Pakistan, Azerbaijan sign 15 MoUs to boost bilateral ties
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As Pakistan’s population grows, so does malnutrition
The lack of food security has strong economic implications According to a special section of the SBP’s annual report from 2019-20 the state of food security has strong linkages with the state of human capital in the country The Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations has also estimated that a high rate of malnutrition can cost an economy around 3-4% of GDP In the case of Pakistan estimates suggest that malnutrition and its outcomes cost the economy 3% of GDP (US$ 7 6 billion) every year
To put this in very mathematical terms, malnutrition and food insecurity manifests in the shape of high child mortality rates prevalence of zinc and iodine deficiencies stunting and anaemia which lead to deficits in physical and mental development that weakens labour productivity and loss of future labour force in the country
On a much more human level, however the lack of food security means a whole lot of misery hunger and anguish According to the State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World report for 2020, prevalence of undernourishment in Pakistan is 12 3% and an estimated 26 million people in Pakistan are undernourished or foodinsecure Pakistan’s children have suffered and are continuing to suffer Malnutrition from an early age results in consequences that last entire lifetimes
Add on top of that a high population growth and unfavourable water and climatic conditions and you have a scenario that threatens to spill over and cause mayhem Pakistan is barely maintaining its current food security level of just over 60% A QUESTION OF RESPONSIBILITY
So what is to be done? There are two sides to it On the one hand, there needs to be a greater focus on our agriculture
out of 116 nations with its hunger categorised as serious Pakistan currently faces a scenario in which it is largely food sufficient but not food
and how it is being handled Pakistan s food security, especially for a fast growing population, depends entirely on how much food we can produce for more people with the same amount of land And then there is the private sector What can companies do to address this problem? Take for example Unity Foods To mark World Population Day, Unity Foods is dedicating itself to combating malnutrition and enhancing food security
At the heart of Unity Foods’ mission lies the Taqatwar Pakistan campaign a proactive initiative aimed at addressing malnutrition through the distribution of nutrition-rich food products to segments of the population that deserve it the most With financial challenges and other issues that plague several impoverished households across the country this initiative aims to boost the overall health profile of the entire population So far, under the Taqatwar Pakistan program, the company has reached more than 1 5 lakh families across the country Additionally Rs 74 4 lakhs has been donated for education while Rs 35 lakhs have been given for a diverse range of healthcare initiatives Together, these contributions not only serve to improve physical wellbeing across the population but they also offer sustainable solutions to families through access to quality education for the leaders of the future FIXING THE FOOD SECURITY SYSTEM
Of course, these are good initiatives that the company has taken in order to try and give back What is more important is that as a food company Unity strengthens Pakistan’s food security And as they mention in their vision statement the company aims to be a reliable and sustainable supplier to the nation s food security system by way of developing and implementing efficient farms to fork supply chains across the country ” This is vital if Pakistan is to
overcome the challenge of a rising population A well-nourished population is pivotal to national development, Unity Foods has focused its efforts on fortifying essential food items with vitamins and minerals By ensuring that every household has access to these fortified products Unity Foods aims to bolster the health and well-being of communities across the nation Beyond nutrition enhancement, Unity Foods has pioneered corporate farming through its Unity Plantations initiative This innovative approach integrates sustainable agricultural practices to ensure a robust farm-to-fork supply chain and counter food insecurity By maintaining control over the production process from planting to distribution UFL guarantees the quality and reliability of its food products This not only supports local farmers but also enhances food security by reducing dependency on external sources At present, the corporate farming and livestock management solutions integrated by Unity Foods not only cultivate crops like rice wheat maize sesame seeds and edible oil seeds but also have the capacity to house over 300,000 animals per year Unity Plantations is poised to expand considerably over the years, offering robust agricultural produce to the population at large This is the sort of focus on nutrition enrichment and sustainable agriculture Pakistan needs Agriculture in the country faces some very serious issues We are far too reliant on imports, there is not enough research and development farm mechanisation is low and climate change is a ticking time bomb The private sector has a major role to play in this The faster they recognise the fact of our growing population as not just a problem but also an opportunity, the quicker Pakistan will be able to get out of these troubled waters
CCP APPROVES ACQUISITION OF P&G’S ‘SAFEGUARD’ MANUFACTURING FACILIT Y BY NIMIR
The USAID s Economic Recovery and Development Activity (ERDA) organized a one-day workshop for the capacity building and business-to-business networking of the agriculture inputs dealers from different parts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa including the Merged Districts The workshop also provided a platform to some of the leading national and multinational agriculture input providers participating from across the country Titled as Building Capacities and Creating Partnerships’, the workshop was designed to strengthen public-private
sector engagement as well as provide networking opportunities to agriculture inputs providers, dealers, and suppliers of seeds, fertilizers, and pesticides In his opening remarks the ERDA’s Deputy Chief of Party Shakeel Kakakhel said Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has been experiencing a decline in agricultural farm sizes and land holdings because of increasing population and division of land among family members in successive generations In order to overcome this limiting factor it is important to increase land productivity through optimal application of quality agriculture inputs adoption of advanced agricultural practices and utilization of modern
technologies The relevant officials from the Agriculture Department of the Government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa were also present at the workshop and shared the government’s regulatory frameworks ongoing initiatives and planned interventions with regards to the registration, supervision, and facilitation of agriculture inputs providers The technical presentations given by the Agriculture Department officials covered standard operating procedures for the registration of agriculture input providers innovative practices and modern technologies to address plant protection challenges, and safeguards in
the use of pesticides to reduce their environmental and climate impacts
Speaking at the workshop, the Director Plant Protection at the Directorate General Agriculture Extension Muhammad Naveed Khan said we are keeping a close liaison with the agriculture inputs service providers and dealers in order to facilitate them properly He further stated that their mandate was to improve the quality standards of agricultural inputs and to regulate the sale distribution manufacturing standardization registration and monitoring of agriculture inputs service dealers and companies
Pakistan, Azerbaijan sign 15 MoUs to boost bilateral ties
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 01
Similarly Minister for Privatization Abdul Aleem Khan and Azerbaijan s Deputy Minister of Economy Sahib Mammadov signed an MoU on cooperation between the Ministries of Economy of both countries in privatization of state property An agreement on Transit Trade between the governments of Azerbaijan and Pakistan was also signed The two sides agreed on a Memorandum of Cooperation (MoC) between Azerbaijan s Ministry of Justice and Pakistan s Ministry of Law and Justice signed by Minister for Law Azam Nazeer Tarar and Azerbaijan s Minister for Defence Industry Vugar Mustafayev
An MoU between the governments of Pakistan and Azerbaijan on cooperation in mineral resources and geology was signed by Petroleum Minister Dr Musadik Malik and Azerbaijan s Minister of Energy
Minister for Heritage and Culture Attaullah Tarar and Azerbaijan s Minister of Foreign Affairs Samir Sharifov signed the Cultural Exchange Program between Pakistan and Azerbaijan for the years 2024-2029
An MoU on cooperation in information and communication technologies between Azerbaijan’s Ministry of Digital Development and Transport and
Pakistan s Ministry of Information Technology and Telecommunication was signed
Secretary of Information Shahera Shahid and Azerbaijan’s Ambassador Khazar Farhadov signed an MoU between Azerbaijan Television and Radio Broadcasting (CJSC) and Pakistan Television Corporation (PTVC)
An MoU on establishing twinning links between Baku and Islamabad was signed, along with another MoU between Azerbaijan’s Small and Medium Business Development Agency and SMEDA Pakistan
An agreement for scientific and technological cooperation between the governments of Pakistan and Azerbaijan was also signed
Secretary IPC Nadeem Irshad Kayani and Azerbaijan s Minister of Defence Industry signed an agreement on cooperation in tourism
Chairman of Pakistan Academy of Letters Prof Dr Najeeba Arif and Azerbaijan’s Ambassador Khazar Farhadov signed an MoU on cooperation in literature between Azerbaijan s Institute of Literature named after Nizami Ganjavi and Pakistan Academy of Letters (PAL)
Additionally, an Air Services Agreement was signed between the governments of Pakistan and Azerbaijan
Like
CA R sales in June reached an 18-month high, according to the Pakistan Automotive Manufacturers Association, but that still did not stop the final figure for 2023-2024 registering an 18 percent decline from the previous year The June figure of 13,300 units was a 21 percent increase on the figure for May and represented a 120 percent increase in June 2022 Car sales are an important metric for industrialized economies because they bulked large in terms of both jobs and revenues Car makers in Pakistan are not that important but are definitely important not just for the government, but also for those who want to gauge how the economy is performing For one thing, increased sales reflect increased purchasing power That means that the decline in the inflation rate is being felt by the consumer Interest rates being high was also a drag on the market so its being cut will make car financing easier, which in turn will act as a fillip to sales However the lowering of the rate has not had time to produce that effect, especially as if the inflation rate goes down further, so will the interest rate In that case, care financing will become all that much easier
Automotive manufacturing the world over is on the verge of a shake-up and the Pakistani industry is also to go through that The automotive world is about to be hit by the Electric Revolution Pakistani manufacturers are well aware of this, and are perhaps more open to the idea than their counterparts in industrialized countries However, while manufacturers are gearing up to enter the electric vehicle market, the easy availability of electricity still awaits development Actually, the country has the required capacity for renewables whether wind solar power
TH I S is the year of elections which meant that it was the year in which democracy was to undergo its most rigorous testing as elections are the basis of democracy At the beginning of this year, it was noted that 47 countries were scheduled to go to the polls There were polls happening all over the region as well, starting with Maldivean presidential elections last September and with parliamentary elections in Bangladesh Pakistan and India by June
It was also expected that the UK would have elections even though they were not due until next year, as it was thought that there might be a slightly early poll, in December Nobody expected the present poll, which coincided with the Iranian presidential poll precipitated by the untimely death of incumbent Ibrahim Raisi in a helicopter crash or the French parliamentary polls themselves the result of an unusual presidential dissolution caused by the European Parliament poll results in June
However, the results, though each reflected the national political dynamic, all reflected a desire for change As a matter of fact, that seems to have happened in elections left open Only where there was no competition or bars were placed on the opposition did incumbents win big Where they did as in India (though it could be said that opposition figures were targeted), there was a reduced majority That also happened in South Africa, where parliamentary elections forced the African National Congress to form a coalition for a majority
election the spoiling of the ballot was a method of protest so a low turnout is also bothersome
One of the interesting things about Iranian politics is the development of a two-party system, one in which there is enough of a difference between reformists and conservatives for there to be some competition At the other end of the ideological spectrum the French parliamentary election was also about reformists in the sense that there was to be a takeover by the far-right of the reins of government However, instead the left won a plurality of seats, but the New Popular Front (a name echoing the 1936 Popular Front, the alliance of the leftist parties which gave France its first Socialist government) Again the French electorate rejected the far right but for how long? The next test will be the next presidential election due in 2027 Twice the far-right has been beaten only by a combination of the left and the centre Both times, Macron beat Marine Le Pen of the National Front Macron himself is something of an outsider, having come in to represent the
The latest elections could be called victories for the left In France and the UK the left won formally In Iran the new President Masoud Pezeshkian is considered a reformist, which is another way of saying he is opposed to the religious right, with the hotbutton issue being the nuclear programme and the nuclear deal, the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, which he says Iran must go back to His victory must be seen in the context of the protests against the death in police custody of Mahsa Amini in September 2022 their conversion into protests against the hijab which lasted well into 2023, and in which an estimated 551 people were killed Pezeshkian defeated the standard-bearer of the conservatives who defended the hijab laws Saeed Jalili by a margin of 9 4 percent and 2 8 million votes His saying that the JCPOA must be revived played an important part in his being elected but of course that depends on the USA He is not the first reformist to be elected Hassan Rouhani (2009-2017) was the first However, it is also significant that Pezeshkian is an ethnic Azeri with a Kurd mother Mahsa Amini was a Kurd and the prominence of a non-Iranian is unusual How much he can achieve while remaining within the system is worth contemplating The low turnout which was witnessed is also worth considering In at least one recent
U n d e r s t a n d i n g t h e n e g a t i v e i m p a c t o f t h e I n t e r n e t
Tinternet platforms has created new opportunities for entrepreneurship but also poses challenges for workers rights and protections By recognizing the negative impacts of internet on society we can work towards mitigating their effects This includes promoting digital literacy fostering responsible online behaviour, and advocating for stronger privacy protections It also involves encouraging balanced use of technology, prioritizing real-world interactions, and supporting policies that protect individual privacy and data security By doing so we can create a safer and more equitable digital landscape that benefits all of us living in this generation
The writer is a freelance columnist
The Perilous Journey
to make the heart-wrenching decision to send their loved ones on perilous journeys in the hope of a better future Apart from economic reasons social issues play a significant role in driving illegal migration Pakistan faces numerous human rights challenges including widespread gender-based violence and child exploitation Women and children, in particular, suffer from harsh conditions and abuse in workplaces, pushing them to seek better opportunities abroad The lack of safety and security in the country makes the prospect of illegal migration seem like a worthwhile risk despite the inherent dangers Pakistan s struggle with extreme poverty further exacerbates the problem The deprivation of basic necessities such as food, clean water and healthcare forces many families to contemplate sending their members on dangerous journeys The hope of escaping poverty and securing a livelihood often outweighs the risks associated with illegal migration
tions and stringent measures to combat human trafficking Raising awareness about the dangers of illegal migration and providing legal pathways for those seeking better opportunities can help mitigate the issue
cludes strengthening laws against genderbased violence and child exploitation and ensuring their effective enforcement
understand the underlying causes to formulate effective solutions
One of the primary drivers of illegal migration from Pakistan is the dire economic situation The country’s employment rate is forecast to reach 8 00 percent this year indicating a significant lack of job opportunities This scarcity of employment affects both skilled and unskilled workers pushing them to seek livelihoods abroad, often through dangerous and illegal means The deteriorating economic conditions, exacerbated by the devastating floods of 2022 and the socioeconomic pressures from the covid-19 pandemic have left many middle-class families struggling to survive
In a country where illiteracy rates are high, and social welfare systems nearly nonexistent, economic crises hit the population hard The lack of basic necessities and the high cost of living force many to consider illegal migration as their only viable option These economic challenges compel families
Despite the clear and present dangers of illegal migration, government efforts to address the issue have been insufficient The lack of proper documentation and regulation of migrants results in the loss of many skilled individuals who could have contributed positively to the country s development Government negligence in curbing illegal migration not only endangers lives but also leads to a brain drain weakening the nation’s human resource base
However it is not too late for the government of Pakistan to take decisive action Comprehensive strategies are needed to tackle the root causes of illegal migration This includes economic reforms to create job opportunities, social policies to protect vulnerable popula-
Addressing the economic factors driving illegal migration requires substantial reforms The government must prioritize job creation and economic stability to provide viable alternatives for those considering migration This can be achieved through investment in key sectors such as agriculture, manufacturing, and technology Encouraging foreign direct investment and fostering a business-friendly environment can stimulate economic growth and create employment opportunities Additionally vocational training programmes and skill development initiatives can equip individuals with the tools needed to secure employment within the country By enhancing the skills of the workforce, Pakistan can reduce the need for its citizens to seek jobs abroad To address the social issues contributing to illegal migration the government must implement robust social policies This in-
Through economic reforms, social policies, string ent measures against trafficking, and raising awareness, the government of Pakistan can take crucial steps to curb illegal migration and build a better future for its citiz ens The time for action is now, and with concer ted effor ts, the state can create an environment where its people no long er feel compelled to embark on perilous journeys in search of hope and oppor tunity
‘We have nothing to apologize for’
‘We are not negotiating directly with Israel ’
DER SPIEGEL: Your Royal Highness, following the terrorist attack on October 7, in which almost 1,200 Israelis were murdered by Hamas, the Arab world showed almost no sympathy for the victims Why is that?
Turki: Conversely, the Arab world laments the lack of sympathy in the West for the thousands of Palestinian victims
DER SPIEGEL: You are one of the few political leaders in the Arab world to have simultaneously condemned the attack by Hamas and the Israeli actions in the Gaza Strip What is your personal reaction to the images of death and destruction that you have seen in Israel and Palestine on and since October 7?
Turki: The whole of humanity should be outraged by what is happening right now Whether it is Jews Palestinians or the Rohingya who are suffering at the hands of others I sympathize with them all equally I would hate to favor one people who are suffering over another
DER SPIEGEL: What were your initial thoughts when the International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague announced that it was simultaneously applying for arrest warrants for both Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and for Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar both on suspicions of war crimes?
Turki: I was very happy that day! This decision confirms to me that the UN Security Council should pass a resolution excluding anyone who does not recognize the two-state solution from all negotiations on the issue of Palestine and Israel This would take Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Hamas out of the negotiations on the future of Palestine
DER SPIEGEL: As a former Saudi Arabian intelligence chief, you are familiar with security issues Did you expect Hamas to carry out this murderous attack?
Turki: How could I expect anyone to inflict such violence on someone else? The imbalance in your question however is that it refers exclusively to Hamas I also never thought it possible that the Israelis could inflict this outrageous oppression and aggression on the Palestinian people We should remember that this discharge of violence on October 7 was the result of a long history of Israeli occupation of Gaza and the West Bank An end to this occupation would prevent such an event from happening again
DER SPIEGEL: Do you see the attack on October 7 as an act of resistance?
Turki: What I am saying is that one should have equal sympathy for every innocent person who has suffered a violent attack, whether in Palestine or in Israel whether on before or after October 7
DER SPIEGEL: Immediately before the Hamas attack your country was on the path to normalizing its relations with Israel This was also supposed to include a comprehensive military agreement with the United States to protect the kingdom Is that still realistic in this tense situation?
Turki: You have forgotten the third component of
‘It’s not the U S that seems to be telling the Israelis what to do, but the other way around ’
The Americans tell us that they want us to normalize our relations with Israel. Our answer is that this will only happen if there is a secure path to the establishment of a Palestinian state
these negotiations with Washington, which will determine the success or failure of the agreement: the establishment of a sovereign Palestinian state that would represent the Palestinian people with all civic rights and human rights
DER SPIEGEL: How are those talks actually going?
Turki: The Americans tell us that they want us to normalize our relations with Israel Our answer is that this will only happen if there is a secure path to the establishment of a Palestinian state We are also not negotiating directly with Israel Saudi Arabia invited a Palestinian delegation before October 7 to talk directly to the Americans about what this Palestinian state should look like
DER SPIEGEL: Do you think a two-state solution is still feasible after the Israeli trauma of October 7, after the deaths of thousands of civilians in Gaza, with 700,000 Jewish settlers in the West Bank some of whom are prepared to use violence and a potentially reinvigorated Hamas?
Turki: If I didn t think it was possible, we wouldn t be calling for it The United States, Germany, the whole world is calling for a two-state solution Only Israel refuses to accept that there has to be a twostate solution
DER SPIEGEL: There has been criticism in the West but also in Arab societies that Arab states are not doing enough for the Palestinians
Turki: When Palestine became a British mandate after World War I, London began inviting Jews from all over the world to Palestine to establish so-called settlements Well I would call them colonies The Palestinian people rebelled against the influx of these refugees who were persecuted by Europeans especially Germans So the British government oppressed the Arab population At the time, Saudi King Abdulaziz protested to the British government against its policies To this day, all successive leaders of Saudi Arabia have provided financial humanitarian and sometimes military support to the Palestinian people We have nothing to apologize for here
DER SPIEGEL: That is a very one-sided depiction Jews lived in Palestine in past centuries as well Most European Jews were fleeing from persecution, and millions of them were murdered in the Holocaust Turki: Yes in Europe Why don’t they call them colonialists? They take land away from others which is exactly what is happening in the West Bank these days
DER SPIEGEL: Many supporters of Israel around the world are critical of the present-day settlers In an earlier DER SPIEGEL interview, you said that the U S was the only power that the Israelis listened to Is that still true?
Turki: I wish I could tell you but I don t understand what s going on there myself It s not the U S that seems to be telling the Israelis what to do but the other way around DER SPIEGEL: A common assumption is that
We should remember that this discharge of violence on October 7 was the result of a long history of Israeli occupation of Gaza and the West Bank. An end to this occupation would prevent such an event from happening again
Netanyahu is trying to hold out until his supporter
Donald Trump is re-elected president in November
Turki: I m neither a psychiatrist nor a fortune teller I can t tell you what motivation is driving Mr Netanyahu or others But there are very negative statements from Trump about Netanyahu For example, that he betrayed him when he gave the order to eliminate the commander of the Iranian Al-Quds Brigades General Soleimani in Iraq and Netanyahu backed down at the last moment
DER SPIEGEL: What would it mean for your country if Donald Trump were to return to the White House?
Turki: From President Franklin D Roosevelt to President Joe Biden my country has found a basis for cooperation with all American leaders Sometimes we had very good relations sometimes strong differences During the election campaign Mr Biden said negative things about Saudi Arabia But after he was elected, he changed his mind, and now, we work closely together The same goes for Mr Trump, whose first trip abroad as U S president took him to Saudi Arabia
DER SPIEGEL: What about your country’s relations with the German government?
Turki: The same pattern It was hostile to us the Greens and the SPD wanted to prevent the sale of weapons to us before the election But now, the Greens are in government and are authorizing these arms sales The foreign minister herself announced it We negotiate with everyone who represents the people of a country
DER SPIEGEL: The German crisis with Saudi Arabia was a direct consequence of the murder of opposition journalist Jamal Khashoggi and the CIA’s assessment that Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman was personally responsible for this bestial crime Khashoggi was once a close associate of yours How do you view this case today, seven years later?
Turki: Jamal Khashoggi was unjustly killed by an uncontrolled element in the Saudi government Fortunately, all those involved in the murder were arrested, convicted and sent to prison The king and the crown prince have ordered that funeral services be held in the two holy mosques of Mecca and Medina in memory of Jamal Khashoggi
DER SPIEGEL: Are you not just twisting the facts?
Turki: Khashoggi s
DER SPIEGEL
Former Saudi Intelligence Chief Prince
and Washington In a letter to Ismail Haniyeh the leader of Hamas Pezeshkian reiterated on Wednesday Tehran s
Indian police arrest IIOJK HC Bar president Adv Nazir Ronga
SRINAGAR S tA f f R e p o R t Indian police have arrested the president of the High Court Bar Association Nazir Ahmad Ronga, under the draconian Public Safety Act (PSA) in Srinagar city of Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir According to Kashmir Media Service Advocate Nazir Ahmad Ronga was arrested during midnight raid at his home in Srinagar His family stated that they were informed by the police that advocate Ronga has been booked under the PSA Uzair Ronga Ronga’s son and
High Court expressed his concern o
g development, my father, Advocate N A Ronga, has been arrested At 1:10 am, a contingent of J&K Pol
an arrest warrant simply stating
We hope this is not another misuse of the PSA to intimidate Bar Association members Speaking to media, Uzair said, “This morning during his medical check-up police informed us about
his detention under the PSA They mentioned he would be moved to a jail in Jammu The family has not been informed about the grounds of detention yet Advocate Ronga who has served multiple terms as president of the High Court Bar Association, has been holding the position since 2020, following the prevention of annual elections by IIOJK authorities The last elections were held in 2018 and were due in September 2019 but couldn t be held because of abrogation of IIOJK s special status and subsequent curfew Advocate Ronga’s arrest follows recent efforts by the Election Committee of the High Court Bar Association to initiate elections However the New Delhi-installed IIOJK administration once again obstructed the process when the committee aimed to complete the elections by July 31 Senior leader of the All Parties Hurriyat Conference Mirwaiz Umar Farooq has strongly denounced the nocturnal arrest of Nazir Ahmed Ronga, the Chairman of the High Court Bar Association, from his home in Srinagar, Indian il-
in Srinagar
legally occupied Jammu and Kashmir According to Kashmir Media Service, Mirwaiz in a statement issued in Srinagar expressed anguish and concern over the slapping of the draconian law Public Safety Act (PSA) on Ronga and his transfer to Kotbhalwal Jail Mirwaiz described Ronga as a close aide of Shaheed-e-Millat Mirwaiz Moulvi Muhammad Farooq He expressed solidarity with Ronga s family and said that the policy of repression and instilling fear among people continues to be pursued by those in power In a separate incident, a delegation from Darul Khair Mirwaiz Manzil led by Mufti Ghulam Rasool Samoon visited the affected families of a recent fire incident at Eidgah and Rajouri Kadal Srinagar and presented them with aid and basic necessities Darul Khair Mirwaiz Manzil has been providing financial and material support to the people in need during calamities without discrimination of caste creed and religion and is engaged in the rehabilitation of the victims as much as possible
CORPORATE CORNER
S audi hiring team for civil engineering positions c alls on I I U I President
As the international ride-hailing service Yango, a part of the global tech company Yango Group marks its first anniversary in Pakistan the company celebrates its successful establishment in five major cities From Karachi s bustling streets to Islamabad s serene avenues, Yango s commitment to revolutionising the mobility industry is evident With a focus on delivering unparalleled services, Yango has quickly become a household name, ensuring that both users and partner drivers experience top-notch ride-hailing services A Year of Achievements and Technological Triumphs In just over a year Yango has made impressive progress in the Pakistani market Leveraging cuttingedge technology and competitive pricing, Yango has elevated the ride-hailing experience, capturing a notable share of the market This success story is also one of economic empowerment as the company supports local businesses and creates new job opportunities thus contributing to the nation s economic growth
Fueled by its achievements in major cities Yango is ambitiously expanding its operations to additional locations, further solidifying its national presence This strategic growth is in perfect alignment with Yango’s unwavering commitment to safety and quality service, ensuring a positive experience for everyone involved Yango places the highest priority on the well-being of its users and partner drivers The partner drivers are verified through regular checks of their driver s licence photos, and vehicle documents to ensure compliance The app s comprehensive Safety Center is equipped with essential features such as SOS buttons and Share Route functionality all designed to ensure passenger security Furthermore the app offers ratings for both
LONGi a global leader in solar technology proudly announces its recognition as the "Highest Achiever" by the Renewable Energy Test Center (RETC) for the sixth consecutive year This accolade highlights LONGi's unwavering commitment to quality and innovation in the solar industry RETC an internationally renowned independent engineering services and certification testing laboratory, awarded LONGi its prestigious Highest Achiever" accolade in the 2024 PV Module Index Report This award is presented to products that demonstrate exceptional reliability, performance, and quality across three critical dimensions In a rigorous testing process involving approximately 20 detailed assessments only 8% of evaluated PV modules met RETC s stringent standards LONGi s modules excelled particularly in 13 core test items, including Damp Heat (DH), Potential Induced Degradation (PID), Thermal Cycling (TC), Static and Dynamic Mechanical Load (SDML) and PAN File performance
Adding to its accolades LONGi s products have also been recognized by the Photovoltaic Energy Lab (PVEL) in the 2024 PV Module Reliability Scorecard earning the Top Performer title for the seventh time LONGi s modules performed exceptionally well in key tests such as Damp Heat (DH), Potential Induced Degradation (PID) Light-Induced Degradation + Light and Elevated Temperature-Induced Degradation (LID+LETID) Mechanical Stress Sequence (MSS) Hail Sequence (HSS) and PAN performance PVEL known for its stringent testing conditions that surpass IEC standards, is a globally authoritative independent testing laboratory for PV module reliability and performance To further bolster its market presence, LONGi introduces the Hi-MO X6 Max series an advanced upgrade from the existing Hi-MO X6 products designed for the globally distributed market This new series features several key innovations including the integration of TaiRay Inside silicon wafer with HPBC high-efficiency cell technology, which reduces initial degradation to 1%, optimizes the power temperature coefficient to -0 28%/°C, and increases maximum module efficiency by 0 1% It also significantly enhances PID degradation
ISLAMABAD
K hattak spills the beans in £190m corruption c ase against Imran K han
Former Defense Minister Pervez Khattak has implicated Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Founder Imran Khan in a contentious financial affair involving £190 million Khattak’s testimony, delivered under oath, centers around a briefing given by accountability advisor
Shehzad Akbar in 2019 According to Khattak s statement Akbar informed the cabinet that an agreement had been struck between the British and Pakistani governments to repatriate illegally transferred funds amounting to £190 million Akbar purportedly presented
crucial documents in a sealed envelope during a cabinet meeting, stating that the money was intended to be returned to Pakistan However Khattak s testimony took a dramatic turn when he alleged that the sealed envelope also contained a note indicating the funds were destined for Malik Riaz the prominent figure behind Bahria Town The revelation reportedly shared with him by a National Accountability Bureau (NAB) investigator, suggested that funds had been disbursed to Riaz even before the cabinet’s formal approval
During his court appearance at Adiala Jail Khattak further claimed
that objections were raised by several cabinet members, including himself regarding the secrecy surrounding the agreement and its undisclosed contents Despite these objections the additional agenda item was purportedly approved
The NAB s response to Khattak’s testimony has been swift, seeking to declare him a tainted witness due to the attributions made to the investigating authority rather than his own direct knowledge
In a surprising moment during the proceedings, Imran Khan, present in the courtroom, maintained a demeanor of calm and reportedly smiled amidst the unfolding allegations
the NCA scam against Khan, his spouse Bushra Bibi and others would be submitted to the accountability court hearing the AlQadir Trust reference the source said it was not decided so far The evidence already presented were sufficient to satisfy the court in the £190 million NCA embezzlement case the person said An accountability court is presently recording the statement of prosecution witnesses in the case in its trial in Adiala Jail where both Khan and Bushra Bibi are jailed On Wednesday the accountability court in Adiala Jail recorded the statement of former Defence Minister Pervez Khattak He told the court former accountability czar Shahzad Akbar had told the thencabinet members that a substantial amount of money allegedly illegally transferred out of Pakistan had been seized in Britain
Justice Aalia Neelum sworn in as first woman chief justice of LHC LAHORE S TA F F R E P O R T
Justice Aalia Neelum on Thursday became the first woman sworn in as a chief justice of the Lahore High Court (LHC) when she took oath as the top judge of the LHC in a simple ceremony at the Governor ’s House Lahore Punjab Governor Sardar Saleem Haider Khan administered the oath to Justice Neelum Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz judges of the High Court and other top officials attended the oathtaking ceremony Justice Neelum who began her legal career in 1996, received a guard of honor before the Punjab Governor administered her the oath It may be noted that Ayesha
IMF calls for up to 45% tax on agriculture income amid Pakistan bailout talks
g CONDITION IS PART OF STRUCTURAL BENCHMARKS IMF
As Pakistan seeks a substantial bailout from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to stabilize its enduring economic challenges the IMF has proposed a standard individual income tax rate of up to 45% on agriculture income This proposal aims to equalize the income tax regime without necessitating constitutional amendments Sources within the Ministry of Finance indicate that this condition forms part of the structural benchmarks outlined by the IMF for the upcoming bailout program negotiations with Pakistan The IMF has set a deadline of October 2024 for aligning provincial laws with federal income tax regulations a step that would eliminate income tax exemptions currently enjoyed by the livestock sector by October of this year
Under Pakistan’s Constitution, the federal government lacks the authority to impose taxes on agricultural income which falls under the purview of provincial governments Despite this constitutional restriction, the IMF s approach sidesteps direct constitutional
Massive
amendments urging provinces to adopt the 45% individual income tax rate applicable to non-salaried business individuals Previously salaried individuals faced a maximum tax rate of 35% on monthly incomes exceeding Rs500 000 Following recent revisions these rates have increased, with non-salaried individuals now subject to a new 45% tax rate on net income, potentially rising to 50% with surcharges
The IMF now insists on applying this standard rate to agricultural income as well
The World Bank estimates that taxing agricultural income could yield revenues equivalent to 1% of Pakistan’s Gross Domestic Product amounting to approximately Rs1 22 trillion based on current economic projections
According to sources provincial governments have largely consented to the IMF s demands, with discussions ongoing, particularly addressing concerns from the Sindh government regarding the proposed higher tax rates compared to the existing 15% maximum
Under the IMF conditions, all provinces must amend their agri-
cultural income tax laws to harmonize with federal rates by January 2025 In cases where provinces are unable to collect these taxes effectively the Federal Board of Revenue may temporarily collect taxes from farmers and landlords until provincial mechanisms are established While Punjab has already signaled acceptance of the new tax regime, Sindh has expressed reservations but may ultimately comply
The IMF s initiative also extends to expanding the Goods and Services Tax (GST) on services across provinces, aiming to eliminate current exemptions within a year This move is intended to bolster transparency and reduce tax loopholes by subjecting all items to taxation
Despite efforts to protect farmers from increased taxes on fertilizer and pesticides, critics argue that the new income tax rates akin to those in Scandinavian countries may disproportionately burden Pakistan s salaried class highlighting concerns over equitable taxation policies amidst economic restructuring efforts
data breach exposes 200m X-users’ information
ISLAMABAD: Cyber experts uncover a significant breach compromising 9 4 GB of data, impacting 200 million former Twitter users In a startling revelation, cybersecurity analysts from CyberPress have identified one of the largest data breaches in recent history exposing sensitive information of ex-Twitter users The leaked data includes email addresses user names and X account details potentially exposing individuals to phishing attacks and identity theft The breach first disclosed on a prominent hacking forum by user Mashupa on July 7 2024 comprises 10 files each containing 1 GB of data available for unrestricted download This alarming development raises critical concerns about user privacy and cybersecurity measures Despite alerts from concerned agencies, X (ex-Twitter) has yet to respond to inquiries regarding the breach, leaving affected users vulnerable to cybercriminal activities S
notification, confirming Anjum Aqeel s victory Amir Mughal s lawyer stated that the notification was issued on February 19, while the Election Commission’s lawyer contended it was dated February 13 making Amir Mughal’s petition late Justice Tariq Mehmood Jahangiri remarked that the case would be decided according to the law and adjourned the hearing until July 22 after Muharram Meanwhile, the IHC s election tribunal ordered the returning officer to submit records of Form 45 uploads in the case against alleged rigging in the NA47 elections and adjourned the
