Epaper_23-09-26 (LHR)

PM REITERATES COMMITMENT TO PROGRAMME, REFORMS COMMITTED WITH IMF

a n g S a y s a d m i n i s t r a t i v e a c t i o n s s t r e n g t h e n e d r u p e e a g a i n s t d o l l a r

g I n v i t e s o v e r s e a s Pa k i s t a n i s t o a v a i l g r e a t i n v e s t m e n t o p p o r t u n i t i e s

CARETAKER Prime Minister Anwaarul Haq Kakar on Monday reiterated his government’s commitment to the IMF programme by undertaking reforms committed with the international lender, inviting the British investors to explore promising investment opportunities in the financial and capital market of Pakistan

The caretaker premier ’s assurance came while responding to the British investors who enquired about the continuity of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) programme in Pakistan and reform efforts from short to medium term PM Kakar said positive indicators including inflows from the World Bank Asian Development Bank and friendly nations contributed to reduced inflation stabilized reserves, and revival of industrial growth The prime minister spoke about the potential for foreign direct investment in Pakistan’s key sectors and the positive impact of the Stand-By Arrangement (SBA) with the IMF exceeding expectations and stabilizing the economy

and currency

The leaders of the notable investment firms who met the prime minister in London included Fidelity International Limited (FIL), Wellington Management Ashmore Jefferies International Redwheel Capital Switex Industrial SA Oxford Frontier Capital GuarantCo JP Morgan Kalrock Capital and UBL UK

During the meeting, Anwaarul Kakar informed the delegation about Pakistan’s current economic landscape highlighting government measures for external account improvement

He said that recent administrative actions strength-

After 4 months of disappearance, T V anchor Imran Riaz ‘reaches home safely’

LAHORE

S ta f f R e p o R t

Known YouTuber and television anchor Imran Riaz Khan who had been missing for more than four months on Monday returned and is now safe at home , his lawyer Mian Ali Ashfaq and Punjab Inspector General Dr Usman Anwar confirmed In a post on X, formerly known as Twitter, Sialkot District Police claimed that journalist and anchor Imran Riaz Khan had been safely recovered and he was now with his family Meanwhile the family of Imran Riaz has also confirmed his recovery On September 20 the LHC had given the Punjab police chief a last opportunity to recover Riaz by September 26 (tomorrow)

During the hearing, LHC Chief Justice Muhammad Ameer Bhatti had stated that his patience was “running out A known YouTuber and television anchor Imran Riaz Khan was arrested on May 11 – two days after violent protests erupted across the country following whisking away of PTI Chairman Imran Khan from Islamabad High Court s premises on May 9 He was last known to be taken to Cantt police station after his arrest and later to the Sialkot prison On May 15 a law officer told the Lahore High Court (LHC) that the anchorperson was released from jail after taking an undertaking in writing Separately his lawyer Ashfaq said in a post on X, By God s special blessing, grace, and mercy, I have brought back my prince It took a lot of time due to the mountain of difficulties, the last limit of understanding of the matter a weak judiciary and the current ineffective public constitution and legal helplessness he said In another post on X in the afternoon Ashfaq shared a photo with Riaz the latter s first since his disappearance

Mushahid ‘smells mother of all deals’ with PTI chief

S

Veteran politician and Senior leader of Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) Senator Mushahid Hussain

Syed on Monday hinted at a ‘deal’ with the incarcerated PTI chairman saying they are unable to handle prisoner No 804 and it seemed there would be a Mother of all deals with the PTI chief In an exclusive interview with a private TV channel, Mushahid Hussain Syed, who is also heading Senate Standing Committee on Defence responded to Western leaders’ queries about the issue between the PTI chief and the Establishment as a matter of quarrel among lovers in which there is also a possibility of forgiveness Mushahid Hussain Syed said Pakistan cannot bear the brunt of any other confrontation Everyone should work for the betterment of the country Responding to another question, Mushahid Hussain said the military establishment is ‘against’ accountability of its men by others They have their own accountability system he added The lawmaker said he did not attend the London meeting in which it was decided to support the extension to Qamar Javed Bajwa as chief of the army staff He regretted that the PDM government gave new life to the PTI and its chief in 2022 through a no-confidence move “He (Imran) was down and out but PDM gave him a new life and now they will have to face him he pointed out He advised PML-N supremo Nawaz Sharif to adopt a generous and forward-looking approach by forgiving and moving forward, cautioning against fixating on the accountability of former army generals During the interview, the PML-N leader underscored the importance of forgiveness and moving forward citing counsel he received from the late Nelson Mandela who believed that generosity was a crucial trait for a statesman He also referenced the teachings of Hazrat Ali, who advocated for a similar approach to justice and revenge

ened the Pakistani rupee against the US dollar, fostering optimism for stability

The Interim PM also highlighted economic improvements such as reduced inflation with expected sustained decline and upcoming growth in agriculture and industry He mentioned improved trade after removal of restrictions on imports and fiscal measures for monetary support and mediumterm inflation targets Kakar highlighted Pakistan’s pro-investment efforts introducing the Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC)

This initiative led by the prime minister himself streamlines investment processes attracts investments in key sectors and fosters long-term growth by simplifying the business landscape Overseas Pakistanis need to avail investment opportunities’ Earlier, Caretaker Prime Minister Anwaarul Haq Kakar on Monday said that the overseas Pakistanis need to avail great investment opportunities offered by government of Pakistan Speaking during a meeting with a delegation of prominent British Pakistani businessmen which called on him in London, he invited the diaspora businessmen to invest especially in Special Economic Zones to contribute to Pakistan s economic recovery Anwaarul Haq Kakar highlighted positive economic indicators resulting from reforms pursued by the interim government, including a strengthening Pak Rupee, reduced inflation, and expected economic growth The removal of import restrictions and efforts to restore the business community s confidence are expected to further boost external accounts, he added The interim prime minister spoke about Pakistan’s investment-friendly approach, mentioning incentives and easeof-business reforms

No space for intolerance, extremism in Islam and society: COA S

RAWALPINDI S ta f f R e p o R t

Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Asim Munir on Monday expressed profound respect for the Christian community stressing the need for promoting interfaith harmony in society to follow the Quaid s true vision of a united and progressive Pakistan

The army chief made these remarks during a meeting with President Bishops (Church of Pakistan and Bishop of Raiwind) along with a 13-member delegation of the Christian Community who called on him at the General Headquarters the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said in a statement

The meeting comes a month after a violent mob of hundreds ransacked and torched nearly two dozen churches attacked the residences of members of the Christian community and the office of the local assistant commissioner in Jaranwala sparking nationwide outrage and condemnation COAS Munir had denounced the attacks on churches a day later and vowed no leniency for intolerance and extreme behaviour

“It’s imperative for the people to discern the difference between truth half-truth lies misinformation and disinformation he had said

In a more recent development on Saturday two human rights activists who were part of the Christian community and had travelled from Karachi to Faisalabad, were reportedly subjected to a brief detention and alleged mistreatment by the police In response, police countered the claims accusing the duo of misconduct

High energy prices burn steel industr y

g E n e r g y t a r i f f i n c r e a s e t o t r i g g e r s i g n i f i c a n t s t e e l p r i c e h i ke

ISLAMABAD G h u l a m a b b a S

The incident was brought to light by lawyer and human rights activist Jibran Nasir on Friday through a series of posts on X (formerly Twitter)

Today, the Christian community delegation called on the army chief and discussed matters of “mutual interest religious and inter-faith harmony” according to the ISPR The COAS lauded the contributions of the Pakistani Christian community in national development, including promotion of quality education, healthcare and philanthropic services as well as their outstanding role played in defending the motherland

He said that Islam was a religion of peace and there was no space for intolerance and extremism in Islam and society No one can be allowed to take law in his own hands in a civilised society he added

The 13-member Christian delegation acknowledged the Pakistan army s efforts in combatting terrorism and providing secure environment to minority communities in the country

As prices of electricity rise for industrial consumers along with domestic consumers, large industries are starting to feel the heat The country’s massive steel industry is one of many facing the heat Early on Monday a representative association of the steel sector issued a dire warning regarding an imminent surge in steel rebar prices driven by soaring energy costs The increase in price could be a major blow to the country s construction industry and negatively affect factory workers, labourers, and cause the loss of jobs According a letter of Pakistan Association of Large Steel Producers (PALSP) to concerned ministries the steel sector a cornerstone of Pakistan s economic infrastructure heavily relies on electricity as a primary input with power costs accounting for over 50% of production expenses Escalating electricity prices have already forced several steel units to close their operations, leaving the remaining ones operating at a fraction of their capacity PALSP has repeatedly called on the government to provide the steel industry with electricity at reduced rates promoting maximum capacity utilization instead of incurring payments to independent power producers (IPPs) for unused electricity The size of the steel industry in Pakistan has seen significant growth over the years As of 2019 the steel industry in Pakistan consists of approximately 600 smaller and larger mills with a production capacity of 3 3 million tons This production capacity accounts for 0 18 percent of the world steel production Additionally, Pakistan s steel industry has 20 major players in the organized sector, such as Amreli, Agha, Mughal, Frontier Foundry Steel Razaque Bilal and Aitamad Steels which collectively make up 80 percent of the2 total market share These entities generated a combined revenue of PKR 150 billion in FY 2020 It s worth noting that while the industry has made significant progress, there are still challenges and issues it faces, including underutilization of capacity, rising costs of utilities energy shortages financial difficulties lack of raw materials and outdated plants ELECTRICITY WOES

Despite the industry s many cries and complaints they are only the first of many industries that will feel the burden of rising power costs In the fiscal year 2023-24, consumers collectively face a staggering burden of Rs 2 025 trillion in capacity charges exacerbated by the presence of idle power plants The industry grapples with unfavorable agreements with these power plants stipulating that capacity charges must be paid even if government utilities fail to draw electricity from them

Pakistan reaffirms commitment to eliminate hePatitis by 2030

PA K IS TA N’S Ambassador to the United States Masood Khan has stated that Pakistan remains steadfast in its dedication to addressing the challenge of hepatitis and achieving the WHO’s global elimination targets by 2030

Representing Pakistan at the Second Meeting of the United Nations Group of Friends to Eliminate Hepatitis at the Yale Club in New York, he said our priorities include updating the National Strategic Framework, improving surveillance, expanding hepatitis B birth dose vaccination, increasing HCV testing and treatment and engaging community-based organizations He said that objectives of the Group of

Pml-n sets up committees to accord historic welcome to nawaz on return

The Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PMLN) has constituted coordination committees to accord a historic welcome to the party supremo on his return to the country next month Chief Organizer of PML-N Maryam

Friends aligned perfectly with the overarching theme of UNGA 78, focusing on rebuilding trust and rekindling global solidarity to accelerate progress on the 2030 Agenda and its Sustainable Development Goals

The meeting was attended by Health Ministers WHO officials several ambassadors and representatives of the member states According to estimates, around 12 million people in Pakistan were affected from Hepatitis B and C, with 150,000 new cases reported every year These multifaceted challenges stemmed from unsafe blood transfusions unhygienic dental treatments and reused syringes

Appreciating Coalition for Global Hepatitis Elimination for launch of National Hepatitis Elimination Profile (N-HEP) Initiative in 2022, the Ambassador noted that Government of Pakistan had set an ambi-

ministr y mulls proposals to cut hajj duration to 18 to 20 days

tious target under the initiative aiming to screen millions of individuals and treat millions affected by hepatitis by 2030 Masood Khan said that Pakistan deeply appreciates pivotal role of international partners particularly Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunization (GAVI) in the fight against hepatitis Pakistan has also formed partnerships with the corporate sector through Corporate Coalition for Viral Hepatitis Elimination in Pakistan (CCHEP), consisting of 12 leading companies These alliances he said have strengthened our resolve to eliminate viral hepatitis by 2030 Masood Khan said that Pakistan is committed to building strong partnerships, both domestically and internationally, to ensure the success of its hepatitis elimination efforts

CM Naqvi seeks Japan’s assistance for various sec tors in meeting with envoy

LAHORE S ta f f R e p o R t

Punjab caretaker Chief Minister Mohsin

Naqvi Monday met Japanese Ambassador WADA Mitsuhiro and discussed with him matters of mutual interest including tourism museum restoration auto industry water and increasing cooperation in various sectors

The chief minister also discussed with the Japanese ambassador the ongoing programme with the support of the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA)

He welcomed the technical assistance of Japan to provide more facilities to the people of Punjab adding that along with the Taxila Museum the Lahore Museum would also be uplifted with the cooperation of Japan

He said that Japan had a special place in the auto industry, seeking Japan’s cooperation for the manufacturing of electric motorbikes Mohsin Naqvi said that he wanted technical support from Japan for the development of Punjab, adding that Japan s expertise in technology was unquestionable

The Japanese ambassador assured the chief minister of Japan’s cooperation for technical assistance

He said that Japan would continue cooperating with the Punjab government in museums, culture and other fields Provincial ministers, officers concerned and Honorary Consul General of Japan Aamir Shirazi were present on the occasion

The Ministry of Religious Affairs has proposed a shorter duration for Hajj pilgrimage next year, allowing pilgrims to decide the duration of their pilgrimage This proposal is currently under consideration by the interim Minister of Religious Affairs The introduction of a shorter Hajj duration which could last between 18 to 20 days is seen as a significant move to make the pilgrimage more accessible and manageable This was informed in a meeting of the Senate Standing Committee on Religious Affairs which was held in Islamabad on Monday under the chair of Senator Maulana Abdul Ghafoor Haideri The committee chairman also proposed that the Hajj duration should be of 18 to 30 days

Last year, the official Hajj package spanned a period of 10 days and cost Rs1,020,000

However, the Saudi government has offered shelters and is ready to give some concessions to all the pilgrims They are planning to increase the number of pilgrims to 10 million the committee was informed Currently the Road to Makkah programme is being run only from Islamabad International Airport

However, the Saudi government has decided to include Karachi in the Road to Makkah programme in the next Hajj according to the caretaker minister for religious affairs Efforts to include Lahore in the Road to Makkah programme are also underway he added The Road to Makkah project refers to the immigration of pilgrims at Islamabad Airport When Senator Hidayatullah asked from the minister “what’s the route of the Road to Makkah project” the meeting hall was rocked by loud laughters of the participants Later the minister explained to the Senator what Road to Makkah project means Minister Aneeq Ahmed clarified that the Road to Makkah is not a physical road

leas foil bid to smuggle 1,200 urea bags to afghanistan

Nawaz has constituted the party’s Punjab Islamabad Azad Kashmir and KP women wings coordination committees for welcome of Nawaz Sharif who has been scheduled to arrive on October 21 As per notification

senior party leader Khawaja Saad Rafique has been given responsibility for Rawalpindi division Malik Ahmed Khan for Gujranwala Ahsan Iqbal for Sargodha

Khurram Dastagir will head Faisalabad reception committee Other the other hand

Javed Latif will head Sahiwal, Awais Laghari

Multan, Ayaz Sadiq Bahawalpur, Talal

Chaudhry Dera Ghazi Khan and Saud

Majeed will be responsible for the Lahore committee Moreover under nine divisions committees of the party officials of 36 districts will also be constituted Ata Tarar will lead Rawalpindi, Musaddik Malik

Attock, Hanif Abbasi Chakwal, Saba Sadiq

Jhelum, Shaikh Aftab Gujrat, Tariq Fazal Chaudhry Sargodha and Chaudhry Tanvir will head Okara committee of the party The party committees will submit their reports to Maryam Nawaz on September 30 with regard to preparations for homecoming of Nawaz Sharif The legal team of the PML-N has devised a strategy to save party supremo Nawaz Sharif from arrest on his return to Pakistan sources said Legal experts have submitted a report to party containing various options A petition will be filed for protective bail a week before Nawaz s return to Pakistan, sources claimed The legal team will assure the court that the former premier will surrender the next day after the protective bail expires sources said

more snow fall in neelum Valley turns

weather cold

MUZAFFARABAD

S ta f f R e p o R t

The mercury sharply fell as Neelum Valley of Azad Kashmir continued to receive snowfall for the second consecutive day on Monday Upper areas of Neelum Valley were blanketed as the snowfall continued after brief intervals

Several areas and tourist places including Ratti Gali Lake Baboon Valley and Patlian Lake received the snowfall The intensity of cold has increased after the snowfall The nomads and their goats were stranded due to snowfall in the upper areas of Neelum Valley Neelum Valley Deputy Commissioner Nadeem Janjua advised the tourists to take precautions during snowfall He directed the camp administration of the Ratti Gali and Patlian lakes to provide every possible facility to the tourists The Neelum Valley received the first snowfall of the winter season on Sunday Ratti Gali Lake, Baboon Valley and Shounter Lake had received the first snowfall which ushered in winter in the upper areas of Neelum Valley Tourists in large numbers were also seen at Ratti Gali Lake Baboon Valley Chitta Katha Lake and Patlian Lake Also, the upper mountains and tourist spots of Diamar received the first snowfall in the wee hours on Sunday Nanga Parbat including Babusar Top Getty Das and Fairy Meadow also received snowfall on Sunday morning The snow-capped mountains were adding to the beauty of the area Tourists were seen enjoying snowfall at Babusar Top and Gatti Das, the prominent tourist destinations of Diamer

Ek Diwana Tha Wo Bhi Na Raha Kehte Hain: Death anniversar y of Baba- e -Zamhooriat today

statesman a visionary and a beacon of hope

Throughout his illustrious career he exemplified the values that were the cornerstone of any thriving democracy –integrity, honesty, and unwavering dedication to the service of the people

JACOBABAD

S ta f f R e p o R t

The 20th death anniversary of the veteran politician known as Baba-eZamhooriat (father of democracy) Nawabzada Nasarullah Khan will be observed on Tuesday (today) Nawabzada Nasarullah’s relentless 70-year-long struggle for the supremacy of the constitution parliament and democracy remains an enduring legacy Distinguished religious scholar Moulana Syed Kafeel Ahmed Shah Bukhari will grace the occasion He will address the audiences comprising political and social leaders along with representatives from various sectors of society The 20th-anniversary ceremony is set to take place at 5 pm at Marhaba Marriage Hall in his hometown, Khangarh Moulana Syed Kafeel

Ahmad Shah Bukhari, the grandson of Moulana Shah Ahmad Noorani Bukhari, will deliver an insightful speech shedding light on the importance of democracy and unity in the nation This event stands as a symbol of unity bringing together leaders from different political parties across Pakistan

Among the notable attendees will be former provincial minister Nawabzada Mansoor Ahmed Khan the son of the late Nawabzada Nasrullah Khan along with several other political luminaries of south Punjab The public is warmly invited to participate in this commemoration, paying tribute to a man whose unwavering dedication to democracy shaped the course of Pakistan’s political history said Nawabzada Mansoor Ali Khan Elaborating the services of the great politicians Nawabzada Mansoor remarked the late Nawabzada Nasarullah Khan, was a great

One of the most remarkable aspects of Nasarullah Khan’s political journey was his ability to transcend political party s line and forge meaningful connections with politicians from across the spectrum He was a unifying force in our often-divided political landscape His popularity was not limited to any particular party or ideology; it transcended all boundaries because he was a man of the people a man of the nation Mansoor added He firmly believed that the strength of a nation lay in its democratic institutions and the active participation of its citizens Throughout his life, Nasarullah Khan championed the cause of justice equality and the rights of every citizen His advocacy for the marginalized and his unwavering dedication to the welfare of the people were the cornerstones of his political philosophy He was a true servant of the people, and his legacy is a testament to the power of principled leadership said Mansoor “He leaves behind a legacy that inspires us to strive for a better more just and more democratic society His services for the promotion of democratic norms will be remembered for generations, and his name will forever be etched in the annals of the nation’s political history concluded Mansoor

Law enforcement agencies on Monday claimed to have seized a truck smuggling 1,200 bags of urea to Afghanistan Secret agencies carried out a raid at Jacobabad Bypass within jurisdiction of the new Fojdari police station here The truck carrying urea bags was destined to Afghanistan via Balochistan from Mirpor Mathelo in northern Sindh police said It may be noted that police on a tip-off carried out a raid on the National Highway yesterday and seized 26 trucks loaded with sugar and urea in Shikarpur As many as 350 tonnes of sugar and 11,254 urea bags were recovered in the raid The sugar and urea were to be smuggled to Afghanistan the police said and added that the seized sugar and urea bags were transferred to the food department A countrywide anti-smuggling crackdown has been underway on the orders of the caretaker government In February, Mochko police in Karachi during checking of a passenger coach found 150 bags of urea that were illegally being smuggled to Afghanistan via Balochistan In another raid in Quetta the Customs department seized huge quantities of urea A spokesperson for the department said that 300 bags of urea and sweet supari (betel nuts) worth Rs60 million were seized during search of a container and trailer at the Lakpass Chckpost of Customs in Quetta

Balochistan media delegation visits Beijing, Qingdao to foster c ultural exchanges, media collaboration

QINGDAO S ta f f R e p o R t

With the support of the Chinese Embassy in Pakistan, an 11-member media delegation from Balochistan, a province in southwestern Pakistan embarked on a visit to China’s capital city Beijing and the picturesque coastal city of Qingdao

The visit aimed to strengthen bilateral ties between Pakistan and China, as well as foster cultural exchanges and explore opportunities for media collaboration, Gwadar Pro reported on Monday

The delegation comprising journalists editors and media professionals received a warm welcome from Chinese officials and media representatives upon their arrival in Beijing The visit began with a meeting and discussion with Chinese Assistant Foreign Minister Nong Rong at the Chinese Foreign Ministry The meeting pointed out the path of development and provided important guidance for deepening cooperation and promoting exchanges between China and Pakistan Furqan Rao, Incharge, China Desk, Associated Press of Pakistan (APP), highlighted that the press crops are willing to bridge the “information gap” between the people of Balochistan and the Chinese people and contribute to the high-quality development of the China-Pakistan

Economic Corridor (CPEC)

In a meeting with Pakistan’s Ambassador to China H E Moin ul Haque the delegation was briefed on bilateral relations between Pakistan and China especially the current status of CPEC, which he described as the flagship project of the BRI and a strong symbol of Pakistan-China ties

The media delegation appreciated China’s role in the development of Gwadar and Balochistan and said projects such as Gwadar port hospitals schools and roads have greatly contributed to regional connectivity and generated employment opportunities for local people

The Balochistan delegation also had the opportunity to visit various newsrooms and production facilities gaining valuable insights into China s media landscape at the Economic Daily and China Central Television Tower

During a meeting with Cui Jun, General Manager of China Economic Net, the delegation lauded the role of China Economic Net in promoting all-weather friendship between the two countries and highlighted the development being completed in different parts of Pakistan

One of the key highlights of the visit was an in-depth exchange of views on cooperation between Pakistan and China under the SCO framework with the Pakistan-China Center at the SCO Demonstra-

tion Area

The Pakistan-China Center at the SCO Demonstration Area provided a platform for the delegation members to witness firsthand the progress being made in various sectors including education, agriculture and trade

Several renowned Chinese infrastructure and manufacturing enterprises and institutions including Huawei Origin Water Qingdao Conson Group, Shandong Port, and Haier, were also included in the visit, providing reference experience for the expansion of Chinese industry in Balochistan

Speaking about the visit Yar Muhammad Badini Editor in Chief of Balochistan Today expressed his gratitude for the warm reception and emphasized the significance of such exchanges

He stated this visit has provided us with a valuable opportunity to better understand China s splendid civilization with a long history and modern industries to explore avenues for collaboration

We look forward to implementing the agreements reached during our visit and strengthening the ties between Balochistan and China

The visit of the Balochistan media delegation to Beijing and Qingdao marks an important milestone in the bilateral relations between Balochistan and China

The delegation members offered to play a positive role in bringing the people of Balochistan and China closer and contribute to further deepening of the relations between Pakistan and China

GoVt imPlements strateGic aPProach of 4rf in flood-affected areas

PESHAWAR S ta f f R e p o R t

tH E Ministry of Planning, Development, and Special Initiatives has been making concerted efforts to implement the Resilient Recovery

Reconstruction and Rehabilitation

Framework (4RF) in regions impacted by the 2022 flood

This strategic approach was initiated following the catastrophic flood to aid in the recovery of both the affected populace and the environment Zafar Ali Shah Secretary of Planning said that prior to the floods the nation s economy was on a precarious edge These floods disproportionately affected the poorest households in the most impoverished districts, compounding the struggles of regions with already low human development indicators Shah emphasised the government s com-

egypt makes polio cer tificate mandator y for Pakistanis

KARACHI

The Egyptian authorities have made it mandatory for travelers from Pakistan Afghanistan, and other countries to provide a polio vaccination certificate

As informed by the Egyptian Authorities, passengers travelling to Egypt from Pakistan, Afghanistan, Malawi, Mozambique and Congo are requested to provide an international certificate of vaccination specifically polio vaccine OPV or IPV (both are acceptable) Pakistan s Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) said in an advisory on its website on Monday It added that foreigners who have stayed more than four weeks in the above-mentioned countries are also required to provide polio vaccination in order to travel to Egypt Last month the International Health Regulations (2005) Emergency Committee, responsible for assessing global poliovirus spread, expressed concerns over Pakistan’s efforts to reach a large number of children through its polio eradication campaign In a session convened by the World Health Organisation (WHO) director general on August 16 2023 the committee highlighted the gaps in Pakistan and Afghanistan s efforts to eliminate polio It emphasised that recent favorable environmental samples from Peshawar and Karachi underscore the persistent risk of a polio outbreak in Pakistan The committee highlighted that a new case of WPV1 emerged in Pakistan since the last meeting bringing the 2023 total to two cases Both instances occurred in the Bannu district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) province Throughout the year at least 15 environmental surveillancepositive samples were identified Although the action plan in southern KP has resulted in 160 000 more children being vaccinated the context remains challenging including political instability, insecurity in some areas with front-line workers requiring police patrols to accompany them and vaccination boycotts where communities make demands for other services in exchange for allowing polio vaccination the committee further said Commenting on the emergency committee s statement, Pakistan s caretaker health minister Dr Nadeem Jan told The News that boosting routine immunisation and coverage of zero dose via outreach campaigns would help in polio eradication efforts in the country In Afghanistan since the last meeting there have been five new WPV1 cases reported, all from Nangarhar province, the emergency committee said adding that the cases occurred in five different districts and had onsets from April to May 2023 “Any setback in Afghanistan poses a risk to the programme in Pakistan due to high population movement the emergency committee warned The committee further observed that in 2023, there were only two genetic clusters of WPV1 identified, compared to three in 2022 and five in 2021

mitment to establishing strategic recovery goals bolstering governance and enhancing the capacity to rebuild the lives and livelihoods of those affected, especially in the most vulnerable regions, including those directly impacted by the flood

Furthermore, Shah highlighted the importance of international cooperation citing multilateral and bilateral agreements that have given Pakistan an opportunity for recovery The approval of a $200 million financing package by the World Bank s Board of Executive Directors is a major step towards addressing the aftermath of the floods and promoting climate resilience in Pakistan This funding will be channeled into strengthening the state s ability to provide essential services and develop climate-resilient rural infrastructure in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, including investments for post-flood rehabilitation and reconstruction Shah also underscored the government’s

commitment to the welfare of the most impoverished districts emphasizing the goal of promoting inclusive growth and equitable development through targeted investments in infrastructure and human capital development Additionally, he announced the creation of a dedicated recovery and reconstruction cell within the Ministry of Planning highlighting the government s forward-looking disaster planning efforts Dr Ghulam Rasool former DirectorG e n e r a l o f t h e P a k i s t a n M e t e o r o l o g i c a l Department (PMD), drew attention to the shifting weather patterns and the escalating impact of climate change in the count r y T h e s e c h a n g e s i n c l u d e v a r i a t i o n s i n precipitation and temperatures an increase i n t h e f r e q u e n c y a n d s e v e r i t y o f t r o p i c a l storms, glacial melt, glacial lake outburst flooding, rising sea levels, loss of biodiversity, and droughts Dr Rasool stressed the imperative need

for collaboration among government agencies, non-governmental organizations, international partners and local communities to successfully implement the 4RF framework He emphasized the importance of engaging stakeholders at all levels from immediate relief efforts to long-term resilience-building endeavors The 4RF serves as the government’s strategic policy and prioritization frame-

Senate body raises concerns over appointments, pension deficit in MoST

ISLAMABAD G h u l a m a b b a S

In a recent session the Senate Standing Committee on Science and Technology chaired by Senator Sardar Muhammad Shafiq Tareen, addressed critical issues regarding government appointments and a substantial pension deficit

The committee began by emphasizing the limited mandate of the caretaker government asserting that it lacks the authority to make regular appointments, which are reserved for elected governments The focus shifted to the Pakistan Standards and Quality Control Authority (PSQCA) where concerns were raised about its operations

Acting Director-General of PSQCA presented alarming statistics revealing that 15 employees served on a look after basis, with numerous others on deputation Moreover, the Authority currently grappled with a staggering 321 vacant positions The committee was prompted to submit a

summary for the appointment of a regular Director-General to the Prime Minister ’s office

Simultaneously the committee forwarded a summary for the appointment of a Director-General on an additional charge basis After careful consideration, it was decided to maintain the current caretaker arrangement until an elected government assumes power This delay, attributed to ongoing court cases and employee representations left committee members dissatisfied

To expedite the appointment process the committee instructed the identification of promotion quotas and direct recruitment quotas to clear the backlog at PSQCA In addition to these concerns the committee was briefed on the alarming pension deficit faced by Comsats University employees

The Rector of Comsats University disclosed that employees were initially enrolled in a contributory pension fund

However in 2010 the university’s

LAHORE S ta f f R e p o R t

China is a trusted friend and successful global player, we should learn from the China s experience in various walks of life to strengthen our socio economic development activities

This was stated by the speakers at a cake cutting ceremony in connection with the 74th National Day of China organized by Pak-China Friendship Association (PCFA) Punjab at Lahore Grammar School, Wapda Town, Lahore on Monday

The aim of this ceremony was to enhance people to people interaction and appreciate the initiative taken by the Chinese leadership for shared future philosophy which is successfully implemented by the Chinese across the globe for peaceful co-existence

The PCFA Punjab event was graced

by Mr Du Yue, Head Political Affairs, Consulate General People’s Republic of China in Lahore Madam Chang Xiaonong Vice President Pakistan China Chandong Chamber of Commerce (PCSCC) at Lahore Mrs Zeenat Amir Rokhri, President PCFA Punjab, Mr Usman Shahjahan, General Secretary PCFA Punjab, Syed Ali Nawaz Gilani, Secretary-General PCFA Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Mr Amir Bhatti Director Indigo Canal

During the ceremony it was also discussed that we should enhance people to people interaction especially exchange visits with sister cities Historic city of Xian (capital city of Shaanxi province of China) and Lahore (capital city of Punjab province Pakistan) are enjoying sister city relationship since decade

The Chinese Consulate General in Lahore hosted a well-attended diplo-

board of governors opted for pension benefits, deducting 15 percent of employees’ basic pay To date, approximately Rs1 6 billion have been collected but the estimated pension liability is Call pecility donn expected to reach Rs6 billion by 2035 resulting in a staggering Rs5 billion deficit Committee members expressed dismay at the lack of financial planning by the CUI administration and called for a thorough inquiry into the matter Senator Tareen established a subcommittee to address various issues including those related to pay scales, at Comsats University The committee concluded its session by ratifying the appointment of Senator Prince Ahmed Omer Ahmedzai as a member of the Board of Governors of the Pakistan Council of Science and Technology The meeting was attended by distinguished senators, including Senator Kamran Murtaza, Senator Sana Jamali, and Senator Dr Humayun Mohmand

Speakers

matic reception last afternoon in Lahore, which was attended by who is who in Lahore a part from Governor Punjab Chief Minister and good number of Federal and Provincial ministers Acting Council General Mr Cao Ke warmly received all guests and spoke very well

As Chinese Consulate General Zhao Shiren was away to China and his esteemed initiative in Punjab Province yielded fruitful result the gathering shows Chinese diplomatic social interaction with people of Lahore This is appropriate time that we should benefit each other with our rich cultural civilization, economic and agricultural growth

The PCFA Punjab proposed that we should enhance the Chinese language classes across the province which will help out masses to understand China and Chinese philosophy for economic development and prosperity

Baldia fac tor y fire case: SHC orders blocking of Hammad Siddiqui’s ID card, passport

The Sindh High Court on Monday ordered authorities to block passport identity card and bank accounts of Hammad Siddiqui an accused in the Baldia factory fire tragedy case

In the Sindh High Court the issue of repatriation of the absconding accused in three cases including the Baldia factory tragedy, was heard The federal interior secretary appeared in the court

During the hearing, the court asked the federal interior secretary what steps were taken to bring Siddiqui back to the country On this the interior secretary said the accused had left Abu Dhabi in 2017 Justice KK Agha said he had already left Abu Dhabi before trial of the case began Siddiqui had

left Pakistan in 2013 the interior secretary said

The court asked if the passport and identity card of Siddiqui were blocked On this the interior secretary said that Siddiqui s passport had expired The SHC ordered blocking of the passport and identity cards of Siddiqui, Taqi Haider Shah, Khurram Nisar, besides freezing their bank accounts

The court said details of Siddiqui’s last landing in Pakistan should be furnished The court sought a report on the absconding accused Taqi Haider and Khurram Nisar and also asked the prosecutor general Sindh for a list of absconding and advertising accused across the province

The court issued a show cause notice to the secretary of external affairs for non-appearance and asked for a report from Nadra and the secretary of external affairs by October 2 on the next hearing

High energy prices burn steel industr y

by 73% the Pakistani Rupee (PKR) has devalued by 70%, petrol prices have climbed 70%, and financial charges have risen by 67%

Comparatively, Pakistan’s energy tariffs are now among the highest globally placing a stranglehold on the domestic steel industry While Pakistan s industrial electricity costs stand at 17 cents per kWh China and Bangladesh offer rates at 8 cents per kWh, Vietnam at 7 cents per kWh, and Ukraine at 10 7 cents per kWh This makes Pakistan’s electricity prices 58% higher than Vietnam s 53% higher than Bangladesh and China Wajid Bukhari urges the interim government to acknowledge the economic instability and the ongoing downturn in industries, businesses, trade, and exports Immediate pro-business measures are imperative to avert a complete collapse of the industry and the broader economy

work, guiding the recovery, rehabilitation, and reconstruction efforts across the nation This approach adheres to internationally recognized principles and methods for planning and executing recovery initiatives encompassing short-term medium-term and long-term phases spanning various time frames, with a clear focus on addressing the unique challenges posed by the 2022 flood and building resilience for the future

eU releases €1m in humanitarian aid for Pakistan flood affectees

ISLAMABAD S ta f f R e p o R t

The European Union (EU) has released an additional €1 million in humanitarian aid to respond to the monsoon floods that affected some 900,000 people in Pakistan in the past weeks The funding will help address the most pressing needs of vulnerable people in the provinces of Balochistan Sindh Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) as the areas hit hardest according to a statement issued on Monday Taking to X, formerly known as Twitter, European Commissioner for Crisis Management Janez Lenarcic, said: “One year after the historic floods in Pakistan the EU remains committed to helping the most vulnerable communities He added We are releasing €1 million in humanitarian aid to respond to monsoon floods in #Pakistan that have again displaced thousands of people in parts of the country ” In August, almost 100 000 people evacuated due to flooding in Punjab Farooq Ahmad a spokesperson for the Punjab emergency services had told AFP We have rescued 100 000 people and transferred them to safer places More than 175 people died in the country in rain-related incidents since the monsoon season began in late June, mainly due to electrocution and buildings collapsing emergency services reported This allocation will be used to provide multisectoral humanitarian assistance to those who remain displaced as well as those who have returned to their place of origin, given the level of damage to houses and key basic services such as water and sanitation or health, APP reported As the winter season approaches multi-purpose cash assistance shelter and nonfood items will be prioritized This new funding comes in addition to the €16 5 million already allocated in humanitarian assistance to Pakistan earlier this year, in order to assist the most vulnerable population affected by conflict and climate-induced disasters

after 4 months of disappearance, tV anchor imran riaz ‘reaches home safely’

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 01

‘N O T H E A LT H Y B U T H E’S B A C K’:

Journalist Wajahat S Khan said that he had spoken to Riaz s family adding that the anchorperson was weak and not in the best of health but he s back PTI leader Hammad Azhar said that the entire nation was rejoicing over Riaz’s return Lawyer Khadija Siddiqi termed the development a “positive sign” Latest modus operandi of brazenly silencing voices of dissent seems to have failed miserably! Citizens of Pakistan must not be antagonised by our own state! she said The PTI, meanwhile, called for the release of all political prisoners under “illegal incarceration” “Law and sense must prevail ” the party said PTI leader Asad Qaiser termed his return a good move and demanded that other PTI leaders also be produced before courts so they could decide what their crime was Former senator Advocate Babar Awan said the ordeal of Imran Riaz, his family, friends and the citizens of Pakistan” had ended ‘T I M E L I N E: F R O M G O I N G M I S S I N G

TO R E C O V E RY : A known YouTuber and television anchor Imran Riaz Khan was arrested on May 11, – two days after violent protests erupted across the country following ‘whisking away’ of PTI Chairman Imran Khan from Islamabad High Court’s premises on May 9 After the arrest he was be taken to Cantt police station and later shifted to the Sialkot prison On May 15 a law officer had told the LHC that the anchorperson was released from jail after taking an undertaking in writing His whereabouts however remained unknown Subsequently, a first information report (FIR) of Riaz’s alleged abduction was registered with Sialkot Civil Lines police on May 16 on the complaint of the anchorperson s father Muhammad Riaz The FIR was registered against unidentified persons and police officials for allegedly kidnapping Riaz, invoking Section 365 (kidnapping or abducting with intent secretly and wrongfully to confine person) of the Pakistan Penal Code The journalist s father had also filed a plea in the LHC for his recovery

China a trusted friend, key global player, need to learn from its experience:

…but where was he?

HE’S back Close to five months under illegal incarceration, anchorperson and YouTuber Imran Riaz Khan is finally back with his loved ones He’s skin-and-bones and obviously psychologically rattled, but he s back This is good news yes But it is unfortunate for the bar for good news to be so low in this country Who is to account for his disappearance in the first place? Who is to account for the mental anguish of his family and friends? And, this should never be forgotten who is going to account for the despondency that it caused in his large loyal viewership?

That heads won t roll in the case of the disappearance of such a prominent political talking head (the biggest, if social media viewership were to be taken as an index) then what hope do the nigh anonymous Baloch students and Pashtun antimilitancy activists have?

Speaking of whom there are a number of videos of Imran Riaz’s from the past where he condones this sort of behavior by the intelligence agencies If people have been picked up by our respected agencies, he used to muse out loud, then they must have done something wrong Such cavalier disregard for the human rights that our constitution grants our fellow citizens did come back to bite him, as karma often does

It is a sign of an intellectual, no, it is a sign of a morally sound human being to call out such atrocious practices before they happen to them or their loved ones And Imran Riaz Khan has fallen short of that by more than a few miles But it probably won’t stop here Maybe he will - as some of the PTI’s leaders already have - take to proving his patriotic credentials by coming out even more strongly against the missing persons

Holding atrocious people to high standards is itself an exercise in futility But the anchor as well as his supporters and his well-wishers in the media owe it to the country to at least follow up his own particular case and make sure there is at least some reckoning for his ordeal

Dedicated to the legac y of late Hameed Nizami

Arif Nizami (Late)

Founding Editor

Yousaf Nizami Editor

M A Niazi Joint Editor Umar Aziz Executive Editor

TH E dynamics of the diplomatic ties between the United States and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) have changed noticeably over time, as evidenced by a perceptible decline in their mutual dependence This attenuation can be attributed to a number of historical vicissitudes including but not limited to the seismic American shale revolution the rise of Iran as a regional power, Russia s incursion into Ukraine, and the burgeoning economic development on the parts of both the United States and Saudi Arabia, concomitant with a burgeoning spirit of self-sufficiency

It is crucial to stress that despite not being completely severed the linkage has undergone a significant bending as a result of mutual mistrust, albeit sporadically lessened by unavoidable geopolitical realities The divergence in priorities is glaringly apparent inside the walls of high-stakes diplomatic gatherings supporting the theory that their prioritizations have changed from when they were previously amicable

Nonetheless their responsibilities for the political management of their respective domains are at the heart of this complex relationship In the current environment, the Biden administration has strategically sought to maximize the normalization of relations between

It is frequently a mistake to undervalue or ignore how closely sovereign statesÊ domestic priorities and current political exigencies mirror those of their international obligations This axiom applies to Saudi Arabia in particular. Regardless of how it may appear from the outside, the KingdomÊs domestic policy considerations always come first

r a j a S h oa i b Wa l i

IN the sacred corridors of justice, where verdicts are rendered, there always exists a voice of unparalleled brilliance - a dissenting voice It is in the dissent that the very essence of democracy the true spirit of the law and the beauty of jurisprudence come to life In the recent events the dissent of Justice Syed Mansoor Ali Shah resonates not as a mere opposition to the majority but as a sincere defence of the very essence of democracy and serves as a powerful reminder of the sanctity of the rule of law Oliver Wendell Holmes once stated “My duty is not to do justice but to apply the law These words sum up the essence of the judge s role emphasizing the importance of interpreting and applying the law as it stands, regardless of personal preferences or the prevailing societal sentiment In a recent 2-1 verdict by the Supreme Court of Pakistan, Justice Syed Mansoor Ali Shah’s recent dissent resonates with the

jurisprudential philosophy

of

the late Justice Scalia of the United States Supreme Court

The case in question dealt with the restoration of corruption cases against public office holders which had been withdrawn after amendments to the country s accountability laws While Chief Justice Umar Ata Bandial and Justice Ijazul Ahsan upheld the maintainability of the case, Justice Syed Mansoor Ali Shah voiced his dissent, sparking considerable debate and criticism His dissenting opinion sheds light on the core issue at hand i e the constitutional importance of parliamentary democracy which deserves a closer examination and endorsement amidst criticism

If we look at Justice Shah s primary contention it becomes evident that the case is not solely about the alleged uneven amendments to the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) law but rather a fundamental question concerning the power vested in Parliament which represents the chosen representatives of Pakistan s population of approximately 240 million people His dissent eloquently defends the principle that judges should not usurp the legislative function of elected representatives He argues that the judiciary must abstain from second-guessing the purpose and policy of enacted legislation which resonates with the philosophy of the late Justice Scalia of the US Supreme Court a proponent of textualism and originalism in American jurisprudence who believed in a strict interpretation of the law as written Justice Antonin Scalia s philosophy of textualism which dictates that the meaning of a statute should be derived exclusively from the text enacted by the legislature mirrors Justice Shah’s call in his dissent where he asserts that the majority judgment falls short of recognising the constitutional command that the State shall exercise its power and authority through

I f w e r e c a l l t h e c a s e i nvo l v i n g t h e t e nu r e o f t h e A r my C h i e f i n

Pa k i s t a n , t h e S u p r e m e C o u r t w a s a s k e d a b o u t t h e t e nu r e o f t h e A r my C h i e f a n d t h e S u p r e m e C o u r t w i t h Ju s t i c e S h a h o n t h e b e n ch w i s e ly a ck n ow l e d g e d t h e a b s e n c e o f cl e a r l aw a n d s e n t t h e m a t t e r t o t h e p a r l i a m e n t t o s e t t h e l aw r e c o g n i z i n g t h a t s u ch d e c i s i o n s r i g h t ly b e l o n g i n t h e h a n d s o f e l e c t e d r e p r e s e n t a t i v e s w h o r e p r e s e n t t h e „ w i l l o f t h e p e o p l e ‰

Saudi-US relations

Saudi Arabia and Israel thereby strengthening the link between Washington and Riyadh This is done in recognition of the needs of national security The United States offered the Saudi rulers security assurances in exchange for them promising unrestricted access to the kingdom s enormous oil reserves Conflicts that were once resolved through diplomatic ruse now threaten to undermine the diplomatic system In parallel Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (MBS) has overseen a metamorphosis in the relationship between the United States and Saudi Arabia MBS has taken proactive measures to realign to the changing regional and global paradigm Notably, the year 2022 saw a critical turning point in the bilateral dynamic marked by a rupture resulting from MBS’s peculiar political perspective The prominent place held by Saudi Arabia in a variety of ongoing stories in the world of politics, as well as its effects in the world of sports, in the year 2023 unmistakably attests to the dissipation of any residual effects from the tragic death and dismemberment of Washington Post columnist Jamal Khashoggi inside the Saudi Consulate in Istanbul in October 2018 It had a long-lasting impact on the crown prince s ability to operate across international borders and run state affairs in Western capitals

Similarly, the KSA has also come under heavy criticism for its systemic discrimination against Muslim minority communities the arbitrary arrest and lengthy detention of human rights activists the punitive actions taken against people who have non-heteronormative sexual orientations, and the denial of women s equality within its social structure Furthermore, a litany of aerial bombardments that have been ongoing since 2015 and have tragically killed thousands of innocent civilians have led to widespread condemnation of the Saudi-led coalition s military intervention in Yemen It is argued that these airstrikes may be classified as war crimes and violations of accepted international legal norms, as stated by various humanitarian organizations Therefore, MBS and his entourage have diligently worked to repair his

image as a statesman after 2021 especially on the regional stage, in an effort to restore a reputation that had been marred by the errors of his initial rise to power in Saudi Arabia

Nevertheless there are definite signs that Washington-Riyadh relations will gradually improve including a reconciliation between Saudi Arabia and Iran that was facilitated by China and statements made by the Biden administration Although positive, this diplomatic realignment is not without its ambiguities, which are heightened by the 1945 agreement’s continued transactional nature which was based on the notion of exchanging oil for security and contributed to a climate of mistrust and tension between the two sides In this regard Saudi Arabia must demonstrate unwavering resolve and take concrete action to address the legitimate concerns expressed by the US, including those relating to human rights, petroleum production policy diplomatic outreach to Beijing and the protracted Yemeni conflict

It is undeniable that the foundational edifice of economic and security cooperation that both countries have maintained over the ensuing decades has supported the tenacity of their diplomatic ties The United States has consistently maintained a significant presence, both in terms of physical deployments and advisory contributions within the Kingdom s military apparatus Of all foreign countries Saudi Arabia is notable for being the largest purchaser of American military hardware

It is frequently a mistake to undervalue or ignore how closely sovereign states’ domestic priorities and current political exigencies mirror those of their international obligations This axiom applies to Saudi Arabia in particular Regardless of how it may appear from the outside the Kingdom s domestic policy considerations always come first The rapid development of a vibrant and diverse economic environment is a key goal of Saudi leadership in order to maintain the country’s prosperity and dominance in the region even in a post-oil era when hydrocarbons will no longer be the world s primary energy source

Nadir Ali is a Public Relations Officer (PRO) at Safe City Islamabad, Pakistan He can be reached at hafiznadirali7@gmail com

the chosen representatives of the people

Furthermore Justice Shah criticizes the majority for attempting to transfer a political debate from the Parliament to the Supreme Court, a move that brought a bad name to the institution in the past and could tarnish the institution’s reputation again If we recall the case involving the tenure of the Army Chief in Pakistan the Supreme Court was asked about the tenure of the Army Chief and the Supreme Court with Justice Shah on the bench wisely acknowledged the absence of clear law and sent the matter to the parliament to set the law recognizing that such decisions rightly belong in the hands of elected representatives who represent the “will of the people” Once again Justice Shah rightly contends that it is not the court’s role to regulate amendments because if the elected representatives cannot amend statutes what purpose does the amendment provision in the constitution serve? Justice Scalia s perspective shared by Justice Shah emphasis on respecting the authority of elected representatives and refraining from judicial overreach In his dissent Justice Shah highlights the need to recognize the limits of judicial jurisdiction when assessing legislation s constitutionality He emphasizes that the judiciary s primary responsibility is not to legislate from the bench but to safeguard the constitutional framework, entrusting lawmaking to elected representatives and preserving the principles of democracy and separation of powers

Both jurists believe that the power to make and amend laws should primarily rest with elected representatives safeguarding the principles of democracy and separation of powers If you wish to have a right or revoke a right, do it the way most rights are created or revoked in a democracy If you want change, all you need is a legislature and a parliament If you want a change then amend the law and pass a legislation And later if you find out that results are worse than we thought simply repeal the law As the debate surrounding the court s decision continues, Justice Shah s dissent serves as a reminder of the vital role played by voices like him who refuse to be silenced and, in doing so, strengthens the very foundations of democracy

The writer is an advocate based in Lahore

E d i t o r ’ s m a i l

Send your letters to: Letters to Editor Pakistan Today 4-Shaarey Fatima Jinnah Lahore Pakistan E-mail: letters@pakistantoday com pk Letters should be addressed to Pakistan Today exclusively

Another universit y?

J U S T before its tenure came to an end the outgoing Sindh cabinet approved the establishment of a new seat of higher learning the University of Larkana The project will prove to be nothing but another white elephant for the government to manage

Currently, there are several universities with numerous campuses in various cities of Sindh These existing universities are going through financial issues, and seriously lack research facilities that is a part and parcel of university-level education At the Quaid-i-Awam University of Engineering Sciences and Technology in Nawabshah for instance teachers are often on strike due to non-payment of salaries At the Sindh University in Jamshoro there is hardly any research facility for the students Natural science students face a dearth of laboratories or research material in their departments Previously, the campuses were formed to recruit favourite individuals of the ruling party in Sindh

These campuses further increased unemployment Several students have engineering degrees but owing to lack of jobs and competitiveness of their institutions they now suffer from psychological issues The new university project will only end up as a tool to accommodate the blue-eyed in administrative and faculty positions Once the university gets functional, it will become a platform to issue worthless degrees that will be no good for the job market It is perhaps too logical for the decision-makers to understand that they need to first streamline the existing universities before planning new ones

NASIR HUSSAIN SHAHDADKOT

Roadblocks and Tourism

I was in Skardu on the eve of the recent Independence Day when the first international flight from Dubai was to land with 80 passengers on board Unlike Karachi and other major cities of the country, there was no activity on the midnight of Aug 13/14 That was just an observation, not a judgment mind you

I saw the entourage of foreign tourists at Manthoka waterfall which is around 60km from Skardu city a drive of about 90 minutes All of them were visibly happy enjoying magical view of the waterfall while having a meal in the nearby restaurant The official vehicles of the area deputy commissioner and the inspector-general of police (IGP) were also seen

The next day, Aug 15, we were heading towards Gilgit when we found the road blocked at Roundu The local shopkeepers were holding some kind of a protest sit-in against the Frontier Works Organisation (FWO) or so we were told It was about 8am and we were the first one to reach the spot that day but despite repeated requests the protestors ignored us completely

A number of policemen were also there, but they were helpless Soon, a number of buses and wagons carrying local and foreign tourists also reached the spot and got stuck Unfortunately, it was a hot day We tried to get some shelter as there were women children and even infants in our party but there was none

We turned around and took shelter about 5km from Roundu in a rather small restaurant hoping that the matter would be resolved shortly That did not happen Around 2pm, we decided to move back all the way to Skardu, reaching there around 4pm We had to arrange the hotel all over again, costing us a reasonable amount of money, especially in view of the fact that it was a forced and undesirable stay At about 7pm, the hotel staff told us that the road had been cleared but we decided to stay back and checked out the next day

Now tell me who would want to come to a country where even the tourist spots are not immune to the protest syndrome that afflicts the nation at large? What message the foreigners will convey to their fellows about visiting Pakistan?

A d i s s e n t i n g v o i c e i n t h e h a l l s o f j u s t i c e

S o f t s k i l l s

NETWORKING: Building and maintaining a network of professional relationships can open up opportunities for career growth and personal development

CONFLICT RESOLUTION: The skill of resolving disputes and conflicts in a way that promotes understanding and cooperation among all parties involved

NEGOTIATION: The ability to reach mutually beneficial agreements through effective communication and compromise

CREATIVITY: Thinking creatively and coming up with innovative solutions, ideas, and approaches to problems and challenges In other words soft skills are highly transferable and can be valuable in various aspects of life including career advancement personal relationships and personal growth

B A C K G R O U N D O F T H E S O F T S K I L L

The concept of soft skills has evolved over time as workplaces and society have changed whose background includes:

a INDUSTRIAL REVOLUTION AND TECHNI-

SO F T skills are a set of personal attributes traits and abilities that enhance an individual s interactions job performance and overall effectiveness in various settings including the workplace, social situations, and personal relationships Unlike hard or technical skills, which are job-specific and often teachable through formal education or training soft skills are more about one’s personality attitude and interpersonal abilities These skills are essential in today s world because they help individuals communicate collaborate and adapt to different situations effectively

The key soft skills include:

COMMUNICATION: Effective communication involves listening actively speaking clearly and conveying ideas in a way that others can understand It also includes non-verbal communication such as body language and gestures

INTERPERSONAL SKILLS: These skills involve building and maintaining positive relationships with others including empathy teamwork and the ability to resolve conflicts constructively

EMOTIONAL INTELLIGENCE: Understanding and managing one s emotions and recognizing and responding to the emotions of others This includes empathy, self-awareness, and self-regulation

ADAPTABILITY: The ability to adapt to change and uncertainty This includes being open to new ideas flexibility and the willingness to learn from experiences

PROBLEM-SOLVING: Critical thinking and creative problem-solving are essential skills for identifying and resolving issues effectively and making sound decisions

STRESS MANAGEMENT: The ability to manage and cope with stress in a healthy way which can contribute to better overall mental and physical well-being

CAL SKILLS: During the Industrial Revolution in the 18th and 19th centuries, there was a strong emphasis on technical skills The focus was on hard skills related to manufacturing, machinery, and production processes At this time interpersonal skills and personal attributes were often considered secondary

b POST-INDUSTRIAL ERA AND SERVICE

ECONOMY: As societies shifted from industrialbased economies to service-based economies in the 20th century, the importance of soft skills began to grow With more jobs involving interactions with customers clients and colleagues employers started recognizing the value of interpersonal and communication skills

c TECHNOLOGY AND GLOBALIZATION:

The advent of technology and globalization in the late 20th and early 21st centuries further accelerated the need for soft skills Increased connectivity and the ability to work with people from diverse backgrounds made effective communication teamwork and cultural sensitivity essential

d CHANGING WORKPLACE DYNAMICS: The nature of work has evolved, with many jobs now requiring employees to work in teams adapt to rapidly changing environments and solve complex problems Soft skills have become vital for collaboration adaptability and problem-solving in these settings

e RESEARCH AND RECOGNITION: Researchers and experts in fields such as psychology, sociology and education have conducted studies highlighting the importance of soft skills for personal and professional success Concepts like emotional intelligence interpersonal effectiveness and leadership have gained prominence

f SELF-DEVELOPMENT AND PERSONAL GROWTH: Beyond the workplace individuals

have also come to appreciate the value of soft skills for personal growth and well-being Skills such as emotional intelligence, stress management, and communication can enhance one’s quality of life and relationships In summary, the background of soft skills is rooted in the changing demands of the modern world As work and society have become more complex the ability to navigate interpersonal relationships communicate effectively and adapt to new challenges has become increasingly important

B E N E F I T S O F S O F T S K I L L

Soft skills offer a wide range of benefits in both professional and personal life and considered as:

a ENHANCED COMMUNICATION: Effective communication skills improve our ability to express ideas, convey information clearly, and listen actively This fosters better understanding, reduces misunderstandings, and promotes smoother interactions with others

b IMPROVED RELATIONSHIPS: Soft skills like empathy active listening and conflict resolution enable you to build and maintain positive relationships This can lead to more satisfying personal relationships and more collaborative and harmonious workplace dynamics

c BETTER LEADERSHIP: Soft skills such as leadership teamwork and the ability to motivate others are essential for effective leadership roles

Strong leaders inspire and guide teams toward achieving common goals

d INCREASED PRODUCTIVITY: Soft skills such as time management organization and prioritization can significantly boost productivity When you can manage your time effectively and stay organized, you can accomplish tasks more efficiently

e INNOVATION AND PROBLEM-SOLVING: Creativity and critical thinking are soft skills that encourage innovative thinking and problem-solving They enable us to find unique solutions to complex challenges

Trudeau’s India crisis shows he has lost control of Canada’s spies

Anonymous spooks are getting their way, whatever the consequences, when Trudeau should be investigating their failures

FO R anyone with functioning sight and synapses it’s become obvious that some rogue Canadian spies are in effect in charge of Canada s foreign policy Prime Minister Justin Trudeau holds the titular title of the nation’s top diplomat, with his foreign minister, Melanie Joly claiming the nominal role of second-in-command But if events during the past year have confirmed anything it s this: The prime minister of Canada is being forced to act at the mercy of what is likely just a handful of conniving, leak-happy members of the country’s unaccountable security services which Trudeau the cabinet and his hapless national security advisers have lost control over

Rather than acknowledge this disturbing fact, giddy editorial writers and columnists have been applauding the calculated conduct of anonymous bureaucrats with badges intent on getting their way whatever the human and geopolitical consequences

With their handpicked credulous conduits in the press at the agreeable ready, for months, a bunch of entitled spooks has been behind the leak – drip by drip by drip – of fragments of cherry-picked so-called “intelligence” concerning China s alleged interference in Canada s domestic affairs

I think Trudeau and close company recognised early on that bowing to the pressure would set a grievous precedent So Trudeau opted for a middle course – appointing a special rapporteur to consider the brewing allegations He bungled it and then ultimately capitulated to the spooks explicit demand at the root of the domino-like series of hyperbolic, uncorroborated revelations – the establishment of a public inquiry Now brimming with confidence and certain they will never be found out Canada s scheming spies appear to have moved their roving crosshairs onto the latest target: India

A Globe and Mail correspondent, speaking on the national newspaper ’s podcast, admitted that he had been tipped off by “sources” to the halting accusation that India had assassinated Canadian Sikh separatist Hardeep Singh Nijjar in Canada

Later, the paper s editor was contacted, he said, by the Prime Minister s Office (PMO), asking that it postpone the story’s publication for at least a week to allow Canada’s intelligence agencies to continue their work – presumably to gather and substantiate the still nebulous evidence connecting

India to the murder plot The Globe refused The counteroffer: Given the story s significance, the newspaper was prepared to hold off for a day or two

Eventually, the Globe posted its story online just as Trudeau was set to make his harried qualified address to parliament and the nation in which he claimed there was a potential link between Indian agents and the killing of Nijjar in the parking lot of a Sikh temple in British Columbia in June

From what I hear informally, the PMO had quietly approached a few select reporters to tell them that the prime minister planned soon to make a statement concerning India s purported part in Nijjar s death The pre-emptive aim was to blunt questions and criticism about Canada’s aborted trade mission to New Delhi and Trudeau’s limp, awkward handshake with Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the G20 summit

That Trudeau was compelled to get ahead of the leak to the Globe is more evidence that emboldened spies are at the helm of what amounts to a parallel government determined to embarrass and coerce a sitting prime minister to do their bidding – or else

This is an unacceptable affront to the will of Canadians and an egregious violation of the advisory role security services are supposed to play in a constitutional democracy

Instead of being roundly censored for overstepping their authority and behaving recklessly these scoundrels in the shadows are feted as whistle blowers by starry-eyed pundits and writers who have lost sight of the profound damage being done

Here’s the other uncomfortable truth that journalists-turned-cheerleaders with little if any understanding of the grubby subterranean world of espionage fail to grasp: It is populated mostly by sinners, not saints – no matter their country of origin

Consider the “disclosure” that one of Canada’s partners in the Five Eyes –a consortium of electronic spy services that also consists of the United States the United Kingdom Australia and New Zealand – had snooped on Indian diplomats and reportedly passed on to Ottawa incriminating information about Nijjar ’s killing

In the black-and-white universe these naive apologists inhabit the Five Eyes alliance is devoted to spying solely on bad guys because that s what the good guys – that s us – do to protect you and me I m obliged to break it to the wish-upon-a-star-JiminyCricket crowd, but the Five Eyes spies on its dear friends and each other all the

classified diplomatic military and commercial secrets and all sorts of intimate salacious tidbits for future leverage and influence Meanwhile, India – nudge nudge, wink wink – is probably busy spying on its “strategic allies” in kind

Where oh where is all the foreigninterference-fuelled outrage? The nadir of the West s always convenient and galling hypocrisy on the extrajudicial killing score was given fulsome voice in the pages of that champion of foreign interference”, The New York Times

This is how the Times recently provided predictable cover for the “good guys when they do the interfering and the targeted killings – the sterile euphemism for murder The killing, and the alleged involvement of the Indian government, has shocked officials in Washington While democratic countries conduct targeted killings in unstable countries or regions and the spy services of more authoritarian governments namely Russia orchestrate assassinations anywhere they choose, it is unusual for a democratic country to conduct a lethal covert action in another democracy ” the Times wrote

Simply put: Yes the “good guys” murder people but they do it only in unstable countries or regions That seems to constitute, these days, much of the turbulent planet Anyway, unlike the democratic “good guys”, the authoritarian “bad guys” – such as Putin –murder people everywhere The White House and the US Department of State are said to be shocked and confused They don t know if their pal Modi is a good guy or a bad guy after all As for orchestrating assassinations anywhere they choose”, the Times has forgotten of course about America’s lengthy lethal not-sodistant and recent history of choosing to encourage and help orchestrate coups against democratically elected governments in the Balkans, Central and South America, the Middle East, Africa and Asia along with the catastrophic invasions of Iraq and Afghanistan Apparently they don t count Look Trudeau must if possible lasso Canada s freelancing spies and remind them – clearly and pointedly –who their boss is He might want to discover as well how they, along with their equally comatose colleagues at the Royal Canadian Mounted Police permitted – if true – a Canadian to be shot and killed on Canadian soil by Indian agents who are destined to get away with it That, dare I say, would merit another public inquiry

f ADAPTABILITY: Soft skills like adaptability and flexibility are crucial in today s rapidly changing world They allow us to adjust to new situations, technologies, and environments with ease

g CUSTOMER SATISFACTION: In customer-facing roles soft skills like empathy patience and effective communication contribute to higher customer satisfaction and loyalty

h PERSONAL GROWTH: Soft skills are not limited to professional settings Developing these skills can lead to personal growth and self-improvement enhancing our overall quality of life

i NETWORKING OPPORTUNITIES: Soft skills such as networking and relationship-building can expand your professional network, opening doors to valuable opportunities and connections

j ETHICAL DECISION-MAKING: Soft skills like ethical reasoning and integrity guide us in making ethical decisions maintaining trust and acting with honesty and integrity

k CULTURAL SENSITIVITY: In a diverse world, soft skills like cultural sensitivity and inclusivity promote positive interactions with people from different backgrounds fostering harmony and cooperation

l OVERALL WELL-BEING: Soft skills contribute to improved emotional and mental well-being They help us manage our emotions, build resilience, and navigate life’s challenges more effectively In conclusion soft skills are essential for success and wellbeing in today s complex and interconnected world They not only benefit our professional life but also have a positive impact on our personal relationships, health, and overall quality of life

The writer is head of the political science department of the B N Mandal University Madhepura Bihar India and can be reached at rajkumarsinghpg@gmail com

c h e a c h o f u s h a s m o re p owe r ove r w h at we s e e a n d co n s u m

TH E feds are coming after Google In January the Department of Justice filed an antitrust lawsuit alleging that the technology giant monopolized the lucrative space of digital advertising A sure-to-be exhaustive trial underway in the U S District Court in Washington is expected to last until November

The lawsuit focuses on three key players: advertisers publishers and vendors of ad tech tools that match publishers with advertisers and orchestrate ad targeting and delivery However, monopolization also affects another key group that remains largely unprotected by U S laws: you and me the end users Google’s dominance has led to a singular method of how ads target us and we’ve been left with little choice and with no legal safeguards in the current setup Many of us are familiar with incessant social media ads on Facebook and Instagram That s called closed web advertising and is operated in-house by those companies But how does digital advertising on the “open web” work say when we search Google?

As explained in the Justice Department complaint the process begins when the user opens a publisher s website that s programmed to show personalized ads During the short time that the website loads, an automatic auction takes place on an ad exchange to determine which ads to show to the user The ad exchange receives information about the website and the user from the publisher supplements it with any additional information it may have about the user s demographics location, interests and web browsing history, and then matches it against bids from the advertisers

The more information the ad exchange has about the user, the better it is able to personalize the ads and then maximize the likelihood that the user will click on an ad and ultimately buy the product or subscribe to the service Google owns the leading ad exchange AdX along with the leading publisher ad server, Google Ad Manager (formerly DoubleClick for Publishers), and the leading platform used by advertisers, Display & Video 360 As the leading search engine it is also in control of much of its users’ data All of this lets Google control the ad tech market receiving the lion s share of the profit and suppressing competition from other vendors Google has faced antitrust litigation before In 2017, the European Commission fined the company 2 42 billion euros for breaching European Union antitrust rules and giving an illegal advantage to Google Shopping by promoting it in search results and demoting competing services

The federal U S complaint identifies monetary harms to users: As publishers make less money from advertisements, fewer publishers are able to offer internet content without subscriptions, paywalls, or alternative forms of monetization ” But the harms to users are far more than monetary They also concern our collective loss of agency our loss of power to decide what

types of ads we wish to see, and to influence the ad delivery strategy to which we are subjected

Why is this an issue? Because ad delivery is not simply predicting our preferences, but also shaping them by steering us toward specific choices and opinions

The contract is simple and familiar: When we agree to use a free service read the news online listen to music or search for apartments we implicitly agree to pay with our attention by seeing ads Google is uniquely positioned to steer our preferences because it has access not only to how we respond to ads but also to how we search and navigate the web This large-scale surveillance of our lives through our data makes Google s steering very efficient, and it is usually done without our knowledge or permission Personalized ads can be persistent and annoying Remember how that pair of shoes that you really wanted to buy, but really didn’t need followed you around online? Or how you kept seeing ads for apartments after you already signed your lease?

These ads can also be convincing They don t just nudge us to buy things we don t need, but also often change our preferences and opinions Remember the Cambridge Analytica scandal? Facebook shared data with the research firm connected to Donald Trump’s 2016 campaign so it could try to sway voters Ads also affect our opportunities to build skills and make a living and may even hurt our reputation by falsely suggesting to others that we may have a criminal record The list goes on Google’s ad technology aims to maximize engagement to show an ad to a user who would feel compelled to click on it But engagement is not always a reasonable goal It often needs to be balanced with considerations such as curbing misinformation that fuels political polarization or with goals such as equity and non-discrimination

For example, one study found women were less likely than men to be shown ads on Google for high-paying jobs Federal regulators previously took steps to shield users against unlawful discrimination in housing ad delivery on Facebook But such action is reactive and slow

As users, we need more expansive legal protections In the U S , we are especially vulnerable because, unlike in the European Union, we lack comprehensive data protection laws And we need new technologies to enforce these protections Breaking Google s ad tech power could allow new vendors to enter the market and encourage the development of systems to make digital advertising safer by prioritizing privacy and user control

We all are bearing the cost of Google s monopolistic practices, by losing control over what ads we are fed and force-fed We must allow the ad tech market to partition to make way for a new digital world in which each of us has more power over what we see and consume Julia Stoyanovich is an associate professor and director of the Center for Responsible AI at New York University

Google has been force-feeding us ads. Now one big antitrust case could change the internet forever

H U N D R E D S D E A D F R O M D E N G U E F E V E R I N

W A R - T O R N S U D A N : M E D I C

NORTH DARFUR, SUDAN AG E N C E S

OUTBREAKS of dengue fever and acute watery diarrhoea have killed hundreds in war-torn Sudan, medics reported on Monday, warning of catastrophic spreads” that could overwhelm the country’s decimated health system

In a statement the Sudanese doctors’ union warned that the health situation in the southeastern state of Gedaref on the border with Ethiopia is deteriorating at a horrific rate , with thousands infected with dengue fever Though Gedaref has been spared the direct effects of the brutal war between the regular army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces it has nonetheless been impacted by mass displacement and other humanitarian crises

Over five months into the war 80 per cent of the country s hospitals are out of service, according to the United Nations E v e n b e f o r e t h e w a r, S u d a n ’s f r a g i l e healthcare system struggled to contain the a n n u a l d i s e a s e o u t b r e a k s t h a t a c c o m p a n y t h e c o u n t r y s r a i n y s e a s o n s t a r t i n g i n J u n e i n c l u d i n g m a l a r i a e n d e m i c i n S u d a n a n d d e n g u e f e v e r T h i s y e a r w i t h G e d a r e f h o s t i n g o v e r 2 5 0 , 0 0 0 i n t e rn a l l y d i s p l a c e d p e r s o n s a c c o r d i n g t o t h e U N , t h e s i t u a t i o n i s m u c h w o r s e “ T h e h o s p i t a l ’s b e d s a r e a l l f u l l b u t t h e c a s e s k e e p c o m i n g i n p a r t i c u l a r l y c h i l d r e n a m e d i c a l s o u r c e t o l d A F P f r o m G e d a r e f H o s p i t a l r e q u e s t i n g a n o n y m i t y o u t o f c o n c e r n f o r h i s s a f e t y But the number of those receiving treatment at home is much more than those at the hospital ” he continued

Gedaref resident Amal Hussein told AFP that in each home there are at least three

people sick with dengue Dengue is a mosquito-borne disease that causes high fever, headaches, nausea, vomiting, muscle pain and, in the most serious cases, bleeding that can lead to death Medics and the UN have repeatedly warned that the violence in Sudan combined with the rainy season and devastated infrastructure would cause disease outbreaks across the country More than 1,200 children have died in refugee camps since May due in part to a measles outbreak, according to the UN refugee agency In El Fasher the capital of North Darfur state 13 cases of malaria were reported in one week according to the health ministry In the capital Khartoum, three people died of acute watery diarrhoea suspected cases of cholera in the Hajj Youssef district in the city’s east the local resistance committee said Monday “Take precautions to avoid infection ” urged the committee one of many that used

US hits Chinese, Russian firms over Moscow militar y aid

WASHINGTON

AG E N C I E S

US President Joe Biden’s administration on Monday imposed new trade restrictions on 11 Chinese and five Russian companies accusing some of supplying components to make drones for Russia s war effort in Ukraine

The Commerce Department, which oversees export policy, added a total of 28 firms including some Finnish and German companies to a trade blacklist

making it harder for US suppliers to ship them technology

Nine of the companies, including China s Asia Pacific Links Ltd and Russia’s SMT-iLogic, allegedly took part in a scheme to supply the previously blacklisted Special Technology Center with drone parts for Russia s Main Intelligence Directorate of the General Staff (GRU)

An investigation by Reuters and iStories, a Russian media outlet, in collaboration with the Royal United Services Institute, a defence think tank in London, last year un-

organise pro-democracy demonstrations before

war and

caught in the crossfire By early September the conflict between army chief Abdel Fattah alBurhan and his former deputy RSF commander Mohamed Hamdan Daglo had killed nearly 7,500 people, according to a conservative estimate from the Armed Conflict Location & Event Data Project Dozens of hospitals have been bombed

or occupied by fighters, in what the UN has called “cruel disregard for civilians”

The medics and aid workers that remain are themselves regularly targeted and their stocks looted as more people demand help Even before the war one in three Sudanese needed to walk more than an hour to get medical care, where less than 30 percent of vital medicines were available, according to the UN

Exclusive: Russia’s top oil and gas chiefs to accompany Putin on China visit

covered a logistical trail that spans the globe and ends at the Orlan drone s production line, the Special Technology Centre in St Petersburg, Russia The investigation found that Hong Kong-based exporter Asia Pacific Links Ltd has been among the most important suppliers to Russia’s drone program The firm along with import company SMT iLogic were the target of an earlier round of US sanctions in May The companies did not immediately respond to requests for comment “We will not hesitate to take swift and

C anadian S ikh group urges followers to protest outside Indian embassies

meaningful action against those who continue seeking to supply and support Putin s illegal and immoral war in Ukraine, the Commerce Department s export controls chief Alan Estevez said in a statement Another six Chinese entities were added for allegedly procuring aerospace parts for the Iran Aircraft Manufacturing Company that are used to make drones used by Iran to attack oil tankers in the Middle East and by Russia in Ukraine, according to the Commerce Department The Special Technology Center in St Petersburg Russia which once made a variety of surveillance gadgets for the Russian government and now focuses on drones for the military was first targeted by US sanctions after former President Barack Obama said it had worked with Russian military intelligence to try to influence the 2016 US presidential election OTTAWA

A Canadian Sikh group has called on its members to protest outside the Indian diplomatic missions of main Canadian cities on Monday a week after Prime Minister Justin Trudeau raised the prospect of New Delhi s involvement in the murder of a Sikh separatist leader in British Columbia Trudeau said last week Canada was pursuing “credible allegations” that Indian government agents may be linked to the killing of Hardeep Singh Nijjar who was shot dead outside a Sikh temple on June 18 in Surrey a Vancouver suburb with a high Sikh population India swiftly denied any role in the killing and described the allegations as absurd The accusations have sparked tensions between the two countries, with each nation expelling diplomats, and New Delhi suspending visas for Canadians Jatinder Singh Grewal a director for Sikh for Justice in Canada told Reuters on Sunday that his organisation will lead the demonstrations outside the Indian embassies and consulates in Toronto Ottawa and Vancouver to increase public awareness about Nijjar s killing We are asking Canada to expel the India ambassador,” Grewal said Representatives for India’s diplomatic missions in Ottawa and Toronto were not immediately available for comment The Toronto Police Department said it was aware of the planned demonstrations on Monday but declined to disclose details of the security preparations or potential response to any violent situations that may arise during the protest Nijjar, who worked as a plumber, left the north Indian state of Punjab a quarter-century ago and became a Canadian citizen He has supported the formation of an independent Sikh homeland, called

Khalistan to be created out of Punjab India designated Nijjar a terrorist in July 2020 The Canadian government has amassed both human and signals intelligence in a months-long investigation into the Sikh separatist leader ’s murder, CBC News reported last week, citing unidentified sources The report said the intelligence included communications of Indian officials present in Canada adding that some of the information was provided by an unidentified ally in the Five Eyes alliance Canada is home to about 770,000 Sikhs the highest population of Sikhs outside their home state of Punjab and the country has been the site of many demonstrations that have irked India Sikhs make up just 2 per cent of India s 1 4 billion population but they are a majority in Punjab a state of 30 million where their religion was born 500 years ago

PUNJAB’S SIKHS FEAR ROW THREATENS

THEM AT HOME, ABROAD

The bitter row between India and Canada is being felt in Punjab where some Sikhs fear both a backlash from India’s Hindu nationalist government and a threat to their prospects for a better life in North America

In the village of Bharsinghpura there are few memories of Nijjar, but his uncle, Himmat Singh Nijjar, 79, said locals think it was very brave of Trudeau to accuse Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government of potential involvement in the killing “For the sake of one ordinary person he did not need to take such a huge risk on his government the uncle told Reuters sitting on a wooden bench by a tractor in his farmhouse surrounded by lush paddy fields and banana trees

Still, though, the elder Nijjar said he is worried about deteriorating diplomatic relations with Canada and declining economic prospects in Punjab The onceprosperous breadbasket of India Punjab has been overtaken by states that focussed on manufacturing services and technology in the last two decades

The heads of Russian energy giants Gazprom (GAZP MM) and Rosneft (ROSN MM) Alexei Miller and Igor Sechin, will join President Vladimir Putin s retinue during his visit to China next month, sources familiar with the plans told Reuters Putin is scheduled to meet China’s President Xi Jinping for talks in Beijing and will attend the third Belt and Road Forum following an invitation from Xi during a high-profile visit to Moscow in March The sources said other senior Russian energy officials would also be in the delegation Sechin will hold his own energy event following Putin’s visit, a source said, without providing details Gazprom, the world’s biggest natural gas producer and Rosneft Russia’s biggest oil producer did not immediately reply to requests for comments Russia is bolstering its ties with Asia especially economic powerhouse China to offset reduced trade with Europe, its traditional buyer of oil and gas, over Moscow s actions in Ukraine ChineseRussian trade has soared since what Moscow calls a “special military operation” in Ukraine began in February 2022 Russia has sold Asian countries including China larger volumes of the oil it can no longer sell to the West because of economic sanctions Putin last visited Beijing in February 2022, days before sending tens of thousands of Russian troops into Ukraine He and Xi announced a ‘no limits’ partnership, though Moscow says this does not signify a military alliance Russia wants to secure a deal to sell more natural gas to China and plans to build the Power of Siberia-2 pipeline which would traverse Mongolia and have an annual capacity of 50 billion cubic metres (bcm) That compares to the 38 bcm the currently operational Power of Siberia is expected to reach by 2025 The proposed pipeline would bring gas from the Yamal peninsula fields in western Siberia to China the world’s top energy consumer and a growing gas consumer

Suppor t desks for overseas Pakistanis set up CDA , ICT offices

In a significant move aimed at enhancing support and resolution for addressing the concerns of Overseas Pakistanis, Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Overseas Pakistanis established Support Desks for Overseas Pakistanis” within the premises of the Islamabad Capital Territory Administration (ICT) offices and One Window at Capital Development Authority (CDA) located in Islamabad This strategic initiative is intricately aligned with the vision of the Prime Minister of Pakistan, for special emphasizes on the provision of comprehensive assistance and facilitation to the Pakistani diaspora residing abroad To realize this goal deliberations were conducted between the Special Assistant to the Prime Minister and the Chairman of the Capital Development Authority (CDA) As a result of these collaborative efforts the Support Desks for Overseas Pakistanis have been formally launched today Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Overseas Pakistanis, lauded the efforts of relevant departments for establishment of “Support Desks for Overseas Pakistanis in Islamabad as a significant milestone in addressing the concerns of overseas Pakistanis He praised the government s proactive approach in setting up this pioneering initiative which reflects the unwavering commitment of the government to safeguarding the rights and interests of our overseas Pakistanis The “Support Desk for Overseas Pakistanis” at CDA is a dedicated desk in order to create ease and facilitation for the overseas Pakistanis requiring facilitation services at the One Window Operation at CDA

The objective of this support desk is to provide one stop services to overseas Pakistanis with dedicated staff assigned to handling of overseas Pakistanis application and provide them services at this counter

PESHAWAR a z i z B u n e r

Adelegation of the Pakistan Institute of Development Economics (PIDE) headed by Dr Nadeemul Haque Vice-Chancellor of PIDE called upon Federal Minister for Commerce and Industries and Production Dr Gohar Ejaz

The PIDE delegation presented Research Reports on the energy sector the state of commerce in Pakistan the state of the engineering industry SLUDGE and the urgent need for deregulation in the country

The meeting was also attended by Special Secretary Ms Sarah Saeed, Mr Asad Rehman Gillani and Mr Shahid Abdullah of the Sapphire Group said in a press release issued here on Monday

The Minister appreciated the efforts put in by PIDE for evidence-based policymaking and the revival of the economy He stressed the need for increasing investment and exports as a top priority for the coming years Without a stable macroeconomic environment which includes low inflation low interest rate and stable exchange rate, all investors are likely to regard Pakistan as too risky

Sadly, in Pakistan the business community is stigmatized while in other countries entrepreneurs are lauded for creating economic activity This mindset has to change We must celebrate success Dr Nadeemul Haque pointed out that PID agreed with this assessment of the ministry PIDE s research agenda also shows that the topmost priority for the next decade must be the sharp increase of

investments and exports And of course, this can only happen if entrepreneurship and business success is celebrated PIDE is also determined to

CCP chairman calls on Dr Shamshad Akhtar

ISLAMABAD s ta f f r e p o r t

Dr Kabir Ahmed Sidhu, Chairman of the Competition Commission of Pakistan (CCP) called upon the Federal Minister for Finance Revenue & Economic Affairs Dr Shamshad Akhtar, at the Finance Division today

Chairman Sidhu briefed the

Minister on the CCP s performance so far He provided an overview of the CCP s strategic vision, specially focusing on curbing collusive practices of cartels, market abuse, manipulation, and advocacy He also apprised the Minister about the status of outstanding penalties within the courts

The Chairman informed the Minister that the Competition Ap-

pellate Tribunal has become dysfunctional since 14 July 2023 due to the expiry of term of chairman Appellate Tribunal Due to lack of quorum, Tribunal cannot make decisions This has left hundreds of cases pending against sugar automobile poultry and cement undertakings Lack of enforcement will only benefit the cartels and result in higher prices for consumers across the country which will result in higher inflation Chairman Sidhu also briefed the Minister on the CCP's policy recommendations aimed at addressing market distortions and promoting efficiency within the value chain of essential food commodities

Dr Shamshad Akhtar assured of the Ministry’s full support to CCP She said that the Government of Pakistan remains dedicated to fostering fair competition and a level playing field for businesses across sectors

ABHI, Pakistan Cables partner to provide earned wage access to employees

KARACHI s ta f f r e p o r t

s ta f f r e p o r t

In light of Government of Pakistan and Ministry of Energy vision regarding elimination of power theft and collection of 100 percent bill recovery utmost efforts are being carried out by all IESCO formation against power theft and collection of recoveries by running and dead defaulters The announcement Campaign has been entered in 18th day and so far during checking 1026 consumers caught while stealing electricity by different models Detection teams charged fine of 68 2 million for stealing 1 48 million units 328 FIRs registered and police arrested 28 individuals on account of stealing electricity Additionally, stringent measures are being taken against consumers who haven t paid their electricity bills for three months or whose meters have been disconnected due to non-payment Recovery teams since operation started recovered 187 6 million from running and dead defaulters Chief Executive IESCO Dr Muhammad Amjad Khan has expressed his appreciation for the outstanding performance of all IESCO teams He emphasized the unwavering support of the government and the Ministry of Energy along with collaboration with the police and district administration Their collective aim is to ensure the resounding success of this campaign

A zerbaijan eyes road, rail connectivit y with Pakistan: Envoy

ISLAMABAD

s ta f f r e p o r t

Pakistan and Azerbaijan have been enjoying ideal fraternal relations for decades now After the recent launch of direct flights from Pakistan Azerbaijan intends to connect the two countries by road and railway routes The development of bilateral economic cooperation will further strengthen the relations between the two countries By connecting Pakistan to international transport routes, regional connectivity would be greatly enhanced H E Khazar Farhadov reiterated that connectivity to Azerbaijan would enable Pakistan to gain access to European and Russian markets The Minister informed the Ambassador that the Chairman for Railways has already been directed to chalk out a roadmap for railway connectivity between the two countries Mr Tarar further said that the time has come to transform the bilateral relations into economic cooperation

In this regard emphasis should be on all forms of communication private sector development and trade exploration The Minister also said that the plan to finalize the Transit Trade Agreement between the two countries should be expedited

ABHI an embedded finance company announced a partnership with Pakistan Cables Limited the leading cable manufacturer in Pakistan This collaboration aims to provide AbhiSalary - Earned Wage Access to the employees of Pakistan Cables Limited, thereby promoting financial wellness

Through AbhiSalary - Earned Wage Access employees can fulfill their financial commitments by accessing their hard-earned salary using the ABHI mobile app, SMS, and WhatsApp within 30 seconds, anytime, anywhere throughout Pakistan It provides employees with greater financial flexibility and assists them in managing their expenses without going to loan sharks family or friends Additionally this service is cost-free and easy to set up for employers

Mohammad Zaidi Chief Commercial Officer at ABHI emphasized the significance of this partnership stating, ABHI is thrilled to partner with Pakistan Cables Limited to provide AbhiSalary to its employees Through this collaboration, we empower employees to access their earned salary and take control of their

financial well-being ”

The strategic partnership between ABHI and Pakistan Cables Limited underscores a shared commitment to prioritizing the financial well-being of employees ABHI looks forward to bringing about a positive impact on the Pakistan Cables workforce aligning with Pakistan Cables unwavering dedication to empowering its employees and its continuous pursuit of innovative solutions that elevate the employee experience

All 15 BMG candidates emerge vic torious in KCCI elec tions

KARACHI s ta f f r e p o r t T h e B u s i n e s s m e n G r o u p ( B M G ) a t t a i n e d v i c t o r y i n K a r a c h i C h a m b e r ’s A n n u a l E l e c t i o n s 2 0 2 3 w h e r e i n a l l 1 5 B M G c a n d i d a t e s a t t a i n e d 4 3 4 8 5 v o t e s w h e r e a s t h e o n l y o n e o p p o n e n t w h o w a s c o n t e s t i n g f o r a s i n g l e s e a t w a s a b l e t o f e t c h 3 1 5 v o t e s

manual voting While announcing the elections results Memb e r s o f t h e E l e c t i o n C o m m i s s i o n M i a n A b r a r A h m e d , A g h a S h a h a b A h m e d K h a n a n d A b d u l N a s i r R a n g o o n w a l a i n f o r m e d t h a t Ta n v e e r B a r r y s e c u r e d t h e h i g h e s t n u m b e r o f 2 , 9 1 7 v o t e s , f o ll o w e d b y M u h a m m a d I q b a l K h a m i s a n i ( 2 , 9 11 votes) Amir Iqbal Naviwala (2 911 votes) Shoaib S u l t a n ( 2 9 11 v o t e s ) I b r a h i m M u s t a f a A h m e d S h a m s i ( 2 9 0 9 v o t e s ) M u h a m m a d F a r o o q Z a h i d ( 2 9 0 6 v o t e s ) Wa r i s Z i a ( 2 9 0 4 v o t e s ) A h m e d A z e e m A l v i ( 2 , 9 0 3 v o t e s ) , S o h a i l S h a m i m F i r p o ( 2 , 9 0 2 v o t e s ) , M u h a m m a d A s l a m N a t h a n i ( 2 , 8 9 8 votes), Atif Tariq (2,898 votes), Chaudhry Amir Abd u l l a h ( 2 8 9 7 v o t e s ) M u h a m m a d S h o a i b ( 2 8 9 0 v o t e s ) A s l a m P a k h a l i ( 2 8 7 0 v o t e s ) a n d S h e i k h Wa q a s A n j u m ( 2 8 5 8 ) w h e r e t h e o p p o n e n t A b d u l Rauf obtained 315 votes

find solutions for Pakistan s economic woes and has suggested several deep reforms for the promotion of markets such as real estate market and commodity markets, ease of transactions and business growth

The Minister concluded by noting that PIDE being a premier public sector think tank must work closely with the Ministry of Commerce and Industry on this very important agenda of an investment and export emergency

It was agreed that PIDE will work very closely with all industry experts to develop deep reform ideas and research for the ministry

He noted that it was important to embed PIDE research in his policy agenda For this he suggested that he would have such meetings on a regular basis so that PIDE research can receive guidance on commerce needs

JCL posts PKR 8bln profit after tax

KAR ACHI s ta f f r e p o r t

The Board of Directors of Javedan Corporation Limited (JCL) on Monday announced the financial results for the year ended June 30, 2023 JCL has recorded a profit of PKR 8 billion, representing the company’s highest ever profit The Board of Directors has also approved a final cash dividend of PKR 6 per share equivalent to 60% of the face value amounting to a payout of PKR 2 3 billion Javedan Corporation Limited is the owner company of Naya Nazimabad, an integrated housing scheme which focuses on healthy community living It is the largest master-planned, gated residential development in the centre of Karachi and will house more than 50,000 families at its completion With meticulously integrated amenities designed to cater to contemporary lifestyles everything residents require is conveniently within reach A project of Javedan Corporation Limited, Naya Nazimabad is a self-contained city, conceptualized and developed with the vision of providing a peaceful community atmosphere and promotes a wholesome and holistic lifestyle Naya Nazimabad embarked on a series of apartment projects under the innovative REIT model Till date the Company launched Signature Tower Globe Residency Apartments, Rahat Residency Block B and Block D The public response to these initiatives has been overwhelmingly positive Commenting on the results, Samad Habib, CEO, JCL said, “We are delighted to present these impressive financial results for the fiscal year 2023 Our commitment to fostering a vibrant and secure community along with prudent financial management has played a pivotal role in achieving these positive outcomes We extend our heartfelt gratitude to our esteemed shareholders and residents for their continued support and trust in us Looking ahead we remain dedicated to enhancing the overall living experience for all our residents ”

Gilgit-Baltistan Career Fest 2023

GILGIT-BALTISTAN s ta f f r e p o r t

Gilgit-Baltistan Career Fest was indeed a remarkable experience and a valuable opportunity for NICL During this event NICL had the privilege of meeting several dignitaries including ministers the chief secretary commissioner deputy commissioner and assistant commissioner subsequently image building of NICL This engagement ultimately culminated in the signing of the MOU between the Government of Baltistan and NICL today We greatly appreciated the presence of our CEO, whose mentorship marked another significant milestone setting the stage for the opening of a new office in Skardu in the near future and MOU signing ceremony today at NICL Islamabad NICL team who has put in the tremendous amount of effort to make this event a success and we deeply appreciate their relentless dedication in ensuring the success of this event

5,505 votes were casted through

Caretaker minister, IFC team discuss reforms in D iscos

ISLAMABAD s ta f f r e p o r t

Federal Minister for Privatisation Fawad Hassan Fawad held a meeting with the team of International Finance Corporation (IFC) for the region headed by its Country Director Zeeshan Sheikh

The meeting was attended by the Secretary Privatisation Commission, Chairman National Electric Power Regulatory Authority Additional Secretary of Power Division and other senior officers of the Commission During the meeting, IFC made a presentation to the participants sharing different best practices around the world to help the Government to reform electric distribution utilities with a focus on improved customer services reduction in

the losses and an enhanced user base IFC also highlighted in detail different reasons for failures of Governments to successfully undertake privatisation of electric distribution utilities including lack of political will and absence of mechanism including an efficient regulatory framework During the meeting detailed deliberations were made on different options available for bringing in private sector efficiencies in management of electric distribution utilities The Minister while thanking IFC expressed that there was a need for seeking clear instructions from the Prime Minister / Cabinet in view of various decisions/ instructions in the past that it will be in the best interest of all stakeholders to come to that clarity before proceeding further

G A S S E C T O R ’ S C I R C U L A R D E B T R E A C H E S R S 2 , 9 0 0 B

ISLAMABAD S ta f f r e P o r t

COUNTRY S gas sector is facing a loss of Rs 1 billion per day while its annual loss is Rs 350 billion and the circular debt of the gas sector has reached Rs 2900 billion

This shocking disclosure was made by the Caretaker Federal Minister of Energy

u h a m m a d A l i w h i l

the gas sector while 60 percent of the gas consumers will be protected from the increase the in the prices

The effort related to the increase is not to burden the poor consumers with more than Rs 500, said the Minister of Energy

The increase in gas prices will be higher for the rich class, said the Minister of Energy he added

A b o u t t h e p r o p o s e d r e f o r m s f o r power distribution companies (DISCOs)

M u h ammad A li s aid th r ee p r o p o s als ar e being worked on for reforms in the DIS-

C O s H e s a i d t h a t u n d e r t h e f i r s t p r op o s a l , t h e p r i v a t i z a t i o n o f D I S C O s i s u n d e r c o n s i d e r a t i o n , w h i l e l o n g - t e r m c o n c e s s i o n a l a g r e e m e n t s a r e a l s o p r op o s e d f o r p o w e r c o m p a n i e s H e s a i d u n d e r t h i s m e t h o d t h e m a n a g e m e n t o f

D I S C O s w o u l d b e g i v e n t o t h e p r i v a t e sector for more than 20 years He said the p r o p o s a l t o g i v e t h e p o w e r c o m p a n i e s

(

D I S C O s ) to th e r es p ectiv e p r o v in ces is also under consideration Changes in the b o a r d o f d i r e c t o r s o f t h e c o m p a n i e s a r e

going to be made and this change in the board of directors will start the process of reforms said the Minister of Energy Caretaker Federal Minister of Energy Muhammad Ali said that we cannot complete the process of privatization but we will start it, the institutions included in the list of privatization will be privatized Reforms are underway for power plants including DISCOs the government’s focus is on power distribution companies said energy minister Responding to a question about likely decrease in the per liter prices of petroleum products with the start of next month of October, the caretaker federal energy minister Muhammad Ali said it is too early to say anything about price reduction as the price of petroleum products will be fixed on September 30 If the depreciation of the dollar continues, positive progress is definitely expected, said the Minister of Energy The purchase of oil from the international market is also considered while fixing the oil prices the Minister of Energy added

SECP puts a leash on nano -lending apps

ISLAMABAD S h a h n awa z a l i Digital nano lending apps in the recent past have come under the hammer for unfair and exorbitant profiteering through interest While the regulator the Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP) has taken every step to ensure that unregistered apps are taken off the internet, there was a glaring question mark on the amount that the already registered NonBanking Financial Companies (NBFCs) could charge Owing

HRCP takes ‘strong exception’ to PM Kakar’s statement on elections sans Imran

The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) on Monday took strong exception to caretaker Prime Minister Anwaarul Haq Kakar ’s remarks that “fair elections” were possible even without PTI Chairman Imran Khan and other jailed party workers In a statement issued today the HRCP reminded the prime minister that courts were yet to establish guilt in the cases against Imran and his party leaders Mr Kakar s claims are anti-democratic and ill-judged, it stated The prime minister should be aware that it is not for him or his government to decide unilaterally what constitutes a ‘fair ’ election ” the commission highlighted Imran who was originally jailed for corrupt practices in Toshakhana case although his conviction has since been suspended is currently on judicial remand in the cypher case In an interview with The Associated Press over the weekend, the prime minister had said that fair polls were possible without Imran and his party leaders, who were jailed as part of a state crackdown in the aftermath of violent riots across the country on May 9 PM Kakar had also stated that thousands of PTI members who were not a part of unlawful activities will be running the political process and participating in the elections The interim prime minister s statement came days after the Election Commission of Pakistan finally announced that polls in the country would be held in January next year Subsequently major political parties in the country began preparations for elections During the interview the prime minister had also dismissed the possibility of the military establishment manipulating the election results to ensure the PTI doesn t win as absolutely absurd The HRCP noted that the systematic way in which the PTI leadership has been dismantled in the shape of mass arrests and rearrests forced disassociation from the party the disproportionate number of cases filed against political leaders and workers (including in military courts) and curbs on their freedom of expression and assembly has not produced a level playing field

Gov t likely to remove

Dr Touqeer Shah from Secretar y to PM slot

The Federal government is likely to remove Dr Touqeer Shah from Secretary to Prime Minister important slot Sources said that the caretaker Prime Minister Anwar ul Haq Kakar is likely to remove Dr Touqeer Shah from the SPM slot after returning to Pakistan from abroad Dr Touqeer Shah got one year s extension in his service on contract basis upon his superannuation in the last week of December 2022

The former PM Shahbaz Sharif in July this year had also approved his posting as Executive Director World Bank for four years which will start from the last week of October this year Sources said that the government is considering names of Secretary Housing and works

Dr Shahzad Bangash, Secretary Economic Affairs

Kazim Niaz and Secretary Finance Imdad Ullah Bosal for new SPM Sources said that the government may also transfer DC Islamabad in coming days The incumbent DC Islamabad is lobbying for DG Lahore Development Authority position sources claimed

They said that the Establishment division after the directions of the PM will refer the cases to the Election Commission of Pakistan for approval of the proposed transfers and postings

19 taxpayers benefited from ‘Zero Percent Tax Amnest y Scheme’, FBR reveals

g Pakistan Information Commission issues notice to Chairman FBR proposing a penalty of 100 days' salar y for not providing requested information

tion with stakeholders and industry participants aim to balance financial inclusion and consumer protection against excessive debt burden

Quran desecration in Hague ‘deliberately provoc ative, Islamophobic ac t ’: Pakistan

ISLAMABAD S ta f f r e P o r t

Pakistan condemned in the strongest terms the latest senseless and deeply offensive act of desecration of the Holy Quran outside embassies of Muslim countries in The Hague, Netherlands, terming it a deliberately provocative and Islamophobic act , the Foreign Office said on Monday “It is a deliberately provocative and Islamophobic act that has hurt the sentiments of Muslims around the world Such acts cannot be condoned under the guise of freedom of expression opinion and protest a statement issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) read It added that the country believes that freedom of expression comes with responsibilities Pakistan also urged the governments of different countries to actively prevent racist and Islamophobic acts, which incite religious hatred

“It is important for the international community to raise its voice against Islamophobia and work in concert to promote interfaith harmony the statement also said while referring to the 2022 United Nations resolution on combating Islamophobia It further stated that Islamabad

has conveyed its concerns to the Dutch authorities We urge them to be mindful of the sentiments of the people of Pakistan and Muslims around the world and take active steps to prevent such hateful and Islamophobic acts ”It may be noted that the incidents of Quran burning and desecration have been on the rise for the last few months Last month the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) expressed grave concern over an increase in Islamophobia after a spike in incidents of Holy Quran burning in Nordic nations Notorious people, with their governments approval, have in the last few weeks desecrated the holy book in Sweden and Denmark, inviting strong criticism from Muslim countries

The 18th Extraordinary Meeting of the Council of Foreign Ministers (CFM) of the OIC adopted a comprehensive resolution expressing grave concern over increasing incidents of intolerance, discrimination, and rising Islamophobia, a statement from the Foreign Office said Later, the government in Denmark, which is one of the countries where such incidents happen frequently, said it has prepared a bill that if passed could lead to a countrywide ban on Quran burnings amidst rising terror threats and outrage in the Muslim world

S iraj c alls upon ECP to promptly announce date for general elec tions

ISLAMABAD S ta f f r e P o r t

Ameer Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) Siraj-ul-

Haq has called upon the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) to promptly announce the date for the national elections

Addressing a press conference along with JI secretary general Amirul Azim at the residence of the party’s former MNA

Mian Aslam on Monday he said the ECP failed to conduct the polls within the stipulated 90 days following the dissolution of the assemblies hence it also fell short in meeting the constitutional requirements

However, despite of that, Sirajul Haq said the JI believed at least now the ECP should remove ambiguity

and announce the precise date for the general election

He urged all institutions particularly the judiciary, the military establishment, and the ECP itself, to maintain an apolitical stance, refrain from interfering in political matters and allow the people of Pakistan to exercise their right to elect their representatives in a free and fair manner The transparent conduct of the elections would serve as a genuine test of the ECP’s credibility, he argued Furthermore the JI chief called upon the Chief Justice of Pakistan to take action against the Independent Power Producers (IPPs) agreements which he identified as the root cause of exorbitant electricity tariffs He

asserted that those responsible for these costly agreements should be held accountable

He pointed out that both the PPP and PML-N governments had entered into expensive agreements with private companies, placing a heavy burden on the public The PTI s former government, he said, had continued these agreements sharing responsibility with the previous ruling parties

Siraj advocated for a reduction in electricity tariffs emphasizing that caretaker governments were not authorized to raise tariffs; rather, their responsibility was to ensure a peaceful environment for free and fair elections

He said the JI concluded the sitin in front of the Quetta Governor House on Sunday, reaffirming the party s commitment to continue its struggle until the rights of the people were duly addressed

The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR), implementing the orders of the Pakistan Information Commission (PIC) has disclosed that 19 taxpayers had benefited from the ‘Zero Percent Tax Amnesty Scheme’ resulting in a total amount of Rs 1 9 billion The information is provided in response of a complaint filed by a tax lawyer Waheed Shahzad Butt Before approaching PIC, the lawyer had sought information from other legal avenues, including the Lahore High Court (LHC) and the Federal Tax Ombudsman, in an attempt to uncover details about those who had benefited from the tax amnesty scheme which was primarily initiated in the tenure of the former Prime Minister Nawaz The beneficiaries took benefit under clause (86) of Part-IV of the Second Schedule of the Income Tax Ordinance 2001 It is pertinent to mention here that the PIC went a step further by issuing a notice proposing a penalty of 100 days’ salary to the Chairman of the FBR This penalty was proposed due to the FBR s failure to disclose the requested information highlighting the Commission s commitment to enforcing transparency

Concept of delaying cases in apex cour t over from now: CJP

ISLAMABAD

S ta f f r e P o r t

Chief Justice of Pakistan Qazi Faez Isa on Monday remarked that the concept of delaying cases in top court should be considered as over from now The trend of seeking another date for hearing would no longer fly , he stated categorically During the hearing of a case, the CJP remarked a number of cases were pending in the Supreme Court adding that in any case the respondents would be notified on one date and decision would be taken on next hearing on the arguments The CJP made the remarks as a three-member SC bench heard a case related to a land dispute during which one of the lawyers sought adjournment of the hearing for a later date In response, CJP Isa reprimanded the lawyer and told him to forget the idea of seeking a later date “Through you this is also a message for everyone that the trend of seeking adjournments will no longer fly The number of cases pending before the apex court is quite high he said He further said that notice [should be issued] during one hearing while arguments should be heard at the next He said that in other courts, another date was given for the hearing in order to furnish more documents “If a case comes to the SC then all the paperwork should be complete ” he said as the court rejected the lawyer s plea Last week CJP Isa had constituted a committee of judges on case management that will also determine the fate of complaints against judges, pending before the Supreme Judicial Council (SJC) The committee, which will also include representatives of premier bars, namely the Pakistan Bar Council (PBC) and the Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) has been tasked with coming up with guidelines on how to clear a whopping backlog of 57 000 cases pending before the top court speedy administration of justice and fixation and hearing of cases etc

Afghan transporters cry foul at ‘extortion’ of money by Pakistani officials

PESHAWAR a z i z B u n e r i

Afghan transporters, operating between Pakistan to Afghanistan have lodged a formal complaint with Afghan Embassy citing widespread illegal collections by various authorities including the police and customs officials in Pakistan from vehicle transporting goods under Afghanistan-Pakistan Transit Trade Agreement (APTTA) The President of Afghan Transport Owners Association (ATOA) Mohammad Noor Ahmadzai alleged that Pakistani authorities have been allegedly extorting exorbitant sums of money from Afghan transporters through various unlawful means He claimed, They are collecting from Rs1000 to Rs10,000 per vehicle illegally ” Ahmadzai further claimed that numerous checkpoints have been established across different districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa where officials

are blatantly collecting money from vehicles under the pretext of “checking ” These unauthorised collections are adding considerably to the financial burden on Afghan transporters, he said Furthermore, he explained that in Peshawar, Nowshehra, Swabi, Mardan, Hangu, and Parachinar, traffic police officers have been pressuring Afghan transporters to meet specific daily quotas of extortion money He expressed frustration over the lack of action against these illegal practices despite repeated complaints to both Pakistani authorities and the Afghan Embassy He revealed that Afghan transporters are forced to cover these expenses themselves as there are no funds allocated by Pakistani or Afghan transport departments In the context of Afghan transport, the situation is particularly problematic According to Mashal Khan, an Afghan driver, there are is no provision for getting money from trade vehicles How-

ever from Attock to Torkham each truck is subject to unlawful extortions ranging from Rs1000 to 40 000 rupees with no official receipts provided He added that this unauthorised collection not only affects the Afghan transport sector but also hinders trade between the two countries At present, thousands of trailers and trucks facilitate trade between Pakistan and Afghanistan

As Afghan transporters face mounting financial pressures and an unjust system, there is an urgent need for both Pakistani and Afghan authorities to address these issues Immediate actions should be taken to eliminate these illegal extortions and ensure a fair and transparent system that benefits both nations and their transport sectors According to Afghan transporters, while, on one hand, Pakistani authorities collect thousands of rupees from them through police, customs, and revenue officers on the other hand Afghan trans-

port owner associations charge Afghanbound cargo trucks from Pakistan to Afghanistan a daily fee of 12 000 rupees per truck through a card system which is seen as unfair by transporters An Afghan transporter, who identifies himself as the president of the Afghan Transport Owner Association, collects 12,000 rupees from every truck traveling from Peshawar to Torkham using a card system The card not only identifies him as the president but also displays his picture along with the assurance that no one, whether it be the police, other government agencies, or even other trucks, will interfere Interestingly this organization is not registered with any Pakistani government department or authority

At present under Pak-Afghan trade and transit, around three thousand trailers and four thousand Mazdas transport various goods to Afghanistan, with daily routes ranging from three hundred to three hundred fifty vehicles