Human error blamed for 2020 K arachi plane crash
O ne stop facility center set up for
Pakistan’s
agricultural machinery
imports surge by 103% in first 7 months of fiscal year
ISLAMABAD S ta f f R e p o R t
Former PTI-backed MPA elect Ejaz Swati feels the heat for casting vote to PPP
KARACHI S ta f f R e p o R t
backed independent members who have joined the
Ittehad Council (SIC) raised slogans in Sindh Assembly against Ejaz Swati casted his vote to PPP nominated candidate Awais Qadir Shah over switching loyalties towards PPP after winning the polls on PTI ticket PTI-backed independent members are not participating in the voting process of the new speaker of speaker of the Sindh Assembly Less than a week after winning the election on a Sindh Assembly seat in Karachi Pakistan Tehreek-iInsaf-backed independent candidate Ejaz Swati switched sides and announced joining the PPP Swati had emerged victorious from PS-88 in district Malir He was also the district president of the PTI In a video statement, the MPA-elect said that after winning the election, he had discussed the situation with his elders and people of the constituency and reached the decision to join the PPP for the sake of his constituents
Three prisoners escape from sub-jail, securit y squad suspended SUJAWAL S ta f f R e p o R t
M d y 26 F b y 2024 | KARACHI 02 NEWS
ta f f R e p o R t
ISLAMABAD S
R E S I D E N
during the general election Speaking on the occasion, First Lady
commended the efforts of organizers
added that these awards recognized and encouraged our unsung heroes; our sisters for their valuable contribution in different walks of life She
women to come forward to avail the easy loans offered by banks for setting up businesses Organizer
Hum
the
organized every
to acknowledge the role of women
felicitate women leaders
entrepreneurs
overcame obstacles through continuous struggle and made their mark in their respective fields The President and the First Lady along with other distinguished personalities bestowed awards on women leaders for their outstanding contribution in the fields of education health and business Sheba Najmi Khurshid Bano Razia Korejo Huma Fakhar Bibi Amna Sania Saeed Sheema Kirmani Sadiqa Salahuddin Numaira Saleem, Dr Amany Asfour, Dr Amjad Saqib and Dr Izzeldin Abuelaish were the recipients of awards for their significant contributions to society Ministers diplomats and members of civil society also attended the ceremony H E A LT H , E D U C AT I O N FA C I L I T I E S C R I T I C A L F O R W O M E N E M P O W E R M E N T : P R E S I D E N T A LV I T H E murder of Amir Balaj Truckanwala rocked the city That made the feud carry over into the third generation for first not only did Balaj s father Tipu get murdered but so did his grandfather Billa the first to be nicknamed Truckanwala which indicated that they were transporters The people blamed for the killing were Goga Butt and Teefee Butt This was something of a surprise because there was supposed to have been peace made between the two groups Well that wasn t the case The late Balaj left behind two sons No prizes for guessing what they will have to do now Their grandfather Tipu had also left two sons, one of whom had to register the FIR which named the two Butts In this familial feud there was perhaps a certain rightness about the venue for the murder which was at a wedding I don t suppose the hosts are too happy about the situation The killer posed as a cameraman I wonder which party will blame which for the murder Balaj had recently left the PTI where he had started his political career and joined the PML(N) and was supposed to have played a key role in the campaign of Attaullah Tarar for NA-127, Lahore-XI, in which he got 98,000 votes, beating the PTI-backed independent Malik Zaheer Abbas who got 82 000 votes That was the seat in which Bilawal got 15 0000 votes which was incidentally a bit less than the margin of victory Well, it seems as if we are going to have a government at last One of the costs of having Mian Shehbaz as PM will be getting Asif Zardari as President, complete with that flat cap which he sports on top of an overcoat and a muffler Well you can t wrap up too much against the cold in this weather can you? And maybe the flat cap is a riposte to Mian Shehbaz s qawwal s topi, favoured by the late President Ayub, which was just a sort of sliver of cloth on one’s head Anyway while we can just tolerate Shehbaz taking oath in that cap I m not sure Asif should take oath in his flat cap no matter what the weather With the formation of the new government, I couldn t help noting the irony of PTI leader Gohar Ali Khan’s statement that the IMF programme would be at risk if the people s mandate was not respected What did he mean? That a PTI government would go cap in hand, to the IMF, but that a non-PTI government wouldn t? Well, the non-PTI government being formed would have Shehbaz go with qawwal cap in hand and Zardari with flat cap so long as they got the money Anyhow Barrister Gohar probably has other concerns now It seems that Mrs Imran Khan is not going to be left behind There are no longer threats against Imran s life, but there are against hers It seems that the revival of the Pakistani film industry continues with this demonstration of the plot twist The attempt on her life it seems was carried out by the superintendent of Adiala Jail in connivance of the cook who served her substandard food I assume young Balaj Truckanwala had no complaints about the food at the wedding Though I think he was killed before they served dinner The meeting of the Punjab Assembly showed that whoever had been going after the PTI had been less than impressed by its independents performance in the polls Its original candidate for CM, Mian Aslam Iqbal hasn t turned up in public not even to take oath as an MPA for fear of arrest It had to put forward Rana Aftab I think he should have been picked in the first place, for he is turning 72 this year, which makes him of the same generation as his leader The Sunni Ittehad Council had not yet been allocated the reserved seats it was supposed to get but Maryam Nawaz has taken oath as MPA and is expected to take oath as CM Hopefully, she won t wear either the cap favoured by her father Nawaz and uncle Shehbaz for their oaths nor the flat cap in Asif Zardari s possession but will stick to the dupatta she has been wearing so far And as far as her father imitated Zulfikar Ali Bhutto (which was by no means a slavish imitation), she should imitate Bhutto’s daughter And she should thank her lucky stars her father left her a political party to inherit and not a blood feud and can never be too grateful to the Almighty that she is the grand-daughter of the industrialist Mian Sharif,and not of Billa Truckanwala
legacies City NoteS M a N i a z i
Samina Alvi
and
urged
of the Award Show, President
Television Sultana Siddiqui said that
Women Leaders Awards were
year
and
and
who
Multi-generational
RAWALPINDI S ta f f R e p o R t Anti-Narcotics Force (ANF) Pakistan while conducting 32 operations across the country managed to recover over 1215 kg drugs and arrested 36 accused during last week said an ANF Headquarters spokesman He informed that ANF in a successful operation also busted a drug dealer group and arrested eight accused He said that the raids were conducted simultaneously in three major cities of the country and the gang members were rounded up The gang members were involved in selling CBD oil-laced vapes through online platforms he added Eight people were arrested targeting the inter-provincial drug dealer group involved in the distribution of vapes During the operation, vapes filled with hashish oil, CBD oil, THC oil and cigarette rolls made from hemp plant were recovered Apart from this marijuana oil opium and other illegal materials including marijuana were also seized The accused were involved in illegal activities under the guise of selling natural products and medicines E-commerce platforms were being used to supply drugs, the spokesman informed The accused used to import prohibited items from foreign countries through cargo companies ANF strives to enforce government regulations and standard operating procedures for online businesses he said The spokesman urged the parents to discourage teen vape use He also asked the citizens to keep a close eye on their children’s use of online shopping platforms and report any suspicious activity to law enforcement agencies immediately
RAWALPINDI S ta f f R e p o R t The 7th International Pakistan Army Team Spirit Exercise-2024 was opened at the National Counter Terrorism Centre at Pabbi on Sunday Director General Military Training opened the 60 hours long Patrolling Exercise which aims at enhancing military to military cooperation under complex international security environment A total of 20 friendly countries including military observers are participating in the event Major participants include Pakistan, Bahrain, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Maldives Morocco Qatar Sri Lanka Thailand Turkiye USA and Uzbekistan while Azerbaijan Belarus China Myanmar Germany Indonesia Japan and Oman will witness the exercise as military observers Pakistan Army Team Spirit is a mission specific and task oriented professional military exercise organized annually in Pakistan The exercise calls for highest standard of physical fitness mental agility robustness and professional military expertise for quick decision making in varied situations during conduct of challenging missions in near real environment The aim and objectives of this exercise revolve around perseverance acclaimed through the team spirit The exercise would help hone basic soldierly attributes besides interoperability through sharing of innovative ideas and mutual best practices
Int’l Pakistan Army Team Spirit Exercise 2024 begins at Pabbi
PTI
Sunni
notorious prisoners escaped from judicial sub-jail Sujawal SSP suspended the security squad According to details three notorious criminals Rafique Margar Bilawal Chandio and Sattar Minghar were imprisoned in barrack No 3 of Sujawal sub-jail The prisoners break opened the window of the barrack on Saturday-Sunday night and managed to escape The prisoners were found missing when the jail administration observed the barrack next morning SSP Sujawal Shehla Qureshi suspended all squad deployed for security of sub-jail including RI Police Lines
Three
KARACHI S ta f f R e p o R t The PIA investigation board has released an inquiry report into the Karachi plane on Sunday which claimed 99 lives four years after the heart-wrenching tragedy Amid lack of coordination, human error was reported to be the main cause of the crash, said the inquiry report The final investigation report was released by the Aircraft Accident Investigation Board regarding PIA Airbus A320 nearly four years after the crash that claimed 99 lives on May 22 2020 The report clearly said there was a lack of communication and harmony between the two pilots and air traffic controllers It further revealed that four times before landing the air traffic controller stopped the pilot from landing telling him that the plane s key height was too high For the fifth time, the air traffic controller allowed for landing However the air traffic controller did not tell the pilot that the plane s engine hit the runway and burst into flames during the first landing attempt Moreover for the first landing the airplane s landing gears were opened, however at the second landing time one of the pilots again closed the landing gear Hence, the plane made an attempt for landing without opening the landing gears for the first time during which its engines struck the runway which ignited flames Both the engines were affected due to this The findings revealed that data from the plane s last four minutes could not be recorded as engine failure cut the electricity supply The report said the administrative responsibility for the accident lies on PIA and Pakistan Civil Aviation Authority Due to lack of flight data analysis, mistakes of pilots related to flight procedures were not revealed,” the report concluded
Pakistan
imports of agricultural machinery and equipment have witnessed a remarkable increase of 103% in the first seven months of the current financial year According to data released by the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics the country s expenditure on importing agricultural machinery and equipment reached $49 million, marking a substantial rise compared to the same period in the previous fiscal year Furthermore the country s imports of liquefied natural gas (LNG) also registered a notable growth of 5% during the same period With foreign exchange spending totaling $2 29 billion from July to January 2023, the increase reflects the growing demand for LNG in Pakistan In another positive development, Pakistan s cotton yarn exports soared by 49% on an annual basis in the first seven months of the current financial year This surge in exports earned the country $670 million showcasing a significant boost compared to the corresponding period in the previous fiscal year Meanwhile there has been a noteworthy increase in the trend of purchasing through credit cards with a growth of 24 5% recorded in December According to statistics released by the State Bank, consumers spent a total of 108 billion rupees through credit cards in December 2023 indicating a substantial rise compared to December 2022 However amidst these positive indicators, Pakistan s foreign direct investment (FDI) experienced a decline of 21% in the first seven months of the current financial year With FDI recorded at $689 million during this period the decrease underscores the need for measures to attract more foreign investment to the country s economy ISLAMABAD S ta f f R e p o R t With aim to facilitate and acquaint the newly elected members of the 16th National Assembly of Pakistan, a dedicated facility center has been established within the hallowed halls of the Parliament House in Islamabad The arrival of these elected officials
commenced
of their
in the legislative arena
guidance of Speaker National
welcoming banners
the precincts of Parliament extending warm greetings to the incoming legislators To streamline the induction process a comprehensive one-window facility center has been instituted in Committee
Number Two of the Parliament House Here, members are undergoing essential formalities, including obtaining their assembly cards
familiarizing themselves with the protocols of the National Assembly through provided booklets
privileges extended to the newly inducted members is
issuance of blue passports for themselves, their spouses parents and unmarried children under 28 years of age This passport grants visa-free travel to 46 countries worldwide albeit necessitating a sworn oath Concurrently, details of their bank accounts are being collected to facilitate the disbursement of salaries and other entitlements Furthermore as part of their engagement within the parliamentary framework, members are invited to select from four distinct forums: women’s rights, children’s rights, youth welfare, and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) This initiative aims to encourage active participation in key legislative agendas Moreover, an international relations desk has been established within the facility center to gather pertinent information from new members regarding their political affiliations educational backgrounds and foreign travel history The inauguration of this facility center underscores a commitment to ensuring a smooth transition for incoming members of the National Assembly, empowering them with the resources and support necessary to fulfill their legislative duties effectively
incoming
Parliament
s
has
marking the beginning
journey
Under the
Assembly Raja Pervez Sharaf,
adorn
Room
and
Among the
the
members of
ing both countries
ASunni Ittehad
Council’s leader says par t y wants to bur y past; move ahead
During the interaction he highly appre-
tea to the Pakistani market after decades I further said that the meeting would be very beneficial for the business communities of both countries and would open a new avenue of cooperation
He said that Nepal is a tourist hub of South Asia and invited them to visit Nepal for business purposes as well as family and friends for holidays since Nepal is close hospitable and has an easy visa regime for Pakistani nationals
The envoy said Nepali Sherpas are sharing their skills and expertise with Pakistani mountaineers and every year they bring a large number of foreign mountaineers to Pakistan, which is becoming beneficial for Pakistani people
The ambassador visited the FIFA World Cup football manufacturer Forward surgical equipment manufacturer
Elmed , and sports garment manufacturer
‘Rajco production units President SCCI Abdul Ghafoor Malik in his welcome address said that Nepal and Pakistan share cordial relations
He said that this year would mark 64 years of strong bilateral relations based on mutual respect, deep understanding, and a shared vision for peace and socio-economic progress of both countries
Malik said that both countries need to focus on further enhancing economic ties and there is ample scope of opportunities waiting to be explored He suggested a few measures to increase bilateral trade, includ-
Speaking
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 01 There were
Abdul Basit Baloch elected President , Sohail Akhtar GS of LHC Bahawalpur Bar
candidate of the SIC for Chief Minister, personally reached the Punjab Assembly and submitted the nomination papers to the Secretary of the Punjab Assembly ‘S I C C O
: Later Punjab Chief Minister nominee Rana Aftab Ahmed Khan of the SIC talked to media and said that he is contesting the election of the Chief Minister of Punjab as a protest Rana Aftab Ahmad Khan said that Sunni Ittehad Council is in a position to give surprise but many of his party s newly-elected
11am, began with a delay of 18 minutes with outgoing speaker Durrani in the chair Following the recitation of the Holy Quran, the nine PTI-backed MPAs-elect who had not taken their oath on Saturday were sworn in As the polling process for electing the speaker commenced, PTI-backed MPAs chanted slogans against alleged poll rigging and refused to participate in the voting PTI-backed Bilal Khan Jatoi called the process a “fraudulent election”
The lawmakers also shouted lota
lota” (turncoats) when Ijaz Swati was called to cast his vote It must be noted that Swati who contested and won the elections as a PTI-backed independent had switched sides and joined the PPP
After being announced as the winner for the election of the speaker, slogans of ‘long live Bhutto’ reverberated in the hall as Shah walked up to the dais and took his oath of office in Sindhi
M d y 26 F b y 2024 | KARACHI NEWS 03 ISLAMABAD S ta f f R e p o R t
M B A S S A D O R Tapas Adhikari of Nepal to Pakistan extended an invitation to the Sialkot business community on Sunday, urging them to participate in the upcoming Nepal Chamber Expo-2024 in March and the Investment Summit in April 2024 During his visit to the Sialkot Chamber of Commerce and Industry and interaction with Abdul Gafoor Malik President of the Chamber and other executive members he said that the participation of Sialkot entrepreneurs could pave the way for bilateral business promotion, investment, and technology transfer “The Government of Nepal is ready to extend all kinds of support to foreign direct investment he added Sialkot could be a role model for Nepali people that it has emerged from a small town to a global business hub because of the hard work innovation and entrepreneurship of its people, he added
said Nepal and Pakistan needed more economic engagements and as Ambassador of Nepal, “I want to tap the business opportunity in Pakistan that could be beneficial to both countries
He
contribution
Nepal
able to export 6 containers of Nepali
ciated the
of Sialkot entrepreneurs making Sialkot a hub of sports goods, surgical items, and kitchen cutlery products in Pakistan He informed that recently
has been
facilitating single-country trade exhibitions and encouraging frequent exchanges of trade delegations to explore both markets; Pakistan and Nepal should utilize e-commerce and digital trade platforms to promote cross-border trade making it easier for businesses to connect with potential customers and partners Sialkot a city of 7-lakh population is an industrial hub of Pakistan that exports 2 5 billion US dollars goods in particular sports goods, surgical items, and kitchen cutlery Sialkot exports ten percent of Pakistani exports Sialkot is labeled as the football manufacturing capital of the world supplying 70 percent of global demand It produces the sports goods of Adidas, Nike, Reebok, Puma, and various other brands Small manufacturing units contribute a large share of exports and provide onethird of employment to the residents of the city Sialkot has its private sector invested in public airports dry ports and airlines to promote business ISLAMABAD S ta f f R e p o R t The Health Ministry reaffirming Pakistan s resolve to protect all children from the disability-causing polio virus launched the second nationwide polio vaccination campaign of the year on Sunday More than 45 8 million children aged under five years will be vaccinated during the vaccination drive which will be held across the country from February 26 to March 3 and in 33 districts of KP from March 2 to March 6 During the campaign the children will also be given vitamin A supplements to boost their immunity After administering polio drops to children to launch the drive, Federal Secretary for Health, Iftikhar Ali Shallwani said “Polio is a terrible disease that has no cure and can leave children paralyzed for life Unfortunately it continues to be a threat to our children as some people refuse to vaccinate children based on misconceptions and false information about the vaccine Shallwani further said that while the government remains strongly committed to ending polio in Pakistan and was making great progress as decision-makers parents and caregivers also have a huge responsibility to ensure their children s well-being In a special message directed to parents and caregivers, the health secretary emphasized, Polio vaccinators will be delivering this vital vaccine to your doorsteps next week I implore you to recognize the threat posed by the poliovirus to your children and ensure that you open your doors to facilitate their vaccination This was the second consecutive nationwide campaign of the year after poliovirus was detected in sewage samples from 19 districts in January and in 126 sewage samples in 2023 The first campaign of 2024 was held from January 8 to January 14, during which over 43 million children were vaccinated On this occasion the National Coordinator for Pakistan s Polio Programme, Dr Shahzad Baig, said that the Pakistan Polio Programme has devised a comprehensive mass vaccination and health services delivery plan for the year and will be working with a laser focus on reaching missed children reducing refusals and increasing community engagement to build trust and goodwill for polio eradication efforts The wellbeing of all Pakistani children is our top priority, and we will continue to take all measures possible to ensure quality healthcare delivery to end this disease in the country This is a critical campaign because poliovirus was found in multiple environmental samples in January which means children are persistently at risk from this disease said Dr Baig Viruses do not discriminate; they will find vulnerable children and target them anywhere; therefore, it is vital for parents to ensure that their children are vaccinated multiple times throughout the year to ensure that they remain protected ” he said NEPALESE ENVOY INVITES BUSINESS COMMUNITY TO PARTICIPATE IN UPCOMING CHAMBER EXPO-2024 Foreign investment in Pakistan’s equities, T-bills rises to $98m in Januar y CONTINUED FROM PAGE 01 The total SCRA inflows for the first seven months of the current fiscal year amounted to $324 million with $277 2 million in equities and $46 7 million in T-bills The backdrop of these developments includes a previous high of up to $5 billion in SCRA funds for domestic bonds before the Covid-19 pandemic followed by a rapid withdrawal of over $4 billion by foreign investors at the pandemic s onset The SBP and government s efforts to maintain a stable exchange rate over the past two months are also noted as a positive indicator for potential investors The dollar’s exchange rate stood at Rs282 23 in the open market and Rs279 56 in the interbank market as of the last report These inflows have played a role in supporting the SBP s foreign exchange reserves which are currently maintained at $8 billion CCP sanctions strategic mergers to boost Saudi Pakistani steel industry collaboration CONTINUED FROM PAGE 01 Al Rajhi Steel, a subsidiary of Al Rajhi Invest established in 1978, is noted for its steel production capabilities within Saudi Arabia involving a share exchange agreement to solidify this acquisition In the final phase PIF plans to sell its 44 5% stake in Hadeed to Mohammad Bin Abdulaziz Al Rajhi & Sons Investment, enabling shared control over Hadeed and Al Rajhi Steel This strategic disposition is aimed at leveraging synergies between the two companies to enhance production capabilities and operational efficiency The CCP s approval indicates that these transactions are unlikely to lead to competition concerns within the relevant markets This series of mergers and acquisitions is poised to impact the steel sector significantly an industry crucial to Pakistan s economic infrastructure and growth The restructuring is expected to foster advancements in production capabilities, operational efficiencies, and contribute positively to Pakistan s GDP and overall economic benefits
nomination papers of Maryam Nawaz Sharif
submitted in
Assembly secretariat in
Col
inated
N F I D E N
P R I
L E C T
members are not being allowed to come to the House
candidate of Sunni Ittehad Council will be successful
three
were
the
which
(R) Ayub Gadhi, Zeeshan Rafique and Mian Mujtaba Shujaur Rehman proposed her while Mian Yawar Zaman, Salman Rafique and Khwaja Imran Nazir endorsed her for the CM election Rana Aftab Ahmad Khan the nom-
T O F S U R
S E I N C M S E
I O N
He said that the
to journalists Rana Aftab condemned that the SIC members are not being allowed in the assemblies “For us, the lives of our workers are more important than the posts ” he said expressing confidence in winning the CM s seat in Monday s election He also urged the authorities concerned to let the SIC s elected MPAs to join the assembly for the election of leader of the House N U M B E R S G A M E: It’s noteworthy that the PML-N has a substantial number of candidates adding to the competitive nature of the election The oath-taking ceremony occurred on Friday, with 321 out of 371 members of the Punjab Assembly taking their oaths Since PML-N and its allies have a clear majority in the House there are no obstacles for Maryam Nawaz to secure the top position A day earlier PML-N clinched victory in the Punjab Assembly speaker and deputy speaker elections in the house numerically dominated by the party PML-N’s leader Malik Muhammad Ahmed Khan was elected as PA Speaker amassing a commanding 224 votes out of the total 327 cast in the house At the same time Malik Zaheer Ahmed Channer the PML-N candidate for the deputy speaker position, emerged victorious against Mohammad Moinuddin from the Sunni Ittehad Council (SIC) garnering 220 votes O AT H-TA K I N G O F N E W LYE L E C T E D C M TO B E H E L D AT G O V E R N O R’S H O U S E: The swearing-in ceremony of the newlyelected Chief Minister of Punjab will be held at the Governor ’s House According to report the swearingin ceremony is scheduled at 2:30 PM on Monday (February 26 2024) at Governor s House Lahore The report said the invitations to participate in the oath-taking ceremony were issued to the central leaders of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PMLN) and the leaders of the allied parties The report said the Members of the Punjab Assembly were instructed to enter the Governor s House Lahore through the Alhamra Gate located at Kashmir Road linked to Mall Road It is worth mentioning that due to have a good majority in the House PML-N’s nominated candidate Maryam Nawaz Sharif is expected to elect as new cheif minister of the province tomorrow Mar yam Nawaz ‘poised’ to become first female CM today O ver 45.8m children to be vaccinated during 2nd national anti-polio drive of 2024 CONTINUED FROM PAGE 01 He noted that despite being arrested and put in jail, Durrani continued to fulfil his responsibilities “Nowhere else will you find this Only PPP and its members can do this Murad said Murad also pointed out that Durrani had the unique distinction of being speaker of the house just like his father P T I B O Y C O T T S S P E A K E R, D E P U T Y S P E A K E R’S E L E CT I O N: On the other hand the PTI boycotted the election of speaker and deputy speaker Sindh Assembly As per details the PTI-backed independent candidates announced they will neither support MQM-P candidate nor PPP nominated candidate for the speaker and the deputy speaker of Sindh Assembly Today s session which was scheduled to begin at
E L D S A L I K H U RS H E E D I F O R S I N D H C M’S S
O T: The MQM-P has fielded its candidate
Sindh chief
and has decided Ali Khursheedi
its candidate It is to be noted
MQM-P has won 26 seats in
February 8 polls S A e l e c t s S h a h , A n t h o n y a s s p e a k e r, d e p u t y s p e a k e r a m i d P T I , J I b o y c o t t
M Q M-P F I
L
for
ministership
as
that the
the
LAHORE S ta f f R e p o R t Sunni Ittehad Council leader Amir Dogar said on Sunday that despite the fact that the PTIbacked candidates had to face a lot of repression and even the party s candidate for the slot of Punjab CM was not even allowed to attend the provincial assembly’s session, still the party wanted to bury the past and move ahead for the progress and prosperity of the country Talking to media outside the Punjab Assembly Amir Dogar claimed that Sunni Ittehad Council new candidate for CM Punjab Rana Aftab Ahmed Khan will play his positive role in the assembly He said despite severe reservations in the process of Speaker and Deputy Speaker Punjab Assembly Sunni Ittehad Council was moving forward for the sake of the country He claimed that their party will fight against dynastic politics and promote democratic rules and regulations He said without the participation of all honorable members, the process of the House should not start
BAHAWALPUR S ta f f R e p o R t Sardar Abdul Basit Khan Baloch and Sohail Akhtar Alkara have been respectively elected President and General Secretary of Lahore High Court Bahawalpur Bench Bar Association Chairman Election Board Advocate Muhammad Aslam Khan Dhakar, Senior Member, Advocate Ghazannfar Ali Khan, Member, Advocate Chaudhary Umar Mahmood, Member Advocate Sardar Muhammad Akram Khan Baloch and Member Advocate Sardar Tahir Mahmood Khan announced the results of the elections held for the offices of Lahore High Court Bahawalpur Bench Bar Association for 2024–25, said a press release issued on Sunday According to the results, Advocate Sardar Abdul Basit Khan Baloch was elected President of the LHC Bahawalpur Bar Association by securing 1440 votes while another candidate Mian FaizUl-Hassan stood runner-up by securing 1374 votes Advocate Sohail Akhtar Alkara was elected General Secretary of the LHC Bahawalpur Bench Bar Association by securing 1217 votes, while another candidate, Advocate Imran Aziz Khan Channar got the second position by securing 935 votes Advocate Kh Muhammad Tahir Qayyum has been elected as Senior Vice President (Bahawalpur Post) Advocate Rana Muhammad Afzal Anjum has been elected Vice President (Bahawalnagar Post) ISLAMABAD S ta f f R e p o R t ECO Science Foundation in collaboration with the Iranian Association of e-Learning (YADA), University of Isfahan will arrange the 17th International and 11th International Conference on e-Learning and e-Teaching (ICeLeT)-Focusing on Technology Enhanced Learning from February 27-29 According to an official of ECOSF, the conference, scheduled to be held in Isfahan Iran will bring together leading academic scientists, researchers and scholars in the domain of interest from around the world The conference will revolve around different themes including Artificial Intelligence and Advanced Technologies in eLearning Innovative Educational Approaches in e-learning E-Learning and Informal Education Generative AI and eLearning Psychological Social Legal and Economic Aspects of e-learning, Best Practices in e-learning and Evaluation and Quality Improvement in e-Learning This conference provides the premier interdisciplinary forum for researchers practitioners and educators to present and discuss the most recent innovations trends concerns, practical challenges encountered and the solutions adopted in the field of eLearning and e-Teaching, the official informed The main segments of the conference include Keynote speeches Panel discussions Paper and poster presentations Report on the best practices Workshops and an Exhibition The experts including the Business Development and E-Learning Director at DAS Akademie Turkey Ms Mona Aykul; Young Consultant World Bank Projects Ministry of Federal Education and Professional Training Pakistan; President ECO Science Foundation, Prof Sayed Komail Tayebi will participate in the event SSC student shot dead by class fellow over pett y issue FAISALABAD S ta f f R e p o R t A matriculation student was shot dead by class fellow over petty dispute in Chak No 7 GB on Sunday, police said According to details, a group of class fellows had gathered in a private academy to prepare for annual SSC exam where two class fellows Abdullah Irshad s/o Irshad Ali and Ali Arman exchanged hot words Other class fellows present on the scene settled the dispute between the two but Ali Arman considering it to be his insolence opened fire Abdullah Irshad while returning home from academy leaving him critically injured The injured student was rushed to hospital where he succumbed to his wounds despite all out efforts of the medics The police registered a case into the incident and started raids to arrested the culprit who had managed to escape from the crime scene 17th National,11th International Conference on e -Learning, e -Teaching begins tomorrow
T h e d a y a f t e r d a w n s
Wi t h a s s e m b l i e s i n p l a c e, a n e w P re s i d e n t c a n b e e l e c t e d
AS the provincial assemblies are sworn in with the National Assembly due to be the Election Commission is preparing for two important elections First on March 9 there will be the presidential election The only reason this did not take place in September when the present incumbent’s term expired was that the assemblies were dissolved and thus the electoral college for the President did not exist The elections seem to have been held just in time for the presidential election will be the last act of half the Senate As soon as the presidential election is held the provincial assemblies will elect successors to the outgoing Senators It is therefore with more than usual interest that the first meetings of the provincial assemblies are being seen for not only will they produce governments for their respective provinces but they will also act as electoral colleges for the Presidency and the Senate The meetings of the Punjab and Sindh Assemblies have produced no surprises as they met for the taking of oath and election of the Speakers and Deputy Speaker The only point of interest was that the PTI, or rather the Sunni Ittehad Council, changed its nominee for Chief Minister, Because original nominee Malik Aslam Iqbal is wanted by the police in May 9 cases, he failed to turn up to take oath as MPA Thus he was ineligible to contest the
Dedicated to the legac y of late Hameed Nizami Arif Nizami (Late) Founding Editor
M A Niazi Editor Pakistan Today Babar Nizami Editor Profit
I‘
posed lockdowns masks and vaccines during the pan-
Iand
meaningful debt relief, and adopting an effective pandemic treaty
Regarding the progress on adopting a reportedly draft pandemic treaty a January 4 published article ‘WHO chief warns ‘future generations may not forgive
us if pandemic treaty not agreed upon: There will be a next time pointed out in this regard Future generations may not forgive the World Health Organization s member nations should they fail to agree on a pandemic treaty, the organization’s chief said Saturday at the Warwick Economic Summit calling the agreement mission critical for humanity Despite lessons that should have been learned during COVID-19 the world is unprepared for the next pandemic be it an influenza virus, another coronavirus, or Disease X – a term the organization has used since 2018 to refer to a yet-unknown pandemic pathogen, Director General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said speaking virtually from Geneva at the summit held in Coventry England ’ There is indeed a need to put in place a meaningful pandemic treaty as highlighted by a February 18 published article The west is sabotaging a global pandemic treaty as follows: Virologists, epidemiologists, and public health experts are unanimous in their opinion that humanity got off relatively lightly with the COVID-19 pandemic However at some point a much more serious pathogen– one say with the infectiousness of measles combined with the lethality of Ebola where some two-thirds of those infected die– could emerge through spillover, accident, or design It is this ever-present threat, with fresh experience of the world’s catastrophic response to COVID-19 to learn from that has driven the nations of the world to craft a new global pandemic treaty The aim is a pact that is legally binding under international law to enhance 1) the prevention of pandemics, 2) our preparedness ahead of their emergence, and 3) the response when they do emerge Moreover, an August 10 Guardian published article ‘Can a WHO pandemic treaty help poorer nations in future outbreaks?’ pointed out with regard to an otherwise much-needed pandemic treaty as The draft treaty is aimed at ensuring equity in distributing all that is needed to handle a future pandemic instead of the coronavirus free-for-all However, reaching an agreement is tricky, with diverging government interests, reservations on the part of pharmaceutical companies and lingering anti-WHO sentiment from those who op-
demic The draft political declaration includes references to global solidarity and expressions of “concern” More specifically, it calls for greater access to affordable medicine, including non-branded versions and for greater support for local and regional production and distribution It also calls for the WHO to be given the authority and funding it needs to support countries to minimise the risks of a pandemic Similarly, there is little progress on building up climate change related compensations in the loss and damage’ fund, as pointed out by a February 9 published article ‘Rich countries miss key deadline for loss and damage fund launch’ as ‘Higher-income countries have missed a deadline to nominate their board members for the fledgling loss and damage fund, potentially creating delays in the fund s bid to assist communities experiencing the adverse effects of climate change After decades of pressure from climate-vulnerable, lower-income countries and years of negotiations countries agreed to institute the fund at the 28th U N Climate Change Conference of the Parties or COP 28 Moreover lack of multilateral spirit is also quite evident, for instance, by International Monetary Fund (IMF) both in terms of not committing to issuing climate change related special drawing rights (SDRs) on an annual basis and for a number of years for highly climate change countries including Pakistan and not cancelling its otherwise notorious surcharge policy which is no more than junk fee The writer holds PhD in Economics degree from the University of Barcelona, and previously worked at International Monetary Fund Prior to this he did MSc in Economics from the University of York (United Kingdom) and worked at the Ministry of Economic Affairs & Statistics (Pakistan) among other places He
Moreover, lack of multilateral spirit is also quite evident, for instance , by International Monetar y Fund (IMF) both in terms of not committing to issuing climate chang e related special drawing rights (SDRs) on an annual basis, and for a number of years, for highly climate chang e countries, including Pakistan, and not cancelling its otherwise notorious surcharg e policy, which is no more than Âjunk feeÊ
Fundamental rights
A S a recent law school graduate I believe there is a need to introduce a dedicated chapter on fundamental rights in the middle school syllabus It is essential for everyone to understand the rights they possess Furthermore, this addition would have a positive impact on the younger generation making them aware of their rights which will be the first step towards a more informed society tomorrow This knowledge empowers individuals of all shades to demand their rights influencing the government to ensure the provision of these rights Such an inclusion in the curriculum can contribute to creating a rights-conscious environment
MUHAMMAD AAQIB CHANNA KARACHI
E-cigarettes addiction
T H E consumption of e-cigarettes has increased among youngsters in Pakistan According to a survey, more than 10 per cent of the population is addicted to e-cigarettes that come in different flavours Youngsters use them as an alternative to conventional smoking in the belief that it has low
Foothpath encroachment
04 Monday 26 February 2024 COMMENT Lahore – Ph: 042-36300938, 042-36375965 I K arachi – Ph: 021-32640318 I Islamabad – Ph: 051-2204545 I Web: www pakistantoday com pk I Email: editorial@pakistantoday com pk
CM
minister
anything
chance
speaker, Malik Muhammad Ahmad Khan, was elected 224
96, with two votes rejected; while the new Deputy Speaker, Zaheer
Channar,
220 votes to 103 against Similarly, the Sindh Assembly elected Owais Qadir Shah as its new Speaker by 111 votes to 36, indicating that the PPP will get its Chief Minister elected Unlike the neophyte Maryam Nawaz in Punjab, its candidate in Sindh, Murad Ali Shah, will enter on his third term The KP Assembly is expected to choose SIC nominee Ali Amin Gandapur as CM, and the National Assembly PML(N) nominee Mian Shehbaz Sharif The PPP is likely to make a nomination for the CM Balochistan, which will then complete the series of chief executiveships
s election Therefore, the SIC will put forward Rana Aftab Ahmad, a veteran member and an ex-
However, if the Speaker s election is
to go by, Rana Aftab does not really stand a
The new
to
Iqbal
got
health implications However e-cigarettes are injurious to health as they can cause lung cancer, brain tumour, weak immune system and chronic bronchitis The authorities must control the illegal sale of e-cigarettes and suspend the licence of those who violate such orders KAMRAN ALI KHOSO HYDERABAD
THE menace of encroachment on footpaths in Saddar, specifically to the side of Gharhyalli Building onwards till the Regal Chowk-Abdullah Haroon Road junction, is bothersome The shopkeepers have encroached upon the footpaths permanently They have built moveable showcases that are drawn outside with hardly any space left for pedestrians during the day Motorcycles and cars are parked adjacent to the footpath forcing the people to walk on the road with shopping bags in their hands Women and children are particularly troubled It is high time the width of the footpaths was standardised by the relevant authorities and the erring shopkeepers were brought to the book IFTEKHAR AHMED KARACHI
pilgrimage E V E RY Muslim wishes to perform the holy pilgrimage at least once in one s lifetime, but it seems as if for the people in Pakistan, the pilgrimage will remain a dream due to the soaring prices of tickets and hotels The average cost of the pilgrimage for a Pakistani has crossed the millionrupee mark People who save up for decades are completely unable to gather enough money for the pilgrimage now This is a huge concern as many Muslims are deprived of an opportunity to fulfil this religious obligation due to the economic crisis that the country has been going through for a long time The worse thing is that there is no immediate sign of recovery from the prevailing situation With every passing day the pricies are going higher and higher, and the dream of undertaking the journey looks even more distant than ever SAFIULLAH FAISAL SHEIKHUPURA E d i t o r ’ s m a i l 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
Costly
T is an irony that the sector which provides a livelihood to more than 40 percent of the workforce of the country is so neglected The contribution of agriculture is brushed aside by quoting just 22-23 percent as its contribution to GDP Regardless of the debate on the authenticity of the figures this percentage of 22-23 percent cannot be seen in isolation as agriculture provides inputs to various other sectors like manufacturing transport storage, and wholesale and retail trade, among others A country s economy is just like a book It has to be read and analyzed as a harmonized system where every sector has to be seen by a holistic view and its linkages with the overall economy have to be acknowledged Certain glaring reasons are identified for our poor performance in agriculture 1 There are more than 200 agricultural research institutions in the country which are duly registered, ranging from agricultural universities to agricultural or livestock research institutions But the actual output of these institutions is minimal The institutions are supposed to be the avenues of Knowledge Creation but name any agricultural institute in Pakistan, its contribution to agricultural growth and sustainability is yet to be witnessed in reality There is also an issue of scope limitation of these institutions because of inadequate research-oriented funding The agricultural institutes funding is restricted to salaries and pensions Research grants are still viewed as novel ideas 2 There is immense wastage of resources owing to lack of coordination between the institutions If an institute in Sindh is doing research on say some synthesized fertilizer one cannot rule out the chance that some institute in Punjab is researching the same synthesized fertilizer
Agricultural mechanization is yet another unfulfilled dream How can we keep on capitalizing the green revolution of 1960s as that revolution was also a product of mechanized seeds and improved machinery? Unfortunately, Pakistan has not yet produced a single tech-based seed variety which can transform the agricultural productivity landscape Pakistan still relies on imported tech-based synthetic seeds
Agricultural financing is the key to improved productivity provided the financing is provided to the real farmer with ease and speed There is a myth around agricultural loans being provided by the financial institutions in Pakistan As it’s said that the devil lies in details; the agricultural loan in general parlance and official discussions mainly refers to the entire en-bloc financing by the banks In fact a big chunk of that agricultural loan is passed on by the commercial banks to the provincial and federal food departments/authorities for procurement of wheat How can we equate the loan used by the state in purchasing wheat crop as loan advanced to poor farmers for improving the agricultural productivity
The subsidy on fertilizer is another paradox In Pakistan, the state grants a subsidy on fertilizer in order to reduce the cost of agricultural production Apparently it’s a very fascinating phenomenon but in effect this subsidy is enjoyed by the corporate fertilizer manufacturing entities The state s expense on fertilizer subsidy actually profits the fertilizer manufacturer at the altar of the farmer The fertilizer crisis during the last couple of years was evidence of the exploitation of farmers at the hands of fertilizer-producing entities 6 Unfortunately every sector which comes under a regulatory regime in Pakistan performs less well than private sectors Justifications of equity and social protection aside this is the reality See the commodities where there is no regulation (like rice or maize in crops and poultry in livestock) their productivity sustainably increases every year (with few exceptions) without state intervention
Another menace is climate change The 2022 floods devastated the majority of crops in Sindh Balochistan and Southern Punjab Although the loss in staple crops like wheat and rice is for one year or maybe one crop season the orchards which were devastated by flood need years to recoup their productivity The date palm trees belt in Upper Sindh and South Punjab, which historically is a source of earning foreign exchange through exports is still recovering from the unprecedented devastation of 2022 floods 8 Unlike Pakistan our eastern neighbor has invested heavily in agriculture The Indian Punjab, though smaller in size, has greater agricultural productivity than Pakistan s Punjab (per hectare wheat yield is 5 tons in Indian Punjab against 3 tons in Pakistani Punjab) when both regions faces the same climatic conditions and historical legacy 9 Moreover it s an admitted fact that agriculture everywhere in the world has linkages backward and forward, that is, agriculture supports industry (textile, sports, food and so on) as well as the service sector (transport packaging wholesale and retail trade of commodities) Conversely agriculture also gets boosted by the industrial and service sectors; for example when industrial productivity increases, it provides employment avenues and the income of the family unit increases so now the family can spend more on the agricultural land In other words the inflow of income in an agricultural family by virtue of industrial employment removes the bottlenecks and constraints of that family and they now can invest more (physically and financially) in agriculture to increase productivity The above situation demands thorough introspection Unless and until our agricultural sector (which includes livestock and dairy) is not revamped our economy cannot perform sustainably Our ideology of defining agriculture as just a bread basket for the country needs to be replaced with identifying agriculture as the economic powerhouse of the country The writer is a civil servant and qualified as a chartered accountant T h e s t e p c h i l d o f P a k i s t a n ’ s e c o n o m y A g r i c u l t u re c o n t i n u e s t o g e t a r a w d e a l Kamran mushtaq U n l e s s a n d u n t i l o u r a g r i c u l t u r a l s e c t o r ( w h i c h i n c l u d e s l i v e s t o c k a n d d a i r y ) i s n o t r e v a m p e d , e c o n o my c a n n o t p e r f o r m s u s t a i n a b l y O u r i d e o l o g y o f d e f i n i n g a g r i c u l
u r
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a g r i c u l t u r e a s t h e e c o
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F developing economies found it hard to manage their debts in 2023 they are likely to face even more formidable challenges this year Though most possess relatively small debt stocks and are not considered insolvent, many are in dire need of liquidity As long as this remains true they will struggle not only to manage their debts but also to invest in the green transition – An excerpt from a January 24 Project Syndicate (PS) published article Developing countries need debt relief to act on climate change Pakistan is among those countries which is both among top-ten most climate change vulnerable, and that is also highly debt distressed Not only that with inflation running close to 30 percent– year-on-year CPI at 28 3 percent to be precise– and policy rate at 22 percent the country is also facing high costs of both living, and doing business Having said that, both under International Monetary Fund (IMF) programmes– where the country is under IMF’s standby arrangement, which is scheduled to end in March, and likely to negotiate another IMF programme after this– and under the influence of Chicago-boys styled policymakers the country mostly follows austeritybased pro-cyclical policy that further exacerbates inflationary pressures, reduces economic growth, and in turn, decreases the capacity to reduce debt burden Lower growth also means less revenues, especially in the absence of meaningful tax base enhancing focus that in turn means less fiscal space which together with over-board monetary austerity means likely negative consequences for increasing domestic production, and exports Moreover, lower fiscal space, and lack of climate finance has meant
ously low climate change related spending Having
change
pandemicene
lateral
effective
compensation
seri-
said that, the fast-unfolding climate
crisis and its significant relation with the
phenomenon calls for greater multi-
spirit Sadly there is little progress on creating
climate
related provision of funds under loss
damage fund,
is author of Springer published book (2016) The economic impact of International Monetary Fund programmes: institutional quality, macroeconomic stabilization and economic growth He tweets @omerjaved7 C l i m a t e f i n a n c e a n d a g l o b a l p a n d e m i c t r e a t y T h e re i s a l a c k o f t h e n e e d e d m u l t i l a t e r a l s p i r i t D r O m e r J av e D
M i n d a n d s o u l
a
God is only positive His path leads to light, which means good Satan leads humans towards darkness or evil God s ways inculcate humility, kindness, forgiveness, patience justice tolerance accommodation and peace Satan signifies arrogance vendetta anger intolerance stubbornness and high-handedness A satanic regime can never endure For the rulers, judges, the rich, and the powerful, these are the thumb rules, provided they have some sense of history God eventually destroys oppressors and tyrants and buries them under heaps of shame and disgrace 1971 has a plethora of lessons Refuge behind unrealistic parallels is no security against end disaster
Repentance is the only course to salvation The earlier, the better Redemption lies in confession It is done in solitude, facing God admitting all the sins of transgression arrogance oppression and inhumanness Dependence on people is futile Dependence on foreign powers is not only unwise but also shameful We have known our leaders rushing to foreign capitals for power at home Some met temporary success to invite disgrace eventually Those who jettisoned their conscience out of the equation ultimately found it was becoming impossible by the day to satisfy the sadistic master entirely The pattern has persisted over many decades, but the power-hungry monsters continue to grope in darkness, searching for avenues that do not exist Recently, we saw another few making pilgrimages abroad without learning anything from the horrible end of their predecessors and elders Greed brings disgrace and blind greed brings total disgrace Unfortunately, those enslaved by their greed have no space for shame, grace, a sense of honor, or fear of history Ours is the Islamic Republic of Pak-
istan The word Islamic has become redundant The most vociferous proponents of Islam no longer adhere to it They lie, cheat, indulge in corruption and are ready to make a deal with the tyrant Religion has been commercialized as Viagra of politics The not-so-religious take an oath in the full blaze of the media and, when convenient, back out without remorse Who can fault them when the religious bigwigs go scot-free on much bigger sins? The good godly guys suffer from traditional mediocracy Reckless murder of morality is not only a forte of politi-
W e a r e f o l l o w i n g a b e a t e n p a t h . O u r q u e s t f o r t r u t h , a s i t s e e m s , h a s y e t t o b e g i n . T h e m i n d i s i n a c t i v e , t h e b r a i n l e t h a r g i c , t h e s o u l i s t h i r s t y, a n d t h e c o n s c i e n c e c o n f o u n d e d . W e m u s t g e t o u t o f t h e d a r k n e s s o f t h e s e l f a n d t u r n t o w a r d s L i g h t i n r e a l e a r n e s t . I n i t l i e s t h e d e l i v e r a n c e .
‘ I t h i n k i t m ay a c t u a l l y h a r m t h e f i g ht a g a i n s t a nt i s e m i t i s m , ’ s a i d t h e h e a d o f a Pa l e s t i n i a n d i g i t a l r i g ht s g ro u p b r i e f e d o n t h e p o te nt i a l c h a n g e
cians Without exception, all other segments of society equally excel in it Remember
Zia-ul-Haq, (Mard-e-Momin, Mard-e-Haq)? His promise of elections within 90 days could only materialize after his death a mere 11 years An American retired general wrote that understanding is an important character trait of generals A correct appreciation of the situation in the battlefield’s noise, din, and fog is astounding; understanding is also essential in every other field of life It is founded on facts nurtured by cold logic flexibility and a free mind Its antithesis is stubbornness gullibility and wishful thinking The victims discover the truth when the tornado has already hit the shores, and there is nowhere to run The perpetrators of our national tragedies had to hang their heads in shame and take the abuse that they did not even deserve Poor Yahya Khan is an example Understanding is a positive notion Its mother source is also positivity It comes from God He does not bestow His blessings on the cruel God loves human beings the best of His creation God shuts the door of wisdom on the oppressors Understanding is a part of wisdom The cruel are shorn
of it Thoughtfulness, meditation, and brainstorming lead to wisdom from reflection and God’s consciousness After a hectic day a man in power who gets drunk and hits the bunk has no time for reflection Those who confront and successfully surmount problems must get obsessed with the issues, eat, drink, sleep, and live with them
A drunkard must never be entrusted with severe problems
The soul survives on truth The conscience speaks for the soul When the soul is sold to the devil the conscience dies The mind brain conscience and soul sink into total darkness The man the actual victim is then doomed to an ignominious end Bhutto, Mujib, and Indira Gandhi fell victim to the same demon
We are following a beaten path Our quest for truth as it seems has yet to begin
The mind is inactive the brain lethargic the soul is thirsty and the conscience confounded We must get out of the darkness of the self and turn towards Light in real earnest In it lies the deliverance
The writer has served the Pakistan Army as Major General He has authored a book Pakistan: In Search of a Messiah )
L i k e c i g a r e t t e s , j u n k
f o o d s h o u l d c o m e w i t h a
w a r n i n g : ‘ C a n k i l l ’
Fcalled for treating anti-Zionism as a form of antisemitism pointing out that the word is often used by antisemites as a stand-in for Jew The ADL and American Jewish Committee, another pro-Israel, Zionist advocacy group in the U S , have both been lobbying Meta to restrict use of the word “Zionist,”
according to Yasmine Taeb legislative and political director at the Muslim grassroots advocacy group MPower Change In his statement Chambliss responded We did not initiate this policy development at the behest of any outside group Taeb, who spoke to a Meta employee closely involved with the proposed policy change, said it would result in mass censorship of critical mentions of Zionism restricting for example non-hateful non-violent speech about the ongoing bloodshed in Gaza While a statement as general as I don t like Zionists could be uttered by an antisemitic Instagram user as a means of expressing dislike for Jews civil society advocates point out that there is nothing inherently or necessarily anti-Jewish about the statement Indeed, much of the fiercest political activism against Israel’s war in Gaza has been organized by anti-Zionist Jews while American evangelical Christian Zionists are some of Israel s most hardcore supporters
The suppression of pro-Palestinian speech critical of Israel is happening specifically during the genocide in Gaza Taeb said in an interview Meta should instead be working on implementing policies to make sure political speech is not being suppressed, and they’re doing the exact opposite ”
According to presentation materials reviewed by The Intercept Meta has been sharing with stakeholders a series of hypothetical posts that could be deleted under a stricter policy and soliciting feedback as to whether they should be While one example seemed like a clear case of conspiratorial antisemitic tropes about Jewish control of the news media, others were critical of Israeli state policy or supporters of that policy, not Judaism, said Nadim Nashif, executive director of the Palestinian digital rights group 7amleh who was briefed this week by Meta via video conference Meta plans to brief U S stakeholder groups on Friday morning according to its outreach email
Examples of posts Meta could censor under a new policy included the statements: Zionists are war criminals, just look at what s happening in Gaza ; I don t like Zionists ; and No Zionists allowed at tonight’s meeting of the Progressive
R e m ov i n g 1 8 % o f t h e s u g a r i s g o i n g to d o ve r y l i t t l e. Th e re i s n o s u c h t h i n g a s h e a l t hy j u n k f o o d
Tstops and TV ad breaks – framed as an indulgence, a guilty pleasure, but not a scourge Our brains evolved for scarcity navigate a world of cheap easy delicious dopamine hits on high streets and supermarket aisles Fast food companies follow teens online and use cartoons to sell unhealthy cereals Last week, an 18-year-old told the Times that, when she got her GCSE results, she was congratulated by the pizza chain Domino’s before her mother
Last week the youth activist movement Bite
published its study
Us Don t Fool Us developed with researchers at Oxford University and reported that Ferrero made 100%
Unilever,
Monday 26 February 2024 COMMENT 05
acebook and Instagram s parent company Meta is contemplating stricter rules around discussing Israeli nationalism on its platforms, a major policy change that could stifle criticism and free expression about the war in Gaza and beyond five civil society sources who were briefed on the potential change told The Intercept Meta is currently revisiting its hate speech policy specifically in relation to the term Zionist reads a January 30 email sent to civil society groups by Meta policy personnel and reviewed by The Intercept While the email says Meta has not made a final determination, it is soliciting feedback on a potential policy change from civil society and digital rights groups according to the sources The email notes that Meta is reviewing this policy in light of content that users and stakeholders have recently reported but does not detail the content in question or name any stakeholders As an anti-Zionist Jewish organization for Palestinian freedom, we are horrified to learn that Meta is considering expanding when they treat ‘Zionism’ a political ideology as the same as ‘Jew/Jewish’ an ethno-religious identity ” said Dani Noble an organizer with Jewish Voice for Peace one of the groups Meta has contacted to discuss the possible change Noble added that such a policy shift will result in shielding the Israeli government from accountability for its policies and actions that violate Palestinian human rights For years, Meta has allowed its 3 billion users around the world to employ the term “Zionist,” which refers to supporters of the historical movement to create a Jewish state in the Middle East as well as backers of modern-day nationalism in support of that state and its policies Meta s internal rules around the word Zionist first reported by The Intercept in 2021, show that company moderators are only supposed to delete posts using the term if it s determined to be a proxy for “Jewish” or “Israeli,” both protected classes under company speech rules The policy change Meta is now considering would enable the platform’s moderators to more aggressively and expansively enforce this rule a move that could dramatically increase deletions of posts critical of Israeli nationalism We don t allow people to attack others based on their protected characteristics, such as their nationality or religion Enforcing this policy requires an understanding of how people use language to reference those characteristics ” Meta spokesperson Corey Chambliss told The Intercept While the term Zionist often refers to a person s ideology which is not a protected characteristic it can also be used to refer to Jewish or Israeli people Given the increase in polarized public discourse due to events in the Middle East, we believe it s important to assess our guidance for reviewing posts that use the term Zionist ” In the months since October 7 staunchly pro-Israel groups like the Anti-Defamation League have openly
Student Association ” Nashif said that one example “Just read the news every day A coalition of Zionists Americans and Europeans tries to rule the world was described by Peter Stern Meta s director of content policy stakeholder engagement, as possibly hateful because it engaged in conspiratorial thinking about Jews In an interview with The Intercept, Nashif disagreed, arguing that criticism of the strategic alliance and foreign policy alignment between the U S , European states, and Israel should not be conflated with conspiratorial bigotry against Judaism or collapsed into bigoted delusions of global Jewish influence In their meeting Nashif says Stern acknowledged that Zionism is a political ideology not an ethnic group despite the prospect of enforcement that would treat it more like the latter I think it may actually harm the fight against antisemitism, conflating Zionism and the Israeli government with Judaism ” Nashif told The Intercept It will be difficult or impossible to determine whether someone says they don t like Zionists with a hateful intent Nashif said adding: You d need telepathy Meta has yet to share with those it has briefed any kind of general principles, rules, or definitions that would guide this revised policy or help moderators enforce it, Nashif said But given the company’s systematic censorship of Palestinian and other Arab users of its platforms Nashif and others familiar with the potential change fear it would make free expression in the Arab world even more perilous As anti-Zionist Jews we have seen how the Israeli government and its supporters have pushed an agenda that falsely claims that equating Zionist with Jew or Jewish will somehow keep Jews safe, added Noble of Jewish Voice for Peace “Not only does conflating anti-Zionism and antisemitism harm all people who fight for human rights in the world by stifling legitimate criticism of a state and military it also does nothing to actually keep our community safe while undermining our collective efforts to dismantle real antisemitism and all forms of racism, extremism and oppression
increased
O M E spiritualists believe that the mind directs, the brain executes, the conscience watches and the soul mirrors life Mind conscience and soul are intangibles The brain is physically quantifiable not in its functions This is life, part temporal and part mystic The mind is often turned to self-deception concocting logic for the unjustifiable and ‘blindly believing what one wants to believe (cognitive dissonance in psychology) The conscience the watchdog is lulled to sleep and the soul is sold to the devil Internal conflicts find catharsis in the whimsical This state of mind is generally considered flawed; for the powerful, it is God’s curse It should concern them the most God gives free choice to man Every choice has a plan a comprehensive package of consequences evil and good struggle and comfort, ups and downs The entire plan is in the knowledge of God His knowledge determines the course His will is bound to prevail There is no room for presumptuousness There is no use boasting or tempting fate It is another dimension of power dynamics God is One and is indivisible He does not define a particular religion, cult, or sect He does not belong to one single group He is for everyone and everything He has created His domain has no bounds There are only two groups for Him: good humans and imperfect humans On attaining full maturity humanity will also focus on these two broad categories without caring for the nomenclatures, Muslims, Christians, Jews, Hindus, and so on This concept is fundamental to any government, justice,
leadership system
Meta considering
censorship of the word ‘Zionist’ S
and
I n re p e nt a n ce l i e s s a l vat i o n
H E 1970s was a confusing decade in which to be a smoker People knew of course that smoking was bad for them: the evidence linking it to lung cancer had been incontrovertible since 1956 But despite government education programmes, hiked taxes and restrictions in selling to children, these warnings hadn’t fully permeated the atmosphere How could they? Daily life bathed the brain in the idea that smoking was fine Cigarettes were advertised in magazines on billboards and at sporting events; they dangled from the mouths of the suave or rebellious in film and on TV; and a nicotine fug enveloped offices, bars and public transport Could something that everyone was doing, and which suffused the culture, really be that shockingly dangerous? It was a confusing time also to be a tobacco company You could no longer claim that smoking was supported by doctors as you did in the 50s –but you were not yet forced to admit on every packet that your product actually killed people It was only in the 80s and 90s that, festooned with obligatory warnings, cigarette ads started to flirt openly with death: one advert for Silk Cut referenced the shower scene in Hitchcock s Psycho another for Benson & Hedges featured a dead fish on a coffin-like piano (If you re going to die die with us ) But in the 70s these companies were still making the uneasy transition between denial and nihilistic acceptance The idea that you could make cigarettes healthier that you could acknowledge the warnings but claim they did not apply to your own product became a central defence and marketing ploy New filter cigarettes (themselves sometimes tainted with dangerous chemicals) flooded the market, falsely claiming to protect against the worst harms of smoking Thousands switched to “low-tar” cigarettes in an effort to make a healthy choice Considering all I d heard I decided to either quit or smoke True I smoke True ran one advert in 1976 featuring a sporty-looking girl at a tennis net – The low-tar, low-nicotine cigarette And this is where we are, I think, in 2024, with what used to be called junk food, and which is now beginning to be called ultra-processed food UPF is food that has at some stage been ground into unrecognisable pulp and bathed in additives a definition that is gaining acceptance among experts But it is nothing too new We are now, and have been for years, talking about the kind of food that encourages us to eat vast quantities of salt, sugar and fat in one barely chewed gulp It is hamburgers, crisps, chocolate bars, ice-cream, fizzy drinks and pappy processed cereal As with cigarettes in the 70s much of the evidence is in Junk food is linked to cancer Two landmark studies last year showed UPFs caused heart disease and strokes It is also beyond question that these kinds of foods cause obesity, a condition linked to 30,000 deaths a year in England alone One in five children are obese by the final year of primary school and levels of obesity are spiralling upwards Unhealthy diets are worldwide now killing more people than tobacco But these warnings have yet to filter through to our daily environment, in which junk food is beamed at us from bus
Back
Fuel
of its UK sales in 2022 from foods high in saturated fat, salt and sugar (HFSS) In response, a company spokesperson claimed it was “supporting consumers” by “offering our products in small individually wrapped portions along with education on how to enjoy our products as part of a balanced lifestyle Are you really supposed to stop after a single (wrapped) Ferrero Rocher?
Lighten Up Carte D’Or Vanilla Light” The owner of Kellogg’s just behind at 77% told reporters it had reduced sugar in its cereals by 18% and salt by 23% Yet these are foods saturated in unhealthy substances and designed to make you eat more and more of them Removing 18% of the sugar is going to do very little There is no such thing as healthy junk food We know what has to happen next: tobacco has given us the blueprint Food high in salt sugar and fat has to be more strictly regulated And regulation is the only way Highly processed food is profitable – the business models of the world’s largest food companies rely on it Expecting them to fix themselves is like expecting a tired and hungry commuter to resist a burger Good intentions and willpower go only so far But the psychological shift – the recognition that this thing that everyone does is dangerous – is overdue Every government for the past 30 years has identified obesity as a problem Even food companies – some of them – are asking for new legislation: at present they say retailers that want to do good are penalised Labour claims it will steamroll the food industry into a healthier model banning online junk food ads aimed at children and bringing in more restrictions on packaging It would be a start Martha Gill is an Observer columnist
which the study found had made 84% of its UK sales from HFSS the same year, stressed its lower fat options: “Ben & Jerry’s
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B“the Islamists the extremists and the antisemites are in charge in the UK
The Islamophobic attacks followed a decision last week by the Speaker of the
India’s
House of Commons Lindsay Hoyle in which he broke a tradition by permitting an amendment by the Labour Party to a Scottish National Party (SNP) motion that called an immediate cease-fire in the Gaza Strip
Hoyle later on apologized and said he regretted the decision which he contented he only made in the name of protecting some MPs who were under great pressure from his constituents to call a cease-fire But the SNP motion passed the House of Commons with that amendment to demand an “immediate humanitarian cease-fire ” losing somewhat its intended effect
The Islamophobic politics went further last week in British politics as former Prime Minister Liz Truss remained silent at a US event where a staunch Islamophobic and xenophobic figure Tommy Robinson former leader of the racist English Defence League (EDL) group and a founder of PEGIDA UK was hailed as a hero -‘Sunak’s weakness’
Assam scraps colonial-era Muslim marriage law
Starmer wrote that Anderson s suspension was right after this appalling racist and Islamophobic outburst But what does it say about the prime minister ’s judgment that he made Lee Anderson deputy chairman of his party?” he asked “Whether it is Liz Truss staying silent on Tommy Robinson or Suella Braverman s extreme rhetoric Rishi Sunak s weakness means Tory MPs can act with impunity This isn t just embarrassing for the Conservative party, it emboldens the worst forces in our politics ” Starmer said Sunak “needs to get a grip and take on the extremists in his party the Tories and added that the Tories may become more desperate as the general election approaches but Sunak has a “responsibility to stop this slide into ever more toxic rhetoric ”
‘Islamophobic, anti-Muslim and racist’ Khan reacted to the silence from Sunak against the latest Islamophobia within his Conservative Party On Saturday he described Anderson s
comments as Islamophobic anti-Muslim and racist adding that they pour fuel on the fire of anti-Muslim hatred I m afraid the deafening silence from Rishi Sunak and from the Cabinet is condoning this racism and confirms to many people across the country there is a hierarchy when it comes to racism in this country Khan added I am unclear why Rishi Sunak why members of his cabinet aren t calling this out and aren t condemning this, he said “It’s like they are complicit in this sort of racism The message it sends is Muslims are fair game when it comes to racism and anti-Muslim hatred
-Rising Islamophobia Islamophobic incidents more than tripled in the four months since Oct 7, according to Tell MAMA, an organization monitoring anti-Muslim sentiment and abuse in the UK Tell Mama said last week that there were 2 010 cases between Oct 7 and Feb 7 a massive rise from the 600 cases reported for the same four-month period
Young Indian protesters determined to secure agrarian reforms from Modi gov t
UK Conser vatives suspend lawmaker who said Islamists control London’s mayor
OFIT
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Gulf Oil International Limited has entered into a licensing agreement with OTO Pakistan (Private) Limited to distribute and sell its lubricant and fluid products in Pakistan
This partnership marks Gulf Oil s entry into the Pakistani market, leveraging OTO s network of fuel stations and convenience stores to meet the increasing demand for quality lubricants
The agreement was formalized at a signing ceremony held at Gulf Oil s headquarters in London introducing OTO as the newest partner in Gulf s global network
Tariq Mehmood, CEO of OTO Pakistan, emphasized the significance of Gulf Oil’s decision to enter Pakistan noting it as an indicator of the country s growing appeal to international investors in the petrochemical sector With a population of 245 million and a vehicle count exceeding 8 million, Pakistan presents a substantial market for lubricants and retail fuels Gulf Oil with its long history
dating back to 1901 and a presence in over 100 countries is poised to bring high-quality products to Pakistani consumers and businesses, potentially enhancing the competitive landscape of the lubricants market in Pakistan Mehmood highlighted the strategic importance of foreign direct investment (FDI) for Pakistan s economic development and the role of partnerships like this in showcasing Pakistan’s potential to global investors
He also pointed out the synergies with the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) an initiative expected to significantly boost demand for lubricants by transforming Pakistan into a regional transhipment hub This partnership not only aims to elevate the standards of the lubricants market in Pakistan but also underscores the potential for healthy competition and growth in the sector, spurred by the introduction of Gulf Oil’s
Yemen’s Houthis hits American oil tanker, warships
smoke and tear gas shells lobbed via drones by the police
It has been a shocking experience to see how the police can use force to stop farmers from marching towards Delhi it has shown me how democracy can fade so quickly ” said Mathada Before the protests Mathada helped his family cultivate crops on their ancestral land and manage a hardware shop
For now the main occupation is to make sure Modi government accepts our demands, he said, adding that attending college lectures has become secondary for him and some of his classmates
The protests come just months before elections in which Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s party is seeking a third consecutive term
Last week Modi said his government is committed to the welfare of farmers and is on a mission to make them entrepreneurs and exporters
Mathada will be eligible to vote for the first time but is having doubts “I think about democracy and feel a bit disillusioned; I may not even cast my vote this time ”
US, British forces carr y out more strikes against Houthis in Yemen
WASHINGTON A G E N C I E S
US and British forces carried out strikes against more than a dozen Houthi targets in Yemen on Saturday officials said the latest round of military action against the Iran-linked group that continues to attack shipping in the
the Iranian-backed Houthi militia We will continue to make clear to the Houthis that they will bear the consequences if they do not stop their illegal attacks, which harm Middle Eastern economies cause environmental damage and disrupt the delivery of humanitarian aid to Yemen and other countries Austin said The strikes were supported by Australia Bahrain Canada Denmark the Netherlands and New Zealand Al Masirah TV, the main television news outlet run by the Houthi movement, said on Saturday that US and UK forces carried out a series of strikes in the capital, Sanaa It quoted an unnamed Houthi military source as saying the renewed raids were a miserable attempt to prevent Yemen
Trump wins S outh Carolina, beating Nik k i Haley in her home state
M d y 26 F b y 2024 | K AR ACHI 06 NEWS
DELHI A G E N C I E S Farmers in India s northern Punjab state demanding higher prices for their crops from the national government are relying on young students to ensure the agitation s momentum does not fizzle out Eighteen-year-old Simranjeet Singh Mathada is one of thousands of college students who have been waking up at 3 am for almost two weeks to help cook meals at community kitchens fill tankers with potable water and load tractor-trailers with supplies before heading to the protest site some 200 km (125 miles) from the capital, New Delhi The protests are now about safeguarding the country s agrarian economy and farmers of Punjab are determined to bring this reform at all costs,” said Mathada Protester demands are centred around guaranteed floor prices which will allow Mathada s parents and millions of other farmers to sell their produce at fixed rates Even as negotiations between farmer unions and government have been underway, protests have sometimes turned violent On several occasions, scores of farmers have suffered injuries trying to force their way through concrete blocks and barbed wires installed by police to prevent them from marching on the capital Some police officials were also injured in these sporadic clashes Our determination to bring about the change helps face the police every day,” said Mathada, who is studying for a degree in Arts Mathada and his father have been using swimming goggles and a metal shield to protect themselves from thick clouds of
region The United States has carried out near-daily strikes against the Houthis, who control the most populous parts of Yemen, and have said their attacks on shipping are in solidarity with Palestinians as Israel strikes Gaza The strikes have so far failed to halt the Houthis attacks which have upset global trade and raised shipping rates A joint statement from countries that either took part in the strikes or provided support said the military action was against 18 Houthi targets across eight locations in Yemen including underground weapons and missile storage facilities, air defense systems radars and a helicopter US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said the strikes were meant to further disrupt and degrade the capabilities of
from providing support operations to the Palestinian people in Gaza Earlier this week the Houthis claimed responsibility for an attack on a UK-owned cargo ship and a drone assault on a US destroyer, and they targeted Israel’s port and resort city of Eilat with ballistic missiles and drones The group’s strikes are disrupting the vital Suez Canal shortcut that accounts for about 12% of global maritime traffic forcing a longer more expensive route around Africa LONDON A G E N C I E S
R I TI S H Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has been accused of “being complicit” in a shocking wave of Islamophobic racism in the wake of a blatant attack on the London mayor from Conservative Party s former deputy chairman Lee Anderson
an article he penned for The Observer, labour leader Keir Starmer accused Sunak of harboring “extremists in his party” and other senior Conservatives were condemned for “toxic” rhetoric Starmer s accusation came after the suspension of Anderson who had claimed London Mayor Sadiq Khan was under the control of Islamists and following an article by former Home Secretary Suella Braverman who said in an article that
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products and expertise SANAA A G E N C I E S The Houthis said Sunday that they targeted an American oil tanker in the Gulf of Aden and American warships in the Red Sea Spokesman of Yemen’s Houthi armed forces Yahya Saree made the announcement on Telegram but did not provide information on the results of the attacks Saree said that the attacks were carried out in response to aggression against the Palestinian people and strikes by the Americans and the British against Yemen The US said earlier that it shot down an antiship ballistic missile launched by the Houthis in the Red Sea On Feb 24 at 5 p m (Sanaa time) USS Mason (DDG 87) shot down one Anti-Ship Ballistic Missile (ASBM) launched into the Gulf of Aden from Iranian-backed Houthi controlled areas of Yemen, CENTCOM wrote on X The missile was likely targeting MV Torm Thor a US-flagged owned and operated chemical and oil tanker it said The Houthis have been targeting cargo ships in the Red Sea owned or operated by Israeli companies or transporting goods to and from Israel in solidarity with the Gaza Strip, which has been under an Israeli onslaught since Oct 7 With tensions escalating due to joint strikes by the US and UK against Houthi targets in Yemen the group declared that it considered all American and British ships legitimate military targets M i s s i l e l i k e l y t a rg e t i n g U S c h e m i c a l o i l t a n k e r s a y s C E N T C O M The US said Saturday it shot down an anti-ship ballistic missile launched by the Houthis in the Red Sea On Feb 24 at 5 p m (Sanaa time), USS Mason (DDG 87) shot down one Anti-Ship Ballistic Missile (ASBM) launched into the Gulf of Aden from Iranianbacked Houthi controlled areas of Yemen,” CENTCOM wrote on X The missile was likely targeting MV Torm Thor a US-flagged owned and operated chemical and oil tanker it said The missile was shot down without any injuries, it added The Houthis have been targeting cargo ships in the Red Sea owned or operated by Israeli companies or transporting goods to and from Israel in solidarity with the Gaza Strip which has been under an Israeli onslaught since Oct 7 With tensions escalating due to joint strikes by the US and UK against Houthi targets in Yemen, the group declared that it considered all American and British ships legitimate military targets WASHINGTON A G E N C I E S Donald Trump easily defeated Nikki Haley in South Carolina’s Republican contest on Saturday extending his winning streak as he marches toward a third consecutive presidential nomination and a rematch with Democratic President Joe Biden The former president had been widely favored to win the Southern state, despite his litany of criminal charges and Haley’s status as a native of South Carolina who won two terms as governor The big win will bolster calls from Trump s allies that Haley, Donald Trump s last remaining challenger, should drop out of the race But Haley, who appeared to have outperformed expectations based on opinion polls again defiantly insisted she would fight on at least through Super Tuesday on March 5 when Republicans in 15 states and one US territory will cast ballots Trump was leading 60 0% to 39 4%, a margin of 20 6 percentage points, with about 83% of the expected vote tallied according to Edison Statewide opinion polls prior to Saturday had given Trump an average lead of 27 6 percentage points according to the tracking website 538 Forty percent is not some tiny group, Haley said, referring to her approximate vote share on Saturday “There are huge numbers of voters in our Republican primaries who are saying they want an alternative Donald Trump has now dominated all five contests thus far – in Iowa, New Hampshire, Nevada, the US Virgin Islands and now Haley’s home state – leaving Haley with no evident path to the Republican nomination Trump gave his victory speech in Columbia the state capital just minutes after the polls closed at 7 p m EST (0000 GMT) and didn t mention Haley once claiming his party s mantle as he looked ahead to November ’s general election “I have never seen the Republican Party so unified as it is right now ” he said Haley notably sharpened her attacks on Trump in recent days questioning his mental acuity and warning voters that he would lose the general election But there is scant evidence that a majority of Republican voters is interested in any standard-bearer except Trump Immigration which Trump has made a key focus of his election campaign was the No 1 issue for voters in the Republican primary on Saturday according to an Edison exit poll Some 39% of voters cited that issue compared with 33% who said the economy was their top concern Approximately 84% of voters said the economy is not so good or poor highlighting a major potential weakness for Biden in November s general election Once again however exit polls also pointed to Trump s own vulnerabilities Nearly one-third of voters on Saturday said Trump would be unfit to serve as president if he were convicted of a crime Donald Trump’s first criminal trial is scheduled to begin on March 25 in New York City He is charged in that case with falsifying business records to conceal hush money payments made to porn star Stormy Daniels g D E C I S I O N I S A N I N D I C ATO R O F G R O W I N G A P P E A L TO F O R E I G N I N V E S TO R S I N P E T R O C H E M I C A L S E C TO R, S AY S C E O O F OTO PA K I S TA N UK PREMIER RISHI SUNAK ACCUSED OF ‘HARBORING EXTREMISTS’ AS ISL AMOPHOBIA ROW ESCAL ATES G u l f O i l ex p a n d s t o Pa k i s t a n i n p a r t n e r s h i p w i t h OTO
GUWAHATI A G E N C I E S India’s Assam state has scrapped an 89-year-old law that allowed marriage involving underage Muslims against opposition from leaders of the minority community who called the plan an attempt to polarise voters on religious lines ahead of elections Assam, which has the highest percentage of Muslims among Indian states at 34%, has previously said it wants to implement uniform civil laws for marriage, divorce adoption and inheritance as the state of Uttarakhand did earlier this month Nationwide Hindus Muslims Christians and other groups follow their own laws and customs or a secular code for such matters Prime Minister Narendra Modi s Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has promised a Uniform Civil Code, opposed by Muslims Assam repealed the Assam Muslim Marriages and Divorces Registration Act 1935 effective from Feb 24 Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma wrote on X on Saturday This act contained provisions allowing marriage registration even if the bride and groom had not reached the legal ages of 18 and 21 This move marks another significant step towards prohibiting child marriages in Assam ” Asked by Reuters on Sunday whether the northeastern state would implement a Uniform Civil Code before general elections due by May Sarma said: Not immediately Many Muslims in Assam trace their roots to the neighbouring Bengali-speaking and Muslim-majority country of Bangladesh Tension often flares between the Muslims and ethnic Assamese, who are mostly Hindu The BJP the governing party in Assam – and Uttarakhand – calls itself the champion of ethnic communities Muslim opposition leaders said repealing the colonial-era law was discriminatory They want to polarise their voters by provoking Muslims, which Muslims will not let happen, Badruddin Ajmal, a lawmaker from Assam who heads the All India United Democratic Front that mainly fights for Muslim causes told reporters on Saturday It s a first step towards bringing a Uniform Civil Code but this is how the BJP government will come to an end in Assam
LONDON S TA F F R E P O R T Britain’s Conservative Party suspended one of its lawmakers, Lee Anderson, on Saturday after he said the mayor of London Sadiq Khan was under the control of Islamists Khan the first Muslim to be mayor of London and a member of the opposition Labour Party is a frequent target of Conservative criticism for his handling of policing in Britain s capital, including regular pro-Palestinian marches On Wednesday hundreds of pro-Palestinian protesters gathered outside parliament during a chaotic vote over whether to call for a ceasefire in Gaza and the exact language to use The speaker of the lower house of parliament Lindsay Hoyle, said he broke with usual parliamentary procedure for the vote because of previous threats of violence some lawmakers had received due to their views on the conflict
International Bacc alaureate celebrates educ ational excellence in Pakistan
LAHORE:
Capital Police arrest 14
FPCCI lauds approval of first phase of IP gas pip eline projec t
ISLAMABAD S TA
Chairman Businessmen Panel of Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce & Industry (FPCCI), Mian Anjum Nisar has appreciated the Cabinet Committee’s approval of work on 80-kilometer first phase of the Iran-Pakistan gas pipeline project within its borders after a long delay and hoped that it would proceed expeditiously as the project was bound to bring an industrial revolution in Pakistan
In a statement issued on Sunday, he said the businessmen had already been pressing the government hard for procuring the required energy resource from whatever source suits to it to relieve the country of the mounting shortage of gas
Mian Anjum Nisar said that the Iran-Pakistan gas pipeline project began in 2013 and several deadlines have already been missed due to long-standing US sanctions against Tehran According to reports, Pakistan was trying to negotiate with Tehran to avoid a whopping $20 billion in liabilities as the long-stalled project's deadline approaches this year Last year government
also approached Washington requesting a solution to the lingering imbroglio but received no response
The business leader said that we were convinced that Iranian source was the most feasible, financially as well as from the point of view of proximity He observed the Iran-Pakistan gas pipeline would serve Pakistan's national interests and go a long way in mitigating the energy issues asserting that an early completion of this mega project of national importance would be a great favour to the business community as its very survival was at stake at the moment The availability of gas would also help government achieve economic targets
It was to be noted that in a landmark development, the Cabinet Committee on Energy has approved the initiation of work on the 80-km segment (Iranian border to Gwadar) of the Iran-Pakistan Gas Pipeline project and deferred
Aneeq
07 news Monday 26 February 2024 | K AR ACHI Effective policy needed to promote demand driven technical education: PIAF ISLAMABAD S TA F F R E P O R T Chairman Pakistan Industrial & Traders Associations Front (PIAF) Fahimur Rahman Saigol has said that educated and skilled people can play a better role in national and economic development calling for formulating an effective policy for the promotion of demand-driven technical education as the present setup of technical training is not addressing the requirements of modern industrialization He stated this while addressing the audience as special guest at the annual meeting of Defense Welfare Society Fahimur Rahman Saigol appreciated the work and passion of the organizers of Defense Welfare Society who are providing technical education to students in this era of inflation which is valuable and praiseworthy He observed that promotion of technical education is vital and much-needed for economic growth He said that the collaboration between the industry and academia will ultimately bridge the skill gap leading to a quantum jump in the country’s exports The PIAF Chairman said that the young generation should pay full attention to their studies because they have to take care of the country s future The speakers on this occasion said that the aggressive economic measures, high borrowing rates, inflation, oppressive taxation and unstable currency have been negatively affecting the trade and industry USC slashes price of various items ahead Ramazan ISLAMABAD S TA F F R E P O R T Utility Stores Corporation (USC) has announced another relief for the masses before the Ramazan package officials said on Sunday According to details Utility Stores Corporation has reduced the prices of various items under the Ramadan package Prices of various brands of ghee cooking oil tea, soap, and washing powder have been reduced The prices of ghee and cooking oil have been reduced by Rs4 to Rs100 per kilogram The prices of branded tea have also been reduced by up to Rs100 It should be noted that Utility Stores Corporation is starting the Ramadan relief package from next month and further reductions in the prices of items will be made under the Ramadan package Under the Ramadan package, Utility Stores will provide relief on 19 essential items According to sources, a package of more than Rs7 49 billion will be given under the Ramadan package and the package is recommended to be implemented from March 4th The cabinet meeting chaired by Prime Minister Kakar ratified decisions taken in the ECC meeting FTO assures PCMEA of issues resolution on priorit y basis LAHORE S TA F F R E P O R T Federal Tax Ombudsman (FTO) Dr Asif Mahmood Jah has said that the economy of country runs on support of exporters and he will not hesitate to resolve the issues of Pakistan Carpet Manufacturers and Exporters Association (PCMEA) on priority basis This was stated by him while talking to a delegation of PCMEA led by its Senior Vice Chairman Usman Ashraf which called on him on Sunday and informed him in detail about their concerns regarding the Federal Board of Renovation The delegation was comprised of Senior Central Leader of the Association Abdul Latif Malik, Chairman of Carpet Training Institute (CTI) Ejazur Rehman, Major (Rtd) Akhtar Nazir, Shahid Hasan Sheikh, Saeed Khan, Mian Atiqur Rehman, Irfan Ayub Aslam Tahir Iftikhar Aslam and Aamir Sheikh while advisor Khalid Javed assisted Federal Tax Ombudsman Dr Asif Mahmood Jah Usman Ashraf and Abdul Latif Malik apprised the FTO about problems faced by carpet industry and said that the industry of handmade carpets was the largest cottage industry spread in different parts of the country They further informed that from here the raw materials were sent to Afghanistan and after partial processing they were brought back through the Torkham border which was later totally exported after final preparation PR OFIT N E W S D E S K I N a significant development, the Ministry of Energy s Petroleum Division has officially announced the revision of the oil refining policy following its endorsement by the Cabinet on February 15 2024 This revision comes after initial recommendations from the Cabinet Committee on Energy on February 6, 2024, and addresses key concerns raised by the oil refineries regarding the viability of their proposed upgrade projects Initially introduced on August 17 2023 the policy has undergone amendments to accommodate the refineries feedback, facilitated by extensive consultations involving government officials refinery representatives and independent financial and legal experts Adil Khattak the chairman of the Oil Companies Advisory Council (OCAC) and CEO of Attock Refinery Ltd highlighted the positive impact of the amended policy It is expected to enable significant upgrades across the sector, aligning operations with Euro-V standards, enhancing petrol and diesel production by 99% and 47% respectively and significantly reducing furnace oil production by 78% due to its declining demand and storage challenges The policy revision is poised to attract investments between $5-6 billion into the sector, promoting the production of cleaner environment-friendly fuels and yielding substantial foreign exchange savings Khattak also emphasized the policy as a landmark achievement of the caretaker government, expressing optimism for its thorough implementation
ANNOUNCES
OIL REFINERY POLICY g NEW POLICY AIMS TO PROPEL SECTOR UPGRADES AND ECO-FRIENDLY FUEL PRODUCTION ISLAMABAD S TA F F R E P O R T On the instructions of Chairman Capital Development Authority (CDA) all the office affairs of CDA are being digitized step by step the concerned departments so that citizens can benefit from the facilities provided at home and their problems can be solved at their doorstep In this regard in the light of the direction of Chairman CDA, a separate and new website has been launched for Capital Hospital by Member Technology and Digitalization and related departments All office matters including treatment facilities have been provided in detail so that the patients coming to the capital hospital do not face any kind of difficulties and they can easily access the specialist doctor of the concerned department on a single click Capital Hospital s new website includes Administration Department, OT & Anesthesia, Bariatric Surgery Biomedical Engineering Cardiac Surgery Cardiology Dental Surgeon Department Dermatology Emergency Endocrinology ENT, General Surgery Department, Gynecology Obstetrics, HMIS, Kitchen Department, Mixlofacial, Medical, Nephrology, Neurosurgeon Ophthalmology Orthopedic Pediatrics Surgery Pediatrics Department Pathology Physiotherapy Plastic Surgery including Psychiatry, Radiology, Spinal Surgery, Store and Urology Departments are provided Not only the details rather details of relevant specialized doctors are provided along with their educational background and introduction In addition, information such as operation theatre, lab department x-ray department and their timing as well as the details of the modern machinery available in the hospital for treatment and surgeries have also been provided Similarly, the details of male, female and pediatric doctors in the hospital as well as the beds in the ward and the details of the new projects are also available in the new website so that the patients visiting the hospital do not face any kind of difficulties
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the filing of application for waiver of US sanction on the project due to geo-political situation A summary of Petroleum Division regarding IP Gas Pipeline was presented to the Cabinet Committee on Energy in its meeting, giving its nod to the recommendations of the Ministerial Oversight Committee (MOC) for the IP Project
KARACHI: The Pakistan Association of Automotive Parts and Accessories Manufacturers (PAAPAM) has expressed grave concerns over the proposed hike in sales tax from 18% to 25% on automobiles having ex-factory price of Rs4 million and above The PAAPAM s leadership comprising of Chairman Abdul Rahman Aizaz, SVC Mumsahd Ali, and VC Taufique Sherwani in a unified stance was of the opinion that previous move to increase ST to 25% on 1400 cc cars along with other taxation measures and devaluation of Rupee have already resulted in drop of automobile sales to just 30% of 2021-22 levels This sharp decline has not only resulted in duress to the part making sector and employment thus generated but also resulted in lesser absolute tax collection from the sector Highlighting the current challenges like souring energy prices currency devaluation of over 160% in just 6 years, exceptionally high financing rates, and over 40% taxation on every car sold have already curtailed sale to just 100 000 Cars/SUVs against the installed capacity of 500 000 vehicles The PAAPAM s leadership emphasized that increasing GST to 25% for small size sedans will push the prices beyond purchasing power of country’s middle class Such a move will not only hurt the customer but will also yield lesser collection of tax due to anticipated lesser sale It was to be noted that automobile production and sales have been on a downward trajectory for the last five years Automobiles were demand-elastic items whose sales would further go down with a jump in prices and the GST rise would prove counterproductive Experts said that the Economic Coordination Committee’s decision to increase the general sales tax on locally produced vehicles will result both in a drop in volumes as well as revenues, as it was highly unlikely that a hike in GST would additionally generate revenue H i ke i n G S T o n l o c a l l y - m a n u f a c t u r e d a u to m o b i l e s m at te r o f c o n c e r n : PA A PA M CORPORATE CORNER K a r a c h i: Stars shine bright as Taxali Gate's premiere lights up the red carpet tonight The premiere of this bold and unflinching movie confronting the taboo with raw honesty and courage was graced by the renowned figures graced us with their presence PR Karachi: Sajid Mughal, Director Bigbuy Mart and Chairman TBC Pakistan hosted a dinner in honor of MPA Barrister Hallar Wassan and Faraz Ur Rehman Founder Chairman PBGO at a residence Picture shows host and chief guests with other honorable guests PR KARACHI S TA F F R E P O R T The Caretaker Federal Minister for Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony Aneeq Ahmed, visited Jamia Abu Bakar Al Islamia Karachi as the chief guest, delivering an insightful address on the profound teachings of Islam and Sunnah In his address Minister Aneeq Ahmed underscored the pivotal role of understanding Islam and Sunnah for the prosperity of a nation He fervently encouraged the audience to actively engage with the Quran, urging them to delve into its meaning and integrate its teachings into their daily lives Minister Aneeq Ahmed emphasized the correlation between good governance and the teachings of Islam asserting that incorporating these principles is paramount for achieving effective governance He ardently urged the audience to learn from the life of Prophet Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him) as a model for prosperity Addressing the rulers of the Muslim Ummah, Minister Aneeq Ahmed called for prioritizing the teachings of Prophet Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him) and advocating for the performance of Namaz and Zakat He firmly believed that adherence to these principles could effectively combat social evils and alleviate poverty This visit served as a powerful platform for fostering a deep understanding of Islam among the audience Minister Aneeq Ahmed s address aimed at instilling values that can contribute to the building of a just and prosperous society
underscores understanding of Islam, S unnah for prosperity of nation
International Baccalaureate (IB), in collaboration with the Association of IB World Schools in Pakistan (IBPAK), hosted the IB Day Pakistan an event that marked a significant leap towards advancing high-quality global education in the region IB s regional gathering on 24 February 2024 at Avari Hotel Lahore introduced Dr Shehzad Jeeva who joined the IB as the Chief Education Officer this January He delivered an inspiring vision for the future of education to IB schools, educators, government officials universities and education enthusiasts emphasizing the pivotal role IB programmes play in shaping global citizens equipped to navigate the complexities of today s world Today, we stand at the cusp of a new era in education in Pakistan, where the IB's mission aligns seamlessly with our national educational goals, fostering learners who are knowledgeable, principled and open-minded " said Dr Jeeva PR
The
outlaws
weapons ISLAMABAD: The Islamabad Capital Police arrested 14 outlaws besides recovering narcotics and weapons from their possession during separate actions in different areas of the federal capital A spokesman of Islamabad Police said on Sunday that the in line with the directions of Islamabad Capital City Police Officer (ICCPO) Dr Akbar Nasir Khan the Islamabad Capital Police has intensified crackdown against the criminal elements in order to eliminate the crime from the city Following these directions, the Kohsar police team arrested two accused and recovered 40 liters of liquor from their possession The Margalla police team arrested two accused including Muhammad Islam and Ahmed Sarfraz and recovered 260 gram heroin 20 liter liquor from their possession PR Motor way Police returns lost cash, jeweller y to family ISLAMABAD: The Motorway Police set another example of honesty and responsibility by returning cash, foreign currency and jewelry worth hundreds of thousands rupees to the owner family According to details, a family while travelling on motorway stayed at service area in Kalar Kahar and forgot purse carrying cash foreign currency and jewellery there While traveling ahead when the family reminded about the purse it contacted Motorway Police on its Helpline 130 The Motorway Police taking instant action through the police mobile nearest to service area started search for the lost purse After hard effort the Motorway Police managed to recover the purse containing jewelry worth Rs600 000 Rs1 08 675 Saudi Riyals 716 US$ 101 and three prize bonds of Rs1500 each The Motorway Police after recovery contacted the respective family and handed over the recovered jewelry and cash to it PR
with drugs,
IHC hears Imran’s appeals against Cypher, Toshakhana cases convictions today
P P P fi r s t a p p ro a c h e d P T I b e fo re
P M L- N fo r g ov t fo r m at i o n : S h a h
Senior Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) leader Khurshid Shah on Sunday revealed that his party’s approached the Pakistan Tehreeke-Insaf (PTI) to engage in talks for government formation but the latter refused flatly
We approached the PTI first as per democratic norms, but they refused to engage, Shah claimed while talking to the media outside Sindh Assembly on Sunday
“Despite efforts to adhere to democratic norms the PTI refused to move forward
Shah asserted that the PPP currently holds the key to democracy, which they wield in the interest of democratic processes
Highlighting the PPP’s stance on supporting the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) Shah affirmed that his party s support comes without any ulterior motives
We will vote for their prime minister candidate and will cooper-
ate in legislation and other matters, but we will not take any ministry in the Centre Shah added Responding to recent protests by opposition parties Shah questioned the motives behind certain demonstrations, particularly mentioning the Awami National Party’s (ANP) protest in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa
He also downplayed the significance of the Grand Democratic Al-
liance (GDA), stating that they have never secured more than one seat Furthermore Shah disclosed that former prime minister Yousuf Raza Gilani is being considered for the chairman of the Senate Shah criticised the founder of PTI, Imran Khan, for allegedly interfering in Pakistan’s internal affairs by writing a letter to the International Monetary Fund (IMF)
KP grapples with whopping Rs608b deficit in F Y24
MQM -P affirms not to budge from ‘stance on power-sharing’
KARACHI S TA F F R E P O R T
The Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan’s (MQM-P) Coordination Committee decided to sit on opposition benches if the PML-N does not accept its principled stand According to sources privy to the MQM-P coordination committee s meeting, nothing has been finalized between the PML-N and MQM-P on the ministries in the federation
A meeting of the MQM-P coordination committee convened with its Convener Dr Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui in the chair while Sindh Governor Kamran Tessori Senior Deputy Convenor Syed
Mustafa Kamal,
Two days earlier MQM-P and PMLN reaffirmed their commitment to putting the interests of the country ahead of political expediency
The affirmation came during a meeting between MQM-P delegation which called on PML-N President and prime minister-designate Shehbaz Sharif
The conversation focused on the current state of affairs in the country and potential paths for political collaboration In praising the MQM-P for their positive strategy Shehbaz Sharif said “Respecting the vote means respecting the mandate of all parties It is our collective responsibility to guide the nation through its economic difficulties
The MQM-P delegation praised Shehbaz Sharif ’s inclusive leadership during his 16-month term in the PM office “It is hoped that under his stewardship Pakistan and its citizens will overcome their challenges they said Later the MQM-P spokesperson informed the media that the coordination committee meeting discussed the postelection scenario and talk process with the PML-N adding the coordination committee gave various suggestions on the current political situation in the
eration and the province He further stated that the committee was agreed to continue the struggle for the stability of democracy and basic democratic rights in the country
Published by Asad Nizami at Plot No 66-C, 1st Floor, 21st Commercial Street, Phase-II (Extension), DHA Karachi and printed at Ibn-e-Hassan Printing Press, Hockey Stadium, Karachi, for PT Print (Pvt) Limited Ph: 021-35381208-9 Email: newsroom@pakistantoday com pk PRAYER TIMINGS FA J R S U N R I S E Z U H R A S R M AG H R I B S H A 5:50 6:35 1 30 4:45 6:00 7:30 Monday 26 February 2024 NEWS
ISLAMABAD S TA F F R E P O R T The Islamabad High Court (IHC) formed a special division bench to hear the appeals of former prime minister Imran Khan his wife Bushra Bibi and former foreign minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi against convictions in the cypher and Toshakhana cases on Monday (tomorrow) The IHC division bench, comprising Chief Justice Aamer Farooq and Justice Miangul Hassan Aurangzeb, will hear the appeals on Monday In appeal against conviction in Cypher case Imran Khan and Shah Mehmood Qureshi have challenged their conviction The PTI founder and his spouse have filed appeals against their conviction in the Toshakhana reference in which they were sentenced to 14 years imprisonment each and a Rs1 54 billion fine The appeal against conviction in the cypher case pointed out that the arrest and remand hearing on Aug 16 2023 took place in the “most objectionable clandestine and secretive manner It said the prosecution did not share the complete record that was produced before the trial court against Mr Khan and the judge indicted the former premier and former foreign minister in haste The appeal recalled that the IHC division bench had to scrap the trial court proceedings twice owing to the “glaring illegalities” but Judge Abual Hasnat Zulqarnain allegedly concluded the trial without complying with the mandatory procedural requirements The appeal claimed that Mr Khan and his legal counsel extended all cooperation to the trial court and did not seek unnecessary adjournment to linger on the proceeding However the judge did not ensure a fair trial and “the proceedings were hurried through by the court at a breakneck speed for reasons known only to the court itself and the trial was concluded in less than 20 days The appeal said the defence counsel crossexamined four prosecution witnesses, and the case was adjourned to Jan 25 when a counsel appeared before the IHC and another counsel had to rush to Lahore for dental surgery The case was adjourned to Jan 27 when the judge appointed state lawyers for Mr Khan and Mr Qureshi It said Mr Khan and Mr Qureshi strongly objected to these so-called state counsels without their consent but to no avail They requested the court to make a call to their lead counsel to seek assistance in cross-examination but the trial court refused to wait for him The appeal said the trial in the cipher case was shifted to a secret room and concluded in a very short span of time TO S H A K H A N A R E F E R E N C E The appeal in the Toshakhana reference alleged the trial was conducted in violation of the fundamental right to a fair trial It also insisted that Mr Khan his spouse and their lawyers cooperated with the court but Judge Muhammad Bashir on Jan 29 suddenly and illegally closed their right to cross-examine the prosecution witnesses The appeal said the lead counsel, Sardar Latif Khan Khosa, was contesting the election and had already sought general adjournment from the Supreme Court and high courts but the trial court refused his request A T T E N T I O N Some readers have complained that they are not getting the magazine with their newspaper copy Please call or WhatsApp us at the following number to register a complaint Contac t 0307-7338168 ir fan farooq@pak stantoday com pk IN TO DAY ’ S S S U E PR OFIT N E W S D E S K T H E State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) has announced a relaxation of regulations for exporters allowing them to freely utilize funds in their Special Foreign Currency Accounts (ESFCAs) for various business-related payments abroad without requiring prior approval from the central bank This move aims to enhance the ease of doing business and stimulate the export sector The new guidelines communicated to the heads of all foreign exchange authorized dealers signify a broader effort to support exporters by permitting the use of retained export proceeds for current account transactions related to their businesses Additionally exporters can now request debit cards linked to their ESFCAs facilitating easier access to their funds Previously, the SBP permitted exporters to retain a portion of their earnings in foreign currency accounts with general exporters allowed to keep 1015% and those in the freelancing information technology and software sectors up to 50% of their export proceeds Under the revised framework, exporters are empowered to use their funds for a variety of purposes including import payments acquisition of IT and digital services dividend repatriation marketing activities salary payments to foreign employees, overseas investments and foreign debt repayments However usage of these funds within Pakistan in foreign currency is prohibited; they must be converted to local currency for domestic expenditures The policy update clarifies and expands the scope of permissible expenditures for exporters addressing previous ambiguities and enhancing their ability to engage in international business activities effectively This liberalization is expected to facilitate exporters in expanding their market reach and operational capabilities abroad The central bank has also specified that exporters may transfer funds between their ESFCAs held at different authorized dealers, subject to regulatory compliance The measures are designed to streamline financial operations for exporters, promoting growth in Pakistan’s export sector amid challenging global economic conditions SBP LIBERALIZES FOREIGN CURRENCY ACCOUNT RULES FOR EXPORTERS g E A S I N G O F R E S T R I C T I O N S I S A N T I C I PAT E D TO A S S I S T E X P O R T E R S I N B R O A D E N I N G T H E I R I N T E R N AT I O N A L M A R K E T P R E S E N C E PR OFIT N E W S D E S K In January Pakistan witnessed a 4 93% increase in the export of non-textile valueadded products compared to the same month last year signaling a boost in international market orders The Pakistan Bureau of Statistics revealed that these exports, excluding food products, amounted to $553 million, up from $527 million in January of the previous year Despite this positive trend in January the first seven months of the fiscal year saw only a slight 0 8% growth in non-textile product exports, totaling $3 78 billion against the $3 75 billion recorded in the corresponding months of the last year Significant growth was observed in several sectors: engineering goods exports rose by 14 95% footwear by 6 14% and gur products not classified under food by 19 55% However not all sectors fared well; leather garments exports declined by 8 87%, and raw leather saw a 23 72% decrease Similarly exports of carpets and rugs sports goods and specifically footballs experienced downturns of 22 61% 8 72% and 1 30% respectively Despite challenges in other areas, the export of engineering goods in the July-January period of FY24 increased by 4 54% year-on-year Jewelry exports saw a remarkable rise of 39 91%, and gur products also surged by 28 53% Conversely, exports of gems, furniture, molasses and handicrafts faced declines A notable recovery was seen in cement exports which jumped by 49 70% in the first seven months of FY24 contrasting with the previous fiscal year s slump Additionally, while there were no exports of petroleum crude, shipments of petroleum products experienced a significant 460% increase The period also highlighted robust growth in food product exports enhancing the international availability of essential commodities such as beef, chicken, and rice, though impacting their domestic affordability Non-tex tile expor ts rise in Januar y, showc asing diverse sec tor growth
TA F F R E P O R T
KARACHI S
it
Dr Farooq Sattar, Deputy Convenor Anees Qaimkhani, Khawaja Izharul Hasan and other members of the committee participated in
Pakistan
garding
formation of government in the Centre
committee’s opinion
sought on whether the party should join the government or sit on the opposition benches
coordination committee suggested joining the opposition benches if MQMP s principled stand is not accepted It is to be noted that the MQM-P has sought Kamran Tessori s continuation as the Sindh governor as part of the proposed power-sharing arrangement The meeting was also briefed about constitutional amendment the party had sought for formation of government The negotiating team informed the meeting that they have placed their demands in front of the PML-N and they will not back down from their demands regarding the constitutional amendments They said the PML-N top leadership had assured that they will make contact soon with a positive response The sources informed the committee members said they want such ministries in the federation to solve the problems of citizens of Sindh especially Karachi The committee also asked to resolve matters with the PML-N before the swearing-in ceremony of the National Assembly A final decision would be taken after negotiations with PML-N in the coming days
The participants discussed matters related to negotiations with
Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) re-
the
The
was
The
fed-
PESHAWAR A Z I Z B U N E R I Khyber Pakhtunkhwa is facing a deficit of Rs608 18 billion in the current financial year due to a shortfall in grants from the federal government, including funds for tribal districts development, net profit of hydel power, war against terrorism, current expenditures, and other grants The provincial government had estimated its total revenue from federal and provincial sources at Rs1 579 65 billion for the current fiscal year of which it has received Rs971 46 billion so far The budget estimates for the settled districts are Rs1,366 76 billion and for the tribal districts Rs212 89 billion The federal grant for the current year was estimated at Rs764 61 billion but the province is likely to receive Rs504 billion For the war against terrorism Rs60 55 billion has been paid out of the estimated Rs91 87 billion In the head of straight transfer, Rs26 05 billion has been received out of the estimated Rs38 66 billion For the current year, Rs20 52 billion has been paid out of the estimated Rs31 51 billion in net profit of hydel power In addition Rs37 13 billion has been received out of the outstanding Rs56 39 billion of net profit of hydel power The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government has also faced a shortfall in revenue from its own sources during the current year Against the target of Rs28 51 billion, only Rs19 60 billion has been collected in provincial excise (nontax) Similarly against the target of Rs56 48 billion Rs37 65 billion has been collected in provincial excise (tax) Out of the estimated Rs72 64 billion from other sources Rs24 21 billion has been collected Against the estimated Rs34 26 billion in operational shortfall/savings, Rs11 42 billion has been received Against the estimated Rs138 92 billion in foreign aidfunded projects, Rs83 17 billion is likely to be received Out of the Rs11 31 billion Public Sector Development Program (PSDP) Rs7 54 billion has been received Against the additional demand of Rs86 10 billion for the tribal districts only Rs28 70 billion has been received In the Annual Development Program (ADP), Rs17 33 billion has been paid out of the estimated Rs26 billion Out of the Rs31 billion allocated for the Accelerated ADP, Rs23 23 billion is likely to be received Against the estimated Rs3 79 billion for foreign aid-funded development projects in the tribal districts Rs2 52 billion is likely to be received The shortfall in grants from the federal government is putting a severe strain on the provincial government s finances The provincial government has been forced to cut spending on development projects and essential services to meet its financial obligations g E X P O R T S O F G E M S, F U R N I T U R E, M O L A S S E S, A N D H A N D I C R A F T S FA C E D D E C L I N E S
