RULING PART Y IN A SHAMBLES OVER WHEAT SCAM AS PM ‘RELUCTANT TO TAKE ACTION’ AGAINST CARETAKERS
former caretaker prime minister Anwaarul Haq Kakar ex-finance minister Shamshad Akhtar and incumbent Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi (ex-CM of Punjab)
S a u d i t r a d e d e l e g a t i o n’ s v i s i t s i g n i f i c a n t h e a d w a y i n b i l a t e r a l t i e s : P M S h e h b a z
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Tuesday hailed the recent visit of a Saudi investment delegation to Islamabad as a significant milestone in strengthening the ties between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia Chairing a federal cabinet meeting the prime minister commended the dedication of federal ministers government officials, and staff for ensuring the success of the Saudi delegation s visit, according to a press release issued by the PM Office
During the meeting, Prime Minister Shehbaz highlighted the positive feedback received from the Saudi business delegation regarding the preparedness and confidence exhibited by the federal ministers and government team members He added such commendation bodes well for the future of the country
Reflecting on his interactions with the Saudi delegation during a dinner reception, the prime minister expressed immense pleasure at the unprecedented appreciation conveyed by the head of the Saudi delegation He pledged to convene a separate meeting to personally acknowledge the efforts of cabinet members and government officials who contributed to the success of the visit The prime minister shared that the head of the
Saudi delegation acknowledging the intelligence and education of the Pakistani officials lauded their presence, guidance, presentations, and follow-ups during the meetings The Saudi delegation expressed satisfaction with their visit, noting a promising new chapter in Pakistan’s development
In recognition of the collective efforts Prime Minister Shehbaz congratulated the cabinet members and federal secretaries noting that the positive feedback from the Saudi delegation brought joy not only to him but to the entire nation
During the meeting, the federal cabinet, following the Ministry of Aviation’s recommendation approved Air Sial s flight operations to destinations including China Malaysia Sri Lanka Thailand Turkey the UK and Kuwait in line with the National Aviation Policy 2023 and Air Services Agreement
Furthermore, the cabinet endorsed the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding to establish a Joint Trade Committee between Pakistan and the Kingdom of Colombia Additionally it approved the transfer of the Directorate General of Special Education from the Ministry of Human Rights to the Ministry of Federal Education and Professional Training The cabinet also ratified decisions regarding Chinese investment projects made in the Cabinet committee meeting held on April 30 2024
In par tnership with Profit We d n e s d a y, 8 M a y, 2 0 2 4 I | 2 9 S h a w w a l , 1 4 4 5 R s 5 0 0 0 | Vo l X I V N o 3 0 8 I 3 6 Pa g e s I I s l a m a b a d E d i t i o n After clean chit to Nawaz , President Zardari gets ‘immunit y’ in Toshakhana vehicle case ISLAMABAD S TA F F R E P O R T In view of the constitutional immunity of the head of the state, an accountability court in Islamabad on Tuesday halted its proceedings against incumbent President Asif Ali Zardari in the Toshakhana vehicle reference As proceedings of the reference began on Tuesday counsel for President Zardari Farooq H Naik appeared before the accountability court and filed a plea seeking to halt the court s proceedings against his client As per the law, Asif Zardari has presidential immunity The case against Zardari cannot proceed as long as he remains in office,” argued the lawyer Approving his request accountability court judge Justice Javed Rana halted the proceedings against the president in the Toshakhana case The development came a month after the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) in a written reply submitted to the accountability court in the Toshakhana vehicle reference, requested to end the criminal proceedings against President Zardari, saying that he enjoys constitutional immunity It is pertinent to mention here that the NAB last month exonerated Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) supremo Nawaz Sharif in the same vehicle reference The anti-graft body, in its report, had requested an accountability court in Islamabad to acquit the former premier The court may acquit Nawaz from the Toshakhana reference the watchdog stated in its report submitted before the court that day highlighting that the car in question was not a part of the Toshakhana at the time of purchase by the former prime minister According to the anti-corruption watchdog s findings, the Saudi government gifted a car to then-prime minister Nawaz in 1997 which he deposited in Toshakhana Later in 2008 the report mentioned then-PM Yusuf Raza Gilani offered the PML-N supremo to buy the same car Therefore Nawaz bought the car not from the Toshakhana but from the federal transport pool the report maintained, adding that the vehicle was not purchased using a fake bank account What was the case? In March 2020 NAB filed the Toshakhana reference in an accountability court against the three political leaders Khawaja Anwar Majeed and Khawaja Abdul Ghani Majeed the owners of the Omni group were also named as suspects in the reference According to the accountability bureau, former president Zardari and former premier Sharif obtained cars from the Toshakana by paying 15% of the price of the cars The bureau further alleged that former premier Gilani facilitated Zardari and Nawaz in this regard The reference filed by NAB alleges that Zardari was gifted luxury cars by the governments of Libya and the United Arab Emirates (UAE), and he used them instead of submitting them to the Toshakhana The accountability watchdog claimed that former premier Nawaz was given a car from the Toshakhana by the PPP government in 2008 even though he did not hold any official position in the government NAB had requested the court to conduct a trial and sentence the accused to the strictest possible jail terms under the NAB Ordinance for their involvement in the corruption scam In May of the same year, the accountability court issued arrest warrants for former prime minister Nawaz after no one appeared on his behalf to represent him Dar confirms Saudi Crown Prince’s visit to Pakistan ‘on the cards’ ISLAMABAD S TA F F R E P O R T Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar has confirmed that Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman s much-anticipated visit to Pakistan is on the cards saying the final dates of his visit are expected to be received from the kingdom this month InshaAllah, the visit is due [and] I believe we may receive final dates [of the visit from Saudi Arabia] anytime in May ” FM Dar said while addressing the media at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Islamabad on Tuesday His statement came a day after Geo News citing sources reported that the Saudi crown prince was expected to visit Pakistan between May 10 to 15 It would be the first visit of the Saudi crown prince, also known as MBS, to Pakistan in five years as he last time visited the country in February 2019 during the rule of former prime minister Imran Khan “As of now the [Saudi crown prince] visit is on the cards the foreign minister said while responding to a question Recalling a Pakistan s delegation recent meeting with the Saudi crown prince in Makkah, the deputy prime minister said Prince Salman had assured Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif that he would undertake a visit to Pakistan The crown prince had informed PM Shehbaz in the month of Ramadan that he would visit Pakistan after initial meetings between Pakistan and Saudi officials, FM Dar said PR OFIT A B D U L L A H N I A Z I A N D A H M A D A H M A D A N I
H E R E is tension within the ruling Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz (PML-N) on how to handle the billion dollar wheat import scam Over the past two days the party s senior leadership has made decisions, taken them back, and painted a picture of complete disarray In private, the situation is even bleaker Mian Nawaz Sharif has publicly stated that he supports strict action against the preceding caretaker government which is a key suspect in the wheat import scandal that has taken hold of the country s news cycle But it seems his younger brother the prime minister is more reluctant to involve Anwar ul Haq Kakar ’s caretaker setup in any sort of federal criminal investigation especially since the Punjab CM from the caretaker era Mohsin Naqvi serves as interior minister in his cabinet The difference in approach is causing tensions within the party Mian Nawaz is keen to hold the previous government accountable because the wheat scam is proving to be the first major challenge for his daughter Maryam’s government in Punjab The ire of farmers over the scandal has been directed largely towards the Punjab government because of its failure to purchase the wheat from the farmers The initial response has been heavy handed and could cause future political damage The prime minister, the head of a weak coalition in Islamabad, is afraid of the consequences of taking on the caretakers who are thought to have been very close with the country s establishment according to one high ranking source within the PML-N What does the caretaker government’s mess up have to do with the Punjab government? The origins of the wheat scam go back to an amount of 1 2 million tonnes of wheat more than what was necessary to import Back in 2022 devastating floods ruined Pakistan’s domestic wheat production As a result in 2023 the government decided to import more wheat to make up for the shortfall The shortfall was around 2 4 million tons, but the government instead allowed the private sector to import 3 6 million tonnes The accusation is that the caretaker government took kickbacks to allow this As a result there was an extra billion dollars tagged onto the import bill at a time when the economy was facing a dire shortage of foreign reserves The problem was that earlier this year the chickens came home to roost but the owner of the barn was different The government of Pakistan and its provincial governments have a strange relationship with its farmers Before the 18th amendment, the federal government would set the wheat support price Now, the provincial food departments and PASSCO procure wheat in harvest months at the government’s announced price The provincial food departments release wheat in lean months at the issue price Until recently issue price was the same throughout the year and now the government has introduced a cascading price mechanism to smooth out seasonal variation and cover the transaction cost The public sector procures on average about six million tons of wheat, or nearly 24% of total production But this year there was a surplus of wheat because the government had allowed the import of extra wheat last year As a result, the Punjab government announced it would not be commencing or buying its regular amount of wheat This was at a time when wheat had seen a bumper crop in Pakistan The farmers protested the Punjab government brought down the lathi on the protesting farmers, and negative sentiments prevailed The sequence of events The response from the government has left a lot to be desired Immediately the prime minister formed an inquiry committee At the same time a lot of talking heads on television and social media started bringing up how the extra import had come during the caretaker setup Mian Nawaz immediately wanted to take strict action “The inquiry committee was set up but the response was not strong enough for Mian Sahib s liking explains one source privy to the information As a result, Mian Nawaz called a party meeting on the 6th of May The meeting was to be attended by Punjab’s minister of food, secretary food and other concerned officials The elder Sharif directed that this provincial level committee would deliberate on the findings of the federal inquiry committee It seemed that Mian Nawaz had essentially sent a message to his younger brother that he was taking charge on this particular matter It was decided that the prime minister would present the inquiry committee’s report to Nawaz Sharif who would decide the matter pertaining to the wheat issue Within a day however reports started filtering in that Nawaz Sharif had chosen to take a step back and allow the prime minister to handle the matter Party sources claimed that Mian Nawaz decided it would be appropriate to not give any direction on the matter However news is now coming in that the prime minister is hesitant to take more action against the supposed culprit Members of the Shehbaz cabinet and bureaucracy have suggested to the prime minister to address the wheat import scandal in a better way In fact, after the first meeting of the fact finding committee, information minister Atta Tarar said that no one had been called or interviewed by the committee in this regard including
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C O N T I N U E D O N PA G E 03 g N A W A Z S H A R I F R E P O R T E D LY W A N T S TO I N I T I AT E A C T I O N TO D E F L E C T B L A M E A W AY F R O M H I S D A U G H T E R M A R YA M ’ S G O V E R N M E N T I N P U N J A B ISLAMABAD S TA F F R E P O R T Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) Director General (DG) MajGen Ahmed Sharif on Tuesday dismissed the possibility of any ‘deal’ with the founder of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) saying there won t be any talks with anarchists, elaborating dialogue with the PTI could happen only if it “earnestly apologises in front of the nation” promises to adopt “constructive politics” and forgoes “politics of anarchy The DG ISPR made the remarks in a lengthy press conference in Rawalpindi ahead of the anniversary of May 9, 2023 – the day when PTI founder Imran Khan’s arrest sparked violent countrywide protests Military installations and martyrs monuments came under attack during these protests, which formed the basis of a severe state crackdown on the party and its leadership At a press conference on the eve of the first anniversary of the May 9 incident DG ISPR Maj-Gen Ahmed Sharif said that there was no doubt that the PTI was behind the May 9 riots However, he said that yet some people were demanding the judicial commission to probe the events of May 9 He said the army was ready for the formation of a judicial commission but added that such an inquiry should also cover the 2014 sit-in and other related events He denied the ‘narrative’ that May 9 was a false flag operation During the press talk a documentary film about May 9 was shown, in which attacks on military installations can be seen The documentary also showed the statements of PTI leaders Murad Saeed Shandana Gulzar and Shehryar Afridi Maj-Gen Ahmed Sharif said that a political party provoked the youth but now confusion was being created by demanding a judicial commission We are ready make a judicial commission The judicial commission should also cover what the 2014 sit-in was and what its objectives were It should also cover how the Parliament was attacked How people were given the courage to stand against the state He said that the capital was attacked using the resources of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa in 2016 adding that Islamabad was attacked again in 2022 N o t a l k s w i t h P T I u n t i l p u b l i c a p o l o g y f o r M a y 9 e v e n t s : I S P R ISLAMABAD S TA F F R E P O R
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C O N T I N U E D O N PA G E 03
FINANCE MINISTER HINTS AT POTENTIAL RATE CUT BY SBP NEXT MONTH
PPP sets up committee for talks on privatisation with centre
In
notable development, PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari announced the formation of a committee aimed at initiating dialogue with the federal government regarding the contentious issue of privatisation The committee, comprising Sherry Rehman, Syed
Telcos raise concerns over SIM blocking without legal analysis
PR OFIT
The telecom industry, represented by cellular mobile operators (CMOs), has raised significant concerns regarding the potential SIM blocking of non-compliant individuals under the Income Tax General Order (ITGO) In a letter addressed to the Ministry of IT & Telecom and the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA), industry stakeholders emphasized the necessity for a thorough legal analysis and procedural clarity before implementing such measures The letter underscores that while CMOs are mandated to provide uninterrupted services to their customers there are no explicit provisions for disconnecting or blocking services in the Telecom Act and relevant regulations
This absence of legal grounds for SIM blocking raises questions about customer rights and the operational capacity of telecom operators
One of the key points highlighted in the letter is the lack of a comprehensive legal analysis, guaranteed constitutional rights consideration, or a cost-benefit review by the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) before passing and enforcing the ITGO Rushing through such measures without due process could adversely impact customers ability to access essential services, recognized as a fundamental right to life by superior court judgments Furthermore it undermines the rights and operational capabilities of compliant telecom operators
The industry contends that any individuals found non-compliant should
be directly sanctioned without implicating and adversely affecting the entire telecom industry Additionally the potential risks of legal disputes against CMOs customer actions or claims resulting from hasty SIM blocking without due process need to be addressed through legal safeguards or indemnities
Moreover, technical challenges and procedural complexities related to bulk SIM blocking and restoration require thorough deliberation and agreement between regulatory authorities and industry stakeholders The industry suggests a transparent and equitable process that ensures fair treatment due process and legal recourse for affected individuals ultimately fostering tax compliance without compromising customer rights or operator responsibilities
KARACHI S ta f f R e p o R t
The Sindh High Court (SHC) on Tuesday issued orders to remove illegal vendors and rickshaw stands established on various roads and commercial plots across the port city Sindh High Court Chief Justice Aqeel Ahmed Abbasi headed the twomember bench hearing a plea against the court heard a plea against the establishment of illegal vendors and rickshaw stands in different areas
During the hearing the court was informed by the petitioner s counsel that illegal activities were rampant in various localities and urged for their cessation
Despite the court s directives the police and deputy commissioner expressed their inability to dismantle the illegal vendors and rickshaw stands At which, Justice Aqeel Ahmed Abbasi remarked that illegal vendors and rickshaw stands obstructed roads and caused inconvenience to the public emphasizing the need for its removal at the earliest
The government s counsel stated that a written response from the SSP was awaited, while the reply from the deputy commissioner was pending The court granted an extension in time for the submission of the deputy commissioner s response
Subsequently, the court issued orders to eliminate the vendors and rickshaw stands on roads, service roads, and commercial plots The authorities were directed to complete the operation and submit a report to the court by May 28
W d d y 8 M y 2024 | ISLAMABAD 02 NEWS PR OFIT N e w S D e S k F INANCE Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb hinted at a potential interest rate cut by the State Bank of Pakistan’s Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) in June or July He shared insights into Pakistan’s economic outlook during a press conference held in Islamabad on Tuesday This consideration aligns with the observed decline in inflation paving the way for monetary policy adjustments The finance minister also highlighted the positive outcomes of Saudi investors recent visit to Pakistan Discussions with the Saudi delegation have opened avenues for economic cooperation and investment, s i g n a l i n g o p t i m i s m i n P a k i s t a n ’s e c onomic trajectory Moreover the finance minister emphasised the country s progress towards economic stability citing significant growth in foreign exchange reserves Despite the repayment of a $1 billion Eurobond last month, Pakistan’s reserves have more than doubled since January 2023, reaching around $8 billion by May 2024, he said, adding that this upward trend is expected to continue with reserves projected to rise to approximately $9 billion following the final tranche from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) Looking ahead, the finance minister outlined key priorities, including infrastructure development to strengthen the economic foundation and reforms to enhance revenue generation through a streamlined taxation system Fiscal discipline remains a focal point with calls for prudent spending to ensure optimal resource allocation for sustainable growth
SECP proposes enhanced disclosures for Shariah stock screening of listed companies listed companies will be required to provide crucial information about their subsidiaries for shariah stock screening PR OFIT N e w S D e S k The Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP) has proposed amendments to the Fourth Schedule of the Companies Act 2017 These amendments enhance the list of disclosures made in the financial statements of listed companies for Shariah stock screening of shares According to a press statement issued on Tuesday listed companies will be required to provide crucial information about their subsidiary companies for Shariah stock screening purposes to align the regulatory framework with market needs for a fair trading environment Additionally, the language of the Fourth Schedule has been simplified to bring clarity to the Shariah stock screening of shares to include in Islamic indices maintained by the Pakistan Stock Exchange read the statement The proposed revisions have resulted from SECP s engagements with stakeholders during a series of Islamic finance sessions The changes are aimed at enhancing transparency fostering investor confidence and aiding in informed decision-making The SECP has also published a consultation paper containing the objectives and details of the proposed amendments in comparative format and draft notification The SECP has invited feedback and comments from all stakeholders on the proposed changes to the Fourth Schedule Gov t mulls Chinese demand for offshore accounts amid CPEC energy debt talks chinese investors seek offshore bank accounts for ser vicing debts related to cpec energy projec ts, while pakistan weighs its response amidst imF negotiations and financial constraints PR OFIT M o N to R i N g D e S k The ongoing dialogue between Pakistan and Chinese investors regarding energy debts under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) has intensified, with Chinese investors insisting on offshore bank accounts to service these debts This development has sparked deliberations within Pakistani authorities given the country s financial constraints and ongoing negotiations with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) Sources familiar with the discussions revealed that Chinese authorities are pushing for the placement of funds in offshore accounts equivalent to Pakistan’s energyrelated debt repayments This demand has raised concerns within Pakistan s central bank and government circles as it could impact the country s foreign exchange reserves and financial stability While Pakistan has a history of never defaulting on Chinese energy debt repayments even during challenging economic periods the current scenario poses unique challenges The need to balance financial commitments international obligations, and strategic economic decisions has become paramount The central bank governor ’s cautionary stance reflects the delicate nature of these negotiations Chinese investors seeking offshore funds to demonstrate revenue streams and address financial concerns adds another layer of complexity to the discussions At the heart of the matter are pending dues for Chinese energy projects, amounting to hundreds of billions of rupees coupled with Pakistan’s struggle to address circular debt and implement energy agreements effectively As both parties navigate these intricate discussions, the outcome will significantly impact Pakistan s financial outlook, foreign investment climate, and strategic partnerships under the CPEC framework IMF urges Pakistan for Rs1.3trn in additional taxes half of the proposed additional taxes are suggested to be recovered from salaried and business individuals PR OFIT M o N i to R i N g D e S k The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has recommended Pakistan implement additional taxes of around Rs1 3 trillion in the upcoming budget As per a news report, these potential taxes will raise the Federal Board of Revenue’s (FBR) annual target to Rs12 3 trillion Half of the proposed additional taxes are suggested to be recovered from salaried and business individuals The IMF s final Tax Diagnostic report includes a recommendation to reduce the number of income tax slabs for salaried individuals to four, which could significantly increase the tax burden on this group if accepted by the government Discussions on the IMF s demand for the Rs1 3 trillion new taxes equivalent to 1% of GDP are expected during the upcoming mission-level talks with the IMF for the next bailout package The government plans to negotiate with the IMF, especially regarding the impact of additional tax burdens on the salaried class which has already been stretched thin financially Authorities have begun internal discussions on the fiscal year 2024-25 budget in anticipation of the IMF s visit, acknowledging that the current fiscal year ’s tax collection target of Rs9 415 trillion is likely unattainable Challenges such as taxes stuck in courts and ongoing debates over tax collection strategies including potential increases from retailers and changes in sales tax exemptions, are key areas under consideration for the next fiscal year Local gold rates fall after int’l rate decrease gold prices retreated on tuesday, with the per tola price falling to rs240,000 af ter a rs500 drop PR OFIT N e w S D e S k After a recent uptick gold prices in Pakistan took a downward turn on Tuesday tracking the international market s decline The price per tola fell to Rs240,000, marking a Rs500 decrease from the previous day’s rate, as reported by the All Pakistan Gems and Jewellers Sarafa Association (APGJSA) Similarly the 10gram gold rate decreased by Rs429 to reach Rs205 761 reflecting the overall downward trend This adjustment comes after a period of gains, with gold registering a notable increase in the previous session In contrast, silver rates remained stable at Rs2 620 per tola maintaining their position amid the fluctuating gold market Last month gold reached an all-time high of Rs252 200 per tola in the local market, underscoring the volatility and sensitivity of precious metal prices to global market dynamics PR OFIT M o N i to R i N g D e S k
Naveed Qamar, and Saleem Mandviwalla, has been tasked to engage in talks with the government over privatisation matters as per a statement from the party s central secretariat This move comes shortly after Bhutto-Zardari publicly expressed opposition to the government s plan of privatising loss-making public enterprises advocating instead for publicprivate partnerships to revive entities like PIA and Steel Mills The statement also suggests underlying differences between the PML-N and PPP both coalition partners in the federal government regarding the privatisation agenda a key aspect of the structural reform programme agreed upon with the IMF during the previous government’s tenure Speaking to a local media outlet Mandviwalla a member of the committee emphasized the need for clarity on the privatisation agenda and expressed concerns about the effectiveness of outright privatisation without considering alternative models like public-private partnerships He mentioned that the committee s primary objective is to engage with the government understand the details of their privatisation plan, and deliberate on the potential pros and cons of such a strategy Meanwhile media reports indicate that ten companies including domestic airline companies have shown interest in acquiring majority stakes in PIA This development underscores the ongoing discussions and debates surrounding the future direction of public enterprises in Pakistan
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PR OFIT N e w S D e S k Citi Pharma Limited has entered into a joint venture with Hangzhou Newsea Technology Co Ltd marking a significant step in expanding its production of Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (APIs) in Pakistan The new entity, named ETACI Limited will complement Citi Pharma’s current manufacturing capabilities by adding 20 new APIs to its production line This initiative is part of Citi Pharma s commitment to meet the increasing demands of the healthcare industry and to enhance the country s self-sufficiency in pharmaceutical production Currently Citi Pharma manufactures 20 to 22 types of APIs The collaboration with Hangzhou Newsea a leader in pharmaceutical technology from China will not only double the production capacity but also bring advanced technological expertise to Pakistan This joint venture is strategically planned to bolster the national economy by reducing reliance on imported pharmaceuticals which will improve cost efficiency and strengthen the supply chain ETACI Limited is structured to allow Citi Pharma Limited a controlling interest of 65% with Hangzhou Newsea holding the remaining 35% The partnership is projected to generate substantial economic benefits, with an anticipated annual turnover of more than PKR 15,000 million, leading to a gross profit of approximately PKR 4,500 million This financial uplift is expected to be achieved through the utilization of existing infrastructure and resources, which will minimize operating costs and enhance production efficiency This collaboration aligns with Citi Pharma’s Vision 2030 which focuses on enhancing pharmaceutical self-reliance and supporting the national economy by localizing the production of essential APIs This venture not only promises to advance Pakistan’s pharmaceutical sector but also aims to position the country as a key player in the global pharmaceutical industry C i t i P h a r m a , H a n g z h o u N e w s e a p a r t n e r t o b o o s t l o c a l A P I m a n u f a c t u r i n g g w i t h a n e x p e c t e d a n n u a l t u r n O v e r O F r s 15,000 m , t h e J v u n d e r s cO r e s a p u s h tO wa r d s r e d u c i n g i m p O rt d e p e n d e n c e a n d e n h a n c i n g lO c a l m a n u Fac t u r i n g i n F r a s t r u c t u r e i n pa k i s ta n ’ s p h a r m ac e u t i c a l i n d u s t ry g cO m m i t t e e a i m s tO e n g ag e w i t h g O v t, l e a r n d e ta i l s O F t h e i r p l a n , a n d e xc h a n g e t h O u g h t s O n s u b J e c t g F i n a n c e m i n i s t e r m u h a m m a d a u r a n g z e b i n d i c at e s p r O b a b l e i n t e r e s t r at e r e d u c t i O n i n J u n e O r J u ly, c i t i n g a d O w n t r e n d i n i n F l at i O n a n d p O s i t i v e O u t c O m e s O F s a u d i a r a b i a ' s r e c e n t v i s i t
N e w S D e
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g O p e r atO r s e x p r e s s r e s e r vat i O n s u n d e r ta x cO m p l i a n c e m e a s u r e s , c i t i n g l e g a l g a p s a n d p Ot e n t i a l r i s k s tO c u s tO m e r acc e s s a n d O p e r atO r r i g h t s Remove illegal vendors, rickshaw stands from roads in K arachi, SHC orders
FARMERS in various cities of Punjab continue to protest against the government’s failure to procure wheat, leading to widespread demonstrations and hunger strikes in many areas The protests sparked by the government s inability to provide subsidies to small-scale farmers for wheat procurement, have expanded across the entire province In several cities farmers have raised slogans against the administration and
Ruling par ty in shambles over wheat sc am as PM ‘reluc tant to take ac tion’ against c aretakers
No talks with PTI until public apology for M ay 9 events: ISPR
CONTINUED FR OM PAGE 01
The army spokesperson was questioned about statements made by the PTI and the former prime minister who claimed that their triumph on February 8 rejected the narrative of May 9
In response, Major General Ahmed Sharif said that the turnout on February
8 was 47 per cent
“Of this particular political party that says the narrative has been reversed this party got 31 per cent of the vote 92% of the population does not stand with them We believe that the people are standing with the army He further said that some political circles on social media frequently make accusations against the army and institutions In response to these allegations instead of providing evidence more allegations are made He urged for legislative action on this matter, emphasising that failure to act would destabilise the very fabric of society
The army spokesperson said that letters were written to the IMF lobbying was done not to give loan to Pakistan and letting the country default If those who were behind May 9 are not punished, then no one s life, wealth, honour and dignity will be safe ” During the press conference the DG ISPR was asked by a journalist that the alleged masterminds of May 9 had not been punished despite the passage of a year The spokesperson underscored that May 9 was not solely a concern for Pakistani forces but rather a matter concern-
ing the entire populace of Pakistan If one believes in Pakistan s justice system and its framework of accountability, then according to the Constitution, those responsible for the events of May 9 including both perpetrators and masterminds must face legal repercussions
On creating a narrative on May 9 the spokesperson of the army added that May 9 is not a hidden thing The irrefutable evidence of this is also with the public ”
“We all saw it happen with our own eyes We have all seen how people were brainwashed They were brainwashed by lies and propaganda against the army its leadership and agencies Political leaders selected targets They attacked military installations across the country in a few hours ” When asked about the possibility of any deal the spokesperson reiterated that the army has no political role The army is apolitical and its relationship with every government is in accordance with the Constitution and law,” he added
“All political parties are respectable for us However if any political group attacks its own army no one will interact with them The only way for such an anarchist group is to apologise to the nation and promise to leave the politics of hatred and engage in constructive politics, he stressed Regarding the allegations made by six Islamabad High Court judges against the intelligence agencies the DG ISPR stated that the issue was currently under
judicial review It is not fair to make accusations without proof There is no benefit in taking the army into political affairs ” When questioned about the accusation of “regime change” concerning Saudi Arabia the army spokesperson expressed regret stating You cannot damage relations with friendly countries in the name of expression This is absolutely wrong ” When questioned about whether the army has handed over military bases in Balochistan and Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa to the US or any similar arrangement is underway the spokesperson responded unequivocally, stating, Neither base has been nor will be handed over to anyone in Pakistan ”
“This is ridiculous This is propaganda ” When questioned about Corps Commander Mangala General (retd) Ayman Safdar s premature retirement due to alleged political affiliations, the army spokesperson emphasised the army’s stringent, transparent, and ongoing self-accountability process He highlighted that any violation of rules and regulations including corruption triggers the accountability system which operates without discrimination Notably, he emphasised that the accountability process is even more rigorous for senior ranks However the spokesperson refrained from disclosing specific charges against former corps commander Mangala or whether he was dismissed
Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PMLN) on Tuesday rescheduled its general council meeting to May 28, to coincide with “Youm-e-Takbeer” the anniversary of Pakistan s nuclear tests conducted in 1998 Punjab Senior Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb confirmed the development in a statement, saying following consultation with PML-N leaders, the party’s general council meeting will be held on May 28 to mark the 26th anniversary of nuclear tests The meeting previously scheduled for May
party insiders claimed that the minster had requested the party leadership to relieve him of his secretary general duties when the party was in power under the banner of Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) from April
When queried about the progress of the inquiry launched against former DG ISI General (retd) Faiz Hameed regarding a housing society case, the DG ISPR outlined the accountability process in place
He stated that a two-star general is overseeing the inquiry in accordance with directives from the Supreme Court and the Ministry of Defence Its purpose is to look into the allegations and ascertain facts Based on this, recommendations will be prepared ”
Talking about the clash between police and army personnel in Bahawalnagar the spokesman said Police and security officials resolved it amicably He said that anti-national elements want to create a rift The incident was unfortunate, it was resolved amicably and an inquiry was underway
He remarked that individuals who criticise the subsidiaries of the Pakistan Army would like to live in DHA get treatment in CMH and send their children to these universities and colleges He said that the role of the army in SIFC and the economy was to facilitate On Afghanistan the spokesperson said that despite repeated demands and sharing of evidence the banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) continued to operate from Afghanistan Pakistan shared credible evidence, but no action was taken The linkage of the recent terrorist incidents can be found in Afghanistan ” Pakistan has helped the Afghan interim government at all levels but the promises they made in Doha do not seem to be fulfilled The agreement clearly states that Afghanistan s territory will not be used against any country, but there is strong evidence that this is happening In this regard the Foreign Office recorded repeated protests with the Taliban government
2022 to August 2023 I told the party leadership years ago that I want
03 NEWS Wednesday 8 May 2024 | ISLAMABAD
MULTAN S TA F F R E P O R T
accused the Punjab Agricultural Storage and Services Corporation (PASSCO) of favoring private traders in wheat sales Khalid Hussain Bhath, Chairman of the Farmers Union emphasized that farmers are protesting vehemently due to the nonprocurement of wheat He warned that the protests will persist until the government sets a target for wheat procurement We will stage sit-ins with our livestock on crucial highways in every district Bhath asserted Furthermore, he highlighted that many protestors have been detained by the authorities, with no communication from the government regarding wheat procurement Bhatt reiterated that farmers will not back down until their demands are met We are being forced to take to the streets in every district and city ” he stated adding that the government is exploiting farmers economically He demanded fair compensation for their labor and immediate measures to safeguard the agricultural sector from ruin A spokesperson for the Farmers Union stated that farmers have set up hunger strike camps outside the Assistant Commissioner s office in Melsi The presence of law enforcement officers has escalated tensions with farmers allegedly receiving threats and facing the prospect of FIRs (First Information Reports) being filed against them The protests underscore the growing discontent among farmers over the government’s handling of wheat procurement and its failure to address their grievances As the standoff continues the farmers remain resolute in their demands signaling a prolonged confrontation with the authorities until a resolution is reached FA R M E R S ’ P R O T E S T S C O N T I N U E A C R O S S P U N J A B A G A I N S T G O V T ’ S FA I L U R E T O P R O C U R E W H E AT PML-N MPA accused of allegedly assaulting ser vant of SIC MNA PESHAWAR S TA F F R E P O R T An accusation has been leveled against Malik Tariq Awan, a member of the Pakistan Muslim LeagueNawaz (PML-N), for purportedly assaulting a servant at the guest house of Pakistan Tehreek e Insaf (PTI)backed Sunni Ittehad Council (SIC) MNA Asif Khan in Peshawar Police have reported that a case has been registered against the PML-N MPA on behalf of Asif s servant with charges including terrorism among others As per the initial police report (FIR), a group of about 20 individuals, led by Awan, allegedly entered the guest house and subjected the victim to physical abuse “At least five individuals have been apprehended based on MNA Asif ’s complaint implicating Awan in the assault stated the police However Superintendent Police Faqeerabad Usama Amin Cheema clarified that no gunfire occurred during the altercation He mentioned that supporters from both parties engaged in verbal confrontations during the incident In the midst of these developments, the Secretary of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly visited Awan at his residence to inquire about his wellbeing The MPA informed the secretary that the police did not come to conduct a raid at Tariq Awan Qilla but rather to solicit his account of the events and to ensure his security F o r m e r m i l i t a r y o f f i c e r d i e s u n d e r s u s p i c i o u s c i r c u m s t a n c e s RAWALPINDI S TA F F R E P O R T Ex-military official Major General (retd) Rao Ali Shan passed away under suspicious circumstances at his residence in Faisal Town The deceased’s family has alleged foul play The family alleges that his death was the result of a pre-planned murder carried out by two men over a financial transaction Following the family s complaint the police initiated the probe after registering a murder case against the accused individuals It is pertinent to note that Rao Ali Shan was reportedly involved in a financial transaction amounting to Rs70 million with Khawar Abbasi who had allegedly been delaying repayment On the day of the incident Abbasi and his cousin Hasan Abbasi invited Rao Ali Shan to a plaza in Faisal Town under false pretences It is claimed that instead of showing him the property, they led him to a place where he met his demise After they reached the hospital, the doctors confirmed the death of Rao Ali Shan Brigadier Hamid Usman stated that I have known Rao Ali Shan for a long time He was fully fit mentally and physically He often said that Khawar Abbasi was delaying to return his money I can say with certainty that he was pushed and killed from this place,” “Khawar Abbasi is behind this crime with prior planning Legal action should be taken” he added Inspector Ibrahim Baloch confirmed the registration of the case based on the complaint filed by the deceased s relative He concluded that clarity on the situation would emerge from the investigation and final report of the post-mortem examination CONTINUED FR OM PAGE 01 T H E D E TA I L S O F T H E S C A M: Sources earlier informed Profit that despite surplus domestic stocks the import of more than 35 87 373 metric tons of wheat from September 2023 to March 2024 has allegedly caused loss of $1 billion of foreign exchange to the country They said that the Ministry of National Food Security has facilitated the import of wheat allegedly in league with flour mafia and wheat importers and defrauded the country of more than one billion dollars of foreign exchange They said this import has inflicted a loss of above Rs 300 billion to the farmers and Rs 104 billion to the government exchequer according to sources privy to the development Sharing details the sources said wheat stocks with PASSCO and provincial food departments were 43,65,220 metric tons on April 1 2024 and there was no need for private import of wheat They said as the private sector and flour millers imported wheat, PASSCO and provincial food departments could not sell their stocks of 43 65 220 metric ton and have incurred average incidental charges of Rs 950 per maund/40 kg and total loss to government because of incidental amounted to Rs 104 billion which has allegedly indirectly gone to the pockets of flour millers, traders and bureaucracy They said due to unnecessary and unwanted import prices of wheat have crashed to Rs 2800-3000 per maund against government price of Rs 39 000/maund and the farmers will be forced to sell 50 percent i-e 16 million metric tons out of estimated 32 million metric tons of total produce as government is allegedly purchasing very little wheat Thus more than Rs 300 billion will allegedly be looted from the farmers and will go to the pockets of flour millers import traders and bureaucracy, said sources The import was kept uncapped and ships continued to dock at Karachi even during the entire month of March 2024 when wheat from Sindh province was coming to market sources added It is also learnt from the sources that 71 cargos of wheat were imported from Russia, Ukraine, Bulgaria and private importers continued the import of wheat till March 31 instead of March 15 They said that over 3 5 million tons of wheat was imported under the pretext of importing one million tons of wheat They said live insects were found during the inspection in 26 cargoes of wheat out of 71 cargoes of wheat imported from September 2023 to March 2024 Inspection of imported wheat was done by a subordinate department of the Ministry of National Food Security said sources Sources also informed that the private sector was given an open exemption for the import of wheat instead of a fixed limit allegedly on the recommendation of the Ministry of Finance They said that the Ministry of National Food Security had ignored the important suggestions of the Ministry of Commerce and Trading Corporation of Pakistan (TCP) Additional wheat was imported under the systematic plan, which caused billions of rupees loss to the country said sources Khalid Mahmood Khokhar President Pakistan Kissan Ittehad has requested the Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to conduct an inquiry into this mega scandal through a high-powered committee and those who made proposals and gave permission for import of wheat must be punished
Grade 9 matric exam paper allegedly leaked on social media STAFF REPORT The computer science paper for 9th grade purportedly surfaced on social media on the day of the exam A spokesperson from the Board of Secondary Education Karachi (BSEK) stated that they are presently unable to verify the authenticity of the paper circulating on social media Examinations for both grade 9 and 10 commenced today The chairman of BSEK has advised students against bringing mobile phones to the exam hall cautioning that any violations will result in confiscation In the morning session science group papers are being administered, with general group papers scheduled for the second session This year, the board office introduced online admit cards Students can access their examination centers through the admit cards Uzbek FM arrives in Islamabad on two-day official visit today ISLAMABAD S TA F F R E P O R T Foreign Minister of the Republic of Uzbekistan Bakhtiyor Saidov will pay two-day official visit to Pakistan from May 09 (Wednesday) The Uzbek foreign minister during his visit will call on Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif and hold in-depth talks with Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mohammad Ishaq Dar on a wide range of bilateral issues of mutual interest with special focus on trade and connectivity, according to a Foreign Office press release ISLAMABAD S TA F F R E P O R T
11 is likely to see key changes being approved with regards to the party leadership Last week, the party insiders reported that former railway minister Khawaja Saad Rafique is likely to be made PMLN s secretary general in place of Ahsan Iqbal currently leading the Ministry of Planning and Development The
to leave the post the minister said while speaking it to a private TV channel Furthermore, it is also likely that Nawaz Sharif will also retake the PMLN’s reins as party president Nawaz’s re-
as party president was
Punjab chapter President Rana Sanaullah Nawaz will lead the party again The PML-N will move forward under his leadership Sanaullah said speaking with journalists in Lahore Before that PML-N’s Senator Irfan Siddiqui while speaking on a private TV channel had revealed that there was a section within the party that believed that needed a full-time president and therefore, he added, there lies a possibility that Nawaz would once again secure the party’s top post H i g h l i g h t i n g t h a t S h e h b a z d o e s not have enough time to run the party as he is occupied with fulfilling his responsibilities as PM for the country s economic recovery Siddiqui said that t h e d e c i s i o n w i t h r e g a r d s t o t h e party s presidency would be made in a few months PML-N reschedules general council meeting to ‘ Youm- e -Takbeer ’
instatement
announced by PML-N
Th AT the delegation of Saudi businessman had official sanction was shown by its being led by the Saudi Assistant It is the fourth high-level contact between the two countries, which started with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif ’s visit to Saudi Arabia for a bilateral visit in April and which was followed not just by Saudi Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan Al-Saud to Pakistan the same month but by Mr Sharif going back to Saudi Arabia to attend the World economic Forum summit just recently This hectic activity is partially explained by the preparations that are being made for Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister Muhammad Bin Salman s planned visit to Pakistan, but also by the major investments planned by Saudi Arabia in Pakistan The Saudis are expected to invest $25 billion in Pakistan, most of it in a refinery in Gwadar and the rest in the Reko Diq project, where it is expected that Saudi Arabia will buy in This is apart from the $3 billion that Saudi Arabia already has on deposit with the State Bank of Pakistan and the $5 billion in other investments Saudi businessmen are supposed to make The sums are large enough to change the economic dynamic between the two countries Uptil now Saudi Arabia has seen Pakistan as a supplier of labour, and perhaps of halal foods, but only now is it seeing it as an investment destination It is to be noted that it is only of late that Saudi Arabia has seen the need for investing So far, Saudi Arabia used its money much more muscularly, in a straightforward cash-forinfluence arrangement however, it may learn that investments gain
Th e US reaction to Iran s retaliatory drone and missile launches against Israel was both predictable and unhelpful More sanctions against Iran and more weapons to Israel, while at the same time calling for de-escalation, was at best contradictory At worst, it could have the effect of exacerbating existing tensions Reading commentary from the Israeli and Arab press and remarks from US and Western policymakers and analysts was even more distressing Some Arabs celebrated Iran s display of might as a show of strength and deterrence Israelis meanwhile were touting the effectiveness of the defence arsenal they and their allies used to neutralize Iran’s welltelegraphed attack There was a similarly congratulatory tone in responses from Western hawks from the right and left who first elevated and then denigrated the Iranian
would only embolden Iran to attack again Such notions are shortsighted foolishness and downright dangerous It’s time to deal with the reality that, despite the desires of some, neither Israel nor Iran will be defeated The costs that would be incurred in such a fool s errand would be devastating to the entire region Both possess considerable arsenals and allies globally and regionally that can wreak havoc not only in the countless lives lost but also in economic devastation in the Levant and in the Arab Gulf states as well The broader Middle east needs peace and stab i l
t c o m e through more arms and more hostile posturing If we ve learned anything from history it s that the
region’s antagonists will not be defeated Conflict either emboldens them or results in a metastasizing of their conflicts root causes into new and more virulent forms During the past century, the US and its Western allies played an extremely negative role From the Sykes-Picot betrayal and dismemberment of the region to the fatal partition of Palestine and UN’s failure to insist on Israel honoring the terms of its conditional admission in 1948 the West repeatedly turned a blind eye to Israel s aggressive behaviour and its egregious violations of Palestinian rights
This only served to make a bad situation worse As a result, the region has been forced to endure repeated wars involving Israel, the Palestinians, Lebanon Syria Jordan and egypt
Our policies have been no better with regard to Iran We supported the repressive regime of its Shah and worked to overthrow Iran s effort to form a democracy in the 1950s a wound Iranians never forgot This hostility came into clear focus after the Shah’s pro-Western regime grew more repressive and was overthrown in a popular revolt in 1979
That promising revolution quickly devolved into the aggressive Islamic Republic of Iran with its decidedly anti-Western bent
During the decade-long war of the 1980s between revolutionary Iran and Saddam hussein s Iraq, the USA supplied munitions (including chemical and biological components) to Iraq, while covertly (and illegally) funneling weapons to Iran
The results were devastating to both nations Then came a decade of crippling US-imposed sanctions on both countries and finally the disastrous US invasion and occupation of Iraq which led to Iran gaining a foothold in Iraq among its long-oppressed Shi’a majority Iran was now emboldened to pursue its regional ambitions with its allies in Lebanon Syria and Yemen all of whom had their own grievances within their countries and with the West
After decades of misguided US and Western policies, the region now faces several separate but connected conflicts Separate because they are rooted in circumstances particular to each country, and connected because in each case the pot is stirred by the same set of external actors: Iran and its allies or the US/Israel axis and its allies
Because the USA has persisted on its path of u
challenge Israel or constructively engage Iran, we are where we are today: genocide in Gaza, Israel and hezbollah on the brink of war, Syria still reeling from civil war and Iran now involved in
Guarding against the Praetorians
by the executive with the deference demanded by the Constitution Where do we go from here? While there is never a good argument for writing of letters by the judges for public consumption, an ominous trend started by the incumbent chief justice, we could take the recent letter from the six judges of the Islamabad high Court as a point on the curve to start over hold the judicial convention for the sole purposes of inhouse accountability and to urge Parliament to revisit the veiled and soiled appointment process of the judges Unless we are prepared to deliberate and debate on appointing judges on merit through an objective criterion our democracy remains under threat from the judicial branch
The writer is a barrister of Lincoln s Inn and holds an LLM from UC Berkeley
While there is never a good argument for writing of letters by the judges for public consumption, an ominous trend star ted by the incumbent chief justice, we could take the recent letter from the six judges of the Islamabad High Cour t, as a point on the curve, to star t over Hold the judicial convention for the sole purposes of in-house accountability and to urge Parliament to revisit the veiled and soiled appointment process of the judges Unless we are prepared to deliberate and debate on appointing judges on merit through an objective criterion our democracy remains under threat from the judicial branch
Poor administration
04 Wednesday 8 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 S a u d i d e l e g a t i o n i n t o w n
influence which is more lasting than cash grants It is perhaps of value that Mr Sharif has shown understanding of what the government could do he told a reception for the visiting delegation on Sunday that it would give them the best facilities possible and ensure ease of doing business through the Special Investment Facilitation Council he should have added security, for the Saudi interest is focused for the time boeing on Balochistan, which is home both to separatism and sectarianism, not to mention Indian espionage Chinese investors have already been targeted It is not expected that Saudi investors will offer as many targets, because even the skilled labour on their projects would not be Saudi S audi delegation’s visit crucial for future investments M A Niazi Editor Pakistan Today Babar Nizami Editor Profit Dedicated to the legac y of late Hameed Nizami Arif Nizami (Late) Founding Editor Not a private road A private university situated in Block-6, PeChS, Karachi, considers the road between its two campuses as its own private road The university has established barriers and speed-breakers on the road while its staff members stop the traffic as if they have joined the traffic police It seems that they will soon put barriers at the road entrance points to block the public from coming onto the road at all ADIL MUHAMMAD KHAN KARACHI Obesit y O B e S I T Y is a condition indicating excessive body weight It can cause many health problems, including, but not limited to, hypertension Obesity is more commonly found in children as they tend to be couch potatoes in today’s world The problem can be managed naturally through lifestyle modifications as well as medically Natural ways to handle obesity include eating healthy food adopting a healthy lifestyle and indeed exercising Making people aware of how to adopt a better lifestyle and proper eating habits can reduce the chances of obesity, specifically in children MUQADDAS MUMRAIZ KARACHI
promises e v e RY time there are elections in the country, politicians make big promises about the opportunities they will create and the prosperity they will bring to the people however nothing changes The people of Larkana and surrounding areas are still deprived of their basic rights The drainage system education healthcare and infrastructure in interior Sindh are in utter mess The law and order situation in many areas is unspeakable Our politicians neither bring the change they promise so often, nor do they bother to make an effort to that end ARSLAN SHOUKAT MEMON LARKANA
Fake
T h e government has called off the recruitment process for teaching posts in the education department This has been done as part of efforts to control prevalent corruption in government departments What about the candidates whose time and money now stand wasted? The test was conducted by the Sardar Bahadur Khan Women s University which charged Rs1 000 per post The aspirants had come from different parts of the country to take the test They invested their time and money in the process Can they be compensated? If teaching posts are announced again, the test fee should be exempted for the candidates who fell victim to negligence RAIS REHMATULLAH SHAHDADKOT Cycle rickshaws A few years ago I was in the Indian city of New Delhi where I saw hundreds of cycle rickshaws on the roads I wonder why the cycle rickshaw has been abandoned in Pakistan It is a pollution-free means of transport that is noiseless and can provide inexpensive local transport for short distances in the cities The cycle rickshaw has been replaced in Pakistan by motorcycle rickshaw, which is a massively noisy option and a huge source of pollution IMTIAZ AKHTER 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 O U R j u d i c i a l b r a n c h h a s a c c u m ulated significant power in the politi c a l r e a l m A n d t h i s i s d a n g e r o u s for democracy In the last one and half years alone judges have exercised jurisdiction on political questions uns p a r i n g l y i g n o r i n g t h e t r a d i t i o n a l f e t t e r s o f r e s t r a i n t , d e f e r e n c e , c o m i t y a n d e v e n r i p e n e s s T h e y h a v e a l s o r a i s e d a n d s e t t l e d matters that are non-justiciable Apart from the traditional checks the judicial branch no longer operates it appears subject to the Constitution and is propelled by an individual judge s sense of righteousness and moral compass The courts have been in headlines more than any other coordinate branch that in itself is a worrying trend but it isn’t because they are functioning well or functioning at all rather due to their misguided zeal to write political opinions and to pander to the galleries Often, judges in this period have struggled to discuss and apply precedent But, in a new normal, if the superior courts are not bound by the Constitution they are certainly not limited by stare decisis either The last year and half would probably go down as one the worst phases of judicial activism It started with the decision to set aside the speaker s ruling (Suo Motu Case No 1/2022) The court dialed back the clock, directed Parliament to hold the vote of confidence on a specific time and day and then the courts were opened in the late hours of the night to enforce their direction Power with the Supreme Court if not informed by judicial restraint, inevitably encroaches upon the authority of the coordinate branches The decision was a significant assault on the independence of the parliament The political chaos that imbued from that one decision has still not settled An endless loop! The superior courts since the Speaker s ruling decision have only reinforced their self-assumed messiah syndrome, becoming in the process, all powerful kingmakers in our democratic dispensation They have assumed jurisdiction on political questions without blinking on maintainability including on issues of rejected votes inconsistently party defections without applying the precedent and on oath of political offices with no textual basis in the opinions The Supreme Court, more than once, has lumped together the advisory jurisdiction with other jurisdictions vested in it including the original jurisdiction which is not what the framers had envisaged There is a good case to rid ourselves of advisory jurisdiction all together, given how it has played out, and more so because it remains a major affront to separation of powers Would the executive dare disagree with the opinion of the Supreme Court in advisory jurisdiction? The trend of influencing political outcomes through court decisions did not ebb under the incumbent chief justice The symbolic case opinion Civil Petition 42 of 2024 perhaps would go down as one of the most controversial decisions in our constitutional history The decision sadly disenfranchised millions in the country and palmed on political instability like no other decision in recent memory; effectively robbing an entire political party which has not been dissolvedyet from due representation and political mandate The doublespeak is particularly alarming as the same apex court has acted conservatively and condoned stifling space for free speech It also remains dicey on the question of trial of civilians by the military courts as well as arbitrary arrests of political workers This institution is increasingly out of touch with today s Pakistan that has nearly 73 percent of its population under the age of 30 and has more than 72 million social media users People continue to be critical of the supreme court A ban on X would not salvage its plummeting stocks Who will guard against the Praetorians? The good work our judicial officers do and there are a few is always eclipsed by the political opinions or unrestrained, trigger happy approach of their peers on the bench interfering in policy matters Lately the Islamabad high Court even ventured to regulate roti prices in the city The Lahore high Court in the past has even sought to regulate the electricity bills for the consumers One bench in Lahore is operating suo motu to address smog issues– completely unfettered by constitutional trappings Small wonder then, orders and judgments of judicial officers are not enforced
T h e j u d i c i a r y n e e d s t o b e e x a m i n e d Ummar ZiaUDDin
attack while suggesting that the only effective response was for Israel to do more to neutralize the Iranian threat I appeared on a news programme following a retired British general who pointedly said that Israel must now massively retaliate against Iran because that was the only way to defeat it A limited response he argued
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mult i p l e c o n f l i c t s i n c l u d i n g m o s t r e c e n t l y i n L i b y a and Sudan In response to both the lack of coherence in US policies, its weakened stature in global affairs, the rise of China and a China/Russia axis, and the persistent regional threats Arab countries continue to face, several Arab governments have been forced to act on their own to protect their interests by seeking peace and stability in their region They are developing their own ties with Iran working with China and Russia while continuing ties with the US and making overtures to Israel And now a devastating war in Gaza and the dangers of conflict between Israel and Iran Instead of finding a constructive way forward, the US has fallen back on its past failed policies More than a decade ago when the Obama Administration was using sanctions and its diplomatic capital to negotiate a nuclear arms deal with Iran I argued for a different course Instead of expending these assets to stop Iran from securing a bomb they did not have, why not address Iran’s regional meddling by working with the same P5+1 memb e r s o f t h e U N t o c o n v e n e a r e g i o n a l s e c u r i t y f r a m e w o r k m o d e l e d a f t e r t h e p r e c u r s o r t o t h e OSCe that stabilized europe east and West during the Cold War? The idea wasn t original, having first been broached by the 2006 Iraq Study Group It called for the formation of an International Support Group, bringing together Iraq’s neighbours with the five permanent Security Council members to address the regional fallout of the mess created by the Iraq war The idea wasn t listened to then but should now be considered Critical issues affecting regional stability and world peace must be addressed: Israel s occupation of Palestinian lands, the sine qua non for any future progress, and Israel’s continuing aggressive role in the region; Iran’s meddling in the affairs of several Arab countries; the need for political and economic reforms everywhere; a Nuclear Free Zone in the Middle east; security guarantees and a non-aggression pact; and promoting the benefits that can accrue from regional investment and trade Like the Madrid Peace Conference, a Middle east OSCe would bring together Arab countries Iran Turkey and Israel under the sponsorship of the five permanent members of the Security Council It won t be easy Some countries will need to be pressured to participate Concessions will need to be made and incentives offered Unlike Madrid, pressure shouldn’t end when the parties convene It must continue until agreements are reached I’m told by US policymakers that such an idea won t fly They point to this or that country that won t agree to participate The same was said about Madrid Such a response is lazy and lacking in imagination It s also foolish, and dangerous, because the alternative is to continue on the path to perpetual war Instead of fueling conflict and increasing insecurity a new path must be found Nations in the Middle east need peace and stability and to be in the position of benefiting from regional cooperation But to get there the USA needs to change direction and work within the framework of the United Nations to create a regional security framework for peace and stability The writer is President of the Arab American Institute A f r a m e w o r k f o r M i d d l e E a s t p e a c e a n d s t a b i l i t y Fuel must not be added to the fire
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D r J a m e s J Z o g b y
Washington Watch
The personal battles and triumphs of Pakistan’s freelancers
TH E freelancing industry of Pakistan is burgeoning particularly within the IT sector, where more than a million individuals are engaged in various fields, predominantly integrated with the global gig economy Ac0cording to the World Bank 42 percent of Pakistani freelancers are working merely in software development representing 10 percent of global
new freelancers have to work for free initially to establish a ranking and rating from clients on their profiles Sometimes, they have to work at a low cost ‘I worked for free for 2 5 months, as most freelancers do ’ he explained ‘Conversely in a traditional job you will get paid regularly even if you have just graduated and have zero experience Najam recounted his struggle to land his first project on Upwork I used all my connections in a day and stayed idle for the whole month,’ he said ‘This year, he did a lot of research, learned how to write a good cover letter and how to approach a client As a result he won his first project in the same month he rejoined Upwork He further shared that he joined Fiverr in 2016 but couldn t land his first project and used to work for subcontractors He won his first gig in 2021 When asked what specific things he did to win his first project in 2021 he replied ‘I did a lot of research and Search Engine Optimization (SEO) For instance when a client searches for book cover design, they see the top 10 sellers on the first page and often choose a seller based on ratings Proper research and unique keywords increase the probability of winning a project He further explained with an example: ‘If I search for book covers it shows 100 000
people offering services, but searching for ‘professional book covers’ may show only 10 000 freelancers increasing my chance
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strong communication and marketing skills As a result potential freelancers either leave the market or are exploited by the people who are outsourcing the work, offering low wages Furthermore, freelancers often neglect the importance of social media presence and communication skills exacerbating their challenges in securing
Tment touts India’s global stature and economic growth In contrast the opposition coalition led by Rahul Gahdi s Congress Party highlights persistent unemployment and pledges to halt India’s slide into majoritarian autocracy During Modi’s 10-year rule, India has shifted towards majoritarianism undermining democracy and creating serious insecurity for minorities The BJP government under Modi s leadership promotes a Hindu nationalist agenda, prioritising the interests of the Hindu majority over those of religious minorities Modi’s divisive political rhetoric both before and after becoming Prime Minister in 2014 has often targeted Muslims Serious and well-founded concerns about attacks on freedom of speech have arisen as the government curbs dissent and stifles voices critical of its policies Instances of harassment and legal action against journalists activists and academics have raised questions about the state of democracy in India Communal violence targeting mi-
nority communities, particularly Muslims has become a serious issue The Modi government has not adequately prevented or addressed such incidents In some cases government officials and BJP politicians have incited or supported violence against minorities, with Minister of Home Affairs and Modi’s right-hand man Amit Shah and Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh Yogi Aditynath repeat offenders
Social polarisation along religious lines has intensified with divisive rhetoric and policies contributing to an atmosphere of insecurity and mistrust Muslims in India often face systemic discrimination in education employment and housing Under Modi’s rule hate crimes and religiously motivated violence including lynchings have increased significantly, a consequence of growing communitarianism
Divisive rhetoric and identity politics for electoral gain have contributed to an environment where minorities are demonised and scapegoated leading to increased tensions and violence Moreover the normalisation of hate speech and rampant disinformation, both online and offline, plays a significant role in perpetuating violence against Muslims
Modi’s enthusiastic support for the construction of the Ram Temple at the disputed site of the Babri Masjid also raises serious questions about his commitment to upholding the rule of law and respecting the independence of the judiciary
The Supreme Court of India’s verdict in November 2018, which awarded the disputed land to Hindu parties to construct the temple was seen as a validation of the Hindu nationalist agenda rather than a decision based solely on legal principles and evidence
The abrogation of Article 370 by the Modi regime in 2019, which granted special autonomy to the Muslim-majority province of Indian occupied Jammu and Kashmir and the subsequent bifurcation of the state into two union territories, were carried out without consulting the people of Kashmir or their elected representatives
Since the implementation of Modi’s Kashmir policy there have been widespread reports of human rights violations in the region including allegations of arbitrary detentions torture extrajudicial killings, and restrictions on freedom of movement and expression
The heavy deployment of security forces and the imposition of internet and communication blackouts have further exacerbated the situation leading to a climate of fear and intimidation among the local Muslim population Modi government s policies such as the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) and the National Register of Citizens
(NRC) have been seen as discriminatory against Muslims and other minority groups By selectively granting citizenship based on religious identity the CAA undermines the secular principles enshrined in the Indian Constitution, which guarantees equality before the law regardless of religion
The most contentious aspect of the CAA is its exclusion of Muslim migrants from the countries covered by the legislation which is seen as discriminatory and Islamophobic effectively denying citizenship to persecuted Muslims The combination of the CAA, the NRC, and the proposed nationwide implementation of the National Population Register (NPR) raises concerns about the potential for rendering millions of people stateless particularly Muslims who may not be able to provide sufficient documentation to prove their citizenship This could lead to a massive humanitarian crisis and violations of human rights
LOK SABHA 2024: FROM DEMOCRACY TO AUTOCRACY: Given this background, the upcoming 2024 election in India holds significant implications, especially for the country’s minority communities particularly the Muslim population Even after being Prime Minister for 10 years Modi continues to use Islamophobic language during this election campaign His speeches and election campaigns continue to appeal to Hindu nationalist sentiments, promoting an “us versus them” narrative that exacerbates communal tensions and polarises society along religious lines Under Modi s rule India s democracy has already transformed into an electoral autocracy The Modi government has stifled freedom of speech and expression especially for those who criticise the government or its policies Democratic institutions in India such as the judiciary election commission, and law enforcement agencies, have been weakened by political interference and pressure from the ruling party, failing miserably to uphold the principles of justice and equality
With nearly all of these constitutional safeguards and institutions faltering if Modi is reelected there is no doubt that India s 200 million Muslims will be relegated to second-class citizenship India may constitutionally become a Hindu country abandoning its secular character and the world may witness a humanitarian disaster of a magnitude never before seen Ashok Swain is a professor of peace and conflict research at Uppsala University Sweden
IN April 2023 Ernest Moret a French publisher working for Editions la Fabrique, was detained at St Pancras station while en route to a London book fair He was held under Schedule 7 of the UK Terrorism Act 2000, and questioned by counter-terrorism officers about whether he had participated in anti-government demonstrations in France M o r e t s m o b i l
confiscated for weeks, but returned to him after p o l i c e
though they confirmed they had downloaded his sim card before returning his phone Moret had refused to provide his passwords Fast forward to today and after Moret launched a legal challenge against the Metropolitan Police, the force has agreed to pay him substantial damages: a five-figure sum, plus his legal fees Moret is also seeking a full and unequivocal apology from Commissioner Mark Rowley
This is a welcome and hugely positive outcome Credit goes to Moret for diligently pursuing his case and to his legal team for securing this positive result I am no stranger to Schedule 7, and followed Moret’s case with personal interest The outcome, though welcome shines a necessary spotlight on our two-tiered legal system
This is what happened to me After a trip to Qatar in November 2016 I too was stopped upon my return under Schedule 7, and charged with willfully obstructing police when I refused to hand over the password and PIN number for my laptop and phone
As managing director of the advocacy group Cage International my work involves documenting highly sensitive information relating to accounts of torture and state repression On this occasion, my laptop contained evidence from a survivor of US torture whom I had met in Qatar, Ali al-Marri, including the names of FBI agents that he shared with me to instruct British lawyers I felt the full personal and professional weight of the trust this man placed in me
CRIMINAL OFFENCE: Being stopped at ports of entry is nothing new; it has happened to me more than 20 times On two of these occasions, I was asked to hand over the passwords for my devices and declined with no consequences This time was different I was told that police had the right to demand access to electronic devices and that my refusal to cooperate was a criminal offence As a human rights defender, I can see with painful clarity where this leaves the work of those campaigning against the excesses of state
Wednesday 8 May 2024 COMMENT 05
H E 2024 general election in India spanning six weeks from April 19 to June 1 is poised to be the largest in history Promising a continuation of his firebrand Hindu nationalism, Prime Minister Narendra Modi seeks a third consecutive term in office while opposition parties try seemingly in vain to warn of the existential threat that Hindutva rule has on the democratic and secular character of the country Unlike the previous high-turnout elections of 2014 and 2019, where Modi was first the anti-establishment challenger and then able to rouse anti-Pakistan sentiment after the 2019 Pulwama attacks this time the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) haven t been able to whip the Indian electorate into a similar frenzy but not for lack of trying In recent weeks Narendra Modi has returned to the traditional BJP playbook of stoking tensions with India s Muslim minority to increase turnout In Rajasthan Modi called Muslims infiltrators , looters , and those who have more children The infamous “Love Jihad” conspiracy has also made its way back into election speeches and media headlines INSIDE MODI S MOB RULE: Although Modi is widely expected to win this election, key issues remain, including Modi s economic policies, welfare initiatives, and allegations of discrimination against minority groups Modi’s govern-
N a r e n d r a M o d i i s f a s h i o n i n g I n d i a i n h i s o w n , d e s p o t i c i m a g e
freelancers There are 19 million active freelancers around the world as per Online Labor Index data Active
mean those who have completed at least one project on Upwork
and other such platforms Pakistan accounts for 2 37 million active freelancers with 0 55 million working full-time
having completed 10 gigs, and earned $ 1,000 In Pakistan where job opportunities are limited, and inflation is reaching sky-high, freelancing is proving to be an antidote to stagflation It provides various opportunities to freelancers such as flexible working schedules (females can easily work and manage family responsibilities) and autonomy, allowing individuals to explore diverse job roles and access a global market and enhancing skill development Additionally freelancers earn in dollars providing a buffer against high inflation However freelancing isn t devoid of challenges, often stemming from poorly implemented government reforms and low skill levels The Ignite report “Study for Assessment of Pakistan’s Freelancing Ecosystem & DigiSkills pk” highlighted the same barriers that are responsible for gig wrongs that is low skill level is creating hurdles for freelancers to bid or compete in international markets lack of awareness, less command on English language (specifically speaking) and many more There are some more challenges that are commonly discussed such as payment gateways internet and electricity issues tax exemption bank transfer deduction among others Addressing these challenges requires lengthy procedures and substantial investments However the flip side of the freelancing industry is that these can be personal challenges which freelancers are facing and its possible solutions To assess this, I conducted interviews with freelancers and experts
1 (a male freelancer who designs book covers) shared his experience of securing work He mentioned that
freelancers
Fiverr
freelancers,
Respondent
jobs on web-based platforms We asked respondent 3 who is affiliated with Pakistan Freelancer Association (PFLA) Gilgit Baltistan, about the challenges freelancers are facing in the international market He elaborated that since English was not our native language Pakistani freelancers struggle to communicate with clients in English and understand it Firstly freelancers lack exposure to these soft skills and often don t prioritize them, resulting in difficulties in securing projects Secondly, freelancers have a limited digital footprint, and their portfolios are not adequately managed To succeed on web-based platforms relying solely on Upwork and Fiverr bidding is not advisable; freelancers need to be active on other social media platforms and attend exhibitions to increase visibility and win projects He explained that the PFLA works for the betterment and well-being of freelancers It provided a platform where freelancers could share skill-related problems assist each other and find solutions Primarily it supports freelancers in addressing issues encountered during complex projects and communicates freelancers problems to the government collectively The PFLA is a volunteer organization with no funding sources, providing mentorship to freelancers, he added He further added that the total number of freelancers registered with different platforms was three million Only 100 000 to 150 000 freelancers were active (working daily) and 75 000 were registered with PFLA In the era of technology and the internet, it is easy to acquire any skill by watching videos and taking online courses Self-branding ws now the most crucial skill However the biggest challenge lay in selling skills; for example graphic designing is a skill but selling that skill effectively is also a skill There are established standards for selling skills, which can be learned through mentorship PFLA offers free-ofcost membership, and anyone can seek help from the association Respondent 4 is working with the Institute of Emerging Careers (IEC) and highlighted two reasons responsible for the low skill base of freelancers Firstly, freelancers often watch videos on YouTube from less authentic sources, whose makers themselves were not properly trained Consequently these freelancers tarnish Pakistan’s image by delivering low-quality work leading to international clients being reluctant to hire Pakistanis Some clients even specify in their job descriptions that Pakistani citizens need not apply Secondly, some individuals have established private institutes offering various freelancing courses but they prioritize earning money over quality These institutes lack proper licensing and end up wasting the time and money of young people In light of these insights, here are some recommendations to maximize advantages derived from the freelancing industry: the government or private training institutes need to incorporate interpersonal skills into their modules and establish industry standards and accreditation for freelancing courses and training programs to ensure quality and credibility They should also organize local networking events, workshops, and conferences specifically for freelancers to connect with one another potential clients and industry experts Additionally expanding mentorship programs such as those offered by the PFLA is crucial By implementing these suggestions, Pakistan can further harness the potential of its freelance industry, empower freelancers to overcome challenges and continue contributing to economic growth and innovation The writer is a freelance columnist She can be reached at sehrish irfaan@gmail com
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I n l i g h t o f t h e s e i n s i g h t s , h e r e a r e s o m e r e c o m m e n d a t i o n s t o m a x i m i z e a d va n t a g e s d e r i v e d f ro m t h e f r e e l a n c i n g i n d u s t r y : t h e g ov e r n m e n t o r p r i va t e t r a i n i n g i n s t i t u t e s n e e d t o i n c o r p o r a t e i n t e r p e r s o n a l s k i l l s i n t o t h e i r m o d u l e s a n d e s t a b l i s h i n d u s t r y s t a n d a rd s a n d a c c r e d i t a t i o n fo r f r e e l a n c i n g c o u r s e s a n d t r a i n i n g p ro g r a m s t o e n s u r e q u a l i t y a n d c r e d i b i l i t y
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power The confidentiality of clients is a cornerstone of the work we do and my conviction lies only in my duty to protect that confidentiality My case exposed how there are no satisfactory protections for legally privileged material And since I was not held as a result of a “random stop” but for a collateral purpose I now write as someone with a criminal conviction rather than someone who received a payout and reimbursement of legal expenses Despite Judge Emma Arbuthnot confirming she understood that I was protecting sensitive information, she said she was bound by the law to convict me of an offence for doing so Both my case and Moret’s carry significant wider consequences for journalists lawyers NGO members doctors and others carrying confidential information across UK borders The message is this: a white European publisher can quash his Schedule 7 stop and receive a settlement, while a British Muslim director of an international advocacy group defending victims of state injustice can be charged and convicted What are the differences between these two cases? CHALLENGING POWER: State harassment has unfortunately become a fixture of the work I do, and it is something I accept as a consequence of campaigning against power The story of my charge and conviction was covered in the awardnominated film Phantom Parrot by Kate Stonehill and I will never shy away from speaking out against state repression In 2019, Cage published a study revealing the discriminatory and Islamophobic nature of Schedule 7, widely condemned for being draconian undermining civil rights and criminalising political dissent But even a law as overbearing as this treats some as more equal than others Our call has always been clear: Schedule 7 must be immediately repealed and all of its victims adequately compensated for the impacts on their personal and professional lives By conservative estimates there have been more than one million people stopped over the past two decades the overwhelming majority of whom were released with no further action We call for a full and transparent public inquiry into why mass surveillance on British citizens has been allowed to continue this long, and how to truly protect the civil liberties that have consequently been eroded The message playing loud and clear to minority communities is that standing up to protect the vulnerable will come at a higher personal cost when you are a British Muslim My conviction has had lasting effects on my ability to do my job, and I believe this was the intended outcome When I was banned from entering France last year after giving a speech highlighting the country s structural Islamophobia one of the reasons given was my UK terrorism conviction The word terrorism remains on record, although the reality is that I was prosecuted for protecting my client’s confidentiality These Schedule 7 stops do not remain unfortunate isolated incidents Rather they serve as long-term deterrents for people doing the work I do in an attempt to quash dissent and censor essential human rights investigations In the murky web of state surveillance, this is one of the rare occasions where there is exceptional clarity: human rights defenders from minority groups will feel the full force of the law Others will be given support sympathetic publicity and generous compensation Schedule 7 has long stood in violation of basic standards of due process disproportionately impacting Muslims and nonwhite people; its selective application now adds another dimension to the rot Muhammad Rabbani is Managing Director of the advocacy group CAGE U K I s l a m o p h o b i a : W h y S c h e d u l e 7 m u s t b e i m m e d i a t e l y r e p e a l e d MIDDLE EAST EYE M u h a M M a d R a b b a n i ‘ Wi t h n e a r l y a l l o f t h e s e co n s t i t u t i o n a l s a f e g u a rd s a n d i n s t i t u t i o n s f a l te r i n g, i f M o d i i s re e l e c te d, t h e re i s n o d o u b t t h at I n d i a’s 2 0 0 m i l l i o n M u s l i m s w i l l b e re l e g ate d to s e co n d - c l a s s c i t i ze n s h i p’
X i elaborates on C hina’s
position on Palestinian-Israeli conflic t, Ukraine crisis
Chinese President Xi Jinping outlined China s principled position on the Palestinian-Israeli conflict and the Ukraine crisis when he jointly met the press with his French counterpart Emmanuel
Macron here on Monday The prolonged tragedy of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict is a test for human conscience, and the international community must act, Xi said China calls on all parties to work for an immediate comprehensive and sustainable ceasefire
the Ukraine crisis on many occasions China did not start the Ukraine crisis nor is it a party to or a participant in it Xi said noting that instead of being an onlooker, China has been playing an important role for peace The special representative of the Chinese government on Eurasian affairs is on his third round of shuttle diplomacy he added At the same time, China op-
CM Balochistan appoints 11 displeased members as Parliamentar y Secretaries
poses attempts to use the Ukraine crisis to scapegoat or smear a third country or to stoke a new Cold War, he said Noting that history has proven time and again that at the end of the day conflicts can only be resolved through negotiation Xi said that China calls on all parties to resume engagement and dialogue to build mutual trust China supports holding at a proper time an international peace conference that is recognized by both Russia
using AC coupling This enables the photons to accumulate Berry phase as they travel around the lattice structure Chang Jin vice president of CAS said at a press conference that the achievement is expected to have a significant impact on the future development of quantum technology “We hope that the development of quantum technology will continue to advance through the efforts of the global scientific community and international cooperation By transforming the achievements of relevant basic research into key technologies that drive social progress and economic development, quantum technology will become the innovative force and source of new quality productive forces,” Chang said
“This is a remarkable achievement, both scientifically and technically, and reaching such a goal has been one of the holy grails of quantum simulation for many years in many laboratories worldwide,” said Peter Zoller, winner of the Wolf Prize in Physics and a chair professor at the University of Innsbruck
W d d y 8 M y 2024 | ISLAMABAD 06 NEWS PARIS M I A N A B R A R A S the world goes through transformation and turbulence not seen in a century China and France should uphold independence and jointly prevent a new Cold War or bloc confrontation, Chinese President Xi Jinping said here Monday Xi made the remarks during talks with his French counterpart Emmanuel Macron at Elysee Palace The Chinese president expressed his delight in making the third state visit to France on the occasion of the 60th anniversary of the establishment of China-France diplomatic relations The two sides should stay committed to the spirit that guided the establishment of their diplomatic ties, namely, independence mutual understanding long-term vision and mutual benefit and enrich it with new features of the new era Xi said The two sides should continue to understand each other, jointly promote harmonious coexistence in a colorful world, stick to taking a long view and work together for an equal and orderly multipolar world, he said They should pursue win-win cooperation and jointly oppose decoupling, cutting off supply chains, he said Xi stressed that China is willing to maintain strategic communication with France respect each other ’s core interests and consolidate the strategic stability of bilateral relations tap the vast potential of mutually beneficial cooperation and facilitate growth and balance in bilateral trade China is willing to import more quality products from France, push for more practical results from the “French farm to Chinese dining table” mechanism and hope that France will export more high-tech and high value-added products to China Xi said The two sides should enhance the docking of development strategies, deepen cooperation in traditional areas such as aerospace and aviation, strengthen cooperation in nuclear energy, innovation and finance, and expand cooperation in emerging areas such as green energy smart manufacturing biomedicine and artificial intelligence he said China has fully liberalized access to its manufacturing sector and will speed up market access in telecommunications, medical and other services, Xi said We welcome more French companies to invest in China, he said, adding that China hopes that France will provide a sound business environment and stable development expectations for Chinese companies to invest and cooperate in France Xi stressed that both as major countries with a rich culture China and France should speed up people-topeople and cultural exchanges continue to hold various activities of the China-France Year of Culture and Tourism, and actively promote cooperation in the joint protection and restoration of cultural relics and pairing between world heritage sites Welcoming more French friends to visit China, Xi said that China will extend the visa-free policy for short-term visits to China by 12 countries including France until the end of 2025 China also looks forward to hosting more than 10 000 French students in the next three years and doubling the number of European youth exchanges in China, Xi said China supports France in hosting a successful Paris Olympic Games and will send a high-level delegation to France said the Chinese president China is willing to deepen cooperation with France in climate change biodiversity and other fields support France in hosting a successful UN Ocean Conference and encourage the pairing of relevant national parks and nature reserves of the two countries, Xi said China is also willing to strengthen dialogue and communication with France in such areas as artificial intelligence governance and reform of the international financial system China and France should uphold mutual benefits jointly oppose acts of decoupling and disrupting industrial and supply chains and say no together to building barriers, President Xi Jinping made the remarks on Monday when holding talks with his French counterpart Emmanuel Macron in Paris AHMEDABAD A G E N C I E S Prime Minister Narendra Modi voted early as India held the third phase of a massive general election on Tuesday and called for a strong turnout although he warned of the scorching summer heat The world’s most populous nation began voting on April 19 in a seven-phase election in which nearly one billion people are eligible to vote with ballots set to be counted on June 4 Modi is seeking a rare, third straight term in a vote which pits his Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) against an alliance of more than two dozen opposition parties Surveys suggest he will win a comfortable majority I urge all citizens to vote in large numbers and celebrate the festival of democracy To all those working in the heat, I urge you to take care of your health and drink adequate water,” he said shortly after voting in his home state of Gujarat Modi cast his ballot in the Gandhinagar constituency where his number two Home Minister Amit Shah, is the BJP candidate Clad in saffron and white, Modi was surrounded by hundreds of supporters and party members signing autographs and talking to children on the way to the polling booth He was received by Shah as people beat drums and rang bells Modi s campaign began by showcasing his economic record, welfare measures, national pride and personal popularity But it changed tack after the first phase of voting on April 19 and focused more on firing up BJP s Hindu base by attacking rivals as pro-Muslim, even as surveys say jobs and inflation are the main concerns of voters In an interview with broadcaster Times Now aired on Monday Modi said he does not oppose Islam or Muslims and wants the community to think about their future growth as they vote Tuesday s polling covers 93 seats in 11 states and territories, with Gujarat and Maharashtra in the west and Karnataka in the south accounting for 50 seats That would complete voting for 283 of parliament s 543 elected seats I n t h e 2 0 1 9 e l e c t i o n s , t h e B J P w o n m o r e t h a n 7 0 o f 9 3 s e a t s u p f o r g r a b s o n Tu e s d a y, b u t f a c e s t o u g h e r c o n t e s t s t h i s time as the main opposition Congress party has gained strength in Karnataka and a regional partner has split in Maharashtra
c asts his vote as giant elec tion in India reaches half-way
Mayor Sadiq Khan thanks Londoners for electing Pakistani immigrant’s son for historic third term LONDON M O N I T O R I N G R E P O R T Sadiq Khan began his third term as London mayor on Tuesday with a pledge to make the capital the best city in the world to grow up in and a tribute to his Pakistani parents who faced hostilities when they first arrived in the city which has now historically elected Sadiq Khan for the third term The Labour incumbent won a historic third term at the polls last week becoming the first London mayor to do so, with a majority of some 275,000 over Conservative rival Susan Hall, increasing his share of votes and making unprecedented inroads in new areas of London Speaking at a declaration of office ceremony held in the Tate Modern Khan set out his stall for the capital s young people and nightlife He told the audience about his Pakistani bus driver father who faced racism and hate Yet, Sadiq Khan said London was the greatest city on the earth because just a generation later the same city made him a Mayor and went on to re-elect him thrice Sadiq Khan said: “My Pakistani bus driver father served London He was a proud Londoner When he arrived here from Pakistan, he was met with signboards in shops and guest houses that read ’No Irish, No Blacks, No Dogs’ My father was not white And yet one generation on thanks to the struggle and sacrifice of so many his son the child of immigrants of Pakistani origin, Asian heritage and Islamic faith, has been able to go from a South London council estate to become Mayor of the city he adored And not only that but won re-election not once but twice And that s a reminder to everyone to know why London is special, the city of pluralism ” Accompanied by his wife and two daughters Sadiq Khan added: My name is Sadiq Khan and I am still the Mayor of London Sadiq Khan Khan said he wants to make free school meals permanent in London’s state primary schools, fund more youth clubs and mental health support as well as invest in high-quality mentoring Chinese scientists make major breakthrough in quantum simulation tech BEIJING S TA F F R E P O R T A Chinese team has successfully replicated a bizarre quantum phenomenon using photons, instead of electrons the University of Science and Technology of China (USTC) said on Monday The researchers used an independently developed quantum experimental system to simulate the phenomenon, called fractional quantum anomalous Hall state This breakthrough in quantum simulation technology is expected to propel advancements in quantum physics research and quantum computing said Pan Jianwei a Chinese quantum physicist and academician with the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) at a press conference The team from the USTC, led by Pan and Lu Chaoyang, has independently developed and named a new type of superconducting qubit, Plasmonium, in the research A qubit is a basic unit of information in quantum computing The study was published in the journal Science on May 2 The team s achievement addressed two crucial challenges in realizing the fractional quantum anomalous Hall effect with photons providing new means for experimental observation and manipulation of quantum By developing their own Plasmonium qubit the research team overcame a key limitation of traditional Transmon qubits Plasmonium s higher anharmonicity allows for stronger repulsion between photons Additionally they created an artificial magnetic field for the photons
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QUETTA I N P Chief Minister Balochistan Mir Sarfaraz Bugti has appointed 11 dissatisfied members of the assembly as parliamentary secretaries with 10 of them belonging to the Pakistan People s Party (PPP) and Pakistan Muslim LeagueNawaz (PML-N) A c c o r d i n g t o a g o ve r n m e n t n o t i f i c a t i o n , S a r d a r M a s o o d L u n i o f P M L - N h a s b e e n a pp o i n t e d a s p a r l i a m e n t a r y s e c r e t a r y f o r f o r e s t s a n d w i l d l i f e w h i l e B a r k a t A l i h a s b e e n a p p o i n t e d f o r f i s h e r i e s a n d c o a s t a l d e v e l o p m e n t F r o m t h e P P P A s f a n d y a r K a k a r a n d G A D e e n h a v e b e e n m a d e p a r l i a m e nt a r y s e c r e t a r i e s f o r p r o se c u t i o n , S a m a d K h a n G o rg a g e f o r l a w a n d p a rl i a m e n t a r y a f f a i r s , a n d A s g h a r R i n d f o r e n e r g y d e p a r t m e n t
CORPORATE CORNER
disconnected one connection on illegal use of gas
World Thalassemia Day being celebrated today
World Thalassemia Day will be celebrated on Wednesday to spread awareness about thalassemia, a genetic blood disorder characterized by abnormal hemoglobin production encouraging people to seek treatment and live healthy fulfilling lives
The 2024 theme for World Thalassemia Day Empowering Lives Embracing Progress: Ensuring Equitable and Accessible Thalassemia Treatment for All, underscores the significance of providing equal and accessible treatment options to enhance their quality of life
World Thalassemia Day underscores the condition’s manifestation which occurs when the body doesn t produce enough hemoglobin an essential com-
COMSaTS University islamabad to explore collaborations with Syrian Universities
ISLAMABAD: A delegation from the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research and the Ministry of Education of the Syrian Arab Republic visited COMSATS University Islamabad (CUI) on Monday Dr Rami Waheed Al-Dhulli Syrian Deputy Minister of Education and Educational Affairs and Ramez Alraee Syrian Ambassador to Pakistan led the Syrian delegation Delegates from the Syrian Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research included Dr Manal Sulaiman Saqr, IT Director; Mr Yaseer Saeed Khadra, Director of Scientific Research; Dr Aqil Saeed Mahfoud Director of International Cooperation While delegates from the Ministry of Education Government of Syria included Najeeb Suhail Salaq Director (IT) as well as Mr Ragib Ali Al-Jidi, Education Director Zulfiqar Ali Samin, Deputy Secretary, Ministry of Federal Education and Professional Training and Zain Ul Abedin, Joint Scientific Advisor,
ponent of red blood cells This manageable disorder can be effectively addressed through medical interventions such as blood transfusions and chelation therapy, with guidance from healthcare experts
Through raising awareness, World Thalassemia Day educates individuals about the disease including its causes symptoms prevention and treatment options
Additionally the day serves as a platform to diminish the stigma associated with thalassemia fostering open discussions and encouraging understanding
The day urges governments, organizations, and healthcare professionals to unite in the fight against thalassemia
Thalassemia an inherited blood disorder results in the production of abnormal hemoglobin a protein in red blood cells responsible for carrying oxygen
The condition causes an overabundance of red blood cell destruction, resulting in anemia Anemia is characterized by a deficiency of normal, healthy red blood cells (RBCs) in the body This inherited disorder indicates that at least one parent carries the disease It arises from genetic mutations or the deletion of specific crucial genes
A report indicates that approximately 100 000 individuals in Pakistan are afflicted with Thalassemia, with around 5,000 babies born with this severe condition each year These patients require regular blood transfusions and iron chelation therapy, overseen by a qualified Hematologist as well as ongoing diagnostic tests on a monthly basis However these expenses pose a significant burden on low-income families in Pakistan
Thalassemia patients should avoid excess iron and prioritize regular check-ups, hydration, hygiene, and vaccinations Genetic counseling and emotional support are vital for managing this genetic disorder effectively
07 NEWS Wednesday 8 May 2024 | ISLAMABAD
D e s c o n E n g i n e e r i n g p a r t n e r s w i t h S a S to l eve l u p d at a a n a l y t i c s a n d b u s i n e s s d e c i s i o n i n g
S L A M A B A D: SAS the leader in analytics has announced a new partnership with the multinational engineering company Descon Engineering Limited Descon has chosen SAS as its trusted partner to develop an innovative and highly customized solution that enables qualified analysis and decisionmaking based on reliable data Recognized globally for its quality safety and on-time delivery of projects and products, Descon provides comprehensive solutions ranging from project conception to the establishment of fully operational facilities in industries such as oil and gas, petrochemicals, and power among others In accordance with worldwide standards and regulatory requirements the company has implemented sustainability related frameworks such as Enterprise Risk Management (ERM) Lessons Learnt, and Health Safety Environment (HSE) For Descon to evaluate the effectiveness of these frameworks and to continue progress towards its sustainability and operational goals accurate and transparent reporting was essential STAFF REPORT D ubai islamic Bank Pakistan joins iFC ’s global trade finance program K A R A C H I: Dubai Islamic Bank Pakistan Limited (DIBPL) has signed an Issuing Bank Agreement (IBA) with the International Finance Corporation (IFC) to support international trade in Pakistan Under the agreement IFC will guarantee payment of DIBPL obligations to support their trade finance transactions with tenors of up to one year This will strengthen DIBPL s strategic plan to grow its international trade business and enhance correspondent banking relationships focused on international trade within the country “This agreement will further streamline and ease the process for trade finance in Pakistan Dubai Islamic Bank Pakistan remains committed to supporting businesses focused on international trade and we believe this partnership with IFC will be instrumental in achieving this goal, said Mr Junaid Ahmed, CEO of DIPBL STAFF REPORT M ashreq and Paysys L abs par tner for innovative digital payment solutions K A R A C H I: Mashreq Pakistan a part of Mashreq which is the leading financial institution in the MENA region and Paysys Labs Pvt Ltd, a leading payment technology provider, today announced a strategic partnership to transform Pakistan's digital payments landscape The collaboration aims to develop an innovative digital payment solution integrating real-time payment systems such as RAAST RTGS and various other solutions Paysys Labs renowned for its expertise in developing innovative payments technologies will play a pivotal role in assisting Mashreq in enhancing its digital payment offerings and ensuring that its customers enjoy seamless secure access to an expanded universe of digital banking functionalities and services PR LAHORE S TA F F R E P O R T Sui Northern Gas Pipelines Limited (SNGPL) on Tuesday disconnected another 1199 connections during its ongoing crackdown against gas pilferers in Punjab Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Islamabad imposing Rs 45 6 million fine According to a spokesman of the SNGPL, in Lahore, the regional team disconnected 11 connections on illegal use of gas while another 4 on use of compressor The team imposed fine of Rs 0 21 million against gas pilferers In Multan 10 connections were disconnected on illegal use while another two on use of compressor In Peshawar the company disconnected 77 connections on account of direct use of gas and illegal use of gas and amount of Rs 2 64 million have been booked against gas theft cases The regional team of Shiekhupura disconnected 843 connections on illegal use of gas while another 228 on use of compressors and also booked an amount of Rs 38 91 against gas theft cases The team also lodged 38 FIRs against gas pilferers In Bahawalpur the team disconnected 2 connections on illegal use of gas while another 04 on use of the compressor The team also imposed fine of Rs 2 21 against gas theft cases The regional team of Gujranwala disconnected 4 connections on illegal use of gas and also imposed fine of Rs 0 94 million against gas theft cases In Mardan the team disconnected 11 connections on illegal use of gas and team also imposed fine of Rs 0 69 million against gas theft cases The regional team of Faisalabad disconnected 2 connections on illegal use of gas while imposing fine of Rs 0 038 million against gas pilferers In Gujrat the team imposed fine of Rs 0 0002 million against gas theft cases The regional team of Sahiwal
another 1199 meters disconnec ted on gas thef t, Rs45.6m fine imposed ISLAMABAD
I
S TA F F R E P O R T
Pakistan announces squad for Engro Central Asian Volleyball League ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Volleyball Federation (PVF) on Tuesday announced its fourteen member s squad for the Engro Central Asian Volleyball League starting from 11 May to 17 May 2024 at Liaquat Gymnasium, Pakistan Sports Complex Islamabad According to Pakistan Volleyball Federation Chairman Chaudhry Muhammad Yaqoob, after rigorous training sessions and thorough evaluation head coach Ruben Wolochin from Argentina has selected a talented and dedicated group of players to compete in the highly anticipated event The team is ready to showcase their skills and sportsmanship in the Engro Central Asian Volleyball Nations League, representing their country with pride and determination as the League S TA F F R E P O R T PR OFIT N E W S D E S K
H E Federal Cabinet on Tuesday accorded its approval to Air Sial Pakistan s third private airline to launch flight operations for seven more international destinations The approval was granted on the recommendation of the Ministry of Aviation under the National Aviation Policy 2023 and Air Services Agreement according to a press release issued by the Prime Minister s Office (PMO) Air Sial is allowed to start its flight operations for China Malaysia Sri Lanka Thailand Turkiye the UK and Kuwait The airline was inaugurated on 9 December 2020 and commenced its first domestic flight on December 25, 2020 It started flying internationally with King Abdulaziz International Airport, Jeddah as its first destination on 29 March 2023
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g A I R L I N E G I V E N A P P R O VA L U N D E R N AT I O N A L AV I AT I O N P O L I C Y 2 0 2 3 TO S TA R T F L I G H T S TO C H I N A, M A L AY S I A, S R I L A N K A, T H A I L A N D, T U R K I Y E, U K, A N D K U W A I T Yango, Travel Por tal D iscover Pakistan forge strategic par tnership to elevate travel experiences in Pakistan KARACHI: Yango, an international tech company, is thrilled to announce a transformative partnership with Discover Pakistan, a prominent organization dedicated to promoting the country's cultural and natural heritage This strategic collaboration aims to foster tourism growth and showcase Pakistan s richness and diversity to a global audience As part of this groundbreaking partnership, Discover Pakistan employees will use Yango s wide-ranging chain of partners to move around the countr y during their filming expeditions Leveraging Yango's advanced technology and expansive network Discover Pakistan aims to capture and showcase the breathtaking cultural and natural heritage of Pakistan offering travellers around the globe an unparalleled experience to see the country s wonders One of the key highlights of this partnership is the introduction of special discounts for Discover Pakistan employees on Yango ride-hailing services PR National Stakeholder Workshop addresses method, metric gaps in measuring food system transformation I S L A M A B A D: Since 2021 the imperative of transforming food systems to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030 has been underscored by the United Nations Food System Summit (UNFSS-2021) and the subsequent UNFSS +2 Stock Taking Moment in 2023 Recognizing the pivotal role of healthier, more sustainable, and equitable food systems in realizing each SDG, stakeholders convened in Islamabad today to address critical gaps in measuring food system transformation Co-hosted by the Pakistan Agriculture Research Council (PARC) and the Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition (GAIN) Pakistan office the National Stakeholder Workshop successfully concluded with robust discussions and collaborative efforts aimed at advancing food system transformation in Pakistan Pakistan Food System Dashboard (PFSD)
are fully committed to support the transformation process Dr Ghulam Sadiq Afridi, Member SSD at PARC, emphasized the importance of collaborative endeavors in his welcoming remarks during the inaugural session PR
GOVT ALLOWS AIR SIAL TO
FLIGHT OPERATION TO SEVEN INT’L DESTINATIONS
Partners
Science
Technology Government
Pakistan were also present Rector CUI Prof Dr Sajid Qamar extended a warm welcome to the delegates on behalf of COMSATS University along with his team members Head CUI International Office, Dr Hammad Omer, presented detailed achievements and milestones of COMSATS University He informed that so far, 11 Syrian students have studied at CUI STAFF REPORT
announces
with foodpanda to expand digital lifest yle ecosystem I S L A M A B A D: onic Pakistan s first digital telecommunication brand dedicated to enhancing the lives of its consumers is thrilled to announce a strategic partnership with foodpanda the country s premier online delivery platform This collaboration marks a significant milestone in onic's journey to enhance its digital offerings and create a comprehensive digital lifestyle ecosystem for its users Through this partnership onic aims to integrate foodpanda s robust delivery services into its existing digital platform providing customers with seamless access to a diverse range of culinary options at their fingertips at greater prices By leveraging foodpanda s extensive network of restaurants and delivery capabilities, onic will empower users to order food and groceries conveniently with the vouchers provided The partnership was solidified between Omer Bin Tariq Head of Pakistan for onic and Muntaqa Peracha CEO, foodpanda STAFF REPORT F i a , KE join forces to c urb power theft, make successful raids and arrests K A R A C H I: K-Electric (KE) and the Federal Investigation Agency have jointly conducted more than 13 operations aimed at curbing illegal power theft in Karachi and its surrounding regions falling within the company s service territory spanning Sindh and Balochistan Recently in March 2024 operations have been conducted in coordination with the FIA targeting areas such as Marora Goth, Peer Abad, Ellahi Colony Metroville, Merchant Navy Housing Society Johar Colony Willayatabad and Architects Society among others As a result of these concerted efforts six FIRs have been lodged against power theft Furthermore four individuals have been apprehended with three remanded to jail custody and one released after paying the dues To enforce governance and maintain accountability, a total fine amounting to PKR 44 33 million was also imposed STAFF REPORT Karachi: FrieslandCampina Engro Pakistan Limited (FCEPL) a global dairy leader recently participated in the two-day Agri-Connections Expo in Lahore At the event, the Company showcased its commitment to sustainable dairy practices and the enhancement of farmer livelihoods The FCEPL team also shared global dairy best practices and discussed ways to support and empower farmers Dedicated to its purpose of Nourishing Pakistan, The company is committed to improving the lives of farmers empowering rural women in the dairy value chain producing in balance with nature, and nourishing millions of Pakistani’s every day by providing safe, healthy, and accessible nutrition PR
Ministry of
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onic
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IHC opt for contempt proceedings against ‘engineers of smear drive’ against Justice S attar
The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Tuesday decided to initiate contempt of court proceedings against those running a campaign on social media against Justice Babar Sattar
The development follows a letter written by Justice Sattar to IHC Chief Justice Aamer Farooq, drawing his attention to the propaganda being run against him on social media ” According to the sources the high court has decided to convert the letter into a contempt of court case after assigning it a diary number They added that the bench is likely to be constituted today A social media campaign was launched against Justice Sattar claiming that the high court judge holds
run against Justice Sattar on social media Justice Babar Sattar s wife and children are citizens of Pakistan and the US They were living in the US till 2021, but returned to Pakistan after Justice Babar Sattar was appointed as a judge of the IHC and now live in
Govt hints at raising retirement age to control pension expenses
S TA F F R E P O R T Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb said on Tuesday it was vital to reform the country’s pension system including by raising the retirement aged Age is just
Rehman Kakar and others were also present on this occasion
urged a protective framework and specific guidelines for judges social activities Justice Minallah emphasized judges rising above criticism
The discussion then turned to past events like the 2007 judicial crisis, with Justice Minallah and Justice Mandokhail highlighting the importance of truth and fair criticism
CJP Isa emphasized the difference between criticism and lies advocating for truthfulness IHC Bar Association lawyer Ahmed Hasan argued against interference in the judiciary, including misuse of suo motu powers
CJP Isa reiterated the judiciary’s duty to uphold independence praising judges who faced challenges in the past
During the last hearing the apex court observed that the federal government or intelligence agencies could submit a reply to the court if they wanted, but declared that pushing the judiciary to their own path was also “interference” During the proceedings not only the judges made interesting observations about the previous history of the intelligence agencies interference in the judicial affairs but conflicting opinions came out as well
Justice Athar Minallah noted that this had been happening between the judiciary and the security apparatus for 76 years He added that it was the responsibility of the state to protect the judges and the independence of the judiciary However Chief Justice Isa disagreed with this theory , maintaining that such a culture did not exist in the country If I cannot deliver correct judgments in accordance with the Constitution and the law despite interference or pressure then I should go home ” The chief justice further observed that he had served as the Balochistan High
Published by Asad Nizami at Plot # 7, Al-Baber Centre, F/8 Markaz, Islamabad, for PT Print (Pvt) Limited Ph: 051-2204545 Email: newsroom@pakistantoday com pk PRAYER TIMINGS FA J R S U N R I S E Z U H R A S R M AG H R I B S H A 4:30 5:10 1 30 5:15 6:50 8:45 Wednesday 8 May 2024 NEWS RAFAH R E U T E R S I S R A E L I forces seized control of the Rafah border crossing between Gaza and Egypt on Tuesday and tanks pushed into the southern Gazan city of Rafah as international mediators struggled to find agreement on a ceasefire between Israel and its Hamas foe Hamas accused Israel of trying to undermine the truce talks taking place in Cairo by mounting the offensive International aid agencies said the closing of the two main crossings into the southern Gaza Strip Rafah and Kerem Shalom, had virtually cut off the Palestinian enclave from outside aid, with very few stores available inside Israeli Army Radio announced its forces had taken control of the Palestinian side of the Rafah crossing on Tuesday morning and army footage showed tanks rolling through the complex and the Israeli flag raised on the Gaza side Despite international appeals for Israel to hold off an assault on Rafah, Israeli tanks and planes also attacked several areas and houses there overnight The Gaza health ministry said Israeli strikes across the enclave had killed 54 Palestinians and wounded 96 others in the past 24 hours On Tuesday morning, people searched for bodies under the rubble of wrecked buildings Raed al-Derby said his wife and children had been killed Standing in the street anguish etched on his face he told Reuters: We re patient and we will remain steadfast on this land We are waiting for liberation and this battle will be for liberation, God willing ” More than one million people have sought refuge in Rafah living in tented camps and makeshift shelters Many are trying to leave heeding Israeli orders for them to evacuate but with large areas of the coastal enclave already laid to waste, they say they have nowhere safe to go to The Israeli military said a limited operation in Rafah was meant to kill fighters and dismantle infrastructure used by Hamas, which governs Gaza Hamas said late on Monday it had agreed to a ceasefire proposal but Israel said the terms did not meet its demands On Tuesday the Palestinian group said the Israel s Rafah incursion was aimed at undermining ceasefire efforts Mediator Egypt also said the Rafah operation threatened the ceasefire efforts, and the European Union’s foreign policy chief Josep Borrell warned that a wider assault on Rafah would cause many civilian casualties Israel has for weeks threatened to mount a major incursion in Rafah, which it says harbours thousands of Hamas fighters and where potentially dozens of hostages are being held Victory over Hamas is impossible without taking Rafah, it says A total of 34,789 Palestinians, most of then civilians, have been now killed in the conflict the Gaza Health Ministry said The war began when Hamas fighters attacked Israel on Oct 7 killing about 1 200 people and abducting about 250 others of whom 133 are believed to remain in captivity in Gaza, according to Israeli tallies Rafah crossing closed A Gaza border authority spokesperson said the Rafah crossing a vital route for aid into the devastated enclave was now closed Red Crescent sources in Egypt said aid shipments had completely halted at Rafah and at the Israeli-controlled Kerem Shalom crossing “The Israeli occupation has sentenced the residents of the Strip to death ” said Hisham Edwan spokesperson for the Gaza Border Crossing Authority The United States and other governments have been pressing Israel not to start a campaign in Rafah until it had drawn up a humanitarian plan for the Palestinians sheltering there Israel said most people had been evacuated from the area of military operations and it has told them to go to what it calls an expanded humanitarian zone around 20 km (12 miles) away Palestinian Abdullah Al-Najar said this was the fourth time he had been displaced since the fighting began in October I S R A E L I M I L I TA R Y TA K E S C O N T R O L O F V I TA L R A FA H C R O S S I N G F R O M G A Z A I N T O E G Y P T President Zardari advocates dialogue to address Balochistan’s challenges ISLAMABAD S TA F F R E P O R T During a dinner hosted by Chief Minister Sarfraz Bugti in Quetta President Zardari emphasized the importance of dialogue in addressing the myriad issues faced by Balochistan Zardari s comments were made during his three-day visit to Balochistan, marking his first official trip to the province since assuming the presidency for the second time Ahead of his visit it was reported that the president would receive briefings on the overall law and order situation and development projects in the province Accompanied by CM Bugti and newly appointed Governor Sheikh Jaffar Khan Mandokhail, President Zardari reiterated the government’s commitment to Balochistan’s prosperity identifying it as a top priority Highlighting the province’s significance due to its mineral wealth and coastline Zardari pledged to enhance agricultural productivity in Balochistan s barren lands and modernize the extraction of mineral resources He stressed the need to exploit Balochistan’s natural resources to meet the country’s economic needs effectively Zardari’s remarks come amid Balochistan grappling with various challenges including climate change and security concerns Expressing determination to foster Balochistan s development, the president mentioned ongoing support for low-income families through the Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP) and efforts to expand its coverage He also recalled the significance of the 18th Amendment in bolstering provincial rights Meanwhile CM Bugti welcomed Zardari s visit describing it as a demonstration of the president s amicable rapport with the people of Balochistan Bugti echoed Zardari s call for dialogue, affirming that political discussions could resolve the province’s issues Emphasizing high expectations from the President House Bugti identified climate change law and order and governance as paramount challenges confronting Balochistan Traders announce strike in Malakand against tax imposition on May 14 SWAT S Y E D S H A H A B U D D I N The traders community announced that a complete shutdown would be observed across Malakand division against the imposition of taxes on May 14 In this regard a Grand Jirga of traders was held under the auspices of Malakand Division Traders Federation at Swat Press Club on Tuesday here in Swat on Tuesday In the Jirga Malakand Division Traders Federation President Abdurrahim Khan, Hotel Association President Haji Zahid Khan, Anjuman Tajran Lower Dir President Anwaruddin, Buner President Fazal Rabi Divisional Spokesperson Dr Khalid Mahmood Khalid Besham President Mohammad Zada Batkhela President Shakirullah Khan Upper Swat President Zubair Khan Malakand President Zowar Khan and other business leaders participated After the Jirga, Malakand Division Traders Federation President Abdurrahim along with other business leaders issued a statement, saying that Malakand Division is a tax free zone under the Constitution of Pakistan and they would never accept any attempt to impose tax here under any circumstances Abdurrahim said that the people of Malakand division were still in a state of war People have gone through all kinds of traumas and crises for many years – from talibans’ terrorism and subsequent military operation to natural calamities like flood and earthquakes, besides natural disasters that occur every year ” he pointed out adding that the people of Malakand Division had been enduring sufferings mainly economic distress and downturn but the rulers never bother to stand by them and alleviate these sufferings "Now attempts are being made to impose tax in the division, which is a matter of great concern " he further said 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 Contac t: 0307-7338168 ir fan farooq@pakistantoday com pk I N TO DAY S IS S UE ISLAMABAD S TA F F R E P O R T
Islamabad The
release
posted
said that the judge’s wife
children’s travel documents were also uploaded online Details provided in tax returns regarding his properties were also being posted on social media with false and malignant allegations, it said Despite the clarification press release issued by the high court the campaign on social media has not stopped Therefore a decision has been made to take action against the responsible parties for contempt of court Justice Sattar is one of the six IHC judges who have complained of interference in judicial affairs by the country s spy agencies
American citizenship However the IHC in a press release on April 28 refuted the claims The high court said that Justice Sattar does not hold any other citizenship except for Pakistan’s It added that a “defamatory and baseless campaign was being
IHC in its press
said that Justice Sattar s confidential information is being
and reposted online It further
and
ISLAMABAD S TA F F R E P O R T The Supreme Court resumed on Tuesday heard the suo motu about allegations made by six Islamabad High Court judges alleging interference by the country s intelligence agencies in judicial affairs and urged unity for the judiciary s independence A six-member bench, led by Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Qazi Faez Isa and including justices Athar Minallah Mansoor Ali Shah Jamal Khan Mandokhail Musarrat Hilali and Naeem Akhtar Afghan conducted the hearing which was also broadcast on the apex court s Youtube channel At the start of the hearing, AGP Awan requested more time to present arguments due to not receiving a copy of the April 30 hearing He also mentioned the need to consult Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif CJP Isa then asked the counsels of bar associations about their time frame for arguments He emphasized hearing from organizational representatives before individuals The AGP then read a note by Justice Minallah highlighting the seriousness of the matter regarding judicial independence Justice Minallah suggested the government clarify its position and the CJP urged unity among bar councils for the judiciary s independence The PBC lawyer suggested a judicial commission to investigate allegations and urged judges to use existing laws Justice Minallah stressed the need for a strong deterrent and cited existing laws SCBA President Shahzad Shaukat expressed concern over remarks eroding public trust in the judiciary He called for an inquiry into the leaked IHC judges’ letter and advocated for protecting judicial independence Shaukat
Court chief justice for more than five years and during that time, the biggest threat came from the Supreme Court The top judge continued that he should not be taken into the context of 76 years of judicial history Justice Minallah observed that he had also served as the IHC chief justice for four years and there was no interference during his tenure Justice Mansoor Ali Shah also remarked that nobody had interfered in his judicial affairs so far Justice Jamal Khan Mandokhail pointed out that this meant that it was limited to a specific judge Justice Musarrat Hilali noted that those who could not put up with pressure had no right to be judges Justice Shah observed that today the Supreme Court judges had a golden opportunity to set the rules However, he regretted that the high courts did not exercise their power of contempt Justice Hilali concurred noting that why could the IHC judges not act themselves on what they wrote in the letter and asking the top court to take action Justice Minallah highlighted that if a judge showed courage, a reference came out against them “If we ourselves don’t open our doors to the people nothing will happen The judge noted that an online campaign was run against a judge with his personal data apparently referring to IHC s Justice Babar Sattar ‘Judges’ letter case’: SC urges unity for judiciar y ’s independence Balochistan to buy 0.5m tons of wheat from farmers: Minister QUETTA S TA F F R E P O R T Provincial Food Minister Haji Noor Muhammad Dummar said that Balochistan Food Department has decided to buy 5 lakh tons of wheat from the farmers He said that the provincial government has instructed the finance ministry to release 5 billion rupees in this regard while maintaining and monitoring the quality of stored wheat would not be tolerated He expressed these views while discussing on the occasion of his visit to the PR Center managed by the Food Department in Pishin district Provincial Secretary of Food Asghar Khan Harifal and former Provincial Minister Sikandar Umrani were also with him on this occasion The minister said that there would be no compromise on the timely supply of quality food to the people of the province and legal action would be taken against the absent and frivolous employees He said that providing quality and cheap wheat to the people was our priority saying that in this regard, the provincial government has decided to buy 500,000 tons of wheat from the farmers of Balochistan from May 6 However the provincial finance ministry will release 5 billion rupees in this regard he said The minister said that Chief Minister Balochistan Mir Sarfraz Bugti decided to release 13 9 million rupees to the Provincial Food Department for the purchase of bardana which was a very welcome and peoplefriendly initiative Earlier the provincial minister also inspected the stock register and the attendance register of the employees while inspecting the wheat in the warehouses of the PR center He also expressed his satisfaction with the quality of wheat in the warehouses and the effective monitoring and appreciated the services of the staff deployed in the PR Center Deputy Director Quetta Zone Sulmian Kakar Deputy Director Admin Jabir Baloch Assistant Director Juma Khan Account Officer Mujeeb Khan Assistant Food Controller Syed Jameel Agha Mohammad Jan Naqibullah Khan, Saifur
a number Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb said at a press conference in Islamabad “Sixty is the new 40 In the [private sector] institution I left before coming here [as finance minister] we raised the retirement age from 60 to 65 These are your most productive years when you have maximum experience He recognized that changes to the service structure could not be carried out overnight but said Pakistan would need to move in this direction to control the pension costs Law Minister Azam Nazir Tarar said pension reforms would be held across the board, for which legislation was required He said that political and economic stability were interconnected adding that the Parliament should also adopt the pension reforms unanimously The Parliament he said had introduced first legislation with regard to tax collection Now it was an internationally admitted fact that only a country with economic stability would progress, he added The minister said that a committee had been formed on pension reforms which would view the different proposals regarding it He said that the pension reforms would be implemented in every government institution across the board Nothing was going on under the carpet he said adding that the decisions would be shared with the public
ISLAMABAD