Epaper – November 25 LHR 2020

Wednesday, 25 November, 2020 I 9 Rabi al-Akhir, 1442 I Rs 15.00 I Vol XI No 146 I 12 Pages I Lahore Edition

IndIa escalated antI-PakIstan camPaIgn after Islamabad unveIled dossIer: fo g

‘Baseless and unsubstantiated Indian allegations are nothing but a reflection of desperate efforts on India’s part to salvage its false terrorism narrative against Pakistan’

Govt says no restrictions on Nawaz, family to return for Shamim’s funeral ISLAMABAD

ISLAMABAD STAFF REPORT

STAFF REPORT

ESPONDING to scaled-up Indian diplomatic offensive against Pakistan in recent days, the Foreign Office on Tuesday said New Delhi had escalated its anti-Islamabad campaign after it made public the "irrefutable proof" of Indian state-sponsorship of terrorism in the country.

The statement comes days after Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in a tweet, claimed to have neutralised four terrorists belonging to a proscribed militant organisation in Nagrota district of held Kashmir and, as usual, blamed it on Pakistan. The following day, New Delhi summoned Islamabad's charge d'affaires and offered "strong concern" over the alleged attack.

Subsequently, on Monday, India's Foreign Secretary Harsh Shringla briefed a select group of foreign ambassadors about Pakistan's alleged role in the incident that occurred on November 19, Times of India reported.

When asked, Foreign Office spokesperson Zahid Hafeez Chaudhri said the briefing "is yet another attempt to mischievously implicate Pakistan in some alleged planned attack occupied Kashmir". "The completely baseless and unsubstantiated Indian allegations are nothing but a reflection of desperate efforts on India’s part to salvage its false terrorism narrative against Pakistan and to divert international attention from its state terrorism in the occupied valley and state-sponsorship of terrorism against Pakistan," he added. Chaudhri recalled Islamabad has been "consistently

The government on Tuesday dismissed the impression of placing restrictions on the arrival of deposed prime minister Nawaz Sharif, his sons — Hassan Nawaz and Hussain Nawaz — and former finance minister Ishaq Dar for the funeral of Begum Shamim Akhtar, the mother of Sharif brothers who passed away in London on Sunday. Sharif has been living in London since November last year when he was released on conditional medical bail for his treatment abroad. Dar, on the other hand, has taken self-exile in the United Kingdom after his removal from the post of Finance Minister in 2017 following the emergence of allegations of accumulation of assets beyond means against him. Both of them are wanted back home in multiple cases of graft and abuse of power.

Speculations arose after the sudden demise of Akhtar, who had travelled to London in February to live with her son, whether or not Sharif and Dar will return to attend the funeral. Later on Sunday, Sharif’s daughter and Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) vice president Maryam Nawaz, in a tweet, said she had advised her father not to return because of what she claimed was the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) government’s vendetta against the Sharif family. “They are welcome to come to Pakistan and attend the funeral,” Minister for Information Senator Shibli Faraz said on Tuesday. In a tweet, Faraz warned the opposition party of trying to politicise the matter. “The narrative of state suppression is deliberate propaganda and an attempt to politicise this issue. Who are you trying to fool?” Meanwhile, arrangements are being made to bring the body back to Lahore within a couple of days to be buried next to the grave of her husband, Mian Sharif, at the family’s Jati Umra residence. A day earlier, the PML-N sought at least a two-week parole for party president Shahbaz Sharif and his son Punjab Assembly Opposition Leader Hamza Shahbaz to participate in the last rites of Begum Akhtar. Both Shahbaz and Hamza are in Kot Lakhpat jail on judicial remand in a money laundering and assets beyond means case against the member of the Shahbaz family. In an application to the Lahore deputy commissioner, PML-N leader Attaullah Tarar said both Shahbaz and Hamza were leaders of the opposition in the National and Punjab assemblies.

He sought their release on parole for a period of at least two weeks to receive condolences and participate in the last rituals at the family’s Model Town and Jati Umra residences. The Office of the Deputy Commissioner confirmed it had received the application but said it did not confirm when the body would land in Lahore.

r

sensitising the international community regarding the possibility of India undertaking a false flag operation with the intention to implicate Pakistan and jeopardising regional peace and security".

"We forewarn the world community once again." The spokesman added Pakistan will continue exposing India and will not let the world community be misled by its propaganda. "The world community, including the United Nations counter-terrorism mechanisms, must act on the dossier presented by Pakistan with incontrovertible evidence of Indian state sponsorship of terrorism," he said.

DOSSIER ON INDIAN TERRORISM: Earlier this month, Pakistan made public a dossier containing "irrefutable proof" of the Indian sponsorship of terrorism in Pakistan and called on the world to stop India’s rogue actions for saving the region’s peace and security.

Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi, accompanied by military

spokesman Maj Gen Babar Iftikhar, while sharing salient features of the dossier with the media at a presser at the Foreign Office, emphasised that the world could not afford to ignore India’s “rogue behaviour” and said Pakistan reserved the right to defend itself in every possible way.

Pakistan has accused its arch-rival neighbour of aiding and abetting terrorism for destabilising the region in the past as well, but this time the allegations are backed by specific evidence of financing, training, harbouring, and weapons supply in the shape of copies of correspondence, bank transactions and communication intercepts.

“The [specific] evidence presented by Pakistan provides a concrete proof of Indian financial and material sponsorship of multiple terrorist organisations, including UN-designated terrorist organisations Jamaat-ul-Ahrar, Balochistan Liberation Army and Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan,” Qureshi explained.

PTI official winner of GB elections, Opp riots continue ISLAMABAD STAFF REPORT

With the arrival of official results of the Gilgit-Baltistan (GB) elections, the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has secured 22 out of 33 seats and is set to form for the government in the region, but is facing backlash from the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) and the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), who accused the PTI of rigging.

The PPP holds five seats, while the PML-N has three. Of the 33 seats of the legislative assembly, 24 are con-

tested through elections, six are reserved for women, and three are reserved for technocrats.

The PTI won ten of the 24 seats in the general elections and was joined by seven independent winners, as well as one winner from the Majlis Wahdatul Muslimeen (MWM).

PTI’s Fatehullah Khan has been declared as the winner in GBLA-2, despite the constituency’s returning officer’s recommendation that a forensic audit of the ballots should be held. Earlier, unofficial results had indicated that PPP’s Jameel Ahmed

would win the constituency with 8,817 votes against 8,200 secured by PTI’s Khan. But the recounting of votes turned the tables.

PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari earlier said, “Your mandate has been stolen. Our candidates were pressurised.” Refusing to accept the recount decision in the Gilgit Baltistan constituency, the PPP on Tuesday announced it would continue its protest against the alleged rigging in the polls.

PPP Gilgit President Amjad Hussain said that peaceful protests will be

held at various locations in GB. Earlier on Monday, at least four vehicles and a building of GilgitBaltistan’s forest department were torched by unidentified persons during the protest against alleged rigging, police said.

Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Mirza Hussain said the violence started after a clash between security forces and protesters. He said there are no injuries and no one has been arrested. Police have sealed off roads in the region.

PPP’s GB chapter President Advocate Amjad further said that several workers of the PPP were injured from tear gas shelling by police. He said that demonstrations will be held in 12 districts from 124pm on Tuesday.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 05

more inside

Pakistan categorically rejects rumours of recognising Israel as state STORY ON PAGE 02

CTD officials foil suicide attack on Lahore police station STORY ON PAGE 04

Law for chemical castration of rapists okayed by PM Imran STORY ON PAGE 03

Pakistan invite Afghan neighbours on first official cricket tour

STORY ON PAGE 11

coronavIrus In

PakIstan

CONFIRMED CASES:

379,883

LAST UPDATED AT 7:11 AM ON NOVEMBER 24, 2020

DAY'S DEATH TOLL:

48

RECOVERED:

NEW CASES:

875

DEATHS:

331,760 7,744 SINDH:

PUNJAB:

164,651

115,138

KP:

BALOCHISTAN:

AJK/GB:

ISLAMABAD:

44,932

16,846

6,203/4,558 27,555

02

Wednesday, 25 November, 2020

NEWS

DAIly CovID-19 InfeCtIons neAR 3,000 wIth 48 moRe DeAths ISLAMABAD

P

STAFF REPORT

AKISTAN has recorded 2,954 new Covid-19 cases and 48 deaths due to coronavirus in the last 24 hours, said the National Command and Operation Centre (NCOC) on

Tuesday.

As per details, the country's death toll has now reached 7,744. A total of 1,389 patients recovered from the virus during the last 24 hours, while 1,751 patients are in critical condition at present.

According to the NCOC, with fresh inclusion of the infections in the country, the national tally of cases now currently stands at 379,883, whereas the number of active cases stands at 40,379. So far,

331,760 people have recovered from the deadly disease.

A total of 39,165 tests were conducted across the country during this period, lifting the positivity rate to 7.54pc. As many as 5,256,120 samples have been tested so far.

In Punjab, a total of 18 fatalities from coronavirus were reported in the last 24 hours, taking the provincial death toll to 2,879. According to a spokesperson of the Primary and Secondary Healthcare Department, as many as 63 new cases of Covid-19 surfaced in the province, pushing the total number of infections to 115,138.

A total of 1,877,938 samples have been tested across the province since the outbreak began. The number of people recovered from the highly contagious disease stands at 89,3400.

Pakistan categorically rejects rumours of recognising Israel as state NEWS DESK A statement by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) on Tuesday said that rumours of Pakistan recognising Israel as a state are false, and reiterated its stance on the matter. “Responding to media queries, the Spokesperson categorically rejected baseless speculation regarding possibility of recognition of the State of Israel by Pakistan,” read the statement from the Foreign Officem adding that Prime Minister Imran Khan’s has given “clear and unequivocal” on the matter. “The Prime Minister has made it clear that unless a just settlement of the Palestine issue, satisfactory to the Palestinian people, is found, Pakistan cannot recognize Israel,” read the statement. “For just and lasting peace, it is imperative to have a two-state solution in accordance with the relevant United Nations and OIC resolutions, with the pre-1967 borders, and Al-Quds Al-Sharif as the capital of a viable, independent and contiguous Palestinian State,” said the MoFA. These rumours were sparked after a purported meeting between Netanyahu and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman a few days ago was shared by Israeli media, but the reports of this meeting were declared false by Saudi Arabia’s government, which said that the prince had met US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and that no Israeli official had attended the meeting.

Punjab PAC recovers Rs25bn embezzled money in 14 months: Bokhari LAHORE TLTP

Punjab Public Accounts Committee (PAC) Chairman, Syed Yawar Abbas Bokhari revealed on Tuesday that the provincial PAC has recovered Rs25 billion embezzled money in 14 months.

Syed Yawar Abbas Bokhari said the amount was recovered from government functionaries as well as contractors and subsequently deposited in the provincial exchequer.

He said that a number of higher officials and firms were found to be involved in corrupt practices.The PAC chairman said the committee would have recovered embezzled funds to the tune of Rs40 billion had the PAC meetings not been postponed due to the pandemic. He pointed out the amount was retrieved from government officials and contractors.He said the individuals and companies found to be involved in corrupt practices have been blacklisted permanently.Prime Minister Imran Khan has also been informed of the PAC’s accomplishment.

The number of the coronavirus patients is on the rise in Punjab hospitals as this month, six times more serious patients have been admitted at hospitals in comparison to the previous month. The death rate of Covid-19 patients has also been enhanced by three times.

The rapid increase in coronavirus cases could overwhelm the available facilities in hospitals, apprehended the sources, adding that hospitals across Punjab have overall 1,280 ventilators and over 5,000 oxygenated beds.

Mayo Hospital in Lahore has a maximum of 75 ventilators allocated for the novel coronavirus patients. The hospital presently has 30 patients in the intensive care unit. According to reports, 12 government hospitals have been made corona focal

facilities and 161 critical patients have been admitted at these 12 hospitals.

In Balochistan, 36 new infections were reported in the last 24 hours. “Four more cases were reported in provincial educational institutions during this time,” Media Coordinator of Corona Cell in the province, Dr Waseem Baig, said in a statement.

Corona infections count in academic institutions has soared to 976, the spokesperson stated. Total death count stands at 163 as two more patients succumbed to the disease in the province.

The number of total cases of Covid-19 in Balochistan has reached 16,846, according to the statement.

The ratio of active cases in the province has currently reached three percent as the recovery rate of Covid patients has been 96

Shehbaz, Hamza granted temporary release for Sharif matriarch’s funeral ISLAMABAD STAFF REPORT

The Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) President, Shehbaz Sharif, and his son, Hamza Shehbaz, have been granted a temporary parole-based release for a five-day period in order to attend the funeral of Begum Shamim Akhtar, the mother of Shehbaz and PML-N Supremo Nawaz Sharif.

The release would come into effect once Begum Akhtar’s body obtains clearance from Westminster Magistrates’ Court coroner and enters Pakistan, which should be in a few days, a local news outlet reported.

PML-N on Monday had approached the provincial authorities to get Shehbaz Sharif and his son released on parole to attend the funeral of Sharif’s mother.

Begum Shamim Akhtar, the nonagenarian mother of deposed prime minister and PML-N supreme leader Nawaz Sharif and his brother Shehbaz, passed away in London on Sunday morning. Following which, the Punjab government had announced to release the father-

son duo, detained in Kot Lakhpat prison in various graft cases, will be released a day before the arrival of the body.

According to PML-N leader Ataullah Tarar, the body was likely to be brought back to Lahore within a couple of days and buried next to the grave of her husband, Mian Sharif, at the Jati Umra residence of the Sharifs.

Tarar, who on Sunday announced to approach concerned authorities to get Sharifs’ released on parole, the following day approached Lahore Deputy Commissioner Mudassir Riaz in this regard.

PML-N leadership has confirmed that Nawaz, who is in London since November last year on the pretext of medical treatment, will not join the funeral, citing medical reasons.

Nawaz, 70, was handed a seven-year prison sentence after a conviction for corruption in the Al-Azizia Steel Mills case in 2018. He was granted conditional bail on medical grounds in November last to seek treatment abroad. He has, however, refused to return.

“Mian Nawaz Sharif will not come to Pakistan because he is suffering from kidney problem and is in hospital,” a party leader had confirmed to the media.

Fully prepared to thwart all internal, external challenges: COAS NEWS DESK Expressing serious concern in the wake of irrefutable evidence of Indian state-sponsored terrorism and efforts to destabilise Pakistan, the Corps Commanders’ Conference has outlined a strong will, resolve and determination to defend the motherland against any misadventure.

Chief of Army Staff (COAS), General Qamar Javed Bajwa presided over the 237th Corps Commanders’ Conference at General Headquarters (GHQ) on Tuesday, said the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR).

Addressing the conference, the Chief of Army Staff specifically directed all commanders to ensure measures to support the national effort. The Army Chief said that the Pakistan Army with support of state institutions and the nation is fully prepared to thwart all internal and external challenges.

“It is our duty to transform these challenges into

opportunities for the stability and prosperity of the people of Pakistan,” the COAS further said.

The forum emphasised that Indian efforts to sabotage China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), involvement in financing and training of terrorist organisations for fomenting unrest in Pakistan, especially in Azad Jammu and Kashmir, Gilgit-Baltistan and Balochistan are an affront to peace and security in the region.

The conference reviewed geo-strategic, regional and national security environment and discussed internal security, the situation along borders as well as Line of Control (LOC), and atrocities in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu & Kashmir (IIOJ&K).

Deliberating upon recent surge in ceasefire violations (CFVs) by the Indian army, the corps commanders resolved to take all measures necessary to protect innocent population living along the LOC from Indian firing deliberately targeting civil population.

percent, Dr Baig said. The provincial health department had earlier said that the positivity rate of Covid-19 hiked from 1.1 pc to 6.2 pc in the province in the current month with the second wave of Covid-19.

Chairing a high-level meeting in Islamabad on Monday last to review the overall situation of the pandemic in the country, the Prime Minister directed to take all possible measures to prevent the spread of the Covid-19 pandemic and to protect the lives of common people.

He directed to convene a meeting of the National Coordination Committee for consultation and decision making over various matters in wake of the second Covid19 wave. The premier stressed the need for maintaining balance and precaution in the second wave of the virus.

Gwadar port gets China’s support for greater role in region ISLAMABAD: China has reiterated its full support to the Gwadar Port's project for its greater role in the regional cooperation on trade and goods transition. Chinese Foreign Ministry's Spokesperson Zhao Lijian during a media briefing in Beijing on Tuesday said, “China supports the greater role of the port, an important component of China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), and we are glad to see the new progress.” The international transit activities have started with the arrival of the first fish cargo at the Gwadar Port for onward shipment to China, he informed. In the coming days, more vessels containing international cargo, including LPG, steel pipes, DAP fertilizer for transit to Afghanistan were scheduled to arrive at the port. Lijain informed that during his posting as deputy head of mission at the Chinese Embassy in Islamabad, he visited the Gwadar Port for six times. “From its building and use, I am quite impressed by the achievements in the Gwadar Port," he stated. He remarked that facts had proven that CPEC had not only benefited Chinese and Pakistani people but had also facilitated regional connectivity and economic cooperation. “We are confident that with efforts from all parties, the CPEC will surely play a more positive role in helping the region achieve prosperity,” Lijian added. The arrival of a ship carrying 200 tonnes of fish from the international water for onward shipment to China in refrigerated containers was the outcome of a special initiative taken under the guidance of the prime minister to kick start operations at the Gwadar Port, the spokesperson added. "This reflects the confidence of the international business community and shipping lines in the economic potential of the port," he said.

Lijain informed that a dedicated Directorate of Transit Trade had also been established at Gwadar to work closely with the stakeholders to transform the port into a major transit trade hub. STAFF REPORT

Ukrainian energy player to develop first-of-its-kind plant in Punjab LAHORE SHAHAB OMER

A Ukrainian company which specialises in the implementation of renewable energy projects (REP) and municipal solid waste (MSW) management will design and develop the first of its kind “Landfill Degassing” project in Punjab.

A delegation from Clear Energy Group of Companies – a leading player in the energy sector of Ukraine – visited Punjab Board of Investment & Trade

(PBIT) to discuss the potential of renewable energy in Punjab.

Director of Facilitation at PBIT, Dr Suhail Saleem, met the CEO of Clear Energy Serhii Savchuk and International Business Manager Kotliarov Evgenii and briefed them regarding the potential of renewable energy in Punjab.

He apprised the delegation about the working of PBIT, Lahore Waste Management Company and Punjab Power Development Board and the ways these organizations can help in the

company’s plan to establish a plant in Punjab.

Serhii Savchuk said that Clear Energy is an expert in the field of waste management, adding that it intends to design and develop a first-of-its-kind “Landfill Degassing” project in Pakistan.

The waste collection from Lahore is the highest in Punjab and the company is in process of developing a business plan to submit an unsolicited bid. In this regard, PBIT will provide one-window facilitation to the company for

connecting them with other relevant government departments.

It was highlighted that waste in Punjab is on average 60% organic, which is suitable for biogas power plant and landfill degassing. Pakistan produces, on average, 30m waste tons/year.

Dr Salman Haider and Amir from Punjab Power Development Board PPDB joined the meeting through a video link and briefed the participants on the potential of waste-to-energy projects in Punjab and the mode of investment suitable for the company.

Ukrainian delegation said that cooperation in energy affairs between Pakistan and Ukraine will assist Pakistan in modernising its energy sector, making it energy-efficient, expanding its usage of renewables as well as the reduction of CO2 emissions in the long-term.

Wednesday, 25 November, 2020

NEWS

03

lAw foR ChemICAl CAstRAtIon of RAPIsts oKAyeD By Pm ImRAn

P

NEWS DESK

RIME Minister Imran Khan on Tuesday approved, in principle, a law for the chemical castration of rapists. The decision was made during a federal cabinet meeting wherein the law ministry presented a draft of the anti-rape ordinance. The draft includes increasing women’s role in policing, fasttracking rape cases and witness protection.

Stressing that this was a serious matter, PM Imran Khan said no delay will be tolerated. “We need to ensure a safe environment for our citizens.”

The premier said the legislation will be

clear and transparent with strict enforcement. He said the rape survivors will be able to register complaints without fear, adding that the government will protect their identity.

Sources said some federal ministers also recommended public hanging for the rape convicts. But the premier said castration will be a start. The federal cabinet has, in principle, approved strict severe punishment for rape convicts.

Addressing a post-cabinet press briefing, Minister for Information and Broadcasting Senator Shibli Faraz said after giving inprinciple approval to the anti-rape ordinance, the cabinet asked the Law Division and other

senior journalist Pir sufaid shah hamdard passes away Senior journalist, founder and chief editor of Daily Wahdat, Pir Syed Sufaid Shah Hamdard left for eternal abode after a protracted illness on Tuesday.

Pir Sufaid Shah also known as Baba-e-Sahafat was bedridden for a long period and admitted to a local hospital three weeks back. He dedicated his whole life to field of journalism and many of his disciples and adherents who started career in journalism in Daily Wahdat are working in leading newspapers and media channels of the country. Regarded as journalism academy, Pir Sufaid Shah was among the senior most journalists of the country and his career spanned almost 70 years. Shah, who started Daily Wahdat in 1970, left a legacy of meritorious services during Afghan jihad that not only encouraged Afghan freedom fighters but played a significant role in promoting love, unity and brotherhood between people of Pakistan and Afghans. Sufaid Shah was also awarded pride of performance for his dedication and professionalism. He was also the recipient of various awards conferred on him by leading media organizations including Life Achievement Awards of APNS and CPNE while he was declared Baba-ePashtu Sahafat in International Pashto Conference.

He also served as member and convener of APNS Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and played a prominent role in CPNE. His funeral prayer would be offered on Wednesday (today) at 11:00am near Alam Bagh, Warsak Road. PAKISTAN TODAY

Pm, ministers agree to speed up Karachi transformation Plan During a Federal Cabinet meeting, Prime Minister Imran Khan and various ministers agreed to speed up the Karachi Transformation Plan (KPT) as the people of the port city have high expectations from the government’s Karachi Package. The meeting, chaired

by PM Imran, reviewed the economic conditions of the country and a 14-point agenda was presented in regard to taking action to tackle the issues faced by the nation. Federal Minister for Information Technology and Telecommunication Amin-ul-Haq pointed out that the KPT was moving painstakingly slow and that it needs attention to be sped up, to which the premier agreed. PM Imran has called for a meeting in Karachi on Thursday to accelerate the three-year development plan for Karachi, which is worth Rs1,100 billion. NEWS DESK

DRAP approves import of Covid-19 rapid testing kit ISLAMABAD: The Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (DRAP) on Tuesday approved the import of Covid-19 rapid testing kit. DRAP Chief Executive Officer Dr Asim Rauf confirmed that a foreign pharmaceutical company has registered the coronavirus rapid testing kit which will provide the result of a nasal swab sample within 20 minutes. Dr Rauf said the testing kits manufactured in Germany will be imported by a foreign pharmaceutical company and the initial testing fees will be charged up to Rs2,000. Only trained experts will be able to use the rapid testing kits and the results will be matched with the health condition and clinical history of patients, he added. The DRAP CEO said that rapid testing kits will not be used for donor screening and termed the registration of the kits a major success for speedy diagnosis of the virus. He said that timely diagnosis of the virus will enable the medical experts to treat the infected patients in the country. TLTP

departments concerned to finalise the draft at the earliest by removing all legal lacunae that could be exploited by offenders.

He said PM Imran Khan, after noting with grave concern the recent rape incident of a mother and her daughter in Sindh, asked Law Minister Farogh Naseem to prepare a comprehensive ordinance, encompassing fast-track trial of the accused, a comprehensive definition of rape, inclusion of new offences and strict punishments for the convicted rapists.

The minister said as the ordinance is of great importance and involves punitive actions against the rapists, it was forwarded to the Law Division for further

improvement.

He expressed the hope that the initiative would significantly reduce the number of rape incidents in the country by creating effective deterrence against the offence in the society.

Meanwhile, PTI senator Faisal Javed Khan said the law will soon be presented before the Parliament.

CABINET APPROVES TWO CRITICAL RAPE ORDINANCES: Two critical ordinances were approved by the cabinet today to deal holistically with the menace of rape and child abuse under which necessary amendments in the Pakistan Penal Code will be introduced.

Zardari’s request for transfer of cases set aside by SC NEWS DESK Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari had placed a request before the Supreme Court (SC) for the transfer of his case from Islamabad to Karachi, which has been set aside by the apex court.

Justice Umar Ata Bandial, who heard the plea by Zardari’s counsel, Farooq H Naek, allowed the appeal and issued the order on Tuesday for the Registrar’s Office to fix the main application before the bench within two weeks.

The petition seeks the transfer of the fake bank accounts reference, Park Lane reference, Thatta Water Supply reference, and Toshakhana reference, citing Zardari’s ill health as the reason for the transfer.

Zardari, who was recently hospitalised, suffers from health conditions such as cardiovascular disease and has been granted medical bail. The National Accountability Bureau (NAB) chairperson, former prime minister Yousaf Raza Gilani and Nawaz Sharif have been named as respondents.

On November 13, the Registrar Office had raised objections to the application regarding the transfer corruption cases in accountability courts. According to the SC office, the application is not maintainable as the NAB filed the reference in view of an order of the Supreme Court.

Last month, an accountability court in Islamabad had approved the former president’s petition seeking exemption from personal appearance in the Park Lane reference.

Zardari, his sister Faryal Talpur and other accused face charges of corruption through fake bank accounts and embezzlement in the financial facility for Park Lane Private Limited and Parthenon (Pvt) Ltd. The case is being investigated under different sections of the National Accountability Ordinance (NAO) 1999, and the Anti-Money Laundering Act, 2010, over Zardari’s alleged involvement in a loan and its misappropriation by Parthenon Private Limited. A loan worth Rs 1.5 billion was taken from a bank and transferred to the company’s account in a private bank.

‘Successful Covid response’: WEF to celebrate Pakistan Strategy Day today NEWS DESK Prime Minister Imran Khan will be the chief guest at a World Economic Forum (WEF) event to commemorate Pakistan’s “successful policies” against the novel coronavirus, PTI senator Faisal Javed Khan said on Tuesday.

According to the senator, the forum is acknowledging the premier’s successful policies to contain the virus and has announced it will celebrate

“Pakistan Strategy Day” tomorrow [November 25].

“This is yet another endorsement of Pakistan’s brilliant strategy of handling both coronavirus & economy,” said Faisal in a tweet. “Massive success.”

Faisal said WEF will display Pakistan’s handling of the deadly virus as a case study. He added that other international forums have also stressed learning from the country’s response.

As per media reports, prominent investors, industrialists and businessmen from around the world

The two approved bills included "The Anti-Rape (Investigation & Trial) Ordinance 2020 and the Pakistan Penal Code (Amendment) Ordinance 2020, Minister for Human Rights Shireen Mazari said.

She said the Cabinet Committee for the disposal of Legislative Cases (CCLC) would finalise the ordinances and they should become operational in the next few days.

The minister said the bills included an expansive definition of rape, establishment of special courts, anti-rape crisis cells, protection of victims and witnesses, prohibition of the "two-finger" test, etc.

These Ordinances were badly needed, she added.

half of PIA employees to be voluntarily laid off: minister Federal Minister for Aviation Ghulam Sarwar Khan said on Tuesday that the Civil Aviation Authority of Pakistan will satisfactorily compensate Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) employees being laid off voluntarily. Sarwar further said while PIA requires only 7,000 employees to operate, it employs over 14,000 currently due to the politically influenced recruitments in the past by ruling parties. He said out of 14,000 currently employed, half will have to be let go of via Voluntary Separation Scheme (VSS) and they will be compensated. On the case of suspicious licences of 262 pilots, he said no misinformation was transmitted on this matter while an inquiry was also initiated which found 82 of them proven to be involved. He said that those who came clean in the inquiries got clearance certificates as well. “Whatever we did was in national interest,” he said and claimed that nothing wrong was committed in the process. NEWS DESK

would also attend the event.

“The WEF president will conduct a live interview with Imran Khan at 9:00 PST where PM will brief on his strategies in terms of curbing coronavirus pandemic,” a govt spokesperson said. “The PM will also shed light on Rs12 billion corona relief package, including incentives for construction industry, besides answering queries from global investors and chief executives.”

Apart from the PM, the WEF has also invited some Pakistani ministers to attend separate sessions via video link on ‘Pakistan Strategy Day’.

Wednesday, 25 November, 2020

04 NEWS

AMBiTiOuS DevelOPMeNT PROjeCT ThReATeNS MANGROveS ON BuNDle iSlAND KARACHI

A

AGENCIES

short boat ride from the shores of Karachi, mangrove trees sprout along the quiet inlets of an uninhabited island that environmentalists say provides vital coastal protection to the country’s largest city. But the calm of Bundle Island, home to a few camels, is at risk, with Prime Minister Imran Khan determined to turn it into an enormous real-estate project to ease pressure on the expanding megacity home to 20 million people.

The $50-billion housing development has pitted regional leaders against the central government, with local activists and lawmakers accusing the prime

minister of reneging on pro-environment promises.

“Let nature restore itself and [do] not dream of these big, grand cities,” said Mahera Omar, an environmental filmmaker from Karachi who enjoys kayaking around Bundle and meandering through the island’s mangroves.

“We are all very tired of our concrete jungle. We all want to get away, out into the open,” she added. Coastal mangroves act as a natural barrier, soaking up wave energy and limiting the extent of flooding. “These islands form a barrier against storm surges and tsunamis. Their preservation is vital for the preservation of Karachi,” Arif Belgaumi, an architect and town planner, told AFP. The city is already prone to inunda-

tion and suffered catastrophic flooding during this year’s record monsoon when filthy, chest-deep water filled the streets.

Bundle Island floods during particularly high tides, so any construction would also require environmentally damaging reclamation work that could have knock-on effects for Karachi, Belgaumi added. But Imran’s administration says the project would create thousands of local jobs and bring much-needed relief to chaotically expanding Karachi — not to mention new tax revenue for the country’s cash-strapped coffers. A draft law — immediately challenged by the provincial government of Sindh, where Karachi is the capital city — would turn Bundle and neighboring Buddo Island into federal territories.

Critics say the plan runs counter to

green pledges by Khan, who has spoken out about the perils of climate change and frozen construction of several coal-fired power stations in favor of renewable-energy projects, mainly hydroelectric dams.

The government has also unveiled a nationwide effort to plant 10 billion new trees by 2023. “He takes pride in recognising that global warming is the reality …

[But] when it comes to the province of Sindh, the people of Sindh, his point of view changes,” Sindh government spokesman Barrister Murtaza Wahab said.

The premier’s adviser on climate change, Malik Amin Aslam, did not respond to multiple requests for comment.

Bundle Island, located in the Arabian Sea, is uninhabited except for a few camels and other creatures.

Shopping mall at Karachi's Tariq Road sealed for violating corona SOPs NEWS DESK A shopping mall located at Karachi's Tariq Road area was sealed by authorities on Tuesday after it was found violating the coronavirus standard operating procedures (SOPs). According to Assistant Commissioner Ferozeabad Arsalan Saleem, the mall was sealed and the management was fined as the shopping mall violated the SOPs by remaining past the time limit prescribed to it by authorities. Karachi's major markets near MA Jinnah Road, Light House, and Liaquatabad were found violating the Sindh government's earlier orders that called on business centres to close businesses by 6:00 pm. The 6:00 pm deadline had been issued by Sindh's home department to stem the spread of the virus. However, the city's much-frequented markets such as Zainab Market, Saddar Electronics Market, Pakistan Chowk in Karachi openly flouted the home department's directives by remaining open past 6 pm. Later, police officers forced shops and markets to close after they were found still conducting business beyond 6 pm.

NCC rejects Sindh’s proposal to close mosques to curb infections ISLAMABAD TLTP

KARACHI: The usually busy market of Saddar area gives a deserted look after the provincial government ordered closure of shops from 6pm to curb the spread of coronavirus.

Pari Gul becomes first female ASP of Balochistan QUETTA TLTP

For the first time, a woman police officer, Pari Gul Tareen, has joined the Balochistan police force at the rank of assistant superintendent of police (ASP) in Quetta Cantt. Pari Gul is the first woman in the history of Balochistan to be appointed to this post. The officer hails from Pishin district and joined the Police Service of Pakistan (PSP) after passing the Central Superior Services (CSS) exam.

CTD officials foil suicide attack on Lahore police station AGENCIES Officials from the Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) on Tuesday said they foiled a possible militant attack by killing a suspected would-be suicide bomber when he tried to sneak into a police station near Lahore.

According to a statement released by police, the suspected militant was killed in an exchange of fire early on Tuesday when he shot at guards after being asked to halt at the premises of the police station in the village of Burki.

The man was wearing an explosive vest and he had two grenades in his pockets, the statement said. Police released pictures of an explosive vest, two grenades and a pistol, saying the suspect was carrying them.

Officials provided no further details and said a search operation was underway in the area.

Security forces in Pakistan are often targeted by militants who want the government to end its support to Washington in its 'war on terror'. In October 2009, militants attacked a police training facility in another village near Lahore, killing more than 30 people.

The latest development comes a day after the military said troops in the tribal areas killed two militants during a raid on a militant hideout in Bajaur.

According an Inter-Services Public Relations

TLTP

Refusing to accept the recount decision in the Gilgit Baltistan constituency, GBA-2 (Gilgit II), the Pakistan Peoples Party on Tuesday announced to continue its protest against the alleged rigging in the polls.

PPP Gilgit President Amjad Hussain said that peaceful protests will be held at various locations in GB. The recount result had declared PTI candidate Fatehullah Khan the winner rejecting PPP's claims of rigging. A total of 24 candidates fought against each other in this constituency of whom 14 were independents. The recount was carried out after the PPP leader challenged the election result as unofficial results shared by the returning officer declared Khan ahead of PPP's Jamil Ahmed by 96 votes.

Earlier on Monday, at least four vehicles and a building of Gilgit-Baltistan's forest department were torched by unidentified persons during the protest

MDCAT 2020: PMC announces portal to download new roll number slips The Pakistan Medical Commission (PMC) on Tuesday announced that a portal to download the roll number slips for the Medical and Dental College Admission Test (MDCAT) was now operational. "The portal for downloading roll number slips is now available," the PMC said on Twitter. "All MDCAT applicants, including the ones who had already received their roll number slips previously, are requested to download their updated roll number slips," it added. The portal link, according to the PMC, may be accessed by clicking here.

Earlier, Prime Minister Imran Khan's aide on health had said the MDCAT would be held on November 29, in line with the schedule. NEWS DESK

(ISPR) press release, a major terrorist network was neutralised near Tangi village.

It said Zubair and Fida, the two militants killed, were involved in terrorist activities in Bajaur and Karachi. They were also involved in terrorist incidents against law enforcement agencies, government officials and civilians.

The ISPR said that the network was coordinating terrorist activities in various areas of Pakistan and receiving direct orders from their RAW-sponsored leadership from across the border.

PPP to continue protest against GBA-2 results GILGIT

National Coordination Committee (NCC) on Tuesday rejected a proposal of the Sindh government regarding the closure of mosques across the country amid a nationwide spike in Covid-19 cases. The meeting headed

by Prime Minister Imran Khan was held on Tuesday where, according to sources, Sindh Health Minister Azra Fazl Pechuhu put forward a suggestion to close down mosques owing to rising Covid-19 cases. “A proposal to shut down mosques should also be considered,” Azra Fazl Pechuhu was quoted as saying during the meeting.

However, the NCC members rejected the idea saying that they had already formulated SOPs for the mosquegoers and therefore the places of worship should not be closed down. “Masses should now be implemented upon the Covid-19 SOPs in the mosques,” the federal government’s representatives said during the meeting.

against alleged rigging, police said.

Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Mirza Hussain said the violence started after a clash between security forces and protesters. He said there are no injuries and no one has been arrested. Police have sealed off roads in the region. PPP's GB chapter President Advocate Amjad, however, said that several workers of the PPP were injured from tear gas shelling by police. He said that demonstrations will be held in 12 districts from 12-4pm on Tuesday.

Meanwhile, PPP's Information Secretary for GB Saadia Danish said that party workers arranged a peaceful protest against alleged rigging in GBLA-II but the police used force to stop them. She said that police resorted to baton-charge and aerial firing, which led to the disruption of peace. She held the local administration responsible for the law and order situation. The PTI has emerged as the single largest party in the hotly contested Gilgit-Baltistan elections, according to unofficial and unconfirmed results.

Wednesday, 25 November, 2020

NON-PeRfORmING lOaNS aRe The leaST Of BaNkS' CONCeRN, OR aRe They?

KARACHI

T

ARIBA SHAHID

HE total non-performing loans in Pakistan stood at Rs91 billion during the first nine months of 2020, as compared to Rs78 billion during the same period of last year. However, the total NPLs fell to Rs6 billion in the third quarter (July-Sept) of 2020, compared with Rs44 billion in the second quarter.

Fahad Rauf, Deputy Head Research at Ismail Iqbal Securities, noted that banks have underperformed at the KSE100 this year. He cited "uncertainty around asset quality" as a key reason behind this.

WHY HAVE NPLS DECREASED? "SBP through loan deferral facility has delayed NPL recognition, where 11pc and 3pc of the private sector loans have been approved for loan deferral and restructuring respectively," Rauf stated.

Speaking to banks, it was learned that in the previous quarter, loan takers

thought they wouldn't have to apply for the deferral facility and that it would be given to them. This was primarily due to a lack of awareness among customers about the procedure.

As a result, rather than customers applying for the facility, banks were seen chasing customers.

Now that more individuals have applied for the facility in comparison to the previous quarter, the number has shrunk considerably.

However, the NPLs mentioned are largely subjective provisioning which means these numbers can go either way for banks.

Rauf said that it is interesting to note that the pace at which NPLs are emerging has slowed down. According to him, this shows banks are assuming that NPLs will not be as big a problem in the future as they did a few months back. This could be due to an earlier recovery than what was expected in the economy and a greater capacity utilization being witnessed across

Schools being shut due to non-compliance with SOPs: Shafqat ISLAMABAD TLTP

Federal Minister for Education Shafqat Mahmood has said that the decision to close down educational institutes was taken due to non-compliance with the Covid19 guidelines and standard operating procedures (SOPs).

Talking to a private news channel, the minister said that students’ health is the top priority of the government and called upon students and teachers to continuously cooperate with authorities in curbing the spread of Covid-19.

He added that the health department data showed rapid virus transmission in education institutes. Underscoring that children’s health cannot be taken lightly, the minister said there are around 50 million students across the country, i.e. almost one-fourth of the national population, whose lives cannot be put into jeopardy. “They can become carriers. So it is necessary to shut down schools,” he maintained. The minister said that the students should focus on self-improvement and to continue learning during the coronavirus pandemic. He said with the help of online platforms, students can revise their lessons, practice academic exercises and obtain immediate feedback from their teachers. He said that those who cannot adopt online schooling should give out homework to keep the education of students going. “Students or parents can be called once a week to submit the homework,” he added. He said the decision was taken after a near consensus was reached during the National Command and Operations Centre (NCOC) meeting.

Parveen Shakir remembered on birthday NEWS DESK The 64th birthday of renowned poetess Parveen Shakir was observed on Tuesday. Born on November 24, 1952, in Karachi, Shakir was a self-made woman and adopted a purely eastern style in her poems. She not only expressed her feelings but also of working women. She was regarded as a pioneer in defying tradition by expressing the female experience in Urdu poetry. Shakir’s famous poetry books include Khushbu, Mah-i-Tamam Sad-Barg, Khud kalaami and Inkar. The spontaneity of expression is the hallmark of her poetry that continues to mesmerise the readers, especially the youth. She is remembered for the depiction of romanticism in her poetic work. She also portrayed the issues related to women.

Study finds Covid antibodies in 7pc of Pakistanis NEWS DESK The second round of a coronavirus prevalence study has confirmed that 7 percent of residents of Pakistan have developed antibodies for the virus. The prevalence study was carried out to determine how many people in Pakistan have developed antibodies after exposure to the virus, said health ministry spokesperson. The second round of study was conducted by the health services academy in collaboration with the World Health Organisation (WHO) in 10 districts of the country. Antibodies are blood proteins produced by the immune system to fight foreign invaders like viruses, and may help to ward off future attacks by those same invaders. According to the results of the study, people who are infected with coronavirus but show no symptoms probably account for most virus transmission.

the board.

Rauf, however, commented, “The actual intensity of bad loans would be determined by June 2021.”

SECTORIAL ANALYSIS: Agribusinesses remain the largest sector in regards to NPL provisions cumulatively for the three quarters, however, in the third quarter of the CY2020, NPLs have not only shrunk but have been realized.

While one cannot say with certainty, the consensus around this is that a bumper crop is expected for wheat and sugarcane with the sugar crushing season already beginning. Moreover, this improvement in agribusiness performance has a spillover to the automobile sector with a rebound in sales.

Moreover, the textile sector with a surge in capacity utilization has resulted in NPLs being realized in this quarter.

This is a positive sign as the textile sector has often been seen to be a concern with regards to NPLs. Analysts are often skeptical about banks that have a greater expo-

sure towards textile such as HBL and Habib Metropolitan bank, however, the sector now rebounding proves to be a positive sign for the banking sector.

SMEs: Specialized banks primarily deal with lower income segments which are often seen as a risk. The NPLs experienced by this sector in the third quarter have turned into net realizations. This means that the SME sector is seen as less of a risk when considering subjective provisioning.

While speaking at ‘Fast Forward 2030: Will Pakistan’s financial sector deliver?’ panel discussion at the Future Summit organized by the Nutshell Conferences in Karachi on 18 November 2020, Mohin Nathani, President & Chief Executive at HabibMetro Bank, said, “SMEs have to be nurtured to grow and they are the most challenging. Through SBP subsidized financing and partial guaranteeing, the sector has been supported. Had there been no support, the output would be different.”

Qatar Airways further expands connectivity between Pakistan and US KARACHI PRESS RELEASE

As Qatar Airways continues to rapidly rebuild its network across the globe and in the US, the airline has announced it will operate four weekly flights to San Francisco from 15 December 2020.

Qatar Airways operates 49 weekly flights to four gateways in Pakistan with its Boeing 787 and A350 aircraft and the San Francisco service will be operated by the airline’s state-of-the-art Airbus A350-900 featuring 36 seats in the award-winning Qsuite Business Class and 247 seats in Economy Class.

The World’s Best Airline, and the only Middle East carrier operating to San Francisco, has continued to

grow and innovate during the pandemic with industryleading flexible booking policies, robust safety measures and a dependable network, all providing strong levels of reliability for passengers.

Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive Akbar Al Baker, said: “We are excited to welcome San Francisco as our newest destination, and our ninth current gateway in the US, making it easier for our passengers travelling from Islamabad, Karachi, Lahore and Peshawar, to connect to the US via the Best Airport in the Middle East. We remain committed to serving our customers in Pakistan and have worked hard throughout the pandemic to ensure we can operate as many flights as possible, in line with the directions of the Pakistan government.”

India bans 43 more mobile apps as it takes on China NEW DELHI AGENCIES

India banned 43 mobile applications on Tuesday including Alibaba Group Holding Ltd’s e-commerce app Aliexpress in a new wave of web sanctions targeted at China with whom it has engaged in a months-long standoff at a Himalayan border site.

The 43 mostly Chinese origin apps, which also include a few dating apps, threaten the “sovereignty and integrity of India”, the technology ministry said in a statement.

India has previously banned more than 170 apps saying they collect and share users data which could

pose a threat to the state. The moves, which India’s technology minister has referred to as a “digital strike”, were initiated after 20 Indian soldiers were killed in a skirmish with Chinese troops at a disputed Himalayan border site in June.

Aliexpress is not a major player in India’s fledgling e-commerce market, which is led by Walmart Inc’s Flipkart and Amazon.com Inc’s local unit. It is, however, popular with some motorcycle enthusiasts and small shopkeepers, who use it to source cheap goods.

The move is another setback for Chinese giant Alibaba, which is the biggest investor in Indian fin-tech firm Paytm and also backs online

grocer BigBasket.

Its subsidiary UC Web laid off staff in India earlier this year after New Delhi first banned 59 Chineseorigin mobile apps that included UC Web’s browser and two other products. The Chinese tech giant was also forced to put on hold its plans to invest in Indian companies following the border tensions between the two nuclear-armed countries, Reuters previously reported.

India’s slew of app bans have also jolted the ambitions of Chinese tech titans such as Bytedance and Tencent in the South Asian country, which is trying to reduce Beijing’s influence in its burgeoning internet economy.

NEWS

05

Sania Nishtar featured among 100 inspiring, influential women for 2020 NEWS DESK The BBC has revealed its list of 100 inspiring and influential women from around the world for 2020 and representing Pakistan on the list are Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Poverty Alleviation and Social Protection Sania Nishtar and actress Mahira Khan. This year, ‘100 Women’ is highlighting those who are leading change and making a difference during these turbulent times.

Sania has been featured under the knowledge category and Mahira under creative. Mahira and Sania are in the stellar company of 98 other accomplished women, including Sanna Marin, who leads Finland's all-female coalition government; Michelle Yeoh, star of the new Avatar and Marvel films; Sarah Gilbert, who heads the Oxford University research into a coronavirus vaccine; and Jane Fonda, a climate activist and actress. Also featured on the list are Bilkis from India who, at 82, was part of a group of women who peacefully protested against a controversial citizenship law; and Syrian plant virologist Safaa Kumari, who after discovering seeds that could safeguard food security in Syria, risked her life to rescue them from Aleppo. Afghanistan's Laleh Osmany, the activist who started the WhereIsMyName campaign, is also featured. This year, after a three-year fight, the Afghan government agreed to record women's names on national ID cards and their children's birth certificates.

PTI official winner of GB elections, Opp riots continue CoNtINuED fRoM pAGE 01 Meanwhile, PPP’s Information Secretary for GB Saadia Danish said that party workers arranged a peaceful protest against alleged rigging in GBLA-II but the police used force to stop them.

She said that police resorted to baton-charge and aerial firing, which led to the disruption of peace. She held the local administration responsible for the law and order situation. In this regard, PPP leader, Senator Sherry Rehman has asked the PTI leaders to stop the “hooliganism” in the area. “The government should arrest those involved in mischief, not our workers,” she said, adding that PPP will not let the region’s peace be disturbed to cover up rigging. Meanwhile, PML-N Vice President Maryam Nawaz claimed PTI won the seats through ‘rigging’, ‘bullying’, and with the help of turncoats. Maryam said PTI failing to cement a clear majority in the northern region is a “shameful defeat” for the incumbent government. “This defeat is a telling sign of what the future has in store.”

Rupee recovers 96 paisas against dollar ISLAMABAD: The Pakistani Rupee strengthened by 96 paisas against the US Dollar in interbank trading on Tuesday, closing at Rs160.08 against the previous day’s closing of Rs161.04.

According to the Forex Association of Pakistan (FAP), buying and selling rates of the dollar in the open market were recorded at Rs160.6 and Rs161.5, respectively. Meanwhile, the price of euro depreciated by Rs1.05 and closed at Rs190.04 against the last day’s trading of Rs191.09, State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) reported.

Similarly, Japanese Yen lost one paisa to close at Rs1.54, whereas a decrease of 96 paisas was witnessed in the exchange rate of British Pound which was traded at Rs214.00 as compared to the previous day’s closing of Rs214.96. TLTP

Pakistan’s lonely elephant Kaavan packs trunk for Cambodia AGENCIES With music, treats and balloons, friends of Pakistan’s only Asian elephant threw a farewell party for the creature ahead of its relocation to Cambodia following years of campaigning by animal rights activists.

The plight of Kaavan, an overweight, 35-year-old bull elephant, has drawn international condemnation and highlighted the woeful state of Islamabad’s zoo, where conditions are so bad that a judge in May ordered all the animals to be moved.

Kaavan is set to be flown to a wildlife sanctuary in Cambodia on Sunday, said Saleem Shaikh, a spokesman for Pakistan’s ministry of climate change, following months of veterinary care and a special training regime to habituate the elephant to a huge metal crate he will travel in. But before flying out, the capital’s animal lovers said goodbye, with performances from local bands who serenaded Kaavan ahead of the mammoth move.

“We want to wish him a happy retirement,” said Marion Lombard, the deputy mission leader for Four Paws In-

ternational — an animal welfare group that has spearheaded the relocation effort. The Islamabad Zoo, where Kaavan has lived for decades since arriving from Sria Lanka, was decorated with balloons for the occasion and banners wishing the animal well.

“We will miss you Kaavan,” read one of the signs.

Kaavan’s plight was given a boost over the years by American pop icon Cher, who publicly campaigned for the elephant’s relocation and called the decision to move him one of the “greatest moments” of her life.

Zoo officials have in the past denied Kaavan was kept in substandard conditions or chained, claiming instead the creature was pining for a new mate after his partner died in 2012.

But Kaavan’s behaviour — including signs of distress such as continual head-bobbing — raised concerns of mental illness. Activists also said Kaavan was not properly sheltered from Islamabad’s searing summer temperatures, which can rise above 40 degrees Celsius (100 Fahrenheit).

Kaavan’s mate Saheli, who also arrived from Sri Lanka, died in 2012.

Wednesday, 25 November, 2020

06 COMMENT

A rough and rocky transition

Dealing with the second coronavirus wave It could be deadlier than first one

F

Washington Watch Dr James J Zogby

T

he election is, in fact, over and Joe Biden won and has been certified by enough states to make the outcome irreversible. Nevertheless, the transition will not go smoothly, as Donald Trump is placing obstacles in the path of the president-elect.

We had expected that the Trump campaign would engage in shenanigans in order to challenge the outcome of this election and that President Trump, himself, would have difficulty accepting that he had, indeed, lost. What we didn’t anticipate was how badly they would handle these challenges.

The Trump campaign has, in fact, filed dozens of lawsuits claiming fraudulent votes, mistaken tallies, and improper vote-counting procedures. Most of these have been summarily dismissed in both state and federal courts. Some have lost because they were poorly prepared, others because they lacked any proof of wrongdoing. During court appearances, Trump campaign lawyers were oftentimes at a loss to explain or even understand the very legal bases they claimed to be using to justify their own arguments.

The president’s main attorney, former New York Mayor Rudolph Giuliani, performed so badly in court and so erratically in his press briefings that he has become a standing joke and not only among late night TV comedians. It is sad to watch Giuliani, who at one time had earned the reputation of a tough prosecutor who successfully took on organized crime, unraveling in public view.

While all this is unfolding, the president has held

SBP’s stable outlook Covid-19 still poses downside risks

A

LThOUGh inflation has remained on the higher side, the State Bank Of Pakistan (SBP) has kept the key policy rate unchanged at 7 percent with the expectation that supply side pressures, especially for food inflation, will gradually subside, bringing average inflation to the more acceptable range of 7-9 percent for FY21. Announcing its Monetary Policy Statement (MPS) for the next two months, the SBP presented a stable to positive outlook for the economy, with particular emphasis on increased business activity in the construction sector, indicated by higher cement sales, while figures posted by the automobile industry are more than pre-Covid -19 levels. It seems the government’s plans to open up the country following the initial partial lockdown during the first wave of the Coronavirus, are paying off. Soon after lifting restrictions, the PTI government engaged the SBP to ensure the availability of cheap loans from commercial banks to businesses and individuals setting up construction projects. SBP made it mandatory for banks to not only provide cheap financing but earmark a part of their respective portfolios for this purpose. The strategy seems to have paid off, particularly for ancillary businesses, providing much needed support to recover from the beating they took when the pandemic hit early in the year. There is of course a caveat to all the positive news mentioned so emphatically in the MPS: the ongoing second wave of Covid-19.

Pakistan was able to manage the initial onslaught from the virus quite impressively, and yet it took a severe toll on the economy. As the rest of the world remained shut down, exports dwindled, and while the SBP mentions that exports have recovered to their ‘pre-covid levels’, the new surge in cases across the world poses serious risks to maintaining this momentum in the coming months. From a domestic standpoint, it seems some form of a strict lockdown will have to be imposed in view of the rising positivity rate and the public evidently not taking the necessary precautions. SBP’s MPS paints a rosy picture for the coming two months but the most significant pitfall remains the second wave of the coronavirus that at the moment seems to be getting out of control, which does not bode well for the economy.

How will Sino-US relations turn out under Joe Biden?

No one should expect Biden to be a revolutionary amJeD JaaveD

U

S President Donald Trump, hopefully outgoing, was not an out-and-out failure for his electorate. Yet he was shown the door. he had many feathers for his cap. Wages among the poorest quarter of workers rose by 4.7 per cent a year, small-business confidence attained a 30-year pinnacle. By restricting immigration and outsourcing, he sliced back jobs for his natives. he blocked China at every step to pander to the sentiments of the China-bashing lobby. his faux pas was desecration of American values of decency, tolerance, truthfulness and honesty. Without proof, he declared his adversary Biden corrupt. he viewed the protests against the killing of a black, George Floyd, `an orgy of looting and left wing violence’. he saw `left’ all around, even around ballotcounting staff. he saw a cheat around. Pfizer with tardy vaccinetrial success announcement, the WhO chief by not naming `China virus’, and so on.

Mr. Trump was viscerally predisposed to viewing China as a looming military threat to peripheral countries in general, and the USA in particular. True, Mr. Biden is also viewed as an America Firster. True, China has been the fastest growing economy since 1979. Yet, it is nowhere near surpassing the USA even on gross Domestic Product, as is obvious from history: China has gone from $843,097 million in 1977 to $14.4 trillion in 2019, while the USA went from $3.87 trillion to $21,44 trillion.

If nothing else, the new president is expected to restore an element of decency to the White house China trails behind the USA in terms of expendi-

Dedicated to the legacy of the late Hameed Nizami

Arif Nizami Editor Aziz-ud-Din Ahmad

Umar Aziz

Asher John

Joint Editor

Executive Editor

Deputy Editor

Lahore – Ph: 042-36300938, 042-36375965

required to be preserved. This last measure appears to indicate that, despite the Tweets and the attorneys’ antics, Trump operatives do indeed see the writing on only one public event which he called to announce the wall and realize that there will not be a second the great progress his Administration had made to de- Trump term. feat what he continues to refer to as the “China virus.”

Other indications of this recognition of reality It did not go unnoticed that he made this statement at are the recent manoeuvres being taken by the presithe very time when the USA is averaging over dent on a number of domestic and foreign policy 120,000 new Covid-19 infections a day. Nor did his fronts. his hurried announcements of troop withfalse claim of credit for the discovery of a vaccine in drawal from Afghanistan, Iraq, and Somalia are which his Administration cases in point. As are the anhad played no role. nouncements by Secretary The president’s public of State Mike Pompeo that comments on the election in effect legalize Israeli sethave been limited to the tlements and declare that The USA is a more daily barrage of tweets boycotting Israel is anti-Sedeeply divided country claiming the election was mitic. On the domestic marred by fraud, promoting front, the White house is than at any time since the Civil preparing moves on immistrange conspiracy theories, and maintaining that he had gration, health care, school War. We have had in fact won “by a landslide” choice, and the opening of disagreements of policy, but and would therefore not an Alaskan wildlife preserve concede. to oil drilling leases. we’ve never before disagreed At the same time, Mr More dangerous than Trump has been engaged in this obstructionism is the on reality. Mr. Biden may have damage some questionable behavthat Mr Trump’s aniour calling Republican state tics are doing to confidence received almost 80 million election officials who had in our system of govervotes, but with the vast certified the vote in Mr nance. A recent poll showed Biden’s favor, urging them that almost three-quarters of majority of the 73+ million to retract their certification. his voters believe that this he has also called Republipast election was deeply Americans who voted for can state legislators asking flawed. They believe that Mr. Trump unwilling to them to appoint a slate of Mr. Trump was the winner electors who would go and that Mr. Biden has not accept the outcome or the against the wishes of voters been legitimately elected. in their state and cast their And with the vast majority legitimacy of the presidentvotes for him when the elecof the Republican Senators elect, we are in for a rough go and Governors and other toral College meets in December to formally ratify the party leaders echoing this of it moving forward election for president. line, for fear of alienating Because Mr Trump will Mr Trump’s loyal base, we not concede and is stubcannot expect the Republibornly clinging to the belief cans in the Senate or Conthat he will still be declared gress to work constructively the victor, he has refused to allow the normal with their Democratic counterparts. processes of transition to take place. he has not perWe are a more deeply divided country than at any mitted the release of the funds the Biden Transition time since the Civil War. We have had disagreements Office should receive to cover expenses of setting up of policy, but we’ve never before disagreed on reality. their government-in-waiting. Nor has he allowed the Mr. Biden may have received almost 80 million Biden teams to have access to government offices to votes, but with the vast majority of the 73+ million work alongside and receiving briefings from their Americans who voted for Mr. Trump unwilling to acTrump Administration counterparts so that a smooth cept the outcome or the legitimacy of the presidenttransition can take place on Inauguration Day. There elect, we are in for a rough go of it moving forward. are also reliable reports that Trump loyalists have been engaged in the destruction of files of corresponThe witer is President of the Arab American dence and other presidential papers that, by law, are Institute

Trump is blocking Biden wherever he can

IGUReS shared by the NCOC reveal a sharp rise in coronavirus cases. Covid-19 hospitalisation has doubled in the last two weeks. The death rate shot up to a four-month high on Sunday with 59 virus-related mortalities in a single day. The number of infections has risen in major cities across the country as well as in AJK and Gilgit-Baltistan. That 19 percent of cases were recorded among students indicates an increase in the number of infections reported at the country’s educational institutions.

The positivity ratio has climbed to 7.46 percent. What remains worrisome is that there is a tendency in the positivity ratio to grow sharply. As recent records show the 6 pc positivity rate in May shot up to 23 pc in June.

For all intents and purposes, the second wave of the pandemic is already in the country and if the epidemiologists are to be believed, it is going to be severe and sustained.

What worries one is the attitude of the government towards the pandemic. Initially the PTI government took the issue lightly, treating covid-19 as mild flu. Subsequently, the federal government entered into a display of oneupmanship with the Sindh government. As the virus led to far lesser casualties than in most other countries, the government played politics, indulging in premature celebrations and accolades. This led common people to take the pandemic non-seriously. even now only a small percentage wears masks in public places and there is no attempt to maintain social distance or frequently wash hands. even as the second wave seemed to be imminent, the Prime Minister went ahead with addressing politically motivated gatherings like the Insaf Tiger Force Convention, the Insaf Lawyers Forum and the Insaf Doctors Forum, where scant attention was paid to Covid SOPs. In the first week of this month, the PM addressed large political gatherings in Swat and hafizabad.

The second wave could turn out to be deadlier than the first one. To make people follow the SOPs, the government leaders have to shun politics and concentrate on fighting the epidemic. An all out effort, including a media campaign, needs to be undertaken to make the public realise the danger and to follow the SOPs.

I

Karachi – Ph: 021-35381208-9

I

ture on its defence forces and possession of actual military equipment. Despite ongoing modernization, China earns approximately $5 billion in arms exports, far below US exports of about $46.5 billion. China\s sales are about 3 percent of global sales while the USA’s are about 79 percent.

The US has over 8,000 operational and inactive nuclear warheads as against China’s 240, mostly nondeployed. The US has 2,000 nuclear weapons with strategic/intercontinental range compared with China’s 20. The USA has 16 ballistic missile submarines compared with China’s one, and more than 1000 nuclear cruise missiles, compared with none for China.

The US has 10 aircraft carriers plus one under construction, attached to the Fifth and Seventh Fleets.

China currently has two aircraft carriers, with a third in early construction, and a fourth planned for sometime in the mid-2020 or 2030s. Their first carrier, the Liaoning, was commissioned by the PLAN in 2012, though it was first laid down in the early 1990s.

China critics in the USA are not monolithic. They have many shades including ‘engagers’, ‘Realists’, ‘Duopolists’, ‘China Lead’, ‘Declinists’ and so on.

The `Critics’ have an un-reconcilable antipathy toward China because of its repression of a wide spectrum of human rights (religious, labour, media and ethnic minority).

The ‘engagers’ look up for a common ground with China as a matter of national interest. They are optimistic that globalization, economic interdependence and rules of multilateral trade will lead to democratisation in China. `Realist engagers’ are convinced that China has learnt lessons from the collapse of the USSR about the dangers of imperial overstretch. As such, China understands the realities of the current international system and limited capacity to change it.

‘China Duopolists’ believe the USA and China could cooperate to bring into being a Chimerica (G-

Islamabad – Ph: 051-2204545

I

Web: www.pakistantoday.com.pk

I

2), being the two most important countries. The ‘China lead’ school believes China is already on the verge of replacing the USA as the world’s numberone power. The ‘Declinists’ believe that demise of the US global leadership already occurred as the ‘Washington consensus’ has been replaced. It is now Beijing, not Washington that is dictating new rules to govern the international economy.

(Biden, China’s Rise Isn’t Our Demise, The New York Times, 7 September 2011).

At present, China lacks the soft and hard power to supplant the USA. To do so, China needs to: (a) Command loyalty of the majority of the countries. (b) Initiate, innovate and articulate policies, programmes and activities, including dispensing rewards and punishments. (c) Being a ‘model’ worth emulating, of values, culture, language, laws, and social and political practices. (d) excel in soft-power resources such as educational and public-health systems Biden is being welcomed as a whiff of fresh air, though he has no magic wand to change the climate and trade atmosphere. he has promised to rebuild America’s decrepit infrastructure, spend more on health and education, and ease immigration. . he has pledged to raise tax on firms and the wealthy. he is no revolutionary though his policies are tilted to the left of what Trump did. his job is to re-unite fractious American democracy. he is supposed to shun the personalized style of his predecessor’s rule, scorning decency and truth.

If Trump exits with grace, Biden’s job would be easier. If Trump makes transition difficult for Biden, the democrats may do tit for tat to Trump. Deprived of immunities, Trump’s tax accounts would be exposed to public scrutiny. And action by enforcement.

Biden understands China better than his predecessor. But, it remains to be seen how the USA would set right the topsy-turvy alliances that Trump had interwoven.

It would be hard for Biden to ignore the plight of minorities in India and the `imprisoned’ Kashmiris.

Joe would have to balance strategic interests against conniving at human rights violations.

Amjed Jaaved is a freelance journalist, has served in the Pakistan government for 39 years and holds degrees in economics, business administration, and law.

He can be reached at amjedjaaved@gmail.com.

Email: editorial@pakistantoday.com.pk

Wednesday, 25 November, 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

Ayub Khan’s conflicts of interest and hereditary politics

Electoral reforms are inevitable Part from the Senate elections, there are other areas where reform is needed

malik muhammaD ashraf

A

BRAhAM Lincoln described democracy as government of the people, by the people and for the people. In the modern era democracy is acknowledged as the best form of representative governance as majority of the countries of the world have a democratic dispensation, though they have different modes of electing the members of the legislatures. In some countries the elections are held on a single constituency basis and the party securing more seats than its opponents forms the government. Others have a proportional representation system in which people vote for the parties instead of individual candidates and each contesting party gets seats in the parliament according to the percentage of votes obtained by it.

Pakistan has a single constituency system for electing representatives of the people. however the unfortunate reality of our politics is that except for the 1970 general elections, the losing parties in the successive elections have invariably refused to accept the results, accusing the winning party of having rigged the elections which has in some cases led to political instability in the country and even the promulgation of martial law. Similarly elections for the Senate also have been questioned with regard to their legitimacy and transparency with echoes of the use of money to win a Senate seat. It is an irrefutable reality. I am personally witness to money changing hands in the Senate elections during my posting in Balochistan.

The regrettable thing is that all those parties who have been crying hoarse about rigging in elections and involvement of money to secure Senate seats, never ever made any serious effort to reform the electoral system when in power or invited the opposition to sit together with them for introducing electoral reforms which ensure transparency in the elections and that all the parties accept the results without any grudge.

There are no two opinions about the fact that electoral reforms, which provide a trans-

parent voting mechanism as well as eliminate for personal gains besides scuttling the ability the chances of corruption, in the Senate elec- of the alleged string-pullers to use these elections to are essential to ensure political stabil- tables in the make and break of the governity and to orchestrate socio-economic ments. To make this system really workable voting will also have to be made compulsory so development of the country.

It is, therefore, encouraging to note that that every registered voter can exercise his right Prime Minister Imran Khan while interacting of franchise.

Further, the possibilities of unnecessary with the media, came up with the suggestion to elect the Senate members by show of hands in wrangling between the political parties on matthe provincial assemblies instead of secret ballot ters like the date of elections and the formation to eliminate corruption. As it would require of care taker set- up must also be removed peramendment in the Constitution with a two-third manently. Like in the USA, the parties must majority, he invited the opposition parties to be agree on one date on which the election will be part of the effort. he also revealed that the gov- held after every five years and the matter should ernment was contemplating the introduction of no more be the prerogative of the sitting governelectronic voting system for which talks were ment to decide. Similarly the formation of the underway with the election commission. he fur- care taker set up should also be decided once and ther revealed that nine million overseas Pakista- for all so that the parties can focus more on their programmes rather nis would also be made than wasting their enerpart of the electoral gies on non-substantive system. It is a very posissues. Judiciary is the itive initiative which The opportunity created most respectable and needs to be responded trusted institution of the to by the opposition by the Prime Minister country and it would be parties with the same advisable for the parties spirit if they are really must be availed to rid the to agree on the point interested in consolidating democracy in country of the perennial cause that the latest retired and living judge of the the country. of political instability. He Supreme Court would having said that, it head the care taker set is my considered view seems convinced about up and he would be free that we need more than merely reforming the changing the system and open to choose his team to hold free and fair elecsystem for Senate electo any suggestion or proposal tions and also run the tions and introduction affairs of the governof the electoral voting. which could achieve the ment till the new The real fault lies with elected government asthe single constituency desired objective. sumes charge. system. It perpetuates As regards the the hold of the feudal elimination of corruplords on political tion in the bureaucracy power. Under the single constituency system each candidate for the and at higher echelons of the government, the National or provincial assemblies has perforce discretionary powers at all levels should be abolto spend Rs 60 and 70 million on his election ished. That will help to a great extent in tackling campaign. This reality eliminates the chances the menace of corruption. All these changes of any man belong to the middle or lower mid- should be effected through amendments in the dle class ever contemplating to contest these Constitution as it would be in the interest of all elections. Those who spend such a huge sum of the parties themselves as well as in the larger inmoney on their elections are always on the look terest of the country. The political parties have out to make fortunes by extracting favours from shown commitment to the national causes by the government. The best way to break the hold unanimously carrying out eighteenth, Nineof the feudal lords on the political power in this teenth and Twentieth Amendments in the Concountry and eliminating the role of money in the stitution and also giving their blessings to the elections is to adopt the system of proportional adoption of the 7th NFC Award. They must show representation for electing our parliamentarians. the same zeal and dedication in changing the The advantage of this system is that it reflects system on the foregoing lines to put the country the real support for the political parties among on the course envisioned by the Quaid-e-Azam. the masses and also ensures the presence of The opportunity created by the Prime Minister smaller and regional parties in the parliament, must be availed to rid the country of the perenmaking the legislature a truly representative nial cause of political instability. he seems conbody. The party leaders are spared the blackmail vinced about changing the system and open to of the electables and they can nominate really any suggestion or proposal which could achieve competent and educated people from different the desired objective. walks of national life to represent the party in the parliament. The system also eliminates the Malik Muhammad Ashraf is an academic. possibility of horse-trading and floor-crossing He can be contacted at: ashpak10@gmail.com

PAKISTAN was created through a political struggle, rather than an armed movement, led by politicians with integrity and commitment by men of intellect, highly qualified with no conflicts of interest. They refused to succumb to temptations of greed, land and titles which the British Raj offered to those willing to collaborate with them after the 1857 ruthless massacres, in which 5620 unarmed citizens and 11,200 soldiers were.

Those who chose to betray and collaborate with the invaders were gifted thousands of acres of land, creating a landed aristocracy whose feudalism made common cause with British Raj continuous occupation.

Commitment of men like Allama Iqbal, Quaid e Azam, Liaquat, Nishtar, haroon Abdullah, Malik Barkat, Qazi Issa, and scores of others, not slave to temptations of greed finally resulted in creation of Pakistan in 1947. From its independence in 1947 to the time that Maj Gen Iskandar Mirza and Ayub conspired to derail the democratic process, Pakistani politics was free from corruption and greed which later infected many.

When Ayub Khan, son of a Risaldar Major, took over in 1958, his choice of ADC both as CnC and President was his 21 years old son Gohar Ayub, who joined the army in 1953. Despite shortage of trained officers, Capt Gohar Ayub resigned and he was replaced by another son Akhtar as ADC. Within 5 years Akhtar Ayub also resigned and started business.

Ayub’s choice of Finance Minister was Shoaib, the serving executive Director World Bank based in Pakistan, who continued to be on their payroll while simultaneously getting a salary from Pakistan.

Gohar after his resignation was facilitated by Shoaib to start business in partnership with his father-in-law Gen habibllah who took over General Motors Pakistan and renamed it as Ghandhara Motors. By 1966 both were amongst leading industrialists. Akhtar Ayub was married to his maternal uncle Abdur Rahman who was serving as ambassador in Germany.

Ayub’s choice of Leader of Opposition was his younger brother Sardar Bahadur Khan. he however had no appetite for dissent and differences arose. In 1965 elections, Akhtar stood against Sardar Bahadur and won, while Gohar also got elected and was groomed to replace Ayub. however, events created obstacles in Ayub’s plan for a hereditary political dynasty.

Ayub won the 1965 elections, which were rigged after he launched a slanderous campaign against Mohtarma Fatima Jinnah, whom he labelled an Indian agent. Gohar Ayub led the victory parade on 5 January 1965 in Karachi when bullets were fired by armed men on localities with Urdu speaking people. This was the first ethnic trouble between Pakhtuns and Urdu speaking people in Karachi. Gohar as Chairman ML Convention Rabita Committee Karachi, attempted to address at Memon Masjid, which was resisted with many fatalities. In July 1967 when millions who were participating in the funeral procession of Madar-e-Millat Fatima Jinnah shouted slogans against Ayub, police resorted to lathi charge, tear gas and live bullets were fired.

Malik Tariq ali lahorE

PDM’s fourth power show The Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) held its fourth power show on Sunday in Peshawar, despite being refused the permission to hold a public gathering by the local administrations. The JUI-F chief said the attendance of K-P’s people in large number in this rally is a referendum against the PTI government and shows that people have “refused the government which came into power through rigged election”.

“We respect our armed forces as a defence institution, but if it tries to become a political institution then we have every right to criticise it. We give you a deadline to withdraw your support of the PTI-led government and focus on your professional responsibilities,” he remarked. Other leaders of opposition parties that are a part of the PDM called for fair and transparent elections to be held in the country, again terming the incumbent government as a ‘selected’ one.Qaumi Watan party chief Aftab Ahmed Khan Sherpao, JUI-F provincial amir Siraj Mir and ANP’s Iftikhar hussain and Amir haider Khan hoti among other leaders stressed on constitutional supremacy over everything else.Referring to terrorism that has long plagued the K-P province, hoti said, “We have had enough of being branded terrorists.” he said these wounds will have to be healed.Balochistan National Party - Mengal’s (BNP-M) chief Akhtar Mengal also called for respecting the people of K-P and Balochistan and stop the practice of Baloch Genocides.Sardar Akhtar mengal made Pak Army responsible for all the situations of Pakistan. he said that due to the Pak Army Bangladesh departed Pakistan. he said that the respect of Baloch is not safe at all. The Baloch will never demand for roads, school,colleges but will ask for releasing their beloved ones.Furthermore, he added that Pak Army made a party at one night in the name of BAP in Balochistan.

I would like to suggest the all concerned authorities to revisit some of the areas and bring some changes in election system. Mostly problems are taking place due to the so called elections.As, it is a digital era, election system in Pakistan should be modernized. Modern techniques should be adopted to have the elections conducted. Instead of applying the so called British era voting system, election commission of Pakistan needs to design a new streamline for elections. There are various methods and ways to have pure and transparent elections staged. It is time the eCP will bring some changes in election system.

And most importantly, eCP ,for the most part, needs to make it sure that vote of public do have its due respect in the coming elections. haMid ali NB TurBaT

Unemployment during corona UNeMPLOYMeNT is one of the biggest problem of Pakistan. That person is unemployed who has ability to work and is willing to do work but is unable to do job opportunity. In the current situation more than 30 lac people are unemployed in Pakistan and unemployment is more than 12 percent. Unemployment is one of a major issue in our country. Because when unemployment is high resources are wasted and people’s incomes are depressed. even different development countries are also facing it, but in Pakistan, the situation is more serious. each year there are about eight lac new job candidates are added into the labor force in Pakistan. Main problem is generate employment opportunities for this new candidate.

ArEEbA SHAHId Karachi

Wednesday, 25 November, 2020

08 WORLD VIEW

MAcron followS A well-worn PAth of french PreSidentS, by veering to the right "A LARGE NUMBER OF PEOPLE WHO VOTED FOR HIM — WHO WERE FROM THE LEFT — HAVE GONE BECAUSE THEY SEE THAT HE HAS SHIFTED"

Cnn

w

sAskyAVANdoorNe

Hen newly elected French President emmanuel Macron triumphantly marched across the courtyard of the Palais du Louvre amid a sea of tricolor flags back in 2017, he promised to begin a new chapter in the country's history. "i want it to be that of renewed hope and confidence," he declared.Macron had campaigned with the slogan, "neither left nor right." But he now appears to be lurching in the latter direction. Two controversial bills, and increasingly inflammatory rhetoric coming from the interior Ministry, are evidence of this.with the presidential election just 17 months away, the 42-year-old risks losing support from many of the left-leaning voters who helped him win office in the first place.Over the past three years, 43 MPs have either quit or been thrown out of Macron's party, La Républiqueen Marche (LReM), created in 2016. some of them had been ex-

perts drawn from civil society who had entered parliament keen to reshape the wellworn mold of traditional party politics. some felt alienated by the government's increasingly conservative line."we are not the ones doing the betraying. On the contrary, we believe we are returning to our original values," emilie Cariou told French radio after quitting LReM in May to start her own green parliamentary group.

Political analyst dominique Moisi believes that since he came to power, Macron has been trying to satisfy voters on the right, rather than his leftist base."There is this evolution which explains the disarray of some of the members of the LReM who left the party because they felt he was moving too much in the direction of economic liberalism and security conservatism," Moisi told Cnn.Macron's conservative overtures regarding security were apparent when his party presented the "global security bill" in parliament. article 24 of the bill would ban the dissemination of images of police officers with the "intent to cause them harm."if it becomes law, offenders would be subject to a maximum one-year prison term and a $54,000 fine.

Many fear the bill would make covering protests and police brutality more difficult for journalists. after widespread protests, and with journalists and human rights organizations decrying article 24, Macron's government bowed to pressure and on Thursday,

the Prime Minister's office announced article 24 would be amended to ensure it did not "prejudice the legitimate interest of the public to be informed." during a debate Friday in Parliament, interior Minister Géralddarmanin addressed the criticism, saying journalists and members of the public "can continue to film and broadcast but you cannot give names and addresses of our police officers who want to serve the republic."But sharing images "intended to harm or incite violence would violate the law.Parliament voted to approve the controversial article Friday. The entire global security bill faces a vote Tuesday before going to the senate.

COMBATING EXTREMISM: The draft legislation is one of two bills sparking public debate in France.next month Macron's ministers will present legislation that the French President hopes will strengthen secular values and combat "islamist separatism."in an October speech, Macron announced the new draft law would ban home schooling starting in september 2021, saying inspectors for the education authority frequently close illegal schools run by religious extremists. The proposed law would also target funding for mosques. secularism has taken center stage in France in the wake of the beheading of samuel Paty, a school teacher who was killed by a Chechen teenager after he showed his pupils cartoons of the Prophet

Mohammed (PBuH) during a class on freedom of expression.Reacting to Macron's proposals, Mohammed Moussaoui, the head of the French council for the Muslim faith, said he would support the fight against extremism.But some activists and left-wing MPs condemned Macron's speech."Macron did not speak of separatism and republican cohesion. He only spoke obsessively of islam. stigmatizing Muslims -- that's his only solution for trying to mask the catastrophic health and social crisis," wrote Manonaubry, an MP with far-left party La France insoumise.

French human rights campaigner yasser Louati tweeted that Macron had "emboldened the far right" with his speech.Macron's defense of the cartoons, which are considered blasphemous in islam, sparked demonstrations and triggered boycotts of French products in Muslim-majority countries.

Moisi said Macron's hardened stance on security and islamic extremism was a direct response to the recent terror attacks that have blighted the country, and one that could help neutralize the rhetoric of the farright."Macron is trying to answer the evolution of the situation which calls in his mind for more security, and he's not letting the extreme right benefit from the rise in terrorist activities in France," he told Cnn.an elysee spokesperson denied to Cnn that there had been shift to the right in government, insisting that the recent legislative proposals are simply designed to protect the population.

SHIFTING ELECTORATE: with the next presidential election less than a year and a half away, Macron's biggest threat comes from Marine Le Pen's far-right party, national Rally.along with the proposed legislation, Macron's recent political appointments may also represent an effort to

Pompeo predicts ‘many’ more Mideast peace deals

natIOnal RevIew

S

JiMMy QUiNN

eCReTaRy of state Mike Pompeo, in an interview with national Review during one of the final stops of his extended, post-election foreign trip, voiced confidence that “many countries” in the Middle east will make the decision to normalize ties with israel in the near future.“i’m very confident that they’ll make this [choice] . . . in the coming weeks and months ahead,” Pompeo said.He made the prediction sunday on the sidelines of his stop in abu dhabi, where he met a day earlier with emirati crown prince Mohammed bin Zayed, the first arab leader to sign one of the recent normalization agreements, which span tourism, trade, and culture, in addition to full diplomatic relations. Bahrain and sudan joined the agreements, called the abraham accords, soon thereafter. already, the wheels of the administration’s Mideast project are turning again. Later on sunday, Pompeo traveled to the saudi arabian city of neom, where he met with Crown Prince Mohammed bin salman. “i’m confident there’ll be more nations that will follow,” Pompeo told nR hours earlier, during the sit-down interview in the emirati capital. “The reason i’m confident, by the way, is because it’s the right thing for those countries to do.”

Pompeo’s ten-day trip unfolded to the backdrop of domestic political turmoil and effectively served as a Trump administration farewell tour and foreign-policy victory lap. Visits

to Middle eastern countries highlighted what officials regard as one of the crowning diplomatic achievements of the past four years. in his nR interview, Pompeo spoke to the strategic sea change that the administration contends made all this possible.according to the secretary of state, it took the widespread acknowledgement of three factors to reach the abraham accords. in addition to acknowledgement of the central threat posed by iran and israel’s established place in the region, he said, it also required recognizing that while resolution of the israeli–Palestinian conflict is important, “we can’t stand by as we have for 40 years and allow that conflict to be the precondition for further enhancement of peace and stability.”Pompeo summed up: “we broke glass. we said we’re not going to do that.” amid the widespread focus on President Trump’s efforts to contest the election results back home, Pompeo’s travels in the Middle east did not avoid controversy. Critics charged that he staged provocative photo ops — such as one at an israeli settlement in the west Bank and another in the Golan Heights, areas internationally regarded as Palestinian and syrian territory, respectively — for an eventual presidential run. But the Trump administration has recognized israeli sovereignty over Golan and withdrawn a state department legal opinion calling the west Bank settlements illegal, as part of the suite of policies it has advanced to support israel and clamp down on iran’s activities in the region. another way to view Pom-

peo’s recent travels is as an attempt to shore up confidence in u.s. leadership in the region as Joe Biden prepares to take office in January. although leaders of the Middle eastern nations that Pompeo visited this month — israel, the uae, and saudi arabia — have already congratulated the former vice president on his victory, they are also worried by his campaign-trail promises to reenter the iran deal. (Pompeo also met the emir and foreign minister of Qatar, which also congratulated Biden but has closer ties to iran than the other Gulf states.) Biden has pledged that he would reenter the Obama-era agreement from which Trump withdrew in 2018 if Tehran stopped violating its terms.

There’s also the question of whether the incoming administration shares the assessment advanced by the united states, israel, and now the Gulf states that the israeli–Palestinian peace process can no longer stand as a prerequisite for a broader peace in the region, and whether it would back israel to the extent that the Trump administration has. when Pompeo went to Jerusalem for meetings and joint statements with israeli officials and the Bahraini foreign minister last week, netanyahu said, “Frankly, this day would not have happened, these abraham accords would not have been signed, without President Trump’s crucial support and leadership.” still, Biden’s decision to nominate Tony Blinken, a former top state department official in the Obama ad-

ministration, as Pompeo’s successor, might ease some of those worries.

Blinken is seen as supportive of strong u.s.–israel ties. in any case, the regional dynamics unleashed by the Trump administration’s diplomacy over the past four years do not seem to be dissipating anytime soon. noting israel’s previous ties with Gulf states, skepticism of iran, and the desire for economic cooperation, a senior state department official told reporters traveling with Pompeo that “the roots are present, so i don’t think these are going to go away.”“i think that we play an important role in helping to strengthen that, these ties, bring them along,” said the official. “But the inclination is already there.” asked on sunday if he had a message for Biden and other democrats who have called for returning to the iran deal, Pompeo demurred. He’s also played his cards close to the vest regarding the election itself, since staking out his position that the transition begins with electoral College certification of the results in december.

He instead offered a message to people “all across america,” telling national Review, “we have now demonstrated that the false choice that was put to the american people, that we either do the JCPOa [Joint Comprehensive Plan of action] or we go to war, was a false choice.”

The JCPOa is also known as the iran nuclear deal.

Pompeo also declined to offer specifics on the next countries that might join the abraham accords and the timeline on which they’d do it, deferring to those countries’ internal deliberations as sovereign nations and emphasizing a monumental shift in attitudes toward Middle east peace.“The central understanding for so long was that without resolving the conflict with the Palestinians, we can’t recognize israel and the right of israel to exist,” he told national Review. “you’ll find very few who continue to hold to that vision.”

JIMMY QUINN is a William F. Buckley Fellow in Political Journalism at National Review Institute.

neutralize his opponent.in his last reshuffle, the President picked a few conservative stalwarts, shifting the ideological balance of his cabinet. in the wake of the reshuffle, Jerome Fourqet with the ifop polling firm told French radio europe 1 that Macron had seen his electorate change over the past three years."a large number of people who voted for him -- who were from the left -have gone because they see that he has shifted," Fourqet said. "They have been replaced with electors who didn't vote for him and who are from the right."

Macron promoted darmanin, a protégé of former President nicolas sarkozy, from budget minister to interior minister.darmanin faced criticism recently when he said in an interview with RMC/BFMTV that he was "shocked" by aisles dedicated to halal and kosher food in supermarkets because they undermined the secular values of France.Those were not his first controversial comments. Back in July, darmanin weighed in on the subject of violence in French society -- when he said the "growing savageness of a part of society must be stopped.""savageness" -- meaning to become savage or to descend into savagery -- is a loaded term in France that carries racist overtones and plays heavily into the far-right discourse. nearing the end of his tenure, Macron's predecessor Francois Hollande tried to reassure the French, reeling from a series of brutal terror attacks, by proposing a highly controversial bill that aimed to strip dual nationals of their French citizenship if they were convicted of terrorism. The bill sent shockwaves through Hollande's socialist Party, prompting his justice minister to resign.

Hollande lost support and, faced with record low approval ratings, became the first French president not to seek re-election. This provided Macron with his opportunity.now, with Macron's fledgling party already split and controversy surrounding his proposed legislation, the question is how much further to the right he is willing or able to go to keep that lead intact.

CNN's Gaelle Fournier contributed to this report.

Middle name confidence MUSLIMS SEE IN ASADUDDINOWAISI A LEADER WHO CAN FIGHT THE BJP ON THEIR OWN TERMS OutlOOk, IndIa

A

AshisNANdy

saduddinOwaisi is a very interesting character in indian politics, and i think he should have a rightful space there. He is, in a way, a peculiar mix. an erudite leader, with good oratorical skills, an excellent lawyer…these qualities have served him well, both in Parliament and outside. also, he has always been a constitutionalist: his language is not the same as that of his brother akbaruddin. asaduddin seeks rights enshrined in the Constitution, and seeks them unconditionally, with self-confidence. it is perhaps because of that self-confidence that he is under severe attack by the BJP. Those who attack Owaisi are uncomfortable with him, with his political persona on the whole.

Muslims see in him a leader who can fight the BJP on their own terms. some of that goes back to a historical fact that shadows the aiMiM faintly: its old umbilical links with the Razakars (in the 1940s, the party was headed by QasimRazvi, the leader of Razakars, the Muslim militia formed to oppose Hyderabad’s merger with india). But it’s a link that probably only the old residents of Hyderabad would know of. Generations have passed since.

The BJP did try to use it against Owaisi but finally gave

up—not because of any benevolence but because they had to spend half-an-hour explaining what it was to people! and the aiMiM too has evolved. The notion that some people have—that the Rss and the aiMiM are mirror images of each other—is not entirely correct now. The aiMiM now transcends communal lines; it also has the support of a large number of Hindus. it does many things: social work, relief work, running educational institutions, and all these benefit people across faiths. so he’s a peculiar mix, and the fact that the BJP doesn’t want peculiar mixes is quite evident. it was a similar peculiar mix when Muslim women sat on a protest dharna at shaheenBagh, using a constitutional language of protest.

(The BJP tried its best to break up the great human movement, and break it did.) all the same, as he emerges on a national scale, i would like to see asaduddinOwaisi take a stronger position on the dalits among Muslims.

Muslim leaders deny there is a caste system in their religion or that there are any divisions. This is a great tragedy which prevents the upliftment of castes like the Halalkhors, who are treated as untouchables not just in india but also in Pakistan and Bangladesh, besides many of the other occupational castes among Muslims.

As told to BhavnaVij-Aurora.

Nandy is a political psychologist and social theorist.

Wednesday, 25 November, 2020

busiNess 09

TrADErS To rESUmE onion EXPorT AS PriCES DroP 50PC

CORPORATE CORNER

ISLAMABAD: Lt Col (r) Akbar Shareef, Chairman and CEO Rakaposhi Tours (Pvt) Ltd., wins the PATA Life Membership Award, conferred upon him for his significant leadership as the Chairman of PATA-Pakistan Chapter.

E

ISLAMABAD GHUALAM ABBAS

XPORTERS on Tuesday decided to resume the exports of onion keeping in view the reduction in prices and market stability after the arrival of a full crop of onion from Sindh. The association has written a formal letter to the Ministry of National Food Security and Research in this regard.

The Pakistan Fruit and Vegetable Exporters, Importers and Merchant Association (PFVA) had imposed a self-ban from Nov 3 to curb the harvesting of premature onions for export.

They had earlier voluntarily stopped exporting onions due to rising demand in the domestic market and increasing prices.

On Nov 20, the PFVA, after analysing the supply and price of onion in the market, had called a meeting with exporters and decided to resume exports from November 27. The decision was also intimated to the Department of Plant Protection.

The price of onion which was Rs2,800 per maund prior to the self-imposed ban has now dropped to Rs1,200 to 1,300 per maund after the arrival of good onion crops of Sindh in the market.

According to PFVA Head Waheed Ahmed, matured and fully ready crops would be available soon as a result of temporarily discontinuing onion exports.

He assured that not only will the price of onion remain stable in the local market now, hoarding would also be eliminated, while farmers would be motivated to harvest again by getting good prices for their produce.

MARKET DAILY LAHORE: BankIslami President and CEO Syed Amir Ali, while addressing the 4th International Conference on Islamic Banking and Finance at IoBM recently as a guest speaker, stressed upon the stakeholders in the financial and banking sector to develop the solutions, models, and procedures for overcoming the economic challenges in wake of the pandemic.

Bulls dominate as index gains 230 points KARACHI STAFF REPORT

KARACHI: Faysal Bank Limited (FBL), one of Pakistan’s leading Islamic banking network, together with Pakistan International Airlines (PIA), carried out the first ballot for four winners for the “Welcome Home – Roshan Digital Account” campaign, during a ceremony held at Faysal House.

Surf Excel Daaghon Ka Champion partners with PSL champions Karachi Kings KARACHI: Karachi Kings wicketkeeper Chadwick Walton wins Jubilee Insurance ‘Safe Hand of the Match’ award. PRESS RElEASE

KARACHI: Surf excel brough an exciting challenge to the Karachi players during the PSL final – Kon banegaDaaghon Ka Champion (Who will be the champion of acquiring stains) among 3 Karachi players namely Imad Wasim, Iftikhar Ali and Mohammad Amir. Surf Excel conducted this interesting competition to determine not only who becomes the PSL ka champion but also the Daaghon Ka Champion. Karachi King’s players took to their social media platforms challenging each other as they vouched for the Surf Excel Daaghon ka Champion title. Cricketers passionately participated in the Daaghon Ka Champion campaign and chased to get the award, shamelessly acquiring stains, and giving their stellar performance on the field, and simultaneously challenging their oppononents and uploading teaster videos for the Daaghon Ka Champion Challenge.

Bulls paraded back to the Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) on Tuesday, as the indices remained in the positive territory despite negativity surrounding the second wave of coronavirus.

Global equity markets also displayed a positive trend, whereas crude oil prices inched further up from the previous close; WTI crude price appreciating 1.21pc to $43.59 while Brent crude price rising 1.04pc to $46.52.

"Consistent increase in international crude oil prices helped exploration & production stocks stage a comeback, whereas banks and oil & gas marketing companies also traded positively for the most part of the session," a report issued by Arif Habib Ltd read. "Although the cement stocks saw selling pressure earlier in the day, mainly due to the anticipation of slow growth in cement despatches, renewed buying interest was seen in the sector towards the end, which lifted the index over 200 points."

MARKET SUMMARY: The benchmark KSE100 Index remained in the green throughout the day, registering its intraday high at 40,021.33 after accumulating 388.81 points. It settled higher by 230.84 points at 39,863.36.

Among other indices, the KMI-30 Index gained 476.88 points to close at 63,526.38, while the KSE All Share Index added 126.83 points, ending at 28,058.88.

The overall market volumes declined from 195.43 million shares in the previous session to 174.70 million shares (-11pc). Average traded value also dropped by 9pc, from $46.7 million to $42.4 million. Unity Foods Ltd (UNITY +2.03pc), Maple Leaf Cement Factory Ltd (MLCF -0.88pc) and TRG Pakistan Ltd (TRG +1.70pc) led the volume chart, exchanging 19.01 million, 14.52 million and 12.67 million shares, respectively.

Sectors that drove the benchmark index north included oil & gas exploration (+66.95 points), banking (+40.93 points) and fertilizer (+25.58 points). Among the companies, Pakistan Oilfields Ltd (POL +23.43 points), Dawood Hercules Corporation Ltd (DAWH +18.02 points) and Mari Petroleum Company Ltd (MARI +17.50 points) remained the top contributors.

Adding 1.40pc to its total market capitalization, the oil & gas exploration ended as the session’s top performer, with MARI (+2.26pc), POL (+2.20pc), Pak Petroleum Ltd (PPL +0.82pc) and Oil and Gas Development Company Ltd (OGDC +1.15pc) posting decent gains.

LAHORE Gallup Pakistan and Dun & Bradstreet Pakistan has issued their third report on ‘Pakistan’s Consumer Confidence Index (CCI)’ for the third quarter (July-Sept) of 2020.

The CCI report has been developed by assessing consumers’ confidence about the economy and their financial situation. The index covers four key parameters i.e. household financial situation, country’s economic condition, unemployment, and household savings.

The index is a reflection of the current situation and future expectations, which would take into account the economic changes felt by consumers across the country during the last 6 and next 6 months.

The CCI ranges from 0 to 200, with 100 as the neutral value and a score of less than 100 indicating pessimism.

According to details, the CCI stood at 88.7 points in 3Q2020, compared to 79.1 points in 2Q2020, translating into a 12.1 per cent QoQ increase.

Dun & Bradstreet Pakistan Country Lead Nauman

Govt to close indoor restaurants amid rising Covid cases: Asad Umar ISLAMABAD STAFF REPORT

Federal Minister for Planning, Development and Special Initiatives Asad Umar has said that the government has decided to close indoor restaurants across Pakistan to prevent spread of Covid-19 pandemic.

Briefing the media persons about decisions taken by the National Coordination Committee, which met in the federal capital with Prime Minister Imran Khan in the chair, Asad Umar said, “Covid-19 cases are rapidly increasing and the government has decided to ban all indoor restaurants across the country.” He said that this ban will not be valid for food stalls operating in open spaces. He said the NCC also validated decisions taken by the National Command and Operation Centre regarding closure of schools. “Decision to close schools was not an easy one but lives of children are more important,” said Asad Umar and added that the government is working on a mechanism for education to move it uninterrupted.

Punjab govt, CPEC Authority agree to promote agriculture research

Panther Tyres applies for listing at PSX NEWS DESK Panther Tyres Limited has applied for listing at the Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX). According to the notification issued by the PSX, the company has planned to issue 40 million ordinary shares at a floor price of Rs47 per share.

The company wanted to raise funds for the expansion of its operations and businesses in the local market and export segments. The total expansion cost was estimated to be Rs3.066 billion and was to be financed by a mixture of Debt and Equity in the Debt to Equity proportion of 37.5 to 62.5. This investment of

Rs3.066 billion will not only help the company to increase its production capacity but also provide an opportunity to bring-in new state of art European technology of tyre manufacturing. This technology will enable the Company to produce and sell best quality products at competitive prices. Panther Tyres Limited is one of the largest tyre manufacturing company of Pakistan and takes pride in being the first to introduce the local manufacturing of two, three-wheelers and industrial machinery tyres in Pakistan and currently has a stronghold in the two, three-wheeler and tractor tyre market.

Consumer confidence continues to improve in Pakistan HASSAN NAQVI

Traditionally, if the growers sustain financial losses in one crop during a year, they do not harvest the same next year.

According to the exporters, Pakistan has a window of opportunity to export onions in the international market for an additional month, during which they could generate valuable foreign exchange for the country by taking advantage of the surplus volume of the vegetable.

Opportunities to export the Pakistani onion would be limited after one month as the Indian onion would also be available in the international market by that time. It is pertinent to mention here that the PFVA has also appealed to the Ministry of National Food Security and Ministry of Commerce to the import of onion and potato from Iran should be banned in the interest of local growers.

Lakhani stated, “The third issue of the Pakistan CCI report compares changes in consumer confidence from Q12020, which was a pre-Covid time, Q2FY20, which was during smart lockdowns and Q3FY20, which was when the lockdown was completely lifted. The current consumer confidence growth of 7pc as compared to the last quarter is healthy, showing signs of recovery in Pakistan.”

He continued, “I envision this index to become a barometer of economic well-being in the country in the years to come. We hope this report is useful to government entities, as well as private organisations to strengthen their understanding of consumer sentiments across Pakistan and help in developing effective strategies to deal with the on-ground situation.”

On the other hand, Gallup Pakistan Executive Director (ED) Bilal Ijaz Gilani said, “Consumer confidence in Pakistan has shown an upward trajectory for the third quarter in a row which shows that the pandemic’s impact on the economy and consumers is slowly tapering off. Gallup Pakistan foresees two main threats to this recovery trend, unemployment and inflation.” Gilani warned that many of the recent wins may be lost if these two problems are not effectively

tackled. “Now is the time for fiscal and monetary policy instruments for public welfare.”

It may be mentioned that perceptions about the country’s economy have improved consistently across the three quarters, highlighting upbeat consumer sentiments mainly on account of optimistic future expectations. Similarly, perception about household financial situation entered into green, implying that people’s household income seems to be rising after a decline due to Covid-19.

During 3Q2020, household financial situation was the only parameter to turn overall optimistic owing to an improvement in future expectations. As many as 30pc of consumers believe that their income levels will improve in the next six months in Q3 as compared to 28pc in Q2 and 32pc in Q1. In contrast, rising inflation and more importantly unemployment continues to drag consumers enthusiasm. During the Q3 survey, 91pc of consumers believed that daily essentials have continued to become expensive/very expensive in the last six months compared to 83pc in Q2. While 4 out 5 (77pc) respondents believed that unemployment has increased in the last six months as compared to 80pc in Q2 and 71pc in Q1.

LAHORE STAFF REPORT

The Punjab government and China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) Authority have agreed to promote seed development and research related to the agriculture sector. The development came during a meeting between CPEC Authority Chairman Asim Saleem Bajwa with Punjab Chief Minister (CM) Usman Buzdar on Tuesday wherein they exchanged views on ongoing projects under the mega economic corridor in the province. Buzdar and Bajwa agreed on the construction of China Centre CPEC Tower in Lahore to promote seed development and research related to the agriculture sector. The chief minister detailed that information desks will be established for industrialists at CPEC Tower where all details regarding the Chinese industries will be provided under one roof. He vowed that the provincial government will assist Chinese investors to establish industries in the province, adding that 13,000 acres of land will be used for research on seed development and agriculture. He asked authorities to ensure implementation of guidelines for industrial development and table recommendations for the resolution of issues to the industrialists and also issued directives to finalise regulations for industrial development at the earliest.

On the occasion, Bajwa said that CPEC has key importance in the stability of Pakistan’s economy therefore development work on its projects has been expedited.

He highlighted that the country will benefit from Chinese expertise in the agriculture sector which holds major opportunities for economic growth.

Wednesday, 25 November, 2020

10 FOREIGN NEWS

AfghAn prEsIdEnT CAlls for sUpporT bUT donors lIkEly To CUT AId GENEVA

A

AGENCIES

FGHAN President Ashraf Ghani urged the international community to keep supporting Afghanistan on Tuesday even as he acknowledged that donors are likely to cut aid under the strain of the coronavirus pandemic.

Ghani's call came in a virtual address to a global donor conference in Geneva, with Afghanistan beset by violence between the Taliban and government forces, rampant corruption and an imminent withdrawal of US troops.

"The Covid-19 pandemic has thrown us all into a state of global uncertainty," Ghani said from Kabul.

"We ask our international partners to help us do more with less... Financial resources -- aid -- will continue to be critical to our growth for the foreseeable future."

Donor nations meet every four years to pledge aid to Afghanistan, which is almost entirely reliant on foreign assistance despite years of promised reforms and at-

Thai police to charge protest leaders with royal insult

tempts to grow the economy.

The World Bank said in a report earlier this year that Afghanistan's economy is set to contract by between 5.5 percent and 7.4 percent in 2020 due to the pandemic, exacerbating poverty and leading to a sharp decline in government revenues.

The previous 2016 conference in Brussels raised $15.2 billion (12.8 billion euros), but the 2020 donor conference could see less aid pledged as countries battle to recover from the pandemic.

And the conference aims to secure gains made over the last 19 years by tying new donations to joint political commitments -- with consequences if they are not met. Concerns are high that advances, especially in the area of women's rights, could be lost as the Taliban unleashes further violence.

UN CEASEFIRE CALL: "Afghans have made remarkable progress in achieving their human rights -- particularly those of women, minorities, and children," said United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, as he called for an immediate, unconditional ceasefire.

strategy. That's where the leverage to maintain the gains of the last 19 years will be," said Finnish ambassador Janne Taalas, who is co-chairing the conference.

Support for Kabul from donor nations sends an important message to the Taliban in peace negotiations, experts say.

"Although the amount pledged is important, what's more significant is the donors providing their support to Afghanistan," Nishank Motwani, deputy director at the Afghanistan Research and Evaluation Unit, told AFP. The largely virtual Geneva conference also considered tackling corruption, aid effectiveness, safeguarding human rights and reintegrating returning refugees. UN Refugees chief Filippo Grandi, who recently returned from Afghanistan, said there were up to 300,000 more internally displaced people this year due to conflict, adding to the millions of Afghan IDPs. Meanwhile up to 40 percent of refugees arriving in Greece from the east were Afghans. "If violence continues, as we have seen during the weekend, if peace talks fail, there will be no return" of refugees, he told the conference.

Taiwan to protect sovereignty with new submarines amid China tensions KAOHSIUNG

BANGKOK

Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen on Tuesday vowed to defend the democratic island’s sovereignty with the construction of a new fleet of domestically-developed submarines, a key project supported by the United States to counter neighbouring China.

Taiwan, which China claims as its own territory, has been for years working to revamp its submarine force, some of which date back to World War Two, and is no match for China’s fleet, which includes vessels capable of launching nuclear weapons.

At a ceremony to mark the start of construction of a new submarine fleet in the southern port city of Kaohsiung, Tsai called the move a “historic milestone” for Taiwan’s defensive capabilities after overcoming “various challenges and doubts”. “The construction demonstrates Taiwan’s strong will to the world to protect its sovereignty,” she told the event, which was also attended by the de facto US ambassador in Taiwan, Brent Christensen.

“Submarines are important equipment for the development of Taiwan’s navy’s asymmetric warfare capabilities and to deter enemy ships from encircling Taiwan.”

The US government in 2018 gave the green light for US manufacturers to participate in the programme, a move widely seen as helping Taiwan secure major components, though it is unclear which US companies are involved.

MOSCOW Armenian Economy Minister Tigran Khachatryan has tendered his resignation, his spokeswoman said on Tuesday, following criticism of the government over a ceasefire that secured advances for Azerbaijan in Nagorno-Karabakh after six weeks of fighting.

The announcement, made on Face-

The European Union has reached a deal with US biotech firm Moderna for the supply of up to 160 million doses of its Covid-19 vaccine candidate, the president of the European Commission said on Tuesday. The deal will be formally approved by the EU executive on Wednesday, said European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen.

"According to the results of clinical trials, this vaccine could be highly effective against Covid-19. Once the vaccine is indeed proven as safe and effective, every member state will receive it at the same time on a pro rata basis," von der Leyen said.

Last week, Moderna said its experimental vaccine was 94.5pc effective in preventing Covid-19, based on interim data from a latestage clinical trial. In August, the EU's executive Commission, which co-leads talks with vaccine makers on behalf of member states, said preliminary talks with Moderna had been concluded with the aim of signing a contract for the supply of 80 million doses of its vaccine, with the option of buying another 80 million.

Island tensions simmer as China, Japan vow to boost trade ties AGENCIES

State-backed CSBC Corporation Taiwan said it would deliver the first of the eight planned submarines in 2025, giving a major boost to Tsai’s military modernisation and self-sufficiency plan.

Company chairman Cheng Wen-lung said they had faced major challenges, including difficulty procuring parts as well as “external forces hindering the development of this programme”.

Taiwan’s armed forces are mostly equipped by the United States, but Tsai has made development of an advanced homegrown defence industry a priority.

Armenian economy minister resigns as government in flux AGENCIES

AGENCIES

TOKYO

AGENCIES

AGENCIES

Thai police have summoned seven leaders of anti-government protests to face charges of lese majeste over comments made at demonstrations that demanded reforms to the monarchy, a police source and a rights group said on Tuesday. It will be the first time such charges have been brought under so-called lese majeste laws relating to insults to the royal family in more than two years. They can carry up to 15 years in prison.

Protests that began in July against Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha have increasingly turned to demands to curb the powers of King Maha Vajiralongkorn, breaking a longstanding taboo on criticising the monarchy. The police source, who declined to be named because he was not authorised to speak to the media, said the protest leaders had until Nov. 30 to answer the summonses, which were brought over comments made at protests on Sept.

19 and 20. One of the seven, Parit “Penguin” Chiwarak, told Reuters his family had received a summons on the charges and he was not worried. “This will expose the brutality of the Thai feudal system to the world,” he said. “We will keep fighting.” Others named included human rights lawyer Arnon Nampa, who became the first to call for royal reforms on Aug. 3, and Panusaya “Rung” Sithijirawattanakul, a student leader who set out 10 demands for royal reforms. Neither was immediately available for comment. Thai Lawyers for Human Rights told Reuters that police had notified the protest leaders’ lawyers. ROYAL FORTUNE: The summonses came a day before protesters have said they will march to the office that manages the royal fortune to demand that the king give up personal control of the assets.

"These rights must be the foundations for a peaceful future. It is essential that they remain anchored in law and protected in practice."

The Taliban and the Afghan government have been engaged in peace talks in Qatar since September 12 but no progress has been announced so far.

"Our commitment to negotiations with the Taliban remains firm," Ghani said.

But he said violence had "skyrocketed" since a US-Taliban deal in February paved the way for the withdrawal of foreign forces by May 2021.

"Plans to achieve peace did not materialise as imagined. Suffering and killing continues to plague Afghans on a daily basis. It is unbearable," he said.

MILITARY TO ECONOMIC SHIFT: The United States announced last week that another 2,000 US troops will exit Afghanistan by January 15 -- less than a week before Joe Biden is set to take over as president -- leaving just 2,500 behind.

"The Western donors should see this - that we are shifting from a military strategy to a donor and financial and economic

EU strikes deal with Moderna for up to 160m Covid vaccine doses

book by Khachatryan’s spokeswoman Anna Ohanyan, follows the appointment of a new defence minister and minister of foreign affairs last week.

The government of Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has been under pressure from protesters demanding that he quit over the ceasefire that ended the heaviest fighting in decades in NagornoKarabakh, an enclave that is inside Azerbaijan but mainly populated by ethnic

Armenians.

Under the Russia-brokered deal, Nagorno-Karabakh’s ethnic Armenian leaders are handing over swathes of territory they had controlled for decades but had been internationally recognised as part of Azerbaijan.

Pashinyan, who has rejected calls to resign, last week unveiled a six-month action plan that he said was designed to ensure Armenia’s stability.

Tokyo and Beijing pledged cooperation on trade and defence Tuesday, but locked horns on disputed islands as China's foreign minister visited Japan for the first time since the coronavirus pandemic began. The two countries had been working to improve historically tense relations before the pandemic erupted, and China's President Xi Jinping had been expected for a state visit in the spring.

But with Beijing embroiled in increasingly bitter diplomatic and trade spats with Japanese allies from the United States to Australia, Tokyo's diplomatic outreach appeared to take a backseat. Wang Yi's visit had been repeatedly postponed, as Tokyo angrily protested against what it says has been an unprecedented number of Chinese incursions into the area around the disputed Senkaku islands.

China calls the islands the Diaoyus and claims they are part of its territory. Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi said he "strongly urged" China to prevent intrusions

by Chinese vessels into waters near the islands. In response, Wang claimed that Japanese fishing boats were repeatedly entering "sensitive waters". "Our Chinese stance is clear. Of course, we will continue to protect our country's sovereignty," he said. Wang also said the two countries would try to set up a hotline of their defence authorities by the end of this year, but did not give further details. The rhetoric from the ministers was otherwise largely warm, with pledges to cooperate on trade -- particularly after this month's signing of the RCEP, a massive agreement that groups 15 Asia-Pacific countries, including Japan and China. They said also they would work together on tackling the coronavirus, with plans to allow business travel to resume between the two countries.

There was no mention of whether Xi's visit was back on the agenda.

Anger in France over 'scandalous' dispersal of Paris migrants PARIS AGENCIES

French police on Tuesday faced accusations of a "scandalous" use of excessive force after they fired tear gas to disperse a camp pitched by homeless migrants in Paris.

Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin acknowledged that images showing the clearance late on Monday were "shocking" and asked the city's police chief to submit a report. The government is already facing a storm of criticism over a new security law that opponents say will erode the accountability of the police.

Officers used tear gas to dismantle the Paris camp, which was set up to protest against earlier forced evacuations of hun-

dreds of migrants from other camps.

Volunteers had helped set up about 500 blue tents at Republic Square that were quickly filled by migrants, the majority from Afghanistan.

Police arrived shortly afterwards to remove the tents, sometimes with people still inside, in the face of protests from migrants and jeers from activists.

'LAMENTABLE SHOW': "They are too violent," said Shahbuddin, a 34-year-old Afghan, crying after being evicted. "We just want a roof."

Police later used tear gas and rough tactics, with videos posted on social media showing one officer tripping a man as he ran, and another officer slamming into a man who tried to intervene.

The controversy comes a week after migrants were evacuated from makeshift shelters in the northern suburb of Saint-Denis, including some who were provided with alternative shelter.

"The state has made a lamentable show," Ian Brossat, a Paris deputy mayor in charge of housing, told AFP. CFDT trade union chief Laurent Berger told France 2 TV that the actions of the police were "scandalous and astounding".

"People occupy a square peacefully with tents, simply because they have a housing problem, they are not harming anyone. And there is this intervention which is totally disproportionate," he said.

Darmanin said he had asked for a report from Paris police chief Didier Lallement by

midday and would take decisions based on its findings.

"Some images of the dispersal of the illegal migrant camp on Republic Square are shocking," he wrote on Twitter.

'DIDN'T VOTE FOR THIS’: Paris is a key stop-off point on the European migrant route with thousands passing through, often heading to England. Encampments repeatedly sprout up around the city only to be torn down by the police.

The latest camp removal came as the government is pushing a security law through parliament that would restrict the publication of photos or videos of police officers' faces -- the lower house is due to vote on it later on Tuesday.

Media unions say it could give police a

green light to prevent journalists from doing their work and potentially documenting abuses.

President Emmanuel Macron swept to power in 2017 as a centrist who rallied support from across the political spectrum. But critics and even some supporters accuse him of tilting to the right as he seeks re-election in 2022.

A group of public figures who voted for him in 2017 wrote an open letter this week calling for the legislation to be withdrawn.

The law would "reduce the freedoms of information, opinion, belief, education, association, demonstration and protest," said the signatories, who included filmmaker Costa-Gavras and ex-footballer Lilian Thuram.

Wednesday, 25 November, 2020

PAkIStAn InvIte AFghAn neIghbourS on FIrSt oFFICIAL CrICket tour KARACHI

P

AGENCIES

AKISTAN have invited Afghanistan's national cricket team on a recognised tour for the first time, officials said Tuesday, following a visit to Kabul by Prime Minister Imran Khan -- one of the

game's greatest players.

"We'll try to look for a possible window for this tour -- and if not 2021, we’ll definitely try to plan a series in 2022 season," said Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chief executive Wasim Khan.

"A cricket series between Pakistan and Afghanistan could be a harbinger of love and peace between the two countries," he told

AFP. An Afghan national side toured Pakistan in May 2011, although they only played a second-string side and matches were not given first-class status. Pakistan premier Khan visited Afghanistan on Thursday, where he vowed to help reduce spiralling violence and push for a ceasefire between the Taliban and Afghan forces.

Before entering politics, the Oxford-ed-

ucated Khan was one of the world's leading cricketers -- a destructive all-rounder with a devastating ability to swing the ball and brutally attack the opposition's bowling.

As a member of world cricket's second tier, Afghanistan's usual opponents are teams such as Ireland, Scotland and Hong Kong.

But Afghanistan beat Pakistan last year in a friendly ahead of the World Cup in Eng-

Klopp sings Firmino's praises as Liverpool prepare for Atalanta AGENCIES

With India series looming, Smith relieved to find his hands SYDNEY

Liverpool boss Juergen Klopp compared his team to an orchestra and said on Tuesday that his versatile forward Roberto Firmino always hits the right notes even if he is not scoring.

Firmino had scored only twice in 23 Premier League matches before heading one in during Sunday’s 3-0 victory over Leicester City and Klopp said he was happy with the Brazilian’s output. “Scoring was always important for Bobby but he’s a complete footballer,” Klopp told a news conference ahead of Wednesday’s Champions League clash against Atalanta at Anfield.

“Football is like an orchestra and if you have different people for instruments, some are louder, but all are important for the rhythm. Bobby can play without (goals) as well.

“We always celebrate goals but this one (against Leicester) was really emotional. The players read

the newspapers and they saw some criticism (of Firmino).” Forward Mohamed Salah missed the clash after contracting COVID-19 on international duty with Egypt last week but has since tested negative. “Mo trained and looked really good, a negative test like the rest. He’s available. We have to see what we can do with that,” Klopp said.

“All the rest, no news. One looks closer, the other not so, that is the situation. I don’t want to speak too much about it.”

Liverpool have won their opening three matches in Group D, including a 5-0 victory over Atalanta earlier this month but Klopp said he would not take the Italian side lightly. “They’re a threat even without a point to prove. We were exceptional (in Italy). We did everything right. It all came together. We know that game has nothing to do with tomorrow,” Klopp added.

“They’re a top team with a special way to play. I expect problems in this game.”

AGENCIES

Australia batsman Steve Smith says a training breakthrough during a stint in isolation has helped him find his hands again and he is confident his Indian Premier League struggles are behind him as he prepares to face India on Friday. Smith had a relatively quiet IPL in the United Arab Emirates, scoring 311 runs at 25.91 in 14 matches. He averaged 41.40 in the previous three years of the tournament. The 31-year-old said he had hardly picked up a bat during the early months of the Covid-19 pandemic and then struggled on Australia’s limited overs tour of England, where he scored 31 runs in three Twenty20 innings. Smith’s batting woes were a major concern for Australia, who are set to face India in six limited overs matches before the mouth-watering test series. But back in isolation in Sydney after returning from the UAE, Smith said he felt like he had found his rhythm and was striking the ball better and able to place it where he wanted. “The past few days I have found something ... I have found my hands which I am extremely excited about,” Smith told reporters on Tuesday. “It’s just getting that feel of the bat behind my toe the right way, the way my hands come up the bat.

“But it just hasn’t quite been right until two days ago. I found a little something and everything just clicked in. “I had a big smile on my face after training the other day.”

The smile will no doubt spread to the faces of Australian fans if Smith has indeed rediscovered his form. He averages 84.05 against India in tests and 60.46 in one-day internationals. The last time Smith said he had “found his hands” was ahead of the 2017/18 Ashes test series, where he tore apart England’s attack for 687 runs at 137.40. “In big series I try and stand up and get the best out of myself,” Smith said. “Whether there is something more inside me that comes out, I’m not sure.”

Afridi finally departs for LPL 2020 after missing original flight NEWS DESK Veteran all-rounder Shahid Afridi is on his way to Sri Lanka to participate in the inaugural Lanka Premier League (LPL) 2020 - a day after missing his original flight. Afridi, who is to captain Galle Gladiators in the tournament, took to Twitter to inform his fans that he was finally Sri Lanka-bound. "Thank God I was able to take the flight in time and now I'm on way way to Colombo and then Hambantota to join Galle Gladiators for the LPL," he wrote. The tardiness on Afridi's part is set to cost him two matches of the LPL 2020 as his mandatory isolation period will begin later than the rest of his teammates'. Galle Gladiators are owned by Pakistan Super League franchise Quetta Gladiators. The sister franchise will feature several other Pakistani players, including Ahsan Ali, Mohammad Amir and Waqas Maqsood. Quetta captain Sarfaraz was also supposed to captain Galle but his selection in the national squad for New Zealand series ruled him out, paving way for Afridi to take over.

Man City will not rush Aguero back: Guardiola AGENCIES Manchester City striker Sergio Aguero has trained ahead of Wednesday’s Champions League clash at Olympiakos but the Argentine will not be rushed into action from hamstring and knee issues, manager Pep Guardiola said on Tuesday.

Aguero sustained a hamstring injury in City’s 1-1 Premier League draw at West Ham United last month a week after making his first start of the season following knee surgery.

The 32-year-old was on the bench in City’s 20 league defeat by Tottenham Hotspur on Saturday and Guardiola stressed that he was prepared to wait for the striker to return to match fitness.

“Today he trained again. What we want is for him to feel a good feeling in his knee,” Guardiola told a news conference before the team’s departure to Greece. “I know it’s not his injury but we wait for him and there is still time, we have many

games to play and we will need him. We want him in the best condition.”

The Spaniard said almost all his players, including Fernandinho and Benjamin Mendy, were fit for the clash with only Nathan Ake set to start training on Friday after a thigh injury.

City have a perfect record in Group C after three games and Guardiola said Wednesday’s clash offered them the opportunity to return to winning ways and take a step towards the next phase of the competition. “It’s important... also to recover our feelings. To be able to win games is important. We can leave this competition until February and focus on others, especially the Premier League,” Guardiola added.

“At the same time we know how difficult it is and if we’re able to get results we travel to Porto and then have (Olympique de) Marseille here.

One step at a time but at the same time to recover, to come back and create good feelings.”

SPORTS 11 land, sparking wild scenes in Kabul where jubilant fans fired machine guns into the night sky, triggering security lockdowns in foreign embassies. Most Afghans only became familiar with the game from the 1980s, when millions were exiled as refugees near the Pakistan city of Peshawar, just 50 kilometres (36 miles) from their border. The two countries have played only a single official one-day match and one Twenty20 international -- both in the United Arab Emirates.

Relations between the two national cricket bodies are strong, however.

"A strong Afghanistan means a strong Asian block... so Pakistan will continue to play its part and help Afghan cricket," said Wasim.

Afghanistan are scheduled to host Pakistan for three one-day internationals as part of World Cup 2023 Super League, most likely to be played in the United Arab Emirates.

Asad Shafiq seeks Mohammad Yousuf's help to exit batting slump NEWS DESK Middle-order batsman Asad Shafiq has sought help from batting maestro Mohammad Yousuf after being dropped from Pakistan’s squad for the tour to New Zealand, Deo Super reported. Days after losing his long-held spot in the national team, Shafiq scored 141 for his domestic side Sindh in a Quaid-e-Azam Trophy match. He later told the media that he wants to convert his decent starts into big totals and has been invited to work on that facet of his game by Yousuf, who is working at the National High Performance Centre as the batting coach. “I do realise that I wasn’t able to convert my scores into big totals after decent starts. This was putting pressure on me,” Shafiq said. “I spoke to him (Yousuf) during the National T20 Cup and he himself suggested that I should visit him. I have talked to him and as soon he gets a suitable time, I will start working with him."

Shafiq last scored a three-figure score in December 2018 when he hit a 104 against New Zealand at Abu Dhabi. Since then, he has managed to contribute just six half-centuries in 17 innings. Despite this, he remains Pakistan’s third-highest run-scorer since January 2019, with 510 runs in 15 innings at an average of 34.00. The two ahead of him are Shan Masood and Babar Azam.

Fakhar Zaman clears Covid test, ends isolation NEWS DESK Opening batsman Fakhar Zaman has been permitted to end his isolation and go back home after he cleared his Covid19 and other tests. Zaman missed the New Zealand tour despite being named in Pakistan's 35-man squad. Hours before the team was to leave for Auckland from Lahore on Monday, he had developed a fever and showed symptoms similar to Covid-19, which had rendered him unable to travel according to the prescribed guidelines. Subsequently, he was isolated. However, his latest Covid-19 test, too, has come out negative while his condition has also improved, and so he has been allowed to move back home.

Return of fans brings new set of headaches for football clubs MANCHESTER AGENCIES

Fans can return to English football stadiums next week, ending an eight month absence due to Covid restrictions, but while the government’s decision to open the turnstiles has been welcomed it also presents a series of new headaches for clubs.

The first hurdle clubs must clear will come on Thursday when the government announces which tiers of restrictions given regions in England will be placed in. Clubs which fall into tier three areas, which contains the strictest restrictions, will still not be allowed to let any fans into their grounds.

Only those in the lowest risk, tier one, region will be allowed to have the maximum of 4,000 fans while the middle-ranked tier 2 areas will be restricted to up to 2,000 fans. “So some clubs will have fans backing them in home fixtures and others will have empty stadiums with no fans! Unfair competition or not??” asked former Manchester United captain Gary Neville, who is co-owner of League Two (fourth division) Salford City. Even those clubs that are allowed to have fans in stadiums from Wednesday Dec. 2, will need to have ensured that local safety advisory groups have been consulted and given the go ahead.

Clubs would also have to bring stadium staff, including safety officers, some of whom may have been furloughed, legally back to work in time for the games.

Oxford United, who play in League One, English football’s third division, expect to be in tier two, meaning they could have 2,000 fans in their 12,500 capacity Kassam Stadium. But club managing director Niall McWilliams said that might not be possible right away.

CMYK

“A few weeks ago we submitted plans for a trial game with 1,000 fans allowed in the ground and it may be that we have to be patient just a little longer and trial it with that plan and then step up to a larger number for the next game and hopefully keep building from there,” he told the club’s website. Then there is the thorny issue for clubs of who will be the lucky fans who will be allowed to attend games and which loyal season-ticket holders will still be kept out and stuck at home?

Clubs will be wary of the potential for a backlash if they give priority to high-paying corporate customers and the danger of long-term supporters feeling snubbed. Premier League club Chelsea said they were working on plans to “accommodate as many fans as

possible, as fairly as possible”.

Tony Stewart, chairman of Championship club Rotherham United, said: “We’ll have to create some form of lottery and prioritise our long-time seasonticket holders, that’s what we’re looking at now.”

As soon as the tiers are confirmed, clubs will have to quickly begin making plans and EFL chairman Rick Parry suggested they might not be as ready as may have been expected. “We weren’t really expecting anything before Christmas. There’s a lot of work to do quite quickly and it’s really important that we get this right. It’s not a case of rushing into this and tripping over. It’s a case of being measured, getting it right,” he said.

Wednesday, 25 November, 2020

PrAyEr TImINGS

NEWS

SUPReme leAdeR dISmISSeS tAlkS AS IRAN lookS to PoSt-tRUmP fUtURe DUBAI

I

Biden’s staff says the former vice president aims to restore the deal provided that Iran again abides by it. But diplomats and analysts have also said this was unlikely to happen overnight, as the adversaries would both want additional commitments.

Washington wants Iran to curb missile programmes which are not covered by the nuclear deal, and reduce its interventions in the Middle East. Iran has long said it will not negotiate over missiles, and no talks can begin unless Washington returns to the nuclear agreement and lifts sanctions unconditionally.

In remarks reported by state television on Tuesday, Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei expressed scepticism about the entire project of negotiating with the West.

“We once tried the path of having the

AGENCIES

RAN’S supreme leader dismissed the prospect of new negotiations with the West on Tuesday, even as the Tehran government spoke optimistically about the return of foreign companies in “the absence of Trump” and his sanctions.

President-elect Joe Biden’s victory has raised the possibility that the United States could rejoin a deal Iran reached with world powers in 2015, under which sanctions were lifted in return for curbs on Iran’s nuclear programme.

President Donald Trump abandoned the deal in 2018, and Tehran responded by scaling down its compliance.

Russia chases off US warship in row over waters in Sea of Japan MOSCOW: Russia said on Tuesday one of its warships caught and chased off a US destroyer operating illegally in its territorial waters in the Sea of Japan, but the US Navy denied wrongdoing by its vessel and accused Moscow of making excessive maritime claims. The Admiral Vinogradov, a Russian destroyer, verbally warned USS John S. McCain, a US Navy guided-missile destroyer, and threatened to ram it in order to force it to leave the area, prompting it to return to neutral waters, Moscow said. Russia said its Pacific Fleet warship had been tracking the American destroyer in the Peter the Great Gulf, and that the US vessel had violated Russia’s territorial waters at 0317 GMT by going two kilometres beyond the sea border. But the US Navy said its warship had been in international waters throughout as it carried out a “freedom of navigation” operation to assert its rights and challenge what it said were Russia’s excessive maritime claims. “...the United States will never bow in intimidation or be coerced into accepting illegitimate maritime claims, such as those made by the Russian Federation,” said Lieutenant Joe Keiley, 7th Fleet spokesperson. “The Russian Federation’s statement about this mission is false,” he said.

“USS John S. McCain was not ‘expelled’ from any nation’s territory.” The US destroyer made no further attempts to enter Russian waters after leaving the area, Moscow said.

The Admiral Vinogradov was continuing to observe its movements and another vessel, a corvette, was dispatched to the area, it added.

Such incidents at sea are rare, but they underscore the poor diplomatic and military relations between Russia and the United States whose ties are languishing at a postCold War low. The last remaining major arms control pact between the former Cold War foes is due to expire in February despite months of talks to find a replacement. Also, President Vladimir Putin has yet to congratulate US Democratic President-elect Joe Biden with his Nov 3 election victory over President Donald Trump. AGENCIES

sanctions lifted and negotiated several years, but this got us nowhere,” he said.

“They interfere in regional affairs, they tell us not to intervene. And while Britain and France have nuclear missiles, they tell us not to have missiles. What does it have to do with you? You should first correct yourselves.” Khamenei has long criticised negotiations with the West. Nevertheless, he gave his ultimate blessing to the nuclear agreement when it was reached.

‘COMPANIES WILL RETURN’ The US sanctions restored under Trump have since hit Iran’s economy hard, undermining pragmatist President Hassan Rouhani’s argument that opening the country up to the world would improve the quality of life.

Government spokesman Ali Rabiei said on Tuesday that foreign companies

ZUHR

ASR MAGHRIB ISHA

11:50

2:40

6:37

5:02

6:25

Pakistan condemns missile attack at Saudi Aramco station NEWS DESK

were already preparing to return.

“Recently, contacts about opening offices and the presence of foreign companies in Iran have increased,” Rabiei told a news conference that was streamed live on a government website.

“Certainly, with the... lifting of the oppressive sanctions and the absence of Trump, the presence of foreign companies and a willingness to invest in Iran will increase.”

A European diplomat said companies were still wary of a lack of transparency in Iran and that Biden lifting sanctions would not be enough to lure them back. “There’s just no benefit for a major company to play around in a market with so little financial transparency. No compliance officer is going to sanction such a move.”

Friend says Khashoggi 'threatened'

by Saudi official before death ISTANBUL AGENCIES

A close friend of Jamal Khashoggi told a Turkish court on Tuesday that the slain Saudi journalist felt threatened by people close to Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.

The main court in Istanbul held a second hearing in the trial in absentia of 26 Saudi suspects in the Washington Post columnist's high-profile murder -including two former aides to the powerful Saudi crown prince.

The 59-year-old was suffocated and dismembered inside the kingdom's Istanbul consulate on October 2, 2018 after going inside to get documents for his marriage to Turkish fiancee Hatice Cengiz. The murder sparked an international outcry and tarnished the reputation of the oil-rich kingdom and the crown prince.

The Turkish trial is being held separately from a Saudi one that overturned five death sentences issued after a closed-door hearing in September.

The Riyadh court instead jailed eight unidentified people for terms ranging from seven to 20 years in what Amnesty International and Reporters Without Borders (RSF) both called a "parody of justice". Turkish prosecutors have charged Saudi's former deputy intelligence chief Ahmed al-Assiri and the royal court's one-time media czar Saud al-Qahtani with orchestrating the murder and giving direct orders to a Saudi hit team.

Ayman Nour, an Egyptian political dissident and longtime friend of Khashoggi, told the court that the journalist had described to him being personally threatened by the Saudi media czar. "Jamal said he had been

FAJR SUNRISE 5:14

Pakistan has strongly condemned the missile attack by Houthi militants at Saudi Aramco oil company’s distribution station in Jeddah. In a statement, Foreign Office Spokesperson Zahid Hafeez Chaudhri said that Pakistan calls for an immediate cessation of such attacks that violate the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Saudi Arabia as well as threaten the lives of innocent civilians. He reaffirmed Pakistan’s full support and solidarity with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia against any threats to its security and territorial integrity. Earlier today, Saudi Aramco said that a strike by Yemen's Huthi rebels on its plant in Jeddah tore a hole in an oil tank, triggering an explosion and fire that was however quickly extinguished. The Iran-backed Huthis said they had fired a Quds2 missile in retaliation for Saudi Arabia's role at the head of a military coalition that supports the government in Yemen's long conflict.

Aramco took reporters Tuesday to the distribution facility where damage to the storage tank was visible, with the top rim fireblackened and a railings above buckled from the heat. "Unfortunately the facility was hit yesterday by a projectile, by a hostile attack.

As you know Aramco has been a target of such hostile attacks," said Abdullah al-Ghamdi, manager of the North Jeddah Bulk Plant. The roof of the tank suffered "major damage" with a hole measuring two metres (six feet) across, he said. "It was a big fire, it was a big explosion but it was controlled." The manager said that distribution from the plant, which provides refined products including jet fuel to the country's west, was restored within three hours even though the damaged tank -- one of 13 -- remained out of action. "The fire was extinguished in a very short time, it only took about 40 minutes to put out a major fire in a major tank like this," he said, confirming there had been no casualties.

Israel's Netanyahu says he will visit Bahrain soon

threatened by Qahtani and his family," Turkish media quoted Nour as telling the court.

"Nour said Khashoggi had reported being threatened by Saud al-Qahtani since 2016," Rebecca Vincent of Reporters Without Borders (RSF) separately tweeted from the courtroom.

"Khashoggi spoke of a phone call from Qahtani when he was living in Washington DC, saying he knew his kids and where they lived. Nour said Khashoggi was crying, which was unusual, and said he was afraid."

'HIGHEST LEVELS' Khashoggi's fiancee Cengiz also attended Tuesday's hearing, which was adjourned to March 4. President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has said the order to murder Khashoggi came from "the highest levels" of the Saudi government but has never directly blamed Prince Mohammed.

Relations between the two countries suffered in the wake of Khashoggi's death.

But Erdogan discussed ways to enhance ties with the prince's ageing father King Salman on the eve of last weekend's virtual G20 summit hosted

by Saudi Arabia. The Turkish trial is monitored closely by human rights advocates. Vincent said the Istanbul court rejected RSF's application to become a civil party in the Khashoggi's case.

This would have given the Parisbased group broader access to court documents. "We were disappointed," Vincent told AFP, calling it "a missed opportunity to ensure robust international scrutiny."

"But regardless we will continue to closely monitor this case and call for adherence to international standards," she said.

JERUSALEM: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Tuesday he would visit Bahrain “soon” at the invitation of the Gulf state’s Crown Prince Salman al-Khalifa. Bahrain followed the United Arab Emirates in normalising ties with Israel in a deal brokered by the United States that marked a strategic Middle East alignment against Iran. The shift has enraged the Palestinians who have demanded statehood before any such regional rapprochement. “We are both excited to bring the fruits of peace to our people and countries in such a short time. That’s why he (al-Khalifa) invited me to come soon for a formal visit in Bahrain and I will do this happily,” Netanyahu said in a statement about a phone call he held with the crown prince. A first Bahraini delegation visited Israel last Wednesday. On Monday, an Israeli official and local media said Netanyahu had secretly traveled to Saudi Arabia on Sunday for talks with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo in what would be the first publicly confirmed visit there by an Israeli leader. Saudi Arabia’s foreign minister, Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud denied such talks took place. Netanyahu did not confirm or deny the reports. AGENCIES

Biden forges ahead with building team after Trump clears way for transition WILMINGTON AGENCIES

US President-elect Joe Biden on Tuesday began a new phase in his transition to the White House after the Trump administration gave the Democrat access to critical resources that will enable him to take the reins of power in January.

The General Services Administration’s announcement on Monday that it would formally recognize Biden’s transition came after weeks of the president falsely claiming that the Nov. 3 election had been marred by widespread voter fraud.

Trump, in a post on Twitter, offered support for the move. Critics have said the president’s refusal to accept the results undermined U.S. democracy and undercut the next administration’s ability to fight the novel coronavirus.

While Trump stopped short of conceding, it was the closest he has come to acknowledging that it is time to hand over power to Biden, who will take office on Jan. 20. The GSA announcement will allow the presidentelect to access millions of dollars in funds and focus on putting together a leadership team.

It also paves the way for Biden and Vice Presidentelect Kamala Harris to receive regular national security

briefings that Trump also gets.

On Tuesday, Biden and Harris are expected to formally introduce their appointments to critical national security and foreign policy positions in Wilmington, Delaware. Two Trump administration officials said the Biden agency review teams could begin interacting with Trump agency officials as soon as Tuesday.

The Biden transition team said meetings would begin with federal officials on Washington’s response to the coronavirus pandemic, along with discussions of national security issues.

Biden on Monday tapped trusted aide Antony Blinken to head the State Department and John Kerry, a former U.S. senator, secretary of state and 2004 Democratic presidential nominee, to serve as his special climate envoy. Biden, who plans to undo many of Trump’s “America First” policies, also named Jake Sullivan as his national security adviser and Linda Thomas-Greenfield as U.S. ambassador to the United Nations - both with high-level government experience.

He is likely to tap former Federal Reserve Chair Janet Yellen to become the next Treasury secretary, according to two Biden allies, who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss a personnel decision that was not yet public.

‘BEST INTEREST’ On Monday evening, Sue Gough, a spokeswoman for the Pentagon, said that the Department of Defense had been contacted by the Biden-Harris team. “DoD is prepared to provide post-election services and support in a professional, orderly, and efficient manner that is befitting of the public’s expectation of the Department and our commitment to national security,” Gough said. While Trump on Monday said he backed GSA Administrator Emily Murphy’s decision, he and his advisers vowed to continue fighting the election results.

“Our case STRONGLY continues, we will keep up the good ... fight, and I believe we will prevail! Nevertheless, in the best interest of our Country, I am recommending that Emily and her team do what needs to be done with regard to initial protocols, and have told my team to do the same,” Trump said on Twitter.

Trump later said on Twitter that his team would move “full speed ahead” with challenging “what will go down as the most corrupt election in American political history,” adding that he would “never concede.”

Biden won 306 state-by-state electoral votes to Trump’s 232. Biden also holds a lead of more than 6 million in the national popular vote.

Murphy’s decision to allow the formal transition followed weeks of failed legal efforts by Trump and his al-

lies to overturn the election in key battleground states.

Murphy, who was appointed to the GSA job by Trump, said she faced threats for not starting the transition earlier and told GSA employees in a letter that the decision to do so was hers alone.

The letter came shortly after Michigan officials certified Biden as the victor in their state.

Nevada Secretary of State Barbara Cegavske, a Republican, is due to meet with state supreme court justices on Tuesday to certify that state’s vote. Biden won Nevada by more than 33,000 votes, according to the Nevada secretary of state’s office. Representative Don Beyer, who led the Obama administration’s transition at the Commerce Department in 2008, said on Monday that Murphy’s delay was “costly and unnecessary” and warned that Trump could still do great harm in his remaining time in office.

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