Epaper – April 13 ISB 2021

Tuesday, 13 April, 2021 I 29 Shaban, 1442 I Rs 15.00 I Vol XI No 285 I 12 Pages I Islamabad Edition

protests erupt after tLp’s saad rizvi arrested in Lahore LAHORE

t

Staff RepoRt

HE security forces have detained Tehreek-i-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP) Chief Saad Hussain Rizvi in Lahore on Monday, according to the party leadership, leading to protests in major cities of the country.

According to a news outlet, a senior police official also confirmed that Rizvi had been taken into custody as a “preemptive measure” ahead of its April 20 deadline. However, no first information report (FIR) against Saad Rizvi has been registered so far.

TLP leader Syed Zaheerul Hassan Shah, in a video message, confirmed Saad’s arrest and said the government had “completely deviated from” the agreement it had reached with his party regarding Namoos-i-Risalat. “The government has resorted to thuggery (gunda gardi) and is restoring its past practices.”

Shah called upon party leaders and workers to “come out on the roads” in their areas in protest against the government action.

“Carry out protest demonstrations on roads and wherever you are, jam the entire country,” he told them in the message.

Following the development, protests erupted in multiple cities of the country.

It bears mentioning that, last year, TLP supporters had brought Islamabad to a standstill for three days with a series of anti-France rallies.

Police blocked the demonstrators as they attempted to enter the capital.

Some chanted that the only punishment for a blasphemer was beheading, police official Tauqeer Shah said.

The protesters attacked the police with bricks, stones and sticks, he added.

They were pictured blocking the road into Pakistan’s capital.

“Several of our officers were injured,” he said, adding that nearly 2,000 protesters had camped at the main entrance to the city, refusing to leave.

Karachi’s II Chundrigar Road, MA Jin-

nah Road and their surrounding areas, including the road connecting Tower to the Governor House, was left jampacked with vehicles due to the protest.

Other roads were also blocked in the port city, including Baldia No. 4 Hub River Road, Northern Bypass, Orangi Town No. 5, Jinnah Bridge (traffic blocked from ICI towards Jinnah Bridge), Star Gate. Police dispersed protesters from Star Gate to allow the flow of traffic to return to normal.

Moreover, it emerged that at least one officer was injured in Orangi Town No. 5 after the protestors began pelting stones at the police.

In Islamabad, Athal Chowk was forced into closing, which created problems for citizens. Protests also broke out in Bhara Kahu and roads leading to Murree and Azad Kashmir from the federal capital were also blocked for traffic.

Protesters were also seen chanting slogans on Murree Road.

Moreover, the entry points for the twin cities were closed down, leading to more problems.

TLP workers were seen stone-pelting and forcing travellers to stop their cars at Committee Chowk in Rawalpindi.

Workers of the party also climbed atop the Liaquat Bagh metro bus station, while traffic blockages were reported from across the city.

In Lahore, the traffic flow was disrupted in several areas and on multiple roads. The roads blocked by TLP workers included the following: Faletti Chowk towards Faisal Chowk; High Court Chowk towards Regal Chowk; Avari Chowk towards Governor House Chowk (now opened); Corporation Chowk Outfall Road; Yateem Khana Chowk; Khayaban Chowk; Muhafiz Town towards Thokkar Chowk EME Road; Darogawala Chowk towards Quaid-e-Azam Interchange (both sides); Chungi Amarsadhu towards Kasur (both sides); Shahdara Chowk from all four sides; Shadbagh; Joray Pul Zarar Shaheed Road; Barki Road; Bhatta Chowk Bedian Road; Walton Road; Canal Road; Cup store Misrishah; Harbanspura Interchange (slip roads); Shalimar Chowk towards Ghas Mandi; Quaid-e-Azam Interchange to Niazi Shaheed Interchange on Ring Road; Bagriyan Chowk; and Sundar Road.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 05

PPP CEC asks its members to resign from PDM g

Bilawal rejects PDM's show-cause notice KARACHI INp

Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Chairperson Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari on Monday rejected the showcause notices issued last week by the Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM), and demanded an “unconditional apology”.

Flanked by party leaders, Bilawal held a news conference to speak about the matters that came under discussion during the recently-held Central Executive Committee (CEC) meeting of the party.

Moreover, the CEC of the PPP asked all the party members to resign from their positions in the opposition alliance as no party “should try and impose their will and dictation on any other political party”.

Bilawal said the CEC had come to the conclusion that resignations from the national and provincial assemblies should be “like an atom bomb”.

Bilawal said the PPP’s stance that the opposition should not “abandon the Parliament and the Senate battleground” had been vindicated.

He said if the PPP had listened to other political parties in the opposition and boycotted the Senate elections and by-elections, then it would have harmed democracy.

“We did not give the PTI government an open field to form a two-thirds majority in the Senate,” he said, adding that the government lost on its “own pitch” when the PDM candidate won from the Nowshera by-election.

“We will not undermine these gains that the PPP has achieved after giving many sacrifices,” he said. “When the PML-N was in power, we protected the Parliament then and we will protect the Parliament today.”

He said those who wanted to resign from the Parliament, should do so.

“But, no one should try to impose their will or

their dictation on any other political party,” he said.

“And the Pakistan Peoples Party will continue in its firm, consistent Opposition to the selected government that has been ongoing since day one and has not broken for a single day,” stressed the PPP chairperson.

“The Pakistan Peoples Party rejects the so-called show-cause notice,” he said. “Politics is done with equality and respect,” he added.

Bilawal said the PPP stands by the Awami National Party (ANP) and would not abandon them under any circumstances. “There is no concept of show-cause notices in democratic alliances,” he said.

“The PPP demands an unconditional apology to the ANP and to the PPP for this obnoxious attitude,” the PPP chairman added.

He recounted the PPP’s participation in the Movement for the Restoration of Democracy and the Alliance for the Restoration of Democracy.

He also criticised the government’s policies, saying his party had been critical of the “PTI-IMF’s”

Coronavirus in pakistan CONFIRMED CASES:

725,602

LAST UPDATED AT 7:33 AM ON APRIL 12, 2021

DAY'S DEATH TOLL:

58

NEW CASES:

SINDH:

PUNJAB:

KP:

BALOCHISTAN:

4,584 269,126 250,459

RECOVERED:

634,835

99,595

20,321

DEATHS:

AJK/GB:

ISLAMABAD:

15,501

14,594 / 5,127 66,380

MORE INSIDE

PM asks int’l community to ensure availability of coronavirus vaccine for everyone STORY ON BACK PAGE Veteran rights activist passes away

STORY ON BACK PAGE

LHC wants Maryam informed of arrest 10 days in advance STORY ON PAGE 02 Precondition for rapprochement: PML-N, JUI-F want Gillani to leave leader of opposition slot STORY ON PAGE 03

policies from the very first day.

Whilst speaking about the $500mn loan received by Pakistan from the IMF, the PPP chairman said, “It [IMF deal] consistently targets the poor people of Pakistan”. He added that the government is putting the burden on the shoulders of the poor.

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UK’s move to include Pakistan among high-risk countries not based on facts: FO ISLAMABAD Staff RepoRt

The Foreign Office on Monday said the United Kingdom’s decision to include Pakistan to its list of states that pose financial risks to the country because of anti-money laundering and terrorism financing shortfalls was “not based on facts”.

In March, The Treasury included Pakistan and 20 other countries — including the tax haven Panama — in The Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing (Amendment) (High-Risk Countries) Regulations, 2021.

Other countries in the list include Albania, Barbados, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Cambodia, Cayman Islands, North Korea, Ghana, Iran, Jamaica, Mauritius, Morocco, Myanmar, Nicaragua, Senegal, Syria, Uganda, Yemen and Zim-

babwe. The law came into force on March 26 through an amendment in The Money Laundering, Terrorist Financing and Transfer of Funds (Information on the Payer) Regulations 2017.

In his statement, FO spokesperson Zahid Hafeez Chaudhri expressed the hope that London would “review its

regulations in light of facts on ground and avoid politically motivated and misplaced measures”.

“Pakistan has a robust AML/CFT [anti-money laundering/combating the financing of terrorism] regime in place,” he added.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 05

02

Tuesday, 13 April, 2021

ISLAMABAD

NEWS

LHC wants MaryaM inforMed of arrest 10 days in advanCe LAHORE INP

Lahore High Court (LHC) on Monday directed the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) to notify arrest warrants issued for Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) Vice President Maryam Nawaz at least 10 days in advance.

The directive comes in stark contrast to a 2019 Supreme Court ruling declaring that there was no limitation on the dirty money watchdog regarding the need to inform an accused before arresting them.

Maryam appeared before the high court on Monday to attend the hearing of a corruption case pertaining to the illegal acquiring of hundreds of acres of land in Raiwind to include it in the Jati Umra estate of the Sharif family.

A two-member bench of Justice Sardar Sarfraz Dogar and Justice Asjad Javaid Ghural resumed hearing in the case.

“Have you [NAB] issued arrest warrants [for Maryam Nawaz]?” asked the bench. A

special prosecutor for the agency said they had not done so.

Maryam’s counsel, Azam Nazeer Tarar, requested the court to restrain the agency from issuing arrest warrants for his client without informing Maryam “10 days in advance”. At this, the NAB prosecutor said the agency will inform Tarar in advance before the warrants are issued.

The bench told Tarar he can approach the high court if the arrest warrants are issued without prior information.

In 2016, an LHC order concluded by announcing that “may be interpreted to imply that NAB cannot arrest an accused without informing him first.”

However, the apex court had found that, after examining the National Accountability Ordinance (NAO) 1999, no such limitation has been imposed on the accountability watchdog. The reference says the Sharif family got thousands of kanals of land adjacent to its Jati Umra residence declared residential area in 2014 and former Lahore Development Authority (LDA) director

CCI approves 2017 census results, decides to hold fresh census immediately ISLAMABAD APP

The Council of Common Interest (CCI) on Monday approved the results of the 2017 National Population And Housing Census with a majority vote and decided to hold the new census by end of 2021.

The meeting of the CCI was held here presided over by Prime Minister Imran Khan and was attended by the chief ministers of all the provinces.

Later, giving details of the meeting in a press conference here, Federal Minster for Planning, Development and Special Initiatives Asad Umar said the CMs of Punjab, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) and Balochistan voted in favour while the Sindh CM voted against the approval.

However, keeping in view the reservations showed by some stakeholders, including the Sindh

government, over the results of the census, the CCI had decided to start the process of the 7th national population census by October this year, Umar informed.

He said the framework for a new census would be prepared within six to eight weeks and then approval would be sought from the CCI. “About four months after the approval, the process of the new census would start by the end of September or start of October this year.” The minister informed that the census was a process that spans over a period of 18 months so it would be completed by the start of 2023.

“The general elections are expected to be held in October 2023 so the next general elections would be held on the basis of new census’ results,” he added.

Asad Umar said the cost of the new census was estimated at around Rs 23 billion that would be divided into two fiscal years: FY2022 and FY2023.

general Ahad Cheema played an important role in this respect. Former Lahore DCO Noorul Amin Mengal has also been included in the investigation.

NAB has nominated desposed prime minister Nawaz Sharif, National Assembly Opposition Leader Shahbaz Sharif, Maryam, and the Sharif brothers’ late mother Shamim Bibi as prime suspects in the reference.

PDM PARTIES ‘COMMITTED’: Speaking to the media outside the LHC after the hearing, Maryam Nawaz said parties within the Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) “are very committed to the cause”, and added that she trusted the leadership of PDM chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman.

Moreover, she said that the PDM’s reaction to Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari tearing up the show-cause notices issued by the alliance would be decided upon by the alliance president.

“We have full trust in his [Fazlur Rehman’s] leadership […] and he himself will take up the matter.”

“My clear stance has come out, I won’t repeat it but the decision to send the [showcause] notice was of the PDM and not any one party,” added PML-N VP Maryam.

She also elaborated that the PDM’s cause was of huge importance to the country as it included the right of the rule of Pakistan’s nation, bringing real change in Pakistan, bringing relief to the people of Pakistan and correcting Pakistan’s course.

Responding to a question about former Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) secretarygeneral (SG) Jahangir Tareen, Maryam said that he is a lesson for all supporters of the PTI. Tareen is currently being investigated by the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) for fraud and money laundering. Maryam Nawaz refused to comment on “internal matters”, but did state that he had initially not been targeted as part of the sugar mafia when his resources and assets were being used.

“Now, suddenly you remember that he is [part of the] sugar mafia and make cases against him so I just want to say to all supporters of theirs: learn from this and take

heed.” Maryam alleged that the PTI’s own MNAs were now moving away from the party and speaking against the ruling government on media outlets. She said that, on the other hand, the PML-N had been growing in strength thanks to the support of the people.

Maryam boasted that the day the PTI government loses, it would not have the strength to campaign again, let alone win.

Maryam claimed that during her visits to the Daska and Wazirabad, where by-elections were held, recently she had seen the “people’s sentiment, anger and hate against this government. I’d seen it that very day and knew that the PML-N would win [the byelections]”.

“In my opinion, whenever elections are held, this government will be dealt such a defeat that the world will see and people will see this as a warning that never again do you commit vote theft, allow vote theft or reach the seat of power through polishing boots, betrayal and rigging.

“So I see that whenever elections are held, this fake vote-stealing government will go on to become an ibrat ka nishaan (example to take heed) and maybe through this, there is a great favour to Pakistan that the path for political engineering of this kind is forever closed,” said Maryam.

She informed that she would go to Karachi to support PML-N candidate Miftah Ismail in the NA-249 by-election, and called upon the people of the port city to vote for her party’s candidate to ensure development and progress in the provincial capital.

Pakistan condemns killing of three Kashmiris in IIOJK ISLAMABAD tLtP

Pakistan has strongly condemned the extrajudicial killing of three Kashmiris, including a juvenile and a student of 10th grade in a socalled “cordon-and-search” operation in the Shopian area of Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir.

According to Foreign Office, further intensification of “fake encounters” is a matter of grave concern. Extra-judicial killings of young men, including teenage

boys, and refusal to return human remains of those martyred is completely unlawful and reflects the moral bankruptcy of the Indian occupation forces.

Pakistan has repeatedly called for independent investigations, under international scrutiny, into the extra-judicial killings of all innocent Kashmiris.

The Foreign Office (FO) called upon the international community to hold India accountable for the gross and systematic human rights violations in IIOJK and work for peaceful resolution of the Jammu and

Pressure on hospitals mounting due to ‘weak’ SOPs compliance: Asad ISLAMABAD APP

Planning and Development Minister Asad Umar said on Monday that compliance with the Covid-19 standard operating procedures (SOPs) remains “very weak”, due to which pressure on hospitals is increasing.

Taking to Twitter, the minister said the National Command and Operation Centre (NCOC) today reviewed the Covid-19 situation, hospital admissions and SOPs compliance at a meeting in Islamabad.

“SOP compliance remains very weak & pressure on hospitals is increasing. The administration has been asked to ramp up compliance enforcement to avoid a crisis like situation,” he said.

Briefing the media after the NCOC meeting, Special Assistant to the Prime Minister (SAPM) on National Health Services Dr Faisal Sultan appealed to the people to fully comply with the SOPs to avert the spread of Covid-19.

“The burden on health care system has increased following a surge in positivity ratio

especially in big cities of Punjab, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Azad Kashmir,” he pointed out. He said the process of vaccination is underway and asked the people aged above 65 to get themselves vaccinated without any prior appointment. He asked the people above 50 years of age to get themselves registered for vaccination. The Covid-19 vaccine registration for Pakistani above 50 years had started on March 30.

“Don’t think you don’t need to take precautions after receiving the vaccination,” he said. “Vaccines are not 100% effective.”

Pakistan launched its coronavirus vaccination drive on February 3. The country is administering the Chinese-made Covid-19 vaccine Sinopharm to its workers.

The data from April 1 to April 11 shows that people have not been serious about following the SOPs, he informed. The research shows that 50 per cent of hospitals have been taking precautionary measures, while most violations have been reported in the transport sector, the SAPM added.

“We told cities to close all businesses and markets on certain days and found that they

Kashmir dispute in accordance with the relevant UNSC resolutions and the wishes of the Kashmiri people.

Earlier on Sunday, Indian troops in their fresh acts of state terrorism in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) martyred three more Kashmiri youth in Shopian and Islamabad districts, taking the number of the martyred youth in the territory to 10 since Thursday. Three youth had been martyred by the troops during cordon and search operations in the Hadipora area of Shopian.

did not follow the instructions,” he said.

Restaurants have opened indoor dining and less than 5 per cent of Pakistanis wear masks in public in different cities.

Dr Sultan requested the people to take the virus seriously. “The virus is spreading at alarming rates and we need to be more cautious.” He asked the ulema to help the government and spread awareness about SOP implementation.

Separately, Parliamentary Secretary for National Health Services (NHS) Dr Nausheen Hamid on Monday appealed to the people to strictly follow the SOPs designed to contain the spread of the Covid-19 as the number of cases were surging in major cities and slums across the country. Talking to a television channel, Hamid said the country is experiencing the third wave of coronavirus which she said appeared more deadly.

The pressure on the healthcare sector has increased manifold, she said.

“We are witnessing an alarming rise in the number of critical patients,” she said, adding, overall, the number of positive cases is rising.

“We are also enhancing the number of oxygen beds and ventilators in hospitals.”

Hamid said keeping in view the current situation, emergency steps were being taken to provide the best medical facilities to the patients, Sehat Insaf cards will also cover the cost of coronavirus treatment.

FIA summons Tareen, son ISLAMABAD StAff RePoRt

Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) directed estranged Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Jahangir Tareen and his son Ali Tareen to appear on Tuesday (today) along with the relevant record to respond to its queries.

In March, the agency registered three cases against the two, among others, on charges of corporate fraud and money laundering. Tareen rejected the “fabricated” charge sheet, denying any wrongdoing.

A press statement issued by the FIA on Monday said it was investigating the sugar baron on claims of “criminal breach of trust, financial fraud and money laundering by JDW[-Group] and its related companies JKFSL [JK Farming Systems Ltd] & FPML [Faruki Pulp Mills Ltd], since August 8, 2020”. The

FIA said that it wanted to inspect the “complete inventory, with commercial invoices wherever applicable of the plant, machinery and equipment, any fixed assets, stores, spares, and loose tools, and intangible assets owned by JKFSL as of November 20, 2013″.

In addition, the agency also expressed interest in examining the details of 35,000 acres of farmland reported to be in possession of Tareen.

The agency has directed Tareen to share the details of his foreign assets in the UK and elsewhere in the world, including Hyde House, situated on Hyde Lane in Ecchinswell, a small village in Hampshire County.

The FIA said that the house was mentioned by Tareen’s son in his statement given to FIA on April 9. The agency further directed Tareen to mention if the “assets have been declared to FBR or not, acquired by or

on behalf of the then CEOs JDW and JKFSL or their family members”.

“The details should include a complete description of assets, location, mode, and cost of acquisition along with money trail.”

The statement further said the suspects had failed to produce the documents despite “repeated summons and requests sent to JDW, JKFSL & FPML officers”. It added that the “CEO/CFO/ … [and company] secretary” had informed the FIA that the transactions were with the PTI leader and his son.

The statement warned that “noncompliance” of the “call up notice and continued failure to produce the relevant record” will lead the body to believe that the omission is deliberate.

The investigation “will [then] proceed on the basis of documentary evidence available on records,” it said.

Tuesday, 13 april, 2021

islamabad

news

03

PreCondition for rAPProCHeMent: PML-n, JUi-f wAnt GiLLAni to LeAVe LeAder of oPPosition sLot ISLAMABAD

P

MiAn AbRAR

AKISTAN Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) and Jamiat Ulema-eIslam-Fazal (JUI-F), the two major parties of the opposition alliance of the Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM), on Monday called out their ally, Pakistan People’s Party (PPP), for its announcement of resigning from all PDM offices and asked to withdraw its nominee, Yousaf Raza Gillani, as leader of the opposition as a precondition for rapprochement.

While JUI-F Secretary General (SG) Maulana Abdul Ghafoor Haideri welcomed resignations by the PPP, Rana Sanaullah of

PML-N, asked the PPP to explain why it had stolen the slot of leader of the opposition in the Senate by getting votes from Balochistan Awami Party (BAP), an ally of the ruling Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI).

Addressing a press conference in Lahore, Rana Sanaullah sought another explanation from the PPP, which has left the opposition parties’ alliance PDM. Rana Sanaullah said that it was against principles for the PPP to get its nominee elected as leader of the opposition through votes stolen from the ruling coalition.

“This is not acceptable for the PDM. It is an act against all democratic norms. The PPP should also explain why it got votes from BAP. If the show cause notice given to the PPP is to be returned, then the leader

AVM Hamid promoted to rank of air marshal ISLAMABAD TLTP

The government has promoted Air Vice Marshal Hamid Rashid Randhawa to the rank of Air Marshal.

According to the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) spokesperson, Hamid was commissioned in PAF in June, 1988 and commanded a Fighter Squadron, a Flying Wing and an Operational Air Base. In his staff appointments, he has served as Assistant Chief of Air Staff and Personal Staff Officer to Chief of the Air Staff. Presently, he is serving as Inspector General Air Force at Air Headquarters. He is a recipient of Tamgha-i- Imtiaz (Military), Sitara-i-Imtiaz (Military) and Hilal-i-Imtiaz (Military).

of the opposition of the PPP must also be withdrawn,” said the PML-N leader.

Rana Sanaullah said that Maulana Fazlur Rehman will convene a meeting in the next week to formulise a new strategy.

“This meeting will finalise PDM’s protest program under our plan to launch our movement against the government which will be fully implemented after Eid. While we hope that the PPP and the Awami National Party will also continue its struggle against the government elected from their own platform,” said the PML-N leader.

Meanwhile, JUI-F leader Maulana Abdul Ghafoor Haideri has also congratulated the PPP for its departure of the PDM.

“The PPP committed political suicide today and we are happy for them to leave the PDM. The only way for the PPP to return to the PDM fold is that Yousaf Raza Gilani must resign from the slot of the opposition leader in the Senate. Once this happens, then we can move forward,” Haideri told media.

The JUI-F leader accused the PPP for extending its support to Imran Khan’s government.

“We were demanding the PPP and other allies to tender resignations from assemblies before launching the long march as the movement could be effective if we are done with our stakes in the system,” he said.

Ghafoor Haideri said that the anti-

Pakistan, IMF discuss state of economy, reforms ISLAMABAD TLTP

Pakistan and International Monetary Fund (IMF) on Monday discussed the state of Pakistan’s economy and implementation of reforms.

The discussion was made in a virtual meeting among IMF Managing Director (MD) Kristalina Georgieva, Federal Minister for Finance and Revenue Hammad Azhar and State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) Governor Dr Reza Baqir.

Hammad, while terming the discussion fruitful, said he had a productive virtual meeting with IMF managing director on the state of Pakistan’s economy and implementation

of reforms. He expressed gratitude for her acknowledgment of the positive economic indicators and the need to keep the welfare of the people of Pakistan as the focus of all policy endeavours of the country. “Had a productive virtual meeting with IMF MD on the state of Pakistan’s economy and implementation of reforms. Grateful that she acknowledged the positive economic indicators and the need to keep the welfare of the people of Pakistan as the focus of all our policy endeavours,” he tweeted.

Meanwhile, in a tweet, the managing director said it was great to speak with Hammad and Dr Reza. She commended Pakistan’s response to the health and economic crisis.

Parwaaz, Hbl and ibP to train cybersecurity specialists KARACHI PR

Parwaaz, Habib Bank Limited (HBL) and Institute of Bankers Pakistan (IBP) signed a Memorandum of Collaboration (MoC) to develop a skill programme for Parwaaz’s financial services incubator. The incubator will equip current and aspiring bankers with skills to become cybersecurity specialists.

The MoC was signed by Jawad Khan, Country Head Parwaaz and CEO Punjab Skills Development Fund (PSDF); Muhammad Aurangzeb, President & CEO HBL; and Mansur-Ur-Rehman Khan, CEO IBP. This tripartite partnership is a crucial step in closing the national skills gap. PSDF, through the Parwaaz platform, will fund the development of the training programme, manage the training delivery, and harness its vast network to engage relevant financial institutes to create job opportunities for the graduates.

HBL will lead the identification of banking professionals who are apt for this training and the bank will also offer job placements to selected graduates.

IBP’s role is to select cybersecurity subject experts and develop course curriculum with support from HBL for the training. IBP will mobilize applicants for training,

conduct pre and post assessment of the training on graduate’s expertise and facilitate them in accessing employment opportunities in the financial services sector.

During the MoC signing, Jawad said, “Cybersecurity is a fast-growing specialization globally and as the financial world digitizes, it is a highly sought-after area of expertise for current and upcoming professionals in the banking sector. This is the first time that a certification in cybersecurity is being developed and offered in Pakistan. Parwaaz is championing the global skills agenda and is focused on making our youth future-ready for careers in

Pakistan and the international market”.

Muhammad Aurangzeb said, “Pakistan’s digital transformation journey must be backed by a highly skilled workforce that can safeguard our digital assets.

HBL is committed to Pakistan’s economic growth and social uplift. Through this partnership, HBL will help develop and execute a robust training program for the Parwaaz skills incubator participants in the important field of cyber security while creating further employment opportunities in the country.”

Mansur-Ur-Rehman also highlighted the importance of this step and said, “This initiative led

by Parwaaz and PSDF in collaboration with HBL is a milestone in the field of information risk management. The certification programme on cybersecurity is the first of its kind to identify, develop and assess key knowledge areas. I am proud that IBP will play a part in this and ensure that our future bankers are adequately skilled.”

Parwaaz is the national accelerator on closing the skills gap in the country, launched in collaboration with World Economic Forum (WEF) with PSDF as the secretariat. The accelerator has incubators dedicated to skilling, re-skilling and upskilling the national workforce in priority sectors.

slum dwellers map flood risks to stop evictions KARACHI Agencies

Slum dwellers in Karachi have stopped the demolition of thousands of homes by mapping flood risks from clogged drains, offering a feasible solution to other informal settlements facing climate change impacts, urban experts said.

After unexpectedly heavy rains flooded much of Karachi last year, authorities said some slum settlements would be removed to allow drains to be widened, with hundreds of homes in Manzoor Colony neighborhood settlement earmarked for demolition.

Residents, who had always insisted that the flooding was mainly caused by drains blocked with rubbish and sludge, teamed up with non-profit organisations to map the drainage network.

“They generated their own evidence to uncover the reasons – overlooked by authorities – why Karachi floods,” said Arif Hasan, an architect and planner who

government campaign can only succeed if we are focused on it.

“If the PPP was to support the antigovernment campaign, it would have not jumped the ship. Since the PPP has no more with us, we will now be able to run a focused anti-government movement,” the JUI-F leader said.

He said that the PPP must tender an apology to the nation for seeking votes from the Balochistan Awami Party.

“The PPP leadership made a mockery of democracy. They made a political blunder and now is using tricks to fool the public. The people will teach a lesson to the PPP in the next election for what it has done to the opposition’s cause,” concluded the JUI leader.

backed the mapping project.

“The communities believed that if these obstructions are removed and the drains are cleaned and maintained, flooding will not take place,” he told the Thomson Reuters Foundation.

About 12 million people out of Karachi’s 16 million population live in informal settlements, and are increasingly vulnerable as Karachi faces worsening inundations as the monsoon brings extreme weather.

Karachi has a network of 550 stormwater drains that criss-cross the city and empty into the Arabian Sea. Many are blocked by illegal construction and waste. Authorities say they clean out the drains every year before the monsoon, except last year when the provincial government did not provide funds. The unusually heavy rains killed dozens, submerged main roads and inundated hundreds of homes.

To map Manzoor Colony’s drains, a team from the non-profit Technical

Training Resource Center (TTRC) walked along them with residents, photographing, marking, and mapping more than a dozen blockages.

Their map showed only about 40 houses needed to be removed to leave the drains clear, said Mohammad Sirajuddin, head of TTRC, who led the mapping project. “The authorities said thousands of houses would need to be demolished, but our maps showed otherwise,” he said. In November, residents successfully halted the planned demolitions in Manzoor Colony.

While it is not certain whether authorities will use the community’s flood risk map in the future, the residents now know where the choke points are and how they can tackle the dangers, Sirajuddin said.

Two other informal settlements in Karachi are being mapped, with residents — especially young people — trained, he said, adding that the model can be replicated across the country.

These maps also generate crucial data on households, said Nausheen Anwar, director of Karachi Urban Lab, a think-tank. “The maps provide a process through which consensus can be built and inclusion of all residents can be negotiated to stave off evictions and establish a basis for just compensation and resettlement,” she said.

By 2030, more than half of the country’s projected 250 million population are expected to live in cities, compared to 36 percent now, according to the United Nations.

Prime Minister Imran Khan had pledged to build 5 million affordable homes within five years to address a chronic shortage, with housing rights groups warning that poorer residents face evictions as pressure on land increases.

“When youths in the settlements are trained in mapping, they better understand the risks they face,” said TTRC’s Sirajuddin. “They understand their rights, and can fight evictions.”

President back to work after recovering from Covid-19 ISLAMABAD: President Dr Arif Alvi has recovered from Covid-19. In a tweet on Monday, the president said that he has come out of Covid and spent the first full day at work. The president appealed to the nation to wear masks and adhere to the standard operating procedures (SOPs). He tweeted, “With all your [people] prayers & good wishes, I am Alhamdullillah out of Covid-19. [I] have spent my first full day at work today.” Earlier on March 29, the president had tested positive for Covid-19. "I have tested positive for Covid-19. May Allah have mercy on all Covid affectees," the president had said in a tweet. TLTP

04

Tuesday, 13 april, 2021

islamabad

news

PeaCe In regIon CannoT be esTablIsHed on dead bodIes of KasHmIrIs: aJK PresIdenT ISLAMABAD

a

APP

ZAD Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) President Sardar Masood Khan on Monday said that while there is a great need and desire for peace in the region, it cannot be established on the dead bodies of Kashmiris.

“If India desires peace, it will have to resolve the Kashmir issue in accordance with the wishes of Kashmiris and international principles,” he emphasised.

In an interview with a private television network at Kashmir House, Islamabad, Sardar Masood Khan said that bilateral talks with India had taken place many times in the past but they did not prove productive be-

cause the two countries had different goals.

Pakistan, he said, wants a solution to the Kashmir issue through these talks while India is trying to gain time by sidelining the Kashmir issue in the talks and discussing irrelevant and trivial issues so that it can deceive the world.

The AJK president said that the people of Jammu and Kashmir were giving blood for Pakistan and the government and state of Pakistan would never leave them alone in their struggle for the right to self-determination. Commenting on the international community’s support to the right to self-determination of the Kashmir people, he said that voices in support of Kashmiris are echoing in the UK, Europe, ASEAN countries, Gulf States and even in the US Con-

IHC to hear ‘only important cases’ in view of rising coronavirus cases ISLAMABAD stAff RePoRt

The Islamabad High Court (IHC) has postponed the hearing of routine cases until May 16 in view of a surge in Covid-19 cases in the capital, according to a notification issued by IHC Chief Justice Athar Minallah on Monday. According to the notification, “only important cases”, including pre-arrest and post-arrest bail requests, habeas corpus petitions or detention cases, urgent petitions seeking stay orders, and any matter of genuine urgency, will be taken up. The development comes as the government portal keeping track of the outbreak in Pakistan recorded 4,584 new infections of the coronavirus after conducting 44,514 tests, receiving back a positivity ratio of 10.3 percent. In the last 24 hours, Islamabad raised its confirmed cases of coronavirus by 680 to 66,380 after conducting 5,982 tests — a positivity ratio of 11.37 percent. Meanwhile, it registered four new deaths, leaving 611 casualties. The recoveries rose to 52,904.

Cleric arrested under suspicion of sexual molestation of minors: police NewS DeSK A cleric and his accomplice have been arrested for allegedly molesting seminary students and filming the heinous acts for the last three years, Chakwal police reported on Monday. The incidents occurred in a mosque in Dhoke Phulari village in Chakwal District, located in the jurisdiction of Tamman Police Station. Therein, it emerged that five students of the seminary – four girls and one boy – were the victims. According to police officials, the incident of this continuous molestation only came to light after the cleric and his accomplice, who would record the criminal activities, had a disagreement. The matter had remained hidden for the last three years. “Had the differences not developed between the two suspects and had the second suspect not come to us, these incidents would never have been uncovered,” said the district police officer while speaking to a local news outlet. It was not clarified upon which matter the two had argued, but after the development of the difference, the accomplice came forward to the police with the videographic evidence. He approached Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Talagang Sikandar Gondal and disclosed that his fellow cleric had sexually assaulted four girls and a boy, all aged between six to 12 years. The video shown to the DSP only the cleric in the act, as the accomplice was hoping to incriminate his former partner in crime whilst getting off scot-free himself. On seeing the evidence, the DSP summoned the boy who is now 14 years old, and the latter revealed that he had been sexually assaulted five times by the prayer leader. Police subsequently arrested both the suspects. During preliminary investigation, the prime suspect confessed to having molested four minor girls aged between six and nine years.

gress. But this support is coming from the members of the parliaments, civil society and the media. With the exception of a few countries, he continued, the governments of all the influential countries do not speak out against India because of their strategic, political and economic interests.

Four of the five members of the UN Security Council, except China, are trading with India, the AJK president pointed out When asked what compelled India to negotiate with Pakistan, Sardar Masood said that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government in India was under intense internal pressure because the Modi government had tried to implement the Kashmir like policies in other states of India and had to face stiff resistance from the Indian people.

dom Movement of Kashmir, whose primary responsibility is to play its role in liberating the occupied part of the state of Jammu and Kashmir from Indian subjugation. Replying to a question about holding a plebiscite after resettling Indian citizens in occupied Kashmir and changing the demography of the occupied state, AJK President Sardar Masood Khan said that first of all India is not ready to hold a referendum in IOJK to decide the political future of Kashmiris.

The state president said that India considers Kashmir as its “integral part” and is not ready for a referendum. If plebiscite ever held in Kashmir, it will be participated only by the Kashmiris who themselves or their ancestors were citizens of Kashmir even before 1947.

The second reason was that India’s arrogant expansionist policies were shattered by China in the Ladakh Valley, which forced it to reconsider its policy to some extent, but India’s oppression in Kashmir did not abate.

Replying to a question about the rumours of making Azad Kashmir and GilgitBaltistan (GB) provinces of Pakistan, President Sardar Masood Khan said that it was important to understand the difference between Azad Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan.

The people of GB demanding their constitutional rights under provisional province, but there is no such demand in AJK. The government in Azad Kashmir, he emphasized, is governed by the Declaration of October 24, 1947, under which the State of Azad Kashmir is the base camp of the Free-

Administration mulls blanket lockdown for Lahore LAHORe stAff RePoRt

A meeting of the National Command and Operation Centre (NCOC) will decide on a proposal to impose a blanket lockdown in Lahore in view of an alarming increase in coronavirus cases in Punjab.

However, a final decision will be taken after approval from the body and Prime Minister Imran Khan.

In its proposal, the Primary and Secondary Healthcare Department noted that markets are already being closed at 6:00 pm to curb the spread of the contagion disease. In the last 24 hours, the province registered 16 deaths due to coronavirusrelated complications, raising total casualties to 6,988.

It now has 250,459 confirmed cases after reporting 2,021 new infections. The authorities registered a transmission rate

of 11.38 percent, down from 14.63 percent less than two weeks ago, after testing 17,755 samples.

There were 1,592 new recoveries recorded, leaving 203,960 fully recovered, and 39,511 active cases of the virus.

In a related development, some 35 teachers tested positive for coronavirus in schools across Sahiwal district, following which the city commissioner recommended the closure of schools in Okara

Karachi transgender woman finds a niche in tailoring KARACHI AgeNcIes

As transgender woman Jiya measures customers at her tailoring shop in a brand new Karachi market, her eyes gleam with the prospect of a busy Ramadan season and her ambitions to expand.

Already, Jiya, 35, who goes by a single name like many trans people in Pakistan, has broken ground by opening a public shop to make clothes for women and transgender women.

Other trans people running tailoring businesses have tended to do so out of their homes, wary of ostracism in a country with many conservative people.

Many landlords were reluctant to give a shop to a transgender woman, Jiya told Reuters at The Stitch Shop in Karachi. She finally secured one in a new market, which she opened with two other trans women in March in time for the start of Ramadan in midApril.

The holy fasting month is traditionally a busy period for tailors as people buy new clothes to mark the Eidul Fitr festival that ends Ramadan.

For Jiya, who studied at an allboys school and learned tailoring with the help of her fellow transgender women, opening her shop marks the start of her ambition.

“We want to expand this business.

We want a boutique with Eastern and

Western designs, all types of dresses,” she said.

Many of her customers are women, who said they preferred a transgender woman to make their clothes, a change from most other tailoring shops run by men.

“I felt comfortable while she took my measurements,” customer Farzana Zahid said.

National Assembly recognised the third gender in 2018, giving such individuals fundamental rights such as the ability to vote and choose their gender on official documents.

A 2017 census recorded about 10,000 transgender people, although trans rights groups say the number could be well over 300,000.

Diplomacy and Pakistan-India relations

By ZAHeeR AHMAD This is a beauty of diplomacy, it continues even at times of War. Pakistan always of the opinion to resolve bilateral issues including Kashmir through peaceful means, and diplomacy is a pivotal tool to negotiate peace. Pakistan has always given chance to India for table talk but Indian hawkish approach often end up ruining diplomatic efforts initiated by Pakistan.

The recent example of it, back door engagement process between Pakistan and India was started way back in 2018.

The dialogue engagement between two nuclear neighbours in 2018 initiated by Pakistan involving relevant people at an appropriate level in both capitals connects in order to de-escalate tension and bring normalcy. This process came to a sudden stop in August 2019 when India unilaterally abrogated Article 370. The back door diplomatic engagement continues till August 2019, and, after India abrogated Article 370 and 35A and changed the special status of Jammu and Kashmir, this process of engagement and defrosting of tensions was pushed to an immediate stop. Both sides got engaged in a major confrontational footing throughout 2019 as both kept coming closer to a brink of an armed conflict. Pakistan holds its principle position on the issue of Jammu and Kashmir.

The realisation of diplomatic importance during high times, on Pakistan’s effort both restarted their engagement in the

spring of 2020. Officials met outside Pakistan and the process encouraged by some influential countries. Such backdoor meet ups helped in relaxing tensions and stimulate dialogue. And the restart of dialogue is the the reason both sides agreed to deescalate tensions along the Line of Control (LoC) and enforce ceasefire.

Issue of Kashmir was at the top of Pakistan’s list concerning the situation in IIOJK and the increasing repression in the territory. Indian officials heard Pakistani arguments and responded to continue discussions on Kashmir. Pakistan also raised issue of New Delhi’s plan of bringing demographic changes in IIOJK, on which Indian officials shown their some willingness in discussing this issue as well.

Resumption of political activity in IIOJK is also on the list of possibilities.

Indian officials were of the view that if the ties between both countries get normalized, PM Modi could visit IIOJK to announce some measures that would create an enabling environment for greater normalization and dispute resolution.

India, on the other hand, has raised its concern over cross-border terrorism, Pakistan responded and assured the Indian side that Islamabad is strictly adhering policy of zero tolerance against non-state actors, who engage in any armed activity. With both sides actively engaging with each other in closed doors, results of the engagements do give hope of positive movement towards normalisation between the two countries.

and Sahiwal cities.

A meeting of the cabinet committee on coronavirus was held under the chairpersonship of Punjab Health Minister Dr Yasmeen Rashid.

The meeting expressed concern over the deteriorating situation of the third wave of the pandemic across the province. The participants recommended tougher measures in cities with over 15 percent positivity rate.

Terrorism charges dropped against policemen in murder case ISLAMABAD: An anti-terrorism court (ATC) in Islamabad on Monday dropped terrorism charges against five Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) officials in the Osama Satti murder case. Satti was killed by ATS personnel after they claimed that he refused to stop his vehicle at a security checkpoint following a robbery report on the wireless in Islamabad. The postmortem report later revealed that Satti was shot several times at close range. Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) Judge Shahrukh Arjumand approved applications filed by the accused against the inclusion of terrorism charges in the first information report (FIR). The court also rejected a post-arrest bail request of one of the accused. Subsequently, the court referred the matter to a district and sessions court to try the suspects for the murder. INP

Tuesday, 13 April, 2021

ISLAMABAD

SingLe WindOW AcT TO SAve $500m PeR yeAR: Pm isLamaBad

NEWS

05

Protests erupt after TLP’s Saad Rizvi arrested in Lahore

APP

Continued from page 01

RIME Minister Imran Khan on Monday said Pakistan Single Window (PSW) Act 2021 would ease the process of imports and exports, bringing an annual saving of $500 million to the country.

The prime minister in a tweet said the “another lan mark reform by PTI government” would reduce cargo clearance time from days to hours by integrating 75 regulatory departments including customs, banks, port authorities, shipping companies and brokers etc.

He said an in-department authority would manage the PSW which will be pivotal in unlocking Pakistan’s potential to become a hub for international transit and trade.

Protests in Multan led to beefing up of the security as the TLP workers blocked the road link between Multan and different cities of southern Punjab. Reports of protests from Jhelum and Naushahro Feroze were also received. TLP member Khalid Awan told a local news outlet that the government had “turned back on its promise” to expel the French ambassador

by April 20 and took Rizvi into custody. “We will not step back from our mission because of Saad Rizvi’s arrest,” he said. In Feburary, the federal government and TLP had agreed to table the TLP demands in the Parliament, which would decide the matter. At the time, the TLP had extended its deadline from February to April 20. According to the document signed on January 11, 2021, the TLP had signed an agreement with the PTI government on November 16, 2020, which could not be implemented. “The government and TLP were in talks for the past one month as the government resolved to implement it. It has been agreed that the federal government would table the agreement in the Parliament

by April 20 and decisions would be taken with a nod of the parliament,” the agreement said. The agreement had said that those TLP leaders whose names had been registered in the fourth schedule would be absolved. The agreement had said that the agreement would stand cancelled if any clause of the agreement is violated. The document had said that the prime minister would formally announce the deal which would be implemented amicably. Meanwhile, Prime Minister Imran Khan also announced the agreement on Thursday during a TV interview, saying that the government negotiators had successful talks with the leadership of TLP and it had been agreed to extend its deadline of February to April 20. “Our [negotiating] team was in talks with the TLP which turned out to be successful. The government has reached an agreement with the TLP which has extended its deadline from February to April 20. According to the agreement, the government would table the TLP demands in the Parliament which would decide the matter,” Khan had told media. He had said at time the agreement stipulates that decisions will be made with the approval of parliament. The agreement states that the names of TLP workers included in the Fourth Schedule will be removed.

P

High-end CV charging station inaugurated in Islamabad isLamaBad APP Pakistan’s High End Superfast CV Charging Station inaugurated in Islamabad on Monday that would help in decreasing the reliance on fossil fuels and help in reducing environmental pollution.

It would bring multiple benefits to the economy that included reducing environment pollution, promoting healthy climate, making significant cut in oil import bill, saving precious forex reserves and providing cost effective transportation to people. Therefore, government should announce more incentives for electric cars to attract maximum investment in this sector in the country.

Addressing the inaugural ceremony Sardar Yasir Ilyas Khan, President, Islam-

abad Chamber of Commerce and Industry said that Pakistan’s high end electric vehicle superfast (EVS) charging station assembled by Tesla Industries Islamabad.

He said many countries around the world were taking initiatives to reduce the CO2 emissions by introducing electric vehicles. He lauded the initiative of the government for approving Pakistan’s first Electric Vehicle Policy and emphasized that the government should take strong measures for its implementation so that the investors could capitalize on its incentives to manufacture electric vehicles in the country.

He said that EV chargers would help in reducing Pakistan’s capacity payments to the IPPs leading to reduction in circular debt as well.

He appreciated the initiative of Tesla

Industries for launching a “Made in Pakistan” product and starting the assembly of a complete range of EV chargers in Islamabad.

He termed it a major breakthrough in the infrastructure development of electric vehicles and hoped that it would facilitate the growth of this mode of transport in the region. Aamir Hussain, Chief Executive Officer, Tesla Industries Islamabad shared the details of EV chargers’ infrastructure development plan.

He said that Tesla would assemble EV chargers of various voltages ranging from 30, 60, 120 and 250KW to meet the needs of customers.

He said that 120KW EV Charger would take 25-30 minutes in charging a vehicle.

He said that Tesla has always been the

pioneer in introducing state of the art and innovative products in the energy sector since 1991.

He said that Tesla was the largest CNG dispensers’ manufacturer which were installed almost all over Pakistan and this superfast EV chargers will be rolled out with similar concept.

Waleed Bin Aamir, Director, Tesla Industries elaborated the EV chargers’ technology.

He said that the EV chargers of Tesla would be integrated with mobile APP for advance booking of charging time slots at any station that would be a great facilitation for the customers in planning their trips and routes.

He said that Tesla has planned to install the new EV chargers at workplaces and shopping malls in near future.

Essay contest launched on Pak-China diplomatic relations news desk The Institute of International Relations and Media Research (IIRMR) has launched an essay competition on the theme of the 70th anniversary of Pak-China diplomatic relations.

The contest was launched through an official collaboration with the Chinese Consulate-General in Lahore.

In a virtual launching ceremony, IIRMR Chairman Muhammad Mehdi and President Yasir Habib Khan said that essay completion aimed to inculcate the sense of warmness and depth of Pak-China relations which opened many corridors of cooperation on various fronts, including the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), Covid-19 bilateral coordination, educational joint mechanism, as well as synergic frameworks on agro-based technology, industrialization, people-to-people contact, cultural exchanges,

B2B businesses, G2G joint ventures and Special Economic Zones (SEZs).

Lahore Deputy Consul General Peng Zheng Wu said that the Chinese Consulate-General would officially give cash prizes and appreciation certificate to winners.

“The essay competition is part of year-long mega celebrations of commemoration of the completion of 70 years of diplomatic ties officially being organized by Pakistan and China governments,” he added.

All Pakistanis, especially students and professionals within the country and abroad, are eligible to participate in the contest by showing their writing expressions on the 70th anniversary of Pak-China diplomatic relations.

Competition is open to the participation of women, Person with Disabilities (PWDs), transgenders, overseas Pakistanis and people hailing from marginalized classes particularly in South Punjab, Balochistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) and Gwadar.

UK’s move to include Pakistan among high-risk countries not based on facts: FO Continued from page 01 “In particular, over last two years, we have taken unprecedented measures through a series of legislative, institutional and administrative actions in the domain of anti-money laundering and countering [the] financing of terrorism.” “These actions, which have also been reported to FATF [Financial Action Task Force] and shared with the EU [European Union] have been widely acknowledged by the international community,” Chaudhri observed. “The near completion of Pakistan’s FATF Action Plan through 24 out of 27 Action Items is a testament to Pakistan’s commitment and tangible actions in AML/CFT domain.” In February, FATF President Marcus Pleyer said Islamabad had made “significant progress” but there remained “serious deficiencies” in mechanisms to plug money laundering and terrorism financing. FATF had placed Pakistan on its “grey list” of countries with inadequate controls over terrorism financing in 2018, which made foreign firms more cautious about investing in Pakistan.

PPP CEC asks its members to resign from PDM Continued from page 01 “Neither the details of the PTI’s deal with the IMF have been shared with the people or their representatives,” he said. “Whatever knowledge we derived about it was due to the IMF’s documents,” he added.

He blamed the government for conducting “a historic attack” on the country’s economic independence, saying that through the draft State Bank of Pakistan ordinance that the Centre wanted to be passed, the government was ensuring that the central bank does not answer to the country.

“The PPP’s Central Executive Committee rejects it [the ordinance] and we will,

even in Ramadan, start a campaign against this PTI-IMF deal,” he said.

The PPP chairperson said the government’s policy on the contentious Kashmir issue was “contradictory and confusing”. He said it was the obligation of the government to represent and be the voice of the oppressed Kashmiris in their time of need.

He said the BJP’s manifesto spoke about annexing occupied Kashmir. “Despite that, during India’s election campaign, the prime minister of Pakistan said if Modi wins, only then the issue of Kashmir will be solved,” Bilawal stressed.

The PPP chairperson said “history will remember” this sentence by PM Imran

Khan. “History will remember there was a prime minister who was this inept and a failure on this issue,” he lashed out at the premier. Bilawal lamented PM Imran Khan had reacted to India’s illegal August 5 move by saying: “What can I do?”

“And all of a sudden Imran Khan remembered that Modi, for whom he campaigned during the entire elections, was a fascist,” he said, mocking the prime minister.

He then pointed out how the government had, at first, said it wanted to trade with India but later rejected its own move. “Khan can’t seem to not make mistakes on Kashmir,” he said. “And he keeps on making mistakes on Kashmir [again and again],” he said.

“He [Imran Khan] says at times that he is the ambassador of Kashmir but then acts as Kulbhushan Jadhav’s lawyer,” said the PPP chairperson.

Bilawal said “when a leader leads” the country by taking the Parliament and the people into confidence, then the country can tackle India and other powers in the world as well. He said the PPP’s CEC had decided to take up the issues of occupied Kashmir through its Kashmir Action Committee time and again, adding that it was the party’s resolve to ensure the Parliament is taken on board in matters concerning the masses.

Bilawal said the CEC also discussed the census 2017 results, adding that the

PPP had conditionally accepted census 2017 results at first.

He said it was on the basis of the results of the census that the country’s resources were distributed to provinces. Bilawal said the census 2017 were “de jure” results and not the “de jure” figures.

“It doesn’t count the people actually living there and consuming figures,” he said, adding that it was the PPP’s demand that the de facto results be included in the census.

He demanded the government discuss the census results during a joint session of the Parliament. “A transparent census is necessary to empower the people of Pakistan,” he said.

Tuesday, 13 April, 2021

06 COMMENT

On appeals to emotion

Anything but actual work Govt peddling another farfetched idea

P

RIME MINIStER Imran Khan wants no one in the country to go to bed hungry by distributing free food on city streets through mobile kitchens. While there is no doubt that the cause is noble, the motivation behind such a farfetched idea seems to be purely political in nature. Apart from the obvious logistical limitations of such an undertaking with less than ten food trucks operating in limited areas, there is the financial cost that the cash strapped government has presumably overlooked. the exclusion of the country’s most densely populated city Karachi and Quetta from the program raises the question as to whether this is a federal government project meant for all federating units, or just those where the PtI is in power? It does not bode well for the future of this latest initiative that similar philanthropic work, run through a public-private partnership like the Panahgahs and Langar Khanas have been largely unsuccessful and inefficient with unverified reports of misappropriation of funds to boot.

Such initiatives have so far only been used to peddle a holier than thou image of the Prime Minister and his party through photographs and a liberal peppering of religiosity while distracting from more serious matters that require immediate attention.

Inflation for example, particularly prices of basic food items such as wheat, sugar, lentils and vegetables to name a few, have become practically unaffordable for a significant majority of society over the past two and a half years.

Apart from bold statements threatening a crackdown against ‘mafias and hoarders’, tangible and effective action has not been taken to arrest the steadily rising prices. A third wave of the pandemic is ravaging through Punjab where the positivity rate and daily deaths have reached levels not seen during the first wave. the many challenges posed by the economy remain unaddressed and it seems no one is at the helm. Hafeez Sheikh, who replaced Asad Umar early on, was abruptly fired after losing his Senate seat election.

Mere days later it was announced that Sheikh’s replacement Hammad Azhar was simply a placeholder and the search for a new Finance czar was on. It is high time PM Khan shifts his focus from impractical PR schemes towards using the remainder of his time in office to deliver on promises of a better and more prosperous Pakistan.

And why they are no good

HASAN AFTAB SAEED

I

t is that part of the year again. the social media is buzzing with activity anticipating the fasting month. A recent post by a respected sheikh with a reasonably large following especially caught the eye. there is this unfortunate fact that men so often form opinions regarding the soundness of a view based on who it is coming from and not on its merits. therefore, to keep any positive or negative bias out of it, I have chosen not to name the sheikh whom I quote below: the Sheikh writes: ‘We laugh at those guys who put down the blaring volume of their rap tunes when they are driving past mosques – they seem so typical.

We are amused at those women who spend their lives without hijab but suddenly decide to cover their heads in Ramadan or when they hear the Azan on TV – they seem so irrational. We think it’s silly how people can come to Jumm’ah once a week and miss every other prayer – they seem so illogical. We are confused by those who don’t read the Qur’an all year round but place it high out of reverence – they seem so weird. We are irritated by those who sin all year round but attend a yearly Mawlid and get excited at the mention of Rasūlullāh (peace be upon him) – they seem so lost.’

He continues: ‘That’s not typical, irrational, illogical, or hypocrisy. That’s adab, that’s love, that’s humility, and a sign of faith. It’s a clear sign that a light resides within the heart. If you don’t believe that honouring Jumm’ah, Ramadan, the Qur’an, and gatherings where Rasūlullāh (peace be upon him)

Remembering I.A. Rehman A man with strong commitments

I

.A. REHMAN, a veteran journalist and an outstanding Human Rights activist passed away on Monday after a brief illness.

Rehman started his career from the Pakistan times, widely known for its enlightened outlook and progressive editorial policy from 1947- 59. Later on I.A. Rehman made his name as the Managing Editor of the Urdu daily Azad (1970-71) which was the only paper in West Pakistan that opposed military action in what was then East Pakistan.

During Zia ul Haq’s dark era, Rehman joined the weekly magazine Viewpoint edited by Mazhar Ali Khan. the magazine supported democracy and a liberal and progressive agenda. For a brief period I.A.Rehman assumed the charge of Editor-in-Chief of Pakistan times which ceased publication within years after he left. Rahman continued to contribute columns to different newspapers after saying goodbye to a career as a full time journalist. He died in harness with his last column “Both sides unaware of their role” appearing just four days before he breathed his last.

I.A. Rehman was an outstanding Human Rights activist. He joined the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan as its Director in 1990. Under his supervision the HRCP held numerous seminars and workshops on diverse issues like academic freedom, media freedom, public interest litigation, condition of jails in Pakistan, police reforms etc and published their reports along with the Commission’s recommendations. the HRCP also sent several fact finding missions to Balochistan, Sindh, KP and Gilgit-Baltistan to probe issues like forced disappearances and internal displacement in Balochistan, bonded Hari labour in Sindh, mayhem in Karachi, issues in Swat after military operation and problems seen during 2009 elections in Gilgit-Baltistan. the reports and recommendations published by the commission contributed to public awareness. the Commission’s Urdu monthly magazine “Juhd-e-Haq” and a regular yearly report on the state of HR in Pakistan provided well documented insights into challenges posed to HRs in Pakistan.

Besides numerous columns, Rehman has to his credit three books: Jinnah as Parliamentarian (co-editor), Arts and Crafts of Pakistan and Pakistan under Siege which is a collection of his columns.

IA Rehman had admirers all over South Asia. As recognition of his struggle as a HR activist he was awarded two international awards, the Nuremberg International Award for Peace and Human Rights in 2003 and Magsaysay Award for Peace and International Understanding in 2004.

KHADijA MugHAl

U

S State Department has issued its report on human rights condition in different countries across the world. the report has also discussed Pakistan, in terms of different issues including human rights violation, freedom of expression, plight of minorities, militancy and other issues. In the chapter on Pakistan, the report mentioned “threats of violence, or unjustified arrests or prosecutions against journalists, use of criminal libel laws to prosecute social media speech and censorship, and site blocking.”

A prominent feature of the rights report is the plight of women in Pakistan. the US State Department underlines a wide array of reasons for the plummeting women’s rights in Pakistan and the increase in female marginalization in the country. the report says the reasons include bureaucratic corruption, a dearth of accountability and investigation, especially when it comes to violence against women.

Shedding the light on the region as a whole, the report also cites human trafficking as a crime that directly impacts women in the country. this is also a major contributor to the marginalization of racial and ethnic minorities. Furthermore, violence and threats of violence, in addition to women, also impact other gender and sexual minorities including LGBtQ. talking about the rights of minorities, the report mentioned that there are repeated incidents on attack on them in different parts of Pakistan. “there were occasionally reports of mob violence against religious minorities, including Christians, Ahmadi Muslims, and Hindus. Shia Muslim activists reported continuing instances of targeted killings and enforced disappearances in limited parts of the country,” the report mentioned. Linked to this, the report also talked about the state misbehavior with different ethnic leaders and activities. As per the report, “human rights organizations reported some authorities disappeared or arrested Pashtun, Sindhi, and Baloch human rights activists, as well as Sindhi and Baloch nationalists without cause or warrant.”

Meanwhile, the situation at the Freedom of expression, attitude with journalists and media is not

Editor Joint Editor

Umar Aziz Executive Editor

Lahore – Ph: 042-36300938, 042-36375965

The author is a connoisseur of music, literature, and food (but not drinks). He can be reached at www.facebook.com/hasanaftabsaeed

US State Department’s human rights report reveals troubling facts about Pakistan

Arif Nizami

Managing Editor

Respect’ sometimes takes curious forms, some of them so peculiar that they leave one wondering what the words ‘honour’ and ‘revere’ mean any way. I have had the misfortune of hearing a small-time bootlegger announcing to a crestfallen customer: ‘I don’t deliver in Ramadan.

Please come back after Eid.’

A bleak outlook

Dedicated to the legacy of the late Hameed Nizami

Yousaf Nizami Aziz-ud-Din Ahmad

are mentioned can change lives then you’re the lost one – not them.’

I have taken the liberty of quoting the whole thing because it so succinctly captures a common attitude – one which I feel it is very important to address. But first, let me acknowledge that the Sheikh makes some good points, to which one cannot help nodding in agreement. It is never good to laugh at anybody. Also, lowering the music volume near mosques – and I dare add churches, temples, hospitals, schools, and homes – is basic human decency. One must never be a nuisance to anybody. I would stick my neck out and say that liking rap in itself calls one’s good taste into question, although here some might disagree with me.

Views like the Sheikh’s are popular because they are couched in words that sound very tolerant and non-judgmental, something very fashionable in the politically correct world we live in. At least that is how they start, although there is often a change of tone somewhere along the way. Notice the way this one ends (‘… then you’re the lost one…’) – doing precisely what it set out to criticise. But this is a mere quibble, raised merely for the record. Arguments are best countered on principle rather than by citing minor shortcomings.

Despite some valid points which I have acknowledged above, where this narrative is faulty – and it is a classic example of a certain kind of self-congratulatory view – is that it is based essentially on emotional arguments. that is, it makes an appeal to emotions, as opposed to rationality. Many people tend to picture themselves and their reverence for their religion when they hear them. Any wonder they love what they hear?

For an argument to be valid, it must have something more than the fact that it is emotionally soothing. the problem with emotional arguments is that they can be made to appeal to other people’s emotions as well, which may be very different from one’s own. For example, those who hold the Quran aloft for the bride to pass under it could justify the practice by claiming that it is their way of giving respect to the Quran, or getting the new couple blessed

or any such variant of the appeal to emotions. It is too bad if you happen not to be moved by a particular shade of emotion, but there would be those who relate to it. We are all moved by different sets of emotions and that is why emotions are a bad foundation to build a philosophy on.

‘Hijab’ is a grossly misunderstood issue, which I have discussed in detail in an earlier article entitled, ‘Hijab or purdah’. Suffice it to say here that that whole debate comes under the category of etiquettes for mixed company and has nothing whatever to with azan or Ramadan. It is easy to lose sight of the role culture and traditions play in our lives. Women covering their heads when they hear sound of the azan or the Quran is a very sub-continent thing. More power to them, for it is things like this that set one culture apart from another and add to the diversity and therefore the beauty of the world. But at the same time there is hardly anything ‘noble’ in the practice. to put covering of the head in perspective, there was a time in the subcontinent when it was considered unthinkable for respectable men not to wear a cap in public.

It is imperative to keep re-examining from time to time one’s arguments and their applications. If a conflicting view is encountered, or if somebody points out a discrepancy, one could do worse than to consider it with an open mind.

‘Respect’ sometimes takes curious forms, some of them so peculiar that they leave one wondering what the words ‘honour’ and ‘revere’ mean any way. I have had the misfortune of hearing a small-time bootlegger announcing to a crestfallen customer: ‘I don’t deliver in Ramadan. Please come back after Eid.’ Admittedly, this sort of thing is a far cry from the harmless practices mentioned by the Sheikh. But the question is where to draw the line. these slopes are notoriously slippery.

Was the Quran revealed for men to ‘revere’ it or to benefit from it after understanding and implementing it in their lives? What is Ramadan for? the Quran has very clear verdicts on these issues. the problem is that some are not interested in the contents of the Quran in the first place – they are too busy ‘honouring’ it.

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Karachi – Ph: 021-35381208-9

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so encouraging, according to the report. As per US State Department, unknown actors abducted journalists including likes of Matiullah Jan, Bilal Farooq and Ali Imran. Furthermore, the department mentioned about attack on journalists by militants. “In addition, threats, harassment, abductions, violence, and killings led journalists and editors to practice self-censorship. Government failure to investigate and prosecute attacks on human rights defenders and peaceful protesters led to de facto restrictions on freedom of assembly and association,” the report stated.

In short, the report has pointed out quite a bleak outlook of Pakistan in almost every social aspect.

As per the department: “investigations and prosecutions of individual cases took place, but lax enforcement, a shortage of trained police officers, and an overburdened and under-resourced court system contributed to a low number of convictions.” the major concern in this context is especially with freedom of expression and plight of ethnicities and minorities (read missing persons). Quoting Balochistan National Party-Mengal (BNP-M), the report said: “Only 450 of 5,128 missing persons had been found since 2018, and a further 1,800 disappeared during this period.” the issue of missing persons is present in Pakistan for last two decades, as relatives of these people have been demanding justice from government to Supreme Court, but the issue has remained unresolved.

If we talk about the issue of freedom of expression, it is true that the censorship on media has in-

Islamabad – Ph: 051-2204545

creased in last few years. the latest bill about “intentional disrespect of Pakistan Army” is a fresh example. Under this new bill, “anyone who shall be guilty of said offence could face up to two years imprisonment or fine that may extend to Rs500,000, or both.” there are multiple incidents of strict media codes, which have surely limited the freedom of expression in Pakistan. Although, no former ruler, be it democratic or military, has tolerated criticism and has taken steps to limit the voices against him; however, in last few years the atmosphere has become sterner. In last couple of years, it seems that there is a constant sense of fear and threat in Pakistan, be it media, social media activist or rights activist, the free voice doesn’t seem so free in the country, and this is the biggest concern.

However, Pakistan Foreign Office has strongly reacted to the report. While talking to media, Foreign Office Spokesperson Zahid Hafeez said: “Pakistan remains fully committed to the promotion and protection of human rights, in line with our national legal framework and international obligations.” the spokesperson further said: “We believe that the global human rights agenda is better served through constructive engagement and by following the principles of objectivity and non-politicization.”

It is pertinent to mention that this is not the first time; the US Department has reported such issues in Pakistan. But the situation has not changed much over the years, rather gotten worse.

A prominent feature of the rights report is the plight of women in Pakistan. The US State Department underlines a wide array of reasons for the plummeting women’s rights in Pakistan and the increase in female marginalization in the country. The report says the reasons include bureaucratic corruption, a dearth of accountability and investigation, especially when it comes to violence against women.

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Web: www.pakistantoday.com.pk

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Khadija Mughal is a writer and journalist

Email: editorial@pakistantoday.com.pk

Tuesday, 13 April, 2021

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

Turning point Daska tHE Daska by-election is a major transformation of political power from Pakistan tehreek e Insaf to Pakistan Muslim League N. the Competition between these two Political Giants is quite astounding and astonishing.After the Pol, PMLN’s Nosheen Iftikhar swept out PtI’s Asjad Malhi by a good Countable Margin of around 16k votes. Now the question is whether the Policy or the image of Government has been Collapsed or is going to be collapse? It is a significant chance for PMLN to show its Political thinking and to knockdown the Government by uprising its Political agenda because now Public is shifting their faces. the Competition between these two Political Giants is quite astounding and astonishing.After the Pol, PMLN’s Nosheen Iftikhar swept out PtI’s Asjad Malhi by a good Countable Margin of around 16k votes. Now the question is whether the Policy or the image of Government has been Collapsed or is going to be collapse? It is a significant chance for PMLN to show its Political thinking and to knockdown the Government by uprising its Political agenda because now Public is shifting their faces.

AbubAkAr AwAn ISlAmAbAd

India relations

The untouchables The proverbial buck doesn’t travel much in Pakistan

SAlMAN MuNir Q. General, how long have you been in military life?

A. If you don’t know anything about me, why do you want to interview me?

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HE above question and the answer are not taken from the Broadsheet Commission Report, recently written and released by Justice Sheikh Azmat Saeed, a retired judge of the Supreme Court of Pakistan. this is taken from Ken Metzler’s 1977 book “Creative Interviewing.” this book was written as a guide to gathering information by asking questions. It is pretty much up to the interviewer or the investigator to ask questions to elicit answers that he or she wants to get to the truth. the Broadsheet Commission Report perhaps illustrates this point to the fullest. It conveniently leaves out all the powers that were, especially the generals who headed the National Accountability Bureau during the time this wild goose chase was conceived, signed, executed and then simmered until the proverbial tipping point, costing the country a lot of money, and still counting.

Well, it seems that the Commission never heard of the famous desk sign “the Buck Stops Here,” on the presidential desk of President Harry truman of the United States. Or it chose to ignore it and followed the Pakistani justice system. In this system, we routinely find the application of “the buck stops here,” at the lower- to mid-level people and almost never the highest-level ones, where it should actually stop. But then people at the top are powerful, rich and well connected. It is difficult and cumbersome to tackle them and their battery of lawyers. So we take the easy way out leaving them untouched.

Maybe the buck travels very slowly in Pakistan or doesn’t travel much at all. By the time

inquiries or investigations take place the buck has reached somewhere in the middle of the totem pole and that is where it stays. thus, the executive and sadly the judiciary get stuck there. this is exactly what seems to have happened in the Broadsheet inquiry. Everyone in the middle is a suspect except the generals who headed the NAB, the then Prime Minister, the then President, the High Commissioner for Pakistan in UK, the Law Minister, the Finance Minister and so on and so on.

William Shenstone, English poet and essayist, was right when he wrote, “Laws are generally found to be nets of such a texture, as the little creep through, the great break through, and the middle-sized are alone entangled in.”

Indeed. the list of untouchables in Pakistan is long. to illustrate my point: A judge of a “Model Court” in Quetta acquitted a former Balochistan lawmaker Majeed Khan Achakzai, in the death of a traffic warden in a hit-and-run case in June 2017. the reason: “Lack of evidence.” the traffic warden Haji Atta Ullah was hit at G.P.O crossing in June 2017. the fast moving SUV that rammed into the traffic warden belonged to Majeed Khan Achakzai. the whole incident was captured on CCtV footage. After it went viral, the police was forced to file an FIR against the lawmaker. According to a newspaper, Achakzai appeared on some tV channels and apparently admitted to driving the vehicle at the time of the accident. Yet for the Judge of the Model Court the case lacked evidence. Such is the power of the untouchables or is it that justice in Pakistan is really blind? the Prime Minister now openly laments that he allowed the former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif to travel to United Kingdom for medical treatment because of a bail granted by a superior court. that may be so but now he is practically untouchable living in comfort in London. In my opinion, the government got weakkneed just like the court due to a great farce put up in public by PML (N). then some of the cabinet members played footsie with PML (N) for associations past and urged the Prime Minister, with tears, to let Nawaz Sharif go. Well if this lament was not enough in his recent question and answer session, he made another and a bigger faux pas. two incidents happened in quick succes-

The whole incident was captured on CCTV footage.

After it went viral, the police was forced to file an FIR against the lawmaker.

According to a newspaper, Achakzai appeared on some TV channels and apparently admitted to driving the vehicle at the time of the accident.

sion, both an affront to the women of the world.

Both crafted by the men of the world, one in the West and the other in the East. the one in the West has come to be known as “Sofagate.” In this incident European Commission Chief Ursula Von Der Leyen was left standing while the two gentlemen President Recep tayyip Erdogan, and European Council President Charles Michel quickly occupied the two chairs in the middle of the room. the three leaders enjoy equal diplomatic status or rank. Ladies first was also dumped in the process of this game of musical chairs. Since there was no third chair nearby, Ursula Leyen had to seat herself on a sofa away from the two chairs. this blunder came to be known as “Sofagate.” the blame game is still on as to who was responsible for this faux pas? turks, as we know, do not easily accept blame. the faux pas in the East was by none other than our Premier, who is increasingly becoming preachy, just like President Jimmy Carter towards the end of his only term as President.

Since we are talking of gates, shall we call it “Rapegate?” the Prime Minister said on Aril 5, 2021 that when you increase obscenity in society there is an effect. And that the whole concept of the veil in our religion is to stamp out temptation in the males. In just one minute the Prime Minister, in words of the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan, displayed “a baffling ignorance of where, why and how rape occurs,” but “also placed the blame on rape survivors.” Later his motley crew comprising the best and the brightest of the local variety went on overdrive for damage control. the damage had been done. From around the world people protested against this insensitive remark. None other than the first former wife of the Premier, Jemima Goldsmith vociferously tweeted “the Imran I knew used to say put a veil on the man’s eyes and not on the woman.”

Well the Premier kept different company then.

Premier’s second former wife Reham Khan, also a British citizen, condemned this wrong way of thinking. Our Heads of State should learn from the words of Walter Lippmann on stereotypes “For the most part we do not see first and then define, we define first and then see.” Like Imran Khan now, President Pervez Musharraf by 2005 had become over confident and insensitive and carried an opinion on everything including “Rapegate.” He told Washington Post in September 2005 “this (rape) has become a money making concern (in Pakistan). A lot of people say if you want to go abroad and get a visa for Canada or citizenship or be a millionaire, get yourself raped.”

Our Heads of State must measure their words twice and then speak. If speak they must.

The faux pas in the East was by none other than our Premier, who is increasingly becoming preachy, just like President Jimmy Carter towards the end of his only term as President. Since we are talking of gates, shall we call it “Rapegate?”

The writer is a management consultant and innocence lawyer. He can be reached at as1236m@gmail.com

FOREIGN Minister Makhdoom Shah Mahmood Qureshi on Saturday said Pakistan was ready for dialogue with India if the latter ensured a conducive environment. the Kashmir issue was the main hurdle in talks and he would even visit New Delhi if India first stopped brutalities on the people in the Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) and restore the special status of the Valley, he said talking to the media after inaugurating the Ramazan Relief Package here at a Utility Store.

Qureshi, however, made it clear that Pakistan was not in a hurry. India would have to show some flexibility for talks on all the issues, including Kashmir, Siachen, water, Sir Creek and others as a war was no solution to resolve the same. He said the Bharatiya Janata Party’s government in New Delhi could not suppress the Kashmiris’ indigenous freedom movement through brutal acts. the whole world, including the European Union and human rights organizations were questioning India over the worst rights abuses in the occupied Valley. Qureshi said he even did not express his desire for a meeting with his Indian foreign minister at Dushanbe (tajikistan), where the two were present to attend a conference. He said the ceasefire at the Line of Control, which had come into effect recently, was benefiting the people from both sides of the divide. the foreign minister said Pakistan had opened the Kartarpur Corridor as a goodwill gesture. they would welcome the Sikh community for ‘Vaisakhi’ (Baisakhi) celebrations if they were allowed by the Indian government. to a question about the recent visit of Russian foreign minister to Pakistan, Qureshi said both the countries decided to further cement their ties. A meeting would be held in Moscow during the current year to promote economic relations and the prime minister had issued special directives for its preparations. He said Russia had offered cooperation in defence filed, and provision of equipment to enhance counter terrorism capacity of Pakistani law enforcement agencies. It had also offered assistance for the uplift of railway infrastructure and energy sector, and revival of the Pakistan Steel Mills, which was installed by Russia. the foreign minister said Russia fully supported Pakistan’s strategy and policies regarding Afghanistan. Due to the successful foreign policy, he said, Pakistan also enjoyed good relations with the Central Asian republics. to a question, he had not yet talked to National Assembly Speaker Asad Qaiser regarding the permission not given by the Afghan authorities to the aeroplane with a parliamentary delegation aboard, to land at the Kabul airport issue. the Pakistani delegation led by NA speaker was going to Kabul as a goodwill gesture. the Afghan government, he said, had taken notice of the matter and initial reports suggested that there was some security issue. Pakistan wanted friendship with a peaceful, stable, prosperous and developed Afghanistan, he added.

Replying to a question, the foreign minister said Prime Minister Imran Khan did not believe in the politics of revenge. Jehangir tareen was their companion and their doors remained always open for him. the notices were issued to some 17 sugar millers and not Jehangir tareen alone. the Pakistan Democratic Movement leaders were jubilating that Mr tareen would part ways with the Pakistan tehreek-e-Insaf (PtI) though the latter had no such intention, he added. the foreign minister said the prime minister was fully committed to the eradication of corruption as it was the main agenda of the PtI’s election manifesto. there would be no compromise on such issues, he added, while ruling out creation of any forward bloc in the party.

SohAIl AlI khAn ISlAmAbAd

Tackling prejudice MISSISSIPPI’S governor has signed a law banning transgender athletes from competing in girls sports at school, just reason of that transgender girls are naturally strong, and faster because they are biologically male, so American state of mississippi’s passed a measure last week to banned transgender athletes from joining competition female sports team. It is one of the the biggest gender inequality for the transgender girls. So, I request to the Human Rights Policies and community authorities focus on this unfair decision.

FArAh nAz SAEEd AhmEd TurbAT kEch

Strange celebration I noted with surprise and dislike tabraiz Shamsi’s Shoe Dialing celebration every time he took a opposition’s wicket. during 1st 20/20 cricket match dated 10th April 2021 between Pakistan and South Africa.

Every time Shamsi took a wicket , he took off his shoe and put the lower side of it at his cheek and ear to as if he is talking on phone .

What does this celebration means ? I don’t know but what I am sure is this was a not good activity to see while watching international cricket especially with family .

EjAz AhmAd mAgoon lAhorE

Tuesday, 13 April, 2021

08 WORLD VIEW

a gaMe of great powers THE REALITIES OF THE EVOLVING COMPETITION BETWEEN THE UNITED STATES AND CHINA

STraTegy bridge

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andrew novo

T is no secret that the relationship between the united States and China will define the twentyfirst century. That relationship promises to be a rocky one. The Biden administration has identified strategic competition between the united States and China as a key national security concern. This point was emphasized by the new national Security Advisor, Jake Sullivan, in a February 4, 2021 press briefing and will likely feature prominently in the Biden administration’s national Security Strategy. Aspects of this competition permeate nearly every facet of geopolitics, but what are the implications for alliance politics in a world defined by competition between the united States and China? in great power competition, alliances matter as much as anything else. And, as previous great power competitions demonstrate, alliance shifts can lead to instability and even open conflict between competitors.

For the united States to maintain the upper hand in a worldwide strategic competition with China, alliances play a central role.

NOTHING COULD BE MORE DEVASTATING TO AMERICA’S SECURITY IN THE LONG TERM THAN A HEIGHTENED CHINESE PRESENCE IN THE AMERICAS: Three main areas of concern exist for the united States. First, following the oldest rule in politics, the united States will need to secure its base in the face of increasing Chinese pressure. This means maintaining collaborative relations in the Western Hemisphere and preventing China from securing alliances there. nothing could be more devastating to America’s security in the long term than a heightened Chinese presence in the Americas. Second, the united States needs to recommit to its most important existing alliances so that they do not slip from Washington to Beijing. China seeks either to detach American allies from their partnership with Washington or to marginalize them. Finally, for the united States to play the great power game, it must do all it can to avoid isolation among the great powers. This means paying attention to the critical partnership with the european union, but also thinking ahead to strategic partnership with india as the number of great powers in the world expands.

AMERICAN POWER IS UNDERPINNED BY SECURITY AT HOME AND A LACK OF COMPETITION FROM OTHER GREAT POWERS IN ITS BACKYARD: China’s quest for a proverbial place in the sun has made it an active force in practically every corner of the world. From an American strategic perspective, China’s inroads in the Caribbean and South America are particularly concerning. American power is underpinned by security at home and a lack of competition from other great powers in its backyard. This has been the case since America’s victory in the 1898 Spanish-American War and europe’s subsequent concession to American power in the western hemisphere. The Soviet union made some noise in the western hemisphere during the Cold War, but through economic influence, blind realpolitik which involved sometimes supporting atrocity prone right-wing regimes and the occasional coup—some successful others not—and one enormously effective naval quarantine of Cuba in 1962 the united States asserted its control of the hemisphere.

China is slowly starting to challenge that reality. As early as 2011, the international Monetary Fund could publish papers describing the “The growing economic Presence of China in the Caribbean.” Today, China’s engagement only continues to grow across a wide spectrum: economically, militarily, and diplomatically, from infrastructure projects and arms sales to the purchase of natural resources. As was the situation during the Cold War with the Soviet union and at the close of the preceding century against the old european empires, the united States will have to be prepared to fight China for economic, political, and military influence in Latin America.

BEIJING IS DRAWING CLOSER TO THE EUROPEAN UNION AND RUSSIA WHILE THE UNITED STATES IS INCREASINGLY SIDELINED FROM NEW INTERNATIONAL AGREEMENTS. As for allies, China is both looking to build its own partnerships and to disrupt American ones. China aims to surpass Japan as the dominant economic force in Asia, while tying its neighbors more closely to it. it is working to co-opt the Philippines away from the influence of the united States.

Chinese policy is also aimed at isolating the united States diplomatically and economically, and undermining its position within international institutions, although it is hard to imagine Chinese actions being more effective in this regard than those of America itself. Take, for example America’s withdrawal from the twelve nation Trans-Pacific Partnership in January 2017. This created a vacuum that China swiftly filled with the Regional Comprehensive economic Partnership in november 2020. China is also hard at work creating alternative institutions to those cre-

ated by the united States after the Second World War, which retain a strong degree of American leadership.

China wants to push the united States out of europe. China may not be able to completely replace the united States in europe in terms of investment, trade, or security cooperation, but it can certainly make America less critical for europe in all these areas. That, in and of itself, would be a big win. Beijing is drawing closer to the european union and Russia while the united States is increasingly sidelined from new international agreements. in March 2019, italy became the first major european country to join the Belt and Road initiative. in December 2020, the european union and China announced a Comprehensive Agreement on investment. in stark contrast, negotiations for an eu-u.S. trade compact, the Transatlantic Trade and investment Partnership came to a halt in October 2016 after 15 rounds of talks when President Trump suspended talks after coming into office. in April 2018, the european Commission dismissed them as “obsolete and no longer relevant” adding the insult of redundant language to geopolitical injury.

IN THE CONTEXT OF GREAT POWER COMPETITION, NOTHING IS AS IMPORTANT AS THE ATTITUDES OF THE GREAT POWERS THEMSELVES. As a complement to its european successes, China has recently achieved even closer cooperation with Russia. China is investing $55 billion in a pipeline linking Russian gas fields to northern Chinese industrial cities; over the next three decades, Russian gas exports to China may be worth $400 billion. Russia’s share of yuan reserves has steadily increased. Trade between Russia and China nearly touched $110 billion in 2019 with a goal of $200 billion by 2024 and while this may be a drop in the bucket for China, it represents more than 15% of Russian trade. in 2018, the two nations even conducted their first joint military drills and did so again September 2020 during the “kavkaz 2020” exercise. in the context of great power competition, nothing is as important as the attitudes of the great powers themselves. This must seem blatantly obvious, but the united States must prioritize collaboration and partnership with the european union. The united States needs to restore trust and recommit itself to the transatlantic relationship economically, diplomatically, and in the security sphere.

Simultaneously, the united States should prioritize its diplomatic and economic relations with traditional allies like the Philippines and Japan while reaching out to new Asia partners like Vietnam and indonesia seeking opportunities for investment, trade, and cooperation. Japan, as the world’s third largest economy, is essential to great power competition with China. it is a close American

Matter of faith

IF THE UNITED STATES IS SERIOUS ABOUT A STRATEGIC COMPETITION WITH CHINA, IT MUST REMEMBER THE CRITICAL IMPORTANCE OF ALLIANCES. INDIA REMAINS A STRONG CONTENDER TO JOIN THE UNITED STATES, CHINA, RUSSIA, AND THE EUROPEAN UNION AT THE HEAD TABLE OF GREAT POWERS: Just as critically, the united States needs to invest in its relationship with india. india was absent from both the Chinese-led Regional Comprehensive economic Partnership and the kavkaz 2020 exercise. Two weeks before the scheduled start date of the military exercise, india announced its withdrawal. india’s decision, spurred by an increasingly tense relationship with China is good news for the united States. From an American perspective, india should be at the heart of strategies to contain and undermine the expansion of Chinese power through Asia.

After China, india is the second most populous nation on earth. it borders China, but its geographical position is also critical for other reasons. india has the ability to project power and influence into southeast Asia. it can compete for economic, political, and military influence with China in Thailand, Cambodia, and Vietnam, Malaysia, and indonesia. Chinese hegemony in Asia relies on india, willingly or unwilling, playing a secondary role. india also sits at the very heart of the Maritime Silk Road, controlling access to the gulf and the Suez Canal. if the united States is serious about a strategic competition with China, it must remember the critical importance of alliances. india remains a strong contender to join the united States, China, Russia, and the european union at the head table of great powers. China’s problematic relations with india provide an opening for the united States to exploit. All too often, the united States is reactive, rather than proactive in its competition with China. establishing closer ties with india is a significant opportunity for the united States to act first. After all, in today’s great power competition, the iron-clad rule of the iron chancellor endures: in a world of five great powers, one must “try to be à trois.”

Andrew Novo is Associate Professor of Strategic Studies at the National Defense University, Washington, D.C. The views expressed here are entirely his and do not reflect those of the National Defense University, the Department of Defense, or the United States government.

Silence on Kumbh shows Indians think only Muslims spread Covid

Supreme Court upholds freedom of religion Tribune, india

THERE’S NOTHING MORE LIBERATING THAN THE TRUTH. AND THE TRUTH IS THAT INDIA HAS FANGS OF COMMUNALISM DEEPLY DUG INTO IT

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unking a public interest litigation (PiL) against religious conversions, the Supreme Court has sternly upheld the right of an adult to freely choose, practise and propagate his/her religion as guaranteed by the Constitution. While this firm stand is as it should be, its reinforcement is significant in the current atmosphere of divisively communal politics and the ‘otherisation’ of minorities. The SC rightly called out the ‘publicity interest litigation’ which subverted an individual’s right to freedom of religion as being of a ‘very, very harmful kind’.

The petition had sought directions to the Centre and the states to ban black magic, superstition and religious conversions that were allegedly being done through threats, intimidation or bribes.

Refusing to entertain the petitioner’s request, the court ordered him to withdraw the PiL or risk the imposition of heavy costs.

Pertinently, the Supreme Court is examining the constitutional validity of a spate of ‘anticonversion’ laws enacted recently by states such as Himachal Pradesh, uttarakhand, uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh. Flagging the bogey of ‘love jihad’ in inter-faith marriages, these legislations are based on assumptions that all conversions take place under duress. A slew of petitions challenging these laws were filed as mixed couples intending to tie the nuptial knot and their families faced harassment. india’s secular image has taken a beating as political weaponisation of religion is bound to deal a severe blow to our multi-religious and diverse society. These disconcerting developments undermine the constitutional safeguard that there should be no discrimination on the basis of religion. Such a trend also militates against an exponentially increasing number of independent women who are exercising their agency and choosing their partners without any constraint.

The right to freedom of religion is inviolable.

ally and a financial powerhouse with a history of problematic relations with China. More than any country, Japan stands to lose from Chinese regional hegemony. good relations with Japan should be at the top of the president’s foreign policy agenda.

PrinT

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Zainab Sikander

HeRe’S nothing more liberating than the truth. And currently, india’s truth is that when a minority community practises their religion, particularly in the time of Covid, it is seen as malicious.

Muslims were labeled jihadis and super spreaders at the beginning of the coronavirus pandemic in india last year in March when over 3,000 of them, including foreign nationals who had visas and permission by the government of india to attend the Tablighi Jamaat, congregated at the Markaz in Delhi’s nizamuddin.

Another example is that of the Sikhs hoisting the ‘nishan Saheb’ flag at the Red Fort on 26 January this year as part of the farmers’ protests. Though this act by a select group of protesters was illegal, they were immediately branded as ‘khalistani terrorists’ for wanting to divide india so that they could carve out their own country for the Sikhs.

Then there are Christians who have been attacked and called “rice bags” for allegedly forcing poor Hindus and tribals to adopt Christianity through their missionary work. According to Persecution Relief, an organisation that aims to protect the right to worship guaranteed by the Constitution, crimes against Christians rose by 40.87 per cent during the lockdown.

And now during the second wave of the pandemic, when the cases are rising faster than inflation, we are witnessing the Maha kumbh in its full glory after 11 years.

THE MAHA KUMBH, COVID’S MAHA OPPORTUNITY: The Maha kumbh was last held in 2010.

And if in case you are awfully optimistic, it might be seen as a great break from the gloom and doom that

the world is facing since the past one year — to have a congregation where lakhs of devotees will throng in good faith. But then if you happen to be pragmatic, you will also see one lakh forty-five thousand three hundred and eighty- four red flags because those are the highest single-day Covid cases that have been reported on Friday. And the numbers don’t seem to be going down anytime soon. We are in the vortex of the second wave. But it isn’t just about the numbers. it is about the stark bias that is being seen in reporting in media as well as government approvals for such religious gatherings vis-à-vis the minorities. On Friday, a huge gathering of people at the Banke Bihari Temple in Mathura, where absolutely no Covid guidelines were followed, was allowed by the authorities. While the CMO of Mathura district insisted to Ani that all temples and dharamshalas were told to follow covid protocols, videos emerging from the temple tell a rather different story.

Media persons, who had cried hoarse during the Tablighi Jamaat fiasco, appear to have lost their voices now. it seems as if only Muslims can spread the coronavirus and any other religious congregation is Covidfree despite glaring lapses in protocol.

Truth be told, it isn’t the observance of any religious practice that’s problematic. People know this is a pandemic and the dangers it poses. in spite of that, if they choose to break Covid protocol, it shows their insensitivity. The real problem lies in the selective punitive measures meted out to those who belong to the majority versus those from minority communities.

While the Tablighi Jamat members were slapped with cases under the iPC, the epidemic Diseases Act, the Disaster Management Act and even the nSA — at a time when india knew little about the imported virus, and all religious places functioned normally — now, after 1.7 lakh deaths, similar religious gatherings by

other communities appear immune to any State action.

COVID IN MOSQUES, FAITH IN TEMPLES: The problem also lies in the unapologetic and unabashed differential treatment that is normalised by the media.

Reporting of a mosque spilling with people is very different from reporting of a temple spilling with people.

While both are wrong, one is shown as a matter of faith while the other as terrorism. This isn’t new but we must keep calling it out till we can.

The bigoted idea that Muslims seem to do no good is openly shown on our TV screens. Muslim aspirants of uPSC are being called jihadis trying to enter the bureaucracy and wage a ‘holy war. There has been no legal action against such peddlers of bigotry. When a French school teacher Samuel Paty was murdered by a man for showing his students the cartoon of Prophet Muhammad (PBuH), most Muslims unequivocally condemned the barbaric act but also showed their displeasure with the offensive caricature. i too expressed my displeasure with the cartoons. But we ended up being called extremists for doing so. This in a country where a movie like ‘Padmavati’ can cause people to go up in arms for portraying a queen, who some treat as goddess. Amusingly, those vilifying Muslims for being intolerant over the cartoons (which they said was freedom of expression) were offended by M.F. Husain’s paintings of Hindu deities clothed in “nothing but the sky”. Hussain was sent death threats over these artworks and had to go into exile because of it.

There’s indeed nothing more liberating than the truth. And the truth is that india has the fangs of communalism deeply dug into it. it should liberate those who still question whether communalism is a small town parochial minded phenomena that shouldn’t matter much. it is now a pan-india urban phenomena that is changing the soul of our country.

Tuesday, 13 April, 2021

BUSINESS 09

ISLAMABAD CORPORATE CORNER

Pakistan’s first e-commerce awards a roaring success KARACHI PRESS RELEASE

Pakistan’s first eCommerce awards, showcasing more than 400 eCommerce websites spanning over 11 different categories, were held successfully with the host team was beyond grateful for all the amazing partners, sponsors and participants who made this venture a success. It was a great race in which the People’s Choice awards received more than 108,683 people votes. The awards were divided into two classifications named founders’ choice and peoples’ choice awards. Each of these had further categories for participants to compete in. The winners of the awards are as follows: All of the nominated participants expressed gratitude and were honoured to be part of such an enthralling event. There were some outstanding winners but many were not far behind and deserve a chance of appreciation and recognition.

Some honourable mentions are Naheed.pk for the grocery category and JOMO for new e-com Startup 2020. The awards came to an end with hope for a bigger and better event next year and a yearning to continue this as an annual event.

Germany to boost investment in Pakistan BERLIN APP

Germany on Monday expressed the intent to increase investment in Pakistan’s diverse sectors and boost trade relations. As per details, German Foreign Minister, Heiko Maas and Foreign Minister, Shah Mahmood Qureshi, at a joint press conference in Berlin agreed to strengthen bilateral ties with particular focus on increasing trade and investments. The German foreign minister termed the Qureshi’s visit a good opportunity for launching new German initiatives and projects in Pakistan. Maas expressed satisfaction over the interest of 35 German companies ready to invest in Pakistan and added that the encouraging trend would help tap into immense business potential.

“Germany wanted to build up cooperation with Pakistan.” he said, adding that constructive discussions were held on diverse matters to further this aim. Foreign Minister Qureshi welcomed the plans of new German investment in Pakistan and highlighted that the country’s shift in policy from geopolitics to geoeconomics could turn out to be a great opportunity for German companies. “Incentives announced by the Pakistan government for foreign investors would make the country a hub of regional trade,” Qureshi said, emphasising that Pakistan wanted to deepen, broaden and transform its economic relations with Germany. He said Pakistan could benefit from Germany in technlogy transfer and the projects relating to supply and production of electric vehicles in line with the government’s policy of safe and green climate. He lauded Germany’s supportive role in helping Pakistan achieve GSP Plus status in the European Union (EU) and for not allowing the politicising of the Financial Action Task Force (FATF). Qureshi also expressed gratitude to Germany for committing to supply 50 million doses of Covid-19 by May and mentioned that Pakistan as a population of 220 million would require more doses in the future. He said German Chancellor, Angela Merkel, did a grea job in the development of Germany, adding that Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan was keen to visit Germany. Speaking to the media later, Qureshi mentioned that his meeting with his German counterpart also took up ways to overcome delays in visa issuance. The two foreign ministers earlier led delegation-level talks encompassing issues related to trade, energy, visa strategy and peace in Afghanistan.

GOvt takes actiOn aGainst thOse resPOnsible fOr PetrOl crisis ISLAMABAD

t

AHMAD AHMADANI

HE government has started taking action against those behind the countrywide petrol shortage in June 2020 In light of the recommendations of a cabinet committee on petrol crisis.

According to sources, the government has finally moved to make the responsible of petrol crisis an example by initiating actions against them in the light of a report submitted by a cabinet committee on petrol crisis. And, also directed petroleum division, Maritime Affairs Division and Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (OGRA) to take some actions to address the shortcomings in the present system.

As per details, federal cabinet on December 15, 2020 constituted a committee comprising Minister for Planning Asad Omar, Education Minister Shafqat Mahmood, Human Rights Minister Dr Shireen Mazarim Railways

Minister Azam Swati and Shahzad Akbar to analyze the report of a commission which was formed to probe in detail the said petrol crisis.

This committee recommended administrative actions including stepping down of the then Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Petroleum Nadeem Babar, reporting to the Establishment Division by Secretary Petroleum Mian Asad Hayauddin, removal/transfer of officers of Directorate General of Oil, removal/transfer of relevant officers of port authority who were involved with the alleged delay in berthing of ships, appointment of professional officers on technical positions (such as DG Oil) through objective criteria be ensured, creation of Monitoring Cell in petroleum division for reliable data collection, analysis and decision making to do away with reliance on Oil Companies Advisory Council (OCAC), establishment of new testing labs able to test all petroleum products and mandatory testing of im-

ported petroleum products.

The cabinet committee on petrol crisis had also suggested the government to start forensic audit from FIA for the failure of maintaining minimum 20days stocks as per the license requirement of OMCs over a prolonged period, failure to ensure lifting of products by OMCs from local refineries as per PRM decisions of February, March, & April, 2020, apparent maneuvering of berthing plan of vessels, failure to ensure implementation of PRM decisions regarding imports, fake sales, hoarding & discrepancies between the reported and actual supplies to retails outlets by OMCs, illegalities regarding provisional marketing licenses to OMCs, unlawful joint ventures (JVs) and hospitalities, illegal private storages and illegal retail outlets.

Moreover, the cabinet committee recommended inquiry into the affairs of BYCO refinery & OMC and reported involvement in sale of illegal petroleum products, and inquiry of companies in-

ACCA, WWF-Pak agree to promote corporate sustainability LAHORE PRESS RELEASE

The Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) and World Wide Fund for Nature (WWFPakistan) have joined hands to commemorate Earth Day 2021.

To promote awareness about climate risks, highlight key environmental issues and inspire corporate sector for collaborative action, ACCA Pakistan and WWF-Pakistan will jointly be holding a virtual conversation featuring prominent leaders from across the Middle East and South Asia region.

Emphasising on the role of finance as a profession in promoting sustainable business practices, the head of ACCA Pakistan, Sajjeed Aslam, stated: ‘Finance professionals have a key role to play in any organisation’s journey of sustainability as there is an urgent need for them to fully understand the interconnectivity between financial capital and natural capital, recognising that failing to do so is raising reputational, physical

and transitional risks.’

Commenting on the collaboration with ACCA Pakistan, Hammad Naqi Khan, Director General, WWFPakistan said: ‘WWF-Pakistan and ACCA in Pakistan have previously worked together in introducing the Pakistan Environmental Reporting Awards (PERA) that resulted in greater adoption of sustainable reporting by the corporate sector in the country. We are happy to be collaborating with them again on a regional level to start a dialogue about the serious climate and environmental risks our communities and economies face.’

South Asia and the Middle East are amongst the most vulnerable regions impacted by climate change with countries like Pakistan, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka already being severely impacted.

The collaboration between ACCA Pakistan and WWF-Pakistan will help the respective governments in the region to get greater support in achieving their sustainability goals from the corporate sector as it becomes more aware about the climate risks and realise the significance of its contributions.

ICAO audit team likely to postpone Pakistan visit MONITORING REPORT The International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO)’s audit team has proposed the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) to postpone its scheduled visit, from July 5 to 15, in the summer to Pakistan due to a surge in the coronavirus cases, according to local media reports.

However, the CAA has suggested to the ICAO not to postpone the visit saying the Pakistani team will be vaccinated against Covid-19.

According to a report by Dawn that quoted an official privy to the matter, if the scheduled visit of summer is postponed, it would possibly be held from October to December.”

The ICAO’s team which comprised citizens of different nationalities had been assured that all of the CAA officials coordinating with them during their visit would be vaccinated against Covid-19.

China extends crackdown on Jack Ma’s empire with enforced revamp of Ant Group BEIJING AGENCIES

China has imposed a sweeping restructuring on Jack Ma’s Ant Group, the fintech conglomerate whose record $37 billion IPO was derailed by regulators in November, underscoring Beijing’s determination to rein in its internet giants.

The overhaul, in the works for several months, includes Ant turning itself into a financial holding firm, a move expected to curb its profitability and valuation by curtailing some of its freewheeling businesses.

It comes two days after Ma’s Alibaba Group Holding Ltd, of which Ant is an affiliate, was hit with a record $2.75 billion antitrust penalty as China tightens controls on

the booming “platform economy”. The overhaul, directed by China’s central bank, subjects Ant to tougher regulatory oversight and capital requirements, and requires it to cut links between its hugely popular payments app Alipay and its other businesses – which had been viewed as a big advantage due to Alipay’s vast trove of customer data.

“This restructure effectively splits Ant

into a few independent businesses to stop Alipay from being a super app capable of controlling the day to day lives of the Chinese people,” said Lightstream Research analyst Oshadhi Kumarasiri, who publishes on the Smartkamra platform.

“We believe it will limit Ant’s growth prospects and also open up the market for competition.” Ant, based in the eastern city

volved in adulteration of petroleum products.

The cabinet committee on petrol crisis in a bid to fix the gaps in law, regulations and policies further recommended that OGRA Ordinance 2002 may be reviewed to remove the ambiguity regarding the roles and responsibilities of the petroleum division and OGRA and task may be assigned to Ministry of Law, Petroleum Division and Cabinet Division.

Similarly, it is recommended that OGRA should take lead to redefine punitive measures and measures to make them more stringent against illegalities, irregularities by the OMCs like figure fudging to show fake supplies, establishing illegal petrol pumps, sale of smuggled & adulterated products, construction of strategic storages of refined products and crude oil, up-gradation of outdated refineries with modern technology to reduce cost, increase efficiency and provision of environment friendly products to the countrymen.

Overseas remittances exceed $2bn for 10th consecutive straight month ISLAMABAD APP

Remittances from Pakistani workers employed abroad exceeded $2 billion for the 10th consecutive month in March at $2.7 billion — up 43 per cent from a year earlier, according to data released by the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP). In a statement released on Monday, the central bank said that proactive policy steps by the government and SBP to spur inflows through formal channels, combined with limited cross-border travel, medical expenses and altruistic transfers amid the pandemic fueled the rise. “At $2.7bn, the remittances were up 20 per cent compared to February and 43 per cent compared to March 20. Cumulatively, the remittances have risen to $21.5bn during July-March FY21, up 26 per cent over the same period last year,”. the bank said on Twitter. The bank said that a large part of the remittances during the July to March period in FY21 came mainly from Saudi Arabia, standing at $5.7 billion; the United Arab Emirates (UAE), at $4.5 billion; with $2.9 billion from Britain and $1.9 billion from the United States. Prime Minister Imran Khan took to Twitter to appreciate the role of overseas Pakistanis for their “unparalleled love and commitment for the country”. “You sent over $2 billion for 10 straight months despite Covid, breaking all records. Your remittances rose to $2.7 billion in March, 43 per cent higher than last year,” he said, thanking them for their support and commitment to the country’s development. Similarly, Federal Minister for Finance and Revenue Hammad Azhar also said that workers’ remittances have recorded an increase of 43 percent in March 2021 as compared to same period of last year. “Remittances during the first three quarters of the current financial year (202021) have witnessed an increase of 26.2 per cent by growing from $17billion last year to $21.5 billion during the current year,” the minister tweeted. of Hangzhou, was positioned as a tech firm in 2018 when it raised $14 billion at a valuation of about $150 billion in the world’s largest single fundraising. At its planned IPO pricing, that soared to about $315 billion.

Sources told Reuters last month that some global investors valued Ant at over $200 billion based on its 2020 performance, offering a more sober estimate after the shelving of its IPO and expectations for its forced restructuring.

New York-listed shares of e-commerce giant Alibaba were up 8% after Monday’s announcement, tracking a similar gain for its Hong Kong shares earlier in the day, with investors cheering the end of uncertainty for Alibaba after the antitrust fine.

Tuesday, 13 April, 2021

10 FOREIGN NEWS

ISLAMABAD

Iran blames Israel fOr sabOTage aT naTanz nuClear sITe TEHRAN

I

AGENCIES

RAN on Monday blamed Israel for a sabotage attack on its underground Natanz nuclear facility that damaged the centrifuges it uses to enrich uranium there, warning that it would take revenge for the assault.

The comments by Foreign Ministry spokesman Saeed Khatibzadeh represent the first official accusation levelled against Israel for the incident on Sunday that cut power across the facility.

Israel has not directly claimed responsibility for the attack. However, suspicion fell immediately on it as Israeli media widely reported that a devastating cyberattack orchestrated by Israel caused the blackout.

If Israel was responsible, it would further heighten tensions between the two nations, already engaged in a shadow conflict across the wider Middle East. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who met on Sunday with US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin, has vowed to do everything in his power to stop the nuclear deal.

Details remained scarce about what happened early on Sunday at the facility. The event was initially described as a blackout caused by the electrical grid feeding its above-ground workshops and underground enrichment halls.

“The answer for Natanz is to take revenge against Israel,” Khatibzadeh said. “Israel will receive its answer through its own path.” He did not elaborate.

Khatibzadeh acknowledged that IR-1 centrifuges, the first-generation workhorse of Iran’s uranium enrichment, had been damaged in the attack, but did not elaborate. State television has yet to show images from the facility. A former chief of Iran’s paramilitary Revolutionary Guard said the attack had also set off a fire at the site and called for improvements in security at Natanz. In a tweet, Gen. Mohsen Rezaei said that a second fire at Natanz in a year signalled “the seriousness of the infiltration phenomenon.”

Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad JavadZarif separately warned that Natanz would be reconstructed with more advanced machines, something that could imperil ongoing talks in Vienna with world powers about saving Tehran’s tattered atomic accord. “The Zionists wanted to take revenge against the Iranian people for their success on the path of lifting sanctions,” Iran’s state-run IRNA news agency quoted Zairf as saying. “But we do not allow (it) and we will take revenge for this action against the Zionists.” The IAEA, the United Nations body that monitors Tehran’s atomic program, earlier said it was aware of media reports about the incident at Natanz and had spoken with Iranian officials about it. The agency did not elaborate.

Natanz has been targeted by sabotage in the past. The Stuxnet computer virus, discovered in 2010 and widely believed to be a joint US-Israeli creation, once disrupted and destroyed Iranian centrifuges at Natanz during an earlier period of Western fears about Tehran’s programme. In July, Natanz suffered a mysterious explosion at its advanced centrifuge assembly plant that authorities later described as sabotage. Iran is now rebuilding that facility deep inside a nearby mountain. Iran also blamed Israel for the November killing of a scientist who began the country’s military nuclear program decades earlier.

MEDIA REPORTS: Multiple Israeli media outlets reported on Sunday that an Israeli cyberattack caused the blackout in Natanz. Public broadcaster Kan said the Mossad was behind the attack. Channel 12 TV cited “experts” as estimating the attack shut down entire sections of the facility.

While the reports offered no sourcing for their information, Israeli media maintains a close relationship with the country’s military and intelligence agencies.

“It’s hard for me to believe it’s a coincidence,” YoelGuzansky, a senior fellow at Tel Aviv’s Institute for National Security Studies, said of the blackout. “If it’s not a coincidence, and that’s a big if, someone is trying to send a message that ‘we can limit Iran’s advance and we have red lines'.”

It also sends a message that Iran’s most sensitive nu-

clear site is penetrable, he added.

Netanyahu, on late Sunday, toasted his security chiefs, with the head of the Mossad, Yossi Cohen, at his side on the eve of his country’s Independence Day. “It is very difficult to explain what we have accomplished,” Netanyahu said of Israel’s history, saying the country had been transformed from a position of weakness into a “world power".

Israel typically doesn’t discuss operations carried out by its Mossad intelligence agency or specialised military units. In recent weeks, Netanyahu has repeatedly described Iran as the major threat to his country as he struggles to hold onto power after multiple elections and while facing corruption charges.

Protests erupt after police shoot Black man in Minneapolis traffic stop MINNEApOlIS AGENCIES

Police fired tear gas and rubber bullets as angry protests erupted in a Minneapolis suburb after a 20-year-old Black man was shot dead during a traffic stop.

The unrest in Brooklyn Centre came hours before the trial of Derek Chauvin, the former Minneapolis police officer charged with murdering George Floyd, was set to resume in a courtroom less than 10 miles (16 km) away on Monday.

Outside of the Brooklyn Centre Police Department on Sunday night, smoke billowed as a line of police officers fired rubber

bullets and chemical agents at protesters, some of whom lobbed rocks, bags of garbage and water bottles at the police.

Brooklyn Centre’s mayor ordered a curfew until 6 a.m. (1100 GMT), and the local school superintendent said the district would move to remote learning on Monday “out of an abundance of caution.”

The man killed by police was identified by relatives and Minnesota Governor Tim Walz as Daunte Wright, 20. Walz said in a statement that he was monitoring the unrest as “our state mourns another life of a Black man taken by law enforcement.”

Late Sunday, a group of about 100 to 200 protesters gathered around the Brooklyn

Coronavirus pandemic 'a long way from over', WHO's Tedros says GENEVA AGENCIES

Confusion and complacency in addressing Covid-19 means the pandemic is a long way from over, but it can be brought under control in months with proven public health measures, WHO Director-General TedrosAdhanomGhebreyesus said on Monday. “We too want to see societies and economies reopening, and travel and trade resuming,” Tedros told a news briefing. “But right now, intensive care units in many countries are overflowing and people are dying – and it’s totally avoidable.” “The Covid-19 pandemic is a long way from over. But we have many reasons for optimism. The decline in cases and deaths during the first two months of the year shows that this virus and its variants can be stopped,” he added, saying transmission was being driven by “confusion, complacency and inconsistency in public health measures.” India has overtaken Brazil to become the nation with the second highest number of infections worldwide after the United States, as it battles a massive second wave, having given about 105 million vaccine doses among a population of 1.4 billion. WHO team leader on Covid-19 Maria van Kerkove told the news briefing the pandemic was growing exponentially, with a 9 per cent increase in cases last week, the seventh consecutive week of increases, and a 5 per cent rise in deaths.

Tedros said that in some countries, despite continuing transmission, restaurants and nightclubs were full and markets were open and crowded with few people taking precautions. “Some people appear to be taking the approach that if they’re relatively young, it doesn’t matter if they get Covid-19,” he said.

Centre police headquarters and threw projectiles at the police department, Commissioner John Harrington of the Minnesota Department of Public Safety said in a live-streamed news briefing. The group was later dispersed.

Another pocket of protesters broke into about twenty businesses at a regional shopping centre, with some businesses looted, according to the police and local media reports.

Anti-police protesters have already spent recent days rallying in Minneapolis as the trial of Chauvin, a white former city policeman, enters its third week in a courthouse ringed with barriers and soldiers from the National Guard. Chauvin is charged with murder and manslaughter for kneeling on the neck of Floyd, a 46-year-old Black man, who was handcuffed during the deadly arrest last May, video of which sparked global protests against police brutality.

Brooklyn Centre Mayor Mike Elliott said: “We want to make sure everyone is safe. Please be safe and please go home,” he said in a tweet addressed to protestors.

While the incident is being investigated

“we continue to ask that members of our community gathering do so peacefully, amid our calls for transparency and accountability,” he added later.

‘DAUNTE, DON’T RUN’: Wright’s mother, Katie Wright, told reporters at the scene that she had received a call from her son on Sunday afternoon telling her that police had pulled him over for having air fresheners dangling from his rear-view mirror, illegal in Minnesota. She could hear police tell her son to get out the vehicle, she said.

“I heard scuffling, and I heard police officers say, ‘Daunte, don’t run,’” she said through tears. The call ended. When she dialled his number again, his girlfriend answered and said he was dead in the driver’s seat.

In a statement, Brooklyn Centre police said officers pulled over a man for a traffic violation just before 2 p.m., and found he had an outstanding arrest warrant.

As police tried to arrest him, he got back in the car. One officer shot the man, who was not identified in the statement. The man

drove several blocks before striking another vehicle and dying at the scene.

Police say both officers’ body cameras were recording during the incident. The state’s Bureau of Criminal Apprehension said it was investigating the shooting.

The Minnesota branch of the American Civil Liberties Union said another independent agency should investigate, and demanded the immediate release of any videos of the shooting. The group said it had “deep concerns that police here appear to have used dangling air fresheners as an excuse for making a pretextual stop, something police do all too often to target Black people.”

Near the site of the shooting, protesters yelled angrily at a line of police in riot gear holding long batons. Some protesters vandalized two police vehicles, pelting them with stones and jumping on them.

Police fired rubber bullets, hitting at least two in the crowd and leaving at least one man bleeding from the head, a Reuters witness said, before crowds marched to the police department building.

Prince Harry remembers grandpa Philip as mischievous, unpredictable character WINDSOR AGENCIES

Prince Harry praised Prince Philip on Monday for his devotion to “granny” Queen Elizabeth, and described the late duke as a mischievous host who could captivate his guests with unpredictable remarks.

Philip, husband of Britain’s Queen Elizabeth who had been at her side throughout her 69-year reign, died at Windsor Castle on Friday, aged 99.

“Grandpa, thank you for your service, your dedication to Granny, and for always being yourself,” Harry, who returned to the United Kingdom from Los Angeles for Philip’s Saturday funeral, said in a statement.

“He was authentically himself, with a seriously sharp wit, and could hold the attention of any room due to his charm and also because you never knew what he might say next,” said Harry.

Philip’s sense of humour and dedication to his duty earned him widespread popularity in Britain, but he was also criticised for off-the-cuff comments, some of them racist, which shocked princes, priests and presidents.

He once asked, within earshot of both Pope Benedict XVI and the queen, if a female Scottish politician was wearing Tartan knickers.

Philip also asked President Jomo Kenyatta, at the most solemn moment of the Kenyan independence celebrations in 1963 as the British flag was about to

be lowered: “Are you sure you want to go through with this?”

Other remarks touched on the drinking habits of Scots and the national cuisine of Hungarians.

‘TRYING TO BREAK THE ICE’: In parliament, Prime Minister Boris Johnson referenced some of Philip’s more controversial remarks, including those about cannibalism in Papua New Guinea and the murder of half his family by the Russians.

“It is true that he occasionally drove a coach and horses through the finer points of diplomatic protocol, and he coined a new word - dontopedalogy - for the experience of putting your foot in your mouth,” Johnson said.

“But the world did not hold it against him,” Johnson added. “They overwhelmingly understood that he was trying to break the ice, to get things moving, to get people laughing and forget their nerves.”

Harry, sixth in line to the throne, will quarantine in accordance with coronavirus guidelines so that he can attend the ceremonial funeral at Windsor Castle.

Harry and his wife Meghan left Britain for a new life in the United States after a public rift with the royal family and a falling-out with the tabloid press.

The couple gave an interview to Oprah Winfrey last month in which Meghan said had felt isolated and that an unnamed member of the family had asked how dark their unborn child’s skin might be.

GET ON WITH THE JOB: Harry’s tribute to Philip

came minutes after his elder brother Prince William, second in line to the British throne, hailed his grandfather for his dutiful service.

William, known as the Duke of Cambridge, said Philip was an extraordinary man whose life had been defined by service, but that he would have wanted members of the royal family to get on with their jobs.

“I will miss my Grandpa, but I know he would want us to get on with the job,” William, 38, said in a statement on Monday. “My grandfather was an extraordinary man and part of an extraordinary generation.”

“My grandfather’s century of life was defined by service – to his country and Commonwealth, to his wife and Queen, and to our family.”

William said he felt lucky to have had Philip’s example to guide him, and praised his grandfather for showing great kindness to his wife, Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge.

Philip is lying at rest in the Private Chapel at Windsor Castle. He will be taken to St George’s Chapel in a specially modified Land Rover which he helped to design before his death.

Johnson said it was a fitting last journey.

“That vehicle’s unique and idiosyncratic silhouette reminds the world that he was above all a practical man, who could take something very traditional whether a machine or indeed a great national institution - and find a way by his own ingenuity to improve it, to adapt it for the 20th or the 21st century.”

Tuesday, 13 April, 2021

SPORTS 11

ISLAMABAD

GEorGE LinDE LEaDS ThE Way aS SouTh afriCa CanTEr To SEriES-LEvELLinG Win JohaNNESburg

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AgENciES

OuTH AFRICA made light work in chasing down a below-par score to level the four-match T20I series against Pakistan, making it 1-1 with a six-wicket win with 36 balls in hand at the Wanderers.

George Linde starred in the first half, picking up the first three Pakistan wickets to restrict them to 140, and then scored an unbeaten 20 off ten balls to help South Africa polish off whatever was left of a small target after coming in with 49 to get. Linde opened the bowling, as he did in the first match, and struck twice in his opening spell and once in his second to finish with an impressive 3 for 23. He was supported well by his spin companion Tabraiz Shamsi, who also conceded at less than six runs an over, and left-arm seamer Beuran Hendricks. Sisanda Magala and Lizaad Williams were expensive but only one Pakistan batsman, Babar Azam, made a half-century, and there was only one half-century stand, between Azam and Mohammad Hafeez, for them.

South Africa started the chase strongly

with Janneman Malan and Aiden Markram sharing a stand of 44 in 27 balls. Even though their middle-order wobbled, and they lost four wickets for 48 runs, Heinrich Klaasen and Linde did enough to see them through against a Pakistan attack that never seemed able to keep a lid on things.

The next two matches will be played at SuperSport Park, where Pakistan won both ODIs earlier on their tour.

Rizwan's Run-spRee finallY ends: South Africa might have been wondering how they would ever be rid of Mohammad Rizwan, but it took just one ball for it to happen in the second T20I. Rizwan danced down the track first ball of the Pakistan innings to hit Linde over long-on but skied the ball to Markram, who took a comfortable catch at mid-off. Rizwan's dismissal ended a streak of ten consecutive scores of 40+ scores in T20s, which included a century and six fifties. Linde had more success in his next over when Sharjeel Khan, the other opener who replaced Fakhar Zaman for his first game in almost three years after returning from a spot-fixing ban, sliced across a ball to give Markram a second catch.

This is not a record anyone wants to

Sinner on right path to becoming a champion, says Djokovic NEWS DESK World number one Novak Djokovic has marked Jannik Sinner as a future champion, saying the Italian teenager has the skill and the hunger to develop into a top player. The 19year-old is at a career-best ranking of 22 and made his maiden ATP Masters 1000 final earlier this month at the Miami Open. Sinner could meet Djokovic for the first time if he gets past Spain’s Albert Ramos-Vinolas in the opening round of this week’s Monte Carlo Masters. “I have seen his development, his trajectory, his road to where he is at the moment,” said the Serbian, who has a opening round bye at the ATP Masters event on clay.

“It’s really impressive. He’s a very, very nice person. He’s working really hard. He’s devoted.

He’s got all the goods that he needs in order to become a champion. “He’s surrounded with very good people from tennis coach, fitness coach, physio. I know all these people from a long time ... He’s in good hands.” Sinner reached his maiden major quarter-final at the 2020 French Open and in February became the youngest man since Djokovic in 2006 to win two ATP titles. Djokovic, the winner of 18 Grand Slam titles, said Sinner had already shown a high level of consistency. “There is a lot of the achievements that I’m sure he wants to achieve in his career as he’s pointing out.

He’s very ambitious,” the 33-year-old said.

70pc of Japanese want Tokyo Games cancelled or delayed: poll TOKYO: More than 70 per cent of people in Japan want the Tokyo Olympics to be cancelled or delayed as the coronavirus pandemic rolls on, a Kyodo News poll showed on Monday, just over 100 days ahead of the planned start of the Games.

The survey showed 39.2 per cent want the Games scrapped, while 32.8 per cent favour another delay. Only 24.5 per cent of respondents want the world’s largest sporting event to go ahead as scheduled. Tokyo on Monday began a monthlong period of quasi-emergency measures to blunt a fourth wave of COVID-19 infections driven by virulent mutant strains. More than 92.6 per cent of respondents felt anxiety about the resurgence of infections, the Kyodo survey conducted from April 10 to 12 showed. While vaccination shots for people aged 65 and above began at some 120 sites across the country on Monday, the imported doses are still in short supply and the pace of inoculations is unlikely to stop the latest wave of infections. The survey found that about 60 per cent of people were dissatisfied with Japan’s progress on vaccinations. Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga’s cabinet approval rate rose 1.9 percentage points from a month earlier to 44 per cent, while his disapproval rating was at 36.1 per cent, the survey showed. AgENciES

have, but it now belongs to Magala, whose opening over lasted 12 balls, beating Dale Steyn's 11-ball over against West Indies at the T20 World Cup in 2010. Magala started with two front-foot no-balls, followed by a high full-toss, and a wide yorker. His fifth delivery was another wide yorker, but legal, and Haider Ali hit it over short third-man for four. Magala's next ball went for two through midwicket, before a wide down the leg side. His next three were all full on the stumps and Azam hit the last of them through third man for four before another wide, down leg. Magala's over ended on its 12th ball, when Azam couldn't get him away on the off side. In total, the over cost 18 runs. Magala's second over was better, and he conceded just six runs, and his third was even better than that, with four runs and his first international wicket. He bowled the Pakistan captain with a ball in the slot on off stump that Azam swung at, and missed.

Wihan Lubbe has 16 international runs to his name but has not yet scored a single at the highest level. The hard-hitting No. 3 deals in boundaries and nothing else, at least on the evidence of his performance so

SOUTH AFRICA 141 FOR 4 (MARKRAM 54, KLAASEN 36 NOT OUT, QADIR 2-26) BEAT PAKISTAN 140 FOR 9 (AZAM 50, LINDE 3-23, WILLIAMS 3-35)

BY SIX WICKETS

PCB Hall of Fame initiative will go a long way in further motivating players: Wasim NEWS DESK Pakistan cricket legends Zaheer Abbas, Wasim Akram and Waqar Younis on Monday expressed their delight at being inducted into the first-ever PCB Hall of Fame list.

Former Pakistan captains Hanif Mohammad, Imran Khan and Javed Miandad are the other three initial inductees. The first group of six PCB Hall of Famers are the Pakistan members of the ICC Hall of Fame and have hence earned an automatic induction. There will be three more inductions each year from 2021 with the inductees to be chosen by an independent panel and announced on October 16, the opening day of Pakistan's inaugural Test in 1952.

Players who have retired from international cricket for, at least, five years will be eligible for induction into the PCB Hall of Fame. Zaheer Abbas (78 Tests, 5,062 runs at 44.79, 62 ODIs, 2,572 runs at 47.62, 7 100s) said: "I feel truly humbled and at the same time delighted to be induced in the PCB Hall

of Fame. Every sportsman dreams of recognition and acknowledgement of his hard work. I am sure that younger players when they hear about this initiative will look to work even harder as such awards tend to motivate all."

"My advice to the youngsters would be to ensure that they continue to work hard as nothing is impossible to achieve provided you work towards it with total determination and commitment. I want to thank the PCB for this huge honour given to me," he added.

Former Pakistan pacer Wasim Akram said that being inducted in the PCB Hall of Fame is a big honour and this initiative will go a long way in further motivating the players.

Wasim Akram (104 Tests, 414 wickets at 23.62, 356 ODIs, 502 wickets at 23.52) said: "Induction in the PCB Hall of Fame is a big honour, at this stage the PCB has inducted the six Pakistan ICC Hall of Fame members. I am sure that in due course all the legends of Pakistan cricket will be included and will get due recognition for

authoritative knock in this match.

Markram's first four came off the innings' fourth ball, when he hit Shaheen Afridi through backward square. In the next over, he hit Mohammad Nawaz through the covers for four and over his head for six, and two overs after that, plundered Mohammad Hasnain for three fours, taking advantage of the short ball and some width. His six off Ali, over extra cover, was the most audacious shot of the innings while he brought up fifty when he hit usman Qadir over midwicket. Makram holed out to long-on two balls later and would have been disappointed not to finish the game. For someone who was not even part of the squad initially, but stayed on when Temba Bavuma was ruled out, Markram has made the most of his opportunity.

far. In the first T20I, Lubbe pulled the first ball he faced, a short one from Hasan Ali, to the midwicket fence for four. Two balls later, he was too early on the drive down the ground and chipped a catch to cover. In this match, he sent the third ball he faced through mid-on for four with a piece of splendid timing, then chipped one over the leg side and then stuck his bat out to flip a full toss over backward square leg. But three boundaries in the over didn't seem enough for Lubbe, who tried to hit the last ball over mid-on, but sent it straight to Azam instead.

After struggling to transfer his domestic 50-over form to the international stage, Markram has managed to find his flow in the shortest format. He followed on from his first half-century on Sunday with another

their services for the country and the game. I want to congratulate the PCB on launching this initiative, this will go a long way in further motivating the players." Waqar Younis (87 Tests, 373 wickets, at 23.56, 262 ODIs, 416 wickets at 23.84) said: "I am very happy that the PCB has decided to include me in the PCB Hall of Fame, it is indeed a big honour for me. It is good to know that the PCB has decided to recognise the players who have served the country with distinction, in the times to come, a lot more players who delivered some amazing feats for Pakistan will get this recognition and it is definitely a step in the right direction."

"For someone like me who has been a part of the game for more than 30 years, it comes as a matter of great satisfaction that my services for the country are being recognised. As a player, captain, coach and commentator, I have a long and cherished association with the game and this induction has brought me a lot of delight and a sense of fulfilment," he added.

Women's T20 Challenge likely to remain three-team affair The BCCI is likely to stick to three teams for the Women's T20 Challenge tournament, usually held during the IPL play-offs.

The Board had planned to increase the exhibition event to four teams last year but it will continue to be a three-team affair due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Since the delayed IPL was held in the September-November window last year, the Women's Challenge clashed with the WBBL, making the Australian players unavailable. "As of now the plan is to have three teams. A final decision will be taken shortly. There is a good chance that it will be held in Delhi. Talks are on with the leading Australian and England players," a BCCI official told PTI on Monday. The last edition, comprising four games, was held in Sharjah as the IPL play-offs took place in Dubai and Abu Dhabi. The decision on the event could be taken during BCCI's Apex Council meeting on April 16, when the appointment of Indian women's team support staff and its Future Tours Programme will also be discussed. The Indian players have been badly short on match practice amid the pandemic. India played their first series in a year last month when they lost both the ODI and T20 series to the visiting South African team. NEWS DESK

England cricketers willing to boycott social media to take stand against online abuse: Broad NEWS DESK Veteran pacer Stuart Broad believes England’s cricket team would be willing to join football clubs’ boycotting of social media in order to “make a stand” against online abuse.

England's football clubs Swansea and Birmingham and Scottish champions, Rangers said last week they would boycott social media for a week after several players from both teams were racially abused. Notably, Broad's fellow pacer Jofra Archer reported racially motivated attacks on Instagram on at least two occasions last year and then Moeen Ali was named in a highly controversial tweet by author Taslima Nasreen. "I think it is definitely worth a conversation," Broad said.

"It's a really strong message. You don't want a small minority to ruin the opportunities you get through social media but do you need something drastic to stop it or should there be more responsibility with app creators and more liability?" "There are great positives to social media but if we have to lose those positives for a period of time to make a stand then I’d be well up for that,” Broad told PA Media while taking part in NatWest’s Cricket Force GetSetWeekend, a virtual curtain-raiser for the grassroots game. "It beggars belief that someone could write some messages to my teammates that they have to Jofra. If you said some stuff people say on social media on the street, it wouldn’t end well, would it? "If there was action it would come from the leaders in our dressing room and if the team felt like a change needed to happen we’ve got some really great people above us in the hierarchy, like Ashley Giles and Tom Harrison, that would be very open to what the team’s beliefs were."

England spinner Dom Bess spoke to Joe Root about his treatment in India NEWS DESK England spinner Dom Bess says he spoke to both captain Joe Root and head coach Chris Silverwood over how he was managed during the tour of India.

The 23-year-old played in the first Test which England won but, after an indifferent performance in the second innings, was omitted for the second Test with Moeen Ali brought in. Ali was asked to stay on for the last two Tests but insisted on sticking with a previously-agreed plan to return home. Captain Joe Root took five wickets bowling spin in the third Test.

Bess was then recalled for the innings defeat in the fourth and final Test, ending

with disappointing figures of 0-71 in 17 overs. England's policy of rotating players came in for heavy criticism during the series which they lost 3-1, having beaten Sri Lanka 2-0 in their first stop of the tour.

Former captain Michael Vaughan was one of the most vociferous critics over Bess's treatment opining: "I don't think I've ever been as disappointed with the management of a player". Bess took 17 wickets across the two Tests in Sri Lanka and the series opener in India. "I certainly got across how I felt and how, at times, I felt I was managed," said Bess. "In that first Test and first innings in India, I felt really good.

Then it just didn't click for me," said Bess.

"Rooty and Spoons (Silverwood) have

CMYK

both said how tough it was to drop me out of that second Test, but I was really disappointed." Bess has taken 36 wickets at an average of 33.97 in his 14-Test career but has fallen behind former Somerset teammate Jack Leach as first choice spinner.

Bess is now Root's county team-mate at Yorkshire and says far from being deflated over the fourth Test display he treats it as part of his learning process at the top level.

"I look back at that fourth Test as a great experience -- a really tough learning curve," said Bess who took 0-106 in Yorkshire's opening county championship game against Glamorgan. "I can only see massive positives from the winter. I perhaps didn't impact games the way I would want to at times, but

I did impact upon games for England."

Bess says having spoken with Root and Silverwood he feels he has the support he needs to move on. "I've spoken to Joe and I understand where I stand with it all," he said. "I certainly feel backed from these guys, who gave me good feedback in terms of what I need to do," said Bess.

"I know Rooty, Spoons and the whole team back me in terms of the longer process. I have to buy into that." Bess's target will be to battle back for the seven home Tests this summer. England begin with June's two-Test series against New Zealand before a five-match series with India. They then bid to regain the Ashes in Australia beginning in December.

Tuesday, 13 April, 2021

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PM asks int’l coMMunity to ensure availability of coronavirus vaccine for everyone ISLAMABAD

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aPP

RIMe Minister Imran Khan Monday said the international community must ensure that the coronavirus vaccine is available to everyone, everywhere and as soon as possible, and if it is not done, the virus would soon return.

While making an opening statement at the special virtual segment of the United Nations’ economic and Social Council on Financing for Development, he said the forum’s deliberations this year were critical as the world battled the coronavirus and its massive socio-economic fallout.

He said, “Pakistan contained the first two waves of the virus through a policy of smart lockdowns. We implemented an eight billion dollar relief package to support the poor and vulnerable, and to keep our economy afloat at the same time.” Now, he said, “Unfortunately, we are facing the third wave of the virus. Insha’Allah, we hope to defeat this wave as well. We need a lot of luck, as everyone does.”

The prime minister stressed that the production of the vaccine must be ramped up, and the patent and technology-transfer restrictions should be waived to enable it.

“Vaccine nationalism and export restrictions are deplorable; as is the use of the vaccine to advance national foreign policy objectives.”

He emphasized that the forum was an important opportunity to adopt decisions on ways to mobilize the money needed by de-

veloping countries to recover from the Covid-induced recession and restore them on the path to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030.

Imran Khan said last April he proposed a Global Initiative on Debt Relief. “I am glad to say that the G-20’s debt suspension has been extended. Its scope needs to be enlarged to encompass all vulnerable countries, especially the small island developing states.

Private creditors must participate in providing debt relief and restructuring.”

In January of this year at the UNCTAD meeting, he had proposed a five-point agenda for emergency financial support to developing countries, including the debt re-

lief and restructuring, special drawing rights creation and redistribution, larger concessional finance and an end to illicit financial flows from developing countries.

“I warmly welcome the proposal from the International Monetary Fund managing director to create 650 billion dollars in new SDRs, and appreciate the support for this from the largest shareholders, including the United States, China, the eU (european Union) and Japan.” The IMF, the World Bank and other development banks had an ample capacity to enlarge concessional financing for developing countries. The forthcoming International Development Association (IDA) replenishment should be

Veteran rights activist passes away LAHORE

enlarged to 60 billion dollars, he stressed.

The prime minister viewed that the developing countries should also be able to borrow from the markets at the prevailing low interest rates, which were available to the developed countries. The liquidity and sustainability facility, proposed by the economic Commission for Africa, could be one of the ways to achieve it. He noted that the Panel on Financial Accountability, Transparency and Integrity (FACTI) had proposed 14 recommendations to halt the outflow of trillions of dollars from the developing countries. “These recommendations should be endorsed by the United Nations and all financial institutions. The stolen assets of developing countries must be returned immediately and more importantly unconditionally.”

He recalled that while speaking to the FACTI Panel, he proposed the imposition of a global minimum corporate tax to avoid profit-shifting and tax avoidance by large corporations. “I endorse the recent US proposal for such a global minimum corporate tax.”

He suggested that a moratorium should be declared on the exorbitant claims adjudicated against some developing countries in investment disputes. Unequal and exploitative investment agreements should be cancelled and revised, he added. “The challenge posed by the Covid crisis is, as the UN Secretary-General has said, also an opportunity to build back better. We must seize this opportunity to transform the world economy into one that is development-oriented and environmentally sustainable.”

He pointed out that though Pakistan’s

Pakistan to receive 15m vaccine doses: FM ISLAMABAD

STaff RePoRT

TLTP

Ibn Abdur Rehman, an iconic Pakistani human rights defender and journalist, has died in Lahore after a brief illness, his family and friends said Monday. He was 90. He spent his life defending human rights, opposing military rulers, fighting for the rule of law and democracy.

Abdur Rehman was also a strong voice for the country’s minorities, including Christians and Hindus.

He died of old age, high sugar, and blood pressure level, according to Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) Secretary General Harris Khalique. He had been associated with the commission for a long time.

A protégé of Faiz Ahmad Faiz, Abdur Rehman became chief editor of the now-defunct Pakistan Times in 1989. He wrote a regular column for Dawn until a few days before his death.

He was the founding chair of the Pakistan-India Peoples’ Forum for Peace and Democracy (PIPFPD) and a director of the HRCP since 1990.

Abdur Rehman was born in 1930 in Haryana in United India before independence from British colonial rule in 1947. He was the author of three books an advocate of peace between Pakistan and India.

He campaigned for amendments to the blasphemy laws, which domestic and international rights groups claim have often been used to intimidate religious minorities and to settle personal scores.

The reports of his death prompted an outpouring of grief on social media, with ministers to the country’s opposition paying tributes to Rehman for his contribution to journalism and human rights.

Tributes poured in from all quarters as word of Abdur Rehman’s passing spread.

“A titan of human rights, Mr Rehman’s integrity, conscience and compassion were unparalleled,” HRCP said.

Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi said the country had lost a “true icon”. Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari has said that the

death of iconic human rights activist IA Rehman is for him and every patriotic Pakistani.

In a condolence message on Monday, the PPP chairman expressing deep grief over death IA Rehman said that the country has lost an untiring advocate of democracy and a powerful voice for human rights has gone into silence.

Bilawal Bhutto Zardari said that the wonderful and long services of renowned human rights activist for the country and its people will always be remembered.

Chairman PPP offered heartfelt condolence to the bereaved family, prayed to Allah Almighty to rest the departed soul in eternal peace and granting courage to the family to bear this irreparable loss with equanimity.

Similarly, PPP leader Sherry Rehman said: “Shocked and immeasurably saddened to hear of IA Rehman’s passing from Covid[-19].”

Minister for Science and Technology Fawad Chaudhry said the “giant intellectual and humanitarian will always be missed”.

The US consulate in Lahore also extended condolences to his family and friends, calling him “a journalist and defender of human rights.” Abdur Rehman, the statement said, “will inspire countless future generations”.

EDITORIAL ON PAGE 6

Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi has said that Pakistan will receive 15 million doses of coronavirus vaccine under the COVAX scheme.

Making the announcement after a meeting with his German counterpart Heiko Maas, Qureshi said the 15m doses would be delivered by May. The COVAX scheme is aimed at ensuring equitable access to Covid-19 vaccines.

“Following my meeting with Foreign Minister @HeikoMaas, I am happy to announce that Pakistan will receive 15 million doses of the #COVID vaccine under COVAX, with a commitment for these to be delivered by May,” the foreign minister said in Twitter.

While talking to President German Parliament Dr Wolfgang Schäuble in Berlin earlier on Monday, the foreign minister said Pakistan gives immense importance to its relations with Germany. He said that the presence of separate PakGerman Parliamentary Friendship Groups in both upper and lower house of Pakistan is a welcome step. He expressed hope that a “Special Friendship Group” would also be formed in the German Parliament to promote bilateral parliamentary relations and benefit from each other’s experiences. They

also discussed bilateral relations, promotion of ties at the parliamentary level and other matters of mutual interests.

The foreign minister appreciated Germany’s timely and effective efforts to tackle the coronavirus pandemic. He said that Pakistan also tackled the challenge in line with the vision of Prime Minister Imran Khan pursuing a strategy of “smart lockdown”.

He stressed the need to enhance economic cooperation be-

Third Chinese Covid-19 vaccine CoronaVac approved in Pakistan ISLAMABAD inP

A third Chinese Covid-19 vaccine, CoronaVac, has been approved in Pakistan.

It was developed by the firm Sinovac Biotech. The Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (DRAP) authorised the vaccine for emergency use, the National Institute of Health (NIH) confirmed.

It has been approved for everyone above 18 years. The NIH statement added that the authorisation will be reviewed every quarter

carbon emissions were among the lowest in the world, yet it was one of the most seriously affected and vulnerable countries due to the climate crisis.

“We have embarked on an ambitious programme to create a green Pakistan through reforestation, by planting 10 billion trees over the next three years, and introduction of renewable energy, electric vehicles and a moratorium on coal-burning power plants.”

Imran Khan asked the developed nations to fulfil their commitments under the Paris Agreement and mobilize 100 billion dollars annually in climate finance as they had promised, and 50 per cent of that must be devoted to adaptation programmes of the developing countries.

“We are at a critical point in world history. The COVID pandemic has dramatically illustrated humanity’s oneness and interdependence. We must disavow power rivalries and geopolitical competition,” he said.

“We must opt for unconditional international cooperation. Together, we can – we must – construct a new, peaceful, equitable and sustainable world order.”

The four-day economic and Social Council (eCOSOC) Forum on Financing for Development will also be addressed by UN eCOSOC President Munir Akram, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, UN Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed, 10 heads of state and government, 55 ministers and vice-ministers of finance, foreign affairs and development cooperation executive directors and executive boards of the World Bank Group and IMF.

58 MORE DEATHS, 4584 CASES REPORTED: NCOC keeping in view data regarding the safety, efficacy and quality of the vaccine.

CoronaVac is an inactivated Covid-19 vaccine that has an efficacy of 50.7 per cent against symptomatic cases, according to the China Global Television Network (CGTN).

According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), the threshold for vaccine effectiveness needs to be 50 per cent or above.

The efficacy was confirmed after Brazil released the trial results of the vaccine on Sunday. The clinical trial included 12,400 volunteers. Results have been sent to the Lancet. The other two Chinese vaccines approved are Sinopharm’s BBIBP-CorV and CanSino’s Convidecia.

It is pertinent here to mention that the country began its vaccination drive in Feb-

ruary, wherein the government has been rolling out the vaccine in phases to the most vulnerable members of society free of cost.

To this effect, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Health and Finance Minister Taimur Saleem Jhagra on Monday announced that the coronavirus patients of the province will now be treated free of charge through the Sehat Card Plus. The confirmation came a

Published by Arif Nizami at Plot # 7, Al-Baber Centre, F/8 Markaz, Islamabad, for PT Print (Pvt) Limited. Ph: 051-2204545. Email: newsroom@pakistantoday.com.pk

tween the two countries to further strengthen bilateral relations. He said Pakistan has become an emerging attractive market for foreign investors with a population of 220 million people in the region and the government is giving several incentives to investors including e-visa facility. He also invited German companies and investors to invest in Pakistan. Pakistan’s Ambassador to German Dr Muhammad Faisal was also present in the meeting.

week after the minister had announced that the Sehat Card program will cover coronavirus treatment. In a tweet message, the Minister said Covid patients in Pakhtunkhwa would now be treated free of charge under Sehat Card Plus, in both public as well as select private sector hospitals.

The provincial minister assured everyone that in the middle of the “difficult pandemic”, the KP government was trying its best to ease the pain of as many as possible. Anwar Hospital in Swat will start its coverage from today and Waseem Medical Complex in Malakand will start treating patients under the Sehat Sahulat Card from April 17.