Epaper_24-01-05 ISB

In partnership with

DEBARRING SOMEONE FOR LIFE IS LIKE CONDEMNING HIM FOR LIFE: CJP

Profit

Friday, 5 January, 2024 I 22 Jamada Al-Sani, 1445

JUSTICE MANDOKHAIL INQUIRES WHO IS RESPONSIBLE FOR DETERMINING IF CHARACTER OF A PERSON IS GOOD OR BAD?

C g

ISLAMABAD

g

JUSTICE SHAH ASKS WHERE DISQUALIFICATION’S DECLARATION WOULD COME FROM?

STAFF REPORT

HIEF Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Qaiz Faez Isa on Thursday stated that debarring someone from office for life was the same as condemning them for life.

“If you debar someone for life, you condemn that person for life. There is no redemption or forgiveness which the Samiullah Baloch [decision] also touches upon but does not attend to it at all,” he remarked as the Supreme Court heard a set of petitions seeking to determine whether the disqualification period for a lawmaker was for five years or a lifetime.

A seven-member larger bench, headed by the CJP and comprising Justice Justice Syed Mansoor Ali Shah, Justice Yahya Afridi, Justice Aminuddin Khan, Justice Jamal Khan Mandokhail, Justice Muhammad Ali Mazhar and Justice Musarrat Hilali, conducted the six hourlong marathon proceedings that were broadcast live of the apex court’s website.

The hearing was adjourned till 9am tomorrow (Friday).

The law, which sets the precondition for a member of parliament to be “sadiq and ameen” (honest and righteous), is the

same provision under which former prime minister Nawaz Sharif and Istehkam-i-Pakistan Party Chairman Jahangir Tareen were disqualified.

The legal impasse arose in view of a 2018 SC judgment in the Samiullah Baloch case, when the apex court ruled that disqualification handed down under Article 62(1)(f) was supposed to be “permanent”. The verdict was issued by former chief justice Mian Saqib Nisar, Justice Sheikh Azmat Saeed, ex-CJP Umar Ata Bandial, Justice Ahsan and Justice Sajjad Ali Shah. However, in June 2023, an amendment was brought

‘Fake Corona certificate’: FIA initiates probe against visa service provider ISLAMABAD

SHAHZAD MALIK

The Federal Investigation Agency claimed to have obtained “irrefutable evidence” against Jerry International, a visa processing service provider for 18 countries including the United Kingdom and Schengen, for ‘alleged involvement’ in issuing fake Corona certificates.

According to Deputy Director of Anti-Corruption Circle of the Federal Investigation Agency, Afzal Khan Niazi, Jerry International CEO Afzal Wali Muhammad and Manager Muhammad Nasir had been summoned for investigation into the charges.

The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) documents revealed that Jerry International Manager Muhammad Nasir failed to satisfy the agency during the course of investigation and remained unable to respond and explain as to “how these fake Corona certificates were provided.”

He, however, successfully satisfied the FIA investigators that the Jerry International was duly registered with and was in possession of NoC from the Ministry of Health regarding the Corona Certificate.

Similarly, Muhammad Khan Nasir could respond to the FIA question as to “how Jerry International staff made and issued corona certificates to the passengers.”

It is important to mention that Jerry International is the only visa processing provider in Pakistan for 18 other countries including UK and Shenzhen.

The FIA initiated the investigation following an application submitted by a passenger, Mohammad Haroon, who claimed that Jerry International had issued fake corona certificates to him and his colleagues, which later the airline declared fake, causing serious damage to them.

Earlier, through the call-up notice, issued by the Deputy Director of Anti-Corruption Circle of the Federal Investigation Agency, Afzal Khan Niazi, the manager Muhammad Nasir and the CEO Afzal Wali Muhammad were summoned for investigation. Both the officials of the visa service provider were asked to appear before the authority and explain “under which authority Jerry International issued corona certificates.”

Rs 15.00 | Vol XIV No 187 I 8 Pages I Islamabad Edition

in the Elections Act 2017, specifying that the period of the electoral disqualification will be for five years, not for life.

The dilemma cropped up in the top court last month during an electoral disqualification dispute moved by Sardar Mir Badshah Khan Qaisarani, who had filed nomination papers to contest the 2008 and 2018 elections but was disqualification for producing a fake graduation degree. His appeal is still pending before the Lahore High Court.

Delving deep into the matter of disqualification at the previous hearing, the CJP had questioned why two similarly

worded provisions of the Constitution provided different punishments to parliamentarians for the same offence.

He had compared Article 62(1)(f) and Article 63(1)(g) and said the former entrailed a lifetime ban whereas the latter prescribed a five-year ban from parliament.

The court had also appointed senior counsel Faisal Siddiqui, Uzair Karamat Bhandari, and legal adviser Reema Omar as amici to assist the court, expressing its intention to wrap up the case proceedings by Jan 11 as it may create “confusion” for returning officers.

THE HEARING: At the outset of today’s hearing, Advocate Khurram Raza, who is in favour of lifetime disqualification, came to the rostrum. The lawyer raised questions about the maintainability of the proceedings. “Under what provision of law are these proceedings being conducted?” he asked. However, the bench directed Raza to stick to his petition.

Resuming his arguments, the counsel said that the election tribunal could only grant a declaration and that the right could not be exercised by the high court or SC directly. However, he continued, cases against orders passed by the tribunal could be heard by the apex court under the scope of appeal.

Ex-spymaster rejects allegations of ‘conspiracy’ against govt ISLAMABAD

STAFF REPORT

Former DG of Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) Faiz Hamid on Thursday recorded his statement to the Faizabad sit-in commission, denying allegations of conspiring against the government.

The former spymaster was summoned by the panel — investigating the 2017 sit-in staged by the Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP) — thrice but he failed to appear before it.

He was then sent a questionnaire by the commission to which he responded and stated that he held negotiations with the TLP on the directions of the government.

According to the sources, the commission had summoned the former army officer on January 2 (Tuesday) but he didn’t appear before the panel.

This was the third time that the former ISI chief remained absent from the hearing being conducted by the inquiry commission, which earlier summoned him in the sec-

ond week of December last year and then on December 29, sources said. However, the first notice couldn’t be delivered.

In November last year, the caretaker federal government constituted the inquiry commission for the implementation of the Supreme Court’s 2019 Faizabad verdict.

The probe panel was constituted on the orders of the Supreme Court of Pakistan under the chair

CONTINUED ON PAGE 03

of retired IGP Akhtar Ali Shah after the apex court rejected the fact-finding committee report constituted by the government.

On November 15, Chief Justice Qazi Faez Isa remarked that the commission would be empowered to summon anyone, including former army chiefs, prime ministers, and chief justices.

The inquiry commission is required to submit its report to the top court on January 22.

The probe panel had also summoned Pakistan Muslim LeagueNawaz (PML-N) President and former prime minister Shehbaz Sharif on January 3 but he too didn’t appear and requested the commission to send him questions.

He has now been sent a 21point questionnaire to answer.

Earlier, former prime minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi, ex-interior minister Ahsan Iqbal, then-secretary to PM Fawad Hasan Fawad, and other senior officials serving in Islamabad and Punjab who were involved in the episode had appeared before the probe panel.

Gohar upbeat as PTI moves SC against PHC decision on ‘bat’ symbol ISLAMABAD

STAFF REPORT

The PTI filed a petition in the Supreme Court on Thursday against the Peshawar High Court’s verdict to restore the ECP’s December 22, which had stripped the party of its electoral symbol ‘bat’ with its chairman Barrister Ali Gohar expressed his confidence to get back “bat” for Feb 8 elections.

The Supreme Court has fixed the petition for hearing on Friday (tomorrow).

Yesterday, a single-member bench of the Peshawar High Court accepted a review petition filed by the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) and restored its December 22 decision, which had nullified the PTI’s intra-party election and stripped the party of its electoral symbol ‘bat’ for Feb 8 elections. In its decision, the electoral watchdog said that the party had had failed to hold intra-party polls — which saw Barrister Gohar Khan becoming the PTI chairman — in accordance with its prevailing constitution and election laws.

Subsequently, the PTI had approached the PHC against the ECP decision and on Dec 26, a single-member bench of the high court ordered a temporary suspension of the ECP’s decision, instructing the commission to publish PTI’s intra-party poll certificate on its website and restore the party’s election symbol ‘bat’.

However, the ECP had filed an intra-court appeal in the PHC against the verdict. The commission’s lawyers argued that the court had overstepped its jurisdiction by suspending the commission’s declaration on PTI’s intra-party polls and the subsequent revocation of its election symbol.

A day earlier, the PHC had accepted the commission’s review plea and decided that the high court’s interim order on Dec 26 was an “ex parte order” as the same was passed without providing any opportunity for a hearing to the commission.

“Under the election laws the whole exercise of holding and conducting an election i.e. right from the issuance of notification of holding an election till the publication of names of the successful; candidates in the official gazette, is a time-bound exercise, therefore, the said order has prima facie created hindrance in the smooth process of the election which is to be conducted by the ECP […] on the instant 8th of February,” the order said.

‘The PTI petition in apex court’ The PTI petition filed in the top court on Thursday named the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP), PTI founding member Akbar S. Babar and 13 others, who had approached the ECP against the party’s intra-party polls, as respondents.

The plea argued that the interim relief originally granted by the PHC was given after hearing the ECP, which was reflected in the court’s Dec 26 order, therefore yesterday’s PHC verdict was “not sustainable”.

The plea said that there were 227 reserved seats and without the interim relief order, nomination forms could not have been filed by the candidates contesting for these seats. It further argued that the relief granted by the PHC was not “final” and the order was only operative till Jan 9. It said that the court had not disposed of the entire matter, terming yesterday’s verdict “misconceived”.

SIFC instrumental in attracting investment from GCC countries: PM ISLAMABAD

STAFF REPORT

Caretaker Prime Minister Anwaarul Haq Kakar on Thursday said that the Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC) was playing an active role in attracting investors from Gulf countries, including Qatar, to benefit from opportunities in key sectors of Pakistan’s economy.

The prime minister, in a meeting with Ambassador of Qatar in Islamabad Ali Mubarak Ali Essa Al-Khater,

said that Pakistan and Qatar enjoyed strong, fraternal ties.

He expressed Pakistan’s desire to expand bilateral cooperation across all spheres, particularly trade and investment. He also conveyed warm regards to the Amir of Qatar.

The prime minister encouraged the Qatari ambassador to explore the potential for cooperation in tourism and media sectors.

He said that Pakistan appreciated the role played by Qatar in diplomatic efforts that led to a temporary cease-

fire in Gaza.

He stressed the need for concerted efforts by the international community, particularly Muslim Ummah, to bring peace in Palestine.

As this was Ambassador Al-Khater’s first call on the prime minister since presenting his credentials in November, he congratulated the envoy on assuming ambassadorial responsibilities in Pakistan and hoped that the bonds of friendship between the two countries would further strengthen during his tenure.

Israel focuses assault on southern Gaza amid concern over wider war CONTINUED ON PAGE 03

GAZA

REUTERS

Israeli shelling killed 14 Palestinians on Thursday in Khan Younis in a southern coastal area of the Gaza Strip packed with people who had fled attacks in other parts of the enclave, Gaza health ministry officials said.

The dead included nine children, an official told Reuters.

There was no comment from the Israeli military on the attack although it had reported fighting and air strikes against Hamas fighters in the Khan Younis area on Thursday.

Gaza residents also said Israeli planes and tanks bombarded three refugee camps in the centre of the shattered enclave, prompting many civilians to head south.

Five Palestinians were killed in an Israeli air strike on a car in Al-Nusseirat refugee camp, health officials told Reuters.

Israel’s war against Hamas is nearing the three-month mark amid international concern that the conflict is spreading beyond Gaza, drawing in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, Hezbollah forces on the Lebanon-Israel border, and Red Sea shipping lanes.

Fears were heightened after a drone strike on Tuesday killed Hamas deputy leader Saleh al-Arouri in the Lebanese capital Beirut. He was buried in the Palestinian camp of Shatila in the city on Thursday, amid throngs of mourners launching volleys of gunfire.

Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah vowed that his powerful Iran-backed Shia militia “cannot be silent” following the killing. Nasrallah said his forces would fight to the finish if Israel chose to extend the war to Lebanon, but he made no concrete threats to act against Israel in support of Hamas.

Israeli military spokesperson Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari declined to comment when asked what Israel was doing to prepare for a potential Hezbollah response, saying only: “We are focused on the fight against Hamas.”

Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant, meeting US envoy Amos Hochstein, said there must be a “new reality” in the Lebanon-Israel border region which would allow Israelis who have evacuated northern areas to return.

Hezbollah has been embroiled in nearly daily exchanges of shelling with Israel

across Lebanon’s southern border since the Gaza war began. Israel neither confirmed nor denied assassinating Arouri but has promised to annihilate Hamas, which rules Gaza, following its Oct. 7 cross-border assault in which Israel says 1,200 people were killed and some 240 abducted.

Israel unleashed a ground and air blitz of Gaza in response to the Hamas attack. The total recorded Palestinian death toll had reached 22,438 by Thursday – almost 1% of its 2.3 million population, the Gaza health ministry said. Some 125 of these were killed in the past 24 hours, it said.

Adding to the patchwork of violence across the region, two explosions on Wednesday killed nearly 100 people during a memorial ceremony for the late Iranian General Qasem Soleimani at the cemetery in southeastern Iran where he is buried. No group has claimed responsibility.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken was heading for the Middle East, including a stop in Israel, to continue “diplomatic consultations”, a US official said.

GAZA BLOODSHED: In Thursday’s reported strike in Al-Mawasi on the western

side of Khan Younis, health ministry officials said nine children were among the 14 dead.

Israeli shells had landed near tents erected in the area by displaced people, they said.

Footage on Palestinian media showed

several bodies wrapped in blankets inside a hospital morgue in Khan Younis.

The Palestinian Red Crescent said its headquarters in Khan Younis was hit, killing one person and wounding others.

02

PAKISTAN CALLS ON UN TO ‘LIVE UP’ TO ITS KASHMIR PROMISE

P

Friday, 5 January, 2024 | ISLAMABAD

NEWS

ISLAMABAD

anadolu aGency

AKISTANI President Arif Alvi on Thursday renewed Islamabad’s support for the people of Jammu and Kashmir’s right to selfdetermination, calling on the UN to “live up to its promise” by holding a plebiscite in the disputed region.

Alvi said the right to self-determination is a “cardinal principle of international law, upheld in numerous core United Nations Treaties.”

Islamabad’s renewed support for Kashmiris’ right to self-determination comes on the eve of Jan. 5, when the UN said in 1949 that the future of Jammu and Kashmir would be decided through a free and fair plebiscite, but the exercise was never carried out. The UN resolutions on Kashmir had come in the aftermath of a full-

fledged war between the newly created Pakistan and India.

“For decades, it has been reaffirmed by the UN General Assembly in its annual resolution on self-determination. However, the last 76 years of India’s occupation of Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) are a sad story of repression of the people of Jammu and Kashmir,” Alvi said in a statement.

Accusing New Delhi of “violating” UNSC resolutions and international humanitarian laws, he said: “India is trying to subjugate the Kashmiris people through oppressive tactics.”

New Delhi has yet to respond to Alvi’s accusations.

“The United Nations must honour the commitments that it made 75 years ago and support the Kashmiri people’s struggle for self-determination,” the Pakistani president stressed.

Kashmiris and Pakistanis every year observe this day on Jan. 5, holding rallies, and seminars demanding that the UN implement its resolutions and settle the Kashmir dispute.

Meanwhile, an international advocacy group based in Islamabad, the Legal Forum for Kashmir, documented conflict events in Indian-administered Kashmir in 2023 and claimed that 248 people were killed last year, including Indian soldiers, civilians, and militants.

It added that 260 “major cordon and search operations were also carried out by Indian forces in the region while 138 residential houses were destroyed.”

Kashmir, a Muslim-majority Himalayan region, is held by India and Pakistan in parts and claimed by both in full. A small sliver of Kashmir is also held by China.

Since they were partitioned in 1947, the two countries have fought three wars

— in 1948, 1965 and 1971 — two of them over Kashmir.

Some Kashmiri groups in Jammu and Kashmir have been fighting against Indian rule for independence, or for unification with

Sindh surpasses Punjab in cotton production, records 121% increase in output g

Sanghar in Sindh led countr y with 1.68m bales; whereas Bahawalnagar in Punjab reported highest arrivals with 1.06m bales PROFIT

Staff RepoRt

Sindh province has outpaced Punjab in cotton production, exhibiting a substantial 121.16% increase until December 31 from the corresponding period last year, while Punjab produced 4.078 million bales, reflecting a 47.66% increase.

Traditionally contributing around 30% of Pakistan’s total cotton output, Sindh has taken the lead by producing over 50% of the 8.171 million bales processed in ginning factories until December 31, 2023, according to data

released by the Pakistan Cotton Ginners Association (PCGA) on Wednesday.

The overall cotton arrivals at the country’s ginning factories during this period surged to 8.171 million bales, a significant rise from the 4.612 million bales reported in the same period last year, depicting an increase of 77.14%.

Sindh’s increase stands out, with 2.241 million bales more than the 1.850 million bales produced in the same period last year, a growth rate of 121.16%. In contrast, Punjab recorded a 47.66% increase, with 1.316 million bales more

than the 2.762 million bales produced in the previous year.

In terms of district-wise arrivals, Sanghar in Sindh province led the country with 1.68 million bales of cotton, followed by Sukkur with 0.54 million bales. In Punjab, Bahawalnagar district reported the highest arrivals with 1.06 million bales, followed by Rahim Yar Khan with 0.59 million bales.

The textile sector has procured 7.314 million bales of cotton, while exporters and traders have purchased 0.292 million bales this season. Notably, despite announcements by federal and provincial

governments, the Trading Corporation of Pakistan (TCP) has not purchased cotton from farmers for the 2023-24 season.

Cotton, the most crucial cash crop in Pakistan, accounts for 55% of all foreign exchange earnings. Approximately 2530% of farmers cultivate cotton, covering over 15% of the total cultivated area.

Cotton production contributes 4.5% to the value added in Agriculture GDP and 0.8% to the overall GDP. It serves as the primary raw material for the textile industry, the country’s largest agroindustrial sector, employing 17% and contributing 8.5% to GDP.

CDWP meeting recommends development projects worth Rs358.8b to ECNEC g

Election tribunal allows Akhtar Mengal to contest election

QUETTA: An election tribunal granted permission to BNP chief Sardar Akhtar Jan Mengal to contest election. Akhtar Mengal had filed appeal in the appellate tribunal challenging the Returning Officer’s rejection of his nomination papers for National Assembly constituency NA-264 (Quetta-I). Justice Hashim Kakar presiding over the tribunal heard the case. The RO had rejected nomination papers of Akhtar Mengal over his Aqama (work permit) of Dubai. The Balochistan election tribunal also granted permission to several other candidates to contest the upcoming general elections, whose nomination papers were initially rejected by returning officers.

Balochistan High Court judges Justice Muhammad Hashim Khan Kakar and Justice Amir Nawaz Rana reviewed and decided the appeals. Appellate tribunal permitted Abdul Khaliq Hazara (Chairman of Hazara Democratic Party), Tahir Mehmood Khan (PPP), Ahmed Nawaz Baloch (BNP), Mehmood Khan Sherani, Mufti Gulab (JUI-F), Zakir Hussain Kasi and Muhammad Hussain to contest elections. Staff RepoRt

Projects worth Rs45.7m get approved ISLAMABAD

Ghulam abbaS

The Central Development Working Party (CDWP) meeting, under the leadership of Deputy Chairman Planning Commission Mohammad Jehanzeb Khan, witnessed the approval of a vital development project worth Rs. 45.69 million. Additionally, it recommended three substantial projects amounting to a whopping Rs. 358.810 billion to the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC) for further deliberation and consideration.

The meeting, attended by Secretary Planning Awais Manzur Sumra, senior officials from the Planning Commission, Federal Ministries/Divisions, and Chairman/ACS (Dev) from Provincial Governments, primarily focused on projects related to the Education, Physical Planning, and Housing sectors. One of the significant projects highlighted during the meeting was the “Getting Results Access and Delivery of Quality Education Services (GRADES) Punjab project” worth Rs. 42.750 billion.

The project aims to address the educational setbacks faced by Punjab due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Despite multifaceted responses from Punjab involving SOPs, curriculum adjustments, re-enrollment campaigns, remote learning opportunities, and maintained education budgets, visible losses in education indicators still persist. The entire funding for GRADES will be facilitated through a

World Bank loan, consisting of US$ 96.877 Million under project mode and US$ 53.123 Million through Performance Based Conditions(PBC).

Another significant venture in the Education Sector, the “Sindh Basic Education Program,” valued at Rs. 20,060.563 million, has been recommended to ECNEC. This project is expected to receive foreign grants amounting to approximately $154.978 million from USAID, alongside a contribution of Rs. 870 million (approximately $10 million) from the Government of Sindh. Within the Education sector, the “Capacity Building of Education Managers (CBEM) (2nd Revised)” project, valued at Rs. 45.69 million, received approval from the CDWP forum after detailed discussions.

Shifting focus to the Physical Planning & Housing sector, the “Flood Response Emergency Housing Project (revised)” worth Rs. 296,000 million was recommended to ECNEC for consideration. The Government of Sindh is slated to contribute a counterpart share of Rs. 50,000 million, with a World Bank loan of $500 million (equivalent to Rs. 140,000 million), and an additional US$200 million from the Islamic Development Bank via Islamic Financing arrangements (equivalent to PKR 56,000 million). This project intends to aid flood-affected people across all districts of Sindh in the reconstruction and repair of their homes. The original project, supported by the World Bank and the Government of Sindh, will have an implementation period of 36 months.

neighboring Pakistan.

According to several human rights organizations, thousands of people have reportedly been killed in the conflict in the region since 1989.

Prisoner killed after ‘sexually assaulted’ in AIDs ward of Adiala Jail RAWALPINDI

Staff RepoRt

In a gruesome incident reported from Adiala Central Jail, a prisoner was murdered after sexual assault. A case has been registered against four accused prisoners who allegedly killed their prisoner mate after ‘sexually assaulting’ him in Central Jail Adiala. Sources claimed that the prisoner was held in the AIDs ward of Adiala Jail, where the four accused killed a man by putting a noose around his neck. The administration stated that the incident took place between the night of 1st and 2nd December in the AIDS ward of Adiala Jail, the deceased and the accused were patients and confined in the AIDs ward. The jail administration suspected that the man was sexually assaulted before being murdered, while the situation will be clarified after the postmortem. Meanwhile, Rana Rauf, the DIG Jail Rawalpindi took notice of the incident and suspended the Assistant Superintendent, Night Officer, Night Patrolling Officer, and Ward incharge of Adiala Jail. It is pertinent to mention here that the Adiala Jail has a capacity of 2200 prisoners while currently there are more than 7,000 prisoners present inside the jail.

Tribunal fixes Qureshi, Zain, Mehr Bano’s appeal for hearing tomorrow MULTAN

Staff RepoRt

The Multan Appellate Tribunal on Thursday fixed appeals filed by PTI Vice Chairman Shah Mahmood Qureshi, his son Zain Qureshi and daughter Meher Bano Qureshi against rejection of their nomination papers after removal of objections. The Multan Appellate Tribunal adjourned the hearing of nine appeals against rejection of nomination papers until January 6.

The Registrar Judicial had objected to seven appeals and sent them to the senior judge. The Registrar’s office raised objections to appeals filed by Qureshi against the rejection to his nomination papers for NA-150, 151, and PP-218.

Similarly, the registrar’s office had also put queries on Zain Qureshi and Mehr Bano Qureshi’s appeals against the rejection of papers for NA-151, PP-218 and NA-151, PP-218 constituencies, respectively. The Judicial Office had objected to missing of ROs’ signatures on the rejection order. The ROs had rejected the papers on the grounds that Qureshi, Zain and Mehr Bano had not attached affidavits with their papers.

Qureshi’s papers were not signed by him, the RO clarified in his order.

PPP approves Bilawal Bhutto as its candidate for PM LAHORE

Staff RepoRt

Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari has been nominated as the party’s candidate for the slot of prime minister in the upcoming general elections scheduled for February 8.

The decision was taken by the PPP’s top decisionmaking body — the Central Executive Committee (CEC) — which met at Bilawal House in Lahore on Wednesday to discuss the party’s campaign for the

upcoming general election.

Bilawal is also contesting from NA-127 Lahore, where he would compete with Pakistan Muslim LeagueNawaz (PML-N) leader Shaista Pervaiz Malik and a PTI-backed candidate. The CEC meeting also discussed the party election manifesto, which decided to give priority to youth and women empowerment, employment, health and education.

It also expressed complete confidence in the leadership of Asif Ali Zardari and Bilawal Bhutto Zardari. PPP leaders including Secretary General Taj

Haider, Syed Khursheed Shah, Rana Farooq Saeed Khan, Qamar Zaman Kaira, Samina Khalid Ghurki, Murad Ali Shah, Chaudhry Aslam Gill and Ali Badr were present at the meeting.

Later, talking to the media, Bilawal said he had decided to contest the election from Lahore, whether anybody liked it or not.

Flanked by PPP Secretary General Taj Haider and former prime minister Yusuf Raza Gilani, Bilawal said, “Gen Zia imposed the PML-N on us and Gen Faiz Hameed imposed the PTI.”

PTI’s Firdous Shamim Naqvi’s appeal accepted against rejection of nominations KARACHI

Staff RepoRt

The Sindh High Court’s (SHC) election appellate tribunal on Thursday accepted PTI Central Vice President Firdous Shamim Naqvi’s appeal against the rejection of his nomination papers from Karachi’s NA-236 constituency for the Feb 8 polls.

Naqvi was among several PTI leaders whose nomination papers were rejected. On Monday, he had approached the election tribunal against the decisions of returning officers regarding his papers.

The former lawmaker, who is currently confined at his house in connection with a case related to the

violent incidents of May 9, had filed the appeal through his lawyer and human rights activist Jibran Nasir.

According to Nasir, his client had filed three identical nomination papers from the same constituency as a precautionary measure after incidents of harassment and abduction of seconders and proposers were reported, especially from Punjab.

However, the lawyer had maintained that all such papers were rejected by the RO on the ground that the appellant’s party had lost the electoral symbol.

Today, Justice Khadim Hussain presided over the proceedings while Advocate Hasaan Sabir, the objector to the papers, appeared before the court

along with Nasir.

Following the hearing, Nasir said the tribunal accepted “all of our three appeals filed on behalf” of Naqvi.

“He is cleared to represent his party and contest elections,” he wrote in a post on social media platform X, formerly Twitter. The counsel added that the tribunal had declared the objections to the papers “illegal”.

At the outset of the hearing, Nasir informed the court that the nomination papers of PTI leaders were being rejected on political basis, which was why his client had submitted more than one application. However, Justice Hussain directed the lawyer to talk only about the law. Nasir contended that the papers were

rejected due to the absence of a party symbol. The judge observed that the PTI would later take a decision on it candidates and wondered why the papers had been rejected in the “first stage of the checking process”.

Justice Hussain also inquired about the stage at which a party symbol was needed according to the law. “Has the PTI expressed indifference to the candidate?” he asked.

For his part, the objector argued that it was “necessary to state the party affiliation in the affidavit”, claiming that Naqvi had not done so. He asked how the papers could have been accepted if there was “incorrect information given in the affidavit”.

Friday, 5 January, 2024 | ISLAMABAD

PAKISTAN’S FOOD EXPORTS SURGE 64% DURING FIRST HALF OF FY23 Trade deficit decreased by 34.3% to $11.14b in July-December, says official data

T g

PROFIT

newS DeSk

HE country experienced a boost in agriculture and food exports, recording 64% increase in the first half of the current fiscal year (July-December 2023-24).

Official data reveals that total exports in this sector reached $3.847 billion, a substantial rise from $2.345 billion during the same period in the previous year.

This surge played a pivotal role in narrowing the trade deficit, which decreased by 34.3% to $11.14 billion in

newS

the first half of the fiscal year.

The overall merchandise exports grew by 5.17%, totaling $14.98 billion, while imports saw a decline of 16.28%, dropping to $26.13 billion from $31.21 billion in the corresponding period last year.

According to data, rice emerged as a

significant contributor to this growth, with exports almost doubling to $1.64 billion, marking a 96% increase compared to the same period last year.

Exporters are optimistic that rice exports may surpass the $3 billion mark by the end of the fiscal year, projecting even greater potential if the government supports cultivation and explores new markets.

Despite the substantial increase in quantity, agri-food exports did not witness a proportionate surge in prices.

Notably, Vietnam and Bangladesh continue to outpace Pakistan in terms of rice exports, despite the latter’s good quality produce.

Other noteworthy increases in exports include maize, which more than tripled to $262 million, and significant jumps in the exports of sesame seeds (273% increase)

Karachi consumers face second power tariff hike in a week g

Rs2.87 per unit hike is part of quarterly tariff adjustment for period of Jan-Mar 2023 PROFIT

MonitoRing DeSk

The National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (Nepra) on Wednesday approved a Rs2.87 per unit tariff hike for consumers of K-Electric. This is the second consecutive increase in power tariff within a week. The latest increase of Rs2.87 per unit is part of a quarterly tariff adjustment (QTA) for the period of January to March 2023.

The previous increase of Rs1.25 per unit, approved on December 29, was also for the same period.

The total impact of these increases is Rs4.12 per unit, which is expected to burden Karachi consumers significantly. The decision of Nepra has been sent to the federal government for notification. However, the spokesperson of K-Electric, Imran Rana, said that the QTA impact is usually not passed on to the consumers under a uniform tariff policy that applies to the whole country. He added that the government will take a

formal decision on this matter. Nepra said that the increase was aimed to clear the backlog of quarterly tariff adjustments and to implement a uniform tariff policy and regulatory regime across the country.

The federal government had approved the increase in line with the National Electricity Policy 2021 to maintain a standard consumer-end tariff for K-Electric and state-owned distribution companies.

Nepra had also notified an additional fuel cost adjustment of Rs3.08 per unit for the consumers of exWapda distribution companies for the power consumed in October 2023, with a net financial impact of about Rs 28.5 billion. The adjustment will apply to all consumer categories, except electric vehicle charging stations and lifeline consumers.

Debarring someone for life is like condemning him for life: CJP CONTINUED FROM PAGE 01

Here, the CJP said this debate won’t resolve the problem before the court.

“Let us not go into the powers of the election tribunal. This is not the question of the election tribunal or election commission exercising a power, it is about a power exercised by a constitutional court,” he highlighted.

For his part, Raza said any declaration in the election tribunal or by the SC in the appellate jurisdiction was covered in Article 62(1)(f).

“Let’s clarify, the election tribunal will exercise powers only under the law […] therefore when the SC is exercising such powers it cannot have more powers than the election tribunal or the Election Commission of Pakistan,” Justice Isa said. “Unless you

can show that the ECP and the election tribunal can also disqualify for life, then that power will also be with the SC, otherwise it will be an additional power given to the Supreme Court under Article 62(1)(f),” he added.

For his part, Raza said the SC can give a declaration, pertaining to lifetime disqualification, only if “it had arisen out of the tribunal” but not on its own.

Meanwhile, the CJP said Article 63 of the Constitution talks about disqualification, but only for five years.

“Where is that provision which says [a lawmaker] is disqualified for life? Where is the power in this court to do this? That is the essential question,” he stressed.

At one point, Justice Shah asked: “Does it not appear odd to you that for other crimes as big as treason, you could always come back and contest elections

but for a civil wrong […] the punishment in a way is for life. But if I were to commit a murder, rape or kidnapping […] I could come back and contest elections.” Raza replied that these arguments were present in Islamic principles. However, the CJP took exception to the contention.

“There were those who were violently opposed to Islam and then they became caliphs […] just don’t throw in Islam like that […] there is a principle of repentance and returning to the right path,” Justice Isa remarked.

The CJP also inquired if the provisions of disqualification were amended in the Constitution by a dictator, saying that a “hypocrite was worse than a non-believer”. He lamented that amendments were made on “gun points” and asked how the wisdom of five judges sitting in a court could be more than the

Electricity bills set to soar as NEPRA approves FCA CONTINUED FROM BACK PAGE

According to CPPA’s data, electricity generated in November 2023 with hydel source constituted 36.50 percent, coal-fired plants 13.1pc, and gas-based plants 9.21%., nuclear 20.8%, RLNG 10.6%.

Central Power Purchasing Agency (CPPA) on behalf of DISCOs, sought an increase of Rs 4.66 paise in fuel price, and also placed a request for previous adjustments of Rs 15.9 billion to pass on to consumers in electricity bills in January 2024. The NEPRA authority, after conducting a public hearing, reserved its decision on the matter. The power regulatorNational Electric Power Regulatory Authority (NEPRA) faced vehement criticism during the public

hearing for bowing to the pressure of power division to pass on the burden of electricity prices to the power consumers.

During the course of the public hearing, the NEPRA also questioned the CPPA for running power plants on imported fuel during the period under review while shutting down cheaper, domestically fueled plants for maintenance. The shutdown of the Thar coal-based plant for maintenance was highlighted as a contributor to higher electricity prices.

The regulator (NEPRA) also noted a 13 percent decline in electricity consumption and criticized the use of expensive liquefied natural gas (LNG) for power generation in November 2023, which caused higher electricity prices.

Sheikh Rashid’s nominations from NA-56, NA-57 approved RAWALPINDI

Staff RepoRt

An appellate tribunal on Thursday granted appeals of Sheikh Rashid against rejection of his nomination papers in two constituencies.

Appellate tribunal declared returning officers decisions as void and approved nomination papers of

Sheikh Rashid for Rawalpindi’s National Assembly constituencies NA-56 and NA-57.

The tribunal on Tuesday approved the former federal minister’s appeal against nomination papers rejection for hearing.

Appellate tribunal judge Justice Mirza Waqas Rauf had issued

‘Fake Corona certificate’: FIA initiates probe against visa service provider CONTINUED FROM PAGE 01

In the second question of the notice, they were asked from “which laboratory Jerry obtained the corona certificates and how many Covid certificates were issued thus far.” Through the notice, CEO Afzal Wali Muhammad and Muhammad Nasir Khan were asked that if there was any certificate of Jerry International with the Ministry of Health, they should also bring it, while if there is any report of the laboratory inspection done by the Ministry of Health bring them along too. When contact for comment, Country Manager of Jerry International Muhammad Nasir denied all the allegations. CEO Afzal Wali Muhammad, however, when contacted, said that “he is out of the country and is unable to comment on this matter.”

notices to returning officers and fixed the on January 04.

Sardar Abdul Raziq and Sardar Shehbaz appeared before the court on behalf of Sheikh Rashid Ahmed.

Returning officer rejecting nomination papers said that Sheikh Rashid was failed to provide complete details of his assets.

“The value of his declared assets not matching his investment,” RO said.

“He didn’t declare his income from year 2021 to 2023 in assets papers,” RO said.

Pakistan to conduct Covid tests of international passengers ISLAMABAD

Staff RepoRt

Pakistan on Thursday decided to conduct COVID testing of passengers coming from abroad. According to the National Command and Operation Center (NCOC), the decision has been taken as a precautionary measure to save people from the possible outbreak of the new Covid variant. The NCOC meeting discussed the situation in the country about the new variant of Covid JN-1. The forum was told that Pakistan has not reported a single case of the new covid variant, so far. The forum okayed COVID testing at the airports and borders. According to the NIH spokesperson, a new variant of Corona, JN1, and Omicron, has been reported in some countries as per media reports, which is a matter of concern. Meanwhile, caretaker federal Minister for Health Dr Nadeem Jan said that the government is continuously monitoring the situation as this subvirus of Omicron was found in some countries. He said that the risk of this variant spreading in Pakistan is very low, but caution is necessary.

people sitting in the Parliament.

“No matter how much you despise the members of the assembly, they are our representatives,” the top judge remarked. “You cannot give precedence to the wisdom of dictators over the wisdom of assembly members.”

Further, the CJP said the court wanted “clarity” in the run-up to elections and to prevent confusion for returning officers regarding the law they needed to follow. Subsequently, Advocate Usman Karim came to the rostrum. He highlighted that the preconditions of saadiq and ameen were also applied to non-Muslims, arguing that hence these conditions were not in reference to Islam.

“Can non-Muslims not be saadiq and ameen?” Justice Isa asked. “Were these things inserted for confusion or what?”

03

and ethyl alcohol (497% increase). Maize exports surged from $85 million to $262 million, while sesame seed exports reached $364 million compared to $98 million in the previous year.

Similarly, ethyl alcohol exports rose to $259 million from $43 million.

Meat exports also witnessed a healthy growth of 23%, reaching $239 million during July-December 2023-24, compared to $195 million in the same period last year.

This surge in agricultural and food exports underscores the sector’s crucial role in the country’s economic landscape, contributing substantially to export earnings and trade balance improvements.

On the contrary, exports of animal and vegetable fats and oils plummet to $15 million from $51 million in the first half of FY23.

Explosion claims lives of three children MIRAN SHAH

Staff RepoRt

In a devastating incident in North Waziristan, three children lost their lives in an explosion that occurred in the fields near the Kajuri check post in Mir Ali during the afternoon hours. The blast took place in a field near the Honeymoon Hotel. The victims, aged between five and fifteen years, hailed from Khajuri Zakir Khel village and were working as shepherds. The police promptly responded to the situation, confirming the tragic demise of the three children. Law enforcement authorities have transported the bodies to the headquarters hospital in Mir Ali. The ongoing investigation aims to ascertain the exact nature of the explosion, with initial suspicions pointing towards a potential landmine detonation.

Cabinet committee on PHA Mega City meet at Civil Secretariat Peshawar PESHAWAR

Staff RepoRt

A meeting of the Cabinet Committee on PHA Mega City was held at the Civil Secretariat Peshawar under the chairmanship of the caretaker provincial minister for prisons relief and settlement Justice retired Irshad Qaiser. The meeting was attended by the caretaker provincial minister for Commerce, Industries Dr. Amir Abdullah, caretaker provincial minister for agriculture and climate change Asif Rafiq, special assistant to the caretaker chief minister for housing Zafarullah Khan and the relevant authorities of the housing department. In the meeting, a detailed discussion was held regarding PHA Mega City.

Officials of the Provincial Housing Authority informed the meeting in detail about the aims and objectives of the PHA Mega City, while on highlighting some issues, the Cabinet Committee decided to visit the Mega City where the site will be reviewed. The Cabinet Committee directed the authorities to provide master plan, environmental analysis, hydrology study to committee while directed to take steps to provide flood protection.

04 COMMENT

Troubled nominations

Militant attacks not stopping

T

W

Caretaker government proves a broken reed

Doors are being opened better left closed

HE attacks on Pashtun Tahaffuz Movement leader Mohsin Dawar and JUI(F) chief Mualana Fazlur Rehman have luckily not succeeded, and these two luminaries have been spared to have their performance evaluated by the voters of their respective constituencies. However, the caretaker government should look upon these attacks as the shadow of things to come.

Apart from their objections in principle to elections, the militants also find that elections will necessitate mass gatherings, and can be expected to attack what they perceive as targets. THe caretaker federal and provincial government should realize that it is their responsibility to ensure that law and order are maintained during elections, and while they might pass the responsibility for many things to the Ection Commission of Pakistan, it is their responsibility to ensure that campaigning can take place.

Apart from campaigning, the government should also handle urgent issues of foreign policy.Just before it was inducted, the takeover by the Taliban of Pakistan was supposed to herald a new era in which militancy would go down. Instead, it seemed, attacks by militants seemed to increase. The military was being particularly targeted, and ceasefires had to be called, a second coming when the first broke down. That probably was not a good idea, because it gave the Tehrik Taliban Pakistan that the Pakistani state was vulnerable. It also gave the TTP the impression that it was a party equal to the state, not a subject who had to submit before it. Labelling the militants Indian or American agents comes a little late, perhaps too late to be believed by anyone except those who wish to push the problem under the rug.

The problem is growing, and perhaps spiralling out of control, and remains the fault of the caretakers. The attacks on the Maulana and Mr Dawar may well have also to do with local politics, but that is no reason why they, or others, should be gunned down or blown up.

The federal government should now engage with the Taliban government in Kabul without any mistaken impressions about their benignity, without any assumptions that it constitutes the mythical ‘good Taliban’ it was falsely thought they constituted when they took over in Kabul two years ago.

At Penpoint M A NIAZI

ITH most high-profile PTI leaders having their nomination papers rejected, a new element seems to have been introduced, and the change in the nature of pre-election rigging seems now to intrude on the bare minimum of the fairness of the voting process.

It makes a certain sense that if candidates are not there, then the party will not have a chance of victory in that particular constituency. Previously, pre-election rigging is supposed to occur in the shape of the vilification of the outgoing head of government, followed by the switching of ‘electables’ from the ousted party to the party that has been anointed.

There has been a slow process as a result of which electables have been tied to a party, and will not now ditch it. That might be why the usual transfer of loyalties which occurs at election time has not taken place. Candidates have now incorporated into their election machines the votes of their party, along with the biradari or personal support they might enjoy, and as a switch will not guarantee that the party cotes they lose will be replaced by the new party votes, they run the risk of losing.

It is true that being in the opposition means that patronage might dry up, but the sun of official favour, shown by the release of development funds, the granting of government jobs and the release of criminals, might dry up. An opposition legislator depends on potential, the possibility that in future he might be part of the government. An opposition legislator also has no chance of entering the Cabinet, which gives him a share in executive power. However, being in opposition is better than losing. Apart from the psychological advantage over the loser, there is the prospect of remaining or advancing within the party, and cementing one’s place in a future Cabinet. There is also the prospect of crossing the floor, and some legislators have gained considerably by dickering with the government, while never deserting. Having a dodgy reputation is almost the same as having one for loyalty. At least one is never taken for granted.

Another reason why PTI candidates have been decimated by rejections is much simpler than the machinations of powers that be, international conspiracies or the malignity of little green men living under the surface of the earth. It might be a matter of plain old-fashioned incompetence. The Lahore by-election in December 2021 should not be forgotten where the PTI candidate and covering candidate both got disqualified, because they both had the same proposer, whose vote turned out to be registered in another constituency. The PTI voter has no one to vote for, and the attempt to transfer the vote bank to the PPP candidate was unsuccessful.

Electioneering is a science. Being popular is one thing, contesting an election is another. There are a large number of election rules which have to be fol-

Dedicated to the legacy of late Hameed Nizami

Arif Nizami (Late) Founding Editor

Yousaf Nizami

From Kashmir to New York Editor Umar Aziz M. A. Niazi

I

Joint Editor

Executive Editor

lowed, and there are all sorts of technicalities surrounding actually contesting. With experience, candidates get the science down pat.

This is another reason why politics here is hereditary. Every candidate develops an electoral machine, and needs people to man it. These people develop their own expertise by virtue of repetition. Some are paid, but many are not. Parties dispose of such workers, because they are the only force that can get free workers. Also, party electoral workers can be transferred: they will work for whichever candidate the party says. These are the people who act as polling agents, or man the candidates’ camps outside the polling stations.

When a regular candidate passes away, the machine needs a new candidate. Who better than the candidate’s son/wife/son-in-law/nephew? Parties are not strong enough to impose their own choices, mainly because they do not contribute much to these machines.

Indeed, the ‘electables’ are just people with electoral

machines and relatively free of party influence.

The PTI did have a number of ‘electables’, but it also had a relatively high proportion of new candidates, who built their machines in 2018. Thus the electoral machines for the 2024 election were liable to slip up in a number of cases.

Again, there have been fresh delimitations, with the result that people’s votes are now in a different constituency from the previous election. That means that someone who proposed a candidate before might not be able to now. A candidate for MNA does not have to have his vote enrolled in the constituency. He only needs to be enrolled somewhere.

An MPA candidate needs to be enrolled in that province. As one can change one’s place of enrolment by request, there is nothing to stop a person from contesting an MNA seat in a different province. It has never happened, but at one point, there was a proposal that Asif Zardari contest for the Punjab chief ministership. Another example of cross-province politics, is PTI KP President Ali Amin Gandapur, whose father Maj (retd) Aminullah Gandapur had been a Punjab MPA. Proposers must be enrolled in the constituency, not a neighbouring one. However, sloppy election machines might make that mistake.

It now seems that the traditional procession to the RO’s office by the candidate was sensible.

When the candidate personally was present, the question of attesting the signature did not arise. The

Karachi – Ph: 021-35381208-9

I

Islamabad – Ph: 051-2204545

party may win elections, and then change the law. But until it can do so, it must observe the law. However, the widespread rejection of PTI candidates’ nomination papers does mean that there has been one step further on the slippery slope.

Filing one’s nomination papers has never before been much more than a formality. The last accusation of tampering was made against Zulfikar Ali Bhutto back in 1977, of having had the Jamaat Islami’s Sindh chief Maulana Jan Muhammad Abbassi kidnapped to prevent him filing papers from Bhutto’s Larkana seat, so that Bhutto could have the satisfaction of winning unopposed from his home seat.

However, the election process has been so tainted that the other parts of the process, once subject to abuse but now assumed under control, have become doubtful. Is the campaign to be interfered with? Will the vote be free from irregularity? So far, the vote has been respected to the extent that it has still not been shown how votes are added to candidates’ totals.

Electronic voting and internet voting overseas would have provided a pathway, but the method has not been identified. Various allegations have been made by losers, but no evidence has been adduced.

Whatever is decided about the rejections, a new pathway has been opened for future elections. While it might seem unusual this time, all should expect it to become the new normal from next time onwards.

The writer is a member of staff

Editor’s mail

NDIA has been under constant international limelight for the past months.

Narendra Modi’s government is on a mission to alter India’s secular ideology into a Hindu nationalist one. Religious minorities in the Modi-led fascist government are under threat. Since the Indian Supreme Court validated the revocation of article 370, the crackdown on Muslims in Kashmir has intensified. Sikhs are also on the authoritarian radar.

But after Gupta’s indictment from the foreign policy and double-standards has damThere have been direct accusations that the Modi-led Indian government is behind the as- USA, its response saw a shift. The Indian gov- aged India’s credibility. It cannot be called a sassinations of pro-Khalistan Sikh leaders re- ernment said that it would formally investigate trusted member of the international commusiding in foreign countries. In September, the concerns and take necessary action on the nity. Modi’s Hindu supremacy doctrine is unCanadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s bold findings. No diplomat was called back home. dermining India’s international reputation. It is accusation about India’s involvement in the It is clear that the foreign policy of India is de- out to harm every religious group other than murder of a Sikh Canadian citizen, Hardeep pendent on its interest rather than principle. It Hinduism. US President Joe Biden has reportSingh Nijjar, brought the issue to the fore. Ap- is readily willing to abide by the American edly rejected Modi’s invitation as the chief parently, the Indian government is going concerns; because Canada does not offer what guest of India’s Republic Day ceremony. Anaglobal in its hunt to eliminate those speaking the USA does. Being a closer ally to the USA, lysts are of the view that the attempted murder especially in the context of US Indo-Pacific of Pannun, a US Sikh citizen, is behind this atagainst its fascist policies.

In the latest development, the issue got fur- policy, India is more committed, rather tilted, titude. The cancellation of Biden’s visit also puts an uncertainty on the Quad meeting that ther intensified when US federal prosecutors toward the USA. Pakistan has also been a victim of these ex- was expected to happen during the visit. charged 52-year-old Indian Nikhil Gupta for On the other hand, the alliance between the his involvement in the attempted murder of an traterritorial killings. In May of this year, USA and Canada is not American Sikh separatist as strong as it seems. leader Gurpatwant Singh Being the leading memPannun in New York. Panber of the Five Eyes innun was about to hold a telligence group, the referendum related to the The violence can erode trust among these states. organization that later reSikh diaspora and its devealed the evidence of mand for a separate homeThe international community must take action against the rogue the Indian government’s land. Gupta was hired by RAW whose actions have casted a threatening shadow on everyone involvement in Nijjar’s an Indian official to carry assassination, and that it out the assassination. Luckwho speaks against the Indian government. Through diplomatic deliberately hid the inforily, Pannun survived the atmation from Canada to pressure, sanctions, or international forums, India must be held tempt, but it revealed some safeguard its South Asian highly disturbing and accountable and its transnational terrorism must be forced to halt ally. But when an attack threatening intentions of took place on American India’s RAW. soil, it didn’t hesitate to RAW works directly call out India for its inunder the Indian PM’s Ofvolvement. And for its fice. For the last few months, it can be seen operating rogue on foreign soil. After a simi- Paramjit Singh Panjwar, a Sikh separatist part, India complied.

These circumstances indicate that the diplolar incident previously took place in the USA, leader, was killed in Lahore, by unidentified the FBI issued a safety warning to all of the assailants. Like Nijjar, he was designated as a matic relations between various states involved Sikh citizens in America. Since then, more at- 'most wanted' terrorist by India. Recently, the are at risk of getting strained. It may lead to intempts have been made to silence the people Indian Supreme Court validated Modi’s move ternational criticism and isolation for India. advocating the Khalistan movement. “We to unilaterally annex the disputed region of Other nations may also become wary of engaghave so many targets”, said Gupta to a US se- Jammu and Kashmir by ruling the 2019 revo- ing in diplomatic or strategic partnerships, fearcurity agency. Therefore, many lives around cation of Article 370 a constitutional action. ing repercussions or damage to their own This is simply the display of a Hindu-oriented diaspora. From the outlook of it, India’s extrathe world are at risk. territorial killings and attacks are the root cause.

According to Gupta’s statement, he had mindset by the BJP government.

The violence can erode trust among these Since 2019, the crackdown on Kashmiri given an advance payment for the assassination to a hitman on June 9. In the same month, people by the BJP government is on the rise. states. The international community must take PM Modi visited the USA. It is possible that Muslims are being illegally detained, forcefully action against the rogue RAW whose actions the time of murder attempt in the US had to be incarcerated and extrajudicially killed. And have casted a threatening shadow on everyone delayed because of this high-profile visit. But now, after the Supreme Court’s ruling, it will who speaks against the Indian government. conveniently at the same time, Nijjar was mur- intensify further. Another display of Modi’s Through diplomatic pressure, sanctions, or indered in Canada. Following Nijjar’s murder, Hindu nationalism was observed recently when ternational forums, India must be held acwhen Ottawa asked New Delhi to probe into three Kashmiri civilian men were killed by the countable and its transnational terrorism must the matter, New Delhi paid lip service to Ot- Indian army. All three were Muslims. The gov- be forced to halt. tawa’s concerns. Instead, India ordered the ex- ernment offered jobs and financial retribution The writer is a student of Strategic Studies pulsion of Canadian diplomats in India. By to the victims’ families which indicates the diat National Defence University. Email: doing so, New Delhi strained its relations with rect role of the Indian army in these killings.

This propagation of violence, duplicity in nadeemismail2000@gmail.com an already provoked Ottawa.

I

practice of filing more than one set of nomination papers is also explained, as if just one is accepted, the others don;t matter.

However. The PTI’s candidates were in danger of arrest for the May 9 incidents, unless already arrested. Those in jail,like Imran Khan, might lack the jail superintendent’s certification. Those who have had their papers rejected will have to add to their legal burden, by appealing successively to the election tribunals, then the high courts and finally the Supreme Court. It is not only the legal burden, there is the time factor too.

The PTI has got a time constraint. It faces 368 rejections, while the PPP faces 272 and the PML(N) 124. It is not that the PTI is the only party facing rejections, but as many as 38 of its senior leaders faced rejected nominations, meaning that even if the party wins a majority anywhere, it will go into that assembly headless. Getting those rejections reversed is not purposeful if the party symbol is not allotted. That symbol is still wobbly, for the Peshawar High Court decision restoring it has been appealed by the Election Commission of Pakistan, and PTI candidates whose papers have been accepted, may still not get the party symbol.

The law should be followed. Popularity does not means the law can be ignored. It may mean that a

Whatever is decided about the rejections, a new pathway has been opened for future elections. While it might seem unusual this time, all should expect it to become the new normal from next time onwards

India’s credibility at risk

Lahore – Ph: 042-36300938, 042-36375965

Friday, 5 January, 2024

I

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

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

Youth empowerment

THE importance of equal access to quality education, mentorship programmes and skill-building initiatives is crucial for youth empowerment.

These initiatives are an investment in sustainability and vibrancy of the community. The community should unite and prioritise programmes that support the young people, laying the foundation for a future where individuals, regardless of backgrounds, may reach their full potential as well as make meaningful contribution to society. Collaborations among local businesses, educational institutions and community organisations can bring fruitful results. Through a collective effort, we can foster an environment where the youth thrive, and our community flourishes.

MAHNOOR ZAFAR KARACHI

Selected democracy

IT was during Ayub Khan’s reign in the 1960s that we frequently heard that democracy was not suitable for the people of Pakistan. Unfortunately, for the last seven dcedes, we, the people, have never had real democracy in the country. Nowadays, frequent remarks by various politicians that the future prime minister has already been ‘selected’ makes many a people wonder why we should have elections at all.

SHAKIR LAKHANI KARACHI

Polio advertisement

MANY years back, an advertisement was regularly aired on television showing a polio-affected child. It had such a dramatic effect on the viewers that in my town, mothers used to wait for the morning to get polio drops administered to their children. Unfortunately, after some big wigs considered it repulsive, the advertisement was shelved on their directions. The authorities concerned would do well to consider finding that advertisement and putting it back on air in the larger public interest, for it had a broader appeal on the viewers.

M AKRAM NIAZI RAWALPINDI

Enhacing life

ONCE it was akin to heresy if one believed that science could help people live longer. However, with the capture of tinny culprit bacterium under the microscope, it was evident that it was the cause of devastating disease outbreaks across the ancient world, including the black plague. Today, once the killer of humans, bacteria can be utilised to enhance human lives. A Russian scientist named Anatoli Brouchkov has found life-changing bacteria that help humans live longer. The bacterium, named Bacillus F, has been discovered inside the frozen mountains of Siberia. The scientists deem it to be humans’ key to immortality. Should we be worried?

KOMAL ISLAM KARACHI

Gas outage

THE supply of natural gas to Rabia City in Karachi’s Gulistan-i-Jauhar area has been in a bad shape for a significantly long period. Supply shutdowns are in effect from noon to 5pm and then again from 10pm to 7am daily.

Consumers who pay their gas bills on tie are understandably furious. The management of Sui Southern Gas Company (SSGC) should take stringent action against those involved in gas theft or those who fail to pay their bills on time. It is crucial not to punish the entire community for the unlawful actions of a few. This is simply against any principle of ethics.

SYED SADAQAT HUSSAIN KARACHI

Web: www.pakistantoday.com.pk

I

Email: editorial@pakistantoday.com.pk

COMMENT 05

Another power blackout, and there may be more Friday, 5 January, 2024

supply and delivery options to analyze the techno-economic impacts of normal, contingency, and emergency conditions on their systems to ensure their adequacy, security, and stability over time.

System operators are also required to always remain vigilant in real-time to variations in demand and supply and dynamic behaviour of various grid components to maintain “frequency” and “voltage” within approved limits.

Any failure or malfunction of even a minor element, like a tree branch falling on a distribution line or some careless driver hitting his vehicle into an electricity pole, Dr ShahiD rahim can trigger a sequence of events that can quickly spread into the whole system leading eventually to its collapse. This has been NOTHER power blackout struck proved time and again from the post-incident Pakistan on 31 December 2023. investigations of the major blackouts, some According to media reports quotof which we have listed above. ing sources in the NTDC and We will not speculate on the immediate Power Division, this happened due cause of the most recent episode and leave it to dense fog in the vicinity of the Guddu to the relevant entities. Instead, we will highpower station which led to malfunction of light below three aspects which, if not manone pole of the 500kV circuit breaker and aged in time and properly, will exacerbate tripping of the 500kV and 220kV transmisthe vulnerability of the power grid. These sion lines. The faulty part was quickly isoare: (i) lack of investment in new as well as lated, and the switchyard was re-energized. existing T&D networks and facilities; (ii) But this was not an isolated event as the failure to prime it to handle high shares of country has been experiencing a streak of renewable but intermittent and variable blackouts since 2013. power generation being added to the system; More such breakand (iii) not priming it for downs may be in store the new complexities as just waiting to happen our power sector moves because our power grid is from its present setup to a We must set our priorities in the power sector right and balance our under severe stress that competitive market in the will only grow in the fuattention in every part of the power grid. We will need an aggressive and next few years. ture. Inadequate investPower sector restrucment in transmission & coordinated effort to prevent such incidents from happening in the future turing that was unleashed dispatch facilities, a re- to obviate damages to the grid, loss to our economy, and inconvenience around the world in the lentless pressure to cut to our people. The sooner we did it, the better it would be early 1990s had as its natcosts by the regulator, ural result, the drying up and a continuously weakof capital investment in ening institutional capacthe T&D systems. For ity are raising the odds of without their attendant complexity and costs their natural monopoly character, the T&D such incidents which used to be rare until reas they rely on a host of supporting services, portions of the power grids were either not cently. equipment, and devices which enable system opened for private investments or did not atElectric power grids (the ensemble of operators to maintain a delicate and instant tract private investors. generation, T&D systems, and consumer Generation projects have remained the balance between supply and demand that loads), like all human engineered systems, often is separated thousands of miles from focus of attention while T&D systems have are prone to failure occasionally. Though by received a cold shoulder, despite their formeach other. proper design, operation, and maintenance, Power system planners study thousands ing the backbone of the entire power sector we can reduce their occurrence to some exand thousands of permutations of the power enterprise. Consequently, power grids everytent but cannot eliminate them completely.

Transmission & dispatch is crucial

A

It’s essentially a trade-off between the cost of building reliability in the grid and its benefits to society.

Power grids even in advanced countries occasionally fail, as is evident from the blackouts that struck the USA, Canada, Italy, Sweden, Denmark, Australia, and the UK in the last few decades, collectively interrupting power supply to over 150 million people for many hours.

Developing countries with weaker power grids are also not immune to such episodes as their history in India, Croatia, and Greece reveals. The blackouts there have been only a few and far between.

In Pakistan, however, we have been having a major blackout almost every year since 2013, with 2015, 2016, and 2023 even experiencing these twice.

Why do power grids fail and why are we not able to prevent them despite our dazzling technological progress? This has a lot to do with the size and complexity of the modern power grids. Large and interconnected power grids enable linking of diverse and distant power generating stations with demand centres via complex T&D systems to benefit from resource sharing, electricity trade, emergency support, thus enhancing system reliability and minimizing supply costs.

These benefits, however, do not come

AI comes for the journalists

where in the world, including Pakistan, have become significantly weaker over time.

Power grids which were originally designed for maximum levels of reliability now must play a a new role as commercial platform to enable a host of actors including central-station generators, distributed generators, VRE plants, and demand management. A grid that was designed to handle unidirectional power flow for much of its history now must bear much higher back and forth power flows, often in multiple and unpredictable directions. We cannot afford to ignore this critical infrastructure, as we have done, in the recent past, because without a modernized, robust, and resilient power grid, any efforts to overlay additional demands and duties on it, whether of a commercial or technical nature, will not be fruitful, and may even defeat the very objectives of the power sector restructuring.

Its physical systems, its supporting services, its equipment and apparatus, its fault detection and protection schemes, its realtime status monitoring devices and systems, its operation and control systems and protocols, and the competencies and skills of its professional, all will have to be improved and strengthened which obviously cannot come without adequate investment and fund-

Generative AI is intentionally set up to replicate the style of established journalists. Doing so gives its output the qualities readers expect from news and commentary. In practice, it also means that generative AI is outputting text not only in the style of known writers but is also exactly reproducing previously published passages

W

CNN Seán O’COnnOr

HEN artificial intelligence firms set their systems to scrape and ingest millions of painstakingly produced news stories, is it comparable to art students learning to paint by recreating the “Mona Lisa” — or unfair misappropriation?

The New York Times claims the latter in a recent lawsuit filed in federal court in Manhattan, joining other creators and copyright owners now challenging AI companies’ use of their works without permission. Defendants OpenAI and Microsoft Corp. will almost certainly respond that training ChatGPT and similar systems on millions of the Times’ and others’ copyrighted works is “fair use” under the law.

Indeed, OpenAI already previewed a fair use defense in a motion to dismiss a separate ongoing lawsuit brought by comedian Sarah Silverman and other authors against Meta in federal court in San Francisco last year based on a similar scenario of ChatGPT reproducing substantial portions of the books after being trained on them. While that suit has not been faring particularly well — the judge recently granted Meta’s motion to dismiss all but one of Silverman et al.’s claims — it was largely based on different theories from those in the Times’ case.

Some academics have argued a theory of “fair learning” to justify the reproduction of copyright materials wholesale in generative AI training sets on the analogy that this is similar to humans privately reproducing copyrighted works to study and learn from them, which is generally held to be non-infringing or fair use.

But these AI outputs are substantially similar to specific Times articles, according to the paper.

This use is anything but fair.

Without the fair use defense, GenAI firms are likely liable for copyright infringement. This gives the Times and other publishers both the right to share in the profits GenAI will make off the publishers’ materials and the ability to negotiate “guardrails” for how their materials are used or end up in GenAI outputs.

Responding to the Times suit, a spokeperson for Open AI said the tech firm respected the rights of content creators and owners and was working with them to ensure they benefit from AI technology and new revenue models: “Our ongoing conversations with the New York Times have been productive and moving forward constructively, so we are surprised and disappointed with this development. We’re hopeful that we will find a mutually beneficial way to work together, as we are doing with many other publishers.”

Microsoft didn’t respond to a request for comment on the suit.

When art students copy the “Mona Lisa,” they seek to understand how Leonardo da Vinci executed his artistic vision. Their goals are to develop tools to express their own vision, in their own original style, not slavishly duplicate the style of another.

OpenAI and its ilk, by contrast, engineer their generative AI systems to replicate existing human creations and styles. Generative AI is so-called for the text, images and other expression created in response to prompts from users.

I analyzed this business model in the context of music. Apps such as Jukebox and MuseNet — two other OpenAI projects — promote their ability to create “new” works in the styles of specifically named artists and composers. Whether there is a long game that turns instead to generating unique output is unclear.

On its best days, the nascent industry promotes a vision of a tool that helps humans create distinctive works. But right now generative AI is limited to mashups of existing styles (in part, because the systems need to be trained on existing materials).

Breakthrough creativity is not just a rejiggering of current stylistic inputs where each remains recognizable. It is, instead, a wholly new stylistic creation that only hints at its influences.

“Frank Sinatra singing an Ed Sheeran song,” as generated by current generative AI systems would sound just like what its title describes.

The listener would hear what sounds like Sinatra’s actual voice as if he is singing a cover of an Ed Sheeran song—meaning the kind of melodies, chord changes, and phrasing that typify Sheeran’s songs—even though it is not any actual Sheeran song.

By contrast, when human musicians create their own new style built from the styles of other musicians they admire and emulate, the result does not sound like one of their influences singing the song of another influence. For example, singer-songwriter Brandi Carlile famously has been clear about the deep influence of earlier artists including Joni Mitchell and Elton John on her own style. Yet, with the exception of when Carlile has in fact covered a Joni or an Elton song, her original songs do not sound directly like either the performance or compositional style of her two idols. So the output of skilled creative humans sounds like something new while the output of AI sounds like awkward juxtapositions of the different humans’ work that it was trained on.

On its worst days, the generative AI industry seems intent on replacing human creativity altogether. AI systems will churn out new works on their own internal prompts at scale for all tastes and budgets. Can any valuable aesthetic or authentic new style emerge from this?

When it comes to news, people might ask: isn’t news “just the facts”? And, under copyright law, facts are unprotectable. Further, if text is “functional,” like a recipe, then it’s not protectable either. However, even if news reporting is merely factual and functional, the US Supreme Court’s 1918 decision in International News Service v.

Associated Press still holds that it is a misappropriation to immediately reproduce noncopyrightable news stories.

At the same time, journalism isn’t “just the facts.” It’s also storytelling. Readers want in-

sightful, original points of view and analysis all wrapped up in attractively stylized passages. In some cases, norm-shattering styles such as Hunter S. Thompson’s “gonzo journalism” may even give readers a fresh way of understanding world events.

Generative AI is intentionally set up to replicate the style of established journalists.

Doing so gives its output the qualities readers expect from news and commentary. In practice, it also means that generative AI is outputting text not only in the style of known writers but is also exactly reproducing previously published passages. The Times’ complaint documents a number of these instances.

Can a generative AI reproduction of previously published news and commentary be fair use? I don’t think so. Some journalists become more widely read than others not just because they publish first or have better insights but also because they express their ideas well. When generative AI free-rides on these stylistic successes, it fails the four-part statutory test for fair use: purpose and character of the use (e.g., commercial or noncommercial); nature of the copyrighted work; amount and substantiality of the portion used compared to overall work; and effect of the use on the market for the original. Courts often use a test of “transformative use” as shorthand for some or all of these factors. Is the allegedly infringing work using the reproduced portions in a different manner than the original work did?

Generative AI’s use is not “transformative” in that it is not commenting on or critiquing the original story or shifting it to a different medium, purpose or context. It is, instead, reproducing substantial parts of others’ work simply to compete in the same market channels as the original.

Even more problematic for a world flooded with misinformation, generative AI is “hallucinating” stories while making them appear to be from legitimate publications of respected news outlets. “Hallucinating” is the name for when generative AI fabricates facts and stories that either do not exist or have been altered to a falsity, but presents them in a convincing manner (e.g., presents a legal court citation that matches the technical format but no such case actually exists). Thus, generative AI is infringing trademark rights as well as misattributing stories and ideas.

Ultimately, generative AI is engaged in exactly the opposite of what human learning is supposed to achieve. Rather than mastering the styles of other experts to develop new and better ones, it is a snaking hose flailing around uncontrollably, spewing thoughtless sequences of text based solely on probabilities that one word comes after another in human expression.

The thoughtful expressions of skilled human creators have been co-opted into an egregious firehose of inanity that threatens to upend not only the creative industries but also democracy and our very senses of truth and reality. While copyright infringement may seem the least of our worries, enforcing intellectual property rights is the best start to reining in generative AI for the good of humanity.

Seán O’Connor is a professor of law and the faculty director of the Center for Intellectual Property x Innovation Policy at George Mason University’s Antonin Scalia Law School.

ing.

The Ministry of Energy and NEPRA must realize the criticality of this subtle weakness that is creeping into the power grid and arrest it before it reaches a point of noreturn. Both must respond by identifying and encouraging new and imaginative ways to arrange adequate funding that the power grid direly needs to effectively serve its expected role in the restructured power sector with wholesale competition already on the cards.

Their relentless pressure to cut costs should be diverted instead to those parts of the power supply and delivery value chain that have received disproportionate attention in the past and are currently enjoying hefty returns on their investments.

We must set our priorities in the power sector right and balance our attention in every part of the power grid. We will need an aggressive and coordinated effort to prevent such incidents from happening in the future to obviate damages to the grid, loss to our economy, and inconvenience to our people.

The sooner we did it, the better it would be.

The writer is a freelance consultant, specializing in sustainable energy and power system planning and development. He can be reached by email at: msrahim@hotmail.com

What I feel about the ‘Bharat narrative’ in India Indian External Affairs Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar emphasized the importance of building a strong "Bharat narrative" and explained the "Bharat narrative" in terms of economics, development, politics, and culture

I

GLOBAL TIMES

Zhang JiaDOng

recently visited India twice, marking my first visit in four years. During the trips, I found that India's domestic and foreign situation have changed tremendously compared to four years ago.

India has achieved outstanding results in economic development and social governance, and its great power strategy has moved from dream to reality.

However, potential risks and crises have also begun to unfold.

On the one hand, India has made great achievements in economic development and social governance. Its economy has gained momentum and is on track to becoming one of the fastestgrowing major economies. Meanwhile, New Delhi has made progress in urban governance. Although the haze is still serious, the distinctive smell that hit you as soon as you stepped off the plane four years ago has generally disappeared. This suggests that public environment in New Delhi has improved somewhat.

During the talk with Indian representatives, their attitude toward Chinese scholars was more relaxed and moderate, instead of being stubborn at times. For example, when discussing the "trade imbalance" between China and India, Indian scholars used to primarily focus on China's measures to reduce the trade imbalance. But now they are placing more emphasis on India's export potential, actively seeking to reduce the trade deficit with China by taking the initiative and increasing Chinese imports from India.

Furthermore, with its rapid economic and social development, India has become more strategically confident and more proactive in creating and developing a "Bharat narrative."

In the diplomatic sphere, India has rapidly shifted toward a great power strategy. Since Prime Minister Narendra Modi assumed power, he has advocated for a multi-alignment strategy, promoting India's relations with the US, Japan, Russia and other countries and regional organizations. Now, India's strategic thinking in foreign pol-

icy has undergone another change and is clearly moving toward a great power strategy. Regarding the Russia-Ukraine conflict, India has distanced itself from the West and aligned itself more closely to the developing world. At the same time, India's reservations about Western powers have significantly diminished, and its activities within Western countries have become more frequent, extending beyond organizing large-scale diaspora events.

In the political and cultural spheres, India has moved from emphasizing its democratic consensus with the West to highlighting the "Indian feature" of democratic politics. Currently, there is even more emphasis on the Indian origins of democratic politics. Former National General Secretary of the Bharatiya Janata Party Ram Madhav, has stressed the need for "India's version of democracy."

India not only seeks to escape the "political dwarf" resulting from its history as a colony, but also wants to act as a "world mentor" both politically and culturally. In December 2023, the Indian Council for Cultural Relations organized the first "Knowledge India Visitors Programme," which brought together more than 77 scholars from 35 countries. Indian External Affairs Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar emphasized the importance of building a strong "Bharat narrative" and explained the "Bharat narrative" in terms of economics, development, politics, and culture. Obviously, India no longer only regards cultural tradition as a channel to achieve its own interests or as a symbol to attract foreign tourists, but also sees it as one of the pillars of India's status as a great power.

Changes like this in internal and external policy are in line with the logic of India's long-held policy.

India has always considered itself a world power. However, it has only been less than 10 years since India shifted from multi-balancing to multialignment, and now it is rapidly transforming toward a strategy of becoming a pole in the multipolar world. The speed of such changes is rarely seen in the history of international relations.

India is indeed a major power, and rapid changes in internal and external strategies pose challenges to both itself and the international community. It appears that a transformed, stronger, and more assertive India has become a new geopolitical factor that many countries need to consider.

The author is director of the Center for South Asian Studies at Fudan University.

06 NEWS

US ‘NOT SEEING ACTS OF GENOCIDE’ IN GAZA, STATE DEPT SAYS

T

WASHINGTON AGENCIES

HE US has not observed acts in Gaza that constitute genocide, State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller said on Wednesday, after South Africa launched genocide proceedings at the International Court of Justice over Israel’s military operation in the Palestinian enclave.

“Those are allegations that should not be made lightly … we are not seeing any acts that constitute genocide,” Miller

said at a regular news briefing. “That is a determination by the State Department,” he added.

He had been asked about South Africa’s request on Tuesday that the World Court issue an urgent order declaring that Israel was in breach of its obligations under the 1948 Genocide Convention.

The court has scheduled public hearings for Jan. 11 and 12 on South Africa’s request. Israel said it would defend itself from the charges. Israel’s crackdown has killed more than 22,000 Palestinians,

China forbids AI-generated declaration materials in scientific research BEIJING

STAFF CORRESPONDENT

China’s Ministry of Science and Technology has recently issued guidelines on the code of conduct for scientific research, prohibiting generative artificial intelligence (AI) from being used to directly generate declaration materials, or being listed as a co-author of achievements. Experts said on Wednesday that the guidelines will promote the healthy development of generative AI and prevent potential risks.

The guidelines were issued in December 2023 to further guide researchers, scientific research institutions, universities, medical and health institutions, and other entities in conducting responsible scientific research. The guidelines will also be updated and released in a timely manner in accordance with the development of technology, according to the ministry. The rapid development of emerging technologies, including information tech and AI, has brought new opportunities for responsible research, leading to a profound transformation in the field of scientific research. However, it may also bring new challenges in sectors such as research data processing, formation of research outcomes and attribution of authorship, according to the ministry.

The guidelines provide information on how to use generative AI in a reasonable manner, covering research implementation, data management, attribution and publication of research achievements.

According to the guidelines, when researchers use content generated using generative AI.

laid waste to much of the enclave and engulfed its 2.3 million residents in a humanitarian disaster. Miller said he did not have any assessment to share on whether war crimes or crimes against humanity have been committed. Washington on Tuesday slammed two Israeli ministers for advocating resettlement of Palestinians outside of Gaza, but said Israel had assured US officials that their statements do not reflect its policy.

US officials have said too many Palestinians have been killed in the conflict. They have urged Israel – which

Washington provides with weapons – to do more to protect civilians.

The war was triggered by a crossborder Hamas assault on Israeli towns on Oct. 7 in which Israel says 1,200 people were killed and some 240 hostages taken back to Gaza. The total recorded Palestinian death toll from Israel’s offensive had reached 22,313 by Wednesday, the Gaza health ministry said.

Israel has called the genocide case “baseless” and says Hamas is using Palestinians as human shields and stealing aid from them, accusations Hamas denies.

China’s BYD overtakes Tesla as world’s biggest EV maker in Q4 2023 g

BYD SOLD 526,400 EVS IN LAST THREE MONTHS OF 2023, BEATING TESLA’S RECORD OF 484,500 DELIVERIES DURING SAME PERIOD PROFIT

MONITORING DESK

Chinese electric vehicle (EV) producer BYD Co has achieved a historic feat by surpassing US-based Tesla Inc as the world’s biggest EV maker in the fourth quarter of 2023, according to a report by Global Times.

BYD said that it had sold about 526,400 EVs in the last three months of 2023, beating Tesla’s record of 484,500 deliveries during the same period. This marked the first time that BYD topped the global EV market on a quarterly basis.

For the whole year of 2023, Tesla still retained its spot as the biggest EV maker, as it delivered a total of 1.8 million EVs, larger

than BYD’s total sales of about 1.57 million units. However, BYD’s sales growth rate of 73 percent for 2023 far outpaced Tesla’s 38 percent, raising the prospect that BYD will overtake Tesla in annual sales in 2024.

This is also significant considering that BYD’s market capitalization, at 573.17 billion yuan ($80.21 billion) as of Wednesday, represents only a fraction of Tesla’s $778.42 billion. Over the past six months, BYD’s shares dropped by 28.85 percent, while Tesla’s shares fell by 11.22 percent.

Despite such a huge gap in the financial market, analysts expect that BYD is well positioned to maintain its lead in EV sales in 2024 over Tesla.

BYD’s milestone also came as

China’s whole EV sector saw a bumper year in 2023.

According to the latest data from the China Association of Automobile Manufactures, in the first 11 months of 2023, China’s exports of new-energy vehicles jumped 83.5 percent year-on-year to 1.09 million units.

Thanks to such rapid growth, China’s total auto exports reached 4.41 units, up 58 percent year-onyear and outnumbering Japan’s 3.99 million units during the same period.

This also represents a landmark event for China’s auto industry as it becomes the world’s biggest auto exporter after surpassing Japan in 2023 and Germany in 2022 – two countries that had been dominating the world’s auto market for decades.

US imam shot outside New Jersey mosque dies NEW JERSEY AGENCIES

An imam who was shot Wednesday outside a mosque in New Jersey has died, the US state’s attorney general said, adding that the killing did not initially appear to be driven by “bias” or domestic terrorism.

Hassan Sharif was shot multiple times near a mosque in Newark, just west of New York, before being taken to hospital where he later died, New Jersey Attorney General Matt Platkin said.

“We do not yet know the motivation for this crime (but) the evidence collected thus far does not indicate that this was an act motivated by bias, or an act of do-

mestic terrorism,” said Platkin.

He added that “in light of global events, and with a rise in bias that many communities are experiencing across our state — particularly the Muslim community — there are many in New Jersey right now who are feeling a heightened sense of fear.”

The state is home to 300,000 Muslim Americans, he said. Since the outbreak of the Israel-Hamas war, there has been an increase in Islamophobic and antiSemitic attacks across the United States.

The Essex County prosecutor, Ted Stephens, confirmed Sharif was shot more than once, and that “it does not appear the imam was the victim of a bias crime or that this is related to terrorism.”

“We are dedicated to bringing justice for the imam’s family,” said Stephens, who called it a “dastardly crime.”

Friday, 5 January, 2024 | ISLAMABAD

PLA conducts naval, air patrols in South China Sea amid US-Philippine ‘provocations’ BEIJING

STAFF CORRESPONDENT

The Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) on Wednesday launched a two-day routine patrol in the South China Sea, concurrently with a US-Philippines joint patrol in the region, with experts saying that the PLA patrol is pointed toward infringement and provocative actions by the Philippines and the US, and displays China’s determination and firm will in safeguarding territorial sovereignty and maritime rights.

The PLA Southern Theater Command has organized naval and air forces to conduct a routine patrol in the South China Sea from Wednesday to Thursday, the PLA Southern Theater Command said in a press release on Wednesday.

“The troops of the theater command are on high alert so as to firmly safeguard national sovereign security and maritime rights and interests. Any military activities that upset the situation or create tension in the South China Sea are completely under control,” the press release read.

While the PLA Southern Theater Command did not name the parties that could “upset the situation or create tension,” Reuters reported on Wednesday that the Philippines and the US began a two-day joint patrol in the South China Sea on Wednesday.

It marks the second US-Philippines joint patrol since November 2023 and involves four vessels from the Philippine navy and four ships from the US Indo-Pacific command that include an aircraft carrier, a cruiser and two destroyers, according to the Reuters report.

Though it is a routine patrol, it has specific purpose, an expert said. “Everyone knows who is creating trouble in the South China Sea, and who is instigating the Philippines to provoke China constantly,” Song Zhongping, a Chinese military expert and TV commentator, told the Global Times on Wednesday.

“When it comes to sovereignty, we will never back off even a bit. We will use our strength to safeguard our core interests,” Song said.

Ding Duo, deputy director of the Institute of Maritime Law and Policy at the China Institute for South China Sea Studies, told the Global Times that the PLA’s patrol displays China’s determination and will in safeguarding territorial sovereignty and maritime rights in the South China Sea, and that this determination and will are steadily growing along with the growing strength to do so.

The operation announced by the PLA Southern Theater Command can serve as a deterrence against forces that stir up trouble. It is also a necessary act to safeguard peace and stability in the region, Ding said.

It is a pointed operation against a series of infringement and provocative actions by the Philippines and the US in the South China Sea, Ding said, noting that by demonstrating determination, will and capability, the trouble-stirring forces will have a clear understanding of China’s red line and capability, and this will help avoid misjudgments and accidents from happening, Ding said. The PLA Southern Theater Command’s patrol also comes as the Philippines has been frequently.

US judge begins to unseal sex-offender Jeffrey Epstein’s contacts NEW YORK

AGENCIES

A New York judge on Wednesday began to unseal the identities of people linked in court documents to Jeffrey Epstein, the US financier who killed himself in 2019 as he awaited trial for sex crimes.

Notably included in the unsealed documents, which include almost 1,000 pages of depositions and statements, were former US presidents Bill Clinton and Donald Trump, who have not been accused of any wrongdoing in the case.

The list of around 150 people includes a host of Epstein associates previously identified as John or Jane Does in a lawsuit brought against Epstein’s former mistress, Ghislaine Maxwell. It carries no allegation of complicity in Epstein’s crimes.

The disclosure is part of a defamation proceeding between Maxwell, sentenced in 2022 to 20 years in prison, and a plaintiff against the duo, Virginia Giuffre.

Last month a judge listed in a 50-page document some 180 cases — under pseudonyms — ordering that their identities be made public within 14 days of the order. Some individuals have objected to the disclosure of their identities in the case.

PID (I) 4062/23

Friday, 5 January, 2024 | ISLAMABAD

CORPORATE CORNER

T g

Inspiring the future of Pakistan at TREK Venture 5.0, Pakistan’s largest youth leadership boot camp powered by NBP and organized by Million Smiles. Real stories of leadership and success at the highest level with a message of diversity and inclusion, powered by the National Bank of Pakistan. NBP commits to investing in the future of Pakistan with a Million Smiles for all. PR

NDRMF, IRC Pakistan emerge as strategic partners for shaping resilience

ISLAMABAD: In an attempt to address the challenges of disaster risks and vulnerability faced

by Pakistan, the National Disaster Risk Management Fund (NDRMF) and the International Rescue Committee (IRC) have solidified their commitment for enhancing resilience in Pakistan through signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU). This initiative marks a significant collaboration between NDMRF Pakistan leading public sector entity and IRC a global humanitarian organization.Pakistan faces some of the highest disaster risk levels in the world, ranked 11 out of 193 countries by the 2023 World Risk Report. Pakistan also has high exposure to flooding, including flash, and coastal, as well as exposure to tropical cyclones and drought. The Disaster risk in Pakistan is further exacerbated by its social vulnerability. Pakistan’s vulnerability ranking (37 out of 191) is driven by its high rates of multidimensional poverty. PR

Thar Foundation transforming lives of millions in Thar

KARACHI: Thar Foundation, in collaboration with Thar Block II entities, unveiled the 'Portraits of Thar 2.0' campaign at a compelling screening hosted at the Karachi Press Club amongst media delegates. This heartfelt project by Thar Foundation aims to vividly showcase the inspiring narratives of the Thari people, highlighting their unwavering resilience and championing change within the region.Thar Foundation, the CSR wing of Thar Block II entities, maintains a dedicated commitment to the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) framework. Its focus spans across interventions on priority areas of SDGs, including the alleviation of poverty, establishment of sustainable livelihoods, improvement of healthcare and education accessibility, and the promotion of gender equality.Under SDG 4 for quality education, Thar Foundation has established a network of 23 school units within Thar. Over 5,000 students are currently enrolled in these school units, out of which approximately 56% are female teachers, empowering the educational journey within areas of Mithi, Islamkot and adjoining villages. PR

Mobilink Bank and NIBAF's synergistic initiative to foster financial inclusion

ISLAMABAD: Mobilink Bank, Pakistan's leading digital microfinance institution, partnered with the National Institute of Banking & Finance (NIBAF) to share its vision and practices with the entire banking industry as a result of introducing an innovative product of Commercial Vehicle. The idea behind bringing this product is to nurture entrepreneurship and foster economic growth, generating employment opportunities that contribute substantially to societal development.

Through this partnership, Mobilink Bank strives to amplify inclusivity, offering vital support to the underprivileged and proactively igniting the entrepreneurial spirit in young, underserved individuals, particularly women. Today, this commercial vehicle product is utilized by several women entrepreneurs. Mobilink Bank is part of the VEON group, a global digital operator that provides converged connectivity and digital services to nearly 160 million customers in six dynamic markets that are home to 7% of the world's population. Ghazanfar Azzam, President and CEO Mobilink Bank, and Riaz Nazarali Chunara, Managing Director NIBAF, signed the agreement at the NIBAF Headquarters in Islamabad in the presence of senior management from both organizations, including the Chief People Officer, Chief Branch Business Officer, Chief Digital Officer, and Head of Commercial Vehicle at Mobilink Bank. Sharing his thoughts on the signing ceremony, Ghazanfar Azzam, President and CEO Mobilink Bank, said, "We believe that real progress is realized when everyone is afforded an equal opportunity to prosper. PR

07

ADB GIVES POSITIVE EVALUATION TO PAKISTAN’S TWO MOTORWAY PROJECTS NEWS

IED REPORT LAUDED PROJECTS AS RELEVANT, EFFECTIVE, AND SUCCESSFUL PROFIT

MONITORING DESK

HE Asian Development Bank (ADB) has given a positive evaluation to two motorway projects in Pakistan that received additional financing of $590 million from the bank and other sources.

With a validation report by the Independent Evaluation Department (IED), the ADB has lauded the “National Motorway M–4 Gojra–Shorkot Section Project and National Motorway M–4 Gojra–Shorkot–Khanewal Section Project – additional financing” as relevant, effective, and successful.

The project, funded at $590 million, aimed to enhance north–south connectivity, bolster road transport services’

quality, and foster inclusive economic growth. The validation report praised the completion of a four-lane motorway between Gojra and Shorkot (section II of M-4) and the extension to Khanewal (section III), marking the fulfillment of the national motorway M-4.

However, while the project achieved its intended outcomes and surpassed several targets, concerns about sustainability loom large. The Project Completion Report (PCR) identified key issues, notably the lack of detailed financial analysis for sustaining the motorway.

The PCR highlighted that despite significant progress in infrastructure development and improved road conditions, the absence of a clear financial plan for maintenance raises uncertainties.

Specifically, the report highlighted the

absence of a comprehensive financial cost-benefit evaluation and the failure to calculate the financial internal rate of return (FIRR), crucial in determining the project’s long-term financial viability.

The validation report emphasized that without a robust FIRR and a clear funding strategy for maintenance, concerns persist regarding the motorway’s future sustainability and operational standards. It cautioned that inadequate evidence might pose risks of insufficient maintenance and potential operational deficiencies.

The PCR also cited challenges in monitoring certain aspects of the project, such as the E35 expressway section connecting Hasan Abdal and Havelian, due to a lack of available data.

The ADB’s validation acknowl-

EC receives 329 appeals against approval, rejection of nomination papers in KP PESHAWAR INP

As many as 329 appeals have been filed in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa against approval and rejection of nominations papers for the general elections.

According to the Provincial Election Commissioner (EC) Office, 14 applications have been filed against approval of nomination papers on National Assembly seats in appellate court among which 6 were filed in Peshawar Bench, 6 in Abbottabad Bench and

2 in DI Khan Bench.

A total of 102 applications have been filed against rejection of nomination papers among which 53 are filed in Peshawar Bench, 2 in Abbottabad Bench, 34 in Mingora Bench, 4 in DI Khan Bench and 9 in Bannu Bench. The figure of applications filed against approval of nomination papers for Provincial Assembly seats is 14 among which 5 are filed in Peshawar Bench, 7 in Abbottabad Bench and two are filed in DI Khan Bench.

A total of 199 applications

PPP unveils campaign schedule for elections 2024

KARACHI: Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) has announced the schedule for the general elections 2024. According to the schedule, PPP will hold 30 rallies across Sindh, Balochistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Punjab, kicking off the election campaign from Swabi on January 10.PPP will hold public gatherings in Faisalabad on January 11, Leh on January 12, Bahawalpur on January 13, Naseer Abad Balochistan January on 14, Khairpur January on 14 and Larkana on January 15.PPP chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari will hold a public gathering in Qambar Shahdadkot, Badin, Sanghar, Nowshehro Feroz, Mehar, Rahim Yar Khan, Kot Addo, Lahore, Chiniot, Sargodha Lala Musa and Multan from January 16 to 26.The rallies will further proceed to Peshawar, Rawalpindi, Karam, Dera Ismail Khan, Malakand, Khuzdar, Kandhkot, Kashmore, Shikarpur, Jacobabad, Mirpurkhas, Hyderabad, Karachi and Larkana from January 27 to February 6. PR

Karandaaz launches WeHub to empowers women entrepreneurs across Pakistan

ISLAMABAD: Karandaaz successfully conducted specialised training sessions, in collaboration with DEMO, to train 145 women entrepreneurs in various cities across Pakistan, including Hunza, Gilgit, Peshawar, Hyderabad and Multan. The "Dissemination of Information on Financial and Business Services to Women Entrepreneurs" initiative has made significant strides in empowering women entrepreneurs across Pakistan by addressing their enterprise development needs and equipping them with vital financial knowledge and skills to foster business growth.Taking it further, Karandaaz has also launched a comprehensive Women Entrepreneurs Hub (WeHub), wehub.karandaaz.com.pk, which hosts a wealth of valuable resources, including instructional videos and materials offering essential financial. PR

were filed against rejection of nomination papers for Provincial Assembly seats among which 107 are filed in Peshawar Bench, 10 in Abbottabad Bench, 52 in Mingora Bench, 6 in DI Khan Bench and 24 are filed in Bannu Bench.

Cumulatively 329 applications were received among which 116 applications are against approval of nomination papers for Provincial Assembly seats while 213 applications are received against rejection of nomination papers for National Assembly seats.

PPP strongly denies seat adjustment rumors with PML-N

ISLAMABAD: The leadership of Pakistan Peoples’ Party (PPP) on Thursday strongly denied the rumors related to seat adjustment with Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz (PML-N) in the general election scheduled to be held on February 08, 2024.

Sources close to the development revealed that, during the Central Executive Committee (CEC) meeting, the party leadership expressed anger over the news of seat adjustment with PML-N, stating that such an arrangement is categorically ruled out.

The leadership of the party asserted that engaging in seat adjustment with the PML-N would not be fruitful for PPP. They underscored that the PML-N is the primary political competition for the PPP in the forthcoming elections. INP

NSU hosts two-day Electric Vehicle introductory course led by Chinese technologists

The National Skills University Islamabad (NSU) organized a Two-Day Electric Vehicle (EV) Repair and Maintenance Introductory Course, showcasing the collaborative efforts between NSU and Pak-China Huazi Green Energy Pvt Ltd. The course, led by esteemed Chinese technologists, marked a significant stride towards fostering sustainable energy practices and knowledge exchange in electric vehicles.

The event, held from 3 -4 January, witnessed a convergence of industry experts, educators, and students, creating a dynamic platform for disseminating knowledge and insights into the rapidly evolving landscape of electric vehicles. The collaborative initiative between NSU and Pak-China Huazi Green Energy Pvt Ltd aimed to bridge the knowledge gap in electric vehicle technology and promote adopting eco-friendly transportation solutions. Besides creating thousands of jobs in the days ahead, this initiative will help overcome the smog problems that Pakistan is continually facing. PR

Sea phase of International Marine Oil Spill Exercise Barracuda-XII held

Field formations ensure timely collection of electricity bills from consumers

Provision of quality services to customers, uninterrupted supply of electricity as well as timely collection of electricity bills is the most important responsibility of field formations. Due to which timely completion of ongoing projects related to system upgradation for the convenience of consumers is possible.Chief Executive Officer IESCO Dr. Muhammad Amjad Khan said that during the ongoing recovery campaign started from September 7, 2023, IESCO recovery teams, with the cooperation of the police and district administration, recovered 657.89 million from 47375 running defaulters, 504.02 million from 17255 dead defaulters and over all ensure to recovered 1660.87 million from 67281 consumers.

CEO IESCO added that the dues collection campaign will continue without any hitch and we will provide electricity to those who will pay their electricity bills on time. PR

ICCPO inaugurates new office of DPO Industrial Area

IIUI Rector directs for best medical facilities to students

ISLAMABAD: Professor Dr. Samina Malik, Rector, International Islamic University (IIU) has directed that high priority based medical facilities must be provided to the university students. Along with the Acting President Prof. Dr. Abdul Raheman, Rector IIUI visited the newly built medical centre of the university where its operationalization, utilization of the new facilities and overall performance was reviewed. The new medical centre building is part of the infrastructural reforms of the President IIU, Dr. Hathal Homoud Alotaibi initiated in the light of the new strategic plan of the university. The Rector IIU was briefed by Dr. Wakeel Ahmed, InCharge Medical Centre, about the services in the new building, availability of the facilities including labs, available beds and per day visits of the patients. On the occasion, other relevant officers were also present. Dr. Wakeel while briefing about the facilities apprised that there are 16 beds in the medical centre, while 4 of those have been dedicated for the emergency. He also briefed that the demand for the X-ray machines, ECG equipment and other radiology related gadgets has already been submitted and the centre will be furnished with these facilities in the near future. PR

edged the project’s success in achieving its immediate objectives but underscored the need for meticulous financial planning and sustainability analysis for continued operational effectiveness.

The National Highways Authority’s (NHA) strategy of passing maintenance to toll concessionaires for both physical and financial sustainability was commended, yet concerns about the broader financial outlook remained a focal point in the evaluation.

While the project received praise for its positive impact on transportation and economic growth, the ADB’s assessment stressed the imperative need for comprehensive financial evaluations to ensure the sustained success and viability of Pakistan’s motorway infrastructure in the years to come.

According to the details, the Islamabad Capital City Police Officer (ICCPO) Dr. Akbar Nasir Khan has inaugurated the newly constructed building of Divisional Police Officer (DPO) Industrial Area office, a public relations officer said. He said that the inaugural ceremony was attended by SSP Operations, local dignitaries, traders, and representatives of the Islamabad Chamber of Commerce (ICCI), while senior police officers and officials were also present. On this occasion, the ICCPO Dr. Akbar Nasir Khan said that the previous office of the DPO Industrial Area was located on Kashmir Highway, which was burnt during the protests. The Islamabad Capital Police has established a temporary DPO office in I-8 Markaz using their limited resources. The new DPO office has been constructed in the I-8 Markaz, encompassing important locations like Expressway, Colonel Sher Khan Shaheed Road, Faizabad, and other vital bus terminals, he added. PR

KARACHI: Sea phase of International Exercise Barracuda-XII was held today at North Arabian Sea. Chief Minister Sindh Maqbool Baqar graced the occasion as Chief Guest and witnessed the sea phase of the exercise onboard Pakistan Maritime Security Agency Ship KASHMIR. Air and Surface assets of Pakistan Navy, PMSA, Pakistan Air Force and other national stakeholders participated in the sea phase of exercise. Exercises on containment of oil spill, Search and Rescue operations and anti piracy were demonstrated by Pak Navy and PMSA aircrafts, PN & PAF helicopters and PMSA ships. The drills were witnessed by fifteen foreign observers and representatives of various National stakeholders.

The foreign observers applauded the efforts being put in by all the stakeholders specially the efforts of Pakistan Navy and PMSA to fight any disaster at se. PR

PTCL Group renews partnership with TPL Trakker for provision of ICT services

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s largest telecommunications and integrated ICT services provider, PTCL Group (PTCL & Ufone 4G), and leading GPS tracking and IoT services provider, TPL Trakker have renewed their partnership for the continued provision of the state-of-the-art machine to machine (M2M) and ICT services to TPL Trakker under PTCL Group Business Solutions.Group Chief Business Solutions Officer (GCBSO), PTCL & Ufone 4G, Zarrar Hasham Khan, and CEO, TPL Trakker, Rao Salman signed the agreement at TPL Trakker headquarters in Karachi, in the presence of senior officials from both organizations. Under this agreement, PTCL Group will provide wireless connectivity and a host of bundled services to TPL Trakker, to enable the company’s premium and efficiency-boosting vehicle tracking, performance management, and other IoT services. PR

Friday, 5 January, 2024

10-year disqualification restored for MPs convicted under accountability laws NEWS

t

ISLAMABAD

STAFF REPORT

HE Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Thursday restored 10year disqualification for convicts charged under the National Accountability Ordinance (NAO) and suspended its earlier ruling limiting the same to five years.

The decision was taken by an IHC division bench comprising Justice Mohsin Akhtar Kayani and Justice Saman Rafat Imtiaz on an appeal filed by the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) on the disqualification of former Balochistan minister Mir Faiq Ali Jamali.

The accountability watchdog had on July 25 challenged the IHC single-bench order on limiting the disqualification to five years, since the NAB provides for 10-year disqualification for a convict.

An accountability court had sen-

tenced Jamali to a 14-year imprisonment with a fine of Rs6 million over corruption charges. He was released from prison after completing his jail term in October 2013. In July 2019, a threemember bench of the Supreme Court, headed by the then-chief justice of Pakistan (CJP) Asif Saeed Khosa and comprising Justice Gulzar Ahmed and Justice Sheikh Azmat Saeed, barred Jamali from contesting elections till 2026.

The then-CJP had ruled that the former minister would be allowed to participate in the elections after Nov 28, 2026.

However, after changes were made to the Election Act 2017 last year — reducing the period of disqualification to five years — Jamali filed a petition before the IHC seeking permission to contest the upcoming elections.

Jamali’s appeal against the rejection of his nomination papers had been fixed before the Balochistan High Court

no ban imposed on airing imran’s speeches: Pemra

Stating that the PML-N ticker-holder was awarded a 10-year disqualification, the prosecutor added that the Supreme Court had upheld his sentence. At this, Justice Kayani said the NAB official’s arguments did not address the question raised as the “sentence is not controversial”.

He asked whether the subsidiary legislation in the Constitution could be different from the interpretation given in it.

To this, Maqsood replied that the matter had been discussed in the Constitution’s Article 63 (disqualification of parliament members) in a “general” sense.

“The NAB ordinance is a special law. The sentence of 10-year disqualification is present in it,” the prosecutor argued. He added that the apex court recently upheld the sentence in the Khalid Langove case.

Subsequently, the IHC issued a stay order on its earlier ruling, restoring the 10-year period for disqualification.

DISCOs lead the way for power sector’s Rs321bn in losses

ISLAMABAD

STAFF REPORT

(SHC) election appellate tribunal for hearing yesterday.

In its appeal, the NAB pleaded that Jamali’s disqualification under the NAB laws could not be altered as the recently changed election law did not apply to his case.

Today, the IHC issued a stay order on its earlier verdict, restoring section 15 (disqualification to contest elections or to hold public office) of the NAB laws, which specifies a 10-year disqualification for convicts from “seeking or from being elected, chosen, appointed or nominated” as public office holders.

Last year, Jamali quit the Balochistan Awami Party (BAP) leaders to join the PPP. However, two months ago, he joined the PML-N along with other electables.

During the hearing on Thursday, NAB Prosecutor Rafay Maqsood asserted that the disqualification period starts from the time the convict is released from jail.

g

The Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (Pemra) on Thursday informed the Lahore High Court (LHC) that there was no ban on broadcasting former prime minister Imran Khan’s speeches.

The revelation was made by Pemra counsel Haroon Duggal during the hearing of a petition filed by Imran — who is currently incarcerated at Adiala Jail — last year against the authority’s decision to bar all satellite TV channels from broadcasting his speeches and press talks.

The ban was imposed with “immediate effect” after Imran had lashed out at former army chief Qamar Javed Bajwa for what he called “protecting incumbent rulers in their alleged corruption cases”.

The PTI chief had subsequently approached the court and challenged the ban, arguing that Pemra’s order was “purely driven out of vengeance”. The LHC has so far conducted eight hearings on the case since its initiation, Imran’s lawyer Ahmed Pansota said.

Today, Imran’s legal counsel, Pansota, and the federal government’s lawyer appeared in court. LHC’s Justice Shams Mehmood Mirza presided over the proceedings.

During the hearing, the court emphasised that Pemra should refrain from exerting pressure on TV channels regarding the concerns raised by the petitioner.

In response, Pemra counsel Duggal said there was no ban on telecasting speeches of the petitioner.

Following the brief arguments, the court wrapped up the petition.

In the prohibition order issued last year, Pemra had referred to previous directives wherein all licensees were directed to “refrain from telecasting any content against state institutions”.

The authority had noted that Imran, in his speeches and statements, was “levelling baseless allegations and spreading hate speech through his provocative statements against state institutions and officers which are prejudicial to the maintenance of law and order and is likely to disturb public peace and tranquillity.”

Pemra had said that licensees telecasted the content without the effective utilisation of the time delay mechanism, in violation of the authority’s laws and judgements by the apex court. “… therefore, the competent authority i.e. chairman Pemra in view of the above mentioned background and reasons, in the exercise of delegated powers of the authority vested in Section 27(a) of the Pemra Ordinance 2002 as amended by Pemra (Amendment) Act 2007, hereby prohibits broadcast/rebroadcast of speech(s)/press talks (recorded or live) of Imran Khan on all satellite TV channels with immediate effect,” the order had said.

The authority had also directed all satellite TV channels to ensure that an “impartial editorial board” is constituted to ensure that their platforms is not used by anyone for “uttering remarks in any manner which are contemptuous and against any state institution and hateful, prejudicial to law and order situation in the country”.

ENTIRE POWER SECTOR OTHER THAN DISCOS PROFITABLE IN FISCAL YEAR 2022 PROFIT

DANIYAL AHMAD

The Federal Footprint, StateOwned Enterprises (SOE) consolidated report for fiscal year 2020-2022, unveiled on Sunday, depicts a bleak scenario. It exposes the shocking truth that Pakistan’s 31 SOEs across eight sectors have collectively suffered a staggering loss of Rs 730 billion in the fiscal year 2022 alone. The power sector, with losses amounting to Rs 321 billion, stands as the most significant contributor to this financial haemorrhage. The remarkable aspect is that the losses solely originate from one sub-sector — the DISCOs. The Government of Pakistan’s footprint across the power sector comprises distribution companies (DISCOs), generation companies (GENCOs), management companies, and one transmission company. Of these four sub-sectors, only one has incurred losses. Dissecting the Rs 321 billion in losses reveals that all the aforementioned sub-sectors except the DISCOs jointly generated profits to the tune of Rs 55 billion. The DISCOs, in contrast, dragged down the entire sector with their Rs 376 billion in losses.

It’s crucial to note that the DISCOs under scrutiny are those within the Central Power Purchasing Agency-Guarantee (CPPA-G) system. The report excludes K-Electric and predates the establishment of the Hazara Electric Supply Company. As such, it is limited to the ten based in Faisalabad, Hyderabad, Quetta, Lahore, Islamabad, Sukkur, Multan, and the two nestled in Peshawar.

We have previously delved into the nature of the DISCOs,

their genesis, and the reasons behind their debacle. However, to put it succinctly, these are the companies whose names adorn your electricity bill at the commencement of each month. They are also the ones we reach out to when we find ourselves bereft of electricity for interminable hours, when there’s a hiccup in the wiring, or when our local transformer is out of commission.

The DISCOs are all lossmaking entities. Not a single DISCO turned a profit in fiscal year 2022. Is this surprising? Not particularly. The DISCOs have generally been loss-making in the three years preceding fiscal year 2022 as well. The Tribal Electric Supply Company stands out as an exception, having achieved profitability from fiscal years 2019 to 2021. Other anomalies include the Faisalabad and Multan Electric Supply Companies, which achieved profitability in fiscal years 2020 and 2021, and the Gujranwala Electric Supply Company, which registered profits in fiscal years 2019 and 2021.

From fiscal year 2019 to 2022, the DISCOs have recorded a cumulative loss of Rs 893 billion, with the accumulated loss for the aforementioned DISCOs standing at a staggering Rs 2.1 trillion at the end of fiscal year 2022.

Why are the DISCOs the way they are?

What lies at the heart of the woeful performance of these DISCOs? The answer, in its most distilled form, is their sheer dysfunctionality. However, let us delve into the more elaborate answer. “Pakistan embarked on involving the private sector in various segments of the electricity supply chain under the aus-

pices and assistance of USAID and World Bank in the 1980s. Although a similar model has been successful in many countries, our experience with it has been abysmal. Based on my evaluation, it is chiefly because the programme was never executed with resolve, resulting in several crucial deadlines being missed and vital institutions envisaged therein not established in time. In certain cases, we are 40 years too late,” explains Syed Hasnain Haider, a former Chairman of the Faisalabad Electric Supply Company.

“Continued ownership of the various companies by the government has not been advantageous to the sector; in fact, it has proven detrimental. This is evident from the monumental losses, capacity surplus, bottlenecks in transmission lines and distribution systems, scarcity of adequate managerial skills, lack of customer-centric focus, and a poor health and safety record, amongst other issues,” Haider continues.

The National Electric Power Regulatory Authority’s (NEPRA) State of Industry Report for 2022 lends credence to Haider’s assertions and lays bare the grim state of affairs for the DISCOs. In the fiscal year 2022, the average distribution losses for DISCOs stood at 17%, exceeding the permissible limit of 13%. This resulted in a financial repercussion of Rs 113 billion. Furthermore, NEPRA, in its determinations, presumes 100% recoveries by DISCOs against the billed amount to consumers. In reality, the recoveries

by DISCOs fall short. In the fiscal year 2022, DISCOs managed to recover a mere 91% against the billed amount, thus incurring a loss of Rs 230 billion.

Imran, Bushra to be indicted in ‘illegal’ Nikkah case on Jan 10 ISLAMABAD: The district and sessions court in Islamabad will indict former prime minister and PTI founder Imran Khan and wife Bushra Bibi in the alleged illegal Nikah case on January 10. Civil Judge Qudratullah issued the written order on Thursday fixing the date for the indictment.

The judge further said that the jail superintendent should ensure the implementation of the orders of December 22,

keeping in mind the availability of space in the prison as lawyers and media representatives will attend. The Adiala Jail superintendent should decide on the number of people to be present during indictment proceedings, the judge added. Copies of all documents relating relating to the case are provided to the accused, the court order said, adding the charges in the case will be filed on January 10, 2024. STAFF REPORT

PRAYER TIMINGS FAJR SUNRISE

ZUHR

ASR MAGHRIB ISHA

6:20

1:30

4:00

electricity bills set to soar as nePra approves fca g

7:00

5:10

6:45

BILLS SET TO RISE BY RS 4.1 PER UNIT PROFIT

AHMAD AHMADANI

The National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (NEPRA) has jacked up the power tariff by Rs 4.12 per unit on account of fuel charges adjustment (FCA) for the month of November 2023 and issued a notification in this regard.

According to NEPRA notification, the power sector’s regulatory authority has approved increase in the electricity price by Rs 4.1276 per kilowatt hour (kWh) under the head FCA of November 2023 and this hike in power tariff will be charged to power consumers during the month of January 2024.

As per the NEPRA notification, this increase shall be applicable to all the consumer categories except Electric Vehicle Charging Stations (EVCS), lifeline consumers and the power consumers of K-Electric (KE). Similarly, this hike in power price shall be shown separately in the consumers’ bills on the basis of units billed to the consumers in the month of November 2023. Likewise, power distribution companies (DISCOs) shall reflect the fuel charges adjustment in respect of November 2023 in the billing month of January 2024. While effecting the Fuel Adjustment Charges, the concerned DISCOs shall keep in view and strictly comply with the orders of the courts notwithstanding this order, said NEPRA notification.

According to sources, this hike in the power tariff will cause above Rs 30 billion worth additional burden on the already burdened power consumers.

And, they will have to pay this heavy amount in the month of January 2024.

Earlier, the Central Power Purchasing Agency (CPPA), acting on behalf of the DISCOs, applied to NEPRA for an increase of Rs 4.66 per kilowatt hour (kWh) in the electricity price under the head Fuel Charges Adjustment (FCA) for the month of November 2023.

The CPPA’s application revealed that the total electricity generated from various fuels in the month of November was 7,547 GWh, at a cost of Rs 7.1704 per unit, resulting in a total energy cost of Rs 54,113 million. The data also indicated that the net electricity delivered to DISCOs in November 2023 was 7,288 GWh, at a rate of Rs 9.4448 per unit, with the total cost amounting to Rs 68,834 million.

lHc bins Pti’s plea against withdrawal of electoral symbol ‘bat’

CONTINUED ON PAGE 03

LAHORE

STAFF REPORT

The Lahore High Court (LHC) on Thursday dismissed Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s (PTI) plea against the withdrawal of the electoral symbol ‘bat’.

LHC Justice Jawad Hasan announced the reserved verdict and declared PTI’s plea ‘inadmissible’.

PTI’s local leader Umar Aftab Dhillon had moved LHC against the withdrawal of the election symbol ‘bat’ by the Election Commission of Pakistan.

On Wednesday, the Peshawar High Court (PHC) revoked the stay order and restored the ECP decision to declare PTI intra-party polls null and void and stripping it of its election symbol — bat.

On December 26, the high court announced the verdict on PTI’s petition challenging the ECP’s verdict, which had stripped PTI of using the ‘bat’ symbol.

A single-member bench comprising Justice Ejaz Khan announced the reserved verdict on a review plea filed by the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) against the January 26 single-member bench order.

ECP VERDICT: On December 2, the ECP had nullified Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s intra-party elections, for the third time since last year, declaring the PTI ineligible for obtaining its traditional electoral symbol of ‘bat’. In its verdict, the ECP said, “So keeping in view the clear mandate of Elections Act 2017 – it is held that PTI has not complied with our directions rendered therein order dated 23rd November, 2023 and failed to hold intra-party election in accordance with PTI prevailing Constitution 2019 and Elections Act 2017, and Election Rules, 2017.

Therefore, the certificate dated 4th December, 2023 and Form-65 filed by the alleged chairman, is hereby regretted and rejected accordingly”. PTI had challenged the ECP verdict in Peshawar High Court.

PTI’s intraparty elections, in which Barrister Gohar Khan was elected as chairman of the party, were held on December 2. The polls had drawn a sharp criticism as estranged PTI founding member Akbar S. Babar announced that he would challenge the entire process.

He had alleged that the PTI had carried out a selection process aimed at throwing out party workers to give the reins to a few lawyers.

Rejection of nominations of 873 PTI’s candidates including Imran-led cabinet members deplorable: PTI Chairman ISLAMABAD

STAFF REPORT

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Barrister Gohar Khan has said that after the regime change conspiracy, all attempts are being made to oust PTI from the electoral arena through use of the worst state power and coercion under the “Infamous London Plan”, which is evident from rejecting of nomination papers of 873 PTI’s candidates including almost entire prime minister Imran Khan-led cabinet of PTI government.

Addressing a press conference here on Thursday, PTI Chairman has said that under the series of the state coercive measures, first PTI leadership and workers were implicated in fabricated, frivolous and political motivated cases to keep them in jails.

Barrister Gohar Khan further stated that the nomination papers of PTI’s candidates were snatched and the party candidates pro-

posers and seconders were whisked away to debar them from submitting nomination papers; however, even then PTI outnumbered all political parties in filing nomination papers for the upcoming general elections scheduled to be held on February 8, 2024.

He pointed out that the Election Commission of Pakistan’s (ECP) biasness could be judged from the fact that the nomination papers of almost the entire cabinet of PTI government including Prime Minister Imran Khan were rejected on technical and flimsy grounds.

PTI Chairman highlighted that according to the data collected by PTI teams, a total of 873 candidates’ nomination papers were rejected hitherto, which is tantamount to disfranchise around 12.50 crore populace.

Barrister Gohar Khan noted that the process of rejecting the nomination papers was carried out in a very coordinated manner under which the papers of 99 percent of the top party leadership and all the candidates

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

who were known and recognized faces among the people of their concerned constituencies were rejected.

“The data released by the ECP concealed the facts even though more than 90 percent of the rejected papers consisted of PTI candidates. PTI’s ticket holders and covering candidates were also specifically targeted and efforts were made to ensure that no notable candidate emerged in any national or provincial constituency across the country,” he maintained, vowing that the political opponents have no courage even to face PTI under-19 team.

Barrister Gohar Khan has stated that PTI Founding Chairman Imran Khan never said he does not trust Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Qazi Faez Isa, adding that no one should say such a thing because PTI and its leadership have full trust of the top judiciary and are confident that the top court will intervene instantly and restore the party’s iconic “bat” symbol.