Tff e r t h e u l t i m a t e s a c r i f i c e f o r t h e d e f e n s e o f o u r M o t h e r l a n d T h e w h o l e n a t i o n s t a n d s i n s o l i d a ri t y w i t h o u r A r m e d F o r c e s ” The bodies of the martyrs were later taken to their respective hometowns where they will be laid to rest with full military honors the ISPR stated
The 39-year-old Lt-Col Kashif Ali, a resident of Karachi, and 23year-old Capt Ahmed Badar, a resident of Talagang were among seven
soldiers martyred in the terrorist attack yesterday At least six terrorists were also killed in the attack As per the ISPR, troops foiled the initial attempt of intrusion into the army installation in the wee hours of the day however a group of six terrorists rammed an explosives-laden vehicle into it later carrying out multiple suicide bombings The attacks led to the collapse of a portion of a building, resulting in the martyrdom of five brave soldiers The martyred soldiers included Havildar Sabir a resident of district Khyber; Naik Khurshid a resident of district Lakki Marwat; Sepoy Nasir, a resident of Peshawar; Sepoy Raja, a resident of Kohat; and Sepoy Sajjad, a resident of Abbottabad President Zardari resolves to wipe out terrorism from Pakistan
On the occasion the president paid tribute to Shuhada and reiterated the resolve to respond to terrorist activities with full force, President Secretariat Press Wing said in a press
release on Sunday
He said that the people of Pakistan and its armed forces were united and would face terrorism in unison
He also expressed the resolve to hold the terrorists accountable for blood of each martyred jawan adding their brave brothers sons and friends had been protecting the borders President Zardari promised that the blood of the sons of the soil would not go in vain
In the early hours of 16 March a group of six terrorists attacked a security forces post in the general area of Mir Ali of North Waziristan District
According to the details, the troops foiled
India funding TTP militants in Afghanistan, says Amb Durrani
ISLAMABAD S TA F F R E P O R T
Pakistan's Special Representative on Afghanistan, Ambassador Asif Durrani has accused India of providing financial support to the banned Tehreek-iTaliban Pakistan (TTP) through Afghan proxies Islamabad has evidence that the banned Tehreek-iTaliban Pakistan (TTP) is getting money from India through Afghan proxies , Durrani made the allegations during a program hosted by the Islamabadbased think tank Pak Institute for Peace Studies (PIPS) He estimated that 5 000 to 6 000 TTP militants are currently sheltering in Afghanistan along with approximately 70 000 family members The interim Afghan government cannot afford the upkeep of such a large number of people," Durrani said "It is apparent that someone else is paying for their expenses " According to Durrani Pakistan's peace talks with the TTP have failed in the past due to the group s unwillingness to surrender swear allegiance to the Constitution of Pakistan and face prosecution for heinous crimes, including the attack on the Army Public School (APS) in Peshawar "The TTP is a red line for Pakistan," Durrani emphasized "We demand that the interim Afghan government disarm and detain the group's leadership " Durrani also called for the implementation of a onedocument regime on all border crossings between Pakistan and Afghanistan
EXPERT ANALYSIS Political analyst and expert on Afghan affairs, ex-senator Afrasiab Khattak believes that Pakistan's flawed policy towards Afghanistan is the root cause of many of the country s problems including its economic woes and extremism Pakistan needs to reassess its approach to Afghanistan and prioritize peace and stability in the region," Khattak said C O N T I N U
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decision to impact ‘Imran more than anyone’: Hamid Raza
Defence minister accuses PTI of working against ‘national interest’
Sialkot Cantonment, Khawaja Muhammad Asif said that unity is necessary to fight the war against terrorism and those who sacrifice against terrorism are our benefactors “Our security forces have made countless sacrifices against terrorism and the defense of this country has been kept strong by the blood of our martyrs The Pakistan Army is scarifying their lives in the ongoing war against terrorism Our soldiers, including a Lt-Col and a captain, were martyred in yesterday s terrorist attack in Mir Ali, he added He said that it is Pakistan Army that ensures our safety while being present at the borders in
‘Senate polls’: Nominations filing concludes, scrutiny to be held tomorrow
ISLAMABAD: The process of filing nomination papers for elections on 48 vacant seats of the Senate has concluded at the National Assembly and all four provincial assemblies, Radio Pakistan reports The scrutiny of nomination papers will be carried out on Tuesday According to the schedule polling will be held on April 2 A revised list of the candidates will be issued on March 26 and the candidates can withdraw their nomination papers by the next day In the federal capital MNAs will elect members of the Senate against one general seat and one seat for technocrats including Ulema
RAWALPINDI S TA F F R E P O R T
HE funeral prayers of Lieutenant Colonel Syed Kashif Ali Shaheed age 39 years and Captain Muhammad Ahmed Badar Shaheed, who embraced martyrdom in Mir Ali, North Waziristan, were offered at Chaklala Garrison Rawalpindi The funeral prayers were attended by dignitaries including President Asif Ali Zardari Chief of Army the Staff (COAS) General Syed Asim Munir, Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee (CJCSC) Gen Sahir Shamshad Mirza, Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi among other senior serving military and civil officers A large crowd of locals and relatives of the martyrs was also in attendance "Pakistan Army has consistently upheld the ideals of Faith Unity and Discipline and has always endeavored to set higher benchmarks of professionalism and loyalty in its unrelenting fight against terrorism, the ISPR statement quoted the president H e a d d e d , “ T h i s n o b l e s a c r i f i c e stands as another glorious testament t o t h e u n f l i n c h i n g r e s o l v e o f o u r g a l l a n t s o n s w h o h a v e n e v e r h e s it a t e d t
o
o
the initial attempt of the attack, the terrorists rammed an explosive-laden vehicle into the post followed by multiple suicide bombing attacks which led to the collapse of a portion of a building resulting in the Shahadat of five soldiers ‘NATION STANDS UNITED WITH PAK ARMY’ Interior Minister Syed Mohsin Naqvi said the entire nation was strongly condemning terror attack on Mir Ali check post He assured the nation that terrorists will be given befitting response for this cowardly act In a press statement Interior Minister said all the martyred Jawans including Lt-Col Syed Kashif Ali were heroes of the nation The entire nation paid tributes and salutes to the heroes who laid their lives for the security of the country, adding that the entire nation was united and stood with Pak Army in war against terror He assured the nation that Pakistan Army will give due response to terrorists He said Army Jawans have set new examples of bravery and their sacrifices will be remembered, adding that their sacrifices will not go wasted In par tnership with Profit M o n d a y, 1 8 M a r c h , 2 0 2 4 I 7 Ra m a z a n , 1 4 4 5 R s 2 0 0 0 | Vo l X I V N o 2 6 0 I 8 Pa g e s I La h o r e E d i t i o n PRESIDENT VOWS BLOOD OF ‘SONS’ NOT TO GO IN VAIN AS FUNERAL OF MIR ALI MART YRS OFFERED g S a y s Pa k i s t a n A r m y h a s c o n s i s t e n t l y u p h e l d i d e a l s o f F a i t h , U n i t y, a n d D i s c i p l i n e g I n t e r i o r m i n i s t e r s a y s e n t i r e n a t i o n s t a n d s u n i t e d w i t h a r m e d f o r c e s i n w a r a g a i n s t t e r r o r C O N T I N U E D O N PA G E 03
criticism of SIC joining
ISLAMABAD S TA F F R E P O R T Sunni Ittehad Council (SIC) chief Sahibzada Hamid Raza on Sunday said that escalating criticism in the media by PTI leaders on the party’s decision to join SIC will make Imran Khan “suffer more than anyone” Speaking out against the decision to join SIC would benefit the current government more and that I would not want in any situation to discuss internal affairs in public,” SIC chief Hamid Raza said during an interview with a private TV channel He continued that this behaviour would compromise discipline of the party and would simply divert attention from Imran Khan s cases,” he said, adding that he had not yet met the jailed PTI founder as his name had not been cleared by jail authorities for a meeting The SIC chairman asserted said that the PTI decision to join SIC was to bring them “under one umbrella” and was conveyed to him via the party s top leaders – Barrister Gohar Khan and Omar Ayub Khan The purpose of joining SIC was to bring PTI candidates under one umbrella so the plans of other parties to pressurise candidates would not be successful ” he said adding that the target was achieved as their votes for most elections in the Parliament were secure Raza confirmed that Imran made the decision to join SIC, adding that the decision was conveyed to him through PTI leaders such as chairman Gohar Khan secretary general Omar Ayub Khan and spokesperson Raoof Hasan Regarding Ali Zafar s criticism of the decision, Raza said it was possible that Zafar was not part of the team that met Imran when the decision was finalised as “three different teams met Imran” Sahibzada Hamid Raza was of the view that the decision of PTI-backed independent candidates to join his party was made by former premier Imran Khan To the question that PTI potentially wanting to get back its candidates, Raza said, “I have no issues ” “Our settlement [with the PTI] was temporary the SIC chief further said adding that it was done to secure PTI candidates Walid Iqbal joins chorus of criticising move to join SIC Meanwhile former PTI senator Walid Iqbal joined other party leaders including Sher Afzal Marwat in criticising the decision to join the Sunni Ittehad Council in a bid to secure reserved seats 03
Public
SIALKOT S TA F F R E P O R T Federal Minister for Defence Khawaja Muhammad Asif on Sunday condemned the terrorist incident in Mir Ali and paid tribute to the martyrs Addressing a press conference at his residence at
all circumstances and we the people are sleeping peacefully while these people ensure the fulfillment of their duties in cold and heat The Federal Minister said that once again terrorism had been rising for a few months and the war can be fought only by a united government and if on this occasion, there is division then this war would spread in every street and neighborhood Khawaja Muhammad Asif said that martyrs are our benefactors “Pakistan Army, our police, our paramilitary, our people, women, men and children have sacrificed their lives in the war against terrorism If the country is stable today it is because of martyrs These martyrs have kept the defence of this country strong by giving their blood for the country he added He condemned the nefarious campaign against martyrs on social media Our martyrs are our pride, but there is no doubt that those who gave wrong remarks against them are in touch with terrorists PM Shehbaz extends tenure of air chief for one year ISLAMABAD S TA F F R E P O R T A day before his retirement Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has extended the tenure of Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmed Babar Sidhu by a year The tenure of Sidhu was due to end on Saturday and he was set to retire on March 18 The four-star Pakistan Air Force (PAF) officer and 16th chief of air staff took over command of the air force on March 19, 2021, from his predecessor ACM Mujahid Anwar Khan The chief of the air staff is a military appointment and a statutory office held by an air chief marshal in the Pakistan Air Force who is appointed by the prime minister of Pakistan and finally confirmed by the president of Pakistan Babar joined GD (Pilot) branch of the PAF in 1986 as a fighter pilot He has also served in fighter squadrons operational airbases and regional commands He attended Combat Commanders School Air War College and Royal College of Defense Studies in the United Kingdom for higher studies He has also served as Assistant Chief of the Air Staff (Operations Research and Development), Assistant Chief of Air Staff (Training Officers) and Director General of Projects at Air Headquarters Islamabad Babar also served as additional secretary in the ministry of defence He was awarded Sitara-eImtiaz (military) and Tamgha-e-Imtiaz (military) in recognition of his services 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
E D O N PA G E
AT I O N A L Assembly Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq and Iranian Ambassador to Pakistan, Dr Amiri Moghaddam on Sunday discussed bolstering parliamentary and economic relations between the two brotherly neighbouring countries
During the meeting Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq reaffirmed Pakistan s deep-rooted fraternal bond with Iran, steeped in shared history, culture, and religion, said a news release He emphasized the need for strengthening these ties further by expanding coop-
Feasibilit y study for construction of Gwadar Expressway Phase II under way
eration across all mutual areas of interest, particularly in energy and trade, to uplift the economies of both nations especially those living on both sides of the common border
The Speaker highlighted the strategic geographical positioning of both countries presenting significant opportunities for regional and global connectivity and trade promotion While acknowledging the positive trajectory in bilateral trade he noted that there is untapped potential that both nations should explore He stressed the importance of cordially addressing pending issues related to banking, trade, transportation, and energy Additionally, he expressed optimism about resolving issues related to the Iran-
DERA ISMAIL KHAN s ta f f r e p o r t
Pakistan gas pipeline Ayaz Sadiq underscored the pivotal role of parliamentary diplomacy in strengthening bilateral relations He expressed intent to actively engage all relevant stakeholders regularly to support governmental efforts in achieving the common goal of expanded economic cooperation
Dr Amiri Moghaddam congratulated Speaker Ayaz Sadiq on his re-election and extended warm Ramazan greetings He praised the Speaker s vision for collective growth and assured full commitment and cooperation from Iran across all areas
The Ambassador also informed the speaker about the upcoming visit of the Iranian
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur on Sunday said that a comprehensive plan has been prepared for restoration of law and order in the province as it was top priority of his government He stated this while talking to media during his first ever visit to Dera Ismail Khan after being elected as Chief Minister He said the implementation over that plan would be started soon as better law and order situation was imperative for progress of any area He said the steps would also be taken for the safety of police and other forces The chief minister said the government has restored health-card facility We have to improve the treatment facilities at public hospitals, he said and hoped that
soon the people would not have need to visit private hospitals as provision of all facilities would be ensured at public hospitals
Commenting on the current wave of inflation he said the provincial government will give Rs10 000 each to 850 000 deserving families of
President to Pakistan, highlighting its significance in advancing bilateral relations and enhancing cooperation in various sectors Ayaz Sadiq thanked the Ambassador for his kind words and pledged mutual efforts to strengthen the bond between Pakistan and Iran
ISLAMABAD s ta f f r e p o r t
The All Parties Hurriyat Conference (APHC) has called upon the United Nations to impress upon India to grant Kashmiris their inalienable right to selfdetermination recognized in the relevant resolutions of the World Body APHC spokesperson Advocate Abdul Rashid Minhas in a statement in Srinagar, condemning the ban on Hurriyat parties in occupied Jammu and Kashmir termed it political terrorism by the BJP-led Indian government against freedom-loving organizations said a press release He also denounced the termination of a govern-
ment teacher Manzoor Ahmed Laway of Kulgam saying these terminations are being done by invoking the draconian laws against the people of Kashmir The authoritarian move was part of India s settler colonialism policy to strangulate Kashmiris economically, he added The spokesperson said the vicious campaign aimed at marginalizing the majority community in occupied Kashmir has gained momentum since the BJP regime abrogated Article 370 and 35A on
made a model province by focusing on revenue genera-
tion rather taking loans, he vowed Gandapur said that he had positive talks with Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif in which the premier assured for extending support of the Federal government for resolving Khyber Pakhtunkhwa s issues including the payment of pending dues of the province
He said the provincial government would also cooperate with the federal government in this regard keeping in view the economic situation of the country
The chief minister urged upon the media to play their due role in highlighting the real issues of masses as it was a bridge between the government and the people
He said the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government would always welcome constructive criticism of media and also take appropriate action over it
PHA unveils cutting edge running track at Jilani Park
LAHORE s ta f f r e p o r t
The Parks and Horticulture Authority (PHA) Lahore has installed a new state-of-the-art running track at Jilani Park, tailored specifically for fitness enthusiasts, a spokesperson announced on Sunday Brightly coloured the 550-meter-long track is made of Ethylene Propylene Diene Monomer (EPDM) a rubberised artificial surface designed for track athletics chosen for its durability high elasticity and resilience for greater cushion According to the spokesperson, EPDM is resistant to weathering, UV radiation and heavy use making it capable of withstanding foot traffic and exposure to various weather conditions with little wear or deterioration Made from recycled rubber EPDM granules offer an eco-friendly solution, contributing to waste reduction and sustainability, aligning with PHA's "Clean and Green Lahore" mission The spokesperson mentioned that the track, ordered by Director General PHA Muhammad Tahir Wattoo is the first government-owned facility of its kind in the provincial capital In recent months PHA has been actively beautifying the cityscape Alongside planting thousands of saplings, the authority has also installed decorative light structures on and around several thoroughfares in central Lahore Moreover the department has adorned the canal with decorative lights ahead of the annual Canal Mela organised by the provincial government During this festival, the canal and sections from The Mall underpass to Jail Road underpass will be illuminated with vibrant light structures and models showcasing various cultures of Pakistan the spokesperson added Meanwhile PHA has implemented various measures to transform the Suthra Punjab cleanliness drive, initiated by Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif, into a widespread movement with assistance from members of the public According to the spokesperson, PHA has deployed teams tasked with daily cleaning of trees green belts and other green assets The horticulture staff has been directed to ensure the extensive cleaning of public parks assigned to them, he added He also emphasised that public involvement is important for the success of the campaign He pledged to learn from the challenges encountered during the clean-up effort to develop better long-lasting strategies
The ear not bitten
M d y 18 M h 2024 | LAHORE 02 NEWS ISLAMABAD
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I R A N I A N E N V O Y S Y M PAT H I Z E S W I T H FA M I L I E S O F M A RT Y R S : Meanwhile the Ambassador of Iran to Pakistan Reza Amiri Moghadam extended his condolences to the people of Pakistan and the families who lost their loved ones in the terrorist attack on the security forces post in North Waziristan District s Mir Ali area In a message he expressed his deep sorrow and said, I am deeply dejected to see seven young Pakistani brothers in the security forces of Pakistan embraced Shahadat in a terrorist attack while protecting their motherland in the Holy month of Ramadan ” N A S P E A K E R , I R A N ’ S E N V O Y A G R E E T O B O LS T E R PA R L I A M E N TA R Y T I E S N O W that Ramazan is underway I have turned my thoughts to those who are still fasting under the worst of circumstances – the people of Gaza There was pressure on Israel to show some humanity and declare a ceasefire until Eid but they successfully resisted the pressure and have gone on killing babies and people and anything that moves indiscriminately And the Gazans are still fasting It seems to be an unbreakable habit I remember my late father talking about how he was fasting when his family was overwhelmed and massacred in East Punjab back in those dark days of August 1947 How he and others buried the bodies and then offered the Eid prayer I don t remember his ever telling of how he broke the fast I suppose fasting is so much part of our psyche that we keep it up in the worst of circumstances I have observed that fasting is the last of the compulsory forms of worship to go I ve noticed that people aren’t all that particular about prayer, but are about fasting Arabs are generally also particular about praying which we in the Subcontinent aren t But fasting is something we seem to draw the line at Gazans are Arabs, and are particular about both prayer and fasting Despite being bombed out of their wits One of the benefits of Ramazan is that Ali Amin Gandapur met Mian Shehbaz Sharif Ali Amin contrary to his reputation did not try to bite Mian Shehbaz nor did he raise any slogans of Chor chor which disappointed some of the more radical elements in the PTI, who reminded anyone who would listen that Mike Tyson bit off Evander Holyfield’s ear in 1997 in their second match and only treachery and pressure from the Americans prevented Pakistan having a one-eared PM Otherwise what else could have been expected from Ali Amin When Pervez Khattak was CM, one couldn’t expect him to attack Mian Nawaz Sharif who was then PM The most one could hope for was for him to cough on Mian Nawaz and hope he would get TB Or at best one would expect him to dance around Mian Nawaz one of those devil dances that would bring Mian Nawaz to an awful fate On the other hand, Ali Amin Gandapur should have done more He however did not do what he has been trained to do neither by the PTI nor by his academic training in fashion design Mian Shehbaz not only kept his ear but was also not given any idea about his clothes No comments on the snappy hat, the white jacket or the understated ties Not only did the PTI miss a golden opportunity for Direct Action, but Ali Amin further showed his disloyalty to the Great Khan by not forcing the Peshawar High Court from giving the Sunni Ittehad Council the reserved seats it deserved by virtue of being joined by the PTI-backed independents At the moment Ali Amin heads an SIC government in KP The purpose of reserving women’s seats for parties is dual It makes sure that women get representation in Parliament which they would otherwise not get You get very few women winning direct elections By making the number of seats won determines the number of seats they get means that the ratios are not spoiled On February 9, the PML-N won in 31 7 percent of constituencies and should have gotten 22 seats Now they will get about 35 which means it will form 32 3 percent of the National Assembly The PTI-backed independents won 93 seats, or 35 percent of the Assembly Now the SIC will only have 35 percent The PTI/SIC honeymoon seems to be over with the SIC chief Hamid Reza engaged in a verbal clash with Sher Afzal Marwat Hamid Raza is probably lucky it stayed verbal because Marwat is known primarily for beating up people he disagrees with on live TV Another ear that got away unbitten
City Notes M a N i a z i
GWADAR s ta f f r e p o r t As a practical step towards the expansion of Gwadar Expressway Phase II of Gwadar Port the Gwadar Port Authority (GPA), Ministry of Maritime Affairs has floated a tender to hire the services of consultancy firms (National & International) for survey and feasibility study for the execution of the project The Gwadar Expressway Phase II with a length of 10 5 kilometers aims to connect the Gwadar Port with New Gwadar International Airport Any company registered as a consultant with the Pakistan Engineering Council (PEC), with relevant experience, and providing an affidavit confirming non-involvement in any arbitration or litigation with any government agency or department can apply for the project The consulting firms shall be engaged via quality and cost-based selection as per Public Procurement Regulatory Rules while single stage two envelope bidding procedures as per PPRA rule 36(b) will be adopted Companies can submit all required documents by April 17 Gwadar Pro reported on Sunday Gwadar Eastbay Expressway is the main artery of Gwadar Port through which the entire traffic of the port will flow The objective of Eastbay Expressway is to provide primary connectivity of the Port & its Free Zone with the network of National Highways for smooth logistic transportation of import export and transit goods The 19-kilometer Gwadar Expressway Phase I was completed and inaugurated on June 3, 2022 De-siltation of 17 1 Canals star ts today DG KHAN s ta f f r e p o r t The de-siltation of 171 small and big canals of Dera Ghazi Khan zone will start on Monday March 18 The task has been given to remove silt from 1625 kilometers long canals by April 20 Superintending Engineer Irrigation Department Khan Shaukat Hayat said that provincial divisional and district-level committees have been formed to monitor the proper de-siltation of canals He said that the monitoring land information management system has also been made functional by the provincial government There will be no wastage of water by the de-silting and the canal water will reach the tail-end farmers in abundance He said that if anyone has any objection or suggestion related to the desiltation it could be submitted in writing to his office and the Canal division The entire staff will play every possible role for the success of the de-siltation, he concluded On the other hand member Provincial Assembly (MPA) Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) Hanif Patafi said that recommendations to upgrade 31 schools in DG Khan have been submitted to the Punjab government In a statement issued here, the MPA stated that there was huge pressure on different schools in the city Efforts are underway to upgrade Primary schools to middle middle schools to high school and high schools to higher secondary schools He further remarked that Chief Executive Officer Education Abdur Rehman was also instructed to complete file work in this regard
the province under Ramazan package It will be handed over to them at their doorstep respectfully, he mentioned Moreover he said the facility of ‘Shelter homes’ has been reopened by ensuring all facilities for needy people However he said the government would also take steps for providing business opportunities to people rather only giving them charity or stipend He said the women would be provided employment at their homes and youth would be provided with skill trainings He informed that the consultation was underway with other countries regarding provision of employment to people by giving them skills training After the training the skilled people of the province would be sent abroad for employment He said the people of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa would be engaged in business and the business opportunities would be provided at their doorsteps Gandapur said the food security was another big issue of the country and one of the real factors behind the inflation as insufficient availability of anything causes increasing its price The provincial government would construct small dams, he said and added that the work over TankZam dam would be started soon Besides the work over Lift Canal project in Dera Ismail Khan would also be started soon The Khyber Pakhtunkwha would be
5th August 2019 and since then scores of Kashmiris have been dismissed from their jobs while the apartheid regime has opened flood-gates of employment for non-state subjects
Kashmiri have been fighting for the right to selfdetermination for the past 76 years in the light of the United Nations resolutions and will continue their struggle till taking it to its logical conclusion at all costs
PESHAWAR s ta f f r e p o r t In a pioneering move the Pakistan Institute of Development Economics (PIDE), a Premier National Think Tank, has made public its investigative report titled "GORs Everywhere: University Land for Public Housing " Authored by Nadeem Ul Haque Vice Chancellor Pakistan Institute of Development Economics (PIDE), M Jehangir Khan, and Iram Nadeem, this study embarks on a critical analysis of the conventional utilization of university lands predominantly allocated for housing within educational institutions premises said in a press release issued here on Sunday It advances a transformative outlook proposing the allocation of these tracts for commercial endeavours through Public-Private Partnerships (PPP) aiming at amplifying universities revenue streams whilst augmenting local economies and societal well-being According to the Press Release issued from the PIDE, Islamabad office, the report states that Universities globally have evolved from their traditional roles to become contemporary business-oriented centres of education and research, enjoying greater autonomy and financial independence This shift comes as higher education faces the dual challenges of growth and sustainability prompted by the scarcity of tax dollars and diminishing societal support In response, institutions are increasingly adopting entrepreneurial approaches, including self-promotion, forging partnerships and embracing technological innovations to thrive in the knowledge economy and align themselves as competitive entities in both domestic and international arenas In Pakistan, universities confront similar financial challenges and debates over resource allocation particularly concerning the construction of housing colonies on campus lands Such practices are criticized for squandering valuable assets that could be more strategically utilized to enhance the institutions' financial viability and fulfil their educational missions more effectively Central to the study's findings is an insightful comparison between the land use strategies employed by globally renowned universities such as Harvard, Princeton, and Yale, and their counterparts in Pakistan This contrast not only sheds light on the successful financial models adopted by these international institutions stemming from strategic investments in commercial ventures on their campuses but also underscores the significant potential for Pakistani universities to replicate such success Through meticulous analysis, the report brings to the fore the extensive opportunity costs entailed by the maintenance of residential colonies on university lands underpinned by the examination of high property values across major cities including Islamabad, Lahore, and Peshawar Emerging from these observations PIDE posits a series of policy reforms aimed at reimagining the use of university lands Key among these is the suggestion to monetize residential perks for faculty and staff by introducing market-rate rentals for university-owned properties, thereby creating a new income stream Furthermore the institute advocates for the development of high-rise residential and commercial complexes a move anticipated to optimize land use and maximize revenue generation PIDE unveils repor t ‘GORs Ever y where: University L and for Public Housing’
He said the deliberate attempt to suspend Kashmiri government employees from their jobs is a dangerous game plan to minimize the role of Kashmiris in the civil administration Terming it as a deep-rooted conspiracy against the Kashmiris, he said, “Settler-colonialism drive has been initiated under the garb of the newly introduced domicile law to replace the indigenous population with a new society of settlers The people of occupied
APHC condemns ban on Hurriyat parties in IIOJK, urges UN to intervene for Kashmir resolution Law and order to be maintained at all costs, says Gandapur
C M M A R YA M L A U D S T R A N S PA R E N C Y I N ‘ N I G E H B A N R A M A D A N PA C K A G E ’
P‘Financial crisis’:
Peshawar Agricultural Universit y staff faces salar y delay
Minister vows educational reforms to elevate government schools standards
LAHORE s ta f f r e p o r t
Punjab's Education Minister, Rana Sikandar Hayat has articulated his ambitious plans to revolutionize the province s educational landscape The minister has pledged to introduce sweeping reforms aimed at propelling government schools to the same caliber as prestigious private institutions
The announcement came during a high-level consultation meeting convened on Friday at the University of Education presided over by Minister Rana Sikandar
CDWP approves Rs4.54b energy sec tor projec t for Gwadar
Gov
ISLAMABAD s ta f f r e
G ang member involved in kidney trafficking arrested
President vows blood of ‘sons’ not to go in vain as funeral of Mir
Ali mar t yrs offered
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We are determined that we will definitely succeed in uprooting terrorism, but for that we all have to be united ” he added The Defence Minister said that the previous government of PML-N had successfully broken the nexus of terrorists militants and insurgents in the country and it would eliminate the terrorists again and would not hesitate from any sacrifice for it He said that our Pakistan Army is one of the great forces of the world which is determined to raise its flags of success on any front Kh Asif added that Pak Army martyrs who embraced martyrdom while defending the motherland against the scourge of terrorism in Mir Ali, were ridiculed by a political party on social media “The martyrdom was likened to Returning Officers When people expressed their anger on this Tweet it was deleted he added Targeting the Pakistan Tehreek-eInsaf (PTI), he claimed that the lust for power had become so intense that you make fun of those who sacrificed their lives for Pakistan “I think there can be no greater enmity with Pakistan than this ” he maintained Kh Asif said that including martyrs over differences in the election is a very shameful act and the party which is doing this has actually lost its identity and today it is a nameless party, who is running this party and who is sitting outside the country and making abuses? The Federal Minister said that the Pakistan Tehreek-eInsaf (PTI) has lost its identity and no one knows who is running the party He said that these people write letters to the IMF and US Congress members that Pakistan should not be given loans, terming writing a letter to the IMF is equivalent to anti-nationalism In response to a question the Federal Defence Minister said that those who called the recent general elections a fixed match are actively participating in Senate elections
India funding TTP militants in Afghanistan, says Amb Durrani
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Parliamentary supremacy and a comprehensive strategy are crucial for addressing these challenges
KP s trade potential Former federal minister of state for parliamentary affairs and PTI leader Ali Mohammad Khan said Afghanistan should be given an opportunity to make its own decisions He said Pakistan could help its neighbour in peacebuilding We understand that opening of borders and trade with Afghanistan is in the interest of Pakistan, he said He said that the huge potential of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa could be used in promoting trade with the neighbouring country BNP-M leader Dr Jehanzeb Jamaldini called for a roadmap to address long-standing issues highlighting the need for a grand dialogue among political parties and improving Pak-Afghan trade ties Former defence secretary retired Lt Gen Naeem Khalid Lodhi said that Pakistan’s Afghan policy was under the influence of foreign elements He said Afghanistan was affecting Pakistan the most in terms of politics economics and security Council of Islamic Ideology Chairman Dr Qibla Ayaz also spoke on the occasion Implications Pakistan's allegations against India could further strain relations between the two arch rivals especially at a time when a new government is installed in Pakistan and India is going into elections It also raises concerns about the potential for increased instability in Afghanistan, which is already grappling with numerous challenges The international community has called on all parties involved to work towards a peaceful resolution of the conflict in Afghanistan Pakistan s accusations and demands may complicate these efforts and hinder the progress of the Afghan peace process
‘Senate polls’: Nominations filing concludes, scrutiny to be held tomorrow
spokesperson for the provincial election commission Jan Muhammad Buledi, Raheela Durrani, Amanullah Khan Kanrani, Saeedul Hassan Mandokhail Mir Changaiz Jamali Maulana Abdul Wasey Kauda Babar and Maulana Abdul Haq Hashmi have also submitted their nomination papers For the two Senate seats from Islamabad, the PML-N and PPP reached a seat-adjustment agreement, following which Mehmoodul Hasan and Ishaq Dar filed their nomination papers
M d y 18 M h 2024 | LAHORE NEWS 03 LAHORE s ta f f r e p o r t
U N J A B Chief Minister (CM) Maryam Nawaz on Sunday lauded the transparency in Nigehban Ramadan Package’ As per details Maryam said transparency has been ensured in Nigehban Ramadan Package as QR Code has been printed on each bag to ensure transparency In a statement, The Punjab CM said that all necessary measures will be taken to provide relief to people in the province Maryam stated special bags of Nigehban Ramadan Package have been delivered to more than three million deserving families She said delivery of these special bags to a total of six point four million deserving families will be completed soon Earlier Maryam Nawaz directed authorities concerned to ensure high standard of quality items in Ramzan package The Punjab chief minister issued the directives while chairing a meeting on the transparent distribution and monitoring of the Ramzan package The meeting was briefed that a transparent and foolproof system has been devised for the provision of Ramzan Package among beneficiaries CM Maryam Nawaz was briefed about the distribution of Punjab s largest Ramzan relief package in history During the meeting, it was apprised that the distribution of the Ramzan Package is being supervised with the help of the live dashboard and modern technology The meeting briefed that a helpline has also been set up for complaints CONTINUED FROM PAGE 01 Members of the four provincial assemblies will elect senators for seven general seats two women seats and two seats for technocrats, including Ulema from each province, as well as one seat for non-Muslims from both Punjab and Sindh Those who submitted nomination papers to send shockwaves within the PML-N include former caretaker prime minister Anwaarul Haq Kakar former Punjab caretaker chief minister and sitting Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, Finance Minister Aurangzeb Khan, former adviser to prime minister Ahad Cheema and Mustafa Ramday son of former chief justice Khalilur Rehman Ramday The submission of nomination papers by these individuals were surprising for the public and disturbing for many in the party leaders as well According to a PML-N leader, the decision to bring in outsiders at the cost of loyalists was shocking for many “There is a strong resentment within the party over the decision he said He said the party this time deviated from the tradition of inviting applications from the candidates and all the arrangements had been made behind the scenes He said prominent PML-N figures who have been ignored include Khawaja Saad Rafique Rana Sanaullah Khurram Dastgir and Javed Latif On behalf of ex-PM Kakar Senator Danesh Kumar submitted the nomination papers for a general seat from Balochistan The members of the Balochistan Assembly will on April 2 elect 11 senators seven for general seats, two for women, and two technocrats P U N J A B: In all 22 candidates from different parties filed their nomination for Senate elections from Punjab the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) said Mr Naqvi, Mr Aurangzeb and Mr Cheema are set to become senators with the support of PML-N and its allies Interestingly none of the three showed any intention to join the Sharifs party The PML-N leadership has directed its lawmakers to vote for them while its allied parties have also assured these three of their support to get them elected from Punjab,” a PML-N insider said He said the Sharifs did not seek applications from the party persons for the Senate polls out of embarrassment knowing that they had to adjust outsiders on the direction of the powers that be Although Mohsin Naqvi s name was proposed for a general seat in the Senate, he preferred to file the nomination papers as an independent candidate Mr Aurangzeb and Mr Cheema followed suit with the former filing papers as a technocrat and the latter on a general seat Mustafa Ramday filed papers for a technocrat seat as a PML-N candidate Pervaiz Rashid, a Sharifs’ loyalist who was ousted from the Senate election race three years ago for different reasons, finally got the chance to submit papers on a general seat Anusha Rahman has submitted papers for woman’s seat Punjab Minister for Human Rights Tahir Khalil Sandhu filed papers for a minority seat Musadik Malik submitted nomination papers for general as well as for technocrat seats Sharif s close aide Nasir Mehmood Butt and PML-N leader Talal Chaudhry submitted their papers on a general seat On the other hand, PTI leaders Hamid Khan and Zulfi Bukhari are vying for general seats Incarcerated PTI leaders Sanam Javed and Dr Yasmin Rashid submitted papers on woman and technocrat seats respectively Raja Nasir Abbas of the MWM has also filed papers S I N D H: As many as 35 candidates of different political parties including PPP MQM-Pakistan and the SIC as well as independents have submitted their nomination papers for the upcoming Senate elections on 12 seats in Sindh The 12 seats comprise seven general, two each for women and technocrats and ulema, and one seat for nonMuslims According to the provincial election commissioner 21 aspirants have filed papers for general seats five for technocrats and ulema six for women and three for the category of non-Muslims Najeeb Haroon, Mohammad Abu Bakar, Abdul Rauf Siddiqui, Shabbir Qaimkhani, Faisal Vawda, Amir Chishti, Humayun Sultan Ashraf Jatoi Syed Mansoor Ahsan and Jeean Khan Sarfaraz Rajpar, Nadeem Bhutto, Javed Ahmed Nayab, Dost Ali Jessar, Abdul Wahab, Ghanwer Ali Khan Isran, Mukhtiar Ahmed Dhamrah Aajiz, Ali Tahir, Mir Raja Khan Jakarani Shahbaz Zaheer and Nighat Mirza have filed papers for general seats Zamir Hussain Ghumro Sarmad Ali Karim Ahmed Khawaja Manzoor Bhutta and Abdul Wahab are the nominated candidates for the seats of technocrats and ulema For the category of women seat, Quratul Ain Marri Rubina Qaimkhani Yasmin Dadbhoy Musarrat Nazir Niazi Sabina Perveen and Mehjabeen Riaz have filed nomination papers Poonjo Sadhumal Surendar Valasai and Bhagwan Das are vying for the only seat reserved for non-Muslims K H Y B E R PA K H T U N K H WA: In KP, 42 candidates are in the run for 11 Senate seats including 25 on seven general seats 10 on two reserved seats for technocrats and seven on two reserved seats for women The list of candidates finalised by the PTI shows that the party has chosen its hawks for the future politics Some PTI’s candidates for Senate seats are either in jail or their nomination papers to contest Feb 8 elections had been rejected Some of them remained underground or had to exit the country A party leader said that Azam Swati and Murad Saeed wanted to contest the general elections, but their nomination papers were rejected He said Mr Swati remained under arrest PTI leader Shoaib Shaheen said it was impossible to forget those who have rendered sacrifices for the party According to the party’s media wing, Imran Khan on Saturday approved several names as his party’s candidates for Senate elections They include: Murad Saeed Faisal Javed Khan Mirza Afridi Irfan Saleem and Khurram Zeeshan will be the party s candidates for general seats from KP, while Azhar Mashwani would be the covering candidate of Murad Saeed Azam Swati and Irshad Hussain are the candidates for technocrat seats while Ayesha Bano and Rubina Naz will contest for women s seats in the province B A L O C H I S TA N: As many as 36 candidates of different parties and independents including ex-PM Kakar, Aimal Wali Khan, and some former senators who retired on March 8 have filed their nomination papers for 11 seats up for grab from Balochistan The 11 seats comprise seven general seats two for technocrat and ulema and two for reserved women, according to a
Hayat Accompanying him were esteemed personalities including Vice Chancellor Dr Alam Saeed, Dr Talat Pasha, and several other renowned academicians The meeting served as a platform to deliberate upon critical issues pertaining to school education reforms Discussions centered on modernizing the education system with a particular focus on enhancing monitoring mechanisms for government schools, establishing an advisory council, expanding nutrition programs and implementing a transparent machine marking system for examination assessments Additionally the need to revamp the curriculum to align with contemporary requirements was emphasized A significant aspect of the deliberations revolved around strategies to promote student engagement in co-curricular activities and address the challenge of out-of-school children Expert opinions were sought from luminaries such as Dr Alam Saeed and Dr Talat Pasha, who provided valuable insights into the reforms needed to uplift government schools Expressing his unwavering commitment to this transformative agenda Education Minister Rana Sikandar Hayat underscored the imperative of implementing an "educational emergency" across Punjab He outlined his vision to establish a world-class education system in the province guided by the expertise of education stalwarts Furthermore Minister Hayat reiterated his resolve to realize the vision set forth by the Chief Minister of Punjab, aiming to position the province as a beacon of educational excellence Notable figures such as Director Punjab Textbook Board Artza Naqvi Amna Shaikh Prof Dr Intizar Butt and Prof Dr Shahzad Qaiser were also present at the event, demonstrating a collective commitment towards advancing education in Punjab
PESHAWAR a z i z B u N e r i The financial crisis has crippled the Agricultural University in Peshawar leaving its employees without salaries for 16 days during the holy month of Ramazan The university authorities acknowledge a lack of funds to cover February and March salaries, blaming the delay in receiving a provincial government grant for the salary issues The university requested a grant of Rs400 million to cover the two months salaries but despite repeated requests the provincial government has yet to release the funds Sources close to the university revealed the hardships faced by employees due to the non-payment of salaries during the holy month of Ramazan and the Eid holiday period Employees have made a public appeal to the provincial government for the prompt release of the requested grant However, the financial crisis is not limited to the Agricultural University as the provincial Finance Department reportedly faces financial difficulties delaying decisions on releasing requested grants for most institutions in the province
t collects Rs142 tax and lev y per liter on petrol, diesel ISLAMABAD s ta f f r e p o r t The Pakistani government has revealed details on the taxes and levies collected on petrol and diesel Sources report that the government collects Rs82 per liter as tax on both petrol and diesel with an additional Rs60 per liter levy This translates to a total collection of Rs475 billion from consumers in the first six months, with a target of Rs920 to 970 billion projected for the entire year According to media reports, in a separate announcement the government has decided to maintain petrol prices and reduce the price of high-speed diesel for the remainder of March The Ministry of Finance issued a notification confirming that the price of petrol will stay at Rs279 75 per liter, while highspeed diesel will see a reduction of Rs 1 77, bringing the new price to Rs285 56 per liter These prices will be effective from March 16th 12:00 PM until March 31st 12:00 PM This decision comes after the Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (Ogra) reviewed data on petroleum product pricing While Ogra s review suggested a potential Rs 1 increase for petrol, it also indicated a Rs 1 decrease for diesel The government opted to maintain petrol prices and implement the recommended decrease for diesel keeping kerosene and light diesel prices unchanged This follows an earlier announcement for the first half of March, which saw a Rs 5 75 increase in petrol prices while maintaining high-speed diesel prices at Rs 287 33 per liter
To address the electricity demands of Gwadar, the Central Development Working Party (CDWP) approved a crucial “revised” energy project This project focuses on enhancing the transmission line infrastructure for the coastal city marking a significant step forward in meeting Gwadar s energy needs The CDWP meeting, led by Deputy Chairman of the Planning Commission, Mohammad Jehanzeb Khan, sanctioned the energy project for Gwadar along with another initiative in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province following detailed discussions The approved energy sector project, titled “Construction of 220kV Transmission Line (28km) along with 2nd Circuit Stringing of 132kV Transmission Line from Jiwani to Gwadar (94km) Revised, is valued at Rs 4540 010 million, Gwadar Pro reported This initiative, worth Rs4 54001 billion, aims to be financed through the Public Sector Development Program (PSDP) Its primary objective is to provide an uninterrupted power supply to consumers across all categories and enhance the overall commercial viability of the power sector The project entails the construction of grid stations and includes the establishment of a 132kV (AIS) grid station in Jiwani, featuring a 132 KV Line Bay facing the Jiwani – Gwadar Circuit It also involves setting up a 132kV (AIS) grid station in old Gwadar including a 132 KV Line Bay facing the Gwadar (old) - Jiwani Circuit Furthermore, the project encompasses the construction of a 220/132kV Transmission Line from Gabd to Jiwani (Zero Point) and the second Circuit Stringing of the existing 132 kV SDT Jiwani–Gwadar (old) 99 KM Transmission Line (QESCO portion) This project is set to significantly improve the power infrastructure in Gwadar, representing a crucial development in addressing the energy needs of this burgeoning economic hub Gwadar Pro reported LAHORE s ta f f r e p o r t Gulshan Iqbal police in Lahore successfully apprehended a member of a criminal gang engaged in the illicit trade of human kidneys The arrested individual, identified as Nadeem was captured along with his associate Shoaib following an intensive operation led by SHO Gulshan Iqbal Syed Qamar Abbas, and his dedicated police team Reports suggest that Nadeem and Shoaib orchestrated a scheme wherein they targeted unsuspecting individuals from impoverished backgrounds enticing them with promises of work opportunities in various localities One such victim Salim a laborer by profession was lured into their trap under the pretext of offering him employment related to house painting Upon gaining Salim s trust the perpetrators administered a drugged juice rendering him unconscious Subsequently, they would transport their victims to Islamabad, where they would hand them over to a certain individual known as Dr Zafar Dr Zafar's involvement in the scheme reportedly included monetary transactions with the accused It is alleged that Nadeem and Shoaib would offer victims a meager sum of 50,000 to 60,000 rupees, falsely claiming it as partial payment for their kidneys Shockingly, the victims would then undergo forced kidney extraction procedures with Salim falling victim to this heinous crime Prompt action was taken by Salim, who managed to alert the authorities leading to Nadeem's arrest Efforts are currently underway to apprehend the remaining accomplices involved in this nefarious operation, with the police team actively pursuing leads to ensure justice is served A case has been formally registered against Nadeem and his cohorts underscoring the gravity of the charges they face in connection with this abhorrent crime This development highlights the imperative for law enforcement agencies to remain vigilant and resolute in combating such criminal enterprises that prey on the vulnerable members of society
p o r t
Th o u g h n o b i d s a re c o m i n g f o r
M u z a f f a rg a r h s o l a r p o we r p ro j e c t, l a n d i s s t i l l b e i n g a c q u i re d
TH E proposal for a 600 MW solar plant in Muzaffargarh was one of the main pillars of the green-power initiative by the previous Shehbaz Sharif government, but unfortunately it has found no takers However the seriousness with which the project is taken can be seen from the fact that despite not having a bidder for the construction, the National Transmission and Despatch Company Ltd, a whollyowned state-owned enterprise has acquired over 2500 acres of land for the project The project was to have been part of an effort to build 6000 MW of solar power However, the project could attract no bids from the time it was first launched with an April 3023 cutoff date That date was to forward five times, up to January, but getting no bids The incentives, in terms of pricing, have been revised, but this has not been sufficient
The project illustrates one of the problems with the Independent Power Producers It was rightly pointed out that they were basically a steal, with investors getting an extremely good deal at the cost of the consumer, who is now picking up the bill, and the country is in trouble with the IMF, with the furnace oil being imported having caused
Dedicated to the legac y of late Hameed Nizami
Arif Nizami (Late) Founding Editor
M A Niazi Editor Pakistan Today Babar Nizami Editor Profit
S i l e n c i n g t h e S o i l
Afree and democratic society is demonstrated by personal property freedom of religion and speech citizenship voting rights freedom from unwarranted governmental deprivation of the right to life and liberty, minority rights, and protests, which are a vital means of expressing dissatisfaction with governmental activities Almost 70 percent of the population in India relies heavily on the agricultural industry for their fundamental needs This industry has continued to play a significant role in the nation s economic stability even in the wake of the ongoing global epidemic
In December 2021, Farmers in India forced the repeal of three controversial Farm Laws that sought to deregulate the country’s agricultural industry to further corporate interests after a year of persistent public protests Farmers were afraid that the rules would make it easier for corporations to seize control of India s agrarian economy, undermine price support for important crops, and endanger their means of livelihood They had also requested that the federal minister ’s son be brought to trial by the government for allegedly running over and killing four protesting farmers during the 2021 demonstration
Following the repeal of the new farm laws by Prime Minister Narendra Modi s administration in 2021, the government announced plans to form a group comprising government officials and farmers to determine strategies for guaranteeing support prices for all agricultural produce After the government agreed to negotiate their additional requests which included guaranteed prices for produce and the dismissal of criminal charges against the protesters and canceled the proposed farm laws in 2021, farmer organizations decided to end their strike
A committee to handle farming issues was established by
P o l i t i c a l & s o c i a l c h a n g e t h r o u g h s o c i a l m e d i a
ing tool and communication across local national and international boundaries It encourages active participation in political discourse and the development of political literacy through information dissemination from various sources The accessibility and democratic nature of news production have been enhanced by the development of the Internet and social media
When social media platforms are used exclusively and extensively for political purposes for example, by showcasing pictures of political parties or politicians, following them, starting political debates, offering support to them disseminating their message running for office and soliciting donations it is referred to as using social media for political purposes Unlike inclusive online politics this special method of accessing social networking sites is valuable Social media platforms are employed in politics to increase voter interest, engagement, and literacy Additionally, they draw attention to political involvement which lowers hurdles and expenses for political marketing initiatives including repositioning brand development and campaigns
During the 2008 American presidential elections, social media platforms gained prominence for their political purposes Initially not evolved as political instruments statesmen quickly adapted to use them for political campaigns and communication Barack Obama s use of social networking sites particularly Facebook, appealed to American youth, even those not old enough to vote While not the first to explore social media as a powerful election campaign tool, Obama was the first to use it as an essential element of his candidacy to network with potential voters aligning with his ideology
In Pakistan the former Prime Minister Imran Khan has been the pioneer of using social media platforms like X, YouTube, and Facebook to allow campaigns to connect with individual voters at a grassroot level in a more personalized manner
Less is known about the
The farmers’ protests and democratic debate in India
demands in 2024 The authorities have blocked roads with barbed wire, metal containers, and cement blocks to keep the protesters from reaching the city There is no progress in the negotiations between the administration and the farmers India s government led by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has frequently cracked down on peaceful rallies and detained people who object to its policies With the statement, We have identified them with CCTV and drone cameras, a police official threatened to cancel the demonstrators’ passports and visas To disperse crowds and medical camps the authorities also utilized tear gas shells and drones To contain the mob they fired shotguns loaded with metal pellets which can result in blindness and other severe injuries Shubhkaran Singh, a farmer in the region that borders the states of Punjab and Haryana, was 24 years old when he was shot in the head by police on February 21 The Indian government frequently used this strategy to undermine political demonstrations by the farmers and the Haryana government appears to have attempted this by temporarily restricting internet access in seven areas According to the Global Government Affairs team at X (previously Twitter), on February 21, the Indian government sent them “executive orders”
A constructive conversation that involves farmers in consultations on the terms of the agricultural reform proposals is required rather than ridiculing and silencing the criticism. This will make sure that the new reforms are understood and voluntarily embraced by the majority of people , rather than just being forced upon them.
that mandated them to remove certain accounts
The majority of these accounts some of which are blocked on Facebook belong to reporters covering the demonstrations leaders of the farmers union and other people who endorse the farmers activities According to international human rights law, India must make sure that internet-based limitations are mandated by the government and are a reasonable and necessary response to a particular security issue The United Nations Human Rights Council denounced actions taken to obstruct or restrict online information dissemination or access in July 2016 Even though it is the foundation of the Indian economy, the agriculture sector is still the most neglected and undervalued, receiving only 2 percent of the country’s overall budget Records show that 7 4 percent of all suicides in the country are farmer suicides Multiple projectiles fired at the same time are inaccurate and generally their use cannot comply with the principles of necessity and proportionality, according to the 2020 UN guidance on less-lethal weapons” in law enforcement It is never advisable to employ metal pellets, such as those discharged from shotguns
The BJP-led administration in India must take action to reduce political violence rather than make it worse as the country prepares for elections The legally given freedoms and liberties of the protesting farmers in India have been severely violated Reforms in the agriculture sector are desperately needed In a democracy citizens have the important right to express their discontent and protest in peace India’s ongoing use of disproportionate and excessive force against these protestors is unjustifiable and violates their human rights, which are protected by both international law and the Constitution To truly uphold democracy and human rights, one must allow for political difference, dissent, and nonviolent protest
Therefore a constructive conversation that involves farmers in consultations on the terms of the agricultural reform proposals is required rather than ridiculing and silencing the criticism This will make sure that the new reforms are understood and voluntarily embraced by the majority of people, rather than just being forced upon them
The writer is a Research Officer at Centre for International Strategic Studies AJK She can be reached at Nsheikh536@gmail com
KE refutes ‘Insane Loadshedding’ repor ts
with social media playing a crucial role in increasing political engagement and awareness This explores how social media can impact politics highlighting its effectiveness as a network-
p o l i t i c a l a n d s o c i a l ch a n g e t h ro u g h i n s t a n t a n e o u s i n fo r m a t i o n d i s s e m i n a t i o n , r e a l - t i m e c o m mu n i c a t i o n , a n d dy n a m i c o rg a n i z a t i o n H ow ev e r, i t s e f fe c t i v e n e s s d e p e n d s o n s t r a t e g i c a l i g n m e n t o f o n l i n e c a m p a i g n s w i t h o f f l i n e a c t i o n s S u c c e s s f u l m ov e m e n t s h av e s h ow n t h e p ow e r o f c o m b i n i n g d i g i t a l a dvo c a cy w i t h p
Karachi’s sewage struggle
04 Monday 18 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 N o t
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circular debt to pile up while the country faces fuel import bills it cannot manage without borrowing heavily Though solar power is the way to go, no government wants to give a rate of return which burdens the consumer with electricity he cannot pay for After all one of the pluses with renewables is that they are cheap
conversion of renewable sources is supposed to be the easiest After all, Pakistan has abundant untapped sources of renewable sources of power in the shape of hydro-electricity However, that requires the heavy investment of hydroelectric dams, for which the money is not available Wind power is also abundant on the coast but also requires a heavy investment Solar power is a good option in that respect However, apart from large solar projects like at Muzaffargarh, the government should also ease both consumer and WAPDA to converting existing domestic and commercial connections to solar energy The plan included a component whereby government offices would convert to solar power The government should focus on that as it is likely to give quicker results that acquiring land for the Muzaffargarh project
The
A P R O P O S to Kishen Haridas' letter titled 'Insane Loadshedding' published on March 13, 2024: KE evaluates its network to gauge levels of bill payments and the impact of electricity theft that determine area loss profiles Currently 71% of KE s network is receiving uninterrupted power supply with the remaining 29% experiencing loadshedding in proportion to these loss profiles Meanwhile, loadshedding is capped at a maximum duration of 10 hours daily Through 20,000 kunda removal drives, KE removed 200 000+ kg of illegal wiring since July 2023 and continues to take strict action against power theft The power utility continues to collaborate with government and law enforcement agencies to support efforts against the same It must be said, eradication of power theft is crucial for improving the loss profiles of such neighborhoods In this respect KE appreciates the role of communities area representatives and elected stakeholders who share a unified vision of energizing Karachi and collaborate with the utility in addressing these challenges Furthermore, KE continues to facilitate people with respect to the timely payment of their bills while increasing vigilance on the ground as part of its governance against power theft We request that communities residing, may work with KE to improve supply to their areas K E S P O K E S P E R S O N KARACHI
A M I D S T all the unpredictable weather in the city I wish to bring the attention of concerned authorities towards the inadequate sewage system in Karachi, which poses significant challenges for the city s residents and its overall infrastructure Downpours caused horrendous conditions throughout the city especially in places like Baldi Town Orangi Town North Karachi Surjani Town Gulshan-e-Maymar Bahria Town Saddar North Nazimabad Tower Liaquatabad and Nazimabad With rapid urbanisation and population growth the existing sewage infrastructure has struggled to keep pace, leading to a range of issues affecting public health, the environment, and overall quality of life One of the primary concerns is the inadequate capacity of the sewage system to handle the increasing volume of waste generated by the growing population Consequently many areas in Karachi experience frequent sewage backups and overflows leading to the contamination of streets public spaces and even residential areas The outdated and poorly maintained sewage network exacerbates the problem Ageing pipes and insufficient maintenance contribute to leaks, blockages, and malfunctions, further compromising the efficiency of the system This not only hampers the proper disposal of wastewater but also increases the risk of waterborne diseases posing a direct threat to public health The consequences of the poor sewage system are felt keenly during the monsoon season when heavy rains can overwhelm the already struggling infrastructure Flooded streets and waterlogged areas become breeding grounds for diseases creating a heightened risk of epidemics Addressing the issues with Karachi s sewage system requires a comprehensive approach Investments in modernising and expanding the sewage infrastructure are essential to accommodate the city’s growing population Regular maintenance and timely repairs are equally critical to ensure the longevity and efficiency of the system Furthermore public awareness campaigns can play a vital role in encouraging responsible waste disposal practices among residents and industries Stricter regulations and enforcement measures for industrial waste disposal are necessary to prevent further pollution of water bodies and safeguard public health UNZILA TAHIR HUDA 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 R E S E A R C H in political science and social movement studies has been limited in understanding the role of communication and communicative practices in the construction of collective identities and protest movements Social movements are social processes where collective actors articulate their interests, voice grievances, and propose solutions to identified problems through various actions These movements are conflictual structured through dense informal networks and geared towards developing sustaining and sharing collective identities The emergence of digital networked technologies has led to the convergence of distribution and communication channels, including social media The profound impact of these technologies on societies has led to a polarized debate about the impact and normative consequences of Information Network or Knowledge Society and social media However, even sceptics acknowledge the opportunities for disadvantaged groups to selfrepresent themselves, communicate independently and organize transnationally Social media are playing an increasingly role in organizing social movements and mobilizing on a global level The popularity and dependence on social media have doubled in recent years with the internet becoming a crucial tool for information and communication Social media has been shown to change perspectives and temperaments in political debates providing a platform for both young and old individuals to participate in ongoing revolts or promote their views Social media platforms like Facebook and Twitter have become essential for gathering information, creating social empowerment, and staying updated on socio-political happenings It has also become a platform for people to express their political views and participate in ongoing political revolts and a critical asset for global social empowerment and communication The Internet has significantly facilitated political engagement and information dissemination,
conditions that promote the use of social media platforms, which have grown to be important arenas for political participation The socialising power of mass media including print and television can moderate the relationship between media vulnerability and democratic outcomes With increased exposure to the media, millennials may utilise social media more for political goals Election involvement is more than just casting a ballot, and millennials are greatly impacted by social media use for online political engagement The news media is essential to educating the public about world events particularly in the run-up to elections Political interest is a major factor in the promotion of political knowledge, and turnout is impacted by young people’s lack of interest Social media has been instrumental in driving political and social change through instantaneous information dissemination real-time communication and dynamic organization However, its effectiveness depends on strategic alignment of online campaigns with offline actions Successful movements have shown the power of combining digital advocacy with physical participation demonstrating that online platforms serve as a means to an end T h e w r i t e r i s P h D i n P o l i t i c a l S c i e n c e a n d v i s i t i n g f a c u l t y a t Q A U I s l a m a b a d H i s a re a o f s p e c i a l i z a t i o n i s p o l i t i c a l d e v e l o p m e n t a n d s o c i a l c h a n g e H e c a n b e re a c h e d a t z a f a r k h a n s a f d a r @ y a h o o c o m a n d t w e e t @ z a f a r k h a n s a f d a r
h e re v o l u t i o n i n p o l i t i c s Dr zafar khaN SafDar S
m e d i a h a s b e e n i n s t r u m e n t a l i n d r i v i n g
hy s i c a l p a r t i c i p a t i o n , d e m o n s t r a t i n g t h a t o n l i n e p l a t fo r m s s e r v e a s a m e a n s t o a n e n d
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the Modi government, but it was not composed of delegates from Punjab Haryana or Uttar Pradesh all of which are significant producers of grains Hardly any progress has been made by the committee Farmers are still facing persistent issues in the meantime Every year, thousands of Indian farmers commit suicide as a result of debt brought on by crop failures Climate change-related harsh weather and diminishing water supplies have decreased agricultural output The protest movement turned out to be one of the primary challenges facing the administration of Prime Minister Narendra Modi Now in 2024, the farmers have returned, and they claim they wish to remind the government of the commitments made at that time Human Rights Watch claims that Indian authorities are intimidating farmers into not conducting peaceful rallies by employing excessive force threats and internet shutdowns Farmers from the states of Punjab and Haryana have been demonstrating outside India s capital New Delhi since mid-February demanding better pricing for their agricultural products A year-long movement that came to an end in 2021 when tens of thousands of farmers camped outside of New Delhi and succeeded in getting new agricultural laws revoked is being revived by the protesters An extended list of 23 crops which the government would buy at a minimum guaranteed price is part of the farmers present
N a z i a S h e i k h
Advocating democratic norms amid controversy
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and collaboration
Instead of engaging in divisive tactics, the USA should leverage international conferences like the Summit for Democracy to foster constructive dialogue and cooperation suggested another analyst There is an opportunity to harness the collective strength of nations to address shared challenges and promote positive change on a global scale
The critics emphasized the importance of inclusivity and diplomacy in international affairs urging the USA to refrain from pursuing agendas that could undermine global stability and cooperation
The controversy surrounding the 3rd Summit for Democracy underscores the complexities of navigating geopolitical dynamics in an increasingly interconnected world As preparations for the event continue, stakeholders remain divided on how best to balance promoting democratic values with respecting the sovereignty and autonomy of nations with divergent foreign policies With the summit just days away, all eyes are on Seoul as leaders and delegates prepare to engage in crucial discussions in a bid to shape the future of democracy on a global scale Whether the event will succeed in fostering greater cooperation and understanding among nations remains to be seen but one thing is clear: the stakes could not be higher for the future of democracy worldwide
There are suggestions from political analysts that the USA should prioritize addressing its internal challenges rather than intervening in the internal affairs of other countries They advocated a more introspective approach that focuses on upholding constitutional parameters and allowing other nations to determine their futures independently
As former US President Donald Trump’s legal battles unfold and his claims of electoral fraud persist the USA finds itself at a crossroads regarding the future of its democratic system
The political pundits said Trump thrust the integrity of the US democratic system into the spotlight when he filed a lawsuit against Hillary Clinton and several other Democrats alleging a conspiracy to rig the 2016 US presidential election Additionally Trump s continued claims of electoral fraud in the 2020 election reignited debates about the state of democracy in the USA These claims have not only fueled divisions within US society but have also raised fundamental questions about the credibility of the US electoral system
Moreover the USA has received widespread condemnation as it vetoed thrice a UN Security Council resolution for an im-
mediate ceasefire in the Gaza Strip, despite overwhelming support from 13 membercountries The decision has been met with sharp criticism from international leaders who accuse the USA of disregarding the principles of democracy and human rights
The resolution, aimed at ending the ongoing violence in Gaza, received backing from a majority of the United Nations Security Council However the USA exercised its veto power blocking the measure from moving forward This action has raised concerns about the USA prioritizing its strategic interests over the lives and well-being of civilians in the conflict-affected region The critics have pointed out the irony of the USA a country that champions democracy and human rights on the global stage disregarding the democratic will of the international community Instead of supporting efforts to end
As the situation in Gaza remains dire , with civilian casualties mounting and infrastructure destroyed, the failure to secure a ceasefire has fur ther compounded the suffering of the Palestinian people . The US decision to veto the resolution has not only hindered effor ts to bring an end to the violence but has also cast a shadow over its commitment to promoting democracy and peace on the global stag e .
An Indian Supreme Cour t judgment clarified that wishing Pakistan well on its independence day is not a criminal offence in India
the violence and protect innocent lives, the US has been accused of siding with its allies despite allegations of human rights abuses
The US veto has escalated violence in Gaza murdering at least 31 553 civilians including women and children The calls for the international community to unite against discriminatory actions and double standards have grown louder in the wake of the US veto
Many argued that countries cannot claim to uphold democratic principles while selectively applying them to suit their own interests
The need for accountability and adherence to universal human rights norms has been underscored by this latest development
As the situation in Gaza remains dire, with civilian casualties mounting and infrastructure destroyed the failure to secure a ceasefire has further compounded the suffering of the Palestinian people The US decision to veto the resolution has not only hindered efforts to bring an end to the violence but has also cast a shadow over its commitment to promoting democracy and peace on the global stage
The Summit organizers must also guard against any attempt by US allies to drag up bilateral disputes An example is India, which is trying to use its new-found position as the USA’s main hope against China, to cover up its oppression in Kashmir, and to do down Pakistan
The writer can be contacted at rehan ghauri@hotmail com
IWray only could acknowledge that it was a “possibility I would say we do have national security concerns at least from the FBI s end about TikTok Wray said They include the possibility that the Chinese government could use it to control data collection on millions of users or control the recommendation algorithm which could be used for foreign influence operations if they so chose ”
The lack of evidence is not for lack of trying as Wray alluded to during the same hearing When asked by Harshbarger what is being done to investigate the Chinese government s involvement in TikTok Wray replied that he would see whether any specific investigative work could be incorporated into the classified briefing I referred to The FBI, when asked by The Intercept if it has any evidence that TikTok has coordinated with the Chinese government referred to Wray’s prior statements many of which are quoted in this article We have nothing to add to the Director s comments an FBI spokesperson said
The fiscal year 2025 FBI budget request to Congress which outlines its resource priorities in the coming year, was unveiled this week but makes no mention of TikTok in its 94 pages In fact, it makes no mention of China whatsoever Since at least 2020 the interagency Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States has investigated the implications of ByteDance s acquisition of TikTok The investigation followed an executive order by former President Donald Trump that sought to force TikTok to divest from its parent company When that investigation failed to force a sale, a frustrated Congress decided to get involved, with the House passing legislation on Wednesday that would force ByteDance to sell TikTok In testimony to the House Intelligence Committee on Tuesday Director of National Intelligence Avril Haines the highest-ranking intelligence official in the U S government was
Monday 18 March 2024 COMMENT 05
S speaking favourably about Pakistan a criminal offence in India? Four men arrested in Karnataka last week for allegedly shouting Pakistan zindabad long live Pakistan were the latest in a rapidly lengthening list of persons prosecuted across the country in the last few years for allegedly chanting pro-Pakistan slogans However on March 7 the Supreme Court in a judgment outlined that extending good wishes to Pakistan or to any other country for that matter is not a criminal offence The court stated in the judgment in no uncertain terms that the country s police machinery is disregarding the fundamental right of citizens to freedom of speech Scroll explains what the judgment said and why there is no legal basis for criminalising proPakistan statements SUPREME COURT JUDGMENT: The Supreme Court s judgment, delivered by a twojudge bench comprising Justices AS Oka and Ujjal Bhuyan, stems from a first information report filed in 2022 by the Maharashtra police against Javed Ahmad Hajam a Kashmiri professor who was at that time teaching at the Sanjay Ghodawat College in Kolhapur He had been booked under Section 153A of the Indian Penal Code that prohibits acts that promote disharmony or enmity between different groups based on religion, race, language, caste or community In other words it makes it illegal to engage in activities make statements or spread information that can lead to hatred or hostility between people belonging to different social groups This includes promoting feelings of enmity, hatred or ill-will through words, gestures or signs, either orally or in writing, or through visual representations His alleged crime? Putting up the following three messages as his status on Whatsapp at different times in August that year: August 5 –Black Day Jammu & Kashmir 14th August –Happy Independence Day Pakistan and Article 370 was abrogated, we are not happy Hajam filed a petition at the Bombay High Court in January 2023 for quashing the first information report But the High Court dismissed his petition Hajam subsequently appealed to the Supreme Court The Supreme Court on Thursday allowed the appeal and set aside the first information report It called the Hajam s continued prosecution a gross abuse of the process of law Referring to some of its previous judgments, the court reiterated the established position of law with regard to section 153A: that it could be invoked only when there is an obvious intention on the part of the accused to promote disharmony, enmity, hatred or ill-will among different communities Further the effect of the statement must be judged from the standards of reasonable women and men rather than the effect of the words on some individuals with weak minds or who see a danger in every hostile point of view It is the general impact on a large number of people that matters, the court emphasised Even if some persons develop ill-will or hatred that would not be sufficient to invoke section 153A the court pointed out As regards the message wishing Pakistan a happy independence day, the court stated that every citizen has the right to extend good wishes to citizens of other countries Wishing Pakistan on its independence day would not tend to create disharmony among any social groups it added It also cautioned the police not to attribute motives to Hajam only because of his religious identity [T]he time has come to enlighten and educate our police machinery on the concept of freedom of speech and expression guaranteed by Article 19(1)(a) of the Constitution and the extent of reasonable restraint on their free speech and expression ” the court concluded ‘GROSS ABUSE’: This judgment assumes significance because of the increasing number of persons being booked in the last few years for the non-crime of allegedly raising pro-Pakistan slogans under sections 153A and 153B of the Indian Penal Code Section 153B is a sister provision of section 153A It deals with offences related to making imputations and assertions prejudicial to national integration It prohibits actions or statements that promote enmity or hatred between different groups of people based on religion, race, language caste or community and that are likely to disturb public harmony or disrupt peace Cases filed under both these sections have risen by six times between 2014 and 2020 according to the National Crime Records Bureau At the same time, the conviction rate under section 153A has been only about 20% Corresponding data for section 153B wasn’t immediately available Take the case of the four men – three of whom are Muslim – arrested last week in Karnataka They have been booked under section 153B An illustrative sample of some more such cases only from the last three years: Some people were booked under section 153B in Khargone, Madhya Pradesh in November 2022 for allegedly chanting pro-Pakistan slogans Three Kashmiri Muslim students were booked under section 153A in Agra in April 2022 and kept in detention for a month for allegedly celebrating the Pakistan cricket team s victory in a match In March that year, a Muslim woman was arrested under section 153A in Bagalkot, Karnataka for a Whatsapp status message wishing people on Pakistan’s republic day In October 2021 a Muslim female school teacher was arrested under section 153B in Udaipur for sharing a celebratory post on WhatsApp following the Pakistan cricket team s victory against India in a World Cup match All these cases were, in the Supreme Court s words, a gross abuse of the process of law” I s s h o u t i n g ‘ P a k i s t a n z i n d a b a d ’ i l l e g a l ?
H E 3rd Summit for Democracy, with the title of ‘Democracy for Future Generations is set to commence in Seoul South Korea from March 18 to 20 this year Hosted by an ally which provides the largest military base for the USA, the summit is meant to serve as a constructive platform for promoting democratic norms globally but concerns have arisen regarding its potential misuse against countries whose foreign policies diverge from those of the USA The summit, anticipated to draw leaders and delegates from across the globe, seeks to address pressing issues facing democratic nations and reinforce the principles of democratic governance With sessions focusing on topics such
mitted
as electoral integrity
rights and media freedom the event intends to foster collaboration among nations com-
to upholding democratic values
anticipation
preparation
the summit, criticisms
emerged regarding the perceived politicization of the event The critics argue that its underlying agenda may veer towards geopolitical maneuvering rather than genuine efforts to foster democratic ideals Political analysts and pundits have raised concerns regarding the upcoming Summit for Democracy, expressing apprehensions that it may be orchestrated as
strategic move against certain regional players notably China North Korea and Russia and those sympathetic to them These experts fear
reputation
countries within the international community potentially escalating tensions and further polarizing global relations
singling out certain nations they
the summit could further hinder efforts to address pressing global challenges such as climate change, poverty, and pandemics
evident that the Summit for Democracy is being used as a platform to target specific countries deemed as adversaries by the USA remarked one political analyst
approach risks exacerbating existing tensions and perpetuating a cycle of animosity rather than promoting meaningful dialogue
However, amidst the
and
for
have
a
that the summit could be utilized to tarnish the
of these
By
said
This
Th e S u m m i t s h o u l d j u s t p ro m o te U S d o m i n a n ce T i k T o k t h r e a t i s p u r e l y h y p o t h e t i c a l , U S i n t e l l i g e n c e a d m i t s R e h a n K h a n
SCR OLL V i n e e t B h a l l a T H E purported threat of TikTok to U S national security has inflated into a hysteria of Chinese spy balloon proportions, but the official record tells a different story: U S intelligence has produced no evidence that the popular social media site has ever coordinated with Beijing That fact hasn’t stopped many in Congress and even President Joe Biden from touting legislation that would force the sale of the app as the TikTok frenzy fills the news pages with empty conjecture and innuendo In interviews and testimony to Congress about TikTok, leaders of the FBI, CIA, and the director of national intelligence have in fact been careful to qualify the national security threat posed by TikTok as purely hypothetical With access to much of the government’s most sensitive intelligence they are well placed to know The basic charge is that TikTok s parent company ByteDance a Chinese company could be compelled by the government in Beijing to use their app in targeted operations to manipulate public opinion, collect mass data on Americans, and even spy on individual users (TikTok says it has never shared U S user data with the Chinese government and would not do so if asked This week TikTok CEO Shou Chew said that “there’s no CCP ownership” of ByteDance referring to the Chinese Communist Party ) Though top national security officials seem happy to echo these allegations of Chinese control of TikTok, they stop short of saying that China has ever actually coordinated with the company Typical is an interview CIA Director William Burns gave to CNN in 2022, where he said it was “troubling to see what the Chinese government could do to manipulate TikTok Not what the Chinese government has done but what it could do What China could do turns out to be a recurring theme in the statements of the top national security officials FBI Director Christopher Wray said during a 2022 talk at the University of Michigan that TikTok s parent company is controlled by the Chinese government, and it gives them the potential [emphasis added] to leverage the app in ways that I think should concern us ” Wray went on to cite TikTok’s ability to control its recommendation algorithm which he said allows them to manipulate content and if they want to [emphasis added], to use it for influence operations In the same talk, Wray three times referred to the Chinese government’s “ability” to spy on TikTok users but once again stopped short of saying that they do so “They also have the ability to collect data through it on users which can be used for traditional espionage operations for example Wray said They also have the ability on it to get access they have essential access to software devices So you re talking about millions of devices and that gives them the ability to engage in different kinds of malicious cyber activity through that Wray is referring to the potential ability, according to U S intelligence to commandeer phones and computers connecting to TikTok through apps and the website In testimony before the House Homeland Security Committee in November 2022 Wray was even more circumspect stressing that the Chinese government could use TikTok for foreign influence operations but only if they so chose When asked by Rep Diana Harshbarger, R-Tenn , if the Chinese government has used TikTok to collect information about Americans for purposes other than targeted ads and content
asked about the possibility that China might use TikTok to influence the upcoming 2024 presidential elections Haines said only that it could not be discounted We cannot rule out that the CCP could use it,” Haines said The relatively measured tone adopted by top intelligence officials contrasts sharply with the alarmism emanating from Congress In 2022 Rep Mike Gallagher R-Wis deemed TikTok digital fentanyl going on to co-author a column in the Washington Post with Sen Marco Rubio, R-Fla , calling for TikTok to be banned Gallagher and Rubio later introduced legislation to do so, and 39 states have, as of this writing banned the use of TikTok on government devices None of this is to say that China hasn’t used TikTok to influence public opinion and even it turns out to try to interfere in American elections TikTok accounts run by a [People s Republic of China] propaganda arm reportedly targeted candidates from both political parties during the U S midterm election cycle in 2022,” says the annual Intelligence Community threat assessment released on Monday But the assessment provides no evidence that TikTok coordinated with the Chinese government In fact governments including the United States are known to use social media to influence public opinion abroad The problem with TikTok isn t related to their ownership; it s a problem of surveillance capitalism and it s true of all social media companies, computer security expert Bruce Schneier told The Intercept “In 2016 Russia did this with Facebook and they didn’t have to own Facebook they just bought ads like everybody else ” This week Reuters reported that as president Trump signed a covert action order authorizing the CIA to use social media to influence and manipulate domestic Chinese public opinion and views on China Other covert American cyber influence programs are known to exist with regard to Russia, Iran, terrorist groups, and other foreign actors In other words, everybody’s doing it INTERCEPT K e n K l i p p e n s t e i n
DTaliban
the line, and you re not going to be able to sell those cars if I get elected ”
“Now if I don’t get elected it’s going to be a bloodbath for the whole that’s going to be the least of it it s going to be a bloodbath for the country That ll be the least of it But they re not going to sell those cars
As Trump s comment gained traction on social media, Biden s campaign released a statement calling the Republican a “loser” at the ballot box in 2020 who then “doubles
down on his threats of political violence
He wants another January 6 but the American people are going to give him another electoral defeat this November because they continue to reject his extremism his affection for violence and his thirst for revenge the campaign said referring to the deadly attack on the US Capitol by Trump supporters in 2021
Later, Biden spoke at a dinner in Washington, where he also warned of “an unprecedented moment in history ”
“Freedom is under assault The lies about the 2020 election the plot to overturn it to embrace the Jan 6 insurrection pose the greatest threat to our democracy since the American Civil War, he said
In 2020, they failed, but the threat remains ” The 81-year-old, who has waved off concerns that he is too old for a second
term leavened his rhetoric with humour One candidate s too old and mentally unfit to be president, he said of the presidential race “The other guy’s me ”
BORDER ISSUES
Earlier this month Trump and Biden each won enough delegates to clinch their party nominations in the 2024 presidential race, all but assuring a rematch and setting up one of the longest election campaigns in US history
Among the issues, Trump is campaigning on is sweeping reform of what he calls Biden s horror show immigration policies despite the ex-president successfully pressuring Republicans to block a bill in Congress that included the toughest border security measures in decades On Saturday he invoked the border again as he reached out to minorities who have tra-
ditionally voted Democrat He said Biden had repeatedly stabbed African-American voters in the back by granting work permits to millions of immigrants, warning that they and Hispanic Americans “are going to be the ones that suffer the most ” For decades Ohio had been seen as a bellwether battleground state though it has trended more strongly Republican since Trump s White House win in 2016 The rally came a day after Trump s former vice president, Mike Pence, said he would not endorse his old boss for a second White House term
Niger revokes militar y accord with US, junta spokesperson says
NIAMEY Ag e n c i e s
Niger ’s ruling junta has revoked with immediate effect a military accord that allows military personnel and civilian staff from the U S Department of Defense on its soil junta spokesperson Colonel Amadou Abdramane said on Saturday The decision follows a visit by U S officials this week which was led by Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs Molly Phee and included General Michael Langley commander of the U S Africa Command Abdramane, speaking on television in the West African nation, said the U S delegation did not follow diplomatic protocol, and that Niger was not informed about the composition of the delegation the date of
its arrival or the agenda He added that the discussions were around the current military transition in Niger, military cooperation between the two countries and Niger ’s choice of partners in the fight against militants linked to al Qaeda and Islamic State
A U S official speaking on the condition anonymity said senior U S officials had frank discussions in Niamey earlier this week about the trajectory of Niger s ruling military council – known as the CNSP “We are in touch with the CNSP and will provide further updates as warranted the official added
Since seizing power in July last year the Niger junta like the military rulers in neighbouring Mali and Burkina Faso, have kicked out French and other European forces, and turned to Russia for support
Niger regrets the intention of the American delegation to deny the sovereign Nigerien people the right to choose their partners and types of partnerships capable of truly helping them fight against terrorism ” Abdramane said “Also the government of Niger forcefully denounces
presence of U S troops in Niger was illegal and violated constitutional and democratic rules because, according to the spokesperson it was unilaterally imposed on the African nation in 2012 He said Niger was not aware of the number of U S civilian and military personnel on its soil or the amount of equipment deployed and, according to the agreement, the U S military had no obligation to respond to any request for help against militants “In light of all the above the government of Niger revokes with immediate effect the agreement concerning the status of United States military personnel and civilian employees of the American Department of Defense on the territory of the Republic of Niger,” Abdramane said
21 dead, 38 injured in bus collision with tanker in Afghanistan
HELMAND Ag e n c i e s
Twenty-one people were killed and 38 injured in southern Afghanistan s Helmand province on Sunday when a bus collided with an oil tanker and a motorbike, a provincial official said "Early in the morning today, based on the
information we have received so far, 21 people were killed" in an accident "between a passenger bus, a tanker and a motorbike", the provincial governor
China’s UN envoy pays farewell call on Ambassador Munir Akram
of regulation In December 2022, an oil tanker overturned and caught fire
people and leaving dozens more with burn injuries
Harmain S hareefain issues link for issuing permit to those interested in Itek af
RIYADH Ag e n c i e
vision of humanitarian aid to the Palestinians in the besieged territory and release of Israeli captives were among the terms of the truce deal which has been discussed several times in the Egyptian capital of Cairo
the two countries and expressed their satisfaction on the current level of engagement at the UN They vowed to keep playing their role in further strengthening the bilateral cooperation Ambassador Akram appreciated Ambassador Zhang for his leadership and splendid services in strengthening the relationship between Pakistan and China He said he worked very closely with his Chinese counterpart on a range of bilateral and multilateral issues during his term in office Ambassador Akram expressed his best wishes and prayers for the future of the outgoing Chinese Ambassador On his part, the Chinese envoy thanked Ambassador Akram and the Pakistan Mission
MOSCOW Ag e n c i e s Thousands of people turned up at polling stations across Russia on Sunday to take part in what the anti-Kremlin opposition said was a peaceful but symbolic political protest against the re-election of President Vladimir Putin In an action called Noon against Putin , Russians who oppose the veteran Kremlin leader went to their local polling station at midday to either spoil their ballot paper in protest or to vote for one of the three candidates standing against Putin, who is widely expected to win by a landslide Others had vowed to scrawl the name of late opposition leader Alexei Navalny who died last month in an Arctic prison on their ballot paper Navalny s allies broadcast videos on YouTube of lines of people queuing up at different polling stations across Russia at midday who they said were there to peacefully protest Navalny had endorsed the Noon against Putin plan in a message on social media facilitated by his lawyers before he died The independent Novaya Gazeta newspaper called the planned action Navalny s political testament There is very little hope but if you can do something (like this) you should do it There is nothing left of democracy ” one young woman who did not give her name and whose face was blurred out by Navalny s team said at one polling station Another young woman at a different polling station, whose identity had been disguised in the same way said she had voted for the least dubious of the three candidates running against Putin A male student voting in Moscow told Navalny s channel that people like him who disagreed with the current system needed to go on living their lives regardless “History has shown that changes occur at the most unexpected of times he said Despite the protesters who represent a small fraction of Russia s 114 million voters, Putin is poised to tighten his grip on power in the election that is certain to deliver him a big victory The Kremlin casts Navalny’s political allies most of whom are based outside Russia as dangerous extremists out to destabilise the country on behalf of the West It says Putin enjoys overwhelming support among ordinary Russians pointing to opinion polls which put his approval rating above 80 per cent With Russia s vast landmass stretching across 11 time zones, protest voters were scattered rather than concentrated into a single mass making it hard to estimate how many people turned up for the protest event The size of the queues at each polling station shown on Navalny’s channel ranged from a few dozen people to what looked like several hundred people Reuters journalists saw a slight increase in the flow of voters, especially younger people, at noon at some polling stations in Moscow and Yekaterinburg with queues of several hundred people Some said they were protesting though there were few outward signs to distinguish them from ordinary voters Leonid Volkov, an exiled Navalny aide who was attacked with a hammer last week in Vilnius estimated hundreds of thousands of people had come out to polling stations in Moscow, St Petersburg, Yekaterinburg and other cities Reuters could not independently verify that estimate At polling stations at Russian diplomatic missions from Australia and Japan to Armenia, Kazakhstan and Georgia, hundreds of Russians stood in line at noon In Berlin, Yulia, Navalny’s widow, showed up at the Russian embassy to take part in the protest event there along with Kira Yarmysh
Monday 18 March 2024 | LAHAORE 06 NEWS
Navalny s spokesperson
the condescending attitude accompanied by the threat of retaliation from the head of the American delegation towards the Nigerien government and people, he added There were about 1,100 U S troops in Niger as of last year where the U S military operates out of two bases including a drone base known as Air Base 201 built near Agadez in central Niger at a cost of more than $100 million Since 2018 the base has been used to target Islamic State militants and Jama’at Nusrat al-Islam wal Muslimeen, an al Qaeda affiliate in the Sahel region Abdramane said
status and
the
OHIO Ag e n c i e s
ONALD Trump told a rally in Ohio on Saturday that November s presidential election will be the most important date in US history, painting his campaign for the White House as a turning point for the country Days after securing his position as the presumptive Republican nominee the former president also warned of a bloodbath if he is not elected though it was not clear what he was referring to, with the remark coming in the middle of comments about threats to the US auto industry “The date remember this November 5 I believe it s going to be the most important date in the history of our country the 77-year-old told rally-goers in Vandalia, Ohio, repeating well-worn criticisms that his rival, President Joe Biden, is the “worst” president Criticising what he said were Chinese plans to build cars in Mexico and sell them to Americans he stated: We
going to put a 100 per cent tariff on every single car that comes across
re
T R U M P W A R N S U S V O T E R S O F ‘ B LO O D B AT H ’ I F H E LO S E S P R E S I D E N T I A L E L E C T I O N
Ag e n c e s
Taliban on Saturday welcomed the one-year extension of the mandate of the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) Zabihullah Mujahid, the spokesman for the Taliban, said that Afghanistan needs to foster diplomatic relations with international organisations especially the UN and the international community adding that UNAMA can contribute in this regard He said that the Afghan people want UNAMA to fulfil its representative mandate well, establish contact between Afghanistan and the world, reflect Afghanistan s development achievements security and stability to the world and help establish trust with countries having reservations On Friday, the UN Security Council extended UNAMA's mandate for another year UNAMA, headquartered in the capital Kabul has approximately 1 200 staff members
urges Israel to drop Rafah invasion plan ‘in name of humanit y’ GAZA/NEW YORK Ag e n c e s The head of the World Health Organization (WHO) Sunday implored Israel “in the name of humanity” not to begin an assault on Rafah where the majority of Gaza s population is fleeing I m gravely concerned about reports of an Israeli plan to proceed with a ground assault on Rafah, WHO director Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus posted on X “Further escalation of violence in this densely populated area would lead to many more deaths and suffering ” he added In the name of humanity we appeal to Israel not to proceed and instead to work towards peace At least 31 553 Palestinians mostly women children, and adolescents, have died in the Israeli military onslaught since Oct 7 Tedros dismissed a so-called evacuation plan devised by the Israel ahead of Rafah’s invasion “The 1 2 million people in Rafah do not have anywhere safe to move to the WHO chief said There are no fully functional safe health facilities that they can reach elsewhere in Gaza, he said, adding, Many people are too fragile, hungry, and sick to be moved again ” “This humanitarian catastrophe must not be allowed to worsen ” A day earlier Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu s office announced in a statement that he approved plans for a military operation in Rafah and the army is operationally preparing for it The statement provided no details on the exact time and date of the assault, and rejected the latest ceasefire proposal put forward by the Gaza-based Hamas as “unrealistic ” Pro-
welcome extension of UN mission mandate in Afghanistan KABUL
The
WHO
s spokesman Mohammad Qasim Riyaz told reporters Another 38 people were injured in the collision the provincial information department said updating an initial tally of 11 provided by Riyaz The collision caused the vehicles to ignite, with images shared by the Helmand information department on social media showing charred, twisted metal and the crushed cabin of the tanker The accident took place early Sunday morning on a main highway between the capital Kabul and northern Herat city in the Grishk district of Helmand Deadly traffic accidents are common in Afghanistan due in part to poor roads dangerous driving on highways and lack
n A f g h a n i s t a n ' s h i g h - a l t i t u d e S a l a n g p a s s , k i l l i n g 3
i
1
‘ N o o n a g a i n s t Pu t i n’ : Th o u s a n d s o f R u s s i a n s t u r n o u t to f u l f i l N ava l ny ’s l a s t w i s h
NEW YORK Ag e n c e s Ambassador Zhang Jun the permanent representative of China and a top Chinese diplomat paid a farewell call on Ambassador Munir Akram at the Pakistan Mission in New York Ambassador Zhang has been a key player at the UN for the past five years, especially in the deliberations at the Security Council A press release of the Pakistani Mission said both ambassadors discussed bilateral relations between
s The administration of Harmain Shareefain on Sunday issued a link through which those interested in offering Itekaf at the end of the holy month of Ramadan can get themselves registered for a permit It is pertinent to mention here that the administration provides all types of facilities to those offering Itekaf Every person is issued a special card and a locker in which they can keep their essential items Over 5 2 faithful visit Masjid-e-Nabawi in first week of Ramadan A marked increase has been noticed in the arrival of faithful at Masjid-e-Nabawi in the holy month of Ramadan According to the administration of Harmain Shareefain, over 5 2 million believers have visited the mosque in the first week of the holy month As per the administration, various facilities have been provided to the visitors A report released by the General Authority on Masjid-e-Nabawi Affairs reads that over 0 4 million Muslims paid their respects at the shrine of the holy Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) while over 0 1 million males and the same number of females offered prayers at Riad ul-Jannah According to the administration, special arrangements are made for the iftar of the faithful both inside and outside the mosque
ISLAMABAD
s ta f f r e p o r t
Ambassador of Iran to Pakistan, Dr Reza Amiri Moghadam on Sunday said that due to strong economic and trade integration between Pakistan and Iran bilateral trade can be increased up to $5 billion annually in the coming few years
There is a strong possibility of doubling the bilateral trade between the two countries through air, rail and maritime integration, which will prove to be a catalyst in regional and global trade as well Dr Reza Amiri Moghadam said while addressing the business community in Islamabad
The Ambassador said that Pakistan and Iran were geo-strategically very important countries located at the junction of Middle East South Asia and Central Asia Therefore the land and sea integration of both countries is of great importance in the world of Geo- economy
said a press release issued, he said
The Iranian envoy said that in order to further improve transit trade between Pakistan and Iran 12 border trade markets had been opened in which 6 border markets had been completed and others are in progress, which would usher in a new era of economic integration in both countries He said that Gwadar and Chabahar were very important in maritime trade
ties so both countries should declare both ports as coastal sister ports so that mutual economic development can be achieved jointly Dr Reza Amiri Moghadam said that both countries were members of major forums like Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), ECO and D-8
bility
He said that currently the world was being economically connected through different Economic Corridors, therefore these corridors were important for the economy of both countries
The Ambassador said that the transportation and logistics sector was very important for both countries which was important in the cost of business on which both sides need to work
Dr Reza Amiri Moghadam said that the current volume of bilateral trade between the two countries was $2 5billion, which had been continuously increasing since last year in which there was a potential of $5 billion
The Iranian Ambassador said that currently, Pakistan had a lot of trade potential in Iran in agriculture and industry and halal products, especially meat, which Iran was already importing from different countries
Reduced interest rate to devalue rupee, raise inflation: PE W
to encouraging corruption and power theft
The people of the same area should also bear the burden of losses caused by electricity theft, and not the people of other areas should be punished for the crime they never committed he said
Dollars ’ demand in market must remain balanced: S hahid Rasheed
Thai CG greets Pakistani nations Ramazan Kareem
PESHAWAR
07 nEWs Monday 18 March 2024 | LAHORE CORPORATE CORNER ISLAMABAD s ta f f r e p o r t President of Pakistan Economy Watch (PEW) Murtaza Mughal has said that the business community s demand for reduction in the interest rate was unjustified, as it will weaken the rupee and trigger inflation In a statement issued on Sunday, he said an interest rate cut would allow the government to start unnecessary expenditures that are not required at this point Murtaza Mughal said that electricity and gas prices have troubled the entire country People are going bankrupt while factories are closing down Many factories were running at half their production capacity; therefore, the demand to reduce the electricity and gas tariff was justified, but getting approval from the IMF will be impossible he added The business leader said that increasing the tax net bringing the non-tax-paying sectors into the tax net and amending the NFC award have become necessary to save the country Restructuring of local and foreign debt has also become necessary Still caution is needed in this regard so that it does not hurt the market he cautioned Murtaza Mughal said the federal government is considering handing over the electricity distribution companies to the provinces How will the provinces run these companies when the federal government cannot run them? It would be better to sell these companies because the private sector would run them efficiently He noted that bill-paying consumers have to bear the burden of loss-making discos which is tantamount
in which it was very easy to work on common economic goals He said that both China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) and BRI mega projects were extremely important for Pakistan and Iran, which can stabilize the economic relations between the two countries The Iranian envoy said that the two mega projects were not only in the interest of both countries and bilateral cooperation is of utmost importance which can bring prosperity to the region He said that in the same way North, South and Corridor and East, West were also very important in regional and global trade which increases the possi-
of connecting the global supply chain of both countries
PA K - I R A N B I L AT E R A L T R A D E C A N B E I N C R E A S E D U P T O $ 5 B A N N U A L LY : I R A N I A N E N V O Y Syed Rizwan Aziez, Head of Bancassurance, Jubilee Life Insurance presenting Safe Hands of the Match Award to Shadab Khan after the match between Islamabad United and Peshawar Zalmi LAHORE s ta f f r e p o r t The various and traders and industrial associations, especially the paper market and Shah Alam Market, Young Traders Association, Beden Road and other markets delegation visited the PIAF office to show their solidarity with the PIAF in the upcoming Lahore Chambers elections The delegation from Paper Market Ganpat Road was led by APMA former chairman Khamis Saeed Butt while the delegation from Young Traders Association of Shah Alam Market was led by Shehzad Aslam and the delegation from Baden Road was led by Tahir Hafeez On this occasion, the PIAF Chairman Fahimur Rehman Saigol, Pattern-in-chief PIAF and Vice President of SAARC Chamber Mian Anjum Nisar Senior Vice Chairman PIAF Nasrullah Mughal Former Chairman PIAF Muhammad Ali Mian, Mian Abuzar Shad, Senior Vice President Lahore Chamber Zafar Mahmood Chaudhary and others welcomed the all delegations Addressing the delegations Mian Anjum Nisar and PIAF Chairman Fahimur Rehman Saigol said that PIAF is the largest representative party of the business community in the city and in the upcoming Lahore Chamber s elections it would beat all expectations and achieve exemplary success Faheemur Rehman Saigol observed that in view of achieving economic growth through consistency in policies the government will have to take solid measures to strengthen the trade and industry especially the SMEs, saving the livelihood of millions of workers associated with the small businesses He observed that the successive governments should pursue the same set of objectives and try to maintain consistent policies for a long-term of at least 10 years The government should focus on the industrial sector in order to take the economy forward Neglecting the industrial sector at this juncture will further aggravate the balance of payments situation he added
growth
ISLAMABAD s ta f f r e p o r t The output of the Large Scale Manufacturing sector (LSM) witnessed an increase of 1 48 per cent during the month of January 2024 compared to the same month of last year, the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS) reported On month-on- month basis the production in January also showed 0 03 percent growth over the output of December 2023 Overall the LSM sector showed a decline of o 52 per cent during July-January 2023-24 when compared with the same period of last year, according to PBS data The main contributors towards overall growth of -0 52% included, food (0 38%), beverages (0 12%), tobacco (-0 82%), textile (-1 90%) garments (0 86%) paper & board (-0 10%) petroleum products (0 44%) chemicals (0 46%) pharmaceuticals (1 32%) iron & steel products (-0 05%) electrical equipment (0 31%) ,automobiles (-1 38%) and furniture (0 31%) The provisional quantum indices of Large Scale Manufacturing Industries (LSMI) for January 2024 with base year 2015-16 have been developed on the basis of latest data supplied by the source agencies including the Oil Companies Advisory Committee Ministry of Industries and Production, Ministry of Commerce and Provincial Bureaux of Statistics (BoS)
traffic
Pakistan Day
ISLAMABAD s ta f f r e p o r t Islamabad Traffic Police (ITP) has issued a traffic plan for the parade and full rehearsal day on March 23 According to the spokesperson of the Traffic Police heavy traffic entry will be closed from 12 midnight to 2:00 p m on March 17, 19, 21, and 23 Traffic coming from Lahore can use GT Road from Rawalpindi Saddar Road to Peshawar GT Road and Motorway Similarly traffic coming from Koral Chowk and Rawalpindi will enter Islamabad via Khanna Pul Lehtrar Road and Park Road Light traffic can also divert from Kashmir Chowk to Bahara Kahu and Murree Similarly, during the parade, Faizabad will be closed for all kinds of traffic The Pakistan Day parade or National Day Joint Services Parade will be held at the Parade Ground in Islamabad on March 23 It should be noted that this day is celebrated throughout the country as a national public holiday due to the signing of the Lahore Resolution on March 23 1940
LSM sector witnesses 1.48pc
in Januar y
ITP issues
plan for
Parade
KARACHI s ta f f r e p o r t Pakistani nation has rich Islamic values, said Consul General of Royal Thailand Mr Narut Soontarodon while talking with senior journalists at Iftar Dinner hosted by Thai Airways in honor of top travel agents at a local five star hotel Iftar Dinner was attended by Mr Panutat Yodkaew Visa Consular, Mr Arif Suleman, President Pak-Thai Friendship Association, Mobin Ansari, Asim Suleman, and prominent personalities from Aviation Industries Thai envoy wishes Pakistani's and Muslims around the Global Ramadan Kareem and said that it s my first experience to celebrates Ramadan in Pakistan and feel happy having Iftar with my Pakistani friends Thai diplomats said that we like local meals very much On reply to a question Thai CG said that we have 5% Muslims in Thailand of total population and they all rights to perform their religious activities On the occasion Rashid Siddiqui Thai Airways Marketing manager for Pakistan said that Thai Airways International Public Company Limited has started its operations in Pakistan in April 1976 and has operated From Karachi IIUI president revokes Rs5,000 Aitekaf fee at Faisal Masjid ISLAMABAD s ta f f r e p o r t President of International Islamic University Islamabad (IIUI), Prof Dr Hathal Homoud Al-Otaibi, has taken cognizance of the Rs5,000 registration fee for Aitekaf at the Faisal Masjid According to IIUI spokesperson Nasir Farid, the President IIUI has instructed the Dawah Academy to immediately revoke the fixed registration fee for Aitekaf Furthermore the president has mandated that any matters concerning the Faisal Masjid and the public must receive formal approval from the quarters concerned, and the academy is not authorized to make independent decisions Moreover, the president has emphasized the provision of all necessary facilities to worshippers at the Faisal Masjid during the fasting month and the resolution of issues pertaining to Aitekaf Additionally the president has directed to ensure optimal arrangements for Aitekaf S AY S B OT H CO U N T R I E S’ A I R , R A I L A N D M A R I T I M E I N T E G R AT I O N W I L L R E V O LU T I O N I S E R E G I O N A L , G LO B A L T R A D E
a p p Experts in medicine entomology dermatology and zoology are raising voices for holding clinical trials to find an alternate treatment for cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) an overlooked skin ailment of tropical regions emerging as the third most important vector-borne disease after malaria and dengue The concern by experts has been exhibited in the wake of the limited cure options due to complete reliance on Meglumine antimonite a decades-old imported drug used as first-line treatment for CL requiring injections for 21 to 30 consecutive days Meglumine antimoniate is not produced locally and health authorities completely rely on its procurement through imports by international organizations such as the World Health Organization making it difficult to properly treat this parasitic disease widening its horizon from endemic to non-endemic regions due to rapid urbanization, climate change and large scale dispersion of population ” they explained In many areas the doses each patient receives are insufficient, because of the drug s limited availability and lack of suitably trained medical staff Recent reports regarding exhaustion of glucantime vials stock in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) gave impetus to experts call The bulky stock of 180 000 jabs imported by the Health Department of KP through WHO in 2018 after the outbreak of CL in the province, has been finished in December 2023 and we are currently short of medicine to treat the patients disclosed an Entomologist at Integrated Vector Control Programme KP, Salauddin Marwat Due to a lack of first-line medicine doctors are opting for alternate treatment procedures including cryotherapy applying minor volumes of liquid nitrogen at -196C to the affected portion of the skin once or twice weekly for up to six weeks, and Thermotherapy, applying heat at the scar The Integrated Vector Control Programme has supplied equipment for both therapies in some leishmaniasis hotspots of KP including D I Khan, Mohmand and Karak for treatment For proper treatment through glucantime injections, patients are visiting centers established by Medicines Sans Frontier (MSF) a representative of an international medical humanitarian organization, in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Salauddin told APP “After analyzing data of the Public Health Department indicating a sharp increase in leishmaniasis infection in the region and its impact on the physical and mental health of patients, it is time for the Drug Regulatory Authority (DRAP), to take measures for availability of a proper latest effective and affordable medicine for its treatment suggested Dr Rafiq Hayat Malezai, District Health Officer (DHO) Mohmand District, a hotspot of leishmaniasis registering around 5,283 cases in 2023 In 2023 around 25273 cases of CL have been recorded in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa registering a spike of 7093 cases from the preceding year Dr Rafiq informed that he has around 439 cases of followup to be examined in the coming few days but due to a dearth of medicine he is unable to provide treatment to patients While realizing the surge in the spread of CL infection during the last few years from its pocketed ranges to other parts of the country it’s time to give serious consideration to its prevention and cure by involving different departments including Health D rug shor tage prompt research for alternate c ure of overlooked leishmaniasis
speaker reviews various project during PMDFC visit LAHORE s ta f f r e p o r t Speaker Punjab Assembly Malik Ahmad Khan visited Punjab Municipal Development Fund Company He was invited for this visit by Immad Iftikhar Malik Member Board of Directors Punjab Municipal Development Fund Company Immad Iftikhar Malik Member Board along with Syed Zahid Aziz, MD, PMDFC and other officers of PMDFC welcomed the honourable guest followed by briefing on various PMDFC initiatives, including Floating Wetlands Local Government Strengthening and Punjab Cities Program The company recently successfully completed a UNICEF-funded project to clean wastewater ponds through floating wetlands While appreciating this project, the PA Speaker also directed to start work on the project under the same model in Kasur district On this occasion, he said that providing the best facilities to the citizens is the first priority of the Punjab government Syed Zahid Aziz MD PMDFC while giving a briefing on the Punjab Cities Program said that eighteen billion rupees are being spent on water supply and sanitation projects in sixteen cities of Punjab under this program funded by the World Bank Malik Ahmad Khan Speaker Punjab Assembly said on this occasion that the scope of Punjab Cities Program needs to be expanded to other cities At the end of the ceremony Immad Iftikhar Malik Member Board of Directors Punjab Municipal Development Fund Company presented company commemorative postage stamps and other souvenirs to Malik Ahmed Khan, Speaker Punjab Assembly Mehmood Masood Tamna, GM ID, Moazzam Jameel Malik, GM Engineering, Zohaib Butt, SPO Procurement attended the meeting BMP asks gov t to fast track plan to address expansive energy issue ISLAMABAD s ta f f r e p o r t The Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry s Businessmen Panel (BMP) has asked the government to work on a fast track plan to address expansive energy issue and priority should be given to the value-added industry in this regard The FPCCI former president and BMP Chairman Mian Anjum Nisar said that Pakistan's core issue is the high cost of doing business which the government needed to bring down to bring the local as well as the export industry at par with global competitors LCCI Elec tions: Various markets, industrial bodies suppor t PIAF ISLAMABAD s ta f f r e p o r t Former President of the Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ICCI), Dr Shahid Rasheed Butt, said on Sunday that the demand for dollars in the market should remain balanced In a statement issued here on Sunday he said that a balanced exchange rate increases confidence in the market which is very important Shahid Rasheed Butt said that maintaining the dollar s value was necessary to maintain the current balance between imports and exports A change in the value of the dollar affects the import and export sector which disturbs the business environment he added The business leader noted that the exporters get worried when the dollar becomes expensive When the dollar becomes cheap the imports start to increase which causes the deficits to rise Both these situations affect the business environment He said that the dollar s depreciation will increase the trade and current account deficit, which has been controlled with incredible difficulty The seven-month current account deficit has been reduced to one billion dollars and the federal government has to pay 24 billion dollars in debt servicing in the current fiscal year so no risk can be taken Shahid Rasheed said that exporters were currently facing problems They have to use the most expensive electricity in the region Gas has become more costly by 300% the interest rate for them was up to 25% and fuel was also expensive The government had proposed to make electricity cheaper for the export sector, which the IMF rejected In the current situation, finding another way to relieve the exporters has become necessary He said the government will likely sign the stafflevel agreement with the International Monetary Fund next week which will clear the way for Pakistan to receive the last tranche of $1 1 billion under the SBA Agreement
PA
said that
had
sured that all his educational expenditures would be borne by the government as the students were the future and hope for the country
The prime minister said that when he had visited the flood affected area the student was in protest mood but now he was showing a discernible change He mentioned that in Punjab province, they had sent the high achievers to get education at the best European and Scandinavian countries who later returned back completely transformed and full of confidence
The prime minister also welcomed the principal and house mas-
Elements behind c ampaign against mar tyrs to face ac tion: Tarar
Tarar paid tribute to all martyrs of Mir Ali including Lt-Col Syed Kashif Ali and Captain Muhammad Ahmed Badar and strongly condemned the malicious campaign launched by social media accounts associated with the PTI "The PTI is involved in disre-
Exploiting mar tyrs’ sacrifice for petty political gains a ‘grave crime’: PTI
Responding to Information Minister
Attaullah Tarar s statement a spokesperson for the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) on Wednesday stated that the martyrs are the collective assets of the nation, transcending any political or group divisions In a statement, the spokesperson asserted that those martyred while fulfilling their duty of defending the homeland are true heroes and disrespecting them by
exploiting their sacrifice for petty political gains constitutes a grave crime
The PTI spokesperson remarked that the “attacks” on the armed forces and its martyrs have been a tradition of PML-N supreme leader Nawaz Sharif his daughter Maryam Nawaz and his cohorts
Khawaja Asif and Atta Tarar are among those criminals rejected by the public, yet they were ushered into the assembly through rigged mandates ” he added
ter of Lawrence College and gave away gifts to the student including a pen and tablet expressing the hope that it would help him in pursuance of his studies Ikaramullah also presented a set of books to the prime minister The prime minister personally saw off the student from the Prime Minister ’s House PM Saad Rafique discuss political situation other matters
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif was called on by Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader Khawaja Saad Rafique here on Sunday The PML-N leader congratulated Shehbaz Sharif for assuming office as prime minister and expressed best wishes for him Premier Shehbaz and Saad Rafique discussed the overall political situation in the country and matters of mutual interest during the meeting PM assembly members discuss political situation Member National Assembly Sardar Shamsher Mazari and member of the Punjab Assembly Khizer Mazari here on Sunday called on Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif
against martyrs was not acceptable and it had not only hurt the sentiments of families of martyrs but also the entire nation He said those who were behind the vile campaign were C O U N T R Y ’ S F U T U R E H I N G E S O N E D U C AT E D Y O U T H , S AY S P M
Aseefa files nomination for by-polls to NA-207 seat
KARACHI s ta f f r e p o r t
Aseefa Bhutto-Zardari the younger daughter of President Asif Ali Zardari, has entered the electoral ring by filing her nomination papers for by-elections to NA-207 Shaheed Benazirabad Following President Zardari's triumph in the general elections held on February 8 in the constituency, where he secured victory, the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) declared the National Assembly seat vacant as per legal stipulations subsequent to his ascension to the presidency Aseefa buoyed by the support of party stalwarts made her official nomination submission at the Returning Officer s office in Shaheed Benazirabad Among her companions was Sindh Health Minister Dr Azra Fazal Pechuho, alongside other notable party leaders Simultaneously, Aseefa Bhutto-Zardari's impending assumption of the title of first lady of Pakistan adds another dimension to her burgeoning political career Following her father's inauguration as the 14th president of Pakistan Aseefa is poised to become the second daughter or sister of a head of state in the nation s history to hold this prestigious designation This rare occurrence deviates from tradition as historically the position of the first lady has been reserved for the spouse of a head of government or state Aseefa's journey to the forefront of politics has been characterized by her steadfast support for her father and the PPP Over the past decade, she has been a vocal advocate for the party s political objectives standing alongside Zardari in various capacities Notably her presence at her father s oath ceremony as president symbolised her unwavering commitment to the party s cause As the by-election approaches all eyes are on Aseefa Bhutto Zardari s campaign as she seeks to secure the trust and support of voters in NA-207 Nawabshah With her dual roles as a political candidate and the likely first lady, Aseefa is poised to make significant strides in shaping Pakistan s political landscape and continuing her family's enduring legacy
Lahore again ranked as world’s most-polluted cit y, Karachi stands at seventh
LAHORE s ta f f r e p o r t
degrees the
25
department
g S a y s g o v t t o f a c i l i t a t e t o p p e r s g e t e d u c a t i o n i n r e p u t e d g l o b a l e d u c a t i o n a l i n s t i t u t e s DOHA/ JERUSALEM aG e n c i e s The main UN aid agency operating in Gaza said on Saturday that acute malnutrition was accelerating in the north of the Palestinian enclave as Israel prepared to send a delegation to Qatar for new ceasefire talks on a hostage deal with Hamas The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) said one in three children under the age of two in northern Gaza is now acutely malnourished putting more pressure on Israel over the looming famine On Friday Israel said it would send a delegation to Qatar for more talks with mediators after its enemy Hamas presented a new proposal for a ceasefire with an exchange of hostages and prisoners The delegation will be led by the head of Israel s Mossad intelligence agency David Barnea a source familiar with the talks said with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu seeking to convene his security cabinet to discuss the proposal before the talks start Netanyahu's office has said the latest Hamas offer was still based on "unrealistic demands Efforts failed to secure a temporary ceasefire before Islam s holy month of Ramadan started a week ago, and Israel said on Friday it planned a new offensive against an alleged Hamas stronghold in Rafah, the last relatively safe city in Gaza after five months of war German Chancellor Olaf Scholz starting a visit to the region voiced concern about an assault on Rafah saying there was a danger it would result "in many terrible civilian casualties" On Friday, Netanyahu s office said he had approved an attack plan on Rafah where more than half of Gaza s 2 3 million residents are sheltering and that the civilian population would be evacuated It gave no time frame and there was no sign of imminent preparations on the ground The Hamas offer, reviewed by Reuters, foresees dozens of Israeli hostages freed in return for hundreds of Palestinians in Israeli jails during a weeks-long ceasefire that would let more aid into Gaza Hamas also called for talks in a later stage on ending the war, but Israel has said it is only willing to negotiate a temporary truce Senior Hamas official Osama Hamdan told Al Jazeera the group s proposal is so realistic that no one can object to it and claimed mediators had reacted positively He said it consists of two stages, with a complete "cessation of aggression" at the start of the second one - something Israel has rejected vowing to resume its goal of destroying Hamas once any truce expires Families of Israeli hostages and their supporters again gathered in Tel Aviv, urging a deal for their release At the same time anti-government protesters estimated by Israeli media at a few thousand, called for new elections and blocked streets in Tel Aviv Humanitarian crisis Israel's brutal assault which has killed more than 31 500 Gazans came in response to Hamas cross-border raid into Israel on October 7 2023 The attack claimed the lives of around 1,200 Israeli settlers and soldiers Hamas also took 253 people captive according to Israeli tallies Israel s ground and air campaign has killed mostly women and children, injuring thousands more The assault has forced many inhabitants from their homes leaving much of Gaza in rubble and triggering a hunger crisis Children s malnutrition is spreading fast and reaching unprecedented levels in Gaza UNRWA said in a social media post Hospitals in Gaza have reported some children dying of malnutrition and dehydration Later, Palestinian media outlets said aid trucks had reached the northern Gaza areas of Jabalia Beit Hanoun and Beit Lahiya for the first time in four months The 13 trucks carrying flour arrived at a UNWRA facility according to reports Western countries have called on Israel to do more to allow in aid, with the UN saying it faced "overwhelming obstacles" including crossing closures onerous vetting and unrest inside Gaza Israel says it puts no limit on humanitarian aid for Gaza and blames slow aid delivery on a
Israel prepares return to ceasefire talks as Gaza hunger crisis worsens
prayer tiMinGs FA J R S U N R S E Z U H R A S R MAG H R I B I S H A 5 : 0 5 6 : 0 8 1 : 3 0 5 : 0 0 6 : 2 5 8 : 0 0 Monday 18 March 2024 NEWS Published by Asad Nizami at Qandeel Printing Press, 4 Queens Road, Lahore, for PT Print (Pvt) Limited Ph: 042-36300938, 042-36375965 Email: newsroom@pakistantoday com pk ISLAMABAD s ta f f r e p o r t
RIME Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif on Sunday said that country’s future hinged upon welleducated and skilled youth and for provision of quality education, the federal government would facilitate the high achievers with scholarship scheme to get education in the well reputed global educational institutes
prime minister expressed the views during a meeting with Ikramullah, a student from Balochistan province, who is now studying in 9th class in Lawrence College Murree Under the prime minister’s direction the student from 2022 flood affected area of Qila Saifullah was provided with facility to get education at country s prominent educational institute
prime minister recalled that he met the desperate student in Khasnoob camp in Qila Saifullah when floods had caused destruction in Balochistan province during 2022
opportunity
prime
student
resolve
achieve
goal
serve the country in future
nation
concentrate
his studies
P
The
The
He
he
assured the student of providing quality education, adding that it pleased him a lot that the student was now studying in Lawrence college The student thanked the prime minister for giving him
of meeting him Congratulating the
minister, he said that he prayed for Shehbaz Sharif for his kind gesture The
also expressed his
to
the
and
The prime minister advised him to serve the
and country by working hard and
upon
He as-
LAHORE s ta f f r e p o r t Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Attaullah Tarar said on Sunday the government was fully aware of the challenges facing the country and steps were required to tackle economic problems Addressing a press conference here at the PML-N Secretariat he said that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif had shared his agenda aimed at stabilizing the country s economy He strongly condemned the terrorist attack in the Mir Ali area of North Waziristan in which seven soldiers including two officers were martyred He said that Captain Muhammad Ahmed Badar was also martyred, who was the only brother of five sisters He said how painful and tragic it was for his family Law enforcement agencies the people of Pakistan politicians and almost every segment of society have rendered a lot of sacrifices in the war against terrorism, he added
specting martyrs, he said, citing some examples such as May 9, when state institutions came under attack martyrs’ memorials were vandalised and the Lasbela helicopter crash was ridiculed The Federal Minister for Information said that the smear campaign being identified and stern action would be taken against them He said that accounts involved in the malicious campaign had been reported to relevant platforms but unfortunately the accounts were still operational He said "One can resort to political criticism but for God sake stop promoting an anti-Pakistani agenda He said Martyrs are the pride of the country and a guarantee of its survival " Tarar said that it was a high time to get united in the larger interest of the country and certain red lines should not be crossed at all The minister alleged that some political elements wanted to harm the national economy for their vested interests through negative tactics like writing a letter to the International Monetary Fund He said it was a mission of the government to ensure development in the country besides making the lives of people prosperous He said that the PTI should have openly condemned those who had demonstrated outside the IMF building and made online petitions to revoke Pakistan's GSP plus status
lack of capacity or inefficiency among UN agencies
7th
level
the
Karachi’s air
peak
The provincial metropolis Lahore again ranked on the top among most polluted cities with the air quality index (AQI) 262 on Sunday The AQI over Zacky Farms was recorded at 266, it was 259 over Shahrah-eQuaid-e-Azam and 293 over DHA Phase 8 The experts have advised people to take precautionary measures for health security The weather department, on the other hand, reported apparent changes in weather with light cold winds and hot rays of the sun Whereas the current temperature of the city is recorded at 17 degrees Celsius
with a 70 percent humidity ratio Maximum temperature is likely to go up to
forecasts Karachi ranked
most polluted city in world on AQI Meanwhile, Karachi became the seventh most polluted city in the world on Sunday as eastern winds bring the air quality to an unhygienic
According to the Air Quality Index,
air pollution in Karachi is recorded at 163 particulate meters which is unhealthy for the Karachiites Earlier health experts described
quality as “very unhealthy” and advised citizens to restrict their outdoor activities especially during
pollution hours
multi-billion rupee projects ISLAMABAD G H U L a M a B B a s The Gilgit-Baltistan Development Working Party (GBDWP) has greenlit projects worth a staggering Rs56 4 billion As per details notable among these is the approval of the Special Protection Unit Phase I with the allocated budget of 754 million 281 thousand 810 rupees Chaired by GB Chief Minister Haji Gulbar Khan, the second session of the GBDWP also saw approval for the procurement and installation of DG sets for various power sector projects, totaling 501 million 624 thousand 240 rupees Additionally the acquisition of TG sets for hydel stations in Gilgit-Baltistan with costs amounting to 723 million 300 thousand rupees received the committee s nod A significant highlight of the session was the approval of the 3 2 megawatt Hydro Power Project in Batote Noma Gilgit, with an allocated budget of 628 million 877 thousand 710 rupees Moreover, the conversion of the 160-kilowatt Hydro Power Station in Tangir to 2 megawatts was approved, with a substantial budget of 829 million 943 thousand 390 rupees Other notable projects include the modification of the Diyamir region bridge extension of an 18-kilometer road and the construction of sewage treatment plants for Zone 2 and 3 of Gilgit city among others As hopes k indle, Pak istan ‘assures’ IMF of expediting privitisation ISLAMABAD s ta f f r e p o r t The government of Pakistan has ‘assured’ the International Monetary Fund (IMF) of expediting the privatisation program with reinvestment of Pakistan International Airline (PIA) proceeding as per the plan and efforts are underway to complete the process soon According to sources within the finance ministry the federal government has also prepared a plan to privatise the power-distribution companies and other loss-making state-owned enterprises including First Women Bank state life insurance Pakistan Engineering Company are also on the list Sources revealed yesterday that Pakistan is likely to sign the staff-level agreement with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) next week The signing of staff level agreement with the IMF will clear the way for Pakistan to receive the last tranche of $1 1 billion under the SBA Agreement the sources said They further said that during the talks with the IMF, Pakistan s officials assured the international lender of jacking up the electricity tariff from July 1 while monthly quarterly and yearly fuel adjustments will be slapped on consumers for cost recovery Earlier the Pakistan government rejected the International Monetary Fund s (IMF) demand for a National Finance Commission (NFC) Award revisit, said sources Citing the shortage of federal funds, the IMF had asked Islamabad to revisit the NFC Award with the provinces during the second review talks under the $3 billion loan programme under SBA Earlier the IMF s mission headed by assistant director of Central Asia and Middle East department Nathan Porter, arrived in Islamabad and held talks with finance, energy, and Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) officials Pakistani officials including Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb and Energy Minister Musadik Malik, apprised IMF delegation of the measures taken to implement the lender s reforms The last review, if successful, will release a tranche of around $1 1 billion the ministry had said Islamabad had secured the last-gasped rescue package last summer to avert a sovereign default According to sources the Ministry of Finance was optimistic about a positive outcome of the final review Sources quoting the finance ministry officials claimed that the global lender has not yet imposed any new conditions under the existing programme The negotiations regarding the final review will end tomorrow as per the schedule announced earlier Talks with IMF are underway in a constructive and positive manner , sources added Pakistan has fulfilled all the important conditions regarding the final assessment, sources claimed, adding that the success is subject to the IMF’s satisfaction
GB Development Working Par t y approves
ISLAMABAD s ta f f r e p o r t
