PM SHEHBA Z PRAYS FOR UNIT Y, PROSPERIT Y OF UMMAH IN PHONE CALLS WITH MUSLIM LEADERS
g COVEYS EIDUL AZHA GREETINGS TO PRESIDENT ERDOGAN, PRESIDENT OF TAJIKISTAN AND KING OF BAHRAIN
g REAFFIRM PAKISTAN ’S COMMITMENT TO FURTHER CEMENT BILATERAL TIES BETWEEN PAKISTAN, TURKIYE, TAJIKISTAN AND BAHRAIN
the misery and suffering of the innocent Palestinians The two leaders agreed to continue working together to address common challenges and to support each other ’s core national interests ” the press statement further added
The warm conversation between the two leaders was a testament to the strong and enduring relationship between Pakistan and Turkiye, and their commitment to continuing their close cooperation in the days ahead
To this end, the prime minister reiterated his cordial invitation to President Erdogan to undertake an official visit to Pakistan at his earliest convenience so as to convene the 7th session of the High Level Strategic Consultative Council (HLSCC) Pakistan, Tajikistan to continue working together for peace On the other hand, Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif held a telephonic conversation with President of Tajikistan Emomali Rahmon on Sunday to exchange greetings on the occasion of Eidul Azha
The Prime Minister congratulated President Emomali Rahmon and the brotherly people of Tajikistan on the blessed occasion of Eid, and expressed his wishes for peace, prosperity, and development of both countries
President Emomali Rahmon reciprocated the greetings and best wishes and praised the strong fraternal relations between Pakistan and Tajikistan
Nothing on ear th could dent Sino Pak long-standing friendship: Naqvi
Talking to China s ambassador in Pakistan Jiang Zaidong during his visit to the Chinese embassy, Naqvi praised the Chinese leadership for always standing by Pakistan during testing times saying that no country on earth could weaken the long-standing relations between the two countries A detailed discussion was also held on the promotion of PakistanChina relations and measures taken
for the security of Chinese citizens in Pakistan The recent visit of the prime minister has strengthened the friendship with China” said Mr Naqvi adding that the Chinese President the prime minister and senior leadership of China had always supported Pakistan He informed the Chinese Ambassador Jiang Zedong about
Shehbaz , President Aliyev discuss bilateral relations during Eid call
LAHORE A P P
Prime Minister
is being created in Islamabad for foreign nationals The protection of the Chinese brothers who are working for the construction and development of Pakistan is the first priority of the government of Pakistan said Mohsin Naqvi
The two leaders also expressed satisfaction at the positive trajectory of bilateral relations and reaffirmed their shared desire to enhance ties in through trade, energy, and connectivity
In par tnership with Profit M o n d a y, 1 7 J u n e , 2 0 2 4 I | 1 0 Z i l - H a j j , 1 4 4 5 R s 2 0 0 0 | Vo l X I V N o 3 4 8 I 8 Pa g e s I I s l a m a b a d E d i t i o n
LAHORE S TA F F R E P O R T P R I M E Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif conveyed Eidul Azha greetings to different heads of state of Muslim countries on Sunday and reaffirmed Pakistan s commitment to further strengthen bilateral relations and cooperation among Muslim Ummah According a press release issued by PM Office Media Wing on Sunday, 16 June 2024, Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif and President of Turkiye Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Sunday reaffirmed their commitment to further strengthen bilateral cooperation between the two countries in various fields including trade, investment, defense, and tourism They celebrated the strong bonds of friendship and brotherhood between Pakistan and Turkiye that were rooted in shared values history and cultural affinities Both leaders held a warm and cordial telephone conversation exchanging greetings and best wishes on the occasion of Eidul Azha Prime Minister Sharif and President Erdogan also discussed ways to promote peace, stability, and prosperity in the region and beyond
expressed serious concern about the current situation in Palestine while urging the international community to redouble peace efforts to end
“They
ISLAMABAD S TA F F R E P O R T Interior Minister Syed Mohsin Naqvi said on Sunday that the government was going to form a new Force for the protection of foreigners living in Islamabad saying safety and security of the Chinese nationals, especially those working on CPEC and other projects was a foremost priority of the government
the measures to protect Chinese citizens across the country including Islamabad The interior minister also briefed him on the security plan of Chinese engineers and staff working on CPEC and other projects He said that comprehensive and effective SOPs have been made for the security of Chinese citizens and a separate force SPU
C O N T I N U E D O N PA G E 03
Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif had a telephone conversation with President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev on the occasion of Eid-ul-Adha The two dignitaries exchanged Eid greetings and expressed their best wishes for the people of both countries They also prayed for unity peace and prosperity of the Muslim Ummah according to a press release from the PM Office Media Wing During the call the leaders reviewed recent developments in bilateral relations, particularly in trade, defence, and energy They expressed satisfaction with the positive trajectory of relations and agreed to continue working closely to further strengthen bilateral ties to match the political goodwill between both countries Additionally they discussed ways to address common challenges, especially climate change The prime minister congratulated Azerbaijan for hosting COP29 in Baku later this year and thanked President Aliyev for extending a personal invitation to him to participate in the event Both leaders reaffirmed that Pakistan and Azerbaijan would continue to support each other at multilateral forums, including the United Nations, OIC, and ECO They particularly appreciated the consistent support each country extended to the other ’s core issues C O N T I N U E D O N PA G E 03 Government plans to keep Imran in jail for five years: Ahsan Iqbal ISLAMABAD M O N I T O R I N G R E P O R T The PML-N government has expressed its intention to keep Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) leader Imran Khan in prison for its entire five-year term until 2029 for economic stability People approach us saying Pakistan can only progress if Imran Khan is jailed for five years,” stated Federal Planning and Development Minister and PML-N Secretary General Ahsan Iqbal while speaking to reporters on Saturday He asserted that if Khan were released it would lead to further protests and unrest which the country cannot afford There is a public demand for Imran Khan to remain imprisoned for five years, Iqbal emphasized, adding that Khan was a contentious figure with ongoing conflicts Iqbal described the current situation as a pivotal moment for both Pakistan and PTI “We cannot hold talks with PTI while it continues to campaign against state institutions Imran Khan must demonstrate seriousness if he wishes to engage in dialogue with the government, he stated, stressing the need for policy continuity MAKKAH A G E N C I E S Pilgrims perform the last major ritual of the Hajj the “stoning of the devil in western Saudi Arabia on Sunday as Muslims the world over celebrate the Eidul Azha holiday Beginning at dawn, the 1 8 million Muslims undertaking the pilgrimage this year will throw seven stones at each of three concrete walls symbolising the devil in the Mina Valley located outside Makkah, the holiest city in Islam The ritual commemorates Abraham’s stoning of the devil at the three spots where it is said Satan tried to dissuade him from obeying God s order to sacrifice his son The stoning ritual has been witness to multiple stampedes over the years, most recently in 2015 when up to 2,300 worshippers were martyred in the worst Hajj disaster The site has been revamped since then to streamline the movement of the large crowds On Saturday night, pilgrims collected stones and slept under the stars in the plain of Muzdalifah, located halfway between Mina and Arafat, where they had spent the day praying outside in heat that reached 46 degrees Celsius (114 8 degrees Fahrenheit) It was very very hot said Rohy Daiseca, a 60-year-old Gambian living in the United States Alhamdulilah (thank God), I put a lot of water on my head and it was OK ” Worshippers have tried to take the gruelling conditions in stride seizing what for many is a once-ina-lifetime chance to pray at Islam s holiest shrines “I am so happy that I can’t describe my feelings,” said Amal Mahrouss a 55-year-old woman from Egypt This place shows us that we are all equal that there are no differences between Muslims around the world One of the five pillars of Islam, the Hajj must be performed at least once by all Muslims with the means This year ’s figure of 1 8 million pilgrims is similar to last year s and Saudi authorities said on Saturday that 1 6 million of them came from abroad H a j j p i l g r i m s ‘ s t o n e t h e d e v i l ’ a s M u s l i m s m a r k E i d u l A z h a C O N T I N U E D O N PA G E 03 N O T I C E T h e o f f i c e s o f Pa k i s t a n To d ay w i l l re m a i n c l o s e d f ro m J u n e 1 7 2 0 2 4 ( M o n d ay ) t o J u n e 18 2024 (Tuesday) on account of Eidul Azha H e n c e t h e p a p e r w i l l n o t b e p u b l i s h e d o n J u n e 1 8, 2 0 2 4 ( Tu e s d ay ) a n d J u n e 1 9, 2 0 2 4 (Wednesday) The Pakistan Today of fice will re o p e n o n J u n e 1 9, 2 0 2 4 ( We d n e s d ay ) We wish our readers a safe Eid C O N T I N U E D O N PA G E 03
The Battle of the Inhalers
M d y 17 J 2024 | ISLAMABAD 02 NEWS ISLAMABAD S tA f f R e P o R t M U S L I M S in Saudi Arabia, Gulf countries, the UK, the USA, Canada, and even in some parts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) and Karachi celebrate Eidul Azha on Sunday with religious zeal and fervor Large Eid congregations were held at Masjidal Haram (the Grand Mosque), Masjide-Nabawi and at over 12,000 mosques in Saudi Arabia early in the morning Abdul Rahman Ibn Abdul Aziz al-Sudais led the Eid prayers at Masjidal Haram Eid prayers were also offered in the UK the USA and Canada as faithful thronged mosques in millions As has been the case in the past people in district Khyber and some other parts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) are celebrating Eidul Adha with their brethren in Saudi Arabia today In this connection, Eid congregations were held at different places in the district A F G H A N S L I V I N G I N P E S H AWA R A L S O C E L E B R AT E E I D: Afghans living in Peshawar too celebrated Eid today as thousands gathered at a mosque in Tajabad a suburban area of the KP capital for the prayers Later they slaughtered their animals People belonging to the Bohra community living in Karachi also celebrated Eid today Bohri community offered the Eidul Azha prayer with religious devotion and respect in various mosques of Karachi A grand gathering for Eid prayer was organized in central Tahiri mosque located at Saddar area of Karachi After Eid prayers Bohri community engaged with sacrifice of sacrificial animals to offer the Sunnat e Ibrahimi Eidul Adha, commonly translated as the feast of sacrifice, is the second of the two main Islamic festivals alongside Eidul Fitr The occasion is a commemoration of Prophet Ibrahim s (AS) willingness to sacrifice his son Ismail as was commanded by the Almighty Allah Eidl Adha falls on the 10th day of the twelfth and final month of Dhu-al-Hija, and celebrations continue for the next three days known as the Tashreeq days
EIDUL
L E T’S address the elephant in the room, which everyone in the country is discussing could we have at least avoided the humiliation of the feat to India Indeed it s happened so often now that there s a younger generation that has grown up expecting this to happen The elephant is in the room, but not in the side I’m talking about Azam Khan, who played (and righly so) against the USA and was dropped against India Try and look beyond his rolypoly exterior which has got the crass calling him Baby Elephant; Well, if he s the Baby Elephant, then Anant Ambani, who had perhaps one of the most extravagant weddings in history held for him by his father Mukesh would be the Elephant’s Child Does anyone remember the Rudyard Kipling story one of the Just So Stories of how the elephant got his long nose? It was all because of the satiable curiosity of the Elephant s Child And somehow, it s appropriate that Anant Ambani should be nicknamed after a story by someone who got his first entry into the world of letters through a stint on s Lahore newspaper Indeed it s because of Kipling that the Rani Tope outside NCA is called Kim s Gun Because the opening scene of Kim, Kipling s story of a British boy gone native’, has the eponymous hero playing on the Rani Tope Well that’s more fantastic than today’s Elephant s Child playing cricket for India I mean if Azam Khan was to play for Pakistan, why not Anant Ambani for India? Anant s mother has explained away his excess weight by saying it’s because of steroids he had because of his asthma I wonder if that’s the explanation Azam Khan s mother would give if she was pressed to explain why he had to have his kit specially tailored Great! We ve already got a keeper who s overweight; now we ll find out that s he s asthmatic too So if those two played, not only would the ground tremble and the turf go flying every time one tried to field, but it would all boil down to a battle of the inhalers AS it was India took to the field without Anant Ambani and Pakistan without Azam Khan This deprived the fans of the sight of a fielder rolling after an already rolling ball On the other hand the USA should be grateful that none of the players has done a run The USA which I don t think contains any American Indians or inner-city African Americans, has had a good time against Greenshirts First they beat Pakistan and then their match against Ireland was rained out allowing them to go through to the Super Eight Losing to both the USA and India might have upset the fans, but it made the diplomats very happy Of course the (sole) cricket fan in the Foreign Office went cross-eyed but who cares? Of course, the PTI should take a few positives from this First of all, no one tried to cancel Imran’s cipher case bail because of this Second Shaheen Shah Afridi did not put in any extraordinary performance which might mean him going onto the same page One of the issues with the World Cup was the associate members Such titans as Papua New Guinea, Namibia, Oman and Uganda are on show, which makes it difficult for such bread-and-butter teams as Australia India and England Did any catch the Clash of the Titans? I mean Afghanistan versus Papua New Guinea I gave it a miss still being unable to process the Papua New Guinea-Uganda fixture, which redefined the concept of a winning total Bu there’s one factor which everyone leaves out and that’s the Mumbi Matchfixers formerly the Bombay Bookies Going back to the Pakistan-India match the way the boys in green were spilling catches made it obvious the match was in the book, and for India I know those were mostly hard chances, but to grass all of them? Might as well have played Azam Khan
City NoteS M A N i A z i JI chief highlights tax burden on salaried class compared to feudal lords KARACHI A P P Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) chief Hafiz Naeem ur Rehman criticised the government on Sunday highlighting the tax disparity between the salaried class and feudal lords He stated that the salaried class has paid 360 billion rupees in tax while feudal lords have contributed only four billion rupees Addressing a press conference, the JI Ameer questioned the amount of tax imposed on the feudal class “When questioned they said they have increased the salaries of government employees Hafiz Naeem remarked adding The private sector has many times more employees than the government sector Hafiz Naeem argued that private sector employees are being exploited, as their salaries do not increase He also pointed out that the government claims to have reduced inflation to 12 percent from an earlier 38 percent Visit the streets and neighborhoods and ask the people Everyone is troubled, he stated Maximum tax has been imposed on the salaried class,” he added He mentioned that the prime minister has promised the nation that this will be the final IMF package for Pakistan Elder Mian Sahib had also said this while seeking the IMF package that it will be the last loan program, the JI chief noted PTI-P MPA booked for assaulting, injuring ANP leader in Peshawar PESHAWAR S tA f f R e P o R t Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf-Parliamentarians (PTI-P) MPA Iqbal Wazir was booked on Sunday for allegedly assaulting and injuring ANP leader Alif Jan Khan in Peshawar The case was filed at the Peshawar East (Sharqi) Police Station which states that the PTI-P MPA and his accomplices hit Alif Jan’s vehicle injuring him and two passersby The attackers also damaged Alf Khan s vehicle The assailants included Pakistan Tehreek-eInsaf-Parliamentarians (PTI-P) MPA Iqbal Wazir and his accomplices The incident occurred late Saturday night, allegedly involving a member of the provincial assembly (MPA) from the Pakistan Tehreeke-Insaf-Parliamentarians (PTI-P) ANP leader Alf Jan was allegedly assaulted by PTI-P s MPA Iqbal Wazir and his companions As per the report, ANP s provincial leader Alf Khan sustained minor injuries and was promptly taken to the hospital for medical treatment Following the incident Peshawar East Police registered a case against Iqbal Wazir while Alf Khan was taken a hospital for prompt medical attention 176 positive polio samples repor ted nationwide, 45 districts affected ISLAMABAD A P P The poliovirus has been detected in sewage samples from Islamabad, Rawalpindi, and Balochistan’s Loralai it was revealed on Sunday According to sources this is the second time this year that polio has been detected in Islamabad s sewage while Rawalpindi has reported its second case and Loralai its first The samples were collected on June 3 and have tested positive for wild poliovirus type 1, as well as vaccinederived poliovirus types 2 and 3 So far this year 176 samples from all four provinces have tested positive for polio and 45 districts across the country have reported polio cases The Environmental Site in Islamabad s Sabzi Mandi has also tested positive for polio, sources added Gov t urges disposal of sacrificial remains safely to avoid bird aircraft collisions ISLAMABAD A P P The government issued an awareness message on Sunday through cellular phones, urging the public to ensure the safe disposal of offal and remains of sacrificial animals at designated places to mitigate the risk of bird-aircraft collisions and avoid any untoward incidents in residential areas near airports According to the message The public is requested to avoid throwing offal in areas around airports because it leads to the gathering of scavengers and birds preying on the animal leftovers that may collide with airplanes and cause a serious tragedy ” The government emphasized the importance of celebrating Eid-ul-Azha with cleanliness and responsibility by properly disposing of sacrificial animal remains These birds can crash into planes and cause significant damage, increasing the risk of irreparable harm to lives and property,” the message stated The message appealed to the public to dispose of the remains of sacrificed animals in designated places or bury them to ensure environmental cleanliness PESHAWAR A P P Residents of Peshawar on Sunday staged a protest against the unannounced power outages affecting the entire Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, including the provincial capital The demonstration led by Member Provincial Assembly (MPA) Fazal Elahi, saw protesters blocking one side of the ring road A significant number of police personnel were present during the protest to maintain order Addressing the protestors Fazal Elahi criticised the pervasive load shedding that has swept across the province leaving homes and businesses in darkness amid a heatwave Since June 1, the duration of load shedding has increased to up to 16 hours in various localities of Peshawar including Shahi Bagh Grid Stadium Charsadda Road and Lala Zar Colony where bill collections are reportedly 100 percent, according to a consumer named Paras Ahmad Another citizen from Khazana Sugar Mill reported experiencing 16 to 18 hours of load shedding daily He added that no one responsible was available to address their concerns on the given phone numbers A tailor named Aziz Ahmed expressed frustration stating that despite regular payment of electricity bills residents do not receive electricity as per their needs We failed to deliver stitched suits to customers on time due to the frequent power cuts, making it difficult to complete our work,” he said
PESHAWAR A P P Adviser to the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Barrister Muhammad Ali Saif on Sunday demanded that Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Mohsin Naqvi resign immediately This development follows Naqvi s comments suggesting that the Green Shirts require “major surgery” after their poor performance in the T20 World Cup which led to their elimination from the tournament It seemed that a minor surgery would work but after this bad performance, I m now sure that a major surgery is required The nation will soon see a major overhaul, Naqvi stated In their three matches played so far, Pakistan has lost to the US and India, securing a win only against Canada However this was insufficient to keep them in contention for the Super Eight round The team will play its final match against Ireland today hoping to end their disappointing tournament campaign on a positive note Speaking about Naqvi s statement, Barrister Saif claimed that it sparked controversy “Mohsin Naqvi the Sharif family and the group of conspirators should undergo major surgery Saif wrote on X emphasiSing that sports should remain free from politics He alleged that the board, headed by Naqvi, was installed by conspirators” who stole the mandate, adding that the “incompetent group has hurt the sentiments of cricket fans ” Saif insisted that the PCB chairman should be a professional and responsible individual A day earlier the PCB announced it would review central contracts following the team s embarrassing early exit from the tournament
PCB
Naqvi ISLAMABAD A P P The first unit (Unit 4) of the Suki Kinari Hydropower Station the largest hydropower station invested in and constructed by China Energy Construction Overseas Investment Co , Ltd , has successfully started up and formally entered the wet testing phase Personnel from China Energy Construction Overseas Investment Co Ltd SK Hydro Co , Ltd , and participating construction units jointly witnessed this milestone on site Representatives from the resident military and the owner ’s engineering t e a m a l s o a t t e n d e d t h e s t a r t u p c e r emony Unit 4 of SK Hydropower Station successfully passed a series of tests after starting up, indicating it is in a smoothly running state and meets the design requirements The unit will now undergo dozens of additional tests such as a temperature stability test and an overspeed test to ensure all technical indicators meet the design standards, laying a solid foundation for the unit to enter the trial operation stage Before the start-up of unit wet testing SK Hydro Co Ltd along with all participating construction units meticulously prepared the water filling and discharging test protocol, monitored progress in real-time, and efficiently solved problems to ensure the water filling and discharging effect thus guaranteeing the success of the unit wet testing Cheng Dan the General Manager of China Energy Construction Overseas Investment Co Ltd stated At the start-up ceremony, SK Hydropower Station was the largest hydropower station invested and constructed by CEEC overseas ” The start-up of wet testing for the first unit marks the project construction has reached the final sprint stage bringing it one step closer to achieving the goal of operation and power generation The SK Hydropower Station is located on the Kunha River in the Mansehra area of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) province in northwestern Pakistan It is a key project in the first batch of priority projects of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) and is equipped with four impulse units with a total installed capacity of 884 MW Upon completion the project is expected to provide 3 212 billion kilowatt hours of clean electricity annually effectively closing one-fifth of Pakistan s electricity gap Suki
Hydropower
final testing phase
KP CM advisor demands resignation of
Chairman Mohsin
Kinari
Station enters
SYED AFSAR SAJID
‘Mukammal Namukammal’ Anwar Jamal’s consolidated verse collection ‘Nazaryat-e-Falsafa’ Anwar Jamal’s critique of theories of philosophy Panah M Athar Masood s translation of some short stories of Iranian writer Fereydoun Tonekaboni
‘Mukammal Namukammal’
Anwar Jamal is a veteran poet Other than that he is also a discreet critic of literature an imaginative visual artist and an educationist par excellence The aforementioned book is a collection of his four poetic anthologies viz Nisfun Nihar , Teray Ba ad , Tashnagi Hijr Hai , and Aasman Koi Aur besides a chunk of his unpublished poetic work and some select poetic lines Famed critic and litterateur Dr Shamim Haider Tirmizi and Mubeen Mirza Nadeem
another noted literary figure have critically analysed Anwar Jamal s poetics in their respective critiques of his person and art, added to the book The former perceives a glow of self-portraiture in his verse coupled with an extroversive appraisal of the world without a world of deceit distrust and disgust driven away from the ideals of truth faith and hope by the propulsive forces of what may be termed as a dialectical though anarchic materialism The poet pivots
Federal Minister for Energy Sardar Awais Ahmad Khan Leghari stated on Saturday that the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) government is making sincere efforts to steer the country out of crises
Speaking to journalists during the inauguration of an uplift project Sardar Awais Ahmad Khan Leghari emphasised the government s zero-tolerance policy towards electricity theft He affirmed the government s commitment to providing maximum relief to the public and highlighted that the dualization of the Indus Highway from Dera Ismail Khan to Kashmore is a top priority with completion expected by 2027 Leghari underscored the PML-N s dedication to serving the public and addressing the nation s issues, focusing
A
JK PM
for improved metering to ensure transparent elec tricity billing
MIRPUR A P P
Azad Jammu and Kashmir Prime Minister Chaudhary Anwar ul Haq has directed the concerned authorities to provide all possible facilities to electricity consumers in the state During a meeting of the State Electricity Department at the Jammu and Kashmir House in the federal metropolis late Saturday, he emphasised that the government would utilise all available resources to improve departmental
efficiency and ensure uninterrupted power supply across the region The prime minister stated that an improved metering system would enhance accurate billing, prevent power pilferage, misuse of electricity, and overbilling of consumers in the state The meeting was attended by Senior Minister Col (Retd) Waqar Noor Minister of Local Government Faisal Mumtaz Rathore Minister of the Department of Electricity Chaudhry Muhammad Arshad AJK Chief Secretary Dawood Muhammad Barich, and other senior officials of the State Electricity Department
Government plans to keep Imran in jail for five years: Ahsan Iqbal
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 01 The minister subtly criticized the judiciary suggesting that Khan has relied on judicial support during challenging times, and noted that Khan faces serious court cases Imran Khan has been imprisoned since August last year in various cases The PML-N leader expressed concern about the ongoing conflict between the judiciary and the establishment When asked about this tension Iqbal said, Both should consider whether this confrontation benefits the country He mentioned that historically, politicians and the establishment have been at odds, but emphasized the necessity of cooperation for the nation’s sake “We cannot afford internal conflicts ” he remarked warning that continued infighting could jeopardize the country s sovereignty He called for a conducive environment for investment Ahsan Iqbal also reiterated the government s commitment to advancing the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) project, acknowledging China’s consistent support for Pakistan during crises He highlighted that Pakistan faces significant challenges related to debt servicing in the next three years
latter however calls him (Anwar Jamal) a poet of tense emotions and radiant thoughts hypersensitive to even the slightest deviation from the norm Famed English critic Scott James once said that The artist knows more about life than any one can know without regarding life with the artist’s eye ’ In fact he (the artist) gives us a semblance of reality which is more characteristic of life than anything which we discover in the common yet duller happenings of every day
that Professor Anwar Jamal has provided us a treasured repository of philosophical terms and concepts translated and explained by him in the Urdu language He is a man of letters He understands the nexus of literature and philosophy He has very ably attempted a difficult task of explaining philosophical categories in their vertical and horizontal dimensions in a
his verse
the binaries
fire
water, light
shade, love and repulsion
be
not to be’ The
on
of
and
and
and ‘to
and
Thus the literary artist does not give us photographic imitations of reality, but a transcription of his vision of it which he is prone to objectify as life Anwar Jamal and for that matter any poet worth his salt would seem to emulate this concept in their creative formulations Anwar Jamal s poetic diction imagery and stylistics are singularly indicative of the wide range of his artistic prowess and ingenuity to which the present volume
testifies
leading Pakistani philosopher and metaphysician evaluating the instant work remarks on its flap
shorter form His
‘‘ism’’ takes one to the basics of Western philosophy (classical medieval and modern) Anwar Jamal has explained a wide range of isms in the book, to the benefit of both the novice as well as the initiated, in this field Some of these terms are absolutism absurdism aestheticism agnosticism altruism behaviorism capitalism classicism collectivism communism Confucianism conservatism contextualism, desconstructionism, deism, determinism, dialectical materialism, dualism, egalitarianism, empiricism, epicureanism existentialism fallibilism fatalism feminism formalism hedonism historicism humanism idealism Kantianism modernism nihilism panpsychism perfectionism phenomenalism, Platonism, pluralism, positivism, pragmatism, probabilism, rationalism, realism, reductionism, romanticism skepticism stoicism structuralism symbolism Daoism theism transcendentalism socialism symbolism utilitarianism vitalism et al ‘PANAH’ Fereydoun Tonekaboni (b 1937) is a Cologne-based (Germany) veteran Iranian fiction writer Starting from romance he gradually adopted a political stance in his short stories which later became the hallmark of his fictional work comprising around nine publications Interestingly Muhammad Athar Masood s translation of Tonekaboni’s ten stories (in Urdu) is the third exercise of its kind, of the latter ’s work after Cyrus Amir Mokri and Paul Losensky who translated one each of his works in English in 1991 The stories are imaginatively rendered with a palpable bearing on the sociopolitical scenario of the author s homeland Iran Loneliness, self-abnegation, materialistic rat race social disequilibrium and chaos feminism illusion frustration sickness and the like constitute the fabric of these stories The style is homely and the expression unambiguous, with no intent to moralise LAHORE A P P A majority of Punjab’s population has expressed satisfaction with the performance of the provincial government led by Chief Minister (CM) Maryam Nawaz, according to a survey released on Sunday The Institute for Public Opinion Research (IPOR) conducted a quantitative survey in Punjab targeting the adult population (age 18 and above) to gather public opinion on the 100-day performance of CM Maryam Nawaz who made history by becoming the first female Chief Minister of Punjab According to the survey, an overall majority of 55 percent of respondents expressed satisfaction with the performance of the Punjab government The survey observed a higher level of dissatisfaction in rural areas (42 percent) compared to urban areas (28 percent) O u t o f t h e 3 5 p e r c e n t w h o w e r e n o t s a t i s f i e d a t a l l w i t h t h e l a s t t h r e e m o n t h s o f C M M a r y a m N a w a z s p e r f o r m a n c e 5 1 p e r c e n t o f r e s p o n d e n t s b e l i e v e t h a t t h e g o v e r n m e n t w i l l n e v e r b e a b l e t o i m p r o v e t h e s i t u a t i o n , r e g a r d l e s s o f t h e t i m e g i v e n Meanwhile, 19 percent of respondents are willing to give the government as much time as needed to improve the situation The survey report also revealed that 60 percent of respondents believe Maryam Nawaz s popularity has increased over the last three months Additionally 53 percent of the respondents credited the government s efforts for the decrease in commodity prices, while 42 percent considered the reduction in bread (roti) prices as the most popular action taken by the Maryam Nawaz government Other notable projects included the Solar Panel Program and the 200 Clinic on Wheels initiative each receiving 11 percent support The survey concluded that Maryam Nawaz’s leadership in Punjab is highly regarded with strong public approval of her performance and initiatives There is significant support for her efforts in reducing commodity prices and specific projects like the bread price reduction compared to other initiatives 03 NEWS Monday 17 June 2024 | SLAMABAD S U R V E Y S H O W S I N C R E A S I N G P O P U L A R I T Y O F M A R YA M N AWA Z I N P U N J A B Po e t r y, p h i l o s o p hy, a n d t ra n s l at e d f i c t i o n P M S h e h b a z p r a y s f o r u n i t y, p r o s p e r i t y o f U m m a h i n p h o n e c a l l s w i t h M u s l i m l e a d e r s CONTINUED FROM PAGE 01 Both leaders also discussed the upcoming Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Summit in Astana and reiterated their commitment to strengthen mutually beneficial regional integration and cooperation They also exchanged views on international developments and agreed to continue working together to promote peace and stability within the Muslim world, as well as in the region The telephone call was a testament to the strong friendship and brotherhood between Pakistan and Tajikistan PM King of Bahrain admire strong ties between two countries Meanwhile, Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif and King of Bahrain Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa on Sunday held a cordial
thanked King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa for his respect and affection towards Pakistan PM Office Media Wing said in a press release The two leaders reaffirmed the commitment of both nations to further strengthen bilateral relations, enhance economic cooperation, and work closely to promote regional peace and security”, the press statement added While fondly recalling King Hamad’s historic visit to Pakistan in 2014 the prime minister reiterated his warm and cordial invitation to the Bahrainian King to undertake an official visit to Pakistan at his earliest convenience The telephone call reflected the warm and friendly relations between Pakistan and Bahrain, with a shared desire to further deepen their fraternal ties Nothing on ear th could dent Sino Pak long-standing friendship: Naqvi CONTINUED FROM PAGE 01 H e s a i d t h a t n o o n e c a n c r e a t e a r i f t i n t h e e t e r n a l f r i e n d s h i p b e t w e e n P a k i s t a n a n d C h i n a a n d s u c h a c o n s p i r a c y w i l l n e v e r b e a l l o w e d t o s u c c e e d H e s a i d t h a t P a k i s t a n a n d C h i n a a r e f r i e n d s a n d i r o n b r o t h e r s O n t h e o c c a s i o n t h e C h i n e s e a m b a s s a d o r s a i d t h a t C h i n a a t t a c h e s g r e a t i m p o r t a n c e t o r e l a t i o n s w i t h P a k i s t a n s a y i n g t h e t w o c o u n t r i e s w e r e a l l - w e a t h e r f r i e n d s T h e C h i n e s e a m b a s s a d o r e x p r e s s e d s a t i s f a c t i o n w i t h t h e s e c u r i t y a r r a n g e m e n t s m a d e f o r t h e p r o t e c t i o n o f C h i n e s e c i t i z e n s I n t e r i o r S e c r e t a r y K h u r r a m A l i A g h a a n d s e n i o r o ff i c i a l s o f t h e C h i n e s e E m b a s s y w e r e a l s o p r e s e n t i n t h e m e e t i n g DG KHAN A P P
amply
‘NAZARYAT-E-FALSAFA’ Dr Shahzad Qaiser a
categorization of
telephone conversation to exchange warm greetings on the occasion of Eid ul Adha and expressed their mutual respect and admiration for the strong historical ties between Pakistan and Bahrain built on shared values and cultural affinities The prime minister acknowledged and appreciated Bahrain s support and cooperation in various fields over the years In particular, he
on service rather than criticism He noted that road construction for public welfare has always been a priority for the PMLN The dualisation of N-55 Indus Highway starting in September and expected to be completed by October 2027 will stretch from Dera Ismail Khan through Dera Ghazi Khan and Rajanpur to Kashmore, including over 100 bypasses to ease city traffic congestion Leghari highlighted that the dual carriageway construction would boost the economy and provide numerous employment opportunities for the local population He also mentioned China s significant investment in the region, with ongoing surveys in Dera Ghazi Khan aimed at transferring industry creating new development avenues for educated youth laborers and other sectors Addressing the power sector Leghari stated that revolutionary steps were being taken, including a merit-based system with no tolerance for favoritism He shared the successful eradication of electricity theft in the challenging Fort Munro area resulting in a 24-hour power supply and reiterated the goal of eliminating electricity theft nationwide to provide cheaper electricity to the public Leghari pointed out the government’s progress in reducing electricity rates for industries by Rs10 69 which will boost industrial activity and create more job opportunities He also noted the recent reduction in petrol and diesel prices to provide public relief and mentioned a significant decrease in the inflation rate from 41 percent to 13 percent He assured that the government is aware of farmers issues and is working to provide maximum relief to the masses On the occasion the foundation stone for the dualisation of the 4kilometer road from Pul Dat to Shoria in Dera Ghazi (D G) Khan was laid at a cost of Rs582 million The ceremony was attended by district officers PML-N workers and a large number of local citizens P M L- N c o m m i t t e d t o a l l e v i at i n g n at i o n a l c r i s e s, s ay s Awa i s L e g h a r i Hajj pilgrims ‘stone the devil’ as Muslims mark Eidul A zha CONTINUED FROM PAGE 01 T h e s t o n i n g r i t u a l c o i n c i d e s w i t h t h e f e a s t o f t h e s a c r i f i c e o r E i d u l A d h a w h i c h h o n o u r s P r o p h e t I b r a h a m s ( P B U H ) w i l l i n g n e s s t o s a c r i f i c e h i s s o n b e f o r e G o d o ff e r e d a s h e e p i n s t e a d Wo r s h i p p e r s t y p i c a l l y s l a u g h t e r a s h e e p a n d o ff e r p a r t o f t h e m e a t t o t h e n e e d y T h i s y e a r ’s H a j j a n d E i d u l A d h a h o l i d a y h a v e b e e n c l o u d e d b y t h e w a r b e t w e e n I s r a e l a n d H a m a s i n t h e G a z a S t r i p We a r e v e r y s a d f o r t h e P a l e s t i n i a n s , a n d w e h a v e p r a y e d a l o t f o r t h e m , ” s a i d I n t i s s a r, a 2 5 - y e a r- o l d S y r i a n l i v i n g i n S a u d i A r a b i a w h o d e c l i n e d t o g i v e h e r s u r n a m e K i n g S a l m a n i n v i t e d 2 0 0 0 P a l e s t i n i a n s t o t h e H a j j a t h i s o w n e x p e n s e , h a l f o f w h o m a r e f a m i l y m e m b e r s o f v i c t i m s i n G a z a w h o h a v e s o u g h t r e f u g e e l s e w h e r e B u t S a u d i a u t h o r i t i e s h a v e w a r n e d n o p o l i t i c a l s l o g a n s w o u l d b e t o l e r a t e d d u r i n g t h e p i l g r i m a g e T h a t h a s n o t s t o p p e d m a n y w o r s h i p p e r s f r o m v o i c i n g s o l i d a r i t y w i t h P a l e s t i n i a n s “ P r a y f o r o u r b r o t h e r s i n P a l e s t i n e , i n G a z a m a y G o d g i v e v i c t o r y t o t h e M u s l i m s ” o n e p i l g r i m s h o u t e d o n M o u n t A r a f a t o n S a t u r d a y I n a m e s s a g e t o H a j j p i l g r i m s o n S a t u r d a y, I r a n i a n s u p r e m e l e a d e r Ay a t o l l a h A l i K h a m e n e i s a i d t h e i r o n c l a d r e s i s t a n c e o f P a l e s t i n e a n d t h e p a t i e n t , o p p r e s s e d p e o p l e o f G a z a m u s t b e f u l l y s u p p o r t e d i n e v e r y w a y ”
The Haj S ermon and the PM’s 100- days speech pointed more to tasks ahead rather than accomplishments
TH E two speeches were very different While Kaaba Imam Sheikh Maher Al-Muaiqly delivered a standard speech heavy on theology to the Hajj gathering at Arafat marking the acme of what is itself the apex ritual of the Islamic year Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif made a typical political speech to the nation, the first of his current tenure, marking the first 100 days of his current tenure, which is the beginning of what he hopes will be a five-year tenure But the underlying sentiment of both was much the same: Sh Al-Muaiqly said that Muslims needed to reform themselves if they hoped to end the suffering of the Palestinians on whom Israel did not let up even on the Eid Mr Sharif also told Pakistanis of the need to change themselves if they hoped to improve their situation
Sh Al-Muaiqly did not just speak about the Palestinians, but also spoke about the need for Muslims to strive for progress in this world That is what Mr Sharif was talking about, albeit at a Pakistani level However, it should be noted that that if Pakistan was able to become a flourishing economy what sort of difference it would make to the Muslim world as a whole She Al-Muaiqly was speaking in the heart of Saudi Arabia supposedly an economic power However while Saudi had, and still has, vast oil wealth, it also had an untrained and sparse population, and provides an object lesson in how far wealth can go alone On the other hand, if Pakistan s people s energies were to be unleashed, the Muslim world would benefit from their hard work and manifold skills much as the Arab world benefited from Pakistanis debt-ridden and impoverished as they were– and are
It was something of a disappointment, though, one to which everyone is accustomed by habit, that the gathering at Mina was followed on Sunday by Edul Azha in some countries, including Pakistan The reason is supposed to be that individual countries follow local sightings Still, would Mr Sharif s speech have been as effective if it had celebrated his first 101 days or first 99 rather than his first 100? The inability of the Muslim world to follow a single calendar in this age of the internet and 4G technology, is symbolic more than anything else, of the divisions Sh Al-Muaqly spoke of
Dedicated to the legac y of late Hameed Nizami Arif Nizami (Late) Founding Editor
M A Niazi
Editor Pakistan Today Babar Nizami Editor Profit
Tamong the Muslim ummah History reveals that the Masjid was a central point for the Muslims to share religious knowledge and spread the wisdom of Allah It is a place to preach the knowledge of the Almighty and teachings of the Holy Prophet (PBUH) A place of communal cohesion and social interaction A place where people of common interest come together pray to Allah interact and ask about the wellbeing of others The masjid is undoubtedly a real place for education, religion, ethics and manners It holds a revered position in Islam People of today’s era consider the Masjid to be the only place of worship Interestingly masjid is a true place for community engagements intellectual enlightenment social interaction and spiritual growth History witnessed that the Masjid has been pivotal in fostering spiritual knowledge, religious teachings and societal harmony Let me quote the example of Baitullah and Masjid-iNabavi which are together a nucleus for the entire Muslim ummah where they come together and seek forgiveness from Allah and endow their lives for the preaching of Islam The Holy Prophet (PBUH) declared the Masjid a vibrant hub of Quranic and hadith teaching and a source of learning for commerce, social cohesion, harmony and code of Islamic ethics The Masjid is pivotal in promoting justice and societal issues and instilling a sense of significance among Muslims It is the centre of gravity for the Muslim to promote spiritual and intellectual
Dr Omer JaveD
In fact, the second stated objective of the 2024-25 budg et, which is ÂBringing public debt to GDP ratio to sustainable levelsÊ requires a non-austerity policy approach, given the
and quiet, and dive into countless books and resources Libraries and Masjids are parallel places that educate the people for the noble deeds The core objectives of Masjid and libraries are to develop a sense of the acquisition and disseminating of knowledge in diverse disciplines Masjids and libraries share a common ethos of serving humanity in fostering community harmony and promoting learning capabilities Establishing Libraries in Masjids means bridging the gap between religious devotion and intellectual pursuits and creating holistic spaces for the Muslims’ social educational and spiritual needs There is a growing recognition of the Masjids in contemporary times In today s information era, libraries play tremendous roles and are a counterpart of every organization, whether research institutions, academia, or business occupations Library in the Masjid would be a place of great communal enrichment and intellectual growth libraries align with the core principles of Islam in more sophisticated ways Masjid and libraries are a central place for the entire community to promote literacy rate, civic engagement and intellectual curiosity However, the question arises: Who can establish the libraries in the masjid? Does it require a strategy? The answer is yes It requires a concrete measurement and comprehensive plans while planning a library; a few worthy steps include community engagement, where people of common interest come together to solicit book donations and raise the importance of masjid libraries The second option for the masjid library is to formulate a committee comprising volunteers educationists and religious scholars to manage the library for goodwill Similarly in every society people of different government missionaries come to pray in the Masjid; they should be convinced to promote
library donations Another question is about book acquisition Initially, the people of the surrounding community can share their extra books instead of selling them as scrap The library committee should collect cash from the donors to acquire new books Another good idea to make the library successful is a social media platform where people of different spheres should be motivated to donate their books Infrastructure development is yet another question Initially, a corner room inside the masjid would be established with a few shelves Usually some people have extra shelves in their homes they should donate these shelves for this cause Organizations like publishers and local community libraries should be contacted to donate their extra books Similarly, local publishers should be contacted to provide them with books at lowest prices The library should be ventilated with normal temperature in both summer and winter seasons Management and maintenance of the library is yet another question it is imperative for the library committee to take necessary care of the books and other reading materials There should be proper organization of books, and a devoted person should keep records for charging and discharging books
A Masjid library is an inspirational idea for the community of Pakistan Let s ignite this initiative by starting with our local Masjid and fostering a culture of learning and growth Ostensibly, No society can thrive without the support of joining hands Let’s promote libraries in every Masjid to elevate our collective knowledge and growth
The writer is the Library s Deputy Director at ISSI A Think-Tank based in Islamabad For feedback contact me at writetoabidhussain@gmail com M a s j i d l i b r a r y i
Lawlessness
English dominance
Karachi congestion
04 Monday 17 June 2024
A t a l e o f t w o s p e e c h e s
COMMENT
I N Pakistan, not a single day goes by when we do not hear about some heart-wrenching incident involving heinous crimes Earlier this month, a distressing incident took place in Hyderabad where a young girl law student Yusra Batool was gunned down in cold blood while she along with her brother also a law student was returning home after appearing in examinations They were intercepted by a man in a vehicle who opened fire, killing the girl on the spot Her brother sustained two bullets in the head and is said to be in a critical condition When will this brazen lawlessness end? When will the state take strict action to protect the people? G AKBAR PALIJO LARKANA
I am writing to highlight the profound impact of the English language on socio-economic disparities in Pakistan Despite the nation s linguistic diversity, English reigns supreme as a symbol of privilege and opportunity Originating as the language of colonial rulers, English has entrenched itself as a prerequisite for success in higher education, judiciary, major industries and governmental and private sectors perpetuating the socioeconomic divide In Pakistan s post-colonial landscape English serves as a potent political and economic tool wielded by the privileged elite to maintain dominance The elite s control over quality education perpetuates a cycle of exclusion Access to private English-medium schools facilitates inclusion into influential circles, while those lacking proficiency in English face marginalisation and are denied broader opportunities for advancement Recognising the paramount importance of English middle-class parents aspire to enrol their children in English-medium schools viewing proficiency in the language as a pathway to a brighter future Schools play a pivotal role in shaping societal norms and values, with the adoption of English as the medium of instruction cementing its status as a cultural capital As Pakistan grapples with the dominance of English, educators and policymakers must critically assess its value and implications ensuring equitable access to quality English education to prevent it from becoming a barrier to social inclusion and equitable opportunities TALHA HYDER KARACHI
I would like to draw attention to a pressing concern that affects the daily lives of countless residents in Karachi: traffic congestion resulting from overpopulation As a resident myself I have experienced firsthand the challenges posed by congested roads and gridlocked intersections Karachi being one of the most populous cities in Pakistan is grappling with the consequences of rapid urbanisation and unchecked population growth which has led to a strain on our infrastructure, particularly our road networks This results in significant disruptions to daily routines and productivity and poses health and safety risks To address this issue, we need substantial investment in transportation infrastructure including the expansion of public transit systems and effective traffic management strategies Additionally urban planning initiatives must prioritise sustainable development practices to manage population growth effectively By raising awareness and advocating for practical solutions, we can work towards creating a more livable and sustainable city for all Karachiites SYEDA NABEEHA IRFAN KARACHI E d i t o r ’ s m a i l Send your letters to: Letters to Editor Pakistan Today 4-Shaarey Fatima Jinnah Lahore Pakistan E-mail: letters@pakistantoday com pk Letters should be addressed to Pakistan Today exclusively
H E Masjid is the central point of congregation for Muslims and is known as the abode of the Almighty In Islamic culture Masjid holds a profound significance
growth
small, crafted
served
versatile spaces
various community
era
designed
proper
decorated
beautiful
costly
Masjid occupy more area than that of earlier periods History has witnessed that Muslims of the earlier days have declared masjids as a knowledge gateway the Holy Prophet (PBUH) was a great admirer of knowledge and encouraged both genders to seek knowledge A library is a place where you can explore a world of knowledge find peace
As mentioned above, In the past, masjids were charmingly
from mud, and
as
for
activities In today’s
masjids are
with a
ventilation system are places of calmness
with
marble and
carpets Nowadays the
n i t i a t i v e i n P a k i s t a n Why not? abiD Hussain A M a s j i d l i b r a r y i s a n i n s p i r a t i o n a l i d e a f o r t h e c o m m u n i t y o f Pa k i s t a n L e t Ês i g n i t e t h i s i n i t i a t i v e b y s t a r t i n g w i t h o u r l o c a l M a s j i d a n d f o s t e r i n g a c u l t u r e o f l e a r n i n g a n d g r o w t h . O s t e n s i b l y, N o s o c i e t y c a n t h r i v e w i t h o u t t h e s u p p o r t o f j o i n i n g h a n d s . P A K I S TA N has been in the grips of low economic growth high inflation and high debt distress For this the country paid a lot of growth sacrifice at the back of a high policy rate, kept up to control inflation Firstly, the sacrifice that was paid was a lot more than it should have been because inflation is determined by not just aggregate demand squeeze policies but also by supply-side policy emphasis both through better incentive- and governance structures Secondly now that inflation had finally come down from the highs of close to 40 percent, and closer to single digits– a little below 12 percent currently–the federal budget that has been announced is likely to increase inflation and the high cost of capital reflected in the budget in terms of a substantial amount of interest payments budgeted– around 57 percent of the total current expenditure earmarked in this regard– along with significant increase in indirect taxes, and petroleum levy– increased by Rs 20 per litre on petrol, and diesel, reportedly– all but likely to increase inflation, and reduce economic growth Highlighting a likely substantial increase in taxes in the next fiscal year a recent Bloomberg published article Pakistan hikes taxes in budget as it prepares for new IMF loan pointed out The government plans to increase tax revenue by 40% to 13 trillion rupees ($47 billion) in the fiscal year starting July 1, the finance minister said This will help it achieve a 1% federal primary balance which is the difference between revenues and expenditures excluding interest payments on debt Rising taxes may fuel discontent among consumers and businesses who are already contending with painful energy costs and Asia s highest inflation rate of more than 11% This is likely to have an increasing impact on the already high level of poverty, and income inequality, not to mention likely negative impact on an already weak political voice given the lack of fiscal space on account of high interest payments and low growth would not allow much-needed increase in welfare spending Moreover, lack of fiscal space, and overall weak level of multilateral spirit, will also have a reducing impact on the already low level of climate related spending Looking at the ‘Budget in brief ’ document released by the Ministry of Finance one finds that the policymakers have not learnt much from the negative impact of following austerity or fiscal consolidation policy, especially in the procyclical way The statement is the first objective for the 2024-25 budget, which is ‘Economic stability and growth through fiscal consolidation and efficient use of public money ’ Just to look at the last four years where the policy rate was only decreased around the start of this decade and only a second time recently but still inflation not only saw a large increase during this time but also remained quite stubborn This clearly indicated that inflation had a strong supply-side determinacy, and was not primarily influenced through aggregate demand side policies So, the role of cost-push-, and imported inflationary channels, in addition to global aggregate supply shock and the rise in geopolitical conflict all had a telling impact on inflation With regard to keeping tight monetary policy stance for a long time a recent article Pakistan cuts interest rate for the first time in four years published by Bloomberg pointed out Pakistan s central bank lowered its benchmark rate by a bigger margin than expected the first reduction in four years after consumer prices eased in the South Asian nation ’ Hence instead of achieving this objective through fiscal consolidation or monetary- and fiscal austerity policies, the government should control inflation, increase investment, and in turn, economic growth through a more balanced, aggregate demandand supply-side policies, and that too in a countercyclical way so that economic growth and macroeconomic stability is place on sustainable footing In fact the second stated objective of the 2024-25 budget, which is Bringing public debt to GDP ratio to sustainable levels requires a non-austerity policy approach, given the policy of keeping high policy rate to reduce inflation, has substantially increased debt distress and when clearly over-board austerity policies have seriously hurt economic growth inflation and debt sustainability prospects over the years The writer holds PhD in Economics degree from the University of Barcelona, and previously worked at International Monetary Fund Prior to this, he did MSc in Economics from the University of York (United Kingdom) and worked at the Ministry of Economic Affairs & Statistics (Pakistan) among other places He is author of Springer published book (2016) The economic impact of International Monetary Fund programmes: institutional quality macroeconomic stabilization and economic growth He tweets @omerjaved7
keeping high
increased debt
austerity policies
economic growth, inflation,
debt sustainability prospects over
years. R e f l e c t i o n s o n F e d e r a l B u d g e t 2 0 24 - 2 5 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
of the needed changes in polic y made
policy of
policy rate to reduce inflation, has substantially
distress, and when clearly over-board
have seriously hur t
and
the
None
IT is indeed satisfying to note that Chief Minister of Punjab Maryam Nawaz is evincing keen interest in overhauling the health system in the province and improving the quality of services provided to the masses in the government hospitals She has already put in place multiple steps to ensure that the poor masses get health facilities at their doorstep besides availability of free medicines to them The introduction of air-ambulance in the system is probably the most laudable initiative taken by her On Tuesday she presided over a meeting of the health authorities in this regard and gave them a deadline to improve conditions in the government hospitals The most significant outcome of the moot was her approval of a programme to rid Punjab of spurious and counterfeit drugs
The production and marketing of spurious and fake drugs is a thriving business in the country run by unscrupulous elements which are playing with the health of the masses It has been going on for decades without effective check and control by the concerned authorities A report published in the media reveals
that there are more than 3000 factories in the country engaged in producing fake and spurious drugs The biggest number of them is in Punjab followed by Sind, KP and Balochistan They are using the lowest quality material smuggled from Iran India and China for producing these medicines which are injurious to health There are wholesale markets of these drugs in Lahore, Karachi, Peshawar and other cities Reportedly these factories are owned by members of the assemblies, doctors and owners of private hospitals which are prescribing these drugs in the name of known brands These medicines are also being used in some government hospitals To avoid being detected they pack these medicines in containers with labels of known medicines
These factories produce injections, antibiotics and cough syrups in which chemical substances are mixed These medicines are also smuggled into Afghanistan and extensively marketed in the rural areas The reason why this business is thriving is that those who are supposed to control such illegal activities are bribed by the mafia for maintaining silence These medicines contain injurious ingredients or no active ingredients at all and the administration of these drugs may lead to treatment failure exacerbation of health conditions, development of drug resistance and even death I remember a horrible incident involving the death of a journalist and TV anchor about four decades ago whose
f i rs t s t e p i n t h e r i g h t d i r e c t i o n g u a r a n t e e s s u c c e s s
M a r ya m h a s t a k e n u p t h i s ch a l l e n g e a n d j u d g i n g by h e r
e n t h u s i a s m a n d d r i v e o n e c a n h o p e t h a t h e r e f fo r t s wo u l d m a k e a l o t o f d i f fe r e n c e i n t h i s r e g a rd .
name was probably Idrees Baig He was given an injection purchased from a medical store in front of Mayo Hospital Lahore which deteriorated his condition and finally caused his death
The production of counterfeit and spurious drugs is the most heinous crime against the state and society But who cares? We are the most corrupt society The corruption at the top level of the governments has had its trickle-down effect and consequently it has almost become a vicious circle from which the exit seems almost impossible
The Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (DRAP) does recognize the severity of the problem and feels that this issue requires coordinated efforts involving regulatory reform enhanced enforcement mechanisms public awareness campaigns and international cooperation to effectively combat the proliferation of counterfeit drugs and safeguard the wellbeing of the population Very right but I think they conveniently neglect the fact that all the measures suggested by them are effectively neutralized by the allpermeating corruption It is not only a case of people s health being jeopardized by the spurious and counterfeit drugs but there are also other mafias who are involved in destroying the health of the people to earn easy money
Adulteration of food items is another thriving business undertaken by the people bereft of humanitarian faculties These days milk made from chemicals is also being marketed with impunity and it is very difficult to get pure milk from the milk outlets in the cities Like drugs the sellers earn a lot of profit and those marketing it also get a fair share of this illearned money at the cost of public health
These medicines are also being used in some government hospitals. To avoid being detected they pack these medicines in containers with labels of known medicines. These factories produce injections, antibiotics, and cough syrups in which chemical substances are mixed. These medicines are also smuggled into Afghanistan and extensively marketed in the rural areas.
The rulers have been busy in building their own fortunes through in-built avenues of corruption in the system of governance and it is because of their corruption that the entire society has become afflicted with corruption and corrupt practices Human values and morality are at the lowest ebb I do not subscribe to the often preferred view that such activities are undertaken secretly at unknown places and it is difficult to eradicate the menace altogether Only fools would give credence to that idea I know for sure that all the police stations have their own intelligence gathering system and the Station House Officers are fully aware of the illegal activities happening in their
fastest-growing major developing economy in the world, how the nation overtook Britain to become the fifth-largest global economy, and how successfully India hosted the G20 summit last year all of these under his leadership of course! He even raked up the long-settled issue of the Sri Lankan island of Katchatheevu just for narrow political gain in Tamil Nadu When the results were announced on 4 June, Modi s feet of clay were exposed as voters handed down the BJP a stunningly reduced parliamentary majority A new era of coalition politics was ushered in an uncharted territory for a leader who has often bragged of his ability to beat the Opposition single-handedly The diminished mandate and dependence on coalition partners introduce new dynamics that could influence India s foreign policy direction in the next five years Modi is believed to have made most of the crucial foreign policy decisions on his own without consulting his cabinet
territory through salami slicing, or incremental occupation of the border areas Diplomatic engagements will be crucial in managing the complex relationship with China Underlying tensions and territorial disputes will require careful navigation to avoid escalation Observers will be keenly watching whether there will be a meeting between Modi and Xi on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit in Kazakhstan s capital Astana next month
New Delhi will likely continue to promote minilateral” arrangements with like-minded countries to advance its foreign policy and regional security objectives The I2U2 (India Israel United States and United Arab Emirates) the Colombo Security Conclave (India Sri Lanka the Maldives and Mauritius) and the Quad (India Japan Australia and the U S ) will most likely play significant roles in tackling regional challenges
However, the Quad has come under a cloud lately with the U S forming the ‘Squad,’ replacing India with the Philippines An additional “deterrence” angle has been added to the Squad group given the rising tensions in the South-China Sea It has been over a year since the Quad leaders met for a summit With U S President Joe Biden snubbing Modi s invitation to be the chief guest at India s Republic Day in January, a planned Quad summit along the sidelines of the celebration had to be deferred Another attempt to hold a summit before the beginning of the national elections on April 19 also fell apart for various reasons Now no summit is likely before the U S elections are over in November
Meanwhile, the plot to assassinate, Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, a U S -Canadian citizen and alleged Khalistani separatist, in New York, reportedly involving Indian intelligence agents, has strained India-U S ties Additionally India’s perceived alignment with Russia amid the Ukraine conflict and its long-term agreement with Iran regarding the Chabahar port have further complicated relations with the U S India s relations with Canada too have nosedived under Modi s watch with the murder of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a Canadian citizen and an alleged Khalistani separatist, in British Columbia in June last year Prime Minister Justin Trudeau accused the Indian government of being complicit in the assassination which subsequently led to a serious diplomatic spat inflicting considerable damage to ties between the two major democracies Relations with Pakistan also remain strained, and New Delhi will likely continue the current policy of limited engagement with Islamabad Despite Moscow’s close ties with Beijing the historical and strategic partnership with Russia remains vital Navigating this complex triad of relationships will require a delicate balance ensuring that India s interests are safeguarded while maintaining its strategic autonomy Meanwhile, Modi s decade-long rule saw Indian democracy coming under severe strain Illiberalism and religious bigotry have been on the rise and the country’s global standing has taken a beating According to the Opposition Congress party the nation s image has been damaged by the BJP government s intolerance of dissent and suppression of human rights Freedom House has downgraded India from free to partly free while Sweden’s V-Dem Institute has classified the country as an “electoral autocracy ” On the World Press Freedom Index the “largest democracy in the world” now ranks 159 out of 180 countries Though the BJP has cornered most of the crucial ministries in the new government including the MEA the party s dependence on coalition partners may lead to compromises A humbled Modi at home will likely be more susceptible to international pressure during his third term The made-up swagger with which he was walking on the
E D Mathew is a former U N spokesperson He posts @edmathew on X A h u m b l e d N a r e n d r a M o d i , a d i m i n i s h e d g l o b a l s t a t u r e
EIGHTY years ago, delegates from 44 countries gathered in Bretton Woods, New Hampshire, to coordinate reconstruction in the aftermath of World War II and promote international economic cooperation The institutions for which they laid the groundwork –the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank – stand at the heart of the global monetary and financial order In recent years, however, climate change and the COVID-19 pandemic have laid bare just how out of step these institutions are with changing global economic realities and development priorities If the international community is to have a chance of addressing twenty-first-century challenges effectively and equitably, the global economic and financial architecture must be reformed Eight priorities stand out First, developing economies must be given greater voice in multilateral institutions As has been widely recognized global economic power has shifted significantly since 1944 with emerging markets and developing economies carrying far more weight Quotas and voting systems at the Bretton Woods institutions, however, are still skewed heavily in favor of the advanced economies Moreover, a “gentlemen’s agreement” whereby a European leads the IMF and an American leads the World Bank persists
This state of affairs not only undermines the Bretton Woods institutions legitimacy; it also impedes their ability to meet the urgent and complex challenges of our time That is why quotas and voting shares must be reallocated – a change that the advanced economies, especially the United States, have so far resisted – and a “double-majority” leadership-selection procedure should be adopted In such a system successful candidates would have to obtain both a majority of weighted votes (which reflect countries shares in the institution) and the support of a majority of member countries
Second, the Global Financial Safety Net (GFSN)
the network of institutions that provide critical financing in times of crisis – must be strengthened and made more responsive to the needs of developing economies facing evolving climate and macroeconomic risks As it stands the GFSN not only falls far short in terms of the amount of support it provides, it also suffers from built-in structural inequalities that leave developing countries more exposed A bigger, more equitable GFSN would better safeguard countries against climate shocks and other crises freeing up resources to foster development locally Third an international mechanism must be established to deliver fair and swift resolutions to sovereign-debt crises Work on such a sovereigndebt workout mechanism – including an institution that is independent from creditors and debtors (crucial
Monday 17 June 2024 COMMENT 05
major factor in regards to failure in controlling crimes like this is the permeating corruption within the regulatory authorities themselves as well as the Police stations If they were corruption-free then nobody could dare to indulge in such anti-social and antistate activities Looking after the health of the people is the basic and constitutional obligation of
state
the governments running the state affairs
the governments
absolved themselves from performing their constitutional duty by allowing private investment in the health sector As a result there has been a mushroom growth of private hospitals where the treatment is almost beyond the reach of the poor people The condition in the government hospitals is very pathetic wherever they exist This situation has also contributed to a great extent to the proliferation of counterfeit and spurious drugs The whole system needs effective overhaul to succeed in checking different mafias in their tracks which are jeopardizing the health of the citizens But as they say the first step in the right direction guarantees success Maryam has taken up this challenge and judging by her enthusiasm and drive one can hope that her efforts would make a lot of difference in this regard Malik Muhammad Ashraf is an academic He can be contacted at: ashpak10@gmail com “ W H
In the 2014 and 2019 elections the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) focused on corruption Hindu nationalism and domestic and Pakistan-origin terrorism This is the first time in India s history that foreign policy has figured prominently in the campaign discourse In speech after speech, Modi crowed about India s status as the
Prominent among them was proclaiming solidarity with Israel within a few hours of the October 7 attack by Hamas It took several days for an embarrassed Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) to come up with a more balanced statement To cement India s status as a global leader, Modi will likely prioritise securing a permanent membership on the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) It will be interesting to see how the new government will leverage the UN s upcoming Summit of the Future dubbed as a historic opportunity to reform the global body scheduled to take place in New York in September this year However, given the geopolitical realities, including P-5 member China’s resistance to India’s rise, the UNSC permanent membership looks like a farfetched goal and will most likely remain beyond Modi’s reach China will remain the elephant in the room when it comes to foreign policy during Modi s third term too Modi who boasts of his closeness to many world leaders has failed to charm President Xi Jinping, who snubbed him by not attending the G20 meeting last year Xi has also not personally congratulated Modi on his third-term victory so far China meanwhile is involved in extensive development of military infrastructure along the Himalayan border Recent reports of China deploying advanced J-20 stealth fighter jets at Shigatse only 150 kilometres from Sikkim underscore the ongoing volatility Opposition leaders have accused Modi of failing to deal with China seizing Indian
areas But they look the other way in spite of taking action against them or sharing information with the concerned regulatory authorities, because money makes the mare go As I said, the
the
and
Unfortunately
have
E N India speaks at global forums now the whole world pays rapt attention Prime Minister Narendra Modi exulted during an election rally in Uttar Pradesh this May Amidst raucous applause from the audience, the bravado continued: When India takes decisions, the world tries to match its steps ”
world
stage is gone forever
h e r i g h
THE WIRE E d M at h E w
M a r y a m o n t
t t r a c k
–
to ensure fair treatment) – should begin now But near-term solutions will also be needed to tackle the sovereign-debt crisis that is currently obstructing development in the Global South as it hampers critical investments in climate action and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Fourth, climate finance must be vastly scaled up, and all public and private financial flows – including lending by international financial institutions – must be aligned with the goals set out in the Paris climate agreement International standard-setting bodies must commit to addressing climate-related financial risks and supporting this Paris alignment Fifth international national and subnational development banks must be strengthened Climatechange adaptation and mitigation will require huge amounts of investment, and there are limits to what commercial financial institutions can do Therefore, public development banks and funds must play a much larger role in financing structural transformation and sustainable development Multilateral development banks (MDBs) and development finance institutions (DFIs) should work closely with national and subnational peers to help them realize their potential Sixth, there must be progress toward a multilateral currency and reserve system centered on the IMF’s unit of account, Special Drawing Rights (SDRs) The US dollar ’s centrality to the global monetary system (or non-system) means that the policies of one central bank – the Federal Reserve –have a disproportionate impact on global monetary conditions and the global financial cycle A more stable system would have the IMF regularly issuing SDRs to meet increases in global demand for foreign-exchange reserves with additional automatic allocations in times of crisis At the same time to reduce currency risk in recipient countries MDBs and DFIs should provide finance in local currencies Seventh, the IMF and regional financial institutions should create policy-coordination mechanisms to manage volatility in capital flows across regions and between developing and advanced economies An international financial-transaction tax should also be introduced to help limit the disruptions caused by short-term capital flows The considerable revenues that such a tax would generate could be used to finance the SDGs and climate action Lastly, the international tax architecture must be strengthened to support equitable, inclusive, and sustainable development Greater tax transparency and improved mechanisms for cross-border sharing of banking and financial information could enable countries to generate more domestic tax revenues Additionally, a binding UN Framework Convention on Taxation, combined with measures to combat illicit financial flows, could create new sources of development finance and reduce reliance on official development assistance The 1944 Bretton Woods Conference was an unprecedented moment of collective action Another such moment – in which world leaders advance a new, forward-looking vision for the global financial architecture – is long overdue This commentary is also signed by William Kring Executive Director of the Boston University Global Development Policy Center; Kamal Ramburuth a researcher at the Institute for Economic Justice; and Sarah Ribbert Senior Programme Officer at Heinrich Böll Foundation Ulrich Volz is Professor of Economics and Director of the Centre for Sustainable Finance at SOAS University of London is Co-Chair of the Debt Relief for Green and Inclusive Recovery Project Janak Raj is a senior fellow at the Centre for Social and Economic Progress Monica Herz is an associate professor at the Institute of International Relations at the Pontifical Catholic University of Rio de Janeiro is a senior fellow at the Brazilian Center for International Relations and a member of the Executive Council at the BRICS Policy Center A m o n e t a r y a n d e c o n o m i c o r d e r f i t f o r t h e t w e n t y - f i r s t c e n t u r y PR OJECT SYNDICATE u l r C h VO l Z J a N a k r a J a N d M O N i C a h E r Z T h e w h o l e s y s t e m n e e d s e f fe c t i v e ov e r h a u l t o s u c c e e d i n ch e ck i n g d i f fe r e n t m a f i a s i n t h e i r t r a ck s w h i ch a r e j e o p a rd i z i n g t h e h e a l t h o f t h e c i t i z e n s B u t a s t h ey s ay, t h e
Ever yone has learnt corruption
Malik MuhaMMad ashraf
address the humanitarian crisis get the hostages home and allow for the delivery of aid education and medical care Meanwhile, in a stark assessment of the dire situation, the head of the UN World Health Organization (WHO), Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus has warned that significant proportion of Gaza population is now facing catastrophic hunger and famine-like conditions To date, more than 8,000 youngsters have been diagnosed and treated for acute malnutrition, including 1,600 children with the most dangerous form of the condition ” the WHO Director-General said Despite reports of increased deliv-
ery of food there is currently no evidence that those who need it most are receiving sufficient quantity and quality of food Tedros maintained Lifesaving treatment for dangerously malnourished children is dwindling
in the war-shattered enclave with only two of three specialized nutrition stabi-
PUNJAB CM DIRECTS BEST CLEANLINESS, FOOLPROOF SECURIT Y
Faiz Bhatty will be its co-chairpersons Other members of the committees include prominent businessmen from various chambers of commerce and trade bodies LAHORE S TA F F R E P O R T
U N J A B Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif on Sunday ordered the imposition of Section-144 to ban throwing animal waste and offal in canals and drains, besides the illegal business of roasting ‘Siri Paey’ on Eidul Adha across the province
Chairing a special meeting held to review cleanliness arrangements and security plan for Eidul Azha CM Maryam Nawaz directed the authorities concerned to further activate provincial, divisional, district and tehsil level control rooms for effective implementation of Eid plan
May Nawaz was briefed that in Lahore the staff of solid waste management company will go from door to door and collect
ISLAMABAD S TA F
students, parents and stakeholders to avoid getting admission in these programmes as degrees obtained from such programmes do not qualify for recognition and attestation by HEC "
As per the HEC s official statement, the decision of abolishing the two-year degree programmes was taken in 2004 with the aim of enhancing the quality of degree programmes
as per international standards
The commission however had granted a transition period until 2016 to the varsities for phasing out the said programmes
The two-year associate degree programmes allowed by the HEC were a substitute for the bachelors of arts (BA) and bachelors of science (BSc) degree programmes and were equivalent to 14 years of education
On the completion of an associate degree programme, the graduates can secure admissions to the fifth semester of a four-year BS programme
07 nEwS Monday 17 June 2024 | ISLAMABAD FPCCI condemns proposed tax changes, warns of expor t industr y collapse KARACHI S TA F F R E P O R T The Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI) has vehemently opposed the federal budget s proposal to replace the fixed income tax regime for exporters with a 29% tax on profits The move deemed catastrophic by industry leaders, has sparked widespread outcry among Pakistan's export sectors Senior Vice President of FPCCI, Saqib Fayyaz Magu, along with representatives from the Faisalabad Chamber of Commerce Sialkot Chamber of Commerce and various industry associations including Textile Pharmaceutical Rice Fruit Vegetable Leather Products and Tanners voiced their concerns at a press conference Magu warned that the proposed budget measures would escalate harassment and corruption by the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) driving investors out of the country He emphasized that businessmen should not be subjected to non-bailable arrests labeling the proposed law as draconian and calling for its immediate withdrawal Failure to reverse the decision would prompt a nationwide consultation with export industries to determine their response Chairman of the Rice Exporters Association, Chela Ram Kiwalani and Chaudhry Muhammad Israr Sharif criticized the timing of the proposal noting its potential to severely damage exports during an already challenging economic period Abdul Rahim Janu highlighted that exporters are already burdened with taxes amounting to 30-35% of their profits Under the new National Tax Regime, a 29% tax on exports combined with a 10% super tax would bring the total to a staggering 39% paving the way for increased harassment and corruption Janu warned that the abolishment of the fixed tax regime could lead to a $6 billion reduction in exports, referencing the failure of a similar system 15 years ago due to rampant corruption and misuse IIU invites applications for enrollment in summer Arabic language courses ISLAMABAD S TA F F R E P O R T The International Islamic University (IIU) has asked interested students to submit applications for admission to the summer Arabic language learning courses by June 28, 2024 According to an official, the 8-week course, with separate classes for male and female students, will begin on July 1, 2024 The university has offered courses in certificates, diplomas and advanced diplomas in three categories separately for male and female aspirants The Certificate in Arabic Language is designed for students with no prior understanding of Arabic The Diploma in Arabic Language is intended for those who have completed the Certificate program At the same time, the Advanced Diploma course is available to students who have completed the Diploma program at IIU or any other recognised institute Each eligible student needed to pay a fee of Rs 15 000 for the entire course Classes are scheduled from Monday to Thursday each week, with sessions held from 5 pm to 7:30 pm for male students and 9 am to 12 noon for female students FBR forms committees to identif y, resolve Finance Bill 2024 anomalies ISLAMABAD S TA F F R E P O R T Chairman Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) Malik Amjed Zubair Tiwana on Saturday formed two anomaly committees in order to identify and remove the business and technical related anomalies in the Finance Bill 2024 The Anomaly Committee on Business will be chaired by President Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI) Atif Akram Shaikh and All Pakistan Textile Mills Association (APTMA) Gohar Ijaz, while its co-chairpersons will be Member Customs (Policy) Ashhad Jawad and Member IR Policy Amna Faiz Bhatty said a news release Similarly the Anomaly Committee on Technical would be chaired by Managing Partner of KPMG Adnan Rizvi while Member Customs (Policy) Ashhad Jawad and Member IR Policy Amna
P
animal waste packed in biodegradable bags She was apprised that after performing the religious ritual of slaughtering sacrificial animals, the city streets will be washed limed and sprayed ” Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz was also briefed that animal sale points have been established at 294 places across Punjab She was informed that drains and manhole would be protected against littering throughout Punjab The Punjab CM was also presented with a report on security arrangements at 2600 mosques and 900 Eidgahs in the province She directed to ensure implementation of security SOPs and said ” Wherever there is fear increase security to ensure protection of people s lives and property Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif also directed to install mist fans and fans in Eidgahs to beat the heat She said “Install cameras for surveillance and walk-through gates for checking ” She directed effective inspection of swings and slides for children in parks and other recreational points Swings installed in parks should be checked regularly to ensure safety standards ” The Punjab CM reiterated the resolve that her government will never allow anyone to take law into hands saying illegal use of loudspeakers and display of weapons should be banned CM Maryam Nawaz said Foolproof arrangements should be made for the security of cattle markets, bazaars and markets ” “Cattle markets should be cleaned and sprayed; sheds and clean drinking water should be made available for the visitors she directed Senator Pervaiz Rashid Senior Provincial Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb, Information & Culture Minister Azma Zahid Bukhari, Provincial Law Minister Soheb Ahmed Bharat, Special Assistants Rashid Nasrullah, Zeeshan Malik and MPA Sania Ashiq attended the meeting Punjab Chief Secretary Zahid Akhtar Zaman Inspector General of Police (IGP) Dr Usman Anwar Secretaries and other authorities concerned were also present while all commissioners and deputy commissioners attended the meeting via video link ‘Father’s Day Message’ Today is a day to recognize invaluable role of fathers in raising and guiding children, said Chief Minister Punjab Maryam Nawaz in her message on International Father ’s Day She added, “We should acknowledge silent sacrifices of every father that are often overlooked She highlighted Also acknowledge the sacrifices of a father to ensure better future The Chief Minister said that a father is like a shady tree whose shade gets dense for his children in scorching sun ” “There is a need for understanding the importance of compassionate role of father in training and better upbringing of his children CM Maryam Nawaz highlighted, I am lucky to have a father like Muhammad Nawaz Sharif, proud to be his daughter ” “Every day I leave the house with prayers of my respected father and on my return I greet him first she added ISLAMABAD S TA F F R E P O R T Following the special directives of Inspector General of Police (IGP) Islamabad, Syed Ali Nasir Rizvi, the Islamabad Traffic Police has chalked out a special traffic plan for Eidul Azha a public relations officer said He said that Chief Traffic Officer (CTO) Islamabad, Muhammad Sarfraz Virk, chaired a special meeting at Traffic Police Headquarters The meeting was attended by SP Traffic all Zonal DSPs and beat inspectors During the meeting the special measures taken by Islamabad Police on Chand Raat to provide maximum travel facilities to the citizens and to maintain an integrated traffic system in the city were reviewed In addition to their usual duties more than 600 officers have been deployed in all major shopping centers mosques Imam Bargahs graveyards, and public places in Islamabad It was also decided to provide diversion points on busy highways for the convenience of the citizens Furthermore special squads of Islamabad Traffic Police have been deployed on highways and bus terminals which are taking action against overcharging public transport service vehicles CTO Islamabad, Mohammad Sarfraz Virk, has appealed to citizens to park their vehicles and motorcycles in designated parking areas He also urged citizens to cooperate with Islamabad police officers to ensure smooth traffic flow in the city Citizens can also register their complaints via "Pakar-15" and at 051-9261992/93 Islamabad Traffic Police Radio FM 92 4 will keep citizens informed about the traffic situation moment by moment O ve r 6 0 0 I s l a m a b a d Po l i c e c o p s w i l l r e g u l at e t r a f f i c o n E i d u l A z h a Senator Afnan poses confidence in country’s economic stability ISLAMABAD S TA F F R E P O R T PML-N Senator Afnan Ullah Khan Sunday expressed the confidence that the incumbent government presented a public friendly budget and with fruitful policies of the government the country would witness economic stability soon He urged to all stakeholders to resolve the issues through dialogue; otherwise it would have a negative impact on the economy All stakeholders should resolve the issues through dialogue; otherwise, it would have an adverse effect on the already crippling economy,” he said While comparing the performance of the provinces he not only praised the good governance in Punjab but also lauded the initiatives taken by the Chief Minister for the people of Punjab Leadership in Punjab is better than in other provinces Chief Minister of Punjab, Maryam Nawaz Sharif is taking excellent initiatives as compared to other provinces”, he expressed Talking about the country’s economic dependency on international monetary agencies he said in 2016 Pakistan under the leadership of Mian Muhammad Nawaz Sharif had said goodbye to the International Monetary Fund (IMF), but Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) got a new program and took the economy towards its downfall Sindh Governor announces free solar panels for low-income families KARACHI S TA F F R E P O R T Sindh Governor Kamran Tessori has announced free solar panels for low-income families in effort to provide relief from load shedding Speaking to journalists here, Tessori said households consuming up to 300 units of electricity, with a rent agreement and children under 10 years old, will be provided with free solar panels Sindh Governor said this initiative will free citizens from the misery of load shedding and was made possible through the generosity of overseas Pakistanis He assured that the solar panels will be provided free of cost, and households can use up to 300 units of electricity without any charges “No charges will be taken for installing solar,” he added Moreover Kamran Tessori announced that ration bags would be distributed from the Governor s House on Eid day and 20 000 families were set to benefit He also announced the launch of a free medical treatment and medicine programme after Eid Highlighting his initiatives for the Karachi citizens, he said that thousands of people have benefited from IT courses, and motorbikes were being distributed to those whose bikes were stolen
ISLAMABAD S TA F F R E P O R T The Higher Education Commission (HEC) on Sunday issued an alert warning students against getting admissions in two-year programmes that have been phased out since the academic year 2019 The alert which was shared on HEC s official Instagram account, highlighted that it had phased out "two-year BA/Sc and MA/MSc programmes with extended deadlines of the academic year 2019 and June 30 2022 The notification revealed that some higher education institutions admitted students in these phasedout programmes after the specified deadlines despite HEC's directions It also urged
ON EIDUL A ZHA
s s t u d e n t s a g a i n s t t a k i n g a d m i s s i o n s i n t h e s e d e g r e e p r o g r a m m e s
H E C wa r n
F R E P O R T The Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP) has taken cognizance of an unincorporated entity by the name of Etihad Auto Solutions for offering car financing schemes against an advance or down payment of 25% at extremely low markup rates The sponsors of Etihad Auto Solutions have also registered another company under the Companies Act, 2017 with a similar name Etihad Auto Solutions (Private) Limited in order to deceive the public said a new release This fraudulent scheme is being promoted through https://etihadautosolutions com/ It is falsely claimed that Etihad Auto Solutions (Private) Limited is a nonbanking finance company (NBFC) registered with SECP SECP hereby warns the public not to deal with M/s Etihad Auto Solutions (Private) Limited and/or Etihad Auto Solutions in any form or arrangement, as these entities are neither licensed by the SECP as NBFCs nor are they allowed to offer car financing services The SECP has already initiated action against M/s Etihad Auto Solutions (Private) Limited and Etihad Auto Solutions, which includes closing down their operations and referring the matter to relevant law enforcement agencies The general public is once again informed that the Certificate of Incorporation of a company
ISLAMABAD A P P The Environmental Monitoring Team (EMT) of the Pakistan Environmental Protection Agency (Pak-EPA) under the directions of Director General Farzana Altaf Shah and the supervision of Director (Lab/NEQS) Dr Zaigham Abbas, has embarked on two pivotal projects aimed at addressing critical issues of air and water pollution in Islamabad According to Pak-EPA air pollution in Islamabad has reached alarming levels primarily due to rapid industrialization and increasing vehicular traffic, which significantly contribute to the concentration of particulate matter in the air This pollution poses serious health risks, including respiratory illnesses cardiovascular diseases and other chronic conditions Simultaneously surface water bodies in and around Islamabad are facing contamination from various sources, including industrial discharges, agricultural runoff, and domestic waste This leads to deteriorating water quality, which threatens both public health and aquatic life To combat these alarming situations Pak-EPA has initiated two projects aimed at studying the serious challenges related to air pollution from industrial emissions and vehicular traffic, as well as water pollution from various sources These pollutants pose severe risks to human health and the ecosystem necessitating immediate and effective action The projects are as follows: Project 1: Analysis of Airborne Total Suspended Particulate Matters (TSP): The PakEPA s environmental monitoring team has been diligently collecting 24-hour samples of airborne total suspended particulate (TSP) matter from diverse locations across Islamabad Sampling sites include the industrial areas of I-9 and I-10 the commercial hub of G-11 Markaz and the rural vicinity of Taramri Chowk Samples from residential zones and heavy vehicle traffic areas will also be collected in the upcoming days The collected TSP samples are currently under analysis to quantify particulate concentration and assess their potential impact on both human health and the environment This comprehensive study aims to map out pollution hotspots and provide critical insights into the health risks associated with TSP exposure The data will inform future policies and interventions aimed at reducing particulate emissions and improving air quality in the capital city Project 2: Analysis of Surface and Reservoir Water Quality: In parallel PakEPA is conducting an extensive analysis of surface and reservoir water quality Composite samples have been collected from key water bodies, including the Korang River, Angoori Dam Chattar Park Rumli Jinnah Nallah Bharakahu Nallah and Shahdara Additionally critical reservoirs such as Rawal Dam and Simly Dam are included in the sampling list to evaluate water quality comprehensively These samples are preserved and currently under analysis to detect contaminants and assess water quality parameters The objective is to identify pollution sources evaluate the extent of contamination and provide recommendations for optimizing water quality to ensure safe and clean water for Islamabad’s residents The outcomes of this study are crucial for developing effective water management strategies and protecting aquatic ecosystems I s l a m a b a d ’s a i r a n d w a t e r q u a l i t y u n d e r s c r u t i n y i n n e w P a k - E PA i n i t i a t i v e
SECP warns public against fraudulent car financing scheme
New taxes threaten IT sec tor stability
The fiscal year 2024-2025 budget imposes heavier income taxes on the skilled salaried class potentially triggering a significant brain drain that could severely damage the Information Technology (IT) sector Additionally the General Sales Tax (GST) on IT hardware has doubled from 5% to 10% hindering digitalization efforts according to IT professionals and experts They warn that these new taxes could cripple the burgeoning IT industry Professor Tahir Mahmood Chaudhry Chairman of the Computer Society of Pakistan (CSP) voiced concerns over the IT sector s future He emphasized the sector s potential to generate 15%-30% of revenue from IT exports to alleviate dependence on the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank (WB)
The fluctuating US dollar benefits local IT companies receiving international payments, but transferring money from Pakistan to other countries remains challenging due to stringent regulations
Chaudhry criticized the government s fiscal policies noting
that taxes are imposed on funds transferred from foreign countries to Pakistan despite these amounts already being taxed abroad He also highlighted the financial strain of new taxes on computer hardware, which IT companies must purchase at a high exchange rate Muhammad Zohaib Khan, Chairman of the Pakistan Software Houses Association (P@SHA) echoed these concerns He lamented that the budget ignored P@SHA s proposals for IT sector growth, burdening the skilled salaried class with higher income taxes that could drive a brain drain Khan pointed out that the Rs79 billion allocated is mainly for government projects and IT parks without addressing payroll incentives crucial for supporting remote workers The GST increase on IT hardware, he argued, will impede digitalization efforts undermining the government s promises of fostering IT growth
Khawaja Fahad Shakeel an AI strategist and CEO of Workforce Commerce, warned that the changes in income tax slabs will lead to a loss of highly skilled IT staff pushing professionals towards freelancing and leaving local IT firms struggling with
for the next financial year, 2024-25, totaling over Rs800 billion, on June 22 The announcement was made by finance department officials on Saturday For the upcoming fiscal year, Balochistan is expected to receive Rs667 5 billion from the federal government under the National Finance Commission (NFC) Award a notable increase from the Rs493 70 billion allocated in the current year Additionally the province will gain Rs20 55 billion from oil and gas royalties in 2024-25
During a consultative meeting with coalition partners and opposition members, Chief Minister Mir Sarfraz Ahmed Bugti emphasized the importance of reaching a consensus on the budget This marks the first time in Balochistan s history that both coalition and opposition members are actively involved in budget discussions The meeting was also attended by Balochistan Governor Jaffar Khan Mandokhail and Provincial Assembly Speaker Abdul Khaliq Achakzai
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 4:00 4:58 1 30 5:30 7:13 9:15 Monday 17 June 2024 NEWS PR OFIT R E U T E R S P A K I S TA N is unlikely to buy liquefied natural gas (LNG) cargoes on the spot market until at least the beginning of winter in November due to oversupply and high prices its petroleum minister told Reuters Extreme temperatures across Asia have pushed countries to seek more cargoes of LNG to address higher power demand, driving spot prices to their highest since mid-December Asia spot LNG last traded at $12 00 per million British thermal units (mmBtu) on Friday However LNG demand in the second largest south Asian LNG buyer was subordinate to supplies, the minister told Reuters, despite heatwaves baking the country of 300 million people with temperatures surging to a near-record “The question of getting more LNG when we can t sell the amount of LNG that we already are obtaining from our long-term contracts it does not apply Petroleum Minister Musadik Masood Malik told Reuters in an interview Annual power use in Pakistan which gets over a third of its electricity from natural gas is expected to fall consecutively for the first time in 16 years, due to higher tariffs curbing household consumption Poor and middle class households are still feeling the impact of the International Monetary Fund s (IMF) bailout of Pakistan last year which contributed to higher retail prices A series of power tariff hikes over 12 months was a key part of the IMF programme which ended in April Industrial demand has also remained tepid due to a cloudy economic outlook Pakistan which last bought a spot LNG cargo in late 2023 cancelled its spot LNG tender for delivery in January Malik attributed the cancellation to oversupply adding that there were not a lot of customers at current LNG spot prices Malik said Pakistan was keen to adopt more renewable energy to cut its import bill and exposure to geopolitical shocks The country suffered widespread power outages due to its inability to buy expensive LNG after prices surged due to Russia s invasion of Ukraine Any country that is importing $15-18 billion of fuel, how can it be sustainable when the total exports are south of $30 billion? So, we have to move away from the imported elements such as LNG ” he said Pakistan was also trying to access less expensive natural gas by building a pipeline with Iran but was wary of sanctions, he said We basically are trying to work out the solution whereby we can have access to less expensive gas, but in a manner which does not invoke any sanctions on Pakistan It all depends on legal interpretations he said From our perspective we don t want to get into litigation and we don t want to get sanctioned PR OFIT M O N I T O R I N G D E S K In 2023, Pakistan experienced a dramatic 119% surge in the exodus of skilled professionals, driven by an economic crisis, widespread industrial shutdowns and severe political instability This trend casts serious doubts on the government s capacity to address the situation and jeopardizes the nation s prospects The Economic Survey 2023-24 highlights this alarming brain drain, noting a sharp rise in the number of highly skilled individuals seeking jobs abroad from 20 865 in 2022 to 45 687 in 2023 There was also a 26 6% increase in the departure of highly qualified professionals The majority of these emigrants in 2023 originated from Punjab (489,301), followed by Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (210,150), Sindh (72 382) and the Tribal Areas (36 609) Experts point to the lack of adequate employment opportunities for highly skilled workers as a key factor Persistent political and economic instability since late 2021 has exacerbated the situation with around 50% of industrial units partially or fully shut down due to poor financial management and planning by the government The country’s financial strain is further intensified by debt, interest payments, and challenges in the power sector Despite moving abroad these non-resident Pakistanis continue to support their home country through remittances maintaining strong ties with their homeland The Economic Survey 2023-24 emphasizes the crucial role of these remittances in poverty alleviation improved living standards and increased consumption As of April 2024 a staggering 13 53 million Pakistanis have sought employment in over 50 countries, with the Gulf Cooperation Council nations, especially Saudi Arabia and the UAE, hosting about 96% of these workers Their remittances significantly bolster Pakistan’s foreign exchange reserves second only to exports in generating foreign currency In 2023 the Bureau of Emigration and Overseas Employment (BE&OE) and Overseas Employment Corporation (OEC) registered 862 625 workers for overseas jobs, marking a 4% increase from 2022 There was an 8 7% rise in unskilled worker registrations, while skilled worker registrations declined from 347,733 in 2022 to 314 932 in 2023 According to the BE&OE Saudi Arabia employed 49 5% (426 951) of Pakistani workers in 2023 followed by the UAE at 26 7% Oman hired 60,046 workers (7%), Qatar 55,112 (6 4%), Bahrain 13,345 (1 5%), and Malaysia 20,905 (2 4%) The latest Labour Force Survey (LFS) 2020-21 reports that Pakistan’s total labour force is 71 76 million (48 5 million rural and 23 2 million urban) with 67 25 million employed (45 7 million rural and 21 5 million urban), and 4 51 million unemployed, reflecting a 6 3% unemployment rate The highest unemployment rate is among youth aged 15-24 at 11 1% with males at 10% and females at 14 4% The Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS) has conducted LFS since 1963 but the 2022-23 survey was delayed due to the 7th Population & Housing Census Work on the LFS 2024-25 is ongoing Unemployment is notably higher among females, especially those aged 15-24, leading to limited learning opportunities and a potential rise in discouraged workers Technological advancements have significantly reshaped Pakistan s employment landscape, shifting focus from agriculture to industry and services The services sector has become the largest employment segment, accounting for 37 2% of jobs in 2020-21 S k i l l e d wo r k f o r ce exo d u s i n c r e a s e s b y 1 1 9 %
PR OFIT M O N I T O R I N G D E S K
tax burdens He highlighted that professionals earning Rs800 000 to Rs1 million monthly will now face Rs300 000 to Rs350 000 in taxes accelerating brain drain and adversely affecting the IT sector s growth trajectory since 2022 Dr Noman Said, CEO of SI Global Solutions, criticized the GST hike on laptops from 5% to 10% arguing that it will harm consumers and the tech industry alike He pointed out the increased challenges for the hardware manufacturing sector, which lacks clear vision and effective measures to curb grey market products Said stressed that compliant businesses and consumers face higher costs giving noncompliant entities an unfair advantage He called for a balanced approach and stronger regulatory enforcement to prevent stifling legitimate market growth and technological advancement These expert opinions highlight the urgent need for policy amendments to safeguard the IT sector s future The government s current tax strategy risks shortterm financial gains at the expense of long-term industry stability and growth which is vital for Pakistan s economic development
PR OFIT N E W S D E S K Balochistan Finance Minister Mir Shoaib Ahmed Nosherwani is set to present the budget
Participants expressed confidence in the chief minister s leadership and endorsed the proposed budget and governance reforms They agreed to maintain the scale of development projects and ensure their timely implementation CM Bugti highlighted that health and education would be top priorities with proposals to increase the education budget by 300% and the health budget by 100% To facilitate the timely execution of development projects the tendering process will begin in the first month of the new fiscal year, immediately after Eid CM Bugti stated that responsible officers would oversee the field operations of these projects to enhance accountability Efforts are also underway to strengthen the anti-corruption establishment and activate the Chief Minister s Inspection Team for better governance Balochistan govt to unveil over Rs800b budget on June 22 T yrian White Case: SC moved against IHC’s dismissal of petition against Imran Khan ISLAMABAD N E W S D E S K A private citizen has moved the Supreme Court on Saturday against the dismissal of his petition by the Islamabad High Court (IHC) seeking the disqualification of former Prime Minister Imran Khan for allegedly not disclosing his daughter, Tyrian Khan White, in his 2018 election nomination papers The petitioner, Mohammad Sajid, represented by his lawyer Saad Mumtaz Hashmi, argued that the IHC’s full bench erred in treating the concurring opinions of two judges as a court judgment despite it being reserved and not formally announced Sajid contended that Khan failed to mention Tyrian Khan White when he submitted his nomination papers for the NA-95 Mianwali constituency on June 11, 2018 He only listed his spouse, Bushra Bibi, and his two sons living abroad Qasim and Sulaiman Khan This omission according to Sajid constitutes furnishing a false affidavit making Khan liable for disqualification under the 2018 Habib Akram case principle The petition highlighted that Tyrian Khan White, born on June 15, 1992, is indeed Khan s daughter, as confirmed by judicial records in California, USA The petitioner had previously brought this issue to the IHC in 2022 A single bench decided on February 2 2023 to have the case heard by a full bench of three judges comprising Chief Justice Aamer Farooq Justice Mohsin Akhtar Kayani, and Justice Arbab Mohammad Tahir After hearings, they reserved the judgment on March 30, 2023 Before the Chief Justice could deliver his opinion, the concurring opinions of the other two judges were uploaded on the IHC s website indicating that the petition was dismissed by a majority of two to one Chief Justice Farooq subsequently ordered an inquiry and the removal of these opinions from the website, noting they should not have been uploaded before the official judgment announcement On May 10, 2023, he recused himself from the case sealing the two judges’ opinions and directing the matter to be decided afresh by a full bench The petitioner claimed that the case fixed before the IHC full bench on May 21, 2024, was dismissed without a fresh hearing He challenged this dismissal, arguing that the two judges’ opinions did not constitute a binding judgment as per Supreme Court precedents Sajid requested the Supreme Court to declare the IHC s dismissal of his petition erroneous and liable to be set aside maintaining that Khan remains ineligible and disqualified from being elected or holding any public office for misleading the electorate in his 2018 nomination papers, an act not mitigated by his term’s expiration Probe into Sahiwal hospital fire tragedy reveals safet y lapses SAHIWAL I N P A preliminary report of the fire incident at Sahiwal Teaching Hospital s children s ward has uncovered alarming details, it was revealed on Sunday The report highlights that the fire brigade’s ladder was malfunctioning which significantly hampered efforts to extinguish the fire Rescuers attempted to put out the fire by pouring water in the wrong place By the time rescuers arrived doctors and security guards had already evacuated the children from the ward A massive fire had erupted in the Children s Ward of Sahiwal Teaching Hospital days ago on the morning of June 9 reportedly caused by a short circuit killing nine children The hospital staff swiftly moved the kids to a safe place and some parents even took their children home At the time of the incident, the ward housed 75 children undergoing treatment Five vehicles from the fire brigade department participated in the operation to extinguish the blaze Punjab CM Maryam Nawaz has constituted a threemember committee to probe the Sahiwal Hospital fire incident which claimed the lives of eight infants
ISLAMABAD
S TA F F R E P O R T
CAIR