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ISRAEL STEPS UP BOMBARDMENT ON GAZA AMID COMMUNICATION BLACKOUT Monday, 18 December, 2023 I 4 Jamada Al-Sani, 1445

Rs 15.00 | Vol XIV No 169 I 8 Pages I Lahore Edition

OPENS A DIRECT CROSSING FOR AID g ISRAELI AUTHORITIES SUMMONS AL-AQSA INTO GAZA FOR FIRST TIME IN ITS MOSQUE PREACHER FOR QUESTIONING ON MORE THAN TWO-MONTH-OLD WAR INCITEMENT CHARGES, ACCORDING TO LAWYER

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CAIRO/ JERUSALEM/ GAZA AGENCIES

SRAEL opened a direct crossing for aid into Gaza for the first time on Sunday in its more than two-monthold war on Hamas while also stepping up attacks on the Palestinian enclave, saying military pressure was the only way its hostages would be freed. The Israeli attacks took place amid fierce fighting the length of the coastal strip, according to residents and fighters, with communications down for a fourth day, making it hard to reach the wounded.

“The communication blackout in #Gaza is the longest since the start of the Israeli escalation,” the Palestinian Red Crescent said on X, adding that its teams were also hampered by shelling.

Telecommunications were gradually being restored in central and southern areas, telecoms companies said later.

Hopes for peace had been raised on

Saturday when a source said Israel’s spy chief had spoken on Friday with the prime minister of Qatar, which mediated hostage releases in return for a weeklong ceasefire and the freeing of Palestinian prisoners.

In a further positive sign, the Kerem Shalom crossing between Israel and Gaza opened for aid trucks on Sunday for the first time since the outbreak of war, officials said, in a move to double the amount of food and medicine reach-

ing Gazans.

But Israel cast doubt on whether the aid would be distributed, accusing aid officials of not distributing aid that had crossed from Egypt, and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed to “fight to the end”. Aid agencies say aid distribution has been disrupted by the violence.

Hamas said it would not discuss freeing any more of those captured when its fighters raided southern Israel on Oct. 7 while Israel continues its attacks.

DEADLY STRIKES: Israeli missile strikes on a house belonging to the Shehab family killed 24 people and wounded dozens of others in Jabalia refugee camp in northern Gaza, Hamas Aqsa radio said, quoting the director of the health ministry.

The son of Dawoud Shehab, spokesman of Hamas-ally Islamic Jihad, was among the dead, an official from the group told Reuters.

As elections approach fast, so do preparations g

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ECP BANS REGISTRATION, DELETION OF VOTES, GOVT LEAVES OF ALL EMPLOYEES ISLAMABAD

STAFF REPORT

Politicking and preparations have picked up following the release of schedule for the general elections, slated for Feb 8, 2024, as the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) on Sunday banned registration of new votes, deletion, change and correction of votes in electoral rolls while the federal government imposed a ban on leaves of all government employees. Similarly, the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has resumed nationwide training for District Returning Officers (DROs) and Re-

turning Officers (ROs), with a focus on election procedures, rules, and other administrative aspects.

According to a notification, the electoral watchdog has imposed a ban on registration of new votes, deletion, change and correction of votes in electoral rolls.

The ECP has also imposed ban on leaves of its officers, other employees and returning officers while it’s regional offices remained opened on (Sunday) for provision of voter lists and other material. The ECP has also imposed ban on transfers and postings of provincial and federal government employees. It is to be mentioned here that the election commission had issued the

Social media disruption hits country amid ‘PTI’s virtual rally’ KARACHI

SALEEM JADOON

The country experienced a nationwide social media disruption on Sunday as soon as former prime minister Imran Khan’s party began its first-ever online rally, an event acknowledged by a party official and confirmed by an independent Internet watchdog.

Internet monitor Netblocks has reported a nationwide disruption in social media platforms amid a “virtual power show” currently under way by the PTI. “Live metrics show a nation-scale disruption to social media platforms across #Pakistan, including X, Facebook, Instagram and YouTube,” the internet tracking agency said.

Netblocks noted that the incident came ahead of a virtual gathering organised by the PTI and the online event was kicked off at 9pm.

People in Lahore, Karachi and Islamabad reported difficulty accessing social media platforms at about 8 pm, with additional complaints about disrupted Internet services.

Users also complained about internet services being slow.

The public, particularly the youth, criticized the disruption and attributed it to the government’s tac-

tics to disrupt PTI’s online rally.

“They actually messed with the internet affecting millions of subscribers and hundreds of thousands of businesses only to oppose PTI virtual rally. This is beyond madness,” the public commented.

The London-based Internet watchdog, NetBlocks, also confirmed social media disruption across Pakistan in one of its posts.

“Live metrics show a nationscale disruption to social media platforms across #Pakistan, including X/Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and YouTube,” it said. “The incident comes just ahead of a major virtual gathering organized by persecuted opposition leader Imran Khan’s party, PTI.” Imran Khan has been facing a number of court cases against him and is currently incarcerated in a high-security prison in Rawalpindi after being convicted in a graft case in August.

His Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party has been striving to launch its election campaign in his absence and had announced a virtual public gathering on social media platform X, formally known as Twitter, in a post that had been shared by thousands of its followers.

“They want to block us wherever we go because they are afraid

of us,” PTI spokesperson, Raoof Hasan, told Arab News. “But we will continue our work.”

The party has repeatedly said its top leader has been targeted by the authorities who want to eliminate him from the country’s political landscape.

The PTI has also complained about not getting a “level playing field” ahead of the next general elections scheduled to be held on February 8.

On May 9, the PTA had confirmed that it had suspended mobile broadband across the country on the interior ministry’s instructions. Netblocks had said access to Twitter, Facebook and Youtube was restricted across Pakistan amid PTI chief Imran Khan’s arrest on that day from the Islamabad High Court’s premises in the Al-Qadir Trust case.

In July, Pakistan was ranked third in the world over the imposition of internet restrictions in the first half of 2023.

According to a report by Surfshark, a virtual private network company headquartered in Lithuania, a half-year analysis of internet shutdown based on the Internet Shutdown Tracker revealed that Pakistan was responsible for three of the 42 new restrictions worldwide, which were imposed following Imran’s arrest.

Afghanistan claims arrest of 40 TTP members ‘DESIRE FOR BETTER TIES’

ISLAMABAD

MONITORING REPORT

A top Afghan interior ministry official announced on Sunday his government had arrested about 40 Pakistani Taliban, also known as Tehreek-eTaliban Pakistan (TTP) militants, over the past year, emphasizing Kabul’s desire to maintain good relations with all neighboring states.

This is the first time any Afghan official has said the authorities in his country have taken action against TTP fighters, who are accused by Pakistan of orchestrating attacks in areas near its western frontier.

Pakistan has recently experienced an increase in militant violence and suicide bombings, which its officials say have been perpetrated by TTP and associated groups

based in Afghanistan. Caretaker Prime Minister Anwaarul Haq Kakar revealed last month his country had asked Kabul to choose between Pakistan or the militant network earlier this year following a deadly mosque bombing in Peshawar that killed about 100 worshippers.

The issue of TTP militants in Afghanistan has escalated tensions between the two countries, leading to Pakistan announcing the expulsion of unregistered foreigners, mainly Afghans, citing security concerns.

“Today, there is no [militant] group operating in Afghanistan,” Afghan interior ministry spokesman, Abdul Mateen Qani, told TOLOnews. “There are a large number of Daesh captives with us, and around 35 to 40 TTP [fighters]

are imprisoned by us.”

He maintained Kabul wanted positive relations with Afghanistan’s neighbors and would not allow its soil to be used by armed factions to launch attacks against other countries.

He assured the Afghan media outlet any threat to his country’s security would be met with immediate action, with the responsible individuals or groups being identified and arrested.

Pakistan has said it wants authorities in Kabul to hand over militants targeting its security personnel and people in cross-border attacks.

Amid the mounting tensions, the Afghan authorities have invited a leading Pakistani religious politician, Maulana Fazlur Rehman, to Kabul, though the agenda of the visit has not been revealed by either side.

election schedule for the February 8 general elections in compliance with the Supreme Court order on Friday.

The development came hours after the apex court ordered the ECP to announce the election schedule as it suspended a Lahore High Court (LHC) order on the appointment of returning officers (ROs) and district returning officers (DROs) from bureaucracy, which had cast a shadow over holding of general elections.

During a chat with newsmen, Chief Election Commissioner Sikandar Sultan Raja vowed to provide levelplaying field to all political parties.

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Sardar Latif Khosa quits PPP to formally join PTI LAHORE

STAFF REPORT

Senior legal expert and former Punjab governor Sardar Latif Khosa on Sunday formally parted ways with PPP and joined the PTI, saying he had made the decision with the hope of “taking the country towards a bright future.”

The announcement was made at a press conference in Lahore, where Khosa appeared with a PTI flag slung around his shoulders. The PTI also shared a video of Khosa on X (formerly Twitter), saying he had “formally” joined the party.

Speaking to the media, the veteran lawyer, who has been representing PTI founder Imran Khan in several cases, asserted he had taken the step with the hope of taking the country towards a “beautiful” future.

“The world says that people do press conferences to leave [the party] and you are doing a press conference to join it,” he quipped, referring to the manner in which several PTI leaders had quit the party in the aftermath of the May 9 violence.

“I am doing this deliberately. If rendering services for your mother country makes you a lunatic, then yes I am a lunatic,” he said. He further said that one should not be fearful to speak the truth, adding that life, death, honour, respect and sustenance were all in God’s hands.

“Why should anyone be scared? These are our institutions. This is our army. Their limits are defined within the Constitution. They are paid through the taxes given by the Pakistani people — be it army generals, judges or the bureaucracy. Their real owners are the people who pay taxes,” he said.

He called on institutions to work within their constitutional limits, adding that problems arose when one interfered in matters beyond its mandate.

Talking about elections, Khosa appreciated Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Qazi Faez Isa for eradicating the speculation around the Feb 8 polls. At the same time, he also said that he wished the CJP had directed for returning officers (ROs) and district returning officers (DROs) to be from the judiciary.

Khosa condemned the arrest of PTI’s Sher Afzal Marwat, who was apprehended from outside the Lahore High Court on Thursday. “This is a sanctuary of peace and justice […] I was ashamed,” he said.

He said that the Lahore deputy commissioner was a relative of the “chairtaker” Punjab chief minister. He said that Marwat’s detention order said that he had the “potential to create a law and order situation”.

02 NEWS

PPP TO FORM NEXT GOVT IN CENTRE, SECURE MAJORITY IN PROVINCES: MURAD ALI SHAH

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Monday, 18 December, 2023 | LAHORE

for prime ministership. “PPP would soon bring its own prime minister and provide relief to common man by introducing necessary reforms,” he added.

In apparent reference to Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), Murad said a political party, which demanded immediate election, hatched conspiracy to delay the polls. He also hailed the Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) for ‘foiling the conspiracy to delay the elections’. The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) issued the election schedule for the upcoming February 8 general polls in

executive said the PPP would also secure seats in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Referring to PML-N surpemo Nawaz Sharif visit to Balochistan, Murad Ali Shah said that the former premier did not even leave the hotel during his stay and held meetings in the room. “[PPP leadership] Asif Zardari and Bilawal Bhutto visited individuals’ homes in Balochistan,” he added.

“We are targeting to get enough seats to form PPP’s government in the Centre,” he added. The former Sindh CM further said that Bilawal Bhutto would be the candidate

DADU

Staff RepoRt

S general elections draw near, Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) leader Murad Ali Shah on Sunday claimed that the party is well poised to form the next government in the Centre, while ruling out any ‘competition’ for PPP in Sindh, noting the party has secured majority in Balochistan as well.

Speaking during an exclusive interview to a private channel, the former Sindh chief

compliance with the Supreme Court (SC) order issued earlier.

According to a notification issued by the electoral watchdog, the public notice would be issued by the Returning Officer (RO) on December 19 with the dates for filing nominations from Dec 20-22.

The ECP, in its notification, stated that the names of the nominated candidates would be published on Dec 23 while the last date for scrutiny of their nomination papers would be from Dec 24-30.

The development came hours after

Supreme Court (SC) of Pakistan ordered the ECP to announce the election schedule by tonight as it suspended a Lahore High Court (LHC) order on the appointment of returning officers (ROs) and district returning officers (DROs) from the bureaucracy, which cast uncertainty over holding of general polls.

The Pakistan Supreme Court also issued a contempt of court notice to Barrister Umair Niazi – who filed the petition on behalf of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) – seeking an explanation as to why contempt proceedings should not be initiated against him.

Nation’s strength lies in institutions thrive with academic, administrative autonomy: CM

not only apply their knowledge and skills effectively but also demonstrate empathy in providing relief to those in need, the CM said.

Justice Baqar reminded all members of the medical profession, especially those embarking on their careers, that the people of this country, much like their parents and families, have made sacrifices to support their journey into the esteemed field of medicine. “I hope that you will uphold the expectations placed upon you and maintain the trust and confidence bestowed upon the medical profession by the nation,” he said.

The destiny of CPSP rests in the hands of the young specialists who have recently graduated or will do so in the future, the interim CM said and added that the College should now focus on equipping this generation not only with professional competencies but also with the values intrinsic to this noble profession.

The CM said that it was important to mold the professional characters through positive role-modelling, fostering attributes that enable them to serve the profession and the country with the utmost dedication and capability. He extended his sincere wishes for success in all their noble endeavours.

KARACHI

Staff RepoRt

Petrol price declines by Rs64.04 per litre in three months

ISLAMABAD: The caretaker government has decreased the price of petrol by Rs64.04 per litre and diesel by Rs52.99 per litre during the last three months. A chart shared by the Ministry of Energy and Petroleum on the official social media account shows that the price of petrol at Ex-depot was Rs. 331.38 per litre in October, and now, the price has decreased to Rs267.34 per liter in the current month, directly benefiting consumers and alleviating the financial burden on fuel expenses. Similarly, the price of diesel in October was Rs329.18 per litre and has now dropped to Rs276.19 per litre, providing consumers with a benefit of Rs52.99.

The drop in the price of petroleum products is expected to contribute significantly to easing the financial impact on consumers. These reductions are anticipated to have positive implications for various sectors of the economy, offering a reprieve to consumers and businesses alike.

BUS FARES REDUCED BY 7%: After a reduction in the prices of petroleum products, transport owners have also decreased bus fares by 7%. The Punjab Regional Transport Authority (RTA) secretary said that transport owners had been asked to reduce bus fares in proportion to the reduction in petrol prices and they agreed to decrease the fares. The secretary said a new fare list was being prepared and it would be provided to transport owners and banners of new fares would also be displayed at bus stands. The consumers received a welcome surprise on Friday as the caretaker government announced a significant reduction in fuel prices, slashing the cost of petrol by Rs14 and high-speed diesel (HSD) by Rs13.50 per litre for the next fortnight. Staff RepoRt

Caretaker Sindh Chief Minister Justice (Retd) Maqbool Baqar has said that a nation’s strength lies in the quality of its institutions which thrive with academic and administrative autonomy.

This he said while speaking at the 56th Convocation of the College of Physicians and Surgeons Pakistan held at CPSP Head Quarter Karachi. Those who were present include President CPSP Prof. Khalid Masood Gondal, Senior VP Prof. Muhammad Shoaib Shafi, Vice President Prof. Ayesha Siddiqa, CPSP Councillors and Fellows, Prof Maqsood Hamid, Prof Amanullah Abbasi and others.

They congratulated the passing out specialists of the College and hoped that they, like their predecessors, would invest their energies and expertise towards alleviating the sufferings of the people of the country.

The CM said that a nation’s strength lies in the quality of its institutions. “I am pleased to acknowledge the College of Physicians and Surgeons Pakistan as one of the noteworthy institutions in the country, making commendable strides in

postgraduate medical education on a national and international scale,” he said and added that the educational institutions thrive with academic and administrative autonomy. However, in addition to these factors, I propose the inclusion of social responsibility as a fundamental aspect,” he said and added that the institutions should be rooted in a sense of duty towards society, with public awareness of their utility and assurance of the safety and efficacy of their outputs.

This is particularly significant for medical institutions, the custodians of the medical profession, he said and added that they bear the weighty responsibility of ensuring their graduates

Lahore’s AQI improves day after first-ever artificial rain experiment LAHORE

Staff RepoRt

The artificial rain has worked in Lahore as the Air Quality Index (AQI) of city improved significantly on Sunday. The first experiment of artificial rain was executed yesterday in Lahore and it helped in eliminating the smog.

The AQI was recorded at 189 in Lahore and it made the metropolitan as the sixth most polluted city of the world.

Earlier, Lahore remained at the top of the list among the polluted cities for many days. A day earlier, Lahore’s AQI was recorded at 354, just before the artificial rain.

Two special aircraft arrived from

the UAE and carried 48 flares near Shahdara and Muridke in the first flight.

Caretaker Chief Minister Punjab Mohsin Naqvi said that the artificial rain was experienced at 10 different points of Lahore.

Artificial rain or cloud seeding is a weather modification technique that aims to stimulate precipitation, and is performed by introducing different substances, such as salt flares, into clouds that promote the formation of raindrops or snowflakes.

This technique is widely used for rainfall in areas that experience drought or suffer from poor air quality.

According to the WHO, air pollution kills 4.2 million people around the

Vehicles physical verification desk set up at SCCI PESHAWAR

Staff RepoRt

Sarhad Chamber of Commerce and Industry president Fuad Ishaq and Director Excise and Taxation department Islamabad Bilal Azam inaugurated vehicles physical verification desk at the chamber house.

The move aims at easing difficulties of the business community and people of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa regarding vehicles physical verification. In this regard, a formal inauguration ceremony was held at the chamber house here on Sunday.

The event was attended by the SCCI vice president Ijaz Khan Afridi, former presidents Faiz Muhamamd Faizi, Zufiqar Ali Khan, Zahidullah Shinwari, Riaz Arshad, members of the executive committee

Monawar Khurshid, Kashif Amin, Minhajuddin, Chairman of Sarhad Chamber of Commerce and Industry Cars Dealer Standing Committee on Ghulam Bilal Javed, vice chairman Bakht Mir Jan Durrani, traders leader Haji Amin Hussain Babar, Saddar Gul, Fazl e Wahid, Excise and Taxation Officers Peshawar region, members of business community in a large number.

Fuad Ishaq while speaking on the occasion lauded the Excise and Taxation Department Islamabad for setting up of a vehicles physical verification desk at the chamber house, stating that this initiative will remove difficulties of the business community and people of KP. The SCCI said the business community was the backbone of the country’s economy.

Therefore, he urged the government

Being physically fit in Gaza City NoteS M.a. Niazi HERE’S a lot going on in Gaza these days, as Israel goes on killing as many Palestinians as it can. There is pressure developing for a ceasefire, and it seems that the Israeli Defense Forces want to kill as many Palestinians as possible before that dread day comes.

Of course, friends of Israel are doing their best to prevent such a betrayal of the Zionist cause. The USA has vetoed a UNSC resolution calling for a ceasefire. Of course, even if that resolution was passed, Israel would have ignored it, just as it ignored the resolution by the UN General Assembly for the ceasefire. You’ve got to admire the American persistence in a futile cause. I mean, if they had allowed the resolution to pass, what difference would it have made?

But perhaps the most interesting thing in the last week was how the Israelis were stripping Palestinian prisoners they caught,

T

and relevant authorities to take pragmatic steps for provision of facilities to business community under one window operation.

He said owing to being far away from seaport, the KP business community has faced enormous difficulties that have brought negative impacts on businesses, the country’s trade and export.

Fuad Ishaq on the occasion suggested broadening the existing tax-base for bringing new people under the tax-net. He urged the government and departments concerned to avoid burdening existing taxpayers with new taxes. The SCCI chief said the country’s economy would stabilize by readdressing business community issues.

He also gave a number of proposals for simplifying the current tax-filing system.

Praising the efforts of Excise and Tax-

down to their underwear, and then herding them. The claim is that they were searching them, and they were kept that way to prevent them attacking Israeli troops. I can see how a naked man walking down the street would be easily identified, and recaptured.

If he had been allowed to keep his clothes, an escaped Palestinian could just shove his hands into his trouser pockets and go off whistling, but if he had been stripped, he couldn’t put his hands anywhere, could he?

I don’t know whether Hamas has begun a physical training programme for its fighters in Gaza, but it should. I mean, if it allows the typical Palestinian volunteer to get captured, he would probably let the side down, as he presented a pale, slug-like pudgy physique to the Israelis. The problem is, a lot of those being chapters are not Hamas fighters. They’re just people who were in the wrong place at the wrong time.

That means non-Hamas Palestinians should hit the gyms while there is still time.

It’s not just the Israeli troops that will provide an audience, but the TV cameras. The Palestinians are being stripped so that mul-

world every year.

An AQI level of 400-500 impacts healthy people and is dangerous to those with existing diseases, while a level of 150-200 brings discomfort to people with asthma, lung and heart problems.

Levels of 0-50 are considered good. ation Department Islamabad for establishment of the desk at chamber house, Mr Ishaq said the department will take measures for provision vehicle registration and token renewal facility through this desk.

Bilal Azam while speaking on the occasion said the Excise and Taxation department is fully committed to facilitate the business community and hoped the desk will play a role to mitigate suffering of the community. He also explained the department’s special initiatives and other facilities that have been extended to the business community and the main objective of the vehicle’s physical verification desk.

Ghulam Bilal Javed also spoke on the occasion and praised the excise and taxation department Islamabad for this important step.

He also apprised the meeting regarding initiatives that had been taken under leadership of Faud Ishaq for resolution of the business community.

tiple messages are sent, not just to the Palestinians themselves, warning all, not just the captives, of the fate that awaits them. Israelis, who have been scared ever since the October 7 attacks, are being shown that Palestinians are not so formidable once you strip them down to their underpants. The Hamas resistance is being shown that surrender is an option, even if it means you lose your pants.

Of course, one of the main ideas is to humiliate the Palestinians, to show them who are top dog. The Israelis are trying to show that they are above the laws of war, even more than their targeting of hospitals and killing of children. Those who cry the loudest about human rights are silent about this. Is this a preparation for genocide on the grounds that Palestinians are not people?

I see that Jemima Khan, one of Imran Khan’s wives and mother of his sons, and guardian of Tyrian White, the young woman who just happens to resemble Imran, has said one of the most fatuous things possible to say about the slaughter in Gaza. She said that it was possible to support both sides. And she also said Imran was shot for his being close to Jews.

Now that must rank alongside the late Nusrat Bhutto’s statement when Senior

Minister, back in the PPP’s 1988-1990 tenure, that there was no harm in Pakistan getting missile “provided they are peaceful.”

No wonder Imran got rid of her. My sympathies for him, because he is stuck in jail watching fearfully whether somebody is doing well enough to replace him on the same page. Luckily for him, Shaheen Shah Afridi took only one wicket, that of the fellow Kashmiri Patwari that Nawaz sneaked onto the Australian team, Usman Khawaja.

Goal of economic stability can be achieved via utilizing SIFC: Dr Saif Umar

ISLAMABAD: Caretaker Minister for Information Technology and Telecommunication, Dr Saif Umar has said that the goal of economic stability can be easily achieved by utilizing the effective forum of Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC).

The minister in video statement released on Sunday said that the SIFC was instrumental in paving the way for digital transformation and attracting foreign direct investment in Pakistan.

Dr. Saif Umar expressed the confidence that upcoming government will also make timely decisions for the country’s development and public interests. The minister said that since 2014, the case of hundreds of MHz of spectrum with Sun TV was pending. He said now this spectrum will be in government custody, which is worth multi-million dollars as per the current market rate of the spectrum. Dr Saif Umar said that from the establishment of the Advisory Committee for spectrum auction to the necessary steps to lay the network of optical fiber cables across the country. He said SIFC Forum has a key role to play in the preparation of the country’s first space policy and its approval from the relevant forums. Staff RepoRt

Customs seizes foreign diesel worth Rs60 million

KHUZDAR/THATTA: Collectorate of Customs, Balochistan on Sunday claimed to have seized foreign diesel worth Rs60 million in an operation conducted at Customs check post Wango in Khuzdar. According to a statement issued by the spokesman for Collectorate of Customs, 39000 litre foreign diesel was recovered from three passenger buses during checking at Customs Check Post Wango in district Khuzdar of Balochistan province. The seized foreign diesel valued at Rs. 60 million. The operation was conducted by the staff of Customs check post Wango in compliance with the directives of Chief Collector Collectorate of Customs, Balochistan, Abdul Qadir Memon and Collector Customs, Khuzdar, Saleem Memon.

Separately, in Thatta, a police team on Sunday claimed to have seized 240 kg gutka material, 1000 gutka packets and a Land Cruiser vehicle in an operation. On the instructions of SSP Thatta Ali Bakhsh, In-charge CIA Police Thatta Syed Faiz Ali Shah, along with the staff, conducted a successful operation on Thatta-Karachi road near Ghharo Golai and seized 240 kg gutka material, 1000 gutka packets and a Land Cruiser vehicle in an operation. In the operation, the notorious criminal, Ghulam Mustafa, managed to flee taking advantage of darkness. The police have registered a case against the accused under the Gutka Act. Several drug cases are registered against accused Ghulam Mustafa alias Babu Jat in Thatta and other districts of Sindh. Staff RepoRt

He took it twice, but Khwaja proved that he was conspiring against Imran. He was out for 90 in the second innings, and thus missed a century. Isn’t that what patwaris deserve?

But the match revealed the dangers that were cropping up in Aamer Jamal and Khurram Shehzad, especially the former, whose six wickets on debut were a little better than Imran’s failure to take any wickets in either of England’s innings, and thus proof that he was a patwari.

NEWS 03

Monday, 18 December, 2023 | LAHORE

KP CM CALLS FOR COLLECTIVE EFFORT TO COMBAT MENACE OF CORRUPTION

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ABBOTTABAD Staff RepoRt

ARETAKER Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Justice (r) Syed Arshad Hussain Sunday called for a collective effort to combat corruption, emphasizing a zero-tolerance policy for negligence in duty across all institutions.

He expressed these views while talking to various delegations at KP House Abbottabad. The Caretaker CM said that Abbottabad has been officially declared a sister city with Azerbaijan, marking the commencement of various developmental projects. The government is determined to ensure transparent and fair elections in Abbottabad, priori-

As elections approach fast, so do preparations

tizing the resolution of local issues.

Following meetings with various delegations. Delegations from Azerbaijan, along with key officials such as Health Minister Dr Riaz Khan and Mineral and Planning Minister Dr Sarfraz Ali Shah,

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 01

“I had never said the elections would be delayed in the country. It is better to do the confirmation before the dissemination of the news,” the CEC told newsmen.

GOVT IMPOSES BAN ON EMPLOYEES’ LEAVES: On the other hand, the federal government on Sunday banned leaves of all government employees ahead of general elections.

In a circular issued by district returning officers, the government has also barred employees from leaving the country during the winter vacation, says in media reports. The letter requires full compliance with the directive. Its copies have also been sent to education departments. Meanwhile, the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has banned registration and deletion of votes. The electoral body has imposed ban on registration of new votes, deletion, change and correction of votes in electoral rolls.

TRAINING OF DROS, ROS TRAINING RESUMED: Following the Supreme Court verdict to overturn LHC orders, the ECP) resumed nationwide training of District Returning Officers (DROs) and Returning Officers (ROs), with a focus on election procedures, rules, and other administrative aspects. An ECP spokesperson stated that the training, led by senior commission officers, will conclude for ROs on Monday (December 18) and for DROs on Tuesday (December 19). The extensive training for 144 District Returning Officers (DROs) and 859 Returning Officers (ROs) commenced on December 13 but was initially paused due to Lahore High Court orders prompted by a petition from PTI objecting to selecting election supervisory staff from the executive. However, it later resumed following orders from the Supreme Court of Pakistan.

Dengue on the wane in Punjab LAHORE

Staff RepoRt

The number of dengue cases is decreasing in Punjab as only 18 new cases were reported in on Sunday. The latest Health Department data reveals a total of 15,047 confirmed dengue cases across 36 districts in Punjab this year.

However, the battle against the fever persists with Lahore leading the unfortunate tally at 6,948 cases, followed by Rawalpindi with 2,654, Gujranwala with 1,584, Multan with 1,444 and Faisalabad with 912 cases. Lahore, with an additional 10 cases, continues to grapple with the fever, Gujranwala with 2, Multan with 1 and Faisalabad with 9 new cases. Meanwhile, Sheikhupura, Okara and Narowal each reported 1 case each of dengue within 24 hours. Currently, 32 patients are undergoing treatment in various hospitals across Punjab, with 16 of them in Lahore district hospitals. Punjab Health Secretary Ali Jaan Khan urged people to maintain clean and dry surroundings as a preventive measure against dengue. He also called for cooperation with health department teams that are working tirelessly to combat it. For those in need of dengue treatment, information, or wishing to register complaints, a free helpline is available through the health department at 1033.

SSGC seeks increase in gas prices KARACHI

Staff RepoRt

The Sui Southern Gas Company Limited (SSGC) has sought an increase in the prices of gas by Rs226.18 per metric million British thermal units (mmBtu). As per details, the Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (OGRA) will hear the SSGC’s plea seeking an additional increase of Rs226.18 per MMBtu in gas prices on Monday. It projected a shortfall of Rs47,773 million in its revenue requirement during the current fiscal year. It requested an increase of Rs226.18 per mmBtu in its average prescribed prices effective from July 1, 2023. The current average sale price is Rs1,470.21 per MMBTU and the company wants the average prescribed price to be set at Rs1,696.39 per MMBTU, reflecting an increase of 15.38 percent. Earlier, the caretaker federal government notified a massive hike in prices of gas which was effective from November 1. The Petroleum Division issued a notification regarding the massive hike in prices for domestic, export, non-export units, CNG, cement, and other sectors. However, the prices of gas were not hiked for protected consumers using 25 to 90 cubic meters in a month, however, the fixed charges for this category of consumers were increased from Rs10 to Rs400.

were present at the occasion.

During the discussions, the Chief Minister acknowledged the existing issues in the district, particularly concerning water, electricity, and cleanliness. The Commissioner informed about devised solutions for these problems.

Chief Minister Arshad Hussain outlined a comprehensive strategy to tackle unemployment, aiming to train half a million youth within a year. Task forces have been formed in various institutions, offering courses ranging from four months to four years. The goal is to provide employment opportunities, both domestically and internationally, based on demand.

Additionally, Chief Minister Arshad Hussain announced the Quantum Valley

declaration for Haripur and Abbottabad, ensuring that youth will no longer face employment issues. The empowerment of the youth is highlighted through plans such as conferring university status to medical colleges, training doctors and physiotherapists, establishing nursing directorates, and constructing nursing institutes.

He emphasized the importance of resolving issues related to mosques and employees under the Auqaf Department.

District Khateeb Mufti Abdul Wajid highlighted these concerns, and their resolution has been assured by the government. Overall, the government’s commitment to combating corruption and addressing local issues reflects a proactive approach towards the development of Abbottabad.

No permanent peace in South Asia without Kashmir solution ISLAMABAD

Staff RepoRt

There can be no permanent peace in South Asia without settlement of the lingering Kashmir dispute in accordance with the United Nations resolutions and aspirations of the Kashmiri people.

A report released by Kashmir Media Service, today, said regional peace is hinged on settlement of the Kashmir dispute but India has been impeding the way for just solution of the dispute for the last over seven decades It said Kashmir dispute is a reality and its disputed nature is recognized by the United Nation, adding the Modi regime cannot suppress the Kashmiris’ struggle to secure their inalienable right to self-determination.

The report said the Modi regime’s brutal actions in Kashmir are posing a grave threat to regional peace and stability and the Kashmiris have the

KARACHI

Sindh Caretaker Minister for Revenue, Industry and Commerce Muhammad Younis Dagha inaugurated the digitalization of Revenue land and Online Facilitation Center at the office of Association of Builders and Developers Pakistan (ABAD), here Sunday.

On the occasion, Yunus Dagha said, “Caretaker Sindh Government has established a facilitation center in the office of ABAD for digitization of revenue land and provision of online services.

Under which ABAD members can now submit their applications at ease and can also get information about their applications online,” said a statement.

He said, “Facilities of e-service

right to seek the resolution of the Kashmir dispute as per their wishes and aspirations.

India must remember that its policy of repression is bound to fail in occupied Jammu and Kashmir, it said, urging the United Nations to play its rightful role to help resolve the long-

pending Kashmir dispute as per its resolutions.

The report said the world community has a responsibility towards helping resolve the Kashmir dispute for durable peace in South Asia and India must be asked to fulfill its pledges made before the UN to settle the Kashmir dispute.

have been provided in all the revenue offices of Sindh including Deputy Commissioners, Assistant Commissioners and Mukhtiarkars offices as now the people of the province can submit their applications online in these offices and get results while documents can be received at home by courier.”

Muhammad Yunus Dagha said, “Through digitization, the work will be completed with transparency in revenue and the difficulties of the customers will be reduced.”

He said, “Through the digitalization of land, we are also computerizing the land records of the entire Sindh, with this process, no one’s land ownership record can be changed through manipulation and now no one will be deprived of his right. ”

He said, “Through this application, we are providing 10 different services, one of which is the provision of domicile. He said, “E-services launched in the Department of Industry and Commerce and board of Revenue Sindh can also be replicated to more provincial departments.” He said, “Now the lands of Sindh Board of Revenue will be sold through auction so that the money of the people of Sindh remains with the people of Sindh.”

Muhammad Yunus Dagha said, “Sindh Board of Revenue is devising the Allotment policy and very soon this policy will be tabled before the caretaker cabinet.” Caretaker Minister Mohammad Yunus Dagha said, “Construction sector can stabilize our GDP a lot and all it needs is attention.”

FGEHA not paid any compensation to affectees in sector G-12, F-12 ISLAMABAD

Staff RepoRt

The Federal Government Housing Authority (FGEHA) has not paid any compensation for land to any affected parties in sectors G-12 and F-12 of the federal capital.

“However, the compensation will be made to the affected parties as per the criteria laid down by the FGEHA,” said an official in the authority. He said the FGEHA has opened registration for allotment of plots to the general public in sectors G-12 and F-12 in the federal capital in August 2023. The award of land in sectors F-12 and G-12 was announced by the Deputy Commissioner of the Capital

ISLAMABAD

Staff RepoRt

The annual week-long historic Kalash tribe’s colorful ‘Choimus festival has formally begun to attract a large number of tourists from all corners of the country and abroad, where various unique cultural festivals will be part of the main carnival, including the slaughter of sacrificial goats, traditional dance, and making effigies of different animals with wheat flour.

“Hugo crowds of tourists are visiting the scenic valley to enjoy the cultural festival of Kalash, which will continue until December 22.”

“Choimus Festival, also known as Chitirmas Festival, is celebrated in winter every year and holds great importance among the Kalasha people. It is celebrated with a colorful swirl of traditional dances, foods, and prayer chants to the Balomain spirit by the Kalasha tribe.” The locals perform rituals for purification during the festival at the dawn of the New Year, said a local. “The Choimus Kalash festival is a mustattend event for anyone interested in culture, which offers a unique opportunity to learn about Pakistani culture and make lifelong memories,” said a tourist. “It provides a meaningful experience by letting guests observe the colorful customs of the Kalash people as they joyfully and respectfully mark the winter solstice,” said a foreign tourist.

“This colorful event is attracting locals and travelers, who are enjoying plenty of activities around a large bonfire,” said another local tourist.

Man guns down ex-wife, three in-laws

Digitalization of land revenue, online facilitation centre inaugurated at ABAD office Staff RepoRt

Tourists flock to ‘Kalash’ to enjoy week-long Choimus festival

Development Authority (CDA) in June 1985 and April 1985, respectively, under Section 25 of the CDA Ordinance 1960, an official informed. He said there is no provision for de-notifying the award once it is announced, nor is there any provision in the Land Acquisition Act of 1894 that allows for setting aside an award. Accordingly, he said the Judgment of Land Award was passed by DC, FGEHA, on April 20, 2021, after addressing the court orders and other relevant issues. The rate for an award issued is Rs. 62,90,000+ 15% compulsory land acquisition charges (total Rs. 72,33,500/). Thereafter, a summary with the following proposal for amendment in the award was placed for approval from the Federal

Cabinet: “The entire record of Sectors G12 and F-12, along with the award issued in 1985, are withdrawn from CDA and assigned to FGEHA for the decision of compensation, as per the direction of the Lahore High Court, Rawalpindi Bench, and incorporation of modalities as decided by the Cabinet Committee.” He said the proposal for amendment was approved by the Federal Cabinet in its meeting held in December 2021. Thereafter, the CDA handed over the said land to the FGE Housing Authority. To a question, the official said that the Katchi Abadi, known as Mehar Abadi, consisting of houses, shops, and markets, has been established and constructed on the said land.

LAHORE

Staff RepoRt

A man gunned down his former wife along with her father, sister and brother in Salamatpur area of Lahore late on Saturday night, police said. The police said another woman and a child were also injured in firing.

According to details, accused Salman opened fire at her ex-wife and her three family members while they were on their way back to home after attending a wedding ceremony. As a result of firing, former wife of the suspect and her father, sister and a brother were killed on the spot while a 55-year-old woman Taj Bibi and five-year-old Minahil sustained bullet wounds. The accused fled the scene after killing four people. The bodies and injured were shifted to hospital and police after registering a case into the incident started raids to arrest the culprit. Separately, in Sheikhupura, a youth was killed and another person injured in firing of robbers over resistance during a robbery here on Sunday.

According to details, armed robbers intercepted two youth at Lahore Road near Mandiali toll plaza in Sheikhupura. Over resistances, the robbers opened straight firing killing 29-year-old Abid on the spot and leaving Muhammad Usman 28, injured and sped the scene. The body and injured were shifted to hospital and police after registering a case into the incident started investigations.

Protest decries vendor’s murder at Karachi fish harbour KARACHI

Staff RepoRt

A large number of family members and colleagues held a protest staged against murder of a cart vendor at Karachi Fish Harbour here on Sunday. Relatives of deceased Saddam Hussain held protest after funeral prayers, who was stabbed to death at the harbour. Protesters alleged that criminals extort protection money in the fish market, the labourers which refuse to give money being subjected to violence. “The criminals have patronage of police and the fish market administration,” they alleged. A strike observed at fish harbour against murder as normal business activities remained suspended and angry protesters pushed out fish cutting persons from the market. The administration summoned police for maintenance of law and order. “Murder accused Ali Raza has been arrested, a case has been registered and further investigation of the incident has been underway,” police officials said.

Israel steps up bombardment on Gaza amid communication blackout CONTINUED FROM PAGE 01

A medic said dozens people had been killed or wounded in the Shebab family home and others nearby that were also hit.

“We believe the number of dead people under the rubble is huge but there is no way to remove the rubble and recover them because of the intensity of Israeli fire,” he said by telephone, using an e-sim that can connect to outside networks and declining to give a name fearing Israeli reprisal. In Deir al-Balah, central Gaza, medics said 12 Palestinians had been killed and dozens were wounded, while in Rafah in the south, they said an Israeli air strike left at least four people dead.

Israel said it had operated against “terrorist” targets. Around 19,000 Palestinians have been killed, according to Gaza health officials, and thousands buried in the rubble of Israeli air strikes since Oct. 7, when Hamas fighters killed 1,200 people, according to Israeli authorities, and captured 240 hostages in their surprise raid.

Israeli losses: Israel’s military said on Sunday that 121 soldiers had been killed since the ground campaign began on Oct.

27, when tanks and infantry began to push into Gaza’s cities and refugee camps.

Netanyahu read out a letter at his weekly cabinet meeting which he said was written by relatives of dead soldiers.

“You have a mandate to fight. You do not have a mandate to stop in the middle,” he quoted them as saying, responding: “We will fight to the end.” The toll is already almost twice as high as during a ground offensive in 2014, a reflection of how far it has pushed into the enclave and of Hamas’ effective use of guerrilla tactics and an expanded arsenal. The Israeli military said its troops had found weapons and a tunnel used by fighters to attack troops in Shejaia, a suburb east of Gaza City in the north, and destroyed a weapons storage facility in the home of a Hamas operative.

The armed wing of Hamas ally Islamic Jihad said its fighters targeted Israeli forces in northern Gaza City with mortar bombs, while residents said Israeli tanks shelled eastern villages in central Gaza, where fighting has intensified in recent days.

In Khan Younis in southern Gaza, residents reported hearing Israeli planes and tanks bombing and shelling and the sound

of rocket-propelled grenades, apparently fired by Hamas fighters.

Medics said Israeli forces had shelled the courtyard of the city’s Nasser hospital and surrounding areas, with a new air strike on a school there on Sunday morning. The Israeli military said it had killed seven “terrorists” in an air strike on Khan Younis and found rocket manufacturing parts and three tunnel shafts near a school used as a shelter.

It also said it had struck the local Hamas commander’s office and gained control over the central Bani Suheila Square. Israel says it goes to great lengths to avoid hitting civilians as it seeks to eliminate Hamas, which has run Gaza since 2006 and is sworn to Israel’s destruction.

NETANYAHU VOWS TO FIGHT UNTIL VICTORY: Netanyahu said on Saturday the war in Gaza was existential and must be fought until victory, with the enclave demilitarised and under Israeli security control. He sidestepped a question on the reported meeting in Europe between his spy chief David Barnea and Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani.

The accidental killing of three hostages

by Israeli forces has increased pressure on

Netanyahu to secure the release of the others, but Hamas said it would not negotiate any exchange “unless the aggression against our people stops once and for all”.

In the southern town of Rafah, people rushed to rescue families trapped under the rubble of a building that housed dozens of people, including some from the north who had followed Israeli army warnings to head south to avoid ground operations.

Mahmoud Jarbou’, who lives nearby, said the sound of the explosion was “as powerful as an earthquake”.

‘DISTURBING REPORTS’ FROM NORTHERN GAZA: UN: The UN human rights office said it had received “disturbing reports” from the northern Gaza Strip of mass detentions and ill-treatment of Palestinians by Israeli forces.

“Most were rounded up as they were attempting to move south or were taken during operations conducted on their homes, hospitals, schools and other places of refuge,” the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights said in a statement on Saturday, referring to the Israeli army order this October for people in northern Gaza to move to the south.

04 COMMENT

How to counter online extremism?

Monday, 18 December 2023

The direction of the rupee

T

radicalization is QAnon. Initially, a chatroom dis- algorithms to hunt their audience. In the same vein, Only an international effort can work feed cussion that flushed almost all social media platforms reams over reams have been written over the Deepfake.

The news so far has not been good

HE caretakers have probably got to be given credit for trying with the rupee. Unfortunately, neither they nor the forces behind them have been able to change the circumstances which indicate that the rupee is going to slide downward once3 again, because the basic issue of the economy has not been fixed, and there is no indication that the economy is going to turn around any time soon. The rupee’s reversal was managed through a use of strong-arm methods, indicating that previous such attempts had been justified, and that a true free float would leave the rupee prey to speculative forces. The crackdown on moneychangers, thought to be behind this speculative driving down of the rupee, led to a drive against illegal foreigners, mostly Afghans, and the uncovering of smuggling networks, because of which US dollars and other foreign currencies were bleeding to Afghanistan. Those networks were not possible without those administering the border.

Another effort has been to bring in foreign direct investment from the Gulf countries through the Special Investment Facilitation Council. However, foreign investors, even those courted so assiduously by the caretakers, are hanging back. The reason for this is a waitand-see policy. Before putting up good money, foreign investors want to know with whom they will be dealing.

Theory appear to be holding back until elections are held.

Now that the February 8 date seems reasonably certain, it now seems clear that an elected government will be managing the country and the economy. While the caretaker government may have carried out some cosmetic measures, the effect of delaying the elections, which have gone beyond the constitutional timeframe, has been to increase pressure on the rupee. The prolonging of the caretaker period has thus helped those very forces harm the economy which have boasted that they were fixing.

The problem is simple. Remittances are falling, as are exports. Foreign direct investment is also not coming in.

Payments of all sorts, from the IMF, to the commercial banks, are falling due. LCs for oil and essential imports are falling due. The government will feel the defence of the rupee will lie in tightening LCs, which are already tight, thereby strangling industry and thus exports.

Holding elections will not guarantee a solution, but delaying them guarantees trouble ahead for the rupee.

T

MuhaMMad Junaid

HE family of 15-year-old British national Shamima Begum woke up one early morning only to find that she had run away to Syria along with two other classmates from Bethnal Green Academy. Shamima was an avid X (formerly Twitter) user. She was exposed to radical content, got acquainted with hardliners, and stepped out of London to join the terror group the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL). The rest is history.

For a long time, online extremism has been a handy recruitment tool for terror enterprises. Terror mongers don’t need to deploy door-to-door knockings. Cyber clicks aptly do the trick instead.

To a greater extent, the rise of ISIS could be ascribed to extremism perpetuated through online means. Abu Bakr Al Baghdadi sold the dream of a self-styled caliphate through Dabiq (online magazine) and other targeted platforms. He got immense traction. According to the UN estimates, almost 40,000 foreigners from 110 countries joined ISIS ranks in Syria and Iraq during its heyday. Radicalized followers joined in hordes, conquered large swathes, took the world off guard, and wreaked maximum havoc before being battered kinetically.

Digital spaces have also been capitalized to hold sway on the thought process. Another instance of drip-

with unfounded claims of Donald Trump being a crusader against a Satan-worshiping elite pedophile clique. This all happened in a developed country and many Americans still believe in the unbelievable conspiracy theories perpetuated by Q-drops. White supremacists, xenophobes, and hate groups routinely propagate their messages online in the garb of freedom of speech. In the same vein, gaming platforms like the notorious Blue Whale or PUBG have proved their potency to push one off the brink.

A cursory look at the online landscape reveals its vulnerability to be exploited by extremists. Social media platforms are dotted with ethnic, religious, political, and geographic parochial fissures. Practical manifestations of online extremism regularly claw back to haunt. Locally, whether it be the Jaranwala incident or the mob lynching of a Sri Lankan citizen in Sialkot; social media platforms were used to simmer the sentiments.

In Pakistan, preventing and countering online extremism is a tough nut to crack for authorities. Almost all tech giants are stationed outside the physical and legal jurisdictions of the country, making them virtually unscathed against the thick end of the writ of the state. Our monitoring efforts are sporadic, uncoordinated, and on a need basis.

The already murky online extremist tendencies took an ugly turn since Artificial Intelligence took charge. Organic online hate segments have certain limitations. They cannot create massive near-to-real content. To boot, state jurisdictional laws throw periodic spanners and leash in either originators or at least disseminators or at worst followers of the extremist content. Having said that, these limitations are to be broken by the all-encompassing Artificial Intelligence. AI is a potent tool to right the wrong and sway the opinions inadvertently. AI can generate large-scale false narratives to contaminate consumers.

Bots can spew optimum human-like content. They tend to flush the comments sections and chat room discussions with desired chatter.

AI also helps craft echo chambers for bespoke online avenues. The echo chamber is an aural effect that encapsulates the user into a particular digital environment. The feed is based on algorithms rather than recency and frequency. Nerd extremists can tinker with

Arif Nizami (Late) Founding Editor

Yousaf Nizami Editor Umar Aziz M. A. Niazi

Rising Hindutva and global concerns

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The writer is a policy analyst and can be reached at junaidawan64@gmail.com.

Online extremists are eyeing Artificial Intelligence tools to wreak the maximum havoc.

Being one of the most vulnerable ones, we need to act before this FrankensteinÊs monster starts luring our youth

Dedicated to the legacy of late Hameed Nizami

Joint Editor

The audio and video leak sagas have somewhere, something to be ascribed to this high-end digital forgery.

Of late, on a macro level, our lead agency NACTA has been pushing meta-narratives to counter online extremism. Nevertheless, this struggling approach will further dilute its influence at the onset of mass data churned out by Artificial Intelligence. Organic counternarratives are likely to be dumped deep under the mechanical garbage produced by generative AI bots.

To stem the looming rot, the right mix of education, collaboration, and regulation can somewhat mitigate the risk.

Firstly, learning digital literacy and critical thinking is a must. Guardians who are sensitized and want to keep tabs on children are found wanting, owing to not knowing content moderation exercises. Only mindful users can steer clear of sham platforms where algorithmic changes are at play.

Government and civil society have their parts to play here. Awareness seminars, workshops, and online courses can educate the masses about the right online choice.

Secondly, considering the disadvantaged position of Pakistan. It is an uphill task to negotiate with the social media giants on our terms. Nonetheless, we can nudge them to foster collaboration for the greater good. It is a fact that without international cooperation, reining in online extremism is a pipe dream. Tech giants can help governments by flagging, blocking, or filtering suspicious content. We need to galvanize them by proper advocacy with indigenous case studies on international fora.

Thirdly, proper regulations are also required to stem the extremist tide. We don’t have an extremism-specific law in place. Instead, piecemeal special laws like the outdated Telegram Act, 1885, Anti-Terrorism Act, 1997, or one-size-fits-all PECA, 2016 are exercised to fill in the gaps. A strategic approach to prevent/counter online extremism can only mitigate the situation.

Online extremists are eyeing Artificial Intelligence tools to wreak the maximum havoc. Being one of the most vulnerable ones, we need to act before this Frankenstein’s monster starts luring our youth.

Executive Editor

India at a crossroads asad ali

N December 2, Pravin Togadia, President of the Antarashtriya Hindu Parishad, ignited a firestorm of controversy by advocating open genocide of Muslims worldwide. This alarming statement, made in Haridwar, reveals a disturbing trend of rising religious extremism in India.

Togadia’s distorted historical narrative, asserting that Europe and the Arab world were originally Hindu, lays the foundation for dangerous rhetoric. Such narratives have fueled efforts to erase the Muslim heritage in India, evidenced by the renaming of cities and sites and alteration of textbooks to glorify Hindu mythology while vilifying Muslim rulers. This deliberate rewriting of history contributes to the marginalization of Muslims and other minorities, creating an environment where hate crimes go unpunished and dissenting voices are silenced.

Secular India’s resistance to these alarming developments faces significant challenges, primarily from the influence of Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) trolls. The ‘Reason’ documentary by Anand Patwardhan sheds light on the involvement of RSS-affiliated groups in targeted assassinations of liberal voices. Despite revelations connecting these groups to heinous crimes, individuals associated with extremist Hindutva organizations have secured positions in the Indian Lok Sabha, further undermining the secular fabric of the nation.

The 2019 re-election of Modi marked a turning point, solidifying the realization that RSS’ Hindutva agenda is now a tangible reality. The influence of corporate-funded “Godi media” dominates mainstream discourse, relegating legislative institutions to mere notice boards. This shift in political landscape has marginalized Muslim, Dalit, and Christian voters, creating a pattern of appeasement toward the majority Hindu populace known as ‘Soft Hindutva.’

Against the backdrop of the ongoing Muslim genocide in Gaza, organizations like Genocide Watch warn of India’s potential slide towards a Muslim genocide. Gregory Stanton’s ‘Ten Stages of Genocide’ model highlights India’s progression through stages such as classification, symbolization, discrimination, dehumanization, systematic persecution, annihilation, and denial. The arrogance displayed by RSS-led groups ruling in Delhi, coupled with allegations of state-sponsored death squads and espionage, raises serious questions about India’s diplomatic and intelligence community.

As Modi gears up for potential victory in upcoming Lok Sabha elections, concerns mount that India could declare itself a Hindutva Republic. The international community faces the daunting task of preventing India’s descent into a neo-Nazi abyss. The question arises: Can the global community exert enough influence to halt India’s slide, and if so, how?

India stands at a critical juncture, grappling

with the challenges posed by rising Hindutva extremism. The distorted historical narrative, erasure of cultural heritage, political landscape shifts, and international concerns about potential genocide demand careful consideration. The international community must pressurize India to uphold its secular ideals and prevent erosion of its diverse cultural fabric. As the world watches, the outcome of India’s upcoming elections will play a pivotal role in determining the nation’s path and the global response to growing threat of religious extremism.

The assertion that “Nehruvian secular India is dying” reflects a poignant observation on the evolving sociopolitical landscape of country.

Jawaharlal Nehru, the first Indian PM, laid the foundations of a secular state that sought to uphold the principles of pluralism and tolerance. Nehru envisioned a secular India that embraced diversity and ensured equal rights for all citizens, irrespective of their religious affiliations. His vision, rooted in the principles of the Indian National Congress, aimed to foster a nation where religion did not dictate political decisions or societal norms. This Nehruvian secularism formed bedrock of India’s identity as a democratic and inclusive nation.

One of the prominent challenges to Nehruvian secularism is the increasing trend of religious polarization and identity politics.

Politicians, in pursuit of electoral gains, have exploited religious sentiments, leading to a division among communities. This has given rise to the concept of “Soft Hindutva,” where appeasement of the majority religion takes precedence over the principles of secular governance.

The reinterpretation of history and cultural landscape is another factor eroding Nehruvian secularism. Efforts to rewrite textbooks, rename cities, and glorify specific cultural narratives have marginalized contributions of diverse

communities. The distortion of historical narratives undermines the inclusive vision of Nehru and fosters a climate where certain religious and cultural identities are prioritized over others.

The ascent of extremist ideologies, both religious and political, poses a significant threat to secular fabric of India. Instances of violence against religious minorities and stifling of dissent raise concerns about the erosion of democratic values. The influence of organizations with extremist agendas has permeated various facets of society, challenging Nehruvian vision of a harmonious and inclusive India.

The decline of Nehruvian secularism has tangible repercussions for minority communities and dissenting voices. Hate crimes, discrimination, and the marginalization of religious and cultural minorities have become more pronounced.

The erosion of secular principles jeopardizes the rights and freedoms that were envisioned as fundamental to India’s democratic framework.

The observation that ‘Nehruvian secular India is dying’ reflects a nuanced understanding of challenges facing the nation. The complex interplay of religious polarization, cultural revisionism, and rise of extremist ideologies has created a scenario where ideals of Nehruvian secularism are under strain. It is imperative for Indian society to engage in a thoughtful discourse on the trajectory of its secular identity, considering the implications for democracy, diversity, and the nation’s future. As India navigates this critical juncture, the question remains: Can the principles of Nehruvian secularism adapt to the changing times, or is a new paradigm of inclusive governance necessary for the nation’s continued progress?

The writer can be at asadmalik2008@gmail.com

reached

The observation that ÂNehruvian secular India is dyingÊ reflects a nuanced understanding of challenges facing the nation. The complex interplay of religious polarization, cultural revisionism, and rise of extremist ideologies has created a scenario where ideals of Nehruvian secularism are under strain.

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Education crisis in Balochistan

BALOCHISTAN, one of Pakistan’s largest provinces, grapples with foundational rights issues unique to the region. The education crisis in Balochistan poses a significant challenge for its citizens, hindering the province’s development. Pakistan, overall, faces shortcomings in the education sector, causing acute hardships for Balochistan residents.

Unfortunately, the government has not adequately addressed this paramount issue. With a substantial population, Balochistan encounters an incredible situation in the education department. I appeal to relevant authorities to urgently address and resolve this alarming matter.

ROZAL MAJEED LAHORE

Cancer in Balochistan

FOR decades, Balochistan has grappled with a significant issue—cancer, which has sadly become increasingly prevalent in recent times. Despite being rich in national resources like gold, oil, and gas, the province’s residents are confronted with the challenges of cancer. The alarming lack of specialised medical facilities dedicated to cancer patients is a pressing concern that can no longer be overlooked. Various types of cancer, such as breast, prostate, and lung cancer, persist, posing significant threats to lives.

Despite numerous pleas and writings about the dire state of cancer treatment, relevant authorities remain silent, indifferent to the plight of Balochistan’s citizens. Despite residents attempting to raise their voices and demand a cancer hospital, their efforts have been in vain. Immediate action is imperative; the government and healthcare authorities must invest in cancer treatment facilities and equipment across Balochistan, ensuring that patients receive optimal care and treatment.

BILAWAL KHAIR BAKSH QUETTA

Feudal femme

UNDOUBTEDLY, history attests to the significant role women have played globally, be it in politics, social work, war, or peace. Unfortunately, their identities and sacrifices have often been overshadowed. Take Tarabai Bonsale, a Maratha queen who fought against the Mughals, or Rose Schneiderman, an American labour leader and activist, both forgotten in history. Similarly, Arifa Karim, Katherine McCormick, and others who made an impact lost their identities.

Feudalists historically exploited women for personal gain. In Australia and Eskimo cultures, women were sent as gifts to establish relations.

Women lacked the right to oppose. During Shebani Khan’s regime, Babar used his sister Khanzda Begum to escape, revealing the exploitation.

Feudalists, engrossed in luxury, even sold their conscience, as barbarism and feudalism thrived.

Females’ decisions held no value; they were seen as childbearing machines. Zionist Rabbi advocated women’s silence, and in Roman law, women had no property rights. Baloch women, despite active political roles in the 15th and 16th centuries, often became victims of honour-related violence. Blind to reality, deaf to positivity, and silent against injustice, our society perpetuates the degradation of women. Feudalists worldwide degrade women, but even our security forces, meant to protect, have faced accusations of mistreatment, as seen in the Bangladesh Liberation War. Feudalists resort to persecuting women and children when unable to face fighters. In the early 1900s, the Bolshevik movement in Russia empowered women. Today, brave Baloch women like Amma Yasmeen, Bibi Gul, and Banuk Kareema raise objections against barbarism, despite facing removal from their paths.

Women have the right to compete fiercely and resist oppression.

BAKHTAWAR BALOCH LAHORE

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COMMENT 05

The influence of Neorealism on US foreign policy Monday, 18 December 2023

The return of the idea of a balance of power

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Dr MuhaMMaD akraM Zaheer

EOREALIST theory is the simplest way to understand how countries interact. It’s like the basic starting point for studying how nations relate to each other. Almost every other theory in international relations refers back to neorealism to explain their ideas. Realism, which is the oldest way of thinking about international politics, goes way back to the time of Thucydides. But when we talk about realism in this context, we mean it as a theoretical part of international relations, not a philosophy of science.

It is important to distinguish between general realist thinking and neorealist theory, especially since we are focusing on this theory. Neorealism is crucial because it shapes how we build theories and explain things in international relations. These theories play a big role in guiding the actions of countries, especially the USA, in different periods like after World War II, during the Cold War and now with emerging powers like China.

In the past, figures like Hans Morgenthau and Henry Kissinger shaped American foreign policy based on realist ideas. Neorealism, developed later as a critique of early realism, has also been a significant influence, especially in the USA. Many discussions about US foreign policy, like the shift from multilateralism to unilateralism in the 1990s, can be understood better by considering neorealist views. Neorealist perspectives are not just theoretical; they help us grasp the thinking behind a lot of today’s global politics.

The difference between realist thinking and neorealist theory is a good way to understand neorealist theory. Realist thinking, focusing on “political power” and the “national interest,” was central in international relations (IR) after World War II, especially during the Cold War. However, studies on International Organizations and conflict also played a significant role in IR since the 1950s. Realism dominated IR until the late 1950s and 1960s, when there was a shift towards more fundamental research.

B

Comparative studies, using systematic comparison to explain international relations since the 1950s, and the application of game theory to Political Sciences/IR, especially since the 1960s, aimed to find scientific explanations for international relations. In the USA, decision-making approaches to IR became dominant, focusing on foreign policy studies in the early 1960s.

Kenneth Waltz argued against theories focusing on foreign policy, claiming a lack of a genuine international political theory in the discipline. He proposed a systemlevel theory of IR, developing it in the 1950s and formalizing it in his 1979 book “Theory of International Politics.” Waltz believed that international conflict lies at the systemic level, not in individual or state behavior.

He aimed to create a general theory that could explain recurrent patterns in international politics, particularly cycles of war and peace and the formation of balances of power among great powers.

Waltz’s quest for the right theory of international politics set the stage for the development of neorealist theory as a system theory. Neorealism, evolving into a balance of power theory, clarifies the implications of the system-level theory for real-world international politics.

The Cold War’s bipolar system was the setting when the Theory of International Politics was written. Waltz thought the Cold War was surprisingly stable, even though the superpowers had tense moments.

Neorealist theory focuses on how the shift from a multipolar world before 1945 to a bipolar one during the Cold War, and later to a new system after the Cold War, affects the chances of peace and stability. The theory also needs to be understood in the context of the declining power of the U.S. compared to the economic growth of Europe and Japan after the 1970s.

According to the neorealist idea, in a world without a central authority, countries are kind of pushed to make

sure they are safe. What happens to a country depends on how it reacts to other countries. This is why we see countries trying to have strong armies, competing, and copying each other in military technology. The main goal for countries is not just to have the most power but to balance power with others and keep their position in the world.

In this system, where power is spread out among countries, they act in a way that tries to find a balance of power. They might do this by building up their military or making alliances with other countries. This idea mostly applies to the big, powerful countries. Neorealism focuses on these powerful countries because they have the most impact on how things work internationally.

Less powerful countries usually join the weaker side in conflicts, not because they want to be the strongest, but because they want to balance power. If they wanted to be the strongest, they would join the stronger side.

This approach is based on the belief that in international politics, the structure of the system pushes countries to follow a practical and realistic approach.

The system encourages countries to adopt a practical approach called “Realpolitik,” where the methods and reasons for foreign policy are influenced by the system’s structure. This structural influence explains why certain methods are used repeatedly despite differences in leaders and countries. The idea is that the structure of the international system guides a certain type of politics where a country’s interests are the main reason for its actions.

The success of a country, defined as preserving and strengthening itself, is the ultimate test of its policies.

A balance-of-power theory, which builds on system theory, predicts that countries will behave in ways that lead to balances of power. The dynamics of the system limit the freedom of individual countries, making their behavior and the outcomes more predictable. In summary, neorealist theory looks at international structures

Neorealist theory strongly recommends that major powers actively manage international affairs to maintain stability. In this kind of world, the lack of a central authority and the constant cycle of war and peace are seen as ongoing features, and the security dilemma, where actions to increase security can unintentionally lead to conflict, is considered unsolvable. In essence, international politics, according to neorealism, is a continuous cycle of war and peace driven by the idea of balancing power.

Why is the media ignoring evidence of Israel’s own actions on 7 October?

The BBC and others keep revisiting Hamas crimes that day, but fail to report on growing evidence that Israel killed its own citizens

MIDDLE EAST EYE Jonathan Cook

ARELY a day has passed since the 7 October attack by Hamas when the western media has not revisited those events, often to reveal what it claims are new details of astonishing atrocities carried out by the Palestinian group.

These disclosures have served to sustain public indignation in the West, and kept Palestinian solidarity activists on the back foot.

In turn, the outrage has smoothed Israel’s path as it has levelled vast swaths of Gaza; killed more than 18,700 Palestinians, most of them women and children; and denied the enclave’s population of 2.3 million access to food, water and fuel.

Critically, it has also made it far easier for western governments to throw their weight behind Israel - and arm it - even as Israeli leaders have repeatedly engaged in genocidal talk and carried out ethnic cleansing operations. Israel’s intense bombing campaigns have herded nearly two million Palestinians into a small section of Gaza, pressed up against its short border with Egypt, while starvation and fatal disease start to take their toll.

Many of the claims about 7 October have been shocking beyond belief, such as stories that Hamas beheaded 40 babies, baked another in an oven, carried out mass, systematic rapes, and cut a foetus from its mother’s womb. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken even described in graphic detail - and wholly falsely - a Hamas attack on an Israeli family: “The father’s eye gouged out in front of his kids. The mother’s breast cut off, the girl’s foot amputated, the boy’s fingers cut off before they were executed.”

LITTLE EVIDENCE: In respect of the more shocking allegations against Hamas promoted by the western media, often little or no evidence has been forthcoming beyond claims made by Israeli officials and highly partisan and unreliable first responders.

Last week the BBC and others led again with stories of systematic Hamas mass rapes on 7 October. Efforts by the United Nations to investigate these claims are being obstructed by Israel. Nonetheless, once more, coverage of the growing devastation in Gaza was sidelined.

Media readiness to re-examine 7 October long after those events took place has operated within strict limits, however. Only claims that support Israel’s narrative about what happened that day are being aired.

A growing body of evidence suggesting a far more complex reality, one that paints Israel’s own actions in a far more troubling light, is being ignored or suppressed.

ACTIVE CHEERLEADERS: Unknown to most western audiences, there has been a steady trickle of evidence from Israeli sources over the past two months implicating Israel’s own military in at least some of the killings attributed to Hamas.

This week the Israeli military finally conceded that it had killed its own civilians on October 7 “in immense and complex quantity”. Given the large numbers, it added with transparent non-logic: “It would not be morally sound to investigate these incidents.”

How is it possible, given their continuing interest in

based on the distribution of power among major political players. Under the structural constraints of international politics, countries tend to act in a way that aims for a balance of power. This balance is the result of countries’ actions and interactions, shaped by the constraints of the system. The theory predicts a strong tendency toward balance in the system, with balances being disrupted and restored over time. The theory aims to explain certain aspects of a country’s foreign policy in the context of international conditions.

Neorealist theory aims to explain and predict why wars and conflicts happen, as well as when there is peace and stability in the world. The focus is on understanding the conditions that lead to peace. According to the theory, following a balance-of-power approach in politics is recommended for achieving this goal. In simple terms, neorealism suggests that peace means no major wars or conflicts, and this is achieved through a balance of power among countries.

In the absence of a strong authority to regulate international relations (called anarchy), the theory suggests that larger countries should have some control to maintain peace. According to Waltz, who developed this theory, the key in international politics is to have control, not strict regulation, and to prevent conflicts rather than just coordinate responses. Waltz believes that using the threat of force is crucial in preventing the use of force in international politics. In a world without a central authority, powerful states can handle changes that might cause problems because of their strength.

Neorealist theory strongly recommends that major powers actively manage international affairs to maintain stability. In this kind of world, the lack of a central authority and the constant cycle of war and peace are seen as ongoing features, and the security dilemma, where actions to increase security can unintentionally lead to conflict, is considered unsolvable. In essence, international politics, according to neorealism, is a continuous cycle of war and peace driven by the idea of balancing power.

scrutinising the events of 7 October, that none of the western media has picked up on any of this distressing evidence, let alone investigated it?

It is hard not to conclude that the western media are only interested in stories - and largely indifferent to whether they are true or false - that portray Hamas, but not Israel, as the bad guys. That would mean the media are not dispassionate reporters, but have been recruited

by Israel as its active cheerleaders.

Israel’s official story, echoed by the western media, is that Hamas had long planned a crazed, barbaric rampage through communities in Israel - driven by a mix of primitive, religious bloodlust and Jew hatred.

The group’s chance to realise this goal came on 7 October, according to the Israeli narrative, when Israel let down its guard momentarily and Hamas broke through the hi-tech fence meant to keep it and Gaza’s other 2.3 million inhabitants permanently imprisoned.

During the breakout, Hamas focused on the slaughter of civilians, killing babies by beheading them and using rape as a weapon of war and defilement. They fired into the homes of neighbouring Israeli communities, often leaving them in ruins and burning their victims alive.

Admittedly, the claim about 40 beheaded babies has been quietly shelved, because there is precisely zero evidence for it. According to Israel’s own published figures, only two infants died that day. Nonetheless, the media rarely challenge Israeli spokespeople, or western politicians, when they make this long-discredited allegation. But many of these other allegations are no less evidence-free and need scrutiny too.

Although they are rarely given a voice, Palestinians have their own, alternative narrative of what happened that day - and parts of it are being bolstered by accounts from Israeli sources.

CHALLENGE TO OFFICIAL STORY: In this telling, Hamas long trained for its breakout, and with a strategic aim in mind. The goal was to launch a commando-style assault on four military bases surrounding Gaza to kill or take hostage as many Israeli soldiers as possible, and a similar assault on local Israeli communities to seize civilian hostages.

The aim, according to this narrative, was to trade the hostages for Palestinian prisoners, thousands of whom are in Israeli jails, including women and children, often held without a military trial or even charges. To the Palestinian public, these prisoners are no less hostages than the Israelis held in Gaza.

Hamas stormed military bases and the Israeli communities of Be’eri and Kfar Azza. That is why about a third of the 1,200 Israelis killed that day were soldiers, police or armed guards - and why many of the 240 hostages were serving in the Israeli military too.

According to most accounts, even Israeli ones, Hamas accidentally stumbled on to the Nova music festival, which had been relocated to an area close to the fence with Gaza. There were unexpected clashes with security guards, while the attack on festivalgoers turned especially chaotic and gruesome.

So why did Hamas depart from its plan by killing so many civilians? And why did it do so in such a savage, gratuitous and time-consuming fashion that involved burning Israelis alive, using its firepower to blast their homes into ruins, and setting fire to hundreds of cars on the highway near the music festival? For many western leaders and journalists, it appears no rational answer is needed. Hamas - and possibly all Palestinians - are simply barbarians for whom murdering Israelis, Jews or

The writer has a PhD in Political Science and can be reached at akramzaheer86@yahoo.com

The media’s amplification of Israel’s version of 7 October continues to breathe life into the Israeli case that wrecking Gaza to eliminate Hamas is morally justified

maybe all non-Muslims comes as second nature.

But for those whose minds are less bent by racist assumptions, an alternative picture of events has been steadily cohering, prompted by the testimonies of Israeli survivors and officials, as well as reporting from the Israeli media. Because they contradict Israel’s official story, these testimonies have been studiously ignored by the western media.

BURNED ALIVE: Surprisingly, the person whose statements have most confounded the official narrative is Mark Regev, the spokesman for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. In an interview on MSNBC on 16 November, Regev noted that Israel had reduced the official death toll by 200 after its investigations had shown that the charred remains it had counted included not just Israelis but Hamas fighters too. The fighters, burned alive, had been too disfigured to easily identify.

Regev told MSNBC host Mehdi Hasan: “There were actually bodies that were so badly burned we thought they were ours. In the end, apparently, they were Hamas terrorists.” There was an obvious problem with Regev’s disclosure that went unchallenged by the MSNBC interviewer, and has been ignored by the media since.

How did so many Hamas fighters end up burned - and in exactly the same locations as Israelis, meaning their remains could not be identified separately for many weeks?

Did Hamas fighters carry out some strange ritual, self-immolating in cars and homes alongside their hostages? And if so, why?

SHELLED BY ISRAEL: Yasmin Porat, who fled the Nova festival and ended up hiding in Be’eri, was one of the few to survive that day. According to Porat’s account to Kan radio on 15 November, the Hamas fighters in Be’eri barricaded themselves into a house with a group of a dozen or so Israeli hostages - either planning to use them as human shields or as bargaining chips for an exit.

The Israeli military, however, was in no mood for bargaining. Porat escaped only because one of the Hamas fighters vacated the house early on, using her as a human shield, before giving himself up.

Porat describes Israeli soldiers engaging in a fourhour firefight with the Hamas gunmen, despite the presence of Israeli civilians. But not all of the hostages were killed in the crossfire. Israel ended the clash with an Israeli tank firing two shells into the house. In Porat’s account, when she asked why this had been done, “they explained to me that it was to break the walls, in order to help purify the house”.

The only other survivor, Hadas Dagan, who was lying face down on the lawn in front of the house during the firefight, reported to Porat what happened after the two shells hit the house. Dagan saw both of their partners lying near her, killed by shrapnel from the explosions. A 12year-old girl, Liel Hatsroni, who had been screaming inside the house throughout the firefight, also fell silent.

Hatsroni and her aunt, Ayalan, were both incinerated. It took weeks to identify their bodies. Notably, Liel Hatsroni’s charred remains have been one of the emotive pieces of evidence cited by Israel for accusing Hamas of killing and burning Israelis. In reporting the deaths of Liel, her aunt, her twin brother and her grandfather, the Israeli news website Ynet stated that Hamas fighters “murdered them all. Afterwards, they set the house alight”.

CONFUSED PILOTS: Porat’s testimony is far from the only source showing that Israel is likely to have been responsible for a significant proportion of the civilian

deaths that day - and for the burned bodies.

The security coordinator at Be’eri, Tuval Escapa, effectively confirmed Porat’s account to the Haaretz newspaper. He said: “Commanders in the field made difficult decisions - including shelling houses on their occupants in order to eliminate the terrorists along with the hostages.”

The burnt-out cars at the Nova festival and their occupants appear to have suffered a similar fate. Worried that Hamas gunmen were fleeing the area with hostages in cars, it seems, helicopter pilots were told to open fire, incinerating the cars and all the occupants.

There is a likely explanation for this. The Israeli army has long had a secret protocol - known as the Hannibal directive - in which soldiers are instructed to kill any captured comrades to avoid their being taken hostage. It is less clear how this directive applies to Israeli civilians, though it appears to have been used in the past. The goal is to prevent Israel from facing demands to release prisoners. In at least one case, an Israeli military official, Col Nof Erez, has stated that “the Hannibal directive was apparently applied”. He called the Israeli air strikes on 7 October “a mass Hannibal”.

Haaretz has reported that police investigators concluded that “an IDF combat helicopter that arrived at the scene and fired at terrorists there apparently also hit some festival participants”.

In a video released by the Israeli military, Apache helicopters are shown randomly firing missiles at cars leaving the area, presumably on the assumption that they contained Hamas fighters trying to smuggle hostages back into Gaza. The Ynet news website cited an Israeli air force assessment of its two dozen attack helicopters in the skies above the Nova festival: “It was very difficult to distinguish between terrorists and [Israeli] soldiers or civilians.”

Nonetheless, pilots were instructed “to shoot at everything they see in the area of the fence” with Gaza. “Only at a certain point did the pilots begin to slow their attacks and carefully choose the targets,” the outlet reported.

SECRETS TO THE GRAVE: There are plenty of more-than-obvious questions no one is asking - and for which no answers are ever likely to be forthcoming.

How did Hamas wreak such widescale and intense devastation when its fighters’ own videos show them mostly bearing light arms?

Were those carrying basic RPGs capable of accurately tracking and hitting hundreds of fast-moving vehicles fleeing the festival - and doing so from ground level?

Video footage from Hamas body-cams shows cars leaving the Nova festival with both gunmen and hostages inside. Why would Hamas risk incinerating its own people?

Given Hamas’ keenness to film its triumphs, why is there no footage of such actions? And why would Hamas waste its most prized ammunition on random attacks on cars rather than save it for the far more difficult task of attacking Israeli military bases?

Israel appears not to be interested in investigating the burnt-out cars and wrecked homes, possibly because it already knows the answers and fears that others may one day find out the truth too.

With religious organisations demanding that the cars be hurriedly buried to preserve the sanctity of the dead, the metal skeletons will take their secrets to the grave.

Jonathan Cook is the author of three books on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, and a winner of the Martha Gellhorn Special Prize for Journalism. His website and blog can be found at www.jonathan-cook.net

06 NEWS

Monday, 18 December, 2023 | LAHORE

hopes Christmas TURKISH FM FIDAN CALLS ON US TO USE INFLUENCE Pope holiday will strengthen paths to peace OVER ISRAEL TO STOP ATTACKS ON GAZA

T

ANKARA

AGENCIES

URKISH Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan on Sunday called on the US to use its influence over Israel to stop the attacks on the Gaza Strip during his talks with his American counterpart Antony Blinken.

According to diplomatic sources, Fidan discussed regional and global issues as well as Ankara-Washington relations with Blinken over the phone.

During discussions about the ongoing Israeli-Palestinian conflict, Fidan pointed out that the situation in Gaza and the West Bank is deteriorating and urged the US to exert pressure on Israel to halt the attacks.

The Turkish foreign minister also emphasized that Israel should be brought to the table to begin a political process aimed at realizing a fair and lasting peace based on a two-state solution, following the establishment of a complete cease-fire.

According to the sources, both leaders emphasized the importance of bilateral relations in keeping with the spirit of the US-Türkiye alliance, while Sweden’s NATO membership, the sale of F16 fighter jets to Ankara, and cooperation in the defense industry were also discussed.

FRENCH MP SLAMS FM’S SUPPORT FOR ISRAEL: A left-wing French lawmaker on Sunday criticized the foreign minister reiterating support for Israel despite the recent killing of a ministry staffer in Gaza, now newly identified.

At a pro-Palestine demonstration in Paris, Manuel Bompard told Anadolu that French authorities’ reaction was “as scandalous as it was at the start.”

“France must say that what happened was unacceptable and that unfortunately, this adds up to nearly 20,000 civilian casualties in Gaza,” he added, referring to the latest death toll.

He also stressed that France must “make its voice heard, a strong voice for peace, stronger than what it is now.”

He urged “adjustments” to address shortcomings which he said had muffled France’s position, adding that mobilization for Palestine in France continues.

FOREIGN MINISTER’S REMARKS: Despite the killing of a Foreign Ministry staff in southern Gaza a day earlier, France’s top diplomat on

WHO team calls Gaza’s Al-Shifa hospital a ‘bloodbath’ GAZA

STAFF REPORT

The emergency department at the Al-Shifa hospital in northern Gaza, devastated by Israeli bombardments, is “a blood bath” and is “in need of resuscitation”, the WHO said Sunday. A team from the World Health Organisation and other United Nations agencies was able to deliver medical supplies Saturday to the hospital, the largest in the Palestinian territory.

In a statement the WHO said that “tens of thousands of displaced people are using the hospital building and grounds for shelter”, and that there is “a severe shortage” of drinking water and food.

“The team described the emergency department as a ‘bloodbath’, with hundreds of injured patients inside, and new patients arriving every minute,” the organisation said, adding that “patients with trauma injuries were being sutured on the floor… (and) no pain management is available”. The hospital is functioning at a minimal scale with very few staff and the WHO said “critical patients are being transferred to Al-Ahli Arab Hospital for surgeries”. Operating theatres are not working due to a lack of oxygen and supplies, and according to the WHO team, it is a “hospital in need of resuscitation”.

All health infrastructure in the Gaza strip has been hard hit by bombardments and ground operations carried out by the Israeli army since the unprecedented October 7 attack by Hamas on Israeli territory. The attack saw about 1,140 people killed, mostly civilians, and 240 hostages taken, according to the Israeli authorities’ latest figures.

Sunday reiterated the country’s support for Israel.

“I have come here also to mention the importance of a new humanitarian truce … and a truce that should lead us to a humanitarian cease-fire,” Foreign Minister Catherine Colonna told a joint news conference with her Israeli counterpart Eli Cohen during a two-day visit to the Middle East.

Earlier, on X, she said her visit would stress “Israel’s right to defend itself while strictly respecting humanitarian law and protecting civilian populations.”

Addressing Cohen in another post, she pointed to “France’s attachment to Israel’s security in the face of terrorism.”

She also stressed the urgency of “a humanitarian truce in Gaza” to release

hostages and allow the delivery of humanitarian aid.

SLAIN FRENCH FOREIGN MINISTRY STAFFER IDENTIFIED: A French Foreign Ministry staffer succumbed to injuries from an Israeli airstrike in Rafah in southern Gaza, said the ministry late Saturday.

The house of a French Consulate colleague where the staffer took shelter was bombed on Wednesday evening, the ministry said.

“Our colleague has been working for France since 2002,” the ministry said in a statement, offering condolences to the victim’s family.

The victim was Ahmad Abu Shamla, according to Elsa Faucillon, a left-wing French lawmaker.

“He has worked for the French Institute in Gaza for 23 years,” she wrote on X on Sunday.

“France did not put his four elder sons on the list of persons authorized to leave Gaza. He chose to stay with them, and lost his life in a bombardment,” she said.

Israel has bombarded the Gaza Strip from the air and land, imposed a siege and mounted a ground offensive in retaliation for a cross-border attack by Palestinian group Hamas on Oct. 7.

At least 18,800 Palestinians, mostly children and women, have since been killed and 51,000 injured in Israeli attacks, according to Gaza’s health authorities.

The Israeli death toll in the Hamas attack stands at 1,200, while more than 130 hostages are still held by the Palestinian group in Gaza, according to official figures.

VATICAN

AGENCIES

Pope Francis on Sunday voiced hope that the approaching Christmas holiday will strengthen paths leading to peace.

Addressing Sunday mass worshippers at St. Peter’s Square, he said: “Let us not forget our brothers suffering from wars in Ukraine, Palestine, Israel and other conflict regions. May Christmas’ approach strengthen ways leading to peace.”

He deplored “grave and painful news” from Gaza, including airstrikes on “unarmed civilians.”

Francis described Israel’s attacks on Christians and churches in Gaza as “terror.”

The pontiff’s address came one day after Israeli snipers “murdered” a mother and her daughter and shot seven other people at the Parish of the Holy Family, the only Catholic church in the Gaza Strip, according to the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem.

“One (woman) was killed as she tried to carry the other to safety,” said a patriarchate statement, adding: “No warning was given, no notification was provided.

They were shot in cold blood inside the premises of the Parish, where there are no belligerents.”

During the current conflict, which began on Oct. 7, Israel has hit churches, hospitals, and schools, which under the rules of war should be off-limits.

Israel has bombarded the Gaza Strip from the air and land, imposed a siege and mounted a ground offensive in retaliation for a cross-border attack by Palestinian group Hamas on Oct. 7.

92 journalists killed in Israeli attacks since Oct 7: Gaza government GAZA CITY

ANADOLU AGENCY

Putin says Russia has no plan to attack NATO, dismisses Biden remark as ‘nonsense’ MOSCOW AGENCIES

Kremlin chief Vladimir Putin dismissed as complete nonsense remarks by US President Joe Biden that Russia would attack a NATO country if it won the war in Ukraine, adding that Russia had no interest in fighting he NATO military alliance.

The war in Ukraine has triggered the deepest crisis in Moscow’s relations with the West since the 1962 Cuban Missile Crisis, and Biden warned last year that a direct confrontation between NATO and Russia would trigger World War Three.

In a plea to Republicans not to block further military aid earlier this month, Biden warned that if Putin was victorious over Ukraine then the Russian leader would not stop and would attack a NATO country.

“It is complete nonsense – and I think President Biden understands that,” Putin said in an interview published on Sunday by Rossiya state television, adding that Biden appeared to be trying to justify his own “mistaken policy” on Russia. “Russia has no reason,

no interest – no geopolitical interest, neither economic, political nor military – to fight with NATO countries,” Putin said.

The US-led NATO alliance was founded in 1949 to provide Western security against the Soviet Union. After the 1991 collapse of the Soviet Union, it was enlarged to include some former Soviet and Warsaw Pact countries. Putin has repeatedly cast the post-Cold War expansion of NATO as evidence of the West’s arrogant way of dealing with Russia’s security concerns.

Under Article 5 of the NATO treaty, “the Parties agree that an armed attack against one or more of them in Europe or North America shall be considered an attack against them all”. Putin said that Finland’s entry into NATO in April would force Russia to “concentrate certain military units” in northern Russia near their border.

Cold war?

The failure of Ukraine’s counteroffensive this year has raised questions in the West and inside Ukraine about just how realistic the Ukrainian and Western aims of

defeating Russian forces in Ukraine are. Officials in Moscow and the West have repeatedly spoken of a “new Cold War”, with Russia and China on one side and the West on the other.

Asked about how common ground could be found with the West given the rhetoric on both sides, Putin said: “They will have to find common ground because they will have to reckon with us.”

A senior US State Department official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said last month that Putin would not make peace before he knows the results of the November election in the United States.

The West, Putin said, had failed to understand the extent of the changes ushered in by the 1991 collapse of the Soviet Union, which he said had removed any genuine ideological basis for a confrontation between Russia and the West.

“I really did have a naive impression,” Putin, a former KGB spy who rose to power in 1999, said of his impressions of the world in 2000.

Lyon joins elite in 500 wicket club as Australia defeat Pakistan by 360 runs PERTH

AGENCIES

Nathan Lyon took his 500th Test wicket on Sunday as Australia dismissed a rattled Pakistan for just 89 to post a thumping 360-run win in the opening Test at Perth.

Pakistan’s bid to win a first Test in Australia since 1995 was left in tatters by spin king Lyon and the home side’s formidable pace attack, who wrapped up the game inside four days. The hosts resumed day four on 84-2, with the declaration coming soon after lunch when opener Usman Khawaja was out for 90. Mitchell Marsh was unbeaten on 63 when skipper Pat Cummins made the call with Khurram Shahzad the best of the bowlers with 3-45.

Earlier, Usman Khawaja and Mitchell Marsh steered Australia to an ominous lead.

Khawaja was unbeaten on a fighting 68, with Marsh not out 42, in a partnership worth 79.

Opener Khawaja began on 34 and Steve Smith 43 after the hosts bowled out Pakistan for 271 on the cusp of tea Saturday, well short of Australia’s first innings total of 487.

But on a deteriorating pitch with cracks appear-

ing, it was hard going early on Sunday, with pace bowlers beating the bat and causing problems.

Impressive debutant Khurram Shahzad got a breakthrough in the fourth over of the day, trapping Smith lbw for 45 with a ball that nipped back.

Smith reviewed but replays showed it clipping the top of the bails with the Australian veteran shaking his head and muttering to himself as he trudged off.

Enter the aggressive Travis Head, who stroked a straight drive boundary off the second ball he faced to signal his intent.

But he lived dangerously and a misjudged drive off Aamer Jamal went straight to Imam-ulHaq at cover, out for 14.

Both Marsh and Khawaja survived reviews in the same eventful Jamal over as Pakistan ratcheted up the pressure.

Marsh hit sixes off Jamal then spinner Agha Salman to keep the scoreboard moving, before a huge escape on 23 when skipper Shan Masood dropped a sitter at mid-off.

LYON JOINS ELITE IN 500-WICKET CLUB: Nathan Lyon has become the eighth bowler, and third Australian, to reach 500 Tests wickets after removing Faheem Ashraf

on the fourth day of the opening Test against Pakistan in Perth.

At least 92 journalists have been killed in the ongoing Israeli military campaign in the Gaza Strip since Oct. 7, the government media office in the besieged Palestinian enclave said on Sunday. In a statement, the office said the latest fatalities were journalists Rami Badir and Assem Kamal Musa, who was killed in Israeli raids during the past two days. The office did not provide details regarding the circumstances of the journalists’ deaths. The media office put the death toll of journalists killed in the war on Gaza at 92.

“By assassinating journalists, the Israeli occupation is trying to obscure the Palestinian narrative and attempt to obscure the truth, but it has failed miserably in breaking the will of our great Palestinian people,” the office added.

Israel has bombarded the Gaza Strip from the air and land, imposed a siege and mounted a ground offensive in retaliation for a cross-border attack by Palestinian group Hamas on Oct. 7. At least 18,800 Palestinians, mostly children and women, have since been killed and 51,000 injured in Israeli attacks, according to Gaza’s health authorities. The Israeli death toll in the Hamas attack stands at 1,200, while more than 130 hostages.

07

GOVT DECIDES ON IMPOSING RESTRICTIONS KE undertakes maintenance ON ONION EXPORT TO REIN IN PRICE HIKE work at North Nazimabad

Monday, 18 December, 2023 | LAHORE

nEws

CORPORATE CORNER

Grid today

KARACHI: KE will be undertaking a critical maintenance activity at North Nazimabad Grid on Monday (today) to ensure stability and reliability of power supply to consumers residing in these areas.

The activity requires a shutdown from 9 AM to 5 PM at Nazimabad Grid, during which there may be temporary interruption of supply in areas connected to the above-mentioned Grid.

For further guidance, customers may also reach out to KE’s social media platforms or via call center 118. Areas served by North Nazimabad Grid that may experience power shutdown during the maintenance activity are: North Nazimabad BlockA,B,C,E,F,G,H,I,J,K,L,M,T,W, Peerabad No 1, Bukhari Colony, Ilahi Colony, Sahibabad Sector-3, Khanoo Goth, Muslimabad, Muhammad Pur, Qasba Colony, Islamia Colony, Chandni Chowk, Nazimabad-1,3,5, Ashraf Nagar, Nusrat Bhutto Colony, Ali Garh Bazar, Wahid Colony and Shadman Town Sector 14-B. PR

FTO warns taxpayers of scams, fraudulent schemes

ISLAMABAD: Federal Tax Ombudsman (FTO) Coordinator Meher Kashif Younis on Sunday urged taxpayers to remain vigilant against scammers, fake websites, non-existent charities, fictitious emails and dummy tax notices.

Addressing the business community at an awareness session on the directives of FTO Dr Asif Mahmood Jah, Sitara-I-Imtiaz and Hilal-I-Imtiaz, he said that it was his duty as coordinator to bring their knowledge to a pressing matter that requires immediate attention, the escalating prevalence of scams and fraudulent activities targeting taxpayers across Pakistan, said a news release issued here.

He said, “FTO has noticed a disturbing surge in deceptive practices, including fraudulent emails, fabricated notices, sham websites and the creation of non-existent charities, all designed to exploit unsuspecting taxpayers, adding, these malicious tactics excel at mimicking official communication channels, posing a significant threat.

He said that tax payers received calls or messages promising hefty tax refunds in exchange for a fee from impersonating tax authorities. In 2022, he said Pakistan’s computer emergency response team reported a 300 percent increase in tax-related phishing incidents, and scammers pose as charity, which is nonexistent.” PR

Funeral prayers of Shaheed head constable, son offered

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ISLAMABAD

STAFF REPORT

N view of rising prices in local market, the caretaker federal government has decided to clamp restrictions on onion exports to protect local consumers.

According to official sources on Sunday, the caretaker federal government imposed advance payments for discouraging the onion exports.

Additionally, the government also fixed the minimum export price for the onion to avoid the expected shortage of onions. “The move will also help the government to stop further hike in onion prices”, traders appreciated.

INFLATION SURGES: Pakistan’s short-term inflation surged 43.16 per cent in the week ending on Dec 14, primarily fuelled by pulses, rice and vegetables.

The weekly inflation remained above 41pc for the fifth week in a row as gas prices, electricity tariffs stood higher than a year ago. On an annual basis, the price of gas charges for Q1 increased (1108.59pc), cigarettes (93.22pc), chillies

powder (81.74pc), wheat flour (81.40pc), garlic (71.17pc), rice basmati broken (64.30pc), rice IRRI-6/9 (60.64pc), gents sponge chappal (58.05pc), gents sandal (53.37pc), sugar (50.52pc), gur (50.42pc), and pulse mash (44.80pc).

In contrast, the prices of onions dropped 25.11pc year-on-year, followed by mustard oil (4.40pc), vegetable ghee 1kg (2.12pc), bananas (1.05pc) and vegetable ghee 2.5kg (0.95pc).

The index, comprising 51 items col-

pulse moong (1.23pc), georgette (1.16pc), onion (1.05pc), cooked beef (0.76pc), pulse masoor (0.69pc), shirting (0.43pc), long cloth (0.20pc) and LPG (0.16pc).

By comparison, the items whose prices dropped the most included potatoes (12.18pc), tomatoes (5.18pc), tea Lipton (2.57pc), chicken (1.19pc), rice basmati broken (0.52pc), mustard oil (0.36pc), garlic (0.33pc) and vegetable ghee 2.5 kg (0.31pc).

Urea price witnesses another hike

ISLAMABAD: The prices of fertilizers have been shot up as the rate of 50kg urea has reached Rs5,550, according to official document on Sunday. The 50kg bag of urea had surged by Rs171 last week. According to the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics, the price of urea bags in Rawalpindi went up by Rs1,000 during the current week, while in Hyderabad it recorded an increase of Rs651. In Quetta, the price of the urea bag was jacked up by Rs598; in Larkana by Rs154; in Multan by Rs100. On December 11, Caretaker Prime Minister Anwaarul Haq Kakar directed the departments concerned to prepare and submit an action plan immediately for uninterrupted supply of urea fertilizer on priority basis. “To ensure uninterrupted supply of urea fertilizer during crop sowing, a comprehensive framework should be prepared and presented in consultation with the provinces and the relevant industry,” he said while chairing an emergency review meeting regarding demand and supply, and price of urea fertilizer in the country. During the meeting, the prime minister asked the district administrations to take immediate action against the hoarders of the fertilizer, and identify and punish those responsible. He said the government subsidy on urea fertilizer must reach the deserving farmers. STAFF REPORT

China, Pakistan sign MOU to boost textile cooperation SUZHOU

STAFF REPORT

China Chamber of Commerce for Import and Export of Textiles (CCCT) and All Pakistan Textile Mills Association (APTMA) signed an MOU, at the “China Pakistan Textile & Apparel Executive Summit” to boost textile cooperation between the two countries.

Pakistan’s Federal Minister for Commerce & Industries, Dr Gohar Ejaz participated in the summit and said this MOU will pave the way for deeper collaboration, knowledge sharing, and joint ventures.

“This MOU signifies Pakistan’s unwavering commitment to the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) and reinforces the strategic economic partnership.

This collaboration will unlock significant potential for our textile industries, propelling them to even greater heights,” he said, according to a report carried by Gwadar Pro. He stated that “attending this esteemed gathering presents a unique opportunity to explore avenues for enhanced private-sector cooperation, solidifying the textile industry as a cornerstone of our bilateral economic partnership.”

“Through insightful discussions and dedicated business meetings, we aim to unlock new frontiers in trade, innovation, and sustainability, paving the way for a mutually prosperous future. Together, the two nations work for a stronger, more resilient textile landscape that benefits our economies and communities alike,” he added.

Addressing on the occasion, Zhang Xinmin, Vice Chairman, China Chamber of Commerce for Import and Export of Textiles (CCCT) expressed appreciation for cooperation between the two countries and hoped to enhance cooperation in the field of textile.

He noted that through this cooperation both parties will work together to assist in the exchange of delegations and organise events for business representatives from both sides.

“The purpose of this Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) is to promote and strengthen the development of economic and trade relations and co-operation between member companies of APTMA and CCCT on the basis of equality and mutual benefits,” he added.

CM Baqar hopes UMC to prove milestone in fulfilling healthcare needs of Karachiites KARACHI

STAFF REPORT

ISLAMABAD: The funeral prayers of the valiant martyr Head Constable of Islamabad Capital Police, Muhammad Asharaf and his son was offered at Police Lines Headquarters Islamabad.

The funeral was attended by Islamabad Capital City Police Officer (ICCPO) Dr Akbar Nasir Khan, senior police officials, administration, officers from various law enforcement departments, a large number of police personnel, and citizens.

A smart contingent unit of the police force presented a guard of honor to the martyr, and ICCPO Dr. Akbar Nasir Khan and senior police officials draped the coffins with flower wreaths, before transporting their mortal remains to their ancestral village in Bhawana, district Chiniot.

ICCPO Dr. Akbar Nasir Khan met with the bereaved families, expressing heartfelt condolences on behalf of the entire police force and recited fatiha for the elevation of the martyrs' ranks.

The Shaheed Head Constable valiantly sacrificed his life, along with his son, in safeguarding the lives and property of the citizens. Their commitment to protecting the community will not be forgotten, he added. Islamabad Capital Police Head Constable Muhammad Ashraf along with his son tried to apprehend two motorcyclists committing robbery in broad daylight in the vicinity of Ramna police station. On which the accused opened fire, as a result of which Head Constable Muhammad Ashraf and his son were seriously injured who were shifted to the hospital for immediate medical assistance where they succumbed to their injuries.

Senior police officers, accompanied by heavy personnel, swiftly responded to the scene, initiating a search operation to apprehend the accused responsible for this heinous act. PR

lected from 50 markets in 17 cities, is computed weekly to assess the prices of essential commodities and services at shorter intervals.

The PBS data showed that the prices of 19 items increased, those of 10 items decreased and those of 22 items remained stable compared to the previous week.

The items whose prices saw the highest increase week-on-week included sugar (6.02pc), pulse gram (2.57pc), eggs (2.33pc), rice IRRI-6/9 (1.54pc),

Caretaker Sindh Chief Minister, Justice (retired) Maqbool Baqar, has expressed firm optimism that the upcoming charitable tertiary care hospital, University Medical Complex (UMC), to be built in Gulistan-e-Jauhar area after completion will serve as a milestone in fulfilling burgeoning healthcare needs of the residents of Karachi.

The interim Sindh CM was addressing as the chief guest at the fundraiser organised here at a hotel on Sunday for the speedy construction of the UMC. The Medics International (MI) has been building the UMC jointly with the Baqir Health and Educational Welfare Trust and Zaidi Abid Foundation, USA. Speaking on the occasion, the interim CM noted that the healthcare needs of the residents of the city had been continuously increasing.

He said the upcoming charitable healthcare facility would go a long way in phenomenally decreasing the burden of patients on the existing public hospitals in the city.

He expressed gratitude to the concerned healthcare professionals, philanthropists, and charity leaders who had conceived the idea of building a charitable tertiary care hospital in the city's heart in the shortest possible time.

Justice (retired) Baqar said the construction of the UMC was the embodiment of the collective efforts on the part of the concerned philanthropists and charitable institutions to improve the public healthcare standards in Karachi.

He hoped that UMC after completion would also serve the deserving patients belonging to many underprivileged areas in rural Sindh and adjoining parts of Balochistan.

He said that a new tertiary care health facility was not merely a brick-and-mortar structure as it would emerge as a symbol of hope, compassion, and state-of-the-art treatment for patients from underprivileged communities.

He noted that UMC would also emerge as a centre of excellence in the field of medical education as in this regard it would establish linkages with leading medical universities in the world.

LCCI welcomes increase in FDI, emphasizes more efforts LAHORE

STAFF REPORT

The Lahore Chamber of Commerce & Industry (LCCI) Sunday welcomed rise in Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) and called for more aggressive efforts to maintain the good momentum.

LCCI President Kashif Anwar, Senior Vice President Zafar Mahmood Chaudhry and Vice President Adnan Khalid Butt said in a media statement here that rise in Foreign Direct Investment is an encouraging sign for the economy.

They said that the net Foreign Direct Investment in the first four

months of the current financial year (July-October 2023-24) stood at USD 524.7 million, exhibiting an increase of 7 percent as compared to USD 488.9 million in the same period of FY 2022-23. There is a need for concrete efforts to enhance the level of FDI in the country.

7th CNS Open Shooting C’ship: 400 shooters to taking part in competition KARACHI

STAFF REPORT

Held at Pakistan Navy Shooting Range, Commander Karachi Rear Admiral Muhammad Saleem graced the opening ceremony of 7th CNS Open Shooting Championship 2023 as Chief Guest. About 400 shooters from Pakistan Navy, Pakistan Air Force, FRA, SRA, PRA, BRA, HEC, WAPDA, Pakistan Police, SSU, RSS Club, KGSSR Club, and PNSR Members Club are participating in the competition.

During the Championship, 24 events will be contested in Pistol, Rifle and Shotgun categories. Event matches are being contested under the umbrella of National Rifle Association of Pakistan (NAP) as per International Sports Shooting Federation (ISSF) latest rules and regulations. Four events of Big Bore Pistol, 50M and 0.22 Open Sight Categories are included in schedule of events as festival matches.

Furthermore, apart from 10 events in men category, 05 events for women and 04 for youth in Pistol and Rifle categories are also part of Championship.

Pakzon Electric, Faisal Bank to provide eco friendly electric bikes on installments

ISLAMABAD STAFF REPORT

An agreement between Pakzon Electric Motors (Pvt) Ltd. and Faisal Bank was signed on Sunday for provision of environment-friendly and cost-effective electric bikes to customers in installments. Under the agreement, customers will be able to get bikes in their name in installments of three months without paying the down payment.

Apart from this, the facility of getting bikes in easy installments will also be available under one year, two year and three-year plans. Chief Executive Officer Pakzon Electric Motors, Dr. Mohammad Amjad and Faisal Bank's Head of Consumer Finance Aneeq Malik signed the agreementPakzon Electric Managing Director Shahzaib Amjad and Faisal Bank Head of Unsecured Business and Cards Feroz Khan were also present on the occasion.

Speaking on the occasion, Dr. Muhammad Amjad said that the trend of electric vehicles should be promoted to combat climate change. By using electric bikes, we can reduce air pollution in the country.

Media urged to bury negative propaganda against CPEC via factual reporting ISLAMABAD

STAFF REPORT

The media in Pakistan needs to lay to rest negative propaganda against the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), the gamechanger project through factual reporting.

Addressing a training workshop here, the speakers said that journalists are the source of information for the public and their impartial reporting can convey authentic information about CPEC to the people of Pakistan, they said.

The three-day training workshop was organized by the Center for Democracy and Climate Studies (CDCS) for the journalists of Baluchistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

Bao Zhong, Counsellor of the Political and Media Section, Embassy of China to Pakistan while speaking to the participants said that the Pakistani media was playing a vital role in promoting CPEC and creating a

positive image of the China-Pakistan bilateral relations and cooperation in various fields beneficial for both the nations.

She however said the fake news and negative propaganda against the CPEC still exist in some sections of the media which should be countered by the journalists.

The Counsellor said that the Chinese embassy was always open to answer queries about CPEC or information related to any project initiated by the Chinese embassy.

She urged the journalists to do factual reporting on CPEC and play their role against malicious media campaigns and disinformation against the projects.

Expressing deep affection for Pakistani friends, Ms. Zhong, with over six years of service in the country, emphasized the robust foundation of the China-Pakistan relationship, attributing it to the profound political trust, particularly exemplified by the ChinaPakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).

She expressed the confidence in ongoing collaboration with the Pakistani government and encouraged media and citizens to contribute valuable insights for the continued success of China-Pakistan relations.

She highlighted the warm reception of Pakistani visitors in China, underscoring the reciprocal treatment she and her family receive in Pakistan.

Motivated by these strong ties, she called for joint efforts to further deepen and strengthen cooperation, urging the passing on of this relationship from generation to generation.

Ms. Zhong emphasized collaborative endeavors at both government and private sector levels, encouraging increased business-to-business (B2B) cooperation. She stressed the significance of encouraging Pakistani youth to study in China and return to contribute to their homeland, focusing on highlighting commonalities. She urged a col-

lective focus on these areas, seeking advice and active promotion from Pakistani media to maximize joint benefits.

Highlighting the initial focus on infrastructure and energy, she stressed the importance of empowering Pakistan through energy projects, subsequently moving towards broader industrial cooperation.

She said that China extends a helping hand to Pakistan in overcoming energy challenges, paving the way for increased industrial productivity and collaboration.

The Counsellor said that China sees the world as a big family, echoing a philosophy of global unity and cooperation the Belt and Road Initiative is presented as a tangible effort towards building a global community of shared future.

Despite challenges such as the impact of COVID-19, China remains confident in its progress under the leadership of President Xi Jinping and the Communist Party of China.

Naghmana Hashmi, former ambassador of Pakistan to China speaking on the occasion, said that the media should do impartial reporting on CPEC. Highlighting the significance of CPEC for Pakistan, she said bilateral cooperation under CPEC has contributed to Pakistan’s energy and infrastructure development while the second phase focuses on poverty alleviation, socio-economic development, agriculture and industrial development in Pakistan.

Former Sargodha University Vice Chancellor Dr Ishtiaq Ahmad said that the media’s role was significant in shaping public opinion about CPEC. He hailed the Pakistan’s media role and its contribution towards CPEC development. He also said that higher education institutions can play a major role in reaping the real benefits of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) by bridging a gap in the language and cultural sectors of both countries.

Monday, 18 December, 2023

resumes hearing PTI CHIEF EXPRESSES CONFIDENCE IN APEX ECP on pleas against PTI intra-party polls today COURT TO ‘SAFEGUARD DEMOCRACY’ PRAYER TIMINGS

NEWS

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ISLAMABAD

STAFF REPORT

TI Chairman Gohar Ali Khan expressed his confidence in the judiciary, particularly the Supreme Court of Pakistan, stating that he believes it will play a crucial role in preventing the derailment of democracy in the country.

“The PTI is only party genuinely committed to safeguarding democracy and ensuring free and fair elections. At the same time, the party does not want any delays in the electoral process.”

“We absolutely do not want any delay in the elections,” said PTI Chairman Gohar while interacting with reporters outside Rawalpindi’s Adiala Jail, where he earlier visited PTI founder Imran Khan.

The PTI chief was referring to the Supreme Court’s December 15 order, noting that a PTI-affiliated lawyer had attempted to disrupt democracy by challenging the Election Commission of Pakistan’s (ECP) notifications regarding the appointment of poll supervisors.

“We sit in the Supreme Court every day to safeguard democracy from derail-

ment. InshaAllah, the Supreme Court will prevent democracy from derailing,” he emphasized. Khan also addressed the issue of election supervisors, expressing the party’s dissatisfaction with the Election Commission of Pakistan’s decision to appoint officers from the civil bureaucracy. He stressed the importance of having election officers selected from the judiciary to oversee the electoral process and ensure fairness.

“Our request was for district return-

IPP promises free electricity after coming to power amid seat adjustment parlays LAHORE

STAFF REPORT

Istehkam-e-Pakistan Party (IPP) President Abdul Aleem Khan on Sunday promised that the party would ensure supply of free electricity up to 300 units to the common man if comes to power after the upcoming elections.

Speaking at a corner meeting of the party here, the IPP leader said that the nation’s major problem is inflated electricity bills, claiming that after coming to power they will provide financial assistance to WAPDA for provision of free electricity to people consuming up to 300 units per month.

Aleem Khan maintained that he is running a network of free dispensaries but he wants to expand it across Pakistan for the deserving people.

In a separate development, the Istehkam-e-Pakistan Party (IPP) prepared a list of 28 national and provincial assemblies constituencies for seat adjustment with Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) in the upcoming general elections 2024.

Sources claimed that Jahangir Tareen-led IPP wanted to make seat adjustments in 20 National Assembly seats – 19 in Punjab and one in Karachi constituencies. The IPP shared the names of 28 candidates of party for seat adjustment with PMLN at a meeting of the PML-N and Istehkam-e-Pakistan Party joint committee held at former speaker National Assembly Ayaz Sadiq’s residence on Saturday.

According to the list, IPP chief Jahangir Tareen will contest the election from Lodhran, party president Abdul Aleem Khan and Aoon Chaudhry will contest the election from Lahore. Ghulam Sarwar Khan will contest the polls from Taxila, Aamir Kayani and Ali Nawaz Awan will contest from Islamabad while Ishaq Khakwani from Vehari.

Similarly, Firdous Ashiq Awan will be the IPP candidate from Sialkot and Farrukh Habib from Faisalabad, Murad Ras Lahore, Khalid Mahmood Sheikhupura, Imran Ismail and Mahmood Maulvi will contest from Karachi.

Furthermore, Col (r) Muhammad Anwar will contest from Attock, Nauman Langriyal and Noreez Shakur from Sahiwal and Samsam Bukhari will take part in the polls from Okara.

Likewise, Colonel (r) Hashim Dogar, Sardar Talib Nakai and Asif Nakai are aspiring for election from Kasur. Both the parties have agreed to continue the discussion on seat adjustment and there will be another meeting on Monday.

GENERAL ELECTIONS: The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) had notified general elections on February 8, 2024.

According to details, the Election Commission issued a notification of the date of the general election under Section 57 of the Election Act‫۔‬ The notification said that in light of the Supreme Court’s order, the general elections will take place on February 8, 2024.

ing officers (DROs), returning officers (ROs), and assistant returning officers (AROs) to be selected from the judiciary [and not from bureaucracy]. We wanted the Supreme Court to oversee the electoral process as free and fair elections are essential for the country,” he added.

He said it is the PTI which dissolved its own governments in two provinces and resigned from the National Assembly so that free and fair elections might be held. Our plea is that you ensure that

the polls supervisors conduct fair and free elections, he added.

Barrister Gohar Ali Khan, who was appointed as the former ruling party’s chief earlier this month, seemingly as a temporary arrangement due to Imran Khan’s disqualification, expressed that the PTI’s election preparations are complete.

He emphasized that it is the people’s right to choose their representatives and clarified, “We have never claimed to be deprived of justice. The setbacks in our cases occurred because they were not being heard. The PTI will never boycott elections. We are striving to contest elections with our electoral symbol.”

Despite facing challenges such as restrictions on holding conventions and displaying party flags, as well as the arrest of former PTI members, Khan stated that the PTI’s election preparations are complete. He also expressed confidence that, given a level playing field, the PTI would win the upcoming elections with a two-thirds majority.

Overall, Khan’s comments underscore the PTI’s unwavering commitment to democratic principles and the importance of transparent and impartial electoral processes in Pakistan.

PM Kakar visits Kuwait to condole demise of Sheikh Nawaf Al Ahmad today ISLAMABAD

STAFF REPORT

Caretaker Prime Minister Anwaarul Haq Kakar will visit Kuwait on Monday (today) to condole the sad demise of Emir of Kuwait Sheikh Nawaf Al Ahmad Al Jaber Al Sabah and announced a day of mourning in Pakistan on the day.

According to the Foreign Office spokesperson, the prime minister will convey to the Royal Family, government and the people of Kuwait the sympathies and condolences of the Government and people of Pakistan.

Caretaker Prime Minister Anwaarul Haq Kakar on Saturday expressed his deep grief over the death

of Amir of Kuwait Sheikh Nawaf Al Ahmad Al Jaber Al Sabah.

The prime minister, on X, posted that prayed for the high ranks of the departed soul, said that Pakistan stood in solidarity with the Kuwaiti Royal Family and the people of Kuwait at this moment of grief.

He further said that the late Emir would always be remembered for his sterling contribution to strengthening Pak-Kuwait relations.

According to foreign media, the Kuwaiti Royal Court said that Sheikh Nawaf died at the age of 86 after a long illness. The State of Kuwait has declared an official mourning over the death of Amir.

Sheikh Nawaf was sworn in as Amir following the death of his predecessor, the late Sheikh Sabah

JI not to form electoral alliance with PML-N, PPP: Sirajul Haq

Al Ahmad Al Sabah in 2020.

He was born in 1937 and was the fifth son of Kuwait’s late ruler from 1921 to 1950 Sheikh Ahmad Al Jaber Al Sabah. Pakistan to observe day of mourning on demise of Amir of Kuwait Meanwhile, Prime Minister Anwaarul Haq Kakar has declared Monday (December 18) as a day of mourning in Pakistan as an expression of fraternal solidarity on behalf of the people and government of Pakistan, with the royal family, the government, and people of Kuwait on the sad demise of Amir of Kuwait His Highness Sheikh Nawaf Al Ahmad Al Jaber Al Sabah. The national flag shall fly at half-mast throughout the country on the day.

FAJR SUNRISE

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The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) will resume hearing on pleas filed against PTI’s intra-party elections on Monday (today).

A five-member bench of ECP will take up the plea to address the challenges and concerns raised against PTI’s intra-party elections. Prominent among those who filed the applications against the PTI intra-party polls were Akbar S. Babar, Raja Tahir Nawaz, and Naureen Farooq.

The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has summoned Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chairman Gohar Ali Khan in the intra-party election case. The electoral watchdog also summoned the party’s chief election commissioner Niazullah Niazi, Umar Ayub, Haleem Adil Sheikh, Yasmin Rashid, Ali Amin Gandapur and RO central secretariat Sardar Masroof.

Additionally, the notices were also issued to Returning Officer Central Secretariat Sardar Masroof Khan and Returning Officer Ansar Mahmood in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Central Secretariat. The PTI’s founding member Akbar S Babar had termed the intra-party polls as drama. In a video statement, he said that the PTI has put the party and the election symbol of ‘bat’ at stake.

MQM-P shortlists 200 candidates for general elections KARACHI

Former federal minister and senior politician Muhammad Ali Durrani has expressed grave concerns over the source and trafficking of the latest American weaponry and technology to terrorists in the war against Pakistan. “Where are the terrorists fighting against Pakistan obtaining the latest American weaponry?”

Durrani questioned as he demanded an inquiry into the matter.

“It is imperative to undertake these investigations to root out terrorists and eliminate the scourge of terrorism,” he said in a statement issued here on Sunday.

He said that the United States of America (USA) should assist Pakistan with cutting-edge technology which is in the interests of both the US and global security.

“The possibility of another 9/11

STAFF REPORT

Muttahida Qaumi Movement Pakistan (MQM-P) has shortlisted a list of 200 candidates for the upcoming general elections 2024 on Sunday.

According the party sources, the MQM-P parliamentary board interviewed more than 600 candidates in the first phase and shortlisted 200 candidates in the second phase. Sources added that the parliamentary board will forward the candidates’ list to the Rabita Committee. Earlier, Muttahida Qaumi Movement Pakistan had demanded the chief election commissioner (CEC) to remove the Sindh EC. The MQM-P delegation held discussions with the CEC Sikandar Sultan Raja at the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) headquarters.

The delegation members include party convenor Dr Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui, Dr Farooq Sattar, Aminul Haque and others. The political party discussed its reservations on the new delimitations including the constituencies in Karachi’s Malir, Keamari, Baldia and Korangi.

STAFF REPORT

Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) Ameer Sirajul Haq on Sunday declared that they will not form electoral alliance with the Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz (PML-N) and Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) in the upcoming general elections.

While talking to journalists, Sirajul Haq said that JI won’t allow anyone to rob public mandate in the general elections. “PML-N and PPP destroyed the entire country. JI will not accept the election results if fair elections are not held and a level-playing field is not provided to all political parties.”

He detailed that JI issued election tickets to more than 50% of candidates. He criticised that a favourable environment is being created for a blueeyed personality.

The JI Ameer said the judiciary, establishment and election commission must remain impartial for holding free and fair general polls.

Sirajul Haq said that Jamaat-e-Islami is the best option for Pakistanis in the upcoming polls whose manifesto is making Pakistan a welfare, prosperous and peaceful state. “The three major parties failed to deliver despite getting opportunities many times.”

He announced that Jamaat-e-Islami will change the obsolete governance system of Pakistan after becoming successful in the elections. He added that the International Monetary Fund (IMF) slaves will see defeat in February 8 general elections.

sponsibility lies with the United Nations and especially with the United States to prevent the supply of new technology and weapons to terrorists and terrorist organizations.

“The goal of terrorists, be they state or non-state actors, is to sow chaos, posing a threat to the safety and security of the world,” Durrani said. He said that Pakistani armed forces and the nation defeated terrorism with their unparalleled bravery and sacrifices and “all political parties, institutions and the masses will have to stay united and move forward with a comprehensive and robust plan of action.”

Pakistani nation and armed forces would once again defeat terrorists, who are using American weapons and technology, he said.

“Strong defense and robust democracy are the guarantees of Pakistan’s integrity and security,” Durrani concluded.

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cannot be ruled out if the supply of the latest weaponry to terrorists is not curtailed,” Durrani urged.

The former minister said that the availability of sophisticated arms to terrorists is a matter of concern for regional and global security.

“A new war is being orchestrated against Pakistan through the latest American arms,” he said. In such circumstances, the US should support Pakistan with latest technology in the war against terrorism. “It is the interest of the US to play a role for peace in the region,” he said.

Durrani said that American weapons and technology are being used against Palestinians by Israel and against Pakistan by terrorists.

The presence of such weaponry and technology among terrorists raises numerous questions that cannot be ignored, he added.

Senator Durrani said that the re-

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STAFF REPORT

Durrani calls for probe into supply of US weapons to terrorists STAFF REPORT

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