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Rs 15.00 | Vol XIV No 130 I 8 Pages I Islamabad Edition

PM Kakar meets President Shavkat Mirziyoyev on sidelines of 16th Summit of ECO g Says recent operationalization of PTA, UPTTA to boost bilateral trade, streamline ECOTA g

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TASHKENT

Staff RepoRt

AKISTAN and Uzbekistan on Wednesday reiterated the resolve to finalize the Strategic Partnership Agreement at the earliest to promote regional economic integration. The bilateral ties were discussed in a bilateral meeting between Caretaker Prime Minister Anwaarul Haq Kakar and President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev, on the sidelines of the 16th Summit of the Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO) being held here.

Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to play an active role for the regional connectivity.

The leaders exchanged views on deepening bilateral cooperation in a range of areas including political, trade, economic, security, defence, and connectivity.

Expressing satisfaction at the growing level of bilateral cooperation, Prime Minister

Kakar stressed the importance of sustaining the momentum.

He underlined that the recent operationalization of Preferential Trade Agreement (PTA) and Transit Trade Agreement (UPTTA) would boost bilateral trade and transit trade in addition to streamlining Economic Cooperation Organization Trade Agreement (ECOTA).

They reaffirmed commitment to the early completion of UzbekistanAfghanistan-Pakistan railway project.

Prime Minister Kakar and President Mirziyoyev discussed on the ongoing humanitarian situation in Gaza and other regional and global developments.

PM’S MEETING WITH ECO SECRETARY GENERAL Earlier, Caretaker Prime Minister Anwaarul Haq Kakar held a meeting with the Secretary General ECO Ambassador Khusrav Noziri, on the sidelines of the 16th ECO Summit in Tashkent, Uzbekistan.

They reviewed the recent developments

in the Organization especially in the domain of trade, connectivity and economic cooperation. The situation in Indian Occupied Jammu & Kashmir and Middle East also came under discussion.

The Secretary General ECO thanked Prime Minister for Pakistan’s firm support to the ECO and assured him of the commitment of the Secretariat to strengthen trade and connectivity in the region.

Earlier, Caretaker Prime Minister Anwaarul Haq Kakar arrived in Tashkent on Wednesday on a two-day visit to attend the 16th Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO) Summit.

Prime Minister of Uzbekistan Abdulla Nigmatovich Aripov warmly welcomed PM Kakar as he arrived at the Tashkent airport along with his delegation comprising Foreign Minister Jalil Abbas Jilani and Commerce Minister Gohar Ejaz.

At the summit, the prime minister will reaffirm Pakistan’s commitment to ECO Vision 2025 and the promotion of regional co-

G7 calls for humanitarian pauses in Gaza, hostages’ release

operation in the areas of trade, transport, connectivity, energy, tourism and economic growth and productivity.

On the sidelines of the summit, he will also engage in bilateral discussions with the leadership of Uzbekistan and other participating leaders.

ECO VISION 2025 Earlier, Foreign Minister Jalil Abbas Jilani stressed Pakistan’s determination to achieve the ECO Vision 2025 as a member state to promote intra-regional trade.

IMF seeks briefing on SIFC’s role

g

TOKYO

agencieS

G7 foreign ministers on Wednesday called for humanitarian pauses in the Israel-Hamas war to allow in aid and help the release of hostages, and sought a return to a broader peace process.

Ending a two-day meeting in Tokyo as Israeli forces continued to pound the Gaza Strip, the Group of Seven wealthy nations said in a joint statement that Israel had the right to defend itself. But they also underscored the need to protect civilians and to comply with international humanitarian law.

G7 members are committed to preparing longterm solutions for Gaza and a return to a broader peace process in the Israel-Palestinian conflict “in line with the internationally agreed parameters,” the statement said.

The ministers shared the view that “a two-state solution… remains the only path to a just, lasting, and secure peace”. It was only the second joint statement from the G7 since gunmen from the Palestinian group Hamas triggered the war with an attack on southern Israel on Oct.7, killing 1,400 people and taking some 240 hostages.

The Israeli bombardment of Gaza has since killed more than 10,000 Palestinians, around 40% of them

ISLAMABAD

The interim federal government, for the first time, is likely to release funds worth approximately Rs 29 billion for the development schemes proposed by former lawmakers across the country, it was learnt on Tuesday. According to sources, the caretaker prime minister Anwaarul Haq Kakar has desired constitution of the steering committee and the federal cabinet has granted its necessary approval for the formation of a

Concerns shown over impact of SIFC on tax collection and subsidies ISLAMABAD

Shahzad paRacha

children, according to counts by health officials in the Hamas-ruled territory.

“I believe it’s important that the G7 was able to put out its first unified message as a statement regarding a humanitarian pause… in terms of the responsibility the G7 has towards the international community,” Japanese Foreign Minister Yoko Kamikawa told reporters.

In a first, caretaker govt may release Rs29b for development schemes ahmad ahmadani

In a statement at the 27th ECO Council of Ministers meeting held at Shusha, Azerbaijan, he said that ECO intra-regional trade was less than eight percent of the region’s aggregate trade and was in stark contrast to other regional groupings such as the European Union, where intra-regional trade stood above 70 percent.

He recalled the ‘ECO Vision 2025’ adopted during the 13th ECO Summit in Islamabad, which aptly provided them with a roadmap.

24-member steering committee.

And, this steering committee shall approve release/surrender of funds to the provincial governments, federal ministries and division. Similarly, the committee will ensure implementation of the schemes/programmes through provincial governments and line ministries/divisions as per approved policy. Likewise, this committee will periodically review the progress of the programmes/schemes, and oversee the financial aspects of the programmes/schemes.

Asked whether all G7 members were calling for humanitarian pauses or whether some favoured a full ceasefire, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said the statement accurately reflected what was discussed and that there was “real unity” among the bloc.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 03 Sources said that four caretaker federal ministers and nine senators have been included in the 24-member committee. They said that the disbursement of funds after the dissolution of the National Assembly was stopped due to the dissolution of the steering committee.

They said Rs 90 billion were allocated for development schemes for the current financial year and the PDM government had released funds worth Rs 61 billion in just 40 days for the development schemes. Remaining Rs 29 billion worth funds which were stalled will now be released for the development schemes across the country, said sources.

Earlier, Pakistan Peoples’ Party and other political parties demanded for the release of funds for the development schemes, the sources added.

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has sought a briefing from the Finance ministry on the Special Investment Facility Council (SIFC). Sources said that technical level discussions are being continued between Pakistan and the IMF staff mission. These discussions will continue tomorrow despite the public holiday. The lender has reportedly asked MoF for a briefing on SIFC which was formed to attract foreign investment in five key sectors including Energy, Mining, IT, Agriculture and Defence. Sources said that the IMF is concerned about the impact of SIFC’s actions on tax collection and subsidies. Sources said that the Pakistani side informed the mission team that the government under SIFC is making efforts to bring investment in the country. They also told the mission that UAE, Saudi Arabia and Qatar have shown interest in making investments in the aviation and Petroleum sectors. Sources also said that France, Germany and South Korea have also been keen on long-term contracts in taking managerial control of loss making DISCOs. In addition, the Finance ministry also shared proposals to bridge the external finance gap with the IMF team. The external finance gap will be filled by foreign direct investment which will start from January next year. Sources said that the IMF team and finance ministry during the technical level negotiations also reviewed government guarantees, Central Bank Loans and External Payments. It was revealed that the burden of government guarantees was also reduced to Rs 3.85 trillion from Rs 4.048 trillion. The target was to limit the burden of government guarantees to Rs 4 trillion by September 2023. The IMF has also directed Pakistan to not to issue new guarantees and instructed the Pakistani side to place a bar on borrowing from the central bank. Meanwhile, the economic team has also assured the IMF that external debt payments will not be delayed. In addition, the Single Treasury Account will also be implemented by the end of this month.

Pakistan witnessed sharp rise in terror after Kabul takeover, says Kakar g

CONTINUED ON PAGE 03

Regrets Afghan govt failed to take action against those involved in cross-border terrorism ISLAMABAD

Staff RepoRt

Caretaker Prime Minister Anwaarul Haq on Wednesday said a number of Afghan nationals living in Pakistan illegally were involved in terrorism and crime, elaborating on that the country had every right to deport the illegal migrants. The rising terrorism in Pakistan after the recent provocative statements issued by the Afghan nationals [about Islamabad’s decision to send home all the illegal foreigners] was very significant, Kakar said.

Addressing a press conference, he said Kabul must hand over all those persons who were behind the terror activities in Pakistan, saying that a list of wanted terrorists had already provided to the Afghan Taliban.

However, he regretted that the Afghan interim government had not taken any action against those involved in cross-border terrorism – a clear reference to the outlawed Tehreek-e-

Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and other groups.

Taking action against the TTP was in the interest of both countries, Kakar made it clear that the threatening statements issued by Kabul were unfortunate. Pakistan decided to take steps for tackling the situation after Kabul didn’t give a positive reaction, he said in reference to the moves like the deportation of illegal foreign residents, adding that the statements issued by the Kabul officials made it impossible to solve the matters amicably.

Kakar noted that Pakistan had witnessed a 60 percent rise in terrorism acts after the interim government (Taliban) came into power in Afghanistan. The Afghan interim government must realise that the two neighbours were independent countries, he added.

The caretaker prime minister said Pakistan had every right to fix the affairs within the country. Islamabad had been trying to make the world community pay attention to the issue, he said, adding that a United Na-

tions report too had mentioned the role of Afghanistan-based terrorists in the terrorism acts in Pakistan. Replying to several questions related to the deportation of illegal Afghan nationals and the reaction of nationalists parties in Pakistan, the caretaker prime minister said some people were taking refuge in the illegal foreigners and Pakhtun nationalism.

Unregulated cross-border movement should never be allowed, Kakar stated.

He rejected the attempt to create an impression that Pakhtuns were being targeted while mentioning that he himself was a Pakhtun. “Targeting Pakhtuns is simply unacceptable,” Kakar told reporters.

Some people used to describe Afghanistan as Pakistan’s fifth province, he recalled and again made it clear that illegal foreigners would never be allowed to live in the country while also ruling out the possibility of any policy change.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 03

US clarifies ‘no equipment left behind’ during Afghanistan pullout WASHINGTON

Staff RepoRt

Expressing condolences on the recent wave of terror attacks in Pakistan, including the Mianwali air base assault, the US State Department has affirmed that “no equipment was left behind by American forces during the Afghanistan withdrawal” that could be utilised by terrorists to target Pakistan. The US State Department’s principal deputy spokesperson, Vedant Patel, made this statement during a press briefing on Tuesday, in response to a query regarding reports that Pakistani security forces had allegedly recovered US-made weapons from terrorists after the recent airbase attack. Nine terrorists were killed in a clearance operation after terrorists infiltrated the Mianwali Training Air Base of the Pakistan Air Force in the early hours of Saturday. According to reports, terrorists scaled the eight-foot high boundary wall of the PAF base after cutting the barbed wire and attacked some grounded aircraft besides damaging an oil bowser. The Inter-Services Public Relations had said the attack on the air base had been foiled, with three terrorists “neutralised” and three others “cornered/isolated”. In a later update, ISPR had said that no damage had been done to any of the PAF’s functional operational assets, while only some damage was done to three already phasedout non-operational aircraft during the attack.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 03

02 NEWS

PPP TO WIN POLLS ‘WITH OR WITHOUT LEVEL-PLAYING FIELD’: BILAWAL

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KARACHI

Staff RepoRt

AKISTAN Peoples Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari on Wednesday said that his party would emerge victorious in the February 8 elections “with or without a level-playing field”.

Addressing a press conference here, flanked by former Sindh chief minister Syed

SHC seeks arguments on maintainability of plea against deportation of illegal immigrants

KARACHI: The Sindh High Court on Wednesday denied issuing notices to federal and Sindh governments and sought arguments on maintainability of a petition filed against repatriation of illegally staying foreign nationals in country. A division bench of the high court comprising Justice Naimatullah Phulpoto and Justice Amjad Ali Sehto while hearing plea said that deportation of illegal immigrants is a state policy, and the court could not intervene in it. The bench sought arguments on maintainability of the petition, “How petitioner has been affected by this decision of the government,” Justice Phulpoto questioned. “How could the court interfere in the state’s policy and decision,” Justice Sehto asked. “We could not intervene in the state policy,” Justice Phulpoto remarked. “People staying illegally in Pakistan are being deported,” the bench remarked. “If any Pakistani could stay in Saudi Arabia or any other country after expiry of visa,” bench questioned. “You could not stay in a foreign country for single day after expiry of visa,” court maintained. “How could a person stay illegally in Pakistan,” bench questioned.

Petitioner’s counsel said that the Pakistan’s law protects rights of everyone. “The articles you are quoting as reference, only related to Pakistani nationals. Pakistan’s law only protects its nationals,” Justice Phulpoto remarked. The court asked petitioner’s lawyer to convince the court over maintainability of the petition. Staff RepoRt

PTI’s Khadija Shah gets bail in controversial tweets case

LAHORE: An Additional District and Sessions Court here on Wednesday granted post-arrest bail to PTI’s activist and fashiondesigner Khadija Shah in the controversial tweets case linked to May 9 riots. Additional District and Sessions Judge Muhammad Nawaz pronounced the reserved verdict, granting Mrs Shah bail against the surety bonds of Rs100,000. The designer, however, would have to remain in the jail as she has yet to get bail in another case. Khadija Shah, a Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) activist and former finance minister Dr Salman Shah’s daughter is currently in jail on judicial remand in Jinnah House attack case following the arrest of former prime minister and PTI chief on May 9. Violent clashes broke out across Pakistan after the former prime minister and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf chief Imran Khan was arrested by paramilitary Rangers from the Islamabad High Court (IHC) on May 9.

Earlier, the counsel for Khadija Shah argued that his client had nothing to do with the cases registered against her in connection with the May 9 riots. He further argued that his client’s repeated arrests showed malafide intent on the part of concerned quarters and implored the court that the petitioner has been granted bail by the Lahore High Court (LHC) in two FIRs in light of the CCPO’s report, submitted before the court, ensuring that only two FIRs had been registered against her. He added that as she was granted bail in the other two cases, she was arrested in the third case which had not been disclosed before LHC. He argued that a contempt plea is still pending before LHC which Khadija had filed against police officials. The counsel further implored that Khadija was arrested on different pretexts by either the Punjab police or the FIA but nothing is on record to establish her nexus with the allegations being levelled against her. He requested the court to grant her bail adding a ‘forged case’ has been registered against her client. On the other hand, the law officer strongly opposed the version of the petitioner’s counsel arguing that substantial evidence is available to establish the nexus of the petitioner with offences she was accused of and prayed to dismiss her bail plea. Staff RepoRt

Murad Ali Shah and Mayor Karachi Murtaza Wahab, Bilawal asserted that PPP will not only form government in the province but also at the Centre. “It will be the first time that a jiyala would be a prime minister, [Sindh] chief minister, and [Karachi] mayor,” he added. Bilawal said that his party would change the fortunes of Karachi, as well as the province, if elected during the polls.

“We will create sports facilities in each district of Karachi. We want youth to take in-

terest in sports so they don’t get involved in bad activities,” he added.

The PPP chairman said the people of Karachi and Malir were with his party, urging them to use the power of vote to bring prosperity to the metropolis.

“We want the youth to attain skills so they can earn a livelihood. PPP’s first duty is to help the masses in need and if we are voted into power, we will continue our mission,” he maintained.

Thursday, 9 November, 2023 | ISLAMABAD

To a question about level-playing field, Bilawal said that PPP has never been provided one in the past as well.

“We were not given it during the 1998 elections but people made their decision and we formed the government. We were also not provided it during the 2008 elections.

Many of our workers were martyred during Karsaz [tragedy]. Benazir Bhutto was also martyred in Rawalpindi.

“I would ask workers not to complain

Discos to confiscate appliances, impose detection bills to recover losses PROFIT

MonitoRing DeSk

The government has submitted a proposal to the National Power Regulatory Authority (Nepra) for amendments to the Consumer Service Manual (CSM) in a bid to empower distribution companies (Discos) with the authority to confiscate electrical appliances and impose detection bills on consumers and premises found involved in power theft.

Nepra will consult with stakeholders regarding the amendments to the CSM within the next 10 days and the amended manual is expected to be officially notified and implemented within one month.

The government has tasked the regulator with making adjustments to the CSM to address multiple connections and separate electricity meters in residential premises that lack direct and separate entrances from the main roads.

Initially, consumers will be given the option to voluntarily apply for a single Time-of-Use (TOU) meter for houses with a single entry. Subsequently, compulsory removal of multiple meters, along with associated costs, will be enforced.

Under the proposed CSM, Discos will review all premises larger than 10 marlas or equivalent, where multiple connections are present. Consumers with more than one non-TOU meter will receive a 15-day notice to apply for load consolidation, converting all nonTOU meters into TOU meters. Failure to comply will result in a disconnection of supply.

Following the expiration of the 15day notice, the assistant manager (operations) of Discos will conduct a field survey to confirm whether consumers have applied for load consolidation or submitted the required documents. If consumers fail to do so, Discos will proceed with the disconnection of multiple non-TOU meters.

The decision defines instances of illegal electricity use and theft, which include unauthorized power connections, direct connections to Discos’ supply or distribution lines without proper metering, meter tampering, and the presence of unauthorized devices in buildings or premises. Offering money or other considerations to Discos’ officials for electricity-related reasons is also categorized as electricity theft.

In these cases, Discos will treat the

offense as electricity theft and report it to the police in accordance with relevant legal provisions.

This will be followed by the disconnection of electricity. Any confiscated material will serve as evidence of theft, and it will be retained for use in legal proceedings.

If the same premises or consumer is found involved in theft or illegal supply again, Discos will not only take legal action but also remove electrical equipment and appliances used for consuming stolen electricity. Law enforcement agencies will issue a search warrant, and in the presence of the concerned Disco representative, they will enter and remove the relevant equipment.

To recover their losses, Discos will issue detection bills to unregistered and registered consumers equivalent to 12 months and six months respectively. In second instance, the unregistered and registered consumers would be charged detection bills equivalent to 36 months and 18 months respectively.

For the third such instance, the unregistered and registered consumers would be charged detection bills equivalent to 60 months and 30 months respectively.

KP industrialists demand withdrawal of gas, power tariff hike PESHAWAR

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Industrialists have termed the recent hike in gas and electricity tariff, including collection of fixed charges unconstitutional and unfair, asking the government to withdraw the decision to save the KP industry from total destruction.

The manufacturers demanded the property tax exemption should be extended till the formation of the next government, keeping in view the current economic slowdown. The industrialists also emphasized timely provision of all financial resources for the dedicated police station in Hayatabad Industrial Estate Peshawar.

According to a press release issued here on Wednesday, a high-level delegation of industrialists headed by the president of Industrialists Association Peshawar, Ayub Zakori held a meeting with the Governor of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Haji Ghulam Ali, at Governor House. During the meeting, the president of the association explained in detail the concerns of the factory owners regarding these above mentioned matters and issues.

The delegation consisted of former Presidents Riaz Arshad, Malik Niaz

Ahmed, and Secretary General Muqtasid Ahsan, Executive members Farhad Asfandyar, Junaid Altaf, Secretary Wasiullah and member Faisal Shah and others.

Ayub Zakori, the association president while speaking during the meeting said that KP has first right to utilize its gas, electricity and other natural resources under Article 158-A of the constitution of the country.

However, he said gas and electricity were provided to people and business community of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa on exorbitant rates, besides electricity fixed charges are also collected from them, which is completely contrary to the above mentioned article of the constitution and tantamount to usurping constitutional rights of the province, which is unbearable and unacceptable.

The IAP chief urged the government to withdraw the recent massive increase in gas and electricity prices immediately so that businesses and industries in the province flourished that would also generate further employment opportunities in the province.

Former Vice President SCCI Junaid Altaf raised the issue and hurdles faced by local pharmaceutical industries in getting registration from the Afghan

government for exports of medicine to Afghanistan.

He also requested the governor to honour KPK pharmaceutical association in award distribution ceremony among pharmaceutical industries and health department officials for their services to the sector.

Ayub Zakori also demanded to extend the exemption of property tax till the formation of the next government.

On the occasion, IAP chief also conveyed reservations of business community, especially industrialists regarding issuance of challans as per section 9 of EOBI despite the stay order and the direction of the superior court.

After a detailed discussion, the Governor Haji Ghulam Ali fully said resolution of the problems of the business community and industrialists was essential for the promotion of continuous economic activities.

The Governor assured that efforts would be made to solve problems on priority basis. Governor Haji Ghulam Ali on this occasion agreed to make joint efforts for the immediate solution of the problems of the business community, however, he emphasized the need for forging unity among the traders community in this regard.

about level-playing field because we are never provided one. But I assure you that only PPP will emerge victorious in elections,” he further said.

Pakistani businessmen tapping agricultural market at China Int’l Import Expo

SHANGHAI: Pakistan made it to the top ten exporters of grain and its products to China in the year 2022, registering $456 million in value and representing a 14.12% growth y-o-y. China Economic Net (CEN) stated on Wednesday quoting 2023 China Import Food Report released at the China Import Food Summit held at the China International Import Expo (CIIE) in Shanghai. “China is a crucial market for us.

This is my first visit to China, and its vibrant consumption market amazed me”, Pakistani sesame and rice dealer Muhammad Omair told CEN. He said so far this year, his company alone has exported over 150 containers of sesame to China and he strives to push it higher by setting up an exhibition stand at CIIE. “Cheap freight, competitive prices, and high-quality products under the bilateral free trade agreement hold the key to Pakistan’s grain export”, he told CEN reporter, adding, “high oil content in sesame makes it increasingly popular among oil extraction companies in China”. In the first three quarters this year, Pakistan has exported sesame worth $56,446,268 to China, recording a 41% growth from the same period in 2022, according to statistics from China’s General Administration of Customs. “Broken rice for animal feed, too, has a good demand in China. In the past three years since I started exporting to China, a steady increase has been recorded.

Last year we were exporting between 70200 containers a month to China despite the influence of floods”, Muhammad Omair said. Statistics from China’s General Administration of Customs show a 20% increase in its import of broken rice from Pakistan. “As the CIIE is being organized offline in full swing without the impediment of the pandemic, it offers golden matchmaking opportunities for Pakistani and other international businesses to exploit the vast, open market”, Muhammad Omair added. Staff CoRReSponDent

Umme Rubab Chandio says she fears for her life

DADU: Umme Rubab Chandio, the petitioner in the case of 2018 triple murder in Mehar tehsil of district Dadu in Sindh, has said on Wednesday that her life is in danger. Accusing the police of tampering with her case’s record and hurling life threats at her, Rubab, in a video statement, has appealed to the Sindh inspector general of police to immediately take its notice and order action against the police officials.

She has further said that now she is sure that DIG Larkana Nasir Aftab is a part of the conspiracy hatched against her.

Rubab’s father Mukhtiar Chandio, grandfather Karamullah Chandio and her paternal uncle Qabil Chandio were gunned down in Mehar on 17 January 2018. Staff RepoRt

Pakistan Railways to improve track visibility in foggy conditions via TDAS ISLAMABAD

Staff RepoRt

Pakistan Railways has planned to introduce the ‘Train Driver Assistant System’ (TDAS) for helping train drivers to have a clear view of the railway tracks up to an impressive distance of 700 meters.

According to an official of Ministry of Pakistan Railways, “The technology aims to enhance the safety and efficiency of train operations during adverse weather conditions, particularly in the presence of dense smog and fog.” He said that the TDAS system was set to revolutionize the way trains navigate through foggy landscapes. It promised not only to avert potential accidents but also to facilitate smooth rail travel when visibility is severely compromised.

The official of MoPRs said the capabilities of this dig-

ital system extend beyond improved visibility; it can also identify and monitor vital elements such as signals, level crossings, gates, track obstructions, and other potential hazards within the same 700-meter radius. The official

said this comprehensive approach to training management promises to reduce the risk of accidents significantly.

Initially, he said the department was planning to install the anti-fog device in four engines. However, Pakistan Railways has outlined a strategic expansion plan, with the ultimate goal of equipping all trains with this life-saving technology in the coming year.

He said in a move to combat the persistent challenge of fog-related train delays, Pakistan Railways has joined hands with the University of Engineering Taxila (UET) to introduce a cutting-edge ‘Digital Railway Driving System.’

The official said the system is not only expected to facilitate timely train movements on foggy days but will also be instrumental in averting accidents during severe foggy weather, enhancing the overall safety and efficiency of Pakistan’s railway network.

KP Minister directs authorities to preserve historic record of tribal areas PESHAWAR

Staff RepoRt

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Caretaker Minister for Newly Merged Districts Affairs, Industries, Commerce and Technical Education, Dr. Aamer Abdullah Wednesday said that Tribal Research Cell is an important heritage for the availability of authentic records related to the historical background of the merged districts and former tribal areas of the province while directed the relevant authorities to preserve the available historical record and other written materials in the cell.

He said that the authorities should submit a reasonable development scheme for approval so that to not only ensure the long-term preservation of records available in the re-

search cell, rather make the availability of these historical materials and literature possible for researchers through online facilitation.

He expressed these views during a visit to the historical Tribal Research Cell, established under the Home and Tribal Affairs Department in Namak Mandi here.

During the visit, the minister inspected various parts of the research cell and checked the historical records and official files of the pre-independence and post-independence periods related to the affairs of tribal areas, former states merged into the province and neighbouring country Afghanistan.

Speaking on this occasion, he described the cell as a very important asset for the convenience of researchers from a historical and

research point of view, and directed to get support from the Archives Directorate to preserve all the old records here, while digitizing all the records of the cell.

He also directed to prepare a PC.1 and submit it within a week time regarding technological facilitation of digitizing the old record available in the cell.

The minister asked the authorities to also contact the UN organization UNESCO, in terms of getting assistance for the preservation of such a historical record.

He emphasized on the cataloging of historical files and written collections in the cell and asked that the cell should contact the relevant departments of the University of Peshawar to get the support of researchers in utilization of such historical records.

NEWS 03

MARTYRS’ FAMILIES PLEAD FOR SPEEDY JUSTICE THROUGH MILITARY COURTS Thursday, 9 November, 2023 | ISLAMABAD

T

ISLAMABAD

Staff RepoRt

HE families of Shuhda-e-Pakistan (Martyrs of Pakistan) on Wednesday urged the quarters concerned to restore the military courts to ensure speedy justice to the victims of terrorism as their abolition had further added to their pain.

Addressing a presser-cum-protest at the National Press Club, the martyrs’ families appealed to the Supreme Court to review its decision against the military courts.

Nawabzada Jamal Raisani, Haji Sanaullah Khan, Rahimullah, Wazir Farman Elahi, Anwar Zeib, Fawzia, Muhammad Jamshed and others were among the heirs of martyrs, who addressed the presser.

They said that the military courts were all the more important to provide justice to the victims of terrorism and rioting as, otherwise, it might lead to higher terror incidents. It might also embolden enemy secret

SHC confiscates Siraj Durrani’s security deposit in illegal appointments case

agency to go for any misadventure like Kulbhushan Yadav. The families said: “The martyrs are the nation’s pride and the apex court is requested to have a thorough review of underlying factors in order to effectively

KARACHI: The Sindh High Court (SHC) on Wednesday confiscated security deposit of Agha Siraj Durrani in Lyari Medical University illegal appointments case. The high court had granted protective bail to Siraj Durrani and ordered him to surrender before the accountability court within 10 days, on November 30, 2021. “Seemingly, Agha Siraj has failed to comply with the court order,” the high court bench observed. The court rejected Agha Siraj Durrani’s plea for return of the security deposit and confiscated Rs1 million amount. The counsel of the petitioner said that Agha Siraj was intending to surrender but could not appear before the court in corruption case. “You failed to surrender, now you have to face the consequences,” Justice Zafar Ahmad Rajpur remarked. Staff RepoRt

G7 calls for humanitarian pauses in Gaza, hostages’ release CONTINUED FROM PAGE 01

The communique also reiterated G7 support for Ukraine in its war with Russia, highlighted the need for frank engagement with China and condemned North Korea’s missile tests and arms transfers to Russia. The G7 comprises Britain, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan and the United States, with the European Union also taking part in the talks. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said Israel would consider “tactical little pauses” but has rejected calls for a ceasefire that it says would allow Hamas to regroup. The G7 had appeared to struggle to agree on a firm, united approach to the war, raising questions over its relevance as a force to tackle major crises.

LONG-TERM PLAN: On Tuesday, the ministers also discussed what happens after the Gaza conflict ends and how to revitalise peace efforts in the Middle East.

Israel has been vague about its long-term plans for Gaza. In some of the first direct comments on the subject, Netanyahu said this week that Israel would seek to have security responsibility for Gaza “for an indefinite period”. But Israeli Foreign Minister Eli Cohen told the Wall Street Journal that Israel wanted the territory to be under an international coalition, including the US, European Union and Muslim-majority countries, or administered by Gaza political leaders. Blinken told reporters following the G7 meetings that Gaza could not be under Hamas or Israeli control. “Now, the reality is that there may be a need for some transition period at the end of the conflict… We don’t see a reoccupation and what I’ve heard from Israeli leaders is that they have no intent to reoccupy Gaza,” he said. Blinken also said sustained peace must involve a unified Gaza and West Bank governed by the Palestinian Authority and that there must be no forced displacement of Palestinians from Gaza and no reduction in the enclave’s territory.

“We believe that the time is now to start the conversation about the future,” he said.

curb anti-state activities and terror acts while delivering verdicts through military courts.”

They indicated that they would formally file a petition in that regard in the apex court on Monday (November 13).

The martyrs’ heirs said that they had gathered at this point to demonstrate their unity to carry forward a movement for the restoration of military courts.

They said that they were just trying to uphold the sanctity of the martyrs’ blood and added that the military courts would surely take the elements involved in terrorist activities to task and give solace to their heirs. The families stressed for quick disposal of Kulbhushan’s case at the the International Court of Justice so that spy networks should be discouraged.

The families pointed out that the real issue was the lengthy and slow judicial process so they were demanding the military court trials of the culprits without further delay. “It is our responsibility to stand against the anti-state elements. Those affected by terrorism deserve due respect and care. The children and families of martyrs stand united on the issue as their loved ones sacrificed their lives for the motherland,” they added.

PM Kakar arrives in Tashkent to attend two-day ECO Summit TASHKENT

Staff RepoRt

Caretaker Prime Minister Anwaarul Haq Kakar arrived in Tashkent on Wednesday on a two-day visit to attend the 16th Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO) Summit.

Prime Minister of Uzbekistan Abdulla Nigmatovich Aripov warmly welcomed PM Kakar as he arrived at the Tashkent airport along with his delegation comprising Foreign Minister Jalil Abbas Jilani and Commerce Minister Gohar Ejaz.

At the summit, the prime minister will reaffirm Pakistan’s commitment to ECO Vision 2025 and the promotion of regional cooperation in the areas of trade, transport, connectivity, energy, tourism and economic growth and productivity.

On the sidelines of the summit, he will also engage in bilateral discussions with the leadership of Uzbekistan and other participating leaders.

ECO VISION 2025: Earlier, Foreign Minister Jalil Abbas Jilani stressed Pak-

istan’s determination to achieve the ECO Vision 2025 as a member state to promote intra-regional trade.

In a statement at the 27th ECO Council of Ministers meeting held at Shusha, Azerbaijan, he said that ECO intra-regional trade was less than eight percent of the region’s aggregate trade

and was in stark contrast to other regional groupings such as the European Union, where intra-regional trade stood above 70 percent.

He recalled the ‘ECO Vision 2025’ adopted during the 13th ECO Summit in Islamabad, which aptly provided them with a roadmap.

Award-winning power solution from Pakistan shines at CIIE the shiny exhibition stand of UNIDO. “Basically, my project is about improving the stability of wind power provision by adding an auxiliary system so that wind can be produced even under conditions where the natural wind is at very low speed”, he said.

“Take the solar system as an analogy, it works well during the daytime when there is sunshine. If it’s cloudy, the efficiency goes down”.

“The same applies to wind. There is not sufficient wind throughout the year.

Maybe in the month of April to September, there is heavy wind or fast wind, but from October to March, the wind speed can be very low, and the energy conversion efficiency is very low”.

“My system is working on another auxiliary system, which is using another small unit that is producing enough

ISLAMABAD

Staff RepoRt

An award-winning power solution from Pakistan shines at China International Import Expo (CIIE) in Shanghai.

At the ongoing CIIE, Prof. Dr. Zeeshan Ali, Dean Faculty of Engineering, Dawood University of Engineering and Technology said, he finds his first visit to China rewarding.

At the award ceremony of the UNIDO Global Call 2023 on Monday initiated by the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), he won the third prize in this global competition that aims to collect outstanding green energy solutions from all countries in the world and had an opportunity to present his innovative Vertical Axis Wind Turbine (VAWT) solution at

wind speed to rotate the wind turbine or the rotor. That’s an innovation to the existing system. It doesn’t rely only on the natural wind, but also the kind of artificial wind. It provides wind energy nonstop at a capacity ranging from 300 to 1,000 watts,” he explained.

Currently, the system has already been applied in Karachi. By bringing it to the attention of global investors seeking opportunities at one of the largest international expos in China, he is expecting this Pakistani solution can be applied to more residences, hospitals, hotels, etc. and meanwhile contribute to SDG goals. “I’m wowed by the incessant flow of visitors at CIIE. The open market in China has given numerous startups like mine to seize a place in the highly competitive business arena,” he concluded.

Pakistan witnessed sharp rise in terror after Kabul takeover, says Kakar CONTINUED FROM PAGE 01

“We are announcing that Afghanistan is separate independent country.” He recalled that Pakistan was at war against terrorists but stated that terror incidents had nothing to do with the February 8 elections. “We should reply to the terrorists in the same fashion.” It was a duty of every citizen to get the computerised national identity card (CNIC) with the state being duty bound to issue it to every citizen, he said, while also promising the CNIC for everyone who was a Pakistan national by birth.

CURRENCY AND FOREIGN WEAPONS: About the local currency, Kakar was of the view that the fluctuation in the dollar exchange rate was because of the market, adding that any increase of one or two rupees in its price was not a significant development. The caretaker prime minister, however, admitted that foreign-made weapons were being traded in black market and used not only in Pakistan but also in the entire region – describing it an alarming trend.

Adiala Jail chief says can’t arrange Imran’s talk with sons

RAWALPINDI: Superintendent Adiala Jail on Wednesday expressed his inability to arrange telephonic talk of former prime minister and PTI Chairman Imran Khan with his sons. In his reply submitted to the Court of Official Secrets Act in Islamabad in a contempt case against him, the superintendent said that he had arranged Imran’s conversation with his sons on October 18. “However, one cannot talk to people on WhatsApp living overseas for an indefinite time period,” he said, and added, “In this connection, the court can give instructions to the Punjab home department to amend the rules.” The superintendent further said that in a letter the IG Jail had written regarding suspects imprisoned under the Official Secrets Act, he had made it clear that such prisoners did not have the facility of PCO. He went on to say that he could not even think of defying the court order. “Therefore, I pray to the court to dispose of the contempt of court petition against me,” he concluded. PTI’s lawyer Shiraz Ahmad Ranjha appeared in the court.

However, the case’s hearing had to be adjourned until Monday due to the absence of Judge Abual Hasnat Zulqarnain. Staff RepoRt

Pakistan ranked 45th in World Internet Development Index

BEIJING: Pakistan ranks 45th out of 52 countries in the World Internet Development Index with a score of 41.82, as per the World Internet Development Report 2023 launched on Wednesday at the 2023 World Internet Conference in Wuzhen, Zhejiang province.The World Internet Development Index consists of six metrics: information technology infrastructure, digital technology and innovation capability, digital economy, digital government, cyber security, and cyberspace international management. Pakistan ranks 47th, 43th, 42th, 45th, 45th, and 40th in these six indicators respectively.This is the first time that Pakistan has been included in the evaluation for the internet development blue paper, along with four other countries, CEN reported on Wednesday.The top five performers in the World Internet Development Index are the United States, China, Singapore, the Netherlands, and South Korea, according to the report.Compiled and launched annually since 2017 by the CACS, the World Internet Development Report evaluates the major trends of global Internet development of the year. Staff RepoRt

US clarifies ‘no equipment left behind’ during Afghanistan pullout CONTINUED FROM PAGE 01

The Tehreek-i-Jihad Pakistan (TJP), a newly emerged militant group that is an affiliate of the Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), had later claimed responsibility in a statement to media.

In a press briefing on Tuesday, the US official was asked to comment on the US counterterrorism cooperation with Pakistan and the reports of American weapons allegedly used in the Mianwali air base attack.

Patel responded: “We are aware of the reports of multiple attacks on Pakistani security forces and facilities earlier in November and we offer our condolences to the

families of the victims, but I want to be very clear about this: There was no equipment left behind by American forces during the withdrawal from Afghanistan.”

He also underlined that the “large-scale military grant assistance remains suspended”. “We have partnered with Pakistan for more than 40 years to support law enforcement, rule of law, counter-narcotics efforts, and other areas in the security space, and will continue to value our bilateral relationship,” the official added.

Pakistan has witnessed an uptick in terror activities in recent months, especially in KP and Balochistan, after the TTP ended its ceasefire with the government in November last year. On November 3, the day preceding the attack on

Mianwali air base, at least 14 Pakistan Army soldiers lost their lives in a militant ambush targeting two security force vehicles in Gwadar.

On Oct 31, a policeman was martyred after unknown militants opened fire on a police camp in Dera Ismail Khan. That same day, two soldiers were martyred in an IED blast in South Waziristan district. In July, as many as 12 soldiers of the Pakistan Army embraced martyrdom in separate military operations in the Zhob and Sui areas of Balochistan. Data compiled by the Pakistan Institute for Conflict and Security Studies (PICSS) in September said the number of militant attacks in August was the highest tally for monthly strikes in almost nine years.

In a first, caretaker govt may release Rs29b for development schemes CONTINUED FROM PAGE 01

It is also learnt from sources that Shahid Ashraf Tarar, Minister for Communication has been made chairman of this steering committee while Senator Sarfraz Ahmed Bugti, Minister for Interior, Dr. Nadeem Jan, Minister for National Health Services, Regulations & Coordination, Madad Ali Jan, Minister for Federal Education & Professional Training, Senator Danesh Kumar, Senator Palwasha Khan, Senator Irfan Siddiqui, Senator Kamran Murtaza, Senator Mohsin Aziz, Senator Tahir Bizenjo, Senator Sardar Muhammad Shafique Tareen, SenatorArbab Umar Farooq, Senator Syed Faisal Ali Sabzwari have been made members of the steering committee.

They said Secretary, ministry/division, has been made the Secretary of the committee while Secretaries of Finance, Planning, Development & Special Initiatives, power, petroleum, Housing & Works, Interior divisions have been made members of the com-

mittee and Additional Chief Secretaries (Development) of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Balochistan and Sindh are also made as members of the steering committee.

As per revised guidelines for Sustainable Development Goals Achievement Programme (SAP), the schemes of education, health , clean drinking water, roads (including streets, bridges etc.), sanitation, gas (missing gas infrastructure, subject to availability of gas, duly certified by the petroleum division), electricity (including solar system), interventions leading to SDGs (i.e. graveyard, places of worship, playgrounds, public parks and other community development initiatives etc.) would qualify for funding from the SDGs Achievement Pragramme (SAP) to develop human resource and ensure balanced regional growth.

Document available with Pakistan Today/Profit discloses the procedure which will be adopted for implementing the programme.

Under the procedure, at least 10 resi-

dents of the area, will identify the scheme(s), and the scheme(s) with estimated cost ranging between Rs 0.25 million to Rs 50 million shall be included in the programme. There will be no upper limit for gas sector schemes to enable Sui Companies i-e SNGPL and SSGCL to undertake projects having highest cost. In case of power sector scheme(s), the lower limit shall be Rs 0.15 million. Similarly, the schemes shall be forwarded by the residents to the concerned Deputy Commissioners for processing and approval from the approving forum as per rules/policy/instructions.

Likewise, the request of schemes may also be forwarded by the residents to the federal executing agencies of respective ministries/division for processing and approval from the approving forum as per riles/policy/instructions. Furthermore, Steering Committee is authorized to recommend release of lump-sum allocation of proposed funds to the provincial governments, federal ministries/division for further release/utiliza-

tion by the executing agencies against approved schemes. The funds will be released in the form of sanction letter/surrender orders, said document.

It is also learnt from the documents that concerned federal ministries/provincial governments/executing agencies will ensure fulfilling all the legal/codal formalities for utilization of funds. They will be responsible

for statutory audit of the funds and clearing all liabilities as a result of any adjudication/ legal dispensation. Moreover, the divisional commissioner shall oversee the progress of schemes in the districts by establishing divisional level monitoring setup and submit monitoring reports to the steering committee through the respective planning and development departments.

04 COMMENT

We are political beings!

The President’s letter

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President Arif Alvi’s letter did not go beyond the PTI’s concerns

RESIDENT Arif Alvi’s writing to the caretaker Prime Minister about the Pakistan Tehrik Insaf’s concerns about a level playing field for the coming elections sems more posturing than designed to achieve any result. President Alvi has tried to be the PTI’s sole representative in the corridors of power ever since the fall of the PTI government in April 2021, and this letter seems more of the same, designed to show to the party cadres that President Alvi has remained loyal to the party, rather than achieve anything. If he had really wanted to achieve anything, he would have done better to write to the Election Commission of Pakistan, so that it would then instruct the Caretaker President to take any necessary steps. In fact, some of the concerns expressed have to do with the provincial governments. Addressing the ECP would mean that all caretaker governments could be addressed by it.

Another problem with the President’s letter was that it probably did not go far enough. Mostly, they have to do with the fact that the PTI leadership is facing a crackdown for the attack on military installations on May 9, and its leadership is now behind bars. That implies judicial action rather than executive. All governments can do is not register cases, or not press prosecutions in cases already registered. Otherwise, the law will take its course. It is not as if the President’s objections are groundless. The PTI is facing the sort of pre-poll rigging that the PML(N) did in 2018, a process which started a year before, with the ouster of Mian Nawaz Sharif as Prime Minister.

President Alvi does not seem to have taken account of this in his letter, which is probably going to be why it is not going to have much effect. Without a confession of some sort, there will not be an end to the practice of pre-poll rigging, in which it is made clearly long before polls are held, what kind of results are acceptable. The problem is that no such confession is possible without an end to interference.

As long as there is some hope of winning outside intervention on its own side, no party is likely to act to end interference. President Alvi’s letter does not seem to achieve this, nor even its minimum objective, that of achieving relevance for himself.

Politics pervades everything we do

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INAmullAH mArWAt

week before, I got a chance to interact with the newly enrolled students at the Department of Political Science and International Relations in UMT, Lahore, in their “Introduction to Political Science” course. I usually teach courses falling within the discipline of International Relations. This was a class which I was taking on one other faculty’s behalf who was busy in a departmental meeting that day. Students I was having class with were majoring in Political Science.

Since it was a one-time encounter, I decided to have an interaction with students over something very basic in their discipline, that is politics. After asking initially a few students, what’s their understanding of Political Science and after getting a common answer from many that it’s a study of politics, when I further enquired what’s their understanding of politics and what kind of images they get in their minds for the word “politics”. I received a wide range of expected and interesting replies. Where many related politics with things happening in government’s corridors, others described politics as something that is not worth pursuing.

Sitting silent over what is unfolding in Palestine is also a political position because silence or apathy in the current situation will make the narratives of the pole that is justifying the killing of Palestinians louder than of that pole that is rallying around for this madness to stop

Dedicated to the legacy of late Hameed Nizami

Arif Nizami (Late) Founding Editor

Yousaf Nizami Editor Umar Aziz M. A. Niazi

Majority described politics as being “dodgy”, “exploitative”, “cunning”, “selfish” and “manipulative”.

Listening to their replies regarding their understanding of politics was not surprising, as in the popular discourse politics unfortunately has got only these connotations, nothing else. Not only are these negative connotations attached to politics in the popular mindset but they are being reinforced by the actions and interactions of those occupying power spaces in our society in real life. It’s tragic that politics in our society is so narrowly defined, and it’s more tragic that students who enter into academic spaces with the purpose of understanding the science of politics objectively even after completing their degree at times still subscribe to these popular notions about politics, and don’t clearly understand the scope of politics and how they can become a part of it.

To me, politics is the study of power and power exists around us in three shapes that comprise action, perception and feeling. Let me build up this concept of power and then will establish how politics is present around us in every moment and how we need to consciously approach it.

Power in action means having the ability to make someone do what you want them to do. Power in perception means having the ability to make someone think the way that you want them to think. Power in feeling means having the ability to make someone feel the way you want them to feel.

Power in action usually comes under hard power.

It’s the visible form of power which we usually see among states playing out. States having an edge over other states in any way- be it military, economy or natural resources or other- because of their clout do push other states in a particular way. Within the state, states have institutional infrastructure and any institution having an edge because of any reason does push other institutions in a particular way. This explanation of politics is more in line with the typical definitions of politics that says politics is the study of what happens in the power corridors of government or among states at international level.

Power’s existence in perception and feeling come under Soft Power. It’s the invisible form of power which is usually exhibited by many organs of the civil society comprising media, academia, literary figures, arts and painting etc. If someone or something is making you think or feel in a particular way, that’s also a display of power. When we look at power displays in

Israel’s armaments: Battle tested in Gaza for the global market Joint Editor

the soft domain, it seems like politics is all around us.

In every interaction or activity, we become a part of, we either influence or get influenced. Thus, when we read a book, we are engaged in politics. When we interact, we are engaged in politics. When we use social media, we are engaged in politics. In simple terms, our anger is politics. Our silence is politics. Our crying is politics. Our sadness is politics. Our jokes are politics.

In all these instances, we are interacting with the world around us and in these interactions we either reinforce the existing statuesque or challenge the existing reality.

In simple words, we breathe politics; we eat politics; we sleep politics. Politics is within us and around us. To put it in one other way, we are not human beings having a political experience rather we are political beings having human experience.

At the moment, in the world day in day out we are influenced by a huge influx of information about dayto-day developments. One option can be allowing politics to happen to you and the other is making it happen. In other words, one option can be allowing yourself to be influenced and the other can be reciprocating that influence. The need of the time at the moment is that we accept the reality of politics around us, own it and consciously pursue it. Our conscious pursuit of politics can help us get what we want and our apathy towards it will rob us of everything we have.

At the moment, on the global stage the way the Palestine-Israel conflict has divided the world into two poles in which one pole is justifying genocide of hapless Palestinians in the context of Israel’s proclaimed counterattack for self-defense and the other pole is raising concerns over an alarming humanitarian crisis in Gaza, it’s important that we through our speech or writing show our political position and add our contributions to the global political landscape, no matter how small they are. In the current situation.

Sitting silent over what is unfolding in Palestine is also a political position because silence or apathy in the current situation will make the narratives of the pole that is justifying the killing of Palestinians louder than of that pole that is rallying around for this madness to stop.

Inamullah Marwat is a lecturer at the Department of Political Science & International Relations at the University of Management & Technology (UMT), Lahore. He can be reached at inamullah.marwat@umt.edu.pk

Executive Editor

Editor’s mail

E.U.’s equivalent of a border security force, Holocaust, it has left a very terrible stain on the How Israel trades arms for support the mainly uses them as they fly over the Mediter- Jewish legacy. It appears as this legacy is sup-

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Thursday, 9 November, 2023

OWAIS KHAN

We must shift the arms race into a ‘peace race’. –Martin Luther King Jr

SRAEL has had its prolonged occupation of Palestine since 1967. Throughout those years, Israel’s military-industrial complex has been testing weapons, surveillance systems, and counterinsurgency techniques in the Occupied Palestinian Territories, which it then exports around the globe.

Israel has supplied nearly 130 nations worldwide with spyware, so-called smart walls, facial recognition technology, occupation and repression instruments, and other items tested in the Gaza Strip. Therefore, the conflict is no longer limited to Palestine as a geographical location. It has evolved into “Global Palestine.”

The term “Politicide” refers to the idea that the Israeli elite wants to eradicate the Palestinian people not merely by killing them but also by destroying their political identity and aspiration for self-determination. Israel has consequently encompassed its entire identity as a Jewish supremacist state. On the contrary, one may contend that Palestinian resistance also lives on.

Under Modi’s Hindu nationalist government, the strategic, military, and ideological ties between Israel and India are growing stronger. First, because of their defense partnership, India purchases enormous quantities of technology, spy gear, and defense supplies from Israel. Second, there’s an ideological alignment, the conviction that Modi’s Indian government of Hindu fundamentalists are vocal about their appreciation for Israel’s actions in the West Bank and their desire to replicate those actions in Kashmir.

In particular, Muslim refugees from Syria, Afghanistan, and other countries had overtaken the European Union, and Europeans didn’t want that to happen again. Additionally, they established nearly a fortress-style Europe using a variety of instruments and technologies to keep people out, primarily Muslims.

Employing Israeli drones is one aspect of that arsenal. Though they are unarmed, Frontex,

ranean constantly. As a result, they are returning all of these photos to Frontex’s headquarters in Warsaw 24/7. And although the E.U. refuses to acknowledge it, they have decided to let people drown; it is a new policy. Rescue boats are incredibly scarce. And that gets to the core of why the E.U. uses Israeli drones because they have been put to the test in combat over Gaza several times in the previous 15 years.

Exports from Israel’s border-industrial complex reach Mexico and the USA. Spread out over the border are vast Israeli monitoring towers manufactured by Elbit, the country’s top defence contractor, a vital component of the American arsenal located across the border in Mexico. Furthermore, the USA picked this company after its products underwent initial testing in Palestine.

Israel became an American ally, frequently providing countries with military assistance and training that the USA was unable to give formally due to potential congressional issues. The idea of learning the so-called skills that Israel was gaining through its occupation after 1967 was a significant draw for many of those countries, including Guatemala, Honduras, Chile under Pinochet, and a host of other countries in Latin and South America, Africa, and Asia.

Israel and the USA turned into indispensable allies. Israel disclosed its 2022 armament exports of $12.5 billion. Moreover, following the so-called Abraham Accords, 25 percent of that was flowing to the Arab autocracies. Not only is it a moral failing, but 75 years after the

porting the world’s worst dictators.

Pegasus, an Israeli spyware, has garnered much attention over the past ten years. It’s a tool that lets any law enforcement agency, military intelligence agency, or government spy on a person’s phone, whether Android or iOS, and gain all of its data. The largest consumers of it, as well as the main targets of this monitoring, are Mexico and Togo.

Furthermore, Israel offers Pegasus and other programmes as a diplomatic carrot, saying, “We will sell you the most powerful spyware in the world if you back us in the U.N. or elsewhere.” It has led to its sale in the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Rwanda, and numerous other oppressive nations. Israel is currently among the world’s top exporters of spyware, even if NSO Group vanishes tomorrow and goes bankrupt. There are many other similar technologies in Israel.

It is unethical and a violation of human rights for Israel to attack the Gaza Strip to test its weaponry and then sell them with the designation “Battle tested.” Meanwhile, the Muslim Ummah and the United Nations (UN) have to oppose Israel’s genocide against the Palestinian people in Palestine.

The Author is a research Professional at the Institute of Strategic Studies Islamabad (ISSI).

He graduated with a BS in International Relations from the University of Peshawar. He can be reached at ok94404@gmail.com.

It is unethical and a violation of human rights for Israel to attack the Gaza Strip to test its weaponry and then sell them with the designation „Battle tested.‰ Meanwhile, the Muslim Ummah and the United Nations (UN) have to oppose IsraelÊs genocide against the Palestinian people in Palestine

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Census issues

PAKISTAN is going through its first-ever digital census — a glimmer of hope as proper planning based on proper data will benefit our future generations.

Several issues have been reported of late, including corruption, improper arrangements for the field staff, hooliganism and non-cooperation by the citizens, that are hindering the digital census. It is shocking that senior officers are allegedly involved in misusing transportation funds allocated speci-fically for escorting the staff to their respective fields.

Besides, enumerators lack proper security. Many of them have faced mugging and harassment. On the very first day of campaign, in the Landhi area of Karachi, phones and valuables were snatched from members of the census field team as the civil adminis-tration had not provided security to them. Moreover, connectivity issues and malfunctioning devices have also been reported by team supervisors. The Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS) is conducting the census with the help of district administrations in all the provinces. The PBS should follow the action plan of the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) in which ECP sets up its own makeshift offices in government buildings, schools, parks, etc., every time elections are held anywhere in the country. By following the strategy, the PBS can ensure transparent use of funds and unhindered flow of the census operations throughout the country.

JIBRAN BAIG HYDERABAD

Academic integrity in the world of AI

ARTIFICIAL intelligence (AI) innovations like ChatGPT may well be seen as disruptive interventions to academic integrity because they have the potential to make it easier for individuals to obtain information and answers to questions without having to engage in original research or critical thinking.

This may lead to a situation where students and other individuals are more likely to copy information or present someone else’s work as their own, which would undermine the principles of academic integrity. While ChatGPT and other AI models can have many benefits, they also have the potential to have a negative impact on creativity and critical thinking capacity of the students to an undesirable extent. This can result in decreased motivation about learning in its true and desired spirit. If individuals can access information and answers easily through ChatGPT and similar platforms, they would surely be less motivated to engage in the hard but intellectually stimulating task of learning and thinking.

The individuals may not see the value in investing time and resources in traditional education, and will be even less motivated to pursue academic or research-based careers. This will lead to a lack of originality, and in due course of time it is bound to disturb the social equilibrium. The developing world will be hit particularly hard in this regard.

ChatGPT and similar models can generate vast amounts of information, but this information may not always be original or creative. If individuals simply repeat or repackage this information, they may not develop the skills of original thought and creativity that are essential for academic and professional success. Such innovations can quickly generate vast amounts of information, and that adds to the concerns that they may replace human expertise in various fields. To respond to these challenges and with AI innovations becoming more accessible and advanced, there have been concerns about their potential impact on academic integrity, including the risk of AI-based plagiarism. In response, a number of universities across the world have taken action to prevent AI-generated content from being used in a manner that may undermine the process of academic research.

Others have implemented techno-logical solutions, such as plagiarism detection softwares, to identify and prevent such content from being used in academic work. Additionally, some universities have established clear policies and guidelines for the use of AI-generated content in academic work, making it clear what is and is not acceptable.

DR MUHAMMAD NAVEED LAHORE

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Exploitation of public diplomacy by developed nations Thursday, 9 November, 2023

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Soft power has become crucial nowadays QIRAT MIRzA

HE globalized world has redefined the concept of power for countries, prompting a shift from the use of hard power, notably military capabilities, to the deployment of soft power. Soft power is the ability to achieve objectives through persuasion and encompasses the principles of cultural diplomacy and economic diplomacy, collectively referred to as public diplomacy.

The term public diplomacy was first coined in 1965

by Edmund Gullion, Dean of the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy, in part to distance the activity of information governed by the term propaganda, which had acquired a negative connotation.

Public diplomacy is a multifaceted foreign policy strategy that incorporates cultural and economic diplomacy elements, involving the deliberate use of a nation’s cultural assets, such as art, music, language, and traditions, as well as economic initiatives like trade promotion and investment attraction, to engage with foreign audiences.

This strategic approach aims to advance a country’s interests by promoting its cultural heritage, values, and economic strengths, facilitating mutual understanding, strengthening international relationships, and enhancing the nation’s global image and influence. The shift towards public diplomacy is a reflection of the evolving nature of international relations, but its effectiveness can vary depending on a country’s circumstances.

In the contemporary world, where every country strives to establish a predominant position in global politics, they employ every means to form alliances with global powers, often without considering the potential repercussions in the future. Developed countries are employing public diplomacy to expand their influence in other regions of the world and to enhance their international image, even as they may seek to conceal internal challenges and assert dominance in international conflicts.

There are numerous instances where the use of soft power has had negative consequences. In the 1960s, Pakistan went into the capitalist bloc without considering the nonalignment policy of maintaining neutral relationships with every country. It was the first non-NATO ally of the USA, which gave financial aid to Pakistan, and in exchange, stipulated Pakistan to stop its nuclear programme, and support it in the war against the USSR. Pakistan successfully completed its nuclear programme despite external pressure otherwise they would have serious ramifications.

However, the country is still grappling with the consequences of its involvement in the War on Terror, which has contributed to the rise of extremism and terrorism.

India, which is poised to become a global power in the future, has been leveraging cultural diplomacy to portray itself as a secular and democratic country. The

RSS has been attempting to transform India’s governance into a ‘Rashtra’ in which all political and economic systems are grounded in native ideologies. It has been involved in provoking communal violence against religious minorities including crackdown on mosques, churches, and illegal detention of Muslims. Despite that, it claims to be a secular democratic country.

Secondly, Pakistan and India both have certain claims on the disputed territory of Kashmir and India resolved the issue unilaterally. The sole reason that Pakistan could not achieve its desired results when it comes to projecting Kashmir’s cause at the international forums is the internal political turmoil in Pakistan that has directly affected Pakistan’s economy as well as foreign policy. The West-

In the 21st century, public diplomacy is typically viewed as a positive term; it has been exploited by developed countries, who have sometimes used it interchangeably with propaganda to advance their own interests.

Developing countries like Pakistan should also incorporate public diplomacy, especially in terms of economic diplomacy, to effectively harness their resources and strengthen their lobbying efforts. This can be achieved by establishing institutes and utilizing digital media for narrative-building, rather than relying solely on other nations.

Why Israel wants to dump Palestinian refugees on a Western nation An early plan leaked from the Israeli government suggests Canada as a possible final destination for those displaced by the Gaza war

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RACHELMARSDEN.COM RAcheL MARSdeN

SRAEL’S Intelligence Ministry has come up with a creative solution for dealing with those displaced by the Gaza conflict, of which there are an estimated 1.4 million and counting: Go west — all the way to Canada.

As Gaza residents were being directed by Israel to clear out and move towards the southern border with Egypt – while the IDF pelted the northern part of the enclave, where most Hamas forces are reportedly concentrated, with missiles – one of the big questions some of us asked was where over 2 million Palestinians would possibly go.

Thanks to a leaked Israeli government document, dated October 13 and published by Israeli news site Sicha Mekomit, there’s now some insight into what at least some Israeli government officials have been floating. This paper, which Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office says presents “initial thoughts” that won’t be considered until the war is over, envisions the refugees heading to Egypt first. But, because Egypt has previously refused to absorb Gaza residents, it may ultimately just end up being used as a staging ground for their mass relocation to other countries. The proposal is for Egypt, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates to at least provide financial support for this mass displacement, if not offer to take in some refugees themselves, either in the short or long term.

But the real kicker is that one particular Western country – way over on the other side of the world from the conflict – is singled out for its “lenient” immigration policy, making it a place where Israeli officials figure the displaced Palestinians could feasibly be resettled.

And that country is Canada. Because despite its strict points-based immigration system that selects for potential newcomers based on their skills and education, Canada still

ern and Gulf countries have significant economic interests in India so they are inclined towards India.

In the last few days, Canada accused India of executing the leader of the Khalistan movement on its land, but no action has been taken against India. India is using soft power and cultural diplomacy to conceal facts from the world.

China, which is challenging US hegemony in the world, has always exploited soft power to not only enhance its dominance in the world but hide its internal turmoil in the shadow of development. In 2007, it made an investment in war-torn Republic of Congo by giving them $5 billion in aid, and in exchange signed a deal to import cobalt which is a crucial material in electric ve-

clearly has a reputation for being a refugee welcome mat – even though today’s reality is a far cry from this perception.

Not that our big-mouthed Canadian officials have helped. “To those fleeing persecution, terror & war, Canadians will welcome you, regardless of your faith. Diversity is our strength #WelcomeToCanada,” Prime Minister Justin Trudeau tweeted in January 2017, in reaction to then-US President Donald Trump’s executive order banning refugees from a list of Muslim countries. But it wasn’t long before Trudeau had to send out members of his own administration to explain to these same migrant communities that his tweets were a bit more obtuse than official policy.

Nor does the image of Canada as a freeloader’s paradise jibe with real life upon arrival in the country.

By 2019, Canada had welcomed nearly 60,000 Syrian refugees amid the US-backed regime change war against President Bashar Assad. Images abound of Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau handing out winter jackets to arriving families at Toronto’s Pearson airport. “You’re safe at home now,” Trudeau told them. That was back in 2015. Just four years later, some provinces had ditched all aid for immigration and refugee programs and just 24% of male and 8% of female refugees from Syria had found employment, according to government data.

As a Canadian who still spends considerable time in the country, it’s not uncommon to hear from school teachers about how many Syrian children are struggling to integrate into schools and are displaying considerable behavioral troubles.

For every feel-good success story, there’s also one about Syrians returning back to their home country now that the situation there has stabilized with Assad still in power and the US having moved on from intervening in Russian-allied Syria to doing the same over Ukraine.

If Syrians aren’t faring too great in Canada, and are struggling with the end of the initial generous government assistance, then what hope is there for those from Gaza who have spent their lives under blockade? “Some 50 per cent of students (aged 5-17 years) do not achieve their full educational potential, meaning that the psycholog-

ical impact of hostilities has led to a deterioration in learning outcomes, and difficulties in reading and writing,” according to the United Nations.

Even among Canadians born and educated in Canada and gainfully employed, there are those struggling to survive with inflation and the current cost of living. And because of Canada’s ongoing housing crisis, with rent and mortgages out of the reach of much of the working class, 44% of Canadians in a recent survey now feel that there’s too much immigration to the country.

So it goes without saying that Israel never bothered asking Palestinians if they want to be displaced to the other side of the planet from their home, but clearly no one in Israel has asked Canadians how they feel, either, about the possibility of serving as a dumping ground for their ethnic cleansing efforts in Gaza. Because, if they had, they’d have realized that Canada was already full. So, who gave them that idea? Did they come up with it on their own? Or is someone in Trudeau’s government actually suggesting that it’s a realistic scenario? There’s been no debate about any such possibility, and until there’s a full discussion about it in Canadian parliament and some official dares to stick his neck out and commit political suicide over the idea, Canadian officials need to tell the Israeli Intelligence Ministry to shove it.

Like its fellow Western allies, Canada’s official position is to support a two-state solution for a Palestinian homeland. Just a few days ago, Trudeau reiterated that “the world and the region needs a peaceful, safe, prosperous, viable Palestinian state alongside a peaceful, prosperous, democratic, safe ... Israel.” This means that Gaza residents ultimately get to stay in Gaza, and don’t get offloaded onto other countries in mass displacement just because some folks in Israel may be in favor of using revenge against Hamas as a convenient pretext to wipe Gaza off the map as an independent entity.

Rachel Marsden, a columnist, political strategist, and host of independently produced talk-shows in French and English.

COMMENT 05

hicles. Congo has cobalt mines with 51 percent of the world’s cobalt reserves. Now, China controls 70 percent of the extraction of cobalt in Congo when its price has increased by 400 percent in the global market. Another example is China loaned Sri Lanka $1.26 billion to finance the Hambantota port from 2007 to 2014. As Sri Lanka’s debts mounted, China’s state-run firm China Merchants Port Holdings took over management of the port under a 99-year lease for $1.12 billion, which Sri Lanka used to strengthen its foreign reserves.

“China has also made a heavy investment in the Chabahar port of Iran, which experts believe it will use as a naval base against India in case of a confrontation in the Indian Ocean. China’s economic and cultural diplomacy has propelled it ahead in the case of Taiwan. Despite the USA’s support for Taiwan, the dispute remains unresolved.

In the case of Pakistan, China has made a billion-dollar investment, which is deemed a potential debt trap. If Pakistan fails to complete the work on the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), it might lose the Gwadar port.

Researchers believe that this port could also serve as a naval base for China to counter India’s influence in the Indo-Pacific region. Additionally, various Chinese institutes have been actively working to foster positive perceptions of China, not only in Pakistan but also worldwide.

China’s influence in Central Asia primarily centers on investments in the education sector. This involves offering scholarships to Central Asian students and academics for travel to China and providing financial support for the establishment of Chinese studies programmes throughout the region. This strategic approach enables China to shape its image in a highly targeted manner among Central Asian populations, especially the younger demographic.

Additionally, noteworthy in this realm is the collaboration in media, which encompasses training programmes for Central Asian journalists and media professionals conducted in China. It has also expanded its footprint in African countries to exploit their resources by making them a part of its regional connectivity project, the Belt and Road Initiative.

Today, many countries are refraining from speaking, or even adopting a neutral stance, regarding the atrocities committed by Israel in Palestine. Israel has been leveraging public diplomacy, including the use of social media and its lobbying power, to depict Palestine as a terrorist entity on the world stage. Besides it, the concept of LGBTQ is also becoming widespread by Western countries with the help of public diplomacy. For instance, roundtables, panel discussions, summits, and national dialogue days on legal and social challenges facing LGBT people globally are orchestrated. Other efforts include providing more incentives to developing countries to pass bills and laws regarding it in their countries.

In the 21st century, public diplomacy is typically viewed as a positive term; it has been exploited by developed countries, who have sometimes used it interchangeably with propaganda to advance their own interests.

Developing countries like Pakistan should also incorporate public diplomacy, especially in terms of economic diplomacy, to effectively harness their resources and strengthen their lobbying efforts. This can be achieved by establishing institutes and utilizing digital media for narrative-building, rather than relying solely on other nations. By doing so, these countries can develop a more independent approach to international politics.

The writer is currently pursuing an international relations degree and is an intern at the Kashmir Institute of International Relations.

How WhatsApp has changed our relationships

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EL PAIS

MARITA ALONSO

HEY call it a “messaging system,” but in reality WhatsApp adds an extra dimension to our relationships. It is a channel where communication is sometimes more fluid and affectionate than in person and, at the same time, it is an emotional minefield. Imagine the scene: you have just met someone charming, but on WhatsApp they are an idiot. What do you do when one of the parties is really bad at communicating in writing, and how can you tell the difference between getting involved with someone who is genuinely confrontational or just someone who is clumsy when communicating via text?

Inma Brea, expert coach in human behavior and corporate humanization, warns that instant messaging is, as its name indicates, “immediate gratification. The cell phone goes everywhere with us, which means that we can receive stimuli or gratification constantly.”

That has made it an essential element in romantic relationships in an era of digital intimacy. The problem, as at the dawn of every era, is that the codes are not yet the same for everyone. What may be the norm for one party may be excessive communication for the other. What one side believes is a simple and assertive reply (“okay”), may be received by the other as cold and distant. What may be attentive and loving for one may be excessive and overwhelming for another.

Today, the use (or absence) of emojis can be interpreted as a declaration of war.

Psychologist Júlia Pascual emphasizes the importance of establishing communication rules and setting boundaries from the beginning of a relationship. She emphasizes “the need to be polite” above all. “If you read someone else’s message, no matter how busy you are,” she recommends, “you have to let them know that you cannot respond at that time and that you will do so later, because you have to be polite and respectful.” The expert remarks that, contrary to what one may think, “the rules for people having a fling,” or for people who are just getting to know each other, “have to be more rigid than those for a couple. There has to be much more regulation.” Why? By not knowing the other as well, by not identifying their silences and decoding their reactions, as we know how to do with a long-term partner, it is easier to let our imagination run riot and make ourselves anxious. The psychologist gives an example: “If they don’t respond, you should not automatically think that they’re doing it to assert their power.”

Can two people with completely opposite ways of communicating online have a successful relationship?

The long answer is yes: “It is necessary to understand our partner’s love language,” says Inma Brea. “A relationship can survive these differences if both parties understand and respect how the other expresses their love, communicates their needs, and makes commitments.” In other words: it is not about demanding that the other respond instantly, but rather about knowing that sometimes they do not, and understanding that it is part of their personality. This will prevent you from staring into the abyss of the double blue checks (which on many networks indicate that the other person has received and also read the message), which often tests a lover’s nerves.

“Taking a while to respond to a message can be a strategy to assert control or power over the other,” warns psychologist Judith March. “In the tug-of-war technique, or taking time to respond to the other, intermittent reinforcement is used: we show a lot of in-

We live in the era of duplication: we have a face-to-face identity and another in the digital world

terest in the person at certain times and at other times, we do not show interest or we are absent. This strategy, in the long run, creates addiction.”

At the other end of the scale are those who write constantly and to the point of overwhelming the other.

When such conversational asymmetry is noticeable, it is essential to say something about it. “The rhythm in a WhatsApp conversation is established between the two people, in the same way as when we are talking.

The ideal would be for there to be symmetry and to initiate possible conversation topics that help us get to know the other person better. Talking a lot shows interest in the other person and it is not bad if they also interact in a similar way. When there is a certain asymmetry in communication, or the other person writes too often, it is important that we communicate this to them, because in the long run it could become overwhelming and cause us to lose interest,” says Judith March. Inma Brea points out that these warnings and requests can, in fact, be the key to a healthy relationship.

THE RIGHT EMOJI: Text is part of digital communication, but we have not yet talked about another significant part. Emojis are the digital way of expressing hundreds of feelings with pictograms, ideograms, and smileys. It is important to note that in reality, emojis have no established meaning, grammar, or syntax. However, we give them a semantic meaning that for some has turned into a kind of secret and intimate language.

“Emojis are symbols that allow us to stop using verbal language to communicate and avoid emotional burdens. For example, sending a heart instead of ‘I love you’ is a way to not get so involved or to get out of trouble,” explains March. But she also warns that “the excessive use of emojis can prevent us from establishing deeper and more meaningful links, since they often only manage to convey a superficial approach to emotions and feelings.”

“Written communication lacks body language and emojis try to replace that body language, which is why they have been integrated so well into written communication,” adds March. “However, excessive use of emojis can prevent us from establishing deeper and stronger connections.” Sending a heart or an angry face is all well and good, but the path to any solid bond is to openly communicate that you feel loved or angry.

Júlia Pascual recalls that Paul Watzlawick (considered one of the fathers of the Theory of Human Communication and Constructivism) points out that verbal communication cannot be conceived without the context in which it occurs. “Here lies the difficulty: at the moment we are communicating in a chat, people are split between two contexts: their digital presence and real life.

Digital communication is not the same as communicating in person. It may happen that in real life someone communicates lovingly and affectionately, but when connecting on a digital level, they resort to monosyllables. It is recommended that in the face-to-face context you put your cell phone down and focus on your reality, and when you connect digitally, do everything possible to make time for it so that you can the conversation your attention and avoid being disrespectful or irresponsible,” she says. In short, an “I’m busy, talk to you later” message can avoid a lot of misunderstanding.

06 neWS

US IN AWKWARD POSITION AS DIVISIONS GROW WITH ISRAEL AND ALLIES

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WASHINGTON agenCieS

ITH cracks widening in recent days after the White House failed to persuade Israel over a range of issues in Gaza, Washington, unable to bridge the gaps among its closest allies, finds itself in an increasingly awkward position.

An insubstantial joint statement was released at the last minute after a meeting of the G7 foreign ministers on Wednesday, which experts said will be of little actual help to solve the crisis but reflects allies’ growing distrust in Washington.

Winding up a two-day meeting in Tokyo, the G7 foreign ministers issued a “unified message” on the Israel-Palestine conflict late on Wednesday evening, including a call for a humanitarian pause in the fighting and a “peace process,” Reuters reported, citing Japanese Foreign Minister Yoko Kamikawa.

Analysts considered the statement highlights the difficulties of reaching a consensus, and it has little substantial content that would actually help the humanitarian disaster or deescalate the tension, but is only a reiteration of previous appeals. While Blinken

has called on G7 members to “come together in the face of this crisis and to speak, as we do, with one clear voice,” the group of rich nations is becoming the latest US-led clique to find itself divided by the war, analysts said. The White House suggested on Tuesday that Israeli forces should not reoccupy Gaza, soon after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu commented that the country will have the “overall security responsibility” in Gaza for an “indefinite period” after the war ends, CNN reported.

It is also the latest of a series of views Netanyahu has voiced that diverge from the White House, following Israel’s blunt rejection of US Secretary of State Antony Blinken’s calls for a “humanitarian pause” to allow hostages and civilians to leave Gaza and for aid for Palestinians to enter.

“There is nothing much it [the White House] can do to stop the pace of Israel,” Tian Wenlin, a research fellow at the China Institutes of Contemporary International Relations, told the Global Times on Wednesday, adding that the powerful influence of the Jewish lobby.

Tian noted that the widening gap between the US and Israel is a result of their different goals and demands. While Israel

aims to deter the Palestinians and seek retaliation, the US seeks to de-escalate the conflict as soon as possible, so that its other agendas will not be affected.

Zhu Yongbiao, director of the Center for Afghanistan Studies at Lanzhou University, believe that the “stern” warnings of the White House appear more like an act of

“double dealing,” aimed at absolving itself of responsibility amid outbursts of fury domestically and internationally, as well as a deepening rift with allies.

“The US’ double standards and excessive bias toward Israel are leading to a collapse of its credibility and trust among allies.

For the US alliance system, the Ukraine cri-

Pakistan seeks $600m in loans from Chinese banks g

Negotiations in advanced stage as finance ministry anticipates loans will be disbursed by December PROFIT

Monitoring deSk

Pakistan is currently in talks with two Chinese banks, the Industrial and Commercial Bank of China (ICBC) and the Bank of China, as it seeks $600 million in fresh loans.

These negotiations are aimed at addressing the financing gap and enhancing credit rating.

According to sources cited by The Express Tribune, each of these Chinese banks has been approached for a financ-

ing package of $300 million.

The negotiations are reportedly in an advanced stage, and officials from Pakistan’s finance ministry anticipate that the loans will be disbursed by December. Sources have revealed that China and Pakistan are working closely to complete the remaining technical procedures necessary for the $600 million loan. While the interest rates on these new commercial facilities are expected to be somewhat higher due to the prevailing global interest rate scenario.

It is not confirmed whether Pakistan had requested another loan from the State Administration of Foreign Exchange (SAFE) of China. SAFE has previously extended $4 billion in loans to Pakistan, which are rescheduled annually due to Pakistan’s financial challenges in repaying them.

Pakistan’s budget allocation for foreign commercial loans was $4.5 billion. However, securing financing has proven challenging due to the country’s poor credit ratings, high risks associated with debt sustainability, and a

fragile macroeconomic situation. Consequently, Pakistan has increasingly turned to China for emergency financing in recent years.

China’s support has come in various forms, including loans from SAFE deposits, concessionary loans, and commercial loans, aimed at helping Pakistan stabilize its external sector.

Back in June of this year, China assisted Pakistan in avoiding a further decline in its critically low foreign currency reserves by facilitating the early adjustment of a $1.3 billion repayment. This development underscores Pakistan’s ongoing efforts to secure financing and improve its financial stability, with China being a key partner in these endeavors.

Top US officials Blinken, Austin to visit India for Indo-Pacific talks WASHINGTON reuterS

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin will hold talks with India this week that officials say will focus on security challenges in the Indo-Pacific and concerns over China, rather than the wars in Gaza and Ukraine.

The talks in New Delhi on Friday with India’s foreign minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar and defence minister Rajnath Singh are part of the so-called “2+2 Dialogue”, launched in 2018 to boost defence cooperation and align policy objectives in the Indo-Pacific region.

Officials said that India’s diplomatic spat with Canada over the killing of a Canadian Sikh separatist leader is not expected to affect the dialogue even though India has come under US pressure to cooperate with Ottawa in the murder investigation.

US officials were moving swiftly to deepen ties with India while pledging support for an investigation into the June killing on Canadian soil, an American official aware of the Indo-Pacific policy said.

China and the larger Indo-Pacific will be the “key focus points”, said an Indian government official aware of the agenda, adding that defence collaboration, including joint development of defence equipment would also be discussed.

The two countries are working on deals for the US to supply and manufacture engines for Indian fighter jets, MQ-9 predator drones and semiconductor manufacturing.

The discussions would pick up the threads from Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s successful visit to Washington in June and President Joe Biden’s trip to New Delhi for the G20 summit in September, officials said. Both officials spoke on condition of anonymity as they were not authorised to speak to the media.

The dialogue comes ahead of Biden’s expected meeting with China’s President Xi Jinping next week on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit in San Francisco and Biden’s possible return to New Delhi for a visit in January.

“DIFFERING APPROACHES” Farwa Aamer, the Asia Society Policy Institute’s Di-

rector of South Asia Initiatives, said that the dialogue has “seen remarkable progress, particularly in the realm of defence cooperation,” where technology transfer and co-production were presently the focus.

India’s ties with the US have grown steadily stronger on several fronts, and it has close strategic links with Israel. But New Delhi has also carefully preserved longstanding relations with Russia, and improved economic relationships with oil and gas producing countries in the Middle East.

Given these considerations, strategic discussions between Washington and New Delhi would not be shaped by the wars in Gaza and Ukraine or by India’s fraught relations with Canada, said Rick Rossow, an India specialist at Washington’s Center for Strategic and International Studies.

“Our differing approaches to Bangladesh’s upcoming election, how we are separately engaging the junta in Myanmar, the new “pro-China” government in Maldives, and potential instability in Sri Lanka and Nepal” are of greater interest to India and more directly linked to ties with the US, Rossow said.

Wuzhen Summit highlights China’s role in building community with a shared future in cyberspace BEIJING

Mian abrar

The 2023 World Internet Conference (WIC) Wuzhen Summit kicked off on Wednesday in the ancient water town of Wuzhen, East China’s Zhejiang Province, where global cyberspace luminaries are set to discuss internet industry-related topics and provide

insights on addressing the most pressing global cyberspace challenges – ranging from artificial intelligence (AI) governance, cyberspace hegemony to the widened digital gap – at the three-day monumental gathering.

The summit, marking its 10th anniversary this year, is an impressive showcase of the vibrancy of China’s internet economy, which reportedly has

expanded five times in the past decade.

The milestone moments of the Chinese internet industry and knock-out tech products are on display in the exhibition hall, underscoring China’s phenomenal lead in the tide of global digitalization and the pivotal role the sector has played in propelling global economic growth.

Chinese President Xi Jinping addressed the 2023 WIC Wuzhen Summit via video on Wednesday.

In his speech, Xi stressed that the international community needs to deepen exchanges and practical cooperation to jointly advance the building of a community with a shared future in cyberspace to a new stage.

He called for prioritizing development to let the fruits of internet development benefit more countries and more people, the Xinhua News Agency reported. Calling for building a more peaceful and secure cyberspace, Xi stressed the need to respect cyber sovereignty and each country’s way of internet governance and the need to oppose seeking hegemony, bloc confrontation and arms race in cyberspace.

Xi called for building a more equal and inclusive cyberspace. He stressed the need to better promote the shared values of humanity.

Participants highlighted the “open, inclusive and equal” approach the summit has been delivering for 10 consecutive years. They noted that it mirrors the call from China that as a responsible

major power, building a community with a shared future in cyberspace promotes common development, instead of the US approach which emphasizes “decoupling” and blockades to preserve its internet hegemony by depriving other’s development rights.

This year, representatives from over 100 countries and regions gathered at the three-day summit themed “Creating an Inclusive and Resilient Digital World Beneficial to All – Building a Community with a Shared Future in Cyberspace.” Participants include Chinese tech behemoths such as Baidu, Alibaba, and Tencent, as well as Russian cybersecurity firm Kaspersky, US company IBM and Indian software company Infosys.

There is an air of palpable excitement among representatives, with foreign delegates enthusiastically updating themselves about the new, state-of-the-art avant-garde gadgets developed by Chinese firms.

Jahogir Nasirov, a professor from Russia-Tajik Slavonic University, said that he is eager to “see more innovations at the summit and bring back to my country, Tajikistan.” It is the first time that Nasirov attended the summit. “We can see that China is developing very fast in internet and other related industries. The usage of AI has been really effective [in China]… So it will be good for other communities [to learn some experiences] and draw some practices from China,” Nasirov told the Global Times on Wednesday.

Thursday, 9 november, 2023 | ISLAMABAD

sis is a test of Washington’s strengths, while the Palestinian crisis is a test of conscience.

And out of their conscience, its allies are distancing themselves from the US, albeit they still have to align verbally with it,” Lü Xiang, a research fellow at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences told the Global Times on Wednesday.

The main disagreements lie in how much pressure to put on Israel to make the “humanitarian pause” happen, and the implementation of the two-state solution – a proposal that the great majority of countries support, observers said.

At last month’s UN General Assembly, France was the only G7 country to support a resolution calling for an “immediate and sustained” break in the war and condemning “all acts of violence aimed at Palestinian and Israeli civilians.” Canada, Germany, Italy, Japan and the UK abstained while the US voted against, according to media reports.

The primary cause of this division is the more-than-obvious double standards the US has displayed on its so-called valuebased diplomacy, as seen in the sharp contrast in its attitude toward Ukraine and Palestine, experts said.

China urges South China Sea dispute resolution through mutual consultation BEIJING

Staff CorreSpondent

Disputes over maritime territory and historic rights and interests should be resolved through friendly consultation between parties directly concerned, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said during a maritime forum on Wednesday, stressing that bloc confrontation and zero-sum game at sea must be firmly rejected. Multiple experts and scholars interviewed at the forum highlighted the importance of cooperation when dealing with South China Sea issues. They stressed that China and ASEAN countries should be committed to handling South China Sea issue under a genuine multilateral framework. More than 300 experts and scholars, former political leaders, senior officials of foreign embassies in China, and representatives of international organizations and maritime departments from more than 30 countries and regions attended the Symposium on Global Maritime Cooperation and Ocean Governance 2023 on Wednesday. The South China Sea Arbitration is an example of political manipulation of the international rule of law of the sea, Wang said. It has undermined the atmosphere for maritime peace and cooperation in the region, eroded the basic values of fairness and justice, and should be a cause for alarm and be rejected by the international community, said Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and director of the Office of the Foreign Affairs Commission of the CPC Central Committee. At the opening ceremony, Wang stated that it is the shared aspiration of all countries and the prevailing trend of our times to strengthen maritime cooperation and improve ocean governance. He pointed out that maritime development faces unprecedented risks and challenges: Cold War mentality and zero-sum thinking threaten peace and stability at sea; climate change and overexploitation are undermining the ocean’s sustainable development; environmental pollution and willful dumping of nuclear-contaminated water are damaging the clean and beautiful marine environment; and natural disasters and piracy are disrupting the tranquility and order of the oceans. He proposed that nations should stay committed to dialogue and consultation and safeguarding maritime peace and tranquility. It is important to take the legitimate concerns of all countries seriously, settle disputes and disagreements through dialogue and consultation, continuously improve emergency communication mechanisms and step-up regional security cooperation, so as to build solidly grounded and truly lasting maritime security. China will continue to work with ASEAN countries to fully and effectively implement the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea, agree on a code of conduct on the South China Sea at an early date, and foster a peaceful and secure order in the South China Sea. Also, he proposed that all parties should prioritize ecological conservation to preserve the region’s clean and beautiful oceans. China will adhere to the sustainable use of fishery resources, continue current fishing moratoriums and take resolute countermeasures against illegal fishing, the Chinese top diplomat said.

Thursday, 9 November, 2023 | ISLAMABAD

PAKISTAN ENGINEERING COMPANY LTD VENTURES INTO PRIVATISATION JOURNEY

NEWS

CORPORATE CORNER

29th annual technical conference & exhibition 2023

by SPE Pakistan and PAPG, concludes successfully ISLAMABAD

STAFF REPORT

The Society of Petroleum Engineers (SPE) Pakistan Section and Pakistan Association of Petroleum Geoscientists (PAPG) held the 29th Annual Technical Conference (ATC) and Exhibition from 7th and 8th November 2023 at the Serena Hotel, Islamabad, Pakistan. The Federal Secretary for Ministry of Energy (Petroleum Division) Mr. Momin Agha was the Chief Guest at the closing ceremony. In his address to the forum the Honourable Federal Secretary mentioned that the Government is working on attracting new FDI with particular focus on ‘offshore exploration’ in Arabia Sea as the game changer for E&P sector of Pakistan. Later on, he presented shields to the main organisers of the conference. The theme of this year’s conference was “Exploring the Unexplored: High Risk Plays and Economic Challenges”.

The Conference and Exhibition was inaugurated by the Honorable Federal Minister for Energy, Mr. Muhammad Ali on 7th of November 2023. During the ATC 36 professional papers were presented on technologies and case studies related to the field of oil and gas exploration.

Indonesian CG hosts dinner to bid farewell to outgoing Janpanese CG Odagiri Toshio KARACHI

STAFF REPORT

HE Dr June Kuncoro Hadiningrat, the Consul General of Indonesia, who also serves as the Dean of the Consular Corps in Karachi, has gathered together Consul Generals of Foreign Mission in Karachi, at his Residence to bid a heartfelt farewell to His Excellency Odagiri Toshio, the Consul General of Japan. The event was attended by Consul Generals of Afghanistan, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Iran, Japan, South Korea, Kuwait, Malaysia, Oman, Qatar, United Arab Emirates (UAE), France, Russia, Sri Lanka, Thailand, China, and Turkey. The event was also a celebration of the honorary doctorate conferred upon H.E. Bakheet Ateeq, Consul General of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), and H.E. Eng. Sami Abdullah Salim Al Khanjari, the Consul General of the Sultanate of Oman.

Daraz's 11.11 Sale promises unmatched savings amidst rising inflation KARACHI

STAFF REPORT

Daraz, the leading e-commerce platform in Pakistan, is gearing up to launch the highly anticipated 11.11 shopping festival, which is known to be the biggest online sale of the year. With inflation reaching unprecedented levels, Daraz is rising to the occasion by providing unmatched opportunities for savings to consumers throughout Pakistan. The 11.11 sale, which debuted in 2018, has since become a trailblazer in establishing November as a season of shopping. With the current economic climate putting a strain on consumer budgets, the 11.11 sale presents a timely and wallet-friendly event for individuals aiming to maximize their savings. Muhammad Ammar Hassan, Chief Marketing Officer, Daraz Pakistan, emphasizes the significance of this year's 11.11 sale, "In these trying times, when every saving counts, Daraz's 11.11 sale stands as a beacon of relief for the Pakistani consumer.

Management of PECO has been barred from making any significant policy decision without prior approval

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g

PROFIT

NEwS DESk

HE Privatisation Commission (PC) has kick-started the privatisation process of Pakistan Engineering Company Limited (PSX: PECO). The management of PECO has been directed not to make significant administrative, financial, or policy decisions without obtaining prior approval from the Privatisation Commission, as disclosed in the company’s filing on the Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) on Wednesday.

This move comes as the PC invokes its authority under section 5(f)(g)(h) in conjunction with section 35 of the Pri-

KARACHI

STAFF REPORT

The Institute of Business Management (IoBM) recently hosted the two-day International Conference on Business Management and Sustainability (ICBMS).

This first day of the event poised to be a pivotal gathering, attracting a diverse range of participants, including prominent government officials, experts from renowned educational institutions as well as senior corporate executives from leading companies in Pakistan. The Chief Guest at the occasion was Mr. Younus Dagha, Minister for Revenue, Industries and Commerce, Sindh with the welcome address delivered by Mr. Talib S. Karim, President of IoBM. Under the theme "The Sustainable and Innovative Businesses in Uncertain Times: Challenges and Opportunities," the conference was hosted on the IoBM campus, setting the stage for substantive discussions, collaboration, and the sharing of profound

insights.The inaugural session featured a keynote speech by Dr. Shakeel Sadiq Jajja, a Fulbright Scholar from Stanford University and Associate Professor at LUMS. Notable guests included Mr. Iftikhar Ahmed Sheikh, President of the Karachi Chambers of Commerce, and Mr. Muhammad Azfar Ahsan, President of the Marketing Association of Pakistan.

The Chief Guest at the occasion, Mr. Younus Dagha shed light on the agenda of the conference by noting that: “Globalization has created connectivity, it has eased access to information but it has also exposed our businesses,our practices, and our governance to the clients that we deal with on a B2B and G2B basis. Most of Pakistan’s policies are adversely affected by incompetence at the policy-making level, but more than that at the implementation level. Therefore, our regulators, with respect to national policies and their implementation on the ground need to develop an integrated policy and implementation.”

SIFC Working Group discusses impediments in development of SEZs SPECIAL ECONOMIC ZONES STAFF REPORT

Federal Minister for Privatisation Mr. Fawad Hasan Fawad chaired the first meeting of SIFC Working Group to discuss impediments in development of Special Economic Zones (SEZs) with the objective of fast-tracking industrialization. The meeting was attended by all relevant stakeholders in the Provincial governments and their industrial zone authorities In a presentation, the Additional Secretary, Board of Investment (BOI) and DG, Special Economic Zones highlighted the major impediments faced by existing Special Economic Zones and the framework requirements of future Special Economic Zones. The BOI proposed the development of a One Stop Shop facilitation for future Special Economic Zones. The Forum discussed the limitations of the concept of One Stop Shop and pointed out towards the need of a mutual agreement between the Federal and Provin-

cial governments for a development framework based on international best practices and standards, within that the need of a legal mandate in the constitutional scheme was also highlighted. The issues of identification and allotment of land, cost competitiveness, provision of utilities, human resource constraints and consistency of policies were also discussed. It was agreed that based on the key takeouts of the meeting a working paper containing solutions and a clear roadmap for future will be circulated for the second and final meeting of the working group to be held preferably in next week.

Telenor launches 8th Cohort of its Flagship Naya Aghaaz Program ISLAMABAD

STAFF REPORT

Telenor Pakistan proudly introduced the 8th batch of its 'Naya Aghaaz' program, reaffirming their commitment to workplace inclusion and diversity. This 9month program is designed for women's seamless return to the workforce after a career break, introducing a new era of diversity, creativity, and innovation within the organisation.

Launched in 2014 as an industry-first initiative, Naya Aghaaz aligns with Telenor's resolve to provide women not only with a path back into their careers, but also to foster a culture that celebrates diversity, innovation and potential. Telenor acknowledges the significant role women play in society and remains dedicated to narrowing the gender gap in the professional domain. The program kicked off with a twoday boot camp, offering an enriching onboarding experience through a variety of insightful sessions.

These sessions included learning on topics such as

workplace reintegration, problem-solving with design thinking, promoting integrity and whistle-blowing, Telenor's core values, and engaging team-building activities. The program enables women who took a career break due to marriage, childcare, elderly care, or other life circumstances to return to their professional lives. During the course of the program, the participants will engage with different departments and key stakeholders, gaining exposure to various roles and developing essential skills, all of which are instrumental in reviving their careers.

PLF continues enlighting, educating audience on last day of festival KARACHI

ISLAMABAD: Zong 4G, Pakistan's leading telecommunications operator, has taken a significant step towards fostering the future leaders of the digital era. In a two-day orientation session held on November 1st and 2nd at the Zong headquarters, the company successfully onboarded the Digital Trainee Executive Batch of 2023. This initiative represents Zong 4G's unwavering commitment to nurturing talent, promoting diversity, and providing equal opportunities for fresh graduates from various academic backgrounds. STAFF REPORT

these struggling SOEs are appointed independently, free from ad-hoc interventions by ministries.

The policy further mandates that any exemptions from PPRA Rules can only be granted following approval from the federal cabinet, and it requires all organizations to maintain electronic financial data. Currently, there are 18 financial SOEs, including 4 in Industrial and State Development and Management, 12 in infrastructure, transport, and ITC, 14 in manufacturing, mining, and engineering, 8 in oil and gas, 20 in the Power Sector, and 4 in the Trading and Marketing Sector.

In fiscal year 2019, all SOEs collectively contributed Rs 4,000 billion in tax

revenue, with a recorded book value of their assets reaching Rs 19,000 billion.

These SOEs also employ around 0.450 million individuals. Financial losses incurred by these SOEs had increased to over Rs500 billion in 2020, compared to Rs143 billion in 2019.

Top ten loss-making SOEs in 2019, including Quetta Electric Supply Company (Rs 108.5 billion), National Highway Authority (Rs 94.3 billion), Pakistan Railway (Rs 0.2 billion), Sukkur Electric Power Company (Rs 40.8 billion), Pakistan International Airlines (Rs 36.07 billion), Sui Southern Gas Company Limited (Rs 21.4 billion), Pakistan Steel Mills (Rs 20.6 billion), Hyderabad Electric Supply Company (Rs 17.7 billion), Pakistan State Oil Company (Rs 14.8 billion), and Peshawar Electric Supply Company (Rs 14.6 billion).

Globalization creates connectivity, eased access to information: ICBMS

STAFF REPORT

Zong 4G's 2023 Digital Trainee Executive Program onboards a new wave of talent

vatisation Commission Ordinance 2000.

PECO specializes in the manufacturing and sale of various engineering products. Among its notable offerings are electricity transmission and communication towers, electric motors, pumps, and steel-rolled products, among others.

For over three decades, successive Pakistani governments have shown a strong inclination towards privatisation of loss-making state-owned entities (SOEs). In September, the interim Finance minister Shamshad Akhtar unveiled a government policy focused on restructuring state-owned enterprises (SOEs) that are experiencing financial losses. The proposed policy seeks to ensure that CEOs and board members of

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The Pakistan Learning Festival 2023 (PLF) continued its journey of enlightenment and education here earlier today, on its second and last day of the festival, leaving attendees a lot more aware and knowledgeable for having participated in it. Taking place at the Arts Council of Pakistan, Karachi, the event offered a plethora of engaging activities and enriching experiences that are sure to have left a lasting impact.

Day Two of the Pakistan Learning Festival featured an array of remarkable events and sessions, as the day began with a commitment to environmental stewardship, and attendees gathered for "Plant a Tree for Climate-Change Action." The event highlighted the importance of collective action in addressing climate change.

Highlights from day two of Pakistan Learning Festival 2023 included numerous riveting sessions of "Suno Kahani Meri Zubani" featuring Churail as depicted by the hugely talented Sadia Sarmad.

There was an insightful session and presentation titled "Hum Hero Hein Hum Baa Ikhtiaar Hein," which focused on the importance of lifelong learning, life skills, and livelihoods by UNICEF. Renowned theatre actors Khaled Anam and Raheela Baqai of OUP shared their passion for books and the world of storytelling in "Reading is Dreaming." This session celebrated the power of literature and the written word. Attendees also had the opportunity to participate in a workshop led by Salma Habib and the creative team from Ulta Pulta Art, including Zheela Ali. Tehrik-e-Niswan presented "Hamara Karachi," an artis-

tic expression of the city's rich cultural heritage. Tina Sani's conversation with students and Khursheed Hyder gave a rare insight into the life and thoughts of the renowned singer while Ayla Raza of All Pakistan Music Conference held a spellbinding and enlightening musical session Sur, Taal Aur Hum which kept the adults as enthralled as the students.

Misha Khan Chahudary explored the intersection of sustainability and medical science, while Sara Danial redefined playtime with screen-free adventures for children.

A panel discussion, featuring Imran Azhar, Rumana Husain, and Saleem Mughal with Afia Salam as the moderator, focused on mobilizing superheroes for climate change in emergencies. Another riveting session earlier in the day was conducted by Amna Husain

Beaconhouse organises 5th Beaconhouse National College Fair LAHORE

STAFF REPORT

Beaconhouse School System recently held the 5th Beaconhouse National College Fair (BNCF) from 2nd to 5th October in Lahore, Karachi, and Islamabad, which was marked as one of the biggest and most prominent college fairs in Pakistan. The 3-day event took place at the Pearl Continental Hotel, Karachi on 2nd October, at the Serena Hotel, Islamabad on 4th October, and at the Pearl Continental Hotel, Lahore on 5th October. The fair attracted an impressive turnout of over 10,000 students and hosted more than 50 universities from 12 countries including the UK, USA, Canada, Turkey, UAE, China, Malaysia, and Hong Kong. Amongst the prominent universities in attendance were Queen Mary University of London, University of Essex, University of Lincoln, City University of Hong Kong, Brunel University London, Bradford University, University of Waterloo, Arizona State University, LUMS, NUST, and others. The annual BNCF gives students a unique platform to interact directly with university representatives from around the world. They are given the opportunity to explore university programmes, and understand campus life.

They are also able discuss vital aspects of their academic journey, such as admissions procedures and scholarship opportunities.

NPO’s multi-country delegations visits Millat Tractors Ltd Factory

The National Productivity Organization, (Ministry of Industries & Production) , Government of Pakistan organised a multi-country delegation from Japan, Turkey, Mongolia, Bangladesh, Fiji, Nepal, Iran, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam & Hong Kong etc. visited Millat Tractors Limited factory on 08-11-2023. They were briefed about the Millat’s history, its vast product range, Production facilities, Technological advancements and levels of self-indigenization achieved by the company to enhance farm mechanization in Pakistan and abroad.

The participants were amazed to see the locally developed affordable products being manufactured by MTL and the advancements achieved in the automotive industry. The delegation members specially thanked the Management, Officers & Staff of MTL for their outstanding achievements & memorable hospitality.

Chenab Ltd rises with HBL's support KARACHI

STAFF REPORT

Mian Muhammad Latif, Chairman – Chenab Limited (standing 1st from left), Mr. Saleem Ullah, Deputy Governor – State Bank of Pakistan (standing 2nd from left), and Muhammad Aurangzeb, President & CEO – HBL (standing 3rd from left) at the “Chenab Rising” event. Pakistan, Karachi - 8 November 2023: Chenab Limited is now on its way to achieving its lost glory. Chenab was once Pakistan’s largest exporter of home textile products. The firm faced a complete meltdown after the industrial crises of 200810 for reasons beyond its control. Lenders to the company led by HBL, facilitated the implementation of a comprehensive rehabilitation plan in line with the vision of State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) to revive sick industrial units to recontribute to the economy. To showcase its revival, Chenab Limited organized an event with the theme “Chenab Rising”. The event was attended by Mr. Saleem Ullah, Deputy Governor – State Bank of Pakistan along with representatives of more than 20 Banks. Participants at the event appreciated the regulator’s vision to revive the stressed/closed units.

TOYOTA INDUS REVEALS PLAN TO LAUNCH LOCALLY MADE HYBRID VEHICLES NEWS

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HEVs will be an effort to reduce emissions and achieve UN's SDGs ISLAMABAD

Ghulam abbaS

LI Asghar Jamali, the Chief Executive of Indus Motor Company, revealed plans for the launch of Pakistan’s first locally made Hybrid Crossover Sports Utility Vehicle (C-SUV). Jamali emphasized the critical role Hybrid Electric Vehicles (HEVs) will play in Pakistan’s fight against climate change and achieving the UN’s Sustainable Development goals.

“Pakistan, despite being one of the low-

PTI chief moves SC against indictment in Cypher case

est contributors to climate change, is still facing severe impacts. Our locally made Hybrid Electric Vehicles (HEVs) will be a conscious effort to further reduce emissions and achieve the UN’s Sustainable Development goals,” stated Jamali while talking to a group of journalists on Wednesday.

He highlighted the significance of HEVs, not just as an environmentally responsible choice, but also for their positive economic implications. Jamali explained that these vehicles would boost employment opportunities and open new avenues for exports.

Backing this eco-friendly initiative, Toyota recently invested $100 million in producing HEVs in Pakistan. This strategic move aims to not only cut down Pakistan’s import bill significantly but also save approximately $37 million annually, with the production of 30 thousand units of HEVs. Despite these positive strides, Jamali acknowledged the challenges faced by the local auto industry, including high taxation, inflation, used car imports, and currency instability. He stressed the urgent need for a well-structured import policy to support the growth of the local auto sector.

Over 6,500 used cars were imported in the financial year 2022-23, with an additional 7,500 units brought into the country within the first three months of the current fiscal year. Jamali expressed concern that this influx of used car imports undermines the progress made in localization by the local auto industry and hampers the potential for further localization in Pakistan.

Despite these challenges, Jamali commended the recent relaxations in the opening of Letters of Credit (LCs) for imports, which have assisted the local industry in procuring essential raw materials. These re-

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laxations led to improvements in the sales of passenger cars and light commercial vehicles for Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) in September 2023, although there was still a 26% decline in sales on a year-on-year basis. Looking ahead, Jamali expressed gratitude to the government for its efforts to support localization, which he believes holds the key to the auto industry’s recovery and its contribution to the revival of the economy.

As Pakistan gears up to embrace a greener future with HEVs, Jamali assured that Indus Motor Company remains dedicated to overcoming the challenges at hand and steering the auto industry toward a brighter and more sustainable tomorrow.

Pakistan neither supplied arms to Ukraine nor does intend to do so: FO

ISLAMABAD

Staff RepoRt

Former prime minister and Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) Chief Imran Khan on Wednesday moved Supreme Court, challenging his indictment by a special court in the cipher case. The deposed premier filed a petition in the Supreme Court through his lawyer Hamid Khan, urging it to declare the Islamabad High Court’s (IHC) decision to withhold the indictment illegal. In his petition, Imran Khan also requested the court that the framing of a charge against him by a special court formed under the Official Secrets Act, 1923 on October 23, 2023 should be declared “illegal, unlawful and violative of the Code of Criminal Procedure”. “The special court has undeniably framed a charge that is flawed and inaccurate, and such errors will undoubtedly have severe repercussions. These defects are not correctable and have caused substantial prejudice to the petitioner [Imran Khan],” the petition stated. The PTI chief in his plea contended that he was being politically victimised in the case. “The state machinery is being used to create fake cases against the petitioner [Imran],” it added. “The petitioner and the co-accused [Shah Mahmood Qureshi], who has served as the Minister of Foreign Affairs twice, have been provided the immunity under Article 248 of the Constitution of Pakistan, 1973.

Therefore, the exercise of persecuting the petitioner and the co-accused through commencing the trial under the Official Secrets Act, 1923 is unquestionably null and void in the eyes of law,” the plea added. It is pertinent to mention here that Islamabad High Court (IHC) had rejected the bail plea of the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) chairman in the cipher case.

ISLAMABAD

Staff RepoRt

Pakistan on Wednesday rejected any notion of discussion on arms supply between Pak-Ukraine defence ministers in a telephonic conversation, clarifying that the country neither supplied arms to Ukraine nor does it intend to do so.

Foreign Office Spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra Baloch, in a statement, clarified that as a matter of policy Pakistan did not supply arms to a region in conflict. “It has not supplied nor does it intend to supply any arms to Ukraine,” she added.

“This topic, therefore, was not discussed during the telephonic conversation between the ministers of defence of Pakistan and Ukraine on November 7, 2023,” she remarked.

The spokesperson said that Pakistan had stressed the need for a negotiated solution to the conflict in Ukraine.

In September, the foreign office had vehemently rejected claims that Pakistan agreed to supply weapons to Ukraine in return for securing an International Mon-

etary Fund (IMF) bailout in July, saying the country maintained a “policy of strict neutrality”. The rebuttal came after The Intercept, a US publication, claimed in one of its report that Pakistan supplied weapons to Ukraine via the United States in order to secure the IMF deal.

Responding to media queries on the Intercept report, Baloch had rejected the story as “baseless and fabricated”.

“The IMF Standby Arrangement for Pakistan was successfully negotiated between Pakistan and the IMF to implement difficult but essential economic reforms. Giving any other colour to these negotiations is disingenuous.

“Pakistan maintains a policy of strict neutrality in the dispute between Ukraine and Russia and in that context, does not provide any arms and ammunition to

them. Pakistan’s defence exports are always accompanied with strict end user requirements,” she added.

In the past such reports also published claiming Pakistan was supplying weapons to Ukraine through a third country. However, both Pakistan and Ukraine denied such an agreement.

In July, the Ukrainian foreign minister undertook a first ever visit to Pakistan. During the visit both countries denied having entered into any arrangement that envisaged Pakistan supplying weapons to Ukraine against the backdrop of Russian invasion.

The Ukrainian foreign minister, however, said his country wanted Pakistan to be on his side. Pakistan has tried to tread carefully since the Russian invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. Despite immense pressure, Pakistan refused to vote on a UN resolution condemning Russia.

Islamabad has abstained from voting on all occasions. The US and European countries, nevertheless, wanted Pakistan to take a more clear stance on the Russian invasion.

Plea against ex-spy master: SC suggests PTI presents 24-point option to approach Defense Ministry CoD to ECP for fair polls, level playing field

ISLAMABAD

Staff RepoRt

ISLAMABAD

Staff RepoRt

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) presented a 24-point Charter of Demand before the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) to ensure holding of free, fair and transparent general elections and provide PTI level playing field to conduct freely election campaigns.

The PTI’s senior leaders and legal representatives Barrister Gohar Ali and Dr Babar Awan presented the CoD to Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Sikandar Sultan Raja during their 45-minute-long meeting took place here on Wednesday. During the meeting, PTI leaders shared their concerns pertaining to the forthcoming general elections scheduled to be held on February 8 and talked about obstacles impeding their election campaign in detail. Speaking to media after the meeting, PTI spokesperson Barrister Gohar Ali urged the electoral watchdog to release the longpending written decision to the petitions filed by PTI on October 18 and 30 respectively regarding PTI’s electoral symbol ‘Bat’ to put an end on the prevailing uncertainty once and for all. He demanded that the ECP should instantly allot the party with the electoral symbol “Bat” and provide a level playing field.

PTI spokesperson declared that the CEC assured them that the symbol of the “Bat” was of PTI electoral symbol and it would be on the ballot paper in the coming elections, hoping that the ECP would sort out the issue in next two days. PTI spokesperson highlighted that in the CoD, PTI also demanded the release and recovery of kidnapped and arrested PTI workers and leaders. Barrister Gohar Ali said that they informed the ECP that PTI was not being allowed to hold public gatherings, rallies and corner meetings in private premises. PTI spokesperson pointed out that either their requests for holding public meetings were unduly delayed or even flatly refused. He said, during the meeting, they highlighted the challenges being faced by PTI in conducting meetings and printing flags and banners, as the party was not even allowed to print party flags and banners.

NAB summons Bushra Bibi in £190m NCA scandal ISLAMABAD

Staff RepoRt

The National Accountability Bureau (NAB) has summoned Bushra Bibi – wife of Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan in National Crime Agency (NCA) £190 million scandal. According to details, the accountability watchdog summoned former First Lady Bushra Bibi and Farhat Shehzadi on November 13 in NAB Rawalpindi office. NAB has directed Bushra Bibi and Farhat Shehzadi to appear before the joint investigation team as accused in the NCA scandal and bring the documents related to Al Qadir University funds.

The Supreme Court on Wednesday disposed of a petition against former Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) chief Lt-Gen (retd) Faiz Hameed over allegations of land grabbing.

Earlier, the court was requested to allow the presentation of evidence against the former Inter-Services Intelligence chief over allegations of possession of land.

The plea was made during the hearing of a human rights case against the former ISI director general in the Supreme Court. A three-judge bench headed by Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Qazi Faez Isa heard the petition. The court said relevant forums were available to the petitioner for action, and disposed of the plea without touching merits of the case.

The petitioner had made allegations against the government and some other personalities, the CJP remarked. Does this constitute a case under Article 184(3)? CJP Isa asked.

Justice Athar Minallah asked to try to understand the difference between the human rights cell and the Supreme Court, adding that the cell has no legal authority or status. “The human rights cell is a great source of injustice,” he commented. No chief justice can take any action that is not of judicial nature, he said further.

“Where does the present case fit according to

Supreme Court rules?” Justice Aminuddin Khan questioned.

According to the Constitution and the law, no chief justice or judge can proceed in chambers, CJP Isa remarked. According to the rules, chamber hearing is possible only on appeals against the registrar’s objections, he said.

During former CJP Saqib Nisar’s era, the hearing of human rights cases in chambers was declared illegal. In a chamber, any case can be fixed for hearing only, the CJP remarked, adding that no chief justice cannot issue any order in any case in chamber. The SC directed petitioner Moeez Khan to approach other forums. It added that there was an option to approach the Defense Ministry against a retired army officer.

THE PETITION The petitioner had argued in the petition that the purpose of the illegal action by the former spy chief was to gain control of a housing project. He then asked the apex court to allow him to present the evidence against Lt Gen (retd) Faiz Hameed.

The court gave some time to the lawyer of petitioner, Moeez Ahmed Khan – the chief executive officer of Topcity Housing Scheme, to prepare his arguments.

The petitioner maintained that on May 12, 2017 a raid was conducted at his house and office on the orders of Faiz Hameed. The purpose of the illegal action was to gain control of Topcity housing project, the petitioner

claimed.

He alleged that during the raid, valuable items from the house and records of the housing society were stolen. According to the petitioner, “After this raid, my five associates and I were arrested and kept in illegal custody.”

His lawyer told the court that Moeez Khan and his family were kidnapped on May 12, 2017.

The petitioner requested that the federal government take action against Lt Gen (retd) Faiz Hameed, his brother revenue officer Najaf Hameed and other associates, and requested the court to allow him to present evidence for his arguments.

CJP Isa told the petitioner he has made serious allegations in the petition. “Will you appear in the case yourself or through a lawyer?” he asked.

The petitioner said he had engaged a lawyer just yesterday, and asked to adjourn the proceedings for some time.

The CJP inquired if the court had previously taken any notice of this matter in the past.

The petitioner’s lawyer said the apex court had not taken any direct action. According to him, the Ministry of Defence was authorized to conduct an inquiry into this matter. CJP Isa remarked that the court will not order an adjournment, and the counsel should prepare now. The Supreme Court then announced a short break in the hearing.

President conveys PTI’s ‘level-playing field’ concerns to PM ahead of polls ISLAMABAD

Staff RepoRt

President Dr Arif Alvi has conveyed the concerns of Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) to the Caretaker Prime Minister, Anwarul Haq Kakar, regarding the erosion of fundamental rights and the need for a level-playing field for all political parties in the run-up to the general elections scheduled for February 8, 2024.

President Alvi, in a formal communication to Prime Minister Kakar, also forwarded a letter addressed to him by the General Secretary of PTI, Omar Ayub Khan, which detailed the party’s apprehensions and grievances, according to a statement issued by the President’s Office.

In his letter to Prime Minister Kakar, President Alvi emphasised the paramount importance of the caretaker government, under the prime minister’s leadership, to act as a neutral entity that ensures a fair and level-playing field for all registered political parties. He cited the prime minister’s recent statements in which he affirmed the caretaker government’s commitment to providing equal

rights and opportunities to all political parties for the upcoming elections.

The president underlined that democracy was the only viable path for the state and people of Pakistan, emphasising the essence of democracy lay in allowing citizens to engage in political activities and express their views through a free media.

President Alvi reiterated that for free, fair, and credible elections, all political parties and leaders should have the right to contest, with the ultimate decision

resting with the people.

Omar Ayub Khan’s letter, conveyed to the PM by President Alvi, raised concerns over several issues. These concerns encompassed the erosion of fundamental rights, including enforced disappearances, forced conversions of political loyalties, the absence of a level-playing field for major political parties, a perceived crackdown on media, and the mistreatment of female political activists through prolonged illegal detentions.

Published by Asad Nizami at Plot # 7, Al-Baber Centre, F/8 Markaz, Islamabad, for PT Print (Pvt) Limited. Ph: 051-2204545. Email: newsroom@pakistantoday.com.pk

The President of Pakistan, as the Head of State under Article 41 of the Constitution of Pakistan, has a duty to protect the rights of the citizens, as enshrined in the Constitution. It is on this basis that President Alvi forwarded PTI’s allegations, which have also been widely debated in the media, regarding the increasing cases of enforced disappearances of individuals with known political affiliations. The president expressed particular concern when such actions resulted in the conversion of political associations and loyalties, noting the added sensitivity when female political workers were subjected to prolonged detentions or frequent rearrests following court relief.

President Alvi invoked key articles of the Constitution to underscore the gravity of the concerns, including Article 4, which guarantees every citizen the right to be treated in accordance with the law. He also cited Article 17, affirming every citizen’s right to form associations and be a member of a political party, and Article 19, which enshrines the right to freedom of speech, expression, and a free press.