S ta f f R e p o R t
RAN’S Supreme Leader Ayatollah
IImam Syed Ali Khamenei assured Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Wednesday that the acting Iranian President would uphold the cooperation and agreements established by the late President Ebrahim Raisi with Pakistan Khamenei made these remarks during a meeting with Prime Minister Shehbaz who visited Tehran to offer condolences following the tragic helicopter crash that claimed the lives of the Iranian president foreign minister, and other high-ranking officials
Just last month, Raisi had visited Pakistan for the first time, during which both nations agreed to enhance cooperation and signed several agreements following months of tit-for-tat missile strikes
Acknowledging the hiccups in the relationship between the two countries in recent years, the Iranian supreme leader emphasized that despite these “ups and downs ” there remains a potential for revitalizing bilateral cooperation
According to state run IRNA the leader of the Islamic revolution while talking to Shehbaz Sharif, the Prime Minister of Pakistan and his accompanying delegation, sincerely thanked the government and nation of Pakistan for their sympathy
“For the Islamic Republic of Iran rela-
tions with Pakistan are very important and we view this country as a brother Although our relations have seen ups and downs in recent years, we believe there is a possibility for a resurgence of these ties under the new government of Pakistan,” Khamenei was quoted as saying by IRNA Referring to the emphasis of the late president on the importance of relations with Pakistan he added: Mr Raisi s recent visit to Pakistan can be a turning point in the relations between the two countries, and acting president Dr Mokhber will follow the path of cooperation and agreements ” Ayatollah Khamenei noted: “Friendly relations between brotherly countries are not always easy and obstacles must be overcome and the progress of cooperation should be followed seriously and in practice A statement issued by the foreign office here said the prime minister visited the Islamic Republic of Iran to attend the funeral ceremony of President Dr Seyyed Ebrahim Raisi Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian and their companions, who embraced martyrdom in a tragic helicopter accident in the Eastern Azerbaijan province of Iran on 19 May 2024
The prime minister was accompanied by the Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar In his meeting with Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei, Supreme Leader of the Islamic Republic of Iran, the prime minister offered
condolences on behalf of the people and Government of Pakistan
Recalling late President Raisi’s recent visit to Pakistan in April 2024 the prime minister highlighted his commendable role in advancing Pakistan-Iran bilateral relations The prime minister termed President Raisi as a visionary leader who manifested steadfast dedication to serving his country and his people He added that President Raisi’s contributions for the unity of Muslim Ummah as well as for the besieged people of Gaza will
g PC-1 for the project was approved by the Central Development Working Party on March 15, 2024
g Claims he knows elements behind attack on Hasan, saying incident proves system being run through use of force
Gwadar project is expected to significantly enhance the reliability and capacity of the power supply to Gwadar, supporting the city’s development and economic activities The timely completion of this project is deemed crucial for meeting the growing energy demands of the region
In par tnership with Profit T h u r s d a y, 2 3 M a y, 2 0 2 4 I 1 4 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 2 3 I 8 Pa g e s I La h o r e E d i t i o n
ISLAMABAD
The prime minister expressed unwavering solidarity with the people of the Islamic Republic of Iran at this time of national tragedy He reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to further strengthening the bonds of friendship and brotherhood with the people and Government of the Islamic Republic of Iran The prime minister also extended an invitation to Ayatollah Khamenei to visit Pakistan Earlier in the day, the prime minister arrived in Tehran for a daylong visit Upon his arrival at Tehran International Airport he was received by the Iranian Minister for Roads and Urban Development Mehrdad Bazrpash Huge crowds of Iranians thronged the streets of the capital Tehran on Wednesday for the funeral procession of Raisi and his entourage In the city centre mourners clutching portraits of Raisi gathered in and around the University of Tehran, where Iran s supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, led the prayers Flanked by top officials Ayatollah Khamenei said prayers over the coffins of the dead who also included Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian The leader of the Palestinian resistance group Hamas, Ismail Haniyeh, joined the procession, as did the deputy leader of the Lebanese resistance group Hezbollah Naim Qassem Raisi’s helicopter crashed into a fog-shrouded mountainside in northwestern Iran on Sunday as he was returning to Tabriz after attending a ceremony on the border with Azerbaijan A massive search and rescue operation was launched with assistance from Turkey Russia and the European Union State television announced Raisi s death early on Monday Raisi who was widely anticipated to succeed Khamenei as supreme leader, was 63 Funeral rites for Raisi and his entourage began on Tuesday, with processions through Tabriz and Qom drawing tens of thousands of black-clad mourners From Tehran the bodies will be taken to Iran s second city of Mashhad Raisi s hometown in the northeast, where he will be buried on Thursday evening after funeral rites at the Imam Reza shrine ISLAMABAD a h m a d a h m a da n Federal Cabinet s Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) scheduled to meet on Thursday, is likely to grant its approval for a technical supplementary grant amounting to Rs 2 217 billion for the “Construction of 2nd Circuit Stringing from Jiwani to Gwadar project According to sources the Ministry of Energy (Power Division) has prepared a request for a technical supplementary grant amounting to Rs 2 217 billion for the critical infrastructure initiative aimed at enhancing the power supply to the port city of Gwadar Sources disclosed that the revised PC-1 for the project which was approved by the Central Development Working Party (CDWP) on March 15, 2024, entails a total cost of Rs 4 540 billion The approval came with a directive for the Power Division to review its Public Sector Development Program (PSDP) 2023-24 portfolio and reallocate funds to cover the increased cost of Rs 2 217 billion As per the sources, upon analysing potential savings within its portfolio the Power Division identified four projects from which funds could be reallocated: 1 Secondary Transmission Lines & Grid Stations (HESCO) Approved Cost: Rs 7 009 billion Savings: Rs 500 million 2 Secondary Transmission Lines & Grid Stations (SEPCO) Approved Cost: Rs 9 334 billion Savings: Rs 500 00 million 3 Installation of 2 x 660 MW Coal Fired Power Project Jamshoro Approved Cost: Rs 17 7 billion Savings: Rs 617 00 million 4 Land Acquisition for Installation of 1200 MW Solar Power Plant at District Layyah Approved Cost: Rs 2 658 billion Savings: Rs 600 00 million Sources also said that these projects collectively provide the necessary Rs 2 217 million in savings Since these initiatives are financed through the Cash Development Loan (CDL) from the Finance Division, the Power Division has sought approval from the Finance Division for the reallocation of funds And the Finance Division has advised that ECC s approval was required to surrender the funds from Demand No 128-Development Loans & Advances by the Federal Government, in favour of the Ministry of Energy (Power Division), to secure a Technical Supplementary Grant (TSG) of an equal amount for the Jiwani to Gwadar project The Power Division emphasised the urgency of this approval highlighting the significance of the project in bolstering the power infrastructure in Gwadar, a region of strategic importance for Pakistan said the sources It is pertinent to mention that 2nd Circuit Stringing from Jiwani to
ISLAMABAD S ta f f R e p o R t Incarcerated Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Founder Imran Khan on Wednesday said that he is aware of those responsible for the recent attack on party spokesperson Raoof Hasan threatening that they were running out of patience and will take to the streets in protest “We know who is behind the attack This incident proves the system is being run through the use of force ” Khan said while talking to the media at Rawalpindi s Adiala Jail A day earlier PTI Information Secretary Raoof Hasan was attacked by a group of transgenders outside a private TV channel s office in the federal capital He received injuries in the face in the attack Following the attack the attackers managed to flee the scene with ease The PTI leader was transferred to a hospital for medical treatment He was later discharged The PTI founder continued that the country’s economy was in a fragile state that’s why they were avoiding protests but emphasised that the government would be responsible for any damage We refrained from taking to the streets due to the economic conditions If any damage [to economy] occurs now, they will be responsible ” Khan asserted Referring to the ongoing National Accountability Bureau (NAB) law amendments case Imran said that he has a match in the Supreme Court on May 30 He also criticised the restrictions on PTI activities, noting, “Everything in the country is being controlled through fear PTI is not even allowed to hold rallies Regarding the economic situation in the country, Khan challenged current leaders to lead by example “Shehbaz Sharif talks about tough decisions Tough decisions start with leaders making sacrifices themselves ” he said urging Nawaz Sharif Shehbaz Sharif and Asif Ali Zardari to repatriate their overseas assets Khan called for transparency in legal proceedings, suggesting all cases be broadcast live “The nation should know who the real thieves are If you want to proceed even with a treason case against me I’m ready I’m even ready for the gallows he declared Dismissing rumours of a deal with former prime minister Nawaz Sharif, Khan stated, I met Nawaz Sharif with Chaudhry Nisar, but he thought my conscience could be bought with just a road ” Expressing satisfaction over PTI President Pervaiz Elahi s release he remarked I m happy for Pervaiz Elahi He would have been released sooner if he had distanced himself from the party Khan concluded with a criticism of US interference stating “The US is allowed to overthrow governments but he is not allowed to expose their conspiracies ECC likely to approve Rs2.217b grant for Jiwani- Gwadar power project Imran threatens street protests after attack on PTI leader ISLAMABAD a h m a d a h m a da n i The entire country is grappling with extensive power outages amidst a scorching summer with temperatures soaring above 40 degrees Celsius Many localities report over eight hours of loadshedding daily, exacerbating the intensity of the heat and adding to the public’s misery According to sources, the national electricity shortfall has reached 5,845 megawatts as the demand for electricity climbs to 24 500 megawatts while the production lags at 18 655 megawatts They said that 5 000 megawatts are being produced from hydropower, 975 megawatts from government-owned thermal power plants, 8,350 megawatts from private sector power plants, 790 megawatts from wind power 200 megawatts from solar power and 140 megawatts from bagasse They said nuclear power plants contribute 3 200 megawatts to the grid They said this surge in demand has strained the electricity transmission system nationwide, leading to frequent faults The situation is further aggravated by reports of feeder tripping transformer failures and unannounced power outages which have become a regular feature disrupting daily life and making the sweltering heat even more unbearable for the masses said sources Despite these widespread issues, authorities have refrained from officially acknowledging a countrywide load-shedding regime Instead, they attribute the disruptions to technical failures and load management in feeders plagued by high losses and theft An official from the power division on condition of anonymity said that the increased electricity demand due to changing weather conditions is exerting pressure on the distribution system g D r M o k h b e r w i l l f o l l o w p a t h o f c o o p e r a t i o n a n d a g r e e m e n t s w i t h Pa k i s t a n , s a y s K h a m e n e i g P M r e a f f i r m s Pa k i s t a n ’ s c o m m i t m e n t t o f u r t h e r s t r e n g t h e n i n g b o n d s o f f r i e n d s h i p w i t h I r a n Manufacturers urge FBR to maintain current mobile phone tariff structures ISLAMABAD S ta f f R e p o R t The Pakistan Mobile Phone Manufacturers Association (PMPMA) has called on the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) to honor the commitments made by the government to investors and refrain from increasing the tariff structures for mobile phones In a recent meeting with the FBR the PMPMA delegation expressed concerns that increasing tariffs would not only disrupt the localization schedule but also negatively impact the export targets for mobile phones from Pakistan The delegation highlighted that implementing an 18 percent sales tax on all mobile phones assembled in the country would deal a serious blow to the industry Under the Mobile Device Manufacturing Policy 2020 phone sets priced up to $350 are exempt from the 18 percent sales tax while sets above this price range are subject to the full sales tax The Association noted that the majority of local companies assemble phone sets within this price range, which accounts for around 55 percent of smartphones used in the country Mian Abdul Rehman, chairman of PMPMA speaking to the media on Wednesday stated that about 40 percent of phone sets in the country are still feature phones and there is a need to expand smartphone usage to around 80 percent We have asked the authorities to consider that this industry is still in its basic stage Soon after the policy was launched, the world economy was hit by COVID-19, followed by an LC crisis in Pakistan ” Mr Rehman said The sales tax exemption on locally assembled sets should be maintained; otherwise the price of sets will rise significantly leading to an increase in the grey market for mobile phones He added that Pakistan needs to move towards achieving 80-90 percent smartphone usage, as it helps generate employment and earning opportunities PMPMA senior member Zeeshan Miannoor emphasized that Pakistan needs conducive policies to promote local assembly of phones on a large scale to support exports g Pa k i s t a n M o b i l e P h o n e M a n u f a c t u r e r s A s s o c i a t i o n e x p r e s s e s c o n c e r n s r e g a r d i n g i n c r e a s i n g t a r i f f s R A I S I ’ S S U C C E S S O R T O S T R E N G T H E N T I E S W I T H PA K I S TA N , K H A M E N E I A S S U R E S S H E H B A Z ‘ PAT I E N C E R U N N I N G T H I N ’
be etched in history He also appreciated the role played by late Foreign Minister Abdollahian in promoting regional peace and dialogue
g S a y s r e f r a i n e d f r o m t a k i n g t o s t r e e t s d u e t o e c o n o m i c c o n d i t i o n s, s a y s g o v t w o u l d b e r e s p o n s i b l e f o r a n y d a m a g e
Countr ywide power outages intensif y
as shor tfall nears 6,000 megawatts
Summer heat
hours
load-shedding while urban areas endure 4 to 6 hours of power cuts C O N T I N U E D O N PA G E 03 C O N T I N U E D O N PA G E 03
g Rural areas face 6 to 8
of
New date announced for Intermediate exams in Karachi
CONTINUED FR OM PAGE 01
He maintained that power load management is limited to feeders with high losses and low recovery rates As per sources in rural areas residents face 6 to 8 hours of load-shedding daily while urban areas endure 4 to 6 hours of power cuts These frequent and prolonged outages have become a source of immense frustration for the public who are already struggling with the oppressive heat Residents of various regions shared their experiences with Profit painting a grim picture of the electricity situation as the intense heat season begins Consumers served by the Multan Electric Power Company (MEPCO) report daily power suspensions of at least 6-8 hours They expressed confusion and frustration noting that despite significant investments in upgrading the power supply capacity technical faults persist However MEPCO staff on condition of anonymity attributed the frequent power cuts to the tripping of lines due to overloading but consumers remain sceptical of these explanations In Lahore a consumer of the Lahore Electric Supply Company (LESCO) who wished to remain anonymous reported 4-5 hours of daily power cuts
He criticised LESCO s inability to resolve the overloading issues despite substantial expenditures aimed at enhancing the power distribution infrastructure In Sukkur Aftab Khushak lamented the onset of forced load-shedding in his area Power supply disruptions occur unpredictably and can last for any duration He said that local power utility (SEPCO) staff have used to blamed the central system managed by the federal government for these interrup-
tions
Similarly Iftikhar Baloch from Quetta (QESCO) described a relentless wave of power cuts in different parts of the city every two hours The continuous outages often stretch until midnight with extreme heat compounding the situation Baloch highlighted that faults in the 220 KV transmission line and the overall fragility of the distribution system have become the norm
The frequent power outages are not only causing inconvenience but also pose significant challenges to daily life and business operations The economic impact of these disruptions is substantial affecting industries commercial activities and household routines The prolonged lack of electricity further hampers the quality of life particularly in the scorching summer months
Despite the government’s efforts to address these issues the persistent problems in the power sector call for more effective and sustainable solutions Investments in infrastructure upgrades better management of existing resources and addressing systemic inefficiencies are crucial to mitigating the impact of load-shedding
Ensuring a stable and reliable power supply is essential for the country’s economic stability and the well-being of its citizens
It is pertinent to mention that the ongoing electricity crisis coupled with unprecedented heat has left the nation in a state of distress
The need for immediate and long-term solutions to improve the power sector ’s performance and resilience is more urgent than ever Addressing these challenges will not only alleviate the public’s suffering but also contribute to the country’s overall progress and development
03 NEWS Thursday 23 May 2024 | LAHORE
CONTINUED FR OM PAGE 01 “Pakistan needs to streamline the tariff structures to support the import of spare parts and raw materials, but the current structure benefits the import o f c o m p l e t e l y b u i l t u n i t s ( C B U s ) , ” M i a n A b d u l Rehman stated He added that localization is suffering because there is a 50 percent tax rate on the import of raw materials such as cables and coils whereas the import of finished accessories including chargers hands-free devices and Bluetooth devices are at zero tax rate The raw material imports should be zero-rated while the complete products need to be taxed Miannoor added Countr y wide power outages intensify S ummer heat as shor tfall nears 6,000 megawatts Manufac turers urge FBR to maintain current mobile phone tariff struc tures LONDON R E U T E R S B R I T I S H Prime Minister Rishi Sunak called a national election on Wednesday naming July 4 as the date for a vote his governing Conservatives are widely expected to lose to the opposition Labour Party after 14 years in power Ending months of speculation over the timing of a new vote Sunak 44 announced outside his 10 Downing Street residence that he was calling the election earlier than some had expected a risky strategy with his party way behind in the opinion polls Sunak heads into the election not only far behind Labour in the polls but also rather isolated from some in his party and increasingly dependent on a small team of advisers to steer him through what is set to be an ugly campaign But he seems to have decided that with some economic gains such as inflation falling and the economy growing at its fastest pace in almost three years now is the time to take a risk and present his agenda for a new term formally to voters The former investment banker and finance minister took over as prime minister less than two years ago Since then he has struggled to define what he stands for becoming increasingly frustrated that what he sees as his successes have failed to be appreciated Both parties have all but kicked off campaigning for an election with the attack lines on the economy and on defence already firmly drawn Sunak and his government accuse Labour of preparing to increase taxes if in government and say the party would not be a safe pair of hands for Britain in an increasingly dangerous world as it lacks a plan charges the opposition denies Labour accuses the government of 14 years of economic mismanagement leaving people worse off with a series of chaotic administrations that have failed to give the stability businesses have craved to spur economic growth Labour said before the announcement it was more than ready for an election We are fully ready to go whenever the prime minister calls an election We have a fully organised and operational campaign ready to go and we think the country is crying out for a general election Labour leader Starmer s spokesperson told reporters Starmer kicked off his party s election campaign last week by pledging to rebuild Britain setting out the first steps he said Labour would take if it forms the next government Labour is running about 20 percentage points ahead of Sunak s Conservatives in the opinion polls but some party officials are concerned their advantage is not as solid as it appears fearing many voters remain undecided Sunak might be aiming to capitalise on that uncertainty and also to wrongfoot Labour which has still to complete the selection of all its parliamentary candidates a party veteran said Sunak will also hope that some economic gains and the first flights in his centrepiece immigration plan of sending illegal asylum seekers to Rwanda might also boost his party s fortunes The earliest possible date for those flights is June 24 10 days before the election While some Conservatives welcomed the move to call an election not all were happy Death wish 2024 said one Conservative lawmaker on condition of anonymity
KARACHI S TA F F R E P O R T Board of Intermediate Education Karachi (BIEK) Chairman Prof Nasim Ahmed Memon stated on Wednesday that the intermediate exams are scheduled to take place from June 1 The intermediate exams will be held from June 1 as it is not possible to conduct them from May 28 said the chairman Memon said that the board has sought permission from the education minister to extend the exams for four days He added that 21 higher secondary schools were set up as a centre for the exams The chairman said that the inter exams were to be held in the centres in morning while matric exams were scheduled for the evening While speaking about the matric exams, the chairman said that they were postponed due to hot weather Postponed papers will be taken from May 28 in the same centres, he added The BIEK chairman stated that it was not possible to hold matric and intermediate exams in the same centres at the same time The chairman also said that Provincial Minister for Universities and Boards Muhammad Ismail Rahoo has called a meeting in this regard which will also be attended by chairmen of both boards
Heatwave expected to continue in Islamabad, Rawalpindi and other par ts of Pakistan STAFF REPORT Heatwaves will expected to continue in Islamabad, Rawalpindi and parts of Pakistan with 04 to 06°C above normal temperatures on Wednesday and Thursday, says the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) As per the synoptic condition, mainland air conquers over most parts of Pakistan A high weight has developed in the upper atmosphere which caused heat wave like conditions especially over Punjab and Sindh Heat wave conditions will further intensify from May 23 and will likely persist till May 27 Under these situations, heat wave circumstances will likely continue in the twin cities and most parts of the country on Wednesday Heat waves will exaggerate on Thursday and likely to persist with 04-06°C above normal day temperatures during the week Islamabad’s maximum temperatures will likely stay between 41-43°C on Wednesday and 42-44°C on Thursday Rawalpindi s maximum temperatures will likely stay between 39-41 C on Wednesday and 4042 C on Thursday Meanwhile hot and dry weather prevailed in the twin cities and most parts of the country during the last 24 hours Very hot weather prevailed in southern/central parts However rain-thunderstorm occurred at isolated places in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Kashmir Mohenjo-Daro remained the hottest place in the country where the maximum temperature was recorded at 49°C Relative humidity in the evening was recorded at 41 per cent In Islamabad, the maximum temperature was recorded at 41°C Relative humidity in the evening was recorded at 40 percent In Rawalpindi, the maximum temperature was recorded at 39°C Relative humidity in the evening was recorded at 34 percent S R I N A G A R S TA F F R E P O R T The Narendra Modi-led Indian regime h a s t a rg e t e d s e n i o r A P H C l e a d e r M i rw a i z U m a r F a r o o q a n d s o m e l o c a l b ur e a u c r a c y m e m b e r s i n I n d i a n i l l e g a l l y o c c u p i e d J a m m u a n d K a s h m i r b y b o o k i n g t h e m i n a f a k e c a s e o f e ncroaching Custodian land in Srinagar A c c o r d i n g t o K a s h m i r M e d i a S e r v i c e t h e F I R s t a t e s t h a t i f t h e c h a rg e s a g a i n s t M i r w a i z a r e p r o v e n t h e c o m p r o m i s e d j u d i c i a r y w i l l c o nf i s c a t e t h e l a n d a n d h o u s e i n w h i c h h e r e s i d e s T h e s o - c a l l e d p r e l i m i n a r y i n q u i r y b y t h e A n t i - C o r r u p t i o n B u r e a u s a y s t h a t a l a d y D i l R a f i q a w a s u n l a wfully granted evacuee land by the Cust o d i a n D e p a r t m e n t w i t h o u t p r o p e r government sanction and an open auct i o n v i o l a t i n g e s t a b l i s h e d p r o v is i o n s T h e F I R f u r t h e r d e t a i l s t h e a l l o c at i o n o f l a n d t o s e v e r a l i n d i v i d u a l s i nc l u d i n g D i l R a f i q a , i n v i o l a t i o n o f r u l e s , i n v o l v i n g 0 7 K a n a l 1 9 M a r l a s 9 7 s q f t o f l a n d L o c a l o ff i c e r s f r o m t h e C u s t o d i a n a n d R e v e n u e D e p a r tments have also been implicated in the c a s e , p o s s i b l y t o a d v a n c e t h e H i ndutva agenda in the occupied territory Consequently, a case has been regi s t e r e d a t P / S A C B S r i n a g a r, w i t h t h e i n v e s t i g a t i o n a s s i g n e d t o a D y S P r a n k o ff i c e r Modi regime targets confisc ation of Mir waiz ’s land & house in fake c ase Who attacked anchor Iqrar Ul Hassan in Gujranwala? NEWS DESK Prominent TV anchor Iqrar ul Hassan s car was allegedly attacked in Gujranwala yesterday (Tuesday) while he was en route to a university talk The attackers reportedly sent by Peer Haq Khateeb broke his car s windscreen and threw acid at the vehicle Iqrar ul Hassan has shared a video of the attack along with his statement regarding the incident Iqrar ul Hassan has recently been in a feud with Peer Haq Khateeb a well-known figure sought after for spiritual reasons Peer Haq Khateeb s miracle videos have gone viral on social media prompting Iqrar ul Hassan to expose him as a fraud claiming that his powers are fake and all of it is a drama Since then both have exchanged challenges publicly Following the attack Iqrar was able to make it inside the university where he had to give a talk As per Iqrar the perpetrators continue to chant slogans against him outside the university but the security personnel present there were able to maintain peace Here is a video after the attack where Iqrar is safely inside the university premises: Iqrar ul Hassan was previously attacked while pursuing an officer and had gotten injured He is safe this time 3-year-old booked in case of electricit y theft in Dera Ismail Khan DERA ISMAIL KHAN S TA F F R E P O R T In a surprising turn of events a case of electricity theft has been registered against a three-year-old child at the Cantt Police Station in Dera Ismail Khan The incident has left many baffled raising questions about the circumstances surrounding the accusation According to reports the case was registered against the child identified as Zaigham for allegedly being involved in electricity theft through a direct connection The first information report filed at the police station outlines the accusation against the child Further details reveal that the consumer had installed a direct electricity connection The FIR also indicates that there was an outstanding amount of Rs25 000 associated with the consumer The complaint report was filed by the Peshawar Electric Supply Company (PESCO) through the subdivisional officer (SDO) of Cantt Sub-Division Authorities are yet to comment on the unusual nature of the case or provide clarity on how a three-year-old could be involved in electricity theft Three previous gov ts issued thousands of prohibited weapon licences ISLAMABAD S TA F F R E P O R T It has been revealed that thousands of licenses for prohibited weapons have been issued by the Ministry of Interior over the past five and a half years of last three governments A total of 50,966 arms licenses were issued during the last governments of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM), and caretaker premier Anwaarul Haq Kakar ’s tenure Among these, 23,557 licenses were for prohibited weapons, and 27,409 were for non-prohibited weapons, the sources said During the caretaker government, a total of 12,621 licenses were issued in which 9,561 licenses of prohibited weapons and 3,060 licenses of non-prohibited weapons were included 03 NEWS - 23 May 2024_Layout 1 5/23/2024 12:46 AM Page 1
PM’s plans for economic recover y stick to tested formula
R I M E M I N I S T E R Shehbaz Sharif has told the Economic Advisory Council that the government was working to facilitate the private sector to push the economy back on track At the same time, it was interesting that the EAC meeting, which was attended by members of the Federal Cabinet did not according to the release from the PM’s Office, include the Commerce Minister It would have seemed obvious that the country s economic conundrum, a shortage of foreign exchange, could only be solved by increasing exports, which is what the Commerce Ministry is supposed to do Mr Sharif is also supposed to have expressed satisfaction at how the economy was doing This was probably overoptimistic, or looked at the future to the exclusion of the present, where the big picture still showed an economy mired in stagflation as the latest meeting of the National Accounts Committee gave a growth figure of 2 4 percent for the ongoing fiscal year, and an inflation figure of 26 percent The only thing good about the growth figure is that it shows a rebound from the -0 21 percent recorded the previous year, where an actual contraction took place The PDM government also headed by Mr Sharif had projected a 3 5 percent growth target, which was also anaemic It may be noted that the growth, such as it is, is not based on industrial or services growth, but agriculture That means it might be at least partially wasted, because of the botched acquisition of an abundant wheat crop Mr Sharif did tell the EAC that the government would ensure proper seed and fertiliser supply to farmers Mr Sharif showed no signs of out-of-the-box thinking, giving weight to the assumption that that is not what his government is supposed to do He has promised that the tried and tested solutions will be given another whirl However, he would do well to remember that those solutions have failed One argument is that previous governments have pursued them half-heartedly If that is so, then the present government must stay the course take the pressure and must do what the private sector wants it not to do: make it pay its fair whack There has also got to be found a way of making sure that Pakistan finds a way of exporting more, which is the only way it will earn enough to pay its way through the world
Dedicated to the legac y of late Hameed Nizami Arif Nizami (Late) Founding Editor
M A Niazi Editor Pakistan Today Babar Nizami Editor Profit
a u s
And its many variants
and an important one at that For it is emotions that
E P E N D I N G on the type of reasoning employed arguments can be categorized as inductive arguments rooted in empirical data deductive arguments built on axioms, arguments based on evidence from revealed texts, and their various combinations There is one argument however, that stands out among all these arguments for its majestic simplicity I am referring to the ‘Because Mama says so argument
This is a frequently stated justification for many a ridiculous belief In fact arguably the only rationalization that comes anywhere close to Because Mama says so in terms of frequency of use is Because Papa says so’ Of course, these are sorry imitations of arguments because they add nothing to meaningful conversation; in fact quite the contrary If these happened to be valid arguments it would have been a tell-tale sign of high wisdom to believe that dark tea darkens one s complexion or that Satan starts praying as soon as he observes an unfolded prayer mat, or that shaving one s head enhances hair growth, or that ‘beauty’ soap makes one’s skin healthy For these are some of the things that mamas papas aunts and grandparents typically tell their juniors
The Because Mama says so type of argument is so popular because it has two irresistible things to offer First, one gets to do what one wants to do anyway, for you will be hard pressed to see such folks ever doing, under the pretext of ‘Mama says so’, anything that they happen to dislike or even find inconvenient And second (and this is the fun part) one gets to be a Mama’s boy (or girl) in the process as well Things do not get any more delicious than this do they? One s parents and elders can be a tremendous help, of course For they believe and say many things that make much sense as well Naturally, those ought to be listened to and followed But all such things are worthy of consideration on their own merit and not because somebody merely says so To believe otherwise is tantamount to putting the cart before the horse and is a recipe for much intellectual confusion or entertainment depending on how one views such things Also, the Mama says so argument is a legitimate argument while we are still toddlers But then we grow up Or do we? Emotions no doubt have a part to play in life
set humans apart from beasts on the one hand and cold, hard machines on the other Love for parents and elders is therefore not only natural but extremely wholesome as well Love of family or country is priceless as it has the power to make individuals rise above their fears and the instinct of self-preservation for a higher good Love is clearly out of its league, however, when it is used as the criterion to tell the truth apart from falsehood and to distinguish between right and wrong If I had a rupee every time an acquaintance friend or relative used the Mama argument I would be an extremely rich man today That said the ordinary citizen is by no means the only demographic who habitually gets carried away in his or her love for his parents in this manner The typical religious scholar is scarcely better in this regard The latter is generally more sophisticated but only barely so He replaces parents or close
Parents keep telling their children that two and two make four, and justifiably so. So do teachers. But does two and two making four depend on the parentsÊ or the teacherÊs authority? Of course not! Matters of fact do not depend on anybodyÊs opinions They can be ascer tained one way or the other by observation and/or experiment
E m b r a c i n g S o l a r P o w e r
Dr MuHAMMAD SAgir
HA bright future for sustainable Universit y Campuses
and incentives A considerable capital based on the initial cost is required for the purchase and installation of solar systems creating a financial barrier for certain institutions Nonetheless other financing opportunities such as bank leasing agreements power purchase agreements (PPA) and collaboration with third parties can also be used to eliminate financial barriers and speed up system installations Furthermore, the payback period for the solar projects is greatly reduced by incentives from the federal and provincial governments include tax rebates and waivers Other financial benefits in the long term include energy-centric financial benefits as well as the creation of revenue through net metering present an excellent and reasonable financial return on investment for the universities In addition to the aforementioned financial benefits the solar system’s social and ecological benefits are no less seismic and inspiring The university promotes environmental stewardship leadership and ensures lower carbon emissions and stimulation of environmentally sustainable behaviours that support the world’s fight against
climate change Moreover solar projects promote community involvement and cooperation streamline job creation for local residents and stimulate employment via the business formation process In essence, these shared accountability, ownership and collaborative efforts encourage a more sustainable future Nevertheless to realize the full potential of the solar system on the university campuses proactive leadership collaboration teamwork and commitment are required Prioritizing sustainability in institutional planning and decision-making is imperative for university administrators, staff and faculty This can be achieved through integrating the solar energy targets into the campus master plan and other sustainability projects This effort can be enhanced through collaboration with government agencies and business community stakeholders to provide financial and technical support There are no downsides to promoting sustainability in university campuses through the utilization of solar systems It is not only a practical and cost-effective solution for all people, but also an ethical obligation and a chance for learning Universities may show leadership in environmental stewardship and provide knowledge creativity and innovation for future generations by adopting solar power generation systems Let us seize this opportunity to illuminate and show paths to sustainability and motivate constructive change both inside and outside of our communities
The writer is Chairperson Institute of Chemical & Environmental Engineering Khwaja Fareed University of Engineering and Information Technology Rahim Yar Khan Pakistan
There are no downsides to promoting sustainability in university campuses through the utilization of solar systems. It is not only a practical and cost-effective solution for all people, but also an ethical obligation and a chance for learning. Universities may show leadership in environmental stewardship and provide knowledge, creativity and innovation for future generations by adopting solar power generation systems.
Climate awakening
Dogs in control
Internet woes
Alarming situation
04 Thursday 23 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 P l a n f o r t h e e c o n o m y P
R E C E N T LY the United Arab Emirates (UAE) was greatly affected by heavy rains marking the first time such a strong spell of rain occurred since its formation in 1971 The downpour disrupted daily life in the UAE, wreaking havoc Some analysts speculated that the rain was artificially induced through ‘Cloud Seeding,’ a process in which chemicals are injected into clouds to increase the chances of rain This practice is often employed in environments grappling with water scarcity It is worth noting that rainfall is rare not only in the UAE but also in other countries within the Arabian Peninsula known for their dry desert climate where temperatures can soar above 50 degrees Celsius However, the heavy rainfall was not the result of cloud seeding, as confirmed by the UAE s meteorology agency, but rather a direct consequence of climate change It is disheartening to acknowledge that even developed countries like the UAE are falling victim to the disastrous effects of climate change Therefore it is imperative that countries prioritise addressing climate change recognising the urgency of collective action on a global scale It is high time for countries to give utmost priority to combating climate change This can only be achieved through concerted efforts and cooperation among nations Additionally, the international community should explore
AHMED BROHI LARKANA
innovative approaches to tackling climate change at the upcoming COP meeting placing significant emphasis on the goals and objectives to be set during the conference SHEHZAD
R E S I D E N T S of Liaquatabad,
living near Quba Masjid, have been living under constant fear as stray dogs roam the area, making the daily life a risky affair In fact, the number of dogs has increased in the recent time to a staggering number As such, their omnipresence has jeopardised the safety of schoolgoing children and commuters alike enhancing the risks of attacks A constant fear prevails in everyone s mind especially the parents Their fear and anxiety have multipled as the municipal authorities have not carried out any drive against controlling the menace The municipal authorities must chalk out a plan in this regard M ARHAM HUSSAIN KARACHI
especially those
T H E majority of students in Kashmore use internet facilities to be in touch with various academies through applications like Zoom Google Meet and others However for the last few months the internet speed has slowed down in the area to the extent that even initiating an application is now difficult, if not impossible This has affected the remote learning facility the students were making use of The authorities should address the issue promptly KASHIF HAJANO KANDHKOT
S I X judges of the Islamabad High Court (IHC) sent a letter complaining about external interference in their affairs They also quoted the case of a retired judge who had levelled similar charges and had to strive hard to get himself off the hook This is an alarming situation, and deserves to be settled with due alacrity SYED SAFDAR HUSSAIN KARACHI E d i t o r ’ s m a i l Send your letters to: Letters to Editor Pakistan Today 4-Shaarey Fatima Jinnah Lahore Pakistan E-mail: letters@pakistantoday com pk Letters should be addressed to Pakistan Today exclusively
I G H E R education institutions undoubtedly have an important function for promoting sustainable development and decarbonisation along with their educational and societal responsibility in developing future leaders University campuses continue to expand around the globe It is imperative to implement energy saving and put low-carbon strategies into practice The importance of sustainability in higher education cannot be overemphasized As a microcosm of society, campuses have a significant impact on the environment beyond the boundaries of academic and residential buildings Energy consumed in administrative and academic blocks significantly increases carbon emissions exacerbating the challenges of climate change and environmental degradation Recognizing this, higher education institutions have to implement sustainability initiatives reducing their carbon footprint and instill a sustainability awareness among students and faculties The foremost among these initiatives is the installation of a solar photovoltaic power generation system This form of energy generation allows the use of sunlight as a clean renewable alternative for conventional fossil fuels, reduces reliance on scarce resources (oil and gas) and mitigates greenhouse gas emissions Solar technology has emerged rapidly in the last several years becoming more affordable adoptable and efficient Solar (PV) systems can be installed on existing infrastructure such as parking lots or building rooftops This adaptability and flexibility of the solar system allows the university campus to maximize solar potential and optimize energy generation while minimizing environmental impact and reducing land use The benefits of solar energy systems extend beyond environmental sustainability Solar systems enable universities to reduce electric utility costs over the long term by generating renewable and sustainable power As a result, these freed up funds can be utilized for research projects, academic programmes and student services Moreover the integration of solar (PV) systems enhances the resilience of university campus infrastructure by providing a reliable source of power supply during natural disasters or electric grid outages This resilience is specifically crucial for universities to ensure that operations and support services continue in the event of a crisis Furthermore integrating PV systems into campus infrastructure can be an effective and valuable educational tool that encourages young students to adopt and develop a culture of sustainability and gives them opportunities for experiential learning Solar technology could be used in an interdisciplinary research and innovative development encompassing everything from engineering and environmental science to business and policy studies Students can conduct formal research on renewable energy technology work on photovoltaic projects, or create or design a detailed sustainability plans for campus operations In addition to improving academic results, these experiential learning and research opportunities empower students to become leaders in the transition to a low-carbon future From a financial viewpoint the investment in photovoltaic systems becomes more sustainable and feasible due to the decrease in system costs
D
ancestors with more revered or impressive-sounding individuals such as Abdul Qadir Jilani Ibn e Arabi Imams Abu Hanifa and Ghazali However, that does not change anything; for no matter what figure of authority (in his view) it happens to be, the argument essentially remains the same In other words, it is the old ‘Because Mama says so’ in a slightly more dignified packaging Any sensible man if he happens to be around cannot help asking these people what the point of the Quran is if it is the arbitrary opinions of parents and such historical figures that is going to decide issues It is one of the more unfortunate frailties of mankind that individuals tend to regard what traditionally happens in their homes and surroundings as ‘normal’ correct and hence an example for all others to follow (or to die trying at least); and what happens in other homes as abnormal incorrect and therefore deplorable Stories of incidents and views of scholars that happen to be popular in one s household, especially during one’s formative years, have the same effect They fail to realize that everybody else has these subjective norms and biases too just as they fail to realize that others probably have opinionated parents and elders as well whose opinions may differ with those of their own in a very basic measure Parents keep telling their children that two and two make four, and justifiably so So do teachers But does two and two making four depend on the parents’ or the teacher ’s authority? Of course not! Matters of fact do not depend on anybody’s opinions They can be ascertained one way or the other by observation and/or experiment As for beliefs they are sound (or unsound) precisely in proportion to the quality (or lack thereof) of the arguments they are based on What anybody says (howsoever charming and dear) is neither here nor there We all love our elders to death but that is absolutely no reason to agree with all their silly beliefs The author is a connoisseur of music literature and food (but not drinks) He can be reached at www facebook com/hasanaftabsaeed
‘ B e c
e M a m a s a y s s o ’
HASAN AFTAB SAEED
O n t h e t r a c k o f d i c t a t o r s h i p
Elections 24: India under Modi
Tonly opposition figures facing threats of incarceration and legal warfare Many opposition leaders have received notices and arrest warrants in various current and historical cases in the past few months
India s main opposition party Congress on May 16 2024 condemned Modi for antiMuslim comments in campaign speeches, which has heightened concerns over sectarian tensions
Modi has stepped up his rhetoric targeting India’s main religious divide in a bid to rally voters He referred in rallies to Muslims as infiltrators and claimed Congress would redistribute the nation s wealth to Muslims if it won Modi accused Congress of planning vote jihad , that his opponents were rallying Muslims to vote against him
P Chidambaram, a former Indian finance minister and senior lawmaker for Congress said on May 16 that Modi was playing his usual game of dividing Hindus and Muslims
While India s poll code prohibits sectarian campaigning and opposition parties lodged a complaint about an earlier Modi speech last month with the election commission it has yet to announce any sanctions
BBC reported on May 7: “opposition leaders and political commentators say PM Modi other leaders from his Hindu nationalist party are resorting to blatant Islamophobia The Independent reported on May 14: Indian comedian Shyam Rangeela seeking to take on Narendra Modi as an independent candidate said his application was rejected by the authorities on a technicality
It reported on May 15: India grants first citizenships under new law criticised for discriminating against Muslims The citizenship was granted to 14 people on Wednesday amid the ongoing general elections, even as anxious people living in Bangladesh-bordering states continued to protest the implementation of the Citizenship Amendment Act [CAA and National Register of Citizens (NRC] has been one of the key manifesto promises of Modi and his ruling Bharatiya Janata Party The law, implemented in March, grants the right to apply for Indian citizenship to refugees from Pakistan Bangladesh and Afghanistan who arrived in India before 31 December 2014
Modi s critics say the law violates India s secular constitution They have accused the right-wing government of targeting the Muslim community and systematically discriminating against them to further the party’s Hindu-first agenda
Despite daily mass protests across every state against the CAA and the NRC which resulted into killing of more than 300 persons, mostly Muslims, by the police and prejudiced Hindus, the Modi-led regime has not withdrawn the CAA/NRC attacks on Muslims their shops burning of their houses and mosques and so on might also be cited examples
Most of the world media entities especially Al Jazeera, pointed out: Most of the Indian media is openly promoting BJP and Narendra Modi Since the announcement of elections media platforms have been organ-
izing events featuring the prime minister and other ministers and BJP leaders, giving them every opportunity to promote themselves and their agenda This courtesy has not been extended to opposition leaders Media has also been pushing the narrative that the opposition is weak the PM remains popular and there is no real alternative to him or the BJP Any independent media organisation or new media platform that dares to move away from the government narratives is facing attacks and intimidation from the government who is to police their actions and censure them for making a mockery of Indian democracy? The international community is watching all this with concern
Under the Modi regime, other biased parties also started acting upon the Hindutva ideology as various developments like unprecedented rise of Hindu fanaticism persecution of religious minorities such as Muslims Christians Sikhs among others and even lower-caste Hindus like Dalits have been intensified by prejudiced Hindus But, Muslims have become a special target of extremist Hindus Notably the Indian Constitution declares India to be a secular and democratic state which safeguards the rights of religious minorities, but, under the Modi-led regime, discrimination, particularly against the Muslims assaults on their places of worships and property ban on beef and cow slaughter creation of war-like situation with Pakistan and so on have clearly proved that Hindu fundamentalist outfits such as the
Undoubtedly, these anti-Muslim developments and moves are part of the Indian saffron politics, which has enveloped Indian key state institutions, especially the judiciary, while other religious minorities are also being targeted
Bajrang Dal and Shiv Sena especially associated with RSS have been promoting religious and ethnic chauvinism in India by propagating the Hindutva ideology It is pointed out that in March-April 2022; Multiple calls by Hindu organisations were made to boycott Muslim- and some Christian-owned businesses in the states of Karnataka and Uttar Pradesh Particularly these calls for the economic boycott of the Muslim minority have been supported by state representatives and respective state governments And protests by members of the Muslim minority in response to the decision of the Karnataka High Court to uphold a governmental ban on Muslim girls wearing the hijab in educational institutions are also notable
Jammu and Kashmir into two union territories Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh to be ruled by the federal government On the same day, strict military lockdown was imposed in Indian-Occupied Kashmir which continues unabated
In this respect, the deployment of more than 900 000 troops in Indian-Occupied Kashmir who have martyred tens of thousands of the Kashmiris including women and children through brutal tactics and fake encounters, while closure of mosques, shortage of foods, medicines for the patients have worsemed the plight of the Kashmiris Besides under a well-planned agenda the Modi-led regime has intensified bringing ethno- demographic changes in IndianOccupied Kashmir In this context such moves such as introduction of new laws, amendment of the laws to facilitate nonKashmiris and outsiders to usurp the rights of the Muslim Kashmiris, like issuance of domicile certificates to more than 800000 non-Kashmiris registration of almost 2 5 million new non-local voters in the IIOJK failure of fake drama to host G-20 summit last May 22-24 in Indian-Occupied Kashmir, violations of the Line of Control (LoC) by shelling inside the Pakistanis side in violation of the 2003 ceasefire agreement can be cited as instances These anti-Muslim developments and moves
IN 2017, Pratik Sinha and Mohammed Zubair cofounded the fact-checking website AltNews in India Almost immediately, the pair were targeted with persistent and vicious attacks from the far–right news website OpIndia Many of the attacks claimed that Zubair was a Rohingya Muslim who illegally migrated to India and that his cousin was a rapist In several headlines, the site described Zubair as an Islamist spreading fake news
This wasn’t far off from OpIndia’s other coverage: In addition to routinely attacking journalists and news sites critical of the government OpIndia spreads conspiracies and at times outright disinformation particularly about the country s minority Muslim population Founded in 2014 OpIndia is regularly name-checked by leading lawmakers in Prime Minister Narendra Modi s Hindu-nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), and the site admits it is funded in part by ads run by the BJP As hundreds of millions of Indians vote in elections across the country critics fear that OpIndia’s election-related disinformation and overt support of the Modi government could further undermine trust in the democratic process Already, the website has echoed Modi s widely criticized description of the Muslim vote as vote jihad Yet despite this, US tech companies, which have rules against hate speech and disinformation, continue to platform OpIndia and in some cases allow them to continue to make money through advertising OpIndia has a robust presence on Facebook Instagram and X Additionally a new report shared exclusively with WIRED, has found that Google s ad platform is being used to partially fund OpIndia s operation “In an increasingly polarized space, they create a vicious narrative against you ” Sinha tells WIRED “All of this is narrative building Their job is to defame anyone who s critical of the government and that s what they do Despite repeated efforts by activists to defund the site and the fact that publications that have partnered with a Google-supported election fact-checking initiative, Shakti, have fact-checked OpIndia’s articles and found they routinely publish fake news OpIndia continues to operate thanks in part to ads Google’s ad exchange platform places next to its content In 2019 Poynter s International Fact Checking Network which accredits publications as trustworthy arbiters of information, rejected OpIndia s application Google s own publisher policies prohibit the monetization of content that incites hatred, incitement of racism promoting discrimination of an individual or group ” says Sarah Kay Wiley director of policy and partnerships at Check My Ads a nonprofit digital advertising watchdog organization and author of the new report Google also says that they don t monetize or work with publishers that make claims that are false and could significantly undermine trust in an election or democratic process ” Ad exchanges allow publishers to sell ad space and advertisers to buy
O pIndia claims ‘Islamophobia does not exist.’ A new repor t finds G oogle’s programmatic ads are running nex t to its content
material impact On Facebook, OpIndia runs pages in English and Hindi, with 310,000 followers and 431,000 followers, respectively Both pages list their administrator as Aadhyaasi Media and Content Services Private Limited which owns OpIndia On its Hindi page OpIndia has shared stories promoting the love jihad conspiracy theory which asserts that Muslim men are trying to marry, seduce, or kidnap Hindus in order to force them to convert and create a demographic shift in Hindu-majority India, and promoted false claims, including that a new inheritance law would reallocate wealth from Hindus to Muslims Meta spokesperson Erin McPike did not comment on whether this content violated Meta s policies or whether Meta takes into account the violations of the Hindi page when assessing the English page These narratives then get picked up and spread on other platforms, like X and Telegram, says Siddharth Venkataramakrishnan an analyst with the Institute for Strategic Dialogue “In some of these places there’s even more explicit calls for violence against Muslims or for the removal of Muslims he says The site has international appeal as well: WIRED was able to find OpIndia articles shared in non-Indian right-wing channels on Telegram, including a pro-Kremlin channel with over 1 3 million subscribers and numerous conspiracy channels with hundreds of thousands of followers
The site is also highly active on X (formerly Twitter) with the official OpIndia account which has 688 000 subscribers OpIndia appears to pay for X Premium, giving it a blue checkmark, and did not respond to whether it subscribes to the service WIRED has identified at least half a dozen OpIndia writers, columnists, and editors including editor in chief Nupur Sharma who has more than 680 000 followers who appear to be subscribed to X Premium Sharma did not respond to a question about OpIndia monetizing its content via X Premium, and the company itself also failed to respond It s a hyper-partisan, rightwing outlet that set themselves up by saying that mainstream news media in India have a liberal bias, very similar to what American right wing outlets say about professional journalism in America says Kalyani Chadha an associate professor at the Medill School of Journalism at Northwestern University who published an in-depth report in 2020 on India s right-wing media ecosystem that included OpIndia They bill themselves as a news outlet but there’s not a lot of original reporting, a lot of it is commentary and opinion ” In addition to Sinha and Zubair OpIndia has regularly targeted journalists and outlets it sees as far left In one piece the site s staff listed the Indian journalists and publications supposedly associated with billionaire George Soros, who has long been the target of conspiracies from the global far right In another, they attacked veteran journalist Ravish Kumar, falsely accusing him of harboring sympathies for the perpetrators of a 2019 rape case OpIndia has also spent years attacking Raqib Hameed Naik an Indian journalist and the founder of India Hate Lab which documents instances of hate speech and conspiracies that target India s minority communities This, he says, was made all the harder by government officials sharing the articles
“The goal is to amplify this disinformation and you have BJP leaders sharing this so people think it’s authentic says Naik In the long term this kind of builds the case against a critic a journalist that this person is bad because there is reporting against them
OpIndia attacks journalists and news sites critical of the government… spreads conspiracies and, at times, outright disinformation, par ticularly about the countr y ’s minority Muslim population
When WIRED contacted OpIndia for comment Sharma responded to our emailed questions by posting her responses on X When asked about hate speech and disinformation on her site Sharma wrote: “Our critics are mostly Islamists Jihadis Terrorists Leftists and their sympathizers like yourself We don t particularly care about any of them She then added that Islamophobia does not exist and pointed to an OpIndia article that outlines her position Sharma added that it was none of your concern” when asked if OpIndia was funded by the BJP Sharma’s post also tagged one of the authors of this story and they were then faced with a torrent of abuse from Sharma s followers For years activists and researchers have tried to highlight the problematic content published by OpIndia A 2020 campaign from UK-based advocacy group Stop Funding Hate led to a number of advertisers removing their ads from the site However, Google says the content published on the site does not appear to breach its own rules
All sites in our network including Opindia must adhere to our publisher policies which explicitly prohibit ads from appearing alongside content promoting hate speech, violence, or demonstrably false claims that could undermine trust or participation in an election,” Google spokesperson Michael Aciman says “Publishers are also subject to regular reviews and we actively block or remove ads from any violating content
Despite this users can find ads for Temu or the Palm Beach Post next to many OpIndia articles promoting conspiracies and Islamophobia, placed with the help of ad exchange platforms like Google s Ad Manager, which is the market leader Facebook meanwhile says Wiley is more of a “walled garden ” Once a publisher meets the company s criteria for monetization including having more than 1 000 followers it can earn money off of ads that run on the page
While researchers that spoke to WIRED were unable to tell exactly how much the site has made from Google Ads and Facebook monetization, they said it’s likely that OpIndia is not solely reliant on the ad exchange for its revenue It appears that as with many news outlets in India part of that funding comes in the form of more traditional advertising from a major client: the government A large section of India s mainstream press depends on the government ads for their survival, says Prashanth Bhat, professor of media studies at the University of Houston “That revenue is critical for the mainstream media survival in a hyper competitive media environment like in India we have about 400 round the clock television news channels in India in different languages, and we have over 10,000 registered newspapers For them to survive, they definitely need government patronage ” Sharma confirmed that OpIndia is reliant in part on ads from the government “Literally every media house gets advertising from various political parties said Sharma In fact a part of your salary could also be funded by such parties and/or their sympathizers Do get down from your high
Thursday 23 May 2024 COMMENT 05
it through an entirely automated process that happens in the split seconds before a website loads Ad sellers and buyers set limits for price and spending, with Google taking a cut of all transactions Because of the automated nature of the process, advertisers likely don’t realize that their products are showing up next to hateful and misleading content Other ad exchanges like Magnite have discontinued working with OpIndia If Google were to stop working with OpIndia says Wiley that would definitely have a
horse The BJP has, however, also sought to help OpIndia in other ways In 2019, the BJP reached out to Meta directly asking the company to allow OpIndia to monetize on Facebook Meta spokesperson McPike told WIRED that OpIndia s English page is still able to monetize but that monetization on its Hindi page is currently not allowed due to violations of our policies In order to monetize on Facebook, Pages must comply with our Community Standards, our Partner Monetization Policies and our Content Monetization Policies,” McPike says Google did not respond to questions from WIRED about whether it had ever received a similar request from the Indian government Google s Aciman says As we do with all publishers we ve taken prior pagelevel enforcement action on this site when we ve found policy violations We will of course continue to enforce our policies on violating content across our publisher network ” X did not respond to questions about whether OpIndia and its staff are able to monetize through X Premium or whether the company has ever received requests from the government to restore content from OpIndia or its staff The company has complied with several takedown requests from the Indian government to ban accounts or tweets critical of the government But Wiley says that without transparency on the part of tech companies as to how they re deciding which organizations are able to earn money through ads–and how much–outlets like OpIndia will continue to fall through the cracks The business model of the internet at the end of the day is advertising, and what we’re seeing over and over again is that business model is broken ” she says “Advertisers don’t know where their money is going And the biggest issue is that a lot of that is being funneled to mass and disinformation online Vittoria Elliott is a reporter for WIRED covering platforms and power She was previously a reporter at Rest of World where she covered disinformation and labor in markets outside the US and Western Europe She has worked with The New Humanitarian Al Jazeera and ProPublica David Gilbert is a reporter at WIRED who is covering disinformation and online extremism and how these two online trends will impact people s lives across the globe with a special focus on the 2024 US presidential election Prior to WIRED, he worked at VICE News A far-right Indian news site posts racist conspiracies. US tech firms won’t crack down
H E Bharatiya Janata Party won the Indian general elections of 2014 on the basis of anti-Muslim and antiPakistan slogans Since BJP leader Narendra Modi became prime minister he started implementing the ideology of Hindutva In the 2019 elections, the BJP won 21 seats more than in 2014 Again, during this election campaign, the Hindu majority has been mobilized especially on ‘hate-Muslim’ slogans The BJP launched its large-scale statefunded election campaign long before the elections of the Lok Sabha to be held between April 19 and June 1
government amended the rules for selecting members of the Election Commission replacing the chief justice in the committee by a minister to be appointed by the PM What is then left to say about the impartiality of the Election Commission? Just after the announcement of elections, on March 21, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, the leader of the opposition Aam Aadmi Party, was arrested by India’s financial crime agency along with other ministers and various entities of the opposition parties These arrests are bound to have an impact on the opposition s election campaign And these are not the
The
I t i s o f p a r t i c u l a r a t t e n t i o n t h a t o n 5 A u g u s t 2 0 1 9 t h e M o d i - l e d g o v e r n m e n t a b r o g a t e d A r t i c l e s 3 5 A a n d 3 7 0 o f t h e Constitution, which gave a special status t o t h e d i s p u t e d t e r r i t o r y o f I n d i a n - O c c up i e d K a s h m i r N e w D e l h i b i f u r c a t e d
Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP)
are part of the Indian saffron politics, which has also enveloped Indian key state institutions, especially the judiciary
this context the top Indian court closed all proceedings relating to the 2002 riots in Gujarat which killed over 1000 Muslims as well as the 1992 demolition of the Babri Masjid (Mosque), as leaders of the Hindu fanatic parties and Modi were involved in these tragedies In its biased verdict the court even neglected the authenticity of audio and video evidence in the Babri Mosque demolition case Modi s anti-Muslim chauvinism took a dangerous turn on 5 August 2020 when he laid the foundation stone for the Hindu Ram temple at a bhoomi pujan ceremony at the site of the demolished Babri mosque in Ayodhya Nevertheless BJP not only embraces acts and policies which discriminate against Muslims and other non-Hindu religious minorities, but also turns up its pressure on the media and judiciary Modi’s pressure on the judiciary can be judged from the verdict of the Indian Supreme Court which on December 11 upheld the decision to revoke Jammu and Kashmir s special constitutional status in 2019 It is also mentionable that on the midnight of 18-19 February 2007, India-Pakistan Samjhota Express train was bombed in which 68 Pakistani nationals were killed A Hindu extremist Swami Aseemanand a leader of the RSS had confessed that he was involved in the incident The Supreme Court of India accepted the bail of Swami Aseemanand after the covert interference of the Modi-led authorities who changed the investigations in this respect in order to weaken the case Undoubtedly these anti-Muslim developments and moves are part of the Indian saffron politics which has enveloped Indian key state institutions, especially the judiciary, while other religious minorities are also being targeted Results of the elections 2024 around will be announced on 4 June this year as these are very important for the future of democracy in India Sajjad Shaukat writes on international affairs and is author of the book: US vs Islamic Militants, Invisible Balance of Power: Dangerous Shift in International Relations and can be reached at [email protected]
In
SAjjAD ShAukAT
WIRED V I T TO R I A E L L OT T DAV I D G I L B E R T
things have been done in Gwadar port since the launch of the CPEC 11 years ago noting that the port will always welcome investors from all over the world
Zardari said Pakistan is encouraging more schools to adopt the Chinese language into their compulsory curriculum Emphasizing the importance of strengthening people-to-people
Speaking
involved in China’s development process “Long live Pakistan-China friendship!” Zardari
The Chinese Foreign Ministry on Wednesday announced countermeasures against 12 US defense corporations and 10 US individuals The latest targets for China’s countermeasures include Lockheed Martin Missiles and
Iran’s supreme leader leads prayers at Ebrahim Raisi ’s funeral
the northwestern city of Tabriz Those traveling with the Iranian president included Supreme Leader s representative Ali Ale-Hashem, East Azerbaijan Governor Malek Rahmati, two bodyguards, two pilots and one crew member All passengers were declared dead when the charred wreckage of the Bell 212 helicopter was discovered early Monday after an overnight search in blizzard conditions The day before, Iran launched an investigation into the crash, with Iranian Armed Forces Chief of Staff Major General Mohammad Bagheri forming a probe committee led by Brigadier Ali
Abdollahi The findings of the investigation will be made public Iran is currently observing a mourning period following the crash Ghulam Hussain Ismaili, an officer traveling in one of the two surviving helicopters explained that the president s pilot was in charge of the threehelicopter convoy He noted that the weather was clear at takeoff but deteriorated mid-flight, leading the presidential pilot to fly higher to avoid clouds Shortly thereafter the president’s helicopter disappeared from sight
“Our helicopter circled searching for the president’s helicopter Due to the heavy clouds we continued flying high until landing at a nearby copper mine,” Ismaili recounted Attempts to contact the presidential helicopter by phone were unsuccessful, and it was later confirmed that the helicopter had crashed
Th d y 23 M y 2024 | LAHORE 06 NEWS ISLAMABAD X I N H U A P A K I S TA N abides by the one-China principle as the country always chooses to stand on the right side of history Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari said during a recent interview with Chinese media Tuesday marks the 73rd anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Pakistan Recalling the rapport between the previous generations’ leaders of the two countries, Zardari said: “My late father-in-law, Pakistan’s former Prime Minister Zulfikar Ali Bhutto told the nation to look east to look towards China Zardari who had visited China nine times during his first term as Pakistani president said Pakistani people love China as there is no conditionality between us In the interview, the first one with foreign media after being re-elected as Pakistan’s president for the second time in March Zardari reaffirmed Pakistan’s stance of upholding one-China principle rejecting any form of Taiwan-independence Taiwan is part of China There s no other way the president said adding that Pakistan will always stand with China and safeguard China s core interests
on the development of Gwadar Port, a starting point of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) Zardari said many
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said in Chinese while concluding the interview C H I N A L A U D S Z A R D A R I S O N E - C H I N A R E M A R K : M e a n w h i l e P r e s i d e n t A s i f A l i Z a r d a r i s s t a t e m e n t r e i t e r a t i n g P a k i s t a n s f i r m a dh e r e n c e t o t h e O n e - C h i n a p r i n c i p l e a n d i t s o p p o s it i o n t o Ta i w a n ’s i n d e p e n d e n c e , w a s h i g h l y a p p r e c i a t e C h i n e s e F o r e i g n M i n i s t r y s p o k e s p e r s o n Wa n g We n b i n s a i d o n We d n e s d a y Addressing his regular briefing the spokesperson said that President Zardari recently reiterated on behalf of Pakistan its firm adherence to the One-China principle The firm opposition to “Taiwan independence” not only shows firm support for China’s just position, but also echoes the common aspiration of countries upholding fairness and justice in the world fully demonstrating that adhering to the One-China principle is the trend of the times and the will of the people of the international community, he added We n b i n s a i d C h i n a h i g h l y a p p r e c i a t e d t h e r em a r k s b y P r e s i d e n t Z a r d a r i H e s a i d t h a t C h i n a a n d P a k i s t a n a r e a l l - w e a t h e r s t r a t e g i c c o o p e r a t i v e p a r tn e r s a n d i r o n f r i e n d s C h i n a a n d P a k i s t a n w i l l c o n t i n u e t o g i v e e a c h o t h e r f i r m s u p p o r t o n i s s u e s c o n c e r n i n g e a c h o t h e r s c o r e i n t e r e s t s a n d m a j o r c o n c e r n s a n d w o r k t o g e t h e r t o b u i l d a c l o s e r C h i n a - P a k i s t a n c o m m u n i t y o f s h a r e d f u t u r e , h e a d d e d It may be mentioned that President Asif Ali Zardari made it clear in an interview that Pakistan will firmly adhere to the One-China principle stressing that Taiwan is an inalienable part of China s territory The president reiterated that Pakistan firmly adhered to the One-China principle as the country always chooses to stand on the right side of history “Pakistani people loved China as “there is no conditionality between us ” the president remarked in an interview with the Chinese media published on Wednesday marking the 73rd anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Pakistan TEHRAN A G E N C I E S The funeral prayer for the late Iranian President Seyyed Ebrahim Raisi Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian and other senior officials was conducted today in Tehran by the Islamic Republic s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei According to Iranian media, Ismail Haniyeh, the Qatar-based leader of Hamas also attended the funeral prayer Haniyeh expressed condolences to Iran s leadership on behalf of Palestinian resistance groups over the deaths of President Raisi and the others The funeral prayer took place three days after the president’s helicopter crashed in the Varzaghan region of Iran s East Azerbaijan province The helicopter went down amid heavy fog while crossing mountainous terrain following an inauguration ceremony for a dam near the Azerbaijan border The Islamic Republic News Agency (IRNA) reported that the bodies of President Raisi and his companions were transported to Tehran’s Mehrabad Airport on Tuesday after a funeral in
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BEIJING S TA F F C O R R E S P O N D E N T
Fire Control Raytheon Missile Systems and senior executives of General Dynamics Information Technology In Wednesday s announcement, the Chinese foreign ministry cited China’s Anti-foreign Sanctions Law, noting that the US has imposed illegal unilateral sanctions on multiple Chinese entities under the pretext of alleged Russian factors engaging in unilateral bullying and economic coercion The foreign ministry also stressed that the US has continued to sell weapons to the Taiwan region of China, seriously violating the one-China principle and the provisions of the three SinoUS joint communiques interfering in China s internal affairs and seriously undermining China’s sovereignty and territorial integrity China s countermeasures are aimed at the hegemonic actions of the US policies against China and its overall hostile China policy The US often coerces China and other countries through typical long-arm jurisdiction, carrying out policy planning according to its narrow hegemonic interests, Chinese experts said It is now clear that if the US sanctions and punishes Chinese companies using the Ukraine crisis as a pretext China will resolutely defend its interests with countermeasures, Li Haidong, a professor at the China Foreign Affairs University told the Chinese media on Wednesday China s countermeasures clearly highlight the extreme absurdity of US actions amid the Russia-Ukraine conflict against Chinese firms and take decisive counteractions C hina hits US defense companies, exec utives with countermeasures AGENCIES Iranian president Ebrahim Raisi, whose death in a helicopt e r c r a s h w a s a n n o u n c e d Monday, is the latest major political leader t o d i e i n a n a v i a t i o n c r a s h H e r e a r e s o m e o f t h e b e s t k n o w n a m o n g t h e o t h e r s : 2 0 2 4 : F O R M E R C H I L E A N P R E S ID E N T S E B A S T I A N P I N E R A On 6 February 2024 former Chilean president Sebastian Pinera (in office from 2010-2014, and then 2018-2022), died in a helicopter crash at Lago Ranco, a vacation site 920 kilometres (570 miles) south of the capital Santiago 2010: POLAND S PRESIDENT LECH KACZYNSKI On 10 April 2010 a Tupolev 154 with 9 6 p e o p l e a b o a r d i n c l u d i n g P o l i s h P r e s id e n t L e c h K a c z y n s k i a n d s e n i o r p o l i t i c a l and military figures, crashed while trying t o l a n d i n t h i c k f o g a t a n a i r p o r t n e a r Smolensk in western Russia There were no survivors The crash was attributed to bad weather as well as errors by the Polish pilots and Russian air traffic controllers 2005: R E B E L L E A D E R T U R N E D S UD A N E S E V I C E - P R E S I D E N T J O H N G A R A N G On 30 July 2005, John Garang, the form e r s e p a r a t i s t r e b e l l e a d e r w h o b e c a m e vice-president of Sudan died when his helicopter crashed in Sudan on a flight back from Uganda 2 0 0 4 : M A C E D O N I A N P R E S I D E N T B O R I S T R A J K O V S K I M a c e d o n i a s p r e s i d e n t B o r i s Tr ajkovski was killed along with eight others w h e n h i s p l a n e c r a s h e d o n F e b r u a r y 2 6 2004 as it prepared to land in thick fog in the southern Bosnian town of Mostar 1994: P R E S I D E N T S J U V E N A L H A BYA R I M A N A O F RWA N D A A N D C YP R I E N N TA RYA M I R A O F B U R U N D I On 6 April 1994, a Falcon 50 transporti n g R w a n d a n p r e s i d e n t J u v e n a l H a b y a r imana and his Burundi counterpart Cyprien Ntaryamira was shot down over Kigali by at least one missile The attack is considered the spark that unleashed the genocide of Tutsis that left at least 800,000 dead, according to the United Nations 1 9 8 8 : PA K I S TA N I P R E S I D E N T Z I A U L - H A Q P a k i s t a n s p r e s i d e n t Z i a u l - H a q w a s a m o n g t h e v i c t i m s o f a 1 7 A u g u s t 1 9 8 8 plane crash near Bahawalpur, in the country s east 1 9 8 6 : M O Z A M B I Q U E P R E S I D E N T S A M O R A M A C H E L O n 1 9 O c t o b e r 1 9 8 6 M o z a m b i q u e ’s first president Samora Machel died when his Tupolev 134 went down in the northeast of South Africa Apar t from Iran’s Raisi, these top leaders died in aviation disasters China urges G7 to prioritize US overcapacity issue BEIJING S TA F F C O R R E S P O N D E N T The US speculation that China s new energy industry “overcapacity,” completely deviating from objective facts and economic laws, is essentially protectionism, spokesperson of China’s Foreign Ministry Wang Wenbin said on Wednesday at a regular presser in Beijing On Tuesday, U S Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen said that Chinese overproduction of green technologies would be a key topic at a forthcoming G7 finance ministers meeting According to the logic of the U S , any excessive export of goods constitutes overcapacity Wang asked, Wouldn t the United States’ significant exports of soybeans aircraft, and natural gas also be considered excess capacity? Shouldn t the G7 Finance Ministers meeting first address these excess capacities of the United States? China s new energy production capacity represents advanced capabilities essential for driving the global economy s green transition, not surplus capacity, Wang said
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T H E R W AY ’ , S AY S P R E S I D E N T Z A R D A R I
CORPORATE CORNER
CHINESE FIRMS SHOW INTEREST IN PARTNERING WITH PAKISTAN REFINERY LIMITED
PR OFIT N E W S D E S K
PA K I S TA N Refinery Limited shared this development with the Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) In accordance with the requirements of Sections 96 and 131 of the Securities Act, 2015 and Clause 5 6 1 of the Rule Book of Pakistan Stock Exchange Limited “In a significant step towards enhancing Pakistan’s refining capabilities senior management from Pakistan Refinery Limited (PRL) recently visited China to engage with Engineering, Procurement, and Construction (EPC) contractors and financial institutions These discussions were highly productive, laying the groundwork for the forthcoming phases of PRL s Refinery Expansion & Upgrade Project (REUP) There was keen interest from Chinese companies to collaborate with PRL on this mega opportunity, PRL said in a notice The REUP project is a major initiative for PRL aimed at doubling the refinery’s
CM Mar yam Nawaz reviews revamp of Holy Family Hospital Rawalpindi
during her visit to the Holy Family Hospital New Block directed to pay the labourers complete payment according to the Wages Act She inspected the Paeds emergency Mother & Child Block and other wards She communicated with the patients and inquired after them Few patients apprised CM Maryam Nawaz Sharif about
sitting under a tree in a scorching heat She conversed with an elderly citizen, with the family members and inquired after the patients CM directed to arrange sheds and electric fans for the attendants of the patients She inquired after under treatment patients in the emergency and stopped near a female child and exchanged pleasantries with her The infant child said ‘hi
to CM
Sharif She directed to undertake immediate steps for the treatment of three years old
hole in his heart by birth On the direction of CM Maryam Nawaz Sharif, a team of doctors from RIC immediately reached the Holy Family Hospital The CM was apprised about the Holy Family Hospital’s revamping project She comprehensively reviewed the newly constructed and rehabilitated block
07 NEWS Thursday 23 May 2024 | LAHORE ISLAMABAD S TA F F R E P O R T Minister of Housing Riaz Hussain Peerzada visited the Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Iran in Islamabad, to express condolences on the martyrdom of President of Iran Dr Seyyed Ebrahim Raisi Foreign Minister Hossein Amir Abdollahian and their other companions The Minister conveyed heartfelt condolences t o H E R e z a A m i r i M o g h a d a m , A m b a s s a d o r o f Iran to Pakistan and reiterated solidarity with the Iranian brothers and sisters in this moment of grief The Minister fondly recalled his recent memories of accompanying the late President during his visit to Pakistan in April 2024 and stated that the President Raisi was a true friend of Pakistan He was a visionary leader of Muslim Ummah and dedicated his life in the service of Iranian nation and for the cause of Muslim solidarity H e r e a ff i r m e d P a k i s t a n s c o m m i t m e n t t o f u rt h e r s t r e n g t h e n i n g t h e a l r e a d y r o b u s t p e o p l e t o p e o p l e c o n t a c t s a s w e l l a s b i l a t e r a l c o o p e r a t i o n b e t w e e n t h e t w o b r o t h e r l y, M u s l i m n e i g h b o u r c o u n t r i e s Housing Minister meets Iranian envoy to condole mar tyrdom of President Raisi, FM Abdollahian ISLAMABAD P R Emirates has launched great offers for holidaymakers travelling to Dubai this summer With a return ticket all Emirates customers can enjoy complimentary access to some of the city s top attractions, ensuring an exciting summer without breaking the bank Moreover, Emirates passengers flying to, through or back to Dubai can leverage their boarding pass to access exclusive discounts at a wide range of retail leisure and dining establishments as well as renowned attractions and luxury spas throughout Dubai and the UAE From thrilling adventures to irresistible shopping experiences, there s something for every traveller to enjoy Create a summer of memories with Emirates Running from 22 May 2024 to 11 June 2024 and valid for travel between 25 May 2024 to 31 August 2024 this fantastic offer includes access to The View at The Palm, AYA Universe, Dubai Parks & Resorts and Wild Wadi Waterpark Whether travelling alone as a couple a group of friends or as a family you can make the most of you Dubai summer escape with access to the following unforgettable experiences: Dubai Parks & Resorts – This summer Emirates is giving travellers the opportunity to claim complementary admission to one of the premier entertainment parks, of their choice Embark on an epic footballing story at Real Madrid World or let your inner child run free at either Legoland Dubai or Legoland Waterpark or bring your favourite Hollywood film to life at Motiongate Dubai Wild Wadi Waterpark - Cool off this summer in the spectacular Wild Wadi Waterpark Whether you are looking for a relaxing cruise on the lazy river or want to get your adrenaline pumping on the waterslides there is something for everyone Fly Emirates to Dubai this summer and unlock exclusive offers including access to Cit y ’s most exciting experiences ISLAMABAD S TA F F R E P O R T The experts at the Green Financing Summit held here on Wednesday underscored the need for Pakistan to embrace a paradigm shift in its policy to achieve renewable energy transition through subsidized energy frameworks helping to achieve a sustainable economy The Sustainable Development Policy Institute (SDPI) under its Network for Clean Energy Transition organized the virtual conference titled Green Financing Summit: Driving Energy Transition through alternate and Green Financing Mechanisms In his opening remarks, Deputy Executive Director, SDPI, Dr Sajid Amin said the discourse on clean energy transition was crucial as shift over green energy was the country s journey towards a sustainable economy He added that the transition to green energy required huge capital that could not be left alone on the government and the larger firms T h e g r e e n e n e rg y t r a n s i t i o n w o u l d need a robust and sound financial market that supports derisks and enables the energy transition The green markets and fin a n c i a l i n s t r u m e n t s b y t h e s i z e o f e a c h s e c t o r a s s o c i a t e d t o e n e rg y t r a n s i t i o n i s important, whereas every investor and criti c a l l y t h e s m a l l e r i n v e s t o r s i n v e s t i n g i n green instruments will play a critical role in this regard especially the State Bank of Pakistan Dr Sajid said It should not be a residual but the mainstream focus of the central and commercial banks with respect to green financing We need to have a clear set of policies and frameworks driving our financial and commercial banking systems create environment for innovative financial and commercial instruments and clear mapping of the sectors in green investment and financing, he added Faisal Shafaat, Additional Director, SME, Housing & Sustainable Finance Department State Bank of Pakistan said the renewable energy is cheaper to fossil fuels and for Pakistan it offers more than just cost and environmental impact as it not only provides energy security but rather and saving in terms of foreign exchange He added that SBP had launched initiatives like ESRM and Green Financing guidelines and was also developing national green taxonomy that is being co-chaired by ministry of climate change and would be taken as a reference point for investors and financial institutions to develop specific sectoral products to promote eco-friendly practices for efficient renewable energy Shafaat said that by December 2023 a total outstanding amount of Rs94 billion have helped finance more than 3 160 projects of 1830 MW capacity in the country He suggested that the Banks must develop innovative products and the tenor of the loans of RE projects can be lengthened with a certain grace period for principle amount
t to achieve RE transition through subsidized energy frameworks LAHORE S TA F F R E P O R T Chief Minister Punjab Maryam Nawaz Sharif paid a surprise visit to the Holy Family Rawalpindi and inspected various wards The Chief Minister by taking a notice of low wages of the labourers
the problems being confronted by them in the hospital The CM also prayed for the patients early recovery and inquired from them about the provision and availability of medicines She stopped near the family members of the under treatment patients during her visit to the hospital who were compelled to take air from hand made fans by
Exper ts for polic y shif
fi’
Maryam Nawaz
Hasnain having
meet stringent environmental standards, including the production of EURO V standard fuels thereby significantly enhancing PRL’s operational efficiency and environmental footprint PRL is ahead of all refineries in Pakistan right now in terms of our Refinery Expansion & Upgrade Project, stated Zahid Mir, Managing Director & CEO of PRL “The meetings with EPC contractors in China yielded very positive results We have developed a comprehensive plan to award the EPC contract by the end of this year and work towards achieving financial closure of the project by mid-next year The feedback from these discussions has been overwhelmingly supportive ” In addition to these strategic meetings PRL has also proactively engaged with the Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (OGRA) to sign a supplementary agreement read the notice PRL a subsidiary of the PSO has requested amendments to the existing agreements to align with the updated brownfield site This step is crucial for securing the regulatory support needed for the project’s successful implementation and long-term sustainability The Refinery Expansion & Upgrade Project represents a substantial investment in Pakistan’s energy infrastructure By doubling capacity producing valueadded products and adhering to international environmental standards including the production of EURO V compliant MS and HSD, PRL aims to strengthen its position in the global energy market and contribute significantly to the country’s economic growth
crude processing capacity from 50 000 barrels per day (BPD) to 100 000 barrels per day (BPD) This expansion will be complemented by the addition of a state-of-theart Deep Conversion Refinery Configuration The upgraded refinery will utilise advanced technology to
g SENIOR MANAGEMENT FROM PRL VISITS CHINA TO ENGAGE WITH ENGINEERING, PROCUREMENT, AND CONSTRUCTION (EPC) CONTRACTORS AND FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS
Synergy Group celebrates its S ilver Jubilee Anniversar y I S L A M A B A D: Synergy Group, a leader in the integrated marketing communication (IMC) industry celebrated its 25th Anniversary recently Founded in 1999 by Ahmed Kapadia Synergy Group began its journey with a clear mission of fostering a work culture where teamwork, experimentation, and knowledge-sharing are paramount The Group’s 25th Anniversary was marked by celebrations of its achievements, collaborative culture and continuous growth Synergy Group s success over the years is a testament to our unflinching belief in the power of collaboration, innovation and limitless potential, said Kapadia, Chairman of Synergy Group “From our humble beginnings, we have always encouraged our team to dare to dream big, experiment learn and grow together It is this spirit of unity teamwork and the challenger mindset that has driven us to achieve remarkable milestones over the past 25 years Understanding the challenges and the opportunities that the world of IMC offers in Pakistan, Synergy Group remained ahead of the curve and established brands and companies that are involved in BTL marketing, digital media public relations media buying publications and activation campaigns The Group now stands tall in the country having established 12 companies and brands namely Synergy Advertising for advertising and communication solutions, Synite Digital for digital media solutions, Synchronize Media for media buying, Syntax Communications for public relations Synergy Marketing for event and BTL marketing Syntinel for data lab S TA F F R E P O R T Sindh S ocial Welfare Minister reviews per formance during meeting with additional, deput y direc tors K A r A c h I: The Honorable Minister of Social Welfare Department, Mr Mir Tariq Ali Talpur, conducted meeting with all additional Directors, Deputy Directors of Social Welfare Department from 30 Districts of province Sindh along with Mr Sajid Jamal Abro, Secretary Social Welfare Department and Director General Social Welfare Department Mr Nisar Ahmed Shaikh at Training Institute Social Welfare Department Government of Sindh The purpose of meeting was to gather information about the performance of all Districts offices specifically to learn about the various welfare activities they are undertaking and to understand the challenges and difficulties they are encountering while implementing these initiatives The meeting commenced with recitation of Holy Quran followed by a warm welcome by principle Social welfare training institute to the Honorable Minister and all guest officers came from all Districts of Sindh province S TA F F R E P O R T A zma Bokhari expresses condolences to Iranian CG over President Raisi ’s death LAhOrE: Provincial Minister for Information Punjab Azma Bokhari expressed her deep condolence to the Acting Iranian Consul General Ali Asghar Moghari on the death of the Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi and Foreign Minister The Provincial Minister also inked condolence comments in the Guest Book at the Iranian Embassy She said that the entire Pakistani nation is deeply grieved over the death of the Iranian President and Pakistan equally shares the grief of their Iranian brothers and sisters We express our deep sense of sorrow and condolence over the martyrdom of the Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi and Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian Azma Bokhari said that the President of Iran Ebrahim Raisi was a great Mujahid and a revolutionary leader of the Islamic World The sympathies of the Pakistani nation are rest with the Iranian brothers and sisters in this hour of grief P R Pak-Qatar General Takaful appoints Saqib Zeeshan as new CEO K A r A c h I: Pak-Qatar General Takaful Limited (PQGTL), a leading provider of Shariahcompliant General Takaful solutions in Pakistan, is pleased to announce the appointment of Mr Saqib Zeeshan as its new Chief Executive Officer (CEO), effective immediately With over 20 years of experience in the Takaful, Insurance, and Health Services Providers, Mr Zeeshan brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to his new role His proven track record of success in driving growth and innovation across all lines of business makes him an ideal leader for PQGTL We are confident that Saqib Zeeshan s deep industry knowledge and commitment to Islamic values will be instrumental in leading Pak-Qatar General Takaful towards continued success in the years to come," said Mr Kamran Saleem Director He also extended his sincere gratitude to Mr Zahid Hussain Awan the former CEO for his relentless efforts in shaping the company on firm foundations S TA F F R E P O R T Leading exper ts convene in Islamabad for OICCI and S hell Pakistan’s Energy Symposium I S L A M A B A D: Overseas Investors Chamber of Commerce and Industry (OICCI) and Shell Pakistan Limited jointly hosted the Pakistan Energy Symposium This significant event was produced by the Nutshell Group and took place at a local hotel The Pakistan Energy Symposium - Powering the Future brought together public stakeholders policymakers, thought leaders, and industry specialists, to chart out a course for Pakistan’s sustainable energy future Deliberating on adding renewables to Pakistan s energy mix Senator Dr Musadik Malik, Federal Minister for Petroleum & Water Resources, said, “Pakistan has sunlight, wind, water and nuclear energy We can produce green electricity on a large scale In 2018 when the strategy was being made, solar energy was 22 cents and wind energy was 23 cents, which has now been reduced to 3 to 5 cents S TA F F R E P O R T Aleem K han, Japanese envoy disc uss mutual cooperation ISLAMABAD: His Excellency, Wada Mitsuhiro, Ambassador of Japan to Pakistan called on the Federal Minister for Privatisation Investment and Communications Abdul Aleem Khan today Issues of mutual interest and cooperation came under discussion at length The Federal Minister expressed the desire to enhance cooperation with Japan for achieving growth and development The Ambassador also complimented the current government’s policy initiatives for supporting economy and investment The Federal Minister apprised the Japanese Ambassador of the ongoing privatisation process in Pakistan and the resulting prospective investment opportunities Government of Pakistan is going to privatise all state owned enterprises other than strategic and essential ones The Ambassador also shared Japan’s experiences of successful privatization The Federal Minister also informed the Ambassador about government s efforts for enabling ease of doing business in Pakistan The Federal Minister invited Japanese investors to invest in Pakistan where they will be getting a very good return on investment and offered to facilitate them in all manner possible The Federal Minister also thanked the ambassador and the government of Japan for their longstanding and continuous support for Pakistan S TA F F R E P O R T
state existing alongside Israel is a cherished goal for Arab nations which believe it could defuse Middle East tensions and help usher in a period of prosperity for a region long riven by conflict
According to the Palestinian Authority, which has limited powers in parts of the occupied West Bank 142 of the 193 UN member countries already recognise a Palestinian state Most Western governments including the United States say they are willing to one day recognise Palestinian statehood but not before agreement is reached on thorny issues like its final borders and the status of Jerusalem Jordan the custodian of Muslim and Christian holy sites in Jerusalem praised
29 terrorists killed in operations along Pak-Afghan border since April 21: ISPR
The security forces killed 29 terrorists in operations along the Pak-Afghan border area since April 21, Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said According to press release issued by military’s media wing security forces have been conducting effective operations in the general area Sambaza in Zhob District of Balochistan and have neutralised 29 terrorists successfully According to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) on Wednesday, Off late, Pakistan has witnessed a surge in terrorist incidents orchestrated from Afghan soil, wherein, terrorists from Afghanistan attempt to infiltrate through Pakistan-Afghanistan Border and target Security Forces as well as the innocent civilians In the same series of operations during an intelligence-based operation on May 14, Major Babar Khan also embraced, Shahadat, while fighting gallantly Pakistan s Security Forces are determined and remain committed to secure the borders and ensure the safety of its citizens against the scourge of terrorism ” the ISPR said It added that Pakistan has consistently been asking the Interim Afghan Government to ensure effective border management on their side of the border Interim Afghan Government is expected to fulfill its obligations and deny the use of Afghan soil by terrorists for perpetrating acts of terrorism against Pakistan,” the ISPR said
PML-N to review, amend par t y constitution
LAHORE
S ta f f R e p o R t Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz has decided to review and amend the party constitution a notification has been issued in this regard A sevenmember committee was formed to revise and amend the party constitution of the Muslim League-N The provincial president of PML-N Punjab, Rana Sanaullah, was appointed as the convener of the constitutional amendment and revision committee The Member National Assembly (MNA) Anush Rehman has been appointed as the Secretary of the Amendments Committee The amendment and revision committee includes Khawaja Saad Rafique, Azam Nazir Tarar, Khurram Dastagir Khan, Mohsin Ranjha, and Barrister Zafarullah Khan Secretary General Muslim League-N Ahsan Iqbal issued the notification of the revision and amendment committee of the constitution of the party
ISLAMABAD
S ta f f R e p o R t Journalists across Pakistan staged widespread protests denouncing the Punjab government s newly passed Punjab Defamation Bill, 2024, and demanded the provincial government to reconsider the bill, calling it a “flagrant violation of the fundamental rights of freedom of expression Meanwhile the Judicial Activism Panel (JAP) a public interest forum based in
PTI’s Hammad Azhar escapes police raid after resur facing in public
(PTI) senior leader Hammad Azhar on Wednesday escaped a police raid after he resurfaced in public almost a year after going into hiding in the wake of a crackdown on the party in the aftermath of May 9 incidents “Yesterday I received a message from the PTI founder [Imran Khan] that it’s time to come out of hiding said Azhar as he visited the PTI s Central Secretariat office in Islamabad The PTI leader said he would go to Peshawar to secure pre-arrest bail as he has been booked in several cases in connection with May 9 riots that broke out in the country last year after the arrest of PTI founder in the corruption case
All leaders including Murad Saeed will come out of hiding he added As soon as the authorities came to know about the
PTI leader s whereabouts, Islamabad police personnel surrounded the party’s secretariat in the federal capital to arrest him However Azhar left the party’s office before the arrival of the police In a post on X PTI Secretary General Omar Ayub condemned the police raid on the PTI s office Rauf Hassan sahib s attackers
Yasmin Rashid faints in Kot L akhpat Jail, admitted to L ahore’s S er vices Hospital
fainted
was admitted to Lahore’s Services Hospital on Wednesday after falling unconscious in Kot Lakhpat Jail according to her lawyer Yasmin has been in prison for almost a year now in connection with multiple cases against her regarding the events of May 9, 2023, when countrywide protests and riots broke out after the arrest of PTI founder Imran Khan She was first detained on May 12 last year under the Maintenance of Public Order Ordinance and later arrested for her alleged involvement in the May 9 riots Her lawyer Rana Mudassir said her condition in jail had been very bad since yesterday and that she was not provided medical treatment facilities [Medical] treatment was not provided [to her] despite
Hospital
He said she fainted due
and
and drinking contaminated water
not
provided any treatment Former PTI leader and federal minister Fawad Chaudhry said that Dr Yasmin was 70 years old a cancer patient and had been in jail for a year It is sad that Yasmin Rashid is not getting basic health facilities This is a travesty of justice, he said, adding that her treatment as well as of other PTI women prisoners showed the Constitution was not being implemented in the country “Detention of prisoners for such long periods without trial is not allowed under the Constitution This shows that the Constitution has been suspended in Pakistan Supreme
In a ceremony held at the
Attorney’s office in
on
(US) repatriated 133
antiquities to Pakistan valued at over $13 million These artifacts, dating back to the Gandhara period, were returned to Pakistan in the fifth such transfer Aamer Ahmed Atozai, the Consul General in New York, received the artifacts on behalf of the Government of Pakistan and expressed gratitude to the District Attor-
ings The SIC members tore apart copies of the bill after the House passed it through a voice vote Vetted by the Special Committee-1 in the absence of standing committees the
sentiments holding a protest at the Lahore Press Club President Arshad Ansari accused the provincial government of sabotaging negotiations on the defamation bill before its passage President Zahid Rafiq Bhatti joined the chorus of disapproval, demanding the law s immediate withdrawal
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 : 1 0 5 0 0 1 : 3 0 5 : 1 5 7 : 0 0 9 : 0 0 Thursday 23 May 2024 NEWS 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 CAIR O ag e n c e S A RAB states hailed the decision by Ireland Norway and Spain to recognise a Palestinian state on Wednesday and urged other countries to follow suit Oil-rich Saudi Arabia and Egypt, which borders the war-ravaged Gaza Strip, were among the Middle East countries that praised the move having called for a two-state solution for decades Dublin Madrid and Oslo announced they would recognise a Palestinian state next Tuesday, nearly eight months into the devastating Gaza conflict Israel strongly opposed the decision, arguing it was “rewarding terrorism” after Palestinian militant group Hamas’s October 7 attack which sparked the Gaza war But Saudi Arabia called it a positive decision that affirms the international consensus on the inherent right of the Palestinian people to self-determination The Gulf kingdom, which has long positioned itself as a champion of the Palest i n i a n c a u s e s a i d i t “ c a l l s o n t h e r e s t o f t h e c o u n t r i e s t o q u i c k l y m a k e t h e s a m e decision Saudi Arabia home to Islam s holiest sites, has signalled it is prepared to establish relations with Israel under a proposed US-brokered deal with the strict condition o f i r r e v o c a b l e s t e p s t o w a r d s P a l e s t i n i a n statehood Egypt, which has engaged in mediation efforts between Israel and Hamas, alongside Qatar and the United States also hailed Wednesday’s move as a “welcome step” The announcement supports international efforts to create a political horizon that can lead to the establishment of an independent Palestinian state , the Egyptian statement said Mediator Qatar similarly welcomed the announcement as an “important step in support of a two-state solution” also expressing hope that other countries would do the same The Arab quintet of the United Arab Emirates Saudi Arabia Qatar Jordan and Egypt have repeatedly pushed for a pathway to Palestinian statehood since the start of the Gaza war The two-state solution with a Palestinian
the move by Ireland Norway and Spain as an important and essential step towards Palestinian statehood Jordanian Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi expressed hopes that “these decisions will be part of a wider movement that places all countries in the world and the region on a clear path towards a just and comprehensive peace The six-member Gulf Cooperation Council also supported the European countries move, with secretary general Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi calling it “a pivotal and strategic step towards achieving the two-state solution” The Organisation of Islamic Cooperation based in the Saudi city of Jeddah welcomed the move as an important historic step Last week, the 22-member Arab League called for an international conference under the auspices of the United Nations to “resolve the Palestinian issue on the basis of the two-state solution” An Arab-Israeli war in 1967 saw Israel seize the Palestinian territories of the West Bank, east Jerusalem and the Gaza Strip Israel later annexed east Jerusalem, and successive Israeli governments have encouraged Jewish settlements in the Palestinian territories According to the UN, the Palestinian territories, including Gaza, remain occupied, and Israeli settlements in east Jerusalem and the West Bank are considered illegal under international law Hamas official says European recognition is a turning point on Palestinian issue Bassem Naim, a senior member of Hamas political bureau, has said that European recognition of the Palestinian state is a “turning point in the international position” on the issue Al Jazeera reports He said it was the brave resistance of the Palestinian people that spurred Norway Ireland and Spain to announce that they will recognise Palestine as a state These successive recognitions are the direct result of this brave resistance and the legendary steadfastness of the Palestinian people ” he told AFP “We believe this will be a turning point in the international position on the Palestinian issue Smotrich calls for punitive measures on Palestinian authority Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich says he will no longer transfer tax funds to the Palestinian Authority (PA) after Norway Spain and Ireland said that they will recognise a Palestinian state Al Jazeera reports I S R A E L C A L L S F O R ‘ P U N I T I V E M E A S U R E S ’ A S I R E L A N D , N O
A N D S PA I N R E C O G N I S E PA L E S T I N I A N S TAT E ISLAMABAD
t
R W AY
S ta f f R e p o R
Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf
have not been traced or arrested yet, but the police miraculously came to know that Hammad Azhar had visited PTIs Central Office ” he
Azhar also posted
Secretary
transgender persons attacked him in the face using blade You attack one you attack all! he wrote in the caption Hammad, the acting president of PTI Punjab chapter, did not contest the February 8 general elections as his nomination papers were rejected He served as energy minister during the tenure of PTI-led government from 2018 to 2022
Islamabad IT Park must be completed at earliest via 3rd par t y evaluation: PM ISLAMABAD S ta f f R e p o R t Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has said that Islamabad IT Park must be completed at earliest through the third party performance evaluation of software technology parks While chairing a meeting to discuss the matters related to the IT parks here on Wednesday, the prime minister hailed the establishment of such parks in the country to promote information technology IT exports and to facilitate the startups The officials of the Ministry of Information Technology and Telecommunications briefed the prime minister that the Islamabad s IT Park being established through South Korean cooperation, would be completed by next year The facility would feature startups, incubation centers, banks, restaurants and other facilities Besides another IT Park being developed by South Korea s support near the Jinnah International Airport of Karachi would be completed by 2027 Moreover 43 software technology parks had been established in 20 cities By 2025, around 100 new E-Rozgar centers and 10 new software technology parks would be developed Federal ministers Ahad Khan Cheema and Muhammad Aurangzeb State Minister Shaza Fatima Khawaja Deputy Chairman of Planning Commission Jahanzeb Khan PM s Coordinator Rana Ehsan Afzal and relevant senior officers attended the meeting Raoof strongly condemns police unlaw ful raid on PTI central office ISLAMABAD S ta f f R e p o R t Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Central Information Secretary Raoof Hasan strongly condemned the illegal raid on the party s central office by the Islamabad police who cordoned off the entire office and did not allow anyone to enter or leave the premises In his strong reaction, Raoof Hasan said that a UN delegation was present at the office to discuss the electoral process when the police entered the premises without a search warrant He said that upon inquiry the police claimed they had come to arrest Hamad Azhar, however when asked about search warrant but they refused to produce it Raoof said that the incident a clear example of the state’s fascism through which they tried to run the country as they raided in presence of UN team which was also fully aware of the state fascism He lamented that the rule of law and constitution have become meaningless in Pakistan, and the entire nation, not just PTI, has been humiliated PTI CIS said that he sought an explanation for this illegal action but they did not have any justification LAHORE S ta f f R e p o R t PTI leader Yasmin Rashid
upset
since
Court should take notice of political prisoners he said
said
a picture of him with PTI Information
Raoof Hasan who suffered facial injury after alleged
continuous vomiting and an
stomach
yesterday Today she
in jail
was brought to Services
via an ambulance
to heat in her prison cell
while
being
RAWALPINDI
ta
R e p o R t
S
f f
courts
Lahore on Wednesday demanded the Punjab government to reconsider the recently passed Punjab Defamation Bill, 2024, describing it as draconian , illogical The JAP stated that the bill was a clear “violation of the judgments of the superior
” On Monday the Punjab Assembly passed the bill rejecting all amendments proposed by the opposition amid protests by the PTI-backed Sunni Ittehad Council and journalists covering parliamentary proceed-
bill was tabled by Punjab Finance Minister Mujtaba Shujaur Rehman after the PML-N government refused to delay voting on the bill even for a week, at the request of journalists On the occasion, the press gallery members walked out of the assembly to boycott the proceedings They rejected the bill as a “curb on free media” The nationwide action organized by the Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ) saw journalists gather outside the National Press Club in Islamabad PFUJ President Afzal Butt condemned the laws, calling them “dictatorial measures” that stifle free speech He vowed to continue the fight for press freedom just as journalists had done against previous oppressive regimes He demanded
stakehold-
this bill otherwise
launch
protest
Punjab
these
Meanwhile, in Karachi, journalists at the Karachi Press Club observed a “Black Day” by raising black flags The Joint Action Committee called for the repeal of PICA amendments to the Punjab defamation law and the reopening of the Quetta Press Club They view the closure as a blatant attack on press freedom Similar protests took place at the Bahawalpur Press Club where journalists demanded the withdrawal of the defamation bill and the lifting of restrictions on the Quetta Press Club These nationwide demonstrations highlight the growing concerns within Pakistan s media community Journalists are united in their opposition to laws they perceive as threats to their ability to report freely and hold power accountable On the other hand in a letter addressed to the Punjab Governor as well as the Punjab Chief Minister, the Judicial Activism Panel (JAP) urged the offices to “refrain from giving assent to such a draconian bill without taking into account the viewpoints of stakeholders The letter referred to the bill as an attempt to snatch the right and freedom of speech which is a clear cut violation of Article 19 and 19A of the Constitution It further stated that before approaching the superior courts, a fair opportunity was being provided to the respective offices as well as the provincial assembly to reconsider the bill in the interest of the nation On Tuesday more than 80 civil society organisations expressed strong opposition to the Punjab Defamation Bill, terming it a gross infringement on the fundamental rights of freedom of expression and press freedom Dubbing the bill “draconian and regressive” they described it as a tool to suppress dissent and criticism and particularly targeted journalists and the wider public Its explicit mandate of safeguarding public officials against defamation is nothing short of an authoritarian manoeuvre, designed to shield those in power from accountability and scrutiny ” it said It said that the bill s provisions which allow defamation actions to be initiated without proof of actual damage and imposing extortionate fines, amounted to nothing less than legal intimidation tactics Furthermore, the bill’s broad definition of “journalists” and “newspapers” to include social media users set a dangerous precedent for stifling freedom of expression online the statement said NEWS DESK
ney s office its Antiquities Trafficking Unit and the Department of Homeland Security for their efforts in recovering these stolen cultural treasures Some of the recovered antiquities were showcased during the ceremony, with Consul General Atozai stating that these pieces would be displayed in museums across Pakistan An agreement for the repatriation of the returned artifacts was signed between the consul general and Assistant District Attorney Matthew Bogdanos who heads the Antiquities Trafficking Unit Bogdanos expressed delight in returning these glorious pieces of Pakistani heritage to a civilization with a history spanning 5,000 years g S a y s h e r e c e i v e d a m e s s a g e f r o m P T I f o u n d e r I m r a n K h a n t o c o m e o u t o f h i d i n g S takeholders up the ante as protest against Punjab Defamation L aw rages on US returns 133 stolen ar tifac ts wor th over $13m to Pakistan
meaningful consultation with all
ers on
PFUJ will
country-wide
In Lahore, the
Union of Journalists echoed
Manhattan District
New York
Tuesday the United States
stolen
