Epaper – June 24 ISB 2020

CMYK

Wednesday, 24 June, 2020 I 2 Dhū al-Qa‘dah, 1441 I Rs 15.00 I Vol X No 355 I 12 Pages I Islamabad Edition

Pakistan, india diPlomatic sPat over sPying allegations intensifies g

ISlAMABAD TellS DelHI To reDUCe STAFF STreNGTH AT HIGH CoMMISSIoN Here By 50PC AS ‘reCIProCAl MeASUre’

ISLAMABAD staff report

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N a tit-for-tat response, Pakistan on Tuesday told India to reduce its High Commission staff’s strength by 50 per cent as a reciprocal measure after New Delhi sought to halve the staff strength at the Pakistan High Commission in the Indian capital.

A statement issued by the Indian Ministry of external Affairs said that the decision, which will be implemented in seven days, has been conveyed to Pakistan’s Chargé d’Affaires.

According to the Indian statement, Pakistan’s Chargé d’Affaires was informed that Delhi has “repeatedly expressed concerns about the activities of officials [at the Pakistan High Commission]”.

“They have been engaged in acts of espionage and maintained dealings with terrorist organisations,” it said, referring to the expulsion of two officials from the Pakistan High Commission on May 31.

Commenting on the recent hit-andrun in Islamabad involving two Indian High

Pakistan

CONFIRMED CASES:

187,400

NEW CASES:

105

3,946

RECOVERED:

DEATHS:

SINDH:

PUNJAB:

73,471 3,730

72,656

68,308

KP:

BALOCHISTAN:

AJK/GB:

ISLAMABAD:

23,388

BINS AlleGATIoNS THAT INDIAN oFFICIAlS were INTIMIDATeD IN PAKISTAN, SAyS PAKISTAN reSPeCTS VIeNNA CoNVeNTIoN

Commission officials, the statement alleged that Pakistan has “engaged in a sustained campaign to intimidate the officials of the Indian High Commission in Islamabad from carrying on their legitimate diplomatic functions”.

In a statement issued shortly after, the Fo Spokesperson Aisha Farooqui rejected the claim that Indian High Commission officials were intimidated in Islamabad.

“Pakistan completely dismisses allegations of any violation of the Vienna Convention on diplomatic relations by [Pakistan High Commission] officials in New Delhi and reiterates that they always function within the parameters of international law and diplomatic norms,” she said.

“The Indian government’s smear campaign against Pakistan cannot obfuscate the illegal activities in which the Indian High Commission officials were found [to be] involved in. The statement is another effort to distort facts and deny the culpability of these Indian High Commission officials in criminal offences.”

The Fo spokesperson also attributed the move to another “desperate attempt”

coronavirus in

DAY'S DEATH TOLL:

g

9,634

869/1,326 11,219

to divert attention from Indian atrocities in occupied Kashmir.

“India would be better advised to focus on its internal and external issues, rather than creating diversions at the cost of peace and stability in South Asia.

“Pakistan has been consistently sensitising the world community that [the] irresponsible policies of the BJP government are increasingly imperilling regional peace and stability.”

The statement added that the Fo also summoned India’s Chargé d’Affaires to inform him of Pakistan’s decision to reduce staff at the Indian High Commission by 50pc as a “reciprocal measure” and was asked to implement the decision within seven days.

Tensions between the two countries rose after India expelled two officials of the Pakistani High Commission in Delhi on May 31 accusing them of espionage — a charge, which was immediately rejected

by Pakistan as “false and unsubstantiated”.

The Fo, while condemning the Indian action, had said the Indian move was “accompanied by a negative preplanned and orchestrated media campaign, which is a part of persistent anti-Pakistan propaganda”. on June 15, the two officials from the Indian High Commission — Dwimu Brahma and Selvadas Paul — were briefly detained and booked by police after their speeding vehicle crashed into a pedestrian in the capital on June 15, triggering a diplomatic spat between New Delhi and Islamabad.

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China, India agree to reduce tensions after deadly clash STORY ON BACK PAGE

BHC annuls NFC notification, says members appointed unconstitutionally g

DeClAreS APPoINTMeNT oF Dr ABDUl HAFeeZ SHAIKH, FeDerAl FINANCe SeCy NUll AND VoID QUETTA staff report

The Balochistan High Court (BHC) on Tuesday annulled the notification issued by President Dr Arif Alvi for constitution of the 10th National Finance Commission (NFC), ruling that the appointment of NFC members was not in accordance with the constitution.

In its judgement, the court also annulled the appointments of Finance Adviser Abdul Hafeez Shaikh and the federal finance secretary as members of the NFC. The court, while issuing orders for implementation of Article 160 for the appointment and procedure of members of NFC Awards, remarked that the Balochistan governor should appoint a new member from the province on the recommendation of the provincial government.

The NFC is meant to distribute financial resources among the federal government and the provinces.

It includes distribution of taxes collected by the federal government which form a divisible pool. According to Article 160 of the Constitution,

Imran tells ministers not to reveal internal rifts in public g

PM SAyS MINISTerS AND PTI leADerS SHoUlD NoT TAlK ABoUT THINGS THAT ‘AFFeCT’ PArTy or GoVT ISLAMABAD staff report

Prime Minister Imran Khan on Tuesday told his cabinet ministers to maintain unity within the party, a day after Federal Science and Technology Minister Fawad Chaudhry said in an interview that Pakistan Tehreek-eInsaf (PTI) leader Jahangir Khan Tareen was the reason why Planning Minister Asad Umar had stepped down as the finance minister in April 2019.

Addressing a presser after a meeting of the federal cabinet chaired by PM Imran, Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Shibli Faraz said that Fawad Chaudhry’s interview with the Voice of America came under discussion during the cabinet meeting.

“Fawad Chaudhry’s interview was discussed in the cabinet [meeting] and the prime minister said we should maintain unity within the party,” Faraz said.

In the interview, Fawad Chaudhry said there were rifts among Tareen, Umar and Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood

the president constitutes the NFC after every five years for a period of five years. once there is a consensus of all stakeholders on a particular formula to distribute the finances, the award is implemented for the next five years.

The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI)led federal government on May 12 formed the 10th NFC to announce the new award. The Ministry of Finance notified constitution of the 11-member commission after approval by federal and provincial members and its terms of reference

by President Alvi. The commission will, however, effectively consist of 10 members as the president also authorised PM’s Adviser on Finance Dr Abdul Hafeez Shaikh to chair NFC meetings in the absence of the federal finance minister.

A similar case is pending before the Islamabad High Court (IHC) in which the petitioner, PMl-N leader Khurram Dastgir Khan, has submitted that there is no room in the constitution for a PM’s adviser to become even a member of the commission.

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more inside

Human error, not technical fault, caused Karachi plane crash: report STORY ON PAGE 02

Govt to refund money to Hajj applicants STORY ON PAGE 03 Qureshi, which hurt the party and forced the PTI’s “political class” to part ways.

“As soon as the PTI government was formed, quarrels among Qureshi, Umar and Tareen began. Tareen used his influence to get Umar removed from the cabinet and later Umar got Tareen out,” Chaudhry had said.

During the cabinet meeting, the information minister said that the prime minister has instructed the ministers and party leaders not to talk about things that “affect” the party or the government.

Faraz also spoke about a re-

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cent interview of Climate Change Minister Zartaj Gul in which she said that Covid-19 means that the virus has 19 points that can be applied to any country based on its respective immunity levels.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 03

Fawad reveals serious differences within PTI leadership STORY ON BACK PAGE

Seven more Pakistan players test positive for Covid-19 STORY ON PAGE 11

Taliban storm checkposts in Afghanistan, kill 8 soldiers STORY ON BACK PAGE

02

Wednesday, 24 June, 2020

NEWS

Human error, not tecHnical fault, caused KaracHi plane crasH: report

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NEWS DESK

HE preliminary investigation report submitted to the Aviation Division has ruled out technical fault as a cause for last month’s tragic crash of a Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) passenger plane in Karachi, stating that the unfortunate incident took place due to human errors – the negligence of both the cockpit crew as well as the air control tower, according to media reports.

PIA flight PK8303, carrying 99 people including 8 crew members, crashed into a densely populated residential area near Karachi airport on May 22 as it was making its second attempt to land. Ninetyseven people were killed in the accident that also caused considerable damage to the residential area.

A day after the incident, the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) had notified an investigation team headed by its Aircraft Accident and Investigation Board (AAIB) President

Air Commodore Usman Ghani. The team that also comprised Wing Commander Malik Imran, Technical Investigation Group Additional Director Captain Touqeer, Pakistan Air Force Safety Board Ops Investigator Kamran and Air Traffic Control Ops Joint Director Nasir Majeed was to submit its preliminary report on June 22.

On Monday, Air Commodore Ghani gave a detailed briefing to the Aviation Division officials. According to the report, the CAA officials, the cockpit crew, the control tower and the air traffic control repeatedly made mistakes. The aircraft’s black box has so far not indicated the possibility of any technical fault, it added.

The report said both the speed and the altitude of the aircraft was more than the recommended parameters when the pilot tried first landing. In the first landing, the aircraft touched the ground at the middle of 9,000meter-long runway.

The control tower permitted landing despite greater speed and altitude. The air traf-

ssGc rebuffs JJVl’s demand for gas supply The Sui Southern Gas Company (SSGC) has clarified its position regarding a media report titled ‘JJVL seeks immediate resumption of supplies from SSGC’. On Monday, this scribe had reported that the Jamshoro Joint Ventures Limited (JJVL) has asked the government to direct SSGC to immediately resume gas supplies for local production of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) at JJVL facilities. In its clarification issued on Tuesday, SSGC stated, “At the outset, the last arrangement between SSGC and JJVL was exercised as per the Supreme Court’s orders of 2018. It must be borne in mind that the arrangement was for 18 months, which expired on June 20, 2020. The arrangement for the supply of gas was an interim one and was not for a long haul. Any continuation has to be based on technical requirements and commercial feasibility.” It further clarified that 76pc of JJVL's production caters to the commercial and industrial customers. It is thus a misconception to suggest that LPG caters to the common man's needs in its entirety. “Current shrinkage value at JJVL is around 8 to 10mmcfd. Since this volume will be available in the SSGC transmission system, the gas utility can effectively deploy these volumes in its transmission network. “Multiple avenues would be available for consumption of this shrinkage in volumes. This deployment may include swapping to SNGPL, where UFG is less than 0.5pc, secondly, providing gas to K-Electric or other bulk customers, where UFG at bulk customers is minimal and third, can be used for building and maintaining line pack.” On the other hand, SSGC stated, it must also be borne in mind that indigenous gas is much cheaper than LPG, which is valued at Rs2,400 per mmbtu. Just for comparison sake, 8 to 10 mmcfd gas can feed a population of 400,000 households equivalent to Sukkur city. BUSINESS DESK

fBr confiscates non-duty paid cigarettes worth rs3.1m ISLAMABAD: The Federal Board of Revenues (FBR) Intelligence and Investigation Unit on Tuesday confiscated cartons of non-duty paid cigarettes worth Rs3.1 million. According to sources, duties and taxes totaling Rs2.4 million are due on the confiscated stock of cigarettes. According to sources, Inland Revenue Enforcement Network Unit in Karachi had earlier received information that cigarettes on which duties and taxes had not been paid were stocked at a warehouse located in the Orangi area in Karachi. A team sent by the IREN found 114 cartons of such cigarettes at the warehouse which were confiscated on the spot. According to sources the confiscated stock of cigarettes includes brands like Kisan, Champion, Cricket and Olympic. SHAHZAD PARACHA

pm okays euro-V standard for fuels Prime Minister Imran Khan has approved the shift from the ageing Euro-II standard to the much newer Euro-V standard. During the meeting of the federal cabinet on Tuesday, PM Imran formally approved the decision of upgrading the quality of petrol and diesel in Pakistan from Euro-II to Euro-V. “If the quality control mechanism is not improved in the next three years, oil refineries will be closed,” he remarked. Last year, PM Imran Khan had said in a press conference that Pakistan has decided to import better quality fuel by first bringing new technology, importing Euro-IV petrol, and by the end of 2020, shifting to Euro-V. The PM had said that this move was primarily aimed at protecting the environment which was under the ever-increasing threat of global warming. NEWS DESK

fic control also did not provide the control tower with the radio frequency. The pilot also did not inform the control tower about jamming of the landing gears. It was also wrong decision on part of the pilot to attempt a second landing. The plane stayed in the air for 17 minutes after the first landing attempt, a crucial time during which both the engines of the aircraft failed.

It said fragments of the PIA aircraft’s engine stayed on the runway for 12 hours but the air site unit did not collect them and later other aircraft were allowed to land on the runway. This was a violation of the standard operating procedure, putting other aircraft at serious risk, it added.

According to the report, the air traffic control officials should have been relieved after the incident but they continued to perform their duties till 7pm. It said the aircraft’s first engine was installed on February 25, 2019 while its second engine was installed on May 27, 2019.

All three landing gears of the aircraft

were installed on October 18, 2014. The fateful plane was 16-year-old and was manufactured in 2004. The plane was included in the PIA fleet in October 2014.

Minister for Civil Aviation Ghulam Sarwar Khan Monday told the National Assembly that the interim report on the plane crash will be presented in the National Assembly on Wednesday. He confirmed that he has received the report and also shared it with Prime Minister Imran Khan.

Meanwhile, the Aviation Division disowned the report aired by certain television channels regarding provisional inquiry report into the plane crash.

“Media friends are informed that couple of TV channels have been referring to a report regarding crash of PIA flight PK-8303.

No such report has been issued by the Aviation Division,” spokesperson Abdul Sattar Khokhar said in a brief statement.

The report, being circulated through the two TV channels, was not from any authentic source, he added.

IHC bins plea to stop FIA probe into petrol shortage

Zardari to be indicted in money laundering case on July 7 ISLAMABAD STAFF REPORT

An accountability court in Islamabad will indict former president and Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Co-chairperson Asif Ali Zardari and other accused in the mega money laundering case on July 7. According to the order, the court will indict the accused via video link sessions due to the prevalent coronavirus pandemic. The National Accountability Bureau (NAB) has been directed to prepare arrangements for a virtual session at the hospital to indict Anwar Majeed, another accused in the case. Others accused in the case, including Hussain Lawai, Taha Raza and Muhammad Umair will be indicted in Adiala Jail.

Moreover, the anti-graft has asked them to appear before the court in person on July 7.

Zardari says pti govt lacks 'political intellect' LAHORE STAFF REPORT

IHC CJ SAYS GOVT CAN SETUP INQUIRY COMMISSION IN PUBLIC INTEREST WITHOUT INVOKING PAKISTAN COMMISSIONS OF INQUIRY ACT, 2017 ISLAMABAD STAFF REPORT

The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Tuesday turned down a petition by an oil marketing company (OMC) seeking to stop the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) from taking action against it for its alleged role in the recent petrol crisis, which witnessed artificial storage of the commodity in the country following a drop in its price.

Last month, the federal government had cut the petrol price by Rs7.06 per liter, bringing it from Rs81.58 per liter to Rs74.52 a liter following a global drop in the prices of petroleum products. However, in the first week of June, fuel stations across the country faced an acute shortage of supply, adding to the difficulties of the public as well as transporters.

A subsequent inquiry found out that oil companies had failed to maintain stocks of fuel at their depots as per their license terms i.e. 20 days, and also delayed the import of fuel. Due to the limited availability of fuel stocks with retail outlets, consumers could not find oil as per their demands, which led to panic buying.

Following the release of the investigative report, Prime Minister Imran Khan ordered punitive action against the companies which included Royal Dutch Shell, Total Parco, Hascol Petroleum and Attock Petroleum among others.

Last week, Attock Petroleum had approached the court, seeking to set aside two notifications, issued by the Ministry of Energy on June 8 and 9, announcing governmental actions against the oil companies held responsible for the crisis.

Taking up the petition for hearing, IHC Chief Justice Athar Minallah issued notices to the Ministry of Energy, Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (Ogra), the fuel crisis committee and the FIA to submit a response by June 25.

In the petition, the plaintiff submitted that the inquiry commission was not formed under the Pakistan Commis-

sions of Inquiry Act, 2017. Responding to the argument, Justice Minallah observed that it was not necessary for the government to set up an inquiry commission under the relevant inquiry act.

“The government has certain responsibilities and is answerable to the people,” he said, adding that if there is a disruption in fuel supply, the executive holds the power to order an inquiry.

Justice Minallah asked the petitioner to satisfy the court in the next hearing as to why should it interfere in the constitutional powers exercised by the executive.

The high court also rejected a request seeking to stay the government from taking action against the oil company until the next hearing.

Upon the petitioner arguing that it has been issued with a show-cause notice, the judge recalled that a similar petition has been pending with the court wherein the sought restraining order was not issued.

Justice Minallah issued notices on the original petition as well as the pending one and announced to take it up on the same day. The hearing was subsequently adjourned till June 25.

British court urged to refuse Arif Naqvi’s extradition to US LONDON AGENCIES

Lawyers for the founder of collapsed private equity firm Abraaj Group are urging a British court to refuse his extradition to the United States on fraud charges, arguing London was the nexus of the firm’s business and so he should stand trial there.

Arif Naqvi, whose extradition hearing started this week, is among several people charged by U.S. prosecutors with being part of an international scheme to defraud investors including the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. Naqvi has previously denied the charges through a public relations firm.

Lawyers for Naqvi, currently out on bail in Britain, said U.S. authorities intended to rely extensively on the evidence of his co-accused Sev Vettivettipillai, a former managing director of Abraaj, who was based in the United Kingdom.

Dubai-based Abraaj was the largest buyout fund in the Middle East and North Africa until it collapsed in 2018 after investors raised concerns about the management of its $1 billion healthcare fund.

The Pakistani’s lawyers argued the extradition request should be refused as a substantial part of Naqvi’s activity central to the U.S. allegations was based in London, including Abraaj’s investor coverage team, in addition to his family ties to the city.

“If the group had a beating heart it was in Dubai, but its mind and control was wherever Arif was, which was often in London, which is where the main investor coverage operation was,” the defence’s skeleton argument quoted Adnan Siddiqui, Abraaj’s former general counsel, as saying. If extradited, the document said there were grounds for believing Naqvi might be detained before a U.S. trial. In New York, he might be held in either the Metropolitan Correctional Center (MCC) or the Metropolitan Detention Centre (MDC), the defence said, adding conditions would be incompatible with Article 3 of the European Convention on Human Rights.

If convicted in the United States, the document noted Naqvi was most likely to be sentenced to over 30 years’ imprisonment and could begin serving that sentence in a high security institution.

CMYK

Former president and Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari said on Tuesday that the ones sitting in the Centre do not have political intellect and awareness. The former president was speaking to party leaders in Punjab on telephone. “The federal government, instead of strengthening provinces, is further weakening them,” he said. Zardari said all nationalist parties in Balochistan had boycotted the 2008 elections, but his party took the responsibility to bring them back into the national fold. “A catastrophic situation could develop if the government didn’t do anything for the people under the current circumstances,” he said, adding that they had warned of locust invasions a year back but the government did not pay heed.

The PPP co-chairman said his party supported farmers and labourers during the recession in 2008. “The 18th Amendment strengthened the federation, while the NFC award further fortified it,” he said. The individuals sitting in the Centre today further deepen every crisis, Zardari said. He urged party members to stay united as good times will soon be coming. Zardari maintained that he is not afraid of cases as he had faced them in the past and will do in the future.

sHc throws out plea against retrenchment of psm employees KARACHI STAFF REPORT

The Sindh High Court (SHC) on Tuesday threw out a petition filed by the Pakistan Steel Labour Union (PASLU) against the retrenchment of the Pakistan Steel Mills (PSM) employees earlier this month. The Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) on June 3 had approved the termination of 9,600 remaining PSM employees, contending that the mills have not been functional since 2015 and the employees have not been doing any work. According to the PSM revival plan, some 9,350 employees will be fired within a month and another 250 will be let go within three months.

Subsequently, on June 15, a petition was filed with the SHC against the sacking of PSM employees which submitted that the sacked staffers were not responsible for the mills’ tragic fate. During the hearing on Tuesday, the federal government submitted its response, saying that the decision to lay off the staff was taken in the light of an earlier Supreme Court order. Attorney General Khalid Javed Khan maintained that, legally, the SHC could not take up the petition as the matter is pending with the Supreme Court. Endorsing Khan’s argument, the high court observed that it cannot hear the petition until the apex court announces its verdict on the matter.

Wednesday, 24 June, 2020

NEWS

opp mps accuse GoVt of iGnorinG edu, HealtH and aGri sectors in BudGet ISLAMABAD

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STAFF REPORT

HE lawmakers from the treasury benches on Tuesday termed the budget “tax-free”, “pro-people” and “business friendly”, during the debate in the ongoing budget session in the National Assembly (NA), while the opposition voiced concerns over ignoring health, education and agriculture sectors in the annual financial plan.

Participating in the budget debate, Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P) leader Usama Qadri said that enough funds were not allocated for the development of Karachi city.

He said that Karachi is the country’s business hub, but no funds were allocated for the uplift of the people of Karachi for the next fiscal year.

He said that that no allocation was

made for the green bus service project and asked the government to increase pension and salaries of the government employees by at least 20 per cent.

The MQM-P leader criticised Sindh government for ignoring Karachi, saying that the leadership of Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) was involved in corruption.

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s (PTI) Member National Assembly (MNA) Junaid Akbar asked the government to take immediate steps for return of stranded Pakistanis abroad giving them air tickets who were facing hardships due to lack of financial resources.

He also urged the government to expand Ehsaas Emergency Cash Programme to his area. He said that it was unprecedented that the government gave a stimulus package of Rs1.2 trillion to support different segments of the society during these difficult times.

He also requested the government to

BHc annuls nfc CONtINuED fROM pAgE 01 The commission will have four provincial finance ministers and four non-statutory members representing the provinces and the federal finance secretary as official expert. In his arguments before the IHC bench, Khan’s counsel Umar Gillani said adviser to the PM could not become a member of the commission and even for appointment of non-statutory members, it is necessary to first consult with the governor of the respective province. He said under the constitution, the presence of all members of the commission is necessary during a meeting.

“The prime minister currently holds portfolio of the finance minister and there are chances that he will not attend the NFC meetings,” he said.

The judge, however, noted that this was an assumption. “Let the NFC meet, you can move the court later if you find any violation of the constitution,” the judge said. The counsel contended that the NFC has also been delegated task which are beyond its jurisdictions. The forum has also been delegated the power to make estimates in case of natural disasters and security. The judge noted that the Supreme Court in coronavirus suo motu case interpreted the Article 149 of the Constitution with regard to powers of the federal government. He asked the counsel to read the SC order and assist the court. “The IHC will issue notices to the respondents in the light of the SC order,” he said.

A five-judge larger bench of the Supreme Court has ruled that the provinces are bound to follow directives of federal government in view of Article 149 (1) & (4) of Constitution –an observation that once again shows the superior judiciary’s predilection for a powerful federation. According to Article 149 (1), the executive authority of every province shall be so exercised as not to impede or prejudice the exercise of the authority of the federation, and the executive authority of the federation shall extend to the giving of such directions to a province as may appear to the federal government to be necessary for that purpose.

pakistan, india CONtINuED fROM pAgE 01 Indian media, quoting a statement by the Indian government, had reported that the staffers were “forcibly abducted […] kept in illegal custody for more than 10 hours”. Rejecting the claims, the FO called the statement a “reprehensible attempt to distort facts and deny culpability”. “The BJP government must realise that its irresponsible policies and unilateral actions are increasingly imperiling peace and security in the region. India must act responsibly in the interest of regional peace and stability,” the FO spokesperson had said.

arrange rehabilitation programmes for overseas Pakistanis and create job opportunities for them, and also urged to include them in Ehsaas Emergency Cash Programme.

Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) MNA Chaudhry Armaghan Subhani said that interest-free loans should be given to the farmers to strengthen agriculture sector. He said that work on the development schemes initiated by previous government should be completed on priority.

PPP MNA Shagufta Jumani said that no funds were allocated in the budget for the construction of five million houses announced by the PTI leadership during election campaign. The government had failed to fulfil its promise and creating 10 million jobs for people, she added.

“You have taken away jobs and made thousands of people jobless,” she further said.

The PPP leader was of the view that attitude of the federal government with the Sindh government was not admirable. She also criticised government strategy to control coronavirus and locust attack on crops. PTI MNA Salim Rehman appreciated the government for presenting tax-free budget.

“I appreciate Imran Khan and his economic team for presenting tax free and people friendly budget in this difficult time,” he commented.

He also lauded NA Speaker Asad Qaiser for focusing on steps to initiate work on construction of Swat expressway.

He alleged that the previous governments had ignored uplift of Swat and for tourism in the area.

He said that Covid-19 had badly affected tourism and asked the government to compensate the people linked with tourism industry.

Shehbaz slams PM Imran’s ‘confused’ statements on Covid-19 LAHORE STAFF REPORT

Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) President Shehbaz Sharif on Tuesday said that the “confused” statements made by Prime Minister Imran Khan about the coronavirus outbreak show that he is in a state of denial which, he alleged, is leading to a rise in the deaths due to the deadly disease. “Ministers are making announcements regarding deaths from the coronavirus but the statements from the premier are in total contradiction to those,” Shehbaz said, in a statement.

The PML-N president said that the people are paying the price of this “confusion” with their lives.

He said that the opposition has pointed out this state of confusion and demanded a joint-strategy against the coronavirus.

Shehbaz said that this is no time to be “making ex-

cuses”, rather a time to pull the nation out of the crisis.

“The result of wasting time and a lack of action is now surfacing in the form of citizens’ deaths,” he said.

While cautioning against the virus peaking in July, Shehbaz said that the Council of Common Interests (CCI) and National Command and Operations Centre should make consolidated decisions. The opposition leader said that keeping in view the gravity of the situation, emergency planning is the need of the hour. He urged authorities to ensure that there is a smooth supply of oxygen cylinders, ventilators and medicines to the masses.

GILL SLAMS SHEHBAZ: Shahbaz Gill, the premier’s aide on political communication, responded by questioning the “confused” remarks by Shehbaz who said he was “born to poor parents”.

“The honourable Mr Shehbaz Sharif says he was born to poor parents, whereas his father had wealth over generations,” said Gill.

Ex-DIG Mir Afzal appointed caretaker GB CM ISLAMABAD GHULAM ABBAS

As the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) government in Gilgit-Baltistan (GB) completes its five-year term, the government has appointed Mir Afzal, former deputy inspector general of police (DIG) as the caretaker chief minister of the autonomous region. “Pursuant to Article 48-A (2) of the government of Gilgit Baltistan Order 2018, the Chairman of Gilgit Baltistan Council (Prime Minister of Pakistan), the leader of the Opposition in the outgoing

GB Legislative Assembly and the Federal Minister for Kashmir Affairs and Gilgit Baltistan is pleased to select and appoint Mr Mir Afzal as caretaker Chief Minister Gilgit Baltistan,” a notification issued by GB Council Secretariat read. The caretaker chief minister will take his oath on Wednesday in Gilgit and the names of cabinet members would be announced later. Meanwhile, another notification issued by the GB Law and Prosecution Department on Tuesday announced that the present GB Legislative Assembly would stand dissolved on the expiration of its term on June 23, 2020 at midnight 2400 hours.

Govt to refund money to Hajj applicants ISLAMABAD: The Religious Affairs Ministry on Tuesday announced that it would return the money deposited by the successful applicants for the government’s Hajj scheme this year. The announcement comes after Saudi Arabia decided to hold Hajj 2020 with “a very limited number” pilgrims from among those already residing in the kingdom, the ministry’s spokesperson, Imran Siddiqui said in a statement.

Before the emergence of coronavirus, a total 179,210 Pakistanis had registered themselves to perform Hajj this year. They included 107,526 intending pilgrims under the government scheme and 71,684 under the private scheme. “An emergency meeting has been called to review the latest development during which the mechanism for the return of payments to those who had registered themselves for the government’s Hajj scheme would be discussed,” Siddiqui said. He said that Saudi Minister for Hajj and Umrah Dr Mohammad Saleh bin Taher Benten telephoned his Pakistani counterpart Pir Noorul Haq Qadri to inform him about the Kingdom’s decision to hold Hajj with a very limited number of pilgrims. The Saudi government announced that it would bar arrivals from abroad for the Hajj and Siddiqui said that Pakistani envoy, diplomatic officials and the Pakistan Hajj Directorate in the kingdom would represent the country this year. STAFF REPORT

Gen Bajwa lauds chinese support in fight against covid-19

RAWALPINDI: Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Qamar Javed Bajwa on Tuesday expressed gratitude for China’s support related to immediate medical supplies and other assistance, especially the visit by Chinese medical experts to help Pakistan fight the pandemic. He said this while meeting a 10-member People’s Liberation Army (PLA) medical team, led

by Major General Doctor Zhou Feihu, Chief of ICU Department, PLA General Hospital, at the GHQ on Tuesday, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said in a statement. During the interaction, matters related to coronavirus containment and Pakistan’s comprehensive response against Covid-19 were discussed, it said. Speaking on the occasion, Gen Bajwa said that while the international community is busy making efforts to find a cure against Covid-19, multinational support and global cooperation is vital to boost national efforts to manage the disease and also its economic impact. The Chinese delegation reassured Beijing’s continued support for Islamabad at all fora. STAFF REPORT

Imran tells ministers not to reveal internal rifts in public CONtINuED fROM pAgE 01 Her remarks were widely shared on social media and she was criticised for not knowing that Covid-19 is actually an acronym for the coronavirus.

“It was a slip of the tongue and people make mistakes,” the information minister said, referring to Gul’s remarks. “It should not have happened and I completely agree with you.”

The information minister said that Gul is an “outstanding” minister “who is doing great work”.

“We should ignore the mistakes because people make mistakes,” Faraz added.

Briefing on other key agenda items of the day’s meeting, the minister said that the federal cabinet welcomed the Islamabad High Court’s (IHC) verdict in the sugar inquiry case and reiterated its resolve to bring those who made undue profits to task.

He said that the cabinet decided that the recommendations of the committee should be materialised within stipulated time. The minister said this step will bring improvement and transparency in the whole value chain of sugar production. He said that the process of determining the prices of sugar will be visible in next three months and will result in the provision of the commodity to people at reasonable rates.

He also said that the federal cabinet expressed concern on rising price of flour and endorsed the instructions of Prime Minister Imran Khan to rectify the situation. A committee under Advisor to Prime Minister on Finance Hafeez Shaikh will monitor and supervise the situation to streamline the process and make it transparent.

Faraz said that the prime minister directed to determine the demand and supply of flour on scientific basis. He said that 27 million tonnes of flour is the national re-

03

quirement with availability of 25 million tons. He said that Punjab government has been directed to release 900,000 tonnes of wheat from its stores to overcome the shortage of commodity. He added that steps are being taken to stop smuggling of wheat as well as bringing transparency in its availability.

The minister said that the federal cabinet discussed and appreciated the performance of Ministry of Education for introducing uniform curriculum in the country. The cabinet discussed the use of online education by utilising modern technologies in the post-coronavirus environment and the prime minister emphasised on making this facility available in far-flung areas of the country, especially Balochistan, he added.

The minister said that the premier is determined to improve the health system in the country.

He said that Planning Minister Asad Umar and Special Assistant on Health Dr Zafar Mirza gave a detailed briefing to the meeting on prevalent Covid-19 situation.

Faraz said that in a short span of time, the laboratories in the country for coronavirus testing have reached 129 from two.

He said that the testing capacity has increased to 50,000 tests daily from initial 472. The minister said that 770 hospitals in the country are catering to the needs of coronavirus patients. He said that the number of oxygenated beds available in the country is 8,886, of which 2,671 are occupied. He also said that 2,150 more beds will be available by next month. He added that the government is very clear from day one on how to take steps to overcome the coronavirus disease.

Faraz said that PM Imran’s vision from the beginning is to run the economy as well as protecting the lives of people.

He said that said India and Brazil both suffered immensely due to their extreme strategies to counter the disease.

04

Wednesday, 24 June, 2020

NEWS

WEATHER UPDATES WEDNESDAY

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PRAyER TImINgS FAJR SUNRISE

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stuDents Protest against online classes DEMAND ALLOCATION OF FUNDS TO MODERNISE DIGITAL INFRASTRUCTURE OF EDUCATION SYSTEM, PROMOTION TO NEXT SEMESTER ISLAMABAD

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STAFF REPORT

ROGRESSIVE Students Federation, Baloch Students Alliance, and Revolutionary Students Federation held a protest against online classes at National Press Club Islamabad The PRSF, BSA, and RSF jointly held a public demonstration to demand the imme-

diate suspension of online classes and exams, allocation of funds for digital infrastructure of the education system, and promotion of students to next semester.

Aunil Muntazir of PRSF emphasized the need for alternative modes of education during the global pandemic which has indiscriminately affected lives across the globe.

Our state infrastructure exclusively benefits the people of well to do economic back-

govt arranges direct flights to Quetta to repatriate baloch expats ISLAMABAD: The federal government has arranged special flights to Quetta to repatriate more than two thousand overseas workers belonging to Balochistan.

A special flight of Air Arabia with overseas Pakistanis on board is arriving in Quetta today. In a letter written to Balochistan Chief Minister Jam Kamal Khan Alyani, Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Overseas Pakistanis Syed Zulfi Bukhari said the government of Prime Minister Imran Khan is giving high priority to overseas Pakistanis and since the emergency of the coronavirus pandemic, “under his directions, I myself and my Ministry has taken various steps to extend relief to the vulnerable overseas Pakistanis around the globe and to bring them back.” He said repatriation of overseas Pakistanis belonging to Balochistan is also the government’s priority. “Special efforts have been made and a chartered flight of Air Arabia has been arranged for our Pakistanis from Balochistan province, which will operate on June 23 (today) from Dubai to Quetta,” the special assistant said. He added Pakistan’s embassies in the Middle East countries have also been directed to extend all possible help to the Baloch community there. INP

District administration to seal four sub-sectors in islamabad from june 24 ISLAMABAD: Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT) administration has decided to seal four more sub-sectors with effect from June 24, 2020 at 7 pm in order to prevent community spread of Covid-19. According to a notification issued by District Magistrate Islamabad, the sub-sectors G-6/1, G-6/2, G-10/4 and G-7/2 are being sealed with effect from June 24, 2020 (7:00 pm) in public interest and until further orders. The notification has been issued in exercise of powers under the Epidemic Diseases Control Act, 1958 and after notification of Covid-19 confirmed cases on the list of National Institute of Health (NIH) duty traced by the surveillance teams. APP

grounds while neglecting the students hailing from marginalized segments of our society, he added.

He said, Government and HEC need to take concrete measures to expand internet access and availability in areas where it has been blocked for ages, we ask why highspeed internet is being blocked in Balochistan, ex-Fata and GB and Kashmir? It is critical to end this digital apartheid on the

basis of national security. We demand for urgent allocation of resources to expand 3g/4g in these areas, allowing telecom companies to operate internet services there (rather than SCO monopolies), and urgent provision of tablets/phones and internet facilitation centers to students on a needs basis. We strongly demand the HEC to roll back its policy of enforcing the online education system, as the online infrastructure is almost non-existent.

The BSA member, Beebagr Baloch, highlighted the historical negligence of State towards the Baloch nation. During three scores and a decade, a long era of oppression of the State has paralyzed the whole provincial infrastructure. The scarcity of basic necessities like education is exponentially

growing on one hand.

On the other hand, students who make it to public/private educational institutions of the country, are now faced with another challenge. He demanded the government to immediately suspend online classes until the internet and tech gadgets are provided to all the students unconditionally.

The RSF member, Asif Rasheed narrated the issues students are faced with in border nearing areas like Kashmir. He said that students travel for miles to find a stable internet connection. However, the government has turned its back upon students. He demanded that HEC must take students on board while making critical decisions concerning the future of students.

Buzdar notes reduction in Covid-19 cases in Punjab LAHORE APP

Punjab Chief Minister Usman Buzdar on Tuesday said that the number of confirmed Covid-19 patients across province had decreased during the last three days.

Chairing the video-link cabinet meeting, called to discuss the eradication of coronavirus, he expressed satisfaction that daily testing capacity of the Punjab province had reached 12,000. He said that 19,580 Covid-19 patients had recovered while 3,498 were under treatment in different hospitals of the province.

The number of high dependency units in the hospitals of the provincial metropolis had been increased from 671 to 1,228, he said and added that the number of oxygen-beds in Rawalpindi hospitals was being increased from 227 to 607, whereas 58 more beds had also been arranged for coronavirus patients in Nishtar Hospital Multan.

He also that 66 ventilators had been provided to Mayo Hospital Lahore, Nishtar Hospital Multan, Urology Hospital Rawalpindi, Social Security Hospital Lahore and PKLI Lahore, in collaboration with the federal government. Three

PCR machines had also been given to Jinnah Hospital Lahore, Quaid-e-Azam Medical College Bahawalpur and Sheikh Zayed Hospital Rahim Yar Khan, he added. The chief minister said that services of 473 additional doctors, 674 nurses and 211 health professionals had been arranged. The heirs of employees of grades up to 16 would be given Rs4 million rupees. The heirs of 17 and above grade officers would be given Rs8 million under the "Shaheed Package", he said.

Meanwhile, approval for revision of the standard operating procedures (SOPs) for burial of coronavirus patients had been given and the family member could also give ghusl to the deceased while wearing personal protective equipment.

The CM also ordered for continue crackdown on those involved in hoarding of necessary medicines and asked the administration to submit a report in that regard.

The Punjab Healthcare Commission should take action against private hospitals involved in overcharging, he said. Buzdar also ordered for constituting a committee to monitor matters pertaining to private hospitals. A comprehensive plan for Eidul Azha should be presented as sacrificial animals' markets would not be established

Punjab governor warns of Perilous effects of not following soPs LAHORE: Punjab Governor Chaudhry Mohammad Sarwar said that people not following coronavirus standard operating procedures (SOPs) have become dangerous for society and it is up to the people to decide whether they want to protect themselves from the virus or to fall victim to it. Talking to a delegation led by MPA Ahmad Khan Bhachar and others who called on him at Governor House, Lahore on Tuesday, Sarwar said that unfortunately coronavirus challenge is not only for Pakistan but for the whole world. “It has become a huge challenge.

The government led by Prime Minister Imran Khan is working hard to rid the country of the virus. People who are not following the SOPs are inviting coronavirus themselves and such unserious people are becoming a danger to other people as well,” he said. He said that failure to take other protective measures, including masks, is hostile to one's life. “Scholars should play their role in making the people aware of coronavirus. The government has a clear policy that we have to save the country from Covid-19, so no shortcomings will be tolerated in the implementation of government SOPs. Government agencies will also take action against those who fail to ensure implementation of SOPs,” he added. INP

within the city limits, he added.

The chief minister sought a definitive plan for sealing some areas in Lahore at the earliest and decision of sealing of the areas should be implemented after consultation with the stakeholders, he further said. Provincial Ministers Dr Yasmin Rashid, Mian Aslam Iqbal, Fayyazul

KP govt taking steps to give maximum relief to all sectors: CM PESHAWAR APP

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Chief Minister Mahmood Khan on Tuesday said that the provincial government was taking steps beyond its means to give maximum relief to all the sectors affected due to the prevailing coronavirus pandemic.

He said this while talking to a delegation of Wedding Halls Association, led by its president Khalid Ayub, who called on him at his office. The delegation discussed with him financial issues faced by the owners and workers of the wedding halls and matters related to the possible opening of Wedding Halls under proper standard operating procedures (SOPs). Provincial Ministers Sultan Muhammad Khan, Akbar Ayub and Shaukat Yousafzai were also present on the occasion.

Talking to delegation, the chief minister said the government, on one hand, was making hectic efforts to contain the outbreak of the pandemic while on the other it was tak-

ing steps to protect the people against hunger and starvation. Mahmood Khan said that the government, in the provincial budget for the upcoming financial year, had given maximum possible relief to all the sectors, including the Wedding Halls industries.

The delegation demanded the opening of wedding halls subject to the implementation of proper SOPs keeping in view the financial crunches faced by the owners and thousands of workers. They also demanded that wedding halls may also be given relief in electricity bills as given to other business units.

The chief minister assured the delegation that their genuine demand of relief in electricity bills would be taken up with the federal government.

Regarding the possible opening of wedding halls under proper SOPs, the chief minister directed to form panel headed by provincial minister Sultan Khan to develop SOPs to this end, adding, the issue would be tabled in the next meeting of National Coordination Committee (NCC) once the SOPs were finalised.

Hassan Chohan, chief secretary, IGP, ACS (home) administrative secretaries and Lahore commissioner attended the meeting at the CM Office while military officials, secretary local bodies, secretary transport, secretary higher education, secretary Livestock and PDMA DG participated through video-link.

Passco releases 100,000 metric tons of wheat to KP ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Agriculture Storage and Services Corporation Limited (PASSCO) has released 100,000 metric tons of wheat to Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP). According to a statement, a memorandum of understanding (MoU) was signed between PASSCO and Food Department of KP on Tuesday. The Ministry of National Food Security and Research (NFS&R) played a significant part in getting this MoU signed. Keeping in view the current stock petition of wheat and other commitment of PASSCO, Ministry of NFS&R recommended the allocation of 100,000 metric tons of wheat for KP’s food security. The MoU was signed by General Manager (Field), PASSCO and Director, Food Department; KP. PASSCO will provide wheat in sound jute bags. The wheat will be provided to KP from PASSCO zones, including Okara, Burewala, Vehari, Khanewal, Multan, Bahawalpur, Alipur, Khanpur and Layyah. TLTP

Naval chief for harnessing maritime resources to boost economy ISLAMABAD TLTP

Chief of the Naval Staff, Admiral Zafar Mahmood Abbasi has highlighted on the need to harness the potential of Pakistan’s immense maritime resources to provide much needed stimulus to national economy.

The chief of the naval staff said this on Tuesday during his visit to National Defence University (NDU), Islamabad, where he addressed the course participants of National Security & War Course. The chief of the naval staff dilated upon the geo-strategic environment and its interplay with security

dynamics prevalent in Indian Ocean Region with focus on maritime security challenges and opportunities for Pakistan. He further added that joint warfare remained central to the modern concept of military operations.

While focusing on the threat milieu the Admiral dwelled on the various initiatives and developmental plans of Pakistan Navy in line with his vision of projecting Pakistan Navy as a formidable regional maritime power with global outlook.

The naval chief emphasised that Pakistan Navy has always been at the forefront in ensuring safety and security of international waters through collabora-

tive maritime security and independent initiative of Regional Maritime Security Patrols. He further highlighted on the need to harness the potential of Pakistan’s immense maritime resources to provide the much-needed stimulus to national economy, to which Pakistan Navy is effectively supporting the government.

While appreciating the operational resolve of the armed forces, the naval chief said that with unwavering faith in God, the Pakistan Navy is ready in all respects to defend the maritime frontiers of the motherland.

He advised the course participants to focus on their professional acumen and draw their inspiration from Islamic his-

tory and ideology of Pakistan.

The admiral appreciated the efforts of National Defence University for providing the academic stimulus and honing the professional abilities of course participants.

Earlier on his arrival, the naval chief was received by Lt Gen Muhammad Saeed, President National Defence University.

National Defence University is the apex military training institute of Pakistan inculcating advanced professional military training to officers of Pakistan Armed Forces and friendly countries for assuming future key Command and Staff appointments.

Wednesday, 24 June, 2020

NEWS Kashmiri half-widows facing abject misery

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SAIF uR REHMAn

ESPITE the shrewd Indian propaganda offensive camouflaging the incessant perpetration of brutalities of sorts, information spilling over across India through different sources, tell a horrifying tale of terror unleashed on hapless Kashmiri Muslims demanding their due right of self-determination.

Human rights abuses in Indian Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IOJ&K) range from mass killings, enforced disappearances, torture, rape and sexual abuse to political repression and suppression of freedom of speech.

Some human rights' groups say that more than 100,000 people have died since the Kashmiri uprising of 1989 while the official figures from India say that the number of civilians killed due to the insurgency is 50,000 plus.

Human Rights Watch has also been releasing figures from time to time about summary execution of detainees in custody and murder of civilians and it is no more a secret as to how Indian security forces assault civilians during search operations and torture them with impunity besides regularly using rape as a means to "punish and humiliate" Kashmiri civilians. Even a US State Department report once formally stated that the Indian army in Jammu and Kashmir had carried out extrajudicial killings of civilians and suspected insurgents, relying simultaneously on

Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) to provide 'legal' cover to its security forces responsible for the deaths of civilians in Jammu and Kashmir. This draconian law, AFSPA, empowers Indian forces to conduct search operations without any search warrant and detain anyone without assigning any reason or without producing the detainees before a court of law. On the face of it, AFSPA fixes a timeline of one to two years. In fact, however, this deadline is never met since the Kashmiris picked up by Indian security personnel remain untraced for years and years together even for decades.

Reports have come to the fore, at times, pointing out towards the presence of around 3,000 half-widows as well as a very large number of half-orphans in the Muslim-majority Kashmir Valley.

The plight of these half-widows is much more miserable than the lives of hapless widows whose number too touches a figure in tens of thousands. The social, marital status of these unfortunate womenfolk (half-widows) is in limbo, given the enforced disappearances of their husbands at the hands of Indian troops. Neither they enjoy the status of married women whose marriages are intact. Nor can they be declared widows since there are no authentic reports available to make it clear whether their husbands are alive or dead.

Instances of this type of asphyxiation and strangulation of a (hated) community are to be rarely

found in the modern, civilized world that has undergone substantial transformation following the installation of democratic governments in a very large part of the world.

India, despite all these brutalities rarely witnessed in the presentday transformed world, claims to be one of the biggest democracies of the world as well as a legatee of one of the most refined and tolerant civilizations of the world.

Do the siege and shackling of a whole fraternity of unarmed Kashmiris for 300 plus days, by around a million regular military and paramilitary troops, sit well with civilized norms of the contemporary world?

And isn't the ruthless blackout of communication of Kashmiris with the outside world, an act unbecoming of a democratic society?

It is now widely believed that, when some time in near or far future, the communication blackout comes to an end, much more horrifying tales of India's reign of terror will be heard. It is perhaps the fear of this exposure that India is adamant on continuing the siege and blackout.

Can this thinking or mindset stand the trial of reason or universal principles of natural justice?

Now that the world has just observed June 23 as International Widows Day, there is no end in sight to the woes and miseries of Kashmiri widows and half widows and their progeny.

Court issues notices to secretary aviation and others in plane crash hearing LAHORE STAFF REPORT

The Lahore High Court (LHC) on July 28 issued notices to the respondent parties, including secretary aviation, Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) CEO and others while hearing a writ petition seeking a probe in the PK-8303 plane crash.

Petitioners Arslan Raza Naqvi, Arhum Tariq Butt, Mufti Ahtasam ud din and Barrister Anam Shakeel pleaded that more than a 1,000 people had lost their

lives in 20 plane crash incidents in Pakistan during the last 50 years. They argued that plane crash incidents took place due to the incompetency of PIA and Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) as planes were poorly maintained. Pointing towards history, they stated that PIA helped establish Emirates Airlines whose fleet had grown up to 257 in contrast to PIA that has squeezed to 65 planes only. While highlighting inefficiencies, it was said that PIA took hefty amounts from stranded overseas Pakistanis amidst the Covid-19 crisis.

05

Why should we exercise our right to vote?

MuHAMMAd ZAMAn Butt IntroductIon: My article is about the “Right to vote”. But to begin with this, let’s begin with the definition of a constitution and then move towards the vote. A constitution is “a body of fundamental principles or established precedents according to which a state or other organization is acknowledged to be governed”. Moreover, a vote is the formal indication of a choice between two or more candidates or courses of action, expressed typically through a ballot on ballot paper. Pakistan is also one of the countries that is governed by a document known as Constitution of Islamic Republic of Pakistan 1973.

This constitution of Islamic republic of Pakistan 1973 is a codified document that mainly lists state policies.

It contains chapter 1 consisting of articles (8-28) related to the fundamental rights, which we usually refer to as our Bill of Rights. In spite of that, in that chapter, the term “vote” has not been included. Therefore, my question is then how would a citizen of the state know about his or her right to vote or take part in the establishment of the government?

ExplanatIon: Our 1973’s constitution highlights a number of rights for the citizen of Pakistan. But, I

would like to focus more on the “freedom of expression”. I agree on that point that there are number of different ways to convey our ideas, thoughts and expression. Let’s come to Article 19 which is the Constitution of Pakistan 1973 which states that, “Every citizen shall have a freedom of speech and opinion”.

The law is clear on the definition of freedom of expression. As a citizen of Pakistan, we also have a right to express our opinion by voting in the general elections and all citizen have a right to vote for a candidate who they think is liable and also able to constituency for the welfare of people of our country.

A famous American drama critic and magazine editor named Nathan Jean Nathan, once said: “Bad officials are elected by good citizen who don’t vote” In this way, as a citizen of Pakistan, it is our moral duty to cast a vote and voice our opinions for the sake of our future.

What will happen if people don’t vote? If their lifestyles and current situation path is not going well, then all of them should know that their vote can create a positive impact for those people whose life is in deprivation and do their best for achieving a fundamental rights. So one must take a look on this wisely and en-

tirely, rather than singly. One of the most notable and well known American women’s right activist quoted that “Men, their rights, and nothing more: women their rights, and nothing less”. This depicts the fact that the state provides equal rights to its citizens and an equal opportunity to vote. The right to vote is not merely a right as well but, also a liability that lies on the shoulders of individuals who are citizens of the state.

Voting is a right that must be exercised. Politics are the politics. There are numerous things in that which you disagree with, but at the end, it is our moral responsibility to let our voices to be heard and vote righty.

Voting creates a very pivotal role in order to choose correct and honest leaders. No one can force the citizen to vote but many citizens do vote, to ensure that they vote for the government that matches their thought. Also it prevents a minority from dictating the policies of a minority and time by time they observed easily that a certain former politician is refrain to do his/her certain acts (electoral manifestoes) properly. An electoral manifesto is a published verbal declaration of their intentions, future motives, or views of the issuer either it is in the form of individual, group, political parties or by the government.

UoE to have Lincoln Corner at Vehari campus LAHORE PRESS RELEASE

U.S. Consul General Catherine Rodriguez and Vice Chancellor University of Education Lahore Prof. Dr. Talat Naseer Pasha, Sitara-i-Imtiaz signed an agreement that establishes a partnership between the University and the U.S. Consulate General in Lahore to set up a Lincoln Corner on the university’s Vehari campus.

“With this Lincoln Corner in Vehari, we are reaching out to a new community and helping to create a platform for interactions between the United States and the people of the region. University and high school students as well as members of the community will benefit from the exchange of ideas and programming from around the world. This facility will host English language programs, guest speakers, student debates and critical thinking exercises, ultimately helping advance Pakistan’s next generation of students to meet the challenges of a world economy. We look forward to growing this great partnership with the University of Education,” said CG Rodriguez.

The Vice Chancellor University of Education Lahore, Prof. Dr. Talat Naseer Pasha, S.I. said in his remarks, “I believe this collaboration between the University of Education, Lahore, and U.S. Consulate General, Lahore, in the form of Lincoln Corner in the library of Vehari Campus, is sure to benefit not only our students and faculty but the community in general. The potential of this Corner is huge; it can not only groom but also provide a window of access to the academic resources and opportunities in the U.S. I am very certain that the cause of development and uplift of our community will be very well served with

such initiatives. I appreciate the efforts of the U.S. Consulate, especially the Consul General Catherine Rodriguez, and hope this partnership will grow further and bring our communities together.”

With the inauguration of the Lincoln Corner Vehari, Pakistan will have a total of 18 Lincoln Corners in the country. Lincoln Corners demonstrate America’s enduring partnership with Pakistan, especially in support of education and democracy. Currently, U.S. Consulate General Lahore oversees four Lincoln Corners in Punjab: Lahore, Faisalabad, Sargodha, and Multan.

Located within universities, public libraries, and other institutions, Lincoln Corners provide information about the United States, English language learning opportunities, study abroad advising, cultural programs, and alumni activities. These spaces provide and promote a platform for open dialogue and build bridges of understanding. Visitors gain free access to Wi-Fi and current and reliable information about the United States through books, magazines, videos, internet databases, and programs for the general public.

Wednesday, 24 June, 2020

06 COMMENT

Foolish optimism or wise pessimism?

Lockdowns, intermittent lockdowns and smart lockdowns Waiting for the worst

Is Pakistan next?

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ORRIeD over the rise of the coronavirus cases as a result of the hasty lifting of the restrictions by the PTI government, the World Health Organisation (WHO) ranked Pakistan among the top 10 countries in the world reporting the highest number of new cases of covid-19. It advised the government to enhance its daily testing capacity to 50,000 to assess the actual prevalence of the coronavirus across the country.

The government last week enhanced the tests to 30,000, only to bring them down subsequently for unknown reasons. The WHO strongly recommended intermittent lockdowns with a two-weeks-off and two-weeks-on strategy to bring down the infection curve. This was all the more needed as during the last three weeks as coronavirus cases have increased by more than 100,000.

Instead of going by the advice of the WHO the PTI government announced the imposition of smart lockdowns in major cities of the country. The idea was to lock down only the pandemic hotspots while letting the other parts of these cities continue to function. The virus cannot be eradicated by enforcement of lockdowns in some areas of the cities as people will find ways to cross the areas and reach the places of work and may violate restrictions for other reasons. If the whole city is locked, people will have no reason to move out of the area under lockdown. What is more, smart lockdowns promote corruption. People can slip out of the enclosed area and traders can open businesses by greasing the palm of those on the spot enforcing the lockdown.

The government circles have claimed that lockdowns have reduced the number of infections. There is a need to find if the reduction is meaningful or nominal. If meaningful, it should have resulted in the reduction of the burden on hospitals which has apparently not happened.

There are reports of Lahore public hospitals running out of space for new patients. The PM meanwhile says that June and July are to be difficult months for Pakistan and WHO Director General Tedros Adhanom maintains that the pandemic is still accelerating.

MuhaMMaD hassan ayub

I

T’S hard to recall the last time any of us were able to spend so much time at home with our families and engage in discussions pertaining to any global occurrence the way we have been doing during the “Great Lockdown”.

While it has been getting increasingly evident over the course of these past few years, it is now becoming painfully clear that the generational gap between our parents and our youth is getting wider and wider every passing day. What seems like idiocy to one appears as wisdom to the other.

My cognizance of this generational divide has increased manifold during the pandemic. I’m sure, like me, many of the readers would have come across sensible people reaching unfounded conclusions on how, for instance, the blessings of the holy month of Ramadan will somehow bring about an end to cOVID’s reign of terror. Or examine this nonsensical theory doing the rounds on social media about how the USA is suffering among the worst hit countries as divine punishment for the atrocities it has committed in the past.

While it is absolutely essential to stay positive amidst this pandemic, there is a very bold line between thinking rationally and constructing conspiracy theories willy-nilly. “Faith” and “blind faith” are two distinct thought processes, and the former should not be transformed into the latter solely due to the lack of research and evidence. We as a nation have made it our prerogative to justify our inadequate amount of information and background knowledge by devising bizarre events and their associated causes.

Many are wondering as to how Pakistan has been fairly successful in containing cOVID-19, whereas the West (specifically the USA) has been engulfed in a health crisis like never before. Ironically, while a country whose economic might, infrastructure and health resources are exponentially more than ours has been hit so badly by the virus; for some unknown reason we are still doing pretty fine. Various theories have emerged to somehow explain why this is so.

Some suggest that warmer temperatures are probably playing a role and hence the virus is not as contagious

Imran Khan was dealt a bad hand?

in our part of the world. Scientists have however rejected the argument as completely baseless and without any credible evidence. Another reason might be our demography compared to that of the USA, where there the number of people above 30 is significantly higher while our populations median age is 22.5 years. Scientists at GILeAD labs argue that the widespread immunization of infants with Tuberculosis vaccine Bacillus calmette Guerin (BcG) in Pakistan has played a role resulting in the virus being less fatal.

Maybe our lifestyle choices have just made our immune systems stronger and more adaptable to any kind of virus, including the coronavirus.

We can always compare a few very basic numbers and statistics which can help us see which direction Pakistan is sailing in.

Data from John Hopkins University suggests that so far the USA has conducted 24,937,877 tests. On average, taking 50 states into account, the USA is conducting 100,000 tests each day. Of the tests conducted, 2,163,290 people have tested positive, 117,717 people have died and the remaining are still being treated.

The USA has adopted a very rigorous testing strategy after the White House’s initial downplaying of the virus. There were about 5,000 deaths each day in the early stages of the outbreak but since the enactment of the lockdown and social distancing measures they have dwindled to about 2000 each day. The curve has also been somewhat flattened where the daily count of new cases has decreased from about 40,000 per day to 20,000. The mortality rate of the virus in the USA comes out to be about 5.5 percent.

The USA has conducted the highest number of tests worldwide but its per capita testing is still behind that of the UK and Italy, owing to its much larger population. For every million people the US has conducted 28,482 tests. Dr. Anthony Fauci, the top US infectious disease expert and the center for Drug and disease control (cDc) have been urging the federal government to further increase the testing capacity and adopt a “testing, tracing and quarantining strategy” to contain the virus. This is the only way their states can ease lockdowns and prevent the country from falling into a financial recession similar to the one of 2007 or the Great depression.

That was the world’s worst affected country. Pakistan’s tally is very different, not because we aren’t affected but because we don’t even know what has hit us till this ticking time bomb explodes. The offi-

cial government statistics report that there are currently 160,118 positive cases in the country. Of these cases, 3,093 deaths have been reported and 59,215 people have recovered. everything looks and seems well with the aforementioned data. This is just like buying a piece of land with a very good per square foot rate but without actually knowing the total area of the land being bought. Given the above numbers, Pakistan’s mortality rate is just 1.93 percent, which is nothing worse than the common flu. The only thing we need to realize is that these numbers do not even come close to reflecting the ground reality. The total number of tests conducted stand at 982,012 and Pakistan has just recently increased the testing capacity to about 30,000 tests each day. 982,012 tests are basically what the USA is capable of carrying out in simply just days. So if a lack of diagnosed cases due to insufficient testing keeps our numbers low and gives us this false sense of assurance that we are doing fine, then there is a dire need to restructure our evaluation process and reasoning. There have been a lot of deaths recently which have been attributed to causes other than covid-19. While it might be true that those deaths did not occur due to the coronavirus, we also do not know if they actually did. In such a scenario, we only have one option and that is to increase testing to accurately delineate the situation.

The reported data is not only deflated in Pakistan, but also in a lot of countries. Public health officials have been urging the authorities to keep the transmission of information as transparent as possible. Only this can enable the public to act as needed, otherwise the virus will be taken lightly, especially in a country like Pakistan where there is an extremely high illiteracy rate. According to WHO, Pakistan spends about 2.8 percent of its GDP on health, has 1 doctor for every 1034 people and 0.8 hospital beds per 1000 citizens. These statistics are reflective of an already fragile healthcare system and this system can easily break under the pressure of an exorbitant number of corona patients. Pakistan must be very careful as it begins to ease its lockdown, open public transport and shopping malls. It is very important for us to fight two wars here, one against poverty and the other against the coronavirus, but sometimes opening up two fronts without adequate resources might result in losing both, something we as a nation cannot afford.

Muhammad Hassan Ayub can be reached at hassanayub@berkeley.edu

Fawad Chaudhry seems to think so

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Mental health and depression

HAT Federal Minister for Science and Technology, chaudhry Fawad Hussain, has blamed the continuous and often public infighting within the PTI for its failure to deliver in key areas is quite a convenient and simplistic excuse for bad planning and execution. chaudhry, in a frank, tell-all interview with an international news outlet, exposed how the rivalries among the top cadres of the party that includes Jehangir Tareen, Shah Mehmood Qureshi and Asad Umar, made it difficult for Prime Minister Imran Khan to execute his reforms agenda. He goes on to reveal how Tareen got Umar sacked first from the post of Finance Minister and once Umar reentered the federal cabinet some months later, he pushed Tareen out. While these events are fairly recent, the PTI has been dealing with such disputes for much longer, which is why it has also had problems in smoothly conducting intraparty elections.

There is another dimension to these problems that the PTI perpetually faces, something that Fawad chaudhry failed to pay any attention to; the PTI’s founder-chairman, Imran Khan’s virtual incapability to timely quell these internal quarrels that disrupt his supposed progress towards a ‘naya Pakistan’. Factionalism is not exclusive to the PTI; all political parties go through it. The PML(n) and PPP are much older parties than the PTI and have had their fair share of forward blocs and different factions cropping up through the years, but its leadership anticipated them and made necessary corrections so that things did not get too much out of hand. A collection and therefore clash of egos is also not PTI-specific, it is present in every mainstream political party, and has to be managed in a way that the momentum of governance is not broken.

According to chaudhry, the vacuum created by Mr Khan’s core team’s untimely exit was filled by bureaucrats who are not aligned with the party’s mission.

This implies that the PM is unable to or is disallowed from hiring the best people for the job on merit. These revelations come from a party insider, a sitting federal minister, not the opposition, and paint a worryingly disturbing picture of how the country is being run. If there was any doubt left, as to where the power to make decisions lies in this current regime and why his party’s performance has been so abysmal, Fawad chaudhry has provided some much needed clarification, and for a change, it isn’t anyone else’s fault but the PTI’s.

Suicides must be acknowledged as a problem

Dr Zeeshan Khan

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nce confucius said that life is really simple, but we insist on making it complicated. Then, the complications keep on multiplying and in the time of crises, humans are tested. But, human psychology includes multifaceted human behaviour and other processes. The very struggle with life starts from childhood and the Japanese concept of Ikigai, by which is meant a reason for being or in simple words the purpose of life, is tried to find for the expedition of self-discovery.

But, all processes rotate around the axes of cognition. When man earns his livelihood, and his needs are fulfilled. He gets into a state of stability on the material side if he overpowers his greed. However, most people due to socio-economic pressures, and others because of their emotional injuries, get into the constant state of unhappiness and hopelessness. In other words, mental disorders occur. These ailments happen in all regions and cultures of the world, the most prevalent being depression and anxiety. It is estimated that nearly one in ten people is affected by these two disorders on the planet (676 million cases).

The depression prevalence among women is substantially higher than among men. At its worst, depression can lead to suicide. An estimated 804, 000 suicides occurred worldwide in 2012, an annual global suicide rate of 11.4 per 100 000 population, and for every suicide there are many more suicide attempts.

In some countries, increased levels of awareness about and treatment of depression and alcohol use

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disorders are aided. High rates of stigma surround depression and suicide, which impedes help-seeking by individuals and the development of services by health authorities. Many facilities in low- and middle-income countries do not have the capacity to provide basic treatment for depression, as health workers are not trained in mental health issues and medicines are not available.

SDG Target 3.5 aims to promote mental health and well-being. Moderate and severe depression are included within the Mental Health Action Plan 2013– 2020 target to increase service coverage for people with severe mental disorders by 20 percent by 2020.

Member States have committed to developing and providing comprehensive, integrated and responsive mental health and social services in community-based settings. Suicide prevention is also an integral component of the Action Plan, with the target of reducing the rate of suicide in countries by 10 percent by 2020.

According to a study of JPMA(Journal Of Pakistan Medical Association), a few years ago, incidences of suicide appear to have increased in Pakistan and suicide has become a major public health problem. From available evidence it appears that most suicides occur in young people (single men and married women) under the age of 30 years. Hanging, use of insecticides and firearms are the most common methods and interpersonal relationship problems and domestic issues as the most common reasons for suicide. Mental illness is rarely mentioned. Lack of resources, poorly established primary and mental health services and weak political processes make suicide prevention a formidable challenge in Pakistan. Public and mental health professionals need to work with government and non-governmental organizations to take up this challenge.

Suicide is a condemned act in Islam. Traditionally, suicide numbers were low but in recent years, they have shown an increase and suicide has become a major public health problem in Pakistan.

There are no official statistics on suicide from Pakistan. Suicide deaths are not included in the national annual mortality statistics. national rates are neither known nor reported to the World Health Organization (WHO).

Information on suicide in Pakistan comes from a number of sources including newspapers, reports of non-governmental organizations (nGOs), voluntary and human rights organizations and police departments of different cities. Further information is available from hospital based studies, for example on acute intentional poisoning, deliberate-self harm and autopsies carried out by Forensic Medicine depart-

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ments.

Mental health must be part and parcel of every country’s education policy. Almost 34 percent of Pakistani population suffer from common mental disorders, and depression is implicated in more than 90 ercent of suicides. This needs to be addressed at the community level. Ideally, mental health and suicide prevention programmes should be integrated within the primary health care (PHc) system. Unfortunately, in Pakistan public funded PHc system is largely ineffective. Training emergency room personnel can contribute significantly to suicide prevention.

In Pakistan, the three most common methods are hanging, ingestion of insecticides and firearms. While hanging is difficult to control, restricting availability of latter two can potentially prevent 50 percent of suicides. Public education campaigns to promote safe storage of insecticides are needed. crisis intervention centres and suicide prevention telephone hotlines play an important role in helping suicidal people, as shown in neighbouring Sri Lanka.

There is a need to establish such services in Pakistan.

To reduce the incidence of suicide in young people, school-based interventions, as recommended by WHO’s Suicide Prevention Strategies should be initiated. These include crisis management, self-esteem enhancement, development of social skills and healthy decision making.

Government must implement social policies that are just, equitable and fair that address the problems of the common man. There is need for increased spending on mental health as well as proper utilization of available resources.

A mandatory reporting of suicide mortality statistics to the WHO would improve data collection and surveillance on suicide.

For national responses to be effective, a comprehensive multi-sectoral suicide prevention strategy is needed, including; firstly, improving coverage of mental health services and access to treatment for mental and substance use disorders, early identification and effective management of suicidal risk, as well as follow-up and community support of those who attempted suicide; secondly, reducing harmful use of alcohol and internet; thirdly, restricting access to the most common means, including pesticides, firearms and certain medications; fourthly, responsible media reporting and social media and crisis helplines; fifthly, public awareness programmes to raise awareness and reduce stigma; and lastly, targeted prevention strategies for vulnerable groups.

Dr.Zeeshan Khan tweets @DrZeeshanKhanA1 and can be reached at dr.zeeshan.alias.ghazikhan@gmail.com

Email: editorial@pakistantoday.com.pk

Wednesday, 24 June, 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

Pakistan’s fragile health care system

Justice Qazi Faez Isa stand vindicated The short order left no room for mistake ZaeeM MuMtaZ bhatti

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He short order of the Supreme court announced today, quashing presidential reference against Justice Qazi Faez Isa is all too brief and cryptic. That is why it is being interpreted variously, with each interpretation is at odds with the other.

Some are saying the court really showed its guts and held aloft the banner of independence of the judiciary, while others feel the cort tried to run with the hare and hunt with the hounds, and has virtually thrown the ball back to the Supreme Judicial council (SJc) in a new garb. Still, others are maintaining that a sword of Damocles has been kept hanging over Mr Justice Isa and his family. It is time to comprehend its true import.

In paragraph 1 of its order, the court allowed Mr Justice Isa’s petition. However, certain riders were added, which has caused confusion among legal circles and the government apologists. To evaluate what was granted by the court, the prayers by Mr Justice Isa. At the heart of his petition lie four reliefs in the shape of declarations: first, that the reference was actuated by malice in fact and in law, undermining the independence of the judiciary; second, contrary to the perception the government sought to create, he has neither contravened any provisions of the Income Tax Ordinance, 2001, nor evaded any tax liability and as such the allegation made against him regarding his improper conduct or misconduct was unfounded and groundless. As for the non-disclosure of the properties of his spouse and children, the judge was not bound to make any such declaration under Section 116 of the ITO, particularly when no property was purchased with his funds, nor were they dependent upon him. Third, the Asset Recovery Unit (ARU), which was instrumental in collecting the evidence against the judge was itself non-existent in the eyes of law, for it was working with the blessing of the Prime Minister, but no law of the land gave it or its activities a legal cover. Also, the information collected surreptitiously by it, and FIA and other government agencies flew in the face of guarantees in Articles 4 and 14 of the constitution regarding the inviolability of the person, property, dignity, and privacy. now, when the aforementioned prayers are examined in the light of the short order, it becomes obvious that none were denied or disallowed. The conclusion is irresistible that the reference was quashed on the basis that the action directed against Mr Justice Isa was found unwarranted, stemming from mala fides. Put another way, there was no material or basis or tangible grounds available to the government to file a reference. The reference has been regarded as a direct assault upon the independence of the judiciary, that is secured by the constitution. Obviously, the proceedings launched against one judge were to browbeat other independent judges into submission. In a word, it is the collective reaction of one institution against other institutions, who attempted in vain to make inroads into the judiciary. At the same time, the government was conveyed that the judiciary wouldn’t be party to any witch-hunt in the name of accountability.

And if conducted by an institution without sanction of law, the judiciary wouldn’t give its blessing to such a blatant attempt by the government of the day. The ARU’s future appears to be hang-

It is being wrongly assumed that the SJc has ing in the balance until the release of the detailed order. In the interim, the ARU is to proceed cau- been directed to proceed against Mr Justice Qazi tiously and its chairman, Mirza Shahzad Akbar, by exercising its suo motu powers. In point of fact, is to function on his own risk and at his own the court has simply restated the SJc’s position peril. Otherwise, he might find himself landed in the constitutional scheme. A perusal of Article into endless controversies and dragged into 209 bears this out. nothing is to be read into the short order to construe it as if the proceedings now courts mercilessly and unceasingly. circles sympathetic to the government are quashed against Justice Qazi Faez would stand retrying to make out that the government was vived and resuscitated after 90 days. The fate of given leeway and allowed to retreat to fight an- the reference, material contained in it, and the other day. This is clearly a misconstruction being basis thereof has been sealed for good.

If some of the judges spoke out their minds put on the short order. Time and again, the judges were at pains to observe during the hear- in their detailed judgment, it would definitely ing of the petition that they were not above the create ripples thereafter. It is highly likely that in law, and they had never claimed they are un- its wake, the pressure would be mounted on the touchables or holy cows. They stressed they government to step down, labelling it anti-judiwished to be treated like other citizens, enjoying ciary and fascist, which threw caution to the winds, trying to clip the wings of the independent the same protection of the law.

If the short order is examined closely, it judiciary and trampling upon fundamental rights.

The willingness of Mrs Qazi to appear beemerges that the proceedings against Mr Justice fore the FBR and Isa have been the court’s direction quashed and that no to this effect aside, it inquiry is to be made is doubtful whether against his person at any forum. As for The second attack on the judiciary she, as a non-resident in a particular the court’s direction by the executive, the first being on year, was liable to to the FBR, suffice file any income tax to say, such an inChief Justice Iftikhar Chaudhary, return at all and if quiry is to be confined to Mr Justice has been repulsed by the judiciary not, how could she be burdened with Qazi’s spouse and with the unrelenting struggle any income tax with children. In other to properties words, his stance waged by a fearlessly independent regard lying outside Pakthat he is not conistan. Again, the crucerned with the judge, Mr Justice Isa, duly cial question is properties of his supported by the lawyers’ whether the amendwife and children ments brought in inhas been accepted community through its come tax law in and he is not to ac2018 or 2019 could count for those proprepresentative bodies. United we be applied to her reterties. Had Mrs. rospectively. As of Qazi not volunteered stand, divided we fall. today, the law is that to offer herself for Independence of the judiciary won. tax liability cannot being inquired by be imposed upon a the tax authorities, So did rule of law and supremacy person retroactively. the court would no matter how have stopped short of the constitution things pan out for of giving any such Mr Justice Isa’s famdirection. At the ily, the government same time, the has fallen flat for judges appear to address the concerns of those insinuating they were now and is likely to find itself stuck in a blind out to save the skin of one of their brethren. After alley in the future. The freedom-loving citizens all, when Mrs. Qazi is in possession of ample ma- are to be assured that the spectre of accountabilterial to back up her claims, no one is to be ap- ity looming large over Mr Justice Isa and his prehensive. even otherwise, when nothing would family is illusory. The government has been left be found against Mr Justice Isa, he would be se- to chase shadows. In Punjabi, “Hakmoot tai oodey hawarion nooh truck di batti pichhay la cured from future onslaughts of the executive.

Such a course has not been suggested to of- dita gia hai”. (The government and its disciples fend the sensibilities of Mr Justice Isa, as is being have been made to chase a trucklight.)

The second attack on the judiciary by the expresumed by mischief mongers. Had the court itself passed any judgment on the tax matters of ecutive, the first being on chief Justice Iftikhar Mrs. Qazi, a mealy-mouthed, Advocate of the chaudhary, has been repulsed by the judiciary Federal government, Farogh naseem, would with the unrelenting struggle waged by a fearhave cast aspersions, arguing that the tax author- lessly independent judge, Mr Justice Isa, duly ities have been bypassed or their powers circum- supported by the lawyers’ community through its representative bodies. United we stand, discribed.

As regards the time frame set by the court vided we fall. Independence of the judiciary for concluding the inquiry to be conducted by won. So did rule of law and supremacy of the the FBR, it was essential given that, left to its constitution. own devices, the cBR would have taken Zaeem Mumtaz Bhatti tweets @zaeem8825, decades to conclude it, thereby looming large as can be contacted at a threat over Mr Justice Isa’s family, deriving vi- and zaeem.bhatti89@gmail.com. carious pleasure.

cOVID-19 has depicted the real image of our healthcare system. It has forced the world to acknowledge the fact that they need more advancement in scientific research rather than the military. Pakistan has registered over 157,000 corona cases, it has already surpassed china, and the world health organization estimates that the case will exceed 2,00,000 by the end of June. nobody knows how many Pakistanis are expected to die until the shrouds are counted. Pakistan has left no stone unturned to curb the spread of virus via its broken health care system. The economic and social impact of the pandemic is huge for a country that is already lurching from one crisis to another.

Pakistan is facing acute shortage of ventilators because hospitals are overwhelmed due to sharp increase in the number of cases. Hospitals are running short of beds. A staggering increase in the cases has underscored the need to reinforce the lockdown because people are making light of precautionary measures and the ramification could be more dangerous as expected. Situation is getting worse and nothing is yet clear about its denouement. equally disquieting is the fact that the numbers of doctors as well as health workers, over 2,200, have been infected due to inadequate supply of personal protective equipment. closing of maternity wards in Islamabad and KPK, staff members have been diagnosed with covid-19, could further exacerbate the grim situation. Paying tribute to front line soldiers is not enough. Its government’s responsibility to do a better job to protect the health care workers as they are protecting us.

Dr. Seemi Jamali, the head of Jinnah Postgraduate Medical center in Karachi, said “We are already getting more serious patients than before. It would go even worse, and we would lose more precious lives in case of the herd immunity”. Putting millions of lives in danger by just frisking the small word herd immunity_ more people are infected by virus, they will ultimately develop antibodies against the virus_ is an imprudent decision.

Government has left people to fend for themselves.

We are a far cry from advanced research and technology. Sindh health minister says that they don’t have enough microbiologists for screening.

This statement accentuates the importance of scientific studies. The developing countries are using their bag of tricks to make the vaccine and we are still struggling to increase our testing capacity. new Zealand hits zero active coronavirus cases.

Indeed, female leaders around the world have won praise for their handling of the crisis. Women’s leadership prove more capable to deal with such global crises.

According to statistics, Pakistan’s spending on healthcare is just 2.9% of GDP, that is just a drop in the ocean. Another obvious issue is that we are already dealing with the local epidemics such as Hepatitis c, Dengue.

Pakistan, nigeria and Afghanistan, is still busy to curb the polio virus whereas other countries have completely eradicated it.

The long and short of the matter is that such unprecedented crisis demand unprecedented measures. It is the harsh reality that we have to wait for such pandemics to expose the shortcoming of our health care system. It is right time to realize that how important it was to have a better health care infrastructure. More attention and funds would have been allocated towards health care and scientific research and development. The pandemic has shaken us from our endless slumber and we should do little more than try, in this grim scenario, to flatten the curve. “nothing will come of nothing” William Shakespeare, King Lear.

NAwAB ALI Shadakot

Racism FOR the past couple of weeks, the grounds in London and elsewhere in the UK have been filled with protesters with a slogan “ Black lives Matter”. which is absolutely correct. It is really disheartening how people judge others by their caste or color and discriminate them. This is not just limited to western world but in islamic countries too. Our country Pakistan is also full of racists. The poor or blacks are distinguished into low class and caste. Despite being the ummah of Prophet Muhammad ( PBUH), we have forgotten his words during his farewell sermon in the Uranah valley of mount Arafat. In his last speech he said,“All mankind is from Adam and Hawa, an Arab has no superiority over a non-Arab nor a non-Arab has any superiority over an Arab; also a white has no superiority over a black nor a black has any superiority over white except by piety (taqwa) and good actions”. We are all human made of clay, color doesn’t define anything. It will be better to give everyone the right of being human than having privilege because of white skin.

AFroZ MJ Turbat, Kech

Doctors and their virtues I have lived long enough to witness various diseases, disasters, and miseries that hit humankind. Doctors are usually at the forefront of any calamity risking their lives to save others. Be it disease or a disaster, doctors and healthcare workers work selflessly to save lives. Similarly, other essential service workers also deserve commendation for their services at times of need. I salute our frontline workers, especially healthcare workers who are working day and night during this pandemic to serve humanity. However, over my lifespan, I have also come across doctors who not only have little or no clue what they are doing but also are greedy and selfish. I have seen doctors who made a person sick to be qualified as suffering from doctor-induced illness. I caught lower back pain back in the early sixties and was examined by several physicians and surgeons over the years. A urologist finally conducted a cystoscopy of which I believe he did not know much. He ended up carrying three procedures. I was amazed at the absurdity of the doctor when whilst carrying out the third operation asked me what was done in the previous two procedures. I realized that he had no idea what he was doing and never consented to another attempt by him. As for pain, it started in 1963 as carries on until today. However, I carry the burden of the greed of that urologist and pray for the satiation of the greed of such doctors who are in the business of extracting money from the pain and misery of their patients. rAJA SHAFAATuLLAH Islamabad

Wednesday, 24 June, 2020

08 WORLD VIEW

Who can We trust With the nuclear button? no one THE COLD WAR IS OVER AND ALL PRESIDENTS MAKE MISTAKES. YET THEY STILL HAVE SOLE CONTROL OVER WHETHER TO START A NUCLEAR WAR

new York Times

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WIllIAM J PERRY AND TOM Z COllINA

HE current debate about how President Trump is abusing his role as commander in chief has an even darker, nuclear dimension. If the president can misuse his authority to deploy troops against peaceful American protesters, might he also mishandle his authority to launch nuclear weapons?

Four years ago, the question of who should be trusted with the unchecked authority to start nuclear war rose to be a top presidential campaign issue. As Hillary Clinton said in a speech in San Diego on June 2, 2016, speaking of her opponent: “This is not someone who should ever have the nuclear codes, because it’s not hard to imagine Donald Trump leading us into a war just because somebody got under his very thin skin.”

That “somebody” turned out to be Kim Jong-un, the nuclear-armed leader of North Korea. In 2017 President Trump vowed to rain down “fire and fury” on the North and later taunted Mr. Kim on Twitter that “I too have a Nuclear Button, but it is a much bigger & more powerful

one than his, and my Button works!” That could be interpreted as a threat to launch a nuclear strike.

Unsettling as it may be, Mr. Trump has the absolute authority to start a nuclear war. Within minutes, the president could unleash the equivalent of more than 10,000 Hiroshima bombs. He does not need a second opinion.

The defense secretary has no say. Congress has no role.

Yet it would mean the end of civilization as we know it.

“There is nothing stopping a nuclear war except for Donald Trump’s brain,” Ben Rhodes, who served as deputy national security adviser to President Barack Obama, says in our new book, “The Button.” “That should be concerning to people.”

Mr. Trump is not the first, and is unlikely to be the last, president to raise these concerns. Giving any president such unchecked authority entails significant risk. There is always some chance that a president, at the moment it matters, may be uninformed and impulsive (like Mr. Trump), drinks to excess (Richard Nixon), or is engaged in some other activity that could cloud his or her judgment. Presidents, like all of us, make mistakes. They are only human.

So, why do we give so much power to one fallible human? It started 75 years ago, when President Harry Truman was shown the devastation of Hiroshima and Nagasaki and determined not to use the atomic bomb again. To him, that meant keeping it out of military hands. So Truman declared that no more atomic bombs could be dropped unless he personally authorized it — and the bomb has not been used since.

Make tech companies pay you for your data

l a Times ANDREW YANG

Whenever you sign up for a new social media service or website, or download an app onto your phone or computer, you’ll typically see some long disclaimer language written in legalese. You scroll through it quickly and click the “I agree” button.

This fine print is known as a privacy policy. It essentially lays out (sometimes in the most convoluted way possible) how the site or app can use or share your data. The problem is, no one actually reads the language. You just click “yes” and hope for the best, since that’s the price you pay for a free website or app or social media network. It seems like a pretty sweet deal. But that’s not the deal we’re getting.

Our phones and computers can track our every movement and action, while Facebook and Google log every like or click on their sites. There are numerous ways in which our data are collected, used, shared and sold by countless businesses. The largest tech companies profit most.

Facebook is now worth $650 billion, with annual revenue of $70 billion. Google is worth nearly $1 trillion, with annual revenue of $160 billion. The business of these companies is primarily based on advertising directed at us, built on the backs of our data.

They are also influencing our actions and attitudes by feeding us information that maximizes our engagement on those platforms. We ourselves have become the product, and we are being sold to those with the means to buy access to every detail of our behavior — and to shape what we do next.

This needs to stop. The data generated by our activities should be owned by us. We should decide what is being done with that information. And if anyone is making money on our data, it should be us.

The California Consumer Privacy Act, which went into effect Jan. 1, offers a good model for the nation. It gives every Californian the right to know what personal information is being collected, the right to access that data, the right to know who the data are being sold to, the right to say no to sales and the right to have their personal data deleted.

The CCPA also allows consumers to select an “authorized agent” to exercise these rights on their behalf. This is big. The “authorized agent” provision opens the door for an organization or group to advocate for its members’ data rights and to collectively bargain with tech companies on the value of its members’ data.

THE DATA GENERATED BY OUR ACTIVITIES SHOULD BE OWNED BY US. WE SHOULD DECIDE WHAT IS BEING DONE WITH THAT INFORMATION. AND IF ANYONE IS MAKING MONEY ON OUR DATA, IT SHOULD BE US The average citizen is completely outgunned and in the dark about how to take control of personal data. Meanwhile, the tech companies have billions of dollars and hundreds of lawyers. That’s why changing this imbalance will require collective action in a nationwide movement.

To drive this effort, Humanity Forward, a nonprofit organization, and Data Dividend Project, a new public-benefit corporation, will work to fight for people’s data rights.

The project seeks to gather hundreds of thousands of consumers to bargain with big tech companies over how they use personal data. Consumers can sign up online to join the DDP movement, and in California, they can designate DDP as their “authorized agent.” The aim is to have a critical mass that could be used as leverage with tech companies, which will no doubt resist change.

With the CCPA in effect, tech companies will face a choice: uphold their users’ data rights, compensate users appropriately or risk losing their ability to use the data that fuel their businesses. Elsewhere in the U.S., the DDP will support efforts to get data rights laws passed in state legislatures.

If Congress and other states adopt legislation like the CCPA, millions more would be able to band together with even greater bargaining power to hold tech companies accountable and, ultimately, demand that they share some of the revenue generated from consumers’ personal data.

Economists and technologists have long called for “data unions” to fight and negotiate on behalf of consumers. Gov. Gavin Newsom has suggested that consumers be paid for the use of their data by tech companies.

The CCPA makes it possible to create a union of consumers that can collectively set a price for the use of their data, negotiate with tech companies and ensure that compensation is passed on to consumers in a data dividend.

This idea can become reality, starting in California, by putting data ownership back into the hands of the people.

After all, if anyone is making money off your data, shouldn’t it be you?

Andrew Yang is a former Democratic presidential candidate and the founder of Humanity Forward, a nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting human-centered policies such as universal basic income and data as a property right.

But in addition to laudable civilian control, Truman set the dangerous precedent of one-person control.

Atomic bombs became “the president’s weapons” and sole authority was reinforced as both the United States and the Soviet Union deployed ballistic missiles that could span the globe in 30 minutes or less.

And the awesome ability to launch hundreds of thermonuclear weapons in mere minutes came with grave dangers. Would any president be able to make a wise decision under such crushing time pressures? What if it was a false alarm? How would the president know?

This is not idle worry. We came close to blundering into nuclear war several times during the Cold War. False alarms, in particular, are a real and growing concern. Dr. Perry experienced a false alarm 40 years ago, on June 3, 1980, when a faulty 46-cent computer chip indicated the launch of hundreds of missiles from the Soviet Union, but luckily that malfunction was caught in time. Today false alarms are even more likely because our weapons and warning systems are vulnerable to cyberattacks like the one the United States conducted against Iran’s uranium enrichment program in 2009. If the president launches nuclear weapons in response to a false alarm, he would start World War III — by mistake.

Luckily, we don’t need to take such risks.

The whole concept of sole authority is built on the false assumption that Russia might launch a surprise first strike. The Cold War ended 30 years ago, and we now know that Russia never seriously considered a first strike

against the United States, for the same reason that we never seriously considered a first strike against Russia: it would be national suicide. Both sides have to assume that an attack would provoke an unacceptable nuclear retaliation. Both nations, and much of the rest of the globe, would be obliterated. Starting such a war would be insanity.

With this harrowing reality in mind, President Ronald Reagan and Mikhail Gorbachev, the Soviet Union’s leader as general secretary of the Communist Party, declared in 1985 that “a nuclear war cannot be won and must never be fought.” They were right.

By focusing on an unlikely surprise attack, we are making it more likely that we will blunder into Armageddon. In a crisis situation, the last thing we should want is for the president to feel under pressure to make a quick decision. Maintaining an effective deterrent does not require us to rush into a nuclear war; rather, we need to increase the decision time from minutes to hours.

Here’s how: First: the president should not have sole authority for first use but should share that decision with a select group in Congress. There is no need to make this decision quickly.

Second: The United States should declare that it will never start a nuclear war, and would only use the bomb in retaliation. Third: The United States should retire land-based ballistic missiles that could force a president into a quick “use-them-or-lose-them” decision. These missiles are not needed for deterrence, which is ensured by survivable submarine-based weapons.

Seventy-five years ago, President Truman gave himself exclusive power over nuclear war. Every president since has clung to it. It was bad policy then; it is inexcusable now. We no longer need to take these risks, and we can safely back away from the brink. It is time to retire the nuclear button. No one should have the unchecked power to destroy the world.

William J. Perry served as secretary of defense in the Clinton administration and Tom Z. Collina is director of policy at Ploughshares Fund. They are the co-authors of the forthcoming book “The Button: The New Nuclear Arms Race and Presidential Power from Truman to Trump.”

India picks a side in the new cold war IT IS FOLLY FOR CHINA TO DRIVE ITS RIVAL INTO AMERICA’S ARMS

The Financial Times GIDEON RACHMAN

The Sino-Soviet split was a critical moment in the cold war. A Sino-Indian split could be just as crucial to the “second cold war” that seems to be developing between the US and China.

Until now, the Indian government, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has tried to avoid choosing sides in the fast-developing antagonism between Washington and Beijing. But a parting of the ways between India and China now seems inevitable following last week’s border clashes between the two nations’ armies, which left at least 20 Indian soldiers dead and an unknown number of Chinese casualties.

Mr Modi has met President Xi Jinping of China several times since becoming India’s leader in 2014 and has made five visits there. As recently as last October, the Indian and Chinese leaders held a friendly summit, after which Mr Modi hailed “a new era of co-operation between our two countries”.

The mood in New Delhi is now very different. Whatever happened high up in the Himalayas, Indians feel assaulted and humiliated by China. On Friday, Mr Modi held emergency meetings with leaders of the Indian opposition — a remarkable development in itself, given the extreme partisanship of Indian politics today.

There is now near-consensus in the Indian policymaking elite that China is a hostile power and that India’s only feasible response is to move closer to the US and to Asian democracies, such as Japan and Australia.

Despite Mr Modi’s efforts to build a close relationship with Mr Xi, Indian anxiety about the rise of

China has been growing for years.

Indians have watched nervously as China has built up a special relationship with Pakistan — a country India has fought multiple wars with.

The expansion of Chinese influence in neighbouring states such as Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Bangladesh and Nepal has also gone down badly in New Delhi. India signalled its displeasure by refusing to send a toplevel delegation to China’s Belt and Road forums in 2017 and 2019.

But while the China hawks in New Delhi have been gaining in influence, there remains a dovish school that has long argued it is not in India’s interests to get sucked into an American effort to “contain” China. In part, this reflects the legacy of history.

During the original cold war, India pursued a policy of non-alignment and was, in reality, often closer to Moscow than Washington.

As a country of nearly 1.4bn people, India is understandably determined to forge its own path and maintain strategic autonomy. There are also sound economic arguments for trying to maintain a good relationship with China, which is India’s second largest trading partner.

Any thought of trying to maintain equidistance between the US and China, is now likely to be abandoned by India. There are even hints that India may consider a formal alliance with the US. One Indian intellectual, close to the Modi government, observed pointedly last week that one reason China might feel free to kill Indian soldiers — but not Japanese or Taiwanese troops — is that Japan and Taiwan are sheltering under a US security umbrella.

Donald Trump’s hostility to the American alliance system makes it highly unlikely that the US president would consider extending a security guarantee to India, at least, not without considerable financial inducement. But an administration led by Joe Biden, his Democratic rival in November’s presidential elections, might well jump at the

idea of a formal alliance.

In recent years the US has become more overt in its efforts to woo India, as a balancing force to a rising China. In 2018, the US military renamed its Pacific command, the Indo-Pacific command and India’s increasingly close military ties with the US has been reflected in arms purchases, port visits and joint military exercises. An intensification of that co-operation, in coordination with Japan and Australia, looks inevitable.

Indians are wary of further direct confrontations with China in the Himalayas. But they may try to challenge Beijing on other fronts by working with allies in the Indian Ocean and the South China Sea. India is also likely to make more concerted moves to lessen its economic dependence on China.

The chances of Chinese telecoms company Huawei being awarded contracts to build a 5G network in India now seem vanishingly small.

Should China care? Beijing’s confrontational posture suggests the Chinese have discounted the dangers of any Indian retaliation. China knows that its economy is nearly five times the size of India’s and that its military has more firepower.

The Chinese may even have judged that now is a good time to put India in its place when the country is stricken by the coronavirus and the US is distracted.

In the aftermath of last week’s border clashes, the Global Times, a nationalist newspaper in Beijing, wrote, in an editorial, that India should learn from this incident and cannot rely on Washington for support and succour.

In the short-term, that might well be right. Over the long-run, China should be worried. The four largest economies in the world, ranked by purchasing power, are China, the US, Japan and India. All four nations are intensely concerned by the balance of power in the IndoPacific region. It is folly for China to drive India into America’s arms.

Wednesday, 24 June, 2020

BUSINESS 09

TrAdE wiTh AfGhAniSTAn rEmAinS SLOw dESpiTE OpEninG Of BOrdEr

CORPORATE CORNER

PESHAWAR AZIZ BUNErI

d

LAHORE: A memorial fund has been established by the family of deceased Zain Polani, who along with his wife Sarah Polani and three children had died in the tragic plane crash of the PIA flight PK 8303 on 22nd May. PrESS rElEASE

Govt partners with Vital Strategies to launch Covid-19 Awareness Campaign ISLAMABAD: In response to the Covid-19 pandemic, the Government of Pakistan has partnered with global health organization Vital Strategies to launch a communication campaign to share critical information on preventing the spread of Covid-19 with the public. Through its Resolve to Save Lives initiative’s global COVID-19 response efforts, Vital Strategies is providing support for electronic media, and newspaper materials that aim to inform the public of key behaviours that can prevent the spread of Covid-19.

The government will launch the Media Campaign which emphasizes the mandatory use of face masks in public places and need to maintain a physical distance of at least two meters when leaving home, among other key messages. PrESS rElEASE

Bank Alfalah innovates to assist Ehsaas beneficiaries KARACHI: As the government continues to assist beneficiaries across the country under the Ehsaas Emergency Cash Disbursement Programme 2020, Bank Alfalah has introduced an innovative solution to cater to beneficiaries whose biometric verification is not possible for multiple reasons, thus ensuring support for such beneficiaries for cash withdrawal from their account. “We understand that the demographics of our remote areas are diverse, and we acknowledge the need to leverage technology to assist all our beneficiaries,” said Yahya Khan, Group Head - Digital Banking, Bank Alfalah. PrESS rElEASE

UBL rebuffs rumours regarding ‘cyber security threat’ KARACHI: There are rumours circulating on various media platforms about an alleged cyber security threat at United Bank Limited. The bank would like to assure its customers and all stakeholders that these rumours are fake and unfounded. UBL has always invested in robust systems and state of the art security measures.

Furthermore, to address these rumours, all possible measures are being taken by the bank, including seeking assistance under the relevant laws. PrESS rElEASE

Jazz continues to lead telecom sector with over 62m subscribers KARACHI: Jazz has further cemented its position as the undisputed telecom industry leader with a massive onnet family of more than 62 million subscribers including 18.2 million Super 4G users. Ever since the launch of Jazz Super 4G in February 2018, the company has recorded phenomenal growth in its 4G user base, proving Jazz to be the best in class with the fastest 4G in Pakistan – an achievement certified by Ookla four times in a row, an independent global leader in internet testing. Recently, the Pakistan Telecommunications Authority’s Quality of Service survey also confirmed Jazz's network as the best in data quality, thereby establishing the progressive and exponential growth in quality and speed of Jazz's cellular services. PrESS rElEASE

ESPITE the opening of the PakistanAfghanistan border for trade, only 150 export vehicles entered Afghanistan from Pakistan while only 50 import vehicles entered Pakistan from Afghanistan.

The Interior Ministry earlier on Tuesday had issued a notification ordering the opening of the Pakistan-Afghanistan border points at Torkham, Chaman and Ghulam Khan for six days a week.

According to the notification, an unlimited number of import and export vehicles are allowed to enter and exit the countries from both sides while ensuring that all Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and protocols related to Covid-19 are followed. However, according to sources, despite the federal government's permission, only 150 export vehicles and 50 import vehicles were cleared on the first day due to lack of staff and other facilities at the border points.

Sources added that, if such facilities are made available, the volume of trade at the PakistanAfghanistan border points can go up to as high as 500 vehicles per day.

Importers and exporters have expressed their reservation on the situation pointing out that such delays negatively affect the quality of the goods being traded. They have urged the government to ensure adequate staff and other facilities to aid speedy clearance of trade vehicles at the Pakistan-Afghanistan border.

“Local traders have lost billions of rupees in the last three months due to border restrictions with Afghanistan. Traders should be allowed to export and import goods without restrictions. The main problem being faced by traders is that their trade vehicles aren’t being cleared on time due to lack of scanners, computers and staff at the border which reduces Pakistan’s exports to Afghanistan,” said Pakistan Afghanistan Joint Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PAJCCI) Director Zahid Shinwari.

Zahid Shinwari said that opening the border for bilateral trade can help replace Iranian products in Afghanistan with Pakistani products. He added that the Afghanistan-Pakistan Transit Trade Agreement (APTTA) agreement that was signed in 2010 and expired in 2015, is still in place and no efforts have been made to renegotiate it.

“The government should first negotiate the agreement and make border management more effective so

Housing finance among top priorities of SBP: Dr Reza Baqir KARACHI MEIrYUM AlI

The first meeting of the recently constituted Steering Committee on Housing and Construction Finance was held on Tuesday, according to a statement released by the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP).

This steering committee was formed last week by SBP Governor Dr Reza Baqir, who also chairs the forum. The committee’s goal is to implement a roadmap to ensure a sustainable market‐led financing of housing projects and mortgages in order to promote the development of the housing and construction industry in Pakistan.

Members include Naya Pakistan Housing and Development Authority (NAPHDA) Chairman Lt Gen (r) Anwar Ali Haider, SBP

SBP governor ChAirS firSt Meeting of Steering CoMMittee on houSing And ConStruCtion finAnCe Deputy Governor Jameel Ahmad, and the presidents of Habib Bank, National Bank, Meezan Bank, Faysal Bank, Standard Chartered Bank and Bank Alfalah.

Today’s meeting deliberated on the terms of reference of the committee and the way forward.

Addressing the committee, Baqir deliberated that housing finance was a priority area for the central bank and reiterated that

AMCs given till July 24 to fulfil regulatory requirements ISLAMABAD: The Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP) has extended the timeline for Asset Management Companies (AMCs) to meet investor's suitability assessment requirements till July 24, 2020. The decision was taken to provide relief to the mutual fund industry in fulfilling regulatory compliance requirements during the Covid-19 pandemic. SECP's suitability assessment requirements require AMCs to classify the Collective Investment Schemes (CIS) and investment plans with regards to the risk of principal erosion, ranging from very low risk for money market funds to high risk for equity funds. AMCs are also required to ensure the suitability of CIS and investment plan to the investors and assess the risk profiles of investors before finalising their investment in any specific product or strategy. APP

SBP will play a facilitative and supportive role for its promotion in the country.

After deliberations, Baqir constituted sub-committees to work on developer finance, enduser housing finance, use of technology, development of the capital market and long-term yield curve, risk mitigation mechanism and removal of legal and regulatory hurdles in housing finance.

The committee also discussed two initial pilot projects, the first being the government land model and the other the private sector builders’ model.

Volunteering banks will hold meetings with NAPHDA on the financing of the government land model and developer finance this week and will present their reports in the next weekly meeting of the steering committee.

ICCI asks govt to waive sixmonth rent for small businesses ISLAMABAD: Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ICCI) Senior Vice President Tahir Abbasi, on Tuesday, urged the federal government to waive off six months of rent for small businesses that have seen a decline in business in recent months due to the Covid-19 pandemic. “The lockdown is still under implementation in different areas of Islamabad due to which small traders have been pushed to the point of starvation. The government should waive off six months of rent for small businesses or pay their rent the same way it paid their electricity bills,” the ICCI senior vice president said. On the other hand, former ICCI senior vice president Khalid Chaudhry informed that the Metropolitan Corporation Islamabad had increased water bills multiple times. APP

maRket DaIly

Stocks extend rally with 314-point gain KARACHI ArIBA SHAHID

Bullish trend continued at the Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) on Tuesday, as the indices kept accumulating gains throughout the day despite a slight contraction in volumes.

Foreign investors closed as net sellers for the fifth consecutive session on Monday, registering a net outflow of $2.41 million.

"The market managed to maintain the positive momentum from yesterday, with E&P and cement stocks leading the way on Tuesday. However, traded volume remained thin, as has been the case in the

past couple of sessions, mainly due to the [FY20] year-end market valuation of portfolio scrips by institutional investors," said a research report issued by Arif Habib Ltd. The benchmark KSE-100 Index remained in the green zone throughout the day, registering its intraday high at 34,072.97 after gaining 335.05 points. It closed higher by 314.69 points at 34,052.61.

Among other indices, the KMI-30 Index accumulated 692.56 points to end at 54,538.78, while the KSE All Share Index gathered 154.84 points, settling at 24,401.25. Of the total traded shares, 202

advanced and 97 declined.

The overall market volumes declined from 161.29 million shares in the last session to 159.95 million shares (-0.8pc). Average traded value also fell by 9pc, from $36.5 million to $33.5 million. TRG Pakistan Limited (TRG +7.49pc), Unity Foods Limited (UNITY +3.53pc) and Maple Leaf Cement Factory Limited (MLCF +2.49pc) topped the volume chart, exchanging 11.82 million, 11.05 million and 6.96 million shares, respectively.

Sectors that drove the benchmark index north included oil & gas exploration (+68.30 points), cement (+37.93 points)

and oil & gas marketing (+35.63 points).

Among the companies, Oil and Gas Development Company Ltd (OGDC +36.21 points), Hub Power Company Ltd (HUBC +29.25 points) and Fauji Fertilizer Company (FFC +21.82 points) remained the top contributors.

Amid expectations of a hike in urea prices from next month, the fertiliser sector added 0.42pc to its cumulative market capitalization, with Fatima Fertilizer Company Ltd (FATIMA +1.91pc), Fauji Fertilizer Bin Qasim Ltd (FFBL +0.65pc) and Fauji Fertilizer Company Ltd (FFC +1.32pc) ending with decent gains.

that the movement of vehicles across the border remains unlimited,” Shinwari said.

Shinwari further stressed on the importance of a free trade agreement with Afghanistan saying that Pakistan currently has a 90 per cent share in exports to Afghanistan while importing just 10 per cent of Afghanistan's exports.

The Afghan Consul General Najibullah Ahmadzai also called on Special Assistant to the Chief Minister for Industry and Trade Abdul Karim Khan to discuss and resolve issues faced by the traders at the border crossing points.

The Afghan consul general stressed on the need for providing facilities at crossings points and increasing trade volume and promoting business and trade activities between the two countries.

Karim Khan informed the Afghan diplomat that the provincial government is in contact with the federal government and other concerned officials to resolve issues at the border.

Karim Khan added that the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Board of Investment and Trade has been designated as the focal point in this regard and after consultation with the stakeholders, issues pertaining to the border crossings will be taken up with the federal government.

Oil up after Trump assurance on China trade deal LONDON: Oil prices rose on Tuesday in a volatile session after US President Donald Trump soothed jangled nerves over the status of the US-China trade deal. Markets were unsettled by surprise comments from White House trade adviser Peter Navarro who said the hard-won deal was “over”.

President Trump later wrote in a tweet that the agreement was “fully intact”. Brent crude rose 27 cents, or 0.6pc, to $43.35 a barrel by 1413 GMT, having skidded to a session low of $42.21. US oil was up 28 cents, or 0.7pc, at $41.01 after touching a low of $39.76. US-China relations have reached their lowest point in years since the coronavirus pandemic that began in China hit the United States hard. President Trump and his administration have repeatedly accused Beijing of not being transparent about the outbreak. Oil prices were also supported by data showing that the historic downturn in the eurozone economy eased again this month as businesses resumed activity across the region.

“Looking at the strength of the physical market and recovering global oil demand, we think that the crude oil price is still on its way higher,” Nordic bank SEB said in a note. On the supply side, US and Canadian oil and gas drillers have cut the number of rigs they are operating to a record low, complicating any efforts to raise output, even with the encouragement of higher prices. “US onshore production has now given up two full years of (volume) gains,” said Stephen Innes, chief global markets strategist at AxiCorp. US oil rigs contracted for drilling dropped by 10 to 189 last week, their lowest since June 2009, according to weekly data from energy services company Baker Hughes. AGENCIES

Two companies issued show cause notices over deceptive marketing practices ISLAMABAD: The Competition Commission of Pakistan (CCP) has issued show cause notices to SM Food Makers Limited and Volka Food International Limited for deceptively copying the trademark/trade dress of various products belonging to Ismail Industries Limited, thus prima facie violating the Section 10 of the Competition Act. Ismail Industries Limited had sent a formal complaint alleging that SM Food Makers and Volka Food were fraudulently copying the trademark and packaging/labelling of its famous brands namely Chili Mili, ABC Jelly, Yums, Chocolate Chip, Butterscotch and Peanut Cookies, according to a statement issued by CCP on Tuesday.

The CCP's inquiry concluded that SM Food Makers was fraudulently using registered trademarks and packaging/labelling of above mentioned products of Ismail Industries. Volka Food, on the other hand, was also fraudulently using the trademarks and packaging/labelling of Chocolate Chip, a product of Ismail Industries. These practices were potentially harming the business interest of IIL besides misleading the consumers. On recommendations of the inquiry report, a show cause notice has been served to SM Food Makers and Volka Food and both the companies have been directed to respond within 14 days and to appear before the commission (via video conferencing due to Covid-19 health advisory). APP

Wednesday, 24 June, 2020

10 FOREIGN NEWS

Global coronavirus cases top 9 million as WHo laments 'lack of Global solidarity and leadersHip' GENEVA/ZURICH

G

AGENCIES

LOBAL coronavirus infections topped 9 million as the World Health Organisation blamed a “lack of global solidarity and leadership” for allowing the pandemic to spread and Saudi Arabia announced it would scale back the Hajj Islamic pilgrimage next month.

Many parts of the world, including Latin America and South Asia, are only beginning to feel the full force of the pandemic, while other regions that appeared to have vanquished the virus are being hit with second waves. China, Germany, South Korea and Japan are battling new outbreaks, with some reintroducing containment measures.

Europe has steadily eased its travel lockdowns in recent weeks, and France took its biggest step back to normality on Monday by allowing millions of children to return to school.

“The pandemic is still accelerating,” the WHO’s director general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus told a virtual health forum organised in the United Arab Emirates later that day.

Tedros said the greatest threat was not the virus itself, which has now killed over 470,000 people, but “the lack of global solidarity and global leadership.”

“We cannot defeat this pandemic with a divided world,” he said. “The politicisa-

tion of the pandemic has exacerbated it.”

Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro is one of the leaders to have repeatedly played down the threat, comparing the virus to a “little flu” and arguing the economic impact of shutdowns is worse than the virus itself.

More than 50,000 people have been confirmed to have died from the virus in Brazil, with the true number believed to be far higher. Brazil’s homeless are at especially high risk. Brazil’s official death toll is second only to the United States, which has recorded 120,000 fatalities, and President Donald Trump’s handling of the crisis has

been widely criticised as erratic and chaotic.

Trump on Monday said the American toll could surpass 150,000, as two more members of his team that helped organise a controversial weekend rally for him in Oklahoma tested positive.

Mexico, Peru, Chile and Argentina are also coping with crises — Mexico City being forced to delay plans for a broad reopening of the economy as the country’s death toll raced past 20,000. With a vaccine still far away, the WHO has called for a rapid increase in production of the steroid dexamethasone, which has been shown to have life-saving potential.

In Europe however, countries continued to ease their restrictions. Thousands of French people danced and partied in the streets well into Monday for an annual music festival in the first big blowout since the lockdown, leading to criticism of the authorities for being too lax.

“This is not what a gradual end to the lockdown looks like,” said Dr Gilbert Deray. “I understand that the Festival of Music (Fête de la musique) is something of a liberation, but did we really have to have it this year?”

In England authorities said cinemas, museums and galleries would reopen on July 4 in the next phase of easing lockdowns as infection rates there also slow.

But illustrating the persisting risks, Portugal Prime Minister Antonio Costa said restrictions on gatherings of more than 10 people would be reimposed and cafes and shops ordered to close at 8pm in Lisbon. Australians were warned to avoid travelling to Melbourne as the country’s second-biggest city tightened restrictions over fears of an upsurge in cases.

Meanwhile, the sports world has been slowly re-emerging from the virus darkness, although for every step forward it seems to take one back.

Three of the world’s top male tennis players tested positive after taking part in a tournament in the Balkans featuring world number one Novak Djokovic, raising questions over the sport’s planned return in August.

Afghanistan reports 'deadliest' week in its 19 years of conflict KABUL AGENCIES

britain reels from latest terrorismlinked stabbing LONDON AGENCIES

The English town of Reading held a minute’s silence on Monday for the victims of a stabbing that killed three people, in an attack that police called a terrorist incident.

Three people were also hospitalised after a man wielding a five-inch knife went on the rampage in a park on Saturday, randomly stabbing people enjoying a sunny, summer evening. Calling the incident terrorism, police said a 25-year-old had been arrested and they were not hunting others. “What we saw here on Saturday evening in Reading was the actions of one lone individual,” Home Secretary Priti Patel said.

Patel later told parliament that the risk from lone attackers was growing and that if further government action was needed to stop such incidents, she would not hesitate to act.

The Philadelphia Inquirer said one of the dead was US citizen Joe Ritchie-Bennett, 39, who had lived in Britain for 15 years. US Ambassador Woody Johnson sent condolences to the families of the victims. “To our great sorrow, this includes an American citizen,” he said on Twitter. I offer my deepest condolences to the families of those killed in the attack on June 20. To our great sorrow, this includes an American citizen. Our thoughts are with all those affected. We condemn the attack absolutely and have offered our assistance to British law enforcement. — Ambassador Johnson (@USAmbUK) June 22, 2020 Teacher James Furlong, 36, who was friends with Ritchie-Bennett according to media reports, was also killed. “He was beautiful, intelligent, honest and fun,” his parents said.

The BBC and other British media named the third victim as David Wails, a scientist.

The Taliban killed at least 291 Afghan security personnel over the past week, a top government official said Monday, accusing the insurgents of unleashing a wave of violence ahead of potential talks.

The previous week was the “deadliest” in the country’s 19 years of conflict, said Javid Faisal, spokesman for the National Security Council, even as the insurgents dismissed the latest figures.

The Taliban carried out 422 attacks in 32 provinces during that time, killing 291 security force personnel and wounding 550 others, Faisal said on Twitter. “Taliban’s commitment to reduce violence is meaningless, and their actions inconsistent with their rhetoric on peace,” he said.

The Taliban rejected the latest government figures. “The enemy aims to hurt the peace process and intra-Afghan

talks by releasing such false reports,” Zabihullah Mujahid, the Taliban’s spokesman in Afghanistan, told AFP. “We did have some attacks last week, but they were mostly in defence.”

In a cabinet meeting Monday, President Ashraf Ghani condemned the violence, which he blamed on the Taliban.

The government sees the violence “as running against the spirit of commitment for peace”, Ghani said.

In an attack on Monday, gunmen shot dead two prosecutors and three other employees of the attorney general’s office. The attack happened on the outskirts of Kabul, when gunmen opened fire on the car in which they were travelling, the attorney general’s office and the interior ministry said.

It was unclear who the attackers were, and the Taliban denied involvement. The incident drew condemnation from US special envoy Zalmay Khalilzad, who led negotiations with the

Taliban ahead of a deal signed in February. He said the legal team had been working on a prisoner exchange that is considered vital before the Kabul government and the Taliban can start peace talks.

“This attack underscores what we all know: Spoilers (both domestic and foreign) are trying to disrupt and delay” the peace process, Khalilzad said on Twitter.

“Both sides should not be deterred, and push forward to take the steps necessary to reach intra-Afghan negotiation”. Violence had dropped across much of Afghanistan since the Taliban announced a three-day ceasefire on May 24 to mark the Eid al-Fitr holiday, but officials have accused the insurgents of stepping up attacks in recent weeks.

Ghani has vowed to complete the Taliban prisoner release. Afghan authorities have already freed about 3,000 Taliban prisoners, and plan to further release 2,000 as stipulated in the insurgents’ deal with Washington.

us officials to meet this week on israel annexation plan WASHINGTON AGENCIES

US officials will gather this week to discuss whether to give Israel a green light for its plan to annex Jewish settlements in the occupied West Bank, as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s target date of July 1 approaches.

A senior administration official said on Monday that the US ambassador to Israel, David Friedman, will be in Washington to meet officials including Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, senior White House adviser Jared Kushner and Middle East envoy Avi Berkowitz. President Donald Trump could also join in. Under Trump’s Middle East peace proposal, unveiled in January, it is envisaged that the United States would recognize the Jewish settlements — built on land that the Palestinians seek for a state — as part of Israel. The proposal would create a Palestinian state as part of a broader peace plan, but impose strict conditions on it. Palestinian leaders have dismissed the initiative entirely.

Encouraged by Trump’s push, Netanyahu has set July 1 as the date to launch his project of extending sovereignty over the settlements and the Jordan Valley, hoping for a green light from Washington. Most countries view Israel’s settlements on occupied land as illegal, and Palestinian leaders have voiced outrage at the prospect of annexation. “Ultimately, as the team approaches this thought of annexation, the main thing going through our heads is, ‘Does this in fact help advance the cause of peace?’ And therefore that is what will help drive a lot of the discussion,” the official said.

LIMITED ANNEXATION FIRST? Among the main options expected to be considered is a step-by-step process in which Israel would initially declare sovereignty over several settlements close to Jerusalem instead of the 30 percent of the West Bank envisaged in Netanyahu’s original plan, according to a person familiar with the matter. The source said the Trump administration has not closed the door to a larger annexation, but fears that allowing Israel to move too fast could kill any hopes of eventually drawing the Palestinians to sit down to discuss Trump’s peace plan. There are also concerns about opposition to annexation from Jordan, one of only two countries that have a peace treaty with Israel, as well from Gulf states that have quietly expanded engagement with Israel in recent years. Washington has also made clear it wants Israel’s unity government, which has been divided on the issue, to reach a consensus before going ahead with any actions, the source said. Defense Minister Benny Gantz, head of the Blue and White Party, has so far been reluctant to back Likud-leader Netanyahu’s plan. Berkowitz has been fielding calls about the Trump plan from European and Arab nations, but the US side has privately expressed frustration that they are not offering constructive ideas on how to amend it, a source familiar with the issue said.

Desperate to reopen businesses, countries consider 'immunity passports' SANTIAGO AGENCIES

After the Covid-19 pandemic, the world is at one front battling the disease while at the other, devising a post-corona world order to put economies back on track.

Among such measures is the idea of an immunity passport, a form of a document given to those who have recovered from the coronavirus disease. According to a World Economic Forum report, Chile is mulling over the scheme to become the first country to put it into action.

Chilean Health Minister Jaime Manalich said that these “release” certificates would free holders from all kinds of restrictions or quarantine measures.

The idea has been met with skepticism, with the World Health Organisation (WHO) opposing the measure strongest.

Chile has voiced that these certificates will expire three months after a person has recovered from the COVID-19. The World Health Organisation has also raised objection

over the degree of immunity a recovered person has, along with the time duration one remains immune to the virus. Another criticism stems from the argument that the document will ultimately cause more people to get affected from the virus due to the presence of “false positives” and “false negatives”.

“False positives could lead people to think that they are safe from future infec-

CMYK

tion, despite never having had the disease.

False negatives would also mean infected people might fail to self-isolate. Advice from the WHO is that immunity certificates may in fact risk continued transmission of the virus, and lead to people ignoring public health advice,” said the report.

RESEARCH ON ANTIBODIES : Reuters based a report on a research by Na-

ture Medicine, which highlights the risks of using COVID-19 “immunity passports” and supports the prolonged use of public health interventions such as social distancing and isolating high-risk groups, researchers said. Health authorities in some countries such as Germany are debating the ethics and practicalities of allowing people who test positive for antibodies to move more freely than others who don’t.

The research, which studied 37 symptomatic patients and 37 asymptomatic patients, found that of those who tested positive for the presence of the IgG antibody, one of the main types of antibodies induced after infection, over 90% showed sharp declines in 2-3 months.

The median percentage decrease was more than 70 per cent for both symptomatic and asymptomatic patients.

For neutralising serum antibodies, the median percentage of decrease for symptomatic individuals was 11.7per cent, while for asymptomatic individuals it was 8.3 per cent.

Wednesday, 24 June, 2020

Seven more PakiStan PlayerS teSt PoSitive for Covid-19 LAHORE

P

AGENCIES

AKISTAN Cricket Board (PCB) has confirmed that seven more cricketers have returned positive tests for Covid-19, taking the total count to ten ahead of their England tour. On Monday, Shadab Khan, Haider Ali, and Haris Rauf had tested positive.

The new names on the list are Kashif Bhatti, Mohammad Hasnain, Fakhar Zaman, Mohammad Rizwan, Mohammad Hafeez, Wahab Riaz, and Imran Khan. In addition, the PCB announced one member from the player support personnel had also tested positive for the virus. According to the PCB CEO Wasim Khan, all seven players who tested positive are - like the three who returned positive tests yesterday asymptomatic. Shoaib Malik, Waqar Younis and Cliffe Deacon have not yet been tested.

That means more than one third of the 29-man squad the PCB announced for a three-Test, three-T20I tour of England are currently positive for Covid-19, and will have to self-isolate for 14 days. The PCB CEO Wasim Khan announced plans for the team to travel to England on June 28th remained unchanged. The four reserves Pakistan named for the tour of England - Bilal Asif, Imran Butt, Musa Khan and Mohammad Nawaz - have been called up for testing.

"The tour to England is very much on track and the side will depart as per schedule on 28 June," Wasim Khan said. "Fortunately, all the first-choice red-ball squad, barring Mohammad Rizwan, are negative, which means they can start training and practicing immediately after they have been tested and given the all clear when they arrive in England. As regards the

players, who have tested positive, we will continue to monitor and support them, including conducting antibody tests, and as soon as they test negative, they will be flown to join the squad in England. At the moment, they have been advised to go into self-isolation so that they not only recover quickly but also prevent their other family members from being infected."

The PCB announced that all players who tested negative will assemble in a biosecure environment on June 24 in Lahore, and undergo a second round of testing the following day. All those who test negative in that second round of testing will depart for Manchester on a chartered flight on 28 June, and be tested upon arrival in England.

They will then have to quarantine for a period of 14 days in the country in line with government regulations, but will be permitted to train in a bio-secure facility during this time. Those who have tested positive will self-isolate at home for two weeks, and will only depart for England after returning

two negative Covid-19 tests.

The ECB are understood to be reflecting on the impact of the news in conjunction with their medical team, but remain confident the measures put in place will enable the tour to proceed. In particular, they point out that these tests have been conducted almost 6 weeks ahead of the first Test.

Today's results could well have selection implications for Pakistan, with firstchoice wicketkeeper Mohammad Rizwan having tested positive. That boosts the selection prospects of former captain and Karachi native Sarfaraz Ahmed, who was last year removed from captaincy and dropped from all three formats. No player from Karachi returned a positive test, particularly notable since friction between the central government and the provincial government of Sindh - the capital of which is Karachi - prompted the province to impose stricter restrictions than were present in the rest of the country.

"The recent positive tests of some of the fittest athletes, who had not shown any symptoms, clearly reflect the danger this virus possesses," Wasim Khan said. "As such, and on behalf of the PCB, I once again request the public to strictly adhere to all safety precautions as advised and recommended by the federal and provincial governments to ensure their health and safety as well as of their dear and near ones."

Today's developments further highlight the stark challenges of conducting an international tour in these times, with this not the first time the pandemic has affected Pakistan's preparations for the tour of England.

A fortnight ago, the PCB scrapped plans to host a training camp in Pakistan ahead of the tour, with the rapid growth of cases in the country making it impossible to achieve a bio-secure environment. That necessitated bringing forward the team's departure to England, with the aim of conducting a camp there, where the virus has passed its peak.

Pakistan has seen a surge of Covid-19 cases over the past few weeks, prompting the government to reimpose a partial lockdown earlier this week. The country currently has around 190,000 confirmed cases, which ranks it 13th globally, while it is believed the pandemic has not yet reached its peak. "We are concerned as we see numbers growing in Pakistan. But one thing we do know about England is that there conditions there are massively improving. Shops and restaurants are reopening with social distancing. Once we cancelled our camp in Lahore we were looking to go England earlier,and so we are comfortable with the provisions at the ECB put in place. We will protect our players as much as possible and keep them safe to allow them to practice and play matches in a safe environment."

Djokovic tests positive for Covid-19, says 'extremely sorry' to others BELGRADE AGENCIES

Novak Djokovic, the men’s world number one tennis player, tested positive for Covid-19 on Tuesday and then apologised to all individuals who contracted the virus after playing in an exhibition tournament he organised in Serbia and Croatia.

Grigor Dimitrov of Bulgaria, Croatia’s Borna Coric and Viktor Troicki have previously tested positive after playing in Djokovic’s Adria Tour exhibition tournament in the Balkan region.

Djokovic’s fitness coach Marco Panichi and Dimitrov’s coach Christian Groh have also tested positive. “The moment we arrived in Belgrade we went to be tested,” Djokovic said in a statement on Tuesday, adding that he was not showing any symptoms. “My result is positive, just as Jelena’s (wife), while the results of our children are negative. “I am extremely sorry for each individual case of infection. I hope that it will not complicate anyone’s health situation and that everyone will be fine. I will remain in self-isolation for the next 14 days, and repeat the test in five days.” The organisers said that the remainder of the Adria Tour had

been cancelled, the two-day event on July 3-4 in Banja Luka, Bosnia and the planned exhibition match with Bosnian Damir Dzumhur in Sarajevo on July 5.

Serbia has 13,092 registered cases and 263 dead due to the pandemic but both Serbia and Croatia eased lockdown measures weeks before the tournament and players were not obliged to observe social distancing rules in either country.

The tournament witnessed packed stands during the opening leg in Belgrade, players hugging at the net, playing basketball, posing for pictures and attending press conferences together.

Djokovic, 33, organised nights out in Belgrade for the players and pictures and videos of him dancing with the other participants at his event were posted on social media.

“Prayers up to all the players that have contracted Covid- 19,” said Nick Kyrgios, retweeting a video of the players dancing shirtless in Belgrade. “Don’t @ me for anything I’ve done that has been ‘irresponsible’ or classified as ‘stupidity’ - this takes the cake,” said the temperamental Australian, who was placed on probation by the men’s ATP Tour over his behaviour last year.

SPORTS 11

new Zealand's august tour of Bangladesh postponed WELLINGTON: New Zealand's two-Test tour of Bangladesh, which was scheduled in AugustSeptember as part of the ICC World Test Championship, has been postponed for a later date amid the Covid-19 pandemic. Cricket has been suspended since mid-March in Bangladesh, with the Shere Bangla National Stadium, cricket's headquarters in the country, well within a virus "red zone". Bangladesh has crossed the 100,000 mark for total number of coronavirus cases, with over 1,500 deaths attributed to the pandemic so far. BCB's chief executive Nizamuddin Chowdhury said that the board considered the health and safety of the players when deciding on the postponement.

"In the present Covid-19 pandemic scenario, hosting a full cricket series in August 2020 will be a challenge in terms of preparations and we cannot take chances with the safety and health of players, support staff and related stakeholders," Chowdhury said. "Under these circumstances, the BCB and NZC have felt that the best way forward would be to defer the series. We realise that this will be hugely disappointing for the players and officials of both teams, not to mention the fans of the two nations but I must thank NZC for its understanding and for recognising the rationale behind such a decision." This is Bangladesh's fourth postponement since March, following the second Test against Pakistan in Karachi (April), Ireland and UK tour (May) and Australia's tour of Bangladesh (June). Their tour to Sri Lanka, scheduled for July-August, is still in doubt. New Zealand have also had several deferrals including the cancellation of the Chappell-Hadlee series in March after one ODI. They have postponed their Europe tour (Netherlands, Ireland and Scotland) and a tour to the West Indies. AGENCIES

one positive in latest Premier league Covid19 tests, total now 18

LONDON: The Premier League said on Monday that there was one more positive result from the latest round of Covid-19 tests of players and staff conducted last week, taking the total number of cases to 18 since testing began last month. The English top flight restarted its season last week after a 100-day hiatus due to the pandemic. "The Premier League can today confirm that between Wednesday 17 June and Sunday 21 June, 1,829 players and club staff were tested for Covid-19," it said in a statement "Of these, one person has tested positive." The league did not reveal the club or the name of the individual who tested positive. Since players returned to contact training last month, tests have been carried out twice a week since May 17 and the league has conducted 10 rounds of testing so far. AGENCIES

Things are going to change: Paine says Australian players must adapt after cutbacks SYDNEY AGENCIES

Australia's cricketers must forge a leaner, tighter Test team to cope with the coronavirus-related job losses forced on the sport, captain Tim Paine said Tuesday.

Paine played down reports of tensions between the players and Cricket Australia but said the game's elite had to come to terms with cutbacks related to the pandemic.

That included losing long-time batting assistant Graeme Hick and other backroom staff when CA axed 40 jobs last week in a bid to save Aus$40 million (US$27.6 million). With a blockbuster Test series against India set to go ahead during the home summer, Paine said the Australians needed to

react fast if they are to reinforce their world number one status.

"Things are going to change, players and teams are going to have to adapt," he told reporters during a video press conference.

"We're seeing an opportunity for the team that can adapt first to these changes is going to get off to a good start in the next Test series and that's really important to us. "We've certainly lost some good people throughout this period but the flip side of that is that it's a great opportunity to adapt quicker than anyone else, to help each other improve." He said that involved players "doing that little bit extra" and pulling together.

"Players are going to have to be aligned with each other and find ways to get things done without the huge numbers of support staff

that we've been lucky to have over the last number of years," he said. Paine also had warm words for former Cricket Australia chief executive Kevin Roberts, who was shown the door last week amid widespread dissatisfaction over his handling of the coronavirus crisis.

"The support he gave me behind the scenes was brilliant," Paine said, adding that he had full confidence in the Cricket Australia board. While eagerly anticipating the India series, Paine was also hopeful a oneoff Test with minnows Afghanistan would still go ahead. "Everyone's thoroughly looking forward to the challenge that India's going to bring," he said. "Certainly Afghanistan will bring a different sort of challenge as well with their mystery spin, so fingers crossed for that."

CMYK

Wednesday, 24 June, 2020

NEWS

FAwAd reveAlS SerIouS dIFFerenCeS wItHIn PtI leAderSHIP MINISTER SAYS JAHANGIR TAREEN HAD ASAD UMAR REMOVED AS FINANCE MINISTER LAST YEAR

F

NEWS DESK

eDeRAL Minister for Science and Technology Fawad Chaudhry has stirred controversy after he revealed in an interview that Jahangir Khan Tareen had played a role in Asad Umar’s removal from the Finance Ministry last year.

In an interview with Voice of America (VoA), he said that infighting between Umar, Tareen and Shah Mahmood Qureshi affected the party a lot.

“There was a lot of expectation from PTI and Imran Khan,” Chaudhry said.

“The public had not elected us or the prime minister to fix nuts and bolts but to reform the system.” “When the Panama case was resolved I and few others had a chance to speak to Imran Khan and at that time I felt his ideas were very clear when it came to reforms,” he added.

“The way he said the chief ministers had become dictators in Sindh and the National Finance Commission [NFC] Award should be there along with police reforms, judicial reforms, it was very clear at that time what Imran Khan’s vision was,” he further said.

Chaudhry said that one of the main problems was the infighting between the PTI’s senior leadership that included Umar, Tareen and Qureshi. Hence, this led to a political vacuum. “When the political vacuum was created, it was filled up with new people who were not from politics,” he said. “When your core team was disturbed it was filled with new people who were frankly not aligned with ideas and won’t be and don’t have the capacity to either,” he added.

This infighting affected the party a lot especially the political class, he stated.

Responding to a question about

SAYS INFIGHTING BETWEEN TAREEN, UMAR AND QURESHI ALLOWED INCAPABLE PEOPLE TO FILL POLITICAL VACUUM whether the prime minister did not get an experienced team or if he was at fault for the way he was governing, Chaudhry said the team was selected by PM Imran.

“There is no leader like Imran Khan in the Muslim world. You can disagree with him but look at the Turkish leadership which is unacceptable to the West or the Iranian and Saudi leadership which has its controversies. Imran Khan is the only leader who brought the Muslim world together,” he said. “I can understand about Nawaz Sharif and Benazir Bhutto who took weak people and gave them important positions because they had the vision to transfer their leadership [to their children],” he added.

“They had no other vision,” Chaudhry said, adding that PM Imran did not have the same problem.

“The best people should have been there [appointed to government posi-

tions] but it affected the way things were,” he added.

When asked why despite having the political might of Qureshi, Tareen and Pervez Khattak in the federal cabinet, things turned out the way they were, the minister said they tried to make them [Tareen and Umar] reconcile but it could not happen. “When [Asad] Umar became the finance minister, [Jahangir] Tareen had him removed as the finance minister. Then when Umar came back [to the cabinet] he had Tareen removed.

Similarly, Qureshi met Tareen to talk, but nothing could materialise,” Chaudhry said.

“I could not understand because fights happen in parties but I think the internal fights between these top three to four leaders not only affected the party but the entire political class whose place was then taken over by bureaucrats,” he added.

Senate committee approves Gwadar tax concessions NEWS DESK Maritime secretary says Ministry of Maritime had earlier misguided parliament over eligibility of sub-contractors for similar tax treatment The Senate Standing Committee on Finance during an in-camera meeting on Tuesday unanimously approved the tax concessions proposed for Gwadar Port and Gwadar Free Zone in the Finance Bill 202021. The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) had earlier revealed to the committee that it has proposed a tax holiday of up-to 40 years for Gwadar Port operators, contractors and sub-contractors following the recommendation of Maritime Secretary Rizwan Ahmed.

However, on June 18, during a meeting of the Senate committee, the maritime secretary conceded that as per the original Gwadar Port concession agreement, tax holidays had been granted for 20 years instead of 40 years to port operators and that these concessions cannot be extended to subcontractors. Replying to the Senate Standing Committee on Finance Chairman Senator Farooq H Naek’s question regarding the eligibility of sub-contractors for a similar tax treatment, the maritime secretary stated that the Ministry of Maritime had earlier misguided the parliament by stating that subcontractors were eligible for such treatment.

China, India agree to reduce tensions after deadly clash BEIJING AGENCIES

China and India have agreed to reduce tensions a week after clashes on their disputed Himalayan border left 20 Indian troops dead in brutal handto-hand fighting. The June 15 battle, reportedly fought with fists, clubs and rocks, was the first time troops have been killed on their border since 1975 and marked a major deterioration in ties between the two Asian giants. Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian said that after talks between the top regional military commanders on Monday, both sides “agreed to take necessary measures to promote a cooling of the situation”. The Press Trust of India said the meeting was between Lieutenant General Harinder Singh, commander of the 14 Corps, and Major General Liu Lin, commander of the Tibet Military District. “The holding of this meeting shows that both sides want to deal with their disagreement, manage the situation and de-escalate the situation through dialogue and consultations,” Zhao told a regular news conference. The two sides “exchanged frank and in-depth views” and “agreed to maintain dialogue and jointly committed to promoting peace and tranquility in the border areas”, Zhao added.

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

Saudi Arabia to allow around 1,000 pilgrims to perform Hajj RIYADH: Saudi Arabia will allow around 1,000 pilgrims residing in the kingdom to perform Haj this year, a minister said on Tuesday, after it announced the ritual would be scaled back due to coronavirus. “The number of pilgrims will be around 1,000, maybe less, maybe a little more,” Haj Minister Mohammad Benten told reporters. “The number won’t be in tens or hundreds of thousands” this year, he added. The pilgrimage, scheduled for the end of July, will be limited to those below 65 years of age and with no chronic illnesses, Health Minister Tawfiq alRabiah said. The pilgrims will be tested for coronavirus before arriving in the holy city of Makkah and will be required to quarantine at home after the ritual, Rabiah added. Saudi Arabia announced on Monday it would hold a “very limited” Haj this year, as it moves to curb the biggest coronavirus outbreak in the Gulf. It said the ritual will be open to people of various nationalities already in the kingdom. The decision marks the first time in Saudi Arabia’s modern history that Muslims outside the kingdom have been barred from performing Haj, which last year drew 2.5 million pilgrims. Benten did not specify how the pilgrims will be selected. But he said the government will work with various diplomatic missions in the kingdom to select foreign pilgrims residing in Saudi Arabia who fit the health criteria. AGENCIES

Coronavirus cases in Pakistan surge past 185,000 OVER 300 PATIENTS HAVE DIED OF COVID-19 IN HOME ISOLATION DURING PAST THREE MONTHS ISLAMABAD STAFF REPORT

As many as 3,946 new coronavirus cases surfaced in the country over the last 24 hours, taking the total tally to 185,034. According to National Command and Operation Centre (NCOC), there are 68,308 cases in Punjab, 71,092 in Sindh, 22,633 in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), 9,587 in Balochistan, 11,219 in Islamabad, 1,326 in GilgitBaltistan (GB) and 869 in Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK). The death toll from the virus stands at 3,695 with 105 deaths reported over the last 24 hours. 24,599 coronavirus tests were carried out during this period. 73,471 patients have so far recovered from the disease. Meanwhile, Minister for Planning and Development Asad Umar said that the aim of targeted lockdown is to isolate maximum Covid-19 patients. Chairing a briefing at NCOC on Tuesday, he said that there is a positive difference seen in the urban areas with maximum compliance of wearing masks in public places. OVER 300 PATIENTS DIED IN HOME ISOLATION: Moreover, a local news outlet reported on Wednesday that over 300 coronavirus patients passed away in their homes during self-isolation over the past three months. Citing federal health authorities, the report stated that of the 89 Covid-19 patients who died during 24 hours between June 21 and 22, at least six patients lost their lives at their homes, including four in Sindh and one each in Punjab and KP.

taliban storm checkposts in Afghanistan, kill 8 soldiers KUNDUZ AGENCIES

Dozens of Taliban fighters stormed three checkposts in pre-dawn raids in northern Afghanistan Tuesday, killing at least eight security personnel, in the latest attack on government forces ahead of expected peace talks. It comes after authorities this week accused the Taliban of increasing attacks on Afghan forces at a time when both sides are preparing to start delayed negotiations. The simultaneous raids on one army and two police checkpoints in Kunduz province led to fierce gunfights that lasted for hours, officials said. eight members of Afghan security forces were killed and seven more were wounded in the fighting, district head Nasruddin Saadi told AFP. Kunduz provincial governor spokesman esmatullah Muradi confirmed the coordinated attack but said nine security personnel were killed in the night-time battle. The Taliban have so far not commented. Taliban fighters have repeatedly attacked security forces in and around Kunduz province. The city itself has briefly fallen twice to the insurgents in recent years. Taliban fighters also raided an army checkpost in Balkh province and another in Ghazni province during the night, the defence ministry said, adding that several insurgents had been killed in ensuing clashes.