Epaper_24-03-30 KHI

PPTI rejects inquir y commission on judges’ letter, seeks CJP, Chief Justice IHC resignation

President Biden reiterates Pak-US ‘enduring par tnership’ in letter to Shehbaz

Chinese investigators arrive to join Besham suicide attack probe

enduring partnership between our nations remains critical to ensuring the security of our people and people around the world and the United States will continue to stand with Pakistan to tackle the most pressing global and regional challenges of our time ”

That includes advancing our shared vision for a future of greater health security economic growth, and access to education for all

Through our US-Pakistan Green Alliance framework, we will also continue to strengthen our climate resilience, support sustainable agriculture and water management and assist with Pakistan s recovery from the devastating floods in 2022 Biden said

And, the United States remains committed to working with Pakistan to protect human rights and promote progress,” he added

According to the content of the letter, President Biden conveyed his heartfelt congratulations and best wishes to the newly-elected government of Pakistan Together we will continue to forge a strong partnership between our nations, and a close bond between our people,” he concluded In his letter to the prime minister, President Biden reiterated the US’ unwavering commitment to standing alongside Pakistan in confronting the most pressing challenges facing the world and the region Ad powered by advergic com

He also emphasized the shared vision

ISLAMABAD S tA f f R e p o R t Chinese investigators arrived in Pakistan on Friday to join the probe into the killing of five Chinese nationals in a suicide attack in Besham the interior ministry said Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi met the visiting team of investigators at the Chinese embassy and briefed them on the investigation so far, according to a statement issued by the government He assured the special investigation team that the culprits of Shangla attack would be brought to justice The Interior Minister also briefed the team about the progress made so far in the investigation into the incident During the meeting, measures about the protection of Chinese nationals and overall security were also discussed The Interior Minister also met with the Chinese Ambassador and apprised him of the probe into Shangla incident Tuesday s incident was the third major attack in little over a week on China’s interests in Pakistan where Beijing has invested more than $65 billion in infrastructure projects as part of its wider Belt and Road initiative

Two days earlier officials shared with the Chinese embassy the preliminary findings of their investigation into the attack In late 2022, the two allied countries started a joint investigation into an attack that year on China’s nationals and its interests which have seen a rise in recent months There was no immediate claim of responsibility for the latest attack, in which a suicide bomber rammed a vehicle into a convoy of Chinese engineers working on a hydropower project at Dasu, killing six people

Aurangzeb snubbed again in favour of Dar. But what will foreign minister do in CCI?

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Jailed Muslim leader, ex- ML A Mukhtar Ansari dies in Indian jail; Section 144 imposed in UP

an ensemble group of Pakistan s brightest minds

The members of FPCCI-PERG will include the veteran industrialist, Bashir Jan Mohammad; the capital markets czar Arif Habib; serial entrepreneur Mohammad Ali Tabba; former Presidents of FPCCI Mian Muhammad Idrees & Ghazanfar Bilour; top exporter Dr Nouman Idrees Butt; CEO TDAP, Zubair Motiwala; Chairman APTMA, Asif Inam and former president Lahore Chamber, Shahzad Ali Malik

The likes of Shahid Abdullah Fawad Mukhtar, Maqsood Ismail, Farooq Naseem and Shahzad Asghar Ali will also be part of FPCCI-PERG Indepth analysis and informed discourse will be the core values of the think tank

The objectives of the think tank are researching economic challenges and opportunities; formulating evidencebased policy recommendations for sustainable economic growth and facilitating dialogue among the quadrilateral alliance of policymakers industry academia & civil society

Atif Ikram Sheikh apprised that all major sectors and industrial regions of the country will be represented by their best of the best and, FPCCI is all-willing to kickstart a result-oriented consultative process with the government on federal budget 2024 – 25 and charter of economy in the light of the recommendations of its think tank

Police Force have been deployed along with local police in these districts, the DGP said Government doctors said Ansari had fallen unconscious but two days before his death, his brother Afzal Ansari a former Member of Parliament and Samajwadi Party candidate from Ghazipur in 2024 publicly said that he was being poisoned in jail as part of a conspiracy to murder him In December 2023, Mukhtar s younger son, Umar Ansari, had approached the Supreme Court apprehending that the UP government was planning to assassinate him in Banda jail Ansari fainted in his cell and was taken to the Rani Durgavati Medical College on Thursday evening after vomiting and losing consciousness, said a medical bulletin of the hospital He was taken to the emergency ward where a team of doctors immediately treated him but despite best efforts he died due to cardiac arrest claimed the bulletin Earlier on Tuesday Afzal Ansari had said that his brother was fed food mixed with a poisonous substance

Govt, lender banks conclude PIA’s commercial debt negotiations

In November, the International Mone-

coordination

policy

he reiterated

The statement comes a day after the SIFC convened a meeting to review a new education policy and deliberate on an education emergency proposal The SIFC was established in June last year under an “economic revival plan” devised by civilian and military leaders to capitalise on “untapped potential in key sectors” and attract foreign direct investment (FDI) The then-cabinet had approved a number of initiatives, including proposed legislation for amendments to the Investment Board Ordinance to empower the SIFC to facilitate FDI

PTI rejects inquir y commission on judges’ letter, seeks CJP, Chief Justice IHC resignation

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 01 Speaking on

dicial commission but till today neither the CCTV footages could be presented nor the commission was constituted, he added He went on to say that the conspiracy to dismantle PTI was started before May 9 adding that if families

of judges were not safe from the tyranny what to talk of PTI workers Shoaib asked will a retired judge be able to provide justice to 6 judges He demanded that 15 judges of the apex court should sit to conduct an independent and transparent inquiry into the letter saga adding that PTI would no longer accept closed-room decisions He further demanded that the minutes of the full court meetings should be released to find out which judge said what “We totally reject the inquiry commission ” Shoaib added He went on to say that a society without justice could not make progress Speaking on the occasion Niazullah Niazi said that the judges letter fully exposed that the entire system of the country was paralyzed in toto He lamented that neither Chief Justice Aamir Farooq nor Chief Justice Qazi Faiz Isa took any action on the letter adding that a law of jangle prevailed in the country PTI leader demanded that Chief Justice IHC and Chief Justice of Pakistan should tender resignation

President for promoting bar ter trade, economic ties with Iran

ISLAMABAD S ta f f r e p o r t

President Asif Ali Zardari on Friday underlined the need for promoting barter trade and economic relations with Iran for the mutual benefit of the two brotherly countries The president, talking to Iran s Ambassador to Pakistan Dr Reza Amiri Moghadam, who called on him at Aiwan-e-Sadr said that both countries had great scope for expanding bilateral economic cooperation in diverse fields

Talking to the ambassador, the president expressed his commitment to further strengthen bilateral relations between the two brotherly countries He called for working together to overcome the common challenges faced by both sides

The Iranian ambassador congratulated the president on assuming the office He said that both Iran and Pakistan enjoyed historical religious and cultural ties which were becoming stronger with time

He emphasised the need for increasing the bilateral trade volume banking cooperation, and air and business linkages between the two countries The ambassador said that Pakistan could benefit from the Chahbahar-Zahedan railroad for trade with Central Asia Europe and Turkiye

He expressed the hope that PakIran relations would receive fresh impetus under the leadership of President Asif Ali Zardari He also conveyed warm regards from the Iranian President Dr Seyyed Ebrahim Raisi for the President Zardari

Later Ambassador of Palestine to Pakistan Ahmed Jawad Rabei also called on President Asif Ali Zardari and congratulated him on assuming the office The ambassador highlighted the atrocities and the reign of terror unleashed by the Israeli forces against innocent Palestinians in the Gaza Strip Talking to the Palestinian ambassador, the President said that it was very painful to see the tragic sufferings of Palestinians at the hands of Israeli forces

He stated that Pakistan had historic ties with Palestine and would continue to stand by its Palestinian brothers and raise its voice at all fora

He lauded the bravery and resilience of the Palestinian people, who had been waging a long struggle against Israeli occupation President Zardari urged the international community to make efforts for the free flow of humanitarian assistance to Gaza by lifting all the barriers and ensuring the protection of Palestinian civilians in the Gaza Strip He said that Pakistan would send additional relief goods including food and medicine to the Palestinian people The ambassador appreciated Pakistan s support in the field of education as over 50,000 Palestinians had graduated in various disciplines from educational institutions in Pakistan He also conveyed the warm regards of the Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and thanked the government and the people of Pakistan for their consistent support and solidarity with the Palestinian people

Root of the problem

P

PR I M E M I N I S T E R Shehbaz Sharif has ordered disciplinary action and exemplary punishment for all officers involved in power theft With a crackdown on power theft started by the caretaker government, and still underway, this was perhaps an inevitability Circular debt is not the only selfperpetuating problem that the power sector faces: there is also power theft Distribution companies drive up the tariffs so that honest consumers end up paying for the power consumed by thieves Because of the higher tariffs theft is incentivized especially for commercial or industrial consumers, for whom the power price is a pass-through item to the end-consumer That theft is not possible in the long term without the connivance of members of the staff of the distribution companies A parallel problem is that this staff tempts the consumer off the path of rectitude and shows the path to power theft It also shows the consumer who was to stay honest how painful they can make their existence In short, the very professionals who are best trained to detect power theft are the ones who are acting as its enablers

The step of punishing those involved in power theft should have been taken long before, much before it became a problem However it has had to come only after the power sector became a bleeding wound rather than a profit centre as it is supposed to be Prime Minister Shehbaz s declaration that power theft and line losses be eliminated so that privatization becomes possible is not so much timely as overdue The energy being shown now is probably due to the fact that the government is about to go into talks with the IMF for the new programme it wants so badly and the IMF has focused much attention on the power sector because it sees it as potentially bring down the entire financial structure of the government

The PM showed some inkling of the fact that the power sector is about to be

Dedicated to the legac y of late Hameed Nizami

Arif Nizami (Late) Founding Editor

M A Niazi Editor Pakistan Today Babar Nizami Editor Profit

Dr Zafar Khan SafDar

URole of universities in youth development

grounds access to resources and information that were previously only available to the wealthy

crucial to take into account the historical background of universities in Pakistan in order to comprehend their current function Pakistan s colonial heritage and shifting social needs have had an impact on the development of the country s higher education system over the years The region s organised higher education system had its start in 1882 with the founding of the University of Punjab in Lahore The primary purpose of the school system during British colonial administration was to fulfil administrative requirements Pakistan s higher education scene has expanded and become more diverse since the country s independence in 1947 The nation today has a large number of public and private institutions that all contribute to education research and development up from only one at the time of division These establishments provide a diverse range of programmes and topics of study from traditional prominent universities to contemporary, specialised ones Higher education students are crucial business leaders, decision-makers, and citizens of future society They need to develop skills and competences for a globalized climate-threatened and sustainabilityoriented economy Pakistani universities have the capacity to be effective instruments for societal change They can advance inclusion, gender equity, and social equality Higher education has the power to dismantle historical barriers and provide people from all back-

An organised curriculum that conveys information and skills applicable to many professions is one of the main purposes of universities Science technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) as well as the arts and humanities are among the many academic specialisations offered by Pakistani institutions Along with teaching these programmes promote creativity critical thinking and problem-solving Another essential component of academic life is research Universities in Pakistan carry out innovative research in a range of fields, adding to the corpus of knowledge worldwide These organisations’ research may have a broad impact on anything from improving healthcare to solving environmental issues to spurring economic growth Universities support the intellectual and cultural growth of their students in addition to academic study They offer a forum for intellectual discussion creative expression, and respect of different cultures The heterogeneous student body and staff of Pakistani institutions provide an atmosphere where many viewpoints and cultural backgrounds collide enhancing the overall quality of education Universities in Pakistan have a lot of promise but they also confront a lot of obstacles The quality of education can be hampered by poor facilities, a lack of trained faculty, and limited budget There is still a disparity in access to higher education across the nation, with metropolitan areas having greater educational resources than rural ones Furthermore bureaucratic roadblocks and political meddling can undermine universities independence and efficacy A significant facet of universities influence on the cognitive development of young people in Pakistan is their facilitation of civic involvement These educational facilities give pupils the skills and information they need to become knowledgeable and contributing members of society Universities inculcate a feeling of social responsibility and citizenship via extracurricular activities coursework and community service Universities in Pakistan are progressively collaborating and forming connections with other countries Through these links, students are exposed to a variety

of global viewpoints, which improves their comprehension of global challenges, cultures, and best practices International partnerships also make it easier for teachers and students to exchange which improves the learning environment

Numerous universities in Pakistan have received acclaim for their contributions to research, teaching, and the advancement of society Quaid-i-Azam University in Islamabad, for example, is well known for its academic quality especially in the social and scientific fields The Lahore University of Management Sciences is notable for its creative approaches to entrepreneurship and education Karachi s Aga Khan University has significantly advanced both research and healthcare

There are several actions that may be made to strengthen the influence of universities on the mental development of Pakistani young Sufficient financial and material support must be provided to guarantee high-quality instruction and research Programmes for faculty development can aid in addressing the scarcity of trained teachers It is important to work towards expanding marginalised populations and rural areas’ access to higher education Furthermore, colleges ought to be given more freedom to conduct their operations without excessive political meddling Universities significantly influence the youth s thinking by serving as centres for civic involvement research, information, and cultural exchange To reach their full potential, individuals must overcome obstacles Universities can continue to shape young minds and contribute to the nation’s advancement and prosperity with proper funding and support

U n i v e rs i t i e s s i g n i f i c a n t ly i n f l u e n c e t h e yo u t h Ês t h i n k i n g

by s e r v i n g a s c e n t r e s fo r c i v i c i nvo l v e m e n t , r e s e a rc h , i n fo r m a t i o n , a n d c u l t u r a l ex c h a n g e To r e a c h t h e i r f u l l p o t e n t i a l , i n d i v i d u a l s mu s t ov e rc o m e o b s t a cl e s U n i v e rs i t i e s c a n c o n t i n u e t o s h a p e yo u n g m i n d s a n d c o n t r i bu t e t o t h e n a t i o n Ês a dva n c e m e n t a n d p ro s p e r i t y w i t h p ro p e r f u n d i n g a n d s u p p o r t

Tump tehsil

Moreover,

Gdemocracy furnishing vital information analysis and oversight necessary for an enlightened citizenry worldwide, journalists occupy a crucial role in holding power accountable, uncovering truths, and stimulating public discourse As societies confront complex challenges and contend with evolving threats to freedom and accountability the indispensability of journalism as a guardian of democracy cannot be overstated

Journalism also plays a pivotal role in informing citizens about issues, events, and developments that shape their lives and communities Through impartial reporting and analysis journalists provide the context necessary for individuals to make informed decisions as engaged members of society

By empowering citizens with knowledge and understanding, journalism fosters civic participation, dialogue, and the informed discourse essential for a thriving democracy A free and independent press is essential for preserving freedom of expression a fundamental human right in democratic societies Journalists serve as frontline defenders of this right, challenging censorship and repression while providing a platform for diverse viewpoints and facilitating open debate furthermore journalism advocates for social justice human rights and equality by amplifying the voices of marginalized and oppressed communities Through investigative reporting, feature stories, and advocacy journalism, reporters illuminate issues such as poverty, discrimination, and injustice, raising societal consciousness and rallying public support for change By amplifying the voices of marginalized individuals journalism serves as a catalyst for positive social change In an increasingly interconnected world, journalism acts as a bridge between cultures and nations, fostering mutual understanding, empathy, and solidarity International reporting brings distant events and global issues to the forefront promoting cross-cultural dialogue and recognition of our shared humanity By dismantling stereotypes and fostering empathy, journalism contributes to a more interconnected and compassionate world National defence extends beyond the purview of military forces and government agencies; it also relies on the vigilance and commitment of journalists who act as watchdogs informants and communicators in matters of security In the modern age, journalism

plays a crucial role in national defence by providing essential oversight investigative reporting and public awareness of security threats, military operations, and homeland defence understanding the interdependent relationship between journalism and national defence is vital for safeguarding the interests and safety of a nation’s populace Journalism serves as a vital mechanism for oversight and accountability within the sphere of national defence Investigative reporters uncover instances of misconduct, corruption, and mismanagement, ensuring transparency and accountability to the public By scrutinizing defence policies procurement practices and military conduct journalists hold decision-makers accountable and uphold the integrity of defence institutions Journalists also play a crucial role in informing the public about national security threats, geopolitical developments, and defence strategies, enabling citizens to grasp the complexities of modern security challenges and actively participate

recognizing biases, identifying misinformation, and verifying sources, thereby reducing susceptibility to negative narratives and manipulation Investing in independent journalism is crucial for nurturing a diverse and robust media landscape that prioritizes integrity and accountability Independent media outlets often serve as a bulwark against negative journalism by upholding ethical standards, emphasizing fact-checking, and providing balanced coverage Governments philanthropic organizations and civil society groups can bolster independent journalism through financial support advocacy and partnerships ensuring that diverse voices have a platform to contribute to public discourse

In contrast to sensationalism and pessimism solutions-oriented reporting focuses on identifying and analyzing constructive responses to societal challenges In Pakistan, a country grappling with diverse security challenges, the role of journalists extends beyond mere reporting to encompass a vital contribution to national defence with a robust and independent press Pakistani journalists serve as guardians of democracy watchdogs of government and conduits of information to the public within the realm of national defence, their role becomes even more critical, as they foster transparency accountability and public awareness regarding security and defence matters

Through meticulous investigation and scrutiny journalists uncover instances of corruption, mismanagement, and human rights abuses By bringing such malpractices to light, journalists uphold transparency and integrity within the defence establishment, bolstering public trust and confidence in security agencies furthermore journalists in Pakistan can advocate for peace dialogue and diplomacy as crucial components of security policy Through nuanced analysis and informed commentary, they provide insights on diplomatic endeavours, peace negotiations and conflict resolution efforts By promoting a culture of dialogue and understanding journalists facilitate peaceful coexistence with neighbouring countries and mitigate the risk of armed conflict escalation

conflict holding military forces accountable for their actions Journalism fosters public discourse and national unity by providing a platform for diverse voices and perspectives on matters of national defence Through opinion pieces expert analysis and commentary journalists stimulate debate challenge assumptions and encourage dialogue on defence policies and strategies By promoting a sense of shared purpose and collective responsibility, journalism bolsters national unity and resilience in the face of security threats and challenges

In today’s media landscape concerns about negative journalism marked by sensationalism bias and misinformation are prevalent while journalism remains a cornerstone of democracy, the spread of negative narratives can corrode public trust,

W h e n d o e s a b a n k f a i l ?

Accountability plays a pivotal role in combating negative journalism and upholding journalistic integrity Media organizations should be held responsible for inaccuracies biases and ethical breaches through mechanisms such as public corrections ombudsmen and independent media watchdogs Additionally, regulatory bodies can enforce codes of conduct and standards of practice to ensure that journalists adhere to ethical guidelines and serve the public interest in their reporting fostering constructive dialogue and debate is essential for fostering understanding and reconciliation amidst negative journalism Instead of succumbing to polarization and divisiveness, communities should strive to find common ground, engage in respectful discourse, and promote empathy and comprehension Platforms for civil discourse such as town hall meetings public forums and online discussions can facilitate meaningful exchanges of ideas and perspectives, countering the divisive narratives perpetuated by negative journalism

Additionally, journalists play a crucial role in enhancing public comprehension of defence issues, policies, and strategies through comprehensive reporting and analysis They simplify complex security concepts demystify defence terminology and provide context background and expert insights enabling citizens to engage constructively in debates on defence spending, military capabilities, and national security priorities

In Pakistan where certain elements actively propagate propaganda against our army it is imperative for journalists to counter this negativity National security stands as the utmost priority for the country, and the Pakistan Army stands at the forefront to ensure our national defence It is crucial for journalists and writers to spotlight its sacrifices for the nation, portraying them accurately recognizing the remarkable contributions of the Army and demonstrating solidarity with our armed forces are essential in the current circumstances

The writer is a freelance columnist

IIt also should be feasible to build a company-wide database of the hidden but traceable device IDs for phones and IP addresses that have been used to commit privac y, safet y and other rule violations, including links to the posts and ac tivities that were the basis for the decision to catalog the person and device

before the war, had been one of the few healthcare facilities even partially operational in north Gaza before the latest fighting It had also been housing displaced civilians The Israeli statement said its forces conducted raids in central and southern areas including Khan Younis and Al-Karara where troops exchanged fire with Palestinian gunmen before they killed them and located weapons and rockets The armed wing of Hamas said their fighters targeted Israeli forces near to Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis one of the city s two hospitals blockaded by Israeli soldiers

for several days In the far south of the Strip, Israel continued its bombardment in Rafah, the Palestinians’

tinued to operate around the Al-Shifa Hospital complex in Gaza City after storming it more than a week ago Its forces had killed around 200 gunmen since the

while

than 80% of Gazans have been

hostages according to Israeli tallies In the northern Gaza Strip, where the United Nations has warned famine is imminent as early as May, an elderly man died of malnutrition and lack of medication Palestinian media said

On Thursday the World Court unanimously ordered Israel to take all necessary and effective action to ensure basic food supplies to Gaza s population and halt spreading famine “The renewed binding order from the @ICJ (International Court of Justice) yesterday is a stark reminder that the catastrophic humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip is man made and worsening

Chinese Foreign M inister Wang Yi urges Japan to promote peace in Asia

UNRWA aid renewal: Set of countries to resume funding

TOKYO

Ag e n c i e s

As Australia, Canada and Sweden were among a few countries that said they were resuming aid to the UN s crisis-hit Palestinian refugee agency (UNRWA) Japan announced on Thursday its plan to resume funding to the United Nations aid agency for Palestinian refugees after suspending assistance

“Japan and the UNRWA confirmed that they will advance final coordination about necessary efforts to resume Japan s contribution, the country s Foreign Ministry said in a statement Japanese media reports said the resumption of funding suspended in January was expected to come in the first half of April

In a warning last month UNRWA chief Philippe Lazzarini said the funding crunch could prevent the organization from operating beyond March After several countries recently resumed or increased funding the UNWRA has sufficient funds to keep its operations running until the end of May Lazzarini said on Tuesday The situation today is less dramatic, he added ISRAEL’S ALLEGATIONS

UNRWA, which provides assistance and essential services to Palestinian refugees was undergoing a crisis following Israeli allegations in January that 12 of its 13 000 employees in Gaza were involved in the Hamas attack on Israel on October 7 Israeli authorities subsequently

claimed that more than 450 UNRWA employees are military operatives in terror groups in Gaza

around in an UNRWA school housing displaced Palestinians in Rafah in the southern Gaza March 4 2024 THE BESIEGED

H e a d d e d t h a t J a p a n s h o u l d a d h e r e t o t h e e s t a b l i s h e d d i r e c t i o n o f p e a c e f u l d e v e l o p m e n t a n d w o r k t o g e t h e r t o p r om o t e t h e s t a b l e a n d h e a l t h y d e v e l o pm e n t o f b i l a t e r a l t i e s F u k u d a s a i d t h a t t h e e x p a n d i n g i n f l u e n c e o f B o a o F o r u m f o r A s i a s h o w s t h a t C h i n a s p r o m o t i o n o f g o o d - n e i g h b o r l y d i p l om a c y h a s i n c r e a s i n g l y a c h i e v e d p o s it i v e r e s u l t s Japan-China friendship is the common choice of the two countries and Japanese enterprises hope to invest in and prosper in China he told Wang J a p a n i s w i l l i n g t o w o r k w i t h C h i n a t o e n h a n c e m u t u a l u n d e r s t a n d i n g , s t r e n g t h e n d i a l o g u e a n d c o m m u n i c at i o n , p r o p e r l y m a n a g e d i ff e r e n c e s , j o i n t l y p r o m o t e t h e s t r a t e g i c a n d m u t ua l l y b e n e f i c i a l r e l a t i o n s h i p a n d w o r k t o g e t h e r t o m a i n t a i n t h e m o m e n t u m o f p e a c e s t a b i l i t y a n d p r o s p e r i t y i n A s i a h e a d d e d

India’s Congress says facing ‘tax terrorism’ after second tax notice

The Israeli accusations led 16 countries, including the United States, to pause approximately $440 million in UNRWA funding which represents nearly half of UNRWA s yearly funding throwing its operations into crisis The UN which is probing the claims, has said Israel has not provided it with evidence to support the allegations and has initiated an independent internal investigation

According to UNRWA some of the employees released from Israeli detention reported that Israeli authorities pressured them into falsely stating that the agency had Hamas connections and that staff took part in the attacks on October 7 In a UNRWA report published in February unidentified Palestinians including several working for UNRWA complained of mistreatment while detained by Israeli authorities A g e n c y s t a ff m e m b e r s h a v e been subject to threats and coercion b y t h e I s r a e l i a u t h o r i t i e s w h i l e i n d e t e n t i o n a n d p r e s s u r e d t o m a k e false statements against the Agency including that the Agency has affili a t i o n s w i t h H a m a s a n d t h a t UNRWA staff members took part in the 7 October 2023 atrocities,” the report says

Displaced Palestinians walk around in an UNRWA school housing displaced Palestinians in Rafah in the southern Gaza March 4 2024 /CFP

Displaced Palestinians walk

China’s Global S ecurit y Initiative ‘crucial in fight against terrorism’: BFA

no doubt about it, but by the time we get relief, elections will be over ” Maken said The Supreme Court is expected to hear the case on April 1 he added A tax department spokesperson did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Friday which is a public holiday The tax department has said it can not comment on individual tax notices as they are confidential Congress, which has been ruled by the Gandhi-Nehru family was once India’s most dominant political party and has accused Modi of trying to cripple it financially before the elections through the tax department Last month the party said the authorities froze some of its bank accounts pending a tax case that dates back to 2018-19 involving 1 35 billion rupees, and its bid to contest this in court was dismissed Modi’s Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has said that the tax case was not politically motivated Asked how much the party would be left with to contest the elections after the two tax demands Maken said: You think there will be anything left after this? Congress has ruled India for 54 of its 76 years since independence from Britain, but it has struggled to win over voters since Modi swept to power in 2014

OGDCL and Saif Energy discover new hydrocarbon reser ves in Kohat Block

KOHAT

ICEO of M/s Crop Life International, and his associates for violating various sections of the ordinance and the Pakistan Penal Code

Mr Nusratullah apprehended during the operation, admitted to manufacturing and distributing counterfeit pesticides and fertilizers across Sindh and Punjab In light of this revelation, FIA has expanded its investigation to apprehend other individuals involved in this illicit network with further raids anticipated to target distributors and retailers Analysis conducted by the Federal Pesticides Testing and Reference Laboratory confirmed that the seized pesticides were indeed counterfeit and contained harmful substances posing risks to both human health and the environment

The Director General

raids and crack down on establishments engaged in the production and sale of adulterated pesticides This proactive approach aims to protect farmers from purchasing harmful products and hold accountable those responsible for their production and distribution

KP Cabinet okays Rs1.15b Eid Package for police mar tyrs, poor families

PESHAWAR a z i z B u n e r i

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Cabinet constituted a committee to look into the grievances of the officers of the attached departments and the directives of the Peshawar High Court concerning reducing disparities in the salaries of the officers of attached departments and other cadres The cabinet committee comprised of Advisor to Chief Ministers on Finance Minister/Secretaries P&D, Establishment, and Population Welfare

The High Court had on a writ petition filed by over 973 officers of different attached departments directed the government to redress the grievances of the petitioners concerning granting them allowances allowed to officers of other cadres @ 1

The cabinet approved the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Right of Digital Way Policy providing a frame work to facilitate the deployment of

through prompt resolution of public and private rightof-way issues commonly faced by telecom operators thereby leading to an increase in fiber connectivity

With this, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa becomes the first province to have a Right of Digital Way policy as aligned with the Federal Public and Private Right of (digital) Way Policy Directive 2021 A Committee comprising Ministers/Secretaries C&W, Irrigation and Local Government Departments was also constituted to adopt this policy in a unified manner throughout the province

Another Committee was constituted to categorize within 15 days the posts recruitment to which should be done through ETEA or the technical Departments/organizations themselves

The cabinet also directed that all Provincial departments/organizations must get NOC from ETEA before conducting screening tests for recruitment through private organizations (other than ETEA)

about the affairs of the province The cabinet approved the re-

The Provincial cabinet approved Zone Development Agreement for the Pakistan Digital City Haripur project The Pakistan digital City Haripur is the first purposebuilt Special Technology Zones (STZ) in Pakistan being developed by Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Information Technology Board under the administration of the Science and Technology & Information Technology Department The project has already secured a license from Special Technology Zones Authority (STZA) With the approval of the agreement by the Cabinet different incentives to the zone developers can be extended bringing considerable growth in their economy through improvement in their IT exports The cabinet also directed that the civil work over the main offices and basic infrastructure must be completed urgently The Provincial cabinet also approved the Draft Rules for the post of PEDO Chief Executive Officer and Members of the Executive Committee (terms and conditions) Rules 2024”; borrowing loan amounting US$ 30 000 million from Saudi Fund for Development (SFD) to participate in financing of reconstruction of infrastructure of Malakand region; the retention of 100 BS-17 head nurses in MTI’s Hospitals of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa; and purchase of different gadgets and equipment for police in the Newly merged districts It also endorsed the earlier decision of the caretaker cabinet increasing the rate of infrastructure development Cess under section -3 of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Infrastructure Development Cess Act 2022

Modi

t extends black law AFSPA in Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland for 6

NHA restores land link between KP and Balochistan

e s u c c e s s f u l r e s t o r a t i o n o f t h e v i t a l r o a d l i n k b e t w e e n t h e p r o v i n c e s o f K P a n d B a l o c h i s t a n F o l l o w i n g p e r s i s t e n t a n d d e d i c a t e d e ff o r t s b y o u r s k i l l e d c o n s t r u c t i o n e x p e r t s , t h e r o a d c o n n e c t i o n o n t h e D h a n a s a r- Z h o b s e c t i o n o f N - 5 0 h a s b e e n f u l l y r e i n s t a t e d S e v e r e w e a t h e r c o n d i t i o n s , i n c l u d i n g h e a v y r a i n s a n d s u b s e q u e n t l a n d s l i d e s , h a d p r e v i o u s l y l e d t o t h e s u s p e n s i o n o f t r a ff i c o n t h i s c r u c i a l r o u t e n ec e s s i t a t i n g d i v e r s i o n s t o a l t e r n a t e r o a d s U n d e r t h e g u i d a n c e o f C h a i r m a n N a t i o n a l H i g h w a y A u t h o r i t y, M r A r s h a d M a j e e d M o h m a n d , o u r d e d i c a t e d N H A p e r s o n n e l d e p l o y e d i n t h e r eg i o n w o r k e d t i r e l e s s l y a r o u n d t h e c l o c k u t i l i zi n g h e a v y m a c h i n e r y t o e ff e c t i v e l y r e o p e n t h e d a m a g e d r o a d s e g m e n t s T h e r e l e n t l e s s e ff o r t s o f N H A G e n e r a l M a n a g e r A g h a I n a y a t D e p u t y D i r e c t o r A g h a B a s e e r a n d t h e i r t e a m w e r e i ns t r u m e n t a l i n a c h i e v i n g t h i s f e a t t h r o u g h s h e e r h a r d w o r k a n d c o m m i t m e n t I t i s w o r t h n o t

D

C

I“China

said an

statement issued by the

Previously reports in Indian media claimed that following the attack a Chinese company halted civil works and let go of hundreds of workers at a hydropower [plant] in Pakistan”

However the office order from the Chinese construction company brought Indian media claims to naught Following the attack, the Chinese embassy and consulate generals in Pakistan strongly condemned the terrorist attack

“Pakistan and China have the determination and ability to make terrorists pay the price for their actions and any attempt to undermine China-Pakistan cooperation will not succeed Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Lin Jian said

The clear message from the Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson shows that no attempt to sabotage Sino-Pak cooperation will be allowed to succeed

He also reiterated China’s stance on terrorism Terrorism is the common enemy of all human beings and it is the shared responsibility of the international community to

Pak istan, Afghanistan advance discussion on trade and transit during Kabul meeting

combat terrorism and prevent the recurrence of such tragedies

China firmly supports Pakistan s counterterrorism efforts, Lin said China will continue to support Pakistan s economic development, social development and the improvement of its people’s livelihoods, he added and it will undertake firm cooperation with Pakistan in various fields to bring benefits to the two peoples

Separately Islamabad also said on Thursday that there remains no doubt that the suicide attack in Besham was orchestrated by enemies of Pakistan-China friendship Together we will resolutely act against all such acts and forces and defeat them,” said FO Spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra Baloch She further expressed Islamabad’s determination to work with Beijing in ensuring the safety and security of Chinese nationals projects and institutions in Pakistan

Petrol price expected to surge by Rs9.94/litre for next 15 days ISLAMABAD a h m a D a h m a Da N i

Tax exemption of Rs50b for Aviation authorities draws IMF attention

Finance

Already burdened masses should get ready to bear additional burden as the prices of petrol is expected to increase by approximately up to Rs 9 94 per litre for the first 15 days of April According to sources, Eid-ul-Fitr is ahead and the prices of petroleum products will find a mixed trend with the start of April They said that petrol is expected to see a rise of Rs 9 94/litre light diesel could rise by Rs 0 45per litre while the prices of HighSpeed Diesel (HSD) and kerosene oil may witness a decrease of Rs 1

Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb on Friday expressed his optimism about striking a deal with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) by the end of this fiscal year, despite no final discussions yet Aurangzeb speaking at the Pakistan Stock Exchange mentioned that further negotiations with the global lender would occur during the spring meetings in Washington, aiming for a more substantial and extended program

He said that he will visit Washington on April 14 and 15 for meetings with officials of the World Bank and the IMF He emphasised the need for the Extended Fund Facility (EFF) to advance structural reforms, avoiding lengthy debates

The minister indicated that formalisation for entering the EFF would proceed in the spring with hopes for a staff-level agreement by fiscal year-end to maintain macroeconomic stability He outlined a two-pronged strategy for implementing reforms focusing on immediate issues and longer-term structural changes

When questioned about the possibility of resuming trade with India, Aurangzeb stated he could not offer comments, indicating such decisions rest with the prime minister cabinet and Parliament and no such proposal has been presented to him thus far

Highlighting revenue challenges, Aurangzeb pointed to the

The existing $3 billion arrangement with the IMF expires on April 11, following a recent staff-level agreement for a $1 1 billion disbursement

Federal Board of Revenue s (FBR) need for better implementation of its Track and Trace system to prevent losses

He also mentioned addressing Rs1 7 trillion in pending tribunal litigation with a deadline set for resolution

Aurangzeb stressed the importance of integrating under-taxed sectors and enhancing digitalization for transparency and improved service delivery He advocated for private sector leadership in economic development, with the government providing policy support and promoting privatisation and public-private partnerships

He also emphasized the role of Chinese investment and cooperation particularly in expanding the capital markets and advancing the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) phase 2

Punjab Assembly approves Rs3.43b interim budget amid opposition protest