Epaper – February 19 ISB 2021

Friday, 19 February, 2021 I 6 Rajab, 1442 I Rs 15.00 I Vol XI No 232 I 12 Pages I Islamabad Edition

PPP, PML-N goiNg agaiNst Charter of DeMoCraCy by oPPosiNg oPeN baLLotiNg: CJP g

SECRECY IN THE PollS IS ABSoluTE IN vIEW oF CoNSTITuTIoN, SC TolD

ISLAMABAD stAff rePort

C

HIEF Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Gulzar Ahmad on Thursday said that the Pakistan Muslim leagueNawaz (PMl-N) and Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) were going against the Charter of Democracy by opposing open balloting in Senate elections.

Sindh Advocate General (AG) Salman Talibuddin argued before the Supreme Court (SC) on Thursday that the presidential reference must be dismissed as it is not maintainable and that secrecy in the polls is absolute in view of the Article 226 of the Constitution.

He said that accepting the reference would be akin to a constitutional amendment, adding that allegations of corruption in the Senate elections are hearsay as there is no evidence.

“We can not say whether open balloting will eliminate horse-trading but it is disappointing that the PPP and the PMl-N

have gone back on their earlier agreement,” responded CJP Gulzar, expressing his disappointment over the PPP and the PMl-N going against the Charter of Democracy, which calls for an end to secret balloting in Senate elections.

To this, Justice umar Ata Bandial remarked that the best evidence of corruption is a traceable ballot of a voter and as the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) cannot currently access the paper ballot, then Article 225 of the Constitution stands redundant.

“If prima facie, there is [a] material of corruption, then a tribunal can order the examining of the ballot,” he maintained.

Justice Ijazul Ahsan said on the occasion that “you can not shut [the] door to the opening of ballots.”

In his arguments, Punjab AG Ahmad Awais agreed with Attorney-General for Pakistan (AGP) Khalid Jawed Khan’s perspective that parliamentarians were bound by their party’s code of discipline and in case of any violation, action can

CoroNavirus iN

PakistaN

CONFIRMED CASES:

567,261

LAST UPDATED AT 8:15 AM ON FEBRUARY 18, 2021

DAY'S DEATH TOLL:

52

RECOVERED:

NEW CASES:

1,272 DEATHS:

530,597 12,488 SINDH:

PUNJAB:

254,678

165,716

KP:

BALOCHISTAN:

AJK/GB:

ISLAMABAD:

70,306

18,958

9,629/4,945 43,029

be taken against them.

He said, in response to a question, that a lawmaker can be held liable for selling or buying votes, but not for voting his party’s interests.

The advocate generals of Islamabad, Balochistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) and Punjab all supported the arguments presented by the AGP. Justice Gulzar said that Article 63-A does not apply to the Senate elections whereas Article 59 does not mention secret balloting.

The hearing was postponed till Friday.

A day earlier, during the hearing, Justice Ahsan had inquired how ECP would maintain proportional representation and if the votes could ever truly be secret.

Referring to electronic voting, he had pointed out that anything on the Internet could be traced. Regarding proportionate representation, he had said that the ECP itself would be responsible if the party “does not get [a number of seats] in relation to its seats in the provincial assemblies”.

The ECP in a response submitted to the SC on Wednesday had maintained that the Senate elections should always be held through a secret ballot. The ECP’s counsel, citing Article 226 of the Constitution, had said that votes for the Senate elections would “always remain secret” and the votes that were cast could “not be shown to anyone”.

The chief justice, on the occasion, had asked what steps the ECP would take to rectify a lack of proportional representation if it comes to pass, and if the election results should then be declared illegal. “vote-selling will result in tatters of proportional representation,” Justice Ahsan had remarked. “If any party gets seats [not in accordance] with its representation, the system will be destroyed,” he had added.

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Ali Sadpara, fellow missing mountaineers declared dead on K2 ISLAMABAD stAff rePort

Missing mountaineers Pakistan’s Ali Sadpara, 45, Iceland’s John Snorri, 47, and Chile’s Juan Pablo Mohr, 34, who were trying to return from their K2 climb, have been declared dead by the family and the government.

After having been missing for more than 10 days, Ali Sadpara’s son, Sajid Sadpara, during a press conference in Skardu said that there was no hope of his father returning at this point.

“Pakistan has lost a great mountaineer, my father and two other climbers are no more with us,” Sajid Ali Sadpara said.

“To all the climbers who appreciate Ali Sadpara’s achievements and look up to him, I promise that I will carry on his dreams and missions and will continue to walk in his footsteps,” Sajid added.

He also thanked Prime Minister Imran Khan, Chief of the Army Staff (CoAS) General Qamar Javed Bajwa and the courageous pilots of the Askari Aviation for conducting a thorough search and rescue operation amid the harsh weather for his father.

It is pertinent here to mention that the first search and rescue operation was launched on February 6, hours after the mountaineers

Govt will utilise foreign remittances to boost economic growth: PM ISLAMABAD APP

Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan on Thursday said that the government was committed to facilitating overseas Pakistanis in translating their financial contribution into the country’s economic growth.

He said that Roshan Digital Accounts, introduced for overseas Pakistanis to send money to Pakistan with ease, would help stabilise the local currency.

Addressing at an event by State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) to mark Roshan Digital Accounts crossing $500 million in foreign remittances, the prime minister said that the government’s strategy to involve the banking sector had yielded successful results in increasing foreign remittances.

The ceremony held at PM House was attended by Finance Minister Abdul Hafeez Sheikh, PM’s Adviser on Institutional Reforms Dr Ishrat Hussain, Commerce Advisor Abdul Razak Dawood, along with brand ambassadors of banks including squash legend Jahangir Khan, and former cricketers Rameez Raja and Waqar Younis.

It may be noted here that overseas Pakistanis from 97 countries have opened over

were officially declared missing, however, rescue efforts had to be suspended multiple times owing to bad weather conditions.

During the conference, GilgitBaltistan (GB) Tourism Minister Raja Nasir Ali Khan said that, whilst considering the weather conditions at K2, Pakistan Army, government and family of the mountaineer have reached the conclusion that Ali Sadpara and his comrades have expired.

The minister said, “Government pays tribute to the services of national hero Ali Sadpara, and he will be given civil award along with his son Sajid Sadpara. A mountaineering school will be established in the name of Ali Sadpara.”

Sadpara’s son also broke the news on Twitter. Sajid tweeted, “My father Ali Sadpara and other climbers are no more in this world.”

Sadpara, Snorri and Pablo Mohr had departed for their journey on February 3 after Sadpara’s birthday, asking fans and admirers to “keep us in your prayers”.

The trio was attempting to reach the 8,611-meter (28,251 foot) Korakarum-2 summit, commonly known as K2, without supplemental oxygen to make history. They, however, lost contact with the base camp when they were only 411 meters away from the snow-capped top.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 05

more inside

Negotiated political settlement only way forward for Afghanistan: PM STORY ON PAGE 03

80,000 Roshan Digital Accounts and sent $500 million to the country in the last five months.

The premier asked the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) to maintain constant contact with Pakistani community abroad and set up a round-the-clock facilitation cell to help them with opening an account and related queries, further stressing over the need for a more focused and innovative advertisement campaign for marketing Roshan Digital Accounts on electronic media across the world.

He also urged banks to also focus on two more sectors, including the Naya Pakistan Housing project and Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs). “Both of these areas are important in improving

the lives of the common man.”

The prime minister said that all of the country’s economic indicators were witnessing positive trends despite the coronavirus pandemic, adding that the volume of Pakistan’s exports crossed its competitors in the sub-continent, including India and Bangladesh.

Speaking on the occasion, SBP Governor Dr Reza Baqir said overseas Pakistanis could open their accounts with Pakistani banks from their computers at homes, without going to embassies, adding that deposited money was directly repatriable to the bank-account holder, which was not possible earlier without the central bank’s permission.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 05

Next Covid vaccination phase to begin in March: SAPM STORY ON BACK PAGE

Senator Mushahidullah Khan passes away STORY ON PAGE 02

CAA to seek cabinet's nod to outsource pilots licencing exams to uK STORY ON BACK PAGE

02

Friday, 19 February, 2021

ISLAMABAD

NEWS

KaraChI by-PollS: bIlawal SayS GovT worrIEd; PTI lEvElS aCCuSaTIonS LAHORE

P

AkIF RAShId

AKISTAN People’s Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari has said that the ruling Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) is worried after the unofficial results were announced for the PS-88 byelections, while the PTI claims that the PPP used the police force to remove their candidate.

Addressing a gathering in Karachi to celebrate Yousuf Murtaza Baloch’s victory in the PS-88 Malir by-election Bilawal said that the ruling party has gone against its own members by filing the presidential reference for open polls in the Senate, and now those members of National Assembly (MNAs) from the PTI were “happily coming to PPP” and switching their affiliation.

PPP HAS ALWAYS USED THE POLICE TO WIN ELECTIONS, SAYS PTI LEADER KHURRAM ZAMAN He further said that the losers of byelections are worried about the elections of the upper house of the parliament and the government is using the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP). According to the unofficial results, PPP’s Baloch secured 24,251 votes while the runner-up Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan’s Syed Kashif Ali Shah who got 6,090 votes. PTI’s Jan Sher Junejo bagged 4,870 votes and Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan’s (MQM-P) Sajid Ahmed received 2,635, respectively.

“PM Imran Khan has basically told his party workers that he doesn’t trust them,”

ECP rejects PTI objection over Gillani’s papers for Senate polls ISLAMABAD: The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) on Thursday rejected the objection raised by the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) on the nomination of former prime minister and Pakistan People's Party (PPP) leader Yousaf Raza Gillani for Senate and accepted his papers for the March 3 elections. Returning Officer (RO) Zafar Iqbal announced the verdict reserved earlier after both sides completed their arguments. The verdict observed while Gillani was convicted -- in 2012 -- under Article 63(1)(g) of the Constitution and “a period of five years has elapsed since his conviction”, he “stands qualified” for contesting election to the Senate from Islamabad. “All the cases against the candidate are pending adjudication and in the absence of conviction, the candidate cannot be barred from contesting the election,” it read. "Keeping these facts in view, the nomination papers Gillani are hereby accepted," it added. The PPP has fielded Gillani, originally from Multan, from Islamabad as a joint candidate of the Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM), the 10-party opposition alliance seeking to oust the government. On Tuesday, Fareed Rehman, a PTI Senate hopeful from Islamabad, accused Gillani of concealing the facts in the papers. Gillani, he said, failed to mention his conviction in a contempt of court case back in 2012. His petition noted that Gillani doesn’t fulfill the requirements of Article-62 of the Constitution. STAFF REPORT

ECP refuses to issue production orders for PTI leader KARACHI: The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) on Thursday refused to issue production orders for Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader and Sindh Assembly Opposition Leader Haleem Adil Sheikh in connection with March 3 Senate elections. Karachi police arrested Sheikh on Tuesday on charges of violating the ECP rules during a by-election to a provincial assembly seat in Malir the same day. The following day, an antiterrorism court (ATC) remanded him and four others in police custody for two days. The matter of production orders for Sheikh was forwarded to the electoral body by its Sindh chapter after a petition was submitted to Sindh Assembly secretariat. The ECP after reviewing the matter decided against issuing production orders. However, it appointed a regional election officer who will meet Sheikh and confirm his position as an endorser for the party's Senate candidate. INP

Former senator jailed for submitting fake degree KARACHI: A district and sessions court in Badin sent Pakistan People's Party (PPP) leader Yasmin Shah to prison for two-years and imposed on her a penalty of Rs50,000 for submitting a fake degree to the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP). The verdict was announced on a petition of Grand Democratic Alliance (GDA) leader Fehmida Mirza who went to the court and election tribunal against the former parliamentarian, claiming she had submitted a fake degree prior to the 2003 Senate elections. In 2007, Sindh High Court (SHC) had ordered the appellate tribunal to conduct an inquiry into degrees of Shah and her husband, Syed Ali Bux Shah, to ascertain if they were genuine. However, despite an ECP restraining order, Shah and her husband had contested general elections in 2008 and 2013 on Pakistan Muslim League-Functional (PML-F) -- and lost. In 2017, the ECP ordered her to reimburse the salary and allowances she was paid during her time as a member of the Senate. INP

Bilawal said on the occasion, claiming that the PTI workers were willing to give all their votes to the PPP in exchange for the chance to get tickets and become PPP candidates in the future.

“The members of the PTI were approaching the PPP as they can see the government will be sent packing,” he said.

Calling this move “an admission of noconfidence” by PTI’s own members, Bilawal questioned by the ruling party had to make “backdoor deals” to ensure victory if it was so confident of its majority in the Senate.

He added that not only the secrecy of

votes of MPAs was being taken away but also their right to vote according to their choice, which he called “an attack on democracy”.

Bilawal claimed that the incumbent government was using pressure tactics to “fire a gun” on the Supreme Court (SC) and the ECP. He accused the government of making “every state institution controversial”.

“Sometimes it is the Election Commission, at others the Supreme Court,” he said.

The PPP chairman boasted that whether open ballot or secret ballot, his party is ready for Senate elections but the rulers should prepare themselves as they will not allow anyone to rig the Senate polls.

Bilawal further boasted that the ruling party had hoped that the Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) would have made things easier for them by boycotting the elections

He also said: “PDM will also attack this government in Senate elections not only from Sindh, Punjab but also Islamabad.” On the occasion, the PPP chief reiterated that the long march would take place in March.

“We are fighting and defeating this government on every front,” he said, claiming the results, albeit unofficial, had exposed the government’s worries. He said that the lead the PPP gained that worried the “selectors” and further claimed that the PTI was losing in a similar fashion in all byelections.

On the other hand, regarding the PS-88 elections, PTI leader and Sindh Assembly Member Khurram Sher Zaman led a delegation to register a case against firing on opposition leader Haleem Adil Sheikh and assaulting PTI workers during the aforementioned by-election.

Khurram Sher Zaman, while talking to media, stated the the people to be held accountable should be Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah or Bilawal, a PTI press release said. He asserted that the provincial police should be answerable to the people, not the rulers.

“We request the chief justice to take notice of the retaliatory actions of the PPP,” he said to media persons.

Senator Mushahidullah Khan passes away NEWS DESK Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PMLN) Senator Mushahidullah Khan, 68, died in Islamabad on Wednesday night, party spokesman Muhammad Zubair confirmed.

The cause of death was not immediately clear. Mushahidullah was one of the five who had been awarded a ticket to contest the upcoming Senate elections on a general seat.

Mushahidullah used to come to the Senate sessions with great determination and courage, Zubair said, adding that the senator was a fearless man and stood firm against dictatorships.

Khan had been a member of the Senate since March 2018 and previously served as minister for climate change.

"Senator Mushahidullah Khan, MNS’s loyal and exceptional companion left us. I am shattered to hear the sad news," PML-N Vice President Maryam Nawaz said on Twitter.

"[We] Will never be able to forget his fatherly affection & love. Huge huge loss. May Allah SWT shower upon him every blessing that HE has reserved for the afterlife. Ameen," she added.

Foreign Minister and key leader of the ruling Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Shah Mahmood Qureshi expressed grief over the death of the Mushahidullah. He said Khan was a seasoned politician and a good human being. He also prayed for the departed soul.

Senator Faisal Javed Khan of the ruling PTI also expressed grief over the death of Senator Mushahidullah and said that he will miss him dearly.

Ahsan Iqbal said that PML-N had lost a "very brave, loyal and shrewd parliamentarian". Iqbal also offered prayers for the deceased.

"Deeply saddened to know about the death of Senator Mushahidullah Khan sb, it’s a huge loss. Our heartfelt condolences goes with his family and all PMLN workers, may his soul rest in peace," MNA Moshin Dawar said on the popular micro-blogging site.

The senior PML-N leader was the chairperson of the Senate Standing Committee on Aviation and a member of the Council of Chairpersons and various others standing committees.

He was also part of the parliamentary committees on Appointment of Chief Election

Commissioner and Members of the Election Commission of Pakistan, Kashmir, and National Security.

Khan was born in 1953 in Rawalpindi. He did his early education at Islamia High School in Rawalpindi and completed graduation from Gordon College in Rawalpindi. He received LLB degree from Urdu Law College, the University of Karachi in 1997.

He joined the PML-N in 1990.

1999, Khan was once beaten up at Karachi's Regal Chowk while holding a press conference against the military coup by General (r) Pervez Musharraf.

His clothes had been torn and he was moved to the Central Jail and then Landhi Jail for more than a month.

Khan was a trusted aide of Nawaz Sharif ever since the PML-N supreme leader was forced into exile. First appointed party information secretary and later made a senator in 2009, he also served as the party spokesperson for many years.

Khan's funeral prayers of will be offered in 11-H Islamabad after Zuhr prayer.

Court extends detention of Asif for two weeks LAHORE INP

An accountability court in Lahore on Thursday extended the judicial remand (detention) of Pakistan Mus¬lim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader Khawaja Asif for two more weeks.

In December, the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) arrested Asif from outside the Islamabad residence of another PML-N leader Ahsan Iqbal on charges of being in possession of assets beyond his declared sources of income.

During the hearing on Thursday, the

court directed police to produce Asif again on March 2.

Last Tuesday, he was shifted from Kot Lakhpat prison to Mayo Hospital after he complained of vision problems.

According to a detailed charge sheet, NAB was carrying out investigations against Asif under Clause 4 of the NAB Ordinance, 1999 and Section 3 of the Anti-Money Laundering

Act, 2010.

“Before assuming the public office in 1991, the total worth of Khawaja Asif’s assets was Rs5.1 million which increased to Rs221m in 2018 after serving on different posts that do not match with his known sources of income,” said the statement.

“Accused Khawaja Asif claimed to

have received Rs130 million from a UAE firm M/s IMECO, but during the course of the investigation, he failed to present any solid evidence of receiving this amount as a salary,” it said. “This clearly shows that the accused tried to prove his income through fake sources.”

Moreover, NAB alleged that Asif was also running a company, Tariq Mir and Company -- registered in the name of his staffer -- through his frontmen. It said that an amount of Rs400 million was deposited in the account of Tariq Mir and no sources of this huge amount were disclosed.

ECP rejects 'defaulter' Rashid's nomination papers for Senate elections ISLAMABAD STAFF REPORT

The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) on Thursday rejected the nomination of Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader Pervaiz Rashid for Senate. On Wednesday, a petition submitted by Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) MPA Zainab Umair to the governing body, contending that Rashid was a defaulter of the Punjab House, Islamabad, and owed in excess of Rs7 million to the Punjab government.

Later in the day, a returning officer informed Rashid his nomination would be accepted only after he cleared the dues.

However, when he failed to make the payment

within a time frame, the returning officer on Thursday accepted the objection to his nomination.

In December 2018, the Punjab government had released a list of 76 politicians, bureaucrats and others for defaulting on the payment for their stay and meals at Punjab House during the tenure of the PML-N government.

Per the list, Rashid owed Rs7.05 million, including Rs0.69 million charges for his stay between January and August 2011 and Rs6.4 million from June 2013 to May 2018. His daughter, Poonam Rashid, also owed Rs2.7 million.

RASHID CRIES FOUL: Speaking to the media in Lahore, the former minister claimed the move was an "engineered attempt" to keep him from contesting

Senate elections.

"A so-called demand was created about which I was not informed. When I tried to make the payment, all government officials disappeared from their seats and offices," he claimed.

"They are not giving their bank account number nor are they taking cash," he said.

He further claimed Prime Minister Imran Khan had directed the concerned officials to not accept the payment so that he [Rashid] could be stopped from contesting the polls.

He maintained that it was his legal right to appeal the ECP's decision. "You can close the doors of parliament for me but you cannot silence my voice," he said.

Friday, 19 February, 2021

ISLAMABAD

negotiated politiCal settlement only way Forward For aFghanistan: pm ISLAMABAD

p

APP

RIME Minister Imran Khan on Thursday reiterated his conviction that there was no military solution to the conflict in Afghanistan and a negotiated political settlement was the only way forward.

After Afghanistan, Pakistan was the most desirous of restoration of peace in that country as it was deeply affected by the conflict, he added.

The prime minister was talking to Ahmad Wali Massoud, head of Massoud Foundation, Afghanistan, who called on

him, a press release issued by the PM Media Wing said.

He extended warm welcome to Ahmad Wali Massoud and stated that Pakistan and Afghanistan were bound by a fraternal relationship, rooted deep in shared history and commonalities of faith, culture and traditions.

The prime minister recalled the historic contribution of late Ahmed Shah Massoud, a key Mujahideen leader, during the Afghan resistance movement.

In the context of Afghan peace process, he highlighted that Pakistan had extended full support to facilitate the USTaliban peace agreement and the initiation of intra-Afghan negotiations.

PM Imran stressed that the intraAfghan negotiations provided a historic opportunity, which must be seized by the Afghan leadership to achieve an inclusive, broad-based and comprehensive political settlement.

He added that Pakistan had been emphasising all sides to work together constructively, take steps for reduction of violence leading to ceasefire, and secure a political solution for a peaceful, stable and prosperous Afghanistan.

The prime minister underscored that the return of peace in Afghanistan would have lasting benefits for the region and beyond, through economic development, regional trade, and improved

connectivity.

He further highlighted the range of steps, including introduction of a liberal visa regime, and increased facilitation in bilateral and transit trade to further strengthen fraternal ties between Pakistan and Afghanistan.

Pakistan’s assistance for Afghanistan’s development efforts and human resource capacity-building would continue apace, he added. The visit of Ahmad Wali Massoud and his delegation is in continuation of Pakistan’s policy to reach out to the Afghan leaders to further strengthen bilateral ties and enhance mutual convergence on the Afghan peace process.

Controversy ensues as PM Imran's maiden address in Sri Lanka cancelled NEWS DESK Prime Minister Imran Khan, who was to address the Sri Lankan parliament during his upcoming visit to the island country, will no longer be able to do so as the foreign government has cancelled the event, citing coronavirus restrictions as the reason behind the decision. Sri Lankan Foreign Secretary Jayanath Colombage told the Daily Express that Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena asked the government to cancel the address as he could not ensure full attendance because of the pandemic.

However, another form of speculation emerged, wherein it was rumoured that the Sri Lankan government was concerned about PM Imran speaking about the rights of Muslims in Sri Lanka, who have faced abuses at the hands of Buddhist majority, rising anti-Muslim sentiments, and biased government actions.

In regard to Covid-19, it is important to mention that the compulsory cremation rule issued by the island government for the affectees of the disease had been imposed on Muslims as well.

Earlier, Sri Lankan Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa had assured his Parliament that the burials victims would be allowed after a persisting campaign from Sri Lanka’s Muslim community.

To this, the premier had welcomed Rajapaksa’s statement. “We welcome Sri Lankan PM Mahinda Rajapaksa’s assurance given in Sri Lankan Parliament today allowing Muslims to bury those who died from Covid-19,” he had said.

However, over a week since the announcement, no

reversal of the cremation law has been seen.

On the other hand, Shan Wijetunge, the parliament’s head of communications, told Arab News on Wednesday that the address has been cancelled because of the visiting premier’s demanding schedule.

To make the matter even more controversial, the Hindustan Times reported that the island government had to re-think its invite to Khan to speak in Parliament during a two-day visit as officials discussed implications of the Pakistan premier bringing up the sensitive issue of Kashmir, and how this may upset Dehli. It is pertinent here to mention that the last foreign leader to address Sri Lanka’s Parliament was Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2015. Only two Pakistani leaders — President Ayub Khan (1963) and Prime Minister Zulfikar Ali Bhutto (1975) — had addressed the Sri Lankan Parliament before.

Prime Minister Imran would have been the first world leader to visit the island nation ever since the pandemic hit last year. The plot thicked as the Pakistani High Commission in Colombo, when contacted by an Indian publication, told The Hindu: “The PM’s address in [Sri Lankan] parliament was not confirmed in the first place, it was being discussed.”

However, Sri Lanka Speaker Abeywardena had told a party leaders’ meeting earlier this month that PM Imran would be addressing the house.

To this effect, the Department of Government Information in an itinerary dated February 16, 2021, had listed “arrival at Parliament” on February 24, along with PM Imran’s scheduled participation in a ‘Trade and Investment Conference’, and the inauguration of a

Sports Institute the same day.

The premier was also expected to meet with Sri Lankan President Gotabaya Rajapaksa and Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa. President Rajapaska is familiar with Pakistan where he attended courses in military training institutions.

Both countries for decades have enjoyed a broadbased relationship on trade, commerce, culture and defence matters. Pakistan armed forces in 2009 had supported Sri Lanka by providing high tech military equipment and intelligence support in its fight against the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE).

Meanwhile, Foreign Office (FO) Spokesperson Zahid Hafeez Chaudhri on Thursday said that Prime Minister Imran was scheduled to visit Sri Lanka later this month at the invitation of his Sri Lankan counterpart.

“The visit is likely to take place later this month,” he told media replying to a question. The spokesperson added that the two sides were currently working on the elements of the programme of the prime minister’s visit, keeping in view the Covid-19 related health safety protocols. He said that the prime minister would be the first head of government to visit Sri Lanka after President Rajapaksa and Prime Minister Rajapaksa assumed office last year, which is reflective of the importance both countries attached to this important relationship.

The spokesperson maintained that Pakistan and Sri Lanka enjoyed close cooperative relations, which were deep-rooted in history and the high-level exchanges from both sides were a hallmark of this friendly relationship.

Twitter account, claiming to be Taliban militant, threatens Malala ISLAMABAD STAFF REPORT/AGENCIES

A Taliban militant who nine years ago is claimed to have wounded Nobel Laureate Malala Yousafzai has threatened a second attempt on her life, tweeting that next time, “there would be no mistake.”

Ehsanullah Ehsan, a former spokesperson for Afghanistan-based Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), urged Yousafzai to “come back home because we have a score to settle with you and your father.”

The tweet added that “this time there will be no mistake.”

The threat prompted Yousafzai to tweet herself, asking both the military and Prime Minister Imran Khan to explain how her alleged shooter, Ehsanullah Ehsan, had escaped from government custody.

“This is the ex-spokesperson of Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan who claims the attack on me and many innocent people. He is now threatening people on social media,” she said. “How did he escape?”

Responding to Yousafzai, the prime minister's

focal person on digital media, Arslan Khalid, said the account was "fake". He also informed her that Twitter and telecommunication authorities had been notified "as such miscreants using fake accounts and spreading hate shouldn't be allowed on any social media platform". "There is zero tolerance for extremism in Pakistan," Khalid said.

Ehsan was arrested in 2017 but escaped in January 2020 from a so-called safe house where he was being held by security agencies. The circumstances of both his arrest and escape have been shrouded in mystery and controversy.

Since his escape, Ehsan has been interviewed and has communicated with journalists, including those from Pakistan, via a Twitter account.

The Associated Press reported the militant has had more than one Twitter account, all of which have been suspended.

The government is investigating the threat and had immediately asked Twitter to shut down the account, said Rauf Hassan, an adviser to the prime minister.

The charges against Ehsan include the horrific

2014 attack on Army Public School in Peshawar that killed 134 — mostly children, some as young as five years old.

He also claimed responsibility for the 2012 shooting of Yousafzai in Swat Valley. In the attack, the gunman walked up to Yousafzai on a school bus in which she was travelling, asked for her by name and then fired three bullets. She was just 15 years old at the time and had enraged the Taliban with her campaign for girls education.

Her father, Ziauddin Yousafzai, a teacher, ran a school in Swat Valley for boys and girls. In 2007 when the Taliban took control of the area, they forced girls out of schools and ruled with a brutal hand until 2009, when they were driven out by the army.

During his years in custody, Ehsan was never charged. Authorities also later never explained how he left the country and traveled to Turkey, where he is believed to be living these days.

Twitter on Wednesday permanently suspended the account with the post. Pakistan Today was unable to verify if the account belonged to the militant.

NEWS

03

FC soldier martyred, another injured in Quetta blast QUETTA INP

At least one FC soldier was martyred and another was injured in a blast near Quetta’s Western Bypass Thursday, the police said. The area was cordoned off and a team of Bomb Disposal Squad was sweeping it. The blast targeted an FC vehicle in Jabal-e-Noor area, according to the police. The explosives were planted on a motorcycle, they said.

nomination papers of all ppp senate candidates accepted KARACHI INP

Sindh chapter of the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) on Thursday approved the nomination of all 22 candidates of the Pakistan People's Party (PPP) from Sindh for the Senate elections. The commission will now scrutinise the papers of the candidates submitted for 11 Senate seats of the general category as well as the seats under the technocrat and women categories.

Seperately, the authority has summoned Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader and Minister for Water Resources Faisal Vawda, Grand Democratic Alliance's (GDA) Syed Sadaruddin Rashidi, Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan's (MQM-P) Amir Khan and other senate hopefuls. The PPP has issued tickets to Taj Haider, Shahadat Awan, Jam Mehtab Hussain Dahar, incumbent Senate deputy chair Salim Mandviwalla and Sherry Rehman for Sindh’s general seats. For the technocrat seats, tickets were awarded to Farooq H. Naek, Karim Ahmed Khawaja and Shahadat Awan, while for the women’s seat, Palwasha Khan, Khairunisa Mughal and Rukhsana Shah have been fielded. A total of 48 Senators will be elected this time including 12 each from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan, eleven each from Sindh and Punjab, and two from Islamabad.

pti to emerge as largest party in senate after elections, says Fawad ISLAMABAD STAFF REPORT

Minister for Science and Technology Fawad Chaudhry Thursday said that Pakistan Tehreek-eInsaf (PTI) will become the single largest party in the Senate by securing "28 to 30 seats" in the March 3 elections. In a tweet, the minister said: "The adolescent leadership of Pakistan Muslim LeagueNawaz (PML-N) and Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) will realise their worth in the election." "After public meetings, statements, and resignations, the [proposed] long march [to Islamabad] will be only a short walk." He expressed hope that the members of these parties will now bring new political leadership.

A total of 52 senators in the House of 104 are set to retire on March 11 on completion of their six-year term. The number includes four of the eight senators from the former Federally Adminis¬tered Tribal Areas (FATA). As the seats representing FATA will not be filled due to the merger of the tribal areas with Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) in May 2018, the Senate strength will shrink to 100. Polling will, therefore, be held to elect 48 members: 12 each from KP and Balochistan, 11 each from Punjab and Sindh, and two from Islamabad. The legislators will also vote to elect seven members on general seats including two women and two technocrats in the four provinces.

Besides, the election on one minority seat each in KP and Balochistan will also be conducted. More than 65 per cent of the senators due to retire belong to the opposition parties.

Pressure grows on govt to end archaic two-finger test for rape survivors KARACHI AGENCIES

It is two months since Shazia underwent a so-called virginity test during a rape examination at a Karachi hospital, but the Pakistani teenager is still visibly traumatised.

She winces as she describes how the doctor carried out the “two-finger test” (TFT), in which a doctor inserts fingers into the vagina, ostensibly to determine if a woman or girl is sexually active.

“She put her finger and then something else inside me. I screamed loudly as it hurt a lot and told her to stop,

but she continued and said angrily that I will just have to bear it,” said Shazia, whose real name Reuters has withheld.

Women’s rights campaigners in Pakistan have long fought for virginity testing to be banned, arguing it is degrading, and that a woman’s sexual history has no bearing on whether she has suffered rape.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) said in a 2018 report the tests had “no scientific merit” and were painful and humiliating, and called for a global ban.

In Pakistan, a series of legal rulings has raised hopes of an end to the practice, most recently in January when the Lahore High Court (LHC) declared the test illegal,

upholding a challenge by a group of campaigners.

It is over a decade since Supreme Court (SC) ruled that a rape complaint cannot be dismissed on the basis of a virginity test.

But women working in the judicial system said the tests were still widely used, blaming a lack of resources as well as deep-seated misconceptions about sexual violence.

Summaiya Syed Tariq is a police surgeon who has been working with assault survivors in Pakistan’s Sindh province since 1999, carrying out rape examinations, conducting autopsies and presenting evidence in court.

She stopped carrying out two-finger tests in 2006

after becoming aware of the damage they can do, and has been working to raise awareness ever since.

But with just 11 female medical workers available to carry out rape exams in the whole of Karachi, Tariq said the two-finger test was often regarded as a “quick fix”.

“The issue of virginity, or how ‘habitual’ a woman may be to the ‘act’, should never be a consideration for the examiners,” she said in comments on WhatsApp. “Commercial sex workers can be raped too. The charge of rape, per se, should be enough to carry out examination and investigation and past sexual history should not be taken into consideration.”

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Friday, 19 February, 2021

ISLAMABAD

NEWS

ILLICIt sexuaL ReLatIons not onLy Reason foR spRead of HIV: p&sHd LAHORE

p

SHAHAB OMER

UNJAB Primary and Secondary Healthcare Department (P&SHD) Secretary Capt (r) Usman has said there is a need to eradicate the perception that the human immunodeficiency viruses (HIV) are transmitted only through illicit sexual relations.

“Because of this impression, many infected people hide themselves and do not let it be known that they are infected.

There are many other reasons for the spread of HIV in Pakistan, for which there is still a lot of work to be done,” he said.

Addressing at an interactive training session on the role of media in countering HIV and acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS), held jointly by

the Punjab AIDS Control Programme and the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV and AIDS (UNAIDS), the secretary said, “If the virus is found in minors in Sindh, it does not mean that it is due to sexual misconduct. Instead, we need to find out what factors are contributing to the spread of the virus. Repeated use of syringes and drug addiction are among other factors that are causing the spread of the virus.”

UNAIDS Community Support Advisor Fahmida Iqbal emphasised on the importance of positive reporting and words that need to be avoided while reporting about HIV and AIDS. However, in the training session, the journalists also gave their suggestions regarding coverage of HIV and AIDS, and it was jointly decided that the media would play its role responsibly in the prevention of HIV and AIDS.

LHC imposes Rs500,000 fine on petitioner for filing 'unnecessary' plea LAHORE TLTP

The Lahore High Court (LHC) on Thursday imposed a fine of Rs500,000 on a petitioner, challenging the fixation of prices of various items in decimals. Justice Faisal Zaman Khan issued the written order on the petition of Shahzana Kazmi, who had challenged the fixation of prices of various items in decimals. The written order maintained that the petitioner was not an aggrieved party and she did not inform any violation of fundamental human rights. The decision further read that such unnecessary requests can lead to 'chaos in institutions'. The high court imposed a fine of Rs500,000 on the petitioner for wasting the time of the court and others. The court directed to recover the amount through land revenue, if the petitioner fails to pay the fine within seven days. The LHC had imposed a similar fine last year. Chief Justice Muhammad Qasim Khan had fined a trader for 'wasting court's time' after he had filed a petition seeking coronavirus relief fund for traders during the lockdown due to Covid-19. Naeem Mir, the general secretary of Anjuman-e-Tajran, had filed a petition seeking directives to the authorities concerned for giving coronavirus relief funds to traders during the lockdown.

KARACHI: A view of traffic jam on a busy road in the provincial capital. PPI

NFC forms seven sub-groups to sort out thorny issues ISLAMABAD GHULAM ABBAS

The National Finance Commission (NFC) on Thursday formed seven working groups to thrash out several thorny issues, including amendment in revenue sharing formula, rising burden of pension payments, and share for Federally Administered Tribal Area (FATA) after its merger.

Federal Minister for Finance and Revenue Dr Abdul Hafeez Shaikh chaired the inaugural meeting of the 10th NFC. Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah, Punjab Finance Minister Makhdoom Hashim Jawan Bakht, KP Finance Minister Taimur Saleem Khan Jhagra, Balochistan Finance Minister Zahoor Ahmed Buledi, members Tariq Bajwa (Punjab), Musharraf Rasool Cyan (KP), Dr Kaiser Bengali (Balochistan) and Dr Asad Sayeed (Sindh), and relevant senior officials of the provinces participated in the meeting.

The meeting remained peaceful as the members of the commission decided to form sub groups to prepare

workable recommendations for future meetings of the commission. The meeting agreed to form seven sub groups with specific tasks on the basis of Terms of Reference (TORs) of the commission.

According to an official, two sub groups would be headed by the finance secretary while a sub group of each province would be headed by the respective finance minister or secretary.

One sub group will determine the fiscal share of FATA, one will work on facilitating the business community to address the business related issues, another will examine straight transfers and horizontal distribution of resources while a separate group will see vertical distribution of resources.

The names and formation of the sub groups would be notified within a couple of days, the official said. Earlier in the meeting, the finance secretary outlined the commission’s TORs and main tasks, which includes developing of a sustainable macroeconomic framework for the 10th NFC Award, vertical revenue sharing, selection of indica-

tors for horizontal distribution formula, simplification of taxes to facilitate businesses and bringing erstwhile FATA at par with the rest of the country. The finance minister called upon all the members to do their best to come up with focussed and workable recommendations to make the 10th NFC Award successful.

He welcomed all the participants and said that the NFC has been mandated by the Constitution to recommend for amicable distribution of financial resources between the federation and the provinces.

“The NFC is a forum to develop harmony between the federation and the provinces and to work out a sustainable resource sharing formula with mutual consensus,” he added. It merits mentioning here that it was the first meeting of 10th NFC after its formation almost nine months ago as the composition of the commission remained disputed among the federation and the provinces. The Sindh government and some political parties had objected to the composition of commission when it was notified in the mid of last year.

The end of an era: The fall of Pakistan hockey YEARS OF NEGLIGENCE CANNOT BE RECTIFIED WITHOUT YEARS OF CONSISTENT IMPROVEMENT IN EACH AND EVERY ASPECT OF THE SYSTEM

MuHAMMAD MujtABA IqBAL As the Pakistani hockey team fails to qualify for its second successive Olympics, one cannot help but think of a time when things were brighter.

For those who grew up before its decline, Pakistan was a name to be reckoned with in the world of field hockey.

For the lack of words, statistics sum up its worldwide fame: three Olympic gold medals, four world cups, eight gold medals at the Asian Games and three champions trophies.

To gauge the full extent of how dominant Pakistan was on the world stage, let us look at the Olympics. Starting a new era with a silver at Melbourne in 1956, it won a gold at Rome in 1960, another sil-

ver at Tokyo in 1964, another gold at Mexico City in 1968, a third silver at Munich in 1972, a bronze at Montreal in 1976, another gold at Los Angeles in 1984, and a bronze at Barcelona in 1988.

Excluding the 1980 Olympics, which Pakistan had boycotted in collaboration with the United States, Pakistan managed to win medals at seven consecutive Olympics over 28 years.

Yet the higher they rose, the harder they fell. Currently, the team is ranked among the lowest in the world at 17th. In the past, hockey legends such as Samiullah Khan saw thousands of fans greeting them as they brought home trophies, with crowds filling the streets. At present, the sport is played in under-filled stadiums, and its title as the official national sport of a cricket-obsessed nation comes as a surprise to some. Where once facing Pakistan meant definite defeat, now it has become a synonym for mediocrity and inconsistency.

Instead of medal after medal at the Olympics, Pakistan has failed to qualify for the event in Tokyo–a stark contrast to the silver, it won there 57 years ago.

The decline of Pakistan hockey has coincided with the introduction of artificial turf in the hockey world. The new pitches overturned the dynamic of the game, and especially the dribble and dodge tactics that Pakistan had perfected. It also demands much greater fitness and standards that Pakistan has not been able to maintain.

Crucially, changes to the game over the decades have meant that hockey now is a game different from the one that Pakistanis mastered in their prime time.

Where others adapted, Pakistan failed.

However, Pakistan itself is not faultless. The Pakistan Hockey Federation has been unable to give its players the international exposure and facilities, they once did. This is owed to both a

lack of funds and the inefficiency in using what is provided. The ever increasing glamour of cricket does not help hockey either as both the corporate sector and the government are attracted towards more lucrative opportunities in cricket.

The decline of domestic tournaments, which act as a key source of talent, has also been damaging. If things are to change, we need improvements at every level.

The truth is that building a team, which lives up to its legacy, is not an overnight process. Years of negligence cannot be rectified without years of consistent improvement in each and every aspect of the system. Starting at the grassroots is an excellent first step, because the one thing Pakistan has never lacked is a young generation full of talent and passion, ready to help it rise to even greater heights.

Friday, 19 February, 2021

ISLAMABAD ali sadpara, fellow missing mountaineers declared dead on k2 contInueD froM pAge 01 Sajid Sadpara, who had initially been on the climb with them, returned to the base camp after he was sent back from an altitude of 8,200 meters owing to a malfunction in his oxygen regulator. They had started their attempt for the final summit in the early hours of February 5, hoping to accomplish the difficult feat by afternoon. On the same day, at approximately 12:30 pm, the GPS with the mountaineers had stopped working. They were declared missing the next day. “All three were strong mountaineers — willing, able and with the courage to make history by standing on top of K2 in winter conditions. Based on the last known contact by John Snorri’s telephone, we are confident that all three men made it to the top of K2 and something happened on the descent,” a representative from their management had said earlier, reading a statement on behalf of the families of foreign climbers. Sophisticated satellite technology had also been used in the search operation. “For the first time ever, this team is working with the Iceland Space Agency to review the SAR technology – that has never been used before for searching and rescuing – not the SAT technology, to cover every inch of the higher elevations of the mountain despite bad weather conditions,” read a statement issued from Skardu last week. The search camp had been established by Rao Ahmad, Ali Sadpara’s long-time friend and his son Sajid Sadpara, along with British-American climber Vanessa O’Brien, also Pakistan’s Goodwill Ambassador who has previously summited the K2 with John Snorri. The team had the support of the ICEYE – a global leader in small satellite synthetic-aperture radar (SAR) technology that produces high-resolution imagery collected even through clouds and darkness, according to information available on its website. Unfortunately, the technology seems not to have proven fruitful in this case. Born in 1976 in a remote Sadpara village in Skurdu district of the northern Gilgit-Baltistan region, which borders neighbouring China, Sadpara was the only Pakistani to have scaled eight peaks measuring above 8,000 meters – five in Pakistan and three in Nepal.

NEWS

Ministries, divisions asked to reMove bottlenecks haMPering cPec Progress ISLAMABAD

a

AHMAD AHMADANI

MId slow progress on projects related to the China–Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), all concerned ministries/divisions have been directed to immediately submit before the Cabinet Committee on CPEC proposals regarding resolution of problems confronted in their respective projects.

According to sources, around 17 different CPEC projects (worth $13 billion) related to infrastructure, energy and socio-economic development of Gwadar had been completed so far; work on 21 projects (worth $12 billion) was under process; while 26 projects (worth $28 billion) were in the pipeline.

Although preparations to start 26 new projects were in final stages, some important projects, including the Gwadar Free Zone, continue to face unnecessary delays, sources claimed.

Sharing the status of CPEC projects, sources said that projects that were in pipelines included KarachiPeshawar Main Line-I (1,733km), 1,124MW Kohala Hydropower plant, 1,320MW Thar (Oracle) Coal Plant, 700.7MW Azad Pattan HPP, Sukkur-Hyderabad M-6 (306km), dI Khan-Zhob (4-lane highway,

210km), Zhob-Quetta Road (331km), Optical Fiber Cable PhaseII (Rawalpindi-Karachi & Gwadar), Karachi Circular Railway (43km), Mirpur-Mangla-MuzaffarabadMansehra Road (200km), NokundiMashkhel-Panjgur Road (290lm), KKH Phase-I (Thakot-Raikot Section), Greater Peshawar Region Mass Transit, Quetta Mass Transit, KKH Alternative Route (GilgatShandor-Chitral, 349km), ICT Model Industrial Zone, Industrial Park Pakistan Steel Mills Port Qasim, Mirpur Industrial Zone, Mohmand Marble City and Moqpandass Special Economic Zone.

Similarly, ongoing CPEC projects included 720MW Karot HPP, HVdC 660kV Matiari-Lahore Transmission Line, Hoshab-Awaran M-8 (146km), Khuzdar-Basima Road (110km), 870MW Suki Kinari HPP, 1,320ME Shanghai Electric (TCB-I), Hakla-dI Khan Motorway, Rashakai Special Economic Zone, New Gwadar International Airport (NGIA), 300MW Gwadar Coal Project, 330MW HUBCO Thar Power, 330MW ThalNova Thar Power, Eastbay Expressway, Pak-China Friendship Hospital in Gwadar, dhabeji Special Economic Zone, 600MW Quaid-e-Azam Solar Park, Allama Iqbal Industrial City Special Economic City, and Bostan Special Economic Zone.

Meanwhile, projects that have been completed included MultanSukkur Motorway M-5 (392km), 1,320MW Sahiwal Coal Power, 1,320MW Port Qasim Power Plant, 1,320MW China-Hub Coal Power, Orange Line Metro Train project (27km), KKH Phase-II HavelianThakot Section (120km), 660MW Engro Thar Power & Mine, 400MW Quaid-e-Azam Solar Park, Gwadar Port & Free Zone, 50MW Sachal Wind Farm, 50MW Hydro China dawood Wind, cross border optical fiber cable (820km) and Gwadar Smart Port City Master Plan.

As per the sources, the government has so far issued approximately 42 licences to various investors for starting business activities in Gwadar Port Free Zone. However, same could not happen due to various reasons, including non-availability of power, evacuation of land for Free Zone Phase-II from Pakistan Coastal Guards & Pakistan Navy, exemption of Gwadar port from provincial taxes as per concession agreement, delay in construction of breakwater & capital dredging of berthing area, diversion of Afghanistan transit trade, import of LNG and other commodities through warehousing/commercialization in free zone etc., and non issuance of different NOCs from GdA/environmental protection agency.

PPP, PML-N going against Charter of Democracy by opposing open balloting: CJP contInueD froM pAge 01 Separately, Prime Minister Imran Khan on Thursday said the government was fully striving to ensure that the senators were elected on the basis of competency, capability and merit through a transparent electoral process.

The prime minister said this during a meeting with Leader of the House in Senate dr Shehzad Waseem, who called on him in the federal capital, wherein political matters and Senate elections were discussed in the meeting.

Similarly, Information Minister Shibli Faraz said on Thursday that open balloting is the only way for transparent senate elections.

Talking to media outside Election Commission’s Peshawar office, he said that Pakistan Tehreek-e-

Insaf (PTI) is upholding the narrative of transparent elections while the opposition parties are stepping back from the same.

It is pertinent here to mention the ECP on Thursday decided to take affidavits from the candidates to ensure transparency in the Senate elections.

The commission will take a pledge from the contesting candidates not to take bribe over party tickets. ECP will be informed if anyone approaches any nominee for horse-trading. The candidates have to submit a written assurance, mentioning that they will not carry out any corrupt practice, violation of the constitution or law and avoid taking or giving bribe during the polls in the upper house of the parliament.

On the other hand, ECP has continued scrutiny of the nomination papers of candidates for Senate

elections. A total of 170 candidates had filed their nomination papers in the ECP for the elections on 48 seats in the upper house of the Parliament. 29 candidates from Punjab, 39 from Sindh, 51 from KP, 41 from Balochistan and 10 from the federal capital Islamabad had submitted their details.

As per schedule, the candidates can file appeals against acceptance or rejection of nomination papers on February 20 and the last date for disposing of these appeals is February 23.

The revised list of candidates will be published on February 24.

The candidates can withdraw their nomination papers on February 25.

Polling on 48 seats will be held on the 3rd of next month at the Parliament House in Islamabad and the four provincial assemblies. With additional input from APP and PPI

05

PM for use of modern technology to restore forests ISLAMABAD TLTP

Prime Minister Imran Khan has said that protection and restoration of forests is part of government’s priorities as trees and their plantation are pivotal to contain adverse impact of climate change. The premier said this while chairing a meeting on Thursday regarding protection and restoration of forests in Punjab. He instructed to utilise modern technology for the conservation and restoration of forests. He advised to formulate a coordinated policy for restoration of jungles in the province. PM Imran directed to ensure coordinated measures to stop illegal hunting and cutting of trees in Punjab. The premier was briefed about steps taken for the revival of Changa Manga and other jungles. It was told that 25,000 acres of Chhanga Manga jungle were turned into barren land by cutting trees. The meeting was informed that plantation on one thousand acres of land has been completed under Ten Billion Tree Tsunami, while forestation on another 2,5000 acres of land will be completed by 2023. Separately, terming digitalisation of state land data “need of the hour”, Prime Minister Imran on Thursday directed to ensure the availability of the record on the websites of the concerned development authorities. Presiding over a meeting of the National Coordination Committee on Housing and Construction in Islamabad today, PM Imran said that the data of the state land should be accessible to the citizens in general and to overseas Pakistanis in particular. He directed all the provinces to provide the state land data to the Surveyor General of Pakistan. He directed the Sindh chief secretary to expedite work on development projects and boost economic activities in the province. Briefing the meeting, Sindh chief secretary said that they would provide the land record to the Survey General of Pakistan after the approval of the provincial cabinet.

govt will utilise foreign remittances to boost economic growth: PM contInueD froM pAge 01 He also announced that the transfer fee on transactions would be reduced over many requests by overseas Pakistanis. A transfer fee of only $5-9 would now be charged, irrespective of how large the amount is. Furthermore, the prime minister awarded banks for their performance towards Roshan digital Accounts, including UBL for opening the highest number of accounts, Meezan Bank for receiving the highest amount in Roshan digital as well as the highest amount for Islamic Naya Pakistan certificates, HBL for the highest amount received in conventional Naya Pakistan certificates and Bank Alfalah in appreciation of its marketing efforts.

Moreover, overseas Pakistanis from the United States (US), United Kingdom (UK), Saudi Arabia, Oman and Bahrain, who were participating via video-link, lauded the prime minister’s initiative for its high interest rate and suggested proposals to include local currency conversion and ensure information privacy.

Digital transformation of Pakistan

ALI AShAr JAffrI Accurate, real-time, and consolidated data leads to beneficial decisions which is key to good governance and primary objective of a country’s public sector. Information Technology has acted as a key enabler in the digital transformation of all areas of a country’s economy but this global digital revolution has faced greater obstacles in the public sector as opposed to private organisations. Public sector digital transformation can be hindered by the extremely large amount of unconsolidated data, several complicated processes existing in digitally unconnected departments, resistance to status-

quo from stakeholders, lack of Information & Communication Technology (ICT) infrastructure, high cost, and low ICT literacy.

A similar situation has been witnessed in the case of the digital transformation of Pakistan’s public sector organisations. The country’s public sector has embarked on the journey of digitalisation since the last decade but the transformation has not been smooth. In Pakistan, modern technology adoption hardly exists in public sector organisations. This anxiety causes the non-techsavy people to start resisting its adaption and implementation. The fear stems from people feeling that their power will be replaced with technology. The success of public sector digitalisation mainly depends on handling the issues of stakeholder awareness and the adoption anxiety. This can be accomplished through the development of public and private sector partnerships to implement this digital transformation.

The private sector may have greater knowledge, expertise, and experience with the adaption of modern technologies like the Internet of Things (IoT), big data, robotics, automation, cloud computing, artificial intelligence, and mobility. The services of digital nomads can also be availed to ensure effective and efficient provision of various digital solutions.

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Another main concern in this journey of digital transformation is the issue of data security. For the public sector the issue of cyber-security is a major challenge and obstacle towards digital transformation. Pakistan has experienced a number of cyber-attacks from various internal and external agents that have severely impeded the stakeholder trust on various digital solutions. Effective digitalisation requires the data to be safeguarded with multi-layer support-backup through a security contingency plan.

The journey of digital transformation has progressed substantially in the present environment due to the unprecedented situation created by the COVId-19 pandemic. In Pakistan, the banking industry is one of the front runners to adapt to the digitalisation of business processes. The launch of RAAST, an application that is Pakistan’s first instant payment system, is an important step in this direction. Similarly, Punjab digital policy that has been developed by the Punjab Information Technology Board (PITB) focusing on the digitalisation of the various public sector organisations and augment the development of the country’s IT industry is yet another step in this direction. Various government initiatives like the E-Pay, Baldia Online, Qeemat Punjab, Police Khidmat Markaz, E-Khidmat Center, etc. are also

included in this list. digitalisation of public sector organizations can foster the development of flawless and corruption-free record of data and enable processes with a entralised control mechanism. digital connectivity is the cornerstone for enabling the formation of a sustainable economy, enhancing transparency in government services, and improving service delivery to citizens. digitalisation of the public sector can provide enormous opportunities for the development of Pakistan’s economic, social, and environmental sustainability. It should be integrated in the heart of the country’s national development strategy. To fully exploit the opportunity that digitisation offers, key stakeholders on this journey including the government, civil society organisations and the private sector need to collaborate in order to accelerate the impact of digital transformation on the socioeconomic progress in Pakistan.

About the Author: - Ali Ashar Jaffri is the Group Head – Administration & IT at Bank AL Habib Limited, Pakistan. He has more than 22 years of managerial experience in a number of reputed national and international organisations.

Email: ali.ashar@bankalhabib.com LinkedIn Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aliashar-jaffri-a1790a1a

Friday, 19 February, 2021

BUSINESS 09

ISLAMABAD corporate corner Indus motor launches ‘toyota Smart Purchase’ portal KARACHI: Indus Motor Company (IMC) has introduced the Toyota Smart Purchase portal that allows customers the experience of making an on-line purchase from the company’s diverse product line up, sans a dealership visit. IMC CEO Ali Asghar Jamali observed, “The one-stop Toyota Smart Purchase promises to take shopping to a whole new level. Customers now have the luxury of shopping for their favourite Toyota from the safety and comfort of their homes or workplaces, placing their order in four easy steps. Keeping customers convenience foremost, is fundamental to Toyota’s Customer First principle. The Covid-19 outbreak has completely altered the way we think and creating the new normal through kaizen and smart use of technology is the need of the hour.” PRESS RELEASE

Jazz further strengthens market leadership, continues to drive digital ecosystem KARACHI: Jazz has further strengthened its market leadership and continues to drive the digital ecosystem in Pakistan. In the 4th quarter of 2020, Jazz’s overall subscriber base grew by 9.8pc year-over-year (YoY) to 66.4 million, 4G customer base grew by 61pc to 25 million, whereas the overall data users grew by 13.4pc to 44 million. Aamir Ibrahim, CEO of Jazz, said, “Our performance this quarter is reflective of the trust our customers have in us. Growth in 4G users and rising data demands show that Pakistan is digital-ready; however, we need to do more in connecting the underserved to fast, reliable 4G and equip them with the digital tools necessary for a robust and inclusive digital ecosystem.” PRESS RELEASE

KARACHI: Decagon Pakistan Pvt Ltd (Golootlo) has entered into an agreement with BankIslami, which will allow the bank’s PayPak debit card customers to seamlessly access Golootlo discounts nationwide as part of the PayPak Loyalty Program. PR

KARACHI: With a resolute vision set ahead to promote Proton – the Malaysian automobile manufacturer in Pakistan, Alhaj Automotive Private Limited, recently roped in flamboyant all-rounder and former captain of the Pakistan cricket team, Shahid Khan Afridi, as its corporate brand ambassador. PR

After GI tAG for BASmAtI, PAkIStAn Set to reGISter PInk SAlt AS locAl Product ISLAMABAD

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GHULAM ABBAS

FTER the registration of Geographical Indications (GI) for Basmati rice, Pakistan has now decided to register pink salt as its GI product in order to stop India from registering the same as Himalayan salt.

As Pakistan is already fighting a case regarding the GI tagging of Basmati rice against India in the European Union, Islamabad fears that Delhi may register pink salt as its GI product the same way it did regarding Basmati rice.

According to details, officials of the Ministry of Commerce held a meeting with the office bearers of Intellectual Property Organisation (IPO)-Pakistan on Thursday; wherein it was decided that government will register pink salt under the Geographical Indications Act, 2020. The meeting, chaired by Adviser to Prime Minister on Commerce Razak Dawood, also had IPO Chairman Mujeeb Ahmed Khan

in attendance.

During the meeting, the officials deliberated upon potential products for GI registration so as to curb the unauthorised use of Pakistani products by other countries.

“After the registration of rice, we have decided that pink salt from the salt range mountains of Pakistan will be registered as GI,” the adviser stated following the meeting, adding that this move will encourage and motivate local producers to expand their business at a global level.

“For this purpose, a registrant will be designated with the approval of the federal cabinet,” he said. “At the same time, other products [for GI registration] will be pursued on a priority basis.”

He urged the business community to identify products that could be registered as GI in order to protect them from global exploitation.

Reiterating the importance of GI registration of various products, Dawood said that the registration of GI products will serve as a potential economic tool to

ECC likely to abolish Neelum-Jhelum surcharge from electricity bills The Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) of the federal cabinet is likely to accord approval for the abolishment of the 10-paisa per unit Neelum-Jhelum surcharge from electricity bills, after 13 years.

In this regard, the ECC would meet under the chair of Finance Minister Abdul Hafeez Shaikh on Friday to mull over an eight-point agenda.

According to local media reports, the surcharge was added in the electricity bills for the construction of the Neelum Jhelum Hydro Power Plant in 2008 and was being charged even after the completion of the hydropower project in 2018.

The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) and Parliament’s sub-committee on energy had already recommended abolishing the surcharge.

The surcharge was imposed in 2007 for part financing of Neelum-Jhelum Hydropower Project with a sunset clause of Dec 31, 2015 — the completion target of the project started at the time with an estimated cost of Rs130bn. It was envisaged that half of

the financing would be generated through this surcharge on every unit of electricity sold to consumers in eight years.

The cost of the 969-megawatt run of the river project in Azad Kashmir, however, kept on increasing and was completed in 2018 at about Rs500bn.

The 10-paisa per unit surcharge was extended for one year and another 18 months until July 1, 2018, but has continued until now.

Additionally, the meeting would also approve a supplementary grant for the Special Communications Organisation (SCO) on the recommendation of the Ministry for IT and Telecom whereas the issue of paying dues owed by Pakistan Steel Mills (PSM) to a German company is likely to be solved with the payments likely to be approved. Moreover, the ECC would also mull over approval of communication support for the Ehsaas Programme and the formation of a committee to solve matters relating to excessive taxation in the telecom sector. NEWS DESK

Textile exports jump 10.8pc in January ISLAMABAD: The export of textile commodities increased 10.79pc year-on-year to $1,323.324 million during the month of January 2021, as against $1,194.463 million in the same month of last year.

On a month-on-month basis, however, exports from the country decreased 5.54pc in January 2021 when compared with $1,400.269 million in December 2020, data issued by the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics revealed.

Overall, the export of textile commodities increased 8.23pc during the first seven months (July-Jan) of the current fiscal year (FY21) as compared to the corresponding period of last year.

Textile exports were recorded at $8,765.739 million in 7MFY21

against the exports of $8,099.095 million in 7MFY20.

Among top performing commodities, knitwear exports increased 18.74pc (from $1,831.758 million last year to $2,175.021 million); yarn exports (other than cotton yarn) inched up 4.63pc (from $16.286 million to $17.040 million); bed wear exports rose 16.38pc (from $1392.020 to $1,613.509), while towel exports increased 19.91pc (from $444.685 million to $533.207 million).

Similarly, the export of tents, canvas and trapline grew 48.95pc (from $49.611 million to $73.897 million); readymade garments 5.48pc (from $1,680.897 million to $1,773.054 million); art, silk and synthetic textile 0.45pc (from $199.790 million to

$200.687 million); while export of made up articles (excluding towels and bed wear) increased 18.01pc (from $378.680 million to $446.878 million).

On the other hand, commodities that witnessed a negative export trend included raw cotton, exports of which declined 96.27pc (from $15.885 million to $0.593 million).Likewise, cotton yarn exports decreased 23.97pc (from $639.770 to $486.426), whereas cotton cloth exports dropped 8.63pc (from $1,188.990 million to $1,086.333).

It is pertinent to mention that the country's merchandize exports increased 5.53pc during the first seven months of FY21 as compared to the corresponding period of last year. APP

promote and enhance national and international trade of Pakistan.

In Pakistan, GI law can protect products including Hunza apricots, Charsadda (Peshawari) chappal, Multani halwa, Hala’s Ajrak, Sargodha’s kinnow, Kasuri methi, Sindhri mango, Dir knives, Swat wild mushrooms, Nili-Ravi buffalo, Chaman grapes, dates from Dera Ismail Khan, Turbat and Khairpur, Pashmina shawls, etc.

According to documents available with this scribe, geographical indication is a broad term that includes indications of source and appellations of origin.

An indication of source means any expression or sign used to indicate that a product or service originates in a country, region, or location where the product originated, such as ‘Made in Pakistan’.

The terms of registration for an authorised user of a geographical indication will be for a period of 10 years from the date of filing of an application for registration. This exclusive right over the use of GI will be extendable for another 10 years.

SBP reserves drop $59m to $12.8bn The foreign exchange reserves held by the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) fell 0.45pc on a weekly basis, according to data released by the central bank on Thursday. On February 12, the foreign currency reserves held by the SBP were recorded at $12,889.7 million, down $59 million compared with $12,949.1 million in the previous week. The central bank attributed the decrease to external debt repayments. Overall, liquid foreign currency reserves held by the country, including net reserves held by banks other than the SBP, stood at $20,058.6 million. Net reserves held by banks amounted to $7,168.9 million. NEWS DESK

South African envoy eyes $1bn trade with Pakistan RAWALPINDI: South Africa's High Commissioner Methuthuzeli Madikiza has said that his country considers Pakistan an important market for trade cooperation and is keen to further enhance the volume of bilateral trade. The high commissioner expressed these views during his visit to the Rawalpindi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (RCCI) on Thursday. He was accompanied by Deputy head of Mission and Political Consular Christo Janse Van Noordwyk. RCCI President Muhammad Nasir Mirza, Senior Vice President Usman Ashraf, Vice President Shahraiz A Malik and members of the executive committee were also present on the occasion. The high commissioner said that Pakistan is the 14th biggest exporter to South Africa, which calls for the need to further strengthen trade relations between the two countries. He said that the volume of bilateral trade could increase to $1 billion in the next few years if cooperation and joint ventures can be initiated in including tourism, agriculture, services and pharmaceutical sectors. The high commissioner offered RCCI to organise its annual achievements awards in Cape Town and also accepted the invitation to participate in Build Expo 2021 being organized by the chamber. Earlier, Nasir Mirza briefed the high commissioner about the ongoing activities and future programmes of the chamber. TLTP

MARKET DAILY

PSX bleeds 625 points amid selling pressure KARACHI STAFF REPORT ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Japan Business Forum (PJBF) Chairman Kalim Farooqui recently held a dinner reception at his residence to mark 20 years of PJBF’s formation, where Japanese Ambassador Kuninori Matsuda and President Dr Arif Alvi were also present. PR

KARACHI: Greenstar Social Marketing (GSM) has signed a strategic collaboration with Muller & Phipps (M&P) Pakistan, one of the leading international distributing house, to continue to serve as logistics partner. PR

The Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) witnessed a bearish trend on Thursday amid heavy selling, with the benchmark KSE-100 Index shedding 625.40 points (-1.34pc) to close at 46,142.74 points.

The KSE-100 Index traded in a range of 696.91 points, registering its intraday high at 46,817.51 and a low of 46,120.6. It finally settled at 46,142.74 points.

Among other indices, the KSE All Share Index lost 288.86 points (-0.9pc) to close at 31,759.82 points, while All Share Islamic Index dropped 222.1 (0.95pc), ending at 23,052.28 points.

A total of 412 companies traded shares in the stock exchange, of which shares of 140 closed up, 250 closed down while those of 22 companies re-

mained unchanged. All share volume decreased by 123.81 million shares to 577.95 million shares, while market capitalisation decreased by Rs75.98 billion. Total trades decreased by 33,278 to 171,629, while value traded dropped

by Rs5.30 billion to Rs23.20 billion.

Among scrips, DSL topped the volumes with 58.6 million shares, followed by TELE (34.3 million) and KEL (29.3 million).

Sector wise, the index was let down by commercial banks with 247 points, cement with 83 points, fertilizer with 74 points, oil & gas exploration companies with 68 points and oil & gas marketing companies with 55 points. The most points taken off the index was by HBL which stripped the index of 91 points followed by ENGRO with 58 points, PSO with 52 points, LUCK with 44 points and MCB with 41 points.

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Sectors propping up the index were refinery with 6 points, glass & ceramics with 5 points, insurance with 3 points, automobile parts & accessories with 2 points and cable & electrical goods with one point. The most points added to the index was by ANL which contributed 10 points followed by GHGL with 5 points, AICL with 4 points, THALL with 3 points and KTML with 3 points.

Analysts at Arif Habib Limited said that the market saw aggressive selling during the day after a spate of financial result announcements which had consistent earnings but declared lesser dividends than anticipated.

Banking sector saw major attrition; however, profit booking was also observed in cement, O&GMCs and E&P sectors. Market on close saw intense selling in the banking sector. Important results announced during the session in-

cluded ENGRO, PSO, MEBL, but ended the session at a low ebb due to the general disappointment.

According to other analysts, major despair in the trading floor was caused by the performance of the banking sector, especially after Meezan Bank and Faysal Bank announced their results.

The trading activity was also influenced by the financial results of ENGRO, PSO, and MARI, all of which were announced during the day.

Another major highlight for the session was Dost Steels Limited, as it topped the volumes with 58.6 million shares after Crescent Star Insurance Limited addressed different queries, particularly by the members of DSL, to clarify that it is not in possession of any material information, and nor is aware of any ongoing restructuring/acquisition deals as rumoured.

Friday, 19 February, 2021

10 FOREIGN NEWS

ISLAMABAD

Facebook blocks australians From accessing news on platForm CANBERRA

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AGENCIES

ACEBOOK announced Thursday it has blocked Australians from viewing and sharing news on the platform because of proposed laws in the country to make digital giants pay for journalism.

Australian publishers can continue to publish news content on Facebook, but links and posts cannot be viewed or shared by Australian audiences, the US-based company said in a statement.

Australian users cannot share Australian or international news.

International users outside Australia also cannot share Australian news.

“The proposed law fundamentally mis-

understands the relationship between our platform and publishers who use it to share news content,” Facebook regional managing director William Easton said.

“It has left us facing a stark choice: attempt to comply with a law that ignores the realities of this relationship or stop allowing news content on our services in Australia.

With a heavy heart, we are choosing the latter,” Easton added.

The announcement comes a day after Treasurer Josh Frydenberg described as “very promising” negotiations between Facebook and Google with Australian media companies.

Frydenberg said after weekend talks with Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg and SundarPichai, chief executive of Alphabet Inc. and its subsidiary Google, he was con-

vinced that the platforms “do want to enter into these commercial arrangements.”

Frydenberg said he had had a “constructive discussion” with Zuckerberg after Facebook blocked Australian news.

“He raised a few remaining issues with the Government’s news media bargaining code and we agreed to continue our conversation to try to find a pathway forward,” Frydenberg tweeted.

But communications Minister Paul Fletcher said the government would not back down on its legislative agenda.

“This announcement from Facebook, if they were to maintain this position, of course, would call into question the credibility of the platform in terms of the news on it,” Fletcher told Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC).

“Effectively Facebook is saying to Australians information that you see on our platforms does not come from organisations that have editorial policies or fact-checking processes or journalists who are paid to do the work they do,” Fletcher added.

The Australian Parliament is debating proposed laws that would make the two platforms strike deals to pay for Australian news.

The Senate will consider the draft laws after they were passed by the House of Representatives late Wednesday.

Both platforms have condemned the proposed laws as unworkable. Google has also threatened to remove its search engine from the country.

But Google is striking pay deals with Australian news media companies under its

Protesters out again in Myanmar, police use water cannon in capital NAYPYITAW AGENCIES

Protesters demonstrated across Myanmar again on Thursday to denounce the February 1 military coup and arrest of elected leader Aung San Suu Kyi, and police forcefully dispersed crowds, using water cannon in the capital and catapults in a northern town.

The daily protests and strikes that have paralysed many government offices show no sign of easing even though the junta has promised a new election and appealed for civil servants to return to work, threatening action if they do not.

“I don’t want to wake up in a dictatorship. We don’t want to live the rest of our lives in fear,” said KoSoe Min, who was out in the main city of Yangon where tens of thousands took to the streets a day after some of the

biggest protests yet.

Big crowds returned to Yangon’s central Sule Pagoda while many young people also massed at another favourite protest site, at an intersection near the main university campus, spilling into the streets as police tried to move them on.

The marches have been more peaceful than the bloodily suppressed demonstrations seen during an earlier half century of army rule, but they and the civil disobedience movement have had a crippling effect on much official business.

Many motorists in Yangon drove at a snail’s pace in a show of opposition to the coup, a day after many pretended to be broken down to block police and army vehicles.

In the second-biggest city, Mandalay, protesters rallied to demand the release of two officials arrested in the

coup. Police fired water cannon in the capital, Naypyitaw, to scatter a crowd approaching police lines. The northern town of Myitkyina was tense after police and soldiers used catapults to break up a protest, a resident said. Pictures on social media showed soldiers and rows of police trucks.

“They’re not acting in line with the constitution nor rule of law. They are acting like terrorists,” said activist Sut Seng Htoi. Police were not available for comment.

In the old capital of Bagan, people with banners and flags marched in colourful processions against a backdrop of ancient temples. Some protesters stopped at a temple to put a curse on dictators, a witness said.

TRYING TO END CIVIL DISOBEDIENCE: Putting an end to the civil disobedience campaign appears to be the military government’s priority.

Late on Wednesday, the junta issued arrest warrants

EU to impose sanctions on Russians over Navalny by March summit, diplomats say BRUSSELS AGENCIES

The European Union is set to impose travel bans and asset freezes on allies of Russian President Vladimir Putin in March, possibly in the run-up to an EU summit, after a meeting of envoys gave approval for punitive measures, diplomats said.

Reuters reported on February 11 that the sanctions, in response to the jailing of Putin’s main domestic critic Alexei Navalny, could be the first to be imposed under a new EU framework that was enacted in December and allows the bloc to take measures against human rights violators worldwide.

“I expect additional sanctions to be in place before the EU summit in March,” said a senior EU diplomat, referring to the March 25-26 gathering of the bloc’s 27 leaders in Brussels. EU foreign ministers meet on March 22.

A meeting of EU ambassadors on Wednesday showed broad support for sanctions, with countries including Sweden, Germany, France, Poland and Baltic countries all calling for the travel bans and asset freezes.

There was no discussion of halting the huge Nord Stream II gas pipeline from Russia to Germany, however, despite calls from some EU members for it to be

targeted with sanctions. It was not immediately clear if powerful business elites, known as oligarchs, would be targeted, as Navalny’s supporters want.

Pressure for sanctions has grown since Moscow infuriated European countries on February 5 by expelling German, Polish and Swedish diplomats without telling the EU’s foreign policy chief, who was in Moscow for a visit. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov called the EU an “unreliable partner” during a news conference, which EU lawmakers say aimed to humiliate Brussels.

“Sanctions need to be soon, otherwise their impact is weakened,” a second senior EU diplomat said.

Some countries have put forward names of those they think should be subject to sanctions, but declined to give details out of concern potential targets could move assets out of European banks. The EU already imposed economic sanctions on Russia over its annexation of Crimea from Ukraine in 2014. Last year it imposed travel bans and asset freezes on six Russian officials close to Putin over Navalny’s poisoning in August.

Moscow has denied blame for Navalny’s illness and says it has seen no proof he was poisoned.

Navalny was detained after returning to Russia from Germany last month and jailed on February 2 for violating the parole terms on what he says was a politically motivated charge.

Georgia's prime minister resigns, opposition calls for early election MOSCOW AGENCIES

Georgian Prime Minister Giorgi Gakharia announced his resignation on Thursday, prompting celebrations from the opposition, which called for an early election.

Gakharia, who had held the post since 2019, said he was stepping down because of a disagreement with his own team over the detention of NikaMelia, a prominent opposition politician.

“I believe that confrontation and rivalry within the country endanger the future of Georgia’s democratic and economic development,” Gakharia wrote on Twitter. “Therefore, I have announced my resignation in the hope of reducing polarisation and de-escalating the sit-

uation.” Gakharia had said that Melia’s detention was unacceptable if it threatened to fuel political divisions in the South Caucasus country of 3.7 million people.

Melia, chairman of the United National Movement (UNM) opposition party, had been accused of inciting violence at street protests in June 2019, a charge he has dismissed as politically motivated.

A court in the capital Tbilisi on Wednesday ordered that Melia be taken into custody for allegedly failing to post bail. Following Gakharia’s resignation, the Interior Ministry announced it was postponing carrying out the order to take Melia into custody.

A crowd gathered outside his party’s offices and waved Georgian flags in celebration, according to Sputnik Georgia.

own News Showcase model.

Seven West Media on Monday became the largest Australian news media business to strike a deal with Google to pay for journalism.

Rupert Murdoch’s News Corp. has since announced a wide-ranging deal.

Rival Nine Entertainment is reportedly close to its own pact and ABC is also in negotiations. News plays a larger part in Google’s business model than it does in Facebook’s. Easton said the public would ask why the platforms were responding differently to the proposed law that would create an arbitration panel to set a price for news in cases where the platforms and news businesses failed to agree.

“The answer is because our platforms have fundamentally different relationships with news,” Easton said.

Peter Lewis, director of the Australia Institute’s Centre for Responsible Technology think tank, said Facebook’s decision “will make it a weaker social network.”

“Facebook actions mean the company’s failures in privacy, disinformation, and data protection will require a bigger push for stronger government regulation,” Lewis said. “Without fact-based news to anchor it, Facebook will become little more than cute cats and conspiracy theories.”

against six celebrities, including film directors, actors and a singer, under an anti-incitement law, for encouraging civil servants to join the protest.

The charges can carry a two-year prison sentence.

“It’s amazing to see the unity of our people. People’s power must return to the people,” actor Lu Min, who was on the junta’s ‘wanted list’, posted on his Facebook page.

The military says a majority of people back its actions. The takeover and arrests have drawn strong Western criticism with the United States and Britain among countries that have announced or threatened sanctions.

China has taken a softer line while neighbours Singapore and Indonesia have proposed regional dialogue.

Singapore also urged that violence not be used against civilians.

“In particular, live rounds should not be fired on unarmed civilians under any circumstances,” Singapore’s foreign ministry cited its minister, Vivian Balakrishnan, as saying. Police have fired rubber bullets several times.

One protester was shot in the head in Naypyitaw last week and is being kept on life support, but doctors say she is not expected to survive.

The army says that one policeman died of injuries sustained in a protest.

The army said on its Facebook page forces were providing security across the country to “make sure people have tranquillity and sound sleep”.

Friday, 19 February, 2021

SPORTS 11

ISLAMABAD

australian oPen: dJokovic ends qualifier karatsev’s dream run to reach ninth final MELBOURNE

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ORLD No 1 Novak Djokovic ended the dream run of Russian qualifier Aslan Karatsev in the Australian Open semifinals Thursday to maintain his bid for a record-extending ninth title.

The 33-year-old Serb, showing no ill-effects from an abdomen injury sustained in the third round, overwhelmed the 114thranked Karatsev 6-3, 6-4, 6-2 to reach his 28th Grand Slam final.

Djokovic, 34, remains on course for his 18th Grand Slam trophy, nipping at the heels of rivals Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal, who are on 20. Djokovic, who hasn’t been practising between matches because of his injury, said he hoped to train before the final.

“Probably more likely (to train) on Saturday,” he said. “Recovery is priority right now. I’m feeling the ball well and playing well.”

BUTTERFLY BATTLE: Moving sharper than he has since he was injured while playing Taylor Fritz, Djokovic lifted his intensity in his best performance of the tournament.

Karatsev, however, was not disgraced after becoming the first man in the Open era to reach a semi-final on his Grand Slam

debut, and just the second qualifier to do so at the Australian Open after Bob Giltinan in 1977. His magical run included wins over eighth seed Diego Schwartzmann, 20th seed Felix Auger-Aliassime and 18th seed Grigor Dimitrov, but came up short against the ultimate test. A wary Djokovic had predicted Karatsev would come out aggressively and he proved right with the underdog undaunted in a free-wheeling approach. Aside from being briefly menaced by a butterfly as he prepared to serve, Djokovic was not rattled and his defensive mastery suffocated Karatsev in the eighth game. He subsequently clinched the first set with an ace and then put the foot down to break to love.

Karatsev would not go away, almost wiping away Djokovic’s advantage before the eight-time champion held serve in a seesawing 10th game and celebrated with gusto.

Despite some service struggles, Djokovic continued was not to be denied to record his first straight-sets victory since an opening-round romp against Jeremy Chardy.

Journeyman Karatsev, who spent a chunk of his youth in Israel, Germany and Spain, and had failed on nine previous occasions to qualify for a Grand Slam tournament, is set to rocket to 42 on the ATP rankings.

Brady reaches first Grand slam final with win over muchova MELBOURNE aGeNCIeS American Jennifer Brady edged Karolina Muchova 6-4, 3-6, 6-4 in a tense Australian Open semi-final on Thursday to set up a title match with Naomi Osaka.

The big-serving 22nd seed secured her first Grand Slam final appearance on her fifth match point against the Czech 25th seed in front of thousands of fans allowed back on Rod Laver Arena after a snap five-day lockdown in Melbourne was lifted.

She will play Osaka in Saturday’s final after the world number three earlier ended Serena Williams’ bid for a record-equalling 24th major title 6-3, 6-4. Brady, 25, is the last player standing among those forced into a hard 14-day quarantine after arriving in Australia. Brady set up a rematch of last year’s epic US Open semi-final, where Japan’s Osaka prevailed in three sets.

“We had a tough match in the US Open, where she said it was one of her top two matches,” said Brady, who sports a 1-2 winloss record against Osaka. “I’ll be nervous but I’m going to be super-excited.” Compared to the blockbuster first semi-final, this was a surprise contest between first time Slam semi-finalist

Man City go 10 points clear with 3-1 win over Everton

Champions League: Dortmund come from behind to beat Sevilla MADRID aGeNCIeS

Erling Braut Haaland produced another deadly display of finishing with a firsthalf brace as Borussia Dortmund came from behind to beat Sevilla 3-2 in Spain in the first leg of their Champions League last-16 tie on Wednesday.

Suso’s deflected strike gave last season’s Europa League winners an early lead behind closed doors at the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan stadium, but Mahmoud Dahoud soon equalised before Haaland took over.

The Norway phenomenon put Dortmund in front in the 27th minute and then scored again two minutes before half-time, the goals taking him to 25 in 24 appearances this season in all competitions. Still aged just 20, he has scored 18 times in just 13 Champions League appearances since the start of last season. Substitute Luuk de Jong’s late reply gave Sevilla cause for hope heading into the return leg on March 9, but Dortmund remain favourites to progress to the quarter-finals. Haaland, who also set up Dahoud’s equaliser, produced a performance, in the first half

Porto Punish sloPPy Juventus PORTO: Cristiano Ronaldo’s first game for Juventus in his native Portugal ended in 2-1 defeat as FC Porto out-played the Italians for much of Wednesday’s Champions League last-16, first leg tie. Such was Juve’s lacklustre performance that coach Andrea Pirlo claimed his team handed victory to their hosts on “a silver platter”. Iranian striker Mehdi Taremi put Porto ahead after just a minute at Estadio do Dragao following a Rodrigo Bentancur error. And Mali striker Moussa Marega added a second straight after the break. But Federico Chiesa pulled a goal back with eight minutes to go to keep Juventus afloat with the second leg in Turin on March 9. It was a below-par performance by Juventus, chasing their third Champions League title and first in 25 years. Record Champions League goal scorer Ronaldo, 36, drew a blank against a side captained by his Portuguese international teammate Pepe, as the visitors struggled to recover from their early blunder.

It was a shocking start for Juventus, with Wojciech Szczesny sending the ball out to Bentancur, who passed back to the Polish goalkeeper despite Taremi being just on front of goal. The Iranian quickly pounced to prod past Szczesny for his first Champions League goal. Porto pressed forward with Juventus almost conceding a second on 23 minutes as Szczesny cleared straight to Sergio Oliveira whose shot was deflected away from goal. To add to Andrea Pirlo’s woes captain Giorgio Chiellini limped off 10 minutes later with defender Merih Demiral coming off the bench. Pirlo had juggled Juve’s defence with Leonardo Bonucci out injured with Alex Sandro returning, playing alongside veteran Chiellini, Matthijs de Ligt and Danilo. Juve had to wait until four minutes before the break for their first shot on goal with an Adrien Rabiot overhead kick cleared by Porto ‘keeper Agustin Marchesin, but the offside flag had already been raised. The Italians suffered another terrible start to the second half with Marega picking up a Wilson Manafa cross to finish low past Szczęsny. Ronaldo had to wait until five minutes after the break to have a shot on goal. Weston McKennie nodded the ball into the path of the Portuguese star, whose weak effort was blocked. However, Chiesa pulled Juventus back into the tie following a Rabiot run down the right with a pull back for the Italian to finish off into the corner of the net. It was the first goal conceded by Porto in the competition at home this season for the former two-time winners. Ronaldo had penalty appeals waved away after going down under a Sanusi Zaidu challenge late as the hosts held on for their first win over Juventus in five meetings. aGeNCIeS

Muchova and Brady. The warm conditions were expected to suit Brady and she started fast with an early break, but Muchova settled her nerves and clawed back into the contest.

But a loose service game in the 10th game punctuated by a double fault handed Brady the first set. Having been in a similar predicament during her remarkable comeback quarter-final victory Wednesday over world number one Ashleigh Barty, a calm Muchova broke Brady to open the second set.

Muchova’s consistency and occasional charge to the net rattled an error-strewn Brady, who lost rhythm and relinquished her advantage. The momentum shifted again when Brady broke in the third game of the final set. Brady relied on her trusted serve to inch closer and on her second match point believed she had clinched victory, only to sink to her knees when her backhand was revealed to be long by just a couple of millimetres. A nervous Brady was forced to fend off three break points before finally booking a spot in her maiden Grand Slam final on her fifth match point, falling to the ground in euphoria.

Muchova’s previous best Grand Slam result was the Wimbledon quarter-finals in 2019, the only time she had reached the second week of a Slam from eight attempts.

LONDON aGeNCIeS

at least, which showcased his remarkable strength, hold-up play and pace as well as his brilliant finishing.

NINE-GAME WINNING RUN ENDED: It was too much for a Sevilla side who had come into this tie with high hopes, having only been beaten by La Liga leaders Atletico Madrid, away, in their previous 19 outings.

Lopetegui’s team had won their previous nine matches on the bounce and had kept seven straight clean sheets before the arrival of Dortmund and Haaland. Sevilla have won the Europa League or its predecessor, the UEFA Cup, an incredible six times since 2005, but only once have they got past the last 16 of the Champions League, when they beat Manchester United in 2018 before losing to Bayern Munich in the quarter-finals. The quality of Haaland was the difference here as Dortmund, having sunk to sixth in the Bundesliga on a poor run of form, came to life on their return to the Champions League.

Yet the game had started well for Sevilla, with Suso opening the scoring in the seventh minute, his shot deflecting in off Mats Hummels.

Dortmund drew level in the 19th minute as Haaland showed terrific strength to hold the ball up on the right before coming infield and feeding Dahoud, who worked his way into position to fire a superb shot high into net from just outside the area. It was the first goal Sevilla had conceded in more than 12 hours of football. And eight minutes later, they conceded again.

Haaland dropped deep, collecting possession near the halfway line, and then turned and charged towards goal, playing a pass to Jadon Sancho on the edge of the box and then continuing on to place the return ball past goalkeeper Yassine Bounou. He struck again two minutes before half-time, slotting home first-time after Marco Reus had stolen the ball from the feet of Alejandro ‘Papu’ Gomez before bearing down on goal.

However, Sevilla dominated the second half as Dortmund sat back, and the hosts got a potentially crucial second goal six minutes from the end.

Oscar Rodriguez’s high, hanging free-kick was turned into the net by De Jong, giving them something to cling to.

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Everton manager Carlo Ancelotti said he expects Manchester City to cruise to the Premier League title after Pep Guardiola’s men opened up a 10point lead at the top of the table with a 3-1 win at Goodison Park on Wednesday.

Riyad Mahrez scored the pick of the goals in between Phil Foden and Bernardo Silva’s strikes as City extended their English top-flight record winning run to 17 games.

Richarlison’s first-half equaliser was little consolation for seventh-placed Everton, who have now won just one of their last six league games to fall five points behind in the battle for a top-four finish.

This fixture was rearranged from late December due to a coronavirus outbreak affecting multiple players at City that threatened to derail their title challenge. Guardiola’s side were eighth in the table at the time, but have not dropped a point in their 10 league games since to streak clear of the chasing pack. The visitors were without the in-form Ilkay Gundogan due to a groin injury, while Kevin De Bruyne was fit to return from a hamstring problem but only for a late cameo appearance off the bench.

Sergio Aguero was also among the substitutes, but Gabriel Jesus has failed to make the most of his chance to shine in the absence of the

Argentine for most of the season and the Brazilian had another off night in front of goal as he blazed over an early chance.

When the deadlock was broken there was a hint of fortune to it as Foden’s shot deflected off Seamus Coleman to leave the helpless Jordan Pickford wrong-footed.

Ancelotti’s men had shown no attacking intent until conceding, but were immediately rewarded for pushing forward after falling behind as Lucas Digne’s shot came back off the post and ricocheted in off Richarlison.

A moment of the highest quality saw City restore their lead just after the hour mark.

Silva’s cushioned pass teed up Mahrez on the edge of the box and his sumptuous curling effort clipped the inside of the far post on its way into the net. The roles were reversed for the visitors’ third 13 minutes from time as Mahrez and Jesus picked out Silva on the edge of the box and his shot had too much power for Pickford..

At the other end of the table, Fulham missed the opportunity to close to within four points of survival as Burnley came back from a goal down to salvage a 1-1 draw. Both sides struck early in the second-half of a largely uneventful game as Ashley Barnes cancelled out Ola Aina’s opener for Fulham. A point for Fulham takes Newcastle’s advantage over the bottom three to six points, while Burnley remain eight points clear of the drop zone and edge up to 15th.

NCOC announces Covid-19 guidelines for HBL PSL matches ISLAMABAD Staff RepoRt

The National Command and Operation Centre (NCOC) has issued guidelines for spectators of the HBL Pakistan Super League (PSL) 2021, which starts from Saturday (tomorrow).

“The purpose of these guidelines is to outline the procedures and protocols in place at the proposed venues of HBL PSL 6 for 20 per cent spectators in attendance,” NCOC said in a statement.

“There will be basic health [symptoms] and temperature checks in place for spectators at every entry point. Should any person display symptoms while at the stadium, they will be directed toward the stadium hospital immediately and may be refused entry to the stadium,” it added.

The forum said the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) had built a five-bed temporary hospital, with doctors and paramedics, at both venues of the matches.

Tickets would be sold online and could be printed at home. People would sit two seats apart, wear masks and groups had to be members of the

same family. On February 4, the government allowed spectators inside cricket stadiums for the first time in the coronavirus pandemic.

In a statement, the PCB confirmed it received permission from the government to allow 20 perc ent capacity crowds. “The decision means around 7,500 ticketed spectators will be allowed access inside the National Stadium (in Karachi) per match day, while around 5,500 will be able to attend each match day at the Gaddafi Stadium (in Lahore),” the statement said.

Last March, when the pandemic was shutting down global sports, four PSL matches were held in closed stadiums and the playoffs in Lahore postponed to November in an empty National Stadium in Karachi. The sixth PSL begins on Saturday (tomorrow) with Karachi hosting the first 20 games before the T20 competition moves to Lahore, which hosts the remaining 14 matches, including the final on March 22.

“These are baby steps and, considering that most sports events are being played in empty stadiums, this is a positive achievement,” PCB Chairman Ehsan Mani said.

Friday, 19 February, 2021

prayer timings

NEWS

Next COvid vACCiNAtiON PhASe tO begiN iN MARCh: SAPM ISLAMABAD

S

staff report

PECIAL Assistant to the Prime Minister (SAPM) on Health Dr Faisal Sultan has said that the country would begin its next vaccination phase in March upon the arrival of the AstraZeneca-Oxford vaccine through the COVAX facility.

Addressing a press conference in Islamabad, he said: “According to our information, 2.8m doses will reach around March 2. This is very good news because we will be able to start the next phase [of the vaccination programme].”

The prime minister’s aide said that people above 65 years of age would be given the AstraZeneca-Oxford vaccine.

He said that the government had announced on February 15 that people above 65 years of age should start registering themselves for the vaccine.

It is pertinent here to mention that doctors and public health officials pleaded with the German government today to take up AstraZeneca vaccines against the coronavirus after muddled communication about the efficacy of the British-made jabs hit demand. Despite a raging debate about a sluggish EU rollout of vaccines, German healthcare facilities have reported several hundred thousand AstraZeneca vials sitting unused and rampant noshows at scheduled appointments.

Officials in Italy, Austria and Bulgaria were also starting to signal some public resistance to the British vaccine, and France Health Minister Oliver Veran

got the jab live on television to drum up support. “If you are given the choice between AstraZeneca now or another vaccine in a few months, you should definitely take AstraZeneca now,” implored Carsten Watzl, general secretary of the German Society for Immunology.

During the above-mentioned presser, the SAPM said that a 52,000 frontline healthcare workers have been vaccinated so far. However, it emerged that a total of 200 out of 2500 healthcare providers have been vaccinated Covid vaccination in a facility centre in Sukkur on Thursday, according to Medical Superintendent (MS) Ghulam Muhammad Mahar Medical College Hospital’s Dr Tasleem Akhtar Khamisani also confirmed that a total of 200 healthcare providers, including the staff from the Khairpur district hospital, Sukkur hospital and the teaching hospital were vaccinated on day two. He said that the majority of these doctors were infected while they performed their duties in the Quarantine Center, established by Sindh Government in Sukkur.

Moreover, the United States Government, through the US Agency for International Development (USAID), inaugurated a state-of-the-art command and control centre for the Sindh Health Department to respond to Covid-19 cases across the province. Sindh Minister for Health and Population Welfare Dr Azra Fazal Pechuho and the Sindh and Balochistan USAID Director James Parys participated in the semi-virtual ceremony, said a statement on Thursday.

USAID partnered with Pakistan’s

federal and provincial health department to establish these control centres at health secretariats across four provinces and two regions to reinforce Pakistan’s response to Covid-19 and other infectious diseases.

The Sindh Command and Control Centre will lead to high-level monitoring and decision making on the pandemic at present, as well as other public health threats in the future. “The Command and Control Centre will provide strategic and policy level guidance to help in the prevention, detection and notification of infectious diseases,” said James Parys.

He said: “Our collaboration on the response to Covid-19 builds upon the legacy of partnership and our shared goal to save lives through the delivery of basic, essential health services in the province.

The national tally on Thursday of total active cases was recorded at 24,176 with 1,272 more people tested positive for the deadly virus and 2,052 people recovered from the disease during the last 24 hours.

52 coronavirus patients have died during past 24 hours, 48 of them were under treatment in hospital and four in their respective quarantines and homes on Wednesday, according to the latest update issued by the National Command and Operation Centre (NCOC).

During the last 24 hours, most of the deaths had occurred in Punjab followed

by Sindh. The maximum ventilators were occupied in four major areas including Multan 21 per cent, Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT) 32 per cent, Peshawar 26 per cent and Lahore 36 per cent.

The maximum oxygen beds was also

occupied in Four major areas of Gujrat 61 per cent, Peshawar 40 per cent, Multan 32 per cent, and Lahore 23 per cent.

Around 240 ventilators were occupied elsewhere in the country while no affected person was on a ventilator in Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK), Gilgit-Baltistan (GB) and Balochistan.

Some 36,543 tests were conducted across the country on Wednesday, including 10,691 in Sindh, 12,269 in Punjab, 7,175 in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), 4,783 in ICT, 596 in Balochistan, 355 in GB, and 674 in AJK. Around 530,597 people have recovered from the disease so far across Pakistan making it a significant count with over 90 per cent recovery ratio of the affected patients.

Since the pandemic outbreak, a total of 567,261 cases were detected that also included the perished, recovered and under treatment Covid-19 patients so far, including AJK 9,629, Balochistan 18,958, GB 4,945, ICT 43,029, KP 70,306, Punjab 165,716 and Sindh 254,678.

About 12,488 deaths were recorded in the country since the eruption of the contagion. Around 5,138 perished in Sindh among 24 of them died during the past 24 hours. 22 of them died in the hospital and two out of the hospital.

5,114 in Punjab had died with 30 deaths in past 24 hours. 29 of them died in the hospital and one out of the hospital on Tuesday. 2,015 in KP, where eight of them died in hospital on Wednesday, 487 in ICT among one of them in the hospital on Wednesday, 199 in Balochistan, 102 in GB and 284 in AJK succumbed to the deadly virus.

FAJR SUNRISE

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COAS thanks Chinese envoy for Covid-19 vaccine assistance, unwavering support RAWALPINDI staff report

Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Qamar Javed Bajwa Thursday thanked the Chinese Ambassador Nong Rong for China’s assistance in the provision of Covid-19 vaccine to Pakistan. General Bajwa appreciated unwavering Chinese support at multiple international fora and capacity enhancement in defence and security domains. Chinese Ambassador Nong Rong called on the army chief at the General Headquarters (GHQ), said the military’s media wing in a statement. Matters of mutual interest including regional security issues were discussed during the meeting. The COAS also said that successful completion of China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) would bring more benefits and prosperity to the people of both countries. The visiting dignitary acknowledged and appreciated Pakistan’s contributions to regional peace and stability.

Reps from all business chambers of Pakistan gather in South Punjab LAHORE staff report

Qureshi, Shoukry discuss ways to strengthen bilateral ties CAIRO/ISLAMABAD staff report

Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi and his Egyptian counterpart, Sameh Hassan Shoukry, on Wednesday agreed to further strengthen ties between Islamabad and Cairo through increased cooperation in trade and other sectors.

Both foreign ministers discussed matters of mutual interest in a meeting in Cairo, where Qureshi had arrived on Tuesday on a two-day maiden official visit. The purpose of the visit to the brotherly country is to hold indepth discussions with Shoukry on bilateral relations.

Upon arrival in Egypt, Qureshi was received at Cairo International Airport by Assistant Foreign Minister of Egypt Tariq Al-Wasmi, Charge d’Affaires at Pakistan Embassy in Cairo Shah Nazar Khan and senior officials.

During Wednesday’s meeting, Qureshi told Shoukry that Pakistan considered Egypt an important country of the Arab world, adding that both countries enjoyed “historic religious, cultural and brotherly relations”, APP reported.

He also informed Shoukry of Prime Minister Imran Khan’s policy to enrich economic relations with African countries.

Shoukry also lauded Islamabad’s efforts for peace in Afghanistan, while Qureshi told him about India’s hostile activities against Pakistan which the latter said were a “danger for peace and stability of the region”.

Qureshi thanked Shoukry for the warm welcome he received in Egypt. The foreign minister also extended

an invitation to Shoukry to visit Pakistan, which the latter accepted.

The visit further strengthened bilateral relations between Pakistan and Egypt.

According to a statement by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA), the visit comes on the back of the meetings held between Prime Minister Imran Khan and Egypt President Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi. The visit will include detailed consultations with Egyptian counterpart officials and with leading Egyptian businessmen and members of the Pakistani community, it had said.

In a tweet issued Wednesday night, Qureshi said that it was a “pleasure” to meet Shoukry and added:

“[I] look forward to hosting FM Shoukry in Pakistan”.

“The relationship between Pakistan and Egypt is one of mutual trust and cooperation,” Qureshi said.

“FM Shoukry and I discussed ways to grow our ties, with greater people-to-people contact, trade and sustained engagement.” Qureshi also met Egyptian President Sisi on Wednesday and discussed Pakistan’s shifting emphasis from geo-politics to geo-economics.

The foreign minister also met Egyptian investors and businessmen during his trip and assured them of Islamabad’s every possible cooperation and facilitation in their profit-oriented business and investment activities in Pakistan.

With additional input from APP

A high powered meeting of the business community was held in Rahim Yar Khan, which was well attended by big wigs of the industrial sector from all over Pakistan. Anwer Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI) Vice President Raja Muhammad attended the meeting as the chief guest. The event was hosted by the Rahim Yar Khan Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCI) president and vice president, whereas Rauf Mukhtar was the group leader. Representatives from all chambers of the country were present at the meeting which was aimed at planning a joint course of action for local and national economic development. Speaking at the occasion, the FPCCI VP offered full support to representatives of all the chambers. FPCCI always has and always will bridge the gap between chambers and government as well as chambers and other stakeholders, he said. “It’s our prime responsibility to strengthen ties and form a network that could support collective progress for regional and national economic revival. Every chamber from all nook and crannies of Pakistan is as important as any other chamber of any developed region of the country,” Raja Muhammad stressed. He informed the meeting that FPCCI is a shared platform wherein its main concern is to help voice challenges, issues and roadblocks faced by businesses, while also projecting and amplifying their achievements. We are there to serve you, you can always visit FPCCI’s regional office in Lahore, my doors are always open for you, Raja added. To draw government’s attention, FPCCI offered to present their concerns and suggestions at the highest platform available in the best interest of business community. Participants of the meeting also attended the Cholistan Jeep Rally, where FPCCI Vice President Raja Anwer took part in the symbolic competition by driving the jeeps on rally track along with other participants. Later, the participants visited the Derawar Fort to attend a Seraiki Musical Night and other cultural shows. Participants also interacted with the business community from Arab countries, who were present at the event.

CAA to seek cabinet's nod to outsource pilots licencing exams to UK KARACHI staff report

A meeting of the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) on Thursday decided to place a summary, seeking to outsource the process of holding licencing exams to the British Civil Aviation Authority , before the cabinet

for its approval.

The PCAA suspended all licensing examinations in July after Minister for Aviation Ghulam Sarwar Khan had what aviation officials and experts said was incorrect claimed as many as 262 pilots possessed fake licences.

In January, at an online public meeting aired live on CAA’s Facebook page, many

concerned asked CAA chief Khaqan Murtaza about the resumption of licensing exams. To which he said: “This will, God willing, begin in the end of March or April start.”

“We [CAA] are going to outsource these exams and all the written exams will be conducted through the UK CAA,” he had said.

A damage control measure, the outsourc-

ing of the process to UK CAA will help Pakistan address the concerns of the international air travel agencies including the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) which had suspended the country’s Third Country Operation Authorisation in the aftermath of Khan’s statement.

According to CAA, the’ examination

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

and the subsequent licensing process will be linked to National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA).

Latterly, CAA Deputy Director General (Regulations) Shafi Dar held virtual sessions with his British counterparts wherein, sources suggest, the regulator was assured complete assistance.