Epaper_24-03-07 KHI

PImran

from the Ministry of Law for resolution of legal disputes in the pending cases of tax recovery and revenue in the courts PM Shehbaz instructed that the hurdles in the recovery of Rs 1 7 trillion stuck-up taxes should be removed with the resolution of legal disputes He also directed the Ministry of Law to present proposals to create a legal depart-

regarding punishment for May 9

How can those who were not entitled to have [PTI’s] reserve seats be given them?” Imran Khan also termed the denial of reserve seats to PTI as unconstitutional

The people of East Pakistan too were deprived of their mandate which led to the country s disintegration These were the most rigged elections in the country’s history ” he added

of Army Staff (COAS) Gen Syed Asim Munir in the chair, urged the proud people of Pakistan to remain positive and u n i t e d a n d w h o l e h e a r t e d l y p a r t i c i p a t e in the progress and development of the c o u n t r y T h e P T I f o u n d e r c o n t i n u e d t h a t t h e r i g g e d e l e c t i o n s w o u l d h a r m t h e c o u n t r y s e c o n o m y a n d c a u s e f u rther losses “Without political stability, t h e c o u n t r y c a n n o t f u n c t i o n w h e r e a s t h e S h a r i f f a m i l y ’s p o l i t i c s r e l i e s o n

said

On Tuesday the top military commanders reiterated the commitment that planners instigators abettors perpetrators and desecrators of martyrs monuments and attackers of military installations on May 9, 2023, would certainly be brought to justice under the relevant provisions of the law and Constitution The Corps Commanders Conference noted with concern the spread of organised misinformation and fake news by certain nefarious elements to sow despondency and divisions within the society T h e m e e t i n g h e l d a t t h e G e n e r a l Headquarters in Rawalpindi with Chief

Fazl says will criticise institutions until they ‘meddle’ in

SIFC he added Regarding allegations of election rigging, Khan said that the responsibility lies with the caretaker government and the Election Commission of Pakistan “Even the winners of the elections know that rigging took place If they think the elections were fair they should only audit four constituencies Is peaceful protest a clash? If this is a clash, then there is no need for democracy,” Khan remarked “Maulana Fazlur Rehman and Khawaja Asif have said that General Bajwa had promised to overthrow the government

Bajwa also told us to become a good boy and sit quietly I cannot sit silently like a slave,” he said Imran said that votes were given to someone else but others were declared winners PML-N did not have more than 25 seats but their government has been formed he added Khan refuted claims of accepting slavery, stating, “The nation accepting slavery always ends There is no army opposition in our party Criticism of elections is not criticism of the army He said that the narrative built after the May 9 events had failed after February 8 the day of the general elections “People did not believe that we committed treason Keep me in prison for as long as you want but I will not accept slavery After regime change the economy has been drowned he added The PTI founder reiterated that a stable government was needed for a stable Pakistan “I said in the IMF meeting that without political stability the economy cannot improve and transparent elections are the only way to achieve this

Pildat recommends impar tial probe into election-related matters

ment in the FBR, for preparation of drafts according to law and hiring of services of lawyers

He said six to seven percent economic growth was possible with the implementation of reforms adding that investment was needed to modernize the revenue and tax system We want to bring a system of taxation based on incentives We desire to reduce the burden of taxes but the business community has to help by playing a role for the progress of people through social service

The prime minister asked that an effective third party audit system should be ensured, which so far could not be done

He said that tax system with high quality was in vogue in the world and “we also have to improve our system” He urged that all exemptions in taxes should be thoroughly reviewed He was of the view that Pakistan would not have been left behind in the world if small and medium enterprises were promoted “We could not promote our small and medium industry in the last 40 years Now is the time to expand this sector ” Former caretaker minister for finance Dr Shamshad Akhtar gave a detailed briefing about the restructuring of FBR, automation and on different aspects of the loopholes in collection of taxes and the future strategy She informed the meeting that Pakistan’s tax to GDP was 9 5 percent which was low as compared to other countries and it was very necessary to increase it for progress and development

PHC halts oath-taking on ‘SIC’s NA reser ved seats’ till tomorrow

PESHAWAR S ta f f R e p o R t

The Peshawar High Court (PHC) on Wednesday stopped until Thursday (tomorrow) the oath-taking on the National Assembly reserved seats given to parties from what the Sunni Ittehad Council (SIC) claims its share and “sought ECP reply to four questions ” The order was issued on a petition filed by the Sunni Ittehad Council (SIC) which was joined by PTI-backed independents who won the elections sans their electoral symbol challenging the Election Commission of Pakistan s decision to reject the party allocation of reserved women and minority seats In a 4-1 verdict earlier this week, the electoral watchdog ruled that the SIC was not entitled to claim quota for reserved seats due to having non curable legal defects and violation of a mandatory provision of submission of party list for reserved seats which is the requirement of law The commission had also decided to distribute the seats among other parliamentary parties, with the PML-N and the PPP becoming major beneficiaries Meanwhile the verdict was rejected by the PTI as unconstitutional and the party vowed to challenge it Today a two-member PHC bench comprising Justice Ishtiaq Ibrahim and Justice Shakeel Ahmad took up a petition filed by PTI-SIC challenging the commission’s order In its short order the court issued a pre-admission to the ECP and all the respondents in the case It also listed these questions that needed to be determined: Whether the court has the jurisdiction to adjudicate on the matter or not? Whether the petitioner has locus standi to file the petition?

Whether the petitioner is entitled to claim the quota for reserved seats for women and nonMuslims in view of the Constitution Elections Act and Elections Rules? Whether the defect of non-submission of lists for reserved seats is not curable under the law? Whether the seats for women and non-Muslims in the National Assembly can be kept vacant or are liable to be allocated by proportional representation process on the basis of seats won by political parties?

Whether the ECP has misconceived and misin-

to progress: Bilawal

HBL CEO likely to head PM Sharif’s finance team

First Dawood Investment Bank rebrands as First Dawood Proper ties

Govt

PM orders hiring of foreign consultant for FBR revamp

DBACKGROUND:

PHC halts oath-taking on ‘SIC’s NA reser ved seats’ till tomorrow

Fazl says will criticise institutions until they ‘meddle’ in politics

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 01

He deplored that politicians had a history of showing weaknesses when it came to democracy “I ask the leaderships of the PML-N PPP and PTI this very question Fazl maintained that in the US a person who did not recognise its constitution, their citizenship was stripped away However, he regretted that in Pakistan, a section was preaching in the country despite not recognising the Constitution The JUI-F chief noted that the Constitution of Pakistan was framed when the country was divided into two parts He added that at the time of framing the Constitution, the political leaderships of the country proved their broad-mindedness and matureness

“In the constitution, the ideas of each class were given scope ” Fazl said if there was no Constitution nobody would be bound by any agreement

He said that from 1981 to 1986 he was in jail for the restoration of the Constitution The JUI-F chief observed that moral values were declining in the country’s society and the culture of abuse was growing We have to protect our values Why should we become murder our values? he continued Fazl maintained that his party opted for moderate politics instead of resorting to an extremist ideology

The JUI-F chief claimed that the country’s economy politics and defence were controlled through international organisations and agreements He continued that domestic laws of

countries became ineffective in comparison with international laws Fazl regretted that the country s politics was dominated by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) World Bank and Financial Action Task Force (FATF) The JUI-F chief bemoaned the inability to run the country on its own resources citing its dependency on external ones The countries that became independent after us have progressed today Political economic and defence instability lead to the destruction of countries He maintained that the US, which was reluctant to become a signatory to the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty (CTBT) itself was forcing Pakistan to sign it The CTBT prohibits any nuclear weapon test explosion anywhere in the world

C e m e n t s e c t o r i n t r o u b l e

T h e w o e s o f t h e c e m e n t i n d u s t r y a r e c a u s e d b y a f a l l i n d e m a n d

TH E new government has received mostly bad news, but perhaps one of the worst [pieces of news it received was that the slump in the cement sector has not just continued, but worsened The despatches of cement for the year have fallen to 3 26 million tonnes, a 19 22 percent decline form the previous year ’s 4 3 million This comes after a decline of 14 8 percent the month before Cement offtake is one of the key indicators of economic activity for it indicates private investments in construction which is mostly real estate both residences and for commercial purposes If factories of any kind are being set up they will require cement The government is an important consumer of cement, which is an essential component of development activity If investors are fighting shy of making a commitment, and if the government is cutting back on development spending, the cement industry is bound to be in trouble

Perhaps unfortunately, the All-Pakistan Cement Manaas to revive the industry It seems that APCMA has not factored in the IMF factor Even it lacks a Finance Minister the Shehbaz government has already begun negotiations with the IMF for the final tranche of the present Stand-By Arrangement as well as for a new package One of the first things the IMF does is cut down on spending and the government then cuts development spending A revival of the cement industry through government development activity thus seems problematic The government should realize that it cannot do much to influence the economy, except prevent

spending being cut There is the possibility of

and indeed the

show that

have grown by a phenomenal 73 percent That does not wholly balance the inflation and interest rate factor raising costs, but it is hoped that these two will come down soon, rendering the pre-pandemic expansion better justified Exports are made easier by the decline in local demand but the global inflationary conditions are affecting foreign markets as well The government should be aware that the revival of the economy will show itself in the increased consumption of cement In that case, APCMA will not need to look to the government for any specific help for revival

Dedicated to the legac y of late Hameed Nizami

Arif Nizami (Late) Founding Editor

M A Niazi Editor Pakistan Today Babar

Nizami Editor Profit

percent to 27 6 percent Provincial estimates show a reduction across all provinces, with Punjab having the highest poverty rate at 61 8 percent in 1998-99

Th

(TMC) However unlike his father s authoritative rule, Mahamat Deby has struggled to consolidate his grip on

Zafar

Dr

Wholds earn 42 percent of the country’s income, while the bottom 50 percent earn only 13 percent This wealth disparity affects the country’s socio-economic development The Gini coefficient a measure of inequality is the worst in Pakistan with a score of 29 6 compared to Bangladesh s 32 4 India s 35 7 and the global average of 38 In Pakistan, household consumption is used as a welfare indicator Poverty lines are the thresholds that separate the poor from the non-poor The ministry of planning development and reform measures poverty on the consumption-based approach using data from the Household Integrated Economic Survey (HIES) The official poverty line in Pakistan is calorie-based and consumption-based absolute poverty is estimated after converting the household consumption level to the adult equivalent based on the recommended nutritional requirements of 2 350 calories per person per day and providing an almost equivalent amount for other basic needs Recently the Oxford Poverty and Human Development Initiative (OPHI) developed the Multidimensional Poverty Index (MPI) to reflect the multiple deprivations that a poor person faces with respect to education, health and living standards The government of Pakistan in collaboration with the United Nations Development Project (UNDP) is trying to develop an MPI for Pakistan

The successive governments have developed a comprehensive poverty reduction strategy, primarily built upon nine pillars such as macroeconomic stability and real sector growth, protecting the poor and the vulnerable, increasing productivity and value addition in agriculture integrated energy development programmes making industry internationally competitive human development for the 21st century removing infrastructure bottlenecks through public private partnerships, capital and finance for development, and governance for a just and fair system Cost of basic needs approach (CBN) has been adopted to measure poverty resulting in a significant decrease in poverty over the past two decades The percentage of poverty decreased from 61 6 percent in 1998-99 to 21 5 percent in 2018-19 with urban areas seeing a decrease from 47 4 percent to 10 7 percent and rural areas from 67 5

a homogeneous distribution of such elements

Economic development aims to enhance a community s economic well-being by creating jobs retaining them enhancing the tax base and improving quality of life However there is no single strategy for successful development, as communities vary in their geographic and political strengths and weaknesses, presenting unique challenges for economic development The World Inequality Database Report reveals that the top 10 percent of Pakistani house-

lent demonstrations that exposed the longstanding grievances embedded within Chad s sociopolitical framework President Deby s dogged quest for centralized power, mirroring the tactics of neighbouring junta-led regimes has deepened existing fault lines and stoked ethnic animosities further destabilizing an already precarious environment This decision not only shattered hopes for a smooth transition but also reignited simmering tensions, underscoring the fragility of Chad’s political landscape As dissent festers and divisions deepen, the nation finds itself teetering on the brink of upheaval grappling with the consequences of leadership decisions that have inflamed rather than assuaged societal tensions Recent developments have exacerbated Chad s political turmoil, as even members of President Deby’s own family defect to the opposition signalling fractures within the ruling Zaghawa ethnic group The detention of Deby’s uncle and the targeted killings of opposition figures serve as stark reminders of the regime s ruthless suppression of dissent, casting a foreboding shadow over the impending presidential elections scheduled for May and June

Amidst this atmosphere of heightened tension the spectre of armed conflict looms ominously particularly within the Zaghawa ethnic enclave where government forces and opposition factions brace for potential confrontations Adding to the complexity is the alleged involvement of external actors, including the notorious Wagner Group, whose presence further fuels fears of protracted violence and regional destabilization The convergence of internal fissures external influences and simmering grievances presents a volatile cocktail that threatens to plunge Chad into deeper turmoil, with ramifications extending far beyond its borders

As Chad grapples with internal turmoil, its delicate stability faces additional threats from external pressures such as the withdrawal of French troops and a nationwide strike triggered by soaring fuel prices This convergence of challenges risks creating a dangerous power vacuum and exacerbating the simmering discontent within the nation, with far-reaching consequences that extend across the Sahel region

There have been many programmes run by governments in succession like rural development programmes land reforms social welfare programmes social securities Pakistan Bait-ul-Mal Benazir Income Support Programme and much more Some of them were continued only for a specific period while others have been refined and further strengthened and are being continued Some have been replaced with new ones However, these programmes, to some extent, helped people skip out of the poverty web through multidimensional approaches By involving multiple graduation strategies resilience against various shocks and longterm planning for human capital development was built It is a proven fact that the nature of poverty in Pakistan is mostly transient, which means that the poor reflect a trend of going above and below the poverty line at times Poverty can be fought only through a special package of policy measures designed to accelerate growth both in the agricultural and industrial sectors launch new employment generation programmes and ensure a more equitable distribution of national income Education is a significant factor in determining poverty levels, being an investment in human capital In developing countries like Pakistan, low investment in education can lead to individuals overcoming poverty and guiding others to improve their situation Remittances and assets accumulation can help people out of poverty as they provide different earning opportunities Household size also affects poverty levels, with larger family units experiencing the highest levels The National Poverty Graduation Programme aims to address this issue by facilitating asset transfers and social mobilization However urban poverty intersects with discourses of exclusion marginality and vulnerability with anti-encroachment drives against the urban poor compromising their employment and housing rights Effective and monitored steps by the government are required to help reduce poverty and increase income generation

The writer has a PhD in Political Science

U r b a n p ov e r t y i n t e rs e c t s w i t h d i s c o u rs e s o f ex cl u s i o n , m a rg i n a l i t y, a n d v u l n e r a b i l i t y, w i t h a n t i - e n c ro a c h m e n t d r i v e s a g a i n s t t h e u r b a n p o o r c o m p ro m i s i n g t h e i r e m p l oy m e n t a n d h o u s i n g r i g h t s E f f e c t i v e a n d m o n i t o r e d s t e p s by t h e g ov e r n m e n t a r e r e q u i r e d t o h e l p r e d u c e p ov e r t y a n d i n c r e a s e i n c o m e g e n e r a t i o n

Yet, amidst the shadows of uncertainty, a glimmer of hope emerges– a recognition that lasting stability cannot be achieved through force alone but through comprehensive governance reforms economic empowerment and regional collaboration The crisis in Chad serves as a poignant reminder of the dangers inherent in prioritizing short-term security measures at the expense of long-term stability It underscores the urgent need for a holistic approach that addresses root causes and embraces inclusive governance as the cornerstone of sustainable peace and prosperity in the region

It is imperative for international stakeholders notably Western powers to reevaluate their involvement in the region by moving away from endorsing autocratic regimes and adopting a more equitable approach that champions human rights and democratic principles Through strategic investments in governance reforms economic development initiatives and robust conflict resolution mechanisms the global community can play a pivotal role in laying the groundwork for enduring peace and prosperity across the Sahel This shift in strategy reflects a commitment to fostering inclusive governance structures and addressing the underlying socio-economic disparities that fuel instability thereby promoting sustainable development and enhancing regional stability

the

Impor tance of extra-curricular in education

reflections of their innate interests and abilities not just pastimes

able to lead a successful argument or play an instrument well gives you an incalculable amount of confidence Students develop their feeling of self-worth, find their voice, and become ready to face the outside world with a fresh sense of purpose during these times Extracurricular accomplishments are like colourful threads added to a student’s resume for college admissions In addition to academics universities are looking for innovators leaders and creators who can leave their mark on the campus community

This is where extracurricular activities help students become more than just applicants they become storytellers of their own varied experiences by giving their character more depth and nuance Social and emotional intelligence are enhanced here These exercises serve as platforms for communication comprehension and empathy Pupils

B e i n g i n f a s h i o n m i g ht m e a n b e i n g a p o l l u te r

processes which were often released untreated into nearby water bodies

T

H E environmental impact of fast fashion is particularly concerning contributing significantly to the triple planetary crisis of pollution waste and emissions The industry is under pressure to shift towards more sustainable and circular models, reducing waste and increasing reuse and recycling Consumers are increasingly demanding change seeking more sustainable and resilient garments which is driving some companies like Patagonia to adopt more radical sustainability measures The key points about the relationship between pollution and the fashion industry include: A WATER POLLUTION: The fashion industry is one of the largest consumers of water globally and is responsible for a considerable amount of water pollution Dyeing and treating textiles contribute to 20 percent of global wastewater contaminating rivers and oceans with toxic chemicals B CHEMICAL USAGE: The production of textiles involves a wide range of chemicals, many of which are harmful to the environment and human health These include dyes, fixatives, and solvents, which can leach into ecosystems and disrupt local wildlife and communities C CARBON EMISSIONS: The fashion industry is also a significant source of carbon emissions, contributing to climate change This is due to energy-intensive production processes, long supply chains and the reliance on fossil

D WASTE PRODUCTION: A considerable amount of waste is generated through the lifecycle of fashion products, from off-cuts of fabric during the production process to the disposal of unsold or worn-out garments The rise of fast fashion has exacerbated this problem leading to increased consumption and a higher turnover of clothes which often end up in landfillsE MICROFIBER POLLUTION: Synthetic fibres like polyester and nylon, which are prevalent in the fashion industry, shed microfibers when washed These microfibres are too small to be caught by standard wastewater treatment plants and thus end up in the ocean contributing to microplastic pollution

F SOIL DEGRADATION: Cotton, one of the most widely used natural fibres in the fashion industry, is often grown in a way that depletes soil and uses large amounts of water and pesticides leading to soil degradation and loss of arable land

The background of the relationship between fashion and pollution can be traced back to several key developments:

A INDUSTRIAL REVOLUTION: The advent of the Industrial Revolution in the late 18th and early 19th centuries marked a significant turning point for the textile and fashion industries The introduction of mechanized spinning and weaving machines dramatically increased the production capacity, making textiles and clothing more accessible to a broader population However this also led to increased environmental degradation as factories emitted pollutants into the air and water, and the demand for raw materials like cotton led to intensive, often unsustainable agricultural practices

B CHEMICAL DYES AND TREATMENTS: The 19th century saw the development of synthetic dyes which replaced natural dyes that were more labour-intensive and costly to produce While synthetic dyes made a broader spectrum of colours more readily available and affordable, they also introduced a range of environmental problems due to the toxic chemicals used in dyeing

C GLOBALIZATION: The late 20th and early 21st centuries have been characterized by the globalization of the fashion industry Production has shifted to countries with lower labour costs leading to complex global supply chains This globalization has exacerbated environmental issues due to increased transportation emissions, resource extraction in diverse ecosystems, and the spread of polluting manufacturing practices to regions with less stringent environmental regulations

D FAST FASHION: The rise of fast fashion in recent decades has significantly impacted the environment Fast fashion refers to the rapid production of inexpensive clothing in response to the latest trends leading to overconsumption and excessive waste This business model has contributed to a dramatic increase in the amount of clothing produced and discarded, with significant implications for waste management and resource depletion

E CONSUMER AWARENESS AND SUSTAINABILITY MOVEMENT: In response to the growing recognition of the environmental impact of the fashion industry there has been a rise in consumer awareness and demand for more sustainable practices This has led to various initiatives within the industry to reduce pollution such as adopting more sustainable materials improving energy efficiency and promoting recycling and circular fashion models The background of pollution in the fashion industry highlights the complex interplay between industrial innovation, economic development, consumer culture, and environmental impact

The fashion industry significantly impacts pollution across various dimensions contributing to environmental degradation on multiple fronts Here are some of the key effects of the fashion industry on pollution:

A WATER POLLUTION: The fashion industry is one of the largest contributors to water pollution globally This is due to the discharge of untreated dye waters and chemicals from textile factories into rivers and oceans, which contaminates water bodies and harms aquatic life The processing of textiles and the production of fabrics like cotton also require large quantities of water leading to water scarcity in some regions

B CHEMICAL POLLUTION: The use of hazardous chemicals in dyeing, printing, and finishing processes releases toxic substances into the environment These chemicals can be harmful to both human health and wildlife Workers in the industry are often exposed to these chemicals leading to health issues while runoff from factories contaminates soil and waterways

C AIR POLLUTION: The production and processing of textiles contribute to air pollution through the emission of particulate matter volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and other pollutants from factories The transportation of

Aagainst the most popular and progressive members so this should be a scandal ” “The whole of the Democratic Party should be united in opposition to this he added But it isn t and part of the reason why is that many Democrats are beneficiaries of AIPAC s largesse It wasn t a Republican who unseated Levin, but rather Democratic Rep Haley Stevens who has been staunchly supportive of Israel even as its military forces have killed and maimed more than 100 000 Palestinians forcibly displaced around 90 percent of Gaza s 2 3 million people, and fueled growing famine by tightening an already crippling economic stranglehold on the besieged enclave House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N Y ) another strong pro-Israel voice counted AIPAC as his top donor during the last election cycle AIPAC has also been a leading contributor to lawmakers including Reps Ritchie Torres (D-N Y ) and Josh Gottheimer (D-N J ), who not only vocally support Israel, but also attack colleagues like Bush; Rep Ilhan Omar (D-Minn ); and Rep Rashida Tlaib (DMich ) the only Palestinian American in Congress for their pro-Palestinian views Democratic Majority for Israel an AIPACconnected group, is backing nine House Democratic candidates, including Joana Weiss, who is running a nasty campaign against Min in California But DMFI’s support pales in comparison to the $4 5 million that AIPAC’s United Democracy Project has spent in a bid to defeat Min Despite state Sen Min s support of Israel and a broad coalition of endorsements from the Jewish community, a number of Republican donors at AIPAC are upset that he has called for Bibi Netanyahu to be held accountable for the security failures on October 7 and Netanyahu’s failure of leadership during this crisis Dan Driscoll Min s campaign manager said in a statement Sen Min does not believe in the annexation of West Bank settlements, he had hoped that a constructive dialogue could be had It appears they disagreed ” Maurice Mitchell, political director for the Working Families Party acknowledged to Politico that it s hard to match AIPAC s financial firepower We can never go dollar for dollar but our goal is to be competitive and we re going A I PA C ’ s d a r k m o n e y a r m u n l e a s h e s $ 1 0 0 m i l l i o n

resolution subsequently co-sponsored by 18 House Democrats

2

4 U S

goods within the global supply chain also contributes to greenhouse gas emissions, exacerbating climate change

D WASTE GENERATION: The fashion industry produces a significant amount of waste from the textile production stage to the end of a garment’s life Fabric scraps defective products and unsold clothing often end up in landfills or are incinerated, contributing to pollution and resource wastage The rapid turnover of fashion trends, particularly with the rise of fast fashion, has led to increased consumption and disposal of clothing further intensifying the problem

E MICROFIBRE POLLUTION: Synthetic fabrics like polyester release microfibers when washed, which are too small to be filtered out by wastewater treatment plants These microfibers end up in oceans and waterways contributing to microplastic pollution They can be ingested by marine life causing harm and entering the food chain

F SOIL DEGRADATION AND PESTICIDE USE: The cultivation of non-organic cotton and other natural fibers involves the use of large amounts of pesticides and fertilizers which can degrade soil quality and lead to chemical runoff into water bodies This not only affects soil health and biodiversity but also poses risks to farmers and surrounding communities

To mitigate these effects, the fashion industry is exploring sustainable practices such as using eco-friendly materials improving production processes adopting circular economy principles and encouraging consumer behaviour towards more sustainable fashion choices

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

The brutal gang-rape of a Spanish tourist in the Indian state of Jharkhand has sparked outrage, highlighted the issue of rampant sexual violence, and prompted calls for better protection of women

crude and frighteningly brutal nature of these attacks have shocked Indian society and once again thrust the issue of women s safety into the spotlight Brutal rapes have been reported in India on a near-daily basis, and reports of ghastly sexual assaults have risen in recent years An average of nearly 90 rapes a day were reported in India in 2022 according to data from India s National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB)

true figure is likely to be much higher, as many such crimes go unreported duecrimes and that must change Edited by: Keith Walker

DW

HPresident Joe Biden said on Tuesday that US ally Israel was cooperating and “a rational offer” had been made for a ceasefire in exchange for the release of

hostages It s in the hands of Hamas right now Biden told reporters If we get to the cir-

that it [fighting] continues to Ra-

Saudi Arabia hikes oil prices for Asia, lowers for Europe

cupation is still evading the entitlements of this agreement Hamas said in a statement

A source earlier said Israel was staying away from the Cairo talks because Hamas refused to provide a list of hostages who are still alive Hamas says this is impossible without a ceasefire as hostages are scattered across the war zone Israeli forces which began their offensive in Gaza after the deadly Hamas raid on Israel on Oct 7, have continued bombarding the Palestinian enclave since the talks began in Cairo on Sunday, and the dire humanitarian situation in the densely populated coastal strip has deteriorated further Every day costs us dozens of martyrs [dead] We want a ceasefire now Shaban Abdel-Raouf, a Palestinian electrician and father of five from Gaza City, who is now in the southern city of Khan Younis, told Reuters via a chat app Residents of Khan Younis reported

X i c alls for developing new qualit y produc tive forces tailored to loc al conditions Nikki Haley suspends White House bid, clearing path for a Trump-Biden rematch

BEIJING M i A n A b r A r

President Xi, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission stressed the concept again on Tuesday when he participated in a deliberation with fellow lawmakers from east China s Jiangsu Province during the second session of the 14th NPC First put forward by Xi in his inspection tour of northeast China’s Heilongjiang Province in September 2023 the term was highlighted again at the Central Economic Work Conference in December, and became the subject of the first group study session held by the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee this year With innovation playing the leading role new quality productive forces mean advanced productivity that is freed from traditional economic growth mode and productivity development paths, features high-tech, high efficiency and high quality, and comes in line with the new development philosophy Xi

also general secretary of the CPC Central Committee said at the study session New quality productive forces are driven by revolutionary technological breakthroughs, innovative allocation of production factors, and deep industrial transformation and upgrading he noted Xi highlighted the concept again Tuesday when participating in a deliberation at the ongoing annual national legislative session, stressing developing new quality productive forces based on local conditions He called for efforts to step up innovation, foster emerging industries, adopt forwardthinking plans for developing future-oriented industries and improve the modern industrial system Developing new quality productive forces does not mean neglecting or abandoning traditional industries, Xi said, noting that it is necessary to prevent a headlong rush into projects and the formation of industry bubbles and avoid adopting just a single model of development China has made strides in boosting scitech innovation and industrial upgrading Its global ranking in innovation has increased markedly over the past decade, while strate-

show that China s PV power generation capacity has ranked first in the world for eight consecutive years Statistics show that the output value of Jiangsu’s strategic emerging industries and high-tech industries accounted for 41 3 percent and 49 9 percent of the province’s industries respectively Last year the province also revealed its plan to further promote high-end industries targeting the creation of five strategic emerging industrial clusters with international competitiveness, namely biomedicine, intelligent manufacturing equipment integrated circuits smart grids and new energy

its legitimate rights and interests is unwavering and the Philippines rights-infringing and provocative attempts will not succeed said Mao

(HLRN)

stressed

Shell Pak istan announces financial results for 2023

Revolutionizing Safet y: inDrive and EFU Life par tner to launch 'In-Ride

Islamabad Marriott Hotel Launches 'Kiku': A G ateway to Authentic Japanese Cuisine

ISLAMABAD

s ta f f r e p o r t

The Islamabad Marriott Hotel has announced the grand opening of Kiku an elegant new addition to Islamabad s culinary scene The inauguration ceremony was attended by the Ambassador of Japan, H E Mr WADA Mitsuhiro who expressed his delight and endorsement of Kiku as the only authentic Japanese restaurant in Islamabad The restaurant s name, Kiku, translates to 'chrysanthemum' in Japanese, a symbol of rejuvenation and nobility, reflecting the restaurant's commit-

ment to providing guests with an authentic and exquisite dining experience The restaurant offers a meticulously curated menu of contemporary Japanese cuisine prepared by highly skilled chefs who have mastered the art of Japanese culinary arts There is also a live sushi bar, teppanyaki and Robatayaki stations complemented by vibrant music played by a DJ Kiku's interior has been designed to transport diners to Japan with a serene and elegant ambiance that combines traditional and modern design elements The opening of Kiku marks a significant mile-

Philip Morris International receives 4th consecutive CDP ‘Triple-A’ rating for climate, forest , and water

Fe d F o r m s - 4 5 f o r s e v e r a l c o n s t i t u e n c i e s b u t l a t e r w i t h d r e w t h e m from their website According to Jhagra, all Forms-45s were

forcibly altered, purportedly due to the overwhelming number of votes in favour of PTI He argued that this manipulation rendered it virtually impossible for opponents to secure victory without resorting to tampering Furthermore, Jhagra asserted that the ECP subsequently uploaded these tampered Forms-45s on their website, suggesting potential electoral malpractice Highlighting irregularities across Balochistan Sindh and other provinces Jhagra pointed out instances where numbers were allegedly changed through dubious means He raised concerns about the legitimacy of certain polling stations, where the number of votes reportedly exceeded the actual number of voters present Additionally he criticised the inadequate documentation of some Forms-45s

Barrister Gohar Ali Khan, echoing Jhagra’s sentiments declared their intention to approach the high courts in Sindh and Peshawar regarding reserved seats He ex-

COAS Asim Munir calls on PM Shehbaz; discusses securit y situation

Cour t defers indictment of Per vaiz Elahi, others in illegal appointments case

Journalist Toor ’s remand extended in ‘social media c ampaign’ against judiciar y

ISLAMABAD

S ta f f R e p o R t

The court of a Judicial Magistrate in the federal court on Wednesday extended for two more days the physical remand of journalist Asad Ali Toor in a case of smear campaign on social media against the judges of the superior judiciary

The FIA produced Asad Ali Toor in the court of Judicial Magistrate Mohammad Shabbir and requested an extension in the journalist s remand

First tell us what did you do in the last eight days? the judge asked, to which the agency s lawyer said substantial progress had been made in the case He added that the FIA was allowed to take physical remand for up to 30 days as per the law

Meanwhile Toor s counsel

Hadi Ali stated that the prosecution should convince the court why an extension was needed, saying the evidence presented “did not substantiate” the charges against his client

Ali further argued that Toor had accepted he was operating his YouTube and Twitter accounts and the FIA should present evidence that Toor ’s comments were the cause of something “Asad Toor should be discharged from the case the lawyer demanded

After hearing the arguments the court extended the journalist s physical remand for two days

It is to be noted that in January, the caretaker government had formed a five-member joint investi-

gation team (JIT) to “ascertain facts behind a malicious social media campaign against the judiciary in the aftermath of the Supreme Court s decision to deprive PTI of its iconic ‘bat’ symbol

On February 23, Toor was interrogated for nearly eight hours by officials of the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) on the same matter

The interrogation had taken place despite the attorney general for Pakistan assuring the apex court last month that the FIA would not take action before the general election on the notices sent to journalists The apex court had adjourned the hearing in the case till the first week of March

Toor was subsequently arrested on Feb 26 and presented in court a day later, where the FIA was granted a five-day remand of the journalist HUNGER STRIKE

Last week Toor s counsel said the journalist had gone on a hunger strike in FIA custody, and warned that his health condition was deteriorating In a post on social media platform X Advocate Imaan Zainab Mazari had said: Asad s mother his lawyers and his friends are extremely worried about his deteriorating health on hunger strike

When we asked Asad the reason for his hunger strike, he said, I am the voice of the voiceless so now they are muzzling my voice I protest this action

According to the first information report, Toor was booked under Sections 9, 10 and 24 of the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act

(Peca)

The sections deal with the offences of glorification of an offence cyber terrorism and cyberstalking

According to the FIR, Toor “built a false narrative” and publicly launched a “malicious/obnoxious and explicit campaign” against civil servants/government officials and state institutions Ali further argued that Toor had accepted he was operating his YouTube and Twitter accounts and the FIA should present evidence that Toor ’s comments were the cause of something Asad Toor should be discharged from the case the lawyer demanded After hearing the arguments, the court extended the journalist’s physical remand for two days It is to be noted that in January the caretaker government had formed a five-member joint investigation team (JIT) to ascertain facts behind a malicious social media campaign against the judiciary in the aftermath of the Supreme Court’s decision to deprive PTI of its iconic ‘bat’ symbol

On February 23 Toor was interrogated for nearly eight hours by officials of the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) on the same matter The interrogation had taken place despite the attorney general for Pakistan assuring the apex court last month that the FIA would not take action before the general election on the notices sent to journalists The apex court had adjourned the hearing in the case till the first week of March

Punjab, KP cabinets sworn in

PESHEWAR/LAHORE

S ta f f R e p o R t

Newly elected members of the Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa cabinets were sworn in on Wednesday In Lahore Punjab Governor Balighur Rehman administered oath to the 18-member cabinet of Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz The ceremony held at the Governor House, was attended by Maryam, Punjab Assembly

Speaker Malik Muhammad Khan and provincial police chief Usman Anwar among others The cabinet members who were sworn in included Marriyum Aurangzeb Syed Muhammad Ashiq Hussain Shah Muhammad Kazim Pirzada Rana Sikandar Hayat Khawaja Imran Nazeer Khawaja Salman Rafique Zeeshan Rafique, Bilal Akbar Khan, Sohaib Ahmed Malik, Azma Zahid Bukhari, Bilal Yasin, Ramesh Sindh Arora, Khalil Tahir, Faisal Ayub, Shafay Hussain, Sher Ali Gorchani, Sohail Shoukat Butt and Mujtaba Shujaur Rehman According to the state-run Associated Press of Pakistan portfolios to the ministers were likely to be notified later today Talking to journalists after the oath-taking ceremony CM Maryam congratulated and lauded the newly appointed members Young and very talented people have been inducted in the cabinet,” she said Earlier, a PML-N source revealed that Azma Bokhari was being given the portfolio of information ministry while Marriyum who has been brought to Punjab from the centre to assist the CM would also get an important ministry Both were inducted into the assembly on reserved seats for women In KP, the provincial cabinet comprising 15 ministers and five advisors was administered oath by Governor Haji Ghulam Ali During the oath-taking ceremony held at the Governor House in Peshawar the newly elected cabinet members chanted slogans in favour of PTI founder Imran Khan and also carried a frame featuring his photograph The ministers sworn in included Arshad Ayub Khan, Shakeel Ahmad, Fazal Hakim Khan, Muhammad Adnan Qadri, Aqibullah Khan, Muhammad Sajjad, Meena Khan, Fazal Shakoor, Nazir Ahmad Abbasi, Pakhtoon Yar Khan, Aftab Alam Khan Afridi Khaleequr Rehman Syed Qasim Ali Shah Faisal Khan Tarakai and Muhammad Zahir Shah

PM distributes huge compensation pack age among recent rains vic tims