traders also shut down their shops and came to roads for protest All trade centres offices and academic institutions also remained closed in Rawalakot and Mirpur Protesters also staged demonstration at the district court, demanding release of the arrested protesters The routes leading to Muzaffarabad were blocked with barricades at Shahrah-e-Srinagar while heavy police contingents remained present on the thoroughfare The day dawned with large number of participants from Bhimbar Mirpur and Kotli marched towards Muzaffarabad in groups The protests turned violent when police and long march participants clashed near Islam Garh Police said that the protesters opened fire on them as they tried to block their way which led to Mirpur Assistant Sub-Inspector (ASI) Adnan Qureshi being shot in the chest The cop succumbed to his injuries after being shifted to the hospital while three protesters were also severely injured Meanwhile, several other cops and protesters also got injured during the teargas shelling by the police and stone pelting by the demonstrators in Kotli The violent protesters damaged multiple vehicles including a magistrate s car at the Poonch-Kotli road
In par tnership with Profit S u n d a y, 1 2 M a y, 2 0 2 4 I | 3 Z i l - Q a d a h , 1 4 4 5 R s 2 0 0 0 | Vo l X I V N o 3 1 2 I 8 Pa g e s I La h o r e E d i t i o n PR OFIT A G E N C I E S The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has demanded Pakistan to revise power purchase agreements and increase gas prices on a half-yearly basis starting in June According to a news report the government has assured the global lender of a timely tariff hike as the administration in Islamabad is striving for a longerterm loan agreement with the IMF A comprehensive plan for full cost recovery from consumers has been drafted to address the circular debt plaguing the power sector after reaching Rs2,083 billion as of January Furthermore the government has committed to implementing reforms to reduce the circular debt or maintain stocks in the fiscal year 2024-25 On the other hand, the circular debt in the power sector remained over Rs2 600 billion while the IMF has also demanded measures to stop electricity theft and improve the transmission system The global lender has also asked for issuing a notification for the annual rebasing of the electricity tariff in fiscal year 202425 The measures demanded further include revising power purchase agreements and reforms in subsidy for agricultural tube wells The IMF also insists on meeting the target of Rs2 300 billion circular debt in the power sector by June In response to the IMF s demand for a uniform gas price for cost recovery, the government has assured that steps will be taken to ensure consistency across regions and industries Disparities in gas prices for different sectors will be minimized to streamline operations and enhance efficiency The IMF has also called for all fertilizer companies to charge the full price of gas indicating a broader push for transparency and accountability in energy pricing In light of these proposals, the government has assured the IMF that the difference in gas prices for various regions and industries will be reduced However amidst these reforms the government has emphasized the need to protect vulnerable households from the impact of tariff adjustments Measures will be put in place to safeguard the interests of lowincome families during the implementation of electricity and gas tariff revisions g G O V T A S S U R E S G LO B A L L E N D E R O F A L L P O S S I B L E M E A S U R E S TO R E D U C E C I R C U L A R D E B T IMF demands revision of power purchase agreements, gas tariff hike from June Zardari granted presidential exemption in Park lane, toshakhana references ISLAMABAD S TA F F R E P O R T An accountability court in Islamabad on Saturday granted presidential immunity to President Asif Ali Zardari from criminal proceedings in Park Lane and Toshakhana references of the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) Accountability court Judge Nasir Javed Rana issued a written decision on the president’s petition and halted all proceedings against Zardari According to the court order since Zardari was elected to the president s office this year no criminal proceedings can be launched against him and any proceedings already underway have been stayed or paused The president had last month petitioned the court under Section 248(2) of the Constitution which states that no criminal proceedings can be launched or continued against a sitting president or governor The prosecutor did not contest the petition concurring with its contents and raising no objections The judgment noted that the president sought immunity as per Article 248 (2) of the Constitution, following which no case can be registered or action taken against the petitioner The written order further added that the prosecution raised no objection to the president s plea, hence it was approved and case proceedings were halted until the end of Zardari’s tenure as president of Pakistan The Park Lane case accused Zardari of influencing relevant authorities during his tenure as the president – from 2008 to 2013 – to
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loss of Rs3 77 billion to the national exchequer Earlier on April 22 the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) submitted a report to an accountability court informing it that President Zardari has presidential Immunity in Thatta water supply case under Article 248 of the Constitution During the hearing Zardari s counsel maintained that his client enjoyed presidential immunity therefore proceedings against him could not be carried out The court issued notice to NAB seeking its arguments on the matter and adjourned the hearing of the case till today The water supply reference pertains to the special initiative department allegedly illegally awarding the Thatta water supply scheme contract to a private contractor In January 2023, an accountability court returned a corruption reference against Zardari after amendments to NAB law Meanwhile Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PMLN) supremo Nawaz Sharif has also filed a petition against the Toshakhana vehicles reference The accountability court has scheduled arguments on Nawaz Sharif s petition for May 23 and issued a notice in this regard
SAYS BOTH SIDES AGREED TO COOPERATE IN VARIOUS FIELDS, INCLUDING TRAINING OF SAUDI AIR FORCE PILOTS
SAYS TWO NATIONS ARE LIKE FAMILY AND WILL SUPPORT EACH OTHER IN TIMES OF NEED P M d u b s PA K - s A u d i t i e s A u n i q u e b o n d h Av i n g n o PA r A l l e l i n w o r l d ISLAMABAD S TA F F R E P O R T P R I M E Minister Shehbaz Sharif praised the extraordinary relationship between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia calling it a unique and special bond that has no parallel in the world In an interview with a Saudi TV channel, he underscored the deep-rooted historical ties between the two nations, spanning centuries He emphasized that the two nations share a rich history and cultural heritage that spans centuries The prime minister highlighted the success of the World Economic Forum in Saudi Arabia, where he met with Saudi authorities and agreed to cooperate in various fields including the training of Saudi Air Force pilots He stressed that the two nations are like family and will support each other in times of need Sharif expressed admiration for Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s accomplishments in the IT sector and expressed Pakistan’s interest in leveraging Saudi expertise in this field He outlined areas of mutual interest and cooperation, particularly in solar energy investment discussions held during Pakistan’s delegation visit to Riyadh Reflecting on the economic landscape of Pakistan the premier emphasized the nation s potential for growth especially in agriculture, and referred to it as Pakistan Speed He credited Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman with transforming Saudi Arabia’s landscape and hailed his policies as an inspiration for leaders worldwide PM Sharif also welcomed the historic opportunity for business communities from both nations to connect which will drive development and growth in both countries Furthermore, he highlighted the historic opportunities arising from increased business interactions between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia facilitated by visits from Saudi officials including the Foreign Minister He lauded Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman s sincerity in fostering strong relations with Pakistan, emphasizing the mutual benefits derived from such collaboration Pakistan seeks foreign investments in diverse sectors’ Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has expressed Pakistan s keen interest in attracting investments from the UK and other countries Talking to British High Commissioner to Pakistan Jane Marriott in Islamabad he said Pakistan has enormous potential in agriculture, food security, information technology, tourism, mining and other sectors The Prime Minister said Pakistan and UK have long-standing ties which are getting stronger with time Shehbaz Sharif said Pakistan is moving towards institutional reforms and digitization of FBR is in final stages The Prime Minister said measures are being taken at the macro and micro economic level to revive the country’s economy The British delegation appreciated the government s education emergency initiative Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar was also present on the occasion DOHA A G E N C I E S UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres has discussed the dire situation in Gaza with Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani, with the officials agreeing that a full-scale Israeli military operation in Rafah would have catastrophic consequences and must be prevented Al Jazeera reports quoting UN read-out Guterres expressed deep appreciation for Qatar s continued mediation efforts to broker a deal for an urgent ceasefire in Gaza and the immediate release of hostages”, the statement added UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres has discussed the dire situation in Gaza with Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani, with the officials agreeing that a full-scale Israeli military operation in Rafah would have catastrophic consequences and must be prevented Al Jazeera reports quoting UN read-out Guterres expressed “deep appreciation for Qatar s continued mediation efforts to broker a deal for an urgent ceasefire in Gaza and the immediate release of hostages the statement added Death toll reaches 35000 Meanwhile, the health ministry in Gaza has said that at least 34 971 people have been killed in the Palestinian enclave during Israel s military bombardment in Gaza AFP reports The tally includes at least 28 deaths in the past 24 hours, a ministry statement said, adding that 78,641 people have been wounded since fighting broke out on October 7 Hamas armed wing releases video of hostage held in Gaza Hamas s armed wing, the Ezzedine alQassam Brigades, has released a video of a man held hostage in Gaza and seen alive in the footage AFP reports The man is seen speaking in the 11-second clip which is superimposed with text in Arabic and Hebrew that reads: “Time is running out Your government is lying” Egypt refuses to coordinate with Israel on entry of aid from Rafah crossing: report Egypt has refused to coordinate with Israel on the entry of aid into Gaza from the Rafah crossing due to Israel s unacceptable escalation”, Egypt’s state-affiliated Alqahera News satellite TV has reported citing a senior official Reuters reports the official also said that Egypt held Israel responsible for the deterioration of the situation in the Gaza Strip Israel army reports more rockets at key Gaza crossing The Israeli army has said rockets were launched from Rafah in southern Gaza towards the Kerem Shalom crossing which was temporarily shut earlier this week after deadly fire, AFP reports Four launches were identified that crossed from the Rafah area”, the military said in a statement adding that one rocket was intercepted by Israeli air defences “and the rest fell in open areas around Kerem Shalom It added that “no injuries were reported ” Pro-Israel website ramps up attacks on pro-Palestinian student protesters Weeks after attending a pro-Palestinian demonstration, Egyptian-American student Layla Sayed received a text message from a friend drawing her attention to a website dedicated to exposing people it says promote hatred of Jews and Israel UN chief, Qatari PM agree on preventing full-scale Rafah operation as Gaza deaths near 35,000 C o p k i l l e d , d o z e n s i n j u r e d a s A J K p r o t e s t s t u r n v i o l e n t MIRPUR/MUZAFFARABAD S TA F F R E P O R T Clashes between the police and Awami Action Committee (AAC) protesters intensified in Muzaffargarh and Mirpur in AJK on second of protest against inflated electricity bills and a policemen was killed and dozens of protestors injured on Saturday Markets trade centres offices and schools and restaurants remained closed across the AJK due to the AAC s call for a shutter down and wheel-jam strike across the state to protest the electricity price hike and taxes The Awami Action Committee (AAC) had announced a long march from Muzaffarabad to Madina Market Heavy contingents of police were deployed on the roads leading to Madina Market to stop the protestors The protesters infuriated over blockade of roads, clashed with police at Tanga Stand, Aziz Chowk and Shah Sultan Bridge Protesters pelted stones and thrown glass bottles on policemen during the protest Kotli
allegedly obtain loans for his front companies Zardari allegedly received a loan of Rs1 5
released for Parthenon Private Limited with
intention”, and the money was later claimed to have been transferred for his personal use through
bank accounts The anti-graft buster accused him of causing a
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Pak istani star tup B ook me enters S audi market
g TRAVEL TECHNOLOGY PLATFORM SEALS TWO LANDMARK AGREEMENTS IN ORDER TO INCREASE ITS NETWORK IN KSA
Having been in the business for the past 11 years, Bookme has changed the ticketing scene in Pakistan as it single handedly carved out the e-ticketing industry in Pakistan and made access to travel and entertainment seamless for customers
First off, Bookme signed an agreement with Mrsool, a homegrown Saudi delivery platform that has its operations across KSA and Egypt With an 8-million+ customer base Mrsool has become the leading on-demand delivery app in the region Founded in 2016 by Ayman Alsanad(CEO) and Naif Al-
simiri(CMO) and today has 450+ FTEs in Riyadh and Cairo with highly attractive business model due to the diversified monetization strategy of Butler services Grocery Beverages (F&B) Groceries & Pharma, Quick Commerce and Digital Products
The signing ceremony happened at the Pakistani Embassy in Riyadh Faizan Aslam the founder and CEO Muhammad T Ali the COO were present at the ceremony from Bookme Ayman AlSanad the CEO, Naif Alsimiri the CMO along with Hammad Raza CFO and Abdullah Haboudal CSO Another agreement of great significance happened on the sidelines of the Arabian Travel Market Expo 2024 Bookme has been selected by the Saudi Tourism Ministry as the official travel booking OTA partner for digital tourism This partnership, between Saudi Tourism and Bookme is expected to be completely digitized in upcoming years Saudi Tourism Authority on this occasion expressed that Bookme with its large user base and vast experience in the digital travel booking space in Pakistan can play a crucial role in elevating KSA, an attractive tourism spot that has a lot to offer beyond religious travel
Constitution doesn’t permit direct talks between military, political parties: Ali Khan
not individual preferences
Addressing recent political developments Khan expressed optimism for positive change while acknowledging the recent Supreme Court decision He condemned what he perceived as crackdowns on PTI activities affirming the party’s commitment to peaceful political engagement
Referring to purported negotiation offers mediated by the media Khan noted that although Prime Minister Imran Khan had formed a committee in response no tangible progress had been made He acknowledged the historical role of the establishment in Pakistani politics but stressed that formal negotiations between political parties and the military were not constitutionally sanctioned Khan reiterated PTI s stance on political negotia-
tions, emphasizing that discussions should be conducted exclusively with other political entities
He clarified that while dialogue with the establishment may occur to address misunderstandings it does not entail formal negotiations
He underscored the importance of upholding constitutional principles and invited the government to engage with PTI through established channels for negotiation
JERUSALEM A G E N C I E S Israel issued new evacuation orders in Gaza s southern city of Rafah forcing tens of thousands more people to move as it prepares to expand its military operation
With Saturday s orders, Israeli forces have now evacuated the eastern third of Rafah, pushing into the edges of the heavily populated central area
The orders come in the face of international opposition and criticism President Joe Biden has already said the United States will not provide offensive weapons
S d y 12 M y 2024 | LAHORE 02 NEWS pakistan to launch another satellite to advance communication capabilities ISLAMABAD S TA F F R E P O R T In a landmark stride towards advancing its internet and communication capabilities, Pakistan has announced plans to launch a new satellite into space, following the successful deployment of the iCube Qamar satellite Dubbed MM1 the new satellite is scheduled to be launched on May 30 according to a spokesperson of the Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission (Suparco) The national space agency, Suparco, said the launch is set to take place from Islamabad The primary objective behind the MM1 satellite is to bolster Pakistan’s communication infrastructure It is anticipated that the satellite will contribute to the establishment of a sophisticated communication network and has the potential to meet the growing demands of the telecom sector With the exponential growth in internet usage and the imminent rollout of 5G technology, the MM1 satellite holds promise in ensuring better availability and reliability of these services across the country The satellite s advanced capabilities are expected to address the increasing demand for highspeed internet and seamless connectivity On May 3, Pakistan launched its first mission to the moon, entering the international space race for research The mission was launched with Chinese assistance from China’s Hainan Space Site The satellite weighing about 7kg was developed by the Electrical Engineering Department of the Institute of Space Technology (IST) in Islamabad in two years Japan beat pakistan in closely contested sultan a zlan shah cup final KUALA LUMPUR S TA F F R E P O R T Japan clinched victory over Pakistan in the final of Sultan Azlan Shah Cup 2024 in Malaysia through a gripping penalty shootout following a thrilling 2-2 draw at the conclusion of regular play on Saturday The Japanese team known as the Samurais triumphed over the green shirts with a scoreline of 4-2 in the penalty shootout Earlier, the green shirts held New Zealand to a thrilling 1-1 draw in their last league match on Friday to remain unbeaten in the tournament Pakistan remained unbeaten during the roundrobin stage of the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup with three wins and two draws in five matches They only dropped points in matches against Japan and New Zealand Pakistan s performance in the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup should be a morale booster for the team especially because the team has to feature in the FIH Nations Cup in Gniezno Poland from May 31 to June 9 as well The Nations Cup is important because the winning team will have the opportunity to play in the FIH Hockey Pro League for the 2024-25 season SAHBUTPUR S TA F F R E P O R T One person was killed after a bomb exploded at a house in Suhbatpur, Balochistan on Saturday The deceased was identified as Commander Wali Muhammad Bugti who had recently laid down arms and dissociated himself from the armed struggle against the state Soon after learning about the blast, police reached the site of the incident and shifted the body to hospital Police said they were investigating the incident It merits mention that Baloch Commander of banned outfit Wali Muhammad alias Haji Qalati Murree had announced to surrender armed struggle against the government recently Addressing a Press conference with PML-N leader Nawabzada Jangaiz Murree in Quetta Wali Muhammad had said armed struggle against the government is fake and he would no longer be part of armed struggle He said he had shunned the struggle after 40 years “I want to advise the Baloch youth to stay away from the ‘slogan of freedom’ as it is only a hoax ” Kalati who was flanked by Pakistan Muslim LeagueNawaz (PMLN) leader Changaiz Marri had told media Kalati said that these Sardars (chieftains) were enjoying luxurious lives in the foreign countries at the expense of Pakistan’s enemies “Their children are studying abroad while ours are mired in ignorance I have finally realized that this war of separatism was more about vested interests than political grievances, Kalati, who claimed to be the lieutenant of UBA chief Zamran Marri ISLAMABAD S TA F F R E P O R T Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Member National Assembly Ali Muhammad Khan on Saturday emphasized that the constitution of Pakistan does not permit direct negotiations between the military and political parties In an interview with a local TV Channel, Khan asserted that seeking forgiveness was futile as the country was governed by constitutional provisions
to Israel due to its Rafah offensive The United Nations and other agencies have warned for weeks that an Israeli assault on Rafah, which borders Egypt near the main aid entry point, would cripple humanitarian operations and cause a disastrous surge in civilian casualties More than 1 4 million Palestinians have been sheltering in Rafah after fleeing the Israeli military’s bombardments in other parts of the enclave Considered the last refuge in the Gaza Strip the evacuations are forcing people to return north to areas devastated by previous attacks People have already been displaced multiple times and there are few places left in the embattled Strip to move to Those fleeing fighting earlier this week erected new tent camps in the city of Khan Younis which was half destroyed in an earlier Israeli offensive and the central city of Deir el-Balah straining infrastructure Earlier, the Israeli military on Saturday ordered residents in more areas of eastern and central Rafah to evacuate as it expands its offensive in the southernmost corner of the Gaza Strip again displacing tens of thousands of Palestinians Thousands flee Rafah af ter Israeli forces issue evac uation order pTI issues show-cause notice to sher afzal mar wat for ‘irresponsible statements’ ISLAMABAD S TA F F R E P O R T Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) issued a show-cause notice to its firebrand leader Sher Afzal Marwat on Saturday in response to his recent irresponsible statements against fellow party leaders Marwat came out all guns blazing earlier this week on May 8 against fellow party leaders Shibli Faraz and Omar Ayub after he was denied a meeting with PTI founder Imran Khan at Adiala jail The show cause notice issued by the PTI General Secretary Omar Ayub maintained that Marwat violated party policy and made statements that harmed the party s structure The notice reiterated that the founding chairman had previously informed Marwa that the party’s policy should not be violated “He has disrupted relations with fellow members through his words and actions the show-cause notice added The notice further added that Marwat must provide a written explanation within three days as to why disciplinary action should not be taken against him In the event of no response, disciplinary action will be taken against the party, the notice warned The latest development adds to a series of controversies involving Marwat who has previously been blamed for internal discord within the party In a separate incident on May 8 during a media address outside Adiala jail, Marwat s associates had reacted aggressively to a journalist s probing question about the leader ’s alleged attempts to secure the chairmanship of the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) by ‘begging’ to PML-N leader Khawaja Asif and National Assembly Speaker Ayaz Sadiq Initially nominated by Imran as the PAC chairman Marwat s nomination was retracted after he faced criticism from the party leadership The political committee of the PTI replaced him with Sheikh Waqas Akram Earlier this month, Imran reportedly removed Marwat from key party positions including as a focal person and from the group responsible for vetting individuals permitted to meet Khan at Adiala Jail punjab government decides ‘not to procure wheat’ this year LAHORE I N P The food department has decided to trash its practice of wheat procurement sources said on Saturday Sources further said that a new policy has been devised over the matter and it will become a law and with that the food department s role in wheat procurement will come to an end Sources said that in new policy the private sector will purchase wheat crop from farmers directly “The government will fix the wheat price in view of the international prices of the commodity sources said All four provinces of the country will fix unanimous rate of wheat crop, sources said It has been hinted that the new experiment will be conducted for two years This will remove the burden of billions of rupees interest and storage expenditure over the food department Sources said that the International Monetary Fund (IMF) has also demanded the provinces to bring their expenses down The food department bears a burden of 400 billion rupees in a year in this respect sources added Punjab s Finance Minister Mujtaba Shuja ur Rehman on Thursday said that the farmers have sold almost all their wheat crop to middlemen He said that the federal government had purchased 3 2 million metric tonnes of wheat in the caretaker setup “We still have 2 3 mln metric tonnes of wheat in store minister said He claimed the government s decision didn t harm the farmer as they have sold all their crop, and the middlemen have purchased the wheat The wheat s rate has also not drastically dropped and sold at 3 200 to 3 300 rupees per maund, provincial minister said This rate didn t harm the farmer but definitely their profit has dropped finance minister said He said that the decision of non-procurement of wheat from farmers has resulted in lower wheat price in Punjab
Suhbatpur PR OFIT M O N I T O R I N G D E S K
E L E C O M operators agreed to manually blocking the SIMs of non-filers in small batches after weeklong discussions with tax authorities As per a news report this decision came after the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) conducted key meetings with the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) and telecom companies based on Income Tax General Order No 1 outlined under Section 114 B of the Income Tax Ordinance 2001 Earlier, on April 30, the FBR identified 506,671 individuals who did not file their 2023 tax returns As a result their mobile SIMs are set to be blocked Initially telecom providers resisted this measure, which was legislated by parliament Following multiple discussions, telecom companies consented to start the blocking process manually in stages until they can fully automate the system The first group, consisting of 5,000 non-filers, was notified on Friday for immediate SIM blocking Further lists will be sent daily Telecom companies have also b e g u n a l e r t i n g t h e a ff e c t e d i n d iv i d u a l s t h r o u g h m e s s a g e s a b o u t the impending SIM blockades These efforts are part of a broader initiative to enforce tax compliance and improve tax collection The FBR highlighted its appreciation for the cooperation from all parties involved and emphasised its commitment to ongoing collaboration to enhance tax compliance across Pakistan Additionally the FBR has targeted 2 4 million potential taxpayers not previously recorded issuing notices to these individuals From this group, over 500,000 have been chosen for SIM blocking if they reported taxable income in any of the past three years but failed to file returns for 2023 The FBR reported receiving 4 2 million tax returns by March 1 this year, a slight increase from the 3 8 million returns in the same period last year In the 2022 tax year, the FBR received 5 9 million income tax returns T e l e
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SIM BLOCKING PR OFIT N E W S D E S K
Former Baloch militant commander killed in bomb blast at
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Rawalpindi police seize large c ache of weapons in a major bust
The arrested individuals identified as Tariq and Abdul Haseeb were reportedly attempting to smuggle the weapons from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa into Rawalpindi While the police successfully apprehended the duo, their accomplice Ilyas managed to escape A search operation is currently underway to locate him Rawalpindi Police spokesperson commended the ef-
forts of the Pirwadhai Police team appreciating their vigilance during the snap checking that led to this major haul CPO Syed Khalid Hamdani congratulated the officials involved in the operation and reiterated the police s commitment to combating illegal arms trafficking He emphasized that those involved in the sale and supply of illegal weapons will be brought to justice
The seized weapons could have potentially posed a serious threat to public safety and their timely interception is a commendable feat by the authorities
LAHORE S TA F F R E P O R T
Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif on Saturday invited German company TUV Rheinland to benefit from the conducive environment for investment and business in Punjab, emphasizing that cooperation between TUV Rheinland and the Punjab Government will further solidify relations between Germany and Pakistan
CM Maryam Nawaz was talking to Mr Benedik
Aneselmann Regional Executive Vice President of TUV Rheinland Company Germany who called on her to discuss matters related to the provision of their technical assistance for welfare projects in Punjab, including third party monitoring, project management, certification and auditing of development projects were discussed in the meeting
Mr Benedik Aneselmann assured the Punjab CM of his support for the welfare projects in Punjab It was decided in principle to collaborate for making the monitoring of development projects more effective with the use of modern technology It was also agreed to provide technical assistance and expertise for the successful completion of projects in Punjab
Benedik Aneselmann appreciated the vision and dedication of Maryam Nawaz for the welfare of people in Punjab and expressed his determination to play a constructive role in this regard
The Punjab CM appreciated the commitment of TUV Rheinland for providing innovation and sustain-
able solutions in Punjab Senior Provincial Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb, the Punjab Chief Secretary Chairman P&D and other relevant officers attended the meeting
Together ADM Holding, Emirates Real Estate Solutions (ERES) and Lahore Development Authority (LDA) are poised to revolutionize Lahore’s real estate sector, setting new standards for efficiency, transparency, and innovation ” said Chief Minister Punjab Maryam Nawaz Sharif in a meeting with His Highness Sheikh Ahmed Dalmouk Al Maktoum a member of the royal family of the United Arab Emirates Matters related to digitalisation of land transactions and reforms in Lahore s real estate sector were discussed in the meeting Madam Chief Minister
03 NEWS Sunday 12 May 2024 | LAHORE PESHAWAR A Z I Z B U N E R I A D V I S O R to Chief Minister on Finance Muzamil Aslam and Minister Law and Finance Aftab Alam has said that total receipt estimate for fiscal year 2023-24 is Rs1456 712 billion with a notable increase of 9 percent while budget estimates for fiscal year 202324 is Rs 1360 4 billion He was addressing a post budget press conference here on Saturday Finance Secretary Aamir Sultan Tareen and Special Secretary Khuda Baksh were also attended the briefing Finance Advisor said that the budget estimate demonstrate a moderate two percent increase as compare to previous financial year with a surplus of Rs 96 3 billion achieved underscoring prudent fiscal management and economic reforms Explaining current budget estimates for 2023-24, finance advisor said that total expenditure is Rs 1059 3 billion against Rs 913 8 billion with a 16% increase while total settled districts current budged is Rs 942 4 billion with an increase of 19% He said that among the main features of the ongoing expenditure for the settled districts includes Rs 1 5 billion for Ehsas Eid package 0 5 billion rupees for providing shelters Rs 2 8 billion for relief measures 26 billion rupees for Sehat Card 47 8 billion rupees for wheat subsidy 3 4 billion rupees for procurement of machinery for police and 6 0 billion rupees for provision of free textbooks He said that total budget of merged areas is Rs 116 9 against Rs 124 0 billion showing decrease of 6%, such as decrease of 0 3 % in Provincial Salary and increase of 23 % of Tehsil Salary decrease of 17 % in Provincial Non-Salary budget and decrease of 9% in Tehsil Non-Salary budget and pension expenses have increased by 297% in current fiscal year Muzamil Aslam while giving details regarding Development Budget 2023-24 said that total Development budget is Rs 301 1 billion against Rs 418 2 billion with decrease of 28% such as settled Provincial ADP of Rs 86 billion against Rs 185 billion previous showing decrease of 54% settled District ADP of Rs 17 billion with same decrease of 54% are the part of current fiscal year He said that under the annual development program of the merged districts 26 billion rupees are included with an increase of 30% against previous 20 billion He said that current political government released 86 billion rupees in current fiscal year During briefing Secretary Finance Aamir Sultan Tareen said that province has received 101 billion rupees in last five years under AIP program and 101 billion rupees of ADP has also been received T o TA l r e c e i P T e S T i M AT e f o r f i S c
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r LAHORE S TA F F R E P O R T Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Saturday approved the project to provide glasses and hearing aids to 0 7 million students in the province Under the project, students in schools of Punjab will be screened to check their eyesight and hearing spectacles and repairing aid will be given to the students with weak eyesight and hearing I n t h i s r e g a r d , t h e s c r e e n i n g process will be started soon in public and private schools of Punjab A delegation of AtScale met Chief Minister Punjab and discussed internet services in schools and other issues T h e l e a d i n g o rg a n i z a t i o n A t S c a l e w i l l p r o v i d e f i n a n c i a l s u p p o r t o f R s 5 0 0 m i l l i o n I n t h e m e e t i n g m e a s u r e s w e r e taken to meet the nutritional needs of school children while health nutrition and other measures were reviewed and the need for cooperation of the relevant departments was emphasized M e a s u r e s w e r e a l s o a g r e e d t o i ncrease the capacity of school teachers O n t h i s o c c a s i o n M a r y a m N a w a z s a i d t h a t t h e f i r s t g o v e r n m e n t s c h o o l f o r c h i l d r e n s u ff e r i n g f r o m a u t i s m i n P u n j a b w i l l b e e s t a b l i s h e d i n L a h o r e , I w a n t t o s e r v e t h e p e o p l e o u t o f t h e w a y t h e t r a d i t i o n a l w a y s ’ She added that the positive change is p o s s ib le o n ly w ith n ew th in k in g in the new era Every child has the right to get education according to international standards Packet Milk project is being started with private collaboration to meet the nutritional needs of students S h e f u r t h e r s a i d t h a t f r e e e m e rgency Wi-Fi facility has been restarted in Lahore Punjab to provide spec tacles, hearing aids to 0.7mn students RAWALPINDI E J A Z A R S H A D C H E E M A The Rawalpindi Police apprehended two smugglers and seized a large consignment of illegal arms and ammunition during a successful operation conducted in the Pirwadhai area on Saturday A c c o r d i n g t o p o l i c e s p o k e s p e r s o n , a c t i n g o n a t i po ff , p o l i c e o ff i c i a l s s t o p p e d a suspicious vehicle for a routine c h e c k U p o n i n s p e c t i o n t h e y d i s c o v e r e d a c a c h e o f w e a p o n s that included 50 pistols of vario u s c a l i b e r s , f o u r K a l a s h n i k o v r i f l e s , f o u r 3 0 - b o r e r i f l e s , t w o MP5 rifles two M4 rifles a 222b o r e r i f l e a K a l a s h n i k o v - l i k e r i f l e , t w o 1 2 - b o r e K a l a s h n i k o v rifles, over 4,800 rounds of amm u n i t i o n , 1 0 0 c a r t r i d g e s , a n d 135
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added, “Partnership of Lahore Development Authority (LDA) and Emirates Real Estate Solutions (ERES) would prove instrumental in the development of real estate sector of Lahore by raising investors confidence She highlighted, This collaboration underscores LDA s commitment to promoting sustainable development in Lahore Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif said,” This strategic partnership aims to modernize and streamline land transactions ensuring they are more efficient transparent and secure She added By leveraging advanced technologies and best practices the initiative seeks to elevate Lahore s overall real estate ecosystem by encouraging investment and fostering economic growth in the region Punjab, German company agree to enhance cooperation for monitoring of projec ts ISLAMABAD S TA F F R E P O R T Commission on Science and Technology for Sustainable Development in the South (COMSATS) hosted a panel discussion of scientific experts as part of the 9th Multi-stakeholder Forum on Science, Technology and Innovation for the Sustainable Development Goals, under the sponsorship of the UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) “Catalyzing Change: Science Technology and Innovation in the Global South was the title (https://sdgs un org/tfm/STIForum2024) The discussion session was moderated by COMSATS Executive Director, Amb Dr M Nafees Zakaria The Panelists hailed from COMSATS Centres of Excellence in China Sri Lanka and Columbia namely Prof Lin Zhaohui, Director, International Centre for Climate and Environment Sciences (ICCES), China; Prof Eduardo Posada Director International Centre for Physics (CIF) Colombia; Prof Chaoguang Tian Deputy Director-General (International Cooperation) Tianjin Institute of Industrial Biotechnology (TIB), China; Prof I G N Hewajulige, Additional Director General (Research and Development), Industrial Technology Institute (ITI) Sri Lanka; as well as UNIDO-Austria T h e E x p e r t s g e n e r a l l y f o l l o w e d t h e theme of the 9th Forum: Science Technology and Innovation for reinforcing the 2030 Agenda and Eradicating Poverty in Ti m e s o f M u l t i p l e C r i s e s : T h e E ff e c t i v e Delivery of Sustainable, Resilient and Innovative Solutions” The panelists deliberated upon the role of qualified and skilled human capital, South-South cooperation, and significance of emerging technologies in facilitating sustainable development The panelists shared their respective organization’s activities in the context of contributing to achieving the SDGs, and were unanimous in their resolve for effective utilization of tech-based solutions emerging and disruptive technologies for addressing the contemporary challenges Ambassador Zakaria stressed that high tech solutions are pivotal for mainstreaming the developing countries and bringing them at par with the developed world COMSATS is an intergovernmental organization (IGO) of 27 countries of the Global South founded in 1994 by world renowned Pakistani Physicist & Nobel laureate The IGO is a proponent of S&T for sustainable development COMSATS hosts S cientific Exper ts ’ panel disc ussion as par t of UN STI Forum Pakistan, Korea sign Aide-Mémoire for enhanced development cooperation 2024-2026 ISLAMABAD A P P The Economic Development Cooperation Fund (EDCF) and the Ministry of Economic Affairs (MoEA) here on Friday signed an Aide-Mémoire to chart a mid-term plan for implementation of development projects between 2024-2026 The Aide-Mémoire, which was signed at the conclusion of visit by EDCF Country Programme Mission from the ExportImport Bank of Korea (KEXIM), represents a key milestone in deepening economic ties between Pakistan and the Republic of Korea According to MoEA press release the Aide-Mémoire was signed by Joint Secretary Ministry of Economic Affairs, Sajid Manzoor Asadi and Director of the Asia Team, EDCF Mission, Bonhyun Koo The signing was witnessed by Secretary of the Ministry of Economic Affairs Dr Kazim Niaz and other officials from the MoEA and EDCF Additionally a project concept for the construction of a Pediatric Hospital in Jamshoro was signed with EDCF committing USD 60 million in financing for the hospital s construction in Sindh During the course of the visit, the EDCF Mission engaged with various government departments in Pakistan including the Ministry of Planning the National Highway Authority Provincial Planning & Development Departments and others to discuss and refine the proposed development agenda The EDCF mission s objectives also included knowledge sharing and capacity building, which both sides agreed to further enhance in the coming years In total the EDCF has committed an indicative USD 900 million for lending to Pakistan over the next three years with an additional USD 2 million allocated for technical assistance This commitment will support high-priority projects, which will be further refined during an upcoming Policy Dialogue The Secretary, Ministry of Economic Affairs and Director, Asia team, EDCF Mission emphasized their shared commitment to promoting sustainable development and fostering stronger economic cooperation They highlighted that the Aide-Mémoire underscores the commitment of both sides to work towards sustainable development through projects in priority sectors, including transport, healthcare, energy, and information and communication technology (ICT) They expressed gratitude to all stakeholders for their support and collaboration the press release added PM appreciates National Hockey Team’s per formance LAHORE A P P Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif on Saturday appreciated the outstanding performance of the players of Pakistan National Hockey Team in the Azlan Shah Hockey Cup 2024 played in Malaysia The prime minister said that due to the brilliant performance, the national team reached the final game They also played well against Japan in the final Win and loss are a part of the game The national team has won the hearts of entire nation,” PM Office Media Wing in a press release quoted the prime minister as saying He further observed that after a long time the national team had reached the final of a mega tournament which was very encouraging The prime minister reiterated that the government was taking all steps for the promotion of sports in the country; particularly of the national game of hockey Japan won the final position after beating Pakistan in the nail-biting contest through penalty shootouts with a margin of 4-1 that followed the scheduled match which ended in 2-2 draw NA Speaker convenes parliamentar y leaders’ meetings on Monday ISLAMABAD S TA F F R E P O R T National Assembly Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq has called for meetings with parliamentary leaders on Monday (May 13) at 3:00 p m at Parliament House to discuss issues related to scheduling the first parliamentary year of the 5th session of 16th National Assembly The speaker has invited parliamentary leaders and chief whips from various political parties, including Federal Minister for Law and Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Azam Nazir Tarar, Federal Minister for Religious Affairs Chaudhry Salik Hussain and Members of the National Assembly such as Tariq Fazal Chaudhry Malik Amir Dogar Ijaz Hussain Jakharani Syed Aminul Haque Noor Alam Khan Gul Asghar Khan and Khalid Hussain Magsi The forum will discuss the scheduling of the motion of thanks for the President s address, as well as discuss the forthcoming budget meeting It’s important to mention that President Asif Ali Zardari has summoned a session of the National Assembly on Monday May 13 2024 at 4:00 p m at the Parliament House Punjab gov t fur ther slashes roti price LAHORE S TA F F R E P O R T The Punjab government has further slashed the roti prices by one rupee to Rs15 in the province amid the ongoing wheat crisis The Naan Bai Association and the district administration have negotiated for the immediate implementation of the new rate In a statement, the district administration spokesperson stated that there was consensus on the new price of roti from both parties The spokesperson confirmed that there has been consensus on displaying roti prices across all shops Last month the Punjab government decreased the roti price from Rs20 to Rs16 across the province On May 4, the price of a 20-kg bag of flour had fallen by Rs 800 in a few days, from Rs 2800 to Rs 2000 in Lahore
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General Assembly vote again for Palestinian membership one of the results of the Gaza massacre
TH E vote by the UN General Assembly asking the UN Security Council to reconsider its decision not to grant Palestine membership of the organization does not override the veto cast at the USA in the Council against membership, but it does build pressure on the USA The support expressed for Palestine in the vote, 143 votes in favour and nine against, with 25 abstentions, shower\d that the vast majority of members of the UN want Palestine to join it Support for Palestine is clearly growing the General Assembly s resolution calling for a ceasefire got 120 votes, while there were nine votes against and nine abstentions It also showed why the UN is so ineffective Palestine wants the recognition of its statehood that UN membership implies, but otherwise it might have in mind the dismal record of the UN s apex body, the UN security Council, which only passed a resolution calling for a ceasefire on March 19, even though the Israeli invasion of the Gaza Strip began on 7 October 2023, and which only last month blocked its membership The UNSC took so long to pass a resolution because all previous resolutions were vetoed by the USA, and the membership was similarly vetoed
The UN may be the place where the USA gets its way The vote merely means that the USA may merely have one more veto to cast, to keep Palestine out However, the USA has got to consider that its kneejerk support of the USA will lead to the erosion of its effectiveness in the world Even as the world s sole superpower it found it had to build a coalition of the willing when invading Afghanistan and Iraq That is jeopardized in an election year by something that is already a political issue, with Democrats, traditionally pro-Israel, exercised by the blind support for Israel killing Palestinian babies
No one should mistake the change in opinion with the October 7 attacks by Hamas, or how it has fought the battle The world has been sickened by the onesided slaughter of innocents by the Israelis The Biden Administration should realize that the signs are now all against its continued support of Israel Not just President Biden, but other candidates in November should realize that supporting Israel may cost them the election, no matter how much monet pro-Zionist donors pump into their campaigns
Dedicated to the legac y of late Hameed Nizami Arif Nizami (Late) Founding Editor
M A Niazi Editor Pakistan Today Babar Nizami Editor Profit
L i m i t e d L
d o m i n a n c e A f g h a n i s t a n p l ay s a k ey ro l e . T h e i r a b i l i t y t o c o n s t r u c t a „ fo r t r e s s E u r a s i a ‰ t o s u p p o r t v i o l e n t r ev i s i o n i s m a n d
c o u n t e r b a l a n c e U S d o m i n a n c e i n t h e r e g i o n h i n g e s o n A f g h a n
c o o p e r a t i o n . H ow ev e r, t h e i d e a t h a t w h a t ' s d e t r i m e n t a l t o
Wa s h i n g t o n b e n e f i t s t h e m i s n o t g u a r a n t e e d T h ey f e a r
r e p e rc u s s i o n s a s s o c i a t e d w i t h s u p p o r t i n g t h e Ta l i b a n I t i s v i t a l fo r
t h e Ta l i b a n t o c r e a t e a s e m b l a n c e o f s t a b i l i t y by c u r b i n g t h e
b r ew i n g t e r ro r i s m o r i t w i l l n o t b e a b l e t o e f f e c t i v e ly l ev e r a g e
g e o - p o l i t i c a l t e n s i o n s t o t h e i r a dva n t a g e
Eradicating bullying
as competent juristic persons with responsibility for risks and rewards of investment transactions The allegation of chance money or wagering can therefore be not attached to the financial transactions undertaken by Islamic banks or financial institutions
The upshot of the above discussion therefore suggests a constructive dialogue on such complex issues (between the financial institutions, Islamic jurists, central banks and judiciary) so that further progress in the field of Islamic banking and finance can be achieved
The writer is a civil servant and qualified as a chartered accountant
Streets of fear
04 Sunday 12 May 2024 COMMENT Lahore – Ph: 042-36300938, 042-36375965 I K arachi – Ph: 021-32640318 I Islamabad – Ph: 051-2204545 I Web: www pakistantoday com pk I Email: editorial@pakistantoday com pk U N v o t e o n P a l e s t i n e
T H E prevalence of bullying against innocent individuals in Pakistan is a distressing issue that warrants urgent attention Too often, we hear troubling accounts of individuals enduring verbal abuse, physical violence, and cyberbullying without any justification This pervasive behavior not only inflicts emotional and psychological harm but also undermines the cohesion of our society It is imperative for authorities educational institutions and community leaders to implement robust anti-bullying measures to address this issue effectively This includes creating and enforcing policies that promote respect and tolerance while offering support services for victims Additionally fostering a culture of empathy and understanding among individuals is crucial in combating bullying and creating a safer environment for all As responsible citizens it is our collective duty to speak out against bullying and advocate for positive change in our communities By standing united and promoting kindness and inclusivity we can build a society where every individual feels valued and respected free from the fear of bullying and harassment TOOBA SIDDIQUI KARACHI
F O R the past two years Kandhkot has been gripped by chaos and fear What was once a peaceful community has now become a battleground with dacoits ruling the streets and instilling terror in the hearts of citizens Imagine a place where simply venturing outside your home is akin to playing a deadly game of chance This is the unfortunate reality for the people of Kandhkot Dacoits roam freely, their presence casting a dark shadow over every corner of the city No one is safe, and the mere act of returning home unharmed is considered a stroke of luck The once bustling streets now echo with the cries of victims and the sound of gunfire Robberies are commonplace with citizens falling prey to the merciless hands of these criminals Homes once sanctuaries of safety, have been breached, their occupants subjected to the horrors of invasion and theft It is a scene reminiscent of the barbarian ages, where might reigns supreme, and the rule of law holds no sway But perhaps most distressing of all is the apparent impotence of the authorities in the face of this rampant lawlessness The police and law enforcement agencies tasked with protecting the citizens of Kandhkot have found themselves outmatched and outgunned by the brazen dacoits These criminals wield weapons of the latest technology, far surpassing anything at the disposal of law enforcement What is even more alarming is the suspicion that these dacoits are not acting alone There are whispers murmurs of mysterious forces lurking in the shadows pulling the strings behind the scenes It is an open secret known to all yet spoken of by none for fear of reprisal from these enigmatic backers The situation in Kandhkot is dire and the people are crying out for help They live in constant fear, their lives hanging in the balance with each passing day It is a tragedy unfolding before our eyes, a testament to the fragility of peace and the resilience of evil As the chaos rages on one can only hope for a swift resolution for the restoration of order and the return of peace to the streets of Kandhkot But until then the people remain trapped in a nightmare of their own making prisoners in their own homes hostages to the whims of those who would see their city burn SAMO KHAN DAHANI KASHMORE 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 T H E concept of limited liability is the foundation stone of the corporate structure Coming to Islamic Finance/Islamic Banking, there have been various objections from the academic circles as regards the illegitimacy of limited liability in view of the Islamic injunctions Here it may be noted that the decisions on Islamic Banking by the Federal Shariat Court in 2022 and 1991 and the decisions of the Shariat Appellate Benches of the Supreme Court in 1999 and 2002 focus the debate largely on the element of Interest/Profit/Riba and the Islamic injunctions relating to it A n o t h e r i m p o r t a n t c o n c e p t h o w e v e r i n I s l a m i c F i n a n c e i s t h e l e g i t i m a c y o f t h e L i m i t e d L i a b i l i t y T h e l i m i t e d l i a b i l i t y c o n c e p t a c c o r d i n g t o s o m e c o n v e n t i o n a l I sl a m i c j u r i s t s , i s n o t s u p p o r t e d b y t h e i n j u n ct i o n s o f I s l a m I n o t h e r w o r d s , t h e conventional jurists hold that a physical pers o n s h o u l d a l w a y s b e t h e r e t o b e a r t h e r i s k s and rewards of any monetary transaction An a r t i f i c i a l p e r s o n w i t h n o a n i m a t e e x i s t e n c e c r e a t e d f o r t h e p u r p o s e o f i n v e s t i n g m o n e y is just a tool of interest/Riba In other words such a scenario will result in money creating m o n e y w h i c h i s u n w a r r a n t e d i n I s l a m Limited liability concept, therefore, encourages the investment potential of the society as the finances flow from the common men towards the documented corporate sector for safe returns without any future risks of the liabilities The liability of the shareholders/subscribers remains limited to the extent of the paid-up value of the securities purchased In other words, the property and person of the investor of the securities is not concerned with the performance of the corporate entity It is interesting to note that in Islamic Financial History there are certain concepts which, although not in toto, but to a larger extent are a replica of Limited Liability Concept The first type of such concept is where the state establishes Bait ul Maal that is a collective fund which is used for the welfare of the needy citizens of the state Bait ul Maal in accounting terms is a public asset Such a fund in Islamic society is a juridical person with the powers to sell purchase sue be sued sign the binding documents through official stamp or seal, and so on In every aspect, such a fund is an independent entity and the contributors to such a fund are not liable personally in case such a fund is declared a defaulter The second type is a Waqf/Trust In Islamic jurisprudence the property which is given in waqf is out of the control of the giver/original owner/donor When the donor gives a property as waqf the person(s) who are made managers/trustees of the property to manage its affairs and use the benefit/usufruct of the property are mere custodians of such property The trustees or beneficiaries cannot be qualified as owners Accordingly, the waqf property is a separate juristic person with distinct characteristics In general parlance waqf is created for religious/ charitable purposes For example if a religious institution is created as a waqf, such an institution can open bank accounts, undertake monetary transactions and so on T h i r d s u c h t y p e i s o f z a k a t - a b l e a s s e t s which are jointly owned by a partnership In such a case such assets are owned by two or more partners jointly If each partner calcul a t e s t h e p r o p o r t i o n a t e v a l u e o f e a c h s u c h asset, then it might be possible that a single partner may not qualify as a sahib e nisab person because of the proportionate value of the asset base B u t h e r e t h e d o c t r i n e o f s e v e r a b i l i t y comes into play whereby the joint zakat-able assets are collectively qualified as a separate entity and that is itself tested for zakat liabili t y T h e i n d i v i d u a l p r o p o r t i o n a t e s h a r e s i n such assets are disregarded for the fact that the as s ets are jointly us ed in furtherance of business and they are not severable There are various other examples in Islamic jurisprudence which in their crude forms are reflective of the limited liability concept If the Islamic jurists endorse the limited liability concept in Islamic banking and finance then a great accommodative window may emerge to consider the legitimacy of Islamic banking
discussed in the initial paragraph, the Islamic Banking literature approves the concept of limited liability Because when the liability becomes limited it justifies the Islamic banks
As
i a b i l i t y i n I s l a m i c F i n a n c e
The Relevance of the concept to the Contemporar y Business World
H o w U S - C h i n a - R u s s i a Te n s i o n s C o u l d S t r e n g t h e n t h e Ta l i b a n G o v e r n m e n t T h e r e s h o u l d b e a c o n s t r u c t i v e d i a l o g u e o n s u c h c o m p l ex i s s u e s ( b e t w e e n t h e f i n a n c i a l i n s t i t u t i o n s , I s l a m i c j u r i s t s , c e n t r a l b a n k s a n d j u d i c i a r y ) s o t h a t f u r t h e r p ro g r e s s i n t h e f i e l d o f I s l a m i c b a n k i n g a n d f i n a n c e c a n b e a c h i ev e d . T H E budding geopolitical rivalry between the USA and China-Russia has ushered a new era of great power competition The p o s t - C o l d Wa r p e r i o d h a s w i t n e s s e d a s h i f t i n t h e g l o b a l w o r l d o r d e r, m a r k i n g an end to US dominance and the rise of revisionist a u t o c r a c i e s : C h i n a a n d R u s s i a S i n c e t h e m i d1 9 5 0 s B e i j i n g a n d M o s c o w h a v e i n c r e a s i n g l y aligned forming a strategic partnership to expand influence and undermine Washington The Russian i n v a s i o n o f U k r a i n e a n d C h i n a s t h r e a t e n i n g a ctions towards Taiwan and in the South China Sea h a v e s h a t t e r e d U S - C h i n a - R u s s i a d i a l o g u e p r ofoundly impacting local political dynamics In the aftermath China and Russia have united to implem e n t a r e g i o n a l s t r a t e g y a i m i n g t o r e s h a p e t h e area by forming alliances and new economic networks independent of the US dollar The USA’s withdrawal from Afghanistan after two decades of conflict has left a vacuum The Isl a m i c E m i r a t e a s a g e o s t r a t e g i c h o t s p o t c o n t i nu e s t o l e v e r a g e t h i s s h i f t t o o v e r c o m e h i s t o r i c a l i s o l a t i o n t o b e s e e n a s a r e p u t a b l e s t a t e U S a n d N ATO i n v o l v e m e n t i n A f g h a n i s t a n h a d a l w a y s s p a r k e d t e n s i o n w i t h R u s s i a a n d C h i n a d u e t o their concerns about US military encirclement and c o n t a i n m e n t H o w e v e r, t h e s e t w o c o u n t r i e s a r e u s i n g t h e U S e x i t t o e x p o s e t h e f r a g i l i t y o f U S hegemony and disclose its international incompet e n c e I n f i l l i n g t h e v a c u u m a n d t h e y a r e n o w t h e p r o m i s i n g n e w c o n t e n d e r s f o r d o m i n a t i o n o f t h e i n t e r n a t i o n a l s y s t e m S i n c e a s s u m i n g c o n t r o l , t h e Ta l i b a n h a v e l a c k e d w i d e s p r e a d i n t e r n a t i o n a l s u p p o r t d u e t o t h e i r g o v e r n a n c e m o d e l T h e y c o n t i n u e t o r es t r i c t w o m e n ’s r i g h t s r e p r e s s d i s s e n t a n d s u pp r e s s f r e e d o m o f e x p r e s s i o n T h e U S A h a s b o r n e t h e f l a g o f b e i n g t h e b i g g e s t o b s t a c l e i n t h e Ta li b a n s q u e s t f o r r e c o g n i t i o n We s t e r n s a n c t i o n s h a v e f r o z e n A f g h a n i s t a n s a s s e t s , s i g n a l l i n g d i sa p p r o v a l a n d a ff e c t i n g t h e i r e n g a g e m e n t w i t h t h e w o r l d A s a r e s u l t , t h e i r e c o n o m y r e m a i n s i n l i m b o a n d t h e y a r e c o n f r o n t e d w i t h i n s u r m o u n ta b l e b a r r i e r s h i n d e r i n g t h e a c q u i s i t i o n o f p o l i t ic a l d i p l o m a t i c a n d e c o n o m i c b e n e f i t s t o a d d r e s s t h e g r o w i n g h u m a n i t a r i a n c r i s i s G o v e r n m e n t a l r e c o g n i t i o n i s c r u c i a l f o r l eg i t i m a c y a n d i n t e r n a t i o n a l e n g a g e m e n t T h e Ta li b a n c u r r e n t l y l a c k c o m p l i a n c e w i t h We s t e r n h u m a n r i g h t s a n d d e m o c r a t i c p r i n c i p l e s b u t t h e y r e m a i n a d a m a n t o n s e e k i n g r e c o g n i t i o n w i t h o u t l i n k i n g i t t o i m p r o b a b l e c h a n g e s i n t h e i r p o l i c i e s o r g o v e r n i n g s y s t e m Afghanistan s role is integral to the success of t h e S i n o - R u s s i a n s t r a t e g y o f f o s t e r i n g a s t r o n g Eurasian bloc to counterbalance American influence However, the spillover of the humanitarian crisis and militant upsurges from the country can t h r e a t e n t h e s t r a t a g e m T h i s v o l a t i l i t y h a s prompted the Eurasian giants to intensify their engagement with the Taliban to create regional stability and nurture development M o s c o w a p p e a r s t o b e l e a d i n g i n t e r n a t i o n a l e n g a g e m e n t a n d r e c o g n i t i o n o f t h e Ta l i b a n b y p r o v i d i n g h a r d s e c u r i t y g u a r a n t e e s t o A f g h a n i s t a n s n e i g h b o u r s t h r o u g h m i l i t a r y e x e rc i s e s i n o r d e r t o f o s t e r c o o p e r a t i o n H o w e v e r, i t i s C h i n e s e i n v e s t m e n t t h a t a c t s a s a p r o s p e c t i v e s a l v a t i o n f o r A f g h a n i s t a n T h e y b o t h h a v e d e v e l o p e d a s y m p a t h e t i c stance in regard to the Taliban regime evidenced in the 2021 Moscow summit and the 2024 UN security general meeting in Doha The Sino-Russian s u p p o r t s h o w s 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 t h a t the Taliban are not isolated Consequently, multiple countries have started to establish embassies and diplomatic missions to Afghanistan In refusing to toe the Western line of sanctioning and isolating the new Taliban regime Moscow and Beijing have been able to justify that American values do not resonate with non-western socie t i e s a n d t r a d i t i o n s T h i s h a s n o t o n l y f o r t i f i e d their position as potential hegemons but is swaying global consensus in favour of the Taliban T h e e ff i c a c y o f t h e s e a d v a n c e m e n t s r e m a i n s u n c e r t a i n D e s p i t e C h i n a ' s e c o n o m i c i n t e r e s t s i n Afghanistan it is hesitant to provide military force b e y o n d i t s b o r d e r s f o r a g o v e r n m e n t t h a t l e n d s s u p p o r t t o e x t r e m i s m w i t h i n i t s t e r r i t o r y L i k ewise Russia continues to grapple with the lingering memories of their bitter experience of Soviet occupation These countries acknowledge that US military presence always provided a security blanket for the region Today even long-standing allies of the Taliban; Pakistan and Iran have distanced themselves due t o t h e Ta l i b a n g o v e r n m e n t s i n a c t i o n i n t a c k l i n g the terrorism brewing from Afghan soil Therefore C h i n e s e a n d R u s s i a n p o l i c y m a k e r s h a v e y e t t o materialise trade deals and barring China no other country has formally recognised the Taliban government Even China has only accepted its ambassador and has said it did not officially recognize the government I n t h e c o n t e x t o f C h i n a a n d R u s s i a s p u r s u i t f o r g e o p o l i t i c a l d o m i n a n c e A f g h a n i s t a n p l a y s a k e y r o l e T h e i r a b i l i t y t o c o n s t r u c t a f o r t r e s s Eurasia to support violent revisionism and count e r b a l a n c e U S d o m i n a n c e i n t h e r e g i o n h i n g e s o n A f g h a n c o o p e r a t i o n H o w e v e r t h e i d e a t h a t w h a t ' s d e t r i m e n t a l t o Wa s h i n g t o n b e n e f i t s t h e m i s n o t g u a r a n t e e d T h e y f e a r r e p e r c u s s i o n s a s s oc i a t e d w i t h s u p p o r t i n g t h e Ta l i b a n I t i s v i t a l f o r t h e Ta l i b a n t o c r e a t e a s e m b l a n c e o f s t a b i l i t y b y c u r b i n g t h e b r e w i n g t e r r o r i s m o r i t w i l l n o t b e a b l e t o e ff e c t i v e l y l e v e r a g e g e o - p o l i t i c a l t e n s i o n s t o t h e i r a d v a n t a g e Meher Rana is a researcher at Centre for Aerospace & Security Studies Lahore She can be reached at info@casslhr com
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How Imran Khan found a friend in Donald Trump during a 2019 meeting in Washington DC
as Khan nodded in agreement “Islamabad was optimistic about the outcome of the Trump-Khan meeting But this must have exceeded their wildest expectations said Arif Rafiq a political analyst who is based in New York and writes on Pakistan-US relations Trump spoke glowingly of the Pakistani leader and nation after attacking the country in tweets and other public statements throughout last year The U-turn is remarkable given the tortured history of US-Pakistan relations But it is also typical of Trump And it might just be what s needed to bring peace to Afghanistan Trump is a transactional man looking for a deal, and he may be able to strike a win-win bargain with Islamabad In exchange for a relatively swift, negotiated exit from Afghanistan, Trump is willing to ease pressure on Pakistan and renew the bilateral partnership Rafiq said The unexpected offer by the American president to mediate on Kashmir stumped the Indians, who immediately branded Trump a liar “Symbolically Trump’s explicit offer to mediate between the two countries is a signal of the changing nature of governance and diplomacy in the Age of Trump Regardless of India’s actual appetite for such intercession, Pakistan will be pleased that a US president has made this offer said Mosharraf Zaidi a prominent foreign policy analyst based in Islamabad If nothing else, it opens the door for Delhi to respond by saying it does not need third parties and looks forward to engaging with Pakistan on Kashmir directly Trump s keenness for a dignified US exit from Afghanistan is at the heart of this momentary breakthrough in Pakistan,” Zaidi said “Many watchers of US-India relations are unhappy with President Trump’s suggestion of mediation on Kashmir They uphold the Indian government s insistence that Kashmir must remain a bilateral issue between India and Pakistan and that senior US leaders must not even mention the word Kashmir, said Asfandyar Mir, a postdoctoral fellow at the Center for International Security and Cooperation at Stanford University “President Trump has angered them by not only mentioning Kashmir but also offering to mediate ” The tumultuous and often strained relationship between Pakistan and the United States appears to have bounced back for now , Mir said There are a lot of issues, but there is a sense in parts of the US government that Pakistan can help in Afghanistan without being sanctioned The US also feels it needs to keep working with Pakistan on counter-terrorism
hatred and risk lives I can understand how Doyle reached his judgment T h e D a i l y M a i l f a i l e d t o m e n t i o n i n i t s c o v e r a g e t h a t o v e r 3 4
Sunday 12 May 2024 COMMENT 05 A R E P O RT from an Islamabadbased think tank, Tabadlab, portrays a grim outlook on Pakistan’s financial health characterizing the country s debt situation as a raging fire Pakistan is in a precarious situation with its escalating debt levels, facing the severe risk of default that could lead to a devastating economic spiral Pakistan’s total debt and liabilities have soared to $271 2 billion which accounts for 91 7 percent of the GDP The external debt and liabilities rose dramatically to $124 6bn which is 42 1 percent of GDP while the total domestic debt and liabilities have reached $146 6bn, equivalent to 50 per cent of GDP Pakistan’s domestic debt of Rs 42 0 trillion is not as worrisome as its external debt Pakistan’s government with its sovereign guarantees and being a sovereign issuer of local currency ensures it never faces a shortage of funds or defaults on domestic debt However, a large proportion of the federal budget (40 percent) is allocated to interest servicing on domestic debt which hinders the government’s capacity to invest in crucial areas such as social protection health education and meeting the country s climate goals Pakistan s foreign debt level, which is 42 1 percent of GDP, is lower in comparison to countries that face zero or minimal default risk despite the fact that their foreign debt surpasses their GDP Consider countries such as the United Kingdom Japan Singapore Hong Kong and others that have foreign debt exceeding their GDP Now there is a pressing question regarding the most detrimental phenomenon associated with foreign debt that fuels the raging fire In times of scant foreign exchange reserves, managing debt servicing and debt maturity becomes a critical aspect of foreign debt that can trigger a harmful economic cycle The scant foreign exchange reserves are a consequence of the average annual 2 3 percent current account deficit as a percentage of GDP over the last decade Pakistan has a long tradition of higher current account deficits and relying on foreign debt as a last resort to facilitate imports when foreign exchange falls short In 2023 Pakistan managed its current account deficit to a mere $2 2 billion, which was 0 5 percent of its GDP, compared to $17 5 billion, which was 4 1 percebt of its GDP, in 2022 While in 2024 it is projected that the current account deficit will clock in at 1 percent of GDP Pakistan used to struggle with a shortage of foreign exchange reserves to cover the current account deficit Currently, forex reserves are under pressure due to a substantial amount of debt maturing in 2024, overshadowing the current account deficit The landscape of Pakistan’s external servicing– repayment of interest and principal debt– depicts a three-fold increment from $6 billion per annum to $18 billion over the last decade The momentum of principal and interest payments on foreign debt is increasing exponentially The mounting external servicing asserts pressure on the foreign exchange reserves which are already strained by ongoing current account deficits The current level of foreign exchange reserves held by the State Bank of Pakistan stands at $9 1 billion as of 3 May 2024 This amount is equal to one and a half months of import bills which falls below the recommended three-month threshold for import bills The inflow of foreign currency from remittances, exports, and foreign direct investment (FDI) will remain stagnant and fail to paint a satisfactory picture in the current fiscal year Nevertheless the outflow concerning imports is likely to stay static or may even increase slightly Considering the constant movement of foreign currency in and out, the current account is unlikely to contribute to the current supply of forex reserves Pakistan requires $24 965 billion (7 1 percent of GDP) this fiscal year the highest ever in foreign currency to fix its external servicing and current account deficit according to the projection of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) Securing the necessary amount of foreign currency is essential for stability in the forex market Insufficient external financing could further worsen the already dire economic indicators In particular it could exacerbate the exchange rate inflation economic growth unemployment and economic outlook In 2023 the economy of Pakistan was severely impacted by political instability resulting in a 38 percent inflation rate 700 000 jobs lost the closure of 1600 textile factories a 20 percent exchange rate depreciation and a policy rate of 22 percent These indicators are still in a fragile state with no sign of recovery Improper management of foreign debt could exacerbate these indicators and perpetuate an ongoing economic crisis Managing forex reserves will be a crucial challenge for the newly elected government of Pakistan due to inherited financial mismanagement of the previous administration The forex market s stability is crucial as it is intricately linked to the decision-making processes of households businesses and the government ultimately influencing Pakistan s economic landscape Pakistan must focus on boosting foreign exchange reserves through the implementation of various policy measures aimed at managing the flow of foreign currency It is inescapable to address the trade deficit by bringing imports in line with exports which currently surpass them by more than twice the amount In addition a strategic mix of exports remittances and FDI is crucial for addressing the need for foreign currency outflow and bolstering the foreign exchange reserves Having higher forex reserves is crucial for maintaining stability in the forex market and making it easier to repay external debts Pakistan could boost foreign currency inflow through FDI by emphasizing a stable currency political stability rule of law, business-friendly environment, and low cost of doing business The writer is a Lahore-based economist working as a research associate at the Centre of Economic Planning and Development (CEPD) Minhaj University Lahore Pakistan and is Senior Lecturer at Minhaj University Lahore Pakistan He c an be reached at waqas eco@mul edu pk ; waqasshair689 @gmail com and tweets at @waqasshair689
I R E W O R K S were already expected from the July 2019 meeting between Prime Minister Khan and US President Donald Trump But the meeting at the White House exceeded all expectations The outcome of the meeting enlivened Pakistan and dampened the spirits of the Indians Khan not only pulled one of the biggest Pakistani crowds in Washington DC s history but also pulled a diplomatic win on a scale that few people were expecting President Trump s offer to mediate on the Kashmir issue instantly infuriated the Indians and showcased Khan’s success in putting the festering conflict once again under the international spotlight Both Trump and Imran enjoyed international celebrity status before their political journeys catapulted them to the highest offices Both have a populist, nationalist appeal Both have vowed to make their countries great again And each of them has been critical of the handling of their respective countries by past rulers The commonalities do not end here Both leaders feel that they are subjected to harsher criticism by their media Still, there is always an element of uncertainty in such highstakes meetings, and Khan did appear tentative and conscious in the beginning But gradually he eased up after the charm offensive by Trump We were blown away, Khan said a day after the White House meeting “When we met President Trump the straightforward charming way he treated us was wonderful Khan said while giving a speech at the United States Institute of Peace, a prestigious American think tank In a way, the US visit has also given Prime Minister Khan yet another “I told you so” moment For years Khan has railed against the use of military force in the Afghan conflict He has been one of the most vociferous critics of the use of drone attacks in the Pakistani tribal regions by the United States On his first trip to Washington, DC, since assuming office as the prime minister Khan gloated at the fact that he was one of the first to suggest that the Afghan conflict was intractable and had no military solution only a political one When I came here in 2009, I told everyone, including Democratic and Republican leaders, that there is no military solution in Afghanistan This time, everyone gets that That is why we will have a good relationship with the US; everyone is on the same page ” Khan said Khan has found a willing partner in President Trump The US president in his own words wants to extricate America from the Afghan conflict and has been keen to withdraw the American troops before his election for a second term in office The Pakistani side is wary of the way Americans left the region after the Russian withdrawal in the 1990s and wants to ensure that the country does not plunge into yet another round of civil war The geopolitical situation and political compulsions have inadvertently brought
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O R many years, the mainstream media and pol i t i c a l c l a s s h a v e p o r t r a y e d M u s l i m s a s a n e n e m y w i t h i n w h i c h r e f u s e s t o e n g a g e w i t h B r i t i s h d e m o c r a c y a n d c u l t i v a t e s a s e p a r a t i s t agenda That line of attack has always been false and last week was decisively proved wrong British Muslims made a massive intervention in the May elections They abandoned Labour, voting instead f o r i n d e p e n d e n t p a r t i e s w h i c h s u p p o r t a c e a s e f i r e a n d have condemned Israeli atrocities in Gaza By doing so they sent out a message to Keir Starmer that his slavish support for Israel s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu may cost his party dozens of seats in t h e l o o m i n g g e n e r a l e l e c t i o n Yo u m i g h t h a v e t h o u g h t British Muslims deserved praise for their principled engagement in UK politics If so you would have been wrong Over the weekend their enemies simply changed their line of attack British M u s l i m s s a y m a i n s t r e a m p o l i t i c i a n s a n d m a s s m e d i a n o w p r e s e n t a n e v e n m o r e d e a d l y t h r e a t t o B r i t i s h democracy: sectarianism 'FOMENTS HATRED' Ta k e f o r e x a m p l e t h e s p l a s h h e a d l i n e i n t h e D a i l y M a i l : " D o z e n s o f p r o - G a z a a c t i v i s t s e l e c t e d " I n t h e w o r d s o f C h r i s D o y l e t h e r e s p e c t e d d i r e c t o r o f t h e Council for Arab-British Understanding this was one of the worst most dangerous front pages ever on a British publication - one that foments
, 7 0 0 P a l e s t i n i a n s h a v e , a c c o r d i n g t o G a z a ' s h e a l t h m i n i s t r y b e e n s l a u g h t e r e d o v e r t h e l a s t s e v e n m o n t h s I n a l l p r o b a b i l i t y w i t h m a n y b o d i e s t r a p p e d u n d e r the rubble the number is much higher Nearly 15 000 of t h e d e a d a r e c h i l d r e n A s i m i l a r r a t e o f a t t r i t i o n i n t h e U n i t e d K i n g d o m w o u l d m e a n m o r e t h a n o n e m i l l i o n Britons dead, with several million more injured In such terrible circumstances it’s only natural that Muslim voters should rise up against Starmer and Prime Minister Rishi Sunak s cross-party coalition in support of Israel s far-right prime minister Netanyahu A c o a l i t i o n , r e m e m b e r, w h i c h b a c k s t h e s u p p l y o f arms to the Israeli military as it bombards Gaza, refuses to call out Israeli war crimes, has defunded Unrwa, and opposes the International Court of Justice investigation i n t o p o s s i b l e I s r a e l i g e n o c i d e A n d o f c o u r s e i t ’s n o t just Muslims who are horrified by the line taken by our two main party leaders So are countless other Britons including many Jews PRINCIPLED OPPOSITION In this terrible moment in the history of the Middle East, there’s nothing wrong with being a "pro-Gaza activist” to use the clumsy Daily Mail formulation In fact the phrase is surely synonymous with support for human decency and principled opposition to the indiscriminate s l a u g h t e r b e i n g c a r r i e d o u t b y t h e I s r a e l i a r m y To t h e Daily Mail, by contrast, such activism is sinister Most of the British media agrees The BBC awarded its flags h i p i n t e r v i e w o n S u n d a y m o r n i n g i n t h e a f t e r m a t h o f the elections to Suella Braverman, the former home secretary, who was sacked after calling peace protests "hate marches” And so do the politicians Ta k e L a b o u r ’s i n s t a n t r e a c t i o n t o t h e d e f e c t i o n o f Muslim voters last week A party source told the BBC t h e y b e l i e v e d t h e We s t M i d l a n d s C o n s e r v a t i v e m a y o r A n d y S t r e e t w a s o n c o u r s e t o w i n a s a r e s u l t o f t h e Middle East not the West Midlands and called Hamas t h e r e a l v i l l a i n s L a b o u r s h i g h c o m m a n d m o v e d quickly to disown this remark, with its unevidenced insinuation that voters appalled by Labour policy on Gaza support Hamas But this off-the-record Labour briefing echoed an earlier Labour Party briefing which referred t o M u s l i m s l e a v i n g L a b o u r a s s h a k i n g o ff t h e f l e a s Ugly, dehumanising, racist language D o n o t f o rg e t t h a t I s l a m o p h o b i a i s r i f e w i t h i n S t a r m e r ’s L a b o u r A l i M i l a n i , L a b o u r s c a n d i d a t e against Boris Johnson in Uxbridge in 2019, highlighted t h i s i n c o n v e n i e n t f a c t i n a d e v a s t a t i n g i n t e r v i e w w i t h Middle East Eye More recently Al Jazeera s Labour Files exposed a s e c r e t p a r t y d o s s i e r t h a t w a s u s e d t o d i s e n f r a n c h i s e a r o u n d 5 , 0 0 0 m o s t l y M u s l i m m e m b e r s o f t h e L a b o u r Party in the ethnically diverse community of Newham The Martin Forde KC report into racism inside Labour confirmed that Labour has a serious Islamophobia problem Though not as dreadful as Sunak’s Conservatives PATRIOTIC A s I s e t o u t i n a s e r i e s o f i n v e s t i g a t i v e a r t i c l e s f o r M E E , t h e C o n s e r v a t i v e s p e r s i s t e n t l y s m e a r a n d t a rg e t Britain s Muslim minority, always operating in alliance with a poisonously Islamophobic mass media This does raise the urgent question: how should Muslims vote at a time when the two main political parties have turned virulently against them? It would have been e n t i r e l y u n d e r s t a n d a b l e h a d B r i t i s h M u s l i m s r e c o i l e d from a democratic system that has treated them with disdain and contempt Hearteningly they did not do so They did not reject British democracy Instead, they turned their back on a rotten two-party system that has chosen to target and despise Muslims rather than give them a voice To sum up British Muslims have voted in a patriotic way Over the last few months most voters though not the political and media clas s es , have s upported an imm e d i a t e c e a s e f i r e L a s t w e e k , M u s l i m s p r o v i d e d n o nMuslim Britons with a lead by sending a warning to the political establishment Most important of all, their votes have had an effect On Monday Starmer who for so long saw his role a s We s t m i n s t e r p o i n t m a n f o r N e t a n y a h u s u d d e n l y changed his tune He demanded that Netanyahu should abandon plans for a Rafah offensive, and called for an i m m e d i a t e c e a s e f i r e T h i s w a s n e w l a n g u a g e f r o m S t a r m e r I t w o u l d n e v e r h a v e h a p p e n e d b u t f o r l a s t week’s Muslim vote Peter Oborne won best commentary/blogging in both 2022 and 2017 and was also named freelancer of the year in 2016 at the Drum Online Media Awards for articles he wrote for Middle East Eye Thank you, Muslim voters, for injecting principles and decency into British democracy MIDDLE EAST EYE P e t e r o b o r n e Fa r f ro m b e i n g ' t h e e n e my w i t h i n ' , a s s e e n b y m o s t U K m e d i a , M u s l i m s w h o re j e c t e d t h e ro t t e n t wo - p a r t y s y s t e m i n t h e l o c a l e l e c t i o n s we re vo t i n g p at r i o t i c a l l y a n d d e s e r ve p r a i s e A n e xc e r p t f ro m ‘ Fa l l o u t : Po we r, I n t r i g u e a n d Po l i t i c a l U p h e ava l i n Pa k i s t a n’ b y S a l m a n M a s o o d WAqAs shAir T h e d e b t s i t u a t i o n i s b y n o m e a n s s a f e SCR OLL s A l M A n M A s o o d
F
US SL AMS ISRAEL’S USE OF AMERICAN WEAPONS IN GA Z A
S d y 12 M y 2024 LAHORE 06 NEWS WASHINGTON R E U T E R S T H E United States issued Friday a stunning criticism of Israel’s use of American weapons in the Gaza war after Israeli forces intensified operations around the southern city of Rafah, where more than a million displaced people are sheltering Israel s main international ally said it was “reasonable to assess” that Israel has used weapons in ways inconsistent with international humanitarian law during the seven-month war but said it could not reach conclusive findings and stopped short of blocking shipments Relations between the two allies sunk earlier in the week after US President Joe Biden threatened to halt some arms deliveries if Israel went ahead with a full-scale assault on Rafah threatened by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu The US has warned that the reputational damage Israel will suffer if it storms a city where an estimated 1 4 million civilians are sheltering will far outweigh any possible military gain UN chief Antonio Guterres said Friday that Gaza risked an “epic humanitarian disaster if Israel launched a full-scale ground operation in Rafah while France urged Israel to cease its operations in Rafah without delay The Israeli premier has said repeatedly that Israel cannot defeat Hamas and eliminate any possibility of the militant group repeating its bloody October 7 attack without sending ground troops into Rafah in search of remaining Hamas fighters Netanyahu struck a defiant tone on Thursday vowing: If we have to stand alone, we will stand alone The White House renewed its opposition Friday but said it saw no major operation yet against the city “We’re obviously watching it with concern of course but I wouldn t go so far as to say what we ve seen here in the last 24 hours connotes or indicates a broad, large (or) major ground operation,” National Security Council spokesman John Kirby told reporters Earlier this week Israeli ground troops seized eastern areas of the city including the Palestinian side of the Rafah border crossing between Egypt and Gaza but they have yet to enter its main built-up area The war began with Hamas s unprecedented October 7 attack on Israel, which resulted in the deaths of more than 1 170 people mostly civilians Israel s retaliatory offensive has killed at least 34 943 people in Gaza mostly women and children, according to the Hamas-run territory s health ministry – Displaced again –Israel’s military operations around Rafah have already had a severe impact on Gaza civilians UN agencies said More than 100 000 people many of them already displaced from other areas of Gaza have fled Rafah this week, the United Nations said M a n y h a v e r e t u r n e d t o t h e c i t y o f Khan Yunis, where intense fighting raged earlier this year, or are crowded into shelters along the coast in the central town of Deir al-Balah Displaced civilian Malek al-Zaza said he had found no food and no water in central Gaza s Nuseirat refugee camp No one is asking about us, no one is looking for us We only have God looking out for us,” he said The Rafah crossing which Israeli troops closed on Tuesday is the only one normally used for deliveries of fuel and the United Nations said the resulting exhaustion of stocks inside Gaza had effectively halted aid agency operations COGAT, the Israeli defence ministry body responsible for Palestinian civil affairs, said it had delivered 200 000 litres of fuel to Gaza on Friday using a different crossing That is the quantity the United Nations says is needed every day to keep aid trucks moving and hospital generators working China suppor ts early UNSC review of Palestine’s UN membership bid UNITED NATIONS: China expressed support for the United Nations (UN) Security Council to review Palestine s bid for UN membership on Friday The General Assembly s emergency session endorsed a resolution, affirming Palestinian self-determination, recognizing their eligibility for full UN membership and urging the Security Council to reassess their application China’s permanent representative to the UN Fu Cong stressed Palestine s necessity for full UN membership during his speech at the Tenth Emergency Special Session of the UN General Assembly Fu emphasized the long-standing cyclical nature of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict, resulting in generations of Palestinians living in displacement under occupation He underscored that full UN membership is a crucial step in fulfilling the Palestinian people s aspiration for independent statehood Palestine should have equal status to Israel and it is the international community s collective responsibility to support and advance the process towards Palestinian statehood, thereby ensuring the implementation of the two-state solution and fostering lasting peace in the Middle East according to Fu In light of recent developments Fu expressed regret that Palestine s application for full UN membership was mercilessly vetoed by the United States in the Security Council on April 18 He criticized the U S for obstructing efforts to address historical injustices against Palestine, stating that this action is “incommensurate with the role of a responsible major country
GIL ANI VOWS TO UPHOLD SUPREMACY OF
AW, CONSTITUTION & SANCTIT Y OF INSTITUTIONS
(NRTC) have formally signed a PKR 12 5 Billion Zone Development Agreement marking a transformative addition to Pakistan's Special Technology Zones landscape with specific focus on High-Tech Production NRTC designated as a special technology zone, proudly features a purposebuilt facility for high-tech production of information and communication technologies biomedical technologies agritech robotics power and artificial intelligence enabled internet of things (IOT) solutions NRTC also produces high-end technology products for the defence sector The progress of this pivotal project has been significantly accelerated through the strategic support of the Special Investment Facilita-
NEPRA direc ts DISCOs including KE to ensure uninterrupted power supply during exams
National
Regulatory Authority (NEPRA) has directed all power distribution companies (DISCOs) including K-Electric to ensure power supply during exams According to NEPRA it has come to the notice of NEPRA through various channels including print media, electronic media, and complaints received by NEPRA, that during exam sessions distribution companies have been carrying out load shedding This practice has caused significant disruptions for students appearing in exams, particularly during the duration of their exam papers Though DISCOs are bound to supply continuous electric power to their eligible consumers however it is more important to recognize the critical importance of uninterrupted power supply during exam sessions, as any disruption can adversely affect the performance and concentration of students ultimately impacting their academic achievements In light of the foregoing, distribution companies are hereby directed to revisit all load shedding activities especially during the duration of exam papers It is important that uninterrupted power supply is maintained for electricity consumers with particular emphasis on ensuring no load shedding occurs during exam sessions
SBBUVAS refutes allegations of financial misconduc t by French archaeologists, cites negative c ampaign
N AWA B S H A H: No bills have been claimed in the name of French archaeologists during their visit to Shaheed Benazir Bhutto University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences (SBBUVAS) Sakrand The university is on a path of development, but certain so-called elements are conducting a negative campaign under the guise of conspiracy In a statement released by the spokesperson of SBBUVAS on Saturday the allegations leveled against the university s top management, as published in various newspapers regarding French archaeology, were deemed baseless, fabricated, and false He said that the French archaeologists had come to "Chanhiyon Jo Daro" near Sakrand for their research purposes and attended a conference held at the university However later they falsely accused the higher authorities of the University of claiming cheques through fake bills for tickets and expenses in the name of attending their conference, which is reprehensible STAFF REPORT
s commitment to leveraging technology for social good and financial inclusion JazzCash has so far disbursed the compensation amount in various districts, including Ghotki, Jacobabad, Qambar Shadadkot, Khairpur, Larkana, Naushahro Feroze Sanghar Shaheed Benazirabad and Shikarpur STAFF REPORT
07 NEWS Sunday 12 May 2024 | LAHORE CORPORATE CORNER MULTAN S TA F F R E P O R T C H A I R M A N Senate Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani on Saturday pledged to play his role in upholding the supremacy of law, and constitution as well as maintaining and promoting the sanctity of institutions The chairman senate made these remarks while talking to different delegations including the High Court Bar Association District Bar Association and some other social figures of the region The delegation of High Court Bar and District Bar Associations were led by Presidents Sajjad Haider Maitela and Imran Khakwani, respectively Welcoming Gilani’s election as senate chairman, the legal fraternity felicitated him and also extended invitations for the visits to the High Court Bar and District Bar Association The chairman senate accepted the invitation to visit the Bar Associations soon Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani also hailed the legal community for their unwavering support in resolving issues and playing important role in ensuring justice, and constitutional supremacy Gilani also shared the importance and benefits of reconciliation policy in strengthening the democratic institution and good governance Gilani also promised to perform a role in the uplift of the region by bringing maximum funds Earlier the delegations also heaped praise on the Gilani family for playing an important role in uplifting work especially improving infrastructure in different departments including education, health, roads and Multan International Airport K a r a c h i S a c r i f i c i a l C at t l e M a r ke t : P r e p a r at i o n s e n te r f i n a l s t a g e K A R A C H I : Contracts for Karachi’s Temporary Cattle Market 2024 to be set up at Northern Bypass including administration have been issued A total of 4 in VVIP VIP and General Blocks The administrator contract for Cattle Market 2024 has been awarded to Muzaffar Hasan Khan of Hasan & Brothers Branding, Electricity Supply Parking Water Supply Soft Drink Mineral Water Fodder Water and Ice contracts have been awarded Janitorial service providers and suppliers of tents and canopies also got contracts for their services The contractors allotted in the cattle market have started getting work orders Karachi s largest cattle market is set to open on the Northern Bypass and preparations have been started in full swing The arrival of sacrificial animals has started in the cattle market Muzaffar Hasan Khan an administrator of the cattle market said that the process of paving the blocks to keep the animals in the cattle market has been started, while the ground has also been paved in several blocks of the market We have started sanitation and other arrangements through heavy machinery tractor trolleys and garbage collection vehicles Parking and security arrangements are being made by installing big lights at various pools STAFF REPORT MENA region leads global growth in luxur y travel, reveals Masterc ard Affluent Travel repor t D U B A I: The Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region has emerged as one of the main regions driving growth in affluent travel recording high spends while also displaying an appetite for sustainable eco-luxury and meaningful cultural experiences Mastercard s latest report, Affluent Travel: A Middle East Perspective , released during the Arabian Travel Market 2024, unpacks some of the key trends The appetite for new experiences in unexplored destinations micro-trips and bleisure will likely drive the growth of the global luxury travel market which is expected to grow by 7 9% (CAGR) between 2024 and 2030, according to Grand View Research2 While the world awaits the emergence of the first trillionaires, high-net-worth travelers contribute approximately 36% of the global spend on travel as stated in a Jones Lang LaSalle study3 STAFF REPORT ISLAMABAD S TA F F R E P O R T The Special Technology Zones Authority (STZA) and the National Radio & Telecommunication Corporation
(SIFC) which has
central pillar
strategy
high-quality tech in-
catalyze a significant expansion of high-tech capabilities thereby enhancing both the technological landscape and economic vitality of the region Following this agreement, STZA has officially verified and licensed NRTC facility to lead the development of a cutting-edge technology ecosystem positioning it as a pivotal platform for indigenous innovation exports growth import substitution and job creation The official signing ceremony, held at the STZA Headquarters in Islamabad, brought together the leadership teams of STZA SIFC and NRTC establishing a foundational alliance poised to drive innovation and accelerate growth within the burgeoning national technology industry STZ A and NRTC sign PKR12.5b zone development agreement through strategic enablement from SIFC B ank of Khyber profits dip as expenses rise PESHAWAR: The Bank of Khyber (BoK) reported a decline in profits for the first quarter of 2024, ending March 31st This decrease is attributed to a surge in operational expenses Bank documents reveal a significant rise in operational expenditures which squeezed profits and earnings per share (EPS) Compared to the same period last year BoK s net profit fell by
tion Council
identified STZA as a
in its economic
Spanning across 46 88 acres of land NRTC s operational facility in Haripur boasts
frastructure This zone is expected to
L
Islamabad Police organize awareness walk regarding ongoing anti-narcotics movement ‘Nasha Ab Nahi ’ The event saw an enthusiastic turnout, with participants including citizens members of civil society children from Sweet Homes students of the Shaheed Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto Institute of Science and Technology representatives from the Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industries, and police officers The walk commenced from Shaheed Millat F-6/1 and concluded at D Chowk During the walk, participants expressed their appreciation for the "Nasha Abhi Nahi" movement initiated by Islamabad Police and engaged in discussions about the detrimental effects of drug addiction on society They voiced their commitment to support Islamabad Police in ensuring the capital remains free from drugs Addressing the gathering, Inspector General of Police (IGP) Syed Ali Nasir Rizvi emphasized the inclusive nature of the movement welcoming citizens and residents from all provinces to join hands in this endeavor He stressed the importance of collective effort in combating the scourge of drug addiction and pledged to continue the movement until narcotics are eradicated from society IGP highlighted the devastating impact of drug addiction on individuals and families, emphasizing the need for widespread awareness campaigns in streets educational institutions and commercial centers He also underscored the enforcement aspect stating that Islamabad PR Pakistan S ustainability Week: Countr
’s biggest alternative energy exhibition concludes I S L A M A B A D: The three-day Pakistan Sustainability Week (PSW), country's biggest and only dedicated alternative energy exhibition, alongside Solar Pakistan – 15th International Renewable Energy Exhibition and Conference –organized by Fakt Exhibitions (Pvt ) Ltd Pakistan s leading exhibitions organizing company on Saturday successfully concluded at the PakChina Friendship Centre in Islamabad The flagship alternative energy exhibition continued from May 9 till May 11, transforming the alternative energy landscape in Pakistan Federal Secretary for Housing & Works Dr Shahzad Khan Bangash Joint Secretary Ijlal Ahmad Khattak along with high officials and industry leaders graced the closing ceremony of the exhibition The three-day Sustainability Week and Solar Pakistan exhibition witnessed the participation of a large number of policymakers, investors, manufacturers, suppliers, traders and distributors PR ISLAMABAD A H M A D A H M A D A N I
y
Electric Power
JazzCash in collaboration with SFERP, disburses PKR2b to flood-affec ted families in Sindh K A R A C H I : JazzCash Pakistan s leading fintech company, in collaboration with the Sindh Flood Emergency Rehabilitation Project (SFERP), backed by the Government of Sindh and the World Bank, has successfully disbursed PKR 2 billion to flood-affected families across the Sindh province Under this initiative PKR 15 billion will be disbursed to approximately one million affected families As part of the initiative JazzCash has already opened 80,000 mobile wallet accounts, with 45% of beneficiaries being female and 55% male This distribution ensures equitable access to financial assistance particularly in urban and remote areas This partnership signifies a significant step forward in JazzCash
GANDAPUR ADVISES KUNDI AGAINST CONFRONTATION AS WAR OF WORDS HEATS UP
Former President and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf
(PTI) leader Dr Arif Alvi said on Saturday that the party founder Imran Khan would choose to stay behind bars instead of striking any deal Speaking to media, Alvi urged for finding a solution to end political disputes among the parties via dialogue He made the statement while addressing the district bar in Sialkot today The former president said that he knew the PTI founder for a long time who he said always prioritised the supremacy of the Constitution Referring to his meeting with the incarcerated Khan, Alvi said that he questioned the party founder that if they had entered a blind alley but the PTI founder was optimistic about a way out from the prevailing political crisis The PTI senior leader claimed that he found no signs of fear on Khan’s face when he met him in the jail He added that the PTI founder was given many offers but he rejected them all The jailed former premier insisted that there would be no end to the political uncertainty without finding a “constitutional” solution, and only option left was holding dialogue he added The politico said that “only civilians can rule Pakistan” He termed the formation of the Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz (PML-N)-led coalition government as an accidental democracy in Pakistan Regarding May 9 riots, Alvi claimed that no one should make unilateral decision to hold someone responsible, claiming the PTI has “evidence” of the events Alvi added that his party welcomed high-level Saudi Arabia s delegates who are scheduled to arrive in Pakistan He said that the Imran Khanfounded party also supports the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) He was of the view that all stakeholders wanted to improve the national economy He further said that there is a temporary crisis in the country which would end after a “positive leadership” came into power Pointing towards the judiciary Alvi said that all eyes were on the top court after six judges raised their voices against the alleged inference in the judicial affairs
S ome individuals within govt advoc ating for C J’s ex tension: K aira
Qamar Zaman Kaira, a leader of the Pakistan People’s Party has alleged that some individuals within the government are advocating for an extension for Chief Justice
Speaking on a private TV program, Qamar Zaman Kaira stated that there are indications from some quarters within the government regarding an extension for the Chief Justice He emphasized the need for careful consideration before deciding to extend the Chief Justice s tenure The decision to extend the tenure of Chief Justice Qazi Faez Isa should be made thoughtfully and with careful consideration This statement regarding the extension
of the tenure of Supreme Court justices, setting the age limit at 68 for Supreme Court judges and 65 for high court judges is not new Several federal ministers have previously disclosed this Kaira stated Kaira further stated that there was also a perception among lawyers that the age limit for high court judges should be set at 65 to ensure equal opportunities for all However, he clarified that there has been no serious discussion on this matter nor has any legislation been proposed Giving the Pakistan People s Party s opinion on extending the Chief Justice s tenure would be premature as this issue is not currently on the agenda Earlier last month Federal Law Minister Nazeer Tarar in an interview with a private TV chan-
nel, stated that recommendations regarding the tenure of the Chief Justice are under consideration, which he will not outright reject
The Prime Minister has instructed for constitutional amendments for the appointment of judges, but as of yet, Tarar has not received any directives in his capacity as the Law Minister It was reported in March 2024 that there were circulating rumors about considering a three-year tenure for the current Chief Justice of Pakistan Qazi Faez Isa However, Information Minister Ataullah Tarar has dismissed these media reports, stating that there is no proposal under consideration for extending the Chief Justice’s tenure nor have any documents been presented in this regard
L ev i e s, k h a s a d a r fo r c e s i t - i n e n t e r s s e c o n d d ay at B a b - e - K hy b e r
KHYBER A G E N C I E S
The sit-in protest staged by Levies and Khasadar force personnel at Jamrud, Bab-e-Khyber, has entered its second day, as officials demand the recognition of their constitutional and legal rights Organised by the All FATA Ex-Khasadar and Levies Force Committee the demonstration seeks the attention of key national and provincial authorities including the Chief Justice of Pakistan Prime Minister, President of Pakistan, Army Chief, ISI Chief, Corps Commander Peshawar, Governor and Chief Minister of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, and K-P IGP
Speaking on behalf of the protesters Khan Mazhar Afridi emphasised the sacrifices made by the former Spe-
cial Forces and Levies Force personnel for the peace and stability of the region He called for an end to the injustices faced by these forces and urged the implementation of promises made to them, as outlined in the 22-point agenda presented by the ex-FATA Khasadar and Levies Force Committee The grievances of the demonstrators extend beyond mere recognition as they demand comprehensive integration of the Khasadar and Levies Force into the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Police structure in the tribal districts Despite assurances and formal notifications issued by the Home Department of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, the protesters stress the need for tangible action to provide the tribal districts with the privileges and facilities enjoyed by the police
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 4:30 5:07 1 30 5:15 6:50 8:45 Sunday 12 May 2024 NEWS PESHAWAR S TA F F R E P O R T K H Y B E R Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur Saturday advised newlyposted KP Governor Faisal Karim Kundi against issuing political statements, emphasizing that the governor should not engage in confrontation owing to his limited role in a constitutional office Addressing the governor the chief minister said: I am giving a warning the post of governor is constitutional, avoid political statements and confrontation The KP CM s comments came after Governor Kundi responded to his statement on attacking the provincial governor ’s house two days after Gandapur warned of occupying his office Addressing a gathering organised by the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) in Dera Ismail Khan to mark a year to the May 9 riots the CM said he was not afraid of the governor s rule in KP However, if it was imposed, the people would occupy both the Governor ’s House and CM House as only people’s rule is permissible in the province In response to the chief minister s statement Kundi said he knew how to protect the Governor s House if Gandapur attacked it If he wants to do a rehearsal, I m ready to do it too He found a highway to sprint in Islamabad, here he won’t even find a place to run away I will drag him on the streets,” the governor said warning the CM during a gathering Kundi also advised the chief minister to “control his mouth and his actions” “I know how to deal with hooligans like you Meanwhile Gandapur also told Governor Kundi that his governorship is illegal and that political statements and confrontations are not his business Governor Khyber Pakhtunkhwa is not in such a position that he can speak,” he said, maintaining that even the oil for the governor ’s car is bought from the provincial government’s budget “Then you won’t even have oil for your car and you won’t own the governor ’s house either ” he said warning to declare the Governor s House as a heritage and turning it into an open-to-public museum I will shift you to a two-room annexe Gandapur said, adding you have nothing to do with politics He told Governor Kundi to stay within his limits “The governor has no status or work in the province at this time ” COAS approves postings after three major generals promoted to three-star generals RAWALPINDI: Chief of the Army Staff (COAS) General Asim Munir approved new postings on Saturday after three major generals were promoted to the rank of lieutenant general including Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) Director General Major General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry the military s media said on Saturday The two other officers who were promoted to the rank of lieutenant general are: Major General Omer Ahmed Bukhari and Major General Inayat Hussain According to ISPR Lt General Omar Bukhari was posted as Commander XI Corps (Peshawar) Before him Lt General Hasan Azhar Hayat Khan was serving at the post and has now been transferred Lt General Inayat has been appointed Chief of Logistics Services at the General Headquarters (GHQ) in Rawalpindi The current Director-General of the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), Lt General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry will continue at his current billet Lt Gen Bukhari in the 84 Long Course was awarded the Sword of Honour Meanwhile Lt Gen Hussain who belongs to Hunza has received the presidential gold medal Before their promotions as three-year generals, both were performing duties as vice chief of general staff at the GHQ S TA F F R E P O R T IHC ‘sees’ no legal ground for barring Zar taj Gul from travelling abroad ISLAMABAD: The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Saturday said there was no legal ground or ethical explanation for restricting former federal minister Zartaj Gul from travelling abroad and putting her name on the Exit Control List (ECL) IHC Justice Tariq Mehmood Jahangiri heard the plea of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader seeking removal of her name from the Exit Control List (ECL) to perform Hajj The court subsequently issued a written order of the hearing The IHC ordered the interior secretary to appoint a senior prosecutor to assist the court The court stated that the authorised officer should be aware of the case s facts and bring relevant documents on the next hearing The court further remarked that according to the counsel, a number of cases were registered against the petitioner for May 9’s “protest” and she was facing those cases The IHC further said that Zartaj was neither absconding nor was wanted in any case and had even secured a bail Issuing a notice to the interior secretary, the court has sought a reply from the official An anti-terrorism court on April 18 granted Zartaj interim bail in the May 9 case After arguments from the lawyers the judge had granted interim bail to the PTI leader until May 10 S TA F F R E P O R T Pakistan in state of war needs immediate healing touch: Raoof ISLAMABAD S TA F F R E P O R T Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Central Information Secretary Raoof Hasan has stated that Pakistan is in a state of war not because of external but due to internal factors as the institutions’ trespassing constitutional limits bringing the country on the verge of collapse insisting that its high time the country needs a healing touch instead of rubbing more salt in the wounds so as to get it out of the prevailing quagmire Speaking at a press conference along with PTI senior leader Shoaib Shaheen, Raoof said that he had already given a detailed response to DG ISPR s unlawful and constitutional press conference but he felt the need to remind him the darkest chapters and black days of the country’s history instead of marking May 9 as a black day He said that though establishment past role was not glorious even, the reign of terror unleashed on PTI, its leaders and workers during the past two years were unprecedented, as constitution, law and morally were being trampled under their feet to crush PTI in order to establish one man rule in the country rendering the country virtually non-functional Raoof stressed the need that the country could only be get out of the current quagmire if all state institutions especially establishment end infringement and started operating within the constitutional limits and ambits However, he stated that DG ISPR’s press conference, targeting PTI and seeking apology from PTI for May 9 false flag operation clearly showed that they did not learn a lesson from history He reiterated that PTI was ready for investigation into 2014 sit-in and parliament attack but the judicial commission s scope should be expanded to probe cipher, regime change operation, assassination attempt on PTI Founding Chairman Imran Khan, May 9 incidents stolen mandate through blatant polls rigging on February 8 audio/video leaks enforced divorces and political engineering to determine the real factors and expose the plotters of these tragic incidents to bring the truth to the fore However, he reminded that on May 9 was observed as a black day but they forgot the actual black chapter of the country’s history when constitution was trampled upon and imposed martial law four times adding that de facto martial law was even in place for the rest of the time in the country but ever the military rendered apology for these unconstitutional and unlawful acts Similarly, Raoof stated that the country was disintegrated on 1971 during martial law regime and those asking for apology from PTI ever rendered apology for the blackest day in history of Pakistan LALA MUSA S TA F F R E P O R T
Imran Khan wants ‘constitutional solution’ to political crisis: Alvi SIALKOT S TA F F R E P O R T
