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needs to come to the country before anything else Imran alleged that institutions were compromised to ensure PML-N supremo Nawaz Sharif ’s ‘selection’, causing harm to courts and organisations including the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) in the process Imran contended that rigging occurred in favour of Nawaz during the elections after unfairly subjecting him to allegations Referring to the Rawalpindi commissioner backtracking from his earlier poll rigging revelations’, the ex-premier claimed that the former official was “picked up and tortured” “A Vigo came and picked him up Now his software has been updated he added ‘Pakistan PTI’s top priority’ In today s statement, PTI leader Barrister Zafar said that Pakistan will always remain a top priority for the party Zafar ’s statement came a day after Imran Khan announced from jail that he would write a letter to the IMF demanding it to halt the next loan to Pakistan unless there was a thorough probe into the alleged election rigging The party faced backlash over the statement s timing as the country is embroiled in a severe economic crisis, and the upcoming government is already eying a new IMF programme Experts believed that writing such a letter was a terrible idea as it would not have any value but would lead to burning political capital and creating more rifts between the PTI and powerful stakeholders

PPP nominates Murad

Ali Shah for Sindh

CM’s slot

India using rape of women as weapon of war to suppress K ashmiris ’ struggle’

said that the suspension of the success notification for PML-N s MNAselect from Islamabad resulted from the continuous false actions of PTI’s unsuccessful candidates in Islamabad

According to the law he said election complaints are exclusively handled by the Election Tribunal, not the High Court Neither the High Court nor the Election Commission serve as trial courts for election-

related issues he added Dr Fazal Chaudhry said once tribunals are established all election complaints are directed to them; other courts do not proceed with such cases He said PTI leaders falsely claimed in the High Court that tribunals had not been set up He stated that the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has issued a notification declaring the success of three PML-N MNAselect Dr Fazal Chaudhry noted that in 2018, more objections were raised compared to the 2024 election

Senator A Rehman Malik’s 2nd death anniversary marked

However, she stated that the polls manipulators converted PTI s backed candidates’ landslide victory into defeat fraudulently because they were even not allowed to enter into RO’s office Seemabia went on to say that that they had all documented proof of poll robbery and all political parties candidates including TLP were ready to share rigging evidences with PTI

She noted that scale of polls robbery could be judged from the fact that they even found Form-45 in the trash adding that PTI leader recalled that the state unleashed a wave of fascism and barbarity as even they did not spare the journalists to silence the sane dissenting voices

However she lamented that senior anchorperson Imran Riaz was detained again because even people of his own community did not raise voice against his arrest due to possible consequences

She said that Pakistan has been converted into a banana republic as there was no regard for law and constitution in the country adding that they had been facing the worst state fascism for the past nine months aimed at forcing them to leave PTI Chairmanfor-life and PTI However, Seemabia vowed that all these brutal tactics would not work and even proved counterproductive which were evident from February 8 polls as the nation roared back more strongly because they were of the firm belief that Imran Khan was the only true and genuine leader who could wade the country

key initiatives in annual repor ts 2022-23

T h e r e p r e s e n t a t i v e s f r o m v a r i o u s I n t e r n a t i o n a l D e v e l o p m e n t P a r t n e

New Punjab MPA s sworn in at maiden session amid protest, delay

the papers for the slot of the speaker will be done at 5:10pm while that of the deputy speaker s slot will be done at 5:20pm After the MPAs-elect administered oath, PML-N’s Malik Ahmad Khan and Malik Zaheer Iqbal Channer submitted their nomination papers for the slot of Punjab Assembly speaker and deputy speaker respectively Meanwhile PTI-backed Ahmad Khan Bhachar and Muhammad Moeenuddin Riaz Qureshi who are now members of the Sunni Ittehad Council submitted their papers for the speaker and deputy speaker positions PML-N PTI-BACKED

CANDIDATES CHANT SLOGANS IN FACE-OFF

Earlier, PTI-backed candidates elected to the Punjab Assembly chanted slogans in favour of their party and expremier Imran Khan as they gathered outside the assembly

According to video footage the newly-elected lawmakers, who recently joined the Sunni Ittehad Council as per the PTI’s directions, chanted “Imran Khan, Imran Khan” as they reacted to chants from their political rivals in the PML-N The PTI-supported lawmakers could be hearing chanting: Who will save Pakistan? Imran Khan Imran Khan

‘CONCERNS OVER UNEQUAL

atmosphere There is disturbance because of you Please do not do this, he said And I am saying this personally that may God also give you courage to listen to each other patiently ” Sibtain added The speaker congratulated all MPAs on assuming their new role and wished

Upon his arrival at the Punjab Assembly, Speaker Sabtain Khan voiced

He further outlined the day s agenda noting that proceedings would solely focus on the oath-taking of newly elected members Khan indicated readiness to proceed with the election of the Speaker and Deputy Speaker pending decisions from the Election Commission Additionally arrangements for seats allocated to women and

held under

The secretary further said that the

The scrutiny of

TREATMENT IN HOUSE’

After outgoing Punjab Assembly Speaker Sibtain Khan administered oath to the newly-elected lawmakers he urged those in the gallery to not spoil the

PDMA issues aler t to admin for rains, strong winds, snowfall in Upper KP distric ts

a n d w h e n r e t u r n e d f o u n d b o d y o f h e r 1 3 - y e a r- o l d d a u g h t e r h a n g i n g w i t h c e i l i n g T h e b o d y w a s s h i f t e d t o h o s p i t a l w h e r e p o s t m o r t e m r e p o r t p r o v e d t h a t t h e g i r l w a s s t r a n g l e d t o d e a t h a f t e r s e x u a l a b u s e T h e b o d y w a s h a n d e d o v e r t o h e i r s a f t e r l e g a l f o r m a l i t i e s a n d p o l i c e a f t e r r e g i s t e r i n g a c a s e a g a i n s t u n i d e n t i f i e d m u r d e r s t a r t e d i n v e s t i g a t i o n s M e a n w h i l e t h r e e i n c l u d i n g w e i g h t l i f t i n g a t h l e t e s w e r e i n j u r e d w h e n l i f t o f a h o t e l f e l l d u e t o o v e r l o a d h e r e , r e s c u e s o u r c e s s a i d o n F r i d a y A c c o r d i n g t o d e t a i l s , o v e r l o a d l e d t o f a l l i n g o f l i f t o f a h o t e l i n S a d d a r a r e a o f K a r a c h i Tw o w e i g h t l i f t i n g a t h l e t e s a n d a s e c r e t a r y w e r e i n j u r e d i n t h e i n c i d e n t a n d h o s p i t a l i z e d T h e i n j u r e d a t h l e t e s a n d s e c r e t a r y w e r e o n v i s i t t o K a r a c h i t o p a r t i c i p a t e i n S i n d h G a m

Shab-e-Baraat: Public holiday announced in educational institutions of Sindh

n F r i d a y a n n o u n c e d p u b l i c h o l i d a y i n a l l e d u c a t i o n a l i n s t i t u t i o n s o f t h e p r o v i n c e o n M o n d a y F e b r u a r y 2 6 o n t h e o c c a s i o n o f S h a b - e - B a r a a t A c c o r d i n g t o d e c i s i o n t a k e n b y t h e S t e e r i n g C o m m i t t e e o f S i n d h E d u c a t i o n D e p a r t m e n t , a l l t h e p u b l i c a n d p r i v a t e e d u c a t i o n a l i n s t i t u t i o n s w i l l r e m a i n c l o s e d o n F e b r u a r y 2 6 o n a c c o u n t o f S h a b - eB a r a a t ( 1 5 t h S h a b a n 1 4 4 5 ) T h e p r o v i n c i a l e d u c a t i o n d e p a r t m e n t h a s i s s u e d a n o ff i c i a l n o t i f i c a t i o n i n t h i s r e g a r d M u s l i m s i n P a k i s t a n a n d a r o u n d t h e w o r l d o b s e r v e S h a b - e - B a r a t e v e r y y e a r T h e n i g h t i s b e l i e v e d a s T h e N i g h t o f F o r t u n e a n d F o rg i v e n e s s w h i c h c o m e s i n t h e r u nu p t o t h e s t a r t o f t h e m o n t h o f R a m a d a n

n g a g e w i t h P a k i s t a n , t h e y s h o u l d i n s i s t o n c o n d i t i o n s f o r a n i n d e p e n d e n t a u d i t o f t h e p o l l s ” Z a f a r m e n t i o n e d t h a t t h e I M F t h e E u r o p e a n U n i o n a n d o t h e r g l o b a l o rg a n i s a t i o n s h a v e a c h a r t e r s t i p u l a t i n g t h a t g o o d g o v e r n a n c e i s r e q u i r e d f o r o p e r a t i n g i n t h e c o u n t r y o r p r o v i d i n g a l o a n I n a r e l a t e d d e v e l o p m e n t , B l o o m b e rg r e p o r t e d t h a t P a k i s t a n i n t e n d s t o r e q u e s t a n e w l o a n o f a t l e a s t $ 6 b i l l i o n f r o m t h e I n t e r n a t i o n a l M o n e t a r y F u n d ( I M F ) t o a s s i s t t h e i n c o m i n g g o v e r n m e n t i n r e p a y i n g b i l l i o n s i n d e b t d u e t h i s y e a r P a k i s t a n n a r r o w l y e s c a p e d f i n a n c i a l d e f a u l t i n 2 0 2 3 w i t h a s h o r t - t e r m b a i l o u t f r o m t h e I M F a n d f a c e s t h e e x p i r a t i o n o f t h i s p r o g r a m i n M a r c h 2 0 2 4 T h e u p c o m i n g g o v e r n m e n t w i l l b e t a s k e d w i t h s e c u r i n g a l o n g - t e r m d e a l t o e n s u r e t h e s t a b i l i t y o f t h e n a t i o n ’s $ 3 5 0 b i l l i o n e c o n o m y T h e c o u n t r y a i m s t o n e g o t i a t e a n E x t e n d e d F u n d F a c i l i t y w i t h t h e I M F w i t h t a l k s e x p e c t e d t o c o m m e n c e i n M a r c h o r A p r i l t h e B l o o m b e rg r e p o r t a d d e d

G o i n g t o t h e I M F

Wa s h i n g d

PTI Chairman Imran Khan s decision to appeal to the IMF to make an electoral audit a condition of releasing the remaining tranche of its ongoing programme, or of agreeing to w new programme reflects both a sort of desperation to appeal for help wherever possible as well as a tacit acknowledgement that it is the key lever to press This is not the first time the IMF has been involved, though this will indeed be the first time someone without a government position will approach the IMF It will also be the first time the IMF will be asked to intervene in a member s politics The PTI argument, as relayed by Senator Ali Zafar after meeting Mr Khan in Adiala Jail, was that the IMF wanted good governance including democracy when lending to members This seems a little ambitious because the IMF has been perfectly happy entering programmes with military rulers, not just in Pakistan, but anywhere The IMF, like the UN, but not the World Bank, has had to accommodate the USSR and its bloc during the Cold War and thus has no problems dealing with what Western nations would consider undemocratic

This is not the first time the PTI has tried to queer the government’s pitch with the IMF The episode, where Shaukat Tarin ousted as PM’s Finance Adviser tried to get the Finance Ministers of KP and Punjab to write to the IMF saying they would not be part of a deal with the IMF, has not entirely faded from the public memory Then there is the impression that the caretaker government did not go beyond the February 8 election date because of IMF Clearly the PTI believes this is what happened The PTI s own record in office is ambiguous In the 2018 election campaign, Mr Khan repeatedly promised not to have recourse to the IMF but when he came to office did exactly that However he did not precisely follow all the terms of his government s agreement with it

There is an inescapable element of washing one s dirty linen in public Mr Khan seems to be aware that one of the plus-points of the PDM government was its willingness to take the most unpopular measures to keep the IMF happy, because the IMF s good graces meant continued access to the world s money markets, and avoiding a default with all its negative and painful consequences Mr Khan’s message will almost surely not be honoured but the pressure it will put on the government will be a weapon in the hands of the IMF

Dedicated to the legac y of late Hameed Nizami Arif Nizami (Late) Founding Editor

M A Niazi Editor Pakistan Today Babar Nizami Editor Profit

TC l i m a t e c h a n g e a n d h u m a n h e a l t h

pre-existing health conditions

Perspectives and Prospects

Dr

CB

C

D

E OCEAN ACIDIFICATION: Increased CO2 levels lead to higher concentrations of carbonic acid in the oceans affecting marine ecosystems and organisms, particularly those with calcium carbonate shells or skeletons In today’s context, the issue requires global cooperation and concerted efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions transition to renewable energy sources and adapt to unavoidable impacts Further it requires a multi-faceted approach including mitigating climate change itself, adapting health systems to better respond to climate-related health risks, im-

shift to digital campaigning saw further challenges with internet and mobile services being disrupted or throttled This not only targeted PTI but also impacted businesses trade and the broader populace exacerbating the already compromised reputation of the nation

Some may argue that involving an international entity like the IMF could introduce transparency and impartiality into the audit process addressing the trust deficit with domestic institutions This approach might not only ensure fairer electoral practices but also spotlight alleged irregularities on a global stage fostering international advocacy for democratic integrity in Pakistan Conversely, this strategy might displease even some PTI supporters who favor internal resolution of issues fearing it could fragment the party s unity They contend that despite the flaws of national institutions struggles should remain within the constitutional and legal boundaries, advocating for a domestic, democratic push for reform without foreign intervention or influence on sovereign matters

Critics argue that while such actions might not directly harm the establishment judiciary or government officials who would continue to receive their salaries the real brunt of economic fallout from a halted IMF negotiation, prompted by PTI s request, would be borne by the common people This could exacerbate unemployment and inflation, already at record highs, pushing millions more into poverty

They suggest learning from past experiences like the repercussions of alleging foreign involvement in regime change which cost PTI its government and led to legal troubles for its members Instead of risking further isolation and legal action by engaging with international bodies like the IMF in domestic political disputes they advocate for a more cautious approach that avoids giving the government and establishment reasons to target PTI and its leadership

Critics might argue that soliciting foreign intervention in political and electoral issues could be perceived as undermining national sovereignty, potentially fueling nationalist and anti-

A RISING TEMPERATURES: One of the most direct features of global climate change is the increase in global average surface temperatures This warming is evident in the long-term trend over the past century with recent decades being the warmest in the historical record

B MELTING ICE AND GLACIERS: Warming temperatures lead to the melting of ice caps, glaciers, and permafrost This melting contributes to rising sea levels and can also release methane, a potent greenhouse gas from thawing permafrost

C RISING SEA LEVELS: The expansion of seawater as it warms combined with the addition of water from melting ice sheets and glaciers contributes to rising sea levels This can lead to coastal erosion, increased flooding, and the loss of coastal habitats

D CHANGING PRECIPITATION PATTERNS: Climate change affects precipitation patterns leading to changes in the frequency intensity and duration of rainfall events Some regions experience increased rainfall and flooding while others face more severe droughts and water scarcity

E ECOSYSTEM AND BIODIVERSITY

CHANGES: Climate change affects ecosystems and biodiversity, altering habitats, and putting stress on plant and animal species This can lead to shifts in species distributions changes in migration patterns and the disruption of ecological relationships

F IMPACT ON AGRICULTURE: Changes in temperature and precipitation patterns, along with increased frequency of extreme weather events, can affect agricultural productivity This can lead to challenges in food security changes in crop yields and the need for adjustments in farming practices

G SOCIOECONOMIC IMPACTS: The effects of climate change have significant socioeconomic implications, including impacts on economies, infrastructure, and human settlements, particularly in vulnerable communities Climate change has profound and diverse impacts on human health affecting individuals and communities in several ways These impacts can be direct resulting from extreme weather events and changes in environmental conditions, or indirect, through disruptions to social, economic, and environmental determinants of health:

A HEAT-RELATED ILLNESSES AND MORTALITY: Increasing temperatures and more frequent and intense heatwaves contribute to heat stress heatstroke and dehydration These conditions can exacerbate cardiovascular and respiratory diseases, leading to increased morbidity and mortality, especially among vulnerable populations such as the elderly, children, and those with

B AIR QUALITY AND RESPIRATORY DISEASES: Climate change can worsen air quality by increasing the concentration of pollutants and allergens, such as ground-level ozone and particulate matter from wildfires and dust storms Poor air quality is linked to respiratory conditions including asthma allergic diseases and other chronic respiratory disorders

C VECTOR-BORNE DISEASES: Changes in temperature, precipitation, and humidity affect the distribution, seasonality, and abundance of disease vectors like mosquitoes and ticks This can alter the geographic range and transmission patterns of vector-borne diseases including malaria dengue fever Zika virus Lyme disease and West Nile virus potentially exposing new populations to these health threats

D WATER-RELATED ILLNESSES: Climate change impacts the availability and quality of water, leading to increased risks of waterborne diseases especially in areas with inadequate water treatment and sanitation facilities Flooding and heavy rainfall can contaminate water supplies with pathogens while droughts can concentrate pollutants in water sources, leading to diseases such as cholera, giardiasis, and cryptosporidiosis

E FOOD SECURITY AND NUTRITION: Climate change affects food production and availability with implications for nutrition and food security Changes in temperature and precipitation patterns along with extreme weather events can reduce crop yields, affect livestock productivity, and disrupt fishing communities This can lead to malnutrition, micronutrient deficiencies, and increased susceptibility to diseases

F MENTAL HEALTH AND WELL-BEING:

The psychological impacts of climate change are significant encompassing stress anxiety depression and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) following extreme weather events like hurricanes, floods, and wildfires The uncertainty and perceived threats associated with climate change can also contribute to emotional distress and anxiety

G DISPLACEMENT AND CONFLICT: Climate change can lead to displacement and increase the risk of conflict by exacerbating resource scarcity, particularly water and food The resulting social and economic pressures can heighten tensions within and between communities, contributing to health impacts associated with displacement including increased exposure to infectious diseases malnutrition and mental health disorders

H VULNERABLE POPULATIONS: Certain groups are disproportionately affected by the health impacts of climate change, including children, the elderly, economically disadvantaged populations indigenous communities and people with pre-existing health conditions These groups may have limited capacity to adapt and are more likely to experience adverse health outcomes

The writer is a youth motivator and former Head of the University Department of Political Science, B N Mandal University Madhepura Bihar India

PTI sentiment Such a move risks politically isolating the PTI both within Pakistan and on the international stage, as it could be viewed as an excessive measure or a misuse of international institutions for domestic political conflicts

This strategy could arm opponents with grounds to accuse PTI of treason leading to possible legal actions against its leaders, a ban on the party, and the nullification of its electoral achievements in 2024

Furthermore there’s concern that this approach could prompt a coordinated media and civil society backlash against PTI labeling the act as unpatriotic and anti-state

Prime time TV shows might be pressured to denounce PTI s actions, while ad campaigns across traditional and social media could further condemn the party Engagement of civil society groups to criticize PTI could lead to a significant loss of the political capital the party gained following its strong performance in the 2024 elections especially if media outlets that had previously shifted their support towards PTI due to perceived election rigging and the treatment of its members reverse their stance

Media analysts might critique the PTI for its tendency to repeat past mistakes without considering the broader implications for national sovereignty and dignity Despite PTI s professed commitment to upholding the coun-

Difficult travel

Time to discipline India through FATF

Abution (Regulation) Act (FCRA), Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) and Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) These laws are used to suppress dissent stifle activism and restrict funding access for non-governmental organizations (NGOs)

The Amnesty International report points out that in India over 20,600 NGOs have had their licences cancelled in the last decade including 6 000 in 2022 This crackdown has forced NGOs to significantly reduce their staff or shut down entirely As a result vital programmes supporting human rights, minority advocacy, gender equality and environmental issues are being curtailed, leaving the vulnerable population without crucial support Ironically NGOs are being targeted without any risk assessment defying FATF s own standards to uphold transparency in the process Amnesty International ceased operations in India in 2020 because of constant harassment from the government The UAPA, India’s major counterterrorism law, is often used to arbitrarily detain human rights activists and even students The rights of minorities in India are already threatened under the shadowy Hindutva ideology The BJP, which is the political face of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), aims to create a “Hindu Rashtra” exclusively for the followers of the Hindu religion leaving no place for religious diversity Indian minorities particularly Muslims routinely face persecution at the hands of the Hindu majority often becoming targets for Hindu extremists due to their religious identity Incidents of Hindu mobs desecrating mosques and churches are on the rise Dalits who constitute about 17 percent of the population endure the worst forms of

abuse Given this background the Modi government has launched a campaign targeting anyone calling out the appalling state of human rights in India

The ongoing ethno-religious conflict in Manipur between the Hindu Meitei majority and the Christian Kuki tribal community has also laid bare the fraught social fabric of Indian society According to official sources violent clashes have claimed at least 180 lives with several hundred injured Churches and villages were set ablaze and more than 60,000 people have been displaced and forced to live in relief camps Kuki women have been subjected to horrifying genderbased violence by the Hindu mobs A number of United Nations human rights experts have raised alarm on the grave humanitarian situation in Manipur and an inadequate humanitarian response by the Indian government According to some experts, there are reports of counterterrorism measures being exploited in Manipur to “legitimize acts of violence and repression against ethnic and religious minorities

Meenakshi Ganguly South Asia director

at Human Rights Watch notes that “the BJP’s embrace of the Hindu majority at the expense of minorities has seeped into government institutions undermining equal protection of the law without discrimination the government has not only failed to protect Muslims and other minorities from attacks but is providing political patronage and cover for bigotry ” Throughout India Hindutva groups are involved in ethnically or racially motivated terrorism and enjoy state patronage Hindutva Watch, an independent research group documenting hate crimes and hate speeches against religious minorities in India, found out that 80 percent of hate incidents occurred in states and union territories under the BJP rule The RSS affiliates like the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) and the Bajrang Dal were mentioned as religious militant organizations by the World Factbook of the Central Intelligence Agency in 2018 A critical aspect of the support infrastructure for the Hindutva groups in India lies in an ingenious network of financial transactions often masked as charitable endeavours through both domestic and international organizations Hindutva Watch emphasizes that the growth and influence of these groups are tied to their financial resources A report by the South Asian Citizens Web (SACW) sheds light on the flow of millions of dollars from charity groups in the USA to RSS-affiliated organizations in India Between 2001 and 2014, significant contributions were made by organizations such as Ekal Vidyalaya Foundation and Vishwa Hindu Parishad of America (VHPA), which provided $27 million and $3 9 million respectively to the RSS and its affiliates Additionally Sewa International

transferred $3 3 million to various rightwing activities across India while the Infinity Foundation channeLled $1 9 million in grants to universities and researchers supporting the Hindu supremacist agenda This international funding acts as the financial backbone of Hindutva groups In fact, the Indian terror tentacles have outgrown their geographical borders where Indian diplomatic presence is leveraged to perpetrate terrorism in other countries including NATO member states From espionage activities in the Middle East to financing terrorist outfits like the Tehreek Taliban Pakistan and the Balochistan Liberation Army against Pakistan India is now engaged in an assassination drive in the Western countries targeting Sikh nationalists India has thus started behaving like a rogue state Ironically, despite its dubious history of supporting terrorism, New Delhi has manipulated its FATF membership in its favour and against other states

Despite showing overzealousness in implementing FATF recommendations the Indian government has failed to control money laundering and illicit trade The Smuggling in India Report (2021-22) highlighted 437 cases of duty evasion amounting to Rs 39,240 million, marking a 40-percent surge from the Rs 28 100 million reported in the previous fiscal year The UN-backed International Narcotics Control Board (2023) identified India as a significant contributor to the over $650 billion global drug trade, functioning as a distribution hub for narcotics markets worldwide

According to a report titled “A Golden Web: How India Became One of the World’s Largest Gold Smuggling Hubs (2019) various policies in India have incentivized smuggling and the illicit trade of gold The report revealed that possible conflict and illicit gold tied to human rights abuses in Africa and South America is entering India ” According to the same report “illicit gold enters the country is absorbed into the legal market with ease and is re-exported back out as jewellery Aakar Patel Chair of the Board at Amnesty International India, has urged FATF to hold Indian authorities accountable for the weaponisation of FATF recommendations, stating that Indian actions have led to a failure in compliance with both FATF standards and international human rights law

The FATF must hold its member states accountable to prevent exploitation of the global watchdog s recommendations FATF also needs to take necessary measures to discipline India through its mechanisms for indulging in terror financing and money laundering

The writer is a freelance columnist

The w o rld’s dro w ning in de bt

those preceding Japan s lost economic decade in the 1990s and the 2008-2009 US Great Recession With its property and credit market bubble burst, China could be well on the way to a lost economic decade of its own Europe’s debt problem is largely concentrated in the eurozone s south Both Italy and Spain have public-debt-to-GDP ratios considerably higher than at the 2010 eurozone sovereign-debt crisis Complicating matters, these countries are stuck in a euro straitjacket that precludes them from using their own exchange-rate or interest-rate policy

B ig Tech firms flagrantly disregard the implicit social contrac t that enables c apitalist economies to

OBy contrast, the multifaceted nature of CEOs’ roles makes it hard to evaluate their individual contributions But given that the metrics for measuring CEOs’ success such as share prices are shaped by the collective efforts of numerous employees and by chance it could be argued that they should be the last to receive monetary incentives

Moreover, Big Tech companies huge profits reflect their market power, which they have achieved by offering users “free” services like search and email while harvesting their personal data and copyrighted material to train AI models In the absence of competitive checks the quality of these services has gradually deteriorated – a trend that author and tech activist Cory Doctorow has described as “enshittification ”

At the same time, the adverse effects of Big Tech’s business models from rampant misinformation and deepfakes to clickbait have become increasingly apparent The emergence of generative AI has further fueled concerns about tech giants market dominance, as writers, artists, and other creative professionals find their livelihoods undermined by large language models that circumvent copyright-law restrictions with impunity

It does not have to be this way In a recent essay MIT economist David Autor argues that emerging AI technologies have the potential to complement the skills of human workers, particularly those, such as nurse practitioners, who typically do not receive incentive-based pay packages Similarly research by Autor ’s MIT peers Erik Brynjolfsson Danielle Li and Lindsey Raymond finds that AI significantly boosts the productivity of call-center workers Taken together, such studies suggest that generative AI could augment the work of creative freelancers instead of replacing them

But systemic change requires more than individual efforts The overwhelming power of Big Tech companies calls for government intervention to ensure that the value they create as well as the value they extract in monopoly

by examining the impact of major tech firms on labor markets, these actions are not enough To curb the market power of Big Tech firms and ensure that new technologies benefit everyone governments must invest in developing digital public infrastructure The concept of an open-standards technology stack – consisting of digital identification a payment system and a data-exchange platform – has gained traction in economic-development circles in recent years, and such frameworks could also streamline the

Pakistan Cables

UN

For the first time since its creation in 1948, Israel stands accused of genocide at the International Court of Justice, the highest judicial body of the United Nations, over its Gaza war An interim ruling in January ordered Tel Aviv to stop genocidal acts and take measures to guarantee that humanitarian assis-

tance is provided to civilians in Gaza

Earlier Qatar said Tuesday that negotiation for a Gaza cease-fire and hostage swap between Hamas and Israel are ongoing Qatar continues its role and efforts and communications are still ongoing between

all parties,” Foreign Ministry spokesman Majed Al-Ansari told reporters

He

Oil

IC J holds public hearings on Israel’s occupation of Palestine for fif th day

For the fifth consecutive day the International Court of Justice in The Hague continues its public hearings regarding the legal implications arising from Israel’s policies and practices in the occupied Palestinian territories including East Jerusalem

The hearings come within the framework of the UN General Assembly s request for an advisory opinion from the International Court of Justice on the legal consequences of Israel’s prolonged occupation for over 57 years

Namibia remembers painful colonial history which resembles that of Palestine

Addressing the ICJ Namibia s Justice

Minister Yvonne Dausab demanded that the court recognizes Israel s occupation of Palestinian territories as illegal

She made parallels between Palestine and Namibia that are “striking and painful Instead of exerting their right to govern themselves she said Palestinians and Namibians suf-

fered the loss of human dignity and the outright theft of their land and natural resources” According to her Namibia still suffers from the effects of a long and unlawful occupation The ICJ played a vital role in our liberation struggle In its 1971 opinion, Dausab added, the court confirmed the right to self-determination as a legal imperative”, paving the way to Namibia’s independence in 1990 She continued “Because of Namibia’s experience with apartheid we cannot look the other way in the face of the brutal atrocities committed against the Palestinian people We ask the court not to look away either Oman: International community failed to help Palestinians achieve their aspirations

The representative of the Sultanate of Oman stated that more than 75 years have passed and the Palestinian people remain under Israeli occupation facing injustice the absence of justice, and massacres

CORPORATE CORNER HBL profit rises to record Rs114 billion, up 47% in 2023 K A R A C H I: HBL declared a record profit before tax of Rs113 6 billion for the year ended December 31, 2023, 47% higher than the PBT recorded in 2022 Profit after tax has increased to Rs57 8 billion a commendable 68% growth over last year Earnings per share for 2023 increased to Rs39 32 compared to Rs23 23 in 2022 Along with the results, the Bank declared a final dividend of Rs4 00 per share, bringing the total dividend for 2023 to Rs9 75 per share HBL grew its balance sheet by 19% to Rs5 5 trillion Deposits displayed a robust growth of 19% over 2022 closing at Rs4 1 trillion with domestic deposits increasing by Rs 533 billion to Rs 3 5 trillion PR

Dove Pakistan is honouring five inspiring and courageous women of Pakistan who have accomplished milestones in their respective arenas while causing change in their own unique way The beloved shampoo brand provides these exemplary women a platform to share their stories and discuss their achievements through the No Damage Beyond Repair” podcast

The Dove Pakistan podcast series empowers the resilient and courageous women of our society by enabling them to narrate their experiences and inspire others to take charge of their own stories This podcast challenges the age-old misconception that once the damage is done it can’t be reversed and things can’t be made right again The podcast highlights the strength and resilience of exceptional women who have triumphed over all the adversities, challenges, judgement, and criticism that came their way and rose above it all

and

Bahria University join hands to facilitate

media personality Dove Pakistan created a safe and welcoming space for these women to share their experiences in a heart-to-heart conversation They talked about what it took to get to the point where they are in their lives currently These women underscored Dove’s core message that any challenge or impediment in life can be conquered by determination and tenacity Unfortunately we still live in times where traditional expectations often clash with gender roles Despite that, these women have emerged as pioneers who have defied challenges shattered stereotypes and left a lasting impact in their respective fields Dove Pakistan has always championed women and believed in being a vessel through which women’s stories and their accomplishments can be highlighted The podcast is another step towards The podcast is a means to kickstart conversations around women and their achievements and cause a change in societal mindsets when it comes to women By amplifying the voices of resilient women the "No Damage Beyond Repair" series challenges outdated perceptions and orthodox beliefs reshaping societal norms The "No Damage Beyond Repair" series by Dove Pakistan emerges as a guiding source of light for supporting and encouraging the nation s women from all walks of life while celebrating their uniqueness and lauding their achievements The idea was to make a statement about how women can achieve anything they want with their determination and brilliance and the podcast is doing that in the best way possible

continuing with their commitment to empower women

premium hospitality educ ation ISLAMABAD: In an exciting initiative designed to enhance hospitality education in Pakistan, Hashoo School of Hospitality Management (HSHM) and Bahria University are joining hands and providing a more holistic academic experience for upcoming hospitality leaders The launch ceremony of this partnership, held recently in Pearl-Continental Hotel, Rawalpindi, was attended by senior executives from Hashoo Group, Pakistan Navy, HSHM and academia Through this partnership HSHM students will be housed at the Bahria Finishing School with access to state-of-the-art facilities such as modern classrooms training kitchens, a mock restaurant and training hotel room while learning from leading culinary and hospitality experts from around the globe PR C E O ZO N G , P TA c h a i r m a n d i s c u s s f u t u r e o f te l e c o m s e c to r i n Pa ki s t a n ISLAMABAD: Zong ’s Chief Executive Officer Mr Huo Junli Chief Technical Officer Lu Jianhui Chief Regulatory Office Kamran Ali met with Chairman PTA Maj Gen (R) Hafeez Ur Rehman on 21st February 2024 at the PTA Headquarters Islamabad The purpose of this meeting was to discuss critical aspects shaping the future of the telecommunications industry in Pakistan Key agenda items included addressing challenges encountered by the sector and devising- relevant strategies to mitigate them as well as outlining the framework for the upcoming spectrum auction The strategic session delved into topics such as network infrastructure development, enhancing 4G coverage, advancing leadership in data services, and exploring various IoT solutions PR Jazz, EFU Life introduce Takaful to broaden financial inclusion ISLAMABAD: Jazz has collaborated with EFU Life Assurance Ltd to introduce the industry s first Takaful (Shariah-complaint) offering for its subscribers Through this collaboration Jazz subscribers can opt for low-cost Takaful products with unique benefits including a health wallet, cancer protection, and coverage for female major medical illnesses In addition the customer’s entire family will be able to utilize virtual healthcare benefits Sharing his thoughts on the development Kazim Mujtaba Chief Commercial Officer at Jazz said We are excited to partner with EFU Life to include a full suite of industry s first Shariah-compliant products within a single program PR

TAsad Toor ‘quiz zed’ for hours in probe into ‘smear campaign’ against judges

E

’s a l l e g at i o n s ‘ f a l s e ’

ISLAMABAD S TA F F R E P O R T

The Election Commission of Pakistan s (ECP) inquiry committee constituted to probe into the rigging allegations levelled by former Rawalpindi Commissioner Liaquat Ali Chatha submitted its report concluding that the regarding ‘poll rigging allegation were false and based on lies

The inquiry report came a day after Liaquat Ali Chatha backtracked on his allegations that he played a role in rigging the elections to make the losers win in Rawalpindi Division

In a letter to the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) secretary, Chattha said last week s press conference was held at the behest of a senior PTI leader, who also happens to be a proclaimed offender

According to insiders the high-level committee in its report submitted today recommends legal action against the former Rawalpindi commissioner for making false accusations and po-

tentially impacting the commission s integrity

The inquiry committee thoroughly investigated Chatha s allegations, reviewing evidence and interviewing relevant officials Their findings, as per sources, conclusively debunked the claims of rigged elections The committee according to the sources mentioned the Chatha s letter in its report and quoted him as saying that he was influenced by external forces when making his statement Mr Chatha has apologised to ECP in front of the inquiry committee ” it stated

The inquiry report has attached Chatha s statement along with details regarding returning officers (ROs) and district returning officers (DROs) from national and provincial constituencies Expressing shame and embarrassment in his letter the former Rawalpindi commissioner sought an apology from the nation Chatha stated that the entire plan to malign state institutions was approved by the PTI leadership The ex-commissioner clarified

that he never instructed any Returning Officer to show favoritism or intervene in the election process

With a 32-year service record I was scheduled to retire on March 13, 2024, and held concerns about potential loss of benefits in the future I deeply regret my statement and offer a sincere apology to the nation Chatha stated The former commissioner revealed that during his role as Punjab s secretary, he forged close ties with a political party official, aiming for future advantages “The party official went into hiding due to involvement in the May 9 incidents I was in touch with him and also used to assist him secretly, he said Liaquat Chatta disclosed a covert meeting with the leader of a political party in Lahore on February 11 and was tasked with devising a plan to confirm allegations of election rigging however concerned about the potential ineffectiveness of the accusations, he opted to conduct an emotionally charged press conference

LAHORE

The court of a Judicial Magistrate in Lahore on Friday remanded anchorperson Imran Riaz to jail in a corruption case

Imran Riaz along with his father was arrested in the wee hours of Friday by the Punjab Anti-Corruption Establishment (ACE) from his house with visuals of the arrest going viral on social media

According to the ACE the anchor person and his father have been accused of securing a contract about Dharabi Lake in Chakwal at an inflated price

He was presented in the Judicial Magistrate Imran Abid court by the Anti-Corruption Establishment (ACE) and sought a 14-day physical remand

Opposing the ACE request, one of Imran Riaz’s lawyers –Rana Maroof told the court that the case filed against his client was against the law and false He maintained that Riaz s father never served as a government official Maroof argued that Riaz had not caused harm to the national treasury “Imran Riaz was arrested like a terrorist ” he said

Azhar Siddique an-

lawyer said that the anti-corruption authorities had neither

evidence nor any documents to prove the allegations against his client

During the hearing Imran Riaz said: These people came to my house I surrendered to them I told them not to enter my home They made me sit in the car and then entered my home They searched my home for 15 minutes ”

He asserted that authorities were lying about the contract in question The previous contract was Rs11 million We took this contract for an upwards of Rs4m he said He said that handcuffs were being slapped on his wrists in order to “pay salute to the queen” an apparent reference to PML-N s Maryam Nawaz who has been

by the party for the slot

votes,” he said He called

“corrupt mafia”

The anchorperson further stated that he had “borne all the cruelty” on his own If I am stuttering again today it is because my father was called corrupt he claimed The institutions and their people are my own even if they beat me [ ] these are people from the ACE and they are doing their jobs ” Riaz said “If they arrest me today it is possible that some other people will meet me [in custody] and torture me But I will bear that cruelty as well,” he told the court, recalling that his wife begged those who arrested him last night and kept asking why the anchorperson was being arrested I myself didn t know why they were arresting me and who they were, Riaz added He went on to say that he had surrendered himself but requested the authorities to not enter his house “Yet they entered my home and I don t know what they did there Riaz said He also expressed hope that the country would recover one day, adding that Pakistan will not stay like this forever”

“Most of my journalist friends tell me to leave the country and purchase property abroad But I tell them that I will stay in Pakistan as long as