Shehbaz for prioritizing TB elimination in global health agenda
Prime
The
S h e h b a z s u r r e n d e r s E C C c h a i r m a n s h i p t o A u r a n g z e b
g DECISION TO RETAIN CHARGE OF TOP COMMITTEE BY PM FACED WIDESPREAD CRITICISM
Pakistani delegation in Kabul to talk trade amid ‘deteriorating ties’
In par tnership with Profit M o n d a y, 2 5 M a r c h , 2 0 2 4 I 1 4 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 7 I 8 Pa g e s I I s l a m a b a d E d i t i o n P M D I R E C T S F O O L P R O O F S E C U R I T Y F O R R E KO D I Q P R O J E C T W O R K E R S , LO G I S T I C S PESHAWAR/ISLAMABAD S TA F F R E P O R T A high-level delegation of the Pakistani Commerce Ministry will hold crucial talks in Kabul on Monday to discuss bilateral trade and joint measures to remove hurdles faced by transporters and businessmen from both sides officials confirmed on Sunday Secretary of Commerce Khurrum Agha is undertaking the two-day trip to Afghanistan on Monday, (tomorrow) days after Pakistan conducted air strikes inside Afghanistan, targeting terrorist hideouts The delegation will discuss trade-related matters Pakistan remains committed to promoting trade and people-to-people ties with Afghanistan read a brief statement issued by the Foreign Office on Sunday The Commerce Secretary will be accompanied by other senior officials at talks taking place amid tensions between the two estranged neighbours The worsening ties have undermined bilateral trade between the two countries in recent months The frequent border closures due to a variety of reasons also negatively impacted trade ties The relations especially trade between the two neighbours have significantly deteriorated amid frequent border clashes and closure of key crossing points along their shared border The disruptions have not only strained diplomatic ties but also inflicted heavy economic losses on both sides, particularly affecting trade-dependent communities and industries Secretary Commerce Khurrum Agha will undertake a two-day visit to Afghanistan on Monday 25 March 2024 to discuss trade related matters, Mumtaz Zahra Baloch, a spokesperson for the Pakistani foreign office said in a statement on Sunday According a senior official of the Trade Development Authority of Pakistan (TDAP) the visit aims at fostering trust and trade flow between the two countries The visit of the high-level delegation, headed by secretary commerce is part of confidence-building measures to foster trust and ensure smooth trade flow between the two neighbors ” Muhammad Zubair Motiwala chief executive officer of TDAP told Arab News I hope the visit leads to bilateral cooperation between the two countries, Motiwala said Both countries need to revisit their policies to simplify trade, ease restrictions and simplify transit at the border points ” On the other hand Akhundzada Abdul Salam Jawad an Afghan commerce ministry spokesperson confirmed to the media the scheduled visit but accused Islamabad of complicating bilateral trade issues “Talks will focus on Pakistan’s unnecessary delay of goods’ trucks red tapism in preparing documents for transit of heavy containers and Islamabad’s latest tightening of rules for Afghan truckers to get Pakistani visas he said A year ago, Jawad maintained, almost 1,500 to 2,000 trucks from Pakistan entered Afghanistan on a daily basis, but “undue restrictions by Pakistan’s border and trade authorities have made business nearly impossible by introducing new rules bringing down the number of Pakistani trucks to about 700 The Afghan official said his country s business with Iran through Chabahar Port had witnessed a huge boost due to the trade complications with Pakistan We will discuss with Pakistani side either bureaucratic or infrastructural hurdles for trade and businesses at the border points with impediments and massive congestion, often closure and reopening of crossing points for trade low scanning capacity hurdles in trade movement such as transportation of perishable goods which often result in massive financial losses to our businessmen he added Hajji Usman, a member of Nangarhar Chamber of Commerce and Industry, said the security issues between the two countries were also impeding a smooth flow of trade between them Aimal Khan a president Pakistan Custom Clearing Agents at Torkham border crossing said that business and movement was almost at a standstill due to the interference of institutions other than the customs department “Except for the customs department authorities should ban the rest of the departments from interfering in the working of businesses in the border areas he maintained Khan said it was a positive development that the Pakistani commerce delegation wanted to discuss the modalities of the trade with Afghan officials to ease the situation for businesses on both sides of the frontier PR OFIT M O N I T O R I N G D E S K The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) is conducting an inquiry into Vicky Trading Pvt Ltd a trading company for purported connections to Bahria Town a prominent real estate developer involving alleged money laundering and tax evasion amounting to Rs23 billion Documents obtained indicate that the inquiry is active at the special court of customs taxation and anti-smuggling under the Anti-Money Laundering Act (AMLA) 2010 following allegations that Vicky Trading Company managed 18 different bank accounts nationwide, according to a news story, published in Dawn The investigation initiated on July 1 2019 was prompted by a complaint from Mohammad Ejaz an Inspector of Intelligence and Investigation (Inland Revenue) at the FBR The complaint alleged that the directors of Vicky Trading Company were involved in purchasing land on behalf of Bahria Town leading to suspicious account activities indicative of money laundering and tax evasion The inquiry revealed that between 2014 to 2018, Bahria Town transferred Rs319 billion into the accounts of Vicky Trading raising questions about the economic rationale behind these transactions Despite the company’s assertion that it engages in trading and holds land for other entities it reportedly has not purchased land in its own name using the transferred funds The investigation also highlighted the company’s unusual operation structure with no employees on its payroll suggesting potential tax avoidance and the masking of financial transactions The FBR s preliminary findings resulted in show-cause notices to the accused under AMLA 2010, pointing to discrepancies amounting to Rs82 825 billion and a subsequent demand of Rs23 541 billion from Vicky Trading The company in its defense argued the investigation exceeded its scope by examining records before 2017, despite AMLA stipulations, and claimed harassment The trial involves Waqas Riffat, Waseem Riffat Bilal Bashir and Mohammad Awais directors of Vicky Trading Company presided over by Special Judge Syed Irfan Haider H o w e v e r, p r o c e e d i n g s a r e a dvancing slowly, with notices issued to t h e a c c u s e d b u t n o s i g n i f i c a n t progress reported g COMPANY CLAIMS INQUIRY OVERREACHED BY DELVING INTO PRE-2017 RECORDS AGAINST AMLA RULES F B R p r o b e s a l l e g e d R s 2 3 b n m o n e y l a u n d e r i n g c a s e l i n ke d t o B a h r i a To w n
PR OFIT N E W S D E S K After criticism from different quarters the Prime Minister has made a significant reversal by appointing Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb as the Chairman of the Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) According to a notification issued by the Cabinet Division on March 23, the ECC will be comprised of the Finance Minister as its chairman, while the Minister for Economic Affairs Minister for Commerce Minister for Power Minister for Petroleum and Minister for Planning will be members of the committee The ECC has been given powers to call secretaries from almost all ministries and departments including the Chairman of the Federal Board of Revenue and Chairman Board of Investment Earlier, it was reported that the PM ousted Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb from the chairmanship of two crucial committees giving Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar a prominent role in financial matters PM retained the chairmanship of the ECC instead of appointing Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb as its head However, Aurangzeb would chair ECC meetings in the absence of the prime minister Aurangzeb was granted only chairmanship of the Cabinet Committee on State-owned Enterprises (CCoSOEs) while Dar was appointed as chairman of the Cabinet Committee on Privatisation (CCOP) a position previously held by the finance minister
PR OFIT N E W S D E S K The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has issued recommendations to the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) to conduct an in-depth evaluation of its current tax incentive regimes The goal is to identify and eliminate redundant or unnecessary incentives while suggesting the adoption of more efficient tax measures, such as accelerated depreciation for necessary incentives This advice aims to simplify the tax system broaden the tax base and lower overall tax rates According to reports from Business Recorder, the IMF highlighted the recent amendments in the Income Tax Ordinance (ITO) which despite removing certain tax incentives, introduced new ones Notably, the Finance Act, 2023, introduced Section 44A in the ITO offering tax exemptions and concessionary treatments for incomes derived from qualified investments under the Foreign Investment (Promotion and Protection) Act 2022 This includes income for investors shareholders their associates and specified companies, along with third-party lenders Furthermore, the IMF suggests reevaluating the current classical system of taxation which taxes corporate profits and dividend distributions, thereby resulting in the double taxation of corporate income Alternative tax systems such as a one-tier corporate tax system or an imputation system, could mitigate these inefficiencies and make investments more appealing IMF urges FBR to overhaul tax incentive framework LAHORE S TA F F R E P O R T P R I M E Minister Shehbaz Sharif Sunday directed that security should be ensured for those working on the Reko Diq mining project and for the logistics and transport from Reko Diq to the Gwadar seaport Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif was chairing an important meeting regarding the Reko Diq mining project A delegation of Barrick Gold company led by its Chief Executive Officer Mark Bristow took part in the meeting through video link The PM said consultations should be held with all stakeholders regarding the project at the official level and all the obstacles should be removed Minister for Finance and Revenue Muhammad Aurangzeb Minister for Petroleum Musadiq Malik Deputy Chairman Planning Commission Muhammad Jehanzeb and highlevel officials attended the meeting PM Shehbaz said planning should be initiated for improvement in the communication infrastructure especially railway lines for utilising the minerals of Balochistan adding work for the upgradation of the road network to link Reko Diq project with Gwadar port by road, should be completed at the earliest “Wherever new roads are being constructed the pace of construction should be enhanced he remarked The PM said that a strategy should be formulated for the feasibility of a rail and road network from Reko Diq to Gwadar port He said the railway line project from Reko Diq to Gwadar would make access to the port short and easy and as compared to Bin Qasim port the distance would also be less The new railway line would be beneficial for the mineral-rich district of Chaghi and the mining industry would expand, he added He sought a detailed briefing next week on the Reko Diq road and rail connectivity project He also instructed that all hurdles should be removed at the official level for early completion of the environment and social impact assessment regarding the Reko Diq project During the meeting, it was told that the feasibility of the Reko Diq project would be completed by December 2024 Every month 6000 containers would be transported from the Reko Diq project to the port The concentrate pipeline of the project would be the second-longest slurry pipeline in the world The mining company would construct the link road from Reko Diq to the national highway 40 The participants were informed that 58 percent work on 103-kilometer Nokandi-Mashkhel road which would connect Reko Diq to the Gwadar port, was complete ‘Revolutionary Reqo Diq project to change fate of Balochistan Meanwhile President and Chief Executive of Barrick Gold Corporation Mark Bristow has said that the revolutionary Reko Diq project would change the fate of Baluchistan by revolutionizing the local economy He expressed these view in an interview with a private news channel here on Sunday Mark Bristow stated that an estimated $10 billion would be invested in Reqo Diq project during next eight to nine years, which would boost the mining industry and the local economy
President Barrick Gold Corporation said
underscored
commitment to sustainable development job creation and community empowerment
that he
the company’s
T
ISLAMABAD S TA F F R E P O R
Minister
Sharif
called for collective efforts to strengthen the healthcare system and increase access to quality diagnosis and treatment In his message on the occasion of World Tuberculosis Day he said Tuberculosis is a significant global health challenge and awareness must be raised about its prevention and control measures The Prime Minister said the government has implemented various programs and policies to combat this disease
emphasized prioritizing TB elimination in global health agenda and allocating resources accordingly for a TB-free world Shehbaz Sharif said provision of access to quality health services is the constitutional responsibility of the government and as it strives towards this end the role of the private sector and global partners is deeply appreciable He vowed to support initiatives for improving healthcare system in the country and urged all partners, organizations, healthcare professionals, and individuals to unite in government’s efforts to eliminate TB from Pakistan The Prime Minister applauded the services of all those committed to fight tuberculosis
Shehbaz
has
He
g O R D E R S F O R M U L AT I O N O F F E A S I B I L I T Y F O R A R A I L A N D R O A D N E T W O R K F R O M R E KO D I Q TO G W A D A R P O R T g P R E S I D E N T B A R R I C K G O L D C O R P O R AT I O N S AY S P R O J E C T TO C H A N G E FAT E O F B A LU C H I S TA N B Y R E V O LU T I O N I Z I N G LO C A L E C O N O M Y
TAzma Bokhari hits back as Barrister S aif says PTI not satisfied with treatment of Per vaiz Elahi
PESHAWAR/LAHORE
S ta f f R e p o R t
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa s Adviser on Information Barrister Muhammad Ali Saif on Sunday said that Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) is not
Barrister Saif said the PTI leadership wanted to know facts about whether Pervaiz
Dr Shamshad Akhtar awarded Nishan-i-Imtiaz for outstanding public service
g FORMER CARETAKER FINANCE MINISTER HONORED FOR PIONEERING LEADERSHIP IN FINANCE AND DEVELOPMENT ON
PR OFIT
N e w S D e S k
In a prestigious ceremony held on Pakistan Day, March 23, 2024, Dr Shamshad Akhtar the former caretaker finance minister was honored with the Nishan-i-Imtiaz in recognition of her exceptional service in the public sector The award ceremony, commemorating Pakistan s national day, saw approximately 400 individuals being acknowledged with presidential civil awards for their significant contributions across various fields
Dr Akhtar s illustrious career is marked by her groundbreaking role as the Governor of the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) from 2006 to 2009, where she made history as the first
Bilawal, Sindh CM, Far yal Talpur felicitate Hindu community on Holi Festival
Meanwhile,
In
Party has made a habit of levelling allegations of their every crime on Maryam Nawaz Maryam Nawaz is too much busy and has no spare time to monitor the activities of every worker of Tonga Party , the provincial minister criticised Azma Bokhari further stated that Maryam Nawaz was focusing attention on serving the masses and did not care for the allegations of the opponents May it be Ali Amin Gandapur or Barrister Saif everyone falls into the footsteps of their founder of PTI They play the politics of baseless allegations like their leader, she added
Pakistan will always be voice of occupied Kashmiri, Palestinian peoples: Munir Akram
NEW YORK
S ta f f R e p o R t
Pakistan will continue to standby the people of Jammu & Kashmir and Palestine until they exercise their right to self-determination, Ambassador Munir Akram said Saturday after hoisting the national flag at the Pakistan House in New York to commemorate the 84th Pakistan Day The National Anthem was played as the flag went up the mast at the simple ceremony Pakistan continues to be a strong voice for universal human rights including the right to self-determination of all peoples under foreign occupation, especially the people of Jammu & Kashmir and Palestine ” the ambassador told a distinguished gathering at the event jointly hosted by the Permanent Mission of Pakistan to the United Nations and the Pakistan Consulate General, New York He said that March 23 represented a milestone in Pakistan’s history when Muslims of the sub-continent resolved to establish an independent state of their own under the dynamic leadership of the Quaid-eAzam This is the day to pay rich tribute to the lofty vision of our founding fathers and their democratic struggle which made the establishment of Pakistan possible in just seven years ” Ambassador Akram said that Pakistan joined the United Nations one month after its independence and ever since has played an active and constructive role in forging friendship and peace and promoting multilateral cooperation in accordance with the UN Charter Pakistan, he added, believes that an international order based on the principles of the UN Charter must adhere to consistent implementation of the principles particularly those related to the right to self-determination non-use of force respect for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all states, noninterference in their internal affairs as well as international cooperation to promote universal prosperity “Inspired by the vision of its founding fathers Pakistan will continue to work for a peaceful and stable international order within the framework of the UN and its principles, he added Pakistani Mission Counsellor Naeem Sabir Khan and Head of Chancery of the Consulate Umar Sheikh read out the messages of the President and the Prime Minister of Pakistan on Pakistan Day respectively
M d y 25 M h 2024 | ISLAMABAD 02 NEWS WASHINGTON S ta f f R e p o R t
E Administrator of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), Samantha Power, has thanked Pakistan for conferring Hilal-e-Quaid-i-Azam a high civil award calling it a testament to the enduring partnership between her organization and the Pakistani people The President of Pakistan conferred that award on her on Pakistan Day in recognition of her “outstanding contribution” towards strengthening Pakistan-U S relations The efforts by Ms Power are a reflection of her commitment to assist the people of Pakistan and forge a strong and deep partnership between Pakistan and the US stated the citation that was read out the occasion Ms Power who has been serving as USAID chief since May 2021, is a proponent of strong Pakistan-US cooperation in humanitarian and socio-economic sectors like health education and climate change and promoting people-to-people exchanges As USAID administrator she was instrumental in the provision of significant lifesaving US humanitarian assistance to mitigate the disastrous impacts of the floods in 2022, the citation said In a video message, she also recalled the devastation when one-third of Pakistan was inundated due to devastating floods in 2022 I will never forget visiting Pakistan in September of 2022 Flying over the floods feeling sure that I was flying over an ocean, only to be reminded that the ocean was in fact hundreds of miles away And there were entire towns submerged under the seemingly infinite expanse of water below ” She spoke about the support from the highest levels of the White House and both houses of the US Congress that facilitated an assistance of $215 million to the flood affected people Ms Power also referred to the support from private American citizens and American companies who rallied to Pakistan’s aid donating more than $37 million to support the relief efforts Our mission is helping the people of Pakistan to improve water management systems, build markets for Climate Smart Agriculture technologies and techniques and mobilized climate adaptation finance under the US-Pakistan green Alliance initiative ” Ms Power said We remain committed to standing with Pakistan as it continues the long and difficult recovery from the floods while building a more resilient and more prosperous future Congratulating Ms Power on receiving the award, Ambassador Masood Khan said that she is a true friend of the people of Pakistan “We will never forget her humanitarian services at a time when we needed them the most he said With her leadership qualities, she has not only further cemented people-to-people ties between Pakistan and the United States but raised the stature of USAID as an organization ” USAID CHIEF CALLS HER HIGH PAKISTAN DAY AWARD ‘TESTAMENT’ TO ENDURING PAK-US TIES H A S there been a deal? Is Ali Amin Gandapur on a slippery slope that ends with deserting the PTI? After all, his previous two predecessors Pervez Khattak and Mahmood Khan both left the PTI The real cause of suspicion is the fact that he attended another meeting chaired by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, and Mian Shehbaz came out with his ears intact Yes, Ali Amin refrained from physically attacking him, giving rise to the suspicion that he is going easy on Shehbaz Now why would he do a thing like that? Does his mildness have anything to do with the warrants that have just gone out for his arrest in connection with the May 9 incidents? He has said that he intends to be defended by the KP police if the Punjab police tries to arrest him but maybe there’s a gentleman’s agreement that he won’t be arrested so long as he doesn’t physically damage Mian Shehbaz Maryam Nawaz was also at the meeting but wasn t there to provide her uncle security but as Punjab CM If Sher Afzal Marwat is to be believed, she was a bigger danger to Ali Amin than he imagined Sher Afzal Marwat is most memorable as the guy who punched PML(N) Senator Afnanullah Khan on live television because Afnanullah had committed lèse majesté against Sher Afzal s leader Imran Khan Sher Afzal was given the PTI ticket (But there was no ticket, so let s say pat on the back), and is now an MNA, an independent who has joined the Sunni Ittehad Council Now Sher Afzal says Maryam had arranged a contract killer to kill him for $1000 Someone should tell him thriller film scripts have been reserved for the party chief, and such attempts by people like him, are not necessarily approved If true, though, he might be more exercised by the low value being placed on him If Maryam is willinging to spring $1000 for him what price Ali Amin? Look, being a CM doesn’t mean what it used to After all, Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal of the Aam Admi Party has been arrested because of charges of being involved in a liquor scam One harks back to that brilliant mind and the nation s foremost intellectual, Usman Buzdar, who paid a visit to NAB in connection with the grant of a liquor licence I would like to see them try to arrest Ali Amin though Even without the KP police he would probably resist with his fists That s the impression he gives He wasn’t associated with the murder of Sidhu Moosewala the Indian rapper back in 2022 gunned down a fortnight short of his 29th birthday His parents despite their advanced age were not resting After all, Sidhu was their only child So though the father was 60 and the mother 58, they used modern technology to have another child a son First they denied everything but then they admitted it A little late one must admit but then the Supreme Court is also acting a little late There was finally a decision of the Bhutto case review, in which the Supreme Court decided that, Surppise! Surprise! Bhutto didn’t get a fair trial that due process was not followed Someone claimed that Bhutto sent a message of thanks from the Hereafter In the same way the Supreme Judicial Council has ruled that Mr Justice Shaukat Aziz Siddiqui was wrongfully removed from the Islamabad High Court, because he was not given the chance of cross-examining the witnesses against him Mr Justice Siddiqui has passed retirement age so he can t be reinstated but he gets all arrears of pay and pension, so he should get a nice tidy sum, for which he can thank the SJC in befitting terms Deal on a slipper y slope City NoteS M a N i a z i Polio vaccination campaign to star t in 11 districts of Balochistan QUETTA S ta f f R e p o R t Following the recent emergence of two polio cases in Balochistan after a three-year gap, health authorities are issuing an urgent call to parents and caregivers to prioritize their children’s health by participating in the antipolio vaccination campaign starting on Monday in 11 districts of Balochistan Despite significant progress in the fight against polio the recent cases serve as a stark reminder of the persistent threat posed by this crippling disease In response, the Emergency Operations Center Balochistan, in collaboration with health partners is launching a comprehensive vaccination drive to ensure every child under the age of five receives two drops of the polio vaccine Scheduled to commence on Monday March 25, 2024, the campaign aims to reach the children in Chaman, Dera Bugti, Hub, Lasbela, Nasirabad, Sibi, Jaffarabad, Kech, Khuzdar, Usta Muhammad and Sobhatpur In this campaign around 889656 children will be vaccinated for which around 3378 teams will be deployed including 2641 mobile teams 306 fixed-site teams, and 228 transit points Syed Zahid Shah, Provincial Coordinator of Emergency Operations Center Balochistan emphasized the critical importance of vaccination in protecting children from the debilitating effects of polio The recent polio cases in Balochistan are a sobering reminder that our work is far from over We urge all parents and caregivers to ensure their children are vaccinated during this campaign to safeguard their health and prevent the spread of poliovirus” he said He said that the polio vaccine is safe effective and essential in the global effort to eradicate polio once and for all By vaccinating children up to the age of 5 years parents not only protect their own families but also contribute to the health and well-being of future generations, he added The coordinator also mentioned that despite all sorts of harsh weather conditions polio workers have fulfilled their national duties with zeal and courage The success of this campaign depends on the active participation of every member of the community Parents are urged to cooperate with vaccinators, ensure their children are available for vaccination, and spread the word about the importance of polio vaccination in their circle he said adding that all teams participating in the polio campaign will be provided with security
H
satisfied
provided
Punjab
President
reported accident
former Punjab chief minister Pervaiz Elahi
reported
leader suffered injuries after falling
ground in Adiala Jail
with the treatment
by
government to party
Pervaiz Elahi In a statement issued here on Sunday he talked about the
of
It has been
that the PTI
on the
Elahi had an accident or he was tortured A team of doctors from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa should be permitted to visit him in jail and examine his condition, he demanded The Advisor said that if the medical team was not allowed to see Pervaiz Elahi, the government would take legal action On March 19 medical report of Ch Pervaiz Elahi was presented in the Punjab Assembly by the deputy superintendent of Adiala Jail The report, which included an X-ray, revealed that the septuagenarian leader had four ribs fractured after falling in the washroom Meanwhile Punjab Minister for Information Azma Bokhari responded strongly to the statement of Barrister Saif saying the KP adviser should study the report of the Adiala Jail officials before levelling allegations against CM Maryam Nawaz According to the officials of Adiyala Jail, Pervaiz Elahi fell in the washroom and got injured You should get your own Chief Minister treated who is suggesting the officers to throw bricks instead of getting treatment of Pervaiz Elahi , Azma Bokhari stated in a statement, responding to barrister Saif “Ch Pervaiz Elahi’s son has no worry about his father The Tonga
woman to lead the nation’s central bank Prior to her appointment at the SBP Dr Akhtar was associated with the Asian Development Bank (ADB) starting January 2004, initially as the Director General of the Southeast Asia Department and subsequently as its Deputy Director General Her tenure at ADB also included the role of Director for the Governance Finance, and Trade Division within the East and Central Asia Department A native of Hyderabad, Dr Akhtar embarked on her educational journey in Karachi and Islamabad obtaining a B A in Economics from the University of Punjab in 1974 She furthered her academic pursuits with an M Sc in Economics from Quaid-e-Azam University, Islamabad, followed by an M A in Development Economics from the University of Sussex in 1977 Dr Akhtar earned her Ph D in Economics from the UK s Paisley College of Technology in 1980 Recognized as a Fulbright Scholar, Dr Akhtar has been a post-doctoral fellow and a visiting fellow at Harvard University s Department of Economics in 1987 Throughout her career, she has actively participated in and contributed to the international finance community, representing the Asian Development Bank at the Bank for International Settlements and the International Organization of Securities Commissions (IOSCO) Dr Akhtar s extensive research and numerous presentations at global conferences and seminars have focused on vital economic and financial themes including Monetary and Fiscal Policy Banking and Capital Market International Finance Architecture and Regulation and Supervision
KARACHI S ta f f R e p o R t Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah and PPP Central President of Pakistan People s Party (PPP) Women s Wing and MPA Faryal Talpur wished on Sunday all those celebrating the festival of Holi In a statement, the former foreign minister highlighted the importance of fostering inclusivity and respect for diverse cultural traditions within the nation He said “Holi serves as a reminder of the shared humanity that transcends religious or cultural differences The former foreign minister stressed the imperative need for societal cohesion, advocating for mutual understanding and solidarity among Pakistan’s diverse populace He highlighted the inherent values of tolerance and acceptance encapsulated by Holi asserting that such celebrations foster inclusivity within the nation Echoing the sentiments of the nation s revered leaders he stated We seek guidance from the thoughts of Quaide-Azam Shaheed Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto and Shaheed Benazir Bhutto On the other hand, Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah conveyed his warm greetings to the Hindu community on the auspicious occasion of the Holi festival
his message, the CM expressed his heartfelt wishes for the happiness and well-being of the Hindu community residing in the country particularly in Sindh Holi is widely celebrated as the festival of colors
signifies
wonderful opportunity to bring people together, he added The CM Pakistan People s Party always raise voice for protection of the rights of minorities
non Muslims were enjoying complete freedom for observance of their religious rituals in
the
Murad Shah
Hindu community was performing
major role for the development and prosperity of the country Faryal wishes Happy Holi to Hindu community
PAKISTAN DAY
In
which
love and affection and provides a
He said the
Sindh and
country Syed
said
it s
of
extended
greetings
community in
those celebrating
of colours lights
the spring worldwide
Central President
Pakistan People s Party (PPP) Women’s Wing and MPA Faryal Talpur has
Holi
to the Hindu
Pakistan and all
this festival
and
community
prosperity to our Hindu
sisters leading to the interfaith harmony in Pakistan
a message on this occasion of the Holi Faryal Talpur said that the message of Holi was love brotherhood and peace She said that the services of Pakistan s Hindus
to the country and nation are unforgettable and prayed that may this Holi bring peace and
brothers and
Hnot spared by the Hindutva Indian regime They are abducted, threatened and tortured simply for doing their job it said The report said amid widening continued crackdown and house raids the Indian Hindutva government while violating international laws, is not listening to the global calls to stop human rights violations in IIOJK
The report maintained that the United Nations must take notice of grave rights abuses in the occupied territory and hold the Indian troops and all its men in uniform as well as the Indian government accountable for their crimes in the occupied territory
Meanwhile, APHC spokesman Advocate Abudl Rashid Minhas in a statement issued in Srinagar deplored that India wanted to crush the Kashmiris’ right to self-determination demand with military might He appealed to the world human rights organizations to impress upon New Delhi to stop violating the basic rights of the detainees
He said people’s struggles for the realization of their political will can never be crushed through force illegal detentions and the use of military might He added that the Kashmiris would stay united and would continue their struggle till the ongoing freedom movement reached its logical conclusion He said all outstanding issues between India and Pakistan, including the Kashmir dispute can
Dopasi Foundation, ‘Islamabad Run with Us ’ join forces to host ‘S print to End TB
ISLAMABAD
S ta f f R e p o R t
The Dopasi Foundation in
Rahat Fateh Ali Khan honored with ‘Hilal-e-Imtiaz’ for musical excellence
Speakers urge world powers to help resolve Kashmir dispute
MUZAFFARABAD
S ta f f R e p o R t
The Chairman of Jammu and Kashmir Peace & Justice Organization (JKPO), Tanveer-ul-Islam, has urged the world powers to help resolve the lingering Kashmir dispute According to Kashmir Media Service, Tanveer-ul-Islam, speaking to a webinar “Voices for Kashmir: Seeking Truth Justice and Dignity organized by Jammu and Kashmir Peace & Justice Organization Tanveer-ul-Islam called for immediate international intervention to address the escalating humanitarian catastrophe in occupied Jammu and Kashmir He said Kashmiri Muslims have faced systemic human rights transgressions including arbitrary detentions extrajudicial killings torture and enforced disappearances for decades He condemned draconian measures such as arbitrary detentions and violent repression, along with the revocation of Articles 370 and 35A of the Indian Constitution affecting the special status of Jammu and Kashmir President of the Pak Kashmir Solidarity Council Syed Arif Bahar called for halting Indian atrocities in the occupied territory and resolution of the long-pending Kashmir dispute according to the United Nations resolutions and aspirations of the Kashmiri people
M d y 25 M h 2024 | ISLAMABAD NEWS 03 ISLAMABAD S ta f f R e p o R t
U M A N rights violations in Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) by Indian troops have reached alarming proportions since the Modi-led Hindutva Indian regime illegally repealed the special constitutional status of the territory in August 2019 Kashmir Media Service on the occasion of International Day for the Right to the Truth Concerning Gross Human Rights Violations and for the Dignity of Victims” being observed today said though international rights bodies have been raising alarm about rights violations in IIOJK yet Indian forces are arbitrarily arresting and torturing Kashmiris during house raids and so-called cordon and search operations on daily basis It said nearly 96,292 people have fell to Indian bullets since Jan 1989 till date in IIOJK adding India is using draconian laws including Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA Public Safety Act (PSA) and Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) to stifle political dissent in the territory The report said though the IIOJK human rights groups, international human rights bodies report have been raising alarm about rights violations in IIOJK yet Indian troops paramilitary and police personnel are arbitrarily arresting torturing and killing Kashmiris on a daily basis during so-called cordon and search operations (CASOs) Even political leaders, women, youth, human rights activists and journalists in IIOJK are
be resolved through meaningful dialogue ISLAMABAD S ta f f R e p o R t Pakistan Railways has altered 16,535 out of 26,660 electric meters of the railway’s residential colonies to Distribution Companies (DISCOs) and Karachi-Electric (KE) to rationalize its expenditure on utilities According to an official of the Ministry of Pakistan Railways residential colonies were being shifted to DISCOs by the department and the step has resulted in savings of Rs 1,300 million so far Pakistan Railways had taken certain austerity measures to moderate its losses and all these austerity measures have been taken in line with the instructions issued by Finance Division from time to time he added The Railway official said that in addition to austerity measures, the department has rigorously followed a diversified approach to reducing its different costs along with measures to improve its revenue streams He said in order to further reduce the electricity bills Pakistan Railways had prepared a plan to shift to solar energy for that purpose the work has been initiated by awarding the feasibility study to M/s NESPAK The official said around 100 sites with heavy consumption of electricity had been identified and once shifted to solar energy it would result in savings of Rs 1,000 million He said that the human resource strength of Pakistan Railways was being critically analyzed to bring it to a rational level This step will result in the reduction of salary bills and in the long run will reduce the overhead of pension payments Around 1,377 posts from the Ministry of Railways, Headquarters office, and extra division had been abolished which was likely to save Rs 720 551 million per year he added In order to improve the revenue streams certain other steps have also been taken included to reduce manual working, streamlining financial operations and minimizing the risk of ghost employees and pensioners SAP-based ERP system is under development to bring transparency and increase the revenue stream The official said the short-term leasing of land had been introduced instead of long-term leasing to stay competitive in the market for increased revenue flow He said railway passenger train fares and freight rates had been rationalized and were constantly being monitored based on supply and demand and volatile prices of fuel to generate more revenues Pakistan Railways remains committed to implement cost-cutting measures and revenue optimization strategies to address its financial challenges The austerity measures undertaken are crucial for the sustainability and financial health of the organization, he added H R V I O L AT I O N S R E A C H A L A R M I N G P R O P O R T I O N S I N I I O J K : R E P O R T PRs alters 16,535 elec tric meters of residential colonies to DISCOs, KE FIA arrests UK visa fake bank statement accused on British HC request KARACHI S ta f f R e p o R t FIA Anti-Human Trafficking Circle Karachi arrested the accused involved in issuing fake bank statements to citizens for British visas The FIA team raided and arrested the accused on the complaint of the British High Commission in Islamabad Zahid Hassan the suspect was involved in issuing fake bank statements to citizens and the crime of visa fraud FIA has now launched an investigation into the matter The UK recently announced significant changes to its visa policies, aiming to facilitate easier entry for citizens of Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) nations and Jordan In a statement released by the British government it was revealed that these countries will transition to an electronic travel permit system by 2024 Under this system, residents from the Gulf countries, including Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait Oman Qatar the Emirates and Jordan will no longer require visit visas to enter the UK The move towards an Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) system is poised to simplify the entry process, doing away with the necessity of obtaining a visit visa As per the official statement, the visa exemption implementation is set to take effect after February 22 2024 Under this new system tourists of all age groups will be required to electronically apply for a travel permit priced at £10 which will then be issued for their travel purposes
S ta f f R e p o R t Rahat Fateh Ali Khan was conferred Pakistan s second highest civilian award ‘Hilal-e-Imtiaz’ by President Asif Ali Zardari at Aiwan-e-Sadr on Pakistan Day for his services to the Pakistani and South Asian music industry Khan the star of Pakistan and music icon was honored with the Hilal-eImtiaz for his contributions to the fields of arts, Qawwali, and singing, as well as for elevating Pakistani arts to an international platform with his captivating performances of Qawwali and contemporary music Rahat Fateh Ali Khan said he was grateful for the honour The singer said: It is with profound gratitude that I accept the prestigious Hilal-eImtiaz & Sitara-I-Imtiaz awards bestowed upon me by the esteemed President I extend my heartfelt appreciation to my cherished family friends and devoted fans whose unwavering support has been my guiding light on this remarkable journey Together we stand in humble reverence inspired to continue our pursuit of excellence Rahat Fateh Ali Khan expressed immense gratitude for being honored with the Sitara-i-Imtiaz in 2018 and now the Hilal-e-Imtiaz in 2024 considering it a significant privilege He pledged to continue showcasing the softer aspects of Pakistan to the international community Recognizing these awards as the highest civilian honors, he felt obliged to uphold the legacy of his uncle and mentor, Ustad Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan through modern interpretations of Qawwali Bad blood, enmit y claim 11 lives in Qazi Ahmed, Tank BENAZIRABAD/TANK S ta f f R e p o R t Seven people were killed over a land dispute in Qazi Ahmed, a neighboring town of Shaheed Benazirabad district while four of the same family were killed when unidentified culprits attacked a house with a hand grenade and firing in the suburban area of Tank According to the Nawabshah police the armed confrontation resulted in the death of all seven individuals from one group, while eight members of the rival group sustained injuries The police and district administration assured the public that the situation was now “under control” The police said the unfortunate incident between two groups over a land dispute occurred in the village Wahid Bakhsh Dahiri a village of dahiri community According to the police the bodies were shifted to Civil Hospital Shahpur Jahanian Responding to the incident, Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah directed the provincial inspector general to furnish a comprehensive report and instructed law enforcement authorities to restore order in the area In February 2022 five persons including a police official were killed and seven others injured in firing of armed members of a community on rivals over property and agricultural yield dispute Zardari Bhand and other communities of Kaccha area of Nawabshah were in dispute over property and crop dispute F O U R O F FA M I LY K I L L E D I N H O U S E AT TA C K: In another incident occurred in Tank district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, four members of a same family were killed while another got injured on Sunday According to police the incident occurred in Kot Khadak of Gomal area in Tank District where unknown armed men attacked a house with a hand grenade and indiscriminate firing on Saturday night As a result of the attack, house owner Salahuddin, his two sons and a nephew were killed on the spot Another family member got injured who was shifted to DHQ Tank On information a heavy contingent of police reached the scene and after shifting the bodies to District Headquarters (DHQ) Hospital started investigations A S E C U R I T Y G U A R D K I L L E D O N R E S I S TA N C E: A security guard was killed on resistance during a dacoity bid at a private filling station in Shakargarh city in Narowal The incident occurred at Bhaati Morre when a security guard namely Mushtaq was killed on resistance when unknown dacoit tried to loot the petrol pump Police after shifting the deceased to hospital, registered a case against the unknown accused
ISLAMABAD
collaboration
Common Management Unit
AIDS
Malaria
National Health Services,
Coordination, proudly
partnership
Pakistan's premier running
with Us
the successful hosting of the "Sprint to End TB event
event which took place on March 24, 2024, the World TB Day, echoing the global call to end tuberculosis and aligning with commitments made during the UN High-Level Meeting
on TB
the Sustainable Development Goals
2030
Sprint to End TB event kicked
iconic Chand Tara Chowk, traversing the picturesque Shakar Parian Road, and culminated at the esteemed Gun and Country Club This carefully selected route symbolized our collective journey towards a TB-free future emphasizing the importance of community engagement and solidarity in combating this deadly disease The event was graced by esteemed dignitaries including Secretary Health Dr Iftikhar Shalwani National Coordinator Dr Razia Fatima CEO of Dopasi Ms Kinz ul Eman Senior Advisor Stop TB Partnership Sr Syed Karam Shah, PD PTP KPK Dr Moosa Khan, and Director of MoNHSR&C Dr Maryam Sarfaraz, among others Their presence underscored the significance of the event and demonstrated a united commitment to ending TB At the occasion appreciating the efforts of all the participants the Secretary Mr Ifttikhar Shalwani said: "TB awareness is not just a matter of public health; it's a testament to our collective responsibility towards the most vulnerable in our society By raising awareness and mobilizing resources we can and we will end TB and build a healthier more resilient future for all Following the sprint, participants and dignitaries gathered at the Gun and Country Club for a closing ceremony and Iftar The ceremony celebrated the commitment of participants and supporters while providing a platform for further discourse on efforts to end TB The evening culminated with an Iftar, fostering community building and reflection on the importance of collaborative action in tackling public health challenges LAHORE S ta f f R e p o R t The Sui Northern Gas Pipelines Limited (SNGPL) has proposed a significant hike in gas prices for the third time in a year A hearing regarding the increase in gas prices is scheduled to take place in Lahore on Monday (March 25) According to sources the SNGPL has recommended a price of Rs4 489 per MMBTU Reports suggest that this increase in gas prices could result in an average hike of up to 155 percent for consumers Despite a previous increase of up to 500 percent over the past year the company has been unable to reduce its losses During the hearing domestic and industrial sectors are expected to present reasons against raising gas prices It has been noted that in the past, stakeholder opinions have not been considered, and prices have been raised solely on the company’s recommendation The hearing in Lahore is seen as a means to fulfill legal formalities A decision to increase gas prices has already been made effective from July 1st, as per the IMF s demands 55 I L L E G A L G A S C O N N E CT I O N S D I S C O N N E C T E D: The Sui Northern Gas Pipelines Limited (SNGPL) has intensified its crackdown across Punjab Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Islamabad The company disconnected a total of 55 illegal gas connections and levied fines exceeding Rs1 3 million In Lahore two connections were identified for illegal gas usage along with two connections utilizing compressors all of which were promptly disconnected Similarly, in Sheikhupura, eight connections found to be tampering with regulations were disconnected with fines totaling Rs12 000 imposed The regional team in Multan disconnected four connections for illegal gas usage and five connections for compressor use, resulting in fines of Rs116,000 Stricter measures were taken in Peshawar/Karak where 30 connections were disconnected due to various violations with fines exceeding Rs1 million In Sahiwal two connections were disconnected for unauthorized gas use, while in Faisalabad, two connections faced disconnection, with additional fines of Rs 1 lakh 63 thousand imposed These ongoing operations by SNGPL aim to curb gas theft and ensure compliance with regulations across the mentioned regions S N G P L s e e k s a n o t h e r h i ke i n g a s t a r i f f, 3 r d t i m e i n a ye a r ISLAMABAD S ta f f R e p o R t The provincial capital and various areas of central Punjab received light rain late Saturday night coupled with gusty wind which dipped the mercury besides compelling the people to wear woollies The rain and wind caused power shutdown and fluctuation in many areas Rain was reported from Mall Road Lakshmi Chowk Jail Road Model Town Gulberg Garden Town Kalma Chowk Sanda Gulshan Ravi, besides other cities of the province Moreover, rain was reported in district Sheikhurpura Hafizabad Nankana Sahib Sargodha Khushab and other areas which turned the weather chilly According to Met office weather will remain cloudy for the next 24 hours While cloudy and rainy weather was likely to persist during the entire week After the rain, remarkable decline was seen in pollution and Lahore’s air quality indexed was ranked 26 globally While overall AQI index was seen at 82 in Lahore Met officials said a shallow westerly wave was affecting western and upper parts of the country and likely to persist It predicted that dry weather was expected in most parts of the country while partly cloudy in upper areas However light rain-wind/thunderstorm was likely at isolated places in Gilgit Baltistan, Kashmir and surrounding hilly areas Saturday s highest maximum temperature was recorded at Nawab Shah where mercury reached 39°C while in Lahore it was 31 5°C and minimum was 18 5 C Dry weather is expected in most parts of the country while partly cloudy in upper areas during the next 24 hours according to the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) However, light rain-wind/thunderstorm is likely at isolated places in Gilgit Baltistan Kashmir and surrounding hilly areas During the last 24 hours dry weather prevailed in most parts of the country The maximum temperatures recorded were Shaheed Benazirabad 39 C, Chhor, Mithi, Sakrand 38, Lasbela and Hyderabad 37C Light rain turns weather chilly in central Punjab, c apital
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TO be fair to Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, trade with India is very much his area of responsibility for the last Finance Minister to express support for it, the PTI s Hammad Azhar, lost the portfolio after just a few weeks on the job Perhaps Senator Dar knows well that the present BJP government of India has no intention of taking him up because its Hindutva ideology prohibits it from any developing of trade ties with Pakistan but is also goes into an election later in the year in which the main plank of its campaign platform will be a visceral hatred of Pakistan Senator Dar did not really express support for the idea, just saying that the government would seriously look into reopening trade with India However considering the sensibilities involved even such a statement not only takes considerable courage, but involves a committing of the PML(N) government to a course of action that was not really foreseen Trade with India is a hot-button topic because it involves Pakistan s position in the US-China dispute The USA sees trade as the means of making Pakistan agree to accept Indian hegemony There is the little matter of the Kashmir dispute, and the BJP government’s vicious ending of Kashmir ’s special status back in 2019 which Senator Dar duly mentioned However, there are precious few indications that India under the BJP is willing to talk constructively with Pakistan For example there is no indication that India has any intention of even talking about the Non-Tariff Trade Barriers that it has erected Further India’s attitude can be seen from the way it has sabotaged SAARC, which was supposed to be the principal forum for trade within the region However, unlike the Indian view that trade should be between itself as hegemon and other countries as satellites, the SAARC framework was supposed to be between
Pakistan and a new IMF programme
It mustn’t ignore climate change
Dedicated to the legac y of late Hameed Nizami Arif Nizami (Late) Founding Editor
M A Niazi Editor Pakistan Today Babar Nizami Editor Profit
quences for Pakistan of an expected new IMF programme were indicated in a March 20 Bloomberg published article ‘Pakistan gets initial approval for $1 1 billion IMF payout as The new loan program will aim to permanently resolve Pakistan s fiscal and external sustainability weaknesses and lay the foundations for sustainable growth, Porter said after discussions in Islamabad While talks are expected to start in the coming months, the IMF said the key objectives may include broadening the tax base improving debt sustainability and restoring the energy sector’s viability ’
Although the press release indicates gradual fiscal consolidation the problem with fiscal consolidation or austerity is that given a low strength of political voice in the country not allowing for adequate push for enhancing tax base, and the lack of political will historically, in general, to bring economic sectors into meaningful level of taxation given that these sectors form the voter base of one political party or the other which they wish to appease has meant rise in indirect or consumption taxes to meet the overall revenue targets
The other reason why political parties have not significantly taxed for instance, sectors like agriculture, finance property or the retail sector is the presence of collusion of moneyed interests in these sectors and their financial contribution towards political parties especially in terms of election campaign funding of political parties, which in turn, when in power make compromised policymaking to perpetuate this extractive politico-economic institutional design On the other hand, increase in consumption taxes basically burdens the middle- and lower-income groups the most since they spend most of their incomes on consumption Hence when IMF intends to see tax base increase in Pakistan it will have to provide greater special drawing rights (SDRs) to the country in addition to those received under a programme, so that the country can adopt a non-austerity, counter-cyclical policy approach that will allow spending on economic empowerment of the citizens so that over time this strengthens the political voice of the demos which in turn push for needed reform policies that weakens the elite capture estab-
are expected to include: (i) strengthening public finances including through gradual fiscal consolidation and broadening the tax base (especially in undertaxed sectors) and improving tax administration to improve debt sustainability and create space for higher priority development and social assistance spending to protect the vulnerable; (ii) restoring the energy sector s viability (iii) returning inflation to target, with a deeper and more transparent flexible FX market supporting external rebalancing and the rebuilding of foreign reserves; and (iv) promoting private-led activity through the above mentioned actions as well as the removal of distortionary protection advancement of SOE reforms to improve the sector s performance and the scaling-up of investment in human capital, to make growth more resilient and inclusive and enable Pakistan to reach its economic potential ’ Moreover IMF s mission chief Nathan Porter s upbeat tone with regard to likely economic conse-
R e s i l i e n c e i n d e m o c r a c y
Tr i
In addition, lack of investment is likely to diminish overall economic resilience, especially in the muchneeded areas of environment, and public health sectors, given the fast-unfolding existential threat of the climate change crisis, and the presence of the ÂPandemiceneÊ phenomenon
lished under extractive institutional design created by the collusion of the politico-economic elites Moreover the goal of inclusive resilient economy as aspired as an objective under a likely EFF programme requires taking a non-austerity based policy whereby instead of primarily seeing inflation as mainly a monetary phenomenon, and therefore, adopting monetary austerity policies– that is increasing the policy rate– to squeeze aggregate demand, when inflation has clearly a strong aggregate supply determination not only perpetuate high inflationary headwinds through buildup of the cost-push inflationary channel but also hurts economic growth which is needed for another programme goal of reaching greater debt sustainability; since, even as per the IMF’s own research, economic growth plays an important role in enhancing capacity to repay debt The same Bloomberg article highlighted the immense challenge facing the country in the shape of huge financing needs as follows: The South Asian country succeeded in averting a sovereign default last year, but it remains heavily reliant on IMF aid with $24 billion in external financing needs in the fiscal year starting July, about three times its foreign exchange reserves ’ Hence there is a difficult debt sustainability issue facing the country which requires greater economic growth so that higher levels of domestic production and exports can bring ease towards the fiscal, and current account in terms lesser cost-push inflation from greater aggregate supply, and more inflow of dollars, while a higher policy rate negatively contributes to both economic growth, and debt sustainability consequences Also a higher interest rate influences lack of economic inclusivity since it is difficult to engage loanable funds at high cost of capital and only the already well-established segments of the private sector mostly afford capital at higher costs; of the elevated magnitudes that the country is seeing over many months now In addition lack of investment is likely to diminish overall economic resilience especially in the much-needed areas of environment and public health sectors, given the fast-unfolding existential threat of the climate change crisis, and the presence of the ‘Pandemicene’ phenomenon So, while entering a new IMF programme is essential for the country, especially given the external financing needs of the country– especially when the credit rating which although has improved noticeably recently is still quite a long way to produce any meaningful interest for investors– it is important that the programme takes a non-austerity, counter-cyclical route
The writer holds PhD in Economics degree from the University of Barcelona and previously worked at International Monetary Fund Prior to this he did MSc in Economics from the University of York (United Kingdom) and worked at the Ministry of Economic Affairs & Statistics (Pakistan) among other places He is author of Springer published book (2016) The economic impact of International Monetary Fund programmes: institutional quality macroeconomic stabilization and economic growth He tweets @omerjaved7
to set aside their political differences for greater cause in order to bring economic and political stability in the country Only unity among lawmakers and politicians can uplift the country If divisions among politicians persist, the country is unlikely to accomplish desired political as well as economic outcomes
TOur brave security agencies and forces are dying for the country to make the future of our next generations secure These sacrifices of our armed forces should go in vain Political divisions among politicians for political gains cannot bring stability and provide an ample opportunity to hostile elements to exploit our fault lines We should avoid leaving any ex-
points for hostile elements Pakistan stands at a critical juncture in its socio-political evolution, beset by myriad challenges yet brimming with latent potential The onus lies on its political leadership, civil society actors and institutional stakeholders to rise above parochial interests and forge a collective vision for a prosperous and resilient Pakistan Only through sustained dialogue inclusive governance and unwavering national unity can Pakistan surmount its present tribulations and embark on a trajectory of sustainable development and progress
Politically, Pakistan has been progressing very well which is a good omen for our democracy It is high time for our political leadership to act with maturity and it must unite to overcome challenges that Pakistan is facing today This is the time for citizens to stand with the government and armed forces to mitigate these challenges and curb the menace of terrorism and extremism
The writer is Islamabad based regular contributor and can be reached at asadmalik2008@gmail com
Gender inequalit y
Extinction of wildlife
AI
04 Monday 25 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
sovereign states However Senator Dar apparently needs more time to settle into his new role It is no help that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif is relying on him because of his experience like making him head of the Cabinet Committee on Privatization There will inevitably be numerous areas where his experience at Finance will give him an advantage as Foreign Minister but he must be made to restrain himself It would perhaps have been best if the statement on trade with India had come from the Finance or Commerce Ministers Even now they should be left to follow up
a r
s t i l l i n t h e Fi n a n c e M i n i s t r y
e
t i s
G L O B A L warming caused by burning gasoline diesel oil coal and natural gas, increases the earth s temperature and elevates greenhouse gases like carbon monoxide, sulphur dioxide, and nitrogen dioxide in the atmosphere These gases absorb the sun’s reflected heat, raising the earth’s temperature and warming the environment Human irresponsible activities and the absence of the ozone layer pose significant threats to living organisms High temperatures may make Earth uninhabitable Deforestation another symbol of global warming is a global challenge It is the responsibility of individuals and governments worldwide to address this issue Governments should explore alternative energy sources, prohibit fossil fuel use and tree cutting, and the public should support and adhere to these principles, promoting tree planting initiatives IJAZ BALOCH LAHORE
Global warming
I write to highlight a pressing concern in our society: gender inequality This issue pervades every aspect of our lives impeding progress and limiting opportunities for many From classrooms to workplaces, women often face systemic hurdles It s time to openly and collectively address this imbalance Let’s dismantle barriers that stifle potential and hinder our nation’s growth By fostering a culture of equality we can pave the way for a brighter future It’s not just about words; it’s about tangible actions challenging ingrained norms Together let s propel Pakistan towards a more inclusive and equitable society where everyone regardless of gender can thrive MARYAM AMJAD ISLAMABAD
I am writing to highlight the critical issues facing wildlife due to habitat destruction, pollution, climate change, and other factors, leading to extinction Animal extinction not only disrupts ecosystems but also triggers a cascade effect on other species Illegal wildlife trade and hunting exacerbate these challenges posing a significant threat to animal populations To prevent wildlife extinction preserving their habitats is essential We must prioritise environmental conservation, foster consideration for animals, and work towards rebuilding a healthy ecosystem by providing adequate food and shelter NIMRA AURANGZEB ABBASI RAWALPINDI
of the world A RT I F I C I A L Intelligence (AI) is heralded as the future of the world representing the most crucial technology in today s landscape It is rapidly becoming the most transformative force, shaping our lives in ways we might not fully comprehend yet AI brings numerous advantages, including the reduction of human error, efficient handling of big data, automation of repetitive tasks, improved workflow, faster decision-making, and more Beyond these it holds great potential for enhancing sectors such as agriculture and healthcare Considering AI s pivotal role in the future it is imperative for Pakistan to invest in this realm Automation of specialised operations can boost agricultural production significantly benefiting Pakistan s economy Additionally, AI is vital for global competitiveness, as other nations are already harnessing its power MARWA HAIDER ISLAMABAD 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
- future
H E successful conduct of recent elections in Pakistan amidst a backdrop of political turbulence marks a significant milestone in the nation s democratic journey Despite challenges ranging from economic instability to external threats, the peaceful transition of power underscores the resilience of Pakistan’s democratic institutions Over the past two years Pakistan experienced heightened political turbulence which adversely affected its economy and political landscape as well Rumors of election postponement circulated through various social media platforms such as X and Facebook, fueling uncertainty and deterring potential foreign investors in the country The confrontational strategies of political parties further exacerbated the situation leading to unprecedented inflation and economic decline Efforts to disrupt the electoral process were pervasive, with rumours and propaganda aimed at undermining trust in democratic institutions Despite attempts to sow chaos the Election Commission of Pakistan the law enforcement agencies and the armed forces worked diligently to ensure a peaceful polling day on February 8 Terrorist attacks in provinces such as KP and Balochistan, and other parts of the country, posed significant security challenges ahead of the elections However, the resilience of security forces and the determination of voters to exercise their democratic rights prevailed thwarting attempts to derail the electoral process Voters showed up in large numbers across the country to exercise their right of vote, which sent a positive and strong message across the country The peaceful conduct of elections on February 8 was not merely a process of electing new representatives but a testament to Pakistan’s commitment to democracy in the face of adversity The conduct of peaceful and fair elections has further increased people s faith in democracy and the state State institutions involved in the electoral process deserve commendation for their dedication to upholding democratic principles They have performed their duties very well and left no stone unturned in order to ensure free and fair polls despite facing a volatile political environment and serious security concerns They sacrificed their lives in various terrorist incidents to protect this motherland The smooth transition of power following the elections signifies a return to normalcy in governance, which is the primary ethos of democracy The election of speakers, Deputy Speakers, PM, President and CMs demonstrates the functionality of Pakistan’s democratic system despite ongoing economic and governance challenges It would be wise to say that recent elections have put the country on the right path for long term economic growth Before general elections, there were serious concerns regarding the time of elections with some analysts saying polls are likely to be delayed further and caretaker governments will continue to run the country indefinitely While the elections dispelled rumours of the caretaker government s extensions challenges to electoral credibility persist Allegations of rigging, though not substantiated by election results, highlight the need for ongoing reform and improvement in the electoral process Amidst the current split mandate in the National Assembly there is a pressing need for unity among elected representatives Past failures to enact consensus-based election reforms underscore the importance of addressing deficiencies in the electoral system The successful conduct of elections in Pakistan amidst political turmoil is a testament to the resilience of its democracy Despite challenges ranging from security threats to economic instability the commitment of institutions and voters to democratic principles prevailed Moving
ensuring the integrity and stability of Pakistan’s democratic system
onus lies on our politicians now to work for the country
high
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forward unity among elected representatives and ongoing reform efforts will be crucial in
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u m p h o f p e a c e f u l e l e c t i o n s i n Pa k i s t a n asaD ali Po l i t i c a l ly, Pa k i s t a n h a s b e e n p ro g r e s s i n g v e r y w e l l , w h i ch i s a g o o d o m e n fo r o u r d e m o c r a cy. I t i s h i g h t i m e fo r o u r p o l i t i c a l l e a d e rs h i p t o a c t w i t h m a t u r i t y a n d i t mu s t u n i t e t o ov e rc o m e ch a l l e n g e s t h a t Pa k i s t a n i s f a c i n g t o d ay. P A K I S TA N is currently under a Standby Arrangement (SBA) programme with the International Monetary Fund, which was negotiated in July 2023 As per a press release issued on March 20, ‘“The IMF team has reached a staff-level agreement with the Pakistani authorities on the second and final review of Pakistan s stabilization program supported by the IMF s US$3 billion (SDR2 250 million) SBA approved in January 2024 This agreement is subject to approval by the IMF s Executive Board, upon which the remaining access under the SBA, US$1 1 billion (SDR 828 million), will become available ’” While an SBA programme of the IMF is basically concerned with macroeconomic stabilization of the recipient country Pakistan is likely to hold talks with the Fund for a more long-term natured extended fund facility (EFF) programme, which focuses on both stabilization, and economic growth aspects The same press release by the IMF pointed out in this regard ‘The authorities also expressed interest in a successor mediumterm Fund-supported program with the aim of permanently resolving Pakistan s fiscal and external sustainability weaknesses strengthening its economic recovery and laying the foundations for strong sustainable, and inclusive growth While these discussions are expected to start in the coming months, key objectives
D r O m e r J av e D
Thermal pollution: Effects on ecosystem and beyond
A problem that needs attention
POLLUTANTS: Warmer temperatures can increase the
tion provides shade and helps to maintain lower water temperatures Its removal results in direct sunlight heating up the water more than usual, thus increasing its temperature
TCAUSES OF THERMAL POLLUTION:
A
C URBAN RUNOFF: Heated water from paved surfaces buildings and other urban infrastructure can enter water bodies during rainfall leading to increased temperatures This is particularly evident in densely populated or heavily developed urban areas
D SOIL EROSION: Soil erosion can lead to shallower water bodies which heat up more quickly than deeper ones The re-
moves through the pond before being released back into the environment
C CLOSED-CYCLE SYSTEMS: These systems reuse cooling water, rather than taking in fresh water from natural sources significantly reducing thermal discharge
D COGENERATION: This process involves using waste heat from industrial processes for other purposes, such as heating buildings or generating electricity, thereby reducing the amount of heat discharged into water bodies
E SUSTAINABLE URBAN PLAN-
The
Environmental Monitoring and Assessment: Regular monitoring of water temperatures and aquatic ecosystems can help identify sources of thermal pollution and assess the effectiveness of mitigation measures to reduce the impact of thermal pollution on aquatic ecosystems and maintain healthier, more balanced water environments
W h y A r v i n d K e j r i w a l ’ s a r r e s t i s a d e f i n i n g m o m e n t i n I n d i a n p o l i t i c s
TH E arrest of Delhi chief minister and convener of Aam Aadmi Party Arvind Kejriwal in the alleged Delhi liquor scam is a defining moment in Indian politics This is the first time a serving chief minister has been arrested In a confounding irony, a man who came to prominence leading the charge against alleged corruption by the previous government has been jailed on corruption charges by the present one Kejriwal finds himself on the wrong side of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party which benefited enormously from his anti-corruption campaign In fact the Aam Aadmi Party is seen by many as the BJP s B-team because it soft pedals Hindutva and cuts into the votes of other opposition parties Adding to the irony is the fact that after his arrest, Kejriwal and his party have received fullthroated support from the Congress – the party was the receiving end of Kejriwal’s India Against Corruption campaign This is be-
cause Kejriwal’s arrest has generated intense revulsion even among his most vocal critics They know that in these extraordinary times partisanship will only serve to undermine the spirit of India they have long cherished and fought to preserve Kejriwal s arrest needs to be seen in the context of the assault on democracy that the Narendra Modi-led dispensation has unleashed since taking over the reins of power in 2014 Indians who support the Constitution have realised that they cannot stand by and dispassionately watch the country slide into a political system that combines autocracy plutocracy oligarchy and communalism
It is odd of course that an arrest in a case of alleged corruption could become a rallying point for Indians concerned with protecting democracy However the data on electoral bonds released on the day Kejriwal was arrested has shown that corruption is a phenomenon that pervades all political parties – the ruling one included It is just that the BJP has cannily instiutionalised it through mechanisms like the opaque electoral bonds system
In the battle between alleged corruption and an autocratic regime intent on shredding India s syncretic fabric there is no doubt about which is the greater evil
OA
convection, rather than discharging hot water into natural water bodies
B COOLING PONDS: Large shallow ponds allow heated water to cool as it
H ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING AND ASSESSMENT: Regular monitoring of water temperatures and aquatic ecosystems can help identify sources of thermal pollution and assess the effectiveness of mitigation measures to reduce the impact of thermal pollution on aquatic ecosystems and maintain healthier, more balanced water environments
The writer is a youth motivator and former Head of the University Department of Political Science B N Mandal University Madhepura Bihar India
oning the new-fangled ideology of “Salafism” such as Nasir al-Din al-Albani were invited to teaching posts at the Islamic University of Medina and funding flowed to crush Arab nationalist and leftist anti-colonial movements across the region So, when British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher infamously told Afghan mujahideen in 1981 that “the hearts of the free world are with you she was building on decades of use and abuse of Islam for western political ends The story from there onwards is extremely well-known On 11 September 2001, the United States came to pay a dreadful price for meddling in the religious politics of others Yet, now over two decades after 9/11 it’s as if nothing has changed Since 7 October public space in the West has been flooded with Islamophobic discourse on an almost unprecedented scale A British TV presenter shouts down Palestinian politician Mustafa Barghouti with accusations from nowhere of misogyny, while known anti-Muslim figures like Douglas Murray proclaim Israel as the frontline against a barbarian threat to western civilisation
EXTRAORDINARY SPECTACLE: The only explanation allowed for why Palestinians would challenge occupation and oppression is religious fanaticism Governments are going to inordinate lengths to malign Muslims for the sake of justifying their chosen policy of backing mass murder in Gaza
ernments cooperated in a covert programme of wartime propaganda in which Arab and Turkish religious scholars and intellectuals travelled to Germany, writing pamphlets and trying to turn Muslim prisoners of war against the empires The great Muslim uprising was a figment of Orientalist fantasy But when the Russian revolution erupted in 1917 the idea first flickered in the British imperial mind that perhaps Islam, however defined, could be useful as a bulwark against the Soviet left
WEAPONISATION OF ISLAM: As Priya Satia has shown historians such as Arnold Toynbee working with British intelligence developed a sudden interest in the political direction of post-war Turkey, fearing the draw of Soviet Russia before Ataturk took the country down the path of radical secularism and Turkey joined Nato This was an important dress rehearsal for the Cold War when the weaponisation of Islam against the left reached new heights In the early 1950s US administrations began to reach out to the emerging Islamist movements, inviting a delegation of Muslim scholars and diplomats, most of them Arab, to a conference in 1954 on Islamic culture that ended in a White House meeting with President Eisenhower Stirring holy war was on Eisenhower s mind when he issued his famous doctrine in 1957
On 1 March we had the extraordinary spectacle of a British prime minister taking to the podium in Downing Street to denounce an opposition candidate’s by-election victory because he had appealed to Muslim anger over government policy on Gaza According to Rishi Sunak George Galloway had appealed to the extremist political ideology of Islamism But in seeking to define this Islamism he could only come up with the tautology that it spreads extremism , while Islam as a faith, he said, is peacefully practised” by millions
The implication wasn’t just that Muslims shouldn’t protest but that any sign of Muslimness is ipso facto verboten backwards and antimodern Sunak even linked this Islamism to long-standing critique of colonialism, claiming Islamists want us to accept a moral equivalence between Britain and some of the most despicable regimes in the world” It will be news to many historians that they belong to political Islam Following this the government unveiled new definitions of extremism which include Islamism as a totalitarian ideology that calls for an Islamic state governed by sharia law This is what Muslims and others who rally opinion over Gaza stand accused of Chinese political culture talks of China’s “century of humiliation”- 100 years of western interference and subjugation from the Opium Wars to independence after the Second World War What Muslims have suffered by contrast is 100 years of distortion, not just by imperial scholarship but by governments and their intelligence agencies - of their faith, their practices and now their lives and their right to express opposition to outrageous inhumane foreign policy
Andrew Hammond currently teaches Turkish history at Oxford university He worked previously at the European Council on Foreign Relations, BBC Arabic and
and
Monday 25 March 2024 COMMENT 05
H E R M A L pollution refers to the degradation of water quality by any process that changes ambient water temperature A common cause of thermal pollution is the use of water as a coolant by power plants and industrial manufacturers When water used as a coolant is returned to the natural environment at a higher temperature the sudden change in temperature decreases oxygen supply and affects ecosystem composition Aquatic organisms particularly fish amphibians and other wildlife can be sensitive to changes in temperature, which can lead to harmful effects such as decreased fertility, reduced growth rates, and increased susceptibility to diseases Another source of thermal pollution is the runoff from paved surfaces and urban areas which can be significantly warmer than nearby water bodies This type of thermal pollution can lead to similar ecological disturbances, as it also raises the temperature of water bodies Thermal pollution can have several negative effects on aquatic environments including: A ALTERED OXYGEN LEVELS: Warmer water holds less dissolved oxygen, which aquatic life relies on B DISRUPTION OF BREEDING CYCLES: Some species have breeding cycles that are triggered by temperature changes which can be disrupted by sudden changes in water temperature C CHANGES IN SPECIES COMPOSITION: Some species may be unable to survive the warmer temperatures, leading to changes in the ecosystem’s species composition and potentially to the loss of biodiversity D INCREASED VULNERABILITY TO
toxicity of certain pollutants in the water, making aquatic life more susceptible to them Mitigating thermal pollution often involves improving industrial cooling processes such as using cooling towers to dissipate heat to the atmosphere instead of directly to water bodies or implementing more efficient water recycling systems to reduce the amount of warm water discharged The history of thermal pollution is closely tied to the Industrial Revolution and the subsequent increase in industrial activities that required large amounts of cooling water As industries grew especially during the 19th and 20th centuries, the need for cooling processes in manufacturing, power generation, and other industrial operations led to the widespread use of natural water bodies for this purpose The discharge of heated water back into rivers lakes and oceans became a common practice leading to the phenomenon of thermal pollution
POWER PLANTS
INDUSTRIAL COOLING: The primary cause of thermal pollution is the use of water as a cooling medium by power plants and industrial facilities These plants often draw water from nearby sources, use it to absorb heat from machinery or processes, and then discharge the heated water back into the environment Nuclear and fossil fuel power plants are significant contributors to thermal pollution due to
extensive cooling requirements
removal of vegetation cover can also lead to thermal pollution in nearby water bodies Vegeta-
AND
their
B DEFORESTATION: The
temperatures E
moval of soil and vegetation can exacerbate this effect, leading to higher water
WATER WITHDRAWAL: The withdrawal of water for irrigation, industrial, and domestic use can reduce water flow in rivers and streams making them more susceptible to heating by the sun
of
including
However the awareness and regulation of thermal pollution are relatively recent developments It wasn t until the environmental movements of the 1960s and 1970s that significant attention was given to the impacts
industrial discharges on ecosystems
thermal pollution
USA for example addressed thermal pollution explicitly in the Clean Water Act of 1972, which set the framework for regulating pollutant discharges into the waters of the USA, including thermal discharges Globally environmental regulations have increasingly recognized the need to address thermal pollution with various countries implementing policies and guidelines to mitigate its effects These include requiring industries to adopt cooling technologies that minimize temperature changes in discharged water such as cooling ponds towers and closed-cycle cooling systems which reuse water for cooling purposes Thermal pollution has several negative effects on the various systems and subsystems of the environment which include:
ECOSYSTEM DISRUPTION: Sudden changes in water temperature can disrupt local ecosystems harming or killing fish and other aquatic organisms that are not adapted to the higher temperatures B DECREASED OXYGEN LEVELS: Warmer water holds less oxygen which can lead to oxygen depletion affecting aquatic life that relies on high oxygen levels C ALTERED SPECIES COMPOSITION: Some species may thrive in warmer temperatures, outcompeting and displacing native species leading to reduced biodiversity D INCREASED TOXICITY: Higher temperatures can increase the toxicity of certain chemicals and pollutants in the water, making them more harmful to aquatic life E HARMFUL ALGAL BLOOMS: Warm water can encourage the growth of harmful algae which can deplete oxygen levels further and release toxins that affect aquatic and human health F REPRODUCTIVE ISSUES: Thermal pollution can disrupt the reproductive cycles of aquatic species, leading to decreased populations over time
AND MITIGATION
THERMAL POLLUTION:
A
PREVENTION
OF
COOLING TOWERS: These structures transfer waste heat to the atmosphere through evaporation and
NING: Incorporating green spaces vegetation and permeable surfaces in urban areas can reduce surface runoff and help maintain natural water temperatures F REGULATORY MEASURES: Implementing and enforcing regulations that limit temperature increases in natural water bodies can help control thermal pollution This can include setting maximum temperature differentials for discharged water and requiring the use of specific cooling technologies G THERMAL EFFLUENT LIMITATIONS: Setting strict limits on the temperature and volume of effluents discharged from industrial and power generating facilities can help minimize thermal pollution
I s l a m a n d a c e n t u r y o f w e s t e r n d i s t o r t i o n D r r a j k u m a r s i n g h
H E N western politicians pontificate on Islam, as they often do, Muslims can be forgiven for not recognising themselves Framing Islam as Edward Said famously showed is an old game But the extent to which the radicalism that is meant to define Islam is in fact a product of western manipulation has still to be fully understood and appreciated Throughout the 19th century, when western states found they had acquired an unprecedented ability to order the world imperial scholars began to frame Islam as an outmoded irrational and violent religion - the more so because it had the power to inspire resistance to foreign subjugation So pervasive had this discourse become that the German kaiser had the Ottoman grand mufti issue a fatwa declaring jihad in 1914 against the allied powers in the vain hope it would rouse the colonised masses against their British and French masters The Ottoman and German gov-
W
that promised help to any Middle Eastern country under threat from the atheistic materialism , as he called it, of the Soviets Saudi Arabia became the bridgehead of this drive to manipulate a world religion developing its Islamic foreign policy in close coordination with the United States New bodies like the Muslim League were established burnishing CIA-authored anticommunist tracts, religious scholars champi-
Egypt
Saudi Arabia MIDDLE EAST EYE a n D r e w h a m m o n D
Reuters in
N the evening of March 22 a shooting incident occurred in a concert hall in Krasnogorsk a suburb of Moscow, the capital of Russia The Russian authorities have classified this incident as a terrorist attack based on on-site investigations and situations Following the incident, the extremist organization Islamic State-Khorasan Province (IS-K) claimed responsibility Prior to this major terrorist attacks occurred in Kabul Afghanistan Peshawar Pakistan and Kerman Iran with the same organization issuing responsibility statements This series of terrorist attacks once again demonstrates that international terrorism remains rampant, and the international counter-terrorism efforts still have a long way to go The extremist organization represented by the so-called Islamic State (IS) is a product of the failure of Western intervention in the Middle East Under the military strikes of the anti-terrorism coalition in multiple countries especially Russia s high-pressure military actions in northeastern Syria this extremist organization has largely lost its territorial control ability However, several of its branch organizations have become active in different regions The so-called IS-K that claimed responsibility for the recent terrorist attack on the concert hall in Russia is one of the most active international extremist organizations The rise of this organization is also related to the geopolitical strategies of the US and the West After the Biden administration came into power in 2021 it established a new strategic focus on great power competition The hasty withdrawal of US troops from Afghanistan allowed the IS-K to quickly take advantage of the fluctuating regional security situation, reoccupying active space and becoming a major security threat in South Asia Central Asia and Russia This terrorist attack was the result of careful planning and meticulous organization by the extremist organization In terms of timing they chose a time when the Russian elections had just ended and security measures were relatively relaxed In terms of target selection, they chose a cultural venue with dense crowds and relaxed emotions From this, it can be seen that there have been some new changes in international terrorist activities, and international counter-terrorism efforts may enter a new stage For example regional extremist organizations like IS-K have begun to move beyond their traditional operating areas and carry out terrorist attacks in the core territories of their main targets According to the investigation results released by the Russian side, there is no emphasis on suicide attacks in their methods, but rather a shift toward recruiting members through extremist organization networks using money as a means rather than solely relying on extremist beliefs to attract “mercenaries ”
so on These new changes in terrorist attacks carried out in a low-cost manner to garner international attention will require adjustments in personnel funding and methods for the international counter-terrorism cooperation mechanisms previously established by various countries, thereby posing greater challenges and pressures to international counter-terrorism efforts For a long time, although the international community has reached some initial consensus on counter-terrorism issues, there are still many differences on key issues such as identifying terrorist organizations sharing intelligence on terrorism-related information and tracking terrorist activity funding making it difficult to form an effective international united front against terrorist organizations and activities In particular, the US and the West have persistently pursued their own interests in counter-terrorism issues, adopting double standards for a long time They deliberately associate terrorism with specific countries ethnic groups and religions using terrorist activities to provoke regional security conflicts thus becoming the biggest problem and obstacle to the establishment of an international united front against terrorism This time, after the terrorist attacks in the suburb of Moscow, Washington claimed to have provided relevant warnings to the Russian side, but it did not mention the key information in the intelligence Washington’s condemnation of the terrorist attack also came relatively late leaving the international community puzzled
Western public opinion began to speculate on the relationship between Washington
the event and even the related extremist organizations Practice has shown that adopting double standards and selective application in counter-terrorism issues essentially condones terrorist activities and undermines the effectiveness of international counter-terrorism cooperation
recent terrorist attacks in Russia many observers have associated the event with the “hybrid warfare” form of the Russia-Ukraine conflict The suspected terrorists captured by Russia are mainly from underdeveloped areas in Central Asia which once again highlights that regional conflicts and underdevelopment are still the main root causes of terrorism spreading and wreaking havoc In the current situation where there is a lack of a unified international anti-terrorism front, the international community can actually start from the root play the cards of development cooperation and harmony In other words the international community needs to help developing countries develop their economies eliminate poverty improve education expand employment, prevent young people from being influenced and incited by extremist ideologies, while also intensifying efforts to politically resolve hot-button issues, stabilize the situation, promote equal dialogue and harmonious coexistence between different civilizations and religions in order to shrink the space for extremist ideologies to survive and not give extremist organizations the opportunity to cause trouble W h o i s o b s t r u c t i n g t h e c r e a t i o n o f a n i n t e r n a t i o n a l a n t i - t e r r o r i s m c o a l i t i o n ? GLOBAL TIMES e D to r i a l SCR OLL V i V e k D e s h pa n D e
and
Some
and
After the
More than 100 Israeli settlers storm Jerusalem’s Al-Aqsa Mosque to celebrate Purim
ist act he said all four direct perpetrators all those who shot and killed people, have been found and detained Russian television showed security services interrogating four bloodied men, who spoke Russian with an accent on a road in the
Over 70 Rohingya dead or missing after boat capsizes off Indonesia’s Aceh
Indian ac tivist ’s hunger strike for Ladakh autonomy draws thousands of supporters
SRINAGAR/ NEW DELHI
A G E N C I E S
Famed Indian activist Sonam Wangchuk on a hunger strike to bring autonomy to the Himalayan region of Ladakh said on Saturday he was weak as his fast stretches into its 18th day but he would continue for three more days as planned despite pleas from supporters to stop
Wangchuk’s campaign seeks to highlight the damage to Ladakh s fragile ecology and glaciers by industrialisation as well as to protest what locals call encroachment by China
He is determined to complete a 21-day hunger strike although supporters have urged him to end it early fearing further deterioration of his health Wangchuk told Reuters by phone
Even after it ends, local people and supporters will take it in turns to go on hunger strikes until he regains sufficient strength to fast again he said
Wangchuk added that some 2,000 people had come to his protest site in the city of Leh to show their support on Saturday Reuters was not immediately able to confirm those numbers
On Wednesday thousands marched in the region s town of Kargil to demonstrate support After the Buddhist enclave was carved out of the Jammu and Kashmir region in 2019 by Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government it
lost what regional autonomy it had Modi s party promised in the 2019 national elections that Ladakh would be added to the list of states recognised under the sixth schedule of the constitution which would allow the creation of elected local bodies to protect tribal areas but that has yet to happen Ladakh has no democracy, Wangchuk, 57, said in an earlier interview with Reuters this week, adding that if the region had elected representatives laws could be made to protect the land and forests from industrial and mining interests
The federal interior ministry, Ladakh Lieutenant Governor s office and Modi’s Bharatiya Janata Party did not immediately respond to requests for comment
The Indian Express reported this month that the government rejected demands for Ladakh autonomy but offered to
Talks on March 4 between the federal interior ministry and regional leaders about the local demands failed They have been rude and gave cold-shoulder responses, said Asgar Ali Karbalai, the co-chairman of the Kargil Democratic Alliance
China to enhance international cooperation in tackling climate change
M d y 25 M h 2024 | ISLAMABAD 06 NEWS
ABUJA, NIGERIA A G E N C I E S The more than 250 school students seized by gunmen in a mass kidnapping in northwestern Nigeria earlier this month have been released the local governor said on Sunday The abducted Kuriga school children are released unharmed, Kaduna state governor Uba Sani said in a statement that did not specify how they were freed Nigerian President Bola Ahmed Tinubu had sent troops to rescue pupils kidnapped by gunmen from a school in the country s northwest in one of the largest mass abductions in three years The Kaduna state attack was the second mass kidnapping in a week in Africa s most populous country, where heavily armed criminal gangs on motorbikes target victims in villages and schools and along highways in the hunt for ransom payments Gunmen who kidnapped 286 students and staff from a school in northern Nigeria last week have demanded a total of 1 billion naira ($620 432) for their release a spokesman for the families of the hostages and a local councillor told Reuters The school children, some older students and members of the school staff were abducted on March 7 in the town of Kuriga in Nigeria’s northwestern Kaduna State in the first mass kidnapping in the country since 2021 Jubril Aminu a community leader who acts as a spokesman for the families of the hostages, said he had received a call on his phone from the kidnappers on Tuesday “They made a total of a 1 billion (naira) ransom demand for all the pupils students and staff of the school Aminu said They gave an ultimatum to pay the ransom within 20 days, effective from the date of the kidnap They said they will kill all the students and the staff if the ransom demand is not met ” Idris Ibrahim, an elected official from the Kuriga Ward municipal council confirmed the ransom demand and the amount Yes the kidnappers called the community through Jubril Aminu s number and made the demand he said They called from a hidden number but the authorities are working on getting the number, Ibrahim told Reuters He added that the security forces were taking “adequate measures” to secure the release of the students Kyiv, Lviv under Russian air attack, Poland activates aircraft , officials say UKRAINE KYIV A G E N C I E S Russia launched air strikes on Kyiv and the western Ukrainian region of Lviv on Sunday, officials said, prompting neighbouring Poland s armed forces to activate aircraft to ensure airspace safety near the border Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko said on the Telegram messaging app there were several explosions in the Ukrainian capital after air defence systems were engaged in repelling the attack Ukraine air defence forces destroyed about a dozen of Russia-launched missiles over Kyiv and in the vicinity of the capital, Serhiy Popko, head of Kyiv’s military administration, said on the Telegram Preliminary information showed no casualties or major damage as a result of the attacks he said Russia has been pounding Ukraine for days in attacks portrayed by Moscow as revenge for Ukrainian attacks during its recent presidential election For the third pre-dawn morning this week, all of Ukraine is under an air alert and has been advised to seek shelter ” U S Ambassador Bridget Brink posted on X early on Sunday Russia continues to indiscriminately launch drones and missiles with no regard for millions of civilians violating international law Russia s defence ministry did not immediately reply to a request for comment In major attack on Lviv, Russian missiles were flying close to the border with Poland Ukraine’s Telegram news outlets reported Polish and allied aircraft have been activated which may result in increased noise levels especially in the south-eastern part of the country Poland s armed forces said on X Lviv Mayor Andriy Sadovyi said on Telegram there were no attacks on the city but some 20 missiles and seven attack drones had been launched against the broader Lviv region targeting “critical infrastructure” MOSCOW A G E N C I E S R U S S I A will observe a national day of mourning on Sunday after a massacre in a Moscow concert hall that killed more than 130 people the deadliest attack in Europe to have been claimed by the Islamic State (IS) group Russian President Vladimir Putin has vowed to punish those behind the “barbaric terrorist attack”, saying four gunmen trying to flee to Ukraine had been arrested Kyiv has strongly denied any connection with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky accusing Putin of trying to shift the blame onto them Putin, in his first public remarks on the attack, did not refer to a statement by IS claiming responsibility At least 133 people were killed when camouflaged gunmen stormed the Crocus City Hall in Moscow s northern suburb of Krasnogorsk, and then set fire to the building on Friday evening The Islamic State group wrote on Telegram on Saturday that the attack was “carried out by four IS fighters armed with machine guns a pistol knives and firebombs as part of the raging war with countries fighting Islam It is the deadliest attack in Russia for almost two decades Russian officials expect the death toll to rise further, with more than 100 wounded in hospital Russia’s Investigative Committee which probes major crimes said rescue workers were still pulling bodies from the burnt-out building on Saturday The emergency situations ministry has so far named 29 of the victims, the blaze having complicated the process of identification The ministry posted a video on Sunday of heavy equipment arriving at the scene of the fire to dismantle damaged structures and clear debris Meanwhile, Pope Francis on Sunday condemned the shooting attack as a vile act that offends God, saying his prayers were with the victims “I assure my prayers for the victims of the vile terrorist attack carried out in Moscow may the Lord receive them in his peace comfort their families and convert the hearts of those who carry out these inhuman actions that offend God, the Pope said in St Peter s Square after the Palm Sunday mass ‘Barbaric’ “Terrorists murderers non-humans have only one unenviable fate: retribution and oblivion Putin said in his televised address on Saturday Calling the attack a barbaric, terror-
Hundreds of kidnapped Nigerian school students released: governor
western Bryansk region which borders both Ukraine and Belarus They tried to escape and were travelling towards Ukraine, where, according to preliminary data, a window was prepared for them on the Ukrainian side to cross the state border,” said Putin Zelensky in his evening address on Saturday dismissed the suggestion that Kyiv had been involved What happened yesterday in Moscow is obvious he said Putin and the other scum are just trying to blame it on someone else Russia has arrested 11 people in connection with the attack the FSB security service said Earlier the agency had said the attackers had contacts in Ukraine without elaborating Site search to continue Putin declared Sunday a day of national mourning And he promised: “All the perpetrators organisers and those who ordered this crime will be justly and inevitably punished The Investigative Committee said the death toll had so far reached 133 and the governor of the Moscow region said rescuers would continue to scour the site for “several days” NATIONAL DAY OF MOURNING IN RUSSIA AFTER CONCERT HALL MASSACRE BEIJING A G E N C I E S China Meteorological Administration (CMA) will join hands with relevant parties to enhance international cooperation and deeply engage in global climate governance for a clean and beautiful world, stated Dr Chen Zhenlin, Administrator, CMA on the occasion of World Meteorological Day (WMD) 2024 The theme of “At the Frontline of Climate Action for the 64th World Meteorological Day on March 23 emphasizes the urgent need for collaborative efforts in climate mitigation and adaptation to combat the severe threats posed by global warming to human survival and development According to the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) State of the Global Climate 2023 report released on March 19 records were once again broken and in some cases smashed for greenhouse gas levels surface temperatures, ocean heat and acidification, sea level rise, Antarctic sea ice cover and glacier retreat, CEN reported “I am now sounding the red alert about the state of the global climate ” WMO Secretary-General Celeste Saulo emphasized while presenting the report to the media in Geneva United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres also calls on the international community to take action to break the deadly cycle of global warming before a deadly tipping point is reached Extreme weather and climate events have become more severe and frequent globally ” Chen told the reporter However climate change is much more than air temperatures WMO experts explain It exacerbates challenges related to food security, population displacement, and impacts on vulnerable populations Weather and climate hazards continued to trigger new prolonged and secondary displacement and increased the vulnerability of many who were already uprooted by complex multicausal situations of conflict and violence Heatwaves, floods, droughts, wildfires and rapidly intensifying tropical cyclones caused misery and mayhem, upending everyday life for millions and inflicting many billions of dollars on economic losses, according to the State of Global Climate report “It is a call for everybody We must all pull in the same direction highlighted Celeste Saulo As the largest developing country, China has achieved positive progress in addressing climate change, demonstrating its sense of responsibility as a major country,” Chen Zhenlin pinpointed adding that CMA has long organized Chinese experts to participate in the IPCC assessment as the leading department of China for IPCC and provided services to 129 countries through FENGYUN satellites, demonstrating China’s efforts to implement the UN Early Warnings for All Initiative and build a community with a shared future for mankind The impacts of climate change on humanity are far-reaching and significant affecting not only the present but also the future Addressing climate change requires action, and strong collective efforts are the key, Antonio Guterres pointed out “Looking ahead, CMA will stand at the frontline of climate action, shoulder the responsibility of scientific innovation enhance meteorological science and technology improve public services consolidate the climate change research vigorously promote the application of Artificial Intelligence (AI), and strengthen climate risk management and early warning,” Chen Zhenlin noted
JERUSALEM A G E N C I E S More than 100 Israeli settlers forced their way into the flashpoint Al-Aqsa Mosque complex on Sunday to celebrate the Jewish holiday of Purim, according to a Palestinian agency In a statement, the Jordan-run Islamic Waqf Department which oversees the holy sites in Jerusalem said the settlers entered the site through the mosque s al-Maghariba Gate under police protection The settler incursion came amid rising tensions across the West Bank over Israel s deadly offensive on the Gaza Strip, which killed more than 32,200 people since last October following a Hamas attack At least 450 Palestinians have been killed and 4 750 others injured by Israeli army fire in West Bank since Oct 7 2023 according to the Health Ministry Al-Aqsa Mosque is the world s third-holiest site for Muslims Jews call the area the Temple Mount claiming it was the site of two Jewish temples in ancient times Israel occupied East Jerusalem, where Al-Aqsa is located, during the 1967 Arab-Israeli War It annexed the entire city in 1980 in a move never recognised by the international community
JAKARTA A G E N C I E S More than 70 Rohingya are presumed dead or missing after a boat they were on capsized off the coast of Indonesia s Aceh province, while 75 have been rescued, the UNHCR refugee agency said on Friday The UNHCR said in a joint statement with the International Organization for Migration that if the death toll was confirmed it would be the biggest loss of life so far this year The alert was raised on Wednesday when fishermen rescued six of the migrants A fishing community in Aceh said they had been standing on the hull of the boat after it capsized due to high tides For years Rohingya have left Buddhist-majority Myanmar where they are generally regarded as foreign interlopers from South Asia denied citizenship and subjected to abuse More than 2,300 Rohingya arrived in Indonesia last year, UNHCR data showed, surpassing the number of arrivals in the previous four years combined The 2023 toll of at least 569 Rohingya dead or missing while trying to flee Myanmar or Bangladesh was the highest since 2014 the UNHCR said in January Babar Baloch a UNHCR Asia spokesperson told Reuters on Friday there had been 151 people on this latest boat, some 75 of whom have been evacuated by local authorities, while the rest were “presumed dead or missing”
extend protections for local jobs and land and to address other concerns Wangchuk said the federal government had recently “thrust” a 13-gigawatt renewable energy project on nomadic pastures in Ladakh without local consultation Ladakh is like a thermometer of the planet So if it is destroyed it will be a global catastrophe, he said Scientists have warned that glaciers in the Hindu-Kush Himalaya could lose up to 75% of their volume by the end of the century due to global warming causing dangerous flooding and water shortages for 240 million people
DELHI A G E N C I E S India has extended its ban on onion exports indefinitely – a surprise move that comes ahead of a general election and is set to exacerbate high prices in some overseas markets Imposed by India – the world s biggest exporter of the vegetable – in December, the ban was due to expire on March 31 Traders had anticipated it would be lifted as local prices have more than halved since the export restrictions were implemented and this season’s crop is yielding fresh supplies However the government issued an order late on Friday that the ban will remain in place until further notice The extension is surprising and completely unnecessary, considering the falling prices with rising supplies from the new season crop,” said an executive at a Mumbai-based export firm, who declined to be identified Onion prices in some wholesale markets in Maharashtra, the biggest onion-producing state, have fallen to INR1,200 ($14) per 100 kilogrammes from INR4 500 in December the executive said Prime Minister Narendra Modi is seeking a recordequalling third straight term in upcoming elections that will be held over almost seven weeks from April 19 Countries such as Bangladesh, Malaysia, Nepal and the United Arab Emirates rely on imports from India to fill domestic gaps in onion supply and many of those nations have struggled with high prices since the ban “India’s move is allowing rival exporters to quote much higher prices since buyers have no choice said another executive at an export company based in Mumbai Traders estimate that India which has shorter shipment times than rivals such as China or Egypt for many markets, accounts for more than half of all onion imports by Asian countries India exported a record 2 5 million metric tonnes of onions in the financial year that ended on March 31 2023 I n d i a e x t e n d s b a n o n o n i o n e x p o r t s i n d e f i n i t e l y a h e a d o f g e n e r a l e l e c t i o n
g PAKISTANI
Fazal K arim D adabhoy honoured with prestigious Tamgha- e - Imtiaz
to the
S i n d h g o ve r n o r c o n d o l e s
w i t h R u s s i a n CG o ve r M o s c o w t r a g e d y
KARACHI: Sindh Governor Kamran Khan Tessori on Sunday visited consulate of Russian Federation and offered his condolence to Consul General Andrey Fedorov over the tragic incident of Moscow While recording his sentiments on condolence book kept there Governor Sindh said that terrorist are
G r a n d M u f t i o f B o s n i a a n d
H e r z e g o v i n a , R e c t o r I I U I
and
Mr Dadabhoy, a pioneer in the
cation of cement systems with polymers, has been recognized for his role in developing advanced composite construction materials These materials have significantly impacted architectural and civil engineering sectors globally, leading to their citation in scientific, engineering, and architectural literature worldwide His innovations have not only revolutionized construction practices in Pakistan but have also been instrumental in various water conservation, heritage revival, and infrastructure development projects Notable examples include the re-
duction of water seepage in water courses and canals repair and maintenance of water reservoirs at the Lasbella Industrial Estate Development Authority and the restoration of
Razzaq has provided a global platform for Lahori cultural craftsmanship and traditional artisanship to take the international stage
and traditions with it
acts as a cultural ambassador
tapestry of flavors, crafts-
and heritage Lahore has to offer to the
07 NEWS Monday 25 March 2024 | ISLAMABAD OGRA holds hearing on SNGPL plea for determining revenue requirements for F Y 2024-25 ISLAMABAD P R The Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (OGRA) is conducting a public hearing at Lahore on March 25 2024 on the petition of Sui Northern Gas Pipelines Limited (SNGPL) for Determination of its Estimated Revenue Requirements / prescribed prices for FY 2024-25 The Petitioner (SNGPL) has projected average Prescribed Price Rs4,446 89 per MMBTU including previous years’ shortfall in natural gas business FY 2024-25 Petitioner has claimed RLNG cost of service at Rs 325 08 per MMBTU for F Y2024-25 OGRA is conducting public hearings at Lahore on March 25, 2024 and at Peshawar on March 27, 2024 to extend ample opportunity of hearing to the stakeholders, consumers and general public to voice their grievances Further, all categories of gas consumers were also invited through their monthly gas bills to participate in the said Public Hearings The Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority shall pass the decision after conducting public hearing at Peshawar on March 27, 2024 We all have to strive for Pakistan's economic growth: Qaiser Sh KARACHI S TA F F R E P O R T Federal Minister for Maritime Affairs Hon'ble Qaiser Ahmed Shaikh visited Port Qasim Authority on 24th March 2024 Federal Minister was received by Chairman Port Qasim Authority and other members Hon ble Minister was briefed about the mandate and day to day affairs of the Authority Addressing the meeting of PQA officers, The Minister said Asia is progressing fast than any of the region in the world however Pakistan is deprived of that progress and has been unable to reap the fruit of progress hence we all have to play our part in the revival of the economy Speaking at the occasion, the Minister cited China's example of how they took out 60 crore of it's population from poverty level He deplored that still 95 million people of Pakistan are below the poverty level therefore he stressed the need for efforts to revive the economy The minister highlighted the importance of PQA and it s role in the country s economy PR OFIT N E W S D E S K
O R E I G N Minister Ishaq Dar has announced the potential resumption of trade with India, halted since August 2019 following India s revocation of the special status for Jammu and Kashmir Foreign Minister stated Pakistani businessmen want trade with India to resume, during his remarks at the Pakistan High Commission in London, following his attendance at the Nuclear Energy Summit in Brussels Dar expressed a readiness to consider the resumption of trade reflecting a possible shift in diplomatic approach This comes in the context of persistent tensions since the 2019 decision by India which Pakistan asserts disrupted the environment for dialogue The suspension of trade occurred after the Indian government, led by Narendra Modi, altered the autonomous status of Jammu and Kashmir leading to heightened tensions between the two nations Pakistan has tied the normalization of relations with India to the reinstatement of Jammu and Kashmir s special status However, signs of easing tensions appeared with the renewal of the 2003 ceasefire along the Line of Control in February 2021 Additionally recent exchanges between Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi have sparked optimism for improved diplomatic relations PA K I S TA N C O N S I D E R S R E S U M I N G T R A D E W I T H I N D I A A M I D D I P LO M AT I C S H I F T CORPORATE CORNER Need of hour to apprise youth of importance of freedom, patriotism: DGPR Sindh KARACHI: Director General Public Relations Information Department Government of Sindh Muhammad Saleem Khan has said that freedom is a blessing and it is the need of the hour to apprise the youth about the importance of freedom and patriotism He expressed these views while addressing on Pakistan Day event organized by NCR-CET College Director NCR Ghulam Mahmood and Editor-in-Chief of National Courier Aneel Ahmed Usmani were also present on the occasion The Director General Public Relations further said that the nations who do not have their own independent homeland are being subjected to oppression "We should thank that our ancestors dreamt of an independent homeland for the Muslims of the subcontinent and made it a reality he added He said that the day of March 23 1940 is also important in our history because Pakistan was formed within a short span of just seven years of the adoption of the Resolution of Pakistan, which was the result of the dynamic leadership of the father of the nation Muhammad Ali Jinnah He further said that today the students have expressed their commitment through their speeches and songs with great enthusiasm PR
Renowned industrialist Fazal Karim Dadabhoy
exceptional
F
KARACHI S TA F F R E P O R T
hailing from a distinguished business family of Pakistan has been honored for his
contributions
industrial
diplomatic sectors
modifi-
the
Palace in
among others
to
industrial achievements,
bilateral
Honorary
of the Republic
Ivory Coast
the declaration
the two
Mohatta
Karachi,
In addition
his
Mr Dadabhoy has made significant strides in
trade as the
Consul
of
in Pakistan His efforts have resulted in
of Karachi and Abidjan as twin cities, strengthening ties between
nations
LAHORE S TA F F R E P O R T The Punjab Central Business District Development Authority (PCBDDA) also known as Central Business District Punjab (CBD Punjab) proudly commemorated Pakistan Resolution Day with unwavering dedication to the nation's progress Held at the CBD Punjab headquarters the ceremony was attended by COO CBD Punjab Brigadier (R) Mansoor Janjua directorate heads, senior officials, staff members, and ancillary staff, all united in the spirit of patriotism and national pride The event began with a flag hoisting ceremony symbolizing the steadfast commitment to uphold the principles of unity, faith, and discipline, and to strive for the betterment of the country while
sovereignty
keeping the national flag flying high The national flag soaring high served as a powerful symbol of prosperity and
CBD
tance
historic
Resolution
on our past struggles celebrate our achievements and rededicate ourselves to the prosperity and progress of our beloved homeland Pakistan Resolution Day holds immense significance in the history of our nation, marking the passage of the historic Lahore Resolution on March 23, 1940 This resolution laid the groundwork for the creation of an independent homeland for the Muslims of the Indian subcontinent It was a pivotal moment that ignited the flames of freedom ultimately leading to the establishment of Pakistan on August 14, 1947 The celebration of Pakistan Resolution Day at CBD Punjab exemplifies the enduring spirit of patriotism and commitment to national development It serves as a reminder of the sacrifices made by our forefathers and inspires us to continue working towards a brighter future for Pakistan C B D P u n j a b c e l e b r a t e s Pa k i s t a n R e s o l u t i o n D ay w i t h f e r vo u r FARIA ZEESHAN In the bustling streets of Lahore amidst a tapestry of diverse traditions and culture Rabia Abdul Razzaq stands out prominently among the 11 million inhabitants With an undergraduate degree from Punjab University and a Masters in Design from the hallowed halls of Syracuse Rabia kickstarted her career as a visual designer working in the fashion industry After honing her aesthetic sense and creative skills, she transitioned into the digital world of product and user experience design Little did she know at the time, she was on the precipice of a journey that would not only change her life but the face of a major South Asian industry forever Empowering communities fostering collaboration, and ensuring accessibility are the pillars of Rabia s design philosophy With over three years of digital accessibility and design experience behind her Rabia shifted her focus over to the unique and innovative approach of communitydriven design With a new found approach a passion for bringing about impactful change and the unconditional support of her mother, who infused a strong sense of confidence, self-reliance, and independence into her, Rabia launched the Olive Creatives Challenging norms and societal expectations Rabia did not just change her career path she did what very few manage to do in their lifetime, she ignited a movement Rabia’s inspiring journey begins at home in Lahore Pakistan where she immersed herself in the local ethos from a young age learning the intricate details of South Asian traditions Armed with a strong cultural foundation, she pursued her master s from the United States, where she fortified her lobal outlook Starting off her career with the fashion industry, she honed and perfected her visual design skills however she knew that her vision extended beyond the simple world of trends and labels She also observed the limitations of a singular perspective on creative design, which forced her to transition to the novel approach of community-driven design She then condensed her passions and knowledge with her dream of bringing about societal change and laid the foundation for the Olive Creatives The Olive Creatives is a bespoke sweets service with a unique twist It is more than a mere sweets maker; it is a bespoke sweets service that bridges the gap between the talented local artisans and traditional design hungry communities Rabia s commitment to accessibility ensures that artists from a multitude of different communities can pour their hearts and souls into boxes of sweets that sing ballads of their unique life experiences Olive Creatives is a platform that transcends the conventional boundaries of simple entrepreneurial startups It has emerged as a force empowering local artisans preserving cultural heritage and fostering community enrichment and cohesivity It embodies Rabia's passionate love affair with the rich cultural artistry of her hometown Lahore, coupled with her drive to bring about societal change and help the less fortunate all wrapped up in her love for all things sweet Fostering inclusivity the Olive Creatives ensures that artists of all backgrounds and abilities become part of a vast creative ecosystem, not only expanding opportunities for artisans but also enriching the experience for communities seeking unique handcrafted products Olive Creatives also serves as a vehicle for sustainable livelihoods for local artisans Through this initiative local talents not only polish their skills and earn good wages but also gain international recognition A huge number of boxes of these sweets find their way to customers in Canada, the UK, and beyond carrying with them the essence of Lahori dessert artisanship A huge international customer base coupled with an unbelievably high demand for delectable sweets dipped in traditional craftsmanship means that Olive Creatives is able to support and sustain the livelihoods of a gigantic community of local artisans and workers and their families as well It also means that it provides a vast collection of international customers with the sweet culture infused taste of Lahore The Olive Creatives extends its national impact beyond the realms of preserving and exporting cultural heritage, to empowering local women The brand collaborates with women from local shelter homes and other charitable organizations forming a powerful alliance with them that transcends just providing a good livelihood With great nimbleness and unbreaking high spirits, these women handcraft the stunning boxes that house Olive creatives' culinary masterpieces A powerful collaboration worth more than 1 million Pakistani Rupees is hence born that positively impacts and uplifts the lives of these women This collaboration is not only about creating visually stunning boxes, it s about recognizing the masterful craftsmanship of these women and providing and truly valuing their amazing talents It's a testament to the transformative potential of collaboration where each box tells a story of empowerment and resilience In today's fast-paced world overshadowed by modernity, cultural heritage, and traditional values are rarely celebrated The OliveCreatives challenges these norms by taking deliberate steps to protect and cherish the deep-rooted Lahori cultural heritage its delectable sweets embody The focus on traditional craftsmanship adds cultural significance and value to every creation ensuring that these centuries-old ways are not forgotten in today s world Each sweet is not just a culinary delight but a piece of Lahori cultural heritage meticulously preserved and presented to a global audience This way Rabia Abdul
Rabia
brand
limited
borders
istan The Olive Creatives
ally and with every box delivered
piece
Lahori culture
Each
spreading the rich
S avo r i n g Tr a d i t i o n : A J o u r n e y w i t h O l i ve C r e a t i ve ' s B e s p o k e S we e t s
Addressing the gathering COO
Punjab, Brigadier (R) Mansoor Janjua, emphasized the impor-
of commemorating the
Pakistan
He stated, "Today, as we honor the historic Pakistan Resolution, we renew our pledge to uphold the principles of unity faith and discipline It is our responsibility to honor the vision of our forefathers by tirelessly working for the progress and prosperity of our beloved nation " He added, "This day prompts us to reflect
Abdul Razzaq has ensured that her
is not
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of Pak-
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of
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manship,
world
innocent people
the sake
nefarious designs Governor
brutal act
his condolences to bereaved family members Afterwsrds while talking with media along with the CG Governor Sindh
that he has come here to offer condolence from entire Pakistani nation
can understand the pain inflicted by this terrorist attack as we
facing terrorist activities since
with us in this testing time
enemy of peace as they do not hesitate killing
for
of their
Tessori condemning this
offered
said
We
are
long , he added, Consul General Andrey Fedorov thanked Governor Sindh for his condolence and said that his presence is the sign that Pakistani nation is
PR
The Grand Mufti of the Islamic Community of Bosnia and Herzegovina Dr Husein ef Kavazovic on Sunday called on Rector International Islamic University Islamabad (IIUI) Prof Dr Samina Malik at her office in the new campus of the university Matters relating expanding bilateral educational ties between IIUI and Bosnia and Herzegovinian universities especially in the fields of Islamic studies, training of Aima, Jurisprudence and law came under discussion during the meeting Appreciating the role of IIUI in serving the Muslim world the Grand Mufti said that there were a number of learned scholars bureaucrats Aima and researchers in Bosnia who have benefited from the IIUI He said the university has close objectives akin to the Islamic studies faculties of the Bosnia and Herzegovinian universities PR
d i s c u s s e d u c at i o n a l t i e s ISLAMABAD:
BUSINESSMEN
WANT TRADE WITH INDIA TO RESUME, SAYS ISHAQ DAR
Published by Asad Nizami at Plot # 7, Al-Baber Centre, F/8 Markaz, Islamabad, for PT Print (Pvt) Limited Ph: 051-2204545 Email: newsroom@pakistantoday com pk PRAYER TIMINGS FA J R S U N R I S E Z U H R A S R M AG H R I B S H A 5:05 6:00 1 30 5:00 6:17 8:00 Monday 25 March 2024 NEWS PR OFIT N E W S D E S K I N the first eight months of the current fiscal year Pakistan s exports to European Union (EU) countries experienced a 6 89% decline, falling to $5 411 billion from $5 812 billion in the same period last year This downturn has been observed despite Pakistan enjoying Generalized Scheme of Preferences Plus (GSP+) status which allows for duty-free or minimal duty access to the EU market for most of its products The State Bank of Pakistan reports indicate that the drop in exports is largely attributable to decreased demand for Pakistani goods across western, southern, and northern Europe Notably Western Europe including key countries such as Germany the Netherlands France Italy and Belgium which collectively form a significant market for Pakistan s exports to the EU saw a notable 13 2% decrease in imports from Pakistan The export value to this region amounted to $2 609 billion down from $3 006 billion in the corresponding months of the previous year Conversely, Eastern Europe emerged as a bright spot, with an 8 2% increase in exports from Pakistan totaling $407 6 million compared to $376 68 million in the prior year Southern Europe s exports slightly declined by 1 1% to $1 971 billion, while northern Europe witnessed a 3 04% decrease to $423 732 million I n t h e c o n t e x t o f B r e x i t P a kistan s exports to the United Kingdom saw a slight improvement, increasing b y 1 6 5 % t o $ 1 3 5 1 b i l l i o n f r o m $1 329 billion T h i s p o s i t i v e s h i f t c o m e s a f t e r a 10 63% decrease in the previous fiscal year and amidst assurances from the British government of continued prefe r e n t i a l m a r k e t a c c e s s f o r P a k i s t a n post-Brexit PA K I S TA N ’ S E X P O R T S T O E U D E C L I N E 7 % D E S P I T E G S P + S TAT U S g DROP IN EXPORTS LARGELY ATTRIBUTABLE TO DECREA SED DEMAND FOR PAKISTANI GOODS ACROSS WESTERN, SOUTHERN, AND NORTHERN EUROPE, SAYS SBP Islamabad admin refuses PTI permission for power show on March 30 ISLAMABAD S TA F F R E P O R T The district administration of Islamabad on Saturday refused to grant permission to the PTI for a rally on March 30 with Deputy Commissioner Irfan Nawaz Memon citing the law and order situation as the reason Islamabad DC Irfan Memon stated that the party had already violated NOCs (no objection certificates) issued on earlier occasions In response to a letter written by the party, the administration said that at the district intelligence committee’s meeting the police Special Branch and Intelligence Bureau (IB) reports were reviewed and keeping in view security threats to mass gatherings in the federal capital it was decided not to allow the PTI to go ahead with the event PTI s Regional President Amir Mughal, on behalf of the party’s leadership, had requested the administration to grant permission for a rally in Islamabad Two days ago the Islamabad High Court Chief Justice Aamer Farooq directed the capital s DC to decide on the matter and present a report in this regard The former ruling party s regional president Amir Masood Mughal had sought permission for a public gathering either on March 23 or March 30, at Parade Ground, F9 Park or D Chowk at 10 pm The secretary of interior, chief commissioner, inspector general of police deputy commissioner and SSP operations were addressed in the application PR OFIT N E W S D E S K Islamabad-based Secure Logistics Group Ltd (SLG) has announced its intention to conduct an initial public offering (IPO) on the Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) to raise a minimum of Rs600 million ($2 16 million) The IPO is scheduled for March 27th and 28th as disclosed by Arif Habib Limited (AHL) the exclusive financial adviser and bookrunner for the transaction SLG specializes in providing logistics and vehicle fleet management services throughout Pakistan The company has set a floor price of Rs12 per share intending to offer 50 million shares to potential investors Prior to the IPO SLG secured pre-IPO equity investments totaling Rs585 million with contributions of Rs248 million from Saudi Bugshan and Rs237 million from Karandaaz Pakistan, both of which are strategic investors in the company The funds raised from the IPO are earmarked for several key objectives including deleveraging the company s balance sheet amid a high-interest-rate environment enhancing its technology infrastructure for the completion of an ongoing Tech-Pivot and facilitating expansion into regional markets SLG has a history of successful capital raises, including a Rs600 million convertible Term Finance Issue in the first quarter of 2019 used for fleet expansion and a Rs1 2 billion equity issue in the first quarter of 2020 aimed at business operations expansion and partial debt repayment For the calendar year 2023, the company reported an earnings per share (EPS) of Rs2 28, resulting in a price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio of 5 39x at the floor price In 2022 SLG had previously indicated a plan to raise Rs1 5 billion through an IPO to fund operational expansion but did not proceed with the IPO at that time S ec ure Logistics Group plans IPO to raise over Rs600m on PSX g COMPANY SET A FLOOR PRICE OF RS12 PER SHARE, OFFERING 50M SHARES TO POTENTIAL INVESTORS BoK shor tlists three candidates for appointment as new MD PESHAWAR A Z I Z B U N E R I In the wake of the Managing Director s resignation at Bank of Khyber (BoK), the institution has shortlisted three potential candidates for the vacant MD slot The bank initiated the search following the departure of the previous MD However, the process encountered delays due to restrictions imposed by the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) amid the ongoing electoral activities Despite the governmental restrictions on appointments across various sectors Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur has spearheaded the selection process for the new MD, bypassing constraints imposed by the Public Service Commission On March 2 2024 a directive from the Chief Minister ’s office instructed the Chief Secretary of the province to impose limitations on appointments except those sanctioned by the Public Service Commission Sources within BoK indicate that while the Chairman of the Bank s Board and the Additional Chief Secretary are currently unavailable, private board members are actively engaged in the selection process for the new MD Furthermore advertisements for four other senior positions including Chief Risk Officer Group Head of Operations and Support Chief Compliance Officer and Islamic Group Head have also been released Efforts are underway to attract preferred candidates for these senior roles, with private board members taking the lead However, there are concerns that experienced internal candidates might be overlooked in favor of external applicants Advisor to Chief Minister on Finance Muzzammil Aslam clarified that the restrictions on appointments primarily apply to public servants and civil servants As the BoK is a corporate entity with shareholders from the private sector, the KP government s involvement is limited Aslam emphasized that the provincial government no longer oversees the bank’s hiring process as the authority lies with its 10-member board of directors which includes the finance secretary of the province He said a subcommittee of the board of directors is currently tasked with shortlisting candidates and conducting interviews Aslam emphasized that this hiring process is independent, with neither the finance minister nor the chief minister playing a role He further reiterated that the restrictions on appointments do not impact the appointment of the BoK MD
