PM reaches Saudi Arabia on first foreign visit since election
In par tnership with Profit S u n d a y, 7 A p r i l , 2 0 2 4 I 2 7 Ra m a z a n , 1 4 4 5 R s 2 0 0 0 | Vo l X I V N o 2 8 0 I 8 Pa g e s I La h o r e E d i t i o n P M O R D E R S I M M E D I AT E A C T I O N A G A I N S T F I V E O F F I C I A LS F O R ‘ N E G L I G E N C E O F D U T Y ’ B E S H A M AT TAC K ISLAMABAD S TA F F R E P O R T Pakistan on Saturday denounced the provocative remarks made by Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh in a televised interview yesterday wherein he confirmed that New Delhi was carrying out an assassination campaign in Pakistan, as reported by The Guardian Indian D efense Minister ’s provocative statement clear admission of culpabilit y: FO ISLAMABAD S TA F F R E P O R T At least 10 terrorists were neutralized in separate intelligence-based operations (IBOs) in Dera Ismail Khan and Pangur districts, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said in statements on Saturday In a statement, the military’s media wing said Security forces killed eight terrorists during an intelligence-based operation (IBO) in KhyberPakhtunkhwa’s (KP) Dera Ismail Khan district 10 terrorists neutralised in DI K han, Panjgur IBOs LAHORE S TA F F R E P O R T I N F O R M AT I O N Minister Attaullah Tarar on Saturday announced that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif ordered immediate action to be taken against five officials for negligence of duty based on the findings of an inquiry report on the Besham suicide attack which claimed the lives of six people including five Chinese nationals The development comes a week after five Chinese engineers and their Pakistani driver were killed in a suicide bombing in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Besham while travelling between Islamabad and a hydroelectric dam construction site in Dasu The bus was attacked in the Besham city of KP s Shangla district The attack prompted China to demand a thorough probe into the deadly blast and security for its citizens In response Islamabad had announced a swift probe to hold the perpetrators and accomplices accountable Chinese investigators had also arrived to join the probe In response to the Chinese government s demand to promptly investigate the incident and act against those involved the government had also decided to
DPO Lower Kohistan district Dasu Hydropower Project Security Director and KP Special Security Unit Commandant in fifteen days ISLAMABAD: Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi has directed foolproof measures for the protection of Chinese nationals in Pakistan Chairing a meeting in Islamabad regarding security arrangements for Chinese citizens he said protection of foreigners especially Chinese citizens, is the top priority He directed to ensure implementation of SOPs for the safety of foreigners, especially the Chinese nationals Mohsin Naqvi said the enemy does not want the development and prosperity of Pakistan He said we will never allow the nefarious designs of the terrorists to succeed The meeting was briefed about the arrangements made for the protection of foreigners especially the Chinese nationals S TA F F R E P O R T Interior Minister directs foolproof measures for protection of Chinese nationals g A C T I O N O R D E R E D A G A I N S T R P O H A Z A R A, D P O S O F U P P E R, LO W E R KO H S I TA N, D A S U P R O J E C T S E C U R I T Y D I R E C TO R A N D K P S P E C I A L S E C U R I T Y U N I T C O M M A N D A N T g S AY S N O C O M P R O M I S E W O U L D B E TO L E R AT E D O N S E C U R I T Y O F C H I N E S E I N F U T U R E C O N T I N U E D O N PA G E 03 ISLAMABAD S TA F F R E P O R T Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Saturday reached the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia on a three-day visit, his first foreign trip after becoming prime minister for the second consecutive time The premier was received at the airport by Madina Governor Prince Salman bin Sultan Al Saud where he will stay tonight before kicking off his activities tomorrow (Sunday) He is accompanied by the ministers for foreign affairs defence economic affairs finance and information according to a report from state-run Radio Pakistan Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz also accompanied him as he set off from Allama Iqbal International Airport via a commercial flight earlier today During a press conference today in Lahore, Information Minister Attaullah Tarar said the trip was the prime minister s first foreign visit since his election PM Shehbaz is expected to meet Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to discuss issues of mutual interest and exchange views on regional and global developments The prime minister will also perform Umrah and offer prayers at Masjid-i-Nabwi during his time in the kingdom In a press release issued on Friday, the Foreign Office said that Pakistan and Saudi Arabia “have longstanding fraternal relations rooted in religious and cultural affinity The people of Pakistan have the deepest respect and regard for the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud ” The statement further read that the leadership of both countries was committed to advancing the fraternal ties and mutually rewarding economic and investment relations On March 16, PM Shehbaz had said that Pakistan was working closely with Saudi Arabia to “transform the deep-rooted historic fraternal Pakistan-Saudi Arabia ties into a comprehensive strategic partnership He had made the remarks as Crown Prince Mohammed called to congratulate PM Shehbaz on assuming office During the conversation the premier had told the crown prince that Pakistan was proud of its historic, deep-rooted and fraternal ties with Saudi Arabia and the two countries had always stood together through thick and thin” Subsequently Chief of Army Staff Gen Asim Munir had met with the Saudi crown prince during his second official trip to the country According to a press release issued by the military’s media wing, during his visit, the crown prince had stated the kingdom wanted to strengthen bilateral ties with Pakistan
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PR OFIT M o n i to r n g D e s k The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) has suggested to the Petroleum Division that the Iran-Pakistan (IP) gas pipeline project should proceed without any additional delays According to a news report, Petroleum Division officials apprised during a recent interministerial meeting at MoFA that the Federal Cabinet and the Cabinet Committee on Energy (CCoE) have approved the Ministerial Oversight Committee s (MOC) recommendations, which were established following instructions from the Prime Minister The Secretary of Foreign Affairs recommended that, given the project s significance for energy, the Petroleum Division should promptly commence pipeline construction The government plans to use Rs45 billion from the Gas Infrastructure Development Cess (GIDC) for the pipeline s construction noting concerns over a potential $18 billion contractual liability if the project is further delayed Ad powered by advergic com An allocation of up to Rs2 5 billion is available for the fiscal year 2023-24 with the remaining Rs42 5 billion to be potentially allocated in the next fiscal year upon the GIDC board s approval The Ministerial Oversight Committee has advised beginning construction of the gas pipeline from Gabd Remdan to Gwadar, spanning 80 kilometers, using GIDC funds The submission of a waiver application to US authorities has been postponed due to the current geopolitical climate Additionally the oversight committee recommended that another high-level committee address outstanding issues with Iran, including the notice of Material Breach and contract extension under the French Civil Code Meanwhile Pakistan will also keep engaging with Russia China Turkmenistan and Azerbaijan for gas swap arrangements related to the project sunday 7 Apri 2024 | LAHORe 02 News PR OFIT M o n i to r n g D e s k T HE wheat growers will suffer as the Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) of the cabinet on Friday set the wheat procurement target at 2 5 million metric tons 69% less than the previous year s target due to Punjab s absence The ECC approved wheat procurement targets for the Pakistan Agricultural Storage and Services Corporation (PASSCO), Sindh, and Balochistan As per news reports Punjab did not submit its financing requirements or procurement plans Procurement targets and support prices are determined by the provincial governments but they require federal government approval to secure loans to purchase the commodity Consequently the cabinet s premier committee approved loans of Rs275 billion for the procurement of 2 45 million tons of wheat The revised procurement target of 2 45 million tons is 5 4 million tons or 69% less than the previous year The reduction is attributed to Punjab’s absence and the existing wheat surplus According to finance ministry officials Punjab has not yet communicated its procurement targets or financial requirements If Punjab abstains from purchasing at least 4 million tons of wheat, farmers might not receive the minimum support price of Rs3,900 per 40 kg, potentially leaving them vulnerable to lower prices offered by middlemen The World Bank has advised the Punjab government to limit its wheat procurement to 2 million tons to mitigate budgetary impacts P u n j a b s g o v e r n m e n t h a s s e t t h e m i n i m u m s u p p o r t p r i c e a t R s 3 9 0 0 p e r 4 0 k g f o r 2 0 2 3 - 2 4 c o n s i s t e n t w i t h t h e p r e v i o u s y e a r P u n j a b s E C C r e p r e s e n t a t i v e s t a t e d t h e p r o v i n c e i s f o c u s i n g o n repaying past loans used for wheat procurement and will purchase wheat as needed On the other hand the federal food ministry has concerns that the new 2 45 million ton procurement target despite last year s carry-forward stocks of 3 3 million tons, may not meet demand The ECC set Sindh s procurement target at 1 million tons, a 28% decrease from the previous year, and allowed a Rs100 billion loan for procurement Sindh has an existing debt of Rs77 billion from previous commodity operations and plans to purchase wheat at Rs4 000 per 40 kg The ECC established Balochistan s procurement target at 50 000 metric tons and approved a Rs5 7 billion loan for the province, based on a wheat price of Rs4,300 per 40 kg For Passco, a target of 1 4 million metric tons was set, a 22% reduction from the previous year, with an approved Rs169 billion cash credit limit based on a price of Rs3 900 per 40 kg Passco currently has an outstanding debt of Rs386 billion from previous loans Pakistan anticipates a wheat surplus this year with cultivation exceeding the 22 2 million-acre target by 1 5 million acres The country has 4 7 million tons in stock, including 2 3 million tons in Punjab, 1 3 million tons with Passco, 510 000 tons in Sindh and 320 000 metric tons imported by the private sector FA R M E R S T O S U F F E R A S E C C A P P R O V E S 6 9 % L E S S W H E AT P R O C U R E M E N T TA R G ET PR OFIT M o n to r i n g D e s k The United Nations Economic and Social Survey of Asia and Pacific (UNESCAP) 2024 report has forecasted Pakistan’s GDP growth at 2% and inflation at 26% for the ongoing fiscal year expecting growth to slightly increase to 2 3% in FY25 while inflation is predicted to decrease to 12 2% The report further said that Pakistan s tax gap is to remain approximately 3% of its GDP, with the potential to increase to more than 12% from the current 9% UNESCAP mentions that although Bangladesh Pakistan and Sri Lanka have low tax levels, their tax gaps are considered moderate However, these gaps appear larger when measured against current tax revenues instead of GDP The report suggests that enhancing tax policies and administration might not be sufficient to address the significant development financing shortfalls in these countries It recommends comprehensive improvements in socioeconomic development and governance along with larger-scale tax revenue enhancement The Federal Board of Revenue s (FBR) tax-to-GDP ratio is currently around 9%, based on a projected tax collection target of Rs9415 billion for this fiscal year UNESCAP estimates this ratio could increase to 12% The report also notes the economic challenges faced by Pakistan including political unrest and a major flood affecting agricultural production It mentions Sri Lanka’s economy contracted by 2 3% in 2023 following a 7 4% contraction in 2022 Facing fiscal pressures Pakistan and Sri Lanka have sought IMF assistance Pakistan entered into an IMF agreement in mid-2023, enabling further support from countries like China Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates Sri Lanka already under an IMF program has seen some macroeconomic stabilization in 2023, with both countries implementing fiscal adjustments to achieve fiscal sustainability While Bangladesh has also approached the IMF its request was precautionary and aimed at securing additional funding before facing financial difficulties The report underscores that better tax strategies and management may not be the sole solution for bridging the development financing gaps in countries with low tax intake highlighting the need for broader improvements in socioeconomic and governance aspects UN repor t projec ts Pakistan’s GDP at 2% for FY24 Gold price hits new peak with Rs4,900 increase PR OFIT n e w s D e s k G o l d p r i c e i n P a k i s t a n s o a r e d t o a n e w p e a k a t R s 2 4 5 1 0 0 p e r t o l a o n S a t u r d a y m a r k i n g a n i n c r e a s e o f R s 4 , 9 0 0 i n j u s t o n e d a y T h e h i k e i n r a t e s o f t h e y e l l o w m e t a l i n P a k i s t a n s o a r e d f o l l o w i n g a s u rg e i n t h e g l o b a l m a r k e t D a t a f r o m t h e A l l P a k i s t a n G e m s a n d J e w e l l e r s S a r a f a A s s o c i a t i o n ( A P G J S A ) r e v e a l e d t h a t 1 0 g r a m s o f g o l d w e r e s o l d a t R s 2 1 0 1 3 4 s h o w i n g a r i s e o f R s 4 2 0 0 T h i s s p i k e c o m e s a f t e r a d e c r e a s e o f R s 9 0 0 p e r t o l a o n F r i d a y T h e l o c a l m a r k e t w i t n e s s e d a h i s t o r i c h i g h , s u r p a s s i n g t h e p r e v i o u s p e a k o f R s 2 4 2 , 7 0 0 p e r t o l a r e c o r d e d i n S e p t e m b e r 2 0 2 3 T h e i n t e r n a t i o n a l m a r k e t a l s o e x p e r i e n c e d a n i n c r e a s e o n S a t u r d a y d r i v e n b y s p e c u l a t i o n o f a p o t e n t i a l c u t i n U S F e d e r a l R e s e r v e r a t e s G o l d p r i c e s r e a c h e d a r e c o r d h i g h o f $ 2 3 5 0 p e r o u n c e i n t h e g l o b a l m a r k e t , m a r k i n g a $ 4 4 i n c r e a s e f r o m t h e p r e v i o u s d a y In addition, silver prices rose by Rs40 to Rs2,650 per tola Foreign Ministry urges immediate progress on IP gas pipeline without further delays Liber t y Power confident its $125m bet on troubled power sector will pay off PR OFIT r e u t e r s Pakistan s Liberty Power Holding which this week signed a deal to buy the thermal energy assets of Engro Corporation for $125 million is banking on its coal reserves and reforms laid out by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) for its investment to pay off Liberty Power entered into an agreement with a subsidiary of Engro Corporation to buy all its thermal assets including Pakistan’s leading coal producer, Sindh Engro Coal Mining Company The deal is among the biggest in recent times in Pakistan s power sector which has remained in crisis for years due to unpaid debts and chronic technical issues We believe Thar Coal is the energy future of Pakistan, it s indigenous it s cheap and it s base load, said Zain Mukaty, Chief Operating Officer of Liberty Power, in an interview with Reuters on Friday, referring to coal deposits of the Thar desert The South Asian nation’s power sector has been plagued by high rates of power theft and distribution losses resulting in accumulating debt across the production chain – a concern also raised by the IMF The IMF s policy suggestions under the current $3 billion standby credit arrangements with Pakistan have been a major confidence-boosting measure for Liberty Power Leading up to national elections held in February, Pakistan was governed by a caretaker government which amongst other measures, raised energy prices to stop the accumulation of circular debt a form of public debt that builds up in the power sector due to subsidies and unpaid bills – a key reform PR OFIT M o n i to r i n g D e s k Photo and video-sharing social platform Instagram garnered $32 4 billion in advertising revenue accounting for 27% of Meta s total revenue in 2021 This figure surpasses the ad revenue generated by Google’s YouTube, which stood at $28 8 billion for the same period These revenue figures of Instagram were disclosed during a recent court filing The disclosure part of an effort to dismiss a federal antitrust lawsuit against Meta highlights Instagram s growth since its acquisition in 2012 for $1 billion At the time of purchase, Instagram was a small, revenue-free photo-sharing app Under Meta’s stewardship its revenue has exhibited a remarkable acceleration Instagram generated advertising revenues of $11 3 billion in 2018 $17 9 billion in 2019 $22 billion in 2020, $32 4 billion in 2021, and $16 5 billion in the first half of 2022 According to reports, Instagram’s revenue trajectory not only underscores its importance within Meta s portfolio but also signals its competitive edge in the digital ad space, outperforming giants like YouTube Analysts have speculated on the potential valuation of Instagram, suggesting it could be comparable to YouTube’s estimated worth of $400 billion especially given Instagram s continued revenue growth The comparison of ad revenue share distribution highlights Instagram s cost efficiency, contrasting with YouTube s model of sharing 55% of ad revenue with content creators Instagram surpasses YouTube in ad revenue g T h a r C o a l i s e n e r g y f u t u r e o f P a k i s t a n , i t ’ s i n d i g e n o u s , c h e a p , a n d b a s e l o a d , s a y s C O O L i b e r t y P o w e r Z a i n M u k a t y ISLAMABAD M i a n a b r a r Pakistan’s enduring partnership with China epitomized by the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) has been a cornerstone of economic development and regional connectivity However, recent security challenges, notably the tragic suicide attack in Besham targeting Chinese nationals, have underscored the imperative for enhanced security measures In response the Pakistani government in tandem with the military and Chinese counterparts has undertaken concerted efforts to fortify security protocols and ensure the safety of Chinese citizens and projects across the nation GOVERNMENT INITIATIVES: In the wake of the Besham attack the Pakistani government swiftly mobilized resources to bolster security measures for Chinese nationals and assets This encompassed a multifaceted approach, including heightened security deployments, close coordination with Chinese authorities, reinforcement of Special Protection Units, and the deployment of modern surveillance technologies One of the immediate responses by the Pakistani government was the deployment of additional security personnel in areas with a significant Chinese presence This proactive measure aimed to provide a visible deterrence against potential threats and reassure Chinese nationals of their safety while operating in Pakistan Recognizing the importance of international cooperation in combating security challenges Pakistani security agencies intensified coordination with their Chinese counterparts This collaboration involves the exchange of intelligence, joint security assessments, and coordinated response mechanisms to effectively address shared security concerns Reinforcement of Special Protection Units (SPU): To enhance the protection of Chinese workers and projects, the government allocated additional resources to strengthen the capabilities of the Special Protection Units These specialized units receive rigorous training and state-of-the-art equipment to effectively counter security threats and ensure the safety of Chinese nationals operating in Pakistan DEPLOYMENT OF MODERN SURVEILLANCE TECHNOLOGIES: In addition to manpower, the government has invested in modern surveillance technologies such as CCTV cameras and drone surveillance to enhance monitoring and situational awareness in areas frequented by Chinese nationals These technological advancements complement traditional security measures, providing comprehensive coverage and early detection of potential security threats Army s Role in Ensuring Security: The Pakistan Army has played a pivotal role in augmenting security along CPEC routes and vital installations Through the deployment of additional troops, rigorous training programs, and collaborative patrols with Chinese security personnel the military has endeavored to provide a robust security framework conducive to the safe conduct of Chinese projects DEPLOYMENT OF ADDITIONAL TROOPS: In response to heightened security threats the Pakistan Army deployed additional troops along CPEC routes construction sites and other critical infrastructure projects These troops serve as a deterrent against potential attacks and bolster the overall security posture in areas vital to the bilateral partnership between Pakistan and China RIGOROUS TRAINING PROGRAMS: Military units responsible for security along the CPEC route undergo rigorous training programs to equip them with the skills and knowledge necessary to effectively respond to various security challenges Training modules cover a wide range of scenarios including terrorist attacks insurgency and emergency response protocols ensuring that personnel are well-prepared to handle any situation that may arise COLLABORATIVE PATROLS AND INTELLIGENCE SHARING: Collaborative efforts between the Pakistani military and Chinese security personnel involve joint patrols and intelligence sharing along key transportation routes and strategic installations This collaborative approach not only enhances the effectiveness of security operations but also fosters trust and cooperation between the two nations in addressing shared security concerns DEMANDS AND EXPECTATIONS FROM CHINESE WORKING GROUP: The recent incident prompted a concerted response from the Chinese Working Group, which collaborates closely with Pakistani authorities to assess security vulnerabilities and devise tailored solutions Key expectations include regular security updates investment in infrastructure to facilitate connectivity, and a sustained commitment to long-term security cooperation COMPREHENSIVE SECURITY ASSESSMENTS: The Chinese Working Group in collaboration with Pakistani counterparts conducts comprehensive security assessments to identify vulnerabilities and potential threats to Chinese nationals and projects These assessments serve as the basis for developing targeted security measures and ensuring the safety of Chinese personnel operating in Pakistan REGULAR SECURITY UPDATES: Chinese stakeholders expect regular updates on security measures implemented by the Pakistani government and military to ensure transparency and confidence in the safety of their citizens and investments Timely communication of security updates helps alleviate concerns and allows for prompt adjustments to security protocols as needed INVESTMENT IN INFRASTRUCTURE: Apart from security measures, there is a mutual understanding to invest in infrastructure projects that enhance connectivity and facilitate the movement of Chinese nationals and goods across Pakistan Improved infrastructure not only contributes to the economic development of the region but also enhances the security and efficiency of transportation networks vital to the CPEC initiative SUSTAINED COMMITMENT TO LONGTERM SECURITY COOPERATION: Both sides acknowledge the need for a sustained, long-term commitment to security cooperation, recognizing that stability is essential for the successful implementation of bilateral projects and fostering economic development By prioritizing long-term security collaboration Pakistan and China aim to build a resilient security framework capable of addressing evolving security challenges and safeguarding mutual interests The recent security challenges facing Chinese nationals in Pakistan have underscored the need for proactive and collaborative measures to safeguard mutual interests and foster economic prosperity Through concerted efforts by the Pakistani government, military, and Chinese stakeholders, a resilient security framework is being forged, underpinned by coordination training and infrastructure development As Pakistan reaffirms its commitment to ensuring the safety of Chinese citizens and investments the enduring partnership between the two nations is poised to navigate challenges and realize shared aspirations for sustainable development and regional integration S trengthening sec urity measures for C hinese nationals in Pakistan: A collaborative endeavor
Railway Station in the safari train and will be taken to various historical places on the way He said that the train will pass through City Railway Station Nasirpur Pabbi Nowshera Risalpur and Mardan In the future, he said that our effort is to organize various activities for tourists from time to time Train Safari is a link to it he said The participants will also be taken on a tour of various historical places especially the ancient Buddhist monasteries in Takhtbhai he added DG Tourism Authority Barkatullah Marwat is going to organize a one-day guided tour for men, women and children in the tour On Eid-ul-Fitr, youths of tourism police will perform services for the convenience of tourists at tourist spots DG Tourism while commenting on this occasion he maintained He said that During the Peshawar tour the participants will be exposed to the remains of the Buddhist civilization of the first century AD, Tourism Advisor Zahid Chanzeb said He said that before departure, the participants will be welcomed by traditional band tunes at the railway station Zahid Chanzeb said that during the trip the archaeologist and guide will provide valuable information about the history and architecture of Takht Bhai The purpose of the visit is to promote religious tourism in the province, and the participants will be informed about religious, cultural and archaeological sites, heritage and history he added He said that the ruins of Takhtbhai have been declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO Tourism Advisor Zahid Chanzeb said adding that Millions of domestic and foreign tourists, Buddhists, historians and archeologists visit here from all over the world
10 te r ro ri st s n e ut rali s ed i n DI Kh a n , Pa njgu r IBO s
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It said the terrorists were killed during an intense exchange of fire between them and the army personnel Arms ammunition and explosives were also recovered from the terrorists possession
As per the ISPR, the terrorists were engaged in various criminal activities, including attacks on security forces and the deliberate targeting of innocent civilians
Following the operation the military emphasized its determination to eradicate the threat of terrorism from the country Panjgur IBO
Two terrorists were killed in a separate IBO conducted by security forces in Balochistan s Panjgur
district
The killed terrorists were identified as Asad and Hasrat; a cache of arms, ammunition, and explosives
was also recovered from their possession
The ISPR stated that the men were actively involved in numerous terrorist activities against the security forces as well as innocent civilians in the area”
In a statement the military’s media wing maintained Security forces of Pakistan in step with the Nation remain determined to thwart attempts of sabotaging peace, stability and progress of Balochistan
Last week, on March 26, the security forces killed at least four terrorists during another IBO in DI Khan
Saudi-Kuwait 650kmlong railway set to complete by 2028
The military s media wing identified the killed terrorists as Mustafa, Qismatullah, Islam ud Din “The killed terrorists remained actively involved in numerous terrorist activities against security forces and killing of innocent civilians Weapons ammunition and explosives were also recovered from killed terrorists added the military s media wing The same day, the ISPR reported that a soldier of the Frontier Corps Balochistan was
Muzaffargarh serving with FC Balochistan
Besham attack: PM orders immediate ac tion against five officials for ‘negligence of duty ’
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that
that the quick action was
would
will enter into Pak istan and k ill terrorists who escape there: Indian Defence Minister
CONTIUED FROM PAGE 01 “If any terrorist from a neighbouring country tries to disturb India or carry out terrorist activities here he will be given a fitting reply If he escapes to Pakistan we will go to Pakistan and kill him there, Singh said in an interview to Indian TV news network News18 on Friday Singh’s remarks followed The Guardian’s investigative report published on Thursday which said at least 20 individuals had been murdered in Pakistan since 2020 at the behest of Indian intelligence operatives The report said it had seen evidence provided by Pakistani security agencies, and noted that Indian officers confirmed the new policy of assassinating enemies and dissidents on foreign soil India s Ministry of External Affairs had denied the allegations In a statement issued here Foreign Office Spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra Baloch said Pakistan officially condemned what it described as “provocative remarks” made by the Indian defence minister The FO explained that in the foreign secretary s presser on Jan 25 Pakistan had provided irrefutable evidence of India s involvement in extrajudicial killings and transnational assassinations on Pakistani soil “India’s assertion of its preparedness to extra-judiciously execute more civilians arbitrarily pronounced as terrorists , inside Pakistan constitutes a clear admission of culpability,” the FO said “It is imperative for the international community to hold India accountable for its heinous and illegal actions Singh s comments are the first time that India has acknowledged any assassinations by its operatives on foreign soil The Guardian reported in a follow-up story published on Friday In October 2023, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau had cited what he said was credible evidence of a potential link between Indian agents and the murder of a Sikh separatist leader The following month the US Department of Justice had said an Indian government official directed an unsuccessful plot to assassinate a Sikh separatist on US soil On January 25, Foreign Secretary Syrus Sajjad Qazi had said in a press conference that there was credible evidence of links between Indian agents and the assassination of two Pakistani nationals in Sialkot and Rawalakot The FO Spokesperson said Pakistan stands resolute in its intent and ability to safeguard its sovereignty against any act of aggression, as demonstrated by its robust response to India’s reckless incursion in February 2019 which laid bare India s hollow claims of military superiority The FO said that India s ruling dispensation habitually resort to hateful rhetoric to fuel hyper-nationalistic sentiments, unapologetically exploiting such discourse for electoral gains”, stressing that such “myopic and irresponsible behaviour” not only undermined regional peace but also impeded the prospects of constructive engagement in the long term India s general elections are taking place this month, beginning April 19 and ending May 1 “Pakistan has always demonstrated its commitment to peace in the region However our desire for peace should not be misconstrued History attests to Pakistan s firm resolve and ability to protect and defend itself, it concluded O n the other hand, s peaking at a pres s c o n f e r e n c e i n L a h o r e o n S a t u r d a y, I n f o r m a t i o n M i n i s t e r A t t a u l l a h Ta r a r s a i d that the international community should take notice of the extrajudicial killings by India in various countries Pakistan is fully alert and capable of defending itself but we want peace in the region, he said, adding that the d e s i r e f o r p e a c e s h o u l d n o t b e t a k e n f o r weakness A day ago, the FO had said that the Indian network of extrajudicial and extraterritorial killings was a “global phenomenon that required a coordinated international response LAHORE s ta f f r e p o r t C H I E F M i n i s t e r P u n j a b M a r y a m N a w a z p r e s i d e d over the review meeting of s c h o o l e d u c a t i o n r e f o r m s C M s a i d t h a t d e l a y i n t e x t b o o k d e l i v e r y i s n o t a c c e p t a b l e d u r i n g t h e b r i e f i n g e d u c a t i o n a l authorities told the Chief Minister that 41% of textbooks have been supplied, the rest of the books delivery will be completed by May and next academic y e a r t e x t b o o k s w i l l b e p r o v i d e d i n February Consideration of introducing a new mechanism for the deployment of CEO education in every district, after the test, interview, computer education exam, selection and training will take place uidelines for the implementation of a comprehensive procedure for the selection of CEO DEOs and DDEOs were also been given In the meeting, Maryam Nawaz also said that the educational facilities should be provided to special children in government schools in every district and one school is dedicated to the education of special children On divisional level, schools for transgender will also establish During the meeting, proposals are reviewed regarding the Punjab School Inspectorate to form a Standardized Matriculation Examination Board Proposal to run all the matters of school education through a central body The proposed authority will work on Punjab education teacher and curriculum development School development teacher training curriculum development, testing and assessment and on learning outcomes During the meeting, it was agreed to hold a school hockey league in Punjab and Pakistan’s biggest “School Olympics A new storybook on environmental pollution and climate change was also presented to the Chief Minister a 03 News s nday 7 April 2024 | LAHORe CM PUNJAB PRESIDES EDUCATION REFORMS REVIEW MEETING KP gov t to run Takht Bhai Safari Train on Eidul Fitr PESHAWAR s ta f f C o r r e s p o n D e n t Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Culture and Tourism Authority (CTA) has decided to run Takht Bhai Train Safari on Eid-ul-Fitr and the aim of the train safari is to provide national and international awareness about the archaeological and religious tourism in the province, said the Tourism Advisor Zahid Chanzeb while talking to media men here on Saturday The participants will be taken on a tour of UNESCO World Heritage Sites Zahid Chanzeb informed Secretary Tourism, Culture and Archeology Muhammad Bakhtiar, Director General Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Culture and Tourism Authority Barkatullah Marwat, and other senior officers were also present on the occasion On the happy occasion of Eid-ul-Fitr under the auspices of the Culture and Tourism Authority a train safari is being run for the second time from Peshawar to Takht Bhai, the historical archeological site of the province, on Saturday, April 13, he said He said that females will be taken from Peshawar Sadar
martyred and four terrorists were killed as security forces repulsed an attack on a naval base in Turbat The military s media wing said terrorists attempted to attack PNS Siddique in Turbat on the night of March 26 The attempt was foiled due to the “swift and effective response by the troops ensuring the safety and security of personnel and assets” The Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) the most prominent of several separatist groups in Balochistan, claimed responsibility for the assault in a statement The martyred soldier was identified as 24-year-old Sepoy Noman Fareed from
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r t h e r s a i d t h a t P r i m e M i n i s t e r S h e h b a z S h a r i f w a s p e r s o n a l l y s u p e r v i s i n g s e c u r i t y m a t t e r s p e r t a i n i n g t o C h i n e s e p r o j e c t s a n d t h e C h i n e s e a n d a n e ff e c t i v e s y s t e m w a s b e i n g e v o l v e d i n t h i s r e g a r d T h e i n f o r m a t i o n m i n i s t e r s a i d We p a y h o m a g e t o a l l t h o s e w h o sacrificed their lives in war against terrorism H e s a i d t h a t t h e P a k a r m e d forces and law enforcement agencies o f t h e c o u n t r y w e r e d e t e r m i n e d t o r o o t o u t t e r r o r i s m a n d w o u l d n o t allow anybody to harm the country s peace Regarding a Guardian report on e x t r a j u d i c i a l k i l l i n g s b y I n d i a i n d i ff e r e n t c o u n t r i e s , A t t a u l l a h Ta r a r s a i d t h a t t o d a y t h e F o r e i g n O ff i c e had also issued a statement in which n o t o n l y r e j e c t e d t h e s t a t e m e n t o f t h e I n d i a n d e f e n c e m i n i s t e r b u t c o n d e m n e d i t A t t a u l l a h Ta r a r s a i d t h a t t h e i n t e r n a t i o n a l c o m m u n i t y s h o u l d a l s o t a k e n o t i c e o f t h e extrajudicial killings H e s a i d , “ P a k i s t a n i s f u l l y a l e r t a n d c a p a b l e o f d e f e n d i n g i t s e l f b u t w e w a n t p e a c e i n t h e r e g i o n H e s a i d y e s t e r d a y h e h a d v i s i t e d K a r a c h i a n d m e t j o u r n a l i s t o r g a n i z a t i o n s i n c l u d i n g P B A , A P N S , C P N E a n d p r o b l e m s f a c i n g t h e m e d i a i n d u s t r y w e r e a l s o d i s c u s s e d P r o b l e m s o f j o u r n a l i s t s a n d m e d i a w o r k e r s h a d b e e n h i g h l i g h t e d a n d p e n d i n g d u e s o f m e d i a w o r k e r s a n d r e p o r t e r s w o u l d b e p a i d p r i o r t o E i d - u l - F i t r h e a d d e d The information minister said an a l l - o u t e ff o r t w o u l d b e m a d e t o ensure payment of pending dues in t h e n e x t t w o d a y s a s p e r t h e direction of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif adding that all approvals in this regard had been completed H e f u r t h e r s a i d , To d a y w e w o u l d l e a v e f o r a v i s i t t o S a u d i a A r a b i a a l o n g w i t h P r i m e M i n i s t e r S h e h b a z S h a r i f T h e d e l e g a t i o n v i s i t i n g S a u d i A r a b i a c o n s i s t e d o f t h e f a m i l y m e m b e r s o f t h e p r i m e r b e s i d e s m e m b e r s o f t h e c a b i n e t T h e d e l e g a t i o n w o u l d l e a v e f o r S a u d i A r a b i a o n a c o m m e r c i a l f l i g h t a n d a l l m e m b e r s o f t h e d e l e g a t i o n w o u l d b e a r t h e i r e x p e n s e s a n d n o b u r d e n w o u l d b e p u t o n t h e g o v e r n m e n t k i t t y A t t a u l l a h Ta r a r s a i d t h a t t h e d e l e g a t i o n b e s i d e s h i m i n c l u d e d F i n a n c e M i n i s t e r M u h a m m a d Aurangzeb Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar Minister for Economic Affairs Ahad Khan Cheema H e h o p e d t h a t p o s i t i v e n e w s r e l a t e d t o t h i s v i s i t w o u l d c o m e , a d d i n g t h a t b e s i d e s p e r f o r m i n g Umrah special meetings were also expected Ta r a r s a i d b e i n g I n f o r m a t i o n Minister he would keep the Pakistan m e d i a u p d a t e d a b o u t t h e developments taking place there
He said
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DUBAI s ta f f r e p o r t The 650km-long railway network connecting Saudi Arabia to Kuwait is estimated to be completed by 2028 The network will shorten travel time to two hours The railway will start from Al Shaddadiya in Kuwait and pass through Riyadh city, according to officials at the ministry of public works The project will consist of three phases; the first phase is studying the project and analysing the route which will take approximately three months Procedures and approvals for the first phase are almost done, as reported by the officials The second is the design phase and it has been given a one-year time frame The third is the execution of the project, which will take three years The distance between Kuwait city and Riyadh is estimated at 650 km and studies show that once the project becomes operational in 2028 the travel time between the two cities will be down to two hours, they added NAB launches probe into wheat theft in Sindh KARACHI s ta f f r e p o r t The National Accountability Bureau (NAB) on Friday has launched an investigation into wheat theft worth billions of rupees in Sindh The NAB instructed the Deputy Director of Food Department Karachi for the details of five years worth of wheat from Garhi Khairo in Malir s godown In a letter, the NAB authorities instructed the concerned officials to provide a detailed record of wheat which was brought to the Malir warehouse from 2015 to 2020 Text of the letter says that the NAB is investigating Nader Ali Magsi in-charge of Garhi Khairo wheat procurement center and other staff ordering to provide details by tomorrow It was the policy of the Food Department not to post staff at any procurement center who had charges of corruption Indian Defense M inister ’s provocative statement clear admission of culpability: FO INDIA n e w s D e s k India’s Defence Minister Rajnath Singh told broadcaster CNN News18 on Friday that India would enter Pakistan to eliminate anyone who escapes across the border after attempting terrorist activities in India Singh s statement followed a report in Britain’s Guardian newspaper claiming that the Indian government had killed approximately 20 individuals in Pakistan since 2020 as part of a broader strategy to eradicate terrorists residing abroad India s foreign ministry did not comment on the report when approached by Reuters while Pakistan s foreign ministry declined to provide a response, maintaining that Pakistan does not harbor militants In response to the report Singh stated “If they flee to Pakistan we will pursue them into Pakistan and eliminate them He also emphasized India s desire for good relations with neighboring countries but stressed that India would not tolerate repeated provocations or attempts to promote terrorist activities Tensions between India and Pakistan escalated after a 2019 suicide bombing in Kashmir attributed to Pakistan-based militants led India to conduct an airstrike on what it claimed was a militant base in Pakistan Earlier this year, Pakistan alleged credible evidence linking Indian agents to the killing of two Pakistani citizens on its soil, which India dismissed as false propaganda The Guardian s report comes amid accusations from Canada and the U S regarding India s involvement in killings abroad Canada reported pursuing credible allegations linking India to the death of a Sikh separatist leader in June, while the U S claimed to have thwarted an Indian plot to kill a Sikh separatist leader in November
Dar-Blinken phone call
That US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken telephoned his Pakistani counterpart Ishaq Dar in a follow-up to the letter of congratulation on assuming office sent by US President Joe Biden, to Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif The letter showed that there was an improvement in US-Pakistan relations, and may have supported the PTI s narrative that the USA was upset at party chief Imran Khan, whom Mr Biden never spoke to after taking office Mr Khan’s claim that the USA toppled his government also did not help Mr Sharif in his first term had tried to improve relations, as had the caretaker government The relationship is an important one for Pakistan as the US engagement with Afghanistan, both when it was occupied by the USSR and when it was itself the occupier, has been replaced with the USA’s jostling with China, Pakistan’s most dependable regional friend For the first time since Pakistan s coming into existence, Pakistan is finding itself opposed to the USA
Perhaps nothing better shows this than the USA’s growing closer to India and its ongoing attempt to prop it up as a counterweight to China Because of this closeness to the USA, India is trying to use the USA into forcing Pakistan to accept its regional hegemony This in turn means allowing India to force Pakistan to accept its solutions to regional problems The USA and Pakistan are on opposite sides in the Gaza conflict, with Israel enjoying total US support and Palestinians enjoying much sympathy among Pakistanis Among the bilateral issues discussed were trade and investment, climate change, agriculture and security Pakistan needs to be cautious moving forward The USA is definitely Pakistan s most important relationship, but that should not mean that Pakistan should ignore its own national interests At the same time Pakistan must keep in mind that President Biden is facing a tough re-election contest in November, and thus the Shehbaz government does not have a pressing need to be too friendly to the Biden Administration The area of agreement with the USA is shrinking: China, Gaza and the Ukraine: the Shehbaz government is as opposed to the USA as the PTI ever was Still Pakistan has played a facilitating role half a century ago and it should remain ready to play it once again The two Foreign Ministers covered bilateral relations, but left out the elephant in the room
Every industry regardless of lifespan needs to constantly update its product lineup and design This is required because of the constant advancement and change in technology, competition from competitors, and daily shifts in consumer preferences, all of which would be impossible without an R&D department
The development and use of new technology will be the primary drivers of economic advancement in any country in the future Because it is one area of spending that creates and propels these new technologies research and development is crucial By offering creative and technical answers
for raising competitiveness, productivity, and creativity As, regardless of extent, research has always been a crucial component of any institution It is not limited to the scientific or medical domains alone A lot of companies in sectors like pharmaceuticals have a fully functional R&D department with quality control to guarantee product quality and the creation of new goods and technologies The value of R&D is seen in a variety of disciplines including engineering education industry organizations and agriculture
Among the elements that are directly linked to the successful economic growth of the developing countries of the 21st century the significance of R&D is becoming increasingly clear on a daily basis R&D have a commercial role in any wellmanaged organization It improves operational procedures produces better and more inventive prototypes and products and assists other researchers with expertise
t e n t
b o u r f o r c e , a n d w e m u s t a l l w o r k t o g e t h e r O u
e s e a r c h i n s t i t u t e s , u n i v e r s i t i e s a n d i n d u s t r i e s i n P a k i s t a n c a n o n l y a c h i e v e s u s t a i n a b l e g r o w t h , t e c h n o l o g i c a l a d v a n c e m e n t , a n d i n t e r n a t i o n a l r e c o g n i t i o n i f w e m a k e t h e s e d e d i c a t e d e f f o r t s
A P a t h t o E n e r g y E f f i c i e n c y i n P a k i s t a n
T h e r m a l I n s u l a t i o n a n d S o l a r Pa n e l s
04 Sunday 7 Apri 2024
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
COMMENT
M A Niazi
Pakistan Today Babar Nizami Editor Profit Dedicated to the legac y of late Hameed Nizami Arif Nizami (Late) Founding Editor Insufficient gas THE residents of F Block of New Katariyan in Rawalpindi are facing immense difficulty in Ramazan due to severe natural gas shortage, which makes cooking a meal an almost impossible task The shortage of gas is also affecting small businesses in the area The residents need steady supply of gas Can those at the helm of affairs do something about this to give relief to the residents? HAFIZA RABAIL AMJAD RAWALPINDI A teacher lost THE law and order situation in Kashmore has gone from bad to worse in recent times A little while ago a video of a primary teacher carrying a gun on duty for his personal safety had gone viral, indicating the dangerous circumstances local teachers face The teacher had received life threats, but he cared more about the future of children On March 18, he was killed by dacoits while he was returning home from school Unfortunately this is not the first incident where teachers have been subjected to violence The lawenforcement agencies funded by people s taxes are merely there for appearances Practically they are good for nothing They are really not AYAZ BAJKANI JACOBABAD Educational woes Access to education has been a longstanding issue in Balochistan There are only four government medical colleges in the province, and many areas do not have any university People from rural areas often have to migrate to cities in search of better educational opportunities Regions, like Kharan, Barkhan, Dhadar and Sibi, do not have colleges for girls Those living in rural areas often face financial struggles and rely on hostels Even in Quetta the provincial capital there is a shortage of qualified teachers The new government in office must address the crisis by establishing schools and colleges in rural areas and hiring qualified teachers ALIZA BUGTI QUETTA Future at stake STUDENTS having exceptional intelligence and courage to ask difficult questions in classrooms are often victimised by teachers Such arrogant teachers threaten the students with consequences for challenging the ideas regurgitated by the teachers Fabricated cases are made against such students School administrations also act on the side of the teachers especially if the latter happen to have some links with the powerful Sadly nobody has ever raised a voice for rights of the students and the genuine grievances that they have The typical mantra of teacher is always at right needs to be consigned to the dustbin ASIM ARIF SHEIKHUPURA Encroachments in Karachi ENCROACHMENTS in Karachi are on the rise once again Pavements across the city have been taken over by cart-wheelers and vendors The area around Cantonment Railway Station is one of the worst affected Even the main road has been encroached upon heavily making it difficult for the vehicles to move around The eateries and hotels in the area apparently enjoy some kind of immunity as the area police force is reluctant to take any action against these encroachments The relevant department should launch a cleanup operation in the area to set it free from the clutches of the encroachers MUMRAIZ KHAN KARACHI E d i t o r ’ s m a i l Send your letters to: Letters to Editor Pakistan Today 4-Shaarey Fatima Jinnah Lahore Pakistan E-mail: letters@pakistantoday com pk Letters should be addressed to Pakistan Today exclusively P AKISTAN is facing the challenge of meeting its growing energy demands while striving for sustainability and cost-effectiveness Adopting thermal insulation and solar panels emerges as a formidable solution These technologies not only reduce energy consumption but also offer long-term benefits to both the environment and economy It is time for Pakistanis to adopt thermal insulation boards, solar panels, and to identify their combined impact on energy conservation in Pakistan Thermal insulation plays a pivotal role in minimizing heat transfer between a building s interior and exterior By installing high-quality insulation materials such as foam boards, fiberglass, or mineral wool, buildings can significantly reduce their reliance on heating and cooling systems In a country like Pakistan where extreme temperatures are common throughout the year effective thermal insulation becomes indispensable Buildings insulated with these materials can maintain comfortable indoor temperatures regardless of external weather conditions, leading to reduced energy consumption and lower electricity bills Thermal insulation not only conserves ene rg y b u t a l s o e n h a n c e s t h e d u r a b i l i t y a n d lifespan of buildings By minimizing temperature fluctuations, insulation protects structural elements from expansion, contraction, and moisture damage, thus reducing mainten a n c e c o s t s a n d p r o l o n g i n g t h e b u i l d i n g ' s longevity In parallel to thermal insulation solar panels offer a sustainable solution to Pakistan s energy needs With abundant sunlight available throughout the year, solar energy presents an untapped resource that can be harnessed to power homes, businesses, and industries Solar panels composed of photovoltaic cells convert sunlight into electricity providing a renewable and environmentally friendly alternative to traditional fossil fuels The integration of solar panels into Pakistan s energy infrastructure holds immense potential for reducing dependence on non-renewable resources and mitigating the impact of power shortages By generating electricity from sunlight solar panels contribute to a cleaner and greener environment while offering long-term cost savings to consumers When thermal insulation and solar panels are used in conjunction their benefits are amplified, creating a synergistic effect that maximizes energy efficiency Insulated buildings require less energy for heating and cooling, reducing the size and capacity requirements of solar power systems This not only lowers upfront installation costs but also increases the overall effectiveness of solar energy utilization By reducing the energy demand of buildings, thermal insulation enables solar panels to meet a larger portion of the remaining energy needs Excess energy generated by solar panels can be stored in batteries or fed back into the grid further enhancing the resilience and sustainability of Pakistan s energy infrastructure The adoption of thermal insulation and solar panels presents numerous benefits for Pakistanis across various sectors: 1 Cost Savings: Reduced energy consumption translates into lower electricity bills for homeowners businesses and industries freeing up resources for other essential expenses 2 Environmental Sustainability: By decreasing reliance on fossil fuels, thermal insulation and solar panels contribute to reducing greenhouse gas emissions and combating climate change, thus safeguarding the environment for future generations 3 Energy Independence: Harnessing solar energy promotes energy independence by diversifying Pakistan s energy sources and reducing dependence on imported fuels 4 Job Creation and Economic Growth: The expansion of the renewable energy sector stimulates economic growth by creating job opportunities in manufacturing installation and maintenance of thermal insulation and solar panels The widespread adoption in commercial and industrial sectors of thermal insulation and solar panels should also be embraced in residential areas across Pakistan The benefits of these technologies extend beyond large-scale applications offering tangible advantages to individual homeowners By insulating residential buildings occupants can enjoy enhanced comfort, lower energy bills, and increased property value Similarly, installing solar panels on rooftops empowers homeowners to generate their own clean energy, reducing their reliance on the national grid and shielding them from escalating electricity costs Moreover the widespread adoption of thermal insulation and solar panels at the residential level contributes to a collective effort towards environmental sustainability, while also fostering a sense of energy independence among communities Thus, encouraging their utilization in residential areas is essential for maximizing their societal impact and ensuring a sustainable future for all Pakistanis The adoption of thermal insulation and solar panels offers a promising pathway to address Pakistan's energy crisis while fostering sustainability and economic growth By investing in these technologies, Pakistan can harness its abundant solar resources and optimize energy efficiency in buildings thereby improving the quality of life for its citizens and paving the way towards a cleaner and brighter future It is imperative for policymakers, businesses, and individuals to prioritize the implementation of these solutions to unlock their full potential and realize a more sustainable energy landscape in Pakistan The wirter is a freelance columnist TAnzeeL KHAnzAdA T h e a d o p t i o n o f t h e r m a l i n s u l a t i o n a n d s o l a r p a n e l s o f f e r s a p r o m i s i n g p a t h w a y t o a d d r e s s P a k i s t a n ' s e n e r g y c r i s i s w h i l e f o s t e r i n g s u s t a i n a b i l i t y a n d e c o n o m i c g r o w t h . B y i n v e s t i n g i n t h e s e t e c h n o l o g i e s , P a k i s t a n c a n h a r n e s s i t s a b u n d a n t s o l a r r e s o u r c e s a n d o p t i m i z e e n e r g y e f f i c i e n c y i n b u i l d i n g s , t h e r e b y i m p r o v i n g t h e q u a l i t y o f l i f e f o r i t s c i t i z e n s a n d p a v i n g t h e w a y t o w a r d s a c l e a n e r a n d b r i g h t e r f u t u r e I t i s i m p e r a t i v e f o r p o l i c y m a k e r s , b u s i n e s s e s , a n d i n d i v i d u a l s t o p r i o r i t i z e t h e i m p l e m e n t a t i o n o f t h e s e s o l u t i o n s t o u n l o c k t h e i r f u l l p o t e n t i a l a n d r e a l i z e a m o r e s u s t a i n a b l e e n e r g y l a n d s c a p e i n P a k i s t a n F OR many organizations, the most important component is Research and Development or R&D R&D is a key factor in the fast-paced global economy of today as it fosters the emergence of novel products cutting-edge technology, and ground-breaking techniques In addition to improving university teaching, research supports government agencies, affiliated institutions and organizations at the administrative legislative and even judicial level R&D is widely acknowledged as a key force behind global social and economic advancement It has the potential to be an effective tool
Editor
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e
t p r o b l e m s e n c o u n t e r e d i n d a i l y l i f e , R & D contributes to raising people's standards of living S t a t e p o l i c y m a k e r s f i n d R & D t o b e a d e s i r a b l e a r e a f o r p o l i c y a c t i o n s i n c e i t c o n t r i b u t e s t o t h e e x a m i n a t i o n o f t e c h n o l o g i c a l a d v a n c e m e n t s a n d creative ideas that promote economic growth and development R&D capability can be improved through coll a b o r a t i o n b e t w e e n a c a d e m i a a n d i n d u s t r y, w h i c h e n a b l e s s c h o l a r s a n d r e s e a r c h i n s t i t u t e s t o e xc h a n g e i d e a s b o t h d o m e s t i c a l l y a n d i n t e r n a t i o na l l y E s t a b l i s h i n g a r o b u s t R & D c u l t u r e a n d facilitating information exchange via efficient coo p e r a t i o n a r e e s s e n t i a l f o r P a k i s t a n s e c o n o m i c p r o g r e s s Pakistan's R&D efforts are hindered by the absence of infrastructure and a dearth of appropriate, efficient training institutions focused on research Despite the fact that our institutions established the availability of sufficient human capital over many years through foreign grants the limited number of research centres is unable to accommodate newcomers because of space and resource limitations This reluctance prevents firms from adopting new technologies improving internal processes and innovating all essential elements of sustained success The country's manufacturing, innovation, and technical advancement sectors are all affected by this resistance An innovative approach to investing in and promoting research and development is impeded by the increasing reliance of established research institutions and associations on technologies and research ideas that have been borrowed It is also commonly disregarded to involve newly certified academicians and researchers in the creation of an appropriate R&D system As a result human capital could not be used for R&D projects or for establishing connections between academic research centres and industry across all sectors Undoubtedly, Pakistan deserves recognition for the significant surge in research publications; yet, much work remains, particularly in fostering collaborative research This is the only way to guarantee industry-research cooperation to leverage new and creative ideas It is more important than ever to invest in R&D and hire qualified workers Organizations cannot afford to fall behind as technology develops at an unprecedented rate and global marketplaces change In strategic planning, the relationship between R&D expenditure innovation and operational efficiency must be given priority Organizations might be strongly encouraged to invest in R&D by the government Giving tax advantages to enterprises who invest in R&D is one method to achieve this Via the Export Development Fund, the government may also promote financing for R&D initiatives The government may also foster innovation by reorienting the country's skill development initiatives to better suit the private sector s need for skilled workers and bolstering intellectual property rights In this regard, the country must review its commercial policies To ensure long-term economic growth and sustainable development, investments in research and development (R&D) will strengthen the ability to generate disseminate adopt and adapt knowledge An increase in productivity through innovation fosters economic expansion better-paying jobs are created, poverty is reduced over time, and living standards are raised overall Government departments, corporations, academic institutions, nonprofit corporations and research institutes all contribute to the creation and dissemination of knowledge To encourage investments in R&D all must foster an innovative culture, and produce a competent labour force, and we must all work together Our research institutes, universities and industries in Pakistan can only achieve sustainable growth, technological advancement and international recognition if we make these dedicated efforts The writer can be reached at yaqoobalibaloch4@gmail com The significance of R&D
R & D i s m u c h m o r e t h a n j u s t u n i v e r s i t i e s T o e n c o u r a g e i n v e s t m e n t s i n R & D , a l l m u s t f o s t e r a n i n n o v a t i v e c u l t u r e , a n d
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YAQOOB ALI BALOCH
ing individuals in their respective states with complete control over their personal data and also mandates organizations operating within the states to obtain consent from customers regarding personal data
In addition to data privacy regulations, cyber law encompasses measures aimed at strengthening cybersecurity defenses and combating cyber threats With cyberattacks on the rise and the potential for devastating consequences governments worldwide have prioritized cybersecurity as a matter of national security and theIR economic stability dEVELOPED countries are also concerned about cybersecurity and legislating to deal with it, such as China’s Cybersecurity Law in China and the USA’s Cybersecurity Information Sharing Act which exemplify efforts to enhance cybersecurity infrastructure and promote information sharing among stakeholders
Enacted In 2017, China s Cybersecurity Law imposes obligations on network operators to implement measures to safeguard cyberspace security and mitigate cyberattacks
vention of Electronic Crimes Act, 2016 (PECA) pertains to cybercrimes and electronic offenses Additionally the Pakistan Electronic Transactions Ordinance 2002 provides legal recognition to electronic transactions and intellectual property laws that protect creators rights in the digital domain The government has also launched cybersecurity initiatives like the National Response Centre for Cyber Crime (NR3C) within the Federal Investigation Agency and the National Cyber Security Policy aimed at strengthening cybersecurity capabilities across sectors
Then there is India's primary legislation, the Information Technology Act, 2000, governing cyber activities, including
processing transfer and storage Furthermore, it imposes substantial fines and penalties on organizations caught violating its provisions, emphasizing the significance of compliance with data privacy regulations
Similarly the 2020 CCPA empowers California residents with greater authority to control their personal data while imposing new obligations on businesses in the state Among its key provisions, the CCPA grants consumers the right to know what personal information is being gathered about them the right to opt out of the sale of their data and the right to request the removal of their data from businesses databases and records These laws underscore their strict focus on human rights, empower-
Similarly in 2015 CISA facilitated the sharing of cybersecurity threat information between governmental and private sector entities enabling a more coordinated response to cyber threats This demonstrates cyberspace is expansive and cyber threats severe, prompting even the most advanced nations to enact laws to mitigate them It also reflects their deep concern for their citizens rights even though cyberspace has played a pivotal role in their national growth and success Developing countries are also concerned about cyber threats and are also focusing on them further, so now let’s delve into the efforts made by governments such as Pakistan’s to govern cyber law and data protection The Pre-
Cyber law and data protection constitute the bedrock of the digital ecosystem, shaping the way we interact, think, transact, and innovate in the digital age. As technology continues to evolve and new challenges arise, a proactive and collaborative approach to cyber law and data protection will be essential in safeguarding our digital future
preventing unauthorized copying, distribution, and adaptation Patents provide inventors exclusive rights to their inventions, incentivizing investment in research and development Meanwhile trademarks protect brands and distinguish them from competitors fostering consumer trust and brand loyalty Copyrights ensure creators retain control over their original works, trademarks protect brands from imitation and fraud, while patents incentivize inventors by granting exclusive rights to their creations ensuring a fair and equitable environment for innovation and commerce Despite significant advancements in cyber law and data protection, new challenges continue to emerge, like the proliferation of Internet of Things (IoT) devices, the emergence of artificial intelligence (AI) and the rapid increase in sophistication of cyber threats The interconnected nature of IoT devices poses unique cybersecurity risks as each device represents every possible entry point for cyberattackers Moreover, AI technologies introduce ethical and legal dilemmas regarding data privacy, algorithmic bias and accountability
Cross-border data flows further complicate the regulatory landscape raising questions about jurisdiction and data sovereignty The lack of international consensus on data protection standards poses challenges for multinational corporations operating in diverse regulatory environments Recently, on 26 March 2024 a very significant incident unfolded globally with the USA Britain and New Zealand accusing Beijing-backed cyber groups of being behind a string of attacks against lawmakers and essential democratic institutions, with these allegations rebutted by China Concerns about cyber security evolve over time To protect the rights of people and to maintain peace in the state he courts always interfered as in some landmark cases In 2018, in the Facebook-Cambridge Analytica Data Scandal it was revealed that the Cambridge Analytica, a political consulting firm, collected personal data from millions of Facebook users without their consent which raised significant concerns regarding data privacy and prompted investigations by regulatory authorities across multiple countries As a result Facebook and Cambridge
of its intentions toward normalization perhaps being aware of Saudi public opposition to a relationship with Israel
THE scenes of Gaza s genocide will shape generations to come, and Joe Biden has ensured that current and future generations will blame the U S for this war as much as they will blame Israel The U S government openly admits helping the Israeli government in executing its genocidal war The U S will continue in its unconditional support for Israeli genocide, and the Biden administration has been a full partner while frequently feigning concern for the humanitarian situation in Gaza as if Palestinians are dying from a devastating plague Arab political anger is building up, and the scenes of the destruction of Gaza will spawn new militant organizations and political parties Cries for revenge are heard in all Arab demonstrations and someone will seize the moment and likely express rage at U S interests State Department officials are sharing those concerns in internal memos but Biden and Blinken are focused on the need to resume Saudi-Israeli normalization talks Gaza will certainly remain in Western news long after this war of genocide is ended It is too early to predict the exact consequences and the repercussions of American support for what is being called the second Nakbah What Arabs are watching on their TV screens is quite different from the little that is filtered through U S TV news and the mainstream media BIDEN PERSISTS DESPITE NO POPULAR SUPPORT Evidently Americans have seen enough
Thousands of Palestinians and other Arabs will be planning violent acts of revenge over Gaza How far will Arab governments go in shielding U S and Israeli interests from their angry populations?
however A new Gallup poll reveals that a majority of Americans disapprove of the Israeli war in Gaza, even though Gallup’s phrasing of the question characterized genocide as a mere Israeli military action bestowing a moral legitimacy on one of the worst war crimes in decades
The poll also shows that the majority of Democrats and Independents are turning against Israel in the conflict in the Middle East; only staunch Republican support for Israel (often presented in biblical millenarian terms) saves Israel from total collapse in U S public standing Yet Biden and the Democratic Party leadership continue to offer full support for Israel regardless of deceptive leaks (about Biden-Netanyahu rifts) that are intended to assuage Arab and Muslim public opinion in the U S and in the Middle East
UNLIKE THE PAST
The U S has suffered through various crises in its relationship with the Arab and Muslim worlds over the decades America has been at war (with much of the developing world) since the end of WWII and has often deployed troops changed governments toppled elected leaders imposed despots and incited disturbances and seditions in various parts of the region
The U S will continue to push, but the price of Saudi acceptance will be higher (in terms of security arrangements import of advanced U S arms and military technology and even a nuclear reactor inside the kingdom)
The U S enjoys several strategic advantages there: the Libyan and Iraqi states and societies were largely decimated by U S wars and military intervention, while Syria was destroyed and fragmented thanks to U S and Gulf intervention
But the Arab League since at least 2003 has come under the direct control of U S State Department officials A U S official now dutifully attends sessions of the Arab League Qatar, and then Saudi Arabia, alternated in controlling the Arab League agenda on behalf of the U S government
Yet today s developments in the region (with the war in Gaza and Lebanon) can t be compared to the past
This calamity is destined to shape generations, and it is certain that thousands of Palestinians and other Arabs will be planning violent acts of revenge
To be sure the region is dominated by governments that are friendly to the U S but even they are having difficulty controlling their angry populations How far will Arab governments go in shielding U S and Israeli interests from their angry people?
REGIONAL PROTESTS
Public reactions in the Arab world have not been properly covered in the Western press It s true that massive demonstrations
The Nakbah did not immediately affect U S standing in the region because the U S was not perceived to be the major player in a region historically dominated and colonized by European powers But rising anger against the British role in the creation of Israel had severe consequences and by 1956 (with the tripartite invasion of Egypt on behalf of French-British economic interests and Israeli political aims), Britain was unceremoniously expelled from the Middle East Antipathy against Britain was so prevalent that British correspondents had to distance themselves from the policies of their government before they could enter into conversation with people on the street The U S took over the region officially after Suez in 1956 The U S proved to be a qualified successor to racist European colonizers Washington became quite adamant that it would not pay a price for its wars and policies in the region, however The rising role of the AIPAC (and its research arm the Washington Institute for Near East Policy (WINEP) was predicated on the assumption that no matter how closely the U S aligns itself with Israeli occupation and aggression it would never lose economic and political power in the region
for Palestine have been larger in many Western countries than in some Arab countries But massive protests are held weekly in Yemen (in various cities) and Iran Pakistan and Turkey have also had several massive protests Lebanon has been fully engaged in the war against Israel since Oct 7 and Hizbullah while clearly avoiding a larger war is consistently proving that resistance fronts are fully united ” Armed groups in Iraq have also shown support while other countries have to contend with repressive regimes in planning public expressions of anger; even in the West Bank the C I A -sponsored security forces act just like all other Arab regimes in quelling manifestations of public solidarity with the resistance in Gaza, Lebanon and Yemen The standing of Yemen in the Arab world has risen sharply due to the daring military stance of the ruling Ansar Al-Allah ( Houthi ) government despite U S and British raids inside the improvised country
The Houthis will no longer be portrayed (as has been the habit of Saudi, UAE and Qatari media) as mere tools of Iran
The Houthis are now in the forefront of Arab nationalist assertion of identity through solidarity with Gaza Hizbullah on the other hand still faces high expectations from those in the region who want the Lebanese group to open an all-out war against Israel
SO-CALLED ABRAHAM ACCORDS ON ICE
Even the friendliest Arab regimes to the U S have had to react by suspending the Abraham Accords In the Trump and Biden administrations, the lynchpin (or the only element) of U S policy toward the Arab-Israeli conflict has been the encouragement and promotion of normalization between pro-U S depots and Israel
Putting it on hold at least for a time the Saudi regime has contradicted U S accounts
The Saudi regime will also extract bigger concessions from Israel; previously, the Saudi defacto ruler, Mohammed bin Salman, spoke only of “easing the life of Palestinians”
CONTAINING THE RAGE
Arab public anger will likely not be reflected uniformly across the region Public dissatisfaction with the Egyptian ruler over economic hardships has increased due to his regime s cooperation with Israel in the siege and strangulation of Gaza In Jordan, the government was forced to take a tougher public stance against the Israeli war to absorb public outrage over Gaza (two thirds of the population of Jordan are originally Palestinian refugees) The protests outside the Israeli embassy in Amman have been getting fiercer in recent days
Even Morocco, which the U S and Israel have treated as a loyal client of Mossad witnessed many demonstrations geared toward rejection of normalization In Tunisia and other countries rulers must reiterate their opposition to normalization despite Gulf (UAESaudi) promotion of the theme in their media
It took several years of planning after the Nakbah, for the first signs of repercussions to be registered George Habash and his comrades at the American University of Beirut began plotting revenge soon after their expulsion from their homeland The Movement of Arab Nationalists which Habash founded in the early 1950s, adopted “revenge” as one of its mottos
As’ad AbuKhalil is a Lebanese-American professor of political science at California State University Stanislaus He is the author of the Historical Dictionary of Lebanon (1998) Bin Laden Islam and America s New War on Terrorism (2002), The Battle for Saudi Arabia (2004) and ran the popular The Angry Arab blog
Sunday 7 Apri 2024 COMMENT 05
The revenge to come I N this contemporary era, where every click echoes through the passages of cyberspace, the shield of cyber law and data protection stands to defend us against digital threats As individuals businesses and governments rely increasingly on digital technologies, the need for strong legal frameworks becomes significant Cyber law encompasses a multidimensional array of legal rules and regulations governing activities in cyberspace It addresses various aspects of digital interactions including data privacy cybersecurity intellectual property rights, and electronic commerce In the previous decade, cyber law has evolved rapidly One of its central principles is the protection of personal data Governments are still deeply concerned about preventing cyber threats yet they have also enacted stringent data privacy regulations aimed at protecting individuals' rights to privacy and controlling the actions undertaken by cyberspace regarding their personal information Among the most notable examples of such legislation are the General Data Protection Regulation in the European Union and the California Consumer Privacy Act The GDPR OF 2018 signifies an effort to unify data protection laws across EU member states and empowers individuals to control their personal information Under it, organizations must seek explicit consent from individuals before fetching their data and adhere to strict guidelines regarding data
electronic commerce cybersecurity and data protection Moreover The Personal Data Protection Bill 2019 proposes extensive data protection measures encompassing clauses regarding the processing and transmission of personal data Some other legislating efforts by developing countries, such as Brazil s Lei Geral de Proteção de Dados (LGPD) inspired by the GDPR; South Africa s Protection of Personal Information Act 2013; Nigeria s Nigeria Data Protection Regulation 2019; Kenya's Data Protection Act, 2019; Mexico's Ley Federal de Protección de Datos Personales en Posesión de los Particulares; The Philippines' Data Privacy Act 2012 collectively address the challenges of cybersecurity and data privacy These laws provide a solid framework for addressing cyber threats and ensuring data protection However, these nations are still developing, so their executive and judicial systems need enhancing to effectively enforce and interpret these laws Nevertheless their commitment to safeguarding citizens rights remains evident Beyond data privacy and cybersecurity, cyber law also covers measures to protect intellectual property rights in the digital domain The cornerstones of intellectual property are copyright laws patent regulations and trademark protections which serve as protection in cyberspace
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Moreover, In the July 2020, EU-US Privacy Shield Invalidation, the Court of Justice of the European Union nullified the EU-US Privacy Shield agreement permitting companies to transfer personal data from the EU to the USA An Austrian privacy activist initiated it by highlighting concerns about US surveillance practices and the protection of EU citizens' data, leading to implications for cross-border data transfers and data protection laws Furthermore Since the 2018 GDPR Enforcement Cases there have been several high-profile enforcement actions against companies for violations of data protection laws, for example, in 2019, the French data protection authority (CNIL) imposed a €50 million fine on Google for insufficient transparency and inadequate consent mechanisms related to personalized advertising In 2016 the FBI demanded Apple to develop software to unlock the iPhone of one of the San Bernardino shooters Apple refused, citing concerns about user privacy and the potential precedent for government access to encrypted devices This case sparked a debate about the balance between national security law enforcement and individual privacy rights in the digital age These cases provide perspectives and insights into the complex legal issues surrounding cyber law and data protection, including privacy rights, data breaches, international data transfers and government surveillance Additionally these cases depict that there is not any organization or power above the rights of the individuals Governments, businesses, and individuals must work together to address the evolving threats and ensure a safe and secure digital environment for all Through effective legislation proactive cybersecurity measures and heightened awareness we can collectively mitigate risks protect our digital assets and pave the way for a safer and more resilient future By staying abreast of the latest research and laws in this field, we can harness the immense potential of cyberspace while safeguarding the rights and interests of all stakeholders Cyber law and data protection constitute the bedrock of the digital ecosystem shaping the way we interact think transact, and innovate in the digital age As technology continues to evolve and new challenges arise, a proactive and collaborative approach to cyber law and data protection will be essential in safeguarding our digital future The witer can be reached at saleemjaved001@gmail com MuhaMMad salEEM JavEd F r o m b y t e s t o r i g h t s CONSORTIUM NEWS a s a d a b u K h a l i l
both faced fines and legal actions
DAILY STAR E d to r i a l I T is a matter of great concern that Bangladesh has failed to attract its targeted level of foreign direct investment over the years, with FDI inflow amounting to only 0 75 percent of its GDP in 2023 according to UNCTAD's World Investment Report Efforts to attract foreign investors by developing economic zones and adopting one-stop services have not yielded the desired results, begging the question: what is the country doing wrong? A recent report by the US administration has identified precisely what s holding us back corruption bureaucracy anti-competitive procurement system, and violation of intellectual property rights, among other barriers According to the findings of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) in its 2024 National Trade Estimate Report on Foreign Trade Barriers, corruption remains deeply ingrained in Bangladesh's commercial environment This is partly because enforcement of relevant legislative measures including the Code of Criminal Procedure and the Prevention of Corruption Act, remains lax, allowing corrupt practices to thrive US investors have voiced concerns over the undue delays and bureaucratic hurdles they face with government officials demanding bribes in exchange for license approvals and bid clearances Efforts to undermine the independence of the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) through legislation such as the Sarkari Chakori Ain Bill which limits its ability to investigate corruption allegations against government officials effectively only exacerbate the problem Adding to that is the backlog of unresolved corruption cases and systematic attempts to dilute anti-government safeguards in procurement processes The US report also highlights the lack of transparency and fairness in public procurement with allegations of bid rigging, favouritism towards local partners, and insufficient adherence to international competitive bidding standards In addition it points out deficiencies in Bangladesh s legislative and rulemaking processes particularly concerning patent law copyright amendments, and enactment of the Industrial Design Act Meanwhile, the proposed Personal Data Protection Act and regulations for Digital Social Media and Over the Top Platforms pose potential threats to privacy and freedom of expression raising apprehensions among international investors These challenges need to be taken seriously by our policymakers, as cosmetic incentives to foreign investors can only work for so long For Bangladesh to unlock its full economic potential and foster a conducive environment for foreign investment and sustainable growth the pernicious problems discouraging investors must be addressed This will require concerned effort from the government, but first, there must be the political will to tackle entrenched corruption and bureaucratic inefficiencies Meanwhile the government needs to make serious improvements to the country's Intellectual Property (IP) regime, ensuring better coordination among enforcement authorities and government institutions and move away from repressive regulatory frameworks for data protection and online content regulation What ’s discouraging our foreign investors? Cyber Law and Data Protec tion Frameworks TRIBUNE E d i to r i a l T housands of Indians find themselves stranded in Myanmar and Cambodia, where they are being forced to commit online fraud and deception The Ministry of External Affairs has managed to trace and rescue about 250 Indians from Cambodia and around 30 from Myanmar Organised crime rings, in league with unscrupulous agents, are luring job-seekers in South Asia and Southeast Asia with the promise of employment in the information technology industry in these countries The new recruits are made to work in cyber fraud centres and coerced into deceiving people through phone calls, emails and WhatsApp messages In some cases they extort money on behalf of their employers by pretending to be law enforcement officials The worrisome trend validates Interpol head Jurgen Stock s recent assertion that the organised crime groups, which had fuelled an ‘explosion’ of human trafficking and cyber scam centres during the Covid19 pandemic have expanded from Southeast Asia into a global network and are making up to $3 trillion a year According to Stock, these cyber scam establishments, which have staff members working under duress, have helped crime syndicates diversify their operations are no longer confined to drug trafficking Such rackets are reportedly being run in Malaysia and the Philippines as well and are believed to be linked to some Chinese companies India, which has a good rapport with the majority of the ASEAN nations, needs to step up the crackdown on operators of fraudulent call centres and ensure that its advisories about online/phone scams are widely circulated among the stakeholders Close coordination and regular exchange of inputs among the governments can be effective in deterring criminals Another aspect that cannot be ignored is the Indian nationals’ desperation to take up jobs in countries such as Myanmar and Cambodia This is a sad commentary on the employment scenario in India Course correction is required to prevent skilled young persons from falling into this vicious trap Cyber fraud
UChina, US discuss key economic issues as Yellen visit continues
state, the two sides had candid, pragmatic and constructive discussions on the macroeconomic situation of the two countries and the world the economic relationship between China and the US and global challenges
The two sides agreed to discuss issues such as balanced growth of the US, China and the global economy, financial stability sustainable finance and cooperation in countering money-laundering under the China-US economic and financial working group The Chinese side expressed grave concern over US economic and trade measures restricting China and responded fully to the issue of production capacity
SCO urges Afghan gov t to fulfil its commitments towards combating terrorism
S d y 7 Ap l 2024 LAHORE 06 NEWS WASHINGTON A G E N C I E S
S President Joe Biden urged the leaders of Egypt and Qatar to pressure Hamas to agree to a Gaza ceasefire and hostage deal ahead of a fresh round of talks this weekend in Cairo A senior Biden administration official said Biden wrote letters to Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi and the emir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani on the state of the hostage talks and he urged them to secure commitments from Hamas to agree and abide by a deal White House national security spokesperson John Kirby said Biden told Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu to empower his negotiators in Cairo so that a deal can be reached as soon as possible The US and its allies view a ceasefire as essential to allowing more humanitarian aid to get into Gaza amid fears of famine among the Palestinians there Under the most recent proposal, Israel and Hamas would agree to a sixweek ceasefire in exchange for the release of sick, elderly and wounded hostages held by Hamas Progress on a deal has been stalled for weeks Meanwhile the Israeli military dismissed two officers and formally reprimanded senior commanders after an inquiry into the killing of seven aid workers in an air strike in Gaza this week found serious errors and breaches of procedure the military said The inquiry found Israeli forces mistakenly believed they were attacking Hamas fighters when drones hit the three vehicles of the World Central Kitchen aid group late on Monday night, and that standard procedures had not been followed “The strike on the aid vehicles is a grave mistake stemming from a serious failure due to a mistaken identification errors in decision-making and an attack contrary to the Standard Operating Procedures, the military said in a statement issued on Friday The killing of the seven aid workers, who included citizens of Britain Australia and Poland a dual USCanadian national and a Palestinian colleague stirred global outrage this week Pelosi joins call for Biden to stop transfer of US weapons to Israel Representative Nancy Pelosi, former House speaker and a key ally of Joe Biden, signed a letter on Friday from dozens of congressional Democrats to the president and Secretary of State Antony Blinken urging a halt to weapons transfers to Israel Support from Pelosi, a veteran member of Biden s Democratic Party, for stopping the transfer of weapons to Israel showed that the view is increasingly becoming mainstream in the party Friday’s letter called on the Biden administration to conduct its own probe into an Israeli airstrike that killed seven staff of the aid group World Central Kitchen on Monday “In light of the recent strike against aid workers and the ever-worsening humanitarian crisis we believe it is unjustifiable to approve these weapons transfers the letter said It was signed by Pelosi and 36 other Democrats including Representatives Barbara Lee, Rashida Tlaib and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez BIDEN URGES EGYPT, QATAR TO PRESS HAMAS ON HOSTAGE DEAL AHEAD OF WEEKEND TALKS BEIJING S TA F F C O R R E S P O N D E N T Visiting US Secretary of the Treasury Janet Yellen has reportedly arrived in Beijing on Saturday to continue meetings with senior Chinese officials after having “candid pragmatic and constructive communication in the southern city of Guangzhou with Vice Premier He Lifeng, who is also China’s lead person for China-US economic and trade affairs Yellen is on a high-stakes sixday visit to China from April 4 to 9 her second since July 2023 during which she had five-hour talks with He The two officials also met on the sidelines of the San Francisco China-US summit in November 2023 Though visit by a high-profile US official signifies further stabilization of bilateral relations since the summit Chinese analysts expressed concern that the US current gestures may not be sustained as flashpoints including the Taiwan question and South China Sea issue still exist, and the US continues to hold the wrong perception toward China According to Xinhua News Agency Yellen and He held several rounds of talks on Friday and Saturday in the city of Guangzhou in south China Focusing on the implementation of the important consensus between the two countries heads of
ISLAMABAD S TA F F R E P O R T Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) has urged the Afghan government to fulfil its commitments towards combating terrorism The call was made at the nineteenth annual meeting of the Security Councils of the SCO in Astana, Kazakhstan A joint statement issued after the SCO meeting stated that the presence of international terrorist groups and other groups based in Afghanistan poses a serious threat to the member states of the SCO It emphasized the importance of expanding cooperation to address terrorist threats, transnational organised crime, suppression of channels financing terrorism, and illegal migration
LUCKNOW A G E N C I E S The Muslim educators in India are protesting a recent court ruling that would effectively shut down thousands of religious schools known as madrasas in BJP ruled Uttar Pradesh state The Allahabad High Court on March 22 scrapped the Uttar Pradesh Board of Madrasa Education Act 2004 saying it violated India s constitutional secularism It ordered that all Islamic school students in Uttar Pradesh be shifted to regular schools The court order directly impacts around 16,500 madrasas which are recognized by the UP Board of Madrasa Education their 1 95 million students and 100 000 teachers Muslim leaders have said that the ruling ignores years of reforms that have modernized India s madrasas and introduced nationally approved syllabuses, including subjects such as physics China accelerates AI development to build AI innovation center BEIJING S TA F F R E P O R T China has attached great importance to artificial intelligence (AI) development in recent years to build itself into a major global AI innovation center Technologies such as face recognition voice recognition intelligent robots virtual reality and driverless vehicles, have been widely used in the country, covering fields like education, medical care, science and technology, logistics, agriculture, and entertainment According to a development planning for newgeneration AI China aims to become the world s major AI innovation center by 2030 with the scale of its AI core industry exceeding 1 trillion yuan (about 140 9 billion U S dollars), and the scale of related industries exceeding 10 trillion yuan China has introduced policies in terms of scientific and technological research and development (R&D) application promotion and industrial development to solve major application and industrialization problems of artificial intelligence Many local governments are also accelerating the integration of innovation resources to promote the development of AI technology and related industries Beijing boasts rich AI talent resources strong R&D and innovation capabilities and active product iteration in the field of AI development According to a report on the development of China s AI industry in 2023 Beijing has about 28 percent of the country s 2,200 AI enterprises, ranking first in the country Last year, Beijing released a detailed plan to promote the development of AI According to the plan by 2025 the scale of its AI core industry is scheduled to reach 300 billion yuan At present Beijing is speeding up the layout of frontier AI basic theory and key core technologies Other Chinese regions such as Guangdong, Shanghai, Jiangsu, Anhui, Sichuan are also seizing AI opportunities The city of Shenzhen in Guangdong plans to build a national pilot zone for AI innovation and a national demonstration zone for AI application AI will be among key technologies to receive the support of the municipal government Shanghai is also promoting the high-quality development of the AI industry and fostering an ecology for large-model innovation Over 20 AI large models have passed the audit and record of local government said Zhang Ying head of the Shanghai Municipal Commission of Economy and Informatization UNITED NATIONS: Chinese envoy to the United Nations urged Israel to fully implement the UN resolution on the Gaza ceasefire on Friday, saying Gaza’s tragedy tests the conscience of humanity and the credibility of the UN Security Council We urge Israel to immediately implement the requirements of the resolution and cease its military offensive against Gaza and its collective punishment of Gaza civilians,” said Dai Bing, charge d’affaires of China’s permanent mission to the UN on Friday at the UN Security Council He called for major countries to play an active role in promoting the implementation of the resolution and said China supports the UN Security Council to take “any necessary actions ” Dai stated that humanitarian disasters in Gaza have reached a critical point and Israel must fully implement the interim measures order issued by the International Court of Justice including lifting the blockade and obstacles to humanitarian access to Gaza, and fully opening Rafah and all land crossings to guarantee rapid adequate and safe humanitarian supplies to the region He denounced Israel s attack against humanitarian transport vehicles and urged Israel to abide by international law and international humanitarian law, stop attacks on humanitarian agencies and personnel, and cooperate with humanitarian agencies to carry out assistance Dai stressed that only by fully implementing the two state solution and establishing an independent State of Palestine can the region break out of the vicious cycle of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict He reiterated China s position on supporting Palestine to become a full UN member state and urged the Security Council to take action as soon as possible A G E N C I E S C
urges Israel to implement UN resolution on G aza ceasefire
Muslims in BJP-ruled Uttar Pradesh protest ban on Islamic schools
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D e p t o n m o d e r n l i n e s to i n c re a s e i t s e ffi c i e n c y
Complete documentation should be done for the authorized government people to be given vehicles, the Chief Minister said He said a mechanism should be made to collect commercial tax on rented houses and steps would be taken to determine the actual rents of rented houses
He said, GIS system should be introduced to ensure transparency and collection of property tax
the department Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur also directed the concerned quarters to withdraw excise vehicles used by unauthorized persons Notices should be issued to these unauthorized persons to return the vehicles the Chief Minister told the meeting If they do not return the vehicles within the stipulated time, FIRs should be registered against them, Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur said These vehicles should be given to police and other provincial departments on the basis of need, Ali Amin Gandapur said Defunct vehicles parked in Excise warehouses should be auctioned in a transparent manner, Chief Minister said adding “These vehicles should not be given to anyone on political recommendation
A workable plan should be set up to develop all the affairs of the department on modern lines Ali Amin Gandapur told the meeting
He said, implementation of this plan should be ensured according to the timelines and he believes in onground implementation rather than presentation The Chief Minister Khyber Pakhtunkhwa said that to increase the tax net, work should be done outside the traditional way To gain the confidence of the people in relation to the payment of taxes the taxes should be taken from the rich and spent on the poor while the punishment system within the department should be strengthened Employees with good performance should be fully encouraged, Ali Amin Gandapur concluded K
07 NEWS Sunday 7 Apr l 2024 LAHORE Indian army finally accepts 3 Poonch civilians were tor tured to death in custody JAMMU S TA F F R E P O R T The Indian Army has finally accepted that three civilians were tortured to death during interrogation by the troops in December last year in Poonch district of occupied Jammu and Kashmir According to Kashmir Media Service, the Indian army came to the conclusion after ordering a so-called investigation into the gruesome killings Notably it was after a massive outcry that the Indian army ordered inquiries into the deaths in custody The families of the three victims Safeer Hussain (43) Mohammad Showket (27) and Shabir Ahmad (32) all residents of Topa Peer village in Poonch, civil society and political leaders in IIOJK had then said that they were tortured to death by the Army The martyred civilians were among dozens picked up by the Army for questioning following an attack in which four Indian troops were killed in Bufliaz area of Surankote in Poonch Indian media reported that the army s internal inquiries into the killing of three civilians have found serious lapses and operational gaps in the conduct of 7-8 personnel, including officers at various levels of authority According to The Indian Express report the sources have indicated that appropriate disciplinary measures have been suggested against two officers Junior Commissioned Officers (JCOs), and other ranks who were present during the interrogation of the civilians who were detained Reacting to the Indian army’s investigation, Peoples Democratic Party chief Mehbooba Mufti said no action followed in previous inquiries where the culpability of Indian armed personnel was confirmed In a post on X she said We have witnessed how enquiries & probes into fake encounters have always confirmed the culpability of armed personnel guilty in such cases Unfortunately be it Pathribal Machil or Shopian fake encounters no action followed any of the enquiries Those responsible for the cold blooded murder of innocent civilians got away scot free PR OFIT M O N I T O R I N G D E S K S Ai Capital has taken a leading role in investing in wAI Industries supported by its partner, Plutus21 The investment aims to provide wAI Industries with the necessary funding to undertake large-scale technology projects that demand significant financial resources thereby allowing local firms to participate in international ventures wAI Industries specialises in artificial intelligence (AI) and has significantly contributed to the advancement of large organisations by leveraging data to create proprietary intellectual property thereby gaining a competitive advantage Their efforts include the development of tailored AI models and products with a notable project being a collaboration that resulted in an agreement with a major compliance software company Abu Abdullah Ashar, CEO and Founder of wAI commented on the partnership As we head towards the exhaustion of publicly available open-source and licensed data all enterprises will become equal in their capabilities While this neutralisation happens, only those enterprises that are able to harness their data to build proprietary competitive models will survive In this environment wAI industries prioritize the development of proprietary AI models fueled by enterprises unique data assets Their multidimensional involvement has enhanced our global enterprise engagement capabilities and strengthened our ability to deliver at a global scale This operational investment approach fills a critical gap in Pakistan s VC landscape added Ashar Ahsan Jamil, CEO and General Partner at sAi, stated that the partnership aims to bolster wAI s competitiveness on a global scale aligning with sAi s mission to support the growth of established technology companies Approved by Pakistan s Security and Exchange Commission (SECP), sAi represents Pakistan’s first venture capital firm with a focus on Advanced Engineering Companies featuring a $10 million Export Fund This approach represents a shift from traditional venture capital strategies This partnership is poised to transform the venture capital and private equity scene in Pakistan by offering growth-focused financial solutions potentially elevating the country s AI sector to a significant status internationally sAI CAPITAL INVESTS IN wAI INDUSTRIES TO BOOST GLOBAL TECH PROJECTS CORPORATE CORNER SCCI demands resumption of PIA flight operation from Peshawar to Karachi PESHAWAR S TA F F R E P O R T Sarhad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI) expressed concern over closure of PIA flight operation from Peshawar to Karachi and demanded its immediate resumption Ejaz Khan Afridi vice president of the SCCI in a statement issued here on Saturday said PIA was operating only one flight from Peshawar to Karachi within a week He added PIA service was available by business community and people of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa but it has been halted, due to which the community has not only faced difficulties but it has also inflicted huge revenue loss to the national carrier PIA The SCCI vice president said the PIA move to halt flight operation from Peshawar to Karachi has created great unrest among the business community and people of the province and demanded immediate resumption of the flight operation from Peshawar to address their grievances He demanded the PIA should operate two flights from Peshawar to Karachi within a week to facilitate the business community and people of the province Mr Afridi said the resumption of flight operation from Peshawar to Karachi will benefit maximum travelers and it will also help to generate hefty revenue for the national carrier PIA and make it a profitable organization M e m o n s a y s n e w t r a n s p o r t p r o j e c t s t o b e a n n o u n c e d a f t e r E i d KARACHI S TA F F R E P O R T Senior Minister of Sindh and Provincial Minister for Transport Mass Transit Excise Taxation and Narcotics Control Sharjeel Inam Memon has announced the launch of new transport projects immediately after Eid, following the instructions of Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, to bring good news to the people In his statement on social media Senior Provincial Minister Sharjeel Inam Memon has announced that the second phase of the pink bus service for women will be initiated in Karachi to further enhance travel facilities for women He stated that new routes for electric buses will commence immediately after Eid, and the People s Bus Service will be launched in Mirpurkhas to provide travel facilities to the people Sharjeel Inam Memon announced that a cashless ticket service will be introduced for public transport users Additionally, the Sindh government will initiate a free shuttle service to connect the Orange Line BRT and Red Line BRT He stated that the free shuttle service for the people of Karachi will commence immediately after Eid ISLAMABAD S TA F F R E P O R T The Federal Ministry of Education and Vocational Training (FMVEVT) in Pakistan has withdrawn a notification regarding dance education in government schools This move comes after parents raised concerns about the initiative The original notification, issued at the request of UNESCO, called for a dance competition in schools However it sparked immediate opposition from parents who urged the government to cancel it In response to the controversy, the FMVEVT issued a clarification The ministry acknowledged UNESCO s role in promoting education and cultural exchange globally It emphasized that the Dance for Education program was not mandatory and was only intended to raise awareness about UNESCO's initiatives The FMVEVT spokesperson further clarified that neither the ministry nor Pakistan s National Commission for UNESCO directed or organized the program The notification, they explained, was solely for informational purposes The ministry concluded the statement by expressing regret for any misunderstanding caused and reiterated its commitment to educational development This incident highlights the complexities of introducing cultural programs in educational institutions particularly when they touch upon sensitive social norms
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for Karachi Citizens K A R A C H I: K-Electric has announced a significant development aimed at alleviating the burden of expensive electricity for the citizens of Karachi In a strategic move towards sustainability and cost-efficiency the power utility is set to integrate 640MW of renewable energy primarily from solar and wind sources, into its power grid over the next two years This announcement was made by K-Electric Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Mr Syed Moonis Abdullah Alvi, during a meeting with the delegation of the Council of Energy and Economic Journalists (CEEJ) Mr Alvi said that a total of 12 companies from Europe China and the Middle East have expressed their interest and submitted bids to invest in solar and wind power projects in Karachi The renewable energy projects are scheduled to be established in strategic locations including Hub Othal Bela and Surjani Town of Karachi An investment of $450 million has been allocated for these projects underscoring K-Electric s commitment to sustainable energy solutions In addition to addressing the production cost of electricity, the integration of solar and wind power is expected to significantly reduce the environmental footprint of energy generation in Karachi PR Foolproof sec urity plan devised for high-security zone I S L A M A B A D: The Islamabad Capital Police is constantly engaged to ensure effective security arrangements and deal with any untoward incidents during the protests of religious and political parties in the High Security Zone According to the details, the Islam Capital Police is constantly engaged to maintain the law and order situation in the federal capital, ensuring the safety of lives and property of the citizens In this regard the officers and officials of the Islamabad Capital Police are performing their duties effectively to ensure security arrangements and deal with any untoward incidents during the protests of religious and political parties in the high security zone Senior police officers issued instructions to the officers and personnel posted on duty and said that the protection of all public and private offices and embassies located in the high security zone is of utmost importance Islamabad Capital Police is using all resources to maintain the law and order situation in the Federal Capital Islamabad Citizens are requested to call Pucar-15" or report via the "ICT-15 App" regarding any suspicious person or activity Protection of life and property of citizens is among the top priorities of the Islamabad Capital Police PR g STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIP SET TO TRANSFORM PAKISTAN ’S AI SECTOR AND VENTURE CAPITAL LANDSCAPE PESHAWAR S TA F F R E P O R T Chief Minister Ali Amin Khan Gandapur Friday chaired an important meeting of the Excise and Taxation Department Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and has taken key decisions and orders to develop the Excise Department on modern lines and increase its efficiency Chief Minister s decision to set up three separate directorates to increase the efficiency of the department Separate directorates should be established for vehicle registration and management intelligence and narcotics control and property tax under the excise department Ali Amin Gandapur said The responsibilities of these directorates should be clearly defined, Chief Minister said adding “Necessary amendments should be made in the existing laws to increase the revenue of
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ISLAMABAD S TA F F R E P O R T President Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ICCI) Ahsan Zafar Bakhtawari has welcomed the Tajir Dost Scheme of Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) under which the trader would register themselves through Tajir Dost scheme in Tax Asaan App through their mobile phones or FBR’s web portal or by visiting FBR’s tax facilitation centers In a statement issued here on Saturday he said that the business community always remained tax compliant and favors broadening of tax net to pull the country out of the economic crunch However, Ahsan Zafar Bakhtawari emphasized that the tax should be simplified and the shopkeepers should be given facilities and have to be made to file a single page return once in a year He added that tax net has to be broadened for the economic development of the country but business community must not be unduly disturbed/harass and the business leaders as well as ICCI must also be taken into confidence before going for any such significant decision The ICCI President said economic problems cannot be resolved until the problems of the business community were amicably resolved and for this purpose the government should introduce measures to enhance the confidence of the business community FBR ’s Tajir Dost Scheme laudable as broadening tax net need of hour: Ahsan Zafar TOBA TEK SINGH S TA F F R E P O R T Fifth and last sibling of the four children who had lost their lives in Toba Tek Singh after drinking poisonous tea breathed her last on Saturday morning Aqsa was admitted at Allied Hospital Faisalabad while the kids mother Nadia also admitted to the same hospital was in critical condition when last reports came in Both mother and daughter had been shifted to the hospital last night There is a state of mourning in the entire locality as everybody is in tears following the heartbreaking incident The father of the deceased children namely Sania Iqra Madeeha, Ali Hassan and Aqsa is in prison while their mother s state is precarious Giving his opinion on the deaths of five children in Toba Tek Singh following the consumption of poisonous tea Rai Arif a doctor at Faisalabad s Allied Hospital treating the kids mother Nadia said on Saturday that it appeared that pesticides kept in a stock of wheat grains might have been mixed in the tea He said that Nadia was still very critical, and the doctors were doing their best to save her life Nadia’s sister on the other hand said that Nadia had an altercation with her husband Asghar after which she went to a relative s home And when finally she returned home, she drank the tea put on the table after which she lost her consciousness,” she elaborated On the other hand a large number of residents of the area attended the funeral prayers for four children who had died yesterday after consuming poisonous tea However, none of the officials of the Gojra administration attended the funeral prayers Three young girls and their little brother died while their mother and another sister were hospitalized in critical condition after taking poisonous tea in Toba Tek Singh on Friday According to police, the affected family is a resident of Chak No 520 of Toba Tek Singh The parents had a tiff over the matrimonial issues of the young girls after which the father mixed poison in the tea Their condition deteriorated and they were rushed to a hospital where three sisters and their little brother died Mother Nadia Bibi was first shifted to the DHQ hospital along with her five children while 17-year-old daughter Sania died on the spot and seven-year-old Ali Hassan breathed his last in the hospital The other two teenaged girls who died were identified as 18-year-old Madiha and 10-year-old Iqra 16-year-old Aqsa was said to be critical in DHQ hospital but she and her mother were later rushed to Allied Hospital in Faisalabad The police further said that husband Asghar and his wife Nadia had an argument the previous day In her statement Nadia Bibi alleged that her husband mixed poison in the tea and after taking it the whole family got sick Nadia Bibi stated that her husband Asghar used to quarrel in the house every day due to the matrimonial issues of their daughters Fi f t h v i c t i m o f To b a Te k S i n g h p o i s o n o u s te a p a s s e s away
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s
No delay in wheat procurement resolution, MoC
g
cash credit limits for execution Crucially no proposals for augmenting or diminishing targets were tabled nor were any such alterations sanctioned by the ECC The Government of Punjab reaffirmed its commitment to vigilantly monitoring the wheat situation within the Province and promptly initiating procurement procedures Additionally, they pledged to ensure farmers’ ability to vend their yield at the support price level
Furthermore the Committee reiterated its pledge to engage all stakeholders in decisions with substantial ramifications
UNITED NATIONS
A G E N C I E S
Israel s war on Gaza has turned
in Gaza Construction has typically been one of the most important industries in Gaza but according to the ILO activity in the sector is down some 96 per cent Other key productive areas, including agriculture and the industrial and services sector, have also all but ceased The few businesses that are still operating are generally smallscale local enterprises including bakeries other food-related businesses and some pharmacies
The ILO estimates that perhaps 25 per cent of the people killed in Gaza have been men of working age – generally women do not work Ms Jaafar said the loss of these breadwinners will mean that families will face some economic hardships after the war
Published by Asad Nizami at Qandeel Printing Press, 4 Queens Road, Lahore, for PT Print (Pvt) Limited Ph: 042-36300938, 042-36375965 Email: newsroom@pakistantoday com pk 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 4:40 5:45 1 30 5:00 6:28 8:15 Sunday 7 Apri 2024 NEWS ISLAMABAD S TA F F R E P O R T P A K I S TA N Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan on Saturday made startling revelations saying some of our people are in contact with his rivals, who wanted to dismantle his party While talking to journalists inside the Adiala Jail in Rawalpindi on Saturday the former premier said these were the black sheep within the ranks of the party who were labeling his wife Bushra Bibi as American agent Apparently extending an olive branch to his rivals, Khan said: If I can meet [former chief of army staff] General (retd) Qamar Javed Bajwa twice after he toppled my government then I can meet anyone At this time it is not my personal issue but Pakistan s Slamming Gen (retd) Bajwa, the PTI founder said that the former COAS stabbed them in the back “I could have de-notified Bajwa,” Khan said adding that he had shown restraint He said: Despite all this we formed a committee to meet General (retd) Bajwa The PTI leader was of the view that he never wanted a confrontation with the army The PTI s founder revelations come amid the growing infighting and division within the ranks of the party It also comes a day after, PTI leader Shehryar Afridi also made similar remarks without naming anyone Addressing a public gathering in Kohat Afridi said there were some hypocrites who are still a part of the Khanfounded party “We are sending a message to the party members that the workers and loyalists of the party should be supported, those who are the foundation of the party ” Afridi blasted the leadership, saying that there were some “snakes” and “hypocrites” who were part of the PTI and whoever betrays the party will be excluded from it The PTI founder to a query said that Gen (retd) Bajwa and ex-spymaster retired Lt-Gen Faiz Hamid told him about the corruption of PPP Co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari and the Sharif family “If I quit politics today, everything will be fine ” he claimed Referring to the alleged rigging in the February 8 general elections the incarcerated PTI founder said that attempts were being made to control them by slashing their mandate The former premier also commended Islamabad High Court (IHC) judges for raising their voices against the spy agencies alleged interference in judicial affairs Last month six IHC judges wrote a letter to the Supreme Judicial Council (SJC) seeking a probe into the alleged interference of members of the executive, including operatives of intelligence agencies in judicial affairs A few days back all the eight judges of the IHC including its Chief Justice Aamer Farooq received suspected anthrax-laced letters In view of the situation, Khan said: Who will invest in a country where judges are receiving threats ” To another question, the PTI founder vowed to file a case against the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) chairman and an alleged approver Inam Shah for their roles in the Toshakhana reference Bushra Bibi was sentenced to break me, he said I KNOW ‘BL ACK SHEEP’ IN PTI’S RANK COLLUDING WITH RIVALS TO DISMANTLE PART Y: IMRAN Soldier mar t yred, 2 injured in KKH landslide clearance operation RAWALPINDI S TA F F R E P O R T A solider of Pakistan Army was martyred while two others injured while clearing landslide-blocked Karakoram Highway (KKH) in Chilas on Saturday According to Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR) a landslide near Gonar Farm Chilas on April 04, had blocked KKH for all types of traffic “To restore the traffic and help the stranded people, a detachment of Frontier Works Organisation (FWO) headed by Naib Subedar Khalid and two soldiers immediately reached the site and started the clearance During the process of clearance another slide occurred that critically injured the detachment the ISPR said The martyred soldier was identified as Naib Subedar Khalid who succumbed to the critical injuries and embraced, shahadat, whereas Sepoy Waseem and Lance Naik Azmat are recovering from serious injuries “The nation is grateful for their service and dedication to assist people Pakistan Army remains committed to serve the nation against all adversities, the ISPR said ECP empowers ROs, POs with first-class magistrate authorit y for by-elections ISLAMABAD S TA F F R E P O R T The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has granted Returning Officers (ROs) and Presiding Officers (POs) powers equivalent to those of first-class magistrates to ensure the seamless execution of the forthcoming by-elections on five National and 16 provincial assembly constituencies scheduled for April 21 District Returning Officers (DROs) and Returning Officers (ROs) were vested with magisterial powers as per the notification issued by the ECP, in adherence to Section 193 of the Election Act 2017 The Presiding officers have the authority to employ these powers during the by-elections across five national and 16 provincial assemblies in Punjab Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan spanning from April 20 to 22 until the official declaration of final results for the candidates PTI demands Bushra Bibi’s medical examination from Shaukat Khanum ISLAMABAD S TA F F R E P O R T The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has demanded the authorities to conduct a medical examination of Bushra Bibi, wife of incarcerated party founder Imran Khan, from Shaukat Khanum Hospital The demand came two days after a medical report –released by Pakistan Institute of Medical Science (PIMS) – found no evidence of any poisonous substance being given to Bushra Bibi at the Bani Gala sub-jail The medical report was released after four senior doctors performed a medical examination of Imran Khan’s wife The report said that Bushra Bibi’s appetite was not normal and she is suffering from stomach pain PTI founder Imran Khan s personal physician Dr Asim Yousuf also performed a medical examination of the former first lady and found no evidence of any poisonous substance In a statement, PTI leader Barrister Gohar Ali Khan said they will only accept the medical reports – issued by a personal physician demanding to conduct examination from Shaukat Khanum Hospital Fawad Ch gets bail as wife shares family’s hear twarming video ISLAMABAD N E W S D E S K Former federal minister Fawad Hussain was released from Adiala jail on Saturday following the Islamabad High Court’s approval of his bail two days earlier He had petitioned the high court for post-arrest bail in all cases against him In a heartwarming video shared by his wife Hiba Chaudhry, Fawad is seen reuniting with his daughters, who were visibly thrilled to have their father back after a prolonged absence The ex-minister had been incarcerated since November 4 2023 facing multiple charges He was arrested from his Islamabad residence based on a complaint lodged at Aabpara Police Station alleging that he accepted a Rs5 million bribe in exchange for a job On April 1, the high court granted him bail in a case related to construction project irregularities in Jhelum, following his arrest by the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) in December 2023 In an earlier incident in January 2023 Fawad was apprehended from his home after making controversial remarks about the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) during a media address outside Imran Khan s residence in Zaman Park The government at that time denied involvement in his arrest Later, in July 2023, Fawad issued an apology to the ECP for his remarks which were deemed offensive towards the electoral body and its Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Sikandar Sultan Raja Fawad was among numerous party members arrested during the crackdown on the PTI following the May 9 riots, during which various military and government facilities were targeted PR OFIT S TA F F R E P O R T The Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) has denied the reports surrounding delay in the decision making regarding wheat procurement Addressing concerns the ECC clarified that discussions were held on April 4 2024 regarding wheat procurement with subsequent reconvening on April 5 to include Provincial government representatives in the discourse Earlier, it was decided in the ECC to reduce Pakistan’s wheat procurement target by more than 69%, sparking concerns of future shortages The decreased target is reported to have been set after Punjab refused to put forth its procurement targets citing outstanding debts from past purchases However according to a statement by the Ministry of Commerce the ECC endorsed the procurement targets put forth by the Ministry of Food Security and the provinces, alongside approving the necessary
M I N I S T R Y R E F U T E S A N Y R E P O R T S O F D I S S E N T B E T W E E N C E N T E R A N D P U N J A B
into a betrayal of humanity
United Nations’ humanitarian chief has said In a statement on
six-month anniversary
Martin Griffiths
emergency relief, called for a collective determination that there be a reckoning for this betrayal of humanity ” “Each day this war claims more civilian victims said Griffiths who will leave his post at the end of June due to health reasons The destruction wrought across the Gaza Strip by Israel since Oct 7 makes for grim reading – over 33 000 people killed and according to the World Bank over one million Palestinians are without homes close to 90 per cent of health facilities have been damaged or wrecked and schools have been destroyed or turned into shelters for the newly homeless “Rarely has there been such global outrage at the toll of the
more destruction and death Gaza will endure before peace settles across the troubled enclave, nor what type of society will emerge
the conflict, but six months
tilities started UN agencies are already strategizing for the future however uncertain Gaza has witnessed an almost complete destruction of economic activity in all sectors
the damning analysis of Aya Jaafar, an economist at the UN International Labour
The ILO estimates
200 000 jobs have
Gaza
reached $4 1 million per day, which equates to an 80 per cent decrease in the enclave GDP (the amount of money earned from the sale of all goods and services) This includes Palestinians who received salaries for work carried out in Israel but who are now unemployed
, the
the eve of the
of the war
the outgoing under-secretary-general for humanitarian affairs and
conflict with seemingly so little done to end it and instead so much impunity , Griffiths said He said the grim milestone should not be just a moment of remembrance and mourning “it must also spur a collective determination that there be a reckoning for this betrayal of humanity ” It still unclear how much
from
after hos-
That
Organization (ILO)
that more than
been lost in
some 90 per cent of the preconflict workforce The UN agency further calculates that income losses there have
exploitative
U N re l i e f c h i e f c a l l s G a z a wa r a ‘ b e t raya l o f h u m a n i t y ’ LAKKI MARWAT S TA F F R E P O R T A deputy superintendent of police (DSP) along with a constable was martyred on Friday night when unidentified attackers opened fire on their vehicle in Lakki Marwat an official said on Saturday According to Bannu police spokesperson Bashir Khan DSP Gul Muhammad Khan along with Constable Nadeem Gul was on routine patrol at the Manjiwala Chowk near the Indus Highway in Lakki Marwat In the meanwhile, some unidentified assailants opened fire on the police van due to which the DSP and his gunman sustained critical wounds They were taken to the Tehsil Headquarters (THQ) Hospital Sarai Norang where both of them died during treatment A contingent of police reached the spot after the incident and cordoned off the area Police have also launched a search operation in the area to arrest the culprits According to the spokesman for Lakki Marwat police two policemen including a deputy superintendent of police (DSP) Gul Muhammad Khan and constable Naseem Gul, were martyred in an attack occurred near Manjiwala Chowk in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Lakki Marwat district on Friday night One policeman sustained injuries and is currently receiving medical treatment In another incident the same night Constable Sanamat Khan was martyred when unknown assailants opened fire at him near his house in Sara Darga area of Lakki Marwat The deceased constable was posted in Miranshah, North Waziristan and had returned home on leave An affiliate of the banned militant Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan group claimed responsibility for the attacks On Saturday morning, funeral prayers for the martyred police officials were held with official honours at Iqbal Shaheed Police Line in Bannu District Police Officer (DPO) Bannu Ziauddin Ahmed DPO Lakki Marwat Taimur Khan SP Operation Bannu Sanaullah and army officers laid flower wreaths on the coffins of the martyred and prayed for them DPO Bannu Ziauddin Ahmed praised the martyrs as being brave, dutiful and noble, adding that the Bannu police stand with the bereaved families in their hour of grief He said due to the best actions of the police the miscreants are hiding now but they will not be forgiven in any case and those who challenge the government writ will be dealt strictly He vowed to continue the war against terrorism till the complete elimination of this menace from the area Due to the excellent actions of the police with the public support the miscreants are hiding now but they will not be forgiven in any case he added The blood of the martyrs will not go in vain, DPO said, adding that terrorists will not demoralise us with cowardly acts DPO Lakki Marwat Taimur Khan said police forces have, in the past, sacrificed their lives for the country which the entire nation values We are proud of such young people who died fighting bravely ” he added The attacks are the latest in a series of incidents targeting police officials in KP On Tuesday, six policemen were injured when unknown miscreants attacked them in the Township area of Bannu In March, two traffic police constables were martyred when unknown motorcyclists opened fire on them in Darra Pezu town in Lakki Marwat KP CM condemn attack, announces financial assistance for families Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur strongly condemned the attacks and expressed his condolences to the families of the martyrs According to a press release from the CM s office the chief minister has instructed top police officials to take all necessary steps for the immediate arrest of those involved in the attack “Targeting police officials who work towards public safety is sad and condemnable ” CM Gandapur said adding that the police have made eternal sacrifices for the protection of law and order in the province He noted that the bereaved families will not be abandoned in this hour and will be fully supported CM Gandapur announced financial assistance for the martyr ’s families under a Shahada Package and instructed police officials to take steps towards timely payments PM strongly condemns terrorist attack Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif on Saturday strongly condemned a terrorist attack on police personnel in district Lakki Marwat, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa The prime minister prayed for the high ranks of Shaheed DSP Gul Muhammad Khan Naseem Gul constable and others and expressed sympathies with the bereaved families, PM Office Media Wing said in a press release The prime minister said that KP police had been acting like a bulwark against terrorism The cowardly terrorist activities could not shake their determination he added D S P, t wo co p s m a r t y r e d i n L a k k i ‘ t e r r o r ’ a t t a c k s
ends This could mean more children in a future Gazan labour market raising concerns about
child labour
