TSuccess of Pakistan is interlinked with success of Balochistan: COA S
Staff (COAS) General
Asim Munir on Friday promised the people of Balochistan that they will be supported by armed forces and law enforcement agencies for peace and prosperity in the province said a statement issued by the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) “The success of Balochistan is the success of Pakistan The people of Pakistan are proud of the brave people of Balochistan who have stood tall against all odds Armed Forces of Pakistan and law enforcement agencies will continue to render their services in support of the people of Balochistan for peace and prosperity ” said the army chief
The army chief made these comments during his visit to the Awaran district of Balochistan where he was briefed on the security situation of the province
According to the military’s media wing the army chief was also informed about the efforts being taken by the Pakistan Army in the socio-economic development and agriculture potential of Balochistan During his visit to Awaran, COAS
Moody ’s changes outlook to stable for banking sector Gov
‘Healing Touch’: Mushahid calls for Imran’s release, allocation of reser ved seats to SIC
Munir interacted with the local elders farmers and families of shuhada and assured them of the army s unstinting support for their security and welfare while paying rich tribute to the sacrifices rendered by the martyred While interacting with the notables and farmers of Awaran the army chief emphasised the importance of agriculture and the army s commitment to the Green Pakistan Initiative (GPI)
“Farmers will be provided with all kinds of agricultural facilities including the provision of easy agricultural loans seeds fertilisers solar tube wells and guidance by agriculture experts so that they can cultivate their lands and become partners in the progress and development of Pakistan ” said the COAS
Later on the army chief inaugurated Cadet College Awaran and interacted with faculty members and students He also appreciated the establishment of another Cadet College in Balochistan for the people of the area
He reiterated his commitment that the Pakistan Army will continue development and relief activities in Balochistan in collaboration with the concerned civil departments Earlier on arrival, COAS was received by Balochistan s Corps Commander
In par tnership with Profit S a t u r d a y, 9 M a r c h , 2 0 2 4 I 2 7 S h a ’ b a n , 1 4 4 5 R s 2 0 0 0 | Vo l X I V N o 2 5 1 I 8 Pa g e s I Ka r a c h i E d i t i o n ISLAMABAD S TA F F R E P O R T
H E 14th President of Pakistan will be elected on (tomorrow) with former president Asif Ali Zardari and Mahmood Khan Achakzai in the running On the other hand Achakzai chief of Pakhtunkhwa Milli Awami Party (PkMAP) and presidential candidate for the Sunni Ittehad Council (SIC), has, however, penned a letter to the Election Commission calling for the postponement of the presidential election The development comes a day after the ruling coalition including the Pakistan Muslim LeagueNawaz and Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P) endorsed the Pakistan Peoples Party s (PPP) Asif Ali Zardari s nomination for the presidency Asif Ali Zardari, a joint candidate of Pakistan People’s Party, PML-N and other coalition parties is contesting the presidential election against Pakhtunkhwa Milli Awami Party (PKMAP) chief Mahmood Achakzai the candidate of the Sunni Ittehad Council Reportedly, Asif Ali Zardari has submitted two nomination papers for the election one in Islamabad and the other one in Karachi Members of the four provincial assemblies Senate and National Assembly will cast their votes to elect the new president after constitutional term of Dr Arif Alvi expired on March 9 As per constitutional provisions, the Chief Election Commissioner will serve as the Returning Officer for the presidential election Polling will take place in the National and Provincial Assemblies from 10am to 4pm The electoral process follows the Electoral College system, requiring voters to present their National and Provincial Assembly as well as Senate identity cards Votes will only be considered valid if marked with an approved marker During the polling, presiding officers will oversee the opening of ballot boxes in the presence of candidates or their representatives They will scrutinize the ballot papers reject any invalid votes and tally the valid ones, sealing them in separate bags Subsequently, the Presiding Officer will record the results on Form 5 and submit them to the Returning Officer who will then transmit them to the Chief Election Commissioner for official declaration A C H A K Z A I’S L E T T E R TO E C P: In the letter addressed to the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) on Friday Achakzai highlighted the issue of numerous vacant reserve seats in both national and provincial assemblies He argued that proceeding with the election without filling these seats would violate the law and the Constitution The election should be postponed until the electoral college is completed, Achakzai stated firmly in his letter to the ECP Furthermore Achakzai revealed that the SIC has submitted an application to the Peshawar High Court regarding the matter of reserve seats He expressed hopes for a fair decision from the court on this issue According to the ECP schedule polling for the presidential election will be held on Saturday from 10am to 4pm Incumbent President Dr Arif Alvi is already on an extended tenure after completing his five-year term on Sept 9 last year Article 44(1) of the Constitution says that the president will hold office for a term of five years from the day he assumes charge but he continues to hold the office until a successor is chosen Alvi is the country’s fourth democratically elected president to complete the five-year term The three presidents before Dr Alvi who completed their full terms were Chaudhary Fazal Elahi (fifth president, from 1973 to 1978), Asif Ali Zardari (11th, from 2008 to 2013) and Mamnoon Hussain (12th from 2013 to 2018) STAGE SET FOR PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION AS ACHAK Z AI SEEKS DEL AY IN LETTER TO ECP PR OFIT Z A I N N A E E M Moody s has changed its outlook on the banking sector to stable from negative The rating previously had been Caa3 negative which has been revised upwards to Caa3 stable The Caa rating still means that the sector is of poor standing and carries a substantial credit risk In simple terms, Moody s is saying that the credit quality of the sector is still considered to be poor however the outlook has become better marginally The outlook is a view presented by the rating agencies as a predictor for the period going forward The outlook revision is based on the solid profitability that has been seen by the banking sector and the fact that there is considerable capital and liquidity This protects it from the macroeconomic challenges and political instability that is being experienced in the country The buffer created means that in case of any economic or political shock there is enough leeway in the sector to be able to absorb such a shock The recent inflation figures are also quoted where the inflation was recorded at 29% on a year-on-year basis and it is expected to go down to 23% by the end of the year Similarly growth is expected to return to 2% for the year which had been much lower in 2023 due to lack of economic activity There is still a word of caution in the report which states that banks are mostly exposed to government debt as more than half the assets of their balance sheets are made up of debt taken by the government This means that the banks and their credit quality is dependent on the credit quality of the government The ability to pay off its creditors is highly linked to the credibility and ability of the government to pay off its debts Sector Snapshot The banking sector recently closed out its financial year in December with the sector posting record profits This was due to the high margins or spread that exists between what the bank is earning on its assets and giving out to its depositors and creditors Banks being able to access the State Bank for liquidity also means that they can acquire the funds at a much lower cost and then lend it out to the government at historically high rates It is expected that this trend will continue in 2024 Even if interest rates fall, the banks are expected to maintain their net interest margin which will guarantee another profitable year The year CY23 ended with another record-high profitability year for the banking sector owing to a 600bp increase in interest rates and a +30% YoY jump in asset base Where increasing leverage to avail the high yielding papers amid anticipation of monetary easing cycle was the theme of large asset base expansion for some banks, high deposit mobilization continued across the sector,” read a report by JS Global g V I E W C O M E S O N B A C K O F M A C R O C H A L L E N G E S E X P E C T E D TO E A S E I N C O M I N G Y E A R
committed
steer
economic
PM MUZAFARABAD S TA F F R E P O R T Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Friday reiterated the government’s resolve to steer the country out of the challenge of economic crisis by bringing structural reforms in the economic sector to provide maximum facilities to the people of the country He said that the government was fully committed to increase tax to GDP ratio, tap the huge potential of natural and agriculture resources, stop smuggling, power theft, and losses of the State Owned Entities Addressing a cheque distribution ceremony among the affected people by torrential rains and snowfall in the area the prime minister called for setting aside all the differences in the larger national interest to work as a nation to ensure that the country was developing at a faster pace Currently, he said the country’s tax collection target for the current fiscal year was 1 2 trillion which was not up to the true potential due to tax evasion by certain sections He said tax evasion was one of the biggest challenge that would to be resolved to increase the country s resources If we have no resources, how we will build the infrastructure of health, education and other important sectors,” he maintained
t
to
countr y out of
crisis:
ISLAMABAD S TA F F R E P O R T PML-N Senator Mushahid Hussain Sayed on Friday called for the release of former premier Imran Khan from jail, dubbing him a political prisoner and the allocation of reserved seats to the Sunni Ittehad Council (SIC), the new home of PTIbacked winning candidates Speaking on the floor of the Senate Hussain recalled he had called for the release of former president Asif Ali Zardari Yousuf Gilani and Javed Hashmi during late General Pervez Musharraf s rule, as well as of ex-premier Nawaz Sharif in 2018 Even today, I have, first of all, demanded that Imran Khan be released He is a political prisoner; and it should be across the board ” Noting that there was now a “new chapter” after the Feb 8 elections the seasoned politician said there was a need for a healing touch Include everyone and give a general amnesty, Hussain said, claiming that a general amnesty was even given to the TTP that killed our children” RAWALPINDI S TA F F R E P O R T Chief of Army
g S AY S R E S E R V E S E AT S I S S U E I S S U B J U D I C E I N P H C, H O P I N G F O R A FA I R D E C I S I O N F R O M C O U R T g S I C ’ S N O M I N E E S AY S P R E S I D E N T ’ S E L E C T I O N W I T H O U T R E S E R V E S E AT S W O U L D V I O L AT E C O N S T I T U T I O N C O N T I N U E D O N PA G E 03 C O N T I N U E D O N PA G E 03 C O N T I N U E D O N PA G E 03
g Pr e c i s e c o s t e s t i m a t e s w i l l b e e s t a b l i s h e d a f t e r F E E D o f u p g r a d e p r o
g E n c o u r a g e s f a i r a n d p e a c e f u l r e s o l u t i o n o f a l l e l e c t o r a l d i s p u t e s
m i t t a n c e s i n c r e a s e b y 1 3 % Y o Y, r e a c h i n g a t o t a l o f $ 2 . 2 b
Satu day 9 Ma ch 2024 | KARACHI 02 nEWS PR OFIT N e w S D e S k A consortium comprising Engro Fertilisers Ltd (EFL), Fatima Fertilisers, and Fauji Fertilisers has announced a significant investment exceeding $300 million in the Gas Pressure Enhancement Facilities (GPEF) project at the Mari network This strategic investment aims to ensure a steady supply of gas for domestic urea production, which is crucial for maintaining the country’s food security During a media workshop Engro Fertilisers’ Chief Financial Officer Ali Rathore revealed that Engro Fertilisers contribution to the capital expenditure of this project would surpass $100 million Rathore emphasized the critical need for Pakistan the world s fifthlargest consumer of urea, to expand its production capacity in response to rapid population growth He advocated for the introduction of consistent and fair gas pricing policies to stimulate further investment in the fertilizer sector Rathore highlighted the necessity for multi-billion dollar investments to establish globally competitive fertilizer plants He argued that equalizing gas prices among manufacturers would not only encourage investment in plant modernization and expansion but also enhance efficiency and gas utilization The CFO also touched upon recent policy changes noting the removal of subsidies for fertilizer manufacturers on the Sui Southern Gas Company (SSGC) and Sui Northern Gas Pipeline Ltd (SNGPL) networks which account for 60% of the sector ’s capacity Despite these changes manufacturers on the Mari network still benefit from subsidized gas prices leading to market disparities Rathore pointed out that the existing price discrepancies have fostered opportunities for middlemen and argued that a uniform gas price would level the playing field for all fertilizer manufacturers ultimately stabilizing urea prices for farmers CONSORTIUM TO INVEST $300M TO SECURE GAS SUPPLY FOR UREA PRODUCTION PFOFIT N e w S D e S k Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has pushed towards the provincialisation of at least one power Distribution Company (Disco) in each province to boost efficiency, a proposal set to be presented before the Council of Common Interests (CCI) In a strategic move to advance the privatisation agenda the Prime Minister chaired a pivotal meeting on February 8 2023 focusing on the privatisation roadmap including major state-owned entities such as Pakistan Steel Mills (PSM), National Power Parks Management Company Limited (NPPMCL), and several others During the meeting which also discussed the privatisation progress of entities like the Heavy Electrical Complex (HEC) and the First Women Bank (FWB), the Prime Minister directed the Privatisation Commission (PC) to accelerate the process by quickly hiring Financial Advisors for the listed State-Owned Enterprises (SOEs) Furthermore the PC has been tasked with re-engaging the sole pre-qualified bidder for PSM, with the Bank of China and China-Pak Investment Company advising on the negotiation strategy to maintain bidder interest The government is also focusing on resolving outstanding issues to facilitate the privatisation of PSM including obtaining necessary clearances and resolving litigation matters For NPPMCL, the Prime Minister has instructed the sharing and review of valuation data to streamline the divestment process with special emphasis on finalizing transaction structures under a government-togovernment (G2G) arrangement The privatisation efforts extend to the Heavy Electrical Complex (HEC) and the House Building Finance Corporation (HBFC) with deadlines set to resolve land-related matters and to pre-qualify investors respectively The Finance Division has been directed to expedite the issuance of audited financial accounts for the First Women Bank Ltd, stalled since 2019, to kickstart its marketing and privatisation PM pushes for handing over Discos to provinces to boost efficienc y g I t i s a r g u e d t h a t e q u a l i z i n g g a s p r i c e s a m o n g u r e a m a n u f a c t u r e r s w o u l d e n c o u r a g e i n v e s t m e n t i n p l a n t m o d e r n i z a t i o n a n d e x p a n s i o n PR OFIT S ta f f R e p o R t Pakistani expatriates sent $2 2 billion home in February 2024 an amount 6 2% less on a monthly basis than $2 4 billion remitted in January 2024 the latest data released by the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) on Friday shows However, when compared on a yearon-year basis, there is an increase of 13% from the remittances of $1 99 billion received during February 2023 The SBP data shows that the cumulative inflow of workers remittances was recorded at $18 1 billion during the first eight months (July-Feb) of the fiscal year 2024 Pakistani expatriates in Saudi Arabia led the remittances for February 2024, sending $539 8 million, despite an 8% monthly decrease However this figure represents a 19% increase from the $454 9 million remitted in February of the previous year Remittance flows from the United Arab Emirates (UAE) showed a 6% reduction from January’s $407 6 million to $384 7 million in February Nonetheless this amount shows a yearly growth of 19% from the $324 1 million recorded in the same month last year The United Kingdom contributed $346 million in remittances for the month, marking a 4 5% decrease from January 2024 s $362 2 million Remittances from the European Union also declined by 9% on a monthly basis but saw a 7% increase on a yearly basis, totaling $263 4 million in February 2024 From the United States, Pakistani expatriates remitted $287 4 million in February 2024 reflecting a significant year-on-year surge of 31% from $219 8 million in the same month of the previous year Workers’ remittances decline 6.2% MoM in February ISLAMABAD S ta f f R e p o R t The Competition Commission of Pakistan (CCP) has greenlit a merger within the Health Insurance and Health Takaful sector As per details, the sanctioned transaction involves EFU Life Assurance acquiring 100% shareholding of M/s EFU Health Insurance Limited EFU Life Assurance a publicly listed company specializes in life insurance, encompassing ordinary life business and pension fund business On the other hand, EFU Health Insurance Limited, an unlisted public limited company, primarily offers health insurance and health takaful cover in Pakistan The acquisition sees EFU Life Assurance taking over EFU Health from M/s EFU Services (Private) Limited and six other shareholders EFU Life will issue its own ordinary shares at a swap ratio to EFU Health’s current shareholders Following the Phase 1 Review the CCP concluded that the proposed transaction would not result in the acquirer gaining dominance in the relevant market post-transaction completion, leading to the authorization of the merger The approval of EFU Health’s acquisition by EFU Life signifies a significant milestone in Pakistan s health insurance and health takaful sector It underscores the ongoing c o n s o l i d a t i o n a n d s t r a t e g i c r e a l i g n m e n t w i t h i n t h e i n d u s t r y, p o t e n t i a l l y l e a d i n g t o e n h a n c e d s e r v i c e s a n d o ff e r i n g s f o r customers CCP approves 100% acquisition of EFU Health by EFU Life IMF offers suppor t in formulation of economic plan for Pakistan PR OFIT M o N i to R i N g D e S k The International Monetary Fund (IMF) on Friday offered its full support in formulating a new economic programme for Pakistan if the newly-elected coalition government seeks one “We look forward to engaging with the new government to complete the second review under the current stand-by arrangement and should the government request support the formulation of a new medium-term economic program local media reported quoting a spokesperson of the global lender as saying In response to a letter written by the jailed founder of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (IMF) Imran Khan, the IMF said that while it did not comment on domestic political developments it encouraged the fair and peaceful resolution of all electoral disputes given the importance of the institutional environment for economic stability and growth The IMF, as an international institution with a narrow mandate on economic issues, does not comment on domestic political developments ” Cnergyico to upgrade to Euro V with $1bn investment PR OFIT N e w S D e S k Cnergyico Limited, Pakistan’s largest oil refinery, reiterated its commitment to upgrade both refineries to Euro V standards with an investment of $1 billion According to a notice sent to the Pakistan Stock Exchange on Friday Cnergyico said that the Government of Pakistan has recently approved the amendments after consultation with all refineries in the earlier approved ‘Pakistan Oil Refining Policy for Upgradation of Existing/Brownfield Refineries 2023’ This policy will bring investment of approximately $5 to $6 billion in the refining sector which is reported in various news items published in newspapers in the last few days, read the notice Cnergyico already assured its commitment in its previous disclosures to upgrade its both refineries to manufacture Euro V standards compliant gasoline and diesel while concurrently reducing fuel oil production The anticipated investment by Cnergyico is set to exceed $1 billion it said However, precise cost estimates will be established after the Front-End Engineering Design (FEED) of the Upgrade Project SBP injects Rs7.63trn into market through OMOs PR OFIT N e w S D e S k The State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) liquidated the market with Rs7 63 trillion through reverse repo and Shariah compliance Modaraba-based open market operations (OMOs) on Friday According to details shared by the SBP the total amount offered and accepted in the reverse repo stands at Rs 7 51 trillion In reverse repo OMO Rs 7 262 trillion was offered and accepted for a 7-day tenor on a rate ranging from 22 11% and 22 05% A total of 27 quotes were offered and accepted in reverse repo OMO, indicating a higher demand for short-term liquidity g S h e h b a z S h a r i f d i r e c t s P r i v a t i s a t i o n C o m m i s s i o n t o a c c e l e r a t e p r o c e s s b y q u i c k l y h i r i n g F i n a n c i a l A d v i s o r s f o r l i s t e d S O E s g H u n d r e d p e r c e n t s h a r e h o l d i n g f r o m E F U S e r v i c e s t r a n s f e r r e d t o E F U L i f e
R e
g
MUZAFFARABAD S ta f f R e p o R t Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said on Friday that natural calamities were beyond human control and there was no option other than to bow oneself before God Almighty Talking to victims of heavy rains and snowfall in Azad Jammu and Kashmir during his visit to Muzaffarabad Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said eight people of Azad Kashmir were martyred in the natural calamity Today I have come here to express my condolences and regret and to pray forgiveness for the deceased and speedy recovery of the injured he said He said until the victims rehabilitation and their settlement in their homes, his government would not take rest The families of the deceased would be given Rs2 million each whereas every injured would get Rs5 lac The prime minister said that those whose houses were completely destroyed in the natural calamity would also be compensated with Rs7 lac each and those whose houses were partially destroyed will getx Rs3 lac Earlier Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif met the victims of heavy rains and snowfall in Azad Jammu and Kashmir and distributed relief checks to them Sharif said his government had formed teams to conduct a survey with NDMA Azad Kashmir All amounts will be delivered to the families of deceased injured or affectees by March 13 at their homes completion of the survey PM Shehbaz pledges rehabilitation of calamity-hit people Mar yam reaffirms suppor t to Bilawal for presidential election LAHORE S ta f f R e p o R t Pakistan People s Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari and Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz on Friday joined forces in Lahore to strategize for the upcoming presidential election scheduled for Saturday (tomorrow) The political heavyweights held a joint press conference where Maryam declared the support of her party Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) and the coalition government for Asif Ali Zardari Bilawal s father and PPP s nominated presidential candidate Maryam emphasized that the decision to back Zardari was unanimous within the party and the coalition government Earlier in the day Bilawal convened a meeting at the Governor House in Lahore bringing together members of PML-N PPP and other coalition partners The aim was to formulate a collective strategy for the crucial presidential election Chief Minister Maryam and PPP Chairman Bilawal discussed the election dynamics, addressing the number of voters involved in the process Congratulating Maryam on her assumption of office as the first woman Chief Minister of Punjab Bilawal commended her historic achievement He spoke about the significance of her role, stating, All women across Punjab are looking towards you they will see your success and feel that they can become a doctor or a chief minister ” Bilawal went on to acknowledge Maryam’s early initiatives in office particularly highlighting the Ramazan relief package announcement He viewed this as a positive step towards serving the impoverished and marginalised population in the province, emphasising the collective duty of all political leaders to uplift society
j e c t
Political analysts say PTI being pushed towards a critical junc ture
leaders and workers are in jails – and then you push that party to show political maturity and opt for
reconciliation This is beyond me said Hussain Protest is a fundamental democratic right of every Pakistani, Hussain said, adding that the PTI shouldn’t be denied this basic right He criticised the government’s response noting that when PTI supporters stage protests they are met with violence and repression This approach undermines any possibility of reconciliation, he added Ayaz Khan, likened PTI s predicament to a mistreated child denied the right to express grievances Khan stressed the necessity for peaceful protests for effective governance Khan suggested that if the government intends to effectively manage the country s economy and
Gunmen fire at T V anchor Iqrarul Hasan’s house in Lahore Defence
“And
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 01
affairs it must permit peaceful protests Senior analyst also concurred with Hussain, stating that he also doesn t see any change in Imran Khan s stance Khan raised question that if there is video evidence of the May 9 chaos then it is beyond understanding why a judicial commission is not being formed Echoing Hussain s sentiments Khan also questioned the government s reluctance to form a judicial commission to investigate the May 9 chaos, despite calls from PPP and JUI-F chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman Despite PTI candidates contesting the elections as independents on various election symbols voters still chose to support them It
ISLAMABAD S ta f f R e p o R t R AISING their voices over the many injustices, women across Pakistan participated in the Aurat March on Friday to mark International Women s Day The first Aurat March in Pakistan was held on March 8 2018 in Karachi The next year, it was extended to more cities, including Lahore, Multan, Faisalabad, Larkana, and Hyderabad This year ’s event was the seventh march since its inception This year too women from all segments of society marched for their rights in major cities across the country They held posters inscribed with Stop gender-based violence” and “Girls just wanna walk home safe” Some marchers also held banners in support of the people of Palestine while others called for an end to enforced disappearances In Karachi women mobilised at Frere Hall and marched to Teen Talwar However, the turnout this year seemed underwhelming There were relatively fewer people who were present and even fewer who were willing to be interviewed A h e a d o f t h e m a r c h s e v e r a l s e s s i o n s c o v e r i n g a m y r i a d o f s o c i a l issues were held At one such meeting transgender activist Shehzadi Rai expressed how certain individuals who claimed to be supportive of transgender people engaged in superficial acts S h e d e m a n d e d t h a t s u c h t r a n sfriendly” people had no choice but “to give us respect” now in line with the slogan of their session that read: izzat t o h d e n i p a r e g i ( Yo u h a v e t o g i v e respect) Meanwhile, women in Lahore gathered outside the press club and displayed public art pieces The demonstrators also recited poems written by Habib Jalib and other revolutionaries In Islamabad on the other hand Aurat March organisers claimed that the participants were pushed by the police and were stopped from marching towards D-Chowk 03 NEWS Sat rday 9 March 2024 | KARACHI AURAT MARCH: WOMEN TAKE TO STREETS IN CITIES ACROSS PAKISTAN PESHAWAR S ta f f R e p o R t Political analysts said that Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) finds itself cornered by the ruling coalition compelling the beleaguered party to consider protest as its only recourse Experts, Naveed Hussain, scrutinised the treatment of PTI both during and after the elections Hussain condemned the allocation of reserved seats rightfully earned by PTI to rival parties PML-N and PPP He criticised the mockery of democracy stating, I am surprised how the PPP, which claims to be a champion of democracy, has accepted seats they do not deserve ” “First the seats the PTI won in the general elections as per Form45 were taken away from them in Form-47 And now their reserved seats are also being usurped Hussain points out that there was a talk of “healing touch” after the elections and speculations were rife that Shehbaz Sharif might extend an olive branch to the PTI That regrettably didn t happen Their mandate has been stolen Their reserved seats have been taken away, and their
political
desired to
the
to power
Khan gives his insight In
satirical remark Khan mocked
privatising national
suggesting
listed
Amir
mocking
stance, attributing the May 9 chaos to PTI members Rana warned of increased political polarisation and stressed the need for peaceful protests Imran Khan also said in his latest statement that when the commandos catch me, won’t my people go to the cantonments ” Rana highlighted Additionally he alleged that individuals who breached GHQ ISI and Air Force offices were purportedly PTI workers as evident in videos Rana fears that polarization is also likely to increase within the political landscape, suggesting that it may become fixed over time He emphasised that while protest is a fundamental right for everyone if political parties resort to creating law and order disturbances in their protests, then problems will arise and it will be terrifying
means that the electorate
vote for
PTI and to bring it
”
a
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif ’s haste in
institutions
they be
for sale on OLX
Ilyas Rana, while
the speech of PTI leader, Asad Qaiser recited a Siraiki poetry Shakir tu aap sayana hain mera chehra parh halat na puch (Shakir you are intelligent don t ask about my condition read my face) Rana derided PTI’s
ISLAMABAD S ta f f R e p o R t President Arif Alvi on Friday was given a farewell guard of honour at Aiwan-e-Sadr on the completion of his constitutional term The president was escorted to the salute dais who after the national anthem reviewed the guard of honor presented by the smartly turned out contingents of the armed forces Alvi was elected as the country s 13th president following the election victory of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party led by then-Prime Minister Imran Khan and took the oath of office on Sept 9 2018 succeeding Mamnoon Hussain Alvi appeared to be proactive after the ouster of Khan through a notrust vote in April 2022, giving the Sharif government a tough time He took on the previous regime from the very first day, when he refused to administer the oath to Shehbaz Sharif The latest controversy he found himself in was legislation last year that according to him he did not sign and yet became law The legislation involving two bills – the Official Secrets Act Amendment Bill 2023 and the Pakistan Army Amendment Bill 2023 He remained vocal against the registration of a host of cases against the jailed former premier following his ouster Alvi close ally of Imran Khan ran for the seat of Provincial Assembly of Sindh as a candidate of PTI from constituency PS-114 (Karachi) in Pakistani general election, 1997, but remained unsuccessful He again ran for the provincial assembly seat in 2002 elections on PTI ticket from PS-90 (Karachi-II) but was unsuccessful and secured only 1 276 votes P re s i d e n t A r i f A l v i g i ve n f a rewe l l g u a rd o f h o n o u r at A i wa n - e - S a d r
LAHORE S ta f f R e p o R t TV anchor Iqrar ul Hasan and his family escaped unhurt after unidentified gunmen opened fire at his residence in the Defense area in the early hours of Friday According to witnesses the attackers fired multiple shots at Hasan s house and fled the scene The incident caused panic and fear among the residents of the neighborhood The police and other law enforcement agencies reached the spot and cordoned off the area They collected evidence including 9 mm pistol shells from the crime scene and started an investigation SP Cantt Owais Shafiq said that the police were examining the CCTV footage to identify and trace the culprits He assured that the police would provide security and protection to Hasan and his family This was not the first time that Hasan s house was targeted by armed assailants Hasan, who hosts a popular show on a private TV channel revealed that a similar attack had taken place a few days ago He said that he had lodged a complaint with the authorities and requested them to take action against the perpetrators Hasan is known for his investigative journalism and exposing social evils and corruption in his show He has also received several threats and warnings from various quarters for his bold and courageous reporting LAHORE: Former caretaker Minister Mushaal Mullick, Sabeen Malik and others are cutting a cake to mark International Women's Day Moody’s changes outlook to stable for banking sector CONTINUED FROM PAGE 01 The sector performed well in maintaining zero-cost deposits in the current interest rate environment ensuring that margins not only remained intact but also expanded Additionally with the suspension of the tax incentive for high Advances to Deposit Ratio (ADR) in 2023, the gross ADR decreased for most banks Consequently, asset allocation shifted further towards investments, particularly risk-free government securities, in response to the high-interest rate environment and macroeconomic obstacles The government s significant appetite for financing coupled with the financing available from the central bank meant that the increasing leverage to avail the high-yielding papers amid anticipation of a monetary easing cycle remained the theme of large asset base expansion for some players in the sector Although non-performing loans showed a slight improvement compared to last year the textiles segment experienced pressure as it remains one of the largest beneficiaries of bank lending in Pakistan DOWNSIDE RISK REMAIN A caveat presented by Moody s is the fact that credit demand for the private sector has been on the decline and all-time high interest rates mean that there will be little interest from the private sector to take any credit In such a situation the government will look to absorb much of the credit available in the economy Due to the increased dependence on the government the key risk identified is that the risk of banks is closely linked to the sovereign debt itself This also impacts the liquidity of the banks as more longer-term government instruments are being invested in One red flag that has been raised in Moody’s report is the fact that even though capital is adequate in terms of the systems being in place capital ratios are low considering the current environment The banks are maintaining the Tier 1 Capital ratios that are mandated on them, however, the rating company feels that additional cushion should be in place The rationale behind it is that sovereign risk is not currently factored into the capital adequacy calculations However in the event of domestic debt restructuring this could have significant implications for the sector s asset base potentially rendering capital buffers insufficient As per the rating agency s analysis, 51% of the assets of the banking sector are government securities and come to around nine times the equity of the banks This means that even an 11% fall in any government security can wipe out all the equity of the banking sector This is the highest level for any banking sector in any country that Moody s covers In the words of the report, our highstress scenario projects a severe impact from material losses on government securities that would render the banking sector insolvent ”
the reserved seats that the PTI deserves, it is their right and they should get it; they should not be deprived of it ” he added Hussain further demanded that all missing persons across the country should be recovered On the other hand Senate Deputy Chairman Mirza Muhammad Afridi has issued directives for the issuance of production orders for the incarcerated PTI leader Ejaz Chaudhry Speaking in the Senate PTI s Ali Zafar noted that the presidential election was due tomorrow (Saturday) and that it was Chaudhry s right to cast a vote Zafar said that the jailed PTI leader had been behind bars for months in cases pertaining to the May 9 riots that followed ex-premier Imran Khan s arrest Inclusion of Ejaz Chaudhry in the Senate session is necessary Zafar said adding that it would be shameful if the Upper House could not summon a senator for the presidential election “Why should we seek help from the courts for this?” he asked S t a t i n g t h a t C h a u d h r y w a s i l l a n d f a c i n g l i v e r p r o b l e m s t h e P T I s e n a t o r d e m a n d e d t h a t a m e d i c a l b o a r d b e f o r m e d a n d t h e j a i l e d p o l i t i c i a n s c h e c ku p b e c o n d u c t e d a t t h e P a k i s t a n I n s i t u t e o f M e d i c a l S c i e n c e s S u b s e q u e n t l y, A f r i d i o r d e r e d t h e i s s u a n c e o f t h e p r o d u c t i o n o r d e r n o t i n g “ I t i s E j a z C h a u d h r y s r i g h t t h a t h e c a s t a v o t e i n t h e p r e s i d e n t i a l e l e c t i o n s DAR CALLS FOR NATIONAL RECONCILIATION Meanwhile, PML-N leader Ishaq Dar expressed dismay at the ruckus witnessed in the National Assembly in recent days and urged political parties to work towards reconciliation What we have witnessed in the last few weeks this should be handled, he said A symbolic protest is fine but by doing it all the time, the message being sent to the world is not good “You have seen what happened in the National Assembly but this house has its sanctity symbolism [and] position which warrants that even if we have to protest we have to do so within the parliamentary limits, with thoughtfulness and consideration,” the PML-N leader said Stating he was a “big believer of reconciliation” Dar recalled incumbent Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif s call for national reconciliation and stressed that political parties should not have any personal enmity amongst each other We are working for the system [and] for Pakistan and with that spirit, if there is something against our national interest then we should definitely stop each other Charter of Democracy and Charter of Economy are the need of time the PMLN stalwart asserted ‘Healing Touch’: Mushahid calls for Imran’s release, allocation of reser ved seats to SIC Gov t committed to steer countr y out of economic crisis: PM CONTINUED FROM PAGE 01 He said even the salaries of the federal employees were being paid with the borrowed money Therefore he said this was the right time to take tough and important decisions to resolve all the key challenges, the country was facing As regards the losses of SOEs, the prime minister informed that the SOEs were incurring losses of hundreds of billions rupees as the loss of only Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) was around Rs 825 billion Similarly he said the country lost Rs 500 billion every year to power theft Talking about the losses and damages occurred due to recent rains, snowfalls and land sliding in AJ&K, the prime minister expressed his grief and sorrow over the loss of eight precious lives and prayed for the grant of eternal peace to the departed soul and early recovery of those injured in the incidents He said that the government of Pakistan always stood with its Kashmiri brothers and sisters in the hour of need On the occasion, he also distributed cheques among the affected people He said Rs 2 million each would be distributed among the families of the deceased and Rs 500 000 each to those injured in the recent incidents Similarly Rs 700 000 each would be given to those whom houses were completely damaged while Rs 350,000 would given to those whom houses were partly damaged He directed the Prime Minister AJ&K to complete the survey as soon as possible so that the funds be distributed by March 13 On the request of the AJ&K prime minister PM Shehbaz also announced to keep a helicopter of NDMA available for the region in case of emergencies to immediately reach out to the affected people in the hilly areas Japan awards MEXT research scholarships to Pakistani students ISLAMABAD: The Government of Japan has awarded prestigious MEXT (Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology of Japan) Research Scholarships for Masters/Doctorate degrees to eleven (11) Pakistani students for academic year 2024-25 aiming to provide them with an opportunity to pursue advanced studies and research in various disciplines at the prominent universities of Japan MEXT research scholarship is the flagship scholarship program of the Government of Japan, operating world over including Pakistan The scholarship is fully funded by the Japanese government for a Master ’s or PhD degree On Friday March 8th the Embassy of Japan organized a pre-departure orientation for the scholarship grantees S ta f f R e p o R t
Wi t h t h e f a l l i n i n f l a t i o n , w i l l t h e I M F l e t i n t e r e s t r a t e s b e c u t ?
IDedicated to the legac y of late Hameed Nizami Arif Nizami (Late) Founding Editor
M A Niazi Editor Pakistan Today Babar Nizami Editor Profit
I n v e s t i n w o m e n : A c c e l e r a t e p r o g r e s s
Dr Zafar Khan SafDar
MA R C H 8 is designated as International Women s Day each year to honour and commemorate the contributions made by women International Women’s Day originated from the 1908 labour movement in New York led by the Socialist Party of America where
real earnings have declined in the last decade Majority of our poor women also lack basic human physical and productive assets and have limited or no access to essential social services The severe economic pressure on families is also a constraint in improving their health and sending their children to school Unless these women are empowered through education and skill development the country won’t be able to remove gender inequality In the World Bank Policy Research Report it is unambiguously suggested that women empowerment is being progressively recognized as an important policy goal for improving not just the well-being of women themselves but also for its positive impact on the family Due to recent concern and emphasis on removing gender inequality and improving women empowerment as a Sustainable Developmental Goal many efforts have been initiated by the Government and other organizations in Pakistan According to UNDP s Human Development Report, the Gender Equality Measure (GEM) for South Asia shows the lowest value (0 235) among all the regions of the world Furthermore according to the Gender Development Index (GDI) Pakistan has been noted to be the poorest (0 179) among South Asian Countries where the average index is 0 226 (MHHDC, 2005) According to the UNDP report for 2021, the HDI for Pakistan is 0 551, which ranks Pakistan on 150th out of 189 countries Women are the largest untapped reservoir of talent in the world How can we bring them into the mainstream and empower the poor women of Pakistan in particular? This question is asked in different ways, sometimes focusing on making adjustments to existing systems, sometimes by considering whether to introduce particular programmes or policies Women’s empowerment is heavily dependent on many different variables that include geographical location educational status social status and age Policies on women s empowerment exist at the national
provincial and local levels in many sectors including health education economic opportunities genderbased violence and political participation However there are significant gaps between policy advancements and actual practice at the community level One key factor for the gap in implementation of laws and policies to address discrimination, economic disadvantages and violence against women at the community level is the largely patriarchal structure that governs the community and households in much of Pakistan As such women and girls have restricted mobility, access to education, access to health facilities, and lower decision-making power, and experience higher rates of violence Gender is a socio-cultural variable affecting both genders and their status relative to each other Gender equality refers to a stage in human development where individuals rights responsibilities and opportunities are not determined by their gender allowing both genders to reach their full potential It should be remembered that, even with a 39 percent poverty rate, Pakistan’s social protection system has a narrow scope and poorly targeted safety net programmes According to a recent assessment by the South Asian Research Foundation (SARF) these programmes serve between 10 and 15 percent of the population, have weak institutional frameworks, and have little capability for implementation, monitoring, and assessment It will take a large investment to effectively reach impoverished women in order to overcome these obstacles Adopting a national targeting strategy and implementing skill training demand-based trades and market research are important steps towards economic rehabilitation For these women, this will mean better fundamental health and financial stability
We should concentrate on teaching impoverished women in Pakistan’s rural and urban areas contemporary skills trades and marketing possibilities Along with enhancing the financial activities of impoverished women this will also investigate markets for the skilled but vulnerable and enhance capacity building Elevating women s status is the most powerful growth instrument available Allow them to have a positive impact on Pakistan’s future; when you help a woman reach her full potential amazing things happen
The writer is Ph D in Political Science and visiting faculty at QAU Islamabad His area of specialization is political development and social change He can be reached at zafarkhansafdar@yahoo com and tweet@zafarkhansafdar
We s h o u l d c o n c e n t r a t e o n t e a c h i n g i m p ov e r i s h e d wo m e n i n Pa k i s t a n Ês r u r a l a n d u r b a n a r e a s c o n t e m p o r a r y s k i l l s , t r a d e s , a n d m a r k e t i n g p o s s i b i l i t i e s . A l o n g w i t h e n h a n c i n g t h e f i n a n c i a l a c t i v i t i e s o f i m p ov e r i s h e d wo m e n , t h i s w i l l a l s o i nv e s t i g a t e m a r k e t s fo r t h e s k i l l e d bu t v u l n e r a b l e a n d e n h a n c e c a p a c i t y bu i l d i n g E l eva t i n g wo m e n Ês s t a t u s i s t h e m o s t p ow e r f u l g row t h i n s t r u m e n t ava i l a b l e
W o m e n n e e d e m p o w e r m e n t
M a rc h 8 wa s I nte r n at i o n a l Wo m e n’s D ay
hinder women s progress Equal pay, access to healthcare, and protection against discrimination are crucial components of this effort Cultural norms and stereotypes that steers gender inequality must be challenged and transformed to create a more inclusive and equitable society
powered women become agents of change, influencing their communities positively and inspiring future generations
However achieving women’s empowerment requires all stakeholder effort Governments businesses and communities must work together to break down systemic barriers that
Empowering women is not just a moral imperative; it is a strategic need in the betterment of society as a whole A society that values and supports the empowerment of women is more just As we strive for progress in the 21st century it is essential to recognize that true societal advancement is intrinsically linked to the empowerment of half of its population: women Only by ensuring that women have equal opportunities and rights can we build a more prosperous, healthy, and harmonious world for current and future generations
Women are not just a moral compass; they are a strategic need in the betterment of society as a whole A society that values and supports the empowerment of women is more civilized As we strive for progress in the 21st century, it is essential to recognize that true societal advancement is intrinsically linked to the empowerment of half of its population– women Only by ensuring that women have equal opportunities and rights can we build a more prosperous healthy and harmonious world for current and future generations
The writer can be reached at mujeebalisamo110@gmail com
Women are not just a moral compass; they are a strategic need in the betterment of society as a whole A society that values and suppor ts the empowerment of women is more civilized As we strive for progress in the 21st century, it is essential to recognize that true societal advancement is intrinsically linked to the empowerment of half of its population– women
Fight for power
E F F O RT S to get the ministry ‘of choice’ will mark the begin- ning of the coalition government This naturally will be irrespective of differences in political ideology manifesto and pre-election rivalries We have all heard of the idiom birds of
Warm winters
Textbooks
04 Saturday 9 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 W i l l i n t e r e s t r a t e s g o d o w n ?
N T E R E S T rates were pushed by the State Bank of Pakistan to a punitive 22 percent by last July to tame inflation which peaked at 37 97 percent in last May easing to 28 3 percent by this January The February figure has come in at 23 1 percent, as measured by the year on year increase in the Consumer Price Index There was already some market anticipation of a rate cut and the SBP has given these rumours a time frame by announcing that its Monetary Policy Committee, which determines the discount rate determining all other rates, would meet on March 18 April 29 and June 10 the latter two meetings being times for before and after the Budget thus covering the rest of the fiscal year The Shehbaz government is the beneficiary of this slowdown in inflation though it cannot really claim any credit However perhaps because the Finance Ministry in its February update and economic outlook report, had predicted a decline in inflation, the market had begun anticipating a rate cut probably with the new government whoever formed it pressing for a cut However one of the factors preventing a cut is the failure of the inflation rate to come in below the interest rate One of the factors leading to the interest being maintained is that the IMF has recommended that the interest rate only be cut when the inflation rate falls below it It could be argued that that has happened, and only a literalist interpretation of the condition requires the 1 1 percent difference be considered a violation It is still not entirely certain that inflation is going down due to the high interest rate There is also the factor of political stability which has presumably arrived after the elections and the formation of the Shehbaz government The inflation rate, at 23 1 percent, is still stifling At the same time, the interest rate is a dampener on the economy Growth is required to keep the wheels of commerce moving, and that cannot be achieved at present interest rates If the decline in inflation continues, a rate cut will become unavoidable, even according to the IMF benchmark at the May MPC meeting Much will depend on the March inflation reading If it declines by anything like in February, a steep and immediate cut becomes necessary to avoid stifling growth By the meeting the MPC should have an idea of where inflation is going for the moth, and should decide accordingly
a feather flock together but when birds of different feather plum- age and habitat flock together it is either for feeding on a dead horse, or trying to prey each other whenever and wherever somebody turns weak KHAYYAM DURRANI KARACHI
PA K I S TA N is seriously and severely affected by the climate change phenomenon There was almost zero snowfall in the upper regions in the early part of the current winter The warm winter season is a cause of serious concern for multiple reasons The menace of climate change cannot be managed without global commitment and cooperation As things stand, the so-called global reparation fund to help the poor countries appears to be a distant dream, and the funds locally allocated for flood control mechanism are yet to be materialised in flash zones like Gilgit-Baltistan ASGHAR ALI SHAMOON GILGIT
T H E absence of textbooks has affected the learning environment and educational prospects of students in Balochistan Students are unable to study and learn appropriately while teachers are unable to complete the syllabus on time Unfortunately, in some schools, incomplete textbooks were delivered The lack of textbooks in Balochistan’s government schools is a critical problem that needs to be addressed rather immediately It is crucial to ensure that all students have access to high-quality educational material that can assist them in their learning and academic development MERAJ HAYAT MEERABAD Gov t agenda W I T H O U T curtailing corruption, tightening the noose around inflation, stopping currency speculation, bringing down the official discount rate, decreasing the utility charges to a bearable level maintaining law and order in every city and providing peace of mind to the beleaguered citizens of the country the masses may not be satisfied and will not care whoever governs and rules the country These measures must be taken by the incumbent government to satisfy the common man of Pakistan MUMRAIZ KHAN KARACHI Behind the camera T H E latest British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA) awards ceremony was held in London recently where several new categories were introduced to appreciate all the technicians and professionals associated with the final production However it is heart-wrenching to see in Pakistan no one appreciates the team working behind the camera This practice should come to an end, and those working behind the camera should be respected for the dedication and hard work they put in HAJRA RAUF 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 W O M E N wield significant power and influence in every aspect of society making their presence impossible to overlook From the boardroom to the classroom, from politics to the arts, women shape and drive progress Their contributions are very important for building nations Their compassion and leadership are indispensable Ignoring the role of women means disregarding half of the population s potential and insights Recognizing and empowering women is not just a matter of equality; it is a necessity for a truly formidable and thriving society In every realm, women’s voices, perspectives, and capabilities are essential for progress and prosperity Civilized nations empower their women because they know that they can equally contribute for the people They consider their women as a valuable human resource Empowering women is for a greater goal and to meet the day-to-day challenges In the pursuit of building a more equitable and progressive society the empowerment of women stands as a paddle of enlightenment Empowering women goes beyond mere rhetoric; it is a commitment that involves dismantling barriers, and providing opportunities for women to thrive in various spheres A society that actively empowers women reaps the benefits of enhanced social economic and cultural vibrancy Empowering women is pivotal for economic development Women constitute a significant portion of the global workforce and their contribution is essential for a thriving economy When provided equal opportunities in employment, education, and entrepreneurship, women can unleash their full potential and economic growth Gender diversity in the workforce not only enhances productivity but also brings diverse perspectives It is crucial for today s interconnected world Women lead to improved health outcomes for entire communities When women have access to education and healthcare, the overall well-being of families and societies is uplifted Educated women tend to make informed health choices resulting in healthier lifestyles for themselves and their families Beyond the economic and health dimensions women s empowerment plays a pivotal role in shaping the cultural fabric of society When women are given the space to express their voices, ideas, and creativity, it enriches the culture Art, literature and various forms of expression flourish when diverse perspectives are embraced When women to participate in cultural and artistic endeavours societies gain a deeper and more nuanced understanding of the human experience Empowering women is essential for building strong communities Women often serve as catalysts for positive social change When women are involved in decision-making processes at various levels they bring about more comprehensive solutions to societal challenges Tangible policies that consider the needs and experiences of women contribute to a more just and harmonious society Education stands as a paddle of women’s empowerment Providing quality education for girls and women societies invest in their future prosperity Education not only equips women with the skills and knowledge needed for personal and professional growth but also fosters critical thinking and leadership qualities Em-
Mujeeb ali SaMo
women garment workers demanded better pay shorter working hours and voting rights In 1975 the UN declared this day to be International Women s Day Invest in women: Accelerate progress is the theme for International Women s Day-2024 The UN is focusing on the issue of gender inequality in the digital space highlighting the gender gap in leadership positions and unpaid domestic labour A UN report states that if this norm is not reversed, over 340 million women and girls will live in extreme poverty by 2030 UN Women also highlighted that women make up only 22 percent of artificial intelligence workers worldwide, with 44 2 percent of AI systems showing gender bias Poverty continues despite economic goals to decrease it because infrastructure spending is prioritised over spending on health and education According to a poverty survey, 75 million out of 245 million Pakistanis, or one in three people, live below the poverty line Low productivity and earnings are perpetuated by lower per capita incomes because they make it harder for the poor to save and invest Fast population expansion likewise drains the rise in real per capita income making it unable to escape the cycle of underdevelopment Being 49 percent of the population, women bear a disproportionate share of the burden of poverty, with the majority of them being malnourished
neglected In
experienced
income earning opportunities
between for the poor women of both rural and urban areas Few of them have learnt vocational skills and often seek additional income by making and selling local handicrafts, but lack proper linkages to market these products Employment opportunities are scarce
and
the past few years it has been
that
are few and far
and
International
March 8 was
Woman’s Day
Iand resort to spreading false narratives against China, she said, adding that it appears that his motive behind the smear campaign was to divert attention from his fraudulent activities and avoid accountability in the ongoing legal proceedings
She said the situation highlights challenges of navigating legal disputes involving substantial sums of money and the complexities of international activism intertwined with personal financial obligations As the saga unfolds, she said observers anticipate further developments in the legal and public relations arenas as Ma Ju s actions continue to garner attention and scrutiny both domestically and abroad
On the other hand, supporters of the businessmen argue that they should be afforded the same rights as any other asylum seeker and that their claims of persecution should be taken seriously They point to instances of discrimination and bias within the legal system as evidence of the businessmen s need for protection Meanwhile, authorities in the businessmen’s home country are working to extradite them back to face trial Legal proceedings are underway to secure their return and hold them accountable for their actions However the process is complicated by international laws and treaties governing extradition, as well as the varying asylum policies of different countries
The case has reignited debates over corporate accountability the role of minority
status in legal proceedings and the balance between justice and asylum rights As the businessmen continue to fight for asylum in foreign lands, the outcome of their cases will have far-reaching implications for both the business community and the global refugee system
Amidst the influx of businessmen accused of fraudulent activities seeking asylum in foreign countries, there s a growing demand for host nations to reject their claims and take legal action to deport them
Critics argue that these individuals are exploiting the asylum system by falsely alleging persecution based on their minority status in their home countries urging advanced nations not to provide legal cover to such individuals and to prevent their exploitation for malicious purposes against their countries of origin
In response to this trend there’s a growing call for host countries to scrutinize asylum claims more rigorously and to prioritize the interests of justice over providing sanctuary to individuals accused of financial misconduct
Moreover, there are concerns that allowing alleged fraudulent businessmen to remain in host countries could potentially enable them to engage in further illicit activities or even use their newfound legal status to launch malicious campaigns against their countries of origin
As such, advanced nations are urged to review asylum applications thoroughly ver-
g l i g h t o n t h e c a s e , s h e s a i d t h a t t h e d i s p u t e r evo l v e s a ro u n d a s t agg e r i n g d e b t o f R M B 9 0 m i l l i o n i n a n e q u i t y t r a n s fe r d i s ag r e e m e n t b e t w e e n A n
Wu j u n a n d Ya o j i e E n e rg y G ro u p Ês T i a n z h u C o a l I n d u s t r y
C o m p a ny L i m i t e d F o l l ow i n g t h e s e c o n d r u l i n g o f t h e
G a n s u P rov i n c i a l H i g h e r Pe o p l e Ês C o u r t , s h e s a i d M a Ju h a s b e e n o rd e r e d t o s e t t l e t h e o u t s t a n d i n g d e b t
Biden’s par tisan state of disunion
Sify the authenticity of claims of persecution and take appropriate legal measures to deport individuals found to be exploiting the system
Furthermore international cooperation and coordination are essential in addressing this issue effectively Countries must work together to prevent the misuse of asylum laws and ensure that individuals accused of serious crimes are not granted refuge under false pretenses Islamic leaders worldwide have spoken out against businessmen accused of fraudulent activities in their home countries who are seeking asylum abroad under false pretenses These individuals, alleged to have engaged in financial misconduct are accused of tarnishing the reputation of their communities and exploiting the asylum system by falsely claiming persecution based on their minority status Islamic scholars and leaders emphasize the importance of ethical conduct and accountability in business, calling for justice to prevail and condemning the misuse of asylum for personal gain
According to Islamic principles honesty integrity and accountability are paramount in business dealings The Quran and teachings of the Prophet Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him) emphasize the importance of
fair and ethical conduct in all aspects of life, including commerce Leaders within the Islamic community stress that those who engage in fraudulent activities not only violate the principles of Islam but also betray the trust of their fellow citizens and undermine the socio-economic fabric of their societies
In response to these developments, Islamic leaders are calling for justice to prev a i l a n d f o r t h e p e r p e t r a t o r s o f f i n a n c i a l m i s c o n d u c t t o b e h e l d a c c o u n t a b l e f o r their actions
Furthermore, legal bodies, experts, and policymakers from around the world are rallying behind calls for legislative action to combat the abuse of the asylum system by businessmen accused of fraudulent activities in their home countries
These individuals facing allegations of financial misconduct, embezzlement, and other white-collar crimes, have sought asylum in foreign nations under false pretenses, claiming persecution based on their minority status Their actions have raised concerns about the integrity of the asylum system and the need for stronger regulations to prevent its exploitation for personal gain
The writer can be contacted at rehan ghauri@hotmail com
TIn this excerpt, the author asks if the government has taken the ED’s help to destabilise the Opposition
Saturday 9 March 2024 COMMENT 05
TAT E of the Union speeches are eminently forgettable, but President Biden s address on Thursday was memorable for all the wrong reasons His address was one long, divisive pep rally for Democrats, goading Republicans throughout the speech and targeting multiple and various villains for partisan attacks It really was extraordinary Most such speeches make at least an attempt at reaching across the aisle if only as a gesture This one had none not even on the issue of aid to Ukraine where he most needs Republican support He made a good if incomplete argument for supporting Ukraine, and we agree with its substance But he made the dreadful political mistake of comparing Russia’s threat to democracy with the threat to democracy at home There is no comparison between Vladimir Putin s invasion and partisan even raucous debates in the U S and many supporters of Ukraine will resent the linkage We regret to say it, but this speech may have made it harder for GOP Members of Congress to resist Donald Trump and vote to send weapons to Ukraine Was the short-term partisan adrenaline rush worth that risk? Given the foreign threats to democracy Mr Biden could have made a bipartisan pitch to increase defense spending Even Jimmy Carter made that pivot in the final year of his Presidency when the Soviets were on the march But Mr Biden wants to spend and spend on everything else instead This could turn out to be a historic miscalculation as the threats from Iran, Russia and China mount The speech was downhill from there, with a list of partisan campaign themes that hewed hard to the left while framing opposition as ill-intended and out to hurt the country He demeaned the Supreme Court on abortion suggesting its decision overturning Roe v Wade was partisan and political The truth is that the Dobbs decision, as correct as it was under the Constitution, has been a political boon to Democrats But he still trashed the Court, and the Justices in attendance a few rows in front of him had to sit stoically and take it His political enemies list was long and far more than Mr Trump There were the 1 000 billionaires who don t pay enough taxes the drug companies that care nothing for patients the credit-card companies that want to gouge consumers the big landlords who break antitrust laws by price-fixing and drive up rents, and more He even hauled out the carcass of the National Rifle Association for a drubbing He sneered at Republicans who voted against his spending bills but whose states now are receiving some of the federal largesse: “If any you don’t want that money in your district just let me know ” On the border-security bill and fentanyl it was a schoolyard taunt: You don t want to do that huh? He said Republicans want to cut Social Security in order to cut taxes for the rich But Republicans have expressly refused to get anywhere close to reforming entitlements in this Congress, despite the urgent need to fix programs that will soon be bankrupt Israel also came in for a lecture about morality and civilians, a more forceful reproof than he gave Hamas This was an attempt to pacify his party s anti-Israel left in Dearborn Mich and elsewhere But it may have consequences on the ground in the Middle East where adversaries will wonder about the U S commitment to our best ally in the region *** There is much in the speech to critique on policy, and to correct on the potted history of his Presidency but policy wasn’t his point on Thursday This was a campaign rally disguised as a State of the Union as Democrats chanted four more years No doubt it was an attempt to rally Democrats who fret that he s been too passive, or to show voters who worry about his age that he can sound tough Thus the near-shouting delivery But we wonder how effective it will be as a campaign message There was nothing here for Nikki Haley voters or Republicans who don’t want a second Trump term and might consider voting for Mr Biden In its divisiveness it could have the effect of encouraging the No Labels movement to go ahead with a third-party candidacy Every bit as much as Donald Trump the Joe Biden in the well of the House on Thursday promised four more years of dispiriting rancor
N a series of cases a number of businessmen implicated in fraudulent activities in their home country have fled to other nations seeking asylum According to sources close to the investigations, they are accused of financial misconduct embezzlement and other whitecollar crimes On the contrary they allege that they are being unfairly targeted by authorities in their home country due to their minority status, terming the legal system biased as they are being persecuted for their ethnicity or religious beliefs Seeking refuge in countries known for their lenient extradition laws these businessmen are attempting to avoid facing charges and potential prosecution in their home country They hope to find protection from extradition and secure a safe haven where they can continue their business activities unhindered The situation has raised concerns among legal experts and government officials about the abuse of asylum laws for personal gain However asylum is intended to protect individuals fleeing persecution and violence, but it is being exploited by those seeking to evade justice for their alleged crimes Referring to a particular case, an American legal expert expressing anonymity pointed out that Ma Ju a Chinese so-called rights activist based in New York has recently embarked on a smear campaign against China on social media platforms His actions come in the wake of a significant debt dispute, shedding light on the complexities surrounding equity transfer and legal obligations she added Further shedding light on the case she said that the dispute revolves around a staggering debt of RMB 90 million in an equity transfer disagreement between An Wujun and Yaojie Energy Group’s Tianzhu Coal Industry Company Limited Following the second ruling of the Gansu Provincial Higher People s Court she said Ma Ju has been ordered to settle the outstanding debt However Ma Ju s response has been evasive, as he continues to evade payment
H E year 2022 saw the BJP consolidate its power when it won the UP state election for a second term Uttar Pradesh sends eighty MPs to Parliament The state with the second-largest contingent of MPs 48 is Maharashtra That is why besides the UP mandate the other significant political development of 2022 was the collapse of the three-party alliance government that ruled Maharashtra This happened due to large-scale defections in the Shiv Sena when a chunk of legislators created their own group and would migrate and come to power in the state in alliance with the BJP Later in 2023 we would see a split in the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) founded by veteran politician and former CM of Maharashtra, Sharad Pawar Two significant state parties in Maharashtra are currently split with a faction moving to the BJP while the other remains with the original party I believe we can see the enforcement effect in the two most important political events of 2022 involving these two most populous states of India First, in the face of a fightback by the SP in UP, which upped its vote share to 32 per cent, the BJP still won the state poll comfortably with a 10 per cent lead in vote share Yet we must note that simultaneously there was a party whose vote share crashed from 22 per cent in the last election in 2017 to just 12 per cent in 2022 and much of that vote went to the BJP The party in question is the BSP As mentioned earlier, the Mayawati-led party has been rendered dysfunctional and it is said that the leadership is afraid of corruption cases being activated and the leader landing up in jail On the result day itself again seated in a TV studio as the mandate of the UP election was announced on March 10 2022 I would write a quick analysis noting the shrinking of the BSP and how it benefitted the BJP The BSP got one seat in the state assembly of 403 In a more detailed column some weeks later I would analyse the decline of Mayawati and the BSP She had created a template of a transferable vote bank but barely campaigned in the state poll No groundwork no mobilisation through rallies, just some tweeting followed by ticket distribution Even her signalling indicated greater comfort with the BJP than with an expanding SP There is speculation about whether she did so deliberately: She understands transactional politics right from ticket distribution to government formation Currently many of her voters are simply striking a better bargain with the BJP Of course, there were other factors at work in the BJP s win in the state poll, such as the huge ration delivery, social and caste outreach across all sections of society and the popularity of both the PM and the CM But the diversion of traditional BSP votes to the BJP was a significant element in what unfolded The Maharashtra 2022-23 endgame is arguably as significant as UP because Mumbai is the financial capital of India, and money, as we have seen, is directly linked to politics All circumstantial evidence and statements of leaders around Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray and NCP founder Pawar suggest that the ED played a starring role in the collapse of the coalition government Although the BJP first gave the CM s post to the breakaway leader of the Shiv Sena Eknath Shinde the national party is in the driver s seat in the state not because of the spread of its own vote share but due to its capacity to split other parties There was actually a stunning sequence of events that preceded the collapse of the Maharashtra government led by the former CM Uddhav Thackeray that had been supported by the NCP and the Congress in the state Sanjay Raut Shiv Sena MP close to the now-ousted Uddhav Thackeray had on February 8 2022 released a letter he had written to the Rajya Sabha chairman saying lawmakers of the party including him were being threatened with ED action if they did not topple the Maharashtra state government By June 2022 the government had indeed been toppled properties owned by Sanjay Raut and his wife were seized and they were facing an ED inquiry while Raut himself was arrested on July 31 He would spend 100 days in jail before securing bail One does not know the scale of the evidence against Sanjay Raut, but according to data submitted by the government itself in the 17 years of the existence of the PMLA the ED has secured 23 convictions of the 54 422 cases which is 0 004 per cent Meanwhile some of the Shiv Sena members that shifted across to the breakaway faction led by Eknath Shinde – made CM of Maharashtra on July 7, 2022 in alliance with the BJP – did indeed have ED inquiries It would be interesting to see how such investigations will be pursued in comparison to those against opposing parties still ruling other states In Maharashtra more such splits and defections would follow a year later when in early July 2023 the nephew of Sharad Pawar and a politician in his own right, Ajit Pawar, joined the state government with a large chunk of Members of the Legislative Assembly (MLAs) Again many of the individuals who left the NCP faced income tax and ED inquiries and the pincer of their properties being seized Ajit Pawar is currently the deputy CM of Maharashtra When he had not joined the front created by the BJP, the party would fiercely campaign against him for what is referred to as the “irrigation scam” There are currently multiple legal cases that challenge the splits in both the Shiv Sena and the NCP and more twists could emerge from court rulings Besides the Shiv Sena and the NCP two parties that have been put through the ED wringer are the Trinamool Congress (TMC) which is in power in West Bengal and defeated the BJP in a pitched election in 2021 and the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) which is in power in Delhi and had on two occasions, in 2015 and 2020, trounced the BJP very thoroughly in the city-state in elections into which the national party threw its all From 2015 onwards various intimidation tactics were used against the AAP after the party won a historic mandate of 67 of Delhi s seventy seats just six months after Modi won the national mandate As the BJP had won all of the seven parliamentary seats in the national capital, there was a clear division of choice made explicitly by many Delhi voters between the AAP for the city-state and the BJP for the national vote The first term of the AAP was known for a constant stand-off between it and central government appointees AAP founder-leader and Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal faced multiple defamation cases and by mid-2016, eleven of AAP’s 67 MLAs were in custody However, the cases against them would eventually not hold up in court The AAP would win a second term in Delhi getting 62 of the 70 seats a marginal decline The 2020 battle was pitched and communalised and took place in the midst of the protests at various sites in the national capital against the CAA While the BJP tried to frame it as a Hindu-Muslim election the AAP kept the focus on its governance record That the city was on edge however became clear just weeks after the election result was declared on February 8 2020 On February 23 Hindu-Muslim riots broke out in the northeastern part of the city, claiming 53 lives and large-scale destruction of property in the most densely populated part of the metropolis The trigger for the riots was the seething resentment by some BJP members and supporters against the anti-CAA protests After winning a second term in Delhi the AAP also became more focused on its national ambitions, and in 2022, came into power in Punjab Just months after that verdict, one of the most high-profile ministers of the Kejriwal-led regime, Satyendar Jain was put under the ED scanner and arrested on 31 May After a year spent in jail he got interim bail which has currently been extended on medical grounds There have however been some revealing twists in his case The saffron storm: From Vajpayee to Modi Th e D e m o c rat i c p e p ra l l y h a d n o t a s i n g l e b i p a r t i s a n g ra ce n o te rEhaN KhaN SCR OLL S a B a N aq v i WALL STREET JOURNAL E d i to r a l B oa r d F u g i t i v e b u s i n e s s m e n e x p l o i t a s y l u m l a w s t o e v a d e j u s t i c e , c o n t i n u e o p e r a t i o n s a b r o a d F u r t h e r s
dd i n
h e
‘
FOR Muslims worldwide Ramazan is a time of prayer reflection and joyful evening meals but all Gazans wish for this year is an end to five months of war and suffering
It is a hope shared widely across the Islamic world where the thoughts of many are with Gaza ahead of the fasting month which starts with the sighting of the crescent moon on Sunday or Monday
Amid the ruins of southern Gaza Nevin al-Siksek sat recently outside her makeshift tent distracting her young daughter from the carnage around them with a plastic Ramazan lantern
The colourful fanous lanterns are an iconic symbol of Ramazan the ninth month of the Islamic calendar marked by dawn-todusk fasting and in better times festive evening iftar meals with family and friends Across Gaza this year, the lights are among the few signs signalling the coming
holy month, amid dire warnings of mass starvation
While international mediators were hoping for a truce in time for Ramazan, no breakthrough had come by Friday
Much of the territory of 2 4 million people has become a hellscape of bombed-out neighbourhoods emaciated children and mass graves dug in the sand Siksek and her family, instead of tucking into lamb and sweets at the home they had to flee in northern Gaza will break their fast in the bare-bones tent they share with other displaced civilians
If they can find anything to eat that is
We do not have any food to prepare, Siksek said as her husband, Mohammed Yasser Rayhan, nodded in agreement
In the past during Ramazan, which commemorates the beginning of the Quranic revelation to the Prophet Mohammed (PBUH) in the seventh century there was life joy spirit decorations and a beautiful atmosphere , Rayhan said Now Ramazan is coming and we have war, oppression and famine ”
The Gaza war erupted after Hamas staged an unprecedented attack on southern Israel that resulted in the deaths of around 1 160 people mostly civilians according to
an AFP tally based on official Israeli figures
Israel s retaliatory military campaign has killed at least 30,800 people so far, the vast majority women and children, according to Hamas-run Gaza’s health ministry
Other parts of the Islamic world may be grappling with their own challenges from conflicts to high inflation But many Muslims say their thoughts are with Palestinians this year
“Every time I pray, I always send a prayer for our brothers and sisters in the Palestinian territory ” said Indonesian housewife Nurunnisa 61 in Aceh province in the west of the country with the world s largest Muslim population I can t help them with anything so I can only help them with prayer I pray the war will be over soon The people there are suffering so much ” The reports of looming famine in Gaza where desperate residents have taken to eating slaughtered horses and even leaves also weigh heavily on Jordanian father-of-five Saif Hindawi, he said as he shopped for rice and oil in Amman
“Imagine in Jordan there are high prices but there is still the ability to buy what is available said the 44-year-old
In Gaza he said they have used animal
fodder to make bread The war has had a severe impact on southern Lebanon, where Iran-backed Hezbollah militants have exchanged near-daily strikes with Israel and tens of thousands have been displaced on both sides of the border Retired teacher Maryam Awada now living in a school-turned-shelter in the city of Tyre, said she would be unable to fast this Ramazan because of the stress “God will not force me to fast here in this hall we’re living in ” she said In Yemen Iran-backed Houthi rebels began firing missiles at vessels linked to Israel in November The Houthi s campaign has won them fans abroad, but within Yemen it has worsened a humanitarian crisis brought on by a nearly decade-long civil war In the port city of Hodeida an area targeted by anti-Houthi US strikes restaurant manager Ali Mohammad said he was bracing for a lean month When the air strikes began, business suddenly collapsed, he said If the situation continues our only option will be to close down ” In Somalia’s capital trader Abdirahim Ali said he worried the Red Sea crisis would drive up prices something that affects peo-
P r e s i d e n t X i u r g e s s c i - t e c h wo r ke r s t o f i g h t fo r m o r e i n n ovat i ve b r e a k t h r o u g h s
n e w e n e rg y v e h i c l e s ( N E V s ) , l i t h i u m b a t t e r i e s a n d s o l a r p a n e l s , w i t h h i g h q u a l i t y, h e a l t h y s u p p l y c h a i n s a n d r e a s o n a b l e p r i c e s , a r e w e l c o m e d b y t h e g l o b a l m a r k e t
U
g r
Another CPPCC member Wu Jianping director of the Zhongguancun Laboratory who witnessed China’s internet development echoed by saying that we must endeavor to realize autonomy and control of the core technologies of the next generation internet, and firmly grasp the initiative of innovation and development of cyber power ”
to build temporar y por t to deliver G aza
WASHINGTON
ag e n C i e S
President Joe Biden announced in his State of the Union speech that the US military will construct a temporary port on Gaza’s Mediterranean coast to receive humanitarian aid by sea
The temporary port will increase the amount of humanitarian assistance to Palestinians by hundreds of additional truckloads per day, officials say Planning for the operation, initially based on the island of Cyprus, does not envisage the deployment of
US military personnel in Gaza officials told a news briefing The UN warns that a quarter of the population is on the brink of famine
president made the official announcement during his State of the Union address on Thursday He said the port, which will be built by the US military, will involve a temporary pier to transport supplies from ships at sea to
Joe Biden lambasts
Donald Trump in fiery State of the Union speech
WASHINGTON
ag e n C i e S
ple during Ramazan” especially Muslims in Israeli-annexed east Jerualem worry about violence at the Al-Aqsa mosque compound a regular flashpoint
The site is Islam s third-holiest and Judaism s most sacred, known to Jews as the Temple Mount
During Ramazan Muslims in their tens and even hundreds of thousands pray at the compound s iconic Dome of the Rock
But in February Israel s hard-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir argued that Palestinian residents of the occupied West Bank “should not be allowed” entry to Jerusalem during Ramazan Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office said on Tuesday that worshippers would be allowed to enter the mosque in similar numbers to past years That did little to reassure Ahlam Shaheen, 32, who works at a community centre near Al-Aqsa When Israeli police stormed the mosque in 2021 Shaheen saw women praying next to her get shot with rubber bullets and she fears it could happen again We re living with the war for five months now, she said We re really tired and drained ”
Indian cop brutally beats Muslim men offering Friday prayer on Delhi roadside
NEWE DELHI ag e n C e S
aid
The port will take a number of weeks to set up officials have said, and will be able to receive large ships carrying food, water, medicine and temporary shelters Initial shipments will arrive via Cyprus, where Israeli security inspections will take place
“A temporary pier will enable a massive increase in the amount of humanitarian assistance getting into Gaza every day President Biden said He added that Israel must do its part by allowing more aid to enter into the territory and to ensure that humanitarian workers aren t caught in the crossfire
“Humanitarian assistance cannot be a secondary consideration or a bargaining chip ”
Israel’s military launched an air and ground campaign in Gaza after Hamas s attacks on Israel on 7 October in which around 1 200 people were killed and 253 others were taken hostage More than 30,800 people have been killed in Gaza since then, the territory s Hamas-run health ministry says
o
gave Biden, who is suffering from low approval ratings, a chance to speak directly to millions of American television viewers about his vision for another four-year term He used the opportunity to draw contrasts with Trump over abortion rights and the economy and he directed several barbs at Republican lawmakers in the chamber with off-the-cuff banter that appeared designed to assuage concerns about his age and mental acuity Trump in a response on his Truth Social platform, said: He said I bowed down to the Russian Leader He gave them everything including Ukraine ” BEIJING S ta f f C o r r e S p o n d e n t The so-called forced labor in northwest China s Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region was debunked by deputies of the Xinjiang delegation during an open panel discussion at the ongoing second session of the 14th National People s Congress (NPC) “The alleged forced labor is sheer nonsense I can use my own experience to explain it ” Akram Memtimin an official of Saymahalla Village in Xinjiang s Luntai County said Thursday when responding to a related media question In recent years certain foreign media outlets have been promoting the fallacy of forced labor in Xinjiang s cotton industry, and the United States has imposed sanctions on Xinjiang cotton products Akram Memtimin said such media reports are incomprehensible “Cotton is the main crop in our village And last year we planted over 506 hectares of cotton he said noting that cotton farming has become more convenient as a result of technological advancements such as the use of drones to spray pesticides and the installation of satellite navigation systems in cotton seeders “Picking 1 kilogram of cotton manually costs 2 yuan (about 28 U S cents) and for a 1-hectare field with a yield of 4 500 kilograms that would be 9 000 yuan In comparison mechanized cotton picking costs only 2 250 yuan per hectare he said With figures like these, Akram Memtimin feels he is reasonable in questioning the need for coercion This snow-white cotton is our source of income We make a good living We purchase cars and move into modern houses by growing cotton Do we need to be forced to do so? he asked Jin Zhizhen a local official said that Xinjiang s cotton output exceeded 5 million tonnes in 2023, accounting for over 90 percent of the national total, and its mechanized harvest rate surpassed 85 percent Jin noted that the cotton industry is one of Xinjiang s pillar industries and an important source of income for people of all ethnic groups in the region All companies involved in the industrial chain sign contracts with their employees in accordance with China’s Labor Law and Labor Contract Law to guarantee their legal incomes and social security benefits he said The U S sanctions on Xinjiang cotton are essentially an attempt to use forced labor as a pretext to create forced unemployment and poverty in Xinjiang, undermining prosperity, stability and development in Xinjiang and curbing China’s development,” Jin said The U S attempts to suppress Xinjiang’s cotton industry are unlikely to succeed and Xinjiang cotton will continue to be popular around the world for its high quality he added
Saturday 9 March 2024 | K AR ACHI 06 NEWS
a
p
GAZA
f
The war sparked by Hamas s October 7 attack against Israel has devastated Gaza, killed tens of thousands of Palestinians and triggered violence elsewhere in the Middle East from Lebanon to the seas off Yemen
I T H U R T S ’ : G A Z A W A R R O B S
U S L I M
BEIJING S ta f f C o r r e S p o n d e n t Chinese President Xi Jinping said sci-tech workers in the country should fight the tough battle of key technology breakthroughs and build impetus for the new quality productive forces Xi made the remarks on Wednesday when he met with members from the sci-tech sector of China’s top political advisory body the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) National Committee In addition to achieving key tech breakthroughs Xi called on the committee members and sci-tech workers across the country to shoulder the responsibility of scitech innovation, basic science research and applied science studies China aims to become a major innovative power a n d h a
m
The
S -led West responded to China’s ambition with unfair export limits abusing market rules to limit China s access to high-tech manufacturing tools especially those used to build advanced semiconductor chips and large AI models China sees sci-tech innovation as the main drive for its economy The newly coined term “new quality productive forces” can be seen in various recent government files signaling the country’s determination to rely on science and technologies to continue developing fast A key characteristic of new quality productive f o r c e s i s i n t e l l i g e n c e , s a i d Ly u B e n f u , v i c e c h a i rman at China Institute for Innovation and Development Strategy Smart manufacturing leads to higher efficiency and also contributes to energy saving and emission reduction ” H o u L i j u n
In Cairo, the most festive of cities during Ramazan a Gazan student who asked not to be named feared the holy month this year would be unbearable For the first time in my life I can t stand the idea of Ramazan, she said It hurts every time I see a fanous, she said a b o u t t h e l a n t e r n s t h a t f e s t o o n t h e c i t y ’s s t r e e t s “ M y b r o t h e r s a n d s i s t e r s c a n ’t even eat once a day and we’re supposed t o h a v e a f a s t - b r e a k i n g m e a l l i k e e v e r ything is normal? m e m b e r a n d d i r e c t o r o f t h e S h a n g h a i I n s t i t u t e o f N e u r o s u r g e r y s a i d t h a t s c i - t e c h w o r k e r s m u s t s t r e n g t h e n b a s i c r e s e a r c h a n d a p p l i e d b a s i c r e s e a r c h
M
W O R L D O F R A M A Z A N J O Y
s
a d e s i g n i f i c a n t p r o
e s s T h e c o u n t r y ’s
, a C P P C C
i n a c c o r d a n c e w i t h X i s r e q u i r e m e n t s s t r i v i n g t o t a c k l e k e y c o r e t e c h n o l og i e s a n d a c c e l e r a t e t h e d e v e l o p m e n t o f n e w q u a l i t y p r o d u c t i v e f o r c e s t o p r o m o t e h i g h - l e v e l s c i - t e c h s e l f - r e l i a n c e
Amid growing discrimination against minorities, particularly Muslims in India a police officer subjected Muslim men offering Friday prayers on the roadside in New Delhi, to severe brutality In the video circulating on social media platforms, the police officer can be seen kicking and punching Muslim men offering prayers The video of the assault earned large-scale condemnation and sparked outrage across the country The incident reportedly took place in the capital’s Inderlok area A large number of Muslims gathered at a mosque in the Inderlok area on Friday leading to several men praying on the road due to overcrowding A few police officials arrived at the spot amid mid-prayers and started kicking and punching the Muslims busy in their prayers The video shows one of them kicking and hitting the Muslims who were kneeling down for prayers However, a crowd surrounded the cop and objected to his attitude According to the India Today the official has been suspended with immediate effect Sharing the video of the incident Congress Rajya Sabha MP Imran Pratapgarhi said: “This Delhi Police soldier kicking a person while offering namaz probably does not understand the basic principles of humanity What is this hatred that is filled in the heart of this soldier? Delhi Police is requested to file a case against this official under appropriate sections and terminate his service Meanwhile Deputy Commissioner of Police (north) MK Meena said that an inquiry into the matter has been initiated The official has been suspended with immediate effect and disciplinary action will also be taken the DCP added
the shore
The
It is not clear who will build the causeway or secure
the aid on land meaning crucial questions about whether the operation can succeed remain unanswered
United States President Joe Biden, in a 68minute-long fiery State of the Union speech accused Republican candidate and former president Donald Trump of threatening democracy and stooping to Russia on Thursday, Reuters reported Biden took multiple digs at Trump rather than saying his name he referred to him as my predecessor He lambasted the former president for encouraging Russia to do whatever it wants to do He said Now my predecessor a former Republican president tells Putin quote, Do whatever you want ' I think it’s outrageous it’s dangerous and it’s unacceptable Furthermore he charged Trump with the January 6 Capitol Hill attack My predecessor and some of you here seek to bury the truth about January 6 I will not do that; you can t love your country only when you win The speech
US
- c alled forced labor in X injiang is
nonsense’: NPC deputies
S
‘sheer
SRINAGAR
A G E N C I E S
TH E political parties in Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir have termed the Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi s Srinagar speech mere rhetoric, sounding like an election rally as it skipped the major issues confronting the territory
According to Kashmir Media Service Narendra Modi addressed a so-called public rally at Bakhshi Stadium during his visit to Srinagar on Thursday
While the Congress said that Modi has disappointed the people of IIOJK by avoiding the core issues of restoration of democracy and statehood National Conference president Farooq Abdullah said the Indian PM has made it a habit of tar-
geting political parties over dynastic politics PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti said Modi s visit to Kashmir was only meant to drum support for the BJP ahead of the Lok Sabha polls Interacting with reporters in Srinagar, Farooq Abdullah while referring to Modi s remarks criticising dynastic politics said, “In every speech the prime minister makes a particular target for this thing ” “ I lost an election as a chief minister because people rejected me at that time So where is dynastic rule? On Modi s remark that IIOJK is breathing freely after the abrogation of Article 370, Farooq Abdullah called for setting up a commission to bring out the reality His party in a statement said Modi s Kashmir
S enator Mushahid Hussain delivers talk on ‘Pakistan, BRICS and D awning Multipolar
PARC organizes int ’l seminar on ‘Genetic and Economic Impac t of Nor wegian Red D air y Cattle’
NHSR & C meeting reviews progress on national health suppor t projec t to ensure universal health coverage
I
Prime Minister Ramazan Relief Package 2024
National Ranking Tennis Tournament continues at POF Tennis Complex
#TheekK arD ungi: NAV T TC launches ‘S he Fixes ’ Initiative, empowering women with voc ational skills for self-reliance
I S L A M A B A D: "In line with Prime Minister of Pakistan, Mian Shehbaz Sharif's, vision for dismantling cultural and economic barriers restricting women's independence the National Vocational and Technical Training Commission (NAVTTC) is introducing She Fixes (#theekkardungi) a groundbreaking Skill Advancement Initiative for Women across Pakistan "Theek kar dungi" aims to empower 500 women by offering accessible vocational training in fields traditionally dominated by men Gulmina Bilal Ahmad Chairperson of NAVTTC asserts "This initiative is a catalyst for gender equality fostering self-reliance and independence It begins with fixing household appliances, transcending into empowering women to address broader societal issues " Aligned with United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 5, 8, and 10, "Theek Kar Dungi" directly contributes to gender equality economic growth and reducing inequalities among women This inclusive women-only program is designed to equip Pakistani women with fundamental vocational skills, particularly in plumbing and
07 NEWS Saturday 9 March 2024 | K AR ACHI
CORPORATE CORNER
visit and his speech was disappointing and that it failed to meet the expectations of people NC general secretary Ali Mohammad Sagar said the Indian PM s speech mainly consisted of juggling numbers and rebranding old projects offering nothing substantial for the people It is disappointing that there was no mention of the return of Kashmiri Pandits, who have been at the forefront of the BJP’s petty politics ” he said IIOJK Congress leader Ravinder Sharma said the people were pinning hopes on Modi touching issues of concern However, he said, there was no mention of them and it included the restoration of democracy in IIOJK PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti on the other hand said that government employees were forcibly ferried to the venue of the prime minister s event in Srinagar Government employees are being herded at five am in sub-zero temperatures into vehicles at Budgam bus stand ferrying them to the PM’s rally Disheartening to see employees being forcibly mobilised to paint a pretty picture that all is well post2019 and that people here are celebrating their own collective disempowerment and humiliation, she said in a post on X IIOJK PARTIES TERM MODI’S SRINAGAR SPEECH
l i m ate R e s i l i e n c e & S t r ate g i c P r e p a r e d n e s s : S a fe g u a r d i n g Pa ki s t a n’s s e c u r i t y i n te r e s t s The Centre for Aerospace & Security Studies (CASS), Lahore, hosted a seminar titled ‘Climate Resilience & Strategic Preparedness: Safeguarding Pakistan s Security Interests The event discussed the challenges that Pakistan faces in the wake of global climate change which can potentially threaten state security and social cohesion The seminar commenced with opening remarks by Mr Ameer Abdullah Khan, Senior Researcher at CASS, Lahore who spoke about the different aspects in which climate change is interrelated with the national security of Pakistan This was followed by a keynote address by Mr Ali Tauqeer Sheikh member Loss & Damage Fund Board and World Bank Consultant, who spoke about strategic preparedness in the face of ecological uncertainty while outlining policies and priorities from global to domestic levels PR
MERE RHETORIC C
I S L A M A B A D: (Dte PR&P PARC) Pakistan Agricultural Research Council (PARC) organized a ground breaking international seminar focusing on the Genetic and Economic Impact of Norwegian Red Dairy Cattle The seminar provided a platform for experts and stakeholders to explore the potential of Norwegian Red Cattle in enhancing genetic and domestic breed improvement in the dairy industry of Pakistan Following the seminar Holstein Research Management (HRM) Dairies (Pvt) Ltd Pakistan and Pakistan Agricultural Research Council (PARC) inked a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) aimed at boosting collaboration to enhance the livestock sector of Pakistan Under this partnership, both organizations have pledged to provide technical support for capacity building and to conduct training programs in Theriogenology animal breeding and genetic research and development PARC s institutions the National Institute for Genomics and Advanced Biotechnology (NIGAB) and the Animal Sciences Institute (ASI), will jointly facilitate research on genomic testing and Theriogenology to optimize the utilization of improved Norwegian Red Cattle semen PR
electrical work PR
World
NUST I S L A M A B A D: The NUST Institute of Policy Studies (NIPS) organised a keynote address by Senator Mushahid Hussain Sayed on Pakistan, BRICS and the Dawning Multipolar World” at the main campus of the university Lt Gen (Retd) Engr Javed Mahmood Bukhari Rector NUST greeted the esteemed guest upon arrival Moderated by Dr Ashfaque Hasan Khan Director General NIPS the keynote saw the participation of foreign diplomats veteran and current high-level state officials, senior academics, think tank experts, scholars and students During his keynote, Senator Mushahid Hussain Sayed Chairman Senate Standing Committee on Defence stated that the contemporary international system is undergoing climacteric changes that offer countries in the global South unprecedented opportunities for peace, growth and development The senator stressed that the extraordinary peaceful development of China is a massive boon for the world PR
’ at
On the fifth day of the tournament Semi-finals and finals played for different categories In Girls under 18 category, Soha Ali beat Lalala Rukh Sajid with 6-1, 6-1 and won the title In the Ladies singles category Final Sara Mehboob beat Sheeza Sajid with 6-4 6-3 to win the title In Boys under 18 Hamza Roman defeated Hamid Israr with 6-3 6-2 In Boys under 14 category Hassan Usmani beat Shayan Afridi with 6-1, 6-2 In Seniors 45 above category, Talha Waheed & Israr Gul defeated M Amin & Rashid Ali with 6-2, 6-2 to won title Abdullah Adnan won, Men’s double category final over Mudasir Murtaza with 6-3 4-6 10-4 PR
S L A M A B A D: A meeting was held in Ministry of National Health Services Regulation and Coordination (NHSR & C) under the chair of Federal Secretary NHSR & C Iftikhar Ali Shallwani to review the progress made on Pakistan National Health Support Project for Ensuring Health Coverage in Federating Areas The meeting was attended by representative World Bank (WB), Manav Bhattari, representative Global Financing Facilties (GFF), Ghazna Siddiqui and Director Programs M/o NHSR & C Dr Mariyam Sarfraz Pakistan National Health Support Project for ensuring universal health coverage in Federating Areas is a three year project executed by NHSR & C through the health departments of Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT), Gilgit Baltistan (GB) and Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) The project is aimed to strengthen the health system build the core capacities and implement the Essential Package of Health Service (EPHS) in ICT and three districts each in GB and AJK to provide essential health services to the public: PR
ISLAMABAD: On the special instructions of the Prime Minister of Pakistan the subsidized price of Ghee will be further reduced to Rs 30 per kg and the availability of subsidized flour will be made possible by establishing Mobile Utility Stores and subsidized Flour Sales Points from the 1st of Ramzan Keeping in the view the economic conditions, The Prime Minister of Pakistan Mian Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif has made this decision for BISP registered households having PMT-60 score and below Therefore from the 1st of Ramzan the BISP registered households as per the PMT-60 score and below criteria will purchase Ghee at the price of Rs 335 per kg instead of the subsidized price of Rs 365 per kg Moreover, on the special instructions of The Prime Minister of Pakistan Mobile Utility Stores and Subsidized Flour Sales Points are being established in all districts across the country for BISP registered households with PMT-60 score and below This initiative will ensure availability of flour at the doorstep for the deserving segments of the society during the Holy Month of Ramazan PR
TOmar demands impar tial inquir y into brutal killing of two PTI workers
However, the AGP stated that none of the MNAs sworn in today were from KP NA did not receive any notice on oath-taking of MNAs
National Assembly Speaker Ayaz Sadiq has said that the house did not receive any notice or order from the Election Commission of
Pakistan (ECP) regarding the oathtaking of MNAs on reserved seats
He passed these remarks after PTI-backed lawmaker Barrister Gohar Ali Khan highlighted that MNAs on reserved seats could not be administered oath in light of the order of the Peshawar High Court
It must be noted that a day earlier the PHC had deferred the oathtaking of nine women lawmakers, who had been awarded the reserved seats claimed by the Sunni Ittehad Council (SIC) Oath-taking of MNAs contempt of court says PTI s Omer Ayub
PTI-backed MNA Omer Ayub Khan has said that the lawmakers who took oath today on reserved seats committed “contempt of court” and their swearing-in should be declared “void”
Speaking on the floor of the lower house of the Parliament he stated that PTI leaders were not being allowed to meet incarcerated party chief Imran Khan by the Adiala Jail superintendent “We should be told if the jail superintendent is answerable to the court or to the government Ayub demanded Today, on behalf of all my opposition members, I demand that the oath taken today should be declared null and void as it has no legal standing ” he said adding that the opposition would continue to protest until SIC members on reserved seats took oath PML-N’s women, minority members take oath
The PML-N women and minority members in the Punjab Assembly took oath as MPAs on Friday during the third session of the assembly
As per details members appointed to the reserved seats including 21 women and 3 minorities took their oaths following a decision of the election commission
Punjab Assembly Speaker Malik Ahmed Khan administered the oath to the incoming members Among those who took oaths are Tariq Masih Wasim Anjum and Basrooji are slated to take their oaths on minority seats Among those set to take oath on women s reserved seats are Sadia Muzaffar, Fiza Maimoona, Abida Bashir Maqsoodan Bibi Amira Khan Somia Atta Rahat Afza Rukhsana Shafiq Tahseen Fawad Farzana Abbas Shagufta Faisal Uzma Butt Maria Talal Sajida Naveed, Nasreen Riaz, Afsheen Hasan, Amna Parveen, Shahr Bano, Zeba Ghafoor, Rubina Nazir and Syeda Sameera During the session the Sunni Ittehad Council (SIC) members chanted slogans and surrounded the speaker s dice Despite numerous rulings from the speaker for maintaining order in the house, the situation did not defuse which prompted the speaker to adjourn the season for a while Meanwhile foolproof security arrangements were put in place to maintain order and safety during the assembly session
Asad Toor remanded to jail for 14 days in case of ‘social media’ campaign against judiciar y
PHC grants Omar Ayub Khan transit bail in six cases
SHC rules against counting three SA reser ved seats in presidential polls
Published by Asad Nizami at Plot No 66-C, 1st Floor, 21st Commercial Street, Phase-II (Extension), DHA Karachi and printed at Ibn-e-Hassan Printing Press, Hockey Stadium, Karachi, for PT Print (Pvt) Limited Ph: 021-32640318 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 5:40 6:22 1 30 5:00 6:10 7:45 Saturday 9 March 2024 NEWS
S TA F F R
Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Secretary General Omar Ayub demanded an impartial inquiry into the brutal killing of PTI’s two workers Mohsin Khan and Hasan Zia who were cruelly martyred in district Shangla Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (KP) while peacefully protesting against the daylight polls robbery Addressing a press conference along with PTI MNAs Shandana Gulzar Khan, Shahid Khattak and others, PTI Secretary General said that PTI’s workers Mohsin Khan and Hasan Zia were brutally martyred and they would raise voice against this gruesome act of barbarism on the floor of the house I appealed to Chief Minister Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Ali Amin Gandapur to order impartial inquiry into the brutal killing of the Insaf Student Federation (ISF) members so as to bring the culprits to justice,” he added Omar Ayub emphasized that PTI founder Imran Khan always told them to keep their struggle continue for the supremacy of the constitution and rule of law come what may He went on to say that the country could only be pull out of the deepening quagmire by adhering to the principle of the supremacy of rule of law and constitution Omar Ayub recalled that during his first speech on the floor of the house he stressed the need for the restoration of rule of law in its true spirit Speaking on the occasion PTI MNA Shandana Gulzar said that it was very painful chapter as Pakistan was being turned into Kashmir and Palestine However, she added that even situation in Pakistan was more painful because Pakistanis were being killed at the hands of own people She stated that the way the two innocent PTI’s ISF’s members were killed it clearly reflected the level of fascism and barbarity who were directly shot at their heads PTI MNA lamented that virtually the constitution was buried as articles 15, 16 and 17 of the constitution gave them the right to free speech She revealed that PTI workers were shot at their heads directly besides injuring 12 others, who were protesting peacefully against the polls robbery adding that even if these martyrs were of PPP and PML-N it was equally condemnable because they were also Pakistanis PTI MNA stated that the only crime of these two martyred youth was that they were protesting against the daylight polls robbery and to get form-45, adding that the reign of terror was unleashed only to secure the victory of PML-N’s candidate Amir Muqam who was clearly losing his seat She said that PTI Chairman-for-life along with thousands of party leaders and workers were unlawfully detained in various jails across the country On the occasion, PTI MNA Shahid Khattak said that PTI youth leader Murad Saeed laid the foundation of ISF under the vision of Imran Khan to provide future leaders to the country resultantly today there were several ISF members elected for National Assembly and provincial assemblies He said that two ISF members were brutally martyred to create fear so as they could not come out to guard their votes However, Shahid made it clear that the powerwielders could not deter them through such coercive measures come what may PTI MNA demanded that KP government should order judicial inquiry into the tragic incident and made the police ROs and others involved in the gruesome act of barbarism an example so as no could ever dare to commit such crime again KARACHI S TA F F R E P O R T The Sindh High Court (SHC) on Friday accepted a petition filed by the Sunni Ittehad Council (SIC) seeking allocation of reserved seats for women and minorities in the provincial assembly and ruled against counting the three reserved seats in tomorrow s presidential election The court also issued notices to the Election Commission of Pakistan, the MQM, PPP and others to respond till March 28 The party joined by Pakistan Tehreek-eInsaf (PTI) backed independent candidates who had won the February 8 general elections filed the plea to claim reserved seats The court also accepted the PTI-backed party s request for an urgent hearing of the petition in view of the importance of the matter The petition maintains that in a bid to bolster their legal standing independently elected candidates belonging to the PTI had formally joined the Sunni Ittehad Council amplifying their plea for representation The petition specifically advocates for the allocation of one reserved seat for minorities and two reserved seats for women to the SIC The federation, and the chief election commissioners of Pakistan and Sindh have been named as respondents in the petition alongside political entities such as the PPP MQM and the successful candidates on reserved seats During the hearing, a division bench of the court summoned the SIC lawyers to discuss the case in chamber However, Sindh Advocate General Hasan Akbar and other government lawyers attempted to enter the chamber but were barred by court staff Later the AG was also called into the judge s chamber On March 4, the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) ruled that PTI-backed SIC is not eligible for the reserved seats allotted to women and minorities Following the electoral body s verdict the party approached the Peshawar High Court (PHC) against the reserved seats matter The court on Wednesday barred the oath-taking of lawmakers notified on reserved seats denied to the SIC A stay order preventing members from swearing-in was also issued while ECP was directed to submit its response in the matter A day earlier the PHC extended the stay order on the oath-taking ceremony of lawmakers till March 13 and summoned Attorney General for Pakistan Mansoor Usman Awan to appear before the court on the next hearing The same day, SIC also approached the Lahore High Court (LHC) against the ECP’s move for not giving them reserved seats in Punjab ECP verdict on SIC reserved seats In the verdict the ECP said it extended the deadline to submit a priority list for the reserved seats of women, and the SIC, before the February 8 polls, did not submit the required list which was mandatory The electoral body said the SIC cannot claim the share in the reserved seats for the women “due to non-curable procedural and legal defects and violations of mandatory provisions of the Constitution The ECP verdict cited Article 51(6), saying the article clearly stated the reserved seats would be allocated to the political parties who contested elections and won general seats based on a “proportional representation system It further stated that the percentum share of each political party shall be worked out with reference to the total number of general seats in the National Assembly and the provincial assembly PR OFIT N E W S D E S K
ISLAMABAD
E P O R T
H E International Monetary Fund (IMF) announced its readiness to send a mission for the second review of the Stand-by Agreement (SBA) shortly after the Shehbaz Sharif-led coalition government formed a cabinet “We look forward to working with the government to ensure stability macroeconomic stability for the good of the people of Pakistan, said Julie Kozack, Communications Director of the IMF in a press briefing late Thursday The focus, therefore, is currently on completion of the current Stand-by program which ends in April 2024 she elaborated in response to a query regarding Pakistan Ms Kozack, however, refrained from commenting on the ongoing political situation in Pakistan “I’m not going to comment on politics Only to say that the IMF stands ready to send a mission after a new cabinet is formed and we look forward to working with the government to ensure stability macroeconomic stability for the good of the people of Pakistan Pakistan hardly escaped a sovereign default in June 2023 and averted it by securing a $3 billion stand-by arrangement (SBA) from the IMF at the eleventh hour Now the country urgently needs a fresh IMF agreement to shore up its struggling $350 billion economy which is suffering from high inflation low reserves and mounting external financing needs The IMF director recalled the Executive Board’s approval for the first review on January 11, bringing total disbursements under the SBA to about $1 9 billion The SBA-supported program underpins the authority s efforts to stabilise the economy with a strong emphasis on protecting the most vulnerable segments of the population “During the period of the caretaker government the authorities have maintained economic stability through strict adherence to the fiscal targets while protecting the social safety net maintaining a tight monetary policy stance to control inflation, and continuing to build foreign exchange reserves, Ms Kozack “This has been done at the same time as implementing timely adjustments in tariffs to shore up the viability of the energy sector This development comes days after Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, the very next day after assuming his office, gave a task to his team to fast-track negotiations with the IMF to secure another lifeline to meet the country’s outstanding foreign debt repayment obligation IMF READY TO SEND MISSION TO PAKISTAN FOR FINAL REVIEW AFTER CABINET FORMATION
WE LOOK FORWARD TO WORKING WITH NEW GOVT ON POLICIES TO ENSURE MACROECONOMIC STABILITY, SAYS GLOBAL LENDER ’S COMMUNICATIONS DIRECTOR ISLAMABAD S TA F F R E P O R T Several newly elected lawmakers on reserved seats in the National Assembly have been sworn in They were administered oath by NA Speaker Ayaz Sadiq amid slogans by PTI-backed lawmakers It must be noted that the Election Commission of Pakistan earlier this week rejected the allocation of reserved seats to members of the Sunni Ittehad Council new home of PTI and distributed those seats among other parties mainly the PML-N and PPP PHC order applies to eight women reserved seats, clarifies AGP Awan Attorney General for Pakistan (AGP) Mansoor Usman Awan has clarified that the Peshawar High Court s order pertaining to the stay on oath-taking of MNAs on reserved seats applied to eight lawmakers from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa As the National Assembly session convened today Speaker Ayaz Sadiq administered oath to some MNAs on reserved seats a move that was contested by the PTI
g
n re s e r ve d s e
d e s p i te P H C s t ay o rd e r a m i d r u c ku s ISLAMABAD S TA F F R E P O R T A district and sessions court in the federal capital on Friday remanded journalist Asad Ali Toor to jail for 14 days in a case of ‘social media campaign against the judiciary Earlier the FIA produced journalist Asad Ali Toor in the court Judicial Magistrate Shabbir Bhatti upon expiry of two days of physical remand The court, however, decided against any extension in the physical remand and sent the journalist to Adiala Jail on a 14day judicial remand The judge rejected the FIA s plea seeking a four-day extension in physical remand and instead, sent the journalist to jail Earlier this year a five-member joint investigation team was formed to ascertain facts behind a malicious social media campaign against the judiciary in the aftermath of the Supreme Court s decision to deprive the PTI of its iconic ‘bat’ symbol On February 23, Toor was interrogated by the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) for nearly eight hours on the same matter Three days later the journalist was arrested and remanded to FIA custody for five days According to the first information report, Toor was booked under Sections 9 10 and 24 of the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (Peca) which deal with the offences of glorification of an offence, cyber terrorism and cyberstalking According to the FIR, Toor “built a false narrative” and publically launched a “malicious/obnoxious and explicit campaign against civil servants/government officials and state institutions On Wednesday the court had extended Toor s remand for two more days Appeal for dismissal from case disposed of Separately Additional Sessions Judge Tahir Abbas Supra took up an appeal against the journalist s physical remand Toor s lawyer Hadi Ali and Imaan HazirMazari attended the proceedings At the outset of the hearing, the FIA prosecutor stated that the agency had presented Toor in court and requested another four-day extension in his remand However the judge asked What did you do in all these days? In his response, the prosecutor said the journalist’s social media accounts were examined and his devices were confiscated “We still have to recover some things from Asad Ali Toor he added
M N A s o
at s s wo r n i n
Ait zaz requests SC
prioritize militar
cour ts review ISLAMABAD S TA F F R E P O R T Senior lawyer Aitzaz Ahsan on Friday moved the Supreme Court, seeking the resumption of proceedings on an intra-court appeal lodged by the federal government against the decision of the apex court barring the trial of alleged May 9 rioters in military courts The application, submitted through PTI leader and renowned lawyer Sardar Latif Khosa, asserts that the trial of civilians by military authorities is a significant issue that warrants swift resolution It implores the court to schedule the intra-court appeal for hearing during the judicial week commencing from March 18 Last year the former PML-N-led federal government endorsed the military commander s decision to prosecute the rioters purportedly mostly PTI activists who had vandalized state and army properties and memorials following the arrest of former prime minister Imran Khan on May 9 2023 Several petitioners including Aitzaz Ahsan contested the decision in the Supreme Court where a fivemember larger bench invalidated these trials on October 23, 2023 The bench directed the authorities to conduct the trials of such accused individuals in ordinary courts In its short order, the bench had also deemed Section 2(1)(d) of the Army Act 1952 elaborating on persons subject to the act as violative of the Constitution and of no legal effect Additionally the court had declared Section 59(4) (civil offences) of the act unconstitutional However, Justice Yahya Afridi, a member of the bench, had dissented on striking down these sections Later the federal government lodged an intra-court appeal against the verdict and on December 13 2023 a six-member SC bench admitted the appeal for hearing suspending the October 23 verdict However, the bench has yet to hear the case One of the members of the six-member bench, SC s Senior Puisne Judge Sardar Tariq Masood, has, however, recused himself from hearing the case in view of an objection raised by one of the petitioners Masood stands retired on March 8 (Friday)
to
y
LAHORE S TA F F R E P O R T The former caretaker Punjab chief minister and incumbent Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Mohsin Naqvi will contest the upcoming senate elections According to sources Mohsin Naqvi is likely to be appointed as Interior Minister in the centre after becoming senator Sources said that former caretaker Punjab Chief Minister Naqvi will retain the Chairmanship of PCB along with his duties as Interior Minister On February 6, former caretaker chief minister of Punjab Mohsin Naqvi was elected unopposed as Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) 37th chairman He will serve as Pakistan Cricket Board chairman for three years It is pertinent to mention here that the Senate elections are likely to be held on April 03 Sources said that the election commission prepared schedule for the Senate election
PCB chief Mohsin Naqvi to ‘contest’ senate elections
PESHAWAR S TA F F R E P O R T The Peshawar High Court (PHC) on Friday granted transit bail to Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) General Secretary Omar Ayub Khan in six cases As per details, Omar Ayub along with his counsel Babar Awan appeared before the PHC Abbottabad bench seeking transit bail in six cases registered against the former federal minister in Mianwali Faisalabad and Lahore The court after initial arguments granted Omar Ayub transit bail in six cases until April 14 He was directed to appear before the trial courts Talking to newsmen after getting transit bail, Omar Ayub claimed that 95 ‘fake’ cases had been registered against him under sections of murder attempt to murder and terrorism He demanded the release of all PTI workers including the former prime minister It is pertinent to mention here Omar Ayub Khan lost the PM election to Shehbaz Sharif, last week Ayub secured 92 votes while Shehbaz Sharif secured over 201 votes to become the country’s PM again Omar Ayub Khan an independent candidate backed by PTI won the election for National Assembly constituency NA-18 Haripur by securing 192 948 votes According to the unofficial result issued by the Returning Officer/ECP, his runner-up was Pakistan Muslim League (N) candidate, Babar Nawaz Khan who bagged 112,389 votes The voters’ turn-out remained 49 88% in the constituency
