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Saturday, 11 April, 2020 I 17 Shaban, 1441 I Rs 15.00 I Vol X No 283 I 12 Pages I Lahore Edition
PM seeks donations to Mitigate econoMic iMPact of coVid-19 g
ImraN SayS gOVT alONe CaNNOT SuPPOrT 220m PeOPle WHO lIVe BelOW POVerTy lINe
ISLAMABAD StAff RePoRt
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rIme minister Imran Khan on friday said the government was raising extra funds to control the economic fallout of coronavirus in the country in order “to take care of 220 million people who live below the poverty line” amid a protracted pandemic. The number of cases in the country stood at 4,780 by friday evening, with 72 deaths recorded so far. In Punjab, the cases have reached 2,336, in Sindh 1,214, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa 656, Balochistan 219, Islamabad 107, gilgit Baltistan and azad Kashmir has a total of 248 cases. attending a telethon on 92 News to raise donations for the coronavirus fund, Imran said no government could win the war against COVID-19 alone and national unity was needed to defeat the contagion. He said the National Command and Operation Centre (NCOC) comprised representatives from the federal and provincial governments, military officials and medical experts, who jointly take decisions through coordination. answering questions, he said rs144 bil-
g
SayS gOVT fOCuSSeD ON flaTTeNINg CurVe By reSTrICTINg mOVemeNT Of PeOPle
lion will be distributed among 12 million families, but we know there are more people who need this support. “We are using all our resources, but we have to take care of 220 million people who live below the poverty line across the country… that’s why we have arranged this fundraising telethon,” he explained. He said the government was leaving no stone unturned to tackle the crisis. “Countries around the world are taking the brunt of coronavirus… many governments are struggling… even the rich european countries. you can see the situation in New york… even they were asking for help from other states. “We know that the coronavirus cases will further rise in the coming days, but by limiting our movement, we can flatten the curve… this is the aim of my government.” He said due to a weak health system in the country, people are requested to socially distance themselves. “We have to take all possible precautions… that’s the only way out of this crisis,” he maintains. “No one knows what the situation would be in future… we can only hope for the best,” said the premier. He assured that all the public donations would be used to support the poor
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as their numbers would be growing continuously owing to the closure of industries and businesses. He said the government had set up a transparent funds distribution system based on the database of the National Database registration authority (NaDra). In order to avert the mismanagement experienced during the relief operations after 2005 earthquake and 2010 floods, a web portal would be launched soon to guide the charity organizations as to where they should deliver the relief goods considering the people’s needs. He said after april 14, the government would open up the construction sector to revive the employment opportunities for the poor people. The prime minister said from the very first day, he had been opposing the blanket lockdown owing to its adverse impact on the poor. “There is a difference between the lockdown in DHa or e-7 sector and machhar Colony and Orangi Town. It would be a joke with the people living in population clusters and slums to maintain social distance and observe cleanliness when they even lack clean drinking water,” he commented. He said the negative impacts of the lockdown were already emerging in those countries which had made the hasty decisions following the Chinese or Western models. He said the Western countries had registered labour making easy for the governments to extend assistance while almost 80 per cent of Pakistan’s labourers were unregistered.
CONTINUED ON PAGE 05
Amid corona spike, Punjab seeks weeklong extension in lockdown
STORY ON PAGE 03
CJP takes suo motu over efforts to contain corona ISLAMABAD StAff RePoRt
Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) gulzar ahmed on friday took first suo motu notice over ‘insufficient facilities’ in the country to deal with the COVID-19 outbreak. a five-member larger bench headed by CJP gulzar will commence hearing into the matter on april 13. CJP gulzar also issued notices to the attorney general, health secretary and interior secretary. Besides, the chief justice also summoned all the chief secretaries and advocate generals of the four provinces. Justice gulzar also sought details of facilities in hospitals regarding coronavirus. It must be noted that SC had earlier expressed displeasure over steps taken by authorities to combat the COVID-19 in the country. The CJP was also briefed over the federal government’s efforts to tackle coronavirus pandemic in the country at a meeting held at the Supreme Court. according to a handout issued by the apex court, the meeting was also attended by Justice umar ata Bandial, Justice mazhar alam miankhel, Justice Sajjad ali Shah and Justice Qazi muhammad amin. The government’s representatives who briefed the meeting included Special assistant to Pm on
Govt to allow opening of industrial units with confirmed export orders ISLAMABAD SHAHAZAD PARACHA
CONFIRMED CASES:
4,780
RECOVERED:
727
SINDH:
1,214
DEATHS:
72
PUNJAB:
2,336
KP:
BALOCHISTAN:
AJK/GB:
ISLAMABAD:
656 33/215
219 107
The government has decided to allow the opening of industrial units with confirmed export orders, sources revealed on friday. according to details, the ministry of Commerce, while briefing the National Command and Control Centre (NCOC) on steps taken so far for the mitigation of COVID-19 related-issues faced by industries, has proposed the provinces to consider the applications of industrial units with confirmed export orders and exempt them from the ongoing lockdown. It was decided by the chair that moC would hold consultations with all the provinces to finalise the procedure, and present its final proposal to NCOC on april 11 (Saturday). as per the moC's proposals, "any such industrialist may apply either to the deputy commissioner of the district in which the industry is situated or to the regional office of the Trade Development authority of Pakistan (TDaP)." In addition, the applicant shall present documents as proof of the confirmed export.
Health Dr Zafar mirza, Chairman National Disaster management authority (NDma) lieutenant general muhammad afzal and SaPm on Social Protection and Poverty alleviation Dr. Sania Nishtar and attorney general Khalid Jawed. giving briefing on health affairs, Zafar mirza said that the emergencies in all hospitals remain functional for 24-hours. “No private hospitals have been shut during the lockdown,” said mirza. The chief justice asked regarding the closure of hospitals’ OPDs, testing capacity for coronavirus and preventive equipment provided to the medics. The SC on Tuesday also ordered to set up proper quarantine centers at Taftan, Chaman and Torkham borders for coronavirus patients. Hearing a case pertaining to the closure of OPDs and availability of facilities amid coronavirus pandemic, the apex court ordered the federal government to establish quarantine facilities at all three borders within one month.
One dead, multiple injured as ruckus mars Ehsaas project STORY ON PAGE 03
more inside
IHC seeks govt’s policy on repayment of personal loans amid COVID-19 STORY ON PAGE 03
SBP asks businessmen to stop firing people, get a loan STORY ON PAGE 09 These include l/C of confirmed orders, proforma invoice of confirmed orders, confirmed purchase orders with specific details of seller and buyer, undertaking on a rs100 stamp paper from the exporter that the product/commodities will not be sold in the domestic market. moreover, focal persons of the concerned district, through coordination with TDaP and the provincial government, shall confirm the application within 24 hours. according to documents, in-
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dustries shall also ensure compliance with all federal/provincial SOPs that have been or shall be notified/issued for health, safety and environmental (HSe) protocols, in terms of labour, manufacturing and transportation of goods within cities/provinces and to the ports and compliance with rules and laws relating to cross border trade of goods for exports. Besides this, the mOC stated that only bare minimum required labour would be allowed to work within the approved timeframe.
Two soldiers martyred, seven terrorists killed in North Waziristan IBO STORY ON PAGE 02
Worldwide deaths from Covid-19 surpass 0.1 million STORY ON BACK PAGE
02
Saturday, 11 April, 2020
NEWS
SugAr ANd WheAt crISeS POSe AccOuNtABIlIty teSt fOr IMrAN KhAN LAHORE
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EPORTS on the sugar and wheat crises in the country directly pointed fingers at the ruling Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) and its allies. Those damned by the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) inquiry committee include PTI senior leader Jahangir Khan Tareen, cabinet minister Khusro Bakhtiar and Moonis Elahi of the allied Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid (PML-Q). Since the report was published on Saturday, Prime Minister Imran Khan has taken two notable steps. The first was a self-congratulatory tweet for allowing the reports to be released, “without tampering”, while the second was a cabinet reshuffle which, among other largely sideway moves, saw Khusro Bakhtiar moving from the National Food Security Ministry to Economic Affairs. The detailed report over the scams and the ensuing crisis would be published on April 25, after which the prime minister has vowed to punish those found guilty. The premier has also vowed institutional reforms to ensure that a repeat doesn’t take place. While the detailed forensic report is still a couple of weeks away, the initial report underlines that the Jahangir
Tareen owned JDW Group and RYK group, which includes mills owned by Khusro Bakhtiar’s brother and Moonis Elahi, enjoyed major chunks of government’s export subsidies during 2015-18. However, the year 2018-19, the PTI government’s first as the ruling party,
saw Tareen’s companies get over one-sixth of the total share of the sugar export, getting 22.71 per cent of the subsidy at Rs561 million, while RYK received Rs452m. While Bakhtiar was quickly reshuffled in the cabinet, the bigger question remains over Jahangir Tareen. Soon after the reports were made public, Tareen’s first move was to rebuke PTI leader Dr Shahbaz Gill who had tweeted that Tareen had been removed as the chairman of the agriculture task force. Tareen’s response was that he was never the chairman of “any task force”. Tareen then went on prime time TV shows underlining his side of the story in the sugar crisis, and making potentially damaging statements for the ruling party with regards to how he recruited the political families in Punjab for the 2018 elections, and how the 2013 elections weren’t exactly institutionally rigged. While action over Tareen will remain the major political talking point in the coming weeks, there are calls for the PM to self-reflect over the sugar crisis that ensued under his watch. It has been revealed that as expected it was Prime Minister Imran Khan himself who approved the one million tonne sugar export in October last year, which resulted in the shortage of sugar and escalating prices in the country. “Those under the premier looted the common man.
If everything from your kitchen to your election is funded by someone, if you ask for a cycle or a plane from the same person, why would you work – you would let those people do all the work. There was already information about the consumption and production of sugar underlining that the export should not have been allowed. Whoever approved that is responsible for shortage of sugar, resulting in theft of Rs100 billion from the common man,” said Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader and former Punjab law minister Rana Sanaullah. Sanaullah maintains that the questions over the Rs3bn subsidy aren’t as significant as the decision that resulted in the rise in sugar prices that saw Rs100bn worth of revenue for sugar companies. Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Saeed Ghani leader agreed, saying that the artificial rise in sugar prices is the main issue. “When the department in-charge recommended that there shouldn’t be any export then the decision needs accountability. But no action has been taken so far. In fact, some ministers in the cabinet have been promoted. This is no accountability. Publishing the report isn’t enough, if you think subsidy was wrong that those who approved it should be held accountable. [But] it was the rise in sugar prices that is the real issue and the real robbery,” said Ghani. However, the PTI leadership maintains that the decision to publish the report itself is unprecedented, which underlines that the premier would follow through with his word. “No individuals are being targeted, it’s the system that is being revamped. We have to change the system, which required transparency. When there is accountability, there is no favouritism. And Imran Khan is the only one who can pull it off,” said PTI leader and Federal Minister for Water Resources Faisal Vawda.
Tareen questions criteria of govt audit of his sugar mills NEWS DESK Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) senior leader Jahangir Khan Tareen, who is under fire over his alleged involvement in the sugar crisis, has questioned the criteria behind the audit of his nine sugar mills and the selection process by the committee formed to probe the matter. The PTI leader said that he does not object to the audit of his sugar mills under the committee. “Will the commission discover the reality behind all the sugar mills in Pakistan after conducting an audit of the nine mills?” said the businessman. The PTI senior leader reportedly had a fallout with Prime Minister Imran Khan after a Federal Investigation
Agency’s report on the sugar crisis named him, along with Khusro Bakhtiar’s brother, as persons who benefitted the most from the episode. Following the investigation into the price hike that came under the premier’s radar back in February, the report stirred up a storm for some top ministers and PTI leaders. Despite a heavy shuffling in the federal cabinet, including a change in portfolio of food security minister Khusro Bakhtiar, President Arif Alvi had said that the PTI government is not in troubled waters. The prime minister and the president both put their weight behind the detailed forensic report, with the former threatening strict action against profiteers. “I await the detailed forensic reports now by the high-powered commission,
2 soldiers martyred, seven terrorists killed in North Waziristan IBO RAWALPINDI: Two Pakistan Army soldiers embraced martyrdom in an exchange of fire with terrorists during an intelligence-based operation (IBO) in North Waziristan, Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said on Friday. The military’s media wing said seven terrorists were also killed during the operation. 31-yearold Sepoy Muhammad Sajid, hailing from Abbotabad, and 23-year old Sepoy Momin Shah, belonging to Dera Ismail Khan, were martyred during the operation, which was conducted on the basis of intelligence information. On April 7, at least seven suspected terrorists were killed during intelligence-based operations (IBOs) conducted in tribal areas of North Waziristan and Mohmand. In a statement, the ISPR spokesperson had said that security forces had conducted separate IBOs in North Waziristan and Mohmand where at least seven terrorists were killed. According to the statement, security personnel raided Adal Khel village of South Waziristan and killed four terrorists who were trying to flee from the site. During the Mohmand IBO, three terrorists were killed and Indian medicines, literature and other material were also recovered from their possession, it had concluded. STAFF REPORT
PM Imran hands back narcotics portfolio to Shehryar Afridi ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Imran Khan on Friday reinstated Shehryar Afridi as the Minister of State for Narcotics Control, merely two days after rescinding the same portfolio. According to a notification issued by the cabinet division, Afridi will now resume charge of the ministry. On April 8, PM Imran had taken back the portfolio from Afridi in wake of the wheat and sugar crisis report, which rattled several serving ministers and senior PTI leaders. Following the Federal Investigation Agency’s (FIA) report on sugar crisis, the PM had done a major cabinet reshuffle. STAFF REPORT
which will come out on 25 April, before taking action,” the prime minister had said in a tweet. Tareen had responded to the revelations made in the report, saying he would challenge the committee investigating the sugar and wheat crises if it held him responsible. Tareen, PTI’s former general secretary, said that out of the Rs3bn subsidy to the sugar mills, Rs2.5bn were given when the PML-N was in power. In an earlier tweet, Tareen provided explanation on the crisis. “Some points to note on sugar inquiry report (1)..My companies exported 12.28% while my market share is 20% so less than I could Have (2). Export was on first come First serve basis (3) Of the total Rs 3 bn subsidy rec’d Rs 2.5 Bn came when N was in power and
I was in opposition,” he tweeted. Earlier, a report by the FIA had claimed that top PTI members were among those who gained from the recent sugar crisis in the country. Among the people named were Jahangir Khan Tareen and Bakhtiar’s brother. The report also claimed that the companies belonging to Moonis Elahi profited from the sugar crisis. Elahi is Punjab Assembly Speaker Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi’s son and a key member of the PML-Q, an ally of the ruling party. The document did not mention under whose influence the government of Punjab had issued the subsidies to sugar mills or why the Economic Coordination Council (ECC) had approved the decision to export sugar.
Journalist Aziz Memon offered resistance at time of murder, says autopsy KARACHI INP
A meeting of the Joint Investigation Team (JIT) probing the murder of journalist Aziz Memon is summoned after the post-mortem report of the victim hinted that the journalist didn’t go down without a fight. The post-mortem report issued by forensic experts found traces of particles of more than one person other than that of the victim under his nails. The report said that it shows that the journalist offered resistance before being murdered. The brother of the victim, Hafeez Memon while commenting on the report
said that it proves that he was killed. The JIT meeting was being summoned at the office of the Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG) Shaheed Benazirabad, where the members would decide to pursue the case as per the findings of the post-mortem report. The JIT also summoned former SHO of Mehrabpur area and others in the light of the video statement released by the journalist before his murder. The JIT has also summoned the victim’s brother. It is pertinent to mention here that on March 12, a local court ordered to exhume the body of the journalist, Aziz Memon, after approving the plea of a JIT that is probing to ascertain reasons
for his death. The investigation team said they found many flaws in the previous post mortem report which stated the cause of death suffocation but it did not mention the details of Memon’s murder. Memon, who worked for the privately-owned Sindhi TV channel KTN News and the Sindhi-language Daily Kawish newspaper, was found strangled to death in an irrigation ditch yesterday near the town of Mehrabpur in Naushahro Feroze earlier this year.
Balochistan demands subsidy in gas, electricity bills QUETTA: Balochistan Chief Minister Jam Kamal Khan on Friday said that the provincial government has requested the federal government to provide special subsidy in gas and electricity bills for Balochistan in order to decrease their financial difficulties. Talking to reporters at the Governor’s House, Kamal said that due to the ongoing lockdown, the business activities across the country had been affected, causing financial difficulties for the common men, particularly the worker class. “Poverty in Balochistan is higher than other provinces whereas the overall economic situation is under immense pressure due to the coronavirus,” he said. He said he had also requested Prime Minister Imran Khan to double the number of Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP) beneficiaries from 0.6 to 1.2 million. The chief minister said he had also sought the assistance of the federal government in the procurement of wheat so that the province does not face food shortage. He said there was a possibility that the province would receive reduced funds from the centre, adding that they would approach the federal government regarding the NFC award. The Balochistan CM said that any decision regarding the lifting of the lockdown would be taken on April 14 after taking the ground situation in the province in consideration. APP
Govt partially restores domestic flights for private airlines PAK-AFGHAN TRADE LIMITED TO MEDICINE, FOOD ONLY, SAYS ASAD UMAR ISLAMABAD APP
A day after extending a ban on international and domestic air travel, the federal government on Friday decided to allow private airlines to resume operations within the country “subject to compliance with relevant Standard Operating Procedures”. According to a notification by the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), the private airlines will be allowed to operate “only subject to compliance with relevant Standard Operating Procedures”. “The suspension of International and Domestic Operations as effected vide earlier orders along-with relevant provisions therein will remain unchanged,” stated the notification. These airlines will operate between
three cities– Karachi, Islamabad, and Lahore. Earlier in the day, Prime Minister’s Special Assistant on National Security Division Dr Moeed Yusuf said that the government has decided to restore private flight operations within the country. He expressed these views during a media briefing here along with Prime Minister’s Special Assistant on National Health Services Dr Zafar Mirza. Moeed said the government is chalking out a mechanism to bring back Pakistanis stranded in coronavirus-hit Afghanistan and added that at least 2,000 Pakistani nationals stranded in different countries, including Saudi Arabia, UAE, Indonesia and Thailand, will be brought back within the next few days. Moeed also said that Pakistan decided
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to send aid in the form of medicine and food to Afghanistan on humanitarian ground. Speaking on the occasion, Dr Zafar Mirza has dispelled the impression that coronavirus cannot affect the young people. He informed that over 4,000 confirmed cases of coronavirus cases in Pakistan are less than 50 years of age, which is alarming. Meanwhile, Federal Minister for Planning Asad Umar on Friday said the decision to allow cargo movement between Pakistan and Afghanistan was limited to food and medicine only, which would be arranged thrice a week. The National Command and Operation Centre (NCOC) meeting chaired by Umar was informed that the supply of food items from Iran to four border districts of Balochistan had also been permitted. Umar
told the participants that Pakistanis who wanted to return from Afghanistan would have to undergo testing and complete their quarantine period. He further said a strategy to deal with the pandemic in the coming days would be presented to Prime Minister Imran Khan on April 12 for its approval by the National Coordination Committee the next day. Health Minister Dr Zafar Mirza briefed the meeting about measures to enhance the present testing capacity. The participants of the meeting expressed their satisfaction over the improvement in the recovery rate of COVID-19 patients. They noted that the number of cases in the country was less than the estimates and that was a positive development. During the meeting, a plan of action prepared by the Pakistan Engineering Council in coordination with a clinical study committee for the indigenous production of ventilators was also presented.
Saturday, 11 April, 2020
Ihc SeeKS gOvt’S POlIcy ON rePAyMeNt Of PerSONAl lOANS AMId cOvId-19 CJ ISSUES DIRECTIVE AFTER CAREEM BIKE RIDER PLEADS THAT HE’S BEING HARASSED FOR PAYMENT OF LOAN INSTALLMENT ISLAMABAD
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HE Islamabad High Court Friday called for comprehensive reports of State Bank of Pakistan and Ministry of Finance to ascertain measures taken to alleviate hardships of citizens, in wake of COVID-19, who obtained loans from microfinance entities. Appearing in person before IHC Chief Justice Athar Minallah on Friday, a Careem bike captain Rafiqur Rehman contended that prevailing circumstances were beyond his control as due to lockdown his bike service has been suspended for several weeks, saying the situation has dented his debt capacity resulting failure to pay off installments of the loan to the National Rural Support Programme (NRSP).
Taking to TLTP, Rafiqur Rehman said that he and his brother obtained Rs150,000 loan from NRSP to construct a house and have paid six installments of the loan but in wake of the COVID-19 he is unable to pay off the debt. Rehman stated before the court that in the prevailing exceptional circumstance it is not possible for him to pay the installments, adding that several letters have been sent to various authorities but no response has been received as yet. He said that “despite the exceptional circumstances and lockdown, he is being harassed to pay his installments – the prevailing circumstances are beyond his control and that his fundamental rights are being violated by forcing him to do what has become impossible to perform”. After a brief hearing of the matter, the chief justice said that the lockdown has in-
PM forms committee for repatriation of Pakistanis stranded abroad ISLAMABAD APP
Prime Minister Imran Khan has constituted a committee led by Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi to ensure an organised and careful repatriation Pakistanis stranded in other countries. The committee comprises Aviation Minister Ghulam Sarwar, Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on National Security Division (SAPM) Moeed Yusuf, representatives of National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) and National Institute of Health (NIH). In a statement, Foreign Minister Qureshi said that overseas Pakistanis have always significantly contributed to the national economy and the government will not leave them alone in this difficult hour. He said the government is fully aware of the problems being faced by overseas Pakistanis, including those stranded in different countries. So far, 1,600 Pakistanis have been brought back while 36,000
to 40,000 are waiting for their turn to return. He said that Pakistani consulates abroad are extending every possible assistance to the stranded nationals, adding that all resources are being used to provide them with accommodation, food and meet their other needs. Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) on Thursday increased its relief flights bringing in and taking out passengers to and from the world. The spokesperson for the national aircraft carrier said that a PIA aircraft will bring in Pakistanis stranded in Denmark back home on April 10. Another flight due for April 11 will bring back 175 Pakistanis from Kuala Lumpur Malaysia, while it will also take Malaysian and Singaporean embassy staff and passengers along. On April 12, a special flight will take Japanese passengers along with essential and medical supplies to Tokyo, Japan. Pakistanis stranded in Thailand will also be brought back on April 13.
RAFIQUR REHMAN SAYS PREVAILING CIRCUMSTANCES DUE TO VIRAL OUTBREAK HAVE AFFECTED HIS ABILITY TO PAY deed suspended all business activities therefore it may have given rise to a situation where the State owes a “duty of care” and “duty to rescue” towards those who have obtained loans from the microfinance entities, such as the NRSP. While seeking report from the State Bank of Pakistan and the Ministry of Finance, the IHC CJ issued directives to submit a report explaining whether measures have been taken to alleviate the hardships and difficulties faced by citizens who have obtained loans from microfinance entities. The court also asked them to explain whether the State owes a “duty of care” and “duty to rescue” towards the small and medium enterprises during the lockdown period. “If the answer is in the affirmative then what measures have been taken to discharge such a duty,” the CJ said in the order. The court categorically
directed the federal finance secretary to nominate an authorised officer well conversant with the relief measures extended to small and medium enterprises and those who have obtained loans from microfinance entities but are facing hardship in payment of installments due to the prevailing exceptional circumstances. Appointing Advocates Umer Ijaz Gillani and Islamabad High Court Bar Association (IHCBA) President Haseeb Muhammad as amici curiae in the matter, the court also issued stay order in the case saying till next date of hearing all the respondents are restrained from harassing the petitioner. Later, the court issued notices to the federal government through finance secretary, chairman of the National Disaster Management Authority, State Bank of Pakistan through the Governor and the NRSP through its office for April 17.
Amid corona spike, Punjab seeks week-long extension in lockdown LAHORE ADMIN SEALS OFF SIKANDARIA COLONY AS NATIONAL TALLY REACHES 4,700 LAHORE: The Punjab government has approached the federal government seeking a week-long extension in the lockdown after it sealed off a colony in the provincial capital due to a spike of coronavirus cases in the locality. The number of cases in the country stood at 4,688 by Friday evening, with 68 deaths recorded so far. In Punjab, the cases have reached 2,280, in Sindh 1,214, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa 630, Balochistan 218, Islamabad 107, Gilgit Baltistan and Azad Kashmir has a total of 248 cases. The decision to extend lockdown in the province was taken after a nine-member family was diagnosed with the virus in Sikandria Colony. The infected were shifted to Expo Quarantine Center for
medical treatment. The Sindh government was also mulling an extension in the lockdown despite calls for the provincial government to resume economic activities. In a conversation with journalists on Thursday, Sindh CM Murad Ali Shah had said that he wanted all the provinces in the country to take unified steps regarding the lockdown. “The Sindh cabinet will take the final decision about the lockdown,” he was quoted as saying. “We are preparing SOPs for everything including industries and factories,” he added. “If the federal government extends the lockdown for an additional week, the situation can be brought under control,” he had said. STAFF REPORT
One dead, multiple injured as ruckus mars Ehsaas project ISLAMABAD: As the federal government’s Ehsaas initiative to distribute the money among the needy continued in the absence of any strict safety measures, scenes of chaos were witnessed in different parts of the country, leading to a loss of one life and injuries to over a dozen people. Due to the said mismanagement, a woman was killed and 20 injured as a result of ruckus during the distribution of money in Multan’s Qasimpur Colony. At least three women were reportedly injured in Rajanpur and chaos was also reported in Matiari, said a report. In Sukkur, some women reached the designated place early and when they found the gate was locked, they climbed it to enter the premises. The police also rounded up people charging money from recipients: two men were arrested in Tando Allahyar for taking Rs500 service fee from the people, and five in Umerkot. In Larkana, women recipients complained that those working at the cash counters were working in collusion with the ‘agent mafia’. “They took Rs1,000 from us, we want our full amount,” the woman said outside the Government Boys Primary School. Everything went smoothly at a degree college in North Nazimabad. The recipients stood in queues keeping the required distance and they were given hand sanitisers to clean their hands before going for collection of the money. On Thursday, at least 1,5000 people collected cash from the said spot. INP
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President, others offer Namaz-e-tauba to rid world of coronavirus A prayer of forgiveness was offered by senior Pakistani government officials at the President House on Friday. Federal Minister for Religious Affairs Dr Noorul Haq Qadri led the Namaz-e-Taubah after the Friday prayers at the Aiwan-i-Sadr. President Arif Alvi, National Assembly Speaker Asad Qaiser and Senate Chairman Sadiq Sanjrani were among those who offered the prayer held to seek Allah’s forgiveness and rid the world of the coronavirus pandemic. The decision to offer the special prayers was made during a meeting between the president and the Council of Islamic Ideology a day earlier. NEWS DESK
govt must increase testing capacity to 100,000 per day: dr Atta ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Science and Technology Task Force Chairman Dr Attaur Rehman on Friday asked the incumbent government to increase the coronavirus testing capacity to 100,000 per day. Talking to a private news channel, he said some nine mutations were being observed in the virus that had entered into this region from outside and infected a large number of people. In Pakistan, he said the intensity of the coronavirus was not as much higher as in the European countries. The fatality rate in this country is much less than the ratio being reported in America, Italy, Spain, and France, he added. The chairman said a laboratory would be operational soon in Karachi university for testing the virus, adding that the experts from Germany and China were supporting the project. To a question, he said the testing capacity in Indus hospital Karachi had been increased to 2500 per day from 800 after the provision of Poly Chain Reaction (PCR) machines. APP
first consignment of medical relief equipment reaches Pakistan from china ISLAMABAD: The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) on Friday received the first consignment of the medical relief equipment, procured with the financial assistance from the National Disaster Risk Management Fund (NDRMF) amid pandemic outbreak in the country. The consignment, which reached Islamabad airport from China, included medical equipment such as PCR testing kits, mobile X-ray machines, Chinese KN95 masks, disposable medical masks and water-impermeable surgical gowns. The NDMA is procuring health products in a phased manner. Till date, the authority had procured 36,000 screening kits, 14 X-ray machines, 196 clinical ICU ventilators, 150,000 KN95 masks, 2 million disposable medical masks, 40 large biosafety cabinets, 30,000 water-impermeable surgical gowns, besides PPE, under the grant financing from the NDRMF. STAFF REPORT
04 LAHORE
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GovT says measures TiGhTened To prevenT Coronavirus in prisons LAHORE
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ROVINCIAl Minister for law, Parliamentary Affairs and Social Welfare Muhammad Basharat Raja on Friday said that measures have been tightened to prevent coronavirus spread in all prisons of the province. In a statement, he said that on the directions of Punjab Chief Minister Usman Bazdar, screening of prisoners is being arranged in all jails. He said that a transfer plan has been made to shift 3,500 prisoners from overcrowded jails to others, enabling maximum social distancing in prisons. He also said that the total number of prisoners in Punjab is 45,535 currently, out of which 25,708 are under-trial prisoners, including 713 women. The minister said that the newly arriving prisoners are being tested and kept in quarantine centres for 14 days. He said that the coronavirus counters have also been set up at the entrance
gates besides coronavirus wards in all district jails of Punjab. All visitors are allowed to enter the premises after strict checking, he added. He also said that the medical staff in jails has been given special training about coronavirus prevention and has been provided with personal protection kits. He further said that as soon as symptoms of coronavirus appear in any prisoner, his meetings with relatives and the
court appearances are stopped immediately. He added that staff on duty in prisons is not allowed to go out of the premises and no prisoners are allowed to go from one barracks to another as all gatherings have been banned in jails. He said the prison staff and detainees have also been informed about the coronavirus preventive measures in accordance with the World Health Organisation (WHO) guidelines.
It is worth mentioning here that 58 inmates had tested positive for coronavirus at camp jail. The prison was vacated and turned into a 100-bed quarantine centre on Thursday. Reportedly, 490 inmates imprisoned in the nearby barracks were also exposed to the mysterious patient zero. The authorities carried out tests of all of the 490 prisoners out of which 58 inmates were reported positive with COVID-19.
LOCKDOWN HELPED REDUCE COVID-19 CASES: DR YASMIN LAHORE: Punjab Health Minister Dr Yasmin Rashid on Friday said that the lockdown has led to a decrease in new cases of the novel coronavirus in the province. “We have seen a decrease in the number of new infections after the lockdown,” she said in a statement. She maintained that the government was taking all-out efforts to stem the spread of the deadly virus. Commenting over plasma therapy to treat coronavirus patients, she said that Punjab is ready to use the plasma of cured coronavirus patients for the treatment of newly-confirmed patients. The Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (DRAP) on Thursday allowed clinical trials of blood plasma therapy to treat coronavirus patients in the country. Special Assistant to Prime Minister on Health Dr Zafar Mirza had said on Thursday that plasma, the fluid in blood teeming with antibodies post-illness, has already proven effective in small studies to treat infectious diseases including Ebola and SARS. Punjab Chief Minister Usman Buzdar on Thursday had confirmed that the number of coronavirus cases reached 2,279 while 39 patients recovered from the disease. He detailed that 701 pilgrims kept in isolation centres of Dera Ghazi Khan, Multan and Faisalabad. The chief minister had said that 70 jail inmates tested positive for COVID-19. He had added that 803 patients were present in different districts outside the quarantine centres. Buzdar had further said that 18 precious lives were lost due to coronavirus and 39 patients have recovered. STAFF REPORT
Punjab govt to announce relief package for journalists: Chohan LAHORE APP
Punjab Minister for Information Fayyazul Hassan Chohan on Friday announced that the provincial government would announce a relief package for the journalist community in the wake of ongoing fight against COVID-19 pandemic. Addressing a press conference, he said that the package was to pay tribute to the services being rendered by the journalist community and the media workers in the war against coronavirus. He said that Punjab was the first province which was going to launch a
package for welfare of the media workers. He said that the government would pay one million rupees compensation to the family of any journalist who passes away due to the deadly disease. Besides, Chohan said, the provincial government would also pay Rs100,000 to any journalist who contracts COVID-19 while performing his/her official duties. The provincial information department would also pay Rs10,000 monthly pension for life to the family if
any journalist passes away due to coronavirus, he added. Chohan said that the provincial information department would provide masks and protective gear to newspaper hawkers in a bid to protect them from the virus. He said that the Punjab government has decided to give tax exemptions to the media houses and clear their pending dues so that they did not have to face financial losses due to the ongoing
coronavirus situation. He expressed the hope that the impact of the tax exemption and payment of dues would also reach the media workers. Responding to a question, he said that a final decision regarding continuation of lockdown in the province would be made at the end of the date earlier announced by the government. He said that on directions of Punjab Chief Minister Usman Buzdar, strict action was being taken against profiteers and hoarders. He also urged political parties to avoid doing politics on the national issue as unity was needed to cope with the pandemic.
Ex-food secretary demands judicial body to probe wheat crisis LAHORE STAFF REPORT
Former food secretary Naseem Sadiq, who has been demoted to officer on special duty (OSD) over his alleged involvement in the wheat and flour scam, demanded on Friday that a judicial commission be appointed to look into the matter. In a letter to the provincial chief secretary, he denied all charges levelled against him in an inquiry commission’s report on the crisis. He accused the probe body of being biased against him and claimed that efforts were being made to save flour mafia. He explained that when he assumed charge as the food secretary, the drive to purchase wheat had already started in the province. He added that there is no link between purchase of wheat and shortage of flour. “Wheat procurement began before my charge,” he said, adding that there was no link between shortage of flour and wheat procurement because the province never achieved the target of purchasing four million tonnes of wheat. The former secretary food went to state that despite the low yields, the performance was better and he implemented the cabinet’s decision.
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Child strangled to death after being raped in Faisalabad FAISALABAD: A seven-year-old boy was killed after being raped in Faisalabad. According to the police, the incident took place in the limits of Dijkot police station, where the seven-year-old Faizan was strangulated to death after being raped. His body was thrown outside the village. As per the police, victim was a resident of the 261 Bhagowali area of Dijkot. The police shifted the body to the Rural Health Center Dijkot after taking custody of the body where his post-mortem was conducted. INP
Toxic liquor claims eight lives LAHORE: Eight persons died after consuming toxic liquor on Friday. Police said that Allah Dittah Masih, Yasar Masih, Haroon Masih, Nadeem Nazir Masih, Amer Masih, Natha Masih and Hameed Masih consumed toxic liquor, due to which their condition deteriorated. The police added that the victims were shifted to a local hospital where they died. On information, Okara DPO Umer Saeed Malik launched a crackdown against the bootleggers. After a raid, the police arrested four accused identified as Nadeem Anwar Masih, Saleem Masih, Nadeem Bashir Masih and Muhammad Amjad and recovered 230 litres of liquor from their possession. Cases were registered against the accused and further investigation was underway. APP
Three dead over matrimonial dispute in Faisalabad FAISALABAD: At least three persons were killed over a matrimonial dispute on Friday. The police said that two groups fought in Muzaffar Colony area of the city over a matrimonial dispute. As a result, two men Aslam and Abdul Rehman died in firing, while a third man, Maan Butt, died in hospital during treatment. The police shifted the bodied to hospital for autopsy and started raids to arrest the accused. STAFF REPORT
Saturday, 11 April, 2020
Govt FAILS to IMPLEMEnt SuRchARGES on toBAcco, SuGARy DRInKS iSLamaBad
t
sHaHZaD paraCHa
HE government has failed to implement the cabinet’s decision pertaining to imposing a Rs10 surcharge on tobacco products and Rs1 on sugary drinks. This was disclosed by representatives of the Society for the Protection of Rights of the Child (SPARC) in an online interaction with journalists regarding tobacco taxation on Friday. Reporters were briefed about the potential source of revenue to bear the cost to fight the Covid-19 pandemic. SPARC Executive Director Sajjad Ahmed Cheema said the civil society activists drew the attention of Prime Minister Imran Khan towards a decision approved by
the federal cabinet to implement a surcharge of Rs10 on tobacco products and Rs1 on sugary drinks that remain pending to date. The full implementation of both taxes could earn Rs50 billion in revenue that could be used to purchase personal protective equipment (PPE) for health workers and testing kits required for the pandemic, he added. Malik Imran Ahmed of Campaign for Tobacco Free Kids Pakistan chapter said the government could immediately collect billions of rupees by revising taxes on just two products- cigarettes and carbonated drinks- and the generated revenue could be invested in the public health for fighting corona in the country. He was of the view that both cigarettes and carbonated drinks had poor nutritious
Remittances rise 3.8pc to $1.8bn in March KaraCHi MeIrYUM alI
Overseas Pakistani workers remitted $1,894.4 million in March 2020, a rise of 3.8pc or $69.4 million, when compared with $1,825.0 million worth of remittances received in February 2020, according to data released by the State Bank of Pakistan on Friday. On a year-on-year basis, the remittances received in March 2020 rose 9.3 pc or $160.9 million, when compared with $1,733.5 million received in March 2019. Workers’ remittances received during the first nine months of the current fiscal year stood at $16,991.6 million, an increase of 6pc or $ 960.7 million when compared with the $16,030.9 million received during the same period of last year. When comparing remittances received during March 2020 and that received in February 2020, almost all countries witnessed an increase, except for the UK. Remittances received from Saudi Arabia, UAE, and the USA stood at $452.3 million, $420.4 million, and $352.4 million, respectively. This is an increase of 7.2pc, 8.6pc, and 5.5pc, respectively, when compared to February 2020. However, remittances from the UK stood at $248.5 million, a decline of 2pc when compared to February 2020.
Fawad offers free maintenance of ventilators if corona patients are treated for free neWS deSK Minister for Science and Technology Fawad Chaudhry on Friday offered private hospitals free maintenance of their ventilators if they provide medical attention to those suffering from COVID-19 free of charge. “We can repair malfunctioning ventilators for free on the condition of free treatment for COVID-19 patients,” he said. Highlighting another related issue, the minister noted that most government-run health facilities have ventilators but lacked trained staff to operate them. The science minister said they have constituted teams in Lahore, Islamabad, Karachi, Quetta and Peshawar who will provide training to staff on how to operate the machines. Hospital in-charges are requested to take benefit of this facility, the minister said. The demand for the life-saving machines has surged after the number of coronavirus cases in the country witnessed exponential growth during the past few weeks. Fawad said Pakistan’s engineering institutions have so far repaired around 150 ventilators.
value as their sale trends showed a growing habit of smoking among youngsters and high consumption of soft drinks. “Higher prices would not only discourage the youth from smoking, but also would encourage habitual smokers, who nowadays are at a higher risk of the coronavirus due to their reduced immunity.” Ahmed further said the implementation on tax and price policies under national health objectives and Article 6 of the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC), would reduce the demand for tobacco. Sanaullah Ghumman, the Secretary General of Pakistan National Heart Association (PANAH), said last year the government had announced a surcharge of Rs10 per pack of cigarettes. However, the sur-
charge approved by the cabinet, was not presented in the Financial Bill 2019-20 and, therefore, could not be implemented, he added. Had the surcharge imposed on cigarettes, the government would have generated about Rs40 billion per year in addition to the existing tax revenues, Ghumman said. “Instead of relying on others, the government needs to adopt a futuristic approach and channelise additional revenues into situations where financial setbacks are faced such as the current pandemic. This additional revenue will continue in lessening the financial crunch that the country is facing.” According to health experts and advocates, the severe shortage of funds faced by Pakistan to combat the coronavirus could be overcome by imposing a surcharge on tobacco products.
Cellular companies seek to provide data services in AJK, GB iSLamaBad GHUlaM aBBas
As the auction process of 3G/4G internet services in Gilgit-Baltistan (GB) and Azad Jammu Kashmir (AJK) has been in limbo for the past many years, cellular companies, in a bid to benefit from the crisis caused by coronavirus, have urged government to allow them provide the spectrum in the areas “without waiting for the auction process”. According to insiders, the senior management of all four telecom companies on Friday held a meeting with the IT secretary to discuss the need for 3G and 4G services in AJK and GB. During the meeting, the telecom companies asked the government to release the spectrum immediately for service providers so as to provide 3G and 4G services in AJK and GB during the COVID-19 outbreak.
As things normalise, they (govt) can restart and close the process of spectrum assignment, which has been lingering on from quite some time, they added. According to sources, the IT secretary was informed that due to the absence of internet facilities, residents of these areas have been deprived of health awareness, which was essential information under the current scenario. The students enrolled in various educational institutes across the country who have been sent back to their native areas cannot attend online classes due to lack of proper internet. The region has been digitally isolated due to de-prioritisation and lack of timely decisions. According to sources, after listening to the telcos, the IT secretary has called a meeting on Monday where the issue of enhanced service internet service to AJK and GB will be discussed with
GB/AJK councils, telcos and PTA. Meanwhile, as cellular companies have sought permission to start 4G internet services in the constitutionally disputed areas (AJK/GB) without auction, the GB government has been demanding the federal government to auction the spectrum and give due revenue share to the regional government. Some cellular companies were even in courts over the same service. The GB government had earlier voiced concerns over the start of 4G services by a cellular company (Telenor) without auction, when it was launched for the first time in Gilgit last year. The GB Assembly had also constituted a parliamentary committee to take up the matter with the centre. The GB and AJK governments want the auction of the spectrum as they foresee billions rupees worth income through the process.
PM seeks donations to mitigate economic impact of COVID-19 Continued from page 01 To a question, the prime minister said all of the health workers, particularly those deputed at the ICU (intensive care units) and emergency departments would receive their protective kits within a couple of days and assured them of the government’s full support. ‘DOCTORS NEED NOT WORRY’: The PM said the potential hike in coronavirus cases in the country will put pressure on the healthcare system of Pakistan, assuring the doctors and paramedic staff of complete support in the fight against the pandemic. Speaking during his visit to Hayatabad Medical Complex in Peshawar earlier in the day, the prime minister assured to provide protective equipment to the medics to fight the coronavirus challenge. “Whole nation and the federal government fully stand with our doctors, paramedics in the fight against coronavirus. National Disaster Management
Authority (NDMA) will bring more medical equipment from China and other countries,” he added. PM said there is a worldwide shortage of ventilators as markets across the world are closed due to lockdown. He said more ventilators will arrive in Pak-
istan in the coming days. Chief Secretary Dr Kazim Niaz informed the PM that the provincial government had enforced the corona emergency on February 3. The KP governor, CM, health minister, and other relevant authorities were monitoring the whole situation on a daily basis. As many as 275 quarantine centers have been established with the accommodation capacity of 18,000 persons in the province, the secretary said, adding that the KP CM announced Rs32 billion relief package in the wake of the pandemic. The PM was further told that 583 ventilators were available in KP and numbers were being increased. Some 638 regular and 1299 contractual doctors have been recruited in the province. In addition to it, 9000 retired doctors, nurses, and paramedics have voluntarily registered and can be called if required. Similarly, 400 rapid response teams have been constituted to deal with the coronavirus situation.
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Sehat Kahani, Adamjee Life join hands to fight coronavirus ISLAMABAD: Sehat Kahani has joined hands with Adamjee Life Assurance Company to help the country maintain ‘social distance’ during lockdown. In times where patients are reluctant to go to the hospitals to avoid exposure, this partnership is going to be much more than creating just an online forum of discussing the disease and would enable users to have the real time access to certified doctors 24 hours a day 7 days a week. Dr Sara Saeed Khurram and Dr Iffat Zafar Aga, co-founders and CEO & COO of Sehat Kahani, stated, “We take this as our national duty to step-up in the time of crisis where access to primary health is otherwise compromised. This application is not only helping the patients by providing them a safe and effective solution but has also helped easing the burden on healthcare facilities by 100,000+ patients to date.” press release
Bank Alfalah supports 1.5m beneficiaries under Ehsaas Programme ISLAMABAD: Bank Alfalah is proud to be one of two exclusive partners for the delivery of the Prime Minister’s Ehsaas Emergency Cash Programme, a Rs144 billion fund aimed at supporting communities affected by the country-wide lockdowns due to the coronavirus (COVID-19). In the first phase, 1.5 million beneficiaries located in the remote areas of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Gilgit-Baltistan, Azad Jammu and Kashmir were asked to visit designated locations where Bank Alfalah teams were also present to ensure smooth delivery. Subsequent phases will extend the support network across Pakistan. Each eligible family will be receiving Rs12,000 to meet their financial needs. press release
Mastercard empowers teachers, parents via e-learning platform KARACHI: Mastercard has extended access to its signature Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) curriculum, Girls4Tech, through a suite of new online, creative educational resources. The programme has been designed to help parents and teachers engage and inspire kids, ages 8-12. Girls4Tech Connect, as well as through activities made in collaboration with Mastercard’s education partner Scholastic, teachers and parents in Pakistan and across the globe can download lessons to help students learn about STEM topics from the comfort of their homes. These activities are built on global science and math standards to enable children to discover a range of STEM careers, such as Fraud Detective, Data Scientist and Software Engineer. press release
Deferment in implementation of IFRS 17 lauded KARACHI: The FPCCI Standing Committee on Takaful & Window Takaful Convener Muhammad Kamran Saleem has hailed the decision of IASB to further defer the implementation of IFRS 17 till January 1, 2023 from the previously set implementation date of January 1, 2022 which was originally set at January 1, 2021. He said that the step will ensure simultaneous and effective implementation IFRS 17 around the globe, which will be beneficial for investors, insurers and other stakeholders to promote quality and comparability of accounting for insurance contracts. This will provide much needed additional time to the Takaful industry in Pakistan to come up with and agree on Takafulspecific issues related to the new standard, which largely remain unaddressed. press release
Bike sales increase in KP as banks finance Honda, Zxmco peSHaWar aZIZ BUNerI
There has been a significant increase in sales of two motorcycle manufacturing companies in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) as the bike financing is currently in swing after the improvement in the security situation in the province. Documents of the KP Excise and Taxation department show that motorcycles of 94 companies are available for sale in KP but the company that is offering bikes through bank
financing has dominated the KP market. Atlas Honda tops the sales’ chart despite its high prices as compared to other companies and is due to better quality and banks financing scheme. The E&T department’s data further shows that in 2018, a total of 9,389 Honda motorcycles were registered, while in 2019 the number increased to 12,005. Similarly, in 2018, Zxmco sold a total of 7,848 units, however in 2019 the company’s sales increased to 9,316 units.
On the other hand some companies witnessed drop in their sales. For example, a total 5,441 motorcycles of the United Auto Industry were registered in 2018 that were reduced to 3,572 units in 2019. In 2018, Yamaha sold 256 units that were reduced to 201 in 2019. Uni Star too witnessed a drop in sales as against 880 units registered in 2018 only 660 units were registered in 2019. All other companies couldn’t cross the two hundred marks. According to sources in Atlas Honda,
the motorcycle industry is seeing boom in sales after banks in KP started motorcycle financing schemes. Most of banks prefer to finance Atlas Honda bikes because various departments of the KP government including police, livestock, TMAs, health and education prefer Honda bikes for their employees. The company has contracts with the Bank of Khyber, Meezan Bank, Khushali Bank and CSD Stores. Sources say through these banks, Atlas
Honda is selling 10,000 to 15,000 motorcycles annually in the Peshawar division, while up to 30,000 in divisions of Dera Ismail Khan, Chitral and Malakand. Such financing schemes weren’t possible in the past as banks were not willing to initiate schemes due to war against terror and instability in the region. Now in KP, not only public employees but also of private companies are benefiting from this scheme, which has led to an increase in sales of motorcycle companies.
Saturday, 11 April, 2020
06 COMMENT
Let’s talk immorality and business
Insignificant!
And delivered badly at several places
T
he dole of Rs 12,000 to every family of poor and daily-wage earners hit hard by the lockdown might benefit the PM politically but a hundred rupees a day is simply an insignificant account. With tandoori bread selling presently in Lahore at Rs 6 per piece, a six-member family will not be able to get one bread each for three meals a day. Interestingly a medium sized middle class family spends more on any standard brand of pure water per day. The distribution of the fund among 12 million families during the next two and a half weeks however will pose problems, despite being staggered over the next two and a half weeks. An overconfident SAPM had brushed aside concerns voiced by provinces, assuring that necessary measures were being taken to avoid people’s clusters outside the banks and provide them proper coronaviruspreventive facilities like masks, handwashing, chairs for sitting while maintaining the specified distance, disinfection, and so on. The Prime Minister congratulated himself for successfully organizing “the biggest cash distribution by any government in Pakistan’s history, directly to the most vulnerable and needy citizens in our society.” Both the PM and SAPM failed to take into cognizance the ground realities mentioned by the more seasoned political representatives of the provinces. There were three problems, those related to the federal and provincial governments, those related to banks and those to law and order enforcement. At certain distribution points in both Punjab and Sindh there were no arrangements for social distancing, leading to queue jumping and pushing and pulling. One woman reportedly died in Multan due to the melee. The disorder was apparently caused by absence of the promised “multiple cash counters along with security for these spaces”. Consequently many who were healthy when they came to receive the dole could have gone home as virus carriers. At other distribution points, bank employees in collusion with their agents deprived the recipients of either the whole or part of the amount being disbursed. Reportedly, in one district only one out of 23 distribution points opened on Thursday while in another funds could not be distributed at all.
Hoarding has long been a problem. But reflecting on right and wrong might be needed to fight it SirajuDDin aziz
T
hIS piece will be naturally disappointing. For starters, if you came here thinking this is the amoralist’s guide to the immoral business, it is not that; quite the opposite in fact. Far from being a hack to figuring out the lucrative business of immorality, this is going to be one of those principled articles about doing the right thing. Believe it or not, there are still people and businesses that believe in lofty concepts like nobility, national identity and integrity. And for those that still hold these concepts close, it is important to talk about what we mean by immorality and business ethics. Because this isn’t about legality, but principle. For starters, an immoral business is not merely one that is considered taboo. Brothels and speakeasies are usually where our definitions of immoral businesses begin and end. And while judging the morality of a business by religious or social customs is a separate debate, in purely economic terms, an immoral business is one with any negative motives, or one that harbours people intending to knowingly or unknowingly harm society. hoarding, for example, is very obviously immoral. There are no two ways about it. Yet hoarding is a casual enough practice, threatening more than ever with a pandemic looming. And that is precisely the point of talking about morality in business. hoarding as a concept is the accumulation of a commodity or produce, with ill intentions, the hope that someday demand for it will outstrip supply, leaving the hoarder with a vast repository to sell to the highest bidder. The hoarder will justify this action to his own conscience by saying it makes logical economic and business sense since price is driven by demand. What could be immoral about that? After all, in a buyer’s market,the supplier is entitled to ask for any price. Governments, foolishly enough, and especially in the developing countries, believe they control prices. And while official price lists are religiously displayed in every shop, they are little more than a showpiece. Officials deployed to monitor adherence to the price list easily end up as accomplices. That leaves a situation where businesses can justify hoarding to their own sensibilities and easily be able to do it because of slipping regulation standards. So why wouldn’t they?. It takes two to tango, and immorality in any society is possible only through abetment and partnership.
Presenting a united front The Prime Minister must take along all provinces
P
eRhAPS it was lucky that the Balochistan government was formed by PTI allies. The sentiments expressed by Prime Minister Imran Khan on his visit to Quetta did not so much as play politics with the Covid-19 pandemic as cause consternation among those who had hoped for the federal government to express a more unified message upon tackling the covid-19 pandemic. his saying that Balochistan was not as much of victim was hardly encouraging to those there fighting beyond their ability. It also played the insidious game of making the provinces play the essentially purposeless game of who has suffered the most. At the same time, the hint he dropped about the provinces deciding when to end the lockdown makes him just a spectator, rather than the ultimate decision-maker, in this question. nothing is more crucial to millions of people when the lockdown might end. Mr Khan himself seems to be showing an unusual hesitancy, which may or may not reflect more detailed information. Certainly, the figures released are about the number of cases broken down by province, not by age, gender or otherwise, which information would be more helpful to public health officials both at home or abroad. The level of ignorance has been heightened because of the failure to extend testing. All the national efforts to handle the pandemic have relied on extensive testing; tracing of contacts of those diagnosed as positive, followed by further tracing, further testing, and so on. By making testing merely a tool for some labs to make money, this effort was sabotaged. Is it possible that the PM is privy to information that he has deemed too scary to be released to the general public? As he might have seen from the release of the investigation report of the wheat and sugar shortages, the public can be trusted with information. If the lockdown is to continue, the public has a right to know. It also has a right to know just how bad the situation really is. The Prime Minister should remember that it might be possible to hide number of people infected that might have been revealed by testing, but it is going to be impossible to hide those people when they start dying off without treatment.
Building a post-coronavirus Welfare State Luckily the government is elected
Dr FariD a Malik
W
hen the chips are down, state intervention becomes imminent. In the current Coronavirus pandemic all eyes are focussed on the Prime Minister. There are serious concerns about the post Coronavirus economy. My friend, Dr Kamal Monnoo, the economist, has written in detail about what needs to be done in an article in another newspaper last month. he has written about the shattered myth of Anglo-Saxon business integrity where ‘force majeure’ has been invoked and agreements, contracts, orders have been conveniently renegotiated. It is the most trumpeted but brutal capitalism at work. Kamal has meticulously elaborated a 17-point solution to address the economic fallout. With every threat, there is an opportunity. Pakistan has had limited periods of nation building under genuinely elected governments ( From 1947 to 1958 and 1971 to 1977). Since 5 July 1977 the downslide has continued unabated. While the fabri-
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An individual, per se, cannot be immoral in isolation, an unqualified, self styled, pharmacist, he is able to but needs a partner in crime. And to our collective get his medicines for a significantly lower PKR 30003500. One can only imagine how hard battling somemisfortune, partners in crime are a dime a dozen. The way hoarding becomes a duo job is that the thing like mental illness is without having to worry manufacturers and producers find themselves in ca- about exploitative drug prices. One of the worst kinds of hoarding at the best of hoots. They first vitiate the production lines and then the supply chain, to push prices upwards. All times is grains, vegetables, and meats, and will be esof this, of course, happens off the books. And to pecially felt in the current scenario. Any gains from make themselves feel better, these hoarders, society this must be nauseating to a human with a live soul. and regulators refer to these actions as “cartelisa- But the fact that nobody is throwing up, means, at least, tion.” But that does not change the fact that it is sim- the soul has taken a flight to its noble Origin and end. no gains satiate hoarders. And if a plea to humanity ply case hoarding. not only corporations depend on forming cartels. does not work, perhaps one citing God might just. I And of course, why would this not happen on a small would remind the hoarder that it is with deep anguish I have restrained myself from level when it is the way of quoting the Quran and its the world? What is OPeC many injunctions on hoardafter all? For all intents and ing and hoarders. purposes, it is a legal charter This hoarding has more serious Is it then moral for busifor the blatantly immoral nesses to take future conpurpose of regulating the faces too. For example, if the tracts for making profits, and pumping of oil to ensure then to ask for relief for the price stability suiting proproduct being hoarded is losses, due to price moveducers. Simultaneously, medicine, particularly lifesaving ments? It is a cause of anthey hold great power by guish when a wrong being able to cause havoc in drugs, then it is a question of business decision is comworld markets by cutting pensated by taxpayers. production. legality as much as it is of even seemingly simple Much like this global morality. When medicines are things like lawn clothes, example, the construction there is an element of hoardindustry’s cartelisation in hoarded, that is when ing for the in-print material. our country is well known. The most exquisite prints are They operate under the wilimmorality is at its zenith in either reserved for the privifully ignorant eyes of the leged at the stated price or regulators, and only occasociety and business, and we are sold at skyrocketing sionally slapped on the have unfortunately reached that prices to those unconnected wrist. with the shopkeeper. Isn’t This hoarding has more unsettling milestone. this also hoarding? And thus serious faces. For example, immoral? if the product being hoarded We, as a society, are posis medicine, particularly life sessed by the demon of saving drugs, then it is a question of legality as much as it is of morality. When greediness, and have lost the tastefulness of life. medicines are hoarded, that is when immorality is at Greed is a compound of all evils. In this time of panits zenith in society and business, and we have unfor- demic, some have made handsome profits by blackmarketing hoarded sanitisers, tissue paper boxes, tunately reached that unsettling milestone. A friend of mine is prone to panic attacks. The toilet rolls, masks, surgical gloves, etc. Shockingly, I friend has been prescribed a drug from the family of read that in the small city of haiel, in Saudi Arabia, benzodiazepines, produced by a multinational. This a shop was raided and the authorities recovered 1.7 drug he mentions is perennially kept in short supply, million masks. In a single shop! At the same time, due to undeclared collaboration between distributors consumers have been no better, panic buying and hoarding far more than they need. It seems there is and pharmacies. The objective is obvious, to keep low supply and no shortage of partners in crime, and no realisation charge sky high prices. The official price printed is of the crime either. less than Rs 5000 for a box of three strips, but beSirajuddin Aziz is a freelance columnist. cause of the excellent relations, my friend enjoys with
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Karachi – Ph: 021-35381208-9
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cated “political leadership” plundered the nation, the establishment looked the other way. The stalled process of nation building has to be started all over again based in inclusion, not exclusion, of masses. now that state resources are being sought for waivers and relief, past mistakes should not be repeated. The focus should be on health, food security and employment. Concentration of wealth in a few hands has to be avoided at all costs. The Ayub Model of unbridled capitalism or the socialist approach of Bhutto should not be repeated. Perhaps a democratic ‘Welfare State’ is our best option to build the nation instead of creating empires and fiefdoms. The PM has always been supportive of such a state, and now he has an opportunity to create one as the government has to decide on the utilization of state revenue. The assets of the nation need to be turned around in the shortest possible time. The State Owned enterprises ( SOe ) like the Steel Mills and Machine Tool Factory etc have been lying idle. Once these entities were profitable, when managed by professionals and overseen by the Board of Industrial Management (BIM). Professional Management and independent boards should be assigned the task of reviving these entities which can then be privatized at top value. Bureaucrats are neither trained nor qualified to run these plants. Thousands of approved jobs are lying vacant which must be filled within 90 days. Railway workshops were once the pride of the nation. Refurbishing of locomotives and fabrication of saloons and bogies was done in-house. Through self-reliance we must learn to conserve foreign exchange and rely on local expertise. Imports have to be slashed and exports enhanced. The party for the kickback mafias should be over. Our fuel and energy costs are too high, which need to be renegotiated to end the menace of circular debt. Cost of imported LnG is prohibitive. now that coal mining has started at Thar we should adopt clean coal technologies to meet our energy needs. The strength of the Chinese economy stems from state control of resources which are then spent on infrastructure development and facilities for the people. The private sector is allowed to operate but
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in partnership to avoid exploitation. In the Ayub Model the resources of the nation came under the control of 22 families, which owned everything; industries, banks and insurance companies. Loans were doled out to the favourites as free money which has now accumulated over time. There has to be a moratorium on national debt servicing together with write-offs. In the 1970s basic industrialization was carried out in the public sector. huge investments were made in the Defence Production area around Islamabad which remain under-utilised. now POF Wah has been tasked to make facemasks to fight the virus. It is time to apply and commercialize our technologies to cut back the import bill. We can manufacture aircrafts and the ptanks but have to import commercial products like bicycles, motorbikes and rickshaws etc. Dr Mahbub-ul haq, the architect of the Ayub economic Model, admitted that the expected trickledown never took place. This time around the wheels of development must turn for the entire nation, not just for a selected few. nation building should be the top priority of the government as was done in the decades of the 1950s and 1970s. The boom that followed in the 1960s and 1980s was a result of these efforts by the elected representatives of the people. In 1958 dictatorship detracked our march to glory. After 50 years an elected government is in place led by a credible leader. now that a fresh start has been made at rebuilding the economy, I am sure past mistakes will be avoided. Focus should be on the masses not the classes. The PTI is a genuine political outfit that enjoys grass root support unlike the fabricated leadership of the past that was repeatedly imposed on the nation in the decades of the 1960s, 1980s and 1990s. The post-coronavirus period will be critical for the economy which calls for careful and austere use of the nation’s resources. After all old and tried approaches have failed to deliver, an Islamic Welfare state seems to be our best option. Dr Farid A Malik is Ex-Chairman Pakistan Science Foundation email: fmaliks@hotmail.com
Email: editorial@pakistantoday.com.pk
Saturday, 11 April, 2020
COMMENT 07 Editor’s mail 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
Covid-19: Rural sindh more receptive of social distancing than urban areas
Unravelling of the American dream Trump seems to be unravelling In sharp contrast to this new normal, the force. he incessantly brags about the size of the US economy, that is crumbling now to unprece- UK’s Queen elizabeth was most inspiring in her dented levels. Just the other day he talked of rare and moving address to her nation and the Commonwealth countries. her words merit spemaking a comeback with a “big bang”! The fact is that the big bang of Covid-19 cial attention as the world passes through this has unraveled the American dream, and hope difficult phase. In her message that had a universurvives only because of saner elements in the sal resonance, she underscored “the attributes of administration or Governors who took timely self-discipline, of quiet good-humored resolve and of fellow-feeling.” The Queen, who has witcontrol. Coronavirus death toll in the USA has risen nessed many a turbulent time during her long from one in 20 deaths reported worldwide a fort- reign, beautifully summed it up saying: “And night ago to one in six. Trump can see it happen- though self-isolating may at times be hard, many people of all faiths, and ing but would rather of none, are discovering remain in denial. he rethat it presents an opfuses to see beyond the portunity to slow down, glazed walls of his Ending on a reassuring pause and reflect, in Trump Tower. he is inprayer or meditation.” creasingly on the denote, the 94-year old In an obvious referfensive, if not ence to the lockdowns downright combative monarch said: “We should and social distancing and disrespectful, toshe talked of “a painful wards journalists. he take comfort that while we QuDSSia akHlaQuE sense of separation wants to keep drummay have more still to endure, from their loved ones” ming up false hope and that many were feeling singing his own praise better days will return. We will TATISTICS of the Covid-19 pan- when faced with but emphasized that “it demic are changing every minute and pointed is the right thing to do.” questions be with our friends again; we hotspots shifting, raising alarm the about gaps in effecInterestingly the will be with our families again; Queen did not even world over. however, after initial tively fighting the shock and awe at the outbreak of this deadly virus. he insists once use the word we will meet again.” novel virus that pushed about a third of the on what a “great” Coronavirus or Covidworld’s population into lockdown (and self-iso- “miraculous” 19 in her address as all and lation), impatience has begun to set in. heads of state and gov“amazing job” memAs cases of Coronavirus and the number of bers of his team are ernments have done. Indeaths on its account mount globally, most rap- doing. stead she referred to it in broader terms as idly in the USA, US President Donald Trump What goes to President Trump’s credit is that ‘disease’. seems to be losing all control of the situation. he has successfully exhausted all superlatives in ending on a reassuring note, the 94-year old The economy-obsessed President is very keen self-praise! his attitude epitomizes the maxim, monarch said: “We should take comfort that on securing another term in the Oval office, and “nero fiddles while Rome burns.” he refuses to while we may have more still to endure, better his own private race drives him to desperate accept that any criticism is valid and believes he days will return. We will be with our friends measures such as pushing untested and unproven deserves kudos and praise for his performance again; we will be with our families again; we drugs to beat this instead of “nasty” criti- will meet again.” ‘monster’ and kill the This is a defining moment in our lives and cism or comments. In ‘hidden enemy’– in his his typical abrasive and choices we make now will shape our future and words. even if experts pompous style Trump where we go from here. In these uncertain and The US President had and scientists warn of continues to blow his challenging times, I draw strength from verses dire consequences, own trumpet at the of Surah Ad-Duha (The Bright Morning hours) expressed his wish to see Trump’s rationale is: White house daily and Surah Ash-Sharh (the Opening of the heart), “What do you have to the 93rd and 94th Surahs of the holy Quran. briefings. churches filled with people on lose, you could lose It is appalling to see These speak to the believers who are beginning your life.” As always, the President of the to despair. Easter, ignoring the fact that this rationale is putting United States of Amer“Consider the bright morning hours, and the there is a surge of body bags in ica lash out at the World night when it grows dark. people’s life’s at risk. The US President health Organisation, Thy Sustainer has not forsaken thee, nor does the USA, particularly in New had expressed his wish China and all others He scorn thee: for, indeed, the life to come will be to see churches filled York where temporary morgues that he can attack to try better for thee than this earlier part of thy life!” with people on easter, and keep the virus “for- (Translation of verses from Surah Ad-Duha.) and freezer-containers are ignoring the fact that eign”. he has ended up “…And behold, with every hardship comes there is a surge of body politicizing Covid-19 to ease: verily, with every hardship comes ease! filling to capacity and officials bags in the USA, parthe extent that even the Hence, when thou art freed from distress, remain ticularly in new York WhO chief was forced steadfast, and unto thy Sustainer turn with are considering temporary where temporary to hit back, asking love.” These verses from Surah Ash-Sharh are mass graves. morgues and freezerTrump to “quarantine equally instructive and rekindle the light of hope containers are filling to politicizing Covid-19”. in this dark hour. A source of solace that we all capacity and officials Trump blamed the so need. are considering tempoWhO for being Chinarary mass graves. centric and issuing “bad advice” following the Qudssia Akhlaque is a senior journalist and Trump’s impatience comes through strongly outbreak of this virus. This brash deflection of a freelance columnist based in Islamabad. She from his daily briefings conducted at the White responsibility may very well be the new normal can be reached at qudssia@hotmail.com house along with members of his Covid-19 Task and may not be limited only to the POTUS. Twitter: @qudssiaakhlaque
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In Tharparkar, Umerkot, Thatta, Sanghar and other areas of interior Sindh people are encouraged to spend maximum time at homes and, in case, they go out of their homes, they need to wear masks and keep a safe distance in daily life activities. According to the article of Gulf news on Thursday, CeO of Thar education Alliance (TeA), Partab Rai Shivani said : Most of our initiatives are women-focused and we are working closely with them to make them realise how important it is to maintain social distancing. In interior areas of sindh, local women cover long distances carrying pitchers on their heads in search of water. “We have asked them to take care that while filling their utensils with water at different water sources they should maintain safe distance,” he said. TeA team sensitized group of women in Moli Ji Dhani on social distancing and now they are observing it like a book rule. This is how society changes when you educate and sensitize a girl and woman. An image of women wanting patiently in line to fill their water pitchers while maintaining safe distance is also going viral. While in urban areas like Rawalpindi and Islamabad people do not care about social distancing. In market places like abpara people are roaming around in groups shaking hands and hugging each other not maintaining even an inch of a distance from others in shops. While the people of urban areas claim to be more educated and sensible from those of rural areas are still unable to understand the basics of life saving conditions and people of rural areas have memorized it like their lives depended on it. Because it does. ISHrAQ ASHrAF Islamabad
Sudden lockdown problem The sudden shutdown of businesses has upended the lives of millions of migrant laborers in Pakistani cities. More than a dozen migrants have died, and anger is rising. The nature of the health crisis, and its economic fallout makes it necessary for an urgent fiscal response, especially one targeting severely affected sectors and low-income families. Unemployment is on the rise due to this lockdown. People who had to earn a living so in these situations they are facing difficulty. Due to the closure of all business, people are facing poverty, and many problems. People are very upset, so the government should look into this and resolve the issue as soon as possible. ArEEbA Karachi
Dearth of PPEs
COVID19 is very dangerous for everyone in this world and doctors play an important role to defeat COVID19 but in Balochistan province doctors are being sent to jail during this pandemic. Recently, the doctors of Balochistan were protesting for their rights and asked the government authorities to provide them Personal protective equipment (PPes), but the Police arrested them and were sent to jail. Due to the lack of PPes Many doctors got infected as a result of saving the masses, if this continues, so the entire population will die from the coronavirus. Doctors comfort us when we are scared, but in Balochistan doctors have no value to treat their nation. especially, the current government has no respect for the real heroes of the nation. If today they are being arrested then who will fight to defeat the COVID19? To conclude, it is requested of the federal government to provide PPes to the doctors of Balochistan province. HAnEEF bALuCH SAJIDI Awaran
Robotic life We are proceeding through the time where we are experiencing lethargy, exaggeration, damage routines and some are entangled in the predicament comprising terror, stress & panic attacks. no one is interested to find the route causes because we are never interested in living our life. We are society driven nation without the tasks & goals we can’t even live a minute our life basically consists of the orders by the boss or a lot of tasks which are present in our channel, without them we don’t know what to do, The first question arises here “What is the reason behind my existence?”, “Why I am galloping on the same track as other people do?”, “What is happiness? whether I am doing what I want?. These questions require solitude which gives us the probability to think and perceive the reason behind our robotic life. humans by instinct are superior to other creatures because of their own ability to think, analyze, observe about their inner self as well as nature which give the absolute productive result later use for their own utilization. We have to develop a sense which distinguishes us from robotic life, secondly, we have to open our eyes and isolate ourselves from the universal machinery to recognize our soul and heal it by the most amazing time gifted by the Almighty. DAnISH MALIK rawalpindi
Hajj controversy WITh the Corona outbreak, this news is in the air that the government of KSA is mulling over cancellation of hajj Pilgrimage. Many people are taking it as a sign of the day of resurrection and getting more panicked & stressed. One of my close family members fainted because of this news. With covid-19 pandemic , this news is mentally torturing the poor and vulnerable; they’re having fear that Qayyamah is near and we are no more able to perform hajj and we have no way to ask Allah for forgiveness. I argue to all the people who are spreading this rumour, Please don’t spread fake news because it’s not confirmed yet. Saudi Government hasn’t announced it officially, they’re just thinking upon this matter and their comments have been widely interpreted as clearing the ground for a cancellation of this year’s event. ZArA ADALAT rAJA Islamabad
Saturday, 11 April, 2020
08 WORLD VIEW
Here's How your body gAins immuniTy To CoronAvirus IMPORTANTLY, COVID-19 CANNOT GAIN ENTRY TO OUR HOMES OR BODIES BY ITSELF – WE HAVE TO LET IT IN
Guardian
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Zania stamataki
S the daughter of an air force officer and a nurse, I am fascinated by defence systems. there is none more impressive than the human immune system, equipped as it is with a rich arsenal to defend against different types of pathogen. Viruses have evolved to trick, bypass and evade these defences. Our immune systems have, in turn, learned to recognise and deter these virus stealth tactics. In Covid-19, the enemy is a tiny piece of genetic material wearing a lipid coat and a protein crown. So how is our immune system able to defend against viral infections, and how does this apply to Covid-19? the virus that causes Covid-19 is called severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (Sars-Cov-2), and
was first detected in humans around five months ago. It is a coronavirus. “Corona”, in Latin, means crown. the virus is adorned with an outer layer of protein covered in spikes, like a crown. these spikes help the virus attach itself to target cells. the research community is fast learning about immunity to Covid-19, and we are also applying our knowledge of similar respiratory viruses to predict what to expect in this infection. think of a virus as a robot; it cannot reproduce so it needs a factory of materials – proteins, lipids and nucleotides – to build copies of itself. the coat allows the virus to attach itself to the target cell’s membrane. the virus then fuses with the cell and releases a shopping list of instructions on how to build and assemble new viruses. this shopping list, the virus genome, is written in nucleotides (rNA). the first job of a virus that enters our bodies is to invade target cells so that it can comfortably remove its coat and deploy its rNA. Once inside, the virus commandeers the cell and borrows cellular machinery to build more viruses before immune cells detect the intruders and raise the alarm. Antibody proteins that are able to stick to the virus-spike proteins, and prevent attachment to the target cells, are called neutralising antibodies: generating them is often the goal of protective vaccination.
Our infected cells make the ultimate sacrifice and invite their own destruction by displaying distress signals for t-cells, which swiftly detect and kill them. t-cells are cytotoxic – powerful serial killers that can recognise peptide fragments of virus displayed on the infected cell surface. When they do, they release a payload of toxic enzymes that kill the infected cell in a “kiss of death”. this strategic martyrdom is organised by the immune system to deprive the virus of its replication factories and can lead to the reduction of viral load in the patient. It takes several days for antiviral t-cells to expand and antibodies to be generated. Here’s the silver lining: memory cells ensure that if we encounter the same virus again, we can react immediately with pre-existing defences. Sars-Cov-2 is new to humanity so we have no protective immunological memory. Vaccines prepared using harmless parts of the virus can help us build protective memory. the virus’s enemy superpower is spreading. the virus achieves this through “shedding” from infected patients. Sars-Cov-2 is expert at hopping from person to person, and in some people, it achieves a stealthy existence with mild or no symptoms. Once many copies of the virus are made, it needs to jump to another host. It hitches a ride on droplets
Coronavirus: Hydroxychloroquine explained THE DRUG DOESN'T COME WITHOUT A CERTAIN SET OF RISKS, AND NO ONE KNOWS IF IT CAN EFFECTIVELY TREAT COVID-19
usa today
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Dr raymonD L WoosLey
He president and some of his close advisors — desperate for a COVID-19 cure — are asking “What do you have to lose?” by taking hydroxychloroquine (HCQ), a strong medication never adequately tested for efficacy or safety in COVID-19 patients. the correct answer to the president’s question, which he doesn’t seem to want to hear, is that we have our lives to lose. the president acknowledges “I’m not a doctor” but this raises the question “What do doctors know about the drug recommended by the president?" Most doctors are aware that HCQ can be effective for patients with malaria, arthritis or lupus. If they were to follow the president’s suggestion and prescribe it for COVID-19 patients, they would also like to know that it will benefit some of those patients, at least. THIS DRUG HASN'T PROVEN TO BE SUCCESSFUL IN TREATING VIRAL ILLNESSES: What is known? HCQ has been tested previously in several viral illnesses but never found effective. Importantly, there is no evidence whatsoever that HCQ can prevent COVID19, and there is only anecdotal evidence that it improves the course of the disease. the reports that it can reduce the measurable levels of the virus in patients are seriously flawed, lack a valid control group and were released to the public with little, if any, scientific review. Proper clinical trials with HCQ are underway, but these will take months. In summary, doctors do not know if HCQ or any other drug now being tested is effective or will have any medical benefit. Without any assurance of benefit, what do you have to lose? Most doctors rely on the fDA-approved label to evaluate the “risk” side of the benefit/risk equation for each prescription. the drug label for HCQ, and its close relative Chloroquine, are very clear about their risks and both contain a page and a half of stark warnings that include the possibility of blindness due to retinal injury, loss of consciousness due to low blood sugar, suicidal behavior, heart failure, potentially lethal interactions with other drugs, lethal heart rhythm disturbances and yes, death. When doctors prescribe HCQ, they expect that the risk of these potentially tragic side effects will be outweighed by some benefit. Doctors are also trained to use their medical skills to
evaluate the patient’s overall condition as part of the risk/benefit equation for a drug and to take appropriate measures to mitigate any risks. they know that some patients are at greater risk of developing side effects than others. Unfortunately, the patients at greatest risk for most of HCQ’s serious side effects are the same as the very sickest COVID-19 patients, e.g. those on respirators with low blood oxygen levels and with disturbances in body chemistry. Continuous eCG monitoring is one of the methods used to prevent potentially lethal cardiac effects of HCQ and chloroquine. In many ICUs, computerized decision support systems monitor the patient’s electronic chart and send advisories to physicians when a drug’s risk exceeds safe thresholds. However, these surveillance tools are not generally available outside of the hospital and could not protect those who might try to prevent COVID-19 by taking HCQ. Pandemics and other public health tragedies alter the usual norms and requirements of medical practice. When a life is in danger, physicians may decide to prescribe an unproven drug and monitor the patient for any potentially serious side effects. to enable such use, the fDA has “approved” the careful use of HCQ under an emergency Use Authorization (eUA). It should be emphasized that the fDA did not approve HCQ as either safe or effective to treat or prevent COVID-19. recognizing the unique situation doctors are facing, the fDA’s emergency authorization is for the “unapproved use of hydroxychloroquine” supplied from the nation’s stockpile but only for hospitalized adults and adolescents “for whom a clinical trial is not available, or participation is not feasible”. the fDA’s eUA fact Sheet should be carefully read by anyone contemplating prescribing or taking HCQ. Also, the public should know that the fDA is working hard to correct a problem at some public websites that post drug labels. Labels for 15 of the 49 products containing HCQ are out of date and do not contain the warnings found in the currently approved HCQ label or in the fDA’s fact sheet. In this crisis, our political leaders are grasping at straws and encouraging hope. When faced with a national medical crisis such as a pandemic, I encourage our leaders to defer to the medical and scientific experts who have the knowledge, skills and training to save lives and to not encourage unnecessary or unfounded risks with our lives and our safety. Dr. Raymond L. Woosley is a professor of medicine at The University of Arizona, College of MedicinePhoenix. He is the president of the Arizona Center for Education and Research on Therapeutics
that can be coughed or sneezed to a distance of up to two metres. Droplets can survive on surfaces for several hours enabling pick-up by a new host, or they can be directly inhaled if another person is in close proximity. Studies are emerging into animal hosts – so far the virus has been detected in a few ferrets, cats, tigers and dogs. No animal deaths have yet been reported, and we don’t know if animals can transmit back to humans. the age differential in fatalities for Covid-19 suggests, with some exceptions, that a healthy immune system is usually able to control infection. Meanwhile, an ageing or weakened immune system may struggle to deploy a protective arsenal. Importantly, Sars-Cov-2 cannot gain entry to our homes or bodies by itself – we have to let it in. this is why official advice has centred around cleaning our hands and avoiding touching our faces. We know that a healthy immune system is usually able to eliminate infection in a couple of weeks. However, we have no understanding of the components of our immune arsenal that contribute to this feat: some vaccines work by creating potent neutralising antibodies; other vaccines generate powerful memory t-cells. Antiviral antibodies emerge as early as three to four days after virus detection, but are they protective against future reinfection? We believe that antibodies to other coronaviruses (Sars, Mers) last from one to three years. Because this is a new virus, we don’t yet know the answer to this question. Public Health england is recruiting 16,000 to 20,000 volunteers to
monitor antibodies once a month for six to 12 months to confirm whether we can generate long-lasting antibody responses to Sars-Cov-2. Determining the quality of these antibodies will be important to understanding long-term protection. What is our most potent immune weapon against Covid-19? Cytotoxic t-cells may play an important role. Immunologists and virologists are working together to discover the correlates of protection, to design vaccines that offer long-term defences against Covid-19. Years of investment in research means that we can use existing approaches to respond to this new threat, and early mobilisation of research funders, philanthropists and academics are diverting resources to bolster these efforts on an unprecedented scale. experience has taught us that vaccines are able to eradicate infections from this planet (for instance, smallpox), and medicines against viruses that don’t embed their genetic material to our own (for example, hepatitis C) can also achieve this. Our secret weapon is research. Scientists are working hard on understanding Covid19, and collaboration is key to this effort. But until a vaccine or treatment is available, we ought to work hard to protect ourselves and our families: isolate and prevent transmission by using physical distancing, face masks and sensible hygiene. Zania Stamataki is a senior lecturer and researcher in viral immunology at the University of Birmingham.
No mask, no shoes, no service CALIFORNIA HAS NEW CORONAVIRUS REQUIREMENTS
national interest
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Hunter Derensis
DeBAte over the efficacy of wearing masks to protect from the coronavirus has occurred for weeks. It now seems apparent that insistence that masks were not effective at containing the spread of the disease was part of a purposeful disinformation campaign by some public health officials and elements of the media. the reason for this was to prevent a run on masks when they are most needed by medical personnel. Shortages of personal protective equipment have become more noticeable, with many people having no recourse but to craft their own masks out of household supplies. As it becomes acknowledged that masks are able to lessen the chance of catching or spreading the coronavirus, many public officials—contrary to earlier ad-
vice—are now requesting that people begin wearing them. In an aggressive policy action, Los Angeles, California has become one of the country’s first localities to mandate the use of face masks while shopping at essential businesses. the requirement will commence midnight as thursday turns to friday. Starting then, all customers entering the necessary businesses that have been allowed to stay open despite the quarantine must be wearing some kind of cloth mask. these businesses include grocery stores, pharmacies, hotels, and any kind of taxi or ride-sharing service. these locations are permitted to refuse service to anyone not covering their mouth and nose. All employees of these businesses must wear masks as well, and employers must reimburse the cost of such items. Included in the new rule are regulations on essential businesses mandating that they ensure every worker has access to a clean restroom and has an opportunity to wash their hands at a minimum of thirtyminute intervals. While Los Angeles public health officials have recommended implementing the use of plexiglass doors between employees and customers where possible, this was not included in the order. Hunter DeRensis is the senior reporter for the National Interest.
On hydroxychloroquine export
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Hindu
fter imposing a blanket ban on the export of anti-malaria drug hydroxychloroquine on April 4, without exemptions on humanitarian or other grounds, India reversed the policy two days later. the decision to reverse the ban was made public hours after U.S. President Donald trump warned of “retaliation” if India withheld supplies of the drug for which orders had already been placed. Given the circumstances, it would be difficult to believe that the decision to lift the restriction was taken independent of U.S. pressure. But the pandemic has seen several countries displaying solidarity and cooperation providing essential supplies to others even while tackling the novel coronavirus in their own backyards. Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s message to Mr. trump that “India shall do everything possible to help humanity’s fight against COVID19” should, therefore, be seen in that light. Lauded as the pharmacy of the global south, India’s decision to export the drug on humanitarian grounds to neighbouring countries and others that have been badly hit by the pandemic is welcome. till recently India relied solely on other countries for test supplies and may look to others for essential materials if the situation worsens. Also, India may have much to gain from the U.S. in the future by this diplomatic act of supplying the drug at a crucial time. the sudden demand for hydroxychloroquine across the world arose after Mr. trump championed it as treatment for COVID-19 patients. the drug became much sought-after in India after the Indian Council of
IRRESPECTIVE OF WHETHER INDIA BOWED TO US PRESSURE, IT IS UNLIKELY TO RUN OUT OF THE DRUG Medical research approved its use as prophylaxis for novel coronavirus by certain categories of people on March 23. two days later, the drug was placed in the restricted category for export and included in schedule H1 on March 26 to prevent its sale over the counter, thereby preventing self-medication and hoarding. this was also to ensure its availability to people with rheumatoid arthritis and other conditions. India has a production capacity of 200 million hydroxychloroquine tablets of 200 mg strength each month and three well-established pharmaceutical companies make the drug. While the capacity is sufficient to meet the current demand, the companies are confident of ramping up production if the need arises. In all likelihood, in the short term, India might not run out of hydroxychloroquine as the national taskforce for COVID-19 had relied on weak, anecdotal evidence to make the recommendation. though the U.S. food and Drug Administration issued an emergency use authorisation for the drug to treat COVID-19 patients, on April 7, the Atlanta-based Centers for Disease Control and Prevention revised its position saying there is no drug available to prevent or treat COVID-19. Clearly, more research work is needed to establish the efficacy of the drug.
Saturday, 11 April, 2020
BUSINESS 09
SBP to BuSineSSeS: StoP firing PeoPle, get a loan BUSINESSES CAN GET LOANS FROM BANKS TO COVER SALARIES FROM APRIL TO JUNE 2020 KARACHI MEIRYUM ALI
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Car sales plunge 47pc in nine months ISLAMABAD APP
Car sales in the country plunged by 46.8 per cent during the first nine months (July-March) of the current fiscal year (2019-20). Car sales went down from 160,359 units in July-March of FY19 to 85,330 units in the same period of FY20, according to data released by the Pakistan Automobile Manufacturers Association (MAPA) on Friday. On a year-on-year basis, car sales also witnessed a decline of 70.86pc as it went down to 5,796 in March this year from 19,897 units in the same month a year ago. According to the company-wise bifurcation, the sale of Honda cars (Civic and City) decreased by 63pc to 11,989 units in the first three quarters of the current fiscal year against the sale of 32,209 cars in same period of last year. On a yearly basis, the sale of Honda cars went down to 1,327 units in March this year from the sale of 3,449 units in same month a year ago. Similarly, the sale of Suzuki Swift declined to 1,548 units in July-March FY20 as compared to the sale of 3,610 units in the same month of FY19. The sale of Toyota Corolla decreased by 51pc to 20,991 units in 9MFY20 from 42,989 units in the same period of FY19. Likewise, the sale of Suzuki Cultus also witnessed a decline of 38pc as it went down from 17,038 units in July-March (2018-19) to 10,555 units in same period of the current fiscal year. On a yearly basis, only 710 Suzuki Cultus cars were sold during the month of March against the sale of 2,253 units in the same month a year ago. The sale of Suzuki Wagon R also witnessed a huge decline of 75pc as it declined to 6,122 units from 24,582 units. The sale of Suzuki Bolan declined by 67pc to 4,467 units in July-March (2019-20) against the sale of 13,529 units in the same period of last year. Similarly the sale of Suzuki Alto plunged by 45.43pc to 884 units in March when compared to the sale of 1,620 units in the preceding month of February 2020. In total, 27,956 units of Suzuki Alto were sold during the first nine months of the current fiscal year.
HE State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) has introduced a temporary scheme for businesses to get loans from banks, to incentivise them to not layoff their workers during the COVID19 pandemic, according to a statement issued by the central bank on Friday. The details of the new scheme, called ‘Refinance Scheme for Payment of Wages and Salaries to the Workers and Employees of Business Concerns’ was spelled out in two circulars issued by the SBP’s Infrastructure, Housing and SME Housing department to presidents of all banks and Islamic finance institutions. The scheme is available to all businesses in Pakistan through banks, and covers all employees, in-
cluding permanent, contractual, daily wages, and outsourced workers. The scheme will provide financing for wages and salaries expenses for three months from April to June 2020, for those businesses which do not layoff their employees for those three months. The mark-up on the loans under this scheme will be up to 5pc. Borrowers that are on the active taxpayers list will be able to get loans at a further reduced mark-up rate of 4pc. Businesses with a three-month wage and salary expense of up to Rs200 million can avail the full amount in financing; those with a three-month wage and salary expense greater than Rs200 million and less than Rs500 million can avail up to 75pc; while those with a three-month wage and salary expense greater than Rs500 million can avail up to 50pc. The SBP said the scheme was designed to give a preference to smaller businesses. Banks will not charge any loan processing fee, credit limit fee or prepayment penalties for loans under this scheme. Additionally, borrowers will have a grace period of six months, and the repayment of the principal payment can be made in two years.
'Liquidity constraints': Steelmakers appeal to operate during lockdown SAY CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY WILL NOT BE ABLE TO COMMENCE OPERATIONS WITHOUT STEEL PRODUCTS ISLAMABAD STAFF REPORT
In line with other industries, the country's steel industry has also sought exemption from the ongoing lockdown, as "it is finding it difficult to even pay salaries to the employees". "The prime minister had announced a special package for the construction industry, but there were no incentives for the steel sector, which is the backbone of the construction industry," said a statement issued by the Pakistan Association of Large Steel Producers (PALSP) on Friday. It stated that the ongoing lockdown caused by COVID-
19 outbreak have pushed the steel industry towards a crisislike situation, adding that in order to minimise the losses of the industry, the government must immediately open the sector. "If necessary decisions are not taken immediately, the construction industry will not be able to commence operations on April 14th, as there will be no steel available," the statement read. "It will take at least one week for the manufacturers to produce steel and make it available on construction sites." The association demanded the government to open steel industry latest by April 15, after which most of PALSP member
companies would be forced to go move ahead with layoffs. "Steel is the biggest consumer of electricity and at this point in time, the IPPs are being paid on their ‘capacity charges’ whilst they are not producing any electricity. This issue can be resolved with the opening of the steel industry, which will reduce financial burden from the shoulders of the government," the association stated. The industry has consumed Rs8 billion worth electricity in the month of March. In case the lockdown continues and the industry is not allowed to resume operations, servicing of these payments would be next to impossible. Quoting the PM's statement of 'Corona se darna nahi, larna hai', the association stated that "we must ensure economic uplift of the country instead of bowing before the COVID-19”.
Govt releases over Rs21bn DLTL refunds for industries ISLAMABAD GHULAM ABBAS
In order to ensure that exporters pay dues to their employees amid industrial shutdown in the country, the Ministry of Commerce on Friday released Rs21.325 billion of Drawback of Local Taxes and Levy (DLTL) refunds to textile and nontextile sectors. According to Adviser to Prime Minister on Commerce and Textile Abdul Razak Dawood, DLTL refunds of Rs20.5 billion for textile and Rs0.828 billion for the non-textile sector were re-
leased by the commerce ministry to support the industry and export sector. “I am pleased to announce that DLTL refunds of Rs20.5 billion for textiles and Rs0.828 billion for the non-textile sector have been released by the Ministry of Commerce," the adviser tweeted on Friday. “I hope that our businessmen will now use this liquidity to look after their workers during these challenging times," Dawood added. Last week, the adviser stated that the government had offered a Rs100billion support package to the industrial
sector in wake of the crisis caused by COVID- 19 pandemic. “We are continuously in contact with all major industrial sectors, including textiles and construction. After holding necessary consultations, the government will give incentives to the priority areas so as to ensure industrial revival in the country," Dawood had said. In December 2019, the government had settled Rs17.6 billion worth of claims on account of duty drawback of taxes and drawback of local taxes and levies pending for over a decade to tex-
tile exporters. The refunds were related to claims of 2009-11, 2014-15, 2015-16, 2016-17, 2017-18, and 2018-21. The State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) in 2018 had notified the procedure for providing DLTL (non-textile) to the exporters of eligible products. As per the procedure, 50pc of the rate of drawback would be provided to exporters without the condition of increment in exports of goods. “The remaining 50pc will be provided only if the exporter achieves an increase of 10pc or more in exports over a fiscal year.”
Banks will have to report weekly to the SBP on the scheme, including the reasoning behind any denial of financing requests. “One of the main benefits of the scheme is that employers that retain workers on their payroll will be able to restore or increase production quickly once the situation normalizes,” the central bank said. “The scheme will ease the liquidity constraints of the businesses and they can use their available financial resources to meet other working capital requirements.” This is not the only measure the SBP has taken to combat the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic in Pakistan, with the central bank announcing a spate of new relaxations in the space of just three weeks. On March 17, it announced the Temporary Economic Refinance Facility (TERF) for supporting new investment in the country. On March 24, the central bank announced relaxation in credit financing for exporters and importers, and then two days later, announced a relief package for borrowers. In April, the SBP also allowed hospitals to make advance payments for medical equipment and medicines related to COVID-19.
Weekly inflation falls 0.44pc INFLATION DROPS TO 8.2PC FOLLOWING A DECLINE IN FOOD PRICES ISLAMABAD APP
The Sensitive Price Indicator (SPI)-based weekly inflation for the combined consumption group witnessed a decline of 0.44pc during the week ending April 9, as compared to the previous week. According to data released by the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS), the SPI for the week under review in the above mentioned group was recorded at 124.97 points, as against 125.52 points in the previous week. However, as compared to the corresponding week of last year, the SPI for the combined consumption group during the week under review witnessed an increase of 8.20pc. The weekly SPI is computed with base year 2015-16, covering 17 urban centres and 51 essential items for all expenditure groups. The SPI for the lowest consumption group, up to Rs17,732, witnessed a 0.67pc decrease, from 131.03 points last week to 130.15 points during the week under review. Meanwhile, the SPI for the consumption groups from Rs17,733-Rs22,888, Rs22,889-Rs29,517, Rs29,518-Rs44,175 and above Rs44,175 per month also decreased by 0.59pc, 0.51pc, 0.45pc and 0.38pc, respectively. During the outgoing week, the prices of 14 items decreased, 26 items increased while that of 27 items remained unchanged. The items that recorded a decrease in their average prices included onions, garlic, tomatoes, potatoes, wheat flour, sugar, vegetable ghee, eggs and cooking oil. On the other hand, commodities which recorded an increase in their prices included pulses (moong, masoor, mash, gram), bananas, beef, gur, mutton, washing soap, chicken, rice (irri 6/9), mustard oil and milk (fresh and powdered). Similarly, the prices of the commodities that observed no change during the week included rice (basmati broken), bread, curd, salt, chillies, tea (packet), cooked beef, cooked daal, tea (prepared), cigarettes, long cloth, shirting, lawn, georgette, gents sandal, gents sponge chappal, ladies sandal, electricity charges, gas charges, firewood, energy saver, matchbox, petrol, diesel, telephone call and toilet soap. According to PBS analysis, the decrease in weekly inflatin was mainly due to a decline in the prices of food items, including onions (18.15pc), garlic (12.02pc), tomatoes (7.34pc), potatoes (5.65pc), wheat flour (2.57pc), sugar (0.91pc), vegetable ghee (0.52pc), eggs (0.47pc) and cooking oil 5kg (0.37pc).
MARKET DAILY
Stocks gain 195 points in volatile session KARACHI STAFF REPORT
The Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) witnessed a volatile session on Friday, with the benchmark KSE-100 Index making a swift recovery after early tremors. Foreign investors remained net sellers in the previous session (Thursday), recording a net outflow of $3.34 million. The Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) and major producers, led by Russia, agreed to cut output by
10 million barrels a day, which according to analysts was much lower than the market expectation. "Resultantly, oil & gas chain saw selling pressure/profit booking and closed in the red," said an analyst at Arif Habib Ltd. "The cement sector continued displaying strength on the government's 'construction relief package' as well as due to 'lockdown relaxations' extended by provincial governments. The KSE-100 Index started the session on a negative note, recording its intraday low at 31,377.10 after shedding 460.20 points.
However, the index changed direction thereon and touched its intraday high at 32,086.10 (+248.80 points). It finally settled higher by 195.90 points at 32,033.20. Among other indices, the KMI-30 Index accumulated 64.72 points to close at 50,588.97, while the KSE All Share Index gained 47.49 points, closing at 22,695.46. Of the total traded scrips, 168 advanced and 110 declined. The overall market volumes shrunk from 205.15 million in the previous session to 126.72 million, with Hascol Petroleum Lim-
ited (HASCOL -2.26pc), K-Electric Limited (KEL +1.04pc) and Maple Leaf Cement Factory Limited (MLCF +0.21pc) topping the volume chart. The scrips had exchanged 11.94 million, 10.55 million and 10.15 million, respectively. Sectors that kept the KSE-100 Index afloat included banking (+104.85 points), fertiliser (+51.46 points) and technology & communication (+23.94 points). Among the companies, Bank AlFalah Limited (BAFL +33.77 points), Engro Corporation Limited (ENGRO +32.83 points) and MCB Bank
Limited (MCB +19.33 points) contributed maximum points to the index. In a notification to exchange, Nishat Mills Limited (NML -0.16pc) announced that it has partially resumed production activities in view of the relaxation allowed to the textile industry from the ongoing lockdown. Meanwhile, Sazgar Engineering Works Limited (SAZEW +0.48pc) released its production and sales figures for March 2020. As per the data, the company produced 803 units last month, selling 647 of them.
Saturday, 11 April, 2020
10 FOREIGN NEWS
UN chief callS for SolidaritY amoNg diScordaNt SecUritY coUNcil over coroNavirUS criSiS
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AGENCIES
N Secretary General Antonio Guterres urged the Security Council on Thursday to display unity as it met to discuss what he called the "fight of a generation" -- the global coronavirus pandemic. "A signal of unity and resolve from the Council would count for a lot at this anxious time," Guterres told the divided body holding its first meeting about the crisis. The meeting of the 15-member Security Council is being held behind closed doors by videoconference but the UN released a copy of the secretary general's remarks. "The engagement of the Security Council will be critical to mitigate the peace and security implications of the COVID-19 pandemic," Guterres said. "To prevail against the pandemic today, we will need to work together," he said. "That means heightened solidarity. "This is the fight of a generation -- and the raison d'être of the United Nations itself," he said. Security Council members gathered after weeks of disagreement -- especially between the United States and China, where
the coronavirus outbreak began in December. Led by Germany, the meeting was requested last week by nine of the council's 10 non-permanent members who were fed up with the body's inaction over the unprecedented global crisis. Though the council meeting was closeddoor, several ambassadors taking part released extracts of their remarks on Twitter or to re-
War-ravaged Yemen confirms first coronavirus case
porters.While Germany described the pandemic as an "international peace and security issue," several other countries, notably Russia, China and South Africa, said health matters were not part of the Security Council's brief. France, meanwhile, confirmed that it would provide 1.2 billion euros ($1.3 billion) to fight the virus in Africa. Non-permanent member Estonia, for its
part, said holding the Security Council meeting was "better late than never," a jab at those seen as delaying the talks. 'MISSING IN ACTION': Ahead of the meeting, the United States and China had been arguing over the origins of the virus, which President Donald Trump has referred to as the "Chinese virus." There were two competing draft resolutions up for debate. One, spearheaded by Tunisia on behalf of the 10 non-permanent members and obtained by AFP, calls for "an urgent, coordinated and united international action to curb the impact of COVID-19." It calls for the Security Council to "monitor the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on international peace and security and asks the Secretary General to brief the Council on such developments when appropriate." It also seeks an "immediate global ceasefire to allow for adequate humanitarian response" to the pandemic. That draft resolution has been in development since March 30 and has only been discussed by the 10 non-permanent members. The second text, proposed by France,
17 million lose their jobs in US amid pandemic AGENCIES
Yemen reported its first case of the novel coronavirus on Friday as aid groups braced for an outbreak in a country where war has shattered health systems and spread hunger and disease. The news of the laboratory-confirmed case came after a nationwide ceasefire prompted by the virus pandemic began on Thursday. A Saudi-led coalition fighting Yemen’s Houthi movement announced it would halt military operations for two weeks, though the Houthis have yet to agree. The case was diagnosed in the southern oil-producing region of Hadhramout, an area controlled by Yemen’s internationally-recognised government, the supreme national emergency committee said. The person was “stable and receiving medical attention”. A local official told Reuters the person was a Yemeni working in the small commercial port of Ash Shihr. If the virus spreads in Yemen, the impact would be “catastrophic”, its U.N. humanitarian coordinator, Lise Grande, told Reuters on Thursday, as the health status of at least half the population is “very degraded” and the country does not have sufficient supplies or facilities. Authorities ordered the closure of Ash Shihr port for a week for deep cleaning and instructed workers there to isolate at home for two weeks, according to a directive seen by Reuters. They also imposed a 12-hour nightly curfew in all Hadhramout districts starting from 6:00 pm Friday until further notice. Civil defence vehicles near the port were ordering people through loudspeakers to stay home, residents said. “Today we heard that there’s coronavirus and stayed home. May God protect the country and our families,” said local resident Mazen Salem, a father of two. AGENCIES
US unemployment is rising at a jarring rate, with data released Thursday showing 17 million people have lost their jobs since mid-March as officials scramble to apply a tourniquet to stem the damage from the coronavirus pandemic. The Federal Reserve launched a series of new lending programs Thursday to pump $2.3 trillion into the damaged US economy, but Fed Chair Jerome Powell tried to offer reassurance, saying the recovery could be "robust." The Fed's announcement came at the same time as the Labor Department's latest weekly report showed 6.6 million more people filed for unemployment benefits last week, following 6.9 million in the prior week and 3.3 million in the week ended March 21. That is a stunning reversal for the world's largest economy where the jobless rate was near historic lows before it was forced to shut down to stop the spread of COVID-19. Analysts expect the malaise to persist for months, with the jobless rate surging into double digits in April, as President Donald Trump eyes getting the country back in business. Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin meanwhile gave a more definitive timeframe, saying on CNBC businesses could restart as soon as May. "As soon as the President feels comfortable with the medical issues, we are (doing) everything necessary (so) that American companies and American workers can be open for
focuses on Guterres's call last month to cease all hostilities around the world as part of a "humanitarian pause" to fight the pandemic. That one has only had input from the five permanent members -- Britain, China, France, Russia and the United States -which diplomats from non-permanent countries told AFP has been "very frustrating." France has argued that the so-called P5 need to smooth out their differences before any wider negotiations with the council. But efforts to convene a meeting of the five have been stymied by the hospitalization of British Prime Minister Boris Johnson, who has the COVID-19 illness, and Chinese reticence to participate without first setting a clear agenda. While Gutteres has been outspoken about the crisis and the 193 members of the UN General Assembly unanimously adopted a resolution calling for "cooperation," an ambassador to the UN described the Security Council as "missing in action." In the Security Council, at least nine votes out of 15 are necessary to adopt a resolution, without a veto by one of the five permanent members.
South Korea reports recovered coronavirus patients testing positive again AGENCIES
business and that they have the liquidity that they need to operate their businesses in the interim," he said. The unemployment data indicate the coronavirus pandemic is set to eclipse job losses from the 2008 financial crisis, and International Monetary Fund chief Kristalina Georgieva warned Thursday that the world faces the worst global emergency since the Great Depression. The 17 million total unemployed in the US "is just over half the nearly 30 million in job losses we expect to result from the spread of the coronavirus, which would be three times the number of job losses that occurred" during the last recession, Oxford Economics said, projecting the unemployment rate reaching 14 percent in April and 16 percent in May. HITTING THE BOTTOM? The US government has mobi-
lized to stem the losses, with the Federal Reserve announcing on Thursday a new $2.3 trillion financing measure aimed at helping businesses, households and state and local governments facing a cash crunch. Included in the measures is the Main Street Lending Program, which may purchase up to $600 billion in loans owed by small- and mediumsized firms "that were in good financial standing before the crisis," the Fed said in a statement. Another program, the Municipal Liquidity Facility, will offer up to $500 billion in lending to states and municipalities by directly purchasing short-term debt. The Fed also is backstopping the new Paycheck Protection Program launched last week as part of the massive $2.2 trillion rescue package Congress approved late last month.
South Korean officials on Friday reported 91 patients thought cleared of the new coronavirus had tested positive again. Jeong Eun-kyeong, director of the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (KCDC), told a briefing that the virus may have been “reactivated” rather than the patients being re-infected. South Korean health officials said it remains unclear what is behind the trend, with epidemiological investigations still under way. The prospect of people being re-infected with the virus is of international concern, as many countries are hoping that infected populations will develop sufficient immunity to prevent a resurgence of the pandemic. The South Korean figure had risen from 51 such cases on Monday. Nearly 7,000 South Koreans have been reported as recovered from COVID-19, the disease caused by the new coronavirus. “The number will only increase, 91 is just the beginning now,” said Kim Woo-joo, professor of infectious diseases at Korea University Guro Hospital. The KCDC’s Jeong raised the possibility that rather than patients being re-infected, the virus may have been “reactivated”. Kim also said patients had likely “relapsed” rather than been re-infected. False test results could also be at fault, other experts said, or remnants of the virus could still be in patients’ systems but not be infectious or of danger to the host or others. “There are different interpretations and many variables,” said Jung Ki-suck, professor of pulmonary medicine at Hallym University Sacred Heart Hospital. “The government needs to come up with responses for each of these variables”.
In global war on coronavirus, some fear civil rights are collateral damage LONDON/BANGKOK/DELHI AGENCIES
In Armenia, journalists must by law include information from the government in their stories about COVID-19. In the Philippines, the president has told security forces that if anyone violates the lockdown they should “shoot them dead”. In Hungary, the premier can rule by decree indefinitely. Across Europe, the Middle East, Asia, Africa and the Americas, governments have introduced states of emergency to combat the spread of the new coronavirus, imposing some of the most stringent restrictions on civil liberties since the attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, lawyers and human rights campaigners said. While such experts agree extraordinary measures are needed to tackle the deadliest pandemic in a century, some are worried about an erosion of core rights, and the risk that sweeping measures will not be rolled back afterwards. “In many ways, the virus risks replicating the reaction to Sept. 11,” said Kenneth Roth, executive director of Human Rights
Watch, referring to the welter of security and surveillance legislation imposed around the world after the al Qaeda attacks on the United States that killed nearly 3,000 people. “People were fearful and asked governments to protect them. Many governments took advantage of that to undermine rights in ways that far outlasted the terrorist threat,” he told Reuters. Roth was speaking about legislation in countries including the United States, Britain and EU states which increased collection of visa and immigrant data and counter-terrorism powers. Some measures imposed in response to a crisis can become normalised, such as longer security queues at airports as a tradeoff for feeling safer flying. In the wake of the coronavirus outbreak, similar trade-offs may become widely acceptable around issues such as surveillance, according to some political and social commentators. South Korea’s use of mobile phone and other data to track potential carriers of the virus and impose quarantines has been a successful strategy and is a model that could be replicated around the world to guard against
pandemics, they say. Political consultant Bruno Macaes, a former Portuguese minister, said people’s obsession with privacy had made it harder to combat threats like pandemics, when technology to trace the virus could help. “I am more and more convinced the greatest battle of our time is against the ‘religion of privacy’. It literally could get us all killed,” he added. EXTRAORDINARY CRISIS: As the virus has spread from China across the world, with more than 1.4 million people infected and 82,000 dead, governments have passed laws and issued executive orders. The first priority of the measures is to protect public health and limit the spread of the disease. “It’s quite an extraordinary crisis, and I don’t really have trouble with a government doing sensible if extraordinary things to protect people,” said Clive Stafford-Smith, a leading civil rights lawyer. The U.S.-headquartered International Center for Not-For-Profit Law has set up a database to track legislation and how it impinges on civic freedoms and human rights.
CMYK
By its count, 68 countries have so far made emergency declarations, while nine have introduced measures that affect expression, 11 have ratcheted up surveillance and a total of 72 have imposed restrictions on assembly. EXTRAORDINARY POWERS: In Hungary for example, Prime Minister Viktor Orban, whose party dominates parliament, has been granted the right to rule by decree in order to fight the epidemic, with no time-limit on those powers and the ability to jail people for up to five years if they spread false information or hinder efforts to quell the virus. The Hungarian government said the
law empowered it to adopt only measures for “preventing, controlling and eliminating” the coronavirus. Spokesman Zolan Kovacs said nobody knew how long the pandemic would persist, but that parliament could revoke the extra powers. In Cambodia, meanwhile, an emergency law has been drafted to give additional powers to Hun Sen, who has been in office for 35 years and has been condemned by Western countries for a crackdown on opponents, civil rights groups and the media. The law is for three months and can be extended if needed.
Saturday, 11 April, 2020
SPORTS 11
Pakistan hoPes untaPPeD mountains coulD lure foreign skiers
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T survived the dark days of Taliban rule, the destruction of its main hotel and a major flood. Now, the little Pakistani ski resort of Malam Jabba is facing a new challenge from the coronavirus pandemic, just as it had hoped to showcase its revamped facilities to the world. The ski season was brought to an abrupt end last month, with the resort closing as the scale of the coronavirus crisis became evident and much of Pakistan went into lockdown. “We hope it will be recovered in a couple of months,” said Syed Adnan, a spokesman for the now-deserted Malam Jabba resort. “Unluckily, it is not the first time here people have (faced challenges). First, the Taliban, then a flood, and now the coronavirus that is destroying their lives.” Until its closure last month, Malam Jabba had been boasting of its renaissance and a lofty goal of bringing international skiers to Pakistan, a Himalayan country boasting epic peaks but which still struggles with tourism. “We want to be an international hub for people around the world,” Jalal Bacha, Malam Jabba’s chief technician, told AFP
during a recent visit, shortly before the virus lockdown started. Officials hope Malam Jabba can showcase the country’s stated goal of changing international perception of Pakistan from “terrorism to tourism destination” — a phrase Prime Minister Imran Khan’s political party has used. With a tree-lined piste, competitive slalomers swooshing through the snow and soaring peaks in the distance, it is hard to imagine Malam Jabba and the surrounding
Defiant cyclists reject universal wage cut amid coronavirus chaos A universal wage cut to limit the damage inflicted by the coronavirus pandemic on world cycling is off the table, the sport’s Swiss-based association of professional riders insisted on Friday. The professional cyclists’ association (CPA) says it is ready to compromise but will never accept an acrossthe-board salary reduction. Professional cycling faces uncertainty due to the shutdown and should the 2020 Tour de France be cancelled, it is feared sponsors will flee the sport. All riders under a contract with a World Tour, Pro Continental or Continental team are members of the CPA, whose statutes are protected by Swiss law. Several top World Tour teams — CCC, Mitchelton, Astana, Bahrain and Lotto — have introduced wage cuts, in some cases up to 80 percent, for the duration of the lockdown after the teams’ association AIGCP asked riders to be flexible. “We’re ready to listen and to make compromises for the good of the whole sport,” said former rider Gianni Bugno, president of the CPA. “But at the same time we will be vigilant to avoid any speculation and to limit the difficulties the riders and their families face. “We accept the flexibility the AIGCP has requested but the rules have to be respected. “It’s not acceptable to make major cuts to salaries without the proof that the contracts cannot be respected. “We hope everyone will try to find the best solution so that riders, team staff and anyone from the cycling family is not abandoned.” CALL FOR UNITY: CPA secretary general Laura Mora called for unity in the sport, which has already seen the Giro d’Italia and several of the prestigious spring classics cancelled this season. “We’re all in the same boat, in the middle of a storm and so to save everyone, we’ve got to respect the common principles and really work as a team,” she said. The world championships in both mountain bike and BMX have also been called off, but the road world championships scheduled for Switzerland at the end of September remain on the calendar. However, the International Cycling Union said on Thursday it had received more than 650 requests for postponements or cancellations of events over a period extending to the month of August. Some teams fear the worst with no end in sight to the current suspension. “Without the Tour de France, cycling would have a very big problem,” Ralph Denk, boss of German team BoraHansgrohe, told German daily Die Welt. Patrick Lefevere, the head of the Deceuninck utfit, faced with a possible reduction in investment from his main sponsor, said some cycling teams would be unable to recover if the Tour was scrapped. “If the Tour were not to be raced, it would be a hard blow that (Tour organisers) ASO could probably absorb, but not the teams,” he told Belgian newspaper Het Nieuwsblad. “It could bring down the whole model on which our sport is built.” The Tour de France is scheduled to run from June 27 until July 19. AGENCIES
valley under the control of the Pakistani Taliban from 2007-2009. Nestled in the stunning vistas of the Swat Valley in northwest Pakistan close to the Afghan border, development at Malam Jabba began in the 1980s with help from the Austrian government, who paid for the chairlift. By the early 2000s, the resort and associated businesses were employing hundreds of people. That all stopped when the Tehreek-eTaliban Pakistan (TTP, or Pakistani Tal-
iban) gained control. The insurgents had grown as a force in the early years of America’s “War on Terror” that started in 2001 and saw jihadist groups coalesce in the Afghan-Pakistan border region. In 2008, the TTP destroyed the resort’s hotel and dismantled the chairlift. “They cut the pillars to sell the steel,” recalled Sayed Liaqat Ali, a 28-year-old driver who said his two aunts were murdered by the Taliban. “They were coming home after the curfew so they shot them.” HIPPIE HOTSPOT: Impoverished Pakistan, which owes billions of dollars to the International Monetary Fund and China, is desperate for foreign cash and under Khan is trying to revive the neglected tourism sector. Last year, Islamabad introduced an electronic visa system, making it easier for visitors to come. International tourist numbers had increased steadily in recent years, though the coronavirus pandemic has all but stopped visits for now. Once a favourite stop along the “hippie trail” that brought stoners and enlightenment-seekers overland from Europe to India in the 1960s, Pakistan’s international image collapsed after the September 11, 2001 attacks that highlighted Islamabad’s support for the Afghan Taliban, who harboured Al-Qaeda.
Women’s game must not be forgotten in football’s fight for survival: Hegerberg AGENCIES Ada Hegerberg’s voice in football is a powerful one given she claimed the first ever women’s Ballon d’Or, owns four Champions League titles with Lyon and has earned her place among the finest female players on the planet, all by the age of 24. Hegerberg’s talent is matched too by a fearlessness in standing up for the rights of her gender in her sport. She refused to play for Norway at last year’s World Cup due to perceived inequality with the men’s team and drew widespread praise after collecting her Ballon d’Or in 2018, having refused to indulge a request that she ‘twerk’ on stage. Yet even for one of the game’s most successful players, the sprawling effects of the coronavirus pandemic bring doubt. “It’s a strange situation for everyone,” Hegerberg says in a telephone interview with AFP. “Everything is uncertain.” Unable to see her husband in Poland or her family in Norway, Hegerberg is confined to her apartment in the French city of Lyon, where she is recovering from the anterior cruciate ligament injury she suffered in January. She has an exercise bike, physios, who visit but maintain the health measures in place, and history books. “I’m reading Ken Follett at the moment - history in the 13th century, it takes your mind off things a bit,” she says.
FIGHT FOR PROMINENCE: But Hegerberg is concerned about the future too and she is adamant the women’s game must not be forgotten in football’s fight for survival. “It’s very, very important women’s football doesn’t lose position,” Hegerberg says. “Obviously men’s football is in first place, with all the questions about money and when leagues will restart, but it is very important women’s football pushes for position as well. “We will be sitting in the second row in all of this but we can’t fade into the background.” Most women’s teams in Europe operate at a financial loss, relying instead on the profits of men’s sides until progress allows them to support themselves. But football’s economic crash as a result of coronavirus means nothing is guaranteed. FINANCIAL STRUGGLE: With even the world’s biggest clubs taking
measures to avoid extinction, the fear is staff, players and even teams on the women’s side will be deemed expendable. “Women’s football is still in its beginning phase and we have to push for the same rights, whatever gets decided, and we have to push for the same changes we were pushing for before,” says Hegerberg. “We also need men’s football to be stable so we have our position and get that financial help before we can support ourselves. “If you see how the biggest men’s clubs are struggling, you can only imagine how this is going to affect women’s teams.” Players have come under pressure to help clubs and their lower-earners through wage cuts but blanket agreements have proven difficult to achieve. Lyon are yet to confirm reductions but Hegerberg, whose reported 400,000-euro ($440,000) annual salary puts her among the highest earners in the women’s game, insists players are ready to help. “We are in discussions at the moment but for me, as an individual player, I’ll do whatever is necessary to help the club,” she says. “We can all make a difference. We all have our own opinions but my view is, ‘how we can help?’ I can’t speak for all clubs but players want to make sure we come out of this. Crises can create solidarity too.”
man utd’s maguire offers food packages to elderly Manchester United captain Harry Maguire has agreed to supply a food package of everyday essentials to the elderly during the coronavirus lockdown. Maguire and his father approached Herrings Top Shop in Mosborough, his hometown near Sheffield in the north of England, about the idea of giving the parcels to those aged 70 and over or their carers in the area. “I am very proud of my Mosborough roots - it’s where I grew up and where my family still live. I come back to visit everyone as much as I can,” Maguire said on Friday. “There’s always been a real sense of community in the area which is more important than ever at the moment. In times like these you think a lot about your loved ones and those that are more elderly. “My family and I hope that this provides a small comfort to people who might be struggling.” England defender Maguire has been at the forefront of football’s bid to help with the pandemic. He coordinated United’s response to the PlayersTogether initiative, with Premier League stars joining forces to help generate funds for NHS charities during the Covid-19 crisis. The Premier League is suspended for the foreseeable future, but the 27-year-old remains in contact with his United team-mates and is adhering to a regime his club have sent him. “Like everyone, I’m keeping to the government advice and trying to make the best of the situation,” Maguire said. “My daughter is too young to understand what’s going on right now, but she’ll read about these times in the years to come. “I’m also keeping active and following the training programme that United have given me within the confines of my back garden! AGENCIES
hampshire cancel lyon deal amid virus chaos Australia spinner Nathan Lyon will not play for English county Hampshire this year after a mutual decision was made to cancel his contract because of the coronavirus chaos. Lyon is third on Australia’s all-time Test wicket-taker list with 390 scalps and his signing was a big coup for Hampshire. But the start of the English domestic season has been postponed until at least May 28 because of the pandemic. Lyon was due to play for Hampshire for a “significant” portion of the County Championship campaign until the ongoing health crisis prompted both parties to call off the deal. Giles White, Hampshire’s director of cricket, said on Friday: “These are obviously very uncertain and challenging times, and it’s clear the issues cricket currently faces will contribute to the way in which counties are able to operate and prepare for this season. “As a result of this and following conversations with Nathan and his management, it was mutually agreed that he would no longer us this season.". AGENCIES
Olympic dreams on hold for Japan volunteers, hosts AGENCIES Japanese Olympic volunteer Ami Endo has dreamed for years of seeing the Games, but despite her crushing disappointment over Tokyo 2020 being postponed, she is determined to be part of next year’s edition. It’s a “once-in-a-lifetime event,” the 19-year-old university student told AFP not long after Games were postponed by a year over the coronavirus pandemic. Endo isn’t even considering joining fellow students in getting a summer job next year, determined to volunteer for the postponed Games. “I’ll gain something that money can’t buy,” she said. Across Japan, tens of thousands of volunteers, and hundreds of villages, towns and cities have registered to help or host athletes and participants at the Tokyo 2020 Games. For many, the delay of the Games came as a personal blow, after sometimes years of preparations and dreaming. “Ever since I was in elementary school, I’d hoped Japan would be a host,” said Endo, who is studying business and public
policy, and said she overcame her disappointment by thinking about the many others who were also seeing their dreams delayed. Chizuko Yabusaki, 63, was a child when Japan last hosted the Games, and remembers watching the 1964 opening ceremony in rare colour television. “I remember the scene vividly, and the excitement when we cheered for the marathon runners,” she told AFP. She became an Olympic volunteer hoping to use her Spanish and Portuguese skills and relive her experience as a World Cup volunteer in 2002. “There was a sense of fun and a swell of emotion you could only feel on the ground,” she said. But she sympathises with the decision to delay, and said she would “definitely” participate next year, adding the postponement will give her more time with his grandchildren this summer. ‘A REAL SHAME’: In the town of Sagamihara, near Tokyo, local officials had spent more than two years preparing to host athletes from Brazil and Canada. Even before the postponement, they
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were left reeling when Canada announced it would no longer send athletes to any Games held this year because of the virus. “We think Canada’s national Olympics Committee made the final decision by prioritising its athletes,” said Hisashi Kikuchihara, pre-Games manager at the city’s planning department. “But from our standpoint, it was a real shame.” The Canadian decision was part of a wave of pressure that forced the eventual postponement of the Games, now scheduled to open a year later on July 23, 2021. But Sagamihara officials said they breathed a sigh of relief when both Canada and Brazil confirmed they would stick with the town next year. Residents have already rolled out the red carpet for Canadian athletes, including the national youth rowing team, which was greeted by hundreds of cheering locals when they visited for championships last year. “We thought hospitality should begin with their arrival,” community leader Zenzaburo Miyano told AFP. “We were aiming for at least 300 people to line the 150 metres (yards) from the
public road to the entrance (of their hotel) but more than 400 showed up.” “It was wonderful, superb,” he said. Some locals offered athletes traditional meals and even travelled to Tokyo to cheer them on during competition, including Yoshimi Koike. “I had few connections (with Canada) before... But I’ve developed quite an interest,” he said. He and his wife Kazuyo also hosted athletes for a meal of “nagashi soumen,” noodles floated down open bamboo flumes filled with water to waiting diners who catch them with chopsticks. Miyano said the town was relieved to know the athletes would still be coming next year instead. “I want to show them even more hospitality than we did last year.”
Saturday, 11 April, 2020
NEWS
WorldWIde deaThs from CovId-19 surpass 0.1 mIllIon NEW YORK
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HE worldwide death toll from the coronavirus hit 100,000 as Christians around the globe marked a Good Friday unlike any other in front of computer screens instead of in church pews and some countries tiptoed toward reopening segments of their battered economies. Around the world, public health officials and religious leaders alike warned people against violating the lockdowns and social distancing rules over Easter and allowing the virus to come storming back. Authorities resorted to roadblocks and other means to discourage travel. In Italy, officials employed helicopters, drones and stepped up police checks to make sure residents didn’t slip out of their homes. On Thursday alone, police stopped some 300,000 people around Italy to check whether they had permission to travel. About 10,000 were issued summonses. Some churches held services online, while others arranged prayers at drive-in theatres. Fire-scarred Notre Dame Cathedral came back to life briefly in Paris, days before the first anniversary of the April 15 inferno
that ravaged it. Services were broadcast from the closed-to-the-public cathedral. The holiday observances came as the worldwide number of deaths tracked by Johns Hopkins University hit a bleak milestone of 100,000 since late December, when the outbreak emerged in China. The number confirmed to be infected was more than 1.6 million. The true number of lives lost is believed be much higher because of limited testing, different rules for counting the dead and cover-ups by some governments. For example, in places like New York, Italy and Spain, many victims who died outside a hospital say, in a home or a nursing home, have not been part of the count. In the US, deaths climbed past 16,700, with close to half in New York state. Still, there were signs of hope. New York state reported 777 new deaths, down slightly from the day before, for an overall toll of more than 7,800. “I understand intellectually why it’s happening,” Gov. Andrew Cuomo said. “It doesn’t make it any easier to accept.” But state officials said the number of people in intensive care dropped for the first time since mid-March and hospitalisations are slowing: 290 new patients in a single day,
compared with daily increases of more than 1,000 last week. Cuomo said if the trend holds, New York might not need the overflow field hospitals that officials have been scrambling to construct. “There is a light at the end of the tunnel,” said Dr Jolion McGreevy, medical director of Mount Sinai Hospitals emergency department. “Its getting better, but it’s not like it’s going to just drop off overnight. I think it’s going to continue to slowly decline over the next weeks and months.” STRUGGLING ECONOMIES: With the pandemic slamming economies, the head of the International Monetary Fund warned that the global economy is headed for the worst recession since the Depression. In Europe, the 19 countries that use the euro currency overcame weeks of bitter divisions to agree on spending $550 billion to cushion the recession caused by the virus. Mario Centeno, who heads the eurozone finance ministers group, called the package “totally unprecedented. … Tonight Europe has shown it can deliver when the will is there.” As weeks of lockdowns were extended in nation after nation, governments were pressed to ease restrictions on key businesses
and industries. After a two-week freeze on all non-essential economic activity, Spain decided to allow factories and construction sites to resume work on Monday, while schools, most shops and offices will remain closed. Spanish authorities said they trust that the move wont cause a significant surge in infections. “We wouldn’t be adopting them otherwise,” said Mara Jos Sierra of Spain’s health emergency centre.
The head of the World Health Organization, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, warned that a premature lifting of restrictions could lead to a deadly resurgence. In Italy, the industrial lobbies in regions representing 45 per cent of the country’s economic output urged the government to ease its two-week lockdown on all non-essential manufacturing, saying the country “risks definitively shutting down its own motor, and every day that passes the risk grows not to be able to restart it.”
Debt crisis threatens poor countries as they fight coronavirus: UN report NEW YORK AGENCIES
India set to ship drug sought by Trump for coronavirus NEW DELHI AGENCIES
India is set to begin shipping the malaria drug hydroxychloroquine to the United States where President Donald Trump has touted it as a potential weapon against the coronavirus. “The first shipments should start next week,” said Sudarshan Jain, secretary general of Indian Pharmaceutical Alliance (IPA). India is the world’s largest producer of hydroxychloroquine but last month banned most exports to secure its own supplies, drawing warnings of retaliation from Trump. This week India allowed some exports of the drug and Trump has thanked New Delhi for the decision. Jain said companies in India are ramping up capacity to meet the U.S. demand, including Teva Pharmaceutical Industries, IPCA Laboratories and Cadila Healthcare. Cadila has increased production tenfold to 30 metric tonnes per month and is ready to produce more if needed, Managing Director Sharvil Patel told Reuters. Companies are ramping up while battling a three-week nationwide lockdown India imposed on March 25. Cadila is based in western India’s Gujarat state, a drug production hub where industry insiders say the shutdown has forced companies to contend with supply chain disruptions and worker shortages. “There are 28 manufacturers of hydroxychloroquine in Gujarat,” said H.G. Koshia, a senior drugs department official. “All of them have enhanced production in view of rise in demand.” The IPA’s Jain said firms were confident they could produce adequate quantities to meet both global and domestic demand. “The government is getting a lot of requests from other countries,” Jain noted. India is stocking at least four months’ supply and has agreed to export to at least 30 countries, according to export body Pharmexcil’s estimates. Hydroxychloroquine is unproven as a treatment here but its use has soared as the United States has quickly become the epicentre of the pandemic.
As governments struggle to cope with the coronavirus pandemic, billions of people living in countries teetering on the brink of economic collapse are being threatened further by a looming debt crisis, according to a new United Nations (UN) report released on Friday. In its report, the UN-led Inter-Agency Task Force on Financing for Development explores the steps that governments must take to avert debt overload and address the economic and financial havoc wrought by the pandemic. “The global community was already falling behind in efforts to end poverty, take climate action and reduce inequalities. We have one chance to build back better together for people and for the planet,” UN Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed said. With recommendations based on joint research and analysis from more than 60
UN agencies and international institutions, the 2020 Financing for Sustainable Development Report outlines measures to address the impact of the unfolding global recession and financial turmoil – particularly in the world’s poorest countries. The COVID-19 crisis has shaken global financial markets with heavy losses and intense volatility that has prompted investors to move around $90 billion out of emerging markets – the largest outflow ever recorded. Particularly alarming for many Least Developed Countries (LDCs) is the prospect of a new debt crisis, the report said. To mitigate this, 2020 Financing for Sustainable Development calls, among other things, suspending debt payments from LDCs and other low-income countries; strengthening the global financial safety net; and reversing the decline in official development assistance. “We are far from having a global package to help the developing world to create
the conditions both to suppress the disease and to address the dramatic consequences in their populations,” United Nations Secretary-General (UNSG) António Guterres said during the recent launch of his Report on the Socioeconomic Impact of COVID-19. “What is needed is a large-scale, coordinated and comprehensive multilateral response amounting to at least 10 per cent of global GDP,” he added. Beyond the immediate crisis response, the coronavirus pandemic should prompt the implementation of long-overdue measures to reset the world on a sustainable development path and make the global economy more resilient to future shocks. To do this, the report recommends accelerating investment in resilient infrastructure; strengthening social protections; enhancing regulatory frameworks; and strengthen the international financial safety net and framework for debt sustainability. While highlighting gaps, new challenges and risks, the current crisis also provides a timely example of the potential of
digital technologies. As lockdowns and physical distancing have become the norm, digital communication tools have helped keep people connected and provided online platforms for children to continue their education. But many workers in the so-called “gig economy”, dominated by service sector start-ups, are poorly protected against income losses in a recession. 2020 Financing for Sustainable Development addresses these gaps and other opportunities and challenges of digital finance. “Only a collective response, inspired by shared responsibility and solidarity, will suffice to address the unprecedented challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Liu Zhenmin, Under-Secretary-General for Economic and Social Affairs and Chair of the Task Force that issued the report. “Governments, development partners, the private sector and other stakeholders must work together to combat COVID-19 and support every effort to address its social and economic impacts,” he stressed.
COVID-19 lockdown sparks harvest crises in Pakistan, India KARACHI/NEW DELHI ANADOLU AGENCY
Trees have bent, bearing the load of ripened summer fruits and a bumper crop of wheat in a golden hue is ready for harvest in the fields, spread across the plains of Pakistan and India. But in the absence of labor and means of transportation due to lockdown to stem the spread of COVID-19 or coronavirus, millions of farmers are staring at another disaster, watching their produce rotting in their fields. The harvest of famed fruit of the region mango is also just a month away. Experts believe that the phenomenon will have cascading effects on the region’s food security. Ahmad Ali, a farmer from Pakistan’s northeastern Punjab province, is running from pillar to post to arrange labor for the harvesting of wheat, which in his area is set to commence next week. He is one of the thousands of farmers, desperately looking for labor to harvest wheat, mainly in Punjab, and southern Sindh, the two bread-baskets for Pakistan. Around 70% of Pakistan’s small farmers rely on traditional farm laborers, who come from the remote or the lowincome areas before the harvesting season. They could not make it this time due to weeks-long lockdown. “There is an acute shortage of labor here. I am completely clueless what to do,” said Ali, 37, who owns sevenacre farmland in Okara district located some 119 kilometers (74.3 miles) from Lahore, the provincial capital. And, those who are available have shot up their rates. Prime Minister Imran Khan, last week, announced the lifting of the ban on movement of transport and machinery for harvesting. The move, however, proved to be less practical. “Most of our machinery needs repairs and overhauling every year around harvest season. The workshops remained closed,” Ali told Anadolu Agency on phone..
IN ABSENCE OF LABOR, TRANSPORT, FEAR OF PANDEMIC, FARMERS STARING AT DISASTER, AS NATIONS HEAD FOR POSSIBLE FOOD SHORTAGE “Some workshops have reopened during the last fourfive days [after prime minister’s order] but they cannot meet the workloads,” he added. In nearby India, the situation is no different. Farmers in Punjab, Haryana, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Gujarat — the key food basket states — are desperately looking for labor to harvest wheat and gram. “Now is the time to harvest crops like wheat and gram, while the harvesting season for mustard is already over. But there is no labor available,” Surendra Singh Bhati, a small farmer, told Anadolu Agency. NO MEANS TO TRANSPORT THE CROP TO MARKETS: Even those farmers, who have harvested their crops taking help from their relatives and neighbors are not able to sell the produce in the absence of transportation. Apart from wheat, heaps of plucked vegetables are lying in the fields in different states, shattering the hopes of farmers to get bumper profits this year. “We cannot sell them [vegetables] due to the lockdown. No means of transport is available to take them to wholesale markets. We pluck cabbage, cauliflower, and other vegetables but are forced to feed them to the cattle,” Aakash Patel, a farmer from Sagar district of central Madhya Pradesh state, told Anadolu Agency. Reports coming from different parts of rural India suggest that the farmers are dumping fruits and vegetables out-
side their villages or feeding them to their cattle. Zahid Bhurgari, a farmer from Pakistan’s southern Mirpur Khas district, termed the situation disastrous. “On the one hand the prices of vegetables have decreased due to closure of hotels, restaurants, and banquets, on the other, the absence of transport due to lockdown is acting a double whammy. Even the transport available is costing us three times the actual cost,” Bhurgari told Anadolu Agency. “We are left with no other option, but to leave the crops to rot in the fields,” said the angry farmer. FOOD SECURITY SERIOUS ISSUE: The governments in both the countries have also delayed procurement of crops from farmers, an annual exercise to a full-up buffer stock of food grains, which also acts as an incentive to farmers to ensure a minimum support price. In India, the central government has asked the farmers to delay harvesting given the situation. Experts fear that the delay in the harvesting of crops, mainly wheat may lead to serious food security issues in the two nuclear neighbors, which together share 1.5 billion of the total world population. Sachin Kumar Jain, an adviser to the Indian supreme court-appointed commission on the right to food campaign, described the situation “challenging” for the farmers. He said it had the potential to affect the food security of the world’s second-largest populated nation. “Almost 55% of the Indian workforce comes from the agriculture sector. The present situation has brought the farm sector to a halt,” he told Anadolu Agency. He noted that the delay in harvesting would affect the preparations for the next rain-fed crops, which would add to the already deteriorating situation. Shaukat Ali Chadhar, secretary-general of Kisan (farmer) Board of Pakistan, a non-governmental agricultural advisory and research organization, endorsed Jain’s view.
Published by Arif Nizami at Qandeel Printing Press, 4 Queens Road, Lahore. Ph: 042-36300938, 042-36375965. Email: newsroom@pakistantoday.com.pk