Epaper_24-05-10 KHI

ings under serious charges

The COAS said there could be no compromise or deal with the planners and architects of this dark chapter in our history , explaining that the reason for this was the mindset of the incident s schemers who were now “brazenly and shamelessly trying to twist the narrative and implicate the state in this despicable endeavour”

Gen Munir said that the country’s enemies were given the chance to mock the state and its people due to the deplorable acts of criminally orchestrated violence on the day

Those gullible elements who did not understand the real motive behind this criminal enterprise and were used as cannon fodder for the political ambitions of the masterminds have already been accorded reasonable benefit of doubt on the direction of Supreme Court of Pakistan

peddling lies fake news and propaganda”

He added that the designs of all these forces will be defeated with the support of the nation

The army chief asserted that every military soldier and officer put his duties and responsibilities first, regardless of any other affiliations or preferences and continued to render “extreme sacrifices” on a daily basis

Later he inaugurated the Jinnah Library at Lahore Garrison saying: “We being the constructive forces have rekindled the memory of Quaid by building this public library over the piles of ash and rubble created by the destructive forces

The army chief s remarks come a day after Imran refused to apologise for the May 9 riots He was speaking to the media after the court proceedings in the £190 million corruption case at Adiala jail When asked whether he would apologise for the May 9 violent protest Imran had replied in the negative saying he was under detention at the time and was unaware of those protests

The ex-premier had mentioned that he became aware of the protests when he appeared before thenchief justice of Pakistan Umar Ata Bandial

“I had already condemned those violent protests ” he added Imran had further said that if the establishment was not interested in dialogue the PTI would not pursue it either

According to the former premier, he wanted dialogue for the sake of Pakistan, not to strike a deal for personal favours

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said that the violent riots were aimed at ending democracy in Pakistan and establishing an individual s dictatorship

s armed forces along with the Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee (CJCSC) and services chiefs, Thursday strongly condemned the criminal acts perpetrated during the May 9 riots last year Similarly, political leaders also held press conferences throughout the day and issued statements to strongly condemn the violent events while assailing the PTI for them

The arrest of former premier Imran Khan from Islamabad High Court on May 9 last year in the £190m graft case by the paramilitary Rangers had sparked widespread violence During the violent incidents, important military installations and martyrs monuments had also come under attack which triggered a severe crackdown on PTI founder Imran Khan and the party leadership

While Imran was released a few days later (he has since been rearrested in a separate case), thousands of PTI workers and almost the entire top-tier leadership were rounded up, with many still facing court proceed-

However the real leaders who present themselves as victims now will be held accountable for their actions, particularly when there is irrefutable evidence of their involvement and complicity in organised violence and sabotage ” he was quoted as saying in the statement

It added that the army chief reassured officers and soldiers that no one would be allowed to disrespect martyrs their families or the military

Planners, abettors, facilitators and culprits of May 9 will be brought to justice according to the law of the land and our patience not to respond to daily provocations in this regard made in brazen violation of the constitution has limits and it must never be misconstrued as weakness he said

COAS Munir lauded troops for their services to nation and appreciated their professionalism , underscoring that inimical forces and their abettors had unleashed digital terrorism and are trying hard to create division between armed forces and people of Pakistan through

Addressing a special meeting of the federal cabinet at Parliament House the premier said: “The real aim of May 9 [incidents] was to end democracy in Pakistan and god forbid bury the Constitution and a nefarious goal of establishing kingship and dictatorship of an individual

The impure plan of May 9 was not just a rebellion against Pakistan but against the state, the Pakistan Army and army chief Gen Asim Munir,” he said

PM Shehbaz said the aim of convening the meeting at Parliament House was to send a message to the nation that not only will we remember our martyrs and their families till the day of judgment but also to give a message of unity with them I think that these anti-state elements are displaying the worst enmity in the guise of a friend and a sympathiser,” the prime minister asserted He recalled various steps taken by the then-coalition government to save the country from economic default and improve relations with brotherly countries The premier linked the May 9 attacks to the various corruption cases against Imran and his party

Seven ‘Punjabi’ barbershop workers shot dead in Gwadar

cordoned off by law enforcement as action had begun to find the miscreants No group has claimed responsibility for the attack so far According to Gwadar Deputy Commissioner Hamoodur Rehman, the bodies have been shifted to their native areas via four ambulances The injured has also been shifted to Karachi after medical aid was administered to him he added Balochistan Chief Minister Mir Sarfraz Bugti condemned the killing of the workers in Gwadar, calling it open terrorism He expressed his condolences to their families and said that their families would not be abandoned vowing to provide all possible support to the families We will chase after terrorists and their facilitators, Bugti said, adding that there is no soft corner or place for them in Pakistan Whatever force is needed against the terrorists will be used the chief minister said He stressed that the writ of the state would be enforced in any case Every single drop of the blood of Pakistanis will be accounted for,” he said

Condemnations

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif condemned the incident and expressed his condolences to the victims’ families according to a statement on X by state broadcaster PTV News

This incident of terrorism is a cowardly act of the enemies of the country We are determined to eradicate terrorism from its roots,” the statement read Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi echoed similar sentiments expressing deep sorrow and condolences over the killing of the seven labourers The beasts who play with the lives of the innocent don’t deserve to be called humans,” Naqvi said in a statement shared by the Ministry of Interior on X Meanwhile the Balochistan government also condemned the killing and called it open terrorism according to a spokesperson Administrative officers reached the site of the incident and were in touch with district administration the spokesperson said Families of the deceased are being contacted the spokesperson added An investigation into the incident has been ordered, the spokesperson noted

PEtroLEuM DIvISIon SEEKS SIx-Month

ExtEnSIon For rEFInErY uPgrADAtIon

PSO proposes swapping debt for stake in public sector companies

Not only does this situation burden the judiciary with unnecessary adjournments but it also escalates legal costs due to separate counsel fees for each identical case

ing stances Additionally the AGP s office highlights the inefficiency in handling cases that do not require formal counsel engagement, leading to unnecessary expenditure on professional fees They propose a more cost-effective approach by designating duly instructed representatives from departments/field formations to assist AGP representatives in court This collaborative approach would facilitate swift case resolutions without incurring hefty legal expenses Another significant issue raised by the AGP s office is the lack of timely responses from FBR/field formations leading to delayed case disposals and even stay orders in some instances The AGP recommends that FBR direct its field formations/departments to depute officers of a certain rank to be present in court regularly This proactive measure would ensure timely responses to filed cases minimize legal complications, and ultimately save revenue

the AGP’s office is the lack of coordination within the FBR particularly regarding cases where multiple parties file identical petitions This lack of coordination leads to the engagement of different counsels by various field formations and departments, resulting in chaos and prolonged legal proceedings

To address these challenges the AGP s office recommends a more unified approach by engaging a single senior and competent counsel for similar or connected matters This streamlined approach would reduce legal complexities expedite case resolutions and lower legal expenses benefiting both the judiciary and the exchequer Furthermore, the AGP s communication to the FBR emphasizes the importance of coherence in comments filed by different ministries/divisions involved in legal proceedings Conflicting comments from multiple ministries not only confuse the judiciary but also hinder the AGP s office in providing effective assistance to the courts

The AGP suggests that in cases involving multiple ministries comments should be filed through the AG office to ensure alignment and avoid conflict-

Moreover, the AGP’s office addresses concerns regarding matters decided under hierarchy particularly under the Customs Act 1959 They point out instances where delayed compliance with tribunal orders results in revenue losses and exploit opportunities for compliance petitions To mitigate this, the AGP suggests proactive filing of Special Convertible Rupee Accounts (SCRAs) and urgent stay applications to suspend tribunal orders promptly

In conclusion, the AGP s office s observations and recommendations aim to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of tax dispute resolutions streamline legal processes and minimize unnecessary legal expenses These proposed measures if implemented could lead to more expedited case resolutions, reduced burdens on the judiciary, and cost savings for the government

TCONTINUED FR OM PAGE 01

The premier highlighted that politicians in Pakistan s history had gone through strict tribulations and suffered in jail yet raised the slogan of Pakistan khappay and said they could not even think of saying a word against Pakistan

PM Shehbaz said the riots were “not only a planned conspiracy [ ] but a rebellion against the institutions and Pakistan to divide the country s public and make them fight [among themselves]

The prime minister stated that the attacks were aimed at breaking apart unity in Pakistan and ending the public’s emotions of affection for the army and spreading civil war through rebellion” adding the plan for it failed

Noting that despite a year passing the suspects involved could not yet be brought to justice and be punished, PM Shehbaz said it was a stinging question that the entire nation asks itself, us and the institutions who have been given this responsibility”

Earlier today Information Minister

Attaullah Tarar had said that a resolution regarding the May 9 violence would be passed in the federal cabinet s special meeting while the law ministry would also present a “white paper”

Speaking to reporters in Islamabad Tarar said that the PPP the Istehkam-iPakistan Party (IPP) and the National Party (NP) had been invited to the meeting as special invitees to represent the coalition partners

PA

S TO

U S T I C E: I S P R Meanwhile the military’s media affairs wing emphasised that bringing the real culprits of May 9 [riots] to justice

As per details the consumers of KE will bear a total of Rs 12 94 per unit hike if the NEPRA approves the first scenario (FCARef Interim Tariff-March 2023), while KE s consumers will face Rs 18 57/unit increase if the regulatory authority (NEPRA) approves second scenario (FCA-Ref Monthly Cost) and Rs 16 9/unit hike if NEPRA allows third scenario (FCA-Ref Yearly Average Cost) for the period from July 2023 to March 2024

On Thursday, during the NEPRA s interactive hearing, customers both in-person and online posed inquiries about various as-

was paramount to ensure no future desecration of the memories of the country s heroes Bringing the real culprits of May 9 to justice is paramount to ensure that in future, no one dares to desecrate the memories of our heroes and the symbols of our unity through such an unwarranted conduct in future the Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR) said in a statement

The armed forces, along with the Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee (CJCSC) and services’ chiefs, strongly condemned the “criminal acts” perpetrated on May 9 last year terming the day as a Black Day

Recalling the incident it said politically motivated and brainwashed miscreants, in an act of rebellion, deliberately resorted to violence against state institutions and vandalised sacred symbols of the state and the sites belonging to national heritage

It was a futile attempt to bring about a misplaced and shortsighted revolution in the country, the ISPR stated

By displaying utmost restraint during this deliberate and brazenly orchestrated violence, Pakistan Armed Forces thwarted the insidious conspiracy by the planners facilitators and executors who wanted to destabilise Pakistan by inciting confrontation between the people and the armed forces, the statement added It further said that upon failing to undermine national harmony and stability”, those involved then “embarked upon a sinister campaign of hate against the armed forces and the state with an intent to twist the narrative to their advantage and shift the blame on the state institutions

It is precisely for this reason there can neither be any compromise with the planners facilitators and executors of

pects of the provisional FCA

Responding to questions about integrating more cost-effective generation sources the CEO of K-Electric outlined plans to incorporate 640MW of affordable wind and solar power aiming to fast-track these projects for commissioning within the next two years Additionally, he said that efforts were underway to introduce cheaper indigenous fuel sources to further lower overall costs Regarding the power supply to matric examination centers in Karachi a spokesperson from the power utility when contacted further confirmed the areas where the exemption was possible for centers shared by the education department have been exempted from load-shedding during the examination period When queried about the reduction in KE s losses since privatisation as raised in the hear-

May 9 tragedy nor they would be allowed to hoodwink the law of land the military asserted It renewed the resolve to defend the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Pakistan and defeat nefarious designs of the enemies of Pakistan both external and internal

Recognising the martyrs and their families as the pride of Pakistan, the armed forces pledged to uphold their dignity and respect at all costs”

“Today, let’s join hands to strongly denounce the conspiracies to weaken Pakistan and work together for the prosperity and stability of our beloved country the ISPR said

S: Earlier today, PM Shehbaz said there “can absolutely be no soft-pedalling” of the May 9 riots

There can absolutely be no softpedalling of what happened on May 9 and there can be no absolution for those who orchestrated, supported, and assisted the attempt to damage the foundations of our nation,” he said in a post on X The premier said that “not only were symbols of our national pride and honour attacked but the sanctity of our sacred homeland was also assaulted on that day Let not the shadows of lies hide the light of truth, the prime minister stated Love of our country demands nothing less,” PM Shehbaz added while using the hashtag “May 9 Never Again”

In another post last night the premier had said the day separated two thoughts of politics those who sacrificed politics for the state and those who attacked the state for politics “On the one hand, there are the great sons of the nation who shed their blood

ing by Karachi’s industrialist Arif Bilwani the information provided indicated a decrease in losses from nearly 40% at the time of privatization to approximately 15% presently However, NEPRA intervened when accusations beyond the scope of the hearing were made by Imran Shahid, a representative of Jamat-e-Islami Jamaat-e-Islami representative rejected the increase in tariff alleging that K-Electric is dependent on IPPs and NTDC He claimed that the citizens of Karachi were bearing load shedding from 3 to

for their homeland their great families and the patriotic public On the other there are those characters burning in the fire of hatred, who neither have any pain in their heart for state interests nor have any respect or nobility for national monuments state institutions the Constitution or the law ” he added PM Shehbaz further said that a year had passed since the events but Pakistan and the nation have neither forgotten nor will forget their criminals B

PASSES RESOLUTION: Meanwhile, the Balochistan Assembly adopted a resolution condemning the May 9 riots and urging the federal government to urgently take “strict disciplinary action” against those involved in them directly or indirectly

The resolution a copy of which is available with Dawn com was moved by provincial minister Mir Sadiq Umrani It was also signed by PML-N’s Shoaib Nosherwani and Asim Kurd; PPP’s Bakht Muhammad Kakar Zahoor Buledi and Ali Madat Jattak; and the Balochistan Awami Party s Mir Ziaullah Langove

Listing the attacks on state and private installations and personnel of law enforcement agencies being injured, the resolution strongly condemned the violent acts It stressed that bringing the perpetrators to justice was necessary to ensure that every kind of conspiracy against the Pakistan Army could be thwarted

The chief ministers of all provinces except the PTI-ruled Khyber Pakhtunkhwa condemned the May 9 riots Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz said the nation would neither forget nor forgive the attacks emphasising that bringing the plotters to justice was necessary, Radio Pakistan reported She said those who violated the dignity of the country and the nation for politics could not be forgiven and vowed to never let incidents like May 9 take place again

Pakistan Nav y hands over 8 Iranian fishermen to diplomatic authorities: ISPR

said the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) In a statement the ISPR stated that PNS Yarmook responded to a distress call sent out by the fishermen s vessel after it caught fire

The rescued fishermen were later handed over to Iranian diplomatic officials

On March 25, the Pakistan Navy responded swiftly to another distress call from a burning ship in the open sea rescuing eight Iranian fishermen the military said in a statement According to the ISPR PNS Yarmook promptly responded to the distress call and executed the rescue operation with extreme agility, showcasing humanitarian values The statement said that the vessel not only successfully rescued all fishermen but played a commendable role in extinguishing the fire The timely and successful rescue operation exemplified the Pakistan Navy s capability to deal with all sorts of situations at sea A month prior to that, in February, the Pakistan Navy in coordination with the Pakistan Maritime Security Agency (PMSA) saved the lives of nine Indian seamen at sea An Ocean Tug SAS-5 registered at St Kitts & Nevis was disabled for the last few days near the Indian coast at a position 167 NM southeast of Karachi The tug suffered a failure of its electric generators and had no electrical supply, a Pakistan Navy news release said

TH E first anniversary of the attacks on military installations and martyrs’ memorials by PTI activists, apparently to protest the arrest of PTI chairman Imran Khan, does not seem to have brought any of the softening necessary to put the event behind not just the two parties involved, but the entire nation The anniversary has been officially marked by a meeting of the Federal Cabinet expressing solidarity with the armed forces and by the PTI, not at all However, two days before, the DG ISPR said that the Army could engage in talks with the PTI if it apologized for the May 9 outrages This itself must be seen in the light of the reports that the PTI had appointed a three-man team to talk to the military The very next day the day before the anniversary, Mr Khan told reporters at Adiala Jail that he did not feel that he had to apologize for anything, and that if anything, he was owed the apology He said that if the military did not want to negotiate, then there was no forcing them Mr Khan should realize that his kneejerk reaction reflects exactly the kind of obduracy that cost him the Prime Ministership It reflects the kind of noholds-barred take-no-prisoners kind of rhetoric that may go down well with the voter base but which prevents the kind of dialogue that is the lifeblood of politics His desperation to keep the military engaged, and thus involved in politics, reflects the kind of traditional politics that his supporters decry so much His desire to involve the military, even though, as the COAS has said, it will keep to its constitutionally prescribed role reflects a hankering after a past which should not be revived

The PTI s appeal to the military is meant to satisfy its base which believes it can only come back to power once it is back on the same page Mr Khan’s remarks are a tacit admission that the party is in a hole because of what happened in May 9 last year There is a strong belief that Mr Khan was attempting a coup Mr Khan should realise that that impression must be dispelled before the country can move on If he is intrinsically unable to offer the requisite apology, he must prepare never to be forgiven, with all that means for him and his party

Dedicated to the legac y of late Hameed Nizami Arif Nizami (Late) Founding Editor

M A Niazi Editor Pakistan Today Babar Nizami Editor Profit

O n e - way t i c ke t to t h e m o o n ?

PA K I S TA N’S piggybacking on the Chinese mission to the moon caused more enthusiasm among Pakistani officialdom but was met with an apparent deafening silence among the Pakistani people Perhaps one reason was that it did not provide any of the world firsts that have been a staple of the space race, ever since the USSR put Mankind s first object into space, the satellite Sputnik, in 1957 Compared with the first Man in Space (the USSR 1961) or the first Man on the Moon (the USA 1969) a camera to photograph the Dark Side of the Moon doesn t really cut it It might be more worthwhile to examine the latest moon probe through the lens of the Indo-Pak rivalry It is also worth noting that the real rivalry is SinoIndian India has already done what China hopes to do and study the Far Side of the Moon The US-Soviet rivalry played out on the Near Side of the Moon India has already sent up three Chandrayaan missions since 2015 The one last year clearly did not provide enough time for Pakistan to plan its own venture with China The plan must have been made before, perhaps when India started its Chandrayaan missions in 2008 The Chang’e-6 Chinese mission carried Pakistan’s IceCube-Q which is supposed to separate from the main mission and take pictures both of the Dark Side and of the orbiter The Chang e missions which started in 2007, are supposed to culminate not just in crewed landings, but the establishment of a moon base This is scheduled to take place sometime in the 2030s The Change missions started with an unmanned orbit of the moon but have now graduated to bringing back samples of Moon Rock That had been managed on the Near Side when Chang e 5 brought back 1 73 kg of moon rocks and dust from the northern hemisphere of the near side This mission will attempt to bring samples from the southern hemisphere of the far side Will Pakistani scientists be given some of those samples for study? That is not known One of the main problems will be expense To give an idea of how much a space programme can cost it should be kept in mind that the cost of the moon landing was $25 billion in 1969, which would have been $182 billion in 2023 There are definite costs of being first, but even the cost of replicating and modifying are immense It is perhaps the funds issue which is stopping individual European powers from attempting pace programmes of their own Even though they have formed a European Space Agency while retaining individual space agencies, that is piggypacking on the Chang e-6 mission to put instruments on the moon It might also be noted that the USSR did not put anyone on the moon and the USA remains the only country to have achieved that expensive feat The great-power ambitions of India were expressed by its entry into the nuclear club Pakistan was different, as it became a nuclear power without

having any great-power ambitions solely to counter India India is looking at other avenues to prove itself such as by developing second-strike capability through at least a sea leg of nuclear triad (through nuclear submarines), and now through moon landings Scientists are always ready to fall in with such great-power ambitions After all science is served The amount of data that China and India bring to the table about the far side of the moon may or may not be comparable with that generated by the USA during the 1945 nuclear explosions, but it will be immense It will be of interest of astronomers, and none to microbiologists, but that is the nature of science It has piggybacked on political ambitions throughout history China also has the surpluses necessary to engage in a lunar programme and has great-power ambitions The ambition of establishing a lunar base indicates that China is also keeping an eye on getting some return for the expenditure, in the form of mineral ores It is possible that the revival of US interest in space generally (the launching of the Hubble telescope and of probes to Mars and to the asteroids) and the moon in particular (a landing this year and a planned manned landing in 2025) may have been provoked by the Chinese and Indian programmes China already has 22 taikonauts (Americans are called astronauts, the USSR s spacemen cosmonauts) Pakistan has one, but she is actually an astronaut, being a passenger on the first Virgin Galactic flight in 2023 The first Indian who actually made it to space was an Indian Air Force squadron leader Rakesh Sharma who was on the Soyuz satellite in 1984 as part of a programme for foreigners to become cosmonauts Sharma remains the only Indian citizen to have gone into space, though two US citizens of Indian origin have Some spacemen have done well for themselves John Glenn the first American in space became a US Senator Jügderdemidiin

t l e a s h , a n d h a s e x cl u d e d i t f ro m i t s s p a c e

p ro g r a m m e . T h e r e a l m o f s p a c e c a n n o t b e a vo i d e d . B u t i t d o e s

n o t s e e m Pa k i s t a n i s r e a d y. I t s s p a c e p ro g r a m m e c a n n o t a f fo rd t o b e d r i v e n by a ny p a ro c h i a l r i va l r y. F ro m s p a c e , t h e w h o l e e a r t h a p p e a r s s m a l l , l e t a l o n e t h e c o u n t r i e s o n i t .

Use of mobile technology in libraries

Tsetup to a hybrid model due to advanced technology (mobile technology) Now, modern libraries are not limited by time, IP address place and such like but allow users to access library content at any time and from any location using mobile phones tablets and similar gadgets Most libraries have developed mobile applications to complement their library services and resources and offer an easy way for

people to access the extensive information in a library s collection It also allows users to navigate desired information in the online catalog, reserve space, request inter-library loan services, e-journal database, digitized thesis and inhouse search and others Academic libraries are subject to internal and external forces that cause and necessitate organizational change and development; hence the use of mobile technology plays a pivotal role in the development of organizations Libraries must embrace new and innovative technologies to serve users’ academic needs Mobile phones can provide users with information and resources anytime and anywhere The concept of mobile phones in library services is not new; many libraries worldwide have already provided SMS services in earlier days, but modern technology has transformed the way users interact with technology Information in earlier days took a lot of work to obtain Mobile phones have made it readily and easily available because new applications have made library operations more sophisticated like reference services circulation services current awareness services, lending services, etc Mobile technology has become the need of the hour for modern libraries, and without it no library can enhance its services in the right direction

The writer is the Library s Deputy Director at the Institute of Strategic Studies Islamabad He can be reached at writetoabidhussain@gmail com

Information in earlier days took a lot of work to obtain. Mobile phones have made it readily and easily available because new applications have made library operations more sophisticated, like reference services, circulation services, current awareness services, lending services, and so on Mobile technology has become the need of the hour for modern libraries, and without it, no library can enhance its services in the right direction

Repair work

Mess on the roads

Junk food

Living on the moon

testament to the enduring strength of the Beijing-Brussels relationship and highlights the significance of their economic partnership

CHINESE President Xi Jinping has embarked on a major diplomatic journey, undertaking state visits to France Serbia and Hungary from May 5 to 10 at the invitation of respective leaders This high-profile itinerary underscores a shared commitment between China and Europe to recaliberate ties amidst the complexities of an increasingly competitive global landscape Xi Jinping’s diplomatic tour through France Serbia and Hungary serves a triple purpose reflecting China s strategic priorities in Europe First and foremost the visits aim to mend strained relations caused by China s stance on Russia s actions in Ukraine, demonstrating Beijing’s commitment to stability in the region Secondly, Xi seeks to counter the European Union’s efforts to bolster economic security measures against China asserting Beijing s position in trade and investment cooperation Lastly the visit underscores China s close alliances with Serbia and Hungary, key players in Beijing’s geopolitical strategy By showcasing strong partnerships with these nations China aims to solidify its ties with Central and Eastern Europe regions increasingly caught in the crosscurrents of global power dynamics Xi s tour reflects China s proactive approach to diplomacy, leveraging economic ties and political alliances Despite mounting pressure from Washington urging European nations to reduce their economic ties with China many countries on the continent remain steadfast in their commitment to bolster trade and investment cooperation with the world s secondlargest economy Chinese President Xi Jinping’s current tour of Europe serves as a

Over the years China has emerged as one of the European Union s most vital trading partners In 2023 alone China accounted for a substantial 20 5 percent of EU imports of goods, positioning it as the largest import partner for the bloc, followed closely by the USA, the United Kingdom, Switzerland, and Norway Additionally China’s involvement in various infrastructure projects across the continent underscores its deepening economic engagement with Europe Despite external pressures, these economic ties continue to play a crucial role in shaping the dynamics of global trade and investment

Both Chinese and European experts view Xi’s visit as an opportunity to explore avenues of cooperation Xi s engagements are poised to inject fresh momentum into the trajectory of China-Europe relations demonstrating the capacity for positive interactions and mutually beneficial collaboration that transcends conventional geopolitical dynamics As the world grapples with evolving challenges and shifting power dynamics these diplomatic exchanges serve as a testament to the resilience of international relations and the potential for constructive engagement between China and Europe

Through dialogue and cooperation, both sides aim to forge a path towards stability and prosperity in an uncertain world Interestingly as Xi undertook his voyage through

Paris Belgrade and Budapest where his hosts, in a remarkable twist, had all journeyed to China last year French President Macron, consistent with his pledge to visit China annually during his tenure made his visit last year Similarly Serbian President Vucic and Hungarian Prime Minister Orban were among the prominent attendees at the third Belt and Road International Forum for Cooperation in Beijing last October

President Xi’s visit is part of a broader trend of high-level engagements between China and the EU this year In January Belgian Prime Minister Alexander De Croo made his inaugural visit to China signing a series of cooperation agreements on various fronts like the economy, trade, agriculture, and food In late March, Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte paid a visit to Beijing Chancellor Olaf Scholz of Germany followed suit with a visit in April accompanied by a delegation of federal ministers and business leaders Looking ahead Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni is reportedly gearing up for her visit to China later this year, further underscoring the evolving dynamics of Sino-European relations

The intricate web of global supply chains reflects the symbiotic relationship between China and the EU a dynamic that not only underscores their interdependence but also bolsters global economic stability China’s robust manufacturing capabilities, for instance, seamlessly complement the EU’s expertise in cutting-edge sectors like aerospace industrial software laser technology and semiconductors creating a mutually beneficial partnership that drives the

The intricate web of global supply chains reflects the symbiotic relationship between China and the EU, a dynamic that not only underscores their interdependence but also bolsters global economic stability

The principles of non-alignment and independence underscore Europe s approach to its relationship with China emphasizing that it is not tethered to the whims of any external actor In this context, President Xi s visit sends a resounding message: China remains steadfast in its commitment to fostering cooperation with Europe while respecting and upholding the continent’s strategic autonomy

smooth functioning of international markets Consider China s pivotal role as a producer of rare earth elements essential components for the EU s manufacturing of sophisticated goods such as smartphones, electric vehicles, and advanced computing systems These materials form the lifeblood of modern technology highlighting China’s indispensable position in the global tech supply chain Conversely the EU s contribution of high-end technology and equipment plays a crucial role in China s industrial advancement and infrastructure development endeavors From state-of-the-art manufacturing machinery to renewable energy technologies and components for high-speed rail the EU’s offerings fuel innovation and efficiency across China s sectors propelling the nation towards greater modernization and competitiveness on the global stage Amidst the shifting tides of global geopolitics over the last five years, the bond between China and its three European counterparts - France Serbia and Hungary - has endured guided by the steady hand of state leadership President Xi Jinping s visit to these nations heralds a new chapter in their collective narrative, symbolizing not only deepening bilateral ties but also the broader trajectory of China-Europe relations Indeed the landscape of China-Europe relations has been marked by ebbs and flows in recent years influenced by global events such as the COVID-19 pandemic and the RussiaUkraine conflict Against this backdrop, Europe finds itself navigating a delicate balancing act as the United States intensifies its efforts to court the continent while designating China as its foremost competitor Despite these complexities, the EU s commitment to maintaining strategic autonomy emerges as a crucial litmus test

The writer is a freelance columnist

the man s honor The Hassan victims whose identities have been unmasked have locked their homes and left in a desperate bid to avoid prurient gossip and prying eyes

I spoke to a senior official of the Karnataka police for this column and he expressed frustration at the lack of cooperation from the victims Can you blame them, I asked, with the way the system is skewed against women in India? The rapist is not blamed but the women are even if it happens to be an eight-month-old baby girl or a bedridden 80-plus woman Sources told me that the tell-tale signs of locked houses, of women gone into hiding, with their husbands and fathers seeing the videos and demanding answers is the predictable fallout

Where does Revanna draw his power from? His grandfather Deve Gowda was an accidental PM for a brief interregnum Gowda is a dynast of the old school and has always indulged in ‘family first’ politics, finding important jobs for his sprawling clan

Hassan which is located some 180km from the country s IT capital of Bangalore is the family pocket borough

The systematic exploitation and abuse of women predates Prajwal s political career One of his victims in the viral videos can be heard saying: “I am 68 years old please spare me I have fed you as a child I have fed your father

Another a policewoman who is forced to strip her uniform is begging for mercy, saying that she will commit suicide if he continues An unmoved Prajwal is seen giggling in the video

Hassan is such a stronghold of the Gowda clan that before a woman could reach the police the vindictive powerful clan would be tipped off and terrible consequences for the victim s family would follow That s the main reason the women kept quiet

and patriarchal society being a rape survivor is a bigger social taboo than being a rapist Police are unsympathetic to women who try and report or register a crime; hence, so many rapes are severely unreported even though the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) in 2019 said a rape happens every 16 minutes Trials are a nightmare with the survivor subjected to humiliation and grilling And afterwards, it is difficult for

Prajwal is believed to have recorded his acts as a blackmail weapon against the victims to keep them quiet and biddable If they refused him anything he would threaten to make the rape video viral The entire Gowda clan was aware of Prajwal’s monstrous activities yet they turned a blind eye perhaps because his father was also doing the same The powerful family obtained gag orders from courts to ensure that the abuse did not become public

So far the family s defense has been eye-watering and sickening as they have claimed the videos are three to four years old There is no statute of limitations on rape cases in India but the defense seems to claim that the acts were acceptable because they happened some years ago Even though the Hassan case came

into the public eye because of the sheer number of women Prajwal abused, the media was squeamish in reporting the abuse even calling it a “sex scandal ” which is ridiculous The women were not willing participants in the mediatermed sex scandal The uproar and shame over the leaked videos forced the Karnataka police s Special Investigation Team to warn it would arrest and prosecute anyone circulating or even in possession of the videos A district court even denied anticipatory bail to anyone found doing so; this includes four men charged with distributing pen drives with the videos Yet Prajwal is not the only politicians to get a free pass on a heinous case of sexual abuse or assault Here’s a 2018 list of powerful politicians facing charges of sex crimes More recently Indian Olympic gold medal winning women athletes accused another powerful MP, Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, of serial sexual harassment Because the establishment turned a blind eye, thanks to the MP’s considerable political influence in his native Kaiserganj in India s most politically important state of Uttar Pradesh the women went on a public protest and sat on hunger strike Instead of acting against the harasser who ran the wrestling association, the police in April 2023 violently cleared the athletes from the protest site in New Delhi Incredibly in what seemed a clear bid to rehabilitate him a famous male TV anchor from a mainstream channel this weekend conducted a friendly interview with Singh, whose son is contesting the ongoing parliamentary election in his father ’s place The anchor proudly shared pictures on social media of himself arm-wrestling Singh and repeatedly called him a strong man I don t mean to pick on the anchor, who apologized when faced with a swift and harsh backlash on social media but this is how abuse against women is normalized instead of the criminal being ostracized Yes in India you will be valued as a woman if you don t complain, and if you quietly confirm and win medals Political leaders will seek you out for photo ops and selfies But if you dare complain against powerful politicians the entire establishment will seek retribution As Prajwal hides to ensure he is not punished for his alleged serial abuse ironically his

JU S T what exactly happens when a society becomes substantially more unequal, when a few become fabulously richer than the many? Defenders of our deepest pockets have a ready answer What happens when wealth starts concentrating at a society s summit? Nothing we need worry about In fact the richer our richest become these cheerleaders for grand fortune posit, the better the lives the rest of us get to lead Or so the American Enterprise Institute’s James Pethokoukis would have us believe “Rather than wishing for a world without billionaires as some radical thinkers do Pethokoukis declared last month we might want to think about the immense value that uber-successful entrepreneurs provide People who live in highly unequal societies feel “a lower sense of control” and look less askance at unethical behaviors either from others or from themselves than do people who live in distinctly more equal societies Without the possibility of amassing significant wealth this think-tanker went on to add, we wouldn t have benefited from the contributions of entrepreneurs like Bezos and Bill Gates ” But those “contributions ” researchers have made plain over recent years have all come at an exceptionally high price People who live in societies with wide gaps between the wealthy and everyone else turn out to live briefer lives than people who call more equal societies home People who live in more equal societies, meanwhile, tend to live happier lives than their unequal-society counterparts They face less crime Their economies crash less often Epidemiologists and economists the world over are exploring all these sorts of phenomena So are sociologists and political scientists And, over recent years, psychologists have been jumping big-time into the fray, as an analysis from Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Management has just highlighted One example: Recent studies from Northwestern s Maryam Kouchaki and her colleagues Christopher To from Rutgers and Dylan Wiwad, a former Kellogg postdoc, have been illuminating how unequal distributions of income and wealth are serving to increase “the acceptability of self-interested unethical behaviors ” Why do unequal societies tend to be more accepting of this immoral behavior ? Kouchaki and her colleagues have been exploring that

question They ve dug deep into huge international data sets that go back decades They ve also conducted experiments to dig even deeper into the psyches of both high- and low-inequality societies One of these fascinating experiments involving some 800 participants used images of ladders to help show how levels of inequality can impact attitudes on the importance of behaving ethically The research team showed the participants five different ten-rung ladders Each ladder represented a different society, with each ladder rung representing 10% of each society’s population The top rung represented the richest 10% the bottom the poorest Upon each rung the researchers placed images of money bags to indicate the total net worth of households in each particular 10% In the most equal of these five ladder societies, no one rung carried many more money bags than any other rung In the most unequal ladder societies just the opposite In these unequal societies the overwhelming bulk of the money bags sat on the ladders top-most rungs Northwestern s Kouchaki and her colleagues then asked their experiment’s participants to choose the ladder image that best reflected the distribution of wealth in their own real-life society They also asked these participants to rate how acceptable unethical behaviors everything from

AslAM JAved

US warns Israel that Rafah invasion will jeopardise weapons supply

CAIR O/ WASHINGTON/ GAZA/ RAFAH A G E N C I E S

US President Joe Biden vowed publicly for the first time to withhold weapons from Israel if its forces make a major invasion of Rafah in southern Gaza while negotiations in Cairo on a ceasefire plan for the besieged Palestinian enclave were set to continue on Thursday I made it clear that if they go into Rafah I m not supplying the weapons, Biden, whose administration has repeatedly asked Israel for its plan to protect civilians in Rafah, told CNN in an interview on Wednesday

Biden acknowledged that US bombs provided to Israel killed Gaza civilians in the seven-month-old offensive aimed at annihilating the resistance group Hamas

The comments Biden s starkest yet increase the pressure on Israel to refrain from a full-scale assault on Rafah, where hundreds of thousands of Palestinians have sought refuge after fleeing combat farther north in Gaza

There was no immediate comment from Israel on Biden’s remarks but Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said the Rafah operation would go ahead Israel claims it must hit Rafah to defeat thousands of Hamas fighters Israel kept up tank and aerial strikes on southern Gaza after moving in via the Rafah border crossing with Egypt on Tuesday, cutting off a vital aid route Biden has been under pressure from his fellow Democrats and growing campus protests to deter Israel from invading Rafah His support of Israel has become a political liability as the president runs for re-election The United States is by far the biggest supplier of weapons to Israel, and it accelerated deliveries after October 7

Biden said US weapons for Israel s defense such as its Iron Dome anti-missile system would continue

On Wednesday, US officials confirmed that Washington paused delivery of an arms shipment of 1,800 2,000-pound (907-kg) bombs and 1,700 500-pound bombs to Israel because of the risk to civilians in Gaza

Four sources said the shipments delayed for at least two weeks involved Boeing-made Joint Direct Attack Munitions which convert dumb bombs into precision-guided ones as well as Small Diameter Bombs They were part of an earlier approved shipment to Israel, not the recent $95-billion supplemental aid package the US Congress passed in April Israel’s UN ambassador Gilad Erdan called that decision “very disappointing” but said he did not believe the US would stop supplying arms to Israel

TA L K I N G I N C A I R O: Palestinian resistance movement Hamas said late on Wednesday it would not make more concessions to Israel in the truce talks In Cairo, delegations from Hamas, Israel, the US, Egypt, and Qatar have been meeting since Tuesday

Citing a source familiar with the matter Egypt’s state-affiliated Al Qahera TV said early on Thursday that areas of disagreement were being resolved and there were signs an agreement would be reached without giving details

But Izzat El-Reshiq, a member of Hamas political office in Qatar, said in a statement late on Wednesday the group would not go beyond a ceasefire proposal it accepted on Monday

That would also entail the release of some Israeli hostages in Gaza and Palestinian women and children detained in Israel

The China-Hungary relationship is now

China and Hungary have always respected each other, treated each other as equals, and pursued mutual benefit Earlier upon arrival at Budapest Chinese President Xi Jinping said China and Hungary have set a fine example of building a new type of international relations featuring mutual respect fairness justice and win-win cooperation Xi made the remarks in a written speech upon his arrival in Budapest for a state visit to Hungary, the final stop of his Europe tour Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban and his wife welcomed Xi at the airport In the speech Xi expressed his delight at paying a state visit to Hungary at the invitation of Hungarian President Tamas Sulyok and Prime Minister Orban

On behalf of the government and the people of China, I wish to extend heartfelt greetings and best wishes to the Hungarian government and people ” said Xi Acknowledging the socioeconomic progress

made in recent years in Hungary Xi said China as a good friend and comprehensive strategic partner heartily rejoices over Hungary s achievements

The Chinese president recalled that Hungary was one of the first countries to recognize and establish diplomatic relations with the People s Republic of China

“In 2004 we decided to forge a friendly and cooperative partnership In 2017 the bilateral relationship was elevated to a comprehensive strategic partnership

CORPORATE CORNER

Enhancing customers’ experience: NBP President inaugurates newly-renovated Main Branch Multan

Global

once again with

g Arif Habib Corporation, along with Gerr y's, has shown interest in purchasing a majority stake in state-owned airlines, as per latest developments announced by

CEO Indus Motor Awarded Business Leader Award 2024 by Institute of Chartered Accountants of Pakistan

team has been my biggest strength all along and I would not be where I am at today without their unconditional support

The globally revered Toyota Way has played a pivotal role in shaping my leadership ethos and inculcating values such as respect for people a customer-first mentality kaizen persevering in times of adversity and equitable treatment are deeply rooted in these principles

S indh Agric ulture University embarks on digitalization journey: Vice C hancellor

TANDOJAM S TA F F R E P O R T

Dr Fateh Marri, the Vice Chancellor of Sindh Agriculture University (SAU) Tandojam emphasized the global trend towards modernization and highlighted the significant role that Information Technology and media can play in driving advancements in agriculture, from researchers to farmers Speaking at the inaugural ceremony of the digitalization of the Public Relations section of Sindh Agriculture University Dr Marri emphasized the importance of digitalization in improving access to information and facilitating ease of processes for students, from admission to degree attainment

During the inauguration ceremony of the digitalization of the Public Relations section, Vice Chancellor Dr Fateh Marri, accompanied by Progressive Farmers Syed Nadeem Shah Jamote, Nabi Bux Sathio and various faculty

deans visited the digitized PRO Section and Media cell They received a briefing regarding various initiatives taken by the PRO Section, including the establishment of a studio, podcast studio, archives library webpage and Android App

Syrian

engages with NUST to boost bilateral ac ademic ties

C heezious

PM SHEHBA Z URGES QATARI INVESTMENT IN PAKISTAN

Earlier, an emergency meeting of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Petroleum Dealers and Carriage Association was held under the chairmanship of Abdul Majid Khan Fuad Ishaq President Sarhad Chamber of Commerce and Industry participated in the meeting as chief guest

Swat police foil bid to smuggle valuable antiques

The Swat Police claimed to have foiled the attempt to smuggle thousands of years old antiques worth millions of rupees to China and arrested the accused Ghaligay Police SHO Roshan Ali, addressing a press conference along with Landakay Checkpost In-Charge Taj Muhammad Khan and Deputy Director of Archaeology Department, Malakand Division, Faizur Rehman said that they were doing routine checking at Landakay Checkpost when a car was stopped and after searching hundreds of valuable antiques were recovered from the secret compartments of the vehicle He said that after bringing these antiques to Swat, an attempt was being made to smuggle them to China through Gilgit-Balistan, but the police foiled the smuggling of these antiques “These antiques include ancient coins tools and decorative items including consumables he said He said that the police have detained the accused namely Ghulam Jilani, a resident of Quetta, for not presenting the ownership documents and a case has been registered against him under Antiquities Act 2106 “According to the Department of Archaeology, there are antiquities dating back to four thousand years before Christ (BC) Ninety percent of the antiquities are extracted from underground and it is not possible to estimate how much these antiquities are worth

Shibli Faraz, US diplomat discuss bilateral ties, economic & political situation

ISLAMABAD S TA F F R E P O R T

Leader of the Opposition in the Senate, Senator Shibli Faraz was called on Deputy Political Counselor of the American Embassy Christopher J Brown at Parliament House on Thursday

During the meeting PakistanUS relations, economic and political situation and matters of bilateral significance came under discussion

Speaking on the occasion Senator Shibli Faraz emphasized that economic and political stability were interlinked highlighting the

need for collaborative efforts to enhance bilateral cooperation He said that there was need to promote a conducive environment for constructive discourse and progress

Acknowledging the challenges facing the nation he called for engaging with all stakeholders Dialogue with all stakeholders is the only solution, he asserted, stressing the significance of inclusive decision-making processes Echoing the sentiment of continuity and stability Senator Faraz underscored the importance of consistent policies to ensure sustainable development Continuity of policies is essential for

hundreds of soldiers paramilitary and police personnel tasked to guard the Corps Commander House and adjacent areas in Lahore were removed soon after the kidnapping of Imran Khan PTI Spokesperson asked that the orchestrators of May 9 were yet to tell the nation the identity of the miscreants dressed in civilian clothes