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to win over his support for the opposition candidates Sources privy to the development said that JUI-F chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman flatly refused to support the ruling coalition for the election of the prime minister during his meeting with PML-N quaid Nawaz Sharif
The sources said that the Maulana also refused to another request by Nawaz Sharif to join the coalition government in Balochistan Province saying that he would not be a part of the government formed with a ‘stolen mandate’ While confirming the development PML-N’s Senator Irfan Siddiqui has said that even if Maulana Fazlur Rehman does not vote for Shehbaz Sharif in the prime minister s election, his party would still want the JUI-F chief to support them in running the government Siddiqui also
claimed that the PML-N’s coalition partner PPP would not only stand with them in the parliament but in the cabinet as well
It merits mention here that only a day after his coalition comrades rallied behind PML-N s Shehbaz
to clear the blocked roads but continuous snowfall is hampering progress In Chatekal area of Swat s Matta Tehsil, the bodies of four persons, including a woman and her son were recovered while search for three persons continued after 11 members of the same family were buried under the debris of their house collapsed due to a landslide fell from hillside in on Saturday
The rescue operation is going on for three people buried under the debris According to police officials and the administration, heavy rains and snowfall have been continued in the valley for the past three days due to which landside from hillside fell on the house of one Dabal Khan son of Sherin in village Chatikal
As a result all 11 members of the family in the house were buried under the debris
As soon as information spread, the volunteers of AlKhidmat Foundation, including rescuers, police and local people, rushed to the site on foot despite road closure and started rescue operation During the operation the bodies of four people including Khazna Bibi wife of Dabal Khan Zubair son of Dabal Khan Jawad son of Bacha Zada and a minor girl Asma daughter of Aseel Zada, were recovered while Saliha Bibi, wife of Aseel Zada, her daughter Maryam, Hussain, son of Dabal Khan and Izharullah, son of Aseelzada were rescued
The Al-Khidmat Foundation volunteers took the injured to Mata Hospital
According to the police rescue activities are going on to search for the three other persons buried under the debris, including Khalida, wife of Aseel Zada, Salma, daughter of Aseel Zada and the head of the family, Dabal Khan, son of Sherin
Due to the night and heavy rain the relief and rescue operations are facing severe difficulties According to locals the road was blocked due to heavy snowfall and the administration failed to clear despite availability of machinery and other tools
The PDMA said that Khyber district experienced a third consecutive day of rain and snowfall, causing low-lying areas to be inundated and residents facing considerable difficulties in daily activities
The adverse weather conditions are not confined to KP alone From Lahore to Balochistan Karachi and the northern mountainous areas, the entire country is grappling with the repercussions of unpredictable weather patterns Similarly heavy rain caused the roof of a house to collapse in Bajaur Gakhi Kundu Mamond tragically killing three children Rescue teams responded swiftly and managed to
PTI holds countr ywide protests against poll rigging amid police crackdown
In par tnership with Profit S u n d a y, 3 M a r c h , 2 0 2 4 I 2 1 S h a ’ b a n , 1 4 4 5 R s 2 0 0 0 | Vo l X I V N o 2 4 5 I 8 Pa g e s I I s l a m a b a d E d i t i o n ISLAMABAD S TA F F R E P O R T T HE newly-stitched National Assembly is to set elect the Prime Minister on Sunday (tomorrow) as nomination papers of both the aspirants for the coveted post – Coalition parties candidate Shehbaz Sharif and PTI-SIC candidate Omar Ayub Khan – were cleared on Saturday The coalition led by the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) has named Shehbaz Sharif as its candidate for the coveted post for a second term while Omar Ayub Khan is vying as candidate of PTI-SIC for the post According to rules a candidate requires 169 votes in the 336-member parliament to be elected as the premier Leaders of coalition parties including Khawaja Asif, Khurshid Shah, Attaullah Tarar and Tariq Bashir Cheema filed the nomination papers of Shehbaz Sharif Whereas PTI leaders Asad Qaiser Aamir Dogar Ali Muhammad Khan and Barrister Gohar Khan filed the nomination of Omar Ayub Khan The nomination papers for the two candidates were received by SecretaryGeneral National Assembly Tahir Hussain Later the National Assembly Secretariat cleared nomination papers of both the candidates after scrutiny Under the election rules, presence of proposers and endorsers during the scrutiny of nomination papers is mandatory P M E L E C T I O N P R O C E S S : The election for the PM would be conducted through the division of members in the house As per the Constitution before the voting process begins for the slot of prime minister, bells will ring for five minutes inside the Parliament House to inform every member in case they are not present in the chamber at the moment to gather inside Once the process begins the doors will be locked and no one will be allowed to enter or leave the hall till the PM s election is concluded For example, if there are two candidates, the speaker will say that ‘whoever wants to vote for candidate A can go to lobby A and whoever wants to vote for candidate B can go to lobby B If there are three candidates then there can be a lobby C as well At the entrance of the said lobbies, a member of the assembly secretariat staff will record the name of every member of the National Assembly in the register The whole process will be open and people sitting in the galleries will be able to see who votes for whom The political parties have to vote collectively and every member has to vote for the candidate that their party is voting for Section 91(4) of the Constitution states The Prime Minister shall be elected by the votes of the majority of the total membership of the National Assembly: Provided that, if no member secures such a majority in the first poll a second poll shall be held between the members who secure the two highest numbers of votes in the first poll and the member who secures a majority of votes of the members present and voting shall be declared to have been elected as Prime Minister: Provided further that if the number of votes secured by two or more members securing the highest number of votes is equal, further poll shall be held between them until one of them secures a majority of votes of the members present and voting ” O M A R AY U B R A I S E S O B J E CT I O N A G A I N S T S H E H B A Z S P M C A N D I D A C Y: Meanwhile PTI-SIC candidate for prime minister, Omar Ayub Khan on Saturday officially raised objections against the nomination papers of PML-N-led coalition’s candidate for prime minister Shehbaz Sharif In a statement shared on social media Ayub claimed that Sharif had acquired the constituency through manipulation of Form-47 on February 9, a day after the general election “He had lost the constituency as per Form-45 He has been wrongly administered the oath as MNA and thus cannot be a candidate for the Prime Minister s position, maintained the PTI leader Earlier on Friday, PML-N member Ayaz Sadiq was elected speaker of the National Assembly following election held on the basis of secret ballot and the results were announced by the outgoing speaker Raja Pervez Ashraf According to results, Ayaz Sadiq obtained 199 votes while his rival PTI-SIC nominee Aamir Dogar got 91 votes A total 291 votes were polled and one was rejected After the election Ayaz Sadiq went to Aamir Dogar and shook hands with him He also shook hands with Hamid Raza and Omar Ayub Khan NA ALL SET TO ELECT NEW PM AS SHEHBA Z , OMAR AYUB V YING FOR COVETED POST ‘A N O T H E R S N U B ’ Line-up clears up for ‘presidential battle’ as Zardari, Achakzai file nominations KARACHI/ISLAMABAD S TA F F R E P O R T Nomination papers of former president and PPP cochairman Asif Ali Zardari and Pakhtunkhwa Milli Awami Party (PkMAP) chief Mahmood Khan Achakzai were filed on Saturday for the presidential election scheduled to be held on March 9 Asif Ali Zardari is the joint candidate of PPP-PML-N for the President’s slot and Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah filed his nomination with the Sindh High Court Chief Justice on Saturday The Sindh CM along with 30 MPAs including Faryal Talpur Syed Qaim Ali Shah Syed Nasir Hussain Shah Sharjeel Inaam Memon and others reached the Sindh High Court and submitted Asif Zardari s nomination before SHC Chief Justice Aqeel Abbassi, who is the presiding officer for the presidential election He has proposed while Syed Nasir Shah seconded the nomination papers of Asif Ali Zardari for presidential elections to be held on March 09 2024 On the other hand, PkMAP) chief Mahmood Khan Achakzai has been nominated by the PTI-SIC-backed lawmakers and his nomination papers were filed for the presidential elections which will be held on March 9 The scrutiny of the nomination papers will be held on Monday Similarly the nomination papers for both candidates were filed in the Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Saturday Farooq H Naik and Saleem Mandviwala filed Zardari s papers while PTI leaders –Ali Muhammad Khan, Sardar Latif Khosa and Omar Ayub Khan filed the papers for Achakzai before Chief Justice IHC Aamer Farooq – the presiding officer for the presidential elections According to the ECP schedule polling for the presidential election will be held on March 9 from 10 am to 4 pm, while candidates vying for the constitutional post of the country can submit their nomination papers until Saturday noon in Islamabad and four provincial capitals – Karachi Lahore Peshawar and Quetta
dead as rain, snow fall continue to pummel par ts of countr
ISLAMABAD/PESHAWAR/KARACHI S A L E E M J A D O O N Heavy rain coupled with snowfall continued to wreak havoc across the country especially in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and coastal areas of Balochistan and claimed least 19 lives including children and women due to incidents of roof collapse and mudslides in KP province In KP, Rescue Director General (DG) Peshawar confirmed that five children, a woman, and a man lost their lives while five others sustained injuries in rain-related incidents in the Khyber district Incidents of roof collapse were also reported in Peshawar Lower Dir and Bajaur resulting in the unfortunate loss of human lives and livestock
PDMA said that Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province has been hit by heavy rain and snowfall, leading to widespread disruption and tragic loss of life Landslides triggered by the weather conditions have disrupted routine life with road closure and power shutdowns The provincial capital Peshawar experienced intermittent rain, causing flooding in lowlying areas and hindering daily life Meanwhile, snowfall in the upper regions has led to road closures, further isolating these areas According to the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) efforts are underway
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pull the children from the debris but unfortunately, all three were pronounced dead Another incident occurred near Batkhela Khatke graveyard, where a house roof collapsed due to heavy rain Five people were trapped under the debris and although rescue teams managed to evacuate them to the hospital two individuals a woman and her 5-yearold daughter succumbed to their injuries ISLAMABAD S TA F F R E P O R T The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) workers and supporters Saturday staged protest demonstrations against rigging in the February 8 general elections across all the major cities amid clashes with the police Despite having the biggest number of successful candidates in the polls, the Imran Khan-founded party had given a nationwide protest call against the “stolen” mandate The former ruling party s workers and lawyers are protesting in areas including Shahdara, GPO Chowk at Mall Road, and outside the commissioner s office in Lahore During one of the demonstrations, the police baton-charged and arrested PTI workers including Mian Shehzad Farooq Pakistan staged the biggest election of its history earlier this month which was extraordinary in various aspects However, the outcome of the polls did not turn out to be as expected by the political actors as none of them got a simple majority Subsequently, many parties, the PTI, Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl and Jamaat-eIslami rejected the general elections Over 90 independent candidates supported by the PTI won the elections, who, later joined the Sunni Ittehad Council (SIC) to claim the seats reserved for female candidates and minorities The party had decided to carry out protests amid heavy police deployment outside Lahore High Court (LHC) PTI s office at Jail Road, and GPO Chowk, where the party spokesperson said the main protest was to take place Earlier in the day, Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Operations Ali Nasir Rizvi visited GPO Chowk and PTI s office at Jail Road saying that no one would be allowed to take the law into their own hands We will take action against those who even touch a policeman’s uniform We will not allow anyone to destroy the peace of the city,” said DIG Rizvi Meanwhile, workers belonging to the Insaf Lawyers Forum have also been protesting outside the LHC During the protest the police pushed them inside the court and locked the gate On the other hand, PTI s Sher Afzal Marwat, who was leading a rally from Peshawar to Islamabad, decided to change its route towards Rawalpindi The rally would enter Islamabad from Purodhai to IJP Road in Rawalpindi It reached Chungi No 4 after passing through Raja Bazaar and Fawwara Chowk Speaking to the party workers, Marwat called for the release of Imran Khan and other incarcerated PTI leaders We will continue the campaign in courts assemblies and on the roads till the release of PTI founder he said The PTI spokesperson said that their “peaceful protests” were interrupted by state machinery and law enforcement officials “The people have taken to the streets to take back their stolen mandate,” he added He said that “unconstitutional” obstacles in the way of protests show fear and cowardice, adding that they will not accept the “rigged” elections through Form 47 The spokesperson said that the PTI will continue its struggle to claim its stolen mandate back
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Sharif for the top executive post in the country, JUI-F chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman had tossed a political curveball rejecting the rigged election results while extending an invitation to PML-N supremo Nawaz Sharif to join him on the opposition benches instead of chasing government dreams We will not endorse Shehbaz Sharif as the prime minister candidate in parliament as our party has prohibited him from forming the government Therefore, we will not be part of any government Those who believe in the rigged nature of elections should join our cause, while others can choose to remain indifferent ” Meanwhile JUI-F chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman arrived in Karachi on Saturday to attend JUI-F Sindh s meeting in Korangi on Sunday According to Deputy Secretary Information JUI Sindh Maulana Samiul Haq Swati, the general secretary of the Sindh chapter of the party Rashid Mehmood Soomro and other leaders welcomed the chief who has arrived in the metropolitan on a three-day visit Swati said that the “important” meeting tomorrow will include the members of all the districts of JUI Sindh where Fazl will give an important address regarding election rigging Maulana Fazlur Rehman will give instructions to the officials of JUI Sindh, Swati said adding that Fazl will also address a press conference Fazl refuses to vote for Shehbaz Sharif for PM’s election g P T I -S I C C A N D I D AT E R A I S E S O B J E C T I O N S A G A I N S T N O M I N AT I O N O F P M L- N - L E D C O A L I T I O N ’ S C A N D I D AT E g RULES SAY A CANDIDATE REQUIRES 169 VOTES IN 336-MEMBER PARLIAMENT TO BE ELECTED A S PREMIER C O N T I N U E D O N PA G E 03
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PPP names candidates for two Senate vacancies of Sindh
CPI inflation drops to 23% in February, marking 20-month low
Su day 3 Ma ch 2024 | ISLAMABAD 02 NewS PR OFIT N e w S D e S k
HE International Monetary Fund (IMF) has recommended significant changes to Pakistan s tax regime, advising the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) to enhance revenue by restructuring the personal income tax (PIT) framework The IMF’s suggestions include equalizing the tax treatment for both salaried and non-salaried individuals reducing the current seven tax slabs to four, and revoking tax exemptions on private employer contributions to pensions According to IMF projections the full adoption of these recommendations could generate an additional 0 5% of GDP in revenue, translating to about Rs500 billion annually In the ongoing fiscal year the FBR has collected Rs215 billion from the salaried class during the first eight months with expectations to reach Rs300 billion by year-end The implementation of the IMF s proposals is estimated to substantially increase this figure by Rs500 billion from both salaried and non-salaried sectors FBR officials have acknowledged the potential for revenue growth through the elimination of exemptions and preferential tax treatments The IMF advises a simplification of tax rates into a single, progressive structure, emphasizing the need for a more rational tax system by eliminating the distinction between salaried and non-salaried individuals and advocating for a maximum of four tax slabs Currently, the tax system s progressivity is under scrutiny, with experts warning that reducing slabs could necessitate higher taxes for incomes over Rs2 million, a significant shift from the current maximum rate applied to incomes exceeding Rs6 million Additionally the IMF has called for a review of the Second Schedule and Chapter III of the Income Tax Ordinance (ITO) to abolish preferential treatments and deductions that benefit specific employee sectors investments in shares mortgage payments and contributions to education and research The organization also suggests reconsidering the tax exemption threshold and the taxation of pension contributions or benefits to further increase tax revenues IMF PROPOSES OVERHAUL OF PAKISTAN’S TA X SYSTEM TO INCREASE REVENUE PR OFIT Pakistan’s trade deficit witnessed a notable reduction of 30 18 percent during the July-February period of the fiscal year 2023-24 According to the latest figures released by the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS), the deficit stood at $14 872 billion, compared to $21 299 billion recorded in the same period of the previous fiscal year The PBS data highlighted that Pakistan s exports saw a healthy growth of nine percent, reaching $20 351 billion in the first eight months of the current fiscal year, up from $18 670 billion in the corresponding months of the previous year This increase in exports contributes positively to the country s trade balance On the import front, there was an 11 87 percent decrease, with imports totalling $35 223 billion during JulyFebruary 2023-24 down from $39 969 billion in the same period last fiscal year This decline in imports is a key factor in the narrowing of the trade deficit The monthly comparison for February 2024 also presents an interesting picture The trade deficit contracted by 13 49 percent to $1 712 billion down from $1 979 billion in January 2024 Despite a month-onmonth decline in exports by 7 84 percent to $2 573 billion in February, the yearon-year analysis for the same month shows a robust increase of 17 54 percent compared to February 2023 I m p o r t s i n F e b r u a r y 2 0 2 4 r o s e t o $ 4 2 8 5 b i l l i o n , m a r k i n g a 1 0 1 9 p e r c e n t i n c r e a s e f r o m J a n u a r y 2 0 2 4 a n d a n 8 8 9 p e r c e n t i n c r e a s e f r o m February 2023 These figures represent a pivotal shift in Pakistan s trade dynamics, indicating a strengthening economic position through enhanced export performance and managed import levels The reduction in the trade deficit is a positive sign for the country s economy potentially leading to more sustainable economic growth Pakistan’s trade deficit shrinks by over 30% in July-Feb g I n t e r n a t i o n a l M o n e t a r y F u n d p r o p o s e s e q u a l t a x f o r a l l , f e w e r s l a b s , a n d n o p e n s i o n e x e m p t i o n s PR OFIT S ta f f R e p o R t Pakistan’s Consumer Price Index (CPI) inflation rate has decelerated to 23 06% year-on-year in February down from 28 34% in January This latest figure represents the lowest inflation rate the country has seen in the past 20 months, a notable decline from the peak of 37 97% observed in May 2023 The Pakistan Bureau of Statistics attributed this decline primarily to a slight reduction in the prices of food products Specifically, the food index witnessed a 1 62% drop month-onmonth influenced by decreased prices in both perishable and non-perishable goods Despite this dip in food prices, other categories within the CPI basket continued to experience price increases For the first eight months of the fiscal year 2024 the average inflation rate stood at 27 96% exceeding the government s initial forecast of 21% This rate also surpassed the International Monetary Fund s (IMF) projection of 25 9% for the same period, indicating a challenging economic landscape The month-on-month inflation for February remained unchanged underscoring a stabilization in the shortterm price movements This comes after a period of elevated inflation rates, which began in mid-2022 following the implementation of several economic measures by the PMLN-led coalition government, in compliance with the IMF’s requirements Urban inflation for February was reported at 24 9% year-on-year with a minor 0 2% increase month-on-month Rural areas saw a year-on-year inflation rate of 20 5%, with a 0 3% decline month-on-month The detailed breakdown of CPI components reveals that the categories with the highest weight namely food and non-alcoholic beverages and housing, water, electricity, gas, and fuels saw annual increases of over 19 04% and 43 78% respectively The report also highlighted variations in food and non-food inflation across urban and rural settings Urban food inflation stood at 20 02% while non-food inflation was at 28 2% Rural areas experienced food inflation at 19% and non-food inflation at 22 1% Core inflation which excludes volatile food and energy prices, saw a slight decrease in both urban (15 5%) and rural areas (21 9%) Notably certain food items in urban areas such as fresh fruits and honey saw price increases while others like eggs and tomatoes recorded significant price drops
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PR OFIT N e w S D e S k In an unexpected move Pak Suzuki Motor Company Ltd (PSMCL) has announced a substantial increase in the prices of its vehicles, with adjustments ranging from Rs65,000 to Rs180 000 for different models As of the first week of September 2023 the exchange rate had seen the dollar decrease from Rs307 10 to Rs279 19 in the interbank market This shift suggested a potential reduction in the cost of imported components which are integral to vehicle manufacturing The revised pricing issued by PSMCL to its dealers includes an increase for the Suzuki Alto VX, VXR, VXR AGS, and VXL AGS models, now priced between Rs2 331 million and Rs3 045 million The Suzuki Cultus VXR VXL and AGS models have seen an increase of Rs110 000 to Rs180 000 setting their new prices at Rs3 858 million to Rs4 546 million Additionally, the Suzuki Swift GL MT GL CVT and GLX CVT models have undergone a price adjustment of Rs65 000 to Rs85 000 with new prices ranging from Rs4 421 million to Rs5 125 million The circular distributed to dealers did not specify the reasons behind the price hikes However Shafiq Ahmed Sheikh Head of Corporate Affairs at PSMCL later provided an explanation He stated that the company had not adjusted its prices for over a year despite facing significant financial challenges including production suspensions for various reasons Sheikh attributed the need for the price increase to inflation, rising overheads, and the escalating costs of raw materials, accessories, and shipping He also mentioned the challenges posed by the situation in the Red Sea contributing to increased freight expenses Sheikh emphasized that the company had absorbed the majority of these additional costs passing only a minimal portion onto consumers Pak S uzuki announces signific ant price increase across vehicle range Freelancers to get remittances without PayPal wallet: Umar Saif PR OFIT N e w S D e S k Umar Saif the outgoing caretaker Minister of IT & Telecom and Science & Technology, in his X message (formerly Twitter ), has disclosed that online freelancers will be able to receive PayPal remittances starting this month through a tri-party arrangement without needing to create a PayPal wallet The goal is to enable them to accept PayPal payments from their clients abroad through a third-party digital wallet, which will use an international remittance mechanism to remit the dollars to Pakistan, and instantly credit the freelancer ’s bank account in Pakistan ” said the minister He further explains that the State Bank s new regime will allow freelancers to open bank accounts against this digital wallet obtain debit cards, and create dollar accounts so that they can freely use their earnings The registration process for freelancers will be overseen by the Pakistan Software Export Board (PSEB) with a nominal tax rate of 0 25% on transactions Along with our plan to create 10 000 e-rozgaar centers this will enable Pakistan to truly benefit from the earning potential of our online freelancers, FBR implements T&T system in tiles sector to cur tail tax evasion PR OFIT N e w S D e S k The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has announced the extension of its Track and Trace system to the tiles manufacturing sector, aiming to enhance electronic monitoring of production and supply chains to combat sales tax evasion In a recent move the FBR issued SRO 308(i)/2024 which amends the Sales Tax Rules of 2006 signifying a significant step towards ensuring transparency within the tiles sector This decision also brings auxiliary cement products under the purview of the Track and Trace system, further broadening the scope of sectors under stringent monitoring for tax compliance According to sources this inclusion aims to mitigate the risks of tax evasion providing a more accurate and realtime oversight of manufacturing outputs and supplies The integration of the tiles sector into the Track and Trace system was announced amidst a challenging period for the industry particularly in Punjab where the entire tiles sector is reportedly facing closure The economic downturn coupled with the high costs of gas supply has severely impacted the industry s operations, raising concerns about the timing and implications of this new regulatory measure g D e f i c i t s t a n d s a t $ 1 4 8 7 2 b , c o m p a r e d t o $ 2 1 2 9 9 b r e c o r d e d i n f i r s t e i g h t m o n t h s o f F Y 2 0 2 2 - 2 3 g P r i c e h i k e r a n g e s f r o m R s 6 5 , 0 0 0 t o R s 1 8 0 , 0 0 0 f o r d i f f e r e n t S u z u k i m o d e l s g P B S a t t r i b u t e s d e c l i n e p r i m a r i l y t o a s l i g h t r e d u c t i o n i n p r i c e s o f f o o d p r o d u c t s
process
Registration
for freelancers will be overseen by Pakistan Software Export Board
KARACHI S ta f f R e p o R t The Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) has nominated Saifullah Dharejo from Ghotki and Jacobabad’s Aslam Abro as its candidates for two vacant seats of Senate from Sindh The party has announced nominations on two seats vacated after Nisar Khuhro and Jam Mehtab Dahar elected as the members of Sindh Assembly The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has announced the schedule for the upcoming Senate by-election on six vacant general seats As per the schedule the elections will be held on March 14 The nomination papers for the vacant Senate seats can be submitted until March 3 (tomorrow) The scrutiny of these nomination papers is slated to take place by March 5, resulting in the final list of eligible candidates who will be contesting for the Senate seats The polling for the by-election will take place on March 14, from 9 am to 4 pm MQM likely to clinch Sindh Governorship, two Federal ministries LAHORE S ta f f R e p o R t Pakistan’s political landscape is taking shape as the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) reportedly plans to include the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) in its government formation Sources suggest MQM might secure the governorship of Sindh province alongside two to three ministries in the federal cabinet Aiming for a leaner cabinet, the PMLN reportedly intends to limit the number of ministers to around 20 If this figure holds MQM could potentially receive two ministerial positions While details remain unconfirmed sources speculate MQM may be offered the Ministry of Maritime Affairs However the Ministry of Information Technology is believed to be off the table for the party Internal discussions within MQM suggest two potential candidates for the coveted position of Sindh governor One group reportedly favors Kamran Tesori while another advocates for Khushbakht Shujaat It is crucial to note that these are unofficial reports based on unnamed sources Official confirmation and details regarding the final power-sharing agreement between PML-N and MQM are still awaited g I n i t i a t i v e i s s a i d t o p r o v i d e a m o r e a c c u r a t e a n d r e a l -t i m e o v e r s i g h t o f m a n u f a c t u r i n g o u t p u t s a n d s u p p l i e s LAHORE S ta f f R e p o R t A team of 7 students from LUMS represented Pakistan at the prestigious Harvard MUN competition and emerged victorious The team led by Rohail Hasan included Sabeen Hamood Hubaib Shehryar Laiba Abid Mahnoor Gul Shanzay Hashim and Malik Danyal Khan They received the Best Small Delegation trophy, successfully defending its title of Best Delegation for the second year in a row The United States Military Academy emerged runners up The Harvard National Model United Nations is one of the oldest and most prestigious model UN conferences in the world Ranked number 1, it houses 1500-1800 delegates from across the globe who debate policy on pressing international issues The Harvard National MUN is well known to be the most challenging and cut-throat debating event in the world with teams from top universities such as Princeton Stanford and Yale Being the first non-American or European team to do so this win can be considered a big achievement for Lums, Pakistan and Asia at large
LUMS Team wins prestigious Har vard MUN Competition
KP
Towards Tolerance
Dedicated to the legac y of late Hameed Nizami Arif Nizami (Late) Founding Editor
M A Niazi Editor Pakistan Today Babar Nizami Editor Profit
T h e v i t a l t o o l i n a k e y p r o b l e m
ION the heart of Pakistan's legal system lies a contentious issue that continues to stir debate, evoke strong emotions and tragically claim lives: blasphemy The blasphemy laws entrenched in the country s legal framework since the colonial era but significantly expanded in the 1980s, were ostensibly intended to protect religious sanctities However, the reality is far more complex and troubling Blasphemy accusations have become a tool for settling personal scores persecuting religious minorities and inciting violence In the eyes of the law the accusation alone is often enough to condemn individuals to a life of fear and persecution regardless of the veracity of the claims This misuse and abuse of blasphemy laws strike at the very core of justice and human rights
Even more concerning is the rise of vigilantism – individuals taking the law into their own hands in the name of defending religious honour High-profile cases like the murders of Salman Taseer and Shahbaz Bhatti serve as grim reminders of the dangers posed by unchecked vigilantism These acts not only undermine the rule of law but also foster an environment of fear and intimidation
The implications of Pakistan s blasphemy conundrum extend far beyond legal technicalities They strike at the heart of societal cohesion and pluralism Religious minorities, already marginalized and vulnerable face heightened discrimination and violence
The fear of blasphemy accusations stifles free expression and critical discourse essential components of any thriving democracy Addressing the blasphemy issue requires a multifaceted approach It demands legislative reforms to amend or repeal draconian blasphemy laws and robust enforcement mechanisms to prevent their misuse It necessitates a commitment from the state to uphold the rule of law and prosecute perpetrators of vigilantism without bias Moreover it calls for a cultural shift towards tolerance, interfaith dialogue, and respect for diversity
Failure to address these challenges not only perpetuates a cycle of violence and injustice but also undermines Pakistan's aspirations for democracy and global standing It is only through genuine commitment to justice tolerance and respect for human rights that Pakistan can navigate the complexities of blasphemy while fostering a society that cherishes religious freedoms and human dignity The time for action is now There is a pressing need for the state to take decisive action to address the root causes of such violence and prevent future atrocities
Legislative Reforms: The foundational pillar of state intervention lies in the realm of legislative reforms The state must embark on a nuanced journey of legislative review, aiming to introduce stringent safeguards within blasphemy laws to prevent their egregious misuse This necessitates the formulation of robust criteria for the initiation of blasphemy cases alongside stringent penalties for false accusations Concurrently a critical appraisal of laws disproportionately targeting marginalized communities or stifling dissent is imperative to uphold the principles of
In confronting the intricate interplay of blasphemy and vigilantism, Pakistan stands at a critical juncture, poised to chart a course towards justice, tolerance, and societal harmony The recent events underscore the imperative for comprehensive state-led reforms, grounded in intellectual rigor and principled action By embarking on a transformative journey of legislative review, judicial empowerment, law enforcement accountability, public education, interfaith dialogue, and international cooperation, Pakistan can forge a path towards a society where the rule of law is upheld, rights are respected, and diversity is celebrated As the nation navigates these complex dynamics, the steadfast commitment of the state to navigate with intellectual acumen and moral clarity will be paramount in realizing the vision of a just and inclusive society for all its citizens
also play a crucial role by fostering cooperation among nations to manage specific fish stocks Despite the existence of these legal frameworks effective ocean conservation necessitates ongoing commitment collaboration and adaptation to address emerging challenges and ensure the sustainable stewardship of our oceans AI technologies contribute to the implementation and enhancement of existing legal frameworks, by providing innovative tools for monitoring and managing Plastic pollution has evolved into a pervasive environmental crisis casting a shadow over the delicate balance of ecosystems worldwide The generation of single-use plastics, coupled with inadequate waste management
rule of law is the assurance of an impartial judiciary and fair trial mechanisms State investment in judicial training programs, focused on fostering impartiality and upholding due process in blasphemy cases is indispensable Moreover the establishment of specialized tribunals or courts dedicated to adjudicating blasphemy cases can streamline legal proceedings mitigating the risk of mob violence and extrajudicial vigilantism
Law Enforcement and Accountability: In confronting the spectre of vigilantism, bolstering law enforcement capabilities and ensuring accountability are paramount The state must prioritize comprehensive police training initiatives encompassing conflict resolution strategies cultural sensitivity and effective response mechanisms to mitigate communal tensions Furthermore, stringent measures to hold accountable any law enforcement personnel complicit in or negligent towards acts of vigilantism are imperative to restore public trust and confidence in state institutions
Public Awareness and Education: A holistic approach towards countering vigilantism necessitates the cultivation of societal consciousness through public awareness and educational endeavours The state's investment in educational curricula designed to foster critical thinking interfaith dialogue and respect for diversity is pivotal Equally essential are public awareness campaigns aimed at debunking myths surrounding blasphemy and fostering a culture of tolerance empathy and peaceful conflict resolution within communities Interfaith Dialogue and Community Engagement: Efforts to foster interfaith dialogue and community engagement serve as catalysts for fostering social cohesion and resilience against divisive narratives State-supported initiatives facilitating constructive dialogues among religious leaders civil society actors and community members are instrumental in fostering mutual understanding, respect, and cooperation across religious divides International Cooperation and Advocacy: Engagement with the international community and human rights organizations constitutes a vital component of Pakistan s efforts to combat vigilantism and uphold fundamental rights Collaborative endeavours with international partners to share best practices garner technical assistance, and advocate for the protection of religious freedoms and human rights on global platforms reaffirm Pakistan s commitment to fostering a just inclusive and rights-respecting society In confronting the intricate interplay of blasphemy and vigilantism Pakistan stands at a critical juncture poised to chart a course towards justice tolerance, and societal harmony The recent events underscore the imperative for comprehensive state-led reforms, grounded in intellectual rigor and principled action By embarking on a transformative journey of legislative review judicial empowerment law enforcement accountability public education interfaith dialogue and international cooperation Pakistan can forge a path towards a society where the rule of law is upheld, rights are respected, and diversity is celebrated As the nation navigates these complex dynamics, the steadfast commitment of the state to navigate with intellectual acumen and moral clarity will be paramount in realizing the vision of a just and inclusive society for all its citizens
The writer is a freelance columnist
Crimes in Larkana
Politicians' apathy
04 Sunday 3 March 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 T h e j i g s a w i s a l m o s t c o m p l e t e
he will have more difficulty than before in managing his coalition This time around the PPP is staying out and reserves the right to decide on support to the government from issue to issue Its refusal to support the government on any issue can bring the government down Meanwhile, the PPP will expect to be paid its price for support Not only must party co-chairman Asif Zardari be elected President, but the Punjab and KP governorships must be given it too The Sind governorship will remain with the present incumbent Kamran Tessori of the MQM (P) Now that the spoils of office have been distributed is it too much to expect of the government that it will begin to pay attention of the dire straits of the national economy, and the dire straits of the ordinary Pakistani who only so recently bored, and thus placed them all in the high offices they enjoy?
ROBBERIES, theft and street crimes in Larkana have escalated to an alarming extent Recently, three armed robbers killed a shopkeeper during a robbery attempt A few days later another boy was mercilessly killed by criminals as he tried to resist their attempt to snatch his bike Such incidents have raised the level of fear in the local population The locals avoid going outside after sunset and are afraid to run their businesses The police force has failed to protect citizens life and property The authorities concerned should take immediate and necessary action to provide safety and a sense of security to the innocent people of Larkana G AKBAR PALIJO LARKANA
THE news of the recent killing of nine Pakistani labourers in Iran was shocking What was and is more disheartening is the apathy of the political parties who failed to utter a single word of condemnation from any political party even when they were busy wooing voters ahead of the recent elections The government should pay adequate compensation to the bereaved families, and make arrangements for the education of the children of the deceased QAMER SOOMRO SHIKARPUR
THERE is a misperception that Balochistan is a barren stretch of land The fact is that most of the developed land in Balochistan is arable covering 1 850sqkm while the cultivated land area is merely 167sqkm Kech stands out as one of the most arable districts in the province Date farming is currently the most common agriculture practice, but there was a time when rice used to be a major crop Diminishing rainfall and lack of alternative irrigation sources led to its decline Following the inauguration of Mirani Dam barren stretches of land have now been contributing to the economy with crops like cotton rice mustard plants watermelon and others The provincial authorities need to invest in the sector to harness the true potential of Balochistan MUNAEZA NASIR TURBAT Eco imperative PPPP chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, during his election campaign on January 29, 2024, while answering students’ questions, stated, “Till 2050, Pakistan’s most significant issue is climate change ” This highlights the importance of the phrase “climate change” at both national and international levels The people of Pakistan have endured numerous crises and migrations since 2003 particularly in the Sindh province in 2010 and 2022 due to climate change Internationally this topic holds significance as governments garner substantial funding from the global community to combat climate change and promote afforestation Climate change is exacerbating vulnerabilities and risks for the rural population, constituting 61% of Pakistan’s total population Not only does this population feed the entire nation but climate change is also impacting Pakistan’s economy Despite billions of dollars being allocated by governments internationally to preserve the ecosystem there is still a pressing need to reduce carbon emissions especially from China and the USA, rather than relying solely on financial contributions This is a humble plea that the upcoming government incorporates climate change into its state or national agenda The earth and its ecosystem are integral to various aspects of life including politics funding and livelihoods Without a sustainable ecosystem these activities become untenable as the earth remains the sole habitat capable of sustaining life AMJAD SARGANI KARACHI 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
Potential of Balochistan
CEAN conservation stands at the front line of global environmental priorities as humanity is battling with increasing challenges that threaten the world's marine ecosystems As rising temperatures over-exploitation of resources and pollution devastate ocean health concerted efforts are essential to protect these vital ecosystems Utilizing the transformative power of Artificial Intelligence in data analysis, satellite imagery interpretation, underwater sensors drones and predictive modeling unprecedented insights can be gained into the complexities of marine ecosystems AI not only enhances human understanding of ocean dynamics but also provides tangible solutions for preserving the delicate balance of marine life In this era of innovation, the collaboration between AI and ocean conservation signifies a pivotal stride toward sustainable practices and the protection of the most threatened ecosystems of our planet International laws governing ocean conservation are primarily shaped by the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) UNCLOS establishes a comprehensive legal framework for maritime boundaries Exclusive Economic Zones (EEZs) sustainable utilization and protection of marine resources This framework is reinforced by agreements like the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), alongside specific measures addressing issues such as Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated (IUU) fishing and pollution prevention through conventions Collectively these international frameworks aim to preserve marine biodiversity regulate fisheries and address environmental threats, emphasizing the global community s commitment to responsible and sustainable ocean management UN’s Sustainable Development Goal 14 relating to “Life Below Water” aims to conserve and sustainably use the oceans seas and marine resources and also includes targets related to marine biodiversity sustainable fisheries reduction of marine pollution and the protection of coastal ecosystems According to the United Nations Development Program, with over three billion people relying on marine and coastal ecosystems for their livelihoods the alarming reality is that 30 percent of the world s fish stocks are overexploited Oceans absorb 30 percent of human-produced carbon dioxide, resulting in a 26 percent increase in ocean acidification since the industrial revolution Marine pollution, primarily from land-based sources is reaching critical levels with an average of 13 000 pieces of plastic litter per square kilometre of ocean The oceans face a crisis from plastic pollution overfishing and climate-related threats but AI is proving instrumental in addressing these challenges IUU fishing poses a global threat resulting in an annual depletion of 11-26 million tons of fish, valued at $10-23 billion This crisis, exacerbated by nearly 90 percent of fish stocks being fully exploited or overfished, particularly endangers the health of oceans impacting developing nations and small islands dependent on fisheries AI is combating IUU fishing with Skylight a leading team at Allen Institute for AI (AI2) located in Seattle, which is employing technology to detect elusive "dark" vessels and identify potentially illegal activities Utilizing computer vision on Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) satellite imagery Skylight swiftly scans extensive areas including EEZs to identify vessels even those without location data Regional Fisheries Management Organizations (RFMOs)
systems, has resulted in an alarming accumulation of plastic debris in oceans and rivers Annually an estimated eight million tons of plastic infiltrate oceans with 70 percent sinking 15 percent floating and 15 percent washing ashore According to peer-reviewed research led by the 5 Gyres Institute, a U S organization claims that the plastic entering oceans could nearly triple by 2040 if left unchecked The persistence of plastic pollution demands urgent attention and concerted global efforts to mitigate its far-reaching consequences AI facilitates the detection of millions of tons of plastic waste through satellite imagery and drones for enhancing tracking capabilities aiding cleanup efforts and raising awareness Ocean conservation in Pakistan is crucial to protect marine biodiversity support coastal communities, and ensure economic stability According to the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), Pakistan generates 3 3 million tons of plastic waste annually The Indus River has gained infamy as the second most polluted river globally for its alarming 40 percent plastic concentration the majority constituted by solid waste Over 90 percent of plastic waste in the Upper Indus Basin reaches the river, adversely impacting aquatic life and communities, with a significant portion flowing downstream through the Kotri Barrage to the Arabian Sea The Arabian Sea coastline is vital for fisheries tourism and climate regulation Integrating AI into conservation efforts is crucial for sustainability, preserving marine ecosystems and securing the well-being of both the environment and dependent communities, marking a significant step towards a resilient and thriving maritime future in Pakistan The challenges our oceans face are monumental but AI offers a glimmer of hope The use of AI gives a chance to reverse the tide of environmental degradation and ensure a sustainable future for our oceans It is important to embrace the power of AI and commit to its responsible and ethical use for the benefit of our oceans The time to act is now The writer is Research Assistant at the Center for International Strategic Studies Sindh Hafsa azam T h e c h a l l e n g e s o u r o c e a n s f a c e a r e m o n u m e n t a l , b u t A I o f f e r s a g l i m m e r o f h o p e T h e u s e o f A I g i v e s a c h a n c e t o r e v e r s e t h e t i d e o f e n v i r o n m e n t a l d e g r a d a t i o n a n d e n s u r e a s u s t a i n a b l e f u t u r e f o r o u r o c e a n s I t i s i m p o r t a n t t o e m b r a c e t h e p o w e r o f A I a n d c o m m i t t o i t s r e s p o n s i b l e a n d e t h i c a l u s e , f o r t h e b e n e f i t o f o u r o c e a n s T h e t i m e t o a c t i s n o w
justice and equity Judicial Independence and Fair Trials: Central to the preservation of societal harmony and the
A p r o b l e m t h a t n e e d s c a r e f u l h a n d l i n g R o m a z a a m j a d
H a r n e s s i n g t h e P o w e r o f A r t i f i c i a l I n t e l l i g e n c e f o r O c e a n C o n s e r v a t i o n
UHamas says seven hostages killed in Israeli bombardment on Gaza
help, with families turning to animal feed and even cacti for survival and medical professionals reporting that children are dying in hospitals from starvation and dehydration
The C-17 and C-130 are the most appropriate aircraft for the task though it is unknown which kind will be employed However, there have been doubts about the efficacy of airdropping humanitarian supplies into Gaza
Speaking under anonymity a US official stated that the airdrops will only slightly lessen the suffering of people in Gaza
The official stated, It doesn t deal with the root cause, and that, in the end, only opening up land borders could seriously address the problem
The official also mentioned that because the US did not have troops on the ground it was impossible for the US to guarantee that the supplies did not go into the hands of Hamas
Another US official stated that the Biden administration was considering sending help by sea from Cyprus which is located about 210 nautical miles off the Mediterranean coast of Gaza in response to pressure from both domestic and international sources
China stages strong opposition against US latest remarks on Article 23 legislation
BEIJING
M I A N A B R A R
China expressed strong dissatisfaction and firm opposition against US latest statement on the Article 23 legislation in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) urging the US to respect China’s sovereignty abide by the principles of international law and basic norms governing international relations, immediately stop meddling in China s internal affairs
The US State Department said in a statement on Wednesday local time that it is closely monitoring Hong Kong s development of national security legislation under Article 23 of the Basic Law and its implications for US citizens, investments, and companies operating in Hong Kong “We are particularly concerned by Hong Kong authorities’ proposal to adopt broad and vague definitions of state secrets and external interference that could be used to eliminate dissent through the fear of arrest and detention,” the statement said
Completing the Article 23 legislation aims to fill loopholes in safeguarding national security which is the constitutional responsibility of the HKSAR and a necessary requirement for ensuring long-term stability and prosperity under the framework of “One Country, Two Systems,” Mao Ning spokesperson of the Chinese Foreign Ministry said at a press conference on Friday
The recently concluded public consultation showed strong consensus among various sectors of Hong Kong society on the legislation The legislation targets a very small number of criminals who seriously endanger national security and will lawfully protect the residents of Hong Kong Mao said
With the public consultation
support the legislation according to the official data
While 0 65 percent are purely questions or opinions that cannot reflect the authors’ stance and among the 0 71 percent that oppose the legislative proposals more than 10 are from overseas anti-China organizations or abscondees
According to the Basic Law of Hong Kong and relevant international conventions, all rights and freedoms enjoyed by residents of Hong Kong are protected and foreign citizens investments in enterprises in Hong Kong are also protected by law, Mao said She also noted that the extraterritorial application of the Article 23 legislation fully complies with international law and the universal practices of various countries and regions The definitions of state secrets and external interference have been fully considered based on the actual situation in the HKSAR and common practices in various countries and are reasonable legal and beyond reproach
Since the enactment and implementation of the National Security Law for Hong Kong, there has been
a period during which Hong Kong has transitioned from chaos to governance and from governance to prosperity and it is also a period during which the international community has expressed confidence in Hong Kong s future, the spokesperson said With the passage of the Article 23 legislation, Hong Kong’s high-quality development and high-level opening-up will be better safeguarded benefiting the vast majority of Hong Kong residents and international investors, the spokesperson said Mao also reiterated that Hong Kong is Hong Kong of China, and its affairs are purely China’s internal affairs No foreign country has the right to interfere We urge the US to respect China s sovereignty abide by the principles of international law and basic norms governing international relations, immediately stop interfering in Hong Kong affairs and cease meddling in China s internal affairs
The US has enacted numerous laws to safeguard national security yet it hypocritically criticizes and labels the Article 23 legislation, which is blatant political manipulation and double standards the spokesperson said urging the US to immediately stop interfering in Hong Kong affairs and cease meddling in China s internal affairs
China hits back at EP repor t’s ‘outrageous’ remarks on Taiwan island
BEIJING
S TA
The Chinese Mission to the EU has expressed the strongest opposition to and condemnation of the European Parliament (EP) and said China was extremely shocked by its outrageous claims challenging the one-China principle, after the EP published a report saying that neither Taiwan nor China is subordinate to the other ” Experts regarded the EP’s move as extremely irresponsible and crossing China’s red line warning that if it continues on the wrong path it could bring a heavy blow to China-Europe relations and even drag the bloc into a potential conflict in the Taiwan Straits
The EP issued two pivotal reports on foreign policy and defense on Thursday, making unwarranted accusations against China on a number of issues related to Taiwan Hong Kong Xinjiang and the South China Sea
The move was hyped by foreign media as signaling a significant shift in support toward Taiwan as it boldly stated, in assertive language never used before, that Taiwan is not a subordinate of China, while encouraging official delegations from Parliament committees to visit the island
A spokesperson with the Chinese Mission to the EU rebutted the reports on Friday saying that they have seriously trampled on international law and the basic principles of international relations infringed on China s sovereignty, and grossly interfered in China s internal affairs
By openly advocating “one China, one Taiwan,” the reports challenged the one-China principle promoted “Taiwan independence ” and exposed some European politicians ignorance of history and facts revealing their dark intention to obstruct China s reunification the spokesperson said Experts suggested that the audacious remarks by the EP are in line with its hard-line stance toward China “Although the EP is an official institution of the EU, many of its resolutions do not have legal effect thus making it prone to extreme positions on China policies Sun Keqin a research fellow at the China Institutes of Contemporary International Relations told the Global Times on Friday Sun said the EP s move could become a very serious event in China-Europe relations as it has “crossed the red line ” with the phrases used in the reports suggesting a departure from the EU s previous commitments When establishing diplomatic relations with China in 1975, the EU explicitly committed to adopting the position accepted by China on the Taiwan questionthere is only one China in the world, with Taiwan being an inalienable part of China The EU had also committed to refraining from maintaining any official relations or entering into any agreements with Taiwan the spokesperson with the Chinese mission reiterated on Friday China must be unified, and it will be No one, no force can stop it, the spokesperson stressed The Chinese mission urged the EP to stop interfering in China’s internal affairs stop making irresponsible remarks and do more things that are beneficial to the development of China-Europe relations Do not make a fool of yourselves in front of the world again, it said Observers suggested there are several reasons behind such remarks by the EP, including rising anti-China sentiment instigated by the US and the influence of this year ’s EP election with some playing the China card to win more votes Behind all this is the US holding the puppet strings and the EP has served as a stepping stone for the US to test China s reaction, Sun said The reports came soon after Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi paid a visit to Europe to attend the Munich Security Conference in late February where he also met with Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez PérezCastejón and French President Emmanuel Macron China and Europe still have great potential for deepening cooperation in a number of fronts, not only in trade and economy but also in global governance There is no fundamental conflict of interests between the two sides and at a time when Europe is embroiled in internal and surrounding struggles China can be a reliable partner to depend on experts said However if the EP continues on the wrong path it will be very dangerous potentially bringing a heavy blow to the hard-won stability in China-Europe ties, and could even drag the bloc into a potential conflict in the Taiwan Straits, Sun warned
Judge who permitted Hindu worship in Gyanvapi mosque appointed ombudsman of UP varsity
Demographic change picks momentum in IIOJK as authorities transfer land to Maharashtra for construc tion of ‘Maharashtra Bhavan’
S d y 3 M h 2024 | ISLAMABAD 06 NEWS
F F C O R R E S P O N D E N T
WASHINGTON A G E N C I E S
S President Joe Biden on Friday revealed intentions to launch the first military airdrop of food and supplies into Gaza just one day after Palestinians, dying while waiting for relief, brought attention to the humanitarian crisis that is unfolding in the densely populated coastal enclave Biden gave no further details other than to say that the US airdrop would take place in the next several days Airdrops of humanitarian supplies into Gaza have already been conducted by France and Jordan, among other nations Speaking to reporters, Biden stated: “We need to do more and the United States will do more ” and that “aid flowing to Gaza is nowhere nearly enough A spokesman for the White House John Kirby, emphasized that airdrops would turn into a sustained effort He went on to say that military MREs, or “meals ready to eat,” would probably be the first cargo dropped by air Kirby declared This isn t going to be one and done Biden told reporters that the United States was considering the prospect of establishing a marine route to transport substantial quantities of aid to Gaza According to officials, the airdrops might start as early as this weekend The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs reports that at least 576 000 Gaza Strip residents or 25% of the enclave s total population are in danger of starvation According to Gaza s health authorities, Israeli forces murdered over a hundred individuals early on Thursday while they were attempting to approach a rescue convoy close to Gaza City Israel said that most of the fatalities were caused by throngs of people swarming toward relief trucks trampled or run over Additionally according to an Israeli official troops had fired on crowds they believed to be a threat in a limited response later on The U N has stated that it confronts “overwhelming obstacles” in delivering
local authorities in Hong Kong
147 submissions of opinions as of Wednesday among which 98 64 percent
period for the Article 23 legislation having ended on Wednesday,
received 13
LUCKNOW A G E N C I E S Hindutva Yogi Adityanath-led Uttar Pradesh government has appointed retired judge Ajaya Krishna Vishvesha, who allowed Hindus to worship in the sealed basement of the Gyanvapi mosque complex the ombudsman of a public university in Lucknow Judge Ajaya Krishna Vishvesha s appointment comes nearly a month after he handed over the basement of the Gyabvapi mosque to Hindus Vishvesha retired as the Varanasi district judge on January 31 He passed the order allowing Hindus to worship in the Gyanvapi mosque basement on the day of his retirement Vishvesha was on February 27 appointed as the ombudsman of the Dr Shakuntala Misra National Rehabilitation University a government university of which Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Adityanath is the chairperson He was appointed for a term of three years The Hindutva-aligned retired judge will be the first person to hold the post at the university The caretakers of the Gyanvapi Masjid termed the Vishvesha s order illegal and inappropriate They challenged it, as well as its swift implementation within a matter of hours by the Varanasi administration, in the Allahabad high court The high court however did not stop the Hindus from worshipping in the basement of the mosque and on February 26 ruled in favour of the continuation of worship at the site SRINAGAR A G E N C I E S The authorities in Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir have allotted 20 kanals of land to the Maharashtra government for the construction of Maharashtra Bhawan (House) in the territory According to Kashmir Media Service, the land has been provided to the Maharashtra government in Ichgam area of Budgam district Earlier, Eknath Shinde, the chief minister of India’s Maharashtra state had requested the occupation authorities to provide land for construction of Maharashtra Bhavan in IIOJK Maharashtra Bhavan will be constructed on this land at a cost of 77 crores Meanwhile, the District Bar Association Budgam expressing grave concern over the authorities’ decision to transfer the land at Ichgam in favour of Maharashtra government said that the same was meant for building the New District Court Complex The Bar said that the DC Budgam has played a negative role by clandestinely processing documents for the transfer of land in favor of the Maharashtra state, adding that this move also severely affected the construction of the judicial infrastructure project in the district This deliberate obstruction of the judicial infrastructure project by the District Administration Budgam is deeply concerning and disappointing , the Bar said The Bar Association of Budgam urged the occupation authorities to reconsider this decision and allocate the land as originally intended for the New District Court Complex without any further delay It is worth mentioning here that following Modi government s illegal revocation of IIOJK s special status in August 2019, New Delhi has framed laws aimed at grabbing land of Kashmiris on one pretext or another and allotting it to non-locals including big Indian business tycoons in violation of the internationally disputed status of Jammu and Kashmir This is meant to dilute the Muslimmajority character of the occupied territory through settlement of non-locals BIDEN ANNOUNCES PL ANS FOR MILITARY AIRDROP OF AID INTO GA Z A
GAZA A G E N C I E S Seven hostages who have been held in Gaza were killed as a result of the Israeli military s bombardment of the enclave, Abu Ubaida, the spokesperson for Hamas’ al-Qassam brigades said He did not include details like a timeline backing up the claim The Al-Qassam brigades claimed that the number of hostages killed due to Israel s military operations in Gaza has now exceeded 70 captives Abu Ubaida added in a statement on Telegram Israeli officials have generally declined to respond to Hamas’ public messaging on the hostages, casting it as psychological warfare Israel’s military campaign follows Hamas militants’ killing of 1 200 people in southern Israel and the abduction of at least 250 on Oct 7 according to Israeli tallies Israel has responded with a military assault on the Gaza Strip that has killed more than 30,000 Palestinians, according to the Hamas-run health ministry During a week-long truce in late November, Hamas freed more than 100 Israeli and foreign hostages in exchange for Israel releasing about 240 Palestinian prisoners Hamas at the outset of the war threatened to execute hostages in retaliation for Israeli military strikes, and Israel has accused it of having executed at least two of the dead hostages recovered by the Israeli military Earlier, President Joe Biden said that the United States would start to deliver relief supplies from the air into Gaza a day after the deaths of more than 100 Palestinians at an aid convoy We need to do more and the United States will do more, Biden told reporters at the White House at the start of a meeting with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni “In the coming days we’re going to join with our friends in Jordan and others in providing air drops of additional food and supplies the 81-year-old Biden said in the Oval Office The announcement comes as negotiations continue for a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, amid a humanitarian crisis in Gaza which has been under siege since Hamas’s October 7 attacks on Israel
TI
Teams of CDA, MCI and IC T stay in field during heav y rain in Islamabad
Indian S ikh musician shot dead outside gurdwara in US
10 Pearls University holds Women Tech Q uest 2024
K A R A C H I: Women Tech Quest 2024 an initiative of 10Pearls University is a platform for women to compete, learn, network and showcase their tech talents The 8th edition of Women Tech Quest (WTQ) took place on Saturday in Karachi, Lahore and Islamabad Over 1200 women in technology from across the three cities took part in the event Launched in 2017 WTQ is a competition aimed at supporting women in evaluating and displaying their tech skills gaining acknowledgment, and competing for substantial cash prizes and exposure Moreover, it features inspirational speaker sessions and workshops where accomplished female professionals impart their insights to assist aspiring individuals in their growth and success journey The competition which has enjoyed enduring success in Pakistan has recently expanded its reach to Costa Rica, Latin America, marking a significant milestone in its global expansion This move aligns with our
Pakistan Baitul Maal MD visits Iraqi Embassy upon special invitation by Amb Hamid Abbas L afta I
Food standards key to healthy life: DG SFA
NDMA's
development across the Arab region and beyond The collaboration between Kistpay and UNDP under the Digital for Sustainable Development - D4SD initiative underscores a shared commitment to harnessing the transformative power of digital technologies to address pressing development challenges Through this partnership Kistpay and UNDP are poised to pioneer initiatives aimed at promoting digital literacy universal connectivity and public-private partnerships among other strategic objectives PR
Zong 4G offers free ser vice in Gwadar amid flood c alamity
07 NEWS Sunday 3 March 2024 | ISLAMABAD
WASHINGTON: A Sikh man from India’s Uttar Pradesh state was shot dead outside a gurdwara in the US state of Alabama by unknown assailants Raj Singh alias Goldy was a musician and resident of Tanda Sahuwala village in Uttar Pradesh s Bijnor district He had been residing in the US for more than a year with a group of musicians On the day of the incident he had visited the gurudwara at Selma in Alabama to perform kirtan (devotional singing in Sikhism) After performing the kirtan with his musical group, Goldy was standing outside the gurdwara when unidentified assailants shot him dead Reportedly, the incident took place on February 23 “We were informed about the incident by relatives It has been five days, and his postmortem is yet to be done We have reached out to the gurdwara committee for more information, and they are helping us We have also appealed to our government for justice and the arrest of the killers ” Gurdeep Singh the deceased s brother-in-law said in a media interview A G E N C I E S PR OFIT N E W S R O O M
H E Finance Division of Pakistan has authorized the Power Division to withdraw Rs4 billion from the Pakistan Energy Revolving Account (PERA) for the sole purpose of making payments to Independent Power Producers (IPPs) under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) for January 2024 This decision follows an Office Memorandum submitted by the Power Division on February 7 2024 which sought permission to access funds from PERA in line with a directive from the Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) on October 31, 2022 The ECC had previously sanctioned the establishment of PERA at the State Bank of Pakistan with an allocation of Rs50 billion for the current fiscal year, allowing monthly withdrawals of up to Rs4 billion by CPPA-G This move comes as part of efforts to manage the country’s power sector ’s financial obligations which saw a 10 5 percent monthly growth in the July-December 2023-24 period, totaling Rs2 551 trillion Muhammad Ali, the caretaker Minister for Power and Petroleum, during a recent visit to China, confirmed that 88 percent of outstanding payments to Chinese IPPs had been cleared Specifically, payments for 2022 and 2023 billings reached 94 percent and 95 percent respectively He assured further improvements in payment processes are underway However concerns have been raised by Port Qasim Electric Power Company (Private) Limited (PQEPC), one of the Chinese IPPs, regarding delays in payments that have resulted in liquidity issues for the company PAKISTAN ALLOCATES RS4BN FOR CPEC POWER PRODUCERS AMID FINANCIAL STRAINS g C A R E TA K E R M I N I S T E R F O R P O W E R A N D P E T R O L E U M C O N F I R M S T H AT 8 8 P E R C E N T O F O U T S TA N D I N G PAY M E N T S TO C H I N E S E I P P S H AV E B E E N C L E A R E D CORPORATE CORNER BY JAVED YOUNIS In a bid to revolutionize population welfare services and enhance outreach across Punjab Pakistan the Population Welfare Department has embarked on a groundbreaking journey by introducing IT-based initiatives These initiatives aim to leverage technology to improve data management service delivery and overall effectiveness in addressing reproductive health needs One of the key areas of focus is the digitization of data management processes Through the adoption of electronic record-keeping systems, the department aims to streamline data collection storage and analysis This will enable more accurate tracking of population demographics, fertility rates, and contraceptive usage patterns, facilitating evidence-based decision-making and policy formulation The Population Welfare Department has been working on the digitization of service provisioning and client registration across Punjab through various ITbased initiatives developed in collaboration with the Punjab Information Technology Board The digitization of processes also includes the automation of administrative processes and monitoring of the department Till now, various initiatives have been launched successfully and a wide range of datasets has been collected PWD is focused on establishing a centralized database by integrating all the initiatives Web and Android-based solutions such as Employee Attendance System digitalization of IEC Activities Advocacy application Monitoring and geo-tagging of facilities have been developed and integrated to design a single dashboard to view the statistics and relevant data A single Android application is developed to access different modules whereas integration of administrative modules such as fixed asset inventory and Project Planning tool is in progress The department will benefit from the integrated solution as data will be accessible on a single platform It will also improve the process efficiency and performance
First- ever mega event at K huzdar: PEC hosts 6th Engineering Capstone Expo Pakistan Engineering Council - PEC conducted 1st Ever MEGA ENGINEERING CAPSTONE EXPO (FYDP- Final Year Engineering Design Project Exhibition) in KHUZDAR on 2nd March’2024 “Balochistan University of Engineering and Technology” (BUET) Khuzdar Balochistan and 2nd CAPSTONE in Balochistan Regional (1st was conducted at BUITEMS Quetta in 2023) CAPSTONE EXPO is a project of PEC Pakistan Development committee – PPDC which is the 6th EXPO in continuation at National level (2 held at Federal Capital Islamabad Region; 2 held at Lahore, Punjab region and 2 in Balochistan) In this Expo 4 Universities participated and 77 shortlisted projects out of which 9 projects were PEC funded PR
hairman O G r A visits Faisalabad with team Faisalabad Masroor Khan, Chairman Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (OGRA) visited different areas of Faisalabad city with team to create awareness regarding safe use of LPG and to minimize LPG related incidents to save precious lives The team visited Rajbah Road and Ghanta Ghar Chowk and reached out to the local restaurants in Ghanta Ghar Chowk to educate the restaurant owners as well as the public about the dangers of LPG related incidents and created awareness to avoid such incidents Members of the trade unions have also participated in this awareness campaign and appreciated the efforts of regulator PR
Transforming Population Welfare in Punjab: IT-Based Initiatives Take Center S tage
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S L A M A B A D: On the direction of Chairman Capital Development Authority (CDA) the teams of CDA MCI and ICT during heavy rain completed active in Islamabad on Saturday and along with timely responding to the complaints of standing water due to rain in different areas of the city, the water accumulated on the highways was also cleared According to the details due to the heavy rain on Saturday the helpline established by the administration of the Capital Development Authority made it possible to solve the complaints of water accumulation from different places in a timely manner so that the citizens do not face any kind of difficulties Moreover, on the special instructions of the CDA administration the accumulation of water on the highways due to heavy rains special measures were taken by the relevant departments to maintain the flow of traffic so that the citizens do not suffer from problems like traffic jams PR
S L A M A B A D: Managing Director of Pakistan Bait-ul-Mal, Syed Tariq Mahmood Al-Hassan, visited the Iraqi Embassy in Islamabad upon a special invitation from Ambassador Hamid Abbas Lafta where the Iraqi Ambassador warmly welcomed him The Iraqi Ambassador congratulated Syed Tariq Mahmood Al-Hassan on assuming the responsibilities of Managing Director of Pakistan Bait-ul-Mal The Managing Director of Pakistan Bait-ul-Mal acknowledged the interest shown by the Iraqi Embassy in collaborating with social sectors and expressed determination to work together He stated that both brotherly nations have always supported each other in difficult times and many Pakistanis are rendering their services in Iraq PR
Weather Advisor y ISLAMABAD: Apropos NDMA's NEOC prediction most parts of the country are likely to experience moderate to heavy rainfall isolated thunderstorms are expected with heavy snowfall on hilly areas in the next 48 hours A western disturbance has moved away from Balochistan and Sindh provinces Over the next 12 to 24 hours, Northern parts of the country including KPK, GB, AJK, Upper and Central Punjab will experience moderate heavy rainfall/ snow/ Isolated Thunderstorms and hailstorms as well The next spell of rain is expected from March 5th to March 7th affecting Balochistan along with Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Kashmir, Gilgit-Baltistan, and upper regions of Punjab Some areas in southern Punjab may also receive rainfall This system will bring possibilities of precipitation to northwestern Sindh National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) has issued fresh advisory to concerned Federal Ministries / Departments respective Provincial Governments their line departments including PIDs, PDMAs / GBDMA / SDMA, District Administrations / DDMAs PR
ISLAMABAD: In the wake of the unprecedented floods affecting people in Gwadar and interior Baluchistan Zong 4G has announced free-of-cost services for all impacted areas The affected can subscribe by dialing *9090# to avail 20 On net minutes for 1 Day and ensure they remain connected with their loved ones, especially during these testing times #ZongStandsbyPakistanZong 4G is going above and beyond by providing free services to all impacted customers This includes free of charge calls without any condition of minimum balance to all Zong Numbers in Pakistan for people in affected areas Additionally, the company is ensuring that its employees and their families are safe and that no customer suffers outages or network lags in their mobile services This will be especially helpful for rescue services and families to stay connected with each other Free calls will allow rescue workers to coordinate relief efforts more effectively while families separated by the floods can stay in touch and share updates on their safety and whereabouts PR Kistpay par tners with UNDP to drive digital inclusion and sustainable development in Arab S tates B A R C E L O N A : Kistpay, a pioneering fintech platform dedicated to advancing global financial inclusion through innovative technology solutions is thrilled to announce a groundbreaking partnership with the United Nations Development Programme - UNDP This strategic alliance formalized through a Memorandum of Understanding signed during the Arab States Digital Day at the Mobile World Congress – MWC Barcelona on 28th February 2024, marks a significant stride towards fostering digital inclusion and sustainable
overarching dedication to nurturing innovation
diversity
offering women opportunities to flourish in the field of technology According to Syeda Sana Hussain Head of People & Programs
EMEA at 10Pearls , "This marks our 8th consecutive year of successfully hosting Women Tech Quest
one of our flagship initiatives for women's empowerment, WTQ has initiated and propelled the careers of over 6000 women bolstered Pakistan's talent pool and provided women with a platform to enhance their visibility PR Director General Sindh Food Authority Agha Fakhar Hussain has said that implementation of food standards in the food industry is an assurance to healthy life and it is high time that all stakeholders should work on the same page to achieve the goal of a healthy society free from adultered food items This he said while speaking as a chief guest at 15th Conference Food Safety and Quality Award on the theme " Food Standards Save Lives " here at Dream World Resort organized by Consumers Association of Pakistani On this occasion Chairman CAP Kaukab Iqbal Chairman CAP Pimjab Mian Irfan Ikram Chairperson Women Wing Prof Dr Shahana Urooj Kazmi and others also highlighted the importance of safety standards in the relevant industry Participants of the event committed to work collectively to upholding food safety standards In the last Director General SFA Agha Fakhar Hussain distributed shields certificates and trophies to outstanding performers in food industry PR
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DR MEHMOOD UL HASSAN KHAN In the Republic of China, 2 Sessions holds a strategic position which also vividly reflects its highest levels of good governance As every democratic country China s whole process political system the biggest in the world represents all norms of modern human civilization and traits of advanced democracy which is commendable The “2 Sessions” will be held on March 4-5 2024 during which critical analysis of its macro-economy, economic growth, economic achievements, financial management, fiscal and monetary targets and overall performance of its good governance during 2023 will be thoroughly discussed Additionally GDP GNP fiscal & monetary and other important economic targets of 2024 along with new productive forces for its achievements will also be announced Thus 2 Sessions will announce and institutionalize new productive forces in its national economy Simply it will mainly focus on forming new productive forces, which aims to use scientific and technological innovation to drive productivity It is good omen that despite the Western narrative of so-called China Collapse Theory China s economy remained stable sustainable and resilient and achieved GDP of over 126 trillion yuan ($17 51 trillion) and growth rate of 5 2 percent The 2 Sessions will showcase its economic structural transformation green and low-carbon elements, new growth drivers, and social development improvements It seems that during the upcoming two sessions, China is expected to announce this year ’s targets for GDP growth as well as consumer prices, employment and other economic parameters It is estimated that China’s 2024 economic growth target may be set at about 5 percent Evidently western think tanks NGOs and media outlets hype the confidence collapse theory or peak theory about China s economic development has no substance, these are untrue, false and fake propaganda Truly, Chinese government’s policy-making is unique and holistic Unlike Western countries macroeconomic policies China s policy goals are diverse including economic, social and political objectives Chinese economy has new driving forces in terms of new-energy vehicles and artificial intelligence applications The process of making electric vehicles (EVs) smarter and qualitative industrialization, AI, digitalization, modernization, green transformation, SMEs, and introduction of hybrid technologies will also be announced during the upcoming 2 Sessions It is suggested that policy makers of China should introduce more targeted, integrated, applicable and precise stimulus plans to boost its macro-economy There is an urgent need to pursue sci-tech breakthroughs and develop new productive forces, as the economy undergoes a profound transformation and faces a deteriorating external environment marked by the US’ relentless campaign to contain China s economic and technological rise and hopefully during 2 Sessions all these policies will be discussed and drafted It is suggested that the proactive fiscal policy effectiveness should be further strengthened and improved The prudent monetary policy should be flexible moderate precise and effective It is also suggested that the construction of a modern industrial system should be accelerated and the development of new productive forces should be pursued China must holistically and comprehensively deepen its reforms expand high-level openingup, and promote urban-rural integration and coordinated development among its different regions Last but not least China should also advance low-carbon development strengthen and innovate in social governance and strive to achieve the country s annual economic and social development goals The author is Executive Director of Center for South & International Studies (CSAIS) Islamabad Two S essions: A vivid reflec tion of good governance, socio - economic prosperity of C hina Dr Ishrat Hussain, former Governor State Bank plants a sapling during visit to PMDFC (Punjab Municipal Development Fund Company) World Bank Advisor Shahnaz Arshad and Suhaib Rashid are also present on the occasion PR
Tcabinet members, which is to be presented to Imran Khan, comprises more than 15 names including Mushtaq Ghani Khaliqur Rehman Aqibullah Arshad Ayub Taj Muhammad Tarind Shakeel Khan Fazal Shakoor Khan, Pakhtun Yar and Meena Khan
The development comes days after newly-elected members of the provincial legislature were sworn in by now-former
speaker Mushtaq Ghani in a ruckus-hit inaugural assembly session The assembly then went on to elect Babar Saleem Khan Swati and Suriya Bibi as the House s speaker and deputy speaker respectively which was followed by the election of the province s chief minister A day earlier, after being elected as chief minister by 90 votes against Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) candidate Dr Ibadullah Khan’s 16 votes
Gandapur delivered a fiery victory speech, demanding resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Sikandar Sultan Raja alleging of stealing the party’s mandate in the February 8 general elections
The KP CM also promised that he would not do corruption and would not let anyone else do it Talking about the economic situation of KP, Gandapur said that he will focus on increasing the revenue of the
province He added that they will not burden the poor anymore We will give property, right to inheritance, free legal assistance to women,” he promised, adding that they will invest in trade and business development to create employment
The CM also said that the people will get a health card from the first day of Ramadan, adding that they will form a commission for overseas Pakistanis
Following the February 8 polls, the PTI-backed independent candidates, who have since joined the Sunni Ittehad Council (SIC) emerged as the largest party with around 90 seats out of the 115 general seats in the 145-member house allowing the party to form its government in the province for the third consecutive time
Meanwhile the Jamiat Ulema-eIslam-Fazl (JUI-F) has managed to secure seven seats followed by Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz s (PML-N) five and Pakistan Peoples Party s (PPP) four seats Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf-Parliamentarians (PTI-P) and Awami National Party (ANP)
Sugar mills oppose new export restrictions on molasses amid ethanol boom
mills, underscores the significant economic repercussions such restrictions could have on an already struggling industry
The PSMA highlights in the letter Sugar Producers in Pakistan face cyclical sugar turmoil
The sugar industry is an overregulated industry escalating cost of inputs have created extreme economic and financial difficulties for the sugar industry
The association points to a specific challenge posed by the Pakistan Ethanol Manufacturers Association (PEMA), which, through significant lobbying ef-
forts has managed to influence the imposition and increase of regulatory duties on molasses exports After 2009, PEMA got imposed Regulatory Duty on export of molasses Now, once again there is a move by these units to seek either a total ban or increase in regulatory duty to an astounding rate of 50% the letter states outlining the pressures from ethanol producers driving the push for restrictive measures
To substantiate their concerns the PSMA provides detailed figures demonstrating the impact of these policies: Molasses production increased from 1,557,557 metric tons in 2009-10 to 3,144,060 metric tons in 2022-23, showcasing the industry’s growth potential Conversely molasses exports saw a drastic reduction from a peak of 961 300 metric tons in 2009-10 down to just 929 metric tons in 2020-21, before a slight increase to 120,519 metric tons in 2022-23
The average price per metric
ton of exported molasses escalated from 8 097 in 2009-10 to 36 697 in 2022-23 underscoring the financial implications of regulatory duties on the industry s profitability
The letter argues that these restrictions not only undermine the economic viability of sugar mills without distillery capabilities but also contravene the principles of free and fair competition, stating, The request of PEMA is wholly and in totality unjustified It is against the constitutional and legal rights of the sugar manufacturers/molasses exporters In a direct appeal for reconsideration, the PSMA requests, “already imposed 15% Regulatory Duty on exports of Molasses may be withdrawn and a meeting may be convened with all stakeholders to discuss a way forward This call to action highlights the association s push for a dialogue aimed at finding a balanced and equitable resolution to the dispute
PPP only guarantor to take countr y out of prevailing situation: S ar fraz Bugti
KP Chief Minister faces budget approval challenge
Three terrorists killed, weapons recovered in Karak IBO
Published by Asad Nizami at Plot # 7, Al-Baber Centre, F/8 Markaz, Islamabad, for PT Print (Pvt) Limited Ph: 051-2204545 Email: newsroom@pakistantoday com pk 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 6:30 1 30 4:45 6:02 7:45 Sunday 3 March 2024 NEWS ATC okays pre-arrest bail of Imran in four May 9 cases LAHORE S TA F F R E P O R T An Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) in the provincial metropolis confirmed the pre-arrest bail of PTI founder Imran Khan in four cases including the Zille Shah murder case attack on police outside Zaman Park and the torching of PML-N offices in Model Town and a container at Kalma Chowk on May 9 2023 ATC Judge Arshad Javed confirmed the pre-arrest bail of Mr Khan in all four cases against surety bonds of Rs500,000 in each case The judge also extended the pre-arrest bail of Mr Khan in cases of attacks on the Jinnah House Shadman police station and Askari Tower till March 7 During proceedings Special Prosecutor Rana Shakil opposed the bail confirmation saying the former prime minister was the mastermind and prime suspect of the May 9 attacks on army installations He alleged that Mr Khan incited his workers to attack the civil and army properties The prosecutor also read out statements of witnesses to the court Judge Arshad Javed asked the prosecutor as if the PTI founder personally made any post on Twitter now X provoking his workers for attacks on army installations Defence counsel says police stations have become a ‘hub of fake cases’ against PTI founder The prosecutor said that before his arrest Mr Khan had been making the minds of party workers to take to streets against the state institutions in case of his arrest Barrister Salman Safdar the counsel for the PTI founder, denied charges against his client, saying police stations had become a permanent source of registering false cases against the PTI leadership He said that Racecourse police station was one of them, as it registered a fake case relating to the death of Zille Shah a PTI worker He said party workers staged peaceful protests against the arrest of ex-premier who was in the custody of NAB at the time of the protests He said the trial court previously granted pre-arrest bail to Mr Khan on merit but later dismissed the same on the ground of his non-appearance following his conviction in the Toshakhana case He asked the court to confirm the bail of Mr Khan
tunities for domestic, foreign investment in KP-BoIT reviewed PESHAWAR I N P The Board of Investment and Trade of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (BoIT-KP) held a special meeting on Saturday during which President Overseas Pakistani Community in Belgium, Moazzam Ur Rehman and the newly elected member of the Provincial Assembly and former Provincial Minister of Industry Abdul Karim were briefed regarding promotion of domestic and foreign investment in the province On the occasion Director BoIT KP Iqbal Sarwar briefed the participants about government priorities in attracting investment in tourism, culture and industry Participants of the meeting were of the opinion that Khyber Pakhtunkhwa enjoys a distinction because of its unique scenic resorts in different areas which can attract tourists from across the globe There are so many sites in the province which if opened for international tourists will be visited by a large number of people besides attracting foreign investment, the meeting noted PR OFIT S H A H A B O M E R In a detailed letter addressed to the Federal Minister for Commerce & Industries, the Pakistan Sugar Mills Association (PSMA) has laid out a compelling argument against the proposed restrictions on the export of molasses a vital by-product of the sugar industry The letter, representing the concerns of non-distillery sugar
Oppor
g M O L A S S E S P R O D U C T I O N H A S I N C R E A S E D F R O M 1 , 5 5 7 , 5 5 7 M E T R I C TO N S I N 2 0 0 9 - 1 0 TO 3 , 1 4 4 , 0 6 0 M E T R I C TO N S I N 2 0 2 2 - 2 3 FAISALABAD S TA F F R E P O R T The Anti-Terrorism Court Faisalabad acquitted two brothers, arrested on charges of desecrating the Holy Quran after it transpired they had been implicated in the case fraudulently The Faisalabad ATC judge set free the two men from the blasphemy case registered on Aug 16 2023 after dozens of Christian homes and around 20 churches were vandalised and ransacked by mobs in Jaranwala While police rounded up more than 125 suspected rioters while the two men had also been held on the accusation that they defaced pages of the holy Quran However a police investigation revealed that two other individuals who had a personal enmity with the two brothers had plotted to implicate them in a blasphemy case Police investigation found the rivals’ plot to implicate both the brothers over personal enmity Hundreds of Christians fled Jaranwala s Christian quarter last summer when rioters surged in, setting churches ablaze and raiding homes At its peak the mob is said to have numbered around 5 000 and was spurred by mosque loudspeakers announcing that a copy of the Holy Quran had been desecrated However law enforcers had cast doubts on the allegations early on The Supreme Court is also hearing a case related to the Jaranwala incident, and at the last hearing, it regretted that state functionaries become intimidated by troublemakers who take law into their own hands only to advance their agenda by provoking people to launch attacks against properties of members of religious minorities The apex court had also rejected the police report, noting that the manner in which the investigation had been conducted and the apparent hesitation shown by law-enforcement agencies in identifying the culprits would only bring disrepute to the force PESHAWAR S TA F F R E P O R T
H E Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) cabinet is set to be finalized after the approval of Pakistan Tehreee-Insaf ’s (PTI) incarcerated founder Imran Khan as the newly-elected KP Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur is scheduled to him on Monday Gandapur confirmed the development, saying he would meet the PTI founder over to discuss the formation of the KP cabinet on Monday (March 4) He said that Imran Khan would make a final decision about the provincial cabinet and he would meet him for the purpose According to the PTI insider, the list of prospective
have won two and one seats respectively PR OFIT M O N I T O R I N G D E S K The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has urged the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) to implement significant tax reforms, targeting an increase in revenue from the salaried and non-salaried classes The IMF s proposal includes reducing the number of tax slabs from seven to four and removing tax exemptions on employer contributions to pension funds This move aims to bridge the disparity between different income groups and simplify the tax system According to the IMF, these changes could boost the country’s revenue by an additional 0 5 percent of GDP, equivalent to Rs500 billion annually Currently the FBR has collected Rs215 billion from the salaried class in the first eight months of the fiscal year With the proposed reforms this figure is expected to increase significantly, alongside additional gains from eliminating tax exemptions and preferential treatments The IMF believes these adjustments will lead to a fairer and more efficient tax framework supporting economic stability and growth IMF advises FBR to increase tax on salaried class for fiscal stabilit y g PROPOSAL INCLUDES REDUCING NUMBER OF TAX SLABS FROM SEVEN TO FOUR, REMOVING TAX EXEMPTIONS ON EMPLOYER CONTRIBUTIONS TO PENSION FUNDS KP CABINET LIKELY TO BE FINALISED AFTER GANDAPUR’S MEETING WITH KHAN ON MONDAY QUETTA S TA F F R E P O R T Balochistan newly elected Chief Minister Sardar Sarfraz Bugti has said that only Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) was the guarantor to drag the country out of the prevailing problems and crises Speaking on the floor of provincial assembly on Saturday he termed his unopposed election as chief minister as good tradition and said that all the people sitting here deserve tribute PPP’s Sarfraz Bugti also toon oath as chief minister of Balochistan He was administered the oath by Balochistan Governor Abdul Wali Kakar He was elected unopposed to the office of chief minister Sarfraz Bugti said, Pakistan s politics needs reconciliation Balochistan was facing multifaceted challenges It was the PPP that gave the constitution to Pakistan the party will serve Pakistan in the future as well He said emergency has been imposed in the education sector, after the 18th amendment, all responsibility falls on us and we will make collective efforts to fix the governance system The newly-elected Balochistan CM said that the people sitting on the mountains should become part of the mainstream, the youth on the mountains should come back and we will export the youth of Balochistan to the world Sarfraz Bugti said that we have to increase our revenue when will we keep walking around with kishkul Balochistan will stand on its own feet, rights will not be met by the parliament, struggle within the limits of the constitution, we must have problems with the federation But we will resolve these issues through dialogue
RAWALPINDI S TA F F R E P O R T Three terrorists were killed and four others injured in Intelligence-based operation (IBO) of security forces in Karak Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR) said on Saturday According to military s media wing intense fire exchange took place between the Army troops and the terrorists during the operation Weapons, ammunition and explosives were also recovered from the killed terrorists who remained actively involved in numerous terrorist activities against law enforcement agencies as well as innocent civilians it said Sanitization operation is being conducted to eliminate any other terrorist found in the area Locals of the area appreciated the operation and expressed their full support to eliminate the menace of terrorism the ISPR said
PESHAWAR A Z I Z B U N E R I The approved budget s term for Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) has concluded, and the provincial parliament will now seek approval for additional expenditure The caretaker government had granted approvals for four-month budgets in June and October The first term ended on October 31 while the second term concluded on February 29 Due to the delayed assembly session request approval for timely expenditures could not be granted However, the approval for ongoing expenditures, including February salaries for employees, has been issued, and all administrative departments, including the finance Department are functioning as usual According to sources a budget session will be requested next week where the new elected government will present its four-month budget for approval by the assembly The caretaker government, in place for 13 months and 12 days, finally came to its end The members of the caretaker cabinet and the caretaker Chief Minister have already shifted their belongings from the official residences In January 2023 the KP Assembly was dissolved ahead of schedule and late Azam Khan was appointed as the caretaker Chief Minister He formed two caretaker cabinets, but on November 11, 2023, he passed away, leading to the appointment of Justice (Retd ) Syed Arshad Qaiser as the caretaker Chief Minister After the general elections the elected Chief Minister will take over bringing an end to the caretaker government The caretaker seat has been occupied for the longest duration by Justice (Retd ) Arshad Qaiser, followed by Mian Feroz Jamal Shah Khel and Masood Shah All three cabinet members were part of the caretaker system from the beginning until the end Fa i s a l a b a d ATC e xo n e r a t e s t wo b r o t h e r s f r o m f r a u d u l e n t b l a s p h e m y c h a r g e s
