Epaper – October 25 KHI 2020

CMYK

25 October, 2020 I 7 Rabi-ul-Awwal, 1442 I Rs 25.00 I Vol XI No 116 I 36 Pages I Karachi Edition

Govt terms FAtF decision ‘A diplomAtic victory’ For pAkistAn g

un’s 75th anniversary

imran, alvi reiterate call for implementation of kashmir resolutions

Hammad azHar says FaTF Has acknowledged PakisTan’s ‘HigH-level PoliTical commiTmenT and signiFicanT Progress on acTion Plan’

ISLAMABAD STAFF REPORT

A

day after Financial action Task Force (FaTF) announced to retain Pakistan on its grey list for another four months, minister for industries and Production Hammad azhar on saturday termed the decision a “diplomatic victory” for the country.

The FaTF had announced on Friday that Pakistan will continue to remain on its grey list for another four months till February 2021 for six out of 27 unmet action plan targets on anti-money laundering and combating the financing of terrorism (aml/cFT)..

The Paris-based money laundering and terror financing watchdog, while noting Pakistan had fulfilled 21 of the 27 conditions required, gave the country until February 2021

to complete the remaining conditions.

“To date, Pakistan has made progress across all action plan items and has now largely addressed 21 of the 27 action items. as all action plan deadlines have expired, the FaTF strongly urges Pakistan to swiftly complete its full action plan by February 2021,” the watchdog said in a statement. “The FaTF takes note of the significant progress made on a number of action plan items,” it added.

The next plenary is due on Feb 21-26. welcoming the development, azhar, in a tweet, said, “FaTF has acknowledged our high-level political commitment and significant progress.”

He observed some circles were propagating “false and baseless information about abstention or negative voting in the meeting”. clarifying the air, the minister said no voting criteria was applied for the decision.

coronAvirus in

pAkistAn

CONFIRMED CASES:

327,063

LAST UPDATED AT 7:04 AM ON OCTOBER 24 2020

DAY'S DEATH TOLL:

12

RECOVERED:

310,101 SINDH:

143,222 KP:

38,923

NEW CASES:

847

DEATHS:

6,727

PUNJAB:

102,467 BALOCHISTAN:

15,791

AJK/GB: ISLAMABAD: 3,748/4,148 18,764

“yesterday’s consensus decision without any voting is our diplomatic victory,” he tweeted. some Twitter accounts with a large following had claimed afghanistan, Thailand and india had voted against Pakistan. However, azhar observed some countries mentioned in the “fake news” were not even members of the terror watchdog.

“Pakistan enjoys broad international support and cooperation on FaTF,” he added. earlier this week, Foreign office spokesperson zahid Hafeez chaudhri had rejected "false media reports" regarding saudi arabia's role in the assessment of Pakistan’s FaTF action plan, saying the two countries "enjoy strong fraternal ties".

Pakistan was placed on the “increased monitoring list” — more commonly known as the grey-list in June 2018, which identifies countries being monitored for compliance by the agency. The country was due for a review in June but was granted a reprieve because of the covid-19 pandemic when the body temporarily postponed all mutual evaluations and follow-up deadlines.

The grey list countries which are not taking measures to combat terror funding and money-laundering. Placement on the list serves as a warning that if action is not taken, it risks blacklisting, which can lead to economic sanctions and bars on loan facilities. once a country is placed on the grey-list, it is directly scrutinised by the FaTF until measures taken to curb terror financing and money laundering have been achieved. countries on the blacklist have significant strategic deficiencies in their regimes to counter money-laundering, terrorist financing, and financing of proliferation.

ISLAMABAD STAFF REPORT

President dr arif alvi and Prime minister imran khan have urged the international community, especially the United nations (Un), to exercise its moral, legal, political and diplomatic authority to implement the security council’s resolutions on the kashmir dispute.

They said this in their separate messages on the occasion of the 75th anniversary of the United nations.

President arif alvi said the security council should put pressure on indian government to end its oppression in the indian illegally occupied Jammu and kashmir. He said the Un should get lifted the military siege and restrictions on communications and peaceful protests in the occupied territory.

He said the world body should declare null and void the new domicile rules which have been introduced in illegally occupied Jammu and kashmir to change its demographic structure. illegal and unilateral steps of 5th august last year should also be declared null and void.

‘Missing’ journalist Ali Imran Syed returns home ISLAMABAD STAFF REPORT

news reporter for a private media house ali imran syed returned to his home on saturday after almost a day-long disappearance since Friday. a few hours earlier, Prime minister (Pm) imran khan had directed the interior ministry to stay in touch with the sindh government over the disappearance of the journalist.

He had issued the directives during his conversation with his adviser on accountability and interior shahzad akbar. The adviser had called Pm imran to brief him on the disappearance of the journalist.

“Provide assistance in the missing journalist’s recovery,” said Pm imran khan. He also directed that the safety of all journalists should be ensured “at all costs”. soon after the matter came to public attention, acting additional inspector general (aig) karachi arif Hanif had visited the journalist’s residence along with senior superintendent Police anti-violent crime cell to assure his family members of his early recovery.

The police officers had also visited the crime scene.

separately, in a tweet, shahzad akbar had said that the interior secretary has spoken to the sindh police chief and directed him to ensure the early recovery of the journalist.

He also offered “support and assistance of all federal agencies in the case and general safety of journalists in sindh”.

The reporter associated with the media house had gone missing in karachi, his employer said on saturday. according to geo television, ali imran syed was missing since Friday evening. a report published on the

channel’s website said the syed left his home between 7:00 pm and 8:00 pm after telling his family he would be back home in half an hour. However, he has not returned home since.

His car was parked outside the house and he had left his mobile phone at home, the report quoted his wife as saying.

The channel’s administration stated that the karachi police chief and deputy inspector general (dig) east have been informed about syed’s disappearance, according to the publication, which added the family had also submitted a report to sachal police station in the gulzar-e-Hijri neighbourhood. meanwhile, sindh government spokesperson murtaza wahab said chief minister murad ali shah has taken notice of the incident and spoken to the provincial police chief mushtaq mahar.

“The matter is being investigated,” he said.

Tweeting about the development amnesty international said, syed was “feared to have been subjected to an enforced disappearance for his reporting”.

“The authorities must establish his whereabouts immediately,” the rights group said.

He said a commission of inquiry should be constituted to investigate blatant human rights violations in illegally occupied Jammu and kashmir. referring to Pakistan's contributions in the Un peacekeeping missions, the President said our 158 peace keepers have rendered their lives for the Un peacekeeping missions in different countries.

Prime minister imran khan in his message on the United nations’ 75th anniversary said on saturday that Pakistan is proud to play its part in upholding universal values to protect and safeguard human rights and fundamental freedoms for all.

“Pakistan continues to support the right of all peoples living under foreign occupation and alien domination to self-determination,” he said. “it is gratifying that Pakistan has played a critical role in preserving international peace and security, through its contribution of ‘blue helmets’ to the Un Peacekeeping missions all around the world,” he added.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 05

more inside

Nawaz’s popularity on the rise despite ban: Maryam STORY ON PAGE 03

at least 18 dead in suicide bomb attack in kabul STORY ON PAGE 12

Bilawal vows to protect GB's constitutional rights STORY ON PAGE 02 in today’s issue

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

02

Sunday, 25 October, 2020

NEWS

Covid-19 positivity rate reaChes 2.73pC with 847 more infeCtions ISLAMABAD

t

TLTP

HE coronavirus positivity rate in Pakistan has increased to 2.73 per cent, as 847 more people tested positive during the last 24 hours, according to the data shared by the National Command and Operations Centre (NCOC) on Saturday.

The number of infections has been the highest since August 1, 2020, as it was July 31, 2020 when more than 847 infections were reported in a single day in the country.

According to the NCOC, 847 fresh infections surfaced when 31,009 samples were tested during this period, lifting the national tally of cases to 327,063. A total of 42,35,329 tests have been conducted so far.

The coronavirus claimed 12 more lives in the country over the past 24 hours, taking the death toll from the disease to 6,727.

Around 310,101 people have recovered from the disease so far. There are a total of 10,235 active cases of Covid-19 in the country. So far, Sindh has reported 143,222 cases, Punjab 102,467, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa 38,923, Balochistan 15,791,

President reassures support to Kashmiris’ right to self-determination ISLAMABAD STAFF REPORT

President Dr Arif Alvi has said that Pakistan stands firmly with Kashmiri people for the attainment of their right to self-determination. In a tweet on Saturday on the occasion of foundation day of Azad Kashmir, the President said the Kashmiri people will succeed in their struggle. Meanwhile, Azad Jammu and Kashmir Prime Minister Raja Farooq Haider Khan has called upon the United Nations to play its leading role in resolving the long-standing Kashmir dispute and implement its resolutions for establishing durable and everlasting peace in the region. In his message to mark the 73rd founding day of Azad Jammu and Kashmir state, he said that India’s expansionist designs have not only jeopardized peace of the entire region but would trigger another human tragedy. He said the main objective behind the establishment of Azad Kashmir government was the liberation of Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir. The 73rd Founding Day of Azad Jammu and Kashmir state was observed on Saturday with a renewed pledge to continue the struggle until liberation of Occupied Jammu and Kashmir and accession of the whole territory to Pakistan.

Mohsin Dawar denied entry into Quetta ahead of PDM rally NEWS DESK MNA Mohsin Dawar was barred from leaving the airport upon arrival in the Balochistan capital, following which dozens of Pashtun Tahaffuz Movement (PTM) members staged an hours-long sit-in in Quetta. In a tweet in the evening, Dawar, a top PTM leader, said he had been "detained at Quetta airport" along with a friend. "Once again our rights are being violated by state above state," he wrote. "I am told its because of security risks. Why are these risks limited to me only? We refuse to be silenced like this.

We will not be intimidated." As the sit-in protest by supporters and activists continued into the night, a PTM member stated that Dawar was taken away from the airport in a car by district administration officials. He said because there were no remaining flights scheduled out of Quetta, the lawmaker would likely be sent back to Islamabad in the morning. Dawar had landed in Quetta in the afternoon to attend the third rally of the opposition's 11-party anti-government alliance — Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) — on Sunday. PML-N Vice President Maryam Nawaz and other PDM leaders also arrived in the city today and were provided "bullet-proof cars and security", according to Balochistan government spokesperson Liaquat Shahwani. But Shahwani said Dawar was denied entry into Quetta because a ban was imposed on his entry "into any district of Balochistan for 90 days on July 29".

Islamabad 18,764, Azad Jammu and Kashmir 3,748, and Gilgit Baltistan has reported 4,148 cases. Punjab on Saturday announced 214 new cases of novel coronavirus in the province during the last 24 hours. A spokesperson for the Primary and Secondary Healthcare Department in a statement said that five more patients have died of Covid-19 in the province in the last 24 hours. Total number of coronavirus cases in the province has reached 102,467, the spokesperson stated.

The death toll in the province has reached 2,339, according to the statement.

So far, more than 1.4 million samples have been tested across the province while 97,331 patients have recovered. ON Friday, two days after issuing a lockdown warning and calling for better compliance with Covid-19 standard operating procedures (SOPs), the NCOC had noted an increase in the country's positivity rate, virus-related deaths and hospital admissions.

During the morning session of the forum, health officials presented data on the country's Covid outbreak. The forum noted that the positivity ratio had risen for the fifth consecutive day, a statement issued by the NCOC said. The average positivity rate is 40 per cent higher during the last four days, the statement said, adding that deaths were also increasing.

"It was also noted that Muzaffarabad, Hyderabad, Karachi and Gilgit-Baltistan have a higher positivity ratio along with other areas across the country."

After Shehbaz, Hamza allowed facilities in jail LAHORE STAFF REPORT

An accountability court on Saturday directed the jail authorities to provide home food and other facilities, in accordance with law, to Opposition Leader in Punjab Assembly Hamza Shehbaz.

Accountability Court Judge Jawadul Hassan issued orders after hearing a petition of the Pakistan Muslim LeagueNawaz (PML-N) leader.

Hamza Shehbaz’s counsel Amjad Pervez in his arguments alleged that his client is being subjected to political victimisation and is not being provided with basic facilities in jail according to the law. The counsel pleaded for allowing his client food from home and other facilities in jail. “The Jail Superintendent should ensure provision of home food and other necessary facilities to Hamza Shehbaz,”, the court said in its order.

Hamza has been imprisoned in Lahore’s Kot Lakhpat

Jail in the money laundering and Ramzan Sugar Mills cases.

Earlier on Wednesday last, the same court directed the jail authorities to provide facilities to Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) President Shehbaz Sharif in jail according to his medical history. The court ordered the authorities to provide mattress, chair, food from home and other necessary facilities.

Judge Jawadul Hassan announced the decision over a petition filed in the court seeking facilities to the opposition leader in jail.

The court also directed the Superintendent Kot Lakhpat Jail to submit a report over providing facilities to Sharif on the next hearing of the case.

PML-N Lahore had filed a petition in the accountability court seeking facilities for Shehbaz Sharif in jail according to the law.

“Shehbaz Sharif has been the Leader of Opposition in the National Assembly, he should be provided facilities including home food as per the law,” the petition said.

Pak Army extends best wishes to UN on 75th anniversary RAWALPINDI STAFF REPORT

Pakistan’s armed forces extended their best wishes to the United Nations Organization on the occasion of its 75th anniversary. In a tweet on Saturday, Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR) said that so far, 200,000 officers and soldiers of Pakistan armed forces have served in 46 missions in 28 countries.

ISPR said that 158 Pakistani officers and soldiers have so far sacrificed their lives to maintain international peace.

The armed forces of Pakistan have a long and distinguished history of service to the United Nations. Pakistan joined the UN peacekeeping missions on September 30, 1947 with the deployment of its first contingent in Congo in 1960.

This year, Naik Muhammad Naeem Raza Shaheed was awarded a special United Nations medal.

For the longest time, Pakistan has been rendering exemplary services to the United Nations. Many world leaders and the United Nations leadership have recognized the performance of the Pakistan Army at the international level.

Female peacekeepers from Pakistan are also working the United Nations peacekeeping mission in Congo, a fact recognized and appreciated by US Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs Alice Wells.

Under the UN umbrella, 83 Pakistani women are still part of the peacekeeping mission and Pakistan is the first country to deploy women in Congo on June 19, 2019.

Pakistan has remained one of the largest and most effective Troops Contributing Country consistently over the years.

Its contingents abroad have played a significant role in normalizing war torn communities, maintaining law and order and ensuring successful transition of political dispensation through supervision of elections. Performance of Pakistani peacekeepers has been widely acknowledged globally by numerous world leaders and UN leadership.

Presently, Pakistani peacekeepers are deployed in Congo, Central African Republic, South Sudan, Darfur, Somalia, Western Sahara, Mali, Abyei and Cyprus, helping humanitarian causes, bringing stability and promoting peace thus building a secure and peaceful world.

Progress in intra-Afghan negotiations vital to reduce violence, ensure ceasefire: Qureshi ISLAMABAD APP

Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi, while calling the US-Taliban Peace Agreement a historic opportunity, underlined that progress in the Intra-Afghan negotiations would help reduce violence and lead to ceasefire.

Qureshi, who met visiting Speaker of Afghanistan’s Wolesi Jirga Mir Rahman Rahmani on Saturday, also cautioned against the role of “spoilers” who did not wish to see peace and stability return to Afghanistan or were averse to strong Pakistan-Afghanistan relations.

Welcoming the visiting dignitary, the foreign minister highlighted the importance Pakistan attached to its fraternal relations with Afghanistan.

He emphasized the importance of inter-parliamentary cooperation between the two countries, with increased interaction through the respective Parliamentary Friendship Groups as well as between women parliamentarians on both sides. The foreign minister reaffirmed Pakistan’s support for a peaceful, stable and prosperous Afghanistan and highlighted the country’s positive contribution to the Afghan peace process.

He stressed that after the Afghans themselves, no other country had a greater stake in lasting peace in Afghanistan than Pakistan.

The foreign minister noted that Prime Minister Imran Khan had repeatedly underlined that there was no military solution to the conflict in Afghanistan and that a political solution was the only way forward.

Bilawal vows to protect GB's constitutional rights SKARDU: Pakistan Peoples’ Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari on Saturday promised to protect the constitutional rights of Gilgit-Baltistan. Addressing a public meeting, the PPP chairman said, “It is not a new promise, but our party’s 2018 manifesto. We will ensure political rights to the people of this region, which are being enjoyed by the people of other provinces of the country.” The PPP leader said, “You have to ensure our victory as this is the demand of every person in Gilgit-Baltistan.” He noted that PM Imran Khan had earlier opposed giving the GB status of a constitutional province, but now he was offering the GB people "a lollipop". "Ask the people of South Punjab who were also promised for their province.”

The PTI government had also promised to generate 10 million jobs and five million homes, he pointed out. Instead, the people lost their jobs and became shelterless, he added. TLTP

Ctd officer fired for abducting trader in Karachi KARACHI: A Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) officer has been dismissed from service over the abduction of a trader in Karachi. According to a media report, CTD Sub-Inspector Ijaz Butt was found involved in the abduction of a trader, Majid, for ransom from his house in Nazimabad area of Karachi on June 27. A kidnapping case registered at the Rizvia Police Station after which the CTD officer was suspended. An inquiry, conducted into the incident by SSP Operation-I, established that CTD’s Ijaz Butt was behind Majid’s abduction and receiving Rs700,000 as a ransom for releasing the trader. The inquiry also found that the raid conducted on the trader’s house by the CTD officer was based on ill-intention. Ijaz Butt was also accused of taking away a laptop, golden chain and Rs50,000 from the trader’s house. The CTD officer had raided the trader’s house on the pretext that he had a fake visa and a punching machine. It may be mentioned here that the establishment of CTDs was proposed in the first National Internal Security Policy (NISP) 2014-18. Along with other counter-terrorism measures, the NISP had demanded provinces to establish CTDs as desperate measures were required to deal with the rising wave of terrorist attacks. One of the contours of the NISP 2014-18 was to reorganize all provincial CTDs, by establishing a Federal Rapid Response Force in collusion with provincial CTDs. Agenda item number 8 of the National Action Plan (NAP) also called for the establishment and deployment of counterterrorism forces across Pakistan in order to combat terrorists’ designs in an organized manner. It is worth mentioning that before these policy interventions by the federal government the provinces had some rudimentary counter-terrorism structures. INP

He viewed that the US-Taliban Peace Agreement had provided a historic opportunity for the Afghan leaders to now work together and secure an inclusive, broad-based and comprehensive political settlement.

On the bilateral relations, the foreign minister stressed the importance of Afghanistan-Pakistan Action Plan for Peace and Solidarity (APAPPS), noting that the mechanism provided the best platform to address all relevant issues. He underscored that enormous synergies and complementarities existed in trade and economic fields between the two countries which should be optimally utilized.

He said a new visa regime had been implemented for Afghan nationals which would facilitate people-topeople links.

Rahmani, accompanied by a high-level delegation, is on a three-day bilateral visit from October, 23 to 25.

He will also participate in “Pakistan-Afghanistan Trade and Investment Forum 2020 - Partnership for Mutual Benefit” seminar, to be hed in Islamabad on October 26-27.

Sunday, 25 October, 2020

NEWS

03

NAwAz’s popUlARIty oN the RIse despIte BAN: MARyAM LAHORE

p

STAFF REPORT

AKISTAN Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) vice president Maryam Nawaz on Saturday said that party supremo Nawaz Sharif’s popularity is on the rise as seen by the reaction to his speeches in Pakistan, his voice and slogan of vote ko izzat do despite a ban.

She was speaking to the media on her arrival in Quetta where she is due to address the third rally of the opposition’s 11-party alliance — Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) on Sunday.

“The reality is that despite silencing him, Nawaz Sharif’s is the sole voice that is echoing in Pakistan. He is the only political personality, who despite not being in this country, being ill and in London, is shining on the land and sky of the country. There is only one face that the public can see, in which they are trying to find the solution for their problems and considering their messiah after Allah,” she said.

She added that the public was aware of the country’s political atmosphere and was in favour of her father.

“Nawaz Sharif only talked about the “state above the state” but the practical demonstration was seen less than two days

PML-N LEADER AGAIN REJECTS CALL FOR INQUIRY INTO SAFDAR ARREST EPISODE later,” she said.

Criticising Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan, she said that he had “completely disappeared from Pakistani politics and government activities”, terming it an example of a “state above the state”.

Speaking about Nawaz’s narrative, she said, “His eye-opener speech was the one in Gujranwala. In that speech, he said a few things towards the end which some people should really fear. They should not fear the facts that Mian sahab mentioned. They should be afraid because when he said those things, the hundreds and thousands of workers listening inside [Jinnah Bagh] and outside, the way they reacted, the way they said labbaik — that is very fearful for some people,” she said.

Earlier while addressing newsmen in Lahore before leaving for Quetta, the PML-N leader had said that there was no need for an inquiry into the events surrounding the arrest of her husband retired Capt Safdar Awan and the subsequent military inquiry into it on the directive of Army Chief Gen Qamar Javed Bajwa.

Rule of law reigns supreme in UK, not NAB: Ahsan Iqbal

Karachi police arrested Safdar from his hotel room early Monday morning for shouting political slogans inside the mausoleum the previous day, a crime punishable by regulations governing the premises. The arrest was made after a First Information Report (FIR) was registered against him last Sunday for breaking the protocol and hurling murder threats at some individuals. The court granted him bail the same day.

The following day, Gen Bajwa while taking notice of the incident, directed the Karachi Corps Commander to hold an immediate inquiry into the arrest.

Commenting on the arrest episode, Maryam said that while there was no need for an inquiry, the Sindh government has the “right” to inquire about the arrest.

Maryam has been dismissive of the idea of an inquiry into the arrest since day one. A day earlier, Minister for Information and Broadcast Shibli Faraz had criticised her for what he said was a discombobulated stance: “On one hand, Maryam says there is no need for an inquiry. Then she says she will present

herself if an inquiry is conducted.”

While referring to Prime Minister Imran Khan during her talk, she said: “You are sitting in the PM House. You should care about your respect. After kidnapping the Sindh IG, you have been humiliated.”

“You want to hide your mistakes, but it will not happen,” she declared.

She said that the Sindh government not only knew everything but also timely exposed the plot. “The respected people of Sindh, who are represented by the Sindh Police, not only exposed the state above the state and an attack on the province but also defeated them. Police officials submitted their applications for leave and said we cannot work under these conditions.”

She added that the PML-N respected police officials even if the state did not, stressing that the people’s mandate and the decision should be respected under any condition.

While speaking at the home of former provincial minister Jaffar Khan Mandokhail, who announced joining the PML-N, Maryam said it was the “best time” to join the party, adding that the 11 parties in the PDM had broken the “chains of fear” and tried to build a defence against “tyranny”.

“This is the first time that the public has not only broken the chains and named those

Another PML-N MPA join hands with CM Buzdar LAHORE TLTP

NEWS DESK PML-N leader Ahsan Iqbal on Saturday said that the rule of law reigns supreme in the United Kingdom and not the National Accountability Bureau (NAB).

Iqbal made the comments in response to Prime Minister Imran Khan's statement that he was willing to go to the United Kingdom if the need arises and speak to UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson for Nawaz Sharif's deportation from London. The PMLN leader, addressing a press conference, said that Nawaz would return only when he was medically fit to do so. "The Opposition stands united under the umbrella of the Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM)," he went on to say, adding that after only two jalsas of the 11-party alliance, PM Imran Khan was already talking about elections. Iqbal said that the government aims at having PDM's October 25 rally in Quetta fail under the pretext of security threats PDM's message to PM Imran Khan: 'In elders' fight, no room for children' "Tommorow's jalsa will be the biggest in Quetta's history," Iqbal claimed.

The Quetta jalsa is the third anti-government power show of the Opposition. The first and second rallies were held in Gujranwala and Karachi, where the Opposition had slammed Prime Minister Imran Khan over his "failed" policies. A day earlier, the Balochistan government had urged the PDM leadership to delay its October 25 jalsa in Quetta, citing security concerns. "Terrorists are targeting political leadership in Balochistan," said Liaquat Shahwani, the Balochistan government spokesperson, during a news conference. Shahwani's comments came after the National Counter Terrorism Authority (NACTA) in Islamabad issued a threat alert for Peshawar and Quetta, saying that banned militant outfit Tehreek-eTaliban Pakistan (TTP) is planning terrorist activities in the two cities. A statement by the authority said that the TTP aims to target religious and political parties in bomb attacks and suicide bombings.

Another disgruntled lawmaker of Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), Faisal Khan Niazi, held a meeting with Punjab Chief Minister Sardar Usman Buzdar on Saturday.

During the meeting, PML-N lawmaker Faisal Khan Niazi expressed confidence over the policies and leadership of the Punjab chief minister.

The opposition lawmakers from Punjab Assembly have continued holding meetings with Punjab chief minister as Faisal Khan Niazi called on Usman Buzdar where he discussed issues of his constituency as well as welfare and development projects.

Buzdar assured him of resolving public issues in his constituency and consideration of recommendations tabled by him.

The chief minister criticised that those creating chaos are the enemies of development of the country and they are trying to hide their corruption. He said that Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) is the most popular political party of the country under the leadership of Prime Minister Imran Khan.

The opposition parties want to stop the journey towards development and prosperity of the country,

however, the accountability process will not be stopped at any cost, he said, adding that the Punjab government will keep respecting public representatives besides fulfilling their rightful demands.

Meanwhile, Member Punjab Assembly Mian Jalil Ahmad Sharqpuri also called on Punjab Chief Minister Sardar Usman Buzdar at the CM’s Office on Saturday.

Usman Buzdar strongly condemned the incident which took place in the Punjab Assembly with him.

Mian Jalil Ahmed Sharqpuri apprised the chief minister of the problems in his constituency. The chief minister assured Mian Jalil Ahmad Sharqpuri to resolve the issues.

Buzdar said that Sharqpuri is a respected person and he is deeply saddened over the ill-treatment meted out to him in the Punjab Assembly. The behaviour of opposition members is reprehensible and regrettable.

Usman Buzdar said that MPAs are highly respectable for him.

“The rulers of the past used to marginalize all the power to themselves through the one man show but my doors are always open for MPAs,” the CM said.

Sharqpuri expressed confidence in the chief minister and said that he is a humble person who always respected and listened to assembly members.

who have kept the nation in fear for 72 years but also called for their accountability,” she said while paying tribute to the people.

“The way the IG (inspector general) was kidnapped, the way they attacked the hotel and my room. The people of Balochistan can understand what the mental condition of your opponent is when the rooms of the nation’s daughters and sisters are broken into.

They gave a practical demonstration of what a state above a state is.” Maryam also talked about the “kidnapping” of Geo News reporter Ali Imran, who she alleged was “picked up” because he aired footage of her husband retired Captain Mohammad Safdar’s arrest from a Karachi hotel last week.

“What kind of justice is this? Till when will you pressure judges into becoming Arshad Malik, kidnapping journalists to get stories you want [and] interfering in politics?” she questioned.

Maryam further said the opposition alliance has spread across the country. “Imran Khan [is the one who] needs a National Reconciliation Ordinance (NRO), not us,” she claimed.

Maryam also said that while the government focuses on the opposition, inflation is rising in the country and basic food items such as sugar and flour are in short supply in the market.

NAB accepts Rs1.27bn plea bargain of pso corruption accused KARACHI TLTP

The National Accountability Bureau (NAB) has accepted a plea bargain from an accused person in a case pertaining to alleged corruption of Rs23 billion in the state-owned Pakistan State Oil (PSO). This was stated in a report submitted by the corruption watchdog in an accountability court. According to the report, Kamran Iftikhar Lari is willing to return the amount he allegedly embezzled. He moved a plea, offering to return Rs1.39 billion in three instalments. The bureau accepted his plea bargain, the report said. The NAB had named former PSO chief Naeem Yahya Mir, former general manager (supply) Akhtar Zameer, a former director of the ministry of petroleum and natural resources, and others in the reference. The reference said the accused indulged in corrupt practices, causing losses worth Rs23bn to the national exchequer.

Morally bankrupt can’t be flag-bearers of democracy: Shibli ISLAMABAD STAFF REPORT

Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting, Senator Shibli Faraz has said that absconders and morally bankrupt people cannot be the flag-bearers of democracy. In a tweet on Saturday, the information minister said that corrupt people cannot lead the nation. He said that the government will not back down from its

struggle against the corrupt elements.

The information minister said that Prime Minister Imran Khan has awakened the nation against the corrupt gang. He said that Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader Maryam Nawaz is full of anger and bewilderment. The information minister said that protection of journalists is the government’s responsibility. He asked the Sindh government and police to use all resources to recover the missing reporter Ali Imran. The

information minister said that in this regard, all the concerned federal institutions have been directed to cooperate with the Sindh government.

Shahbaz Gill terms Safdar’s arrest ‘orchestrated drama’ ISLAMABAD STAFF REPORT

Special Assistant to the Prime Minister (SAPM) on Political Communication Dr Shahbaz Gill said that the arrest of Safdar Awan from a hotel room in Karachi was an orchestrated drama of opposition after it failed in getting “NRO” from Prime Minister Imran Khan.

Gill, while addressing a press conference in Lahore on Saturday, said that two families who were ruling the country for the last 40 years have seemingly completed a doctorate degree in spreading lies.

He said, “some characters have exposed the corruption of Sharif family and Maryam Nawaz wanted everyone to accept her

stance.”

He said that after the incident, Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari reportedly got angry and he met with Inspector General Police Sindh and subsequently police officers applied for leave. “Then leaders in opposition asked the army chief, ISI chief and others to hold inquiry into the matter,” he added.

Gill claimed that the security guards of the political leaders were getting instructions after the door was broken and some officials of police department arrived in at the location, adding that security guards had been presented as the personnel of security institutions.

“Why they are not providing their own footage [of the incident]. In every CCTV

footage, a person is clearly seen while filming the video of policemen. The person who was capturing the video was a professional as it filmed the incident by using a camera tripod. The footage was firstly played in Lond and later in Pakistan. However, the CCTV footage gave a clear look of the door which was not broken. It has proved that the door was broken from inside.”

The SAPM pointed out that both parties had opposite statements on the issue as the PPP chairman had appealed the army chief and ISI DG to investigate the matter whereas Maryam Nawaz called for a probe by the government and judiciary.

“If it is the matter of respect of women, then why other women were kept inside jails. If Maryam Nawaz is prevented from

being jail to promote anti-state rhetoric, then other female inmates should be released. The dual-standard makes such persons act as monarch.”

He recalled the Supreme Court of Pakistan’s (SCP) verdict that Maryam Safdar had submitted fake documents and she was declared a certified liar and also got involved Safdar Awan and her brother in her activities.

“Now, after coming out of the jail, she is creating a fake narrative against the institutions,” he asserted, adding that the PML-N was a long time friend of India who has also recently used the Karachi incident to unleash propaganda against the institutions and Pakistan army.

Further, he said, “Nawaz is lying and he

is not a revolutionary as claimed by his supporters. He never had a smooth relationship with the army chiefs and chief justices. He wanted complete autonomy to commit corruption but will not be allowed to do so,” he added.

Moreover, Gill said that the PML-N vice president tried to use Baloch students after facing failure in her political moves and always seeking the assistance of global establishment to hide corruption by targeting the armed forces besides hailing Nawaz Sharif as a revolutionary leader.

He concluded by assuring that the government would bring down prices of essential items, control inflation, move the economy in the right direction and resolve the problems of people.

04

Sunday, 25 October, 2020

NEWS

ThousaNds gaThER iN islaMaBad To dEMaNd PRoviNCial sTaTus foR gB GHULAM ABBAS

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ISLAMABAD

HE demand for early grant of provincial status to GilgitBaltistan has intensified as thousands of protestors on Saturday staged a protest gathering in Islamabad in favour of their demand regarding constitutional rights for GB. The protest gathering was organized by the civil society of GB, which was also attended by representatives from political parties, students’ organizations and residents of

Rawalpindi and Islamabad. The participants held placards and national flags, chanted slogans like “Make GB province of Pakistan, GB Banega Pakistan, Pakistan Zindabad, etc”.

The protest gathering was addressed by a number of political leaders like Dr Muhammad Iqbal of PTI GB, Imtiaz Gilgiti of Diamer Youth Forum and Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce & Industry (FPCCI) Vice President Haji Qurban.

Representing the caravan from Gilgit, former GB minister Dr Iqbal said that the people of GB had arrived in Islamabad while traveling from Gilgit with a hope that their

longstanding demand would be taken seriously and the provision of constitutional rights to the people of Gilgit-Baltistan would be ensured immediately.

Muhammad Iqbal Ganche, another political leader from Baltistan region, while addressing the gathering, rejected the impression that making GB an interim constitutional province of Pakistan would have a negative impact on the Kashmir issue at the international level.

“We need to make the people understand that Gilgit-Baltistan is being given interim provincial status which would not under-

mine the Kashmir cause because whenever there is a referendum in Kashmir, the people of GB will also be a part of it. Therefore, we expect our brothers in Azad Kashmir to be a part of this cause and join us in overcoming our 73 years of deprivation.”

In his address, Haji Qurban Ali said, “The representation to GB in the National Assembly and Senate, as proposed by the previous government of PML-N, would reduce the sense of deprivation of the people of GB. The people of the area would continue their support to Kashmiri people.”

He also said the Supreme Court (SC), in

it’s a landmark decision regarding reform in GB, also made it clear that granting provisional provincial status to GB would not affect the cause of Kashmir.

Imtiaz Gilgiti said that the federal government should not wait for the election in GB for the announcement of the provincial status as there was a complete consensus among political parties in GB regarding their demand for constitutional rights. Unanimous resolutions of GB Assembly and joint statements of All Parties Conferences held in GB were enough to know the aspiration and demand of GB, he added.

Later, PTI leader Syed Wajid Hussain Bukhari said that the ruling party has decided to grant the provincial status to GB. He criticized opposition parties for doing politics on the issue of rights to GB. The participants of the meeting demanded from the Prime Minister of Pakistan Imran Khan that Gilgit-Baltistan be given the status of a provisional province of Pakistan as soon as possible.

Karachi police chief contracts Covid-19 KARACHI: Additional Inspector General of Karachi Police Ghulam Nabi Memon has been infected with the novel coronavirus after which he quarantined himself at his home. Police sources confirmed that Ghulam Nabi Memon’s coronavirus test has turned out positive. He is currently in isolation at his home, they added. The sources maintained that due to his illness, CIA DIG Arif Hanif was given additional charge of the AIG Karachi. Earlier on October 4, it was reported that as many as 3,409 police officials and personnel had contracted coronavirus in the Sindh province while performing their duties. The spokesman had said that 19 personnel died of Covid-19.

Meanwhile, Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah said on Saturday that 267 new cases of coronavirus and three more deaths were reported during the last 24 hours. STAFF REPORT

Civic agencies directed to ensure provision of facilities on Eid Milad-un-Nabi KARACHI: Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah on Saturday met with leading Ulema to discuss and finalise arrangements for the forthcoming Rabi-ul-Awal processions. The meeting, held at CM House, was attended by provincial minister Saeed Ghani, law adviser Murtaza Wahab, special assistant Waqar Mehdi, PSCM Sajid Jamal Abro, Karachi Administrator Iftikhar Shahalwani and Commissioner Sohail Rajput. The Ulema who attended the meeting included Mufti Muneeb Rehman, Pir Syed Muzaffar Shah, Mufti Nazeer Jaan Naeemi, Allama Ashraf Gormani, Shah Abdul Haq Qadri, Maulana Saleem Attari, Haji Hanif Tayab and Shabir Qazi. Shah said that Holy Prophet (Peace Be Upon Him) taught us the lesson of brotherhood, tolerance and respect for others. “On the eve of 12-Rabiul Awal, we must spread the message of love, fraternity, brotherhood and respect for each other.”

The CM lauded the efforts of the Ulema of different schools of thought for strengthening sectarian harmony and brotherhood in the province. He said that he had already given instructions to the administration to provide all the necessary facilities along the route of Rabiul Awal processions all over the province. “I have also given instruction to K-Electric and other power distribution companies to ensure power supply on the eve of Rabiul Awal processions,” he said.

Shah said that he had already discussed and finalized security arrangements for the Rabiul Awal processions and mahafils to be held all over Sindh. He also directed KMC, all deputy commissioners, water board and district council to improve their services during the month of Rabiul Awal. PPI

BRT service resumes in Peshawar PESHAWAR: The Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) service resumed in the provincial capital on Saturday. The administration has advised all the commuters to wear face masks and strictly follow the preventive measure regarding Covid-19. The bus service was suspended temporarily on 16th of last month after the fire incidents in two buses. TLTP

LAHORE: Preperations for Eid Milad-un-Nabi are in full swing as people were seen buying different items reated to religious festival near Anarkali. ZUBAIR MEHFOOZ

CM Murad calls for early implantation of Karachi Safe City project KARACHI PPI

In order to improve security, safety and quality of life in the provincial capital, Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah has decided to gear up implementation of safe city project, which includes installation of 10,000 cameras in Karachi.

He took this decision while presiding over a high-level meeting on law and order at CM House on Saturday.

The meeting was attended by Sindh IT Minister Taimore Talpur, Adviser to CM on Law Murtaza Wahab, Sindh Chief Secretary Mumtaz Shah, Karachi Corps Commander Lt Gen Humayun Aziz, DG

Under the project, 10,000 cameras will be installed in Karachi Rangers Maj Gen Omer Bukhari, Sindh IG Mushtaq Maher, PSCM Sajid Jamal Abro and ACS Home Usman Chachar.

The chief minister noted that the overall law and order situation in the city had improved considerably which could be assessed from the fact that in 2014, Karachi was at ranked number six in the World Crime Index and now it had been ranked at 103. It may be noted that the World Crime Index surveys crime levels of 396 international cities. It had raked Karachi at number six in 2014, 10 in

2015, 26 in 2016, 47 in 2017, 50 in 2018, 61 in 2019, 71 in 2019, 88 in 2020 and 103 in mid-October 2020. In contrast, Cape Town is at ranked no. 19, Mexico 29, Kuala Lumpur 38, Houston 50, Washington 52 and Delhi 71. The chief minister said that the city could be made safer if the ‘safe city project’ was implemented at the earliest. He directed IG police to convene the meeting of M/s NRTC next week so that a detailed discussion could be made on their technical and financial proposals.

The safe city project was conceived in

2011 under which it was planned to install high powered 10,000 CCTV cameras in the city in the first phase. The chief minister had approved Rs10 billion for the purpose but the project cost was said to be escalated to around Rs20.

Shah said that the security, safety and quality of life could be improved in the city with the help of the latest technology. He directed the police department to install 10,000 cameras at different spots, including red-zone and problematic areas in terms of criminal activities.

Kp, nangarhar governors vow joint efforts for stamping out polio PESHAWAR APP

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Governor Shah Farman and Afghanistan’s Nangarhar Governor Zia ul Haq Amarkhel on Saturday reiterated strong commitment of their governments for polio eradication and vowed to initiate joint efforts for stamping out polio virus from the last endemic region.

They stated this at a joint commemoration ceremony held on Saturday to commemorate World Polio Day. Also present on the occasion were KP Health Minister Taimur Saleem Jhagra, Chief Secretary Dr Kazim Niaz, Peshawar Division Commissioner Amjad Ali Khan, Additional Secretary Health (Polio) Abdul

Basit, and Khyber District Deputy Commissioner Mehmood Aslam.

In a joint press statement issued on the occasion, governors of the both sides agreed to strengthen coordination and to initiate synchronized polio campaigns to boost immunity of children living on both sides of the borders. The top government representatives agreed to identify and plug the remaining gaps with specific focus on vaccination of pedestrians and travelers moving across the border and pockets of refusals that was causing the spread of virus.

The statement read that the people living on both sides of the border share common language, cultural, religious and socio-economic ties unpinning the need for spearheading common interventions to in-

crease community acceptance of vaccination. It was agreed to explore possible avenues of cooperation and advancing connectivity through existing government bodies like emergency operation centers (EOC) and cross border meetings for integrated services. “World Polio day is a stark reminder of the fact that polio is still paralyzing children of this region while the rest of the world has already eradicated the disease and protected their children from the crippling disease,” the statement read.

It said that today’s event will usher in a new era of joint efforts and commitment by the neighbouring countries for global and national cause of polio eradication and will help ensure that all the target children under five are vaccinated in every round of

anti-polio campaign.

Speaking on the occasion, Additional Secretary Health (Polio) Abdul Basit said, “Joint vaccination of children by high dignitaries of Pakistan and Afghanistan is a good omen and we need to build on it by establishing stronger coordination channels to fix issues effecting people living on both sides of the border.”

He said like other parts of the country, Provincial Emergency Operations Center (PEOC) KP in coordination with Rotary International is observing World Polio Day by renewing resolve and commitment for stamping out the virus from the region.

It merits mentioning that this year the theme of World Polio Day is “One DayOne Focus-Ending Polio”.

Sunday, 25 October, 2020

ThoSe lIvIng In london UnAwARe oF pRoBleMS FAced By pooR pAKISTAnIS: pM MIANWALI

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IMRAN KHAN LAYS FOUNDATION STONE OF DIFFERENT PROJECTS IN ISA KHEL

STAFF REPORT

RIME Minister (PM) Imran Khan said on Saturday that those who got their medical checkups in London cannot understand the difficulties faced by the people living in poor areas like Mianwali.

He said this while addressing a ceremony to lay the foundation stone of different projects in Isa Khel and launch work of a Knowledge City at Namal Institute.

“How will those people whose children live in London and they get their medical checkups there will understand the problems of people living in Mianwali,” he said.

While indirectly referring to PMLN’s focus on Lahore and a few other cities, the prime minister said the countries don’t prosper if all the money is spent on one or two cities.

“We need to take everyone together.”

“I understand the issues of the common man here that is why we have launched a Rs3 billion scheme that will

provide water to almost all the union councils in the area,” he said.

PM Imran said that most of the applications he used to get from the people

were about water scarcity and registration of FIRs. “These are the basic necessities of people that should be fulfilled.”

The prime minister said that he appointed Chief Minister Usman Buzdar because he has a better idea of the problems of the locals.

He said the government was focusing on the provision of basic civic amenities of life to the people of these areas including health and education infrastructure.

He said a new system has been evolved to ensure the presence of doctors in the hospitals of far-flung areas.

The premier said the government is keen to transform the police into such a dynamic force that protects the weak segments of society.

He directed the Inspector General of Police to ensure that the common man is treated fairly at the police stations.

PM Imran emphasised the need of knowledge economy terming it imperative to put the country on the path of progress and development.

He was optimistic that Pakistan will emerge as a strong country in the comity of nations and the dream of Naya Pakistan will come true.

He also appreciated the support he got from the people of Isa Khel while he was a nobody in politics.

AJK PM rules out talks with India under prevailing circumstances

9M2020: Faysal Bank’s profit rises 24.6pc to Rs5.5bn

MUZAFFARABAD TLTP

NEWS DESK The Board of Directors of Faysal Bank Limited, in their 137th meeting held in Karachi, approved the bank’s unaudited condensed interim financial statements for the nine months ended September 30, 2020. Despite disruption to business activities during the period due to Covid-19, the bank’s profit after tax (PAT) of Rs5,515 million for current period was 24.6pc higher than same period last year. The bank’s earnings per share was recorded at Rs3.63 per share for the current reporting period, compared to Rs2.92 for the prior period. Deposits showed healthy growth of 12.4pc when compared to December 31, 2019, ending at Rs514,636 million as at September 30, 2020. The bank continued to concentrate on reducing funding costs by focusing on low cost current and saving deposits and consequently its current deposit ratio improved to 36.1pc. As part of the prudent risk management approach required in view of the current economic environment, the Bank has recorded net provisions of Rs2,082 million resulting in improvement in its provision coverage to 84.8pc. The bank remains committed to provide top class services to customers in these testing times, through improved and enhanced offerings from alternate delivery channels and digital platforms.

The Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) President Sardar Masood Khan has ruled out any talks with India in the present situation or any change in the status of Gilgit Baltistan, which could harm the ongoing Kashmir liberation movement.

Addressing a function held here to mark the 73rd founding day of the government of Azad Kashmir on Saturday, he said that if India wants to hold talks, it must withdraw all actions taken about Kashmir after August 5, 2019, cease military operation in the held territory, immediately stop settling non-Kashmiri subjects in the state, and release all political leaders.

Rejecting bilateral talks with India, the state President said that Kashmir is not a bilateral dispute between Pakistan and India, but it has been debated thrice in the UN Security Council during the last one year, and we will never want the Kashmir issue to be dragged from the world body and confine it to Delhi.

He maintained that the talks, if held with India, would not be bilat-

eral but trilateral under the supervision of the United Nations and with the involvement of the genuine representatives of Kashmiris.

India, he said that since 1972 India had very cleverly used the ploy of bilateral talks to keep Kashmiris and the United Nations away from the process and added that no talks between India and Pakistan could yield positive results without the participation of Kashmiris.

“By declaring the international issue of Jammu and Kashmir a bilateral matter, India wants to exclude the people of Jammu and Kashmir, the key party to the dispute, and the United Nations or other actors representing the international community for the process for resolving the Kashmir dispute,” he emphasized.

Khan also rejected apprehensions about the division of Kashmir and said that division of Kashmir was an Indian agenda under which it had bifurcated the state into Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh after August 5 last year, and had declared them part of the Indian Union. "We would never take any action about Azad Kashmir and

Gilgit Baltistan which could hurt the ongoing Kashmir liberation movement or Pakistan's longstanding stance on Kashmir.

Stressing the need for dialogue between the political leaderships of Azad Kashmir and Gilgit Baltistan, Sardar Masood Khan hoped that they would be able to adopt some unanimous stand through dialogue and negotiations.

Highlighting the importance of the founding day of the Azad Jammu and Kashmir, AJK President said that the territory liberated in 1947 and a government under the dynamic leadership of Ghazi-eMillat Sardar Muhammad Ibrahim Khan was founded. He said had India not treacherously and illegally occupied one part of IOJK, the entire state of Jammu and Kashmir would have been free and joined Pakistan.

“Today we mark the Foundation Day of Azad Jammu and Kashmir. This day consecrates the heroic resolve of the people of the valiant people of Kashmir to raise the flag of liberty and self-determination high and to celebrate Kashmir’s eternal bonds with Pakistan.”

NEWS

05

Imran, Alvi reiterate call for implementation of Kashmir resolutions cONTINUED ON pAGE 01 At this historic occasion, the Prime Minister said: “I want to pay tribute to all men and women peacekeepers, including from Pakistan, who remain ready to serve in the most fragile and conflict-ridden areas and never hesitate to make the ultimate sacrifice for maintaining peace and security around the globe.” He said the 75th United Nations Day is also a sombre reminder that the Jammu and Kashmir dispute remains unresolved, despite being on the UN’s agenda for over seven decades. “The people of Jammu and Kashmir are still awaiting the fulfilment of commitment made to them by the United Nations to exercise their right to self-determination.” “It is deplorable that the situation in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) has further exacerbated since India’s unilateral and unlawful actions on 5 August 2019. Led by ‘Hindutva’ ideology, the RSS-BJP regime has continued an inhuman military siege and imposed draconian restrictions on freedom of movement and communications.” Prime Minister Khan urged the international community, especially the Security Council, to exercise its moral, legal, political and diplomatic authority to implement UN Security Council resolutions on Jammu and Kashmir.

Iran says US-brokered Sudan-Israel deal secured by 'ransom' Iran’s foreign ministry on Saturday described a USbrokered Sudan-Israel deal to normalise ties as “phoney” and accused Khartoum of paying a ransom in return for Washington removing it from a list of state sponsors of terrorism. The deal agreed on Friday marked the third Arab government after the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain to set aside hostilities with Israel in the last two months. “Pay enough ransom, close your eyes to the crimes against Palestinians, then you’ll be taken off the so-called ‘terrorism’ blacklist,” the ministry tweeted in English. “Obviously, the list is as phoney as the U.S. fight against terrorism. Shameful.” US President Donald Trump announced on Monday he would take Sudan off the list once it had deposited $335 million it had pledged to pay in compensation. Khartoum has since placed the funds in a special escrow account for victims of al Qaeda attacks on US embassies in Kenya and Tanzania in 1998. Trump also said the Palestinians “are wanting to do something” but offered no proof. Palestinian leaders have condemned recent Arab overtures to Israel as a betrayal of their nationalist cause for statehood in Israeli-occupied territories. They have refused to engage with the Trump administration, seeing it as biased in favour of Israel. In recent weeks the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain became the first Arab states in a quarter of a century to agree to formal relations with Israel, forged largely through shared fears of Iran. The military and civilian leaders of Sudan’s transitional government have been divided over how fast and how far to go in establishing ties with Israel. A sticking point in the negotiations was Sudan’s insistence that any announcement of Khartoum’s delisting from terrorism designation not be explicitly linked to relations with Israel. Sudan’s 1993 designation as a state sponsor of terrorism dates to its toppled ruler Omar al-Bashir and has made it difficult for the transitional government in Khartoum to access urgently needed debt relief and foreign financing. AGENCIES

China's purchases of US farm goods at 71pc of target under trade deal: US WASHINGTON AGENCIES

China has substantially increased purchases of U.S. farm goods and implemented 50 of 57 technical commitments aimed at lowering structural barriers to US imports since the two nations signed a trade deal in January, the U.S. government said on Friday.

In a joint statement, the US Trade Representative’s (USTR) office and the

US Department of Agriculture (USDA) said China had bought over $23 billion in US agricultural goods to date, or about 71pc of the target set under the so-called Phase 1 deal.

“Since the Agreement entered into force eight months ago, we have seen remarkable improvements in our agricultural trade relationship with China, which will benefit our farmers and ranchers for years to come,” US Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer said

in a statement.

The deal defused a bitter trade war between the world’s two largest economies, but disputes over human rights, the Covid-19 crisis and technology have strained ties between Washington and Beijing, raising doubts about the prospects for deepening the agreement in a second phase.

Agriculture is one of the four areas where China pledged to increase its purchases of US goods and services. Many ex-

CMYK

perts question whether China will meet its overall targets this year given lockdowns imposed earlier this year to contain the virus.

The report showed outstanding sales of US corn to China were at an all-time high of 8.7 million tons, while US soybeans sales for marketing year 2021 to China were at double the levels seen in 2017.

US exports of sorghum to China from January to August 2020 totaled $617 million, up from $561 million for the same period in

2017, it said.

US pork exports to China hit an all-time record in just the first five months of 2020, and US beef and beef products exports to China through August 2020 are already more than triple the total for 2017, it said.

In addition to these products, USDA expects 2020 sales to China to hit record or near-record levels for other US agricultural products including pet food, alfalfa hay, pecans, peanuts, and prepared foods.

Sunday, 25 October, 2020

06 COMMENT

Compromising the dream

The government and the Supreme Court Will anyone resign after the court’s strictures?

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he courtiers around Prime Minister Imran Khan are willing do anything for him irrespective of its legality. The President continues to abjectly sign on the dotted line of any order emanating from the PM’s office without giving it a second thought. The reasons given by the Supreme Court for overturning the reference against Mr Justice Qazi Faiz Isa should be embarrassing for the PTI government.

The Supreme Court pointed out the scale and degree of the illegalities in the reference that led to its dismissal.

The PTI sacrificed one Attorney General in the case; the second one would not touch it with a bargepole.

The Law Minister had to resign from his office to plead the case himself, only to lose it.

The way the case was prepared underlines two things: the abysmal incompetence of the PTI’s legal team and its cynical disregard for the law while collecting the evidence. Three key players of the PTI have consequently received damaging remarks in the judgment.

The President, it is maintained, failed to form a considered opinion by not receiving advice from a third party on the questions of law in the reference. The President Instead relied on the inadmissible advice from the architects of the reference, Law Minster Farogh Naseem and ARU chief Mirza Shahzad Akbar.

Mr Justice Yahya Afridi’s dissenting note focuses on the role of both the Law Minister and the ARU chairman. According to the judgment, the direction of the Law Minister and the ARU chairman to solicit and obtain confidential information regarding the income tax returns of Justice Isa and Mrs Sarina Isa, prima facie, exposes them to criminal prosecution. The judge has directed the incumbent FBR chairman to ensure that the entire record of the present case is placed before the FBR “to proceed under the law, against the law minister, the ARU chairman, the then FBR chairman and all the concerned income tax officers for their role in ordering to disclose confidential information relating to the income tax returns of Justice Isa and Mrs Isa.” After the strictures from the apex court, the President, the Law Minister and ARU chairman would set up a good precedent by resigning from their posts.

But will they?

RAbiA AhMed

J

INNAh’S dream of non-discrimination appears to have dissolved into a filthy slush composed of equal parts hypocrisy and ignorance.

There are many incidents that support this imagery, but one of the recent ones took place when Captain Safdar along with his wife Mariam visited the mausoleum of the father of the nation Quaide-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah in Karachi. here Captain Safdar saw fit to indulge in a few slogans, ‘respect the vote’ and ‘long live the mother of the nation’ at the grave of Jinnah’s sister Fatima, who rests next to her brother in the mausoleum.

The Captain is a man who is no asset to his political party from which he was in fact suspended in 2012, returning to it no doubt because of his position as the son-in-law of the leader of the party, his only claim to fame. Captain Safdar obviously does not know what Ms Jinnah and her brother stood for, and how much their views were opposed to his own.

Some part of the Quaid’s vision of Pakistan were stated in these words addressed to the Constituent Assembly of Pakistan on the 11th of August 1947: “If you change your past and work together in a spirit that every one of you, no matter to what community he belongs, no matter what relations he had with you in the past, no matter what his colour, caste or creed, is first, second and last a citizen of this State with equal rights, privileges, and obligations, there will be no end to the progress you will make.

We are starting in the days where there is no discrimination, no distinction between one community and another, no discrimination between one caste or creed and another. We are starting with this funda-

Still on grey list FATF’s latest deadline may be its last

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AKISTAN has made good progress on the FATF front; fulfilling 21 conditions of the 27point action plan put forth by the global terrorist funding and money laundering watchdog, but the country will still remain in the grey list until the remaining six conditions are fulfilled. The deadline to do this has been extended to February next year and the FATF has urged Pakistan to “move swiftly” as “all action plan deadlines have expired”, suggesting the likelihood of being downgraded into the dreaded black list if all remaining action plan points are not satisfactorily complied with before the next review meeting. Pakistan does not afford any such outcome, and therefore it must not lose the momentum that has enabled it to go from largely addressing only five points by October of last year to 21 points within 12-months, with no points left unaddressed. If Pakistan is able to deliver, the FATF will conduct an on-ground inspection to assess how well the action plan is being implemented.

For that possibility, all relevant authorities and institutions must be confident in their ability to actively demonstrate that the action plan that has so far been fulfilled on paper is also being implemented realistically in real time on the ground.

There is no doubt that India has made an all-out strong diplomatic push, using its influence at the FATF, to somehow get Pakistan blacklisted. Pakistan has so far relied heavily on support from China, Turkey, Saudi Arabia and Malaysia, which is why it has, despite making very poor progress in the initial stages, avoided being placed in the black list for almost two years. earlier this year China sternly warned Pakistan that if it didn’t get its act together and start making better and quicker progress on the action plan, it would become difficult to continue providing support. It is therefore of paramount importance that Pakistan isn’t looking at an elapsed timeline come February, causing it to lose crucial support from allies and allowing India to succeed.

The only victory here and a befitting reply to India will be coming out of the grey list and staying out by complying with the new set of protocols.

Between life and death Ali JAn MAqsood

L

IFe tests Shapia Baloch, a 12 year-old thalassemia patient from Buleda, Turbat, with tough challenges in her regular life. She visits Turbat city from the under-construction Turbat-Buleda road amidst poor financial background. She hangs in-between life and death with her hereditary disease as she needs blood transfusion after every 25 days. Due to poverty she cannot have a proper treatment outside the city, whereas facilities do not exist in her town. Consequently, she cannot afford to get an education; her poor health condition enhances more of her worries about an education. She weeps with the moon every night pondering if she gets a good health in future or not.

Sadly, she travels to Turbat from her town with her mother for a blood transfusion, costing her around Rs. 3000 per trip; the other expenditures as those of a place to stay in the city and food, ramp up her financial worries. Because her father is a labourer who, not always able to have a job, can afford only a little for her monthly travels. "We [before getting admitted to Kech Thalassemia Blood Bank] stayed in civil hospital for days to get a donor on time, which needed lot more money; we could only have a little." says her mother with tearful eyes hugging Shapia.

This also prompts Shapia to get out of school. Although she wishes to get an education in order to be a doctor, her family could only afford a little to bring her to Turbat city for blood transfusion. The money could suffice any longer with them for her education.

"When I see kids of my age going to school in uniforms, tears come out of my eyes because I, too, want to accompany them, play like them, enjoy my childhood and be a doctor in future, but...." emotions take over Shapia when she wants to finish her thought.

As per a report of UNICeF Pakistan, Balochistan has around 78 percent of its girls out of schools. Alif

Arif Nizami Editor Umar Aziz

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performed as yet. "I want to be a doctor and build a thalassemia centre," says Shapia innocently when listening closely to the discussion in the Kech ThaAilaan further clarifies that only 40,000 girls of Balochistan go to schools till matriculation. The rea- lassemia Blood Bank about a thalassemia centre. But sons are distant high schools and low number of col- who will propel her towards fulfilling what she wants leges in the province, particularly in the southern as a citizen of the state?

According to a report, the survival rate of thadistricts. On the other hand, if there exists any school lassemia patients in the country has increased to 23 or college, it is rarely functional. however, Shapia, in last few years, has only had percent from 13 percent in the last few years. The blood transfusion, no other treatment and medicines. major reasons of recovery of these patients are; 50 It ultimately affected her physical growth; she ap- percent depends on getting blood on time and 50 perpears to be only six years old, but is 12. When she is cent on proper medicines and injections. But, how would a poor patient afford to treated with medicines and get injections and medicines of other necessary injections, it Rs 20,000 to Rs 30,000 per would reduce the iron in her month? A thalassemia centre body. The presence of more would give financial relief to iron in the body of a thathe children along with adeThe little patients have lassemia patient lessens the quate treatment. amount of Red Blood Cells dreams; dream to live, play, however, the Kech Tha[RBC] and renders her subject lassemia Blood Bank in Turbat to stomachaches, headaches, read, make a name, enjoy life, has been functional since Feband extreme pains in her feet, and many more. The ruary, which is playing a key while her belly would get bigrole in providing blood on time ger in size. "The presence of a government ought to ensure in order to ensure 50 percent of thalassemia centre would help them the best to save their life to the innocent children, Shapia get the blood washed but what of the remaining 50 before transfusion which would lives by any legal means percent which can be provided take out the iron in it." says Irby the presence of a thashad Arif, the founder of Kech lassemia centre? The little paThalassemia Blood Bank, Turtients have dreams; dream to bat. live, play, read, make a name, As Turbat has around 296 patients of thalassemia, enjoy life, and many more.

The government ought to building up a thalassemia centre in the region is the urgent need of hour. Although it is not only from Tur- ensure them the best to save their lives by any legal bat, but patients from the whole of Makran Division means. Besides the government, the common people who approach the Kech Thalassemia Blood Bank in need to help out by only donating blood to Kech ThaTurbat, and routinely visit it from their city to get the lassemia Blood Bank in Turbat so that the pretty chilrequired blood on time. Although the Division is the dren get to have blood on time. Do the best you can hub of China Pakistan economic Corridor [CPeC], to save lives of the children. it lacks the facilities for good living.

The writer can be reached at alijanmaqIn the recent meeting of the provincial governmental authorities, a Thalassemia Centre was ap- sood17@gmail.com and tweets at @Alijanmaqproved to be built in Turbat, but no work has been sood12

The double whammy of a fatal chronic illness in a backward area

Dedicated to the legacy of the late Hameed Nizami

Aziz-ud-Din Ahmad

Pakistan. The appointment seemed to indicate the new PM was on the right track.

Unlike many other appointees to posts in the mental principle that we are all citizens and equal citcountry, Mian was eminently suitable for the position. izens of one State.”

That was a great message in support of tolerance Born in Pakistan he currently serves as Professor of economics, Policy and Public Finance at Princeton and equality.

Captain Safdar’s sloganeering was a gimmick and University. he ranks among the top 25 economists of as such disrespectful of a national mausoleum. The the world. The IMF in 2014 was responsible for this bigger factor though is that the slogans at the Jinnah ranking of persons it considered likely to shape the world’s thinking about the mausoleum were raised by him, a global economy. To have such a man who three years ago inperson to advise the government dulged in a tirade against the Ahwould have been a coup indeed. madiyya community in the There was also the fact that National Assembly, accusing its Dr Mian, after having first Mian belonged to the Ahmembers of being a “threat madiyya sect, and the new govagainst the country, its constituernment appeared to be been removed from the tion and ideology,” even calling displaying shades of tolerance. for action against them. he also Advisory Council had his Yet some people objected to objected to the naming the Physics centre at the Quaid-i- lecture cancelled this month, Mian’s appointment based on that very fact and rather than Azam University after Professor standing up to them the Prime only because he was to Abdus Salam who happened to Minister took that objection on belong to the Ahmadiyya sect, a man who brought respect to the deliver it. The lecture dealing board and acted upon it by removing Dr Mian from the ecocountry when he received the with economics, sponsored nomic Advisory Council soon Nobel Prize for Physics.

Three years ago Captain Saf- by the IBA, was scheduled to after his nomination. end of high expectations. dar called Abdus Salam an infi“Compromise for your take place via zoom. Where del and demanded that the name dream, but never compromise be changed back to its original. was the PM when the IBA on your dream,” Imran Khan he further called for action once said. One of his dreams he against the community in the received threats and was has said is to make the country shape of a law forbidding the reinto a Riasat-e-Medina, a state cruitment of Ahmadis to the forced to cancel the lecture? like Medina. hold back your armed forces. Almost definitely he has no idea that Pakistan’s Any statements, measures or smiles, and wonder only how anyone can admit to such a first foreign minister Muhammad even apologies?

Is this dream while being such a masZafarullah Khan, one of the major supporters of Jinnah and compromising for your dream ter of performing U-turns as Mr. Khan is. his dream of a separate homeis as disrespectful of the land, was a prominent member or compromising on it? It real ItRiasat-e-Medina when the of the Ahmadiyya community. person who claims to have set appears most of all to be When Captain Safdar was arup another one fails to support rested as a result of his behavior compromising it minorities within the supposed at the mausoleum therefore, it is new one. more the manner of his arrest Dr Mian, after having first that is annoying. One has little been removed from the Advisympathy for the man himself. sory Council had his lecture There are many theories regarding Pakistan’s PM’s stance on this incident. cancelled this month, only because he was to deliver These have already been discussed elsewhere. The it. The lecture dealing with economics, sponsored by point here is to wonder at the PM’s general attitude the IBA, was scheduled to take place via zoom. to matters of discrimination and equality. Is it any bet- Where was the PM when the IBA received threats ter than Captain Safdar’s or does it also form part of and was forced to cancel the lecture? Any statements, the ignorant hypocritical slush into which Jinnah’s measures or even apologies? Is this compromising for your dream or compromising on it? It appears most dream has dissolved?

Soon after coming into office the Prime Minister of all to be compromising it. of Pakistan Imran Khan appointed Atif Rehman Mian Rabia Ahmed is a freelance columnist. Read more as a member of an economic Advisory Council to adby her at http://rabia-ahmed.blogspot.com vise on economic and financial issues pertaining to

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Sunday, 25 October, 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

CCPO moved LAhORe Capital City Police Officer (CCPO) Umar Sheikh has been transferred to Faislabad as a regional police officer (RPO), a local media outlet reported on Friday. CCPO Sheikh has been embroiled in controversy since assuming the position. Soon after obtaining the position, the CCPO had gotten into conflict with the then-inspector general of police (IGP) Shoaib Dastgir. The result of the unresolved conflict was the transfer of the Dastgir, and the appointment of Inam Ghani as the new IGP. Inam was the sixth IGP appointed in two years by the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) government. Shortly after that, the CCPO was caught in controversy once more due to his victim-blaming comments regarding the motorway incident.

At the time, the CCPO had said that the woman should have taken GT Road and saying that the victim should not have been travelling late at night without her husband’s permission, which led to public outcry. This is a very good move on the part of the government. A character like this cannot be kept around and must be demoted as he has been. We hope someone better will take his place, and wish the people of Faisalabad good luck.

AhmAd murAd LAhorE

Early marriages

Nestled in a world of conceit and conspiracy Evil stalks in the dark, hovers above in the light, but strikes at all times

Candid Corner RAoof hAsAn “The world is a dangerous place to live not because of the people who are evil, but because of the people who don’t do anything about it.”

–Albert Einstein

E

vIL has many kinds, many shapes and many faces. It is a permanent presence among us. We see it, feel it, but have to endure it, suffer it. Its lethal fangs are jutting out all around wearing an ignoble expression as it plans its tricks to cause harm and hurt.

It stalks in the dark, hovers above in the light, but strikes at all times. It has a tendency to penetrate deep in human psyches and virtually stall their thinking abilities. That is when they become absolutely numb to the cause of good and embrace all that is wicked and foul. More appropriately, it makes people lose their sense of proportion as they plunge into pits of shame.

There is much evil on display in Pakistan these days. Clad in pretentious apparel, it is indulging in an endless orgy of polemics and sloganeering, trying to integrate all those who have lost kingdoms which they considered to be their eternal bounty. They had literally built these empires to suit their insatiable lust for crime and corruption, raising edifices which they considered to be insurmountable and unconquerable. They were irretrievably immersed in the cycle of their favourite indulgences completely unmindful that time may yet generate waves with more power than their structures would be able to withstand. When that time came, they were neither ready, nor prepared to face the challenge of the onslaught. But they also could not stand by to watch their empires crumbling into dust, so they resorted to employing the tricks of the evil.

Instead of the traditional empire of crime and corruption, they decided to raise one of deception. hiding behind a partnership enacted in the name of defending democracy, they started drumming their chants around and set out on a journey to save the illicit earnings of a lifetime.

They felt that they could do it as they were used to taking turns with their political opponents in the past. They also thought that their new opponent will not be able to withstand the combined might of their pelf, deception and wicked machi-

nations. But they made one huge mistake: this age Pakistan. This could be done only by attackadversary was none like the ones they had han- ing the Army. That is the new mantra they indled in the past. he was different. he was not jected into their potion and the almost-dead corrupt. he was upright and had boundless con- Nawaz Sharif miraculously regained full health viction and commitment to the cause of Pakistan and thundered madly at the top leadership of the which he would not compromise for whatever military– something that he had been doing all these vile tricksters would brandish to lure him. along in a clandestine manner. Remember the They did not realise that, in challenging him, they DawnLeaks and the subversive onslaught that were inviting their own Waterloo. As the realisa- the popper queen, with no property inside or outtion sunk in, frustration and bitterness started tak- side Pakistan, had unleashed against the forces ing over, thus further poisoning the environment. through his social media team operating from the Prime Minister’s office itself?

In the end, desperation got the better of them.

The coalition that some opposition parties They tried to heap scorn at Prime Minister Imran Khan and his efforts to retrieve the coun- have pieced together presents a case in contrasts try from the brink of disaster. They distorted, with all of them struggling desperately, on the disfigured and misrepresented the facts. They quiet, to secure a reprieve from the Prime Mintailored fictitious stories and broadcast them ister. They thought the best way to achieve that with a high dose of venom and ferocity. Instead was to go by the way of the military. That has of denting him, this entire repertoire only not come through as the military is not interested strengthened his resolve further and made him in getting involved in matters political or judicial more determined in his mission to put Pakistan and the Prime Minister is ever more determined today to recover from on course to salvation. them the looted billions They thought that which belong to the iman economic collapse poverished people of will undo him. They Pakistan. hoped that the coronThe project to weaken and They believe that avirus scourge would damage Pakistan is the the military remains lead to a major catastrotheir best bet. Since the phe. They provoked the creation of the devil himself institution did not agree people to rise against the increase in the prices which is being promoted by his to intervene on their behalf, they have conof some basic comvile and dreadful disciples cluded that they could modities. They tried to increase their pressure exploit national instituhiding behind deceitful by assaulting its leadertions to their advantage. ship, more specifically They disheartened the political apparels.

In actual the COAS and the DG bureaucracy and other services. They manipueffect, they stand naked in the ISI. They are currently doing this with unbelated the media by sharcourts of law and the people. lievable venom and viting some of their illicit riol. In the process they exploits with them.

Their politics and their time forget that they are playThey tried their best to ing in the hands of Pakspread a message of disboth are well-nigh up istan’s enemies for affection and hate whom a weak military is across the length and a dream which would breadth of the country. inevitably lead to the When none of this worked in rousing people against the govern- dismemberment of the country itself.

This is where they have made a horrible tacment, they tried to bribe the judiciary and buy the judges. This was quite in keeping with their tical blunder. They have upped the ante of their past traditions. Who can forget the Sharifs de- petty interests to take precedence over the state livering orders on phone to the likes of Mr Jus- itself. Their infatuation with corruption and its tice Qayyum? Who can forget this other judge, gains has blinded them to all proprieties of conone Rafiq Tarar, distributing cash among duct. They have ended up in a blind alley which judges in Baluchistan to rise against Chief Jus- does not have a way out. The unfortunate part is tice Sajjad Ali Shah? Who can forget the das- that even coming back may no longer be an optardly attack on the Supreme Court by the tion for them because nothing really is going to goons of the Sharifs, backed by full might of change. They are dangling in the very grave they the state? Who can forget them stabbing just were digging for others.

The project to weaken and damage Pakistan about every benefactor in the back whenever they felt threatened? Who can forget them juic- is the creation of the devil himself which is ing every one dry only to discard them when being promoted by his vile and dreadful discino longer relevant or needed? They have al- ples hiding behind deceitful political apparels. ways lingered on the fringes of being human In actual effect, they stand naked in the courts beings, but were never quite able to become so. of law and the people. Their politics and their The animal instinct in them always got the bet- time both are well-nigh up. ter of them as they nestled among the world of The writer is a political and security strateconceit and conspiracy to advance their selfgist, and heads the Regional Peace Institute – serving interests.

When there appeared no respite, they took an Islamabad-based think tank. Email: Twitter: the ultimate plunge: joined hands with their do- raoofhasan@hotmail.com. mestic saboteurs and foreign supporters to dam- @RaoofHasan

IT hurts me to say that early marriage remains a major issue in Pakistan these days. According to a report approximately half of Pakistani women are married before 18 years and nine percent of the girls begin childbearing between 15 and 19 years. On the other hand, the female shoulders the responsibilities of being a wife, a sister, daughter-in-law, and very soon a mother. She faces ill-health, the danger of losing her own life or her children’s as well as derision and abuse – mental and physical. And early marriage also affects their education which leaves them illiterate. Thus, it is my humble request to the concerned authorities: please take serious action against this issue and save the lives of these children. hAmmAL NASEEr TurbAT

Scarcity of water GAWADAR is the biggest city of Balochistan. But painfully, there the civic need of water is not accomplished. Similarly, they are in hot water because of the water crisis. In fact, water is the fundamental need and must for all living organisms. The poor people of Gawadar are buying water from tanks which is too expensive to afford. So, I request the provincial government to please provide all facilities of water in Gawadar.

NoorNAzAr roShiN TurbAT KEch

Child labour in Pakistan Child labour is a serious global issue that is prevalent in Pakistan. Since the children are trapped in this problem which is intensifying with each passing day. According to a report, in Pakistan, 8.10 million children are in miserable condition and they are working at a very small age. Lack of family planning and other social problems create obstacles towards the development of a nation. So, I request the government to assist the children and solve this issue as soon as possible. iSNiyA QAdir bAKSh TurbAT KEch

Covid-19 in winter The number of Covid-19 cases are once again surging quickly in the country.As PM khan warned the public to remain on the guard that covid19 cases are increasing with winter season and winter is approaching it to start it spread once again in the world. everyone must follow the preventive covid19 SOPs strictly in the country. According to National command and operation center (NCOC) on covid19 active cases which were 6000 in last month but now raised to nearly 10000 in october. however, there is a fear of the onset of winter which could result in the 2nd wave of it to spread.every people have to ensure the following sops and precautions to survive from it,because of expressing the concern over the increasing cases day by day during this month.I urge people to live on precaution to be saved and save others lives as well as save the country from such situation.

ALTAf AdAm AwArAN

Disrespecting the Quaid’s tomb The father of the nation, Quaid e Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah spearheaded a long freedom movement untiringly for more than forty years. he began his journey by attending the annual meeting of the All India Congress in 1904 and never looked back. he stood for the rights of people of the Indian subcontinent, especially the minorities. he was equally respected and praised by friends and foes. he remained part of the Congress until 1916. however, he realized that the leadership of Congress was ignoring the rights of the minorities, especially Muslims, he joined the Muslim League. Mr. Nehru at that point suggested that Jinnah was not a true leader having support of a political movement. Mr. Jinnah continued with his struggle, mobilised the youth of Muslim League and carved a potent political force out of it. he eventually succeeded in getting freedom for the Muslims of Indian sub-continent in the form of a separate country. Alas, he did not live long to see the country win freedom progress and prosper. After his death, a tom was constructed at his burial place in Karachi. This literally has become a scared place for all Pakistanis irrespective of their political or religious affiliation.

Foreign dignitaries, diplomats and prominent personalities visit his tomb to pay homage to the founder of the nation. Alas, by raising political slogans at the grave of a leader who believed in discipline and hard work rather than gimmickry, the politicians have disgraced the resting place of the Quaid. Our politicians have broken the norms of decency, created a mess and anarchy to focus their personalities and imagined popularity. The politicians have disgraced the sanctity of the Quaid’s tomb and colored the face of the nation with the worst kind of stigma. We are sorry, Mr. Jinnah for we could not accord the respect that your final resting place deserved. rAjA ShAfAATuLLAh iSLAmAbAd

Sunday, 25 October, 2020

08 WORLD VIEW

Lockdown restrictions do not work because many peopLe ignore them A SIZEABLE PART OF THE POPULATION IS OPTING OUT OF A SYSTEM SUPPOSED TO PREVENT THE SPREAD OF THE EPIDEMIC BECAUSE THEY HAVE BECOME MORE FRIGHTENED OF RUINING THEIR LIVELIHOODS THAN OF CONTRACTING COVID-19

independent

d

PAtrick cockburn

EBATE rages on every television screen and newspaper front page about the fairness or unfairness of lockdowns and semi-lockdowns.

The finger of blame for the failure to stop the spread of coronavirus is increasingly pointed at the chief of NHS Test and Trace, Baroness Harding, and at the health minister, Lord Bethell, serial blunderers referred to derisively by senior civil servants as “Laurel and Hardy”.

But putting the focus on the failure of the £12bn Test, Trace and Isolate (TTI) system misses a more important point that makes the furore over the new restrictions largely irrelevant. People are rightly outraged by the revelation that a myriad of private sector consultants, without experience of public health and paid up to £7,000 a day, should have orchestrated this fiasco, but their anger is a diversion from a more significant development.

The evidence is mounting that a sizeable part of the population is voting with their feet and opting out of the elaborate regulatory system that is supposed to prevent the spread of the epidemic. They do so because they have become more frightened of these restrictions ruining their livelihoods than they are of contracting Covid-19 in a serious form.

Government and media are so absorbed in a narrative that is all about these new rules that they have not paid enough attention to the limited degree to which people obey them in real life. Blindness about lack of compliance is pervasive, though it is self-evident that adherence to restrictions is ebbing fast. This week it emerged that only 59.6 per cent of the contacts of infected people are reached by phone and told to isolate by the TTI contact tracers.

The official explanation for this low figure is lack of capacity on the part of the TTI system, but another reason is that people who cannot afford to self-isolate, for job or family reasons, simply do not answer the phone when they see a number that they do not recognise coming up. Statistics showing that people really do behave like this were published last month in a groundbreaking survey by King’s College London of 30,000 people, which I have quoted before in this column but do so again because of its great importance.

The survey shows that, while 70 per cent

of people say that they will self-isolate if they have Covid-19 symptoms, only 18.2 per cent of them actually did so. The same disparity is true of testing, with 50 per cent saying that they will ask for a test if they have symptoms of the illness, but only 11.2 per cent really do self-isolate. Of those contacted by the NHS and told to quarantine themselves, just “10.9 per cent reported staying at home or quarantining for the following 14 days”.

Chief scientific adviser Sir Patrick Vallance said diplomatically that there is “room for improvement” in the TTI system, and even Boris Johnson seems to have noticed that it is not working properly. But the Sage report last month famously recommending a short circuit-breaking lockdown, also dismissed the whole TTI system as having only a marginal impact on the transmission rate of coronavirus. It said TTI has failed to do so because it does not contact a sufficient number of potentially infected people, obtain test results early enough to be of use, and too few of those who are contacted adhere to the self-isolation rule.

It is easy to see why people who are at low risk are not complying. A person under the age of 29, who is lucky enough to have a job during a time of soaring unemployment, must balance his or her very low chances of having coronavirus badly enough to make them seriously ill against the un-

doubtedly damaging impact of self-isolating.

Many have every reason to dread testing positive and may instead keep quiet about their symptoms or about any contact they may have had with somebody they know to have been infected.

Personal risk assessments like this explain why infection is still rising in towns and cities where there have been partial lockdowns since midsummer. The government appears baffled by this and blames rowdies outside pubs and other anti-social elements for breaking the rules. Yet for much of the population – essentially the younger part of it – non-compliance makes complete sense.

Theirs is not necessarily an “I’m All Right Jack” attitude, since those ignoring the restrictions may try to keep away from their grandparents. It was surely always inevitable that those minimally endangered by the disease would not accept economic ruin and partial house arrest once initial panic was over.

Lockdown sceptics may applaud the idea that Britain has ended up with a sort of variant of the Swedish approach to coronavirus by default and without knowing it. But the sceptics who argue that the economic destruction is too great and does not, in any case, stop the epidemic, spoil their case by downplaying the virulence of coronavirus as a horrible disease.

Even those openly or covertly prescribing “herd immunity” – something that is probably unattainable – are not keen to volunteer them-

selves for early membership of a supposedly “immunised herd”.

When President Trump said in the presidential debate this week that people would have to learn to live with coronavirus, Joe Biden made the obvious retort that a lot of people were dying with it. A total lockdown could work, as it appears to have done in China, but only through a huge and permanent mobilisation of state resources, backed by a fair degree of compulsion. For instance, Chinese returning from abroad have to isolate – and to make sure that they do just that they are allocated a hotel in which to quarantine and not let out until it is over. It is doubtful if Britain – or any European state – has the mechanisms or the determination to do the same.

All epidemics generate fear – and in the case of coronavirus there is plenty to be frightened of. The fear may be greater in Britain because of its spectacularly incompetent government, visibly out of its depth, stumbling from one unforced error to another. But its ineptitude should not distract from the fact that there is no real alternative to a policy of restrictions because two-thirds of the population want them. A Sky News/YouGov poll shows that 67 per cent support a “circuit breaking” temporary lockdown, 64 per cent oppose different rules for young and old, and 61 per cent do not trust Boris Johnson to take the right decisions on the pandemic.

The government and its medical experts risk wrecking the economy in return for limited success in combating the virus, but what they are doing reflects a contradictory popular view that restrictions must be imposed – even when so many people will not, in practice, comply with them because they believe that their personal sacrifice is not proportionate to the danger they face.

The widening war against India’s women journalists Why 2020 looks like AS THE OPPOSITION WITHERS AWAY DURING THE PANDEMIC, ONLINE ATTACKS INTENSIFY AGAINST JOURNALISTS FROM TROLLS LINKED TO INDIA’S RULING PARTY

Scroll.in SAmAr HAlArnkAr

Arfa Khanum Sherwani can deal with criticism, even abuse. But even she – a senior editor at The Wire and hardened veteran of the trenches – is disturbed by the “thousands and thousands and thousands” who flock these days to her Facebook, Twitter and Instagram accounts, threatening her with rape and death.

“It terrifies me, it unsettles me,” Sherwani tells me, as she described the loathing she must withstand as a female journalist with an opinion and the additional hatred reserved for her Muslim identity. The bulk of these abusive messages come from handles that adore Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who said this week: “Women in the country must be given the respect people give to goddess Durga.”

Sherwani has stopped checking Facebook, and her family is concerned for her safety. It is particularly troubling that her traditional reservoir of support is evaporating. Many of her “own community”, journalists, now troll her, since that is an easy way of buttressing their so-called nationalist credentials and ensuring career advancement in media houses aligned with the government. Little she says about anything goes without an inimical reaction, but more adverse responses than ever come from “blue ticks”, verified Twitter accounts of her peers and other seemingly respectable people.

COARSENING PUBLIC INTERACTIONS: On October 15, when Sherwani tweeted her acceptance speech after winning a prestigious Indian journalism prize, the Chameli Devi Jain Award, this was the response of former Supreme Court Justice Markandey Katju: “On YouTube @khanunarfa (Sherwani’s Twitter handle) and @RanaAyyub (journalist Rana Ayyub, a winner of many international awards) regularly denounce Hindu fundamentalism, but never condemn burqa, sharia, madarsas [sic] & maulanas.”

A notable characteristic of the age of social media, Hindutva and Narendra Modi – who follows a number of abusive Twitter users and has felicitated some – has been a coarsening of public interaction. Journalists may no longer the main

arbiters of this dialogue, but they remain important enablers. The smartphone has allowed about a billion active mobile subscribers to participate in India’s daily conversations.

But instead of expressing diverse opinions, these voices coalesce around a handful of ideological pivots, none currently more influential than those operated by the ruling establishment.

As the Opposition has withered away, particularly during the pandemic, journalists are increasingly classified and targeted as agitators not just by trolls but by the Bharatiya Janata Party itself, as Sherwani was by party spokesman Amit Malviya.

Some of India’s most influential and respected journalistic voices are now female, and that is hard for a patriarchal society to digest, particularly when its innate prejudices are reinforced by the ruling establishment. Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh chief Mohan Bhagwat once expounded a “theory of social contract” which, according to him, says: “You [the woman] look after the household chores and satisfy me, I [the man] will take care of your needs and protect you.”

To those who believe in the RSS worldview, women as opinion leaders are difficult to accept.

If those women are Muslim, acceptance is doubly hard and usually spills into outright hatred.

ATMOSPHERE OF UNCEASING MENACE: The most egregious example of a woman and Muslim journalist being systematically attacked is Ayyub, a Washington Post columnist who lives with threats of extreme violence and is, sometimes, in therapy to deal with them. Many journalists I know now seek professional help to cope with the stress of living in an atmosphere of unceasing menace, which is more likely than ever to spill into real life: it only requires encouragement from those at the helm, either through complicit silence or support or stated explicitly.

On September 11, for instance, Tripura chief minister Biplab Kumar Deb said of journalists criticising his administration’s handling of the Covid19 pandemic: “History shall not forgive them. And I shall not forgive them. I am a man of my word.”

A day later, two journalists were attacked.

When the State and supporters of the ruling party are involved in menacing journalists, there is little remedy. The police usually do not file cases, and if they do, they usually do not launch investigations or arrest the abusers, which means there is little to deter the trolls. That sense of impunity has now emboldened the State itself to directly file cases against or attack journalists in real life.

The worst manifestation of State gone rogue is in Indian Held Kashmir, where terrorism charges were filed against photojournalist Masrat Zahra – winner of a global award for courageous and ethical journalism – for merely sharing her work on Facebook; or the assault and intimidation of Auqib Javeed – after being invited “for a cup of tea” – because he reported how police were intimidating Twitter users criticising government policies or the unofficial detention at gunpoint by police of editor Fahad Shah.

To be sure, these threats are not limited to the Hindutva ecosystem around the BJP. Ruling parties in some states have exhibited similar tendencies, but none of these parallel the organised scale of the online persecution of journalists by the Hindutva world.

Former NDTV anchor Nidhi Razdan, now a Harvard professor, says women are special targets because ruling-party trolls are inherently misogynistic. “They can’t stand the success of women who are assertive, successful, have an opinion,” said Razdan, who as a Kashmiri Pandit is attacked online any time she expresses sympathy for Muslims. “I feel sorry for the loveless, sad lives they lead.” What they believe as their freedom of speech, she argues, echoing an argument recently made by the Supreme Court, is not the right to slander, to abuse, to spread hate speech.

There is little free speech involved when trolls confronting Neha Dixit, another awardwinning journalist, discuss how she should be raped, with a steel rod or otherwise. One troll – she gets about 300 hostile notifications and emails every day – who asked people to throw stones at her house was followed by the prime minister. Her complaints to police have never resulted in arrests.

Indeed, a study found that of 21 journalists murdered while at work over four years to 2019, there was only one conviction. Dixit’s passage through the fire is made particularly difficult because her family has been opposed to her choice of career; the attacks only reinforced their fears.

When her mother joined Twitter with much excitement two years ago, the first thing she saw were the threats, says Dixit, who admits to “lots of weird, disturbing dreams and nightmares”.

In the absence of institutional, official or legal support, women like her must build their own support networks. “If they are not there,” said Dixit, “You are pretty much on your own.”

Samar Halarnkar is the founder and editor of www.article-14.com, a website focused on research and reportage related to the rule of law.

repeat of 2016 Hill AdAm GoodmAn

For all the chatter about the adolescence of the first debate, and the blown chance for a second, President Trump reignited the lamp of hope that 2016 was but a harbinger of 2020. He answered the bell.

Contrary to expectations, this did not turn into another partisan scrum where none were listening and all were shouting. In big ways and small, we witnessed the inherent difference between a lifetime politician raised by the system and a consummate outsider bred to challenge it.

As opposed to the first square-off, where the moderator tried too hard to be a major part of it, NBC’s Kristen Welker created a virtual classroom where Americans were schooled on why this election matters. Yet it’s fair to observe that the questions posed seemed geared more toward reinforcing a Democratic nominee.

Little time was spent delving into foreign policy, as if North Korea (armed to its nuclear teeth) merited no more than passing attention; or the historic breakthrough in the Middle East between Israel, Bahrain and the UAE, which earned the President a Nobel Peace Prize nomination. Scant attention was paid to the challenger’s intention to raise taxes versus drilling down on the president’s own, or to Trump’s landmark achievement on criminal justice reform. No time at all was given to the issue of law and order, and the movement to defund police, despite the looting and burning that devastated the peace (and closed down scores of small businesses) in major American cities. Instead, following a thorough and necessary opener on COVID, this civics lesson revolved more around Obamacare, race relations, immigration, and climate change, issues the former Vice President swung at — knowing that the outfield fences had been moved closer to home plate for his at-bats.

With that said, here are five key takeaways: One. He’s back on his game. Donald Trump was disciplined, substantive and presidential. If he’d done the same in Cleveland a few weeks back, he’d be surging.

Two. Unforced errors. Without cause, Biden threw Barack Obama under the bus for not doing enough on immigration, and Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren for doing too much to impose government-run health care on everyone. Inexplicably, Biden did his best George H.W. Bush debate gaffe imitation by looking at his watch (at least twice) hoping the clock would spare him from one of his own.

Three. Stamina. The longer the debate wore on, the more Biden wore out. Given all the questions raised about Joe’s physical endurance and mental acuity to handle the most difficult (and aging) job on earth, this was not an encouraging sign. By contrast, even post-COVID-19 illness, the president looked like he could go all night.

Four. Opening vs. closing. Biden has few qualms about closing some, most or all of the nation to take on COVID-19; Donald Trump clearly feels angst doing any of that, knowing the fallout from an economic pandemic (joblessness, hopelessness, drug abuse, domestic violence) can be as devastating as the disease itself. Five. Outsider versus Insider. In the final stages of the debate, the president closed in on Biden’s repeated promises to change the world, despite a 47-year record during which he changed very little. It was an effective exchange for the incumbent outsider, because it forced voters to question why they should believe Biden would suddenly do what he’s never done before. More than 47-million people have already voted, with another 100-million or more left to go. Like the race against Hillary Clinton four years ago, Joe Biden has the early lead in the polls. Yet with performances like last night, be prepared for a thrilling stretch run where Biden plays the presumptive favorite and Trump the under-rated underdog. It’s War Admiral versus Seabiscuit, all over again. And we all know how that one turned out.

Adam Goodman is a national Republican media strategist and columnist.

Sunday, 25 October, 2020

BUSINESS 09 Eight more trains to be privatised from Nov 12 LAHORE APP

Railways Minister Sheikh Rasheed Ahmad has said that eight more trains would be privatized from November 12th, while the “rail car service” between Lahore and Rawalpindi would be revived from November 30.

Addressing a press conference at the Pakistan Railways headquarters on Saturday, he said the rail car, which was being revived, runs between Lahore to Rawalpindi and Rawalpindi to Lahore at 4:30pm, adding that coaches were being prepared in this regard as the number of passengers on this route were increasing. "I want private parties to come forward and run their freight trains using railway's infrastructure and properties,” the minister said, He further said that online booking of freight trains had been started to stop irregularities in this regard. Sheikh Rashid said that railways had given four freight trains to private parties under public private partnership. "People of Pakistan are standing with Pak Army and they pay tribute to the sacrifices rendered by Pak Armed Forces for the integrity of the country",he said. To a question, he said that Prime Minister Imran Khan and his team would overcome the problem of price hike soon. Sheikh Rashid Ahmed said that in politics dialogue could not be stopped, adding that incumbent government would complete its constitutional tenure. Responding to a question, he said, " A politician is always ready for elections", adding that present government was trying it's best to bring Nawaz Sharif back. To a question, he expressed his opinion that Pakistan Peoples’ Party would not accept those decisions of Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) which could harm democracy.

ASAd UmAR hINtS At GAS CURtAIlmENt FoR INdUStRIES dURING WINtER HYDERABAD

P

APP

LANNING, Development and Special Initiatives Minister Asad Umar, while hinting at curtailment of gas supply to industries in the coming winter season due to depleting reserves, has said that all out efforts were being made to overcome the issue of gas shortage in the country.

“Gas consumption is much higher at around 6 billion cubic feet compared to present production, which is less than 4bcf,” the minister informed while addressing the representatives of chambers of commerce and SITE associations of Nooriabad, Kotri, Jamshoro and Hyderabad at a reception hosted by Ali Junejo in his honour at Hyderabad Gymkhana on Saturday.

At present, the minister informed, priority was being given to domestic consumers while all out efforts were

underway to improve gas availability so that the same could also be provided to industrial and commercial sectors of the country.

In addition, he said, the government was also making efforts to rationalize the gas prices so that liquefied natural gas (LNG) could also be made available for consumption. “It could be possible only after the completion of required infrastructure, including the laying of pipeline. The government is making allout efforts to clear bottlenecks in this regard,” he added.

Responding to complaints of the representatives of trade and industry organizations about the non-availability of electricity, the minister informed that the government would soon announce a "special package for industries".

"Surplus electricity is available in the country and efforts are underway to bring reforms in energy sector, particularly in distribution system of DISCOs, so

that the issue could be resolved at the earliest."

He stated that remarkable progress had also being made for production of electricity from alternate sources, particularly wind, and the industrialists of the province could take advantage of this source.

About the issues being faced by the construction industry, Asad Umar said that Prime Minister Imran Khan was keen to give boost to this industry, which provides job opportunities to the people in around 40 sectors. A comprehensive package with maximum incentives for the construction industry was under consideration to achieve goals of rapid progress and prosperity, he added.

Responding to a demand for the development of infrastructure in industrial areas, the minister said the provincial governments were managing the industrial zones of their respective provinces and the federal government would wel-

come the proposals of development of infrastructure if it received the same from the province. However, he assured that issues related to the federal government, including provision of electricity and gas to industrial areas, would be tackled amicably.

About health facilities, the minister said that after Covid-19, the provinces had realized the fact of forming effective combined strategies and better coordination to make health facilities available for the people.

The federal government has earmarked an amount of around Rs50 billion to introduce modern health facilities in order to meet the challenges of the diseases and pandemic like Covid-19, he informed, adding that the federal government was also in touch with the Sindh government and if the provincial government recommended, state-of-the-art health facilities would also be provided to historic city of Hyderabad.

UBG nominates presidential, SVP candidates for FPCCI election

Ryanair acquires PIA’s Boeing-777 for cargo flights

LAHORE APP

KARACHI TLTP

Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) and Ireland’s Ryanair have signed an agreement under which the former will provide its Boeing-777 aircraft to the latter to operate cargo flights between China’s Urumqi city and Pakistan. According to the agreement, the aircraft will operate on this route for four months. A spokesperson of the national airline said the PIA cut down on its flights owing to travel restrictions brought on by the coronavirus pandemic, which rendered many of its planes idle. It, therefore, converted its Boeing 777 passenger aircraft into a cargo plane and leased it out to the foreign airline, he added. This aircraft has the capacity to carry 52 tonnes of cargo. Pakistan will export dry fruit, including pine nuts, to China through this flight. Besides, the spokesperson said, the PIA is entering into strategic partnerships like other airlines in the crisis-hit aviation industry. Such union is aimed to benefit from each other’s experiences and share resources, he elaborated.

LAHORE: A women sells vegetables at her roadside setup near Ganpat Road. ZUBAIR MEHFOOZ

‘Wheat quota for Punjab flour mills increased to 20,000MT per day’

Weekly inflation drops 0.23pc ISLAMABAD

LAHORE

STAFF REPORT

The Sensitive Price Index (SPI)-based weekly inflation for the combined group during the period ended October 22 recorded a decrease of 0.23pc due to a decline in prices of essential food items, according to the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS). The weekly SPI is calculated on the basis of prices of 51 essential items collected from 50 markets in 17 cities of the country. A report compiled by the PBS said this decrease was witnessed mainly due to a decline in prices of food items, including onions (4.75pc), chicken (-1.49pc), wheat flour (-1.31pc), gur (-1.26pc), moong pulse (-1.03pc) and mash pulse (0.02pc). On the other hand, an increase of 1pc or more was observed in prices of tomatoes (+1.57pc), tea prepared (+1.43pc), and potatoes (+1.00pc). During the week under review, the rate of 14 essential items went up while that of 11 commodities decreased, whereas prices of 26 food items remained unchanged.

INP

The Punjab Food Department has increased the quota of government wheat for flour mills from 17,500 to 20,000 metric tonnes per day to ensure abundant availability of flour at fixed rates across the province.

This was stated in a briefing during the daily-review meeting on price control chaired by the Chief Secretary Punjab Jawad Rafique Malik on Saturday.

The meeting discussed, in detail, the prices and availability of essential commodities including flour and sugar in Sahulat bazaars and open market.

Jawad Rafique Malik directed the officers to keep a close watch on the prices of edible items as well as their quality and supply. He said that the wheat quota for flour mills has been increased for the availability of the abundant quantity of flour in the market and in this regard, the deputy commissioners should keep the Food Depart-

ment informed about the demand of their districts.

The chief secretary said that as per the directions of the prime minister and Punjab chief minister, there would be no shortage of food items, especially flour and sugar, in the market. He said that as soon as imported sugar is available, its supply to the Sahulat bazaars and market would immediately begin.

He mentioned that the number of Sahulat bazaars is being increased to provide maximum relief to the common man, adding that these bazaars are not only providing consumers with daily-use items at discounted rates but also helping reduce the prices in the open market.

The meeting was attended by the additional chief secretary (South Punjab), secretary food, the heads of urban unit and IT board, Lahore commissioner, Punjab food director, and special secretary Agriculture Marketing. The divisional commissioners, RPOs, deputy commissioners, and DPOs participated via video link.

The United Business Group (UBG), the largest alliance of chambers and trade associations in the country, has nominated Khalid Tawab from Karachi as its presidential candidate for the annual election of Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI), to be held on December 30, 2020. SAARC Chamber of Commerce and Industry President Iftikhar Ali Malik, who is also UBG the chairman, told media on Saturday that a high level 20-member core committee held marathon session with UBG Patron-in-Chief SM Muneer in chair. He said that the UBG provincial-level scrutiny committees submitted their recommendations to core committee for the award of tickets to the best candidates contesting elections for the slots of president, SVP and VPs. He said Rauf Mukhtar had been nominated as candidate for SVP while the names of VPs seats would be announced shortly after further deliberations and consultations with provincial and local leaders. He said that the highly educated young traders enjoying the highest degree of integrity with a spirit of serving the business community would be awarded tickets on merit with consensus. He said under rotation policy, federation president would belong to Sindh province. Iftikhar Ali Malik said UBG would win the FPCCI elections as business community was in no mood to try those who had been tested in the past. He claimed that UBG would clean sweep federation election as 85 per cent of elected office bearers of chambers belonged to our group. He said “traders have reposed full confidence in UBG for pursuing business friendly policies and supremacy of democracy besides taking all important decisions with consensus in the larger interest of the business community”. “We firmly believe in rule of law, promotion of democratic system and strengthening of national economy by safeguarding the interests of traders.” Iftikhar Malik said that UBG would act as a bridge between traders and government and all out efforts would be made on top priority to take care of the interests of the business community as well as safeguarding the national interests.

Covid-19 could cost global tourism $8.1tr: McKinsey NEW YORK AGENCIES

The global tourism industry might face a cumulative drop of $8.1 trillion in spending as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic, a new report from global consultancy McKinsey found.

The world's tourism industry is also unlikely to see the same level of spending achieved last year until 2024, the consultancy said. “Our tourism recovery model forecasts a cumulative drop of $3tn to $8tn before tourism expenditure returns to pre-Covid-19 levels,” the McKinsey report said. “Recovery

will be slow and driven by the underlying dependencies countries had on domestic and non-air travel. Different countries should prepare for their own recovery curves.”

The pandemic has severely disrupted the travel and tourism industry across the world.

Renewed lockdown measures in some countries, travel restrictions, reductions in consumers’ disposable income and low confidence levels could significantly slow the sector’s recovery globally.

The United Nations Conference on Trade and Development forecast in July that the pandemic could cost the global

tourism industry losses worth $2.2tn, or 2.8 per cent of the world’s gross domestic product if the break in international tourism lasts for eight months.

The McKinsey report estimated a recovery to 85 percent of 2019 tourism volumes by 2021 and a full recovery by 2023 in an optimistic scenario that assumes a rapid containment of the virus and rebounding economies. In a more pessimistic recovery scenario, 2021 global tourism levels could be as low as 60 percent of 2019 levels.

Factors that could affect tourists' decisions on where to travel include the attrac-

CMYK

tiveness of domestic destinations, health standards in destination countries and health concerns and supply reductions in air travel, the report said. McKinsey said dependence on domestic travel and non-air travel will likely determine tourism recovery in each country.

The consultancy predicted that domestic tourism will return to pre-crisis levels around one to two years earlier than outbound travel. This is because it is easier to travel by methods other than flying, such as cars and trains. “In addition, domestic travel is expected to recover faster than hotels as we see

a substitution toward vacation rentals and friends and family in certain markets,” according to McKinsey.

In terms of recovery rates within countries, tourism in Germany is expected to recover faster than in other markets, driven by a strong health system, its effective Covid-19 response, a strong economy and land-based tourism options. Domestic tourism has also rebounded quickly in China, but outbound recovery is expected to be slower as travel restrictions remain in place and many Chinese tourists fear catching the virus abroad.

Sunday, 25 October, 2020

10 fOreIGn newS

MalaySIa'S kIng to ConSUlt wIth rUlerS aMId talk oF eMergenCy KUALA LUMPUR

M

AGENCIES

ALAYSIA’s King Al-Sultan Abdullah will consult with other rulers to discuss proposals by Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin, the palace said on Saturday, after sources told Reuters the premier had asked the king to declare a state of emergency.

Muhyiddin met with the king on Friday to present the emergency proposal that includes a suspension of parliament, sources said - a move that opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim denounced as an attempt by the premier to retain control amid a power struggle.

The proposal comes as Malaysia

faces a resurgence in coronavirus cases, a pandemic-battered economy and doubts over Muhyiddin’s ability to command a majority in parliament and pass the budget for 2021.

The palace did not identify the recommendations made by Muhyiddin, and said the king will soon hold the consultation with other Malay rulers.

“Al-Sultan Abdullah greatly understands the need for the country’s administration to continue to tackle the threat of Covid-19,” the palace said in a statement.

The Council of Rulers, which groups the heads of Malaysia’s nine royal houses, has the power to withhold consent from any law and deliberate on questions of national policy.

A source familiar with the matter said

the rulers will meet on Sunday.

Muhyiddin’s office has not commented on the emergency proposal.

‘NO JUSTIFICATION’: Opposition politicians say there is no valid reason for the government to impose an emergency and that it was meant to avoid a showdown in parliament over the support Muhyiddin commands.

The government is scheduled to propose its 2021 budget on Nov. 6 when parliament reconvenes early next month.

There have been questions over whether Muhyiddin can muster a majority in parliament to pass the budget since Anwar staked his claim to form a government. The premier has also come under fire from some of his coalition partners, who have threatened to withdraw support

for him and back Anwar instead.

Defeat on the budget would count as a vote of no-confidence in Muhyiddin and could trigger an election. Emergency rule might mean the budget would not be put to a vote.

Former premier and opposition lawmaker Mahathir Mohamad said there were no riots or a breakdown of law and order to justify an emergency, which would give additional powers to Muhyiddin.

“Faced with the possibility of being overthrown, the prime minister wants the powers under a state of emergency,” Mahathir in a blog post.

The Star daily reported the proposed emergency would only affect political activities, and there will be no curfews or any impact on economic activities.

Europe becomes second region to cross 250,000 Covid deaths Poland's president tests positive for coronavirus: aide WARSAW AGENCIES

Poland's President Andrzej Duda has tested positive for coronavirus, an aide said Saturday, as the EU country faces a record rise in cases and mass protests despite a ban on public gatherings intended to stem infections. Duda is the latest in a string of leaders to have been diagnosed with the virus, including US President Donald Trump, British Prime Minister Boris Johnson and Brazil's President Jair Bolsonaro. All have recovered and aside from the diagnosis, the 48-year-old Duda is believed to be in good general health. "Ladies and Gentlemen, as recommended President @AndrzejDuda was tested yesterday for the presence of coronavirus. The result turned out to be positive. The president is fine," Blazej Spychalski, secretary of state in the president's office, said on Twitter. While it was unclear when the Duda was infected, he attended an investment forum in Tallinn on Monday where he met Estonian President Kersti Kaljulaid and Bulgarian President Rumen Radev. Kaljulaid said on her Facebook page she tested negative for the virus after returning home from France on Friday.

Radev had meanwhile cut short his visit to Tallinn on Tuesday go into quarantine in Sofia. Backed

by Poland's governing nationalist Law and Justice (PiS) party, Duda won a second consecutive term in office in July on the back of a campaign that included promises of continued generous social spending and attacks on Poland's LGBT community. His diagnosis comes after it was announced on Monday that powerful PiS party leader Jaroslaw Kaczynski, widely seen as calling the shots in Poland, had gone into quarantine after being in contact with a person diagnosed as positive for the coronavirus. No further comment has been made on the condition of the 71-year-old Kaczynski by the PiS party or the government, in which he serves as deputy prime minister.

Europe became the second region after Latin America to surpass 250,000 deaths on Saturday, according to a Reuters tally, with record numbers of daily Covid-19 infections reported in the past two weeks.

Europe reported 200,000 daily infections for the first time on Thursday, as many Southern European countries this week reported their highest number of cases in a single day.

Europe accounts for nearly 19pc of global deaths and about 22pc of global cases, according to a Reuters tally.

The United Kingdom, Italy, France, Russia, Belgium and Spain account for nearly two-thirds of about 250,000 deaths registered until now from a total of about 8 million cases across Europe.

The United Kingdom leads Europe’s death toll with about 45,000 deaths, followed by Italy, Spain, France and Russia. Prime Minister Boris Johnson said on Thursday Britain cannot rely on a vaccine and will need to use other measures to slow the pandemic. Based on last seven-day daily reported average deaths, Russia is reporting 250 deaths per day, Europe’s highest toll, followed by the United Kingdom and France with about 143 deaths each.

France became the seventh country to report more than 1 million coronavirus cases on Friday. It has been one of the countries hardest hit in the second wave and has imposed curfews across much of the nation.

The average number of Covid-19

deaths reported each day in France has been increasing for 10 days straight, according to Reuters analysis.

Spain recently crossed 1 million cases and is reporting 136 fatalities on the latest seven-day average of reported deaths. Its death rate of about 7.38 per 10,000 people is the highest in Europe and second highest in the world after Peru.

The global coronavirus tally stands at about 42.1 million cases and 1.1 million deaths, according to a Reuters tally.

While health services have not so far been overwhelmed to the extent they were in the first wave, medical authorities have warned of a likely surge in demand for intensive care beds as colder weather forces more people indoors and infections spread. AGENICES

Missing vessel in Gulf of Guinea found, crew safe LIBERIA AGENCIES

With the reports of dramatic increases in the number of attacks on vessels in the Gulf of Guinea, security services issued warnings when a tanker went missing this week with its reporting devices turned off. Analysis and the media feared the worst that the vessel had been hijacked or the crew kidnapped, and even now with reports that the crew is safe the circumstances of the events remain uncertain.

Reports indicated that the 16,700 DWT tanker Errina registered in Panama triggered its Ship Security Alert System (SSAS) on October 20. Shortly after that, the vessel’s AIS went off adding to the fear that it had been hijacked.

The confusion continued with varying reports of the ship’s last known position and direction. Dryad Global reported that the SSAS signal placed the tanker approximately 200 nautical miles west of Sao Tome, an island that would have been south and west of the vessel’s normal area of operation in West Africa. Later reports revised the ship’s position to say she was south of Lagos, Nigeria. Dryad reports

that she recorded her departure from Cameroon’s Limboh anchorage heading in a southwest direction. The vessel’s established service area is believed to be between Lomé, Lagos, and the wider Niger Delta region.

After analysis of the situation, Dryad said that it believes the vessel was approached and boarded, but that the crew retreated into its safety zone away from the borders. Supporting this theory, later reports indicated that the entire crew was safe and accounted for aboard the tanker.

Dryad is now suggesting an alternative for the ship’s signal having gone dark. They are reporting that it is an established practice by some operators to turn off their AIS while operating in the area as a safety measure against pirates that might be searching for ship’s position data. The analysis, however, notes that the Nigerian Navy has recently mounted operations to interdict and arrest any vessel found not broadcasting on AIS. While there has been an increase in overall activity in the region, Dryad concludes that the number of incidents in the area where the Errina was sailing have declined, with this being only the nineteenth reported event this year in the Nigerian EEZ.

Japan mulls $95.5bn extra budget to offset economic impacts of Covid-19 TOKYO AGENCIES

Japan’s government is considering compiling an extra budget worth around $95.5 billion to offset the economic drag caused by the coronavirus pandemic, local media reported on Saturday.

The government is likely to debate using the $95.52 billion budget to extend a labour subsidy programme scheduled to end in December and to pay for the distribution of a coronavirus vaccine. Members of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party are calling for 10 trillion yen in spending, and Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga is likely to formally order an extra budget early next month, the media cited. The government may consider whether to use some of the funds to extend a popular domestic travel subsidy scheme but is unlikely to offer more direct cash handouts to households, the media reported. The government has 7 trillion yen in reserves left over from an earlier coronavirus aid package that it can use to fund the extra budget. The government is considering issuing bonds to fund the remaining amount. Japan’s government and ruling party lawmakers originally planned to make a decision on extra stimulus after the release of third-quarter gross domestic product on Nov. 16 but decided to bring forward their decision because private sector companies are starting to cut workers’ bonus payments, a local newspaper said.

IMF 'encouraged'

by US plan to remove Sudan from terror list WASHINGTON AGENCIES

The International Monetary Fund has said that the US government’s plans to remove Sudan from its list of state sponsors of terrorism would clear away one of the hurdles facing the heavily indebted African country as it seeks debt relief. “We are encouraged by the US administration’s formal indication to Congress of its intention to remove Sudan from (the list)," Carol Baker, the IMF's Sudan mission chief, said in a statement. "The removal of Sudan from the (list) eliminates one of the hurdles toward possible HIPC debt relief.”

The Heavily Indebted Poor Countries initiative was launched in 1996 by the IMF and the World Bank to ensure that no poor country faces a debt burden it cannot manage. But the process is long and will require significant reforms by Sudan. US president Donald Trump this week announced his decision to remove Sudan from the US list of state sponsors of terrorism, paving the way for Friday's announcement that Israel and Sudan would take steps to normalise relations.

Sudan, saddled by $60 billion in external debt, urgently needs financial help to reorganise its economy. Inflation hit 167 per cent in August and the currency has tumbled as the government prints money to subsidise bread, fuel and electricity. The IMF last month endorsed plans to monitor a 12-month programme of economic reforms being implemented by Sudan's new transitional government as it seeks to build international confidence and move toward eventual debt relief. Sudan's high external debt and longstanding arrears continue to limit its access to external borrowing, including from the IMF, to which it owes $1.3bn.

Indian farmers step up illegal fires as Delhi air crisis worsens SANETA AGENCIES

Delhi's smog crisis headed for a new toxic peak on Saturday but farmers are refusing to stop the stubble burning that is widely blamed for the poisonous clouds engulfing the Indian capital.

Air pollution in parts of the city reached "severe" levels Saturday -- a day after US President Donald Trump described Indian air as "filthy" -- with monitoring agencies warning it would worsen in the next two days because of the lack of wind.

Teams in states around Delhi, home to some 20 million people, are hunting the illegal

stubble burners, even driving around country roads at night when most fires are started.

In the past month some 1,265 farmers have been fined in Punjab alone, according to senior pollution officer Krunesh Garg, but satellite detectors have recorded more than 12,000 fires in the state.

In a bid to step up the campaign, the government is offering subsidised machines to clear rice paddies and farmers who are caught starting fires are blocked for bank loans.

But thick grey clouds of smoke that carry deadly particles to the world's most polluted capital can still be seen everywhere.

Because of Delhi's position and weather

pattern, every winter the city is choked by deadly smog.

Farmers like Paramjeet Singh say they understand inhabitants' health concerns but consider stubble burning a "necessary evil" in the race to clear fields for fresh crops.

- Pollution clouds "The smoke is also bad for our eyes and lungs but we don't have the money to buy machines that can clear the crop residue," Singh told AFP in Saneta village, about 230 kilometres (145 miles) northwest of Delhi, in Punjab state.

"And why go after only farmers? There are so many polluting industries in Delhi and Punjab but only we get blamed," said the 42-

year-old.

According to state air quality monitors, farm fire smoke accounted for 56 percent of Delhi's pollution in 2018 and 44 percent last year.

Authorities say the share has fallen further this year, but not enough to ease the crisis in Delhi.

Some experts say the worsening smog is because of the number of cars on the roads, construction and industry around the city.

Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal has declared a "war on pollution" putting up billboards across the city while placard-wielding activists urge drivers to turn off their engines when halted at traffic lights.

But experts say political will to tackle pollution is still lacking with central government and Delhi, Punjab and Harayana states unable to agree tough action to clean the air.

And this year farmers, who represent a powerful voting bloc, are upset over new laws they fear will let large private retailers control pricing.

"Yes we are angry and we don't care about the government. Many farmers I know burnt the crop residue mainly to spite the government," said 62-year-old farmer Yashpal Singh.

"If the farmers wanted they could have listened to the government but they chose not to."

Sunday, 25 October, 2020

England may send 'C-team' on 'goodwill tour' to Pakistan NEWS DESK The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) could be forced to send a "C-team" to Pakistan for the tour proposed by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) in January 2021, according to a report in Daily Mail. The ECB, as a gesture of goodwill towards Pakistan for sending its team during the peak of Covid-19, does not want to decline the offer but has a major scheduling dilemma at its hand. It has a tour of Sri Lanka planned during the same window and cannot send a weakened team there due to the World Test Championship, where it is currently behind India and Australia. On the other hand, several of its T20 specialists have Big Bash League deals, which would likely put them out of the Pakistan tour. As a result, the ECB may have to send a team composed of second or third-string players to Pakistan, Daily Mail added.

Liverpool can deal with Van Dijk absence, Henderson says

SPORTS 11

PCB unVEiLs nEW Points systEM to sPiCE uP QuaiD-E-azaM troPHy

t

NEWS DESK

HE season of tweaks and changes is not yet over in Pakistan cricket as now a new result-oriented points system has been unveiled for the Quaid-eAzam Trophy, the country's premier first-class tournament, scheduled to kick off from Sunday across Pakistan.

The 31-match tournament will be played at four venues, including the National Stadium, which will stage the five-day final from January 1-5.

To encourage the batsmen to increase their strike rates, the PCB has decided to reward five batting points to sides who reach the 400-run mark inside 100 overs in the first innings.

According to the amended playing conditions, bonus batting points will be awarded as follows (first innings only): 200 runs inside 100 overs – 1 point, 250 runs inside 100 overs – 2 points,

300 runs inside 100 overs – 3 points, 350 runs inside 100 overs – 4 points, 400 runs inside 100 overs – 5 points.

The PCB has also introduced a twofold bowling points system.

The over-based points system is as follows: Three wickets inside 100 overs – 1 point, Six wickets inside 100 overs – 2 points, Eight wickets inside 100 overs – 3 points.

Additional all-out bonus points will be allocated as follows: 200 runs or less inside 100 overs –3 points, Between 201 and 250 runs inside 100 overs– two points, Between 251 and 300 runs inside 100 overs – one point.

If Team A bowls out Team B for 175 runs in 90 overs then Team A will pocket three points for collecting eight wickets inside 100 overs and another three points for restricting their opponents inside 200 runs. In contrast, Team B will remain pointless for being unable to achieve the minimum threshold of 200 runs inside 100 overs.

If Team C scores 275 for nine in 100 overs against Team D, then Team D will collect three bowling points for claiming eight wickets but will be unable to add an additional point for their failure to grab the last wicket. In contrast, Team C will get two bonus points for crossing the 250-run mark inside 100 overs.

AGENCIES Liverpool have the quality in their squad to deal with the absence through injury of influential centre back Virgil van Dijk, said skipper Jordan Henderson said. Defender Van Dijk damaged knee ligaments after a tackle by Everton goalkeeper Jordan Pickford in the Merseyside derby at Goodison Park last Saturday. Writing in Liverpool’s matchday programme for Saturday’s Premier League game against Sheffield United, Henderson said any team in the world would miss the Dutchman but the champions must not make it a bigger issue than it needs to be. “I look at the players we have who can play that position and I wouldn’t swap them for anyone else. Joe Gomez, Joel Matip and Fabinho are international-quality players who have produced for us as a team time and time again,” Henderson wrote. “Nat Phillips is nearly back to full fitness and has the making to be a good centre half.

Rhys Williams has impressed me with his attitude and mentality. Billy Koumetio and Sepp van den Berg likewise. All learning in the best environment there is. “Are any of them Virgil van Dijk? No... but they don’t need to be. They just need to be themselves and give everything they have for this club, be it in training or when called upon in games. The rest of us have to be there to help.”

Reports in the British media have said Van Dijk could be out for up to seven months, but Henderson was more hopeful. “Virgil will back with us in no time at all. Because he’s such an extraordinary professional I know he’ll come back not just as good but better,” Henderson added. “When he came to Melwood on Tuesday, he just radiated positivity. And it’s on us to take his lead and only think about the positive impact we can have.”

Chamu Chibhabha insists his side capable of surprising Pakistan NEWS DESK Zimbabwe skipper Chamu Chibhabha has insisted that his team are capable of springing surprises - an ability they would like to demonstrate in the upcoming ODI series against Pakistan in a bid to boost their chances of securing 2023 World Cup qualification.

The three-match One-Day International series starting on October 30 at the Pindi Stadium is a part of the Super League that will serve as the route to direct qualification for the 2023 World Cup in India.

In a media talk, Chibhabha said there would be no better start to the campaign than to win the series in Pakistan. “We narrowly missed the last World Cup. This time we will make all-out efforts to get off to a winning start and reach the World Cup without playing the qualifying round,” he said.

The 13-team league competition will see the top seven sides, plus hosts India, qualifying directly for the World Cup, while the remaining five teams, along with five associate sides will play in a qualifying tournament for two available places to make it a ten-team competition.

Japan's Nakagami takes first MotoGP pole in Spain ALCAÑIZ AGENCIES

Japanese rider Takaaki Nakagami grabbed his maiden MotoGP pole position for Sunday's Teruel Grand Prix, while championship leader Joan Mir could only qualify in 12th place on Saturday.

The 28-year-old Nakagami, who signed a new deal with Honda's satellite

team earlier this week, posted a fastest lap of one minute and 46.882 seconds.

Italian Franco Morbidelli, who was quickest in practice, qualified second, just 0.063 seconds slower, as Alex Rins rounded out the front row. Of the four likely world title contenders, Spaniard Maverick Vinales qualified best. The Yamaha man will start the race on the second row after qualifying fourth, 0.359 sec-

onds slower than Nakagami.

Frenchman Fabio Quatararo, who trails Mir by six points at the top of the riders' standings, will also start on the second row, in sixth. Vinales sits third in the championship, a further six points behind, with Ducati's Andrea Dovizioso 15 points adrift of Mir in fourth. It was a miserable day for Mir, who has never won a MotoGP race, though, as he qualified last of the riders in

second qualifying.

Dovizioso, who has finished second to Marc Marquez in the world championship in each of the last three years, did not even make it to Q2 and will start the race from 14th place on the grid.

There are four races remaining in the coronavirus-truncated season which was blown wide open by Marquez's injury in the opening Spanish Grand Prix.

With no ‘Test cricket future’, Salman Butt turns focus to non-playing role NEWS DESK With his chances of selection to the national team not on the horizon, former Pakistan captain Salman Butt has withdrawn from the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy, starting tomorrow, to explore a future in a non-playing role in the game. The PCB has offered him a commentator's role for the broadcast of the first-class tournament, and he will start from the fourth round, scheduled to begin on November 20. He remains available for white-ball cricket for the time being.

"I understand that I don't have a future with Pakistan," Butt told ESPNcricinfo. "I played cricket with distinction and have scored heavily since my return. There has been a purpose to re-earn a place [in the national side] and the context of my performance is to play for the national team. This year, I ques-

tioned myself: 'What I am doing, why I am playing? What is the purpose if I play yet another season?' I gave a serious thought and realistically I know they are not going to pick me. So I (would) rather explore something where I can contribute and excel to make a difference.

"It's tough to leave cricket and this is something nobody really prepared for, but then I am not going to play cricket forever. I always thought I will leave the day when I am a burden on the dressing room. There is a time when you eventually have to call off and let someone else take your place. I met with Nadeem Khan [PCB director of high performance] and he gave me some very good career advice, so I am withdrawing myself from the [Central Punjab] squad and taking up a commentary role for Quaide-Azam Trophy."

Khan confirmed the meeting with Butt.

"Salman is a good cricket mind and he came to me to talk about his uncertain career," Khan told ESPNcricinfo. "We have an objective to create an opportunity for the cricketer post-retirement. We want to set a clear pathway so that players do no feel insecure after leaving cricket or after being left out.

"I want to make sure that there is a clear career line and we have a smooth transition for cricketers making their way into a non-playing role. The creation of these opportunities is in line with the PCB's strategic decision to increase the involvement of former players in domestic cricket and to train and develop the local talent. There had been a dearth of referees, umpires, coaches, curators as there was a big generation gap and we want cricketers from the modern age in the system."

Butt is 36, and was reintegrated into

CMYK

the system in Pakistan in January 2016 after serving a five-year ban for his part in a spot-fixing scandal of 2010. He marked his return with a century in the National One-Day Cup, and went on to finish the tournament as its second-highest run-getter, with 536 runs at an average of 107.20.

He then led his first-class team, Water and Power Development Authority, to the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy title, scoring twin hundreds in the final to finish the season with 741 runs at 49.40.

He was also the second-highest run-getter in the National T20 Cup in 2018, with 350 runs at 70.00. Since his return, he averaged 51.28 in T20 cricket for Lahore Whites, and had the best T20 batting average of 52.10 after Babar Azam's 54.58. He was also fifth in the run-getters' list in List A games with 2373 runs at 50.48.

Following a hectic day of training at the Army Cricket Ground in Rawalpindi, Chibhabha underscored his side’s desire to do well in the Super League.

“It’s very crucial for us to play really well,” he said. “Super League games are very important when you consider the fact that we have to qualify for the World Cup. “We would rather qualify directly as opposed to having to play in the qualifiers because that’s a lot of pressure.

“So we would love to get a couple of wins under our belt, which makes life easier for us to qualify directly for the World Cup.” Chibhabha, who is one of the six Zimbabwe players in the current squad who toured Pakistan in 2015, said they were still trying to get accustomed to the local conditions but was expecting high-scoring encounters.

“From our experience in 2015, we know we are going to play on a flat wicket — some might have a bit of spin on them, slow and turning, but we are expecting a lot of runs on the board in this series,” the captain said.

Chibhabha did not rule out impact of dew during the series. “Obviously, it’s going to be hot but it’s not as bad as we expected. We will also be playing day-night matches, so dew is going to play a huge factor.”

After the ODI series scheduled at the Pindi Stadiun on October 30, November 1, and 3, Pakistan and Zimbabwe will tussle it out in three Twenty20 Internationals scheduled for November 7, 8, and 10 in Lahore.

Foden rescues Man City in West Ham draw LONDON AGENCIES

Phil Foden came off the bench to spare spluttering Manchester City's blushes as the England midfielder rescued a 1-1 draw against West Ham on Saturday. Pep Guardiola's side fell behind to Michail Antonio's superb overhead kick in the first half at the London Stadium. Foden came on at half-time and produced an instant equaliser, but City couldn't deliver the knockout blow and have now won just one of their last four Premier League games. Injury-hit City, without Fernandinho, Aymeric Laporte, Nathan Ake and Gabriel Jesus, rarely reached peak form in the latest of a growing list of inconsistent displays. While Arsenal and Porto were beaten in their previous two matches, City still don't seem to have completely recovered from their 5-2 thrashing by Leicester in September.

They are already five points behind leaders Everton, who play Southampton on Sunday, and look more vulnerable than at any time since Guardiola's first season in charge. Tricky trips to Marseille and Sheffield United next week will provide a further test of just how determined City are to recover the all-conquering form that swept them to the title in 2018 and 2019. After fighting back from 3-0 down at Tottenham with three goals in the last 10 minutes in their previous match, this was another encouraging result for West Ham. Raheem Sterling scored a hat-trick in City's 5-0 win at West Ham last season and his penetrating run laid on an early chance for Sergio Aguero, whose shot was deflected wide. Aguero was the provider when he ran onto Joao Cancelo's defence-splitting pass and crossed for Riyad Mahrez to volley over under pressure.

Sunday, 25 October, 2020

PrAyEr TImINGS

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AGENCIES

SUICIDE bombing at an education centre in Afghanistan's capital Kabul killed at least 18 people and wounded dozens more on Saturday, officials said. A Ministry of Interior spokesman, Tariq Arian, cited security guards as identifying a bomber who detonated explosives in the street outside the Kawsar-e Danish educational centre.

Eighteen people were killed and 57 were injured in the attack, according to the interior ministry. Islamic State claimed responsibility for the bombing, the group said in a statement on Telegram, without providing

Turkey's Erdogan says Macron 'needs treatment' over attitude to Muslims ISTANBUL AGENCIES

Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan launched a fresh attack on his French counterpart Emmanuel Macron on Saturday, saying he needed mental treatment over his attitude towards Muslims and Islam. Earlier this month, Macron pledged to fight “Islamist separatism”, which he said was threatening to take control in some Muslim communities around France, drawing a sharp rebuke from Erdogan. France has since been shaken by the beheading of a history teacher by an Islamist radical, who had wanted to avenge the teacher’s use of cartoons of the Prophet Mohammad in a class on freedom of expression. “What is the problem of this person called Macron with Muslims and Islam? Macron needs treatment on a mental level,” Erdogan said in a speech at a provincial congress of his AK Party in the central Turkish city of Kayseri.

“What else can be said to a head of state who does not understand freedom of belief and who behaves in this way to millions of people living in his country who are members of a different faith?” Erdogan added.

Erdogan is a pious Muslim and since his Islamist-rooted AK Party first came to power in 2002 he has sought to shift Islam into the mainstream of politics in Turkey, an overwhelmingly Muslim but secular country.

The Turkish president said on Oct. 6 after Macron’s initial comments on “Islamist separatism”, that the remarks were “a clear provocation” and showed the French leader’s “impertinence”. Turkey and France are NATO members but have been at odds over issues including policies in Syria and Libya, maritime jurisdiction in the eastern Mediterranean and the conflict in NagornoKarabakh. Erdogan and Macron discussed their disagreements in a phone call last month and agreed to improve ties and keep communication channels open.

chairperson of Afghanistan's Independent Human Rights Commission on Twitter, saying the targeting of civilians was a war crime.

PAKISTAN COMDEMNS ATTACK: Pakistan on Saturday condemned in the strongest possible terms the inhuman terrorist attack outside an educational center in Dasht-e-Barchi area of Kabul city that resulted in loss of innocent lives including children and injuries to several others.

"We extend our heartfelt sympathies and condolences to the families of the victims and pray for early recovery of those injured. Pakistan condemns terrorism in all its forms and manifestations and will continue to support a peaceful and stable Afghanistan," Foreign office spokesperson in a press release said.

EXPLOSION STRUCK OUTSIDE EDUCATION CENTRE IN SHIA NEIGHBOURHOOD IN AFGHAN CITY evidence. A Taliban spokesman on Twitter denied responsibility for the attack, which comes at a sensitive time as teams representing the insurgents and the government meet in Qatar to seek a peace deal.

The attack took place in an area of west Kabul that is home to many from the country's Shia community, a religious minority in Afghanistan targeted by groups such as Islamic State in the past.

Dozens of students died in the same area

of Kabul in an attack on another education centre in 2018, while in May gunmen attacked a maternity ward, killing 24, including mothers and babies.

The latest attack comes on the back of heavy fighting in multiple provinces in recent weeks, which has displaced thousands of civilians in southern Helmand province.

"How much more can we endure, as individuals and as society? How many times can we rise?" asked Shaharzad Akbar, the

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Brunei's Prince Haji 'Abdul' Azim dies at 38 BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN TLTP

Brunei's Prince Haji 'Abdul' Azim died on Saturday at the age of 38.

Born in Bandar Seri Begawan on July 29, 1982, Prince Haji 'Abdul' Azim is the second born prince of Brunei's Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah. According to a statement from Brunei's Sultan's office, people and residents of Brunei are hereby required to fly the national flag at half-mast and begin a seven-day mourning period starting from Saturday. The cause of Prince Haji 'Abdul' Azim's death is not announced as of now.

New clashes in Nagorno-Karabakh after Washington talks BAKU/MOSCOW AGENCIES

New clashes broke out between Azerbaijan and ethnic Armenian forces over NagornoKarabakh a day after talks in Washington to try to end the deadliest fighting in the enclave in more than a quarter of a century.

Azerbaijan’s defence ministry reported fighting in and around Nagorno-Karabakh, a mountainous part of Azerbaijan populated and controlled by ethnic Armenians.

It said the areas of Lachin and Gubadli had come under rocket and artillery fire from inside Armenian terrritory.

In Nagorno-Karabakh, local officials accused Azerbaijan’s forces of firing Smerch missiles into residential buildings in Stepanakert, the largest city in the region, which Baku denied.

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo had met separately with the foreign ministers of Azerbaijan and Armenia on Friday in a new attempt to end nearly a month of

bloodshed that Russian President Vladimir Putin said may have killed 5,000 people.

The collapse of two Russia-brokered ceasefires had already dimmed the prospect of a quick end to fighting that broke out on Sept. 27 over NagornoKarabakh. The defence ministry of Nagorno-Karabakh said the total number of Armenians killed in the weeks of fighting had risen by 36 to 963, the Russian news agency Interfax reported.

Azerbaijan said a 13-year-old Russian boy died on Saturday after being wounded in a rocket attack on the city of Ganja on Oct 17. Azerbaijan says 65 Azeri civilians have been killed and 298 wounded, but has not disclosed its military casualties. Azeri forces say they have made territorial gains, including full control over the border with Iran, which Armenia denies. NagornoKarabakh’s ethnic Armenian administration says its forces have repulsed attacks.

ACCUSATIONS ON BOTH SIDES: President Ilham Aliyev told French news-

paper Le Figaro that Azerbaijan was ready to sit down for negotiations but blamed Armenia’s actions for the continued hostilities.

“We are ready to stop even today,” Aliyev was quoted as saying. “But, unfortunately, Armenia grossly violated the ceasefire ...If they don’t stop, we will go to the end with the aim of liberating all the occupied territories.”

Armenia’s foreign ministry said Azerbaijan’s aggression posed an existential threat to the security of the region.

US President Donald Trump said “good progress” was being made on the issue but did not elaborate and declined to say if he had spoken with the leaders of either country.

Asked how his talks with Pompeo went, Armenian Foreign Minister Zohrab Mnatsakanyan told reporters “very good” as he exited the U.S. State Department, and added that work on a ceasefire would continue.

World powers want to prevent a wider war that draws in Turkey, which has voiced strong support for Azerbaijan, and Russia, which has a defence pact with Armenia.

Differences over the conflict have further strained relations between Ankara and its NATO allies, with Pompeo accusing Turkey of fuelling the conflict by arming the Azeri side. Ankara denies it has inflamed the conflict.

Pompeo had said ahead of Friday’s talks that he hoped the “right path forward” could be found.

But Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan said he saw no diplomatic resolution of the conflict at this stage, and Aliyev has described the prospects of a peace settlement as “very remote”.

About 30,000 people were killed in a 1991-94 war over Nagorno-Karabakh. Armenians regard the enclave as part of their historic homeland; Azeris consider it illegally occupied land that must be returned to their control.

Asia becomes second region to exceed 10 million coronavirus cases NEW DELHI AGENCIES

Asia surpassed 10 million infections of the new coronavirus on Saturday, the secondheaviest regional toll in the world, according to a Reuters tally, as cases continue to mount in India despite a slowdown and sharp declines elsewhere.

Behind only Latin America, Asia accounts for about one-fourth of the global caseload of 42.1 million of the virus. With over 163,000 deaths, the region accounts for some 14 per cent of the global Covid19 toll.

The Reuters tally is based on official reporting by countries. The true numbers of cases and deaths are likely much higher, experts say, given deficiencies in testing and potential underreporting in many

countries. Despite the Asian spikes, the region overall has reported improvement in handling the pandemic in recent weeks, with daily caseloads slowing in places like India – a sharp contrast to the Covid-19 resurgence seen in Europe and North America.

Within the region, South Asia led by India is the worst affected, with nearly 21pc of the reported global coronavirus cases and 12pc of deaths. This contrasts with countries like China and New Zealand that have crushed infections and Japan, where Covid-19 had been stubbornly entrenched but not accelerating.

India is the worst-hit country in the world after the United States, although infections are slowing in the world’s secondmost populous country. India is reporting more than 57,000 cases of the virus a day,

viewed on a weekly average, with 58 new cases per 10,000 people in Asia’s thirdlargest economy, according to a Reuters analysis.

India is averaging 764 Covid-19 deaths a day, the worst in the world and accounting for one in every 13 global pandemic deaths.

The country has reported nearly 7.8 million infections, behind the US tally of 8.5 million, and nearly 118,000 deaths, versus 224,128 in the United States. Unlike the recent US surge, however, India’s slowdown saw the lowest daily caseload in nearly three months on Wednesday.

But India’s infections may surge again, doctors fear, with a holiday approaching and winter bringing more severe pollution from farmers burning stubble, worsening the breathing difficulties that many Covid-

19 patients suffer.

India’s eastern neighbour Bangladesh is Asia’s second-worst hit country, with nearly 400,000 cases. But daily infections have slowed to 1,453, less than 40pc of the July peak.

Although the pandemic is slowing in Bangladesh, the world’s biggest apparel producer after China faces harsh recession as a second wave of Covid-19 hits key markets in Europe and the United States.

Even if the country is making progress on controlling the disease, leaders of the key garment sector say international retailers are delaying orders or demanding steep price cuts, forcing them to lay off their workers. Some 1 million workers were furloughed or laid off. About one-third of those have been rehired since July, according to union leaders.

Trump votes in Florida a day after worst US Covid spike WASHINGTON AGENCIES

President Donald Trump cast his vote Saturday in Florida ahead of another punishing day with three campaign rallies as he works to close the gap with Joe Biden and pull off a 2016-style upset win on November 3.

"I voted for a guy named Trump," he said, flashing a smile after removing his black mask upon emerging from a polling station in balmy West Palm Beach, not far from the Mar-a-Lago resort he officially made his home last year.

He thus became one of nearly 55 million Americans to cast early ballots in a year when the coronavirus has made in-person voting problematic.

"It was a very secure vote. Much more secure than when you send in a ballot, I can tell you that," said Trump, who insists without giving evidence that mail-in voting leads to fraud.

Continuing his frenetic pace, the president was to hop-scotch later in the day from North Carolina to Ohio to Wisconsin -- returning to the White House only minutes before midnight -- as he works furiously to make up lost ground.

But the president's efforts have been inescapably overshadowed by a grim reality seized on by Biden: the US set a daily record for new Covid-19 cases on Friday, at nearly 83,000, with a further surge expected as cold weather arrives.

"President Trump knew the severity of this virus and failed to tell the American peo-

ple the truth," the former vice president said in a statement Saturday. He said Trump was "unwilling and unable to do the hard work to get it under control."

Biden, who has been more restrained -and pandemic-conscious -- in his campaigning, planned two drive-in events in Pennsylvania, another key state.

The Biden campaign was also deploying a key surrogate, former president and former Biden boss Barack Obama, to speak later in the day in Miami.

With nearly 55 million people having already cast early ballots, Biden has a firm lead in national polls, and narrower leads in many battleground states like Florida that typically decide the winner of US presidential elections.

The drama of the final Trump-Biden tel-

evised debate on Thursday was thought unlikely to move the needle significantly.

But Democrats are not about to forget the stunning upset Trump pulled off in 2016 when he defeated the favorite Hillary Clinton. The president's current grueling travels aim to repeat that feat.

On Friday, Trump targeted the politically powerful seniors' vote in Florida, telling a crowd at the retirement community The Villages that all Biden talks about is "Covid, Covid, Covid" to "scare people."

"We're going to quickly end this pandemic, this horrible plague," he said.

In fact, the virus has claimed more than 224,000 American lives, with no end in sight.

Referring to Biden's warning of a "dark winter" ahead, Trump insisted the country is

instead "approaching the light at the end of the tunnel." He then pivoted to his own scare tactics, claiming that Biden would let in hordes of illegal immigrants including "criminals and rapists and even murderers."

LACK OF LEADERSHIP: While Biden has waged a lower-key campaign, even the 77-year-old Democrat is ramping up activity in the final stretch.

In his home state of Delaware on Friday, he gave a speech about economic recovery from the pandemic, slamming Trump's record and vowing -- as Trump has -- that he would provide a safe coronavirus vaccine to all who want it.

"We are more than eight months into the crisis and the president still doesn't have a plan," Biden claimed. "He's given up. He quit on you, on your family, on America.

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