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COURT RULES IMRAN’S TRIAL TO BE HELD IN JAIL IN ‘AN OPEN MANNER’ CYPHER CASE

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SAYS THOSE WHO WISH TO ATTEND COURT g JAIL AUTHORITIES FAIL TO PRODUCE PTI CHIEF PROCEEDINGS WOULD NOT BE STOPPED IN COURT AT FJC, CITING SECURITY RISKS ISLAMABAD

STAFF REPORT

Special Court Judge Abual Hasnat Zulqarnain, hearing the cypher case against PTI Chairman Imran Khan and Vice Chairman Shah Mehmood Qureshi, ruled on Tuesday that the trial proceedings would continue at Adiala jail “in a manner of an open court.”

Earlier, Adiala jail authorities failed to present the former premier before the special court at Islamabad’s Federal Judicial Complex (FJC) as per the orders of the same court’s judge, citing “serious security risks to the lilfe of PTI chief”.

The Special Court has started hearing the cypher case registered under the Official Secrets Act against former prime minister and PTI Chairman Imran Khan and ex-foreign minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi at the Federal Judicial Complex (FJC) after the Islamabad High Court declared the jail trial as null and void.

On Tuesday as the proceedings started, the jail authorities presented a letter of Adiala Jail Superintendent to the court informing that the jail authorities could not present PTI Chairman Imran Khan in the court. The PTI chairman’s lawyer Salman Safdar and FIA Prosecutor Shah Khawar and Zulfiqar Abbas Naqvi appeared in the court.

Last week, Judge Zulqarnain had issued directives that the PTI chief and former foreign minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi be presented at the FJC. The cypher case pertains to a diplo-

matic document that the Federal Investigation Agency’s charge sheet alleges was never returned by Imran. The PTI has long held that the document contained a threat from the United States to oust Imran as prime minister. The former premier and his aide Qureshi, who is also behind bars, were indicted in the case on Oct 23. Both have pleaded not guilty.

The trial was being held at Adiala Jail and four witnesses had already recorded their statements, with the fifth being cross-examined when an Islamabad High Court division bench had termed the government’s notification for jail trial “erroneous” and scrapped the entire proceedings.

As a result of the judgement, the spe-

cial court would now start a fresh trial while the prosecution would have to file a fresh application to conduct the trial in jail.

The letter read that according to reports by intelligence agencies and the police, the PTI chairman faces life threats. It further said, “It has been informed that the PTI chairman faces security risks of a serious scale”.

At which, Advocate Salman Safdar urged the court to adjourn the hearing indefinitely and grant his client bail while Qureshi’s counsel Bukhari requested the court to issue directives for his client to be presented before the court.

After a brief while, the special court announced its order on the report submit-

ted by the jail officials, approving the jail trial but saying it would be held in an open court.

The court noted that the jail authorities and security agencies had expressed their reservations about holding the trial at the FJC. Therefore, the next hearing would be held at Adiala jail and would be an open court, the order stated.

The special court stated that those who wished to attend the court proceedings would not be stopped from doing so and that journalists would also be permitted to witness the case.

It further said that five family members of each suspect would also be allowed inside the courtroom. The hearing was adjourned till Dec 1 (Friday).

At the outset of the hearing, Safdar informed the court that there were “two separate matters” pending before the court for on Tuesday.

“We had hoped that the PTI chairman would be presented before the court today but he has not been yet,” the lawyer lamented.

During the hearing, the jail authorities submitted their report to the court, which Judge Zulqarnain reviewed. The judge then said, “The jail officials are saying that he (Imran) cannot be presented.”

The jail officials then informed the court they had written a letter to the Islamabad police, requesting additional security. The police’s report was also submitted to the court along with the jail’s.

What in world is happening at Bank of Khyber? g

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AFTER A LONG DRAWN OUT MANAGEMENT RESHUFFLE, SOME OF BANK’S OLD MANAGEMENT IS FACING ANTI-CORRUPTION REFERENCES PROFIT

AZIZ BUNERI

The struggle for the management of the Bank of Khyber has come to a boiling point after the bank’s managing director left the organisation. His departure has been followed by a string of resignations from board members including the Senior Executive Vice President and Chief Risk Officer Haroon Zameer, and a private board member by the name of Mir Javed Hashmat.

The exodus from the bank has come after months of back and forth in which the bank’s MD, Ali Gul Faraz, was at the centre of disagreements within the bank’s board over its financial performance. The bank has already appointed Irfan Saleem, who was the bank’s Chief Financial Officer before this, as the acting MD and is looking for a permanent replacement.

One source who was privy to the meeting of the bank’s board said that the members of the board coming from the government, who make up a majority, were in the habit of making decisions without really considering the input of private members of the board which irked them. The main bone of contention were appointments made by the former MD, Ali Gul Faraz, which these private members think were made on a political basis. Separately, KP’s anti-

corruption body has also called Ali Gul Faraz, former finance minister Taimur Jhagra, and other members of the board in for questioning.

Financial troubles The Bank of Khyber (BoK) has been in an interesting situation for the past couple of quarters. BoK’s recent trajectory has been nothing short of intriguing.

Through the last couple of quarters, its financial performance mirrors the internal challenges the bank has been grappling with. Initially, there was a significant setback as the bank witnessed a staggering drop of over 60% in its profit after tax during the second quarter of 2021. Subsequently, there was a noteworthy recovery evident in the following quarters of 2021 until the first quarter of 2022. However, this upward trend was shortlived, as the bank’s profit after tax plummeted dramatically by a staggering 99.6% in the second quarter of 2022, almost nearing a complete wipeout. To compound matters, the subsequent quarter resulted in a significant loss of Rs 11.1 crore for the bank.

In its half-yearly reports of 2022, BoK highlighted that the profit downturn was primarily attributed to several factors: a surge in inflation and petroleum prices, a persistent devaluation of the currency against the dollar, and a substantial increase in the policy rate.

Notably, the rapid escalation of the policy rate within

a brief timeframe significantly diminished the margins associated with fixed-rate investments. Additionally, the bank had been heavily investing in expanding its branch network, consequently leading to a notable uptick in operating expenses. Despite the current decline in profitability, the bank clarified that this downturn was short-term as the expansion of the branch network would ultimately contribute to future profit growth by broadening their deposit base.

In the third quarter reports of 2022, BoK again attributed the decline in profits to the impact of changes in the market interest rates which eroded margins on fixed-rate investments, and the increase in operating expenses due to branch expansion as well as provisions made against non-performing loans.

The bank made a turnaround in subsequent quarters as profit after tax increased on the back of increased interest income. The bank set an impressive financial milestone in the first nine months of 2023, recording a noteworthy profit after tax of nearly Rs 247.3 crores. This achievement marks a remarkable feat of increase of almost nine times compared to the same period last year. However, despite this substantial growth, it’s worth noting that BOK’s net profit margin currently stands at a modest 20%.

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PM Kakar arrives in Kuwait on two-day official visit KUWAIT

STAFF REPORT

Caretaker Prime Minister Anwaarul Haq Kakar on Tuesday arrived in Kuwait on a two-day official visit to meet the brotherly country’s leadership.

Upon his arrival at the airport, Kuwait’s Minister for Electricity, Water and Renewable Energy Dr Jassim Mohammed Abdullah Al-Ostad received the prime minister, PM Office said in a press release.

Pakistan Ambassador to Kuwait Malik Muhammad Farooq and other senior diplomatic officials were also present on the occasion. During his visit, the premier will meet Crown Prince of Kuwait Sheikh Mishal AlAhmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah and Prime Minister Sheikh Ahmed Al-Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah.

During the visit, a new era of economic and economic cooperation between the two countries will begin.

A number of MoUs will be signed for mutual cooperation in various sectors including manpower, information technology, minerals and mining, food security, energy and defence, it was further added.

As a traditional Kuwaiti welcoming gesture, the caretaker prime minister was also presented “Kahwa” upon his arrival. Earlier this month, the interim federal cabinet gave the nod to seven memorandum of understanding (MoUs) with Kuwait for an investment worth $10 billion. The MoUs would be signed by PM Kakar during the visit. The MoUs will be inked for projects in various fields, including expansion of water reservoirs, mining facilities, protection and expansion of mangrove forests for coastal areas, investment in IT sector and food security.

ECP adjourns plea seeking Imran’s removal as party head till Dec 5 ISLAMABAD

STAFF REPORT

The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) on Tuesday adjourned till December 5 the hearing on a plea, seeking removal of Imran Khan as the party chairman.

The four-member ECP bench, headed by Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Sikandar Sultan Raja resumed hearing of a complaint filed by one Khalid Mehmood.

The counsel representing Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) requested for adjournment of the case until next week to submit the response, citing he had not received a copy of the petition yet. To this, the CEC stated that, as per ECP records, a copy had been furnished to PTI. He, however, adjourned the case’s hearing until Wednesday, although the PTI’s lawyer urged for adjournment till next week, citing their engagement in intra-party elections.

The Election Commission member questioned the procedure for inter-party matters. Subsequently, the lawyer was instructed by the Election Commission to submit the power of attorney.

Petitioner Khalid Mehmood Khan, has submitted a plea seeking removal of Imran Khan from the slot of chairman Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf. He argued that the PTI chairman, having been penalized in the Toshakhana case, should be removed from the role.

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Wednesday, 29 november, 2023 | LAHORE

BUSINESS CONFIDENCE ON RISE AS PER OVERSEAS CHAMBER OF COMMERCE SURVEY

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nEWs

ISLAMABAD

Ghulam abbaS

HE Overseas Investors Chamber of Commerce and Industry (OICCI) has released its latest Business Confidence Index (BCI) Survey – Wave 24, unveiling a promising upswing in Pakistan’s business confidence. Spanning from October to November 2023, the survey shows a seven percent overall improvement compared to the previous wave in March to April 2023.

The report indicates a positive shift in business sentiments, with Pakistan’s overall business confidence standing at negative 18 percent, an improvement from the negative 25 percent recorded earlier. The manufacturing sector witnessed the largest increase, rising by 9%, reaching -10% from -19%, followed by the services sector at -

18% (compared to -26%). Although the retail and wholesale sector remains the least confident, it has shown improvement of four percentage points compared to the last survey.

Despite the positive momentum, over three-quarters of the respondents expressed concerns about potential adverse effects on their businesses due to the current economic situation. Rising inflation, high taxation, and PKR devaluation topped the list of identified threats, consistent with the previous wave.

Amir Paracha, President of OICCI, attributed the improved business confidence to “relatively stable macroeconomic indicators, favorable changes in the political and economic landscape, supported by stability in FX rates and a record performance at Pakistan Stock Exchange.”

Key contributors to this positive trend

PMD predicts rain, thunderstorm today ISLAMABAD

Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) has forecast rain-wind/thunderstorm with snowfall over the hills in the Potohar region including northeast Punjab, upper Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Gilgit-Baltistan and Kashmir during the afternoon and evening/night on Wednesday. Cloudy weather is expected in most upper parts of the country. Hailstorm is also expected at isolated places during the period. Smog/fog is likely in central/southern parts of Punjab and upper Sindh during morning hours. In Islamabad, cold and cloudy weather with rain-wind/thunderstorm is expected during the afternoon and evening/night. In Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, cold and cloudy weather is expected in most upper districts of the province. However, rainwind/thunderstorm (with snowfall over the hill) is likely in Chitral, Dir, Swat, Kohistan, Mansehra, Abbottabad, Balakot, Mardan, Haripur, Peshawar, Kohat, Kurrum, Bannu and Waziristan. In Punjab, cloudy weather is expected in the upper parts of the province with chances of rain-wind/thunderstorm with hailstorms at isolated places in Murree, Galliyat, Rawalpindi, Attock, Chakwal, Jhelum, Mandi Bahauddin, Gujrat, Gujranwala, Wazirabad, Sialkot, Narowal, Lahore, Hafizabad, Sargodha, Mianwali, Faisalabad, Jhang, Khushab, Toba Tek Singh, Okara and Kasur from afternoon and evening/night. Smog/fog is likely to persist in Okara, Faisalabad, Toba Tek Singh, Jhang, Khanewal, Multan, Bahawalpur, Dera Ghazi Khan and surrounding areas during morning hours. In Balochistan, dry weather is expected in most districts of the province while cold in northern districts. In Sindh, dry weather is expected in most districts of the province. while fog is likely in Jacobabad, Sukkur, Larkana, Dadu and Ghotki during morning hours. In Kashmir/Gilgit-Baltistan, rain-wind/thunderstorm with snowfall over the hills is expected in Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan. While hailstorm is also expected at isolated places in Kashmir.

During the last 24 hours, cold and dry weather prevailed over most parts of the country. The lowest minimum temperatures recorded were Leh -03 C, Skardu -02, Kalam, Kalat and Skardu -01 C.

LHC orders restaurants, markets closure by 10pm LAHORE

The Lahore High Court (LHC) on Tuesday directed authorities to close all businesses by 10pm on a daily basis, as part of efforts to address the increasing levels of smog in the city. Justice Shahid Karim of the Lahore High Court issued a detailed decision on set of environment-related petitions, directing the authorities to enforce the closure of all markets, restaurants and other businesses by 10pm.

The court directed CCPO Lahore and the Punjab chief secretary to ensure the implementation of court orders. The LHC further directed the Punjab government to issue notification regarding the 2-day work-from-home policy for banks and offices.

Pakistan’s second largest city of Lahore once again ranked on Tuesday as the world’s most polluted city, despite efforts by the government to reduce toxic smog in the metropolis. Lahore held the top spot on a real-time list of the world’s most polluted cities with an air quality index (AQI) of 353 at around 1pm, according to Swiss group IQAir. AQI as high as 151-200 is considered unhealthy, while an AQI rating between 201 to 300 is more harmful and AQI over 300 has been extremely hazardous. The air becomes heavier in the winter as compared to summer, causing poisonous particles in the atmosphere to move downwards and making the atmosphere polluted. As a result, a layer of polluted particles, including large amounts of carbon and smoke, covers an area.

revealing that while new orders remain in negative territory, the confidence index for expansion plans improved by two percent. Expectations for a decrease in employment opportunities improved by

ABU DHABI

Caretaker Prime Minister Anwaarul-Haq Kakar on Tuesday visited the martyrs’ memorial of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in Abu Dhabi and paid his tribute to the national heroes.

On the occasion, the prime minister laid a wreath at ‘Wahat Al Karama’, the national and cultural monument meaning the oasis of dignity, to commemorate the

Emiratis who laid their lives in the line of duty.

Chairman of the Office of Development and Martyrs Families Affairs, Sheikh Theyab bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan briefed PM Kakar about the monument as an icon to highlight the great sacrifices of national heroes. Premier Anwaarul-Haq Kakar was presented with a static guard of honour on the occasion.

The Monument comprises 31

panels leaning on one another to symbolise the unity and solidarity between the UAE’s leadership, people and heroic soldiers.

Later, PM Kakar went on a tour across the memorial and penned his expressions in the visitor book placed on the premises. It should be mentioned here that Wahat Al Karama was established to commemorate the heroic actions of the UAE’s martyrs and their sacrifices in defence of the UAE.

Anchor Imran Riaz’s pre-arrest bail confirmed LAHORE

Staff RepoRt

A district and sessions court in Lahore confirmed on Tuesday the pre-arrest bail of senior journalist Imran Riaz Khan, as the Investigation Officer (IO) failed to produce any substantial evidence to support the case registered against him.

The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) Cybercrime Wing had filed an FIR against Imran Riaz Khan for allegedly defaming and maligning the police department, its officers, including Inspector General of Police (IGP) Punjab, and other national institutions. The accusations were based on tweets from his Twitter account, where he was alleged to be making derogatory remarks and spreading false information.

The FIR claimed that Imran Riaz Khan, along with other accused persons, was involved in mocking state institutions through fake and distorted posts, potentially harming societal morale, solidarity, and the country’s integrity.

During the proceedings, Imran Riaz Khan’s counsel, advocate Mian Ali Ashfaq, argued that the complainant, under section 44 of the Cr.P.C, lacked the standing to file the complaint. He emphasised that only the aggrieved

person, potentially the IG Punjab in this case, could have filed the complaint. Furthermore, he raised concerns about the lack of evidence, pointing out that the crucial video clip relied upon by the FIA had never been collected.

Ashfaq highlighted that the video allegedly uploaded

by Ayesha Ali Bhutta and subsequently quote-tweeted by Imran Riaz Khan was never seized by the FIA. The complainant failed to produce the alleged video, which was no longer available on Twitter, making it challenging to establish any offense. He stressed that the FIA’s records showed no recorded statements from the aggrieved person or the IGP under section 161 of Cr.P.C. Ashfaq argued that even when assessing the content of Imran Riaz Khan’s tweet, no offense could be discerned, as it was a mere reproduction of the IGP’s own statement in the alleged video. He noted the absence of technical reports and transcripts of the alleged video in FIA’s records.

Upon inquiry by the additional district & sessions judge Muhammad Nawaz Bhatti, the IO stated that the investigation against Imran Riaz Khan had been completed, but failed to provide concrete evidence against him. The judge questioned the basis of the case, and the IO mentioned objectionable tweets against police officers and retweets from Imran Riaz Khan’s account.

NEPRA reserves decision on KE’s plea seeking license renewal for 20 years ISLAMABAD

ahmad ahmadani

National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (NEPRA) on Tuesday completed hearing process on K-Electric’s petition for grant of non-exclusive distribution license and supplier license for the next 20 years.

KE, in its petition submitted to the NEPRA, requested for grant of non-exclusive distribution license and supplier license for the next 20 years to its service territory including Karachi, Dhabeji, Gharo in Sindh and Balochistan’s Hub, Bela and Vinder regions. NEPRA completed the hearing process and will issue a detailed decision on the plea later after necessary scrutiny of the data and facts. The hearing was attended by various stakeholders including Karachi’s industries and the general public. KE’s senior leadership including Chief Financial Officer Aamir Ghaziani, Chief Distribution Officer Fawad Gilani, and Chief Marketing and Communications Officer Sadia Dada, represented the company to address the questions framed by the regulator.

Speaking about the expectations and results of privatization, KE shared that a capital expenditure of around PKR 544 billion (USD 4.4 Billion) has been made towards improving the power supply towards Karachi.

This has resulted in an addition of 1,957 MW of

generation capacity and 12 percentage points improvement in fleet efficiency from 30% in 2005 to 42% in 2023. Since the most efficient 900 MW RLNG plant was commissioned in the last quarter of FY 2023, the fleet efficiency would increase to 49% when the said power plant would operate for the entire year. The KE leadership shared that since privatization, transmission and distribution system capacity has been doubled with a drastic reduction in line losses.

Most of the conversation revolved around the tariff and seeking tariff benefits for industries based in Karachi.

Other participants expressed satisfaction with the network and associated services while some suggested improved strategies. In response to questions about improving reliability of services, the company highlighted that it has invested in IT and tech-based interventions to modernize the infrastructure and improve service delivery. These include pioneering initiatives such as the use of Geographical Information System (GIS) and deployment of 60,000 smart meters enabling greater visibility over power consumption trends.

Aamir Ghaziani, KE’s CFO stated, “We remain committed to providing customers with the best quality of services. Our PKR 484 billion upcoming investment plan, and proposed addition of over 1,200 MW renewable energy are indicative of this. We are determined to continue the same performance in the future as well”.

Special audit of PSQCA initiated amidst alleged irregularities ISLAMABAD

Ghulam abbaS

The Ministry of Science and Technology (MoST) has formally requested the Auditor General of Pakistan (AGP) to conduct a special audit of the financial accounts of the Pakistan Standard and Quality Control Authority (PSQCA). This move comes as part of an effort to uncover suspected irregularities and financial embezzlements within the important department.

In a recent meeting of the Senate Standing Committee on Science and Technology, Secretary MoST, Ali Raza Bhutta, shed light on the issues plaguing the

two percent, reflecting a more positive business environment. Capital investment plans showed a significant improvement of 22 percent, contributing to the overall positive trend in business confidence.

PM Kakar pays tribute to UAE’s national heroes during visit to Wahat Al Karama Monument Staff RepoRt

Staff RepoRt

Staff RepoRt

include capital investment and the sixmonth business outlook.

The comprehensive survey covers nine cities and gathers feedback from frontline business stakeholders, representing almost 80 % of the GDP. In Wave 24, 43 % of respondents were from the manufacturing sector, 34 % from services, and 23 % from retail/wholesale trade.

Looking ahead, 41 % of surveyed respondents had a negative outlook on Pakistan’s business situation in the next six months (nine % less than Wave 23), while 36 % expressed optimism. Notably, the BCI for randomly selected OICCI members, representing foreign investors, stood at a positive three percent, a significant improvement from the negative 19 percent in the previous wave, surpassing the confidence of non-members. Wave 24 explores the future business outlook,

PSQCA. He identified the absence of a regular head and a weak Board of Directors as major contributors to the organization’s challenges. Additionally, the ongoing internal conflicts and the inability of the directorgeneral to make effective administrative and financial decisions further compounded the problems faced by the authority. To address these issues and streamline the affairs of PSQCA, the ministry is set to propose structural and administrative changes. These changes will be in alignment with the government’s initiative to enhance the efficiency of state-owned enterprises (SOEs) under the SIFC umbrella.

During the committee meeting, Secretary MoST informed that the

ministry had compiled a comprehensive report with the recommendations put forth by the committee. The pending promotions in PSQCA were discussed, with the secretary attributing delays to the absence of a regular Director General and interdepartmental disputes.

The committee also deliberated on the existing Director General of Pakistan Hilal Authority, Akhtar Ahmed Bughio, discussing his term extension and associated benefits. Furthermore, attention was directed toward the recovery of Rs. 2.5 million in unjustified benefits from DG PHA, with a detailed report expected upon the conclusion of the investigation.

The committee, headed by Senator

Sardar Muhammad Shafiq Tareen, expressed serious concerns about alleged unlawful hirings and promotions at the PSQCA and other attached departments.

The agenda included inquiry reports, legal and administrative actions regarding illegal recruitments and promotions, as well as financial irregularities in PSQCA. The committee’s focus extends to the illegal appointments of directors, including Ali Bukhsh Somro and Khalid Ahmed Bablani. The issues were brought to the committee’s attention through a letter dated February 3, 2023, from the then Director-General of PSQCA, Dr. H. U. Khan, initiating an investigation into the alleged irregularities.

National Accounts Committee approves introduction of quarterly national accounts at PBS ISLAMABAD

Ghulam abbaS

The 107th meeting of the National Accounts Committee (NAC) convened at the Ministry of Planning, Development, and Special Initiatives on Tuesday. The meeting approved the introduction of Quarterly National Accounts (QNA) in the statistical system of the country.

Chaired by the Secretary of the Ministry, the committee reviewed crucial economic indicators, highlighting a notable recovery in Q1 2023-24, boasting a growth of 2.13% compared to 0.96% in the same quarter of the previous fiscal year. The Quarterly National Accounts (QNA) is like a detailed financial snapshot of a country’s economic activities, compiled every three months. It’s a wellorganized system that puts together various information over this period, creating a structured way to analyze and model the country’s economic performance. One could think of it as a bridge between the broader Annual National Accounts (which cover a whole year) and shorter-term indicators that focus on specific aspects of the economy.

Essentially, QNA provides a more frequent and detailed look at the country’s economic health, making it a valuable tool for understanding how things are going on a quarterly basis.

Initiated by the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS) after adopting a new base for national accounts in January 2022, the development of Quarterly National Accounts involved collaboration with the World Bank and a technical committee of national experts. The IMF included QNA compilation in its structural benchmark, emphasizing timely dissemination.

Introduction of Quarterly GDP Methodology: Therefore, the NAC made history by approving the industry-wise methodology for compiling Quarterly GDP, covering the period from Q1 2016-17 to Q1 2023-24, using 2015-16 as the base year. This step was taken to enhance the accuracy and timeliness of economic statistics. Providing a more nuanced approach of looking at macroeconomic data.

Revised GDP figures and sectoral analysis: As per details shared by the planning ministry, the GDP for 2022-23 underwent a slight downward revision from 0.29% to -0.17%. The final growth rate for 2021-22 was also estimated at 6.17%, showcasing stable growth in agriculture, improved industrial activities, and a notable boost in services. The agriculture sector witnessed significant improvements, with positive revisions in important crops despite challenges in sugarcane production. Industrial sector growth, influenced by mining and quarrying, electricity, gas, and water supply, faced a decline due to challenges in large-scale manufacturing and construction. The services sector also experienced a decline attributed to various factors, including transportation and storage, information & communication, finance & insurance, public administration, and education. Q1 2023-24 Estimates: To meet IMF-SBA program benchmarks, PBS presented revised GDP numbers for 2022-23 and Q1 2023-24 to the NAC on November 28, 2023. The committee approved the QNA series, along with first-quarter estimates for 2023-24. Notably, a GDP growth rate of 2.13% was estimated for Q1 2023-24, with positive contributions from agriculture, industry, and services. The NAC acknowledged the collective efforts of the National Accounts team of PBS, Ministry of Finance, and State Bank of Pakistan in compiling revised GDP estimates under challenging circumstances. While the released GDP estimates meet IMF benchmarks, the annual figures remain subject to revision in the NAC meeting scheduled for May 2024 due to the time-lag involved in finalizing data for the last two fiscal years.

SENATE BODY PASSES ‘PAKISTAN COUNCIL FOR SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY (AMEND) BILL, 2023’ Wednesday, 29 November, 2023 | LAHORE

NEWS

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ISLAMABAD

Staff RepoRt

HE Senate Standing Committee on Science and Technology unanimously passed the bill titled “The Pakistan Council for Science and Technology (Amendment) Bill, 2023.” Senator Sardar Muhammad Shafiq Tareen chaired the meeting of the committee held at Parliament House on Tuesday.

The mover of the bill, Senator Shahadat Awan stated that the aim was to maintain Parliamentary oversight over the Council by making it mandatory for the Council to submit an annual report to Parliament.

While discussing the implementation

status of recommendations, the Secretary for MoST stated that the ministry has complied with the committee recommendations, and its report has been submitted before the committee.

Furthermore, the committee was briefed on the pending promotions in all departments, especially PSQCA, and the reasons for the delay. Secretary for MoST, Ali Raza Bhutta, mentioned that promotions were pending due to the absence of a regular Director General and inter-departmental disputes in PSQCA. However, the ministry has directed PSQCA to expedite the pending promotion cases.

Regarding vacant posts, Secretary MoST stated that the ministry has scrapped the

ongoing process due to committee suspicions, and new posts will be announced after analyzing the required workforce of PSQCA. The committee recommended the ministry to continue recruitment after addressing all the lacunas.

The committee was briefed on the terms, conditions, and tenure of the existing DG Pakistan Hilal Authority. Secretary MoST informed that the current DG, Akhtar Ahmed Bughio, was appointed on April 10, 2023, for a term of three years, and its period was extended in May 2023 for further three years, entitled to all perks and privileges of Grade 21 of Civil services.

Moreover, the Senate body deliberated on the recovery of Rs. 2.5 Million in

unjustified benefits from DG PHA. DG PSQCA stated that the initial inquiry suggests that money was transferred without following prescribed rules. However, a detailed report will be submitted to the committee upon the conclusion of the investigation.

In addition, the committee discussed the inquiry conducted on the illegal appointment of Ali Bux Soomro and Khalid Ahmad Bulbani in PSQCA. DG PSQCA informed that, according to PSQCA records, no inquiry has been conducted against the mentioned individuals, and they were recruited following all the required procedures.

However, Senator Sardar Muhammad

Cypher case: Court rules Imran’s trial to be held in jail in ‘an open manner’ CONTINUED FROM PAGE 01

Here, Safdar said it was the “jail authorities’ responsibility to present the suspect before the court” and that they could not “ignore” doing so. The counsel then read out aloud the Islamabad High Court’s order wherein it had declared Imran’s jail trial “null and void”. The lawyer stated that he had been requesting the court to “first decide where the trial would be held” but was asked whether there was a “stay order whenever I said something”.

“However they do, they must present the PTI chairman [before the court] today,” Safdar insisted. “On what intelligence agency’s basis are they saying that there are threats to his life?

When we used to say his life is in danger, we were told to reach anyways.”

The counsel asserted that the IHC’s and the special court’s orders were being violated.

The lawyer then read out the report,

which stated that the capital police had written a letter to the jail officials, apprising them of security risks. He then asked why Qureshi was not presented yet as the letter was only limited to Imran.

“If there are security threats, then please adjourn this hearing for an indefinite period. If the case cannot proceed in jail [and] they (jail officials) are not willing to proceed it here, then the suspect may be given bail,” Safdar said. He said that he appeared in 50 to 60 cases along with Imran Khan in the courts. What terror incident has happened now that Imran could not be produced in the court, the lawyer said adding that the superintendent of Adiala Jail has violated the order of the Islamabad High Court.

At this point during the hearing, Qureshi’s lawyer Bukhari began presenting his arguments. He noted that Khawar, the FIA prosecutor, had “read the jail superintendent’s letter himself”,

Here is why our IT ‘exports’ are not what Umar Saif wants you to think CONTINUED FROM BACK PAGE

“There are many different kinds of gig-workers. The most well paid ones are software engineers and people that can code. For that, however, a lot of people have set-up entire companies in Pakistan. They hire talented graduates at a competitive salary range and get them to work for many clients that they have. The graduates doing the work barely get a cut,” explains one person that worked at one such software house before becoming a freelancer. “I am making much more money freelancing now, but it took me time to build a profile and gain the trust of regular clients.”

That is generally a problem. The research paper presented at LSE was based on data scraped from the popular freelancing website Guru.com. The data of Pakistanis on the platform revealed that out of the 85,314 freelancers that were members of this platform only about 1100 (1.3%) ever completed a transaction. This means that almost 99% of the people that sign up for these websites do not end up finding clients. Now put this into context. As mentioned before, freelancers are accounting for about 15% of Pakistan’s total ICT exports — and these are just individual freelancers. On top of this, IT services like web development, logo design, graphic designing, and developers of mobile apps and java actually fell while nonIT services such as content writing, translation, and virtual assistantship rose. This means that there is a growing demand for gig-work among young individuals that are not able to meet their needs from the job market in Pakistan. This means that a lot of the talk about rising IT exports we have heard in recent days has been the doing of enterprising young men and women that are charting their own course in the international workforce.

While it should not be the job of any caretaker setup to be setting out policy or making recommendations for years and years ahead, one would hope they would at least do a good job of going beyond their mandate.

and asked why his client had not been presented before the court.

“Neither has any charge been framed yet, nor has any copy [of charge sheet] been distributed. Then why has he been kept inside [the jail]?” the counsel asked. Bukhari then urged the court to issue directives for his client to be presented before the court, emphasising that it was “necessary” to present the suspect in an open trial and a “legal responsibility” to do so.

“It is the court’s responsibility to ensure the suspects’ production before the court,” he argued. “If court orders are not obeyed, you have the authority to send government officials to jail,” the advocate said while addressing the judge.

Judge Zulqarnain then said he would issue an “appropriate order” on the matter. He asked whether the court had summoned the suspects, to which an FIA prosecutor replied in the affirmative.

“No matter how many notifications you bring, it does not matter. The public and the media should have access to the court,” the judge observed.

He then asked, “I am using the word “wish” that whoever wishes to hear the case, can we allow them?” At this, Barrister Safdar said, “Who is the jail superintendent to decide on your behalf?”

To this, the FIA prosecutor asserted that a jail trial could be held “while fulfilling all legal requirements”. He argued that the IHC had not declared the special court’s proceedings “illegal”. He further said it was up to the court to decide where the trial would be held and how many people would be permitted inside the courtroom in the case of a jail trial. At this point during the hearing, Judge Zulqarnain said, “It does not matter to the court where the trial is held. The court wants that for those who want to attend the trial, what can be done for them?”

Ali Mardan Domki vows to ensure high-quality health facilities QUETTA

Operating expenses stood at Rs 476.5 crore in the nine months ending September 2023 as compared to Rs 372.6 crore in the nine months ending September 2022.

In June 2023, BoK recorded a profit of around Rs 169 crore. According to sources, BoK’s half-year accounts recorded a profit of Rs 169 crores was not due to the bank’s performance but due to the booking of Rs 100 crore income as a penalty for early encashment of government deposits by the provincial government and Rs 60 crores from foreign exchange business.

Otherwise, the bank had a loss of Rs 20 crores in the half-year.

THE CONFLICT It is important to note here that the Bank of Khyber like other provincial banks is majority owned by the KP government which holds the majority shares at 70.2% while Ismail Industries Limited holds 24.4%. BoK is one of the three Provincial Public Sector Commercial Banks in the country.

As such members of the board nominated by the government are usually on the same page and can very easily make any important decisions including appointment. It is on this front that the main disagreements have risen rather than the bank’s financial troubles. Although, some of the former members of the board

have told Profit that the bank’s performance has suffered as a result.

According to sources within the bank, Gulfaraz faced frequent disagreements with private members of the board, resulting in a division within the board. Private members reportedly expressed their criticism of Gulfarz in a letter to the former caretaker chief minister. The sources also claimed that despite repeated requests, Gulfaraz’s performance report was never presented to the board of directors. Under the Code of Corporate Governance, the MD’s performance should be reviewed annually, but for the past two years, it has not been reviewed.

In particular, the appointment of the new company secretary of the bank became an issue within the private members of the board. One source that represents the stance of private members of the board said that the newly appointed company secretary has no experience in commercial banking and has no knowledge of corporate governance laws. She was previously in charge of legal affairs at KE Solar. The appointment of the acting group head of Islamic banking, who was given the acting charge until June 30, 2023, also became an issue.

Meanwhile, responding to Profit, a spokesperson for BoK said that the bank was formerly managed by the Finance Secretariat, but the pivotal role of appointing the

Managing Director (MD) has now been entrusted to the Board of Directors, affording them complete autonomy in the selection of the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and MD for the bank.

“This strategic decision reflects Bank of Khyber’s steadfast commitment to strengthening its leadership transition process, with a paramount focus on identifying the most qualified and capable candidate to steer the institution toward future growth and success.

Following a rigorous evaluation of nominated candidates for the acting MD position, Mr. Irfan Saleem Awan has emerged as the fit choice. Mr. Awan, who concurrently serves as the Chief Financial Officer (CFO) of the bank, possesses a comprehensive skill set, extensive experience, and an unwavering dedication to the institution, making him the ideal candidate to lead Bank of Khyber through this transitional phase. It is noteworthy that among the candidates, the other executive referred to in your statements was not nominated as a potential candidate for the said role,” they said in a statement.

ANTI-CORRUPTION PROCEEDINGS Meanwhile, the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Anti-Corruption Establishment (ACE) has directed former Provincial Finance Minister Taimur Saleem Jhagra and multiple Bank of Khyber (BoK) board members

CTD arrests commander of Lyari gang war in Karachi KARACHI

Staff RepoRt

The Counter Terrorism Department (CTD) investigation department conducted an operation and claimed to have arrested a ‘commander’ of the Lyari gang war. According to the CTD in charge statement, the arrested accused was identified as Mir Mohammad Bakhsh who is allegedly a commander of the Dashti Waseem group of Lyari gang war and was arrested from the old Golimar area. The arrested individual is allegedly involved in several gunfights against Sindh police and rangers, meanwhile, also been named in murder, terrorism, and extortion cases in the metropolis. The accused allegedly took extortion money from the businessman and hotel located in the Pak Colony area of Karachi and was also named for operating a drug den. The security personnel also recovered a weapon from his possession during his arrest. Earlier this year, police and Rangers claimed to have arrested two suspected ‘Lyari gang war’ members in a joint operation carried out in Karachi’s Moach Goth. According to the rangers’ spokesman, a joint operation was conducted in Moach goth in which two suspected members of the Lyari Gang war have been arrested. The accused gang members were identified as Naveed alias Cappi and Nauroz alias Nammo. Both arrested accused were wanted in murders, extortions, kidnapping for ransom, and robbery.

Sindh govt advises public to use face masks amidst rising smog concerns Staff RepoRt

the medical services of the hospital.

Briefing the chief minister on the occasion of his visit to Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Medical Complex, Secretary Health Abdullah Khan said that efforts have been taken to bring reforms in the health sector to improve the health sector.

In Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Medical Complex, the HMIS project which has been delayed since 2018 has been completed within a week and our effort is to complete all the pending projects in the health department.

On occasion, Executive Director of Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Medical Complex, Dr. Zulfiqar Ali said that steps are being taken to improve the services and modern medical machinery and quality treatment facilities available in this 250bed hospital.

What in world is happening at Bank of Khyber?

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 01

Shafiq Tareen stated that a copy of an inquiry has been submitted before the committee, indicating that an inquiry was initiated against the said individuals for illegal appointments. Secretary Most maintained that the ministry will investigate the matter and submit its report to the committee upon conclusion.

In attendance were Senator Dr. Muhammad Humayun Mohmand, Senator Sana Jamali, Senator Engr. Rukhsana Zuberi, Senator Dr. Afnan Ullah Khan, Senator Muhammad Asad Ali Khan Junejo, Senator Shahadat Awan, Secretary MoST Ali Raza Bhutta, DG PSQCA and other senior officers of relevant departments were also in attendance.

KARACHI

Staff RepoRt

Caretaker Chief Minister of Balochistan Mir Ali Mardan Khan Domki on Tuesday pledged ensuring quality health facilities to the masses and proper utilization of allocated resources for the health sector.

Ali Mardan Domki visited Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Medical Complex Sariab road Quetta and inspected various departments.

The chief minister has also inaugurated the Hospital Management Information System (HMIS) in the Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Medical Complex.

Speaking on the occasion, Mir Ali Mardan Khan Domki said that the government has allocated a significant amount of fund to ensure better and quality medical facilities for the people of the province.

He said that with the functioning of HMS in the Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Medical Complex, the data of all the patients coming to the hospital will be protected and due to the connection with the central database, the patients will be able to get medical assistance in all fields easily.

The functioning of the Post Graduate Management Institute will further improve

03

to appear on November 27 in connection with an alleged corruption case.

The ACE is investigating appointments made during the previous government, including the hiring of the former BoK MD Ali Gul Faraz and other top positions. Additionally, the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) is conducting its own inquiry into the bank’s recruitments, seeking details of appointments made during the last Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf government.

Allegations of favouritism in highranking appointments through board approvals have emerged. However, former BoK board member Rashid Ali rejected the allegations and affirmed that decisions during their tenure had board approval and stated his commitment to responding in accordance with the law once officially notified by ACE. Former Finance Minister Jhagra also dismissed the allegations as “part of an ongoing political victimisation campaign”, expressing concern that such actions by ACE and NAB could discredit the accountability process in the future.

Jhagra said he had not received any notice from ACE and pledged to respond once informed of the specific charges.

Jhagra added that former board members Shakil Qadir and Shahab Ali Shah were not invited. He indicated a plan to challenge ACE in court at the appropriate time.

Sindh Caretaker Chief Minister Justice (retd) Maqbool Baqar called on the public to ensure the use of face masks amid Karachi’s worsening air quality.

According to the statement released by the Sindh Chief Minister’s House, the province’s chief executive has urged the educational institutes to ensure that students wear face masks to “protect themselves from illnesses concomitant with smog.” Furthermore, the chief minister has also urged all stakeholders to “move beyond car-centric infrastructure” and instead invest in public transport and pedestrian-friendly alternatives. At present, IQ Air ranks Karachi as the third city with the worst air quality index in the world.

The development comes as various parts of the country have been gripped with severe smog amid worsening pollution levels. Punjab, especially Lahore which has repeatedly topped the air quality charts as the world’s most polluted city. AQI as high as 151200 is considered unhealthy, while an AQI rating between 201 to 300 is more harmful and AQI over 300 has been extremely hazardous. The air becomes heavier in the winter as compared to summer, causing poisonous particles in the atmosphere to move downwards and making the atmosphere polluted. As a result, a layer of polluted particles, including large amounts of carbon and smoke, covers an area.

04 COMMENT

Definitions matter

Attacks must stop

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The acid throwing on Shahzad Akbar was an example of a dangerous new political culture

HE acid attack on former PM’s Adviser Shahzad Akbar outside his home in the UK was condemnable, whatever the reason and whoever the perpetrator, but it was clearly the product of a new kind of political culture, one of intolerance, rudeness, name-calling and general bad behaviour. That Mr Akbar’s party, the PTI, introduced this culture does not justify the attack on him. It had not been learnt who had committed the attack, but it is within the realm of possibility that there is some political motivation. Mr Akbar was the accountability czar of the PTI government, but his efforts, though highlighted by him in periodic press conference on TV, did not lead to much, and it is useless to look amongst those he investigated for someone aggrieved enough to launch such an attack. Of course, the PTI had led the way in the hounding of individuals in the UK, such as the hounding of PML(N) Quaid Mian Nawaz Sharif, party Information Secretary Mariam Aurangzeb and others.

Another aspect of the problem is that the social media has provided a toxic environment, created by each party’s keyboard warriors fighting one another. The heightened tempers created on the social media leads to an atmosphere in which attacks like the one on Mr Akbar seem justified. There is a spiral upwards of violence visible. It starts with toxicity in cyberspace, moves on to making scenes in public, and then progresses to physical attacks. There is a real danger of hotheads going on further. The attack on Mr Akbar was preceded by the crowd which hooted Mrs Imran Khan when she visited him in jail recently.

The example of religious extremism is there for all to see, with the attacks on PML(N) leader Ch Ahsan Iqbal and even on PTI chief Imran Khan being examples of shootings with an alleged religious motivation. Only if political leaders stop giving tacit approval to keyboard warriors, easily done by some disciplinary proceedings, and dial down their rhetoric themselves, can this new phenomenon be stopped. If it is not, and leaders keep up the new misbehaviour, there is the danger that they will be swept away themselves. So far, there have been no incidents where the PTI was not involved. The example of Mr Akbar should be taken seriously, for while he is not right at the top of any party, he is a senior PTI figure. If he can be thus attacked, are even party chiefs safe?

The war of words is not yet over

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Washington Watch Dr James J Zogby

LMOST two months into this monstrous conflict in Gaza and it is clear that the war is being fought not only on a battlefield but over the very terms that can be used to speak about it. Pope Francis discovered this last week when he described what was unfolding in Gaza as “going beyond war, this is terrorism,” and reportedly noted that “terrorism should not be used to justify terror.” According to some Palestinians who met with Pope Francis before he made his public comments, he spoke about the absence of water, fuel, and medicine in Gaza, referring to what was taking place as “genocide.”

Major Jewish organizations roundly condemned the pope’s words, some accusing him of a “blood libel” against the Jewish people. They demanded retraction or clarification, with some questioning the value of years of Christian-Jewish dialogue. One might reasonably be inclined to question what criticism of Israel’s behavior in Gaza has to do with the dialogue between two religious traditions, but we’re not dealing with reason. This is about power and the use of power to insist on the definition of words.

For decades now, major Jewish organizations have sought to define criticism of Israel as antisemitism.

With the conflict in Gaza, that effort is in full swing.

Before turning to more recent additions to what are now being insisted upon as acceptable definitions of terms, let’s look at a few past examples: n

Dedicated to the legacy of late Hameed Nizami

Arif Nizami (Late) Founding Editor n

Yousaf Nizami

plete fabrication. In any case, Israelis insist that what ultimately occurred was a simple “population transfer”— with Jews leaving Arab countries to settle in Israel and Arabs leaving Palestine to settle in Arab states.

“Israel has a right to exist.” It does exist, and Palestinian leadership (Hamas excepted) have recognized it. What Palestinians question isn’t Israel’s existence. What they balk at is the demand that they recognize Israel as it defines itself: as “a state in which only the Jewish people have the right to self-determination.”

Terms that may not be used: “apartheid,” “ethnic cleansing,” and even “occupation.”

The first two are well-defined in international law.

“Apartheid” refers to a system of governance in which the controlling power has two sets of laws and practices that privilege one group over another. That Israel has ruled over Palestinians in this manner has been well-documented by leading internationally respected human rights organizations as well as Israeli human rights groups.

“Ethnic cleansing” involves the forceable displacement of one subordinate group to serve the purposes of the dominant group.

This is precisely what Israel did in 1948 and after, when they seized the land and properties of hundreds of thousands of Palestinians, demolished their villages and turned the land over to new Jewish settlers. That practice was continued after 1967 resulting in over 750,000 Israeli settlers in the West Bank. “Occupation” should be the least controversial term, but it is not. Israel insists either that the territories occupied in the 1967 are their biblical inheritance

Joint Editor

Executive Editor

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S Pakistan grapples with the daunting challenges posed by climate change, the nation stands at a critical juncture, where the urgency to address environmental threats is matched only by the potential for transformative sustainable development. Pakistan’s vulnerabilities, accentuated by geographical factors and dependence on climate-sensitive sectors, place it at the frontline of a battle against rising temperatures, shifting precipitation patterns, and glacial melt.

The impact of climate change on water resources is stark. Changes in precipitation patterns and the melting of glaciers in Pakistan’s mountainous regions contribute to water scarcity, posing a direct threat to agriculture, a sector that contributes significantly to the country’s economy. With an increased demand for water and reduced availability, the spectre of a food security crisis looms large. According to the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics, Pakistan’s agriculture sector accounts for over 24 percent of the GDP and employs nearly 50 percent of the country’s workforce. However, the changing climate, coupled with water scarcity, poses a significant threat to both food security and livelihoods.

The frequency and intensity of extreme weather events, including floods, droughts, and heat waves, are on the rise. Over the past decade, the country has witnessed a surge in these calamities, leading to the loss of lives, displacement of communities, and extensive damage to infrastructure. The economic toll is substantial, with estimates suggesting that the economic cost of climate-related disasters in Pakistan has averaged around $3.8 billion annually. Coastal areas, particularly vulnerable to storm surges and sealevel rise, face additional risks, exacerbating the challenges faced by communities along the coast.

Pakistan’s mountainous regions, home to crucial glaciers, are experiencing a concerning retreat. The melting of glaciers, a consequence of global warming, not only contributes to variability in river flows but also poses risks of glacial lake outburst floods (GLOFs), impacting downstream communities. Data indicates that the glaciers in the Hindu Kush Himalayan re-

gion, which includes parts of Pakistan, are retreating at an alarming rate each year. This retreat not only threatens freshwater resources but also endangers the delicate balance of ecosystems dependent on glacial melt.

As temperature and precipitation patterns shift, so does the distribution of disease vectors.

Pakistan is witnessing a rise in vector-borne diseases, such as malaria and dengue, as changing climatic conditions create favourable environments for their spread. This places an additional burden on healthcare systems already grappling with various challenges. According to health statistics, the incidence of vector-borne diseases has seen a steady increase in recent years, requiring a concerted effort to address both the health and environmental aspects of these emerging threats.

Rapid urbanization, coupled with rising temperatures, contributes to the development of urban heat islands. Major cities, including Karachi and Lahore, experience higher temperatures compared to surrounding rural areas. This not only poses health risks but also leads to increased energy consumption for cooling. Recent studies indicate that urban heat islands can result in temperature differentials of up to 8-12 degrees C, amplifying the challenges faced by urban populations.

Amidst these challenges, there exist opportunities for innovation, sustainable development, and economic growth. Pakistan’s abundant solar and wind resources provide a foundation for the development of renewable energy projects. The country’s transition to a low-carbon energy system is gaining momentum, with investments in solar and wind energy infrastructure contributing not only to climate change mitigation but also enhancing energy security.

The agricultural sector, recognizing the need for adaptation, is adopting climate-smart practices. Drought-resistant crops, precision agriculture technologies, and sustainable water management practices are becoming integral components of the sector’s resilience strategy.

Measures related to climate-smart agriculture not only enhance the sector’s ability to withstand climate impacts but also promote sustainable food production.

Given the critical issue of water scarcity, there is a growing need for innovative water management solutions. Technologies that improve water-use efficiency, reduce wastage, and enhance storage and distribution systems play a

I

The writer is President, Arab American Institute.

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crucial role in addressing the water challenges faced by the country. Improving water-use efficiency in agriculture alone could save up to 30% of the country’s water resources.

Projects focused on ecosystem restoration and conservation, including afforestation and reforestation initiatives, sustainable land management, and biodiversity conservation efforts, contribute to both climate resilience and environmental sustainability. The increasing global focus on sustainable and green finance presents opportunities for Pakistan to attract investments in environmentally friendly projects. Green bonds, sustainable infrastructure development, and investments in clean energy are avenues through which the nation can chart a sustainable future.

The need for climate-resilient infrastructure is undeniable. Investments in infrastructure that can withstand extreme weather events, such as floods and cyclones, provide opportunities for the construction and engineering sectors. Resilient urban planning and the development of climate-resilient buildings and transportation systems are integral components of building a climate-resilient future.

Accurate and timely climate information is crucial for decision-making in various sectors. Opportunities exist for the development of climate information services, including climate modelling, early warning systems, and technologies that help businesses and communities adapt to changing climate conditions.

The pursuit of climate goals opens up opportunities for technology innovation, fostering the development of clean technologies, energy-efficient solutions, and sustainable practices across various sectors.

As Pakistan faces the dual challenges and opportunities presented by climate change, a proactive, integrated approach is imperative.

Government policies, private sector engagement, and community participation must align to unlock the potential benefits of sustainable development. No doubt, the nation stands at the precipice of a climate-resilient future, where strategic initiatives can transform adversity.

Currently, the writer is working as the director at the Institute of Humanities and Art, Khwaja Fareed University of Engineering and Information Technology, Rahim Yar Khan, Pakistan.

As Pakistan faces the dual challenges and opportunities presented by climate change, a proactive, integrated approach is imperative. Government policies, private sector engagement, and community participation must align to unlock the potential benefits of sustainable development.

Lahore – Ph: 042-36300938, 042-36375965

As Pope Francis has learned, according to pro-Israel groups it is unacceptable to refer to what Israel is doing in Gaza as “genocide” or “terrorism,” as if there were better terms to use to describe: the indiscriminate bombing of heavily populated areas that so far has taken the lives of over 15,000 and reduced to rubble over one-half of the structures of northern Gaza; the mass dislocation of 1.5 million people after ordering the population of northern Gaza to leave their homes (and now forbidding them to return); and denying the population water, fuel, power, and medicine for prolonged periods.

To add insult to injury, not only do these groups insist on the words that cannot be used and acceptance of their definition of these words, but they also now accuse as antisemitic those who insist on using them as accurate descriptors of what is happening—which brings us back to where this discussion began.

As Pope Francis made clear, it is both necessary and correct to demonstrate compassion and concern for the safety and security of Israelis and Palestinians who are at risk in this deadly conflict. And it is equally correct to condemn both what Hamas has done to target civilians and what Israel is doing to carpet-bomb Gaza. For both Israelis and Palestinians to find a future in which both live and prosper, it is imperative to break through the stranglehold of imposed definitions and demand peace with justice. n

“Undivided Jerusalem is the ‘eternal capital of Israel.’” Fair enough in a theological sense but adding “undivided” into the mix complicates the matter. In 1968 Israel annexed 28 Palestinian villages to the north, east, and south of Jerusalem unilaterally defining it as “Greater Jerusalem” and demanding recognition of this, in its entirety, as its undivided capital.

Israelis insist that the Nakba never occurred.

Palestinians were not expelled. They say that Palestinians willingly complied with Arab leaders’ demand that they leave to be out of harm’s way when Arab armies attacked Israel— a com-

Navigating threats and seizing opportunities for a sustainable tomorrow

muhammaD anWar Farooq

or that no one has any legitimate claim to them and that, therefore, the areas in question are at best “disputed territories.” It is worth noting that neither the Democratic nor Republican parties have ever allowed use of the word “occupation” to appear in their platforms.

These are only a few of the examples the meaning of terms that supporters of Israel have insisted be accepted. The conflict in Gaza has added more:

As Pope Francis made clear, it is both necessary and correct to demonstrate compassion and concern for the safety and security of Israelis and Palestinians who are at risk in this deadly conflict. And it is equally correct to condemn both what Hamas has done to target civilians and what Israel is doing to carpet-bomb Gaza.

Pakistan’s climate odyssey Editor Umar Aziz M. A. Niazi

Wednesday, 29 November, 2023

Karachi – Ph: 021-35381208-9

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Islamabad – Ph: 051-2204545

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The role of youth in combating global hunger

IT stands as a stark contrast that approximately 690 million people globally suffer from hunger in a society full of innovation and technical breakthroughs.

This global crisis is not merely a statistic; it is a stark reminder of the deeprooted inequalities that plague our societies. A multifaceted strategy is needed to combat hunger, but youth’s enormous potential as change agents is one important component that is too frequently overlooked.

With their huge generation, youth has a special role to play in ending world hunger. Their energy, creativity, and adaptability make them a powerful force for transformative action. These people have the power to influence tomorrow’s food systems since they are not only the planet’s future heirs but also today’s creative thinkers and problem solvers.

Harnessing the Power of Youth Leadership: In order to address world hunger in a sustainable manner, youth leadership is crucial. Young individuals can question preexisting paradigms and suggest novel ideas since they have a new viewpoint and are frequently less constrained by old mindsets. They are effective communicators and change agents because of their capacity to connect with their colleagues and communities.

There are several instances that show how youth leadership may be revolutionary in the fight against hunger. Kenya’s youth-led “Akili Trust” has created a smartphone app that links farmers to markets, lowering postharvest losses and raising farmers’ earnings. The “Youth for Food Security” network in India encourages youth to support laws that support wholesome eating and sustainable agriculture. Empowering Youth through Education and Skills Development: Providing youth with access to high-quality education and skill development is essential to enabling them to make meaningful contributions to the battle against hunger. Education gives people the information and abilities they need to support food security policies, encourage understanding of nutrition, and participate in sustainable agriculture methods. Programs that support the growth of agribusinesses and agricultural entrepreneurship can enable young people to generate jobs in the distribution, processing, and production of food. In addition to improving young people’s chances individually, investing in their education and skill development also increases community capacity to combat poverty and malnutrition. Leveraging Technology for Innovative Solutions: The use of technology in agriculture and food systems is revolutionizing these sectors, and young people are leading the charge in utilizing this technology to fight hunger. Their technological know-how and proficiency with digital media enable them to create creative solutions that tackle issues faced by governments, communities, and farmers.

Drones are being used by youth-led enterprises in Ghana to gather data on soil and crop health, empowering farmers to increase yields and make better decisions. Young entrepreneurs in Tanzania have created a mobile network that links farmers directly to consumers, cutting out middlemen and boosting their earnings. Enabling Youth Participation in Policymaking: In order to guarantee that young perspectives and priorities are taken into account in choices that impact their lives and livelihoods, meaningful youth participation in policymaking processes is necessary. Policies that support food security, nutrition, and sustainable agriculture must involve youth in their formulation. It is essential to establish forums for young people to participate in policy talks, consultations, and decision-making procedures. Encouraging young people to take part in community leadership and local governance can also give them important experience and skills for changing policy. Conclusion: A Call to Action for a HungerFree Future: Youth is active participants and potential changemakers in the fight against global hunger, not just passive onlookers. Through the utilization of their energy, creativity, and technological know-how, we can expedite the trajectory towards a future devoid of hunger.

The time to act is now. In order to enable young people to become catalysts for resilient communities and sustainable food systems, we must invest in their education, skill development, and leadership opportunities.

MUHAMMAD SHEIKH LAHORE

Web: www.pakistantoday.com.pk

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Email: editorial@pakistantoday.com.pk

COMMENT 05

Repatriating illegal Afghan refugees Wednesday, 29 November, 2023

The TTP has got modern weapons from the Afghan Taliban

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abDul basit alvi

AKISTAN has a lengthy history of hosting Afghan refugees, dating back to the SovietAfghan War in the 1980s. The influx of displaced Afghans has significantly impacted Pakistan, presenting a complex array of challenges. According to the latest available data, Pakistan is home to one of the largest refugee populations globally, with a substantial portion being Afghan refugees.

The majority reside in provinces bordering Afghanistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan. While some live in refugee camps, many are integrated into local communities, adding to the complexity of the situation.

A primary challenge Pakistan confronts due to Afghan refugees is economic strain. Providing essential services such as healthcare, education, and housing to a significant refugee population demands substantial financial resources.

The protracted nature of the Afghan refugee crisis has exacerbated the strain on Pakistan’s economy, impacting the country’s ability to adequately allocate resources for its own citizens. The presence of Afghan refugees has also raised security concerns for Pakistan.

The porous border between the two countries has facilitated the movement of people, sometimes exploited by extremist elements. Pakistan has had to grapple with the challenge of distinguishing between genuine refugees seeking safety and those with malicious intent, leading to increased security measures and border controls.

The incorporation of Afghan refugees into Pakistani society has introduced social challenges. Instances of cultural disparities, language barriers, and competition for jobs and resources have occasionally resulted in tensions between host communities and the refugee population. Striking a delicate equilibrium between compassion and the management of social cohesion has proven to be a nuanced undertaking for Pakistan.]

The education sector in Pakistan confronts hurdles due to the presence of Afghan refugees, with a surge in demand for educational facilities placing additional

strain on an already stretched system. Policymakers now grapple with the considerable challenge of ensuring access to quality education for both Pakistani and Afghan refugee children.

Another noteworthy issue is the strain on healthcare services. Afghan refugees frequently arrive with health conditions stemming from conflict and inadequate healthcare in their home country. Meeting the healthcare needs of both the local population and refugees has stretched Pakistan’s healthcare infrastructure, making it difficult to provide comprehensive and timely services. Furthermore, the Afghan refugee crisis has impacted Pakistan’s diplomatic relations. Navigating the delicate balance between humanitarian concerns and political and security considerations has proven challenging for the Pakistani government. The expectations and support of the international community in managing the refugee crisis have played a critical role, and strained relations with Afghanistan further compound the complexity of the situation.

A significant concern faced by Pakistan revolves around the issue of terrorism from Tehreek Taliban Pakistan (TTP). Various factors contribute to the involvement of illegal and undocumented Afghan refugees in supporting and facilitating TTP. TTP utilizes advanced weaponry to exert full force in targeting both the military and civilian populace and installations within Pakistan.

Notably, the Afghan government is implicated in supporting and hosting TTP. Major revelations were made by the US House Committee on Foreign Affairs concerning the use of USmade weapons against Pakistan by the outlawed TTP. Chairman Michael McCall asserted that the Emirate of Islamia is aiding TTP in arming itself against Pakistan.

In response, the spokesman of the Islamic Emirate, Zabihullah Mujahid, denied the American statement, calling it baseless. The Pentagon report further exposed TTP’s use of US weapons, revealing that $7.12 billion worth of defense equipment remained in Afghanistan after the US withdrawal on 30 August 2021.

According to the report, the US had provided a total of 427,300 combat weapons to the Afghan military, with 300,000 still in existence at the time of withdrawal. After the US withdrawal, these weapons came under the control of the Islamic Emirate and subsequently reached the hands of anti-Pakistani groups, thereby strengthening

TTP and Baloch separatist groups militarily. The region has witnessed a substantial increase in terrorism over the past two years, with the US supplying $18.6 billion in equipment to Afghan national defense and security forces between 2005 and August 2021.

Former Islamic Emirate commanders are reported to have willingly handed over a significant amount of these weapons to TTP, enabling the group to conduct crossborder operations and spread terror in the region over the past two years. This surge in violence is evident in a video released by TTP in August 2022, showcasing various weapons, including M24 sniper rifles, M16A4 rifles equipped with thermal scopes, M4 carbines with Trijicon ACOG scopes, DShKM heavy machine guns, and T-15 heavy 5mm launchers. These weapons were reportedly used by TTP in carrying out terrorist activities in Peshawar, Lakki Marwat, Bannu, and Dera Ismail Khan, resulting in the targeted killing of 118 police personnel in terrorist incidents in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa in 2022. In the first four months of 2023, 120 police personnel were targeted by TTP. Furthermore, the Baloch Liberation Army attacked FC camps in Nushki and Panjgur districts in February 2022 using the same weapons.

The TTP also employed American weapons in the attack on Jhope Garrison on July 12, following the release of pictures on May 16, depicting TTP terrorists undergoing training. These images reveal fighters armed with advanced defensive weapons, including thermal vision helmets, rifles, and laser sights, emphasizing that the Islamic Emirate is arming not only TTP but other terrorist organi-

There has been a drain on resources, and some refugees have engaged in illegal activities, including terrorism and smuggling, against Pakistan.

Despite extending remarkable services, the nation has faced poverty, unemployment, and terrorism. No country allows refugees to reside openly for an unlimited period

Why people are pretending to be Muslim in India

B

SCROLL

abhik Deb

ETWEEN October 27 and October 31, Reliance Industries Chairperson Mukesh Ambani received three death threats, all sent via email to his office from the address shadabkhan@mailfence.com.

However, the investigation by the Mumbai Police soon found that a 21-year-old student, Rajveer Khant, had sent the emails.

Khant used a virtual private network, or VPN, to send the threat mails to show off to his friends, the police said. He told the police that he got the idea to use the name Shadab Khan while watching a cricket match featuring a Pakistani player by the same name.

Khant is not the only one to adopt a false Muslim identity while committing a crime. From men angry at being turned down by women to content creators seeking to make their inflammatory videos go viral, this modus operandi of pretending to be Muslim has found increased use over the last couple of years.

Experts say that in a communally polarised environment, the identity of an accused or suspect in such cases gets more amplified than the crime itself, thus intensifying Islamophobia in India.

FEEDING INTO THE BIAS AGAINST MUSLIMS: Journalist Alishan Jafri, who covers hate crimes against Muslims in India, told Scroll that the Muslim identity of a suspect or accused is deliberately emphasised with the intention of increasing the animosity against the community.

“Even in cases where an accused person is actually a Muslim, you would see news outlets mentioning the name of the criminal in headlines or social media posts, as opposed to other cases, where the culprits are only identified by their sex or age,” Jafri said.

Fact-checkers and media watchdogs have also highlighted Jafri’s observation.

This trend takes a step further in cases when a person falsely identifies as a Muslim, said Jafri. He cited the example of Vikas Kumar, a resident of Uttar Pradesh, who identified himself as Rashid Khan in a YouTube video, while making objectionable remarks about the murder of Shraddha Walkar by her live-in partner, a Muslim man. In the video that went viral on social media in November last year, Kumar,

while posing as Khan, said that it was normal to murder someone and chop their body up if the killer was in a fit of rage.

After he was arrested for his comments, Kumar told journalists that while shooting the video, he had initially identified himself by his original name. But those making the video had mocked him, saying that he was lying and must be a Muslim.

After Kumar’s arrest, social media users pointed out that the YouTube channel in question was run by a person named Ankur Arya, who regularly posts videos with inflammatory content. “If you look at YouTube channels like Arya’s, you will find several vox pop videos, where a Muslim has been asked to comment on sensitive matters because such content gets popular on social media,” Jafri said. “Many of these videos are even shared by leaders and official handles of the Bharatiya Janata Party.”

In an article that Jafri co-authored for The Caravan, he had explained how such videos by YouTube channels spread hate and “feed into the biases that many Hindus might hold against Muslims”.

In another instance, a video that went viral in October showed a person identifying himself as Javed Hussain making objectionable remarks about Hinduism. After the man was arrested in Haridwar, the police found out that his real name was Dilip Baghel and that a YouTuber had paid him to make the remarks.

Academician Ram Puniyani, who writes on communal politics in India, likened such instances to deliberately placing prohibited meat in religious places with the intention of sparking communal unrest. “This also highlights the plight of the poor in this country who are ready to do such things for money,” Puniyani told Scroll. “If you recall Govind Nihalani’s movie Tamas, there a Dalit man gets framed for placing the carcass of a pig in a mosque.” Puniyani said that such incidents of impersonation confirm and intensify hatred against Muslims. “When a Muslim name comes up in connection to a crime, there is already a fertile ground to believe that the person must have done something wrong,” he said. “In some cases, even the police could be communally biased, so there is a possibility that the investigation gets adversely impacted.”

For instance, in October, the male partner of a tuition teacher killed a 17year-old boy in Kanpur suspecting that the teenager was in a relationship with the teacher. In an attempt to make the boy’s disappearance look like a case of kidnapping, the accused, a man named Prabhat Shukla, sent a ransom letter with “Allah hu Akbar” written on it. The police said that the religious slogan was to divert the course of the investigation.

In another case in September, an Indian Army soldier was arrested in Kerala after he gave a false statement to the police saying that he had been attacked by a group of six people who painted the letters

“PFI” on his back.

The Popular Front of India is a Muslim organisation that was banned for five years under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act by the Centre in September 2022 for allegedly being involved in “violent terrorist activities”.

LACK OF REGULATION ON IMPERSONATION ON SOCIAL MEDIA: The spreading of misinformation on social media by impersonation extends beyond communal hatred. On November 22, former cricketer Sachin Tendulkar’s daughter Sara Tendulkar issued a statement saying that a parody account on X, formerly Twitter, was using morphed photos of her. Kritika Goel, the India head of factchecking website Logically Facts, told Scroll that the change in X’s policy to provide a blue tick to any user willing to pay a subscription fee has made impersonation easier on the micro-blogging platform.

“Not everyone is aware that the blue tick is no longer a marker of credibility,” Goel said. “Moreover, the problem with impersonation is that by the time fact checks are carried out, a lot of people might already have shared a piece of misinformation, so the damage is already done.”

Goel cited the example of an X user, falsely claiming to be an Al Jazeera journalist, who posted a tweet saying that the militant group Hamas was responsible for an airstrike at the Al-Ahli Arab Hospital in the Gaza strip that killed thousands. The post was shared by thousands of users.

After Al Jazeera clarified that the owner of the now-deleted X account @_Faridakhan was not affiliated with the news organisation, it came to light that the user was an Indian and had earlier posted tweets in support of the BJP. Goel also said that she had noticed incidents of social media abusers impersonating Muslims in India. She recalled an incident from two years ago when a Twitter user had issued issued rape threats to the nine-month-old daughter of cricketer Virat Kohli. “Several people claimed that the handle was a bot account operated from Pakistan,” said Goel. “But the police found out that the culprit was a software engineer from Hyderabad.”

Claims about the account being a Pakistani bot gained traction as the profile name of the account was “Amena” – a Muslim name. But the accused turned out to be a 23-year-old Hindu man called Ramnagesh Alibathini.

Another such example is of Divin Devaiah, a resident of Kodagu in Karnataka, who was arrested in July 2022 after he posted defamatory comments about a local deity on social media under a Muslim name.

Goel told Scroll that hate, in general, is played up a lot on social media. “There already exists a society that is polarised against the minorities,” said Goel. “Hateful posts from a user with a Muslim name makes it easier for people to further alienate them.”

zations, providing a secure channel for these activities.

Caretaker Prime Minister Anwarul Haq Kakar emphasized that Pakistan will not tolerate actions against its sovereignty, and the Afghan Taliban will closely observe the situation. He insisted that Afghanistan should take decisive action against terrorist elements. Kakar stated that our security forces engage in daily operations against terrorists, highlighting the necessity of negotiations between the USA and the Taliban. He emphasized that negotiations are possible only with those who surrender voluntarily, asserting that the state cannot be coerced at gunpoint. He also emphasized that challenging decisions must be made in the interest of the state.

Kakar pointed out that the Afghan government was aware of the TTP’s whereabouts. Two years ago, during feigned talks, they were present on Afghan soil. The Afghan Taliban are cognizant that the TTP operates from there. Kakar urged the Afghan Taliban to decide whether to take action against them or hand them over, making it clear that such actions will not be tolerated. He underscored that the TTP is not located in Central Asian states but on Afghan soil.

Kakar emphasized that those wishing to negotiate with the state must first disarm, emphasizing that the justification for taking up arms is illegitimate. He urged negotiations as a means to dispel misunderstandings. Kakar also emphasized that those residing illegally should return through legal channels. On this issue the stance of the Armed Forces and the entire nation is aligned. Pakistan, as a country that welcomed Afghan refugees, allowed them to live and work across the nation instead of confining them to refugee camps.

However, there has been a drain on resources, and some refugees have engaged in illegal activities, including terrorism and smuggling, against Pakistan. Despite extending remarkable services, the nation has faced poverty, unemployment, and terrorism. No country allows refugees to reside openly for an unlimited period.

The current campaign aims to repatriate only illegal and undocumented Afghan refugees and not those residing legally. The nation fully supports the decision taken in the larger interests of the country

An anti-Muslim tirade inspires a beautiful response

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The writer is a freelance columnist

CNN

Dean obeiDallah

FTER police say he repeatedly taunted an Arab immigrant food cart worker in his Manhattan neighborhood, former Obama-era National Security Council official Stuart Seldowitz was arrested last week by the New York Police Department. He now faces hate crime and aggravated harassment charges.

The videos of Seldowitz’s rants — which went viral — were despicable. The former government official made vile anti-Muslim comments while jeering at the Egyptian food cart worker about the Israel-Hamas war with remarks such as, “If we killed 4,000 Palestinian children, you know what? It wasn’t enough!” Seldowitz, who has pleaded not guilty, told a local New York paper that he regretted the incident, saying, “in the heat of the moment, I said things that probably I shouldn’t have said.” But the “heat of the moment” defense rings hollow given Seldowitz allegedly returned to the food cart several times over a two-week period to spew hate.

Tragically, these types of disturbing incidents have skyrocketed since the IsraelHamas war began on October 7. The Anti-Defamation League reported a 388% increase in anti-Jewish incidents in the weeks after the war began compared to the same period last year. Jewish Americans have seen their places of worship defaced alongside an alarming number of threats against and attacks on Jewish students on college campus.

One deeply concerning incident took place at Cornell University when messages vowing to “shoot up” a Jewish dining hall and stab Jews on the campus were posted online. A student was arrested and accused of being behind the threats and has not entered a plea in his first court appearance.

Just as concerning, the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) has documented an “appalling” rise in reported anti-Arab and anti-Muslim bias incidents in the month following October 7. Overall, CAIR fielded a 216% increase in requests for help and reported bias incidents as compared to 2022. Alarmingly, it appears one such horrific incident may have occurred on Saturday in Burlington, Vermont, when three Palestinian students were shot. Two are US citizens and the third is a legal resident. And two of them were wearing the traditional Arab scarf known as a keffiyeh, according to local police. The Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee noted in a press release that they were also speaking Arabic.

Thankfully, the three students survived the shooting, but two of them were admitted to the intensive care unit and one “has sustained very critical and serious injuries,” according to the ADC. The story is still developing, and police say they are currently looking into the white male shooter’s motive.

Tragically, however, 6-year-old Palestinian American Wadea Al-Fayoume didn’t survive his stabbing by a man who allegedly targeted the boy for his Muslim faith. He was charged with murder and two counts of a hate crime, among other charges, and he has pleaded not guilty.

The question is: What can each of us do to counter the hate and make it clear that we won’t allow bigotry to become normalized against any community? One of the best responses is what we saw in New York City after Seldowitz’s hate-filled rants got widespread attention: Elected officials and neighbors came together to stand with the 24-year-old Egyptian food cart worker, Mohamed Hussein, who was subjected to the rants. Even before Seldowitiz was charged, Manhattan Borough President Mark Levine said on social media: “This Islamophobic bigotry is absolutely reprehensible. No one in this city should be subjected to this venom.”

But it was the response of people in the neighborhood — which deserves far more media attention — that was truly moving. As CBS New York reported, “what happened at the food cart has seemingly only brought people together.” One of the food cart workers, Bahaa Hassan, told CBS: “We have mostly Jewish customer in this building. [Two customers] made cake for us last night.”

It wasn’t long before people from the neighborhood set up a table next to the food cart in an effort to encourage people to sit, eat and talk together. As Upper East Side resident Stephanie Merabet told CBS about the workers, “They’re really wonderful people and they care about the community that they’re in, and they certainly don’t deserve this.”

These actions send a powerful message that we will not allow hate to go unchallenged. In this vein, my longtime friend Max Brooks — author of “World War Z,” “The Zombie Survival Guide” and more – asked me to join him in making a short video to counter hate against Jews, Arabs and Muslims. Unbeknownst to us at the time, we filmed this video last weekend in the very neighborhood where Seldowitz had been taunting the Arab food cart worker.

Max and I have often been told that we look similar. There is good reason for that. We are both half-Italian and half-Semitic. In Max’s case, his Semitic half is Jewish — from his father, Mel Brooks — while my Semitic heritage comes from my late Palestinian father, Abdul. (And yes, Arabs and Jews are both Semites!)

Each of us can — and must — play a role in countering hate. In a nation as populous as the United States, there will always be some amount of bigotry. It’s how we respond to the hate that matters.

Dean Obeidallah, a former attorney, is the host of SiriusXM radio’s daily program “The Dean Obeidallah Show.”

06 NEWS

BLINKEN VISITS ME NEXT WEEK TO DISCUSS ‘PRINCIPLES HE LAID OUT FOR FUTURE OF GAZA’

S

Wednesday, 29 November, 2023 | LAHORE

WASHINGTON agenCieS

ECRETARY of State US, Antony Blinken will pay his third wartime visit to the Middle East this week to hold meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu and Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas in Ra-

mallah.

According to a senior US official, “The secretary will stress the need to sustain the increased flow of humanitarian assistance to Gaza, secure the release of all hostages and improve protection to civilians in Gaza.”

He will discuss “the principles he laid out for the future of Gaza and the need to establish an independent Palestinian state,” the official added.

Mediator Qatar announced a two-day extension in truce between Israel and Hamas hours before the

pause was due to end Tuesday, as more hostages were freed from Gaza in exchange for the release of dozens of Palestinian prisoners. “The Palestinian and Israeli sides have reached an agreement to extend the humanitarian pause in Gaza for two additional days under the same conditions,” Qatar’s foreign ministry said in a statement on X, formerly Twitter. Hamas also confirmed the extension and Israeli media reported the government had received a new list of 10 more hostages who would be freed. However, there was no official word from Israel.

The news of the extension came as 11 more hostages were freed from Gaza overnight, along with the release of another 33 Palestinian prisoners — the last exchange under the existing deal. The extension of the truce, which had been scheduled to end at 7:00am (0500 GMT), was welcomed internationally. UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres called it “a glimpse of hope and humanity

in the middle of the darkness of war”.

The truce paused fighting that began when Hamas militants poured over the border into Israel, killing 1,200 people, and kidnapping dozens, according to Israeli officials.

Israel’s retaliatory ground and air operation in Gaza has killed almost 15,000 people, mostly civilians, according to the territory’s Hamas government.

Late Monday, 11 hostages arrived in Israel, the country’s military said. “Our forces will accompany them until they are reunited with their families,” it said in a statement, adding that the military “salutes and embraces the released hostages upon their return home”.

Most of the group are dual nationals, with Argentinians, Germans and French among those released, and all 11 were from the Nir Oz kibbutz, the community said. In all, 50 Israeli hostages have been released under the truce deal, in exchange for 150 Palestinian

prisoners, with another 19 hostages freed under separate agreements, including Thai workers and a dual Russian-Israeli citizen.

Hamas said it was now drawing up lists of additional hostages to be released, though the process is reportedly complicated by the fact that some are held by other militant groups. US National Security Council spokesman John Kirby said that “in order to extend the pause, Hamas has committed to releasing another 20 women and children”.

Israel views the truce as temporary to secure hostage releases and plans to continue its war, with the government agreeing a 30.3 billion shekel ($8.2 billion) war budget that will now go to parliament.

But it faces increasing pressure for a more lasting ceasefire and the ramp-up of humanitarian aid to Gaza, where an estimated 1.7 million people have been displaced, according to the United Nations.

Xi Jinping stresses foreign-related Hamas releases 4th batch of hostages as truce extended for 2 more days legal system development BEIJING

Staff CorreSpondent

Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, has stressed the need to strengthen foreign-related legal system development, as he chaired a group study session of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee.

Xi highlighted the need to create law-based governance conditions and a favorable external environment for advancing Chinese modernization.

Xi emphasized that bolstering the rule of law in foreign affairs serves the long-term need for building a strong nation and advancing national rejuvenation through a Chinese path to modernization.

He further underscored the immediate importance of foreign-related legal system development in fostering high-standard opening-up and addressing external risks and challenges.

Calling for attention to the importance and urgency of the issue, Xi stressed the need to foster a foreign-related legal system and capacity that meet the needs of high-quality development and high-standard opening-up.

A professor from Wuhan Univer-

sity gave a lecture, after which members of the Political Bureau had a discussion.

Speaking after the discussion, Xi pointed out that foreign-related legal framework is an important part of China’s legal system.

He emphasized that the fundamental purpose of advancing lawbased governance in foreign-related affairs is to safeguard the interests of the country and the people through legal means, facilitate progress in international rule of law, and advance the building of a community with a shared future for humanity.

The path of socialist rule of law with Chinese characteristics must be followed with unswerving commitment, Xi added. Xi underscored the importance of well-structured toplevel design, adding that foreign-related legislation, law enforcement, jurisdiction, law compliance and legal services ought to be advanced simultaneously.

In addition, efforts should be taken to advance reform in the system and mechanism of foreign-related trial and judicature, said Xi. He also highlighted the need to cultivate arbitration institutions and law firms of international prestige.

Xi urged efforts to build a strong legal security chain to protect

China’s overseas interests.

He noted the necessity for guiding Chinese citizens and enterprises to abide by local laws and regulations when going abroad, and that they should apply laws and rules to safeguard their legitimate rights and interests.

The international order based on international law must be resolutely upheld, Xi noted, adding that China should actively take part in the formulation of international rules and promote the rule of law in international relations.

Xi said the rule of law is the best environment for doing business.

He stressed building an open and transparent foreign-related legal system, strengthening the protection of intellectual property rights, safeguarding the legitimate rights and interests of foreign-funded enterprises, and fostering a market-oriented, lawbased and internationalized business environment.

Noting that the institutional opening-up should be steadily expanded and trade and investment liberalization and facilitation should be improved, Xi said effective measures and mature experience of high-standard opening-up such as the ones tested in pilot free trade zones should be timely elevated to law provisions.

GAZA

agenCieS

Hamas on Monday released a fourth batch of Israeli hostages held in Gaza, and more are expected to be freed in the coming days as Israel and Hamas agreed to extend the current truce for another two days.

A Palestinian source, who required anonymity, told Xinhua that a total of 11 hostages were delivered to Red Cross officials in the fourth phase of the ceasefire swap with Israel.

On Monday night, updating its statements on the social media platform X, the Qatari Foreign Ministry said the 11 released hostages were all dual nationals, comprising three Israeli-French citizens, two IsraeliGerman citizens and six Israeli-Argentinian citizens.

The Israeli military confirmed in

a statement that the newly released hostages had arrived in Israel after being transferred by Hamas to the Red Cross.

“IDF (Israel Defense Forces) special forces and ISA (Israel Security Agency) forces are currently accompanying 11 released hostages in Israeli territory,” the statement read, adding that “after they undergo an initial medical assessment, our forces will escort them until they are reunited with their families.”

They were released 52 days after being taken hostage by Hamas militants in a deadly attack on southern Israel on October 7.

Egypt’s Al-Qahera TV news reported that six Thai nationals would also be released on Monday night.

Of the about 240 hostages captured by Hamas, less than one-third have been released so far, according to IDF figures. Hours after the re-

lease of Israeli hostages, Israel’s prison authority said that 33 Palestinian prisoners had been released “during the night” under the terms of the truce deal, bringing the total number of detainees freed by Israel during the initial, four-day pause in the fighting to 150.

The latest swap came amid news that the ceasefire, originally set to expire on Tuesday, will be extended for an additional two days. The extension was confirmed by Hamas and Qatar, a key mediator of the truce. Under the initial four-day deal, Hamas will release 50 Israeli hostages in exchange for some 150 Palestinian prisoners from Israeli jails.

Israel did not immediately comment on the ceasefire extension but had said previously that the release of every additional 10 hostages would result in one additional day in the pause.

Wednesday, 29 November, 2023 | LAHORE

COURT NOTICE

IN THE COURT OF MR AHSAN ULLAH CHAUDARY CIVIL JUDGE 1ST CLASS PHALIADISSOLUTION OF MARRIAGE TITLE OF THE SUIT SABA ASLAM VERSES TOUQEER ASLAM SON OF MUHAMMAD ASLAM CASTE ARAIN R/O VILLAGE MURALA TEHSIL AND DISTRICT MANDI BAHAUDDIN PRESENTLY ABROAD THE ABOVE TITLED CASE IS PANDING ADJUDICATION IN THE COURT OF UNDERSTANDING MANY TIMES PROCESS HAS BEEN ISSUED AGAINST THE ABOVE -SAID DEFENDANTS BUT ALL IN - VAIN SO THE DEFENDANTS ARE HEREBY INFORMED THOUGH THIS PROCLAMATION AND DIRECTED TO APPEAR BEFORE THIS COURT ON THE NEXT DATE OF HEARING 30/11/2023 AT 09:00 AM IN PERSON OR THROUGH THEIR COUNSEL OTHERWISE EX- PARTY PROCEEDING SHALL BE INITIATED AGAINST THE DEFENDANT OTHERWISE NO EXCUSE WILL BE.

07

PAKISTANI PRODUCTS LAUNCHED ON YIWUGO TO TAP INTO EXPANDING CHINESE MARKET NEWS

A

KASHGAR

STAFF REPORT

delegation from Pakistan, led

by Nadeem Alam, CEO of Alam Group of Businesses, recently visited the Kashgar Yiwu Shopping Mall Group in Kashgar, China to explore potential collaboration opportunities.

Accompanied by Xie Hongjun, Head of Kashgar Yiwu Supply Chain Company, the delegation toured the Kashgar Yiwu International Procurement Center and the Cross-Border E-commerce Marketing Department, which provided valuable insights into the development prospects of the Kashgar Yiwu Shopping Mall Group and the specific investment advantages it offers, Gwadar Pro reported on Tuesday.

Nadeem Alam, CEO of Alam Group of Businesses, stated, “Kashgar’s geographic proximity to Central Asia and South Asia positions it as an ideal platform for fostering economic partnerships.

We are interested in expanding exchanges and cooperation with Kashgar, and we aspire to introduce Pakistani products to the Kashgar Yiwu International Procurement Center. Together, we can promote the development of ChinaPakistan import-export trade.”

The meeting concluded with a cooperation initiative to launch selected Pakistani products on Yiwugo, an online platform of Kashgar Yiwu International Procurement Center.

This strategic move aims to leverage the immense potential of the platform and facilitate the entry of Pakistani goods into the Chinese market.

CORPORATE CORNER EPD seminar stresses curbing Single-Use Plastics in Punjab

The Environment Protection Department of the Government of the Punjab, under the umbrella of World Bank-funded Punjab Green Development Program, conducted a seminar on "Negative Environmental and Health Impacts of Single-Use Plastics." in Punjab Arts Council, Gujranwala.

Attendees from various sectors, including large retailers, plastic producers, media representatives civil society organizations, and traders participated in the session. Director Environmental Policy & Planning، Strategic Planning and Implementation Unit, Environment Protection Department Dr. Anber Raheel andDistrict Officer, Environmental Protection Agency Gujranwala Mr. Imtiaz Ahmed apprised the audience regarding the policy measures and actions taken by the Government to curb the Single-Use Plastics. PR

VEON wins award for crisis response at World Communication Awards 2023

ISLAMABAD: VEON, a global digital operator that provides converged connectivity and online services, today announces that it has been awarded the Crisis Response Award for its group-wide Emergency Response initiatives in Pakistan, Ukraine and Bangladesh, and beyond at the World Communication Awards 2023.The World Communications Awards, presented in Amsterdam recently and hosted after the conclusion of the Total Telecoms Congress, is adjudicated by over 90 independent industry experts, academics, and CTOs; and is widely recognised as one of the most prestigious awards in the telecommunications industry. PR

NADRA delegation visits Safe City Islamabad

ISLAMABAD: According to the details, on special directives of the Islamabad Capital City Police Officer (ICCPO) Dr. Akbar Nasir Khan, the SSP Safe City welcomed the Delegation of National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) officers, a public relations officer said.He said that the delegation visits the command and control center, the data hub unit, modern technologyequipped cameras, and the Police operations center hall. They were fully briefed about the procedures and benefits. Furthermore, the delegation was informed that Safe City Islamabad is playing a significant role in various departments through modern techniques, including the Police Operations Center, Emergency Control Center, Data Hub Unit, Dispatch Control Center, E-Challan System, and the “Pucar-15” helpline. PR

Tetra Pak and WWF to mentor 10,000 Pakistani students on waste recycling awareness

LAHORE: Tetra Pak Pakistan, a frontrunner in sustainable food processing and packaging solutions, has partnered with WWF Pakistan for the sixth consecutive year to continue its nationwide awareness program aimed at educating young Pakistani students on the importance of reducing, reusing, and recycling. This year, the student engagement drive will span across 50 schools situated in the metropolitan cities of Lahore, Karachi, Gujranwala, Sialkot, Faisalabad, Rawalpindi, and Islamabad.Over 10,000 Pakistani students, between the age group of 5 to 13 years and studying in grades 1 to 7, will benefit from this unique opportunity which is based on the modern teaching method of experience-based learning.

Volkan Aydeniz, Sustainability Director at Tetra Pak, officially kicked off the student engagement in partnership with WWF training executives . PR

Atlas Honda unveils first EV Bike to mark 60 years in Pakistan

Chief Officer of Motorcycle and Power Products of Atlas Honda Noriaki Abe has unveiled Honda’s first EV motorcycle (Honda BENLY e) while celebrating Atlas Honda’s 60th year of operations in Pakistan. A ceremony was held at Atlas Honda’s Sheikhupura Factory to commemorate the milestone while the event was also graced by Shinji Aoyama, Executive Vice President and COO of Honda Motor Company, and Toshio Kuwahara, President & CEO of Asian Honda Motor Company. Noriaki Abe said that Honda BENLY e will be offered for test marketing while new products will be offered based on the market. PR

Zong 4G announces launch of MZA Sprint bringing exciting new features on MZA

ISLAMABAD: Zong 4G, Pakistan’s leading telecommunications company, has launched a suite of new features on its My Zong App (MZA), further enriching the user experience and providing unparalleled convenience to its customers.MZA Sprint has added 13 new Digital Value Added Services (VAS) to cater to diverse user preferences. From entertainment options and exclusive Golootlo deals to Islamic and infotainment services, instant gaming portals, tournaments, and sports and gaming currency, users can seamlessly access these services through the dedicated Z Play module, making MZA a one-stop platform for a variety of digital experiences.In addition, MZA Sprint introduces a Complaint Handling and Status Check feature that will enable customers to easily share their grievances through the app. The update also brings convenient payment gateways for buying bundles and offers, offering multiple payment options like Debit/Credit Cards, Jazz Cash, and EasyPaisa. The user-friendly "Online Recharge" interface and exclusive Monthly Pro Max offers further elevate the financial services offered on MZA. MZA also offers an offline maps integration that streamlines the discovery of 250+ regional/city offers, contributing to an improved MZA experience for users."Zong 4G is committed to delivering the best possible experience to our users. PR

PTCL Group held an awareness walk on World Diabetes Day in Karachi under its Vitality Express, led by Group VP Health Care Services, Dr Shafiqur Rehman and advisor employee relations, Jamil Bajwa. Eminent Diabetologist Dr Tariq Saeed and Regional Director, PCSIR Labs, Dr Shehla Basit also joined the walk to emphasize the significance of exercise and lifestyle modifications for effective diabetes control. PR

PTI rebuffs ‘claIms’ Imran wIll noT conTesT InTra-ParTy Polls NEWS

T

ISLAMABAD

STAFF REPORT

HE Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf on Tuesday rebuffed ‘claims and speculations’ that chief Imran Khan, who is currently incarcerated at Adiala jail, would not contest intra-party polls for the slot of party chairman.

The statement by the PTI was issued in response to one by a “senior leader”.

Although the party did not name the leader, earlier in the day PTI’s Sher Afzal Khan Marwat had stated that Imran had decided to not contest the election for PTI chairman due to legal prohibitions and his disqualification in the Toshakhana case.

Marwat, who was appointed a senior vice president of the party last week, had made the remarks while speaking to PTI social media representatives outside

Adiala jail.

“Khan sahib himself has decided that he will not contest the polls for the office of PTI chairman,” he had said, adding that this decision was taken with consensus. Marwat said the decision would be reversed as soon as the disqualification was set aside.

However, hours later, the PTI issued a statement on social media platform X stating that it “strongly denies” speculation in the media on the issue. It also denied the claims by a “senior party leader” about Imran not running for party chairman in intra-party elections.

“Discussions are ongoing on all the important issues regarding the holding of intra-party elections,” the party said. It said that no decision was taken as yet regarding withdrawing Imran from the election or nominating another leader in his place.

The party said that as soon as the leadership reached a conclusion on hold-

ing intra-party elections, the date and the selection of candidates, the details would be released to the media.

Meanwhile, Marwat stuck by his statement despite the party’s denial. In response to the statement issued by the PTI, Marwat said that he had “examined the paradox”.

“Whatever I have said in my media talk about the intra-party election is a correct statement. The decisions were taken by the PTI chairman in the presence of Senator Ali Zafar, Barrister Gohar, Umair Niazi and myself,” he said.

“I fail to understand who is behind the contradiction and why the misleading statement was issued. The media are advised to verify my statement with the above persons if you don’t mind,” he added.

ECP VERDICT: Last week, the ECP ruled that the PTI intra-party polls were not transparent, ordering the former rul-

ing party to hold new elections if it wishes to retain its “bat” symbol. The PTI was by the commission to hold fresh elections within 20 days in a reserved verdict announced on November 23.

In the verdict, the ECP stated that the PTI failed to hold free and fair intraparty elections, adding that the polls were objectionable and controversial.

“PTI’s intra-party elections cannot be accepted,” stated the verdict, directing it to hold polls and submit the record within seven days.

“If PTI fails to hold elections within 20 days then it will have to face severe consequences. In case of failure to hold [intra-party] elections, the [PTI] will not be eligible to secure an election symbol,” said the verdict.

The ECP had issued notices to the PTI for not holding intra-party polls on August 2 and reserved its verdict on the matter on September 13.

Four out of five refineries raise concerns on pakistan oil Refining policy 2023 g

CABINET COMMITTEE GRAPPLES WITH CHALLENGES IN IMPLEMENTING OIL REFINING POLICY 2023 PROFIT

AHMAD AHMADANI

Govt pledges support to ecP for free and fair elections: solangi ISLAMABAD

STAFF REPORT

Caretaker Federal Minister for Information, Broadcasting and Parliamentary Affairs Murtaza Solangi on Tuesday said that under Article 218(3) of the Constitution, the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) would fulfill its responsibility to conduct fair, transparent and impartial elections and the government would support it. Talking to media persons in Islamabad, he said that there were a total of 280 articles in the Constitution, not only the article of elections in 90 days, it also had Article 254.

“Everyone in Pakistan has freedom to express opinion, complain and criticize,” Solangi added. The minister said the freedom that Pakistan People’s Party and other parties had been enjoying, Pakistan Muslim League (N) also had same freedom.

He said that the caretaker PM had informed the public about his visit to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) last night through a video message. During the visit of the Prime Minister, the agreements and memorandums of understanding would be finalized, then the media would be informed in that regard, he added.

The minister said he had a relationship of respect with Bilawal Bhutto Zardari and Asif Ali Zardari and he could not comment on their statements.

Four out of five refineries of the country raised a number of observations on the final draft of Pakistan Oil Refining Policy 2023 and Cabinet Committee on Energy (CCoE) has been grappling with the challenges in implementing the Policy (Pakistan Oil Refining Policy 2023).

This disclosure was made in a meeting of the CCoE which was held on November 22, under the chairmanship of the Minister for Power & Petroleum. The meeting focused on a summary submitted by the petroleum division on November 21, 2023, highlighting implementation issues and sought resolutions for the upgradation of existing/brown refineries.

The Pakistan Oil Refining Policy 2023 was aimed to upgrade the existing refineries to produce environment friendly Euro-V fuels and decrease the production of furnace oil.

To achieve this objective, the Policy provided incremental incentives of 2.5 percent on HSD (in addition to current 7.5pc) and 10% on MS in the form of deemed duty for six years starting from notification of the Policy. The incremental incentive would be deposited in an escrow account maintained by OGRA with respective refinery for meeting upto 25% of the upgradation cost.

OGRA would allow withdrawal of

funds from escrow account by the respective refinery, post financial close of the upgrade projects and against expenditure made for each milestone/deliverable. To avail the said incremental incentive, the refineries were required to execute an upgrade agreement, open an Escrow Account and provide Rs 1billion bank guarantee to OGRA within three months of notification of the policy i-e 16th November 2023, in case the refineries did not execute the policy envisioned that they would not be allowed to produce and market petroleum products below Euro-V specifications after 16th February 2024.

However, according to sources, the challenges emerged as four out of five refineries raised significant concerns in a joint letter dated November 13, 2023. These concerns included the continuation of the 7.5% deemed customs duty on HSD beyond the stipulated six-year period, tax exemptions on incremental incentives, flexibility in confirming product outcomes, objections to the unilateral appointment of an arbitrator, and requests for clarity on contractual issues such as force majeure, termination, relinquishment, and timeline extensions.

During the ensuing discussion made in the meeting of CCoE held on November 22, 2023, it was pointed out that refineries should have been adequately consulted

during the process of policy formulation as such issues as mentioned in the summary could have been dealt at that stage. It was also pointed out that it seemed that the policy margin require revision since the reform are now raising concerns. It was also added that implementation mechanism should have been clearly spelt out in the Policy. At the same time, it was also mentioned that issue of taxation should be sorted out with the FBR. It is pertinent to mention that the CCoE held on November 22, 2023 had directed the petroleum division to obtain formal views from the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) regarding proposed tax exemptions, essential for advancing the policy’s execution. Additionally, the committee (CCoE) instructed the division to present a progress report on the policy’s implementation in every meeting for ongoing updates. Acknowledging the complexities involved, the CCoE approved an extension of the deadline by sixty days, effective from November 16, 2023.

Pursuant to the approval of the Cabinet Committee on Energy (CCoE) vide case No. CCE11/02/2023 dated 07-08-2023 and ratification by the federal cabinet vide case No.130/25/2023 dated 09-082023, petroleum division notified the Pakistan Oil Refining Policy 2023 and forwarded the same to Oil & Gas Regulatory Authority (OGRA) and refineries for implementation.

Wednesday, 29 November, 2023

PRAYER TIMINGS FAJR SUNRISE

ZUHR

ASR MAGHRIB ISHA

6:00

1:30

3:45

sindh police personnel arrested for extorting cricketer 6:37

5:02

7:00

KARACHI

STAFF REPORT

At least four police personnel were arrested for allegedly extorting cricketer Sohaib Maqsood in the Sakrand area of Sindh on the directives of Sindh Inspector General Raffat Raja.

On Monday night, Maqsood took to X (formerly Twitter) and said that he was stopped by the police while travelling from Karachi to Multan by road and was extorted by Sindh Police officials.

He further wrote that the provincial police is "so corrupt" and that he is “so lucky” to live in Punjab.

According to a statement from Sindh Police, four policemen of Sakrand were found involved in the incident. The police spokesperson said that legal action is being taken against them and that a First Information Report (FIR) has been lodged.

The station head officer (SHO) of the police station and the chief clerk have also been suspended for negligence, the press statement further added.

The cricketer also claimed in the post that despite informing the police officials that “we are international cricketers travelling to Multan after a match in Karachi”, the police officials still extorted Rs8,000 from them.

Maqsood added that the police had threatened to take them to the police station if he did not pay.

IGP Sindh, taking notice of the cricket’s predicament in the province, directed DIG Shaheed Benazirabad to investigate the matter immediately and submit an inquiry report to him.

THE INCIDENT: In his interview with a private TV channel, the sportsman revealed that he was travelling with another cricketer around midnight when he was stopped by a pair of policemen demanding official documents of the vehicle, two kilometres ahead of the toll plaza in Sindh.

Ticket Distribution: Pml-n committee interviews candidates for Pindi seats RAWALPINDI

STAFF REPORT

The Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PMLN) has started the process of interviews of potential candidates for the party tickets for provincial and national assembly constituencies for the upcoming general elections scheduled for February 8.

In this connection, the party’s Divisional Coordinator Committee, headed by Senator Pervez Rashid, interviewed candidates for both the provincial and national assemblies seats from Rawalpindi. The committee’s meeting took place at the residence of committee member Tahira Orangzaib.

In attendance at the meeting were PML-N Rawalpindi Division President Malik Abrar, Ataullah Tarar, and Haneef Abbasi.

Interviews for candidates requesting party tickets from five tehsils of Rawalpindi district, including Metropolitan and Cantt areas, were conducted.

Yesterday, the Divisional Coordination Committee interviewed candidates for two national and five provincial seats of Attock.

Later, the Divisional Coordination Committee will submit its proposals to the Central Parliamentary Board of PML-N, which decide the ticket distribution.

The committee will complete the interviews of the candidates by November 29.

ANALYSIS

Here is why our it ‘exports’ are not what umar Saif wants you to think g

MOST OF IT EXPORTS ARE SERVICE-BASED, AND EVEN WITHIN THAT A LOT ARE NOT HIGHLY SKILLED PROFIT

ABDULLAH NIAZI

Let us for a moment forget about why the caretaker minister for Information and Technology is busy unveiling strategies to export IT products and services over the next five years. Let us also, just for the sake of it, forget how badly researched and presented this policy was. Instead let’s take a look at just what these proposed “IT exports” are, where Pakistan stands in this sector on the international market, and what potential paths to growth there are in this case.

Very briefly put, IT exports is an umbrella term that includes both goods and services related to the field of information technology. That would mean on the goods end of the spectrum products like computers, software, mobile phones, and most manner of computerised electronics.

On the other hand, IT services include individuals and companies providing clients with solutions to problems such as security services, data management, software as a service, cloud computing etc.

It is a pretty significant difference. To dumb it down, it is the difference between running a business and doing work for a salary. Pakistan is already a service sector oriented nation. And this is also true in the case of the IT sector.

The size of the pie We need to start by measuring up just what the IT industry holds in Pakistan. Data from the Pakistan Software Association (P@asha) indicates the estimated sector size is

$280 billion, with more than 12000 companies operating in Pakistan and contributing nearly 5% to the GDP. All of this amounts to a total export revenue of just over $2 billion. Naturally, our current numbers are miniscule as compared to other regional players.

Not only this, but a vast majority of this sector is focused on services rather than goods. Data from the SBP indicates that services account for nearly 70% of the already meagre funding that this sector receives showing a very clear preference.

And here is the catch, these services do not just include software services. In fact, this also covers many IT companies operating in Pakistan that hire young talent at good salaries in PKR before placing them on projects that they have from foreign clients that pay them in dollar terms. This 70% also includes services like website development and management, social media marketing, content creation etc. So if you have any friends or know any youngsters that are “content writers” on upwork they are considered a part of our IT exports.

In the IT-export policy unveiled by caretaker minister Umar Saif, he said the plan is to add 200,000 skilled professionals to the workforce, increasing exports to $5 billion. The eventual aim is to propel the nation’s IT exports to $10-$18 billion by 2028. Other than the platitudes about increasing skilled workforce and promoting exports, there really doesn’t seem to be much of a plan.

As Profit’s columnist Asif

Saad sums up in this week’s column, “we are educating and training for low-quality skills and using these resources to service international customers for basic services.

This implies that we do not have products to sell. We are only cheap suppliers of service and the output of hundreds of Information Technology institutes is basically following the demand from the lowest end of the IT universe.”

The gig workers Perhaps nothing is proof of this than the rising number of gig workers making up this IT sector in Pakistan, particularly on the exports side. Freelancers in the country earned around $400 million in both 2021 and in 2022 which accounts for about 15% of Pakistan’s total $2.6 billion ICT (informationcommunication-technology) exports. At the recently held 16th edition of the annual ‘Managing Pakistan’s Economy’ hosted by the Lahore School of Economics (LSE), Dr Theresa Azam Chaudhry presented a paper titled “The Global Gig Economy: Pakistan’s Opportunity to Become a Leader in Service Exports.”

Pakistan contributed to over 8% of the global gig economy.

Pakistan stands at 4th position due to a rising number of qualified graduates who are working by freelancing their expertise. These young graduates do not find jobs that pay them as per their skills so they simply do work at cheaper rates for foreign clients — a classic example of employment arbitrage.

Continued on page 03

Dissenting note: Here is what government might be thinking PROFIT

TAIMOOR HASSAN

The criticism around the government’s recently unveiled IT Export Policy is premature, primarily because there is a lack of information.

The 18-page report that mentions the $10-$18 billion export target number for the IT industry is a summary of a longer, much detailed 300-page report which discusses the issues and the solutions at length. The longer report is based on multiple other reports such as on Pakistan’s competitive analysis and the global IT industry analysis, none of which have been (or would likely be) released for the reason I explain below.

So I can not exactly comment whether this number is achievable or is a complete fluff. I can rather try to explain how the government is thinking and approaching this number. As I have come to learn, this report was a diagnostic exercise on the IT sector of the country to identify flaws that were impeding the growth of IT exports in Pakistan and what could be done to increase that number. The rational question also is what could be a realistic number for Pakistan’s exports given the country’s strengths and weaknesses. This number, as we now know, is $10-18 billion.

Some aspects of approaching this number would be logical assumptions, while some would be mathematics based on available data.

Let me try to explain this further with an example. Let’s say that the government plans to increase IT exports to $10 billion by 2028, and thinks that the freelancing workforce is the best shot at achieving this number. Let’s as-

sume that the government data suggests that freelancers in Pakistan earn on average $1,000 per month. At this rate, Pakistan would need to have over 800,000 freelancers by 2028 to achieve this export target. Based on the current number of freelancers in the country, the government would decide how to achieve the required number of freelancers and would allocate resources based on that, meanwhile introducing legislative changes to make it happen.

Some work has already been done on different fronts. For instance, an initiative of the Punjab Information Technology Board (PITB), the institution that was strengthened by now caretaker minister Umar Saif, freelancers are being trained from 2017-18. Folks at PITB claim that under this initiative, the board has trained around 56,000 freelancers in various domains that have reported a cumulative earning of Rs8 billion during that period. Similarly Arif Alvi also launched the Presidential Initiative on Artificial Intelligence and Computing in 2018 to train new resources in advanced technologies that would eventually lead on to increase exports. Over 100,000 applications have been received under this initiative since its launch. Data from the Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP) also mentions the IT sector among the top 3 sectors in which new IT companies were being launched increasingly. This hints at the government’s ownership of increasing ease of doing business.

Much of this work had started during the tenure of former prime minister Imran Khan. In fact, the current IT export policy was also

Published by Asad Nizami at Qandeel Printing Press, 4 Queens Road, Lahore, for PT Print (Pvt) Limited. Ph: 042-36300938, 042-36375965. Email: newsroom@pakistantoday.com.pk

completed in December last year but could not be released due to political turmoil. Meanwhile the global IT industry landscape changed, national politics changed and the Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC) was formed.

Given these factors, the policy was recalibrated and announced recently with different targets.

Now, why could the report not be made public? It is purely strategic, as I have come to know. The government thinks that the country would stand to lose its competitiveness, if through the report the government itself validates that serious structural problems exist in the country. Assumptions could be made on such validations and business would flow to other countries that do not have such problems. That is to say your IT company could lose an export contract if they come to know of your country’s problems through your government, even though you might be able to work it out on the ground knowing how things work here. So it is rather in the interest of the government to solve the problems discreetly, all the while keeping a good face in public by disclosing only that it is solving the problems without disclosing much details publicly.

Mind you that the government engages credible people that not only help the government lay out a plan but debate on different solutions to different problems. Only the best solutions would be executed based on these deliberations. So while the $10-18 billion number might sound unrealistic to some, it might be pretty much achievable.

There’s not enough transparency yet to say for certain.