Epaper – July 22 KHI 2020

Wednesday, 22 July, 2020 I 30 Dhū al-Qa‘dah, 1441 I Rs 15.00 I Vol XI No 24 I 12 Pages I Karachi Edition

PML-N deMaNds aboLitioN of Nab after sC ruLiNg g

Saad Rafique says Opp and govt should legislate for new accountability body ISLAMABAD

t

STAFF REPORT

HE Pakistan Muslim LeagueNawaz (PML-N) on Tuesday demanded a new accountability body, a day after the Supreme Court (SC) criticised the National Accountability Bureau’s (NAB) “utter disregard for law” in the Paragon Housing Society case’s detailed verdict.

Justice Maqbool Baqar had reprimanded the anti-corruption watchdog — in a detailed 87-page ruling in Khawaja Saad Rafique and Khawaja Salman Rafique’s bail plea — over various actions and processes, saying its “conduct throughout this case is a clear manifestation of their utter disregard for law, fair play, equity, and propriety”.

“After the SC verdict, NAB has no standing,” said Khawaja Saad Rafique

CoroNavirus iN

PakistaN

CONFIRMED CASES:

266,927

DAY'S DEATH TOLL:

40

RECOVERED:

NEW CASES:

1,013 DEATHS:

208,030 5,667 SINDH:

114,104

PUNJAB:

90,444

KP:

BALOCHISTAN:

AJK/GB:

ISLAMABAD:

32,523

11,441

1,922/1,868 14,625

g

Ahsan Iqbal says NAB being used as a tool for political engineering

while addressing a press conference along with other senior party leaders.

“NAB should be abolished […] The opposition and government should legislate for a new accountability body,” he said, adding: “There is no atmosphere of justice in NAB.” Rafique said that history bears witness that the descendants of those who had strived for the creation of Pakistan were mistreated but there is “no prece-

dent for what happened this time”.

“This trend, of injustice, must be stopped.”

“I was disappointed with [the] justice [system], but this decision is a beacon of light [for me],” he said, while referring to the top court’s verdict.

He said that PML-N’s Hamza Shehbaz Sharif and PPP’s Khursheed Shah are “prisoners of conscience”.

Calling for the abolition of NAB,

Journalist Matiullah Jan returns home after brief abduction Senior journalist was taken from outside wife's school by armed personnel ISLAMABAD g Journalist fraternity, STAFF REPORT human rights outfits, Senior journalist Matiullah Jan, who was allegedly abducted from the federal capital's Sector G-6 earlier in the day was released late on Tuesday politicians condemn near Fateh Jang, a small town in Punjab, his family confirmed. kidnapping, call it Jan, who was said to be in a stable condition, left for his home with his brother Shahid Akbar. attack on free press Jan, speaking to a private news channel after g

his return, said that he was blindfolded and taken to an unknown location by his abductors. He said that he was later released in Fateh Jang after being driven around the city.

Federal Minister for Science and Technology Fawad Chaudhry expressed his delight at the news. "Welcome back," he wrote on his official Twitter handle.

Earlier, Jan’s wife Kaneez Fatima had said that the journalist's car was found parked outside a school in Sector G-6 of the capital with one of his mobile phones inside the vehicle. CCTV footages purportedly showing Jan's alleged abduction surfaced on social media, which showed several armed men exiting at least three vehicles.

A First Information Report (FIR) of the senior journalist's alleged abduction had been lodged at Aabpara Police Station by his brother.

Jan was due to appear in the Supreme Court (SC) this week after it took suo motu notice of an

alleged contemptuous tweet by the journalist.

As the news of his disappearance drew attention of journalists and international rights bodies, a tweet was posted on Matiullah Jan's account at 3:17pm — purportedly by his son — which read: "Matiullahjan, my father, has been abducted from the heart of the capital [Islamabad].

I demand he be found and the agencies behind it immediately be held responsible. God keep him safe."

Federal Minister for Information Shibli Faraz confirmed the journalist’s abduction during a post-cabinet meeting presser later in the evening.

“This much is established that he [Jan] has been kidnapped,” said Faraz. “We will try to find out where he is and how he can be recovered. This is the responsibility of the government and it will fulfil it,” he added.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 05

Rafique said that it is “incumbent upon all political parties and the parliament to build a new institution for accountability”. Echoing Rafique’s sentiments, the party’s general secretary Ahsan Iqbal said NAB is being used as a tool for political engineering in the country.

“Khawaja brothers were kept behind bars for no reason,” he said.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 05

more inside

Military top brass reaffirms resolve to thwart threats to national security STORY ON BACK PAGE

SC questions lack of transparency in NDMA’s expenditure STORY ON PAGE 02

Govt delays decision to increase PTV licence fee STORY ON BACK PAGE

SC suspends release orders of 196 suspects convicted by military courts STORY ON PAGE 03

02

Wednesday, 22 July, 2020

NEWS

SC queSTionS laCk of TranSparenCy in nDMa'S expenDiTure ISLAMABAD

T

STAFF REPORT

HE Supreme Court (SC) on Tuesday criticised the National Disaster Management Authority’s (NDMA) failure to ensure transparency in expenditures pertaining to the coronavirus pandemic and locust control.

A five-member bench of the apex court, headed by Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Gulzar Ahmed, heard the coronavirus suo moto case, during which the CJP suggested abolishing the NDMA over the authority’s failure to explain its expenses.

NDMA has yet to submit crucial documents, observed the CJP. “Where are the documents permitting imports of machinery from Al-Hafeez Crystoplast (Pvt) Ltd?” he asked. The CJP also inquired why the documents have not been submitted de-

CJP says NDMa woulD have to be abolisheD as its Chief has faileD to satisfy Court’s queries charter, observed the CJP. How were the payments made according to the charter agreement, he asked. How can someone give this much cash in Karachi, asked the CJP. Where are the documents pertaining to imports of vaccine and the medicines, asked the CJP The relevant authorities will have to satisfy the court, said the Attorney General.

The CJP observed that it appeared that the NDMA would have to be abolished as its chief has failed to provide explanations.

Perhaps a lot has gone wrong and attempts are being made to cover up, observed the CJP. Should contempt of court

spite directives being issued thrice in this regard. Where are the details pertaining to chartering the aircraft and its payments, he asked further.

The director of NDMA maintained before the court that the authority did not import machines from Al-Hafeez company.

The owner of the company has yet to appear, noted the CJP. The real issue is non-compliance with customs and other laws, he remarked.

Meanwhile, Justice Ijazul Hasan noted that the cost of the machinery has not been disclosed in the documents.

Over Rs10.7 million was paid for the

pTa blocks Bingo, issues final warning to TikTok over vulgar content ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) on Tuesday banned the Singaporean livestreaming app Bigo over immoral, obscene and vulgar content and issued a final warning to Chinese video sharing platform TikTok for similar reasons. The PTA in a statement said, “In exercise of its powers under PECA, PTA has decided to immediately block Bigo and issue final warning to TikTok to put in place a comprehensive mechanism to control obscenity, vulgarity and immorality through its social media application.” The PTA said that a number of complaints have been received from different segments of the society against immoral, obscene and vulgar content on social media applications particularly TikTok and Bigo, and their extremely negative effects on the society in general and youth in particular. The statement further said that PTA had issued necessary notices to the aforementioned social media companies under law to moderate socialisation and content within legal and moral limits, in accordance with the laws of the country. However, the response of these companies has not been satisfactory. Earlier this month, PTA banned the hugely popular online game, PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds (PUBG), saying it was addictive, a waste of players’ time and was having an adverse effect on the mental and physical health of the country’s youth. PUBG, made by South Korean firm Bluehole Inc, is a survivalthemed battle game that drops dozens of online players on an island to try and eliminate each other. It was launched in 2017 and has a huge global following.

Minister for Science and Technology Fawad Chaudhry said last week that he is against such bans and they are “killing the tech industry” in Pakistan. TLTP

notices be issued to the NDMA chief, he asked. The institutions of the country should be run in a transparent manner, said the chief justice.

The NDMA was given a free hand and hefty amounts to deal with the coronavirus pandemic, said Justice Hasan. The authority is answerable to the court and the people, he added.

The NDMA is acquiring planes and machinery for locust control, noted the CJP. Transparency will have to be ensured through documents and not just verbal statements, he remarked, adding that it was not comprehensible how billions of rupees were being spent.

From corona to floods to locusts, everything has been handed over to the NDMA, remarked Justice Hasan. But the NDMA’s admin member himself does not know anything, he added.

Six OMCs granted permission to operate in 2018-19: OGRA report ISLAMABAD INP

The annual report for Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority’s (OGRA) performance for the year 2018-19, was issued on Tuesday. According to the report, the regulatory authority during 2018-19, conducted inspections at 447 fuel outlets and issued 182 show cause notices for overcharging, under filling and non-conforming to quality standards and imposed penalties of Rs64.57 million in this regard.

Moreover, OGRA redressed 663 complaints received against different outlets under the Clean and Green Pakistan initiative. To ensure provision of quality petroleum products across the country, the authority, through Hydrocarbon Development Institute of Pakistan (HDIP), made 460 quality checks of imported energy products and 725 quality checks for imported non-energy products.

Similarly, 368 and 1,508 quality checks were carried out at lube blending plants and oil depots respectively.

Moreover, 267 quality checks were performed at oil refineries and 53 quality checks at While Oil Pipeline’s Terminal Stations. During the year 2018-19, OGRA granted nine provisional licences to construct storage facilities before establishing Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs), paving the way for an investment of around Rs4.5 billion in oil infrastructure over the next three years.

The authority also granted permission to six companies including LaGuardia Petroleum Private Limited (Sindh), Oil Industries Pakistan Private Limited (Punjab), Euro Oil Private Limited (Punjab), Flow Petroleum Private Limited (Punjab), Taj Gasoline Private Limited (Sindh) and Hi Tech Lubricants Limited (Punjab) to initiate marketing of petroleum products in their respective regions.

OGRA also granted permission for operation of new oil storages to Hascol Petroleum Limited at Kotlajam and Shikarpur, Be Energy Limited at Machike, Flow Petroleum at Attock, Laguardia at Daulatpur, Oil Industries Private Limited at Sahiwal, Euro Oil at Sahiwal, Taj Gasoline at Shikarpur and Hi-Tech Lubricants at Sahiwal.

OGRA also granted permission for construction of new oil storages to Attock Petroleum Limited at Sahiwal and Machike, Total Parco Pakistan Limited at Shikarpur and Machike, Gas and Oil Pakistan Limited at Rahim Yar Khan and Hub and Jinn Petroleum at Hub. During the one-year period, OGRA granted licence for construction of the new Khyber Oil with the capacity of 20,000 barrels per day, which is expected to be constructed within five years at the cost of $500 million. The authority granted eleven licences to lube oil blending plants for construction and operation, and eleven licences to Lubricant Marketing Companies (LMCs) for import of lube oil in the country.

SC asks CAA to submit report on action against fake pilots ISLAMABAD TLTP

The Supreme Court (SC) of Pakistan on Tuesday directed the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) to immediately complete an inquiry against pilots of Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) who possess fake licences.

The apex court issued directives while hearing a suo motu case related to the COVID-19 crisis. A five-member bench, headed by Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Gulzar Ahmed, was hearing the case.

During the hearing, the apex court has ordered to file criminal cases against officials who were involved in the issuance of fake licensing to pilots. The court also expressed dissatisfaction over reports of the CAA and PIA. “There was a time when Hollywood actors considered

travelling in Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) an honor, but look at the situation today, where does PIA stand?” remarked CJP Gulzar.

The chief justice said that PIA is protecting fake pilots and the court will put a ban on hiring in the national flag carrier. At which, the managing director of PIA informed the court that Sindh High Court (SHC) has recently restored five fake pilots on a restraining order.

The director general of CAA informed the court that the government is bringing reforms in the authority.

“You are not capable of running CAA,” the CJP remarked. The Supreme Court (SC) has ordered authorities to immediately conclude action against pilots holding fake licenses and submit reports in the next two weeks. The hearing of the case was adjourned for the next two weeks.

pM calls for review of subsidies to ensure transparency Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan on Tuesday directed the adviser to the PM on finance and revenue affairs to scrutinise and review subsidies being provided by the government and provide comprehensive recommendations to enhance their effectiveness. While chairing a meeting of a think-tank pertaining to Islamabad’s economy, the PM stressed the need to review subsidies being provided by the government in order to ensure transparency and that their benefits reach the maximum number of people. He said that the subsidies given by the government are aimed at providing relief and assistance to poor and deserving people. The PM further advised that Ehsaas Emergency Cash Programme’s database should be used to provide electricity, gas, utility stores, and other subsidies to the needy people. NEWS DESK

naB freezes assets of Shahid khaqan, Miftah ismail ISLAMABAD: The National Accountability Bureau (NAB) on Tuesday froze the moveable and immovable assets of former prime minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi and former finance minister Miftah Ismail in the Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) import contract case. According to details, both Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leaders have been barred from transferring ownership of vehicles and property. The anti-graft watchdog has also stopped the transfer of ownership of already sold vehicles of Abbasi. The bureau had filed the reference in December 2019, saying one company received benefits of over Rs21 billion between March 2015 and September 2019. APP

ppp leader allowed to travel abroad for medical treatment KARACHI: An accountability court on Tuesday allowed former petroleum minister and Pakistan People’s Party leader Dr Asim Hussain to travel abroad for his medical check-up.

Dr Asim, who is a close aide to former president Asif Ali Zardari, is facing two corruption references in the accountability court and a criminal case in an anti-terrorism court. He was booked in a terrorism case on the complaint of Sindh Rangers for allegedly treating and harbouring suspected terrorists, militants and gangsters at the North Nazimabad and Clifton branches of his hospital at the behest of some MQM and PPP leaders. Allowing the PPP leader to travel to London, the court directed him to return before Aug 25. APP

aWp leader lauds SC ruling on naB ISLAMABAD: Supreme Court (SC) Senior Advocate Abid Hassan Minto and senior leader of Awami Workers Party (AWP) has hailed the apex court’s order in Khawaja Saad Rafiq’s case as a big milestone in the development of the law of bails in Pakistan. In a statement, he said this order has made it clear that instead of acting like a responsible, neutral anti-graft agency, the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) is being used as a tool for “selectively harassing and arm twisting those who do not toe the line of the establishment and the government. STAFF REPORT

VRG gets regulators' go-ahead to launch 'Aasan Mobile Account' LAHORE TAIMOOR HASSAN

Virtual Remittance Gateway (VRG) has received a formal go-ahead from the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) and the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) for the commercial launch of ‘Aasan Mobile Account (AMA)’ on Unstructured Supplementary Service Data (USSD)-enabled platform that allows interoperability between banks and telcos to consolidate the fragmented payments ecosystem of Pakistan and enhance financial inclusion.

The approval for the commercial launch comes after a pilot project followed by a successful soft launch under the monitoring of the SBP and the PTA. The official date of the launch is yet to be announced but VRG's management says it is right around the corner.

Under the scheme, a USSD code enables banks and telcos to open bank accounts on cell phones without any requirement of connecting to the internet on an SMS-based service.

"VRG has been allocated a USSD code

(*2262#) for entire Pakistan to open AMA accounts on smartphones and non-smartphones alike," VRG CEO Abrar Ameen told Profit.

"USSD code is not an SMS but operates like SMS so the benefit of this is that in a country like Pakistan where the population is dispersed and lives in far-flung areas, they can open a bank account from all those places from where they can send an SMS." He continued, "Dialling the USSD code will land that user on VRG's platform from where they will have access to open AMA without going to a bank, without biometric verification and without signing any documents.

The platform will ask the user for his/her CNIC number and issuance date and that is all a user has to provide."

On the backend, he said, the bank will take care of the verification cycle with NADRA and send the customer an SMS that their account is in process, adding that once it goes commercial, according to SOPs of the SBP, a user opening a bank account using this channel should get a call from the bank in two hours

updating them about the account.

"The second option they have is to link existing bank accounts. We have 12-13 banks that are live with us now," Abrar stated.

According to State Bank of Pakistan's Access to Finance Survey (2015), the formally banked individuals (those having transaction accounts, either conventional or mobile money accounts) were only 23pc of the adult population.

In order to address the challenges pertaining to the low level of financial inclusion, Pakistan had developed a broader National Financial Inclusion Strategy (NFIS) in collaboration with stakeholders. The strategy was formally launched and adopted by the Government of Pakistan in May 2015.

The objective of the strategy is to set a national vision for achieving universal financial inclusion in Pakistan. The NFIS lays out the vision, framework, action plan, and target outcomes for financial inclusion. The strategy aims to enhance formal financial access to 50pc of the adult population by 2020.

Wednesday, 22 July, 2020

NEWS

ppp punjaB leaDerS noT reaDy To TruST pMl-n, BilaWal DiSagreeS

S

NEWS DESK

ENIOR leaders of the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) in Punjab on Tuesday urged party chief Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari to reconsider his decision of launching a joint opposition movement against the government in collaboration with the Pakistan Muslim LeagueNawaz (PML-N), saying the latter was playing the role of a friendly opposition,

a private news channel reported.

According to the channel, the PPP Punjab leadership expressed its reservation against the PML-N during a meeting chaired by Bilawal.

“How could a party support us in running an anti-government campaign when it is trying to delay a multi-party conference to devise a course of action?” the channel quoted the PPP leaders as saying during the meeting.

The PPP leaders believed that the

10 dead in rain-related incidents FAISALABAD: As many as 10 people were killed in two separate rain-related incidents in Faislabad on Tuesday. Heavy rains lashed the city and its surrounding areas last night, as a result of which the roof of a threeroom house in Tandlianwala town collapsed. Among those who died were a woman, her three minor sons, and two daughters and an 18-year-old boy. Two more family members sustained serious injuries. The second incident took place on Abbaspur Road in which the roof of a house collapsed following a thunderstorm, killing three siblings. Four other people of the family including two girls were injured during the mishap. The injured were shifted to the hospital for treatment. APP

'Changes in Customs act to facilitate direct transfer of duty drawbacks to exporters' ISLAMABAD: Adviser to Prime Minister on Commerce and Investment Abdul Razak Dawood said on Tuesday that changes in the Customs Act would facilitate the transfer of duty drawbacks to the bank accounts of exporters.

He said this while chairing a meeting on duty drawbacks at the Ministry of Commerce. Reviewing the progress on interventions by the Ministry of Commerce, the adviser emphasized that the duty drawback is neither an incentive nor a subsidy, rather it is an established right of the exporters, which needs to be properly calculated and fairly assessed to reflect the costs borne for exporting the goods.

He added that duty drawback is an essential part of international trade which is covered under the World Trade Organization rules as well as the laws of the country. During the meeting, the adviser was briefed on the progress on implementation of duty drawback rates recalculation exercise. It was informed that the Ministry of Commerce had earlier selected 11 sectors for recalculation, out of which duty drawback revised rates have been duly notified in three sectors, including leather hides, plastic goods and carpets. The exercise for the remaining 8 sectors is in the final stages and will be finalized shortly. The changes in Customs Act 1969 and Customs Rules, which cover the procedures of payment of duty drawbacks, were also shared during the meeting. Under the amended act and rules, duty drawbacks will be directly credited to the bank accounts of the exporters by the State Bank of Pakistan.

The calculation of the duty drawback amounts will be done by Pakistan Customs computerized System WeBOC without any human involvement based on Risk Management System. However, this requires a secure line for data sharing between Pakistan Customs database and State Bank of Pakistan, which is under process and would be completed in the next month. STAFF REPORT

PML-N does not want the opposition to move forward on the suggestions of Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari. “They still consider Bilawal as a threat to their politics in Punjab,” the PPP leaders said, according to the channel.

However, the channel’s sources said that the PPP chief told his party leaders that they had to unite the opposition against the incumbent government rather than paying heed to rumours against each other.

“We will launch a movement alone

against the government even if nobody supports us,” Bilawal said during the meeting while reiterating that they would not tolerate any attack on the constitution and rights of the provinces.

On Monday, a PML-N delegation called on the PPP chief to discuss preparations for the upcoming APC of opposition parties after Shehbaz Sharif refused to meet the latter.

A three-member PML-N delegation comprising Ahsan Iqbal, Ayaz Sadiq and Khawaja Saad Rafique met Bilawal at Bilawal House where PPP’s Qamar Zaman Kaira, Raja Pervaiz Ashraf, Chaudhry Manzoor and Syed Hassan Murtaza were also present.

Leaders from both parties discussed the APC agenda and the future political strategy of the joint opposition.

SC suspends release orders of 196 suspects convicted by military courts ISLAMABAD STAFF REPORT

The Supreme Court (SC) on Tuesday suspended the Peshawar High Court’s (PHC) order to release 196 suspected terrorists, who were convicted by military courts. A Peshawar High Court (PHC) bench in June this year had set aside convictions of around 200 suspected militants and ordered the relevant authorities to set them free if not required in any other case.

During the hearing, the apex court summoned details of the cases against the individuals from the federal government. Justice Qazi Ameen said that these convicts received sentences after a trial in the military courts, adding that facts and evidence are different for every case. The judge’s remarks came against the PHC verdict which said that the prisoners were indicted without a fair trial and their confessional statements were recorded under duress.

Wrapping up the hearing, Justice Musheer Alam issued notices to the concerned parties in the case for next Friday.

The PHC, earlier this month, overturned the convictions of 196 individuals who had been sentenced

by military courts, and ordered their release.

The court, in its verdict, mentioned that these people were accused on the basis of a confessional statement and not provided a chance at fair trial.

In March, the apex court sought from the Ministry of Defence, the complete record on the allegations against the persons convicted by the military court and the details of the evidence supporting the convictions.

The PHC had earlier also upheld several cases of military convictions in 2018, where the SC had to intervene as well.

On November 2, 2018, the apex court had restrained the jail authorities to release 70 terror suspects, convicted by military courts, involved in different terrorist activities in the country.

A two-member bench of the apex court headed by Justice Sheikh Azmat Saeed had heard appeals of the Defence Ministry against the verdict of PHC, acquitting all the 68 terror suspects released by military courts due to lack of evidence. The PHC had overturned the death sentence of around 70 people convicted by the military courts on terrorism charges and declared that all these are cases of no evidence and based on the malice of facts and law.

Talks underway over hike in drug prices: Mirza KARACHI TLTP

Refuting the increase in medicine prices, Special Assistant to Prime Minister (SAPM) on Health Dr Zafar Mirza has said that talks are underway with the pharmaceutical companies over hike in prices of medicine.

“Without notification from the ministry, medicine prices cannot be jacked-up”, Dr Zafar Mirza said on Tuesday.

The SAPM said that prices are reviewed every year after budget and talks are underway with the pharmaceutical companies in this context.

Dr Mirza said that testing capacity for coronavirus is being further enhanced in the country. He said that the death ratio of coronavirus patients remained low in the country due to better arrangements made by the government in this regard.

He said that it is a good thing that the number of Covid-19 cases have also declined. However, he said,

the people should follow the standard operating procedure (SOPs) to combat the virus. The SAPM said the government would ensure the implementation of SOPs to control coronavirus.

Earlier, it was reported last week that the Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (DRAP) has approved an increase in prices of medicines up to 10 per cent.

According to a notification issued on Saturday last, the regulator had allowed pharmaceutical companies to increase prices of their life saving drugs by up to 7 per cent and other drugs by up to 10 per cent. The decision to raise drug prices had been taken in line with the consumer price index (CPI). Earlier in January, the Ministry of National Health Services (NHS) had notified reduction in prices of 89 medicines on directives of Prime Minister Imran Khan after the federal cabinet reduced the prices in its meeting.

Virus fatality rate in Sindh lowest in pakistan, says spokesman KARACHI: Announcing that the coronavirus fatality rate has significantly decreased across the province, the Sindh government on Tuesday declared its recovery rate the highest in Pakistan. Addressing a press conference, the spokesperson for Sindh government, Barrister Murtaza Wahab said that Sindh had conducted the most number of tests in the country. “To date, we have conducted over 449,900 tests in the province,” he revealed. “Unlike other provinces, Sindh is also doing contact tracing under which we have conducted 13,574 tests per million, whereas, Punjab conducted just 5,964 tests per million,” he added. Sindh has reported 551 coronavirus cases and 22 deaths during the past 24 hours, according to Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah. In a statement issued earlier in the day, Shah said 6,676 tests were carried out during this period. With the new cases, the provincial total has risen to 114,104 while the death toll has risen to 2,041. He added that 17,766 patients were currently under treatment. Speaking about recoveries in the province, Murtaza said the numbers reflected the Sindh government’s efficient strategy to deal with the pandemic. “In Sindh 92,934 recoveries have been reported with our recovery rate standing at 82%, whereas in Punjab there are 66,021 recovered patients which are 66% of the total cases and in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, the recovery rate is 79% with 25,367 people recovered,” he noted. About the death rate, Murtaza said Sindh has reported 2,019 deaths whereas, Punjab has reported 2,090 deaths and KP 1,147 deaths. Giving a breakdown of coronavirus infections according to age in Sindh, Wahab said there were 3,279 patients under treatment between the ages of 1 and 10; 8,690 between the ages of 11 and 20; 2,702 between the ages of 31 and 40; 19,290 between the ages of 41 and 50; 14,906 between the ages of 51 and 60; and 6,979 between the ages of 61 and 70. STAFF REPORT

Zardari files new plea to halt trial in park lane reference KARACHI: Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Co-Chairman Asif Ali Zardari on Tuesday filed a new petition with an accountability court in Karachi to halt proceedings in the Park Lane estate reference. The National Accountability Bureau (NAB) accuses Zardari of being involved “in extending [a] loan and its misappropriation

by M/s Parthenon Private Limited, M/s Park Lane Estate Private Limited and others”. During the hearing, NAB prosecutor raised objection over Zardari’s petition, saying it was a contrivance aimed at buying the time. APP

at least 1 dead, 7 injured in Turbat explosion QUETTA: At least one person was killed and seven others injured in an early morning explosion in a bazaar in Turbat city of Balochistan on Tuesday. The injured have been shifted to District Headquarters Hospital in Turbat, which is about 700 kilometers from the provincial capital, Quetta. According to officials, an improvised explosive device (IED) was planted in a motorcycle parked outside a shop. However, it was yet to be confirmed who was the target of the blast but all the injured were civilians, police said. Balochistan Chief Minister Jam Kamal Khan condemned the attack, saying that “the agenda of anti-state elements will not be allowed to succeed”. He further said that those who “shed innocent people’s blood for their evil purposes deserve the strictest punishment”. The chief minister assured that medical facilities will be provided to the injured and directed security forces to take more effective measures to ensure the peace of the area. STAFF REPORT

fake certification practices at Caa an open secret, pilots tell al Jazeera ISLAMABAD TLTP

Pakistani pilots claim that fraud and improper flight certification practices at the country’s civil aviation regulator are an open secret, while air safety has routinely been compromised by airlines through faulty safety management systems, incomplete reporting and the use of regulatory waivers.

This was stated by six pilots who spoke to

Al Jazeera on condition of anonymity, fearing reprisals from their employers or the regulator.

The names of three of the six pilots are on the list of “fake” licence-holders. They deny any wrongdoing. One of the major criteria for being listed – having flown a flight on the same day as an exam – has also been disputed, including by all six pilots Al Jazeera spoke to, who said that taking an exam in the morning and flying later in the day was “routine” and within regulations.

Pakistani aviation regulations are unclear on the specific issue of taking exams on the same day as a scheduled flight, requiring only that pilots be “adequately rested” before undertaking flight duties.

“I am witness to it. I don’t even have to think about it, I have witnessed it,” said “Pilot A”, whose name was on the list of suspected licences. “It’s a well-known thing in the industry that you can either do it the regular way or you can pay someone to [cheat] for you.” Pilot

03

A said that he had been approached by colleagues with an offer to help him cheat, with the aid of PCAA officials, in exchange for payment when he had been attempting his commercial pilot’s licence (CPL) written exams in 2009. Pilot A said when he and three others reported the fraud to senior PCAA officials, they were repeatedly failed on their final CPL exam until they “apologised”.

“Everyone [in our group of whistle-blowers] who apologised to [the PCAA official], the

next attempt they cleared their exams.” “Pilot B”, a senior instructor at a flight school and later a commercial pilot at PIA, said that while committing fraud on the tests was not widespread, the availability of the option was well known. “It was easier to [cheat] than to not do it,” he said. “They give you a bank of 40,000 questions. Then you can either study for it and try to pass, or you pay to get the answer key [from someone].” In 2011, the PCAA changed its testing processes, increasing the number of exams from three to eight, based on European Joint Aviation Requirements (JAR) standards, and introducing personalised computerised tests for pilots.

04

Wednesday, 22 July, 2020

NEWS

13 die in rain-related incidents in Punjab LAHORE: At least 13 people lost their lives in rain-related incidents in different areas of Punjab on Tuesday.

According to details, seven members of a family died when the roof of their house caved in in village Dhoop Sariyan in Taandlianwala, said the local police. Another incident of roof collapse was reported in Faisalabad, where three siblings lost their lives and four others got injured. Meanwhile, a youngster was killed in Multan in a roof collapse incident and two others were electrocuted to death in Vehari. The bodies of the deceased were moved to the near hospitals. According to the Pakistan Meteorological Department, Faislabad received 89mm rain in the past 24 hours. TLTP

robber killed in police encounter LAHORE: One robber was killed while his accomplice managed to flee after an encounter that took place in Shalimar area of the provincial capital. According to details, the exchange of fire took place when police came across a gang of robbers fleeing after committing robbery on Monday-Tuesday midnight. In cross firing, one robber later identified as Shehzad was killed while his cohort managed to escape taking advantage of the darkness. INP

sindh cM orders closure of borders to stoP wheat sMuggling KARACHI

s

PPI

INDH Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah, keeping in view growing flour prices in the market, has ordered all the divisional commissioners and DIGs to seal borders to stop wheat smuggling to other countries and also start operation against hoarders.

He took this decision while presiding over a meeting of the food department to review wheat stocks and flour prices all over Sindh. The meeting was attended by provincial ministers, Hari Ram, Mukesh Chawla, Syed Nasir Shah, Advisor Murtaza Wahab, Chief Secretary Mumtaz Shah, IG Sindh Mushtaq Maher, PSCM Said Jamal Abro, Commissioner Karachi Iftikhar Shahalwani, Adl Ig Karachi Ghulam Nabi Memon, Secretary Food Laiq Ahmed. The divisional commissioners and DIGs of the divisions other than Karachi joined the meeting through video link.

The minister food and the food secretary briefing the chief minister on wheat stocks as saying by July 9, 2020, 6.840 MMT of wheat was available in the country, including 4.283 MMT in Punjab, 1.262 Sindh, 0.065 KPK, 0.092 Balochistan and 1.138 PASSCO. At this, the chief minister said that during the corresponding period of 2019, the wheat stock of 7.758 MMTs was

available. “This shows a shortfall of 0.918 MMT stocks this year,” he said.

Wheat Production: The chief minister was told that the national target of wheat production was set at 27.030 MMTs against which 25.457 MMTs was produced which showed a shortfall of 1.573 tons. At this, Murad Ali Shah said that Sindh had set a wheat production target of 3.8 MMT against which we produced 3.852 MMTs that showed a 0.052 MMT surplus while all other provinces failed to achieve their production target.

Availability & Consumption: The chief minister said that the consumption of wheat during 2020-21 has been estimated at 27.470 MMTS against which the wheat stock available in the country was 26.059 that showed a shortfall of

1.411 MMTs. Mr Shah said that the shortfall was not so much that the wheat/flour prices have started going up during these months when wheat crop has been harvested recently. “This is the result of wheat smuggling to other countries and we have to stop it with strict action,'' he said and added that due to smuggling the wheat stocks in the private sector have run out in some provinces. That was why flour prices have increased there, he observed.

Prices in Sindh: The commissioners of Hyderabad, Sukkur, Larkana, Mirpurkhas and Shaheed Benazirabad told the chief minister that atta prices were stable in their divisions. Secretary Food said that in Karachi flour mill atta price per ha sbeen recorded at Rs57 and chakki atta Rs64 to Rs65 per kg. In Hyderabad Rs56 -57 flour mills atta and Rs60 to Rs61 Chakki atta was available. Mirpurkhas Rs46 to Rs49 flour mill and Rs54 to Rs58 chakki atta per kg. Shaheed Benazir Rs50 to Rs52 flour mills and Rs55 Chakki atta.

Sukkur Rs54-55 flour mill and Rs58 to Rs60 chakki atta and Larkana Rs51 flour mills and Rs55 chakki atta.

He added that compared to Sindh the atta prices were higher in Punjab. The chief minister said that wheat stock in Sindh was enough that was why prices were stable. However, he directed all the divisional commissioners and DIGs to

Areas of four Punjab cities placed under smart lockdown LAHORE TLTP

The Punjab government on Tuesday announced to impose smart lockdown in some areas of Rawalpindi, Gujrat, Gujranwala and Sialkot till July 27 as coronavirus cases continue to rise in these cities.

According to a notification issued by the Primary and Secondary Healthcare Department (P&SHD) under the Punjab Infectious Diseases Ordinance, 2020, about the lockdown, "controlled entry and exit" will be observed in Rawalpindi, Gujrat, Sialkot and Gujranwala till July 27, 2020.

All markets, shopping malls, restaurants, offices (public and private) shall remain closed in these areas. There shall be a complete ban on the movement of people to and from these areas by public and private transport except for the limited movement of one person per vehicle to and from the exempted facilities.

The notification added that

Punjab rePorts 253 new coronavirus cases, 7 deaths LAHORE: Punjab on Tuesday reported 253 new cases of the novel coronavirus in the last 24 hours, taking the province’s total number of confirmed infections to 90,444. According to the Primary and Secondary Healthcare Department, seven more people died of the virus during the period, due to which the death toll in the province rose to 2,090. As many as 66,021 patients have recovered while overall 656,104 tests have been conducted so far. It is pertinent to mention here that Pakistan on Tuesday reported 1,013 new coronavirus cases, the lowest in the last four weeks, and 40 deaths in the past 24 hours, taking the national tally of cases to 266,092 and fatalities to 5,639. TLTP

there shall also be a complete ban on gatherings of all kinds for social, religious, or any other purpose at any place, public or private throughout these areas.

The areas of these four cities which will undergo smart lockdown are as follow: Sialkot, Chak Kalan Ladhar and Town Ghazipur; in Rawalpindi, W-8

and W-3 in Wah Cantt and union council Saray-e-Kala; Mohalla Kalupura, Chah Taringh and village Madina Syedan of Gujrat; and Nandipur Town, Aroop and Qila Didar Singh of Gujranwala.

Earlier this month, smart lockdown was enforced in seven cities of Punjab for 15-days slated to end on July 24.

President stresses upon secrecy, transparency in i-voting process ISLAMABAD APP

President Dr. Arif Alvi Tuesday stressed that the secrecy of vote and transparency in the i-voting (internet-voting) process must be ensured while developing the electronic voting system (EVS).

He further said that the system should be efficient, possessing the technical capacity to cater the large number of overseas voters on poll-day. He made these remarks while chairing a meeting to review progress on the EVS, at Aiwan-e-Sadr, a press release said.

The meeting was attended by the Secretary IT and Telecommunication Shoaib Ahmed Siddiqui, Secretary to President Tariq Najeeb Najmi and Chairman National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) Usman Yousaf Mobin. Officials from the Election Commission of Pakistan and NADRA were also present.

The president directed that a committee of experts be formed to assess the technical capacity and reliability of the system and to propose possible solutions.

The report along with recommendations would be presented before the parliament.

He said that I-voting system should be transparent and people should have complete confidence in it. He also highlighted the importance of maintaining vot-

ers’ secrecy, and fulfilling all the legal requirements.

The president was briefed about the steps being taken for establishing an effective and reliable i-voting system for overseas Pakistanis. It was apprised that all measures were being taken for the development of a fool-proof voting system.

The president was also briefed about the technical efficacy, secrecy and safety aspects of the system. The EVS being developed had been pilot tested in the byeelections, the meeting was informed, and an independent evaluation of the system would also be conducted.

The meeting underscored the primacy of putting the system to test prior to poll-day to detect and overcome any technical issues.

start operation against the hoarders and also stop wheat movement. “Whenever, any truck of wheat is seen on the road it must be stopped until and unless it is cleared by the food department,” he said.

He also directed commissioners to supervise the wheat stocks stored in their areas by the food department and keep their proper record. “I will not tolerate any mistake or mischief in this matter,” he said.

Commissioner Sukkur told the chief minister that his district administration has seized 27000 tons of wheat being smuggled to neighboring countries. At this the chief minister asked the DIG how many FIRS he has registered against the culprit, the DIG Sukkur replied 13 FIRs. It was pointed out that six food department officers have been suspended.

The chief minister urged the federal government to assess the situation of wheat stocks and then take appropriate action to avoid atta crisis in the country.

Minister Information Syed Nasir Shah and Advisor Law Murtaza Wahab just after the meeting briefed the media about the decision taken in the meeting held under chief minister Syed Murad Ali Shah.

The chief minister also decided that the wheat seized from the smugglers or hoarders would be added in the stocks instead of making them case property. “If it is made case property then the wheat would be infested with weevil till the decision of the case,” he concluded.

Wednesday, 22 July, 2020

NEWS

05

Justice isa’s wife challenges sc’s ‘split order’, calls it discriminatory ISLAMABAD

J

STAFF REPORT

ustice Qazi Faez isa’s wife sarina isa has filed a review petition against the supreme court’s June 19 short order, contending that the split order is discriminatory as it singles out Justice isa’s family from a newly created “class of persons”.

“By issuing orders under Article 184(3), the Honourable supreme court has, effectively, created a class of persons and redefined the private and confidential affairs of individual citizens falling within such class as matters of ‘public importance’,” said the petition filed under Article 188 of the constitution.

A 10-judge full court on June 19, quashed a presidential reference that accused that Justice isa had committed misconduct by not disclosing his family member’s foreign properties and sought his removal. in the split order, seven of the judges had, however, referred the case to the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) and ordered the tax authority to launch an inquiry into foreign assets of Justice isa’s family. the short order had asked the FBR chairman to present a report on basis of

the inquiry to the supreme Judicial council (sJc), the constitutional forum that can hold a superior court judge accountable, and the sJc, according to some legal expert, could revive the reference and initiate proceedings against isa. challenging the short order, sarina isa said the new class of people that the sc order has created includes the spouses and children of judges, with their assets and liabilities being elevated to the status of public importance impinging on the fundamental rights of all citizens of Pakistan. she said the creation of such a class backed by a judicial order without any foundation in law may be seen to be invidious and discriminatory. the petitioner said under Article 194 of the constitution, all judges of the superior courts take the same oath, under the third schedule. “All judges of the superior courts abide by the same code of conduct, and their violation of the same is dealt with by the same forum, the sJc, under Article 209 of the constitution.

“However, it is to the exclusion of all other members of this class, created by the supreme court under Article 184(3), that the petitioner and her children are being singled out and targeted.”

Journalist Matiullah Jan returns home after brief abduction ContInueD froM pAge 01 Meanwhile, officials from the Aabpara Police station reached the site and said they were trying to acquire the cctV footage. sHO shaukat Mehmood said that the journalist's wife has not yet filed an application to lodge a report on his disappearance. soon after, the chairperson of the senate Functional committee on Human Rights, PPP’s Mustafa Nawaz Khokhar, tweeted that the islamabad inspector general of police had been summoned to brief the committee with regards to Jan’s abduction. Human Rights Minister shireen Mazari tweeted around 5:30pm that she had been "just informed about [Jan's] kidnapping". she said she had taken notice of the "very disturbing" development and spoken to the islamabad inspector general who informed her that "they are looking into it". terming Jan's abduction as "unacceptable", special Assistant to Prime Minister on Accountability shahzad Akbar said he too had spoken with the islamabad police chief and instructed him to take "immediate action for retrieval and registration of FiR". Jan had tweeted a video of a journalist's interview earlier in the day. "this is for the attention of those who sit in the simulated air conditioned environment of rule of law in Pakistan and who think criticism on them is a bigger crime than the violation of the inviolable dignity of a human being," he wrote on twitter at 11:05 am this morning.

Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) President and Leader of the Opposition in the National Assembly shehbaz sharif termed Jan's disappearance as "highly condemnable and [a] matter of deep concern". "the government's campaign to muzzle the media & critical voices is

simply shameful. if something happens to Matiullah, PM will be held responsible," he tweeted. PPP chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari in a tweet said he was "extremely concerned" at the news of Jan's abduction. "the selected government must immediately [ensure] his safe return. this is not only an attack on media freedoms & democracy but on all of us. today it is Matiullah, tomorrow it could be you or i," he wrote. Jan's disappearance drew the attention of rights groups and other journalists, who termed the incident as yet another attempt to silence the press in the country. shortly after the incident occurred, several hashtags about Jan's alleged abduction started trending on twitter. in a statement, the Karachi union of Journalists (KuJ) condemned the "abduction like arrest" of the journalist. "[Jan] has always been an upright and honest journalist, who always remained undeterred in calling a spade a spade," said KuJ President Ashraf Khan, calling for his release from "illegal custody". the Human Rights commission of Pakistan (HRcP) demanded that the government "immediately ensure the safe recovery" of the journalist.

Amnesty international south Asia also called for authorities to "establish [Jan's] whereabouts immediately". in a tweet, the international human rights organisation said it was "extremely concerned for the fate and well-being" of the journalist, who it said has been the subject of "physical attacks and harassment for his journalism". Press advocacy organisation committee to Protect Journalists (cPJ) said it was "deeply concerned" about Jan's reported abduction.

"He should be released and returned to his family at once," it tweeted.

Freedom Network expressed "concern" at reports of Jan's disappearance.

PML-N demands abolition of NAB after SC ruling ContInueD froM pAge 01 taking over the press conference, former prime minister shahid Khaqan Abbasi said the court’s decision clearly states that NAB “is not in the [best] interest of the country”.

“NAB and the government should form a consensus over abolishing the anti-graft body,” he said, adding that the “hollowness” of the accountability drama in Pakistan has been revealed. He questioned how “NAB is quick to grab ahold of the opposition but is blind to the corrupt ones sitting in the government”. “the opposition is thrown in jail for years,” he said. Abbasi said the government should read the judgment and “drown in shame”. “the NAB chairman has served as a judge. He knows what his next step should be,” Abbasi added.

Meanwhile, Khawaja Asif said that when rulers misuse institutions for the sake of their ego, a day does come when justice prevails. “Justice prevailed in saad Rafique’s case, and this will be remembered in the annals of history,” he said, adding that the ones who seek justice will quote this decision in books. “i salute the Khawaja brothers who endured hardships under such a system,” Asif said. throwing his weight behind the journalist fraternity, the PML-N leader said that the party would use all options of protest available to support press freedom, inside and outside the Assembly. “everyone should have freedom of speech and writing,” Asif said. the PML-N stalwart said that he had taken an oath of allegiance to the constitution and that he would “fulfil it”.

Wednesday, 22 July, 2020

06 COMMENT

Which is the fastest-growing nuclear programme?

NAB after the SC chargesheet Need for a new accountability body

S

O far only the opposition and the free media were calling into question the naB’s neutrality and calling it an instrument to weaken the opposition.

The detailed judgment of a two-member Supreme Court bench granting bail to Kh Saad Rafiq and his brother in Paragon Housing Society case is virtually a charge sheet against the naB and its practices.

The naB, says the judgment, does not act evenhandedly, violates fundamental rights and allows itself to be used for political engineering. The Bureau’s discriminatory approach had shaken the faith of people in its credibility and impartiality. The powers of arrest are used for oppression and harassment and the cases often remain pending for years. The case of the Khwaja brothers is a classic example of trampling of fundamental rights, and complete disregard for human dignity as guaranteed by the Constitution.

The judgment sums up the shortcomings of various accountability laws formulated to try politicians from PROda (1949) to naB (1999). The court concludes that instead of doing any good, these laws caused further degeneration and created chaos, since these were framed to pressurize political opponents into submission, or remove them from the electoral scene at least temporarily.

The judgment maintains that every executive act has to be founded in law and has to be exercised as prescribed, particularly where the exercise of such power tends to intrude into the constitutionally guaranteed rights. The power to arrest has to be exercised with care, caution and sensitivity.

The judgment has advice both for the rulers and the ruled. it tells the former that until we create a culture of transparency, liberty, civility, and democratic values, our desire for peace and order shall continue to remain unfulfilled. it tells the people that legal protections alone are inadequate to preserve liberties in a society that values outcomes over due process and is happy to sacrifice procedural safeguards at the altar of expediency.

There is a need to overhaul the naB Law in the light of the observations made in the judgment. For this the government has to open talks with the opposition and bring a jointly agreed accountability bill to Parliament for legislation. Unless this is done the naB will lose legitimacy as a result of the verdict.

Indian nukes are destabilizing the whole region Anum A KhAn

I

ndia, by expanding and modernizing its nuclear weapons, has made the region more volatile. These desires of new delhi have tilted South asia towards a nuclear arms race.

Climbing up this ladder of chaos, the only priority of new delhi is for india to be seen as a consensual leader in the region. Such moves by india to achieve its national goal of being a regional power, altogether altered the security dynamics of South asia. as the world seeks to shrink global stockpiles of nuclear weapons, india continues to modernize its arsenal which increases Pakistan’s security dilemmas, compelling it to adopt an appropriate response.

The latest yearbook by SiPRi mentions, as of June 2020, india is estimated to have a growing arsenal of approximately 150 nuclear weapons and Pakistan of 160. The Western as well as indian media immediately picked up the estimates of Pakistan’s nuclear weapons and reported it as the fastest growing.

However, realities on ground are quite the opposite. among the non-nPT states, india, not Pakistan, has the world’s fastest growing nuclear arsenal. a study assessment published by the institute of Strategic Studies islamabad (iSSi) gives conservative and optimal capacity to produce nuclear weapons from both its estimated unsafeguarded reactor-grade plutonium (RG Pu) and weapon grade plutonium (WG Pu) stocks. The conservative estimates in the book suggest that india can produce at least 356 nuclear weapons. On the other hand, apart from attaining its fuel needs of its 500 MW Fast Breeder Reactor (FBR), india can still produce at least 493 nuclear weapons. By 2039, india will have six FBRs. The study estimated that each of the 500MW FBR, once operational, will assist in making 28 nuclear weapons yearly. These estimates were made in 2016, do this capacity has increased. another study by the Belfer Center for Science and international affairs, Harvard, states that according to indian fissile material weapon equivalent potential, india can produce 2261 to 2686 nuclear weapons. The author breaks it down with 148—198 weapons from WG Pu, 688 from separated RG Pu, 1375—1759 unseparated RG Pu and finally, 50 from

Continuing the anti-polio drive After the hiatus it will be more difficult than ever

W

iTH 147 cases of polio registered in 2019 and 60 reported so far in 2020, Pakistan remains one of only two countries in the world where the neurodegenerative disease still affects children, crippling them for life. These numbers are especially horrific when considering how there were only 12 cases in 2018, which is when the PTi took over, and 8 in 2017, showing that the poliovirus was well on its way to finally being eradicated from the country. a nationwide polio vaccination drive had to be called off in april due to the Covid-19 outbreak and thankfully, as this new virus that does not have a vaccine at the moment starts to come under control in the country, a widespread polio inoculation campaign is now set to begin. This pause has come at a great cost however, as some 40 million children in Pakistan missed out on getting vaccinated. Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (KP) continues to be the most problematic region as 63 percent of the cases in 2019 were reported from the province while this year, so far, it is responsible for 35 percent. Prime Minister imran Khan’s focal person on polio, Babar Bin atta, who joined in October of 2018, submitted an abrupt resignation exactly a year later by which time a full-blown outbreak had already spread across the country. Even during his time at the job, Mr atta was accused by the Federal national Health Minister at the time of being grossly unqualified to lead the effort and reckless at his job.

By the time Mr Khan realised that the situation had gotten out of control, it was too late and the damage had been done. Him blaming afghanistan for exporting the disease into the country earlier this year was a shot in the dark that did little to stop the spread of polio but did manage to create an unnecessary diplomatic spat. The real heroes in this fight are the polio campaign workers who risk their lives, going door-to-door, to some of the remotest areas in the country to administer vaccines. Parents they have to face are inhospitable, rude and sometimes violent, while there is a very real threat of being shot dead by terrorists. Covid-19 SOPs will make the job even harder this time round. The least the government can do is provide these workers with safety and the best way to appreciate their efforts would be for it to do its own part, by educating those least likely to be receptive to the vaccine drive and more importantly by hiring competent people to lead the eradication program.

Who are the players pulling Afghanistan in and out of peace?

Syed uSAmA ShirAzi

A

FGHaniSTan has not seen peace and tranquility since the USSR invaded iT as a part of its expansionist strategy. The USa, the Soviet arch-rival entered the arena to circumscribe it through its alliance with jihadis, using the Pakistani state in this nexus of holy warriors and crusaders against communist Russians. after the Soviet debacle at the hands of jihadis, things were changed. The former allies were designated terrorists and Pakistan was penalized by economic sanctions through the Pressler amendment. The Soviet withdrawal created a power vacuum and to fill it different factions of jihadis started infighting which culminated in the capture of Kabul by the Taliban. The Taliban ruled the country until the incident of 9/11 happened which gave the USa a pretext to winkle them out of the power.

Then came the darkest era of violence and horrors which engulfed hundreds of thousands of innocent lives and ravaged the whole infrastructure of the county. after the protracted war, both parties realized that they could not end the conflict without a negotiated settlement that would be acceptable to both sides.

From the moment the USa and the Taliban signed the peace deal in doha, Qatar, this year, many have been optimistic about the arrival of peace and normalcy in the country. However, while optimism is a good thing, when it overshadows the reality, things backfire.

The peace in afghanistan does not merely depend upon the withdrawal of forces. Rather, until the interests of all major stakeholders are met, peace is elusive.

China: it wants to exploit enormous afghan’s mineral market and to ensure the smooth running of its Belt

Arif Nizami Editor Umar Aziz

Asher John

Joint Editor

Executive Editor

Deputy Editor

Lahore – Ph: 042-36300938, 042-36375965

Anum A Khan is a freelance columnist

Major Powers’ interests in Afghanistan

Dedicated to the legacy of the late Hameed Nizami

Aziz-ud-Din Ahmad

High Enriched Uranium according to a report, india is also building a secret nuclear city in Chakkakere. This report mentions that it will provide extra enriched uranium fuel for thermonuclear weapons. in this nuclear city, india could keep up to 1050 enrichment machines in Separative Work Units (SWUs) coupled with 700 older centrifuges. With this, indian officials could complete 42,000 SWUs per year. These would be enough to produce about 403 pounds WG uranium annually.

Even after providing 143 pounds for inS Arihant, india will have the capacity to fuel 22 thermonuclear weapons. However, independent analysts estimated that india has a total enrichment capacity of 42,300 SWU/yr from RMP and BaRC facilities. Furthermore, india only requires 5,835 SWUs to 10,375 SWUS for 4-5 of its planned nuclear submarines which is just 24 percent of total capacity. The remaining 31925 SWUs will be enough to produce nuclear weapons. The new nuclear city enrichment facility once fully operational will take indian capacity of enriching uranium to 100,000 SWU/yr. Hence, these facilities will provide india with nuclear weapons consisting of a larger yield. This is the major rationale due to which india has kept most of its facilities, including this nuclear city, out of iaEa safeguards. indian ambitions are apparent the from statement by indian atomic Energy Chairman R.K. Sinha, “india will continue its nuclear programme without any interruption, irrespective of decisions taken by other countries and there is no reason to follow Germany, Japan which are cutting down on nuclear energy.”

Over the past decade, a nuclear struggle to achieve the maximum is underway by india. South asia has been alarmed by india’s increase in nuclear weapons and its ability to wage conventional war. india’s massive military expenditure has taken an asymmetric approach in building up its nuclear arsenal. additionally, india’s multiple nuclear deals with nuclear Suppliers Group (nSG) member states, resulting in an increase in its fissile material stockpiles, can increase regional tensions. in the Fullerton lecture in 2015, indian Foreign Secretary S Jaishankar said, “india looks to transforming itself from a balancing power to a leading power”. after keeping a low profile in the international system for long, india now wants to shape

global outcomes as there are now growing demands that it make more contributions to the maintenance of the global order. Thus india is rapidly expanding its nuclear arsenal. india’s existing and future nuclear capability fuels regional insecurity. The indian civilian nuclear programme is significantly expanding, thanks in part to the 2004 civil nuclear agreement with the USa. Such exceptionalism helped it to sign 13-plus nuclear cooperation agreements with other states over the past decade. Under these deals, india imported around 20000 metric tons of Uranium. it is important to note here that every ton of imported uranium liberates a ton of indian indigenous uranium for weapon use. This expansion is creating new pathways for india to acquire weapons fissile material faster.

The indo-US civil nuclear agreement and the 2008 exceptional nSG waiver, has heled india to stockpile more fissile material that can be utilized for weapons production. This commercial deal has made it more easier for nuclear technology to spread in South asia, because, as of today, india has the largest unsafeguarded civil and military nuclear programmes regionally and globally. The ensuing support helped India to not only acquire nuclear weapons, but also maintain and increase its weapon stockpile. Because of this exceptional treatment india has refused to sign the CTBT, FMCT and also does not abide by nPT guidelines. india is developing a triad which includes nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarines, iCBMs, SLBMs, dual-use cruise and ballistic missiles and a very large naval expansion designed to project power beyond the region. india is also opting for MiRVing as well as canisterization of missiles. Moreover, many official quarters in india also indicate india is moving away from its no First Use policy.

This oscillatory approach in guarding its vested nuclear interests is something the international community must watch. Shaking hands with india through nuclear diplomacy, intentionally looking away from everything india has done to protect its obsessive nuclear secrecy, shows state-centric interests of Western powers overruling a rule-based global nuclear order. international reports create misperceptions regarding Pakistan’s nuclear weapons programme as the fastest, while india has already grown its nuclear weapons, as SiPRi estimates that india has HEU (4.4 tons) and Pu (6.5 tons—if, 0.4 tons is not included as it is under safeguards) enough for an average of 1876 nuclear weapons which is about six times Pakistan’s capability. Closing eyes to this cannot change ground realities. nevertheless, Pakistan is a responsible nuclear weapon state which will guard its security interests by giving a restrained and rational response to the full spectrum of threats emerging from india.

I

Karachi – Ph: 021-35381208-9

I

and Road initiative-related projects. Moreover, it wants to keep extremist tendencies away from its border areas as these could destabilize its already ethnically disturbed province of Xinxiang. Thus, peace in afghanistan is as imperative for China as it is for afghanistan.

Pakistan: having a 2200-kilometer porous border with afghanistan, Pakistan has always been apprehensive of its security and the role of india in using afghanistan against it. at present, Pakistan has two broader interests: to stop cross-border terrorism as it wants to mainstream its border areas, the erstwhile FaTa. Secondly, to keep india out of afghanistan as it has been using it to create insurgency in erstwhile FaTa and Baluchistan. Hence, Pakistan’s interests are aligned with a peaceful afghanistan.

Russia: Russia, once a bringer of catastrophes on afghan soil, now, does not have any hegemonic design to. it wants to protect its backyard from extremism and terrorism to get maximum advantage of the new Central asian great game. Hence, peace in afghanistan will also serve Russian’s interests.

The USA: the USa signed the deal with the Taliban not to bring peace in the country but to get a safe passage for its forces and to secure some domestic electoral interests. Without a deal, the withdrawal would have been considered as a debacle of the US military, which would have also depleted its global standing as a superpower. The USa has still many unfulfilled strategic objectives in afghanistan and without achieving them, it will not leave. Washington sees China’s rise as a threat to its existence and will not spare any effort in containing it. afghanistan is its base station from where it will derail Belt and Road projects by creating insurgency in the region. The emergence of iSiK can be seen in this perspective as it has been gaining considerable ground in afghanistan. The USa can also use afghani soil to hire and train fighters for the East Turkmenistan islamic Movement to create insurgency in Xinjiang. The withdrawal of forces does not mean that peace would again come to the country. it is a part of the US new retrenchment strategy which aimed to reduce unnecessary military spending abroad.

The US strategic interests in afghanistan are the same as they were when it invaded the country in 2001. By the recent peace deal, it has just changed its tactics to secure those interests more efficiently and cost-effectively and iSiK is its practical manifestation.

India: it has many strategic interests in afghanistan but pivotal is the encirclement of Pakistan.

Islamabad – Ph: 051-2204545

I

Web: www.pakistantoday.com.pk

I

it has been using afghan soil to create insurgency in FaTa, Baluchistan, and Karachi by providing financial, technical, and logistic support to TTP, BLa, BLF, and many other terrorist organizations. Moreover, india being a strategic US ally, has also gone a step further in containing China in the region. The recent Sino-indian standoff in doklam is being seen by many strategic analysts as a part of a broader US strategy to contain China. Hence, indians’ interests are aligned with those of the USa which can only be served by insurgency that could engulf afghanistan in particular, and Pakistan and China as well. afghanistan’s internal power dynamics will also shape the future of the country. The Taliban are already losing the support of some of the radical factions opposed to a deal with the USa. This vacuum could be filled by islamic State. abu Hamza al-Qureshi, iS spokesperson, has already declared the Taliban apostates for signing the deal with the crusaders. in the intra-afghan dialogue, the thorniest issue would be the nature of the state and the constitution.

President ashraf Ghani, along with his northern allies, has already started seeking international support to make the end state a republic. The biggest challenge for the Taliban would be to extend an iota of concession to this demand. Even if compelled to accept a moderate constitution, they will still lose the support of a broad faction of their ideological warriors. in this case, iSiK will fill the space and an endless cascade of violence would be the future of afghanistan.

To bring normalcy in afghanistan is not as easy as it looks. The conflicting interests of the major stakeholders are real impediments. China, Pakistan, and Russia are on one page since their interests are entwined with peace in afghanistan. While on the other hand, india and the USa are on the devil’s side as their interests lie in sabotaging BRi and CPEC, which can only be done by creating and flaring insurgency in both China and Pakistan using afghan soil.

Moreover, seeking too many concessions from the Taliban would also be a grave mistake as they have their compulsions. Otherwise, if they lose ground to iSiK, not only the future of afghanistan but of the whole region would suffer.

Syed Usama Shirazi is pursuing MPhil in international relations from Quaid-i-Azam University, Islamabad.

Email: usamasherazi129@gmail.com

Email: editorial@pakistantoday.com.pk

Wednesday, 22 July, 2020

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

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

Domestic Violence

Accession to Pakistan Day Kashmiris continue the struggle for freedom from the Indian jackboot

mAliK muhAmmAd AShrAf

K

aSHMiRiS all over the world and on both sides of the LOC observed accession to Pakistan day (Youme ilhaq Pakistan) on 19 July to commemorate the historic resolution passed in this regard by all Jummu and Kashmir Muslim Conference on that day in 1947. The party represented the Muslim majority of the state.

Unfortunately that resolution was scuttled by the treacherous events that followed the announcement of the independence of Pakistan and india.

The independence act of india, while partitioning india into Pakistan and india, also stipulated that the princely states were free to join any of the two dominions or stay independent. However, Lord Mountbatten, addressing the full meeting of the Chamber of Princes on 25 July 1947, reiterated that the states while making decision regarding accession to any of the two dominions must give consideration to geographical proximity and demographic realities. Kashmir was a fit case for accession to Pakistan.

However, the ruler of Kashmir Hari Singh wanted to remain independent initially, and also signed a Stand Still agreement with Pakistan.

The political leadership of Kashmir did not like the position taken by Raja. Later the ruler, under mysterious circumstances, announced accession of the state to india. Lord Mountbatten, while accepting the accession, made it unequivocally clear it was provisional and the question of accession would finally be resolved through reference to the people. However, the people of Kashmir revolted against the decision of their ruler. The resultant chaos and ruthless handling of the protests created conditions of war between Pakistan and india, forcing the latter to take the issue to the Un. The Un through its resolutions also accepted the right of self-determination of the people of Kashmir and settling the question of accession through a referendum under its auspices. The implementation of these resolutions remains elusive as ever due to indian intransigence and lack of interest by the global community and the Un itself, to have them implemented.

The indian Prime Minister Jawhar Lal nehru pledged to implement the Un resolutions in several communications with his Pakistani counterpart and through his statement in the in-

dian Parliament. to national Conference challenging the revocaWhile the state was in turmoil, Maharaja tion of article 370, the indian government recHari Singh appointed an interim government in ognizing the review jurisdiction of the court has the state, with Sheikh abdullah as prime minis- maintained “Though judicial review is part of ter, in March 1948. in July 1949, Sheikh abdul- the Constitutional power of the court, the justilah and three other colleagues joined the indian fication, efficacy, desirability and the wisdom Constituent assembly and negotiated the special of such decisions of the President as well as Parstatus of Jammu and Kashmir, leading to the liament is not amenable to judicial review”. i adoption of article 370. The article allowed the am not a constitutional expert but know for a state to have its own constitution and legislative fact that the apex court’s interpretation of the assembly; management of all affairs except de- constitutional provisions is final and absolute. fence, foreign relations, finance and communi- The case is still pending with the indian cations; barred indian citizens to buy property Supreme Court and it remains to be seen in Jammu and Kashmir and stipulated that the whether the Court would uphold its earlier dearticle could not be scrapped or abrogated except cision or accept the version of the indian govon the recommendations of the constituent as- ernment. The outcome either way would have sembly of the state. The special status given to serious implications. the state clearly meant that the indian governThe fact of the matter is that the people of ment accepted the fact that it was not part of the indian occupied Kashmir are suffering beyond indian Union and had imagination due to the its own separate idensiege and complete tity. lockdown in the Valley Even after having since 5 august 2019 [Kashmiris] are waiting for the while the international the accession of Kashmir to india decided by community and the Un day when the resolution the constituent assemcontinue to show indifbly of Jammu and ference to their plight. passed by the All Jammu and Kashmir in 1957 after during the last one year Kashmir Conference, as well which india started nearly 200 Kashmiris calling the state as its have been martyred by as the UNSC resolutions integral part– though the indian security vehemently repudiated forces in the cordon promising the right of selfby the Un through its and search operations. determination to them, will resolutions 91 and But the indian oppres122– it continued to sion and persecution attain reality. They are ready to has enjoy special status not been able to guaranteed under artident their resolve to pay the price for independence cle 370 of the indian continue their fight for Constitution. it is pertiindependence and their with faith in the success of nent to mention that the right of self-determinatheir movement. That faith is High Court of Jammu tion as is evident from and Kashmir in its rultheir unabated resistnot unjustified.

History is a ing in October 2015 ance movement. unequivocally declared They are waiting witness to the fact that that article 370 could for the day when the independence movements not be abrogated, reresolution passed by pealed or even the all Jammu and cannot be muzzled with the amended. it had beKashmir Conference, come permanent. it exas well as the UnSC barrel of the gun plained that clause(3) resolutions promising of the article conferred the right of self-deterthe power to the State’s mination to them, will Constituent assembly attain reality. They are to recommend to the President on the matter of ready to pay the price for independence with the repeal of the article. in april 2018 Supreme faith in the success of their movement. That faith Court of india also ruled that article 370 had at- is not unjustified. History is a witness to the fact tained permanency since the state constituent that independence movements cannot be muzassembly had ceased to exist. zled with the barrel of the gun. Prime Minister The scrapping of article 370 by the Modi imran Khan, while reaffirming Pakistan’s comgovernment ending the special status of the mitment to support the cause of Kashmiris on state; annexation of the state through the the occasion of ‘accession to Pakistan day’, Jammu and Kashmir Re-organization act 2019 rightly observed “Kashmiris right of self-deterand promulgation of the new domicile law in mination is recognized by the UnSC & under the state, not only represent pummeling of the international law. We will continue to fight for UnSC resolutions on Kashmir and 4th Geneva justice for Kashmiris as they struggle against the Convention, but also the orders of the courts brutal & illegal actions of the Hindutva Suexercising their powers of review which can- premacist indian governmentt in iO&JK. i know not be overruled either by the President or the that justice will prevail”. His faith in the ultimate stems from the history of freedom movements.

Parliament. it is interesting to know that while respondMalik Muhammad Ashraf is an academic. ing to a petition filed in the Supreme Court of india by two members of Lok Sabha belonging He can be contacted at: ashpak10@gmail.com

PaKiSTan positions as the 6th most hazardous nation on the planet for ladies, with instances of sexual violations and abusive behavior at home account a quick ascent. activists reprimand society’s man centric mentalities for the issue.

40-year-old Shazia S. was caught up with conversing with her little girl at her folks in-law’s home in Lahore. The mother of six scarcely had any thought what anticipated her. Her better half Sajjad R., an artisan by calling, unexpectedly turned up and requested that her go with him. She was astounded, however went with him in any case.

“He got me solidly, pushing me against the divider and releasing a flood of kicks and slaps,” Shazia told dW. “at that point he got a metal channel and began hitting me barbarously,” she included. Shazia’s significant other speculated that his better half was having an extramarital relationship. He continued getting some information about it while hitting me and wouldn’t hear me out despite the fact that i focused on that i wasn’t having any extramarital issue, she said.

Sajjad even taken steps to slaughter her and utilized his blade to remove her nose, Shazia said. “nobody could hear my cries since he had firmly bolted the entryway. He likewise exacted wounds on different pieces of my body, including my neck, and afterward fled. He left me draining and sobbing for help,” she remembered. after the trial, Shazia’s neighbors took her to a clinic, where she was dealt with. The specialists said they couldn’t fix her nose with plastic medical procedure, yet that she could attempt to get some treatment abroad. amjad ali, an examining official for the situation, disclosed to dW that the police assaulted different areas to capture the denounced, yet couldn’t discover him. Shazia’s better half has now gotten bail and the court hearings of the case are set to happen in the coming weeks.

“The police neglected to capture my significant other, who figured out how to get bail even before his capture,” Shazia said. “He returned to our territory only a few days ago and let one know of the inhabitants that he hacked off my nose to show me a thing or two and spare his respect, since he associated me with meeting another man.”

Shazia, who is currently living with her mom in Lahore, fears for her life. Her significant other needs her to pull back the body of evidence against him. Be that as it may, she says she can’t envision living respectively with an individual who has destroyed her life. She is additionally apprehensive that her dad in-law, a resigned police official, may impact the specialists and look to bargain the legitimate body of evidence against his child. Shazia focused on that she would not release her better half without any penalty.

Viciousness against ladies has been on the ascent in Pakistan, a nation of more than 200 million individuals. it positions 6th on the rundown of the world’s most risky nations for ladies Haya Fatima KaracHi

Language issues LanGUaGE is the source of knowledge and communication. Each country has its own national language.as we know that English is an international language but the people of other countries prefer their own national language instead of english at the international level. in our country the system is upside down, we value english language rather than our own national language while history testifies that the countries like United States, China and Turkey have succeeded in preferring their national language.

Our country is one of those countries which has many other languages like sindhi, punjabi, seraiki, balochi e.t.c along with national language.

Our parents try their best to make there children learn english even if he doesn’t no his own national language well. in our society the person who can’t speak english is considered ignorant.

The Schools emphasis that the children english should be better than their language. in official gatherings and in upper class societies it has become mind set if one can’t speak english is considered uneducated and because of this many people lose their confidence and feel shame . now we should have to change this system. We should prefer our own national language instead of english. we have to understand that the learning english is not whole education, there are many other things to learn along with english and in Schools english should be learnt as the subject, otherwise there should be our own national language. its time to understand that until and unless we will not respect our national language no body else will respect our national language.

Urooj nadEEm HydErabad

Future Challenges in Afghanistan aS someone has prudently said that peace is a period between two wars, conflict resolution in afghanistan is delayed as President ashraf Ghani elongates the war before the people finally witness peace in the country which has been on the throes of war for decades. as US has worked hard to carry out the first phase of its commitments in the peace deal by reducing its troops and forces from five military bases, the plan for Taliban and Kabul to negotiate for the further course of action is still at a very premature stage.

The intra-afghan dialogue provides a window of opportunity to stop violence and unrest erupting in afghanistan. it is because, the torturous history of afghanistan bears testimony to the fact that Taliban’s real ace of spade is their ability to create violence. as they had already compelled the superpower US to leave the battlefield and come to the negotiating table, does the Kabul government stand a chance against them? The answer is truly obvious in this regard. With real facts on ground, analysts conclude that even under the best circumstances, the following five years are very crucial in afghanistan. as Ghani administration and Taliban settle the scores to get the larger piece of the pie, it’s the people of afghanistan that will again pay the brunt of the power struggle in the vacuum. as the devastating issues such as Covid-19, youth unemployment, economic woes, terrorist outfits and spoilers, elite in-fighting, pervasive corruption, regional rivalries and erupting violence out of the thin air hover at the backdrop, it is pertinent that afghanistan would continue to battle with short and long-term challenges unless the stakeholders involved are truly committed to bring the long-awaited peace in the country.

Hadia mUKHtar KaracHi

Wednesday, 22 July, 2020

08 WORLD VIEW

Coronavirus: DiD ‘herD immunity’ Change the Course of the outbreak?

“WE WANT PEOPLE TO BE INFECTED WITH COVID-19,” THE NOTES SAY. “THE BEST WAY OF MANAGING IT IS HERD IMMUNITY AND PROTECT THE VULNERABLE” ON 13 MARCH, SIR PATRICK STATED THAT ABOUT 60% OF THE POPULATION WOULD NEED TO BECOME INFECTED FOR SOCIETY TO HAVE “HERD IMMUNITY” - EFFECTIVELY SOME 40 MILLION PEOPLE IN THE UK BBC News

o

Noel TiTheradge & dr Faye KirKlaNd

n Thursday 12 March, everyday life remained relatively normal across the UK. The back pages of the newspapers were dominated by the victory of Atletico Madrid over Liverpool - 50,000 fans had crammed into Anfield stadium. Throughout that day shoppers shopped, while millions drove to work or poured out of trains into city centres. And in the evening, people went out. At Wembley Arena, Lewis Capaldi sang to an audience of 12,000 fans - having urged them to bring hand sanitiser with them. Around the UK people headed for events big and small. But these were not normal times. A new coronavirus was spreading across the globe. On that day, Italy was shutting all non-essential shops and the Republic of Ireland announced that schools would close. But looking back, the question that will always be asked is - did the UK go into lockdown too slowly? Should those crowds have been out that day?

The World Health Organization (WHO) had been asking countries to do everything they could to contain the infection since late February. And some countries were scaling up test and trace to try to suppress the virus.

But on 12 March, the UK had all but abandoned community testing to focus on those sick enough to be admitted to hospital. At the time, there were 590 known cases of coronavirus in the UK - more than four times the number in the previous week. The government announced it was moving out of the “contain” phase into the “delay” phase. The risk level was raised to high, and anyone with symptoms was asked to self-isolate for a week. The lockdown was yet to start.

At a press conference Prime Minister Boris Johnson, his chief scientific adviser Sir Patrick Vallance and chief medical officer Prof Chris Whitty explained the policy to keep schools open and to allow major public events to go ahead. Johnson said that according to scientific advice, banning major public events would have little effect on the spread of the disease. Prof Whitty argued that beginning social distancing measures “too early” would risk people becoming tired of them and public compliance waning. And Sir Patrick began to talk about the concept of herd immunity. Speaking about the coronavirus he said: “It’s not possible to stop everybody getting it and it’s also actually not desirable because you want some immunity in the population. We need immunity to protect ourselves from this in the future.” Mr Johnson reiterated that people should remember to wash their hands. The next day tens of thousands of people poured into Cheltenham Racecourse to watch the Gold Cup. Sir Patrick was on BBC Radio 4’s Today programme. He said the thinking behind the government’s approach was to try to “reduce the peak”, and because most people would only get a “mild illness”, to “build up some degree of herd immunity… so that more people are immune to this disease and we reduce the transmission”. At the same time, he said, the vulnerable would need to be protected from the virus. In response to a question asking whether it would be a “good thing” to allow the disease to spread widely now, rather than later, Sir Patrick replied he didn’t want high numbers of infections over a short period of time, overwhelming the nHS. “So that’s the flattening of the peak. You can’t stop it, so that you should end up with a broader peak, during which time you would anticipate that more people will get immunity to this and that in itself then becomes a protective part of this process.” He said previous epidemics had shown that measures to strongly suppress the virus risked it bouncing back when they were ended.

HERD IMMUNITY: “Herd immunity” is a concept describing the point at which a population has developed protection against a disease. There are two ways to do this. Vaccination is one route. But with any new virus it’s impossible to say how long it will take to develop a vaccine, if ever. The other way is for people to catch the disease and build up some form of immunity. If exposed to the virus again, it is assumed they have protection. If most people in a population are protected then the virus cannot spread. But there are two problems. One is that with a new virus - like this particular coronavirus - it’s not always clear how much protection having had the disease, particularly a mild case, gives you or how long it lasts. And if most of the population catches the disease, many thousands might die. On 13 March, Sir Patrick stated that about 60% of the population would need to become infected for society to have “herd immunity” effectively some 40 million people in the UK. “Communities will become immune to it and that’s going to be an important part of controlling this longer term,” he told Sky news. These comments sparked an immediate backlash. Anthony Costello, professor of health and sustainable development at University College London and a

former director of maternal and child health at the WHO, tweeted: “Is it ethical to adopt a policy that threatens immediate casualties on the basis of an uncertain future benefit?” And Dr Margaret Harris from the WHO told the BBC’s Today programme on 14 March: “We don’t know enough about the science of this virus. We can talk theories, but at the moment we are really facing a situation where we have got to look at action.”

‘HEART OF THE HEALTH SERVICE’: The government tried to play down the words that had sparked the furore. A spokesman for the Department of Health and Social Care said Sir Patrick’s comments had been misinterpreted. “Herd immunity is not part of our action plan but is a natural by-product of an epidemic,” he said. That same evening, the Telegraph website published an article by the Health Secretary Matt Hancock. “We have a plan, based on the expertise of world-leading scientists. Herd immunity is not a part of it. That is a scientific concept, not a goal or a strategy.” On Sunday 15 March, the health secretary appeared on the BBC’s Andrew Marr and Sky’s Sophy Ridge programmes, restating that herd immunity was not the government’s policy.

The Telegraph website said the government had appeared to “U-turn on the idea”. The Express said herd immunity had been abandoned after “a huge backlash”.

But despite repeated government denials, the BBC has learned that on 13 March, when Sir Patrick Vallance was outlining the government’s approach to tackling the virus, herd immunity was being discussed at the heart of the health service. From the start of the outbreak, Simon Enright, director for communications for nHS England and nHS Improvement, would offer weekly briefings to media teams in other health organisations and medical royal colleges. The BBC has seen contemporaneous notes from the meetings and spoken to people on the calls. At the meeting on 13 March, Mr Enright is said to have relayed information from the government’s top scientific and medical advisers. The notes say the communications chief shared nHS England’s own advice on holding internal work events, but say “we are not telling you what to do”. “We want people to be infected with Covid-19,” the notes say. “The best way of managing it is herd immunity and protect the vulnerable.” Mr Enright was clear where the idea had come from, according to the notes. It was on the “direct advice” of the chief medical adviser and chief scientific adviser. nHS England had cancelled one of its own events but only so staff could be retained to work on the coronavirus response, according to the notes. “In other words - if you cancel events to stop people coming out of service that’s fine, but don’t cancel because of risk of infection.” nHS England says Mr Enright was paraphrasing what he had heard Vallance say on the Today programme that morning, and other comments made in the press briefings and interviews. “This is chaos,” says Richard Horton, editor of the medical journal The Lancet, who has criticised what he sees as the failure to heed early warnings from China. “This is no way to manage a pandemic. “What it shows is that at the heart of the government’s response there was no clear command-and-control structure as to how we were going to manage this outbreak. “It’s very important to get these facts on the record about herd immunity, because history is being rewritten at the moment and herd immunity is being written out of the history.” A government spokesperson said: “This is a new virus and an unprecedented global pandemic, and our strategy to protect, delay, contain, research and mitigate was clear from the outset. It is categorically wrong to suggest herd immunity was the government’s aim.”

SUPPRESSION VERSUS MITIGATION: Some critics believe it is problematic if herd immunity was part of the government’s thinking at the time. Sir David King, former chief scientific adviser to the government between 2000 and 2007, has been a vocal critic of the UK government’s efforts to fight coronavirus.

Prof neil Ferguson, an epidemiologist and former government adviser, told a committee of MPs on 10 June the number of coronavirus deaths could have been halved if lockdown had been introduced only a week earlier. But the prime minister responded to Prof Ferguson’s comments hours later at the no 10 press conference that day, saying it was “simply too early to judge ourselves”.

“We made the decisions at the time on the guidance of Sage [the government’s scientific advisory group], including Prof Ferguson, that we thought were right for this country,” he said.

The BBC has spent months speaking to more than a dozen scientists advising the government on its response to the outbreak to try to find out just how important the concept of herd immunity was to the scientific thinking that drove government strategy at the beginning of the outbreak. Some of Sage’s papers model different ways of responding to the outbreak. Two of the options when responding to a disease like Covid-19 are known as sup-

pression and mitigation, according to Dr Thomas House, a statistician from the University of Manchester and a member of the modelling group (SPI-M) that feeds into Sage. Suppression, he says, aims to reduce infections to zero, while mitigation accepts the inevitability of an outbreak and concentrates efforts on minimising suffering.

“If a tsunami is coming we don’t try to stop the tsunami, we just try to ensure that the minimum number of people are harmed by it.” “Herd immunity was on the table,” says Prof Ian Hall, an epidemiologist, head of the University of Manchester modelling team, and a member SPI-M who has also attended multiple Sage meetings.

He described it “as a concept”, a technical term typically used when discussing the spread of disease.

Dr Hall says SPI-M discussed a range of options to be able to prevent the nHS being overwhelmed and buy it time to prepare, while the population achieved “some sort of herd immunity”. Herd immunity can be achieved by an uncontrolled spread of infection which can happen quickly, but that would overwhelm the nHS. Hall says this was never realistic because the government would always act to reduce the number of deaths. But it can also be achieved by measures to mitigate the disease which look to protect lives, in the absence of any vaccine, and build up immunity over a long time.

Jeremy Hunt, chairman of the health and social care select committee, has criticised the scientific advice at the start of the pandemic, calling it “wrong”. “Ministers were given the choice of extreme lockdown or mitigated herd immunity,” he recently told the Times newspaper.

FLU PANDEMIC: The government has spent much of the past decade preparing for a flu pandemic - something consistently rated the number one natural hazard threat on the national Risk Register of Civil Emergencies.

Devi Sridhar, professor and chairwoman of global public health at University of Edinburgh’s Medical School, says the 2011 flu plan - which still forms the basis of a planned response to such a pandemic - appears primarily concerned with mitigating the impact of the virus. “This was very much the view that you could not control or contain this outbreak,” she says. “[The virus is] going to run through, it’s inevitable, it’s unstoppable.” Sridhar, who is also a member of the Scottish government’s Covid-19 advisory group, says the initial UK response looked like it was “largely out of the ‘flu playbook’”.

LOCKDOWN: Dr Hall remembers the moment he began to question how close the UK was to emulating scenes in Italy. He and a team at the University of Manchester had spent weeks hunched over laptops modelling how the disease might spread in the UK. In mid-March, he was approached by some Chinese students at the university demanding to know why the UK was not acting faster, in line with the Chinese government’s response.

Dr Hall told them that scientists were not sure that transmission of the disease would be similar in the UK because of differences between the two countries. But the students’ questioning got him and the team thinking.

Scientists had agreed the amount of time it was taking for infections to double was between five and six days, in a Sage consensus statement on 16 March. But the Manchester team were concerned it could be much shorter, and the virus was spreading more rapidly. After days of scrutinising data, Hall and the team found that the total number of positive swabs in Italy and the UK were doubling much faster, closer to every three days.

They presented this to SPI-M on 20 March.

On 16 March, a crucial report was published by a team from Imperial College led by Prof Ferguson. It looked at three scenarios: doing nothing and letting the virus spread; a mitigated approach where the spread of the disease was accepted but measures were taken to slow it; and suppression, effectively trying to stop the epidemic in its tracks, and bringing cases down as low as possible In the first scenario the modelling projected 500,000 dead, but even in the mitigated approach potential deaths were estimated at 250,000 with the nHS being completely overwhelmed. Over the next seven days after the release of the report, an escalating series of actions was taken. On 16 March the government set out its social distancing policy, on 18 March it announced schools would be closed

and on 20 March pubs, bars, cafes, restaurants, clubs, theatres, cinemas and gyms were all closed with immediate effect. Then on 23 March full lockdown was announced in an address to the nation by Boris Johnson. non-essential shops were closed and people were ordered to stay home.

And yet Prof Ferguson says he had already provided the government by early March with estimations of the likely number of deaths if a mitigation strategy was pursued - at least 305,000. This was revised down to 250,000 in the report he published on the 16 March but the nHS would still be over capacity. “Our projections of the potential health impact of the pandemic were known from about 5 March onwards,” he says. They were “actively discussed” within government, he adds.

The BBC has been told that nHS England’s medical director Stephen Powis informed Sage as early as 13 March that projections predicted the nHS would not have capacity to cope under a strategy which looked only to mitigate the spread of the virus and not suppress it. “If that result was known on 5 March that’s devastating,” says Richard Horton. “We wasted over two weeks when the virus was exponentially growing through communities up and down the country.” “This information should have been publicly available to be scrutinised by other experts so that we could have had a public discussion and built public support for an early lockdown.”

PROTECTING THE VULNERABLE: Scenes of hospitals being overwhelmed, such as those in northern Italy, were never replicated in the UK. But in March, the virus was spreading inside care homes. The need to “protect the vulnerable” had been mentioned repeatedly by the government and its advisers. Graham Medley, chairman of SPI-M, gave an illustration of the challenges of delivering this when explaining herd immunity on BBC’s newsnight on 12 March. He argued that theoretically although impractically - one way to achieve it would be to move all vulnerable people to the north of Scotland, and the rest of the population to Kent. That way “a nice big epidemic” in Kent would allow herd immunity and the re-mixing of the entire country again, he said. “We can’t do that, so what we’re going to have to try and do, ideally, is manage this acquisition of herd immunity and minimise this exposure of people who are vulnerable.”

QUESTIONS: Four months on from the introduction of the lockdown, scientists remain unsure how long any immunity from coronavirus might last. no-one knows when an effective vaccine will come. But Dr Hall says the UK’s response will ultimately end with herd immunity. “Without a vaccine we will go on with transmissions at a relatively low level hopefully and with contact tracing and all the other interventions to mitigate the disease, we will eventually achieve herd immunity one way or another.” But that could take years. For Prof Ferguson, the issue with the suppression strategy is it leaves many countries without a long-term exit plan and “stuck in the same policy” until a vaccine is found. The fear is that as soon as restrictions are lifted, the virus will return across borders. Only very few countries, such as new Zealand and Taiwan, have come close to eliminating the virus, he said. Questions about the timing of policy decisions and the scientific advice that guided the response may take some time to answer. The prime minister recently committed to an inquiry, but no timeframe has been given.

Sir Patrick told a Commons science committee on 16 July that it was “clear that the outcome has not been good in the UK”. He said that there were many factors to be considered when determining how a country has responded to the outbreak. “There will be decisions made that will turn out not to have been the right decisions at the time,” he said. Sir David King says that, “When it comes to the inquiry, the politicians will say, ‘We were just following the scientific advice.’” But King, like many of the scientists we spoke to, complains that this suggests there is one definitive view. These scientists point out that there are differing views and the government’s actions are ultimately based on political decisions. The Prime Minister, Boris Johnson, Health Secretary Matt Hancock, chief medical adviser Prof Chris Whitty and chief scientific adviser Sir Patrick Vallance declined to give an interview.

Wednesday, 22 July, 2020

Govt reiterates commitment to ensuring wheat supply at fixed prices ISLAMABAD APP The Ministry of National Food Security and Research on Tuesday reaffirmed the government's commitment to ensure supply of quality wheat at a fixed price to meet the domestic wheat demand. According to a press

release issued by the ministry, Prime Minister Imran Khan, in a recent meeting of the cabinet was briefed about the availability of wheat and flour prices in the market. The cabinet decided to ensure uninterrupted supply of wheat across the country. It was also decided that the government would ensure availability of flour on officially fixed rates and would curb price hikes and hoarding of the commodity in the country. The press release further added that wheat importers are allowed to import grains in order to bridge the gap between supply and demand, which will discourage hoarding and excessive profiteering in the domestic market. The ministry also urged the public to pinpoint any instances of hoarding and smuggling of agricultural commodities in order to discourage such practices. The press release further stated that currently around 26.059 million tonnes of wheat are available in the country to meet the domestic demand.Punjab has already started releasing wheat while Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) had lifted about 55,218 tonnes of wheat from Pakistan Agricultural Storage and Services Corporation’s (PASSCO) stocks as of July 19, 2020. Provincial departments have also been directed to ensure the provision of wheat and flour throughout the country. According to the press release, provincial governments and allied departments are working in cooperation with each other and the food ministry to ensure smooth supply of the commodity in the country. The food ministry is also facilitating private sector importers for ensuring adequate and timely imports of wheat in order to meet demand of wheat in the country, the statement added.

Current account deficit shrinks 78pc to $2.9bn in Fy20 ISLAMABAD APP

The current account deficit of the country contracted by 78pc to $2.966 billion during the fiscal year 2019-20 compared to $13.434 billion during the same period of the preceding year (2018-19). On a monthly and yearly basis, the current account deficit also witnessed a record fall of 90.2pc and 72pc in June this year when compared with the CAD in June 2019 and May 2020. The current account deficit in June 2020 declined to $96 million from $344 million in May 2020 and $981 million in June 2019.

Meanwhile, Pakistan's current account balance, without official transfers, declined to $3.433 billion in FY20 compared to $14.17 billion in FY19. The country's trade deficit also narrowed from $27.6 billion last year to $19.9 billion. Similarly, the balance of trade in goods and services declined from $32.58 billion last year to $22.749 billion during the period under review.

Cement exports surge 46.5pc in June ISLAMABAD

BUSINESS 09 Torkham Scam

OvEr 100 vEhiClEs EntErEd Pakistan withOut PayinG any taxEs, na tOld ISLAMABAD

a

SHAHZAD PARACHA

T least 113 identified vehicles entered Pakistan from Afghanistan without paying any leviable duties/taxes, the FBR chairman informed the National Assembly's Standing Committee on Finance, Revenue and Economic Affairs on Tuesday.

The meeting, which was held under the chair of MNA Faizullah, was given a detailed briefing on the recent scam that occurred at Torkham border.

As per the Federal Board of Revenue chairman, a Joint Investigation Team (JIT) had submitted its report on 18th May 2020, wherein it was revealed that 113 identified vehicles had crossed into Pakistan without goods' declaration or record for the deposit of leviable duties/taxes.

"Accordingly, criminal cases/FIRs were lodged against the culprits," he added.

After a detailed discussion on the subject, the committee noted that any further delay in the finalisation of the report would not be tolerated. The FBR chairman assured the committee that the report on the subject matter would be presented within a month's time.

The parliamentary panel also identified administrative loopholes in the procedures adopted by the

customs' authorities at Torkham. The committee directed the FBR to share the details regarding the officers involved in the said scam and also about actions taken against them.

Meanwhile, FBR Member (Inland Revenue) Dr Muhammad Ashfaq Ahmed briefed the committee about the fire incident that occurred at Faisalabad RTO Office. The committee directed that legal action against the culprits should be accelerated.

markeT daily

Stocks end flat in volatile session SELLING PRESSURE OBSERVED IN BANKING, CEMENT, STEEL AND FERTILISER STOCKS KARACHI STAFF REPORT

The Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) witnessed a volatile session on Tuesday, as the benchmark index swung both ways in search of a clear direction before ending marginally positive.

Global equity markets, on the other hand, displayed a positive trend, with crude oil prices also moving north; WTI crude oil price appreciated 2.89pc to $44.53 while Brent crude oil price rose 2.81pc to $42.07.

"The benchmark index started the day with a 100-point jump, mainly on the back of buying activity in cement and exploration & production sectors. However, selling pressure in banks, cement, fertilizer and steel brought the index down later," said a report issued by AHL Ltd. "The index again rebounded towards the end, with buying interest in Hub Power Company, and closed in the green."

The KSE-100 Index witnessed a volatile session on Tuesday, recording its intraday low at 37,368.52 (-282.05 points) and intraday high at 37,938.87 (+288.30 points). It settled flat (+49.74 points) at 37,700.31.

Among other indices, the KMI-30 Index dropped 216.24 points to close at 60,579.29,

while the KSE All Share Index lost 40.58 points, ending at 26,845.38.

The overall market volumes contracted from 553.71 million shares in the previous session to 457.13 million shares (-17pc). Average traded value, however, remained the same at $116 million. TRG Pakistan Limited (TRG +0.13pc), Hascol Petroleum Limited (HASCOL -1.93pc) and Hum Network Limited (HUMNL +9.79pc) led the volume chart, exchanging 28.64 million, 25.93 million and 17.50 million shares, respectively.

Sectors that rescued the benchmark index from the red zone included power generation & distribution (+71.55 points), fertilizer (+22.68 points) and oil & gas marketing (+12.40 points). Among the companies, Hub Power Company Limited (HUBC +64.19 points), Engro Corporation Limited (ENGRO +22.86 points) and Habib Bank Limited (HBL +14.97 points) remained the top contributors.

Adding 2.13pc to its cumulative market capitalization, the power generation & distribution sector emerged as the session's top gainer, with Hub Power Company (HUBC +6.04pc), Kot Addu Power Company (KAPCO +7.50pc) and Nishat Power Limited (NPL +4.42pc) accumulating decent gains.

Govt to propose eight new transport infrastructure projects for CPEC ISLAMABAD APP

The federal government is set to propose eight new projects relating to transport infrastructure for inclusion in the China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) framework 2020-21. The projects would subsequently be presented for approval in the 10th meeting of Joint Coordination Committee on CPEC to be held this year. The eight projects include Greater Peshawar Mass Transit Project, 82-kilometre (km) Swat Expressway Phase-II, Karachi Port Development Project, 105km TharChor Railway Line, 22km Hub-Karachi Railway Line, Keti Bandar Port Development Project, 182km Karachi-QuettaChaman Motorway and Optical Fibre Phase II. According to official documents, under the transport infrastructure sector of CPEC, Sukkar-Multan (M-5) Motorway has been successfully completed, while Sukkar-Hyderabad (M-6) section has been proposed to be completed on Public Private Partnership (PPP) mode. Moreover, Hakla-Dera Ismail Khan section is also under construction. Similarly, the Zhob-Dera Ismail Khan segment and the Zhob-Quetta segment have also been approved by the government. Construction work on these projects is expected to start in the current fiscal year. The document added that Orange Line Metro Train in Lahore and Havelian-Thakot highway projects have been completed to a substantial extent. The government to government Joint Working Group (JWG) on Transport Infrastructure will prepare proposals regarding realignment of Thakot-Raikot section in the current fiscal year. Moreover, the concessional financing agreement for the landmark ML-1 project, estimated at $7.2 billion is also expected to be finalised in 2020, after which arrangements will be made for the groundbreaking of the project.

Gold continues rally, hits new high of Rs114,700 per tola KARACHI

APP

ARIBA SHAHID

The export of cement from the country increased by 46.52pc in June 2020 as compared to the same month of last year. According to data released by the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS), cement exports were recorded at $16.935 million in June 2020, as against the exports of $11.558 million in June 2019. However, on a month-on-month basis, the export of cement decreased by 12.27pc in June 2020 as compared to the exports of $19.303 million in May 2020. Meanwhile, on a cumulative basis, the country's cement exports witnessed a decrease of 4.52pc during the fiscal year 2019-20, as against the corresponding period of last year. The country exported cement worth $259.441 million during FY20, as against the exports of $271.728 million during the same period last year. In terms of quantity, cement exports increased by 10.79pc, from 6,411,359 metric tonnes to 7,103,373 metric tonnes. It is pertinent to mention that the country's trade deficit witnessed a significant reduction during FY20, declining by 27.12pc as compared to the corresponding period of last year.

Gold prices in Pakistan rose by Rs3,450 per tola on Tuesday hitting Rs114,700 per tola compared to its price of Rs111,250 per tola on Monday.

This was the fifth consecutive session where gold registered a hike in price.

The prices of 10 grams of 24 karat gold rose to Rs98,300 on Tuesday.

However, a gap between international and local prices of gold still remains. This is due to the slow rise in local gold prices earlier this year while international prices of gold registered high gains.

According to All Sindh Sarafa Jewelers Association President Haji Haroon Rasheed Chand the slow rise in gold prices earlier this year was due to the lack of purchasing power of the local population.

What’s making gold rally Spot gold, being one of the strongest performing assets during the pandemic, is up by more than 20 per cent this year and has breached the level of $1,800.

This level was last seen in 2011.

As uncertainty over the coronavirus grows, the

Expressing their displeasure over the examination of valuation, rulings and procedures adopted by the customs authorities, some committee members singled out Valuation Director Shafiq Ahmed Latki and blamed him for malpractices.

The committee directed the FBR chairman to look into the complaints received with regard to valuation. It also referred the matter to the sub-committee already appointed under the convenership of MNA Faheem Khan.

Moreover, the committee lamented the absence of the finance secretary, National Bank of Pakistan (NBP) president and representatives from the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) from the meeting. It directed the committee secretary to issue a "letter of displeasure" to all concerned.

"The Legislative Business (Government Bills) will not be considered without the attendance of Adviser to the Prime Minister on Finance Abdul Hafeez Shaikh in the meeting," the committee chairman said.

The meeting also discussed the calling attention notice of Ali Nawaz Awan with regard to deduction of 5pc maintenance allowance from the salaries of the federal government employees working in BPS-6 to BPS-15. The committee directed the Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Housing and Works and Ministry of Interior to coordinate with the mover so as to resolve the matter at the earliest.

international market remains bullish toward gold.

Gold scaled a nine-year high to reach $1823.29 per ounce by 0958 GMT after hitting its highest since September 2011. This is due to the weakening of the US dollar. Gold as a hedge against inflation and currency debasement heads up north as a result.

In the Western market, investors have been buying gold as a form of portfolio diversification and parking into safer havens.

However, in Asian markets, the trend is different.

Based on cultural practices, gold is kept as a rainy day asset and a hedge against inflation.

However, due to joblessness as a result of the pandemic, some are selling gold to deal with expenses. As per a survey conducted by Dun & Bradstreet and Gallup Pakistan, approximately 18 per cent of the respondents had lost their job during the pandemic, whereas 59 per cent feared losing their job.

While there was earlier resistance in the price of gold in Pakistan, the price of gold is rising locally in line with international gains. As per All Sindh Sarafa Jewelers Association president, “the rally in local gold prices is primarily due to

the rupee losing its value and the rise in international prices.”

The Pakistani rupee has declined by 8 per cent this year and a report released earlier this month by the Institute of International Finance (IIF) stated that the local currency was trading close to its fair value.

Moreover, the surge in gold prices can also be attributed to falling interest rates. Investors may find it more alluring to invest in the gold metal as opposed to treasuries keeping in mind the falling return.

In addition, gold, considered a hedge against inflation, may also attract investors due to the potential rise in inflation owing to the economic stimulus by the State Bank of Pakistan.

Bridging local and international price difference “As per the recent prices, gold in Pakistan is approximately Rs5,000 cheaper than the international market. Prices of gold in the international market have gone up to approximately Rs120,000 per tola,” explains Rasheed Chand.

“Going forward there is a likelihood that this gap between the local and international prices can be bridged if the purchasing power improves or demand is restored fully. Gold may even rally up to Rs125,000 per tola keeping in line with expectations in the international market,” he said.

“However, there has been no significant surge in demand lately. If the lockdown is eased and the upcoming wedding season goes on in full swing, the gap between the local and international gold prices will be bridged earlier.”

Wednesday, 22 July, 2020

10 FOREIGN NEWS

EU agrEEs landmark 750Bn EUro virUs 'marshall Plan BRUSSELS

E

APP

U leaders emerged from a marathon four-day and four-night summit Tuesday to celebrate what they boasted was a historic rescue plan for economies left shattered by the coronavirus epidemic.

The 750-billion-euro ($858-billion) deal was sealed after intense negotiations that saw a threats of a French walkout and a Hungarian veto -- and fierce opposition from the Netherlands and Austria to what they said was too generous a package.

"These were of course, difficult negotiations in very difficult times for all Europeans," said EU Council Chief Charles Michel, whose job was to guide the tortuous talks over more than 90 hours.

The package was made possible by the crucial backing of Germany and France and includes the biggest ever joint borrowing by the 27 members of the bloc, something that had been resisted by Berlin and the socalled "frugal" northern states for generations. The deal is a special victory for French President Emmanuel Macron who came to office in 2017 committed to strengthen the European Union, but had struggled to deliver.

"This is a historic change for Europe,"

Biden, lawmakers warn of foreign interference in election WASHINGTON AGENCIES

Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden said he is putting Russia and other foreign governments “on notice” that he would act aggressively as president to counter any interference in US elections. The statement came hours after Democratic leaders issued a new warning that Congress appears to be the target of a foreign interference campaign. Biden said in a statement Monday that he would treat foreign interference as an “an adversarial act that significantly affects the relationship between the United States and the interfering nation’s government.” He criticised President Donald Trump for not doing enough in response to US intelligence agencies’ assessment that Russia interfered in the 2016 presidential election. “If any foreign power recklessly chooses to interfere in our democracy, I will not hesitate to respond as president to impose substantial and lasting costs,” Biden said. The new alarms give a renewed urgency to concerns that foreign actors could be trying to influence the vote or sow disinformation. Biden said last week that he had begun receiving intelligence briefings and warned that Russia, China and other adversaries were attempting to undermine the presidential election. Biden gave no evidence, but he said that Russia was “still engaged” after 2016 and that China was also involved in efforts to sow doubts in the American electoral process. During an online fundraiser Monday night, Biden added: “It’s going to be tough, there’s not much I can do about it now except talk about it, and expose it, but it is a serious concern. It is truly a violation of our sovereignty.” And in an interview on MSNBC, Biden said Russian President Vladimir Putin “knows I mean what I say.”

The Democratic leaders said in a letter to FBI Director Christopher Wray on Monday that they are concerned that Congress appears to be the target of a “concerted foreign interference campaign” to influence the 2020 presidential election. They asked Wray for an all-members, classified briefing on the matter before the August recess. The letter from House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer and the top Democrats on the House and Senate intelligence committees contains no details about the threats, though they describe them as serious and specific. “We are gravely concerned, in particular, that Congress appears to be the target of a concerted foreign interference campaign, which seeks to launder and amplify disinformation in order to influence congressional activity, public debate, and the presidential election in November,” wrote Pelosi, Schumer, House Intelligence Committee Chairman Adam Schiff, D-Calif., and Virginia Sen. Mark Warner, the top Democrat on the Senate Intelligence panel.

Macron told reporters in a joint press conference with German Chancellor Angela Merkel, who said Europe had shown itself equal to "The greatest crisis in the history of the European Union."

But there was criticism from some that the compromises made to get the deal were too great, with teenage climate campaigner Greta Thunberg tweeting her disappointment. "As expected the #EUCO resulted in some nice words, some vague distant incomplete climate targets nearly impossible to track and a complete denial of the climate emergency," she tweeted.

'FRUGALS' FIGHT: The package will send tens of billions of euros to countries hardest hit by the virus, most notably heavily indebted Spain and Italy.

Their call for solidarity was met with the fierce opposition of the "Frugals", a group of northern nations led by Netherlands, who believed strongly that the stimulus package was unnecessary.

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez hailed "a Marshall Plan for Europe", that would boost Spain's economy by 140 billion euros over the next six years.

But Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte denied the advent of joint borrowing for the rescue heralded the start of what he had warned of before the talks -- a "transfer union" with a permanent north-south trans-

fer of wealth.

"This is a one off, there is a clear necessity for this given the excessive situation," he told reporters.

The frugals were also deeply apprehensive of sending money to southern countries that they see as too lax with public spending.

To meet their concerns, payouts from the package will come with important strings attached -- a hard pill to swallow for Rome and Madrid who deeply resisted anything resembling the harsh bailouts imposed on Greece, Portugal or Ireland during the debt crisis.

The frugals were also enticed with heavy rebates on their EU contributions.

'RULE OF LAW': The recovery package will complement the unprecedented monetary stimulus at the European Central Bank, which has largely succeeded in reassuring the financial markets despite a catastrophic recession in Europe.

ECB chief Christine Lagarde welcomed the accord, saying it "shows that when most needed, the EU steps up and comes together to help the people of Europe". Overall, the deal will dole out 390 billion euros in the form of grants to pandemic-hit countries.

That was lower than an original 500 billion euro proposal made by France and

Germany. Another 360 billion euros was to be disbursed in loans, repayable by the member state.

Spending will be closely controlled and must be devoted to policies seen as compatible with European priorities, including politically difficult economic reforms as well as the environment.

The European Commission, the EU's executive arm, will be in charge of distributing the funds, with the 27 member states able to turn down a spending plan if a weighted majority of them decide to intervene. The rescue package was agreed along with the EU's long-term budget, bringing the agreed spending to 1.8 trillion euros through 2027.

The plan was nearly upended by Hungary and Poland due to a demand that EU payouts be tied to the "Rule of Law", Brussels jargon for upholding laws on freedom of speech and an independent judiciary.

Budapest and Warsaw are under fire for offending EU norms, but a proposal to tie the EU budget to those concerns was watered down to the satisfaction of Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban and his Polish counterpart. The package now requires more technical negotiations among member states as well as ratification by the European Parliament, which will begin its scrutiny of the deal on Thursday.

UK suspends Hong Kong extradition treaty, stoking China tensions LONDON

TEL AVIV AGENCIES

Israel’s parliament voted on Monday to allow the country’s domestic intelligence agency to track the cellphones of coronavirus carriers for the rest of the year amid a resurgence in new cases. The Shin Bet’s surveillance technology has been used on and off to track carriers since March, and the Knesset in a late-night decision approved the measure through Jan. 20, 2021, the Knesset news agency reported. The security agency tracks location data of confirmed carriers for 14 days before they were diagnosed. That data is used to identify anyone with whom they came into contact, which proponents say is crucial to infection chains. The surveillance has drawn challenges from privacy watchdog groups, and the Supreme Court cited worries over dangers to individual liberty in demanding Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government regulate the surveillance through legislation. The new law includes additional oversight, requiring the government to renew its request every three weeks, and it can be used only when new daily cases exceed 200.

Those ordered into isolation can appeal if they believe the data was inaccurate. The Knesset also instructed the Health Ministry to roll out an upgraded cell phone app that can be downloaded by the public to help track infection. Israel reopened schools and many businesses in May, lifting restrictions that had flattened the infection curve after a partial lockdown imposed in March. But a second-wave surge has many public health experts saying the government moved too quickly while neglecting to take the necessary epidemiological steps to control the pandemic once the economy reopened.Israel, with a population of 9 million, reported about 1,500 new infections on Monday. In total it has reported 415 deaths from the virus.

Putin pushes back goal to halve poverty to 2030

AGENCIES

Britain announced on Monday it would suspend its extradition treaty with Hong Kong in an escalation of a dispute with China over its introduction of a national security law for the former British colony.

Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab told parliament the treaty would be suspended immediately and an arms embargo would be extended to Hong Kong.

“We will not consider reactivating those arrangements, unless and until there are clear and robust safeguards, which are able to prevent extradition from the UK being misused under the new national security legislation,” Raab said. The ban is another nail in the coffin of what then Prime Minister David Cameron in 2015 cast as a “golden era” of ties with China, the world’s secondlargest economy.

London has been dismayed by a crackdown in Hong Kong, which returned to Chinese rule in 1997, and the perception that China did not tell the whole truth over the coronavirus outbreak.

“Extraditions between Hong Kong and the UK are extremely rare, so this is a symbolic gesture, but a very important one,” said Nick Vamos, Partner at London law firm Peters & Peters.

Raab said he would extend a long-

israel approves cellphone tracking of Covid-19 carriers for rest of year

MOSCOW APP

standing arms embargo on China to include Hong Kong, meaning no exports of weapons or ammunition and a ban on any equipment which might be used for internal repressions, like shackles and smoke grenades.

Australia and Canada suspended extradition treaties with Hong Kong earlier this month. US President Donald Trump has ended preferential economic treatment for Hong Kong.

Last week Prime Minister Boris Johnson ordered equipment from China’s Huawei Technologies to be purged completely from Britain’s 5G network by the end of 2027.

China – once courted as the prime

source of investment in British infrastructure projects from nuclear to rail – has accused Britain of pandering to the United States.

Britain says the new security law breaches the guarantees of freedoms, including an independent judiciary, that have helped keep Hong Kong one of the world’s most important trade and financial centres since 1997.

Raab was pressed by fellow lawmakers to consider targeted sanctions against individuals, over both Hong Kong and concerns about China’s treatment of Uighur Muslims in its Xinjiang region, but he said any such measures were not imminent.

Russian President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday pushed back the deadline for ambitious social and economic targets he set himself on reelection to the Kremlin, including halving poverty numbers, from 2024 to 2030. In 2018 after winning another six-year term, Putin set targets including halving the poverty rate from the 2017 figure, increasing pensions and boosting the average life expectancy to 78 by 2024. The latest goals published Tuesday give a new deadline of 2030. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told journalists that goals on raising life expectancy and cutting poverty had been pushed back due to the "unfavourable world economic conditions that will slow the development of all countries without exception." Official statistics for 2019 say that more than 18 million Russians live below the poverty line, or 12.3 percent of the population. This is defined as having monthly income of less than 10,890 rubles ($154). Life expectancy has grown in recent years from extremely low levels in the early post-Soviet years, especially among men. In 2019, it was 67 for men and 77 for women.

Markets rally on vaccine hopes, EU stimulus deal LONDON APP

Asian and European stock markets rallied Tuesday on promising results from two clinical coronavirus vaccine trials, and after EU leaders finally clinched a landmark 750-billion-euro ($860-billion) stimulus deal.

"A combination of vaccine optimism and fiscal stimulus is boosting the mood," City Index analyst Fiona Cincotta said.

"Encouraging results ... in addition to EU leaders agreeing to a 750-billion-euro recovery fund, is overshadowing rising tension between the UK and China -- and soaring COVID-19 numbers in California."

The clinical studies provided a muchneeded shot in the arm for investors, who have been put on edge by worrying spikes in new infections around the world, causing a months-long surge across equities to stumble.

The new cases have forced authorities

to reimpose containment measures, fanning concerns about an economic recovery that has been supported by trillions of dollars in government and central bank stimulus measures.

CMYK

But two studies published in The Lancet medical journal sparked some cheer, with a trial among more than 1,000 adults in Britain finding a candidate vaccine induced "strong antibody and T cell

immune responses" against the coronavirus. That came as another trial of more than 500 people in China showed most had developed a widespread antibody immune response.

Meanwhile, British biotech firm Synairgen said a randomised trial of an aerosol-based treatment showrf it could drastically reduce the number of new patients dying of the disease or requiring intensive care. The positive news from the trials could be a major step towards the Holy Grail that analysts say will likely send markets soaring.

More than 20 candidate vaccines are currently being tested on humans.

In addition, the European Union finally reached a stimulus deal after four days of haggling, made possible by the backing of Germany and France and including the biggest-ever joint borrowing by the 27 members, something that had been resisted

by Berlin for generations.

Wednesday, 22 July, 2020

SPORTS 11

T20 WorLD Cup faLLS prEy To CoronaviruS DUBAI

T

AGENCIES

HE men’s T20 World Cup due to take place in Australia from October 18 has been postponed until next year due to the coronavirus pandemic, the International Cricket Council (ICC) has announced.

Officials said they now hoped to stage the tournament from October to November 2021. There will also be a T20 World Cup in 2022, with the 2023 50-over World Cup in India pushed back until October-November of that year.

“We have undertaken a comprehensive and complex contingency planning exercise and through this process, our number one priority has been to protect the health and safety of everyone involved in the sport,” said ICC chief executive Manu Sawhney.

“The decision to postpone the ICC

Chelsea ‘a long way’ behind Liverpool, warns Lampard

Men’s T20 World Cup was taken after careful consideration of all of the options available to us and gives us the best possible opportunity of delivering two safe and successful T20 World Cups for fans around the world.”

The windows for the next three ICC men’s events were agreed to “bring clarity to the calendar and give the sport the best possible opportunity over the next three years to recover from the disruption caused

by Covid-19”, the ICC said in a statement after a meeting.

The IBC Board, the commercial subsidiary of the ICC, at today’s meeting agreed to “continue to monitor the rapidly changing situation” and assess all the information available before making a decision on future hosts to ensure global events are safely staged in 2021 and 2022.

According to the press release, the IBC Board will also continue to evaluate the sit-

Babar Azam aims to take green-shirts to top ISLAMABAD APP

LONDON: Chelsea manager Frank Lampard warned his side will have to make huge strides to challenge Liverpool for the Premier League title next year, despite already making big moves in the transfer market. Lampard’s men travel to the champions on Wednesday hoping to get the win they need to guarantee Champions League football next season.

Liverpool’s form has tailed off since clinching a first title in 30 years last month, but Jurgen Klopp’s men remain 30 points ahead of Chelsea. “A long way,” said Lampard when asked how far off his side from the consistent standards of Liverpool and Manchester City.

“We have to be realistic about that as a club, as do many of the other clubs, because themselves and Manchester City, particularly Liverpool this year, have shown an incredible consistency that only comes through hard work and time with fantastic players and fantastic coaching. “We are at a different point in the curve. You are talking about probably the two best club teams in world football, up there with a couple of others in European football. “The points don’t lie over the past few seasons. We are realistic but we have targets and we want to close that gap.” Chelsea have already beaten Liverpool to the signing of German international forward Timo Werner and recruited Hakim Ziyech from Ajax. The Blues are also reportedly leading the chase for Bayer Leverkusen’s Kai Havertz, who is valued at 90 million euros ($103 million, £82 million) by the Bundesliga club. Any further business this summer will largely depend on Chelsea securing a return to the Champions League. Lampard’s men hold a one-point lead over Leicester and Manchester United, who face each other on the final day of the season.

And the former England international admitted a top-four finish was his primary target for his first season in charge at Stamford Bridge. “We have to say it was the number one goal at the start of the season because it is the competition that is in front of you,” added Lampard. APP

Pakistan’s limited-overs Skipper Babar Azam aims to take the green-shirts to the top, saying he would fully back the players to take the team to heights.

“My target is to win matches for Pakistan and to take the team to heights and finish at a higher level,” he said while talking to a private news channel.

Babar, who was the leading Test run scorer for Pakistan in both 2018 and 2019 and leading ODI scorer in 2016, 2017 and 2019, said as a captain he would take the players along and back them. “I will talk with the players on how to uplift the team to a higher level and will give them full confidence,” he said.

To a question, he said all players were united and backed each other when someone was unable to perform.

“When you get a new responsibility you get a bit under-pressure but as all players were united therefore the pressure doesn’t come that much. I have captained the under-19 and also served as the vice-captain therefore you learn gradually,” he said.

Babar, who as of April 2020 has scored 16 international centuries, five in Test matches and 11 in ODIs, said the best things he liked about the 1992 World Cup winning captain and Prime

Minister Imran Khan was that he played attacking cricket and always backed his players. “We need to back and give confidence to the players in order to get good performances,” he said.

Babar, who was named in the ICC ODI Team of the Year in 2017 and 2019, said when you have to achieve your goals you have to come step by step. “There are ups and downs but you learn when you play matches against good teams. I learned a lot in the 2019 World Cup,” he said.

“I learned a lot from my innings against New Zealand in the 2019 Cricket World Cup as how to take the team out of a difficult situation. If you play against good teams and win matches then your confidence level becomes high. And I took that confidence forward,” he said.

He said he analysed his past innings and keep the positive things in mind.

“When you analyse your performances you get many things in mind to what to do and what not in a situation,” he said.

uation regarding the staging of the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2021 in New Zealand in February next year. “In the meantime, planning for this event continues as scheduled,” it said.

Covid-19 has played havoc with the global sporting calendar but international cricket has resumed behind closed doors in England, with the host nation taking on the West Indies in a three-Test series.

Pakistan are also in England preparing for a series of Tests and Twenty20 matches and Australia are making preparations for a potential limited-overs tour of England.

Selectors named a preliminary squad last week but Cricket Australia said “several hurdles” had to be overcome before dates could be locked in.

Australia were originally scheduled to play three one-day and three T20 internationals this month but the trip was postponed because of the coronavirus pandemic.

Stokes replaces Holder at top of allrounder rankings MANCHESTER: Ben Stokes’ man-of-thematch performance against the West Indies has catapulted him to the top of the International Cricket Council’s Test all-rounder rankings as well as a career-best third in the batting standings. Stokes was at the heart of England’s series-levelling win against the West Indies at Old Trafford that ended on Monday, scoring 176 and 78 not out as well as taking three wickets. Those performances were enough to see him leapfrog West Indies captain Jason Holder, who had been at number one for 18 months. Stokes is the first England cricketer to top the all-rounder charts since Andrew Flintoff in May 2006. The rankings, unlike traditional averages, also take the quality of opposition into account and Stokes’ tally of 497 ratings points is the highest for any allrounder since South Africa’s Jacques Kallis was on 517 in April 2008. Stokes’ contrasting innings — a composed hundred followed by a rapid unbeaten fifty as England went in search of quick second-innings runs — propelled the left-handed batsman to joint third in the batting rankings, level with Australia’s Marnus Labuschagne on 827 points. Only Australia star Steve Smith and India captain Virat Kohli are currently above the 29-year-old Durham star in that list. Stuart Broad’s six wickets on his England recall at Old Trafford saw him return to the top 10 of the Test bowling rankings. AGENCIES

England int’l Dier signs new Spurs deal

auSTraLia To LaunCH rugby LEaguE WC DEfEnCE againST fiji LONDON: Australia will begin the defence of their Rugby League World Cup title against Fiji at next year’s tournament in England, organisers announced on Tuesday. The 2017 champions’ first match will take place on October 23 in Hull after hosts England open the tournament in Newcastle against Samoa earlier that day. Australia also face Scotland and Italy in Group B. England, the defeated finalists in 2017, face Samoa, France and Greece in Group A while 2008 winners New Zealand are in Group C with Lebanon, Jamaica and Ireland. A total of 16 nations are competing in four groups at the men’s event, which ends with the final at Old Trafford on November 27. Jon Dutton, the tournament’s chief executive, said: “This is a huge moment for the tournament and for fans across the world as we reveal the full fixture schedule. “The tournament has been gaining momentum over recent months and fans can really look forward to being part of this unique, global event. With match dates and locations confirmed, the excitement will only intensify.” For the first time the women’s and wheelchair competitions are being staged alongside the men’s tournament, with all three finals taking place on the same weekend. AGENCIES

Relegated Deportivo fume over ‘botched’ decision to delay game MADRID AGENCIES

Former Spanish champions Deportivo La Coruna were set Tuesday to contest the “botched” decision to postpone their final match of the second division season after players on the opposing team tested positive for coronavirus.

Deportivo were relegated to the third tier on Monday as the rest of the division finished their campaigns while Deportivo were forced to sit out the final round of fixtures.

“The last day’s matches must all be replayed,” claimed Deportivo president Fernando Vidal, who announced the club would be lodging appeals to the Spanish league and the Court of Arbitration for Sport.

Vidal had initially praised La Liga for “acting correctly with all the protocols assiduously applied” in calling

off Monday’s game against Fuenlabrada.

But later he had an altogether different response after the 2000 La Liga champions dropped down another division following wins for relegation rivals Albacete and Lugo over Cadiz and Mirandes respectively.

“We were very surprised when they told us all the other games were going ahead,” Vidal told reporters.

“A major mistake has been made. The final two rounds of matches must kick off at the same time.

“The last day must be replayed, there’s no other solution.” He added: “Not respecting the principle of equality for all is the last straw.

“How can this happen in Spanish football, which claims to be the best league in the world, but in reality is a fool’s game.” Vidal predicted “a flood of complaints” from other clubs who felt similarly hard done by by this

CMYK

“botched decision”. Monday’s game against Fuenlabrada has been rescheduled for July 30 after at least eight positive COVID-19 tests, including six players at the Madridbased club. Failing a successful appeal the delayed match is academic for Deportivo, but the encounter has wider significance.

Not least for Fuenlabrada, who could still reach the promotion play-offs for La Liga with at least a draw, at the expense of Elche, who are now left in limbo ahead of the rescheduled fixture. “What do we do? Do we continue to train, or give the players two days off?” asked Elche manager ‘Pacheta’. “We’re going to explode. We’ve been playing for the past two and a half months without a break,” added the former Spanish international.

Elche’s uncertainty is shared by Rayo Vallecano, who dropped out of play-off contention after Monday’s results.

LONDON: Eric Dier has signed a new fouryear contract to keep him at Tottenham until 2024, the Premier League club announced on Tuesday. The 26-year-old England midfielder, who has filled in at centre-back under Spurs boss Jose Mourinho, has been at the club since arriving from Sporting Lisbon in 2014. Dier said he was looking forward to being part of the club’s future. “I am really happy to continue here and commit to this new journey we’re on,” he told Spurs TV. “It’s crazy to think that I have been here for six years now. I have enjoyed it a lot. It’s a fantastic place to be.” Dier became a key player under Mauricio Pochettino, who also arrived at the club in 2014. Spurs finished second in the 2016/17 Premier League campaign and reached last season’s Champions League final but Pochettino was fired months later. “The club gave me my opportunity in England and it has given me so much since then,” said Dier, who has scored 11 times in 239 appearances.

“We’ve had some great times together but I want to have even better times and I still feel there are a lot of things I need to achieve here before it’s over.” AGENCIES

Wednesday, 22 July, 2020

PRAyER TiMinGS

NEWS

FAJR SUNRISE

ZUHR

ASR MAGHRIB ISHA

4:29

12:38

5:19

5:55

7:22

8:47

govt dElAys dEcision to incrEAsE Ptv licEncE fEE INFO MINISTER SAYS PLAN TO OVERHAUL PTV HAS BEEN APPROVED WHILE DECISION TO HIKE LICENCE FEE HAS BEEN DEFERRED TILL NEXT WEEK ISLAMABAD

t

STAFF REPORT

HE government on Tuesday deferred its decision to increase the monthly fee of Pakistan Television (PTV) licence for a week amid a nationwide outcry.

The state-run broadcaster charges a monthly fee of Rs35 from electricity consumers, which provides it with billions in annual funding. According to the reports, the government was planning to hike fee from Rs35 to Rs100.

Briefing the media on the federal cabinet’s meeting chaired by Prime Minister Imran Khan earlier in the day, Information Minister Shibli Faraz said that the past governments of Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) and Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PMLN) destroyed PTV and overstaffed it with political appointments. “The plan to overhaul the state-run broadcaster has been approved and decision to hike the licence fee has been deferred till next week,” said the minister, adding that the final decision will be taken after further deliberation.

The PTV management had earlier proposed to increase its revenue by increasing TV licence fees, maintaining that public broadcasters around the world are supported by their governments to project their national narrative and that the nominal amount being charged is not enough to meet the requirements of the institution.

Addressing reporters, Shibli said that the PTI-led government now required a huge investment in order to rebrand the PTV as the state’s representative and a voice of Pakistan.

“We also cannot pay the pensions because of a large number of pensioners — at least 3,000 — who have yet to be paid pensions. So, to fix all the management and technical issues, including outdated cameras and no production work going on, we are forced to come to this decision, rather proposal.

“Now, as far as building and restructuring is concerned, planning has already been completed,” the minister said, adding that nothing could be done without the resources, especially when the issues of pensions, salaries, and new equipment had to be solved.

ADVISERS AND SAPMS: With regard to the recent information released pertaining to

SAYS FEDERAL CABINET LAUDED PM’S DECISION TO RELEASE ASSET DETAILS, NATIONALITIES OF ADVISERS AND SAPMS

asset details and nationalities of Prime Minister Imran Khan’s aides and special assistants, the minister said the cabinet lauded the move, which he said was based on the PTI chairperson’s longstanding stance. “PM Imran has always believed that all public representatives should declare their assets and he did that in 2011 too when he asked the core committee members to declare their assets — that we did. This is yet another step in that process, a step he promised and now that promise has been fulfilled.

Noting that “this has never been done before”, Faraz said individual steps were the start of a long journey, including transparency for not only the elected public representatives but advisers and special assistants as well, since they were part of the government and the cabinet.

The condition of declaring assets was applicable on the prime minister’s advisers and special assistants as well. “I believe the entire cabinet lauded the prime minister’s decision and it was stressed that we would go forward with this philosophy,” he said.

WHEAT AND FLOUR PRICES: Speaking about the wheat and flour crises, the fed-

Military top brass reaffirms resolve to thwart threats to national security

RAWALPINDI STAFF REPORT

The Pakistan Army’s top brass on Tuesday reiterated its resolve to thwart any threat to Pakistan’s security.

According to a statement released by the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the resolve was expressed during a Corps Commanders Conference presided over

by Army Chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa at the GHQ. The ISPR said that the meeting reviewed “operational readiness and evolving

threat spectrum in context of external and internal security of the country”.

During the meeting, the army chief complimented the efforts put in by all formations to maintain a high-level of combat readiness, “particularly in the wake of [the] evolving regional security situation”, the statement said.

Taking special note of the continuing atrocities in occupied Kashmir as the illegal actions of August 5, 2019 complete one year next month, the forum also paid tribute Kashmiris for their “legitimate

eral minister said Prime Minister Imran had inquired about the matter from relevant ministry. “The government is currently trying to ensure flour prices do not rise.

“Wheat imports worth 1.5 million tonnes were allowed to close the gap between supply and demand,” he said, adding that there was a shortage of 1.5 million tonnes at one point in time. However, some tonnes’ worth of orders have been processed, he added. The minister said hoarding was “hostility towards the society” and urged people to report those who engaged in such menaces. Action would be taken against hoarders, he promised.

Shibli noted that the government of Sindh would be asked not to charge taxes on wheat imports and instead facilitate them further. “Imran Khan is fulfilling the dream of ‘roti, kapra, aur makaan’ through the Ehsaas [Emergency Cash] Programme. Others spoke about ‘roti, kapra, aur makaan’ but that remained merely a chant,” he said, taking a jibe at Sindh’s ruling party, the PPP, and referring to its slogan of providing basic necessities, such as food, clothing, and housing.

The information minister said the PTI’s efforts made it easier for people to purchase

houses. “Home financing is provided all over the world,” he said. “The start of the construction industry will revolutionise the country,” he claimed. People should take full advantage of the incumbent government’s initiatives for the said sector, he added.

The minister said a report on the Ehsaas Emergency Cash Programme was presented in the cabinet meeting and that PM Imran congratulated Sania Nishtar — his special assistant on poverty alleviation and social safety — for providing relief to the deserving people in an efficient manner.

A question was raised to what was the Ehsaas programme’s political gain to the ruling PTI, to which the prime minister responded not everything was done with that goal in mind, Shibli added. “Prime Minister Imran says the Ehsaas programme is not aimed at gaining a political edge but to please God.” With regard to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, he said Pakistan was able to control it “due to Prime Minister Imran Khan’s strategy”. During the crisis, the government observed that there would have been challenges had the National Command and Operations Centre (NCOC) not existed, he added.

“Take precautions on Eidul Azha so that the coronavirus situation does not worsen,” he stressed during the press conference, adding that people needed to take a lot of care during the upcoming festivities.

Eidul AzhA to bE cElEbrAtEd on Aug 1 ISLAMABAD: Eidul Azha will be celebrated across Pakistan on August 1, Central Ruet-i-Hilal Committee Chairman Mufti Muneebur Rehman announced on Tuesday. The announcement followed meetings of the moon-sighting committee and other zonal committees in all provincial capitals of the country. In a notification, the Religious Affairs Ministry said that the Zilhaj moon had not been sighted and 1st Zilhaj, 1441AH would commence from July 23. In June, Science and Technology Minister Fawad Chaudhry had stated the nation will celebrate Eidul Azha on July 31. In a tweet, the minister said the Zilhaj moon would be visible over Karachi and nearby areas on July 21. “The Ruet app may also be used to ascertain the exact location of the moon,” Chaudhry had said. STAFF REPORT

struggle for freedom”, the military’s media affairs wing said. The army chief also lauded the efforts “in aid of [the] civil administration in the fight against Covid-19 and locusts”, it said. The forum also appreciated the efforts of doctors, healthcare workers and paramedics, and stressed the need for exercising maximum care to maintain the gains achieved in countering the pandemic, the statement said.

The army chief expressed complete satisfaction with the overall operational readiness of the Pakistan Army, it concluded.

Big industry contracts over 24pc in May ISLAMABAD GHULAM ABBAS

Due to the Covid-19 outbreak and exchange rate depreciation, the large-scale manufacturing (LSM) output declined by a record 24.8pc year-on-year in May, according to the data released by the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS) on Tuesday.

Although the monetary and fiscal policies had kept the big industries reeling throughout the fiscal year 2019-20, the shutdown of industries following the outbreak of coronavirus further added to the LSM sectors' woes. On a cumulative basis, the LSM shrank by 10.32pc during the first 11 months (July-May) of FY20, as compared last year. The overall manufacturing in the country was affected by the negative growth in the textile, food, beverages and tobacco, iron and steel, coke and petroleum products.

According to the economic survey 2019-20, "LSM was not able to withstand a constrained economic environment and the distress continued throughout the fiscal year." As per the PBS' sector-wise data, production of 11 items under the Oil Companies Advisory Committee went down by 20.87pc during 11MFY20, 36 items under the Ministry of Industries and Production dropped by 11.78pc while 65 items reported by the provincial Bureaus of Statistics fell by 4.4pc.

LSM constitutes 80pc of the country's total manufacturing and accounts for nearly 10.7pc of the national output. In comparison, the small-scale industry makes up for just 1.8pc of GDP and 13.7pc of the secondary

sector.

The big industry provides employment opportunities to about 16.1pc of the total labour force while its share in the GDP is around 13-14pc.

According to the data, the auto sector, which has seen a massive decline in sales over the last few quarters, witnessed multiple upward price revisions due to currency depreciation, keeping potential buyers at bay.

On a yearly basis, it registered sales decrease in almost all variants excluding tractors. The production of tractors was up by 10.77pc in May from a year ago, while that of buses and trucks plunged by 100pc, jeeps and cars by 94.67pc and light commercial vehicles by 95.69pc, respectively. The production of motorcycles dipped 69.38pc during the month under review.

Meanwhile, the sugar production declined by 3.69pc YoY in May, while the output of cement fell 35.37pc.

However, the pharmaceutical sector posted growth due to an increase in prices. As a result, the output of syrups was up by 10.07pc, capsules 19.73pc, and tablets 2.35pc. But the production of injection fell 3.8pc in May. Cooking oil and vegetable ghee witnessed a negative growth of 0.75pc and 3.46pc, respectively, whereas blended tea surged by 23.57pc.

Likewise, electronics' production posted a negative growth during the month under review, with refrigerators, deep freezers, air-conditioners, electric bulbs, tubes, fans, motors, meters, switch gears, tv sets etc. posting a decline in output. The production of tyres, tubes and related machinery also posted a negative growth during the month under review.

Published by Arif Nizami at Plot No 66-C, 1st Floor, 21st Commercial Street, Phase-II (Extension), DHA Karachi and printed at Ibn-e-Hassan Printing Press, Hockey Stadium, Karachi. Ph: 021-35381208-9. Email: newsroom@pakistantoday.com.pk