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PM KAKAR ARRIVES IN UAE TO ADVANCE BILATERAL TIES IN ALL SPHERES Monday, 27 november, 2023 i 12 Jamada al-awal, 1445

Rs 15.00 | Vol XIV No 148 I 8 Pages I Islamabad Edition

FO says MoUs will be signed between two countries in a range of areas g He will also plead Pakistan’s PM for improving tax system case at key session of upcoming to boost economic growth COP-28 being held on Dec 1-2 g

ISLAMABAD: Caretaker Prime Minister Anwaarul Haq Kakar on Sunday stressed the need for improving the taxation system to boost the country’s economic growth. In an interview with PTV news, the prime minister said the private sector should take the responsibility of wealth creating and play role of engine of growth for the country, while the government’s focus should be on policy making and taxing that wealth. He said the government spending of the accumulated tax should also be done in a more responsible way. The prime minister visited the PTV headquarters here on the 59th anniversary of the founding of PTV where he also cut the cake to celebrate the anniversary along with employees of PTV. On the occasion, the prime minister congratulating the PTV said that the Pakistan Television played important role in propagating the Pakistan’s soft image and identity across the world. To a question with respect to Balochistan’s natural resources, the prime minister said most of the valuable minerals and resources such as gold and copper had not been exploited yet.

ABU DHABI/ISLAMABAD Staff RepoRt

ARETAKER Prime Minister Anwaarul Haq Kakar on Sunday arrived here on a two-day visit to the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Minister for Justice of the UAE Abdullah Sultan bin Awad Al Nuaimi and Pakistani diplomatic staff received the prime minister on his arrival at the Abu Dhabi’s Al-Bateen Airport, a Prime Minister Office Press Release said. The visit will also include signing of MoUs between Pakistan and the UAE in a range of areas including in-

vestment cooperation in the sectors of energy, port operations projects, waste water treatment, food security, logistics, mining, aviation, and banking and financial services. Earlier, Caretaker Prime Minister Anwaarul Haq Kakar on Sunday departed for United Arab Emirates (UAE) on a three-day official visit. According to the Prime Minister’s Office, the premier will meet UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed during his visit from Nov 26 to 28. In a statement released earlier on Sunday, the Foreign Office (FO) said that the visit would provide “an opportunity to advance bilateral ties in all

Implementation of 40% windfall tax on banks’ profits hits snag ISLAMABAD

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The Federal Board of Revenue’s (FBR) notification imposing a 40% additional tax on banks’ windfall profits has been met with uncertainty as it requires approval from the National Assembly by February 19, 2024. The formation of the National Assembly is not expected until after the upcoming general elections, raising concerns about the timely implementation of the tax measure. The FBR issued SRO 1588(I)/2023 on November 21, 2023, invoking its powers under Section 99D(2) of the Income Tax Ordinance to tax banks’ windfall profits. The notification outlines the calculation method and formula for determining the 40% tax. However, Section 99D(3) of the Income Tax Ordinance mandates that the federal government obtain approval from the National Assembly for such a tax measure. The deadline for submitting the notification to the National Assembly is February 19, 2024. With the general elections scheduled to take place in the coming months, the formation of the National Assembly is unlikely to occur before the February 19 deadline. This raises questions about the validity of the FBR’s notification and the enforceability of the windfall tax. Industry experts have expressed concerns about the rushed implementation of the tax, suggesting that it may lead to legal challenges and hinder investment in the banking sector. They urge the government to reconsider the timeline and ensure proper legislative processes are followed.

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spheres including political, economic, trade, investment, cultural, defence and people-to- people relations.” The visit will also include signing of memorandum of understandings between Pakistan and the UAE in a range of areas including investment cooperation in the sectors of energy, port operations projects, waste water treatment, food security, logistics, mining, aviation, and banking and financial services, the FO said. “Pakistan and the UAE enjoy warm and long-standing fraternal ties that have stood multiple tests of time,” it added. Kakar would also later plead Pakistan’s case at a key session of the upcoming 28th Confer-

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ence of Parties (COP-28) scheduled to be held in the UAE on Dec 1-2. In a meeting earlier this week, the interim PM had directed the authorities concerned to make full preparations for presenting Pakistan’s stance during the COP-28 on climate finance and other issues effectively. PTV’s role in highlighting Pakistan’s identity commended. Earlier, Caretaker Prime Minister Anwaarul Haq Kakar commended the Pakistan Television (PTV) for playing a key role in highlighting Pakistan’s identity and portraying soft image of the country.

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Hamas free more Israeli, Thai hostages including American girl, 4 JERUSALEM/GAZA agencieS

On the third day of a truce with Israel, a four-yearold American girl held by Hamas in Gaza was released on Sunday, President Joe Biden confirmed, as the Palestinian group said it had handed over 13 Israeli hostages, three Thais and one with Russian citizenship. The release of some of the hostages captured when Hamas fighters rampaged through southern Israel on Oct. 7 is expected to be mirrored by the Israelis freeing another group of 39 Palestinian prisoners as on previous days in the truce. Biden said he hoped the pause in fighting between Israel and Hamas can go on as long as prisoners are getting released. He said he hoped more Americans would be released by Hamas although he did not have firm news. Biden said the 4-yearold hostage, Abigail Edan, had witnessed her parents being killed by Hamas fighters during their Oct. 7 raid into Israel and had been held since then. “What she endured is unthinkable,” Biden said at a news conference in the U.S. The four-day truce is the first halt in fighting in the seven weeks since Hamas killed 1,200 people and took about 240 hostages back into Gaza. In response to that attack, Israel has vowed to destroy the Hamas militants who run Gaza, bombarding the enclave and mounting a ground offensive in the north. Some 14,800 Palestinians have been killed, Gaza health authorities say, and hun-

dreds of thousands displaced. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday met security forces inside the Gaza Strip and indicated that the campaign was far from over. “Nothing will stop us, and we are convinced that we have the strength, the power, the will and the determination to achieve all the goals of the war, and that is what we will do,” he said. Netanyahu is expected to speak to Biden later on Sunday. 39 PALESTINIAN CHILDREN TO BE FREED IN 3RD SET OF RELEASES UNDER HOSTAGE SWAP DEAL In Ramallah, Palestinian authorities released on Sunday the names of Palestinian prisoners set to be released in the third batch of hostage exchange between Israel and Hamas. The list, revealed by the governmental Commission of Detainees’ Affairs and Palestinian Prisoners Society, a local nongovernmental organization, exclusively included the names of child prisoners, totaling 39.Among them are 21 children from Jerusalem, one is from Rafah in the Gaza Strip, and the remainders are from various parts of the West Bank. FARMER KILLED The killing of a Palestinian farmer in the central Gaza Strip had earlier added to concerns over the fragility of the truce. The farmer was killed when targeted by Israeli forces east of Gaza’s long-established Maghazi refugee camp, the Palestinian Red Crescent said.

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‘Amid PPP opposition,’ PM Kakar nominates Dar as leader of house in senate ISLAMABAD

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Caretaker Prime Minister Anwaarul Haq Kakar has nominated PML-N leader Ishaq Dar as Leader of the House in Senate. According to sources, Senator Saleem Mandviwalla has been appointed as the Chief Whip Senate and his designation will be equal to that of the State Minister. The Pakistan People Party (PPP) is unhappy with the decision and has already raised objections to the nomination of PML-N leader Ishaq Dar. On Monday last, Caretaker Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Murtaza Solangi had informed the Senate that Caretaker Prime Minister Anwaarul Haq Kakar had endorsed Senator Ishaq Dar as Leader of the House and Senator Saleem Mandviwalla as Chief Whip with status of Minister of State. Responding to a point raised by Senator Shahadat Awan during the session on October 30 regarding the status of leaders of the House and Opposition, and the Chief Whip after completion of constitutional tenure of the last government, the minister clarified that as per parliamentary traditions, they would continue to perform their responsibilities. A notification regarding appointment of Saleem Manviwalla as Chief Whip had also been reissued, he added. On October 31, Senate Chairman Sadiq Sanjrani claimed that he had received consent from Caretaker Prime Minister to “retain Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) Senator Ishaq Dar as Leader of the House”. During a special session of Upper House of Parliament, an objection was raised against the use of the title of Leader of the House by Ishaq Dar. PPP leader Shahadat Awan asked why the PML-N Senator had been labelled as the leader of the house on the agenda even though the elected government did not exist. Responding to the query, Chairman Sadiq Sanjrani said he had received consent from Caretaker Prime Minister (PM) Anwaarul Haq Kakar that Ishaq Dar would continue as the leader of the house.

ECP all set to issue list of 327 electoral symbols next week

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ISLAMABAD

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The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has prepared list comprising 327 electoral symbols for political parties and independent candidates and appointed 32 Regional Election Commissioners (RECs) as Regional Monitoring Coordinators (RMCs) to ensure effective monitoring of general elections 2024. The ECP is likely to unveil the much-anticipated list of electoral symbols next week. The list boasts a diverse array of symbols, ranging from eagle, lion, and crane to arrows, swords, and bats. The list includes representations as varied as cars, jeeps, bulbs, ducks, birds, and flowers. Even everyday items like soap dishes and thermoses have found their place among the plethora of symbols, creating a unique visual narrative for the electorate. With a total of 327 electoral symbols, the ECP ensured an extensive selection process that allows political parties and independent candidates to align their campaigns with symbols that resonate with their ethos and communicate effectively with the voters. The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) announcing the reserved verdict ordered Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) intra-party elections within 20 days.

02 NEWS

PAKISTAN, CHINA COMMITTED TO COOPERATION ON SUSTAINABLE UPLIFT OF RIVERS: AMBASSADOR HASHMI

BEIJING

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AKISTAN and China are committed to cooperation for sustainable development and preservation of their rivers. In this regard, the two countries signed a cooperation agreement focusing on the Indus and Yangtze rivers to explore the challenges and opportunities faced by river cultures, ecosystems and economies and engage in discussions on sustainable development of major rivers, Pakistan Ambassador to China, Khalil

Anti-power pilferage campaign: Rs 34b recovered; 125,142 people held nationwide ISLAMABAD

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On the government’s initiative, the fruits of effective actions against electricity thieves across the country began to emerge. According to the statistics from September 7 to October 31, Rs 34 billion have been recovered from across the country and 125,142 people have been arrested. From September 2023 to October 2023, losses due to electricity theft decreased by Rs 12 billion. From November 1 to November 19, 14,769 people have been arrested while Rs 36,547 million have been recovered. According to the statistics from November 1 to November 19, 98 people were arrested from Islamabad and Rs 175 million were recovered. A total of 1617 people were arrested from Gujranwala, Faisalabad and Multan while Rs. 1439 million were recovered. In the crackdown against electricity theft, a total of 121 people were arrested from Peshawar, Hyderabad, Sukkur and Quetta and Rs 5520 million were recovered. The relevant institutions are determined to continue the crackdown against electricity theft.

Govt to enhance standard of medical education ISLAMABAD

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The quality of medical and dental education will be enhanced at par with international standards, considering local needs and ground realities. Special Assistant to Prime Minister on Medical Education and Patient Care and Minister of State Prof. Dr. Aamir Bilal said that while chairing a high-level meeting at Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (PMDC) head office for the promotion of medical education and quality health care in the country. The minister said that PMDC has a pivotal role in ensuring the quality and standardization of medical and dental education, professional practice, and ethical standards in the country. He said there will be no compromise on the minimum standards and quality. He said that all necessary steps will be taken to revise existing rules and regulations of PMDC including the syllabus for MDCAT, curriculum for undergraduate medical dental education, and accreditation standards for the accreditation of medical and dental institutes. He emphasized that it will be ensured to standardize the MDCAT, NRE and NEB exams to stringent quality assessments, updated curricula, and modern teaching methodologies to produce competent and globally competitive healthcare professionals which are safe for society. The meeting was attended by PMDC council members, the Federal Special Secretary for Health, President CPSP, members of the task force and sub-committees, nominee of HEC, nominees of the provincial health departments, present and former vicechancellors, deans, experts in the field, representatives of nursing council from across the country. The meeting was also attended by Federal Secretary Health Iftikhar Ali Shallwani and Prof. Dr. Rizwan Taj President of PMDC.

Monday, 27 November, 2023 | ISLAMABAD

Hashmi said on Saturday. “Both countries have learnt from the historic role that all these rivers and river system have played for the civilization, human settlements and cultures,” he said while talking to APP on the sidelines of the Yangtze Culture Forum held in Nanjing, China. The forum brought together guests from all over the world to discuss and promote the shared values of humanity and establish a global network for dialogue and collaboration among major river cities. Ambassador Hashmi acknowledged theme of the forum that focused on Yangtze

M.A. NiAzi never thought the day would come when I would feel sorry for Narendra Modi, but I did. No matter that the match was in the book, or maybe not. Everything was predicated on India winning the cricket World Cup. They didn’t. In fact, they got beaten quite badly. Not just by six wickets, which is a considerable margin, but in 43 overs, which meant that it was done at leisure. Well, India learnt the hard way that you don’t set Australia a total of 241 and get away with it. It was that total which gave the impression that the match was in the book. But then, would even the Mumbai Matchfixers put the match in the book with Modi there to watch the final, which was happening in Ahmedabad, not exactly the centre of the cricketing world, but Modi’s home constituency, which he represented as an MLA and then CM. It was also part of his Lok Sabha constituency in 2014. But he also con-

mate change,” he informed. The forum, jointly hosted by UNESCO and other partners, fostered exchange and mutual learning in river basin areas, eventually constructing a shared human destiny community. Rivers play a vital role in nurturing cities and preserving their cultural heritage and shared memories. Nanjing, the only one of China’s four great ancient capitals located along the Yangtze River, has been continuously paying attention to the Yangtze River issue for many years. The uniqueness and innovation of this

SC petitioned for removal of President Alvi from oﬃce over ‘controversial decisions’ ISLAMABAD

A petition has been filed in the Supreme Court of Pakistan, seeking the removal of President Dr Arif Alvi for “not acting in accordance with the responsibilities” of his office. The petition was filed by Ghulam Murtaza Khan, who cited controversial decisions made by Alvi during his tenure, including an attempted dissolution of the National Assembly, sending a presidential reference against Supreme Court Judge Qazi Faez Isa, and his failure to announce a date for national elections. Khan argued that Alvi misused his powers by using his office to support ex-PM Imran Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party, which was “unconstitutional and biased” toward the nation. The petition has been seen as a significant development in the ongoing political turmoil in Pakistan, with the opposition and various segments of society expressing dissatisfaction with President Alvi’s actions. The Supreme Court will now have to consider the merits of the petition and decide whether there are grounds for the removal of the president. This situation adds to the political instability in the country and raises questions about the functioning of democratic institutions.

NANKANA

The three-day celebrations of 554nd birth anniversary of founder of Sikhism, Baba Guru Nanak, are underway in Nankana Sahib for the second day on Sunday. Sikh Yatrees will perform their religious rituals of Akhand Path, Shabad Kirtan, Ashnan and others at Gurdwara Janam Asthan. They will also perform the ritual of Matha Teki at Gurdwara Sacha Sauda today. Sikh Yatrees from Pakistan, Malaysia, Australia, Canada, India and other countries are very happy and busy performing their rituals. On the second day, the yatrees are performing their religious rituals, such as Akhand Path, Shabad Kirtan, and Ashnan and paying

tested in Varanasi in UP, and you can hardly find a safer BJP seat, won it, retained it, and gave up the Vadodara seat. He contested only Varanasi in 2019, and won. It seems in India there’s none of that nonsense about the leader contesting a seat in every province. I mean, there are 28 states, so it would indeed be an uphill task to fight 28 seats. Which reminds of the character back in the last century who gilded papers in every seat. And then threatened to commit suicide. Unless the other candidates paid him something. You see, if a candidate dies, the poll is cancelled, and a new date announced. There was no suicide, otherwise you would have had a fresh election date for the whole country. It was supposed to be a grand climax, taking place in the Narendra Modi Stadium, which was not a new stadium (the BJP was too tightfisted for that), but just the Vallabhai Patel Stadium renamed. That reminds me of the renaming in FC College of various hotels. The student leader doing the renaming of all the ‘foreign’ names ran out of an appropriate ‘Islamic’ name for the Ewing Memorial Library.

Lahore police register 4,682 cases in crackdown on underage drivers stAff RepoRt

Major Pakistani political parties, including the Pakistan Muslim LeagueNawaz (PML-N) and the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), have also repeatedly accused Dr. Alvi of being “biased” toward Khan’s party and acting as a “party member” instead of a head of state. The petitioner also said that Alvi contradicted with his position by giving controversial statements on various occasions, citing a controversy that arose from Alvi’s return of the Official Secrets Amendment Bill and Pakistan Army Amendment Bill without signing them. In August, President Alvi announced via messaging platform X that

he had asked staff to return the bills, granting widespread powers to the military, unsigned within the stipulated time to make them ineffective. The development came amid a crackdown on Alvi’s party following attacks by its supporters on government and military installations to protest ex-PM Khan’s brief arrest in a graft case in May. It remains to be seen how the court will respond to the petition and what implications it will have for the future of the presidency in Pakistan. The situation adds to the political instability in the country and raises questions about the functioning of democratic institutions.

Sikh yatrees perform rituals during Guru Nanak’s birth anniversary in Nankana

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forum lie in establishing a platform to showcase and share the diverse cultures of the entire Yangtze River basin, with a broader goal to foster mutual learning and exchange among civilizations and cities of great rivers. The forum focused on the theme “Flowing Rivers, Converging Future”. It discussed issues that are common in river basins globally. The topics included ecological conservation, economic development, and the preservation and recording of culture. The forum was a platform for sharing wisdom about civilization and the future and addressed the mutual shaping of cities and rivers.

LAHORE

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Ahmedabad Apocalypse City Notes

River and its connections with humanity, cities and civilizations. “As the largest river in China, Yangtze has played a significant role in economic and cultural development of several big cities along it,” he added. “There are a number of ports along the Yangtze River and China has significantly preserved and used this river for not only development of human life but also for food security and connectivity.” “Pakistan has also launched a big project called Living Indus Initiative that mainly deals with environmental protection and cli-

pilgrimage at the gurdwaras. The Sikh guests from India have said that they are extremely happy to have reached Nankana Sahib. They will perform the Matha Teki ritual at Gurdwara Sacha Sauda today. The pilgrims were transported to the gurdwara by buses under special police protection. The Yatrees thanked the government of Pakistan for the arrangements. The Nankana district administration welcomed the Sikh pilgrims coming from abroad. The government has made special arrangements for the accommodation, food (langar) and transport of the Sikh pilgrims. Earlier, around 3,000 Indian Sikh Yatrees reached Pakistan through Wagah Border crossing here on SaturEwing was an old Principal of the College, so the suggestion from the crows of the Mir Yaqub Memorial Library was not all that bad, for Mir Yaqub was a Principal, but being very much alive, the ‘Memorial’ was unkind. The student making the suggestion proposed that Mir Yqub be scragged, so that the ‘Memorial’ could be retained. Similarly, before Modi has a stadium named after him, he should no longer be with us. Of course, he might have something to say about it. The FC Principal chose life, and the Library remained the Ewing Memorial Library. Mauve Modi will think for the greater good of India? I’m sure the Mumbai Matchfixers can work out something. Assassinations are not something they routinely deal in, but they can manage if they need to. But Modi tried so hard. I mean, the whole point of having henchman Amit Shah’s son, Joy Shah, become BCCI secretary was so he would do the raszzledazzle with the wickets. It didb’t help, for rhe Aussies steamrollered India. I suppose Modi’s solution should be have a Kshatriya captain, though at a pinch, a Vaisya would do the trick. The Brahmin boy, Rohit Sharma, got rolled over. It was a Jat who got India its first Cup back in 1983, Kapil Dev Nikhanj, a Punjabi Jat, whose father had

The Lahore police registered 4,682 cases and impounded hundreds of vehicles during crackdowns over the last 13 days on underage drivers. According to details, following the tragic road mishap which claimed lives of six family members in DHA Lahore, the police continued a crackdown on underage drivers. In this connection, special checkpoints have been set up in different areas of Lahore, especially in DHA area to nab underage drivers. Chief Traffic Officer (CTO) Lahore has said underage drivers pose risks not only to themselves but also to others. He also urged the parents not to allow their underage children to drive vehicles or motorbikes. It is pertinent to mention here that six members of the same family were killed in a tragic car accident in Lahore’s Defence Phase 7 area. The family was reportedly returning home in two cars after visiting relatives in Shadab Colony on Ferozpur Road. As they reached near a roundabout, the car driven by a teenage boy rammed into their vehicle. The young driver reportedly had lost control of his vehicle. According to witnesses, he had been driving rashly, which was a common practice by children of the affluent in the area. The speeding vehicle hit the victim’s car from the left side. The collision was so intense that the vehicle overturned and was badly damaged.

Sukkur police raid house of journalist’s killer in katcha area SUKKUR

day to participate in the 554th birth anniversary of Sikh religion founder Baba Guru Nanak Dev Ji. Additional Secretary of Evacuee Trust Property Board (ETPB) (Shrines) Rana Shahid Saleem, Pakistan Sikh Gurdwara Prabandhak Committee (PSGPC) Pardhan Sardar Ameer Singh, committee members – Sardar Satwant Singh, Sardar Rawinder Singh and others warmly welcomed the yatrees. Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) Amritsar party leader Khushmindar Singh told the media on arrival to Pakistan that special love for Pakistanis compelled them to visit the country again and again. He recalled that he had visited the sacred land of Pakistan three times, commenting that facilities and arrangements for pilgrims improved every time. He said that Sikh yatrees were contented with the opening of the Kartarpur Corridor, adding, “We are grateful to the Pakistan government, particularly the ETPB, for making arrangements for protection of Gurdwaras in Pakistan.” Additional Secretary (Shrines) Rana Shahid Saleem in his welcome address to the guests mentioned that the ETPB had made foolproof security arrangements besides accommodation and travelling facilities for Sikh pilgrims. Special marquees have also been installed and special buses arranged for pilgrims, he added.

The police on Sunday conducted raid in katcha area of Shah Belo for arrest of the culprits involved in murder of journalist Jan Muhammad Mahar. According Sukkur SSP Irfan Sammu, who led the police team, the police raided house of main accused Sheral Mahar in Shah Belo. “However, after exchange of fire with police, accused fled to thick riverine forest,” SSP Sammu added. The policemen set the homes and bunkers of the accused on fire and chasing behind culprits. “It is first time the police reached to the homes of the accused after drop in water level in the river”, SSP Sammu said. Police had earlier conducted raids over houses of the accused in katcha area in which a son of the main accused and an accomplice were injured in exchange of fire. Police reached to the houses of culprits after over three months of the murder. Police department has so far arrested nine persons over facilitation and providing shelter to killers of Jan Muhammad Mahar. Mahar, a senior journalist and Sukkur bureau chief of a local television network had been murdered by assailants on August 13. The attackers on a motorcycle opened fire at Mahar inside his vehicle after he left his office in Sukkur at 9:00 am on August 13. Earlier, SSP Sukkur told the media that three suspects wanted in the murder case were arrested in an operation in the katcha area. The arrested persons were identified as Sher Muhammad Shaikh, Muhammad Ramzan Shaikh and Bashir Memon. The police officer said that the suspects were handed over to the CounterTerrorism Department (CTD).

migrated to India from Dipalpur in Okara. The next winner was M.S. Dhoni, who was a Rajput from Uttarkhand. Jadeja is good, because his wife is a BJP MLA. He would have had some regard for Modi’s honour. He only made 9 and didn’t take a wicket, something which that traitorous Muslim Muhammad Shami and that nogood Sikh Jasprit Bumrah did. Apparently Australia was involved in some sort of conspiracy against Modi, throwing its wickets away on the treasonous, and carting caste

Hindus all over the ground. Modi’s hopes of contesting next year’’s election on the basis of the World Cup have been dashed, but we shouldn’t get too chuffed about it, because his next go-to option is a war scare with Pakistan. The only hope we have is that he doesn’t actually have to win anything. Modi knows that war is an expensive business, and India doesn’t have the money. Nor do we, but then we’re not going to war. If attacked, of course, we’ll have to ante up, but Modi knows that.

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Monday, 27 November, 2023 | ISLAMABAD

PAKISTAN, SWEDEN HOLD BILATERAL CONSULTATIONS ON TRADE, INVESTMENT

ISLAMABAD

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AKISTAN and Sweden held their 17th round of Bilateral Political Consultations in Stockholm on Friday and reviewed the entire range of bilateral relations, including political, economic, trade, investment and education. Additional Foreign Secretary (Europe), Ambassador Shafqat Ali Khan, led the Pakistan delegation, while the Sweden side was co-led by Director General and Head of Global Department Dag Juhlin-Dannfelt and Acting Head of Department for Asia and the Pa-

Pak-EU diplomats agree to strengthen cooperation under strategic engagement plan

cific Oscar Schlyte of the Swedish Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The two sides expressed confidence in the trajectory of bilateral cooperation noting that next year, Pakistan and Sweden would celebrate 75 years of the establishment of diplomatic relations. They also agreed to promote bilateral dialogue and mutually beneficial engagement and cooperation. The Additional Foreign Secretary congratulated Sweden on successfully completing the term of EU Presidency this year and expressed Pakistan’s desire to further enhance cooperation in renewable energy, sustainable technologies, waste management, information communication technol-

BRUSSELS

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Ambassdor to Belgium, Luxembourg and European Union Amna Baloch and Managing Director for Asia & Pacific, European External Action Service Niclas Kvarnstrom met in Brussels Friday and discussed collaboration between Pakistan and the EU. The two sides agreed to strengthen bilateral cooperation under the Strategic Engagement Plan, said a Pakistan embassy’s post on social media platform X. On the other hand, Pakistan’s Ambassdor to Belgium Amna Baloch and Lithuania’s Permanent Representative to the Political and Security Committee of the European Council, Amb Saulius Daniunas met in Brussels and discussed matters of mutual interest.

Strong Pak-KSA skills development cooperation need of hour: SAPM Jawad ISLAMABAD

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Headed by Special Assistant to the Prime Minister (SAPM) on Overseas Pakistanis and Human Resource Development (OP&HRD), Jawad Sohrab Malik, a Pakistani delegation on Sunday visited the Technical and Vocational Training Corporation (TVTC) of Saudi Arabia in Riyadh. The delegation comprised Ambassador of Pakistan Ahmad Farooq, Director General of Bureau of Emigration & Overseas Employment (BEOE) Akram Khawaja, Joint Secretary Emigration Aurangzeb, and Community Welfare Attachés, said a press release. The Saudi side was represented by Deputy Governor Eng. Abdulrahman Almarwani, Director General of International Cooperation Eng. Sultan Alsunaya, Supervisor at the Deputy Governor Office for Training and Quality Policies, Dr. Khaled Al-Othman, and International Cooperation Specialist at the Directorate of International Cooperation, Khaled Alshehri. The Deputy Governor of the Technical and Vocational Training Corporation (TVTC) welcomed the Pakistani delegation. The meeting was held in a very cordial manner. The Technical and Vocational Training Corporation (TVTC) team gave a detailed presentation on the working of TVTC.

455 candidates appear in KU VS admission test 2024 KARACHI

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As many as 455 candidates appeared in the admission test of the Department of Visual Studies, University of Karachi, which was held in 12 examination rooms at the departments of economics and history on Sunday. The incharge KU Directorate of Admissions Dr Saima Akhter mentioned that aspiring candidates appeared in the admission test for B. Arch, B. FA, and B. Design, in the disciplines of Architecture, Fine Art, Ceramics and Glass, Islamic Arts, Graphic Design, Industrial Design, Textile Design, Film and Animation of the visual studies department of the University of Karachi. She mentioned that a two-hour long test was started at 11:00 am. According to her, the KU would inform the candidates about the provisional merit list through email, and SMS, and they would also be able to see their results along with the necessary directives on the official web portal (www.uokadmission.edu.pk) by December 07, 2023. Meanwhile, the KU Vice Chancellor Professor Dr Khalid Mahmood Iraqi, Registrar Professor Dr Abdul Waheed, Dean of Arts and Social Sciences Professor Dr Shaista Tabassum, Dr Saima Akhter, in-charge VS Syed Shamoon Haider and others, Students Advisor Dr Nosheen Raza, Campus Security Advisor Dr Salman Zubiar, Medical Officer and the member of KU Syndicate Dr Muhammad Hassan Khan Auj, and others were present on this occasion and monitored the admission test proceedings. The KU Clinic staff along with an ambulance were also present during the test proceeding. The Watch and Ward and Directorate of Admissions staff were also present for the guidance of students and separate waiting areas near the examination classrooms were established for the parents and guardians of the candidates.

ogy, and rehabilitation and development. He welcomed more Swedish companies to take advantage of the business-friendly environment in Pakistan, the Foreign Office said in a statement issued here. The Swedish side reaffirmed commitment to forge a broad-based bilateral relationship anchored in strong economic and political cooperation. The two sides also discussed important regional and global developments. Ambassador Shafqat Ali Khan briefed the Swedish side on the security situation in South Asia including Afghanistan and India, highlighting the gross human rights violation in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir

(IIOJK). The Swedish side briefed the Pakistan side on the EU Presidency, Nordic region and steps taken to combat Islamophobia and promote interfaith harmony. The two sides expressed satisfaction at the level of cooperation at international fora, including at the UN, and agreed to continue supporting each other. They also agreed to remain in close contact to maintain the momentum in bilateral relations. Ambassador Shafqat Khan also called on State Secretary for Foreign Affairs, Jan Knuttson. The next round of Pakistan-Sweden Bilateral Political Consultations will be held in Islamabad.

KMU conducts MDCAT in 11 centers, 7 cities across KP province PESHAWAR

aziz BuneRi

Medical and Dental Centralized Admission Test (MDCAT) for admission to all government and private medical and dental colleges of the province was successfully conducted by Khyber Medical University (Peshawar) in seven different cities of the province i.e Peshawar, Abbottabad, Kohot, Chakdarra, Swat, Mardan, and Dera Ismail Khan. Arrangements were done for a total of 46220 male and female students in the test. Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Justice (R) Irshad Qaiser and Governor Haji Ghulam Ali personally visited the examination centers and showed full satisfaction. They applauded the best-ever coordinated effort between KMU, Provincial Government and security agencies. Chief Secretary Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Nadeem Aslam Chaudhary, Advisor on Health, Additional Chief Secretary Abid Majeed, Commissioner Peshawar Mr. Zubair and Deputy Commissioner Peshawar visited all the examination centers and KMU control center. They showed complete satisfaction for the whole process adapted for the conduction of the test. Dr Riaz Anwar thanked Dr Zia Ul

Haq VC KMU, all staff members of KMU, Chief Secretary KP, ACS Home, Divisional and Assistant Commissioners, RPOs, DPO and security agencies and said that the test was conducted in a clear and transparent manner. He said that due to the foolproof arrangements and security plan of the home department and other institutions, the examination was conducted in a very peaceful environment and no complaint of malpractice was received from anywhere. There is not even a single unfair means case registered. Walk-through gates were installed at the entrances of all the centers, and searching through metal detectors. Bomb disposal squads and security agencies also performed duties at all the centers. He further said that it was never possible without the approval and guidance of the deceased Hon CM KP and the current Hon CM KP. Provincial secretary was also assigned for each examination center of the province, including Asghar Ali, Mahmood Hasan, Amer Sultan Tareen, Muhammad Dawood Khan, Nazar Hussain, Zulfiqar Ali Shah and Masood Ahmad, Muhammad Tahir Orakzai. Additional Chief Secretary Home KP headed the whole preparation of MDCAT in the entire province. It should be noted that one invigilator was appointed for twenty stu-

dents in each examination center. Students were searched at three places so that no mobile phone or any other electronic devices were taken inside the examination. Mobile phone signals were turned off at each examination center and seating and parking facilities were provided to the parents of the at a distance from the examination center. The papers for the examination centers were transferred under the supervision of two professors of KMU and one assistant commissioner. The result of the said test will be declared within two to three days under a very transparent procedure, while the answer bubble sheet copy of the concerned students along with the key will be uploaded on the KMU website within 24 hours from which the students can check their result by themselves. Earlier, the officers of Pakistan and Medical and Dental Council visited the examination centers and expressed satisfaction over the arrangements made by the KMU and provincial government. Governor Khyber Pakhtunkhwa also visited the examination centers of Peshawar and praised the arrangements and initiatives of the KMU administration and the provincial government, expressing full confidence in the successful conduct of the test.

Implementation of 40% windfall tax on banks’ profits hits snag CONTINUED FROM PAGE 01

The uncertainty surrounding the windfall tax has also raised concerns among banks, as they prepare for their financial year-end reporting. The lack of clarity regarding the tax liability could impact their profitability and financial planning. In light of these developments, the banking sector and the business community are closely monitoring the situation and await further guidance from the government. The timely resolution of this matter is crucial to maintain investor confidence and promote eco-

nomic stability.

FBR RELEASES UPDATED INCOME TAX RULES 2023: The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has released an updated version of the Income Tax Rules 2002, incorporating all amendments made up to November 24, 2023. These amendments include those introduced in the current fiscal year’s federal budget, as well as any changes made since June 30. The primary goal of issuing these updated rules is to simplify the tax process for taxpayers and eliminate any ambiguities surrounding

Income Tax Day. The updated rules provide taxpayers with clear and concise guidelines on various aspects of income tax compliance, including assessment, collection, and refunds. They also incorporate recent changes in tax laws and regulations, ensuring that taxpayers remain compliant with the latest requirements. Taxpayers can access the updated Income Tax Rules 2002 on the FBR’s website. The FBR encourages taxpayers to familiarize themselves with the updated rules to ensure accurate and timely tax compliance.

IESCO recovers Rs786.12m from 44,687 defaulters ISLAMABAD

Staff RepoRt

The Islamabad Electric Supply Company (IESCO) in its ongoing anti power theft and recovery drive launched on September 7, has recovered Rs 786.12 million from 44,687 defaulters besides imposing fine of Rs 286.6 million on power pilferers. In a statement on Sunday, IESCO Chief Dr Muhammad Amjad said that the IESCO detection teams have checked 312,840 meters, out of which electricity was stealing from 5,182 meters. He said IESCO also imposed fines of Rs 286.6 million by charging 6 million units to the concerned consumers. Some 610 FIRs were also registered against electricity thieves and police arrested 489 people, he said. The CEO said IESCO’s recovery teams recovered Rs 404.47 million from

31,688 running defaulters and Rs 381.64 million from 12,999 dead defaulters. As per the direction of the government the Ministry of Energy and under the leadership of Chief Executive IESCO Dr. Muhammad Amjad Khan, indiscriminate operations against electricity thieves and defaulters were continuing in all the operation circles of IESCO including Islamabad Rawalpindi City, Rawalpindi Cantt, Attock, Jhelum and Chakwal. The CEO praised the efforts made by IESCO officers and employees and detection teams for making the anti-power theft and recovery campaign successful. He requested the consumers to support IESCO in this national campaign and report the electricity thieves on helpline number 118 or complaint and monitoring cell numbers 0519252933-34 so that timely action can be taken.

PM Kakar arrives in UAE to advance bilateral ties in all spheres CONTINUED FROM PAGE 01

He maintained that after the 18th amendment, the new exploration and exploitation of mineral resources’ issue had been settled as these would be divided at ratio of 50:50 between the province and the federation. The Balochistan’s major resource potential particularly copper and gold is going to be exploited in coming days and the value addition of the resources would also be done in the country that would yield great benefit to the province and the country as a whole. The prime minister highlighted that the exploration was being done at the right time, because in the past Pakistan as a state was not prepared for exploration due to issues of capacity, financial and technical expertise. To a question about his future plan after end of caretaker setup, the prime minister pointed out that he had not anticipated any particular role for himself. “But yes, if I could contribute on the floor of the parliament, that could be a wonderful opportunity.” He said he enjoyed more as a member of parliament as compared to his role as executive. As regards PTV, the prime minister said PTV had played number of amazing dramas, music and other programs besides presenting learning and informative programmes. He suggested the PTV authorities to document and present the old civilization of the region in effective way. “We are one of the oldest civilization, we have got rich culture in terms of poetry, music, dance, and along with that it is a land of Khushahl Khan Khattak, Shah Latif Bhttai, Bullhay Shah, Waris Shah, and we have hundreds of people of that calibre as well,” he added.

PM for improving tax system to boost economic growth CONTINUED FROM PAGE 01

He stated this while speaking after cutting cake at PTV Islamabad Centre on the occasion of state televisions 59th anniversary. The Prime Minister also participated in the maiden programme of the newly launched Talk-Show of PTV News ‘Baat Se Baat’. Renowned artist and celebrity Faryhal Gohar is the host of the programme. Prime Minister’s interview with Faryal Gohar will be telecast tonight. It is pertinent to mention that Pakistan Television founded on November 26, 1964 in Lahore. Being the largest Television Network, PTV is serving about 92 percent of the population and having largest terrestrial infrastructure of the country. A ceremony in connection with the 59th anniversary of Pakistan Television was also held at PTV Lahore centre. Minister for Information and Broadcasting Murtaza Solangi and Caretaker Punjab Chief Minister Mohsin Naqvi attended the ceremony. Addressing the ceremony, the Caretaker Minister for Information and Broadcasting congratulated the PTV team on completion of 59 years. He said Pakistan Television, the national broadcaster of Pakistan, started his journey in the premises of Radio Pakistan under Aslam Ahzar. On this occasion, the caretaker Punjab Chief Minister Mohsin Naqvi urged PTV administration to adopt modern techniques and focus on digital media.

‘Amid PPP opposition,’ PM Kakar nominates Dar as leader of house in senate CONTINUED FROM PAGE 01

It is pertinent to recall that September 30, outgoing Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif had appointed Finance Minister Ishaq Dar as Leader of the House in the Senate of Pakistan. His appointment was approved by Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) supremo Nawaz Sharif after which the then PM Shehbaz had sent the summary to the Senate Secretariat, which will soon issue the notification of Dar as the Leader of the House. Dar replaced Senator Azam Tarar, who will continue as Group Parliamentary Leader of the PML-N in Senate. Dar had served as Leader of Opposition in Senate back in 2012. Dar was sworn in as a senator after he had returned to the country after a five-year-long ‘self-exile’. Following this, he was sworn in as the new finance minister. The PML-N leader had left the country in 2017 while standing trial in a corruption reference.

Hamas free more Israeli, Thai hostages including American girl, 4 CONTINUED FROM PAGE 01

Thirteen Israelis and four Thai nationals arrived in Israel early on Sunday after a second release of hostages held by Hamas following an initial delay caused by a dispute about aid delivery into Gaza. Egypt and Qatar acted as mediators on Saturday to maintain the truce. The armed wing of Hamas also said on Sunday that four of its military commanders in the Gaza Strip had been killed, including the commander of the North Gaza brigade, Ahmad Al Ghandour. It did not say when they had been killed. Qatar, Egypt and the United States are pressing for the truce to be extended beyond Monday but it is not clear whether that will happen. Israel had said the ceasefire could be extended if Hamas continued to release at least 10 hostages a day. A Palestinian source had said up to 100 hostages could go free. WEST BANK VIOLENCE: Six of the group of 13 Israelis released on Saturday were women and seven were teenagers or children. The youngest was three-year-old Yahel Shoham, freed with her mother and brother, although her father remains a

hostage. Israel freed 39 Palestinians – six women and 33 teenagers – from two prisons, the Palestinian news agency WAFA said. Some of the Palestinians arrived at Al-Bireh Municipality Square in Ramallah in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, where thousands of citizens awaited them, a Reuters journalist said. Violence flared in the West Bank where Israeli forces killed seven Palestinians, including two minors and at least one gunman, late on Saturday and early Sunday, medics and local sources said. Even before the Oct. 7 attacks from Gaza, the West Bank had been in a state of unrest, with a rise in Israeli army raids, Palestinian attacks, and violence by Israeli settlers in the past 18 months. More than 200 Palestinians have been killed in the West Bank since Oct. 7, some in Israeli air strikes. Saturday’s swap follows the previous day’s initial release of 13 Israeli hostages, including children and the elderly, by Hamas in return for the release of 39 Palestinian women and teenagers from Israeli prisons. The four Thais freed on Saturday “want a shower and to contact their relatives”, Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin

said on social media platform X. All were safe and showed few ill-effects, he said. “I’m so happy, I’m so glad, I can’t describe my feeling at all,” Thongkoon Onkaew told Reuters by telephone after news of the release of her son Natthaporn, 26, the family’s sole breadwinner. DAYS OF CALM: The deal risked being derailed when Hamas’ armed wing said on Saturday it was delaying releases until Israel met all truce conditions, including committing to let aid trucks into northern Gaza. Saving the deal took a day of diplomacy mediated by Qatar and Egypt, which President Biden also joined. Al-Qassam Brigades also said Israel had failed to respect terms for the release of Palestinian prisoners that factored in their time in detention. COGAT, the Israeli agency for civilian coordination with the Palestinians, accused Hamas itself of delaying trucks trying to deliver humanitarian aid to northern Gaza at a checkpoint. “To Hamas, residents of Gaza are their last priority,” it said on Sunday. Saturday also brought hours of waiting for the families of hostages, some of whose joy was tempered by the continued captivity of others.

“My heart is split because my son, Itay, is still in Hamas’ captivity in Gaza,” Mirit Regev, the mother of Maya Regev, who was released late on Saturday, said in a statement from the Hostage and Missing Families Forum. AID DISPUTE: The deal risked being derailed when Hamas’ armed wing said on Saturday it was delaying releases until Israel met all truce conditions, including committing to let aid trucks into northern Gaza. Saving the deal took a day of highstakes diplomacy mediated by Qatar and Egypt, which US President Joe Biden also joined. Hamas spokesperson Osama Hamdan said only 65 of 340 aid trucks that had entered Gaza since Friday had reached northern Gaza, or “less than half of what Israel agreed on.” Al-Qassam Brigades also said Israel had failed to respect terms for the release of Palestinian prisoners that factored in their time in detention. The Israeli military said the United Nations and international organizations distribute aid within the Gaza Strip. The UN said 61 trucks delivered aid to northern Gaza on Saturday, the most since the war began seven weeks ago. They included food, water and emergency medical supplies.

04 COMMENT

Electoral politics and democracy

Monday, 27 November 2023

Taking big risks

Mian Nawaz Sharif seems to be unable to leave alone his 2018 removal

Elections are the foundations of democracy

ML(N) Supremo Mian Nawaz Sharif seems to be harking back to his original narrative demanding that those who had removed him from office in 2017 be held accountable. When still in exile before his return to Pakistan this year, he had even demanded that action be taken against two ex-generals, two former CJPs and a serving Supreme Court judge. However, his brother, Mian Shahbaz Sharif, had headed to London post-haste to persuade him not to take up cudgels against the establishment. Mian Nawaz seemed amenable, and said he had come back to rescue the economy. That was interpreted as his readiness to stay off turf the establishment did not want him to go. In his latest statement, made to the Sialkot Chamber of Commerce and Industry, he has painted his tenure in bright hues, and linked his ouster to the loss of prosperity. It is almost as if he is trying out a new narrative. The assumption is that the PTI messed up the economy, and Mian Nawaz is being brought back to office because he is the only figure foreign investors trust. He is linking his ability to fix the economy with those who had failed and who had conspired to oust him. He may well be trying out a narrative of the campaign trail, because so far, he does not seem to have one to replace that of taking up from where he left off in 2018. The fact that he is in search of a narrative does not mean that he has not been picked to be the next PM. However, it shows that this selection is accompanied by all the trappings of election campaigning. However, Mian Nawaz seems to be engaging in a high-risk strategy. Even while trying not to, he is likely to ruffle feathers in quarters that count. It might cause them to switch their eggs from the PML(N) basket to the PPP’s, especially since the PPP is particularly receptive, feeling it was hard done-by, being used to oust Mr Imran Khan as PM, but not given its due share in the post-February 9 set-up. It had been predicted that Mian Nawaz would move against those who ousted him in 2017 only after he was elected PM. While it is not beyond the realm of possibility for him to have made the statement with deliberation and premeditation, the chances are that it was perhaps put more strobly that he himself would have liked. There is also the possibility that he was merely testing the waters, so as to find out how he could go.

Dr Zafar Khan SafDar

EMOCRACY in Pakistan continues to face challenges, including the military’s influence, extremist and religious groups, exploitation, and the ongoing struggle for political stability. The public’s confidence in the democratic system has been weakened by the general elections that the nation has seen since 1970, all of which were dogged by claims of tampering. After more than 35 years of military control, the political system still serves the interests of a small number of people, undermining democracy. Because of the unique operational challenges of democracy, Pakistani citizens are still not fully reaping its benefits. The development of democratic ideals and norms has been impeded by various difficulties and situations under successive administrations, hence jeopardising the promised benefits to the populace. Most of the talk these days is about doubting the effectiveness of democracy and its ability to keep the nation out of disarray. Human rights advancements, civil liberties protection, and citizen participation in politics are frequently misinterpreted as indulgences rather than the popular demand. Unlike Pakistan, modern governments around the world are made up of interwoven strands such as democracy, elections, and public participation. Democracy upholds human rights, equality, and social progress, promoting economic growth, entrepreneurship, innovation, and social justice. It empowers marginalized groups, reduces wealth disparities, and reduces armed conflicts. Elections are the foundation of democracy, allowing citizens to choose their leaders and representatives. They ensure government accountability, legitimacy, and peaceful power transfer. Elections allow citizens to voice concerns, advocate for their interests, and make decisions on their behalf. Voting empowers citizens to choose their leaders, and voter turnout keeps democracy alive and responsive to the needs of the people. Recognizing and addressing the challenges faced by governments is crucial for protecting and reinforcing democratic ideas, ensuring they represent the interests of the peo-

Dedicated to the legacy of late Hameed Nizami

Arif Nizami (Late) Founding Editor

Yousaf Nizami

ple, are just, responsive, and accountable, and ensure their will is heard and carried out. Electoral politics also enhance the authority and acceptance of leaders through a fair process. In democratic systems, governments are changed without violence or conflict, ensuring stability and continuity. Public participation fosters a diverse political landscape, encouraging multiple parties and viewpoints, which promotes robust debate, compromise, and policy innovation. The electoral process is a crucial aspect of democracy, encompassing not just voting but also civic engagement. It is essential for informed decision-making, accountability among elected officials, and promoting civic education. Engaged citizens are more likely to make well-informed choices during elections. Participation in democratic processes, such as community meetings and grassroots movements, fosters social cohesion by bringing communities together to address common issues. It promotes dialogue, tolerance, and inclusivity, ensuring that politicians act in the public interest. Elections and democracy are vital but face challenges. Ensuring election integrity, including preventing voter fraud, is crucial for public trust. Comprehensive civic education programmes are needed to enhance citizens’ understanding of democracy. Democracy must protect minority rights and interests, preventing majority tyranny. A free and independent media is essential for open debate and information sharing. Press freedom should be safeguarded and misinformation combated. Perceived inefficiency or corruption can lead to disillusionment with the political system, reducing voter turnout and political engagement. Civil society organizations significantly enhance election conduct and citizen engagement in democratic processes. They serve as election observers, ensuring fairness, transparency, and adherence to democratic norms. Their presence maintains public trust in the electoral system and advocates for reforms to improve integrity and inclusivity. They eliminate

Joint Editor

Executive Editor

Both must think about the world as a whole

OwaiS Khan Marwat

U.S.-China relations do not need another lawyer. –Abigail Washburn

HE US-China rivalry is widespread across multiple fronts, with each seeing the other’s progress as a danger to its own. It creates a complicated zero-sum dynamic in which victories for one party are a defeat for the other. These tensions impede diplomatic efforts; affect international relations, and influence alliances and policies globally. US President Joe Biden is facing the most challenging geopolitical situations: a severe Russia-Ukraine conflict and Israel’s unrelenting action in Gaza, which has invited worldwide condemnation because of the sheer number of children killed and international laws violated. Through these actions, Europe and the USA have alienated the world and are standing alone with their self-interested agendas. The situation is the same at home, too. Rivals have launched vociferous attacks against Biden’s performance. Although the economy is doing relatively well, the international crisis will impact the USA soon. The USA has been playing a less crucial role in international trade. Additionally, with the protectionist measures it has adopted and the sanctions it has imposed on countries, the dollar’s relevance as a global reserve currency has gradually reduced. On one side is Biden, who arrived in Israel, trying to convince his leading partner in the region to refrain from intensifying action against Gaza because of the USA’s economic interests in the Arab world and the pressures of international public opinion, which wants an end to the collective punishment of the Palestinian people. In addition, Biden received a snub in the form of the cancellation of the meeting he was to have in Amman with Jordan, Egypt, and the Palestinian Authority. On the other side, in Beijing, surrounded by heads of state and government, President Xi Jinping was celebrating the 10th anniversary of the Belt and Road Initiative. A global partnership with more than 150 countries and 30 international organizations, with billions of dollars

committed to significant investments in infrastructure. Read that with other developments, such as China’s economy growing by 5.2 percent in the first three quarters of 2023. These two worlds are completely different: while Beijing discussed economic development, Washington substantially discussed wars and conflicts. However, Western nations were erecting walls to isolate China rather than altering US policy to ease the situation. The rapid demolition of this wall is necessary to change the destiny of humanity. Resuming the Cold War would be futile and a zero-sum game for the entire world. The world will pay a heavy price for a new Cold War, and the leadership of the West needs to understand this. But the West is unable to reverse its current trajectory. Domestic conflicts within the European Union have weakened the bloc’s economy, especially since the conflict in Ukraine began. The question of how long the European Union will survive is very important. The West can no longer resolve disputes through mediation. On the other hand, it has maintained open lines of communication with all parties involved and has the unique ability to take on global obligations and address contemporary global difficulties because of its strategic neutrality. The meeting of the senior leaders is influential in this uncertain situation. Beijing’s backing might alleviate most of the world’s challenges. Furthermore, Biden could go down in history as the political leader who struck the

The writer is Ph.D in Political Science, and visiting faculty at QAU Islamabad. His area of specialization is political development and social change. He can be reached at zafarkhansafdar@yahoo.com and tweet@zafarkhansafdar.

Democracy continues to be a ray of hope and development in a world full of diversity and complexity because it makes sure that the public voice is heard, peopleÊs rights are upheld, and their dreams are fulfilled. It is our shared duty to care for and maintain this priceless legacy for future generations. It is critically necessary to have a stable and capable democracy that can guarantee political stability and lead the nation through its greatest problems as the fresh General Elections are planned for February 8.

US-China rivalry: A zero-sum politics Editor Umar Aziz M. A. Niazi

barriers to participation and enhance the representativeness of elected bodies. Civil society groups mobilize citizens to become active participants in democratic processes. Some countries including Pakistan experience electoral manipulation, where various tactics are used to influence election outcomes, restrict opposition, or suppress dissenting voices. This undermines the integrity of the electoral process. Populist leaders and polarized political environments can threaten democratic norms by undermining institutions, weakening checks and balances, and eroding trust in democratic systems. Attacks on media freedom, including censorship and harassment of journalists, pose a threat to the dissemination of information and open debate, essential elements of democratic societies. The institutions need to put more effort into safeguarding and bolstering democratic processes as we look to the future. This entails tackling the issues of populism, election manipulation, voter apathy, and the erosion of media independence. It also entails defending democratic values in international diplomacy, encouraging civic education, and aiding civil society organisations. Democracy continues to be a ray of hope and development in a world full of diversity and complexity because it makes sure that the public voice is heard, people’s rights are upheld, and their dreams are fulfilled. It is our shared duty to care for and maintain this priceless legacy for future generations. It is critically necessary to have a stable and capable democracy that can guarantee political stability and lead the nation through its greatest problems as the fresh General Elections are planned for February 8. Any more experiments in the name of democracy or electoral politics in Pakistan may result in devastating outcomes, hence it is imperative to carefully examine the balance of power and its distribution formula.

most successful cooperation agreement and engagement with China if he were to forgo protectionism, end former US President Donald Trump’s trade war, and sign long-term agreements with China. Such acts will bury a hostile global environment that does nothing to promote development and peace. Among all the areas that require improvement, technical collaboration will boost growth, trade and development. To address issues like hunger, poverty, climate change, and declining life expectancy, the world needs more advanced technologies. Cooperation can propel humanity to unprecedented heights of prosperity and well-being. Both the USA and China have to patch up their differences. The idea is to move beyond the zero-sum mentality, recognizing that collaboration, mutual agreements, and shared interests can generate more substantial and sustainable benefits for all involved. So, rather than focusing solely on competing in a zero-sum game, the USA often aims to create scenarios where multiple parties can thrive simultaneously. Biden has an exceptional opportunity to avert a zero-sum game with China that will not strengthen the USA. The advice of Sun Tzu is still valid: “Victory comes from finding opportunity in problems.’’ Issues abound. Will it end with a win? Depending on the decisions made.

The Author is a research Professional at the Institute of Strategic Studies Islamabad (ISSI). He graduated with a BS in International Relations from the University of Peshawar. He can be reached at ok94404@gmail.com

Editor’s mail

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

Classes in mosques

ALMOST all the leading universities across Pakistan have mosques at their premises. However, these mosques are used only for prayers. The universities can be encouraged to start Islamiat classes in these mosques instead of conducting such classes in the main buildings. Such classes should start early in the morning before the rest of the classes get going, and should have proper gender- based segregation. The authorities concerned should consider the initiative that will bring a change in society. MUHAMMAD AZAM KHAN PESHAWAR

A gut-wrenching incident in KP

A gut-wrenching incident took place recently in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Swabi area when a schoolboy was killed over familial enmity while he was returning to his home. Swabi is not some remote rural area, but the culture of honour killing and use of weaponry are common traits that are gaining momentum with time. The law and order situation in the district is a nightmare, and the use of drugs is increasing by the day. There is a need to implement the existing laws to protect the people, especially children. TAUSEEF IQBAL KHAN ISLAMABAD

Quetta libraries

WITH a population of 2.6 million, Quetta is the only cosmopolitan city in Balochistan. The provincial capital is unfortunately in the grip of problems, such as traffic congestion, road blocks, potholes, absence of public parks and dearth of healthcare facilities. The city has only three public libraries having a pooled seating capacity of about a thousand at a time. These libraries are swarmed by students, especially by those preparing for various competitive exams in the hope of getting onto public-sector employment. As Balochistan has the lowest literacy rate in the country, the government should move quickly to set up more public libraries in the city. HONARYAR QUETTA

Scarcity of Colleges Both the USA and China have to patch up their differences. The idea is to move beyond the zero-sum mentality, recognizing that collaboration, mutual agreements, and shared interests can generate more substantial and sustainable benefits for all involved. So, rather than focusing solely on competing in a zero-sum game, the USA often aims to create scenarios where multiple parties can thrive simultaneously

Lahore – Ph: 042-36300938, 042-36375965

Karachi – Ph: 021-35381208-9

Islamabad – Ph: 051-2204545

EDUCATION is the most salient need which depicts the real image of society. One without education is like a bird without wings, a body without soul and a flower without beauty. Women are the most prominent part of our society. Institutions play an essential role in the flowering of education. For a long time, the residents of Kohi Goth (UC 14) Malir, have been highlighting sensitive issues but I want to grab the attention of relevant authorities regarding the aforementioned hypersensitive problem. The scarcity of girls’ colleges in Kohi Goth has become a grave threat to all girls. After completion of their secondary education, they confront numerous impediments. Some of them do not have permission to get out and most of them are unable to bear the expenditures of education. 20% of girls are enough able to go out in order to achieve education and 80% of girls are deprived of educational rights. The government of Sindh and the Higher Education Commission (HEC) is requested to establish a girl college in Kohi Goth district Malir, Karachi. MUHEEM ABDUL NABI KARACHI

Web: www.pakistantoday.com.pk

Email: editorial@pakistantoday.com.pk

Rehabilitation centres in Pakistan

COMMENT 05

Monday, 27 November 2023

Increasing addiction requires more treatment Zohra abid

rehabilitation centre is a clinic where individuals with alcohol or drug addiction are treated to help them return to their normal lives. In Pakistan, a survey revealed that six percent of the population, 9 percent of the adult male population, and 2.9 percent of the adult female population are involved in drugs. This is equivalent to 6.7 million people having used drugs, substances, and alcohol in 2022. Two rehabilitation centres in the capital of Pakistan, Islamabad, are “Willing Ways Pakistan,” which is only for men, and “Nishan Foundation Inc.” These two foundations’ rehab centres are very effective for drug and alcohol addicts. These individuals become addicted, ruining their lives, but they need help and proper treatment to return to normalcy. With the increasing percentage of drug and alcohol addicts, more rehab centres should be established. There must have been a challenging phase in their lives that led them to this condition. So, for a positive change in their lives, for their families, for their loved ones, they need rehab centres. There seem to be many rehabilitation centres in Islamabad, which are useful and beneficial for the country as they bring improvement to its people, automatically enhancing the society and the environment. It is important to help and support them with the resources they need. These rehab centres play a crucial role in helping people overcome challenges and start afresh. They provide therapy, support, guidance, and hope to people on a journey to recovery. It is really amazing how these centres make a positive impact on people’s lives. In Pak-

A heroin addictÊs chances of getting clean are minimal, as the only treatment available involves being locked up and withdrawn from the drug cold turkey. The only form of medicine available is paracetamol for pain relief.

istan, the total number of drug addicts, as per a UN report, is 7.6 million, with 78 percent of them being male, and the remaining 22 percent female. The number of these addicts is increasing at the rate of 40,000 per year, making Pakistan one of the most drug-affected countries in the world. This is why Pakistan needs more rehabilitation centres to restore the lives of these people, reduce the frequency of use, and improve the quality of life. The most common addictions in Pakistan are cannabis and heroin, both of which are cheap and easy to obtain, with most of them coming from Afghanistan. Afghanistan is responsible for at least 75 percent of the world’s heroin. The death rate due to drugs is alarming, with 700 drug addicts dying daily due to drug-related issues in Pakistan. The concerning part is the lack of treatment facilities in Pakistan to get them clean, and for those who are fortunate enough to access support, the treatment is painful, resembling something out of the dark ages or a horror film. Pakistan’s government cannot afford to purchase and supply expensive medicines such as Subutex or Methadone as a substitute for heroin. A heroin addict’s chances of getting clean are minimal, as the only treatment available involves being locked up and withdrawn from the drug cold turkey. The only form of medicine available is paracetamol for pain relief. The Edhi Foundation is one of Pakistan’s only forms of free treatment for heroin addicts, with 6 centres set across Karachi, treating 4,500 patients one at a time. However, there is a lack of basic facilities, such as no funding for pain relief medicine. The centres themselves look like old-time jails, with people in pain having no pain relief medicine and being dragged on cold floors. The only supply of medicine is paracetamol, and most patients are brought against their will. These rehab centres must have all the requirements needed for all the facilities. The rehab centres are mostly available in the capital of Pakistan, and the main city is Karachi. Rehabilitation centres must be built all over Pakistan, in all of its provinces, Balochistan, KPK, Punjab, and Sindh. As the percentage of drug and alcohol addicts is increasing, which is also due to people living in small areas, small cities, these centres must be built with all facilities and requirements. Drug and alcohol addicts should be forced to get treatment in rehab centres, as it is very hard for an addict to become clean and stop. They should be forced on one condition: they must be taken care of, made to feel comfortable, and supported on their journey, with motivation to make their lives better and start working towards it with hope for the best results. Their mental health is important, so for this reason, psychiatrists should be appointed for mental health improvement. This is a serious problem for Pakistan, as the

The Government of Pakistan should stop these drug dealings, which will eliminate the need for rehab centres, and international funding will be spent in far better ways. This will improve the socio-economic condition of the country. The Government of Pakistan is requested to look at these issues and act on them, as they impact the country and its civilians in many ways. new generation, the youth, is involved in drug and alcohol activities, which is very bad for the future of the country. It should be taken seriously, and the government should act on this situation on a national level. Organizations must work on it at an international level, as these organizations provide funds that are used to get medicines of all types, which will help them work more effectively and acquire good results. If the rehabilitation centres start working properly, people get treated correctly, making a positive impact on the people, building trust in these centres so people will admit their family members or loved ones for good treatment and the best results. Drug and alcohol addicts are making a very bad, negative impact on society. The first negative impact is on their home and family. Due to their addictiom, they can’t take care of their family; children’s education, and their family is affected the most, with their future at risk. The second negative impact is on society, as they interact

with each other, influencing the people around them or their friends negatively. This influence continues, bringing negative impacts. One major effect is that robbery will become more common, as the addicts are jobless and want money for their substances. The only solution for them will be theft and begging on the roads, which affects the country’s economy, as they rely only on these acts as their source of money. The Government of Pakistan should stop these drug dealings, which will eliminate the need for rehab centres, and international funding will be spent in far better ways. This will improve the socio-economic condition of the country. The Government of Pakistan is requested to look at these issues and act on them, as they impact the country and its civilians in many ways.

The Gaza truce is a sign that India ramps up seizures of journalists’ phones, laptops Hamas can’t be defeated Cyberlaw expert Pavan Duggal says the seizure of electronic Across the Arab World, the general public is also boycotting Western products on an unprecedented scale, in particular companies like McDonalds that have shown support for the Israeli army

robert inlaKesh

FTER repeatedly rejecting a truce with Hamas and labeling the idea “ridiculous”, Israel agreed to a four-day cessation of hostilities in Gaza and a prisoner exchange. Six weeks of death and destruction, which Israeli and Western leaders declared should have led to the destruction of Hamas, have now bolstered the Palestinian movement’s image throughout the Arab world and beyond. The four-day truce that was implemented this Friday provided a sigh of relief for those most affected by the war in the Gaza Strip, but has in many ways spelled disaster for the Israeli government. As women and children, held captive by both Hamas and Israel, are being reunited with their families, the threat of further warfare looms. Although the loved ones of those released are now celebrating, the next steps will be crucial in determining the final outcomes of the 46-day battle that has now been placed on pause. At this time, it appears that the idea that “Hamas must go” is no more than a pipe dream. On October 27, the United Nations General Assembly passed a resolution to the sound of overwhelming applause, calling for a truce to stop the fighting in the Gaza Strip. Although the non-binding resolution passed with a majority of 120 votes in favour, Israel and the United States outright rejected it. Tabled by Arab nations, the call for a truce was labeled as a “defense of Nazi terrorists” by Gilad Erdan, Israel’s ambassador to the UN. This came after Hamas released four Israeli civilian hostages without conditions, for what the group said were humanitarian reasons. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and others in his emergency war government, have repeatedly stated their goal of crushing Hamas and allied Palestinian armed groups in Gaza, refusing to negotiate with them. The six-week-long aerial bombardment of densely populated civilian areas in the besieged Palestinian enclave, which also morphed into a ground war, has claimed over

20,000 lives according to some estimates, but failed to eliminate Hamas. In fact, Israeli forces have not been able to show a single significant military achievement against the Palestinian armed groups. While Hamas claim to have struck 355 Israeli military vehicles during the past two weeks of fighting, publishing video evidence of dozens of attacks, Israeli forces have failed to assassinate senior leaders of Hamas, to free hostages by force, uncover major tunnel networks, or even publish proof that they have killed a significant number of Hamas fighters on the battlefield. According to the Calcalist financial newspaper, the Gaza war was estimated early on to cost around $50 billion, roughly 10% of Israel’s GDP. In addition to this, the Israeli military has reportedly suffered losses in intelligence and monitoring equipment along their northern border, due to attacks carried out by the Lebanese group Hezbollah. Yemen’s Ansarallah also seized a ship in the Red Sea, owned by an Israeli businessman, which has severely impacted trade through the southern port city of Eilat. This is not factoring in the inevitable long-term effects on things like Israel’s tourism sector or investment in its high-tech industry. On top of this, we have seen immense pressure being placed upon US forces throughout Syria and Iraq, with daily attacks occurring against their military facilities, for the sole purpose of pressuring Washington to force an end to Israel’s attacks on Gaza. Across the Arab World, the general public is also boycotting Western products on an unprecedented scale, in particular companies like McDonalds that have shown support for the Israeli army. The blatant double standards of the collective West’s political and economic elites, as well as the establishment media, are also being severely criticized, as the likes of the BBC are feeling the heat for biased reporting on the issue of Palestine-Israel. Instead of facing the wrath of the whole world and getting crushed, Hamas has not only survived, but is becoming more popular. While US President Joe Biden’s administration provided excuses for Israel’s invasions and bombings of hospitals in the Gaza Strip, claiming that Hamas has maintained a significant presence in places like the recently-raided al-Shifa Hospital, the world has risen in outrage against the atrocities Israel has committed in the Palestinian territory. UN relief chief, Martin Griffiths, has called the humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza “the worst ever,” and it’s seen as a direct result of the US having drawn “no red lines” for Israel’s behavior in Gaza.

Meanwhile, Hamas scores victory after victory, from a guerilla warfare and political perspective, while its military capabilities appear to have been undiminished so far. The Qassam Brigades, the armed wing of Hamas, that launched their attack on Israel on October 7, have managed to shift the world’s attention back on the issue of Palestine, have freed political prisoners held in Israeli detention, while inflicting blow after blow against one of the most powerful military forces in the world. Since the Kerry Peace Plan, which was a failed initiative set forward under the administration of Barack Obama, the US government has not made any real effort towards creating a viable Palestinian state. In fact, until October 7, nobody was talking about a Palestinian state, the focus was instead on the issue of Saudi-Israeli normalization. It was clearly the shared belief of the Israeli and US governments that Hamas could be contained with the periodic issuance of Qatari aid grants, while the Palestinian Authority was to be strengthened only to deal with a number of militias that have formed in the West Bank over the past two years. Today, the whole world is talking about the formation of a Palestinian state. There is also the notion of bringing the Palestinian Authority into power in the Gaza Strip, which would essentially mean the lifting of the 17-year economic blockade that the West has imposed on it. The issue of protecting the status-quo at Al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem is also on the regional agenda in a serious way, while the government of Benjamin Netanyahu veers towards collapse. If Israel and its Western backers choose to escalate the conflict further instead of finding a peaceful settlement, the war threatens to extend into a broader regional conflict; a threat to the stability of all nations involved. The pursuit of a ceasefire agreement can usher in a new era in the conflict, one in which Hamas will remain. Peace is in the interests of the entire region, we have seen what the Israeli army has to offer and it has not resulted in the defeat of Palestinian armed groups, it has only scored a blow against civilians in Gaza. This will be a hard pill for the Western governments to swallow, but the only solution to safeguarding civilian life and securing the release of all prisoners, will be through a peaceful resolution, not through more violence.

Robert Inlakesh is a political analyst, journalist and documentary filmmaker currently based in London, UK. He has reported from and lived in the Palestinian territories and currently works with Quds News.

The writer is a student at DELTA, the change agent.

evidence needs to be governed by a strict code of conduct. “Journalists are also entitled to appropriate protection from disclosure of their systems. Devices only need to be picked up in accordance with the procedure established by law and not on the subjective whims and fancies of the law enforcement agencies”

Murali Krishnan

OLICE raids targeting reporters working for Indian news portal NewsClick resulted in the seizure of around 250 electronic devices — including phones, hard disks and laptops — and even the passports of over 90 journalists whose homes were searched during the October operation. None of the journalists whose devices were seized by the New Delhi police were given their devices’ hash values, the digital equivalent of a fingerprint that changes if a device’s contents have been tampered with, as required. Some reporters said that no paperwork documenting the seizures was provided.

NO SAFEGUARDS FOR JOURNALISTS: Police officers a year earlier raided the homes of editors working for another news portal, The Wire, removing phones, computers and iPads. Hard disks from two computers used by other employees were also seized and the raiding teams reportedly sought and took passwords to official and personal email accounts. Following the raids, the Foundation for Media Professionals filed public interest litigation at India’s Supreme Court against what it called unnecessary interference by investigative agencies. In its initial hearing earlier this month, the court underlined that privacy is a fundamental right and found it “difficult to accept” the “all-within power” that investigative agencies have. “It is a serious matter. These are media professionals who will have their own sources and other things. There must be some guidelines,” the court observed.

THE NEED FOR REGULATION: The unregulated powers to seize devices has triggered a debate with free speech activists and cyberlaw experts calling for due process and a need to update the laws allowing search and seizure by law enforcement agencies across India. Apar Gupta, who heads the Internet Freedom Foundation, a digital rights advocacy group, pointed out that there is a vacuum in the law and the colonial policing practices permit the seizure of journalists’ digital devices without safeguards or proportionality in India. “This trend is particularly noticeable for independent journalism entities that focus on critical assessment of public

interest on themes such as the growing authoritarianism in India, crony capitalism and human rights violations of minorities,” Gupta told DW. “We are living through odd and uneven times, where the instinct to control is swathed in a thick layer of opacity,” Pamela Philipose, a media commentator who has written extensively on the subject told DW. “The conspicuous rise in the targeting of journalists by the government points to wider anxiety that the narrative it has successfully created and furthered through co-opted corporate media is being undone by those journalists it targets as anti-national,” Philipose added. NewsClick has been fiercely critical of India’s conservative government led by Narendra Modi. In August, the New York Times published an investigative report alleging that the organization had received funds from US-based businessman Neville Roy Singham, who is accused of working closely with Beijing and financing Chinese propaganda internationally. Soon after its publication, police raided homes of journalists who worked as staff or contributors for NewsClick.

WHAT WOULD A REGULATED FRAMEWORK LOOK LIKE? Cyberlaw expert Pavan Duggal says the seizure of electronic evidence needs to be governed by a strict code of conduct. “Journalists are also entitled to appropriate protection from disclosure of their systems. Devices only need to be picked up in accordance with the procedure established by law and not on the subjective whims and fancies of the law enforcement agencies,” Duggal told DW. Pranesh Prakash, co-founder of the Bangalore-based Centre for Internet and Society, goes one step further and says that a suspect has a constitutional right against self-incrimination. “You cannot legally be required to reveal any potentially incriminating information to the police. This is not being ‘above the law,’ it is the law,” Prakash told DW. Prakesh said that digital evidence guidelines should also require that a process tracking the chain of custody should be implemented, as well as ensuring that digital evidence is not being tampered with and devices are not retained for longer than necessary. “In all cases where on-disk data is sought, that specific data ought to be cloned, and the hash values for that be provided immediately to the device owners,” said Prakash, who added that the law regarding what kinds of evidence can and can not be sought without a warrant. “This is crucial to ensure that criminal investigations and trials are fair, that the police are not able to plant evidence without it being detected, and that criminal investigations are not fishing expeditions where the police proceed against political opponents first and then start looking for potential crimes later,” he added. M.K. Venu, a co-founder of The Wire whose devices were seized last year, said there is an urgent need for sound legal provisions. “Otherwise, privacy as a constitutional value would cease to exist,” he told DW.

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ISRAEL DROPPED 40,000 TONS OF EXPLOSIVES ON GAZA STRIP SINCE OCT 7, SAYS MEDIA OFFICE

GAZA CITY AGENCIES

HE Gaza government’s media office said on Sunday that the Israeli army has dropped 40,000 tons of explosives on the Gaza Strip since Oct. 7, with the apparent goal of rendering the enclave uninhabitable. Salama Maarouf, the head of the media office, issued a statement on Telegram on the third day of the temporary humanitarian pause between Israel and Hamas, which came into effect on Friday morning. “The Israeli occupation forces have dropped 40,000 tons of explosives on the Strip (since Oct. 7), and the atrocities of the occupation (forces) have unfolded away from the scrutiny of cameras,” Marouf said. He explained that “the bombs recently used by the occupation (forces) have never been used before, and hundreds of martyrs are buried in the places where they died. The devastation by the occupation (forces) re-

Monday, 27 november, 2023 | ISLAMABAD

flects its intent to make Gaza uninhabitable.” In the statement, Maarouf also discussed the temporary pause, emphasizing that “the days of respite have laid bare the enormity of the significant massacre, resulting in substantial destruction to infrastructure and residences.” “One-third of the Gaza Strip’s populationhas yet to receive essential supplies, and the absence of all international institutions is evident,” he stated, calling on the international community to act. “There is a pressing need for the establishment of a sizable field hospital,” he added. Four Hamas leaders killed during Israeli war on Gaza since Oct. 7 Al-Qassam Brigades, the military wing of the Palestinian group Hamas, said on Sunday that four of its leaders had been killed since Oct 7, including Ahmed Al-Ghandour, a member of the Military Council and commander of the Northern Brigade. “The Al-Qassam Brigades is mourning a group of its heroic leaders, namely Commander Ahmed Al-Ghandour, known as Abu

Anas, a member of the Military Council, the commander of the Northern Brigade, and the leaders: Wael Rajab, Raafat Salman, and Ayman Siam,” the group said in a statement. The Al-Qassam Brigades did not provide any information about the dates of their deaths. The brigades also declared their “commitment to the freedom path.” The Israeli army had previously announced in separate statements that it had killed Hamas leaders in airstrikes on Gaza. However, most Israeli strikes have resulted in heavy civilian casualties as well as massive infrastructure destruction. A four-day humanitarian pause, mediated by Qatar, went into effect on Friday, temporarily halting Israel’s onslaught on the Gaza Strip. In the first two days of the humanitarian pause, Israel and Hamas exchanged 41 Israelis and foreigners for 78 Palestinians in Israeli jails. Under the agreement, the hostages and prisoners will be released in batches during the course of four days.

Israel launched a massive military campaign in the Gaza Strip following a crossborder attack by Hamas on Oct. 7. It has since killed at least 14,854 Pales-

Hindutva Togadia calls for replacing mosques with temples in India NEW DELHI AGENCIES

The hardcore Hindutva exponent and chief of the Antarashtriya (International) Hindu Parishad (AHP), Pravin Togadia, has called for replacing mosques with temples in Mathura, Varanasi and Ayodhya in Uttar Pradesh state in India. The Hindutva leader, notorious for his communally charged anti-Muslim speeches, addressing a public meeting at Mangal Bazaar in Usmanpur in Badaun, pointing at the almost-constructed Ram temple built on the ruins of Babri Masjid in Ayodhya, asserted that “now was the time for taking Mathura and Kashi (Varanasi).” The Hindutva AHP leader said that the Ram temple was not being built to take electoral advantage. “The Ayodhya temple is an honour for all the Hindus and the fruit of their sacrifices and devotion,” media reports quoted him as saying. Babri Masjid was built in 1528 during the Mughal period by Muslims in Uttar Pradesh. The Hindutva BJP, RSS, VHP, Banjrang Dal, Shiv Sena mob destroyed the Historical Muslim mosque in 1992, and

killed about 2,000 Muslims across India. Two IIOJK students expelled from hostel over firecracker incident Two students from Jammu Kashmir have been expelled from the University hostel at Jamia Millia Islamia University in New Delhi, following the loss of India with Australia in the final match of Men’s World Cup 2023. A group of Kashmiri students, talking to the media said that some firecrackers were heard in the Jauhar Hall following

China ministry seeks more fever clinics to combat respiratory illness surge BEIJING

AGENCIES

China’s health ministry on Sunday urged local authorities to increase the number of fever clinics as the country grapples with a surge in respiratory illnesses in its first full winter since easing Covid-19 restrictions. The spike become a global issue last week when the World Health Organisation asked China for more information, citing a report on clusters of undiagnosed pneumonia in children by the Program for Monitoring Emerging Diseases. China and the WHO have faced questions about the transparency of reporting early in the pandemic, which emerged in the central Chinese city of Wuhan in late 2019. The WHO said on Friday no new or unusual pathogens had been found in the recent illnesses. National Health Commission spokesperson Mi Feng said on Sunday the surge in acute respiratory illnesses was linked to the simultaneous circulation of several kinds of pathogens, most prominently influenza. “Efforts should be made to increase the number of relevant clinics and treatment areas, appropriately extend service hours and strengthen guarantees of drug supplies,” Mi told a news conference. “It is necessary to do a good job in epidemic prevention and control in key crowded places such as schools, childcare institutions and nursing homes, and to reduce the flow of people and visits.” Cases among children are appearing especially high in northern areas like Beijing and Liaoning province, where hospitals are warning of long waits. The State Council, China’s cabinet, said on Friday that influenza would peak this winter and spring, while mycoplasma pneumoniae infection would remain high in some areas. It also warned of the risk of a rebound in Covid infections. “All localities should strengthen information reporting on infectious diseases to ensure information is reported in a timely and accurate manner,” the State Council said in a statement.

India’s loss to the world cup final game. The firecrackers triggered anger among a group of students who were upset over India’s loss at the hands of Australia by seven wickets in the final at Ahmedabad, Gujarat. Before the loss, a verbal brawl had erupted between two groups of students, one supporting the Indian team and the other supporting Australia, however, the timely intervention of some senior students pacified the situation, they told the

media men. Firecrackers are not new to the university, there have been multiple occasions when students have burst crackers inside the campus, but one fails to understand why were Kashmiri students singled out this time, the students questioned. They said that the duo had been asked to vacate the hostel within three days, without them even being involved in the incident, adding, “Some students had complained to the university administration and posted tweets on social media regarding the incident.” “Few days ago, I made a tweet regarding the bursting of firecrackers in JMI, after the Indian cricket team’s defeat in the world cup. Even though I deleted it immediately, someone took a screenshot of it and it’s gone viral. Let me make it clear, it was a few Kashmiri students, not all,” read a tweet posted by one university student. Following these complaints, a disciplinary committee found two students ‘involved’ in the incident, who are both residents of occupied Jammu Kashmir. The duo was identified as Faizur. Rahman, an Arabic student, and Bilal Ahmed, a geography student.

tinians, including 6,150 children and over 4,000 women, according to health authorities in the enclave. The official Israeli death toll stands at 1,200.

Another Israeli-owned ship seized in Indian Ocean: US defense official WASHINGTON AGENCIES

An Israeli-owned ship became the target of a suspected drone attack in the Indian Ocean on Friday. The information was disclosed by an anonymous US defense official. The vessel in question, CMA CGM Symi, fell victim to the attack in international waters, amidst heightened concerns for regional shipping routes during Israel’s conflict with Gaza. The assault on the CMA CGM Symi occurred shortly before the commencement of a four-day ceasefire on Friday, according to Lebanon’s Al-Mayadeen news network. The risk management company Ambrey suggested that the attack was likely aimed at the vessel due to its Israeli association through the Israeli-owned shipping management company, Eastern Pacific Shipping. The Symi is owned by Eastern Pacific Shipping, a Singapore-based company belonging to Israeli billionaire Idan Ofer. In 2011, The Sunday Times in the UK reported allegations that ships owned by the Ofer family had been involved in transporting Israeli Special Forces units for operations, including assassinations, in the region. The Israeli army, as reported by the Jewish Press news outlet on Saturday, stated that the Houthi rebels had seized another Israeli-owned ship in the Red Sea, identified as the Zim Luanda. The vessel was reportedly en route from Israel to China. This revelation followed a cryptic post by Houthi military spokesman Yahya Sarea on X, simply reading “Zim.” On November 19, the Yemeni Naval Forces, affiliated with the Houthi Resistance movement, boarded and took control of an Israeli-owned ship named Galaxy Leader, which flew the flag of the Bahamas.

Pope says he has ‘lung inflammation’ India bid to free 41 as aide reads Sunday message for him trapped workers enters third week

SANTA MARTA CHAPEL, VATICAN AGENCIES

Pope Francis, suffering from a “lung inflammation”, appeared seated in the chapel of his residence instead of in St Peter’s Square while an aide read the pontiff’s Sunday message. The 86-year-old pope, wearing his traditional white robes and with a bandage on his right hand, remained seated next to the aide during the reading. “Dear brothers and sisters. Happy Sunday. Today, I cannot appear at the window because I have this problem of inflammation in the lungs,” Francis said. Francis went to a Rome hospital on Saturday for a scan that the Vatican said had ruled out lung complications after a bout of flu forced him to cancel activities. The Vatican provided no explanation for the apparent difference between its statement on Saturday and what the pope said on Sunday. One part of one of the pope’s lungs was removed when Francis was a young man in his native Argentina. Francis introduced the priest, Father Paolo Braida, who went on to read the pope’s Sunday message based on the Gospel. Francis coughed several times during the reading.

UTTARAKHAND AGENCIES

The pope delivered a blessing and Braida read the rest of the message, including appeals for peace in Ukraine, thanks for the release of some hostages in Gaza and confirmation of the pope’s intention to travel to Dubai on Friday to attend the UN climate change conference. Francis ended with his traditional closing remarks: “I wish everyone a good Sunday. Please do not forget to pray for me. Have a good lunch and see you next time.” The event was broadcast on giant screens to the crowds gathered in the square. “We were under the window where he was supposed to appear but then he didn’t show up,” said tourist Francesco Sinisgalli from Potenza in southern Italy. “I am a bit (disappointed) but in my soul he is

always there.” Staying in the residence spared the pope from going outside for the short journey to the Apostolic Palace on what was a particularly cold Rome morning for the end of November. He would have had to get in a car, be driven to a courtyard and take an elevator to the top floor of the palace to reach the window overlooking St Peter’s Square. Earlier this month, Francis skipped reading a prepared speech for a meeting with European rabbis because he had a cold, but he appeared to be in good health during a meeting with children hours later that day. In June he had surgery on an abdominal hernia, spending nine days in hospital. He appears to have recovered fully from that operation.

India’s military brought in specialised equipment Sunday as efforts to free 41 trapped workers entered a third week, with digging ongoing in three directions after repeated setbacks to the operation. The Indian airforce said Sunday that they were “responding with alacrity”, as they flew in their third load to a rescue operation since the partial collapse of the under-construction Silkyara road tunnel on November 12 in the Himalayan state of Uttarakhand. Rescue officials said they called for a superheated plasma cutter to be brought to the remote mountain location, after engineers driving a metal pipe horizontally through 57 metres (187 feet) of rock and concrete ran into metal girders and construction vehicles buried in the earth. A giant earth-boring machine snapped just nine metres from breaking through. The plasma cutting will be used to remove the broken giant earth-boring drill and metal blocking the horizontal route, before digging will continue by hand. Thick metal girders in the rubble are blocking the route, and using conventional oxyacetylene cutters to clear them is tricky from inside the confined pipe, only wide enough for a man to crawl through. The air force said the “critical” kit came from the country’s Defence Research and Development Organisation, the government’s defence technology research arm, without giving further details. Uttarakhand chief minister Pushkar Singh Dhami said Saturday that vertical drilling had begun to dig 89 metres downwards, a risky route above the men in an area that has already suffered a collapse.

Pentagon steps on AI accelerator as age of lethal autonomy looms NATIONAL HARBOR AGENCIES

Artificial intelligence employed by the US military has piloted pint-sized surveillance drones in special operations forces’ missions and helped Ukraine in its war against Russia. It tracks soldiers’ fitness, predicts when Air Force planes need maintenance and helps keep tabs on rivals in space. Now, the Pentagon is intent on fielding multiple thousands of relatively inexpensive, expendable AI-enabled autonomous vehicles by 2026 to keep pace with China. The ambitious initiative — dubbed Replicator — seeks to “galvanize progress in the too-slow shift of

US military innovation to leverage platforms that are small, smart, cheap, and many,” Deputy Secretary of Defense Kathleen Hicks said in August. While its funding is uncertain and details vague, Replicator is expected to accelerate hard decisions on what AI tech is mature and trustworthy enough to deploy — including on weaponized systems. There is little dispute among scientists, industry experts and Pentagon officials that the US will within the next few years have fully autonomous lethal weapons. And though officials insist humans will always be in control, experts say advances in data-processing speed and machine-to-machine

communications will inevitably relegate people to supervisory roles. That’s especially true if, as expected, lethal weapons are deployed en masse in drone swarms. Many countries are working on them — and neither China, Russia, Iran, India or Pakistan have signed a US-initiated pledge to use military AI responsibly. It’s unclear if the Pentagon is currently formally assessing any fully autonomous lethal weapons system for deployment, as required by a 2012 directive. A Pentagon spokeswoman would not say. PARADIGM SHIFTS Replicator highlights immense technological and personnel challenges for Pentagon

procurement and development as the AI revolution promises to transform how wars are fought. “The Department of Defense is struggling to adopt the AI developments from the last machine-learning breakthrough,” said Gregory Allen, a former top Pentagon AI official now at the Center for Strategic and International Studies think tank. The Pentagon’s portfolio boasts more than 800 AI-related unclassified projects, much still in testing. Typically, machine-learning and neural networks are helping humans gain insights and create efficiencies. “The AI that we’ve got in the Department of Defense right now is heavily leveraged and augments people,” said Missy Cummings, director of George Mason University’s robotics center and a former Navy fighter pilot.” “There’s no AI running around on its own. People are using it to try to understand the fog of war better.”

Monday, 27 November, 2023 | ISLAMABAD

PAK-CHINA STEP UP COLLABORATION TO TACKLE HAZARDOUS SMOG IN PUNJAB NEWS

CORPORATE CORNER

ICBS, HEC partner to launch BS Engineering Technology (Garments) Curriculum

LAHORE: In a momentous occasion, the Higher Education Commission of Pakistan in collaboration with the Imperial College of Business Studies (ICBS) Lahore celebrated the successful launch of the Bachelor of Engineering Technology (Garments) curriculum. The event, held at the prestigious Imperial College, marked a significant step towards enhancing the professional capabilities of students in the field of Garment Engineering Technology. Distinguished guests, including the Chairman of the National Technology Council (NTC) of Pakistan, Mr. Imtiaz Gillani and the Rector of ICBS, Prof Dr Tahira Aziz Mughal, graced the occasion as chief guests. The presence of Vice Chancellors from various universities and notable educationists added to the grandeur of the event. The curriculum launch was a meticulously planned affair that highlighted the commitment of the Higher Education Commission of Pakistan especially the personal efforts of Regional Director, HEC Lahore Office, Mr. Ghafoor Ahmad to promote advancements in technical education. staff report

JLI marks 5-year milestone in empowering youth through ECP

LAHORE

staff report

HINA and Pakistan are collaborating to tackle the hazardous smog and air pollution threatening the lives of over 100 million residents in Punjab province. Three areas have been identified for China-Pakistan partnership to help Punjab address the dangerous atmospheric toxicity that has enveloped many districts over the last two months, Gwadar Pro reported on Sunday. One area of cooperation is conducting artificial rain in smog-affected localities. A Punjab government official told Gwadar Pro that cloud seeding is the most effective method for inducing artificial rain, adding that arrangements

with Chinese experts have been finalised. “Chinese experts will soon visit Pakistan,” he added. Artificial rain, or cloud seeding, is a weather modification technique involving the dispersion of chemicals into clouds from an aircraft to encourage precipitation. It is used to induce rainfall in drought-stricken or pollution-laden areas. The second area of collaboration involves using Chinese anti-smog technology by installing smog towers in Lahore and other parts of the province. Progress was made following a successful meeting between Punjab CM Mohsin Naqvi and Chinese Consul General Lahore Zhao Shiren. According to the Chinese Consul General, good air quality is essential for the people of Lahore.

The Chinese Consulate Lahore has provided comprehensive documents regarding smog-eating towers built in China to the Chief Minister Office Task Force Smog. “We have collected all the required data and information by establishing a connection with relevant authorities in China,” said an official from the Chinese Consulate Lahore. “If the CM office needs further help, we will surely provide it,” he added. An official from the CM Secretariat stated that amidst Punjab’s unhealthy air quality, Chinese smog towers seem to offer a solution to the pollution crisis. “The tower, over 100 meters tall, is designed to improve air quality in the city, where standards regularly fall short of those set by the World Health Organisation,” he added.

Govt sets up committee to implement IMF tax net expansion condition ISLAMABAD

staff report

The government has set up a high-level eight-member technical committee to implement the IMF's condition of bringing 15 to 20 million new taxpayers into the tax net by June. The committee will prepare recommendations and guidelines in one month regarding data integration and implementation of the FBR plan to expand the tax net. The members of the committee include Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) member Inland Revenue Operations Mir Badshah Khan Wazir, member Information Technology Dr. Nasir Khan, member Digital Initiatives FB. R Karamatullah Khan Chaudhry, NADRA Chief Projects Officer

Gohar Ahmed Khan, NADRA Head of Department of NDW Syed Mushaber Hussain, FBR Chief Information Technology Zeenul Abidin Sahi and Chief Executive Officer of Pakistan Revenue Automation Limited (PRAL). Aamir Malik is included. The technical committee will prepare measures and proposals for data integration under Broadening of Taxes, IT Infrastructure Transformation Plan of FBR. Similarly, it will prepare and submit recommendations and suggestions about the implementation of the FBR project to expand the tax net. The committee will also review the IT infrastructure of the Federal Board of Revenue and recommend the transformation and upgradation plan for FBRRKET infrastructure.

Ambassador, AFBF President discuss enhancing Pak-Korea business ties

KARACHI: Jubilee Life Insurance (JLI) proudly celebrated its 5th consecutive year of collaboration with SEED Ventures on the Enterprise Challenge Pakistan (ECP), the country's premier business challenge for school children with an event held at the British Deputy High Commission (BDHC) Karachi, Pakistan. The keynote address at the event was delivered by British Deputy High Commissioner Her Excellency Ms Sarah Mooney. Other speakers at the event included MD & CEO Jubilee Life Insurance Mr Javed Ahmed, and Head of Marketing and Brand Management Jubilee Life Insurance Mr Usman Qaiser, along with CEO SEED Ventures Ms Shaista Ayesha, ECP Programme Manager Ms Maha Salman. staff report

Kashmir, Palestine long pending disputes on UN agenda: Mushaal

ISLAMABAD: Special Assistance to Prime Minister on human rights and women empowerment has expressed grave concerns over the unceasing human rights violations in Palestine and Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK). Addressing a Seminar held to express solidarity with the Muslims of Kashmir, Palestine and around the globe over gross human rights violations, Mushaal Mullick said that India and Israel are in competition over which country will top the World in the human rights violations. She resonated alarms over the ongoing Israel’s atrocities on the Palestinian people. She lamented the fact that Israel, in violation of all UN resolutions and Geneva Convention, had blockaded the Gaza Strip affecting the flow of food and essential medical supplies to the people who are in dire need of them. She demanded that the United Nations and International community play their role in the settlement of the long outstanding land disputes of Kashmir and Palestine as per the aspirations of the people of the two regions. Special Assistant to Prime Minister also stressed the need for interfaith harmony for establishing durable peace in Pakistan. staff report

SYED ALI NAWAZ GILANI

Pakistan's ability to maximize the benefits of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) hinges on the formulation of a practical and inclusive industrial policy. The success of CPEC in fostering Pakistan's industrial development necessitates a strategic approach that actively involves stakeholders, particularly those from medium and small industries. Without a comprehensive policy framework addressing the needs of a diverse industrial landscape, the nation may fall short of fully capitalizing on CPEC's transformative potential. As Pakistan navigates the transformative corridors of CPEC, the wisdom of inclusive industrial policies becomes paramount. The journey towards sustainable progress echoes the sentiment that a nation's strength lies in empowering every facet of its economy. With this in mind, a pertinent question arises: Can Pakistan truly harness the full potential of CPEC without a well-crafted industrial policy that actively involves stakeholders, especially those from medium and small industries. A critical examination of the committees overseeing CPEC's industrial policies becomes imperative. How can the composition of these committees be scrutinized to ensure diverse representation, particularly including stakeholders from medium and small industries, fostering an inclusive approach to de-

ISLAMABAD: Ambassador of Pakistan to Korea Nabeel Munir has said that trade and economic relation between Pakistan and Korea should be enhanced as both countries are potential markets and have the great ability and resources to fulfill each other’s needs. He was talking to President All Pakistan Business Forum (APBF) Syed Maaz Mahmood, who called on the Ambassador at Pakistan Embassy in Seoul, to dis-

cuss important matters related to B2B collaborations, joint ventures, and enhancing bilateral trade between Korea and Pakistan. During the meeting, the Pakistan Embassy in Korea and the All Pakistan Business Forum (APBF) agreed to give intra-trade a new boost through joint ventures between the private sectors of the two countries.

Afghan transit trade gets relief as bank guarantee requirement waived ISLAMABAD

staff report

The caretaker federal government has decided to waive the newly imposed requirement of a bank guarantee equal to the value of duties and taxes imposed on imported goods. The government has also scrapped the condition of a cashable financial guarantee. According to media reports, the decision was taken after considering the concerns raised by stakeholders regarding the implementation of the new rules, which were introduced through SRO 1402(I)/2023 issued on October 7, 2023. The rules had made it mandatory for importers to provide bank guar-

antees for goods imported under Afghan transit trade. The government has now released a draft of amendments to the Customs Rules, which will waive the bank guarantee requirement for Afghan transit trade containers. Stakeholders have been asked to submit their feedback on the proposed amendments within two days, after which the amended rules will be notified through gazette notification. The decision to waive the bank guarantee requirement is expected to boost Afghan transit trade, which has been facing challenges in recent months. The trade is crucial for Afghanistan's economy, as it provides a vital link to international markets.

City Mayor inaugurates Star Sports Complex in Malir KARACHI

staff report

Mayor Karachi Barrister Murtaza Wahab has said that the country will go to improvement if it gets the young leadership. He said Star Sports Complex with an area of 20 acres will be the best sports center for the people of Malir district and this state-of-the-art complex has been completed within a year under the Karachi Neighborhood Improvement Project, next week three more sports complexes will be handed over to the citizens of Karachi. He said this while speaking to the media after inaugurating the Star Sports Complex. Deputy Mayor Karachi Salman Abdullah Murad, Mayor Karachi Spokesperson for Political Affairs Karamullah Waqasi, General Secretary of Pakistan People's Party

Central District Dil Muhammad, former member provincial Assembly Mahmood Alam Jamot, former Chairman District Municipal Corporation Jan Muhammad Baloch, Ibrahim Hydari Town Chairman Nazir Bhutto, Vice Chairman Rafiq Daud Jat, Project Director Nazir Memon and other local leaders were also present on the occasion. Mayor Karachi condoles death of 11 people in Rashid Minhas Road Mall fire Mayor Karachi Barrister Murtaza Wahab has said that the loss of life and property due to the fire in the Rashid Minhas Road Mall is extremely saddened. “I express my condolences to the families of 11 people who lost their lives in the fire. Lack of arrangements for fire control in the building is very worrisome, strict rules need to be made in this regard.”

importance. It is essential to scrutinize the intricacies of how these committees are structured and operate to guarantee a fair and effective decision-making process. In seeking an answer to this question, the wisdom of iconic industrialist Henry Ford reverberates: "Coming together is a beginning; keeping together is progress; working together is success." The essence of this quote encapsulates the essence of our inquiry. It underscores the importance not just of assembling diverse perspectives but of ensuring their continual inclusion and collaboration, fostering a synergy that propels us toward genuine success. As we envision the committees overseeing CPEC's industrial policies, we must view them not merely as bureaucratic entities but as dynamic hubs where the collective aspirations of a nation converge. Inclusive decision-making, where the voices of both large and small industries are harmonized, paves the way for a transformative journey. The success of these committees lies not just in their composition but in their commitment to maintaining a vibrant, ever-evolving collaboration that mirrors the diversity and dynamism of Pakistan's industrial terrain. The journey toward comprehensive and inclusive decision-making within CPEC is a

Meanwhile, Chinese company International Pakistan Norinco Branch has signed a contract with the Environment Protection Department, Government of Punjab, to establish air quality monitoring stations across the province, with a total value of Rs 3.65 billion. Approximately 21 air quality monitoring stations, including 16 fixed and 5 mobile units, will be set up across Punjab to monitor air quality in eight regions in real time. These systems will provide real-time data on parameters such as particulate matter (PM2.5 and PM10), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), and others. This data will enable policymakers and stakeholders to make informed decisions and develop effective strategies to combat air pollution.

SMBL redefines itself to ‘Bank Makramah Ltd’ KARACHI

staff report

In a significant development, Summit Bank Limited (SMBL) has undergone a transformation and rebranded itself as Bank Makramah Limited (abbreviated as BML), the new name and logo shall be effective and visible across all platforms from November 27, 2023. The Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) has duly notified all participants regarding the new name. Moreover, the National Clearing Company of Pakistan Limited (NCCPL) responded to the bank’s request by assigning the new security symbol ‘BML’ in alignment with the rebranding initiative. This shift in identity follows the decision made by the Board of Directors (BoD) on July 17, 2023, to redefine the bank’s name. This change has been officially communicated through a notice issued by the local bourse.

Doctors telemedicine training to build DHQs, THQs hospitals’ capacity ISLAMABAD

staff reprot

ChildLife Foundation organized a bootcamp training session on Pediatric Emergency Medicine at PIMS, Islamabad for 12 government doctors from PIMS and DHQ Attock, THQ Hazro, THQ Taxila and THQ Hasan Abdal where ChildLife’s telemedicine network is operational. The session covered a broad spectrum of vital topics in pediatric emergency medicine, providing hands-on training in areas such as trauma, anti-rabies vaccination, airway management, anaphylaxis, poisoning, and HBB (Helping Babies Breathe) techniques. By addressing these critical areas, the training aimed to enhance the capacity of on-ground government doctors in DHQs and THQs and ensure they are well-versed with the latest practices and evolving needs of pediatric emergency care. ChildLife is currently present in all districts of Punjab & Balochistan and in all tehsils of Sindh with the Telemedicine Satellite Centres setup.

SNGPL crackdown rages on as 107 illegal connections cut; Rs4.59m fine imposed

LAHORE: During the ongoing crackdown on gas pilferers, SNGPL continued raids in Punjab, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Islamabad, disconnecting another 107 connections while 266 under billing cases processed with Rs4.59 million fine imposed. In Lahore, the regional team disconnected 31 connections on illegal use of gas and another 12 on use of compressor and 27 under billing cases have been processed. The team also imposed fine of Rs2.47 million against under billing cases. In Bahawalpur the company disconnected one connection on illegal use of gas .The regional team in Multan disconnected 2 connections on illegal use of gas,55 Under billing cases have been processed. The team imposed fine of Rs0.06 million against gas pilferes. In Peshawar and Karak, the company disconnected 41 connections on account of direct use of gas and illegal use of gas, 15 under billing cases have been processed and amount of Rs1.21 million against gas theft and under billing cases .The regional team in Islamabad disconnected 1 connection on illegal use of gas. In Rawalpindi the team disconnected 2 connections on illegal use of gas. staff report

Beyond Corridors: Empowering Pakistan cision-making? In the pursuit of transformative change, there's an inherent risk of bias. How can CPEC strike a balance to ensure that industrialists, benefiting from the current system, do not resist reforms that might disrupt their positions, and how can diverse stakeholder interests be accommodated? Considerations must extend beyond immediate gains. In the intricate web of CPEC, how might we ensure that the lens through which industrialists view their involvement doesn't solely focus on the gains of their enterprises? Instead, how can it broaden to encompass broader socio-economic considerations—such as ensuring fair resource distribution, prioritizing the welfare of workers, and championing environmental sustainability? The historical imbalance in Pakistan's industrial landscape is a challenge that CPEC must confront. How can policies be crafted to rectify historical disparities where large industrialists have thrived, leaving smaller enterprises struggling, and how can the inclusion of diverse stakeholders be a driving force in achieving a more equitable distribution of benefits? A comprehensive analysis of the committees responsible for overseeing the industrial policies within CPEC is of utmost

journey toward unlocking the true potential of Pakistan's industries. To echo the sentiments of Nobel laureate Amartya Sen, "Inclusive development is possible only when we foster the capabilities and participation of all individuals." It is in this spirit of fostering capabilities and participation, especially from medium and small industries, that the committees overseeing CPEC's industrial policies can truly become architects of transformative change. As they navigate the intricacies of decision-making, let them be guided by the understanding that true success lies in a collaborative and inclusive journey toward a more prosperous and harmonious future. This scrutiny is indispensable for fostering an inclusive approach to decision-making, ensuring that the diverse needs and interests of all sectors within the industrial landscape are considered and addressed. This review is essential for ensuring fair growth. It means recognizing and considering the contributions of different industries, no matter their size, when creating the overall industrial plans for CPEC. As Pakistan confronts challenges in its industrial landscape, there arises a critical necessity for substantial reform, aligning with China's commitment to fostering progress and innovation. How can com-

mittees involved in CPEC navigate complexities without being encumbered by the fear of disrupting the status quo, and how can an inclusive policy approach be the cornerstone for meaningful and sustainable change? Examining global examples from places like Vietnam, Bangladesh, South Korea, Ethiopia, and Colombia sheds light on how committees unafraid to challenge established norms have propelled significant progress, and what lessons Pakistan can glean from these instances to ensure that its current initiatives become a catalyst for genuine and lasting industrial advancement. Reminding again that the success of Pakistan in harnessing the transformative potential of CPEC lies in the formulation of a practical and inclusive industrial policy. As the nation embarks on this crucial journey, the path to progress demands a collaborative approach that actively includes stakeholders from medium and small industries. Only through such an inclusive strategy can CPEC evolve into a catalyst for genuine and sustainable industrial progress in Pakistan. The writer, serves as Secretary General of the Pakistan China Friendship Association's Khyber Pakhtunkhwa chapter. With a passion for fostering international bonds, he also lends his expertise as a Senior Media Consultant based in Peshawar, can be contacted through syeed.gilani@gmail.com.

PAKISTANI WOMEN FAR BEHIND MEN IN VOTER REGISTRATION, SAYS HRW NEWS

Says among total 127m registered voters, 58.5m are women voters and 68.5m men

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ISLAMABAD

Staff RepoRt

HE Human Rights Watch said there was a “large gender gap” in voters in Pakistan, where women make up 49 percent of the total population but are far behind men in voter reg-

istration. Earlier this month, the Election Commission of Pakistan announced the general elections, originally expected in November and then scheduled for the last week of Jan-

uary, would take place on Feb 8, a date chosen following consultations with President Dr Arif Alvi following instruction of the Supreme Court. As per data released by the ECP in September, there are 127 million registered voters in Pakistan, a nation of over 240 million. Among them, there are 58.5 million women voters and 68.5 million men. “Out of 127 million registered voters in Pakistan, 10 million more men than women have registered to vote in the general election scheduled for February 8, 2024,” HRW

said this week. “This is a large gender gap in a country in which women make up 49 percent of the population.” The Human Rights World report said though voting was a constitutional right for all adults in Pakistan, in past elections millions of women had been effectively barred from voting. “Particularly in Pakistan’s most conservative constituencies, political party officials, local elders, and other powerful figures have colluded in broadcasting messages telling women not to vote and sometimes

physically preventing them from polling stations,” the report said. “Courts have been slow to uphold legal challenges to these practices” In Pakistan, voters need to have a Computerized National Identification Card (CNIC) to be eligible to vote but despite public awareness campaigns and mobile registration centers meant to make it easier for women to obtain ID cards, many still cannot do so because of restrictions on movement and barriers to education. Not having a CNIC also deprives women of access to other essential services and benefits such as government loans and a monthly social security stipend under the Benazir Income Support Program. In 2017, Pakistan enacted the Elections Act to address some of the reasons for

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women’s disenfranchisement. The law stipulates that for an election to be valid, at least 10 percent of the voters in any constituency had to be women. But this low percentage has done little to address the disparity, according to experts. Pakistan’s constitution permits the government to achieve equality of citizens by adopting special provisions for the protection of women. The United Nations Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) obligates governments to “take all appropriate measures to eliminate discrimination against women in political and public life,” including in elections. The CEDAW Committee, in a General Recommendation, calls for “full and equal participation of women” in democratic political systems. “Governments and parliaments should reflect the makeup of society as a whole; millions of missing women voters means their concerns are poorly represented in Pakistan,” HRW said. “As the country approaches another general election, the Pakistan government should take urgent steps to ensure women can participate on an equal basis in the electoral process.”

Neither IPP nor PML-N, only Pakistan in ‘laadla of establishment’: Tareen LAHORE

Staff RepoRt

Chairman newly-formed Ishtehkam-ePakistan Party (IPP) Jahangir Khan Tareen on Sunday denied that the military establishment was “back the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) and his own party” in the run-up to the general elections. “Only Pakistan is the establishment’s laadla (darling), as it only desires the country’s well-being”, Tareen declared while responding to a journalist’s query prior to his address at his party’s rally in Punjab’s Kamoke on Sunday. The journalist asked whether the IPP is more favoured by the establishment or the PML-N, Tareen clarified, “The establishment’s favourite is only Pakistan.” Addressing the gathering, Tareen underscored the importance of collective efforts to uplift the nation. He outlined IPP’s commitment to constructing government hospitals that would not only attract international attention but also elevate healthcare standards,

aiming to position Pakistan as an exemplary agricultural nation globally. Meanwhile, Abdul Aleem Khan, the president of the IPP, took the opportunity

to criticise former chief ministers of Punjab and Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, Usman Buzdar and Mahood Khan. He alleged that both were incompetent and indulged

in corrupt practices during their tenures. “In Punjab, Usman Buzdar created a ‘corruption market’ with the support of Bani Gala, and bad governance caused people’s hearts to break,” accused Aleem. He lamented the state of the country, stating that thieves and looters have devoured it. He regretted the dire situation in Sindh where he claimed that both dogs and humans drink water from the same river in some areas. He acknowledged the military’s support for the PTI in the past and criticised the current criticism directed towards them by the former ruling party. The party president stressed that the strength of the country today was a result of the sacrifices made by the army soldiers at the borders. Aleem outlined measures if his party came to power, including doubling the price of electricity for the elite, providing free electricity up to 300 units for the poor, offering farmers free electricity for tube wells, providing motorcyclists with petrol at half price, and extending interest-free loans to the youth.

Eight terrorists killed in Sararogha operation, says ISPR RAWALPINDI

Staff RepoRt

Security forces on Sunday killed at least eight terrorists during an intelligencebased operation (IBO) in Sararogha area of South Waziristan district, the military said. According to Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the operation was conducted in the Sararogha area of South Waziristan after receiving reports about the presence of terrorists. It said that an intense fire exchange took place between Pakistani troops and militants during which eight terrorists were killed. “The killed terrorists remained actively involved in numerous terrorist activities against security forces as well the innocent civilians. Arms, ammunition and explosives were also recovered from killed terrorists,” the ISPR said. It added that a sanitisation operation was under way to eliminate any other terrorists found in the area as the security

forces were “determined to wipe out the menace of terrorism from the country”. On Wednesday, two soldiers were martyred after an improvised explosive device (IED) exploded on a security forces’ convoy in the Razmak area of KP’s North Waziristan district. On Tuesday, the ISPR had said that a soldier had embraced martyrdom in an IED blast in North Waziristan, while separate IBOs in Dera Ismail Khan and South Waziristan districts had left at least three militants dead. Pakistan has witnessed an uptick in terror activities in recent months, especially in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan, after the banned militant Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan ended its ceasefire with the government last year. In September, data compiled by the Pakistan Institute for Conflict and Security Studies said the number of militant attacks in August was the highest tally for monthly strikes in almost nine years.

Two terrorists trained in Syria arrested from Karachi KARACHI

Staff RepoRt

The Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) Karachi in a joint operation with intelligence agencies on Sunday apprehended two terrorists in district Southern who had received training in Syria. The operation yielded the recovery of two pistols, ammunition, and explosive materials from the possession of the suspects. According to CTD Karachi In-charge Khurram Waris, the detained suspects were identified as Syed Raza Ahmed Jaffri and Syed Khurram Ali Kazmi. Jaffri had previously served in the police but was dismissed from service in 1994. He said that the detainees had completed terrorism training from Syria and reached Karachi where they were engaged in target killing and were also involved in rekey of important personalities. Khurram Waris informed that some foreigners were also at hit-list of the nabbed culprits. The terrorists had allegedly secured significant foreign funding to execute their terrorist activities. The suspects stand accused of carrying out targeted assassinations based on orders received from foreign masterminds. The targets included prominent figures from different sects and religious scholars. They were also planning to target some foreign nationals.

Karachi roads resound China’s NRA vows all-out support for swift with pro-Palestine slogans execution of railways’ ML-1 project ISLAMABAD as JI organizes bike rally KARACHI

Staff RepoRt

The Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) Karachi Youth on Sunday organized a rally from the mausoleum of Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah to Teen-Talwar in Clifton area, participated by thousands of youth on bikes, to express camaraderie with the people of Gaza. The participants were carrying Palestinian flags and placards. They also chanted slogans in the favor of Hamas and against Israel and her allies. Addressing the participants of rally, JI Karachi Ameer Engr Hafiz Naeemur Rehman said that Hamas — the governing authority of Gaza — has divided the world into two parts; the people of conscience and hypocrite governments. The people of conscience are on the same page from Pakistan to the United States as millions of people have demonstrated on Sunday in the US against Israel and in the favor of Hamas, he said. He shed light in detail on the role of the Muslim part of the globe in general and Pakistan in particular. Highlighting the hypocrisy of Muslim rulers, he said that except for a handful of Muslim majority countries, including Iran, Yemen, Hizbollah regime, Turkey and Qatar, the Muslim block in the world played a very shameful and nefarious role, despite having over 7.5 million strong armies, and other resources, including nukes. Abu Obaida, Ismael Hania and other leaders of Hamas are heroes of the Muslim Umma, he said. Talking about the role of Pakistan in the clash, Hafiz Naeem said that the civil and military leadership did nothing for Gaza except for the mere lip service. On the other hand, the political leadership was favoring the two-state solution which was tantamount to betraying the ideology of Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah. There are no two states, there is only one state that is Palestine and Israel is nothing but a systematic occupation of the land of Palestine, he said. The JI leader, who has been condemning Prime Minister Kakar over his two-state solution remarks, singled out Raza Rabbani and expressed his sorrow over Rabbani’s remarks in the senate and reminded him of his previous stance over Palestine.

The Main Line-I (ML-1) project will transform the transportation sector in the country and serve as a game-changer, significantly boosting the network and revenue of Pakistan Railways, said Secretary of Railways Syed Mazhar Ali Shah on Sunday. Speaking to a high-level delegation of technical experts from the National Railway Administration (NRA), China, he emphasized that the ML-1 project holds immense importance for Pakistan’s social and economic progress. The purpose of the visit by the NRA experts was to evaluate the progress of the ML-1 project and expedite its implementation, the state news agency reported. Syed Mazhar highlighted the significance of the collaboration with China, considering them a close friend and partner, often referred to as Pakistan’s ‘Iron Brother.’ The NRA pledged to collaborate closely with Pakistan Railways to commence execution of the ML-I project. The Chinese government has assured full support for the

ML-1 project, and joint efforts will be made to ensure its swift completion. The ML-1 project is poised to bring about a transformative change in Pakistan’s railway system, and both countries are committed to working together for the project’s speedy realization. Yesterday, the Pakistan Railways administration urged Chinese authorities for swift execution of the ML-1 (Mainline1) project. Pakistan Railway CEO Amir Baloch made the request during a warm reception of a high-level delegation from China’s National Railway Administration. The 21-member delegation, led by Zhu Mengrui, team leader of the ML-1 project, ex-

pressed full support and commitment to the timely initiation of the transformative ML-1 project. Baloch highlighted the unprecedented cooperation between Pakistan and China in energy and transport sectors, emphasizing ML-1 as a gamechanger that will revolutionize Pakistan’s transport and boost revenue in the freight sector. Mengrui assured collaborative efforts in addressing all aspects, including financing schemes and design proposals, marking a significant step towards enhancing economic ties and reducing transportation costs with the establishment of economic zones linked to ML-1.

Court issues notice GB CM, others in corruption case GILGIT

NewS DeSk

An Accountability Court (AC) on Sunday summoned Gilgit Baltistan (GB) Chief Minister (CM) Gulbar Khan and others in an alleged corruption case on February 20, 2024. The court issued notice to GB Chief Minister Gulbar Khan and ordered him to appear on February 20, 2024. Earlier media reports revealed that GB CM Gulbar Khan had been declared an absconder and he wanted by the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Police. In July 2015, a case of fake cheque was registered against the GB CM and a Mardan court issued his arrest warrants as well. The accused tried to cash Rs2.2 million which was fake and Senator Faisal Kareem from Mardan took the matter to court. It is important to mention here that Haji Gulbar Khan of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) ‘forward bloc’ was elected as new Chief Minister of Gilgit-Baltistan. According to GB Assembly Speaker Nazir Ahmed Advocate, Haq received the support of 19 lawmakers, including from the PTI forward bloc, Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) and Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N). In the 32member house, PTI had 19 members, PPP four, PML-N three, Muttahida Wahdat-i-Muslimeen three, Islam Tehreek Pakistan one, JUI-F one, and one independent candidate. The former CM had nominated Raja Azam Khan for the coveted position with the approval of PTI chief.

Lighting kills two, over 100 cattle heads as rain lashes interior Sindh THARPARKAR

Staff RepoRt

Lightning killed two member of a same family and more than 100 cattle heads as heavy rain lashed different areas of Sindh, rescue sources said on Sunday. According to details, heavy rain lashed different areas of district Tharparkar of Sindh. During rain in Tharparkar, lightning struck a house in Chachro area killing two people – a man and his son. The deceased, residents of Chachro’s Wavori village, were identified as 75-year-old Suleman Nehri and his 22-year-old son Ramzan. Kalsoom, 10-year-old who was injured in the incident, was shifted to hospital. Meanwhile, more than 100 cattle heads were killed in lightning incidents in Chachro and Nagarparkar areas. The rain also adversely disrupted power supply in different areas of Hyderabad. RAIN REPORTED FROM KARACHI, INTERIOR SINDH Different parts of southern and south-eastern Sindh, including provincial capital Karachi, have been receiving rain since yesterday. Several areas of Karachi were inundated following rain late Saturday night. And to make matters worse, due to the absence of a sewerage system in residential and commercial areas such as Korangi, Mehran Town and others, rainwater could not be drained out. Water was also accumulated in and around Madison Market and Jorrya Bazaar, making it extremely difficult for the people to pass through it. Intermittent rain accompanied by cool breeze in Hyderabad and its suburbs has turned the weather cold. Similarly, temperatures dropped in Mithi, Islamkot and other parts of Tharparkar after these areas received the first showers of the winter season. Likewise, the weather has turned cold in Sanghar too after different areas of the district received rain. Rain lashed Matyari, Hala and outskirts, turning lowlying localities into pools of water. Thundershowers were also reported from Kandiaro, which made the weather chilly. First showers of the winter season in Tando Muhammad Khan and suburbs of the district resulted in drop in temperatures. However, the rain did not come without inconvenience as different localities of Hyderabad and other cities plunged into darkness late Saturday night after power supply to these areas was suspended after the rain. As many as 444 feeders of the Hyderabad Electric Supply Company (HESCO) region were tripped due to which the supply of electricity to Thatta, Badin, Umarkot, Mirpurkhas, Tando Allah Yar, Sanghar and Tharparkar was suspended. Spokesman for the HESCO, on the other hand, has said that the power supply would be restored once the rain stopped. He further said that all the HESCO’s technical staff was present at grid stations for the purpose.

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