial to be shifted to Attock jail

How can a trial be transferred from Islamabad to Punjab? the lawyer asked

He stated that only the Supreme Court could transfer a trial from one province to another “The chief commissioner or the interior secretary do not have the authority to transfer a trial to another province he said adding that the move to shift the hearing of the case to Attock jail was prompted by malice

Sri Lanka Convention Bureau plans tourism roadshows in Pakistan

KARACHI s ta f f r e p o r t

He said that the purpose of the notification issued for changing the venue of the hearing was to keep Imran in Attock jail “So far, it has not been revealed under which laws this notification was issued ” Marwat said Only the Supreme Court has the authority to transfer the trial from Islamabad to another province, he reiterated He stated that Islamabad was an autonomous territory and did not come under the jurisdiction of any province He said that the process for changing the venue of a hearing was clearly stated in the law He said that the consent of the relevant judge was also required to do so

At $50mn, KE’s new owners offer to shif t Jamshoro Power Plant Block 5 to Thar Coal

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XWDISCOs (all DISCOs excluding KElectric) and K-Electric submit separate requests each month to the Government of Pakistan for fuel cost adjustments to the units of electricity they supply to consumers How does a more sustainable fuel source benefit KElectric beyond potential goodwill with customers? Lower receivables

K-Electric s receivables have surged at a compound annual growth rate of 60% from Rs 56 billion in 2018 to Rs 375 billion in 2022 As of March 2023, they stood at Rs 404 billion The primary cause for these increases are tariff adjustment payments that K-Electric needs to collect

K-Electric also attributed tariff adjustments as one of the main reasons

Rupee gains strength in open market

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Before the crackdown against the grey market, the dollar in the open market had skyrocketed, reaching as high as Rs332, and it was even higher by Rs10 to Rs15 per dollar in the grey market The surplus of dollars which is being sold to banks was in fact going to the grey market The grey market had cost the country $8 2 billion in FY23, as remittances dropped by Rs4 2bn, and export proceeds fell by $4b The huge losses were borne by the country but no efforts were made to stop massive smuggling and illegal trading of foreign currencies Dollars were smuggled to Afghanistan, and huge payments in dollars were made against petroleum products being smuggled from Iran The caretaker government has arrested a large number of currency smugglers and a list has been prepared to identify the people involved in the smuggling of oil from Iran Outflows of dollars to both borders have been stopped, and the largest border with Afghanistan has been closed for the last four days

for its negative operating activity cash flow in 2022 due to the increases in working capital A reliable power supply from Jamshoro provides some form of future insurance against the amount increasing at the rate that it already is And what better way to improve KElectric than to improve your own group revenue? TAKE FROM PETER TO PAY PAUL AsiaPak Investment owns a share in Thar Coal Block 1 If Jamshoro is converted to a completely Thar based power plant and if that coal were to come from Thar Block 1 AsiaPak would make money either way If anything, not that Thar Coal needs one at this point, but the Jamshoro Plant can also be the mascot that AsiaPak needs for Thar Coal

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BUYING YOUR BRAND AMBASSADOR

Presuming no other Thar-based power plants commence operations prior to Jamshoro Block 5, it could potentially be hailed as the sixth of its kind in Pakistan The pioneering quartet comprises Thar Coal Rock-1 Engro Power Thar Energy and Thal Nova Lucky Electric is poised to transition to Thar once supplies from Thar Coal Block 2 become accessible

There’s more to Jamshoro Block 5 going the Thar route than just it being the sixth power plant to possibly do so

Earlier this year the National Electric Power Regulatory Authority rebuffed the proposed generation cost of Rs 32 per unit conveyed by the yet-to-beoperational Jamshoro plant these figures being tentative estimates If

These industries are not only customary to Pakistan s domestic supply but are also integral to Pakistan’s exports Insiders also report that lab assistants and UDCs habitually conduct tests without involving senior staff or technical experts

The ISO-17026 accredited QCC Karachi lab, in particular, has faced significant issues for the past four years, with its accreditation certificate suspended, rendering its test reports void of national or international recognition Problems extend to the Sample Collection Centre s management with personnel changes causing disruptions and concerning reports of missing samples Valuable equipment has allegedly been sold in local markets A prominent figure in this regard Mr Pervez Shaikh appears to have an overwhelming role in running seven labs issuing over 2000 lab test reports manually each month, with no use of machines High-value machines, including a 70million-worth XRF machine,

likely to reduce as remitters may hold off on their decision to remit foreign currency and take advantage of better conversion rates in the future They would prefer to save in foreign currency and remit only what is needed he commented

This would make sense considering the rupee s steep depreciation in recent months

purchased in 2016, remain unused as per sources Personnel matters have also come into question with allegations surrounding Ashfaq Ujjan s transfer and claims of improper conduct and influence within the organization These issues demand thorough investigation and corrective measures to restore credibility and functionality to QCC Karachi Dr Tahira Director of Quality Control Centre (QCC) Karachi attributes the overall situation at PSQCA to the prolonged absence of a regular Director General and Secretary, affecting the affairs of QCC She cites the suspension of lab accreditation by PNAC to a lack of budget and technical staff despite multiple requests for provision

According to the Pakistan National Accreditation Council s website, all PSQCA labs, nine in Karachi and four in Lahore have lost accreditation The PSQCA the country s primary national standards setting agency is responsible for maintaining standards for industrial

AsiaPak can significantly pare down this per-unit cost it could serve as an unparalleled mascot for the company to optimise their returns from their stake in Thar Coal Block 1 Is there a need for a mascot? While it’s not indispensable it certainly doesn’t hurt to have one Particularly at this intriguing juncture for our coal reserves as entities beyond the energy sector may also be casting speculative glances

“Some cement players are also testing Thar coal for viability I believe we will witness an increased demand for Thar coal in non-power sectors in the future explains Fahad Rauf Head of Research at Ismail Iqbal Securities K-Electric s infatuation with the Jamshoro plant predates AsiaPak, and it seems that the new owners want to start their tenure with a bang

Continuing with its aggressive engagement and outreach to one of the potential source markets the Sri Lanka Convention Bureau (SLCB) in association with the Consulate General of Sri Lanka (Karachi) is set to mount a three-city roadshow in Karachi, Islama, bad and Lahore According to a press statement by SLCB officials the first road show Roadshow will be held in Karachi on September 11 the at Marriott Hotel to be followed by Islamabad on September 13 the at Serena Hotel and Lahore on September 15 the at Nishat Hotel Sri Lanka is witnessing a considerable increase in international tourist arrivals It adds that the series of Roadshows will be promoting a myriad of tourism experiences while focusing on converting potential travellers to make bookings highlighting the positive message that Sri Lanka is open for leisure business ESS and MICE tourism

KU seminar highlights 75 years of Pakistan, Russia relations

KARACHI s ta f f r e p o r t

The Department of political Science and the Office of Research Innovation and Commercialization of the University of Karachi organized a seminar on “75 Years of Pakistan-Russia Relations: An Emerging Partnership at the Chinese Teachers Memorial Auditorium on Tuesday The chief guest of the event, the Russian Consul General in Karachi Andrey Viktotovich Fedorov, informed the audience that the relations between the two countries were cemented on May 01 1948 and since then there have been different historic times and development stages He highlighted that the biggest achievement of the establishment of ties was the construction of the Pakistan Steel Mill in Karachi, Guddu Thermal Power Station in Northern Sindh, and other projects Andrey Fedorov added that the toughest periods, such as the Afghan War in the 1980s when the then USSR-Pakistan relations were particularly strained but the diplomatic ties did not terminate and new projects and new agreements continued to be developed as well

and consumer products, including edible items It enforces quality and environmental management systems like ISO 9001:2000 and ISO 14000 and assists local industries in obtaining certifications for these systems

It s worth noting that Pakistan recently faced suspension from the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) due to nonpayment of annual subscription fees and lack of responsiveness to communications This suspension has implications for the country s standing in international standardization efforts Secretary Ministry of Science and Technology Ali Raza Bhutta didn’t reply to queries regarding the suspension of PSQCA labs

The situation at PSQCA is a matter of grave concern, as it not only impacts the quality of products in Pakistan but also tarnishes the country’s reputation on the global stage Urgent measures are needed to address these issues and restore the authority s credibility and functionality

there is a shortage as long as you re willing to pay much higher than the official rates If you send your remittance through these money changers you will also usually get a higher buying rate

“As the economic situation worsened in FY23 and foreign exchange reserves fell to a critically low level the government tightened its policy regarding the sale and purchase of US dollars and imposed an artificial cap on the USD-PKR exchange rate, Paracha recalled

The imposition of the artificial cap worsened the exchange rate situation as it led to two different rates in the open market itself

If there is a difference of Rs 20-25 between the rates in interbank and open markets and the grey market any person would prefer to use informal channels for sending money to Pakistan if opting for the formal ones would mean incurring a loss

Economic uncertainty and market volatility

Assistant Professor of Economics at Institute of Business Administration Karachi and Research Fellow at CBER, Dr Aadil Nakhoda, said the uncertainty in the domestic currency market also had implications “If depreciation is expected remittances are

On Jan 25 this year, the rupee closed at Rs 230 89 a dollar Following the ECAP’s announcement that it would lift the price cap, the rupee closed at Rs 255 43 per dollar the very next day By the last working day of FY23 the rupee was down to Rs 285 99 per dollar a depreciation of Rs 55 1 or 23 84 percent At the time of filing this piece, the rupee had declined to Rs 305 47 down by Rs 74 58 or 32 3 percent

The ‘official’ open market rate quoted by ECAP was Rs 328 while exchange companies were selling it for even higher Meanwhile Soomro noted that keeping US dollars in cash had proven to be a better asset class over the last 2-4 years than equities, real estate or returns on banking products, which had resulted in upper- and middle-class people buying as many dollars as they could to protect themselves from declining purchasing power According to Topline Securities the US dollar was the third-best-performing asset in 2022 after gold and one-year Naya Pakistan certificates This pushed up demand for the greenback and contributed to higher prices

On the other hand since the rupee

Pakistan’s G20 silence

TH E G20 Summit in New Delhi saw the announcement of the India-Middle East Economic Corridor (IMEC) an ambitious programme clearly meant to rival China’s Brick and Road Initiative, of which the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor is an important component The announcement may have come on the sidelines of the Summit but Pakistan should notice that apart from India, the UAE, Saudi Arabia, the EU, France, Italy, Germany and the USA have all signed on These are all traditional allies, with the exception of India Past experience should tell us that India has always done its best to use international forums against Pakistan It is also worth remarking that Saudi Arabia and the UAE are also involved in economic engagement with Pakistan in a big way and if they were to distance themselves from Pakistan because of the Indian pull, that would be potentially disastrous The same applies to EU members and the USA And how has the Pakistan government reacted? With resounding silence

Nothing illustrates more clearly the limitations under which a caretaker government labours It is not so much that the members of the caretaker government will be long gone and buried when the IMEC and CPEC yield their full fruits That also applies to whoever is elected PM whenever the election is held However, the countries will still be around It is the task of the government, and especially the Foreign Office to take positions now that will stand the country in good stead in the future The habit of living in the present, and of burying one s head in the sand ostrich-like when the future comes up has to stop This was an occasion simply crying for Pakistan to show some activity, perhaps illustrate the fact that it is not friendless by involving China in some demonstration China may have been left alone at the G20 but it should be shown that the gains it has made by brokering the Saudi-Iran peace deal are still very much there, and that Pakistan can be helpful there Pakistan has found itself in this situation because its government is that of caretakers who are ill-suited to take an initiative because they lack the kind of popular support that comes only through elections Even toeing the Chinese line which was to make a statement of welcome despite its pointed exclusion would have been preferable to the deafening silence that has been the country’s reaction to what is after all a major challenge

AS we approach the 30th anniversary of the signing of the Oslo Accords there will be commentary galore about how the accords failed There’ll be predictable finger-pointing Some of it will ring true, but most will miss the point

The Israelis of course will blame the Palestinians for as their false but still often-used saying has itnever missing an opportunity to miss an opportunity And Palestinians will blame the Israelis for never intending to honour or deliver on what they expected to be the promise of the accords There will also be “I told you so” recriminations from the Palestinian “left” and the Islamist “right ” They never supported the accords and like the Israeli far right did everything they could to sabotage the peace process So both will crow seeing the failure as a sort of perverse vindication

Let me be clear from the outset I m not at all embarrassed to say that I supported Oslo, despite being an eyewitness to its unravelling During the first five years of the accords I saw and wrote to President Clinton and wrote dozens of articles- eyewitness accounts detailing the impact of Israeli policies that were undermining the chances for peace To no avail But even with that, I m not sorry I supported Oslo, nor am I ashamed of the lengths to which I went to defend it against its early foes

Thirty years ago news of an Israeli-PLO agreement hit Washington like an earthquake shattering taboos and upending what had been considered political constants I was part of the group of hundreds of Arab Americans and American Jews who were there on the White House lawn to witness the signing ceremony

After the signing, when President Clinton nudged Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin pressing him to accept PLO Chairman Yasser Arafat’s outstretched hand an audible gasp could be heard from the assembled- followed by applause and handshakes and embracing throughout the audience- with Jewish leaders seeking out Arab Americans and vice versa Something big had just happened, and it was exciting But because we were entering uncharted waters, hopefulness was mixed with uncertainty

ment launched the National Initiative for Artificial Intelligence and Security (NIAIS) in 2019

Thus by bridging the gap between the needs of the labour market and the educational system, this initiative also considers the implications for the nation’s defence capabilities These initiatives PIAIC and NIAIS as examples underline Pakistan’s progressive efforts to spark a technology-driven renaissance Importantly these initiatives go beyond simple skill acquisition projects; they emphasize the necessity of sustained investments in academic institutions, research hubs, and partnership projects with domestic and international organizations to create a dynamic and sustainable AI ecosystem

To those who were not of age in the years before 13 September 1993 the handshake may not have seemed so consequential But for the generation who grew up under the cloud of anti-Palestinian bigotry and Arab American exclusion it was enormous In 1975, as part of the Sinai Disengagement Agreement, Israel had secured a secret pledge from the USA that it would never talk to the PLO Commenting on this then Israeli Prime Minister Shamir said that his aversion to the PLO wasn’t based on what they did but what they stood for- Palestinian national rights Further elaborating in 1985 speaking in Washington, then Defence Minister Yitzhak Rabin declared that talking to the PLO was unacceptable because, “Whoever agrees to talk to the PLO means he accepts in principle the creation of a Palestinian state between Israel and Jordan ” And this Israel could not accept In the USA pro-Israel groups did their best to broaden this rejection of all things Palestinian The State Department forcefully implemented a “no-talk” policy (US Ambassador to the UN Andrew Young was fired because he spoke with the Head of the PLO UN mission ) Legislation was passed declaring the PLO a terrorist group When I attempted to modify the 1988 Democratic Party platform to include very modest language affirming the rights of the Palestinian people I was told If that p word even appears in the platform, all hell will break loose Not satisfied with demonizing the Palestinian cause and their organizations, pro-Israel groups imposed a religious-like taboo on Palestinian leaders It wasn’t enough to secure restrictions banning US politicians from meeting with Arafat or other top PLO leaders physical contact was seen as making a politician unclean Campaigns were run against congressmen who met Arafat denouncing them for shaking Arafat s hand

And so here we were on that September day watching Israel not only talking to and signing an agreement with the PLO, but now shaking hands with the person whom they had spent decades vilifying Israel and its US supporters had also spent at least that many years punishing and smearing Western politicians who had met with this same Palestinian leader and shaken his hand

More than anything this handshake which out of context may seem to some to have been an inconsequential act, was the shattering of a taboo that proIsrael groups had worked decades to establish and which they had used to torment or destroy the political careers of those who risked defying them

Oslo also opened the White House doors to Arab Americans normalizing for the first time our relationship with government Vice President Al Gore launched a project to bring the economic benefits of peace to Palestinians Invited to join the board- on equal terms- were 75 Jewish American and 75 Arab American (mostly Palestinian American) business leaders There were frequent meetings with the President Vice President and Secretaries of State and Commerce The community was given the respect it deserved and had for too long been denied And while our foes continued to oppose us and made efforts to exclude us the doors, once opened, could not easily be closed Thirty years later, those breakthroughs may seem to pale in the face of the enormity of the sufferings still endured by Palestinians But seen in the American political context they were important and not to be dismissed

In the end, Oslo did fail And while the fingers of blame can point in many directions, ultimately, as I will discuss in my next column, it was the refusal of the US to assume its responsibility as guarantor of the process that is the main reason for the disaster the Israeli-Palestinian arena has become

The writer is President of the Arab American Institute

E d i t o r ’ s m a i l

TH E question of how to wisely and selectively use emerging technologies like artificial intelligence (AI) machine learning, and autonomy persists at a time when technological progress is occurring quickly The challenge is to utilize these advances in a way that promotes security and tranquility rather than obstructing them The time when a state s nuclear capability was the single most important factor in determining its global significance has unavoidably passed into history

In the modern era, the rise of AI has irreparably upset the established calculations of power projection and influence Similarly AI has been incorporated into the field of military technology due to the revolutionary changes it has made to current military systems It has brought about a paradigm shift by enabling higher precision, enhancing intelligence gathering abilities, improving detection systems, and enhancing target recognition/vision capabilities It has proven invaluable in the field of deception giving militaries improved operational effectiveness in Anti-Access/Area and Area Denial (A2/AD) environments AI serves as a crucial pillar for the emerging global order as well as signaling the end of traditional sources of power

Therefore the USA Russia China France and India are among the major geopolitical powers that are fervently exploring and deploying AI technologies within the scope of their military frameworks, despite the ethical, operational, and strategic risks that result from the proliferation of military applications of AI

Specifically, the dynamics of India’s long-standing rivalry with Pakistan could change as a result of its ongoing efforts to transform into a superpower Pakistan s nuclear command and control system exudes a confident aura However, Pakistan is compelled to conduct a thorough self-examination in order to maintain its relevance in the current geopolitical landscape in light of India’s assertive advancements in AI The President s Initiative for Artificial Intelligence and Computing (PIAIC) aims to advance national entrepreneurship research and educational opportunities in fields like blockchain, AI, and cloud computing In parallel, the Punjab govern-

On the other hand in terms of modern military tactics India has seamlessly incorporated AI into a variety of high-tech platforms, such as Unmanned Aerial Vehicles, Lethal Autonomous Weapons Systems (LAWS), missile defence systems, submarines, and aircraft The ability of AI to use massive datasets which alleviates manpower and capability constraints has strengthened this strategic convergence even further A seismic shift in decision-making processes has also been ushered in by AI, which has greatly accelerated these processes while reducing the need for human input

This anxiety stems from the knowledge that AI-enabled missile systems and satellite platforms have the ability to successfully visualize track and carry out precision strikes on their intended targets AI-supported anti-subma-

rine technologies and swarm tactics have the ability to effectively identify and engage submarines, undermining the stability of deterrence India’s superiority in anti-submarine warfare capabilities could concurrently significantly strengthen its strategic stance Lastly it is axiomatic that technology in and of itself possesses neither inherent goodness nor malice; rather, how it is applied in nuclear armament systems determines whether it strengthens or weakens the deterrence system Take AI in the context of war games for example Since there has never been a nuclear conflagration before all theories about how escalation dynamics might play out in a crisis or war-time scenario remain untested in the field of nuclear strategy In order to simulate the development of a nuclear conflict or crisis data would need to be fed into an AI system which would be a challenging task The benefits of AI however go beyond the boundaries of war-games In every aspect of complex deterrence architectures, especially given its potential to significantly improve ISR (intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance) capabilities The incorporation of AI into nuclear weapon systems has the potential to improve accuracy and response times ultimately improving the effectiveness of both strategic offensive and defensive systems Strategic stability-related effects could take a positive or negative turn

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

On the other hand, in terms of modern military tactics, India has seamlessly incorporated AI into a variety of high-tech platforms, such as Unmanned Aerial Vehicles, Lethal Autonomous Weapons Systems (LAWS), missile defence systems, submarines, and aircraft. The ability of AI to use massive datasets, which alleviates manpower and capability constraints, has strengthened this strategic convergence even further.

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

Train accidents

T R A I N accidents in Pakistan involving derailments collisions or other incidents causing damage injuries or loss of life are quite frequent The latest incident occurred last month on 6th August 2023 when ten carriages of a Rawalpindi-bound train derailed and some bogies overturned near the town of Nawabshah resulting in 30 deaths, over 90 injuries, and many passengers trapped A careful analysis highlights the most significant causes of these accidents Poorly maintained or damaged railway tracks often lead to derailments and accidents emphasising the importance of regular inspections and maintenance Human error, made by train operators, signalmen, and other railway staff, can also contribute to accidents, necessitating proper training and adherence to safety protocols Additionally equipment failures such as brakes or signalling systems can be a critical factor that requires regular maintenance and reliable equipment Overcrowding of trains poses risks to passenger safety stressing the need to operate within capacity limits Moreover adverse weather like heavy rain or fog, can make train operations challenging and increase the risk of accidents Implementing weather monitoring systems and safety protocols during adverse conditions is vital to mitigate risks Collisions with vehicles or obstacles at level crossings further add to the dangers, emphasising the necessity for properly designed crossings and clear tracks To ensure passenger safety and prevent train accidents in Pakistan comprehensive measures must be taken This includes implementing robust safety protocols modernising railway infrastructure conducting regular inspections and maintenance, providing adequate training to railway staff, and strictly adhering to safety regulations and protocols Addressing these factors diligently will improve the safety of Pakistan’s railway system and safeguard the lives of passengers and railway staff DR

INTIKHAB ULFAT KARACHI

Mushrooming of universities

I T is shocking to see that go-ahead was given for establishment of 24 universities through private member bills in the National Assembly The hasty decision was taken without referring to the Higher Education Commission (HEC) or prior scrutiny by relevant parliamentary committees It reflects poorly on the government’s constitutional obligation to regulate and ensure that quality education is provided instead of factories dishing out paper degrees that are not even recognised by HEC Even a two-year basic bachelor s degree is not recognised because it fails to meet minimal three-year post-intermediate education requirements in the region Our neighbour India, immediately after independence, focused on establishing quality universities, of international repute, providing education in science, technology, economics, etc to those eligible for admission, strictly on merit India set up the Indian Institutes of Technology (IIT) with American assistance and today they reap the harvest of investment in human resource development Globally many Indians hold key positions in major multinationals and international financial institutions IIT graduates are recognised worldwide and considered par with IVY league universities

The unregulated commercialisation of education is a recipe for disaster because the market is flooded with degree holders without merit and intellect This Private Members Bill which has approved 24 more universities must be withdrawn in the national interest by the government and political parties We should consider imparting skills by setting up technical vocational training institutions for those who are not eligible to get admitted on merit in colleges including those who cannot afford to get basic school education If the state is serious about poverty alleviation and improving employment it must establish vocational training institutions The mishandling and mismanagement of educational affairs have contributed to the prevailing shambolic situation

Thir ty years later, those breakthroughs may seem to pale in the face of the enormity of the sufferings still endured by Palestinians

IN the realm of cold hard facts the G20 summit while not without its merits such as the inclusion of the African Union, has, regrettably, left much to be desired This gathering, when assessed in the context of two pressing and pivotal issues demanding the utmost attention from its participants climate change and the intricate matter of sovereign debt restructuring has been nothing short of lacklustre and disheartening Despite exhaustive talks over the past years the G20 nations have yet to reach pragmatic and harmonious resolutions of both crucial matters

In the New Delhi declaration, there was a notable absence of fresh commitments to reduce coal usage compared to the previous Bali summit However the declaration did introduce the creation of a Green Hydrogen Innovation Centre a pledge to triple renewable energy production by 2030 the initiation of a global biofuels alliance, and a shift in the discourse on finance from billions to trillions, signaling some progress on critical environmental fronts

Within the joint statement, the G20 summit grappled with an array of issues encompassing climate financing the global debt conundrum institutional overhauls like the World Bank and the inception of a fresh green development pact among its member nations What was once envisioned as a forum primarily aimed at tackling pressing concerns such as food security, debt governance, and climate transformation has morphed into a multifaceted arena for navigating the intricate tapestry of global geopolitics The summit s lofty aspirations have been marred by deepening schisms most notably exemplified by the ongoing Ukrainian crisis These divisions have hindered the G20 nations from forging a consensus, even on the most fundamental matters

The G20 summit marked a notable milestone with t h e i n c l u s i o n o f t h e A f r i c a n U n i o n a s a p e r m a n e n t m e m b e r s y m b o l i z i n g a r a r e i n s t a n c e o f c o n s e n s u s among global economic giants Yet despite this heartening development, concerns about the summit s unity and the challenges surrounding the crafting of a joint declaration persist It’s a triumph for the AU , whose full-fledged entry into the G20 is a significant accom-

Mixed signals from G20 summit

AU admitted, and India’s answer to the BRI

plishment China emerged as a prominent supporter of the AU’s G20 membership emphasizing the AU’s potential to assume a greater role in global governance

This admission stands as a beacon of progress toward the reforms advocated for in various spheres including the United Nations Security Council and multilateral financial institutions

The G20 s welcoming embrace of the AU reflects a positive step towards a more inclusive and reformed global order The heartening addition of the AU as a permanent member of the G20 marks a rare moment of consensus among the world s major economic giants Yet it doesn t conceal the persistent concerns over unity and the hurdles in crafting a j o i n t d e c l a r a t i o n t h a t c o n t i n u e t o l o o m l a rg e T h e AU’s inclusion signifies progress, but it also serves as a reminder that even in the grand stage of global diplom a c y u n i t y r e m a i n s a n e l u s i v e g o a l a n d c o n s e n s u s often requires delicate maneuvering and compromise

Nevertheless the road to a final statement was far from smooth with the contentious matter of Russia s actions in Ukraine causing friction The compromise reached, while not ideal, allowed for an official statement to be signed off However, achieving this consensus required a delicate dance notably involving the tempering of language regarding Russia’s conflict in Ukraine The recent G20 summit stands out as one of the most challenging in the forum s nearly two-decade history Crafting the declaration consumed nearly 20 days prior to the summit and an additional five on-site

Discord not only revolved around Ukraine but also spanned crucial concerns like climate change and the shift toward low-carbon energy However the Ukraine conflict proved to be the most contentious point of contention in these intricate negotiations Until the eleventh hour on Friday an unsettling void had occupied the joint statement regarding the Ukraine conflict at the G20 summit The section dedicated to the “geopolitical situation” had eerily remained empty European nations had been fervently pushing for strong language to denounce Russia s incursion but the stalwart opposition from Russia and China persuaded them from any mention of the war Such diplomatic wrangling, emblematic of the complexities inherent in international gatherings, underscores the arduous task of balancing divergent interests and viewpoints within the G20’s ambit

It’s a reminder that even within the realm of global diplomacy the power of words and symbols carries immense weight capable of shaping the narratives and directions of our interconnected world

Amid widespread skepticism, there hung a cloud of doubt over the release of a final communique at the G20 summit, a scenario that would have marked a historic departure and dealt a blow to the prestige of the G20 itself

However defying all dire predictions the

leaders of the Group of 20 nations managed to piece together a consensus statement on the first day of the two-day summit, though not without revealing the deep-seated divisions within their ranks

The compromise on the Ukraine conflict s vocabulary was notably diluted a stark reminder of the palpable tensions among these global power players The final statement, released just a day before the summit s formal conclusion, emphasized the human suffering and negative consequences of the conflict in Ukraine” without explicitly blaming and naming Russia Instead it invoked the UN charter stressing that “all states should refrain from using force or threats to acquire territory infringe on territorial integrity sovereignty or political independence of any state, and deeming the use or threat of nuclear weapons unacceptable In stark contrast, the Bali declaration had directly referenced a UN resolution condemning “the aggression by the Russian Federation against Ukraine” and expressed that most members strongly condemned the war in Ukraine This shift in language reflects the intricate diplomatic squabble occurring within the G20, where achieving consensus often necessitates carefully chosen words that tread a fine line between acknowledging realities and preserving delicate relationships

In a dramatic move on the sidelines of the summit India unveiled a multinational rail and shipping endeavour connecting India the Middle East and Europe

This strategic corridor involving India Saudi Arabia UAE, Jordan, Israel, and the EU, poses a formidable challenge to China s Belt and Road Initiative, aiming to enhance trade, energy access, and digital connectivity in the region Simultaneously Ursula von der Leyen President of the European Commission also announced a Trans-African Corridor linking Angola s Lobito port with landlocked regions including Kananga in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Zambia s copper-mining areas

US President Biden lauded this African initiative as a “game-changing regional investment,” emphasiz-

ing their collective significance as monumental strides forward Interestingly, it appears that both the corridors have been announced by the USA, in collaboration with India and the EU in a haste to challenge the BRI without any proper working and planning Notably crucial project specifics such as funding geographical locations and timelines remain undisclosed raising questions about the thoroughness of the planning process As per Amos Hochstein, Biden s coordinator for global infrastructure and energy security, over the next 60 days dedicated working groups will craft a comprehensive plan and establish precise timelines

The initial phase will focus on pinpointing areas requiring investment and interconnecting physical infrastructure across nations Hochstein assured that these plans will be implemented within the coming year, paving the way for financial arrangements and the commencement of construction So, these corridors were announced in haste as an “election campaign” strategy–both Narendra Modi and Joe Biden face elections next year and both need a flashy slogan for their election campaigns The G20 undeniably serves as a crucial platform for addressing global issues, and its character is evolving with the growing influence of developing nations like China, South Africa, India and other African countries This expansion of voices within the G20 is diluting the once-unilateral dominance of Western narrative In response the USA appears poised to assert itself aiming to reclaim a commanding role within this multilateral mechanism, all in pursuit of its grand strategy of great-power competition

Many are cautious of the USA’s attempts to mould the G20 to serve its own interests seeing it as a bid to reassert Western hegemony As the world becomes more multipolar the G20 s dynamics continue to shift and the global stage becomes more complex the path forward for international cooperation remains anything but straightforward

The writer is a freelance columnist

There are new signs of a foreign-sponsored destabilization with the intent to repeat the 2011 ‘revolution’

DHAKA TRIBUNE

e D i to r i a l

WI T H the placing of the Cyber Security Bill 2023 in parliament earlier this week to replace the Digital Security Act of 2018, the authorities concerned have, at least on paper and in spirit demonstrated that they are willing to amend and rectify laws that cause more harm than good to the nation

However there remains much room for improvement In its current iteration, the bill does not appear to truly be a transformation and a step towards transparency and fairness

What would be truly unfortunate is if this bill ends up as just a rehash of the old DSA which at its worst was described as nothing short of a draconian law primarily wielded by the authorities to curtail freedom of speech and discouraging any form of dissent There is also no questioning the fact that journalists, and freedom of the press particularly, suffered as a result of it

To start with while the fact that non-bailable offenses have been reduced to four - related to intrusion into key information infrastructures damaging computers and computer systems cyberterrorism, and hacking-related crimes - from the 14 that previously existed in the DSA is a step in the right direction, the fact that this is not zero shows that there remains hesitancy regarding the sweeping changes that this law required

Cyber security laws have always ignited a crucial debate about the delicate balance between safeguarding national security and upholding freedom of speech and press freedom While it is un-

deniably essential to protect the nation against cyber threats, it is equally imperative to ensure that this legislation does not infringe upon the fundamental rights of citizens and journalists

We are in an increasingly digital age and in a world where cyberattacks can cripple economies and disrupt public services such legislative efforts are necessary We understand this

However, concerns surrounding the new bill primarily revolve around the same issue potential misuse especially in silencing dissenting voices and curbing journalistic freedom Freedom of speech and a free press are the cornerstones of a democratic society It is crucial that any cybersecurity legislation carefully balances the need for national security with the protection of these fundamental rights

Vague or overly broad provisions have been used to stifle free expression and investigative journalism and there is legitimate fear that we could see more of the same Clear definitions and criteria for determining what constitutes a threat to national security are essential to prevent arbitrary use of the law to silence dissenting voices The Bangladesh government, being a democratic government must always engage in open and transparent dialogue with civil society journalists and relevant experts to ensure that any law much less one such as the Cyber Security Bill strikes an appropriate balance between security and freedom

To that end, it is unfortunate to see the lack of consultation on the part of the authorities with journalists who are arguably the most important stakeholders of this law The fact that the concerns raised frequently by them appear to have fallen on deaf ears is a truly worrying sign for the future

Corruption, corruption, everywhere

The planning minister’s comments in this regard should be taken seriously

DAILY STAR e D i to r i a l

M i n i s t e r M A M a n n a n r e -

cently said in parliament that the level of corruption had increased all across the country As the government seems to be in denial when it comes to corruption, such an admission by none other than our planning minister should serve as a wake-up call for all the government institutions The minister a l s o t e r m e d c o r r u p t i o n a s a n a t i o n a l p r o b l e m s a y i n g t h a t t h e s p e n d i n g o f p u b l i c m o n e y h a s d o u b l e d t r i p l e d o r i n s o m e c a s e s q u a d r u p l e d n o w c o m p a r e d t o t h e l a s t 3 0 - 4 0 y e a r s , w h i c h means that the scope for corruption has also increased significantly Who knows this better than the people of this country, who often have to endure corruption when seeking services from various government offices? Reports are aplenty in the media on how almost all our public sectors have become increasingly vulnerable to corruption, with hardly any government office or project found to be working with complete transparency and accountability Citing a few news reports on corruption that were published only yesterday will make it clear According

one report in Prothom Alo the Office

of the Comptroller and Auditor General (OCAG) has found various types of irregularities and corruption in the procurement process of Bangladesh Railway (BR) – the BR has, in fact, purchased a machine for Tk 3 lakh from a contractor, which would cost Tk 19 000 in the market Another report published in The Daily Star has disclosed how a project director of the Department of Fisheries has been using his own car as a leased vehicle for his project and earning money from this These two reports are just the tip of an iceberg Corruption in the form of bribery, extortion, embezzlement, deception, negligence of duty, nepotism etc is rampant across all government sectors including health railway education and other service sectors which have been widely reported in the media Earlier this year, the Transparency International published the Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) 2022, in which Bangladesh was ranked 147th out of 180 countries The TIB also conducted a survey on 15 454 households to examine the level of corruption in our service sectors last year and found that around 71 percent of them had to face corruption while trying to avail public services The graft watchdog also found various forms of anomalies in government procurement and recruitment processes

RT

TW E LV E years on, the West’s war on Syria continues with seemingly new plans to destabilize the country and overthrow its leadership This after years of brutal sanctions against (and crocodile tears for) the Syrian people

Earlier this year, a discussion between journalist Edward Xu and Farhan Haq deputy spokesman for the UN secretary-general went viral when Xu s questions led to a bold-faced display of feigned ignorance on the UN spokesman s part Asked whether he thought the presence of the US military in Syria was illegal or not Haq stammered out “There’s no US armed forces inside of Syria I believe there s military activity but in terms of a ground presence in Syria, I m not aware of that Xu had referred to a US airstrike the day prior that had killed 11 people in Syria and asked for Haq’s comment on whether or not Syria s territorial integrity should be respected Haq called for foreign forces to exercise restraint, but presumably he didn t mean US forces – since, of course, according to him, none were there Haq’s claim of not being aware of the illegal presence of at least 900 US troops on the ground in Syria is contradicted by US officials statements clearly indicating such a presence exists and will remain for many, many, years and decades to come,” as General Mark Milley the chairman of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff said in late August Of course the US has no plans of leaving Syria – why would it when there are so many natural resources left to plunder (oil, gas, wheat ), as the US and its proxies have been doing for years Former President Donald Trump even bragged about this in November 2019 saying We re keeping the oil We left troops behind only for the oil While the Xu-Haq exchange took place last March, it remains very relevant today as the US and its allies gear up to cause more instability in Syria with the same old goal of overthrowing the Syrian government

on potential new Western efforts to destabilize Syria fomenting unrest much like in 2011 But this time, the unrest is being fomented in Sweida province, with Israel playing an instrumental role, she said In a subsequent interview on Redacted Beeley stated the number of US military personnel and contractors on the ground in northeast Syria is somewhere between 2,000 and 3,000

The US, she said, continues to use alTanf, its illegal military base in the southeast of the country on the borders with Iraq and Jordan to train still more militants to eventually have them take control over part of the Syrian-Jordanian border and thus close off an important land border for Syria

Worse still is the prospect of Syria 2011 all over with the US and allies “training 16 000 Druze fighters in Sweida with the intent of sowing chaos as in 2011 There is a very small minority here that is – with the backing of Israel and the US – looking for autonomy, very similar to the Kurdish project in the northeast, and a federalist project to separate them from the Syrian State and to create an independent statelet Beeley said This is part of the US-Israeli plan to Balkanize Syria and divide it into warring statelets This movement is basically now being power multiplied by the US at al-Tanf ”

She also highlighted a recent visit by three US congressmen to a district in northern Syria controlled by terrorist factions, pointing out that they had entered Syria illegally (as Western politicians and corporate media prefer to do) to fraternize with terrorist groups (as Western politicians and media prefer to do)

Syrian analyst Kevork Almassian recently commented on the Sweida protests, noting that the leaders of the protesters are calling for political decentralization, which is the fancy word for partition and autonomy of the province from Damascus Syria s economy is in shambles now largely a result of the US-led war on Syria and years of steadily more brutal Western sanctions Can someone please explain to me how political decentralization will solve the [economic] misery and why no one from these leaders of the protesters are asking the EU the US to lift the draconian sanctions against them that is causing all this misery? Almassian asked

“Why is no one from these socalled leaders of the protesters saying let’s go and liberate the eastern shore of the Euphrates from the American occupation forces who are occupying their oil and wheat fields?

Good questions, as was his question on who benefits from the sectarian partitioning of Syria The Syrian

ANTI-TERRORIST RESOLUTION FORGOTTEN IN FAVOR OF REGIME CHANGE: In her Redacted interview, Beeley stated,

What we re basically seeing is a resurgence of the kind of 2011 narrative of peaceful protests in the south the desire to overthrow Bashar alAssad UN officials are calling for resolution 2254 which is effectively regime change and political interference in the political process in Syria

The resolution she is referring to, adopted in 2015, called for “free and fair elections” under UN supervision to be held in Syria within 18 months among other things

Back in 2016 I interviewed Dr Bouthaina Shaaban, a political and media advisor to Assad When emphasizing how the West was fanning, not fighting terrorism in Syria she addressed UNSC Resolutions 2254 and the lesser-mentioned 2253 which entails stopping terrorism in Syria and prosecuting those who support, facilitate, or participate in the direct or indirect financing of activities carried out by ISIS al-Qaida and associated groups Shaaban said “You want to implement 2254? Implement 2253 first and then it would be very easy to implement 2254 This is the double-standards of the West: they address their audience with having a stand against terrorism and wanting to fight terrorism when in reality they are facilitating terrorism and not even mentioning even a Security Council Resolution under the 7th Chapter that was taken 24 hours before 2254

Washington can claim its troops are in Syria to “fight ISIS,” but as I wrote some years ago these claims are transparently fake with multiple instances of the US-led coalition offering no resistance to terrorist advances or even facilitating their victories against Syrian forces

In just one of the more recent reports of US theft of Syrian oil, Syrian media on August 24 reported that a convoy of 60 tankers loaded with crude oil exited Syria to US occupation bases in Iraq In August 2022 Syria s Oil Ministry stated that US occupation forces and their mercenaries steal up to 66,000 barrels every single day from the fields occupied in the eastern region ” amounting to around 83% of Syria s daily oil production the Cradle reported

As Milley boasted the US intends to (illegally) remain in Syria for a long time Not to fight terrorism but to destabilize the country still more, impoverish and kill the people still more and loot its resources still more

Eva Bartlett is a Canadian independent journalist She has spent years on the ground covering conflict zones in the Middle East, especially in Syria and Palestine (where she lived for nearly four years)

The West appears to be preparing another regime change ‘uprising’ in Syria

Cyber securit y is a necessit y. So is dissent and freedom of speech

Cyber securit y laws have always ignited a crucial debate about the delicate balance bet ween safeguarding national securit y and upholding freedom of speech and press freedom

C A P I T O L R I O T S C A S E : I S T H I S T H E E N D O F P R E S I D E N T I A L R O A D F O R D O N A L D T R U M P ?

act of Congress to be implemented

SOME of Donald Trump s oppo-

nents argue that the former president will be disqualified from the Presidency in light of the events of January 6 2021 when supporters of former President Donald Trump stormed the Capitol

They claim that his actions that day amount to supporting an “insurrection,” as defined by the 14th Amendment of the US Constitution

Here we delve into this legal argument and assess its chances of preventing Trump from becoming the front-runner for the Republican presidential nomination in the November 2024 election

PATH TO DISQUALIFICATION

Legal experts contend that Trump’s actions on January 6 could disqualify him from

the presidency They point to his impassioned speech to his supporters who subsequently breached the Capitol in an attempt to thwart the certification of President Joe Biden s election victory

This argument hinges on Section 3 of the 14th Amendment, a post-Civil War provision that bars government officials who have “engaged in insurrection or rebellion” from holding office

Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington, an advocacy group, initiated a lawsuit in Colorado on September 6

This lawsuit seeks to prevent the state’s top election official from including Trump on the ballot in the 2024 election citing Section 3 This move could spark a legal battle that spans all 50 states raising a largely untested legal question with significant implications for federal office eligibility

CONVICTIONS AND PRECEDENTS

It’s crucial to note that Trump has not

been convicted of inciting insurrection In h i s s e c o n d i m p e a c h m e n t t h e H o u s e o f Representatives charged him with inciting a n i n s u r r e c t i o n o n J a n u a r y 6 b u t S e n a t e R e p u b l i c a n s n a r r o w l y a c q u i t t e d h i m Trump currently faces four criminal indictm e n t s , t w o o f w h i c h r e l a t e t o h i s u nf o u n d e d c l a i m s o f e l e c t i o n f r a u d n o t insurrection or rebellion

Some legal experts caution that efforts to disqualify Trump based on these allegations might set a concerning precedent Such actions could empower state election officials to unilaterally disqualify candidates based on their interpretations of “insurrection or rebellion ” potentially violating candidates rights to due process and equal protection under the 14th Amendment

MECHANICS OF DISQUALIFICATION

Section 3 of the 14th Amendment lacks a clear enforcement mechanism Some legal scholars argue that it would necessitate an

Others contend that state election officials are obligated to apply it when evaluating candidates for the ballot and can be compelled to do so through court orders

For this approach to succeed, proponents would need to persuade officials in Republican-leaning states to prevent Trump from appearing on the ballot denying him the 270 Electoral College votes required for victory

This endeavour would almost certainly trigger legal challenges from Republicans

HISTORICAL CONTEXT AND FEASIBILITY

Section 3 was invoked to disqualify several individuals from holding office in the aftermath of the US Civil War (1861-1865) but has since remained dormant

However in September 2022 the same advocacy group that sought to keep Trump off the Colorado ballot convinced a New Mexico judge to oust a county commissioner

K im arrives in Russia for talks with Putin on first trip in four years

WASHINGTON ag e n C i e s

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un on Tuesday arrived in Russia on his first trip abroad in four years to attend a meeting with President Vladimir Putin that, according to the US, could see an arms deal to support Moscow’s assault on Ukraine

An unflappable Kim waved from the doors of his heavily armoured private train as it departed Pyongyang on Sunday evening according to images published by Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) Kim is set to meet with Putin, who is currently attending the Eastern Economic Forum in Vladivostok in an unspecified location in Russia s Far East region later this week according to Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov

However, there has been no indication that the internationally isolated pair would hold their talks there

Experts predict Moscow will likely request artillery shells and antitank missiles from North Korea, seeking advanced satellite and nuclear-powered submarine technology in return Last week the White House warned North Korea would pay a price if it supplies Russia with weaponry for the conflict in Ukraine

Meanwhile, according to KCNA, Kim left North Korea for Russia on Sunday and was accompanied by top North Korean military officials including officials in charge of weapons production and space technology Peskov said the two leaders would cooperate on sensitive areas that should not be the subject of public disclosure and announcements”

On Tuesday, Russian news agency Ria Novosti said Kim had crossed the border with images showing the train with dark green carriages being pulled along a track by a Russian Railways locomotive

Plan to boost local currency settlement among SCO countries under way

ISLAMABAD s ta f f C o R R e s p o n d e n t

As a plan to boost national currency settlement among member countries of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) gained attention at the eighth Eastern Economic Forum (EEF) and the topic of de-dollarization was closely watched Chinese observers following the meeting said that progress has been made in cutting reliance on the greenback, but the process will be a long one At the EEF on Monday, SCO Deputy Secretary-General Sohail Khan disclosed that the SCO has listed scaling-up local currency settlement among its member countries on its agenda indicating progress toward a plan envisioned at the SCO Samarkand Summit in 2022, Russian news portal Sputnik reported on Monday Experts said the prospect of this endeavor still faces many hurdles but some pioneering moves should be discussed at an earlier time to reflect the common desire of a growing number of countries to reduce dependence on the US dollar amid Washington s weaponization of the major global reserve currency For instance China and Russia can discuss how China can pay for some of its oil and gas purchases from Russia in the ruble, Zhang Hong, an associate research fellow at the Institute of Russian, Eastern European and Central Asian Studies of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences told the Global Times on Tuesday Still SCO member countries need to figure out how to cope with the issue of currency fluctuations, which are wide in some cases, Zhang said

WASHINGTON

ag e n C e s

The United States has waived sanctions to allow the transfer of $6 billion in Iranian funds from South Korea to Qatar a step needed to carry out a previously announced US-Iran prisoner swap according to a US document seen by Reuters on Monday

The broad outlines of the US-Iran deal under which five US citizens detained by Iran would be allowed to leave in exchange for the transfer of the funds and the release of five Iranians held in the United States were made public on Aug 10

According to the State Department document seen by Reuters Secretary of State Antony Blinken determined that waiving the sanctions was in the national security interests of the United States

The document sent to US congressional committees marks the first time the US government has formally acknowledged it is releasing five Iranians detained in the United States as part of the agreement to secure the freedom of the five US citizens

To facilitate their release the United State has committed to release five Iranian nationals currently detained in the United States and to permit the transfer of approximately $6 billion in Iranian funds held in restricted accounts in the (Republic of Korea) to restricted accounts in Qatar, where the funds will be available only for humanitarian trade ” it said

The document said the transfer of funds would only provide limited benefit to Iran since the funds can

only be used for humanitarian trade

“Allowing these funds to be transferred from restricted Iranian accounts held in the (Republic of Korea) to accounts in Qatar for humanitarian trade is necessary to facilitate the release of these US citizens, the document said White House spokesperson Adrienne Watson said in a statement late on Monday that Blinken, on Sept 8, had undertaken “a procedural step in an ongoing process to ensure Iranian funds can move from one restricted account to another and remain restricted to humanitarian trade She said the administration had kept Congress informed from the start of the process “ A s w e h a v e s a i d f r o m t h e o u t s e t , w h a t i s b e i n g p u r s u e d h e r e i s a n a r r a n g e m e n t w h e r e i n w e s e c u r e t h e r e l e a s e o f 5 w r o n g f u l l y h e l d A m e r i c a n s T h i s r e m a i n s a s e n s i t i v e a n d o n g o i n g p r o c e s s s h e s a i d W h i l e t h i s i s a s t e p i n t h e p r o c e s s n o i n d iv i d u a l s h a v e b e e n o r w i l l b e r e l e a s e d i n t o U S c u st o d y t h i s w e e k

The transfer of the $6 billion and the prisoner exchange could take place as early as next week, according to eight Iranian and other sources familiar with the negotiations

The waiver applies to certain financial institutions that fall under the primary jurisdiction of Germany Ireland, Qatar, South Korea and Switzerland to engage in transactions with the National Iranian Oil Company, the Central Bank of Iran and other Iranian financial institutions under US sanctions it added

due to his involvement in the January 6 insurrection

The feasibility of this effort remains questionable

It would necessitate persuading or compelling election officials in states governed by Trump s Republican allies to keep him off the ballot, potentially culminating in an extensive legal battle

Ultimately the US Supreme Court which currently leans conservative with three Trump appointees among the justices could decide the outcome RECENT USE OF 14TH AMENDMENT I n a s e p a r a t e c o n t e x t , d u r i n g a s t a n do ff w i t h H o u s e R e p u b l i c a n s o v e r t h e n at i o n ’s $ 3 1 4 t r i l l i o n d e b t c e i l i n g P r e s i d e n t J o e B i d e n b r i e f l y c o n s i d e r e d e m p l o y i n g S e c t i o n 4 o f t h e 1 4 t h A m e n dm e n t t o u n i l a t e r a l l y r a i s e t h e d e b t l i m i t H o w e v e r, h e d i d n o t p u r s u e t h i s c o u r s e o f a c t i o n , a s i t s s u c c e s s w a s u n c e r t a i n a n d r a i s e d l e g a l q u e s t i o n s

Exclusive: Russian sellers stop fer tiliser discounts to India

NEW DELHI

R e u t e R s

R u s s i a n c o m p a n i e s h a v e c e a s e d o ff e r i n g f e r t i l i s e r s u c h a s d i - a m m o n i u m p h o s p h a t e ( D A P ) t o I n d i a a t d i s c o u n t e d p r i c e s d u e t o t i g h t e n i n g g l o b a l s u pp l i e s a f t e r b e c o m i n g t h e b i g g e s t s u p p l i e r s t o t h e c o u n t r y l a s t y e a r t h r e e i n d u s t r y s o u r c e s t o l d R e u t e r s T h e m o v e i n A u g u s t b y R u s s i a n c o m p an i e s t o i n s t e a d o ff e r f e r t i l i s e r s a t m a r k e t p r i c e s c o u l d i n c r e a s e I n d i a ’s i m p o r t c o s t s a n d s u b s i d y b u r d e n a m i d a r a l l y i n g l o b a l p r i c e s a s a t o p e xp o r t e r C h i n a t r i e s t o c u r t a i l o v e r s e a s s a l e s T h e r e a r e n o d i s c o u n t s s a i d a N e w D e l h i - b a s e d s e n i o r i n d u s t r y o ff i c i a l i n v o l v e d i n t h e n e g o t i at i o n s w i t h o v e r s e a s s u p p l i e r s R u s s i a n c o m p a n i e s a r e o ff e r i n g f e r t i l i s e r s a t t h e m a r k e t p r i c e s , t h e o ff i c i a l s a i d , d e c l i n i n g t o b e n a m e d d u e t o t h e s e n s i t i v i t y o f t h e m a t t e r I n d i a ’s f e r t i l i s e r i m p o r t s f r o m R u s s i a s u rg e d 2 4 6 % t o a r e c o r d 4 3 5 m i l l i o n m e t r i c t o n s i n t h e 2 0 2 2 / 2 3 f i n a n c i a l y e a r e n d e d o n M a r c h 3 1 a s s u p p l i e r s g a v e d i s c o u n t s t o t h e g l o b a l m a r k e t p r i c e f o r D A P u r e a a n d N P K f e rt i l i s e r s R u s s i a s a g g r e s s i v e s e l l i n g l a s t y e a r e r o d e d t h e I n d i a n m a r k e t s h a r e o f o t h e r f e r t i l i s e r e x p o r t e r s i n c l u d i n g C h i n a , E g y p t , J o r d a n , a n d t h e U n i t e d A r a b E m i r a t e s “ R u s s i a n c o m p a n i e s w e r e o ff e r i n g D A P a t d i s c o u n t s o f a s h i g h a s $ 8 0 ( p e r t o n ) H o w e v e r n o w t h e y a r e n o t o ff e r i n g d i sc o u n t s o f e v e n $ 5 s a i d a n o t h e r I n d i a n c o m p a n y o ff i c i a l T h e c u r r e n t p r i c e o f R u s s i a n D A P i s a pp r o x i m a t e l y $ 5 7 0 p e r t o n o n a c o s t a n d f r e i g h t ( C F R ) b a s i s f o r I n d i a n b u y e r s , w h i c h i s t h e s a m e p r i c e o ff e r e d t o o t h e r A s i a n b u y e r s , s a i d a R u s s i a n i n d u s t r y o ff i c i a l G l o b a l f e r t i l i s e r p r i c e s h a v e b e e n s u rg i n g o v e r t h e p a s t t w o m o n t h s m a k i n g i t c h a l l e n g i n g f o r I n d i a n c o m p a n i e s t o a c c u m u l a t e s t o c k s f o r t h e u p c o m i n g w i n t e r s e a s o n w h e n d em a n d f o r D A P r i s e s f o r t h e w h e a t c r o p , s a i d a n o ff i c i a l f r o m a M u m b a i - b a s e d f e r t i l i s e r c o m p a n y I n J u l y, g l o b a l s u p p l i e r s w e r e o ff e r i n g u r e a a t a pp r o x i m a t e l y $ 3 0 0 p e r t o n o n a C F R b a s i s b u t a r e n o w q u o t i n g $ 4 0 0 p e r t o n h e s a i d D A P p r i c e s w e r e a r o u n d $ 4 4 0 p e r t o n i n J u l y h e a d d e d T h e g l o b a l f e r t i l i s e r p r i c e s a r e r i s i n g j u s t b e f o r e c r uc i a l s t a t e e l e c t i o n s i n I n d i a T h e g o v e r n m e n t h a s n o c h o i c e b u t t o i n c r e a s e s u b s i d i e s t o p r o t e c t f a r m e r s , ” a d d e d t h e o ff i c i a l f r o m t h e M u m b a ib a s e d c o m p a n y

Foreign leaders intensively visit China’s tech hub for innovation experience

BEIJING ag e n C e s

Zambian President Hakainde Hichilema on

Tuesday ended his three-day visit to Shenzhen, South China’s Guangdong Province, joining leaders from other developing countries who visited the Silicon Valley of China attracted by its four-decade development miracle

During their trip, visiting high-tech firms such as Huawei and leading electric vehicle maker BYD was a must for these leaders Shenzhen will provide valuable reform and opening-up as well as sci-tech innovation experience for developing countries that have the similar starting point as China Chinese observers said, noting that the nation s firm commitment to opening-up brings more cooperation opportunities for the whole world, while unilateral and protectionist behavior by the US seriously damages international economic and trade cooperation

Hichilema visited Tencent and ZTE on Tuesday in Shenzhen the first stop of his state visit to China On Monday, he visited BYD and Huawei to learn about Shenzhen s experience in transforming itself from an agriculture-driven economy to a modern industrial powerhouse local news outlet Shenzhen Daily reported Prior to Hichilema Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro Moros also made

Shenzhen his first stop on his seven-day visit to China which will end on Thursday

When you are in China you are in the future Maduro said noting that what aspect of China s development impressed him the most is the country s technological advance, the Shenzhen Special Zone Daily reported

Maduro and his wife watched a drone light show on his first day in Shenzhen and his wife recorded the show with her phone a video released by local media said For those who are looking for development technology and new inventions, Shenzhen is an important place, so it is a good starting point, Maduro was quoted by media reports

as saying

So far this year there have been at least

60 foreign officials of the deputy minister level and above who visited Shenzhen according to media reports

Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune visited Shenzhen in July, exclaiming that Shenzhen’s development is a miracle President of the Democratic Republic of the Congo Felix-Antoine Tshisekedi Tshilombo went to Shenzhen in May where he visited Huawei and reached a cooperation memorandum with Huawei on the country s digital transformation

“Shenzhen is a trailblazer in China’s reform and opening-up and has achieved great economic miracles over the past four decades becoming a model for development

for other cities and countries across the world The intensive visits of foreign leaders reflect their aspirations to learn about Shenzhen s experience especially in technological innovation, Song Wei, a professor at the School of International Relations and Diplomacy at Beijing Foreign Studies University, said

Once a small fishing town Shenzhen has become a global hardware center and hub for scientific and technological advances after more than four decades of reform and opening-up Public data showed there are more than 23,000 national-level high-tech enterprises in the special economic zone, with tech giants including Huawei Tencent TCL and dronemaker DJI having been born in the tech wonderland

The State Council recently released a plan to promote the high-quality development of Shenzhen Park of the Hetao Shenzhen-Hong Kong Science and Technology Innovation Cooperation Zone, giving a new boost to the city’s technological development Other countries could especially learn how Shenzhen deploys the power of both technology and the market to move upward on global supply chains, said Liu Guohong, director of the Department of Finance and Modern Industries at the China Development Institute in Shenzhen

shining calling cards such as BYD and Huawei build a sound foundation for strengthening economic cooperation between Shenzhen and other countries

US allows $6 billion transfer as par t of Iran prisoner swap

CORPORATE CORNER

R A I LWAY S T O S W I T C H S TAT I O N S ’ P O W E R N ET W O R K T O S O L A R S Y S T E M S

BoK launches season 2 of Under-13 S quash Talent Hunt Program in KP

PA K I S TA N Railways (PR) has been planning to switch its entire stations’ power network to solar systems in different phases which would help to save billions of rupees for he department According to PR sources that the first phase of the project will see the conversion of 99 formations, including major railway stations nine divisional headquarters and other vital offices to solar power This is expected to save Rs 1 8 billion for the department In the subsequent phases, more stations, offices, and other facilities will be added to the solar network

The project will be implemented by the National Engineering Services Pakistan (NESPAK) A Ministry of Railways official said that the decision to shift to solar power was taken to eliminate the economic burden of Pakistan Railways He said that the department was spending a significant amount of money on electricity bills and the switch to solar power would help to reduce these costs The official added that the project would also help to reduce pollution and improve the environment In a related development, the PR management has implemented a policy that prohibits its officers from using airconditioning before 11 a m daily This is part of the department s efforts to conserve energy

Building SKMCH&RC Karachi is a collec tive responsibilit y

KARACHI P R

Aneeq conveys condolences to Morocc an ambassador over ear thquake tragedy

from both the Bank of Khyber and the sports department PR

FTO appointed ambassador of Rotar y Pakistan

On the launch of the fundraising campaign for Pakistan s third Shaukat Khanum Memorial Cancer Hospital and Research Centre (SKMCH&RC) the management of the Hospital said that supporting the Hospital is our collective responsibility and the hospital is expected to open next year Updating on the project, the management said, “These are challenging economic times for Pakistan and it would be wrong to say that we have been unaffected by inflation devaluation and other issues which have beset us as a nation, of late Nevertheless, we remain steadfast in our conviction to deliver a world-class facility in Karachi as soon as practically possible The physical structure of the Hospital was completed in November 2022 and finishing work at the site in DHA City continues at speed

In total, we need Rs 21 billion to complete the finishing work and to help install the state-of-the-art

equipment for diagnosis and treatment of our patients in Karachi ” They further added Building a cancer hospital in a resource- constrained environment is a huge challenge Keeping such a facility running, year-on-year, enabling it to grow and develop, to remain at the cutting edge of technology and science and to continue to treat an ever-increasing number of patients for free however is a challenge of an altogether greater magnitude

KU KIBGE appoints D r Ali Farhan as member governing council

Ghaznavi the Spokesperson for Rotary Pakistan Dr Asif Jah was officially welcomed into the Rotary Family marking the beginning of a collaborative journey dedicated to making a positive impact on the lives of those in need Imran Ghaznavi, Spokesperson for Rotary Pakistan, expressed his enthusiasm about this significant appointment stating "We are thrilled to have Dr Asif Jah join us as our Ambassador His support expertise and deep understanding of community service will undoubtedly be a valuable asset in our ongoing efforts to reach out to individuals and communities in need " PR

Nashpa-11 in K P K begins oil, gas produc tion: OGDCL

ISLAMABAD: The Oil & Gas Development Company Limited (OGDCL) on Tuesday announced the successful testing completion and commencement of production at the Nashpa-11 well in District Karak KPK Province This achievement stands as a testament to OGDCL s commitment to bolstering Pakistan s energy sector and meeting the escalating needs of both domestic consumers and industrial enterprises OGDCL is diligently pursuing a harmonized approach to exploration drilling and development activities with a focus on optimizing production on a fast-track basis This development is the result of OGDCL s in-house expertise The well was drilled to a depth of 4,485 meters, targeting the hydrocarbon potential within the Lumshiwal, Hangu, and Lockhart formations PR

KU seminar highlights 75 years of Pakistan-Russia relations

The Department of political Science and the Office of Research, Innovation, and Commercialization of the University of Karachi organized a seminar on “75

Years of Pakistan-Russia Relations: An Emerging Partnership at the Chinese Teachers Memorial Auditorium on Tuesday The chief guest of the event the Russian Consul General in Karachi Andrey Viktotovich Fedorov, informed the audience that the relations between the two countries were cemented on May 01, 1948, and since then there have been different historic times and development stages He highlighted that the biggest achievement of the establishment of ties was the construction of the Pakistan Steel Mill in Karachi Guddu Thermal Power Station in Northern Sindh, and other projects Andrey Fedorov added that the toughest periods, such as the Afghan War in the 1980s, when the then USSR-Pakistan relations were particularly strained but the diplomatic ties did not terminate and new projects and new agreements continued to be developed as well PR

The special meeting of the governing council of the Dr A Q Khan Institute of Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering (KIBGE) of the University of Karachi has appointed the Chief Executive Officer of the Darul Sehat Hospital Dr Ali Farhan as its new member of the Governing Council KIBGE The special GC KIBGE meeting was held in the Conference Room which was attended by the KU Vice Chancellor who is also the Chairman of the Governing Council of the KIBGE, Professor Dr Khalid Mahmood Iraqi, co-chairman governing council General Moinuddin Haider, NED VC Professor Dr Sharosh Hashmat Lodi HEC representative Javed Memon Professor Dr Zabta Shinwari Professor Dr Ikram Ul Haq Sultan Chawla KU Dean of Faculty of Science Professor Dr Samina Bano, and Professor Dr Abid Azhar PR

The people of Pakistan from all across the world rallied together to build the nation s first Shaukat Khanum Hospital in Lahore in 1994 and their continued support has ensured the hospital has grown from strength to strength over the last three decades The second SKMCH&RC opened in Peshawar in 2015 since close to 30% of the patients seen at SKMCH&RC Lahore were from KP and Afghanistan

NESPAK ranked on US-based ENR Magazine Top Global Firms list

ISLAMABAD: Minister for Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony Aneeq Ahmed on Monday met with Moroccan Ambassador Mohamed Karmoune to express his deep condolences for the recent earthquake losses suffered by Morocco He, in a poignant display of solidarity, extended his sympathies, stating, “I have come to express my heartfelt condolences; I stand with the people of Morocco in their sorrow He emphasized the strong and enduring fraternal relations between Pakistan and Morocco and assured that Pakistan s government and its people would stand shoulder-to-shoulder with Morocco during these challenging times In response, Ambassador Mohamed Karmoune expressed his gratitude for Minister Aneeq’s sympathy and acknowledged the significance of Pakistan s support during this period of grief This meeting between Minister Aneeq Ahmed and Ambassador Mohamed Karmoune underscored the importance of international solidarity and the strength of diplomatic ties during times of crisis APP

Healthx Pakistan, JLI par tner to facilitate enhanced employee wellbeing

in the August 2023 issue of ENR a US-based ranking magazine The ranking has been published in the latest issue of the magazine and NESPAK has been ranked 19 this year among the top 20 NonUS firms in total global construction management and program management NESPAK was envisioned by its founders as an organisation free from foreign dependence and capable of delivering the highest quality in the field of engineering consultancy It was envisaged as an institution which had to lead the consultancy market of Pakistan and compete abroad with excellence Time has proved that NESPAK has succeeded in fulfilling its objectives to a large extent owing PR

IESCO conduc t e - cour t via facebook live, telephonic ally today

I S L A M A B A D : To provide suitable and proper forum to valuable

Pak Nav y, Royal S audi Naval Forces ’ joint maritime exercise Naseem Al Bahr-Xiv concludes

ISLAMABAD P R Major joint Naval Exercise Naseem Al Bahr-XIV between Pakistan Navy (PN) and Royal Saudi Naval Forces (RSNF) culminates

KARACHI: Healthx Pakistan, a multinational healthcare management company announced a pioneering partnership with Jubilee Life Insurance Pakistan s largest private sector insurance company Under this partnership Healthx shall be introducing its data-driven, "phygital" (physical + digital) healthcare management model to streamline risk identification for Jubilee Life Insurance employees and their families Under the partnership Jubilee Life Insurance will also get access to Healthx’s signature Disease Management Program which offers comprehensive data-driven healthcare solutions with a primary focus on prevention, early intervention, and risk mitigation from the impacts of prolonged ailments The collaboration is a testament to Healthx's unwavering dedication to the well-being of the staff at Jubilee Life Insurance Employees of the company along with their families will have access to state-ofthe-art primary healthcare services PR

JS Bank, State Life forge strategic alliance to provide financial solutions for customers and employees

K A R A C H I: State Life Insurance Corporation of Pakistan (SLIC) and JS Bank Limited have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to provide seamless financial and insurance services to their customers and employees Through this agreement, JS Bank will provide innovative transaction banking solutions including cash management and

Mr Azfar Ahsan President Marketing Association of Pakistan along with Vice President, Mr Amer Salam and office-bearers of Lahore chapter at Oath-Taking Ceremony of Committee members 2023-24 PR

A N N U A L R E M I T TA N C E S P L U M M ET E D L I K E

N E V E R B E F O R E . W H Y H A S I T H A P P E N E D ?

suggests) is a network of commercial bank treasuries that trade currency primarily US dollars, among themselves Broadly speaking, banks make these trades on a daily basis with other banks to manage liquidity needs and adhere to minimum and maximum limits set by the regulator (the State Bank of Pakistan) on how much foreign exchange any licensed commercial bank should have on their books at any given time

Since May 1999, Pakistan has been following a market-based flexible exchange rate system However there have been instances where the SBP on instruction of the federal government has intervened in the market to control the exchange rate

The interbank rate applies to all foreign exchange receipts and payments

This is for the private and public sectors The exchange rate depends on the demand and supply conditions in the domestic interbank market

of foreign currency exchanges where individuals can go buy and sell currency

money back home through legal routes have two options either through a bank or currency exchange These are more formally known as the interbank and open markets respectively

The interbank market (as the name

The interbank is fed by inflows such as export proceeds, remittances, grants, aid, donations, and foreign direct investment Any money that comes into the country through these official channels comes in through commercial banks for their clients This feeds the interbank

Meanwhile the open market in Pakistan, or kerb market, primarily consists

UBL setting up own exchange company.

Here’s why?

Mere days after the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) cracked down on currency exchange companies to control the dollar, United Bank Limited (UBL) has announced that it is establishing an exchange company The announcement comes a week after the central bank rolled out reforms to control the country s foreign exchange markets Because of these reforms other commercial banks might soon be following suit

The announcement means UBL has now become the third major commercial bank to also operate an exchange company after Habib Bank Limited (HBL) and the National Bank of Pakistan (NBP) UBL’s board of directors announced that the new exchange company would be endowed with Rs 1 billion as paidup capital HBL s HBL Currency Exchange (Pvt ) Ltd is a wholly-owned subsidiary, while National Bank Limited operates NBP Exchange Company Limited is also under full ownership According to NBP Exchange Company Limited’s annual statement the subsidiary concluded the calendar year of 2022 with an equity balance of a robust Rs 1 8 billion and a profit of nearly Rs 44 crores yielding a return on equity of a whopping 24% This shows the lucrativeness of the foreign exchange business

UBL Exchange Company

This decision to set up an exchange company disclosed through an official stock filing signifies a pivotal step for UBL The newly conceived exchange company will be classed as a wholly-owned subsidiary of the bank This transformational move is contingent upon receiving the seal of approval from the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP), alongside adherence to various regulatory prerequisites

This momentous development follows the recent concerted crackdown against black market operatives and the subsequent announcement by the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) to introduce structural reforms in the Exchange Companies sector SBP unveiled a set of reforms related to exchange companies:

The point of the recent crackdown has been to rein in the open market and strengthen governance internal controls and compliance culture in the sector As part of these reforms leading banks actively engaged in foreign exchange business would establish wholly owned Exchange Companies to cater to the legitimate foreign exchange needs of the general public

Additionally the minimum capital requirement for Exchange Companies has been increased from Rs 200 million to Rs 500 million free of losses

The Supreme Court (SC) ruled on Tuesday that pleas filed by two former army officers against their convictions for plotting to overthrow the government of late prime minister Benazir Bhutto in 1995 were “without merit” and hence stood dismissed

The two ex-army officers Col Mohammad Azad Minhas and Col Inayat Ullah Khan, were arrested on Sept 26, 1995, along with now deceased Maj Gen Zaheerul Islam Abbasi, Brig Mustansir Billa and 38 other military officers on the charge of plotting to storm a corps commanders meeting scheduled to be held on Sept 30 that year at the General Headquarters in Rawalpindi

The alleged plan included the assassination of then-prime minister Benazir and army chief Gen Waheed Kakar, senior cabinet ministers and military chiefs, to be followed by the proclamation of the Islamic system of Khilafat with Maj Gen Abbasi as Ameerul Momineen The details of the con-

The open market gets its inflows through remittances, travelers exchanging notes, and sometimes savers exchanging the currency they have held on to At first glance you’re probably thinking that these two markets are vastly independent and do not rely on each other That is not entirely true Exchange companies maintain foreign currency accounts with banks in Pakistan to receive remittances via Money Transfer Operators They also deposit or surrender 100 percent of their foreign currency in these accounts at the end of trading days In addition they sell a minimum of 10 percent of US dollars they receive from export of foreign currencies in the interbank market on an ongoing basis That makes both the markets interconnected There is usually a differential or spread between the rates in the interbank and open markets This is primarily because the exchange companies, while not always charging a commission, charge a margin so that they make money

In normal circumstances the difference between the two rates is small However in times of volatility the spread may grow Sometimes however the interbank rate is higher than the

open market rate This is very rare but has happened Pakistanis having a rupee account in a commercial bank can encash foreign currency they receive as remittance in the form of rupees; the conversion rate is based on the rate sheet [slightly lower than the interbank rate] for a particular branch if the amount is small If the amount is large, then the bank s treasury will negotiate the rate with the customer Separately, Pakistanis having a foreign currency account can withdraw money physical dollars or other currencies from their bank They can then sell it in the open market if the rate is higher A flourishing grey market Exchange Companies Association of Pakistan (ECAP) Secretary General Zafar Paracha laid the blame for the decline in remittances squarely on the government s contradictory policies and more specifically the decision to impose an artificial cap on the USDPKR exchange rate that led to a flourishing grey market

Meanwhile, independent economic analyst A A H Soomro also said the primary reason behind the decline was the gap between the interbank open and grey market rates

Re g u l ato r y a c t i o n l o o m s a g a i n s t

M C s a s g ov t t a rg e t s f u e l h o a rd i n g

A fuel crisis may be looming in the country with reports coming in that the retail outlets of a number of Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs) have been found dry at multiple locations Worry has spread across the corridors of power regarding the possibility of more petrol pumps facing shortages in the days to come

In response the Petroleum Division’s Director General Oil Imran Ahmed has called upon the Chairman of the Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (OGRA) to take regulatory action against those OMCs that are operating dry retail outlets

In a letter dated September 12, 2023, the DG informed OGRA chairman that the Minister for Energy has taken serious notice of the reports of dry retail outlets of OMCs at few locations and directed that OGRA may mobilise its enforcement team to ensure that all the OMCs must keep their retails outlets wet and well supplied with petroleum products

The DG Oil s letter also highlighted that, according to OGRA/OCAC daily reports, the country currently possesses sufficient stocks of petrol (MS) and high-speed diesel (HSD) Therefore any attempt at hoarding must be strongly discouraged and curbed

The letter further emphasised that regulatory action may be taken against any OMC(s) maintaining stocks lower than the mandatory requirement so as to stave off any potential countrywide shortage of petroleum products In addition to the Chair-

man of OGRA Imran Ahmed has also forwarded this critical directive to the Secretary General of the Oil Companies Advisory Council (OCAC) and the Chairman of the Oil Marketing Association of Pakistan (OMAP)

An official of OGRA on condition not to be named said that ample stocks of Diesel (i e 35 days cover) and Petrol (i e 30 days cover including vessel at birth) are available in the country as of today (1209-2023) He said that OGRA Enforcement teams are already in field to ensure / monitor uninterrupted supplies / dry outlets in major cities of the country He said all OMCs have also been directed by OGRA to ensure smooth / continuous supplies at their retail outlets across the country and to remain more vigilant through their field teams However no shortage has been reported as yet said OGRA official

It is relevant to note that prices of petroleum products have soared to record highs, and there is a growing expectation that the caretaker government may consider further increases in fuel prices for the second half of September 2023 And due to likely hike in oil prices some of the petrol pumps in a bid to gain more inventory benefits are used to seek additional quantities of petroleum products when the oil prices are estimated to go up It is worth mentioning that this proactive approach reinforces the government’s willingness to protect the interests of the populace especially at a time when global energy prices are on the rise and acts as a forceful disincentive to possible hoarding activities

In a display of negligence within the Pakistan Standard and Quality Control Authority (PSQCA) it has been disclosed that all the laboratories under PSQCA have remained unaccredited for years failing to meet the required standards of proficiency technical expertise and competent staff This revelation has raised significant concerns about the validity and reliability of the test reports issued by the Quality Control Center (QCC), an attached department of the Ministry of Science and Technology which still continues to issue reports without conducting tests in accredited labs as mandated by regulations Insiders have disclosed that thousands of samples collected by PSQCA or sent by companies seeking certificates/conformity reports either remain untested or have received fake reports To make matters worse, PSQCA occasionally refers tests to private labs accredited by the Pakistan National Accreditation Council (PNAC) indicating a glaring failure on the part of the regulatory authority to fulfill its fundamental role, making the authority entirely redundant Official sources reveal that all 15 labs under PSQCA have lost their accreditation with PNAC, the national body responsible for regulating and accrediting laboratories and certification bodies This loss of accreditation is due to various deficiencies including inadequate machinery technical staff proficiency and other specified requirements Director General of PNAC, Asmat Gul Khtak, confirmed that PSQCA labs are currently not accredited by PNAC, although there may be one or two exceptions The affected PSQCA labs encompass a range of specialties such as

g REFORMING SYSTEM KEY TO ACHIEVE OBJECTIVE: REPORT

The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has admitted that there is a lack of ownership among the tax machinery on the issue of expanding the tax net (Broadening the tax base)

ISLAMABAD S TA F F R E P O R T

An anti-terrorism court (ATC) in Islamabad on Tuesday adjourned the hearing on the bail application of former Punjab chief minister Chaudhry

Pervaiz Elahi in the judicial complex attack case until September 15

ATC judge Abual Hasnat Muhammad Zulqarnain heard the bail petition However, police failed to present the case’s record even today The court directed the police to submit the record on the next hearing

spiracy were revealed after Qari Saifullah

Akhtar, one of the conspirators and chief of his breakaway faction called Harkat-ul-Jihad al Islami, turned an approver

On his witness the Field General Court Martial (FGCM) awarded seven years of imprisonment to retired Maj Gen Abbasi when a large cache of arms and military uniforms were confiscated

The FGCM also awarded a 14-year jail term to Brig Mustansir Billa for his alleged involvement in the attempted coup

Col Minhas and Col Khan were courtmartialled in Sept 1996 for their alleged role in the conspiracy by the FGCM and sentenced to four years each in prison by a military court Col Khan had challenged the sentence in the Supreme Court in 2000 and Col Minhas in the Lahore High Court which dismissed his appeal in May last year

In their appeal before the SC they contended that the sentence was without jurisdiction and with mala fide intention as a consequence of which they had been removed from the military service and their properties and other privileges confiscated

During the proceedings, Pervaiz Elahi’s lawyer argued for the case to be fixed for September 14 but the judge fixed the hearing for September 15 citing a busy schedule Four days ago, on September 8, 2023 (Friday), an ATC in Islamabad had sent former Punjab chief minister and PTI President Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi to Adiala Jail on 14-day judicial remand Earlier the PTI president was produced before ATC judge Abul

The apex court had reserved its verdict on their pleas in February last year

The judgement, a copy of which is available with Dawn com, said during the course of arguments the two former officers contended it was mandatory for the prosecution to prove the main offence of conspiring to wage a war against Pakistan before starting trial against them on another charge

They further argued that the principal charge framed under the Pakistan Army Act, 1952 lacked “jurisdiction” and was “illegal” as it “exclusively relates to misconduct or omission committed on the basis of assigned military duty According to the petitioners their court-martial was based on mala fide as the FGCM lacked the jurisdiction to issue the order and hence, it was “not sustainable in the eyes of law”

In response the Additional Attorney General for Pakistan contested these claims

After hearing arguments from both sides the court observed that the two former officers were rightly dealt with under the Army Act on that matter and as such, their argu-

According to the Stakeholder Engagement Plan issued under the World Bank-funded Pakistan Raises Revenue Project (PRRP) broadening the tax base is one of the objectives of reforms as the FBR is not achieving results with the current system In addition there is also a lack of clarity and ownership and to address these issues, diligence and procedure are required for taxpayer mapping and field surveys to identify potential taxpayers before bringing them into the tax net According to this plan representatives from the Sindh Revenue Board (SRB) shared their viewpoints on their relationship with FBR and other operational issues that they face At the provincial level, tax collection is fragmented under three tax collection authorities There is a Revenue Board in each province, which is responsible for GST on services; the Board of Revenue (BoR) is responsible for the collection of registration fees stamp duty capital value tax agricultural income tax and land revenue; and Excise, Taxation and Narcotics Control (ET&N) Department, responsible for property tax, professional tax, infrastructure development cess, motor vehicle tax excise duty cotton fee liquor and narcotics and entertainment duty There is a need to streamline the systems to engage in seamless data sharing (among different entities) Enforcement, presence, and outreach are critical issues

ment that action taken against them under the law be declared based on mala fide had no legal justification” Moreover, their argument that their trial before the FGCM was an “abuse of process has no sanctity” and was vehemently discarded the court order said

The court observed that if the petitioners argument that the concept of duty/ obligation assigned to a military officer necessarily related to a duty/responsibility assigned for a particular task was accepted, “it would amount to a narrow interpretation regarding responsibilities of members of a disciplined force”

A military officer of either of the rank is under a bounden duty to execute momentary obligations assigned or not, in order to uphold the dignity, reputation, discipline and above all maintain order of the institution in letter and spirit “Any act of omission which hampers integrity/discipline of the institution would definitely be accountable considering it an act triable under the Army Act it said

The court also termed the pleas filed by the two former army officers in the SC and

high court not maintainable

It further observed that petitioners had moved the court against their convictions after considerable and “could not give sufficient reason as to why they remained silent for years and did not invoke the constitutional jurisdiction well in time therefore on this score alone their constitutional petitions are liable to be dismissed

On the petitioners contention against them being deprived of privileges and amenities meant for army personnel including membership in the housing scheme and allotment of plots the court noted it was settled that dismissal from service squarely takes away all the perks, privileges and amenity services from an army personnel conferred in lieu of his induction into the Pakistan Army” “There is no second cavil to this proposition that after dismissal from service the appellant/petitioner cannot claim any benefit because of the reason that their termination was in pursuance of the defiance of the discipline and order of the institution discreetly, the court order read

Eyebrows raised over product qualit y control as credibilit y of PSQCA labs under question mark

g ACCREDITATION OF ALL LABS UNDER AUTHORITY HA S BEEN UNDER SUSPENSION FOR YEARS

Lack of ownership among tax machiner y hampers broadening tax base: FBR