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Sunday, 18 February, 2024 I 7 Shaban, 1445

Rs 20.00 | Vol XIV No 231 I 8 Pages I Lahore Edition

ECP REBUTS AS PINDI COMMISSIONER CONFESSES TO ‘POLL RIGGING’ ‘BOMBSHELL DROPPED’

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LIAQUAT ALI CHATTHA ‘QUITS JOB’, HOLDING CEC AND CJP RESPONSIBLE FOR ALLEGED RIGGING IN ELECTIONS

RAWALPINDI STAFF REPORT

Rawalpindi Commissioner Liaquat Ali Chatta on Saturday took the entire country by storm through startling revelations about poll rigging, confessing he had manipulated “elections results in Rawalpindi division” to help the losing candidates win the elections.

The commissioner announced resignation from his post, demanding to be “hanged for doing injustice” to the Rawalpindi Division.

Chattha, in a press conference at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, claimed that 13 candidates from Pindi division were forcefully declared winners, adding that “we gave the losing candidates leads of 50,000 votes”.

“I have done injustice to the Rawalpindi Division,” he said. “I tried to

commit suicide today after Fajr prayer.

But then I thought, why should I die a forbidden death? Why not put everything in front of the people?” he said.

“I accept the responsibility of election rigging in Rawalpindi Division and surrender myself to the police,” he said.

The commissioner said he undertook many development projects in the city but regretted tarnishing his legacy by “stabbing the country in the back”.

“This does not allow me to sleep at night. No, I want to die a peaceful death and I should be punished for what I did.

The chief election commissioner and others should be punished along with me,” he said. Chattha said “I apologise to the returning officer (RO) under me. When I asked him to commit the crime, he cried, and said he did not want to do it.”

“The chief election commissioner and chief justice are involved in poll

ECP REFUTES ALLEGATIONS AND FORMS COMMITTEE TO PROBE REVELATIONS IN THREE DAYS

SC decides against suo motu as CJP demands evidence of rigging allegations

ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court of Pakistan has decided against taking suo motu notice of the ‘revelations’ about rigging in the elections made by the Rawalpindi Commissioner against Chief Justice Qazi Faez Isa. According to sources in the apex court, the decision was taken after a consultation among the judges, including Chief Justice Isa. The allegations, involving Chief Justice Isa in the alleged poll rigging, were expected to be deliberated upon during a scheduled hearing of an election-related case on February 19.

The sources said that there is a possibility of the Rawalpindi Commissioner’s case being considered within the framework of this pre-arranged case.

A consultative meeting chaired by Chief Justice Qazi Faez Isa was reportedly convened to address the accusations made by the Rawalpindi Commissioner. The apex court’s judges including Muneeb Akhtar, Yahya Afridi, Ayesha Malik, and Athar Manullah were also present during the deliberations. Following a careful

fraud. We made the independent candidates lose by giving losing candidates a lead of 70,000 by putting fake stamps,” the commissioner claimed.

He said, “I accept all the responsibility. I should be hanged. I cannot partici-

examination of the allegations, the participants decided against taking suo motu notice on the matter.

Meanwhile, CJP Isa, speaking to the media before the meeting, vehemently denied the allegations, labeling them as baseless and devoid of any truth or validity. CJP Isa emphasised the importance of presenting evidence when making such serious accusations and noted that the accuser, in this case, had failed to submit any supporting evidence.

“You level baseless allegations. There is no truth to it nor is evidence presented.

You can level allegations all you want, it is your right but present evidence to back it. Whether good or bad, it will be determined later,” the top judge said in reaction to today’s dramatic development. He went on to say that his role was only restricted to the facilitation of the conduct of elections. “If someone did not want election, that’s another story,” he said. The CJP questioned his and apex court’s connection to the polls, saying that the court only receive and decide upon petitions linked to elections. STAFF REPORT

pate in the crime that could destroy Pakistan.” However, the commissioner clarified that the army conducted elections in the “right manner”.

PML-N, PPP fail to reach consensus on govt formation

Bilawal Bhutto nominates Murad Ali Shah for Sindh CM’s slot KARACHI

STAFF REPORT

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Former foreign minister and PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari on Saturday suggested the name of Syed Murad Ali Shah for the seat of Sindh chief minister at a meeting of senior party leaders held at Bilawal House in Karachi on Saturday.

Others whose names are under consideration for the slot are Faryal Talpur and Syed Nasir Hussain Shah. It has also been suggested at the meeting that initially, the provincial cabinet will consist of 20 members, while two to three women will also be included in it.

Furthermore, it has been proposed that not only old faces, but some new faces will also be part of the cabinet. One of the party leaders has suggested that Syed Nasir Hussain Shah should be given the portfolio of a senior minister in the cabinet.

The names of Azra Afzal Pacheco, Saeed Ghani, Sharjeel Inam Memon, Sardar Shah, Senator Yousuf Baloch, Sajid Jokhio, Shehla Raza and Jam Khan Shoro have been finalized for the cabinet, while the names of Mukesh Kumar Chawla, Hari Ram Kishori Lal, and Taimur Talpur are still under consideration.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 03

ISLAMABAD

STAFF REPORT

The Pakistan Muslim LeagueNawaz (PML-N) and Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) were unable to reach an agreement on government formation, despite their third meeting held on Saturday.

Both parties have decided to continue talks on Monday in an effort to break the deadlock.

A joint declaration issued after the coordination committees of both parties met here stated that detailed discussions took place regarding government formation.

It added that significant progress was made on various issues; however, the two sides concluded the meeting without a final resolution.

“The proposals put forth by both parties were thoroughly discussed, and while substantial progress was achieved, further deliberations are required to finalise the matters at hand,” the joint statement read.

Emphasising the importance of a robust democratic government for Pakistan’s stability, the committee members concurred on the

necessity of reaching a consensus.

Representatives from PML-N included Ishaq Dar, Sardar Ayaz Sadiq, Azam Nazir Tarar, and Malik Muhammad Ahmad Khan.

The PPP delegation comprised Syed Murad Ali Shah, Qamar Zaman Kaira, Saeed Ghani, Nadeem Afzal Chan, Nawab Sanaullah Zehri, Shuja Khan, and Sardar Bahadur Khan.

The PPP said on Tuesday it would support the PML-N to form a minority government at the Centre, ending a stalemate after inconclusive elections. A PML-N spokesper-

son later said that the party had nominated Shehbaz Sharif for the post of prime minister.

PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari also laid conditions on backing the Shehbaz-led coalition, saying they would support them in electing the prime minister but would not join the government.

However, he indicated the party would seek some constitutional posts in return.

Later, both sides formed their Contact and Coordination Committees (CCCs) to discuss and formalise recommendations for the coalition.

PBC slams ‘coercion’ faced by independents to shift loyalties against their will ISLAMABAD

STAFF REPORT

Pakistan Bar Council (PBC) on Saturday condemned the “coercion” faced by winning independent candidates to align with specific political parties against their will.

The statement comes as many independent candidates, most supported by Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf, have announced joining Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) and other parties.

On Friday, seven more independent candidates including a newly-elected member of the National Assembly defected to PML-N during a meeting with party leader Maryam Nawaz and Rana Sanaullah.

“Mr Riazat Ali Sahar, Vice Chairman and Mr Farooq Hamid Naek, Chairman Executive Committee, Pakistan Bar Council (PBC) along with Mr Muhammad Ahsan Bhoon, Hafeezur Rehman Chaudhry, Pir Muhammad Masood Chishti, Mr Haroon-ur-Rashid, Mr Hassan Raza Pasha, Mr Tahir Nasrullah Warraich, Mr Mirza Aziz Akbar Baig, Syed Amjad Shah, Mr Khush Dil Khan, (members PBC) are deeply troubled by the ongoing political turmoil in the country, particularly concerning allegations of pre and post-poll rigging,” a statement by PBC said.

They said that the integrity and transparency of the electoral process, along with its outcomes, have lost credibility. They call upon all political parties and stakeholders aggrieved by the electoral process and allegations of rigging to work towards establishing an independent commission, acceptable to all political parties.

“Such a commission, free from bias and influence, is crucial to ensuring a fair and transparent electoral process that commands the trust of all citizens,” the statement said.

The members said that recent allegations and disclosures by the Rawalpindi Commissioner have added to the concerns surrounding the electoral process. “The PBC underscores the urgent need for a thorough investigation into these allegations,” it added.

Furthermore, they reiterated their previous concerns expressed before the election, regarding the performance and credibility of the Chief Election Commissioner of Pakistan.

“Regrettably, these concerns were disregarded, by the political parties, which resulted in contributing to the current political turmoil. Addressing such concerns in a timely manner (including the resignation of chairman ECP) could have averted the present crisis,” they said.

The PBC also condemned the coercion faced by independent candidates to align with specific political parties against their will. “Every independent candidate must have the freedom to choose their affiliation without undue pressure or interference,” the statement added.

The PBC urged all stakeholders to prioritise the restoration of trust in the electoral process and commit to upholding democratic principles for the stability and progress of Pakistan.

The members also condemned the arrest of Fawad Chaudhry and Salman Akram Raja. They regretted that when the Chief Election Commissioner played havoc with the whole election process, then the demand for justice from the same institution by the Supreme Court Bar Association of Pakistan through a press statement seemed to be a mockery of justice.

PTI takes out countrywide protests against poll rigging ISLAMABAD

STAFF REPORT

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) on Saturday held protests across the country against poll rigging. Trenches were dug opposite to the National Press Club in Islamabad ahead of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf protest against alleged rigging in general elections on Saturday, the party has claimed.

“Just a reminder, he who digs a pit for others falls in himself. Soon we will see all the oppressors, puppets falling into that pit.

InshAllah,” the party’s Islamabad chapter said in a post on X. The PTI has announced the locations in Punjab for its protest against alleged rigging in the general elections.

The site outside the press club is one of the locations where it would be holding a protest against alleged rigging in the Feb 8 polls.

The PTI said the protests would be held at F9 Park in the Rawalpindi district, outside the ECP office in Jhelum, outside the press club in Chakwal and at Attock’s Fawara Chowk.

Other locations include the district commissioner’s office in Khushab, Sargodha’s Qainchi Mor, Mianwali’s Rokhri Mor and Zame Wala Tehsil in Bhakkar.

Meanwhile, the Islamabad police in a statement said that public gathering was

banned in the federal capital as Section 144 of the CrPC was in force in the city.

“The security is on high alert,” it said Without mentioning the protests, police said that there could be increased traffic near the F9 park and urged the public to avoid “unnecessary travel” on the nearby routes.

Special forces of the Counter Terrorism Department had been deployed on patrol to deal with any emergency. “Patrolling has been increased across the district while checking has been tightened at checkpoints,” it added.

On Friday, PTI leader Asad Qaiser said that his party does not accept the February 8 polls and called for countrywide protests.

In Lahore, the police arrested and then released PTI leader Salman Akram Raja. A rally was taken out from F-9 Park Islamabad.

PTI workers also protested at Ghantaghar (clock tower) Chowk in Faisalabad.

In federal capital, PTI workers gathered in the park in front of National Press Club Islamabad. Sher Afzal Marwat, Shoaib Shaheen, Shehryar Riaz and others also participated.

Protestors raised slogans while capital police did not arrest anyone during the protest. It is noted that the police sent back the van and water cannon. However, Safe City and CCTV cameras monitored the protest.

In Karachi, PTI workers protested outside the Election Commission office, slogans

were raised against the ECP. In Gujranwala, PTI protested in different areas against the rigging. Roads were blocked due to the protest.

In Arifwala and Chiniot PTI workers raised the party flag and protested against the Election Commission and the caretaker government. A protest rally was held in Sialkot under the leadership of NA-71 candidate Rehana Dar who lost the election. Rehana Dar said that Commissioner Rawalpindi spoke the truth.

In Peshawar, PTI held a protest. Different leaders participated in the meeting.

A protest demonstration was also held in front of the Quetta Press Club against the alleged rigging of the elections by the PTI. Workers raised slogans against ECP. The PTI workers protested in front of the Swat Press Club against the alleged election rigging. MPA Akhtar Khan on the occasion said that they won 180 seats in the National Assembly. A protest was held at Dir Bala against election rigging, and a protest was held at Farid Gate Chowk in Bahawalpur, where a heavy police force was also present. PTI workers protested at MA Jinnah Road in Okara.

In Hyderabad, the PTI protested outside the press club. MQM London workers also raised slogans in the protest while police detained two workers.

Lahore police arrest PTI’s Salman Akram Raja, release later

LAHORE: PTI leader and senior lawyer Salman Akram Raja was arrested on Saturday in Lahore as the party protested alleged rigging in the February 8 elections.

Surrounded by security personnel and media persons, Raja said he stood “with the people of Pakistan” as the police dragged him towards their vehicle.

Later on, Salman Akram Raja took to his X handle, saying that he has been released.

On February 15, PTI chairman Barrister Gohar announced the initiation of nationwide protest demonstrations for Saturday (today) against perceived rigging in the general election.

He invited all political parties, including Jamaat-e-Islami, Tehreek-e-Labaik Pakistan, Grand Democratic Alliance, Awami National Party, and others, who believe their mandate was stolen, to join the protest for democracy, rule of law, and freedom.

PTI, JI unite against poll rigging Last night, in a significant development, a delegation from the PTI met with

the leaders of the Jamaat-e-Islami party, where both parties expressed their concerns over the alleged rigging in the recent general elections and announced a joint protest against the perceived irregularities.

PTI leader and former speaker of the National Assembly, Asad Qaiser, addressed the media after the meeting, stating that the two parties had a one-point agenda at this time – to protest against what they termed as “rigged” elections.

Qaiser emphasised that the level of rigging alleged in this election is unprecedented, prompting the need for collective action among parties that have raised their voices against it.

“We have decided to meet all the parties who raised their voice against this rigging. We will sit together and think about the next course of action.

Decisions will not be made in closed rooms. At this time, the country is moving towards instability, and we will also fight a legal battle,” said Qaiser. STAFF REPORT

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POLITICAL UNCERTAINTY DRAGS DOWN STOCK MARKET BY 5% IN A TURBULENT WEEK NEWS

Market will remain volatile in near term, expected to cool off as political dust settles, brokerage report

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Sunday, 18 February, 2024 | LAHORE

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stock market AKISTAN’S witnessed a turbulent week as the results of the general elections remained inconclusive, sparking protests and allegations of rigging from various political parties.

The brokerage firm AKD Research forecasted that the market would remain volatile in the near term, but would cool off as the political dust settles, especially with the announcement of the upcoming cabinet.

The benchmark index fell below the 60,000 points mark for the first time in 35 trading days, closing at 59,873 points on Friday, down by 37000 points or 4.9% from the previous week.

The market volatility reflected the political instability in the country, as the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) struggled to form a coalition government in the lower house, despite emerging as the largest party.

The opposition parties, led by the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) and the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), rejected the election results and announced plans to stage nationwide demonstrations.

The investors’ sentiment was also dampened by the news of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) rejecting the interim government’s proposed plan to reduce the circular debt and rationalise the industrial tariff.

The IMF urged the government to take more concrete measures to address the fiscal

and energy crises, as a precondition for the second review of the Stand-By Arrangement (SBA) and the negotiation of a new Extended Fund Facility (EFF) program.

Another negative factor for the market was the hike in gas prices, effective from February 2024, which increased the feed gas price for fertilizer companies on the Sui network by 175%.

This is expected to have an adverse impact on the profitability and competitiveness of the fertilizer sector, which is already facing challenges due to the gas supply shortage and the imposition of the Gas Infrastructure Development Cess (GIDC). However, not all was gloomy for the market, as the remittances from overseas Pakistanis remained robust at $2.4 billion in January 2024, showing a 12.5% increase

FBR to expand tax base with World Bank’s aid g

Independent Verification Agents will verify registration, filing, and tax payment of new taxpayers PROFIT

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The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) agreed to expand its tax base by identifying millions of new taxpayers by utilising automated data sharing and ICTbased business intelligence, as part of the $400 million Pakistan Raises Revenue Project (PRRP). According to the

KP Power Deptment fails to utilize development budget

agreement, Independent Verification Agents (IVAs) will verify the registration, filing, and tax payment of new taxpayers who respond to FBR notices each year.

Officials highlighted the ongoing challenge within the FBR regarding the distinction between filers and non-filers, noting that many enter the tax system to lessen their tax burden during taxable transactions but subsequently choose to

10% of cases, pending approval by the Member Audit.

The FBR’s Audit Wing has been restructured to include Compliance and Audit Units. It has successfully conducted field audits on 85% of large taxpayers and 15 issue-oriented audits over five years, selected using a risk-based tool and overseen by the Compliance Unit.

An audit is deemed complete once the final report is submitted to FBR management, regardless of any subsequent legal challenges by the taxpayer. WB will assess FBR’s adherence to these regulations, specifically the limitation of audits selected outside the risk-based tool to a maximum of 10% annually.

The effectiveness of the WB’s project, which extends until June 2025, remains to be seen, especially in terms of expanding Pakistan’s limited tax base.

SIFC aims to double Tax-to-GDP ratio g

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exit or file nil returns.

The IVAs are tasked with confirming the engagement and tax compliance of new taxpayers, whether they responded to FBR notices or were identified through other means.

As part of the loan conditions for the project, the FBR has implemented a rule for selecting audit cases based on risk, limiting such selections to only

The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Power and Energy Department has been reported to not have completely utilised its annual development budget, with only one billion rupees out of the allocated 12.8 billion rupees spent so far.

According to documents of the Finance Department, the earlier Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) government faced huge financial difficulties due to the non-provision of funds from the federal government, which affected not only the Power and Energy Department’s annual development program but also the development projects of other departments. No funds have been spent so far on the 84-megawatt Matiltan Hydropower Project, which had been allocated with 646 million rupees. Similarly, not a single rupee has been spent on the 31.17-megawatt Koto Hydropower Project, for which 96 million rupees had been allocated. According to official documents, 506 million rupees have been allocated for the 69-megawatt Lawi project, and 4.333 billion rupees have been allocated for the 300-megawatt Balakot Hydropower project, but no funds have been spent on these projects either.

Similarly, only 55 million rupees have been spent on the Madin Hydropower Project, 27 million rupees on planning and management support with the cooperation of the World Bank, 207 million rupees on the solarisation of 5,000 mosques, 26 million rupees on petroleum technology in Karak, and 1.5 million rupees on capacity building. According to documents, the Finance Division has not released any funds for the 333 million rupees allocated for the solarisation project in the southern districts.

Similarly, 3.1 billion rupees have been allocated for the 88-megawatt Gabral Hydropower Project, but funds have not been released yet. Sources in the Power and Energy Department said that the provincial government has so far released only 1.5 billion rupees out of the department’s annual development funds, of which the department has spent one billion rupees.

Apex committee commits annual growth of 1.8% in tax-to-GDP ratio to achieve a target of 18% by 2029 PROFIT

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The Apex Committee of the Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC) approved on Friday a strategic plan aimed at doubling the nation’s tax-to-GDP ratio from the current 8.5% to 18% by 2029.

The target was set during the committee’s 9th meeting, where members committed to a sustainable annual growth of 1.8% in the tax-toGDP ratio to achieve this goal.

A World Bank research report indicates a 10% import duty could boost domestic sales profits over exports by an average of 40%, addressing Pakistan’s persistent balance of payment crises linked to its low export volume.

These challenges are exacerbated by insufficient taxation on agricultural

income, urban property, and retail sectors, alongside a fragmented tax system that encourages investment in urban properties over export-oriented The agricultural sector, sectors. contributing nearly a fifth of the GDP, remains notably undertaxed, contributing less than 1% to national tax revenue.

The existing tax system’s complexity, with its divided valueadded tax (VAT) system and the requirement for nationwide firms to navigate multiple tax jurisdictions, further complicates compliance.

Additionally, the tax code is riddled with exemptions costing the country substantial revenue, which also creates systemic distortions.

In response to these challenges, the federal cabinet approved a restructuring of the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) on January 30, 2024,

including the establishment of a reconstituted Federal Policy Board (FPB) led by the finance minister.

Customs and Inland Revenue departments would be separated and work under specific director generals in the relevant cadres who would also enjoy complete authority over the administrative, financial and operational matters.

Both officials would ensure digitisation of their relevant departments and the implementation of globally recognised practices for transparency and addressing complaints.

These departments would have separate oversight boards with the federal secretaries of ministries from finance, revenue, trade, chairman NADRA and relevant experts as its members whereas, minister for finance would head them.

PPP to constitute committee to probe Bilawal’s NA-127 Lahore defeat ISLAMABAD

Staff RepoRt

Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) has decided to constitute a committee, consisting of senior party members, to probe not only the reasons for the defeat of its Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari’s from NA-127, Lahore in the general elections held on February 8 but also identify those who were responsible for.

Quoting its sources, the channel reported that the committee, which would be formed after the formation of the coalition government at Center, would conduct an investigation based on the reports submitted by party stalwarts like Sherry Rehman, Shehla Raza and Mukesh Chawla.

PPP Lahore chapter President Chaudhry Aslam Gill had suggested the formation of the committee, they revealed. It is worth-mentioning here

that Gill has resigned over Bilawal’s defeat in NA-127 to the PML-N’s Attaullah Tarar on the party’s Central Executive Committee’s (CEC) demand.

According to unofficial results, Tarar had received 98,210 votes followed by Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insafbacked independent candidate Malik Zaheer Abbas Khokhar with 82,230 votes and Bilawal standing third with 15,005 votes.

PIA privatisation faces hurdles as ministries lock horns on debt transfer g

Transferring Rs1.7tr losses of PIACL will create a huge financial burden for government, argues Finance Ministry PROFIT

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The privatisation plan of Pakistan International Airlines Corporation Limited (PIACL) faces hurdles as the Finance Ministry and the Privatisation Ministry lock horns over the transfer of the national carrier’s liabilities to the government Business Recorder, quoting sources, reported that in a recent cabinet meeting, the Finance Ministry argued that transferring over Rs 1.7 trillion losses of PIACL would create a huge financial burden for the government, which already spends 75% of its revenue on debt

servicing.

The ministry also expressed doubts about the timely recovery of the proceeds from the sale of PIACL assets and suggested further discussion on the segregation transaction plan and the debt settlement structure.

The Privatisation Ministry, however, countered that the actual debt to be shifted to the government was Rs 623 billion, not Rs 1.7 trillion and that it was a common practice for governments to assume the liabilities of loss-making state-owned enterprises to facilitate their privatisation.

The ministry cited regional examples to show that not taking over the debt would result in low bids from potential investors.

Some cabinet members also raised questions about the performance of PIACL and its outstanding liabilities. One of them proposed that two of PIACL’s assets, including the Roosevelt Hotel in New York, could be sold to pay off the debts. Another member suggested that instead of amending the FBR law to exempt PIACL from income tax, alternative options should be explored.

The Privatisation Ministry clarified that the proposal was for an exemption, not an amendment, in section 57(2) of the Income Tax Ordinance.

Earlier, the Privatisation Commission Board had approved two options for the

companies and the synthetic and rayon sectors gaining 5.5% and 2.0% respectively, while the exploration and production (E&P), refinery, and oil marketing company (OMC) sectors losing 6.5%, 6.4%, and 6.2% respectively.

The net selling by the brokers amounted to $5.9 million, while the net buying by the foreigners amounted to $5.2 million. The top performers among the companies were PGLC, EFUG, GADT, FATIMA, and AGP, while the worst performers were OGDC, NRL, PTC, PPL, and PSO. AKD said the outlook for the market remains uncertain, as the political situation in the country is still unresolved. However, in the medium term, the market performance would depend on the signals from the new government’s dealings with the IMF for the second SBA review and the next EFF program.

The brokerage house advised the market participants to remain cautious and skew their exposure towards blue-chip stocks.

from the same month last year.

On the currency front, the Pakistani rupee maintained its stability against the US dollar, trading at around 279.36 in the interbank market. However, some analysts warned that the rupee could face devaluation pressure in the near future, due to the rising current account deficit and the foreign exchange shortage faced by the independent power producers (IPPs).

The market participation increased by 14.5%, with the average daily traded volume reaching 350 million shares as compared to 306 million shares traded during the previous week.

The major news flows during the week included the 16% month-on-month increase in the large-scale manufacturing (LSM) output, the Rs2.73 and Rs8.73 per liter increase in the petrol and diesel prices respectively, and the 30% rise in the car sales in January.

The sector-wise performance of the market was mixed, with the leasing

legal segregation and transaction plan of PIACL, which were presented to the cabinet after incorporating some amendments.

The first option was to create a holding company (Hold Co) that would own PIACL and its subsidiaries and transfer the liabilities to the government.

The second option was to divest 51% to 100% shares of PIACL to a strategic investor. The plan also included retaining PIACL employees for three years after privatisation and closing the ancillary services if they were not retained by the investor.

Govt imports 220,000 tons of urea to support farmers PROFIT

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The Government has imported 220,000 tons of urea, addressing the recent fertilizer shortage and bolstering the agriculture sector.

Commerce Minister Dr. Gohar Ejaz announced that distribution is underway via the National Fertilizer Marketing Limited (NFML) to private manufacturers, ensuring urea reaches farmers at a rate of about 5,000 tons daily. This move aims to enhance food security and support the productivity of Pakistan’s farmers.

“Together, we are building a stronger, more food-secure Pakistan,” Dr. Ejaz stated, highlighting the effort to ensure continuous agricultural growth.

SBP acquires $2b from interbank market to maintain reserves g

Market interventions help meet IMF targets, stabilize currency

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The State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) acquired more than $2 billion from the interbank market during the last seven months to maintain its official foreign exchange reserves and mitigate the effects of decreased foreign loan inflows.

Express Tribune, quoting sources, reported that this strategy helped the SBP meet the International Monetary Fund’s (IMF) requirements for net foreign reserves and forward swaps. Despite these significant market interventions, the exchange rate between the Pakistan rupee and the US dollar remained relatively stable, with the rupee appreciating slightly. The SBP’s actions have prevented a potential decline in foreign currency reserves below $6 billion and a devaluation of the rupee. By the end of December, the SBP successfully reduced its forward swap position to $3.42 billion, slightly below the IMF’s target, and met another IMF condition regarding the government’s net reserves. The IMF’s goal for gross official foreign exchange reserves of $8.2 billion by the end of December was also achieved, with reserves hitting $8.3 billion. Pakistan repaid $3.2 billion in foreign debt and extended $4 billion in loans from Saudi Arabia and China during the first half of the fiscal year, yet its external debt cumulatively rose to $131.2 billion. The country is seeking a rollover of a $2 billion loan from China which is maturing soon, given its inadequate reserves to cover the payment. This request is part of efforts to manage its financial obligations, including an unavoidable $1 billion eurobond payment. The IMF predicts an exchange rate of Rs300 to a dollar by June, a forecast that may not hold if the SBP continues to buy dollars to support its reserves. Recent reforms and crackdowns on illegal foreign exchange activities have improved market sentiments and liquidity.

Despite these efforts, Pakistan’s foreign exchange reserves provide a limited buffer, covering just over a month of imports.

BALOCHISTAN PROTESTERS WON’T DISPERSE UNTIL THOSE ‘ORIGINALLY’ ELECTED NOTIFIED

Sunday, 18 February, 2024 | LAHORE

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Staff RepoRt

ESPITE passage of over a week, the workers and supporters of various political parties have refused to abandon their protest against alleged rigging in the elections, and called for a wheel jam strike across Balochistan on

Sunday.

The sit-ins being staged in Quetta, Dera Murad Jamali and other towns entered the 8th day on Friday.

Hundreds of workers and supporters of various parties, including a large number of women, are participating in the sit-in.

Highways, which remained blocked for over a week, have been reopened allowing the traffic to Sindh, Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

However, Quetta-Chaman and Quetta-Taftan highways remain closed at different points causing difficulties to travellers.

Leaders of the four-party alliance comprising Baloch, Pashtoon and Hazara parties have announced that a public meeting would be held in front of the office of the district returning officer, Quetta, on Saturday (today).

Mehmood Khan Achakzai, Dr Malik Baloch, Sardar

Akhtar Mengal, Abdul Khaliq Hazara and other leaders of different political parties will address the rally.

Central leaders of the alliance, including Abdul Rahim Ziaratwal, secretary general of PkMAP, Haji Fida Hussain Dashti of the Hazara Democratic Party, Khalid Chengezi, Haji Abdul Samad Rind, Asmat Yari and Murtaza Sultan were present at the sit-in camp on the occasion. The alliance leaders rejected the results of the elections.

“People from all walks of life and political workers have rejected the results of the elections not only in Balochistan but also in other parts of the country,” Mr Ziaratwal said, adding that protest would continue until the “original elected members are announced”.

The Election Commission of Pakistan bears the responsibility to announce transparent results according to Form-45, he added. He noted that large-scale protests against the election results have been continuing nationwide.

He regretted that some influential individuals had corrupted the entire election process by taking heavy bribes, adding that action must be initiated against such elements because their act had reduced the exercise to a mockery of people and democracy. The leaders also condemned the action of the agencies against the workers and supporters. They regretted that assemblies are being filled with representatives of drug mafias and smugglers, which would distort the face of democracy.

It may be mentioned that workers and supporters of PPP, which is not part of the alliance, were also protesting in Dera Allahyar highway areas against the change of the result of PPP candidate Baba Ghulam Rasool.

ECP rebuts as Pindi commissioner confesses to ‘poll rigging’ CONTINUED FROM PAGE 01

He said that there was no need to conduct re-elections.

“Only collect all Form 45 and you will the results clear,” Chattha added.

The commissioner concluded by speaking highly of his efforts made for the progress of Rawalpindi. “I worked 16 hours a day for Rawalpindi; built Ring Road, Dadhucha Dam, Holy Family Hospital and Rawalpindi Gymkhana.” He said could not stand by the “fraud” that he committed.

Later, the caretaker government issued a notification, announcing transfer of the commission and asked him to report to the Service and General Administration Department.

ECP REFUTES ALLEGATIONS, FORMS PROBING COMMITTEE The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) decided to form a high-level committee to probe the rigging allegations made by former Commissioner Rawalpindi Liaquat Ali Chatta.

Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Sikander Sultan Raja convened an emergency meeting of the ECP in the wake of the Rawalpindi Commissioner’s allegations.

In a press statement after the meeting, the ECP said that the allegations of former Commissioner Rawalpindi were discussed and it was decided to form a committee led by a senior member of the commission to probe the allegations. The Secretary, special secretary, and Additional Director General of the law department

No govt can resolve national problems in current situation: Abbasi

KARACHI: Former prime minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi has said that the politics for power has always inflicted harm to the country and people. Shahid Khaqan was talking to media after attending hearing of the PSO illegal recruitment reference in an accountability court here. Anyone that will come to power in current circumstances could not be able to resolve national problems, he opined. “Our peculiar election has also confused Google, which has been tired of issuing results,” former PML-N stalwart said. “It has an easy way-out that the one, who has been winner in form 45, is the winner of election, but here form 47 has won and form 45 has lost,” Abbasi said. “I earlier said that the election will bring chaos, which has proved, thankfully I didn’t participate in this practice,” former PM said. Staff RepoRt

would also be part of the committee, the statement said.

“The committee would record statements of Rawalpindi’s District Returning Officers (DROs) and Returning Officers (ROs) and would submit a report to the commission within three days after being notified,” the statement read.

It added that in the light of the committee’s report, legal action and contempt of ECP proceedings might be initiated against former Commissioner Rawalpindi Liaquat Chatta.

Earlier in the day, the electoral watchdog commission denied the allegations made by Rawalpindi Commissioner Liaquat Ali Chatta, against the chief election commissioner and the ECP. “No official from the ECP issued any instructions to the commissioner Rawalpindi to manipulate election results,” it said the statement issued soon after the commissioner’s press conference.

“It is important to note that the commissioner of any division is not the DRO, RO, or presiding officer and does not have a direct role in conducting the elections,” it stated. Nonetheless, the electoral watchdog will promptly initiate an inquiry into the matter.

PTI demands inquiry into Commissioner’s ‘rigging revelations’ Following the Rawalpindi Commissioner’s revelations, PTI leader Barrister Gohar Ali Khan demanded immediate inquiry into the rigging allegations. He said the Commissioner when saying that the winning candidates were defeated, he must tell, which candidates were winning. “We were winning the

election according to form 45 but later our candidates were defeated with form 47,” PTI leader said. Barrister Gohar said that the Commissioner’s statement is very serious. “We have to open the Pandora’s Box if we move towards a new election,” he added.

The PTI leader demanded that the “snatched mandate of his party should be returned so sustainability of democracy and stability of the country.” It is to be mentioned here that Commissioner Rawalpindi Liaqat Ali Chatha has resigned from his post over accepting responsibility for the alleged rigging in elections 2024.

Chattha admitted that the rigging took place in elections and candidates who were leading in their constituencies with over 70,000 votes were converted to losers with the help of fake seals under his watch.

HAMID KHAN CALLS FOR JUDICIAL INQUIRY PTI leader Hamid Khan demanded a judicial inquiry into the revelations made by Rawalpindi Commissioner Liaquat Ali Chattha about the alleged rigging in general elections.

The senior jurist, in a statement on Saturday, said that it was ridiculous to say that the commissioner does not have a role in election process as the deputy commissioner was subordinate to the commissioner, so why does he not have a role.

He asserted that if the commissioner wants to impede, there are powers to stop the deputy commissioner.

He further stated that an important person in the government machinery was saying that the elections were rigged.

Pervez Khattak tenders resignation as PTI-P chairman due to ‘health issues’ ISLAMABAD

Staff RepoRt

Former Chief Minister Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf-Parliamentarians (PTI-P) Chairman Pervez Khattak Saturday tendered his resignation from the party following a disappointing performance in the 2024 nationwide elections.

After announcing to “take a break from politics” on February 12, the PTI-P chief, who was once considered a close aide of PTI founder Imran Khan, but later formed his faction, formally resigned from the party’s chairmanship and membership.

“I hope this message finds you well, it is with a heavy heart that | write to tender my resignation from the position of party chairman and membership, due to serious health issues, effective from today. This decision has not been an easy one, and it is with deep regrets that

I must step down from the responsibilities entrusted to me,” the resignation stated.

“Over the past, it has been an honor and a prestige to serve as a party chairman. However, due to health reasons, I find myself unable to fulfil the duties and obligations of this rule to the best of my abilities.”

“Thank you once again for the opportunity to serve as Party Chairman. I wish party to continue success, and prosperity in the future,” it read.

Despite running a strong election campaign powered by massive public meetings, the Pervez-led party had managed to win only two provincial seats in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) following the February 8 polls.

Prior to Khattak’s resignation, Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) Emir Sirajul Haq, and Istehkam-e-Pakistan Party (IPP) founder-cum-patron-in-chief Jahangir Tareen stepped down from the party offices after facing setbacks in the nationwide polls.

Rahat reports former manager for blackmail, theft of YouTube channel, video leak ISLAMABAD

MonitoRing RepoRt

Music star Rahat Fateh Ali Khan has registered a criminal case against his former manager Salman Ahmed for blackmailing him and using his YouTube channel unauthorised.

Pakistani media reported Rahat Fateh Ali Khan made the complaint at Federal Investigation Agency’s Cyber Crime Circle in Lahore. The famous singer was accompanied by his lawyer Zain Qureshi and singer Waris Baig.

In his compliant to Pakistan’s main investigating agency, Rahat Fateh Ali Khan said: “In order to manage my professional work I hired Mr. Salman Ahmed son of Shaikh Saleem Ahmed as my manager along with various other professional duties regarding managing my work. Mr Ahmed is involved in blackmailing, defaming and threatening me. He has threatened me that he will destroy my career if I stopped working with him. He has also threatened me that he had got my videos which he intends to release to damage me and my family.”

Rahat Fateh Ali Khan has been in dispute with Salman Ahmed for a few weeks now after Rahat announced he would be managed by a new team.

Salman Ahmed’s PME (Portfolio Managing Events) World managed Rahat Fateh Ali Khan for 12 years before the fall out around two months ago. After the association was publicly ended, a video of Rahat Fateh Ali Khan surfaced in which he was shown beating one of his band members. Sources in Rahat’s new management have alleged that Salman Ahmed had made the secret video and released it to media to damage Rahat Fateh Ali Khan.

Rahat Fateh Ali Khan says his former manager has illegally taken control of his channel which has around eight million followers. The complaint says: “I also assigned him a duty of creating a Youtube channel with the name of Ustad Rahet Fateh Ali Khan for uploading my latest songs and videos on it. The youtube channel was created in the year 2016 but later on in 2022 Mr Salman Ahmad illegally and unlawfully changed the logins and name of the Youtube channel.

“The URL of the youtube channel is https://youtube.com/@TheFolkAndSoul Studio?si=KDAEFkJ1OQIDRSjI having 7.96 million subscribers.

In this background having jealousy within the cultural circles people like Salman Ahmed having nefarious designs

have been making consistent efforts to tarnish my image and to earn money by misusing my name by unauthorized use of identity information. Mr. Salman Ahmed being privy to all my commercial activities in the field of Qawali and singing, very cleverly fabricated, committed criminal breach of trust and edited my Youtube account to get wrongful gain due to which I have suffered a lot of loss and have been defamed by his calculated campaign launched against me.

“The videos available on the Youtube channel are my work and they have been used by Mr. Salman Ahmad without my consent. He is illegally and unauthorizedly using, copying, uploading and transmitting my data and videos to earn money through Youtube. Mr. Salman Ahmad with the intent for wrongful gain has interfered and used the information system to deceive general public by impersonating me which has caused irreparable damage and harm to my reputation. Using my name and videos without my consent is clearly an act of blackmailing and cyber staking. He is giving impression to the general public that I am still running that Youtube channel.

In fact he has got an unauthorized

access to it which has caused me a lot of financial loss. The views on the videos on this Youtube channel are in billions and one of the video has maximum views of 1.5 Billion. My whole efforts related to my work and my biggest source of connecting with my audience have been illegally taken away by Salman Ahmed by committing various heinous cyber crimes. Instead of giving me back my Youtube channel after being terminated from the job he is still adamant on using my Youtube channel and my name in order to fulfil his nefarious designs.”

Rahat Fateh Ali Khan has told the FIA that “Salman Ahmed is also involved in defaming and blackmailing me through videos he got published in media. He has threatened me that he will release more videos if I ever take a stand against his blackmailing. He is a resident in the UAE and his actions are in violations of laws of that country too.

It is therefore requested that strict enquiry shall be initiated against Salman Ahmed and FIR shall be registered under section 3,4,13,14,16,20,24 of Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act and 419,420.468,471,500 and 506 of Pakistan Penal Code.”

Salman Ahmed previously denied allegations by Rahat Fateh Ali Khan and

03

Basant celebrated in Rawalpindi despite ban; 117 arrested

NEWS

RAWALPINDI

Staff RepoRt

Basant was celebrated here in different areas of the Rawalpindi despite a ban, while police arrested 117 kite flyers and sellers and recovered over 4000 kites and 113 kite flying string rolls from their possession.

According to a police spokesman, Rawalpindi police arrested 54 ban violators during the crackdown and recovered over 2000 kites, 63 kite flying string rolls, liquor bottles, sound systems and other items. R.A Bazar, Naseerabad, Race Course, Civil Lines, Airport, Westridge, Pirwadhai and Dhamial police managed to net 63 kite flyers and sellers on Friday and recovered thousands of kites and string rolls from their possession. Police had made it clear that kite flying was banned and strict action would be taken against the violators, but the enthusiasts celebrated the Basant night without fearing the consequences. The Rawalpindi Kite Flying Association said: “We have banned the use of metal strings and aerial firing during Basant. There is no justification to ban Basant anymore.” Kite sellers also sold kites on black market and delivered kites to people in vehicles with tinted windows. Basant festivity was seen in different areas, including Tench Bhatta, Peoples Colony, Dhok Syedan, Dhok Chirag Din, Dhok Chaudhary, Lal Kurti, Tariqabad, Rahimabad, Tahmaspabad, Gulistan Colony, Adara, Girja, Chauhar Harpal, Dhok Mastiq, Gawalmandi, Daryaabad and other areas.

PEC holds 5th Engineering Capstone Expo’2024 LAHORE

Staff RepoRt

In this Expo 29 Universities are participating with 170 shortlisted projects for showcasing. In this CAPSTONE Engineering Universities will showcase their Engineering students’ projects that pertains to market/industry, where industries being invited to participate and select projects as per their business need. CAPSTONE is the PEC initiative 1st time in Pakistan by PEC Pakistan Development Committee.

Project selection criteria: All projects commercially viable and sustainable: 1) Leading Entrepreneur; 2) Industry/business relevant; 3) Social/Civic impact; and 4) Innovation. This opportunity being granted by PEC which is free and being organized to help our Engineers gain more market exposure as well as be able to network with world-class manufacturers of different varieties of engineering products.

Engineering students will know the need of the industry and how markets are working and seeking Engineering solutions to industrial problems. FYDP’s will be given media projection at industrial and governmental platform as per present needs of the country (preferably solutions to Industrial and societal problem), and for facilitating talent & growth opportunities of Young Engineers. Market compatible projects being sponsored by PEC. Pakistan Engineering Council (PEC) is a national apex regulatory body constituted through an enactment of the Parliament (PEC Act 1976) to regulate the engineering profession.

The Council as per its Act has also special mandate to act as a “Think Tank to the Federal Government” to aid in all matters pertaining to engineering profession and policies required for the socio-economic development of the country. Participating Universities: COMSATS Lahore & Sahiwal campuses; FAST; GIFT Gujranwala; Government College University Faisalabad; Institute of Southern Punjab, Multan; Khawaja Fareed University of Engineering & Information Technology Rahim Yar

Six die as truck crushes car in Muridke MURIDKE

Staff RepoRt

At least six people died and another three injured when a truck went out of control and crushed a car coming from Lahore on GT Road in Muridke on Saturday. According to Rescue 1122 personnel, the speedy truck was taking U-turn in front of Ravi Rayan factory when its driver lost it control and hit a car coming from the opposite side. Rescue 1122 teams rushed to the spot and shifted the seriously wounded to a hospital after on-the-spot first aid treatment. The Rescue personnel handed over the dead bodies to the police. The deceased were identified as 22-year-old Shahbaz, 35-year-old Zaheer Abbas, 35-year-old Iram Shahzadi, 10-yearold Abdul Wahab, eight-year-old Ayyan and six-year-old Iman Fatima. The deceased were named as 40-year-old Naseem, 35-year-old Shameem and 18-year-old Khadija. Meanwhile, Punjab Chief Minister Mohsin Naqvi has expressed deep condolences over the loss of lives in traffic accident in Muridke. He offered his condolences to families of the deceased. The chief minister directed the hospital administration to provide best possible treatment to the wounded. Four youth of same family die in Bhakkar car-truck smash Four young men of a same family breathed their last when their car hit by a truck on Bhakkar-Jhang Road on Saturday. The accident occurred in Hyderabad Thal area.

04 COMMENT

THE MAGIC IS RIGHT NEXT TO US

Rigging allegations

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The Commissioner Rawalpindi’s claims add to the outcry

Women have too much potential to be ignored

HE recently held elections were supposed to bring about the modicum of political stability that would allow some form of economic recovery, or at least a lessening of the economic agony that is afflicting the country. The theory goes that only a government composed of the representatives of the people has the ability and sufficient popular support necessary to formulate the policy necessary for that economic improvement.However, they do not seem to have worked.

Ever since the elections, problems seem to have multiplied: First, there has been the problem of government formation. Though there seems to be a major effort for Mian Shehbaz Sharif to return to office, the National Assembly has still to deal with the fact that the plurality to members, belong to the PTI, but were all elected as independents. Even though the PTI won 93 seats through independents, it alleges that it won 54 more, with rigging preventing these losses. That would take the PTI total to 147, out of 266, which would make it impossible to form a government for any other party. At the moment, it would be possible. Though the PTI protests after Friday have not yet gone out of control, such chaos is not all that far.

The claims of Commissioner Rawalpindi Liaquat Chattha as he resigned, that he had instructed his subordinates to change the results, through Form 47, would merely add fuel to the fire, and unfortunately that claim is going to gain traction, because it indicates how the elections might have been robbed.

Those claims should be investigated thoroughly.

PML(N) Punjab President Rana Sanaullah has claimed that Mr Chattha suffered mental problems, or Punjab Information Minister Amir Mir’s speculating that he was seeking a political future after his retirement in March notwithstanding, a through probe is needed. The PTI suggestion of a judicial probe deserves serious consideration.

At this point, the restoration of the credibility of elections must be the priority. If the elections are seen as unfair, and if the allegations against them are not rebutted convincingly, the next government will be busy fighting to establish its legitimacy to be able to tackle the very serious problems facing the country. That is something the country cannot afford, so the present National Assembly must have its credibility restored, because any government it throws up is only as credible as it is.

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Dr Zafar Khan SafDar

AKISTAN is a developing country and most of its population lives in undesirable circumstances. A large number of people in our country do not have proper places to live, and this miserable condition has given birth to a large number of beggars and the dependence of people to survive on charity. The economic conditions of an average individual are not encouraging. Poverty, hunger and unemployment have afflicted a large section of the population.

Budget debates on development come and go, but poverty remains despite the rhetoric of economic objectives being to reduce poverty. The emphasis of large investments on economic infrastructure and the limited expenditure on education and health in the budget are reasons for this scepticism. Overall economic growth no doubt reduces poverty, yet the trickle-down effect could be inadequate. A study on poverty has brought Pakistan face to face with a reality which says every third Pakistani is caught in the ‘poor bracket’, which means 75 million out of a total population of 245 million subsist below the poverty line. Lower per capita incomes make it extremely difficult for the poor to save and invest, a condition that perpetuates low productivity and low incomes.

Furthermore, rapid population growth also quickly absorbs increase in per capita real income and thereby negates the possibility of breaking out of the underdevelopment circle. This burden of poverty is put heavily on the female population which is 49% of the total population of Pakistan, most of whom are neglected and under-nourished.

In the past few years, it has been experienced that income earning opportunities are few and far between for the poor women of both rural and urban areas.

Few of them have learnt vocational skills and often seek additional income by making and selling local handicrafts, but lack proper linkages to market these products. Employment opportunities are scarce and real earnings have declined in the last decade. The majority of our poor women also lack basic human, physical and productive assets and have limited or no access to essential social services. The severe economic pressure on families is also a constraint in improving their health and sending their children to school. Unless these women are not empowered through education and skill development, the country won’t be able to remove gender inequality.

In the World Bank Policy Research Report, it is

Dedicated to the legacy of late Hameed Nizami

Arif Nizami (Late) Founding Editor

Pakistan’s Electoral Evolution M. A. Niazi

Babar Nizami

Editor Pakistan Today

Editor Profit

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unambiguously suggested that women empowerment is being progressively recognized as an important policy goal for improving not just the well-being of women themselves but also for its positive impact on the family. Due to recent concern and emphasis on removing gender inequality and improving women empowerment as a Sustainable Developmental Goal, many efforts have been initiated by the Government and other organisations in Pakistan. According to UNDP’s Human Development Report, Gender Equality Measure (GEM) for South Asia shows the lowest value (0.235) among all the regions of the world. Furthermore, as per Gender development Index (GDI), Pakistan has been noted as the poorest (0.179) among South Asian Countries where the average index is 0.226 (MHHDC, 2005). According to the UNDP report for 2021, the HDI for Pakistan is 0.551, which ranks Pakistan 150th out of 189 countries.

Women are the largest untapped reservoir of talent in the world. How can we bring them into the mainstream, and empower the poor women of Pakistan in particular? This question is asked in different ways, sometimes focusing on making adjustments to existing systems, sometimes by considering whether to introduce particular programs or policies. Women’s empowerment is heavily dependent on many different variables that include geographical location, educational status, social status, and age. Policies on women’s empowerment exist at the national, provincial, and local levels in many sectors, including health, education, economic opportunities, genderbased violence, and political participation. However, there are significant gaps between policy advancements and actual practice at the community level.

One key factor for the gap in implementation of laws and policies to address discrimination, economic disadvantages and violence against women at the community level is the largely patriarchal structure that governs the community and households in much of Pakistan. As such, women and girls have restricted

ERE we are, 76 years since our independence and 16 years since democracy resumed in Pakistan– not a single election has been conducted without serious rigging allegations and no elected Prime Minister has managed to complete a full term. The election on February 8 has further polarized society, increased uncertainty in the country and significantly damaged what was left of our fragile democracy. The establishment has, once again, severely mishandled the situation and what was a golden opportunity to heal the nation has been tragically wasted. While all this paints a seriously gloomy picture for Pakistan in the days ahead, there are some interesting observations from this election that may just provide a glimmer of hope going forward.

Before we get into analyzing these factors, it is important to mention that whether you love or hate the man, Imran Khan has pulled off the unthinkable despite the odds stacked overwhelmingly against him and his party– one can only imagine the result had they retained the bat symbol. But what enabled this victory? What led to the PTI-backed independent candidates outperforming all other parties despite no symbol, leadership or campaign? And does this mean we are on the road to ‘real’ democracy?

To begin with, the results of this election have clearly highlighted the power of social media. The PTI, knowing this is the one medium where authorities cannot interfere, ran an effective and well-coordinated digital campaign across all constituencies utilising multiple platforms including Facebook, TikTok, Instagram, as well as hosting spaces on Twitter, which proved particularly effective. The longheld belief amongst many Pakistanis has been that while the PTI is stronger on social media, the PML(N) is closer to the ‘ground reality’ in constituencies– yet the fact of the matter is that social media is the new ground reality.

As per a 2023 report from statistics website Datareportal, social media users in Pakistan stood at approximately 71 million in January 2023 and it safe to say this figure has increased considerably. This viewpoint has been endorsed by multiple PML(N) stalwarts who have conceded that the PML(N) was not able to counter the PTI’s digital campaign in the build-up to the elections.

As my uncle, who is well-versed in the local politics of our village, put it– there was a time when candidates would approach the numberdar (village head), seek his support and perform a ‘dua-e-khair’ (prayer for success)– and the candidate was guaranteed the vote of the numberdar and members of his locality. However, this is no longer the case– each resident of the village now has his or her own voter identity through access to social media platforms and the candidate or party’s message must resonate

with them to secure their vote. The numberdar can no longer guarantee it.

Another interesting and positive observation was the manner in which voters rejected, or rather punished, candidates that have a history of switching political loyalties, particularly when their leader or party is in a difficult moment. Examples include Ghulam Sarwar Khan, Pervez Khattak, Sheikh Rasheed, Mehmood Khan and Jahangir Tareen– all of whom lost by sizable margins to their rivals. This rejection of the ‘electables’ went strongly in the PTI’s favour and points to an emerging trend; where previously parties would approach the electables for their support, it is now the electables that need the party ticket– a positive for democracy overall.

Perhaps the key factor that went in the PTI’s favour is the anti-establishment vote. The blatant persecution of PTI leaders and workers, the senseless judgements against Imran Khan and finally the wildly unpopular decision to deprive them of the bat symbol, all led to the PTI voter coming out and making sure to cast his or her vote on election day. This was complemented by the PML(N)’s complacency, which was positive it was well on its way to a simple majority with the backing of the establishment. There were a significant number of people who voted for the PTI not because of their performance while in government or their manifesto, but because they saw the party as a symbol of resistance against the establishment. This reflects the sentiment of a large portion of the Pakistani electorate; the people are tired of constant, glaring interference by the establishment.

The increase in voter awareness through social media, rejection of ‘electables’ and the increase in anti-establishment voters are all factors that are interlinked and provide some hope to our fractured democracy. However, these factors alone cannot guarantee the sur-

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Karachi – Ph: 021-32640318 I

The writer is Ph.D in Political Science, and visiting faculty at QAU Islamabad. His area of specialization is political development and social change.

He can be reached at zafarkhansafdar@yahoo.com and tweet@zafarkhansafdar.

Editor’s mail

Political edict

A handful of clerics issued a fatwa in Kohistan recently against canvassing done by women for the general elections that were held on Feb 8. The relevant authorities should take stern action against all those clerics who use religion for political purposes, and in the process tarnish the image of Pakistan.

ABRAR ALI SHAH KHATTAK PESHAWAR

Discount for teachers vival and well-being of the system; the establishment and political parties must respond positively to voter sentiment and unfortunately, from their initial reaction to the results, this does not seem to be the case. We are all set for a weak coalition government and another five years of the political discourse being dominated by rigging allegations, conspiracies to overthrow the next government and controversial court judgements, with zero discussion surrounding the critical socio-economic problems facing the country.

One can only hope our political leaders learn some lessons from the past and understand that the people will not forgive them for disrespecting their mandate. The PTI, PML(N) and PPP have all pursued the strategy of trying to win the establishment’s favour at different points in time, and not once has such a strategy resulted in an increase in its popularity– on the contrary it has been detrimental for it in the long term. The Pakistani voters are more aware than ever of their democratic rights and the power of their vote– the sooner our key stakeholders understand this, the better our chance of tackling the daunting challenges faced by Pakistan.

The writer is a freelance columnist

One can only hope our political leaders learn some lessons from the past and understand that the people will not forgive them for disrespecting their mandate. The PTI, PML(N) and PPP have all pursued the strategy of trying to win the establishment’s favour at different points in time, and not once has such a strategy resulted in an increase in its popularity– on the contrary it has been detrimental for it in the long term. The Pakistani voters are more aware than ever of their democratic rights and the power of their vote– the sooner our key stakeholders understand this, the better our chance of tackling the daunting challenges faced by Pakistan

Lahore – Ph: 042-36300938, 042-36375965

mobility, access to education, access to health facilities, and lower decision-making power, and experience higher rates of violence. Gender is a socio-cultural variable affecting both genders and their status relative to each other. Gender equality refers to a stage in human development where individuals’ rights, responsibilities, and opportunities are not determined by their gender, allowing both genders to reach their full potential.

It should be remembered that, even with a 39 percent poverty rate, Pakistan’s social protection system has a narrow scope and poorly targeted safety net programmes. According to a recent assessment by the South Asian Research Foundation (SARF), these programmes serve between 10 percent and 15 percent of the population, have weak institutional frameworks, and have little capability for implementation, monitoring, or assessment. It will take a large investment to effectively reach impoverished women in order to overcome these obstacles. Adopting a national targeting strategy and implementing skill training, demand-based trades, and market research are important steps towards economic rehabilitation.

For these women, this will mean better fundamental health and financial stability. We need to focus on modern skills, trades and techniques, with marketing opportunities for poor women folk, both in rural and urban Pakistan. This will not only serve to improve the financial activities of poor women, but it will also improve capacity building and explore markets for the skilled yet vulnerable. There is no tool for development more effective than the empowerment of women. Let us enable them to contribute to Pakistan’s future, as magic happens when you assist a woman in realising her potential.

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

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

The country moved forward with this election ChangeZ Shafi

Sunday, 18 February, 2024

Islamabad – Ph: 051-2204545

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IN order to alleviate the sufferings of the teaching community, the high command of Pakistan Army should consider allotting all public-sector teachers a discount card of its Canteen Store Department (CSD). The teaching community is finding it extremely difficult to make ends meet.

The kind gesture of Pakistan Army will not only facilitate the low-income community, but will also increase customers at CSD stores across the country. In fact, the armed forces may consider sharing their hospitalisation and education facilities with the teaching community. This will be a great initiative that will surely be appreciated by all concerned.

PROF ZAFAR ULLAH SHAHEEN RAWALPINDI

Pakistan's external debt

Pakistan’s external debt is over $100 billion, which would be a huge burden on the shoulders of the incoming government. However, if we go through the dayto-day statements of political leaders as they and their parties geared up for the recently-held elections, none of them actually seemed interested in talking about it in their public appearances in rallies or during media coverage. None of them was able to draw a basic outline of what they had in the name of a plan to set the country’s course right. Instead, these leaders were busy making promises that were as impractical as they were illogical, like, for instance, providing free electricity up to 300 units to the masses. How? Unfortunately, Pakistan does not have sincere and competent leaders to put the country on the right track. One can only pray and continue to hope against hope.

MUMRAIZ KHAN KARACHI

Qingqi ban

The recent decision to Qingqi rickshaws in the city will leave a negative impact. These vehicles have long been a lifeline for those with low-income backgrounds. In addition to offering affordable options for commuting, these vehicles provide means of employment to people. If a ban is implemented without providing alternatives, it will only increase poverty and frustration. It would be wiser for the government to think about regulating and improving these vehicles rather than banning them. Traffic and environmental concerns can be addressed with the implementation of safety rules. One does not really have to destroy the livelihoods of many people.

BUSHRA FARRUKH RAWALPINDI

Street garbage

Streets across the Defence Housing Authority (DHA) and Clifton areas carry heaps of uncollected garbage, emitting foul odour. The Cantonment Board Clifton (CBC) has closed its eyes to the ever-existing problem of overflowing sewage. It not only poses a significant health risk to the area residents, but also tarnishes the image of these upscale neighbourhoods. The authorities concerned should take proactive measures to improve the situation. Regular and efficient garbage collection services must be reinstated, and investments should be made towards upgrading the sewerage infrastructure.

MOHAMMED OWAIS SALEEM KARACHI

Web: www.pakistantoday.com.pk

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Email: editorial@pakistantoday.com.pk

US Engagement with Ukraine Sunday, 18 February, 2024

The USA must look inward to play a global role

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Dr MuhAMMAD AkrAM ZAheer

S the conflict between Russia and Ukraine continues, people are getting tired of emotional appeals about Ukrainian bravery and Russian actions. Republicans have valid concerns: they want to cut government spending, make sure US aid to Ukraine isn't misused by corrupt officials, and figure out where helping Ukraine fits in US priorities.

One thing most Americans agree on is the importance of a strong US military. However, President Biden is providing enough aid for Ukraine to keep fighting but not enough to win. There's a strong argument from conservatives to increase US assistance to Ukraine. For a relatively small cost, Americans can support Ukraine in a war that NATO was worried about. It's important to note that a significant portion of US aid to Ukraine goes to US companies that produce weapons for Kyiv. Engaging with Ukraine is also revealing weaknesses in the US defence system. To fund defense adequately, changes to entitlement programs like Social Security and Medicare are necessary. Both Democrats and Republicans need to reconsider their stance on entitlement reform, as these programs make up a large portion of federal spending. If not addressed, the cost of entitlements will limit spending on defence and other domestic programmes.

There's also a need for better border policies. Many Americans don't understand why the US military doesn't protect the country's borders. Immigration policy is closely tied to foreign policy and the US economy. A majority of Americans think the USA is doing a poor job managing its borders, and there's

T

COMMON DREAMS Jeffrey D. SAchS

HERE are three basic problems with the C.I.A.: its objectives, methods and unaccountability. Its operational objectives are whatever the C.I.A. or the president of the United States defines to be in the U.S. interest at a given time, irrespective of international law or U.S. law. Its methods are secretive and duplicitous. Its unaccountability means that the C.I.A. and president run foreign policy without any public scrutiny.

Congress is a doormat, a sideshow. As a recent C.I.A. director, Mike Pompeo, said of his time at the C.I.A.: “I was the CIA director. We lied, we cheated, we stole. We had entire training courses. It reminds you of the glory of the American experiment.”

On the one hand, the C.I.A. was to provide intelligence to the U.S. government. On the other, the C.I.A. was to subvert the “enemy,” that is, whomever the president or C.I.A. defined as the enemy, using a wide range of measures: assassinations, coups, staged unrest, arming of insurgents, and other means.

It is the latter role that has proved devastating to global stability and the U.S. rule of law. It is a role that the C.I.A. continues to pursue today. In effect, the C.I.A. is a secret army of the U.S., capable of creating mayhem across the world with no accountability whatsoever.

When President Dwight Eisenhower decided that Africa’s rising political star, democratically-elected Patrice Lumumba of Congo was the “enemy,” the C.I.A. con-

a surge in illegal border crossings. The military is restricted by the Posse Comitatus Act from acting as a domestic police force, but political leaders should invest in border security. This includes more funding for the US Customs and Border Protection Agency, as well as technology to track migrant movements. Cooperation with Mexico and addressing the root causes of migration are also crucial. Failure to regulate immigration properly hinders the USA from maximizing its geopolitical opportunities, especially in North American cooperation. Clearer immigration policies could lead to stronger collaboration with neighbouring countries, benefiting the U.S. economy. However, until Americans are confident in border control, they may be hesitant to support these cooperation opportunities. According to experts at the Brennan Center, many Americans are confused about why the US military doesn't protect the country's borders. Republicans could improve their policies on this issue.

Immigration is crucial for foreign policy and the U.S. economy. A survey in January 2021

by Pew Research Institute showed that 68% of Americans believe the U.S. is not managing its borders well. Indeed, since January 2020, about 200,000 people try to enter the USA illegally every month through the Mexican border, the highest in 20 years. Contrary to what the media says, most of these people are adults, not kids.

The 1878 Posse Comitatus Act stops the military from acting like a police force

within the USA. Generals, who are already busy, don't want to protect the borders, fearing it might harm people's respect for the military. To get more support for US activities abroad, leaders need to show they can put more effort and resources into border security.

A survey in January 2023 found that most Americans want to give more money to the US Customs and Border Protection Agency. It's not just about money and more people. Over 60 percent of recent migrants aren't from Mexico or Central America but start their journey in places like Colombia, Cuba, Peru, and Venezuela. The USA should invest in surveillance and technology to track migrants in Central America, speed up asylum claims in new immigration courts, work more with Mexico to stop migrants passing through, and engage with migrants' home countries to solve problems and help those who don't meet US immigration rules, return.

Not handling immigration properly makes the USA miss its biggest opportunity for North American cooperation. Politicians should worry more about Mexico becoming unsafe and find creative ways to make Canada, Mexico, and the USA work together in energy, labour, and manufacturing. With better immigration policies, we can relocate supply chains to Mexico, strengthen energy grids in California and Texas by trading energy with Canada and Mexico, and create opportunities for neighbours to prosper, boosting the US economy. But until Americans trust that the USA controls its borders,

The solution is not to adopt policies that give up on trade, weaken the military, leave the US-Mexican border in chaos, and stop helping deserving allies. Americans still want the USA to be a leader in the world for the sake of the country and their own safety and prosperity. US leaders need to prove they know how to do it

they may not support these cooperation opportunities.

The world that the USA and its friends made after World War II made the USA safer and richer. But we must remember that if the USA doesn't make sure this global order is followed, someone else will, probably China. If China takes charge, the world could become dangerous. China, along with its authoritarian allies like Russia and Iran, might gather enough military and economic power to force a repressive vision on the world. To make things better, the USA should rejoin the Trans-Pacific Partnership, make and approve other trade agreements, spend more on defence while fixing entitlements and reducing national debt, secure the US.-Mexican border, and help countries fighting for their freedom. These are big goals.

Fred Kagan, a scholar at the American Enterprise Institute, says people don't want to die for the international order because it's too vague. But convincing voters to support a foreign policy that helps other countries might not be as hard as politicians think.

They should focus on concrete arguments based on USA national interest. The Biden Administration and some Republican leaders are making misleading appeals that say internationalism makes the USA weaker or

How the CIA destabilizes the world

spired in his 1961 assassination, thus undermining the democratic hopes for Africa. He would hardly be the last African president brought down by the C.I.A. In its 77-year history, the C.I.A. has been held to serious public account just once, in 1975. In that year, Idaho Sen. Frank Church led a Senate investigation that exposed the C.I.A.’s rampage of assassinations, coups, destabilization, surveillance and Mengelestyle torture and medical “experiments.”

The exposé by the Church Committee of the C.I.A.’s shocking malfeasance has recently been chronicled in a superb book by the investigative reporter James Risen, The Last Honest Man: The C.I.A., the FBI, the Mafia, and the Kennedys? and One Senator’s Fight to Save Democracy. That single episode of oversight occurred because of a rare confluence of events.

In the year before the Church Committee, the Watergate scandal had toppled Richard Nixon and weakened the White House. As successor to Nixon, Gerald Ford was unelected, a former congressman and reluctant to oppose the oversight prerogatives of the Congress.

The Watergate scandal, investigated by the Senate Ervin Committee, had also empowered the Senate and demonstrated the value of Senate oversight of executive branch abuses of power. Crucially, the C.I.A. was newly led by Director William Colby, who wanted to clean up the C.I.A. operations. Also, F.B.I. Director J. Edgar Hoover, author of pervasive illegalities also exposed by the Church committee, had died in 1972.

HERSH EXPOSES CIA OPS AGAINST ANTIWAR MOVEMENT In December 1974, investigative reporter Seymour Hersh, then as now a great reporter with sources inside the C.I.A., published an account of illegal C.I.A. intelligence operations against the U.S. anti-war movement. The Senate Majority Leader at the time, Mike Mansfield, a leader of character, then appointed Church to investigate the C.I.A. Church himself was a brave, hon-

est, intelligent, independent-minded, and intrepid senator, characteristics chronically in short supply in U.S. politics.

If only the C.I.A.’s rogue operations had been consigned to history as a result of the crimes exposed by the Church Committee, or at the least had brought the C.I.A. under the rule of law and public accountability. But that was not to be. The C.I.A. has had the last laugh — or better said, has brought the world to tears —by maintaining its preeminent role in U.S. foreign policy, including overseas subversion.

Since 1975, the C.I.A. has run secretive operations backing Islamic jihadists in Afghanistan that utterly wrecked Afghanistan while giving rise to Al-Qaeda.

The C.I.A. has likely run secretive operations in the Balkans against Serbia, in the Caucuses against Russia and in Central Asia targeting China, all deploying C.I.A.-backed jihadists. In the 2010s, the C.I.A. ran deadly operations to topple Syria’s Bashar al-Assad, again with Islamist jihadists.

For at least 20 years, the C.I.A. has been deeply involved in fomenting the growing catastrophe in Ukraine, including the violent overthrow of Ukraine’s President Viktor Yanukovych in February 2014 that triggered the devastating war now engulfing Ukraine.

What do we know of these operations?

Only the parts that whistleblowers, a few intrepid investigative reporters, a handful of brave scholars and some foreign governments have been willing or able to tell us, with all of these potential witnesses knowing that they might face severe retribution from the U.S. government.

NO RESTRAINT There has been little-to-no accountability by the U.S. government itself, or meaningful oversight or restraint imposed by Congress.

On the contrary, the government has become ever-more obsessively secretive, pursuing aggressive legal actions against disclosures of classified information, even when, or especially when, that information describes the illegal actions by the government itself. Once

in a while, a former U.S. official spills the beans, such as when Zbigniew Brzezinski revealed that he had induced Jimmy Carter to assign the C.I.A. to train Islamic jihadists to destabilize the government of Afghanistan, with the aim of inducing the Soviet Union to invade that country.

In the case of Syria, we learned from a few stories in The New York Times in 2016 and 2017 of the C.I.A.’s subversive operations to destabilize Syria and overthrow Assad, as ordered by President Barack Obama.

Here is the case of a dreadfully misguided C.I.A. operation, blatantly in violation of international law, that has led to a decade of mayhem, an escalating regional war, hundreds of thousands of deaths, and millions of displaced people, and yet there has not been a single honest acknowledgment of this C.I.A.-led disaster by the White House or Congress.

MAJOR COVERT ROLE IN UKRAINE In the case of Ukraine, we know that the U.S. played a major covert role in the violent coup that brought down Yanukovych and that swept Ukraine into a decade of bloodshed but to this day, we don’t know the details.

Russia offered the world a window into the coup by intercepting and then posting a call between Victoria Nuland, then U.S. assistant secretary of state (now under-secretary of state) and U.S. Ambassador to Ukraine Geoffrey Pyatt (now assistant secretary of state), in which they plot the postcoup government.

Following the coup, the C.I.A. covertly trained special operations forces of the postcoup regime the U.S. had helped bring to power. The U.S. government has been mum about the C.I.A.’s covert operations in Ukraine.

We have good reason to believe that C.I.A. operatives carried out the destruction of the Nord Stream pipeline, as per Seymour Hersh, who is now an independent reporter.

Unlike in 1975, when Hersh was with The New York Times at a time when the paper still tried to hold the government to account,

How philosophy conceives happiness Philosophy has a rich history of exploring the concept of happiness

H

JORDAN TIMES

Ayoub Abu DAyyeh

APPINESS is a positive emotional state characterised by feelings of contentment, joy, satisfaction and well-being. It goes beyond temporary pleasure and is often associated with a sense of purpose, fulfilment and life satisfaction.

Happiness can be influenced by various factors, including personal experiences, genetics, social relationships, environmental contact, cultural values and individual perceptions of one's own life. Happiness reflects the emotional and psychological well-being of individuals and communities, contributing to a more fulfilling and meaningful life.

COMMENT 05

Philosophy has a rich history of exploring the concept of happiness and its significance in human life. Various philosophical traditions have offered diverse conceptions on what constitutes happiness, how it can be achieved, and its relationship to a meaningful life.

Eastern philosophies like Buddhism and Taoism, of around the 5th Century BC offer perspectives on happiness. Buddhism teaches that suffering arises from attachment and craving for maternal things and pleasures, and true happiness is achieved through the cessation of these attachments. Taoism, however, emphasises living in harmony with the natural flow of life, leading to a state of contentment and inner peace.

Aristotle, a Greek philosopher of the 4th Century BC, believed that true happiness is achieved through living a virtuous life in which individuals develop their potential and engage in activities that align with their nature; virtues such as courage, wisdom and kindness.

Hedonism is a philosophical stance that posits pleasure and happiness as the highest

goods. While there are different variations of hedonism, they generally prioritise the pursuit of pleasure and the avoidance of pain.

Stoicism is an ancient Greek philosophy advocating self-control, resilience and acceptance of fate to achieve inner peace and tranquility. It teaches that true happiness is achieved by aligning one's inner values and attitudes with the natural order of the universe.

Stoics emphasise the importance of cultivating virtues such as wisdom, courage and self-control, which lead to inner peace and resilience in the face of external circumstances.

Avicenna, also known as Ibn Sina, was a Persian polymath who made significant contributions to various fields, including philosophy, medicine and science. According to Avicenna, true happiness could only be achieved through the realisation of one's intellectual and spiritual capacities. He believed that human beings possessed rational faculties that enabled them to understand the principles of ethics, metaphysics and the nature of the universe. By cultivating

these intellectual virtues and seeking knowledge of God (or the ultimate reality), individuals could attain a state of inner harmony and fulfilment.

Utilitarianism of the 19th century, a moral theory, asserts that actions are right if they promote the greatest happiness for the greatest number of people. Jeremy Bentham and John Stuart Mill were key proponents of this theory, emphasising the importance of maximising pleasure and minimising pain.

Happiness is understood in terms of pleasure and the absence of suffering.

However, Marx in the 19th century believed that true human fulfilment could only be achieved in a society where the means of production were collectively owned and controlled by the workers, rather than being privately owned by a capitalist class. In such a society, individuals would have the opportunity to engage in meaningful, creative and fulfilling work that contributes to the common good. Economic and social equality would replace exploitation and class conflict, allowing

that caring about the US national interest means ignoring the world. This is not true.

The choices the USA makes internationally affect its own well-being. Right now, leaders are making confusing foreign policy decisions that make the country less safe and less prosperous, and fixing them will be difficult later on.

The USA is divided politically, and many people are confused and disappointed.

A Pew poll from June-July 2023 found that only 16 percent of Americans trust the federal government, the lowest in 70 years.

Only 10 percent feel hopeful about politics.

In an August Wall Street Journal poll, 93 percent of likely Republican voters thought the USA is headed in the wrong direction. These are not good results, but they also present an opportunity for good policies because people are clearly unhappy.

The solution is not to adopt policies that give up on trade, weaken the military, leave the US-Mexican border in chaos, and stop helping deserving allies. Americans still want the USA to be a leader in the world for the sake of the country and their own safety and prosperity. US leaders need to prove they know how to do it.

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

the Times does not even deign to look into Hersh’s account.

Holding the C.I.A. to public account is of course a steep uphill struggle. Presidents and the Congress don’t even try. The mainstream media don’t investigate the C.I.A., preferring instead to quote “senior unnamed officials” and the official cover-up. Are the mainstream media outlets lazy, suborned, afraid of advertising revenues from the military-industrial complex, threatened, ignorant, or all of the above? Who knows.

There is a tiny glimmer of hope. Back in 1975, the C.I.A. was led by a reformer. Today, the C.I.A. is led by William Burns, one of America’s long-standing leading diplomats.

Burns knows the truth about Ukraine, since he served as ambassador to Russia in 2008 and cabled Washington about the grave error of pushing NATO enlargement to Ukraine.

Given Burns’ stature and diplomatic accomplishments, perhaps he would support the urgently needed accountability.

The extent of the continuing mayhem resulting from C.I.A. operations gone awry is astounding. In Afghanistan, Haiti, Syria, Venezuela, Kosovo, Ukraine, and far beyond, the needless deaths, instability, and destruction unleashed by C.I.A. subversion continues to this day. The mainstream media, academic institutions, and Congress should be investigating these operations to the best of their ability and demanding the release of documents to enable democratic accountability.

Next year is the 50th anniversary of the Church Committee hearings. Fifty years on, with the precedent, inspiration, and guidance of the Church Committee itself, it’s urgently time to open the blinds, expose the truth about the U.S.-led mayhem and begin a new era in which U.S. foreign policy becomes transparent, accountable, subject to the rule of law both domestic and international, and directed towards global peace rather than subversion of supposed enemies.

Jeffrey D. Sachs is a university professor and director of the Center for Sustainable Development at Columbia University, where he directed The Earth Institute from 2002 until 2016.

for the full development of human potential.

Schopenhauer's conception of happiness in the 19th century was deeply influenced by his pessimistic worldview and his belief in the inherent suffering of human existence. He viewed happiness as elusive, ultimately advocating for a state of inner peace and contentment that transcended the pursuit of desires and the external circumstances of life.

In the 20th century an English philosopher called G. E. Moore defined happiness as a complex and multi-faceted concept that includes more than just pleasure; it might also involve fulfilment, contentment and overall well-being. While pleasure can be a part of happiness, it cannot fully capture the entire meaning of happiness. Meanwhile Existentialist philosophers, like Jean-Paul Sartre, explored the concept of happiness within the context of individual freedom. He considered that creating one's own meaning and purpose in a seemingly absurd world could lead to authentic happiness, even in the face of challenges. A similar view of Viktor Frankl's approach, known as logotherapy, focuses on finding meaning in life as a path to happiness. He believed that individuals can find purpose even in the midst of suffering and that a sense of meaning contributes to psychological well-being.

06 NEWS

WANG MEETS BLINKEN, CALLS FOR SOUND, STEADY, SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT OF TIES

C

BEIJING

STAFF CORRESPONDENT

HINESE Foreign Minister Wang Yi has called for a sound, steady and sustainable development of China-US ties during a meeting on Friday with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on the sidelines of the ongoing Munich Security Conference.

Chinese experts noted that as risks of both bilateral and international conflicts are on the rise, Wang’s meeting with Blinken marks another round of efforts between China and the US in managing disputes, stabilizing ties and de-risking; it also paves way for more frequent and higher-level meetings between the two countries.

Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, said the most important task for both sides currently is to follow the strategic guidance of the two heads of state to make the “San Francisco vision” a reality, so as to promote a sound, steady and sustainable development of bilateral relations.

To this end, the two sides should adhere to the principles of mutual respect, peaceful coexistence and win-win cooperation and actively explore the right way for the two major countries to get along with each other, Wang noted.

The US side should view China’s development objectively and rationally,

and adopt a positive and pragmatic policy toward China, and implement President Biden’s commitments into concrete actions, Wang added. During the meeting, the two sides had candid, substantive and constructive discussions, according to Xinhua News Agecy.

The important signal being conveyed is the need to manage and stabilize the relationship between the two sides, while also exchanging views on major regional and global issues, so as to prevent overall global security from being completely undermined, Li Haidong, a professor at the China Foreign Affairs University, told the Global Times on Saturday.

Another signal from Wang’s conver-

Donald Trump fined $355m in fraud case, banned for three years

NEW YORK STAFF REPORT

In a significant blow to former US President Donald Trump’s business empire and financial standing, a New York judge has ruled that Trump must pay $355 million over fraud allegations and is prohibited from running companies in the state for three years.

The ruling, delivered by Judge Arthur Engoron, found Trump liable for unlawfully inflating his wealth and manipulating property values to secure favorable bank loans or insurance terms. Trump’s sons, Eric and Donald Trump Jr., were also held liable and ordered to pay over $4 million each.

Trump, who is widely expected to be the Republican presidential nominee in the upcoming election, accused President Joe Biden of driving the case, labeling it as “weaponization against a

political opponent who’s up a lot in the polls.” He vowed to appeal the decision.

Although the ruling pertained to a civil case rather than a criminal one, Trump faces mounting legal challenges, with 91 criminal counts pending in other cases. Despite his legal woes, Trump has used the situation to rally supporters and criticize Biden, characterizing the court cases as attempts to undermine him politically.

Judge Engoron justified the significant penalties imposed on Trump, citing his lack of contrition and remorse, which he described as “bordering on pathological.” The ruling also mandates an independent compliance director for the Trump Organization.

The order marks a victory for New York State Attorney General Letitia James, who sought $370 million in restitution from Trump and advocated for his ban from conducting business in the state. James hailed the ruling as a “tremendous victory” for accountability and the rule of law.

In response, Trump has lambasted James and Engoron, dismissing the ruling as politically motivated. His lawyer, Chris Kise, argued that there was no clear evidence of intent to defraud on Trump’s part.

The ruling concludes a tumultuous legal week for Trump, who faces a criminal trial in New York over hush money payments and separate legal battles related to attempts to overturn the 2020 election results.

sation with Blinken is to maintain the momentum of high-level meetings between the two countries, laying the groundwork for more frequent and higher-level interactions between officials in the future, according to Li. A handout of the meeting between Wang and Blinken published by the US State Department said that both sides recognized the importance of maintaining open lines of communication between the two countries across a range of strategic issues, including consultations and high-level meetings in key areas in the coming months.

China and the US have continued to build momentum for interactions in var-

ious fields after the meeting of the two heads of state in San Francisco. However, the US sincerity toward improving ties with China has been widely questioned by Chinese experts. Li said the US has never abandoned its two-faced approach to China – seeking engagement with China while strengthening competition and keeping up provocations on certain issues, especially the South China Sea issue and the Taiwan question.

During his meeting with Blinken, Wang stressed that that there is only one China in the world and Taiwan is part of China’s territory, which is the true status quo of the Taiwan question. He noted that what is trying to change the status quo are the “Taiwan independence” separatist activities and the connivance and support of external forces.

If the US genuinely hopes for stability across the Taiwan Straits, it should abide by the one-China principle and the three China-US joint communiqués, and carry out its commitment of not supporting “Taiwan independence,” Wang said.

Speaking with the Global Times on Wednesday, Wu Shicun, president of the National Institute for South China Sea Studies, who is currently attending the Munich Security Conference, said that although the risk of conflicts for China and the US in the South China Sea is rising, both sides are trying to avoid such conflicts as it would be catastrophic for the world to bear.

Sunday, 18 February, 2024 | LAHORE

OpenAI valued at $80b after deal, NYT reports PROFIT

REUTERS

Microsoft-backed (MSFT.O) OpenAI has completed a deal that values the artificial intelligence company at $80 billion or more, the New York Times reported on Friday, citing people with knowledge of the deal.

The company would sell existing shares in a socalled tender offer led by venture firm Thrive Capital, the report said.

Under the deal, employees will be able to cash out their shares of the company rather than a traditional funding round which would raise money for the business, the report added. OpenAI did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for comment. It agreed to a similar deal early last year.

The venture-capital firms Thrive Capital, Sequoia Capital, Andreessen Horowitz and K2 Global agreed to buy OpenAI shares in a tender offer, valuing the company at around $29 billion, the report said.

Missile attack targets ship off Yemen

WASHINGTON AGENCIES

A missile fired from Yemen damaged a Panama-flagged tanker off the coast in the Red Sea on Friday, security agencies and a US official said.

It came as the US formally redesignated Yemen’s Huthi rebels as “terrorists” over their attacks on shipping in the Red Sea, a campaign the Huthis say is in solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza amid the Israel-Hamas war.

A US State Department spokesperson said a missile fired from Yemen “struck the port side of the Indiabound, Panamanian-flagged MT Pollux, which was carrying crude oil.”

The extent of the damage is known, the official said, adding that the tanker was proceeding on its voyage.

Security firm Ambrey said the Panama-flagged tanker “sustained minor damage” in the missile strike northwest of the Yemeni coastal city of Mokha.

“Another vessel… to the northeast of the tanker was observed altering course to port, away from the tanker,” Ambrey said.

The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations agency said military authorities were responding, but noted “the crew and the vessel are reported safe.”

Friday’s strike came as a US deci-

sion in January to redesignate the Huthis as “terrorists” formally came into force.

The designation would not prohibit “the shipping of commercial goods into ports and airports in Huthi-controlled areas,” the State Department spokesperson said. Shipments of “food and other commodities to the Yemeni people are not covered by these new sanctions,” the spokesperson said. The designation is part of a wider effort by the US to deter Huthi attacks on the key shipping route through the Gulf of Aden and the Red Sea. On Friday, the US military said it conducted two strikes “against three mobile anti-ship cruise missiles (ASCM) in Huthi-controlled areas of Yemen that were prepared to launch against ships in the Red Sea”.

The strikes were carrie dout between 3:10 pm and 8 pm (1210 GMT and 1700 GMT) on Thursday, CENTCOM said.

The Huthi attacks have prompted some shipping firms to reroute their vessels around the southern tip of Africa to avoid the Red Sea, which normally carries about 12 percent of global maritime trade.

The UN Conference on Trade and Development said late last month that the volume of commercial traffic passing through the Suez Canal had fallen more than 40 percent in the previous two months.

Modi govt expels French journalist for critical reporting NEW DELHI AGENCIES

A French journalist, who had been in the crosshairs of Modi’s Hindutva government for her reporting on Kashmir and other flashpoint topics, has been expelled from India.

Vanessa Dougnac had been the longest serving foreign correspondent in India. She announced her departure after the Indian government issued a two-week revocation of her Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) card last month, for alleged concerns over her reporting.

In a statement, Vanessa Dougnac said that she was writing her announcement “in tears”. “Today, I am leaving India, the country where I came 25 years ago as a student, and where I have worked for 23 years as a journalist,” she stated. Ms. Dougnac has been informed by the Indian Ministry of Home Affairs that her OCI card would be revoked within two weeks.

As per The Wire, the ministry’s notification listed various grounds for the revocation, ranging from “malicious” reporting that created a “negative perception” of India, inciting disorder, not

taking permission for travelling to restricted areas and doing reporting on neighbouring countries.

After the notice was reported in the media, Vanessa Dougnac issued a statement refuting all accusations. In her most recent statement, she said she was being forced to leave by the Indian government.

Condemning to the forced expulsion of French journalist, Reporters Without Borders (RSF) in a statement posted on its website, said, the methods used by the Indian authorities to make her leave were symptomatic of the growing persecution of journalists in India.

The RSF further said, “Forcing a seasoned professional journalist to leave India after she had been based there for two decades reveals a very dark and deplorable image of what press freedom has become under Prime Minister Narendra Modi”. It added, “With two months to go to general elections, the vice is tightening on foreign correspondents who try to cover India in a professional manner. We condemn the unacceptable way Vanessa Dougnac has been treated and the use of absurd accusations as a subterfuge to gag and intimidate outspoken reporters”.

China stands firm as pillar of stability in fluid world: Wang Yi BEIJING

STAFF CORRESPONDENT

No matter how the international landscape may change, as a responsible major country, China will always maintain the continuity and consistency of its major policies and stand firm as a pillar of stability in a fluid world, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said on Saturday.

Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, made the remarks when delivering a speech at the 60th Munich Security Conference.

Speaking of China’s relations with other major countries, Wang said that China will work with the United States to implement the consensus of the two heads of state to promote bilateral ties along the right track of mutual respect, peaceful coexistence and winwin cooperation.

Wang pointed out that the stable development of the China-Russia relationship is conducive to the strategic stability in the Asia-Pacific region as well as in the whole world.

China is willing to be a stabilizing force in dealing with hotspot issues, Wang said. He pointed out that China has unswervingly called for a ceasefire between Hamas and Israel and has been doing its utmost to protect civilians who are suffering in the new round of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict.

In terms of the Ukraine crisis, Wang said China has never stopped promoting peace talks between Russia and Ukraine.

Noting China has a vast territory with a large number of neighboring countries and complex conflicts inherited from history, the Chinese top diplomat said that China has always insisted on managing differences and resolving disputes through dialogue and consultation.

Wang noted that China is willing to work with ASEAN to advance the consultations on a code of conduct in the South China Sea at a faster pace, and promote maritime cooperation and joint development.

Sunday, 18 February, 2024 | LAHORE

CORPORATE CORNER

Seagulls Shipping & Logistics PVT LTD k 17 sal mukammal honey per maqami hotel mai taqreeb munqid ki Gai stage per company ki CEO Mrs Khurram Ali Khan, Director Marketing Rizwan Siddiqui, Director Waqar Siddiqui, Head of HR & Finance Noor Habib and other guests. PR

FBR Chief, Member-IR (Operations) visit large taxpayers office

M

KARACHI

STAFF REPORT

QM-P leader Mustafa Kamal said on Saturday that the election instead of bringing stability increasing chaos.

MNA-elect Mustafa Kamal in a conversation with said that political parties leveling allegations, which could create an untoward situation in country.

He said that the MQM-P will table the constitutional amendment draft in the first session of the parliament with support and vote from the PML-N. Kamal said, “We will hold dialogue with all parties of the parliament including the PTI and the People’s Party for ap-

proval of the constitutional amendment.

He said the MQM had also objections over the results of 2018 general elections.

MQM-P convener Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui in a recent meeting told the party’s Rabita Committee at Governor House that the MQM-P has presented three constitutional amendments aimed at empowering the local governments to the parties in Islamabad. “All parties except the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) are willing to support the constitutional amendments,” the participants were told.

The Rabita Committee members were informed that the government would not have a two-thirds majority in the National Assembly, and it is expected that the opposition will also support their amendments.

PCFA-KP & KPEZDMC celebrate Chinese Spring Festival 2024 at RSEZ NOWSHERA

KARACHI: Chairman FBR Mr. Malik Amjed Zubair Tiwana and Member-IR (Operations) Mir Badshah Khan Wazir visited Large Taxpayers Office, Karachi on 16-02-2024 and held meeting with Chief Commissioners-IR of Large Taxpayers Office, Karachi, Medium Taxpayers Office, Karachi, Corporate Tax Office, Karachi.The meeting was also attended by Chief-IR (Operations) Mr. Arshad Nawaz Chheena and all Commissioners-IR posted at field formations based in Karachi. During the meeting, Chairman FBR evaluated the performance of field formations regarding revenue collection during the ongoing financial year. All Chief Commissioners-IR gave detailed presentation on the assigned budgetary targets and strategies adopted to meet them. They also highlighted the cases where demanded tax was recovered after due legal proceedings. Mr. Tiwana emphasized upon the need to examine validity and legality of input tax claimed by taxpayers to unearth cases of Tax fraud and fake/flying invoices and ensure recovery of Sales Tax evaded through fraudulent ways. PR

NAB returns JJVL reference against Dr Asim, others due to ‘jurisdiction issues’

KARACHI: In a recent development, the Accountability Court IV, Karachi, issued an order on February 15, 2024, returning the reference filed against Dr. Asim Hussain and nine others, including Mr. Iqbal Z. Ahmed, to the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) Head Office through NAB Karachi.

This decision stems from the court’s determination that NAB lacked jurisdiction in the matter.

The court’s order highlighted a crucial observation, stating, “… In the above reference, there is no allegation that applicants/accused intentionally misused their authority by disregarding the law to gain any monetary benefit or favor for himself or any other person related to him or his behalf. There is neither any allegation of having done the act not in good faith nor any allegation of gaining any monetary benefit as such the applicants/accused do not fall within the ambit of misuse of authority as defined by law and as enunciated under the amendments.” The court further emphasized that there were no allegations of acting in bad faith or gaining any monetary benefit against the accused.

According to the court’s findings, none of the accused violated any provision of law, and no monetary benefit was obtained by any of them.

Additionally, the court observed that, in light of the NAB Amendments, as none of the accused were in public service, the NAB Court had no jurisdiction in the matter. PR

Bank Alfalah, Zindagi Trust unite to transform education by integrating digital arts, financial literacy

STAFF REPORT

The Pakistan-China Friendship Association (PCFA) Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Province Pakistan & Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Economic Zones Development & Management Company (KPEZDMC) celebrates the Chinese Spring Festival 2024 at Rashakhi Special Economic Zone (RSEZ) the flagship Economic Zone under CPEC. Extending Greetings & Best Wishes to the Chinese Community based in RSEZ which is being leased to China Road & Bridge Corporation (CRBC) for 30 years, the PCFA-KP Secretary General Syed Ali Nawaz Gilani said we at Pakistan joining our Chinese Friends on the Happy occasion and extending Greetings as we share our great & valuable time tested friendship. PCFA-KP since 1970, is doing their best to further strengthening Sino Pakistan Relations in all fields of life. The visionary Chinese

leadership & Peoples under the President Xi Jinping are achieving new heights of economic & social prosperity this is the high time that we should learn lesson from the success of China and Understanding China is need of the hour.

The event was also attended by

Mr. Adil Salahuddin Chief Commercial Officer KPEZDMC Mr. Gouhong Beng Deputy Project Head CRBC for RESZ, Mr. Ahsan Laiq Siddique Zonal Manager, Engr. Sardar Ali Energy & Power Officer, Mr. Ashraf Hayat Director Utilities CRBC, Mr. Bilal Durrani Joint Secretary PCFA-KP.

No country aspires to achieve progress sans public participation: President ISLAMABAD APP

President Dr Arif Alvi on Saturday said that no country could aspire to attain progress and prosperity without the participation of its people and Pakistan being the fifth populous country in the world, possessed immense potential to excel in every field of life.

Addressing an awards distribution ceremony of the annual Invitational Golf Tournament held at Margalla Greens Golf Club, the president said that the people were a vital driving force for making contributions to the overall progress of a country.

“About 250 million people of Pakistan with their collective efforts can make a difference; they can transform and rebuild Pakistan by utilizing their potential and intellect,” he observed.

Under the ‘Sports Diplomacy’ initiative, Serena Hotels hosted the tournament in collaboration with the Margalla Greens Golf Club. Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Naveed Ashraf, golfers, diplomats, and a large number of sports buffs attended the event.

In his address, President Alvi further underscored the significance of promoting active lifestyles and outdoor pursuits, emphasizing the positive impact on national well-being and the betterment of communities.

Congratulating the organizers, he said that the event was enjoyable amidst the natural verdant atmosphere.

He observed that due to the modern lifestyle, people were accustomed to the latest facilities and moving

away from hectic physical activities which were not beneficial for health.

The human body responds to different exercises daily and they continue to decline with the passage of age, if no proper physical activity was adopted, he added.

The president further said that during Covid 19, Pakistan emerged as the third most successful performing country in the world due to the collective efforts by all the institutions and compilation of data.

He said that precedent could be taken as a guiding event that could help overcome different issues being faced by the country, adding that about 26 million children were out of school besides, the numerous issues of malnutrition and stunting being faced in the health sector.

The president stressed that Pakistan should also learn from the experiences of different developed countries that wade through diverse challenges.

“Things in Pakistan will turn around, I have firm belief as the people have huge potential,” he opined.

Speaking on the occasion, CEO Serena Hotels Aziz Boolani said that they would continue to utilize sports as a platform to connect with people from different segments of society to foster stronger relationships and cultivate a spirit of teamwork.

In the closing ceremony, the president gave away prizes to the winners and runners-up across all four categories.

Golfers from a diverse range of categories, including diplomatic, government, and armed forces officials, corporations, and women participated in the event.

Convocation Caps a Historic Year for Aga Khan University ISLAMABAD PR

KARACHI: Bank Alfalah, a leading commercial bank in Pakistan, and Zindagi Trust, a pioneering non-profit organisation committed to transforming the landscape of education in Pakistan, are pleased to announce the initiation of the Digital Arts and Financial Literacy Program at Zindagi Trust schools.This initiative is pivotal in Bank Alfalah's dedication to fostering educational innovation and digitisation in Pakistan. Bank Alfalah will be funding PKR 14.84 million over a span of two years to facilitate the establishment of a digital art lab and enhance their curriculum empowering young girls on their path to financial independence at an early age.The program aims to evolve the educational landscape by integrating digital arts and essential financial literacy into the curriculum, offering girls professional opportunities in the digital world. The collaboration is set to benefit around 2,000 female students at Zindagi Trust’s adopted schools in one academic year. This will open doors for girls to develop valuable skills that are increasingly in demand increasing their access to professional opportunities in the long term. The girls will be better equipped to pursue rewarding careers and achieve financial independence in the future. PR

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MQM-P to table lG law aMend in ParliaMent’s first session: KaMal NEWS

More than 730 students in four countries graduated from the Aga Khan University on Saturday at ceremonies attended by Princess Zahra Aga Khan and other dignitaries and watched in-person and online by the University’s supporters around the world.

“On graduating, you return to a world that is full of daunting challenges but also of endless possibilities,” Princess Zahra Aga Khan said in Nairobi, speaking on behalf of AKU’s founder and Chancellor, His Highness the Aga Khan. “Continue to strive with courage and optimism to grasp opportunities to serve your communities and contribute to a more pluralistic

and peaceful world.” 391 students graduated in Pakistan – more than 70 percent of them women – and were awarded degrees in nursing, medicine and education. The University’s chief guest was Sabina Khatri, Founder of the Karachi-based Kiran Foundation.

“I cannot help but imagine the great things you will achieve with your immense talent and the knowledge and skills developed during your time at AKU,” Ms Khatri told the graduates. “I have no doubt that your accomplishments can surpass anything I have achieved thus far. I would like to take this opportunity to express my gratitude to His Highness the Aga Khan for helping countless young people to fulfill their potential, including the Kiran children studying at Aga Khan schools and colleges and also AKU Examination Board-affiliated schools like Habib.”

PTA continues crackdown on sale of illegal SIMs, unlicensed ISPs ISLAMABAD PR

Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) Zonal Offices in Sukkur, Lahore, and Faislabad collaborated with the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) to conduct several raids against franchises involved in illegal activation of SIMs and illegal ISPs. 56 suspicious SIMs were confiscated in the Sukkar raid, and dur-

ing the raid in Kasur, 26 active SIMs were confiscated. The accused individuals have been apprehended by the FIA, and FIRs have been lodged against them.

Moreover, two raids were conducted targeting illegal Internet Service Provider (ISP) setups in Chichawatni. During the raids, a significant amount of equipment was recovered at different locations in Chichawatni which included 12 Optical line terminal (OLT), 04

dish antennas, 01 UPS, 2 batteries, 350 metre OFC cable, 01 Optical Network Terminal, 01 OLT charger, and a manual billing book.

Additionally, an illegally erected tower carrying numerous dish antennas, was dismantled by the FIA team. Ongoing investigations are in progress.

These raids are part of PTA's ongoing efforts to eradicate the illegal issuance of SIMs and illegal ISPs.

Standard Chartered Karachi United Football League concludes its sixth year in Karachi

KARACHI: Standard Chartered - Karachi United Football League concluded its sixth year in Karachi.This league was launched in November 2023. Featuring 206 thrilling matches, among 74 teams, it comprised more than 1280 young male and female players, who showed great performances. Sponsorship of this tournament was a part of Standard Chartered Bank’s resourceful social development initiative to promote healthy sporting activities in the country.The winning team in the girls’ competition was the Karachi United girls team, while the victorious squad in the under14 boys’ competition was Karachi United Baldia Centre. Earlier, the under-10 team contest was won

by Karachi United Mauripur Centre while the top team in the under-12 contest was Karachi United CEFA Centre Meanwhile, the crown in the school category championship headed to Dream of Youth.

CBD Punjab gears up to complete Walton Road upgradation project before monsoon

LAHORE: The Chief Executive Officer of Central Business District Punjab, (CBD Punjab), Imran Amin chaired a review meeting to assess the progress of the Walton Road Upgradation Project.

The meeting emphasized clear directives to expedite the project's completion before the onset of the monsoon season.During the session, Imran Amin, CEO CBD Punjab alongside Technical Executive Director Riaz Hussain, Director Construction Asif Babar, Director Architecture Sameer Aftab, Project Director NESPAK Jamshed Janjua, and senior officials of NLC participated.

Imran Amin issued clear instructions to the technical team of the CBD Punjab, NLC officials, and contractors to ensure the project's completion before the upcoming monsoon season. NLC and the contractors are instructed to work collaboratively with all machinery and workforce resources available. PR

Literary Extravaganza: A Fusion of Words and Ideas for a Sustainable Future

KARACHI: The Karachi Literature Festival (KLF) continued its journey into the realms of sustainability and the transformative power of words on its second day. With a diverse lineup of speakers and thought-provoking sessions, the participants were engaged in discussions, book launches, and presentations, aimed at reshaping mindsets for a sustainable future.Reflecting on the day’s events, Arshad Saeed Husain, Managing Director, OUP Pakistan, remarked, “The convergence of sustainability and the power of words has been truly enlightening. It has been our privilege to have strengthened KLF’s platform to play such a pivotal role in shifting mindsets. The world needs to become sustainable, not just the environment but our practices and approach towards life as well. I am proud to say that our speakers and participants have come out as ambassadors of change, crafting narratives that not only inform but also inspire us for a better tomorrow.”Book launches of Development Pathways: India-Pakistan-Bangladesh (1947-2022)

by Ishrat Hussain; Jahaan Abaad ki Galiyaan by Asghar Nadeem Sayyed, Rolaak by Rafaqat Hayat, A Life Lived with Passion by Irfan Hussain, and A Lifetime of Dissent: A Memoir by I.A. Rehman took place. PR

Sunday, 18 February, 2024

Interest in Crown of PTI URGES CEC, CJP TO STEP DOWN AFTER ‘No Thorns’: Saad Rafique RAWALPINDI COMMISSIONER’S BOMBSHELL suggests PTI-PPP PRAYER TIMINGS

NEWS

ISLAMABAD

STAFF REPORT

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf (PTI) Spokesperson demanded that Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) and Chief Justice should tender their resignations in the aftermath of the bombshell revelations by Rawalpindi Commissioner Liaquat Ali Chattha, who unmasked the real characters involved in the mega polls theft scam converting PTI backed independents clear-cut lead into defeat forcibly and fraudulently.

Reacting to the Commissioner Rawalpindi’s confessional statement before the media regarding his role in the elections robbery, PTI Spokesperson said that the CEC had no legal and moral justification to remain in office anymore; hence he should quit his office instantly and return the stolen seats to PTI immediately.

He stated that Liaquat Chattha’s admission of massive rigging in the elections was an endorsement of PTI’s stance as to how the public mandate was stolen in the dark of the night, besides exposing the real characters involved in the heinous crime of rigging in the elections.

PTI Spokesperson went on to say that the Commissioner Rawalpindi’s confession that the victory of independent candidates leading with over 70,000 votes

was converted into a defeat by putting fake stamps.

He made it clear that Liaquat Chattha testified the stance of PTI of mega polls theft, as the people voted to PTI-affiliated independent candidates in a large numbers; however, the overwhelming PTI’s majority was turned into a minority overnight through poll fraud.

PTI Spokesperson demanded that in the light of Commissioner Rawalpindi’s statement, the electoral watchdog should instantly return PTI’s 86 stolen seats, which won the party’s backed independent candidates with clear margin as per forum 45.

He stressed the need that all the officers involved in the heinous plan of openly insulting the public mandate, including the CEC and the Chief Justice, should immediately resign after Liaquat Chattha’s statement regarding polls theft.

PTI Spokesman demanded that following resurfacing undisputed and undeniable evidence of large-scale rigging in the elections, all the criminals involved in stealing public mandate should be punished as per constitution and the law. He underlined that the ongoing efforts to plunge the country into political and economic instability by imposing the people rejected clique under power sharing formula against the public’s aspirations and will should be abandoned forthwith.

Nine terrorists killed in KP in two separate operations RAWALPINDI

STAFF REPORT

The security forces on Friday and Saturday in two separate targeted intelligence-based operations killed nine terrorists, including a ‘High-Value Target’ in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), the military said in a statement. In an intelligence-based operation conducted by the security forces in Tank District, two terrorists, High Value Target (HVT) Rehmat Ullah also known as Badar Mansur and terrorists Amjad also known as Babar were killed, said a statement issued by the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR). In another operation conducted in South Waziristan district, after intense fire exchange, seven terrorists were killed. In additions, these terrorists were found in possession of weapons, ammunition, and explosives, and involved in numerous terrorist activities.

HRCP questions credibility of elections, demands independent audit

ISLAMABAD: In a scathing report released on Saturday, the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) raised serious concerns about the integrity and credibility of the February 8 elections, citing a range of issues that have cast a shadow over the democratic process. HRCP’s election observers, who conducted spot-checks across 51 constituencies, highlighted the countrywide internet and cellular services shutdown on polling day as a significant factor compromising voters’ access to polling stations. The report particularly underscores the challenges faced by women with restricted mobility, persons with disabilities, the elderly, and low-income voters. While acknowledging that the polling process itself remained transparent and peaceful, HRCP expressed deep dissatisfaction with the post-polling process. Delays in announcing election results, alleged discrepancies between the returning officer’s announcement and the presiding officer’s count, and reports of denied access for candidates, polling agents, and observers during the provisional consolidation of results raised serious concerns.

HRCP demanded an independent audit of the 2024 elections under the supervision of a parliamentary body, emphasising that security and intelligence agencies should play no role in managing the electoral process or its outcomes. The report also calls for a debate in parliament regarding the utility of the caretaker government scheme.

Furthermore, HRCP stressed the importance of seamless cellular and internet services on polling day and demanded the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) to publish all Forms 45, 46, 48, and 49 in accordance with the Elections Act 2017.

The report suggested that in cases where the number of rejected ballots exceeded the margin of victory, the ECP should order ballot recounts upon receiving petitions from aggrieved political parties or candidates. STAFF REPORT

PTI Spokesperson reiterated that the people stolen mandate should be immediately returned to their beloved leader

Imran Khan and PTI, as they expressed full confidence on their leader and the party through their power of votes.

Maryam Nawaz provided chief minister’s security LAHORE STAFF REPORT

PML-N nominee for the Punjab chief minister’s slot, Maryam Nawaz Sharif, has been provided the Chief Minister’s security cover.

A number of security personnel have been deployed at the residence of Sharif family at Jati Umrah.

Two bulletproof vehicles have also been made available for the Punjab chief minister-nominee.

There were earlier reports that Maryam Nawaz had received a briefing on various development projects in Punjab after she was nominated by her party for the chief minister’s slot.

Punjab Chief Secretary Zahid Akhtar Zaman briefed the PML-N stalwart in a meeting following her nomination. The chief secretary went to Jati Umrah

on Thursday to brief Maryam on the current situation in Punjab. Zaman, during the meeting, briefed about the ongoing development works as well as the law and order situation in the province. Health Secretary Ali Jan also attended the meeting.

Marriyum Aurangzeb faces backlash over call to ‘behead Imran’ ISLAMABAD

STAFF REPORT

A recent statement made by Secretary Information PML-N Marriyum Aurangzeb has sparked outrage and condemnation, highlighting the divisive and inflammatory rhetoric that continues to permeate the country’s political landscape. Marriyum, during a press conference, said that PTI founder Imran Khan and his party members should have been beheaded in 2014. “When the Chinese president was arriving in Pakistan, this fitna should have been addressed at that time. His head should have been beheaded,” PML-N leader can be seen in video clips shared by netizens.

Kamran Yousaf, a senior journalist, took to X to express his dismay over Marriyum’s statement, emphasising that violent rhetoric has no place in political discourse. He urged individuals to express their opinions without resorting to such inflammatory language. Similarly, Imran Afzal Raja, a social media commentator, denounced the remarks, labelling the PML-N as a “terrorist party” and questioning the morality of advocating violence against political opponents. Mehr Tarar, another vocal critic of Marriyum’s statement, condemned the PML-N’s leadership for promoting a narrative of “brutal vengeance.”

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coalition govt in Centre LAHORE

STAFF REPORT

PML-N senior leader Khawaja Saad Rafique on Saturday asked the PTI-backed independents and the PPP to jointly form a government in the Centre, as the fractured mandate continues fuelling and sustaining political uncertainty in Pakistan.

“No one has absolute majority in the present National Assembly,” said Saad Rafique in a post shared on X (erstwhile Twitter).

Countering the narrative spread by political pundits, singling out Nawaz Sharif’s party for leading the country’s affairs after the Feb 8 elections, Kh Saad said the formation of the federal government was a joint responsibility of all the parties in the parliament, not the PML-N alone.

“Independent members supported by PTI should take the initiative, and form a joint central government with the PPP. We will congratulate you,” he said, adding that the PML N had no desire to wear “this crown of thorns”.

Earlier on Friday, it was reported that most of the party leaders during a meeting chaired by three-time prime minister Nawaz Sharif suggested that the PMLN should not form the federal government and only focus on Punjab where they had secured a majority after the induction of independents.

However, some of them argued otherwise, saying Pakistan was facing serious economic crisis and there was a need to rescue the state.

Speaking on the occasion, Nawaz said the PML-N must not accept any unprincipled demand forwarded by allied parties just for the sake of coming into power in Centre.

Earlier yesterday, Rana Sanaullah, a close aide of Nawaz and heads the Punjab chapter of PML-N, told a private TV channel that the PML-N should not form the federal government and sit on the opposition benches.

One must recall that Nawaz has already refused to lead the next government and nominated his younger brother Shehhaz Sharif as the prime minister candidate as he didn’t want a split mandate and was aiming at a simple majority.

In this this connection, Maryam Nawaz – the PML-N chief organiser – too had earlier explained the reasons behind Nawaz not leading the government this time round which would have given him the unmatched distinction of serving Pakistan for fourth time.

Maryam said the people had given a clear majority to Nawaz for his previous three stints as prime minister.

“He has made it clear in his speeches during election campaign that he would not become part of any coalition government,” she added.

Jamaat-e-Islam central council declines Sirajul Haq’s resignation LAHORE

STAFF REPORT

The Jamaat-e-Islami central council, in a meeting chaired by Deputy Amir Liaquat Baloch, firmly rejected the resignation tendered by Siraj-ul-Haq. The gathering, held at the Emergency Central Majlis Shura in Mansoora, echoed with resolute voices urging Haq to continue leading the party as Amir, reinstating their trust in his leadership.

The committee members of the Majlis Shura, alongside prominent figures Liaquat Baloch, Ameerul Azim, Rashid Naseem, Professor Ibrahim, and Asadullah Bhutto, convened with Siraj-ul-Haq to convey their unwavering support. Jamaat-e-Islami spokesperson Qaiser Sharif affirmed the unanimous decision of the Central Majlis Shura, emphasizing their full confidence in Haq’s capabilities.

Sharif further disclosed that Siraj-ul-Haq would deliver a special address to the Central Majlis-e-Shura imminently, signaling his intent to fulfill his duties as Amir in accordance with the party’s constitution. The announcement comes in the wake of Haq’s resignation following the party’s setback in the general elections, wherein he publicly declared, “I resign as the Ameer of Jamaat-e-Islami.”

Anticipation mounts as the Secretary-General, Amirul-Azeem, schedules a Shura meeting on February 17 in Mansurah. The meeting aims to deliberate on the aftermath of Siraj-ul-Haq’s resignation, indicating a pivotal moment in the party’s trajectory as it navigates through this period of transition.

HBL PSL9: Glittering opening ceremony wows crowd with music, laser show LAHORE STAFF REPORT

The Pakistan Super League (PSL) season nine kicked off with a mesmerising star-studded opening ceremony at Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium on Saturday.

Cricket fans in Lahore and all around the world saw spectacular performances by different artists and one of the major attractions was the performances of the singers, Ali Zafar and Aima Baig, of the PSL 9 anthem.

The fans were also treated to performances by the renowned musician Arif Lohar and the band ‘Noori’ while the event commenced with Natasha Baig and Leo Twins’ soulful rendition of the national anthem and laser show. Gates had opened for spectators at 3:30pm, with the ceremony kicking off at 630 pm.

It must be noted that PSL 9 will be held in four cities — Karachi, Lahore, Multan and Rawalpindi — with the final of the event taking place at the National Bank Stadium

in Karachi on March 18.

The action then moves to Rawalpindi’s Pindi Cricket Stadium and Karachi’s National Bank Stadium, where 16 matches will be held from February 28 to March 12. The event will then move to Karachi in its entirety for the playoffs.

A highly anticipated clash between Lahore Qalandars and Karachi Kings is scheduled for 24 February and 9 March. Gaddafi Stadium will host the February 24 encounter, while the National Bank Stadium

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

will be the venue for the Qalandars and Kings match on March 9.

Teams like Kings, Qalandars, Sultans, and United will play five matches at their respective home grounds, while Peshawar Zalmi will play four matches at Pindi Cricket Stadium.

Quetta Gladiators, on the other hand, will play three matches each in Karachi, Lahore, and Rawalpindi, with one match at Multan Cricket Stadium against the home side Sultans on February 25.