Epaper – April 30 LHR 2021

Friday, 30 April, 2021 I 17 Ramzan-ul-Mubarak, 1442 I Rs 15.00 I Vol XI No 301 I 12 Pages I Lahore Edition

Inbound flIghTs reduced as coronavIrus cases surge g

VACCINATION FOR CITIZeNS AgeD 40 AND ABOVe TO START FROM MAy 3

ISLAMABAD staff report

T

he National Command and Operation Centre (NCOC) on Thursday recommended that airlines sharply cut the number of inbound flights between May 5 and 20 out of concern that travellers from overseas could deteriorate the coronavirus situation.

Later, the CAA notified the extension in travel restrictions on Category C countries amid the third wave of coronavirus pandemic on Thursday.

The aviation authority extended the travel restrictions of 23 countries placed in Category C till May 4 in view of the decisions taken by the NCOC. Brazil, India, Kenya, Zimbabwe, South Africa and others are among 23 countries included in the Category C. Those coming from countries in the C travel category will have to take prior permission from the NCOC. The restrictions will also be imposed on the Pakistani passport holders, NICOP and POC holders.

The travellers from Category A will not have to present their Covid reports for boarding or landing in Pakistan. however, those

coming from countries in the B travel category will have to make sure a negative Covid PCR report at a maximum of 90 hours prior to boarding.

The rest of Covid SOPs will remain the same and their implementation will be mandatory, CAA said. The new travel restrictions will remain in effect until May 4.

In a meeting chaired by Minister for Development and Planning Asad Umar, the forum decided to review the measure on May 18. Detailed instructions regarding the reduction in air travel would be provided by the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), a press statement announced.

The recommendation came at a time when the government is struggling to arrest a deadly third peak of the pandemic and is considering imposing stricter lockdowns to lower the death rate -- the number of infections resulting in fatalities -- that hit the highest point since the start of the pandemic in February last year to reach 2.2 per cent.

Officials and experts have said that healthcare facilities are at risk of being overwhelmed.

The country has very limited health resources, with ventilators and oxygen in short supply.

More than 70 per cent of ventilators and oxy-

coronavIrus In

PakIsTan

CONFIRMED CASES:

815,711

LAST UPDATED AT 8:15 AM ON APRIL 29, 2021

DAY'S DEATH TOLL:

NEW CASES:

151

5,480

RECOVERED:

DEATHS:

708,193 17,680 SINDH:

PUNJAB:

281,385

298,818

KP:

BALOCHISTAN:

116,523 AJK/GB: 16,931/5,296

22,118 ISLAMABAD:

74,640

genated beds were occupied in hospitals in many major cities until earlier this week.

During Thursday's meeting, the NCOC also reviewed the production and supply of oxygen, granting permission to import 6,000 metric tonnes of oxygen and 5,000 oxygen cylinders to shore up healthcare facilities across the country.

Besides this, the body also allowed the import of 20 cryogenic tanks and decided to shut down the iron scrap industry of Misri Shah in Lahore so oxygen could be diverted to the healthcare sector instead.

Separately, Asad announced that starting from May 3, the vaccination against Covid19 will be open to people aged 40 and above.

While expressing satisfaction at the pace of registration for vaccination, the minister incharge of coronavirus operations said on Twitter that Thursday marked the second successive day with more than 100,000 vaccinations in the country.

The government on Tuesday opened the registration for Covid-19 vaccination for the 40-49 age group and also allowed walk-in vaccination of all registered citizens aged 50 and above.

Pakistan started the general vaccination drive in March after the arrival of China-gifted vaccine doses, with the frontline health workers and elderly people given priority for inoculation.

Other than vaccine doses gifted by China, the government has purchased 3 million vaccine doses from several companies, whereas orders for another 30 million doses have already been placed to speed up the vaccination process in the country.

The NCOC also announced a "Stay home, Stay Safe" strategy from May 8 to May 16, aimed at controlling the movement of people, including during the eid holidays. eid-ul-Fitr holidays would be observed from May 10 to 15, the statement said. "Announcement of eid holidays [...] clearly stating intention of reducing national mobility," it added.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 05

fiqah-e-hanfia lahore sehr: 3:49 aM iftar: 6:43 PM

karachi sehr: 4:35 aM iftar: 7:02 PM

fiqah-e-jafaria lahore sehr: 3:39 aM iftar: 6:53 PM

islaMabad sehr: 3:38 aM iftar: 7:01 PM

karachi sehr: 4:25 aM iftar: 7:12 PM

PM lauds overseas Pakistanis for keeping national economy afloat

ISLAMABAD staff report

Prime Minister Imran Khan on Thursday terming the nine million overseas Pakistanis the country’s “biggest asset” said their remittances had kept afloat the national economy.

“By the time we achieve the required volume of exports, the remittances by overseas Pakistanis is the only way to keep our economy moving,” he said in his address at the launch of digital incentives for expatriates, including Roshan Apni Car (car finance) and Roshan Samaji Khidmat (charity).

Imran Khan said to tap the potential of overseas Pakistanis, the government was keen to maximum fa-

PPP leads the race in Karachi’s NA-249 by-polls KARACHI staff report

A close contest ensued between Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) and Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) in NA249 (Karachi West-II) on Thursday.

Counting started after polling ended on Thursday at 276 polling stations comprising 796 polling booths which were established in the constituency, Radio Pakistan reported. The voting process began at 8:00 am and continued till 5:00 pm without any pause.

According to unofficial results, PPP’s Abdul Qadir Mandokhel is leading the race with PML-N’s Miftah Ismail close behind, unofficial results from 63 of 276 polling stations show.

The NA seat was created in 2018 by amalgamating neighbourhoods that previously fell in two Upper house constituencies — NA-239 and NA-240 — during three general elections between 2002 and 2013.

The constituency, with 339,591 registered voters, has emerged to be a highly contested seat with candidates belonging to almost every major political party fighting for it.

islaMabad sehr: 3:48 aM iftar: 6:51 PM

cilitate them through simplified online procedures of investments. he mentioned that the country’s foreign remittances witnessed a record high level during last year, crossing the $1 billion mark. “however, this is just the tip of the iceberg as immense possibilities lie ahead if more overseas Pakistanis divert resources towards the promising projects including the construction sector,” he said.

The prime minister lauded the efforts of the State Bank of Pakistan and the private banks for supporting the government’s initiatives aimed at facilitating the overseas Pakistanis.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 05

more inside

Ambassador, six officers recalled after complaints, inquiry ordered STORY ON BACK PAGE

PM rejects Bashir Memon’s allegations as baseless STORY ON PAGE 03 Prominent candidates in the run are Miftah of PML-N, Pak Sarzameen Party (PSP) chief Syed Mustafa Kamal, Amjad Afridi of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), Qadir of PPP, Mohammad Mursaleen of Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P) and Mufti Nazeer Ahmed Kamalvi of Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP).

TLP which was banned earlier this month over violent nationwide protests is contesting the seat after the Ministry of Interior said it could contest elections until such time that it stood dissolved as a political party registered with the election

Commission of Pakistan (eCP). earlier, when Miftah was in the lead, PML-N Vice President Maryam Nawaz claimed that the “masses know who exactly is responsible for their troubles and woes”.

“I have said it earlier and I will say it again, Imran Khan and PTI will not be able to campaign and if they do, this is how they will be welcomed,” she said. her remarks were in response to a video shared by former journalist Talat hussain showing PTI candidate for NA249 Amjad Afridi being heckled by voters of the constituency.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 05

Fazl says PDM ready to accept Gilani as Opp leader if PPP returns to alliance STORY ON PAGE 02

Pakistan wants to boost ties with Korea in all domains: COAS STORY ON PAGE 03

02

Friday, 30 April, 2021

LAHORE

NEWS

lHC Asked tO expUNge CJ’s remArks ABOUt Army As ‘lANd grABBers’

t

NEwS DESK

HE counsel for Defence Housing Authority (DHA) on Thursday asked the Lahore High Court (LHC) to expunge the remarks made by its chief justice, Mohammad Qasim Khan, as the CJ a day ago had termed the army as the “biggest land grabber”.

Hearing three petitions against DHA, LHC Chief Justice Muhammad Qasim Khan on Wednesday had directed DHA Administrator Brigadier Waheed Gul Sati, commissioner and deputy commissioner of Lahore to appear before the court on Thursday.

The CJ also directed the Lahore Capital City Police Officer (CCPO) to instruct all the station house officers (SHOs) to register first information reports (FIRs) on complaints of illegal occupation against the DHA.

The chief justice, while hearing petitions of three citizens seeking protection of the lawful possession of the land they had obtained on lease from the Evacuee Trust Property Board (ETPB), had regretted that the army had also grabbed a piece of land measuring 50-kanal owned by the high court. The CJ had said that he would instruct the LHC registrar to write a letter to the chief of the army staff in this regard. He had said that the bar also remained indifferent to the issue.

Presiding over the hearing today, CJ Khan said that no one should occupy another’s land.

The DHA’s counsel, Altafur Rehman Khan, said that the remarks uttered by the chief justice against the army in Wednesday’s hearing had caused concern in the institution. “The court is requested to delete the remarks about the army.”

In response, the CJ said that his remarks

punjab mulls general lockdown in high-risk cities before eid LAHORE INP

Punjab government is considering imposing a general lockdown in cities registering an alarming rise in Covid-19 cases before Eidul Fitr. A meeting of the Punjab cabinet headed by Chief Minister Usman Buzdar mulled over the serious Covid-19 situation and decided to further tighten restrictions in 12 cities, including Lahore. “The meeting mulled over an option to impose complete lockdown in cities witnessing higher COVID positivity,” reports citing sources said. The cabinet body on Covid-19 has further been directed to suggest recommendations regarding closing down markets and controlling the crowd at public places. “A monitoring committee will submit its report on oxygen supplies in the province to the chief minister,” it said. Punjab remains the most affected province from Covid-19 as it reported a record of 103 deaths on Thursday, health department officials said. According to the Primary and Secondary Healthcare Department, the new deaths took the total to 8,327.

pakistan concerned about jailed kashmiri leaders amid pandemic: FO ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has expressed concerns over the health and safety of incarcerated Kashmiri leaders as well as other innocent Kashmiris languishing in jails across India on trumped-up and fake charges.

Foreign Office (FO) Spokesperson Zahid Hafeez Chaudhri in his weekly media briefing on Thursday said that the coronavirus situation in India has been worsening and most of the jails are overcrowded and do not have any provisions against the Covid-19.

“Reportedly, some of the Kashmiri leaders in Indian jails have already contracted the coronavirus. Unfortunately, they are not even provided any medical treatment,” the spokesperson said. Given the worst pandemic situation in India, the Indian government must immediately release the incarcerated Kashmiri leadership and all innocent Kashmiris, he demanded. “We once again call upon the international community, particularly the United Nations, International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), and human rights organisations to take cognisance of this dire humanitarian situation,” he said.

The incarcerated Kashmiri leaders include Aasiya Andrabi, Muhammad Yasin Malik, Shabir Ahmed Shah, Ashraf Sehrai, Advocate Shahid-ul-Islam, Altaf Ahmed Shah, Nayeem Ahmed Khan, Ayaz Akbar, Peer Saifullah, Raja Merajuddin Kalwal, Syed Shahid Yousuf, Shakeel Ahmed, Farooq Ahmed Dar, Fehmeeda Sofi, Nahida Nasreen, Zahoor Ahmed, and others. The FO spokesperson reiterated Pakistan’s expression of solidarity with the people of India in the wake of the current wave of Covid-19 that has hit the region hard.

As a gesture of solidarity, Pakistan has also offered relief support to India, he said, adding: “We are ready to immediately provide ventilators, Bi-PAP, digital X-ray machines, PPEs, and related items.” Chaudhri said that Pakistan has no aggressive designs against any country, but is fully capable and ready to respond to any misadventure. He said that Pakistan’s armed forces remain prepared to tackle any misadventure and are fully capable of defending the country’s geographical boundaries. Answering a question, he said that Pakistan wants resolution of all outstanding disputes, including the issue of Jammu and Kashmir, with India through dialogue, but that must be meaningful and resultoriented. Staff RePoRt

were merely about the conduct of “some people of yours”. “Probably more than half of my family is in the army,” he added during Thursday’s hearing.

“Respect for institutions is paramount, the court’s remarks were not meant to hurt anyone,” CJ Khan maintained. “These remarks were made for a few people.”

“People respect the army soldiers sitting at the borders of Kashmir, Siachen Glacier and Bahawalnagar,” said the chief justice.

“You first have to realise this responsibility.”

Comparing the matter to his own post, the CJ said that he was told that if he should go anywhere, he must always act like a judge. He remarked that if any lawyer was seen on the street arguing with a rickshaw driver, then they would have to suffer from a worsened reputation.

If a judge of the high court continues to be a part of an institution or a tribunal after

retirement then they should maintain their identity, he added. “The judge has to ensure that his decisions are in accordance with the institution.”

“If retired individuals of the army will come and do wrongdoing in DHA then the army will be discredited. When a person becomes a part of an institution then they will be held accountable,” said the chief justice.

“The legal director has come from the DHA,” said the DHA’s counsel Altafur Rehman Khan in response to the judge’s question of whether anyone from the DHA administration had come to court.

“The LDA (Lahore Development Authority) has become a party in this matter,” said CJ Khan. “The LDA shouldn’t [try to] be more loyal to the ‘Shah’ than the ‘Shah’ [themselves].”

CJ Khan said that the DHA had issued a letter after occupying the land and asked

Fazl says PDM ready to accept Gilani as Opp leader if PPP returns to alliance ISLAMABAD MIaN abRaR

Maulana Fazlur Rehman, the head of the opposition alliance of Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM), on Thursday dropped a hint of a possible deal between the opposition alliance with the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP), saying that the alliance was ready to accept Yousaf Raza Gillani as Leader of the Opposition in the Senate if the PPP and Awami National Party (ANP) return to the fold. “There is no obstacle for the PPP and ANP to rejoin the opposition alliance of PDM. If the Pakistan People’s Party returns to the PDM and accept our position, we can also recognise PPP’s opposition leader in the Senate,” said Fazl.

He asserted that the ANP was also angry with the PPP leadership for taking votes from the Balochistan Awami Party (BAP). The ANP leadership had to announce its separation from the alliance due to some pressure, he claimed. The PDM chief said that there was a change of guard in the Pakistan Muslim LeagueNawaz (PML-N) and from now on,

Shehbaz Sharif, would be representing the opposition alliance from now on, replacing Maryam Nawaz. The claim was made during Fazl’s media interaction. He said that the PPP leadership wants to return to the PDM fold. He also said that the resignations of PPP and ANP leaders from the PDM slots were not accepted.

He asserted that the delay of PPP’s return to the PDM fold on the conditions of the alliance is due to ongoing deliberations between the PDM and the ANP and PPP. Fazl further said that both the major opposition parties – PPP and

PML-N – were not ready to resign from assemblies. He maintained that, soon after elections, the opposition parties did not accept his demand not to take oath from the assemblies. “[If they had agreed], the nature of the matter would have been different,” Fazl said and added that a full-fledged mass contact campaign will be launched after Eidul Fitr. On the issue of Justice Qazi Faiz Isa, the PDM chief said that there was no moral justification for the prime minister and the president to remain in office after the decision of Justice Isa case.

Sindh starts vaccinating police against Covid-19 KARACHI INP

Sindh has started vaccinating the police force on a priority basis to protect them against coronavirus, a meeting of the provincial task force on pandemic was told on Thursday.

Earlier this month, the Sindh police chief had approached the Home Department with the request that the personnel should be declared frontline workers to ensure their early vaccination.

Since the outbreak in Pakistan in February last year, 24 personnel of Sindh Police died due to coronavirus.

The body was informed that four centres had been

established in Karachi for the vaccination of personnel.

The process is being carried out at these centres daily from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm throughout the week, absent Fridays.

Sindh Health Minister Dr Azra Fazal Pechuho informed the meeting that in all, there were 666 beds in the critical care units of the hospitals having the facility of ventilators. Out of these, 454 are still vacant.

There are 1,872 hospital beds in the province having an oxygen facility, and 343 of them are filled.

Pechuho said that there was no shortage of oxygen for treating coronavirus patients in the hospitals of the province.

when the land in question had been taken over. “I cannot give the whole building of the high court to anyone today.”

The legal director of the DHA also briefed the court on the matter.

“If someone illegally occupies my property then I can’t force and pressure them to vacate,” said CJ Khan, adding that proper legal procedure would have to be followed.

The counsel for the petitioners, Advocate Asif Imran Awan, said that according to a decision of the Supreme Court in 2007, DHA’s right to the land had been suspended.

“This will become a bigger issue than the FATF (Financial Action Task Force),” said the chief justice.

The court ordered that no legal change be made in the status of the petitioners’ land and also ordered the legal director of the DHA to appear on May 3 after receiving instructions from the DHA administration.

A-level UrdU pAper Allegedly leAked LAHORE: An A-level Urdu paper was leaked online before the exam, a private channel alleged. Images of the test paper appeared on an Instagram handle, Cambridge Taken Down, on Sunday afternoon. The account also threatened to leak more tests if the in-person assessments were not postponed. The account, the report said, was also found “challenging” the British Council, the organiser of the tests, and Cambridge International Examinations (CIE) on the app.

The report, citing a student, said the questions mentioned in the leaked paper were asked in the exam the following day.

Minister for Education Shafqat Mahmood announced the postponement of all exams until June 15 on Tuesday in light of a surge in new coronavirus cases, a day after the government commenced in-person assessments for O- and A-level students ignoring protests from students over health concerns. He said the assessments had been cancelled and would now take place in the October-November cycle. Staff RePoRt

Court summons Zardari in NAB case ISLAMABAD: An accountability court in Islamabad on Thursday summoned former president and Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari in a reference pertaining to a transaction of over Rs8.3 billion through fake bank accounts. Accountability judge Asghar Ali Shah directed him to appear before the court on May 20 along with another suspect Mushtaq Ahmed, a former staffer of the President House. The two have been nominated as accused in the reference filed before the court by the NAB. According to the reference, a transaction of Rs8.3 billion took place between Ahmed and a private housing society. The amount was used to purchase properties in a posh locality of Karachi with Zardari being the beneficiary of those assets. Ahmed remained an employee of the President’s House between 2009 and 2013. INP

Qureshi, German counterpart discuss Afghan peace process ISLAMABAD aPP

Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi on Thursday apprised his German counterpart Heiko Maas on Islamabad’s steadfast support for a peaceful and stable Afghanistan and contributions to the peace process.

In a meeting held during the Maas’ brief visit to Islamabad, Qureshi underscored the importance of responsible withdrawal and steady progress by the domestic stakeholders towards a negotiated political settlement.

He stressed that all efforts should be made for the reduction of violence

leading to a ceasefire.

Qureshi said that the Afghan stakeholders must engage constructively to work out an inclusive, broad-based, and comprehensive political solution, through an Afghan-owned and Afghanled process.

Cautioning against the role of spoilers, the foreign minister also underlined the importance of commitment and perseverance in the efforts for peace.

He underscored that peace in Afghanistan would yield other significant dividends including enhanced trade and regional connectivity.

During the meeting, Qureshi also thanked Germany for its efforts to ensure

the earliest possible provision of vaccine shots through the COVAX initiative.

Qureshi also recalled his recent visit to Berlin and expressed gratitude for the warm welcome accorded to him there and appreciated its fruitful outcome.

He underlined the importance of regular high-level exchanges between Pakistan and Germany and maintaining a steady upward trajectory in the ties.

The two foreign ministers reviewed bilateral cooperation and exchanged views on the impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Qureshi underscored the importance of enhancing mutual cooperation and collaboration to combat the pandemic in

a holistic manner.

He also highlighted Pakistan’s shifting focus from geo-politics to geoeconomics, within the perspective of the economic security paradigm.

Pakistan and Germany enjoy cordial relations based on shared interests. The two foreign ministers have regularly been interacting bilaterally as well as at the international fora.

According to the Foreign Office, 2021 marked the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Pakistan and Germany and a range of events were envisaged by the two governments to celebrate this milestone in a befitting manner.

Friday, 30 April, 2021

LAHORE

NEWS

03

pm reJeCts BAsHIr memON’s AllegAtIONs As BAseless ISLAMABAD

p

Staff RePoRt

RIME Minister Imran Khan on Thursday finally broke his silence over the allegations levelled against him by former director general of Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) Bashir Memon and termed all the claims as “baseless.” “I had only directed Memon to investigate the iqama (work permit) case of PML-N’s Khawaja Asif,” the premier said.

The prime minister made the statements

while speaking during a meeting with senior journalists and anchorpersons in Islamabad.

“The decision to investigate the case of Khawaja Asif was also taken during a meeting of the federal cabinet,” the PM said, adding that he had directed Memon to investigate whether the country’s former foreign minister was holding a foreign resident permit and withdrawing a salary from foreign sources.

“All the claims made by Bashir Memon are baseless,” the premier said. “I have never directed him to initiate investigations or file

any cases against Justice Qazi Faez Isa.” The premier added, “Memon was not even authorised to file references [against a Supreme Court judge], so why would I ask him to do so in the first place?”

Responding to a question, the premier said that he had not even directed Memon to file any cases against opposition leaders Maryam Nawaz or anyone else from the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) or the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP).

“I have never asked [the FIA] to file a terrorism case against Maryam Nawaz

regarding the photograph of the first lady,” the premier maintained.

“Bashir Memon used to only brief me about the investigation the FIA’s joint investigation team was carrying out against the Omni Group,” PM Khan said.

A few days ago, Memon said that he was asked by the prime minister himself to file cases against Supreme Court judge Justice Isa and other opposition leaders during his tenure as the FIA’s director-general.

Memon had said that Federal Minister for Law and Justice Farogh Naseem Naseem

PM for environmental preservation at any cost in Ravi City project ISLAMABAD aPP

Prime Minister Imran Khan Thursday directed the authorities concerned to ensure the preservation of green areas at any cost during the execution of the Ravi City project in Lahore.

Chairing a meeting to review progress on Ravi City and Central Business District projects, the prime minister said the incumbent government had taken unprecedented

measures for environmental protection in the country.

Minister for Information and Broadcasting Chaudhry Fawad Hussain, Finance Minister Shaukat Fayaz Tarin, Special Assistant to the Prime Minister (SAPM) Dr Shahbaz Gill, Naya Pakistan Housing Authority Chairman Lt General (r) Anwar Ali Haider, and senior officials attended the meeting.

Advisor to Punjab Chief Minister Dr Salman Shah, Special Assistant to CM Dr Firdous Ashiq Awan, Chief Secretary Jawad Rafiq Malik also joined through video

Pakistan wants to boost ties with Korea in all domains: COAS RAwALPINDI Staff RePoRt

Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Qamar Javed Bajwa has said that Pakistan attaches great importance to furthering bilateral relations with Republic of Korea in all domains. The army chief said this during a meeting with Korean Ambassador to Pakistan Suh Sangpyo who called on him at General Headquarters (GHQ), said the InterServices public relations (ISPR) in a statement on Thursday.

According to the ISPR, matters of mutual interest, regional security and enhanced bilateral and defence cooperation were discussed during the meeting. Both reiterated the desire to further enhance bilateral relations including efforts for peace and security in the region.

The visiting dignitary appreciated Pakistan’s sincere efforts for bringing peace and stability in the region, especially the Afghan Peace Process.

On Wednesday last, US Secretary of Defence Lloyd J Austin telephoned Army Chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa to discuss the drawdown in Afghanistan as the US-led international forces prepare to end a 20-year-long military campaign from May 1. During the call, Secretary Austin reaffirmed the importance of the US-Pakistan bilateral relationship and expressed appreciation for Pakistan’s support for Afghanistan peace negotiations.

The defence secretary and the army chief also

discussed the importance of regional stability and the desire for the United States and Pakistan to continue working together on shared goals and objectives in the region.

The ISPR handout said that during the call matters of mutual interest, regional security situation including latest developments in Afghan peace process, drawdown and bilateral cooperation in various fields were discussed.

Gen Bajwa said that Pakistan will always support “Afghan-led Afghan-owned” peace process based on mutual consensus of all stakeholders. He also reiterated that peace in Afghanistan means peace in Pakistan. The US dignitary also acknowledged Pakistan’s continuous efforts for peace and stability in the region and pledged to further enhance bilateral relations between both countries.

proscribed tlp PM voted ‘personality of the week’ approaches for efforts against Islamophobia Interior ministry Pakistan’s Prime Minister Imran ISLAMABAD as Personality of the Week for his candid views on the issue of for removal of ban Prime Minister Imran Khan has Islamophobia. tLtP

ISLAMABAD: Proscribed Tehreek-eLabbaik Pakistan (TLP) on Thursday approached the Interior Ministry to remove the ban that was imposed on the religious party. TLP has formally submitted an application to the Interior Ministry in which it has maintained that the party was outlawed on April 15, 2021 over allegations of disturbing peace and interfering in the state’s affairs which are contrary to facts. The application requested the government to review its decision remove ban from TLP. The Interior Ministry sources verified that an application from the banned religious party has been received. Furthermore, Federal Minister for Interior Sheikh Rashid Ahmed has summoned a highlevel meeting on Friday to review the TLP application. It is pertinent here to mention that the Interior Ministry had banned TLP over the Punjab government’s request. INP

been voted “Personality of the Week” by the Al-Jazeera weekly programme “Sibaq-ul-Akhbar” for his views and efforts to address the issue of Islamophobia.

“Sibaq-ulAkhbar” is an interactive and live one hour weekly programme in Arabic on Aljazeera TV. This programme is very famous in Arab countries. In this programme, the channel selects three to four top news of the week and subsequently viewers are asked to vote as to which is the top news story and personality associated with the story. Imran secured 56 per cent votes from the viewers.

Al-Jazeera’s viewers on the Sibaq-ul-Akhbar programme held on April 24 voted for

In the initial part of the programme, the anchor highlighted PM Imran’s achievements and later he took Shaukat Paracha, an anchor of a private TV channel from Pakistan, for comments. In October 2019, Jordan’s Royal Islamic Strategic Studies Centre named PM Imran as its “Man of the Year” in its list of the most persuasive Muslims in the world. The centre is an autonomous research entity with the Royal Aal al Bayt Institute for Islamic Thought in Jordan.

“If The Muslim 500 was in print back in 1992 and I was the chief editor then, I would have nominated Imran Khan as our Muslim Man of the Year because of his brilliant performance in cricket.

link. The prime minister also directed to point out the issues impeding the execution of Ravi City and Central Business Districts for their early resolution.

Lt General (r) Anwar Ali Haider and the Ravi Urban Development Authority CEO apprised the prime minister of the progress on their respective projects particularly the beginning of the bidding process. They also highlighted the proposed strategy devised in consultation with the stakeholders for environmental protection and measures to dispose of the matters pertaining to the land

and the Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Accountability and Interior Shahzad Akbar had also wanted him to proceed against Justice Isa on money laundering charges. Memon had maintained that he had refused to do so as “the FIA had no grounds to do so, especially since the matter pertained to a Supreme Court judge”.

Memon had said that he once had a meeting with the prime minister during which the premier lauded his services by saying that he is a “very good officer” and told him to pursue cases against the corrupt people.

acquisition and resolve the issues on a fast track basis.

The meeting was also briefed on the development of different zones, the interest of foreign investors, and the start of the bidding process by five renowned investors interested in a zone of Ravi City, and the interest of an international consortium for land development in the new zones.

The authorities concerned also apprised the meeting of the progress on a memorandum of understanding (MoU) and public-private partnership for the development of the knowledge city and technology zone under the Ravi City project.

The prime minister was also briefed on the development of a wastewater treatment plant through the financing of the Asian Development Bank, a breakthrough in the payment of land prices to the owners, preservation of green areas and launch of young leaders program for youth’s employment in partnership with the renowned universities.

04

Friday, 30 April, 2021

LAHORE

NEWS

Cases of Coronavirus variant 'B1135' reported in KaraChi: peChuho KARACHI

t

TLTP

HE number of new cases of Covid19 in Sindh continued to rise during the last seven days amid the ongoing third wave of the pandemic.

During a meeting of the province's Covid-19 task force, presided by Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah, the attendees were informed that the positivity rate was recorded at 10.75 per cent in Karachi, 20 per cent in Hyderabad, 9.48 per cent in Sukkur and around 2.79 per cent in other districts from April 22 to 28.

CM ORDERS TO ENSURE STRICT IMPLEMENTATION OF COVID-19 SOPS Provincial Health Minister Dr Azra Pechuho, while briefing the meeting, said that at least 101 patients have died of Covid19 since April 21.

She added that around 50 per cent of the ICU beds are occupied across the province.

The health minister further said that around 454 ventilators are vacant for future use in medical facilities and out of 1,872 beds with oxygen, 343 are occupied while 1,529 are vacant. The minister also revealed that there

is no shortage of oxygen in the province.

Dr Pechuho said that along with the UK variant, a variant 'B1135' has also been detected in the coronavirus cases reported in Karachi. The minister said that out of 22 coronavirus cases that were investigated, the UK variant was confirmed in 18 cases, while the B1135 variant was confirmed in two cases.

She regretted that despite launching a request with the government several times, the

federation did not quarantine the passengers coming from the UK. The provincial minister feared that the new variant can rapidly spread in Sindh, especially Karachi.

She noted that inter-city bus services will be shut down from Friday (today) to curb the spread of the virus till May 30.

Pechucho reiterated the need for implementation of coronavirus protocols and said that people should wear masks, maintain social distance and be careful.

Addressing the meeting, CM Murad lamented the current situation and pressed for the need for strict measures to contain the spread of the virus.

He directed the Sindh Police’s inspector

general, Rangers’ director general and Karachi commissioner to ensure that businesses are only operated during the allowed hours, from 6:00am to 6:00pm. He also formed a committee, comprising provincial ministers Nasir Shah, Saeed Ghani and Owais Shah, to enforce measures after taking traders and transporters into confidence.

“In order to prevent lockdown, the public will have to comply with the SOPs and government's directives,” the chief minister maintained.

Murad was informed that a few private offices are not complying with the SOPs and not reducing staff to 20 per cent as per the instructions. He then directed the Karachi commissioner to seal all such private offices.

The meeting was further informed that inter-district bus transport will be banned from Friday (today). The chief minister also directed to ensure strict compliance of SOPs in inter-city bus transport.

The chief minister also directed the health department to supervise the facilities of all the hospitals on a daily basis.

Traders urge govt to extend working hours of bakeries, confectioneries, grocery stores LAHORE SHAHAB OMER

Several businessmen have urged the government to increase working timings of grocery stores, bakeries and confectioneries. Various officials of the Lahore Chambers of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) believe that grocery stores, bakeries and confectioneries should be allowed to operate till 10 pm as these are important businesses and directly connected to the public.

The business community was of the opinion that allowing these businesses to operate till 10 pm would bring great relief to the people.

“The situation caused by the coronavirus lockdowns and limited working hours is causing trouble in the business sector. With the increase in working hours of grocery stores, bakeries and confectioneries, the financial pressure on the traders will be reduced to some extent so they would work extra in line with the Covid-19 SOPs,” they said.

On the other hand, in a survey con-

ducted by Pakistan Today, many people expressed that only limited working hours can reduce the spread of the pandemic. Alia Adnan, a resident of DHA, said people know that the third wave of coronavirus is at its peak at the moment and any kind of carelessness can put them in risk. “Even during the last lockdown, the business community was crying for financial losses. Do not they care about human lives?

They should implement the SOPs quietly, proving their own responsibility, and the public should also be urged to im-

NTDC training centre trained over 1000 engineers, technical employees

LAHORE PRESS RELEASE

To meet the increasing demand of power sector in grid station maintenance and operations, NTDC training centre was established at Technical Services Group (TSG) at New Kotlakhpat Lahore, which has trained over 1000 engineers and technical staff during past two and half years.

A state-of-the-art Training Simulator was installed in at the said training centre with the cost of Rs one billion funded by Japanese Govt.

Training Simulators provides practical work and new testing sets for on-job-training & hands-on experience during different technical courses for engineers and technicians of Power Sector of Pakistan.

Training centre has recently completed its 4th Sector Specific Course for engineers of BPS-17, which is

mandatory for promotion in next grade.

In this regard a virtual course closing ceremony was held at WAPDA House, MD NTDC Engr. Dr. Khawaja Riffat Hassan was the chief guest of the ceremony and distributed the certificates among position holders.

Due to COVID-19 pandemic, major part of the training was later completed online. 29 participants were trained during this course, 20 officers from NTDC as 9 officers of Peshawar Electric Supply Company (PESCO) joined the said training.

While addressing the ceremony, MD NTDC Engr. Dr. Khawaja Riffat Hassan said that Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) has pledged to further upgrade NTDC Training centre.

JICA will provide simulators for High Voltage Direct Current (HVDC) and Ultra High Voltage System and 20 computer-based Grid Operation Simulator with Installation at different grids of NTDC.

plement the SOPs. Not only the business community but the whole country is in crisis at the moment.

In such cases, instead of putting pressure on the government, we need to stand with the government and that is wisdom,” she suggested. Zafar Qureshi, a resident of Bahria Town, asked if the needs of the people were not met when there were no bakeries. “The businessmen have no idea how serious the situation is. The purpose of limiting working hours is to tell the people to shop in limited time and return home.

Friday, 30 april, 2021

lahorE

PAKIstAN CAlls for PolICIEs thAt tACKlE INEquAlIty, ENsurE justICE neW YorK

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AKISTANI Ambassador at United Nations (UN) Munir Akram has stressed the need for addressing inequality at the international and national levels to promote the goal of justice envisioned in the sustainable development goals (SDGs) as part of efforts to build international peace and security.

“Justice flows from equality, injustice from inequality, discrimination and lack of fairness in policy and practice,” said Akram in his online remarks to the SDG-16 (Sustainable Development Goal 16) Conference 2021 which is being held at the headquarters of the UN Economic and Social Commission (UNESCAP) in Bangkok.

Akram said that the implementation of SDG-16, which calls for peace, justice, and strong institutions, required work at the international level toward an inclusive and equitable global financial architecture, a fair and inclusive international tax regime, an equitable and development-oriented trade regime, and an

end to illicit financial outflows from developing countries and the reform of their stolen assets.

At the national level, he said, the United Nations can extend assistance to countries to promote justice, adherence to the rule of law, and good governance, especially to countries emerging from conflict and where judicial institutions have collapsed.

However, elsewhere, such assistance should be extended at the request of the governments of the concerned countries, he said, noting there were numerous situations in certain advanced countries where inequality and discrimination, especially against minorities and immigrants, requires redress and greater adherence to the principles of international law and human rights.

In his remarks, the ambassador also called for adherence to the principles of the UN Charter — the non-use of force, respect for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of states, non-interference in their internal affairs, and exercise of the right of self-determination by peoples.

Noting that the coronavirus pandemic has exacerbated poverty and in-

ECB’s job is not to redistribute wealth, Weidmann says FRANKFURT: Central bankers should not try to redistribute wealth through monetary policy as they lack the tools and legitimacy to do so, European Central Bank policymaker Jens Weidmann said on Thursday. The ECB is reviewing its strategy and President Christine Lagarde has put equality on the agenda along with other issues, such as climate change, which have not traditionally been part of the central bank’s focus. Weidmann, who is also president of Germany’s Bundesbank, reaffirmed his scepticism, saying monetary policy was too blunt a tool to address wealth distribution and this should be left to elected politicians.

“Central banks should not employ monetary policy to pursue distributive aims,” Weidmann said at a virtual event.

“Not only do we lack the democratic legitimacy to do so, the vagueness of the effects also renders monetary policy illsuited for targeted interventions to tackle distributional issues.” The US Federal Reserve concluded its own strategy review last year with a pledge to let the economy run hotter without tightening policy because this would benefit minorities and poorer segments of society. French central bank chief Francois Villeroy de Galhau has argued that employment and income distribution need to be considered when setting policy, while his Finnish peer Olli Rehn said that he could even live with a temporary inflation overshoot if social welfare considerations warranted it. But Weidmann said the net effect of monetary policy on households was hard to isolate as it has an impact on incomes, wealth and debt at the same time. agencies

equality among and within countries, he said the recently concluded UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) Financing for Development (FfD) forum had identified measures to extend financial and other support to the developing countries.

He said that SDG-16 stress on inclusion implies a future global economic and social order where no country, people or individual is excluded from the benefits of development and progress — a new and equal national and international order.

“We must work collectively to promote the vision of such an equal and inclusive world where no one is left behind,” he said.

Speaking virtually at another ESCAP forum on debt relief in the aftermath of the Covid-19 pandemic, Ambassador Akram said that Prime Minister Imran Khan called for a global debt initiative last April, and pointed out that debt suspension by G-20 (industrialised countries) had provided some fiscal space to a number of low-income countries, including Pakistan.

After extensive deliberations, he

said, the Financing for Development forum earlier this month has indicated some convergence on debt relief, sustainability and liquidity issues in the aftermath of the pandemic.

The G-20’s framework can be elaborated, adopted globally and utilized to promote a deeper, long term, and sustainable debt restructuring programme that is responsive to the needs of individual countries.

“Greater use can be made of statecontingent debt instruments, debt buyout, debt swaps for climate health and SDG actions,” he said.

The proposed creation of $650 billion in new Special Drawing Rights (SDRs) and the voluntary reallocation of unused SDRs will significantly enlarge the International Monetary Fund’s capacity and that of multilateral development banks to provide much larger net inflows to developing countries, he said.

The World Bank’s IDA window should be at least doubled from the currently envisaged $30 billion dollars to $60 billion, he said, adding that multilateral development banks should also significantly scale up financing.

PM lauds overseas Pakistanis for keeping national economy afloat contInueD froM pAge 01 He regretted that the poor economic strategies of previous governments led to difficulties in the boom and bust cycle, which directly affected the life of the common man.

He said the current account deficit devalued the rupee that put a negative impact on foreign investment.

Imran Khan in particular acknowledged the services of labour class Pakistani nationals working abroad in tough conditions and sending their hard-earned money to their families back home.

He said these workers deserved utmost respect, however expressed displeasure that the embassies of the country were not facilitating them in difficult situations. It is the duty of for-

eign missions to extend the best possible services to Pakistani labourers and workers, he added.

The prime minister said he had ordered a full-scale inquiry of Pakistan’s ambassador in Saudi Arabia on multiple complaints of maltreatment with Pakistani nationals. Also, the maximum staff of the embassy has been recalled.

Following a high-powered investigation, he said, strict action would be taken against those held responsible for negligence.

State Bank of Pakistan (SPB) Governor Dr Reza Baqir said under the newly launched Roshan Apni Car scheme, the overseas Pakistanis would be one click away to digitally purchase a car for their families and friends in Pakistan on reduced mark up and delivery time.

He said Roshan Samaji Khidmat would offer a simplified model for expatriates to send charity and donations to Pakistan, including to its flagship Ehsaas socio-welfare project.

He said the government was pursuing the goal of transforming the financial system of the country to facilitate the common man.

He said the focus will be laid on the training of bank staff to amicably deal with new digital projects, resolution of land title issues and promotion of Small and Medium Term Entreprises.

Earlier, the prime minister gave away awards to best performing banks for attracting the Roshan Pakistan customers. The Meezan Bank was given the first prize, while HBL, Bank Alfalah and Habib Metro Bank bagged the next three positions, respectively.

SECP launches combined digital registration with provincial agencies ISLAMABAD: The Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP) has introduced a single combined digital certificate evidencing registration with SECP and some provincial departments simultaneously. The SECP on Thursday said that that it continues to strive for reducing physical interaction with the citizens and is focused on providing services through the use of modern technology at the doorstep of the end-users. As per SECP, this initiative is expected to significantly reduce the overall starting a business time in Pakistan and would have a positive impact on the countries ranking on the Doing Business Index. It informed that there are less than 10 jurisdictions globally where federal and provincial registrations are integrated online on a real-time basis and Pakistan has also now join this league. The single combined certificate will be issued through SECP e-Services in real-time upon the incorporation of a company through a single window and will simultaneously register the company with provisional departments, including Punjab Employees Social Security Institution (PESSI), Sindh Employee Social Security Institution (SESSI), Labour and Human Resource Departments and Excise & Taxation Department of Punjab and Sindh. The digital combined certificate features a QR code and hyperlink for instant verification of the registration status of the company. staff report

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Inbound flights reduced as coronavirus cases surge contInueD froM pAge 01 The forum has also imposed a ban on the crescent night (chand raat) stalls; tourism and routes leading to tourist destinations; inter-provincial, inter-city and intra-city public transport. Private vehicles will operate with 50 per cent capacity. It also announced to issue comprehensive standard operating procedures (SOPs) for Youm-e-Ali (AS), Itekaf, Shab-e-Qadar, Jumatul Wida, and Eid prayers by May 1. The government has been making all-out efforts to ensure the standard operating procedures to be followed by the public.

Besides restrictions already in place, the authorities have recently taken fresh measures including closing schools in cities with over 5 per cent coronavirus positivity rate, banning indoor and outdoor dining, and reducing market opening and office hours. According to the officials, the number of critical cases in the country has been on the rise recently and the healthcare system has remained under immense pressure, with hospitals facing a shortage of beds and medical oxygen. Minister for Information and Broadcasting Fawad Chaudhry said on Tuesday that the government is considering importing medical oxygen from China and Iran given a shortage due to a growing number of coronavirus cases.

PPP leads the race in Karachi’s NA-249 by-polls contInueD froM pAge 01 Earlier, taking strict notice of PTI lawmakers’ presence in the NA-249 constituency during the by-poll, the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) directed them to leave. According to details, six PTI MPs Firdous Shamim Naqvi, Raja Azhar, Saeed Afridi, Bilal Ghaffar, Shah Nawaz Jadoon and Shahzad Awan were found to be violating the code of conduct by being present in the constituency during polling hours. The ECP has issued their expulsion orders, directing police to expel them from the constituency. Hopefuls and their supporters talking to APP acknowledged a lacklustre ambience reflecting a certain sense of detachment among the voters belonging to the constituency, however, expressed hope that they would come out of their homes by noon.

Meanwhile, Minister for Information and Broadcasting Fawad Chaudhry said that all surveys had shown the PTI to be ahead of all other parties in the by-poll. Minister for Planning and Development Asad Umar said in a tweet that billionaires and political heavyweights are competing against Prime Minister Imran Khan’s young ideological and local worker Amjad Afridi.

The election, he said, was not a contest between [different] candidates but between different ideologies. In a statement, NA Opposition Leader and PML-N President Shehbaz Sharif appealed to the people of the constituency to come out of their homes and exercise their “constitutional and democratic” right to vote. He said that by exercising their right to vote, people could elect competent representatives that would fulfil the promises made to the people. “I am confident that you will make the right decision, as you did in the past, and will play your part in helping to deal with the myriad of problems plaguing the country,” he said. He also urged caution in light of the current coronavirus situation and told voters to wear a face mask.

Ignoring int’l consultants, recommendations for sale of NGMS spectrum at high prices approved ISLAMABAD shahzad paracha

The Spectrum Advisory Committee (SAC) on Thursday, neglecting the international consultants, approved the recommendations for the sale of Next Generation Mobile Service (NGMS) to telecommunication companies (telcos).

Federal Minister for Finance and Revenue Shaukat Tarin presided over the meeting of the committee for the release of NGMS spectrum, at the Finance Division.

Sources said that the advisory committee, on the recommendation of the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA), opposed the consultant proposals pertaining to spectrum auction base price, and new entrants. PTA had sought unbiased, independent, and transparent advice from hired international consultants for providing a level playing field to operators for additional spectrum auction in 1,800 and 2,100 MHz bands.

Sources said that the consultant, Frontier Economics Ltd, had recommended $30 million and $27.5 million as the base price for 1,800 MHz and 2,100 MHz bands keeping up with the international best practices.

While the PTA in its proposals to the advisory committee suggested a base price of $31 million and $29 million for 1,800 MHz and 2,100 MHz bands, respectively.

Sources said that three telecom operators have also challenged the 2019 ‘renewal of licenses’ base price which was less than the prices mentioned above. Meanwhile, the advisory committee on the recommendation of PTA also directed to give an opportunity to new entrants despite the fact that the consultants opposed the PTA proposal citing reasons that this was an additional, not new, spectrum auction.

Furthermore, sources say that the PTA was yet to solve other issues pertaining to temporary allotment of 1,800 and 2,100 MHz bands. Recently, one operator had chal-

lenged the Ministry of Information Technology’s (IT) directions in Sindh High Court when the authority had directed the operator to vacate the temporary allotment in 2,100 MHz bands.

The PTA has further failed to resolve the matter pertaining to 6.6 MHz bands temporary allotment of Zong, despite visible concerns of the telco stakeholders on the matter.

Sources said that the advisory committee has directed the organisations concerned to complete the auctioning process during the current fiscal year. However, according to sources, there is a dire need to address the aforementioned issues first to restore the confidence of telecom stakeholders.

Meanwhile, the finance ministry handout states that the PTA chairman briefed the advisory committee about the arrangements underway for the sale of the available spectrum of NGMS in the country.

A detailed presentation was given about the specifications of available spectrum

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bands and methodology for sale in line with international best practices. Meanwhile, the newly hired consultants also gave detailed input and answered the technical queries by the members of the committee.

While taking stock of the situation, the finance minister directed to expedite the sale process for the available spectrum.

Tarin stressed providing a level playing field so that all operators must have a fair and equal chance in the process. He urged all the key stakeholders to ensure maximum participation across the board for the successful completion of the sale transaction.

Speaking on the occasion, Federal Minister for Science and Technology Shibli Faraz said that the international benchmarks must be followed to ensure that the whole process of the sale was competitive and based on principles of transparency and equity.

Meanwhile, the adviser to the prime minister on commerce suggested to carry out an in-depth analysis to gauge demand for the

spectrum and devise a strategy for its pricing and packaging accordingly.

The IT minister stated that the sale of NGMS was of key importance for strengthening and expanding communication and IT Services across the country.

In September last year, the Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) of the federal government had constituted the advisory committee for the release of unsold Next Generation Mobile Services spectrum to improve mobile broadband services in the country.

According to a statement issued, the Finance Division had then stated that the Terms of Reference (ToRs) of the committee would be i) to examine and evaluate the market assessment report and recommendations of PTA for release of maximum NGMS spectrum in Pakistan, ii) to examine and finalise policy directives for the federal government for the release of NGMS spectrum and iii) to oversee the release process to be conducted by PTA.

Friday, 30 April, 2021

06 COMMENT

The need to keep one’s promises

Instead of opening a can of worms Settle the issue through judicial commission

Why are things coming together?

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HE SC had rejected the reference against Mr Justice Faez Isa noting that the President had failed to form a considered opinion after receiving “inadmissible advice” from the architect of the reference.

In a majority decision on Monday the Supreme Court declared actions taken by the FBR and all other forums related to the assets of Mr Justice Isa’s wife and children illegal. On Wednesday the Supreme Judicial Council announced its decision not to proceed further against Mr Justice Isa. While these developments were being reported in the media, claims made by former DG FIA Bashir Memon came as a bombshell. According to Mr Memon, he was called by Prime Minister Imran Khan to his office where the PM hinted at a task to be assigned to him. He was then taken to PM’s Adviser Shahzad Akbar’s office where Mr Memon was told to proceed against Mr Justice Isa in a money laundering case. Later Law Minster Farogh Naseem also asked him to act as advised. Mr Memon claims he refused to comply with the directives as he considered them illegal.

Had the highly incriminating revelations been made by an ordinary citizen, one would have rejected them out of hand. Mr Memon had however been a topmost police officer before being appointed DG FIA. As such he knows well the consequences of any irresponsible claims made in public. Even if there is an iota of truth in them, they reflect poorly on Mr Khan. As expected, Mr Akbar and Senator Naseem have contradicted Mr Memon’s accusations. The former maintains that Mr Memon was never called for any meeting with the PM or himself on Mr Justice Faez Isa’s issue. Mr Akbar’s lawyers have sent a defamation notice for Rs500 million to Mr Memon.

Senator Naseem too has categorically rejected Mr Memon’s claims, maintaining that he never discussed any issue regarding Mr Justice Isa with Mr Memon.

The opposition leaders are demanding a judicial enquiry. So is Mr Memon. Mr Akbar has filed a defamation case knowing that it can go on for years like the one filed by Mr Shabaz Sharif against the PM, without proving anything, . Meanwhile the issue is likely to become a hot topic in the opposition’s rallies. The only credible way to give the lie to Mr Memon’s claims is for the government to ask the Supreme Court to constitute a judicial commission of enquiry.

At Penpoint M A NIAZI

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y proroguing the National Assembly without having a debate on a resolution on the French ambassador, the government seems to have committed the mistake that led to the Tehrik-e-Labaik Pakistan (TLP) protests that paralyzed the country at the beginning of Ramazan, in the middle of April. There seems to be a spirit within the government of ‘sufficient unto the day the evil thereof.’ A homelier metaphor would be ‘dang-tapaoo’. It seems as if the anxiety to get the original protests over outweighed everything else.

Only later, when the government realized that it could not take the consequences of fulfilling its word, it decided to present the resolution in a way that prevented its being fulfilled.

The government does not seem to have realized that the protests were caused by its failure to fulfill its agreement to bring the issue to Parliament. The TLP also seemed disingenuous, in not pointing out that Parliament actually has nothing to do with foreign relations, as it is a purely executive matter. The President accepts ambassadors’ credentials because they represent a fellow head of state, but, as in other matters, he does so only on the advice of the Prime Minister (or the minister concerned).

Therefore, not to have the resolution debated would be a red rag to a bull. That would only make sense if one is sure that the bull has been neutralized.

Whether the TLP has been neutralized by its recent protests, in which it has suffered casualties, and in which its new leader, Saad Rizvi, got arrested, is not clear. Only an assumption that the TLP is essentially controllable, would justify such assumptions as seem to be behind the prorogation decision.

It should be clear that allowing a debate would mean that MNAs, whether government or opposition, would not be able to oppose the expulsion of the French ambassador. The government may now claim that expulsion would mean reactions from the rest of the EU, or that foreign policy is its prerogative, but it would find it difficult on the floor of the House to defend a decision not to break off diplomatic relations.

Worse, it would not know what to do. The government would want the motion defeated, but could it ensure the defeat? If members chose to vote so as to be able to return to their constituencies, they might decide to buck the party whip. In that case, the government might find that not only did it have a highly inconvenient resolution on its hands, but it had been administered the second defeat in the National Assembly, after the defeat of Dr Hafeez Sheikh in the

The pandemic gets worse The government must set an example

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S covid-19 continues to rage, the government may not be able to do as much as it should to solve the problem, but it can make sure that it sets an example. The crisis is by no means over just because there are less deaths, 151, to report on Thursday, down from a record 201 the day before. That was a record, and there are worries that the number of deaths will probably mount if people continue not so much to disobey, as to disregard, the SOPs on wearing masks or social distancing. Though the Army has buckled down to taking to task violators, it would be helpful if members of the government obeyed the law, and did not try to behave as if disregarding it was somehow a mark of privilege.

That will not happen if the government continues to ignore law-breakers. Most recently, the KPK Health Minister, Taimur Saleem Jhagra, attended an iftar at a Peshawar restaurant. He has been booked by the police, as has been the owner of the restaurant, after the posting of photos on the Internet let the cat out of the bag. The KP government can afford to punish the minister by dropping him from the Cabinet, as it does not have any problems with maintaining a majority there, not with 84 of 124 seats, so that even if he takes away a group, he will hardly bring down the government.

There are two major reasons for punishing him at the party level. First, the government is ceding space to the ‘anti-vaxxers’, who so successfully made the antipolio campaign fail, if it does not take institutional action. It must also bring to an end the culture of privilege and abuse of power that not only made Mr Jhagra think he was above the law, but also made the organisers feel that inviting him to an iftar meant that they were above the law. The attitude that covid-19 is only for the hoi polloi must end. It can infect anyone.

And everyone, VIP or no, has a duty to everyone else, to observe the SOPs and get vaccinated.

Already Afghanistan has an abysmal human rights record ChANgeZI SANdhu

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HE American withdrawal from Afghanistan could pose grave threats to human rights. The rights of minority, children, and women would be in peril. The most important question is whether the world can afford another humanitarian crisis and expected genocide in Afghanistan as global leaders and UNO already failed to overcome the disastrous humanitarian crises in yemen, Syria, Iraq, and other parts of the world? World There are still uncountable unaddressed questions regarding the power-sharing formula to avoid anarchy in the country, developing mechanism to control the unbridled powers of the Taliban, the Haqqani Network, ISIS, Al-Qaida and other ethnic militia in a failed state, and protecting fundamental rights of the public.

The situation regarding human rights is grim in the country. According to the report of World Human Rights Watch 2020, more than 8000 civilians have been killed from January 1 to September 30 in 2019. According to the recently issued Global Gender Gap Report 2021 presented by the World Economic Forum, Afghanistan is the worst performer in South Asia regarding women’s rights.

Afghanistan has ranked 156th among156 countries in Global Gender Index 2021. Thus, the situation of human rights is already alarming in the country, and it can endanger human rights in the future, especially if foreign forces are withdrawn from Afghanistan.

Afghanistan is already facing intractable and insoluble challenges as a crippled economy, and a politically fragile and ethnically polarized society.

Sectarianism, social disintegration, and blatant violations of human rights have also gripped the

Arif Nizami Editor Managing Editor

Joint Editor

Umar Aziz Executive Editor

Lahore – Ph: 042-36300938, 042-36375965

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Karachi – Ph: 021-35381208-9

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the TLP one is not. The reason is that the latter has got too many people involved for meaningful control to be exerted. The second is that blasphemy is a much more emotive issue than anyone being made a scapegoat. Then there is the reality that while the Tareen situation can be handled by offering him justice, as has been done, there can be little done except to concede the TLP’s demands. It should also be remembered that while Tareen can control his supporters, the TLP leadership is impelled by its followers to adopt certain positions. Tareen’s supporters have no problems with the government as such, but TLP supporters have a certain agenda they wish followed. No one is willing to risk death for Tareen; TLP supporters have shown their willingness to do so, not necessarily for their leader, but for the cause of blasphemy.

Politicians have their fingers on the popular pulse, because they will either follow that public opinion, or guide it. This means that all parties slipped up, except the TLP, including the other religio-political parties, and didn’t notice either the issue, or the response of the public to it. That is a situation which leaves room for others to play. One player would be the establishment. Another player would be Indian agencies.

The government has followed the policy of repeating its mistakes. It has compromised not just on the writ of the state, but also the sovereignty of Parliament. It is not for anyone to dictate the agenda of Parliament. It did not suffer any consequences for making the original agreement, so much as for not fulfilling it. Also, by involving Parliament, it did not just involve all government parties, but also the opposition parties, for all would have to take a position on the issue.

It is almost as if one is witnessing a repetition of the legendary anti-Qadiani agitation of 1974, when one saw an apparently secular and progressive party take one of the most pro-Khatm-i-Nabuwat stances ever done in a Muslim country, and declare Ahmadis a minority, enshrining it in the Constitution.

There are no ‘good’ or ‘bad’ militants. They are both motivated by belief. Any past attempt to convert believers is one thing, to serve nationalistic goals, have not worked. It has created organisations that follow their own agendas now. In their own way.

There are no ‘good’ or ‘bad’ militants. They are both motivated by belief. Any past attempt to convert believers is one thing, to serve nationalistic goals, have not worked. It has created organisations that follow their own agendas now. In their own way

Withdrawal from Afghanistan Threatens Human Rights

Dedicated to the legacy of the late Hameed Nizami

Yousaf Nizami Aziz-ud-Din Ahmad

Senate election.

The TLP is thought not to be acting alone. Certainly, its sit-in at Faizabad, which ultimately led to the resignation of Law Minister Zahid Hamid from the Nawaz government, was not a solo effort, with its end coming with military officers distributing money to the protesters. The plea was that this was to help protesters go back home.

The government may have engaged in just such an incredible plea. Saying that the expulsion was discussed in the National Assembly does not really cut it, unless the TLP also needs an excuse. There is another possibility that is not entirely to be ruled out, that there is a division in the establishment on the issue.

Members of the establishment are like other Muslims. There is a varying degree of practice, but there is near-unanimity on blasphemy. Actually, there is unanimity. The difference is the importance given to it.

For some, the reaction is limited to raising slogans while part of a mob. Some may go as far as pelting stones. Rarer is the person who takes a weapon and goes seeking out the blasphemer. So while members of the establishment have not been part of these protests, there may be some sympathizers in their ranks.

It must not be forgotten that such establishment members are likely to be theologically naive, and ready to follow the TLP. Otherwise, the problem would be detected. First, expelling an ambassador is not even a response to blasphemy. Blasphemy is a Sharia offence, and its punishment must be prescribed by Sharia. The government is not even going here. It might have been advised that the Sharia punishment, the execution of the French President, is even more serious even than expelling his representative.

At the same time, because the TLP has previously played a role in Pakistani politics, having MPAs elected in Sindh after contesting the 2018 elections, it would not be appropriate to miss out on how this fresh crisis is playing out for Imran in the larger political context. Apart from the TLP protests, there is the internal rebellion shaping up within the PTI, centering around Jahangir Tareen. It is not directly related, but could it be that the forces which are behind Tareen are also behind the TLP rotests.

While the Tareen phenomenon is under control,

country badly. It has been bogged down in the most disastrous challenge of proxy wars for the interest of the supremacy and other illegitimate ambitions of India, Iran, Russia, China, and other regional and international powers. So, the situation of law and order would be more perplexing, and Afghanistan would be more dangerous for global peace than before 2001, if the USA fulfills her commitment of withdrawal of forces by 11 September of this year.

US agencies also warned of the adverse effects of the withdrawal not only for the USA but also for global peace.

However, under the perennial warnings of intelligence agencies, President Joe Biden decided to end the “Forever War” by withdrawing US forces

by September 11 of this year. It is important to mention that the USA was supposed to withdraw her forces by 1st May of this year, but President Biden extended the date of withdrawal by violating the Doha Accord. The Taliban conducted two attacks against the US forces in eastern Afghanistan before the statement of Mr Biden that could be termed a warning over violation of the Doha Accord regarding the date of withdrawal.

The reaction to the deviation from the Doha Accord by the Taliban leadership could be severer, that will exert its effects on the peace negotiation process by igniting violence in the country. The Taliban leadership also refused to attend the USbacked summit on Afghan peace in Turkey. The attacks and refusal of Taliban leadership to attend the summit in Turkey could be termed as a “warning” for foreign troops and may be meant to convey a clear message to the signatories of the Doha Accord about the aggravation of the situation in the country if the signatories fail to ensure the withdrawal of US troops by May 1. So, the peace talks and negotiations could be in peril, if the Taliban does not accept the new deadline of Mr Biden for the withdrawal of foreign forces.

Islamabad – Ph: 051-2204545

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Web: www.pakistantoday.com.pk

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The writer is a member of staff.

US agencies also warned about the ability of the Taliban to target the USA once again because they are more powerful, well-equipped, well-prepared, well-experienced, and more influential than they were in 2001. According to the article “Biden and Austin must listen to the intelligence community in charting Afghanistan withdrawal” contributed by Daniel N. Hoffman to The Washington Times, US agencies warned about the perpetual threats for US interests within Afghanistan and out of Afghanistan after her withdrawal. Mr. Daniel also corroborated the narrative that agencies also informed Mr. Biden that the Taliban can target Americans within three to four months after the US withdrawal. So, the newly shared date of withdrawal polarized not only the US community but also Congressmen because one segment appreciates the Biden decision, but another segment of US society and Congress perceived such statements as being against the ground realities of Afghanistan.

Senator Jeanne Shaheen, who is a moderate New Hampshire Democrat, also supports the foreign interventions in Afghanistan nearly two decades ago, lashed out at President Biden by her remarks that Mr Biden’s decision would encourage the Taliban to pose grave threats to US interests.

Thus, the Biden Administration must play its pivotal role by devising a new strategy to keep troops in the country by restoring the US role as a global leader. The Taliban must not be given a free hand at all, otherwise, the efforts of The USA and its allies would be wasted. Never make a decision that does not jibe with ground realities for temporary peace. Cautious and circumspect steps must be taken rationally for American and global cause by engaging the Taliban in the dialogue process for a different power-sharing module under the auspices of America and other global powers.

There must be a written document with Taliban and other influential groups that there should be no violation of human rights in the country, and some American troops will remain in the country to monitor the situation. The UNO should also expedite its role and efforts for the protection of human rights instead of passing ineffective statements of condemnation of human rights violation after aggravation of the situation in Afghanistan.

The writer can be contacted ch.changezi.sandhu111@gmail.com

Email: editorial@pakistantoday.com.pk

at

Friday, 30 April, 2021

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

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

Alarming situation SINCE COVID-19 came to Pakistan has affected us in each sense.

Coronavirus has changed the elements of human life. Coronavirus has changed entire dimensions of Pakistan, it has halted individuals to work in office, students to learn in colleges, universities and schools. Education had increase a major misfortune since this circumstance came intobeing. In current circumstance of battle with COVID-19 has replaced physical classes to online meeting, which is brimming with outcomes issues with no arrangement. Nobody in the whole world succeed promptly in this war.

Everybody just attempted to defeat on it as opposed to attempting to kill promptly in light of the fact that there was no other alternative. Indeed, even eminent scientists,chemists have additionally not been prevail with regards to making it’s appropriate inoculation. Coronavirus has empowered individuals to abandon each viewpoint, from administrative bodies to the daily wadgers everybody is neglected to accomplish some work. Indeed, even the most impressive nations are in large misfortune.

COVID-19 has threatened every single individual who were making the most of their lovely life. It’s much the same as a war the circumstance reached the apocalypse.The situation of second wave of Corona is increasing day by day which is in front of everyone and the situation of our neighboring country has deteriorated a lot but in these circumstances some of our unconscious people are not coming. This money is being squandered. We are not ready to wear what can save us from the corona, and the way the sea of people in the markets is blowing up this oasis and the market is so frightening. Have mercy on me and be the guarantor of your health and the health of your family.

EHTISHAM ULHAQ LAHorE

Religion and Politics

PM talks to Bill Gates

Religion has no place in politics

ASkArI rAZA MAlIk

1

958-59, Islamia College Peshawar, the topic for Urdu debate was, “Juda ho Din Siasat se to reh jati hai Changezi”. (The separation of religion from politics leads to tyranny). No prequalification was necessary. Religion was not the forbidden domain open only to the Madrassa worthy.

The British had recently left Pakistan. Pakistan was still more liberal than suggested by the draft Constitution presented by Liaqat Ali Khan.

The legacies of Sir Syed Ahmed Khan, Maulvi Chiragh Ali and justice Amir Ali still lingered in the intellectual corridors. Religious philosophy and theosophy stood distinctly apart from theology. That allowed the mere college students to debate the issues like religion and politics without scorn from the religion owners.

Rituals, according to many renowned religious scholars, including Maulana Abul Ala Moudodi, are the outward images of Islam, ‘the body’. ‘The soul’ appears in the value system enshrined in the Quranic code of human and social relations practiced by the Prophet (PBUH) to perfection leaving behind the best model for us to adopt. That is Din. It cannot be separated from any activity in life. Theology is personal. Din is universal.

Every conscious Muslim is historically wedded to some basic assertions in religion. The foremost is the doctrine, ‘There is no God but God, and Muhammad is His Prophet’. The first part is an unparalleled source of strength and steadfastness among the true believers. During his trying umpteen years in prison, Nelson Mandela, whenever on the verge, took inspiration from Imam Hussain’s patience and fortitude to stand fast for his just cause.

The second part of the doctrine is the prophethood of Muhammad (PBUH), demanding his absolute obedience. All other assertions seem to emanate from Muhammad (PBUH) as the focal point. The reverence for his (PBUH) progeny, consorts and companions, Hadiths and Sunnah are bound in one enormous package of sheer devotion to him (PBUH). Unflinching love

for the Prophet (PBUH) is our common denominator, regardless of sectarian or intra-sect antagonism. Slight aspersions on the person of the Holy Prophet (PBUH) could evoke extreme emotions including violence. That is what Imran Khan has been trying to tell the non-Muslim world.

The Righteous Successors of the Prophet (PBUH) painstakingly discharged both their temporal and pontifical obligations. As the monarchs slowly drifted away from their public religious commitments, the pious and the learned filled the vacuum. This prompted the unintended emergence of clergy in Islam.

The Ummayids ruled ruthlessly. They felt no need for clerical support. The Abbasids deliberately used the Ulema to legitimize their rule in the face of the Fatimid challenge. The ulema obliged obsequiously.

Thus, the most consequential contribution of the clergy in politics came as a lavish application of the Quranic ‘Verse of Obedience’, (4:59), whereas anyone with the brute power to rule was the Uli al-Amr and entitled to the same exclusive obedience that was due to God and His Prophet (PBUH).

This blanket sanction gave the Muslim rulers the divine right to demand unconditional obedience from their subjects as done by the medieval European monarchs, ushering in an era of unending slavery for the Muslims. As deadly was the clergy’s invention of sects, mutual hate and divisions in open defiance of the very concept of Muslim brotherhood ordained in the Quran.

During the entire period of Muslim rule, religion had never played any worthwhile part in politics. Undue emphasis on fervent indulgence in rituals, called Islam, helped build a beautiful façade without substance. The clergy relished its leading role in ritualistic glamour. The monarchs enjoyed absolute power at the insignificant cost of placating a compliant clergy. Famous names like Nizamul Mulk and Ghazali wedded to ‘Predeterminism’ did frame some high-sounding governance principles for ‘the kings’ but had no mechanism to offer to either ensure justice or accountability.

The dynastic rule had no taste for such delicacies. The clergy supported rulers, dead and alive. It never dared vie for power. It was only after the demise of the fantasy Caliphate of Ottoman Empire that the thinkers and the Ulema

began to search for a truly Islamic State.

In the 20th century the hardline conservative Muslim scholars, mostly of Wahhabi beliefs, unlike their mentors, Ibn e Tamiya or Ibn Abdul Wahab, aggressively sought political power to implement their concept of an Islamic State.

Syed Qutab, Maulana Maududi, Muhammad Asad and even the Shiite Ayatullah Ruhollah Khomeini proposed more or less identical dispensations based on Sharia. At the same time the modernists of the Aligarh School and Dr Ali Shariati forwarded their own perceptions that saw traditions more in a metaphorical rather than a literal light.

Syed Qutab was hanged. Maulana Maududi’s Jamaat Islami is gripped by a severe leadership drought. The JUI(F) is a victim of its leader’s unscrupulous politicking. Elsewhere also the extremists are losing ground. The Ikhwan of Saudi Arabia were completely wiped out by King Saud.

Bangladesh is weary of the extreme right. Extremism was forced out of Algiers and Egypt. It is bound to meet the same fate in Africa and Iran.

Pakistan provides blooming meadows for the religious mediocrity to flourish. The ability to create chaos is Islamists’ shared strength. The latest is TLP (Tehrike e Labaik Pakistan) which claims to be the sole custodian of the honour of the Holy Prophet (PBUH). That claim is not only ludicrous; it constitutes a naked insult to the loyalty of rest of the Muslim Ummah.

The reasons provided to the enemy for abuse are of our own creation. The sensually obsessed mindset of the pre-Islamic Bedouin deliberately implicated prominent Muslims in the web of fanciful notions. When Brigadier Hamid Saeed Akhtar (retd) published his research paper on the age of Mother of the Believers Hazrat Ayesha, his own Ahle Hadith community vehemently condemned him.

The predisposition of the religious to resort to violence on the smallest pretext creates chaos at home and aggravates Islamophobia abroad.

This propensity to act as a state within the state must be firmly eradicated whatever the cost.

Pakistan’s political landscape, already oversaturated, has no space left to accommodate a theocratic dream.

The predisposition of the religious to resort to violence on the smallest pretext creates chaos at home and aggravates Islamophobia abroad. This propensity to act as a state within the state must be firmly eradicated whatever the cost. Pakistan’s political landscape, already oversaturated, has no space left to accommodate a theocratic dream

The writer retired as a major general from the Pakistan Army

PRIME MINISTER Imran Khan and Bill Gates, Co-Chair of Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation on Wednesday discussed matters including COVID-19 response, polio eradication and climate change and agreed to continue working together on the shared objectives. In a telephonic conversation, both agreed on the importance of urgently stopping the spread of coronavirus, polio and other vaccine-preventable diseases in Pakistan. The Prime Minister expressed appreciation for the work of Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation for fighting poverty, combating COVID-19 pandemic and inequalities around the world. Recalling his recent letter addressed to Bill Gates on climate change, the Prime Minister apprised him about Pakistan’s flagship initiatives including the 10 Billion Tree Tsunami. Commending the Gates Foundation’s strong advocacy to promote equitable access to COVID-19 vaccine, the prime minister underscored the importance of equitable, timely, and scaled delivery doses to low-income countries. Imran Khan also reaffirmed that eradication of polio remained a key priority of the government and efforts were underway to intensify the anti-polio campaign across the country despite COVID-19 related challenges. He affirmed his commitment to strengthening efforts nationwide to achieve a polio-free Pakistan. Bill Gates acknowledged Pakistan’s commitment to address climate change and agreed that the world must come together to face this global challenge.

Highlighting that food systems are particularly vulnerable to climate change, he emphasized that the global leaders should prioritize investments in agricultural research for adaptation. He also suggested Prime Minister Khan to leverage Pakistan’s unique voice to raise awareness for increasing global support for smallholder farmers. Pakistan has a robust partnership with the Gates Foundation, including, inter alia, Gates Foundation’s continued support to the Ehsaas Programme, which helps the most vulnerable segment of Pakistan’s population.

SoHAIL ALI KHAn ISLAMAbAd

Israel an apartheid state FOR the first time in its history, Human Rights Watch has identified Israel as an “apartheid state.” Israel is committing the crimes of apartheid and persecution against Arabs in the occupied territories and Israel itself, Human Rights Watch says. An international rights watchdog accused Israel on Tuesday of pursuing policies of apartheid and persecution against Palestinians - and against its own Arab minority - that amount to crimes against humanity. New york-based Human Rights Watch published a 213page report which, it said, was not aimed at comparing Israel with apartheid-era South Africa but rather at assessing “whether specific acts and policies” constitute apartheid as defined under international law. Apartheid amounts to state-sanctioned racial discrimination and is considered a crime against humanity. “We recognize that the word ‘apartheid’ stings. But at the same time, apartheid is the reality for many Palestinians,” Farida Deif, head of the Canadian chapter of Human Rights Watch, said in an interview. The Israeli government accused Human Rights Watch of harbouring an “antiIsrael agenda” and called the New york-based organization an “unreliable propaganda pamphlet.” Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas welcomed the report. Just weeks ago the International Criminal Court (ICC) announced it would investigate war crimes in the Israeli-occupied West Bank and Gaza Strip, with the Israeli military and armed Palestinian groups such as Hamas named as possible perpetrators. In its report, HRW pointed to Israeli restrictions on Palestinian movement and seizure of Palestinian-owned land for Jewish settlement in territory occupied in the 1967 Middle East war as examples of policies it said were crimes of apartheid and persecution.

“Across Israel and the (Palestinian territories), Israeli authorities have pursued an intent to maintain domination over Palestinians by exercising control over land and demographics for the benefit of Jewish Israelis,” the report says. “On this basis, the report concludes that Israeli officials have committed the crimes against humanity of apartheid and persecution,” as defined under the 1973 Apartheid Convention and the 1998 Rome Statute.

SyEd TAHIr rASHdI SHAHdApUr

Friday, 30 April, 2021

08 WORLD VIEW

IndIa’s populaTIon aWaITs TomorroW WITh horror

PROSPeCT Magazine

W

Mahesh rao

hat does a health care catastrophe in a country of almost 1.4bn people sound like? ambulance sirens wail night and day, phones beep relentlessly with messages of new Covid-positive diagnoses, desperate pleas for help, brief announcements of lives lost. Newscasters on most mainstream channels report on the numbingly grim scenes, but with little analysis and no demands for accountability. this, of course, is the soundtrack for anyone lucky enough to be cloistered at home merely fearing the worst. Others who have to travel to work, or seek medical treatment, will have heard and seen far worse.

India is in the grip of a public health calamity, reporting almost 350,000 coronavirus cases on 25th april, the highest number recorded in one day in any country since the pandemic began. hospitals have been pushed beyond all capacity; people are dying laid on stretchers in car parks or in stationary ambulances; metal equipment in crematoriums has melted from the sheer number of bodies. Some of India’s finest hospitals have begun announcing on twitter how long they have before their oxygen supply runs out: two hours, one hour, 30 minutes. how did we get here? after one of the strictest and most sudden lockdowns in the world last March, precipitating an enormous crisis for migrant workers within India, when restrictions were eventually lifted Covid numbers surged in July and august.

WHAT DO HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF CASES A DAY DO TO A COUNTRY? Cases and deaths began to decline in September, creating the breathing space to take stock, conduct scientific evaluations and assess health care capacity, if those responsible had been willing to do so. that month India’s health minister, harsh Vardhan, stated that the government was “well prepared to deal with any kind of contingency that may arise.” the following month his ministry released a protocol which included herbal treatments and yoga to prevent Covid and to treat mild symptoms, prompting stern questions from the Indian Medical association.

In January, Narendra Modi made an exultant address to the World Economic Forum in Davos on India’s “success and potential” in the face of coronavirus. three weeks later the governing BJP’s National Executive passed a resolution stating that “India not only defeated Covid under the able, sensible, committed and visionary leadership of Prime Minister Modi, but also infused in all its citizens the confidence to build an atmanirbhar Bharat (self-reliant India).” an assessment of the situation driven by triumphant exceptionalism and dangerous politicking led many in the country to genuinely believe that India had beaten Covid. Public behaviour started to revert to its pre-pandemic ease, often led by affluent Indians who resumed their circuits of parties, weddings and holidays. In February, case numbers began to rise.

the list of continuing failures and abdications of responsibility speak for themselves. Genome sequencing, which could have provided vital information about the trajectory of the virus and new variants, was gravely neglected. the $1.3bn PM-Cares fund, which was set up days after the first national lockdown, remains a shadowy project, its precise purpose and expenditures protected from all scrutiny. the government was aware of the dangers of a Covid-related oxygen shortage as far back as april 2020; yet it took the Modi government almost eight months to invite bids for new oxygen generation plants. Only a fifth of the planned number have been installed, not all of them operational. India’s national scientific taskforce on Covid did not even meet in February and March this year, even though signs of an impending, serious second wave were evident in mid-February. Instead, election rallies were planned in five states and the Kumbh Mela, a huge hindu religious gathering scheduled for next year, was brought forward and over a million people each day congregated in haridwar. the central government has declined to treat vaccines as an essential public good to be provided for free: in the future, their cost will have to be borne by individual states or citizens themselves.

Meanwhile, official data-fudging, state propaganda and censorship continue apace.

While there has been a country-wide

collapse of the health care system, how individual Indians have fared has depended on where they live. Kerala, while ill-prepared for this second wave, has one of the more successful vaccination programmes in the country, and from mid-april imposed lockdown restrictions in hundreds of minicontainment zones, ramped up testing and now has a triage system involving primary health centres, ward health groups, medical colleges and empanelled private hospitals.

In Uttar Pradesh, on the other hand, the state government mandated that patients seeking hospital treatment for Covid would need a letter from the Chief Medical Officer, a bureaucratic demand that would be difficult to comply with at the best of times, let alone during an uncontrollable pandemic. Local reporters have called it a failure of the system. as with any catastrophe, the best and worst of human nature have been on display.

People have formed groups on social media to share information on the availability of oxygen, hospital beds, ventilators and essential drugs. Food delivery services have sprung up in people’s kitchens, sending out food free or at minimal cost to homes where almost every person has been laid low by the virus. Volunteers have organised outreach programmes to call vulnerable and isolated women to offer help and support, including single mothers, elderly women and sex workers. In Mumbai, Rozy Saldanha, a housebound woman with a chronic kidney complaint, was celebrated in the local press after donating her spare oxygen cylinder to a Covid patient and selling some jewellery to donate eight more. health care and sanitation workers, as well as journalists

deeply committed to seeking the truth, have had to push themselves to the limit while facing the greatest risks. as for the worst aspects, ruthless black markets have sprung up, with the antiviral drug Remdesivir and oxygen cylinders being sold to panic-stricken family members for at least ten times their normal price.

Meanwhile, as cases soared in mid-april, an unmasked Modi boasted at an election rally in West Bengal that there were people as far as the eye could see. and when Sitaram Yechury, the general secretary of one of India’s main communist parties, announced on twitter that he had lost his son to Covid, the vice-president of the BJP in Bihar tweeted that “the Chinese supporter’s son” had died from “Chinese corona.” he later deleted the tweet but we all saw it—just as he had intended. there is an overwhelming sense of desperation, fear and anger as deaths continue to mount. We have little idea of what is happening in those remote parts of the country that are beyond the orbit of social media and the mainstream press. almost a sixth of the world’s population is steeled, utterly helpless, for what the next hour or day could bring. the graveyards are full. the funeral pyres burn long into the night, queues of more bodies snaking into the distance. the noise continues: the sirens, the beeps. and taken with the silences, they make up the sound of an entire citizenry abandoned at their greatest hour of need by those who hold highest office, entrusted to serve and protect them.

Mahesh Rao is a short story writer and novelist. His most recent novel is Polite Society (Tinder Press).

The Turkish origins of the “deep state”

How Hindutva sociopsychopaths rule India

THE “DEEP STATE” IDEA OF A SHADOWY PARALLEL GOVERNMENT, HEARD MUCH IN THE NEWS NOW, SEEMS TO BE A CONCEPT BORROWED FROM THE TURKISH EXPERIENCE

HINDUTVA FORCES NEITHER FOLLOW SCIENCE NOR UNDERSTAND THE SUFFERINGS OF FELLOW HUMAN BEINGS

JSTOR Daily

W

Matthew wills

hat is “the deep state” we keep hearing about in the news? Is it an alleged secret government buried deeply within the visible government? Curiously, there aren’t many political concepts americans have borrowed from turkish history, but the deep state seems to be one of them. the turkish phrase derin devlet literally means “deep state.” according to historian Ryan Gingeras, the term “generally refers to a kind of shadow or parallel system of government in which unofficial or publicly unacknowledged individuals play important roles in defining and implementing state policy.” this concept of a deep state, Gingeras continues, is used to “explain why and how agents employed by the state execute policies that directly contravene the letter and spirit of the law.” Breaking the law, of course, often means employing criminals.

Gingeras, a specialist in organized crime in turkey, looks at the underbelly of the turkish deep state to examine how alliances between generals, statesmen and “narcotic traffickers, paramilitaries, terrorists, and other criminals” are formed.

(Elsewhere, Gingeras traces the heroin connection, noting that the turkish deep state itself is riven by factional rivalries.)

Gingeras tracks the deep state all the way back to its origins in the last days of the Ottoman Empire. Organized criminal gangs in both the cities and provinces were useful to the Young turks (the Committee of Union and Progress, CUP), the party that dismantled the Empire and declared the Republic of turkey in 1923.

Essentially, dirty work needs dirty workers: so a clandestine force was recruited from paramilitary and criminal elements during the chaotic years of the first quarter century of the century. this time-span encompassed the Balkan Wars (1912, 1913), when the Ottomans lost most of their European possessions; World War I, when the Ottomans allied with the defeated Central Powers; the allied occupation of Istanbul (1918-1923); and the turkish War of Independence (1919-1923), which was fought on three fronts against Greek, French, and armenian forces.

Using the story of Sah Ismail, a bandit who became a CUP agent and then an enemy of the state, Gingeras details the connections between state and underworld to show how the CUP was “greatly enabled by, and indebted to, its relations to various provincial criminal syndicates.”

Gingeras cautions that in the turkish context, “the deep state is not an entirely monolithic entity that shadows the bureaucracy, military, or civil society. Rather, it is an eclectic, ever-evolving political theatre of competition, one that includes elements both explicitly legal and outlaw in nature. Paramount […] is the extreme emphasis placed upon state security, a need that places both law enforcement and clandestine agencies in the forefront of both the formulation and execution of state policies.”

COunTeR CuRRenTS

T

BhaBani shankar nayak

hE hindutva socio-psychopaths are neither nationalists nor patriotic people. these medieval reactionary forces don’t understand the idea of citizenship, justice, liberty, equality and humanism. Indian democracy is merely an electoral transaction for the hindutva forces. hindutva forces neither follow science nor understand the sufferings of fellow human beings. these core qualities are common among the hindutva forces in India. historically, fraudulent myth making is the foundation of hindutva ideology shaped by the RSS. the hindutva propaganda machine detests reason and promotes imagined past and glory to reshape Indian consciousness and reorder Indian society based on Brahminical caste hierarchy. these forces portray religious minorities, women, rationalists and human rights activists as the enemies of India. In reality, hindutva forces are a threat to unity and integrity of India. the state power makes them a formidable force to dominate India and Indians into a dark abyss of deaths and destitutions.

From demonetisation to the management of Coronavirus pandemic, the pestilence of hindutva virus is revealing itself as an arrogant and ignorant force promoted by the Brahminical and market forces in India. the hindutva protagonist, Mr Narendra Modi lacks human conscience. his journeying from being the Gujarat CM to the PM of India post proves that he lacks compassion as a human being. his ruthless leadership is based on mass manipulation, propaganda and threats. his leadership lacks exposer to the world of ideas. his hindutva training in the RSS camps make him unfit to rule modern and progressive India based on science and reason. hindutva socio- psychopaths look at crisis and human distress in India today as someone else’s problem. these forces externalise everyday problems to avoid re-

sponsibilities and accountabilities of their actions. It is impossible to expect normal human reactions from the hindutva forces to human tragedies. they neither feel nor fear consequences of their own political, social, cultural and religious actions that promote conflicts and crisis in India. the growing number of deaths and destitutions are hindutva shock therapies to consolidate their reactionary ideological base by continuously capturing state power with the help of electoral democracy. the idea of citizenship and democracy means absolutely nothing to hindutva fascists. the threats of various forms of violence are an integral to hindutva ideology. this is the core governing principles of narcissist hindutva dominance over majority of Indian population. the organic love cum arrange marriage between capitalist market forces and hindutva politics cares less about human lives and dignity. the profit of Indian millionaires and billionaires are surging faster than the spread of Coronavirus. the Modi government ensures the empowerment of rich and disenfranchisement of poor. the social, economic and humanitarian crisis does not matter to the hindutva socio- psychopaths. Crisis makes people subservient and creates a foundation for society devoid of protection for human lives. Such a condition is fertile ground for the projects of hindutva. the neoliberal hindutva and its voices in media helps in convincing people that Modi is the only alternative for our collective liberation with the help of economic growth. In reality, the wealth of the billionaires grew, and poor people lost their sources of livelihood during Modi regime in Gujarat and Delhi. hindutva forces promote a specific Indian and hindutva variety of capitalism, which is organised around politically connected entitlements based on primitive processes of profit making at the cost of human lives, freedom and dignity. hindutva capitalism does not believe in free market and egalitarian terms of trade with free flow

of free information. Such a variant of capitalism is concomitant with global capitalism. they are fraternal twins. the rise of hindutva capitalism promotes fear, vulnerability and ignorance to exploit the masses. It is an onslaught on science and reason. hindutva forces are organised to promote socialisation of capitalism in India to consolidate renegade capitalist society. the uncritical liberal support to hindutva capitalism helps in these processes. the present predicaments of Indians are not products of individual Karma but an organised principles of hindutva governance. It is not a hindutva failure but modes of reorganising Indian society and make it concomitant with requirements of capitalist market forces. hindutva capitalism is not ill-defined as it looks. It intends to destroy all potentials of people for their creative development based on science and reason. the toxicity of neoliberal hindutva capitalism and its narratives are socio-psychopathic dystopia. It is neither a liberation movement to uphold national glory nor a political project of collective empowerment. It is a well organised economic project of global, regional and national capitalist classes. the annihilating power of hindutva project is clearly visible. Indians experience the hindutva myopia in their everyday lives. hindutva governance means dominance over people and freedom for the capitalist classes in India. It is time to reverse these political and economic trends by defeating hindutva forces permanently. It is inevitable and possible with the growth and unity of various resistance movements. the everyday resistance to hindutva is important to break away from hindutva capitalism. India and Indians need a sustainable mass movement to end the rule of hindutva socio-psychopaths, who are working overtime for their capitalist brethren. this is both short term and alternative available for Indians to safeguard their present and future.

Bhabani Shankar Nayak, University of Glasgow, UK.

Friday, 30 april, 2021

busIness 09

lahOre corporate corner Jazz invests rs14.6bn in Q1Ft21, grows 11.7pc to reach 69.2m subscribers KARACHI: During the first quarter of 2021, Jazz’s overall subscriber base grew by 11.7 per cent yearover-year (YoY) reaching 69.2 million, 4G customer base grew by 62.3pc YoY reaching 28.7 million, whereas the overall data users grew by 17.1pc YoY reaching 47.3 million. Jazz invested Rs14.6 billion, as 4G network investment continued to be the principal focus with population coverage reaching 61pc during the quarter. Data usage per user also grew considerably to reach 4.5GB per user. PRESS RELEASE

Falcon-i to install tracking devices in 30 patrolling mobiles of kPk Police PESHAWAR: Falcon-I, Pakistan's leading fleet management company, has signed an agreement with the KP Police department, to provide, tracking-devices in 30 patrolling vans, in Swabi district, to enhance the performance of the law-enforcement field-force. A ceremony was recently held at the Swabi Police-Line, chaired by the KP IG Police and also attended by the Head of Corporate & Enterprise Solutions of Falcon-I, Naveed Aijaz. These tracking devices are being installed under a social-responsibility initiative by Falcon-I, to improve the law and order situation in KPK. It will help the police keep track of the movement of its patrolling vehicles, to improve the response time of the mobiles vans. PRESS RELEASE

Pso reports staggering profits for 9mFY21 ISLAMABAD: Pakistan State Oil (PSO) continues to outperform the energy market earning a net profit after tax of Rs18.2 billion during the nine month period for the financial year (9MFY21) despite the challenges posed by the pandemic which demonstrates the company’s resilience and dependability. During 9MFY21, the company registered an astounding volumetric growth of 21.6 per cent over the same period last year while increasing market share by 260 basis points (bps) closing at 46.3pc. With a volumetric gain of 19.9pc in MOGAS and 28.2pc in HSD, market shares of both products increased to 310 and 370 bps respectively.

Cumulatively, PSO’s white oil market share increased by 190 bps over the same period last year to close at 44.9pc and black oil closed at 52.8pc i.e. an increase of a staggering 480 bps. PRL, a subsidiary of PSO, also reported a profit after tax of Rs0.6bn during the period under review as compared to a loss of Rs6.8bn in 9MFY20. PRESS RELEASE

Pakistan to register khewra salt at Foreign markets ISLAMABAD

F

GHULAM ABBASS

OLLOWING the federal cabinet’s approval of Pakistan Minerals Development Corporation (PMDC) as the registrant agency for rock salt produced in the country, Intellectual Property Organisation (IPO) Pakistan has started the registration process of Geographical Indications (GI) for pink salt.

This will prevent Indian traders to market Pakistani rock salt as Himalayan Pink Salt. Rock salt from Khewra, after being traded to UAE, was being re-exported as Himalayan salt of Indian origin.

In this regard, the PMDC has completed the for-

malities for registration rock salt with the Geographical Indications (GI) registry following which the country will file for registration at foreign markets.

After a delay of two decades, GI rules were formulated in January this year when India applied for an exclusive GI tag for Basmati rice in the European Union (EU), claiming that it was an agricultural produce of India.

According to PMDC officials, rock salt currently not a lucrative commodity for export nor does Pakistan sell the rock salt as a commercial and industrial product; however, after the GI tagging at international markets, Pakistan will be in a position to sign long term sale contracts with buyers abroad.

They added that since there is no sale policy re-

Govt extends date for mango export The government has extended the date on which mango export is to begin to May 25 instead of mid-May keeping in view the delay in season owing to global warming.

According to a notification of the Ministry of Commerce, local exporters will be able to begin their export from May 25.

In this regard, a former Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI) official as quoted by a local media outlet, said that one reason for the delay was that when the date was earlier, the exporters were tempted to resort to different artificial methods of mango ripening, which in the long term could hurt the credibility of Pakistan.

Pakistan produces around 1.9 million tonnes of mangoes while it exports around 120,000 tonnes. Although it

expects to export more as it has gained access to the Chinese market, the fruit is not priced

competitively in the Chinese market due to a high cost of air freight. MONITORING REPORT

Oil prices rise, bullish demand outlook offsets India concerns

indus motor records promising third quarter results KARACHI: Indus Motor Company Limited’s (IMC) combined sales of Complete Knocked Down (CKD) and Complete Built-up (CBU) units for the quarter ended March 31, 2021, increased by 48.3 per cent to 16,626 units as against 11,209 units sold in the same quarter last year. Moreover, sales for the nine month period increased by 67.5pc to 42,988units as against 25,662 units sold in the same period last year. The net sales turnover for the nine months increased by 73pc to Rs131.16billion as compared to Rs75.83 billion in the same period last year, while profit after tax also increased by 69pc to Rs8.42 billion, as against Rs4.98 billion achieved in the same period last year. The gross profit margin declined to 8.2pc against 10.3pc in the same period last year, mainly on account of increase in material cost. The company’s Board of Directors declared an interim cash dividend of Rs30per share for the quarter, thus making the total dividend for the nine months ended March 31, Rs67per share. PRESS RELEASE

ISLAMABAD: Meezan Bank on Thursday received the Best Performing Bank and Fastest Growing Bank awards

by Prime Minister Imran Khan at a ceremony held in Islamabad to commemorate the significant milestone of receiving $1 billion remittance through Roshan Digital Accounts. PR

LONDON AGENCIES

Oil prices extended gains on Thursday after rising 1% in the previous session, as bullish forecasts of recovering demand outweighed concerns about the impact of rising COVID-19 cases in Brazil, India and Japan.

Brent rose 89 cents, or 1.3%, to $68.16 a barrel by 1115 GMT, and US West Texas Intermediate crude was up 83 cents, or 1.3%, at $64.69 a barrel.

This is the third consecutive day that both contracts have climbed.

“The performance of the past few days demonstrates the unbroken faith of the market in healthy economic and demand recovery,” Tamas Varga, analyst at PVM Oil associates said.

“It also implies that the perilous and devastating COVID nightmare engulfing in India, Japan and Turkey, amongst others, is not expected to have a long-lasting impact on economic expansion.”

The Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) and its allies, a group known as OPEC+, stuck to its plans this week for a gradual easing of oil production curbs from May to July.

OPEC+ expects global stocks to reach 2.95 billion barrels in July, taking them below the 2015-2019 average.

“A closer look at the state of global oil inven-

CMYK

tories suggests that the market may be closer to the point of rebalancing than what OPEC+ may think,” Citi analysts said, adding that the market has absorbed most of the crude inventory overhang, although refined products inventories are still relatively high.

The bank expects vaccination campaigns in North America and Europe to boost oil demand to a record high of 101.5 million barrels per day (bpd) over the northern hemisphere summer months, but said rising COVID-19 cases in Brazil and India could hit local demand if stricter lockdowns are reimposed.

“The outbreak in India is holding back oil’s rally,” Howie Lee, an economist at Singapore’s OCBC bank, said.

Europe’s major energy companies profited from a rise in oil prices to report big increases in first-quarter earnings, putting the worst of a pandemic-linked slump in fuel demand behind them.

BP, Total and Equinor reported first-quarter profits above pre-pandemic levels.

A weak dollar also lent some support to oil.

The dollar was pinned near nine-week lows as a dovish outlook from the US Federal Reserve and bold spending plans from the White House gave a green light for the global reflation trade.

Investors also focused on a ramp-up in US refinery operating rates and a drawdown in distillates stocks last week, in data released by the Energy Information Administration on Wednesday.

garding rock salt, most was being exported in rock form to the Middle East where Indian traders would pick it up for exporting to further markets.

Most of the salt bought by Indian traders in UAE is re-exported in small and attractive packs at very high prices to EU, USA and even Far East, with the label showing that it was a product of Indian Himalayas.

Karachi based salt trader, Ahmed Khan, said that there was a very high demand for rock salt world over, not only as table salt but also for industrial usage and as a healing agent by massage centres in Korea and Thailand. “Most of the salt business is the hands of small traders who need investment for packing and other value addition, but they cannot get bank loans etc. without any policy,” Khan added.

Forex reserves rise to over $23bn The State Bank of Pakistan’s (SBP) foreign exchange reserves were recorded at $16.42 billion during the week ending on April 23, showing an increase of $384 million.

According to the central bank, overall liquid foreign currency reserves held by the country, including net reserves held by banks other than the SBP, stood at $23.52 billion after an increase of $300 million. Net reserves held by commercial banks amounted to $7 billion. Earlier on April 24, Prime Minister Imran Khan thanked overseas Pakistanis as cumulative inflows in Roshan Digital Accounts (RDA) crossed the $1 billion mark. RDA inflows were recorded at $9 million in September last year, $42m in October, $110m in November, and $250m in December last year. The inflows jumped to $418m in January this year, $594m in February, $806m in March and $1,000m on April 23. MONITORING REPORT

k-electric announces 9-month results; nePra approval critical for continuity of investment KARACHI: K-Electric (KE) Limited’s Board of Directors approved the Company’s financial results for the 9month period ended March 31, 2021 at a meeting held on April 28, 2021 at KE Head Office. The Board of Directors were pleased to report a net profit of PKR 9.443 billion for the period under review, and an Earnings Per Share (EPS) of PKR 0.34. This includes PKR 8.8 Billion actual write-off claim as per the mechanism provided under KE’s MYT. During the period under review, the Company’s financial and operational performance improved as the macroeconomic environment gained momentum along with continued investments of over PKR 57 billion across the power val`ue chain. Increased industrial and commercial activity resulted in increased power demand and drove the units sent-out by 7.2% for the 9-month period ended March 31, 2021 as compared to same period last year. As a result of operational improvements, KE’s gross profit increased by around 25% in the 9-month period ended March 31, 2021, compared to the same period in the last fiscal year.

Further, the Company also remains in continuous engagement with NEPRA for pending approval of requests made within the MYT mid-term review, as well as quarterly tariff variations along with write-off claims, which are critical for KE’s sustainability as well as execution of planned investment of USD 1.5 billion between FY21 and FY 23 to ensure smooth and reliable supply of power to consumers of Karachi.

While the Company demonstrated a consistent positive trajectory in financial and operational performance, concerns remain over the prevalent circular debt situation and the long-standing matters of payables and receivables with government entities affecting the company’s sustainability. As of March 31, 2021, KE’s net receivables from various Federal and Provincial government entities stood at around PKR 80 billion on principal basis alone. This deficit continues to impact the already strained cashflow position of the company and hinders the company’s growth potential by increasing its borrowing to fulfill working capital requirements. Further, the issue of receivables and payables with government entities is also impacting the smooth execution of supply agreements with SSGC and NTDC/CPPA as well as KE’s ability to undertake the required investment to bridge the supply-demand gap and maintain quality of service.

To resolve this long-standing issue, after a lengthy process well-led by an Inter-Ministerial Committee, Terms of Reference (ToRs) for arbitration have been finalized among parties, and are awaiting Cabinet approval for execution. PRESS RELEASE

Friday, 30 April, 2021

10 FOREIGN NEWS

LAHORE

Kremlin critic navalny defiant but gaunt after hunger striKe MOSCOW

K

AGENCIES

rEMlIn critic Alexei navalny denounced russian President Vladimir Putin as a "naked, thieving king" on Thursday, looking gaunt but defiant in a courtroom video link from prison, his first public appearance since ending a hunger strike last week.

His remarks on a blurry video piped into a Moscow courtroom came amid new legal pressure on navalny and his movement. Allies said he faced new criminal charges and they had been forced to disband his network of regional campaign offices, which the authorities are seeking to ban as "extremist". navalny, his head shaven, said he had been taken to a bathhouse to look "decent" for the

offices "extremist", which would give authorities the power to jail activists and freeze bank accounts. That court said on Thursday it would hold its next hearing on May 17.

"Maintaining the work of navalny's network of headquarters in its current form is impossible: it would immediately ... lead to criminal sentences for those who work in the headquarters, who collaborate with them and for those who help them," leonid Volkov, one of navalny's close allies, said in a YouTube video. Volkov said many of the offices would try to function as independent regional bodies with their own leaders. navalny's allies also said a new criminal case had been opened against him for allegedly setting up a non-profit organisation that infringed on the rights of citizens. This could not immediately be confirmed.

THE 44-YEAR-OLD SAYS HE IS JUST A DREADFUL SKELETON hearing. He undid his prison uniform to reveal a T-shirt that barely hid his thin torso.

"I looked in the mirror. Of course, I'm just a dreadful skeleton," he said, adding that he now weighed 72kg (11.3 stones), the same weight as when he was at school. later in the appeal hearing against a guilty verdict on a charge of defaming a World War Two veteran, navalny, 44, went on the attack against Putin and the russian justice system. At one point he interrupted the judge, and was reprimanded. "I want to tell the dear court that your king is naked," he said of Putin. "Millions of people are already shouting about it, because it is obvious... His crown is hanging

and slipping." reiterating allegations of corruption that the Kremlin denies, he said: "Your naked, thieving king wants to continue to rule until the end ... Another 10 years will come, a stolen decade will come". navalny came to prominence with an anti-corruption campaign of caustic videos cataloguing the wealth of senior officials he labelled "swindlers and thieves". He has emerged as Putin's fiercest political rival in an era when mainstream opposition parties have managed to build up only narrow support.

A separate court is considering whether to declare navalny's Anti-Corruption Foundation (FBK) and his network of regional campaign

NERVE AGENT ATTACK: navalny is serving a 2-1/2 year jail sentence for parole violations on an earlier embezzlement conviction that he says was politically motivated. last year, he survived an attack with a nerve agent. After recovering in Germany, he was arrested on his return to russia in January and sentenced the following month.

He declared his hunger strike in prison on March 31 to demand better medical care for leg and back pain. On April 23 he said he would start ending it after getting more medical care. russia has said he is receiving the same treatment as any other prisoner and accused him of exaggerating his health needs for publicity. During Thursday's courtroom video appearance, he said he had eaten four spoonfuls of porridge on Wednesday and that getting 10 spoonfuls down would be a "breakthrough".

World to spend $157bn on coronavirus vaccines till 2025: report WASHINGTON AGENCIES

Driven by mass vaccination programs underway and "booster shots" expected every two years, total global spending on Covid-19 vaccines is projected to reach $157 billion by 2025. This was said by the US health data company IQVIA Holdings Inc in a report released on Thursday.

IQVIA, which provides data and analytics for the healthcare industry, said it expects the first wave of Covid-19 vaccinations to reach about 70 per cent of the world's population by the end of 2022. Booster shots are likely to follow initial vaccinations every two years, the report said, based on current data on the duration of effect of the vaccines.

The United States is preparing for the pos-

sibility that a booster shot will be needed between nine to 12 months after people receive their first full inoculations against Covid-19, a White House official said earlier this month.

Pfizer Inc has also said boosters may be needed within 12 months.

Vaccine spending is expected to be highest this year at $54 billion with massive vaccination campaigns underway around the world. It is expected to decrease after that eventually to $11 billion in 2025, as increased competition and vaccine volumes drive down prices, said Murray Aitken, a senior vice president at IQVIA. The forecast for such meteoric growth in sales for a new class of drugs or vaccines is unmatched, but reminiscent of the $130 billion spent on the new hepatitis C cures between 2014 to 2020 due to pent-up demand,

four Killed at german hospital, employee arrested BERLIN: Police in Germany detained a 51year-old hospital employee and opened a murder inquiry after four people were found dead and another seriously injured at a clinic near Berlin.

Police said they had arrived around 9 p.m. on Wednesday to find people with fatal injuries in several rooms of a ward at the Oberlin Clinic, a specialist orthopaedic hospital in Potsdam, capital of Brandenburg, the state that surrounds Berlin. "On the basis of the available information, all the victims' injuries were the result of serious violence by a third party," the police said in a statement. The regional Tagesspiegel newspaper said they had been attacked with a knife. It said the victims were patients, some of whom had disabilities severe enough to need respiratory support. Citing police sources, the newspaper said the suspect had told her husband on arriving home that she had killed people that day, whereupon he called the police. There was no information regarding any motive. AGENCIES

India adds another 379,000 coronavirus cases, tries to vaccinate more NEW DELHI: India set another global record in new virus cases on Thursday, as millions of people in one state cast votes despite rising infections and the country geared up to open its vaccination rollout to all adults amid snags. With 379,257 new infections, India has now reported more than 18.3 million cases, second only to the United States. The health ministry also reported 3,645 deaths in the last 24 hours, bringing the total to 204,832. Experts believe both figures are an undercount, but it’s unclear by how much. India has set a daily global record for seven of the past eight days, with a seven-day moving average of nearly 350,000 infections. Daily deaths have nearly tripled in the past three weeks, reflecting the intensity of the latest surge. AGENCIES

Aitken said in an interview.

The spending forecast for Covid-19 vaccines represents 2 per cent of the roughly $7 trillion forecasts for all prescription medicines during that time period, IQVIA said. Excluding the cost of Covid-19 vaccines, overall medicine spending is forecast to be $68 billion lower over the six years from 2020 to 2025 than it would have been without the pandemic, according to the report.

The pandemic caused major disruptions to doctor visits, procedures, and medicine use, leading to some stockpiling in the early days for some medications and then a return to a more normal trend, the report said.

"While Covid-19 vaccines will cost $157 billion over the next five years," Aitken said, "that is a very small price to pay relative to the human cost of the pandemic."

Friday, 30 April, 2021

SPORTS 11

LAHORE

SEAMErS puT pAkiSTAn in conTrol AgAinST ZiMbAbwE in firST TEST THE TEAMS ARE MEETING IN TESTS FOR THE FIRST TIME SINCE 2013 HARARE

S

AGENCIES

EAMERS Shaheen Afridi and Hasan Ali took four wickets each as Pakistan seized control of the first Test against Zimbabwe on the opening day at the Harare Sports Club on Thursday.

The pair helped the tourists dismiss their hosts for 176 in the first innings, before Pakistan reached 103 without the loss of a wicket in reply at the close to trail by 73 runs in the first game of the two-match series.

Openers Abid Ali (56 not out) and Imran Butt (43 not out) looked assured on a placid wicket and will seek to give their side a big first-innings lead when play resumes on the second day.

Zimbabwe won the toss and elected to bat, handing debuts to seamer Richard Ngarava, and middle-order batsmen Roy Kaia and Milton Shumba.

TEAMS: Zimbabwe: Prince Masvaure, Kevin Kasuza, Tarisai Musakanda, Brendan Taylor (captain), Milton Shumba, Roy Kaia, Regis Chakabva, Donald Tiripano, Tendai Chisoro, Blessing Muzarabani, Richard Ngarava.

Pakistan: Imran Butt, Abid Ali, Azhar Ali, Babar Azam (captain), Fawad Alam, Mohammad Rizwan, Faheem Ashraf, Noman Ali, Hasan Ali, Sajid Khan, Shaheen Shah Afridi.

PAKISTAN 103 FOR 0 (ABID 56 NOT OUT, BUTT 43 NOT OUT) TRAIL ZIMBABWE 176 (KAIA 48, AFRIDI 4-43, HASAN 4-53) BY 73 RUNS

Pakistan selected unorthodox off-spinner Sajid Khan for his first Test cap, though he went wicketless through the first innings.

Zimbabwe were teetering at 30 for four after an early blitz with the new ball from Shaheen (4-43) and Hasan (4-53), but a 59run stand for the fifth wicket between innings top scorer Kaia (48) and Shumba (27) steadied the home side. It was broken by a needless run out of the latter and Zimbabwe lost wickets at steady intervals thereafter.

The teams are meeting in Tests for the first time since 2013, when Zimbabwe claimed the last of their three wins in 17 previous clashes. Pakistan have 10 victories.

SL’s Karunaratne, Thirimanne make City hold edge as Bangladesh toil in second Test Mahrez winner downs PSG in Champions League semi-final PALLEKELE AGENCIES

Openers Dimuth Karunaratne and Lahiru Thirimanne posted hundreds and a double century stand as Sri Lanka reached 291-1 against Bangladesh on an ominous first day of the second Test on Thursday.

Captain Karunaratne scored 118 for his 12th Test century, then Thirimanne hammered his third century and second this year. He was 131 not out at stumps in tandem with Oshada Fernando, 40 not out. The Bangladesh bowlers had little chance against the in-form batsmen on another flat pitch, next to the block on which both sides scored more than 600 runs without being bowled out in the drawn first Test which finished on Sunday.

Karunaratne was watchful in the first hour, settling in before cutting loose once the ball got older. On 28, he was dropped at first slip and that proved to be costly. Fresh from his career-best 244 last week, the skipper played some elegant strokes forcing the bowlers to go in defensive mode. Against the spinners, there was clever use of the feet, rotating the strike, and putting the bad balls away.

For some reason, Bangladesh held back its most experienced bowler, Taijul Islam, until after lunch. The left-arm spinner was introduced only in the 38th over but by then both batsmen were well set. Together with

offspinner Mehidy Hasan, Taijul shared the bulk of the bowling. The duo sent down 41 overs.

While the captain was free-flowing, Thirimanne was more sedate.

In and out of the side since he made his Test debut in Southampton 10 years ago, Thirimanne is having a brilliant 2021 after some technical adjustments to his game and cutting down some risky strokes. The discipline has paid rich dividends in the last two series and, at 131 not out, he’s on second highest score.

The batsmen had to commit a mistake to get out, rather than be bowled, and Karunaratne threw away his wicket flashing at a delivery and attempting to send it square on the offside. The ball was too close to his body and he was caught behind after facing 190 deliveries and hitting 15 boundaries. He became 19-year-old medium-pacer Shoriful Islam’s maiden Test wicket.

In the last over before stumps, it looked as if Shoriful had a second as Thirimanne

PARIS AGENCIES

was given out leg before wicket. However, the decision was overturned after the batsman reviewed.

Fernando, after a disappointing first Test, was looking good unbeaten on 40. He and Thirimanne extended their partnership to 82 runs. Its hoped the pitch may yet turn. If so, the teams have enough spin options. To back up debutant Praveen Jayawickrama, the Sri Lankans have other spin options in Ramesh Mendis and Dhananjaya de Silva.

England cricket, Premiership Rugby join football’s social media boycott over racial abuse LONDON AGENCIES

English cricket bosses and Premiership rugby chiefs announced on Wednesday they would join football’s boycott of social media in a show of solidarity against racism and discrimination.

A coalition of football organisations including the English Football Association and Premier League revealed they would go silent on their channels from 1400 GMT on Friday until 2259 GMT on Monday.

A number of high-profile footballers have been racially abused online in recent months, prompting calls for tougher action from social media giants.

Broadcasters BT Sport and Talksport have announced they will be taking part in

the protest along with Adidas, which manufactures more than a third of Premier League kits. The England and Wales Cricket Board will be joined by all 18 first-class counties and the MCC in boycotting the platforms.

“As a sport, we are united in our commitment to fight racism and we will not tolerate the kind of discriminatory abuse that has become so prevalent on social media platforms,” said ECB chief executive Tom Harrison.

“Social media can play a very positive role in sport, widening its audience and connecting fans with their heroes in a way that was never possible before. However, players and supporters alike must be able to use these platforms safe in the knowledge they do not risk the prospect of facing appalling abuse.”

It was announced later Wednesday that all 12 of England’s top-flight rugby union clubs

would be joining the boycott as part of its support for BT’s new campaign to tackle online hate, called Draw The Line.

“This is the first stage of a multi-million pound BT campaign to step up and stand against hate speech and abuse on social media,” Premiership Rugby said on its website. “Additionally, Premiership Rugby and all our clubs will unite with other sports including football for a social media boycott...This boycott is supported by the Rugby Players’ Association.” The weekend’s boycott, also being implemented by the Lawn Tennis Association, follows social media blackouts by Swansea, Birmingham and Rangers football clubs in recent weeks. German Bundesliga club Hoffenheim said on Monday they would also be joining the boycott.

CMYK

Manchester City are in pole position to reach the Champions League final after coming from behind to beat Paris SaintGermain 2-1 away in the first leg of their blockbuster semi-final on Wednesday, with Riyad Mahrez curling in the winner from a free-kick.

Marquinhos had powered in a header to give PSG an early lead and the deserved advantage at half-time at the Parc des Princes. However, City skipper Kevin De Bruyne’s cross dropped in to pull City level just after the hour and Mahrez beat Keylor Navas from a 71st-minute freekick to complete the turnaround, giving Pep Guardiola’s side the advantage going into next Tuesday’s return in Manchester.

“The last 10 minutes of the first half was good and the second half was excellent in every department. We scored two goals away which is so important, but we have a hard job to do in six days,” Guardiola told BT Sport.

“In general, so satisfied for the performance but it is halfway. We still have 90 more minutes to beat them and PSG is a team where anything can happen.”

After starting so well, PSG lost their way after half-time and had Idrissa Gana Gueye sent off in the 77th minute as a shocking tackle on Ilkay Gundogan earned the midfielder a straight red card.

Having already failed to win at home to Manchester United, Barcelona and Bayern in this season’s Champions League, the Parisians face an uphill struggle in England if they are to reach the final for the second year running.

It is, then, first blood to Emiratibacked City against Qatar-owned PSG in a tie that is also a battle of competing Gulf nations. “We conceded two stupid goals,” Marquinhos admitted to broadcaster RMC Sport. Of the return leg, he added: “There is no point in us going there if we don’t believe we can turn it around.”

After all the money pumped in by their owners from Abu Dhai, City are eyeing a first ever Champions League final, and this was their first appearance in the semi-finals since 2016, when they de-

feated PSG in the last eight.

However, PSG can still be optimistic about their prospects after sensational away performances against Barcelona and Bayern in the last two rounds.

PSG coach Mauricio Pochettino is hoping to once again get the better of Guardiola, just as he did when his Tottenham Hotspur side beat City in the quarterfinals in 2019.

Game OF twO HaLVes: The first leg started well for the French club, with Neymar in the mood and Angel Di Maria and Gueye especially impressive. They went ahead in the 15th minute as Marquinhos headed in Di Maria’s right-wing corner at the near post.

The PSG captain was making his first appearance since coming off in the first leg of their quarter-final defeat of Bayern, a game in which he also scored.

Indeed the Brazilian defender has now scored in both the quarter-finals and semifinals of the Champions League in backto-back seasons.

It was not until the 42nd minute that the visitors really had a chance, Bernardo Silva teeing up Phil Foden for the shot that Navas saved. PSG could have doubled their lead early in the second half, but Marco Verratti was unable to connect with Mbappe’s low ball across goal.

By then the pendulum was swinging towards City, as De Bruyne sent a powerful overhead kick just over the bar.

The equaliser arrived in the 64th minute when De Bruyne, in line with the left edge of the box, bent in a cross which missed everyone including Navas, and nestled in the far corner.

The visitors had the momentum and won a free-kick 25 metres out with 20 minutes left when Gueye fouled Foden.

Mahrez, born and brought up in the Paris suburbs, sent a low strike from 25 metres through the wall and beyond Navas. Things got worse for the home side as Gueye was dismissed by German referee Felix Brych for a nasty challenge that caught Gundogan on the Achilles, and City saw out the game against the 10 men. A first Champions League final is in sight for Guardiola’s side, who could also seal the Premier League title this weekend.

Friday, 30 April, 2021

prAyer timings

NEWS

AmbASSADor, SIx offIcerS recAlleD After comPlAIntS, InquIry orDereD ISLAMABAD

P

BILAL AKBAR PRESENTS CREDENTIALS TO SAUDI AUTHORITIES AS NEW AMBASSADOR

stAff report

AKISTAN’s ambassador to Saudi Arabia has returned to the country while orders have been issued to six other officers of the embassy in Riyadh to return over complaints by the Pakistani community in the kingdom, the Foreign Office said in a statement on Thursday.

Earlier, Prime Minister Imran Khan on Thursday ordered a “full-scale” inquiry against the ambassador in Riyadh, Raja Ali Ejaz, for “failing” to adequately take care of the Pakistani workforce in Saudi Arabia.

“I say this with sorrow that our embassy, the way they should appreciate these hardworking people, who put their sweat and blood into their work, and I know that these poor people sometimes work 12 hours a day, do extra shifts, save money to send to their families,”

the prime minister said in his address at the launch of Roshan Digital incentives for expatriates.

“I found out that in Saudi Arabia, our embassy, did not give them the service, the way they should have taken care of our labor in Saudi, they did not do that.

On my directive, a high-powered investigation is underway to probe the ambassador and staff on the complaints of mistreatment meted out to Pakistan nationals.”

The prime minister expressed strong displeasure over the reports of the embassy staffers minting money from workers. The maximum staff at the embassy has been recalled, he announced.

He also warned of strict action against those held responsible for negligence. “It

is the duty of [our] foreign missions to extend best possible services to Pakistan nationals, particularly to labourers and workers,” he said.

Imran in particular acknowledged the services of working Pakistan nationals living abroad in “tough conditions and sending their hard-earned money” to their families back home.

“These workers deserve our utmost respect and the government will not spare anyone behaving with them wrongly,” he said.

BILAL AKBAR APPOINTED NEW ENVOY: Pakistan’s new Ambassador to Saudi Arabia Lt Gen (r) Bilal Akbar presented his credentials to Saudi authorities on Thursday.

“H.E. Lt. General (R) Bilal Akbar,

Ambassador of Pakistan presented today a copy of his credentials to H.E. Mr. Mashari bin Ali bin Naheet, Chief of Protocol in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, KSA,” the Pakistani embassy in Riyadh said in a statement.

Akbar, who retired from the military last month, replaced Raja Ali Ejaz, a career diplomat, who was serving in Riyadh from January 2019. He arrived in Riyadh on Sunday to assume new responsibilities.

Prior to his appointment, the new ambassador had served at the General Headquarters in Rawalpindi as chief of general staff, which is considered one of the key positions in the army.

Akbar’s new role comes in the wake of an inquiry into the previous ambassador and other Riyadh mission officials over what Prime Minister Imran Khan said on Thursday was their failure to adequately take care of Pakistani workers based in Saudi Arabia. There are over two million Pakistanis living in Saudi Arabia.

Indians turn to unproven drugs as coronavirus surges Ashish Poddar kept an ice pack on hand as he waited outside a New Delhi hospital for a black market dealer to deliver two drugs for his father, who was gasping for breath inside with Covid-19.

But the drugs never arrived, the ice that was intended to keep the medicines cool melted and his father died hours later.

As India faces a devastating surge of new coronavirus infections overwhelming its healthcare system, people are taking desperate measures to try to keep their loved ones alive. In some cases they are turning to unproven medical treatments, in others to the black market for life-saving medications that are in short supply.

Poddar had been told by the private hospital treating his father, Raj Kumar Poddar, that remdesivir, an antiviral, and tocilizumab, a drug that blunts human immune responses, were needed to keep the 68-year-old man alive.

Like most hospitals and pharmacies in the Indian capital, stocks had run out. Desperate, Poddar turned to a dealer who promised the medicines after taking an advance of almost $1,000.

“It’s nearby” and “coming” read some of the texts that Ashish received as he waited.

“I wish he had at least told me that he isn’t going to come. I could have searched elsewhere,” the grieving son said.

India set another global record in new virus cases on Thursday with more than 379,000 new infections, putting even more pressure on the country’s overwhelmed hospitals. The country of nearly 1.4 billion people has now recorded over 18 million cases, behind only the US, and over 200,000 deaths — though the true number is believed to be higher.

Death is so omnipresent that burial grounds are running out of space in many cities and glowing funeral pyres blaze through the night.

The few medicines known to help treat Covid-19, such as remdesivir and steroids in hospitalised patients, are scarce. The most basic treatment — oxygen therapy — is also in short supply, leading to unnecessary deaths.

Even hospital beds are scarce. There were just 14 free intensive care beds available in New Delhi, a city of 29m people, on Thursday morning.

India’s latest treatment guidelines mirror those of the World Health Organisation (WHO) and the United States with a key exception: India allows mildly ill patients to be given hydroxychloroquine or ivermectin, drugs used for certain tropical diseases.

There is little evidence they work against Covid-19, and the WHO strongly recommends against hydroxychloroquine’s use for Covid-19 of any severity and against using ivermectin except in studies.

While India is a leading producer of medicine globally, its regulation of drugs was poor even before the pandemic. And mounting despair is driving people to try anything.

Dr Amar Jesani, a medical ethics expert, said many prescription drugs can be bought over the counter, including emergency drugs greenlit by Indian authorities for Covid-19.

“Hospitals and doctors are so used to having a ‘magic bullet’ that will cure you,” he said, explaining the use of unproven drugs as Covid-19 cases skyrocket.

When Suman Shrivastava, 57, was infected with the virus, her doctor in Kanpur city in Uttar Pradesh, India’s largest state, prescribed ivermectin. When her symptoms

worsened, her doctor then asked her to take favipiravir, an antiviral, though it is unproven against Covid-19.

Her nephew, Rajat Shrivastava, said that the drug was hard to find but he eventually located it in a pharmacy which was rationing its supplies by giving a single strip daily to each patient. He eventually bought extra doses from an online volunteer on Twitter and now his aunt is doing well.

Dr Anant Bhan, who researches public health and ethics in the city of Bhopal, warns there are risks in the do-it-yourself approach. Bhan said antivirals and steroids should be taken in a hospital setting due to the risk of side effects. And drugs that are life-saving at one point could be harmful at another, depending on timing and how severe the symptoms are.

“It’s scary because these aren’t vitamin pills,” he said.

Black market prices for remdesivir, which is produced by several Indian companies, have increased up to 20-fold to about $1,000 for a single vial, said Siddhant Sarang, a volunteer with Yuva Halla Bol, a youth activist group which is helping patients find medicines and hospital beds.

In September, federal data showed that Indian drug makers had made over 2.4m vials of the drug. But when cases dipped in September, companies destroyed much of their expired stock and production declined.

India was then slow to respond to the uptick of infections in February, and production was only scaled up in March. Earlier this week, Merck announced a deal with five makers of generic drugs in India to produce molnupiravir, an experimental antiviral similar to remdesivir, which is given by IV, but in a more convenient pill form.

It’s unclear when that might become available. Agencies

FAJR SUNRISE

ZUHR

ASR MAGHRIB ISHA

3:54

12:00

4:44

5:21

6:39

8:07

Imran welcomes Saudi peace overtures to Iran ISLAMABAD stAff report

Days after the Saudi crown prince struck a conciliatory tone towards Iran and sought “good” relations with the kingdom’s archnemesis, Prime Minister Imran Khan on Wednesday welcomed Riyadh’s “initiative” for peace and said it would strengthen the Muslim world. Prince Mohammed bin Salman, while reiterating that Riyadh has a problem with Tehran’s “negative behaviour”, said in an interview aired late on Tuesday that Saudi Arabia wanted a good relationship with Iran. “We do not want for Iran to be in a difficult situation, on the contrary, we want Iran to prosper and grow. We have interests in Iran and they have interests in the Kingdom to propel the region and the world to growth and prosperity,” he said. “We welcome the KSA [Kingdom of Saudi Arabia] initiative for peace with Iran,” the prime minister said in a tweet posted late on Wednesday. “Iran is our neighbor and KSA our closest friend. This peace initiative will strengthen the Muslim Ummah.” Imran’s tweet follows reports of oilrich Middle Eastern rivals holding secret talks in Baghdad in recent weeks. The official-level meetings, AFP reported, aim to restore relations severed five years ago between the Kingdom and Iran. The two countries cut ties in 2016 after Iranian protesters attacked Saudi diplomatic missions following the kingdom’s execution of a revered Shi’ite scholar, Sheikh Nimr Baqir al-Nimr. Pakistan has strong relations with Saudi Arabia, with more than 2.5 million of its nationals living and working in the Kingdom.

Signs condemning Israel occupation of Palestine pop up ahead of Jerusalem Day KARACHI: Banners displaying slogans condemning the Israeli occupation and in solidarity with Palestinians are appearing across the country on Thursday ahead of Jerusalem Day. Jerusalem Day is an Israeli national holiday commemorating the reunification of Jerusalem and the establishment of Tel Aviv’s occupation over the Old City following the 1967 Arab-Israel war.

Banners reading “Israel’s existence is like a dagger in the heart of Islamic world” have been placed by the Palestine Foundation Pakistan (PFP), a conglomerate of several mainstream religious and political parties, along roads, buildings, and bridges in Islamabad, Karachi, Lahore, Peshawar, and Quetta. The move is part of annual Jerusalem Day activities that are observed on the last Friday of the holy month of Ramadan in several countries to denounce Israel’s 1968 occupation of Jerusalem. This year it will fall on May 7. Political and religious parties, particularly Shi’ite groups have arranged rallies, seminars, and conferences to mark the day. PFP General Secretary Sabir Abu Mariyam told Anadolu Agency that coronavirus safety protocols will strictly be followed during demonstrations and rallies. AnAdolu Agency

Young women, grown up without Taliban, dread their return KABUL Agencies

Inside Sadat’s Beauty Salon in Afghanistan’s capital, Sultana Karimi leans intently over a customer, meticulously shaping her eyebrows.

Make-up and hairstyling is the 24-year-old’s passion, and she discovered it, along with a newfound confidence, here in the salon.

She and the other young women working or apprenticing in the salon never experienced the rule of the Taliban over Afghanistan.

But they all worry that their dreams will come to an end if the hard-line militants regain any power, even if peacefully as part of a new government.

“With the return of the Taliban, society will be transformed and ruined,” Karimi said. “Women will be sent into hiding, they’ll be forced to wear the burqa to go out of their homes.”

She wore a bright yellow blouse that draped off her shoulders as she worked, a style that’s a bit daring even in the all-women space of the salon. It would have been totally out of the question under the Taliban, who

ruled until the 2001 US-led invasion.

In fact, the Taliban banned beauty salons in general, part of a notoriously harsh ideology that often hit women and girls the hardest, including forbidding them education and the right to work or even to travel outside their home unaccompanied by a male relative.

With US troops committed to leaving Afghanistan completely by September 11, women are closely watching the stalemated peace negotiations between the Taliban and the Afghan government over the post-withdrawal future, said Mahbouba Seraj, a women’s rights activist.

The US is pressing for a power-sharing government that includes the Taliban. Seraj said women want written guarantees from the Taliban that they won’t reverse the gains made by women in the past 20 years, and they want the international community to hold the insurgent movement to its commitments.

“I am not frustrated that the Americans are leaving […] the time was coming that the Americans would go home,” said Seraj, the executive director of Afghan Women’s Skill Development.

But she had a message for the US and

NATO: “We keep yelling and screaming and saying, for God’s sake, at least do something with the Taliban, take some kind of assurance from them […] a mechanism to be put in place” that guarantees women’s rights.

Last week the Taliban in a statement outlined the type of government they seek.

It promised that women “can serve their society in the education, business, health and social fields while maintaining correct Islamic hijab”. It promised girls would have the right to choose their own husbands, considered deeply unacceptable in many traditional and tribal homes in Afghanistan, where husbands are chosen by their parents.

But the statement offered few details, nor did it guarantee women could participate in politics or have the freedom to move unaccompanied by a male relative.

Many worry that the vague terms the Taliban use in their promises, like “correct hijab” or guaranteeing rights “provided under Islamic law” give them a wide margin to impose hard-line interpretations.

At the beauty salon, the owner Sadat told how she was born in Iran to refugee parents.

She was forbidden to own a business there,

so she returned to a homeland she’d never seen to start her salon 10 years ago.

She asked not to be identified by her full name, fearing that attention could make her a target. She has become more cautious as violence and random bombings have increased in Kabul the past year — an augur of chaos when the Americans fully leave, many fear.

She used to drive her own car. Not anymore.

The women building a future working or apprenticing in the salon all dreaded a restored Taliban — “Just the name of the Taliban horrifies us,” said one.

They’re left gaming out how much compromise of their rights they can endure. Tamila Pazhman said she doesn’t want “the old Afghanistan back,” but she does want peace.

“If we know we will have peace, we will wear the hijab while we work and study,” she said. “But there must be peace.”

In their early 20s, they all grew up amid the incremental, but important gains made by women since the Taliban’s ouster. Girls are now in school, and women are in Parliament, government and business.

They also know how reversible those gains are in an overwhelmingly male-domi-

nated, deeply conservative society.

“Women in Afghanistan who raise their voices have been oppressed and ignored,” Karimi said. “The majority of Afghan women will be silent. They know they will ever receive any support.”

Afghanistan remains one of the worst countries in the world for women, after only Yemen and Syria, according to an index kept

by Georgetown University’s Institute for Women, Peace, and Security.

In most rural areas, life has changed little in centuries. Women wake at dawn, do much of the heavy labor in the home and in the fields. They wear the traditional coverings that conceal them from head to toe. One in three girls is married before 18, most often in forced marriages, according to UN estimates.

Religious conservatives who dominate Parliament have prevented the passage of a Protection of Women bill.

Afghanistan’s broader statistics are also grim, with 54% of its 36 million people living below the poverty level of $1.90 a day.

Runaway government corruption has swallowed up hundreds of millions of dollars, rights workers and watchdogs say.

Published by Arif Nizami at Qandeel Printing Press, 4 Queens Road, Lahore, for PT Print (Pvt) Limited. Ph: 042-36300938, 042-36375965. Email: newsroom@pakistantoday.com.pk