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Justice Naqvi challenges ACHAKZAI WARNS AFGHANISTAN OF SJC misconduct in CONSEQUENCES OF INACTION AGAINST TTP proceedings apex court
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Tuesday, 21 November, 2023 I 6 Jamada Al-Awal, 1445
CLAIMS TTP HAS BEEN PROVIDED ARMS AND LOW-LEVEL AFGHAN COMMANDERS ARE WITH THEM
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SAYS IF THE SITUATION DOES NOT IMPROVE, ‘WE WILL GO INTO TERRORIST HIDEOUTS AND TEACH THEM A LESSON’
STAFF REPORT
ALOCHISTAN caretaker Minister for Information Jan Achakzai said that if there was no let up in militant activity from Afghanistan, Pakistan would “go into terrorist hideouts and teach them a lesson”. Addressing a press conference in Quetta, Achakzai said that Pakistan had been hosting Afghan refugees for the last 40 years. “But in return, instead of discouraging terrorism and terror, it is concerning that they are being given militant hideouts and advanced weaponry.” The minister said that Pakistan had placed its demands in front of the Afghan Taliban and had repeatedly made it clear that it was against all kinds of militancy. “For us, the crime of terrorists and their facilitators is equal,” he said. “We know how to give a befitting response to terrorism. If, despite repeated advice, this
situation does not stop, we will go into terrorist hideouts and teach them a lesson.” He further said: “It is a fact of life that the Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) has been provided arms [and] low-level Afghan commanders are with them.”
Nawaz Sharif allowed to record statement in Toshakhana case ISLAMABAD
STAFF REPORT
An accountability court in Islamabad on Monday allowed former three-time prime minister Nawaz Sharif to record his statement in the Toshakhana case. Ex-PM Sharif, former president Asif Ali Zardari and former prime minister Yousuf Raza Gillani are named in the reference for allegedly obtaining luxury vehicles from the treasury by paying 15 per cent of the actual price. In 2020, former prime was declared ‘proclaimed offender’ in the Toshakhana reference by an accountability court, and his permanent arrest warrant was also issued for his continued non-appearance. Currently, Sharif is on bail in the Toshakhana case. AC Judge Muhammad Bashir took Toshakhana reference against former president Asif Ali Zardari, former prime minister Nawaz Sharif and others. Pleaders of the political bigwigs of the country appeared before the court in today’s hearing. Nawaz Sharif’s counsel Qazi Misbah pleaded with the court to allow his client to record his statement in the Toshakhana case. To this, the NAB prosecutor said they need time to review the plea. “What is the problem in it to record Nawaz Sharif’s statement,” the judge asked. Later, the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz supremo was allowed to record his statement in the case and the hearing was adjourned until November 30.
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He said that six terrorists were killed in Zhob on Oct 31, adding that they were Afghans. He claimed that the US Congress had also stated that the Afghan Taliban had handed over arms to the TTP. “As far as engagement [with Kabul]
is concerned, we have engagement at the Foreign Office level,” he said, adding that Pakistan was also engaging with Afghan authorities with regards to the government’s repatriation plan for illegal immigrants. “But playing a double game with Pakistan in this regard is unfortunate,” he said. Pakistan has witnessed an uptick in terror activities in recent months, especially in KP and Balochistan, after the TTP ended its ceasefire with the government in November last year. Earlier this month, Caretaker Prime Minister Anwaarul Haq had pinned the recent surge in terrorist attacks on the Taliban government in Afghanistan while also calling it a reaction to the government’s deportation drive. Addressing a press conference at the Prime Minister’s House, the caretaker premier said there was a 60 per cent increase in terrorism and a 500 per cent spike in suicide bombings since the Afghan Taliban came to power in August 2021.
Pakistan ready to extend all sorts of int’l cooperation to ensure global security: Sarfraz Bugti g
SAYS DECADES-LONG SINO-PAKISTAN FRIENDSHIP A MODEL FOR THE ENTIRE WORLD ISLAMABAD
STAFF REPORT
Caretaker Interior Minister Sarfraz Ahmed Bugti has said that Pakistan was ready to extend all sorts of international cooperation for boosting global security. This was stated by him while speaking to Chinese Ambassador to Pakistan, Jiang Zaidong, who called on him in Islamabad on Monday. The two sides discussed matters of mutual interest including bilateral relations during the meeting and it was agreed to further enhance cooperation in the field of security. Sarfraz Bugti said the decades-long friendship between Pakistan and China was an example for the entire world. He said the recent visit of Prime Minister
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CHINESE AMBASSADOR LAUDS PAKISTAN’S ROLE IN FIGHT AGAINST TERRORISM
Anwar-ul-Haq Kakar to China will further strengthen cooperation in various fields including security. He expressed the confidence that next target was to implement the agreements made during the Prime Minister’s visit. He also commended the Chinese President Xi Jinping’s global security initiative. Sarfraz Bugti said that all possible measures have been taken to ensure the security of Chinese citizens in Pakistan. He said terrorism was a challenge; we have defeated it in the past, and will eradicate it completely in future as well. On the occasion, the Chinese Ambassador lauded Pakistan’s role in the fight against terrorism. He also thanked the Interior Minister for providing all possible security to the Chinese citizens.
PM designates Minister to take care of non-assigned ministry portfolios ISLAMABAD
STAFF REPORT
The Prime Minister has designated the Minister for Parliamentary Affairs to look after parliamentary business pertaining to Senate, in respect of ministries, divisions and offices whose portfolio rest with the prime minister, the PM Office said Monday. The parliamentary affairs minister has been designated as the Minister-Incharge. An office order of the Prime Minister’s Office
with subject ‘Conduct of parliamentary business in the Senate’ also mentioned the list of ministries and divisions which have not been assigned ministers and thus their portfolios rest with the prime minister. These offices include the President’s Secretariat, Prime Minister’s Office, Cabinet Secretariat, National Security Division, Poverty Alleviation and Social Safety Division, Housing & Works Division, Inter Provincial Coordination Division, Kashmir Affairs and Gilgit Baltistan Division, and the States and Frontier Regions Division.
ISLAMABAD
STAFF REPORT
Supreme Court (SC) Judge Justice Sayyed Mazahar Ali Akbar Naqvi on Monday challenged the Supreme Judicial Council’s (SJC) proceeding of misconduct against him, terming the allegations ‘false and baseless.’ Justice Naqvi has pleaded that the case against him may be withdrawn as the complaints are “without lawful authority and of no legal effect”. Following the emergence of audio leaks earlier this year, the Pakistan Bar Council (PBC) on March 10 filed a complaint of misconduct against Justice Naqvi. The audio leaks allegedly featured a conversation regarding the fixation of the case before a particular bench or judge with former Punjab chief minister Pervaiz Elahi. Challenging the SJC under Article 184(3) of the Constitution, Justice Naqvi contended that a malicious campaign had been launched against him since February 16, and that a media trial had been conducted against him. The petition argued that the release of a press release without the justice’s consent not only violated his fundamental rights, it also exposed him to a media trial, further maligning him before the populace. Justice Naqvi in his petition maintained that this “malicious campaign and the complaints are a direct and blatant attack on the independence of the judiciary.” Referring to the case Justice Qazi Isa v. President of Pakistan to light in which the SC claimed that every citizen irrespective of status and position is entitled to due process of law under Articles 4 and 9 to 28, the apex court judge protested that the record of the manner in which the proceedings have been initiated by issuing a show casue notice on October 28 by SJC “is repugnant to and inconsistent with the Fundamental Rights guaranteed to him by the Constitution”. On October 28, in his preliminary reply to a showcause notice, Justice Naqvi requesting a recusal, raised objections over the participation of the three members of the body three SJC members, Justice Isa, Justice Masood, and Balochistan High Court Chief Justice Naeem Akhtar Afghan, but did not mention anything regarding the misconduct complaints against him. The petition submitted on Monday, while affirming that the show cause notice is in direct conflict with the judgements of the apex court, maintained that the issuance of the hearing notice on November 11 without determining the legal and constitutional objections violated Article 209 and SJC’s Procedure of Enquiry. The SJC is a constitutional body- comprising of the chief justice, two senior-most Supreme Court judges and two senior-most high court chief justices- that investigates complaints of misconduct against the Supreme and High Court judges. The SJC will meet today to review the complaints filed against two Supreme Court judges, Justice Sayyed Mazahar Ali Akbar Naqvi and Justice Sardar Tariq Masood.
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JUI-F to aCtIvely PartICIPate In general eleCtIonS 2024
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AMIAT Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) Central General Council meeting on Monday decided to actively participate in general elections 2024 and directed its district organizations to forward final recommendations of candidates on National and Provincial Assembly constituencies till 27th of current month. Chaired by Central Ameer JUI-F, Maulana Fazlur Rehman, the two-day meet-
Institutions must be neutral, next PM from JI: Siraj
LAHORE
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Ameer Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) Sirajul Haq has said that all institutions should be neutral and the next prime minister will be from JI. Addressing a news conference in Lahore, he said that the job of the army was to protect the borders of the country and the role of the establishment was defined in the constitution. Sirajul Haq said that all the institutions of Pakistan including the army should be neutral, the institutions do not belong to any party but belong to 25 crore people. He said that we have seen Pakistan Peoples Party, Muslim League (N) and Pakistan Tehreek (PTI) while we have also seen dictators in the form of Ayub Khan, Yahya Khan and General Zia. The JI chief said that he expects the Election Commission will ensure transparent elections and claimed that next prime minister will be from his party. Reacting to the statement of Chairman Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Bilawal Bhutto Zardari regarding elderly person, Siraj said that the PPP chairman was referring to his father.
Four private member bills introduced in Senate ISLAMABAD
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Four private member bills including the State-Owned Enterprises (Governance and Operations) (Amendment) Bill, 2023, the Criminal Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2023, the Smart Institute of Sciences and Technology (Amendment) Bill, 2023 and the Right of Access to Information (Amendment) Bill, 2023, were formally introduced in Senate on Monday. Senators Bahramand Khan Tangi, Fawzia Arshad, Dilawar Khan and Dr Zarqa Suharwardy Taimur introduced the bills in the Upper House. Senate Chairman Senate Muhammd Sadiq Sanjrani referred all the bills to the standing committees concerned for detailed deliberation after no objection by the government. In response to the Right of Access to Information (Amendment) Bill, 2023, Minister for Information and Broadcasting Murtaza Solangi said that the Right to Access to Information bill was under the implementation process and the government was also reviewing it. He said the article was part of the constitution which could not be bypassed.
Citigroup employees brace for layoffs, management overhaul – sources PROFIT
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Citigroup (C.N) employees expect the bank to announce layoffs and senior management changes on Monday as part of its biggest reorganization in decades, according to five sources with knowledge of the matter. The job cuts could affect thousands of staff, according to a source familiar with the situation who was not authorized to speak publicly. Executives are also likely to announce senior management changes by email, the source said. Preparations for Monday’s announcements were communicated verbally in meetings, according to a source familiar with the situation who was not authorized to speak publicly. Some staff may be able to apply for other roles at the bank, the source said. Citigroup declined to comment. Last month, Citi announced plans to cut management layers from 13 to eight as part of its biggest overhaul in decades. In the two top layers of leadership, Citi reduced 15% of functional roles and eliminated 60 committees, it said in its third-quarter earnings presentation. Support staff in compliance and risk management, and technology staff working on overlapping functions are at risk of being laid off, Reuters reported in September. As part of the reshuffle, the US bank will name one of its most senior bankers in Europe, Nacho Gutiérrez-Orrantia, new head of banking in the region, according to people familiar with the situation. In his new role of head of the Europe cluster, the Spanish banker will look after Citi´s businesses in Europe.
Tuesday, 21 November, 2023 | ISLAMABAD
ing of the Central General Council concluded at Mufti Mahmood Markaz. Besides, central secretary general Maulana Abdul Ghafoor Haideri, Akram Khan Durrani, Maulana Qamaruddin, Maulana Fazal Ali Haqqani, Mohammad Aslam Ghauri, Maulana Amjad Khan Lahori, Mufti Rozi Khan, Maulana Abdul Wasi (Ameer JUI-F Balochistan), Maulana Mahmood Shah (general secretary), Maulana Abdul Qayyum Halijvi (Sindh), Maulana Rashid Mahmood Soomro (Sindh), Hafiz Naseer Ahrar, Mufti Mazhar Asaadi (Pun-
jab), Senator Maulana Atta-ur-Rehman (Ameer JUI-F KP), Maulana Atta-ul-Haq Darwaish (general secretary KP), Maulana Attaullah Shahab (Gilgit-Baltistan), Maulana Saeed Yousaf (Azad Kashmir),Senator Kamran Murtaza advocate, Hafiz Hussain Ahmad, Engineer Zia-ur-Rehman and Hafiz Hamdullah, former members National and provincial assemblies and members of the general council from across the country, attended the meeting. The Central General Council meeting elected Maulana Fazalur Rehman as central
The meeting, while expressing profound concern over the atrocities of Israel against innocent Palestinians and daily incessant bombardment on hospitals, schools and civilian population, announced to observe the upcoming Friday (November 24)( as Solidarity Day with Palestinians. It decided to take out solidarity rallies with Palestine in district headquarters across the country. Addressing the concluding session, Central Ameer JUI-F, Maulana Fazalur Rehman said they would participate in the general elections, despite specific reservations.
Ameer and Maulana Abdul Ghafoor Haideri as general secretary of the JUI-F for another five-year. The meeting also authorized district chapters of the party to work out seat adjustment with other political parties in consultations with office bearers. During the meeting, Maulana Fazalur Rehman briefed the participants about his meetings during the visit to Qatar. The provincial organizations of the party presented performance and political situationbased reports over which the central general council expressed satisfaction.
Senate adopts resolution seeking promoting child literacy ISLAMABAD
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To promote literacy among the children in the country, the Senate on Monday adopted a unanimous resolution, seeking urgent steps and initiatives by the government. Moved by Senator Sana Jamali, the resolution highlighted the fundamental right of every child to access quality education, emphasizing the need for gender-neutral, geographically inclusive, and socioeconomically equitable educational opportunities. The resolution asked the government to take effective steps to promote the literacy for children and youth in general and girls in particular across the country, and also strengthen the non-formal education (NFE) system on an urgent basis to deliver the programmes.
It further asked for promoting skillsbased and innovative learning models to provide right to education to out-of-school children and youth with a special focus on girls’ education to facilitate life-long learning. The resolution stressed to take steps in order to promote gender equality in education and eliminate disparities by ensuring girls’ and women access to quality education, besides eliminating any barriers, impeding their access to education. It further called for launching comprehensive awareness campaigns to inform both urban and rural communities about the significance of education through outreach programmes, workshops, and community events in collaboration with the stakeholders and partners. The resolution pleaded for prioritize and substantially increasing the funding for
education and literacy programs and devising the mechanisms to ensure transparency
Mobile phone imports surge by 108% in July-October of FY2023-24 PROFIT
News Desk
Pakistan witnessed an increase in mobile phone imports during the first four months (July-October) of the fiscal year 2023-24, reaching $469.992 million. This reflects a significant growth of 107.91 percent compared to last year when imports amounted to $226.051 million. According to data released by the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS), mobile phone imports experienced a month-on-month increase of 33.20 percent in October 2023, at $165.941 million, up from $124.576 million in September 2023. On a year-on-year basis, mobile phone imports in October 2023 recorded a substantial growth of 152.27 percent compared to October 2022, where imports were $65.780 million. The overall imports in the telecom sector for July-October 2023 reached $606.865 million, reflecting a robust
growth of 75.60 percent in comparison to the same period in the previous fiscal year, which amounted to $345.595 million. Breaking down the figures, telecom imports on a year-on-year basis in October 2023 witnessed a growth of 114.65 percent, reaching $207.789 million, up from $96.805 million in October 2022. On a month-on-month basis, there was a 30.94 percent increase in October 2023 compared to $158.688 million in September 2023. In the realm of local manufactur-
ing, plants produced/assembled 13.02 million mobile handsets during the first nine months (January-September) of 2023, significantly surpassing the 1.09 million commercially imported units. Specifically, in September 2023, local manufacturing plants assembled 2.15 million mobile handsets, while commercially imported units stood at 0.25 million. Throughout the calendar year 2022, local manufacturing plants manufactured/assembled 21.94 million mobile handsets, exhibiting a decline from the 24.66 million produced in 2021. This dip is attributed to challenges in imports, particularly the restriction on opening Letters of Credit (LCs). The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) reported that of the locally manufactured/assembled 13.02 million mobile phones, 9.01 million were 2G, and 4.02 million were smartphones. Furthermore, PTA data indicates that 57 percent of mobile devices on the Pakistan network are smartphones, while 43 percent are 2G devices.
Qureshi moves SC for bail in cypher case ISLAMABAD
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Former foreign minister and Vice Chairman of Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) Shah Mahmood Qureshi on Monday moved the Supreme Court to secure bail in the cypher case. The PTI stalwart appealed against an earlier Islamabad High Court decision rejecting his bail and requested to annul the high court’s decision on the matter. The petition further contended that the subordinate courts did not examine the facts of the case in a proper manner and the case itself is politically motivated. Moreover, the petition added that FIR does not comply with the law. Qureshi added that the FIR filed in
the cypher case has no direct connection with him. The petition further stated that Qureshi enjoys immunity under Article 248 of the Constitution on the basis of being the foreign minister. Earlier, Qureshi’s bail application was rejected by the IHC in a hearing conducted by Justcie Aamer Farooq. Chief Justice Aamer Farooq said in his judgment that the jail trial did not mean in-camera proceedings but rather an open trial. The chief justice ruled that no proceedings could be declared null and void merely because they were conducted at the wrong place, adding that the proceedings could not be set aside unless failure to deliver justice was evident. Moreover, Justice Farooq directed
the special court trying the cipher case against Imran Khan and Qureshi to complete the proceedings in four weeks. Qureshi, along with PTI Chairman Imran Khan, is currently lodged in the Adaila Jail and the cipher case was being heard against them in the prison.
in the allocation and utilization of budgets for education in the country.
3500 schools closed in Balochistan due to shortage of teachers: Qadir Bakhsh
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Balochistan Caretaker Minister for Education, Abdul Qadir Bakhsh Baloch on Monday said that some 3,500 schools in the province had been closed owing to shortage of teachers during the last two months. He said, “The Provincial Education Department has been facing acute shortage of teachers. Due to political and departmental constraints, the department has not been able to recruit the teachers since 2019. Moreover, over 300 teachers are retiring every month.” Qadir Bakhsh stated that without enrolling children in schools, it was impossible to increase the literacy rate in the province. He said the caretaker government had decided to upgrade 150 primary schools to middle in the province, four each in every district. To a question, he said that due to the last year’s flood, more than 5,500 schools in the province were destroyed, and only 50 of them had been repaired so far. “The international organizations have assured their all-out support to repair the damaged schools,” he added. The provincial minister for education said the government had decided to establish a model school which would help in the promotion of education in the province. As per official data, about 0.8 million children of school-going age are out of school in the province, and some 1,964 schools have no building. Half of the total 12,000 primary schools in Balochistan have one teacher. Likewise, 11,000 schools do not have electricity, 10,000 do not have water and 1,800 do not have washroom facilities. “More than 80% of the budget of Education Department is spent on the salaries of teachers and other employees,” the minister said.
PTI’s Yasmin, Cheema arrested in fresh case linked to May 9 violence LAHORE
staff RepoRt
PTI leaders Yasmin Rashid and Omar Sarfaraz Cheema, who are already imprisoned in multiple cases linked to the May 9 violence, have now also been arrested on a fresh first information report pertaining to attacking the Prime Minister’s House in Lahore. PML-N president Shehbaz Sharif was premier during the time of the May 9 violence, and his Model Town residence was designated the Prime Minister’s House. Yasmin and Cheema were presented before an anti-terrorism court in Lahore on Monday and later sent to jail on a 14-day judicial remand. PTI Chairman Imran Khan’s arrest on May 9 in the Al-Qadir Trust case had resulted in widespread violence and saw important military installations come under attack, on the basis of which the state had launched a severe crackdown against his party. While the ex-premier was released a few days later (he has since been rearrested in the Toshakhana, cipher and now AlQadir Trust cases), scores of PTI workers and almost the entire top-tier leadership were rounded up, with many still facing court proceedings under serious charges. Earlier this month, the Punjab police launched a fresh crackdown on workers and activists of the PTI and made several arrests from various parts of the country. The investigation police had sprung into action based on a new list of 884 PTI workers circulated to all the 84 police sta-
tions of the city as “new targets”. A majority of these new targets were declared the ‘B team’ of the PTI’s top leadership, including Mian Mehmoodur Rasheed, Mian Aslam Iqbal, Hassaan Niazi, Rashid etc, an official had told media. Today, the police submitted a supplementary statement in court detailing fresh charges against Yasmin and Cheema. In the document, the supervision officer of the Prime Minister House in Lahore claimed he was performing his duties on May 9 when a group of PTI supporters — led by Hammad Azhar, Jamshed Iqbal, Musarrat Iqbal, Yasmin, Cheema and others — allegedly attacked the PM House. He said around 800-900 PTI supporters with clubs and stones tried to break into the gate of the PM House upon being “instigated by the party leaders who were
making incendiary speeches” against state institutions. “[…] They advanced saying they would teach a lesson for Imran Khan’s arrest,” the officer stated, adding that PTI workers also threatened the staff at the PM House and tried to start a fire there. The statement added that charges under sections 186 (obstructing public servant in discharge of public functions), 291 (continuance of nuisance after injunction to discontinue), 290 (punishment for public nuisance in cases not otherwise provided for), 337-H (punishment for hurt by rash or negligent act), 506 (punishment for criminal intimidation), 436 (mischief by fire or explosive substance with intent to destroy house, etc), 427 (mischief causing damage to the amount of fifty rupees), 149 (every member of unlawful assembly guilty of of-
fence committed in prosecution of common object), 148 (rioting, armed with deadly weapon), 109 (punishment of abetment if the Act abetted committed in consequence and where no express provision is made for its punishment), 379 (punishment for theft) and 395 (punishment for dacoity) of the Pakistan Penal Code were invoked against the PTI leaders. Terrorism charges were also lodged against them. “The accused are nominated through a supplementary statement,” it said, adding that they were summoned on the order of the court from the Kot Lakhpat jail and were now formally arrested. The police then requested the court for a 30-day physical remand of Cheema and Rashid to collect “corroborative evidence”. However, the request was rejected as the court said “neither they [Yasmin and Cheema] were shown to be armed with any weapon nor any recovery is likely from their possession”. It subsequently sent the PTI leaders on a 14-day judicial remand and directed the police to present them on Dec 4 along with the case challan. Last week, while speaking to media persons outside a court in Lahore, Rashid had said she wanted to contest polls against PML-N supremo Nawaz Sharif and his brother, former prime minister Shehbaz Sharif. “Take us out if you want to contest the elections,” she had said, adding that contesting elections was her constitutional right. She had also decried the fact that the challans against her had not been completed in the past six months.
Tuesday, 21 November, 2023 | ISLAMABAD
PAKISTAN PETROLEUM LIMITED DISCOVERS HYDROCARBON RESERVES IN SINDH
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AKISTAN Petroleum Limited (PPL), the country’s leading exploration and production company, has made a gas and condensate discovery in the Shah Bandar Block in Sindh Province. This is the second discovery in the block, which is operated by PPL with a
63% working interest, along with joint venture partners Mari Petroleum Company Limited, Sindh Energy Holding Company Limited, and Government Holdings Private Limited, the PPL announced in a stock filing on Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) on Monday. The discovery was made from the exploration well Jhim East X-1, which was drilled to a depth of 2,545 meters to test the hydrocarbon potential of the Upper
UK climate study will accelerate green finance in Pakistan
The discovery will add to the hydrocarbon reserves of the country and help reduce the gap between the supply and demand of oil and gas. It will also save significant foreign exchange for the country by reducing the import of energy. PPL has been operating in Pakistan since 1950. It has a diversified portfolio of oil and gas assets, both onshore and offshore, and has made over 100 discoveries, including seven in the last fiscal year.
ECC sanctions Rs20bn for Green Corporate Initiative PROFIT
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The Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) has approved the release of Rs20 billion to the Green Corporate Initiative (Pvt.) Limited within the current fiscal year, as reported by BR, quoting sources in the Finance Division. On November 10, 2023, the Defence Division briefed the ECC regarding an agreement between the Government of Punjab and Green Corporate Initiative (Private) Limited. The agreement entails the provincial government providing an interest-free loan of Rs100 billion to the Green Corporate Initiative during the ongoing fiscal year. Earlier, on October 24, 2023, the
ISLAMABAD
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British High Commissioner, Jane Marriott CMG OBE, has launched a landmark study to identify and prioritise critical initiatives to mobilise private sector climate financing in Pakistan. The studys climate finance analysis includes several ‘roadmaps to action’ to support the Government of Pakistan’s ambitions for climate mitigation, adaptation and resilience. The study will help to inform the next generation of UK support to deliver Pakistan’s climate investment ambition. Today’s event (20 November 2023) on ‘Accelerating Green and Climate Resilient Financing in Pakistan’, was co-chaired with Minister of Climate Change, Mr Ahmed Irfan Aslam. The study, implemented through the Boston Consulting Group (BCG), is part of the UK Government’s ‘Centres of Expertise’ initiative by the Growth Gateway Programme. At the event, the High Commissioner announced three new UK-supported initiatives: A new partnership with Government of Pakistan to quantify the cost of inaction under the Growth Gateway programme – an important step for Pakistan to develop a robust adaptation and resilience financing strategy. FCDO’s REMIT programme will support the Government of Pakistan with streamlining institutional governance for climate finance. REMIT will also support the development of a national green taxonomy to classify climate investments, through a partnership between the World Bank Group and the State Bank of Pakistan. British High Commissioner, Jane Marriott CMG OBE, said: “There is no bigger global challenge than tacking climate change, which Pakistan is suffering the impacts of more than most countries. “This new UK-supported analysis is part of our wider climate finance and governance support in Pakistan. By identifying and prioritising the most critical climate finance initiatives, we are laying the foundations for climate finance mobilisation at scale into some of the most important low-carbon and adaptation projects in Pakistan. “Today’s discussion amongst government, private sector and development finance leaders is an important step for harnessing the potential of the private sector to help Pakistan mitigate, and respond to, future climate shocks..” Minister for Climate Change and Environmental Coordination, Mr. Ahmad Irfan Aslam, said: “The UK Government study which has been launched today fills a critical knowledge gap. It identifies which initiatives are required for Pakistan to mobilise more and better climate finance, especially by the private sector. The Government of Pakistan looks forward to collaborating on new areas of support announced by the UK today to take forward several of the key initiatives identified – putting this report into immediate action.” Ms Charmian Caines, Senior Partner at Boston Consulting Group (BCG), said: “We at the Growth Gateway Programme have been delighted to support UK and Pakistan in their partnership to bridge Pakistan’s climate financing gaps as it addresses its pressing vulnerability to extreme climate shocks. Our collaboration has identified key enablers to unlock bankable opportunities, priority adaptation and resilience (A&R) projects as well as initiatives to share the pressure of disaster risk financing on government budgets with the private sector.” Ms Jalpa Patel, CEO of Adam Smith International (ASI) said: “Climate finance and green investments are critical for Pakistan’s future. Adam Smith International is excited to help deliver on the UK’s climate commitments by providing vital technical support on climate financing to the Government of Pakistan through the FCDO-funded REMIT programme to help the government design policy, regulation, and financial instruments for capital markets to catalyse international climate finance.” In attendance was the Finance Minister, Dr Shamshad Akhtar, Senator Sherry Rehman, Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Government Effectiveness / Deputy Chairman Planning Commission, Jehanzeb Khan, and other leading climate finance experts.
Sand of the Lower Goru Formation. Read This: Mari Petroleum initiates gas production from Ghazij-2 well in Sindh The well flowed 13.69 million standard cubic feet per day of gas and 236 barrels per day of condensate at a wellhead flowing pressure of 2,668 pounds per square inch. The well is being further evaluated to assess its performance and reserves.
Government of Punjab had requested the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) to debit Punjab Government’s Account No-1 (non-food) with Rs20 billion and credit the Federal Government’s Account No-1 (non-food) as a loan through a technical supplementary grant (TSG). This amount was intended for onward disbursement to Green Corporate Initiative for the Green Pakistan Initiative. The Finance Division agreed to transfer the Rs20 billion received in the Federal Consolidated Fund Account No.1 (Non-Food) from the Government of Punjab to the Defence Division as a Technical Supplementary Grant. During the discussions, it was noted that agriculture falls under
provincial jurisdiction, and the agreement between the Government of Punjab and Green Corporate Initiative pertains to agriculture. As a result, it was suggested that this case be approved as a one-time matter, emphasizing that in the future, such issues should be handled by the respective provinces without involving the federal government. After deliberation on the Defence Division’s proposal for the release of funds to Green Corporate Initiative for the Green Pakistan Initiative in the fiscal year 2023-24, the ECC approved the proposal with the condition that similar matters in the future should be addressed at the provincial level without federal government involvement.
Ulema endorse Army Chief’s statement that use of force by any militia is unacceptable ISLAMABAD
Staff RepoRt
Leading Ulema of the country, belonging to different schools of thought, on Monday have endorsed the statement given by Army Chief General Asim Munir during his meeting with them that there is no room for the use of force by any group against the state. Talking to a private news TV channel, religious scholars, members of the Pakistan Ulema Council, have renewed their pledge to support wholeheartedly Pakistan Army in its war against terrorism. Council Chief Hafiz Tahir Ashrafi has said among 57 Islamic countries, Pakistan is the only country whose army chief is a Syed and a ‘Hafize Quran’. “During his meeting with us, General Munir talked about making Pakistan ‘State of Tayyaba’,” he has said, adding, “Today there is a need that Pakistanis become one nation.” The only desire of the army personnel, guarding our frontiers, is to lay down their lives while defending the country, Ashrafi has said, adding, “Conspiracies were hatched on several occasions to divide the army as well as the nation, but failed.” Maulana Hassaan Haseeb Rehman, one of the religious scholars who was part of the delegation, which had called on General Munir, has said that Ulema are proud of the country’s army chief, who quotes verses of the holy Quran in his speeches. “His statement that he will
answer our each and every question in the light of the holy Quran gave us a lot of comfort,” he has said, adding, “We have complete trust in our armed forces. Because they are the forces not only Pakistan but for the entire Muslim Ummah.” The cleric went on to say that General Munir, during his talk with the religious scholars, also made it clear that Pakistan was standing shoulder to shoulder with the Palestinians suffering at the hands of Israeli forces. Three days ago, on November 17, Pakistan Ulema Council’s delegation had a meeting with Army Chief Gen Asim Munir at the GHQ in Rawalpindi at which the increasing incidents of militancy came under discussion. Addressing the ulema then, the Army Chief had said that the use of force and armed action by any militia, entity or group other than the state was unacceptable. He had said “Pakistan be-
longs to all Pakistanis without any religious, provincial, tribal, linguistic, ethnic, sectarian or any other distinction. Use of force and armed action by any militia, entity or group other than the state is unacceptable.” The army chief had lauded the “Paigham-e-Pakistan” fatwa by religious scholars to nullify misleading propaganda disseminated by extremists and terrorists and called upon the scholars for its propagation and implementation in letter and spirit and shun internal schisms. The COAS signified the role of Ulema in harnessing youth towards understanding of Qur’an and Sunnah and character building alongside other academic knowledge and technical skills. He said that there is no space for intolerance and extreme behaviour by any entity against anyone, particularly against minorities and vulnerable segments of society.
President for constructive role to improve children lives in Pakistan ISLAMABAD
Staff RepoRt
President Dr Arif Alvi on Monday called upon the relevant Government organizations, civil society, human rights groups, media, UN agencies, community, parents, teachers, Ulema and children themselves to come together and play their constructive role in the national effort to improve the lives of children in Pakistan. “Children in Pakistan are vulnerable to several challenges like stunting, malnutrition and lack of access to quality education and health facilities,” the president said in a message on the occasion of Universal Children’s Day. Besides, he said children were facing various protection challenges like child trafficking, child marriage, child labour, corporal punishment, child abuse, children in conflict with the law, and harmful traditional practices. Today, Universal Children’s Day is being celebrated under the theme “For every child, every right” to reaffirm our commitment to safeguard the rights and well-being of children. Pakistan is a signatory to seven core international Human Rights Conventions, including the United Nations
Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC). Besides, Pakistan also ratified Optional Protocols to the UNCRC on the sale of children, child prostitution and pornography and the involvement of children in armed conflict. As a signatory to the UNCRC, Pakistan remains at the forefront to advocate, protect and promote child rights. President Alvi said children were the most precious resource of any nation and the sole guarantee for its future. Pakistan is fully alive to its responsibilities towards its children and is making all efforts to ensure children’s inclusive development, birth registration, education, health care, participation, dignity and security as envisaged in our Constitution and UNCRC. He said Pakistan had promulgated a number of legislations including the ICT Child Protection Act, 2018, the Juvenile Justice System Act, 2018, the Zainab Alert Response and Recovery Act, 2020 and the insertion of “Child Domestic Labour” in the list of occupations of the Employment of Children’s Act, 1991. He said this needed a committed societal response, and the communities and families need to play their role in this noble cause, particularly for the future of our nation.
PML-N rejects report claiming party plans to change 18th Amendment ISLAMABAD
Staff RepoRt
The Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) on Monday rejected a report claiming that the party would bring changes to the 18th Constitutional Amendment if it is voted back to power. PML-N’s manifesto committee chief Senator Irfan Siddiqui and the party’s Information Secretary Marriyum Aurangzeb both have rejected the assertions made in the report. “We have not received any such recommendations,” said Senator Siddiqui, who is also a close aide of PMLN supremo Nawaz Sharif. He added that changes in the 18th Amendment were “never discussed” in party meetings. “We reject the false report related to changes in the 18th Amendment,” said Marriyum. A news report, published in an English daily today, claimed that the PML-N’s manifesto committee has received several suggestions including the reversal of the 18th Amendment to change the distribution mechanism
of finances among provinces. The PML-N had formed its manifesto committee comprising over 33 members on November 7 with Senator Siddiqui as its chairman. The committee was formed days after Nawaz Sharif returned to Pakistan as the party geared up its political activities ahead of the Feb 8 polls. “There’s a very strong feeling, rather conviction, among the party’s top leadership that the current arrangements of financial resources distribution among the provinces [under the 18th Amendment to the Constitution] has created unsustainable financial problems,” PML-N source had told the publication on the condition of anonymity. “So far, it’s believed that the party would not go for an outright reversal of the 18th Amendment, but it would address its key features and reshape the distribution mechanism of financial resources among the provinces. You would hopefully see it as part of the PML-N manifesto,” the source had explained. Two party leaders, who had spoken to the publication anonymously, had also confirmed the development.
“In the name of provincial autonomy, we have seen that provinces are absolved after receiving their share under the NFC award, while payment of interest and principal instalments of loans, provision of money under the defence budget, matters of deficit-hit national institutions, payment of current account deficit and many other financial affairs become centre’s sole responsibility,” a PML-N leader had said. The amendment in question has been talked about extensively and there have been calls to make changes in it. It was passed during the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP)-led government in 2010 and the party has always vowed to resist any moves that would be made to change it. The amendment devolved powers to provinces on issues such as health, women’s development, social welfare and local government. The amendment also defined that provinces’ would receive 57.5% of the share of federal resources while the rest of the amount was to be used by the centre for debt servicing, development programmes, defence and other areas.
NEWS 03
Children have first right on country’s resources: Bilawal Bhutto ISLAMABAD
Staff RepoRt
Chairman Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Bilawal Bhutto Zardari Monday said that the children had the first right on country’s resources and reiterated that investing in children’s education, health and safety would be among the top priorities of his party’s government after winning the upcoming general elections due on February 8 next year. “Our children are the most valuable treasure and bright future of the country,” he said in a statement issued by the party secretariat on the occasion of World Children’s Day. He expressed his best wishes that the future of children all over the world, including Pakistan, be filled with peace, love and prosperity. Bilawal Bhutto said that PPP had always taken revolutionary steps for the protection and welfare of children. “The 1973 constitution guarantees all the rights of children. Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto introduced vaccination program to protect Pakistani children from infectious diseases like polio,” he pointed out, adding that the Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP), which was President Asif Ali Zardari’s gift to the country’s poor citizens, also included components such as ‘Benazir Wasila-eTaleem’ and ‘Benazir Nashonuma’. He said that the previous provincial government of his party in Sindh made education free from Primary to higher secondary level. Bilawal Bhutto said that it was also a distinction of the previous provincial governments of PPP in Sindh to enact important legislation keeping the protection and welfare of children’s rights in view, including the Sindh Child Protection Authority Act, 2011, The Sindh Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Act, 2013, The Sindh Child Marriage Restraint Act, 2013, The Protection of Breastfeeding Rules, 2009 and The Sindh Protection and the Promotion of Breast-feeding and Child Nutrition Act, 2013. He said that this year’s World Children’s Day was demanding the international community to immediately stop the ongoing atrocities against children in Gaza, where every 10 minutes a child is being targeted by Israeli aggression. “The brutal killing of children is the most heinous form of barbarism, and humanity will forever be ashamed of the cruelty inflicted on Palestinian children,” he added. Bilawal Bhutto vowed that his party would continue its struggle to ensure the provision of rights to education, health, progress and protection of Pakistani children in the light of the 1973 Constitution and the United Nations Convention.
Pak-China reiterate successful implementation of ML-1 project ISLAMABAD Staff Report
Pakistan and China have reiterated their commitment for successful implementation of the ML-1 project. The resolve made during a meeting of Minister for Communication, Maritime Affairs and Railways, Shahid Ashraf Tarar and Chinese Ambassador to Pakistan Jiang Zaidong held in Islamabad on Monday. Shahid Ashraf Tarar vowed that the ML-1 project has consistently remained the top priority for the Government, emphasizing the current political will to translate these priorities into tangible on-ground developments. The Minister expressed admiration for the Chinese expertise and participation in the ML-1 project. Ambassador Jiang Zaidong highlighted the project’s foundation on mutual understanding and underscored its integral role in fostering cooperation and development. He said we are fully committed to working with the Pakistani side, and our joint efforts aim to accelerate the realization of the ML-1 project.
R t t e C
04 COMMENT
Misunderstanding the Quran
Tuesday, 21 November 2023
While we fight…
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..the oceans rise
HERE are many larger issues that we tend to forget while embroiled in petty political squabbles, mostly, with the permanent establishment seeking to perpetuate itself at the expense of the political class, but also as a result of a fractured political class fighting within itself to curry favour with the aforementioned political establishment. One of these larger issues is climate change. In a world where climate change knows no borders, it is imperative that nations unite to combat its devastating effects. Pakistan, situated at the crossroads of environmental vulnerability, requires an across-the-parties commitment to address the challenges posed by climate change. The urgency of this matter demands a unified front across the political spectrum, transcending party lines for the collective good of our nation. Pakistan, like many countries, is already witnessing the adverse impacts of climate change. From extreme weather events to rising sea levels, the signs are glaring. Recognizing the gravity of the situation, it is disheartening to witness the political divide that impedes effective action. In order to safeguard our people and our environment, we must set aside political differences and forge a consensus on comprehensive climate change policies. One critical area that demands immediate attention is the energy sector. Pakistan has the potential to be a leader in renewable energy, given its abundant sunlight and wind resources. However, inconsistent policies and lack of cross-party collaboration have hindered progress. A united front is needed to establish a clear and consistent renewable energy policy that incentivizes investment and ensures a sustainable energy future. Water scarcity is another pressing issue exacerbated by climate change. The political bickering over water management projects must cease. A multi-party task force should be established to develop a holistic strategy that includes the construction of dams, efficient water distribution, and the promotion of water conservation practices. Failure to address this issue could lead to devastating consequences for agriculture, the backbone of Pakistan’s economy. Education and awareness are also key components of climate action. A united political front can support initiatives to integrate climate change education into school curricula, fostering a generation that understands the importance of sustainability and environmental conservation. International cooperation is equally vital. Climate change knows no borders, and Pakistan must actively engage with the global community to share knowledge, resources, and technology. A consensus-driven approach will bolster Pakistan’s position in international climate negotiations and enable us to access the support needed to implement effective climate mitigation and adaptation measures. The time for political posturing is over. Pakistan faces a grave threat, and only a united political front can navigate us through the challenges of climate change. It is our collective responsibility to ensure a sustainable future for generations to come. Let us set aside our differences and work together to safeguard the environment, protect our people, and secure the prosperity of Pakistan.
One major source of error
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HASAN AFTAB SAEED
HERE are numerous ways one can misunderstand and consequently misrepresent the Quran. In the ultimate analysis, all these are attributable, in varying degrees, to a lack of reflection and thoughtfulness on the part of the reader, despite the fact that exhortation to use one’s intellect happens to be one of the major themes of the book. There is one source of error however that, when not consciously guarded against, has caused some of the most honest, cautious and intelligent scholars to err, and err with some extremely unfortunate consequences. The source of this particular error lies in the fact that unlike books men are familiar with, the Quran is not structured neatly into encyclopaediatype entries, or even into chapter, section and subsection classifications we are accustomed to finding in the books they usually come across. Therefore, it is not the kind of book that, if an individual needs to look up information on a particular topic, all he needs to do is consult its table of contents or the index, and go to the relevant section to see what it has to say on the subject. There has been no end to the confusion that ensued whenever people have tried this indexbased approach. For instance, when the Quran talks about what happens to people after they die, it says that death is like sleep. It quotes people waking up on the Judgment Day for their trial exclaiming: ‘Who roused us from our slumber?’ So far so good. But then, in other places it describes those who start enjoying the bliss of the Afterlife from the moment they die; and in still other places, those who start receiving some of the comeuppance for their evil deeds as soon as they die. This has caused many readers no end of confusion regarding the so-called problem of the torment-of-thegrave. For unlike the books that they are familiar with, the Quran does not first say, ‘There are three categories of men’ (or words to that effect) before listing the three groups in the form of bullet points or under headings. It expects its reader to join the dots himself. Those who have failed to appreciate this
Dedicated to the legacy of late Hameed Nizami
Arif Nizami (Late) Founding Editor
Yousaf Nizami
have had grave doubts about the coherence of the Quran; and some of them have ‘solved’ the problem by concluding that the prophetic narrations overrule the Quran, which in turn has triggered a new sequence of unfortunate consequences. By way of another example, consider what the Quran has to say on the subject of dawah (enjoining good and forbidding evil). Without stating it explicitly, it covers – in different places – the duty of the ordinary man, the government, religious scholars and the messengers of God in this regard. Taking each such verse in its proper context makes it clear which instruction is meant for whom; but a failure to do that results in the hotchpotch we are all too familiar with, which has created the long and painful history of atrocities individuals and groups have been committing worldwide in the name of Jehad, justifying their heinous acts by quoting – of all things! – verses of the Quran; the unfortunate attempts of groups in this very country to implement ‘Islamic’ punishments on their own; private groups armed with batons (or worse) hell-bent on enforcing morality on the society at large; use of the Friday pulpit to incite the public to hatred and violence… the list goes on and on. Lest it be thought that the way the Quran expresses itself in its characteristic manner is a shortcoming on its part, let there be no doubt that the Quran conveys all the information about which individual, group or community any or a group of its verses is addressed to or refers to. However, because it was revealed piecemeal as per the requirement of the occasion over a period of more than two decades, and because it maintains its inimitable literary standard throughout, this information cannot simply be found under the appropriate ‘headings’, since there are none. The vital information is there all right, but is assessable only to those who think hard and holistically about what they read (hence the constant exhortation in the book to ponder on its verses) and those with an unfaltering consciousness of this aspect of the problem. The correct determination of the context therefore is paramount; and this requires rigorous application of the reader’s intellect. Alas, this has for a long time
Joint Editor
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Executive Editor
AHmED GHiAS
N the heart of Pakistan lies a treasure trove of history, a testament to the rich cultural tapestry that has woven itself into the very fabric of the nation. The Walled City of Lahore, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, stands as a majestic symbol of the country’s past, echoing tales of Mughal grandeur and British colonialism. However, its preservation and revitalization owe much to the remarkable efforts of the Walled City of Lahore Authority (WCLA). As we applaud their success, it is crucial to turn our attention towards other walled cities, particularly Peshawar and Multan, and consider emulating the WCLA’s model for safeguarding our shared heritage. Lahore, with its narrow, labyrinthine streets and ancient architecture, encapsulates the essence of Pakistan’s history. The WCLA’s success in preserving this cultural gem should serve as a guiding light for other cities grappling with the challenge of conserving their own historical quarters. Peshawar and Multan, both boasting rich histories, stand as prime candidates for adopting a similar approach to heritage preservation. The Walled City of Lahore Authority’s triumph lies in its comprehensive strategy, a holistic blend of conservation, community involvement, and sustainable development. One key aspect of their success is the meticulous restoration of historical structures. By employing skilled craftsmen and adhering to strict conservation standards, the WCLA has managed to breathe new life into dilapidated buildings, ensuring that the architectural marvels of the past continue to stand proudly in the present. Peshawar, with its ancient Bala Hisar Fort and the mesmerizing Qissa Khwani Bazaar, possesses a heritage equally deserving of preservation. The city, a crossroads of ancient civilizations, holds within its walls the stories of traders, invaders, and scholars. To embark on a journey mirroring Lahore’s success, Peshawar must prioritize the restoration of its historical landmarks, ensuring that the intricate details of its cultural narrative are not lost to the sands of time. Multan, the ‘City of Saints,’ carries a legacy dating back millennia, witnessed through its ornate shrines and ancient bazaars. The preservation of Multan’s walled city is a responsibility that transcends time; it is a duty to safeguard the roots from which the city has grown. Emulating Lahore’s model, Multan should invest in the preservation of its historical structures, fostering a sense of pride among its citizens and attracting visitors eager to delve into the city’s rich past. Community involvement has been a cornerstone of the WCLA’s success. Recognizing that the preservation of heritage is a collective responsibility, the authority has actively engaged with the residents of the Walled City of Lahore. Through outreach programs, educational initiatives, and involving local communities in the decision-making process, the
Other ancient walled cities, like Peshawar and Multan can learn from the success of the Walled City of Lahore Authority
WCLA has forged a sense of ownership among the people. This communal bond is vital for the sustained preservation of historical sites. In Peshawar, fostering community engagement could involve collaborations with local schools, hosting cultural events within the walled city, and encouraging residents to actively participate in preservation efforts. A sense of pride in the city’s history can be cultivated through educational programs that highlight the importance of Peshawar’s heritage, instilling a commitment to its preservation in the hearts of its citizens. Multan, with its deeply rooted traditions, can draw inspiration from Lahore’s community involvement model. Establishing partnerships with religious and community leaders, organizing cultural festivals, and creating platforms for local artisans to showcase their crafts can instill a sense of shared responsibility for the city’s heritage. Sustainable development has been another crucial aspect of Lahore’s preservation journey. The WCLA’s approach emphasizes striking a balance between conserving historical authenticity and adapting to the needs of a modern society. This has resulted in the rejuvenation of the walled city, making it a thriving hub for commerce, tourism, and cultural exchange. Peshawar, as a bustling urban center, can
take cues from Lahore’s sustainable development model. Encouraging responsible tourism, promoting local businesses within the walled city, and incorporating eco-friendly practices can ensure that the city’s heritage becomes an asset for its economic growth. Multan, with its unique blend of spirituality and commerce, can explore sustainable development avenues by creating spaces that accommodate both the needs of the modern world and the preservation of its historical charm. This could involve zoning regulations that encourage the establishment of artisan markets, cultural centers, and boutique hotels within the walled city. As we celebrate the success of the Walled City of Lahore Authority, we must recognize the urgency of extending this triumph to other historical cities of Pakistan. The preservation of our shared heritage is not only a nod to the past but an investment in the future. Peshawar and Multan, with their own unique stories to tell, can benefit immensely from emulating Lahore’s model of holistic heritage conservation, ensuring that the echoes of their history reverberate for generations to come. The time to act is now, for in preserving our past, we pave the way for a richer, more vibrant future. The writer is a proud Lahori with a passion for history, architecture and urban design.
Peshawar, as a bustling urban center, can take cues from LahoreÊs sustainable development model. Encouraging responsible tourism, promoting local businesses within the walled city, and incorporating eco-friendly practices can ensure that the cityÊs heritage becomes an asset for its economic growth.
Lahore – Ph: 042-36300938, 042-36375965
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Karachi – Ph: 021-35381208-9
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The author is a connoisseur of music, literature, and food (but not drinks). He can be reached at www.facebook.com/hasanaftabsaeed
For instance, when the Quran talks about what happens to people after they die, it says that death is like sleep. It quotes people waking up on the Judgment Day for their trial exclaiming: ÂWho roused us from our slumber?Ê So far so good. But then, in other places it describes those who start enjoying the bliss of the Afterlife from the moment they die; and in still other places, those who start receiving some of the comeuppance for their evil deeds as soon as they die.
Experiences shouldn’t be ‘walled up’ Editor Umar Aziz M. A. Niazi
proved to be the Achilles heel of the community. It has been mentioned that some of the most meticulous of scholars have been prone to this sort of error. As for the laymen, most of them read the Quran (if at all) only for the blessings (whatever those are!), relying for the philosophical as well as the practical aspects of their religion to the whims of the mullah, who typically is scarcely better in terms of his understanding of the book. Others are unconvinced about the significance of the context in the first place, believing every verse to be stand-alone and applicable at all times to every conceivable group. Still others are content with a superficial reading, opting to provide the context to its verses from extra-Quranic sources such as historical accounts or reports of sayings of the prophet (peace be upon him) and his companions. This last group, instead of reading context of a verse or a group of verses from the Quran opts to read it into the Quran. Because it is convinced (often sincerely so) that it has done justice to the act of reading the Quran, it is especially hard to point out its error to this group. Many people are averse to consideration of context because they are under the impression that that would limit the applicability of the Quran and would in turn diminish its universality. These are well-meaning folks but their concern could not be more misplaced because their reasoning could not be faultier. No doubt many of the Quranic injunctions have universal and timeless relevance, but not everything answers to this description. There is no escaping the fact that each verse of the Quran addresses or refers to specific individuals or groups. It may well be that the nature of the issue at hand is such that it has universal and perennial application (and there are many such issues); but in the first instance each verse must be understood in its narrow context, that is, in terms of the speaker, the audience, the characters, the time and the location. Failure to grasp this has caused a lot of damage in the past. The prognosis too is far from promising.
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Promoting co-education in Balochistan
CO-EDUCATION not only fosters a sense of equality and mutual respect among students but also prepares them for the diverse and inclusive world they will face in the future. It promotes healthy competition, enhances social skills, and encourages a broader perspective on various subjects. By exposing both boys and girls to the same educational environment, we can break down gender barriers and empower our youth to collaborate towards a brighter and more prosperous Balochistan. I earnestly request the government of Balochistan to take proactive measures to promote co-education in the region. This can be achieved by establishing more co-educational schools and colleges, providing necessary resources and training for teachers, and raising awareness among parents and communities about the benefits of co-education. Investing in co-education is an investment in the future health and progress of Balochistan. It will create a society where both men and women have equal opportunities to learn, grow, and contribute meaningfully to the development of our beloved province. I appreciate your attention to this important matter and trust that the government of Balochistan will prioritise the promotion of co-education in its educational policies and initiatives. Together, we can create a healthier, more enlightened, and inclusive society for all. RAHIM DAD TURBAT
Intellect battle
ARTIFICIAL intelligence, encompassing the knowledge and skills related to computers, machines, robots, and smartphones, often sparks debates about its superiority over human intelligence. As a biologist with postgraduate experience, I emphasise that challenging the intricacies of Allah’s creation, human intelligence, is no small feat. Despite creating artificial intelligence, humans are still uncovering the complexity, speed, and techniques of their own intelligence. Proof 1: Survival: Humans, the most evolved species on Earth, have adapted and evolved across diverse regions, contributing to increased biodiversity and environmental conditions. Numerous articles and academic records attest to human evolution, such as Martin H. Truth’s work in Quaternary Science Reviews (November 2010). Human mobility and adaptability surpass artificial intelligence systems, which struggle to survive in various environments. Artificial intelligence cannot compete with the intricate nervous system of the animal brain (Reference: “A Critique of Pure Learning and What Artificial Neural Networks Can Learn from Animal Brains” by Anthony M. Zador, Nature Communications, 2019). Proof 2: Problem Solving: The speed at which machines solve problems in seconds is a testament to human intelligence and the development of computers. Contrary to the misconception that machines are already smarter than humans, they are heavily dependent on human brains. Machines, susceptible to errors, require charging systems and lack the adaptability and survivability of humans in different temperatures and atmospheres (Time Magazine, September 29, 2017). In essence, these basic arguments, supported by evidence, underscore the superiority of human intelligence over computers and machines. Despite the advancements in artificial intelligence, history proves that the success in the world, including the development of artificial intelligence, is a result of human ingenuity. MARYAM AFGHANI LAHORE
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Email: editorial@pakistantoday.com.pk
COMMENT 05
Bridging borders: The strategic imperative of India-Bangladesh connectivity Tuesday, 21 November 2023
In the midst of regional challenges, an exploration of the vital role played by cross-border infrastructure in fostering economic growth, diplomatic ties, and security
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mEHJAbiN bHANU
HERE has been a recent surge in the number of Chin refugees entering Mizoram from the adjacent nation as a result of airstrikes by the Myanmar Army on ethnic insurgents and intense fighting along the border between India and Myanmar. Uncertainty has surrounded India’s Kaladan Multimodal Transit Transport project, which uses Sittwe port in Myanmar, due to the recent outbreak of hostilities along the Mizoram-Myanmar border. Construction on the road portion of the Kaladan project, which runs from Paletwa in Myanmar to Zorinpui in Mizoram, was resumed thanks to the time of relative calm during the intermittent period. However, recent unrest has increased concerns about missing the revised commissioning goal dates. The project’s goal is to link northeastern states with the rest of India via an alternate route, using the Sittwe port in Myanmar. In addition to this route, India can also connect the region with the rest of India through Assam by using the Chittagong port in Bangladesh to link it with Tripura, the Indo-Bangladesh Protocol route to connect it with Bangladesh’s inland waterways, and the Brahmaputra train line to connect Kolkata, Dhaka, and Agartala via Akhaura. Bangladesh and India are connected via the highly acclaimed Agartala-Akhaura international railway. Before independence, there existed a rail connection
between Agartala and other locations. At this moment, the railway that runs between Akhaura and Agartala is beginning to prosper. Additionally, the ports of Chattogram and Mongla in Bangladesh are open to Indian businessmen sending products under an agreement between Bangladesh and India. India and Bangladesh have decided to proceed with a railway project that would promote tourism, commerce, and economic growth between the two nations. The initiative will improve border connections, encourage small enterprises, increase tourism in the northeast, and allow Indian entrepreneurs to ship products via Bangladeshi ports. The Ramgarh Land Port will benefit India.Trade between Bangladesh and Myanmar and regional growth India and Bangladesh must be friends for the sake of their respective countries. The enhanced road and rail links between Bangladesh and India would provide new avenues for trade and business. The distant Chittagong Hill Tracts of Bangladesh, where the Ramgarh land port is now being built in the Khagrachari district, would benefit the nation’s economy overall as well as that of this area. It may be a crucial project for the growth of local businesses and the economy. The utilisation of this port would assist the nation’s commercial hub, Chittagong, as well as the seven states known as the “Seven Sisters” in northeastern India, Cox’s Bazar, Chittagong Hill Tracts, and other tourist destinations. The expansion of commerce and mutual ties would strengthen the amicable ties between Bangladesh and India. India would be able to get commodities in less time and at a lower cost if Ramgarh Port is built since Chittagong Seaport is just 112 km away, making transshipment to India considerably simpler. Road connectivity between Tripura and the northeastern Indian states of Meghalaya, Assam, Manipur, Mizoram, Nagaland, and Arunachal Pradesh will be created. In light of this, Bangladesh desires friendship with India for the benefit of its own growth. Via the Line of Credit (LoC) mechanism, India has made a number of investments in Bangladesh, notably the upgrading of the Ramgarh road. Chittagong and Dhaka would be linked to Sabrum in Tripura and Ramgarh in Khagrachari with the implementation of this project. The completion date of the work is set for December 31, 2024. The road’s construction will be handled by Indian firm Ashoka Buildcon Limited. Residents of Tripura are able to utilise both Chittagong airport and ports. The new
The risks to India’s rise
A rapidly growing, democratic India would benefit not only Indians, but the entire world. Unfortunately, the path Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government is currently on – which includes embracing Hindu chauvinism and reimposing controls on trade – is leading the country in the wrong direction
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PROJECT SYNDICATE ANNE O. KRUEGER
few decades ago, India was a relatively minor player on the world stage. Despite its size and vast population, the country grappled with what became pejoratively known as the “Hindu rate of growth,” with GDP increasing at a tepid annual pace of 4%, or 2% per capita from 1947, when it gained independence, until the 1980s. How things have changed. India’s economy has become one of the world’s fastestgrowing, with GDP rising at an annual average rate of 6.2% since 2006. But can India sustain this impressive performance? One reason why independent India’s economy took so long to grow fast is that the government heavily regulated domestic economic activity for decades, imposing stringent controls on international trade and discouraging foreign investment. But in 1991, a deep economic crisis forced India’s government to pursue reforms that opened the way for a rapid expansion of trade. India’s share of world exports rose from 0.5% in 1991 to 2.6% in 2022, and its share of trade in commercial services reached even greater heights, contributing to a sharp increase in incomes. While India’s economic rise was impressive, it was eclipsed by that of China for decades. But in 2021, India’s growth exceeded China’s for the first time. And the International Monetary Fund expects this to continue, with India achieving 6.3% growth in both 2023 and 2024, compared to 5% and 4.2%, respectively, in China. Per capita income is also rising faster, even as India’s population, at some 1.42 billion, surpasses that of China. India now boasts not only the world’s largest population, but also the fifth-largest economy at current exchange rates, and the third largest in purchasing-power-parity terms. Of course, more work has been done by Indian policymakers and central bankers since the 1990s. Telecoms have been modernized substantially, as anyone who remembers what it was like to make a phone call in India before 2003 can attest. The banking system was stabilized and strengthened under former Reserve Bank of India Governor Raghuram G. Rajan. More recently, Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government increased spending on infrastructure maintenance and upgrades. Electricity access has been extended to cover 98% of households, and cash transfers have improved the lot of the country’s poorest. Meanwhile, the tax structure has been rejigged (to
reduce some of the inefficiencies resulting from differences in sales-tax rates between states), and the bankruptcy code has been improved. India’s recent economic success has strengthened its international standing and boosted its confidence. Now, with geopolitical shifts, especially the US-China rivalry, further enhancing India’s position, some are predicting that the country could well be the next global economic superpower. But that will require further economic reforms, and, worryingly, Modi’s government seems to be turning away from some of the principles and policies that propelled India’s rise. For starters, the government has announced a “Make in India” initiative, which uses subsidies, tariffs, and other measures to encourage companies to develop, manufacture, and assemble products at home, even though liberalizing the trade regime is precisely what enabled India’s growth over the last few decades. Furthermore, with large Indian companies receiving considerable government support, they are enjoying an even greater advantage over small and medium-size enterprises (SMEs), which are struggling to navigate the rules and regulations governing economic activity. The Modi government appears not to realize that a robust start-up culture and dynamic SMEs are essential to healthy economic growth. It does not help that the privatization of inefficient state-owned enterprises has proceeded very slowly. And when it comes to dealing with the government or the courts, long bureaucratic delays are still the norm. On the political front, Modi’s government appears to be abandoning the principles of secularism embedded in India’s constitution in favor of Hindu chauvinism. Modi’s Bharatiya Janata Party has demonstrated scant tolerance for nonHindus, especially Muslims, against whom the government is accused of discriminating. There are also serious concerns about suppression of press freedom and concentration of economic and political power. With its large and relatively youthful population, India could benefit from a powerful “demographic dividend” in the coming years. But to make the most of it, the government must ensure that young people have access to quality education and good jobs, and there is good reason to doubt that it can. Already, India is grappling with high youth unemployment. Though school enrollments have risen, the quality of education remains poor, reflected in high adult illiteracy. Labor-force skills are in serious need of upgrading. A rapidly growing, democratic India would benefit not only Indians, but the entire world. But the government’s current path leads to a dead end. India’s leaders must abandon it and focus on strengthening education and training, streamlining bureaucracies, and leveling the economic playing field. If they do, the twenty-first century could be India’s.
Anne O. Krueger, a former World Bank chief economist and former first deputy managing director of the International Monetary Fund, is Senior Research Professor of International Economics at the Johns Hopkins University School of Advanced International Studies and Senior Fellow at the Center for International Development at Stanford University.
economic route connecting the two nations will be the land port of Ramgarh. Then, visiting Cox’s Bazar, which has one of the longest beaches in the world, would be simpler for Indian visitors. Additionally, it will be easier for residents of Chittagong and the Chittagong Hill Tracts to go to Northeast India, and commerce between India and the Rakhine and Chin regions of Myanmar would speed up. The people of the three nations will benefit from the operationalization of the Ramgarh land port, which will provide new opportunities. Japan, a strong friend of Bangladesh and India, is eager to become involved in the area. The geopolitics of the area may gain a major geoeconomic component from the Northeast-Bangladesh economic corridor. Japan’s contribution to the establishment of an industrial value-chain linking Bangladesh and Northeast India as well as the northeastern region (NER) to the Bay of Bengal might have a major impact on regional connetivity. In addition to alleviating travel time and distance constraints and mitigating security and instability issues, the strategic significance of the alternate routes via Bangladesh may lie in their potential to lessen reliance on the slender. Chicken Neck Corridor for surface connectivity between the northeastern region and the rest of India. Indian businessmen, investors, and tourist sector players who are investigating new trade and commerce potential via seaports and connection projects in Myanmar are concerned about the security instability in that country. In this instance, India’s best bet may be to employ
In order to maintain IndiaÊs cross-border connection and hasten development in the northeastern area, it is still necessary to use Bangladesh alternatives like land ports, sea ports, and corridors.
Bangladeshi ports, such Chittagong port, as well as projects involving interior waterways, railroads, and roads. In order to keep anti-Indian forces from undermining India’s plans to expand bilateral and multilateral engagements under the Act East Policy and Neighbourhood First policy and establish the northeast region as the entry point to the sub-region, India must continue to be on guard against these forces. Concerns for the stability in Rakhine State and Chin State, as well as the possibility that the Kaladan project may remain precarious for an extended length of time, have also been raised by reports of Arakan Army columns entering Chin State, Myanmar, and occupying a number of towns, including Paletwa. Time and expense will increase much more if the Kaladan project is delayed. Between 2010 and 2022, the project’s expected cost increased from Rs 530 crore to Rs 3200 crore. The project component consists of the previously finished construction of the Sittwe port and inland waterways that run 158 km along the River Kaladan from Sittwe to Paletwa. Despite Sittwe Port’s May opening, the multimodal project has not yet been put into service because domestic unrest in Myanmar has slowed down and delayed the work of the road portion, which runs 110 km from Paletwa to Zorinpui. The first Indian cargo ship to sail from Kolkata port and travel the 539 km sea route between Kolkata and Sittwe was flagged off by Union Minister for Ports, Shipping, and Waterways, AYUSH Sarbananda Sonowal, and Deputy Prime Minister and Union Minister for Transport and Communications, Admiral Tin Aung San of Myanmar. Together, they inaugurated the port. India has to tread carefully when it comes to Myanmar’s unstable domestic affairs. It needs to be conscious of the ways in which Revel groups in Myanmar might undermine peace in the northeastern regions by using them as a launching pad. Forces hostile to India’s interests would support rebel organisations in the northeast and encourage drug dealers to supply the area with illegal substances. Thus, the concern has been raised by the growing number of Myanmar refugees seeking safety in Mizoram. However, India’s Bangladesh alternative saves money, and time, and is reliable and safe. In order to maintain India’s cross-border connection and hasten development in the northeastern area, it is still necessary to use Bangladesh alternatives like land ports, sea ports, and corridors. The writer is a freelance columnist
Why did London School of Economics censor this article on Israel’s lobby?
This article was originally submitted to the London Schools of Economics’ British Politics and Policy blog. Although the author is a professor at the LSE, the article was rejected for publication. A statement from the LSE can be read at the end of this article
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ELECTRONIC INTIFADA JAmEs HUGHEs
HE Israeli-Palestinian conflict in recent weeks has given salience to the question of what constitutes “extremism” in Britain. Conservative government politicians have challenged senior police officers to clamp down on pro-Palestine protesters and supporters, and have criticized the London Metropolitan Police in particular for being too soft on “extremism” and being too reticent to use counter-terrorism and other criminal laws to arrest and prosecute those suspected of “extremism.” The commander of the Metropolitan Police Mark Rowley has joined government demands for a review of laws on terrorism and hate crimes, calling for greater clarity and an expanded definition of “extremism.” Equally, he has resisted – so far – the enormous political pressure from the Conservative government and pro-Israel lobby groups to ban protests and expressions of anti-Israel sentiment. An important context here is that about 80 percent of Conservative MPs are members of the pressure group Conservative Friends of Israel. The expansion of that lobby has been nurtured by Israel over recent years. This explains the almost unanimous pro-Israel positioning of the current Conservative government and its mirroring of the policy of the Israeli state itself by fusing criticism of the Israeli state with anti-Semitism, and attempts to ban anti-Israeli political expression. Suella Braverman – home secretary until her recent dismissal – is one of the leading pro-Israel voices within the Conservative Party in the effort to Israelize policy approach to civil liberties in the UK. Her recent article in The Times takes the issue of extremism in a new direction by linking the mass popular support for Palestinians and antipathy to Israel directly to the UK’s past experience of dealing with violence and extremism in Northern Ireland. What precisely are the lessons to be drawn from extremism in Northern Ireland? Could the Conservative government’s support for Israel itself be a form of “extremism”? COMPLICITY IN THE CRIME OF APARTHEID: First, as regards Conservative support for Israel, numerous respected international organizations in the human rights field have declared Israel to
be an apartheid state, including Human Rights Watch, Amnesty International, and Israel’s own leading human rights advocacy organization B’Tselem. Two successive United Nations special rapporteurs on the situation of human rights for Palestinians in the Occupied Territories, have produced detailed reports setting out the apartheid nature of the Israeli state: Michael Lynk (Canada) in 2022, and Francesca Albanese (Italy) in 2023. Apartheid is a crime against humanity under the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court. Consequently, many (not all) Western democracies, including the UK, are complicit in the crime of apartheid through their largely unconditional support for Israel. This is about the nature of the state of Israel in its subjection and repression of Palestinians, not the war crimes and genocidal practices currently being perpetrated in Gaza. Second, on the question of “extremism” we should remember that the UK has a long history stretching from its colonial past on pragmatically developing and interpreting laws that criminalize violent resistance and define extremism. The conflict in Northern Ireland is illustrative for the current discussion on extremism and on how the treatment of “terrorist” organizations is not a matter of objective meaning but rather of politicized thinking. State emergency acts to undermine the rule of law were in existence in Northern Ireland from 1922 to the end of the Stormont regime in 1972 through the so-called Special Powers Act. Under Stormont, many nationalist organizations were “proscribed” (i.e. banned), including the political wing of the IRA, Sinn Féin. Under British direct rule in 1974, Sinn Féin was removed from the proscribed organizations’ list (largely to facilitate back channel negotiation). On the Loyalist side in Northern Ireland, the British government only added the Ulster Defence Association to its proscribed terrorist list in 1992 despite the fact that its armed wing the Ulster Freedom Fighters (UFF) was responsible for hundreds of sectarian murders from its formation in 1971. We also now know from British government enquiries after the Good Friday Agreement in 1998 that there was systematic cooperation and “collusion” between sections of the state responsible for counter-terrorism in the police, army and security agencies, and Loyalist terrorist organizations. The Northern Ireland Troubles (Legacy and Reconciliation) Act pushed through the UK Parliament in September 2023 by this same Conservative government – is primarily designed to shield British state agents from prosecution for criminal actions during the Northern Ireland conflict. Although Suella Braverman is keen to draw analogy between extremism in England and Northern Ireland, we should also note that no effort has been made by successive Conservative governments to apply the countering radicalization/extremism legislation enacted in England and Wales –
the “Contest” strategy – to Northern Ireland. Those strategies, though riddled with ambiguities, have been developed and expanded under Conservative governments to include “violent” extremism and subsequently “non-violent extremism.” ISRAEL’S “DEEP CONTACTS”: Some politicians and senior police chiefs have often described Contest and the related Prevent strategy as “toxic” for poisoning relations with British Muslims, and for many British Muslims these strategies reflect Islamophobic tendencies in the Conservative Party, a view supported by former Conservative Party chair Sayeeda Warsi. The above inconsistencies are just a few from a plethora, and should help us better contextualise the adding of Hamas’s political wing in 2021 to the proscribed terrorist organizations’ list under the Terrorism Act 2000 by then Home Secretary Priti Patel another vocal pro-Israel Conservative. Hamas’s behavior had not changed since its military wing was added to the list in 2001, so why was it banned in 2021? The move was seen even by BBC commentator James Landale at the time as reflecting “the deep contacts that Israel has within the Conservative Party.” Perhaps, this is the most significant lesson to be drawn from the political convulsions in the Conservative government over the mobilization of anti-Israel sentiment. From the 1970s Israel invested enormous political capital in building a pro-Israel lobby within the US and today AIPAC is one of the most politically powerful forces in US politics. A similar effort has been made by Israel over recent years to achieve something similar in British and European politics more widely – to capture governing parties and through them shape policy in ways that protect Israel and demonize Palestinians. Professor James Hughes is an expert on political violence and terrorism in the Department of Government, London School of Economics.
Editor’s note: The Electronic Intifada contacted the editors of the LSE’s British Politics and Policy blog, asking why they had rejected the article by James Hughes. The response can be read below. James Hughes does not accept that his article failed to meet the publication’s editorial guidelines. He pointed out that those guidelines do not contain any red lines concerning the topics which contributors may address.
LSE reply: This blog post was reviewed by a governance board consisting of senior academics. The decision was made not to accept the blog as submitted, on the grounds that it did not meet the blog’s editorial guidelines. The detail of the decision has been shared with the author, as is standard in such instances. The academic governance board would be happy to receive a revised submission.
06 NEWS
AT LEAST 12 MORE KILLED AS ISRAELI FORCES SURROUND ANOTHER HOSPITAL IN GAZA
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GAZA MIAN ABRAR
T least 12 more people were reported to have been killed in Israeli strikes since Monday morning after Israeli forces surrounded Indonesian Hospital in Gaza – the fourth hospital to come under Israeli forces’ attack since October 7. Quoting a journalist based in Gaza, Ismail Al Ghoul, Al Jazeera reported that Israeli forces were shooting whoever was trying to leave the hospital, adding that “the situation in the hospital is catastrophic”. The journalist further told Al Jazeera that the hospital was full of people; sheltering more than 6,000, including staff and patients. “It has been difficult to transfer patients from northern Gaza because Israeli forces are targeting anyone that approaches the area,” the journalist informed. In more updates from the Indonesian Hospital, Munner al-Bursh, General Manager of the Health Ministry in Gaza, told Al Jazeera that, “Israeli forces are continuing to attack the hospital.” He said the attack started in the middle of the night and “targeted the surgical department, wounding the
Tuesday, 21 November, 2023 | ISLAMABAD
doctors working there and killing 12 civilians who were taking refuge”. Al-Bursh said the Israeli forces “then targeted people who were leaving the hospital by shooting them near the hospital. Their bodies are still lying on the ground and nobody has been able to bury them”. According to Al-Jazeera, the al-Kuwait UN school was burned down by the Israeli forces, adding that there were no reports so far of the death toll of the people sheltering in the school. “In addition to around 700 patients and 5,000 refugees before the attack, there were 10,000 people in the shelter centres around the hospital,” Al Jazeera reported. “We are using a small power generator that is run by vegetable oil, manufactured by some creative individuals, who sacrificed some of their food supply to run the generator,” the hospital’s general manager said. Al Jazeera’s Anas al-Sharif described the scenes inside Indonesian Hospital as “chaotic”. The reporter went around different floors of the hospital to report that “there is an overwhelming state of panic among patients”. He said the hospital was now “besieged” by Israeli forces, and anyone moving outside was a target.
Jabalia refugee camp strikes Israeli troops were “expanding” their operation in the Gaza Strip Monday, as Qatari mediators said they were inching closer to a deal to free some of the 240 hostages held by Hamas militants, AFP reported. The Palestinian health authority says the death toll from Israel’s aerial bombardment and ground operations in Gaza has reached 13,000, thousands of them children. Israel has warned residents of Gaza’s largest refugee camp Jabalia and a nearby coastal camp to evacuate, as the military said Sunday it was “expanding its operational activities in additional neighbourhoods… of the Gaza Strip.” After intense bombardment, an AFP journalist in Gaza saw columns of smoke rising from Jabalia on Sunday. A health official said more than 80 people were killed in twin strikes on Jabalia , including on a UN school sheltering displaced people. Social media videos verified by AFP showed bodies covered in blood and dust on the floor of a building, where mattresses had been wedged under school tables. Israel’s military has claimed Jabalia is among the areas of focus as they “target terrorists and strike Hamas infrastructure”. Without mentioning the strikes, the Israeli army said “an incident in the Jabalia region” was under review. UN rights chief Volker Turk on Sunday condemned the purported strike on the school as “horrifying”, adding that “the horrendous events of the past 48 hours in Gaza beggar belief.” On Monday, Palestinian news agency Wafa said the Indonesian hospital near Jabalia had also come under shelling. ‘Stop humanitarian disaster’ Six weeks into the war, Israel is facing intense international pressure to justify its bloody toll. Israel officials have warned a “window of legitimacy” for the war to rout Hamas may be closing. Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Monday called for urgent action to stop the “humanitarian disaster” unfolding in Gaza.
Israeli civilians fleeing music festival during Hamas attack killed in ‘friendly fire’: report
TEL AVIV: A report in the Israeli newspaper Haaretz has said that an IDF combat helicopter that engaged Hamas fighters at the Nova music festival near the Kibbutz Re’im during the Oct 7 attack hit festival participants as well. The report, dated Nov 18, cited an assessment based on an investigation by the police with detained Hamas fighters from that day, which also discovered that Hamas fighters did not have advance knowledge about the music festival and “decided to target the party spontaneously”. The story does not specify the condition of the Israeli festivalgoers that were hit with the helicopter fire. Separately, an Anadolu Agency report carried excerpts from Israeli newspaper Yedioth Ahronoth, which mentioned the challenges faced by Israeli forces who “found it difficult to identify Hamas militants”, adding that the pilots “used artillery” against civilians at the festival. The report also said that Hamas fighters were instructed to blend in with the crowd to deceive the air force into mistaking them for Israelis. “In this way, they tried to fool the Air Force into believing that those below were Israelis. This deception worked for a while until the Apache helicopters had to break free of all restraints,” the report added. “When they realised that, some of them decided to use artillery shells against the terrorists independently, without getting permission from their superiors.” The police also estimated that 364 people were killed in the festival without revealing their identities. Meanwhile, the Times of Israel carried a statement from the Israeli police, which distanced itself from Haaretz’s report. “The Haaretz article in Hebrew cites an unnamed Israel Police official saying that its investigation of the incident found that an IDF helicopter at the site that was firing at terrorists ‘apparently harmed a few partygoers who were in the area’.” AGENCIES
“The situation in Gaza affects all countries around the world, questioning the human sense of right and wrong and humanity’s bottom line,” Wang told visiting diplomats from Arab and Muslim-majority nations. Al-Shifa Hospital Israel on Sunday presented what it claimed was evidence Hamas fighters used Gaza’s largest hospital, Al-Shifa, to hide foreign hostages and to mask underground tunnels. The Israeli military released what was claimed to be CCTV footage from October 7 of two male hostages from Nepal and Thailand being brought into the hospital. “We have not yet located both of these hostages,” army spokesman Daniel Hagari
told reporters. One clip showed a man in shorts and a pale blue shirt being dragged into an entrance hall by five men, at least three of whom were armed. In a second clip, an injured man in underwear is wheeled in on a gurney by armed men as several others wearing blue hospital scrubs look on. AFP could not immediately verify the footage. Israel also accused the Palestinian resistance group of executing a 19-year-old Israeli soldier Noa Marciano at Al-Shifa and presented images of what it claimed was a 55metre-long underground tunnel under the hospital.
battles Israeli China welcomes diplomatic efforts by Arab, Islamic nations over Gaza Hamas forces in north Gaza, BEIJING
MIAN ABRAR
Foreign Ministers of China and Arab world and Islamic countries held a special session to discuss possible solution to the Palestine dispute amid Israel’s illegal and inhumane attack on Gaza. The delegation, including the foreign ministers of Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Egypt, Indonesia and Palestine, and the secretary general of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, are on a two-day visit to China. Reportedly set to meet officials representing each of the five permanent members of the UN Security Council, the delegation has chosen China as the first leg of a tour to push for an end to hostilities between the Palestinians and the Israelis. China supports the diplomatic efforts by Arab and Islamic countries to de-escalate the ongoing Palestinian-Israeli conflict, said
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Monday. Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, made the remarks during talks with a delegation consisting of Arab and Islamic foreign ministers in Beijing. Wang said that shows a high degree of trust in China and the fine tradition of mutual understanding and support between the two sides. “China is a good friend and good brother of Arab and Islamic countries,” he said. Noting that Monday marks the 35th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Palestine, Wang said China stands for fairness and justice in the conflict, and has been working for de-escalations, protection of civilians, humanitarian relief efforts, the return to a two-state solution and an early resolution of the Palestinian issue. The top priority is to fully implement the relevant resolutions of the United Nations Security Council and secure an immediate ceasefire, he said.
International law, especially international humanitarian law, must be abided by, added Wang. As the rotating chair of the UN Security Council, China will continue to strengthen coordination with Arab and Islamic countries to build consensus and promote the Security Council to take further meaningful actions on the situation in Gaza, he said. The delegation urged the international community to take responsible actions and promote an immediate ceasefire, secure a full delivery of humanitarian aid materials to Gaza, protect Palestine’s civilians, and prevent the forced relocation of Gaza residents. Members of the delegation include Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud, Jordanian Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi, Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry, Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi, Palestinian Foreign Minister Riyad Al-Maliki and Secretary General of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation Hissein Brahim Taha.
France sending warship to provide medical aid to Gaza PARIS
AGENCIES
France is preparing to send its Dixmude helicopter carrier to the eastern Mediterranean to offer medical assistance in war-torn Gaza, the office of the French president said Sunday. The Dixmude will set sail “at the start of the week and arrive in Egypt in the coming days,” President Emmanuel Macron’s office said. A charter flight carrying more than 10 tonnes of medical supplies is also planned for the start of the week. “France will also contribute to the European effort with medical equipment on board European flights on November 23 and 30,” the presidential office said. It added that “France is mobilising all its available means to contribute to the evacuation of wounded and sick children requiring emergency care from the Gaza Strip to its hospitals”. Macron said later on X, formerly Twitter, that up to 50 children could be flown for treatment in hospi-
tals in France “if useful and necessary”. Israel has vowed to destroy Gaza’s rulers Hamas after the Palestinian militant group carried out the deadliest attack in the country’s history on October 7. About 1,200 people, most of them civilians, were killed in Israel during Hamas’s October 7 attack and around 240 taken hostage, according to Israeli officials. In Gaza, 13,000 people, mainly civilians and more than 5,000 of them children, have been killed by Israel’s military response, according to Hamas officials. Macron told Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu there were “too many civilian losses” in Gaza, his office said Sunday. The French leader also reminded Netanyahu of the “absolute necessity to distinguish terrorists from the population” and “the importance of achieving an immediate humanitarian truce leading to a ceasefire”. Macron on Saturday spoke with Qatari Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani and with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi about ongoing negotiations to free hostages held by Hamas in Gaza.
amid hopes of hostage deal
JERUSALEM/ GAZA AGENCIES
Hamas gunmen battled Israeli forces trying to push into Gaza’s largest refugee camp on Sunday and at least 11 Palestinians were killed by an Israeli air strike on a house, medics said, as hopes rose of a deal to free some hostages from the enclave. The Washington Post said on Sunday that US mediators were close to a deal between Israel and Hamas to free dozens of women and children held hostage in Gaza in exchange for a five-day pause in their war that would help boost emergency aid shipments to Gaza civilians, citing people familiar with the matter. The Post had reported on Saturday that a tentative deal had been reached, but this was denied by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and US officials, with a White House spokesperson saying efforts were continuing to clinch a deal. On Sunday, however, Israel’s Ambassador to the United States Michael Herzog said in an interview on ABC’s “This Week” that Israel was hopeful a significant number of hostages could be released by Hamas “in coming days”. Hamas took about 240 hostages during its deadly cross-border rampage into Israel on Oct. 7, which prompted Israel to besiege and invade the tiny Palestinian territory to wipe out its ruling Islamist group after several inconclusive wars since 2007. Reuters reported on Nov. 15 that Qatari mediators had been seeking a deal between Israel and Hamas to exchange 50 hostages in return for a three-day ceasefire, citing an official briefed on the talks. At the time, the official said general outlines had been agreed but Israel was still negotiating details. On Sunday, Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed Bin Abdulrahman al-Thani told a press conference in Doha that the main obstacles to a deal were now “very minor”, with mainly “practical and logistical” issues to surmount.
Xi, Putin greet China-Russia dialogue mechanism between ruling parties BEIJING
STAFF CORRESPONDENT
Chinese President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, and Russian President Vladimir Putin, on Monday respectively sent congratulatory letters to the 10th meeting of the dialogue mechanism between the ruling parties of China and Russia. The fact that the two leaders attach such importance to the dialogue mechanism between ruling parties shows that this kind of mechanism serves as an important pillar of bilateral relations, and also that China and Russia are willing to jointly enhance close communication of this kind between ruling parties, said Chinese experts. In his congratulatory letter, Xi extended warm congratulations on the convening of the meeting. He said that at present, changes unseen in a century are unfolding at an ever faster pace and the world has entered a new period of disorder and transformation. China-Russia relations have withstood the severe test of changes in the international landscape, maintained a high level of development,
set an example of a new model of majorcountry relations, and played a more prominent strategic role in achieving global stability and development. Noting that next year marks the 75th anniversary of the establishment of China-Russia diplomatic ties, Xi said China is ready to work with Russia to grasp the general trend of history, firmly develop relations featuring permanent good-neighborly friendship, comprehensive strategic coordination and mutually beneficial cooperation, and vigorously promote the development and revitalization of both countries to inject more stability and positive energy into the world. Xi pointed out that the exchanges and cooperation between the CPC and the United Russia party form an important part of China-Russia relations in the new era, and the dialogue mechanism between the ruling parties of China and Russia has developed into a unique channel and platform for the two countries to consolidate political mutual trust, enhance strategic coordination and promote mutually beneficial cooperation. It is hoped that the two parties will take the 10th meeting of the dialogue mechanism as an opportunity to demon-
strate the responsibility of major parties and countries, enrich exchanges in the new era, create a new situation of institutionalized exchanges and cooperation, and contribute more to the development of China-Russia relations in the new era, safeguarding international fairness and justice, and promoting the building of a community with a shared future for humanity, Xi said. Putin said in his congratulatory letter that the Russia-China comprehensive strategic partnership of coordination is at the highest level in history, and the two countries are working together to advance a number of large-scale cooperation projects in the fields of economy, transportation, energy and culture, among others. The two countries are coordinating positions through bilateral channels and multilateral mechanisms such as the Shanghai Cooperation Organization and BRICS to resolve major international issues and promote the building of a more just and democratic international order. As the ruling parties of Russia and China, the United Russia party and the CPC have carried out high-level and constructive interactions and promoted the
rapid development of bilateral cooperation in various fields, Putin said. The central committee organs and local institutions of the two parties have maintained institutionalized interactions, exchanged useful experience on party building, legislation and social work, and held in-depth discussions on a series of practical issues on the bilateral and international agendas, he added. Putin expressed the belief that the 10th meeting of the dialogue mechanism will be meaningful and constructive, and further promote and deepen the fruitful cooperation between Russia and China. The dialogue mechanism between the ruling parties of China and Russia serves as an important pillar of bilateral relations between the two countries, Cui Heng, an assistant research fellow from the Center for Russian Studies of East China Normal University said. Cui said that both leaders sending congratulatory letters to the meeting not only demonstrates the fact that they attached great importance to the mechanism, but also shows their willingness to enhance inter-party communication, especially before next year’s Russian presidential elections.
Tuesday, 21 November, 2023 | ISLAMABAD
CORPORATE CORNER Sui Northern Sports Gala 2023 concludes with Lahore Distribution as a winner
LAHORE: Annual Sports Gala of Sui Northern Gas concluded on Thursday with Lahore Distribution emerging as the winner. 336 players of 21 teams participated in the four days long sports gala which continued from 14th to 17th November. In the Finals held on Friday, Lahore Distribution bagged first position with 51 points, Faisalabad Distribution got second position with 44 points whereas Mardan Distribution got third position with 41 points. Awais from Faisalabad Distribution was declared best player of the event.Winning shields and prizes were distributed by Faisal Iqbal, Chief Financial Officer; Qaisar Masood, Senior General Manager (Distribution); Shahzad Lone, Senior General Manager (Projects); Imtiaz Mahmood, President Sports Cell; Muhammad Arshad, Vice President; Imran Safdar Virk, General Secretary; Kanwal Wazir, Finance Secretary; Aftab Ashraf and Khalid Mahmood, Member Sports Cell, and Shaheen Iqbal Marwat, Secretary CBA Union. PR
Gas theft crackdown: Another 144 connections disconnected in Punjab, KP and Islamabad
LAHORE: During the ongoing crackdown against gas pilferers, SNGPL continued raids in Punjab, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Islamabad, disconnecting another 144 connections while 158 under billing cases processed ; Rs 8.69 million fine imposed In Lahore, the regional team disconnected 41 connections on illegal use of gas and another 9 on use of compressor. The team also imposed fine of Rs 1.69 million against gas theft and under billing cases.In Bahawalpur the company disconnected one connections on the use of compressor .The regional team in Multan disconnected 6 connections on illegal use of gas,78 Under billing cases have been processed.The team imposed fine of Rs 0.16 million against gas pilferes.In Peshawar and Karak,the company disconnected 47 connections on account of direct use of gas and illegal use of gas and amount of Rs 3.47 million against gas theft and under billing cases and lodged one FIR against gas thief.The regional team in Islamabad disconnected 7 connections on illegal use of gas. PR
Chikoo and Bank Alfalah announce Industry-First POS payment device partnership
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QUETTA
STAFF REPORT
Tribal Shahi Jirga headed by Senator Prince Omar Jan Ahmedzai held royal court and resolved a 20-year-old tribal feud that claimed 15 lives from Lehri and Abro tribes of Balochistan Province. The feud was 20 yearold which claimed ives of 15 innocent people from both the sides. Abro and Lehri tribes are scattered in across Balochistan to Sindh provinces and both the tribes had locked horns over territorial dispute. Later, the conflict got a new turn as both sides starting killing innocent people from both sides. According to the details, Senator Prince Omar Jan Ahmedzai led a tribal jirga to Kachhi and held separate meetings with tribal leaders Javed Aziz Khan Lehri and Sardar Abdullah Khan Abro and convinced both of them on one-month-long ceasefire. Later, the jirga held the royal court to resolve the tribal feud between both Lehri and Abro tribes and after
Upcoming 5th Adab Festival Unveils its packed program at Press Conference
KARACHI: Ameena Saiyid, the pioneer of literature festivals in Pakistan and Founder of Karachi and Islamabad Literature Festivals and Founder and Director of Adab Festival, unveiled the speakers names and the highly anticipated program for the 5th Adab Festival at a press conference held here earlier today. The festival is set to take place at Habitt City, Sharea Faisal/Tipu Sultan Road on November 25 and November 26, 2023 from 11:30 am to 9 pm.Ameena Saiyid, OBE, Sitara e Imtiaz, provided a comprehensive overview of the festival and introduced some of the distinguished speakers of the two-day festival.Expressing her delight at the line-up for the Festival, Ameena said, "“In a young country like Pakistan, we are lucky to have a rich and longstanding literary and cultural heritage and have a duty to preserve and build on it. PR
Zindagi Trust and Meta join hand with PTA, FIA and NCRC to promote youth safety in digital spaces
KARACHI: With more young people coming online every day across Pakistan, empowering them to navigate the digital world safely is not just a choice. It is a collective responsibility. To mark the National Children’s Day in Pakistan today, Zindagi Trust and Meta announced their collaboration with Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA), FIA, and the NCRC to launch a digital campaign promoting youth safety in digital spaces, “Cultivating Digital Competence of Youth and Parents”. The launch of the campaign was marked by a Roundtable Discussion, which discussed the importance of protecting young people in the digital age and curating informed individuals on cybercrime. PR
several rounds of talks, both the tribes surrendered to the decree of the jirga led by Senator Prince Omar Jan Ahmedzai. According to the decree, the jirga has revived the distribution of land between both the tribes in accordance to the revenue record of 1959. According to the judgement, a copy is available with daily Pakistan Today, Lehri tribe would get 971 acres of land while Abro tribe would get 1166 acres of land. The judgement also decided that Shamilaat of the area would
Jazz Invests PKR 20.6 Billion in 2023 Despite Macroeconomic Challenges ISLAMABAD PR
Despite a remarkable 27 percent year-on-year (YoY) growth in overall revenues in the local currency, Jazz's revenue declined by 3.5 percent in USD terms during the third quarter of 2023. This downturn was primarily attributed to a 31 percent YoY devaluation of the Pakistani Rupee (PKR). Additionally, margins felt the impact of an unprecedented surge in business costs, marked by a 7 p.p. YoY increase in interest rates and a substantial rise
in network energization cost. Undeterred by these challenges, Jazz continues to lead the market with a strong focus on driving digital and financial inclusion, having invested PKR 20.6 billion in the first nine months of 2023, mainly under its "4G for All" initiative. This brings its overall investment in Pakistan to $10.6 billion. The majority of its capital expenditure during the quarter was directed towards adding more than 1,000 new 4G sites, showcasing the company's commitment to ensuring a consistent improvement in service
PTA Champions Child Online Safety on World Children's Day
ISLAMABAD: On World Children's Day, Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) reaffirms its commitment to ensure safety and security of the children of Pakistan in the digital realm. Acknowledging the digital impact on children, PTA is dedicated to ensure a safer internet that meets their educational needs and promotes positive online interactions.PTA has collaborated with Meta, TikTok, the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), and other prominent organizations to pursue the cause of promoting a safer online environment for the youth. Through these partnerships and collaborative efforts, the regulator is striving to create a digital space where children can learn, play, and connect without compromising their personal and digital security. PR
Gaza, IIOJK becoming graveyards for children: Mushaal
KARACHI: In a pioneering move, Chikoo, a leading digital business platform, and Bank Alfalah, one of the leading commercial banks in Pakistan, announced their strategic partnership at the largest technology conference, +92Disrupt, organized by Katalyst Labs. The industry-first partnership aims to empower the more than 5 million Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in Pakistan with a comprehensive suite of digital solutions seamlessly integrated with cutting edge payments technology from Bank Al Falah. PR
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SENATOR PRINCE OMAR’S TRIBAL JIRGA RESOLVES BALOCHISTAN’S BIGGEST TRIBAL FEUD NEWS
ISLAMABAD: Special Assistant to Prime Minister (SAPM) for Human Rights and Women Empowerment has made it clear that enough is enough, the world need to take a firm and united stand to safeguard and protect the children, as Gaza and Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) are becoming graveyards for children, who have been the worst victims of the two unsettled land disputes pending for the last over sevendecades.Mushaal, who is also wife of an incarcerated senior Kashmiri Hurriyat leader Mohammad Yasin Malik, in a video message on the International day of Children on Monday, said: “Let's make a pledge not to forget the oppressed children of Gaza and IIOJK and protect them from massacring at the hands of their brutal and inhuman aggressors Israeli and Indian forces.”She contended that Israeli forces and Indian forces were killing children in Gaza and IIOJK at an unfathomable rate, adding that over the past 40 days, Israeli forces have murdered more than 5,000 children in Gaza, besides 1,800 children are missing under the rubble of destroyed buildings. PR
Governor State Bank discusses macroeconomic challenges at IBA's 3rd Annual International Conference
KARACHI: The School of Economics and Social Sciences (SESS) at the Institute of Business Administration (IBA), Karachi organized the 3rd Annual International Conference on ‘Challenging Linearity’. The three-day conference commenced on November 16 and concludes on November 18, with an aim to challenge linear thinking in Pakistan across various sectors through rigorous research. The second day of the conference commenced with an engaging discussion on ‘Cultivating Inclusivity: Women in Economics,’ moderated by Dr. Asma Hyder, Professor and Dean, School of Economics and Social Sciences (SESS). Panelists included Ratna Sahay, Professor, National Council of Applied Economic Research (NCAER), New Delhi; Dr. Hadia Majid, Associate Professor and Chair, Department of Economics. PR
quality for its customers. This network expansion played a pivotal role in increasing Jazz's 4G customer base by 6.4 percent YoY, reaching 43.2 million, while its overall subscriber base reached 70.5 million. Jazz CEO Aamir Ibrahim highlighted that the continuous investment from Jazz has already begun to yield positive results, with significant traction seen in Jazz's fintech, entertainment, and cloud platforms. These segments have witnessed a surge in customer adoption, indicating a strong response from the market.
IESCO's Anti-Power Theft And Dues Recovery Crackdown Continues Successfully Across IESCO Region
As per direction of Government of Pakistan and the Ministry of Energy and under the leadership of Chief Executive IESCO Dr. Muhammad Amjad Khan, Indiscriminate operations against electricity thieves and defaulters are continuing all the operation circles of Islamabad Electric Supply Company (IESCO) including Islamabad Rawalpindi City, Rawalpindi Cantt, Attock, Jhelum and Chakwal in which electricity thieves are facing heavy fines and arrests are also made by police. In this anti-electricity theft campaign that has been ongoing since September 7, 2023, IESCO detection teams have checked 271360 meters out of which electricity was stealing from 4057 meters. IESCO has imposed fines of 235.64 million by charging 49.9 million units to the concerned consumers for stealing of electricity. 3456 domestic, 384 commercial, 66 industrial and 151 other tariff consumers were involved in electricity theft. By registering 558 FIRs against electricity thieves, police arrested 476 people. On the other hand, IESCO's recovery teams are also recovering dues to electricity defaulters, as a result of 332.97 million were recovered from 25842 running defaulters and 339.55 million. PR
Data Producers and Data Users’ Dialogue Workshops
LAHORE: Pakistan Bureau of Statistics being National Statistics office of Pakistan is mandated to produce reliable Statistics for evidence based Policy Making and Planning. For dissemination of this Statistics, a National Data Dissemination Policy is being formulated. To enhance data accessibility to users for informed decision making, Pakistan Bureau of Statistics has started a Nationwide series of dialogue workshops between data users and data producers (including Provincial Bureaus, Crop Reporting and other Government Organizations) at National and Provincial level in collaboration with UNFPA. The workshops will be helpful in identifying the requirements of data users, finding gaps and improve data dissemination system. PR
TPL Maps Launches Reseller Program for Dynamic Collaboration
KARACHI: TPL Maps, a prominent leader in mapping and location-based services, is excited to introduce its Reseller Program, a strategic initiative designed to create compelling business opportunities for partners seeking to resell TPL Maps' innovative mapping solutions. Renowned for delivering stateof-the-art geospatial products and services, TPL Maps believes that collaboration with resellers will not only expand its market reach but also foster mutual growth"TPL Maps is committed to delivering cutting-edge geospatial products and services, and the Reseller Program is a strategic initiative to collaborate with partners, expanding our reach and driving mutual growth. Together, let's map success and navigate new opportunities,” commented Sarwar Khan, CEO - TPL Maps." PR
also be distributed between both tribes in accordance with the revenue record. The jirga also decided to impose 1.5 crore rupees fine on Abro tribe as diyat for 10 murders of Lehri tribe while the Abro tribe would get 75 lac rupees as diyat for its five dead. Moreover, Lehri tribe would get another 67 lac rupees as compensation for its injured men while Abro tribe would get 64 lac rupees as compensation for its injured. Both tribes have also been directed to withdraw their court cases and resolve their territorial disputed according to jirga decree. Any violation would be dealt strictly by the jirga and the violating party would be imposed one crore rupee fine. The tribal chiefs and people of Balochistan have lauded Senator Omar Ahmedzai for his effort to bring back normalcy in the area and resolve old tribal feud that has claimed at least 15 innocent lives. Talking to Pakistan Today, Senator Prince Omar said that the jirga decree would go a long way in bringing peace and tranquility in across both the provinces. Elabourating, Senator Prince Omar said that both the tribes had moved to the hills and were fighting for the past 20 years.
HBL finances Rs 1 billion for solar tube wells to boost renewable energy in Pakistan’s Agriculture sector
KARACHI: HBL sets the industry benchmark with Rs 1 billion in financing for solar tube wells. The facility enables farmers to adopt these capitalintensive technologies in an affordable and cost-effective manner. Farmers are facilitated with easy and quick access to credit through the Bank’s vast rural footprint. The milestone fosters HBL’s commitment towards sustainable and climate-smart agriculture in line with Aga Khan Development Network’s (AKDN) Net Zero Goal of 2030. HBL as a signatory of Principles of Responsible Banking (PRB) and Net Zero Banking Alliance (NZBA), is striving to promote renewable energy sources in the agricultural ecosystem and minimize carbon emissions by limiting the use of fossil fuels. Solarization of tube wells is the cost-effective solution that ensures a timely supply of irrigation water in the right quantity. These technologies considerably reduce the cost of production and improve farm productivity resulting in higher profit margins. PR
Federal Ministers’ visit PBA Office
KARACHI: Dr. Shamshad Akhtar, Federal Minister for Finance, Revenue & Economic Affairs, Mr. Ahmed Irfan Aslam, Federal Minister for Law & Justice (& Minister for Climate Change & Environment Coordination), and Mr. Akif Saeed, Chairman, SECP, visited the office of Pakistan Banks' Association (PBA). They were received by Mr. Muhammad Aurangzeb, Chairman, PBA, and Mr. Tawfiq Hussain, CEO/Secretary General, PBA.The purpose of the visit was to discuss, with the senior bankers there, the establishment of the proposed Pakistan Climate Change Fund, a strategic initiative of the Ministry of Climate Change & Environment Coordination. Discussions centered around the threat to Pakistan's socio economic & environmental sustainability from the effects of Climate Change. The possible role of the banks in Pakistan towards the establishment of Pakistan Climate Change Fund was also discussed during the meeting. PR
Sindh Integrated Health & Population Program and Sindh Integrated Health & Emergency Service Sign MoU
KARACHI: A memorandum of understanding was signed between Sindh Integrated Emergency & Health Services (SIEHS) and Sindh Integrated Health and Population Program (SIHPP), under the supervision of the Health Department, Government of Sindh. The program is approved for implementation for a period of 05 years, from 2022-23 to 2026-27.Raheem Bakhsh Maitlo, Program Director SIHPP, Brigadier (R) Tariq Qadir, Chief Executive Officer, SIEHS, and Dr. Waqar Memon, Director General Health, Sindh signed the agreement. Dr. Saad Khalid Niaz, caretaker Minister for Health, Dr. Mansoor Rizvi, Secretary Health, Sindh presided over the signing ceremony. SIHPP was launched with the assistance of the World Bank and Islamic Development Bank to improve access to and utilization of quality RMNCH+N services in the most underserved areas of the province, especially for poor and vulnerable populations, with the specific target of adolescent and women. The program will sustainably improve and build the health and economic resilience of communities in the targeted 23 districts of Sindh by adopting an integrated approach to address the socioeconomic determinants; addressing the effects of natural disasters; and pandemics that impact vulnerable populations especially poor women. PR
PAKISTAN’S IT EXPORTS SURGE BY 15% IN OCTOBER
Tuesday, 21 November, 2023
PRAYER TIMINGS
NEWS
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EXPORTS RISE BY 4.4% FOR FIRST FOUR MONTHS OF THE FY24 PROFIT
GHULAM ABBAS
AKISTAN’s IT exports marked a significant 15% growth in October. Exports of $238 million were recorded compared to the previous month’s $206 million, as reported by the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP). Over the first four months (July-October) of fiscal year 2023-24, IT and ITenabled Services (ITeS) export remittances, encompassing computer services and call center services, rose by approximately 4.4% to $893 million, surpassing the $855 million recorded during the same period in the previous fiscal year. Leading IT exporter Noman A. Said emphasized the need for enhancing IT companies’ exports in the coming months, attributing potential growth to the government’s provision of a 50% re-
tention facility for foreign exchange accounts. With this facility, IT companies can target big-ticket export orders, fostering the exploration of new and mega projects. Said urged IT companies to fulfill their commitment to repatriate foreign exchange from offshore offices, including investments.
Furthermore, he called upon banking institutions to facilitate IT companies and freelancers in maintaining foreign exchange in dedicated accounts, advocating for a long-term continuation of this policy to achieve sustained results. In collaboration with the central bank, the interim government is imple-
menting long-term measures to stabilize the IT sector, ensuring unhindered growth and addressing the current account deficit. The sector not only promises to bring foreign exchange into the country but also foresees the creation of jobs for skilled youth in the near future. Tufail Ahmed Khan, President and CEO of the Pakistan Freelancers Association (PAFLA), stressed that the government should extend additional facilities to freelancers in IT and nontechnical services. In addition to the 50% retention facility for foreign exchange accounts, Khan proposed dedicated subsidies for freelancers pursuing various skill development courses and acquiring software and services. He also suggested the provision of non-interest loans for groups of freelancers to enhance their capacity to work for foreign clients, contributing to increased foreign exchange inflow for the country.
After Gabol, another former PPP Karachi MPA set to join PML-N KARACHI STAFF REPORT
Stent case: LHC orders govt to submit report within a week ISLAMABAD
STAFF REPORT
The Lahore High Court (LHC) on Monday directed the provincial government to submit a reply to a plea seeking action against the responsible in the Punjab Institute of Cardiology (PIC) expired stents case. LHC Justice Raheel Kamran took up the plea of Rana Sikandar advocate seeking action against those responsible for the expired stents case scandal. At the outset of the hearing, the counsel of the caretaker Punjab government sought time to submit the reply in the case, which was okayed by the LHC bench. The high court directed the Punjab government to submit its response to the expired stents case within a week. Earlier, the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) report ? revealed 38 patients were inserted as many as 39 expired stents at the Punjab Institute of Cardiology (PIC), last year. The Federal Investigation Agency’s (FIA) preliminary report on the use of expired stents stated that 500 stents were bought from a private company in 2019. The acquired stents were supposed to be inserted in 2020 but they were to be inserted into the patients even after 19 months of their expiry date. The report revealed that despite the availability of stents, the PIC kept on demanding the same from other hospitals showing the element of malice in the case as evidence, the report read.
PTI ex-minister Malik Shah Wazir arrested in Bannu
Former Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) MPA and minister Akhtar Jadoon is likely to join PML-N during former premier Nawaz Sharif’s visit to Sindh province, sources said on Monday. According to details, the PML-N delegation led by Sindh president Bashir Memon met with
Akhtar Jadoon at his residence to offer condolence on the demise of his sister. The PML-N delegation also invited former PPP Karachi MPA Jadoon and his companions to join PML-N, say sources. Sources said that Akhtar Jadoon will take a final decision after meeting with PML-N supremo Nawaz Sharif during his upcoming visit to Sindh province.
ECP ‘finalises’ code of conduct for general elections 2024 ISLAMABAD
STAFF REPORT
The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has finalised the Code of Conduct for political parties for the general elections 2024, it was learnt on Monday. According to sources, the Election Commission of Pakistan has drafted a code of conduct in consultation with political parties in connection with the general election. The suggestions of the political parties have also been included in the Code of Conduct draft. According to sources, political parties will not speak out against the sovereignty of Pakistan during the election campaign. The political parties will also avoid ridiculing the ECP during their election campaign. Political parties and candidates will avoid gifts, greed, or bribery to other candidates to withdraw in their favor and will ensure the protection of the election staff and polling agents.
According to the draft, political parties will also ensure the implementation of 5% of women’s quota in the general elections 2024? Political parties and candidates will strongly refrain from encouraging violence on polling day, and showing weapons during the election campaign will be completely banned. Aerial shootings and firecrackers will also be banned in the public gatherings. According to the Code of
Conduct, the election agent must be a voter of the relevant constituency, and the National Assembly candidates will be able to spend up to Rs10 million in the election campaign while ? Provincial Assembly candidates will not be able to spend more than 4 million rupees during their election campaign. Furthermore, the successful candidates will submit details of election expenses to Returning Officers.
Nawaz Sharif asks PML-N Sindh, KP leaders to bury the hatchet
BANNU
STAFF REPORT
Former PTI minister in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Malik Shah Muhammad Khan Wazir was arrested after his bail was cancelled in Bannu on Monday. The police immediately took the PTI leader into custody after cancellation of his bail before arrest by the antiterrorism court in Bannu in connection with a number of cases relating to May 9 vandalism. Malik Shah Wazir was also facing several cases lodged by the anticorruption department. Later the police shifted the PTI leader to Cantt Police Station.
Then PML-N delegation included Bashir Memon, Nehal Hashmi, Kheal Das Kohistani and others. Last week, former PTI lawmaker in the Sindh Assembly Karim Bux Gabol announced joining the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N). Gabol unveiled his decision in a meeting with PML-N Sindh President Bashir Memon. Karim Gabol was elected MPA from PS-100 in 2018 elections.
LAHORE STAFF REPORT
Former three-time prime minister and PML-N Quaid Nawaz Sharif has taken notice of the emerging dif-
ferences among party leaders in Sindh and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, it was learnt on Monday. According to sources, Nawaz Sharif has directed the PML-N Sindh and KP leaders to bury the hatchet at once. The PML-N supremo has linked his visits to the two provinces with an end to fissures among the party leaders there. NAWAZ SHARIF ON HIS WAY TO MURREE Former three-time prime minister and PML-N Quaid Nawaz Sharif is on his way to Murree from Lahore on Monday where he is expected to consult his legal team on court cases. Nawaz Sharif is due to appear in Islamabad High Court on November 21 in connection with his appeals against sentences in the Al-Azizia and Avenfield references. Senior party leaders will accompany the party Quaid to Islamabad for the court appearance.
LAHORE
The Lahore High Court (LHC) Monday ordered the closure of all educational institutions in Punjab on Saturdays until the end of January to curb smog. LHC judge Justice Shahid Karim issued a written order on petitions filed by citizens seeking measures to tackle air pollution in the country. In a detailed order, the judge has directed the provincial government to issue a notification for closure of schools, colleges and universities on Saturdays till last week
of January. The order further said that the government was taking measures to ensure work from home for two days a week. On November 18, the Punjab Government imposed a smart lockdown in the 10 most polluted districts on Saturday (November 18). Movement was restricted in Lahore, Nankana Sahib, Sheikhupura, Kasur, Gujranwala, Gujrat, Sialkot, Hafizabad, Mandi Bahauddin and Narowal districts having the highest Air Quality Index (AQI) and as such potential hotspots for Conjunctivitis due to smog. “The spread of Conjunctivi-
tis/Pink Eye due to bacterial or viral infection, smoke, dust or chemical exposure is increasing day by day, which poses a serious and imminent threat to public health”, read a notification issued by the Punjab Health Department. A day earlier, the provincial government has made it mandatory for people to wear mask while going outdoor. It is pertinent to mention here that a four-day holiday was observed in smog-hit areas of the province on last week and some businesses were also asked to shut down, but later allowed to remain operational as rains had subdued the smog.
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SHC grills police for poor performance in missing persons’ case irfan.farooq@pakistantoday.com.pk
KARACHI
STAFF REPORT
A Sindh High Court (SHC) bench expressed disappointment over police performance while hearing petitions for the recovery of missing persons on Monday. A bench of the high court blasted investigation officers over lack of progress in case and warned punitive action against the IOs over failure in tracing the missing citizens. Justice Naimatullah Phulpoto warned to add the investigation officers in the list of accused involved in the enforced disappearances. “The court will deem the IOs among culprits who helped in disappearance of citizens,” high court judge warned. “You were given one month time, what you bring today,” the court asked the IO. “Previous investigation officer has been transferred, I have handed over inquiry some days ago,” the officer replied. “The investigation conducted in the case, will be on record. People’s patience now coming to the brim,” the bench remarked. The court summoned report from the investigation officer and other institutions till December 18. The high court also ordered federal and provincial governments to submit fresh reports. A two-member bench of the high court in February heard petitions related to the recovery of nine persons missing for years. “The court is not satisfied with routine police reports,” Justice Phulpoto remarked. The court ordered concerned DIGs and SSPs to appear before the court. “Tell the court why the police department have failed to trace the missing persons,” the bench questioned. The court also directed the I.G. Sindh Police and Home Secretary for personally monitoring the cases of missing persons.
Pakistan issues tender to secure LNG cargo for January
PROFIT NEWS DESK
Pakistan LNG Limited (PLL), a government subsidiary responsible for procuring liquefied natural gas (LNG) from the international market, has released a tender seeking one LNG cargo on a delivered-ex-ship (DES) basis. The cargo is intended for delivery to Port Qasim in Karachi in January 2024, with the specified delivery windows being January 8-9. The tender, advertised on Monday, is set to close on November 24. PLL is mandated by the government to import and sell natural gas, LNG, and re-gasified LNG. It manages the entire supply chain of LNG, procuring it from international markets and arranging onward supply to end users. Given Pakistan’s reliance on gas for power generation, the country has faced challenges in procuring spot cargoes of LNG, particularly after global prices surged last year following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, leading to widespread power outages. In September, PLL issued a tender seeking two LNG cargoes for December. Earlier, in June, PLL encountered difficulties in securing offers for six cargoes on a DES basis for October and December delivery to Port Qasim. Pakistan’s LNG imports in 2022 decreased to 6.93 million metric tons from 8.23 million metric tons in 2021. The South Asian nation currently holds two longterm supply agreements with Qatar, one signed in 2016 for 3.75 million metric tons of LNG annually and another signed in 2021 for 3 million metric tons per year. It also has an annual portfolio contract with ENI for 0.75 million metric tons a year.
LHC issues new directives for schools’ closure in Punjab STAFF REPORT
FAJR SUNRISE 5:50
Published by Asad Nizami at Plot # 7, Al-Baber Centre, F/8 Markaz, Islamabad, for PT Print (Pvt) Limited. Ph: 051-2204545. Email: newsroom@pakistantoday.com.pk