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The Prime Minister was also briefed on a recent meeting with the Chief Minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), where assurances were made to curb electricity theft in the province He appreciated this progress and expressed optimism about collaborative efforts to address these issues
On Monday a significant breakthrough was achieved during the meeting between Federal Minister of Interior Mohsin Naqvi, Chief Minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Ali Amin Gandapur and Minister for Power Division Awais Leghari paving the way to resolve load shedding and dues-related issues
Following the meeting, KP Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur, Federal Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi and Minister for Power Division Awais Leghari held a joint press conference Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi stated that the meeting was conducted very positively, resulting in a breakthrough and discussions about providing relief to the public Chief Minister Gandapur reiterated the commitment to tackling line losses and emphasized that the public demands the end of load shedding and access to affordable electricity He expressed gratitude for the support felt by the province’s residents
Speaking on the occasion Minister for Power Division Awais Leghari highlighted that preventing electricity theft is key to eliminating load shedding, a model which will be applied across other provinces The success of the KPK model in curbing power theft and managing load shedding is expected to be replicated nationwide,
PTI strongly rejects ‘venomous propaganda’ against Khan, PTI
pecially Sherry who was trying to teach history lessons needed to recall their leader Bhutto s complicit role in the fall of Dhaka
and overt supporters, PTI Spokesperson said that if the dreadful events 0f 1971 were haunting Zardari’s followers and political heirs of Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto it was not due to Imran Khan or PTI but the role of their political Imam Bhutto He called dictatorship as the biggest curse of the universe and said that the devotees of dictatorship were making all hue and cries to please the incumbent dictator
PTI Spokesperson stated that there was panic in the stable of dictatorship and the angry mules were trample over each other, adding that Sherry Rehman was dancing on the grave to earn livelihood who was still carrying a memo of dictatorship in his neck
He pointed out that whenever Bhutto’s political heirs turned their faces towards history, it sent them back red-faced with slaps of facts adding that Zardari s followers es-
our government were founded with their help You derailed democracy on their behest It was during the PTI s protests in Islamabad where it was said Nawaz Sharif would be dragged out of the PM House with a rope around his neck This was the umpire’s finger that Imran Khan frequently referred to Sharif also vehemently criticised the decision by former chief justice Saqib Nisar declaring it has been discarded as trash “Saqib Nisar removed me from the party presidency for life Today, people have thrown his decision into the dustbin Summon those who declared that Nawaz Sharif would be permanently removed yet here I stand before you once again he stated Sharif questioned the basis of the verdict against him, citing, “What was the decision against me? Not taking a salary from my son? I did not take a salary from my son; I
PTI Spokesperson recalled that PTI Founding Chairman and PTI briefly mentioned the events of the 70s with the purpose to take guidance from history and avoid repeating the painful history that led to disintegration of Pakistan
If Imran Khan is not a patriot then there is no patriot in this country, and if Imran Khan is not loyal to Pakistan, then those who swear loyalty to the constitution in the name of Allah and openly flout it are not even close to him he added
PTI Spokesperson recalled that Bhutto s political birth took place in the lap of dictatorship and the case of the crime of dismemberment of Pakistan was registered against him along with others adding that in lust of power Bhutto danced to the tunes of one man dictatorship and trampled even democracy and national integrity
He noted that after the clear results of the general elections Bhutto lied down in front of Yahya Khan and showed willingness to convene
a session of the assembly and to avoid the transfer of power to the elected majority party besides supporting invasion on Bangladesh PTI Spokesperson stated that like Sherry and others, then Bhutto and his followers were busy in creating false narratives and shining the boots of dictatorship instead of the supremacy of politics and democracy adding that just as the PPP did not feel ashamed of facilitating the heinous crime of mandate theft in the last two years, similarly Bhutto thought it appropriate to seize power by tearing the country apart It was Bhutto who emblazoned on his chest the odious title of first civil martial law administrator in our national history by pushing Pakistan and its institutions into the worst defeat,” he maintained PTI Spokesperson recalled that PTI Imran Khan or its workers had no hand in the biggest crime in history against the country and nation, adding that we do not believe in handing out certificates of treason to any one, nor do we want to impose orders on national and political figures who have left the world
the
supremo Nawaz as the
party had scheduled intra-party elections for Youm-e-Takbeer coincidentally
did not ask for one from your son either ” Addressing attempts to create rifts between him and his brother Shehbaz Sharif Nawaz said They tried to drive wedges between Shehbaz and me Kudos to Shehbaz for not bowing or selling out and standing by his brother I am proud of him Shehbaz was told to abandon Nawaz Sharif and become the prime minister, but he refused, saying he would reject any premiership that required betrayal of his brother He even went to jail but never wavered Nawaz Sharif also praised his daughter, Maryam Nawaz, and his nephew Hamza Shehbaz for their resilience “Maryam endured imprisonment and kept the party active passing every test Hamza faced jail bravely and did not falter I witnessed them being taken away in handcuffs Shahid Khaqan Abbasi also shared my imprisonment and did not complain ” Reflecting on his political journey Sharif stated In 1990 when I formed the government and became prime minister had there been no interference, poverty and unemployment would be unheard of today Compare the prices of goods in 2017 to now ” Nawaz elected unopposed as PML-N
In par tnership with Profit We d n e s d a y, 2 9 M a y, 2 0 2 4 I | 2 0 Z i l - Q a d a h , 1 4 4 5 R s 5 0 0 0 | Vo l X I V N o 3 2 9 I 3 6 Pa g e s I Ka r a c h i E d i t i o n ‘ W E A R E O F M AY 28, N O T M AY 9’ PR OFIT A H M A D A H M A D A N I P R I M E Minister Shehbaz Sharif has directed the immediate ending of unannounced electricity load shedding across the country and has ordered the reduction of outage durations on loss-making feeders This directive was issued during a meeting focused on electricity load management and the prevention of electricity theft held under the Prime Minister s chairmanship According to sources, the Ministry of Energy (Power Division), during the course of the meeting provided a detailed briefing on the current state of electricity theft and load shedding It was highlighted that load shedding is currently being implemented solely on loss-making feeders In response, Prime Minister Sharif emphasised that it is the duty of the relevant institutions to prevent electricity theft and provide relief to the public He stated that the perpetrators of power theft should be dealt with strictly and the mission against power theft should be taken to its logical conclusion, and power theft should be completely eliminated said sources quoting the premier s directions As per sources the prime minister announced that he will personally review progress on the prevention of electricity theft on a monthly basis The PM cautioned against overbilling of electricity insisting that it must not occur under any circumstances Be careful over-billing of electricity should not happen at all PM added Recognizing the hardships being faced by the public due to the intense heat of the summer season Prime Minister
Shehbaz Sharif directed an immediate end to unannounced load shedding and instructed that the duration of load shedding on loss-making feeders be reduced He acknowledged the problems faced by the public and stressed the importance of providing relief
power outages have plagued the country prompting protests nationwide As temperatures soar, power outages are becoming increasingly frequent across the country, with some cities experiencing up to 14 hours of load shedding In Peshawar frustrated residents took to the streets to protest against the prolonged electricity outages Demonstrators blocked Motorway M1, causing significant traffic congestion and long queues of vehicles The protesters declared they would not clear the road until officials came to negotiate highlighting that the duration of load shedding had reached unbearable levels In various regions residents are grappling with extended power cuts In Karachi, some areas face load shedding even after midnight, exacerbating the discomfort during the sweltering nights The situation is similarly dire in Quetta where the Quetta Electric Supply Company (QESCO) has increased the duration of load shedding from 8 to 10 hours In district headquarters such as Turbat, Sibi, Nasirabad, and Jafarabad residents endure up to 12 hours of power cuts daily Amid scorching heat season Multan Electric Power Company (MEPCO) has increased the duration of unannounced power cuts, leaving the public to endure hours without electricity during both day and night The escalating power crisis is causing widespread distress and anger among the populace demanding immediate and effective solutions from the authorities
LAHORE S TA F F R E P O R T Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) supremo Nawaz Sharif on Tuesday fired a broadside at Imran Khan for what he said relying on military support for his political ascent, urged Khan to answer questions before engaging in a dialogue with the government “We are of May 28 not May 9 When Bill Clinton offered $5 billion to avoid nuclear tests we refused and rejected the offer of $5 billion of that time former prime minister Nawaz Sharif stated after his reelection as President of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) Earlier PML-N’s general council in its meeting elected Nawaz Sharif unopposed as its president coinciding with the day Pakistan conducted nuclear tests in 1998 during the PML-N s second term in government Imran Khan started his politics on the shoulders of the army I personally approached him for collaboration and he agreed but then planned protests from London with a general a cleric from Canada Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi and others Protests began and I was asked to resign I said do whatever you want; Nawaz
party’s general council meeting, where
which they thought could deliver He said and that force appeared in PTI Imran Khan should clarify if he was not the third force, then who was?” Challenging Khan, Sharif declared, “If you were not the third force I promise to retire from politics Your politics and the ousting of
aiming to provide consistent and affordable electricity to all citizens It is pertinent to mention that rising heat and unannounced hours-long
P
U
Sharif never resigns, he remarked while addressing the
Sharif ’s presidency was confirmed on Tuesday Sharif quoted former ISI chief General (retd) Zaheerul Islam saying he had said they tried different parties and allowed a third force
presi-
Earlier
Sharif was elected unop-
as the president of PML-N on Tuesday
the prospect
reinstating party
the same day Pakistan conducted nuclear tests in 1998 during the PML-N s second term in government ISLAMABAD S TA F F R E P O R T Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf (PTI) came down hard on the fugitive imported under malicious London Plot for absurd address and unopposed election and said that the uncontested election of Jati Umra tug has put the Chief Justice of Pakistan and the Chief Election Commissioner to the test PTI spokesperson said that after the unopposed election of the fugitive the blind deaf and dumb march past of the courters on the constitutional avenue He stated that the ‘state slaves’ of a personal dictatorship have left with no choice but to listen to the absurd talks of the refugee clown PTI spokesperson pointed out that even after lapse of 30 years of its establishment the status of PML-N was nothing more than a family limited corporation of Sharifs and their poor children He said that the cowardly absconder was born politically in the lap of dictatorship and even after lapse of four decades he was not ready to jump off the lap of personal dictatorship adding that regime of jungle wanted to target any personality including judges PTI spokesperson stated that there was no need to comment on his politics after the decision made by the people through their power of votes on February 8 2024 He urged that ECP and SC should take notice of the uncontested election of the fugitive and analyze it on the same standards and fairness and transparency criteria on which PTI elections were evaluated PTI spokesperson made it clear that the nation was watching every action of those enjoying powers at present very carefully and the deviators of the constitution and the law would not spare come what may PTI deplores ‘fugitive Nawaz’ for uncontested election, absurd speech Nawaz fires broadside at Imran af ter re-election as PML-N president ISLAMABAD S TA F F R E P O R T Reacting to the false propaganda campaign of the mandate-thief regime including Senator Sherry Rehman and its covert
dent:
Nawaz
posed
With
of
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AT T E N T I O N Some readers have complained that they are not getting the magazine with their newspaper copy Please call or WhatsApp us at the following number to register a complaint N TO DAY ’ S S S U E Contac t: 0307-7338168 ir fan farooq@pakistantoday com pk
Shehbaz lambastes PTI founder for defaming militar y, their families LAHORE S TA F F R E P O R T Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Tuesday accused former prime minister and PTI founder Imran Khan of misleading the public and tarnishing the reputation of the military and their families Imran Khan who once bowed before the military is now misleading people about the Fall of Dhaka He is defaming the military and their families, said Shehbaz Sharif stated while addressing the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PMLN) General Council meeting held in Lahore on Tuesday Shehbaz formally handed over his responsibilities back to the party acknowledging Nawaz Sharif ’s return to leadership The trust the party placed in me I now return with gratitude God has reinstated Nawaz Sharif to his position Efforts are underway to revive the economy under Maryam Nawaz in Punjab and Nawaz Sharif at the federal level ” He condemned those who conspired against Nawaz Sharif stating “The faces of the conspirators are blackened and Nawaz Sharif stands vindicated He was unjustly punished in the Panama case with an iqama The prime minister also criticised Khan for his comments regarding the military and national tragedies “Imran Khan, who once sat at the feet of soldiers is now comparing himself with Mujibur Rehman on the Fall of Dhaka His remarks in London about our martyrs and veterans are unforgivable If anyone watches that video they would want to silence him These soldiers made their children orphans to save millions of others Shehbaz warned of dire consequences if Pakistan’s prosperity does not return “If Pakistan does not progress there will be no politicians or judges left While many judges are patriotic a few black sheep facilitated Imran Khan s £190 million corruption Khan sold gifts and watches Judges, remember, during Nawaz Sharif s tenure, there were no easy bails, unlike now ” Shehbaz concluded with a stern message to Khan “I do not wish to attack you personally but your actions against the families of Pakistan’s armed forces will not be forgiven by this nation Qureshi’s 9-day physical remand approved in eight May 9 cases LAHORE S TA F F R E P O R T Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Shah Mahmood Qureshi s physical remand for nine days in eight cases pertaining to the May 9 riots got approved by an antiterrorism court (ATC) on Tuesday Judge Khalid Arshad of the ATC in Lahore announced a reserved verdict wherein the court ordered that the investigation report after ’s Qureshi’s interrogation be submitted on June 5 The court in its decision has ordered to interrogate the PTI leader through video link The court further remarked that according to the investigating officer, the suspect released videos and messages on social media All the material uploaded by Qureshi on social media had been sent to the forensic lab it maintained Qureshi is currently imprisoned in Rawalpindi s Adiala Jail in multiple cases In addition to this a special court established under the Official Secrets Act had handed Qureshi 10 years in jail in the cipher case The police on May 26 implicated the PTI leader in eight more cases in connection with the attacks carried out on May 9 2023 The May 9 riots were triggered almost across the country after deposed prime minister Imran Khan s arrest in the £190 million settlement case Hundreds of PTI workers and senior leaders were put behind bars for their involvement in violence and attacks on military installations last year g PM FORMALLY HANDS OVER HIS RESPONSIBILITIES BACK TO PARTY, ACKNOWLEDGES NAWAZ ’S RETURN TO LEADERSHIP g D i r e c t s a u t h o r i t i e s t o r e d u c e d u r a t i o n o f p o w e r o u t a g e s o n l o s s - m a k i n g f e e d e r s
FBR TO REPL ACE WEBOC WITH MORE ROBUST DIGITAL SYSTEM TO IMPROVE EASE OF DOING BUSINESS
Twith each contributing around 6% of the total capital Reuters reported in September 2023 that China would launch the third phase of the Big Fund
The first phase of the fund was established in 2014 with registered capital of 138 7 billion yuan, and the second phase followed in 2019 with 204 billion yuan The Big Fund has provided financing to China s two biggest chip foundries Semiconductor Manufacturing International Corporation, and Hua Hong Semiconductor as well as to Yangtze Memory Technologies, a maker of flash memory and a number of smaller companies and funds
One of the major areas the third phase of the fund will focus on is equipment for chip manufacturing Reuters reported in September Also, the Big Fund is considering hiring at least two institutions to invest the capital from the third phase
The energy minister said power theft was a national issue and the Centre would be able to overcome load shedding and other issues with the help of the provinces, especially KP province
The Energy Minister announced working together with the KP Chief Minister adding “We will solve the problems of electricity theft and load shedding together The federal minister said that he and the KP chief minister will be going to hold another meeting and hoped that they would resolve the
Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur along with Energy Minister Awais Leghari and Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi held a joint press conference regarding solving the issues of electricity load shedding
due demand of the people of KP Three days ago on May 25 amid prolonged load shedding people took to the street and got into Rehman Baba Grid Station in Peshawar and restored electricity A member of the KhyberPakhtunkhwa Assembly (MPA) Fazal Elahi belonging to PTI led a protest against power outages in Peshawar forcing the grid station officials to restore electricity The protesters accompanied by Elahi, forcibly entered the station and switched on nine feeders, which are considered high-loss feeders due to extensive electricity theft and unpaid bills “The feeders activated include those in Hazarkhwani Yakatoot Akhunabad New Chamakani Surizai Bala, Shalozan, and Qalandarabad, the Pesco spokesperson said Later, the Peshawar Electric Supply Company (Pesco) has sought a first information report (FIR) against PTI MPA Fazal Elahi for forcibly activated feeders at the grid station
W d d y 29 M y 2024 | KARACHI 02 NEWS PR OFIT n e w S D e S k
H E Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has decided to replace its aging WeBOC system with a more robust and comprehensive digital system to improve compliance and ease of doing business Pakistan Customs has completed business process mapping of its core functions during the first five months of the World Bank-funded project for transformation of Customs operations the FBR shared these details in a press release on Monday Customs transformation project involves the deployment of state-of-the-art hyper-automation tools which would enable Pakistan Single Window Company, as the designated implementation partner of Pakistan Customs to quickly develop a new Customs Digital Management System the FBR said adding that this would help Customs to replace its aging WeBOC system with a more robust and comprehensive digital system This project was designed in April 2021 but came into implementation in December 2023 Technical experts from KGH and Maersk being the global leaders in customs administration reforms and logistics, are collaborating through 16 working groups notified by FBR for each work stream of Customs, it said The FBR stated that despite being one of the most digitalised entities of the government Pakistan Customs has remained cognizant of the challenges posed by the growing globalization of cross-border trade and transit supply chains, geographic dispersion of manufacturing and adoption of disruptive technologies like block-chain, AI, Big Data, etc The traditional role of Customs from physical border checks is changing to a multi-functional and whole-of-government strategic player in border controls trade facilitation, regional connectivity, and economic growth In the next phase of this key project all mapped processes would be benchmarked and re-designed as per international standards recommended by WTO WCO UN etc as well as the best practices adopted by the leading customs administrations worldwide, the FBR said Besides helping towards end-to-end digitalization of Pakistan Customs, the project would re-align the legal framework organizational structure and operational model of Pakistan Customs Upgradation of risk management post-clearance audit capabilities use of technology, and elimination of redundant tasks would enable Customs to re-direct its resources towards more critical functions, it added Pakistan Customs has successfully digitalised its operations since 2005 The indigenously developed WeBOC system enables the collection of more than 45% of FBR s annual revenue and helps implement national trade policy while handling imports, exports, and transit trade in a paperless environment Leveraging WeBOC, Customs has enabled Pakistan to leapfrog even the developed countries in the simplification and digitalization process of the entire ecosystem of trading across borders through the Pakistan Single Window
CCP approves merger of Intermarket Securities with EFG Hermes Pakistan PR OFIT M o n to R i n g D e S k The Competition Commission of Pakistan (CCP) has approved a scheme of arrangements for the merger of Intermarket Securities Ltd (IMS) with EFG Hermes Pakistan Ltd (EFG) The Phase-I competition assessment by the CCP identified Brokerage Services as the relevant product market The assessment revealed that post-transaction IMS will dissolve without winding up, and EFG will be the surviving entity Under the scheme, the agreed swap ratio for the transaction is 2 16:1 where for every one share of IMS EFG will issue 2 16 shares to IMS shareholders The assessment confirmed that post-transaction the merger will result in a slight increase in EFG s market share, without leading to dominance in the brokerage market IMS is a publicly unlisted company providing brokerage services EFG, a publicly listed company offers brokerage services in stocks and financial brokerage corporate finance and financial research PM forms cabinet committee for SIFC Decisions made by cabinet committee will be presented to federal cabinet for consideration PR OFIT ag e n c i e S Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has established the Cabinet Committee for the Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC), aimed at bolstering investment initiatives in the country A notification issued by the Cabinet Division confirms the formation of the Cabinet Committee on SIFC Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif will serve as the Chairman of the committee with Army Chief and Chief Ministers also joining its ranks The committee comprises 12 cabinet members and six external members, including ministers responsible for defence finance planning and development IT food security water and electricity law and justice investment industry and production and petroleum Decisions made by the cabinet committee will be presented to the federal cabinet for further consideration The committee’s secretariat will be housed in the office of SIFC established under the Rules of Business 1973 IMF forecasts Pakistan’s trade deficit to reach $27b next fiscal year PR OFIT ag e n c e S The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has predicted that Pakistan s trade deficit could increase to $27 923 billion in the next fiscal year According to details, the IMF has stated that in the new fiscal year Pakistan’s trade deficit will likely increase by $4 165 billion Pakistan s imports are estimated to increase by $5 517 billion while exports are expected to rise by $1 352 billion The forecast for the new fiscal year predicts the volume of imports to be $60 48 billion, while Pakistan’s exports are estimated to be $32 56 billion in the next fiscal year In the current fiscal year Pakistan s trade deficit is expected to be $23 76 billion with imports estimated at $54 96 billion By the end of the current fiscal year, exports are expected to reach $31 2 billion Earlier, the IMF released an official statement following discussions with Pakistan The statement confirms that Islamabad has formally requested a new loan program from the IMF The IMF delegation led by Mission Chief Nathan Porter visited Pakistan and held extensive negotiations from May 13 to May 23 to discuss the country s economic improvements The statement highlights that the Pakistani government is making serious efforts to increase revenue and emphasizes the need for fair tax collection from privileged sectors NEWS DESK In a significant development Pakistani students will now be required to obtain a no-objection certificate (NOC) from the Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (PMDC) if they wish to undertake medical and dental studies in foreign countries, a private media outlet reported on Tuesday The Ministry of National Health Services Regulations and Coordination (NHSR&C) has informed the publication that the PMDC is further considering additional checks aimed at ensuring that Pakistani pupils receive education only at recognized educational institutions The PMDC’s decision on this issue will be effective from the 2024 session meaning that no Pakistani student will be allowed to go abroad for medical education from now onwards said an NHSR&C official The development comes as a large number of students have been enrolling in institutions that are not recognized by the host countries themselves The official further revealed that as many as 3,000 students from Pakistan, 30% of whom are women, go abroad for medical education each year Most of them travel to China followed by Central Asian countries such as Kyrgyzstan Uzbekistan Tajikistan and Afghanistan Pakistani students, the official added, also travel to Russia, Ukraine, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Malaysia, Turkey, Iran, and Eastern European countries like Romania for medical education Currently there are around 15 000 to 18 000 students receiving medical and dental education abroad Although no official data is available, it is estimated that approximately $300 million are being spent annually on their education in these countries, with each family paying around $5,000 to $6 000 per year The health ministry official further claimed that many students enrolled in medical and dental programs abroad are attending substandard institutions that do not provide adequate clinical exposure Upon completion of their degrees these students are required to do their house jobs in Pakistan rather than in the host countries When these students return to Pakistan, they must pass the National Licensing Examination to be eligible to practice medicine or pursue specialized medical education Unfortunately the majority of foreignqualified medical and dental students fail to pass the national licensing exam, the official claimed He also noted that language is a significant barrier for Pakistani students, as medical education in countries like China Russia and the Central Asian Republics is conducted in the host countries national languages making it difficult for Pakistani students to pass their exams Responding to a query, the official stated that there were around 21,000 students enrolled in 185 public and private medical and dental colleges in Pakistan for the academic year 2023-24 and that Pakistani medical institutions are producing more doctors than the required number of physicians and surgeons in Pakistan At present, our medical and dental colleges are producing a sufficient number of doctors and dentists so there is no need to go abroad for medical and dental education he concluded New govt polic y makes it more diffic ult to pursue medic al studies abroad g H YP E R - AU TO M AT I O N TO O L S W I L L E N A B L E P S WC TO Q U I C K LY D E V E LO P A N E W C U S TO M S D I G I TA L M A N AG E M E N T S Y S T E M PR OFIT R e u t e R S China has set up its third planned statebacked investment fund to boost its semiconductor industry with a registered capital of 344 billion yuan ($47 5 billion), according to a filing with a government-run companies registry The hundreds of billions of yuan invested in the sector puts into perspective President Xi Jinping s drive to achieve self-sufficiency for China in semiconductors That commitment has taken on renewed urgency after the US imposed a series of export control measures over the last couple of years citing fears Beijing could use advanced chips to boost its military capabilities Chinese chip shares rose with the CES CN Semiconductor Index, rallying more than 3% and set to log the biggest one-day gain in more than a month The third phase of the China Integrated Circuit Industry Investment Fund was officially established on May 24 2024 and registered under the Beijing Municipal Administration for Market Regulation, according to the National Enterprise Credit Information Publicity System, a government-run credit information agency The third phase will be the largest of the three funds launched by the China Integrated Circuit Industry Investment Fund, known as the Big Fund China s finance ministry is the biggest shareholder with a 17% stake and paid-in capital of 60 billion yuan according to Tianyancha a Chinese companies information database company China Development Bank Capital is the second-largest shareholder with a 10 5% stake The Ministry of Finance didn t immediately reply to Reuters request for comment Seventeen other entities are listed as investors including five major Chinese banks: Industrial and Commercial Bank of China China Construction Bank Agricultural Bank of China Bank of China, and Bank of Communications,
C h i n a s e t s u p $ 4 7 . 5 b i nve s t m e n t f u n d to b o o s t i t s s e m i c o n d u c to r i n d u s t r y g M A M M OT H I N V E S T M E N T I N C H I P I N D U S T RY P U T S I N TO P E R S P E C T I V E P R E S I D E N T X I J I N P I N G ' S D R I V E TO AC H I E V E S E L F - S U F F I C I E N C Y F O R C H I N A I N S E M I CO N D U C TO R S PESHAWAR S ta f f R
of electricity and blocked the motorway for traffic on Tuesday morning Due to the sit-in of the protesters in a big number the Motorway M1 from Peshawar Toll Plaza to Charsadda Interchange was closed to all traffic The channel reported that the people of Akbarpur and Badhai areas are included in the protest against load shedding and blocked Motorway M1 from Peshawar Toll Plaza As per the channel report, Peshawar Motorway Police and district administration officers reached the spot and started negotiations with the locals to end their protest Monday Khyber
e p o R t People of Peshawar came out on the streets against the heavy load shedding
A n t i - l o a d s h e d d i n g p r o t e s t e r s s h u t Pe s h awa r M o t o r way Saad Rafique demands withdrawal of NAB Ordinance LAHORE S ta f f R e p o R t Senior Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader Khawaja Saad Rafique on Tuesday on Tuesday deplored the approval NAB (Amendment) Ordinance into law to extend the period of physical remand for a suspect from 14 days to 40 days This draconian law cannot be supported, therefore, the ordinance should be withdrawn ” he said while reminding that the National Accountability Bureau Ordinance was formulated by a dictator He said the ordinance was utilised for shameful political purposes and many innocent people fell victim to it The NAB Ordinance has been amended, under which the period of remanding accused in the NAB cases has been extended from 14 days to 40 days Acting President Yusuf Raza Gilani Monday signed two new ordinances NAB (Amendment) Ordinance 2024 and the Elections Act (Amendment) Ordinance 2024 He signed the ordinances on the advice of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif as President Asif Zardari is currently in Dubai The promulgation came after federal cabinet s approval of the amendments to the ordinances Under the amended NAB law, the sentence duration for an officer, convicted for framing cases based on ill will, has been reduced to two years from five years
Mohsin Naqvi announces five initiatives to provide relief to residents of Islamabad
Rain expected in upper regions from today: NDMA
Hafizabad
Sialkot Narowal Lahore Kasur Okara Nankana Sahib Sheikhupura Faisalabad TT Singh Jhang Khushab, Sargodha and Mianwali will witness isolated rainfall from tonight till June 1 Rain is also expected to drench cities across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa including Chitral Dir Swat Abbottabad Mansehra Haripur Kohistan Shangla Buner Malakand Waziristan Kohat Lakki Marwat Bannu Dera Ismail Khan Bajaur Mohmand Karak Khyber Peshawar Charsadda, Nowshera, Swabi, Mardan and Kurram
Federal Commerce Minister assures APTMA of facilitating textile industr y in expor t diversification
LAHORE S TA F F R E P O R T Federal Commerce Minister Jam Kamal Khan has assured APTMA of facilitating the textile industry in export diversification, saying that measures are being devised to promote export-oriented industries in the country He was speaking to the export-oriented textile industrialists during his visit to APTMA Lahore office on Tuesday The commerce minister highlighted the government s determination to bring institutional and structural reforms, resolve energy and tariff issues, enhance regional connectivity, and diversify exports to ensure sustainable growth and stabilise the economy Earlier Patron-in-Chief APTMA Dr Gohar Ejaz Chairman APTMA North Mr Kamran Arshad Senior Vice Chairman Mr Asad Shafi former Chairman of the Association Secretary General Mohammad Raza Baqir and many leading textile millers welcomed him on the occasion Federal Commerce Minister also appreciated the APTMA’s idea of modern industrial zones with plug and play facility saying that it would be helpful in attracting Chinese investment ahead Speaking on the occasion Patron-in-Chief APTMA Dr Gohar Ejaz stressed on bringing the interest rate and electricity tariff down to ensure level playing field for the industry
B eijing affirms suppor t for Islamabad in hunting down, punishing terrorists responsible for Dasu attack
China has once again reaffirmed its commitment to continue working with Pakistani authorities to strengthen security cooperation and ensure the safety and security of Chinese personnel
Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Mao Ning said that Beijing will continue supporting Islamabad in the investigation of the Dasu attack to hunt down and punish the perpetrators of the terrorist attack
We attach great importance to the important press conference made by Pakistan,” the spokespersons said while commenting on the press conference held by Pakistani officials in relation to the suicide attack that killed several Chinese nationals in March
Her remarks refer to a joint press conference held by Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi along with National Counter-Terrorism Authority (Necta) officials wherein the minister called on Afghanistan to hand over the militants involved in Dasu attack in which six people including five Chinese nationals were killed after a suicide bomber rammed into their vehicle in Bisham
In view of the investigation report the interior minister said that the TTP operated the Besham terror attack on Chinese citizens from inside Afghanistan [Pakistan has formally] requested the interim gov-
ernment in Afghanistan to arrest the leadership of [banned] TTP, he added
Over the past two years, Islamabad has repeatedly conveyed its serious concerns to Kabul over the presence of terror outfits, including the banned TTP, inside Afghanistan These terrorists pose a grave threat to Pakistan s security and have consistently used Afghan territory to launch terror attacks inside Pakistani territory
During the presser, Necta chief Tahir Rai revealed that the explosive-laden vehicle that had hit the bus carrying the Chinese national was Japan-assembled and reached Pakistan via Afghanistan
KP CM inaugurates Lot-1 of Pehur High
Level Canal Extension Projec t
PESHAWAR A P P
Chief Minister Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Sardar Ali Amin Khan Gandapur on Tuesday paid a visit to district Swabi where he inaugurated Lot-1 of the Pehur High Level Canal Extension Project, which has been completed at a cost of Rs 1000 million It worth mentioning here that the whole project would be completed in three different lots and four packages at a total estimated cost of Rs 15 6 billion benefitting its gross command area of 30 000 acres extendable to additional command area of 8 000 acres in future Addressing the inaugural ceremony of the project, the Chief Minister said that Pehur High Level Canal Extension Project would play an important role in the development and prosperity of the region He said that agriculture and irrigation sectors are among the top most priorities of his government; pragmatic steps would be taken under well devised and
LAHORE A P P
Provincial Health Ministers Khawaja Salman Rafique and Khawaja Imran Nazir met the JICA Pakistan delegation at PMU on Tuesday Health Secretary Punjab Ali Jan Khan Additional
Technical Secretary Dr Hafiz Shahid Latif and Children s Hospital Multan administration were also present on this occasion
integrated strategy to address the longstanding issue of food security on sustainable basis He added that innovative research techniques and modern farming would be promoted so as to increase per acre yield of agriculture commodities of the province He maintained that providing employment opportunities to the youth of this province is also a priority of incumbent provincial government; talented and skilled youth would be provided with soft loans in order to enable them to start their own business The provincial government has allocated sufficient funds for this purpose in the budget of new fiscal year he added We believe in the uniform development of the province; development activities would be carried out keeping in view the needs and requirements of the people in each district across the province , he remarked and urged the general public to keep vigilant eye on development activities being carried out in their areas, identify the malpractices and wrong doings the government will take strict action against the responsible ones
Provincial
03 NEWS Wednesday 29 May 2024 K AR ACHI ISLAMABAD S TA F F R E P O R T F E D E R A L minister for Planning Development and Special Initiatives Ahsan Iqbal said here on Tuesday that the incumbent government was hopeful to inject some fresh momentum into projects that fall under China’s Belt and Road Initiative, as it tries to boost the country’s troubled economy The government is looking forward to joint ventures for renewable energy projects agriculture collaboration and possibly enticing some Chinese companies to relocate to Pakistan, Ahsan Iqbal, who also co-heads the committee responsible for the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor said in an interview with Bloomberg “Yeah, I’m very hopeful because I was there in China recently and I had meetings with their senior leadership So I see great interest on the Chinese side to revive the momentum for CPEC and also to take it into the second phase he said Pakistan was seen as a flagship destination for BRI projects, with CPEC which includes a port in the southern town of Gwadar and new power plants the crown jewel The progress on new projects stalled in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic and amid Pakistan s on-going economic difficulties that have required the International Monetary Fund s intervention According to Bloomberg report, projects worth about $25 billion came online in the first phase, including power plants that ended the nation’s chronic power deficit A Pakistani committee approved a long-delayed railway upgrade project last week The project will be done in two phases so there is not a big burden on Pakistan, said Iqbal The railway, in its first phase will run from Karachi, the southern coast city to Multan a little over halfway to the capital Islamabad The government has also finished some key BRI projects that were pending for years: a water-supply project in Gwadar dredging work at the port and an electricity transmission line from Iran “So all these things really help China see that the new government is again serious and it restored their confidence that now Pakistan is you know serious about CPEC initiatives said Iqbal To mark the tenth anniversary of CPEC last year China s Vice Premier He Lifeng unveiled five new corridors including one focused on growth to boost economic activity in Pakistan One change in the second phase would likely involve Islamabad taking a step back while urging the private sector to forge partnerships with Chinese firms The other big focus albeit a long-shot prospect is to try and attract Chinese firms thinking of relocating from China amid rising labor costs and heightening geopolitical tensions “That would be a success because at the moment more than 80 million jobs are being relocated from China to other countries because of the high level cost in China said Iqbal They have gone to Vietnam and you know, Laos and Cambodia There is now overcrowding there So they are certainly looking for new places,” he added PA K I S TA N R E V I V I N G B E LT A N D R O A D I N
AT
E P R O J E
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Q B
L ISLAMABAD S TA F F R E P O R T Federal Minister for Interior Mohsin Naqvi on Tuesday during his visit to Capital Development Authority (CDA) headquarters announced five initiatives with the aim to facilitate and provide best and fastest services for the residents of Islamabad He announced to launch of Capital Emergency Services in Islamabad and establishment of Capital Waste Management Company in Islamabad besides, establishment of Capital Safe City Authority, establishment of CBD Islamabad and Capital WASA will be built for the convenience of the citizens of Islamabad Mohsin Naqvi assigned the task to Chairman CDA and Chief Commissioner Islamabad Muhammad Ali Randhawa to expedite the projects Inshallah soon Islamabad will be made a model city said Mohsin Naqvi During his visit to CDA headquarters, the minister met the staff of Ambulance 1122 and Fire Brigade and urged them to perform their duties diligently He directed to merge Ambulance Fire Brigade and Water Rescue Services under Capital Emergency Services He said that citizens will be able to avail emergency services by calling at Rescue 1122 in case of any emergency and a unified emergency control room will be established in CDA for live tracking of vehicles through GPS He directed to pay special attention on the staff training of staff while ordering for setting up new emergency services 1122 stations in the city He also directed to fill the sanctioned vacant positions in Capital Development Authority (CDA) on merit while the number of ambulances may also be increased in Islamabad he added C h a i r m a n C D A a n d C h i e f C o mm i s s i o n e r I s l a m a b a d M o h a m m a d A l i Randh aw a, D epu ty Co mmis s io n er I slamabad Irfan Memon and other emerg e n c y s e r v i c e s o ff i c i a l s w e r e a l s o present on the occasion
I T I
I V
C
S :
S A N I
A
BEIJING S TA F F R E
P O R T
four-storey complex
Children s Hospital
Minister Khawaja Imran Nazir said We would start building the complex at Children s Hospital Multan next year It would enhance the capacity and efficiency of Children’s Hospital Multan ” Punjab Health Secretary Ali Jan Khan said that an agreement will be reached with JICA Pakistan and another meeting is planned in this regard for next week Diagnostic radiology and other treatment facilities will be available for patients in the complex at Children s Hospital Multan Pu n j a b h e a l t h m i n i s t e r s m e e t J I C A Pa k i s t a n d e l e g a t i o n ISLAMABAD A G E N C I E S The United States recently encouraged its Group of Seven (G7) allies to revive discussions about China s overcapacity in a communique following a meeting of finance ministers and central bank governors This move came after Washington substantially raised import tariffs on a host of clean energy products from China According to XINHUA Washington s bid for a protectionism alliance blatantly disregards facts and economic principles, disregards open and win-win cooperation, jeopardizes global consumer welfare and undermines the global transition to clean energy sources Currently global demand for clean energy capacity far exceeds supply What threatens global efforts to tackle climate change is not too much but too little highquality clean energy capacity The U S attempt to suppress China’s clean energy industry essentially undermines the future of the earth and its inhabitants The advancement of China s clean energy sector is the result of open competition It stems from an adaptation to industrial transformation trends, and a steadfast commitment to green and low-carbon development The foundation for its growth lies in a well-established industrial and supply chain system robust industrial support capabilities abundant and high-quality human resources and other manufacturing assets Its sustained momentum derives from a market competition that fosters technological breakthroughs and innovative business models As Wichai Kinchong Choi, senior vice president of leading Thai bank Kasikornbank has noted Chinese enterprises’ commitment to R&D and innovation and their successful cost control have given their products a competitive advantage in the global market Given their desirable quality and affordable price, Chinese enterprises’ products are naturally loved by consumers all over the world ” Choi said The notion of China’s “overcapacity” in new energy is unfounded and will only hinder the global green transition and the development of emerging green industries Overwhelmed by anxiety over China s advancement in the renewable energy industry, Washington imposed massive tariffs and pressured allies to follow suit under the guise of combatting overcapacity U S protectionism masked as fair competition undermines the global multilateral trading system and serves solely U S obsession with hegemony Ironically, the United States itself exemplifies the “non-market policies” it blatantly criticizes Discriminatory policies represented by the “CHIPS and Science Act” and the Inflation Reduction Act provide subsidies to specific sectors while barring products from WTO members These actions distort fair competition, disrupt global supply chains, and violate WTO rules, including national and most-favored-nation treatment principles Such practices have undermined a fair trade environment and drawn criticism from the international community including U S allies Despite the United States hysterical push for a unified front against China s green industries, Europe isn’t buying it Washington’s bid for ‘protec tionism alliance’ harms itself Scorching heat aler t: Pakistan advises Hujjaj against heatstroke risks MAKKAH-AL-MUKARRAMAH A P P The Pakistan Hajj Mission (PHM) on Tuesday advised Pakistani pilgrims to take all possible precautionary measures against heatstroke, especially during the Hajj days, following a severe heat warning issued by the Saudi National Centre for Meteorology This year Hajj is expected to take place from June 14 to June 19 coinciding with the peak of sweltering summer temperatures in the region raising concerns about the well-being of millions of pilgrims gathering in Makkah from across the world We advise Pakistani pilgrims to avoid sun exposure, particularly during the five Hajj days in Mashair from 8-12 Zilhaj Drink plenty of water preferably ORS (Oral Rehydration Salts) use umbrellas and spend maximum time in air-cooled or air-conditioned tents and shaded areas/tracks the PHM Head/Director General (Hajj) Abdul Wahab Soomro told APP in an interview He emphasized that although the government of Pakistan has made timely and elaborate arrangements, including transport, accommodation, and catering in Mina Arafat and Muzdalfa there would be no homelike comfort in the tent villages It will be a hard time amid millions of people and hot weather conditions so be prepared for it he cautioned Answering a question, the PHM head said around 2 5 million faithful from across the world, including 179,210 from Pakistan, would perform the religious obligation of Hajj this year He noted that the Mission
its supporting staff
doctors nurses
paramedics
well
local
Pakistan-based
performing duties
shifts
facilities
guests
the best possible
package in the region, including residence round-the-clock transport from hotel buildings to Haram Sharif and three meals a day as well as online monitoring of the overall Hajj operation were being ensured efficiently Replying to a question, Soomro said around 40,000 intending Pakistani Hajj pilgrims have so far arrived in Madinah and Makkah through 164 flights under the government scheme Meanwhile the number of arrived pilgrims under the private scheme stood at 5 500 he added He mentioned that the pre-Hajj Ziarat of Pakistani pilgrims in Madinah was near completion and expressed hope that all the intending pilgrims who arrived in the city of the Prophet (PBUH) in the first leg of their spiritual journey would be transported to Makkah by June 1-2 He said the PHM was in close contact with all the intending pilgrims through the Pak Hajj App two toll-free helplines and four WhatsApp numbers to address their concerns round the clock He reported that the supporting staff deployed at different entrance points of Haram-e-Makki had so far provided guidance to around 12,000 intending Hajj pilgrims During the last 20 days, he said, the Lost and Found Cell traced 106 dislocated intending pilgrims and took them to their hotel residences besides locating and handing over more than 600 small and large luggage bags and 147 wheelchairs to their owners The Pakistan Hajj Mission is dedicated to ensuring the safety and comfort of Pakistani pilgrims during this year ’s Hajj, despite the challenging weather conditions Through meticulous planning, continuous support, and real-time communication, the Mission aims to provide a seamless and spiritually fulfilling experience for all pilgrims
ISLAMABAD S TA F F R E P O R T National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) on Tuesday issued a rain forecast from today (May 28) to June as the country continues to grapple with severe heatwave According to NDMA spokesperson rain with wind and thunder is expected in the upper regions while landslides may affect roads and traffic systems in upland areas There is a risk of flooding in local rivers and canals due to rain in the upper areas,” the spokesperson said adding that local departments remain alert for dealing with expected floods and landslides The district administration the spokesperson added has been directed to shift people living in slums to safer places There is fear of damage to crops, electricity poles and other structures due to wind,”
said
Health Ministers Khawaja Salman Rafique and Khawaja Imran Nazir discussed matters with the JICA Pakistan delegation about the four-storey complex at Children’s Hospital Multan The JICA Pakistan delegation appreciated the improvement plans of the Health Department Khawaja Salman Rafique said that they welcome the JICA Pakistan delegation and appreciate the offer of cooperation for the
at
Multan
and
including
and
as
as
and
mouavineen were
in
round-the-clock to extend maximum
to the
of Allah Almighty He highlighted that
facilities in the most cost-effective Hajj
he
According to NDMA, Punjab cities including Rawalpindi Murree Attock Chakwal Jhelum Mandi Bahauddin Gujrat Gujranwala
Does Mian Nawaz Sharif ’s return to the party presidency mean bigger changes afoot?
MI A N Nawaz Sharif was re-elected President at a meeting of the PML(N) General Council, returning to the office after his 2017 deposition, when he was also ousted as Prime Minister because the Supreme Court had found him not to meet the criteria of Assembly membership However time passed and his then rival Imran Khan had a turn as Prime Minister but now the Prime Minister is his brother and successor as party chief Mian Shehbaz Sharif He himself is back in the National Assembly, and he has been acquitted of all those charges which had led to his disqualification Once again eligible, he has returned to the helm of the party he established in 1993, just before the election that year Even though he was not the formal head of the party, his successor, Mian Shehbaz, had deferred to him on even routine matters, such as distribution of tickets and allocation of Cabinet portfolios, and while the resumption of the presidency may be of some symbolic value as a rectification of old wrongs it does not enhance Mian Nawaz’s control of the party
If anything it might be taken as a strengthening of the pro-Maryam Nawaz group within the party not that it really needed any strengthening with Mian Nawaz clearly in her corner However, what this does mean is that while Mian Shahebaz heads the government, and a party government supported from the outside, he is no longer head of his party It might explain the PMLN) s anxiety to have the PPP come on board, in connection with which a PPP delegation met him recently
The PPP has got to consider the possibility that Mian Nawaz may wish to exert his weight within the party, and take the political office to which the party office entitles him Of course that means that his daughter Maryam may no longer continue as Punjab Chief Minister That will not resolve the PPP’s dilemma of whether to support a party which it expects to be its main opponent in the next general election It was perhaps an inevitability that Mian Nawaz would reclaim the party office, though whether he is content to remain as head of a party with the federal and the largest provincial government, remains to be seen It should not be forgotten that his departure as PM in 1999 and 2018 were both because he had offended powerful circles, and it is not yet known whether all has been forgotten and forgiven
Dedicated to the legac y of late Hameed Nizami Arif Nizami (Late) Founding Editor
M A Niazi Editor Pakistan Today Babar Nizami Editor Profit
H I L E the International Criminal Court (ICC) reportedly was established with the noble aim of ensuring justice and holding accountable the perpetrators of serious international crimes its actions and the responses they garner often reveal a troubling pattern of double standards hypocrisy and notoriously geopolitical bias Recent events involving arrest warrants against high-profile political figures, particularly in the Global South, highlights this divergence, particularly in how the USA and its allies selectively cheer or condemn the ICC’s decisions based on their own agendas When the ICC issued an arrest warrant for Russian President Vladimir Putin Western leaders including those from the USA and Europe were quick to celebrate this move as an accomplishment of international justice President Putin s endeavours to safeguard Russia s sovereignty made him a prime target of the West He is seen as a threat to the blueprint of Western nations in destabilizing Russia and its neighbours through numerous attempts However the reaction from the Western leaders was unambiguously different when the same ICC suggested an arrest warrant for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu by accusing him of committing a textbook genocide” and Palestinian militia Hamas This militia entity is known for its deeper ties with the Iranian regime as well as other anti-West groups including Lebanese Hezbollah Former US National Security Advisor Ambassador John Bolton fervidly condemned the ICC calling it fundamentally illegitimate for targeting Israeli officials during wartime US President Joe Biden also labelled the ICC’s attempt to arrest Netanyahu as “outrageous” and a group of Republican senators warned the ICC against pursuing such actions
This blunt divergence in reactions reveals a clear double standard While the West applauds the ICC s actions against adversaries like Vladimir Putin, it fiercely opposes any attempts to hold its allies, such as Israel, accountable This selective application of justice undermines the credibility of the ICC and exposes the geopolitical motivations driving these responses
The hypocrisy of the USA is further highlighted by its historical posture towards the ICC When the
N a v i g a t i n g t h e e n e r g y c r i s i s a m i d g l o b a l w a r m i n g
ICC attempted to investigate alleged war crimes by US personnel in Afghanistan, the Trump Administration responded with threats of sanctions against ICC officials, including prosecutor Fatou Bensouda Secretary of State Mike Pompeo announced visa restrictions and economic sanctions to deter the ICC from pursuing these investigations
This aggressive stance contrasts sharply with the USA s support for the ICC s actions against leaders of countries it considers contenders or foes It clearly reveals that the US supports the ICC only when it serves its interests and undermines it when it does not thus engaging in a form of dirty politics that manipulates international justice for political gain
The USA s selective application of sanctions is further evident in its handling of allegations against Israel Despite evidence suggesting that Israel has been involved in selling spyware to various countries, the USA has not imposed any significant sanctions on Israeli companies dealing in such items
The lack of sanctions against Israel for its spyware sales underscores the preferential treatment it receives due to its strategic alliance with the USA This selective enforcement of international norms further erodes the credibility of US foreign policy and its supposed commitment to human rights and justice Historically the USA has positioned itself as a global promoter for human rights often justifying military and political actions worldwide under this banner This principle of human rights over sovereignty has been a powerful tool in US diplomacy, enabling interventions deemed necessary by Washington However, recent domestic actions, particularly the suppression of student protests, challenge this narrative These students critiquing US policies regarding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and calling for divestment from Israel reflect a broader discontent with perceived hypocrisy in US foreign policy
The Biden Administration s response to these concerns could significantly impact its domestic and international standing Aligning US actions with its professed values would reinforce its commitment to human rights and democracy but
Root cause
clean energy solutions and help Pakistan meet its climate commitments under the Paris Agreement Moreover, addressing the energy sector crisis requires a comprehensive approach that tackles systemic issues such as governance, transparency, and accountability Reforms aimed at improving efficiency reducing wastage and promoting renewable energy investments are imperative to break the cycle of circular debt and ensure a sustainable energy future for Pakistan The consequences of carbon emissions, rapid melting of Himalayan glaciers, and global warming pose severe threats to Pakistan with far-reaching implications for its environment economy and society First and foremost the rapid melting of Himalayan glaciers poses a direct existential threat to Pakistan These glaciers serve as a crucial source of freshwater for millions of people, providing irrigation for agriculture, drinking water, and hydroelectric power generation However, as temperatures rise and glaciers retreat at an alarming rate Pakistan faces the spectre of water scarcity and heightened risk of floods and glacial lake outburst floods (GLOFs) The loss of glacier-fed rivers could disrupt agricultural productivity, exacerbate food insecurity, and fuel social unrest in already vulnerable regions
Furthermore the impacts of global warming are exacerbating existing environmental challenges in Pakistan Erratic weather patterns including more frequent and intense heat waves droughts, and floods, are becoming increasingly common, disrupting ecosystems, threatening biodiversity, and compromising food and water security Coastal areas are particularly vulnerable to rising sea levels posing risks to infrastructure settlements and livelihoods
Economically the consequences of climate change are profound Agriculture a cornerstone of Pakistan s economy, is highly susceptible to climate variability and extreme weather events
Reduced crop yields, livestock losses, and water scarcity could undermine rural livelihoods exacerbate poverty and deepen inequality More-
over the energy sector already under strain from the crisis of circular debt and inefficiency faces heightened vulnerability to climate-related disruptions, further hampering economic growth and development
In addition to environmental and economic impacts climate change poses significant challenges to Pakistan s social fabric and human security Displacement due to extreme weather events, water scarcity, and resource conflicts could exacerbate social tensions, internal displacement, and migration Vulnerable populations, including women, children, and marginalized communities are disproportionately affected facing heightened risks of food insecurity malnutrition and health problems
Moreover the interplay between climate change and security dynamics adds another layer of complexity to Pakistan s challenges Competition over dwindling water resources, environmental degradation and climate-induced migration could exacerbate regional tensions fuel conflicts and undermine stability Addressing climate change therefore is not only a matter of environmental stewardship but also a crucial component of national and regional security Pakistan faces a critical juncture where its decisions on carbon emissions, energy crisis, and climate change will shape its future profoundly Urgent action is needed to address these challenges with a focus on investing in renewable energy improving governance in the energy sector and enhancing resilience to climate impacts The stakes are high, but by seizing opportunities for sustainable development and international collaboration Pakistan can pave the way for a brighter greener future for its people and the planet
The wirter is a freelance columnist
Pakistan faces a critical juncture where its decisions on
energy
and
future profoundly. Urgent action is
change will shape
to
these challenges, with a focus on investing in renewable energy, improving governance in the energy sector, and enhancing resilience to climate impacts.
Rural areas
04 Wednesday 29 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 R e t u r n o f t h e K i n g
T H E decision to declare an education emergency in the country deserves to be appreciated While it would be a good step to bring out-of-school children to schools those at the helm of affairs would do well to find out root cause of the issue as well Trying to improve a system without understanding the causes afflicting it will only make the effort futile As I see it, hyperinflation is one of the main reasons that is forcing families to keep their children away from what happens to be their basic right MUMRAIZ KHAN KARACHI
A S observed many non-governmental organisations (NGOs) operational in the country have been generally functional in urban centres Indeed working for human welfare anywhere in any place is a commendable job but rural areas compared to their urban counterparts are far less developed and remain devoid of basic facilities The NGOs should expand their outreach to rural areas as well DR H MUSTAFA KHAN MUSAKHAIL
T H E capacity of Islamabad’s recently announced prison for 2 000 inmates may not be enough On completion the prison would certainly be catering to the needs of all the law- enforcement agencies and courts Hence the capacity of the said prison should be based on the projected requirements of at least 50 years ahead, if not more M SHARAFAT ALI ZIA ISLAMABAD Accountabilit y G O V E R N M E N T S over the years have been found to be lacking the will to move against the high and mighty active in the housing sector Tax evasion land-grabbing and occupying green agricultural land to develop urban expanses for monetary gains are among the outrageous offences that warrant questioning, but accountability has remained confined to official files Will the authorities let injustice prevail? SHONAIL ISLAMABAD
government schools T H E R E is no harm in running private schools and universities alongside government-run educational institutes Those who can afford it can send their children to these private institutions The classification of elite and common people exists in the UK as well, though unsaid Most members of the House of Lords and Commons come from private schools The role of the private sector in any domain is crucial for economic prosperity In Pakistan a significant number of school-going children are deprived of education because their parents cannot afford to send them to school There should be a focus on raising the standard of education in government schools across the country from infrastructure to curriculum development to teacher training People should be encouraged to send their children to government schools with confidence, not with a sense of inferiority SHAHZAD LODHI RAWALPINDI 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
N the global discourse on climate change, Pakistan often finds itself at the crossroads Situated in a region already grappling with environmental challenges, the nation’s role in carbon emissions cannot be overlooked With a burgeoning population and an energy sector in crisis Pakistan stands at a critical juncture where its decisions will significantly impact not only its own future but also the global fight against climate change Pakistan’s carbon emissions may be minimal, but its environmental struggles loom large The country’s connection to the Himalayan glaciers underscores this dilemma as they steadily dwindle from warming temperatures Climate change is not a distant threat; it s here, reshaping our world The energy sector in Pakistan is beset with challenges, ranging from outdated infrastructure to inefficient governance Power shortages are a common occurrence leading to widespread discontent among citizens and hindering economic growth The crisis is further compounded by the burden of circular debt which has plagued the sector for years, impeding investment in renewable energy alternatives As a result, Pakistan finds itself caught in a vicious cycle where the pursuit of short-term energy solutions perpetuates long-term environmental harm The connection between Pakistan s energy sector crisis and global warming is unmistakable By perpetuating reliance on fossil fuels, Pakistan not only exacerbates its own environmental challenges but also contributes to the broader issue of climate change The impacts of global warming are already being felt across the country from more frequent and severe heat waves to erratic monsoon patterns posing existential threats to vulnerable communities However, amidst these challenges lies an opportunity for Pakistan to chart a more sustainable path forward The country possesses immense potential for renewable energy development particularly in solar and wind power With abundant sunlight and wind resources investing in renewable energy infrastructure could not only reduce Pakistan s carbon emissions but also create new avenues for economic growth and job creation Furthermore, international cooperation and
are crucial in this endeavour Pakistan alone cannot address the complex challenges of climate change and energy transition Collaboration with global partners including technology transfer and financial assistance can accelerate the adoption of
Prison’s capacit y
Elevate
I
support
Pakistan’s carbon dilemma
TAnzeel KHAnzAdA
W
current suppression risks alienating young Americans and discrediting the USA s global human rights agenda This dilemma underscores a broader crisis in human rights diplomacy , where selective defence of rights compromises their universality and integrity The challenge remains to genuinely commit to human rights principles both domestically and internationally, transcending double standards In light of these double standards, it is imperative for countries like Russia or China to call out and challenge the hypocrisy of the USA and its allies The Russian Foreign Ministry has criticized the ICC’s actions as politically motivated and inconsistent with international law It has pointed out that the ICC s warrants, especially against non-signatories of the Rome Statute like Russia, violate international legal principles and state sovereignty By highlighting these inconsistencies, Russia can mobilize international opinion against the selective justice practised by the West It can build alliances with other nations that have been similarly targeted or unfairly treated by the ICC and the geopolitical machinations of the USA and its allies The ICC s actions and the West s responses reveal a disquieting pattern of selective justice and political manipulation The institution initially established to uphold international law and human rights has become a tool for powerful nations to further their geopolitical agendas The celebration of Russian President Vladmir Putin s arrest warrant issued by ICC juxtaposed with the condemnation of attempts to hold Netanyahu accountable, illustrates this double standard vividly For the ICC to regain its legitimacy, it must strive to apply justice uniformly and resist being swayed by powerful nations political interests Likewise nations like Russia must continue to expose and challenge these double standards advocating for a truly impartial and just international legal system Only through consistent and fair application of international law can the ICC hope to fulfil its foundational mission and restore its credibility on the global stage The writer can be reached at: writetomahossain@gmail com A t a l e o f t w o a r r e s t w a r r a n t s W h at ’s g o o d f o r Pu t i n i s s e e m i n g l y n o t g o o d f o r N e t a nya h u M A H o s s A i n
F o r t h e I C C t o r e g a i n i t s l e g i t i m a cy, i t mu s t s t r i v e t o a p p ly j u s t i c e u n i fo r m ly a n d r e s i s t b e i n g sw aye d by p ow e r f u l n a t i o n s Ê p o l i t i c a l i n t e r e s t s L i k ew i s e , n a t i o n s l i k e R u s s i a mu s t c o n t i nu e t o ex p o s e a n d ch a l l e n g e t h e s e d o u bl e s t a n d a rd s , a dvo c a t i n g fo r a t r u ly i m p a r t i a l a n d j u s t i n t e r n a t i o n a l l e g a l s y s t e m
carbon emissions,
crisis,
climate
its
needed
address
Pakistan’s Armed Forces’ Contribution to UN peacekeeping
ON this day in 1945, the United Nations (UN) came into force when the five permanent members of the Security Council ratified its charter This followed a declaration by the UN General Assembly in 1947 which designated May 29 as United Nations Day by proclaiming that the day would be instrumental in making people aware of the aims and achievements of the UN and to gain their support for its work Since its creation Pakistan has played a significant role as a UN member in bringing peace through active diplomatic moral and material support in various regions of the world Therefore, this day reminds one of Pakistan s armed forces contribution in UN peacekeeping measures, during war and peacetime Pakistan’s armed forces are considered the best organized institutions and are highly respected in the country as since the founding of Pakistan its military has played a key role in holding the state together, promoting a feeling of nationhood and providing a bastion of selfless service Today Pakistan’s position as one of the largest troop-contributing countries in the world with one of the highest peacekeepers casualty figures is testimony to its commitment and endeavours towards promoting the noble cause of global peace It is not easy to achieve peace in the world’s conflict-ridden areas However, the Pakistan Army’s history is replete with sacrifices services to humanity and promoting collective security for human prosperity In this regard Pakistan is a big player in UN peacekeeping forces Pakistan joined the United Nations on 30 September 1947 Since 1960, it has been actively in-
volved in most of the UN peacekeeping missions The ajor contributions of the Pakistan Army have been in Congo Liberia, Somalia, Ivory Coast, Western Sahara, Sierra Leone, Bosnia, Kosovo, Georgia, East Timor Haiti among others Even at present more than 8200 troops of the Pakistan Army are engaged in different peacekeeping missions across various volatile countries T
by several world leaders
in Namibia Notably, the Pakistan Army played a positive role in the Middle East, and was on the forefront for peace restoration The United Nations Iraq-Kuwait Observer Mission (UNIKOM) was set up in April 1991 following the forced withdrawal of Iraqi forces from Kuwait Its task was to monitor the demilitarised zone along the IraqKuwait border and deter border violations Pakistani forces which helped continued their services there from April 1991 to 2003 were assigned the most difficult area in the north of Kuwait city reclamation of Bubiyan Island was also entrusted to them The operation was carried out by a task force of Pakistan Army Engineers The professionalism and dedication displayed by this force was praised at international level While part of the the United Nations Transitional Authority on Cambodia (UNTAC) Pakistan s military forces carried out peacekeeping operations in the most thorny and remote areas from May 1992 to August 1993 They overcame enormous lo-
gistical and operational problems, and proved their courage and determination by defending themselves and those for whom they were sent Coping with the odds they handled crisis after crisis and persuaded the warring factions to lay down their arms And on the request of the UN in Latin America under the United Nations Mission in Haiti (UNMIH), Pakistan provided one infantry battalion, which arrived in Haiti in March 1995 and was deployed in Cape Hai-
After 25 percent depreciation over two years, the new step of taka depreciation by 6 3 percent has led to an increase in the
IMF
The
have
haven t significantly im-
of
of
defaulted loans reaching nearly Tk 63 000 crore in total at the end of last year The crucial issue is that there hasn t been any attempt to bring the top loan defaulters to book Thus the IMF has not been able to address the root cause of systemic economic issues
All efforts to reduce inflation resulted in further increase in prices Measures like increasing interest rates restricting capital flight and NPL and halting capital flow mechanisms have NOT been taken on time to combat inflation Zero incentive policy (the only motto of revenue increase) has triggered new poverty, energy poverty and urban poverty In particular
faulty power plants inefficient power plants renewal of inefficient ageing power plants high system loss and other systemic flaws Analysis of unit-wise production in 2023 shows that despite 23-25 percent unit mechanical failures in electricity production, revenue is obtained through capacity charges and overbilling The Bangladesh Power Development Board (PDB) is procuring electricity production capacity from plants that are sitting idle through billion-dollar electricity purchases All of these are absent in the IMF s policy proposals The pressure to reduce administrative expenses (austerity) is not visible IMF’s policy on waivers is contentious Despite failing to meet the three main conditions (dollar rate net reserve limit and percentage of NPLs) during the second instalment, Bangladesh received a waiver, which was delayed in other countries for the same reason Despite the dollar crisis, the country has maintained regular debt servicing (payment of interest and principal on foreign loans) which may be why the IMF has brought flexibility into its policy here adjusting its lending business to the government s terms The June 2024 target for forex reserves has been brought down to $14 76 billion from $20 10 billion Not only that, but the IMF has also reduced the government’s revenue target The question is has the IMF not conducted sufficient research and preparation? Or does the Bangladesh mission lack enough expertise and the knowledge of local data manipulation?
One of Bangladesh s major problems is misinformation, and the IMF remains indifferent to that According to IMF studies, the actual amount of defaulted loans is twice the government s figure There are discrepancies not only in population data but also in per capita income data There s uncertainty whether the new exchange rate will adjust the dollar value of the GDP In the past year, despite a nearly 25 percent decrease in the value of the taka there has been no trustable adjustment in the dollar rate for GDP Despite inflating GDP at 9 5 percent inflation rate a nearly 30 percent decrease has happened in the value of money over the last 1 5 years There should be a drop in GDP and per capita in terms of dollars, and a sharp rise in debt-to-GDP ratio Based on its own information, the Bangladesh Institute of Development Studies (BIDS) found a 15 percent food inflation in a recent survey But the Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics (BBS) reported a 10 22 percent food
policies will remain under question too Faiz Ahmad Taiyeb writes on sustainable development and is a public policy critic He has several books to his credit including Fourth Industrial Revolution and Bangladesh Bangladesh: Development Trajectory And Democracy Deficit and 50 Years of Bangladesh Economy W h y a r e I M F p o l i c i e s f a i l i n g t o s t a b i l i s e o u r e c o n o m y ?
CONTENT deals between artificial intelligence companies and top publishers are coming fast and furious The latest, claimed to be the biggest, was announced on Wednesday: OpenAI reached an agreement with Rupert Murdoch’s News Corp reported to be worth some $250 million over five years The pact acknowledges that there is a premium for premium journalism, News Corp CEO Robert Thomson said No terms were officially disclosed, but assuming the Wall Street Journal is not misreporting on its owner the $250 million figure includes compensation in the form of cash and credits for use of OpenAI technology This is the latest in a flurry of partnerships announced in recent weeks The Financial Times struck its own deal with OpenAI last month, followed by Dotdash Meredith owner of titles such as People magazine and Investopedia whose agreement also included some collaboration on advertising tools Other OpenAI deals have been with the Associated Press, Axel Springer and Le Monde After the unseemly hullabaloo surrounding the ChatGPT voice that actress Scarlett Johansson contended sounded a little too much like hers the News Corp tie-up helps OpenAI CEO Sam Altman appear to care about human endeavor and, in this case, the hard, expensive job of reporting the news “We are setting the foundation for a future where AI deeply respects enhances and upholds the standards of world-class journalism he said Yet it is the comments of people like Le Monde Chairman Louis Dreyfus that stand out most to me As one of the recent beneficiaries of Altman s selective admiration of the journalism business, you would think Dreyfus would offer a similarly gushing tone as his News Corp counterparts But speaking to the Journal he said Without an agreement they will use our content in a more or less rigorous and more or less clandestine manner without any benefit for us ” Dreyfus is right Indeed, it is highly likely that OpenAI long ago ingested the content it is now paying to get access to as part of its rampant scraping of information in the public domain In that sense these deals should be thought of as settlements, the terms of which no doubt included the stipulation that publishers would not take
Wednesday 29 May 2024 COMMENT 05
e p e r f o r m a n c e o f P a k i s t a n i p e a c ek e e p e r s h a s b e e n r e c o g n i z e d w o r l d w i d e
including those o f t h e U N A n u n d e n i a b l e p r o f e s s i o n a l s t a n d i n g o f P a k i s t a n i f o r c e s h a s m a d e t h e m t h e p a s s i o n o f e v e r y s p e c i a l r e p r e -
Secretary General
UN
this respect,
s ded-
towards the UN has been acknowle d g e d b y U N S e c r e t a r y G e n e r a l B a n K i M o o n w h o h i m s e l f v i s i t e d P a k i s t a n a n d i n a u g u r a t e d t h e C e n t r e f o r I n t e r n a t i o n a l Peace and Stability (CIPS) on 13 August 2013 and praised Pakistan s efforts in UN peacekeeping missions However, Pakistan has participated in 41 UN missions in 23 states where a total 1 4 2 , 5 4 2 P a k i s t a n i p e r s o n n e l w e r e e ngaged starting from the UN Congo Opera t i o n i n 1 9 6 0 T h e P a k i s t a n A r m y d e l i v e r e d i t s s e r v i c e s t h e r e a n d c o ntributed in ordnance transport and staff It remained in Congo, and provided a battalion group comprising one infantry battalion and supporting elements F o r m a i n t a i n i n g a n d m o n i t o r i n g t h e c e a s e f i r e d u r i n g t h e t r a n s i t i o n o f We s t I r ian f r o m D u tch r u le to I n d o n es ia P aki s t a n c o n t r i b u t e d 1 5 0 0 i n f a n t r y t r o o p s from 3 October 1962 to 30 April 1963 In a rare acknowledgement of their excellent r o l e , C h i n e s e P r e m i e r C h o u - E n - L a i h a d s a i d , “ T h e o n l y e x a m p l e i n U n i t e d N ation’s history when United Nations force h a d g o n e p e r f o r m e d i t s r o l e h o n e s t l y and came out was Pakistan s military contingent to Indonesia Besides, Pakistan s contribution was in the United Nations Yemen Observer Miss i o n ( U N Y O M ) a s a m i l i t a r y o b s e r v e r from January to September 1964 Yemen entered a state of civil war in 1962 To ensure that this conflict did not escalate into a global incident the UN set up its Yemen Observation Mission And United Nations Tr a n s i t i o n A s s i s t a n c e G r o u p i n N a m i b i a ( U N TA G ) w a s e s t a b l i s h e d t o a s s i s t t h e special representative of the UN Secretary
out a
duties F o r t h i s p u r p o s e 2 0 m i l i t a r y o b s e r v e r s f r o m t h e P a k i s t a n A r m y p e r f o r m e d t h e i r
1990
h
sentative of
and Force Commander in each of
peacekeeping operations In
Pakistan
ication
General to ensure the early independence of Namibia through free and fair elections and to carry
number of other
duties from 1 April 1989 to 21 March
the area faced an extremely volatile
situation
was also the hotbed
extensive patrolling
various
facing a tough situation in the wake of the war on terror they are contributing to global peace and prosperity; having still a large presence in various parts of the world Now, the major powers must abandon their false propaganda against Pakistan and its Armed Forces as the latter did more in response to international demands for world peace While, in pursuance of Pakistan Army s unwavering commitment towards international peace, six Pakistani soldiers have sacrificed their lives In this connection, Five of the six Tahir Ikram, Tahir Mehmood Mohammed Naeem Adil Jan and Mohammed Shafiq were from Pakistan s armed forces while the sixth Ibrar Syed was a civilian In this regard at the UN Headquarters, Secretary-General António Guterres presided over a ceremony at which the Dag Hammarskjöld Medals of Courage were awarded posthumously to 117 military police and civilian peacekeepers including six Pakistanis In this respect Pakistan s UN Ambassador Munir Akram stated: We are committed to helping the vulnerable communities affected by conflict and will continue to adapt to the changing environment and needs of the peacekeeping operations” Nonetheless Pakistan s Armed Forces positive contribution in the UN peacekeeping measures reflects Islamabad s desire to see the principles of human dignity, freedom and self-determination The writer focuses on international affairs and is the author of the book “US vs Islamic Militants Invisible Balance of Power: Dangerous Shift in International Relations He can be reached at sajjad logic@yahoo com
tien
security
and
of political agitation It discharged its duties with an
programme, covering
regions there Nevertheless, Pakistan’s army has worked in difficult terrains and situations for global peace Now inside the country although Pakistan s armed forces are
Sajjad ShaukaT
PakistanÊs Armed ForcesÊ positive contribution in the UN peacekeeping measures reflects IslamabadÊs desire to see the principles of human dignity, freedom and self-determination To d ay i s t h e I n t e r n at i o n a l D ay o f U N Pe a c e ke e p e r s D U R I N G its latest partnership with the International Monetary Fund (IMF), Bangladesh has been experiencing high inflation for the past 22 months its economic crisis worsening gradually Financial account deficits have surpassed $9 26 billion With outstanding payments across various sectors like electricity, aviation, fuel imports, and various digital sectors, the net reserves have plummeted to just $13 8 billion a situation reminiscent of nine years ago The continuous dollar crunch and dollar payment crisis have persisted for the past 22 months further strangling the country s business and employment sectors due to LC s substandard control Meanwhile, the government is also suffering from a local currency crisis Being unable to make due payments in taka it decided to issue special bonds worth nearly Tk 26 000 crore Nearly half of the new foreign loans are being used to pay the interest and principal on unscrupulous loans taken in the past The country has witnessed the highest depreciation in the value of taka during this time So the question arises: Why does macroeconomic instability continue to plague Bangladesh even after partnering with the IMF? In my opinion, there are five major reasons: mismanagement of policies; overlooking large-scale statistical discrepancies; failure to propose research-based policies; the nexus between corrupt governance and institutional incompetence; and ultimately the mindset of giving concessions to reform policies
Sri Lanka stabilising its economy within six to nine months of entering a deal with the IMF, Bangladesh hasn t, raising questions about the effectiveness of IMF engagement here While the first instalment of the
granted
soar
banking liquidity crises, money laundering, weak bank
unresolved bad loan issues
persistent
a few months The exchange rate against the dollar hasn t been realistically adjusted and the real effective exchange rate (REER) hasn t been followed in due course
Despite
lending package was
a year ago inflation has continued to
with
mergers, and
(NPLs) still
However, government expenditure hasn’t been reduced, rather development budgets (ADPs)
been slashed
negotiations
pacted critical aspects
poor governance
implementation
the crawling peg method (which should have been done at least a year ago) to control the dollar rate was mistimed Policy rates have been further increased when lending interest rates doubled within
total foreign debt position to nearly Tk 70 crore
$6 billion) With the dollar rate rising
Tk 7
government s main burden
electricity
fuel
new wave of inflation The savings interest rates on deposits have not been adjusted at the right time Banks have created a messy window for swapping loans at low rates causing capital flight and deteriorating private sector investments The Bangladesh Bank failed to put a brake on the rise of politically motivated nonperforming loans (NPLs) nor could it restore depositors’ trust The IMF has not really been critical about the mechanism of hiding billions of dollars worth of NPLs Despite IMF engagement, there has been no pressure on banks suffering with NPLs Four state-owned banks alone have seen a 27 percent increase in
(about
by
the
of
capacity charges, fertiliser, and
imports, especially electricity production expenses, will increase As a result, the country will directly experience a
continuous hikes of primary energy and electricity prices import duty and VAT etc exacerbated poverty among the poor and middle class Rising fertiliser and diesel prices caused very high food prices and fuelled hunger and malnutrition everywhere International markets have seen a stable or declining price for primary energy over the past six months yet due to IMF pressure prices of energy and electricity have not decreased in the country rather the opposite happened Concerns persist that policy inconsistency and conflicts will not get in the way of ensuring macroeconomic stability in Bangladesh Triggering all accelerators of inflation at the same time must be avoided; logical sequencing and order management are needed Mistimed currency devaluation under the crawling peg method will not curb inflation Over the past two years, the effect of new money injection has fuelled new inflation i e the flow effect of printing reserves is still ongoing Inflation will continue due to import LC blockade Although private banks had a higher closing dollar rate of Tk 117 compared to the state-run banks Tk 110 costly imports will exacerbate inflation The plan to increase electricity prices four times a year over three years will raise inflation All logical expectations for inflationary growth will also increase prices in the market The IMF s policy to reduce incentives centred around electricity accounts is flawed; the policies are not research-based In reality Bangladesh loses billions of dollars from manipulated power sector capacity charges Political malpractice in the power sector includes corruption in large circles, false hardware capability capacity charges
inflation in April 2024 The deviation between the two surveys is 46 77 percent This level of misinformation and/or information discrepancy has crossed all limits Controlling inflation is crucial as a means to restore macroeconomic stability in the country If the inflation data remains misleading the effectiveness
the proposed IMF reform
of
OpenAI to court as the New York Times has already done (OpenAI did not respond to a request for comment ) Face it there is no opting out of AI As admirable as the Times lawsuit is, it has been five months since it was filed and even a preliminary hearing is months away in a case most think will go all the way to the Supreme Court In the interim, publishers can either take a deal or not knowing that the machine has likely guzzled up their content regardless Sure OpenAI says it is creating a tool to help publishers self-report what they want to be excluded from its training models but it will not be ready until 2025 at the earliest And Altman s is, of course, just one company of several making large language models I find these deals rotten They lack both transparency and adequate ethical scrutiny No one who values the fourth estate should accept the prospect of AI companies which should be the subject of journalistic scrutiny, holding what could one day if other business models continue to crumble be extreme control over a publication’s financial health If you want a preview of what such subservience might look like consider the fears over Google s recent search engine changes or Meta Plaforms decision to no longer care about amplifying news content Perhaps the biggest long-term problem is this: It cannot be left to people like Altman or indeed any other individual or company to decide which publications are deemed worthy of preferential treatment in his AI future and which are not His company does not possess the expertise nor the right What about the small local newspapers or websites (what few are left) doing the less glamorous job of following council meetings or school boards? Or the trade magazines doing the wonkier reporting on industries like energy or engineering? Do we want AI models to be devoid of the richness of independent publications? I do not see Altman turning up at their door with cash though these publications are also likely already in the training data If artificial intelligence is genuinely to be a knowledge hub these sources require sustaining too not just the publishing giants that OpenAI worries might sue A more equitable system must be created backed by law “Bespoke secretive deals with the largest or most influential news outlets are not a replacement for public policy writes Courtney Radsch director of the Center for Journalism and Liberty at the Open Markets Institute Author and journalism professor Jeff Jarvis has suggested one approach: Creating a centralized platform controlled by a publishing coalition This could aggregate content from any opted-in publisher and make it instantly and dynamically available to AI companies for a fee, based on use or some other agreed-upon metric The 178-year-old Associated Press might provide some inspiration here The nonprofit wire service was first set up and paid for by newspapers to solve the tech challenges of its day namely getting news from the Mexican-American War more quickly to readers up north Today s problems are vastly more complex, but the solution can start with a principle that was as true today as it was in 1846: Those who create the content should control it Dave Lee is Bloomberg Opinion s U S technology columnist O p e n A I i s m a k i n g j o u r n a l i s m a n o f f e r i t c a n ’ t r e f u s e BLOOMBER G daV e L e e DAILY STAR Fa i z a h m a d Ta y e b
C hina, Equatorial Guinea vow closer exchanges, cooperation for more dynamic ties
Chinese President Xi Jinping and Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo, president of the Republic of Equatorial Guinea, on Tuesday announced the elevation of bilateral ties to a comprehensive strategic partnership of cooperation during a meeting here in Beijing
Hailing the friendship between the two countries, Xi said China is ready to take the opportunity of elevating bilateral ties to further deepen friendly exchanges with Equatorial Guinea and exchange experience in reform development and poverty alleviation to inject lasting impetus into the two countries traditional friendship Upholding mutual respect and support, the two countries have actively aligned their development strategies and
enhanced bilateral relations in the
fessionals to provide medical care
Equatorial Guinea treating more
one million patients Aided by Chinese enterprises the Djibloho Hydropower Plant is the largest of its kind in Equatorial Guinea and can satisfy about 90 percent of the electricity needs of the country’s continental part since 2011 It is known as Equatorial Guinea’s “Three Gorges Project ” Meanwhile Equatorial Guinea has
During his visit to China in April 2015 Obiang announced the donation of the C
have graduated from the school in the past nine years China and Equatorial Guinea are good friends and partners who treat each other
Canada pledges more visas for Gazans, says it ’s ‘horrified’ by Israeli attack in Rafah
it was investigating
Nearly 36,000 Palestinians have been killed in Israel’s offensive in Gaza according to the local health ministry and an estimated 1 7 million people more than 75% of Gaza s population, have been displaced, according to the U N Palestinian refugee agency UNRWA
W d d y 29 M y 2024 | K AR ACHI 06 NEWS CAIR O A G E N C I E S I S R A E L I tanks entered the centre of Rafah for the first time on Tuesday marking three weeks into a ground operation in the southern Gaza city that has drawn global condemnation The tanks were spotted near Al-Awda mosque, a central Rafah landmark, the witnesses told Reuters The Israeli military has continued to operate in the Rafah area without commenting on reported advancements in the city centre Overnight its forces pounded the city with airstrikes and tank fire pressing its offensive despite an international outcry over an attack on Sunday that sparked a blaze in a tent camp killing at least 45 Palestinians more than half of them children women and the elderly Since that strike at least 26 more people have been killed by Israeli fire in Rafah Israeli tanks pushed towards western neighbourhoods and took positions on the Zurub hilltop in western Rafah in one of the worst nights of bombardment reported by residents On Tuesday witnesses reported gunbattle between Israeli troops and Hamas-led freedom fighters in the Zurub area Israeli military appeared to have brought in remote-operated armoured vehicles and there was no immediate sign of personnel in or around them Since Israel launched its incursion by taking control of the border crossing with Egypt three weeks ago tanks had probed around the edges of Rafah and entered some of its eastern districts but had not yet entered the city in full force Reacting to Sunday night’s attack in a camp where families displaced from assaults elsewhere in Gaza had sought shelter global leaders urged the implementation of a World Court order to halt Israel s assault Judges at the top United Nations court ordered Israel last Friday to immediately halt its military assault on the southern Gaza city of Rafah in a landmark emergency ruling in South Africa s case accusing Israel of genocide Israel has kept up attacks despite the ruling by the UN ordering it to stop, arguing that the court’s ruling grants it “some scope for military action” there Residents said the Tel Al-Sultan area the scene of Sunday’s deadly strike was still being heavily bombarded Tank shells are falling everywhere in Tel Al-Sultan Many families have fled their houses in western Rafah under fire throughout the night,” one resident told Reuters over a chat app Around one million people have fled the Israeli offensive in Rafah since early May, the UN agency for Palestinian refugees (UNRWA) reported on Tuesday Spain Ireland and Norway will officially recognise a Palestinian state on Tuesday despite an angry reaction from Israel which has found itself increasingly isolated after more than seven months of conflict in Gaza The three nations have painted their decision as a way to speed efforts to secure a ceasefire in Israel’s war with Hamas More than 36 000 Palestinians have been killed in Israel s horrific offensive so far Israel launched the operation after Hamas-led freedom fighters attacked southern Israeli communities on October 7, killing around 1,200 people and seizing more than 250 hostages as claimed by Israel Israel says it wants to root out Hamas fighters holed up in Rafah and rescue hostages it says are being held in the area OTTAWA A G E N C I E S Canada said it will issue visas to 5 000 Gazans more than it originally pledged and said it was horrified by an Israeli airstrike in Rafah that triggered a blaze causing 45 deaths The visas for Canadians relatives living in the enclave repr e s e n t a f i v e - f o l d i n c r e a s e f r o m t h e 1 0 0 0 t e m p o r a r y r e s i d e n t v i s a s a l l o t t e d u n d e r a s p e c i a l program that Canada announced in December W h i l e m o v e m e n t o u t o f G a z a i s n o t c u r r e n t l y p o s s i b l e , t h e s i t u a t i o n m a y c h a n g e a t a n y t i m e Wi t h t h i s c a p i n c r e a s e , w e w i l l b e r e a d y t o h e l p m o r e p e op l e a s t h e s i t u a t i o n e v o l v e s I m m i g r a t i o n M i n i s t e r M a r c M i l l e r s a i d A spokesperson for Miller said 448 Gazans had been issued a temporary visa, including 254 under a policy not related to the special visa program and 41 have arrived in Canada so far An Israeli airstrike late on Sunday night triggered a fire in a tent camp in the southern Gaza city of Rafah, prompting an outcry from global leaders including from Canada
are horrified by strikes that killed Palestinian civilians in Rafah Canada s Foreign Minister Melanie Joly said in a statement adding that Canada does not support an Israeli military operation in Rafah This level of human suffering must come to an end We demand an immediate ceasefire, Joly said, echoing global leaders who urged the implementation of a World Court order to halt Israel s assault Canada has repeatedly supported calls for a
“We
ceasefire in Gaza, including at the United Nations Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said earlier that the strike in Rafah had not been intended to cause civilian casualties and that something had gone tragically wrong Israel s military which is trying to eliminate Hamas in Gaza, said
BEIJING S TA F F C O R R E S P O
E N T
N D
new era
various
such as roads bridges
600
a l s o p r o v i d e d C h i n a w i t h a s s i s t a n c e
In Equatorial Guinea
types of infrastructure
ports airports power stations and telecommunications are often aided and built by China Since 1971, China has sent 33 medical teams with over
pro-
in
than
h i n a - E q u a t o r i a l G u i n e a F r i e n d s h i p P r i m a r y S c h o o l t o J i n p i n g C o u n t y i n C h i n a ’s s o u t h w e s t e r n Yu n n a n P r o v i n c e M o r e t h a n 2 0 0 0 c h i l d r e n
sincerely,” Xi told Obiang, adding that China supports Equatorial Guinea’s economic and social development and its efforts to promote economic diversification and industrialization Xi called for deepening exchanges and cooperation in areas such as medicine, health, education and culture to pass on the traditional friendship between the two countries and better benefit the two peoples Stressing that cooperation between the two countries has always been based on equality and mutual respect, Obiang said his country is willing to open its door to China and welcome Chinese companies to invest and cooperate in Equatorial Guinea to help the country achieve longlasting and sound development An exterior view of the Malabo International Airport in Equatorial Guinea, May 15, 2024 An exterior view of the Malabo International Airport in Equatorial Guinea May 15 2024 A new chapter in building a ChinaAfrica community with a shared future Under the Belt and Road Initiative framework and the Forum on ChinaAfrica Cooperation (FOCAC), China and Equatorial Guinea have achieved a series of cooperation results The China-Equatorial Guinea Friendship Hospital which began operating in 2023 has further enhanced the service capabilities of Equatorial Guinea s medical and health system
Kate Middleton steps out for first time since cancer diagnosis video AGENCIES Kate Middleton stepped out first time since she dropped the video of her cancer diagnosis, reported multiple outlets The Princess of Wales has not been seen in the public since she stepped back from royal duties to focus on her health and recovery as she undergoes preventative chemotherapy Speaking with Daily Mail, royal author Rebecca English revealed an update she received from Kensington Palace about the mother-of-three They noted that the Princess of Wales is “out and about more with her family in recent weeks ” and expressed gratitude for the wellwishes The Palace revealed that they are so touched by tens of thousands of get-well-soon cards they received since the Princess announced her cancer However, they seemingly revealed that Kate would not be resuming duties anytime soon as “she still needs time and space to recover ” And according to a source privy to Daily Beast Kate s diary for this year is empty which means the Princess might not return to public-facing duties till 2025 Lots of people involved in planning need to know what all the principals are doing a long way in advance, the royal insider said I am told that Kate’s diary for this year is empty There is nothing planned She may not appear in public for the rest of the year ” they added China reaffirms commitment to work with Pakistan to strengthen securit y cooperation BEIJING A G E N C I E S China has once again reaffirmed its commitment to continue working with Pakistani authorities to strengthen security cooperation and ensure the safety and security of Chinese personnel Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Mao Ning Monday said that Beijing will continue supporting Islamabad in the investigation of the Dasu attack to hunt down and punish the perpetrators of the terrorist attack We attach great importance to the important press conference made by Pakistan the spokespersons said while commenting on the press conference held by Pakistani officials in relation to the suicide attack that killed several Chinese nationals in March Her remarks refer to a joint press conference held by Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi along with National Counter-Terrorism Authority (Necta) officials wherein the minister called on Afghanistan to hand over the militants involved in Dasu attack in which six people including five Chinese nationals were killed after a suicide bomber rammed into their vehicle in Bisham In view of the investigation report the interior minister said that the TTP operated the Besham terror attack on Chinese citizens from inside Afghanistan [Pakistan has formally] requested the interim government in Afghanistan to arrest the leadership of [banned] TTP, he added Over the past two years, Islamabad has repeatedly conveyed its serious concerns to Kabul over the presence of terror outfits including the banned TTP inside Afghanistan These terrorists pose a grave threat to Pakistan s security and have consistently used Afghan territory to launch terror attacks inside Pakistani territory During the presser Necta chief Tahir Rai revealed that the explosive-laden vehicle that had hit the bus carrying the Chinese national was Japan-assembled and reached Pakistan via Afghanistan The official also said that 11 suspects have been arrested in this case so far Continuing on her press conference in Beijing Chinese FO spokesperson Ning termed the menace of terrorism as a common enemy of humanity and a tumour for regional development and stability She further underscored that China calls on countries in the region to strengthen counter-terrorism cooperation root out terrorist organisations remove their breeding ground and protect the common security and development interests of all countries BEIJING M I A N A B R A R Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, has urged efforts to promote high-quality and sufficient employment and continuously enhance workers’ sense of fulfillment happiness and security X i m a d e t h e r e m a r k s o n M o n d a y while presiding over a group study session of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee Xi said China must apply a people-centered development philosophy and improve both the quality and quantity of jobs through specific pro-employment policies Mo Rong head of the Chinese Academy of Labor and Social Security, gave a lecture on the high-quality and sufficient employment issue at the study session and put forth relevant suggestions The attendees listened attentively to Mo and then had discussions Since the CPC s 18th National Congress was held in 2012 employment has been a priority for the Party leadership in the governance of the country, with 13 million urban jobs created each year on average Xi noted that employment is the most basic part of the people’s well-being which is connected with the people’s immediate interests and the country’s sound economic and social development as well as its longterm peace and stability Valuable experience has been gained through practice, such as relying on development to promote employment, targeting key groups to increase employment and driving employment through entrepreneurship Xi said calling for long-term implementation and continuous improvement of these practices This year, China aims to create over 12 million jobs in urban areas and keep the surveyed urban unemployment rate at about 5 5 percent The country’s surveyed urban unemployment rate came in at 5 2 percent in the January-April period Xi urged efforts to prioritize high-quality and sufficient employment as a primary goal of economic and social development and further boost employment through development Measures should be taken to develop new quality productive forces according to local conditions as part of the efforts to create more high-quality jobs, he said The country should support the growth of industries and enterprises with strong job-creation capacities and nurture new business forms and models to create more jobs he added Xi also called for the establishment of an employment-friendly development model by strengthening the assessment of the impact of major policies, projects and the distribution of productive forces on employment and making fiscal monetary investment consumption industrial and regional development policies more conducive to creating jobs Xi emphasized the need to address the supply-demand imbalance in the workforce that leads to structural unemployment Efforts should be focused on analyzing and assessing workforce development trends and accordingly adjusting higher education majors and the distribution of resources he said It is also imperative to boost vocational education and improve the country s lifelong vocational training system, Xi noted H e c a l l e d f o r e ff o r t s t o f i n d o u t t h e r o o t c a u s e s o f l a b o r s h o r t a g e s i n c e r t a i n s e c t o r s i n o r d e r t o b e t t e r m e e t e m p l o yment market demands Xi specifically stressed improving employment support policies for college graduates and other young people China is expected to see over 11 7 million college graduates this year Multiple measures should be taken to promote the employment of migrant workers stabilize the number and income of people who were lifted out of poverty and provide more help to groups that find it difficult to secure employment, Xi said Meanwhile, attention should also be paid to the employment of ex-service personnel and women he added Xi called for efforts to deepen the reform of employment systems and mechanisms and protect the rights and interests of workers He also urged Party committees and governments at all levels to prioritize work related to employment X i Jinping stresses promotion of high- quality, sufficient employment TA N KS R E A C H R A FA H ’ S C E N T R E A S I S R A E L P R E S S E S A S S A U LT
The FPCCI Standing Committee for Public Relations and Communications (2024-25) held its inaugural meeting on May 25 2024 at the Federation House Karachi The session saw the participation of notable figures including Shujaat Ali Baig Convener; Turab Shah, Deputy Convener & Head of Marketing Ausaf Group; Imran Rana, Secretary to the FPCCI Committee and SeniorDirectorCommunications Insights & Innovations K-Electric; Hasan Saeed JS Bank; Shahbaz Islam, SSGC; Changgaiz Hussain Khan, PIA; Ammar Muzaffar, KElectric; Mudassir Alam, Profit & Pakistan Today; Ali Pesani, Union Microfinance Bank; Mehmood Ahmed Khan MD of Star Marketing; and Irfan Ahmed Senior Rep-
lic image for the
the occasion of Yaum- e-Takbeer ” said Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif in her message on the historic day of
Yaum-e-Takbeer She added, Salutations are due to every member of the team who carried out the great mission of defending the motherland ” She highlighted ”i also salute Muhammad Nawaz Sharif who made Pakistan first nuclear power of the Islamic world
ISLAMABAD
S TA F F R E P O R T
Chairman Capital Development Authority (CDA) Chaudhary Muhammad Ali Randhawa on Tuesday gave approval of the new Efficiency and Discipline Rules, 2020 to ensure transparent, effective internal accountability and streamline procedures within the civic body
The rules were aimed to expedite inquiries and disciplinary actions, addressing delays Approval of the rules was granted during a headquarters meeting that assessed the Administration Wing’s performance encompassing Human Resource Development Discipline Directorate, and other units Muhammad Ali Randhawa emphasized implementing a reward and punishment system to
enhance service delivery and overall employee performance
He highlighted the adoption of Efficiency and Discipline Rules 2020 to ensure swift conclusion of inquiries and disciplinary proceedings, emphasizing strict accountability
The CDA Chairman was informed that currently there was no set timeframe for concluding proceedings leading to prolonged cases He stated that the new rules will establish clear timelines for each step and hold inquiry officers accountable for delays in finalizing inquiries
The Chairman CDA was briefed that the Discipline Directorate is actively handling inquiries Nearly 60 inquiries have been concluded in the last 4 to 5 months, with 55 new inquiries initiated during the same period
Over the past three years 998
Madam Maryam Nawaz Sharif said, Nawaz Sharif was neither bought nor bent I am proud to be daughter of such a great person ” She said ”Yaume-Takbeer is a day of pride not only for the Pakistani nation but also for the entire Muslim Ummah Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif said, The nuclear program is a symbol of Pakistan s strong defense ” She added,”Pakistani nation is grateful to Nawaz Sharif for his bold decisions She flagged We made Pakistan a nuclear power for strong defense now it is our mission to make it economically invincible too Madam Chief Minister resolved,”Under the leadership of Muhammad Nawaz Sharif now Pakistan will raise its head in the world She said Today we have to reiterate our commitment of unity, solidarity, hard work, patience and tolerance
inquiries and disciplinary proceedings against CDA officers and officials have concluded Among them 103 officers and officials faced major penalties such as dismissal compulsory retirement, and demotion
The Accounts Officer and Cashier of the Land Payment Section were dismissed for their roles in a fake payment scam Additionally 631 officers and officials received minor penalties for inefficiency and misconduct, including the withholding of annual increments
The Chairman was informed that the authority has referred about 45 cases of fraudulent plot allotments to the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) for detailed investigation and criminal proceedings against responsible officers, officials, and private individuals involved
07 NEWS Wednesday 29 May 2024 K AR ACHI CORPORATE CORNER ISLAMABAD S TA F F R E P O R T f E D E R A L Minister for Information Broadcasting National Heritage and Culture Attaullah Tarar on Tuesday congratulated the nation on the 26th anniversary of Yaum-e-Takbeer Twenty-six years ago, Pakistan got the honour of becoming the first nuclear power in the Muslim world and the 7th nuclear power in the world the minister said in a statement He said that Pakistan s defense became impregnable that day Yaum-e-Takbeer was a golden and memorable day in history, on this day Pakistan announced that no one can enslave it he remarked On this day the then Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif by rejecting pressure proved to the world that Pakistanis cannot be coerced Every individual who created nurtured and implemented the nuclear program is a hero of the nation whom we salute; Attaullah Tarar added The minister reiterated the commitment that there will be no compromise on Pakistan’s independence, sovereignty and national interests On this day we salute the late Dr Abdul Qadeer Khan the architect of the nuclear program his team and all the scientists he said On the occasion of May 28, the people involved in May 9 arson, have hatched a new conspiracy but they will never succeed He said by distorting the history of 1971 they have stooped so low that they were attacking the integrity of the country After loss of power, they had gone out of senses as they were trying to harm the country Tarar said they will never succeed in their conspiracies and Pakistan and those who made defense of the country impregnable on May 28 1998 will emerge victorious NDMA provides helicopters to extinguish fire on Trail 3 & 5 ISLAMABAD: The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) to extinguish the blaze on Trail 3 and 5 of the Margalla Hills National Park provided helicopters on Tuesday A spokesman of NDMA said that the 6th Aviation Squadron and helicopters of the Pakistan Army were assisting in putting out the fire It should be mentioned here that the fire broke out at three places between Trail 3 and 5, near Quaid-e-Azam University and Saidpur The teams on the ground are facing difficulties in extinguishing the fire whereas the reasons for the fire could not be known yet “Like natural factors human activities also caused forest fires people should be careful he said INP CPeC law diplomacy: Zoao Law firm and iirmr sign mou ISLAMABAD S TA F F R E P O R T First-ever Chinese law Firm Zoao Law Firm has entered into Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Pakistan’s Think Tank “Institute of International Relations and Media Research (IIRMR) to enhance exchange in the area of legal fraternity by exploring untapped law landscape and guidelines MOU has marked an opening of new window of Sino-Pak tie-up in the spectrum of law few days before upcoming visit of PM Shahbaz Sharif to China in the first week of June that might be harbinger of unveiling of CPEC phase II IIRMR president Yasir Habib Khan said that under the framework of MOU IIRMR and Zoao Law Firm will jointly organize seminars conferences consultative dialogues and debates on legal issues Pakistan jurisprudence, taxation intricacies, intellectual properties rights, enterprise legislations, registrations, certifications to sensitize Pakistan law stakeholders and Chinese companies working in Pakistan keeping in view local law dynamics paradigms and systems We will also collaborate to enhance people-to-people exchange in the area of legal fraternity by exploring untapped law landscape and guidelines, he added Zoao Law Firm Managing Director Cheng Deyong said that MOU with IIRMR will break the new ground of Pak-China law collaborations “This area remained unexplored over the last many years Now it is high time to make profound reflection on the legal ecosystem in Pakistan Zoao Law Firm and IIRMR will work side by side for bridging Pakistan legal fraternity with Chinese companies in the country to foster deeper legal connectivity,” he added “Zoao Law Firm, legal aid for Chinese community in Pakistan is a dynamic and professional law firm that specializes in providing high-quality legal services to Chinese clients in Pakistan As the only Chinese law firm currently operating in Pakistan we are committed to facilitating the development of Chinese clients in the region by offering comprehensive legal services that are tailored to meet their specific needs,” Zoao Law Firm Managing Director Cheng Deyong said He said that we understand the unique challenges and opportunities that Chinese entities face when investing and operating in Pakistan Cheng said that besides the Chinese lawyers, ZOAO has hired the Pakistani lawyers and legal experts Ta r a r g r e eT s n aT i o n o n 2 6 T h a n n i v e r s a r y o f
r Panda Mar t plans nationwide expansion K A R A C H I: Panda Mart has expressed its intention to expand Panda Marts across the country this year Currently there are 37 Panda Marts in Karachi Lahore Islamabad Rawalpindi and Hyderabad During the visit of journalists to Panda Mart in Karachi, it was told that with the expansion of Panda Marts across the country, new employment opportunities will also be created, at this time Panda Mart is providing direct and indirect employment opportunities to hundreds of people Panda Mart is a one-stop shop where all the favorite brands of the customers are available Panda Mart provides customers with free delivery of daily necessities, pharmacy, electronics, fresh milk, fruits and vegetables and other items But attractive discount is also provided on daily basis The nationwide network of Panda Mart stores caters to the majority of the urban population All Panda Mart orders can also be paid online with credit or debit cards which is playing a role in financial inclusion PR KARACHI S TA F F R E P O R T
resentative to the FPCCI President The committee reiterated its commitment to serving as a bridge between the media stakeholders and the FPCCI aiming to resolve issues
maintain a positive pub-
organization Convener
Ali Baig underscored as part of the inaugural address the pivotal role of public relations in fostering connections between the FPCCI and its diverse stakeholders Key points discussed at the meeting included planning for national holidays and events celebrations formation of sub-committees engagement strategies, invitation protocols, committee roles, regional expansion, future plans, events calendar, activities and a membership drive FPCCI Standing Committee reiterates commitment to ser ve as a bridge between media and stakeholders Tajikistan ‘gateway ’ to Central Asia: Aleem Khan ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister of Investment Board, Privatization and Communications Abdul Aleem Khan during his visit to Tajikistan held detail meetings with Transport Minister Azim Ibrahim and Minister for Economic Development and Trade Zavqizoda Zavqi Amin to increase bilateral trade between the two countries Federal Minister Abdul Aleem Khan agreed to the proposals for starting a pilot project at the ports of Gwadar and Karachi and increasing the "Organic Export" Federal Minister Abdul Aleem Khan while expressing the determination to expand existing relation between two countries said that good neighbors are no less than a blessing He mentioned that Tajikistan is the "Gateway" for trade with Pakistan for Central Asian countries He assured his all possible cooperation to start at least one direct flight in a week from Tajikistan to Pakistan Federal Minister Abdul Aleem Khan said that he would like to perform as an Ambassador of Tajikistan in Pakistan to increase relations between the two countries PR Friends of Al-K hidmat unite for Palestine fundraising at K arachi event K A R A C H I: More than 34 thousand innocent killed in Palestine and hundreds of thousands left without shelter, food and water, said Dr Hafeez ur Rehman, President Al-Khidmat Foundation This was stated by him during a fund raising event organized by Chairman Sehar Foundation and Justice of Peace Danish Aman Zahid Hameed & Friends of Al-Khidmat It was also attended byDost Muhammad Rahimoon, Sindh Minister for Environment , climate change & costal development department MPA, Barrister Hallar Wassan, Additional I G, (AIG) Police Javed Alam Adho and elite of the City STAFF REPORT LAHORE S TA F F R E P O R T “Alhamdulillah, I congratulate entire nation on
y o u m - e -Ta k b e e
and
Shujaat
S p e c i a l M e s s a g e o f C M M a r ya m N awa z S h a r i f o n h i s t o r i c d ay o f Yo u m - e -Ta k b e e r C DA c h i e f o k ay s E f f i c i e n c y & D i s c i p l i n e R u l e s, 2 0 2 0 LAHORE S TA F F R E P O R T Governor Punjab Sardar Saleem Haider Khan has said that political stability in the country was the need of the hour and everyone has to play a positive role for the betterment of the country He stated this while talking to various delegations of Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Central Punjab which called on him at Governor House Lahore on Tuesday The office bearers of PPP Sahiwal, Kasur and Peoples Youth Organization were present in the meeting The delegation congratulated Sardar Saleem Haider Khan on assuming the office of Governor Punjab Governor Punjab met all the people one by one and listened to their problems Secretary Information Shahzad Saeed Cheema and Secretary Records and Events Ahsan Rizvi were also present during the meeting Speaking on this occasion the Governor Punjab said that the vision of our leadership was the prosperity of the people and a stable Pakistan He said that fulfillment of his constitutional obligations and betterment of Punjab province was among his top priorities Saleem Haider further said that he rose to this position by dint of hard work and struggle He added that he was well aware of the problems of working class He said that the doors of Governor House are always open for the workers and the people of Punja
to play positive role as political stability need of hour: Governor G r e e n s t a r S o c i a l M a r ke t i n g c e l e b r at e s 3 2 ye a r s o f S i t a r a B a j i s I S L A M A B A D: Greenstar Social Marketing Pakistan (G) Limited, a leading private not for profit organisation dedicated to improving public health in Pakistan hosted an event in Islamabad to celebrate 32 years of Sitara Bajis – The Change Agents an initiative designed to allow women to not just embrace financial freedom but spread health awareness in their respective communities at the same time This milestone event highlighted the impact made across Pakistan through the program over the past three decades Greenstar Social Marketing, through an extensive network of 2 500 Sitara Bajis and 500 Sattar Bhais has helped avert 4 503 maternal deaths and 46 032 child deaths during the last decade showcasing the profound impact of community health and wellbeing, on the masses Greenstar s community health workers have been instrumental in driving behavioral change communication (BCC) to improve knowledge on women’s health through counseling and referrals offering women in various under developed areas to obtain better maternal and child health STAFF REPORT Iranian Ambassador Reza Amiri Moghaddam addresses a reference at a memorial ceremony for martyred Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi and his colleagues The Ambassador extended his sincere gratitude to the government and people of Pakistan for their kind condolences and sympathy aftermath to the martyrdom of President Raisi FM Hussain Amirabdollahian & other companions PR
Ever yone has
PM INVITES CHINESE COMPANIES TO INVEST IN PAKISTAN’S TEXTILE SECTOR
g COMMITTEE TO INCLUDE OXFORD AND CAMBRIDGE PROFESSORS, AIMS TO DEVELOP HOME-GROWN ECONOMIC PLAN
JUI-F in the past but noted that both sides are working on Terms of References (TORs) to address issues indicating a positive shift
KP CM likely to replace
‘poor
per
formers’
in his cabinet
PESHAWAR S TA F F R E P O R T
Two to three
The Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission (Suparco) spokesperson on Tuesday announced that Pakistan s Multi Mission Communication Satellite PAKSAT MM1 will be launched on Thursday
The Suparco scientists and engineers were examining the PAKSAT MM1 said the spokesperson
The launch will take place from XiChang Satellite Launch Centre (XSLC), China, the national space agency said, adding that the project is part of the National Space Programme 2047
According to a statement by
the Suparco, the PAKSAT MM1 was conceived as a joint venture between Suparco and Chinese aerospace industry keeping in sight the growing needs of the country in the broad-spectrum of communication and connectivity
“This satellite project is a hallmark of technological cooperation between Peoples’ Republic of China and Pakistan the statement read It added that the satellite based on advanced communication technologies, will play a pivotal role in the socio-economic uplift of the country “It will prove to be a stepping stone in the transformation of the country into Digital Pakistan Suparco said The research commission
stated that the launching ceremony will be shown live for media from its establishments in Karachi and Islamabad
It should be noted that so far Pakistan has sent at least six assets in space such as BADR-A, BADRB, PAKSAT 1-R, PRSS-1, PakTes 1-A and iCube Qamar
Earlier this month iCubeQamar Pakistan s first satellite mission to the moon sent the firstever images of the moon captured in the lunar orbit following its ascent in space
Making this a groundbreaking development, according to IST, Qamar became the first Pakistani satellite to enter the lunar orbit and completed its rotation in 12 hours
‘Mandate thieves’ attempt to politicize atomic program condemnable: PTI
ardly fugitive who was attempting to exploit the national nuclear program for his absurd and self-serving political advertising campaign
He went on to say that Pakistan’s nuclear program was a great national asset which was acquired by the nation by cutting its belly and tying a stone on its belly
Highly praising the scientists for making Pakistan a nuclear power
PTI Spokesperson made it clear that the program was materialized owing to the competent, hardworking and intelligent patriotic scientists under the unwavering leadership of Dr Abdul Qadeer Khan
altar of a criminal s filthy politics
He vehemently denounced the absurd statements by sycophants and said that the Cherry Blossom regime was attempting to use the national atomic program for their political gains
PTI Spokesperson strongly criticized the reckless and extravagant use of public funds to promote the image of a widely rejected and cow-
He demanded that the nation should pay tribute to these true benefactors instead of glorifying the craven absconder
PTI Spokesperson urged that the small people who made late Dr Abdul Qadeer Khan a scapegoat under international pressure should seek forgiveness from Mohsin-e-Pakistan
He recalled that the stories of the true character of the shameless
clown who was doing politics under the shadow of deals and disgraceful agreements pertaining to the nuclear program had been told to the nation by people closed to him
PTI Spokesperson stated that foreign minister of his cabinet late Gauhar Ayub Khan brought his cowardice story to the lime light in his autobiography while Dr Abdul Qadeer Khan s several interviews could be presented as an open testimony of his cowardice in the history
PTI Spokesperson pointed out that when India carried out nuclear explosions this cowardly fugitive of the Jati Umra s feet were trembling and platelets were swiftly falling adding that this spineless and fainthearted person was hidden under the table of the Prime Minister’s house for two weeks afterwards
He reminded that this greedy and selfish person along with his courters were waiting for two weeks to extort dollars from foreign masters However, he noted that the entire nation unanimously pressed the insolent person and demanded a tit-for-tat response to India s aggressive move
PTI Spokesperson said that only after a clear warning from the nation, the craven and greedy person left with no option but to do atomic explosions
He sounded alarm that the latest shameful deal by the today’s constitutional violators with this unscrupulous person who always compromised on national interest was becoming a big test for national integrity and security
more stable than we were in 1998 ” they said reflecting on the nation’s progress since its nuclear tests The scholars also conveyed the pride felt by the entire nation emphasizing that today the whole nation is proud They led prayers asking Allah Almighty to ensure Pakistan s enduring presence on the global map As the country celebrates Youm-e-Takbeer Pakistanis everywhere are united in their prayers and hopes for a secure and prosperous future for their homeland
A day ago PM Shehbaz had declared a public holiday across the country on Youmi-Takbeer It is to be noted that Pakistan had carried out the atomic tests in response to the Indian nuclear explosions making the country’s defence impregnable Radio Pakistan stated that the country defied international pressure to conduct the nuclear tests under the leadership of then-premier Nawaz Social media accounts of the government and Radio Pakistan also used the hash-
tag Hum28MayWalayHain in posts celebrating Youm-i-Takbeer Rallies were taken out in Rawalpindi and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Swabi and Orakzai with participants carrying national flags and raising slogans in support of the Pakistan Army, Radio Pakistan reported In his message, PM Shehbaz said May 28 “encapsulates the narrative of our nation’s arduous yet remarkable path towards establishing a credible minimum deterrence” (CMD)
On this historic day in 1998 [then-] PM Nawaz Sharif demonstrated bold leadership by rejecting nerve-wracking pressures and inducements to make Pakistan a nucleararmed nation, he wrote in a post on X The premier also paid tribute to ex-prime minister Zulfikar Ali Bhutto who he said was the “founder of Pakistan’s nuclear programme for his strategic foresight and unwavering commitment to the cause
This significant day symbolises the collective effort of all facets of national power, overcoming what seemed like an insur-
mountable challenge and achieving a milestone in our country’s defence capabilities,” PM Shehbaz asserted Acting president Gilani said Youm-i-Takbeer served as a “testament to our nation s resilience unwavering determination and commitment to maintaining regional peace and stability Calling the day a pivotal moment in our history”, Gilani noted that the “journey to becoming a nuclear state was not without its difficulties” “Our leadership and scientists braved various challenges to achieve this remarkable feat he said acknowledging the hard work of scientists and engineers without whom this achievement would not have been possible Gilani highlighted that Bhutto’s “efforts led to making Pakistan a nuclear state” and also appreciated former premier Benazir Bhutto’s “decision as the opposition leader of the time to support Mian Nawaz Sharif for conducting nuclear
Published by Asad Nizami at Plot No 66-C, 1st Floor, 21st Commercial Street, Phase-II (Extension), DHA Karachi and printed at Ibn-e-Hassan Printing Press, Hockey Stadium, Karachi, for PT Print (Pvt) Limited Ph: 021-32640318 Email: newsroom@pakistantoday com pk PR OFIT M O N I T O R I N G D E S K Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has added eight more economic experts, including professors from Oxford and Cambridge, to the Home-grown Economic Development Plan’ committee According to a notice from the Prime Minister ’s Office (PMO) the new members included: – Prof Stefan Dercon (Oxford Professor and Policy Advisor FCDO) – Prof Dr Adnan Qadir Khan (Chief Economist FCDO) – Sayyem Ali (BOP Chief Economist) – Secretary, Finance Division – Zafar Masud (President BOP Chairman OGDCL & PBA) – Dr Farrukh Saleem (Economist) – Dr Ali Cheema (Vice Chancellor LUMS) – Prof Dr Kamal Munir (Pro-Vice Chancellor, Cambridge University) “The committee may co-opt any additional members, with the chair ’s permission,” the notice stated Earlier this month Prime Minister Shehbaz formed a six-member committee headed by the finance minister to develop the Home-grown Economic Development Plan The committee includes the Minister for Planning, the Minister for Petroleum, the Deputy Chairman of the Planning Commission, and Salman Ahmad, with Rana Ihsaan Afzal as Secretary PM Shehbaz expands economic uplift team with eight new exper ts 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 4:10 4:58 1 30 5:15 7:02 9:00 Wednesday 29 May 2024 NEWS PR OFIT A P P P R I M E Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Tuesday assured allout facilitation by his government to Chinese companies particularly related to the textile sector, and invited them to establish industry in Pakistan The prime minister chairing a meeting to discuss the improvement of Pakistan-China cooperation said China was a key partner in Pakistan s development In the meeting, different ministries presented their proposals to promote the Pakistan-China economic relationship, the Prime Minister House shared the details Pakistan desires to enhance cooperation with China in agriculture information technology and energy besides enhancing its exports to China, it said The prime minister reiterated that the government would provide foolproof security to Chinese nationals working in Pakistan as a comprehensive security plan had already been formulated He apprised the participants of the meeting that the government was preparing for the second phase of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) and expressed the hope that with China s cooperation Gwadar Port would become a logistics hub Prime Minister Shehbaz said that the CPEC s second phase would also feature the establishment of Agriculture Demonstration Zones and instructed the ministries to prepare for the launch of new projects with Chinese cooperation and enhancing business-to-business linkages He informed the meeting that China could also assist Pakistan in formulating a strategy to boost its exports Federal ministers Ahsan Iqbal, Jam Kamal Khan, Ahad Khan Cheema, Muhammad Aurangzeb, Attaullah Tarar, Dr Musaddik Malik, Rana Tanveer Hussain Awais Ahmed Leghari and Qaiser Ahmed Sheikh State Minister Shaza Fatima Khawaja Special Assistant to PM Tariq Fatemi Deputy Chairman of Planning Commission Jahanzeb Khan and relevant senior officers attended the meeting Deal offers still there for PTI founder, claims Raoof Hasan ISLAMABAD S TA F F R E P O R T Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) central Information Secretary Raoof Hasan has claimed that deal offers are still available for the former premier While talking to a private TV channel on Tuesday Raoof Hasan stated that the founder of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) could have been released within ten days had he opted for a deal Offers for deals are still available to Imran Khan According to Hasan, the PTI founder had an ‘offer ’ during his first ten days in Attock However, the founder does not believe in making deals and gave preference to remaining in jail The PTI leader emphasized that the day the PTI founder calls for protest people will hit the streets in large numbers Raoof Hasan asserted that Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf is a party of the people He conveyed the public’s sentiment, stating that people are urging leaders to leave their offices and take to the streets The public also warned that they will not forgive any form of compromise Last week the Central Information Secretary of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Raoof Hasan said that he agrees with Rana Sanaullah s statement, underscoring the importance of collaboration among all political parties in the country He highlighted the significant divide between PTI and
– the PTI founding chairman – of the situation cropped up due to the poor performance of these provincial ministers Any progress during the meeting between the chief minister and the party founder will lead to their dismissal, they said, but added that they would be given the last before the extreme action In case, the said ministers are unable to change the state of affairs even after that, they will ultimately be removed from the cabinet The sources claim that the chief minister wants to see best out of his team in their respective departments and is following a zero-tolerance policy on the subject When it comes to their replacements, the sources say, the decision-making powers rest with Gandapur and Imran Therefore the chief minister will announce the decision only after consultion with the party founder incarcerated in Adiala jail Rawalpindi Pakistan grants Delhi consular access to two Indian spies ISLAMABAD S TA F F R E P O R T Islamabad has granted consular access to New Delhi for meeting two Indian spies imprisoned in Pakistan According to media reports, the consular access was provided on the request of the Indian government Pakistan on Monday decided to grant access to Indian to meet two youth from Occupied Kashmir who were arrested from Gilgit Baltistan on charges of spying for New Delhi The two Indian spies were identified as 29-year-old Feroze Ahmad Lone and 24-year-old Noor Muhammad Wani Both belonged to Gorez area of Held Kashmir s Bandihurah town According to the Indian media both youth had been missing from Occupied Kashmir since November 2018 said the sources and added they had crossed border illegally and got arrested on spying charges The sources further revealed that the two Indian spies were shifted to Rawalpindi’s Adiala Jail from Gilgit Baltistan prison during the last few days A three-member delegation from Indian High Commission in Islamabad met with the two prisoners at Adial Jail, said the diplomatic sources and added the Indian delegation included HC s first secretary Venkatesh Varlo Sidhara and two staffers –Dharowabar Gujjar and Peetam Singh Kiran During the meeting Interior Ministry officers were present said the diplomatic sources
members of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa cabinet are soon likely to be replaced over unsatisfactory performance government sources say as Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur has already given them a warning Without sharing names of the poor performers in the provincial cabinet, the sources say Gandapur will apprise Imran Khan
KARACHI
S TA F F R E P O R T
ISLAMABAD S TA F F R E P O R T
nation celebrated Youm-e-Takbeer the day when Pakistan became the seventh nuclear power of the world with fervour with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif
Acting President Yusuf Raza Gilani praised the nation s unwavering determination to make Pakistan a nuclear power Youm-i-Takbeer is observed on May 28 to commemorate the historic day in 1998 when Pakistan joined the ranks of nuclear powers after atomic tests in the hills of Chagai Balochistan Pakistan became the seventh nuclear nation in the world and the first Muslim state to have a nuclear arsenal The day dawned with special prayers and recitation of the Holy Quran in mosques for the country’s peace and prosperity staterun Radio Pakistan reported Special prayers were led by scholars who highlighted the significance of May 28 in Pakistan s history May 28 is a very important day for Pakistan Today, we are stronger and
The
and
tests Indeed it was the collective determination of our civil and military leadership as well as our scientific acumen, and unwavering dedication to national defence that propelled us forward,” Gilani emphasised “Pakistan as a responsible nuclear state firmly believes in the peaceful resolution of conflicts We are also strictly adhering to international standards and have implemented stringent controls and comprehensive safety measures to safeguard our nuclear assets, the acting president said He added that Pakistan remained “committed to maintaining credible minimum deterrence preserving the balance of power and deterring aggression Nuclear deterrence stands as a cornerstone of stability in South Asia and we remain steadfast in our resolve to uphold this principle, Gilani stated, calling Pakistan s strategic capability a “powerful deterrent and a weapon for peace” He renewed Pakistan’s pledge to “continue working toward a peaceful and stable world Let s draw inspiration from this success and work together to make the country s defence impregnable through technological and economic advancements, the acting president said Pakistani communication satellite PAKSAT MM1 to be launched on Thursday Pak istan celebrates Youm- e -Tak bir with national pride, prayers ISLAMABAD S TA F F R E P O R T Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) strongly condemned the criminal attempts by mandate theft regime and the courters to politicize the national atomic program which is a national asset acquired by
nation through hard work
tying a stone
its belly
the
and
on
PTI Spokesperson stressed the need for removing the yoke of personal dictatorship from the neck of the constitution, democracy, public mandate and the economy instead of sacrificing the national consensus on the atomic program at the
g A S S U R E S A L L- O U T FA C I L I TAT I O N B Y G O V E R N M E N T TO C H I N E S E F I R M S
