Epaper – August 17 ISB 2020

Monday, 17 August, 2020 I 26 Dhul-Hijjah, 1441 I Rs 25.00 I Vol XI No 48 I 52 Pages I Islamabad Edition

tri-Party meeting held to resolve karaChi’s issues g

SIndh mInISTer SayS nO cOmmITTee On karachI ISSueS FOrmed

KARACHI tLtp

a

meeting of three major political stakeholders of karachi – Pakistan People’s Party (PPP), Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) and muttahida Qaumi movement-Pakistan (mQm-P) – took place, wherein issues plaguing the port city were discussed.

Sindh chief minister murad ali Shah, local government and Information minister nasir hussain Shah, education minister Saeed ghani, and karachi mayor wasim akhtar attended the meeting. governor Sindh Imran Ismail, Planning and development minister asad umar, maritime affairs minister ali Zaidi, and national disaster management authority’s (ndma) chairman lt gen muhammad afzal were also in attendance.

Issues of potable water shortage, rickety sewerage system, and public transport

came under discussion. The participants discussed working out a joint strategy to clean karachi’s stormwater drains, develop civic infrastructure and remove encroachments.

The leaders of the three main political parties having stakes in karachi also deliberated on uplift schemes. They lauded the national disaster management authority’s (ndma) role in cleaning main nullahs of the city.

The participants expressed concern over the city’s abysmal situation and agreed to work together for karachi’s restoration to its former glory, economic progress, and resolution of all its problems.

The PPP, PTI and mQm-P leaders reached an agreement to push ahead with the megacity’s development by ironing out a joint strategy. Throughout the meeting, they put forth their proposals for karachi’s development. They also talked about empowering local governments in

Coronavirus in

Pakistan

CONFIRMED CASES:

288,717

LAST UPDATED AT 10:13 AM ON AUGUST 16, 2020 DAY'S DEATH TOLL: NEW CASES:

6

670

RECOVERED:

DEATHS:

266,301 6,168 SINDH:

125,904

PUNJAB:

95,391

KP:

BALOCHISTAN:

AJK/GB:

ISLAMABAD:

35,153

12,224

2,181/2,486 15,378

the province.

It was decided in the meetings to form an advisory committee and a liaison committee to solve the metropolis’ problems. mQm-P’s aamir khan in a tweet said that karachi’s problems cannot be solved without giving full authority to its locals.

“The problem of karachi cannot be solved until the local people have full authority. This will only be possible when new provinces are established across the country including karachi,” he said.

Sindh government spokesperson murtaza wahab confirmed that PPP, PTI, and mQm-P leaders had formed a consultative committee to resolve karachi’s issues during yesterday’s meeting in the port city.

In a statement, he said two rounds of talks between the centre and the Sindh government have taken place. The committee comprises three representatives each from the federal and provincial governments, he added. wahab said that issues facing the metropolis would only be resolved when all parties work together, adding that the Sindh government has always been ready to work together with other parties for the development of the province. he said that this committee will help accelerate construction work on uplift schemes and ensure their completion on time besides removing hurdles in the execution of development schemes in the province.

On the other hand, the Sindh government denied the formation of any committee comprising representatives of centre and provincial government to resolve karachi issues.

In a statement, nasir said that they are working together with the federal institutions for resolving karachi issues. however, he denied any sort of alliance between PPP, PTI and mQm-P. “we discussed issues of karachi during a meeting with federal minister asad umar,” he said and rejected the formation of any core committee to carry out development works in karachi.

Pakistan reports lowest death toll from Covid-19 since April g

SIx PeOPle PaSS away due TO cOrOnavIruS-relaTed cOmPlIcaTIOnS whIle 670 new caSeS emerge acrOSS PakISTan ISLAMABAD staff report

a total of 670 more people tested positive for the novel coronavirus disease during the past 24 hours across the country, taking the number of confirmed cases to 288,717 while six people passed away due to coronavirus-related complications. according to the national command and Operation centre (ncOc), the death toll from the disease in the country has increased to 6,168. The number of active coronavirus cases has dropped to 16,248 as 266,301 patients have recovered so far. as many as 24,022 more samples were tested over the previous 24 hours, taking the total number of tests conducted across the country so far to more than 2.2 million. a total of 1,308 covid-19 patients are under treatment in various hospitals across the country, and 141 of whom are struggling for their lives on ventilators.

Out of total reported cases, 125,904 cases have been detected in Sindh, 95,391 in Punjab, 35,153 in khyber Pakhtunkhwa (kP), 12,224 in Balochistan, 15,378 in Islamabad, 2,181 in azad Jammu and kashmir (aJk) and 2,486 in gilgit-Baltistan (gB).

It is to be mentioned here that there was no death reported from covid-19 in Punjab on Friday, giving credence to the views of some health experts who believe the coronavirus is no more lethal and that the pandemic is going to be over in the region.

Since the first death from the

JUI-F launches campaign to form new alliance against PTI ISLAMABAD Mian abrar

disillusioned and disenchanted with the leadership of two major opposition parties – Pakistan muslim league-nawaz (Pml-n) and Pakistan People’s Party (PPP), and Jamiat ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JuI-F) has launched a campaign to form a new alliance of smaller opposition parties against the federal government led by Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI).

JuI-F chief maulana Fazlur rehman has launched a campaign to help woo the support of smaller opposition parties by forming an alliance which would work as pressure group against the PPP and the Pml-n. In this regard, the JuI-F chief is in Peshawar where he has held several meetings with the leaders of the awami national Party (anP). reliable sources informed Pakistan Today that the maulana has been contacting the leadership of smaller opposition parties to help form an alliance to build pressure on the leadership of both the PPP and Pml-n to convince them launch an antigovernment campaign. “he believes that if Imran khan is allowed to complete his five-year term, it would be diffi-

cult to defeat him in the next general election. he believes the recent successes at economic and international front including kashmir policy may help Pm Imran get another term. hence, he wants to launch an anti-government drive to help topple the PTI government,” said a source privy to the details of the meeting held between the maulana and awami national Party (anP) leader Iftikhar hussain.

The source said that the maulana Fazl was frustrated with the fact that despite repeated requests, the PPP and Pml-n leaders were not agreeing to the agenda of the all Parties conference (aPc) of the opposition parties.

The source said that both

the PPP and the Pml-n leaders were not supporting the idea of another long march against the PTI government as both thought that the PTI government should be allowed to complete its fiveyear term.

“Both the PPP and Pml-n leaders believe that giving five years to Imran khan’s party would help eliminate the PTI but maulana Fazl thinks otherwise.

So, he is meeting with various parties to help build pressure on the two major opposition parties,” the source added.

DIFFERENCES BETWEEN PPP, PMLN ON APC AGENDA: a source in the Pml-n told this scribe that differences between the leaders of the Pml-n and the PPP on agenda of the aPc were a major cause of the delay in the aPc. “while the JuI-F and its smaller allies want the agenda of the aPc should be to oust the PTI government, the PPP seeks an in-house change. For this the PPP wants anyone else from the PTI to take-over as prime minister. moreover, the PPP may change its stance again as the PTI and PPP leadership only yesterday struck a new agreement to develop karachi jointly.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 05

covid-19 was reported back in mid-march, it was the second time during the pandemic that no patient succumbed to the disease in a single day in Punjab. earlier, Punjab had marked no covid-19 death on July 28, prompting many health experts to think that the virus has lost its “deadly kick”.

On Saturday, the Primary and Secondary healthcare department (P&Shd) of Punjab informed the district administration and police officials about the possibility of a second wave of covid-19 in the province, given the non-serious and irresponsible attitude of the people. according to the letter written

by P&Shd to regional Police Officers and divisional commissioners, “It has been observed that SOPs [standard operation procedures] in markets and shopping malls/plazas are not being followed while implementation activities have also slowed down. even though covid19 cases are on the decline, the public health threat still exists and disease may spread if adequate precautions are not taken.”

It further said, “It is requested that compliance of SOPs and face-covering usage to prevent covid-19 spread may be ensured in true letter and spirit to avoid the second wave of covid-19.”

It is pertinent to mention that the Punjab government had relaxed the lockdown right after the eidul azha holidays, gradually allowing markets, businesses and offices to restart their operation. The government had also issued instructions for businesses, asking them to comply with coronavirus SOPs.

more inside

NAB seeks security as Zardari set to appear before court STORY ON PAGE 03

PPP calls out PTI, FO for differences on foreign policy STORY ON PAGE 02

India restores 4G internet services in parts of Kashmir STORY ON BACK PAGE in today’s issue

attention Some readers have complained that they are not getting the magazine with their newspaper copy. Please call or WhatsApp us at the following number to register a complaint.

Contact: 0307-7338168 irfan.farooq@pakistantoday.com.pk

02

Monday, 17 August, 2020

NEWS

PPP CAlls ouT PTI, Fo FoR DIFFERENCEs oN FoREIGN PolICy ISLAMABAD

P

MIAN ABRAR

AKISTAN People's Party (PPP) leaders have raised questions over the outburst of Federal Minister for Human Rights Dr Shireen Mazari over the 'failed policies' of the Foreign Office (FO).

The statements came in wake of criticism by Dr Mazari of FO for its failure to pursue a strong policy on Kashmir. It added to the criticism faced by Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi for his strong statement against Saudi Arabia over its alleged opposition to an extraordinary session of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) over Indian occupation of Jammu & Kashmir.

In separate statements by two senior PPP leaders, Senator Sherry Rehman and

former chairman of the Senate and PPP Secretary General Syed Nayyar Bukhari, they called out the differences between the FO and members of the federal cabinet.

Senator Sherry said that Dr Mazari's criticism is a question mark over the government's ability to make policy.

"What the opposition was pointing out is now being endorsed by the government ministers themselves. Disagreements within the government point to policy failures. There is clearly confusion in the ranks of the FO and the cabinet," she said.

She said that it is a matter of concern for a minister to question the policy of her own government. "The battle in the ranks of the PTI is having an impact on our policy and strategic strength. There is no coordination within the government cabinet," she argued.

VRG awaits PTA approval to launch commercial services in Pakistan NEWS DESK VRG, a mobile financial services platform, said on Sunday that it is awaiting approval from PTA to launch commercial operations in Pakistan. “VRG appreciates PTA’s support in helping VRG launch AMA Scheme and VRG understands the fact that PTA is yet to issue it the final Commencement Certificate,” read a press release issued by VRG. The press release further said that VRG is helping the poor and unbanked masses in Pakistan and supporting the Government of Pakistan’s and Prime Minister Imran Khan’s mission of financial inclusion of the poor people of Pakistan.

“VRG has always been cooperating with PTA and will continue to cooperate and work together with PTA to succeed in this mission,” read the press release. “VRG is ready and prepared to launch commercial services in Pakistan as soon as PTA issues it the Commencement Certificate.” VRG said that as per PTA’s directive of issued on June 8, 2020 it has signed commercial agreements with SCO and JAZZ and is close to signing similar agreements with ZONG, Telenor and Ufone. These commercial agreements are in addition to VRG’s agreements with commercial banks including Bank Alfalah Limited, Telenor Microfinance Bank, Mobilink Microfinance Bank, U Microfinance Bank, Finca Microfinance Bank, Habib Bank Limited, United Bank Limited, Meezan Bank Limited, Askari Bank Limited, MCB Bank Limited, JS Bank Limited, First MF Bank Limited and Allied Bank Limited. Earlier, VRG received a TPSP license from PTA on January 16, 2018 and PSO/PSP License from the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) on April 17, 2017. VRG applied for SBP commencement certificate on March 3, 2020 and received SBP Final Authorization Commencement Certificate on April 9, 2020 after SBP’s stress testing. “PTA conducted its inspection for Commencement Certificate from January 1, 2020 to January 8, 2020 and compiled its report on January 10 2020. On this basis we were expecting PTA to either issue a Commencement Certificate to VRG or ask for yet another inspection. Since then VRG has been repeatedly requesting PTA for issuance of the Commencement Certificate, requesting PTA for a meeting and the latest formal communication in this regard was sent to PTA on August 4, 2020, and the last request for meeting with DG licensing was made on August 10, 2020,” read the press release. “PTA did not give VRG any formal reply for any additional requirements and did not issue VRG a Commencement Certificate till date.” “As far as VRG’s advertisement on August 14, 2020 is concerned, it was issued to create awareness among the masses on the occasion of the Independence Day. As this day will not come until the next year, VRG thought, in all good faith, that it is appropriate to take people of Pakistan on board on VRG’s preparedness and readiness to launch the commercial services soon.” The press release further read that in its advertisement VRG has not in any manner mentioned that it has launched commercial services without PTA’s Commencement Certificate. “Meanwhile, PTA issued its own press release and advised the public at large and our business partners to stop using AMA Scheme without even allowing VRG an opportunity of being heard or waiting for VRG’s feedback and reply to PTA’s own given deadline of three and half hours. This is not only illegal and contrary to the provisions of Pakistan Telecommunication (Re-organisation) Act, 1996 and Article 10-A of the Constitution of Pakistan but against all just and fair norms of the society. PTA punished VRG without giving VRG an opportunity of being heard or defending its position. VRG reserves its right to challenge this hasty and uncalled for action of PTA, which was without application of its judicious mind and contrary to law and justice,” read the press release.

She also said the statements of the federal ministers are clear proof of the failure of the government.

On the other hand, Bukhari said that Pakistan relation's with brotherly countries turned cold due to statements of FM Qureshi. He also demanded summoning of

a session of the Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and explain the situation to the parliamentarians. However, Bukhari did not specify if he wanted a session of the Standing Committee of the National Assembly (NA) or the Senate.

Arguing that separate narratives of FO and Prime Minister Imran Khan is proof of the government’s “incompetence”, Bukhari said that his party was firm on opposition and condemnation of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to make Kashmir part of India under its racist ideology.

Bukhari said that the PPP has been vocal and demanded in and outside the parliament to take strong position on Kashmir.

The PPP secretary general claimed that ministers’ statements are tantamount to sabotaging national unity on the Kashmir issue.

Overseas Pakistanis to get digital banking facility: Bukhari SAPM SAYS GOVT TO DELIVER EOBI PENSIONS AT DOORSTEPS FROM SEPT 1 ISLAMABAD TLTP

Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Overseas Pakistanis and Human Resource Development, Syed Zulfiqar Bukhari announced on Sunday that the government has decided to provide a digital banking facility to overseas Pakistanis.

"Overseas Pakistanis will be able to make direct payments and investments in the country," Bukhari said, adding that the initiative will be a great investment opportunity for the Pakistani community living abroad.

Bukhari said that digital banking had been a longstanding demand of the Pakistani diaspora and noted that the overseas Pakistani community wants to become important stakeholders in the national development of the country.

They would be able to avail from all banking facilities including funds transfer, bill payment and e-commerce banking services. Besides this, the overseas Pakistanis could also avail investment opportunities using the bank accounts. They could invest

in the stock exchange and avail from banks’ fixed account policies other than using the accounts for investment in housing projects launched by Prime Minister Imran Khan. They would also be allowed to open their accounts in foreign or local currency.

The consultation with the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) and other commercial banks on the matter has been finalised and soon the project would be launched.

He said that the plan has been designed according to the vision of Prime Minister Imran Khan.

In another initiative to facilitate overseas Pakistanis, the federal government in June had decided to provide employment to the overseas Pakistanis rendered unemployed and have prepared a special portal to facilitate unemployed returning nationals.

Bukhari had shared the registration link on Twitter while explaining that through the platform, returning Pakistanis would be able to apply for re-employment abroad, certified training, and also register for financial assistance from the government.

It is pertinent to note that due to the coronavirus pandemic thousands of Pakistanis working abroad have returned home unemployed.

Registration has already begun on the website of Overseas Employment Corporation for the dismissed overseas Pakistanis.

EOBI PENSIONS: Separately, while addressing the inaugural ceremony of the field office of the Employees Old-Age Benefits Institution (EOBI) in Pind Dadan Khan, Bukhari announced that pensions will be delivered to the elderly at their doorsteps from September 1.

Federal Minister for Science and Technology Chaudhry Fawad Hussain was also present on the occasion.

While addressing the ceremony, Bukhari said that the Ministry of Overseas Pakistanis has been working to digitise EOBI in order to eliminate corruption. “Rs30 billion have been collected for the EOBI during the last three months,” said the PM’s aide.

Earlier in July, the government had announced that the cardholders of EOBI will get basic commodities on discounted rates from the state-owned Utility Stores under an agreement.

An agreement had been signed between Utility Stores Corporation (USC) and EOBI for providing basic commodities at discounted rates to the registered people.

99 people illegally travelling to Iran arrested KHARAN INP

A total of 99 people, including women and children, illegally travelling to Iran were arrested in Quetta’s Kharan district on Sunday, according to the police.

They were caught at the Frontier Corps (FC) check post in the district which is located near the Pak-Iran bor-

der. The officers found the people stuffed inside a truck.

Kharan Deputy Commissioner Salam Achakzai said that these people hailed from Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP). “They paid huge amounts of money in return for being illegally transported to Iran, Europe and Turkey,” he said. In the last one week, 287 people have been arrested while they were trying to illegally leave the country from Kharan.

PM saved Rs2,344bn of nation in two years: Faraz ISLAMABAD STAFF REPORT

Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting, Senator Shibli Faraz has said that Prime Minister Imran Khan has so far saved Rs2,344 billion of the poor people through his strategy and efforts in two years. In a tweet on Sunday, the information minister said that the amount is more than the three-year developmental budget of Pakistan. He said the amount includes Rs1,100 billion of Reko Diq, Rs240 billion of Karkay, over Rs400 billion Gas Infrastructure Development Cess (GIDC), and Rs604 billion of IPP. A day earlier, Shibli Faraz announced that the federal government has reached an agreement with the independent power producers (IPPs). He said that they could not unilaterally nullify the agreement with the IPPs, therefore the task force formed by the prime minister reviewed the power agreement. It was due to the past agreements that the masses were forced to pay hefty bills, the information minister said and added that it has affected local consumers and exports in the country.

No slowdown in activities under CPEC, says Razak Dawood ISLAMABAD TLTP

Adviser to the Prime Minister for Commerce, Textile, Industry, Production and Investment Abdul Razaq Dawood on Sunday denied rumors regarding slowdown in activities under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). Abdul Razaq Dawood in a series of tweets on Sunday said that for the past three days, some statements attributed to him with reference to an informal interview have been deliberately shared on certain sections of the media. “I categorically deny the perception about slowdown in activities. Anything else is either out of context or falsely assumed,” he said. “There was a discussion on the [first] and [second] phases of CPEC and that phase [one] concentrated on addressing the energy situation and building power plants. The [second] phase of CPEC, focused on cooperation in agriculture, technology and industry, and was the main part of the discussions,” he added. The adviser said that work on CPEC is going on in full swing, adding that CPEC remains one of the top priorities of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) government. He said that the next phase of CPEC will focus on the development of industries and agriculture in the country. Earlier on Friday, Prime Minister Imran Khan said that the government has signed a new agreement with the independent power producers (IPPs) under which the cost of electricity generation would be brought down and circular debt would be reduced. “I congratulate the nation because we are fixing the damaging structure we inherited in our power sector,” the prime minister said in a series of tweets.

Minister, CAA DG seek report on Islamabad airport ceiling collapse ISLAMABAD TLTP

Federal Minister for Aviation Ghulam Sarwar Khan and the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) director general have taken notice of the damage inflicted by recent rainfall on Islamabad International Airport.

The minister and the top CAA official have summoned a comprehensive report from officials concerned on

the incident.

According to Aviation Division Senior Joint Secretary Abdul Sattar Khokhar, the CAA director general sought a report on the incident with directives for fixing the damaged ceiling within three days’ time.

He also instructed the project manager and the airport manager to furnish their reports in this regard. The aviation minister will visit the airport tomorrow to review the situation.

A spokesperson for the Aviation Di-

vision said the incident occurred on the morning of Aug 14 when 56 millimetres of rain lashed the airport, due to which a major portion of the false ceiling of its international departure and domestic arrival lounges as well as CIP lounge collapsed under the burden of rainwater accumulating on ceiling panels.

Earlier, a portion of the false ceiling of Islamabad International Airport’s (IIA) international and domestic departure lounges collapsed during recent rainfall

in the capital. A video clip showing panels of the false ceiling coming off and falling to the ground has been doing rounds on social media. Rainwater began dripping from the ceiling after the panels came down.

The damage the rainfall inflicted on the airport was reported two days back.

There were no reports of injuries in the incident. The collapse of ceiling panels during rain lays bare poor quality of construction work on the airport.

Monday, 17 August, 2020

NEWS

NAB sEEks sECuRITy As zARDARI sET To APPEAR BEFoRE CouRT IN ToshAkhANA CAsE ISLAMABAD

T

TLTP

HE National Accountability Bureau (NAB) has approached Islamabad police and administration for providing adequate security during the appearance of former president and Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) leader Asif Ali Zardari before accountability court on Monday.

According to details, the NAB Rawalpindi has written a letter to the chief commissioner and inspector general of police (IGP) Islamabad for pro-

viding security during the hearing of the former president.

The security was sought after Zardari decided to appear before the accountability court in Toshakhana case.

Speaking to media after the party’s Central Executive Committee (CEC) meeting headed by PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari, Senator Raza Rabbani said that they had asked the court to exempt Asif Zardari from personal appearances during the proceedings and record his statement via a video link, however, it was not accepted.

He said that Zardari has decided to

over 500 birds of Islamabad zoo go ‘missing’ ISLAMABAD INP

As many as 513 animals mostly birds went missing from Islamabad’s Marghazar Zoo, a local news outlet reported on Sunday. Reportedly, 500 birds have gone missing from the zoo while the Climate Change Ministry has ordered an investigation into it. Member of Wildlife Management Board of Islamabad Zoo Scientific Committee Zahid Mirza told that lion and lioness were shifted in an unprofessional manner. He said that lawyers of the Climate Change Ministry did not state true facts in front of the court. “Animals were shifted to private breeding farms against the court orders,” he further said. There were 915 animals and birds in Marghazar Zoo in 2019 but the authorities shifted only 404 wild animals to Lahore while rare species of deer, gazelle, hartebeest, Nilgai (blue bull) and other precious animals were missing in the zoo. In a case pertaining to the Islamabad Zoo, IHC had issued show-cause notice to Climate Change Minister Zartaj Gul.

ANF foils bid to smuggle 32kg heroin in 32 cricket bats to uk

appear before the court, adding it was not a new thing for him. “Asif Zardari wants activists to avoid congregation during the proceedings,” Raza Rabbani said.

An accountability court of Islamabad on June 30 issued bailable arrest warrants against former president Asif Ali Zardari over an accusation of receiving luxury vehicles and gifts from Toshakhana.

On Saturday, former prime minister Nawaz Sharif had challenged his summoning by the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) in the Toshakhana reference in the Islamabad High Court (IHC).

The NAB had filed a reference with

the accountability court against the former heads of the state and governments for not depositing luxury vehicles and valuable gifts received from the foreign leaders in the treasury.

Zardari had received expensive cars as a gift from Libya and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) as president but did not deposit it in the Toshakhana, the sources added. The reference states that Zardari and Sharif obtained cars from Toshakhana by paying 15 per cent of the price of the cars. The bureau further alleged that Gilani facilitated Zardari and Nawaz in this regard.

Pakistan ready to enhance cooperation against Covid-19, D-8 told ISLAMABAD TLTP

Pakistan has expressed readiness to enhance international cooperation to combat the Covid-19 pandemic.

Pakistan’s Commissioner for the D-8, Tariq Karim expressed this during a special virtual session of the D-8 Commission, which was co-chaired by Turkey (as current chair) and Bangladesh (as incoming chair), according to a statement.

The session was attended by D-8 commissioners/representatives and the D-8 secretary general.

Director General EC&OIC Tariq Karim participated in the meeting as Pakistan’s Commissioner for the D-8.

Karim appreciated efforts to organize the special session of the D-8. Highlighting unprecedented global health and economic challenges posed by Covid-19, he stated that smart lockdown policy and other measures taken by the government have led to a significant improvement in the pandemic situation in Pakistan with notable reduction in new cases and fatality rate.

He highlighted the prime minister’s major initiatives to combat the pandemic, including $8 billion relief package for vulnerable groups; Ehsas Emergency Cash Programme; and Global Initiative on Debt Relief for developing countries.

Karim also apprised the participants of the worsening human rights and humanitarian situation in In-

dian Occupied Kashmir (IOK) in the wake of yearlong inhuman military siege, communication blackout and egregious violations of human rights. He stated that despite widespread international condemnation, the Indian occupation forces continue to brutalize and disenfranchise the Kashmiris.

He stressed the importance of the world community and brotherly nations taking steps to alleviate sufferings of the Kashmiri people and to promote the realization of their inalienable right to self-determination.

In his remarks, D-8 Secretary General Dato' Ku Jaafar Ku Shaari updated member states on the activities and initiatives of the secretariat. He informed about the steps taken by the secretariat and D-8 Health and Social Protection programme office (D-8 HSP) in order to provide support and strengthen cooperation among member states in response to the COVID-19 crisis. The secretary general also updated on the status of various D-8 projects.

The meeting discussed various issues related to preparations for the 10th D-8 Summit to be held in Dhaka. The D-8 Commissioner for Bangladesh briefed on the programme and events being planned for the next summit.

Pakistan is a founding member and key contributor to the D-8 activities. Other members include Bangladesh, Egypt, Iran, Indonesia, Malaysia, Nigeria and Turkey.

LAHORE INP

The Anti-Narcotics Force (ANF) has foiled a bid to smuggle huge a quantity of heroin to Britain on Sunday.

An ANF team during an operation at the Cargo Complex of Allama Iqbal International Airport of Lahore seized 32 kilos of heroin hidden in 32 cricket bats. The heroin is said to be worth Rs400 million. The ANF personnel recovered the drug from the DHL courier service company’s cargo shade. A resident of Lahore’s Township, Asad Ali, booked the shipment for Najeeb Ahmad who lives in Britain’s Donca Centre. After seizing the 32 kg heroin, the ANF officials have started to trace the accused and their facilitator. ANF had foiled many attempts to smuggle drugs from the Lahore Airport. On October 20, 2019, ANF foiled an attempt to smuggle heroin, worth millions of rupees to London, at Allama Iqbal International Airport. The ANF officials recovered heroin which was hidden in the cargo parcel. The parcel was booked for London from Islamabad. The ANF officials have started a further investigation.

Locusts present in Lasbella, Tharparkar districts: NLCC ISLAMABAD TLTP

National Locust Control Centre (NLCC) has said that locusts are present in two districts of the country including one district each of Balochistan and Sindh.

According to a statement issued on Sunday, an area of 202,880 hectares has been surveyed during the last 24 hours.

The joint teams of National Locust Control Center have continued locust control operations in more than 1,630 hectares of land in Balochistan and Sindh during the last 24 hours. According to the National Locust Control Centre, these operations were carried out on 100 hectares of district Lasbella of Balochistan and

1,530 hectares of land in district Tharparkar of Sindh.

No presence of locusts has been recorded in Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP). In the last six months, control operations have been carried out on 1,111,920 hectares of land.

In the light of prevailing climatic conditions and availability of vegetation in Horn of Africa (HOA), although the threat has reduced yet is not over so far.

Lasbela district requires a continuous survey effort for early detection of any presence.

It is to be ensured that survey data is also uploaded through e-locust. A reported probable adult group migration from Oman requires vigilance specially along the coastline of Karachi, Thatta and Sajawal, said the NLCC.

PML-N leader Hanif Abbasi to appear before NAB today ISLAMABAD INP

The National Accountability Bureau (NAB) has summoned Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader Hanif Abbasi on August 17 (Monday) at its Lahore office.

The NAB also sent Hanif Abbasi a questionnaire comprising 20 queries. He has been summoned in a case relating to the corruption in Sports Board Punjab.

The NAB has launched an investigation into allegations of corruption against Hanif Abbasi and Zulfiqar Ghuman in Punjab Sports Board (PSB).

The NAB questionnaire asked Hanif Abbasi about his meeting with then Punjab chief minister Shehbaz Sharif on January 4, 2017 and what was the purpose of setting up a Project Management Unit in the PSB. The NAB asked why he put pressure on Punjab CM and other board members to form the PMU. The NAB asked about the competent authority of

PMU and its legal status and asked as a chairman of the steering committee what powers did Hanif Abbasi had at that time.

“What was your role in the projects started under PMU and PMU did not take any action against the projects which could not be completed on time. Did you take any legal or departmental action against the incompetents of PMU or not,” NAB asked.

The NAB asked what was the placement procedure for the sports board projects and did Hanif Ab-

03

GIRl DIEs, DozENs oF housEs DAMAGED IN ChITRAl FlooD CHITRAL: A girl died and dozens of houses were damaged after glacial lake outburst flood (GLOF) hit Yarkhun Lasht village in Chitral on Sunday. Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Chief Minister Mahmood Khan has expressed sorrow over the losses due to glacial outburst and floods in Yarkhoon area of Upper Chitral.

In a statement, the chief minister directed the district administration and rescue workers to launch relief activities at the spot. Mahmood Khan also directed the concerned authorities to compile a report of losses and provide essential items to the affected population. Earlier, a report of the GLOF, sent by the deputy commissioner to the provincial government, highlighted the flooding situation after glacial bursts at Yarkhun Lasht area on Friday last. The dead body of the girl was also retrieved from the flood stream caused by the GLOF incident. The girl belonged to the Yarkhun area of Chitral. At least 25 houses were damaged while 17 of them washed away in the flooding after the glacial lake burst, according to the report. Eight houses were partially damaged in the flooding incident. After the incident, three tons of relief goods were dispatched to 59 houses of the affected area, the DC said in the report. “All link roads, which were blocked after the incident, have been restored for traffic,” according to the report submitted to the provincial government. According to local reports, the flood at Yarkhun Lasht in Chitral occurred at about 6:00am and was caused by the bursting of a glacier. A female student of class 10th had gone missing after the flood. Her dead body was later recovered near the village. People ran to safety as the flood hit Yarkhun Lasht village, which consists of about 80 to 90 houses. The stream that flooded was located at the northern end of the village but after the flood incident it has changed its course and is passing in the middle of the village, local people said. It is to be mentioned here that Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) has issued a weather Alert regarding Glacial Lake Outburst Floods (GLOF) events in Gilgit-Baltistan (G-B) till August 17. STAFF REPORT

FM for early start of intra-Afghan talks ISLAMABAD: Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi has urged all stakeholders to ensure resolution of the residual issues to commence intra-Afghan negotiations without any delay. In a tweet, the foreign minister said the importance of seizing this historic opportunity cannot not be stressed enough. He said, “Our collective efforts have so far succeeded in advancing Afghan peace process to the current unprecedented point.”TLTP

Minor dies after falling into open manhole in hyderabad HYDERABAD: A six-year-old girl died after falling into an open manhole in Paretabad area of Hyderabad on Sunday. According to police, the family began searching for the minor girl when they could not find her at home. Subsequently, they finally located her body in an open manhole. However, the residents of the area took him out on their own and shifted him to the Civil Hospital, Hyderabad where the minor girl was pronounced dead. Earlier in April, a three-year-old girl was died after falling into a manhole in Allah Wala Town, area of Karachi. Following her falling into the manhole, residents of the area fished her out and took her to the Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre, but she had died before reaching the hospital. INP basi inquire about any project personally. Anti-graft body asked did he visit the playground before the meeting held on January 7, 2017 and did he put pressure on initiating 66 projects at once and did he point out the loss to the national exchequer to initiate 66 projects in one go.

The NAB also asked the PML-N leader why he did not review his decision when 98 out of 102 projects failed to meet the deadline in the PMU and why Hanif Abaasi chose Akram Subhan as Project Director.

The NAB asked why he gave advice on those posts which were cancelled earlier.

The NAB warned Abbasi to comply with the antigraft body otherwise action may be taken as per law.

04

Monday, 17 August, 2020

NEWS

PTI lAId foundATIon of ‘ChAnge’ In CounTry, SAyS BuzdAr CM SAYS FLOUR AVAILABLE AT OFFICIAL PRICE ONLY IN PUNJAB LAHORE

P

STAFF REPORT

UNJAB Chief Minister Usman Buzdar on Sunday said that Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) government has laid the foundation of bringing change in the country.

In a statement, the chief minister pledged, “We would go all out to do every positive work in order to provide maximum relief to the masses.”

He said that opposition parties have no agenda and regretfully added that opposition leaders made a futile attempt of doing political point scoring on a national challenge like Covid-19 pandemic. He commended that the successful strategy adopted by Prime Minister Imran Khan resulted in impeding the spread of the coronavirus. He acknowledged that effective steps taken by PM Imran for the eradication of the corona pandemic are also appreciated at international level.

He condemned that those doing negative politics on coronavirus pandemic should shun the politics of anarchy and chaos. He deplored that opposition leaders have nothing to do with the problems of the masses, saying that the people are fully aware that such political parties ruined the national economy. He maintained that such discarded elements are baffled to see the country moving in the right direction.

Buzdar remarked that the drama of holding All Parties Conference (APC) has

flopped before being staged. He regretted that opposition leaders floated the idea of holding APC merely for the sake of safeguarding their vested interests. He outlined that those planning to dampen the journey of Pakistan treading on the path of progress and prosperity should patiently wait for three more years.

The chief minister denounced that opposition parties are making failed attempts to save their accumulated wealth out of loot and plunder. He emphasised that the 220 million people of Pakistan fully reposed their trust on the transparent leadership of PM Imran.

Buzdar said that the premier is bravely confronting and combating internal as well as external challenges being faced by Pakistan. He stressed that the PTI government is adhering to its noble mission of rendering service to the masses along with ensuring national progress. He optimistically remarked that the PTI government will complete its tenure.

CM Buzdar claimed that the provincial government’s effective and timely measures stabilised prices of wheat and flour in the province.

He claimed that Punjab is the only province where a wheat flour bag weighing 20 kilograms is being sold at official rates of Rs860. He vowed to keep on taking such steps in future to ensure stability in prices of essential commodities.

He said that being the province’s chief executive, it is his responsibility to protect

Seven-day anti-polio drive starts in Sindh KARACHI TLTP

A seven-day anti-polio campaign began in twentynine districts of Sindh on Sunday. According to the Sindh Provincial Health Department, more than nine million children below the age of five will be administered anti-polio drops during the campaign. During the drive, all Covid-19 prevention standard operating procedures (SOPs) will be followed. The campaign is being carried out following the successful resumption of polio activities in July 2020 after a four-month suspension due to the Covid-19 pandemic. To build immunity among susceptible children, vaccinators will go door-to-door during this campaign to administer the oral polio vaccine (OPV) to children under the age of five, as well as vitamin A supplements to children who are between 6-59 months of age. The Pakistan Polio Eradication Programme has provided vaccinators with face masks and hand sanitizers for additional protection.

Centre to use options if PPP fails to deliver in Karachi: Khurrum

Aleem Khan for integrated planning before start of uplift work LAHORE STAFF REPORT

the rights of people of the province, pledging to not let anyone exploit the public. He issued directives for district administration to continue monitoring prices of kitchen items.

The chief minister said all relevant departments have been mobilised to provide relief to the masses.

Earlier, Prime Minister Imran Khan directed the authorities concerned to ensure uniform prices of wheat and flour across the country. Presiding over a meeting on availability of flour and sugar and their prices in the country, the PM directed all the chief secretaries to adopt a joint strategy with mutual consultations to ensure uniform prices of the commodities in the country.

He ordered an accelerated crackdown against the elements involved in hoarding

to ensure provision of flour and sugar at reasonable rates across the country. He said the process of importing wheat at official level besides by the private sector should be accelerated to ensure profuse availability of wheat in the market.

Separately, the chief minister took a strong notice of the murder incident of a five-year old child in the area of Rahim Yar Khan and sought a report from RPO Bahawalpur.

Buzdar directed that the accused found involved in committing murder should be brought in the stern grip of law. He asserted that the bereaved family of the murdered child must be provided with justice under any circumstance.

He expressed his heartfelt sympathy and sorrow with the affected family and assured them provision of justice at any cost.

Vegetable, fruit prices rise in Punjab LAHORE SHAHAB OMER

Vegetable and fruit prices in the Punjab’s capital witnessed a sharp increase as the government increased their prices in the official rate lists.

However, despite an official increase in prices, vegetables were seen trading at much higher than officially set prices.

According to reports, the official price of onions was fixed at Rs34 per kilogramme (kg), however it was reported selling at Rs60 per kg in the market. Similarly, the price of tomato was increased by Rs33 per kg and officially fixed at Rs85 per kg, however it was reported selling at Rs110 per kg in the market.

Moreover, garlic was reported selling at Rs245 per kg in the market as opposed to its official price set at Rs170 per kg. Likewise, potatoes were reported selling at Rs80 per kg compared to the official price set at Rs68 per kg.

A similar difference was noticed in the trade of various other vegetables and fruits in the market.

“Inflation has made the life of a common man difficult. The government is increasing the prices of daily necessities. The government also has

Senior Minister Punjab Abdul Aleem Khan has directed that integrated planning should be ensured and related agencies must be on the same page before the construction work to make development works as useful as possible. The provincial minister issued these directions while presiding over the review meeting of developmental works in different areas of NA-129 and PP-157 & PP-158 on Sunday. Aleem Khan said that tenders for Zarar Shaheed Road Lahore Cantonment have been approved which would be constructed at a cost of Rs165 million while Baja Line Road will be completed at a cost of Rs5.5 million soon. He said that a grant of Rs100 million would be spent in PP-158 while development schemes of Rs42.5 million have been allocated for PP-157. The additional grant of Rs52.5 million will be spent in NA-129 to solve public problems. Khan said that sewerage, PCC and road carpeting works in different areas of NA-129 are being carried out on priority basis. He directed WASA, MCL and Cantonment Board to hold joint meetings to resolve road construction issues well before time. He directed that the development works could be improved as much as possible. He said that developmental projects have been completed in different areas including Basti Syedan Shah, Mian Mir Colony, Qasim Pura and Shah Jamal while Dharmapura, Gondi Pir, Jinnah Park and Ahata Molchand areas are being also uplifted and their development schemes are also in the pipeline. Khan said that these development projects are of equal importance to all areas of NA-129 and PP-157 and 158 beyond political affiliation with the aim of alleviating the hardships of the citizens. On this occasion, Khan was given a briefing by the coordinators about the pace of work on development projects in their respective areas and details of projects completed so far was told accordingly.

SAPM for increasing women’s share in plant nurseries ISLAMABAD TLTP

no control over illicit profiteers. Earlier, it was said that the prices of fruits and vegetables have gone up due to Eid affecting the supply chain. This time, no reason has been given for the increase in prices,” said Azfar Khan, who had come to shop at a vegetable stall on Lahore’s Wahdat Road.

Tahir Javed, a vegetable seller based in Lahore’s Nishat Colony, said that the prices of vegetables were increased by the government. “We go to the vegetable markets in the morning and buy vegetables from there. In the vegetable markets the government itself decides the price of vegetables.

People think that we are deliberately selling vegetables at high prices which is not true.”

Ghulam Nabi, a fruit seller based on Lahore’s Nabh Road said that despite the decline in exports, the prices of fruits continue to rise. “Mango and peach prices fall every year during this season. Last year, good quality mangoes were sold for up to Rs150 per kg while peaches were sold for up to Rs200. This year, good quality mangoes are selling at Rs250 to Rs300 per kg, while the price of peaches is also very high,” he said.

“We have reduced the quantity of fruits that we stock in our shops because people don’t buy a lot of fruit and complain that fruits are expensive. Hence if we have unsold fruits they either expire or we have to sell them cheaply.”

Ministry of Climate Change has asked the provinces to increase women’s share in raising plant nurseries under the 10-Billion Tree Tsunami. This was stated by Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Climate Change Malik Amin Aslam here on Sunday.

He said the Billion Tree Tsunami project implemented in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) was a successful experiment to provide women with a dignified livelihood opportunity. The special assistant said that the project assisted the women to raise plant nurseries at their household in rural areas.

He said the monsoon plantation target of 200 million saplings was the largest ever goal set by the government. He said the 3.5 million saplings plantation a day under Plant for Pakistan Day on August 9 also had the share of women nurseries.

KARACHI TLTP

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Karachi chief and provincial lawmaker Khurrum Sher Zaman on Sunday said that this is the last chance for Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) to deliver in the city, otherwise the Centre would use its legal options for improving the situation. “We have given them one more chance to deliver in Karachi,” said the PTI leader after a joint committee comprising representatives from the federal and provincial governments was formed to resolve issues faced by the city. He said that all political parties need to sit together for the development of the city. “The formation of the provincial committee is in the interest of the masses,” the PTI leader said, adding that the Sindh government now has the chance to change the situation in the city. He said that the PTI would adopt every move that would ease the suffering of the masses in Karachi. The PTI leader lauded the decision from the Centre to join hands with the local political parties in the city and said that the masses had already suffered a lot in the city. “This shows the seriousness of the Prime Minister Imran Khan for Karachi,” he said and hoped that the committee would take better decisions for the city.

Dashboard app developed for E&P information ISLAMABAD TLTP

For the first time in the country, Petroleum Division has developed an advanced and innovative dashboard application for effective management and monitoring of exploration and production (E&P) information in collaboration with LMKR - a petroleum technology company.

According to a statement issued on Sunday, Federal Minister for Energy Omar Ayub Khan, Special Assistant to Prime Minister on Petroleum Nadeem Babar and secretary Petroleum Division supervised the project to actualise it in line with high-calibration within specified time frame.

It is worth mentioning that this project has been met without extra budget al-

location, provision of IT equipment or any external/ foreign assistance despite constraints of Covid-19.

The Petroleum Division also appreciated the professional support of Mian Mohsin Hameed, member of the Energy Task Force, for leading the project.

The Exploration Management System (EMS) is basically a Windowsbased, multi-user GIS database application which will enable Directorate of Petroleum Concession to access real-time E&P data information.

This will help officers to take quick actions/ decisions in case of reduced production, suspended wells, shut-in wells and delayed drilling due to any technical or operational issues.

Advanced data filtering tools will

provide options to customize the query to see company/basin/country-wise historical and current E&P activities and information. Output reports in the form of PDF, Excel sheet and GIS layer can be extracted from this application against any standard or customized search.

The planned vs actual wells dashboard will help monitor the performance of the companies against the plans and commitments.

Production dashboard will help monitor daily/ weekly production of wells and fields for any company or for all companies. Utilisation of this dashboard will help increase oil and gas production by taking necessary actions and corrective measures where production is reduced or stopped due to any

reason.

DGPC can use this dashboard to set KPI’s (key performance indicators) and performance benchmarking of E&P companies in addition to provide ease of doing business to the E&P companies while ensuring compliance of rules and commitments made under relevant agreements.

EMS dashboard is a great initiative towards digital transformation, data analytics, data mining and data learning.

This will lead Pakistan towards the data-driven decisions and implementations. The Petroleum Division said that it is committed to continuous improvement and advancement in the E&P sector because indigenous gas & oil production will ultimately contribute to the growth of the country’s economy.

Monday, 17 August, 2020

NEWS

JUI-F launches campaign to form new alliance against PTI continued on page 01 this agreement may change the entire political landscape,” the source added. the source said that the ppp wants status-quo as any strong campaign against the federal government may bring an end to its own party’s rule in Sindh. the source also said that on the contrary, pML-n leaders Shehbaz Sharif and nawaz Sharif are not on the same page on new elections. “nawaz Sharif wants immediate and fresh elections in pakistan – a demand Shehbaz Sharif, Khwaja asif and other party leaders do not support. Shehbaz and his allies support an in-house change in the center and the punjab as dissolving the current assemblies may create support for imran Khan,” the source added. the source said that nawaz may prevail on Shehbaz and company and Maryam nawaz had actually launched a fresh campaign against the federal government through the stone-pelting on the police officials during her appearance at the national accountability

Bureau (naB). the source said that nawaz even can go to the extent to accept a prime minister from the ppp in case of an in-house change at the center but the ppp leadership is reluctant. “due to such complexities, Bilawal and Shehbaz are not supporting the idea to convening an apc and the matter is put to the backburner,” the source added.

SMALLER PARTIES HAVE LITTLE OR NO STAKES IN THE NA: a source in the ppp told pakistan today that the smaller parties have no or little stakes in the current setup and hence they wanted to dissolve the national and provincial assemblies for their own sake which reflects a selfish approach. asked to explain, the ppp leader said that other than the Jui-F, other smaller parties like anp has only one member in the na while the pashtunkwa Milli awami party (pkMap), national party (np) and the likes have no representation. “their demand for immediate fresh elections reflects selfish attitude. We believe ion democratic norms and would not support any undemocratic move. We had

also opposed such demands from pti and pML-n in the past.

How can we support any such demand now,” the ppp leader said requesting not being identified. “the move by Maulana Fazl reflects greed for power as his party suffered defeat in across the country. Jui-F is not a part of any government in the center or in the provinces. We will have to deliver our people in Sindh so we are not supporting his adventurism,” the ppp leader asserted.

PPP BLAMES PML-N FOR DELAY IN APC: When contacted, Haider Zaman Qureshi, central secretary finance of the ppp told pakistan today that Shehbaz Sharif is the leader of opposition, who had assured to hold apc meeting. “delay on part of pML-n is lending support to theories that the pML-n has an underlying hidden arrangement with the pti.

Maulana Fazl can blame the ppp or pML-n if he wants to … but the matter of fact is that the opposition parties extended political support in his long march last year despite the fact Maulana Fazl never shared his real plan or post plan agenda, ” the ppp leader said.

Gen Akhtar Abdul Rahman, the man behind the Soviet defeat in Afghanistan EditEd by Ali JAvEd ExcERpts fRom thE Book “thE BEAR tRAp” By BRIgAdIER (R) mUhAmmAd yoUsAf

Up to the date of his tragic death on 17th august, 1988 in the plane crash that also killed Gen Zia ul Haq, few people apart from his close family knew Gen akhtar abdul rahman as well as I did. Within Pakistan his name was unknown to the public. even within the military few appreciated his enormous contribution to the afghan Jihad. This was partially due to the secretive nature of his job as director General of IsI from 1979 - 1987, and partially due to his deliberate avoidance of publicity.

The reason for Gen akhtar's long tenure in office was his successful direction of the war in afghanistan. Within the IsI was a specially formed Bureau headed by a Brigadier (myself from the period 1983-87) which was charged with the day to day coordination of the afghan Jihad. This department controlled the allocation of arms and ammunition, their distribution to Mujahedeen Leaders and Commanders, the training of Mujahedeen in Pakistan, the allocation of funds from the Us and saudi arabian governments to the Mujahedeen and the strategic planning of operations inside afghanistan at least fifty percent of Gen akhtar abdul rahman's time was spent on matters related to the war in afghanistan. Under his leadership the soviet superpower was beaten in the battlefield. He achieved what most, including the americans, initially considered impossible. His successes ensured the continuance in office of Gen Zia. He could not afford to lose him during those critical years when the Mujahedeen had to fight armour and aircrafts with rifles and mortars. When Gen akhtar finally left IsI in March 1987, military victory in afghanistan was in sight. The Mujahedeen had at long last gotten an effective anti-aircraft weapon, the Us stinger missile, and the soviets were talking in

terms of withdrawal. If any one person could be singled as the architect of this forthcoming victory it was Gen akhtar.

On meeting General akhtar one could not fail to be struck by his appearance. He looked a soldier. His physique was stocky and tough, his uniform immaculate, with four rows of medal ribbons denoting service in every campaign in which Pakistan had fought since partition from India in 1947. He had a pale skin, which he proudly attributed to his afghan ancestry, and carried his years well. He was 64 when he was assassinated but he looked a good ten years younger. He was almost never ill, though his only formal exercise was jogging. He attributed his good health and physical condition to his total abstention from drinking and smoking, moderate eating habits and afternoon naps.

Gen akhtar was a Punjabi of Pathan descent. Born in Peshawar on 11 June, 1924 he was son of dr . abdul rahman Khan, who spent 30 years as a doctor in the NWFP government service. Unfortunately his father died when akhtar was only four so the mother took the family back to their native village in the Jullundar area of east Punjab. From then on his upbringing

was humble and in many ways hard. His formal education was at MaO College in amritsar and then at the Government College, Lahore where he obtained a Masters degree in economics in 1945.

It was while at University that akhtar's sporting skills were developed. He became a champion boxer, wrestler and cyclist, acquiring a reputation for physical strength that was to stay with him throughout his life. akhtar joined the Indian army as an officer cadet in 1946 and was commissioned in 1947, little dreaming that one day he would command a successful guerrilla war against the russian superpower and as a result would die in an act of sabotage. With the demise of Gen Zia and Gen akhtar, the last two Pakistani army officers who had been commissioned in India were gone.

Gen akhtar fought against India three times before he faced the soviets in afghanistan. In 1948, he participated in the Kashmir war of independence. In 1965, Gen akhtar was second in command of an artillery regiment deployed on the Burki front. He participated in the defence of Lahore and helped drive back the massive Indian attack. The first artillery round was fired at the Indians by this regiment on his orders. In 1971, Gen akhtar was commanding an artillery brigade that played a significant role in the military successes in Kasur sector. He was given command of an infantry division in azad Kashmir from 1974 to 1978 and then became IsI director General in 1979. He was picked for this job personally by President Zia. Before he left on promotion as a Four star General in early 1987, the signs of victory in the battlefield were visible and before he was assassinated, along with his President, he saw the soviets in retreat.

(Late Brigadier Muhammad Yousaf served as head of IsI afghan cell from 1983 to 1987 and in this capacity was very close to Gen akhtar abdul rahman Khan , who was IsI Chief during that period.)

CMYK

05

KP traders, transPorters Protest extortion at highway checK Posts PESHAWAR

t

AZIZ BUNERI

raders and transporters associated with trade with afghanistan have raised protest against extortion at highway check posts in various areas of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP). all Pakistan afghan Transport Owners association President Muhammad Noor ahmadzai said traders and transporters are being forced to illegally pay money at checkposts to be able to transport and trade goods with afghanistan.

He said that in areas including Zangali, Karkhano, Zangli, Badaber Matni and Bara road thousands of trucks carrying trading goods are stopped and not allowed to leave until they pay money at check posts.

“They’re forced to pay thousands of rupees each day,” he said, adding that this practise should be stopped since it is illegal and negatively affects the Pak-afghan trade.

He said that the government has opened the Torkham border, however despite its reopening traders are being made to pay up to rs100,000 to be able to transport their goods to afghanistan.

The transporters alleged that officers belonging to

TRADERS AND TRANSPORTERS SAY SUCH ACTIVITIES NEGATIVELY IMPACT TRADE WITH AFGHANISTAN the Khyber district with the support of KP Police stop vehicles carrying trading goods to afghanistan and illegally get them to pay rs1,000 per truck.

The traders further alleged that authorities in the Khyber district seize trucks for months at a time and demand rs30,000 to rs50,000 to get them released.

They demanded Prime Minister Imran Khan and the interior minister to take prompt action against such activities which they said creates hurdles in Pakistanafghanistan trade.

They also appealed to the afghan ambassador to Pakistan and consul general to intervene in the issue.

Last year, Prime Minister Imran Khan had taken notice of ‘corrupt practices’ at check posts established on major highways in the country and issued directives to relevant departments to reduce the number of security pickets.

Monday, 17 August, 2020

06 COMMENT

Through the Eye of a Needle

Cabinet confusion Criticism of Foreign Minister demands action

Being responsible for one’s actions

T

HE criticism of Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi for his ‘threat’ to Saudi Arabia to support the Kashmir cause by allowing the OIC to summon a meeting of its Council of Foreign Ministers has started coming from his Cabinet. This is unfortunate, for it means a breakdown of the Cabinet responsibility that is the underpinning of the parliamentary form of government, whereby all ministers are supposed to share the same policy, and where all are supposed to defend any statement of policy made by one, rather than join in the criticism of that statement that might emanate from other quarters. Human Rights Minister Shireen Mazari has criticized the Foreign Office for undermining the Kashmir cause and letting Prime Minister Imran Khan and the Kashmiris down. Railways Minister Sh Rashid Ahmad has said that the ‘misunderstandings created’ had been smoothed over, and any misconceptions that remained had been dissipated by the COAS and the DG ISI on their visit to Saudi Arabia.

Ms Mazari’s criticism of the Foreign Office shows that she believes that it, and the politician in charge of it, Mr Qureshi, did not follow up on Mr Khan’s initiatives pushing the Kashmir cause. She did not think that asking Mr Khan to summon a meeting of Muslim countries supporting the Kashmir cause if the OIC did not act, was a solution. Ms Mazari and Sh Rashid have put Mr Khan on the spot. He can either sack them, which would mean backing Mr Qureshi, or he could sack Mr Qureshi. That would save the COAS from having to pull the government’s fat from the fire every time its overenthusiasm puts it there. After all, Mr Qureshi should not have made his threat if he was not fully backed by the Prime Minister.

The only way he can remain in the Cabinet is if Ms Mazari’s advice is followed, and the Foreign Office is purged thoroughly of those preventing the Prime Minister’s initiatives from bearing fruit; and he is placed in charge of that reform effort. However, will that cancel out the spectacle of his statement having caused the COAS from involving himself in foreign affairs?

Humayun GauHar After an age, Maverick the monkey put in an appearance. “Where have you been?” I asked him. “Did you go to England to visit the Queen?”

“No such thing,” he replied. “Like all Pakis, I went to Dubai.”

“What did you find there?” I asked

“I

found a people seething on the verge of revolt. We Pakistanis are not the only ones reacting with dismay at the UAEIsrael deal. The ordinary local there, the Bedouin, is also against it and asking what gives? Suppliers of food are writing on the boxes in which they dispatch it against the deal. So, after Lebanon this was the next bomb and I fear it is going to be a bigger bomb. That was 3,750 tonnes of ammonium nitrate. This is akin to one whole oilfield that has blown up. God help us!”

“Could this be the beginning of a revolt, as in Lebanon?” I asked.

“I can’t be sure,” he said, “but everyone turns sooner or later. I fear for the decision makers in the

UAE and the other country that has a heavy overhang hit the nail on the head and everyone should ponder whether they are Muslims or not. God actually sent His over the Muslim world. God protect them.”

“This is what I fear,” I said. “I fear that common message down first with Moses, which we call Judaism.

The Jewish priests and scholars adulterated it so Jesus, sense has taken a leave of absence.”

Maverick thought and with a wise look on his who don’t forget was born a Jew and died a Jew, came face, he said, “Let me remind you of something that to rectify the wrongs done by the priests and scholars.

Jesus said: ‘It is easier for a camel to pass through the His crucifixion at the hands of a Roman governor of eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the King- Palestine at the behest of the Palestinians triggered off a dom of Heaven.’ Rich man here has multiple conno- great revolution. Christianity started off as a sect of Jutations. It is not just wealth only. It is intellectual, daism but exploded into a full-blown religion that soon financial and moral corruption against which Jesus engulfed the Roman Empire. Today it is the largest religion in the world. Christianspoke. The Quran too speaks ity comes from the word, against this repeatedly. Just ‘Christ’ and Christ is the because a man follows the Greek word for ‘Messiah.’ rituals of his faith diligently, We Pakistanis are not the only But the clerics, popes and it doesn’t make him a good scholars of Christianity also Muslim or a good Jew or a ones reacting with dismay at mutilated the Holy Bible. So good Christian or whatever.

God sent down His message It is his actions and the intent the UAE-Israel deal. The to mankind one last time. That behind those actions that deordinary local there, the message is the Holy Quran termine whether he’s a good was transmitted to us man or not. Being a good Bedouin, is also against it and that through His last messenger, man in the eyes of God is Muhammad (PBUH). I bereal wealth and by this the asking what gives? Suppliers lieve therefore that it is indefinition, ‘Such a man is cumbent upon us to follow the very rich indeed.’” of food are writing on the commandments given to us in “Maverick,” I said, boxes in which they dispatch it the Quran. To what extent we “Look at us Muslims. We do so is not for me to deterpray to God in Surah Fatiha, against the deal mine, but for God alone.” which is the opening of the “Well said Maverick,” I Holy Quran, in every prayer said. “You are the wisest monasking Him to show us the key that I know. Even more right path, the path of those with whom He is pleased. He did that by sending us than us homo sapiens who also claim to be wise, which the Quran. “Surely this is the Guidance about which is what the word, ‘sapiens’ means. God bless you.”

Maverick and I have wandered off from the subthere can be no doubt.” This is the opening of Surah Al Baqarah, the second Surah in the Quran, yet we ject I really wanted to write about which is the imMuslims, Pakistanis and other nationalities, having pending Israel-UAE deal. But things are still been given a guide map to the correct path wander unfolding and people are still reacting so I will hold off in other directions. I fear for us but God says that my horses until I feel the time is right for me to write on the Day of Judgement, each person will be paid about it. for what he has done and why he has done it. I don’t Humayun Gauhar is a veteran columnist in want to pontificate. I request all of you to ponder.”

“That’s great Humayun,” Maverick said. “You have Pakistan and editor of Blue Chip magazine.

Crisis of human development in the pandemic

Getting Karachi on its feet

incentive structures are put in place for organizations─ in both public and private sector─ and markets. The pandemic has exposed the short-sightedness tutive elements: income (with the largest contraction of market signals, when left on their own, and b) in economic activity since the Great Depression), profit-over-people mindedness of a largely unreguhealth (directly causing a death toll over 300,000 and lated private sector; taking little cognizance of the indirectly leading potentially to an additional 6,000 larger issues facing society and economy.

If this were not the case, for instance, the coronchild deaths every day from preventable causes over the next 6 months) and education (with effective out- avirus-based outbreaks from time to time had not of-school-rates─ meaning, accounting for the inabil- continued since early 2000s, and a meaningful vacity to access the internet─ in primary education cine and policy to tackle zoonotic diseases (especially expected to drop to the levels of actual rates of the coronavirus) would have come to the fore; not to the mid-1980s levels)... The pandemic was superimposed mention a much more quicker transition to non-fossil on unresolved tensions between people and technol- fuel-based energy solutions, given the existential naogy, between people and the planet, between the ture of the threat that climate change has been posing for many years now. haves and the have-nots.

It is only once an overall These tensions were already institutional design has been shaping a new generation of fixed that takes policy away inequalities— pertaining to On the external front also, from the neoliberal policy enhanced capabilities, the framework, will the elected new necessities of the 21st creditor countries/private become a lot more responcentury, as defined in the sive to the human develop2019 Human Development creditors will have to plan a ment needs of the electorate.

Report.’ greater moratorium/relief Moreover, it is only in this This is ample evidence environment that any spethat the political and ecopackage for cific structural reform packnomic system that evolved age will make any under the neoliberal policy developing/debtor countries, meaningful sense. framework, evolved an exso that the impact of falling More specifically, detractive institutional design veloping countries in particthat put in motion policies exports for developing ular are facing the challenge that provided inordinate opof meeting the urgent needs portunities to the already countries due to global of dealing with health and rich to get even richer. This demand compression under welfare concerns of people put in place a fragile basis of during the paneconomic growth, since it the pandemic, and repayment affected demic. Hence, while this was not inclusive in terms of means that more budgetary equality of voice and opporneeds, do not dwindle their allocations need to be made tunities in public policy, and therefore was badly exposed current accounts, and in turn in this direction, relatively little is left for spending on in terms of damage to put greater pressure on their education and other imporhuman development caused tant aspects of human develby the pandemic shock. local currencies. opment. For this, it is A quick solution to these important that the internaproblems could once again tional community provides be bread-and-butter policies budgetary support in a much by neoliberal-influenced public policy outlets, and multilateral advice packages, bigger way that it has done up till now to the develand that is the run-of-the-mill menu of structural re- oping countries. On the external front also, creditor forms, with some sort of enhancement on the welfare countries/private creditors will have to plan a greater policies-styled social protection programme. When in moratorium/relief package for developing/debtor fact, what is needed is reforming the extractive insti- countries, so that the impact of falling exports for detutional design, perpetuated over time at the back of veloping countries due to global demand comprescollusion of politico-economic elites. Such a change sion under the pandemic, and repayment needs, do could in fact only come from intervention from the top not dwindle their current accounts, and in turn put political and economic leadership, at the back of mean- greater pressure on their local currencies. ingful activism of the demos.

Dr Omer Javed holds PhD in Economics degree Most of all, as before the neoliberal assault, the government will have to take centre-stage. It will from the University of Barcelona, and previously need to understand that institutions or ministries will worked at International Monetary Fund. He tweets have to be reformed, so that better governance and @omerjaved

Things have to be done very differently

Solving its problems, not sweeping it under the carpet

A

high-level meeting in Karachi decided that the Frontier Works Organization would remove the sludge in three storm drains. The meeting was attended by the Sindh Chief Minister, the National Disaster Management Authority Chairman, and the Corps Commander Karachi, whose troops would provide the FWO back-up in its task. It was unfortunate that an important stakeholder, the KMC, was only represented by the Local Government Minister, but the fact that the federal and provincial governments got together and agreed on a decision showed that some progress was being made. However, for the sake of completeness, the presence of a representative of K-Electric would also have been desirable. Though a private company, as the city’s most important utility, it not only should have been allowed the opportunity of putting across its point of view, but it should have also been kept thoroughly briefed about what was intended. The main problem Karachi has been facing has been one of flooding, which is accompanied by a loss of life due to electrocutions. This monsoon, as with previous ones, the problem cropped up.

It is to be hoped for the country’s largest city and only port that this spirit of cooperation lasts. Part of the problem has been the refusal of the federal and provincial governments to countenance each other, and the meetings itself was an acknowledgement that neither alone can solve the issue. It is also to be hoped that the governments are both committed to a solution that will not just outlast the current monsoon, which is past its peak and is now moving towards its end, but will prevent the problems of flooding or electrocutions from recurring next monsoon.

The federal and provincial governments need to build on this cooperation. The clear dissonances between the two on the handling of the covid-19 pandemic not only created a bad feeling but were also confusing for a public already scared for its life. They must learn to work together because neither the monsoon nor the covid-19 epidemic is over.

Dr Omer JaveD

‘We must make our choice. We may have democracy, or we may have wealth concentrated in the hands of a few, but we cannot have both.’

—Louis D. Brandeis

U

NDER the neoliberal assault of around the last four decades, human development as overall suffered, especially due to inordinate increase in income─ mainly through significant increase in capital income, as against labour income─ and wealth of few, and in turn influence over public policy – at the back of the strengthening of relationship between election outcomes, and election campaign financing, mainly financed by people with wealth─ while swaths of people have in fact seen falling real wages, and overall inequality of income, wealth, opportunity, and mainly because of their weakening ability to influence public policy.

Hence, human development has continued to suffer for most people overall in both developed and developing countries, mainly in terms of access to quality public health, education, and economic opportunities. The pandemic has exacerbated the situation on three counts─ of health, education, and income─ for the most in the economies in general.

An important report to address these concerns has been recently released by the UNDP’s 2020 Human Development Report (HDR) titled Covid-19 and Human Development: Assessing The Crisis, Envisioning The Recovery’, in which it points out ‘The COVID-19 pandemic is unleashing a human development crisis. On some dimensions of human development, conditions today are equivalent to levels of deprivation last seen in the mid-1980s. But the crisis is hitting hard on all of human development’s consti-

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Monday, 17 August, 2020

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

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

Political Map of Kashmir UNVEILING a new political map by Pakistan on Aug 5, was a wellcalculated move against the revocation of special status of Kashmir by India last year.

It is considered to be a step towards the resolution of the Kashmir dispute by Pakistan. However, such abstract political moves may only provoke our Eastern neighbour to reply in the same coin and an endless cycle would ensue. The need therefore, is to take decisive practical step to resolve the 73-year-old dispute.

Bringing both countries — who are nuclear powers — to the negotiating table is the only solution to the issue. Negotiations in good faith will not only resolve the Kashmir issue, but also create a perennial friendly environment between both countries which hopefully one day will see the largest and most prosperous economic zone in the world.

ArSAlAn khAn kArAchi

PUBG PTA had temporarily banned pubg in Pakistan. It was stated that this game supports violence and pessimism and leads to mental illness resulting suicide.

Everything has a negative impact but we need to learn from the positive impact. PUBG game has improved communication skills of youth, a better bonding to unknown and strangers. Games have age limits and games like PUBG are not for under-18. Mental illness is usually found in those who have extra loads, victims of society’s ethics and too much stress. Government doesn’t see the suicides committed due to burden of undeveloped education systems or due to hunger and poverty. I request the authorities to take actions about major issues like unemployment, crimes and illiteracy.

Afroz MJ TurbAT

The great betrayal The UAE-Israeli deal is just the beginning

SyeD KaSwar GarDezi

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UNFIRE, bombings and illegal annexations, the Palestinian people are far too familiar with these concepts within the confines of their homes.

The very homes from which they are occasionally driven out by the use of brutal force. Their lands are occupied and annexed into illegal settlements. Those protesting against such atrocities are subjected to inhumane torture and are mostly killed or captured.

Even the children are not safe from the use of extreme force and at times, find themselves cornered by heavily armed military personnel belonging to the Zionist regime.

It is these atrocities which gave rise to a unifying Muslim bloc which vowed to defend the rights and sovereignty of the Palestinians.

However, in spite of the calls being made, Israel continues to expand its territory and illegally occupy Palestinian lands, as it sees fit.

Mere condemnations are issued and the matter rests in silence with no action whatsoever taken. In the past, the matter has been the subject of a couple of wars fought with the Israelis however, without much success. Even though the movement has taken a back seat, the atrocities haven’t stopped yet and the hopes of the Palestinians from their brothers in faith and humanity, remain alive.

Similar to the Kashmir issue, the purported leaders of the Muslim world, the Arab community, has expressed its unwillingness to take a principled stand for the Palestinian people and have been quite reluctant in pursuing Israel. On the contrary, diplomatic relations have been established with it by a number of countries which to any principled mind would be considered a betrayal. It is akin to selling the blood of our brothers and sisters and jeopardizing their

least in Pakistan. rightful cause.

The Palestinian hopes will die in vain, but Nevertheless, despite the sentiment running through the Muslim community, the world was no show of proper support will be meted out taken aback with President Donald Trump an- to them. Like the Kashmiris, they too will connouncing the “peace deal” between Israel and tinue to face brutalities without any aid. For the United Arab Emirates. According to the most, this deal may be a bold move however, I deal, diplomatic relations will be established consider it to be the final nail in the coffin. In and direct flights will be operated directly be- my opinion, it is the beginning of the end for tween the countries amongst others. Amidst the the Arab dynasties. They have ruled for far too normalization of relations, the Palestinian long and have been extravagant in all their blood has been sold. It has been given up as ways. Their policies have mostly betrayed the consideration for this agreement. UAE, irre- Muslim community and they haven’t shied spective of the Palestinian cause, have taken a away from huddling up with the Indians and step in its own self-serving interest without giv- now the Israelis. These self-proclaimed royaling much importance to other issues. Even the ties do not deserve any respect if they do not even have the decency Muslim community to try and protect the has not been taken into rights of their fellow confidence prior to Muslims. In fact, as brokering this deal.

Are we also willing to sell the opposed to protecting, The Arabs, staying true they have gone ahead to their hypocritical blood of our Palestinian and sold the blood of tendencies have, once their own brothers in again, betrayed the enbrothers in exchange for faith. The great betire Ummah. Without trayal, as it may be blinking, they have economic support or are we termed, will go down carried on with this ready to stand up for the just in history as the start deal irrespective of its of another era. A paraconsequences on the and look down upon digm shift within the Palestinian cause.

This deal is the oppression? Above all, is the Muslim world will be witnessed following stepping-stone for leadership of the country this deal, or at least many to follow. In the how it should days to come, the willing to show the world that that’s be. A shift in the forworld will witness the rest of the Arab world we have what it takes to fight eign policies of countries including cozying up to the Isfor humanity or are we still Pakistan may be witraelis and within a nessed. Oppression short span of time, the going to cower down in front cannot have its day for Palestinian cause will a very long time. be restricted to a mere of the Arab world?

Pakistan currently ideology, one which remains caught in the most wouldn’t want to midst of these developtalk about. At the cost ments. Morally, it may of the Palestinian homes and blood, the Arabs wish to pursue a want to take certain steps. However, the finanprosperous future in bed with the Zionists. cial aid comes in between. The sinking econUnsurprisingly, there isn’t much cry against omy of our country always makes us step the deal. If the mere sanctity of the Arabs is towards the highest bidder. The Palestinians, threatened, even the Pakistani public takes to unfortunately, are not even part of the bidding the streets and our religious extremists lam- process. They can give nothing in return. It is bast and pledge their blood in support of the we, the people, who need to decide and raise our Arabs. However, no public outcries, protests voice against injustice, oppression and the Arab or even condemnations are being witnessed as support and silence against these atrocities. Are they should have been. The silence goes to we also willing to sell the blood of our Palesshow who is mostly behind the religious tinian brothers in exchange for economic supzealots whenever they take to the streets. Of port or are we ready to stand up for the just and course, the masters and their pot of money look down upon oppression? Above all, is the cannot be forgotten and no steps against them leadership of the country willing to show the can be taken. Had it been any other matter, our world that we have what it takes to fight for hureligious leaders within the blink of an eye manity or are we still going to cower down in would issue edicts and fatwas labelling any- front of the Arab world? one they so wish as infidels. Therefore, it can Syed Kaswar Gardezi is a lawyer and a be safely deduced that the hypocritical ideology which traces its roots to the Arabs, has im- columnist. He can be contacted at mersed itself greatly in the general public, at kaswargardezi@gmail.com

Israel-UAE deal MR TRUMP’S election campaign seems to be going well. Mr.Trumpis ramping up efforts to broaden voters base in order to get re-elected in upcoming presidential election in November.On Thursday,the world was compelety taken aback when UAE and Israel reached a historic deal and declaration of full normalisation of relations.America acted as a mediator.What is interesting is that UAE will establish its embassy in Israel and Israel vice versa.

The areas of cooperation between UAE and Israel include:tourism, education,healthcare,culture exchanges and trade and security.Their ministries will meet in coming days and possibilities are that they will sign MoU (Memorandum of Understanding). UAE is third Arab country, after Jordan and Egypt that recognized Israel as a sovereign state. Some Arab countries deems it a diplomatic breakthrough for strained relationship between Israel and Arab world.But,for Palestinians,it is a stab in the back.

What is to be observed is that will this deal change Israel’s expansionist behaviour.

QASiM JAn TurbAT

Sabotaging our culture It was just yesterday when my sister come back from Makli graveyard told me how people have foolishly engraved their names on its walls. I was deeply disappointed. This is not the case with makli only but there are several other monuments which are suffering from the same problem.

Betel nut stains, paint peeling and what not.

Pakistan is endowed with a large number of ancient sites and historic monuments. These historic assets are our link with our past and, as their custodians, it falls upon all Pakistanis to stabilize and conserve them in the best way possible. On the contrary, there are already little efforts from our government to preserve these beautiful structures and now we inflict damage to them too. Moreover, these structures are essential for understanding our cultural diversity. And not solely this, if maintained properly, we can drive serious revenues from them by promoting tourism.

It’s my humble request from the authorities to take strict action against this, so that our cultural heritage could be saved. Hefty fines should be charged from anyone who is caught performing the misdeed. uSMAn Mir lAhorE

Lack of agricultural facilities AGRICULTURE holds a significance role for any Pakistan. It plays variety of significant roles for the development and advancement of the economy rate of country. It helps a country to be the most richest and developed in all over the world. It is backbone of any country because without agriculture it is tough for the country to step forward towards the prosperous and peaceful country. If the growth of agriculture is low then it generates the shortage of food in Pakistan. In Balochistan province Makran is one of the greatest producers of crops and dates especially in District Kech and Panjugar but unfortunately, when we discuss the agriculture sector of the region, it is next to nothing. In a year more than millions dates are being produced by farmers but sorry to say all of them are wasted due lack of facilities. On the other hand, the majority of farmers are disappointed and left farming since the crops are being destroyed every year and there is not any value of crops in Makran. There are many famous areas in term of producing dates is district Panjugar and some areas of District Kech like Turbat, Hoshab, Karki, Hirronk, Shapuk, Nisarabad, Tijaban, Bulieda which are too much famous with sweaty and clean dates but at the absence of factories they are wasted every year. Other famous crops like watermelon, onions, rices are being produced in Kolwa but the lack facilities they are unable to shift their crops in other cities like Quetta, Karachi etc. At last, I would like to request to concerned authorities that they should take a serious step and provide facilities like transportation, factory and farmers should be motivated to produce more crops to boost the economy growth of country since agriculture is one of the greatest contributors of economy of Pakistan.

AliJAn DilwASh kArki

Monday, 17 August, 2020

08 WORLD VIEW

‘Hell yes’: experts say america Has become a failed state in 2020 IF THE UNITED STATES ISN’T A FAILED STATE IN 2020, IT IS RAPIDLY ON ITS WAY TOWARD BECOMING ONE. ECONOMISTS, HISTORIANS AND PUBLIC HEALTH EXPERTS I SPOKE TO WOULD GENERALLY AGREE WITH THAT SENTENCE, EVEN IF THEY MIGHT DISAGREE ON SOME OF THE DETAILS OR THE SEVERITY OF THE CRISIS

SALOn

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mATTHew rozsA

INCE 2000 we have had two major economic crashes, the related issue of persistent income inequality and an environmental crisis that threatens the future of civilization. In 2020 we are also facing a pandemic and a social uprising against institutional racism, made worse President Trump’s incompetence and the apparent threat he poses to democracy. One might say the real question isn’t whether the U.S. is a failed state, but how we can pull ourselves out of the muck before it is too late.

When it comes to the economy, the problems are relatively obvious, even if the solutions are not. “The American economic system has waltzed itself into a network of problems in large part because it really lived a charmed life,” said Dr. Richard D. Wolff, professor emeritus of economics at the University of Massachusetts Amherst. “But the charmed life ended around the 1970s, after which it went on a kind of extended life support.”

Americans have maintained the illusion of prosperity by accruing massive debt, Wolff told Salon, comparing the nation’s situation to that of “a patient who has had a really bad cancer or a heart attack, and is now kept alive with tubes and chemicals and all the rest of it. He is not dead, but is in deep trouble. That problem is compounded, Wolff said, “by the fact that this is a society cannot, to this day, face what I just said.”

As Wolff explained, one important element of our national dilemma is that the U.S. economy expanded at an extraordinary rate for roughly 150 years, a period of “ascendant capitalism” from about the 1820s through the 1970s.

“If you look at the numbers, real wages

in the United States, the average amount of goods and services a working man or woman could buy with what they got, went up every decade,” Wolff said. “It’s an amazing story.

And it produced in the United States, this euphoria — there is no other way to describe it — this really strange notion that other people don’t have.” It was, specifically, the belief now called “American exceptionalism,” which Wolff described as the conviction “that God likes you and so has put you in this great place where you can start off poor and end up rich. And there was something to it.

It wouldn’t have burrowed so deeply in the consciousness of the American if there wasn’t something to it.”

That period, however, is clearly over, for reasons that economists still vigorously debate to this day. The most likely culprits, as Lawrence Mishel of the Economic Policy Institute wrote in 2015, are the decline of labor unions, the abandonment of full employment as a policymaking priority, globalization and “the superlative growth of compensation of CEOs and other top managers, and excessive salaries in the expanding financial sector” — all which came at the expense of poor and working-class people.

Coincidentally or otherwise, the end of the boom in the late 1970s was also the same period when American policymakers first became aware of the global threat posed by climate change — and could have worked to halt it. As Penn State climatologist Michael E. Mann told Salon last year, our society has failed to address this problem because “in George W. Bush’s own words, we are ‘addicted to fossil fuels.’ Carrying the metaphor one step further, fossil fuel interests and the politicians and front groups who do their bidding are the drug pushers, while we are the victims.”

Kevin Trenberth, a distinguished senior scientist in the Climate Analysis Section at the National Center for Atmospheric Research, told Salon last month that inaction on the cli-

Made peace in Dubai? Now Make peace with the Palestinians THE IMPORTANCE OF THE NORMALIZATION AGREEMENT EXPECTED TO BE SIGNED BETWEEN ISRAEL AND THE UNITED ARAB EMIRATES SHOULD NOT BE UNDERSTATED EDITORIAL HAAreTz

Twenty-six years after signing a peace agreement with Jordan and more than 40 years after the peace agreement with Egypt, another Arab country joins those ranks, and there is hope that others will follow. A sign of this can be found in remarks by Jared Kushner, U.S. President Donald Trump’s adviser and son-in-law, that normalization between Israel and Saudi Arabia is an “inevitability.”

Opinions attempting to downplay the importance of the agreement have already begun to be voiced here. Among other things, they say there’s nothing new about the agreement, that the UAE is not an enemy country threatening Israel and the agreement with it does not resemble a treaty with an enemy country; that the agreement is nothing more than a political maneuver cooked up by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to elevate his political status. These claims miss the fact that the UAE has agreed to make its secret ties with Israel formal and public, and this bolsters the peace agreements with Egypt and Jordan and puts a stamp of approval on other such treaties.

UAE ruler Mohammed bin Zayed, is not a member of the Likud Central Committee, and he owes Netanyahu nothing. In his country, voices have long been heard encouraging diplomatic ties with Israel as part of a comprehensive strategy that seeks

to place the UAE among the countries with influence in the Middle East and beyond.

And by means of this agreement, bin Zayed has created an important precedent, one that obligates Israel to step back from the idea of annexation. Thus he has succeeded more than his counterparts in Egypt, Abdel-Fattah al-Sissi, and King Abdullah of Jordan.

The agreement was not meant to resolve the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The basic stipulation it contains – either annexation or peace with the UAE – does not present a road map or timetable to advance the diplomatic process. But Netanyahu, who sees in the agreement only business opportunities, must not regard it as an exemption from dealing with the Palestinian-Israeli crisis.

Because beyond blocking the annexation, the agreement contains a promise and a warning regarding the implementation of Trump’s peace plan. Israel, despite its political upheavals and without reference to the date of a possible new election, must now propose a suitable return in exchange for the diplomatic grant it received, and renew negotiations with Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas, or at least present a realistic diplomatic plan.

The situation in Gaza, where violent border clashes have been renewed, the lack of cooperation with the PA, and the severe economic crisis in both regions of Palestine will not change as a result of the plans Israelis have for shopping sprees in Dubai.

mate crisis was inextricably linked to the corrupting influence of money in politics.

“Politicians are supposed to be the ones who assimilate all the information, including the science, and also all the possible consequences in all ways, shapes and forms, including health, economics and society,” Trenberth explained. “I don’t think most politicians actually recognize their role, and it’s much worse in the United States than it is in many other countries. And the reason it’s much worse is because of advocacy, because of money in particular, because of Citizens United and the nasty politics that gets involved with using so-called dark money.”

This year, of course, has exposed the failures of the American state like none before. Leaving aside political concerns, Trump’s handling of the coronavirus pandemic has been a disastrous failure. The virus is a global phenomenon, but other nations have been far more successful in containing their outbreaks. They have manufactured and distributed coronavirus tests on a large scale, enforced mandatory quarantine on infected or exposed individuals, organized assertive contact-tracing programs, implemented worker protections and made sure that health professionals have adequate supplies of PPE. Perhaps most important, they have injected massive amounts of government funds into the economy, whether through direct payments to individuals, unemployment benefits or subsidies to employers and local government agencies, while the U.S. Congress continues to bicker over a relatively stingy stimulus package.

There is also the looming possibility that Trump will provoke a constitutional crisis by making good on his veiled threats to attempt to remain in power if he loses the presidential election. The last time a contested election appeared to endanger the democratic order was the 1860 race in which Abraham Lincoln defeated Democrat Stephen Douglas, setting the nation on the path to the

worst conflict in our history.

“The run-up to the Civil War had similar characteristics minus the virus,” Columbia University historian Eric Foner told Salon by email. “I hope that is not an omen. We were certainly a failed state in 1860.” As Foner explained, “the 1850s witnessed not only intense partisan and ideological division but also the collapse of one party and rise of another; stalemate and violence in Congress; hostility to immigrants (the Know-Nothing party); federal officials battling in the streets with people resisting the Fugitive Slave law; and ultimately civil war. Even more of a failed state than now.”

American University political scientist Allan Lichtman expressed similar thoughts, comparing the current period to the chaotic era from the 1830s through the outbreak of civil war after the 1860 election. He mentioned the cholera pandemic, widespread civil unrest over slavery, the censuring of President Andrew Jackson, the collapse of the Whig Party — and the brief rise of the xenophobic Know Nothing Party — and the economic panic in 1857, all of which led to the election of Lincoln and the national implosion that followed.

Lichtman added, however, that he does not believe things are quite that bad now. “Despite Trump’s unrelenting assaults on our democracy, our institutions are still stronger than in the 1850s, I don’t think we will have another Civil War in the era of modern weaponry. I don’t think Trump will be able to sustain any challenge to the election and will be escorted out of the White House, especially if the election is not close. The much greater worries are posed by voter suppression — and perhaps even the dispatch of unidentified federal troops to Democratic cities on Election Day — and Russian interference, which Trump will again welcome and exploit.”

Admitting that the period of endless American expansion has ended, and that much of this was the result of poor eco-

nomic and political decision-making, is the first step. How do we begin to repair these failures?

For one thing, said American University economist Gabriel Mathy, the U.S. should implement either true universal health care “or a good public option that rapidly becomes universal.” He also argued that some form of universal basic income, even on a modest scale, is needed to alleviate poverty, and that “unemployment insurance should be federalized and the system modernized, and benefits should be made more generous and extended to more workers.”

More radical measures may be necessary to address climate change. Speaking to Salon last month, ecological economist Julia K. Steinberger of the University of Leeds argued that we need am “all hands on deck” approach “that allows our economies to be completely transformed in order to literally allow human survival. That’s what’s at stake in terms of the gravity of the situation and the rapidity with which the climate crisis is unfolding.”

Steinberger says she favors “a full Green New Deal that focuses entirely on renewable and low carbon energy— which does not include natural gas [or] any fossil fuels going forward — and makes a clear signal that all fossil fuels will be ramped down to nothing within the scope of the next 10 years.” By tying this into creating high-paying jobs, one could create an economic future for many people and begin to reverse the catastrophic effects of climate change at the same time.

Joe Biden, who may well become president in January, has advocated creating a Pandemic Testing Board comparable to Franklin D. Roosevelt’s famous War Production Board, establishing a 100,000-plus worker Public Health Jobs Corps and passing stimulus legislation “a hell of a lot bigger” than the $2 trillion Congress has already spent to support struggling families. These are common sense measures that at the very least will help America survive the current crisis. Other Biden proposals, such as requiring businesses to provide paid emergency sick leave, increasing the size of family relief payments (aka “welfare”) increasing Social Security checks by up to $200 and adding a public option to Obamacare seem like modest but constructive steps.

Whether democracy itself can be saved lies outside the scope of this article, although it’s obviously a troubling question. Lichtman may be right that our system can resist Donald Trump’s chicanery, but even the fact that our national condition in 2020 bears comparison with the pre-Civil War era bespeaks a grave problem. If Americans lose faith in our government and our political system entirely, then solutions proposed by economists, scientists and public health experts are not likely to work.

Kamala Harris VP pick shows Biden isn’t afraid to have a strong woman at his side EDITORIAL BOARD L A Times

In picking California Sen. Kamala Harris to join the Democrats’ 2020 presidential ticket, Joe Biden has shown that, unlike the man currently holding the job he seeks, he’s not afraid of strong women.

It would have been disappointing but understandable if Biden had dismissed the highly qualified Harris as his running mate. She had also sought the nomination, and during the course of the primary she harshly criticized Biden’s position on busing to integrate schools and other racial justice issues. Before one CNN debate, Biden quipped, “Go easy on me, kid.” She didn’t.

That’s not Harris’ style; she’s been a prosecutor for most of her professional life, not a therapist.

For this, Biden aides reportedly tried to block her selection as vice president, suggesting she lacked sufficient loyalty and deference and had too much ambition to make a good sidekick.

And if Biden won, critics warned, she might spend most of her time in the West Wing preparing to run for president. That’s an absurd reason to reject a candidate. The vice presidential spot has always been seen as a launching pad for the presidency; it’s not like veeps have a whole lot else to do.

Besides, isn’t ambition something you want in a leader? Or is that a trait admirable only in men? Indeed, Harris is ambitious. She had to be to overcome the obstacles she faced as both a woman and a person of color (her mother is from India and her father is Jamaican). And Harris didn’t just advance, she pioneered. She is the state’s first Black district attorney, the first woman to serve as California’s attorney general and the second Black woman to serve as a U.S. senator. Now, she’s the first woman of color to join the Democratic presidential ticket.

As Biden heads into the most consequential president election in modern history, he sees what we do: Harris has a lot to offer the campaign and the ticket beyond being a symbol.

For one thing, Harris brings an unusual blend of social justice progressiveness and law-and-order conservatism. She has

a long career of fighting to protect the downtrodden and looking for ways to reform the criminal justice system while still locking up plenty of the proverbial bad guys. She’s gone after forprofit colleges and the mortgage industry when they preyed upon her constituents. She’s outspoken (at least when she wants to be) on issues she cares about, will not be cowed by bullying, and is not afraid of being seen as overly aggressive, which can be a career killer for women. Just ask Hillary Clinton.

Her debating skills are not in doubt, as Biden well knows from personal experience. After seeing her recent exchange with Senate colleague John Cornyn (R-Texas) over a police reform bill, we look forward to watching Harris go head to head with Vice President Mike Pence in the fall. As any elected official with a long record of service, Harris has had missteps along with the successes. She pushed some policies as a prosecutor that were harmful, such as her wrongheaded if well-intended campaign to curtail truancy, which fell particularly hard on low-income families and communities of color. (In her defense, Harris saw chronic truancy as a theft of a child’s future prosperity.) The offices she led sometimes made the wrong decisions in specific cases.

Our chief criticism of her over the years has been her aversion to taking firm positions on controversial topics, including some that should have been in her wheelhouse when she was attorney general. For example, when California voters were considering a major criminal justice reform initiative in 2014 to reduce certain nonviolent felonies to misdemeanors, Harris refused to take a stand on it or distance herself from the law enforcement community’s fear-mongering. The initiative passed anyway.

That tendency carried on to some extent in the presidential primary campaign, when Harris took safe and seemingly malleable stances on some major issues, such as enacting “Medicare for All” and allowing felons to vote. That’s not a deal breaker for a vice presidential nominee, but presidential candidates must be clear on their positions. Win or lose in November, Harris has at least four years to get that right.

Monday, 17 August, 2020

BUSINESS 09

KamyaB Jawan PRogRamme mighT CReaTe 50,000 JoBS By yeaR end, SayS USman daR Trump says looking at pressuring other Chinese companies after Bytedance BEDMINSTER AGENCIES

US President Donald Trump said on Saturday he could exert pressure on more Chinese companies such as technology giant Alibaba after he moved to ban TikTok. Asked at a news conference whether there were other particular China-owned companies he was considering a ban on, such as Alibaba, Trump replied: “Well, we’re looking at other things, yes.” Trump has been piling pressure on Chinese-owned companies, such as by vowing to ban short-video app TikTok from the United States. The United States ordered its Chinese owner ByteDance on Friday to divest the US operations of TikTok within 90 days, the latest effort to ramp up pressure over concerns about the safety of the personal data it handles. Trump, who has made changing the USChina trade relationship a central theme of his presidency, has been sharply critical of China while also praising its purchases of agriculture products such as soybeans and corn as part of a trade agreement reached late last year.

ISLAMABAD

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APP

PECIAL Assistant to the Prime Minister (SAPM) on Youth Affairs Muhammad Usman Dar on Sunday said that the Kamyab Jawan Programme (KJP) might help create 50,000 jobs by the end of 2020 through further disbursement of loans amounting to around Rs5 billion.

Usman Dar said that the total loan amount of Rs5 billion will be distributed among 10,000 registered Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) under the Youth Entrepreneurship Scheme.

He further informed that loans worth Rs1 billion have already been disbursed among 2,190 qualified entrepreneurs since the launch of Youth Entrepreneurship Scheme, while the executing banks have approved two tier financing of Rs3 billion for 7,592 eligi-

ble businesses.

Out of the total approved loans, evaluation of 5,402 businesses is still in process, Usman Dar added.

Bank of Khyber (BoK), Bank of Punjab (BoP) and National Bank of Pakistan (NBP), which deal with the Youth Entrepreneurship Scheme have sanctioned Rs4 billion soft loans for 28,859 SMEs, the SAPM told APP. The SAPM said that under the Youth Entrepreneurship Scheme, the banks had initially selected 58,031 businesses for scrutiny. Out of the initial 58,031 businesses, 18,473 have been rejected while scrutiny of 10,699 businesses is still in process.

The Youth Entrepreneurship Scheme was launched under the banner of Kamyab Jawan Programme in October last year with a seed allocation of Rs100 billion.

Three tiers were introduced under the programme for disbursement of

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German biotechnology firm CureVac does not rule out a speedy approval process for its prospective vaccine against Covid-19, its chief executive was quoted as saying on Sunday. The company said on Friday that it expects to put its vaccine on the market by mid-2021. Obtaining speedy approval suggests the company is pushing for an earlier release date although CEO Franz-Werner Haas did not give any details on how likely this was. “We are not ruling out accelerated approval, but this can only be achieved in close cooperation with the authorities,” Haas told the Boerse Online financial website. CureVac, backed

by Microsoft founder and billionaire Bill Gates, listed on the Nasdaq stock market on Friday, raising $213 million.

The results of the recently started clinical trials of the company’s prospective vaccine are to be published in autumn, Haas said, reiterating that at the moment approval was expected in the first half of next year.

CureVac is researching how to use molecules carrying a specific genetic code called messenger RNA (mRNA) to treat a series of diseases, including Covid-19. By using messenger RNA, researchers hope they can compel a patient’s own body to create proteins that can play an important role in combating disease. “We see a deeper and broader understanding in the United States that the mRNA technology we use has the potential to quickly develop an effective and efficient vaccine,” Haas said.

lower mark-up rate would also be applicable on those who had already availed loans, he added.

“We have been successfully implementing the Hunarmand Pakistan (Skill for All) programme for promoting basic and technical skills among youth,” Usman Dar said.

He added that Rs10 billion had been allocated for the first phase of the country’s largest skill development programme. Along with traditional trades training in high-tech technologies is also being offered through the programme.

He also mentioned the National Youth Development Framework (NYDF) – a national policy which envisages empowerment of youth through education, engagement and employment.

The SAPM said that the National Youth Council and the Corona Relief Tiger Force are among the major initiatives of Prime Minister Imran Khan aimed at youth development.

US-China trade deal review postponed as China ramps up farm, energy purchases

CureVac doesn't rule out accelerated approval for Covid-19 vaccine THE COMPANY EXPECTS TO PUT ITS VACCINE ON THE MARKET BY MID-2021

loans ranging from Rs100,000 to Rs25 million among the youth having workable business ideas. The third tier for a loan ranging from Rs10 million to Rs25 million was added after the expansion of the programme.

The SAPM said that more than one million applications were received under the Kamyab Jawan Programme, however, most of the applications lacked practical business ideas.

The SAPM urged the youth to sign up for the programme with proper preparation and submit practical business plans.

The government had expanded the soft-loan scheme last week in order to extend its benefits to the maximum number of young people across the country, Usman Dar said.

He said the mark-up rates on the initial two tiers has also been halved from 6 per cent and 8 per cent to 3 per cent and 4 per cent respectively. The

The United States and China have delayed a review of their Phase 1 trade deal initially slated for Saturday, sources familiar with the plans told Reuters, citing scheduling conflicts and the need to allow time for more Chinese purchases of US exports.

No new date for the initial six-month compliance review between US Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer, US Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin and Chinese Vice Premier Liu He has been agreed, the sources said.

The officials were expected to hold a videoconference on Saturday, the six-month anniversary of the trade deal’s February 15 entry into force as the coronavirus pandemic began spreading globally.

One source familiar with the talks said the delay was related to a conference of senior Communist Party leaders at the seaside town of Beidaihe on China’s northeast coast. The postponement did not reflect any substantive problem with the trade deal, the source said, adding: “The new date has not been finalized yet.”

US President Donald Trump on Friday repeated his view that the trade deal was “doing very well,” but did not comment on the delayed meeting. The White House referred queries on the talks to Lighthizer’s office, which did not respond to a Reuters query about plans for the review.

Another source familiar with the plans said that

US officials wanted more time to allow China to increase purchases of US goods agreed in the deal, to improve the political optics of the review.

China’s imports of US farm and manufactured goods, energy and services are well behind the pace needed to meet a first-year target increase of $77 billion over 2017 purchases.

But as China’s economy has recovered from a coronavirus lockdown earlier this year, purchases have increased. On Friday, the US Department of Agriculture reported the sale of 126,000 tonnes of soybeans to China, marking the eighth consecutive weekday with large sales to Chinese buyers.

US oil traders, shipbrokers and Chinese importers also told Reuters that Chinese state-owned oil firms have tentatively booked tankers to carry at least 20 million barrels of US crude for August and September, indicating a ramp-up in energy purchases.

Trump administration officials have signaled that they are satisfied with the pace of purchases in recent weeks and have no plans to abandon the trade deal, which also includes some increased access for US financial services firms in China, strengthened intellectual property protections and removal of some agricultural trade barriers..

Delaying the meeting, even briefly, could allow China to complete more purchases, which would help Lighthizer persuade Trump to stick to the deal.

Signs of Chinese compliance could also help blunt criticism from Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden, who last week said the agreement that Trump has called a historic win is “failing.”

“I think Trump is a little afraid that this triumph of his will be hung around his neck, but more purchases and a bit of a delay would clearly help,” said Mary Lovely, a senior fellow with the Peterson Institute for International Economics.

“But he does own it, so they’re going to have to put the best face on it,” she said of the Phase 1 deal.

The trade agreement has emerged as a lone source of stability amid significant strain in the US-China relationship over the coronavirus pandemic, human rights crackdowns and US sanctions on Chinese companies and phone apps.

UK bailout talks for Jaguar Land Rover, Tata Steel fall through: report Bailout talks between Jaguar Land Rover and Tata Steel with the UK government have ended, leaving both firms to rely on private financing to overcome the impact of coronavirus on business, the Financial Times reported on Friday. The report here said that talks for an emergency funding fell through as Jaguar Land Rover did not qualify for taxpayer support. It is the luxury car unit of India's Tata Motors Ltd and Tata Steel, both owned by Indian conglomerate Tata Group. The bailout plan, titled “Project Birch”, had been authorized by Finance Minister Rishi Sunak in May to rescue companies that are seen as strategically important, with the Treasury saying it may step in to support crucial businesses on a “last resort” basis after other options run out. The report, citing a source familiar with the matter, said that the funding scheme became infeasible for Tata as it imposed strict conditions on any lending. “Tata Steel remains in ongoing and constructive talks with the UK Government on areas of potential support,” Tata Steel said in an emailed statement. The UK Treasury said it would not comment on individual companies.

Tata Motors did not immediately respond to request for comment. AGENCIES

UAE, Israeli companies sign 'strategic commercial agreement' on coronavirus R&D DUBAI AGENCIES

The Emirati APEX National Investment company signed a “strategic commercial agreement” with Israel’s Tera Group to cooperate on research and development related to Covid19, including a testing device, the UAE’s state news agency WAM said late on Saturday.

The deal “is considered the first business to inaugurate trade, economy and effective partnerships between the Emirati and Israeli business sectors, for the benefit of serving humanity by strengthening research and studies on the novel Coronavirus,” WAM quoted APEX’s chairman Khalifa Yousef Khoury as saying.

The agreement was signed at a press conference in Abu Dhabi, coming soon after

THE DEAL IS CONSIDERED THE FIRST BUSINESS TO INAUGURATE TRADE, ECONOMY AND EFFECTIVE PARTNERSHIPS BETWEEN THE EMIRATI AND ISRAELI BUSINESS SECTORS Israel and the UAE announced an agreement on Thursday that will lead to a full normalization of diplomatic relations between the two states.

“The United Arab Emirates and Israel will immediately expand and accelerate cooperation regarding the treatment of and the development of a vaccine for the coronavirus,” the two countries said on Thursday in a joint statement.

US President Donald Trump helped broker the deal, under which Israel agreed to

suspend its planned annexation of areas of the occupied West Bank.

Delegations from Israel and the United Arab Emirates will meet in the coming weeks to sign agreements regarding investment, tourism, direct flights, security, telecommunications and other issues, the joint statement said.

“TeraGroup’s BioSafety testing is conducted in selected countries around the world, including the Emirates Field Hospital in Abu Dhabi, with plans to expand the test-

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ing to cover the entire UAE,” WAM said.

In June, the UAE had said two private companies from the United Arab Emirates and two Israeli companies would work together on medical projects, including ones to combat the new coronavirus.

Two state-owned Israeli defense contractors in July announced partnerships with Abu Dhabi-based technology company Group 42 to develop technologies to help fight the new coronavirus.

Meanwhile, Telephone lines between the United Arab Emirates and Israel were open on Sunday in a development the Israeli communications minister hailed as important for normalising ties between the countries.

The foreign ministers of both countries held a telephone call with each other to inaugurate the opening of the phone lines, Israeli officials

said and UAE foreign ministry spokeswoman Hend al-Otaiba wrote on Twitter.

The UAE’s Telecoms Regulatory Authority did not immediately respond to a request to comment.

Reuters made several calls from the UAE to Israel on Sunday and more Israeli news websites that were previously blocked in the UAE were also able to be viewed on UAE internet connections.

“I congratulate the United Arab Emirates on the unblocking,” Israeli Communications Minister Yoaz Hendel said on Twitter.

“Many economic opportunities will now open up, and these trust-building steps are important for advancing the countries’ interests.”

The UAE’s two main telecoms operators Du and Etisalat did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

Monday, 17 August, 2020

10 FOREIGN NEWS

50,000 proTesT in JerusAlem For neTAnyAhu’s resiGnATion JERUSALEM

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AGENCIES

HOUSANDS of demonstrators rallied against Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu on Saturday as anger over his alleged corruption and response to Covid-19 continues to boil in the streets.

Ten protesters were arrested after police started dispersing demonstrators who stayed at the scene after midnight. Some were taken into custody for refusing to leave or resisting officers while others were intercepted trying to start a protest march to another location, which the police would not allow.

Haaretz newspaper estimated that as many as 50,000 Israelis protested across the country on Saturday. The usual themes of the protests – Netanyahu’s alleged corruption and the way his government tackled the Covid-19 epidemic – had a new addition this week. The demonstration happened two days after Israel signed an agreement with the UAE on establishing diplomatic ties, and slogans referring to the move were added to the protesters’ toolbox.

Images from news agencies and social media showed several demonstrators being dragged by police as anti-Netanyahu protests continued for the eighth week.

According to reports, some of the pro-

testers had also attempted to march toward the residence of Israeli President Reuven Rivlin but were prevented by police.

Netanyahu has dismissed the demonstrators as "leftists" and "anarchists" and accused local media of strengthening the protests by giving them heavy coverage.

The Israeli prime minister was sworn in for a fifth term in May after clinching a coalition deal four months ago with cen-

trist Benny Gantz, his main rival in three inconclusive elections since April 2019.

Netanyahu, who heads the right-wing Likud party, has often complained of press bias against him, and some of the charges he faces in a corruption trial related to alleged attempts to seek favourable coverage from media barons in return for state favours.

The prime minister has denied

wrongdoing in the three corruption cases against him.

In recent days, Netanyahu got a political boost after Israel announced a historic normalisation of diplomatic relations with the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

But the prime minister still faces criticism for his handling of the coronavirus pandemic, which has infected over 92,000 people and killed over 670 others.

ISRAEL CONTINUES AIR STRIKE ON GAZA TEL AVIV: The Israeli army has said it carried out air attacks against Hamas positions in the Gaza Strip on Sunday in response to rocket attacks and firebombs sent into Israeli territory attached to balloons. The raids come after clashes broke out on Saturday evening along the Gaza-Israeli border, the army said. The Israeli army said dozens of Palestinian "rioters burned tyres, hurled explosive devices and grenades towards the security fence and attempted to approach it". Over the past week, Israeli forces have carried out repeated night-time attacks on targets linked to Hamas, the group that governs the Gaza Strip.

The army said that among the targets hit were "a military compound and underground infrastructure" belonging to Hamas.

Early on Sunday, the Israeli army also said two rockets had been fired into Israel from Gaza and intercepted by its Iron Dome defence system. "These aggressive policies aim to exacerbate the crises our people in Gaza are enduring to paralyse their daily life and to disrupt the efforts of combating coronavirus amid international and regional silence," Fawzi Barhoum, a spokesperson for Hamas, said in a statement earlier this week. Israel has closed the Karem Abu Salem (Kerem Shalom) goods crossing with the Gaza Strip. Following Saturday's clashes and rocket-fire, Israel's military decided "to entirely shut down the fishing zone of the Gaza Strip, immediately and until further notice, starting this morning [Sunday]," a military statement said.

The Palestinian territory has been under an Israeli blockade since 2007. Israel cites security threats from Hamas for its land and naval blockade. The Gaza Strip has a population of two million, more than half of whom live in poverty, according to the World Bank. Despite a truce last year backed by the United Nations, Egypt and Qatar, the two sides clash sporadically with rockets, mortar fire or incendiary balloons. Hamas has accused Israel of not fully complying with the deal. Israel, which deems Hamas a "terrorist" organisation, shuns direct negotiations and has never publicly acknowledged the truce. On Wednesday, Israel reduced the area where it permits Palestinians to fish from 24km (15 miles) to 13km (eight miles), calling it a response to the balloon launches. AGENCIES

Donald Trump's brother dies at 71 WASHINGTON: US President Donald Trump said his younger brother, Robert Trump, has died a day after the president visited him in a New York hospital. "It is with heavy heart that I share that my wonderful brother, Robert, peacefully passed away tonight. He was not just my brother, he was my best friend. He will be greatly missed, but we will meet again. His memory will live on in my heart forever. Robert, I love you.

Rest in peace," Trump said in a statement on Saturday night. Robert Trump, 71, was a business executive and real estate developer. Unlike his reality-TV-star brother, Robert Trump shunned the limelight. President Trump made an emotional visit to see his ailing brother on Friday at New York-Presbyterian/Weill Cornell Medical Center before going to his golf club at Bedminster, New Jersey for the weekend. The president is expected to attend the funeral, an aide said.

He has a busy travel schedule in coming days with plans to visit four battleground states as part of his reelection campaign. The cause of death was not revealed. Trump told reporters on Friday that his brother was "having a hard time" with an undisclosed illness. A source familiar with the situation said the brother had been on blood thinners. ABC News had reported that Robert Trump was hospitalised in the intensive care unit at Mount Sinai hospital in New York for more than a week in June. That same month, Robert Trump won a temporary restraining order against his and the president's niece, Mary Trump, to stop her from publishing a tell-all book that offered an unflattering look of the US president and his family. A state supreme court judge in Poughkeepsie, New York later denied a request to stop publication and cancelled the temporary restraining order. AGENCIES

Apple, Google drop Fortnite from app stores over payments NEW YORK: Apple and Google dropped the popular game Fortnite from their app stores after the game’s developer introduced a direct payment plan that bypasses their platforms. Apple and Google both take a 30% cut from in-app revenue purchases in games, which has long been a sore spot with developers. Fortnite is free, but users can pay for ingame accoutrements like weapons and skins. Its developer, Epic Games, said in a blog post Thursday that it was introducing Epic Direct payments, a direct payment plan for Apple’s iOS and Google Play. Epic said the system is the same payment system it already uses to process payments on PC and Mac computers and Android phones. Apple and Google said the service violates their guidelines. “Epic enabled a feature in its app which was not reviewed or approved

by Apple, and they did so with the express intent of violating the App Store guidelines regarding in-app payments that apply to every developer who sells digital goods or services,” Apple said in a statement.

Google said Fortnite will remain available on Android, just not through its app store. AGENCIES

Belarus says Russia ready to help ensure security MINSK AGENCIES

Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko has said that his Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin, has agreed to help "ensure security" of the country if needed as thousands of people continue to hold peaceful protests against his rule.

Lukashenko made the comments on Saturday evening, several hours after a phone call with Putin, the first publicly known direct contact between the two leaders since he claimed a landslide victory in an election his opponents said was rigged.

Facing the biggest challenge to his rule since taking power in 1994, Lukashenko called in Moscow's help after warning there was "a threat to Belarus".

"To talk about the military element, we have an agreement with Russia as part of the union state and the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO). Such situations fall under that agreement," Lukashenko told defence chiefs according to the Belta state news agency.

"I had a long, substantial conversation today with the Russian president ... We agreed that at our very first request, comprehensive help will be given to ensure the security of Belarus."

Belarus and Russia have formed a "union state" linking their

economies and militaries, while the CSTO is a military alliance between six ex-Soviet states.

Protesters have been demanding that Lukashenko resign, saying the official results of the August 9 presidential election that gave him a sixth term in office are fraudulent.

On Saturday, thousands of demonstrators gathered at the spot in the capital, Minsk, where a protester died. Some stripped off their shirts to display deep bruises they said came from being beaten by police.

Despite harsh police crackdowns against the protesters, including the detention of some 7,000 people, the demonstrations have swelled into the largest and most sustained anti-government movement since Lukashenko took power

26 years ago.

The 65-year-old Lukashenko, for his part, on Saturday rejected suggestions that foreign mediators become involved in trying to resolve the country's political crisis.

"Listen - we have a normal country, founded on a constitution.

We don't need any foreign government, any sort of mediators," Lukashenko said.

He appeared to be referring to an offer from the leaders of Poland, Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia to become involved.

Meanwhile, a Kremlin statement said Putin and Lukashenko both expressed hope for a quick resolution to the tensions.

"It is important that these problems are not used by destructive forces aimed at causing injury to the cooperation of the two countries in the framework of the union state," the Kremlin said.

Ties between the two traditional allies had been under strain before the election, as Russia scaled back the subsidies that propped up Lukashenko's government. Russia sees Belarus as a strategic buffer against NATO and the European Union.

A statement by the Kremlin made no mention of the assistance mentioned by Lukashenko but said both sides expressed hope for a quick resolution to the tensions.

iran's top general urges uAe to reconsider ties with israel TEHRAN: The chief of staff of the Iranian Armed Forces on Sunday urged the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to reconsider the establishment of diplomatic relations with Israel, official IRNA news agency reported. In a meeting with the commanders of Iran's armed forces and media directors, Mohammad Hossein Baqeri expressed regret over a recent agreement between the UAE and Israel to normalize ties, saying it is "unacceptable" for the UAE to clinch a political and economic deal with Israel. "If something happens in the Gulf and the security of the Islamic republic is threatened, we will blame the UAE for that and we will not tolerate it," Baqeri was quoted as saying. The agreement, brokered by the United States on Thursday, is a step to normalize the relations between Israel and the first Gulf state, while Israel agrees to suspend its plan to annex parts of the occupied Palestinian territories in the West Bank. Over the past four decades and since the establishment of the Islamic Republic of Iran in 1979, the country has emerged as an arch-enemy of Israel over the Palestinian cause. AGENCIES

Trump threatens 'snapback' of un sanctions against iran WASHINGTON AGENCIES

US President Donald Trump has announced that he intends to move next week to trigger a "snapback" of international sanctions against Iran at the United Nations. Trump plans to use a 2015 nuclear deal between Iran and world powers as grounds for this snapback, in spite of having withdrawn the US from the accord in 2018. Trump made the announcement as he dismissed Russian President Vladimir Putin's call for a summit of world leaders to discuss increasing Iran tensions, saying he probably would not participate. "We'll be doing a snapback," Trump told reporters on Saturday, one day after the UN Security Council rejected a US bid to extend a UN arms embargo on Iran.

The US has threatened to trigger a return of all UN sanctions on Iran using the "snapback" provision in the 2015 nuclear deal. Diplomats have said the US would face a tough, messy battle in any such move. In a social media post, Jarrett Blanc, a former US Department of State official who had been involved with the Iran nuclear deal, warned about the consequences of Trump's intentions. "The cost will be a devastating loss of UNSC authority that will damage the US role in the world for the foreseeable future - but the Trump Administration manifestly is not too worried about damage done to the country rather than to its own ambition," he wrote. The US lost its bid on Friday to extend the UN arms embargo after Putin proposed a summit of world leaders to avoid "confrontation" over the American "snapback" threat. "Probably not," Trump said when asked whether he would participate in the Putin-backed summit. In the Security Council vote, Russia and China opposed extending the weapons ban, which is due to expire in October.

Eleven members abstained, including France, Germany and the UK, while the US and the Dominican Republic were the only "yes" votes.

Iranian President Hassan Rouhani said on Saturday that the US suffered a humiliating defeat at the Security Council.

Egypt, Sudan optimistic over Nile dam talks with Ethiopia KHARTOUM AGENCIES

The prime ministers of Sudan and Egypt have expressed optimism after talks in the Sudanese capital that stalled negotiations with Ethiopia on its construction of a controversial giant dam on the Blue Nile would bear fruit.

The Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam, which is being built some 15km (9 miles) from Ethiopia's border with Sudan, has become a significant source of discord between the three countries. Downstream Egypt and Sudan view the multibillion-dollar dam as a threat to vital water supplies, while Ethiopia considers

its flagship infrastructure project crucial for its electrification and development.

Talks between the three countries were suspended last week after the Ethiopian government insisted on linking them to renegotiating a deal on sharing the waters of the Blue Nile.

On Saturday, Egyptian Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouli made his first official visit to Sudan since the formation of a transitional government in Khartoum last year following the overthrow of longtime President Omar al-Bashir.

Following his talks with Sudanese Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok in Khartoum, a joint statement was issued saying that "negotiations are the only

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way to resolve the problems of the dam".

The two prime ministers said they were "optimistic regarding the outcome of the negotiations" held under mediation by the African Union (AU), according to the statement.

"It is important to reach an agreement that guarantees the rights and interests of all three nations," it said, adding that a "mechanism to resolve [future] disputes" should be part of any deal.

Earlier this month, Egypt's water ministry said Addis Ababa had put forward a draft proposal that lacked a legal mechanism for settling disputes.

South Africa, which holds the presidency of the AU and is mediating nego-

tiations, has urged the three countries to "remain involved" in the talks.

In late June, Ethiopia rejected a United Nations Security Council meeting requested by Egypt saying the 15-member body should not be involved in the dispute, adding that it should be resolved at a regional level. Almost a decade of tortuous negotiations have failed to yield an agreement to regulate how Ethiopia will fill the reservoir and operate the hydroelectric dam while protecting Egypt's scarce water supplies.

The Blue Nile is a tributary of the Nile river, from which Egypt's 100 million people get about 90 percent of their fresh water.

Monday, 17 August, 2020

SPORTS 11

ShAheen STrIkeS Before rAIn SToPS enGLAnD-PAkISTAn 2nD TeST AGAIn

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SPORTS DESK

HAHEEN Afridi needed just four balls to remove England’s Rory Burns for a duck on Sunday before bad weather again interrupted second Test at Southampton.

England were 7-1 in reply to Pakistan’s first innings (236) when rain stopped play at 12:00pm local time on fourth day. In gloomy conditions that, with the floodlights on, favoured Pakistan’s pacemen as they had England’s quicks, left-arm fast bowler Afridi produced a superb delivery that moved away from left-hander Burn, who edged to second slip Asad Shafiq. It took England until the third over to shore their first run as Dom Sibley and Zak Crawley

struggled against both Afridi and the accurate Mohammad Abbas.

When the umpires called a halt, Sibley was two not out and Crawley, recalled in place of Ben Stokes after the star all-rounder withdrew from this match to be with his ill father in New Zealand, five not-out. riZWan hits out: Earlier, Earlier Mohammad Rizwan top-scored with 72 as Pakistan’s first innings finally came to an end.

Pakistan resumed 223-9 after had washed out the whole of Saturday’s play in a match where bad weather had also curtailed the first two days.

And there was a further delay to the scheduled start when, despite having had hours to prepare or the possibility, a member of the ground staff had to bring out sawdust for the bowler’s run-ups.

Lyon stun Man C to reach semi finals SPORTS DESK Manchester City’s Champions League ambitions are in ruins once more after Lyon shocked Pep Guardiola’s side in the quarterfinal in Lisbon. City started as firm favourites but came out second best against a fiercely determined Lyon in a game that swung on controversy and uncharacteristic errors in the closing stages. Lyon went ahead in the 24th minute with Maxwel Cornet’s smart finish but City, lifeless as Guardiola chose to play a three-man central defence, looked to have been revived by Kevin de Bruyne’s precise strike from Raheem Sterling’s pass after 69 minutes.

Former Celtic striker Moussa Dembele, on as a substitute, restored Lyon’s lead in contentious circumstances 11 minutes from time, the video assistant referee ignoring what appeared to be an obvious foul by the goalscorer before he ran on to beat Ederson. City pressed for the equaliser but Sterling was guilty of an atrocious miss, somehow sending his finish over the top of an open goal from Gabriel Jesus’ pass. It proved to be hugely expensive as seconds later Lyon set up a semi-final meeting with Bayern Munich when Dembele scored his second after Ederson fumbled a shot from Houssem Aouar’s routine shot. Guardiola has rightly been showered in plaudits for the wonderful football and success he has brought to Manchester City - but his biggest target remains elusive and this was a miserable night for the manager. Guardiola, who has been accused of over-thinking his approach in the Champions League before, adopted a threeman central defensive system and chose to leave many of City’s creators and manipulators on the bench. Lyon deserved respect after eliminating Juventus but this was a ploy that took it too far and resulted in a stuttering City lacking urgency and creativity.

He eventually introduced Riyad Mahrez after the break to some effect but Lyon were offered hope and encouragement by Guardiola’s approach and showed magnificent grit and resilience to secure the win.

City will rightly claim an injustice over the VAR decision that did not penalise what appeared to be a foul on Aymeric Laporte by Dembele but the team defending for the second goal was horrific, with every City player bar keeper Ederson in the Lyon half when the goal was created when the game was finely balanced at 1-1.

City and Guardiola have suffered Champions League disappointment before but this may hurt more than any other - and make no mistake, the much-feted Catalan must take his full share of responsibility for a flawed game plan.

Rizwan was then 60 not out – his second fifty in eight career Tests following his 95 against Australia in Brisbane in November. The wicketkeeper, in partnership, with dogged tail-ender Abbas (two off 20 balls), had taken Pakistan past 200 in a ninthwicket stand after they had come together with the tourists struggling at 176-8.

Rizwan made his intentions clear by swinging wildly, and missing, at James Anderson as he charged down the pitch to Sunday’s first ball of the day.

The wicketkeeper did, however, make contact when he sliced a drive off Anderson over the slips to the third man boundary. Rizwan also square-cut Anderson for a well struck four before he was out when, aiming leg side off Stuart Broad, he got a leading edge and was caught in the covers

Dovizioso delivers for Ducati at wild Austrian MotoGP SPIELBERG APP

by Crawley.

Rizwan battled for three and threequarter hours, facing 139 balls with seven fours. Broad, who had already become the first England bowler since off-spinner Graeme Swann 11 years ago to take three wickers in seven consecutive Test innings, led the attack with 4-56 in 27.2 overs.

Broad has taken 26 wickets in four tests so far this season at a miserly average of 12.38. Pakistan, 1-0 down in a threematch series after their three-wicket defeat in the first Test at Old Trafford last week, were also indebted to Abid Ali (60) and Babar Azam (47) for painstaking innings when the conditions were stacked against the batsmen. Victory in this match will see England secure their first series win over Pakistan since 2010.

Wasim Akram says England ‘owe’ Pakistan for cricket tour

Andrea Dovizioso won an eventful Austrian MotoGP for Ducati on Sunday just 24 hours after revealing he would leave the Italian team at the end of the season. Spain’s Joan Mir on a Suzuki robbed Ducati of a one-two by clinching second spot from Australian Jack Miller with a single corner to spare. The race featured a string of crashes and narrow escapes notably for Yamaha’s Franco Morbidelli and Frenchman Johann Zarco. In a two-way tangle on lap eight at the empty Speilberg circuit Yamaha’s Morbidelli and Zarco hit the deck at high speed.

Zarco’s Ducati carried on without him, cut a corner and narrowly missed the veteran Valentino Rossi, who was clearly shaken by the close shave. The riderless bike exploded into pieces at a safety barrier scattering debris through the air as the race was red flagged.

Morbidelli was taken away on a stretcher but was later able to walk to an ambulance as Zarco appeared unhurt. The accident followed a similar spectacular spill in the earlier Moto2 race.

Basim Ali wins Independence Day Tennis competition

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Wasim Akram has insisted England “owe” Pakistan for proceeding with their ongoing tour amid the coronavirus pandemic as he urged English officials to honour a planned returned visit in 2022.

England have not visited Pakistan since 2005/06. An attack by armed militants on Sri Lanka’s team bus in Lahore in 2009 ended major cricket tours for a decade. But Sri Lanka, Zimbabwe, West Indies and Bangladesh have all since made the trip.

Pakistan are currently playing the second Test of a three-match series at Southampton, which follows an England-West Indies series last month that marked international cricket’s return from lockdown.

Both teams, among the poorer Test nations, have been praised for travelling to Britain, which has been hit hard by the Covid-19 outbreak and helping spare the England and Wales Cricket Board an estimated £280 million ($366 million) loss if their scheduled matches were wiped out by the virus.

“You (England) boys owe Pakistan cricket, and the country, a lot, with the boys coming over here,” Pakistan great Akram told Sky Sports on Sunday.

And he said the fact English players had taken part in this year’s edition of the Pakistan Super League, a Twenty20 franchise tournament, should encourage the ECB in thinking it was safe to send the national side there as well.

Sindh Tennis Association in collaboration with Sports for Life and major support from Union Club organized an Independence Day Tennis Competition and tree plantation at Union Club Karachi. Men’s Singles event was won by Basim Ali who defeated Usama Saeed by 10-4 (Super Tie Break) score, and in Under 12 Singles Ibrahim Saad beat Almir Jan with 10-6 score, said a news release issued here on Sunday. Ahmed Ali Rajput and Tehmina Asif were Chief Guests for the Tennis Event and Plantation respectively. The plantation drive was graced by a large number of sports and social personalities of city. Muhammad Khalid Rehmani, Vice President Pakistan Tennis Federation suggested that since Pakistan Olympic Association has created Environment Commission recently, the each and every member of sports fraternity must plant a tree on the opening or closing day of all of local or national events. He said POA should also introduce SOPs for all federations to implement mandatory plantation for each and every national event. Khalid Rehmani added that over 40 federations on an average organize 200 plus national events. Similarly, at provincial and city level thousands of events are held every year which means the sports fraternity can easily create an environment friendly culture in country. All provincial sports associations should introduce a section of environment betterment in their folds. He delightedly informed that Sindh Tennis Association has taken immediate step to hold a tennis competition soon as Lockdown restrictions are lifted.

‘loVED it’: “The English players were there for the Pakistan Super League in our team, Karachi Kings — Alex Hales and Chris Jordan,” said Akram, arguably the greatest left-arm fast bowler in cricket history.

“They loved it, they enjoyed it, they got looked after beautifully and I must give credit to the government of Pakistan, the Pakistan Cricket Board and the Pakistan team and their staff.”

The current series, as was the case with the England-West Indies Tests, is being played behind closed doors, with the teams staying in onsite hotels as an additional measure to guard against the spread of Covid-19 by creating a biosecure bubble.

Pakistan are also due to play three Twenty20 internationals against Eng-

land after the Test series finishes and Akram said: “They’ve been here almost two and-a-half-months in the bio-secure (bubble). “So if everything goes well, England should tour Pakistan.

“I promise you they’ll get looked after on and off the field there and every game will be a packed house.”

Earlier this month, Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chief executive Wasim Khan said he hoped England could tour before their planned trip in two years’ time. “England are due to tour in 2022, and we’d love to have them coming over well before then for a shorter tour,” said Khan.

“It’s something that we’ll speak to the ECB about,” added Khan, a Birmingham-born former batsman with several English counties.

ICC congratulates MS Dhoni on a marvellous career ISLAMABAD APP

The International Cricket Council (ICC) on Sunday congratulated former India captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni for a wonderful international career that saw him lead his team to victory in all three major ICC tournaments for men.

The 39-year-old, who was captain of the teams that won the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup in 2007, the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup in 2011 and the ICC Champi-

ons Trophy in 2013, has announced his retirement from international cricket.

Dhoni was an accomplished allrounder with his smart work behind the stumps and with the bat and was known as one of the greatest finishers in limited overs cricket.

ICC Chief Executive Manu Sawhney said: “MS Dhoni is one of the all-time greats of the game. The image of his winning shot at the Wankhede Stadium in the 2011 ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup final is etched in the memory of cricket lovers

around the world. “He has inspired a whole generation and will be sorely missed. On behalf of the ICC, I congratulate him for an outstanding cricket career and wish him all the best for the future.”

Dhoni scored 4,876 runs in 98 matches with 256 catches and 38 stumpings in a Test career that he called an end to in 2014. In ODIs, he scored 10,773 runs with 321 catches and 123 stumpings, last turning out for India in the ICC Cricket World Cup 2019. In T20Is, he aggregated 1617 runs with 57 catches and

Indian cricket star Dhoni’s five notable innings SPORTS DESK Indian cricket superstar M.S. Dhoni has called time on his illustrious international career, which included success in every format and two limited-overs World Cups as captain.

The 39-year-old played 90 Tests, 350 one-day internationals and 98 Twenty20s for India since his debut in 2004. AFP takes a look at five notable Dhoni innings: Early imprEssion: Visakhapatnam, 2005 Dhoni put aside scores of zero, 12, seven and three to announce himself in his fifth ODI with a match-winning 148 against India’s arch-rivals Pakistan.

Coming in one-down in a team that included Sachin Tendulkar, Sourav Ganguly and Virender Sehwag, Dhoni stole the limelight with his 123-ball blitz. The wicketkeeper-batsman smashed 15 fours and four sixes to guide India to 356 and a 58-run win in Visakhapatnam. risE of thE ranchi star: Jaipur, 2005 It was never easy to take the crease after Tendulkar in an Indian stadium. But after the superstar fell for just two during a Jaipur ODI, a young Dhoni tore into the Sri Lankan attack with an unbeaten 183.

The devastating knock helped India chase a target of 299 and made the cricket world take notice.

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It remains his highest-ever ODI score. history: mumbai, 2011: With India chasing Sri Lanka’s 275 on home soil in the ODI World Cup final, Dhoni — who had earned the nickname “Captain Cool” — soaked in the pressure to hit an unbeaten 91.

He whacked Nuwan Kulasekara for six to win the final in Mumbai, triggering wild celebrations in cricketmad India whose fans had waited 28 years for an ODI World Cup. The innings, and the final shot over the fence, cemented Dhoni’s status as one of India’s greatest ever cricketers. marathon man: chEnnai, 2013: While bestknown for his explosive batting in limited-overs formats,

34 stumpings. He scored six centuries in Tests and 10 in ODIs. Dhoni spent 656 days as the topranked batsman in the MRF Tyres ICC Men’s ODI Player Rankings from 2006 to 2010 and was the ICC ODI Player of the Year in 2008 and 2009.

He was in the ICC ODI Teams of the Year in 2006, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013 and 2014 and in the ICC Test Teams of the Year in 2009, 2010, 2012 and 2013. He won the ICC Spirit of Cricket award in 2011.

Dhoni often stamped his authority in Tests too.

In the first match of a four-Test home series, Dhoni hammered the Aussie attack led by Mitchell Starc for 224 at Chennai in an innings that lasted more than six hours. India won the Test, and went on to whitewash the visitors as Dhoni established himself as one of India’s most successful captains. t20 Glory: banGalorE, 2017: Dhoni led India to victory in the inaugural T20 World Cup, beating Pakistan in the final at Johannesburg. And while he never scored a T20 hundred, he made a difference with numerous key knocks.

Among the most memorable Dhoni T20 innings is the 56 against England in Bangalore in 2017 — his highest T20 score. With wristy flicks and big hits down the ground, the skipper guided India to 202 and a comfortable win.

Monday, 17 August, 2020

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isrAel sAys it expects bAhrAin And omAn to follow uAe in formAlising ties

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AHRAIN and Oman could be the next Gulf countries to follow the United Arab Emirates in formalising ties with Israel, Israel’s intelligence minister said on Sunday.

“In the wake of this agreement [with the UAE] will come additional agreements, both with more Gulf countries and with Muslim countries in Africa,” Intelligence Minister Eli Cohen told Army Radio. “I think that Bahrain and Oman are definitely on the agenda. In addition, in my assessment, there is a chance that already in the coming year there will be a peace deal with additional countries in Africa, chief among them, Sudan,” he said.

Both Bahrain and Oman praised the UAE-Israel accord, although neither have commented on their own prospects for normalised relations.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has met with Omani and Sudanese leaders in the past two years.

A senior US official said on Friday that the White House has been in touch

with “numerous” countries in the region, trying to see if more agreements would materialise. The official declined to name the countries but said they were Arab and Muslim nations in the Middle East and

kuwAit’s position towArds isrAel reportedly unchAnged DUBAI: Kuwait’s position towards Israel is unchanged after its accord with the United Arab Emirates and it will be the last country to normalise relations, newspaper al-Qabas reported on Sunday citing Kuwaiti government sources. Israel and the UAE announced an agreement on Thursday that will lead to a full normalisation of diplomatic relations between the two states, making the UAE the only third Arab state to do so after Egypt and Jordan. “The Kuwaiti position is consistent with its decades-old foreign policy approach in support of the Palestinian cause, as it is the premier Arab issue, and only accepting a solution if it is what the Palestinians accept,” al-Qabas said. Palestinians denounced the Israel-UAE deal, while Saudi Arabia and Qatar have remained silent. Fellow Gulf nations Oman and Bahrain praised the deal. AGENCIES

paris asks kabul not to free taliban who killed french nationals PARIS: France has objected to the release of three men jailed for the murders of French nationals in Afghanistan as part of Kabul's decision to release 400 Taliban prisoners as the last phase of fulfilling a condition set out in a deal between the Taliban and the US government. The group of prisoners, whose release has begun, include two men who murdered Bettina Goislard, an employee of the UN refugee agency, in November 2003, and a former Afghan soldier who killed five French soldiers and injured 13 others in Kapisa province eight years ago. "France is particularly concerned by the presence, among the individuals liable to be released, of several terrorists convicted of killing French citizens in Afghanistan," the foreign ministry said in a statement on Sunday. The Afghan government and the Taliban are set to meet to launch an intra-Afghan peace process within days of the prisoner release being completed, a move that has drawn widespread condemnation after it emerged that many of the inmates were involved in attacks that killed tens of Afghans and foreigners. "It firmly opposes the liberation of individuals convicted of crimes against French nationals, in particular soldiers and humanitarian workers," it said. "As a result, we have immediately asked the Afghan authorities not to proceed with the release of these terrorists." TLTP

oil demand set to falter till 2022 amid covid-19 uncertainty

Africa. On Thursday, Israel and the UAE announced they would normalise diplomatic ties and forge a broad new relationship. The deal, brokered with US help, firms up opposition to regional power Iran. The Palestinians denounced the deal as a betrayal.

Israel signed peace agreements with Egypt in 1979 and Jordan in 1994. But the UAE, along with most other Arab nations, has had no formal diplomatic or economic relations with it.

Bahrain, a close ally of Saudi Arabia, hosted a senior Israeli official at a security conference in 2019 as well as a US-led conference on boosting the Palestinian economy as part US President Donald Trump’s Middle East peace initiative.

Government sources in Kuwait said its position towards Israel is unchanged, and it will be the last country to normalise relations, local newspaper AlQabas reported.

India to invest $1.46tr to lift virus-hit economy NEW DELHI AGENCIES

India’s prime minister has said his country has done well in containing the coronavirus pandemic and announced $1.46 trillion infrastructure projects to boost the sagging economy.

The key lesson India learnt from the pandemic is to become self-reliant in manufacturing and developing itself as a key supply chain destination for international companies, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said. “The coronavirus epidemic is a big crisis, but it can’t stall India’s economic progress,”” he said.

He also said that three vaccines are in different phases of testing in India and it will start mass production as soon as it gets a green light from scientists.

India’s coronavirus death toll overtook Britain’s this week to become the fourth-highest in the world as the country reported over 2.5 million confirmed cases, just behind the US and Brazil.

The International Monetary Fund projected a contraction of 4.5% for the Indian economy in 2020, a “historic low,” but said the country is expected to bounce back in 2021.

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india restores 4g internet services in parts of kashmir SRINAGAR: India on Sunday restored high speed 4G internet services in two districts of Kashmir after the Supreme Court last month said an indefinite shutdown of the internet there was illegal. The communications lockdown had been imposed after partial autonomy of the Muslim majority region was scrapped by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi last year.

Authorities had said the security situation was not conducive to restoring mobile internet access. “The high speed mobile data services in the districts of Ganderbal and Udhampur shall be restored forthwith, on a trial basis,” a government statement said on Sunday, adding the internet speed would continue to be restricted in other cities. AGENCIES

india's main opposition seeks probe into facebook's alleged ties with modi's party NEW DELHI: India’s main opposition Congress on Sunday called for a parliamentary panel to investigate alleged links between Facebook’s India team and the country’s ruling party. Citing a report published by the Wall Street Journal on Friday, the party said employees of Facebook and WhatsApp, responsible for overseeing Indian content, were working to favour Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s party, to protect the company’s “commercial interests”. India’s government and Facebook did not immediately respond to Reuters’ requests for comment. Facebook Inc’s WhatsApp, which counts India as its biggest market with 400 million users, is waiting for regulatory clearances to launch a payment platform. AGENCIES

german watchdog launches new Amazon investigation: report

Modi said the government has identified 7,000 infrastructure projects to offset the economic impact of the pandemic. He said that India saw a record 18% jump in foreign direct investment in the past year, a signal that the international companies are looking at the country. Modi didn’t refer to China directly, but India is trying to capitalize on its rival’s rising production costs and deteriorating ties with the United States and European nations to become a replacement home for large

multinationals. Referring to border tensions with China in the Ladakh area, he said Indian forces had given a befitting response in the mountainous region where thousands of soldiers from the two countries remain in a tense standoff since May. India said 20 of its troops died in hand combat with Chinese troops on June 15. “Whether it’s terrorism or expansionism, India is fighting the challenges bravely,” Modi said in apparent references to threats from neighboring Pakistan and China.

BERLIN: Germany’s anti-trust authority has launched a new investigation into Amazon’s relationship with third-party traders selling on its site, its head was quoted as saying on Sunday. “We are currently investigating whether and how Amazon influences how traders set prices on the marketplace,” Andreas Mundt, President of the Federal Cartel Office, told the Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung daily. Germany is Amazon’s secondbiggest market after the United States. During the first few months of the coronavirus pandemic, when many stores were closed and shoppers flocked online, Mundt said there had been complaints that Amazon had blocked some traders because of allegedly too high prices. AGENCIES

AfghAn women's rights trAilblAzer survives gun AttAck

NEW YORK: Crude oil prices remained stable for the third month in a row with Brent crude moving in a tight range between $40 and $45 per barrel since early June. Brent advanced to $44.80 per barrel by the end of the week as WTI also gained to $42.01 per barrel. The big three global oil outlooks published by OPEC, the International Energy Agency and the US Energy Information Administration were all bearish and based on the view that demand may not recover to 2019 levels until 2022 at the earliest. Transport fuels were seen as especially vulnerable with jet fuel and gasoline the hardest hit by pandemicrelated lockdowns. However, OPEC’s latest monthly report suggests that global refining margins may be trending upwards back into positive territory, particularly in Asia. AGENCIES

KABUL AGENCIES

Trailblazing Afghan women's rights campaigner Fawzia Koofi, a member of the negotiating team that will hold peace talks with the Taliban, has been wounded in a gun attack near Kabul, officials said on Saturday.

Gunmen opened fire on Koofi, 45, and her sister on Friday when they were returning from a meeting in the province of Parwan near the capital, interior ministry spokesman Tariq Arian told AFP. Koofi, a former member of parliament and strong critic of the Taliban, was shot in her right hand, he said, adding that she was in a stable condition. The Taliban denied they were involved in the attack on Koofi. The attack drew strong condemnation from Afghanistan's President Ashraf Ghani — who described it as a “cowardly attack”, according to his spokesman Sediq Seddiqi. Abdullah Abdullah, who heads the national reconciliation council, called on Afghan authorities

to bring “the perpetrators of the attack to justice”.

The chief of Afghanistan's Independent Human Rights Commission, Shaharzad Akbar, also condemned the “horrific attack”. “Worrying pattern of targeted attacks that can negatively impact confidence in peace process,” she wrote on Twitter. In recent months, there have been gun attacks against human rights activists and prosecutors in Kabul. Koofi survived a previous assassination attempt in 2010, when gunmen fired at her as she was returning to the capital after an International Women's Day event.

She was among the few women in a pan-Afghan delegation that held several rounds of unofficial dialogue with the Taliban in 2019. That dialogue came alongside separate negotiations between the militants and the United States in Qatar which finally led to the signing of an agreement between the two in February this year. At the time, Koofi told AFP how she had received threats previously from militants just for wearing nail polish.

PRIDE AND STRESS: Koofi is now one of four women negotiators in the Afghan team that will hold direct talks with the Taliban in the coming days.

“I think this time we are going for serious talks,” she told AFP this week. “There is a sense of pride [...] but in the meantime, it's a lot of stress. “You have to really make sure that you are perfect in many ways.” Koofi, a widow and mother of two daughters, was the first girl in her family to attend school. Her education was interrupted when she was forced out of medical college in 1996 as the Taliban stormed to power. It was only after the US-led invasion in 2001 that she rose to prominence as a politician and in 2005, became the first woman to serve as the deputy speaker of Afghanistan's parliament.

The talks with the Taliban are expected within days, aimed at ending the conflict that has ravaged Afghanistan for almost two decades. Afghan authorities are currently releasing from jails some 400 Taliban militants, fulfilling a key demand from the insurgent group for any talks.

Facebook allows businesses to hold paid online events SAN FRANCISCO AGENCIES

Facebook has launched a new feature to help small and mid-size businesses (SMBs) monetise online events free of cost on its platform in an effort to help them ride out the pandemic.

Facebook page owners – including businesses, entrepreneurs, educators, publishers and content creators – can create an online event, set a price, promote the event, collect payment and host the event all in one place, the company said.

“We remain committed to supporting SMBs, and we will keep finding ways to make it easier for them to bring their businesses online,” Fidji Simo, vice president and head of Facebook App, said.

“By combining marketing, payment and live video, paid online events meet the endto-end needs of businesses. Pages can host events on Facebook Live to reach broad audiences,” she added.

Businesses are using Facebook to host various events including expert talks, podcast recordings, cooking classes, meet-and-

greets and fitness classes after the pandemic necessitated social distancing and put a temporary halt to large gatherings around the world. The social networking giant has seen an uptick in such events as more businesses turn to online platforms to reach wider audiences in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic.

The company said it is also testing paid events with Messenger Rooms – a video chat room where users can share links to connect with more people – for more personal and interactive gatherings. In the first phase of the release, Facebook launched the feature

in 20 countries, including the US, the UK, Canada, Germany, Italy, India, Spain, Singapore and Belgium. To support small businesses and creators who have been affected by the coronavirus, Facebook will not collect any fees from paid online events for at least the next year, the company said.

More than a quarter of SMBs around the world closed their doors at some stage in the first five months of the year due to the Covid-19, according to a survey released last month by Facebook, the World Bank and the Organisation for Economic Co-operation

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

and Development. However, this number surged to more than 50 per cent in some countries such as Ireland and Bangladesh.

“Many businesses are struggling and every cent matters. Shifting in-person events to online is costly enough that businesses shouldn’t have to worry about fees charged by platforms,” said Simo.

“For transactions on the web and on Android in countries where we have rolled out Facebook Pay, small businesses will keep 100 per cent of the revenue they generate,” she added.