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Friday, 12 January, 2024 I 29 Jamada Al-Sani, 1445

Rs 15.00 | Vol XIV No 194 I 8 Pages I Karachi Edition

DAY AFTER MAZAHAR NAQVI, JUSTICE IJAZUL AHSAN STEPS DOWN AS SC JUDGE ‘BREWING CRISIS IN JUDICIARY’

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JUDGE, SECOND IN SENIORITY, SENDS RESIGNATION TO PRESIDENT DR ARIF ALVI

SJC gives ex-judge Naqvi another chance to present his case

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ISLAMABAD

STAFF REPORT

HAT comes as a blow to the top court, Justice Ijazul Ahsan on Thursday resigned from as position as the senior judge of the Supreme Court.

Justice Ahsan has submitted his written resignation to President Dr Arif Alvi.

The development comes a day after Justice Sayyed Mazahar Ali Akbar Naqvi – who faces charges of misconduct –resigned as a judge of the Supreme Court, saying it was almost impossible for him to continue holding this position.

Justice Naqvi is accused of misconduct and embroiled in ongoing proceedings at the Supreme Judicial Council (SJC) in this connection. His resignation was accepted by the president subsequently.

On Tuesday, Justice Ijazul Ahsan raised concerns about the manner in which the SJC was conducting proceedings on complaints filed against another Sayyed Mazahar Ali Akbar Naqvi.

Justice Ahsan had called for the withdrawal of the show cause notice issued to Justice Naqvi on November 22.

The senior judge issued his 4-page opinion, highlighting the reasons why he

disagreed with the majority verdict to issue show cause notices to Naqvi.

“Before I set out my reasons, I wish to say something about the manner in which these [SJC] proceedings are being conducted. Unfortunately, in my opinion, proceedings are being conducted in undue haste contrary to established norms,” he said.

He was second in the seniority list of the Supreme Court judges and was slated become the next chief justice of Pakistan following incumbent CJP Qazi Faez Isa’s retirement in October this year.

“I have had the honour and privilege of serving as a Judge of the Lahore High Court, the Chief Justice of the Lahore High Court and a Judge of the Supreme Court of Pakistan,” Justice Ahsan wrote in his resignation, a copy of which is available with Pakistan Today.

The top judge said that he no longer wished to continue as a judge of the Supreme Court of Pakistan. “Therefore, I, Justice Ijaz ul Ahsan, resign as a Judge of the Supreme Court of Pakistan in terms of Article 206(1) of the Constitution with immediate effect,” he further said.

According to the judge, the council, entrusted as it is with enormous constitutional responsibilities under Article 209 of the Constitution, is a body that must act with deliberate care and after full,

PTI files contempt plea in PHC against ECP PESHAWAR

STAFF REPORT

The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) on Thursday filed a contempt plea in the Peshawar High Court (PHC) against the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) over tis failure to implement the court’s order in electoral symbol ‘bat’ case.

A day earlier, the PHC had declared “illegal” the ECP’s decision to revoke PTI’s iconic ‘bat’ electoral symbol and reject its intra-party polls. In the short order, the PHC had termed the ECP order as “illegal, without any lawful authority and of no legal effect”.

“The ECP is directed to forthwith publish the certificate [of intra-party polls] filed by the petitioner on its website in terms of section 209 of the Elections Act, 2017,” the bench consisting of Justice Ijaz Anwar and Justice Syed Arshad Ali said in a brief order.

Moreover, it affirmed PTI’s entitlement to the election symbol under sections 215 and 217, along with other applicable provisions of the Election Act, 2017, and Election Rules, 2017.

The PTI, in its plea, has made the Chief Election Commissioner Sikandar Sultan Raja, secretary election commission, and members of the ECP respondents.

The petition stated that “this action by the ECP is considered contempt of court, hindering PTI’s regular electoral process, as evident from the court’s explicit instructions”.

The plea urged the court to punish the respondents as per the law for not complying with the yesterday’s orders. The petition stated that the election commission had not “issued the certificate to PTI on its website” despite yesterday’s directives, which amounted to contempt of court.

ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Judicial Council (SJC) on Thursday gave Justice (r) Sayyed Mazahar Ali Akbar Naqvi another chance to present his viewpoint before the body. The development came a day after Naqvi stepped down from his post due to “circumstances which are a matter of public knowledge and to some extent public record”.

The SJC served an intimation notice on Naqvi, whose resignation was accepted by President Arif Alvi earlier today, asking him to appear before the body tomorrow if he wants to give his viewpoint against the complaints lodged against him.

During the course of proceedings, SJC Chairman Justice Qazi Faez Isa remarked there could be two reasons behind the judge’s resignation: the complaint against the judge was false and he stepped down under pressure or the allegations were true and he did not want to face them.

“The question of judge’s dismissal is now irrelevant,” he stated, adding that the council had just sent a report to the president. “If allegations had been proven, then the council would have requested the president for the judge’s dismissal.”

All institutions, including SC, were accountable to the people, remarked Justice Isa, adding: “If everyone learns this thing, all the problems

frank and detailed discussion. “This is especially so where there is no unanimity and some members (or even one member) are inclined to disagree with [the] majority. This approach has been entirely lacking in the present proceedings. Debate and discussion has been non-existent and has not been permitted.”

Justice Ahsan also said the SJC pro-

will be solved.”

Meanwhile, the SJC, noting that Naqvi’s lawyers would be heard if they requested, adjourned the proceedings till 11am tomorrow (Friday).

The former judge submitted his resignation hours after a three-member bench of the apex court rejected Justice (retd) Naqvi’s plea seeking halting of the SJC’s proceedings.

Several complaints of misconduct were filed against Justice (retd) Naqvi with the SJC by lawyers as well as the Pakistan Bar Council (PBC) seeking his removal, particularly after his name surfaced in connection with an alleged audio leak.

It is important to note that the top court judge’s name also surfaced in connection with the recent audio leaks purportedly involving him, former Punjab chief minister Parvez Elahi, and others.

Taking notice of the allegations, the SJC, on October 27 last year, issued a show cause notice to Naqvi.

In his response, the SC judge raised issues with the inquiry and called for CJP Isa and two other judges to recuse themselves from the matter.

On November 20, he contested the SJC proceedings and also challenged the show-cause notice issued to him by the council, saying the initiation of proceedings was coram non-judice and without lawful authority. STAFF REPORT

ceedings on November 22, 2023, when it issued the second notice to Justice Naqvi, were completely devoid of any discussion or deliberation whatsoever.

This manner of proceedings, he said, has cast an unwelcome doubt over the whole process.

SC takes up ECP’s plea against PHC decision on PTI’s electoral symbol today ISLAMABAD

STAFF REPORT

The Supreme Court of Pakistan will hear the appeal of Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) on Friday (tomorrow) against the Peshwar High Court decision to restore ‘cricket bat’ as the election symbol of PTI. Chief Justice of Pakistan Qazi Faez Isa-led three-member bench, comprising Justice Muhammad Ali Mazhar and Justice Musarrat Hilali will hear the case against the verdict of Peshawar High Court (PHC).

The ECP, in its petition, stated that the decision of the high court was against the Constitution and law.

The decision to challenge the PHC verdict was taken at an ECP meeting held here on Thursday under the chair of Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Sikandar Sultan Raja.

A PHC divisional bench on Wednesday restored “bat” as the election symbol of PTI. The PHC short order con-

sisted of three points, according to which the December 22 order of the Election Commission of Pakistan was declared as unconstitutional which revoked the PTI’s ‘bat’ electoral symbol and rejected its intra-party polls.

The order further declared that the PTI is entitled to the election symbol strictly in terms of Sections 215 and 217 read with any other enabling provision of the Election Act, 2017 and Election Rules, 2017.

The verdict was pronounced by a divisional bench of the Peshawar High Court which comprised Justice Ejaz Anwar and Justice Syed Arshad Ali. The decision came shortly after the party withdrew from the Supreme Court its appeal seeking the restoration of its electoral symbol.

A two-judge bench of the PHC comprising Justice Ejaz Anwar and Justice Syed Arshad Ali heard a petition of the PTI against the ECP order cancelling the party’s ‘bat’ symbol and declaring its intra-party

CONTINUED ON PAGE 03

polls unconstitutional.

PTI POLL SYMBOL STRUGGLE On Dec 22, the ECP declared the intra-party polls of the PTI unconstitutional and revoked ‘bat’ as its poll symbol. The PTI moved to the PHC on Dec 26 and challenged the ECP decision. A single bench of the PHC restored the electoral symbol of the party till January 9 and directed that the case be fixed before a divisional bench.

The ECP, on Dec 30, filed a review plea in the PHC, and the divisional bench of the same court withdrew its stay on the ECP order, thus depriving the PTI of its symbol again.

The PTI again moved to the Supreme Court and the PHC and challenged the decision of the ECP. However, the PTI withdrew its plea from the SC earlier on Wednesday pleading that the matter was already being heard by the PHC bench which later in the evening announced the verdict in favour of the PTI.

Cypher Case: IHC nullifies in-camera proceedings after Dec 14 ISLAMABAD

STAFF REPORT

The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Thursday revoked the stay order in the cypher case trial, declaring all proceedings after December 14 null and void.

Justice Miangul Hassan Aurangzeb heard the appeal against the in-camera trial of PTI founder and former prime minister Imran Khan in the cypher case.

Earlier, the IHC had stopped the trial of the case till January 11. During hearing, Attorney General of Pakistan (AGP) Mansoor Usman Awan and Imran’s lawyer Salman Akram Raja appeared in court.

The development comes after the counsel for the PTI founder, during proceedings, argued that the proceedings after the December 14 order should be declared null and void as the order was incorrect.

Justice Aurangzeb then told the AGP that if he wanted the proceedings to start again, then he should do it from the date the order was passed. A relevant order will also be issued in this regard.

AGP Awan assured to start the proceedings again, adding that 13 witnesses were ready to have their statements recorded again. Later, the court annulled all proceedings of the cypher case trial after December 14 and cancelled the stay order.

In the previous hearing, the court noted that the incamera statements of the remaining nine witnesses were not in accordance with law and must be examined.

According to the AGP, the statements of 12 witnesses were recorded in an open trial after December 21. The order read that an open trial could not be conducted incamera on the mere request of the prosecution.

The order stated that the re-recording of the testimonies of the nine witnesses in the in-camera trial would be considered in the final judgment.

The IHC noted that in the cypher trial, the special court released the certified copies of witnesses’ statements. It added that the IHC would examine from the certified copies whether any damage could be caused to the state or not. Earlier during the hearing, Justice Aurangzeb remarked that the SC had declared the material insufficient in its judgment in this case. He added that before the court was a case of first impression and the safety of the state should not be compromised.

‘May 9 riots’: Court approves Imran’s 14-day judicial remand in 12 cases RAWALPINDI

STAFF REPORT

The Anti-Terrorism Court Rawalpindi on Thursday approved i4-day judicial remand of PTI founder Imran Khan in 12 cases linked to May 9 riots.

ATC Judge Malik Ijaz Asif, however, rejected the request for a 30-day physical remand by the police and instead approved judicial remand during the hearing held at Adiala jail.

The former premier is incarcerated at Adiala jail and all his cases, including Toshakhana and cypher, are being heard inside the prison premises.

The hearing was attended by counsels representing Imran – Malik Faisal and Sardar Shahbaz Khosa.

IMRAN’S ARREST AND PREVIOUS HEARINGS: On January 9, Imran was arrested in the GHQ attack case soon after his release warrant was issued in the cypher case. The hearing had commenced at the Adiala jail through a video link and was attended by multiple station house officers (SHO).

Rawalpindi’s anti-terrorism special court presided over by Judge Ijaz, had granted a two-day physical remand for Imran Khan in connection to 12 cases related to the May 9 riots following the conclusion of legal arguments. Following the court’s decision, investigation teams from all police stations were authorised to conduct inquiries into Imran’s involvement within the confines of Adiala jail. The court had explicitly directed that the PTI chief could not be removed from the jail premises.

In July last year, a high-level joint investigation team (JIT) probing incidents related to the May 9 violence had decided to nominate the former premier in two terrorism cases including an attack on the GHQ. The May 9 riots pertain to the attacks on state installations last year, following the arrest of the then Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chairman in a corruption case. The installations, which were attacked, included the army’s General Headquarters in Rawalpindi and the corps commander’s house in Lahore.

IMF approves second tranche for Pakistan following successful economic reform review

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$700 MILLION TO BE DISBURSED TO PAKISTAN UNDER STANDBY ARRANGEMENT PROFIT REPORT NEWS DESK

The Executive Board of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) has concluded the first review of Pakistan’s economic reform program, a significant milestone in the country’s journey toward financial stability.

The Board’s approval paves the way for an immediate disbursement of SDR 528 million (approximately US$ 700 million), marking the second tranche under the IMF’s Stand By Arrangement (SBA).

With this latest approval, the total disbursements extended to Pakistan under the SBA now reach a substantial US$ 1.9 bil-

lion. The IMF’s ongoing support underscores confidence in Pakistan’s commitment to implementing crucial economic reforms, aligning with the objectives set forth in the reform program.

This injection of funds is anticipated to provide a substantial boost to Pakistan’s economic initiatives and aid in addressing various fiscal challenges. The disbursement reflects a collaborative effort between Pakistan and the IMF, working towards the common goal of fostering economic resilience and sustainability in the region.

Pakistan faced significant fiscal challenges before the board review. However, by rationalizing the gas subsidies and in-

creasing the direct taxes on energy and fuel, Pakistan was able to pass the IMF review.

Analysts suggest that the third and final tranche of the IMF SBA will be received by the next elected government as per the election schedule after a second review by the IMF board.

Talking to Profit, CEO Topline Securities Muhammad Sohail said that, “IMF funding along with recent inflows from multilateral lenders will further help Pak Rupee that is fairly stable since the last few months.”

He further added that “This new tranche will also help in getting rollovers from few friendly countries and will ease external debt repayment pressure.”

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SMES PROPEL ECONOMY WITH 40% CONTRIBUTION TO GDP: SENATE COMMITTEE

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NEWS

5.2mn small and medium enterprises serve as economy’s backbone ISLAMABAD

Ghulam abbas

N a recent session led by Senator Khalida Ateeb, the Senate Standing Committee on Industries and Production disclosed that the nation hosts 5.2 million Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs), constituting a robust 40% contribution to the GDP. The meeting, held on Thursday, extensively delved into the role and impact of SMEs, shedding light on their pivotal economic significance.

The committee scrutinized the operations of the Small and Medium Development Authority (SMEDA), where officials emphasized the creation of an impressive economic value of Rs. 9.85 for every rupee invested. It is important to know that only the entities totaling 80 million Rupees fall within the SME category. As of now 64% of these entities are concentrated in Punjab.

Comprising a diverse array of businesses, from manufacturing to services, SMEs represent the heartbeat of entrepreneurial vitality. In Pakistan, SMEs account for nearly 90% of all businesses, employing over 80% of the non-agricultural workforce. SMEs play a pivotal role in poverty reduction and regional development.

Despite the establishment of 36 Common Facility Centers nationwide through PSDP funding, financial constraints have halted many SMEs. The Committee

proposed public-private partnerships, among other solutions, as a strategic solution to revitalize these crucial centers. This will not only help solve the access to financing problem but also boost the entrepreneurial potential of the country.

During the committee’s deliberations on other agenda items, it was revealed that the Pakistan Steel Mills (PSM) approved a 25% Temporary Relief Allowance for its

employees. Concerns arose regarding stolen items over the last decade, prompting the Committee to direct PSM officials to furnish detailed information, including market values of stolen goods, in the next meeting.

With an annual loss of Rs. 30 billion and a hefty Rs. 1 billion break-off cost for common battery maintenance, the Committee urged decisive action on the fate of Pakistan Steel Mills to mitigate ongoing financial setbacks.

The committee also deliberated on the diminishing role of the State Engineering Corporation (SEC), established in 1973, which once boasted 12 units. Presently, only the Pakistan Engineering Company in Lahore remains, and SEC functions as a liaison officer between relevant government bodies.

Despite its historic prominence, 11 out of the 12 originally owned SEC companies have already been privatized. The corporation was built in 1973 to work on import self-reliance and industrial substitution, indigenization, but with only one operational unit left, it failed to achieve those goals.

In attendance were distinguished senators, including Fida Muhammad, Faisal Saleem Rehman, Saifullah Sarwar Khan Nyazee, Zeeshan Khanzada, and Mohammad Abdul Qadir. Secretary for Industries and Production Rashid Mahmood Langrial, along with other senior officials from relevant departments, participated in the meeting.

Ministry of Energy clarifies no military takeover of DISCOs g

There have been no changes in management of DISCOs, and there are no intentions to hand them over to any state institution, says ministry PROFIT

News Desk

The Ministry of Energy, Power Division, has officially denied reports regarding the transfer of control over Distribution Companies (DISCOs) to the military.

In a press release issued today, the ministry clarified that there have been no changes in the management of DISCOs, and there are no intentions to hand them over to any state institution.

This statement comes in response to recent speculations circulating in the

media about a potential handover of DISCOs to the army, which the Ministry has now confirmed as incorrect.

Earlier, it was reported by Profit that the Federal Cabinet is poised to sanction the inception of Performance Management Units (PMUs) within five beleaguered power DISCOs and this move will place these entities under the oversight of a currently commissioned Brigadier of the Pakistan Army.

Consequently, a significant portion of Pakistan’s DISCOs will once again find themselves under the Army’s

Govt grants PSO exclusive rights for nationwide HSD imports

PROFIT: The Petroleum Division of the Ministry of Energy has granted approval for Pakistan State Oil (PSO) to solely import high-speed diesel (HSD) to fulfill the nation’s domestic demand, according to The News. PSO’s proposal, submitted in September of last year, to import HSD on behalf of all oil marketing companies (OMCs) operating in the country has been accepted. The Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (OGRA) has been tasked with collaborating with the oil industry to establish a framework for this arrangement, which is anticipated to offer economic and operational benefits to the country. The official document stated, “The Division has thoroughly examined the proposal and principally agrees with the proposal to the extent of exclusive import of HSD through PSO to meet the country’s HSD demand.”

While PSO currently imports 90 percent of the HSD, with the remaining 10 percent being imported by other OMCs, the complete importation of HSD by PSO is expected to address concerns and reservations raised by OMCs regarding domestic HSD pricing, which is based on PSO’s imports, premium, and exchange rate adjustments. News Desk

stewardship once more.

The inaugural PMU is slated for installation within the confines of the Hyderabad Electric Supply Company (HESCO).

This unit will be an amalgamation of officers hailing from the Pakistan Administrative Service, the Federal Intelligence Agency, and the Intelligence Bureau. The reins of the PMU will be held by a one-star general from the Pakistan Army — a Brigadier. This unit will maintain a direct line of communication with the Federal

Secretary of the Power Division at the Ministry of Energy.

The decision comes in the wake of the Government of Pakistan’s Federal Footprint, State-Owned Enterprises (SOE) for fiscal year 2020-2022, which identified Pakistan’s power sector as the single biggest fiscal drain in the country, with losses of Rs 321 billion.

The government-owned DISCOs contributed Rs 376 billion to the figure, thus single-handedly wiping out the profits made by the entire remaining power sector.

OGDCL secures four new exploration blocks in Sindh, Balochistan g

Award marks a significant stride for OGDCL and its joint venture partners PROFIT

News Desk

The Oil and Gas Development Company Limited (OGDCL) has been provisionally awarded four new exploration blocks in Sindh and Balochistan following a competitive bidding round held by the government in November 2023.

According to a notice shared with the Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) on Thursday, the Directorate General of Petroleum Concessions (DGPC) announced the award, which marks a significant stride for OGDCL and its joint venture partners, Pakistan Petroleum Limited (PPL), and Pakistan Oilfields Limited (POL).

“The Directorate General of Petroleum Concessions (DGPC) has communicated the provisional award of new exploration blocks to OGDCL, PPL, and POL. These blocks have been awarded based on the work units committed by

OGDCL and its JV partners,” read the notice.

The exploration blocks, including Kotra East and Saruna West in Balochistan, as well as Murradi and Gambat-II in Sindh, have been allocated with varying working interests among the partners.

OGDCL holds a 100% operating interest in Kotra East and Murradi, while sharing interests in Gambat-II and Saruna West with PPL and POL.

Mari Petroleum announces gas discovery in North Waziristan PROFIT

News Desk

Mari Petroleum Company Limited (MARI) has reported a significant gas discovery at the Shewa-2 appraisal-cum-exploratory well in the North Waziristan district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Province, as disclosed in their filing on the Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX). The drilling of the well, which reached a depth of 4,577 meters on November 01, 2023, aimed to appraise the Lockhart and Hangu formations, previously identified in the exploratory well Shewa-1, and evaluate the hydrocarbon potential of the Samanasuk and Kawagarh formations. A Drill Stem Test conducted in the Kawagarh formation, one of the exploratory targets, yielded a sustainable gas flow rate of 0.607 million standard cubic feet per day (MMSCFD) at a wellhead flowing pressure (WHFP) of 97 pounds per square inch (Psi) using a 32/64-inch choke size. This discovery in the Kawagarh formation complements the previously identified hydrocarbon-bearing reservoirs in the Lockhart and Hangu formations at Shewa-1. The appraisal of the Lockhart and Hangu Formations at Shewa-2 has verified the extension of the hydrocarbon reserves in these formations. The Hungu formation at the same well recorded a gas flow rate of 0.274 MMSCFD at a WHFP of 77 Psi, also using a 32/64-inch choke size.

Furthermore, post-acid treatment, the Lockhart formation at Shewa-2 well demonstrated a gas flow rate of 51 MMSCFD and 391 barrels of condensate per day at a WHFP of 5,972 Psi, employing a 38/64inch choke size.

Friday, 12 January, 2024 | KARACHI

15% companies face cyber security incidents due to budget shortfalls: Global study g

18% of companies state that they lack adequate funds to safeguard their infrastructure effectively

PROFIT

News Desk

Approximately 15 percent of companies worldwide have faced cyber incidents within the past two years, primarily attributed to inadequate investment in cyber security measures. According to a recent study conducted by Kaspersky, a global cyber security and digital privacy firm, organizations in critical infrastructure, oil & gas, and energy sectors were the most affected due to improper allocation of cyber security budgets. Alarmingly, one out of every five companies globally admits to lacking the necessary budget for effective cyber security. Kaspersky conducted a comprehensive study to gauge the perspectives of IT security professionals working in both small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and large enterprises worldwide regarding the impact of human factors on cyber security within their organizations. In terms of sectors, the telecommunications industry accounted for 13% of reported cyber incidents attributed to budget constraints, while transport & logistics, and financial services companies each reported 8% of such incidents.

Regarding budget allocation for cyber security measures, 78% of the respondents from across the globe expressed confidence in their ability to confront and proactively address emerging threats, as per the global study. However, 21% of companies are struggling in this regard, with 18% stating that they lack adequate funds to safeguard their infrastructure effectively. Alarmingly, 3% of companies disclosed that they have no dedicated budget allocated for cyber security. Many respondents indicated their companies’ intentions to bolster cyber security efforts in the coming 1-1.5 years.

Among the popular areas for investment are threat detection software and training programs. Specifically, 39% of companies plan to allocate budgets for educational programs targeting cybersecurity professionals, while 38% intend to provide training for their general staff. Other measures organizations are planning to implement include deploying endpoint protection software, hiring additional IT professionals, and adopting SaaS cloud solutions. Ivan Vassunov, VP of Corporate Products at Kaspersky, emphasized the importance of aligning cybersecurity investment with business strategies, treating cybersecurity as a critical business goal. Vassunov also recommended the implementation of cybersecurity products with Advanced Anomaly Control, such as Kaspersky Endpoint Detection and Response Optimum, to maximize cybersecurity budgets’ effectiveness.

Friday, 12 January, 2024 | KARACHI

WORLD BANK PROJECTS PAKISTAN’S ECONOMIC GROWTH AT 1.7% FOR FY24

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Political turmoil will slowdown growth in private demand PROFIT

NewS DeSk

HE World Bank has projected Pakistan’s economic growth at 1.7 percent for the ongoing fiscal year 2023-24, attributing the subdued economic outlook to tight monetary policy and political uncertainty.

In its latest report titled “Global Economic Prospects — January 2024”, the World Bank said that the subdued economic outlook for FY 2023-24 (July 2023 to June 2024) was linked to tight monetary policies

aimed at curbing inflation and a contractionary fiscal policy, largely influenced by high debt-service obligations.

“Monetary policy is expected to remain tight to contain inflation, while fiscal policy is also set to be contractionary, reflecting pressures from high debt-service payments,” read the report.

The report stated that weak confidence stemming from political turmoil will contribute to the slow growth in private demand but if inflationary pressure eased, growth is expected to pick up to 2.4 percent in FY2024-25. The latest forecast comes at

a time when Pakistan’s output contracted an estimated 0.2 percent in FY2022-23 as a result of the 2022 floods and increased political uncertainty. Consumer price inflation remained elevated, partly reflecting currency depreciation in early 2023.

However, by late 2023, the rupee showed signs of stabilisation, driven by a variety of factors. These included increased liquidity in the foreign exchange market due to tighter enforcement of regulations, a shrinking money supply, a balance-ofpayments surplus on account of low import demand, and a moratorium on Chinese debt

repayments, the report said.

In a number of South Asian economies including Pakistan, India, Maldives, Bangladesh, and Bhutan, parliamentary or national assembly elections are scheduled or planned in 2024. The report expressed concerns that the heightened uncertainty around these elections could dampen activity in the private sector, including foreign investment. The World Bank warned, “If combined with political or social unrest and elevated violence, this could further disrupt and weaken economic growth. In addition, particularly in countries with weak fiscal positions, an increase in spending prior to these elections could exacerbate macro-fiscal vulnerabilities.”

Car sales decline 55% YoY in H1FY24 g

High inflation and currency depreciation weigh heavily on Pakistan's car sales PROFIT

NewS DeSk

The latest data from the Pakistan Automotive Manufacturers Association (PAMA) has revealed that passenger car sales witnessed a 55.55% year-on-year decline in the first half (July-Dec) of the fiscal year 2023-24.

The numbers indicate that only 30,662 units were sold during the first six months of FY24, compared to the 68,912 units recorded in the same period of last year. Data showed a marginal increase of 0.84% in car sales when compared to November 2023, with 4,875 cars sold during December 2023.

However, this represented a massive 64.33% YoY decline compared to the same month in 2022.

PRODUCTION NUMBERS The total production of passenger cars during H1 FY24 reached 30,786 units, marking a 56.87% YoY decrease compared to the 71,378 units manufactured during H1 FY23.

In December 2023, production numbers saw an uptick, totaling 6,654 units, a 55.8% MoM increase compared to November 2023. However, on a YoY basis, December 2023 production figures were down by 51.64% when compared to the 13,758 units produced in December 2022.

The Pakistani auto industry has been grappling with a myriad of challenges, including high inflation, currency depreciation, low demand, and political uncertainty. Recent supply chain disruptions in sourcing critical parts and materials have only exacerbated the industry’s problems.

In the ‘Below 1000cc’ category, the data released

by PAMA showed that 14,584 units sold during H1 FY24. Within this category, Suzuki Alto led the sales with 13,405 units, followed by Suzuki Bolan with 1,179 units. The ‘1300cc and Above’ category saw 12,341 units sold in the first half of FY24. Toyota (Corolla & Yaris) dominated this segment with 5,279 units sold, followed by Honda Cars (Civic & City) with 3,938 units. The ‘1000cc’ segment reported sales of 3,737 units during the review period.

TRUCK AND MOTORBIKE SALES Truck sales also witnessed a decline, with a 50.22% YoY drop to 810 units in H1 FY24 compared to 1,627 units in the same period last year.

Motorbike and three-wheeler sales experienced a 13.7% YoY decrease in H1 FY24, totaling 541,821 units, compared to 627,835 in H1 FY23. The production of motorbikes and three-wheelers decreased by 13.62% YoY, with 543,773 units produced in H1 FY24. Honda maintained a strong presence in the 2/3wheeler market, with 470,399 units sold and 470,706 units produced during H1 FY24.

‘Brewing crisis in judiciary’: Day after Mazahar Naqvi, Justice Ijazul Ahsan steps down as SC judge CONTINUED FROM PAGE 01

“I, therefore, disagree with the process followed and the manner in which the proceedings are being conducted,” he added.

In June 2016, Justice Ahsan assumed the role of a Supreme Court judge.

Currently, he was number three on seniority list. Following his resignation, Justice Mansoor Ali Shah is poised to ascend to the position of chief justice later this year, as he has become the senior most SC judge.

Earlier in the day, Justice Ahsan had recused himself from attending the Supreme Judicial Council (SJC) meeting.

Chairman Qazi Faiz Isa presided over the session, with Justice Sardar Tariq Masood, Chief Justice of Balochistan

ANP workers torture PTI leader at Peshawar High Court premises

High Court, and the Chief Justice of Lahore High Court participating as members. Notably, Justice Ahsan chose not to be part of the meeting.

During the proceedings, no legal representative for Justice Mazahar Ali Akbar Naqvi was present. The Chief Justice of Pakistan instructed the Attorney General to read out Justice Naqvi’s resignation.

The chief justice briefly halted the council’s proceedings, acknowledging the absence of Justice Ijazul Ahsan. He announced that Justice Mansoor Ali Shah, the senior judge, would be consulted regarding his availability. If Justice Shah is present, the council’s actions will proceed accordingly.

Following the break, the meeting resumed with Justice Mansoor Ali Shah

She emphasised that resigning alone would not conclude the matter; accountability must follow. Aurangzeb pointed out that if an elected prime minister could undergo scrutiny, it was only fair for any individual, including a Supreme Court judge, to face accountability. “Turning the Supreme Court into a mockery and disparaging a former premier [who is] now gaining elevated stature is unacceptable,” she added. She further said that those “involved in conspiracies are now facing the consequences”.

“It is a warning for everyone that the reality of decisions they make today will be revealed in the future. Misusing authority will inevitably manifest in the fate of individuals like Justice Ahsan and Justice Naqvi,” she said.

FBR issues final notices to non-filers, warns of blocking mobile, utility disconnections

PESHAWAR

Staff RepoRt

joining as a council member under the chairmanship of the Judicial Council.

PML-N DEMANDS ‘ACCOUNTABILITY’ OF JUSTICES AHSAN, NAQVI Commenting on the resignation during a Lahore press conference, PMLN Information Secretary Marriyum Aurangzeb raised questions about why Justices Ahsan and Naqvi chose to step down. “Do they believe that resigning from the highest court will absolve them of injustices done by them?”

Aurangzeb alleged that the two judges had “done injustice” to the people of the country. “A monitoring judge of JIT, Justice Ijazul Ahsan, seems to believe that resigning can erase the injustices inflicted on the country over six years,” she remarked.

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Unruly Awami National Party (ANP) workers thrashed Fazal Muhammad Khan, Pakistan Tehreek-Insaf (PTI) leader who had defeated ANP’s Asfand Yar Wali in the 2018 general elections at the premises of the Peshawar High Court (PHC) on Thursday. Reportedly, ANP workers kicked and punched Fazal during the hearing of a contempt of court case against the party Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) President Aimal Wali Khan. PHC Chief Justice (CJ) Muhammad Ibrahim Khan had summoned Aimal today to explain his position over an interview. The noise outside the courtroom disturbed the chief justice who had to say it aloud to the DSP security to keep the ANP workers silent so that he could focus on his job.

“If you don’t silence them, I won’t hear the case,” the CJ Muhammad Ibrahim said.

To implement this action, FBR will issue Income Tax General order in running month PROFIT

NewS DeSk

The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has recently sent out final notices to non-filers regarding the blocking of their mobile SIM cards and disconnection of electricity and gas connections.

The move comes after the government had previously issued notices across the country, providing people with a one-month deadline to comply with their tax obligations.

Failure to meet the initial deadline, which expired on December 28, 2023, has resulted in the issuance of these final notices.

The FBR aims to enforce stricter measures against

non-filers and has planned to initially block mobile SIM cards and phones as part of its strategy. To implement this action, the FBR will issue the Income Tax General order in the running month.

One of the notices directed at non-filers emphasizes the importance of filing tax returns to avoid the disconnection of electricity, gas, and mobile connections.

The FBR indicates its readiness to proceed with the blockage of mobile phones, clarifying that this action will take place sometime within this month, although not necessarily on January 15, 2024.

A senior FBR official confirmed that the blockage of mobile phones will be carried out positively and assured the public of the authority’s dedication to implementing these measures.

China’s Northwest A&F University, SAU sign collaboration agreement ISLAMABAD

Staff RepoRt

Sindh Agriculture University (SAU), Tandojam and China’s Northwest A&F University signed an agreement online for exchange and cooperation in academic and research fields.

The agreement was signed in presence of the SAU Vice Chancellor Dr. Fateh Marri, and Northwest A&F University’s Vice President Prof. Jun Luo, among others.

According to the agreement, experts from both varsities will start research on new wheat and vegetable varieties, and both sides will exchange and focus research in fields of horticulture, soil science, plant breeding and genetics, agricultural economics, and animal stem cells.

Masters and PhD students of SAU, including agronomy, horticulture, soil sciences, and animal sciences, will be selected for fully-funded scholarships

at the Northwest A&F University.

Research through high production technology for improved wheat varieties will be done at the selected fields of the

NEWS

farmers, who grow vegetables, peppers, cabbage, broccoli, radish and onion.

In this context, a delegation from the Northwest A&F University will visit the cell and tissue culture labs to analyse strengths and weaknesses of vegetables and implement bio-health technology for plants.

Besides, the agreement includes training courses on basic technologies for production of bio-healthy agricultural products between China and Pakistan.

It will also pave way implementing doctoral scholarships and post-doc visiting scholar programs, and establishment of Sino-Pak Research Centre for Agro-biological Resources and Joint Laboratory of Animal and Plant Stem Cell Project, the SAU said, according to a report published by Gwadar Pro on Thursday.

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However, the report suggested that the implementation of policies to reduce uncertainty and strengthen growth potential after elections could lead to an improvement in prospects. The World Bank highlighted that external and fiscal financing needs are elevated in several South Asian economies, including Pakistan, Maldives and Sri Lanka, increasing vulnerabilities to financial market disruptions. In these economies, market sentiment can suddenly shift in response to financial sector stress or weakening fiscal positions.

Earthquake jolts Islamabad, Lahore and Peshawar ISLAMABAD

Staff RepoRt

An earthquake of 6 magnitude jolted several parts of the country including Islamabad, Peshawar, and Lahore among other cities. The tremors were felt in several areas of Punjab, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK). According to the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD), the epicentre of the earthquake was the Hindu Kush region and the depth of the quake was 213km.

Meanwhile, the US Geological Survey (USGS), which reports magnitude using the Moment.

Magnitude scale, said the quake’s magnitude was 6.4 while its epicentre was 44km south-southeast of Jurm, Afghanistan. KP Rescue 1122 spokesperson Bilal Ahmad Faizi said its control room had not received any distress calls or reports about any loss of lives or property damage so far.

First cybercrime investigation unit established in capital to combat digital offences ISLAMABAD

Staff RepoRt

The Islamabad Police to vigorously combat the cybercrimes has made the newly inaugurated Cyber Crime Investigation Unit as its part. The initiative was taken after amendments to the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA), empowering Islamabad Police to register cybercrime cases under Section 30. Seeking to harness specialized expertise, Islamabad Police have collaborated with the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) to leverage technical assistance in the investigation of cybercrimes. The partnership is geared towards addressing the intricate challenges posed by cyber threats and ensuring a robust response to the evolving landscape of digital offenses. The successful completion of the first phase of training for 60 officers from Islamabad Police, in collaboration with the FIA, marks a crucial step in building a skilled workforce proficient in handling cybercrime cases.

04 COMMENT

Without a trace

Another sudden departure

I

T

The resignations of Mr Justice Ijazul Ahsan after Mr Justice Mazahir Ali Naqvi shows a judiciary in crisis

Friday, 12 January, 2024

The problem that could rip the Federation apart

T was unusual enough for one judge of the Supreme Court to resign, as did Mr Justice Mazahir Ali Naqvi on Wednesday, but for him to be emulated by another the very next day was unprecedented. That the judge in question had legitimate expectancy of becoming the next Chief Justice of Pakistan, this October, on the retirement of the incumbent, Mr Justice Qazi Faez Isa, remaining at that post until his own retirement in August 2025. His resignation means that Mr Justice Mansoor Ali Shah will succeed Mr Justice Isa this October and remain in office until his own retirement in October 2027. Mr Justice Ejaz was elevated after serving as Chief vJustice of the Lahore High Court.

Mr Justice Naqvi was also elevated from the LHC. The former Chief Justice, Mr Justice Umar Ata Bandial, had also been elevated from the LHC, so there are now three vacancies on the Supreme Court which are supposed to be filled by judges of the Lahore High Court.Mr Justice Isa has been known to want the setting of criteria for elevations, both to the Supreme Court and the high courts. It will be interesting to see if he tries to fill the vacancies before April, for by then the senior puisne judge of the Supreme Court, Mr Justice Sardar Tariq Masood, will have retired. Following the seniority principle means the elevation of Mr Justice Muhammad Ameer Bhatti of the LHC, but if the Chief Justice delays beyond April, Mr Justice Bhatti would have retired. While the appointment of a retired high court judge to the Supreme Court has happened, it would be unusual.

Mr Justice Ijaz and Mr Justice Naqvi shared a common reputation for having assisted Chief Justice Bandial in Supreme Court judgements which went against the PML(N) and favoured the PTI. Mr Justice Ijaz did not give any reason in his resignation letter, but he had written a detailed letter to other members of the Supreme Judicial Council about the proceedings against Mr Justice Naqvi on a complaint of owning more property than could be explained. Mr Justice Naqvi had filed a petition in the Supreme Court against the SJC proceedings. It might be remembered that Chief Justice Isa himself had filed such a petition himself and succeeded in having SJC proceedings stopped. However, Mr Justice Naqvi’s petition was dismissed.

THe judiciary’s internal crisis, which started with the reference against Mr Justice Isa, seems to be reaching a decision point. However, it is up to Mr Justice Isa to lead the institution carefully at this point, so that the resignation of two Supreme Court judges does not lead to a loss of public confidence in the ultimate earthly arbiter.

At Penpoint M A NIAZI

HE attempts to placate Baloch opinion by appointing someone from Balochistan caretaker PM seems not to have worked, because the wider issue of displaced persons seems to have become a particularly Baloch issue, and can thus be left to them.

The attempt by the Baloch Yakjehti Council to bring the issue to national attention has led to the March on Islamabad, the arrest of the marchers, their release on bail, and the resumption of a sit-in. The marchers managed to throw light on a long-running sore that had been put on the backburner, almost as if those who had enforced the disappearances hoped that those marchers would disappear.

The marchers are already desperate. They all have horror stories. There are two issues: disappeared persons and extrajudicial encounters. This is on top of Balochistan being the country’s most sparsely populated, poorest and most dominated province.

Balochistan is a province with a split personality.

That is because, despite its name, it is not purely a Baloch province. It includes a large Pushtun population. To the extent that the Baloch are not really represented in the province’s capital of Quetta. Indeed, of the four provincial capitals, only Lahore in Punjab is inhabited by people of the province– Karachi is dominated by Muhajirs, Quetta by Pashtuns and Peshawar by Hiindko speakers.

The late Zafarullah Jamali illustrated another strand of Balochistan. He was neither a Balochi-

This also reflects the fact that he does not seem to have risen above his local prejudices.

Balochistan is a combination of British Balochistan and the old Kalat state. British Balochistan consisted essentially of those provinces of Afghanistan which were conquered by the British in the First Afghan War. Apart from Pashtuns thus brought under British rule, a number of Persian-speaking Hazaras also came to Quetta.

The Baloch do not just speak Balochi, but also Brahui, which is a Dravidian language, and which is spoken from Quetta down to the coast. The province thus has a number of languages native to it, which are also fault lines for ethnic divisions. It is worth noting that there is no fault line between Brahui and Balochi speakers, as there is between Baloch and Pashtuns.

The Baloch and the Pashtuns both eke out a living from the harsh landscape, and where the Baloch have developed a nationalism, the Pashtuns have some nationalism in the shape of the Pakhtunkhwa Milli Awami Party, they seem to have found greater traction in religion, more particularly in the JUI(F).

Thus among the Baloch proper, militancy manifests itself through separatist parties, while in Pashtun areas, the TTP has developed some strength. There have been indications that the two have begun cooperating, which might explain the terrorism charge. It should also be remembered that there were Apparently, the caretaker PM does not agree with the idea that one is innocent until proven guilty. Disappeared persons are considered as such precisely because they have not been produced in court. There was a special law passed to regularize the arrests of people who were disappeared during the War on Terror, but that was done after several years, and when

Ensuring that there are no more missing persons would mean identifying those responsible. That would prove an embarrassment for those so identified, and might even mean some form of punishment, though that is highly unlikely. So basically, the country is being put through this experience merely to spare the blushes of some middleaged men. Is the game worth the candle? speaker nor a Pashtun, but a Seraiki-speaking Baloch.

Seraiki not as a Punjabi dialect or a separate language, but as a Sindhi dialect. He said once that he had tried as Chief Minister to promote a Balochistani rather than a Baloch identity. He became Prime Minister, but was also sacked by Gen Pervez Musharraf.

Thus Anwarul Haq Kakar is not the first Balochistani to become PM. However, as he is a Pashtun rather than a Baloch, and thus represents another strand. He has called the protesters terrorists, thereby promoting the narrative that the missing persons are terrorists.

Dedicated to the legacy of late Hameed Nizami

Arif Nizami (Late) Founding Editor

Yousaf Nizami Editor Umar Aziz M. A. Niazi

it was realized that the Constitution and laws demanded that they be produced in court.

Interestingly, those who disappeared during the War on Terror remain untraced, it not being known whether they live or die. Well, their captors know, but their families don’t. Now they have been joined by the Baloch. The argument that they are terrorists or Indian agents will not work, for the RAW operative Kulbhushan Yadav, literally an Indian agent and a terrorist if there ever was one, did not disappear, but was arrested and brought before a court.

The ‘desparecidos’ of South America present an

India–US Relations: Implications for Pakistan Joint Editor

Executive Editor

"W

India is using the US tilt against Pakistan MAlAIkA AfrIdI

E must approach our relationship with India with greater wisdom and prudence," Colin Powell, US Secretary of State.

The strengthening of India-US ties has not only been a significant concern to Pakistan but has also garnered global attention. India's strategic alliance with the USA is shifting security dynamics in South Asia to its advantage, increasing insecurity in the volatile region. The USA’s desire to maintain the unipolar world order and its dominance on the world stage is reflected in the strategic alliance between it and India. Similarly, with the assistance of the USA, India also USA Significant actions, including US Presi- self as a regional hegemon with the legitimacy wishes to establish itself as a dominant power dent Joe Biden's state dinner and Prime Minister and acceptance of other states. It has sought to in the South Asian region. Both states are purModi's joint congressional speech, highlighted influence neighbouring nations such as Nepal, suing their interests through cooperation, which Washington's growing appreciation of India as Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka. However, the rise has been strengthening over time, and this coa critical strategic and economic ally. The Sep- of China, with its infrastructure and economic operation remains an area of concern for maintember 2023 G20 summit also provided an op- projects, poses a challenge to India's dominance taining stability in South Asia. portunity for Modi and Biden to evaluate in South Asia. India's desire to dominate the reThe post-Cold War era saw a significant bilateral initiatives and demonstrate multilateral gion is threatened, and it now needs more room shift in Indo-US relations as they gradually ento benefit from small regional economies. solidarity. tered a strategic alliance. In order to address The USA’s tilt towards India is a major con- Therefore, with the backing of the USA, it aims their common global concerns, both countries cern for Pakistan's security. It challenges the to establish its dominance, threatening the balrealized the significance of strengthening their current balance of power between India and ance of power in South Asia. relations. India profited enormously from US The significant increase in Indian armaPakistan and paves the way for an arms race. It efforts to deepen political ments and the disparity and economic ties with between India's and PakIndia. India and the USA istan's conventional capaalso developed a multifacbilities negatively impact eted strategic alliance that South Asia's strategic Therefore, Pakistan is forced to take action to reestablish the encompassed defence, secuequilibrium. India prefers rity, technology, people-tostrategic equilibrium in the region due to India's significant arms to continue its goal of people interactions, and controlling the area by acquisition push. As the Indian-American alliance threatens economic and diplomatic employing harsh meascooperation. Furthermore, Pakistan's security, Pakistan could opt for a military alliance with ures to incite unrest in its the threat of the rise of surrounding states. India's China had the USA cooperChina or Russia to counter the security threat. This, however, military and economic ate with India to maintain strength are considered by could further destabilize the region if these nuclear states US leadership in the region. its neighbours as instruIndia, having a large popuengage in a new arms race ments for pursuing its lation, military power, and geopolitical, economic, advancing economy, is conand military objectives in sidered an important ally of the area. India also rethe USA in order to serve as gards the US alliance as a a crucial factor in maintaining geopolitical equiis assumed that the USA's enhanced military chance to advance its geopolitical objectives inlibrium in the face of a growing China. China support for India favours one side over the other side and outside the region. Due to India's growis expected to pursue its goal of strategic suand heightens tensions that already exist. More- ing strategic alignment with the USA, Pakistan premacy, which calls for more cooperation beover, India was also designated as the region's aims to maintain a strategic equilibrium while tween the USA and India. As a result, this will "net security provider" by the USA. However, avoiding an arms race and maintaining regional further support and strengthen their defence ties. this claim was refuted by the Pakistani National peace.

Farwa Aamer and Kalyankar, in an article Therefore, Pakistan is forced to take action Security Committee in 2017, declaring that as published in the Diplomat, have highlighted that India has conflictual relationships with its to reestablish the strategic equilibrium in the re2023 marked a significant milestone in the reneighbours and seeks a policy of undermining gion due to India's significant arms acquisition lationship between the USA and India. Summits Pakistan's stability, it cannot become a net se- push. As the Indian-American alliance threatens involving two heads of state, groundbreaking curity provider in the region. The Indo-US nu- Pakistan's security, Pakistan could opt for a milagreements on defence co-production, a new clear deal also raised concerns for Pakistan itary alliance with China or Russia to counter technology partnership, and cooperation on since it intends to intensify India's efforts to cor- the security threat. This, however, could further global issues point out the recent growth in mudestabilize the region if these nuclear states enner the country. tual understanding and a commitment to the reIndia has long been determined to assert its gage in a new arms race. lationship's long-term course. This growing dominance in South Asia, and its primary goal partnership was consolidated by Indian Prime The writer currently is associated with the in foreign policy is to become the dominant Minister Narendra Modi's June 2023 visit to the power in the region. India seeks to establish it- Institute of Strategic Studies Islamabad.

Lahore – Ph: 042-36300938, 042-36375965

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earlier example. The USA, fearful during the 1970s and 1980s of a Communist takeover of South America, help South American militaries impose dictatorships in Argentina, Uruguay, Chile, Paraguay, Bolivia and Brazil and make;communists’ disappear, in Operation Condor, which led to about 60,000 deaths, half in Argentina alone. The pattern was hauntingly familiar: opponents of the regime would disappear, picked by men in civilian clothes, and there would be no indication of where they were. Their bodies might emerge, but sometimes not. One, but by means not the only, means of making them disappear were the ‘death flights’, where aeroplanes would leave Argentina and go to the Atlantic Ocean, where a planeload of ‘desparecidos’ would be made to jump to their deaths. There would be no inconvenient bodies to explain away.

There is no convenient ocean near the Makran Coast of Balochistan, and there are no convenient planes to be borrowed. However, there have been stories of bodies of terrorists killed in encounters turning out to be those of missing persons, or of missing persons turning up dead. As a matter of fact, the Long March was precipitated by the death of Balach Mola Bakhsh in police custody on December 16 in Turbat.

He had been in police custody since October, and had even been produced in court.

It would be wrong to blame the USA for all such killings. Repressive regimes allied to Russia, like Belarus, have also faced allegations of disappearing political opponents. India, with missing persons in large numbers all over, but especially in Kashmir, is another example. The USA itself disappeared people during the War on Terror, with a relatively small number in the USA itself, and 759 held in the notorious Guantanamo Bay. Missing persons have proliferated for international US undertakings. The Cold War, and then the War on Terror. But the concept and the methods were diverted to regime political opponents. The Baloch missing persons are not nationalists or religious militants; they simply oppose the way the province is treated, as a sort of backyard of undemocratic forces, where decisions are made for the benefit of the establishment, not of Balochistan or even Pakistan.

The whole country is involved, not just because the Baloch are fellow Pakistanis, or the province is the largest in the Federation. The real reason is because the quasi-colonial methods used in Balochistan are a sort of rehearsal for the rest of the country.

Ensuring that there are no more missing persons would mean identifying those responsible. That would prove an embarrassment for those so identified, and might even mean some form of punishment, though that is highly unlikely. So basically, the country is being put through this experience merely to spare the blushes of some middle-aged men. Is the game worth the candle?

The writer is a member of staff

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The roti mafia

RECENTLY owners of tandoors held a sit-in in Quetta, demanding a spike in roti prices. Initially, the government officials concerned did not budge, but later surrendered to the mafia that kept up the pressure constantly. Finally, the government decided to fix roti prices at Rs25 for a single roti having 165g of flour and Rs50 for the heavier one having 330g.

However, the mafia is once again in the news. They are charging Rs50 for a 260g roti instead of 330g. A lot more worrisome is the fact that no roti is available for Rs25. It is sheer injustice, and cruelty to the common people, especially students, who are dependent on bread from hotels as they live away from their homes. A little before the price-check mechanism went into action, the hotel mafia, sensing an opportunity, was charging up to Rs70 for a normal roti, and Rs40 for chapatis. These tandoor and hotel mafias have deprived the poor of even roti. Is having a roti in the meals a luxury? I wonder if people are not able to eat something that is so basic, how they will survive. It is the responsibility of authorities concerned to monitor the rates and ensure that no one is involved in this artificial inflation and exploitation of the people. I hope this is not too much to ask.

NABI BAKHSH SARPARAH MASTUNG

Rehabilitation of criminals

THERE is a dire need for effective offender rehabilitation in prisons. As a criminologist, I have observed the consequences of neglecting this crucial aspect of criminal justice and its impact on public safety. The lack of emphasis on rehabilitation perpetuates a cycle of recidivism and does not address the underlying factors contributing to criminal behaviour.

It is well-established that effective offender rehabilitation programmes play a vital role in reducing the likelihood of reoffending. Developed countries, such as Norway and Sweden, have set international benchmarks in this regard, demonstrating the success of comprehensive rehabilitation efforts. In these countries, rehabilitation is not viewed as a mere formality, but as an essential component of the justice system. By investing in education, vocational training and psycho-social support, these nations have significantly lowered their recidivism rates, and have improved outcomes for both offenders and society as a whole. In contrast, Pakistani prisons often lack adequate resources for offender rehabilitation. The focus tends to be on punitive measures rather than the long-term reintegration of offenders into society. Such an approach fails to address the root causes of criminal behaviour, and perpetuates a system where individuals are more likely to return to a life of crime upon release.

It is essential that criminal justice system acknowledges the importance of rehabilitation and allocates resources accordingly. The implementation of evidence-based programmes, such as cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT), drug and alcohol treatment, and skills training, can contribute to successful rehabilitation outcomes. By addressing the underlying issues that contribute to criminal behaviour, society can benefit from a reduced burden on law enforcement, lower crime rates and, ultimately, safer communities. Moreover, the concept of restorative justice should be integrated into the rehabilitation process. Restorative justice focuses on repairing the harm caused by criminal behaviour often through dialogue between the offender and the victim. This approach has generally proven to be effective in fostering accountability and empathy, leading to positive outcomes for both the individuals involved and the wider community. Implementing restorative justice practices can promote a more holistic approach to rehabilitation in prisons. The policymakers, stakeholders and the public at large should recognise the urgency of prioritising offender rehabilitation within the criminal justice system. By learning from the successful models of developed countries and tailoring them to the local context, Pakistan can make strides in breaking the cycle of recidivism and promoting the reintegration of offenders into the communities as law-abiding citizens.

Muhammad Akhter Mirpurkhas

Web: www.pakistantoday.com.pk

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Email: editorial@pakistantoday.com.pk

COMMENT 05

India: A rogue state Friday, 12 January, 2024

India refuses to obey the UN

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aMjed jaaved

NDIA’S Supreme Court sanctioned annexation of the disputed Jammu and Kashmir State into the Indian Union. India has a `fascinating’ history of devouring princely states. including Junagadh, Hyderabad and, lastly, Kashmir. India annexed Kalapani and adjoining areas of Nepal, a tiny State. Though heavily dependent on India, the Nepalese parliapassed a ment resolution to assert its sovereignty over the areas annexed by india.

It amended its official maps also and distributed them widely.

Kashmir remains an international conflict as per the United nations’ resolutions. It is a maleficent inheritance from the British raj. India and Pakistan went to war to settle this dispute.

Following their first war on Kashmir, both India and Pakistan accepted a ceasefire from 1 January 1949 under supervision of UN observers. No UN resolution incorporates India’s view that the maharaja had acceded to India.

It is said that the accession instrument stands ‘stolen’. There is a United Nations’ resolution that forbids the India-

occupied Kashmir assembly from acceding to India (authenticating royal accession). The main resolutions on Kashmir are: (a) United Nations’ Commission for India Pakistan Resolution dated 13 August 1948. Para 75 (Serial110) in Part III of this resolution states ‘The Government of India and the Government of Pakistan reaffirm their wish that the future status of the State of Jammu and Kashmir shall be determined in accordance with the will of the people and to that end, upon acceptance of the truce agreement, both Governments agree to enter into consultations with the Commission to determine fair and equitable conditions whereby such free expression will be assured.’ (b) UNCIP Resolution dated January 5, 1949 Para 51 (Serial 1196) states ‘The question of accession of the State of Jammu and Kashmir to India or Pakistan will be decided through the democratic method of a free and impartial plebiscite’.

Since both parties agreed to a plebiscite, the question of sanctions on India never arose. Besides, India ap-

I am quoting from Chaudhri Mohammad Ali’s The Emergence of Pakistan. Till 1953, India was, at least verbally, committed to the plebiscite. But, in subsequent periods, she had been making frantic efforts to warp the UNO and woo the USA in her favour. For instance, during the temporary absence of Pakistan’s representative, India tried to get the ‘India-Pakistan Question’ deleted from the UN agenda. India based her plea on the Security Council’s informal decision, dated July 30, 1996, about deleting dormant questions. The Question was deleted during the Pakistan representative’s absence, but was restored to agenda upon his arrival.

Again, at India’s behest, US Congressman Stephen Solarz elicited the statement from Bush Administration highlevel diplomat, John H. Kelly, that a plebiscite was no longer possible in Kashmir.

To India’s chagrin, John R. Mallot, the US State Department’s pointman for South Asia in 1993, corrected Kelly’s faux pas. He told the House Foreign Affairs Sub-Committee on Asia and the Pacific on 28 April 1993 that John Kelly ‘misspoke’ in 1990 when he said that the

Besides being a geographical dispute, the Kashmir dispute has a human rights dimension. If no solution is hammered out, then, still, there are two solutions: a nuclear holocaust or, perhaps, divine intervention proached the United Nations under Chapter VI (Pacific Settlement of Disputes), not Chapter VII (Acts of Aggression).On 2 November 1947, Nehru declared in a radio broadcast that the government of India was “prepared, when peace and order have been established in Kashmir, to have a referendum held under international auspices like the United Nations.”

Paperless China?

The abolition of paper is in full swing in the country that invented it

C

GLOBALIST

Branko Milanovic

HINA is considered to have been the first country (civilization) to have created the modern version of paper. Paper is listed as one among the four big Chinese inventions (the other three are the compass, gun powder and printing). Perhaps it will be the first country to “dis-invent” paper, too.

COMING FULL CIRCLE? What is striking in today’s China, compared to even as recently as five years ago, is the complete disappearance of paper. I mean paper as a means to convey information – not paper as in paper napkins in cafés.

Some of this disappearance is perhaps justifiably celebrated. Instead of metro cards that can be easily displaced, there are electronic tickets on cell phones.

Instead of plastic credit cards, there are Alipay and similar systems available on your phone. Instead of crumpled banknotes, there are touchless screens to use for payments.

SLIGHTLY AHEAD OF THE REST OF THE WORLD It would be wrong to take this as an ideological feature linked to the current system of electronic surveillance in China. Very similar developments are observable elsewhere, in all modern societies. China is just slightly ahead of the rest of the world.

But, even the very ideological dimension of political propaganda is affected by this. In the past, Chinese museums linked with various CPC events had on display a variety of officially-approved publications – speeches, resolutions and biographies.

Almost nothing of that remains. In the excellent Shanghai museum dedicated to the founding congress of the Chinese Communist Party, there is just one book that can be bought in the museum store.

The store sells pens, badges, umbrellas, toys, bags and pandas – but no written documents. One would search in vain for such elementary publications as the Founding Act of the CPC, its first resolutions etc.

Moreover, looking at the rich exhibits that deal with the New Culture movement of the 1920s and numerous publications that are displayed in the museum, one wonders what could in the future be shown from similar cultural movements of today?

Copies of emails? Laptops where the texts are stored?

THE DEMATERIALIZATION OF INFORMATION Such dematerialization of information can be celebrated, perhaps at times excessively given the relatively modest gains in efficiency that are achieved compared to the older system. But the paeans disregard one important feature.

People’s interactions are not solely based on the present. Our interactions and opinions are so many “bottles thrown into the sea” in the hope of explaining our current thinking and conveying to the future what we feel and what we have learned.

This is the advantage of a written system compared to the oral. The oral system could neither transmit information over time, nor do it accurately.

We have Homer’s verses today because somebody eventually was able to write them down.

Things would not have come to us had they not been preserved on scripts made of papyrus. Or, even better, as the Egyptians, Greeks and Romans did, preservation of certain facts was entrusted to the stone. It was more durable than paper – but it was hard to carve and carry longer and more complex messages.

GOODBYE NEWSPAPERS In the three weeks I spent in China, I saw two desultory copies of a Chinese-language newspaper in a Beijing hotel and “China Daily” displayed in a bar not touched by anyone, one person reading what appeared to be a newspaper in a Shanghai museum and a father reading a comic book to his child on a train. I saw no other piece of information recorded on paper.

Surely, I went to a big bookstore in Shanghai with six floors of books, or have seen a beautiful new library at the Zhejiang University.

There are plenty of books there. So paper as a means of conveyance or storage of information has not completely disappeared. But its function to convey today’s information into the future has apparently ceased.

This is not a trivial issue. Whether information about a subway trip is encrusted on a piece of paper or stored within your cell phone does not matter to future generations. But placing the entire modern knowledge in the electronic format is dangerous.

THE DANGER We can already see the first effects of it. The electronic system of storage is old enough for us to have noticed that many websites, links and blogs where information was stored are already by now broken, deleted or have been moved elsewhere.

Information on household income or people’s characteristics that was collected in the past is in many cases lost because the software systems used to read and process such information have changed.

Ironically, but not at all surprisingly, all the information that we can get regarding some past surveys of population (and I am not talking here about ancient data, but information that is twenty years old) comes from the printed summaries of such sources.

I have seen this very clearly with Soviet household surveys whose data have all been irretrievably lost because already by the early 1990s the technology had entirely changed, and short of enormous and expensive effort, the Soviet-made computer cards could no longer be read. But the problem is the same everywhere. U.S. micro data from the 1950s and early 1960s are impossible to access any more.

With full transfer to electronic-only information, we are moving to an ever-ruling “presentism.” Information can be seemingly efficiently and costlessly transmitted today or over a very short time period, but is afterwards lost forever.

When our civilization vanishes, the new researchers, perhaps thousands of years away, will be faced by the conundrum: Did literacy disappear?

How to explain that a civilization from which there are millions of written records (that would be saved the way that the Dead Sea Scrolls were saved) had suddenly abandoned literacy and gone back to oral communication and barbarism?

In fact, this very post, for whatever it is worth, will be forever gone as soon as the website you read it on folds and another format of dissemination takes over. Until then, try to carve it in stone…

Branko Milanovic is the Presidential Professor at the City University of New York’s Graduate Center, and Senior Scholar at Luxembourg Income Survey.

USA no longer believed a plebiscite was necessary in South Asia. Mallot clarified that Kelly made his comment after ‘continued grilling’ by the panel’s (pro-India) chairman, Stephen J. Solarz of New York.

Avid readers may refer to SolarzKelly conversation and corrective policy action taken by the US State Department in Robert G. Wirsing’s book India, Pakistan, and the Kashmir Dispute. They may also see Mushtaqur Rehman’s Divided Kashmir: Old Problems, New Opportunities for India, Pakistan and the Kashmiri People (pp 162-163).

Kashmir is a simmering nuclear tinderbox. There is no UNO resolution incorporating India’s volte face that India-occupied Kashmir has acceded to India through the so-called state assembly’s resolution. Despite a lapse of over 75 years, India did not fulfil its promise of a plebiscite in Kashmir.

India’s attitude negates the cardinal principles in inter-state relations, that is, pacta sunt servanda `treaties are to be observed’ and are binding upon signatories.

If disinterested, India should wriggle out of bilateral and multilateral agreements by pleading that the UNO resolutions stand antiquated under another principle clasula rebus sic stantibus _In the case of a `fundamental change of circumstances’, that existed when a treaty was concluded, a party to that treaty may invoke this fact as a

ground for termination or suspending operation of a treaty.

India should tell the International Court of Justice that the Simla Agreement of 1972 has superseded the UNO Resolution of 1948 (envisioning exercise of the right of self-determination) on the basis of the principle `lex posterior derogat priori, later treaty abrogates the earlier one’. The principle is enshrined in Article 59 of the Vienna Convention on the Law of Treaties, which provides as follows: ‘TERMINATION OR SUSPENSION OF THE OPERATION OF A TREATY IMPLIED BY CONCLUSION OF A LATER TREATY. But, to India’s chagrin, even the Simla Accord accepts the UN resolutions. The UN observers are still on duty on the line of actual control. They submit an annual report to the UN’s secretary general. This report identifies Kashmir as an international problem. India could not get the dormant `India-Pakistan Question’ deleted from the UN agenda (as informally decided by the Security Council on 30 July 1996).

Paragraph 1(i) of the Simla Agreement provides, `the principles and purposes of the Charter of the United Nations shall govern the relations between the two countries’. Right of selfdetermination is a recognised right under the UNO charter and conventions. It is now not only a political but also a legal right.

The United Nations’ Military Observers’ Group on India Pakistan came into existence between 1949 and 1951 to maintain the sanctity of the ceasefire line drawn between India and Pakistan after the war of 1947-48. The first group of United Nations military observers arrived on 24 January of 1949 to supervise the ceasefire.

Besides being a geographical dispute, the Kashmir dispute has a human rights dimension. If no solution is hammered out, then, still, there are two solutions: a nuclear holocaust or, perhaps, divine intervention.

The writer is a freelance journalist, has served in the Pakistan government for 39 years and holds degrees in economics, business administration, and law. He can be reached at amjedjaaved@gmail.com

Central Asia emerges as the hub of a new era in global trade

Recognizing and capitalizing on Kazakhstan’s strategic position is crucial for nearly all of the world’s major powers in this era of global economic realignment

W

NATIONAL INTEREST Stefan antić

ITH Kazakhstan at its epicenter, Central Asia’s transit potential has become increasingly significant for global connectivity. The ongoing conflict in Ukraine and the standoff between Russia and the West have underscored the urgent need for new and alternative transit routes to facilitate trade between Asia and Europe. Central Asia’s strategic location offers an opportunity for both Asian and Western countries to diversify their economic engagements and reinforce strategic interests, creating a new nexus for global trade. Central Asia, historically a crossroads of the ancient Silk Road, is reclaiming its role as a key transit region in global commerce. Kazakhstan, as the region’s largest country, is pivotal in this resurgence. Connecting significant markets of Europe and Asia, it offers a shorter and potentially more cost-effective route for goods transportation than traditional maritime paths, especially in the current geopolitical climate. During the first ten months of 2023, 22.5 million tons of freight made their way through Kazakhstan, marking a 19 percent increase in volume. This growth is particularly notable in container transportation, which grew by 15 percent over the same period. The transit traffic through Kazakhstan is projected to rise to 35 million tons by 2029. Meanwhile, rail cargo transport, a critical component of Kazakhstan’s transit capabilities, rose by 3 percent, totaling 246 million tons.

Central Asia, and particularly Kazakhstan, has become an increasingly vital gateway for China to conduct trade with Europe and the wider world, underscored by the investments made through the Belt and Road Initiative, which was first announced by President Xi Jinping in Kazakhstan and marked its tenth anniversary in 2023. Currently, China accounts for 27 percent of Kazakhstan’s transport flow, equivalent to 6.2 million tons. In 2022, over 23 million tons of goods were transported via rail between Kazakhstan and China, a figure that has since increased by an additional 22 percent. This significant uptick in transit volume demonstrates China’s growing reliance on overland routes through Central Asia for its trade with Europe.

The surge in cargo volume is not just about numbers; it represents a strategic shift in China’s trade routes.

Traditionally reliant on maritime shipping, China has increasingly turned to overland routes through Central Asia as a faster, more reliable alternative.

The development of the China-Europe Railway Express, for instance, has significantly reduced the time for goods transiting between China and Europe, offering a more efficient option compared to sea transport. However, the ongoing war in Ukraine has adversely impacted the prospects of the ChinaEurope Railway Express, as its main corridors traverse Russia. The conflict has raised concerns among traders about the viability and safety of using these routes. This uncertainty has made routes through Central Asia not only attractive but also vital for China’s continued trade with Europe.

For the West, too, Central Asia offers an important alternative route for trade with Asia, especially in the wake of the Western rupture with Russia over Ukraine. Central Asian countries, while maintaining a neutral stance in the Ukrainian conflict, are acutely aware of the benefits of diversifying away from the Russian-dominated Northern Corridor. As a result, they have embraced the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route (TITR), frequently labeled the Middle Corridor, seeing it as a way to improve infrastructure and boost regional trade.

In the first nine months of 2023, the volume of cargo transportation along the TITR surged by 88 percent, reaching 2 million tons. Kazakhstan, a key player in the Middle Corridor, experienced a significant increase in cargo volumes, more than doubling to 1.5 million tons, in contrast to the Northern Route’s 40 percent decline, affected by the geopolitical instability around Russia. Kazakhstan’s goal is to increase the capacity of TITR up to 10 million tons by 2030.

This growing interest in the Middle Corridor from powers like the United States, the European Union, and China is not incidental; it’s deeply rooted in their long-term strategies.

For Washington, supporting TITR counteracts Russia’s influence over Eurasian trade routes, a desirable geopolitical outcome post-Ukraine. It also opens access to the emerging Central Asian markets, offering trade and investment opportunities beyond transportation. For the European Union, the Middle Corridor aligns with its engagement strategy with resource-rich Central Asia, offering an alternative to Russian routes and enhancing energy security and supply chain diversification. Meanwhile, for China, the Middle Corridor offers a smoother commercial pathway to Europe.

Other major projects are also on the horizon. One of the key projects underway is the completion of the Second

Track of the Dostyk-Moiynty Railway in Kazakhstan. Scheduled for completion in late 2025, it aims to boost the transit traffic between China and Europe, with an estimated economic effect of $8.8 billion over twenty years, according to Kazakhstan’s Prime Minister Alikhan Smailov. Another notable project is the construction of the Bakhty-Ayagoz Railway Line, which commenced in December 2023. This new 272-kilometer-long railway line, scheduled for completion in 2027, aims to increase the throughput capacity of Kazakhstan’s border crossing points with China from twenty-eight million tons to approximately forty-eight million.

Furthermore, the Darbaza-Maktaaral Railway Line, a new 152-km line connecting Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan, commenced in November 2023 and is set to be completed by 2025.

This line aims to increase corridor capacity, reduce transit times, and integrate regional trade routes. Lastly, the Aktau Port Container Hub project, planned for completion by 2025, is expected to increase the port’s container handling capacity from 70,000 twentyfoot equivalent units to over 300,000, significantly enhancing the efficiency of cargo transportation. Investment in Central Asia’s infrastructure is crucial to unlocking its transit potential. This includes the development of railways, highways, and logistics hubs. Western technology and expertise can play a significant role in this development, creating a symbiotic relationship where Western businesses gain new opportunities and the region benefits from economic growth. This investment also aligns with environmental objectives.

Land-based transit like rail is more carbon-efficient than air or maritime freight. Consequently, investing in these transit routes through Kazakhstan reduces the carbon footprint of international trade. Moreover, enhancing Central Asia’s transit capacity is a diplomatic endeavor. It offers the West a platform to strengthen ties with the region, fostering balanced regional development and stability and serving the long-term interests of both parties.

Ultimately, Kazakhstan’s transit potential is a geopolitical asset for both the East and the West. By supporting its development, China and Western countries can secure a strategic trade corridor that enhances their economic interests and diversifies international trade routes. It is also an investment in a more interconnected and resilient global economy.

Recognizing and capitalizing on Kazakhstan’s strategic position is crucial for nearly all of the world’s major powers in this era of global economic realignment.

Stefan Antić is a Senior Research Fellow at the Center for International Relations and Sustainable Development in Belgrade, Serbia, and Managing Editor of Horizons, a quarterly English-language magazine.

06 NEWS

TOP UN COURT OPENS HEARINGS IN GAZA GENOCIDE CASE AGAINST ISRAEL

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THE HAGUE/ GAZA AGENCIES

top UN court opened hearings on Thursday in a case in which South Africa demands an emergency suspension of Israel’s military campaign in Gaza, where it says Israel is committing genocide against Palestinians.

It is expected to rule on the emergency measures later this month. The court will not rule at that time on the genocide allegations – those proceedings could take years.

“Our opposition to the ongoing slaughter of the people of Gaza has driven us as a country to approach the ICJ,” South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has said of the genocide accusations, rejected by Israel and its top backer, the United States.

With the politically charged case attracting global attention, supporters of both sides of the case planned marches and rallies in The Hague.

Thousands of pro-Israel protesters marched in freezing temperatures in the city centre early on Thursday, carrying Israeli and Dutch flags and posters with images of people taken hostage by Hamas.

The court’s decisions are final and without appeal but the court has no way

to enforce them.

ISRaEL CLaImS aLLEGaTIONS BaSELESS: Israel has rejected the accusations of genocide as baseless and accused Pretoria of playing “advocate of the devil” for Hamas, the Palestinian resistance group it is waging war against in Gaza.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on social media platform X: “I want to make a few points absolutely clear: Israel has no intention of permanently occupying Gaza or displacing its civilian population.”

South Africa and Israel are both par-

Chinese FM continues traditional ‘new year visit’ to Africa to boost regional security and cooperation BEIJING

STAFF CORRESPONDENT

Continuing a tradition that has lasted for 34 years, China’s foreign minister has once again chosen Africa as the first foreign visit destination for the new year, and this time the visit will cover two countries in North Africa – Egypt and Tunisia – and two in West Africa – Togo, and Cote d’Ivoire – per the announcement of the Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson on Thursday.

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi’s first overseas trip in 2024 will take place between January 13 to 18 at the invitation of the four African countries, Mao Ning, the spokesperson, said on Thursday.

After his visit to Africa, Wang will visit Brazil and Jamaica from January 18 to 22, Mao said.

Experts said this year’s visit to the four countries highlighted China’s heightened attention to the security situation in North Africa against the background of a potential spillover of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, as well as China’s willingness to cooperate with African countries despite its level of development. Mao noted that Wang’s visit has carried on a fine tradition that has been kept for the past 34 years. The trip aims to promote the implementation of the outcomes of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) Leaders’ Dialogue, and coordinate with African countries on a new session of FOCAC to be held this year.

At last year’s FOCAC, Chinese President Xi Jinping proposed three new cooperation initiatives to support Africa’s industrialization, agricultural modernization, and talent development, which received an enthusiastic response from his African counterparts, Mao said.

The tradition of the Chinese Foreign Minister’s annual first trip to Africa has highlighted China’s emphasis on consolidating friendship with Africa. The relationship sets an example of what can truly be called “the establishment of a community with a shared future,” Song Wei, a professor from the School of International Relations at Beijing Foreign Studies University, told the Global Times on Thursday.

For the North Africa leg, the visit to Egypt highlights China’s welcoming gesture to its officially joining the BRICS family. BRICS inducted five new countries in January and they are Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Egypt, Iran, and Ethiopia.

Choosing to visit North Africa also reflects China’s heightened concern over the security situation in the Middle East and the Red Sea, Song said.

As tensions in the region continue to grow, it has threatened the safe passage of an important lifeline for the international economy, and risks a conflict spillover. “The current situation is extremely dangerous from both a political and economic perspective,” Song said. “At such a point, Wang’s arrival brings the hope of coordinating relations among regional powers, trying to resolve conflicts and restore stability to the world economy and politics.”

ties to the 1948 Genocide Convention, which obliges them to not commit genocide and also to prevent and punish it.

The treaty defines genocide as “acts committed with intent to destroy, in whole or in part, a national, ethnical, racial or religious group”.

The Israeli offensive has laid much of the densely populated Gaza Strip to waste, and nearly all its 2.3 million people have been driven from their homes at least once, causing a humanitarian catastrophe.

Post-apartheid South Africa has long defended the Palestinian cause, a relationship forged when the African National

Congress’ struggle against white minority rule was cheered on by Yasser Arafat’s Palestine Liberation Organisation.

In its court filings, South Africa cites Israel’s failure to provide food, water, medicine and other essential humanitarian assistance to the Palestinian enclave.

It also points to the sustained bombing campaign which has killed over 23,000 people according to Gaza health authorities.

FIGHTING IN Gaza CONTINUES: Jordan and Egypt warned on Wednesday against any Israeli re-occupation of the Gaza Strip and appealed for uprooted residents to be allowed to return home. In Gaza, Israeli strikes intensified despite Israel’s pledge to pull out some troops and shift to a more targeted campaign.

Israel’s chief military spokesperson Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari told a briefing the military was focussing its operations on Khan Younis and the refugee camps in the centre of the Strip.

In the latest sign of the three-monthold war spreading, US and British warships in the Red Sea fended off the biggest attack yet from Yemen’s Houthi movement, which is acting to support Gaza.

Washington and London said they shot down 21 drones and missiles aimed at shipping lanes. No one was hurt.

Why a US bitcoin ETF is a game-changer for crypto PROFIT

REUTERS

The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) on Wednesday approved exchange-traded funds (ETFs) that track the price of bitcoin in a game-changer for the cryptocurrency industry which has been trying for more than a decade to launch such a product.

Multiple asset managers have applied for bitcoin ETFs since 2013, but the SEC rejected them on the grounds they would be vulnerable to market manipulation. In August, however, a court found the SEC was wrong to reject Grayscale Investments’ bitcoin ETF application, forcing the agency to rethink its stance.

On Wednesday, SEC approved applications from ARK Investments, BlackRock (BLK.N)

and Fidelity, among others. Here is how the products work and why the approval is seen as a big deal: HOW WILL THE ETFS WORK? They will be listed on Nasdaq, NYSE and the CBOE. Their assets will comprise physical bitcoin purchased from crypto exchanges and held via custodians like Coinbase Global (COIN.O).

The products track a bitcoin benchmark. Some track an index provided by CF Benchmarks, a subsidiary of crypto exchange Kraken, which aggregates trading data from multiple Bitcoin-USD markets operated by big cryptocurrency exchanges. To address the SEC’s manipulation concerns, Nasdaq and CBOE have created a market surveillance mechanism with Coinbase, the largest U.S. cryptocurrency exchange. Issuers

plan to charge fees ranging from 0.20% to 0.8%, well below the broader ETF market average.

IS IT DIFFERENT TO BUYING BITCOIN OUTRIGHT? Yes. A spot bitcoin ETF allows investors to gain exposure to the price of bitcoin without the complications and risks of owning bitcoin directly. Those include setting up crypto wallets and accounts with crypto exchanges, some of which have poor cyber security records and are prone to hacks.

The industry has also experienced a string of bankruptcies and scandals, including the implosion of crypto exchange FTX, whose founder Sam Bankman-Fried was found guilty of fraud. Other exchanges have been accused of flouting U.S. securities laws, while Binance, the world’s largest crypto exchange, recently pleaded guilty to breaking U.S. anti-money.

Friday, 12 January, 2024 | KARACHI

Sugar sector’s profits skyrocket 78% to Rs22bn in FY23

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GOVT’S DECISION TO ALLOW SUGAR EXPORTS HELPED MILLS EARN HIGHER PROFITS; HOWEVER, IT ALSO EXERTED UPWARD PRESSURE ON DOMESTIC SUGAR PRICES, REPORT PROFIT

NEWS DESK

Pakistan’s listed sugar sector has reported a 78% year-on-year increase in profits, reaching Rs 22 billion for the fiscal year 2023.

According to a note by Topline Pakistan Research, the sector’s remarkable performance is attributed to a rise in sugar exports, which has led to increased sugar prices domestically, boosting gross margins to new heights.

Net sales of the sugar sector soared by 29% to Rs 304 billion in FY23, mainly due to the export of 249,000 tons of sugar and a 28% hike in average domestic prices.

The ethanol by-product market also saw an improvement, benefiting from favorable international selling prices and the devaluation of the Pakistani rupee against the US dollar.

In January 2023, the federal government allowed the export of 250,000 tons of sugar, subject to the condition that proceeds in dollars would be recovered from sugar exporters within 60 days from when the letters of credit (LCs) are opened.

The sugar industry capitalised the government’s decision and exported nearly the entire quota as per the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS).

This export policy, however, exerted upward pressure on domestic sugar prices, which peaked at Rs166/kg in September 2023, a 90% increase from October 2022. Prices have since moderated to Rs147/kg.

On the global stage, international sugar prices witnessed a 45% increase from $18.30 cts/Ib in October 2022 to $26.60 cts/Ib in September 2023, before settling at $21.40 cts/Ib. The sector’s average gross margins improved from 15% in FY22 to 18% in FY23 due to enhanced retention prices.

Despite these gains, the sector faced challenges with a 38% jump in selling and distribution expenses, in line with increased sales volumes and the prevailing inflationary environment. Finance costs also surged by 60% to Rs 18 billion in FY23, up from Rs 11 billion in FY22, constrained by higher interest rates and increased borrowing for working capital, the brokerage note said.

Leading the profit surge, Shahmurad Sugar Mills emerged as the top performer, contributing 18% to the total sector profit, followed closely by Al-Abbas Sugar Mills and Habib Sugar Mills. A few companies outshone their peers with higher net profit margins, primarily driven by the robust performance of the ethanol segment, better international ethanol prices, and the rupee’s devaluation.

Israel army claims two journalists slain in Gaza strike were ‘terror operatives’ TEL AVIV AGENCIES

Israel’s army claimed on Wednesday that two Al Jazeera journalists it killed in an air strike in Gaza were “terror operatives”.

Hamza Wael Dahdouh and Mustafa Thuria, who also worked as a video stringer for a foreign news agency and other news organisations, were killed on Sunday while they were on an assignment for the Qatar-based channel in the city of Rafah.

The army said in a statement on Wednesday its “intelligence has confirmed that both the deceased were members of Gaza-based terrorist organisations actively involved in attacks against IDF (army) forces”.

“Prior to the strike, the two operated drones, posing an imminent threat to IDF troops,” the army said.

There was no immediate reaction available from the television channel and families of the two men.

When asked on Wednesday reporters about what kind of drones were used by the two men and the nature of the threat the drones posed to Israeli troops, the army said it was “checking”.

It said Thuria was identified in a doc-

ument found by troops in Gaza to be a member of Hamas’s Gaza City Brigade, while Dahdouh was identified as a “terrorist” belonging to Islamic Jihad.

The army statement included a copy of a document it said was a list of “operatives from an electronic engineering unit of the Islamic Jihad, including Dahdouh and his military number”.

Dahdouh and Thuria were killed when the car they were travelling in was hit by two rockets on a street in Rafah,

according to witnesses. A third journalist and the driver of the car were wounded.

Thuria, in his 30s, had contributed for a foreign media since 2019 and had also worked with other international media outlets.

He and Dahdouh had been tasked with filming the aftermath of a strike on a house in Rafah and their car was hit while they were on their way back.

Soon after the strike, Al Jazeera said it “strongly condemns the Israeli occupa-

tion forces’ targeting of the Palestinian journalists’ car”, accusing Israel of “targeting” journalists and “violating the principles of freedom of the press”.

In a brief statement, Hamas’s press office said the army’s claims were false and that Israel “creates false pretexts to justify its massacres and crimes against Palestinian civilians and journalists”.

Hamza’s father Wael al-Dahdouh is Al Jazeera’s Gaza bureau chief, and was recently wounded in a strike himself after his wife and two other children were killed in Israeli bombardment in the initial weeks of the war. Soon after Dahdouh and Thuria were killed, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said that their deaths were an “unimaginable tragedy”.

“And that’s also been the case for… far too many innocent Palestinian men, women and children,” Blinken said.

On Monday, Wael’s two nephews Ahmed al-Dahdouh and Muhammad alDahdouh were also killed in a strike when travelling in a car in Rafah, according to the health ministry in Hamas-run Gaza.

The war in Gaza erupted when Hamas militants stormed across Gaza’s border into Israel in an unprecedented attack on October 7 which left some 1,140 people dead, mostly civilians.

China, Maldives elevate ties, underscoring mutual support BEIJING

STAFF CORRESPONDENT

Chinese President Xi Jinping held talks with President of the Republic of Maldives Mohamed Muizzu in Beijing.

Chinese experts said that the elevation of China-Maldives relations will bring more development opportunities to the peoples of two countries as well as to the Indian Ocean region, which is significant to China-proposed Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and the economic and energy security of China.

According to the Xinhua News Agency, Xi welcomed Muizzi at a ceremony at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, before holding a bilateral meeting with Muizzu, who is paying a five-day state visit to China from January 8-12. The two heads of state announced the elevation of bilateral ties to a comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership during the talks.

China stands ready to exchange governance experience with the Maldives, strengthen the synergy of development strategies, advance high-quality Belt and

Road cooperation, and set a new benchmark for the China-Maldives friendship, Xi said.

He called on the two sides to strengthen cooperation in such areas as the economy, trade and investment, agricultural parks, and the blue, green and digital economies. He also called for expanded cooperation on marine ecological and environmental protection, as well as strengthened people-to-people exchanges. He said China will support more Maldivian students to study in China and promote more direct flights between the two countries.

Xi noted that the two sides should strengthen multilateral communication and coordination to safeguard genuine multilateralism and the common interests of developing countries, and build a community with a shared future for humanity to make the world more peaceful, secure and prosperous.

Muizzu said he was honored to pay his first state visit to China with a number of important cabinet ministers and become the first foreign head of state that China has hosted this year, fully demonstrating the great importance both sides attach to the de-

velopment of bilateral relations.

Noting that this year marks the 10th anniversary of President Xi’s historic state visit to the Maldives, Muizzu said that China has provided a significant amount of valuable assistance to his country’s economic and social development. He said the Maldivian people have benefited greatly from the BRI, citing the Maldives-China Friendship Bridge as a symbol of the bond between the two peoples.

After their talks, the two heads of state witnessed the signature of an action plan to establish the China-Maldives comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership, as well as cooperation documents on the construction of the Belt and Road, disaster management, the economy and technology, infrastructure, people’s livelihoods, green development, and the blue and digital economies.

Zhao Gancheng, a research fellow at the Shanghai Institute for International Studies, told the Global Times on Wednesday that although Maldives is a small country in terms of land area and population, in terms of geopolitics, it has very high strategic significance.

“The Indian Ocean is far from us, but it’s

extremely important to the economic and energy security of our country, as well as the BRI, so China needs to try its best to make friends in the region,” Zhao noted.

Xi said at the meeting with Muizzu that China respects and supports the Maldives in exploring a development path suited to its national conditions, and supports the Maldives firmly in safeguarding its national sovereignty, independence, territorial integrity and national dignity.

Muizzu said the Maldives pursues the one-China policy firmly. Firm mutual support in safeguarding national sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity is a solid foundation for the sustained and sound development of Maldives-China relations.

The Maldives supports the Global Development Initiative, the Global Security Initiative and the Global Civilization Initiative, all of which were put forward by President Xi, and is willing to communicate and cooperate closely with China on international and regional affairs, Muizzu noted.

Hu Zhiyong, a research fellow at the Institute of International Relations at the

Shanghai Academy of Social Sciences, told the Global Times on Wednesday that Muizzu’s visit to China shows that Maldives sincerely wants to develop ties with China and strengthen existing cooperation.

“Muizzu’s pledge to the Maldivian people that there will be ‘no foreign military presence,’ makes India angry, so the newly elected president will surely hope China can help his country deal with the pressure from New Delhi,” Hu said.

China-Maldives relations do not target any third party, but due to India’s aggressive stance against its neighbor, countries in the region will definitely want to diversify their ties to preserve their national dignity and sovereignty via cooperation with other major powers like China, said Chinese experts.

This is why the normal development of ties between China and Maldives is making some India elites and decision-makers anxious, although it is unnecessary and exposes New Delhi’s intention to suppress its neighbors, said analysts. Cooperation between China and Maldives, as well as other countries in the Indian Ocean.

Friday, 12 January, 2024 | KARACHI

CORPORATE CORNER KE takes measures to ensure smooth power supply

KARACHI: K-Electric takes comprehensive measures to ensure a reliable power supply in its operational areas. The use of RTV technology has a pivotal role in achieving this goal.

Considering seasonal impacts on electrical infrastructure in Pakistan, KE’s Transmission Department works actively for effective solutions and ensure an uninterrupted power supply. KE has collaborated and introduced RTV solutions to other electricity distribution companies, whose results were presented at the international INMR conference in Bangkok and received positive acknowledgement and satisfaction from attending participants. Since RTV technology was inducted into KE’s transmission network, it has significantly reduced trippings of High Tension (HT) lines due to weather conditions. Compared to 2018, there were over 350 tripping, which have reduced to 23 in 2023, marking a reduction of 93.15 % in interruptions over the last five years. PR

TikTok Creator Awards celebrate #YearOnTikTok in Pakistan

TikTok marked the end of the year with an immersive spectacle event - Year on TikTok 2023 in Lahore. The event marked a celebration of community, creativity, and self-expression where TikTok celebrated its Pakistani creator community, top videos and trends of the year with the end of year Creator Awards and exciting performances.

TikTok is a platform for creators to share their talents, creativity, and interests with their community and help create cultural movements and raise awareness around societal issues. With TikTok Creator Awards, the platform celebrated some of the most inspiring creators and announced winners were across 10 categories, including entertainment, lifestyle and sports, along with Top Creator of the year award. The creators bagged awards for their ability to engage the audiences and create cultural movements that started on TikTok and left the world amazed.Proving itself as the home for entertainment, the #YearOnTikTok entertained the guests with top-notch performances by content creators Raamis Ali and Ali Aftab Saeed - who gained widespread recognition for their talent with the power of TikTok. The music icon of Pakistan Asim Azhar, whose tracks became immensely popular on TikTok, set the stage on blaze with his mesmerizing performance for the magical grand finaler. PR

IBA Karachi launches fact checking initiative ahead of general elections 2024 Islamabad: The Center of Excellence in Journalism (CEJ) at the Institute of Business Administration (IBA), Karachi has launched a non-partisan factchecking initiative, iVerify, to advance the scope of independent and unbiased reporting in the country’s journalistic landscape.

Addressing the iVerify launch ceremony at Serena Hotel, Islamabad, Amber Rahim Shamsi, Director CEJ-IBA, said that the tool would prove to be an important step in ensuring transparent and verifiable news reporting and investigation methodologies.

She further added that “Seeing the rise of misinformation in both digital and conventional media spaces, the fact-checking mechanism established by iVerify shall become a cornerstone of reliable, non-partisan journalism in Pakistan.” iVerify currently offers one of the few robust verification approaches for journalists in the country with an emphasis on eliminating bias, authenticating facts, and processing news articles through manual examination. It is internationally accredited by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and has been successfully implemented in several countries around the world.

The tool allows journalists and media professionals to submit their stories via iVerify’s portal on the CEJ-IBA website, where their story is gauged through a multi-pronged approach.PR

Mari Petroleum announces gas discovery at Shewa 02 Well in Waziristan

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IT MINISTER ANNOUNCES GAME-CHANGING FREELANCER PAYMENT SYSTEM VIA PAYPAL PROFIT

NEWS DESK

N a significant development for Pakistan’s freelance community, the Caretaker Federal Minister for Information Technology and Telecommunication, Dr. Umar Saif, announced today that a pilot project enabling payments to 10,000 freelancers through PayPal is set to commence in February.

The announcement came during Dr. Saif’s address at the Tech Destination Pakistan event, coinciding with the launch of E-Rozgar Centers across the country.

“In February, we are going to start the first pilot project in which 10,000 freelancers in Pakistan would be able to start receiving payments through PayPal,” Dr. Umar Saif declared. He further elaborated that the program’s expansion

is slated for March, ensuring that freelancers across the country gain access to payments from PayPal and Stripe.

Dr. Saif clarified that although PayPal itself is not establishing a presence in Pakistan, an agreement has been reached to facilitate remittances through PayPal via a third-party intermediary. Under this innovative program, freelancers will not need to create PayPal accounts. Instead, individuals outside the country will make payments from their PayPal accounts, and the funds will be swiftly deposited into freelancers’ accounts.

The minister highlighted the government’s efforts to streamline the process, stating that freelancers only need to provide evidence of having accounts on platforms like Fiverr, Upwork, Elance, Toptal, or Crossover. He also emphasized the introduction of a 50 percent dollar retention policy, allowing free-

lancers to retain half of their earnings in dollars and receive a debit card for domestic and international transactions.

Dr. Umar Saif revealed that the government has allocated substantial funds to establish E-Rozgaar centers nationwide through a public-private partnership. These centers will provide interest-free loans to qualified individuals and companies while fostering an environment conducive to freelancing and entrepreneurship.

The E-Rozgaar program aims to establish over 250 centers across Pakistan, with 40 centers currently in progress and expected to be operational by February 19, 2024.

Additionally, Dr. Saif announced that the first standardized quality test for 75,000 information technology graduates will take place on January 15. Successful candidates will have access to

11 PTI ‘turncoats’ get PML-N tickets LAHORE INP

As many as 11 political leaders who parted ways with Pakistan Tehreeke-Insaf (PTI) have been awarded PML-N tickets to contest general elections. According to details, Raja Riaz has been awarded PML-N ticket from Faisalabad, Farrukh

Altaf has been awarded party ticket from Jhelum while Riaz Mazari and Syed Mubeen have got ticket from Rahim Yar Khan, Basit Bukhari got ticket from Muzaffargarh and Sami Gillani was awarded PML-N ticket from Bahawalpur.

On the other hand, Abdul Ghaffar Wattoo managed to get PML-N ticket from Bahawalnagar, Aamir

Gopang from Muzaffargarh, Ahmed Ahmed Dihar and Qasim Noon have been awarded PML-N tickets from Multan. Wajih Qamar managed to get party ticket for reserved seat. Issue of awarding ticket to Nawab Sher Waseer from Faisalabad was under consideration while all others leaders have been awarded tickets, said Raja Riaz.

Chief of Naval Staff presides over convocation of Altamash Institute of Dental Medicine KARACHI PR

The Convocation Ceremony of Altamash Institute of Dental Medicine, (AIDM) Karachi was held.

The session was chaired by the Chief of the Naval Staff (Admiral Naveed Ashraf NI(M) TBt), Vice Chancellor Jinnah Sindh Medical University, Karachi Prof. Dr. Amjad Siraj Memon, and President College of the Physician and Surgeon Pakistan, Prof. Dr. Khalid Masud Gondal (Sitara-e-Imtiaz & Presidential pride of performance).

The ceremony was also attended by senior officials from the Pakistan Navy, Registrar Jinnah Sindh Medical University, and notables from medical, dental, allied health sciences fraternity, and other distinguished guests. Addressing the audience, Chief Guest, Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral Naveed Ashraf

(NI(M) TBt), congratulated the students, parents and faculty on their diligence and commendable performance. He further emphasized to the audience that this convocation marks the entering of graduates into their practical lives. It is the time to return what they have received and deliver the benefits of

your knowledge to the community and nation. He expected that graduates would embark upon their professional careers and remain focused on the golden rules of ethics. and nation. He expected that graduates would embark upon their professional careers and remain focused on the golden rules of ethics.

China-Pakistan Int’l College of Resources and Environment unveiled BEIJING

STAFF REPORT

China-Pakistan International College of Resources and Environment jointly built by Yunnan Land and Resources Vocational College and the University of Baltistan was unveiled here, China Economic Net (CEN) reported on Thursday.

The two sides will cultivate Pakistani talents who master not only technology but also Chinese language in the future based on the newly signed agreement.

In view of the various energy and mineral projects under China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), a large number of professional and technical talents on geological survey and mineral exploration are in demand.

According to Chen Ying, President of Yunnan

Land and Resources Vocational College, skilled Pakistani professionals will be trained for Pakistan’s local enterprises as well as Chinese enterprises in Pakistan to alleviate the skilled labor shortage in Pakistan.

NADRA launches Fawad Ch moves LHC mobile app for online against rejection of issuance of documents nominations

ISLAMABAD PR

By the Grace of Almighty Allah, Mari Petroleum Company Limited (MPCL) as the operator of Waziristan Block is pleased to announce a gas discovery resulting from its exploratory efforts at Kawagarh of Shewa-2 Appraisal Cum Exploratory well, located in North Waziristan District, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Province.

MPCL holds 55% working interest along with OGDCL and OPI as Joint Venture Partners having 35% and 10% working interests respectively.

The said well was spud in on 2nd June, 2023 and successfully drilled down to 4577m MD/ 4000 MTVD on 1st November 2023. During the Drill Stem Test carried out in Kawagarh formation, gas flowed at a sustainable rate of 0.607 Million Standard Cubic Feet per Day (MMSCFD) with Well Head Flowing Pressure (WHFP) of 97 Psi at 32/64" chock size.

The Company would like to highlight that Kawagarh Formation was an exploratory target in Shewa-2 well and this discovery is in addition to the previously discovered hydrocarbon bearing zones of Lokhart and Hangu, which were discovered in the exploratory well Shewa-1.

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PAKISTAN TO BEGIN PAYPAL PAYMENTS FOR FREELANCERS IN FEBRUARY NEWS

ISLAMABAD

LAHORE

INP

INP

National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) has introduced Pak ID mobile app through which the people will be able to get Computerized National Identity Card (CNIC) and Family Registration Certificate (FRC) online.

According to the details, the NADRA has provided modern facilities, refraining the citizens from long queues at the centers. After completing the process through the app, the applicant could get their ID documents delivered to their doorstep.

Through NADRA Pak ID mobile app, photo upload, fingerprints verification and online payment have been made easy. NADRA spokesperson said that now CNICs, FRCs and even CNICs for overseas Pakistani could be issued online.

Former federal minister Fawad Chaudhary has challenged decision of rejection of his nomination papers by Appellate Tribunal in Lahore Court (LHC).

Objections against the nomination papers of Fawad Chaudhary from NA 60 and 61 were maintained by the tribunal.

Fawad challenged the verdict of tribunal in LHC where a full bench headed by Justice Baqar Najafi will hear the case on Friday.

It should be mentioned here that the nomination papers of former minister were objected for his foreign visits and non-certification of affidavits.

The petitioner filed a petition seeking suspension of the tribunal decision, allowing him to contest the upcoming elections.

job opportunities through the Industry Placement Program, with government stipends and cash awards for participating companies.

Moreover, the government plans to provide international certification training for 16,000 individuals in technologies such as Salesforce, Cisco, Microsoft, and Oracle financials to meet the industry’s demand for highly skilled manpower.

The measures introduced by the government, including the Specialized IT Zones, have led to a 13 percent increase in IT revenue in the past month.

Federal IT Secretary Hassan Nasir Jami applauded the IT ministry’s initiatives to boost IT exports and support freelancers. He encouraged entrepreneurs, students, and developers to seize the opportunities available in Pakistan’s growing IT ecosystem.

FFC hosts 1st Physical SAP User Group Pakistan Event

Fauji Fertilizer Company Limited (FFC) proudly hosted the inaugural Physical SAP User Group

Pakistan (SUGPK) event at its Head Office in Rawalpindi. It was graced by Country Managing Director SAP Pakistan, his dedicated team, and Chief Information Officers (CIOs) and Chief Technology Officers (CITOs) from over 22 distinguished Government and private organizations.The event served as a groundbreaking platform for SAP professionals across diverse sectors to converge, exchange valuable insights, and stay abreast with the latest developments in SAP technology. Renowned speakers and industry experts attended the event, delving into best practices, success stories, and strategies to harness SAP for business growth. PR

Islamabad High Court judges visit Safe City Office

According to the details, Islamabad Capital City Police Officer (ICCPO) Dr. Akbar Nasir Khan, along with CPO Safe City/Traffic, CPO Law and Order and other senior police officers, welcomed the delegation of Islamabad High Court Judges, a public relations officer said. He said that the delegation visits the command and control center, the data hub unit, modern technology-equipped cameras, and the police operations center hall. They were fully briefed about the procedures and benefits. Furthermore, the delegation was informed that Safe City Islamabad is playing a significant role in various departments through modern techniques, including the Police Operations Center, Emergency Control Center, Data Hub Unit, Dispatch Control Center, E-Challan System, and the “Pucar-15” helpline. He emphasized that the delegation was also apprised of the functionality and benefits of the Safe City cameras in the city. The modern cameras of Safe City are playing a crucial role in ensuring the safety of the city and preventing crimes and safeguarding the lives and property of citizens. 42% of crimes are resolved through the Safe City Command and Control Center. PR

Savings play a pivotal role in individual protection: Dr Muhammad Amjad Saqib

ISLAMABAD: Chairperson Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP), Dr. Muhammad Amjad Saqib has said that saving is an important financial product that plays a pivotal role in individual protection. While addressing in a brainstorming session on Saving Scheme at BISP HQs, Dr. Muhammad Amjad Saqib emphasized the importance of promoting a savings culture, revealing plans for the BISP Saving Scheme aimed at encouraging 150,000 customers to save.During the session, Dr. Amjad Saqib underlined the moral responsibility to support needy families while respecting their dignity. The event brought together BISP officials, representatives from various banks, and other financial institutions to discuss the design of Saving Product that would resonate with consumers and promote financial empowerment.Dr. Amjad Saqib expressed his commitment to offer the best and most convenient Saving Product. He stressed the need for simplicity in the product design and requested the nomination of focal persons from interested banks for efficient collaboration.Dr. Amjad Saqib said that BISP currently provides financial support to 9.3 million needy families, and under the BISP Savings Scheme the government would add an additional Rs 400 for every Rs 1000 saved monthly. PR

NATION HIGHLY REGARDS SACRIFICES OF KP POLICE IN WAR ON TERROR: PM

Friday, 12 January, 2024

PRAYER TIMINGS

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PESHAWAR

STAFF REPORT

ARETAKER Prime Minister Anwaarul Haq Kakar has said that entire nation highly regards the sacrifices rendered

by Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Police in war on terror. the Khyber Addressing Pakhtunkhwa Police officials here on Thursday, he said that they fought the extremists with bravery and valour without caring for their own lives.

Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar said, “You are God’s chosen group who are fighting for the state’s security, the martyrs deserve paradise while the opponent group is destined to be the hell forever.”

The security forces always fought fearlessly with the terrorists, keeping in mind Allah’s promise that those who were on the right path, would never get afraid of the enemy, the prime minister added.

“The war you are fighting is morally correct. You should do your duty with

utmost belief, courage and confidence,” he remarked.

His remarks came as the police in the militancy-hit province are the main target of Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and other extremist groups after the former PTI government decided to hold peace talks and allow them relocating to the erstwhile tribal region.

Paying tributes to Shaheed Siffat

Ghayour and Shaheed Malik Saad, the caretaker prime minister said they were the assets of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Police.

Recalling the barbarism by the terrorists in the APS Peshawar attack, Kakar their cruelty of targeting innocent children would never be forgotten.

“Every attack from the terrorists will be responded with more power and in a ferocious manner.”

Strongly condemning the miscreants, the prime minister asserted that he would continue to raise his voice against them till the last moment of his life. “They are cowardice and shameless, they have no courage to fight from the front and always fight from behind the doors,” he added.

The caretaker prime minister pointed out the terrorists were hampering the process of development and prosperity of country and didn’t worth sympathy in any manner. “They are cowards, cruel, senseless and shameless.”

PM Kakar said terrorists had initiated a war with the State on their own choice, but the end result would not be according to their wishes. “The state is going to win this war. It will take some time, but we are destined to win it because we are on the right path. Allah Almighty also helps those who are on the right path,” he asserted.

“We will have to fight with wisdom and proper strategy,” Kakar said and vowed to take the fight against terrorism in the country to a logical end.

Interim govt announces plan to open 10,000 e-job centres g

CENTRES TO FACILITATE INCREASE IN PAKISTAN’S FREELANCE INCOME POTENTIAL TO $10BN PROFIT

Disqualification law passed by parliament challenged in LHC LAHORE

STAFF REPORT

Law determining the disqualification of lawmakers for five years, has been challenged in the Lahore High Court (LHC).

Plaintiff Mian Shabbir filed plea in the LHC through his lawyer Azhar Siddique. The Chairman of the Senate, the speaker National Assembly, the Election Commission of Pakistan and others have been made respondents in the case.

The plea stated Parliament passed an amendment in the Election Act with a simple majority, while such legislation cannot be done without a constitutional amendment.

Parliament cannot determine the tenure of lawmakers’ disqualification, the plea stated and urged to strike down section 232 of the Election Act. On January 8, the Supreme Court (SC) of Pakistan declared lifetime disqualification for lawmakers under Article 62 (1)(f) of the Constitution ‘null and void’, ruling that parliamentarians would be barred from holding office only for five years.

A seven-member larger bench, headed by the CJP and comprising Justice Syed Mansoor Ali Shah, Justice Yahya Afridi, Justice Aminuddin Khan, Justice Jamal Khan Mandokhail, Justice Muhammad Ali Mazhar and Justice Musarrat Hilali, announced the reserved verdict on a set of petitions seeking to determine whether the disqualification period for a lawmaker was for five years or a lifetime.

PTI local leader Shah Khalid shot dead in Swabi SWABI

STAFF REPORT

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) local leader Shah Khalid was shot dead by unknown assailants in broad daylight in Swabi district on Thursday.

According to the details, two armed motorcyclists opened fire on the vehicle of PTI leader, killing him on the spot. His body was taken to the hospital for further medical examination.

The attackers managed to escape from the scene.

Soon after the incident, Police reached the crime scene and cordoned off the area for investigation.

An investigation into the case has been launched, said police.

GHULAM ABBAS

The caretaker Minister for IT and Telecom unveiled a long-term policy initiative on Wednesday aimed at establishing approximately 10,000 e-job centres nationwide, called e-rozgar centres.

IT Minister, Dr. Umar Saif highlighted the need to assist freelancers, stating that many lack proper workspaces.

“An estimated 1.5 million freelancers operate regularly in Pakistan,” Dr. Umar Saif stated via Twitter. He emphasised that improving the convenience for freelancers was crucial to enhancing their work performance and efficiency.

According to Dr. Saif, a projected potential annual earnings of around $10 billion is possible for one million facilitated freelancers. This projection factors in various measures, such as permitting them to retain up to 50% of their export earnings and offering easier payment methods, expected to foster freelance activities in the country.

The Ministry of IT and Telecom identifies that a significant portion of freelancers hail from smaller cities and towns. Moreover, female IT experts predominantly come from remote areas where relevant job opportunities

are scarce.

Recognizing the limitations faced by freelancers, including inadequate work environments and slow internet speeds at home, Dr. Umar Saif emphasised that the new policy would equip e-rozgar centres with all necessary facilities. Each centre is expected to accommodate up to 100 individuals.

Under the scheme, owners of properties seeking conversion into e-rozgar centres, capable of hosting 100 people, will receive interest-free loans for the conversion process. Speaking to the media, the caretaker minister highlighted that the networking opportunities and supportive environment within the e-rozgar centres would encourage freelancers to pursue high-end projects. Dr. Saif took the opportunity to commend his own caretaker government’s efforts, citing 13 major steps taken in the past four months to bolster the IT and telecom sector.

Contextualising the numbers: In the video address announcing this initiative, Dr. Umar Saif stated that currently 1.5 million youngsters work as freelancers in Pakistan. Currently, there is no official data that calculates the number of freelancers in Pakistan, however the export remittance can be categorised into a freelance category. He further said that by facilitating 1 million

freelancers in e-rozgar centres, the export potential of freelancing crosses $10 billion. One of the first questions that comes to mind is whether these 1 million freelancers in the 10,000 e-rozgar centres will be onboarded or are the existing freelancers expected to join these centres. Because in the latter case, the projections, are no short of a fairy tale.

In its move to centralise what is historically meant to be a decentralised mode of employment, the government’s projections require Pakistan to massively increase its freelance productivity level. According to his projection, a facilitated freelancer has the potential to earn at least $10 thousand per year.

To put this number in perspective, it is important to look at the current productivity levels. In an official report published by the Ministry of IT in 2022, total income of freelancers through services export remittances in Pakistan amounted to $400 million dollars in FY22. To increase the potential to $10 billion, Pakistan will have to increase this freelancer income potential by 25 times. Another way to look at this number in FY23 Pakistan’s total net services exports amounted to almost $7.5 billion, which is $2.5 billion less than the projected freelance export remittance.

SHC orders modern technology, social media use for missing persons’ recovery KARACHI STAFF REPORT

The Sindh High Court (SHC) has mandated the adoption of modern technology and the dissemination of photos on social media platforms in efforts to locate missing individuals. The directive was issued by a two-member bench, with Justice Nimatullah Phalphoto presiding over petitions related to the recovery of missing persons.

During the hearing, Justice Nimatullah Phalphoto questioned the investigating officer about the measures taken to trace the missing persons. The officer reported that 21 Joint Investigation Teams (JITs)

and 16 provincial task force meetings had been conducted to address the issue.

Despite these efforts, family members expressed their distress, citing the case of Muhammad Zubair who went missing from Baghdadi in 2014, with no progress in locating him to date.

Offering reassurance, Justice Nimatullah Phalphoto stated, “You people should not worry; we assure you that you will get justice.”

Another family reported the disappearance of Hasan Dilawar from Landhi in 2015, emphasizing the lack of information about his whereabouts. The court inquired about the number of JITs con-

ducted, to which the investigating officer responded that 30 JITs and 12 provincial task force meetings had taken place.

In a similar case, the family of Saqib Afridi, missing since 2015, sought answers from the investigating officer. The court pressed for details on the steps taken to recover the missing citizen.

The judiciary’s move to leverage modern technology and social media in missing persons cases aims to enhance public awareness and expedite the search process. As families continue to grapple with uncertainty, the Sindh High Court remains committed to ensuring justice in these cases.

FAJR SUNRISE

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PML-N awards election ticket to father-in-law of Farah Gogi LAHORE

STAFF REPORT

The Pakistan Muslim League-N (PML-N) has officially granted an election ticket to Chaudhry Muhammad Iqbal, who is the father-in-law of Farah Gogi, a close friend of former First Lady Bushra Bibi.

Media reports suggest that Chaudhry Muhammad Iqbal previously served as a member of the Punjab Assembly on the PML-N ticket. In the 2018 elections, he faced defeat against Chaudhry Parvez Elahi in the race for the Speaker of the Punjab Assembly.

As part of its preparations for the upcoming general elections, the PML-N has unveiled its candidates for constituencies in Rawalpindi, Attock, Chakwal, Jhelum, and Talagang.

Key candidates announced include Osama Sarwar Abbasi for National Assembly Constituency NA-51, Bilal Yamin Sati for Provincial Assembly Constituency PP-6, and Raja Sagheer Ahmed for PP-7 – all running on the PML-N ticket.

Further nominations include Javed Ikhlas for NA-52, Raja Qamar Islam for NA-53, Malik Abrar for NA55, and Hanif Abbasi for NA-56. Additionally, Daniyal Chaudhry is set to contest from NA-57, and N. Major (retd) Tahir Iqbal has secured the ticket for NA-58, while Sardar Ghulam Abbas is the PML-N candidate for NA-59.

The PML-N has also finalized its choices for various provincial assembly seats, with candidates like Hameed Akhtar for PP-3, Sher Ali Khan for PP-4, Malik Pravi Khan for PP-5, Muhammad Bilal Yasin for PP-6, Raja Saghir Ahmad for PP-7, and others.

This move signals the party’s strategic lineup for the upcoming elections, bringing experienced figures and fresh faces into the political fray.

Pakistan supports South Africa’s ICJ application against Israel: FO ISLAMABAD

STAFF REPORT

Pakistan supports the application filed by South Africa before the International Court of Justice (ICJ) concerning Israel’s violations of its obligations under the 1951 Genocide Convention in relation to the Palestinian people in Gaza, said Foreign Office Spokesperson Mumtaz Zarhra Baloch.

Speaking during her weekly press briefing here on Thursday, the FO spokesperson said: “We consider this legal action timely and an important step towards holding Israel to account for its welldocumented atrocities unleashed against Palestinian people since 7th October 2023.”

“Pakistan shares the concerns raised in the application by South Africa. Israel’s ongoing military aggression and actions against the Palestinian people constitute war crimes and crimes against humanity and amount to genocidal act,” she remarked.

She said, “We reiterate our call for an immediate and unconditional ceasefire; an end to Israel’s unabated massacre of the Palestinian people; an uplifting of an inhumane siege; and expeditious delivery of humanitarian assistance to the Palestinian people.”

“Pakistan firmly believes that the only just solution to the Palestinian question is the creation of an independent, viable, sovereign and contiguous Palestinian State along the pre-June 1967 borders with Al-Quds-Al-Sharif as its capital,” she added.

It is pertinent to mention here that South Africa filed a case at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) accusing Israel of engaging in “genocidal acts” in Gaza and asking the court to order the Israeli government to halt its attacks.

The spokesperson reiterated Pakistan’s call for an immediate and unconditional ceasefire in Gaza, an end to Israel’s unabated massacre of the Palestinian people, uplifting of an inhumane siege and expeditious delivery of humanitarian assistance to the Palestinians. She said Pakistan firmly believes that the just solution to the Palestinian question lies in the creation of an independent, viable, sovereign and contiguous Palestinian state with Al-Quds Al Sharif as its capital.

Solangi reiterates govt’s commitment to combat terrorism on Pakistan’s soil ISLAMABAD

STAFF REPORT

Caretaker Federal Minister for Information, Broadcasting and Parliamentary Affairs Murtaza Solangi has reiterated the resolute commitment of the government to combat terrorism on Pakistan’s soil.

Speaking as Chief Guest of at the launching ceremony of the Annual Security Assessment Report by the Pakistan Institute for Conflict and Security Studies (PICSS) in Islamabad on Thursday, he said that the government was taking all hard and soft measures to address the issue of terrorism.

Murtaza Solangi said that Pakistan had repeatedly asked interim Afghan government to address Pakistan’s counter-terrorism concerns, especially the space available to militant groups like TTP to operate in and from Afghanistan.

“Pakistan expects a positive response from the Afghan government. Pakistan has also raised the issue of access to modern

weapons in Afghanistan to these militant groups besides involvement of Afghan nationals in anti-state violence in Pakistan”, he said adding without addressing the issue of terrorism, both countries could not embark on the journey of economic growth and development.

The information minister categorically stated that there would be no negotiations with armed terrorist groups as long as they were armed and do not accept the constitution of Pakistan.

He said that visit of JUI-F Chief Maulana Fazl ur Rehma to Afghanistan was unofficial.Before leaving for Afghanistan, Fazl ur Rehman took a briefing from various institutions, he added.

“If any politician wants to play a constructive role for the improvement of relations between the two countries, we have no objection”, Murtaza Solangi said.

The minister said that government will use the insights from this report to refine its strategies and ensure the safety and se-

curity of our citizens. He applauded the dedicated team of researchers at PICSS for its tireless efforts for producing a comprehensive and insightful security report.

“Your commitment to understanding and addressing complex security challenges is commendable, and your work forms the backbone of informed policy decisions”, he maintained.

The minister said that in today’s dynamic world, data-driven reports were the cornerstone of informed decision-making and PICSS had set an exemplary standard in this regard. He opined that such reports not only provide a comprehensive understanding of the security landscape but also serve as a roadmap for policymakers. The invaluable insights derived from data are crucial for developing effective strategies to safeguard our nation.

Pakistan Institute for Conflict and Security Studies (PICSS) is not a new name in media and it is quite encouraging to note today that it is equally popular among the

diplomatic community.

The minister said that PICSS made valuable contributions for society by conducting various research studies.

He said that PICSS’s country-wide campaign “Pakistaniat” to engage youth has touched his heart as this was an excellent approach to safeguard our youth from falling prey to extremist ideologies.

Solangi said, he was glad to note that PICSS applied data driven approach and provides objective analysis of security and conflict-related developments in Pakistan and the immediate neighbourhood.

The minister said, he was also happy to note that PICSS had developed a database of anti-state violence in Pakistan since 2001 and now has expanded it to the whole of South Asia including Afghanistan.

This can be beneficial for researchers to conduct research on various issues of militancy besides allowing PICSS researchers to conduct research and prepare weekly, monthly and annual reports like

the one being formally launched today.

Stressing the need for a more robust engagement between governments and think tanks, he said that such events underscore the importance of fostering collaborative environments.

“It is through such partnerships that we can bridge the gap between theory and practical, implementable solutions.”

The minister said that PICSS Annual Security Assessment Report 2023 was an outcome of thorough research which presented data in a very easy-to-understand format.

Emphasizing the pivotal role media organizations play in shaping public opinion and awareness, Solangi said that building strong liaisons between media and think tanks, like PICSS was crucial. Such partnerships will provide the media with a deeper understanding of the intricacies of the security landscape, enabling them to disseminate accurate and well-informed news, he opined.

Published by Asad Nizami at Plot No 66-C, 1st Floor, 21st Commercial Street, Phase-II (Extension), DHA Karachi and printed at Ibn-e-Hassan Printing Press, Hockey Stadium, Karachi, for PT Print (Pvt) Limited. Ph: 021-35381208-9. Email: newsroom@pakistantoday.com.pk