Epaper – April 25 LHR 2020

CMYK

Saturday, 25 April, 2020 I 1 Ramzan-ul-Mubarak, 1441 I Rs 15.00 I Vol X No 297 I 12 Pages I Lahore Edition

Pakistan extends lockdown for 15 days as ramzan begins g

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mInISteR SayS Govt wIll have to ImPoSe moRe ReStRIctIonS afteR eID In caSe of non-comPlIance of SoPS

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ISPR DG SayS ‘SmaRt lockDown, anD teStInG, tRacInG anD quaRantInInG’ wIll DRIve Govt’S effoRtS aGaInSt covID-19

Gen BaBaR SayS aRmy takInG ReSouRceS to PRovIncIal, DIStRIct, anD unIon councIl levelS In aID of cIvIl aDmInIStRatIon

HYDERABAD: A policeman posted outside a local mosque pleads an elderly man to offer his prayer at home as the Sindh government had banned the congregational prayers on Friday to prevent the spread of coronavirus. Inp

ISLAMABAD stAff REpoRt

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S the holy month of Ramzan begins on Saturday, the federal government on friday decided to extend the lockdown for another 15 days till may 9, amid warnings that the next two weeks could see an exponential increase in the covID-19 infection. the decision was also endorsed by the Pakistani military establishment, which said that a ‘smart lockdown, and testing, tracing and quarantining’ will drive the government’s efforts against covID-19. at least 11,562 people have been diagnosed with coronavirus across the country so far. Punjab has 4,851 cases.

Sindh has 3,945 cases, khyber Pakthunkhwa (kP) 1,541 cases, Balochistan

656 cases, Gilgit-Baltistan (GB) 300 cases, Islamabad capital territory (Ict) 214 cases, and azad Jammu and kashmir (aJk) 55 cases. 2,527 people have completely recovered so far whereas 244 have lost their lives due to the virus. federal minister for Planning and Development asad umar on friday told a press conference after a meeting of the national command and operation centre (ncoc) that the decision was taken to launch a decisive battle against the pandemic. he said that the ncoc was about to start the implementation of the trace and track system from Saturday after the prime minister’s approval. “consultations were held with chief secretaries and then health ministers at the ncoc.” “this is a complete national response formed by the government,” he said,

coronavirus in

Pakistan

though adding that the provincial governments will be responsible mainly for the implementation of the system. he said the government is also making all-out efforts to enhance testing capacity to ascertain the actual number of infected people in the country. “If people act irresponsibly and do not follow precautionary measures, then we will be compelled to impose more restrictions by the end of Ramzan,” he warned. he said that generally, Pakistanis had made a lot of changes to their social life during the past month ever since the lockdown was imposed. “we are trying to predict what this infection’s spread will be through consultations will data scientists and experts,” he said.

Prime minister Imran khan has instructed the power division to ensure that there will be no load-shedding during Iftar and Sehar timings during the holy month of Ramzan across the country, said the minister. umar said almost half of the money allocated for the ehsaas emergency cash Programme has been distributed among the underprivileged.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 05

253 health practitioners contract covID-19 since outbreak STORY ON PAGE 03

Pakistan hasn’t received any foreign aid yet to fight corona, says PM Imran g

Pm SayS Govt to IntRoDuce ‘tRack anD tRace SyStem’ foR covID-19 caSeS wIth ISI’S helP ISLAMABAD stAff REpoRt

Prime minister Imran khan on friday said that Pakistan has not received any financial assistance from any country or global organisation despite the coronavirus outbreak in the country which has infected more than 11,500 people and claimed over 240 lives.

During a meeting with social media influencers and journalists, he said the situation developing after the pandemic is a big test for the entire world and Pakistan. he said that Pakistan’s economy was badly hit by the pandemic and despite severe hardships, no country or global organisation lent even a single dollar, adding that only International monetary fund (Imf) gave relief in repayment of loans. however, he added, the situation was different in the country than europe and the united States. the premier said that the underprivileged were the hardest hit by lockdowns whereas the remittances from overseas Pakistanis have also stopped. “I did not want to impose the lockdown as it would increase the miseries of the labourers and

India ‘badly failed’ in bid to link coronavirus to Muslims, Pakistan: DG ISPR RAWALPINDI

CONFIRMED CASES:

11,562

RECOVERED:

DEATHS:

SINDH:

PUNJAB:

2,527 3,945

244

4,851

KP:

BALOCHISTAN:

AJK/GB:

ISLAMABAD:

1,541 55/300

656 214

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aDB pledges $1.7bn for Pakistan to fight coronavirus STORY ON PAGE 09 fiqah-e-hanfia

lahore sehr: 3:56 aM iftar: 6:39 PM

islaMabad sehr: 3:56 aM iftar: 6:47 PM

karachi sehr: 4:40 aM iftar: 6:59 PM

fiqah-e-jafaria lahore sehr: 3:46 aM iftar: 6:49 PM

stAff REpoRt

Director General of Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) major General Babar Iftikhar on friday said that India’s attempt to “link coronavirus with muslims and Pakistanis has failed badly”. addressing a press conference, the DG ISPR said: “at a time when the the entire world is battling the coronavirus pandemic, extremists in India have proved that the country is promoting hindutva and saffron terrorism”. he added that the Indian army’s leadership used the country’s media to unsuccessfully propagate a “false” narrative.

Recently, Indian army chief General mm naravane had alleged that Pakistan was “exporting terror” during the coronavirus crisis while India was helping others and its own people.

“It is very unfortunate that at a time when the whole world and India is fighting the menace of this pandemic, our neighbour continues to foment trouble for us,” the hindustan times had quoted navarane as saying. addressing those remarks, DG ISPR said that the allegations were a “reflection of India’s internal failures and increasing frustrations and de-

daily wagers. 75% of them are not even registered,” he added. the Pm also announced a “track and trace system” for coronavirus cases which will be introduced throughout the country with the help of the country’s premier spy agency, Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI). he added that the system will help in identifying areas where there were numerous coronavirus cases. “we will lock down those areas where there are [numerous] coronavirus cases whereas business in other areas will be kept open,” he said. apparently taking a jibe at the political opponents, Pm Imran said that many people were spreading false propaganda and resorting to lies on social media.

islaMabad sehr: 3:46 aM iftar: 6:57 PM

karachi sehr: 4:30 aM iftar: 7:09 PM

more inside

Govt reduces profit rates on National Savings schemes STORY ON PAGE 09 moralisations”. he added that the “fire of oppression, hatred and race that India had lit in kashmir” has now spread to the rest of the country. “the saffronisation of the Indian military and polity is a sad spectre and ill-suited during the current circumstances. “the reality of the fake news that India tried to spread regarding azad kashmir is now in front of the world,” he said, adding that the least number of coronavirus cases across the country were in azad Jammu and kashmir and no deaths have been reported so far. “whenever India has faced

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internal problems, it has blamed Pakistan. the current allegations are also based on the same [tactic], to divert internal and international attention from situations arising out if its own policy blunders,” he said, adding that under India’s current internal conditions, “no country needed to infiltrate India”. the DG ISPR pointed out that there has been an increase in ceasefire violations by India.

“Since the first case of coronavirus was confirmed in Pakistan, India has committed some 456 violations, resulting in the death of a minor child and injuries to 31 others.”

weekly inflation rises 0.62pc STORY ON PAGE 09

Expelled sugar commission head reveals industry malpractices STORY ON PAGE 05

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Saturday, 25 April, 2020

NEWS

MoE’S dECISIon To buY LnG AT $4 pEr MMbTu wILL InCur rS10bn LoSS pEr AnnuM ISLAMABAD

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AHMAD AHMADANI

HE Ministry for Energy (MoE) has decided to purchase liquefied natural gas (LNG) at $4 per Million British Thermal Unit (MMBTU) from two international commodity suppliers for six months instead of prevailing $2 per MMBTU price in the international market, Pakistan Today has learnt.

According to sources, the ministry (Petroleum Division) has decided to purchase LNG from two global commodity suppliers at $4 per MMBTU instead of $2 per MMBTU despite the instructions of Prime Minister Imran Khan to buy cheap energy.

They said owing to the coronavirus outbreak, the LNG price has decreased to $1.5 to $2/MMBTU in the global market, so buying expensive LNG would cause loss of Rs10 billion per annum.

The collection from consumers has become a difficult task for SNGPL and first time PSO has also defaulted in paying Rs5 billion to Gunvor, while loan limit from local banks also ended, source added.

They said since PSO is unable to make payments to international companies for petroleum products, it (PSO) has requested the government to immediately make Rs100 billion available. The shortage of petroleum products might happen if PSO’s Letter of Credit is not saved from facing default, sources added.

According to documents, the global LNG market has been facing surplus supplies due to addition of new liquefaction facilities, resulting in higher production than demand. This situation has been further compounded by the COVID-19 pandemic.

The net result is that spot LNG prices have plunged to historic lows. At present, PSO has been purchasing one cargo from Gunvor every month and the Pakistan LNG Limited (PLL) has been getting two LNG cargos under a certain formula, while LNG purchase can be suspended as per agreements in case of epidemic and lockdown.

However, as per sources, the Petroleum Division instead of imposing the condition of force majeure for suspension of LNG supplies has paved the path to purchase LNG at fixed rate through negotiations.

They feared the country might face

Abbasi wants to be part of FIA probe to expose wheat, sugar thieves ISLAMABAD STAFF REPORT

Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader and former prime minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi has written a letter to Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) Director General and Chairman Inquiry Commission Wajid Zia to appear before the commission to expose the “criminals behind the theft of wheat and sugar in Pakistan”. In the letter, Abbasi said the federal government has constituted an Inquiry Commission to probe into the increase in sugar prices under the Pakistan Commissions of Inquiry Act, 2017. Section 9 of the Act vests a right in every citizen to provide any information or document to the commission about the matter under inquiry, he said. The section read: “Power to receive reformation – A person shall have the right to provide any information or document, relating to a matter before the Commission. and the Commission may consider such information or document.” Abbasi said former minister Khurram Dastgir Khan also intended to appear before the commission. The former PM requested the commission to set a suitable time and the place for the said purpose.

Maulana Tariq Jameel apologises a day after accusing media of lying

above Rs10 billion annual losses due to this action/decision. Sources added the private sector that is willing to supply LNG at $2/MMBTU, had offered the division to bring cheap LNG to the country.

“PSO is currently faced with the financial crisis as it could not collect Rs105 billion from consumers despite selling expensive LNG. A penalty of Rs5 billion has been imposed on PSO due to non payment to Gunvor in time,” sources, said and added PSO has to collect Rs365 billion from government owned and private companies.

As per documents, PSO has so far executed two long term contracts with Qatargas (3.75 MTPA) and Gunvor (0.75 MTPA), while PLL has also executed two long term contracts with Eni (0.75 MTPA) and Gunvor (0.75MTPA). The contract with Qatargas was executed under Government to Government (G2G) arrangements, whereas other three contracts have been made through a competitive bid process. PSO’s contract with Gunvor is for a period of five years at LNG price slope of 13.37percent of Brent. PLL’s contract with Gunvor is for five years at LNG price slope of 11.624pc of Brent. Another PLL contract with Eni is for a period

of 15 years at a price slope of 11.624pc of Brent during years 1-2, 11.95pc of Brent during 3-4 and 12.14pc of Brent during years 5-15.

Since the execution of these contracts, the prices of long term LNG contracts in the international market have come down. Also, spot prices, while volatile, have shown a downward trend.

At the same time, with the coronavirus infections and lockdown, the demand for LNG has dropped significantly in Pakistan and this trend is executed to continue for the rest of the year, and possibly into next year.

Given the global dynamic of LNG supply, a number of new production facilities that were planning to get Final Investment Decision (FID) are now likely to be delayed for several years (on account of global economic slowdown). This will likely result in LNG prices strengthening in the years to come as the global demand comes back but new supply gets delayed.

It is pertinent to mention that the government of Pakistan has desired to evaluate possibilities of declaring force majeure as well as negotiations to lower supplies and/or improving pricing.

IHC extends loan installment stay order ISLAMABAD STAFF REPORT

The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Friday extended its stay order restraining a bank from collecting its loan instalment from a customer amid the financial woes caused by the coronavirus outbreak. It also directed the National Rural Support Programme (NRSP) to appoint focal persons at its regional offices to inform the public about State Bank’s one-year relief on the payment of loan instalments.

IHC Chief Justice Athar Minallah resumed the hearing of a petition filed by the customer against the alleged harassment by the bank’s employees for the payment of the installment.

The applicant, Rafiqur Rehman, said the banks were pestering their clients whose incomes have shrunk by the cessation of business activities. He had requested the court either to waive the loan installment or suspend them till the pandemic is over.

Rehman – a Careem captain – told the court that he had obtained a loan from the NRSP to buy a motorcycle. Because of the lockdown imposed to stem the spread of the disease, he said his business had been suspended for several weeks.

He said it was not possible for him to pay the installment in the prevailing circumstances.

He added that he had sent several letters to various authorities but no response was re-

ceived as yet. “Despite the exceptional circumstances and the lockdown, I am being harassed to pay the installment,” he said.

During the course of proceedings, NRSP Chief Executive Rashid Bajwa appeared before the bench and adopted the stance that the State Bank had extended the time for the payment of installments by a year. He said the NRSP had to take loans from commercial banks to give small loans to people. If the amount was not paid to the commercial banks, they could stop giving loans, he added. The IHC chief justice noted that the NRSP had raised a very important point before the court. The court asked the SBP representative regarding its policy for the payment of installments.

The chief justice said the general public was unaware about the one year extension for the payment of installments. He directed the NRSP to appoint focal persons at its regional offices to inform the public about the relief. During an earlier hearing, the deputy attorney general had informed the court that the government has extended the period of loan payment by a year to provide relief to people.

He said that the State Bank had announced a policy for loan payment and it was available on its website.

Alvi promulgates anti-smuggling ordinance ISLAMABAD STAFF REPORT

NEWS DESK Maulana Tariq Jameel apologised for his remarks against the media on Friday, a day after his comments during the Ehsaas Telethon on Pakistani channels created quite a buzz on social media. Speaking to a private news channel about his remarks from the other day, Jameel said that he had made a mistake. Jameel’s comments created controversy after he appeared on the Ehsaas Telethon at the end to make dua in light of the coronavirus situation and said that Pakistani channels, like foreign media, told lies. “This is not just restricted to Pakistani media. Foreign media are also liars,” he said. Jameel had also said that once, the owner of a private news channel met him and sought advice. “I told him to eliminate lies from the channel to which he responded by saying that if that were to happen, his channel would be finished but not the lies,” he added.

Geo News anchor Hamid Mir had also urged Maulana Tariq Jameel to declare the name of the channel owner who had had the interaction with the religious scholar.

"I would like to request Maulana Tariq Jameel that whenever he says something like this ever again, he should take names,” Mir had said. “It is also not right to spread misinformation about everyone.

President Dr Arif Alvi on Friday signed the anti-smuggling ordinance into law to tighten the noose around smugglers of currency and essential commodities. According to the ordinance, which was sent to the president for signature after approval of the federal cabinet, those found supplying currency, wheat, flour, rice, and other essential food items through illegal routes will be treated as smugglers and will face up to an imprisonment of 14 years. Under the ordinance, a person found smuggling Rs3 million worth of commodities will face

up to two years in jail while smugglers of Rs5 million worth of essential items will be imprisoned for three years.

Likewise, the ordinance stipulates five-year imprisonment for smuggling of commodities worth Rs7.5 million, 10year imprisonment for smuggling of items whose value range from Rs7.5 to Rs 10 million, and 14-jail term for smuggling of commodities worth more than Rs10 million. The perpetrators’ aiders and facilitators will also be punished under the law. Speaking at a press conference earlier, Federal Minister for Law and Justice Farogh Naseem had said the main objective of introducing the law was to stop smuggling of dollars and essential commodities through undeclared routes.

SC says ‘leave refusal’ order does not set precedent ISLAMABAD STAFF REPORT

The Supreme Court (SC) has declared that a “leave refusal” order does not set any precedent. “It is an established law that where a petition is dismissed and leave refused, such order of this court (SC) apparently is not an order falling under Article 189 of the Constitution as it does not lay down any law rather maintain what is said by high court and cannot be cited as precedent,” the apex court said.

The observation has been given in a five-page written order wherein the proceedings of Peshawar High Court (PHC) are suspended in a case relating to terms and conditions of service of contract employees in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Workers Welfare Board (WWB) case until the final decision of the apex court. Earlier, PHC registrar had submitted a concise statement in the SC defending PHC Chief Justice Waqar Ahmad Seth’s proceedings in the case. The three judge-bench led by Chief Justice of Pakistan Gulzar Ahmed in its written order noted that the question about maintainability of writ under Article 199 came under consideration before the high court which declared that writ was maintainable against KP WWB. However the apex court on February 1, 2019 set aside the PHC order. The order also noted that PHC decided 12 writ petitions on a single day on November 21, 2019.

“The main feature of these judgments is that they altogether ignored several apex court’s verdicts.”

However, Attorney General for Pakistan Khalid Javed Khan stated that appeal against same high court November 21, 2019 judgment was still pending in the apex court. Keeping in view the circumstances, the court ordered registrar office to fix all WWB petitions against PHC November 21, 2019 judgment before the court. In the meanwhile, proceedings before high court shall remain suspended. Earlier, PHC Registrar Khawaja Wajihuddin had submitted a three-page concise statement wherein it was stated that in view of Article 189 of the Constitution, the PHC was following the top court’s latest judgment on the matter and the high court had no cavil if the apex court ordered fixing another bench of the high court or a larger bench to hear the matter.

Govt all set for official advertisement via YouTube ISLAMABAD APP

The government has decided to float official advertisements and commercials on social media under new Digital Policy. A decision to this effect was taken at a meeting between journalists of social media and owners of YouTube channels and Prime Minister Imran Khan in Islamabad on Friday. Briefing media after the meeting, Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Information and Broadcasting Dr. Firdous Ashiq Awan said the Press Information Department has been directed to prepare a line of action and Standard Operating Procedures for YouTube channels across the country. She said a new desk will be set up at the PID for provision of accreditation and registration cards to owners of YouTube channels in the country. Highlighting significance of digital media, the Special Assistant said social media is rapidly replacing electronic media. She said the government will impart special training to youth on usage of social media and digital technology. She said the government will activate youth. During the meeting, the social media ‘journalists’ briefed the prime minister about challenges being faced by media industry and digital technology in modern era.

Utility Stores employees get pay raise after shutter-down strike LAHORE STAFF REPORT

The Utility Stores Corporation on Friday announced additional perks and salaries for the employees after the latter went on strike, shutting down the stores across the country.

The decision was made in a meeting of the USC board of directors.

Under the decisions, the salary of the daily-wage employees was raised to Rs 17,500 from 15,000.

The annual increment for the em-

ployees was approved from December 2019 along with giving a 10 per cent raise in the salaries for the employees as per the budget 2019.

The utility stores’ employees will also be given an additional one-month salary under the Ramzan relief package while a martyrs’ package was also approved for the deceased employees.

Earlier, All Pakistan Workers Unions President Syed Arif Shah had said: “The union had demanded a coronavirus risk allowance for all the employees, regular-

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isation of daily wagers and contractual workers, and up-gradation of sales and warehouse staff.”

He had demanded a 10% hike in salaries effective July 1, 2019, and double salary for March 2020. Shah urged the prime minister to resolve their longstanding issues. He had said that earlier double pay was announced for the workers of the utility stores amid the coronavirus pandemic.

The citizens across the country faced difficulties due to the untimely closure of

the utility stores. In Punjab’s capital Lahore, the utility stores were locked up while the staff was nowhere to be seen.

In Sindh’s Larkana, 52 utility stores were closed across the district as the employees observed the strike. Likewise in Hyderabad, 28 utility stores were closed in the district, while all the nine outlets in Jacobabad were shut.

In Punjab’s Faisalabad region, around 95 utility stores closed down while in Rahim Yar Khan, 56 shops remained shut.

Saturday, 25 April, 2020

nAdrA oFFICES To opEn on AprIL 27 For EhSAAS CASh dISburSEMEnT DR SANIA NISHTAR SAYS TRANSPARENCY CRUCIAL IN EHSAAS EMERGENCY CASH PROGRAMME DR SHAHBAZ GILL SAYS FEDERAL GOVT TAKES DECISION KEEPING IN MIND ‘LABOURERS, ULEMA AND CONSTITUTION’ ISLAMABAD

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STAFF REPORT

RIME Minister’s Special Assistant on Social Protection and Poverty Alleviation Dr Sania Nishtar on Friday said all offices of the National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) will open on April 27 for disbursement of monetary assistance under the Ehsaas Emergency Cash Programme and to resolve issues pertaining to biometric identification. Addressing a press conference along with Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Dr Shahbaz Gill, Dr Nishtar said transparency was crucial in the Ehsaas programme. “[The names of] some 820,065 people were removed from Category 1 in December 2019,” she said, referring to the ‘non-deserving’ beneficiaries taken off from lists of the unconditional cash

transfer project formerly known as the Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP). “Another 12,000 were eliminated yesterday,” she added.

Stressing that the programme was completely nonpolitical and transparent, the special assistant said a Category 2 was established in light of the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. In this category, “872,000 people have received cash so far,” she noted. Relevant details for each category were available on the programme’s portal, Dr Nishtar added, saying it was necessary to do so for the public as it was their money.

“This is a historic programme in the context of transparency,” she added. Information from Sindh, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), and Balochistan can now be accessed, said Dr Nishtar. Details were divided according to provinces and districts, she explained, adding that a sum of Rs144 billion was being distributed

Kp introduces ‘pool testing’ approach for Covid-19

through the Ehsaas Emergency Cash Programme. “I request people to wait for the message containing the date [of collection] and then go to the centres. If, however, someone’s identity card has expired, they can still receive the [cash] payment,” Dr Nishtar said. “All NADRA offices will be opened starting April 27.

Those who have issues related to thumb impression [identification] can head to the nearest NADRA office and verify.

“My institution and I are trying to ensure money reaches the people as quickly as possible,” she noted, adding that vetting of Category 3 applicants was underway. Addressing the presser, PTI leader Dr Shahbaz Gill said it was the Centre’s

Corona case emerges at hospital during PM’s visit

NEWS DESK

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Khyber Pakhtunkhwa will conduct pool testing for Covid-19, which according to Health and Finance Minister Taimur Khan Jhagra has increased the province’s capacity by three to five times. Jhagra said on Friday that the Covid-19 testing laboratory at Khyber Medical University (KMU) is now authorised to conduct pool testing. “After successfully conducting 27 trials on pool testing, with 100pc congruence, the flagship KP coronavirus testing lab at KMU is now mandated to do pool tests — suited for large groups with low prevalence rates; theoretically increasing capacity to test by 3-5x,” he said in a tweet. Giving a breakdown of the total number of tests conducted in the province so far, he said: “KP conducted 1,146 tests, its highest yet [according to data available till April 23]. KMU alone conducted a record 902 tests across three 24-7 shifts.” Explaining the method, the provincial minister said that pool testing involves taking multiple samples and conducting a combined test. “Used by Germany and other European countries, pool testing is carried out for population sampling in areas where there is low prevalence. “Under this theory, if you are conducting three, five, 10 tests, the results of which come back negative, then that [population] pool can be ruled out and 10 others can be declared negative.”

Prime Minister Imran Khan may be facing another health risk after an employee of Corona Care Hospital of Pakistan Red Crescent Society (PRCS) in Rawalpindi tested positive for coronavirus on the same day the former visited the hospital.

Khaleeq Abbasi, who works at the Logistics Department, had been deputed at the hospital to take care of the logistics.

“Abbasi was not feeling well for quite a few days. He tested for coronavirus on Monday which came positive on Wednesday,” a source told Pakistan Today. “After being tested positive, Abbasi has been directed by the PRC management to self-isolate,” sources said, adding that as a followup measure, the PRC management has isolated the entire logistics department. Their samples along with a number of other persons have been sent for testing. According to the source, Abbasi had been involved in logistics provision for the prime minister’s visit along with other staff.

According to a press statement is-

MIAN ABRAR

sued by the PM House, PRCS Chairman Abrarul Haq had briefed the prime minister in detail on the measures taken by the organisation in the wake of situation arising out of Covid-19 outbreak and the facilities at the hospital. The visit may have exposed not only the prime minister but the whole delegation to the deadly virus as in a video released by the PM House, all the members of the delegation including the prime minister, can be seen sitting without any specific protective measures.

Minister for Railways Sheikh Rasheed Ahmad, PM’s special assistants Dr Sania Nishtar, Dr Zafar

PMA asks PTI leader to retract statement against doctors KARACHI STAFF REPORT

The Pakistan Medical Association (PMA) on Friday categorically rejected Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Shahbaz Gill’s allegations that doctors doing politics over the coronavirus situation, requesting him to take back his words.

“We very honestly gave our professional opinion and requested the government and ulema to review their decision of holding Namaz- e- Juman and Namaze-Traveh in mosques,” read the press release from the PMA.

responsibility to have all stakeholders on board. “When the federal government makes a decision, it has to keep in mind the labour, ulema, and the constitution,” Gill said. “The Ehsaas programme is close to the prime minister’s heart. [It] is to serve the people,” he added.

Gill also went on to once again remark on the ongoing conflict between health professionals, who have urged for an extension in the coronavirus lockdown during Ramzan, and the ulema, who have succeeded in having mosques open in the holy month. “If a decision has to be made about the mosques, then the opinion of the religious group and ulema is extremely important,” he said.

The association said that leading doctors in Karachi had requested the government and Ulema to review their decision to hold Taraweeh prayers in mosques to help contain the pandemic.

“Being medical professionals it is our duty to inform the nation by portraying real picture of the situation. We also requested all the stakeholders and the general public to stay at home to avoid coronavirus,” stated the press release.

Describing Gill’s statement as a “serious issue”, the PMA said that the former Punjab information adviser had stated that the press conference was held only in

Karachi when contrary to it, the PMA Lahore had also issued a similar warning to the government. The association requested Gill to take back his statement as it had injured the sentiments of the doctors’ community. “PMA requests Mr Shahbaz Gill to take back his statement because he hurt the doctors’ community at a time when they are fighting against coronavirus as frontline soldiers,” concluded the statement.

On Thursday, Gill had claimed that PMA doctors had held their press conference at the behest of the PPP, the ruling party in Sindh.

He had said that the recent decisions

Mirza and Member National Assembly Amir Mehmood Kiyani had accompanied him during the visits.

It is worth mentioning here that the prime minister has already undergone testing after a meeting with Faisal Edhi at the PM House, who had later turned positive for coronavirus. When asked, PRC spokesman Rehal Ali confirmed that Khaleeq Abbasi had tested positive the same day the prime minister visited the PRCS’s Corona Care Hospital.

“Actually, Abbasi’s test sample had been sent on Monday and the confirmation came on Wednesday,” said the spokesman, adding that Abbasi and all other staff members had been isolated at their homes as a safety measure.

“We have tracked back around 10 people who had been in contact with Abbasi and isolated them at their homes. Their samples have been taken and sent for tests,” he added.

To a question on safety measures taken at the hospital as well as PRCS national headquarters after the incident, the spokesperson said all measures identified by the National Institute of Health (NIH) were being followed.

regarding the nationwide coronavirus strategy, which were criticised by doctors, were taken during a session of the National Command and Operations Centre where representatives of the doctors’ fraternity had also been present.

“It is unfortunate that after the Sindh government got tired of doing politics over the coronavirus issue, it pushed doctors from Sindh forward,” he said on Twitter. In the same tweet, the former Punjab spokesperson had requested the ‘few doctors’ from Punjab to not ‘politicise’ the issue. On Wednesday, a group of Karachi’s leading doctors, belonging to the Pakistan Medical Association, had described on-the-ground realities faced by frontline workers in the fight against the coronavirus.

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253 health practitioners contract CoVId-19 since outbreak At least 253 health practitioners have contracted coronavirus since the outbreak hit Pakistan in late February, said a document released by the National Emergency Operation Centre on Thursday. According to breakdown of the data, 124 doctors, 39 nurses, and 90 health workers have been infected till April 22. 92 of these healthcare providers are in isolation, 125 are admitted in hospitals while 33 have been discharged after discovery. In Punjab, 83 medical workers have been affected: 53 doctors, 12 nurses and 18 health workers. Out of these, 15 are in isolation, 61 have been admitted to hospitals, and eight have been discharged. In Sindh, the total number of infected medical workers stands at 56: 19 doctors, 15 nurses and 22 other healthcare providers. Of these, 41 are admitted to hospitals and 15 have been discharged. However, the doctors say the number was way higher at 162. At least 30 medical workers have been infected so far in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa: 14 doctors, four nurses and 12 health workers. Of these, 25 are in isolation, four are admitted to hospitals and one has been discharged. In Balochistan, 32 medical professionals have been infected with the virus: 24 are doctors, one is a nurse and seven are health workers. 27 of these people are in isolation, four are admitted in hospitals and one has been discharged. In Islamabad, 31 medical workers have been infected so far: 12 are doctors, seven are nurses and 12 are health workers. Out of them, 26 are in isolation, one is hospitalised, and three have been discharged. One medic, according to the report, lost their life. In Azad Jammu and Kashmir, four medical workers have been infected. Out of these, one is a doctor and three are health workers. All four have recovered.

Gilgit Baltistan has lost two medics out of the 17 infected; 14 are being treated at hospitals and one has recovered.

The first known fatality among the local medical community occurred in Gilgit Baltistan when a young doctor, Usama Riaz, died of the infection last month. NEWS DESK

Kp govt makes wearing masks in public mandatory PESHAWAR: The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government has made it necessary for people to wear masks in public places, said KP Finance and Health Minister Taimur Jhagra at a news conference. "The chief minister's taskforce has made it mandatory for public to wear masks in public places," he said, adding that it was possible that people would have to live with the coronavirus for two to three years. "I must clarify that it is not necessary for you to wear a surgical mask. Public must not wear masks to protect themselves only. You must protect others as well for when you speak, your droplets come out or you protect others [with the mask] from your sneeze," he said. He said that it wasn't necessary for people to wear surgical masks. The minister said that people could wear an old shirt or a piece of cloth to protect others from getting infected from them. Jhagra said that the measure will be enforced in three phases. "For the first 72 hours, we will take a soft approach. Over the next week, we will focus more on the implementation. A week after that, we will try that the public, at least in the province's major cities, are wearing masks," he said. STAFF REPORT

Chinese doctors reach pakistan with medical supplies to bolster corona fight RAWALPINDI: A team of Chinese doctors have arrived in Pakistan, carrying medical supplies and bringing expertise to help the country fight the battle against the coronavirus pandemic, the military’s media wing said Friday. According to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the team was headed by Major General Huang Qingzhen and it arrived on two special aircraft. “The Chinese doctors who have expertise in treating infectious diseases shall support Pakistan’s efforts in fighting against COVID-19 situation for the coming two months,” the ISPR added. Chairperson of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee (CJCSC), Gen Nadeem Raza, and senior military officials welcomed the team on arrival at Pakistan, the statement added.

“The Chinese support reaffirms that being ‘Iron Brothers’ and ‘All-Weather’ friends, Pakistan and China have always helped each other in the time of need,” the army’s media wing noted. STAFF REPORT

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Lockdown extended in Punjab tiLL May 9 LAHORE

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STAFF REPORT

uNJAB government has extended lockdown in the province till May 9, however, some stores and shops have been allowed to open from 2 am to 4 am. In a statement issued on Friday, Punjab Chief Minister usman Budzar said that decision of extending the lockdown in the province was made after proper consultations as it was imperative to stop the spread of coronavirus.

He said that the government has granted to milk and yoghurt shops, karyana stores, tandoors and bakeries during Sehri hours, from 2 am to 4 am, however, collective Sehri and Iftaar feasts will be banned during Ramzan. On the other hand, grocery stores, karyana stores, departmental stores and supermarkets (only grocery, fruit and vegetable sections) will remain open from 9 am to 5 pm, he added.

He also said that opticians' shops, bakeries, pesticides shops, seeds and fertilizer shops and auto workshops will remain open

from 9 am to 5 pm. “Agriculture machinery workshops, spare-parts shops and vendors will be allowed working during fixed timings.

Milk and yoghurt shops, poultry and chickenmeat shops will remain open from 9 am to 8 pm,” he added.

The chief minister said that public transport will remain closed and markets, shopping malls, restaurants and government and private offices will also remain closed. However, medical stores and pharmacies will remain open, he added.

He further said that implementation on 20 points for congregational prayers in mosques will be ensured and local committees will monitor implementation on standard operating procedures (SOPs). “People need to be careful during Ramzan and ensure compliance of governmental decisions because they are in their own interest,” he concluded.

Meanwhile, sources have said that the Punjab government is considering proposals to extend the partial lockdown till May 31 except for the export industry and government offices.

According to informed sources, the provincial government has forwarded the pro-

posals to Islamabad for the final decision.

Sources indicated that the government was considering lifting embargo on more exportoriented industries besides opening public offices for limited hours. It would be the responsibility of the head of the organisation, if the embargo is lifted, to implement social distancing measures imposed by the government and not allow gathering of more than three workers at the same place.

All export-oriented industries will be bound to implement standard operating procedures (SOPs) announced by the Punjab industries department for the safety of their employees.

The first case of COVID-19 surfaced in the country on March 15. After reviewing the situation and deliberation, the government imposed a lockdown in Punjab, initially for 14 days, on March 24, which was later extended till April 14 and then April 24.

A month has been completed since the lockdown was imposed and now the government is reviewing proposals to further push ahead this embargo to contain the spread of the viral disease.

Sarwar wants universities to teach Holy Quran with translation LAHORE: For making the teaching of the Holy Quran with translation compulsory in all provincial universities, Punjab Governor Chaudhry Mohammad Sarwar has constituted a seven-member committee of the vice-chancellors to get their recommendations on how to make it part of the syllabus. Addressing a press conference after a meeting with vice-chancellors at the Governor House on Friday, he said that it will be compulsory for students to attend the lecture, adding that Quran is a complete code of life and its better understanding will help in winning favor of Allah Almighty and becoming good human beings. The Punjab governor said that all universities should make teaching of the Holy Quran with translation a part of their syllabus, adding that it is responsibility of universities to disseminate the knowledge of Quran to the younger generation. He said that these classes will be compulsory for students and requisite amendment will be made in the constitution. APP

LHC dismisses petition against online classes during lockdown LAHORE: The Lahore High Court (LHC) on Friday dismissed a petition challenging online classes being held by various educational institutions in the wake of the coronavirus outbreak, declaring it nonmaintainable. Justice Ayesha A Malik heard the petition filed by Judicial Activism Panel, a public interest litigation firm. The court had reserved the verdict on maintainability of the petition and it was announced on Friday. The petitioner-firm had submitted that students and other people of the country were rejecting online education in current circumstances. APP

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Hamza moves apex court for bail in money laundering case LAHORE APP

Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PMLN) leader Hamza Shahbaz has moved to the Supreme Court (SC) for post-arrest bail in the money laundering case.

In a petition filed at apex court’s Lahore Registry, Hamza stated that he was arrested on the charges of money laundering by National Accountability Bureau (NAB).

He contended that Anti-Money Laundering Act (AMLA) was a special law and the NAB did not have authority to investigate the matter as it did not fall under its ambit.

He stated that the bureau had accused him of making illegal transactions from 2003 to 2008. He added

that the AMLA was enacted in 2010 and it was not applicable retrospectively to the transactions made from 2003 to 2008.

The PML-N leader stated that the bureau started investigations into the matter about 16 months ago but it had not filed a reference yet. He contended that he was behind the bars for past 10 months in the absence of any reference and it was a violation of his fundamental rights.

Hamza said that bureau had failed to produce any evidence against him, therefore, he was entitled to bail in the matter.

It is pertinent to mention here that a Lahore High Court (LHC) division bench had previously denied bail to Hamza in the case.

saturday, 25 April, 2020

ExpEllEd sugar commission hEad rEvEals industry malpracticEs ISLAMABAD

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SHAHZAD PARACHA

AjjAD Mustafa Bajwa, who was excluded from the sugar inquiry commission on allegation of "leaking valuable information to sugar owners", has pointed out some of the malpractices in the process of sugar exports.

In a strong-worded letter to Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) DG Wajid Zia titled 'Misleading leakage to media to defame me', Bajwa stated that over 70pc of Pakistan's total sugar exports went to Afghanistan, which was alarming to observe "as Afghans traditionally consume gurr instead of sugar".

He stated that the inquiry team had asked the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) as well as the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) about those who imported sugar from Pakistan in the last three years

so as to ascertain whether the commodity was actually exported from Pakistan or sold in the local market. The team had sought yearly details of factories that exported sugar to Afghanistan, besides the names of all Afghan importers as well as details of each vehicle, driver, clearing agent, he added.

"I tried to get information from the FBR and SBP in this regard, but their response is still awaited. Instead of doing the needful, they levelled allegations that 'I was hiding the information'."

"He said that he had also written to the Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP) to determine its role in regulating the affairs of the sugar industry, but their reply also never came.

“The letter, which was only intended to get the relevant information, was instead taken as an 'offence' by the commission.”

He continued that the inquiry team had also asked the SECP about the in-

spection of Alliance Sugar Mill (Ghotki), which was being carried out by the department for the last three years.

"We had asked about the precise process of sugarcane purchase and dispatch of sugar bags in connection with the current practice adopted by FBR. He noted that the Customs and Excise Department was responsible to supervise the production and sale of its products. It stamps and signs each page of gate pass and registers with proper serial numbers to ensure proper record of production and sale of their products.

“However, we witnessed during inspection that no such practice was being adopted, which resulted in lack of validated documentation for the purpose of audit and verifications.”

Bajwa alleged that the FBR not only allowed dealers to continue their operations without coming into sales tax net but also allowed sugar mills to exhibit

fictitious sales in the name of drivers, labourers, employers of dealers.

"Besides this, FBR may be asked to explain as to why rules pertaining to the sugar sector have not been implemented since 2015? Why the exemption of 3pc tax on sugar supplied to unregistered persons was not withdrawn since this is an important factor for the dealers to avoid sales tax registration who are purchasing sugar valuing hundreds of millions of rupees every year."

Negating all allegations levelled against him, Bajwa stated, "Being the head of the department, when you (Wajid Zia) called the undersigned on April 21, 2020, and I confronted that if there is any such evidence, it should be brought in front of me and no such information should be shared with the media. Instead, I was defamed in media which was extremely unprofessional and unethical from a head of department.”

Engro partners with Bill Gates charity to support poverty alleviation in Pakistan KARACHI STAFF REPORT

Engro Foundation, the social investment arm of Engro Corporation, has signed a three-year Memorandum of Cooperation with the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation to promote the well-being of vulnerable and marginalized segments of the society in Pakistan.

Under the cooperation agreement, the organizations will also explore opportunities to support the Government of Pakistan’s poverty alleviation program for deserving families, whose incomes have been adversely affected by the coronavirus lockdowns.

Engro Foundation will be representing the philanthropic endeavors and mission of The Dawood Foundation and its affiliates as well. Both organizations will also evaluate other areas of mutual interest, such as nutrition, agriculture development, financial inclu-

sion, women empowerment, and health of mothers and children. In addition to program specific cooperation, the organizations will benefit from shared experience and learnings related to grantmaking, including strategy development, grant implementation and operational support.

The MoC was signed by Engro Corporation President & CEO and Engro Foundation Trustee Ghias Khan and Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation’s Global Development President Dr Chris Elias.

According to Engro Corporation Chairman Hussain Dawood, “It gives me great pleasure to announce the collaboration between Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and Engro Foundation. Our partnership is based on shared values of human dignity, respect and integrity. I would like to express my profound appreciation to Bill & Melinda Gates for their generosity towards Pakistan."

Engro Corporation President & CEO Ghias Khan

stated, “To help Pakistan achieve the UN Sustainable Development Goals, there is a need to forge new partnerships and engage resources across all sectors. Together with the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, we are excited about investing in longterm solutions that address the country’s socio-economic challenges and create sustainable impact in our communities.”

This new collaboration continues the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation’s more than decade-long work in Pakistan and builds on the support already committed to Ehsaas in 2019. Other foundation programs have covered a range of shared development priorities, including polio eradication, financial inclusion, routine immunization, typhoid control, and maternal, neonatal and child health. Polio eradication remains a top priority for the foundation and the Government of Pakistan. Pakistan is one of only two countries still affected by wild poliovirus.

Pakistan hasn’t received any foreign aid yet to fight corona, says PM Imran CONTINUED FROM PAGE 01 “Those who have made money out of corruption were afraid of free media because they would get exposed,” he said and added that no matter how many lies are told, people would eventually find the truth.

PM Imran said that he had witnessed the highs and lows of Pakistani media. “I have seen ratings of TV anchors go up and also, go down,” he said. “Respect and dishonour both are in Allah’s hands. If someone thinks he can bring dishonour to another person, he is wrong.”

He said that if human beings could bring honour or dishonour upon someone then only the rich would be respected. “You cannot hide or suppress the truth for long,” he said.

The prime minister said that Pakistani media was used to hide politicians’ corruption. “[TV] anchors were

given money to do planted programmes,” he said, adding that current affairs shows had become ‘meaningless’ for people. “Current affairs programmes produce no results,” he said.

PM Imran said that Hollywood and Bollywood were promoting vulgarity in society. “Vulgarity destroys the family system,” he said. His remarks come a day after Maulana Tariq jamil criticised Pakistani and international media for peddling lies.

Speaking about the PTI’s social media team, PM Imran said that his party was the first one that realised the importance of digital media. “I started the PTI’s social media team with Dr Arif Alvi,” he added.

PM STRESSES ON PARLIAMENT’S ROLE: In a separate meeting with National Assembly Speaker Asad Qaiser, Prime Minister Imran said that the parliament has a pivotal role in the fight against coronavirus.

The prime minister said implementing the decisions taken at the parliament level is our priority, appreciating the steps taken by Qaiser regarding the establishment of a functional committee for Zaireen and Tableeghi jamaat.

The speaker appreciated the steps taken by the government to contain the spread of the contagion.

He said it is because of timely steps that the trajectory of coronavirus in Pakistan is low when compared with other countries. Asad Qaiser said a special parliamentary committee on corona virus comprising parliamentary leaders has been established.

He said the special committee has given positive suggestions to cope with the current situation.

The speaker also apprised the prime minister about matters pertaining to the convening of the session of the National Assembly.

Pakistan extends lockdown for 15 days as Ramzan begins CONTINUED FROM PAGE 01 The relief scheme will continue throughout Ramzan, he added.

ARMY ENDORSES ‘SMART LOCKDOWN’: Meanwhile, Pakistan Army spokesperson Major General Babar Iftikhar also endorsed the idea of targetted lockdown. The statement came a day after Prime Minister Imran Khan said that imposition of ‘balanced and smart lockdown’ on the pattern of western countries would be an effective and viable option.

“We will have a targeted lockdown only for virus hotspots and clusters,” Gen Iftikhar said in presser after a meeting at the General Headquarters to overview the coronavirus situation. He said that the army will help the civilian administration in tackling the virus and its subsequent fallout in addition to ensuring border security and carrying out routine activities as per schedule.

Thanking medics and all those people working to keep the economy going, he urged people to keep themselves restricted and protect themselves from the pandemic. “Next 15 days are crucial. Make your homes your places of worship.” He also shared that all medical

staff from the army’s medical corps had been summoned to help with relief efforts while the army’s five testing laboratories were working to supplement the National Institute of Health’s testing capacity.

“All resources of Pakistan Army are being used on the order of the government to tackle the pandemic. Resource allocation is being altered due to changing the situation. Under the new strategy, we are taking resources to provincial, district, and union council levels,” he said. “Process of delivering more than 350,000 ration packs is ongoing. These were purchased from the funds gathered through salaries of Pakistan Army employees.

Soldiers have also decided not to take internal security allowance to help with virus relief,” he said.

MASSES URGED TO MAINTAIN SOCIAL DISTANCING: Meanwhile, government leaders have urged masses to ensure social distancing to curb the spread of the virus while allowing business activities and some religious congregations to continue.

Punjab Chief Minister Usman Buzdar while wishing people on the start of the holy month said that the country was “expecting people to maintain social distancing”.

In a post on Twitter, Buzdar urged people to “prioritise

praying at home in Ramzan”.

Sindh government spokesperson Murtaza Wahab expressed the hope that people would observe Ramzan by “protecting the people around them from coronavirus”.

Spokesperson for the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government Ajmal Wazir urged the public, religious scholars and other quarters to abide by the precautionary measures laid down by the administration in order to curb the spread of the novel coronavirus.

Meanwhile, Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah announced late on Thursday night that the evening Taraweeh prayers during Ramzan will be restricted to 3-5 persons and the rest of the people will have to offer the prayers at home.

news

05

retail sector may face rs900bn loss during 45-day lockdown LAHORE SHAHAB OMER

The retail and wholesale sector in Pakistan has feared an accumulate loss of Rs900 billion during 45 days of the coronavirus-led lockdowns, while millions of jobs are also on stake due to closure of this sector, Pakistan Today learnt. The Chainstore Association of Pakistan (CAP), three weeks ago, wrote a letter to the Prime Minister and demanded liquidity support. However, the association complains that PM did not pay any heed to the sector’s suggestions.

CAP Chairman Rana Tariq informed this scribe that the retailers have faced almost Rs900 billion during the lockdown period, whereas the retailers and wholesalers were those who contributed around 16pc to the national GDP, i.e. Rs7 trillion annually. He also informed the direct employment in the retail (and wholesale sector) is 18pc of the total workforce, i.e. 9 million people and their families and if each family has an average five members, almost 45 million people are dependent on the retail sector of Pakistan. CAP member Asfandyar Farrukh, who is also the Managing Director at Hub Leather said, “We are trying very hard to sustain most of our workforce and manage other fixed costs that are associated with a documented retail business such as rents, utilities and high taxes. Over the last 19 years, our biggest investment has been in our people many of whom have been able to upgrade their skills and become main bread-earners for their families.” “It is tragic that the retail workforce from the middle class is being neglected and over a month has passed without any meaningful relief,” he said, adding the retailers feel very overlooked when the government announces hundreds of billions in relief primarily for exporters and big businesses that are already leveraged. Farrukh said the State Bank of Pakistan’s scheme seems good on papers, but private banks are unwilling to take the risk on SMEs especially where collateral and quick approval is an issue. “There is still some hope that the government will announce relevant measures and ensure fast delivery to those who need it.” Altaf Hashwani, who is Director at Sana Safinaz, told this scribe that, “The organised retail businesses need government’s support like export sector and others, if not more. “Unfortunately, the SBP’s relief funding scheme doesn’t adequately address the needs of small and medium enterprises. Our teams are an integral part of our business and we want to retain our workforce, but without a customised package, the organised retail sector will be forced to shed jobs, leaving a large skilled and semi-skilled workforce without employment and negatively impacting the growing middle class in the country.” Asad Shafi, the CEO at Cross Stitch, was of the view that the retail brands are the face of our workmanship and it would be a sad state of affairs if the government doesn’t provide relief to this struggling sector. “With a complete collapse of revenues how does the government expect a retailer to utilise this scheme,’ he questioned and said the government is basically offering us to book a loss, take a loan to cover the loss and pay interest on it. “We are unable to meet our current financial liabilities including banks and vendors. How will we further add debt and pay interest in a model where there is no revenue,” he noted.

Speaking to Pakistan Today, Managing Director of Firhaj Footwear (Hush Puppies Pakistan) Mohammad Qasim said, “This sector has been hit most adversely during this pandemic due to lockdowns, not just in Pakistan, but also globally. If the current situation persists for a longer period, millions of semiskilled and skilled people will be losing their jobs.”

Saturday, 25 April, 2020

06 COMMENT

Act before it’s too late Science must be the guide during pandemics

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TI’s image builder Shahbaz Gill had accused the Sindh government of politicising the coronavirus situation through doctors. The accusation was however given the lie by prominent lahore doctors who endorsed the views expressed by their Karachi colleagues a day earlier. PMA President Dr Ashraf Nizami in fact went a step further by maintaining that coronavirus cases in Pakistan were not in thousands, as being officially projected, but more than 100,000, a figure based on mathematics rather than guesswork, he claimed. he asked the government to follow in the footsteps of Saudi Arabia and Turkey to avoid pushing the country into a test it is not prepared for. Dr Amir Taj Khan, President KP’s Provincial Doctors Association, told the media that the doctors in the province supported complete lockdown and an increase in the number of tests. The thoughtless tweet by the PTI publicist has stimulated acerbic rebuttals from PPP Sindh leaders. heeding the doctors’ warning, the Sindh government has restricted taraweeh prayers in mosques to three to five persons. On Friday it strengthened the lockdown to ensure that there were no big crowds for Juma prayers.

Sindh cannot however successfully implement the lockdown on its own if there are contradictory signals from the federal government. The 20 point agreement brokered at the Presidency with the ulema leaves it to them and local prayer leaders to ensure that the prescribed preventive measures are duly enforced. The doctors however maintain that it would be unrealistic to hope that the measures could be enforced in big gatherings.

Prime Minister Imran Khan has promised that if the worshippers fail to follow the agreed 20 points and this leads to the spread of covid-19, the mosques will be closed down. It will take days before the symptoms start appearing to show that the inevitable has happened. By the time the government acts, the virus would have spread far and wide, nullifying much of what has been achieved through hard work. Closing the mosques after the mischief has been done will not bring back the dead or cure the ill. It is time now to strictly restrict the ramzan mosque gatherings to up to five.

Telethon prayer

Changing profile of Indian politics post-Covid-19 Health will loom large in future elections

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dr rajKumar sIngh

leArly, the coronavirus pandemic has the potential of redefining the rules and the balance of power in the international system and national politics. The scale of the pandemic, the national lockdown, the economic crisis it has already generated, and the fact that every citizen— irrespective of class, caste, geography, gender, age, religion— is affected, admittedly to varying degrees, makes covid-19 the most significant event in recent Indian history. If society is affected, and if the economic structure is altered, it cannot but have an impact on the way political competition takes place, and on the political choices people make in the months and years ahead.

This crisis may force both the political system and citizens to recognise that issues such as health cannot be marginal, but are central. Covid-19 has now shown the indispensability of public health systems and the need to invest in a more healthy society and prepare better. No national election in India has been fought on education or health or social safety; voters have not decided their choices based on which party promises to invest more funds in building State capacity. But it is hard to imagine that in the future, political parties can go to voters without an agenda on health— or that citizens will not demand better services. however, the entire episode will strengthen Indian federalism. The role of state governments has been critical in the battle against covid-19. The constitutional division of powers has meant that not all decisions happen at the same time, slowing down responses in different geographies. Some states have done better than others. There have been coordination issues between the Centre and states and among states. But the crisis has brought home the indispensability of India’s federal compact. A centralised, unitary structure would have struggled even more to deal with the emerging realities, given India’s spread, and specific local realities. The fact that there is an administrative apparatus that percolates down to grassroots, through state governments and Panchayats, has helped and will be an asset in this long battle.

Nobody knows better than Prime Minister Narendra Modi that crisis is opportunity. Covid-19 is similarly a political opportunity for him. And luck often favours him. If he can bring India out of this crisis relatively less affected than the West, he will be even stronger than he became after 23 May. he will have a lot more political capital to pursue the hindutva agenda and ignore the economic slump. But it’s early days. It won’t be until a few weeks that we can get a sense about whether India ducked the coronavirus or whether the inevitable happens. Meanwhile, the Modi propaganda machinery is already doing its best to keep his voters assured that he’s using his supernatural powers to defeat the virus: In addition, how India manages covid-19 will be the defining legacy of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. It is no longer Kashmir or the ram Temple or the Citizenship (Amendment) Act or welfare measures or demonetisation or Goods and Services Tax that will be the dominant element in how Modi is remembered in history. To be sure, these issues matter— and may even play a partial role in electoral outcomes and have long-term consequences. But it is whether India manages to minimise the fallout of the pandemic, with limited cases and casualties, or succumbs to it on a mass scale, with a devastating loss of lives, that will be the central element of Modi’s prime ministership. It is whether India manages to, in the wake of the health crisis, reduce the economic consequences, provide social security support and rebuild its core sectors— or whether it enters a long period not just of contracted growth but perhaps even sustained recession that will define Modi’s governance record. If he manages to lead India out of this pandemic relatively successfully, Modi will have sealed not just the 2024 election— but etched his name as a heroic, almost war-time, Prime Minister.

The crisis will strengthen the power of the Indian State. It has shown that at a time of grave public emergency, the government is essential. Many fervent supporters of free markets have often argued for the retreat of the State and confining it to essential law and order functions, while leaving the private sector to take over other functions. This never happened in India, even though liberalisation opened up key sectors, rightly, for private-sector participation. And pri-

vate-sector firms, including in health care, have a role in battling covid-19. But above all, it is the government that is at the heart of the response. From getting Indians from abroad back home to determining the duration of a lockdown and implementing it, from deciding on the testing strategy for covid-19 to embarking on extensive contact tracing of all those possibly infected, from allocating funds to ramp up health infrastructure to announcing relief measures for the economically disadvantaged, from leveraging private sector support to representing India’s point of view internationally, it is the State which is responding to the crisis. All these measures are legal and necessary, but they will enhance its power and role beyond the crisis. The era of big government is set to return.

In comparison to Modi, the covid-19 crisis is an even greater opportunity for the opposition. To begin with, the crisis has turned the page on hindutva, at least for now. The opposition no longer has the excuse that it is unable to appeal to a majority of voters just because they are being given a regular dose of intoxicating hindutva. The public will now test Narendra Modi on three counts: response to the pandemic, the health infrastructure at large, and the state of the Indian economy. On all three fronts, the opposition has a big window of opportunity, which will last at least a few weeks if not a few months. For the most part, the Congress party’s response to the covid-19 crisis has come across as mature, its opposition as constructive. It is criticising the Modi government’s follies and yet not appearing to be Pavlovian in its criticism. It is coming across as trying to solve a grave problem rather than score political brownie points and bring down Narendra Modi. This is unlike how we have seen the Congress party— and indeed, the wider opposition— respond since Modi became prime minister in 2014. From demonetisation and lynching to GST and NrC, the opposition came across as unsure of its own position, attacking Modi but unable to find a voice that would appeal to the people. That cognitive dissonance could change if the opposition continues its mature response and remembers that its focus is to convince the masses that it can do a better job of governance than the current dispensation. While the Congress old guard may think their party’s former president needs to go easy on low-level Modi-bashing at a time of national crisis, it is a sign of rahul Gandhi’s maturity that he welcomes an economic package by the government like a constructive opposition leader.

Modi’s ratings now depend heavily on his managing the health crisis, but as the hindutva agenda is sidestepped, the opposition has a new opening.

The writer is head of the political science department, B.N. Mandal Unversity, Madhepura, Bihar, India.

He can be reached at: rajkumarsinghpg@gmail.com

Sending the wrong message

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he government has long harnessed religion to its cause. For this, it has had to make use of religious preachers who then receive high levels of electronic media projection. US televangelists are distinguished from these in that the former raise money. however, the first step in this conversion can be seen to have been taken by the involvement of prominent cleric Maulana Tariq Jamil in the ehsaas Programme telethon for the Coronavirus pandemic, which he closed with a lengthy supplication to the Almighty. The gist of his analysis was that the real cause of the pandemic was not the virus, but our misdeeds. he listed deceitful dealings with each other, lying to one another, lying by the media, and immorality as the sins which had to be abandoned, which he said was best done by going to the mosques in ramazan and begging forgiveness.

As the Maulana is something of an official cleric, that message seemingly has official approval. The Maulana’s fulsome praise of Prime Minister Imran Khan and his efforts in the pandemic can thus be understood. however, the message that comes across is opposed to the official line, that mosque attendance for congregational prayers should be hedged with restrictions. True, the Maulana did not say that the restrictions be ignored, but he did not say they should be enforced. As mosques themselves are supposed to take responsibility for enforcement, calls such as the Maulana’s work against their enforcement.

The government does not select just anybody to make use of for religious purposes. The Maulana has a large following, and what he says is liable to heavily influence people. It is perhaps ironic that he is by training a doctor, for Pakistan Medical Association spokesmen are forthright in calling for a prioritization of social distancing over congregational prayers. If those prayers prove to be a means of spreading the disease, then it will not just be men of religion like the Maulana who will have much to answer for, but also the government which provided a platform, while adhering to those views.

Dedicated to the legacy of the late Hameed Nizami

Arif Nizami Editor Aziz-ud-Din Ahmad

Umar Aziz

Asher John

Joint Editor

Executive Editor

Deputy Editor

Lahore – Ph: 042-36300938, 042-36375965

A major global threat

public dialogue, in society and friendly discussions, mobilizing millions of people around the world, especially young people, who began to demonstrate, demanding governments immediately take measures for the confrontation of climate change.

So, Swedish MPs rightly suggested her for the The sectors responsible for the production of green- Nobel Peace Prize. And of course Greta Thunberg is house gases are primarily the energy production sec- very much in the right when she says that the measBy IsIdoros KarderInIs tor (units of electrical power production, refineries) ures are being taken to reduce greenhouse gases and, but also industrial activities, the modern means of above all, carbon dioxide, are not sufficient.

So, what are the appropriate measures to be taken he change of the global climate and in par- transport (cars, airplanes, etc) and the activities of the without delay to effectively reduce greenhouse gas ticular the changes in meteorological condi- primary production sector.

So, the extreme weather events, like uncontrolled emissions by 2050 and keep the temperature at tions that extend on a large time scale, is a major global existential threat, much greater fires in forests such as the Amazon that have been char- +1.5°C? The basic policies for resolutely mitigating the than the coronavirus. The greenhouse effect acterized as the "lungs" of the planet, the heat waves, causes the increase of temperature of the planet pri- the heavy rainfall, the prolonged droughts that create se- problem consist in promoting and utilizing renewable marily due to the tremendous increase in carbon diox- rious food production problems in the affected areas of energy sources (wind, solar, biomass, amon others), enhancing energy efficiency, ide, which has increased by 35 percent since the the planet, the very powerful the drastic reduction of the exhurricanes, are becoming beginning of the industrial revolution. And of course ploitation of oil and gas dethe lion's share in the pollution of the atmosphere constantly more often and posits and the imposition of with 50 percent of all carbon dioxide is the responsi- more intense, taking tens of In the face of this extremely carbon taxes in order that to bility of europe and North America. All other coun- thousands of lives every year limit the use of fossil fuels and and causing huge disasters. tries together are responsible for the other half, while dangerous climate crisis, the thereby to reduce significantly The ice at the same the poorest countries are the least responsible. howcitizens around the world carbon dioxide emissions by ever, the people who live in these countries will suffer time and snow on the poles 2030 and eliminate them by is melting, with the Arctic more strongly the consequences. should increase their 2050 at the latest, the rapid rebeing the biggest victim to The causes of climate change are mainly identified mobilization even further and duction of emissions of in combustion of fossil fuels (coal, oil, gasoline, natural date, and the world average methane, carbon black and sea level goes up, and as a gas, and so on) which account for 50 percent of total the political leaders to finally other short-lived pollutants emissions, in the production and use of synthetic result to be caused floods stand up at the height of the that burden the climate, the chemicals, in disaster to forest areas which contributes and erosion on coasts and restoration and protection of to the production of 15 percent additional gases in the lowland coastal areas and circumstances and take ecosystems and, above all, environmental refugees atmosphere and of course increase the greenhouse efimmediately the necessary forests. fect and in conventional agriculture and livestock being created. If this unfaThe Paris Agreement, the vorable development confarming, which account for 15 percent of emissions. drastic measures, before it is first universal, legally binding The expert scientists sound the alarm and warn tinues, areas such as the too late, to reverse this agreement for the climate, enthat if there is no urgent global coordinated action by Netherlands and Venice into force in 2016 with political leaders, governments, industries and citizens will be at risk of being perunsustainable course and save tered great optimism and manifest manently lost under the sea around the world, the temperature of the planet is the planet. ambitions, despite the official likely to rise above 2°C relative to pre-industrial lev- waters as new Atlantises.

US departure statement, The climate change els by 2060 and the increase could even reach 5°C by which are one of the biggest the end of the 21st century, a fact that will make the also increases existing dispolluters.

Four years have eases worldwide but also lives of future generations problematic.

Such an increase in the temperature of our planet creates new ones, and can also lead to premature passed since then and there are no substantial results, will have a devastating impact on nature, bringing death. Too many diseases are particularly sensitive to fact which raises serious questions as to whether there about irreversible changes in many ecosystems and temperature change. They include communicable dis- is really the political will to tackle this particularly consequent loss of biodiversity, of all living organisms eases like yellow fever, malaria, encephalitis and threatening global problem.

I would like to emphasize that the effects of cliand species that make up life on the planet, that is, an- dengue, but also eating disorders, mental illnesses and mate change will be so dramatic that human civilizacardiovascular diseases as well as respiratory diseases. imals, birds, fish and plants (fauna and flora). Many Climate change will also have negative impacts tion will be in danger of collapsing like a paper tower. species are expected to disappear from areas that will on the economies of countries, given the fact that high So, in the face of this extremely dangerous climate be directly and severely affected by climate change.

Today, compared to 1850─ from when the temperatures undermine the productivity of most sec- crisis, the citizens around the world should increase recording of data began─ a temperature increase of tors of the economy, from the agricultural sector to their mobilization even further and the political lead1.1°C has been observed. So, it is vitally important processing. Scientists predict that by the end of the ers to finally stand up at the height of the circumthe increase does not exceed 1.5°C, because as sci- century, global GDP will be 7.22 percent less than stances and take immediately the necessary drastic measures, before it is too late, to reverse this unsusentists estimate, beyond this crucial point there will what it would have been without climate change. tainable course and save the planet.

The teenager Swedish activist against climate be no way back. The climate change, however, which is due to human activities, is a tangible ominous re- change, Greta Thunberg, has managed in the most vigThe writer can be reached at skarderinis@hotality and is already adversely affecting our planet. orous and loud way to pass the debate over this huge mail.gr at tweets at isidoros Karderinis Web: www.pakistantoday.com.pk Email: editorial@pakistantoday.com.pk I Karachi – Ph: 021-35381208-9 I Islamabad – Ph: 051-2204545 I the I and problem, by heads of state and government

Climate change is a much greater threat than the coronavirus

T

Saturday, 25 April, 2020

COMMENT 07 Editor’s mail Send your letters to: Letters to Editor, Pakistan Today, 4-Shaarey Fatima Jinnah, Lahore, Pakistan.

E-mail: letters@pakistantoday.com.pk Letters should be addressed to Pakistan Today exclusively

Undue blame

International Slumber on Kashmir Is Pakistan doing enough?

QudssIa aKhLaQue

A

S the world grapples with the unprecedented economic and social challenges of the coronavirus pandemic that has shaken the entire human race, it must not lose sight of the silent sufferings of the millions of Kashmiris in Indian Occupied Kashmir. They have now been forced into a suffocating ‘double lockdown’─ first with the terror of a military siege and now with restrictions to prevent the spread of covid-19.

It is hard to even imagine their pain, anxiety, despair and deep sense of betrayal by those they looked to for rescue. Pakistan most of all. The international community’s muted response to the Kashmiris’ plight has been equally disappointing.

Occupied Jammu and Kashmir has been under lockdown since 5 August 2019 when the BJP-led Modi government unilaterally revoked Article 370 of the Indian Constitution, ending autonomy of the disputed region. This stripped Kashmiris of their special status in flagrant violation of all UN Security Council resolutions.

In these times of global lockdown where the world struggles to stay indoors, empathy should grow for the Kashmiris in the disputed Valley who have been under the harshest lockdown for over eight months now.

According to the Kashmir Media Service, healthcare experts in IOK fear that it could become a covid-19 hotspot as the public healthcare system remains unprepared and understaffed.

The doctor-to-patient ratio in the valley is very low at one doctor for 3,866 patients compared to India’s 1 to 2,000. So far over 400 coronavirus cases have been reported in the Valley which is seen as a gross underestimation. reportedly there are only 215 ventilators for a population of approximately 13 million. Amid this humanitarian crisis, the Indian establishment needs to be pushed to focus on health of Kashmiris instead of isolating them for political or military reasons.

The Indian aggression against Kashmiris could continue for months given Indian Prime Minister Modi’s disdain for Muslim Kashmiris and his hostile plan to alter the demographics of the region.

It was ironic how Modi apologized to the Indian nation last month for initially imposing the three-week lockdown, saying it was required to win against the coronavirus. “I apologise for tak-

ing these harsh steps that have caused difficulties gression. Powers-that-be have to stop being sein your lives, especially the poor people,” he said lective in their censure of human rights violain his radio address. More than anything else, his tions. human rights violations must not be seen words expressed his own hypocrisy and double through biased and narrow prisms of religion standards given the reign of terror unleashed on and ethnicity.

In a recent article titled ‘Tragedy of PakKashmiris in the occupied territory. his apology is in fact first due to the millions India disputes’ Pakistan’s former foreign secreof Kashmiris who have been subjected to most tary riaz Mohammad Khan noted that after last oppressive military lockdown for months at year’s August 5 measures, India has removed Indian Occupied Kashmir from the agenda of the length.

Apart from the brutalities of the ruthless In- bilateral process, limiting Pakistan’s diplomatic dian occupying troops and the communications options to “approaching the international comblackout, Kashmiris continue to suffer rampant munity and to knocking at the doors of internatrampling of fundamental rights by usurpation tional forums.” Clearly bilateralism has not of their freedom of person and association, de- worked between the two South Asian neighbors nial of education and healthcare, and forcible in resolving any outstanding dispute. The UN secretary General during his visit to Pakistan in confiscation of their properties.

Pakistan and the 57-member Organisation of February was reminded of the world body’s long ‘forgotten’ responsibilIslamic Cooperation ity of holding a have been pushing for plebiscite in the disa negotiated settlement puted region. of the longstanding The international campaigners The former secreissue of Kashmir in actary succinctly warned: cordance with the UN for peace and security can no “Pakistan and the interSecurity Council resonational community lutions that envisage a longer overlook the blatant cannot remain insensisettlement aligned with abuses and repression in the tive to the appalling the will of Kashmiris.

Kashmiri predicament however, this is not occupied territory. Market and Kashmiri alienation enough. Pakistan has to under the Indian occumove beyond stateforces should not dictate pation, which will again ments of expressing protection of human rights but erupt into a widespread solidarity, regret, coninsurgency, as soon as demnation, concern the principles of international the draconian lockdown and alarm for media crumbles, which it consumption and the law and social justice. The must.” optics. We cannot just Azad Jammu and pray and hope for an Coronavirus pandemic has Kashmir President Sarearly solution. For the shown us the volatility of even dar Masood Khan, a past four decades that former diplomat with has not yielded any the mega global markets and vast experience in mulpositive results. OIC tilateral diplomacy, has and the Islamic body’s how rapidly they can crumble. also repeatedly called Contact Group formed So better stand on the right on the international in 1994 have not delivcommunity to play its ered anything more than side of history due role. “Time is on resolutions or statethe side of the freedom ments condemning the seeking Kashmiris, but repression by India in the UN Security Counthe occupied territory.

Consistent, concrete and well-coordinated cil, its permanent members and other global initiatives at the diplomatic level are required. powers are not playing their role in safeguarding Senior Pakistani diplomats have been critical of the Kashmiris from the carnage by India and Pakistan for not being consistent in its approach eventually also saving the region from a possible and support towards the Kashmir issue, calling lethal war,” warned the AJK President, a strong for more sustained efforts for resolution of this advocate for the Kashmiris.

Pakistan must keep pushing the Genevafestering dispute. Dr Maleeha lodhi, Pakistan’s former ambassador to the USA and Permanent based UN human rights Council and Internarepresentative to the UN in New york, flagged tional Committee of the red Cross (ICrC) to this issue last month at the Senate Foreign Af- hold India accountable for this open breach of fairs Committee, saying: “right now there is an international humanitarian law. The international inexplicable halt in our Kashmir diplomacy. campaigners for peace and security can no People ask why.” She very rightly observed: “It longer overlook the blatant abuses and represis too serious a matter to be reduced to occa- sion in the occupied territory. Market forces sional tweets of solidarity.” her point being that should not dictate protection of human rights but the government should gear efforts towards con- the principles of international law and social jusvening of a ministerial meeting of the OIC and tice. The Coronavirus pandemic has shown us a special session of the UN human rights Coun- the volatility of even the mega global markets cil in Geneva exclusively on Occupied Kashmir. and how rapidly they can crumble. So better stand on the right side of history.

A sound suggestion made by the former envoy.

The international community cannot conQudssia Akhlaque is a senior journalist and tinue to turn a blind eye to the atrocities in the Kashmir region. It must stir the slumbering con- Islamabad-based columnist. She can be reached science of world leaders who, in enlightened at qudssia@hotmail.com | twitter@qudssiself-interest, have been ignoring the Indian ag- aakhlaque

rATher than combating with coronavirus, India yet again started recriminating against Pakistan.India recently accused Pakistan for sending the deadly pandemic COVID-19 to india.indian state institutions are imposing preposterous, and, baseless accusations on Pakistan that COVID-19 is being sent to Indian occupied Kashmir via azad Kashmir. Indian media is highlighting that Pakistan is behind in that virus; prior to accusing Pakistan India blamed china, as its ally United States called this is Chinese virus.india is going to be a rough state under the fascist leadership of narendra modi.first India accused Pakistan for spreading COVID-19 now Indian media is playing communal card against muslims and deliberately targeting tablighi jamaat for disseminating COVID-19 with orchestration.

This kind of obnoxious rhetoric can whip up Muslims in across India. The cluster of COVID-19 cases have been linked to the Islamic missionary group the tablighi jamaat is nothing but deplorable. The large section of Indian media is blatantly using communal language and even, calling it corona jihad. The incessant anti- muslim rhetoric has led to a surge in the ostracication of muslims. Muslim are forcefully being quarantine despite negative reports, it has exposed the venomous ideology against muslims. ever since this fascist ideology has been embedded in india, muslim are becoming victim of disenfranchment unparalleled atrocities . For instance, recently communal carnage was carried by the rSS fanatic goons in Delhi at the behest of the state.international community must take notice promptly of this unprecedented atrocities, otherwise it will have serious consequences.

MUHAMMAd SHAHrAM BHUTTo Hyderabad

Your help can save a life AS the number of cases in Pakistan are rapidly increasing, around hundreds of cases are being reported every day. It is a very alarming situation, where many of us think total lockdown is the solution for stopping the spread of this virus. On the other hand one of the social economic issues Pakistan has been facing is poverty. Many indigents are left without food and money due to this lockdown. Considering this situation of the unprivileged part of society PM Imran Khan has announced “ehsas emergency Program” for the poor to reduce their suffering during the lockdown.

This program will help 1 crore and 20 lakh families and will assure that no one is left without food or money. During this pandemic where many of us have enough food at our homes to spend the upcoming days peacefully however it is also important to help those who are starving and have no source of income these days. It is high time to assist our people during their tough times by donating to this Program. We have to stay united to fight against this virus. every individual shall play his/her role throughout this hard time. Self-isolation is not our only responsibility, trying to figure out ways to provide relief to the daily wage earners and the deprived side of our society is also our duty as a citizen of this country.

HAFSA HASHMI Islamabad

Wage labourers AFTer the coronavirus outbreak in Pakistan, the Sindh government decided to enforce lockdown across the province to curb the spread of the pandemic. This lockdown has left hundreds of thousands of daily-wage earners in Sindh province particularly in Karachi. They are still deprived of even a loaf of bread, many of them are still yearning for a single meal for their family. The Federal government announced ehsas cash emergency program to distribute rs 12000 among the needy families so that they will be able to feed their families during this lockdown. In some slums area of sindh where people are worried, how they would feed their children so it has become very difficult for them to survive.In sindh particularly in rural or slums area where it has come in seen that distribution centres are providing lesser amount them released by federal government .they do not fear to Allah to do corruption during this time of crisis.

I appeal to authorities to take strict action against those distribution centres that are indulged in providing lesser amounts to poor people in slums areas. With heartbreaking I have to say in even such hard time to them that they are providing lesser amounts to those who are starving and yearning for a single meal in this time. They should be embarrassed .

MUHAMMAd ISHAFQ TUNIo Larkana

Covid-19 and regional politics AFGhANISTAN, called a graveyard of empires,has been in war for decades.The war in Afghanistan created a riffle of turmoil and instability.After USSr withdrawal from Afghan soil,Taliban recaptured most part of Afghan territories.Clashes between Afghan military and Taliban have become a daily routine.

Afghanistan paid a heavy cost in the shape of human lives,roughly 100,000 civilians died as a result of war.Foreign interventions too shaken the very foundation of Afghanistan. Most recently,a historical peace deal was signed between Taliban and USA.having failed through militaristic approach,USA turned towards the negotiation table.After 18-month talks,there came a peace deal.The deal is yet to be implemented.

In addition,the deadly contagion,named as coronavirus,has managed to spread from one country to another.Afghanistan also fell prey to Covid19.herat,a province closed to Iranian border,is the epicentre of Covid-19 in Afghanistan through which Covid-19 spread to other parts of Afghanistan.

Both economy and health infrastructure of Afghanistan are fragile because of war.At present,Afghanistan runs short of both resources and medical facilities simultaneously. As per the reports,Afghanistan only has 300 ventilators for critically ill people.The Covid-19 cases in Afghanistan are increasing exponentially.As of April 19,the number of Covid-19 cases were 993 and death toll was 32.As lockdown was put in place,people were asked to stay at home to curb the spread. Unfortunately, Afghanistan does not have special quarantine centres and isolation wards for coronavirus-affected patients. Moreover,Afghanistan is highly depend on foreign aid.recently,America cut $1 billion aid of Afghanistan:as a consequence,Afghanistan economy suffers a lot.Afghanistan with meagre resources is unable to provide relief package to daily wagers as country remains under lockdown.It is crystal clear that if situation spirals out of control,Afghanistan will register more deaths than caused by war.

QASIM JAN Turbat

Saturday, 25 April, 2020

08 WORLD VIEW

The economics of news media and why iT’s in deep crisis because of covid-19

Do US and Iran need a hotline in the Gulf?

THE BROKEN BUSINESS MODEL OF NEWS MEDIA IN LIGHT OF THE LAYOFFS AND SALARY CUTS DUE TO COVID-19

Print Shekhar Gupta

m

EDIA organisations have been laying off staff, cutting salaries and stopping publications. It seems like the first thing the pandemic has hit around the world is the news media business.

We have heard about big names like The Times of India, The Quint and The Indian Express doing so, but the situation must be much worse for smaller, regional organisations.

It may seem like it’s a good time for media organisations. The audience is sitting at home waiting for content and there is a lot of content available to produce. However, a person with some understanding of how these organisations work will know that times are really grim for the media.

A BROKEN BUSINESS MODEL: Most media organisations depend on advertising. However, as a result of Covid-19 and its impact on the Indian economy, businesses are unwilling to advertise their products. Nobody will buy their products in a lockdown and the first cost that companies cut is on advertising.

To understand how much these organisations depend on advertising, we look at the leader in the industry, The Times of India. It sells the most number of English newspapers in the world. Even after being the largest organisation, The Times of India group’s turnover is just over Rs 10,000 crore. In 2018, its profit was Rs 681 crore. This

profit is minuscule compared to the market leaders in other industries.

Even Havells, a fairly new electronics company, makes a larger profit than The Times of India, and this has consequences.

A long newspaper, like The Times of India, has 48 pages. The newspaper is sold for around Rs 5 and about 40 per cent is taken by distributors. The media organisation gets around Rs 2.40. Now each page costs Rs 0.25 to print and printing 48 pages costs Rs 12. A very conservative cost of paying employees and news agencies etc is Rs 3.

So if newspapers are produced at Rs 15, how are they sold at Rs 5 and how is profit still generated?

The answer is ad revenue. Since Samir Jain of Times of India based the company’s business model on ad revenue, it has become the industry’s standard. His company became the market leader and everyone had to follow his model to survive. Newspapers are sold cheaper and cheaper, and revenue is earned from ads.

However, there is no contradiction between good journalism and the marketplace. But it is a distorted market, which has been distorted by the market leaders. In the short run, when the economy is good, the flaw in this model doesn’t show.

TV NEWS CHANNELS: TV news channels follow the same model, but the flaw is even more evident there. India has nearly 900 TV channels and half of them are news-oriented.

Nearly all English TV news channels run in losses. They are either subsidised by Hindi channels or they are not run for profits but for some other reasons.

News channels are very cheap, so they are even more dependent on ad revenue than newspapers. A channel subscription is Rs 2 or 3 a month, whereas a single newspaper costs more than that.

Businesses advertising in news channels also advertise on entertainment and sports channels. So very little of their marketing budget is left for news channels.

Then the distributors take a large share of the ad revenue. This leaves news channels small and unprofitable and they are hit very hard when businesses cut their advertising budget.

As mentioned earlier, media organisations are minuscule as compared to companies in other industries. During the economic boom of 2007-08, businesses in many industries had large profits and they could spend a small fraction of it to buy media organisations. One such industry is the mining industry, during the mining boom, they could easily throw away a few crores to start or buy a media organisation. As a result, many media organisations had come up in Odisha and Chhattisgarh.

DIGITAL NEWS: Coming to digital news, this industry is an even more extreme version of print newspapers and news channels. Here, the reader doesn’t pay anything at all. The organisation is solely dependent on ads. Distributors like Facebook and Google take most of the ad revenue and a very small fraction is left for the organisation.

The model cannot work and companies who have adopted these will be most stressed at these times.

This business model is broken.

Good articles have to be paid for and people in the West are realising this. Even in India, The Hindu focuses on quality and doesn’t keep cutting their prices. In fact, Hindu has consistently raised the price of their newspaper and yet has done very well.

A new contract has to be established between good journalism and the audience.

Al-Monitor Mark Fitzpatrick

The US-Iran conflict reached another escalation point April 15 when 11 Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) navy speedboats harassed US warships in the Gulf, coming as close as 10 yards, despite multiple warnings. In response, President Donald Trump, in an oddly phrased tweet April 22, said he had directed the US Navy to "shoot down and destroy" any Iranian boats that again harassed US ships.

The escalation this time was almost entirely on Iran’s shoulders. Trump’s threat has an ominous side, yet it could help contain the situation if it acts as a deterrent.

The harassing behavior by IRGC boats, crossing the bows and sterns of the US ships, is nothing new. In 2015, the US Navy reported 25 such incidents, which it politely terms "unsafe and unprofessional conduct." In 2016, there were three dozen more. These provocative actions took place while the United States and Iran were negotiating, and then implementing, the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action. While Iran denies any malfeasance, US Navy officers are trained to capture all such incidents on video. In the latest case, the camera clearly shows which side was at fault. Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif retorted that US forces have no business in the Gulf to begin with, over 7,000 miles away from the US homeland.

Naval harassment by the IRGC largely stopped in autumn 2017, although electronic interference did not stop.

The former US 5th Fleet commander, Vice Adm. John Miller, attributes this change in IRGC speedboat behavior to Iranian concern that the new American president would respond forcefully, although this does not explain why Iran continued the activity for over half a year after his inauguration. “Maybe it just took a while for them to realize it was not a good idea to push [Trump],” Miller said.

It is too soon to judge whether the April 15 activity was a return to the old pattern or a one-off move, designed to test US responses. It is ominous, however, that it came the day after the IRGC navy boarded and detained a Hong Kong-flagged Taiwan oil tanker. If there was one area of Iranian behavior that the US administration could unequivocally point to as having changed for the better as a result of Trump’s hard-line posture, it was the let-up in naval harassment. If Iran returns to the old harassment playbook, it will underscore the futility of the maximum pressure campaign.

In defiance of the 12 demands made by US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo in a May 2018 speech, Iran has done the opposite on nearly every point. It expanded its nuclear program, obfuscated the prior military dimensions of that program, denied international inspector access requests, furthered its ballistic missile development, main-

tained its forces in Syria, continued military support for the Houthi rebels, aided attacks by its proxies in Iraq, kept dual Iran-US citizens in detention and threatened international shipping. Stopping harassment of US naval forces now has to be added as an additional demand. Iran’s behavior has become more troublesome in almost every respect, much of it in response to US “maximum pressure.”

Trump’s tweet was intended as a warning to Iran, to deter further harassment. Although Trump characterized his response as a “direction” to US forces, no such directive has come to light. There is no need for it, because the US Navy already has clear rules of engagement when dealing with the IRGC. Navy officials know how to respond to harassment without escalating and when lethal force is warranted, Miller said.

Some experts, however, believe that the US Navy may need to reinforce Trump’s words with action.

Michael Eisenstadt, director of the Washington Institute's Military and Security Studies Program, finds it “disconcerting how brazenly dangerous” the IRGC was in coming so close to US ships. He suggests the Navy ramp up its response to any IRGC gunboats approaching too closely by use of nonlethal means such as “entanglement systems” — what he described as glorified fishing nets — to foul up the approaching boats’ propellers. He cautioned, however, that there is a downside, because the IRGC could do the same in response, disabling the more expensive US ships.

The downside risk in Trump’s threatening language is that he may now feel compelled, for credibility reasons, to order a kinetic attack if Iran, out of inertia, crosses his red line by continuing the harassment. The IRGC, having issued its own threat to “destroy any American terrorist force in the Persian Gulf that threatens security of Iran's … ships," may then itself feel bound to protect its credibility by taking forceful action.

Already, the IRGC is likely to feel duty-bound to exact revenge over the January 2020 assassination of its Quds Force commander Qasem Soleimani — not just to restore honor, but because Iran has its own need to reestablish deterrence. This perceived need to strike back at the United States may have contributed to the April 15 harassment. But the latter action was both too small-scale and too overt for this purpose. Iran is surely planning something lethal and not immediately attributable, so as to allow for an escalation plateau.

As a means of de-escalating, the International Crisis Group has recommended that the United States and Iran open a military communication channel facilitated by a third party such as Oman, going beyond the current system of routine messages between ships in proximity. Arranging a deconfliction hotline makes eminent sense.

Over the years, Iran has resisted suggestions from US government and nongovernmental players to establish a mechanism similar to the “incidents at sea” agreements that Washington has had with Moscow and Beijing. During the latter years of the Obama administration, this may not have been needed, because there was a better channel in the direct telephone line between Zarif and US Secretary of State John Kerry and their respective staffs. With Iran-US diplomacy dead in the water, the respective navies need a hotline of their own. Twitter was never cut out to be a de-escalation tool.

Mark Fitzpatrick is an Associate Fellow at the International Institute for Strategic Studies. Before IISS, he had a 26-year career in the US Department of State, including as Deputy Assistant Secretary for Non-Proliferation (acting).

Economic crisis and poverty might kill more people than the coronavirus WHEN COMMERCE GETS THE GOVERNMENT TO GIVE IT THE GREEN LIGHT TO REOPEN THE MALLS, THE GENERAL SUSPICION IS THAT IT IS THINKING MORE ABOUT THE POCKETS OF ITS OWNERS THAN ABOUT THE WELL-BEING OF ITS WORKERS

Pro MArket Daniel MataMala

In Chile, 300,000 people were laid off in March alone. More than one million have now either lost their usual source of income or are at serious risk of losing it. A poorer family eats worse, lives in an unhealthier environment, and consequently dies sooner.

Why does “saving the economy” still seem like a euphemism for the benefit of some unscrupulous few?

“Shit! The economy!” A dinosaur screams in terror as it sees an asteroid about to hit Earth. The meme—fun and effective— nicely sums up a common sentiment these days: It is frivolous to talk about the economy at a time when the only concern should be to prevent deaths from the coronavirus.

The dinosaur is not only stupid. It is also immoral. The Manichean discussion that dominates social networks does not admit any gray areas: On the one hand, altruists are

worried about saving lives. On the other, the greedy are willing to sacrifice innocent people in order to take care of their pockets.

Your money or your life! For anyone who is at all ethical, the choice should be obvious.

But sadly, real life is more complicated than those cartoons.

This week, the IMF predicted that the ongoing economic crisis will be the world’s biggest in at least 90 years. Chilean finance minister Ignacio Briones has said that “without a doubt” 2020 will be the worst year for Chilean households since the traumatic crisis of the 1980s.

Dry numbers have a direct effect: They kill people. An impoverished country has fewer resources to build hospitals, to train doctors, to vaccinate its population, and to treat sewage. The relationship is clear. The richer a country is, the longer its inhabitants live: 85 years in Singapore against 59 in Somalia; 84 in Switzerland versus 53 in the Central African Republic. The greater the per capita income, the fewer children die before the age of one: 0.1 percent in Luxembourg versus 8.7 percent in Sierra Leone.

The same is true within each country. A poorer family eats worse, lives in an unhealthier environment, and consequently dies sooner. On average, a Chilean woman from Vitacura or Providencia reaches 88

years of age. In the poorer La Pintana, only 77. The difference is equal to 11 years, stolen by poverty. A child born in Tiltil is twice as likely to die in the first year of life (1.02 percent) than a child born in Las Condes (0.49 percent). Poverty sickens and kills. And so does an economic crisis.

“Economic growth is the single most important factor relating to length of life,” concludes Yale professor of epidemiology Harvey Brenner, following a study that found a direct relationship between unemployment and mortality. “Employment is the essential element of social status and it establishes a person as a contributing member of society and also has very important implications for self-esteem,” Brenner argues.

“When that is taken away, people become susceptible to depression, cardiovascular disease, AIDS, and many other illnesses that increase mortality.”

Another study, from the University Hospital of Copenhagen, Denmark, found that patients with heart problems have a 50 percent higher risk of dying if they lose their jobs. For these patients, a layoff is more deadly than having diabetes or previous heart attacks.

An investigation by American and Canadian scientists that analyzed more than 20 million patients worldwide concluded that

the risk of death among those unemployed is 63 percent higher than among those who have a job.

In Chile, 56,986 companies—which employ 786,000 people—have already taken advantage of a new law that allows them to suspend the payment of wages. Let’s add the 300,000 Chileans who were laid off in March alone. More than one million people have now either lost their usual source of income or are at serious risk of losing it, at least temporarily, depending only on unemployment insurance.

And all this without counting the verydifficult-to-measure effects of the quarantine on obesity, alcoholism, drug addiction, depression, or domestic violence—illnesses that jeopardize the quality of life and cause thousands of deaths each year in Chile.

Why, despite all this evidence, does saving the economy still seem like a euphemism for the benefit of some unscrupulous few?

Probably because that is precisely what the signals we receive from the world of power seem to indicate.

First, the Isapres—Chile’s private insurers—raised the prices of their plans. Then they started to reject or reduce coverage to one in three coronavirus-related medical licenses, forcing the regulator to intervene.

Ahumada, the ringleader of the Big

Pharma cartel, has just notified the owners of its stores that it will stop paying their rent, despite the fact that its stores are still open throughout the country.

Amid the worst health, economic, and social crisis of our generation, some people become ill, others refuse to give up licenses.

Some continue to pay for their medicine; others decide to stop fulfilling their obligations.

“We cannot kill economic activity to save lives,” said the general manager of the Santiago Chamber of Commerce, defending the reopening of the malls.

Although he later apologized, the phrase was profound. So now, when commerce gets the government to give it the green light to reopen the malls, the general suspicion is that it is thinking more about the pockets of its owners than about the well-being of its workers.

When the government instructs public employees to return to their offices, many assume it is pursuing some particular crooked profit. And when a company’s bailout plan is faster than the still-pending assistance to informal workers pauperized by the crisis, millions of families feel abandoned to their fate.

Saving lives is the priority. Doing so depends on a delicate balance between health, economic, and social variables. But, above all, it depends on a population that trusts that these measures seek the common good, not the interest of a few. Such trust is scarce today in Chile.

Daniel Matamala is a Chilean journalist. He works for CNN Chile, where he hosts 360 and CNN Prime.

Saturday, 25 April, 2020

buSineSS 09

Govt reduces profit rates on National Savings schemes The government has reduced the rate of profit on various National Savings Schemes by up to 5.42pc with immediate effect, according to a notification issued on Friday. The profit rate on Defence Saving Certificate was reduced to 8.54 per cent from 10.40. Similarly, for 10year Pensioners’ Benefit Account, Behbood Saving Certificates and Shuhadas Family Welfare Account, it has been reduced to 10.32pc from 12.24pc. The profit rate for certificate holders of five-year Regular Income Certificates has been reduced to 8.28pc from 10.56pc, while it was reduced to 8pc from 11pc for Special Saving Certificates. The average profit rate on certificates and accounts was reduced from 11.13pc to 8.10pc per cent.

In short-term saving certificates, the profit rate on threemonth certificates has been reduced from 12.76pc to 7.80pc. On six-month certificates, the profit rate has been reduced from 12.60pc to 7.50pc. The profit rate for 12-month certificates has been reduced from 12.37pc 6.95pc. BUSINESS DESK

3QFY20: Indus Motor reports 20pc decrease in profit LAHORE: The Board of Directors of Indus Motor Company Limited (INDU) met on Friday to review the company's performance and announce its financial results for the quarter and nine months ended March 31, 2020. As per the financials, INDU posted a profit after tax of Rs2.679 billion for the quarter ended March 31, 2020, as compared to the profit after tax of Rs3.345 billion during the same period of last year, showing a decrease of 19.9pc.

For the 9MFY20 ended March 31, the company reported a PAT of Rs4.984 billion as compared to the PAT of Rs10.257 billion during the same period last year, depicting a decline of 51.4pc. During the 3QFY20, the car manufacturer’s sales stood at Rs33.055 billion as compared to Rs41.533 billion (-20.4 pc). And for the 9MFY20 ended on March 31, 2020, the company’s sales stood at Rs75.830 billion as compared to Rs117.980 billion (-35.72pc). Hammad Akram, a research analyst at Topline Securities Limited, said that INDU's earnings came in "above industry expectations" on the back of higher-than-expected gross margin. He said that along with the result, the company also announced a cash dividend of Rs10 per share for 3QFY20, taking cumulative payout to Rs23 per share for 9MFY20. Akram shared that during 3QFY20, INDU's net sales declined by 20pc YoY on the back of lower unit sales, as the company recorded sales of 11,125 units in 3QFY20 compared to 16,935 units in 3QFY19. He said that on a QoQ basis, unit sales recorded significant growth of 49pc in 3QFY20 primarily on the back of the New Year effect and multiple promotions and discounts offered on 1.3L variants by the company. Akram informed that the company's 'other income' also increased by 109pc QoQ, as its cash flows improved due to higher sales. "Higher QoQ sales coupled with improvement in gross margin (+4.15ppts QoQ) and other income resulted in earnings improving by 172pc QoQ," he said. STAFF REPORT

Pakistan’s exports to Africa increase 10pc, says Dawood Adviser to Prime Minister on Commerce and Investment Abdul Razak Dawood said on Friday that Pakistan’s exports to Africa have increased by 10pc from July 2019 to April 21, 2020, as compared to the same period last year. Taking to Twitter, he stated, “Even in these testing times Pakistan’s exports to Africa have increased by 10 percent from July 2019 to 21st April 2020, as compared to the same period last year. “I would like to commended his team at the MOC (Ministry of Commerce) for the Look Africa Policy Initiative under which rice exports have increased 20pc, from $500 million to $600mn, the exports of tractors rose from a meager $9mn to $15mn, clothing from $4 to $50 million, and bed linen from $30 to $36 million.” In January, Pakistan organised a two-day first-ever Pakistan-Africa Trade Development Conference Kenya, Nairobi. Besides Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi, Adviser for Commerce Abdul Razak Dawood participated in the conference. In all, some 300 participants attend the conference. The conference was part of Pakistan’s ‘Engage Africa’ initiative, which was in line with Prime Minister Imran Khan’s vision to forge closer political and economic ties with the African Continent, and place a stronger accent on economic diplomacy. BUSINESS DESK

ADB PleDGeS $1.7BN For PAkIStAN to FIGht coroNAvIruS ISLAMABAD APP

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HE Asian Development Bank (ADB) has assured to provide $1.7 billion to Pakistan to fight the impacts of the coronavirus. The assurance was given by the bank’s president during a virtual meeting with Economic Affairs Minister Makhdoom Khusro Bakhtiar.

The bank will approve $800 million budget support by June this year, while the next tranche of $900 million would be provided by the end of this year. The budget support will be provided to Pakistan on special concessionary basis.

According to a press statement issued by ADB, Economic Affairs Minister Makhdoom Khusro Bukhtiar and ADB President Masatsugu Asakawa discussed how the bank could scale up its support for the government’s response to the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic.

“The virus outbreak in Pakistan has already led to

a significant loss of lives and livelihoods, and continues to pose serious health and economic risks to the people of Pakistan,” Asakawa noted. “ADB is firmly committed to helping Pakistan fight this pandemic, reduce the impact on the poorest and most vulnerable groups across the country, and protect the economy.”

The ADB chief further said the bank is preparing an emergency assistance package to provide immediate and flexible financing to help Pakistan combat the outbreak, revitalise economic activity for affected communities, and support the basic needs of vulnerable and poor segments of society.

“ADB is also working to mobilise additional grant funding for Pakistan and specific measures to support the private sector.”

Asakawa commended the government for its swift response to mitigate the impact of COVID-19.

Speaking on the occasion, Bakhtiar expressed appreciation for ADB’s timely and continued support for Pakistan.

On April 9, ADB repurposed $50 million from the

Pakistan’s National Disaster Risk Management Fund to procure medical equipment to strengthen hospitals, diagnostic laboratories, isolation units, and other medical facilities in the country. These supplies have begun to arrive in Pakistan and are being delivered to frontline health workers, while the bank is working intensively to deliver further supplies under this assistance.

Last month, ADB approved $2.5 million in immediate response grant funding to help Pakistan purchase personal protective equipment and other emergency medical supplies. This consisted of $2 million from ADB’s Asia Pacific Disaster Response Fund and $500,000 for procurement of supplies through UNICEF. These are part of ADB’s expanded support package of $20 billion announced on 13 April to address the immediate needs of its developing member countries, including Pakistan, as they respond to the COVID-19 pandemic. ADB also approved measures to streamline its operations for quicker and more flexible delivery of assistance.

Govt's intervention sought as ginning industry fights for survival LAHORE HASSAN NAQVI

The Pakistan Cotton Ginners Association (PCGA) on Friday urged the government to formulate a strategy and recover Rs30 billion from textile millers in order to ensure the ginning industry's survival amid COVID-19.

Presenting his association's 10-point agenda in a press conference, PCGA caretaker Chairman Hafiz Abdul Rehman demanded the government to waive interest on bank loans from January 1, 2020, to June 30, 2020.

He further asked the government to make the Trade Corporation of Pakistan (TCP) functional and purchase 0.5 cotton bales from ginners so that the payment to farmers could be ensured.

"The government should ensure the payment of withholding tax refunds, which have been pending for the last 10 years, to help the ginning industry overcome liquidity crunch being caused by COVID-19 outbreak," Rehman maintained.

He said that the government should defer bank guarantees as well as markup payments for a year at least.

The PCGA chief urged the government to exempt of the country's entire textile supply chain, including weaving and netting, from lockdown so as to expedite the recovery of payments of already sold ginned cotton to these industries.

He also urged the government to advise all commercial banks to allow the sale of cotton on credit so that ginners could adjust the limits of banks.

“The present 0.5 million ginned cotton bales stock should be exempted from sales tax, income tax and other taxes.”: While addressing the premier, the PCGA chairman said that all steps mentioned above were the need of the hour to save the ginning industry and make the cotton sector functional.

He hoped that PM Imran Khan would address the concerns of the ginning industry at the earliest and provide relief for its survival.

Weekly inflation rises 0.62pc ISLAMABAD APP

The Sensitive Price Indicator (SPI)-based weekly inflation for the week ended on April 23 witnessed an increase of 0.62pc, Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS) reported on Friday.

The SPI for the week under review for the combined consumption group was recorded at 125.93 points, as against 125.16 points registered in the previous week.

The weekly SPI, with base year 2015-16=100, covers 17 urban centres and 51 essential items for all expenditure groups.

Inflation for the lowest consumption group, up to Rs17,732, witnessed an increase of 0.91pc, from 130.14 points last week to 131.32 points during the week under review.

Meanwhile, the SPI for the consumption groups from Rs17,733-Rs22,888, Rs22,889Rs29,517, Rs29,518-Rs44,175 and above Rs44,175 per month increased by 0.82pc, 0.72pc,

0.68pc and 0.52pc, respectively.

During the week, prices of 12 items decreased, 14 items increased, while that of 25 items remained unchanged. The items that recorded a decrease in their average prices included tomatoes, eggs, pulse (gram, masoor, mash, moong), LPG cylinder, cooking oil, vegetable ghee (tin), wheat flour, vegetable ghee (loose) and sugar.

The commodities which recorded an increase in their average prices included potatoes, onions, bananas, chicken, garlic, milk (fresh), rice (Irri6/9), curd, gur, rice (Basmati broken), mutton, beef, mustard oil and firewood.

Similarly, commodities that observed no change in their prices during the week under review included bread, milk (powdered), salt, chillies, tea (packet), cooked beef, cooked daal, tea (prepared), cigarettes, long cloth, shirting, lawn, georgette, gents sandal, gents sponge chappal, ladies sandal, electricity charges, gas charges, energy saver, washing soap, matchbox, petrol, diesel, telephone call charges and toilet soap.

Fertilisers face inventory glut as urea offtake drops 34pc in March LAHORE STAFF REPORT

Urea offtake for March 2020 clocked in at 303,000 tonnes, down 34pc when compared with February 2020 and 26pc when compared with March 2019. On a cumulative basis, urea offtake decreased by 26pc YoY to 1.02 million tonnes in the first quarter of 2020, according to data released by the National Fertiliser Development Centre. In March, the offtake of Fauji Fertilizer Company (FFC), Fauji Fertilizer Bin Qasim Limited (FFBL) and Engro Fertilizers Limited (EFERT) increased by 2.1pc, 5.5pc and 12pc, respectively. Their cumulative market share has increased by 6ppt to 81pc in 1QCY20, from 75pc in 1QCY19. "The quarterly decline in urea sales is partly attributed to pre-buying in December by dealers and partly to the COVID-19related lockdown, which halted sales in late March," said a research analyst at Intermarket Securities Ltd. Meanwhile, the offtake of diammonium phosphate (DAP) clocked in at 79,000 tonnes in March 2020, up 21pc YoY but down 10pc MoM. On a cumulative basis, DAP offtake increased by 12pc YoY to 211,000 tonnes in 1QCY20 owing to low base-effect and lower prices.

The inventory levels stood at 500,000 tonnes, less than at end-March 2019 when it was 600,000 tonnes. A major portion of DAP inventory was held by FFBL, EFERT and Fatima Fertilisers. Industry urea inventory level increased by 4.4pc YoY and 54pc MoM, reaching 592,000 in March 2020. Lower demand amid prebuying, delay in crop cultivation and the virus lockdown have together led to the elevated inventory levels. According to the analyst, significantly lower LNG prices would create the room for RLNG-based fertiliser plants to operate with little subsidy intervention from the government. "If these plants are allowed to operate for long, we expect urea inventory to rise to alarming levels, while the market share of incumbents would shrink," he stated. "In the short run, fertiliser demand will be affected by the COVID-19 lockdown and we expect urea sales in CY20 to clock in at 5.5-5.8 million tonnes, which will be less than last year's offtake of 6.2 million tonnes."

market daily

Stocks fall flat after range-bound session KARACHI STAFF REPORT

The Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) moved in a narrow range on Friday, with the benchmark KSE-100 Index failing to capitalise on early gains and ending slightly lower.

Foreign investors ended the previous session (Thursday) as net sellers, registering a net outflow of $2.11 million.

On the economic front, Pakistan’s current account deficit fell by 99pc to $6 million in March 2020, as against $823 million in

March 2019. Meanwhile, the country's overall liquid foreign exchange reserves inched lower by 0.78pc; net reserves with commercial banks were up 1.43pc. The KSE-100 Index started the day on a positive note, gaining 218.34 points to record its intraday high at 33,069.17. However, failing to maintain its flight, the index then slipped 110.99 points to hit its intraday low at 32,739.84. It finally closed lower by 44.45 points at 32,806.38.

Among other indices, the KMI-30 Index lost 185.70 points to end at 52,384.67, while the KSE All Share dropped 92.68 points, set-

tling at 23,119.30. Of the total traded shares, 97 advanced and 181 declined.

The overall market volumes declined from 204.35 million in the previous session to 120.56 million shares, with Hascol Petroleum Limited (HASCOL -2.21pc), Maple Leaf Cement Factory Limited (MLCF +0.56pc) and Kot Addu Power Company Limited (KAPCO -0.04pc) topping the volume chart. The scrips had exchanged 14.34 million, 14.17 million and 11.98 million shares, respectively.

In a notification to the exchange, the

Board of Directors of Nimir Industrial Chemicals Ltd (NICL -0.20pc) announced an investment of Rs1.6 billion to expand the capacity of its caustic soda plant to 120 tonnes per day, which was earlier planned to be expanded to 50TPD. Moreover, the Board of Directors of Thal Limited (THALL +4.23pc) passed a resolution to amalgamate its wholly owned subsidiary, A-One Enterprises (Pvt) Ltd, into THALL, with completion date of June 30, 2020.

On the financial side, Indus Motor Company Limited (INDU +2.87pc) announced

earnings per share (EPS) of Rs34.09 in the third quarter of FY20 (along with cash dividend of Rs10), Macter International Limited (MACTER +3.75pc) declared an EPS of Rs1.19, Maple Leaf Cement Factory Limited (MLCF +0.56pc) posted an EPS of Rs 1.17, Bestway Cement Limited (BWCL -0.82pc) recorded an EPS of -0.74, while Lucky Cement Limited (LUCK -0.46pc) published an EPS of Rs3.09. Trade timings at the exchange during the holy month of Ramadan will be 10am to 2:45pm from Monday to Thursday, and till 1:45pm on Fridays.

Saturday, 25 April, 2020

10 FOREIGN NEWS

Stock marketS retreat, aS oil calmS

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TOCK markets slid on Friday following more crushing economic data and a hit to hopes of finding a coronavirus vaccine, analysts said. European equities were knocked also by news that EU leaders stood divided over the size of a financial rescue package to stimulate the bloc’s economy left battered by the pandemic.

“They seem to have agreed on the idea of a recovery fund while leaving the details for a future date,” Oanda analyst Craig Erlam told AFP. The United States on Friday approved nearly half a billion dollars in new stimulus but European leaders were split on their own measures as the world sought to salvage economies hammered by the coronavirus pandemic. Erlam added that “investors may also be reacting badly to remdesivir’s performance in its first randomised clinical trial”.

US stocks ended flat Thursday and Tokyo dropped Friday, following reports that the closelywatched antiviral drug remdesivir has had no effect on patients in a coronavirus test.

“This was a ray of hope earlier this week and already we’re learning

the pitfalls of getting too excited about these cures at the early stages of testing,” Erlam said.

Economic data released Friday added to the bleak outlook.

German business confidence plummeted to a record low in April as firms fret over COVID-19 fallout, the closely-watched Ifo survey said, describing morale as “catastrophic”.

The institute’s monthly business climate index tumbled to 74.3 points, down from March’s 85.9 points.

Britain’s retail sales by volume meanwhile slumped by a record 5.1 percent last month as the country’s lockdown shut clothes and other stores, offsetting surges in food and alcohol purchases and online buying, official data showed.

The European readings came after the US on Thursday said 4.4 million people applied for unemployment benefits last week, taking the total virus-fuelled job losses in the country to more than 26 million.

Adding to the downbeat mood was a Financial Times report that said initial trials of the remdesivir coronavirus drug being developed

by Gilead Sciences had flopped.

The news was a blow to investors and while Gilead said it was still awaiting data from multiple studies of the drug, which has shown

promise in some analyses.

JP Morgan Asset Management strategist Hannah Anderson warned that while news that some countries were moving to ease lockdowns and

the virus was growing at a slower rate, there were dangers ahead.

“It is important to not conflate medical and economic data,” she said in a note.

“Obviously a deceleration in infection rates is a positive development for the economy, but progress in combating this awful disease is not the same as returning the econ-

omy to the place it was” in late 2019.

“Investors need to understand that the risks associated with lifting public health measures too early could further exacerbate market pain,” she added.

While stock markets struggled, oil was enjoying another day of gains, albeit far more modest than the 20-percent surge for WTI on Thursday triggered by a new flareup between Washington and Tehran.

Iran warned the US of a “decisive response” after President Donald Trump said he ordered the US Navy to destroy Iranian boats that harass American ships in the Gulf.

Gains in crude prices were unlikely to be sustained, observers warned, as storage facilities are near to bursting with demand almost nonexistent — a situation that sent the May contract for WTI to minus $40 this week.

“There is little in the way of fundamental developments to support the move higher, although given the amount of weakness recently, we were due a relief rally,” said Warren Patterson and Wenyu Yao at ING. “Renewed tensions between the US and Iran will likely be providing some support, but… this will likely be short-lived unless we see a further escalation.”

Russia's lockdown surveillance measures need regulating, rights groups say AGENCIES Expanding surveillance measures to police Russia’s coronavirus lockdown, including the use of facial recognition technology and collection of personal data, need regulating to ensure they are temporary and proportionate, two rights groups said on Thursday.

Moscow, the epicenter of Russia’s outbreak, is in partial lockdown along with many of the country’s regions and the authorities are using and developing a range of technologies to monitor and regulate residents’ movements. Police say Moscow’s 178,000 facial recognition cameras had caught 200 people breaking coronavirus lockdown restrictions by mid-March. The cameras are capable of tracking individuals using just their silhouette and of detecting groups standing too close to each other, according to the firm which supplied them.

The Russian capital has also introduced digital passes which are mandatory for anyone wanting to use public or private transport, a system that authorities say 21 of Russia’s more than 80 regions will soon copy in some form. Agora, a Moscow-based human rights group, and Roskomsvoboda, a digital rights campaign group, said the unprecedented nature of the pandemic meant some curbing of citizens’ rights and freedoms was justified. But in a joint appeal to regional governors they said the expanding surveillance measures had to be regulated to ensure they were legal, proportionate and temporary in nature.

“The authorities ... are actively developing technologies to collect personal data including photo-

graphs, videos, geolocations, home addresses, car number plates and medical diagnoses,” said Pavel Chikov, a lawyer who heads Agora.

“There’s not a single federal law regulating the use of facial recognition technology or of digital passes to get around. And there’s no guarantee enshrined in any regional legal act that ... information about Russians’ private lives will be deleted once the quarantine is lifted.” The authorities say Russia, like other countries, is confronted with unprecedented and rapidly changing circumstances and that their priority is to do everything they can to try to halt the virus, which has already infected over 60,000 Russians.

Moscow’s Department of Information Technology (DIT) did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for comment on data collection. The city police force said it could not comment.

Artem Kukharenko, founder of NtechLab, the company which supplied Moscow with facial recognition software, told Reuters he did not know how the DIT used the technology but that it had been notified of all its features, which include the ability to track individuals by their silhouette not just their face.

One medic in Moscow said he and his colleagues had received instructions by WhatsApp, seen by Reuters, from a senior doctor telling them to photograph patients diagnosed with the novel coronavirus, a demand that had caused some unease.

“I don’t take pictures personally because I think they can be used against people in the future,” another doctor said, declining to be named.

COVID-19, the knockout punch for multilateralism?

AGENCIES The coronavirus pandemic blindsided international organisations, prompted individual states to unilaterally strike out alone and heralded a new chapter in the 21st century's chief geopolitical rivalry between the United States and China.

In the post-COVID-19 era, will multilateralism be dead?

Regional and international organisations from the European Union to the United Nations have not managed to muster a coordinated response to the pandemic, while even economic organisations like OPEC have failed to halt the slide on markets.

The United States, meanwhile, is halting payments to the UN's World Health Organization (WHO), the only body equipped to deal with a health emergency that knows no borders. This week, France's Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian, a veteran politician known to prefer backstage diplomacy to grand public statements, emerged to give a chillingly stark warning on the global order.

"My fear is that the world afterwards will be very much like the one before, only worse," he said in an interview with French daily Le Monde.

He warned that the pandemic marked a new stage in the "already longstanding challenge to multilateralism," pointing to how major players were "backing out of their political commitments."

'RETURN TO SOVEREIGNTY': The era of multilateralism dates to the aftermath of World War I, when the United States spearheaded the 1920 foundation of the League of Nations, the precursor of the United Nations. The European common market, which would later

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become the European Union, was then set up in the 1950s in the wake of World War II. Le Drian warned that under Trump, the US was now unsure about playing its global leadership role, making collective action difficult -- providing an opportunity for China to step into the breach. And he urged Europe to take on a more prominent role. "Europe must become geopolitical and shoulder its responsibilities at the international level," he told Le Monde. Europe must "find its destiny as a leader", he added, and no longer "depend on the outside."

The crisis, described by many governments and groups as the worst since World War II, has led many states to put self-interest first and relegate the common good to second place. "We are in a period where we are seeing a return to sovereignty, and the crisis will surely prompt states to behave in an even more sovereign way," Zaki Laidi, a professor at the Sciences Po university in Paris, told AFP. FLARING TENSIONS: Even the UN Security Council, which has been the fulcrum of the multilateral system for the last decades, has been hamstrung by growing discord. "The optimistic version was that we were going to take advantage of the situation by rebuilding multilateralism in a more modern way," said Regine Perron, a historian at Cergy-Pontoise University outside Paris, and author of a history of multilateralism since 1918.

"The ideal would be that regional entities (like the European Union) take up the baton" from larger organisations, she said. In his interview, Le Drian also sounded alarm over NATO, whose key member Turkey has purchased a Russian air defence system and had "Syrian proxies transferred" to take part in the conflict in Libya - despite international calls for a cease-fire.

Saturday, 25 April, 2020

ChIna sIgnals World Cup amBItIons WIth nEW footBall stadIums

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AGENCIES

HInA is in the throes of a multibillion-dollar splurge on new football stadiums, ramping up ambitions to be a superpower in the sport and host a World Cup as early as 2030. The building spree is taking place despite the coronavirus pandemic which has brought much of the world to a standstill, ravaging economies and putting live sport on hold.

But with the outbreak receding in China, where it emerged in December, Chinese Super League (CSL) champions Guangzhou Evergrande last week began construction on their 12 billion yuan ($1.7 billion) new home.

With a capacity of 100,000, the lotus flower-shaped stadium will for a time trump Barcelona's Camp nou -- which is set for expansion -- as the world's biggest football arena, once it is completed by the end of 2022.

Evergrande Group, a major property developer founded by one of China's richest men, said it also intends to build two more 80,000-seater stadiums in China.

The country will have at least 12 major new football stadiums two years from now, said the state-run Southern Metropolis Daily, calling it "a new era for Chinese football". Most will be used for the newly expanded 2021 Club World Cup and the 2023 AFC Asian Cup, but President Xi Jinping has his eyes on the biggest prize of all.

"I think China's desire to apply for the

World Cup is very clear," said Ji Yuyang, a journalist for the Oriental Sports Daily.

Ji said it was a matter of when, not if, China bids.

FIFA president Gianni Infantino said in June that he would welcome a Chinese bid to stage the 2030 World Cup, the next one up for grabs.

FIT FOR A WORLD CUP FINAL: Guangzhou Evergrande's new stadium made headlines because of its vast scale and bold design. But it jarred because most sport in the world is shut down and economies, including China's -- the second largest -- are reeling from coronavirus.

Moreover, Guangzhou is not holding Asian Cup games and the stadium will not be ready for the Club World Cup, even though the tournament is poised to be put back from the summer of 2021 because of the pandemic. Critics also queried why a club that averages about 50,000 for home matches needs such a big arena. "I think Evergrande may have two considerations.

First, a 100,000-seat stadium might come in handy if China hosts a World Cup final or opening ceremony," said Ji. "Another point is that Evergrande will be able to make a statement by saying that they have the largest professional football

stadium in the world, with the largest number of spectators."

Most stadiums currently used by Chinese football teams were built for multiple sports. They are falling into disrepair and facilities for fans are poor.

Replacing them with gleaming, football-specific arenas fits with Xi's master plan to transform the sport in the country on and off the pitch.

'SOFT POWER OF STADIUMS': In Shanghai, which has ambitions of holding the Olympics, a 33,000-seat stadium for CSL side Shanghai SIPG is scheduled to be finished next year.

Shanghai Stadium, the biggest arena in the city and SIPG's former home, is also undergoing major renovation.

Ji said that while the Evergrande Group were likely paying for Guangzhou's new stadium, in some other instances it was a combination of the club and local government. Professor Simon Chadwick said that aside from China's World Cup aspirations, the rush on new stadiums sends a message that "China is developing and becoming healthier and stronger.

"There's something about the iconography and symbolism of the stadiums, particularly the Guangzhou development," said Chadwick, director of the Centre for the Eurasian Sport Industry at Emlyon Business School.

"This is a huge stadium, incredibly striking design, pictures of it have been carried across the world and people are commenting on it across the world.

Virus pushes English cricket season back until July AGENCIES Cricket chiefs announced Friday that no professional cricket would be played in England and Wales until July at the earliest as the coronavirus pandemic wreaked fresh havoc on the international sporting calendar.

The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) said attempts would be made to reschedule international fixtures in the period from July until the end of September, including the West Indies Test tour of England. Global cricket is at a standstill as a result of

COVID-19, with stark warnings issued over the damaging economic fallout.

ECB chief executive Tom Harrison said the plan was to reschedule international matches as late as possible in the English season to give the best chance of play. The West Indies tour, including three Tests, had been due to start on June 4. A women's series between England and India, comprising one-day internationals and Twenty20 matches, was scheduled for later in that month.

Before that the County Championship had been due to begin two

'Everything clouds over and goes dark': Iniesta on depression at Barcelona AGENCIES Andres Iniesta has described his struggle with depression while playing for Barcelona, which his mother says was a "bottomless pit" that caused her 25-year-old son to ask to sleep with his parents. Iniesta recalls his experience with the illness in a Rakuten TV documentary, 'Andres Iniesta The Unexpected Hero', which was released on Thursday and covers his move to Japanese side Vissel Kobe in 2018. After winning the Champions League under Pep Guardiola in 2009, Iniesta was battling injury and then hit by the death of his friend Dani Jarque, the 26-year-old Espanyol defender who suffered a heart attack. "The days pass and you realise you're not improving, you don't feel good, you're not yourself. Everything clouds over and goes dark," Iniesta said.On Jarque's death, Iniesta added: "That was like a body blow, something powerful that knocked me down again and I was pretty low, clearly because I wasn't very well." Iniesta's depression is described by those closest to him, including his mother Maria Lujan and father Jose Antonio. "I noticed he wasn't well one night when we were sleeping downstairs and he came down and said, 'mum can I sleep here with you?'" Maria said. "Then the world came down on my head."Jose Antonio said: "Our 25 year-old son coming down at midnight and wanting to sleep with his parents means he can't be well. He said, 'I'm not well dad'. I said, 'what's wrong?' 'I don't know, I don't feel well.'" Iniesta's father admitted he thought his son might have to take a break from football. "At one stage I thought he would have to stop because the most important thing was him," said Jose Antonio. Iniesta began having sessions with psychologist Inma Puig, who said the Spaniard's recovery owed much to those around him, including Guardiola. "Guardiola said this is the first time I've been in this situation as a coach," said Puig.

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weeks ago, on April 12. "There will be no cricket unless it's safe to play," said Harrison. "Our schedule will only go ahead if government guidance permits. "Our biggest challenge, along with other sports, is how we could seek to implement a bio-secure solution that offers optimum safety and security for all concerned."

Under the plans, nine rounds of fixtures will be lost in the four-day County Championship season, but time slots for red-ball and white-ball cricket will remain in a revised schedule.

SPORTS 11

dhoni won't play for India again, says Ipl teammate harbhajan AGENCIES Veteran off-spinner Harbhajan Singh said he doesn't think Mahendra Singh Dhoni will play for India again, adding to the guessing game over the future of the superstar former captain. Dhoni, 38, has not appeared for club or country since last year's 50-over World Cup and India's coronavirus lockdown could threaten his chances of getting back into the national team. The Indian Premier League, the main platform before this year's scheduled T20 World Cup, is likely to be truncated or cancelled because of the pandemic. Harbhajan, who plays with Dhoni at IPL side Chennai Super Kings, said international retirement was on the cards for Dhoni and that he was increasingly being asked about his teammate."It's up to him. You need to know whether he wants to play for India again," Harbhajan said in an online forum. "As far as I know him, he won't want to wear India's blue jersey again. IPL he will play, but for India I think he had decided the (2019) World Cup was his last."Dhoni, who gave up Test cricket in 2014, started training for the Super Kings in March but has not commented on his international future. Dhoni led India to win the inaugural Twenty20 World Cup in 2007. He hit a six to seal the 2011 World Cup final victory and, along with it, his status as a national hero. He has amassed 10,773 runs from 350 ODIs.

Saturday, 25 April, 2020

NEWS

TerrITOrIal DISpUTe hINDerINg prOgreSS ON DIamer-BhaSha Dam prOjeCT HARBAN TRIBE OF KOHISTAN AND THOR TRIBE OF DIAMER ARE BOTH CLAIMING OWNERSHIP OF 8KM LAND IN GANDLO NALA AREA ISLAMABAD

C

GHULAM ABBAS

ONCERNED stakeholders have asked the federal government to resolve territorial disputes between Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) and Gilgit-Baltistan (GB) before undertaking any development work on the multi-billion-dollar Diamer-Bhasha Dam project.

During a special meeting held recently at the Ministry of Planning and Development to review progress on the mega project, it was informed that apart from territorial disputes between the tribes of KP and GB, many other issues were also needed to be resolved before making any headway on the project.

The meeting, held via video link, was chaired by Planning, Development and Special Initiatives Minister Asad Umar, with KP Chief Minister Mahmood Khan and GB CM Hafeezur Rehman also in attendance.

According to sources, both chief min-

isters gave conflicting views on the territorial issues, which have remained unresolved for years despite violent clashes between two tribes — both claiming ownership over 8km of the dam’s land.

The GB chief minister informed the meeting that the issue needed to be carefully resolved in consultation with all stakeholders, adding that the findings of previously constituted one-member commission was not acceptable to the tribes.

He suggested that the federal government form a ‘grand jirga’ of the two tribes to resolve the dispute amicably.

“In order to decide about the territorial dispute and other related issues, the federal government should keep in view the sacrifices made by the people of GB in the larger interest of the country,” he said.

Taking notice of the issue, Asad Umar

US drug body warns against use of antimalarial drug for treatment of COVID-19

said that his ministry would hold a meeting soon after Ramzan to resolve the land dispute. The minister also asked the chief ministers of KP and GB and other relevant officials to ensure their presence in the meeting.The boundary dispute at Diamer-Bhasha dam between the residents of Diamer district of GB and Kohistan district of KP has deepened with the passage of time, with both tribes refusing to budge from their positions.

The Harban tribe of Kohistan and the Thor tribe of Diamer claim ownership of a piece of land spanning over eight kilometres in Gandlo Nala area, where the dam’s power plant has to be installed. The dispute turned violent in February 2014, when seven people died in a clash between the two sides.

Earlier, the KP Assembly had passed

a resolution, claiming that the eight kilometres of land on the right side of Diamer-Bhasha dam was part of KP. The move infuriated GB’s political leaders, who constituted a committee of all sitting lawmakers from the Diamer Valley to probe the issue.

The committee had traced documents signed between the representatives of Kohistan and Diamer in 1947, which had declared the land as part of Diamer.

When former chief justice Saqib Nisar decided to raise funds for the project, he had also taken notice of the land dispute, and asked the ruling PTI to find an out-of-court settlement of the issue.

But later, due to the constitutional limitations, the issue of royalties arose, as some of the turbines of the dam would be installed in GB while others would be set up in KP. During the special meeting at the planning ministry, Asad Umar was briefed about the progress on land acquisition as well the work being done for the early award of the contracts for the construction activities. The minister directed the relevant officials to ensure that work proceeds as per the set timelines.

WAPDA officials gave a detailed briefing on land acquisition, resettlement and other aspects of the project. It was informed that the project was divided into six major components, and that separate contracts would be awarded in a phased manner after due consultations with the relevant stakeholders.

Afghan Taliban reject call for Ramzan ceasefire KABUL

WASHINGTON: The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on Friday warned people not to use two malaria drugs — hydroxychloroquine and chloroquine — as self-medication for the COVID-19 infection outside of hospitals and clinical trials. The agency’s announcement, which citied risks of serious heart rhythm problems — comes a day after the European Union’s drug regulator warned of the drugs’ side effects and urged medical professionals to closely monitor patients on the medicines. The FDA said it was aware of increased use of these medicines through outpatient prescriptions and the drugs could cause abnormal heart rhythms and dangerously rapid heart rate. Decades-old hydroxychloroquine has been touted

by US President Donald Trump as a “game changer” in the fight against the novel coronavirus and anecdotal reports that it may provide some benefit have spurred sales of the drug. However, the drug provided no benefit and potentially higher risk of death for patients at US veterans hospitals, according to an analysis that was submitted for expert review earlier this week. The FDA has allowed healthcare providers to use the drug for COVID-19 through its emergency use authorisation but the drug is not approved to treat the disease. The heart rhythm risks may increase when the medicines are combined with other drugs, such as antibiotic azithromycin, as well as in patients with existing heart and kidney disease, the agency said on Friday. AGENCIES

AGENCIES

The Taliban have rejected an Afghan government call for a ceasefire for the holy month of Ramzan and to let authorities focus on tackling the coronavirus, raising new concern about prospects for a fragile peace process.

Hopes for an end to Afghanistan’s decades of war were raised in late February when the Taliban and the United States struck a deal on the withdrawal of US-led foreign forces in exchange for Taliban security guarantees.

But the deal did not include a ceasefire, which has been left to the US-backed government to negotiate with the insurgents.

A Taliban spokesman, Suhail Shaheen, said in a post on Twitter that a ceasefire would be possible if the peace process was being implemented “fully” but “hurdles” meant the Taliban would not yet lay down their arms.

“Asking for ceasefire is not rational and convincing,” Shaheen said in his post late on Thursday.

President Ashraf Ghani called on Thursday for the ceasefire for Ramzan, which began in Afghanistan on Friday, and to allow the country to focus on what he said was a critical novel coronavirus outbreak spreading all over the country.

Afghanistan has detected more than 1,300 cases of the virus but health experts say the number could be higher as testing is limited and Afghanistan’s weak health system would struggle with a widespread outbreak.

The Taliban, fighting for years

to expel foreign forces, agreed in February to a week-long “reduction in violence” to secure the agreement with the US, which was signed on Feb. 29. But they resumed attacking government forces soon after.

The US-led NATO alliance called on Friday for the Taliban to cut violence levels and join peace talks.

“The current level of violence caused by the Taliban is not acceptable,” alliance ambassadors in NATO’s North Atlantic Council said in a statement on the peace efforts.

Key UN forum calls for addressing debt burden of virus-hit developing nations NEW YORK APP

An important United Nations forum Thursday called for addressing the debt burden threatening the economic collapse of coronavirus-hit developing countries, as UN leaders underlined the call by Prime Minister Imran Khan for a global initiative for debt relief. The Financing for Development (FfD) Forum of the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) held an informal virtual high-level meeting in which member states joined together in a consensus outcome document that called for coordinated and decisive global action to arrest the fallout from the COVID-19 pandemic. In doing so, the entire UN membership came together under the FfD and charted a programme of action to fight the pandemic, restore sustainable growth, and put the global economy on a more sustainable path Opening the online meeting, the ECOSOC President, Mona Juul of Norway, focused on the various proposals made to deal with the debt problem facing the developing countries, and called for concessional financing, especially for least developed nations. “I welcome the call by the Prime Minister of Pakistan for a Global Initiative for Debt Relief to promote a comprehensive solution to the debt issue and financing for sustainable development,” she said. The President of the General Assembly, Tijjani Muhammad-Bande, also highlighted the debt problem and said, “I welcome the Global Initiative for Debt Relief, called for by Pakistan, to help ensure crucial liquidity to many developing countries suffering from the heavy burden of debt”. The endorsement was culmination of a month-long process to agree on an intergovernmentally negotiated outcome document of the Forum, in which PM Imran’s initiative echoed throughout the negotiations of the outcome document. Earlier this month, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres also supported PM Imran’s initiative. In response, the SecretaryGeneral issued his own “Policy Brief on Debt and COVID-19” on 17 April 2020. According to diplomatic observers, the resounding acknowledgement of the Pakistani initiative was instrumental in placing the discussion of debt relief at the center of global response to the emergency caused

by COVID-19 and achievement of 2030 agenda. It also stressed that the developing countries, under severe debt burden, would not have necessary fiscal space to withstand the COVID-19 crisis and therefore must be provided with emergency debt relief, without onerous conditionalities, to deal with the present crisis and to achieve sustainable development.

Pakistan’s UN Ambassador, Munir Akram, stated after the approval of the outcome document that Pakistan will continue to work with all relevant stakeholders including the United Nations, to promote inclusive dialogues on financing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) investments while maintaining debt sustainability.

Muslims across the world mark Ramzan under lockdown WASHINGTON AGENCIES

Muslims across the world began marking the holy month of Ramzan under unprecedented coronavirus lockdowns on Friday as the United States added another half a trillion dollars to an economic support package and Europe groped towards its own huge rescue plan.

The virus has upended life around the planet as nations try to stop the spread of the disease that has so far claimed more than 190,000 lives, infected 2.7 million people and hammered the global economy.

Ramzan spirits have been dampened by movement restrictions on hundreds of millions of Muslims from Southeast Asia to the Middle East and Africa, with bans on prayers in mosques and large gatherings of families and friends to break the daily fast — a centrepiece of the month.

But despite the coronavirus threat, clerics and conservatives in many countries, in-

cluding Bangladesh, Pakistan and Indonesia, have pushed back against social distancing rules, refusing to stop gatherings in mosques.

Several thousand people attended evening prayers on Thursday at the biggest mosque in the capital of Indonesia’s conservative Aceh province, and there were similar scenes at many sites in Pakistan.

“I am not worried because I am wearing a face mask and keeping my distance,” said Cut Fitrah Riskiah, one of those in attendance at the biggest mosque in Aceh’s capital.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) has called for a stop to some Ramzan activities to lower the risk of infections, and authorities in several countries have explicitly warned of the threat from large religious gatherings. There have already been explosions of coronavirus cases from three separate religious congregations in Malaysia, Pakistan and India since the virus first emerged late last year in China.

Distancing measures and the severe eco-

nomic impact of the pandemic have also meant many charitable activities during Ramzan, especially food distribution and other donations, have been hit hard.

Salah Jibril, an unemployed Palestinian man who lives with his wife and six children in a cramped two-bedroom apartment in the Gaza Strip, said he was not sure how his family would cope without Ramzan donations.

“The markets and mosques are closed.

The good people who give us money or aid each Ramzan are facing a tough situation,” he said.

“This is the hardest Ramzan we have faced. We do not know how we will cope.”

MASSIVE ECONOMIC STIMULUS: The economic devastation wreaked by lockdowns that have half the planet indoors is huge, with the world facing its worst downturn since the Great Depression.

US lawmakers covered their faces with masks and voted in small groups to approve a $483 billion stimulus plan, on top of the

$2.2 trillion package already enacted.

The money will back small businesses on the brink of bankruptcy and hard-pressed hospitals as the American economy reels, with more than 26 million people losing their jobs since the pandemic hit.

The US is now the worst-affected nation in the world, with about 50,000 coronavirus deaths.

In Europe, leaders haggled by video conference over their own package that could top one trillion euros, as the European Central Bank chief warned of the risk of “acting too little, too late”. The 27-nation European Union (EU) agreed to ask the bloc’s executive arm to come up with a rescue plan by May 6, sources told AFP. The crucial economic discussions come as parts of Europe slowly loosen restrictions after progress on reducing the number of new infections.

But experts have warned of a possible second wave of cases, and authorities are

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ramping up their capacity to deal with it in Germany — where curbs on public life have been eased recently.

Virologist Christian Drosten of Berlin’s Charite hospital warned that the coronavirus could return with a “totally different force”.

“The virus will continue to spread in the course of the next weeks and months,” Drosten told public broadcaster NDR, adding that it could pop up “everywhere at the same time”.

RACE FOR VACCINE: While the disease appears to be peaking in Europe and the United States, other nations are still in the early stages of the fight.

The WHO has warned that strict measures should remain until there is a viable treatment or vaccine.

The race is on around the world to develop one, with the University of Oxford launching a human trial for a potential vaccine on Thursday. Germany announced similar trials will start by next week.