Epaper_23-10-09 LHR

MORE THAN 1,000 PERISH IN HAMAS-ISRAEL CONFLICT AS NETANYAHU DECL ARES WAR ON GA Z A

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Pakistan deeply concerned by escalating hostilit y in Middle East: Jilani

WASHINGTON ag e n c i e s

ISRAEL reeling from the deadliest attack on its territory in half a century formally declared war on Hamas on Sunday as the conflict s death toll surged close to 1,000 after the Palestinian fighters launched a massive surprise assault from Gaza

The conflict which is being considered as the biggest escalation in decades prompted Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to send a warning of a long and difficult war ahead as he dispatched thousands of Israeli forces to combat remaining Hamas fighters in the south while the air force once more bombed targets in the Gaza Strip

The latest conflict s has claimed more than 600 lives on the Israeli side, the government press office said, while Gaza officials reported at least 370 deaths, with thousands more wounded on each side

Tens of thousands of Israeli forces were deployed on Sunday to battle holdout Hamas fighters in the south where the bodies of civilians had been found

strewn on roads and in town centres

The enemy is still on the ground, military spokesman Daniel Hagari told journalists as a second night fell after the attack adding Israel was reinforcing its military strength near the Gaza Strip

Gun battles raged as the Israeli army sought to secure desert regions near the coastal enclave, rescue Israeli hostages and evacuate all areas near Gaza

“We’ll reach each and every community until we kill every terrorist in Israel ” vowed Hagari a day after hundreds of Hamas fighters launched their shock offensive and surged into Israel using vehicles, boats and even motorised paragliders There was widespread shock and dismay in Israel after at least 100 citizens were captured by Hamas and abducted into Gaza with images circulating on social media of bloodied hostages and distraught relatives pleading for the state to rescue them

Yifat Zailer, 37, said she was horrified to see online video footage from Gaza that showed her female cousin and the woman’s children aged nine months and three years That s the only confir-

ISLAMABAD s ta f f r e p o r t Pakistan s Caretaker Foreign Minister Jalil Abbas Jilani on Sunday said that Pakistan is deeply concerned by the escalating hostility in the Middle East and the loss of innocent lives Pakistan is deeply concerned by the escalating hostility in the Middle East and the loss of innocent lives We stand in solidarity with Palestinians and call for an immediate end to the violence and oppression by Israeli occupation forces ” Jilani wrote on his X account Jalil Abbas Jilani said a viable and sovereign State of Palestine must be established on the basis of pre1967 borders and UN resolutions He said the international community needs to intervene to bring an end to the conflict protect civilians and work towards a lasting peace in the Middle East Fighting between Israeli forces and the Palestinian group Hamas raged Sunday, with hundreds killed on both sides after a surprise attack on Israel prompted Benjamin Netanyahu to warn they were “embarking on a long and difficult war” Israel battered Gaza on Sunday a day after suffering its bloodiest attack in decades when Hamas fighters rampaged through Israeli towns killing hundreds and abducting an unknown number of others Overnight Israeli air strikes had hit housing blocks tunnels a mosque and homes of Hamas officials in Gaza, killing more than 300 people, including 20 children

mation we have, she told AFP, her voicing breaking with emotion, and adding there was no information on her cousin’s husband and her elderly parents “After the army took control of the kibbutz they weren t at home she said We assume they were kidnapped We want to know what their condition is, we want them to return safe They’re innocent civilians ” ISRAEL, HEZBOLLAH EXCHANGE ARTILLERY, ROCKET FIRE Israel and Lebanon s powerful armed group Hezbollah exchanged artillery and rocket fire on Sunday following the dead-

Deaths mounting as Afghan ear thquakes kill 2,445

KABUL ag

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More than 2,400 people were killed in earthquakes in Afghanistan, the Taliban administration said on Sunday in the deadliest tremors to rock the quake-prone mountainous country in years

The Saturday quakes in the west of the country hit 35 km (20 miles) northwest of the city of Herat, with one of 6 3 magnitude, the US Geological Survey (USGS) said

They were among the world’s deadliest quakes this year after tremors in Turkey and Syria killed an estimated 50,000 in February Janan Sayeeq, spokesman for the Ministry of Disasters, said in a message to Reuters that the toll had risen to 2 445 dead but he revised down the number of injured to more than 2 000 Earlier he had said that 9,240 people had been injured Sayeeq also said 1,320 houses had been damaged or destroyed

The death toll spiked from 500 reported earlier on Sunday by the Red Crescent Ten rescue teams were in the area which borders Iran Sayeeq told a press conference

More than 200 dead had been brought to various hospitals, said a Herat health department official who identified himself as Dr Danish adding most of them were women and children Bodies had been taken to several places – military bases, hospitals , Danish said

Beds were set up outside the main hospital in Herat to receive a flood of victims photos on social media showed Food drinking water medicine clothes and tents were urgently needed for rescue and relief, Suhail Shaheen, the head of the Taliban political office in Qatar, said in a message to the media

The mediaeval minarets of Herat sustained some damage photographs on social media showed with cracks visible and tiles fallen off Hemmed in by mountains, Afghanistan has a history of strong earthquakes, many in the rugged Hindu Kush region bordering Pakistan

Death tolls often rise when information comes in from more remote parts of a country where decades of war have left infrastructure in a shambles, and relief and rescue operations difficult to organise Afghanistan’s healthcare system reliant almost entirely on foreign aid has faced crippling cuts in the two years since the Taliban took over and much international assistance, which had formed the backbone of the economy, was halted

T wo-state only viable solution to Palestine issue: PM Kakar

ISLAMABAD s ta f f r e p o r t

Pakistan grieved over devastating ear thquake in Afghanistan: FO

ISLAMABAD s ta f f r e p o r t

Pakistan on Sunday expressed deep sadness and condolence over the loss of precious lives and properties in the devastating earthquake that hit Western regions of Afghanistan “The Government and people of Pakistan are deeply saddened by the devastating earthquake in Western regions of Afghanistan yesterday resulting in tragic loss of life and widespread damage to property a statement issued by the foreign office spokesperson said We extend our sincerest condolences to the families of those who lost their loved ones and pray for the early and complete recovery of the injured ” The statement added that Pakistan stood in complete solidarity with the brothers and sisters in Afghanistan during this difficult time We are in contact with the Afghan authorities to get a first-hand assessment of the urgent needs of those affected by the earthquake Pakistan will extend all possible support to the recovery effort, it added NDMA to dispatch relief items to quake-hit Afghanistan The National Disaster Management Authority has arranged relief items including food, medicines, tents and blankets as well as Search and Rescue Teams to be dispatched on immediate basis to quake-hit Herat Afghanistan This was briefed at a special session of the National Emergency Operations Centre held in Islamabad on Sunday with Chairman NDMA Lieutenant General Inam Haider Malik in the chair The meeting reviewed the situation and humanitarian assistance package to Afghanistan in the wake of devastating quake in the country The Chairman stressed for swift relief assistance for Kabul that should be sent through fastest means available utilizing air and land routes to Afghanistan He also requested for facilitation and coordination by all the government departments and agencies involved in the process

Diplomats and aid officials say concerns over Taliban restrictions on women and competing global humanitarian crises are causing donors to pull back on financial support The Islamist government has ordered most Afghan female aid staff not to work although with exemptions in health and education

In August, a spokesperson for the International Committee of the Red Cross said it was likely to end its financial support for 25 Afghan hospitals because of funding constraints It was not immediately clear if the Herat hospital was on that list The quakes triggered panic in Herat, resident Naseema said “People left their houses, we all

are on the streets she wrote in a text message to Reuters on Saturday, adding that the city was feeling aftershocks There are a total of 202 public health facilities in Herat province one of which is the major regional hospital where 500 casualties had been taken the World Health Organisation (WHO) said in a report on Sunday

A vast majority of the facilities are smaller basic health centres and logistical challenges were hindering operations particularly in remote areas the WHO said

While search and rescue operations remain ongoing, casualties in these areas have not yet been fully identified,” it said

liest attack in years by Palestinian gunmen on Israel On Saturday, a multi-pronged attack by Palestinian gunmen on Israeli towns left around 500 Israelis dead with more than 300 Palestinians killed in Israel s retaliatory bombardment The scale of the attack prompted fears that a wider conflict could break out between Israel and other factions opposed to it in the region, including Lebanon’s Hezbollah an armed party backed by Iran that has previously clashed with Israel

Caretaker Prime Minister Anwaarul Haq Kakar on Sunday said that Pakistan stood in solidarity with the Palestinians people and would utilize all multilateral forums like Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) to galvanize a collective stance for the protection and dignity of Palestinians in the manner that supported their demand In an interview with social media platform “Talk Shock” the prime minister said that Pakistan had always taken a firm stance on the Palestine issue and reaffirmed its position as a friend of Palestine He said that Pakistan would continue extending diplomatic, social and political support to them at all global fora The prime minister stressed that the two nations state was the key to the solution of the Palestine and Israel conflict which would bring stability in the Middle East He also categorically reiterated that Pakistan did not recognize Israel Palestinians had reached an agreement with Israel over the two-state mechanism, but the due right was constantly denied by Israel, he added The caretaker prime minister cautioned that unless ‘the Palestine Question’ was addressed the issue of radicalization would increase and stressed that the two political issues including Palestine and Kashmir should be resolved To a question he said that Pakistan wanted normal relations with all its neighbours but with regard to India, there were three parties, including Kashmiris Their demands and aspirations should be met by India and if they were not made part of the normalization process with regard to bilateral ties by India it would amount to non starter he added

S T R E ET C R I M E , E X T O

R T I O N C A S E S

W I T N E S S A L A R M I N G R I S E I N K A R A C H I

ST R E E T crimes robberies and murders continued in Karachi in the month of September, despite the appointment of a new IG

Sindh and Karachi Police Chief

According to the data of the Citizens-Police Liaison Committee (CPLC) citizens were deprived of 207 vehicles 5 399 motorcycles and 2 464 mobile phones in street crimes during the month 62 people were also killed in the city during the same period

The CPLC report also revealed that the number of motorcycles stolen in September was the highest in the last 30 days The report also highlighted the fact that the middle class was the most affected by street crimes, as they were the ones who were most likely to be robbed of their motorcycles and mobile phones

Despite the police claiming to have arrested a number of street criminals and other criminals in alleged encounters the crime rate in Karachi remains high Citizens are still not safe in their homes, streets, shops, and offices The police authorities need to take more concrete measures to curb street crimes in Karachi They should also focus on improving the law and

order situation in the city so that citizens can feel safe and secure E X TO RT I O N C A S E S O N R I S E A G A I N’: On the other hand extortion cases have increased in Karachi, with 91 cases reported in the first nine months of 2023, with the network is believed to be operating from Iran, Dubai, and Afghanistan

According to Specialized Investigation Unit (SIU) SSP Junaid Sheikh the extortionists have changed their methods and

Dengue onslaught continues as Punjab reports 143 new cases

LAHORE s tA f f R e p o R t

The battle against dengue virus continues in Punjab as 143 new cases were reported on Sunday As many as 5 469 confirmed dengue cases were reported across 36 districts in Punjab this year said the health department officials Lahore leads the unfortunate tally with a staggering 2,130 cases, closely followed by Rawalpindi with 1,561 cases, Multan with 620 Gujranwala with 268 and Faisalabad with 245 cases As many as 52 new dengue cases were reported in Lahore 47 in Rawalpindi 10 in Multan 11 in Gujranwala and 10 in Faisalabad Currently, 118 dengue patients are receiving treatment in various hospitals across Punjab, with 36 of them hospitalized in Lahore alone Secretary Health Punjab Ali Jaan Khan urged the citizens to maintain clean and dry surroundings as a crucial preventive measure against dengue fever For those seeking dengue treatment, information, or wishing to register complaints, a free helpline is available through the health department at 1033

Khadija Shah moves LHC for details of cases

LAHORE s tA f f R e p o R t

PTI activist Khadija Shah who is on judicial remand in multiple cases of May 9 riots has approached the Lahore High Court seeking details of all cases registered against her Advocate Sameer Khosa filed a petition on behalf of Ms Shah saying the petitioner has been falsely implicated by the police in the cases The petitioner has a right to know if there are any cases made against her to have a fair trial the petition said The petition asks the court to order the police and the FIA to produce a list of FIRs registered against the petitioner The petition seeks a protective bail to enable Khadija Shah to approach any court for bail before arrest and take part in any investigation against her Violent clashes broke out across Pakistan after the former prime minister and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf chief Imran Khan was arrested at the Islamabad High Court (IHC) on May 9 The protests were held in various cities as the party workers agitated against the party chairman’s arrest

PML-N to form next gov t in Sindh, says Zubair Umar

MATIARI s tA f f R e p o R t

challaned in the courts Eleven cases have been classified as “A class,” meaning that the evidence is insufficient Two cases have been classified as “B class ” meaning that they are minor Ten cases have been classified as C class meaning that they were entered on misunderstanding

In eight cases, the SIU has completed the investigation and sent back the case file after finding no evidence of extortion In 16 cases the police investigation is ongoing In 45 cases the police trial is being conducted

SSP SIU Junaid Shaikh that the local network of extortionists is not very strong or organized, but this year has been very disturbed compared to previous years

are now using strong and organized gangs based abroad These gangs have formed 5 to 7 groups with the help of local boys

The boys in the extortion network first gather information about potential targets, including businessmen, small and big traders, shopkeepers, and builders They then send extortion slips with bullets to their targets and make threatening calls from abroad

According to SIU records 44 of the 91 extortion cases reported in 2023 have been

Some of the cases and the arrest of the accused have revealed that the network of extortionists is operating from abroad with groups being operated from Dubai Iran and Afghanistan These groups have also been caught with the help of modern technology The relevant institutions have been informed about the mastermind of the group In the last few days the Karachi police have received complaints of extortion from the small and big markets of Shahr Quaid, who were sent an extortion slip and a pill along with it The police have identified the accused

Information Minister asks all illegal immigrants to voluntarily leave Pakistan by 31st Oct

ISLAMABAD

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Caretaker Minister for Information and Broadcasting Murtaza Solangi has asked all the illegal foreigners to voluntarily leave the country by 31st of this month to avoid state action to forcibly repatriate them to their respective countries

In an interview with the social media platform WE NEWS he said all the foreigners who are illegally staying in Pakistan irrespective of their nationality have been given a timeframe to leave the country and this should not be bracketed with Afghans only

Responding to a question, the Minister said the state of Pakistan is fully capable to repatriate the illegal foreigners by force He however clarified that there will certainly be a strategy to send them back in phased and orderly manner after the passage of the deadline of 31 October He said there are around 1 7 million illegal foreigners residing in Pakistan

Talking about compassion of the state of Pakistan Murtaza Solangi said no country in the world has ever shown this empathy as demonstrated by Pakistan towards the Afghan refugees in last 50 years He continued to say that the number of Afghans living lawfully in Pakistan will be higher even if all the 1 7 million illegal foreigners are sent back to their home countries

The Minister further said Pakistan only wants to ensure safety and security of its own citizens and national frontiers He said soft borders without any checks and balances are not acceptable

to Pakistan He said Pakistan is ready to welcome people from across the globe after obtaining proper visa and other necessary documentations as per entry requirements for any other country of the world He said no country including the United States or the United Kingdom allows an individual to infiltrate in its territory and illegally obtain passport and other identity

Responding to a question about the upcoming general elections, the Minister for Information and Broadcasting said polls will be held on the date to be announced by the Election Commission of Pakistan He said announcing a polldate not the prerogative of the interim set-up He said ECP is a constitutional body and fully empowered to organize elections in the country Regarding PPP’s demand for a level playing field in the upcoming general election Murtaza Solangi said PPP is a leading political party of Pakistan and is fully independent in having a stance over a particular matter He added that expressing concerns and raising issues are the democratic political and legal rights of every political party He said the country is virtually passing through an election phase as an environment of electioneering can be witnessed in Pakistan

Replying to another question, the Minister said ECP and the caretaker government will ensure level playing field to all the registered political parties including Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf

To a question about the government s response to PML-N Sepremo Nawaz Sharif s return to Pakistan

scheduled this month Murtaza Solangi said he will be treated as per law and the constitution of the country He said Nawaz Sharif is a leader of a big political party and has been thrice the Prime Minister of Pakistan He said the former Prime Minister had gone abroad with the permission of the courts and the government of the day had let him go under a lawful process He said now the return of Nawaz Sharif will also be held under a lawful process and certainly the law will take its course

Answering a question about privatization of State Owned Enterprises he said it was the decision of the previous government and the parliament He said the caretaker government is only implementing those decisions

When asked about any plan for the privatization of state media organizations like Radio Pakistan Pakistan Television Corporation and the Associated Press of Pakistan the Minister said these organizations are public broadcasters and they should not be treated as ghee, sugar or a power plant He said Radio Pakistan PTV and APP are amongst the essential services organizations and they are not meant to earn money He said personally he is against the privatization of national broadcasters as public broadcasters all over the world, may it be the BBC, Deutsche Welle or the Japan Broadcasting Corporation popularly known as NHK are funded by the state However individuals not aligned with the modern broadcasting system should have no room in these organizations

Senior leader Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) and former Sindh governor Muhammad Zubair Umar is optimistic that his party will form next government in Sindh province While addressing a workers convention in Matiari on Sunday, he said that Nawaz Sharif will land in Lahore on October 21 and the entire Sindh will reach the provincial capital of Punjab to welcome the PML-N supremo Muhammad Zubair said that the PML-N will give tough time to Sindh in upcoming general elections and will form next government The PML-N supremo, president and other senior leadership would visit Sindh for the election campaign he added “PPP has ruined Sindh in the past 15 years Zubair Umar said adding that PML-N President Shehbaz Sharif can proudly claim to turn Karachi into Lahore but when Bilawal says to turn Lahore into Karachi people will take it as a joke It is pertinent to mention here that former Pakistan PM Sharif will arrive in Pakistan on October 21 The former premier is embattled in various cases including the National Accountability Bureau s (NAB) Avenfield, Al-Azizia and Hill Metal and the Flagship references, had left for London in Dec 2019 on medical grounds after the Lahore High Court had granted him permission to travel abroad for four weeks The sources said the former premier will return to Pakistan on October 21 via a connecting flight Elder Sharif will land at Abu Dhabi International Airport from London on October 21 and on the same day, he will leave for Lahore

Historical Nasir Bagh gets a makeover

LAHORE s tA f f R e p o R t

The work to restore the historical Nasir Bagh at The Mall to its former glory has entered its final stages a spokesperson for the Parks and Horticulture Authority (PHA) of Lahore said on Sunday Nestled between Lower Mall and Kutchery Road, the British-era park neighbors Government College, Punjab University, and the Town Hall It is frequented by locals seeking a quick respite from the hustle of urban life The park known as Band Stand Garden due to military band performances during the Raj had been in need of a visual upgrade, according to residents who had requested government support in this regard Acting on the instructions of Director General Muhammad Tahir Wattoo, the PHA has installed lush green grass colorful flower beds and floodlights in the park which spans over 100 kanals Additionally the park s fountain has been revitalised and preventive measures against dengue, such as the application of anti-larva medicine, have been implemented Its boundary wall has also been removed to provide a “fresh visual experience ” the spokesperson added Separately as part of its beautification plan to enhance the visual appeal of the provincial capital the authority has completed work to refurbish The Mall It has, among other measures, planted grass along a six-kilometer-long and 30-foot-wide stretch from Charing Cross to the Mian Mir Bridge according to the spokesperson The department is also in the process of planting more trees and installing colorful flower beds along the canal ahead of the winter These beds will be raised from the ground for better visibility, the spokesperson said

World powers need to play role for ending Kashmir, Palestine disputes: Mushaal

RAWALPINDI

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Advisor to the Prime Minister (SAPM) on Human Rights

Mushaal Hussein Mullick on Sunday said that global powers need to play imperative role in resolving the longstanding Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) and Palestine dispute

While speaking at the annual event of Darbar Mohra Sharif here she stated that the ongoing crisis in Palestine particularly the tensions with Israel reflected the same adversities Kashmir faces under Indian subjugation

Mushaal Mullic pointed out that the Indian government was involved in promoting extremism and terrorism in occupied Kashmir, Israel was similarly involved in serious human rights violations in Palestine Just like in occupied Kashmir Muslims in Palestine were subjected to harsh treatment mosques were being desecrated and violence was being inflicted upon the innocent people

Now the confessional inter view

City Notes

TH E poignancy of the betrayal of Imran Khan by Usman Dar did not lie in the fact that he was the head of the Insaf Tiger Force as the timing It came hot on the heels of the revelation that there was an attempt to poison Imran (that was the reason given by his wife for wanting him to get food from home rather than be given the jail food) Dar can claim to have stood fast and refused to betray his principles After all he has left politics rather than join the Istehkam Pakistan Party, or the PTI Parliamentarians He also chose to make clear his condemnation of the PTI and all its works, especially its actions on May 9, on a TV talk show rather than the usual press conference Does this mean that the departure by the few remaining prominent leaders of the PTI will be made in a different setting? Will Ali Amin Gandapur, for ex-

ample turn up inside the ring of the Lucky Irani Circus make the expected announcement before being shot out of a cannon Is Umar Ayub going to make the announcement while climbing the hill to Daman-iKoh? Or out jogging? The claim of a plot to poison Imran seems to have more to do with a yearning to fight dragons than with any real plot Is Imran going to claim that they have a rare Asiatic poison, odourless, tasteless, which produces the symptoms of a heart attack, but which cannot be detected in a post mortem? And he is 71 and though in excellent health still he is of an age when one can pass at any time especially in jail It seems that he doesn t like Adiala Jail having gotten used to Attock Jail Of course, he had applied for the transfer Of course, it wasn’t as unlucky for him as it was for Zulfikar Ali Bhutto who was hanged there Because of that I suppose you couldn t blame Imran for getting a little nervous but then Bhutto wasn t betrayed by Usman Dar, was he? More worrisome in the possibility of more interviews on TV

Plus I m not sure Imran is entirely happy with the coverage of the World Cup he is getting Of course, in Pakistan s opening match the Dutch did about as well as could be expected, giving away only one wicket to Shaheen Shah Afridi and thus foiled him in his pursuit to be on the The opening match was not the same page usual Pakistan versus India match but a replay of the 2019 final, England versus New Zealand That had been a good match This wasn’t really, with a lot of fans coming dressed as empty seats I wonder where the BJP stands on this whole World Cup thing I suppose so long as the Indian team avoids the polluting touch of the Pakistan team it s OK So I suppose the biggest nightmare would be for Pakistan to reach the final with India, and then beat it to win I don’t look very kindly on that prospect either because I’m not sure that Babar Azam as Prime Minister would be the most appetizing of prospects And what would he raise funds for? Another cancer hospital? Or maybe a kidney centre Or maybe some other team wins

India has unleashed a new wave of grave human rights violations in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) However the unyielding resilience of the Kashmiris is often viewed as a divine blessing from Allah

The SAPM on HRs highlighted the role of Peer Mohra Sharif in propagating the message of peace and love with Kashmir She underlined that Islam teaches its followers to treat each other with brotherhood, empathy, altruism, sacrifice and love Mohra Sharif has significantly served Islam and humanity by teaching the value of setting aside personal desires to establish a connection with God

Drawing from Islamic history it is evident that the religion was among the pioneers in granting rights to women encompassing property, divorce, and even business rights This progressive stance is epitomized by Hazrat Khadijah s business acumen, which underscores the immense power women can wield Bibi Fatima’s life is not just a tale of struggles but also serves as a beacon of inspiration for women globally

Will they have to make their captain PM sometime in the future? Imagine Afghanistan winning And their captain joining the Taliban He won’t have to build even a neighbourhood dispensary Just fire a burst in the air And there you would have a future Emir of Afghanistan Of course, that pales in comparison with what is happening in the Gaza Strip, after Palestinian missile attacks and infiltrations of gunmen led to 232 Palestinians being killed as well as 250 Israelis That has got to be the worst violence there in a very long time

I see that our Foreign Office has called for an end to the violence Right, so that the Palestinians can go back to being targets Well they’re targets now and Hamas showed more bravado than brains in launching the attacks Were they trying to prove that the Israelis can be brutal in their occupation? Something tells me there won t be a ceasefire until the Netanyahu government has drunk its fill of Palestinian blood And I’m sure that the Foreign Office genius who drafted that response wears a bow tie And parts his hair in the middle He probably also wears suspenders but I m not certain

PAKISTAN FACES UNPREDICTABLE EVENTS CAUSED BY CLIMATIC CONDITION: CHAIRMAN NDMA

ISLAMABAD s tA f f R e p o R t

Chairman National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), Lieutenant General Inam Haider Malik HI(M) has said that Pakistan was facing changing climatic condition and frequent recurrence of unpredictable and extreme events

In his message on National Resilience Day , he said that we commemorate the occasion with a mission and commitment to advance national preparedness by improving and increasing the nation’s resilience to natural and human induced threats

Lt Gen Imam Haider said that to meet disasters caused by climatic challenges NDMA was proactively working at reducing the vulnerability to disasters, and also providing coping mechanisms and framework for effective disaster management

The disaster management system in Pakistan has traveled a long way in the recent time with formulation of National Disaster Risk Reduction Policy and National Disaster Management Plan but still we have to go very far by implementing these polices and plan in their true letter and spirit, he added

He said “We have also made considerable progress in mainstreaming disaster risk reduction in development processes which will no doubt lead to greater national resilience against potential disasters Our ex-

pedition for resilience is consistent and we need to make our utmost efforts to realize the ideals ”

The chairman NDMA said that the Disaster Management System in Pakistan was currently undergoing a transformation shifting from a reactive to a proactive approach This represents a significant change in how we collectively address unexpected crises In the past, the primary focus was on responding to emergencies after they had already occurred often resulting in substantial loss of life and property However due to advancements in technology and a deeper understanding of natural disasters Pakistan is now moving towards taking proactive measures, he maintained

He said, “This transformation involves the establishment of a modern National Emergencies Operation Center (NEOC) at the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) The disaster NEOC is now

Toshakhana case: IHC to hear PTI chief’s plea on Monday

ISLAMABAD s tA f f R e p o R t

Islamabad High Court (IHC) will hear the petition of chairman Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Imran Khan in Toshakhana case seeking suspension of the trial court verdict on Monday Comprising Chief Justice Amir Farooq and Justice Babar Sattar a two-member bench of the Islamabad High Court will hear the petition with objections from the Registrar s Office The PTI chief moved the petition through senior lawyer Sardar Latif Khosa under section 561-A (saving of inherent power of high court) of the Code of Criminal Procedure “That it is settled principle of law that inherent powers of High Court are very wide and undefinable High Court can make all such orders to do real and substantial justice and it is a fit case to exercise the powers under Section 561-A Cr P C as the omission in not recording the contentions of the learned counsel for the applicant/appellant at the bar praying for suspension of the impugned order dated 05 08 2023 and subsequent non mentioning of the same in the order dated 28 08 2023 is an omission floating on the face of the order, states the plea It added that the IHC in its August 28 verdict only suspended the sentence of the PTI chief and not the trial court order It urged the court to rectify the “omission of not recording the contention of the learned counsel for the petitioner with regard to the suspension of the Toshakhana judgment of August 5 The petition further argued that the disqualification order by the ECP was issued in haste despite the conviction not attaining finality

TO S H A K H A N A V E R D I C T: On August 5, the District and Sessions Court awarded three years jail term to the PTI chairman in Toshakhana criminal case The court also imposed Rs 100 000 fine on the convicted chief of the PTI The court also declared the former prime minister ineligible to hold public office for five years The court in its verdict said that the accused had been found guilty of corrupt practices and handed the PTI chairman three years jail sentence Imran Khan deliberately submitted fake details [of Toshakhana gifts] to the ECP and is found guilty of corrupt practices, he stated

Farmers gearing up for ‘long march’ on Islamabad, Lahore against inflated bills

stakeholders to collaborate closely to reduce disaster risks, enhance preparedness, and establish swift response mechanisms through usage of latest technological tools

It is of utmost important that we prioritize the welfare of vulnerable segments of our society, including women, children, the elderly, and individuals with disabilities in all our endeavors ”

LAHORE s tA f f R e p o R t

capacitated to create common operating picture enabled by multiple satellite feeds, softwares, Artificial intelligence tools that is expected to strengthen digital risk assessment early warning systems and preparedness strategies Imam Haider said that National Resilience Day prompts us to embrace best practices and implement policies and strategies aimed at fortifying our nation’s resilience He said that our policy initiatives should encompass various sectors including the resilient and safe development of infrastructure improved disaster preparedness, poverty alleviation, safer spatial land use planning, adherence to building codes, efficient water resource management sound agricultural practices and increased afforestation nationwide including coastal areas He said Given our vulnerabilities I urge all federal and provincial

He expressed gratitude for the invaluable support and assistance provided by the international community civil society and private philanthropy in bolstering our national response efforts during the recent mega flood disaster He also called upon the international community to extend their utmost support to Pakistan in mitigating the adverse impacts of the climate change phenomenon that it disproportionately affects

The chairman NDMA said We have as a nation witnessed the relentless force of nature through earthquakes, floods, cyclones, and other calamities These events have tested our resolve, but they have also illuminated the remarkable spirit of unity compassion and resilience that defines us as a people I firmly believe that as we have done in the past the people of Pakistan will continue to show their generosity by assisting their fellow citizens struck by disasters through their contributions and tireless efforts May Allah guide and help us in building a strong and resilient Pakistan

President urges for collaboration among stakeholders to reduce disaster risks

ISLAMABAD s tA f f R e p o R t

President Dr Arif Alvi on Sunday urged all federal and provincial stakeholders to collaborate closely to reduce disaster risks, enhance preparedness, and establish swift response mechanisms through usage of latest technological tools in the face of vulnerabilities

It is of utmost importance that we prioritize the welfare of vulnerable segments of our society including women, children, the elderly and individuals with disabilities in all our endeavours,” the president said in a message on the occasion of National Resilience Day being observed on October 8

On the 8th October each year he said they came together to show their solidarity and compassion for families who had endured the devastating effects of unprecedented natural disasters

The president said this day served as a solemn reminder of the catastrophic earthquake in 2005 that brought widespread destruction to Azad Jammu and Kashmir, parts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, and Islamabad Capital Territory

On this occasion, he said they reaffirmed their commitment to enhance the national preparedness and strengthening of resilience in the face of disasters

“I also call upon the international community to extend their utmost support to Pakistan in mitigating the adverse impacts of the climate change phenomenon that affects it disproportionately,” President Secretariat Press Wing in a press release quoted the president as saying

The president said they as a nation had witnessed the relentless force of nature through earthquakes, floods, cyclones, and other calamities These events had tested their resolve, but they have also illuminated the remarkable spirit of unity compassion and resilience that defined them as a unified nation I firmly believe that as we have done in the past the people of Pakistan will continue to show their generosity by assisting their fellow citizens struck by disasters through their contributions and tireless efforts ” he added

The president said last year during Monsoon season devastating floods had again jolted Pakistan and surpassed all previous records It was dishearten-

ing to note that Pakistan s contribution to climate change was minimal, yet they found themselves among its primary victims he added

The president said despite enduring multiple mega-scale disasters since 2005 the people of Pakistan have consistently displayed courage, selflessness, a spirit of sacrifice, and resilience in the face of adversity

“The designation of this day as “National Resilience Day” serves as an opportunity for introspection and underscores our commitment to better prepare for future challenges National Resilience Day prompts us to embrace best practices and implement policies and strategies aimed at fortifying our nation’s resilience ” he added

The president said their policy initiatives should encompass various sectors including the resilient and safe development of infrastructure, improved disaster preparedness, poverty alleviation, safer spatial land use planning adherence to building codes efficient water resource management sound agricultural practices and increased afforestation nationwide including coastal areas

PRs 28pc nonfunctional locomotives disrupting entire operations: official

ISLAMABAD s tA f f R e p o R t

Out of total 461, around 28 percent of Diesel-Electric Locomotives (DEL) of Pakistan Railways are non-functional creating disruption in appropriate functioning of entire operations of the department

An official of Ministry of Pakistan Railway said on Sunday that Pakistan Railways has 332 locomotives in running condition out of a total of 461, while 129 (28 percent) diesel-electric locomotives were non-functional

Of 129 locomotives around 41 were under normal overhauling schedules and

maintenance The locomotives will be rolled out after routine schedule maintenance turn by turn the official said He said that 11 locomotives met with an accident on various dates and locations and fabrication work and procurement of spares were under process for these locomotives The official said that around 69 DPU class diesel-electric locomotives were held up for repair and need major modification while eight locomotives were temporarily deleted and under condemnation process due to overage To a question, he said that Pakistan Railways was planning to procure as

many as 25 diesel-electric locomotives for various shunting points across the country which would help to replace outdated locomotives that were to be scrapped very soon The project for the procurement and manufacturing of 25 shunting locomotives would be implemented in three years at an estimated cost of Rs 14 billion, he added Currently he said that only 51 locomotives were being operated for this service against the 98 shunting points at various railway stations across the country Additionally, most of the old locomotives would be discarded due to high maintenance costs

Pakistan Kisan Ittehad a coalition wing of various farmers associations has indicated of long march on Islamabad and Lahore A final decision will be made in the meeting of district presidents of all districts on October 10 Farmers’ Coalition central president Malik Zulfiqar Awan said that government policies are ‘killing’ farmers and instead of catching those who looted billions of dollars the poor farmer is being harassed The key reasons behind the long march as listed by the farmers coalition are massive increases in the electricity, gas, and fertilizer prices leading to situations where both layman and farmer could not pay electricity bills Last year Kissan Ittehad representing smallholder farmers conducted a 10-day protest in Islamabad in September, leading to the announcement of a Kissan package worth Rs1 8 trillion by the federal government However, no concrete practical steps were taken to implement the announced package and it remains on paper Urea fertilizer had sold on the black market for the past two years led to declining crop yields and long queues of growers outside dealer shops

Pakistan deeply concerned by escalating hostilit y in Middle East: Jilani

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 01

Meanwhile, President Dr Arif Alvi also called upon the international community to play its active role for a peaceful resolution of the IsraelPalestine dispute in accordance with the relevant UN resolutions and international law In a post on X the president said progress towards peace could not materialise without condemnation of usurpation and brutalisation of Palestinian rights and people by Israel Continuous annexation of land, illegal settlements, disproportionate reactions and killings The result is no hope and no progress towards peace ” He said that the time had come to move forward in line with UN resolutions International community can play a big role today towards world peace A day earlier, the Foreign Office (FO) had called for exercising maximum restraint, urging the international community to come together for cessation of hostilities protection of civilians and pursuit of a lasting peace in the region We are closely monitoring the unfolding situation in the Middle East and the eruption of hostilities between the Israelis and Palestinians, the FO spokesperson said in a statement Mumtaz Zahra Baloch expressed concerns about the “human cost of escalating situation” in the region saying that Pakistan s stance on the Israel-Palestine conflict has been consistent advocating for a two-state solution as the key to enduring peace in the region

T wo-state only viable solution to Palestine issue: PM Kakar

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 01

The prime minister differentiated the history of relations between Pakistan and India and China and India About the ICC Cricket World Cup being played in India the prime minister said like every Pakistani it was his desire that the Green Shirts should bring laurels to the country He said so far, there was no practical proposal to visit India in this regard, adding India should have issued visas to Pakistani fans and journalists Sports should be kept aloof from politics he said adding on the other hand they would have issued visas to Indians if the world cup was held in Pakistan

More than 1,000 perish in Hamas-Israel conflict as Netanyahu declares war on Gaza

FROM PAGE 01

CONTINUED

Hezbollah on Sunday said it had launched guided rockets and artillery onto three posts in the Shebaa Farms “in solidarity” with the Palestinian people

“Our history our guns and our rockets are with you ” said senior Hezbollah official Hashem Safieddine at an event in the Hezbollah stronghold of Dahieh on Beirut s outskirts in solidarity with the Palestinian fighters

The Lebanese army said shells and rockets had been launched from southern Lebanon onto “occupied Lebanese territory ” without saying who was responsible and that returning Israeli fire had left several people wounded Tehran s main regional ally Lebanon s Hezbollah fought a war with Israel in 2006 and said its guns and rockets stand with Hamas We recommend Hezbollah not to come into this and I don t think they will,” Israel’s army spokesperson said WA R C O N T I N U E S: In southern Israel, Hamas gunmen were still fighting Israeli security forces 24 hours after a surprise multi-pronged assault of rocket barrages and bands of gunmen who overran army bases and invaded border towns My two little girls they re only babies They re not even five years old and three years old, said Yoni Asher who had seen video of gunmen seizing his wife and two small daughters after she took them to visit her mother he said Israel’s military which faces questions over its failure to prevent the attack said it had regained control of most infiltration points along security barriers killed hundreds of attackers and taken dozens more prisoners

We re going to be attacking Hamas severely and this is going to be a long, long haul,” an Israeli military spokesperson told a briefing with reporters

The military said it had deployed tens of thousands of soldiers around Gaza a narrow strip that is home to 2 3 million Palestinians and was starting to evacuate all Israelis living around the frontier of the territory

This is my fifth war The war should stop I don t want to keep feeling this,” said Qassab al-Attar, a Pales-

tinian wheelchair user in Gaza whose brothers carried him to shelter when Israeli forces shelled their house

The attack by Hamas launched at dawn on Saturday represented the biggest and deadliest incursion into Israel since Egypt and Syria launched a sudden assault in an effort to reclaim lost territory in the Yom Kippur war 50 years ago

U S W I L L A LWAY S H AV E I S R A E L’S B A C K -

B I D E N: US President Joe Biden said on Saturday said the United States will always have Israel s back and warned no enemy of Israel should exploit the attacks

The conflict could undermine US-backed moves towards normalising relations between Israel and Saudi Arabia – a security realignment that could threaten Palestinian hopes of self determination and hem in Hamas’ main backer Iran

Meanwhile on Sunday US President Joe Biden spoke with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday US Secretary of State Antony Blinken earlier said Washington would announce new assistance for Israel on Sunday after Hamas fighters rampaged through Israeli towns, with the country suffering its bloodiest day in decades on Saturday Israel battered Palestinians with air strikes in Gaza on Sunday Hundreds have been reportedly killed on both sides

H O S TA G E S:

The debris from Saturday s attack still lay around southern Israeli towns and border communities on Sunday morning and Israelis were reeling from the sight of bloodied bodies lying on suburban streets, in cars and in their homes Palestinian fighters escaped back into Gaza with dozens of hostages including both soldiers and civilians

About 30 missing Israelis attending a dance party that was targeted during Saturday s attack emerged from hiding on Sunday, Israeli media reported

The capture of so many Israelis, some filmed being pulled through security checkpoints or driven bleeding into Gaza adds another layer of complication for Netanyahu after previous episodes when hostages were exchanged for many Palestinian prisoners

Hamas fired more rocket salvoes into Israel on Sunday with air raid sirens sounding across the south and the Israeli military said it would combine an evacuation of border areas with a search for more gunmen Israeli air strikes on Gaza began soon after the Hamas attack and continued overnight and into Sunday, destroying the group’s offices and training camps, but also houses and other buildings

In Khan Younis in southern Gaza people searched through the remains of a mosque early on Sunday We ended the night prayers and suddenly the mosque was bombed They terrorised the children, the elderly and women, said resident Ramez Hneideq

E S C A L AT I O N: The escalation comes against a backdrop of surging violence between Israel and Palestinian militants in the Israeli-occupied West Bank where a Palestinian authority exercises limited self-rule opposed by Hamas that wants Israel destroyed Conditions in the West Bank have worsened under Netanyahu s hard-right government with more Israeli raids and assaults by Jewish settlers on Palestinian villages, and the Palestinian Authority called for an emergency Arab League meeting

Peacemaking has been stalled for years and Israeli politics have been convulsed this year by internal wrangles over Netanyahu s plans to overhaul the judiciary

Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh said the assault that began in Gaza would spread to the West Bank and Jerusalem Gazans have lived under an Israeli-led blockade for 16 years since Hamas seized control of the territory in 2007

How many times have we warned you that the Palestinian people have been living in refugee camps for 75 years, and you refuse to recognise the rights of our people? Western countries, led by the United States, denounced the attack President Joe Biden issued a blunt warning to Iran and other countries: “This is not a moment for any party hostile to Israel to exploit these attacks Across the Middle East there were demonstrations in support of Hamas while Iran and Hezbollah

praised the attack

That Israel was caught completely off guard was lamented as one of the worst intelligence failures in its history a shock to a nation that boasts of its intensive infiltration and monitoring of militants

The main Tel Aviv Stock Exchange indexes fell 6% on Sunday ( TA35), ( TA125) and investors expected the violence to prompt a move into gold and other safehaven assets

The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) called on Sunday for the creation of humanitarian corridors to bring food into Gaza as Israeli air strikes pounded the Palestinian enclave following deadly Hamas attacks

“As the conflict intensifies, civilians, including vulnerable children and families face mounting challenges in accessing essential food supplies the Rome-based WFP said WFP urges safe and unimpeded humanitarian access to affected areas calling on all parties to uphold the principles of humanitarian law including ensuring access to food ”

The UN agency provides direct food assistance to some 350 000 Palestinians monthly while also offering aid to nearly 1 million Palestinians in cooperation with other humanitarian partners via cash transfers

WFP said it was ready to set up pre-positioned food stocks for people who had been displaced or were in shelters While most shops in the affected areas in Palestine currently maintain one month of food stocks, these risk being depleted swiftly as people buy up food in fear of a prolonged conflict ” it said

Israeli aircraft battered Gaza on Sunday after Israel suffered its bloodiest attack in decades when Hamas fighters rampaged through Israeli towns killing 600 and abducting dozens more

The Israeli military said it had deployed tens of thousands of soldiers around Gaza a narrow strip that is home to 2 3 million Palestinians amid widespread speculation of an imminent large-scale Israeli incursion into the territory

COMMENT

Keeping the PTI in the ring

JUI(F) and PPP chiefs’ suppor t for PTI points to an interesting national debate

JUI(F) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman and PPP cochairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari have both come out in support of the PTI taking part in the coming general election However, both also supported the holding accountable of those responsible for the May 9 incidents This is a convergence of positions from the earlier divergence of the two parties on the holding of elections While the JUI(F) is willing to go along with the over-stepping of the constitutional limit of 90 days Mr Zardari has come out in public with the demand that the limit be adhered to Incidentally the PPP seems divided on this issue with some not so sure that delimitations should not come first Both the Maulana and Mr Zardari could be seen taking principled stands Where the Maulana stressed that he would not ‘kick a man when he is down’ Mr Zardari expressed readiness to talk to the PTI before elections, showing that the doors of dialogue can never be closed in politics

However, their explicit support for accountability for the May 9 attacks also displayed another trait of democracy: that matters could not be taken into one s own hands An essential part of the dialogue between the political parties and the establishment about the latter s role in politics must be about how to protest decisions with which one does not agree May 9 could serve as an object lesson in what not to do: burning down military installations is not an option, nor is it the job of a political party to take on an armed force, no matter what its provocation The PPP suffered the trauma of its leader being hanged and one party worker burnt himself to death in protest but no attacks on military installations were carried out even though the hanging was carried out by a martial law government May 9 took place only because the PTI wanted to protest its leader being merely arrested

However, the PTI does represent a large section of the population; whether it represents the majority can only be tested at the hustings Keeping it away from that test may suit other parties, but cannot suit the nation In the end, accountability for May 9 can only come at the ballot box for the party; the courts may deal with individuals, but that does not mean that any party should be kept away from the poll

TH E neoliberal mantra that governments should just ‘facilitate the private sector ’ along with the practice of austerity policies have together meant lack of needed public investments over the years to build resilient economies Hence while private spending under another neoliberal mantra of market fundamentalism that market signals will bring optimal decisions for the economy, and therefore, regulation should be minimized on the contrary led to decisions by the private sector that mainly followed the profit-overpeople minded signals Overall when the covid-19 pandemic hit for instance, and all those years for example since roughly the start of the current millennium when covid-19 continued to spread from time to time as an epidemic, the cracks in the global economy in terms of lack of preparedness to deal with shocks lack weak public health sector in the case of dealing with a pandemic or better safeguards placed to keep bank lending in much cautious territory as the Global Financial Crisis of 2007-08 indicated as an outcome of lack of such safeguards over the years, all meant that neoliberal experiment had failed Criticizing this state of affairs of economics in his recently published book Nobel laureate in economics Angus Deaton was quoted from that book in an article A Nobel laureate offers a biting critique of economics published by Bloomberg as So, when the Princeton University emeritus professor has a new book out with the sober title Economics in America you might anticipate a valedictory celebration of the wonders of the discipline It’s anything but What Deaton calls his mea culpa is a broadside on his profession and some of its most celebrated figures Economists and their relentless focus on markets and efficiency, as well as their dogmatic attachment to theories (even after they’ve been disproven), have had life-or-death consequences for millions he argues Deaton believes [Larry] Summers and a small cadre of influential economists

helped lay the foundation for the Asian financial crisis of the late 1990s and also the 2008 global financial crisis by recklessly helping to ease restrictions on the flow of speculative capital around the world Deaton s primary complaint isn t with Summers

It s that the profession has become intoxicated with markets and money, losing sight of its primary mission as set out in its earliest days by Adam Smith, John Locke and others who came to economics via philosophy and other fields rather than commerce “The discipline has become unmoored from its proper basis which is the study of human welfare Deaton writes in his book Moreover United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) in its report on Trade and Development’ that it recently published and titled ‘Growth, debt, and climate: realigning the global financial architecture’ pointed out the negative impact of practice of over-board monetary austerity in terms of debt distress on a number of developing countries globally including Pakistan The Report pointed out in this regard This Report presents an alternative response, in which the pace of disinflation takes into consideration the impact of high real interest rates not only on inflation indicators but also on economic activity employment income inequality and fiscal stability In an interconnected world in which developing countries are potential engines of economic growth policymakers in advanced economies should take into account the damage that high interest rates can cause to long-term investment – both in terms of structural change and climate adaptation– as well as debt sustainability In the current international financial architecture policy space is easily curtailed by movements in financial markets with heavy impacts on social policies investment and employment generation Hence, there is a need to rein in austerity policies, for greater public investments, which in turn will bring greater empowerment of the demos in terms of their political voice towards pushing public policy for placing much-needed deeper taxes on the rich for instance

For making greater public investments while it is indeed important that developing countries enhance their tax base, and increase tax progressivity, it is also necessary to reduce the burden on developing countries to adopt austerity policies through reaching a much more meaningful level of multilateralism, especially in terms of both greater debt relief and a fresh allocation of special drawing rights (SDRs) to the tune of $650 billion as was done by the International Monetary Fund in August 2021 but with a much-needed needs-based (and not the usual quote-sharing formula) sharing criteria in these extraordinary times of a world in the grip of a polycrisis

It makes sense here to indicate a recently strong push made for such allocation of SDRs as pointed out by an October 4 2023 published article Exclusive: The congressional push to create $650 billion

Nature’s S.O.S for disappearing species

MO T H E R Nature and its species are disappearing at an alarming speed

Since the industrial revolution our planet’s environment has been changing rapidly due to the excessive emission of greenhouse gases and chlorofluorocarbons causing significant harm to both Mother Nature and its species Fortunately, more people worldwide have become aware of the risks associated with these issues and have initiated individual and collective efforts to protect and preserve nature and its species

Influential figures such as Sir David Attenborough and the late Australian conservationist Steve Irwin, who passed away over a decade and a half ago, have educated millions through their remarkable documentaries, inspiring global endeavours to safeguard our environment However despite these efforts the challenges remain immense and there is much more to be done to ensure the protection and preservation of our planet

Globally around 50 percent of all species are at the risk of extinction according to estimations

According to the International Union for the Conservation of Nature over 16 300 species are listed as endangered with 42 100 species threatened with extinction worldwide If the current disappearance rate continues more than one million species could become extinct by 2050

Many of us mostly love animals like lions, cheetahs, elephants, zebras, tigers, rhinoceroses, and pandas Unfortunately many of these beloved wild animals could disappear by the end of this century According to WWF there are only about 23 000 to 39 000 lions left in the wild and they could be extinct by 2050 The cheetah population is even more dire, with fewer than 7,000 individuals remaining The global elephant population stands at 400,000, but tragically, over 100 African elephants are lost every day due to poaching and habitat destruction The rhinoceros population totals 27 000 and there are fewer than 4 500 tigers left in the wild All these species are disappearing, and our future generations may not have the chance to see them Pakistan is home to some of the world’s most unique and rare fauna and flora This is due

to Pakistan s diverse landscape From snow-covered high-altitude peaks in the north to the sandy beaches of the south, Pakistan s landscape provides habitats including barren deserts, vast plains lowland wetlands alpine valleys and lush green meadows This wide range of habitat is home to unique and rare species such as the markhor snow leopard Indus river dolphin musk deer, Indian pangolin, nilgai, bharal, goitered gazelle, Siberian ibex, Sindhi ibex, lynx, wild goat, leopard, urial, Marco Polo sheep, Himalayan brown bear, and blackbuck Regrettably a significant number of these species face imminent risks due to illegal poaching hunting deforestation and habitat destruction Pakistan s national animal the markhor is classified as Near Threatened by the IUCN Creatures such as the Indus river dolphin, Indian pPangolin, and white-bellied musk deer are categorized as Endangered Species including the Marco Polo sheep and Siberian ibex hover close to being classified as Near Threatened while others such as the urial goitered gazelle Sindhi ibex snow leopard, and Indian leopard fall into the Vulnerable category Tragically, the Himalayan brown bear is listed as Critically Endangered Globally, the causes of these crises include climate change global warming recently arrived global boiling poaching and illegal hunting habitat destruction rapid population growth and various forms of pollution Global warming could lead to the submergence of several international cities in the near future, including Venice, Jakarta, Mumbai, and, sadly, Pakistan’s economic hub Karachi

Climate change and global warming are jointly responsible for extreme and unpredictable weather patterns, floods, droughts, rising temperatures health issues and a rapid loss of biodiversity Pakistan s biodiversity faces threats such as deforestation rapid population growth habitat destruction and sadly illegal hunting and poaching

The alarming rate of disappearance is a pressing concern, but we can take control and address it Time is running out and more effective efforts are urgently needed Across the globe numerous communities and organizations are dedicated to combating these crises

People are becoming increasingly aware of these issues, and governments worldwide are taking steps to safeguard nature and its species

In 2008, Ecuador became the first country to grant legal rights to Mother Nature in its constitution marking a significant milestone in nature conservation Following Ecuador s example several other countries including the United States, Bolivia, India, New Zealand, Panama, Australia, Colombia, Bangladesh, and Canada, have also granted legal rights to nature Pakistan should consider safeguarding nature’s rights at the national level This includes implementing a complete ban on animal hunting halting deforestation reducing carbon emissions, and promoting national awareness Effective legislation would be a crucial step in preserving nature Lastly, establishing more national parks, wildlife sanctuaries, and protected areas with improved management is of utmost importance

Ubaid Sahil is an undergraduate student and freelance writer

Pakistan should consider safeguarding natureÊs rights at the national level This includes implementing a complete ban on animal hunting, halting deforestation, reducing carbon emissions, and promoting national awareness

by ‘Axios’ as ‘The International Monetary Fund should, once again, create $650 billion in Special Drawing Rights (SDRs)– just as it did in 2021 That’s the view of a broad range of civil society institutions

It s also the view of 59 Democratic members of Congress including six senators who co-signed a letter to President Biden and Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen first obtained by Axios The SDR issuance has the potential to be transformative, not just for the domestic economies of low- and middle-income countries that are struggling with high debts but also for the global climate the letter argues The $650 billion number is carefully calibrated to be the maximum the IMF can issue without congressional approval If Yellen directs the US to vote in favour, then there s a very good chance the issuance will happen ’

To quote from the Letter in this regard ‘A new issuance of SDRs can be seen as an insurance policy for the US as well as the rest of the world and your administration can take effective action on its own by supporting a new issuance of SDRs at the IMF Leading your administration now to support a new issuance of at least $650 billion in SDRs is a simple, cost-free, and effective way of saving many export-related jobs including manufacturing and union jobs– in the US while saving many lives in developing countries and mitigating the effects of a global slowdown SDRs are a readily available and effective tool in your economic policy toolbox– we urge you to use it

With regard to understanding the importance of making larger public investments globally, renowned economist Mariana Mazuccato for instance pointed out in an article ‘Putting the Common Good at the centre of economic transformation published in a report Time for global public investment recently by Global Public Investment Network as follows: These principles are relevant at the international level as well and are well represented in the growing call for Global Public Investment [GPI]– a form of cooperative international investment that is co-created accountable ambitious and focused on the common good GPI puts the global common good at the heart of international public finance and foregrounds the role of public money as a valuable tool for shaping development outcomes, rather than filling the gap in the absence of other monies ’

Moreover, in the same report, noted global thinkers Jayati Ghosh and Jonathan Glennie indicated in their article International public finance cannot be replaced by private money as follows: A very large part of the investment required to meet the SDGs falls into one of these two categories This means that governments have to spend to ensure such investment, either directly or through directing market-based investments through incentives or regulation In many cases it is more impactful and more cost-effective for governments to undertake this directly through public investment

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

A new ‘assignment’

R E C E N T LY, power supply went off in my area in the morning as it happens frequently these days We waited for the next three hours before making a call to the customer care helpline of K-Electric (KE) One of the representatives picked my call and in a decent courteous manner asked about the issue and had me confirm my KE account number address (D606 Shamail Garden Block 19 Gulistan-i-Jauhar Karachi) and requested me to wait for a while I was expecting the usual reply citing some technical issue, but the KE representative s reply took me by surprise The supply had been deli-berately turned off due to collective non-payment by area residents Regardless of whatever argument I could put forth the KE representative remained polite but firm in the belief that I was part of the problem even if I had been paying my bills regularly I was advised to visit the KE corporate office in Gulistan-i-Jauhar if I wanted to pursue the matter further I went there with a few others, and there was a bigger surprise awaiting us at the corporate office We waited for about an hour before we were given an audience by the relevant official All he did was to give us a list of defaulters with their respective dues The gentleman behaved as if we were KE s recovery staff and were not doing our duty properly Make the defaulters pay the dues or electricity would not be restored This is what he told us Now, forget everything else, just answer a simple question; are we, the consumers, supposed to go door to door to facilitate the recovery process of KE? It is deliberately cutting off supplies to entire areas, which is an illegality Now it wants us to make recoveries as well This is the curse of monopolistic hold on market at its worst Will the National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (NEPRA) have a look into the matter? Please!

IKHLAQ UR REHMAN KARACHI

Malir river forest

O U R forest cover stands reduced owing to several reasons This is despite the fact that we have enormous potential of increasing such a cover Canada has 8,953 trees per person, Brazil has 1,491, China 102, and India 38 It is depressing that Pakistan has a mere five trees per person and when it comes to Karachi the horrible number is 0 35 Yes 0 35 trees per person London which is supposedly a modern concrete jungle has more than 21 per cent of its area under trees Any land that has 20pc trees is called a forest, and London meets that criterion

Fortunately for Karachi, we have dry Malir River which can be converted into a forest We can use the construction of Malir Expressway, and make the contractor not only plant three rows of trees on either side with local fruit-bearing trees like jaman cheeko and guava but also nurture them till the completion of the project Malir River snakes around the heart of the city and travels some 36km before making a landfall into the Arabian Sea

The average width of the river is 1km This is an ideal opportunity to make it an urban forest of 36 square kilometres, corresponding to 8,892 acres The Changa Manga, one of the world’s largest man-made forests, occupies 12 515 acres and has 14 species of trees and more than 40 species of birds animals and insects If it can happen at Changa Manga there is reason to believe that it can happen here as well If we convert Malir River into a forest we will have more trees than the number of people in Karachi The ratio of tree versus population would definitely increase manifold The annual monsoon will make water flow through the trees The sewerage being used currently for growing vegetables will take care of the newly-planted trees The forest will help subsoil water retention and birds animals butterflies and honey bees will be attracted decreasing Karachi s overall temperature Moreover it will provide New York s Central Park-like facilities for enter-tainment-starved people of Karachi S NAYYAR IQBAL RAZA KARACHI

r g e n t n e e d f o r m u c h g r e a t e r

l o b a l P u b l i c I n v e s t m e n t ’

Financial literacy: An essential par t of human life

ices, such as bank accounts, loans, and retirement accounts, helps individuals make informed choices that align with their financial goals

g ECONOMIC AWARENESS: Understanding basic economic concepts and how they affect personal finances such as inflation interest rates and economic cycles, is important for making informed financial decisions

Promoting financial literacy is a global initiative because it has a direct impact on economic well-being and stability Governments educational institutions non-profit organizations and financial institutions often offer resources courses and programs to enhance financial literacy among individuals of all ages Improving financial literacy can lead to better financial decision-making, increased savings, reduced debt, and overall financial well-being

events on personal finances

e DIGITALIZATION AND TECHNOLOGY: The advent of digital technologies has transformed the way people manage their finances Mobile banking online investing and digital payment systems are now common requiring individuals to adapt to new tools and platforms

f EDUCATIONAL GAPS: Traditional education systems often do not provide comprehensive financial education Many individuals enter adulthood without a solid understanding of basic financial principles leading to poor financial decisions

g FINANCIAL CRISES: Events such as the global financial crisis of 2008 underscored the importance of financial literacy Many individuals suffered financial hardships due to issues like subprime mortgages, highlighting the need for better financial education and awareness

d SAVINGS AND INVESTMENTS: financially literate individuals are more likely to save for shortterm and long-term goals They are also better positioned to understand various investment options and make choices that align with their financial objectives

e FINANCIAL PLANNING: financial literacy is crucial for effective financial planning Individuals who are financially literate can set realistic financial goals create budgets and develop strategies to achieve their objectives over time

f RISK MANAGEMENT: Understanding financial risks is an essential component of financial literacy

This includes knowledge about insurance emergency funds, and strategies to mitigate risks associated with investments

g RETIREMENT PLANNING: financial literacy is particularly important for planning for retirement

FI N A N C I A L literacy is the ability to understand and use various financial skills including personal financial management budgeting and investing It involves the knowledge of financial concepts such as earning saving spending borrowing, and investing, as well as the ability to make informed decisions about these matters financial literacy is crucial for individuals and families to navigate the complex world of personal finance and make sound financial choices

Key concepts include:

a BUDGETING: Creating and maintaining a budget helps individuals track their income and expenses, enabling them to make informed decisions about their spending and saving

b SAVING AND INVESTING: Understanding the importance of saving money and the various investment options available is fundamental to building wealth over time This includes knowledge about stocks, bonds, mutual funds, real estate, and other investment vehicles

c CREDIT MANAGEMENT: Knowledge about credit scores credit reports and responsible borrowing is essential for managing debt effectively and maintaining a good credit history

d FINANCIAL PLANNING: Developing a longterm financial plan involves setting goals, creating a strategy to achieve them, and understanding the implications of financial decisions on future wellbeing

e RISK MANAGEMENT: Understanding and managing financial risks is crucial This includes knowledge about insurance emergency funds and strategies to mitigate risks associated with investments

f UNDERSTANDING FINANCIAL PRODUCTS:

Being aware of various financial products and serv-

The background of financial literacy is rooted in the increasing complexity of modern financial systems and the recognition that individuals need the knowledge and skills to navigate these systems effectively

Several factors contribute to the background and evolution of financial literacy which include:

a COMPLEX FINANCIAL LANDSCAPE: As financial systems have become more intricate with a variety of investment options banking products and credit instruments the average person requires a basic understanding of these concepts to make informed decisions

b SHIFT IN RESPONSIBILITY: In many societies, there has been a shift from employer-sponsored pension plans to individual responsibility for retirement savings This change places a greater emphasis on individuals to make wise investment decisions and plan for their financial future

c RISE OF PERSONAL DEBT: With the proliferation of credit cards and easy access to loans, individuals are more susceptible to debt-related issues financial literacy is crucial for understanding the implications of borrowing and managing debt responsibly

d GLOBALIZATION: Increased interconnectedness and globalization have made it essential for individuals to understand international economic trends currency fluctuations, and the impact of global

h DEMANDS FOR CONSUMER PROTECTION:

The recognition of the vulnerability of consumers in financial markets has led to increased calls for consumer protection Thus, financial literacy is seen as a key tool in empowering consumers to make informed choices and avoid financial pitfalls Efforts to promote financial education range from school curricula enhancements to workplace training programs and public awareness campaigns financial literacy provides a wide range of benefits both at the individual and societal levels In this context, the key advantages of being financially literate include:

a EMPOWERMENT: financial literacy empowers individuals to take control of their financial lives

Understanding financial concepts and principles enables people to make informed decisions and feel more confident about managing their money

b SMART FINANCIAL DECISION-MAKING: financially literate individuals are better equipped to make sound financial decisions They can budget effectively, save for the future, and make informed choices about investments and other financial matters c DEBT MANAGEMENT: financial literacy includes knowledge about interest rates credit scores and strategies for reducing and eliminating debt

a n d avo i d f i n a n c i a l p i t f a l l s . E f fo r t s t o p ro m o t e f i n a n c i a l e d u c a t i o n r a n g e f ro m s c h o o l c u r r i c u l a e n h a n c e m e n t s t o wo r k p l a c e t r a i n i n g p ro g r a m s a n d p u b l i c aw a r e n e s s c a m p a i g n s

Individuals who are aware of retirement savings options investment strategies and the impact of inflation on long-term savings are better prepared for their retirement years

h ECONOMIC STABILITY: A population that is financially literate contributes to economic stability

When individuals make informed financial decisions it can reduce the likelihood of financial crises and their broader economic impact

i REDUCED FINANCIAL STRESS: financial literacy can help individuals manage financial stress

When people have the knowledge and skills to navigate their finances effectively, they are less likely to experience the stress associated with financial uncertainty

j INCREASED ECONOMIC PARTICIPATION: financially literate individuals are more likely to participate actively in the economy They are better positioned to access financial services, contribute to economic growth, and make choices that align with their values and goals

k CONSUMER PROTECTION: financial literacy acts as a form of consumer protection Informed consumers are less likely to fall victim to financial scams predatory lending practices or other forms of financial exploitation

l GENERATIONAL IMPACT: In addition, financial literacy can have a positive impact across generations Parents who are financially literate can pass on their knowledge to their children creating a cycle of financial education that benefits families over time

The writer is a Youth Motivator presently Professor of Political Science along with Dean Student s Welfare (DSW), at B N Mandal University, Madhepura (Bihar), India His 25 books published in addition to about 1000 articles in national and international journals and daily newspapers from 25 foreign countries

India’s dangerous ‘discourse power’ in the West

Like the Hudson event, the U SIndia relationship is increasingly being scripted on New D elhi ’s terms

GLOBELY NEWS

A r f r A f q

If China or Russia conducted an assassination on the territory of a U S treaty ally, one would expect calls in Washington for serious consequences And if a representative of either government appeared at a public forum in the United States he or she would face rigorous questioning

Yet India is receiving no such treatment in Washington in the wake of revelations last month by Canadian

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau that his government had proof “agents of India” murdered a Canadian citizen on Canadian soil Instead India an important partner that is not and will never be a U S ally is being treated with kid gloves even as it seeks to actively shape the elite discourse in the West and widen cracks between Western allies using tactics that include disinformation An increasingly authoritarian, Hindu majoritarian India with an active overseas killing and disinformation campaign needs far greater scrutiny in the West

J A I S H A N K A R D O E S WA S H I N G TO N: On friday

Indian foreign Minister S Jaishankar spoke before the conservative Hudson Institute in Washington Unlike most figures in India s ruling Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Jaishankar is an articulate, worldly man Jaishankar is the opposite of the typical BJP legislator BJP members are more often than not local ruffians who entered the party through its extremist parent organization the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) a cadre organization built along the lines of the Nazi Party

Through incitement to violence, actual violence, and criminal activity, it’s these folks who win elections for the BJP Jaishankar is needed for the BJP to win the world

Watch Jaishankar in action and you’ll see why he’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi s most powerful diplomatic weapon He deftly alternates between deploying gravitas and pugnacity to command the respect of the powerful and disarm critics But, increasingly these days, he is less pressed to labor In the West, the game is being fixed in India’s favor The Hudson Institute is friendly territory for Jaishankar for many reasons one could say he has a home-field advantage there given the tilt of its work on South Asia and funding The BJP s Rajeev Chandrasekhar for example was a Hudson Institute donor and trustee from 2018 through 2020 while serving in the Indian parliament Washington, more broadly, is friendly ground for Jaishankar His son, Dhruva, runs the DC office of a state-aligned Indian think tank the Observer Research foundation (ORf) The ORf is funded by Mukesh Ambani an Indian oligarch whose wealth has surged during the Modi era It partners with India s foreign ministry to organize one of the world s largest policy forums: the Raisina Dialogue Senior officials and experts from across the world, including the United States, are flown in The event and ORf fellowships are key tools in cultivating India-friendly voices overseas Walter Russell Mead the moderator of the Hudson event is emerging as an influencer friendly not only to

India, but also to the BJP and RSS He took unusual care to protect Jaishankar from difficult questions limiting audience interaction to pre-screened submissions by email Unsurprisingly the first question concerned the Canada killing Mead took 35 seconds to ask the question Jaishankar s response lasted only two seconds He simply said, “Sure, I think I answered that ” A compliant Mead replied “You’ve answered it Ok We move on ” Jaishankar and Mead had broached the assassination just moments earlier but not in any way that was meaningful or even tasteful After the two men made a few jokes at Canada s expense, Mead then addressed the killing in a roundabout fashion, asking Jaishankar how Trudeau’s accusation has impacted U S -India relations Jaishankar responded not by denying an Indian hand in the killing but only by saying that Trudeau’s allegation is not consistent with our policy Jaishankar then proceeded for the next few minutes to go through a litany of complaints about Canada claiming that his diplomats feel unsafe there During this exchange, neither he nor Mead mentioned the Indian-born Hardeep Singh Nijjar, the Canadian Sikh leader whose body was riddled with 36 bullets by agents of India Mead was also unchallenging on the issue of human rights in India letting out a freudian slip when he asked Jaishankar: How would you try to shape the conversation or how would you respond to some of the concerns people have here?

Jaishankar’s reply was callous He dismissed claims of human rights violations in India as the complaints of powerful overprivileged minorities at home and in the West using the dog whistle vote banks to describe them

Like the Hudson event, the U S -India relationship is increasingly being scripted on New Delhi s terms India s growing influence brings to mind the term “discourse power” a common translation of the Mandarin term “huàyǔ quán” used by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) to refer to among other things its ability to shape the global conversation on China In Washington India has been far more effective than China in commanding discourse power The BJP is radically transforming India, dismantling its secular edifice and replacing it with an expressly Hindu regime that pummels Christians and Muslims into submission through incessant hate organized violence and state coercion

But Washington think tanks including ones that host India-focused programs rarely discuss the BJP s human rights record let alone its Hindutva ideology and the networks behind it Some experts shy away from these topics so much that they euphemistically refer to the BJP’s campaign to render Christians and Muslims second-class citizens as its “social agenda ”

The shadowy powerful RSS largely goes unmentioned in Washington even by U S experts who speak at RSS-affiliated think tanks The reason? Doing so in an open setting would force discussion of the RSS s radical aims and its influence over the BJP agenda Ignoring the RSS allows India observers here to pretend that the BJP is merely a center-right party and not the political face of a violent extremist movement But there are now signs the RSS is beginning to come in from the cold And it is engaging and in some cases cultivating Western voices like Mead, a scholar who has been associated with prestigious think tanks for over two decades

Mead was also unchallenging on the issue of human rights in India

The shadow y, power ful RSS largely goes unmentioned in Washington even by U S exper ts who speak at RSS -affiliated think tanks

ated with RSS and other Hindu nationalist networks that dominate India today

During a trip to India in March Mead was joined by billionaire Harlan Crow a major donor to the Hudson Institute and other conservative groups Crow Mead, and others in their group met with leading Hindu nationalist figures, including Mohan Bhagwat, the chief of the extremist RSS

Upon returning to the U S Mead argued in the Wall Street Journal that the West “need[s] to engage much more deeply with the RSS which he described not only as a complex and powerful movement but also as the most powerful civil-society organization in the world

There is nothing civil about the RSS The thrice-banned organization has a long history of violence Its leaders continue to make open calls for murder and its pracharaks (workers) whom Mead later compared to the Jesuits have taken part in the massacre of Christians Muslims and Sikhs for decades

There s a reoccurring pattern in Mead s apologetics on violent Hindu nationalist groups He makes oblique references to their inescapable history of hate and violence, which he then neutralizes with counterfactuals generally BJP or RSS talking points that falsely suggest these individuals or groups are changing for the better for example Mead writes that his conversation with Yogi Adityanath the fanatic Hindu priest and vigilante group founder who rules India s largest state was about bringing investment and development to his state That may indeed be the face that Adityanath shows outsiders But a simple Google search would reveal the face he is showing his own people

Prior to becoming chief minister of Uttar Pradesh

Adityanath was jailed for inciting anti-Muslim riots called for a religious war with Muslims and said Muslim women should be abducted to avenge Hindu women marrying Muslim men As chief minister, he s promoted the “love jihad” conspiracy theory that falsely claims that Muslim men woo Hindu women to trick them into converting to Islam These days he’s known as “Bulldozer Baba ” because of his government s destruction of Muslim homes

H O W TO S A N I T I Z E A K I L L E R: In 2002, as chief minister of the Gujarat state, Modi presided over antiMuslim pogroms that saw over a thousand people dead Muslim men, women, children, and even the unborn were slaughtered in the most cruel and barbaric ways by workers of the BJP RSS and other Hindu nationalist groups as state police looked on The magazine India

Today condemned Modi as the Hero of Hatred A British government investigation found Modi directly responsible for the mass killings

Aided by the star power of crony businessmen Ambani and Gautam Adani Modi used the biennial Vibrant Gujarat business forum to market himself as a pro-business reformer He never apologized for the violence

As Modi refashioned himself as a statesman he left it up to his right-hand man, Amit Shah, to do the dirty work And as prospects for Modi becoming prime minister grew, important voices in Washington, including former ambassador to India Robert Blackwill returned from trips to Gujarat to report that Modi was a changed man Mead s attempts to sanitize the image of Adityanath a potential future prime minister are alarming because he represents a more pernicious brand of Hindu nationalism that fuses priestly power with state and mob brutality

Yet Mead writes that he left India “more hopeful ” Hindu nationalists he claims are motivated “less [by] antagonism against Islam than fear for the future of India ”

He suggests that the RSS is pushing for a Hindu identity because this is only what can unite a diverse India

This is absolutely not true Anti-Muslim demoniza-

tion remains at the heart of the BJP’s politics Turn on an Indian news channel and there’s a good chance you’ll find a segment whipping up anti-Muslim hysteria

Hatred of Muslims is what drives the BJP and RSS

It is their fundamental obsession And so is the pursuit of power Inciting hatred and violence toward Muslims has real political value It s how the BJP wins elections Hindus are divided on the basis of caste and language The notion of a pan-Hindu identity and a single Hindu religion are modern inventions Caste remains the fundamental social identifier in India determining who Indians marry and for whom they vote To get Hindus to vote across caste lines for a single candidate or party requires a uniting force In India, that unifying force is the invented Muslim “enemy ” Ahead of elections, the BJP regularly incites Hindu-Muslim clashes to consolidate and reinforce the Hindu vote Sadly it works Modi has been so successful in consolidating the Hindu vote that he s neutralized the Muslim vote Muslim political influence in India is now at its nadir Today Muslims are roughly 15 percent of the population but only 5 percent of parliamentarians As of mid-2022, there was not a single Muslim among the BJP legislators in any elected assembly across India

Muslims have been rendered politically irrelevant at the national level Bigoted slurs are now openly directed at them in parliament And rarely does a week go by without a Muslim being beaten or killed for allegedly transporting beef Their physical security is in danger Mead may have left India “more hopeful,” but few of the Muslims who remain in the country likely share his sentiment

T I M E TO T U R N T H E TA B L E S: Through its discourse power New Delhi is setting not just the narrative about it in Washington but also the terms of the bilateral relationship This imbalance not only endangers minorities in India, it also gives New Delhi the space to engage in further actions that violate the sovereignty of Western liberal democracies challenge their interests and threaten the lives of their citizens Like China and Russia India opposes Western primacy and is exploiting cracks in the Western alliance Today state-aligned commentators in India gloat that their country is more important than Canada to the United States

Similarly, as Jaishankar mocks and bullies Canada, he’s become more effusive in his characterization of the U S -India partnership Clearly he’s trying to create a wedge between Ottawa and Washington

State-aligned actors are also directing disinformation toward the West Ludicrous claims by a former Indian diplomat that cocaine was discovered on Trudeau s plane made their way into the tabloid Toronto Sun Canada s defense minister called the allegation “categorically false” and “disinformation ” A BJP official accused Trudeau of having a gay affair with the slain Nijjar Indian news outlets have also tried to muddy the waters by claiming that the Sikh leader or his counterparts are U S or Canadian intelligence assets

Hindu nationalist disinformation and hate speech are also fueling Hindu-Muslim conflict in multireligious immigrant communities in the West, including in Leicester, England and Edison New Jersey Newer migrants bring with them Modi s Hindutva ideology and its aggressive hate toward Muslims India is playing by its own rules both at home and abroad It s able to do so not because of its inherent strength, but due to the space the West has conceded to it

Arif Rafiq is the editor of Globely News He has contributed commentary and analysis on global issues for publications such as Foreign Affairs Foreign Policy the New Republic the New York Times and POLITICO Magazine

Dr rAjkumAr Singh

I R A N ’ S R A I S I B A C KS PA L E S T I N I A N S E L F - D E F E N C E , W A R N S I S R A E L

TEHRAN Ag e n c e s

PRESIDENT

Ebrahim Raisi said on Sunday that Iran supports the Palestinians right to self-defence and warned Israel must be held accountable for endangering the region a day after Hamas attacked Israel Palestinian militants from the Iranbacked Islamist group Hamas which controls the Gaza strip, penetrated Israel at dawn on Saturday under the cover of a massive rocket barrage

Almost 1,000 people have been killed in the conflict so far with Israel reporting more than 600 lives lost and Gaza s health ministry putting its toll at 370 dead Iran supports the legitimate defence of the Palestinian nation, Raisi said, quoted by state television The Zionist regime (Israel) and its supporters are responsible for endangering the security of nations in the region and they must be held accountable in this

matter He urged Muslim governments to “support the Palestinian nation” while praising “resistance” efforts by Hamas and Islamic Jihad as well as in countries including Syria Lebanon and Iraq

Raisi had spoken earlier with leaders of Hamas and Islamic Jihad, official media said State news agency IRNA said he had “discussed the developments in Palestine” in separate phone calls with Islamic Jihad secretary general Ziyad al Nakhalah and Hamas chief Ismail Haniyeh

The Islamic republic hosted talks with leaders of Hamas and Islamic Jihad in June

At the time, Raisi said Israel was seeking to normalise ties with more Arab and Muslim countries “to discourage young Palestinians from (seeking to) liberate the occupied territories” according to the presidency

On Saturday hundreds of people gathered in major cities of Iran including in Tehran s Palestine Square, carrying the Palestinian flag They also held pictures of Iranian general Qasem Soleimani, who was

assassinated in a US drone attack in Baghdad in 2020 after overseeing the Revolutionary Guards’ foreign operations for more than a decade Billboards celebrating the offensive Hamas has dubbed Al-Aqsa Flood were installed in the capital including one declaring: The great liberation operation has begun Crowds in some cities set off fireworks and torched Israeli flags

Others marched in Palestinian colours while motorists honked their horns in jubilation as seen in video footage from IRNA

Iran does not recognise Israel and has made support for the Palestinian cause a centrepiece of its foreign policy since the 1979 Islamic Revolution

The bitter rivals have engaged in a shadow war for years with Iran accusing Israel of a series of sabotage attacks and assassinations targeting its nuclear programme

The United States and Israel have previously accused Iran of using drones and missiles to attack US forces and Israel-linked ships in the Gulf

US ‘likely’ to give details on new militar y assistance for Israel: Blinken

WASHINGTON

Ag e n c i e s

The United States, a close ally and major supplier of arms to Israel, could announce new military support Sunday following the Hamas attack Secretary of State Antony Blinken said “We’re looking at specific additional requests that the Israelis have made I think you re likely to hear more about that later today Blinken told CNN President (Joe) Biden s direction was to make sure that we re providing Israel everything it needs in this moment to deal with the attacks from Hamas The conflict s worst escalation in decades has claimed more than 600 lives on the Israeli side, the government press office said, while Gaza officials reported at least 370 deaths, with thousands more wounded on each side “We have reports that several Americans were killed We’re working overtime to verify that At the same time there are reports of missing Americans and there again we re working to verify those reports Blinken said He told ABC that this is a massive terrorist attack that is gunning down Israeli civilians in their towns in their homes and as we ve seen so graphically literally dragging people across the border with Gaza So, you can imagine the impact this is having throughout Israel And the world should be revolted at what it has seen

19th A sian G ames conclude in Hangzhou, C hina

The 19th Asian Games concluded at the Hangzhou

Olympic Sports Center Stadium in Hangzhou, east China’s Zhejiang Province, on Sunday night Raja Randhir Singh, acting president of the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) formally declared the 19th Asian Games closed

After 15 days of competition featuring 11 830 athletes from 45 countries and regions in 481 events across 61 disciplines in 40 sports, a total of 15 world records, 37 Asian records and 170 Asian Games records were set, highlighting the incredible performances and the efforts behind them by the participating athletes as well as the teams behind them

BCCI to release more tickets for Indo-Pak clash amid terror threat

DELHI

Ag e n c i e s

The BCCI have confirmed that 14,000 tickets will be released to fans ahead of the meeting between India and Pakistan at the ICC Men s Cricket World Cup India and Pakistan s group stage meeting at Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad at the World Cup on October 14 is one of the most anticipated fixtures of the tournament Meanwhile concerns have arisen following a terrorist threat received by Indian police, targeting the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad

The threat conveyed through an email from a terrorist group demanded a payment of INR 5 billion and the release of jailed gangster Ravi Bishnoi The Mumbai police traced the origin of the email to Europe and authorities are taking the threat seriously Security measures for the World Cup games will be reassessed and enhanced if deemed necessary “We will blow up Narendra Modi and the Narendra Modi stadium as well if the government fails to pay us ₹500 crore and release Lawrence Bishnoi Everything sells in Hindustan, so we too have bought something No matter how much you secure you won t be able to remain safe from us If you wish to talk, do so on this email, read the email sent to the National Investigation Agency (NIA)

China, which had 886 athletes, the second-most in Asian Games history, won a record 201 gold, 11 silver and 71 bronze medals leading the medal standings for the 11th straight time Xie Zhenye who won the men s 100-meter and the men s 4×100-meter relay gold medals at the Asian Games carried the flag on behalf of China at the closing ceremony T h e c l o s i n g c e r e m o n y o f t h e A s i a n G a m e s w a s an 85-minute-long farewell party that included four clips two programs and one carnival According to Z h a n g S h i q i a n t h e c r e a t i v e d i r e c t o r o f t h e c l o s i n g ceremony some 40 000 light-emitting diodes (LEDs) w e r e i n s t a l l e d u n d e r t h e t u r f o f t h e H a n g z h o u Olympic Sports Center Stadium as an important part o f t h e s h o w, C G T N r e p o r t e d S u n d a y, O c t o b e r 8 , m a r k e d t h e b e g i n n i n g o f t h i s y e a r ’s H a n l u , o n e o f

China’s 24 solar terms

It began with the final blossoming days of lotus and the newly blossoming of sweet osmanthus The LEDs in combination of augmented reality (AR) technology generated tides and various pictures of both flowers turning the stadium into Asia s most beautiful garden, in the director s words, as a farewell to the visiting friends

The digital torchbearer that drew worldwide attention at the opening ceremony now has a name: Pioneer a youngster who faces and battles the risks in an era that surges forward The avatar came to the stadium again at the end of the closing ceremony and waved goodbye to the participants as the flame went out The next edition of the Asian Games will take place in Aichi and Nagoya in Japan in 2026

India empowers J&K admin to seize funds, assets of Shabbir Shah’s DFP

SRINAGAR

Ag e n c e s

Two days after banning Jammu and Kashmir Democratic Freedom Party led by jailed leader Shabbir Shah the India s Ministry of Home Affairs delegated powers to the J&K administration to order seizure of its funds properties and assets under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act-1967 According to Kashmir Media Service, the MHA on Sunday, issued a notification empowering the J&K administration to order seizure of funds, properties and assets of the Hurriyat organisation The notification states that in exercise of the powers conferred by section 42 of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act 1967 the Indian government directs that all powers exercisable by it under section 7 and section 8 of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act-1967 shall also be exercised by the J&K administration in relation to the banned outfit

Indian flood toll up to 7 7 as waters recede

TIBET

Ag e n c e s

An American mountaineer and her Nepali guide were killed in an avalanche on Mount Shishapangma in Tibet southwest China tour companies told AFP on Sunday with two still missing and one seriously injured Mount Shishapangma, one of the highest mountains in the world, peaks at 8,027 metres (26,335 feet) above sea level and is entirely located within Chinese territory

The accident occurred Saturday afternoon at an altitude of between 7,600 and 8,000 meters , China s state news agency Xinhua said, citing the Tibet Sports Bureau, which confirmed the toll

Mingma David Sherpa of Elite

Exped which was handling the expedition told AFP that Anna Gutu an American mountaineer had been killed We have received reports that Anna and her guide were hit by the avalanche yesterday, their bodies have been recovered ” he said

There are other climbers missing as well and rescue efforts are underway he said Those efforts were complicated by the fact that helicopters cannot be used on the mountain due to Chinese restrictions he added Tashi Sherpa of Seven Summit Treks identified the missing as American climber Gina Marie Rzucidlo and her guide Tenjin Lama Sherpa Two avalanches hit the

mountain yesterday impacting several climbers Some were injured and two American climber (Gina Marie Rzucidlo) and our guide Tenjin, are missing, he said Search efforts are underway ” Tenjin became the toast of the mountaineering community this year after setting the record for the fastest summit of all 14 of the world s 8 000-metre (26,000-feet) mountains alongside Norway s Kristin Harila

Erdogan to open modern Turkish state’s first new church

ISTANBUL

Ag e n c i e s

President Recep Tayyip Erdogan planned Sunday to inaugurate the first church built with government backing in overwhelmingly Muslim Turkey s 100-year history as a post-Ottoman state

The Mor Ephrem Syriac Orthodox Church s opening marks an important cultural and political moment for both Turkey and its powerful leader Erdogan drew widespread condemnation during his two-decade rule for converting ancient churches into mosques and making Islamic conservatism into a leading social force

He has always countered that he was simply restoring the rights of pious Muslims in the staunchly secular

republic founded by Mustafa Kemal Ataturk in 1923

Erdogan laid the first stone for the church s construction for Istanbul s 17,000-strong Assyrian Christians in 2019 “This is the first newly built church to open its doors since the founding of the Turkish Republic ” Istanbul Syriac Kadim Foundation president Sait Susin told reporters Assyrian Christianity traces its history to communities that lived in the first century AD in a region stretching from southeastern Turkey to Syria and Iraq Its main church moved from the Turkish city of Mardin to Damascus in 1932 Susin separately told the Anadolu state news agency that some small churches had quietly opened in Turkey in the past 100 years

But they did so “without official permission It is the first time that a church has been officially built This

gives us great pride Susin said Erdogan drew international indignation for converting Istanbul s iconic Hagia Sophia once the world s largest cathedral from a museum into a mosque in 2020 The United Nations cultural body UNESCO expressed “grave concern” at the time Erdogan brushed the criticism aside and did exactly the same thing to Istanbul s Byzantine-era Chora Church later that same year Greece called that conversion yet another provocation against religious persons everywhere Erdogan came under particularly strong attacks at home for unveiling a new mosque in 2021 on Taksim Square a central Istanbul gathering point built around a monument celebrating Ataturk’s foundation of the secular Turkish state

KALIMPONG WEST BENGAL INDIA Ag e n c e s

At least 77 people are confirmed dead in the floods that hit India s northeast, authorities said Sunday, with destroyed roads and bridges leaving thousands more still cut off despite waters receding Violent torrents struck Sikkim state on Wednesday after a high-altitude glacial lake suddenly burst Scientists warn that similar disasters will become an increasing danger across the Himalayas as global temperatures rise and ice melts spurred by climate change A total of 29 bodies have been retrieved from different parts of Sikkim,” state relief commissioner Anilraj Rai told AFP by phone In neighbouring West Bengal state Jalpaiguri district police told AFP that another 48 bodies had been recovered More than 100 people are still missing according to official figures Water levels along the Teesta river returned to normal four days after the floods hit, an official from Sikkim s state disaster control room told AFP The office said more than 2,500 people stranded in the floods had been rescued But evacuations have been complicated by the destruction of roads bridges and telephone lines across much of Sikkim Another 3 000 people were still stranded in several relief camps in the state s north with airlift rescues delayed by bad weather, the office said More than 1,200 houses were damaged by the floods, according to the state government Among the dead were eight Indian army soldiers posted to Sikkim which sits on India’s remote frontiers with Nepal and China and boasts a sizeable military presence India s defence ministry said in a Saturday statement that the floods had washed away firearms and explosives from military camps Local media reports on Friday said that two people had been killed and four others injured by a mortar shell that exploded while flowing through the flood waters in West Bengal The water surge came after intense rainfall burst the high-altitude Lhonak Lake which sits at the base of a glacier in peaks surrounding the world s third-highest mountain Kangchenjunga Water powered downstream, adding to a river already swollen by monsoon rains, damaging a dam and sweeping away houses Himalayan glaciers are melting faster than ever due to climate change, exposing communities to unpredictable and costly disasters according to the International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD) research group

Kohli, R ahul guide ner v y India to 6-wicket win over Australia

CHENNAI

Ag e n c e s I n d i a l a u n c h e d t h e i r h o m e Wo r l d C u p c a m p a i g n w i t h a s i x - w i c k e t v i c t o r y o v e r A u s t r a l i a a f t e r Vi r a t K o h l i a n d K L R a h u l g u i d e d t h e m t h r o u g h a j i t t e r y r u n c h a s e o n S u n d a y

The hosts probably expected their chase to be a cakewalk after their spin-heavy attack bundled out the five-times champions for 199 with three deliveries left in the Australian innings India, however, made a shocking start to their reply with there of their top four batters falling for ducks for the first time in an ODI inside two overs

Dropped on 12 by Mitchell Marsh off Josh Hazlewood Kohli went on to make 85 as he masterminded yet another successful chase for India His collaborator in the 165run fourth-wicket stand, KL Rahul, produced a chanceless knock of 97 not out as India reached the target in 41 2 overs

India captain Rohit Sharma said

There were some loose shots but that happens Credit to Virat and KL for creating that match-winning partnership ” Australia would be particularly unhappy with their batting as no one reached fifty though David Warner (41) and Steve Smith (46) got decent starts after Pat Cummins elected to bat Kohli took a sharp, diving catch in the slip to dismiss Marsh for a duck when the opener edged Jasprit Bumrah in the third over REBUILDING JOB Warner and Smith combined in a rebuilding job though boundaries were not easy to come by as India s three-pronged spin attack applied the chokehold India had used Kuldeep Yadav sparingly in the buildup to the tournament wary of over-exposing him and the wrist-spinner

took them near the 200-mark

Defending a paltry total, Australia’s pace attack decided to fight fire with fire and Starc set the tone by removing Ishan Kishan for a first-ball duck India s poor start became a veritable nightmare as Josh Hazlewood began with a double-wicket maiden Hazlewood trapped Rohit lbw with his third ball and Shreyas Iyer became the third Indian to fall for a duck when he slapped the ball to Warner at short cover It could easily have been 20-4 for India had Marsh not dropped Kohli in what proved a costly mistake

While Kohli absorbed pressure at one end, Rahul released it by hitting Adam Zampa for three boundaries in one over as the batters focused on risk-free accumulation of runs Kohli fell to Hazlewood but Rahul held firm to seal India s victory with his second six We were at least 50-odd runs short, Cummins rued It was going to be tough defending 200 on that wicket Their spinners in particular made it tough out there ”

Two dead, two missing af ter avalanche hits T ibet ’s Mt S hishapangma

CORPORATE CORNER

IESCO fines Rs112m 1,695 power pilferers; recovers Rs353m from defaulters

ISLAMABAD

In order to eradicate the elements of electricity theft and to recover the dues from the defaulters the detection and recovery teams of IESCO in Islamabad

Rawalpindi City Rawalpindi Cantt Attock Jhlum and Chakwal Circles with the support of the police and the district administration, are carrying out a series of operations under the supervision of Chief Executive IESCO Dr Muhammad Amjad Khan

During the ongoing campaign started from September against electricity thieves more than 0 1 million electricity meters were checked and penalties exceeding 21 million were imposed on 2695 consumers based on direct supply slowness and tampered meters Additionally police lodged FIRs and arrested 299 electricity thieves During the campaign for the recovery of dues from electricity defaulters IESCO's recovery teams collected dues exceeding 353 3 million from 22 624 defaulters across the region and multiple meters and transformers were removed due to non-payment Both campaigns, under the directives of the Government of Pakistan and the Ministry of Energy, are being welcomed in public constituencies, and there is a demand for the continued operation of these campaigns because the burden of electricity theft and defaulters should not fall on the general public The effectiveness of IESCO s detection and recovery teams was appreciated by the Chief Executive of IESCO, who stated that they are implementing a zero-tolerance policy against electricity theft and non-payment of bills "

Power suspension schedule for today

I N T E R N ET C LO S U R E F O R 24 H O U R C O S T

PA K I S TA N R S 1

ISLAMABAD S ta f f R e p o R t

PAKISTAN Institute of Development Economics (PIDE) in a study has revealed that the s h u t d o w n s o f i n t e r n e t s e r vices for 24 hours results in a d i r e c t l o s s o f R s 1 3 b i l l i o n , w h i c h equates to 0 57% of the daily GDP average for the nation

The study was part of PIDE’s research infographic titled “The Economic Cost of Internet Closure and highlights the consequences of internet shutdowns in the country said a press release issued on Sunday

INDUS SHIELD-2023

3 B I N D I R E C T LO S S : P I D E

.

It said that the internet has become a fundamental necessity in modern times however the internet infrastructure of the country lags behind in terms of both quality and coverage The recent internet closure in various parts of the country has had an impact on multiple sectors leading to substantial financial losses and operational challenges

Online cab services online food delivery services, freelancers, transport companies, and postal services have all been affected by the disruption of internet services, it said The PIDE Infographic showed that online cab services a cornerstone of modern transportation saw a 97% reduction in the number of rides on

days when the internet has been closed down This significant downturn equates to a loss of Rs 29 to 32 million for the industry per day Similarly, online food delivery services suffered a 75% reduction in the number of orders, translating into a substantial daily loss of Rs 135 million

Meanwhile the freelance community which contributes significantly to Pakistan s economy has also felt the brunt of internet disruptions

Denial of orders to Pakistan-based freelance workers resulted in over $1 3 million loss of revenue, equaling Rs 390 million impacting the livelihoods of many and the national economy as a whole too it revealed

PAF’s 14 nation multinational air exercise begins at ACE

Besides, the suspension of 3G/4G services for a single day causes a loss of PKR 450 million to the telecommunication sector alone

Furthermore PIDE had earlier estimated the economic costs of protests to be around 2 0% of the GDP Closure of economic activity either through protests or due to the closure of internet services contributes to a significant loss of economic activity in the country

Meanwhile Vice Chancellor PIDE Dr Nadeemul Haque said that access to high-quality internet not only enhances opportunities for the youth particularly in remote areas but also plays a pivotal role in bridging the divide between the privileged and the common public Utilizing online tools for education and professional purposes can empower youth from rural regions to compete on a national and international level he added

PIAF for keeping check on expenditure, high cost as debt jumps to Rs64tr

ISLAMABAD S ta f f R e p o R t

Old PTN Etihad Foundry SH Steel

Siddiqui Steel Ufone Feeders Rawalpindi City Circle Dhok Najo Raja Sultan Eid Gah Azizabad People s Colony New Milpur 6th Rd T&T PTCL, Bagh Sardaran, Social Security, Rajahabad, Industrial, Dhok Hasu, Perwadhai, Carriage Factory Feeders, Rawalpindi Cantt Circle, Morgah, Park View Pindi Board Major Riaz Lala Zar

Jhawara UC Lakhan Feeder Attock Circle HMC Road Taxila Sher Shah Suri Pind Pran Vallay

Gulshan Sehat Sangjani Shahullah Dutta AWT4 MVHS, MPCHS B-17, Paswal, Sarai Kurboza, Bolinwal feeders and surrounding areas will remain closed IESCO management apologizes to its esteemed customers for the power outage If the work is completed ahead of time the power supply can be restored even before the scheduled time

Gov t needs to reduce POL prices amid rupee gain, low global rates: Anjum Nisar

KARACHI S ta f f R e p o R t

The Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry Businessmen Panel (BMP) has called on the government to make a substantive redcution in petroleum products following a huge cut in the global oil market by almost $9 per barrel and an immense recovery of the rupee to ease inflation to 27% in Oct, which has been hovering at around 31% Former president FPCCI and Chairman Businessmen Panel Mian Anjum Nisar observed that the Pakistani rupee appreciated 2 7% to Rs283/dollar compared with the previous fortnight s average of Rs292/ a dollar In the same way, the price of petrol plummeted by 15% to $84 3 per barrel in the international market compared with last fortnight’s average of $99 3 The international price of high-speed diesel dipped by 10% to $110 6 per barrel compared with last fortnight s average of $122 3 Quoting a research report, he said that the price of Arab Light crude, which Pakistan imports from the Middle East, fell by 9 1%, or $8 9 per barrel, to $88 68 by October 5 compared to the average price of $97 58 for the September 18-29 period

We are willing to assist Pakistan in the development of the rapeseed industry We have discussed with the Pakistani delegation and reached a cooperation intention in rapeseed which includes the exchange of germplasm resources cooperative breeding and regular exchange visits ”

This was stated by Li Dianrong rapeseed expert at Hybrid Rapeseed Research Center in Shaanxi, China, according to Gwadar Pro Last Wednesday, a delegation led by Fateh Marri, vice chancellor of Sindh Agriculture University visited the Hybrid Rapeseed Research Center for investigation and exchange accompanied by Li Dianrong and Li Youli deputy secretary of the center During the visit, Li Dianrong introduced the latest progress in rapeseed research Engaged in research of rapeseed breed-

ISLAMABAD S ta f f R e p o R t Pakistan Air Force (PAF) in a magnificent display of international camaraderie and airpower, on Sunday inaugurated its 14th Nation Multinational Air Exercise, Indus Shield-2023, at Airpower Centre of Excellence of Pakistan

Air Force Air Officer Commanding Central Air Command Air Vice Marshal Tariq Mehmood Ghazi was the Chief Guest at the inauguration ceremony, a PAF news release said

Addressing the participants of exercise Air Officer Commanding Central Air Command emphasized on the significance of multi-national air exercises in achieving common objectives in the face of the evolving dynamics of air warfare

He commended the efforts of the Air Power Center of Excel-

lence on the organization of the mega exercise, which would augment the existing partnership between the key allies in addition to bolstering interoperability amongst the participating Air Forces

He also added that the planning and execution of Exercise Indus Shield-23 underscores the vision of the esteemed, Chief of the Air Staff, Pakistan Air Force regarding the crucial role played by PAF in advancing technology modernizing its capabilities and employing contemporary combat tactics to effectively address shared challenges of aerial defence

A i r Vi c e M a r s h a l Ta r i q Mehmood Ghazi highlighted that the exercise would prove to be a s t e p f o r w a r d t o p r o m o t e w a r m and brotherly relations amongst the leading air powers of the reg i o n E x e r c i s e I n d u s S h i e l d2 0 2 3 w i l l w i t n e s s p a r t i c i p a t i o n

The exercise not only offers a unique opportunity for participating air forces to bring their unparalleled skills and operational capabilities to the spotlight, but will also deepen mutual understanding between the participating contingents to promote interoperability

This mega exercise is a signature of excellence and professionalism which validates PAF’s aerial prowess in the region In addition the exercise offers an invaluable learning experience of aerial warfare employment tactics to the air and ground crew through simulation of real-time war scenarios and varied combat missions

Business leaders urge govt to consult private sec tor for revival of economy

ISLAMABAD

S ta f f R e p o R t

Key business leader including President Markazi

Tanzeem-e-Tajran Pakistan and President Pakistan

Business Forum Islamabad, Muhammad Kashif Chaudhry along with a delegation of Presidents of various market associations visited Islamabad Chamber of Commerce & Industry (ICCI) and assured that he would work with ICCI for resolving the key issues of the business community

Addressing the delegation ICCI President Ahsan

Zafar Bakhtawari said that ICCI being the apex trade body of the federal capital is working actively for the progress and development of the business community and cooperation of Markazi Anjuman-e-Tijaran and market associations would further strengthen its hands to achieve common goals of the welfare of business community more effectively

cilitate the business community in business development Speaking on the occasion, Muhammad Kashif Chaudhry said that the traders and industrialists are facing multiple problems which can be resolved with unity by working under the umbrella of ICCI He said that we are working for the respect and dignity of the business community and the government should protect our constitutional rights He stressed that the government should get input of the business community for decision making and policy making The President Markazi Tanzeem-e-Tajran Pakistan and President Pakistan Business Forum Islamabad demanded one window operation to promote business and investment fair taxes and their collection with a friendly approach He said that with unity, we can make Islamabad a role model city in the country by making it a hub of industrial, educational, IT and health friendly activities He stressed that CDA should focus on better development of markets and improve city infrastructure Faad Waheed Senior Vice President ICCI and E n g r A z h a r u l I s l a m Z a f a r Vi c e P r e s i d e n t I C C I also stressed for close cooperation among the trade bodies to advocate for a conducive business environment in the country

Pakistan Industrial and Traders Association Front (PIAF) has called for keeping check on government expenditure and high cost of debt servicing as the federal government debt has surged to a staggering Rs64 trillion reflecting an alarming increase of over 29% in just one year PIAF Chairman Faheemur Rehman Saigol said that this unsettling trend has raised concerns about fiscal sustainability and the adverse impacts of steep currency devaluation come at a time when the World Bank has cautioned Pakistan about the growing risks of its macroeconomic framework Quoting the State Bank of Pakistan report he said that the federal government s debt has soared by Rs14 5 trillion constituting a substantial 29 2% rise compared to the same period last year This rapid escalation in debt is widely seen as unsustainable, yet corrective measures to curb this alarming trajectory have not been implemented The PIAF Chairman said that the debt burden is gradually increasing because of insufficient tax revenue collection that forced the government to borrow from the domestic and external resources to finance the soaring fiscal deficit For the past one and half year, the country is facing a serious financial crunch and continually relying on borrowing to meet its financial needs The growing debt stock carries significant fiscal costs and exposes the country to debt vulnerabilities as highlighted in the Pakistan Development Update report by the World Bank He also emphasised that persistent fiscal deficits and debt repayments have resulted in consistently high annual gross financing needs, averaging 27% of GDP over the past decade This level is notably higher than the emerging market threshold of 15% In the past two decades Pakistan has witnessed two consecutive years of the highest budget deficits in 2022 and 2023 The World Bank pointed out that for the current fiscal year a budget deficit of 7 7% of the GDP is anticipated, a staggering Rs1 3 trillion above the government s target

Italian airline hopeful about star ting flights for Pakistan

KARACHI

S ta f f R e p o R t

A private Italian airline Neos has expressed interest in operating flights between Pakistan and Italy, sources said According to sources the Neos airline has contacted the Pakistan Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) to operate direct flights between the two countries The airline will operate weekly flights to Lahore in the first phase and will expand its operations to other countries, say sources The Italian airline will launch operations immediately after getting permission from the Pakistan aviation authority Earlier the national air carrier of Azerbaijan (AZAL) announced to launch flights to Pakistan from September 20 2023 According to a spokesman of Azerbaijan Embassy Flights will be operated to the capital of Pakistan – Islamabad, as well as to its largest cities – Lahore and Karachi The spokesperson further said that these three cities are important historical and cultural centers of Pakistan which makes them very interesting to visit Flights from Baku to Islamabad will be performed on Wednesdays and Saturdays to Lahore – on Mondays and Fridays and to Karachi – on Thursdays and Sundays

from CSC University

s rapeseed industry

istan

PA K I S TA N , C H I N A A G R E E D T O I N V I T E T H I R D PA R T I E S ’

PA R T I C I PAT I O N I N C P E C : A M B A S S A D O R H A Q U E

THE China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), a pilot project of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) is a game changer and very important for socio-economic development of Pakistan and now both Pakistan and China have agreed to invite third parties to participate in this project Pakistan Ambassador to China Moinul Haque said on Sunday

This project has been a game changer and very important for socio-economic development of the country Now, our two countries have agreed to invite third parties to participate in this project ” he told CCTV in an interview

We are now working to extend it to Afghanistan the neighboring country of both China and Pakistan, he added Ambassador Haque said that China is a global leader in terms of many technologies like artificial intelligence e-commerce green technologies

So it has been identified as one of the most important areas for the second phase

and we have established Joint Working Groups for cooperation,” he added

He said that new corridors like ChinaPakistan Digital Corridor Green Corridor and Health Corridor have been launched to benefit on the emerging opportunities in the area science and technology and Information Technology (IT) fields

Responding to a question about the transportation projects, he said that Lahore Orange Metro Train was one of the first early harvest projects under the CPEC framework

It was built in the second largest city of Lahore a city of over 10 million people It has provided efficient and affordable and very modern transport services to the people of Lahore,” he added Ambassador Haque said that the number of passengers on the Lahore Orange Metro

Train has touched 100 million In the last two years it has provided the transport services to 100 million people

He said the major focus was on the energy sector because at that time, Pakistan was facing acute shortages of energy and long hours of load-shedding and added the new projects have put in almost 8 000

megawatts of new energy into Pakistan s system helping the not only the needs of the common man, but also the industrial needs

About Gwadar port project he said it is going to serve many of the Central Asian countries which are landlocked countries

So we provide very easy quick and very shortest route to the Arabian Sea

He expressed the confidence that the advantages which are occurring from CPEC will not only help Pakistan but also the regional countries

While highlighting bilateral relationship between the two countries he said In Pakistan, we consider China is our best friend and in China, I know, Pakistanis are known as ‘Battie’, the iron brothers, an expression which is only reserved for Pakistan It’s very heartwarming ”

To yet another question he said that besides promoting economic relationships trade investment industry both our countries are focusing on cooperation in culture, education and tourism He said that there are now 25,000 plus Pakistani students in China and they are also serving as China-Pakistan friendship ambassadors

Interim setup neither ‘mandated, nor responsible’ to give polls date: Solangi

ISLAMABAD S ta f f R e p o R t

Caretaker Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Murtaza Solangi has said that it was not the mandate and responsibility of caretaker government to give date for general election in the country

Talking to WE News on Sunday, the minister said Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) was an autonomous constitutional institution and since the day he took oath as minister he was in constant contact with the ECP

The minister said he had full faith and confidence in the capability and leadership of the ECP, and the elections would be held on the date announced by the Election Commission

To a question he said that Pakistan People s Party was one of the major political parties of the country

We are going through the phase of election and during the environment of election, any party and its leadership had the freedom to give their stand on any important issue” he maintained Murtaza Solangi said that media in Pakistan enjoyed freedom and the courts were also free adding all registered political parties had equal opportunities

The Election Commission of Pakistan and caretaker government would ensure equal opportunities for all political parties in the upcoming elections he added

The minister stated that there was no ban on PTI as a political party

Replying to a question he said that the process of privatization was not initiated by caretaker government, previous

y

LAHORE S ta f f R e p o R t

Pakistan Muslim LeagueNawaz (PML-N) Senior Vice President Maryam Nawaz on Sunday reiterated her optimism that her father, PML-N Supermo Nawaz Sharif will return to Pakistan on October 21 and bring an end to “what she referred to” as a seven-year period of prolonged sorrow Addressing a public gathering in Lahore, Maryam remarked that Nawaz Sharif had suffered more days of hardship instead of remaining in power corridors, emphasising former prime minister’s commitment to the nation’s well-being Maryam highlighted the PML-N’s economic achievements under Nawaz Sharif s leadership and challenged the audience to recall any other prime minister who had successfully reduced the prices of essential commodities Amidst an enthusiastic crowd displaying placards bearing Nawaz Sharif s images, Maryam expressed her anticipation of the joyous reception her father would receive upon his return on October 21 Taking a swipe at the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) government Maryam accused the previous administration of appointing individuals who resorted to using offensive language against the then opposition

‘Stay vigilant’: NIH says risk of occurrence of Nipah virus ‘low’ in Pakistan

ISLAMABAD S ta f f R e p o R t

The National Institute of Health (NIH) on Sunday declared that risk of occurrence of Nipah virus (NiV) in Pakistan is low urging the authorities to step up vigilance at entry points across the country The virus, according to the World Health Organisation, was first recognised in 1999 during an outbreak among pig farmers in Malaysia It can be transmitted to humans from animals (such as pigs and bats) or contaminated food and can also be transmitted directly from human-to-human Fruit bats of the Pteropodidae family are the natural host of Nipah virus There is no treatment or vaccine available for either people or animals The primary treatment for humans is supportive care In recent months, cases of the Nipah virus have resurfaced in India s Kerala, prompting the state to shut down schools and test hundreds of residents According to an advisory issued by the NIH on October 7 six NiV cases were reported in the Indian state in September this year and the virus resulted in two deaths Previously countries including Bangladesh Malaysia Philippines Singapore and India have also reported confirmed cases of Nipah virus in human Although Nipah virus has caused only a few known outbreaks in Asia, it infects a wide range of animals and causes severe disease and death in people, making it a public health concern,” it said

PMDC project manager killed, driver injured in Quetta IED blast

QUETTA

S ta f f R e p o R t

sential services and as they were institutions of compulsory national service they were supported by the state worldwide

He said he was against privatization of public broadcasters which was as a matter of principle and ideologically wrong However the minister said that public broadcasters should not have such people who do not belong to today s modern broadcasting mechanisms

When asked about fundamental changes in national broadcasters, he said making such decisions was not included in the mandate of the caretaker government He said that Nawaz Sharif ’s return had nothing to do with caretaker government The minister acknowledged that Nawaz Sharif was the leader of one of Pakistan s largest political parties and he did not flee the country illegally

parliament and its elected government decided to privatize various entities

“We are bound to implement the decisions of the previous parliament and the previous government ” Murtaza Solangi opined The minister stressed the need for reformation in the institutions Answering a question, he said that public broadcasters were considered es-

He said that on return of Nawaz Sharif law would take its course and Constitution of Pakistan will be abided by To a question about who would run the PTI election campaign he said it was internal matter of that party

The minister said that history was the witness that political parties conducted their election campaigns even in difficult circumstances and there was no restriction on PTI in that regard

JI chief urges Muslim states to rally behind Palestine for Al-Aqsa liberation

PESHAWAR S ta f f R e p o R t

Jamaat-e-Islami Pakistan Ameer chief Sirajul Haq on Sunday called on the 57 Muslim countries to support Hamas in their fight against Israel’s illegal and unjust occupation of Palestine, saying Pakistani nation is ready for all kinds of cooperation with Hamas Addressing a news conference here on Sunday Sirajul Haq said that Palestinians were fighting against oppression and cruel occupation and Muslim rulers are afraid The US supported Israel and the Muslim world remained a silent spectator ”

He said “I want to say to the president prime minister and army chief that Pakistan is an ideological country Pakistan announced support for the Palestinians from the first day Pakistan will always support the Palestinians compared to Israel He called upon the United Nations to support the oppressed Palestinians “It is time to

NATIONAL RESILIENCE

DAY

test the honour of the Muslim world

He said, “The sun of freedom will rise soon Al-Aqsa Mosque is the holy centre of Muslims Living and dying for the protection of Al-Aqsa Mosque is a great jihad

Siraj said If we get a chance we will first bring the system of Quran and Sunnah The world s tyrannical powers do not want to see Pakistan becoming a fortress of Islam All these people are slaves of the IMF (International Monetary Fund) ”

The JI chief said the people who pass the bill cannot make any changes He said Hundreds of our people have been in parliament but no one is accused of corruption In Pakistan, the JI is the only corruptionfree party ” Siraj said the solution to the problems of the Ummah was in the complete obedience of the Holy Prophet s (PBUH) teachings When the teachings of the Quran will be common only then will things be blessed in life

Project manager of the Pakistan Mineral Development Corporation (PMDC) was killed in an improvised explosive device (IED) blast targeting his vehicle in Quetta on Sunday, according to the police Quetta Senior Superintendent of Police (Operations) Jawad Tariq confirmed the incident, saying the deceased was identified as Shabat Mirza project manager PMDC He informed the PMDC officer was heading towards to Sor Range in a car along with his driver Muhammad Zakir when the IED exploded Resultantly Mirza was killed on the spot while the driver sustained critical injuries and was immediately taken to Quetta Civil Hospital Trauma Centre “According to initial investigation, explosives were fitted on the roadside,” the police official stated adding that the Counter-Terrorism Department had cordoned off the blast site and started collecting evidence Sor Range is located in a mountainous region Tariq said adding that CTD officials were also questioning locals for further information Today s blast comes amid a recent uptick in acts of terrorism in Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Last month, at least 59 people were killed in a deadly suicide bombing at a procession celebrating the birth of the Holy Prophet (PBUH) on 12 Rabiul Awwal in Mastung

Securit y forces kill terrorist in Razmak fire exchange

RAWALPINDI

S ta f f R e p o R t

Security forces killed a terrorist in Razmak area of North Waziristan district during an exchange of fire with the militants the military media wing said in a statement on Sunday According to Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the incident took place on Saturday during which terrorist Azeem Ullah aka Ghazi was killed due to effective engagement by Pakistani troops It said that weapon and ammunition was also recovered from the killed terrorist who remained actively involved in terrorist activities against security forces and the killing of innocent civilians Locals of the area appreciated the operation Sanitisation of the area has been carried out to eliminate any other terrorist found in the area,” the statement further said A day earlier at least two terrorists were killed in an intelligence-based operation (IBO) conducted by the security forces in the general area of Zerber in Balochistan s Kech district on reported presence of terrorists on the night between Oct 6 and 7 During the operation, intense fire exchange took place between own troops and terrorists as a result of which “two terrorists were sent to hell” ISPR said A large quantity of equipment and explosives has also been recovered the ISPR said adding that the killed terrorists had been actively involved in multiple terrorist activities against the law enforcement agencies

Pak istan obser ves 18th anniversar y of Oc t 8, 2005 ear thquake

ISLAMABAD/MUZAFFARABAD

S ta f f R e p o R t

National Resilience Day was observed on Sunday across the country including AJK to commemorate the 18th anniversary of deadly earthquake of October 8 2005 and raise awareness about the disaster management among the public

The earthquake claimed thousands of lives besides causing massive damage to infrastructure especially in Azad Kashmir and Hazara division of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa

Different events were organized in different parts of the country including Azad Jammu and Kashmir to express solidarity and sympathies with the victims of the calamities The day dawned with special prayers in mosques for the martyrs and prosperity of the country

One minute of silence was observed at all district headquarters at 08 54 am Last year in September a s t r o n g e a r t h q u a k e o f 5 8 m a g n i -

t u d e b r o u g h t d i s a s t e r t o d i ff e r e n t parts of Azad Jammu and Kashmir ( A J K ) T h e q u a k e h i t s o m e u r b a n and rural parts of the Azad Jammu a n d K a s h m i r ( A J K ) i n c l u d i n g

M u z a ff a r a b a d K o t l i a n d m a n y other scattered places

In their separate messages on the occasion, President Dr Arif Alvi and Caretaker Prime Minister Anwaarul Haq Kakar reaffirmed the commitment to enhance national preparedness and strengthen resilience in the face of natural disasters

The President in his message said we come together to show our solidarity and compassion for families who have endured the devastating effects of unprecedented natural disasters

The Caretaker Prime Minister in his message said Pakistan is moving towards a proactive approach to cope with the challenge of Climate Change Chairman NDMA sais in his message that we commemorate this occasion with a mission and commitment to advance national prepared-

ness by improving and increasing the nation’s resilience to natural and human induced threats

He said that Pakistan is facing changing climatic condition and frequent recurrence of unpredictable and extreme events In order to meet these challenges, NDMA is proactively working at reducing the vulnerability to disasters, and also providing coping mechanisms and framework for effective disaster management he added

The NDMA chairman said that the disaster management system in Pakistan had traveled a long way in the recent time with formulation of National Disaster Risk Reduction Policy and National Disaster Management Plan but still we have to go very far by implementing these polices and plan in their true letter and spirit

We have also made considerable progress in mainstreaming disaster risk reduction in development processes which will no doubt lead to greater national resilience against

potential disasters

Our expedition for resilience is consistent and we need to make our utmost efforts to realize the ideals The Disaster Management System in Pakistan is currently undergoing a transformation shifting from a reactive to a proactive approach

This represents a significant change in how we collectively address unexpected crises,” he concluded 18 YEARS ON, OCT 8 EARTHQUAKE STILL HAUNTS PAKISTAN Bitter memories of the devastating earthquake of October 8, 2005 still linger on as the nation on Sunday is observing 18th anniversary of the disaster which claimed over 70 000 lives in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) and Islamabad besides flatting scores of several villages and towns and leaving millions of people homeless The earthquake which measured 7 6 on the Richter Scale struck at around 8:52 AM Muzaffarabad was the hardest hit because the epicentre of the quake was just 19 kilometers (12 miles) to its northeast, while Balakot and Mansehra in KP were no less affected as thousands lost their lives in these areas too

At Lahore rally, Mar yam says Nawaz’s return to end ‘days of darkness’ in countr