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GEN ASIM MUNIR LEAVES FOR US ON ‘CRUCIAL’ OFFICIAL VISIT Monday, 11 December, 2023 I 26 Jamada Al-Awal, 1445

Rs 15.00 | Vol XIV No 162 I 8 Pages I Islamabad Edition

‘FIRST AS COAS’

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HE IS SCHEDULED TO MEET SENIOR AMERICAN MILITARY AND OTHER GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS, ISPR

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RAWALPINDI

WEEKLONG TRIP COMES AFTER FLURRY OF VISITS BY AMERICAN OFFICIALS TO PAKISTAN

STAFF REPORT

HIEF of Army Staff (COAS), General Syed Asim Munir, has left on Sunday for US on an official visit, said InterServices Public Relations (ISPR) in a statement.

According to the army’s media wing, this is General Syed Asim Munir’s first visit to USA as COAS. During his visit, General Syed Asim Munir is scheduled to meet the senior military and other government officials of USA. The COAS’s visit comes after senior US officials visited Pakistan last week.

A senior Biden administration official dealing with refugee issues conducted a four-day trip to Islamabad in the first of a series of visits by American officials amid deteriorating ties between Pakistan and Afghanistan.

Julieta Valls Noyes, the US assistant secretary of state for the Bureau of Population, Refugees, and Migration came Pakistan and stayed in the federal capital.

On conclusion of her visit on December 7, US Special Envoy for Afghanistan Tom West arrived on a trip to Islamabad. After his visit, Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary Elizabeth Horst, who is responsible for Pakistan, arrived here on December 9.

United States Special Representative for Afghanistan, Thomas West, concluded his two-day visit after holding talks with Pakistan’s top civil and military leader-

ship on the security threat posed by banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and Afghan refugees related issues.

The top Biden administration diplomat visited Pakistan from 7 to 9 December. In a statement on the social media platform, X, at the conclusion of the trip, West said that he departed Islamabad after a “productive” two-day visit.

“Important conversations with (caretaker Foreign Minister) Jalil Abbas Jilani, Chief of Army Staff General Syed Asim Munir, (Special Representative on Afghanistan) Asif Durrani, and MOI Secretary Durrani about grave security challenges posed by TTP as well as imperative to protect Afghan refugees,” he said.

He added that the United States stands with Pakistan against terrorism in the region. “We are also grateful for close communication with Islamabad regarding refugee protection issues, including collaboration with IOs and humane and dignified treatment,” he added.

The flurry of visits by American officials comes against the backdrop of Pakistan’s move to evict all illegal Afghans, rising tensions with the Afghan Taliban over the banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and the upcoming general elections in February.

“Pakistan and the United States continue to hold consultations on a range of issues. To advance these consultations,

exchange of visits also takes place,” Foreign Office spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra Baloch said in a statement while giving context of the visits.

Pakistan has launched a crackdown on the Afghans living in the country illegally, following the expiry of the October 31 deadline. Since then, the US has been in touch with Pakistan to ensure that Afghans, who were illegible for immigration to the US were spared.

‘Military chief’s visit comes at a crucial juncture’ Distinguished print and TV journalist and anchorperson Kamran Khan took to his ‘X’ account and wrote visit of the COAS to America. He wrote: “Chief of Army Staff Gen Asim Munir has left for the United States on an official visit.

He’s the first Pakistan army chief to visit the US since Gen Raheel Sharif’s official visit to the US in November 2015. First in 8 years official visit to the U.S. by Pakistani military chief comes at a crucial juncture. Most importantly war is raging in Gaza and Ukraine; Afghanistan under Taliban failed to keep its promises with international community and remain source of terrorism in Pakistan; importantly elections are due in Pakistan and India with in next several months.

Sources say during his about a weeklong visit to US, COAS Gen Asim Munir will meet US Secretary of Defence Lloyd Austin, US National Security Advisor Jack Sullivan, Director CIA William F Burns and Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff General Charles Q Brown Jr.”

Police stays atop most Elections can be put off in corrupt institutions list in Pakistan: TIP’s survey areas under security threat: ISLAMABAD

STAFF REPORT

Police are perceived to be the most corrupt sector in Pakistan, followed by tendering and contracting and judiciary, Transparency International Pakistan (TIP) gauged in its National Corruption Perception Survey (NCPS) said.

Transparency International (TI) Pakistan has released results of the National Corruption Perception Survey 2022 (NCPS) — the eighth in a series for the past 22 years — as the world marked International AntiCorruption Day on Sunday.

The latest survey, comprising the perception of levels and frequency of corruption perceived by Pakistanis, was conducted in all four provinces from October 13 till October 31, with 1,600 respondents.

At the national level, police remained the most corrupt sector, followed by tendering and contracting and judiciary. Education and Health departments have been evaluated as the 4th and 5th most corrupt institutions.

Meanwhile, Local Government, Land Administration and Customs, Excise and Income Tax are assessed as 6th, 7th and 8th most corrupt. In Sindh, the survey report stated, police climbed to become the most corrupt sector, tendering and contracting was seen as the 2nd most corrupt, while education become the 3rd most corrupt since the NCPS 2022.

In Punjab, police continued to remain the most corrupt sector, while judiciary and health ranked 2nd and 3rd most corrupt sectors.

In Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, police were perceived to be the most corrupt sector, followed by judiciary and tendering and contracting at second and third, respectively. In Balochistan, tendering and contracting took the lead followed by the police and judiciary at the second and third spot, respectively.

PPP’s Abdul Qadir Baloch ISLAMABAD

STAFF REPORT

PPP leader and former federal minister Abdul Qadir Baloch has suggested postponing elections in areas that are under security threat instead of delaying polls entirely.

Last month, the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) and President Arif Alvi agreed on February 8, 2024 as the date for polls. The development stirred activities in the camps of most political parties.

However, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Governor Ghulam Ali recently said it was difficult to carry out political activities in parts of KP and Balochistan due to the security situation. Similarly, JUI-F chief Fazlur Rehman also raised questions on the feasibility of holding elections amid a “deteriorating” security situation.

Earlier this week, caretaker Interior Minister Sarfraz Ahmed Bugti, while emphasising the government’s readiness to ensure peaceful general elections, acknowledged the terrorist threats faced by political leaders in the runup to the polls, highlighting a general threat to political figures, with a specific alert for the JUI-F chief.

In an interview with a private

Solangi reaffirms commitment to in-time, transparent polls ISLAMABAD

STAFF REPORT

Caretaker Minister for Information and Broadcasting Murtaza Solangi has expressed confidence in the democratic process, affirming that the upcoming elections in Pakistan will be held on the scheduled date of February 8, 2024.

“Politicking has been picking up, everyone could see key political leaders of different parties addressing political gatherings across the country which testament to the fact that elections are imminent and would be held on the already announced date by the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP)”, Caretaker Information and Broadcasting Minister Murtaza Solangi during an interview to a private news Tv channel on Saturday, PPP’s Baloch said it was more suitable to delay elections in sensitive areas and hold by-polls there later.

“In a country with 236 seats, it

channel here on Sunday.

“God willing, the elections will take place on Thursday, February 8, 2024,” Solangi affirmed, emphasizing the adherence to constitutional and legal norms.

Solangi stated that the ECP would soon release the schedule of general elections. “All political parties will be granted a 54day period for electioneering to ensure a fair and transparent electoral process”, he stated.

Solangi also defended the impartiality of the judiciary, noting that the courts are dispensing justice to everyone and upholding the principle of accountability. He further underscored the caretaker government’s commitment to implementing the orders of the apex court, ensuring the rule of law and constitutional governance.

is not appropriate to postpone elections for seven to eight seats and derail the democracy,” he stressed.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 03

ECP refutes claims on issuance of elections schedule ISLAMABAD

STAFF REPORT

The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) on Sunday refuted the news item claiming that the electoral watchdog had issued the schedule for the forthcoming general elections.

A spokesperson for the ECP dismissed a news report published in the local newspaper, labelling it as baseless and lacking any factual basis.

The spokesperson clarified that the schedule circulating on social media platforms is fraudulent. The ECP representative highlighted the consistent emergence of false information regarding the elections in both print and electronic media.

Emphasising the need to rely solely on statements from the official spokesperson of the ECP, the spokesperson urged the public to dismiss any information claiming to originate from the commission but not endorsed by its official representative.

On Thursday, Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Sikandar Sultan Raja had said that the commission will announce the election schedule in the coming few days.

In his message on National Voters Day, Raja noted that the printing and delivery of the final electoral rolls had concluded. He added that the ECP would notify the district returning officers, returning officers, and assistant officers in the coming days.

He said the commission was fully aware of all its constitutional and legal responsibilities. Emphasising the ECP’s complete preparedness and commitment, the CEC assured voters of complete security throughout the election process, ensuring the exercise of their voting rights with privacy and transparency in the polls scheduled to take place on February 8, 2024.

Nadeem Afzal Chan refuses to testify against ex-PM in £190m case ISLAMABAD

STAFF REPORT

Former special assistant to the ex-prime minister on parliamentary coordination Nadeem Afzal Chan has refused to testify against Khan in court.

According to details, Nadeem Afzal Chan has denied becoming a witness against the PTI founding chief in the £190 million settlement case.

He stated that NAB had inquired into the case and he shared whatever information he had and added not to testify against the former prime minister in the court.

Nadeem Afzal Chan mentioned that since the PTI founder is in jail, he will not testify against him in court. “When he [Khan] was in power, I used to tell him these things. However, he is in jail now and my school of thought is not that of talking against someone who is oppressed or incarcerated,” he stated.

Meanwhile, National Accountability Bureau has compiled the list of witnesses in NCA £190 million scandal which includes former defense minister Pervaiz Khattak, Zubaida Jalal, Nadeem Afzal Chan and Azam Khan.

The witnesses list also includes Asset Recovery Unit, Federal Investigation Authority (FIA) and cabinet division officer.

Earlier, former PTI Minister Zubaida Jalal made startling revelations before National Accountability Bureau (NAB) in the National Crime Agency (NCA) £190 million scandal.

Zubaida Jalal told NAB in her statement that she urged the cabinet for investigation into this matter but former prime minister Imran Khan didn’t listen to her.

She further revealed that the NCA £190 million was approved despite objections from cabinet members and the minutes of the meeting were kept secret.

Israeli tanks battle into Khan Younis’ centre as death toll surges to 18,000 CAIRO/ GAZA AGENCIES

Israeli tanks battled their way to the heart of Khan Younis on Sunday in a major new push into the main city of the southern Gaza Strip, as health authorities in Hamas-run Gaza said about 18,000 Palestinians had been killed in the war.

Residents said tanks had reached the main north-south road through the middle of Khan Younis after intense combat through the night that had slowed the Israeli advance from the east. Warplanes were pounding the area west of the assault.

The air rumbled with the constant thud of explosions and thick columns of white smoke rose over the densely crowded city, filled with people displaced from elsewhere in the enclave.

As morning broke near a city-centre police station, the constant rattle of machinegun fire could be heard. Streets there were deserted apart from an old woman and a girl riding on a donkey cart.

“It was one of the most dreadful nights, the resistance was very strong, we could hear gunshots and explosions that didn’t stop for hours,” a father of four displaced from Gaza City and sheltering in Khan Younis told Reuters. He declined to be identified for fear of reprisals.

At the opposite end of the Gaza Strip, in northern areas where Israel had previously said its forces had largely completed their tasks, residents also described some of the most intense fighting of the war so far.

“I daresay it is the strongest battle we have heard in weeks,” said Nasser, 59, a father of seven sheltering in Jabaliya after his house was destroyed in Beit Lahiya, another northern area. Explosions could be heard as he spoke. “We are not going to leave Jabaliya regardless of everything. We shall die here as martyrs or they will leave us alone.”

Israel vowed to annihilate Hamas, which has ruled Gaza since 2007, after fighters burst across the fence on Oct. 7 and went on a rampage through Israeli towns, gunning down families in their homes, killing 1,200

people and seizing 240 hostages.

Since then, Gaza’s health authorities say about 18,000 people have been confirmed killed and 49,500 injured in Israeli strikes, with thousands more missing and presumed dead under rubble. The toll no longer includes figures from northern parts of the enclave, beyond the reach of ambulances and where hospitals have ceased functioning.

142 female detainees from Gaza in Israeli prisons: Palestinian Prisoners Society That includes babies and elderly women, who are being kept in various prisons, including Hasharon and Damon, the Prisoners Society and the Prisoners Commission has said.

The groups said the Israeli authorities are not disclosing the numbers, fate, location or medical state of these women and children.

Who’s alive?

After weeks of fighting concentrated in the north, Israel launched its ground offensive in the south this week with a storm of Khan Younis. With combat now under way along nearly the entire length of the Gaza Strip, international aid organisations say its

2.3 million people have been left with nowhere to hide. The World Health Organisation said it would be all but impossible to improve the “catastrophic” situation in Gaza, where medical needs had surged and the risk of disease grown while the health system had been greatly reduced.

At the site of one Khan Younis home that had been destroyed by bombing overnight, relatives of the dead were combing the rubble in a daze. They dragged the body of a middle-aged man in a yellow T-shirt from under the masonry.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 03

02 NEWS

PRESIDENT, PM REITERATE PAKISTAN’S COMMITMENT TO SAFEGUARDING HUMAN RIGHTS

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Monday, 11 December, 2023 | ISLAMABAD

prived of their rights and have been subjected to the worst form of state terrorism and ethnic cleansing by Israel.

He observed that the international community has failed to take action against Israel and stop it from committing genocide of the Palestinian people.

Similarly, he said, the Human Rights abuses in the Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) also demand the attention of the international community to hold India accountable for unleashing a reign of terror against the people of IIOJK. Caretaker Prime Minister Anwaarul Haq

international instruments.

In a message on the occasion of World Human Rights Day, he said Pakistan’s constitution guarantees fundamental rights to the citizens and the country has adopted several legal, economic and social remedies to promote and protect these rights.

President Dr Alvi said Pakistan has provided an enabling environment and equal opportunities to all minority groups who enjoyed equal social, political and economic rights.

The President said it was unfortunate that the people of Palestine are being de-

ISLAMABAD

Staff RepoRt

N the World Human Rights Day observed in Pakistan like other parts of the world, President Dr Arif Alvi and Caretaker Premier Anwaarul Haq Kakar reiterated Pakistan’s commitment to safeguard human rights.

President Dr Arif Alvi has reiterated Pakistan’s commitment to upholding the rights of all citizens as enshrined in the Constitution of Pakistan, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, and other relevant

Kakar has said that the government would continue its efforts to promote and safeguard human rights, both domestically and internationally. In a message on the occasion of World Human Rights Day, he reiterated Pakistan’s unflinching resolve to further advance respect for and protection of the rights and freedoms of all the citizens.

The Caretaker Prime Minister said in South Asia, India is violating all norms and conventions of human rights in the Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK). He said Pakistan reiterates its call for ending egregious human rights abuses in

IIOJK and reaffirms to continue moral, diplomatic and political support to the Kashmiri people in their just struggle against India’s occupation and oppression.

The Caretaker Prime Minister said that another pressing human rights situation has emerged in Palestine where Israel is blatantly violating human rights in Gaza, resulting in thousands of casualties.

He said Israel’s purposeful, indiscriminate, and disproportionate targeting of people violated all standards of human rights and constituted a clear breach of international law.

Economic policies should revolve around job creation: Altaf Shakoor Martyrdom anniversary of Sowar M Hussain Shaheed observed ISLAMABAD

Staff RepoRt

The 52nd martyrdom Anniversary of Sowar Muhammad Hussain Shaheed, Nishan-eHaider was observed on Sunday. A smartly turned out contingent of Pakistan Army presented guard of honour at his mausoleum in Gujar Khan. The officers of Pakistan Army laid floral wreaths at the Mausoleum and offered Fateha and paid tribute to the Sowar Muhammad Hussain Shaheed. During the 1971 war at Zafarwal Shakargarh Sector, Sowar Muhammad Hussain demonstrated indomitable courage and inflicted heavy losses upon the enemy and he single handedly destroyed sixteen Tanks. Sowar Muhammad Hussain’s martyrdom anniversary serves as a powerful reminder of the extraordinary sacrifices made by the Armed Forces of Pakistan to defend the motherland.

Man abducts, kills son-in-law

Showing deep concerns over growing Joblessness in the country, Pasban Democratic Party (PDP) Chairman Altaf Shakoor here Sunday demanded that economic policies of Pakistan should revolve around job creation to pull out millions of family from poverty.

He said successive governments in Pakistan, both democratic and dictatorships, have taken care of the vested interests of the elite class, ignoring vast majority of the poor masses. He said our taxation system is based to protect feudal lords and tycoons of trade and industry but to extort higher taxes from working class people. He said without changing this approach we can’t attain national progress and prosperity.

He said industrial and agricultural sectors have immense potential to create millions of new jobs, but the government is saving the interests of import mafia and even we have to import food

Staff RepoRt

A Saudi Arabia returned man abducted and killed his son-in-law for entering in court marriage with his daughter. According to details, 19-year-old Aiman Akhtar hailing from village Langay of Gujrat entered in friendship on online PUBG game with a labourer youth Husnain Ali, belonging to village Jassoran of Pasrur. The two lovebirds tied a knot on November 30, 2023 through court marriage. Aiman’s father identified as Akhtar who was staying in Saudi Arabia soon after his return abducted Husnain Ali. A case of abduction was registered at Badiana police station and body of the kidnapped youth was recovered from jurisdiction of Mangwal police station in Gujrat. The body was handed over to heirs after legal formalities and police after registering a case into the incident started raids to arrest the accused.

items despite being an agricultural nation. He said making new dams and canals on one hand and using water saving technologies like drip irrigation on the other hands can make Pakistan a grain basket by cultivating our vast arid and semi-arid lands. He said our arid lands are our goldmines but they need proper attention as they alone can end rural poverty within a few years.

Altaf Shakoor said our failed education system is the main reason behind

Lack of self-accountability cause of many issues in society: Deputy Chairman NAB RAWALPINDI

PASRUR

Staff RepoRt

our growing Joblessness. We don’t need prolonged formal degree programmers but short technical job-oriented diploma programs that could lead to degrees. He said instead of giving five year education and training to doctors, we should create five one-year stage-bases diploma programs in medicine and surgery. A candidate completing all five diplomas may be awarded MBBS degree, but those only passing a few diplomas can become huge workforce of nurses, paramedics and medical technicians. This approach should also be adopted in education and training of engineering, legal, accounting, management and other disciplines.

He said we should follow innovative ways in education and training with a main focus on job creation. He said making startups should be made a mandatory part of all education diploma or degree programmers so that students could focus on creating their own businesses instead of solely relying on salaried work.

KARACHI

Staff RepoRt

Deputy Chairman of National Accountability Bureau Justice (R) Sohail Nasir has said that there is a lack of self-accountability in our society and emphasized that all the wealthy people needed to work together to reduce poverty.

He expressed these views while speaking as chief guest of the seminar on “Jinnah’s Vision for Eradication of Poverty” organized by Jinnah Iqbal South Asian Forum (JISAF). On this occasion warm quilts were distributed by the forum to hundreds of deserving families.

Among others Justice (Rtd) Sohail Nasir, Forum Chairman Rana Abdul Baqi, Former Federal Secretary Muzaffar Mehmood Qureshi, Commodore (Rtd) Shahid Nawaz, Colonel Bakhtiar Hakeem, Professor Dr. Aqeela Asif. Dr. Sabahat and Arsalan Akbar Abbasi also

Quaid-e-Azam had clearly declared that the new state of Pakistan would be a true welfare state with equal rights for all citizens.”The new state will be based on the principles of Islamic social justice”, he quoted the Quid. He further said that following the vision of the father of the nation, JISAF distribute warm blankets in winter and one month’s ration in the holy month of Ramadan to deserving families.

Speaking on the occasion, Colonel (Rtd) Bakhtiar Hakeem said that every Pakistani should ask himself every day what he has given to Pakistan today.

Muzaffar Mehmood Qureshi said in his address that sharing the deprivations of the deprived people is a great virtue and we need to imitate Rana Abdul Baqi.

Professor Aqeela Asif and other speakers also spoke on this occasion. Later, hundreds of warm quilts were distributed among the deserving families.

addressed the seminar.

Justice ( R ) Sohail Nasir said every poor person who has health and safety should consider why he is poor. “Work hard can change the financial position so we all should work tirelessly to overcome our shorts”, he added.

On the occasion, Deputy Chairman NAB announced to bear the expenses for complete education of two children in Jinnah Iqbal Education System and said that we should do a lot of work for the promotion of education. He said that every individual should do his own accountability. He paid tribute to the chairman of the forum, Rana Abdul Baqi, who every year distributes warm quilts and monthly ration to deserving families.

Forum Chairman Rana Abdul Baqi, referring to the speeches of Quaid-eAzam Muhammad Ali Jinnah in April 1943 and November 1944, said that the

Soaring dry fruits prices make their buying distant dream for common man ISLAMABAD INp

Considered to be most popular and consumed delight of the winter season, dry fruits have turned into a lavish commodity for a common man to buy due to the exorbitant rates amid the prevailing price hike situation.

However, buying dry fruits was no more a priority for majority of the citizens especially those belonging to the low- and middle-income groups as they are finding it hard to buy their daily eatables like vegetables, fruits, wheat flour etc. due to the price hike situation. The nutritional benefits of dry fruits cannot be ignored in terms of increasing the immunity level to fight diseases due to the cold weather in the ongoing winter season.

Sajid Khan, a dry fruits seller at Karachi Company, said the price of dry fruits has increased along with inflation. “Selling dry

fruits is the only source of income for me and it would be difficult to feed my children and run household expenditures if I didn’t earn maximum profit”, he said.

“The trend of offering discounts on special occasions is no longer limited to the clothes, food items and other accessories of daily life but also being adopted by sellers like me to attract buyers due to its high price”, Sajid Khan added.

He said that he sells almonds (without

A cat does its business CIty NoteS M.a. NIazI ’ve spent my whole working life in a newspaper. I’ve always questioned what I do, many times because I’ve been forced to. But now I’ve had to face a challenge to not just my entire working life, but the many years I spent as a newspaper reader. I like newspapers.

I’ve been reading them for many more than 50 years. Come to think of it, I learned to read from the newspapers. And all those years I’ve spent working for them, I’ve been a reader.

What made me pick over my entire conscious life was the cat peeing on the morning papers twice. The first time, I remember, was an accident, but the second made me wonder. The cat has been around for some time, and has shown no interest in

I

shell) at Rs2800 per kg, Walnut (without shell) at Rs2,200, Pistachio for Rs3,600, apricot for Rs1,200, dried apricot for Rs1600, dried figs for Rs3,200 and Raisin for Rs1,700, dates Rs1,200, Afghani Rewari for Rs1,200 and Cashews for Rs3600.

Since the Pine nuts are not purchased at all by most of the customers due to their sky-rocketing price of around Rs14,000, I also cannot afford to keep that in my stock, he said. Zahida Amin, a customer at a dry fruits shop at Apbara Market said, “It was my routine from the last many years to buy the whole stock of dry fruits especially almonds and walnuts for the season so that my family can enjoy these with tea”.

But now due to the exorbitant rates of dry fruits and limited purchasing capacity amid the prevailing price hike situation, it is not possible to buy the most wanted nutritional dry fruits which are good for the health, she said. A public servant Asima

the newspapers before.

So what am I to make of this act of deliberation after months of ignoring the existence of the papers? I assume that the comment was general, for there was a fine indiscrimination in the papers peed on. So it was not a comment on a particular paper, for the cat was signally unqualified to make any comment distinguishing between papers. Maybe I’m getting paranoid, and any assumption of a comment vis a calumny on a fine upstanding cat.

But if there was a comment, was the comment one of disdain for how the news is reported in the newspapers? Or the news that is occurring? The latter lets us newshounds off the hook. For you can’t blame us for what is happening, no matter how much you dislike it.

Two examples off the top of my head: if you saw a newspaper which reported that Imran Khan was addressing huge rallies all over the country, and if it also reported that

Azhar said, “It seems that dry fruits will become a commodity of a certain segment of society that would be able to afford to buy these otherwise people like me can hardly buy such things except peanuts.”

Saleem Khan, a regular customer of dry fruits at Karachi Company said every kind of dry fruit has its nutritional value like almonds are good for the eyes and walnuts for the brain. Dry fruits are essential for kids especially when they are in growing age.

Dry fruits provide you the muchneeded nutrients, vitamins and warmth in the chilly winter season. During busy and short winters, one can have instant energy from the dry fruits. No diet plan is complete without these super-healthy foods as they are filled with various nutrients as well as essential fats. Dry fruits also have many skin benefits and thus form a key ingredient in beauty products.

prices were falling across the board, you would stop your subscription.

It was told to us, and it was something I learnt. The first thing that a newspaper must contain is the truth. Otherwise, you’re writing fiction. We learnt that a newspaper is a product, which people pay for. And they pay for information that is true. If they wanted lies, they would buy something else.

So was that what the cat was commenting on? And do newspapers deserve such scurvy treatment, even if it is from a cat? I would sense some intolerance here. If you don’t like something about a paper, stop buying it, If enough people stop. The management of the newspaper will start asking questions. And probably try to rectify itself.

Of course, there are certain limits.

I remember, for example, a Punjabi newspaper which ultimately went down. I think one reason was that to read it you didn’t just need curiosity, but also a commitment to the Punjabi language. You need to be so committed to it that you are ready to pick your way through a Punjabi news item, and read in Shahmukhi something you could easily read in an Urdu newspaper.

(After all, most news is the same. Nawaz met Shujat last week; no matter what spin a paper gave, it couldn’t make it a meeting between Bilawal and Pervez Elahi.) Now if you had asked the Editor of the Punjabi newspaper if he could print news items in Urdu, he would have given you a strange look through his glasses. (By the way, he was too perfect a gentleman to have given you the punch you deserved. Even though he was himself Urdu-speaking.)

Meanwhile, the Israelis are tearing into the Gazans. They’re taking casualties,

APHC-AJK urges world to take cognizance of IIOJK people’s plight ISLAMABAD

Staff RepoRt

All Parties Hurriyat Conference Azad Jammu and Kashmir (APHC-AJK) chapter has urged the world to take cognizance of the plight of people of Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) who have been deprived of all basic rights by India. APHC-AJK senior leader Ghulam Muhammad Safi in a statement issued in Islamabad on the occasion of Human Right Day, said not even a single among 30 basic human rights enlisted in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights exists in occupied Jammu and Kashmir. On the worsening situation of human rights in the occupied territory, he said Kashmiris are being mercilessly killed, tortured and humiliated for demanding their right to self-determination in a United Nations-recognised disputed territory.

Meanwhile, other APHC-AJK leaders, including, Gen Secretary Sheikh Abdul Mateen, Syed Faiz Naqshbandi, Altaf Hussain Wani, Imtiyaz Ahmed Wani, Syed Aijaz Rehmani, Shameen Shawl, Advocate Parvaiz Ahmed Shah, Zahid Safi, Mushtaq Ahmed Butt, Muhammad Sultan Butt, Zahid Ashraf, Javed Ahmed Butt, Gulshan Ahmad, Qazi Muhammad Imran, and Uzair Ahmad Ghazali in their statements urged the world powers to take notice of the plight of the Kashmir people. They appealed to nations, organisations and people all over the world, who believe in the supremacy of human rights and human dignity, to support the Kashmiris in their just struggle for securing their inalienable right to self-determination.

Lahore’s air pollution eases LAHORE

Staff RepoRt

Air pollution in Lahore eased and Punjab’s provincial capital has dropped to number third on the list of the world’s most polluted cities.

According to details shared by the Punjab Environment Protection Department, the average ratio of smog in Lahore was recorded at 215%. Air quality of Lahore’s Sharah-e-Quaide-Azam, DHA and Mall Road remained extremely dangerous after being recorded 362, 403 and 400, respectively. The people have been advised to use facemasks while leaving their homes. The AQI is calculated based on five categories of pollution: ground-level ozone, particulate matter, carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide, and nitrogen dioxide. AQI as high as 151-200 is considered unhealthy, while an AQI rating between 201 to 300 is more harmful and the AQI over 300 is termed extremely toxic.

According to experts, an increase in air pollution used to be recorded in the winter. A change in the wind speed, wind direction and sliding minimum temperature increases air pollution.

The air becomes heavier in the winter as compared to summer, causing poisonous particles in the atmosphere to move downwards and making the atmosphere polluted. As a result, a layer of polluted particles, including large amounts of carbon and smoke, covers a city.

though. One of them was a Major Gal Eisenkot. Some major getting killed is no big deal. But this was the son of a former chief of the Israeli Defense Forces. And the day after, Eisenkot’s nephew, a sergeantmajor, got killed too. And Eisenkot is not spending a quiet retirement. He’s part of the War Cabinet.

It shows the inferiority of the IDF. Could our chief’s son, even if he wasn’t an investment banker but in the Army, have been posted in harm’s way. Would a minister’s son? Or nephew?

Monday, 11 December, 2023 | ISLAMABAD

INDIA COMMITTING WORST STATE TERRORISM IN IIOJK: PRESIDENT ALVI

P

ISLAMABAD

Staff REpoRt

RESIDENT of Pakistan Dr Arif Alvi has said that India is committing the worst type of state terrorism in occupied Jammu and Kashmir.

Dr Arif Alvi in a message on the occasion of Human Rights Day, urged the international community to hold India accountable for unleashing a reign of terror against the people of the occupied territory.

He said as the international community

is observing Human Rights Day, it is unfortunate that the people of Palestine are being deprived of their rights and have been subjected to the worst form of state terrorism and ethnic cleansing by Israel.

The Israeli Defence Forces had killed thousands of innocent people, including women, children, and healthcare and aid workers, besides bombing hospitals, schools, and residential areas, he lamented.

The president observed that the international community had failed to take action against Israel and stop it from committing genocide of the Palestinian people.

Elections can be put off in areas under security threat: PPP’s Abdul Qadir Baloch CONTINUED FROM PAGE 01

He stated that Balochistan, just like KP, was also under threat from the banned Tehreek-iTaliban Pakistan (TTP). “Attack by the TTP in Balochistan are way higher than those by Baloch separatists,” the PPP leader said, highlighting that Kalat, Mastung and neighbouring areas were often targeted by the outlawed organisation. “The threats are imminent and the separatist elements do not believe in parliamentary politics,” Baloch stated, adding that these elements were hindering election campaigns in the province.

The PPP leader also said that Bugti should not have openly announced the threats to Fazl on media and instead could have communicated the same to the JUI-F leader in directly. Baloch further stated that the government, being aware of the threats, should take action to protect politicians in the country and fulfil its responsibility. It must be noted that 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. According to data released by the Pakistan Institute for Conflict and Security Studies (PICSS), the country experienced 34 per cent increase in anti-state violence last month.

Two tribesmen killed, four injured in armed clash near Barkhan BARKHAN

Staff REpoRt

Two tribesmen were killed and four others injured in an armed clash between two subclans of Khetran tribe in Kalipoth area of district Barkhan in Balochistan province on Sunday. According to rescue sources, the clash between Langhani and Sherani, two sub-clans of Khetran tribe, took place in Kalipoth area of district Barkhan in Balochistan province. As a result, two tribesmen lost their lives while four other got injured. The bodies and the deceased were shifted to a nearby hospital where after completion of necessary medico-legal formalities, the bodies were handed over to the heirs while the injured were being provided with medical facilities. The deceased were identified as Mazar Khan son of Gul Jan and Juma Khan son of Shair Muhammad while the names of injured could not be ascertained till filing this report. Further investigation was being conducted by the concerned authorities.

Punjab govt plans desilting of 1,112 canals after 10 years LAHORE

Staff REpoRt

The Punjab government has decided to launch a comprehensive desilting drive to properly clean 1,112 canals of the province after 10 years. The decision in this connection was taken during a high level meeting held in Lahore on Sunday with Caretaker Chief Minister Punjab Mohsin Naqvi in chair. High officials of respective departments attended the meeting. Speaking on the occasion, Mohsin Naqvi said the desilting campaign will start from 26th of this month and will continue till January 20, 2024. The caretaker chief minister said attention should also be paid to the repair of canals along with cleanliness and ordered to take effective measures to curb water theft.

Authorities directed to swiftly complete all arrangements for general elections RAWALPINDI

Staff REpoRt

Commissioner of Rawalpindi Division Liaquat Ali Chatta has directed the authorities concerned to swiftly complete all the arrangements for general elections in 2024.

According to a commissioner office spokesman, the commissioner had instructed the authorities to finalize the best possible arrangements to ensure the transparent conduct of general elections.

The Divisional Administration would provide unconditional support to the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) to ensure the transparent conduct of the general elections, the Commissioner said, adding that all the arrange-

ments, including security, would be completed timely as per the guidelines of the ECP. He said that 2500 polling stations would be set up in Rawalpindi district, while 1750 buildings had been selected for the polling stations.

The Commissioner had directed the Assistant Commissioners to complete all the arrangements in their respective areas for the polling stations. Special arrangements should be made for the security of the polling stations, the commissioner instructed.

The spokesman informed that the Regional Transport Authority, Rawalpindi, had also arranged vehicles for the election staff.

He informed me that Liaquat Ali

Chatta had instructed that while assigning the responsibilities to all the relevant departments, a meeting should also be called as soon as the schedule of the election comes and an update should be taken from all the departments.

“Transparent conduct of elections is indispensable for our country’s security and development,” the Commissioner said, adding that, considering this work as a social responsibility more than a professional one, the implementation of the Code of Conduct issued by ECP should be ensured in letter and spirit.

All possible steps should be taken to implement the Code of Conduct that would be issued by the ECP regarding the conduct of transparent and impartial elections, Liaquat Ali Chatta directed.

Those involved in wrong parking to face action to ensure pedestrians’ rights: CTO Islamabad ISLAMABAD

Ejaz ChEEma

The Capital Police launched a campaign against those involved in parking vehicles wrongly and creating problems in smooth flow of traffic by occupying footpath areas.

Following the directives of Islamabad Capital City Police Officer (ICCPO) Dr Akbar Nasir Khan, the Islamabad Capital Police has launched the campaign and Chief Traffic Officer Islamabad is monitoring it.

CTO Islamabad Sarfraz virk has directed all Zonal DSPs to ensure implementation of traffic laws and take action against those involved in creating prob-

lems for traffic discipline in the city.

The CTO Islamabad said that it is the right of pedestrians to use footpaths and no parking would be allowed there.

He said that vehicles should be parked at lots specified at shopping centers while awareness campaigns should be launched to educate citizens.

Action was taken against showroom and shopping malls’ administrators in G-11 Markaz, F-10, F-11, G-8, G-9, I-8 Markaz, Blue area, Bahria Town, Jinnah Super Market, F-6 Super Market, Aabpara and Bhara Kahu markets. Vehicles were removed from footpath areas and they were warned to follow rules otherwise strict action would be initiated against them.

During the ongoing Year, the Islamabad Capital Police also issued 12,819 fine tickets to those involved in wrong parking while several vehicles were impounded at police stations for not vacating footpath areas. The CTO Islamabad said that it is our top priority to ensure convenience for road users by maintaining traffic discipline and every possible effort would be made for the purpose.

He said that squads have been constituted for the purpose of removing illegal parking and vacating footpaths while indiscriminate action would be taken against violators. He said that this operation would be extended to the other areas of Islamabad and smooth traffic flow to be ensured.

Israeli tanks battle into Khan Younis’ centre as death toll surges to 18,000 CONTINUED FROM PAGE 01

“We prayed the nighttime prayer and went to sleep, then woke up to find the house on top of us. ‘Who’s alive?!'” said Ahmed Abdel Wahab. “Three floors above collapsed down and the people are under it,” he said. “My mother and father, my sister and brother, all of my cousins.”

The main hospital in Khan Younis, Nasser hospital, has been overrun with dead and wounded. On Sunday there was no floor space left in the emergency department as people carried in more wounded wrapped in blankets and carpets. Mohamed Abu Shihab wailed and swore revenge for a son he said had been killed by an Israeli sniper.

The Israeli military said it bombed underground tunnel shafts in Khan Younis and attacked a squad of Palestinian gunmen preparing an ambush, but said nothing about any tank advance.

Hamas said its fighters had damaged or destroyed 180 Israeli military vehicles during the fighting, without producing evidence, and said Israel would not be able to recover the remaining hostages by force, only through negotiations. The vast majority of Gaza’s residents have now been forced from their homes, many fleeing several times with only the belongings they can carry.

Israel says it is doing what it can to protect civilians, but even its closest ally

the United States says it has fallen short of those promises. An Israeli siege has cut off supplies, with the United Nations warning of mass hunger and disease.

ESCALATION FEARS: Fighting between Israel and the Iran-backed Hezbollah movement in Lebanon, triggered by the Gaza conflict, intensified on Sunday. At an international conference in Doha, capital of Qatar which acted as the main mediator for a weeklong truce that saw more than 100 hostages freed, Arab foreign ministers criticised the United States for vetoing a UN Security Council resolution on Friday that demanded a humanitarian ceasefire in Gaza.

Qatar’s Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani said the war risked radicalising a generation across the Middle East. Jordan’s foreign minister said the Israeli campaign aimed to drive Palestinians from Gaza and met the legal definition of genocide, accusations Israel called outrageous. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said he would “not give up” appealing for a ceasefire.

“I urged the Security Council to press to avert a humanitarian catastrophe and I reiterated my appeal for a humanitarian ceasefire to be declared,” Guterres said. “Regrettably, the Security Council failed to do it, but that does not make it less necessary.”

Israel has spurned demands it halt the fighting. Briefing his cabinet on Sunday, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he had told the leaders of France, Germany and other countries: “You cannot on the one hand support the elimination of Hamas, and on other pressure us to end the war, which would prevent the elimination of Hamas.”

ATTACKS AND COUNTER STRIKES BETWEEN ISRAEL AND HEZBOLLAH: Violence escalated at Lebanon’s border with Israel as Hezbollah launched explosive drones and powerful missiles at Israeli positions and Israeli air strikes rocked several towns and villages in south Lebanon. An Israeli air strike on the town of Aitaroun destroyed five homes and damaged many more, said Ali Hijazi, a local official. “Divine intervention prevented anyone being martyred. Three women and two men were wounded.”

Senior Hezbollah politician Hassan Fadlallah said Israeli air strikes are a “new escalation” to which the group is responding with new types of attacks, be it “in the nature of the weapons [used] or the targeted sites”. The Israeli army earlier said “suspicious aerial targets” crossed from Lebanon and two were intercepted. Two Israeli soldiers were moderately wounded and a number of others lightly injured from shrapnel and smoke inhalation, it said.

NEWS 03

4th BRI Chinese Training Course for Pakistani Police Inaugurated ISLAMABAD

Staff REpoRt

The fourth “Belt and Road” Chinese Training Course for police officers in Pakistan was inaugurated with the aim of improving the language and cross-cultural communication skills of Pakistani police personnel.

The initiative also seeks to strengthen police cooperation between China and Pakistan and enhance the friendship and mutual trust between the two countries. The two-week training program, hosted by the Chinese Embassy in Pakistan and undertaken by the China Pakistan Educational Cultural Institute (CPECI), is being attended by over 22 senior police officers from Islamabad. It covers a wide range of courses, including basic Chinese language, police traffic term learning, Chinese kungfu, and more. Li Qingchun, the police counselor of the Chinese Embassy in Pakistan, highlighted that China and Pakistan are traditionally friendly neighbors, and police cooperation between the two countries is of great significance for maintaining regional security and stability. Shakir Hussain Dawar, the Capital Police Officer (CPO) of Islamabad Police, expressed his gratitude to the Chinese government for their continued support and cooperation in maintaining law and order in Pakistan. He added that “as a common language among countries along the Belt and Road, mastering Chinese is of great significance for improving the work efficiency of police officers.”

According to Gwadar Pro on Sunday, more than 60 people, including Ma Bin, President of the CPECI, and Pakistani police trainees at all levels, attended the inauguration ceremony.

Khuzdar blast claiming CTD SHO’s life condemnable: Sarfraz Bugti ISLAMABAD

Staff REpoRt

Caretaker Federal Minister for Interior, Sarfraz Ahmed Bugti has said that Khuzdar blast claiming life of CTD SHO is strongly condemnable. Expressing deep grief and sorrow over the martyrdom of CTD SHO Muhammad Murad, he prayed for departed soul to rest in eternal peace and courage for bereaved family to bear this irreparable loss with fortitude. Sarfraz Bugti said, “We stand with the family of the martyred police officer in this hour of sorrow.”

He said that the best medical facilities will be provided to the pedestrians injured in the blast.

The interior minister said that terrorists wanted to sabotage peace in Balochistan by targeting security forces; however, such cowardly acts by terrorists cannot demoralize the valiant forces.

“We will end terrorism from all over the country, including Balochistan” said the minister, adding that the entire nation salutes those who sacrificed their lives for the sake of the country. The blood of martyrs will not go in vain in the war against terrorism, the minister concluded his message.

DG Customs robbed at gunpoint in Islamabad ISLAMABAD

Staff REpoRt

In a brazen daylight robbery, armed men snatched mobile phone of the Director General (DG) of Customs while he was on a walk near the Ramna police station in Islamabad on Sunday. This incident has sparked concerns over the rise of robberies and thefts in the federal capital. According to reports, the DG parked his car on the roadside and went for a walk when two armed men on a motorcycle approached him. They threatened him with a gun and took away his mobile phone before fleeing the scene. The DG’s employee registered a case at the Ramna police station, demanding immediate action to apprehend the culprits and recover the stolen phone. This incident comes amidst conflicting reports from the Ministry of Interior regarding crime statistics in Islamabad. One reply claims no robbery occurred in 2022 while another acknowledges 18 cases. Additionally, a separate report contradicts these figures, stating 3058 theft cases registered in the same year. The Ministry’s report further highlights the prevalence of other crimes in Islamabad, with 177 murders, 68 cases of adultery, 673 vehicle thefts, and 2524 general thefts reported in 2022. Notably, 3276 bicycle thefts and 1470 cases of illegal weapon possession were also recorded during the year.

Posters appeal IIOJK people to massively come on roads to save their identity, rights SRINAGAR

Staff REpoRt

Posters appeared in Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK), asking the Kashmiri people to massively come on roads to save their identity and raise voice for the rights snatched by Bharatiya Janata Partyled Indian government on 5th August 2019.

According to a report by Kashmir Media Service on Sunday, the posters were displayed by All Parties Hurriyat Conference, Kashmir Political Resistance Movement, Jammu and Kashmir Justice and Peace Initiative, Nawjawanan-e-Hurriyat Jammu and Kashmir, Jammu and Kashmir Justice League Forum, Jammu and Kashmir Democratic Movement, Jammu and Kashmir Democratic Youth Forum, Jammu and Kashmir Social Youth Forum, Warseen-e-

Shuhada Jammu and Jammu and Jammu and Kashmir Peoples Resistance Party.

The posters read, safronized judiciary under the influence of BJP is likely to endorse its illegal actions of August 5, 2019 and Kashmiri people must come on roads massively and raise voice for the rights snatched by the BJP regime.

The posters, while appealing people to protest against Hindutva BJP/RSS antiKashmir agendas, read “Revocation of Article 370 on 5th Aug 2019 was an assault on Kashmiri identity and was meant to strip Kashmiris of their rights”–” People of Jammu & Kashmir want immediate restoration of Article 370.”

The posters appealed to the world community to put pressure on India to restore Kashmir-specific Articles 370 and 35A as on August 5, 2019, the Modi-led Hindutva gov-

ernment revoked Article 370, which granted special status to the internationally recognized disputed territory Jammu and Kashmir, and imposed a brutal military and police siege.

The posters said the Indian judiciary is giving priority to Hindutva ideology while announcing verdicts in cases related to Muslims in India/IIOJK as RSS-backed Indian BJP government’s 5 Aug 2019 annulment of J&K’s special status was meant to strip Kashmiris of their rights.

The posters, rejecting the illegal and unilateral Indian actions of August 5, 2019, said it is legal duty of the Indian Supreme Court to give verdict in favour of suppressed people of Jammu and Kashmir, adding the restoration of Articles 370 & 35A is the demand of each and every Kashmiri living under the military and police siege since Aug 2019.

04 COMMENT

Success: A slice of life’s pie

Monday, 11 December 2023

Transparency International report

T

of elation, but it doesn’t guarantee sustained it’s the persistence through failure’. Embracing failure There’s, more to life than just succeeding ments happiness or contentment. When success becomes the as a catalyst for growth, valuing relationships, finding

Survey keeps police, judiciary as the most corrupt departments

HE Transparency International Pakistan’s National Corruption Perception Survey found that the police is seen as the country’s most corrupt institution, followed by tendering and contracting, and then the judiciary. It need not be argued that these are only perceptions. After all, there is no smoke without fire. This shows also that the money thrown at the corruption problem has not really worked. True, no one should argue that the increases in salaries and perks should be taken back. However, merely increasing salaries and perks, even if possible, would not solve the problem. If a fault is to be identified, it has to be at the level of accountability.

Clearly, the accountability mechanisms are defective, otherwise this perception would not exist.

The police accountability mechanism is the same as that of other government departments. That means that there is no public input or oversight. This was envisaged in the public safety commission system, which followed the Japanese model, but it was not operationalised, mainly because rulers, both elected and non-elected, do not want a just police, but one which will obey instructions without asking embarrassing questions about legality. There is no concept of police forces having an Internal Affairs Department, whose members come from the police force, but do not go back to routine police work. The same is the case with judges. While the perception of corruption afflicts the subordinate judiciary more, the superior judiciary, while not suspected of taking bribes, being seen as indulging their political preferences. The Superior judiciary has the Supreme Judicial Council mechanism, to supervise it, but the membership of the SJC is subject to the same sort of criticism as the police: the SJC means getting judges to sit on brother judges. Another problem that has been revealed in the recent past is that certain organizations try to arrange for favourable judgements by ensuring that judges are compromised, especially in the lower judiciary.

The perception about the police and the judiciary mean that society as a whole does not believe that it will bet a fair shake, or that the rule of law prevails. This is something that political leaders need to handle, and that too for purely selfish reasons. They should realize that without respect for the law, society will not obey them. If the law does not rule, then only brute force does.

L

Abid HussAin RAtHeR

IFE, a journey adorned with victories, challenges, and setbacks, often weaves itself into the tapestry of success. In a world inundated with narratives glorifying success, one might easily be lured into believing that life’s sole purpose revolves around achieving success. From childhood, society often embeds the idea that success is the ultimate measure of fulfilment and happiness.

We are encouraged to strive, to excel, to win.

But is life solely about the pursuit of success? Is success the true barometer of a life well-lived? Life encompasses numerous dimensions— personal, professional, emotional, spiritual, and social. Success typically tends to be associated with career accomplishments, financial prosperity, or accolades in various fields. While these achievements are undoubtedly valuable, they represent only a fraction of what constitutes a fulfilling life.

Success is a multifaceted jewel, reflecting various shades of achievement. It encompasses professional triumphs, personal accomplishments, and the pursuit of one’s aspirations. American novelist and essayist Christopher Morley has aptly quoted that there is only one success– to be able to spend your life in your own way. However, limiting life’s essence to mere success disregards the intricacies that shape our existence.

Success, undoubtedly, adds vigour to life.

Achieving goals, be it in careers, relationships, or personal growth, is gratifying. Yet, its prominence overshadows other facets crucial to a fulfilling existence.

Success holds its significance. It is the culmination of hard work, dedication, and perseverance. It brings a sense of accomplishment, recognition, and often material wealth. However, limiting life’s essence to success alone oversimplifies the multifaceted nature of human existence. Overemphasis on success as the primary goal can lead to a myopic view of life. It may foster relentless ambition at the expense of personal well-being and healthy relationships.

Life encompasses a spectrum of experiences— moments of joy, sorrow, growth, connection, learning, and introspection. It’s about the journey, not just the destination. Success might bring fleeting mo-

Dedicated to the legacy of late Hameed Nizami

Arif Nizami (Late) Founding Editor

Yousaf Nizami

sole focus, we risk neglecting the smaller, yet profoundly meaningful moments— the joy of a sunset, the laughter with loved ones, the comfort in solitude, and the simple pleasures that enrich our existence.

The relentless pursuit of success can inadvertently lead to tunnel vision, blinding individuals to the richness of life’s other offerings. Relationships, personal growth, experiences, compassion, and selfdiscovery are equally vital components of a fulfilling existence. They shape our character, provide depth to our emotions, and lend meaning to our endeavours.

Moreover, success is subjective. What defines success varies vastly from person to person. Sarah Centrella, famous author and motivational speaker, says that ‘success is personally defined. It’s subjective and it’s what you decide it will be.’ For some, it’s wealth and professional achievements, while for others, it could be nurturing relationships, contributing to society, or achieving inner peace. Placing a universal metric on success neglects individual aspirations, passions, and values, limiting the true essence of a purposeful life. The incessant pursuit of success often instils an insatiable hunger, where each milestone achieved is swiftly replaced by the desire for another, leaving individuals perpetually chasing an elusive goal-post, overlooking the beauty of the present moment.

What truly enriches life is a balance— a harmony between aspirations and contentment, ambition and gratitude, success and personal fulfilment. Famous American actress and talk show host Aisha Tyler has rightly said that ‘Success is not the absence of failure;

Joint Editor

Executive Editor

A watershed moment

D

MuHAMMAd OwAis KHAn

ELEGATES from nearly 200 countries, leaders of business and finance, and representatives of civil society gathered in Dubai from November 30 to December 12 for the COP28 climate conference with the aim of fast-tracking the transition to a clean-energy future.

Starting on November 30, and running through December 12, this historic event aims to lead the globe toward a future free of greenhouse gas emissions and resilient to climate change. Let’s examine the crucial elements influencing the conversation during COP 28.

The incoming administration has highlighted the critical need to accelerate the energy transition and drastically cut emissions by 2030 as one of the top priorities. The approaching climate crisis emphasizes this urgency and calls for swift action to lessen its far-reaching effects.

The massive challenge of galvanizing governments to expedite the shift to sustainable energy sources falls to COP 28, which calls for steadfast global collaboration and commitment.

The goal of accelerating the shift to renewable energy is to encourage governments and stakeholders to work together on creative policies and technology. To address the urgent problem of climate change, COP 28 offers a vital forum for countries to reinforce and reaffirm their commitment to emission reduction targets.

The transformation of climate financing is one of the significant issues on the COP 28 agenda. This obstacle emphasizes the necessity of keeping previous financial commitments and forging a new financial agreement to aid developing countries in their attempts to mitigate the effects of climate change. Adopting novel economic structures and a renewed commitment is necessary to successfully navigate the complex terrain of climate finance.

In this regard, COP 28 presents a critical chance to improve and reshape the climate finance structure. Countries must work together to meet their financial obligations and look into innovative ways to fund climate-related projects. It entails creating creative funding mechanisms, maximizing public-private sector cooperation, and guaranteeing financial trans-

action transparency.

The focus of COP 28 on placing the environment, people, lives, and livelihoods at the centre of climate action is a clear example of a paradigm shift. This all-encompassing method acknowledges the complex relationship between environmental health and human well-being.

The COP 28 conference seeks to harmonize climate action to protect ecosystems and improve community well-being. The puzzle of climate challenges demands comprehensive solutions.

Stakeholders and policymakers must take an integrated strategy to address climate change, considering its social, economic, and environmental aspects. It entails implementing laws that support biodiversity preservation, sustainable development, and prioritizing disadvantaged groups. Nations may work together on COP 28 to exchange best practices and plan strategies that put people and the environment first.

COP 28 seeks to address the ongoing difficulty of inclusivity in climate negotiations. A coordinated effort will be needed to make climate negotiations inclusive and representative of the global community due to the range of demands, viewpoints, and vulnerabilities across nations. Removing obstacles to participation and elevating the voices of excluded communi-

The writer can at rather1294@gmail.com

be

reached

Success, undoubtedly, is a part of lifeÊs tapestry, but itÊs not the sole masterpiece. Life, in its entirety, is a masterpiece· composed of successes, failures, connections, emotions, and personal growth· an intricately woven fabric that holds within it the true essence of existence. May we all navigate this beautiful journey of life, savouring each moment·successes, failures, and everything in between·as part of a much larger, richer tapestry of existence.

COP28 and climate resilience Editor Umar Aziz M. A. Niazi

joy in simple pleasures, and staying true to oneself are indispensable facets in the mosaic of a meaningful life.

Ultimately, life transcends the boundaries of success. It’s about creating a narrative rich with diverse experiences, meaningful connections, personal growth, and a sense of purpose aligned with one’s values. It’s about finding a balance that resonates with the individual, enabling them to navigate life’s journey with authenticity, resilience, and a genuine appreciation for the multifaceted beauty it offers.

Strive for success, celebrate achievements, yet cherish the nuances of life beyond its confines. Embrace connections, seek personal growth, find contentment in small victories, and redefine success based on your unique journey. Success, while an integral part of life, doesn’t embody its entirety. Life is an orchestra where success plays a melodious tune among various other harmonies that form the symphony of a truly fulfilled existence.

Success, undoubtedly, is a part of life’s tapestry, but it’s not the sole masterpiece. Life, in its entirety, is a masterpiece— composed of successes, failures, connections, emotions, and personal growth—an intricately woven fabric that holds within it the true essence of existence. May we all navigate this beautiful journey of life, savouring each moment—successes, failures, and everything in between—as part of a much larger, richer tapestry of existence.

Editor’s mail

ties are essential to achieving inclusion.

Prioritizing inclusivity at COP 28 will require setting up areas where stakeholders— including youth, indigenous communities, and civil society— interact meaningfully. It will be essential to remove obstacles to admission, promote communication, and include a variety of viewpoints in decision-making procedures. By doing this, COP 28 can ensure that future climate conferences genuinely represent the global scale of the climate crisis by setting an example.

The COP 28 problems are significant and will require unprecedented cooperation and dedication from the international community.

Given the urgency of climate change, governments must adopt actual, revolutionary actions instead of words alone. More than merely a meeting, COP 28 is a chance for the international community to come together and chart a roadmap toward a future resilient to climate change. The world is watching the summit in Dubai with hope, waiting for decisions that will open the door to a sustainable and prosperous planet.

The writer is a research professional at the Institute of Strategic Studies Islamabad (ISSI), and can be reached at ok94404@gmail.com.

Send your letters to: Letters to Editor, Pakistan Today, 4-Shaarey Fatima Jinnah, Lahore, Pakistan.

E-mail: letters@pakistantoday.com.pk Letters should be addressed to Pakistan Today exclusively

Beautification

RECENTLY, the caretaker chief minister of Sindh was quoted by the media as saying that he wanted the roads in Karachi to be beautified.

The citizens of Karachi would like the chief minister, and everybody else who has anything to do with it, to simply forget the element of beautification; just give us, the citizens, some roads worthy enough to be called roads. Next, effort should be made to fix traffic congestion on those roads.

SHAZA NAQVI KARACHI

Street animals

STREET animals, particularly dogs, cats and cows, are exposed to harsh weather conditions, starvation, disease and the constant danger of traffic accidents. While some local organisations work to rescue and rehabilitate street animals, their efforts are often constrained by limited resources. We all must work together to improve the lives of these animals.

HIRA SARFRAZ SUKKUR

Facilitating commuters

HUNDREDS of people commute every day from Gulshan-i-Hadeed and Shahrea Faisal to areas around Mai Kolachi. There is a need to extend the existing Metro Bus route to Sultanabad to facilitate the daily commute of the people.

ADIL DIL KARACHI

Missing footpaths

The COP 28 problems are significant and will require unprecedented cooperation and dedication from the international community. Given the urgency of climate change, governments must adopt actual, revolutionary actions instead of words alone. More than merely a meeting, COP 28 is a chance for the international community to come together and chart a roadmap toward a future resilient to climate change.

Lahore – Ph: 042-36300938, 042-36375965

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Islamabad – Ph: 051-2204545

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SIDEWALKS are designed for people to walk instead of having to use the roads. Unfortunately, pedestrians face much difficulty in walking along the roads owing to encroachments on pavements. This not only hinders the free movement of people, but also increases the risk of accidents, especially for those with disabilities or the elderly.

Moreover, some homeless people or beggars sleep on sidewalks, while others set up stalls on them. Sidewalks are meant for business.

It is crucial to keep the sidewalks clear and accessible so that people may use them safely.

SOHAIB UR REHMAN LAHORE

Food wastage

WASTING food is a growing practice which has become a matter of great concern today. Wasting food, simply put, is wasting resources.

Food waste occurs at every stage of the supply chain, from production and distribution to storage and consumption. However, by being mindful of one’s food choices, planning meals ahead of time, and properly storing leftovers, one can help minimise waste and ensure that everyone has access to nutritious meals. We must all fight together against food wastage and create a more sustainable future for generations to come.

NADIL RAHIM BAKSH KARACHI

Web: www.pakistantoday.com.pk

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Email: editorial@pakistantoday.com.pk

From Cavemen to Cyberworlds

COMMENT 05

Monday, 11 December 2023

The story of human development

L

Ubaid Sahil

ET’S suppose you are exploring the planet Earth, and it’s 100,000 BCE. How would it look to explore prehistoric Earth and prehistoric humans? Everything would be 180° different from today’s modern and digital world. There would be no cities, no law and order, no tools, no vehicles, no digital devices, no agriculture, no care for other individuals, no writing systems, no complex languages, and no proper clothing.

You would only find tribes and clans hunting wild beasts and gathering roots. The only job of those prehistoric humans would be to hunt animals to survive in the harsh climates of Europe, the Middle East, and Southeast Asia. The only technology or tools would be stone tools, which were used to hunt prey. Fire had already been domesticated by humans long before that period. Therefore, fire was another form of technology used for cooking and providing light. Languages were not common; those humans were only able to speak a few words, often used to warn other members of the clan about danger or threats.

How did all these changes occur and lead to the formation of complex societies like ours? How did humans evolve from prehistoric tribes to modern civilizations, capable of constructing cities, skyscrapers, vehicles, technology, and much more? Essentially, a multitude of events has propelled us to this stage, including the cognitive revolution, the invention of writing systems, agricultural revolution, advent of civilizations, scientific revolutions, and most recently, the industrial and digital revolution. However, three of these events have significantly transformed human history by 180 degrees: the cognitive revolution, agricultural revolution, and indus-

trial revolution. Let’s explore how these events have shaped modern humanity.

The first step towards human advancement was the Cognitive Revolution, distinguishing us from other species. The origins of the Cognitive Revolution can be traced back to a period roughly between 70,000 to 30,000 years ago, marked by significant shifts in human cognitive abilities and social behaviour. According to estimations, the human Cognitive Revolution was influenced by factors such as biological changes, genetic mutations, environmental pressures, and social and cultural developments. During this era, humans developed complex language, enabling effective communication among themselves. This development facilitated the sharing of ideas, stories, and information. Moreover, humans honed creative, innovative, and problem-solving skills. They also crafted more advanced and practical tools during this period. The era also witnessed the emergence of cultural revolutions, as prehistoric humans initiated rituals and adopted shared beliefs.

The Cognitive Revolution paved the way for the development of knowledge and wisdom. With advanced cognitive abilities, humans began observing and learning. Initially, knowledge and wisdom were primarily transmitted orally through storytelling. Rock art, dating back from 40,000 to 10,000 years ago and found worldwide, serves as evidence of early human expression.

However, proper written systems originated in ancient Egyptian, Indus Valley, and Mesopotamian civilizations during 3500 to 3000 BCE. Disciplines such as Philosophy, Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, and Biology emerged before the Birth of Jesus Christ. Furthermore, during Ancient Greek and Islamic scientific eras, and the Renaissance, knowledge and wisdom underwent significant advancements, leading to the development of new

fields of study.

The second major event that shaped today’s modern world was the Agricultural Revolution, also known as the Neolithic Revolution. Agriculture was first developed approximately 12,000 years ago in various regions worldwide, including the Fertile Crescent, the Yangtze River Valley in China, Mesoamerica, and the Norte Chico civilization in South America. This revolution marked the transition of humans from nomadic tribes to more complex social structures through the cultivation of plants and the domestication of animals. Humans began harvesting crops and herding animals for food during the Agricultural Revolution. It led to the establishment of permanent settlements, resulting in the formation of villages, towns, and eventually cities, which contributed to the emergence of civilizations. Moreover, the Agricultural Revolution gave rise to specialized occupations such as traders, leaders, and craftsmen. Social hierarchies, trade networks, the exchange of goods and services, and the development of complex societies with organized governance were also defining characteristics of the Agricultural Revolution.

Civilizations were significant developments during the Agricultural Revolution. The earliest known civilizations emerged in Mesopotamia, often referred to as the cradle of civilization, within the fertile crescent. The Sumerian and Akkadian civilizations were established around 4500 BCE. The Indus Valley Civilization dates back to around 3300 BCE. Along the Nile River, the Egyptian civilization emerged around 3100 BCE. The ancient Chinese civilization was established along the Yellow River around 2000 BCE. In Mesoamerica, civilizations such as the Maya, Olmec, and Aztec originated. The advent of civilizations shaped human history in numerous ways, including urbanization, social organ-

LetÊs consider once more the scenario: If a human from 100,000 years ago were suddenly transported to the present modern world, they would be shocked by the profound technological advancements, urbanization, language evolution, cultural shifts, and scientific progress that have unfolded over the past millennia, collectively shaping todayÊs modern society. Looking ahead to our future, uncertainty looms large, exacerbated by environmental threats that endanger our existence.

Global warming, climate change, and the recent emergence of global boiling are pressing concerns that challenge our survival.

The Muslim contribution to Indian secularism

O

SCROLL

Shakir mir

NE of the most enduring narratives in the repertoire of the Indian Right is that the country’s secularism is alive because India is a Hindu-majority nation. Had it been otherwise, the argument goes, secular forces would have taken a backseat, which is what has happened in the Muslim-dominant polities elsewhere in the subcontinent.

“Those who believe that India’s secularism is challenged by a Ram temple in Ayodhya should realise that India is secular primarily because of its Hindu ethos,” wrote best-selling author Ashwin Sanghi in a widely shared article in 2020.

There are two ways to look at this argument. First, it rests on the premise that in fostering the ethics on which India’s secularism stands, Muslim participation is too frugal to make any meaningful difference. Second, it seeks to cast the concepts of tolerance and pluralism in India as part of the cultural Hindu vernacular that only the espousal of Hindu values can guarantee. Since Muslims had cut their way out in 1947, and the new nation they built was hardly a representative of religious harmony, their value system has revealed itself to be incapable of establishing, let alone protecting, and nurturing secularism.

One may, therefore, feel compelled to ask: Have Muslims then, whatever remained of them in India after the Partition, merely been passive beneficiaries of this Hindu-engineered secular culture to which their contributions, if any, have largely been supplementary? It is arguments like these that historian Amar Sohal’s new book The Muslim Secular complicates.

The book threads its way through the political exploits of India’s three big Muslim leaders; Maulana Azad, Abdul Ghaffar Khan and Sheikh Abdullah, who dominated the political scene during the subcontinent’s seminal moment in 1947. By locating their commitment to a secular polity in the exigencies unique to their circumstances, Sohal inverts the Hindutva logic that attempts to situate the provenance of Indian secularism in majoritarian generosity.

SECULARISM AS CULTURE: When Jinnah decided to mobilise for Pakistan, dogged as he was by the concerns over the Congress’s renunciation of the “language of minority rights”, these three Muslim leaders embarked on separate pathways, tethering the religio-cultural expression within their regional identities to bypass the communal schisms at the national level. Azad’s 1940 Ramgarh speech, where he made a case for single nationality for all Indians, embodies this sentiment, which was shared by a welter of Muslim intellectuals in India like Syed Mahmud, a politician from Bihar, Humayun Kabir, a Bengali writer, and Zakir Hussain, Hyderabad-born educationist.

Directly opposed to Jinnah’s movement that threatened to unravel the cultural aspects shared by Hindus and Muslims, these Muslim seculars increasingly tapped into the shared historical cultural memory to argue for a unified nation where the idea of separate Muslim

representation appeared devalued.

Mehmud’s 1949 treatise “Hindu-Muslim Cultural Accord”, for example, foregrounds how India’s Mughal rulers resurrected Hindu art forms thereby giving rise to a composite art genre that couldn’t be reduced to one religion.

Progressive Urdu poet Josh Malihabadi invoked a kulahen, a Central Asian cap that acquired its crooked angle (kaj huin) – supposed to connote a sentiment of resistance – only once they reached the Indian shores. Invoking kulahen as a metaphor was meant to convey that as people not necessarily of native ancestry, Muslims could reach their truer intellectual potential only as a consequence of social interaction with Hindus.

Elsewhere, Malihabadi also likens India’s Independence struggle to the sacrifices of the Third Imam of Islam.

Likewise, Humayun Kabir’s assertion that the Vedas, despite being brought into India by non-native Aryans, were accepted by the natives and turned into repository of their religious beliefs, was a significant construction, for it laid the groundwork for the Central Asian Muslims’ naturalisation in India. Thus, by situating this spirit of fusion in the domain of the profane rather than in the sacred, the Muslim Seculars were able to skirt the demarcations between the communities along religious lines in India and angle towards fostering a common national imaginary that would become the basis for a larger social contract.

THREE-NATION THEORY: Turning his attention to Sheikh Abdullah, Sohal examines how his idea of the devolution of sovereignties under the auspices of the larger Indian nation was one of the most persuasive countervailing forces against the League’s religious separatism. Spurned by the Jammu and Kashmir Dogra dynasty that denied him a job, Abdullah became a major dissident in the valley, mobilising massive agitations on short notice. With white sideburns, a rigid jowl and a patrician forehead, the Sheikh cut a powerful figure. He peppered his speeches with verses from the Quran as thousands raised their arms in supplication.

His politics began from Pathar Masjid, an abandoned mosque built by the Mughal Empire in Srinagar which had fallen into disuse after Kashmiris fabricated an account that Empress Nur Jahan, when asked at what cost she had constructed the mosque, gestured to the pearls studded in her slippers.

This boycott was perhaps driven more by the demands of politics than by genuine indignation over hurt feelings, as new historical evidence shows Nur Jahan never commissioned this mosque in the first place.

What the boycott really communicated was how Kashmiris may have internalised the idea of the Mughals being outsiders who conquered the Valley by force – a trope that Abdullah deployed very skilfully as he drummed up support for his new political enterprise: The Muslim Conference. Then suddenly the neglected mosque was yanked out of oblivion and repurposed to serve the political aims of Abdullah. Though its boycott, as well as the reappropriation, was imagined in religious terms, both went on to lay the foundation for the political program with

fairly secular objectives.

Set up to investigate the grievances of the Muslims in the aftermath of the 1931 uprising, the Glancy Commission became a stepping stone for Abdullah’s radical politics. Based on the commission’s recommendations, Jammu and Kashmir got a 75-seat legislature – albeit with limited powers, free press, and freedom to establish political parties.

Thus, the building blocks of a democratic polity were established using “Islam in danger” as a clarion call. And because the franchise for the legislature was limited to a sum that mostly pauperised Muslims couldn’t afford but which the relatively prosperous Pandits could, Abdullah decided to bury the hatchet with Kashmir’s tiny Hindu community and renamed his party the National Conference as part of his secularisation program. Pandit intellectuals who were admitted into the folds of the NC were instrumental in rallying sentiments in favour of the Congress Party – which Abdullah reciprocated positively, manifesting in his close relationship with Jawaharlal Nehru. It was these interactions that became the basis for Abdullah’s zealous repudiation of Pakistan.

AND THE MOUNTAINS ECHOED: In Frontier Areas, the region bearing the brunt of British repression under the shadow of “Great Game” rivalry, Abdul Ghaffar Khan founded Khudai Khidmatgars in 1929 as Pashtuns sought to go beyond the traditional demands of education and tribal justice, and imagined an autonomous Pashtun province they believed the secular Congress in a unified India, not Pakistan, would deliver. Ghaffar Khan went out of his way to build rapport with the Congress. Khudai Khidmatgars reinterpreted their tribal code Pashtunwali to persuasively challenge the Pashtun valorisations of violence, and locate non-violence in its ethos. Khan’s associates like Yunus likened Gandhi to Sufi saints entombed in the Pashtun heartland.

Congress also duly reciprocated these gestures. In the aftermath of the April 1930 massacre of unarmed Khudai Khidmatgars at Qissa Khwani Bazaar, it was Congressmen like Vithalbhai Patel who clamoured for an inquiry into the killings. This only enhanced the prestige of the party among Pashtuns, with Khan calling Congress a jirga of not only Hindus but also Muslims, Sikhs and Christians.

Khan never stopped articulating his disillusionment with Pakistan and also grew estranged from Congress which he believed had “abandoned” them to the forces of Partition.

Rather than see them as people who need to be subsumed under Hindutva, to promote and safeguard secularism, the book, ironically, nudges us to look at Indian Muslims as the legatees of the vibrant political and cultural tradition that these three towering leaders had helped reify. The Muslim Secular is an extremely resourceful, well-argued research work that is going to provoke a great deal of discussion, especially in India, as the country reconciles with ascendant Hindu nationalism, part of whose political programme involves redrafting the region’s history as we know it.

The Muslim Secular: Parity and the Politics of India’s Partition, Amar Sohal, Oxford University Press.

ization, trade, innovations, cultural developments, scientific and intellectual progress, and the standardization of writing systems.

The third and most recent major event that shaped the modern world was undoubtedly the Industrial Revolution. Beginning in the 18th century, this revolution remarkably marked significant technological advancements and the emergence of industries. It transformed human societies and economies. Originating in Britain, this revolution catalyzed remarkable technological innovations.

Major inventions during this period included the spinning jenny, steam engine, power loom, and advancements in steel production. New social classes emerged, transportation became more accessible, a new economic system characterized by capitalism emerged, and there were advancements in machinery and communication.

These were the major characteristics of this transformative period. The Industrial Revolution eventually paved the way for subsequent revolutions, including the digital revolution that defines much of our contemporary world.

The digital revolution began in the mid-20th century and rapidly evolved, transforming humans into a super species. This revolution is characterized by the widespread adoption and advancement of digital technology.

Its major components include computing technology, the internet, mobile technology, social media, e-commerce, and artificial intelligence. This revolution has changed our lives through its widespread implications.

Recently developed artificial intelligence tools are heralding a new era in AI. Let’s consider once more the scenario: if a human from 100,000 years ago were suddenly transported to the present modern world, they would be shocked by the profound technological advancements, urbanization, language evolution, cultural shifts, and scientific progress that have unfolded over the past millennia, collectively shaping today’s modern society. Looking ahead to our future, uncertainty looms large, exacerbated by environmental threats that endanger our existence. Global warming, climate change, and the recent emergence of global boiling are pressing concerns that challenge our survival.

The essence of Military Diplomacy

The writer can be reached at ubaidsa9@gmail.com

H

Omay aimen

ISTORICALLY, Military Diplomacy is quite known for relationships between executive representatives and military leaders of different nations and kingdoms to grow outside of the courtrooms and battle grounds. In the light of Pakistan's current situation and geopolitical significance, the military diplomacy formula has helped bolster our ties with other nations. Military diplomacy has helped Pakistan to enhance and strengthen the bilateral and multilateral relations with various nations. Joint military exercises, competitions and troops contributions for global peace have augmented Pakistan's image as a responsible country. Since creation of Pakistan in 1947, it has remained susceptible to diversified security challenges on both internal and external fronts. These concerns resulted into accepted and established norm of military diplomacy integrated with other facets of our national policy.

COAS General Syed Asim Munir’s ongoing visit to US encompasses multidimensional significance in the face of confronted challenges by the country.

These varied domestic challenges in security and economic realms are further expounded when Pakistan, concurrently, confronts impacts of regional and global security situation. Notwithstanding expected criticism on this visit by inimical quarters, the significance of such military diplomatic overtures cannot be discredited. Traditionally, the extent of PAK-US relations have mostly been steered by both sides’ military components as both countries have consistently confronted shared security concerns especially during Soviet Invasion of Afghanistan and later during US fights against global terrorism and its protracted presence in Pakistan’s immediate neighbor. The focus of the visit of COAS General Syed Asim Munir is likely to remain within the confines of security regional security milieu with special emphasis on pervasive threat emanating from Afghanistan. United States, being the signatory of Doha Accord is obligated to ensure Afghan Interim Government pledges. Pakistan’s continued concerns over use of Afghan soil by TTP are contrary to what was pledged by Afghan Government in Doha Accord. United States, being the signatory of the Accord will be persuaded to assert its influence on Afghans to abide by essence of their pledges. Gen Asim Munir will definitely highlight the surge of TTP attacks from Afghan soil. The significant rise in these attacks (49 in 2020, 198 in 2021, 237 in 2022 and shockingly 317 in 2022) may prove consequential for United States before its impact start engulfing its own national security.

United States being the biggest trade partner of Pakistan, cannot be kept out of Pakistan SIFC driven initiatives for revival of former’s depleted economy. The focus of SIFC is also on attracting maxi-

mum international investments in its defined sectors i.e. Agriculture, Information Technology, Mines & Minerals, energy sector and defence production. Recognizing Pakistan's vast mineral potential, it is imperative to engage with US authorities for securing our position in the Minerals Security Partnership (MSP). This initiative is designed to expedite the development of diverse and sustainable supply chains for critical energy minerals.

Pakistan Army’s ardent support to the cause of Palestine truly manifested in recently held Corps Comds conference and COAS’ meet with Palestinian Ambassador indicates that ongoing Gaza crisis will also be discussed in bilateral huddles. Pakistan’s principled stance in line with UN resolutions, OIC and Arab league’s perspectives will be highlighted to attain a lasting peace in the region. In this regard Ambassador Munir Akram’s recent statement on Pakistan unequivocal support to Palestinian cause has set a stage to pursue this grave issue with US authorities.

The visit is also likely to be seen tangent to Pakistan’s relation with brotherly country China This misperception is nothing more than harming existing relations with China to reinforce the agenda of those hostile forces who are always in play for accomplishment of such agenda.

Pakistan is pursuing multifaceted bilateral relations with China independently. These relations in the field of security and economy are time tested and have withstood onslaughts of propaganda of common hostile states and non-state actors. In the past few months, over 30 memoranda of understanding (MoUs) have been inked between China and Pakistan across various sectors including mineral exploration, processing, and extraction, climate protection, industrial production, commerce, communication, transport, connectivity, food security, media, space cooperation, urban development, capacity building, and vaccine development. In the evolving landscape of US-China contest, Pakistan stands distinctively placed to act as a mediator between these two major powers.

With a history of facilitation between states and possessing stakes in both the US and China, Pakistan brings a multifaceted approach to the table.

This visit is likely to draw a nasty propaganda campaign to mitigate its multidimensional significance by inimical forces averse to national interests. There is a need to discern facts from fiction to discourage myopic discourse based on vested political interests. This important visit is based on Pakistan’s policy of mutually exclusive foreign relations without impacting country’s cordial relations across the globe. It also is in line with globally recognized significance of military diplomacy stemming out from country’s overall foreign policy dictates.

The author frequently contributes on issues concerning national and regional security, focusing on matters having critical impact in these milieus. She can be reached omayaimen333@gmail.com

06 NEWS

Monday, 11 December, 2023 | ISLAMABAD

Peace PALESTINIAN PM CALLS FOR SANCTIONS ON ISRAEL AS Palestine Proposal: Xi emerges GUTERRES ADMITS UNSC ‘PARALYSED’ OVER GAZA as global peacemaker

P

DOHA

AGENCIES

ALESTINIAN Prime Minister Mohammad Shtayyeh on Sunday sought international sanctions against Israel, as the United Nations chief said he would not give up on efforts seeking a truce after the US vetoed a resolution for a ceasefire in Gaza at the UN Security Council earlier this week.

The Palestinian prime minister’s hard-hitting remarks and UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres’ passionate appeal for peace in the Middle East were made at the opening of the 21st edition of Doha Forum.

The annual two-day event kicked off in the Qatari capital with many delegates from across the world including heads of governments and top diplomats in attendance. The latest session of the Doha Forum — themed “Building Shared Futures” — will debate on contemporary challenges facing the world with the focus on the war in Gaza.

The Qatari emir attended the opening ceremony while the country’s prime

minister, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, delivered a speech on the efforts seeking peace in Gaza and the way forward.

Qatar has emerged as the main international player to broker a temporary ceasefire that led to the exchange of prisoners and hostages between Israel and Hamas. The tiny Gulf state has often punched above its bag and has been involved as mediator in other conflicts in the past. Nevertheless, the Qatari prime

minister was disappointed with the fact that the humanitarian truce could not be extended into a permanent ceasefire.

Qatar also hosts the Hamas leadership that helped it broker the earlier truce. The Qatari prime minister warned that the Gaza war risks radicalising an entire generation in the Middle East and that the prospect of another truce agreement between Israel and Hamas was diminishing despite Doha’s efforts.

“Our efforts as the state of Qatar

along with our partners are continuing.

We are not going to give up,” he said, adding that the continuation of Israel’s bombardment of Gaza was just “narrowing this window” for them.

Al Thani said the situation in Gaza was making people around the world ask “some legitimate questions about the nature of the international systems and the efficiency of the legal instruments and its principles”.

“These questions become more important and more pressing as we continue to see the horrifying scenes that we might sometimes have to look away from,” he added.

“This conflict was and still is an issue of the occupation and its demands.

Over the decades, the option of peace was on the table, but it was the victim of procrastination and formation.”

The speech by the Palestinian prime minister was one of the highlights of the first day of Doha forum as he called for sanctioning Israel for committing war crimes. “If Israel is above international law, sanctions should be put on it. Israel should not be allowed to continue violating international humanitarian law and international law,” he remarked with a thundering applause from the audience.

Oppression in Palestine did not start on Oct. 7, but 106 years ago: Palestinian envoy to UK ISTANBUL

AGENCIES

Iran adds combat drones equipped with air-to-air missiles to arsenal TEHRAN

AGENCIES

Iran has reinforced its air defence capabilities by adding combat drones equipped with air-to-air missiles to its arsenal, state media reported on Sunday.

“Dozens of Karrar drones armed with air-to-air missiles have been added for air defence in all border areas of the country,” the official IRNA news agency said.

The drones, with an operational range of up to 1,000 kilometres (620 miles), were exhibited Sunday morning during a televised ceremony organised at a military academy in Tehran.

“The enemies will now have to rethink their strategies” because the Iranian forces have “become more powerful”, IRNA quoted the commander-inchief of Iran’s army, General Abdolrahim Mousavi, as saying.

The Karrar interceptor drone, the first version of which was unveiled in 2010, has been equipped with a “Majid” thermal missile with a range of eight kilometres (five miles) “made entirely in Iran”, added the agency.

It “succeeded in its operational tests” during military exercises held in October, Mousavi said.

The development of Iran’s military arsenal has sparked concern among many countries, particularly the United States and Israel, the sworn enemies of the Islamic republic.

The latter accuse Tehran of providing fleets of drones to its allies in the Middle East, notably to Lebanese group Hezbollah, and to the Houthi rebels in Yemen.

Iran also backs the Palestinian group Hamas, which has been engaged in a war with Israel since it launched deadly attacks there on October 7.

Tehran has been accused by Kyiv and its Western allies of providing Russia with drones for use in the Ukraine war, a claim Tehran denies.

Western governments, however, imposed several rounds of biting sanctions on Iran over the alleged arms sales.

Iran began manufacturing drones in the 1980s during its eight-year war with Iraq.

Palestinian Ambassador to the UK Husam Zomlot said that Israel’s oppression in his country did not start on Oct. 7 but 106 years ago.

Speaking to Anadolu at the seventh TRT World Forum in Istanbul on Saturday, Zomlot said: “It all started when Britain promised our lands to others without consulting us and turned us, the Palestinian nation, into non-Jewish minorities.”

“The quest for freedom and justice by the Palestinian people should now be acknowledged. We

need to address issues of human rights, national rights, as well as international consensus and law,” Zomlot noted.

“What Israel understands is military solutions, violence, intimidating civilians, and exerting pressure on civilian communities,” according to Zomlot.

He noted that Israel’s ability to commit all this cruelty is only possible by dehumanizing Palestinians.

“You must have heard. Israeli ministers called us ‘human-like animals.’ Since you cannot kill ordinary people in this way, you have to dehumanize them,” he said.

Zomlot, who gained attention with his statements and appearances on numerous Western television channels such as CNN and BBC, heavily criticized Israel’s efforts to portray itself as a victim.

Israel has launched relentless air and ground attacks on the Gaza Strip following a cross-border attack by Hamas in October, killing at least 17,700 Palestinians and injuring more than 48,780 others, according to health authorities in the Palestinian enclave.

The Israeli death toll in the Hamas attack stood at 1,200, according to official figures.

Azan’s scintillating ton powers Pakistan to win over India in U19 Asia Cup 2023 DUBAI

STAFF REPORT

Azan Awais’s scintillating hundred guided Pakistan on Sunday to defeat arch-rival India in muchawaited ACC U19 Asia Cup 2023 clash by eight wickets.

Winning the toss, Pakistan elected to field first and restricted India to a total of 259 runs for the loss of nine wickets.

Adarsh Singh, Uday Saharan and Sachin Dhas scored a half-century each as India posted 259 for 9 against Pakistan in the ongoing Group A match in Dubai. Adarsh scored 62 while Uday Saharan hit 60. Lethal pace bowling attack from Pakistan limited India to 259.

Pakistan were boosted with a classy ton by Azan Awais as they reached the target easily in 47 overs. Shahzaib Khan scored 63 while the captain Saad Baig hit a handy fifty and scored 68 runs.

Executing a determined chase,

Pakistan successfully scored 263 runs in forty-seven overs with the loss of two wickets.

Earlier, Pakistan batter Shamyl Hussain talked about the prospects of the Pakistan-India fixture with ARY News. He said the Asia Cup is a pinnacle tournament and the side is not afraid of playing their arch-rivals.

Pakistan are placed in Group

A alongside arch-rivals India, Afghanistan and Nepal. Group B consists of hosts United Arab Emirates, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Japan.

It is pertinent to mention here Pakistan were handed a sevenwicket hammering at the hands of India in their ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 fixture at Ahmedabad’s Narendra Modi Stadium.

PSL-9 to be held in four Pakistani cities LAHORE

STAFF REPORT

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has announced that the ninth edition of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) will be held in four cities across Pakistan: Lahore, Karachi, Rawalpindi, and Multan.

According to PCB on Sunday, the tournament is scheduled to begin on February 18, 2024, with the opening match taking place in Lahore. However, some franchises have expressed concerns about the timing, citing potential disruptions

due to cold weather and fog.

Another point of contention is the final match, which is currently scheduled to be held in Karachi on March 19, 2024. Teams are worried that lower attendance during the holy month of Ramadan could negatively impact ticket revenues.

Multan Sultans have proposed hosting the final in Multan instead, expressing confidence in their ability to attract a large crowd.

Meanwhile, Peshawar Zalmi is lobbying hard to have matches hosted in Peshawar, claiming that the construction of their stadium will be

completed within two months. The PCB has not yet made a final decision on whether to include Peshawar as a host city.

Additionally, concerns have been raised regarding the scheduling of double headers during Ramadan. The PCB plans to finalize and release the official schedule on December 13, 2023, during the PSL 9 draft event.

It’s important to note that there was an initial proposal to relocate the entire PSL 9 to the United Arab Emirates due to the upcoming general elections in Pakistan.

ISLAMABAD

MIAN ABRAR

Chinese President Xi Jinping recently floated a workable three-point proposal to help resolve the Palestinian-Israeli issue, calling for an immediate ceasefire to realise lasting peace and security in the Middle East region.

At least 17,177 Palestinians have reportedly been killed since the conflict started, according to Gaza Health Ministry figures, while 1,200 people were killed in the Hamas incursion into Israel.

However, there is no end to the ongoing war which has cost heavily on both sides and humanity is the biggest loser. The images coming out from Gaza are heart breaking and the brutal killing of women, children and the old is heart wrenching.

In this backdrop, Chinese visionary Xi Jinping has emerged as a peacemaker as he has floated a workable and pragmatic formula to help resolve the conflict.

During his address at the recent extraordinary virtual summit of BRICS on the Palestinian-Israeli issue, Xi came out with his formula which has attracted international community’s traction who are interested in immediate resolution of the conflict but lack courage and vision to address the situation.

Xi’s formula provides a face-saving to the so-called human rights champions of the world who are mere silent spectators due to the influence of Israel.

Xi’s three-point formula entails a strategy that provides face-saving to all sides. Xi suggests an immediate ceasefire for humanitarian assistance in the war-ravaged Gaza and evacuation of the injured to safe locations.

According to the proposal, all parties in the conflicts should immediately observe a ceasefire and stop all hostilities and violence and attacks on civilians.

Xi said it is also imperative to ensure safe and smooth passage of humanitarian relief, expand humanitarian aid to people in Gaza, and stop the forced relocation and the cut-off of water, electricity and oil that targets people in Gaza as a ‘collective punishment’.

The second phase is release of civilian detainees to avoid more loss of lives and suffering.

Xi called on the international community to take concrete measures to prevent the escalation of the conflicts and the impact on the stability of the entire Middle East.

President Xi Jinping has called for the release of civilian detainees and an immediate ceasefire as Israel continues to bombard Gaza.

“All parties in the conflicts should immediately cease fire and hostilities, stop all violence and attacks targeting civilians, and release civilian detainees to avoid more loss of lives and suffering,” Xi said as he addressed the virtual summit of fellow BRICS leaders.

Xi said that fairness and justice are the only way Palestine solution could be resolved as must be done in the civilised world. He has reiterated that two-state solution is the only way forward as both the countries have a right to live in peace.

While Xi has emerged as a world leader who cares about the oppressed nations, the US President Joe Biden looks confused and compromised perhaps due to the influence of Israeli lobby in the US state department and other top decision-making forums in the United States of America (USA).

Xi’s bold plan on Israel-Hamas conflict has proved a fact that China is now global power who with visionary Xi Jinping can provide justice to the world.

Hence, China has taken a decisive step towards materialising the Chinese dream.

Rather than rising to the occasion and playing his due role to help resolve the Israel-Palestine conflict, the US president has adopted a partisan approach towards the conflict and has been advocating the cause of Israel.

Hence, President Biden has chosen to remain a mere spectator as Tel Aviv wants him to let the Zionist regime finish its evil plan of eliminating or relocating all Palestinians from Gaza.

France’s frigate shoots down two drones coming from Yemen PARIS

AGENCIES

A French warship operating in the Red Sea has shot down two drones that were launched at it from the Yemen coast, the defence ministry said on Sunday.

It said the multipurpose frigate Languedoc had intercepted and destroyed a first drone at around 9:30 p.m. local French time on Saturday, and a second one around 11:30 p.m. at 110 km (68.35 miles) from the Yemen coast around Al Hudaydah. Yemen’s Houthi movement said on Saturday they would target all ships heading to Israel, regardless of their nationality, and warned all international shipping companies against dealing with Israeli ports. The Iran-aligned Houthis have attacked and seized several Israeli-linked ships in the Red Sea and its Bab al-Mandab strait, a sea lane through which much of the world’s oil is shipped.

Heightened tensions in the Red Sea: The latest warning comes amid heightened tensions in the Red Sea and surrounding waters following a series of maritime attacks by Houthi rebels since the start of the Israeli war on Gaza on October 7.

UN expert defends stance on Israel’s war crimes amid antisemitism accusations ISTANBUL

ANADOLU AGENCY

The UN special rapporteur on occupied Palestinian territories, who faced criticism in Western media for drawing attention to Israeli war crimes, addressed accusations and emphasized the effects of her role in a period of perceived UN-level void.

Since taking office in 2022, Francesca Albanese has gained attention for her outspoken stance against Israeli occupation.

In an interview with Anadolu, she addressed accusations related to her Australia trip, including claims of funding by Palestinian lobby groups and a smear campaign attempting to oust her.

Albanese highlighted that criticizing Israel’s actions should not be equated with antisemitism. She emphasized that labeling any critique of Israel as “antisemitic prevents freedom of expression, freedom of critique

and creates a sort of an area of impunity.”

She also accused Israel of violating international law. “It is fully documented, and asking Israel to respect international law and the human rights of the Palestinians, how can it be anti-Semitic?” she said.

“So the first problem is weaponization of anti-Semitism and conflation of critique of the state of Israel’s practices versus the Palestinians with anti-Semitism.”

Regarding the Oct. 7 attack by Hamas, Albanese condemned it as a serious crime.

She, however, criticized Israel for a disproportionate response.

“I mean, I am not saying that Israel did not have the right to protect itself or to carry out targeted operations against Hamas militants.

But what Israel has done is punishing an entire population, civilian population in Gaza.”

Israel has been “destroying 50% of the civilian infrastructure, bombing residential neighborhoods, waging war against a popu-

lation which is trapped in 360 square kilometers, carpet bombing that land and causing 16,000 deaths, 16,000 victims, 70% of whom are women and children,” she said.

As a significant voice on the international stage, Albanese remains at the center of debates and pressures, navigating a path through criticism while upholding her duty as the UN special rapporteur for Palestine.

About the accusations, she said she traveled to Australia in early November at the invitation of civil society volunteers. She said the trip, planned before Oct. 7, was to discuss two reports she wrote on Palestine.

Albanese said she was unjustly targeted with baseless accusations, despite clarifications, including allegations from Hillel C. Neuer, the executive director of UN Watch, who accused her of receiving funds from Palestinian lobby groups and called UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres to remove her from her post.

“They say a Palestinian lobby. What is

the Palestinian lobby? There’s no such thing as Palestinian lobbyists. I wish they had the power to be a lobby, but they are not. So, the organizations who invited me are solidarity groups for Palestinian rights. So there is nothing wrong,” she said.

“I have been invited by others, universities, society organizations in Europe, but in this particular case, it’s not even true because it was. I used the budget that I have by the United Nations because I cannot go twice a year to the occupied Palestinian territory. I used the budget to go to Australia and that is it. So you see there is a lot of misinformation and what happens is that they contribute to make my voice, my persona, and my mandate controversial,” she said.

Albanese said not only herself but Jews in many countries, especially the US, reacted negatively to attacks targeting civilians in Gaza.

“I do not think that my voice is stronger than theirs. I have a mandate, I carry a differ-

ent weight and this is why they target me. As they have target my predecessors professor Michael Link and professor Richard Folk, I think that there is such pressure on me because I am a strong voice in a moment where there has been a void at the UN level,” she added.

‘Jewish Israeli domination in occupied Palestinian territories’ Expressing concern about challenges in reporting on Israeli attacks on Gaza, Albanese criticized the media’s approach, finding it problematic and inconsistent with historical facts. She defended her use of the term, “Jewish Israeli domination in occupied Palestinian territories,” and said it was not antisemitic but rooted in documented evidence provided by Palestinian and Israeli organizations.

“In fact, the concept of domination is in the apartheid convention. And it is clear, it is fully documented by Palestinian organizations, Israeli organizations like B’tselem and Yashdeen, and international.

Monday, 11 December, 2023 | ISLAMABAD

CORPORATE CORNER PEC honored with ICC Global Award-2023 at UN COP28 Climate Conference

ISLAMABAD: International Code Council (ICC) honored Pakistan Engineering Council (PEC) with the ICC Global Award-2023 during United Nations COP28 Climate Conference in Dubai on Friday, December 8th 2023. A four member PEC delegation led by its Chairman Engr. Muhammad Najeeb Haroon, Dr. Nasir Mahmood Khan, Registrar PEC, Prof. Dr. Sarosh Hashmat Lodi, Convener PEC Technical Committee and Mr. Faiz ul Sibtain Secretary to Committee PEC/ Focal Person to ICC participated the event. Marisa Lago, Under Secretary US Department of Commerce along with Judy Zakreski, Senior Vice President of ICC Global Operations presented the prestigious ICC Global Award -2023 to PEC Chairman and delegation.

While congratulating PEC, she appreciated the PEC national role by updating Building Code of Pakistan along with the development of Green Building Code of Pakistan-2023 including the provisions of Rainwater Harvesting for Buildings. PR

SSP Operations commended officials for effective measures in crime combating

ISLAMABAD: Following the special directions of Islamabad Capital City Police Officer (ICCPO) Dr. Akbar Nasir Khan, the Senior Superintendent of Police (Operations) presided over a crime meeting.

The meeting was attended by all Zonal DPOs, SDPOs and all incharge police stations.

SSP Operations reviewed the performance of the all police stations in detail and commended the incharges police stations Tarnol, Kohsar, Shahzad Town, Koral, Karachi Company and Phulgran and awarded them with commendation certificates for their good performance. During the meeting, the SSP Operations reviewed the crime situation in the federal capital and commended the performance of the police officials for effective measures in crime combating. SSP Operations also emphasized the need for continued vigilance and proactive measures. He directed all Zone DPOs to boost the campaign against drug peddlers in different areas of the city adding that a special crackdown against proclaimed offenders and absconders should be started immediately. PR

205 more illegal connections detected as SNGPL drive against gas theft continues

LAHORE: During the ongoing crackdown against gas pilferers, SNGPL continued raids in Punjab, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Islamabad, disconnecting another 205 connections while 371 under billing cases processed; Rs8.82 million fine imposed In Lahore, the regional team disconnected 17 connections on illegal use of gas while another 7 on use of compressor.

The team also imposed fine of Rs0.13 million against gas theft and under billing cases. The regional team of Rawalpindi disconnected 5 connections on illegal use of gas.

The regional team of Islamabad disconnected 13 connections on illegal use of gas.

In Multan 1 connection was disconnected on illegal use of gas ,154 under billing cases have been processed ,0.22million booked against Under billing and gas theft cases and One FIR also lodged by the team.

The team of Sheikhupura disconnected 33 connections on illegal use of gas while another 4 on use of compressor,35 under billing cases have been processed and fine of Rs5.03 million imposed against gas pilfers. PR

07

PAKISTAN’S ENERGY SECTOR INEFFICIENCIES DRIVE INFLATION SURGE NEWS

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PESHAWAR

AZIZ BUNERI

ISING inefficiencies in Pakistan’s energy sector are being blamed for a surge in inflation, posing a major challenge to the country’s economy.

Liaqat Ali Shah, Executive Director of the CPEC Centre of Excellence in Peshawar, has highlighted the substantial costs associated with inefficient energy production as a key driver of inflation.

The latest economic survey reveals a staggering 28.2% headline inflation, measured by the Consumer Price Index (CPI), during the July-April period of the current fiscal year. This represents a sharp contrast to the 11% recorded over the same period in the previous fiscal year.

Shah identified several consequences stemming from energy sector inefficiencies. He pointed to the persistent issue of circular debt in the power sector, which

leads to financial instability and hinders investments in energy infrastructure. Additionally, he highlighted losses in the power transmission and distribution networks, both technical and non-technical, resulting in wasted electricity and ultimately contributing to elevated electricity costs that affect industrial production.

To address these issues, Shah recommends government directives for private enterprises to adopt solar energy and emphasizes the importance of cost-effective energy production through public-private partnerships. He attributed energy-related inflation primarily to the reliance on thermal energy sources and the costly import of petroleum products due to limited domestic resources. The devaluation of the Pakistani rupee against the US dollar further exacerbates this issue.

The surge in energy-related inflation has also significantly impacted exports.

According to Shah, the increase in energy prices has led to a substantial increase in

the prices of goods in the international market, significantly affecting the overall cost structure across various industries.

In conclusion, the mounting inefficiencies within the energy sector are contributing to a notable increase in overall prices, underscoring the urgent need for comprehensive reforms in this critical sector. If left unaddressed, these inefficiencies will continue to pose significant challenges to Pakistan’s economic stability and development.

Meanwhile, the food price inflation has emerged as a great economic challenge for people in Pakistan. It harms growth and reduces the purchasing power of people.

Pakistan, being a developing country, is facing a challenge with rising food prices.

This problem needs to be addressed as it decreases the welfare of poor people. The food inflation crisis is pushing many into poverty. Moreover, no relief is being provided to the people by the government.

Nobody in Pakistan draws attention

FPCCI elections: UBG, BMPP hold joint power show g

BUSINESS COMMUNITY SHOULD PLAY ROLE TO STRENGTHEN COUNTRY'S ECONOMIC ENGINE:BALOCHISTAN, SINDH GOVERNOR KARACHI

STAFF REPORT

Sindh Governor Kamran Tessori has said that dire need to strengthen the economic engine and the business community is the fuel source, elaborating on that the only way to fix the economy is to solve Pakistan's economic crisis with one thought instead of fixing each other.

Sindh Governor Kamran Tessori while addressing the FPCCI election’s Power Show under the joint platform of United Business Group and Businessmen Panel Progressive as the guest of honor said that we have to collectively reiterate to do something for the poor section of the country.

“Since the day I took the oath, the Governor's House was open for the welfare of the people living below the poverty line in the province,” said the Governor. Kamran Tessori said that Pakistan was achieved after great sacrifices, where has it been taken today? He said that the gas crisis is intensifying, industries are closing down, adding the that joint efforts required to resolve the issues.

The Sindh Governor commended the services United Business Group for FPCCI. "I believe

that the strong leadership can play a role in boosting the economy by tackling the hurdles. The joint program of United Business Group (UBG) and Businessmen Panel Progressive (BMPP) hosted by Hamza Tabani, said that the has the responsibility to support joint candidates of UBG and BMPP to bring the country out of the economic challenges amicably.

Chief Guest Governor Baluchistan Abdul Wali Kakar said that the performance of the leadership of United Business Group in the past has been impressive and it is hoped that in the future UBG will strive to solve the economic problems with new energy. He said

proper utilization of Balochistan's resources would not only strengthen the province but also the country's economy.

UBG Patron-in-Chief and Punjab Caretaker Minister SM Tanveer said that his father SM Munir cultivated a plant which has now become a tree with full of fruits in the form of UBG. He said that the United Business Group has carved diamonds within the leadership, their experiences can move the economy in the right direction. On this occasion, he told all the stakeholders associated with FPCCI that the year 2024 will bring prosper Pakistan and positive happenings for UBG in FPCCI.

Broiler chicken prices skyrocket in Rawalpindi RAWALPINDI STAFF REPORT

The price of broiler chicken meat has skyrocketed in Rawalpindi, defying government-mandated rates.

Shopkeepers have rejected the official price of Rs 324 per kg, instead selling live chickens at Rs 350 and chicken meat at a staggering Rs 500 or more on Sunday. This dramatic increase comes amidst a broader in-

flation crisis gripping Pakistan. The Statistical Institute reports an annual inflation rate of 42%, but many citizens believe the true figure is much higher, closer to 50-60%.

This surge in inflation is having a devastating impact on the cost of basic necessities, particularly food items. The Market Committee Lahore recently increased the prices of 10 vegetables, further burdening already struggling households.

The soaring price of chicken, a staple protein source for many Pakistanis, is a particularly hard blow. Consumers are forced to choose between sacrificing essential dietary needs or cutting back on other vital expenses.

The government has faced mounting pressure to address the inflation crisis. While some initiatives have been introduced, they have largely failed to provide significant relief to the population.

Stock market boom pointing toward economic stability: Shahid Rasheed

ISLAMABAD: Former President of the Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ICCI), Dr. Shahid Rasheed Butt has said that the boom in the stock market is a good sign of the stability of the economy.

In a statement issued here on Sunday, he said that tax, energy, and agricultural sectors should be prioritized to increase the speed of economic stability. He said that incentives, government expenditure, and tax on the industrial sector should be reduced. Shahid Rasheed Butt said that in contrast, taxes on agricultural income and the wholesale, retail, and real estate sectors should be increased to improve the economy. The loss-making government institutions should be sold; taxes should be increased on the rich and reduced on the poor for an economic turnaround, he added. The business leader noted that the government had taken several measures showing positive effects, including control of smuggling, speculation, and other shady businesses. PR

to problems like structural flaws, ineffective coordination between the federal and provincial governments, weak enforcement of laws prohibiting high market pricing, and unfair business activities like hoarding and disrupted supply chains, etc.

In this scenario, the depreciation of the rupee is held responsible for all issues and is not addressed. There are a variety of causes and effects of this record food inflation in Pakistan. Some economists contend that it is due to global consequences and political instability in the country.

Food inflation is a widespread phenomenon in Pakistan as governments continue to increase prices, making the lives of common people unbearably difficult. The country’s food prices are being driven up mostly by the currency rate and oil prices. Inflation is further boosted by ongoing wheat flour and sugar crises brought on by false shortages, enabling people to sell them at higher prices.

IESCO issues power suspension schedule for various areas of Capital

ISLAMABAD: The Islamabad Electric Supply Company (IESCO) on Sunday issued a power suspension schedule for Monday for various areas of the federal capital due to necessary maintenance and routine development work.

According to IESCO spokesman, the power supply of different feeders and grid stations would remain suspended for the period from 09:00 AM to 02:00 PM, Islamabad Circle, Bani Gala, G-6/3, Parliament Lodges-2, Park Enclave, CDA Office, Pandori, Koral, F-10/2, Farash Town, Karachi Company, I-8/4, I-10/1, PHA-1 (Itwar Bazar), National Police Foundation, P&T, Pindi Point, Barian, Kotli Sattian, Balawara, Rawalpindi City Circle, E-Block, Shamsabad, Khurram Colony, Fazia, Tariq Shaheed, Gangal, Eid Gah, Zafar-ulHaq, City, Jamia Masjid, Gawalmandi, Major Masood, Alam Abad, Dhoke Najo, Azizabad, Railway Colony, Kamalabad, G-15/1&4, Bhadana, Saham, Chakra, Range Road, Mohanpura Feeders, Rawalpindi Cantt Circle, Kashmir Road, Tipu Road, Rahmatabad One, PWD Two, Humak, MSF, Lair Colony, Major Riaz, Adiala, Hayal, Gulshan Saeed. , Cantt, Chakri, Nirwat, Rawat, Chowk Pandori, Nad, Kambili Sadiq, Ghazan Khan, New Mandira, New Kaliam, Bahr-e-Kalal, Nishan-eHaider, Mahota, Kahota City Two, Hanif Shaheed, Abrar Shaheed, Panjar, Khawaja, CW. PR

ICCI & EOI sign agreement to promote SMEs, start-ups

ISLAMABAD: The Islamabad Chamber of Commerce & Industry (ICCI) and the Entrepreneurs Organization Islamabad (EOI) on Sunday signed a Memorandum of Understanding to forge a partnership for promoting SMEs and startups through joint efforts.

President ICCI Ahsan Zafar Bakhtawari and President EOI Taimur Adil signed the agreement during a ceremony held at ICCI. Faad Waheed Senior Vice President, Engr. Azhar ul Islam Zafar Vice President ICCI, Ahmed Jalal Global Student Entrepreneurs Awards Chair at EO Islamabad Chapter, and others were present on the occasion.

Both organizations by signing MoU pledged to work together to promote the growth of SMEs and start-ups by helping them scale their businesses. PR

Govt denounced for not keeping check on foreign exchange market

ISLAMABAD: The Businessmen Panel (BMP) of Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI) has denounced the government for not keeping a check on foreign exchange market, as the State Bank’s foreign exchange reserves dropped by $237 million to $7 billion in the week ending Dec 1, because debt servicing on foreign loans continues to eat up SBP’s holdings.

FPCCI’s former president Mian Anjum Nisar said that the exchange rate looks stable, but increasing debt servicing costs without significant inflows have put the economy at risk, as that Pakistan’s economy was stuck in a low-growth trap with poor human development outcomes and increasing poverty. PR

Of known fabliaux - a comfortable space to be uncomfortable MAVRA AHMAD

How is it possible that the leaves which grow and stay on a tree for almost a year, when they fall they leave no imprints of themselves on it? Does the tree not remember the discomfort it endured to forget the fallen leaves and make space for new beings on its stem? Although brief, but is the joy of feeling complete (and at home) as easy to forget as it seems to be?

One may say that falling of leaves is a part of a natural phenomenon and that is how it is/was supposed to happen but does the stripping off of something that grows from within the tree seem so trivial and mechanical to it?

How does the tree forget?

This October brought forth these ideas/questions for me to ponder over. October has never been a regular month for me.

From traveling the world to thinking about new ideas; to meeting new people to experimenting with new projects, this month always manages to stir me deeply. This October was slightly different. There was a

journey in it but it was internal in nature.

Of known Fabliaux, an art exhibition curated by The Roadside Art in collaboration with June Collective took place in the heart of Lahore (Liberty Market Lahore) from 28th to 30th October. Set up in an abandoned building in Liberty Market Lahore, the show presented works from over 20 artists from across the globe. It included works by Aakif Suri, Amra Khan, Aneezah Tauseef, Dua Abbas Rizvi, Fatima Haider, Imran Ahmad Khan, Jawaria Nawaz, John Wright II, Madyha J. Leghari, Maryam Irfan, Murad Khan Mumtaz, Mohsin Shafi, Nisha Hasan, Rabbya Naseer, Risham Syed, Qalandar Bux Memon, Saad Ahmed, Sahyr Sayed, Star Hopper and Zoona Khan Kundi. The building may seem to be abandoned but it became a home to profound expression in those three days.

Developing Clarity in Vagueness and liberation in suffocation - Curating a Grand Narrative Art carries thoughts, emotions and pain

in effortless ways and the effect intensifies when it is casually placed in contexts. In the razzmatazz of the commercial hub of a city known for its vivacity and characteristic sights and sounds, the last thing you are to expect is a space where nudity of human expression reigns supreme. Of known Fabliaux was my first interaction with artwork not placed on plain white walls with immaculate lighting or fancy accessories dangling by. It was raw and its rawness enabled it to transcend the boundaries of space, mediums and time. The paint-chipped walls, the dullness of the yellow lights and the broken furniture (characteristically placed) not only added another dimension to the works of art but also seamlessly compelled one to pause and confront their hidden scars and emotions. A part of me felt uncomfortable and suffocated but deep down I knew I was confronting my own unconscious (something that I would never allow to surface) and someone else’s expression of pain and memory was unknowingly becoming that of my own. I felt

a certain degree of guilt and somehow I found my eyes trying to evade the sight of what I saw however, after a few minutes I realised that it was a safe space for people to be uncomfortable because everything in that space told a story. Whether hidden or exposed, there was an omnipresent narrative. I felt as a spectator with very little to no understanding of art, my own narrative was organically becoming a part of the grand narrative that the building told at that time.

Can we distrust our Memory?

The answer is simple and it is a no. It is impossible to forget what moved you once and that experience does not leave you. It is not meant to leave you. Memory is something that may be pleasant or poignant in nature but it is certainly the most reliable entity in the realm of time. Anwar Saeed, in one of his artworks displayed at Of Known Fabliaux, depicted his interactions with his memories of 36 years. The artwork titled ‘Can we distrust our memory?’ began to surface on the canvas in 1986 and reached its

competition in 2023. My encounter with years and years of twists and turns of his life was somewhat casual.

Palimpsest - a passage to the known unknown Zoona Khan Kundi (whose work was nourished by her professional expertise in Reggio-Emilia and Project Based Learning practices) in her interactive art installation paved the way to the collective unconscious of the community. Yes, while art provides an outlet to the artist to express themselves, interaction with art enables the audience to do the same. Placed in a dark room, the interactive boards required invisible fluorescent pens for the audience to draw/write anything on them. I went inside the room accompanied by the artist herself and I vividly remember her saying, “Come on Mavra, be brave and write something.”

The writer is an International Baccalaureate Middle Years Programme facilitator for English language and literature. She can be reached at ahmadmavra5@gmail.com.

Monday, 11 December, 2023

Health Dept ECC TO REVIEW RELAXATION FOR NADRA IN Punjab issues alert against ‘DIGITAL ECONOMY ENHANCEMENT PROJECT’ possible spread of

PRAYER TIMINGS

NEWS

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ISLAMABAD

AHMAD AHMADANI

HE Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) of the Cabinet has formed a three-member committee to submit a viable proposal in the next meeting of the committee regarding relaxation from the relending policy of the government for National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA).

According to sources, ECC meeting held on 23rd November, 2023 under the chair of Ms. Shamshad Akhtar, Minister for Finance, Revenue & Economic Affairs, had considered a summary submitted by the Ministry of Information Technology and Telecommunication (MoITT) regarding “Relaxation from Relending Policy of Government of Pakistan for NADRA” and discussed a proposal for the exemption of NADRA from the Re-lending Policy of the Government of Pakistan. The exemption was sought in connection with the Digital Economy Enhancement Project (DEEP), a World Bank-assisted initiative aims at enhancing the government’s capacity for digitally enabled service delivery for citizens and businesses.

The ECC after detailed deliberation

formed a committee comprising of Secretary Finance Division, Secretary Economic Affairs Division and Secretary Ministry of Information Technology and Telecommunication to submit a viable proposal in the next ECC meeting.

During the course of this ECC meeting, the Ministry of Information Technology and Telecommunication briefed the forum that the Digital Economy Enhancement Project (DEEP) was a World Bank assisted project with the objective to enhance the government’s capacity for digitally enabled services delivery for citizens and businesses.

The project would not only provide ease to citizens and businesses but would also enable higher degree of transparency, lower the cost of processing, and increase the tax collection capabilities of the federal and provincial governments.

The project had been developed in collaboration with the World Bank which was providing financing assistance worth US$ 77.73 million. The project was recommended to Executive Committee of National Economic Council (ECNEC)

by Central Development Working Party (CDWP) in its meeting held on 19th October 2022. The project was approved by ECNEC in its meeting held on 6th April 2023 and authorization from Ministry of

Solangi rebuts reports about GB, vows action against rumour-mongers ISLAMABAD

STAFF REPORT

Caretaker Minister of Information and Broadcasting, and Parliamentary Affairs Murtaza Solangi on Sunday strongly rebutted different rumours circulating on social media regarding Gilgit-Baltistan.

The rumours suggested that a proposal to hand over GB to another country for 50 years was under consideration. In a post on X formerly Twitter, the minister said there was no truth in such rumours.

He added that no such news was published by any newspaper. Those spreading this fake news to achieve their nefarious designs would face legal action, the minister vowed. Earlier, the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting through its social media account also rejected the news as fake. “Disseminating fake news is not only unethical and illegal but it is also disservice to the nation. It is the responsibility of everyone to reject irresponsible behaviour. Reject #FakeNews,” he wrote on X. Future of aesthetic physicians bright Caretaker Federal Minister for Information, Broadcasting and Parliamentary Affairs Murtaza Solangi on Sunday said that the future of aesthetic physicians was bright, everyone wants to look good.

Addressing a function organized by the Association of Aesthetic Physicians of Pakistan here, the minister congratulated the management for organizing the event.

He said that aesthetic physicians and their businesses had a prominent position in the health sciences because looking good was everyone’s desire.

He said that the expansion of the scope of the Association of Aesthetic Physicians of Pakistan will significantly improve the aesthetic health scenario in Pakistan and it will also benefit the people at the grassroots level. He said that the mandate and duration of the caretaker government were limited, but it would try to address the complaints of the Aesthetic Physicians Association of Pakistan and provide it with all possible facilities within the legal framework.

Govt likely to extend deadline for Hajj applications’ submission ISLAMABAD

STAFF REPORT

Pakistan is considering extending the deadline for submitting Hajj applications under the government scheme as so far, only 28,782 applications have been received. The low turnout of applicants prompted authorities to explore alternative options to encourage more participation. As per data, only 24,446 applications were collected under the official regular scheme on Saturday. The sponsorship scheme, aimed at facilitating pilgrims, received a modest 174 applications on the last day. Ministry of Religious Affairs is considering extending the submission period by 7 to 10 days to boost the number of applications and ensure wider participation in the Hajj pilgrimage.

Despite slashing Hajj expenses and introducing shortterm Hajj facilities, the number of applications has dropped this year too. The Ministry of Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony had to return the quota of almost 20,000 to Saudi Arabia after dropping in Hajj pilgrims last year. Separately, Pakistan has abolished the mandatory requirement of Covid vaccination certificate for next year’s Hajj pilgrims.

The announcement was made by the Ministry of Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony from its official X (Twitter) handle.

Planning, Development & Special Initiatives was issued on 17th May 2023. Ministry of Information Technology and Telecommunication was the sponsoring agency of the project.

Ministry of Information Technology and Telecommunication (MoITT) further informed that the ministry held multiple stakeholder sessions involving federal and provincial government entities and it is through these sessions that NADRA was identified as the most suitable federal government entity to implement the two component i-e Development and Implementation of Interoperability Exchange Layer and National Digital ID and Digital ID and Digital Vault (“Digital ID” can not be issued by any other entity in Pakistan other than NADRA-it is the digital equivalent of National ID Card and would contain personal record which only NADRA was authorized to maintain).

NADRA had already facilitated about 1000 entities in digitalization and had a vantage point to effectively operationalize the Data Exchange Layer once it had been developed. As per approved Re-lending Policy of the Government of Pakistan, re-lending to autonomous bodies, in this case NADRA, would be made on the same financing terms and conditions as borrowed by the federal govern-

ment from the foreign lender.

In addition, a fixed administrative charge of 0.25percent would be charged.

The requirement for exemption of NADRA from re-lending policy was highlighted by EAD (Economic Affairs Division) after the project was approved

by ECNEC. The competent forum for any exemption from the terms specified in the policy is the ECC of the Cabinet.

Ministry of Information Technology and Telecommunication requested the ECC to grant exemption to NADRA from the re-lending policy for execution of the two components under DEEP and allow that US$ 24.633 million are provided to NADRA as a grant for carrying out its part of the project activities.

As per sources, during the discussion, concerns were raised about revenue-earning institutions seeking exemptions, suggesting that such entities should bear normal costs as per ECC decisions made in other cases. In response, the ECC decided to form a committee, comprising the Secretary of Finance Division, Secretary of Economic Affairs Division, and Secretary of the Ministry of Information Technology and Telecommunication, to submit a viable proposal at the next ECC meeting.

Muhammad Shoaib wins 40th Governor’s Cup Golf tournament ISLAMABAD

STAFF REPORT

The 40th Millat Tractors Governor’s Cup Golf Tournament took place over the weekend at the historic Lahore Gymkhana Golf Course. Gymkhana’s very own Muhammad Shoaib won the coveted title with a lead of two strokes.

Governor Punjab Muhammad Baligh Ur Rehman presented the trophy to the winner at the prize distribution ceremony held at Gymkhana Golf Club on Sunday, following the end of the three day contest.

The tournament was contested over 54 holes at the par-72 Lahore Gymkhana Golf Course over three days. The Governors Cup Trophy is awarded based on net score, adding a unique dimension to the competition. The amateur with the best net score after three rounds

and 54 holes will claim the glory, making consistency a crucial factor for success. “To win, a player must excel in all aspects of the game, from driving off the tee to accuracy in fairway shots and excellence in the short game”, explained tournament director Asim Zafar.

ISLAMABAD

A local court in Islamabad on Sunday granted the Punjab Anti-Corruption Establishment (ACE) one-day physical remand of former federal minister Fawad Chaudhry in a graft case.

The former federal minister was presented before duty judge judicial magistrate Ghulam Mustafa at the judicial complex Rawalpindi. The judge after hearing arguments reserved its verdict and handed over Fawad on a one-day physical remand to the Punjab Anti-Corruption Establishment (ACE).

During the hearing on Sunday, The counsel for ACE sought a five-day physical remand and alleged that Fawad, through his frontman Fouq Sherbaz, took Rs3.5 million for providing a no-objection certificate (NOC) from a private housing scheme and the amount

M. Shoaib shot impressive scores of 75, 70 and 75 on days one, two and three respectively for a cumulative gross score of 220 in 54 holes. Being a 3 handicap, his net score translated into 211, two strokes better than runner-up Nadir Khalil’s 213.

needs to be recovered.

The court rejected the request and sent the former PTI lawmaker one day physical remand.

The judge asked the authorities to present the accused in the relevant court after approving the plea for the physical remand. Fawad Ch would be now presented before an anti-corruption court on Monday (today).

However, Fawad’s counsel, Faisal Chaudhry, contended that the case was false and was driven by political motives arguing that the housing society owners have no complaints.

Last month, Fawad Chaudhry, who left PTI over May 9 violence, was arrested from his home in Islamabad, his wife Hiba Chaudhry said. “Fawad has been arrested and taken to an unknown place,” she added.

In January, Fawad was arrested for publicly threatening the members of the Election Commission of Pakistan.

IPP prepares lists for seat-sharing deal with PML-N LAHORE

STAFF REPORT

The Istehkam-e-Pakistan Party (IPP) has meticulously crafted a list of constituencies and potential candidates for a strategic seat adjustment with the Muslim LeagueN (PML-N). The committee representing the Istehkam-e- Pakistan Party, comprising Ishaq Khakwani, Aoun Chaudhry, and Nauman Langriyal, collaborated closely with the party’s leadership to compile the comprehensive list.

The IPP leadership is sched-

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Nipah virus

ISLAMABAD

STAFF REPORT

The threat of the onslaught of another dangerous virus called Nipah has started looming throughout Punjab including Lahore, it was learnt on Sunday. In this regard, the Punjab Department of Health has issued a letter to all the provincial Chief Executive Officers (CEO) while issuing a high alert in view of the possible threat and spread of the Nipah virus and guidelines were also issued in the post. According to the post of the health department, Nipah was declared as a dangerous virus, with a mortality rate of 74 percent.

Nipah virus (NiV) infection is an emerging zoonosis that causes severe disease in both animals and humans and is endemic in South-East Asia Region. NiV was initially isolated and identified in 1999 in Malaysia and Singapore during an outbreak of encephalitis and respiratory illness among pig farmers and people with close contact with pigs. In May 2018, confirmed cases of Nipah virus (NiV) infection including fatalities have been reported in the southern state of Kerala, India. As of 25 May 2018, a total of 36 cases including 11 confirmed deaths have been reported.

Infection with Nipah virus is associated with encephalitis. After exposure and an incubation period of 5 to 14 days, illness presents with 3-14 days of fever and headache, muscle pain, nausea and vomiting, followed by drowsiness, disorientation and mental confusion.

According to the WHO, Nipah virus infection in humans causes a range of clinical presentations, from asymptomatic infection (subclinical) to acute respiratory infection and fatal encephalitis.

The case fatality rate is estimated at 40% to 75%.

This rate can vary by outbreak depending on local capabilities for epidemiological surveillance and clinical management. Nipah virus can be transmitted to humans from animals (such as bats or pigs), or contaminated foods and can also be transmitted directly from human-to-human. Fruit bats of the Pteropodidae family are the natural host of Nipah virus. There is no treatment or vaccine available for either people or animals. The primary treatment for humans is supportive care.

PPP gears up for seat adjustment with ANP in Karachi, KP

Fawad Ch remanded into ACE’s custody for one-day in graft case STAFF REPORT

FAJR SUNRISE

6:10

uled to present the seat adjustment roster to the committee designated by the PML-N later tonight.

Sources reveal that the Istehkam-e- Pakistan Party aims to propose seat adjustments for 20 seats in the National Assembly, with 19 of them located in Punjab and one in Karachi. Additionally, the IPP is seeking seat adjustments in 44 constituencies of the Punjab Assembly.

In instances where the PML-N decides against seat adjustment in specific National Assembly constituencies, the IPP will advocate for proportional adjustments in the

corresponding provincial seats.

A specially appointed six-member committee, comprising representatives from both the PML-N and the Istehkam-e-Party, has been established to facilitate the seat adjustment process.

The committee boasts key figures such as Rana Sana Allah, Ayaz Sadiq, and Khawaja Saad Rafiq from the PML-N, while Aoon Chaudhry, Ishaq Khakwani, and Noman Langriyal represent the Istehkam-e-Party. This committee, inclusive of a three-member subcommittee led by Langriyal, is tasked with candidate selection and formulating the seat adjustment strategy.

ISLAMABAD

STAFF REPORT

Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) leadership have contacted Awami National Party (ANP) on forming an electoral alliance and seat adjustment in Karachi and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) for the upcoming general elections.

According sources privy to the development, the PPP has discussed seat adjustment with ANP on Karachi’s two National Assembly (NA) seats.

Moreover, the two parties also discussed forming an electoral alliance in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa for the upcoming elections. PPP and ANP are likely to make a seat adjustment in Peshawar, Swabi, Charsadda, Malakand, Mardan, Karak, Bannu and Dera Ismail Khan (DI Khan), say sources.

The latest development comes a day after ANP Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) President Aimal Wali Khan met PPP Parliamentarians President Asif Ali Zardari and PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari at the Zardari House Islamabad.

It is to be noted that the PML-N, JUI-F, GDA and MQM-P have reached a consensus for electoral alliance in Sindh province, which is being seen as a potential power to throw away the PPP ruling the province for almost 15 years.

Both the PPP and ANP heads discussed electoral alliance and seat adjustment in KP province for the forthcoming general elections.

They discussed that both parties have strong vote bank in 20 constituencies in KP. They agreed on holding more meetings to mull over electoral alliance, sources said. Earlier in the month, Pakistan Peoples’ Party (PPP) leadership decided not to make seat adjustments with Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz (PML-N) in the upcoming general election 2024 and termed it a ‘loss trade’.

Fuel price likely to be reduced from Dec 16 ISLAMABAD

STAFF REPORT

Petrol and diesel prices are likely to decrease by 13 and 15 rupees per liter respectively, effective December 16th.

According to media reports, this potential price drop comes on the back of a 5.49 dollar per barrel decrease in the global petrol market. If the government finalizes the proposed reduction on December 15th, it will bring the price of petrol down from the current 281.34 rupees per liter to 268.34 rupees. Similarly, diesel prices could drop from 289.79 rupees to 274.79 rupees per liter. The final decision on the new prices will be announced by the government on December 15th, and the revised prices will be implemented the following day.

‘White Coat March’: Hundreds of doctors rally to pay tribute to Palestinian fellows KARACHI

STAFF REPORT

Hundreds of doctors and paramedics marched in commercial capital Karachi on Sunday to pay tribute to their Palestinian counterparts who have been performing their duties despite intensified Israeli airstrikes and bombings of hospitals in Gaza.

Donned in white medical coats and waving tri-color Palestinian flags, the protesters gathered outside Agha Khan Hospital in the city’s eastern district to join the rally. Many of the participants were sporting keffiyeh scarves, a symbol of Palestinian nationalism.

Billed as the “White Coat March,” the rally was the latest in a string of pro-Palestine marches across Pakistan since Oct. 7.

Raising slogans such as “Free free Palestine,” “Labbaik ya Gaza (Gaza we are here)”, and “Down with Israel,” the protesters marched on the Stadium Road.

Addressing the march, Hafiz Naeem-urRehman, the Karachi chief of Jamaat-e-Islami, the country’s mainstream religiopolitical party, denounced the US for vetoing the UN Security Council’s cease-fire resolution, which, he said, is tantamount to giving Israel “another license to kill” Palestinians.

Paying tribute to the Palestinian doctors

and paramedics, he said Israeli forces on the one hand are killing unarmed Palestinians, including children and women, and on the other, they are deliberately targeting medical facilities to ensure “more and more deaths.”

Israel resumed its military offensive on the Gaza Strip on Dec. 1 after the end of a weeklong humanitarian pause with Hamas.

At least 17,700 Palestinians have been killed and more than 48,780 others injured in relentless air and ground attacks on the enclave since Oct. 7 following the cross-border attack by Hamas.

The Israeli death toll in the Hamas attack stood at 1,200, according to official figures.

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