Epaper_23-09-17 KHI

P M S E E S N O ‘ D E L AY ’ I N P O L L S D U E T O

S E C U R I T Y S I T U AT I O N O N B O R D E R S

CA R E TA K E R Prime Minister Anwaarul Haq Kakar on Saturday said that he did not see no possibility of a delay in general elections due to the security situation on Pakistan’s borders

“I see no such possibility at present

Although there is an alarming situation on our western and eastern frontiers in which the security threat and the required response mechanism are being enhanced, we are sure that we will control the situation and complete the electoral process at the same time,” Interim Premier Anwaarul Haq expressed the views when asked about the possibility during an interview with Voice of America (VOV) Urdu

The PM s statement comes amid growing demand from various quarters for immediate announcement of the poll date by the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) which has already said elections will be pushed beyond the constitutionally mandated period of 90 days following the dissolution of the National Assembly on May 9

The electoral watchdog 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 ”

Meanwhile President Dr Arif Alvi has proposed to the ECP to hold general elections by November 6 citing a constitutionally mandated time frame for the polls

Earlier, he also invited the chief election commissioner (CEC) to a meeting to decide on a date for the elections But the CEC declined the invitation referring to a recent amendment to the Elections Act 2017 that empowered the commission to announce the dates for polls unilaterally without having to consult the president PM Kakar has been of the same view, saying on various occasions that appointing a date for elections and organising the polls was the ECP’s man-

date and that the caretaker government’s job was just to assist the commission

He reiterated this stance in the interview with VOA when asked about reasons due to which the caretaker government was unable to end the speculation surrounding elections”

“I don’t believe that the caretaker government should intervene and address such speculations

Primarily according to the law and Constitution, it (organising polls) is the Election Commission of Pakistan s job, and we are certain that they are performing this task with sincerity

“They have already initiated the process and they are fulfilling some constitutional requirement probably pertaining to delimitation and they will soon announce the [poll] date, PM Kakar said

He also assured that the interim government had been taking measures regarding the provision of assistance for holding elections

The caretaker government fulfils the Election Commission Pakistan s requirements and provides assistance wherever required on a daily basis,” he said

Asked whether the caretaker government would raise any objection if the Supreme Court ruled that elections be held in the 90-day period he reiterated his stance that it was not for the interim government to raise any such objection

Holding elections was the ECP s mandate and the interim government to

Saudi Crown Prince to visit Pakistan soon, claims Caretaker FM Jalil Abbas

LONDON

S TA F F R E P O R T

Caretaker Foreign Minister Jalil Abbas Jilani claimed that Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman is set to make an imminent visit to Pakistan Jilani as talking to reporters here where was participating in the Youth Ministers Conference of the Commonwealth of Nations Responding to inquiries regarding Pakistan’s strained relations with India Foreign Minister Jilani reiterated that diplomatic ties have remained severed since the revocation of the special status of Occupied Kashmir Reflecting on the current state of affairs in Pakistan, Minister Jilani highlighted the caretaker government’s determined efforts to curb currency smuggling which has resulted in a notable decline in the value of the US dollar He also commended the government’s decision to take a firm stance on addressing illegal immigration granting those living in the country without proper documentation an opportunity to rectify their status Furthermore Minister Jilani assured the public that elections would be held as scheduled, with the Election Commission slated to announce the official date in due course

NAB chief convenes meeting to mull situation after SC’s verdict

conditions not being fulfilled could various We are playing our role regarding this and are engaged on the rights forums on the role that we expect the other side to play he added

The premier also maintained that trade ties between Pakistan and Afghanistan, as well as Central Asia, were improving Ties with Gulf countries

He also dismissed the impression that Pakistan was becoming isolated on the world stage after growing ties between Gulf countries and India Nations join and move away from blocs in the global arrangement on the basis of convergence of interests and conflicts of interests

general till the regular appointment to the post fell vacant after the resignation of Prosecutor General Asghar Haider

The resignation of NAB Prosecutor General Haider was accepted on September 14

Yesterday, a three-member bench of the apex court, led by Chief Justice of Pakistan Umar Ata Bandial, approved the petition filed by the Pakistan Tehreek-eInsaf chief against the NAB amendments passed during the PDM regime The top court nullified nine out of 10 clauses of the NAB amendments

provide it will all the needed assistance for polls he asserted Pakistan will take action in defence wherever necessary’ When asked whether there were any options for surgical strikes and drone attacks in Afghanistan were on the cards given the growing threat from banned militant outfit Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) he said: Pakistan has the right to defence Wherever we will feel the need for action to protect our land and people, we will take it He added, “I will not go into specifics of the operational decisions that Pakistan can take But when the need arises due to this threat we will take decisions accordingly

The PM further said Pakistan s interests were the top priority in talks with the Afghan Taliban He also dispelled the impression that the Afghan Taliban were not agreeing to Pakistan s demands further stating that Islamabad too was not making any specific demands from the rulers in the neighbouring country

The premier referred to the Doha deal under which the Taliban agreed not to let Afghan soil be used against other countries saying he believed that the Afghan Taliban too were convinced that abiding by this agreement was needed for strong and amicable relations with neighbours in the region

“Reason behind the agreement’s

A similar situation is seen regarding the GCC (Gulf Cooperation Council) he said, adding that the GCC was exporting hydrocarbon in large quantities

“Will they compromise the export market comprising 1 5 billion Chinese and join a bloc the idea for which is being imagined? I don t think so he said apparently referring to a new ports and railway corridor for the Middle East and South Asia that is conceived to include train links to India Press freedom and Imran

Answering a question about the state of journalistic freedom in the country and an alleged restriction on the broadcast of PTI Chairman Imran Khan s name in the media, the premier rebuffed the notion and said: “You can take anyone’s name I think Pakistan’s indicators regarding journalistic freedom of expression are still much better if not the best relative to the region

The premier maintained that there was no issue, from human rights to the conduct of state institutions to economic reforms, on which journalists did not have permission to raise their voices or the opportunity to air their thoughts

Questioned further on the PTI chief and whether the cases against him proved right the perception that it was an attempt to exclude Imran from politics, the prime minister said it was a sub-judice matter and the conclusion of judicial proceedings was awaited

Imran applies for post-ar rest bail to IHC in Cypher case

ISLAMABAD S TA F F R E P O R T

PTI Chairman and former prime minister Imran Khan on Saturday applied for post-arrest bail to the Islamabad High Court following rejection of bail application by the trial court in Missing Cypher Case

In the bail petition filed through Barrister Salman Safdar he requested the court to order his release on bail

The Special Court Islamabad, established to hear cases under Official Secrets Act, had already rejected Imran Khan’s bail application in Cypher case Imran Khan is presently lodged in Attock jail after the Special Court on Wednesday last had extended his judicial remand till September 26 in Cypher case

The PTI chairman was sent to jail on August 5 following his conviction in Toshakhana case but the IHC had suspended his sentence However, the special court had directed Attock jail authorities to keep him in “judicial lockup” in connection with the cipher case

C Y P H E R C A S E: The first information report (FIR) was registered on August 15 under the Official Secrets Act It was registered on the complaint of Home Secretary against PTI Chairman Imran Khan and former foreign minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi while names of former principal secretary Azam Khan and former planning minister Asad Umar were also mentioned

Per vaiz Elahi

rearrested for ‘12th time’ upon release from Adiala Jail

PTI President Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi was rearrested on Saturday for 12th time since June 1 by the Punjab Anti-Corruption Establishment (ACE) as soon as he left the Central Jail Rawalpindi commonly known as Adiala jail after his release

The latest arrest came as Pervaiz Elahi who had served as the Punjab chief minister twice – is nominated in four corruption related cases being investigated by the ACE – the top anti-graft agency in the province Pervaiz Elahi is among several PTI leaders and workers who have been arrested amid the state s crackdown on the PTI leadership following the violent riots in the country after Imran s first arrest on May 9 His fresh detention comes a day after an Islamabad anti-terrorism court (ATC) granted the former Punjab chief minister bail in a case pertaining to riots outside the Federal Judicial Complex (FJC) in March Later an Islamabad court granted the Punjab AntiCorruption Establishment (ACE) one-day transit remand of PTI President Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi in a graft case According to Pervaiz Elahi’s lawyer Sardar Abdul Razzaq the surety bonds for yesterday’s bail were not submitted yet hence his client had not been released from the Adiala jail and subsequently taken into custody by the ACE

Speaking to the media, Razzaq said the Punjab ACE asked for Pervaiz Elahi s five-day remand, but the court granted it one-day transit remand The PTI leader would now be taken to Lahore and presented before the relevant anti-corruption court tomorrow he said When a reporter asked him about reports of Pervaiz Elahi being asked to hold a [press] conference he said Pervaiz Elahi was very determined on his political stance and was not ready to hold any sort of press conference” Asked about the former Punjab chief minister’s physical health the lawyer acknowledged that he was an “elderly person and a heart patient” but was in high spirits and has a high morale

T H E F I R: The first information report (FIR) has details of the time of reporting and sections invoked filled in with pen The FIR was registered on July 19 at the Lahore ACE police station on the complaint of Lahore ACE officer Tariq Mehmood It invokes sections 109 (punishment of abetment if the Act abetted committed in consequence and where no express provision is made for its punishment) 409 (criminal breach of trust by a public servant, or by banker, merchant or agent), 420 (cheating and dishonestly inducing delivery of property), 467 (forgery of valuable security, will, etc), 468 (forgery for purpose of cheating) and 471 (using as genuine a forged document) of the Pakistan Penal Code as well as section 5 (criminal misconduct) of the Prevention of Corruption Act 1947 According to the FIR, in March 2021, then-CM Pervaiz Elahi misused his authority and colluded with Lahore Development Authority Director Amir Ahmed Khan to illegally alter the draft of the Lahore Master Plan 2050 and include Kotli Rai Abu Bakar an area in Kasur district in it As a result the value of the land owned by Pervaiz Elahi s sons – Moonis Elahi and Rasikh Elahi in Kotli Rai Abu Bakar increased manifold, the FIR said

CJ P B andial hangs up robe as J us t ice Q azi Is a t akes oat h t oday

ISLAMABAD

S TA F F R E P O R T

Chief Justice of Pakistan Justice Umar Ata

Bandial stood retired on Saturday and the Chief Justice-designate Justice Qazi Faez Isa will take oath to his office today (Sunday) Justice Isa’s nomination as the next Chief Justice of Pakistan was approved by President Dr Arif Alvi on June 21 He will be sworn in by the President as the 29th Chief Justice of Pakistan Justice Isa has been provided security as per the law

The outgoing Chief Justice Bandial expressed best wishes for his successor He has also vacated his official residence at Judges

Colony in Islamabad Justice Bandial has served as the top judicial office for over 19 months as he was appointed on Feb 2, 2022, though his notifi-

cation had been issued on Jan 17

Whereas, Justice Isa will serve as chief justice for over a year until Oct 25 2024 He took the oath as a Supreme Court judge on Sept 5 2014 It is pertinent to mention here that President Alvi had filed a reference of misconduct against Justice Isa in the Supreme Judicial Council in May 2019 on the recommendation of then Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf government

However a 10-judge Supreme Court bench led by Justice Bandial set aside the presidential reference against Justice Isa in June 2020, absolving him of the charge of misconduct for allegedly not revealing three offshore companies in the name of his wife and children Consequently the proceedings against Justice Isa pending in the SJC also stood terminated However the apex court then ordered the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) to con-

duct an inquiry into the allegations of nondeclaration of foreign assets Later in an exciting turn of events the Supreme Court in April 2021 by a majority of six to four overturned its June 2020 order that required verification and subsequent findings by the tax authorities on three foreign properties after accepting his review petition Justice Isa was born on October 26, 1959 in Quetta In his early years he was a part of the Bar of England and Wales in the 1980s and was enrolled as an advocate of the Supreme Court from Balochistan He has practiced law for over 27 years before all the high courts, the Federal Shariat Court and the Supreme Court Later, he also served as a member of the Balochistan High Court Bar Association Sindh High Court Bar Association and Life Member of the Supreme Court Bar Association and chief justice of Balochistan during different periods

ISLAMABAD

S ta f f R e p o R t

Panacea for economic stability and all other issued confronted by Pakistan lies in following the principles of founder of nation

Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah

This was stated by the speakers of event titled “Quaid-e-Azam ka Tasawar-ePakistan” organized by Islamabad Chamber of Commerce & Industry (ICCI) in collaboration with Idara-i-Nazaria-iPakistan

Senator Raja Zafarul Haq and Senator Syed Mushahid Hussain, members of Board of Governors of Idara-i-Nazaria-i-Pakistan, Salman Farooq Prof Naeem Qasim Engr

Arif Sheikh & Gazala Shaheen Wayn

Members of the General Council and many other dignitaries were present on the occasion

Addressing the participants, Senator Raja Zafarul Haq said that Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah had envisioned a

JI to hold sit-ins outside all Governor’s Houses against fuel price hike

LAHORE S ta f f R e p o R t

Pakistan where people of all religions would enjoy welfare of life, rule of law, freedom of expression, and a strong economy However, these things are missing in Pakistan these days He stressed that all should follow the principles of Quaid-e-Azam in letter and spirit to steer the country out of the current economic crisis

Senator Syed Mushahid Hussain said that Quaid-e-Azam wanted an enhanced role for the private sector in Pakistan to make it a strong economy of the region and stressed that the government should take measures for ease of doing business in the country He said that Quaid-e-Azam believed in rule of law and protection of human rights of all communities in Pakistan, which should be ensured in the country He stressed that the government should open borders to promote trade with neighboring countries that would bring progress and prosperity to the region

President ICCI Ahsan Zafar Bakhtawari said that Quaid-e-Azam had stressed for concentrating on the wellbeing of the people

to make Pakistan a happy and prosperous country, but the current situation was against his vision as the people are suffering from record high inflation and high cost of living He stressed that all political parties should sit together to find a way-forward for the economy to put it on the path of sustainable development He stressed that the government should focus on promoting ease of doing business to make Pakistan a progressive and prosperous economy Z a f a r B a k h t a w a r i m e m b e r G e n e r a l Council of Idara-i-Nazaria-i-Pakistan said t h a t Q u a i d - e - A z a m h a d e n v i s i o n e d a u n i t e d P a k i s t a n p e o p l e o f a l l r e l i g i o n s w o u l d l i v e w i t h h a r m o n y, b u t u n f o r t u n a t e l y, t h e e n e m i e s o f P a k i s t a n have created polarization and hybrid war i n P a k i s t a n c r e a t i n g m o r e d i v i s i o n s i n society He stressed that all stakeholders should play a role to promote political and economic stability in Pakistan to translate the vision of Quaid-e-Azam into reality Naheed Imran Gill Secretary General,

ISLAMABAD S ta f f R e p o R t

Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) on Saturday rejected the massive increase in petroleum prices and announced to stage sit-ins outside the governor s houses in all the four provinces The chief of JI Sirajul Haq said that the government has made the life of a common man miserable by increasing the petroleum prices on the directions of IMF He added that being silent amid the current state of affairs was equivalent to death and urged everyone to take to the streets He said that JI would force the government to withdraw the increase in petroleum prices through public support We are going to start a protest movement against the increase in petroleum and electricity prices he said The JI chief was of the view that sit-ins would be staged outside the governor houses in all the four provinces He urged the people to come on the roads and join the protest movement of Jamaat-e-Islami Meanwhile, Sardar Abdul Rahim of Grand Democratic Alliance also rejected the increase in petroleum prices He said that the PDM s agreement with IMF proved to be fatal for Pakistan s economy \

Aneeq pledges to take up issue of private hajj organisers with Saudi gov t

KARACHI S ta f f R e p o R t C a r e t a k e r F e d e r a l M i n i s t e r f o r R e l i g i o u s A ff a i r s a n d I n t e r f a i t h H a r m o n y A n e e q A h m e d h a s v o w e d t o t a k e u p t h e i s s u e s o f t h e p r i v a t e H a j j o rg a n i z e r s w i t h t h e S a u d i g o v e r n m e n t W h i l e a d d r e s s i n g t h e S i n d h H a j j Wo r k s h o p o rg a n i z e d b y t h e H a j j O rg a n i z e r s A s s o c i a t i o n o f P a k i s t a n a t a l o c a l h o t e l h e r e , h e s a i d t h a t t h e S a u d i H a j j M i n i s t e r d u r i n g h i s r e c e n t v i s i t t o P a k i s t a n h a d v e r b a l l y s a i d t h a t t h e r e w a s a n i s s u e m a n a g i n g P a k i s t a n i H a j j O p e r a t o r s a n d t h e i r n u m b e r w o u l d b e d e c r e a s e d f r o m 9 0 1 t o 2 0 0 o r 2 5 0 H e s a i d t h a t t h e S a u d i M i n i s t e r c o u l d h a v e r a i s e d t h e r e d u c t i o n i s s u e d u e t o i n t e r n a l m a t t e r s H e s a i d t h a t t h e y h a d n o t r e c e i v e d a n y o ff i c i a l l e t t e r f r o m t h e S a u d i g o v e r n m e n t r e g a r d i n g t h e r e d u c t i o n o f t h e p r i v a t e h a j j o p e r a t o r s s o f a r a n d h o p e d t h a t t h e m a t t e r w o u l d b e r e s o l v e d b e f o r e A n e e q s a i d I a m g o i n g t o S a u d i A r a b i a t o m o r r o w a n d w i l l t a k e t h i s i s s u e w i t h t h e H a j j M i n i s t e r T h e M i n i s t e r s a i d t h a t h e w a n t e d t o p r o v i d e t h e b e s t f a c i l i t i e s t o t h e P i l g i r i m s d u r i n g t h e H a j j o f 2 0 2 4 a n d w o u l d m a k e a l l - o u t e ff o r t s f o r t h e m E a r l i e r t h e C e n t r a l C h a i r m a n o f t h e P r i v a t e H a j j O p e r a t o r s o f P a k i s t a n J a m a l K h a n Ta r a k a i r a i s e d t h e i s s u e o f t h e r e d u c t i o n o f p r i v a t e h a j j o p e r a t o r s w i t h t h e I n t e r i m M i n i s t e r a n d u rg e d h i m t o t a k e i t u p w i t h t h e S a u i d H a j j M i n i s t e r d u r i n g h i s v i s i t a n d g e t i t r e s o l v e d T h e I n t e r i m M i n i s t e r i n t h e m o r n i n g v i s i t e d J a m i a e R a s h i d L a t e r h e p a i d a v i s i t t o J a m i a e N a e e m i a a n d m e t M u f t i M u n i b u r R e h m a n T h e n I a l s o v i s i t e d C a r d i n a l S t P a t r i c C h u r c h

Rain with wind and thundershower is expected in Punjab, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pothohar region, Islamabad, southeast

Sindh, northeast & southern Balochistan, Gilgit Baltistan and Kashmir during the next 12 hours

Isolated heavy falls is expected during the forecast period

Temperature of some

major cities recorded this morning:

Islamabad and Gilgit 21 degree

centigrade, Lahore 26, Karachi 28, Peshawar 27, Quetta 20, Murree 16 and Muzaffarabad 25 degree centigrade

According to weather forecast for Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir partly cloudy weather with chances of rain-wind-thundershower is expected in Srinagar, Jammu, Pulwama, Anantnag, Shopian, Baramula and Leh

Temperature recorded this morning:

Srinagar Anantnag and Baramula 19

Radio Pakistan achieves signific ant

milestones in ‘digital migration’:

ISLAMABAD

S ta f f R e p o R t

Addressing International Conference on Radio Resource Control and Management being held in Amsterdam via Zoom, he said Radio Pakistan had achieved significant milestones in its journey of digital migration

Despite facing numerous challenges and obstacles Radio Pakistan has been on its path of progress, he said while stressing that the broadcasting landscape was evolving globally, including in Pakistan

He said digitalization of Radio Pakistan was currently in progress with efforts were underway to digitize its entire archives

The minister said Radio Pakistan was transitioning towards Digital Radio Mondiale (DRM) technology to align its broadcasts with international standards

With the installation of DRM transmitters, he said Radio Pakistan s broadcast would not only be accessible throughout the country but also in neighboring nations

Solangi

degree centigrade, Jammu 26, Leh twelve, Pulwama and Shopian 18 degree centigrade Meanwhile heavy rain in Islamabad and Rawalpindi inundated lowlying areas on Saturday

Water accumulated on roads after the rain Murree and different parts of Azad Kashmir also experienced rain on Saturday According to the Meteorological Department more than 66 mm of rain was recorded in the twin cities so far MD Wasa said that they were ready to deal with any kind of emergency situation

According to the Meteorological Department, rain was likely to occur in various districts of Sindh from September 18 to 20 Rain with strong winds subsided the prevailing heatwave conditions in Jhang Faisalabad Okara Renala Khurd and other Punjab cities Monsoon currents are likely to enter eastern Sindh from this evening, which may bring intermittent thundershowers in Karachi division till September 20

3-day poultr y expo to star t in Lahore from Sept 21st

LAHORE a p p

A 3-day International Poultry Expo (IPEX) 2023 will be held under the auspices of Pakistan Poultry Association (PPA) at Expo Centre Lahore on Sept 211 This was announced by IPEX 2023

Solangi noted that the DRM technology was expected to reduce Radio Pakistan s operational costs by up to 40 per cent, with the added benefit of energy saving

The minister also highlighted an important feature of DRM transmitters which included an emergency warning system capable of issuing immediate alerts during natural disasters The initiative would also facilitate disaster management authorities in carrying out relief efforts in affected areas

Solangi expressed his gratitude to the DRM Consortium especially Chairperson Ruxandra Obreja for their cooperation in introducing DRM

technology in Pakistan

He expressed hope that continued collaboration between the DRM Consortium, Radio Pakistan s management, and engineers would lead to a successful digital rollout in the near future

The minister said with this historic achievement a new chapter was added to Radio Pakistan s glorious and historic 76-year journey

He congratulated the current Director General of Radio Pakistan and the DRM Steering Committee for their unwavering dedication and hard work noting that their efforts were turning a dream into reality

Chief Organizer Abdul Haye Mehta during a press briefing here on Saturday He expected the show would be attended by more than 300 foreign delegates from different countries, while over 6,000 business entrepreneurs, policy making authorities of the government and 30,000 general public was expected to visit the event dally The PPA has been holding IPEXs regularly since 1998 with the objectives of creating awareness amongst the farmers masses and veterinarians to share major developments and progress in different areas of poultry production in the world, he said and added the exhibition was aimed to develop closer ties amongst all stakeholders of the poultry Industry working in different sectors In the three-day conference an interactive session will be organized In the session principals and vice chancellors of colleges and universities, anchors from different TV channels would participate Earlier, only students of Lahore universities used to participate in this session, but this year students of 30 universities from all over Punjab will participate he said The poultry expo has numerous other benefits such as the networking of organizations working in different sectors, which are invited to listen to poultry issues which have a good impact on the overall development of the industry Abdul Haye Mehta said that the opening ceremony would be held on Sept 21 at 1 pm The interactive session would be held on Sept 22 and the closing ceremony would be held on Sept 23 The poultry expo would prove to be helpful in dealing with the problems and upcoming challenges faced by the poultry industry and through this, immense benefits would be gained, he maintained

ISLAMABAD a p p

ul Awal marks Eid Milad un Nabi which is celebrated all across the country with religious fervor and zeal The day is marked by public processions events and seminars shedding light on the Seerah of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH)

Earlier, the Central Ruet-e-Hilal Committee chief rebuked the rumours circulating regarding the sighting of the Rabi ul Awal moon and clarified they received no reports from any parts of the country about the moon

ISLAMABAD S ta f f R e p o R t Eid Milad-un-Nabi (PBUH) will be celebrated across the country on September 29 as the crescent marking the start of Rabi ul Awal for the Islamic year 1445AH was not sighted, announced the Central Ruet-e-Hilal Committee on Saturday The announcement came after the Central Ruet-e-Hilal Committee meeting headed by its chairman Maulana Abdul Khabir Azad met in Islamabad The meeting was attended by central and zonal committee members The committee assessed various moon sighting reports received from different parts of the country The committee didn t receive moon sighting reports from any part of the country [and] the committee with consensus, concluded that the month of Rabi ul Awal will commence on September 18 (Monday),” said Maulana Azad in a press conference after the meeting With the announcement Eid Milad un Nabi which is celebrated on 12th Rabi ul Awal will fall on September 29 The 12th Rabi

The Islamabad Electric Supply Company (IESCO) on Saturday caught 488 meters and imposed a fine of over Rs 30 02 million for stealing electricity in various areas of the company The IESCO spokesperson told that out of total, 332 meters were found slow and seven were tempered while direct power supply was getting from 149 meters FIRs have been registered against the power pilferers in their respective police stations and some of them have been arrested Local police fully cooperated with the company during the entire operation IESCO Chief Dr Muhammad Amjad expressed confidence in the success of this government-led campaign with the full dedication of officers and staff

Hamid

PA N A C E A F O R E C O N O M I C S TA B I L I T Y L I E S I N F O L LO W I N G Q U A I D ’ S R I N C I P L E S : S P E A K E R S

M A R K I N G I N T ' L D AY O F D E M O C R A C Y, U N C H I E F W A R N S O F

S H R I N K I N G C I V I C S PA C E S , U R G E S Y O U T H E M P O W E R M E N T

SOCIETIES must engage meaningfully with young people and empower them with the skills and education they need as the standard bearers of democratic principles, Secretary-General António Guterres said, commemorating the International Day of Democracy

The UN chief affirmed that democracy rule of law and respect for human rights underpin freedom promote sustainable development and safeguard the dignity of every person

On the International Day of Democracy we celebrate its promise to societies – and recognize the many threats it faces at this time of tension and turmoil, he said on Friday Guterres drew attention to the alarming trend of shrinking civic space

Misinformation and disinformation are major concerns he warned noting they poison public discourse polarize communities, and erode trust in institutions

T h e t h e m e f o r t h i s y e a r ’s

International Day “Empowering the Next Generation spotlights the pivotal role of c h i l d r e n a n d y o u n g p e o p l e i n

The Secretary-General stressed that merely listening to young voices is insufficient

“We must support them with massive investments in education skills-building and lifelong learning and we must protect human rights and advance gender equality he said

In conclusion, the UN chief called for unity across generations and urged collective efforts to build a more just and equitable world for all Commemorated annually on 15 September the International Day of

Asian G ames Hangzhou to deepen Pak- China cultural, spor ts exchanges

ISLAMABAD

A P P

The upcoming 19th Asian Games, scheduled to be held in the vibrant city of Hangzhou from September 23 to October

8 is poised to become a significant catalyst for deepening cultural and sports exchanges between Pakistan and China

Pakistani Consul General in Shanghai

Hussain Haider said

With over 12,500 athletes from 45 countries set to compete in a wide array of sports the 19th Asian Games have captured global attention The event promises to be a thrilling spectacle showcasing the extraordinary skills determination, and teamwork of athletes from diverse backgrounds Pakistan is sending a strong

contingent of 262 dedicated officials and talented athletes male and female who will compete in a wide range of 25 disciplines including cricket hockey swimming, badminton, martial arts, and many more

In addition to cricket and hockey, often referred to as Pakistan’s national obsessions Pakistan also has a huge competitive edge in e-sports squash and kabaddi he told China Economic Net

Discussing the need for Pakistan s sports industry to get a boost during the games, the Consul General said that as a young country with 64 percent of the population under the age of 29 Pakistan has a large sports market with Sialkot as the hub of Pakistan s sports industry For investors who come to Pakistan to invest in the sports industry, especially

Police arrest accused over desecration of Bible

RAWALPINDI S tA f f R e P o R t

A man was arrested and booked in Rawalpindi on Saturday in connection with the desecration of the Bible the holy book of the Christian faith

Rawalpindi Regional Police Officer Syed Khurram Ali said the arrest was made earlier in the day He further stated that the suspect will be presented in court tomorrow (Sunday) to secure his physical remand enabling the commencement of the interrogation process The incident came to light when a video showing a man insulting the Bible with a slipper surfaced on Twitter In response to the post, the Rawalpindi police stated that the suspect was “swiftly traced” and apprehended through “prompt law enforcement action” The police further stated that an exemplary punishment would be meted out to the suspect following a thorough and meritbased investigation A case regarding the incident was filed at the Morgah police station based on a complaint lodged by Assistant SubInspector (ASI) Naveed Aslam, invoking Section 298 of the Pakistan Penal Code (PPC) which pertains to uttering words with a deliberate intent to wound religious feelings

Chinese investors, who are already the largest investors in Pakistan, all the facilities and preferential policies that the

Democracy is an opportunity to review the state of democracy globally

It was established in 2007 by the UN General Assembly, which reaffirmed that democracy is a universal value based on the freely expressed will of people to determine their own political economic social and cultural systems and their full participation in all aspects of life

Also on Friday UN human rights experts highlighted the link between the digital world and fundamental democratic rights, urging States to ensure that they are protected in cyberspace Special rapporteurs on freedom of expression the situation of rights defenders

and freedom of peaceful assembly cautioned against the misuse of evolving technology to curtail human rights, shrink civic space, and target rights activists

“Digital space is not neutral space At the levels of its physical architecture regulation and use different groups exert their interests over it David Kaye Michel Forst and Clement Voule said

The principles of international human rights law, however, should be at the centre of its development, they emphasized

In conclusion, they reaffirmed that human rights should be at the forefront of considerations regarding the present and future of technology and the internet

SBP suspends another foreign exchange company over violation of rules

KARACHI I N P

Pakistani government opens to other industries are also applicable to investing in the sports industry," he added

CM approves upgradation of Lahore Zoo, S afari Park

LAHORE

A P P

Punjab Caretaker Chief Minister Mohsin Naqvi has accorded approval for upgradation of Lahore Zoo and Safari Park in order to provide recreational facilities of international standard to citizens under which new animals and birds would be brought to these two recreational places

He was presiding over a meeting at CM s Office on Saturday The meeting decided that other animals and birds including panda, hippopotamus, rhinoceros, African pigeon, black jaguar, puma and chiltan markhor [screw-horned goat] would be added to the Lahore Zoo and Safari Park New species of python and snakes would also be brought to the Lahore Zoo An elephant rhinoceros giraffe zebra ostrich and various kinds of deer would be shifted to the Safari Park Around 142 kinds of aquatic animals would be placed at the aquarium of Lahore Zoo and Safari Park and cages of an international standard would also be built for animals African zone desert and salt range would be made in the Safari Park Night Safari would

also be launched Citizens could also stay in the specially built huts of Safari Park CM Mohsin Naqvi while issuing directions for introducing e-ticketing system in Lahore Zoo and Safari Park said these two recreational places would be upgraded to international standards Other facilities in the Lahore Zoo and Safari Park would also be increased Chief Secretary, Senior Member Board of Revenue, Chairman Planning and Development (P&D), secretaries forest, finance, communication and works, P&D Director General Wildlife and other officials attended the meeting

The State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) has suspended the authorization of M/s Royal International Exchange Company (Pvt) Limited till further orders for violating SBP rules and regulations As per statement of central bank issued on Saturday, the exchange company, its head office, branches, franchises and payment booths have been debarred from undertaking any kind of business activity during the suspension period Earlier during last week the SBP had suspended the authorization of M/s Usman International Exchange Company –B (Pvt) Limited till further orders, with immediate effect Action has been taken due to serious violations of the central bank’s regulations and instructions It is pertinent to mention here that a nexus between illegal money exchanges and bankers was exposed in investigations by various agencies Illegal money exchanges orchestrated a nexus with various banks for money hoarding sources said Islamabad s 78 bankers and cashiers have been involved in this illegal arrangement, according to sources

CA A provides Rs1b to PIA , saves it from defaulting to IATA

KARACHI I N P

The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) by providing one billion rupees to Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) has saved it from defaulting to the International Air Transport Association (IATA) According to details, PIA was facing threat of being declared in default by IATA, which would have resulted in the suspension of PIA’s ticket sales worldwide but the CAA provide Rs1 billion to the national flag carrier to pay dues to IATA It s pertinent to mention here the PIA due to its financial crisis was unable to pay its service charges to IATA The Director General of CAA confirmed that on the directive of Ministry of Finance Rs one billion allocated to PIA for a week, assisted the national airline during challenging times Sources also indicate that PIA itself owes a significant amount in dues to CAA amounting to several billions

EPD taking measures ahead of smog season

LAHORE A P P

The 20th China-ASEAN Expo commenced in Nanning the capital of south China s Guangxi Zhuang

Autonomous Region on Saturday

The expo and the China-ASEAN Business and Investment Summit will last for four days, with the aim to enhance cooperation and economic integration between China and ASEAN countries

With the theme of Work Together for a

BOOK REVIEW

B y S y e d A f S A R S A j d

The first book is a versified translated version of noted poet and ex-bureaucrat Karamat Bukhari s Urdu poems into English The remaining two books forming collections of Urdu verse, have been authored and compiled by Riaz Ahmad Parwaz a veteran poet and journalist from Faisalabad ‘Beginning of Tomorrow’

Amina Rizwan, the translator of Karamat Bukhari s Urdu verse into English, is a writer, educator and design artist having obtained her MFA degree from Cranbrook Academy of Arts in Michigan (US)

Presently she is associated with the Pakistan Institute of Fashion & Design Lahore as an Assistant Professor of Jewellery Design and Gemological Sciences, She is also the author of Wearable Verses purported to be a critical and reflective manuscript of jewelery and objects from socio-cultural contexts’

Apart from a prolix introduction to the poetics of Karamat Bukhari by Tariq Wasifi the book contains a short preface by Karamat Bukhari himself in regards to the form and content of his compositions He claims that he has introduced multiple forms in his verse, such as ode, sonnet, blank verse, haiku ‘khamasi’ ‘mustazad’ and stanzas of varying lines like quintains and sestains

Harmonious Home and a Shared Future Promoting

High-Quality Development of the Belt and Road and Building an Epicentrum of Growth,” the expo emphasizes the importance of mutual understanding and cooperation for the development and prosperity of the region China has been ASEAN s largest trade partner for 14 consecutive years, and the two sides have been each other s largest trade partner for three consecutive years

Trade between China and ASEAN exceeded $970 billion in 2022 reflecting the deepening economic ties

with a view to broadening its contextuality viability and scope He does not approve of prose poetry as a genre of verse

The translator s prefatory note titled In search of truth and metaphors also sheds light on the mechanics and merits of Karamat Bukhari’s poetic art and creation

The title of the book is drawn from an identical title of one of his poems The advent of tomorrow simultaneously implies both hope and its elusiveness She thinks that Karamat s poetry highlights separation and solitude as a paradox of human existence aside from the journeys of age and time embedded in the gyrating course of one”s diurnal existence

The translation embodies a sizeable number of 123 poems The captions are selfspeaking the diction and the quality of versification (free verse), despite some prosodic deviations here and there, are generally fair and the range of figures of speech, such as similes, metaphors and symbols including conceits has been skillfully

between the two sides, data from the Ministry of Commerce showed Through the expo, China intends to work with all parties involved to explore opportunities, meet challenges and ramp up cooperation according to Mao Ning Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson

The expo will focus on implementing the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (RCEP) in a high-quality manner, promoting trade and investment liberalization, enhancing regional connectivity, and building an open regional economy, said the spokesperson

By the bye proof reading of the book does not seem to have been carried out prudently In the entire prose section and occasionally in the translated poems too syntactical errors are conspicuous that naturally affect the aesthetics of the product ‘Charagh-e arzoo shab bhar jaleiN’

‘Maghrib may mashriq daikha’

These verse collections by poet Riaz Ahmad Parwaz were published in 2020 and 2022 respectively The first is an anthology of ghazal whereas the second a collection of both ghazal and nazm The poet s vision seems to embrace time in its timelessness as manifested in the instant duo of his poetic work

Prof Riaz Ahmad Qadri a noted academic and poet-writer and Mujib-urRahman Sahil of Pak British Society have contributed forewords to the first book highlighting the salient features of Riaz Ahmad Parwaz’s poetics and style The former holds that Parwaz is a talented poet with years of experience in the art of versification His poetry is a reflection of life and its multitudinous expanse of pain and pleasure His literary style is simple though inimitable The rhythmic flow and cadence of his lines aspire to the condition of music’

Mujib-ur-Rahman Sahil has explored the philosophical undertones of Parwaz’s verse

To control smog and air pollution, the Punjab Environment Protection Department (EPD) has announced to impose fines over violation of the industrial and traffic rules ahead of smog season EPD Director Naseemur Rehman Shah told APP that the department has recently sealed 347 industrial units and fined worth millions of rupees besides registering FIRs over pollution during the ongoing pre-smog arrangements drive The EPD teams were raiding factories and industrial units in the city engaged in burning expired batteries in industrial units and surrounding areas he added

of Karamat Bukhari

in the backdrop of the uncanny existentialistic situation characterizing the present age The ghazal in this collection is essentially an illustration of what the aforementioned litterateurs have maintained in their respective commentaries

The second book ‘Maghrib may mashriq daikha’ is a combination of Parwaz’s ghazal and nazm prefaced by a concise but apt critical overview of the work by famed poet critic and intellectual Dr Riaz Majeed The interesting thing about these compositions is that during his prolonged visits to alien lands, the poet would not miss the opportunity to write poetry The collection therefore contains a spatial reference to all of these poems ghazal or nazm In the course of these journeys the poet empathetically observed the condition and demeanour of the Pakistani immigrants living in different parts of the world with their moors firmly fastened to the soil of the motherland His sojourns in the West which is euphemistically connected to the Down Under also relate to Chicago Pittsburgh New York Bloomington (US) Sydney Perth, Melbourne (Australia), Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia), Makkah al Mukarramah (KSA), Cairo (Egypt), Al-Yaarubiyah (Syria), Jalandhar Delhi (India) Chittagong Cox’s Bazar (Bangladesh) Al-Karkh-Baghdad

(Iraq) Konya (Turkiye) Kashgar (China) Rome Venice Ravenna (Italy) Manila (The Philippines) London (UK) Tehran (Iran) Tijuana (Mexico) Paris (France) and Singapore as indicated against each item in the collection

Common themes of these poems are pain, anxiety, human misery, poverty, deprivation incongruity between wants and their fulfilment vacuity of dreams love versus glamour the East-West cultural dichotomy patriotism anarchy nostalgia et al The poems amply reflect the poet s vast personal experience, his keen observation, and his gift of narration backed by a discreet didactic stance all of which lend a genuine grace and credibility to his style A few quotes from Parwaz s work in view would acquaint the reader with his content and style:

Natawanon ko maut lazim hai/AasmanoN say faisla aaya – Aamada-e paikar kiya khud ko khud – Is tarah bedar kiya khud ko khud – Tasawwur waaN nahi pahuncha kisi ka/ Muhabbat may jahaN tak aagaya huN –Ab masheenain qeemti haiN aadmi hain bewaqar/ Ma eN taraqqi kay zamanay ki ada samjha nahi – Kal tu rahay na pass to yeh zakhm bhar na jaaeiN/Kal kay liye bhi dard bahut say bacha liye – Shayad kay khareedar milay apnay lahu

‘Beginning of Tomorrow ’ , Urdu Poetr y

More impor tant, will they last?

CARETAKER Finance Minister Dr Shamshad

Akhtar has said there are some signs of economic recovery, while addressing a press conference in Islamabad on Friday Perhaps her Pollyanna-ish optimism is justified but the improvement she saw could equally well be seen as Things not getting worse He mentioned the decrease in the CPI from 38 percent in May to 27 percent She is economist enough to know that even 27 percent is a punitively high rate, and all it means is that hyperinflation has been avoided for now As it is, nine percentage points is not a very dramatic fall, and means that the danger of a hyperinflation remains Similarly, the State Bank s Monetary Policy Committee s keeping the interest rate unchanged my be one of the upturns she noticed, but that may owe more to policy not working and the pleadings of the business community, which is represented by Federal, commerce, Textiles and Production Minister Gohar Ejaz

The dollar has also gone down, but that has been due to administrative measures rather than because of any improvement in the economy

It is not that inflationary pressures have died down True, the increase in the price of petrol, which is not just at a record high but has gone past Rs 300 per litre for petrol, is not really the government s fault, because international prices have gone up However, it could be argued that the government should play a more proactive role in protecting the consumer than the one envisaged (and enforced) by the IMF, of merely passing on increases However, so long as it merely passes on increases, even the current hike is enough to raise the Fuel Adjustment Surcharge in power bills apart from increasing transport costs No price decreases are seen in the international market in the near future

The real problems of the Pakistani economy are structural and thus beyond the mandate of the caretakers Only an elected government can manage those changes, so if the caretakers were to fulfil their mandate, which is holding elections on time, they will be doing what they are supposed to and also doing what is required of them if they are to perform their national duty Such things as extending the tax net and ending all types of evasion requires political will, and that requires the backing of the people expressed in an election No nominee, however educated or competent, can be a substitute

National Securit y in Peril

The continuous surge in the prices of vital commodities and services leaves a profound impact on the socio-economic fabric of a nation The alarming decrease in the purchasing power of ordinary citizens cultivates strong discontent among them This brewing discontent can result in social unrest and violent protests forcing governments to divert their resources and attention away from crucial national security concerns

Amidst an economic climate already grappling with severe inflation recent attention has shifted towards unanticipated and soaring electricity bills which have further exacerbated the financial strain on households and businesses What was once considered a routine monthly expenditure has turned into an unbearable burden for common people and enterprises which are essential components of Pakistan’s economic framework The ongoing nationwide protests from the general public and particularly traders unions against soaring power prices depict a heightening frustration among them

ONGOING soaring inflation in Pakistan presents a multifaceted threat to the national security of the country as it erodes its economic stability, provokes social unrest, and heightens its vulnerabilities across the broader geopolitical landscape With dwindling purchasing power the citizens of Pakistan are facing the intense challenge of affording their vital necessities especially food fuel and electricity

Despite a slight drop in the overall inflation rate from July s 28 3 percent to August s 27 4 percent, food inflation further elevated to 38 5 percent Petrol prices have scored a historic high triple-century mark

Electricity prices have also surged to an all-time peak

Such unrestrained inflation coupled with political instability serves as a catalyst for rising poverty levels as the middle and lower middle class struggles to make ends meet Waves of widespread protests against soaring electricity bills and increased crime rates possess the potential to undermine the established social fabric of society thus challenging the status quo These emerging concerns force the interim government to allocate more resources to deal with internal security crises

The widespread protests ignited by public outrage over inflated electricity bills carry an unavoidable risk for the country s internal security, thereby weakening the already fragile economic and political system Pervasive political instability has made the situation more volatile turning it into a ‘tinderbox’ Protesters around the country can be seen chanting against the incompetencies and corruption of the ruling elite manifesting their rallying cries for reform Surrendering to the threat of mob psychology, power supply departments across the country have requested LEAs to provide security for their officials and installations The rampaging mob with common disgruntlement can transform these tiny processions into a widespread grassroots movement adding some violence to it This will impose an additional burden on LEAs to first deal with the deteriorating internal law and order situation while giving secondary importance to the existing menace of terrorism

Prolonged periods of inflation together with rising poverty and unemployment levels can incite crime rates across the country as people are pushed to adopt illegal and desperate means to secure their

Consequently, countries with more robust currencies are able to exert more influence in global financial institutions and diplomatic negotiations undermining Pakistan’s regional and international influence Considering Pakistan’s current economic fragility, BRICS nations are more likely to adopt India’s objections that Pakistan has no tangible thing to offer This will hamper Pakistan’s aspirations to join BRICS ultimately, depriving it of potential economic and political privileges offered by such multilateral engagements

prived from going deep and asking questions beyond the syllabus The superficial view of the contents and short term memorization for the sake of exams keep critical thinking and creativity at bay

Artificial Intelligence is making big strides to reshape the existing education system Through its marvellous applications like carrier counselling and personalized learning techniques, AI is ushering in an era of enhanced educationmarket linkage and individualized assessments Artificial Intelligence is evolving to help the students choose the fields where they can deliver efficiently It helps them learn about the market acceptability of a specific skill and, thereby, enables them to make clever decisions about their career AI algorithms can assess an individual's performance strengths and weaknesses On the basis of these indicators it provides feedback and recommendations in the form of books articles or even videos This personalized and uninterrupted attention continuously rectifies the mistakes of the students and efficiently helps in fulfilling their needs and goals W h i l e t h e d e v e l o p e d w o r l d i s b u s y i n b r i n g i n g i n a d v a n c e d A I a l g o r i t h m s f o r e nh a n c i n g c r e a t i v i t y a n d n e c e s s a r y s k i l l s o u r e d u c a t i o n s y s t e m i s s t i l l e n t a n g l e d i n a s y st e m o f m e r e r e p r o d u c t i o n I t h a s f a i l e d m i se r a b l y w h e n i t c o m e s t o s o c i a l a n d i n t e l l e c t u a l o u t c o m e s I n t e l l e c t u a l d e v e l o pm e n t i s o n e o f t h e p r i m e o b j e c t i v e s o f p u rp o s i v e e d u c a t i o n T h e o t h e r o b j e c t i v e s i n c l u d e s o c i a l a n d e m o t i o n a l s k i l l s d e v e l o pm e n t

Every meaningful education system focuses on enhancing intellectual development Unfortunately, in our country, the education system merely serves the purpose of information reproduction and neglects to foster the most vital process of enhancing intellectual development

Due to our grave negligence our education system has failed to develop intellectual skills like critical thinking, creativity, decision-making, analytical skills and reasoning This undermining of the core purpose of education has deprived us of the real fruit of education: the real transformation of population burden into useful human resources O u r e d u c a t i o n s y s t e m f o c u s e s o n r o t e learning and an exam-oriented syllabus The students are confined to care only for the contents which are of importance from the exam p o i n t o f v i e w T h e y a r e a c a d e m i c a l l y d e -

There are many other reasons that hinder the students ability to think critically One of them is the overwhelming classroom strength which leaves a teacher with no possibility to give individual attention to every student Personalized assessments are very necessary for the rectification of students' mistakes These assessments transform a student into a wellgroomed skillful and creative individual Apart from personalized attention, lack of career counselling is another factor that deprives the education of intellectual development It is a bitter fact that in our country, many students secure admission in the fields which are of lesser interest to them B e s i d e s t h e s e reasons our countrym e n f o c u s m o r e o n g e t t i n g d e g r e e s a n d diplomas To them, a d e g r e e i s e v e r y t h i n g to secure a job They d o n t c a r e a b o u t t h e dispensation of service, which is the very p u r p o s e o f t h e i r r e -

The grave problem of the inability of our education system to address intellectual development needs the complete overhaul of our education system Alignment of our education system with the advanced techniques must be among our top priorities The existing system of rote learning and outdated approaches is making us lag far behind the rapidly advancing nations The widening gulf between our stagnant approach and the advancing world is something that is alarming

cruitment This view i s s t r e n g t h e n e d b y t h e w i d e s p r e a d c o rruption and nepotism i n o u r r e c r u i t m e n t s y s t e m T h e s y s t e m paves the way for the i n c o m p e t e n t p e o p l e w h o d o n t c o n s i d e r creativity and critical thinking as necessary s k i l l s f o r t h e j o b There are many other f a c t o r s t h a t c o ntribute greatly to the p o o r i n t e l l e c t u a l d ev e l o p m e n t i n o u r c o u n t r y T h e s e i nc l u d e i n c o m p e t e n c e a n d i n c a p a b i l i t y o n t h e p a r t o f t e a c h e r s s o c i o - e c o n o m i c d i sp a r i t i e s , f i n a n c i a l c o n s t r a i n t s , s o c i e t a l s h o r t c o m i n g s , c u l t u r a l

taboos and structural flaws

The teacher s role is instrumental in moulding and polishing a student into becoming a productive part of the society A competent teacher can inspire the students to think beyond the syllabus It is only a capable teacher who can develop interest in students for studying and thinking productively When a student is taught conceptually and his or her questions are addressed properly he or she develops more interest in

makes

the students less interested in learning new ideas and concepts The widespread socio-economic disparities have fragmented our education system The elite class has access to a wider range of resources and facilities which make the stage set for grooming and personal development O n t h e c o n t r a r y, a m a j o r c h u n k o f o u r p o p u l a t i o n h a s v e r y l i m i t e d a c c e s s t o t h e basic necessities for life Poverty and hunger have made the masses less likely to make education their top priority Several deprivations in the form of unemployment limited or no a c c e s s t o f a c i l i t i e s a n d d i s c r i m i n a t i o n h a v e made them reluctant to show a genuine passion for education Many in our society, especially the poor and deprived, leave this important responsibility of educating the future of the nation to teachers alone This lack of coordinated efforts has made the students lethargic time-wasters and reliant on rote-learning and cheating during their exams The weak intellectual development in our education system can also be attributed to the outdated means and methods of education Nowadays, the development in education is mere a dream without the updated materials and advanced techniques Relying on the same materials which were once available to our previous generations is not a solution to our emerging problems Our creativity and critical thinking must be based on a realtime approach by taking into consideration the rapidly evolving dimensions T h e g r a v e p r o bl e m o f t h e i n a b i l i t y of our education syst e m t o a d d r e s s i n t e l l e c t u a l d e v e l o p m e n t n e e d s t h e c o m p l e t e o v e r h a u l o f o u r e d u c ation system Alignment of our education syst e m w i t h t h e a d v a n c e d t e c h n i q u e s m u s t b e a m o n g o u r t o p p r i o r i t i e s T h e e x i s t i n g s y stem of rote learning and outdated approaches i s m a k i n g u s l a g f a r b e h i n d t h e r a p i d l y a dv a n c i n g n a t i o n s T h e w i d e n i n g g u l f b e t w e e n o u r s t a g n a n t a p p r o a c h a n d t h e a d v a n c i n g w o r l d i s s o m e t h i n g t h a t i s a l a r m i n g

financial budget

This assertion is highly advocated by recent data issued by the Punjab Police which shows that the number of calls received on the Police Helpline during the initial five months of the ongoing year has risen by more than 100 percent as compared to the same period in 2022

Rising inflation coupled with political turmoil sets the stage for radicalization posing a significant threat to national security and societal stability The diminishing purchasing power of people has raised widespread skepticism among them eroding their trust in the government s ability to effectively deal with their overarching economic woes Here, extremist and radical groups are expected to take advantage by pledging change and empowerment Vulnerable to extremist narratives unemployed youth may seek alternatives far from established social orders being allured by compelling narratives of such radical groups The digital age facilitates easy recruitment by these terrorist organizations making the situation more perilous Moreover, mental health experts across Pakistan assert that with rising inflationary pressures, more people are exhibiting evident signs of high irritability and intolerance Depression levels across the country are at historic highs due to financial anxieties making such people more vulnerable to extremist ideologies In the complex arena of global politics, a nation s economic stability serves as a crucial pillar in deciding its global position Nations grappling with economic instability not only face internal challenges but are also subject to some external repercussions and so does Pakistan The recent surge in inflation has left Pakistani currency at its lowest levels against the dollar while diminishing its capacity to engage in international trade and attract FDI

Consequently, countries with more robust currencies are able to exert more influence in global financial institutions and diplomatic negotiations undermining Pakistan’s regional and international influence Considering Pakistan s current economic fragility BRICS nations are more likely to adopt India s objections that Pakistan has no tangible thing to offer This will hamper Pakistan s aspirations to join BRICS ultimately, depriving it of potential economic and political privileges offered by such multilateral engagements

As Pakistan grapples with prevailing political instability and constraints imposed by the IMF: its government seems unready to confront the pressing questions: How can Pakistan protect its citizens from the threat of rogue and lawless beliefs during their desperate financial times? How can the government mitigate the mass migration of the skilled labour force especially youth who are already frustrated by high inflation with zero employment? Will the government resort to coercive means in case of mass protests ignited by the discontent of the ordinary public? If it does so, the situation will spiral out of control leading to major civil unrest

The Writer currently serves as a Research Fellow at the Center For Law and Security Islamabad He is also associated with the Department of Nuclear and Strategic Studies at National Defense University

Peaceful coexistence

EVEN though the district of Kurram is lagging in many facilities it has a fairly high literacy rate compared to other regions of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa

The district has a diverse population with most people living together harmoniously From time to time, some wayward elements stir tension among the people by exploiting their differences

This is not only dividing people along religious and ethnic lines but harming the overall development and progress of the district The municipal authorities are busy with their malpractices and have paid little heed to the escalating situation The provincial government and the Chief Minister must visit the district and direct law enforcement officials to resolve conflict between locals appropriately Residents should be encouraged to coexist peacefully and avoid violence and aggression Both lawmakers and residents need to play their part in driving Kurram towards peace and prosperity

KHALID KHAN BANU

Cyber safet y

DIGITAL gadgets and social media have become crucial in today’s world as they help us connect with others and stay informed about global affairs Despite the numerous benefits of digitalisation and technology, it has several drawbacks and poses new threats and challenges for people

Cyberbullying and cyber harassment have become increasingly common nowadays as people easily acquire social media users’ data and details through their accounts and online activity which they then use to exploit harass and extort money from vulnerable users Every now and then we come across cases of online grooming wherein teenage girls and boys are groomed and then asked to fulfil unusual demands Similarly, nearly 40% of Pakistani women experience some form of cyber harassment but only 28% of them report them Most women who are vocal on social media experience some form of abuse or harassment

Besides strengthening online regulations law enforcement agencies must assist women in their complaints and trace the culprits to punish them Everyone should be able to use cyberspace safely without feeling any form of threat to their safety and well-being

KHADIJA ASGHAR TURBAT

Filth in Karachi

KARACHI, the largest metropolis in the nation, currently generates between 12,000 to 14,000 tonnes of rubbish every day Only 40% of this is managed adequately The remainder contaminates land and water resources posing major health and environmental risks

The poor management of sanitation and the ignorance of the people have left the city s streets and beaches polluted People dispose of plastic bags and bottles into the sea, which harms marine life Street corners and vacant plots have become garbage disposal sites due to the absence of a proper waste management system These sites provide insects and diseases with a breeding ground Plastic bags also choke sewerage lines causing sewers to overflow S o m e p e o p l e b u r n g a r b a g e a n d p o l y t h e n e b a g s o u t o n t h e s t r e e t s r e l e a s i n g h a r m f u l g a s e s i n t o t h e e n v i r o n m e n t r a i s i n g t h e r i s k s o f a i rb o r n e d i s e a s e s a s w e l l a s p o l l u t i n g t h e a i r T h e m u n i c i p a l c o r p o r a t i o n m u s t a c t a g a i n s t t h e r i s i n g i s s u e a n d e s t a b l i s h a p r o p e r w a s t e m a na g e m e n t s y s t e m i n t h e c i t y F i n e s s h o u l d b e i m p o s e d t o d e t e r p e o p l e f r o m i r r e s p o n s i b l e p r a c t i c e s E v e r y o n e n e e d s t o a c t t o b u i l d a c l e a n a n d h e a l t h y e n v i r o n m e n t

Saddam HuSSain

Is our education system readying us for the future?

THE year 2023 can be safely categorized as an action-packed year for Pakistan The bewildered nation is witness to developments which were never experienced before The Friday decision by the Supreme Court has literally created a level playing field for all the players, which was done away with after the vote of no-confidence which took shape on 9 April 2022 The current development puts into question the invisible hands’ machinations and creates a valid case for the students of political science and political analysts and the need to question these hybrid models

As a matter of fact, the thrust of the new hybrid seup in place since 10 April 2022, and which continued even after the takeover of the caretaker/technocrat government and the change of command in Rawalpindi has been given a jolt by the above-mentioned decision on opening of NAB cases regards PDM leadership It goes without saying that the whole thing set up for punishing a former partner was an exercise in futility The beneficiaries of the vote of no-confidence seem to be stuck up at the same point where they were in the wee hours of 10 April 2022

Even though the situation is more fluid than ever the question does arise as to why a small elite has been calling the shots without taking into consideration the aspirations of the most important component of the state; the masses; whose will is formalized via the electoral process That elite is composed of the men in uniform, big businesses and political bigwigs, among others The current situation does raise a question as to why palace coups are still the trend; given the fact that the last ‘coup’ had a devastating impact on economy and polity

Taking the debate into an academic mode the structure of a modern nation state after the rise of the industrial economy and society has been designed as such that even though the elite traditionally calls the shots; any rationale for the nation-state cannot have a stable foothold, unless it catches the imagination of the most important unit of a state; namely its populace

Pakistan has passed seven decades experimenting with sporadic spells of constitutional rule frequent interventions or quasi-interventions and now a hybrid without any scruples The people of Pakistan seem to have accustomed themselves to the realities and have adjusted their practical approach to live in such a nationstate The biggest impediment to the rule of law seems to be the reality that it is the show of naked power which decides the acceptability of any group institution or a political trend in Pakistan The rationale of a population

agreeing with a political idea is secondary That population is generally treated especially by the extra constitutional set-ups as a supportive silent majority The idea of a silent majority is never quantified by the order which takes advantage of the silence It is only for the politicians to point out, if they are courageous or for the journalists to wonder The late PPP chairperson, Benazir Bhutto, in her inaugural speech as PM on the night of 2 December 1988 found the opportunity to argue that the younger generation's fascination to take power AK-47 in hand is triggered by the fact that when they see institutions with arms dictating to the society Likewise Owen Bennet Jones of BBC was at loss in Islamabad on the morning of 13 October 1999, the day after the Musharraf coup on the back of the Kargil fiasco, that no one was protesting the coup The respected correspondent was ata loss precisely on one count; he could not understand that the silent majority was in fact a hibernating majority cut off from the affairs of the state in any aggressive sense of the word

As said earlier the developing argument will help us to locate the end of the tunnel; a non-participative important section of public in fact helps any clever player to manipulate the political tools media manipulation and any other armoury in the filthy business of political manipulation to get to the business of controlling the state structure and its priorities The transformation of a federation which was to allow a degree of independence to federating units into a one-unit way back in the early years was instrumental in shedding away any chances of developing the Pakistani state as a welfare-driven state What turned out in the seven decades and now seems to be consolidated with time; unless the people disagree , is the national security state profile of Pakistan Here one needs to understand that despite the numbness of the hibernating mass of people trying to adjust to the inflationary pressure which is driven by the mismanagement of the elite political players are alert to the developing scenario These individuals, despite being part of the elite, feel that the pressure cooker of even silent discontent, if allowed indefinitely over the stove,

W i t h t h e t e r m i n a l p a t i e n t a g a i n p u t o n t h e v e n t i l a t o r c o u r t e s y a m e e k c o n s t i t u t i o n , c o u p l e d w i t h a n o t h e r h y b r i d , a d o s e f r o m t h e I M F a n d i n v e s t m e n t p r o g r a m m e s , t h e m u c h - n e e d e d M a g n a C a r t a s e e m s t o b e a g a i n l o s t i n t h e c r o w d f o r g o o d . T h e f a i l u r e o f t h e i m p o r t a n t c o m p o n e n t o f t h e s t a t e , t h e P a k i s t a n i m a s s e s , t o t a k e t h e m a t t e r i n t o t h e i r h a n d s i n t h e f a s h i o n o f P h i l i p p i n e s i n 1 9 8 6 o r I r a n o f 1 9 7 9 , s u g g e s t s t h a t p o w e r s w i l l n o t h a v e a n y d i f f i c u l t y i n m a n a g i n g t h e s h o w f o r a n o t h e r f i v e y e a r s o r s o , u n t i l n e w c o n t r a d i c t i o n s s u r f a c e b e t w e e n t h e b e t r o t h e d i n t h e h y b r i d m a r r i a g e . T h e c o u n t r y w i l l a g a i n b e a t t h e d o o r o f a n o t h e r t u n n e l w h e n t h e m o n k e y a n d c a t c i r c u s e x p e c t e d t o k i c k o f f i n 2 0 2 4 e n d s i n 2 0 2 9 . F o r P a k i s t a n i s r e g r e t f u l l y , i t i s y e t a n o t h e r s e a s o n o f “ g a m e o f t h r o n e s ” w i t h a l l t h e g r a p h i c d e t a i l s !

The West shouldn’t underestimate Russia’s resilience

Eve n i f t h e G 7 o i l p r i c e c a p wo r ke d p e r f e c t l y, M o s c o w c o u l d s t i l l e x p e c t e x p o r t re ve n u e s o f a ro u n d $ 4 0 0 b i l l i o n p e r ye a r A s l o n g a s g l o b a l o i l m a r ke t s re m a i n t i g h t, t h e

We s t d o e s n o t h ave m u c h ro o m t o m a n o e u v re

MOSCOW TIMES

J a N i S k l u g e

RUSSIA S war on Ukraine and Western sanctions are putting unprecedented stress on the Russian economy, its military and its political system As the late Wagner leader Yevgeny Prigozhin’s failed mutiny shows drastic change could come at any moment

At the same time there are a number of important factors that could help Russi a n P r e s i d e n t V l a d i m i r P u t i n ’s r e g i m e s u r v i v e f o r m u c h l o n g e r t h a n t h e We s t w o u l d l i k e a n d e v e n a l l o w M o s c o w t o rebuild its military in the coming years

It is important to consider these factors not as a reason to throw in the towel or seek an elusive deal with Moscow, but to u n d e r s t a n d t h e c h a l l e n g e s t h a t m a y l i e ahead for the West, Europe and Ukraine in particular

Economically the country is going through a very peculiar crisis While Russians have lost their chance at a more prosperous future, the regime is still rich Moscow can count on billions of dollars in export revenues to continue flowing into its coffers in the next years Even in the miserable first half of 2023 Russia earned over $200 billion more than enough to cover its import needs

Even if the G7 oil price cap worked perfectly, Moscow could still expect export revenues of around $400 billion per y e a r A s l o n g a s g l o b a l o i l m a r k e t s r emain tight the West does not have much room to manoeuvre It would take a more s e v e r e g l o b a l e c o n o m i c d o w n t u r n t o change that Russian industry is still fully dependent on Western technologies, but despite sanctions, it is also still able to import many critical components that it needs to manufacture weapons China has come to Moscow s aid passing on large amounts of Western dual-use goods such as semiconductors to Russia While some newly produced Russian weapons have become less sophisticated, the country s main problem seems to be ramping up production capacity quickly Finding machines to build new production lines is harder as a consequence of sanctions but production is not choked off by a general lack of components or materials

Another element of Russia's crisis is a severe labor shortage caused by a longterm demographic crisis combined with the short-term effects of mobilization the emigration of many skilled Russians With

fewer qualified workers available Russians might be able to benefit from more job vacancies and higher salaries At least in the bigger cities, Russia s population is close to being fully employed Living standards are lower than they were before the war and will continue to erode as the government prioritizes arms production over social spending

From the point of view of many Russians, there are still personal economic opportunities (or necessities) that give them a reason to ignore politics and focus on their careers and family life It also means they will think twice about voicing their discontent as they still have something to lose

With the war came more censorship and harsher repression

Some of the most active members of Russian civil society have left the country or been imprisoned

The war has deepened the atomization of Russians who now have to be careful voicing their opinion about Ukraine even to friends and colleagues

The war has also been effective at disciplining Russia s senior officials Even technocrats who were visibly shocked when the full-scale invasion began are now mostly concerned about avoiding a Russian defeat In the new reality created by the war they see Putin as their best shot at collective survival

There are hardly any scenarios for a post-Putin, post-war Russia that would appeal to these cynical elites The war crimes destruction and death Russia has brought to Ukraine are irreversible Together with the Ukrainian territories Russia has unilaterally annexed they make compromise or restoration of relations with the West and lifting sanctions impossible for a very long time

Internationally Russia is mostly isolated from the West and the ICC warrant for Putin s arrest severely limits the president s international mobility Putin has little choice but to ask the leaders of much less-developed countries such as North Korea and Iran for their help by supplying munitions and drones

At the same time most non-Western countries are strongly opposed to isolating Russia completely Interest in diplomatic forums that include Russia such as BRICS has increased Even if it is mostly symbolic, it is also a statement against Western attempts to isolate Moscow

More importantly Russia has received economic aid from different sides While China is helping Russia gain access to Western technologies Saudi Arabia s oil production cuts are a timely boon for Moscow, keeping its oil revenues high despite oil sanctions

Finally the Russian regime itself is still very much concerned about its resilience and seems to avoid taking excessive additional risks Similarly to the years after the

annexation of Crimea in 2014 Moscow could follow escalation and mobilization with a more conservative period, giving it time to strengthen its economy and military while trying to normalize some external relations The longer it drags out the war, the more likely it becomes that the world’s attention will drift elsewhere Russia has dramatically increased spending on its Armed Forces accepting the resulting increase in debt and inflation

But the Kremlin has stopped short of fully militarizing its economy, spending less than 10% of GDP on the Armed Forces Putin seems wary of going "all in" in the short term lest his system be overwhelmed

None of the factors described above guarantee long-term political stability in Russia Putin is bound to make mistakes, just as he has in the past The notoriously opaque nature of the Putin regime makes it impossible to predict how long the Russian system will remain stable in the face of its current challenges

But the West should not ignore the possibility that Putin will still be in power in five or ten years Russia may also gradually overcome bottlenecks in arms production This scenario could be very threatening for Europe as a whole much less Ukraine

In the longer term, constant escalation is still the fuel that Putinism runs on Putin sees Russia in an existential struggle with the West, in which the war on Ukraine is just one battle If Russia had the means to fight it the Russian army would still be marching on Kyiv There is little doubt that once Russia reconstitutes its military it will do exactly that

If the human and economic losses of Russia's war on Ukraine accumulate over time this could lead to anti-Western sentiment becoming more deeply entrenched In the view of Russians who believe the state s propaganda it is the West that keeps the war going To them, the country is merely defending itself and protecting other Russians

This is why the West cannot lull itself to sleep and count on Russia’s weakness or instability Instead it must urgently redouble its current efforts and develop a longterm strategy for containing Russia Sanctions are crucial for slowing down Moscow s military resurgence But they need further tightening Non-Western countries should be urged to refrain from helping Russia with the right mix of pressure and incentives But the West and Europe in particular also needs to invest much more in its own military capabilities to defend itself and increase support for Ukraine for many years to come

Janis Kluge is a Senior Associate at the German Institute for International and Security Affairs (SWP) in Berlin

can explode with collateral damage

The public disagreement within the leadership of a major political party over the timing of the elections illustrates these concerns The younger generation sees the need to end the stalemate even if the end is superficial in nature

The old guard whether in this party or that party seems to treat the ground realties as dead factors, which may not disturb their political calculations Consequently, they do not see any harm in siding with the controlling authorities over the future road map of the country’s polity geostrategy economy and more Given the fact that the elite is not interested in the cure of the ailment in a genuine manner only interested in the proverbial chemotherapy to satisfy the international opinion abroad and the local public in house Its opposition to the genuineness of the cure rests in the fact that if allowed, it would eliminate its existence for good Considering the current situation where all the political groups in the limelight or in the wilderness are united on one point; that they are cats looking for their share of cheese to be distributed by the proverbial monkey; regretfully, the doomsday scenario going forward on some later date cannot be avoided T h e c o n t i n u a t i o n o f t h e s y s t e m s q u a r e l y m e a n s that under the superficial umbrella of the 1973 Constitution the character of the state in question is likely to follow the beaten track; a wolf in sheep s clothing; with the national security state tag As things are dev e l o p i n g b e t w e e n t h e n e w s e l e c t e d a n d t h e e s t a blished order; and consequently, the objections from the other proverbial cats are being observed Despite an aura of hope being weaved for the country after the elections it is just going to be a whitewash coupled with few cosmetic steps taken now and the rest implemented when the new selected will be formally on t h e t h r o n e w i t h p o w e r b e h i n d t h e t h r o n e r e m o t e l y monitoring the situation

What might be observed in the coming days can be a quasi-partnership already witnessed during the 2018-2022 era The mechanics of internal politics the geo political scene and other factors might not change but the faces Alternatively it can be said old wine in new bottles With the terminal patient again put on the ventilator courtesy a meek constitution, coupled with another hybrid, a dose from the IMF and investment programmes, the much-needed Magna Carta seems to be again lost in the crowd for good The failure of the important component of the state the Pakistani masses to take the matter into their hands in the fashion of Philippines in 1986 or Iran of 1979 suggests that powers will not have any difficulty in managing the show for another five years or so, until new contradictions surface between the betrothed in the hybrid marriage The country will again be at the door of another tunnel when the monkey and cat circus expected to kick off in 2024 ends in 2029 For Pakistanis regretfully it is yet another season of game of thrones with all the graphic details!

The writer is a freelance columnist

India's economic corridor to Europe via S audi, UAE

In reflection of the emerging multipolar world, Riyadh and Abu Dhabi aim to transform their bilateral relations with Washington, Brussels, and Delhi into multidimensional par tnerships by joining the IMEC, with energy ser ving as a core pillar but not the sole one

Brussels has grappled with the challenge of presenting a viable alternative to the BRI that doesn t force partners like the Gulf and India into an either-or choice, as such a choice was highly unlikely

AL-MONITOR M o h a M M e d S o l M a N

DURING the G20 summit held in New Delhi on Saturday, a significant development unfolded as the United States India Saudi Arabia the United Arab Emirates France Germany Italy and the European Union introduced the India-Middle East-Europe Corridor, designed to stimulate economic development by fostering connectivity and economic integration between Asia, the Arabian Gulf and Europe The IMEC represents a multimode transit corridor spanning over 3 000 miles and it consists of two corridors The eastern corridor links India to the Arabian Gulf, while the northern corridor connects the Arabian Gulf to Europe Upon its completion, as outlined in the White House’s memorandum of understanding this connectivity project will establish a dependable and cost-effective cross-border ship-to-rail transit network It will complement existing maritime and road transport routes, facilitating the seamless movement of goods and services between India, the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Israel and Europe

OPPORTUNITY FOR WASHINGTON

In contrast to the absence of Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin from the G20 summit the Biden administration swiftly claimed victories by positioning the corridor as an alternative to China's Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) which has placed a strong emphasis on the Middle East and Mediterranean states such as Greece and Italy However it s important not to perceive the IMEC merely as a rival to the BRI Saudi Arabia and the UAE, two central pillars of the corridor, reject the idea of a bipolar world order that would compel them to choose between China and the United States or vice versa This reality is exemplified by their recent admission to the BRICS group of major emerging economies and active participation in the India-Middle East-Europe Corridor

Nonetheless, the IMEC offers greater autonomy for participating countries to pursue their own interests and importantly to safeguard their sovereignty This distinguishes it significantly from the BRI This represents a success for Washington which along with

More importantly, the IMEC is a manifestation of the deepening integration between India Saudi Arabia and the UAE and the broader geopolitical and economic convergence between the Middle East and South Asia into West Asia India holds the distinction of being Saudi Arabia's second-largest trading partner, with bilateral trade reaching $52 75 billion during 2022-23, elevating Saudi Arabia to India's fourth-largest trading partner Furthermore trade between India and the UAE surged to $85 billion in 2022 positioning the UAE as India s third-largest trading partner for the year 2022-23 and its second-largest export destination The IMEC further underscores the evolving state of Pakistan-Gulf relations, where Saudi Arabia and the UAE longstanding allies of Islamabad have shifted their economic and geopolitical posture toward India This shift reflects their acknowledgement of India s rise and signifies their aspirations in the emerging multipolar world In this new landscape, legacy relationships must be reevaluated and adapted to align with geopolitical realities and economic opportunities

LOOKING FOR INTEGRATION

AND BEYOND OIL

The IMEC serves as a declaration from the United States and the EU that the Gulf states with Saudi Arabia and the UAE at the forefront are more than mere energy producers It would be a strategic error to perceive them solely through that lens as Riyadh and Abu Dhabi are actively seeking more serious partners to fulfill their economic, technological and logistical needs

This is integral to their ambitious agendas of transitioning toward diversified economies beyond their dependence on energy For so long Washington has maintained an energyfirst posture toward the Gulf states and the IMEC is a declaration that the bilateral relations with Saudi Arabia and the UAE are multidimensional, and energy is a core pillar but not the only pillar

The American objective from the IMEC is to change the trajectory in the Gulf transforming it from a dual hierarchical structure where the United States is the dominant security partner and China is the dominant economic partner by bringing India into the geopolitical and economic mix While the United States understands that India will only partially align with Washington s interests in the Middle East and Asia more broadly Delhi s inroads into the Middle East are unlikely to undermine US interests as China does More importantly, Delhi s inroads into the region dilute the dual hierarchical realities of the Middle East by the mere fact of integration with Saudi Arabia and the UAE, which undermines China s economic influence in the medium and long term

Aid Arrives in flood-hit libyA but hopes fAde for survivors

caused by hurricane-strength Storm

Daniel compounded by the poor infrastructure in Libya which was plunged into turmoil after a NATO-backed uprising toppled and killed longtime dictator Moamer Kadhafi in 2011

The Islamic Relief aid organisation warned of a "second humanitarian crisis pointing to the growing risk of water-borne diseases and shortages of food shelter and medicine

a missing facade In Al-Bayda, 100 kilometres west of Derna, people worked to clear roads and homes of the mounds of mud left behind by the flash flood Confusion and chaosA volunteer in Al-Bayda who is originally from Derna said she had received word from many people of the "confusion and chaos" of relief efforts in the flood-stricken port city

Ambassador Mrs baghli reiterates oiC’s continued suppor t to Kashmir cause

GENEVA

A G E N C I E S

Permanent Representative of Organization of Islamic Cooperation to the UN office at Geneva Ambassador

Naseema Baghli has reiterated the Muslim Body s continued support to the Kashmiris just struggle for the right to self-determination

Ambassador Baghli talking to a Kashmiri delegation that called on her on the sidelines of the ongoing 54th session of the UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC) in Geneva said that the OIC would spare no efforts in highlighting the Kashmir dispute at the international level

She said OIC will continue to support Kashmir cause and will use all its effort to create awareness on the issue She maintained that the OIC’s Independent Permanent Human Rights Commission has been mandated to cover the human rights violations being perpetrated by Indian troops in Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir

Ambassador Baghli said that voicing the OIC s concern through the media and releasing a report on the human rights situation in Kashmir was part of the policy

On the occasion members of the Kashmiri delegation which was led by Altaf Hussain Wani briefed Ambassador Baghli about the latest political and human rights situation in the occupied Jammu and Kashmir

While seeking the Muslim Body s proactive role to bring an immediate end to the continued bloodshed and state terrorism by India in the occupied territory, the Kashmiri representatives said that it was high time that the OIC must take practical measures to address the precarious human rights situation in the region

The Kashmiri representatives hailing from both sides of the Line of Control also thanked the OIC and its member countries for their consistent support to Kashmiris’ legitimate struggle for right to self-determination

"I have also lost a lot of loved ones there said Rahab Shneib Despite the ongoing efforts of many humanitarian organisations to bring comfort to the heart, it is important to note that many people have remarked on the lack of organisation " Derna resident Mohammad al-Dawali said: "In this city every single family has been affected " Seir Mohammed Seir a member of the security forces said more than 1 500 families had been saved, along with a three-month-old girl "Her entire family died, she was the only one who survived " The floods were

But the Red Cross and the World Health Organization pointed out that contrary to widespread belief, the bodies of victims of natural disasters rarely pose a health threat The spokesman for the eastern-based Libyan National Army Ahmed al-Mesmari said the flood had affected over 1 2 million people

"Everything was washed away the waters have completely cut off the roads in these regions," he said

The United Nations has launched an appeal for more than $71 million to assist hundreds of thousands in need

We don t know the extent of the problem," UN aid chief Martin Griffiths said Friday, as he called for coordination between Libya's two rival administrations -- the UN-backed internationally recognised government in Tripoli and one based in the disaster-hit east

G77+China summit in Cuba calls for new global order

The G77+China, a group of developing and emerging countries representing 80 percent of the world’s population kicked off a summit in Cuba Friday with a call to change the rules of the game of the global order The meeting comes at a time of growing frustration with the Western-led world order amid widening differences over the Russian war in Ukraine the fight against climate change and the global economic system After all this time that the North has organized the world according to its interests, it is now up to the South to change the rules of the game ” Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel said at the opening of the summit Diaz-Canel said that developing countries were the main victims of a multidimensional crisis in the world today, from “abusive unequal trade” to global warming United Nations chief Antonio Guterres is joining some 30 heads of state and government from

Africa Asia and Latin America at the two-day summit in Havana

At the opening of the meeting he called for a world that was “more representative and responsive to the needs of developing economies” stressing that these countries were trapped in a tangle of global crises

The bloc was established by 77 countries of the global South in 1964 to articulate and promote their collective economic interests and enhance their joint negotiating capacity ” according to the group’s website Today it has 134 mem-

t wo russians, one American astronaut reach space station

INTERNATIONAL SPACE STATION

A G E N C I E S

Two Russian cosmonauts and an American astronaut docked with the International Space Station on Friday after blasting off amid raging tensions between Moscow and Washington over Ukraine

Earlier Friday Roscosmos cosmonauts Oleg

Kononenko and Nikolai Chub and NASA astronaut

Loral O’Hara lifted off from the Baikonur cosmodrome in Kazakhstan aboard the Soyuz MS-24

spacecraft

The crew docked at the ISS three hours later the Russian space agency said

At the orbiting station, the trio will join three Russians, two Americans, a Japanese astronaut and a representative of the European Space Agency

The liftoff took place after Russia’s first lunar mission in nearly 50 years failed last month

The ISS is a rare venue for cooperation between the United States and Russia whose ties broke down after Moscow unleashed its offensive in Ukraine last year

Kononenko alluded to the tensions during a pre-flight press conference on Thursday, saying that “unlike on earth” cosmonauts and astronauts took care of each other in space

bers among which the website lists China although the Asian giant says it is not a full member Cuba took over the rotating presidency in January Latin American leaders such as Venezuela’s Nicolas Maduro Colombia s Gustavo Petro and Argentina s Alberto Fernandez were present at the summit alongside Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas, Angola s Joao Lourenco and Mozambican President Filipe Nyusi Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva will arrive on Friday night

Turkey could par t ways with EU if necessar y, Erdogan says

ISTANBUL

A G E N C I E S

Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan said on Saturday that Ankara could part ways with the European Union if necessary when asked about the contents of a European Parliament report on Turkey

The report, adopted earlier this week, said Turkey’s accession process with the 27-member bloc cannot resume under current circumstances and called for the EU to explore “a parallel and realistic framework for its ties with Ankara Turkey has been an official candidate to join the EU for 24 years but accession talks have stalled in recent years over the bloc s concerns about human rights violations and respect for the rule of law

“The EU is trying to break away from Turkey,” Erdogan told reporters ahead of a trip to the United States “We will make our evaluations against these developments and if necessary we can part ways with the EU

Turkey’s Foreign Ministry said earlier this week that the European Parliament report contained unfounded allegations and prejudices and took “a shallow and non-visionary approach to the country s ties with the EU

We hear each other there and we understand each other and we are very sensitive to our relationships he said We always take care of each other – ISS legacy –O’Hara praised the station’s “legacy” and said it had been bringing the countries together “I’m excited to get on board and see the crewmates who are waiting for us she added Kononenko 59 and Chub 39 were scheduled to spend a year on the ISS while O Hara 40 was to spend six months aboard It was the first mission to space for both O’Hara and Chub Chub said that travelling to space was his “childhood dream” and he had dedicated “all his life” to reaching that goal

The three take over from Russians Dmitry Petelin and Sergey Prokopyev as well as NASA astronaut Frank Rubio, who have spent one year aboard the ISS While that trio was initially supposed to return in March, their mission had to be extended after their vessel the Soyuz MS-22 suffered a coolant leak following damage from a suspected tiny meteoroid They will now return to Earth on the MS-23 according to Roscosmos

hike in pol prices tantamount to dragging masses on thorns: firdous

LAHORE I N P

Centre Secretary Istehkam-e-Pakistan Party (IPP)

Dr Firdous Ashiq Awan has said that recent hike in petroleum prices is tantamount to dragging masses on thorns

In a statement issued on Saturday she said that the insensible Pakistani nation was bombarded with petrol bomb She said hike in POL prices was not acceptable at all and caretaker government should provide relief to masses despite all difficulties Firdous Ashiq Awan said that the hearts of povertystricken masses could be won only through people friendly decisions

She said that the basic agenda of IPP was to resolve the problems faced by common man

The central secretary IPP said that her party was the only political party which claims to provide 300 units free electricity and petrol on half price Firdous Ashiq Awan said that IPP has mission of peace stability and economic prosperity in the country and for resolution of prevailing it needed to be bring the party into power

Hangzhou: Asian Games Village ready to greet over 20,000 guests

HANGZHOU M I A N A B R A R

The Hangzhou Asian Games Village officially opened its doors on Saturday, as the competition is set to commence in just a week With over 20 000 participants including athletes team officials technical staff and media personnel the village is abuzz with anticipation

The facility goes beyond providing the basics of accommodation, dining and transportation It also offers a myriad of services including cultural and technological exhibitions medical facilities and commercial amenities

In terms of architectural style, accommodation conditions, and dining environments, the village has exceeded my expectations The environment and services are exceptional making me even more excited about the upcoming events Tokyo Olympic triple jump silver medalist Zhu Yaming told the Xinhua News Agency Saturday

Vinod Kumar Tiwari, the Acting Director General of the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA), praised the “innovative” concept of

the Asian Games Village at the opening ceremony He emphasized that the Asian Games Village showcased the solidarity and unity of the Olympic movement in Asia and it was also the first of its kind in the history of the Asian Games and even Olympic Games, according to a post published on the website of the OCA “We believe the quality of life in the Asian Games Village can lay the foundations for a smooth and successful Hangzhou

Asian Games he noted

Spanning an area of 1 13 million square meters the village comprises athlete technical, and media villages, making it the largest non-competition venue in the Games

One of the unique features of this year ’s athletes’ village is its emphasis on sustainability and the promotion of Chinese traditional culture and technology In line with Hangzhou s commitment to a zero-waste city and green sports, it features a zerowaste living center constructed from ecofriendly materials, energy-efficient lighting, and recycling facilities

Visitors to the center can explore lowcarbon products engage in interactive games and learn about low-carbon con-

cepts through a combination of interactive visuals and physical demonstrations The village also boasts high-tech facilities including 3D and VR experiences table tennis robots and piano robots Athletes can also learn about Chinese traditional customs at the village, and experience traditional Chinese cultural skills, such as Chinese button knotting and bamboo weaving Hangzhou has embraced the spirit of the Games throughout the city The newlybuilt T4 terminal at

CORPORATE CORNER

D igger hands over 2000 saplings to GC WU Faisalabad

G O V T N E E D S T O R E C O N S I D E R C O S T LY A G R E E M E N T S W I T H I P P S : J I C H I E F

and engineers

They highlighted challenges and forwarded recommendations

LAHORE: Digger the outdoor footwear brand continues with another significant stride towards environmental well-being of urban communities with a massive drive in collaboration with the World-Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) The second phase planting of 2000 saplings was honored by the Vice Chancellor, Dr Xille Humaat Government College Women University Faisalabad The campaign s first phase of planting 2000 saplings was completed a few days ago at UET Campus-KSK

The initiative envisages plantation of 4 000 saplings in two major cities – Lahore & Faisalabad Digger has a mission of creating authentic outdoor products for its consumers and promoting environmental well-being of urban communities – this has now been put into tangible action PR

PSO’s flight to Excellence: Refuelling facility inaugurated at Quetta Airport

In a landmark achievement, PSO has reached a remarkable milestone by inaugurating its state-ofthe-art aircraft refuelling facility at the Quetta International Airport situated in the heart of Balochistan the capital and largest city of the province The auspicious occasion was graced by the General Manager Aviation, Marine & Exports, PSO, Syed Khawar Abbas Jillani as the chief guest, along with other dignitaries including, Malik Mazhar Hussain APM - Quetta representatives from the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) the vigilant guardians of the Airport Security Force (ASF) local luminaries and revered officials from both organizations PR

Faysal Bank gets global recognition with Best Emerging Islamic Bank, Global Finance Islamic Awards

AM E E R Jamaat-e-Islami (JI)

Siraj-ul-Haq has urged the government to reconsider its agreements with Independent Power Producers (IPPs) and, if necessary, take the matter to the international court of justice in the event of any hindrances

While addressing the National Energy Conference in Islamabad on Saturday he also declared the JI s intention to approach the Supreme Court to challenge these costly agreements

The conference organized by JI was attended by power sector experts economists

Sirajul Haq emphasized the urgent need to complete the IP Gas Pipeline and expressed disappointment over the government's inability to resist external pressures particularly from the United States which have impeded the import of affordable fuel from neighboring countries

He lamented that the government was seeking approval from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) even to allow struggling consumers to pay their hefty bills in installments, asserting that the nation's sovereignty had been compromised at the hands of international lending agencies and foreign powers The JI chief criticized the former

Govt to provide cheap sugar at utility stores

LAHORE: The Punjab government has decided to provide cheap sugar at utility stores across the province As per details the government will provide sugar at Rs 140 at 2100 utility stores and 750 franchised stores across Punjab In order to ensure transparency the consumers are asked to bring their CNIC for buying sugar at utility stores and every family can buy maximum 5 kg sugar in a month Earlier, the price and availability of sugar were gradually becoming stable and normal with caretaker government launching a massive crackdown to curb smuggling and hoarding of essential commodities In line with its strategy the government has also planned prize money (cash reward) INP

Govt committed to complete Ring Road projec t at earliest: CM Naqvi

LAHORE: Caretaker Punjab Chief Minister Mohsin Naqvi has said that early completion of Lahore Ring Road Project is his mission Talking to newsmen in Lahore on Saturday he said that teams of Frontier Works Organization (FWO) are working round the clock for early completion of this project Mohsin Naqvi said that traffic issues will be resolved after the completion of this project besides development of provincial metropolis Replying a question he said that Punjab government has improved facilities on metro stations The caretaker chief minister informed that Punjab government providing free fare services to students on the Orange Line Metro Train and Speedo bus service INP

M uhammad S habbir clinches

27th C hief of Naval S taff

O pen Golf C hampionship

KARACHI: Faysal Bank Limited (FBL) has been recognised as the “Best Emerging Islamic Bank 2023” at the 13th Global Islamic Finance Awards (GIFA)

The award was conferred upon the Bank by the President of the Republic of Senegal Mr Macky Sall at a ceremony held recently in Dakar This global award is in recognition of Faysal Bank s recently concluded landmark journey of transformation from a conventional bank to an Islamic bank coupled with sustained high business growth & strong financial performance This journey is being recognised as world s largest transformation to an Islamic Bank Faysal Bank s CEO - Mr Yousaf Hussain has also been conferred upon Islamic Banker of the Year” Award by GIFA, on account of his strong leadership during this historic Islamic transformation and continued success of Faysal Bank On this occasion Mian M Younis - Chairman of the Board of Faysal Bank attributed Bank s success to Allah s blessings Board s sound strategic vision management s delivery excellence and stakeholder support including that by our customers, State Bank and Shariah Scholars He said that Faysal Bank, being a role model due to its successful transformation had adopted a leadership role for propagation of Islamic Banking in Pakistan PR

JENNIFER MOTLES, CHIEF SUSTAINABILITY

OFFICER PHILIP MORRIS INTERNATIONAL

For nearly seven years Philip Morris International (PMI) has been committed to delivering a smoke-free future We at PMI have made it our mission to accelerate the end of smoking by offering scientifically substantiated alternatives that are a better choice than continuing to smoke In the longer term, we also aim to evolve into a broader lifestyle consumer wellness and healthcare company that has a net positive impact on society to this end sustainability is at the core of this business transformation

For us, sustainability is more than just a means to minimize negative externalities and mitigate risks We see sustainability as a fundamental opportunity for innovation and growth for maximizing operational efficiency and resource optimization It helps us create long-term value that is purpose-led and impact-driven Thus, we work hard to integrate sustainability into every aspect of our business and activities

An objective overview through integrated reporting

At the beginning of April we published our fourth annual Integrated Report We are convinced that integrated reporting is the best way to communicate about our business transformation one that has sustainability at its core Guided by a formal Sustainability Materiality Assessment conducted in 2021

KARACHI: Muhammad Shabbir won the title of 27th Chief of the Naval Staff Open Golf Championship The Closing and prize distribution ceremony of Championship was held at Karachi Golf Club (KGC) Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral Muhammad Amjad Khan Niazi graced the occasion as Chief Guest While speaking at the ceremony, Chief of the Naval Staff commended the untiring efforts of KGC staff and organizers for seamless conduct of the championship and congratulated the winners for their remarkable success Naval Chief lauded the high standards of the game that provided exciting and quality entertainment to the participants He also appreciated the sponsors in supporting the game of golf and conduct of the championship The four day long Golf championship held from 13 - 16 September has become a major event in golfing circles since 1995 PR

government for implementing power generation projects solely for political gain disregarding their cost implications on the financially vulnerable He questioned the rationale behind choosing imported coal-based projects when domestic coal resources were available and why projects reliant on imported oil were constructed far from the sea incurring unnecessary transportation expenses

He urged the government to shift its focus from sending high bills to consumers towards addressing the billions lost due to line losses and power theft He pointed out that the ruling elite benefited from free electricity resulting in significant losses to the national treasury while the burden fell on the impoverished citizens

Highlighting past administrations negligence

Siraj condemned their failure to invest in hydel electricity generation and other cost-effective energy sources, such as wind energy, which could have yielded thousands of megawatts He called for accountability of the influential figures behind the costly IPP projects asserting that the nation deserved transparency regarding the purposes and realities surrounding these projects The JI chief underlined that people in the country are grappling with inflation, unemployment, and poverty due to flawed policies adopted by previous governments The caretakers he said gave continuation to the former policies instead of providing relief to the masses

Punjab witnesses no death due to dengue in 2023: Ali Jan

patients are under treatment in hospitals across Punjab, whose condition was satisfactory The secretary health urged the citizens to keep their environment clean and dry to prevent dengue INP

Ex-Minister S ajid Tori reaches China along with a delegation

our 2022 Integrated Report aims to objectively describe PMI s business model, governance and management, strategy, and performance It addresses both the priority sustainability risks related to our operations and those connected to our product To further substantiate our commitment to sustainability, in 2022 we introduced PMI s Sustainability Index, formed through a set of key performance indicators (KPIs) that help us measure and communicate our progress

In terms of the environmental aspects of PMI s products we made progress in implementing take-back programs for our products and increased our electronic device repair capabilities In 2022, we reached a recycling rate of 86% of our devices that were returned to centralized recycling hubs More than half (68%) of our shipment volume was covered by markets with anti-littering programs in place for combustible cigarettes

As for the social side of PMI s operational impact, we expanded access to structured lifelong learning offers for employees and published a strengthened commitment to human rights among other measures We are proud to have surpassed our 2022 target of having 40% of management positions held by women with 40 7% The human rights

I slamabad Capital Police takes effec tive steps for ‘S chool C halo’

c

ampaign

I S L A M A B A D : T h e I s l a m a b a d C a p i t a l P o l i c e h a v e t a k e n d e c i s i v e a c t i o n u n d e r t h e S c h o o l C h a l o " c a m p a i g n A s p a r t o f t h i s c a m p a i g n 8 0 s t u d e n t s f o u n d a b s e n t f r o m s c h o o l s a n d c o l l e g e s w e r e s a f e l y r e l o c a t e d t o v a r i o u s p o l i c e s t a t i o n s w i t h t h e i r p a r e n t s d u l y i n f o r m e d A c c o r d i n g t o d e t a i l s f o l l o w i n g t h e s p e c i a l d i r e c t i o n s o f

I s l a m a b a d C a p i t a l C i t y P o l i c e O ff i c e r ( I C C P O ) D r A k b a r N a s i r K h a n , t h e I s l a m a b a d C a p i t a l P o l i c e c o n d u c t e d 4 4 m e e t i n g s w i t h e d u c a t i o n a l i n s t i t u t i o n h e a d s t o p r e v e n t s t u d e n t a b s e n t e e i s m a n d c o n d u c t e d 4 9 m e e t i n g s t o a d d r e s s t h e i s s u e o f d r u g u s e w i t h i n e d u c a t i o n i n s t i t u t i o n s T h u s f a r, 8 0 s t u d e n t s w h o w e r e f o u n d a b s e n t f r o m t h e i r e d u c a t i o n a l i n s t i t u t i o n s d u r i n g s c h o o l h o u r s h a v e b e e n s a f e l y r e l o c a t e d t o d i ff e r e n t p o l i c e s t a t i o n s T h e p o l i c e t e a m s h a v e a l s o c o n t a c t e d t h e i r p a r e n t s a n d h a n d e d o v e r t h e s t u d e n t s t o t h e m D u r i n g t h e o n g o i n g y e a r o ff i c e r s o f I s l a m a b a d C a p i t a l P o l i c e c o n d u c t e d 9 3 m e e t i n g s w i t h e d u c a t i o n a l i n s t i t u t i o n h e a d s t o d e t e r s t u d e n t a b s e n t e e i s m a n d a d d r e s s t h e i s s u e o f d r u g s u s e T h e I C C P O D r A k b a r N a s i r K h a n e m p h a s i z e d t h a t s t u d e n t s a r e t h e n a t i o n ' s f u t u r e , a n d t h e i r p r o t e c t i o n i s o f u t m o s t i m p o r t a n c e I s l a m a b a d C a p i t a l P o l i c e i s c o m m i t t e d t o m a k i n g e v e r y p o s s i b l e e ff o r t t o e n s u r e a b r i g h t a n d s e c u r e f u t u r e f o r t h e s t u d e n t s o f I s l a m a b a d H e f u r t h e r s a i d t h a t , t h e " S c h o o l C h a l o " c a m p a i g n a i m s t o e n s u r e t h e p r e s e n c e o f s t u d e n t s i n s c h o o l s a n d c o l l e g e s U n d e r t h i s i n i t i a t i v e s t u d e n t s w h o w e r e a b s e n t f r o m s c h o o l w e r e i d e n t i f i e d u s i n g t h e S a f e C i t y c a m e r a s y s t e m d o l p h i n s q u a d s a n d s m a r t c a r s P R

A ll set for annual Na'at K hawani contest

I S L A M A B A D : The preparations are nearly complete for the upcoming annual provincial Na at Khawani competition, scheduled to take place at the Sahibzada Abdul Qayyum Auditorium of Radio Pakistan Peshawar on Tuesday The competition is open to participants in four distinct categories encompassing both male and female contestants In the first category male contestants under the age of fifteen will compete The second category is designated for male Na at Khawans between the ages of fifteen and twenty-five Similarly, the third category welcomes female Na’at Khawans up to the age of fifteen, while the fourth category is for female contestants aged 15 to 25 Those who emerge victorious in the provincial Na at competition will earn the opportunity to advance for the national competition, which will be hosted at Radio Pakistan headquarters in Islamabad APP

Tra n s fo r m i n g fo r G o o d

impact assessments we conducted in Brazil and Malaysia brought the total number to seven completed assessments since 2018

We continued the decarbonization of our direct operations and announced new longterm biodiversity and water ambitions and strategies aligned with the post-2020 biodiversity framework adopted by the parties of the UN Biodiversity Conference (COP 15)

We also received a triple A score from CDP for climate, forest, and water security for the third consecutive year The proportion of tobacco purchased at no risk of deforestation of managed natural forest and no conversion of natural ecosystems was 55% in 2022

Implementing sustainability on a local level

We are an international company operating on a global level, so it is important to closely monitor how our sustainability strategy is implemented on the ground by PMI affiliates The progress we are making on individual issues locally is showcased in case studies and market stories In Pakistan, we focused our sustainability efforts on environmental protection, community development, disaster relief, and employee well-being In collaboration with Pak Mission Society (PMS) PMPKL established the innovative Haryali Hub and Khushali Hub recycling facility in Islam-

On this occasion, Sajid Tori said that Pakistan values brotherly relations with China, the relations between Pakistan and China are strong at the social, cultural and business levels China has helped Pakistan in every difficult time China friendship will have positive results on the country s economy and development our effort is to create more employment opportunities for Pakistani workforce worldwide, Pakistan China friendship is playing a key role in strengthening the country's economy In this visit, it was agreed to promote bilateral relations and mutual cooperation Taking advantage of the opportunity Sajid Duri invited the Chinese delegation to visit different provinces of Pakistan On this occasion the Chinese delegation thanked the Pakistani delegation PR

SHCC will suppor t Centre in development of regulator y councils for allied healthc are ser vices. D r K halid S h

KARACHI: The Sindh Health Care Commission (SHCC) has recognized the critical need for comprehensiveregulation of allied healthcare services in the country Allied healthcare professionals, including aestheticians,physiotherapists, optometrists chiropractors speech therapists nutritionists behavioral/psychological counselors and others have beenoperating without a structured regulatory framework raising concerns about patient safety and thequality of care provided Dr Khalid Shaikh, Chairperson of the SHCC Board, reaffirmed thecommitment of SHCC to healthcare excellence by pledging support to the federal health ministryin the development of regulatory councils specifically tailored for allied healthcare services duringthe 59th meeting of the Board held in Karachi Dr Shaikh also mentioned that the SHCC plans tostrengthen its collaboration with the Department of Health, Government of Sindh, to accelerate theregistration process for all public healthcare facilities The Commission will establish robustmechanisms aimed at assisting government health facilities in improving the quality of care andensuring the safety of patients The meeting was attended by other members of the Board includingDr Abdul Ghafoor Shoro, Dr Mirza Ali Azhar, Prof Sameer Qureshi, Prof Shoaib Gangat, Dr Sajjad Siddiqui, and Syed Ghulam Rasool Shah PR

abad Local workers collect waste from 1,000 households, transporting it to the hub for recycling We also joined Network of Organizations Working with Persons with Disabilities (NOWPDP) for a beach cleanup and awareness session in Karachi on World Cleanup Day 2020 and repeated it with EYDS and SEED Ventures in 2022 Additionally, we introduced fuel-efficient furnaces, reducing fuelwood consumption by 10% and achieving 100% sustainable sourcing for tobacco curing; 94% of our contracted barns have been upgraded with venturi furnaces

One of our initiatives is a Skills Training Program for adolescent children aged 15-17, where during 2022 500 children were enrolled across 20 centers for training in skills such as cloth weaving and electrician training To address the issue of child labour in production we provided machines to farmers and developed a specialized mechanism to eliminate children s involvement in the process Through this initiative PMPKL successfully reduced child labour in its operations to 0 2% compared to its original target of 2% for 2022 In terms of disaster relief PMPKL distributed essential supplies to families affected by floods in various regions of Pakistan, in two tranches Additionally, we continue to focus on our employees' well-being and professional growth, offering learning opportunities and support through initiatives like the

Own Your Career campaign and the Make

Your Comeback program PMPKL is also committed to market safety, implementing emergency preparedness fire hydrant systems and fleet safety training measures We strive to create a fair and inclusive workplace providing extensive benefits to our employees, including a comprehensive medical plan and childcare benefits

The need for collaboration

Ultimately our goal goes beyond becoming a smoke-free company we want to make cigarettes obsolete However we cannot achieve this change on our own Only by working with relevant stakeholders and through the support of both civil society and business can we create a paradigm shift to a future in which cigarettes no longer exist For us this means that we must build trust and ensure that our words match our actions We are convinced that by transparently disclosing our progress through sound integrated reporting, we can build the trust that is needed among the stakeholders who are fundamental to achieving our company’s purpose In Pakistan like in other countries we continue to engage with relevant government stakeholders to support the development of differentiated regulations that will enable adult smokers to know about different nicotine-containing products and their corresponding risk profiles compared with continued smoking

ExPERtS wARN AgAiNSt ANothER ‘PULwAMA-LiKE’ fALSE fL Ag oPERAtioN to hELP MoDi wiN PoLLS

iN D I A N Prime Minister Narendra Modi s strategy of accusing Pakistan of supporting terrorism in India to gain electoral support has once again taken center stage, with recent incidents raising concerns of false flag operations aimed at diverting attention and achieving political goals Reports from Indian media on September 16 revealed that several officers and soldiers of the Indian Army were killed in an encounter with terrorists in the Uri sector of Baramulla Just days earlier, on September 12, news of a similar alleged operation by Indian forces in Anantnag had surfaced

The term false flag operation is being used to describe what critics claim is a deliberate attempt by India to divert the world s attention from ongoing human rights violations in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) by falsely accusing Pakistan of supporting terrorism

It is suggested that in preparation for upcoming Indian elections the Modi government has been willing to sacrifice

both citizens and military officers Some allege that India may be seeking to repeat an incident like the Pulwama attack for its own political purposes citing numerous reports and audio/video evidence from international media outlets suggesting Indian involvement in activities along the Line of Control that further political ambitions Sources claim that creating a war frenzy through false encounters and fabricated news has become a habit for the Modi government Evidence from Indian media has also been cited to support claims that the government is attempting

Dar says no hurdle in Nawaz Sharif’s way to contest elections

LONDON

Former finance minister Ishaq Dar said that there are no hurdles in PML-N supremo Nawaz Sharif ’s participation in elections

As per details Ishaq Dar said that article 62 (1) (f) which decreased the disqualification sentence to five years was passed by the parliament and also approved by the president

He said that after the passage of Article 62 (1) (f) former prime minister Nawaz Sharif, Istehkam-ePakistan Party (IPP) head Jahangir Tareen are now eligible to participate in elections

Ishaq Dar refrained from commenting on PPP chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari saying that he is like my son but the PDM coalition government took decisions with consensus during the 17-month tenure

Former prime minister Shehbaz Sharif had last week announced Nawaz Sharif ’s return to Pakistan on October 21 “Nawaz Sharif will be given a splendid welcome on his arrival in Pakistan” he added He said that Nawaz Sharif was removed from power through a conspiracy and the rigging in the 2018 general elections left Pakistan behind in the region

We held consultations with the senior leadership of the party and decided that Nawaz Sharif will return to Pakistan in October and lead the election campaign,”

Shehbaz Sharif said while talking to journalists in London The PML-N president also said that his brother would come to Pakistan and face the law and there are no two opinions on it

LAHORE S TA F F R E P O R T

Pakistan People s Party (PPP) Central Punjab General

Secretary Syed Hasan Murtaza said on Saturday that Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) should not become a puppet but transform itself into a genuine political party Responding to Khawaja Saad

Rafique s tweet he told the PML-N leaders to refrain from advising the PPP leadership on political issues

Hasan Murtaza underlined the PPP s historic reliance on popular support to attain power, crediting

Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto Shaheed and Asif Zardari for their crucial support suggesting that without them the PML-N might not exist today

He accused the PML-N of betraying its benefactors and cautioned against those who left politics under minimal pressure attempting to teach politics

Hasan Murtaza urged Saad Rafique to confront reality rather than making vague statements

He also pointed out the PML-N’s previous defeat within the rejected group alliance and their continued weak position in Sindh

Hanif Abbasi launches tirade against PPP

On the other hand PML-N leader Hanif Abbasi on Saturday launched a tirade against Pakistan People s Party, saying that the PPP s performance has always been “zero ” Addressing a press conference, the PMLN leader said that Asif Ali Zardari-led PPP has nothing else than a slogan – Bhutto Zinda Hai [Bhutto is alive]

Comparing the performances Hanif Abbasi said that the PML-N has given motorways to this country ended loadshedding unemployment and terrorism

to terminate the ceasefire agreement on the Line of Control

As the government faces criticism for its handling of growing unrest in Rajouri and Anantnag it is suggested that India is trying to deflect attention by placing blame on Pakistan

Recently, the killing of five Indian soldiers in the Rajouri sector of Occupied Jammu and Kashmir was seen as another attempt by Modi to bolster his political image by using the blood of his own soldiers Critics argue that India s continuous ceasefire violations aim to maintain a state of war on the Line of Control and

divert attention from internal problems

However images and videos from residents living near the Line of Control have contradicted Indian government claims According to these residents, there has been no firing or military operations on either side of the Line of Control and the region remains calm Indian analysts are also raising questions about why Modi would be celebrating if the situation on the border were indeed so serious and Indian soldiers were losing their lives

Critics suggest that Modi’s government has a history of using similar tactics to achieve political goals before elections including making false accusations of terrorism against Pakistan and then taking credit for eliminating supposed terrorists

Prominent figures like Satya Pal Malik and several parliamentary leaders in India have already warned the public that incidents resembling the Pulwama attack may occur again in the lead-up to the elections Residents living near the Line of Control on the Indian side of the defacto border have expressed their relief that there is no terrorism or firing i n t h e a r e a a n d h a v e d i s m i s s e d t h e s e claims as false rumours

Attempts to minus Nawaz Sharif caused economic, political turmoil: Mar yam

PESHAWAR/LAHORE S TA F F R E P O R T

Senior Vice President of Pakistan

Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) Maryam Nawaz on Saturday said that the prevailing economic turmoil in the country was due to conspiracies against former premier Mian Nawaz Sharif to minus him from country s politics

Addressing a gathering of PML-N workers in Peshawar on Saturday she said “Those who wanted to minus Nawaz Sharif have themselves vanished from the political spectrum Maryam Nawaz confirmed that the former premier, who has been in self-exile in London for his treatment since long, would return to Pakistan on Oct 21 saying the days of distress were about to over for masses

She said Nawaz Sharif wanted to usher in a new era of development in country and rid the public from inflation She added that her father resolutely faced the political victimsation and emerged victorious The PML-N’s supremo had been punished for serving people and controlling inflation she said While referring to disqualification

of the former premier she said such incidents sparked inflation and derailed the country from the track leading to development She said conspirators did not want to see Pakistan economically stable She recalled that prices of flour ghee and sugar remained stable during the five-year tenure of the PML-N government ‘Power show in Lahore on Nawaz Sharif ’s return’

The Pakistan Muslim LeagueNawaz (PML-N) has planned to hold a public rally in Lahore on October 21 to welcome party supremo Nawaz Sharif upon his return to Pakistan from United Kingdom, ending his roughly four-year exile

PML-N President Shehbaz

Abductors demand Rs50m ransom for Sagar Kumar’s release in Kashmore

The kidnappers on Saturday demanded a hefty Rs50 million ransom for the release of kidnapped Sagar Kumar who was snatched along with some other people more than a month ago from a hotel in Kashmore Reportedly the abductors placed a phone call to the family of Sagar Kumar and demanded Rs50 million ransom for his release They threatened to kill Kumar and throw his body into River Indus if the family failed to pay the ransom

The dacoits also warned the family to not waste their time and lend an ear to the false promises of feudal lords and police “If the ransom is not paid we will kill Kumar they threatened It is pertinent to mention here that people staged a sit-in on Dera Morr situated on the border area of Sindh Punjab and Balochistan for four days, demanding the recovery of Kumar and other abductees Protest demonstrations were also held in various cities across Sindh Four protests were held at Teen Talwar area in Karachi

The organisers of the Minority Rights and Aurat March held two protests early this week at Teen Talwar in Clifton to condemn the failure of the police and the caretaker Sindh cabinet in ensuring the recovery of Sagar Kumar and another abductee Priya Kumari However, three other abductees Mukhi Jagdish, Jaideep Kumar, and Dr Munir were recovered But the protesters rued that the Sindh police registered no FIR of these abductions

Sharif in an interaction with the media on Tuesday in London made the eagerly anticipated announcement of the three-time former premier ’s return Sources said that party leadership has decided to hold a ‘massive’ rally at Minar-e-Pakistan on October 21 The party supreme will reach Minar-e-Pakistan from airport in a bullet proof container via rally

In this connection, the PML-N leadership has directed all party workers across the country to reach Lahore on October 21

Meanwhile Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz (PML-N) supreme leader Nawaz Sharif has summoned Maryam Nawaz to London immediately

R aja R iaz joins PML-N af ter meeting with Nawaz Sharif

Pakistan on October 21

To another query, the former leader of the opposition said that elections are likely to take place around mid-February next year

The family of Kumar said that four times the authorities assured them of his recovery in 48 hours but to no avail They said that provincial Law Minister Umar Somroo also promised that Kumar would be recovered within 48 hours but four days had passed by and there was no trace of his whereabouts Kumar and others were taken away by dacoits when they attacked a hotel in Kashmore 45 days ago

PM takes notice of Pakistan’s ‘par ticipation’ in Miss Universe pageant

ISLAMABAD

S TA F F R E P O R T

ISLAMABAD

Former leader of the opposition in the National Assembly (NA) and PTI turncoat Raja Riaz on Saturday formally announced joining Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) after meeting the party s supremo Nawaz Sharif in London

Talking to journalists before his meeting with the PML-N leadership in London Riaz hinted at contesting the upcoming general elections from Faisalabad saying he would discuss the matter with the PML-N supremo It is not necessary that a decision [in this

regard] is made today,” he clarified

Responding to a question he said that PML-N had a large vote bank in Pakistan as people believe that the country was made by the party He maintained that the PMLN supremo would be given a grand welcome upon return Nawaz who has been in self-imposed exile in London since November 2019 owing to health reasons was disqualified in 2017 by the Supreme Court for not declaring a receivable salary

On September 12, former prime minister Shehbaz Sharif announced “Nawaz Sharif will reach

During the meeting Riaz expressed his confidence in Nawaz s leadership and joined the PML-N Former prime minister Shehbaz, ex-finance minister Ishaq Dar and other leaders were also present during the meeting Riaz won a MNA seat on the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) ticket in the 2018 general election but the party terminated his basic membership for violating the party discipline

“174 members have recorded their votes in favour of the resolution consequently the resolution for the vote on no-confidence against Mr Imran Khan the prime minister of Pakistan has been passed by a majority, Ayaz Sadiq announced after the process of voting was completed PTI formally expelled Riaz in August 2023

It is pertinent to mention here that Riaz had been a jiyala for 35 years The Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) leader had jumped the ship and joined PTI in May 2016

Caretaker Prime Minister Anwaarul Haq Kakar has taken action regarding an allegedly unauthorised beauty contest that has selected a contestant to represent Pakistan in the upcoming Miss Universe pageant The prime minister has directed the Foreign Office to contact the UAE government in response to this matter Previously Kakar had instructed the Intelligence Bureau (IB) to conduct an investigation into the organisation responsible for arranging the beauty contest and using Pakistan s name in connection with the Miss Universe pageant The Intelligence Bureau has since submitted its report to the PM Earlier caretaker Information Minister Murtaza Solangi had clarified on X formerly Twitter that the government and state of Pakistan were represented by state and government institutions Our government has not designated any non-state and non-governmental person or institution for any such activity, and no such person/institution can represent the state/government ” he stressed The minister was responding to a post by journalist Ansar Abbasi as to who allowed five Pakistani girls to allegedly participate in the Miss Universe beauty pageant without government authorisation

Rangers to guard Arab princes while they hunt in Punjab

LAHORE S TA F F R E P O R T

The caretaker government of Punjab has approved deployment of Rangers personnel for the security of Arab princes coming to the provinces for hunting

A Punjab Cabinet committee decided to field three companies of the Rangers jawans in certain cities of the province for guarding the hunting princes from Middle East, sources said The sources further said that the Arab princes are coming from the United Arab Emirates (UAE) for hunting houbara bustard

The Punjab Home Department sought deployment of the Rangers force for the security of the Arab guests

Sindh CM vows not to allow injustice in urban areas in terms of development, employment

KARACHI S TA F

Sindh Caretaker Chief Minister Justice (retd)

Maqbool Baqar has said that he would never allow injustice in the urban areas of the province in terms of development employment and importance

These views were expressed by him while talking to a delegation of Muttahida

Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P) led by Dr Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui which called on him here at CM House Saturday Maqbool Baqar said “Karachi is my city and other urban areas of the province such as Hyderabad Nawabshah Mirpurkhas Sukkur and Larkana will be looked after

properly” The MQM-P delegation was comprised on Dr Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui Dr Farooq Sattar and Mustafa Kamal They discussed the overall situation including general elections during the meeting Dr Khalid Maqbool told the chief minister that they had expressed satisfaction and support when his name was recommended for caretaker chief minister The CM thanked them and said he would serve everyone irrespective of any consideration

The delegation raised the issue of urban areas for which he assured them his personal attention to resolve the issue of the urban areas

The caretaker chief minister added that the main job of his government was to support the Election Commission of Pakistan in

holding free, fair and transparent elections

The MQM-P delegation took up the issue of increasing street crime in the city

The chief minister said that he has directed the city police to control the street crime by enhancing patrolling, vigilance and starting operations against the street criminals and drug mafia Baqar said that a major reshuffle has been made in the administration including the police I am sure the new administration would make a difference he said

The chief minister said that he would welcome suggestions from all political parties for improving the governance and that their support was essential for holding free and fair elections

PPP, PML-N leaders exchange tirade; question each other’s per formance