Epaper – October 6 ISB 2020

Tuesday, 6 October, 2020 I 17 Safar, 1442 I Rs 15.00 I Vol XI No 97 I 12 Pages I Islamabad Edition

Nawaz, MaryaM booked for ‘coNspiriNg’ agaiNst state iNstitutioNs g

Fawad says PM Imran displeased with sedition case against Nawaz ISLAMABAD STAFF REPORT

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UNJAB police on Monday lodged a complaint against the deposed prime minister and Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) supreme leader Nawaz Sharif, his daughter Maryam Nawaz and other party leaders for conspiring” against state institutions.

A citizen, Badar Rasheed, lodged the first information report (FIR) with Shahdara police station under Section 10 (cyberterrorism) of the Pakistan Electronic Crimes Act, 2016, and sections 120-A (definition of criminal conspiracy), 120-B (criminal conspiracy), 121-A (conspiracy to wage war against Pakistan), 123-A (condemning the creation of the country and advocating the abolishment of its sovereignty), 124-A (sedition) and 153-A (promoting enmity between different groups) of the Pakistan Penal Code. The FIR also names party leaders Rana Sanaullah, Ahsan Iqbal, Shahid Khaqan Abbasi, Pervez Rashid, Marriyum Aurangzeb, and et al that participated in recent meetings of the central executive committee and central working committee of the party.

A copy of the complaint. The complainant states that Sharif has several corruption cases against him under trial in the courts. “Instead of availing medical treatment in London, Nawaz is carrying out a planned conspiracy to defame the country and its institutions by making inflammatory speeches.”

It alleges that in the speeches made on September 20 and October 1, the former premier supported the policies of

Court indicts Zardari in Park Lane, Thatta Water Supply references ISLAMABAD STAFF REPORT

neighbouring India, so that Pakistan would continue to remain on the Financial Action Task Force’s (FATF) grey list.

The complaint observes Sharif’s consecutive addresses come less than three weeks before a virtual meeting of the global terror financing watchdog will decide if Pakistan should be excluded from its grey list. The meeting will be held from October 21 to October 23.

With the country’s continuation in the grey list, it is increasingly becoming difficult for the government to get financial relief from the International Monetary Fund, World Bank, Asian Development Bank, and the European Union, thus further enhancing problems for the cashstrapped economy.

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An accountability court in Islamabad on Monday indicted former president and PPP Co-chairperson Asif Ali Zardari in the Park Lane estate and Thatta water supply project references related to the fake bank accounts case.

Zardari and other suspects represented themselves in the court presided over by Justice Azam Khan.

During the hearing, the former president was presented with the charge sheet of the said references while the other suspects were provided a copy of the indictments. The court framed charges against Zardari in the two references.

A total number of 19 persons were indicted in the Park Lane reference while 15 were indicted in the Thatta Water Supply reference.

Zardari pleaded not guilty to the charges as the court directed the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) to present witnesses in the Park Lane reference by Oct 20 and in the Thatta Water Supply reference by October 21.

The court had indicted Zardari and his sister Faryal Talpur on Sept 28 in the mega money laundering reference.

Zardari has been facing multiple cases, based on a mega money-laundering scandal, which came into the limelight before the July 2018 general elections. The former president, his sister Faryal Talpur and several other businessmen were being probed as part of the 2015 case regarding fictitious transactions worth Rs35 billion conducted through 29 benami accounts in Summit Bank, Sindh Bank and UBL. The former president is accused of being involved “in extending a loan and its misappropriation by M/s Parthenon Private Limited, M/s Park Lane Estate Private Limited and others”.

According to NAB, the Park Lane company was used as a “front company” to siphon off ill-gotten money. Zardari’s counsel argued that the PPP leader had been a director of M/s Park Lane, but he had resigned from the company in 2008 before assuming the office of the president of Pakistan.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 05

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Tuesday, 6 October, 2020

NEWS

PDM’S firSt rALLy tO tAke PLAce ON Oct 16 ISLAMABAD

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STAFF REPORT

ENIOR Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader and convener of Pakistan Democratic Movement’s (PDM) steering committee Ahsan Iqbal announced on Monday that the first rally of the 11-party anti-government movement will take place on October 16 in Gujranwala.

Furthermore, the PDM has announced the new schedule of rallies to take place across the country. These dates had to be changed due to objections between the main parties within the alliance.

Schedule of PDM rallies: Gujranwala — October 16 Karachi — October 18 Quetta — October 25 Peshawar — November 22

addressed a press conference. He added that the participants of the meeting had condemned the First Information Report (FIR) lodged against former prime minister Nawaz Sharif and other PML-N leaders.

Earlier today, a case was filed against the PML-N supremo pertaining to criminal conspiracy for the “provocative speeches” he made in London to “defame Pakistan’s institutions”.

The FIR asserts that the former prime minister supported Indian policies in his speeches and stated that Nawaz wanted to give the impression that Pakistan will be listed in the Financial Action Task Force’s (FATF) grey list in its upcoming meeting.

Abbasi added the PDM would target providing relief to the people.

“This government is selected and it has destroyed the economy. [The PDM demands] that the country should be run according to the Constitution,” he said.

Multan — November 30 Lahore — December 13 Earlier, the date of the Quetta rally had been October 18, but the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) had objected to that, stating that it memorialised the date for the Karsaz bombing incident in 2007 that had targeted slain party leader Benazir Bhutto.

PDM therein shifted the date of the Quetta rally and decided to join the PPP for its Karachi rally.

“Finally, a massive gathering will be held in Lahore on December 13, after which this fake setup will not be able to stand on its feet and the nation will announce that they want the rule of Constitution and law in the country,” Iqbal announced after the steering committee meeting today.

PDM Secretary-General Shahiq Khaqan Abbasi and other senior opposition leaders were present as well when Iqbal

PML-N appoints Zubair as spokesperson for Nawaz, Maryam ISLAMABAD: The opposition Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) has appointed Mohammad Zubair as the spokesperson for deposed prime minister Nawaz Sharif and his daughter Maryam Nawaz, party’s central spokesperson Marriyum Aurangzeb said on Monday. In a statement shared through the party’s Twitter account, Aurangzeb said that a spokespersons’ committee would also be formed under the guidance of the party’s primary spokesperson and central information secretary. Dr Mussadiq Malik, Mohsin Shahnawaz Ranjha, Talal Chaudhry, Uzma Bukhari and Barrister Ataullah Tarar would be part of the committee, the statement added. The development comes two weeks after Maj Gen Babar Iftikhar, director general of the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), revealed that Zubair had twice reached out to Army Chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa to discuss and legal and political woes of the PML-N supreme leader and his daughter in the past few weeks. The first meeting, Gen Iftikhar said during a television appearance, was held in the last week of August while the second was held on September 7 in the presence of Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) chief Lt Gen Faiz Hameed. Both the meetings were held on Zubair’s request, he told the programme host. “In those meetings, he [Zubair] talked about Nawaz Sharif and Maryam Nawaz,” the chief military spokesperson had revealed. STAFF REPORT

Bilawal opposes 'illegal annexation' of Sindh’s islands KARACHI: Sindh island authorities’ new ordinance was likened to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s annexation of Kashmir by Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari, who added that his party will strongly oppose the “illegal annexation”. “I ask how is this act any different to [Indian PM] Modi’s actions in Occupied Kashmir?

Move will be opposed in National, Provincial Assembly and the Senate,” he tweeted on Monday, adding that the PPP will seek a presidential ordinance through the federal government. Similarly, the ordinance was rejected by Sindh Information Minister Nasir Hussain Shah. He released a statement saying that the Islands belonged to the provincial government and Sindh’s land cannot be “occupied by any ordinance”. “The land of these Islands belonged to the people of Sindh and it is rightfully theirs,” he said.

The minister asserted that the ordinance infringed on the rights of the people, and demanded its revocation.

On September 1, President Dr Arif Alvi publicised the ordinance for establishing “Pakistan Islands Development Authority” for “development and management of islands in internal and territorial waters of Pakistan”. “Whereas the Senate and the National Assembly are not in session and the president of Islamic Republic is satisfied that circumstances exist, which render it necessary to take immediate action,” said the ordinance which emerged on social media on Friday.

The islands being discussed by the ordinance, in particular, are Bhandar and Bundal are located near Karachi and Thatta districts bordering Korangi, Phitti and Jhari creeks. STAFF REPORT

Abbasi claimed that the masses would join the PDM’s campaign against the government and that Pakistan would see “a new beginning of democracy”.

“Today, people in Pakistan are suffering as they are unemployed, and If we don’t raise our voice for them it would be a grave injustice,” said PDM Vice President Raja Pervez Ashraf.

The former prime minister said people from all walks of life were facing immense difficulties due to the government’s policies.

Furthermore, Jamiat Ulema-e-IslamFazl (JUI-F) General Secretary Maulana Abdul Ghafoor Haideri said the government had yet to fulfil any of its promises, adding that that the incumbent government has gagged the press.

“Several media workers are unemployed and industries have been severely affected,” he said.

IHC rejects petition seeking censorship of Nawaz’s provocative speeches ISLAMABAD STAFF REPORT

A petition regarding a ban Nawaz’s return to active politics and new smear campaign against state institutions was dismissed by the Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Monday, which said that the “tendency of invoking the constitutional jurisdiction of a high court in matters involving political content is certainly not in public interest”.

The plea, was heard by IHC Chief Justice Athar Minallah, urged the court to order that Nawaz’s recent “hate speeches” be taken down from the internet and that he should be prohibited from Nawaz has been in London under the pretext of medical needs, but he has recently returned to politics and last month, the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) supremo addressed the first meeting of the Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) alliance. Herein, he insinuated foul play regarding the 2018 general elections and workings of the parliament. Furthermore, he also addressed PML-N meetings where he criti-

cised the government and the military.

The petitioner had argued that Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) had set a precedent of banning hate speeches delivered by those labelled as absconders in a case. The petitioner also spoke on a fear that the country was being threatened, the court said, retorted “the security of Pakistan is not frail nor can be threatened by mere political rhetoric” Taking the petitioner’s arguments into account, the court delivered its verdict and said that the petitioner “could not give a plausible explanation for invoking the jurisdiction of this court when an alternate remedy was available” to them.

“The people of Pakistan, through their chosen representatives, have the will and resolve to safeguard the security of Pakistan. The security of Pakistan is surely not dependent on the issuance of a writ by this court,” the verdict read. In addition, the high court said that it was not in the public interest to invoke the “constitutional jurisdiction of a high court in matters involving political content”, especially in cases where the law provides “alternative remedies”.

Nawaz Sharif didn’t meet any Indian in London: Muhammad Zubair KARACHI INP

Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader Muhammad Zubair on Monday has clarified that party supremo and former prime minister Nawaz Sharif did not meet any Indian in London.

While addressing a press conference, the PML-N leader said that Nawaz is being linked to India unfairly.

The government ministers are getting personal with PMLN leaders instead of focusing on politics, he claimed.

Zubair further thanked his party for selecting him as spokesman of Nawaz and Maryam and said that the opposition will show full resistance using the platform of the Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM).

“I will continue to perform duties as spokesman till the dissolution of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf [PTI] government,” he pledged.

Zubair said that Nawaz’s speech had made the people of Pakistan “happy and satisfied”. He added that those who attended the first PDM meeting are being targeted in treason cases.

The reaction came a day after Special Assistant to the Prime Minister (SAPM) on Political Communication Shahbaz Gill had claimed that PML-N Vice President Maryam Nawaz held a meeting with an Indian at Khokhar Palace in Lahore. He claimed that the PML-N VP kept waiting at the same place after the press conference and after the signal, she allegedly went towards a predetermined meeting place.

The SAPM said that the narrative of Maryam and her father is against the country, therefore no one can bear its burden. Reacting to the statement of PML-N leader Rana Sanaullah, Shahbaz Gill tweeted, “If Rana sahib was asking, I would tell him that according to my information, the meeting with an Indian took place at Khokhar Palace.”

Indicators show economy returning to growth trajectory ISLAMABAD APP

Despite challenges at internal and external fronts, especially owing to the outbreak of coronavirus pandemic, the prudent strategy adopted by the government helped to put the country’s economy back on a growth trajectory as indicated by many economic indicators.

The industrial sector, which was badly affected due to coronavirus, rebounded and witnessed a considerable positive growth as the Large Scale Manufacturing Industries (LSMI) production grew by 5.02 per cent on a year-on-year basis during the first month of the current fiscal year compared to the corresponding month of last

year, according to Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS).

On a month-on-month basis, the industrial growth witnessed increase of 9.54 per cent in July 2020 when compared with the indices of June 2020.

The highest increase of 2.25 per cent was witnessed in the indices monitored by the Ministry of Industries, followed by 1.77 per cent increase in indices monitored by the Provincial Board of Statistics and 1 per cent increase in the products monitored by the Oil Companies Advisory Committee (OCAC). On the external front, the country’s exports also witnessed positive growth during the month of September and grew by 6 per cent on a year-on-year basis as compared to the same month of last year. According to official sources, the exports are ex-

Asif’s statement aimed at creating rift within Opp alliance, Zardari says ISLAMABAD: Days after Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader Khawaja Asif expressed “reservations” about Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari, the former president on Monday called out the former foreign minister for creating rifts within the opposition alliance. Asif, while speaking to anchorperson Mansoor Ali Khan on his programme on September 30, had said that it was “difficult” for him to trust Zardari and “certain people” in the PML-N and the PPP knew what he was referring to.

Speaking to reports outside the accountability court in Islamabad where he was indicted in the Park Lane and Thatta Water Supply references, Zardari said, “Khawaja Asif made the remarks against me at someone’s behest. It is an attempt to create rifts within the opposition.” Asif had responded when asked whether he trusted the PPP. “In politics, your adversaries today may become your friends tomorrow and your adversaries again later. There is a difference in approach and objective. As for now, we are on the same platform. We are sharing the same objectives.” When Khan asked Asif about the comments he had made earlier in which he said he regretted the “investment” made in Zardari, the latter said that he still had the same sentiments. “I still have reservations against the gentleman [Zardari],” he said. “[So] it is difficult for me to believe in him even today. I will say this again and again, I still don’t believe in him. But I would love to believe in that young man [Bilawal].” STAFF REPORT

Shehbaz tells court of ‘maltreatment’ in jail LAHORE: Leader of the Opposition in the National Assembly and Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) President Shehbaz Sharif on Monday complained that National Accountability Bureau (NAB) officials are treating him in an “inhumane and humiliating” manner in jail. While giving his statement to the accountability court, Shahbaz said that he knows he is in custody on the court’s orders, but it is his basic right that he receives medical treatment for his back pain, which he has been suffering for the last 25 years. The PML-N leader told the court that he used to ask for assistance in changing the position of his chair for prayers, but on October 1 and 2, he was refused assistance when he sought help from jail officials. Shehbaz also alleged that instead of being served food on a table, as was usual till recently, his food is now being placed on the floor. “This is being done deliberately so that I have to bend to pick it up. It is happening at the behest of Imran Khan and Shehzad Akbar,” Shehbaz alleged. The opposition leader warned that he would register a First Information Report (FIR) against the prime minister and his aide on accountability if anything happens to his health. Responding to Shehbaz’s complaint, the presiding judge said the court will not tolerate any inhumane treatment during detention and that the court’s orders will have to be followed in letter and spirit as long as the accused is in judicial custody. Further expressing his indignation, the judge said that he would not tolerate any humiliation of prisoners. STAFF REPORT

pected to grow further during the month of October.

During the first two months of the current fiscal year (July-August) the country’s merchandise trade deficit witnessed reduction of 7.48 per cent as compared to the deficit of the corresponding period of last year. According to official sources, the Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) into the country also witnessed an increase of 39.9 per cent during the first two months of the current fiscal, recorded at $226.7 million against the direct investment of $162 million during July-August (2019-20), according to latest figures of State Bank of Pakistan (SBP).

In absolute terms, the FDI into the country increased by $64.7 million during the first two months compared to the last year. On a year-on-year basis, the direct investment increased by 23.5 per cent to $112.3 million during the month of August 2020 as compared to the investments of $90.9 million in the same month of 2019.

Tuesday, 6 October, 2020

NEWS

PM OrDerS tO DeviSe rOADMAP fOr ADDreSSiNg StUNtiNg iSSUe ISLAMABAD

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STAFF REPORT

RIME Minister Imran Khan has directed to formulate a comprehensive roadmap in consultation with the provinces to address the issue of stunting.

The prime Minister said this while chairing the first meeting of Pakistan National Nutrition Coordination Council on Monday.

The prime minister asked the Special Assistant on National Health Services Dr Faisal Sultan and Special Assistant on Poverty Alleviation Dr Sania Nishtar to prepare a roadmap based on time lines

which will be presented to the Council of Common Interests (CCI).

PM Imran said that the federal government will continue to play its role to address the issue of stunted growth, adding that overcoming stunting is the top priority of the government.

He also said that stunting not only affects children’s mental and physical abilities, but also deprives the society of benefiting from their constructive abilities.

The meeting was attended by Federal Ministers Shafqat Mahmood, Dr Fehmida Mirza, Syed Fakhr Imam, Asad Umar, Commerce Adviser Abdul Razak Dawood, Special Assistants Dr Sania

Nishtar, Malik Amin Aslam and Dr Faisal, secretaries of relevant ministries and senior officials.

The provincial chief secretaries attended the meeting through video-link.

PM’s Special Assistant on Poverty Alleviation and Social Protection Dr Sania Nishtar briefed the meeting on effects of stunting on children with multiple causes including malnutrition in the past.

The meeting was informed that it is the responsibility of provincial governments to play a pivotal role in overcoming stunting. In this regard, the Ehsaas Development Dashboard has started working across the country where de-

tailed data on stunting will be available.

The meeting was informed that planning was done in the past ten years to meet the nutrition requirements of women and children but it was never effectively implemented. The result is that at present, about 40 per cent of children are the victims of stunted growth. In Sindh, this percentage is 50 per cent.

The premier, in his maiden address to the nation after assuming his office, had highlighted his government’s priority to address the issue of stunting in view of its impact on the mental and physical development of children due to malnutrition and substandard food.

644 new coronavirus cases surface; 4 more dead ISLAMABAD STAFF REPORT

Coronavirus claimed four more lives during the last 24 hours, bringing the death toll from the disease to 6,517, said the National Command and Operation Centre (NCOC) on Monday.

According to the NCOC, 29,565 samples were tested for Covid-19 during this period, out of which 644 were declared positive. The number of infections across the country has reached 315,260 with the addition of the new cases.

So far, 299,836 patients have recuperated from the disease. There are 8,907 active Covid-19 cases in the country. More than 3.6 million tests have been conducted.

So far, Sindh has reported 138,050 cases of the coronavirus, Punjab 99,812, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) 37,973, Balochistan 15,371, Islamabad 16,766, Gilgit-Baltistan (GB) 3,828, and Azad Jammu and Kashmir has reported 2,828 cases.

Meanwhile, a doctor deputed at the Polyclinic Islamabad has been confirmed with coronavirus. The doctor, whose identity has been kept secret, was working in the Urology department of the hospital and was tested after showing signs of the coronavirus infection on Saturday.

After the confirmation of the virus,

the infected doctor has been isolated, said the sources within the polyclinic hospital, while the staff working along with the was also quarantined.

The federal capital city had reported another 53 cases of Covid-19 on Sunday as a spike in cases of disease being witnessed.

As many as 4,746 samples were tested during the last 24 hours, out of which 53 turned out to be positive, federal health authorities had said. So far, Islamabad has reported 16,766 cases of the coronavirus, however the tally of active cases in the city has dropped to 549.

Meanwhile, active cases of Covid19 in Balochistan reached its lowest level, the provincial health department said in a report on Monday. According to the provincial health department, 233 more patients of coronavirus recovered yesterday. The ratio of active cases of the virus in Balochistan, have now dropped to 4 per cent.

The tally of total active cases has been 618 in the province, according to the report. A total of 15,399 cases of coronavirus have been reported in Balochistan so far and 14,635 patients have recovered to health, the report said.

In educational institutions, 593 tests conducted to diagnose coronavirus on Sunday last with zero detection of cases, the health department said in its report.

Overall,146 patients have died of novel

PM lauds services of outgoing naval chief ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Imran Khan has appreciated the services of outgoing Chief of Naval Staff, Admiral Zafar Mahmood Abbasi for the Pakistan Navy. The prime minister said this in a meeting with Admiral Zafar Mahmood Abbasi who paid a farewell call on him here on Monday. He also wished Admiral Abbasi well.

It is pertinent to mention here that Vice Admiral Muhammad Amjad Khan Niazi will replace Admiral Abbasi who retires on October 6. Zafar has been serving as naval chief since October 2017. Vice Admiral Khan will take charge as new naval chief on October 6. STAFF REPORT

Sc seeks report from trial court in graft case against civil servant ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court on Monday sought a report from the trial court pursuing the graft cases against former Lahore Development Authority (LDA) chief Ahad Cheema in two weeks as it took up his bail petition. A threemember bench headed by Justice Mushir Alam heard the petition. The counsel for Cheema while calling attention to bail granted to other suspects in the reference sought due treatment for his client. Justice Alam while seeking a response from the trial court adjourned the hearing for two weeks. The National Accountability Bureau (NAB) has alleged that Cheema being the LDA director general has accumulated assets in and outside the country beyond his known sources of income. It said the illegal assets possessed by Cheema valued over Rs600 million. The bureaucrat also held benami properties in the names of his wife and other family members, said the reference. APP

ASAD UMAr SAyS cOviD-19 SPike cAN Be AvOiDeD thrOUgh SOPS The public must follow the standard operating procedures (SOPs) to ensure coronavirus cases do not rise during the winter season, urged Federal Minister for Planning Asad Umar on Monday. The minister made the above observation during the daily situational briefing held at the National Command Operation Centre (NCOC) in Islamabad. “Monitoring of disease prevalence and containment measures are important,” said Umar, adding that not wearing face masks could result in a worsening situation. During the session, it was observed that the current hot spots emerging are the marriage halls and restaurants.

However, the meeting did recognise and commend the efforts of the education sector in complying with the health guidelines and protocols. Earlier, Prime Minister Imran Khan had shared his apprehensions about a possible second wave of coronavirus in Pakistan during the winter. The emphasis on SOPs came as a result of his urging the people of Pakistan to abide by the governmental procedures. “There is a fear onset of winter could result in 2nd wave. I urge everyone to wear face masks in public to avoid a spike. All offices and educational institutions must ensure masks are worn,” the premier said in a tweet. Pakistan had lifted the coronavirus restrictions in August after reports of a steady decline in cases of the novel infection, but recently, there seems to have been a re-emergence, resulting in the statements from PM Imran and Asad Umar. The educational institutions including seminaries in the country were also reopened last month after a six-month break amid concerns of implementation of Covid-19 safety protocols and fears of a second wave of the virus. The country has thus far reported 315,260 coronavirus cases and 6517 deaths from the coronavirus disease. NEWS DESK

coronavirus in the province till now, the health department said.

Meanwhile, Punjab on Monday reported 129 new cases of Covid-19. Punjab Chief Minister Usman Buzdar in a

statement said that the province has 1689 active cases of coronavirus. He said Punjab has overall 99,941 cases of coronavirus, while 96,012 patients have recovered to health.

PM wants shelter homes equipped with best facilities ISLAMABAD STAFF REPORT

Prime Minister Imran Khan has directed for making no compromise on the quality of facilities being provided in shelter homes. The prime minister held a meeting here on the upgrading of five shelters in the federal capital and the establishment of a network of shelters across the country equipped with the best facilities. He said that labourers and helpless people staying in shelter homes, should be served in a manner to ensure protection of their self-esteem. Expressing satisfaction over the establishment of model shelters in the federal capital and the standard of facilities provided in them, the premier said that it is the responsibility of the state to fulfil needs of the helpless and vulnerable and the government will leave no stone unturned to meet this requirement.

He instructed that workers and the needy living in the shelters should be served without any compromise on the quality of facilities in such a way as to ensure the provision of better food and accommodation facilities, as well as their self-respect.

PM Imran said that philanthropists will be encour-

aged for the establishment of standard shelters and expansion of their network. He said that since the Pakistani nation has a lot of spirit for civil service, the government will welcome such efforts.

He also, in principle, approved amending the Bait-ulMaal law for the establishment of the network of shelter homes on a permanent basis.

The meeting was attended by the Special Assistant to the PM Dr Sania Nishtar, Minister of Poverty Alleviation and Social Protection, Muhammad Ali Shehzada, Bait ul Maal (PBM) Managing Director, Aon Abbas Bappi, and other senior officials.

SAPM Dr Sania Nishtar briefed the premier in detail on the upgrading of five shelters located in the federal capital and the best facilities offered to poor labourers and other deserving people.

She told PM Imran that the data of people living in shelters is updated daily so that it is not only used to improve the service, but that it is also shared with those involved in the government’s efforts to noble cause. PBM’s Managing Director Aon Abbas Bappi presented a roadmap to the prime minister regarding the expansion of the network of shelters throughout the country.

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President condoles with kuwait’s emir on ex-ruler’s death ISLAMABAD: President Arif Alvi held a meeting with Emir of Kuwait Sheikh Nawaf Al Ahmad Al-Jaber AlSabah in Kuwait City on Monday, and condoled the death of late Emir of Kuwait Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmed Al-Jaber Al-Sabah. The president conveyed profound sympathies and condolences on behalf of Pakistani government and people. The president, who arrived in Kuwait on Monday morning, expressed profound sympathies with the Kuwaiti leadership and nation on behalf of Pakistan’s government and people, the President House said in a statement. President Alvi termed late emir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmed Al-Jaber Al-Sabah a sincere and trusted friend of Pakistan, who made an invaluable contribution to bringing the two countries and peoples closer. The president said Sheikh Sabah’s efforts in the bilateral context and for regional peace and stability would be long remembered. STAFF REPORT

Mahmood, Bajwa discuss cPec projects in kP PESHAWAR: China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) Authority Chairman Lt Gen (r) Asim Saleem Bajwa on Monday called on Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Chief Minister Mahmood Khan and discussed progress of projects under CPEC in the province. During the meeting, they also discussed future projects that would be presented in the upcoming meeting of Pak-China Joint Coordination Committee (JCC) of CPEC for approval for inclusion in the mega project. Meanwhile in his tweet, Bajwa who is also special assistant to prime minister on information and broadcasting, termed the meeting with the CM and his team very productive, saying the way the KP team was working with keenness, was highly commendable. He also recalled the dark days of terrorism in the area and said, “I recall the dark days of terrorism in and around the city a few years back, it was Pak Army, together with people of this area, who eliminated savage terrorists and cleansed the area for us to propel this region to development to its potential.” STAFF REPORT

govt committed to addressing overseas Pakistanis’ issues: fM ISLAMABAD: Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi has reaffirmed the government’s commitment to address the problems of overseas Pakistanis including those in Europe on priority basis. The foreign minister was talking to Chairman of EU-Pak Friendship Federation Ch Pervez Iqbal Losar on Monday. Qureshi said that overseas Pakistanis are the nation’s precious asset who have always open heartedly supported Pakistan in difficult times including in the wake of Covid-19. He said that Pakistan has launched economic diplomacy to apprise the foreign investors of investment opportunities in Pakistan and the government’s business-friendly policies. He said that several European countries are desirous to make investments in Pakistan as a result of Pakistan’s economic diplomacy. The foreign minister said, “We are striving to improve exports to cope with the adverse impact of coronavirus.” STAFF REPORT

faraz urges Nawaz to return to Pakistan ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Shibli Faraz has asked former prime minister Nawaz Sharif to come back to Pakistan and face all cases against him. Talking to a private news channel, he said that Nawaz has deceived and misled the entire nation and the court regarding his health. He said that the PML-N supremo went abroad to play reprehensible and dirty politics by mocking and attacking the national institutions to appease India and is speaking the language of Pakistan’s enemy by criticising the judiciary and armed forces. He also said that the government has already constituted a parliamentary committee to take effective measures to bring him back. Faraz said that Nawaz made illegal properties and assets by looting the national exchequer ruthlessly. STAFF REPORT

PEMRA asks advertisers to stop using irrelevant visuals to ‘promote consumerism’ LAHORE AHMAD SAAD

After receiving complaints pertaining to an allegedly objectionable advertisement of a biscuit brand, the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) on Monday barred the advertising agencies from “rampant use” of irrelevant visuals to

“promote consumerism”.

The said advertisement which offered a mix of song and dance has been on the receiving end of flak on social media since it first aired on Sunday with netizens accusing it of being “indecent” and “suggestive”. In a communiqué addressed to Pakistan Broadcaster Association, Pakistan Advertising Association and Pakistan Ad-

vertisers Society, a copy of which is available with Pakistan Today, the media regulatory body said it was receiving criticism for “allowing STV channels to air such indecent advertisements […] in such a bizarre manner”. “The consumers are of the opinion that presentation of the products in such manner is wittingly or unwittingly merely aiming to promote

consumerism which also requires due consideration by all the stakeholders.” The agency also urged the biscuit brand to give consideration to public sentiment and review the content of the advertisement.

The advertisers were also urged to get their content reviewed by the in-house monitoring committees “to save the consumer from the mayhem of consumerism”.

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Tuesday, 6 October, 2020

news

LoCKdowN ANd SoCIeTAL BehAvIouR: deCLININg RePoRTINg oF CRIMeS AgAINST woMeN PESHAWAR

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AZIZ BUNERI

ELAyS in the delivery of justice, societal attitudes and being confined to homes during lockdown due to Covid-19 have led to a decline in reporting of crimes against women in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP).

During the first five months of this year, the number of complaints of harass-

ment against women dropped from 4.8 to 4.2 per cent per month, while the rate of domestic violence case fell from 29.6 to 24.6. KP had reported 243 cases of crimes against women in the first five months of this year, with the highest number of 113 women killed. Of these, 17 women were killed in name of honour and 21 women were victims of attempted murder, while six women were killed as a result of domestic violence.

According to the report of KP Home

NITB launches app to confront sexual harassment ISLAMABAD: The National Information Technology Board (NITB) on Monday launched an app named to confront the increasing sexual harassment against women in society. Under the e-police feature, through the app, Harassment, the users will be able to report incidents of sexual harassment and assault. The app will also offer an understanding of what constitutes harassment at both a personal and societal level. With the current need for digital awareness and to induce a sense of urgency among women, the IT body has launched the app, an official said. The app, the official said, has been designed to ensure the safety of women, particularly in the public spheres. In any uncomfortable situation, the users will have to simply tap a button in the app to share their location with the authorities. “Harassment” is available for both iOS and Android users. APP

225 Covid-19 cases registered in KP schools since reopening PESHAWAR: A study from the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Health Department said on Monday that the provincial schools have registered 225 coronavirus cases since reopening. The period covered in the study was from September 15 to October 3, the health department said. The test results of 17,090 students, teachers, and other staff came out negative, while 4,096 results are still awaited. The ratio of positive coronavirus cases in schools stood at 1.25 per cent, the report said, adding that over 1,500 samples are being collected daily from the schools. The report further said that 22,222 samples have been collected from teachers, students, and staff, to date. The samples are being collected randomly from schools in 17 districts, it added. KP has recorded a total of 38,076 coronavirus infections, more than 1,200 deaths, and over 36,000 recoveries, according to official statistics. STAFF REPORT

KCR to be completed in three phases: Rasheed ISLAMABAD: Minister for Railways Sheikh Rasheed Ahmed has said that Karachi Circular Railway (KCR) will be completed in three phases. Speaking at a ceremony on Monday, he said that Railway Carriage Factory Islamabad will have an important role in ensuring Karachi Circular Railway. The minister said that the Main Line-1 (ML-1) railway project will prove to be an important milestone in the development of railways in the country. He said that efforts are being made for betterment of the railways employees and steps are being taken to ensure regular payment to the pensioners of Pakistan Railways.

Later talking to the media, Rasheed said that Prime Minister Imran Khan will complete his term. He said that the opposition has no public support and it is not a threat. Rashid said that PM Imran will dissolve assemblies but will not give NRO to opposition leaders.

He reiterated that ‘PML-S’ will part ways from PMLN. He also claimed that opposition wants to sabotage the Senate election. STAFF REPORT

Department, 80 women have been sexually assaulted in the province from January 1, 2020, to May 31, 2020. Similarly, 15 women have reported physical harassment and 6 have reported sexual harassment.

Reportedly, 96 women have been killed while 17 women have been put to death in the name of honour. Attempts have been made to kill 21 women in five months while cases of domestic violence against six women have come to light. A total of 243 cases have been reported from

across the province in the last five months.

The KP Home Department added that 47 women were killed in the first 10 months of 2019 in the name of honour, while in the first five months of this year, the number has risen to 17, which is to say the reporting rate has reduced from 4.7 to 3.4.

Comparing the crime rate against women with the previous year, 587 cases were registered in the first 10 months of 2019, which is 243 in the first five months of this year.

Crackdown against businesses violating SOPs continues in Karachi KARACHI TLTP

The number of cases infected with Covid-19 in Karachi have surged due to which the administration across districts cracked down against those violating standard operating procedures (SOPs) on Monday.

The district administration has moved against restaurants, marriage halls, markets and shops found violating SOPs. Depending on the extent of violations the businesses have either been warned, fined or even sealed.

The crackdown by the city administration, since September 30, came in order to curb the reemergence of Covid-19 numbers and it is parallel to the micro-smart lockdown imposed by the government in particular zones, areas where the number of cases has risen.

According to the data released by the commissioner office of the past four days, 32 marriage halls have been warned to watch their violations, while five have been penalised with a fine. The authorities have even sealed nine marriage halls for utter disregard of SOPs. On the other hand, the administration across the districts in Karachi have left warnings for 189 restaurants on the violation of SOPs, while it has fined 38 restaurants.

The same way the restaurants, about 165 of them, for their utter disregard of laid out SOPs, have been sealed by the

authorities.

Moreover, the number of shops not following the SOPs have also suffered the wrath of authorities as three shops have been sealed while two have been heavily fined.

According to the break-up of the actions taken against the number of businesses across Karachi, the South district administration fined five marriage halls and 14 restaurants while it sealed 43 restaurants and three shops.

In the East district, 29 restaurants were sealed while six restaurants and two shops were penalised.

The same way District West crackdown saw seven restaurants sealed while four, found in violation, were fined. Two marriage halls and 37 restaurants were sealed in District Central while 14 restaurants were left with a warning. In the Malir district, 29 restaurants were sealed and 19 warned following the crackdown while in the adjacent Korangi district the administration 20 restaurants were sealed and eight were fined, the administration confirmed.

It is key to note that in the past 24 hours alone, there have been 252 new Covid-19 cases out of 7,993 people tested, while two people died due to the virus the same day (Monday).

At present, according to the official numbers stated by Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah, there are 4,608 patients under treatment for Covid-19 out of which 166 belong to Karachi.

Shafqat rejects ‘fake news’ about schools’ closure ISLAMABAD STAFF REPORT

Federal Minister for Education Shafqat Mahmood on Monday refuted “fake news” circulating on social media that educational institutions would be closed again across the country from October 15 due to Covid-19 pandemic.

Taking to Twitter, the federal education minister said, “Fake news is being circulated on social media that educational institutions will be closed on Oct 15. No truth in this”.

It is noteworthy that educational institutions in the country reopened in phases starting September 15, with universities, colleges and classes nine and ten resuming on-campus sessions first. Sec-

ondary classes across Pakistan resumed on September 23, while primary schools across the country reopened from September 30.

Last month, briefing the media after a meeting of the National Command and Operation Centre (NCOC) on Covid-19, Shafqat had said the decision to reopen schools was taken in consultation with all the provinces as well as Gilgit-Baltistan (GB) and Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK).

Shafqat had said a mere 0.8 per cent of the samples taken at education institutions after they resumed on-campus classes turned out to be positive for Covid-19.

“The decision regarding school reopening was made keeping in view children’s future,” he maintained.

Most Sindh schools found disregarding social distancing, mask rules: report SUKKUR INP

Most of the schools across Sindh were found breaking the governmental standard operating procedures (SOPs), according to a monitoring report on the implementation of SOPs at educational institutions. Officials of the Evaluation and Monitoring Department visited Sindh’s 2,108 schools and sealed 46 of them for violating the government-prescribed SOPs, the report said. Hand sanitizer which was made mandatory at educational institutions was also found missing at these schools, the report disclosed. Moreover, there was a lack of cleanliness in classrooms and washrooms of many schools, the report said. It said as many as 64,000 samples were tested during a period of 20 days. Thus far, 380 students and teachers have tested positive for Covid-19 while the results of 54,000 samples are yet to come out. The majority of the positive cases detected at educational institutions belong to Karachi where 35 schools were sealed in four districts after positive cases surfaced there, the report said. A total of 44,984 schools across the province had resumed classes in phases from November 15.

FBR warns officers not to exert political pressure to get transfers ISLAMABAD SHAHZAD PARACHA

The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has warned its officers not to exert political pressure onto the administration in matters pertaining to posting or transfers. Sources said that a member of the FBR admin department has written a letter to all chief commissioners of Inland Revenue as well as Customs chief collector and director generals with regard to exertion of political pressure by officers in administration matters. “I have noticed with serious concern that certain officers in total disregard to Rule 19 & 29 of Government Servants (Conduct) Rules, 1964 are exerting political/external pressures and interferences in connection with their posting/transfers,” the officer said, according to the sources. All concerned officers have been marked and necessary observations have been placed in their personal dossiers. These official observations will be one of the main considerations when making career decisions for these officers, including promotion and disciplinary proceedings besides placement and rotations. “Therefore, at the cost of the repetition every officer is once again advised to be cautious of the seriousness of this subject at all times,” said the FBR. In this respect, all aforementioned chief officers are requested to circulate this information with the needed seriousness to all officers under their commands.

Plane-bird collision: CAA to deploy shooters near airports LAHORE STAFF REPORT

58 'wrongly suspended' pilots cleared to fly LAHORE STAFF REPORT

Pakistan Airline Pilots Association (PALPA) in a statement said that as many as 58 pilots who were suspended wrongly earlier have been cleared now, and the association will be committed to flight safety and service in the best interest of the airline and its passengers.

Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) has been under duress, and some PIA pilots with cancelled licences are contesting cases in a court of law. A PALPA spokesman said that in total 141 pilots faced cancellation of licences, and out of them, 31 pilots were not in PIA and 26 were charged on the basis of incorrect data. Meanwhile, the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) has announced the withdrawal of suspension against all wrongly accused 58 pilots.

Moreover, cases of 20 pilots were already in the courts before the publishing of the Aviation List, 2020. As many as six pilots are suspended for one year, but their cases are still in the court.

PALPA’s stance has always been very loud and clear on the matter, the spokesperson said, adding that there is a procedure for issuing a pilot’s license. Any pilot obtains the commercial pilot’s licence from the CAA upon completion of the prescribed flying hours and after passing various tests, examinations and practical training.

It is pertinent to mention here that as a result of “shortsightedness management and ill approach”, over 120 commercial pilots of Pakistan serving around the globe, including 56 ground engineers serving Kuwait Airways, lost their jobs under false accusations.

PALPA is part of global aviation professional associations and has been working around the world for passengers and flight safety, safer air while abiding by United Nation (UN), International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO), PCAA aviation rules.

PALPA has never compromised its flight safety and rules, and management has always been guided. Unfortunately, the pilots have been reprimanded for this role, the spokesperson said.

In a bid to control birds’ activity around airports of Pakistan, the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) has decided to hire the services of bird shooters.

According to CAA, initially, around 12 bird shooters would be deployed at Allama Iqbal International Airport Lahore to kill the birds which collide with planes and cause accidents. The authorities have said that garbage around the airports has been increased due to an increase in population. The CAA warns people not to throw garbage in open near airports, which attracts scavenger birds and these, in turn, run into aircraft causing serious damage to engine turbines and even the body. In August, it emerged that the CAA had decided to install a modern electronic system on major airports for ensuring flight safety from bird-plane collision incidents, making an end to the traditional procedures. However, no progress was made to prevent the national carrier from facing a huge financial loss due to bird-hit incidents. The bird strike incidents consistently occurred at the country’s airports especially in Karachi and Lahore due to the lack of cleanliness in the adjacent populated areas, posing severe dangers to the aircraft and passengers.

The PIA spokesperson had said that the incidents not only caused financial loss to the national airline but also affected flight schedule.

Tuesday, 6 October, 2020

CAbIneT LIKeLy TO RID PIA OF DebT AMOUnTIng TO bILLIOnS OF RUPeeS ISLAMABAD

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AHMAD AHMADANI

HE Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) is unable to retire its debt burden of more than Rs500 billion and the federal cabinet, which is scheduled to meet on Tuesday, is likely to take a decision in this very regard.

According to well-informed sources, PIA Chief Executive Officer Air Marshal Arshad Mahmood Malik, will brief the federal cabinet on Tuesday about the restructuring reforms of PIA ostensibly to make it self-sustainable without calling on the government for financial bail-out repeatedly. They said that PIA CEO will highlight the financial woes of the national flag-carrier. They also added that the PIA chief will tell the cabinet that even with operational profits it will not let the entity come out of a financial quagmire. The burden of debt servicing and related exchange loss of PIA is unsustainable, said sources.

The sources added that PIA chief, in its briefing, will float certain options before the government to choose from in order to make PIA self-sustainable.

Furthermore, the PIA head will ask the government to take over Pakistan International Airlines Investment Limited (PIAIL) and the government can settle financial institutions and other government organisations (e.g Civil Aviation Authority) through some options, including immediate “on-time” upfront payment, issuance of Pakistan Investment Bonds (PIB) at market rate, payment as per agreed amortization schedule or any other option to be decided by the Ministry of Finance.

Sources said that PIA head will also brief the cabinet about restructuring measures regarding its foodservice division (FSD), technical ground service (TGS), base management of engineering department, revenue enhancement strategies, human resources restructuring, financial restructuring, and restructuring measures pertain to Precision Engineer-

ing Complex (PEC).

It is also learnt that PIA management has been evaluating the possibility of management contract of food services at Karachi and Islamabad. While this will not generate much in terms of cost saving, it will definitely improve product quality and customer satisfaction. Similarly, the management of PIA has been evaluating the possibility of operating and management contract for technical ground service (TGS).

Likewise, PIA management is evaluating different options to get out of the courier business which was launched by PIA in 2003. It has been considering outsourcing or partnering options for Speedex.

Moreover, the airline is tackling revenue enhancement strategies, route rationalisation, product improvement, yield enhancement, enhanced focus on corporate business, network optimisation, ancillary revenue, codeshare of the alliance to expand the network, revamping of web business portal and offering special pack-

ages for online users and reduction in distribution cost by implementing HITIT portal plus.

In order to bring the number of employees in line with requirements of the organisation and achieve right-sizing of the human resource for improvement in the company’s financial position and productivity, PIACL is in the process of announcing Voluntary Separation Scheme (VSS-2020) to all eligible employees. The proposal has been submitted to the Aviation Division for onward submission and approval by the federal cabinet’s economic coordination committee (ECC), said sources.

An official of PIA, on condition not to be named, said that total debt of PIA accumulated till 2019 was of Rs464 billion while the exchange rate loss was Rs47 billion.

It is pertinent to mention here that the federal cabinet meeting is scheduled on Tuesday to take up a 15-point agenda including a presentation regarding year on year profit/loss incurred by PIACL.

Provincial status for GB key to CPEC’s success LAWMAKERS SAY PROVINCIAL STATUS TO GB WILL FACILITATE THOSE FOREIGN INVESTORS WHO ARE RELUCTANT TO INVEST DUE TO DISPUTED STATUS OF THE AREA ISLAMABAD GHULAM ABBAS

As proposed by the incumbent government, the grant of provincial status for Gilgit-Baltistan, the gateway of China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), will guarantee success for the multibillion dollar corridor, besides opening new ways of investment in the strategically located northern part of the country.

These views were expressed by the lawmakers from GB and representatives of Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI), Gilgit Chamber of Small Industry, Hunza Chamber of Commerce and Nagar Chamber of Commerce during a joint press conference held the National Press Club on Monday.

Addressing the press conference, FPCCI Vice President and GB Excise and Taxation caretaker minister Muhammad Ali Qaid said the grant of constitutional provincial status to GB would facilitate those foreign investors to invest in GB who were reluctant to invest due to the existing disputed status of the area.

"The provisional provincial status for GB will ensure

success for the CPEC, as a number of already approved/planned mega projects under CPEC were waiting for foreign investment."

He said the provisional provincial status would not affect the Kashmir issue, as GB, under the proposed reforms, would be able to participate in the plebiscite of Kashmir, whenever it is held.

Showing a set of resolutions passed by the legislative assembly of GB, he said that the unanimous resolutions of the assembly demanding provincial status are evidence of the demand of people of GB, who are deprived of their due rights for the past 73 years.

“We are thankful to the government, political parties and Pakistan Army for deciding about fulfilling demands of the people of GB. I request the government and opposition parties to grant the new status to GB even before the election, scheduled in the mid of next month,” he added.

He recalled that in 1947, the people of GB liberated the whole region from Dogras and unilaterally joined Pakistan. “You all gained independence and established your independent state there, but we offered selfless love and ideological relationship with Pakistan,” he

Court indicts Zardari in Park Lane, Thatta Water Supply references

added, “We are considered Pakistani and now we want to be a part of Pakistan - constitutionally and the time has come that Gilgit-Baltistan will be the fifth province of Pakistan.”

Speaking on the occasion, GB Caretaker Law Minister Muhammad Yaseen said that proposal of provisional provincial status for Pakistan was the outcome of an extensive study and discussion by a high-level committee constituted by previous government under the head of Sartaj Aziz.

There was consensus developed among all stakeholders that GB would be made the provisional province pending the resolution of the Kashmir dispute.

“This is the right time to make development regarding GB and delay in the process would benefit those of the country’s enemies,” he added.

Addressing the conference representatives of different chambers of commerce of GB also demanded early grant of constitutional provincial status to GB. They said that there was no opposition to granting provincial status to GB and the government of Pakistan should take immediate action over it now.

“Besides, there is no rationale in the argument that giving constitutional rights to Gilgit-Baltistan would harm the Kashmir cause,” Mr Muhammad Qaid of Nagar Chamber of Commerce said adding, “We stand with the Kashmiri people for the Kashmir cause and I believe that the people of Kashmir too wants to see that our people are getting their rights.”

Nawaz, Maryam booked for ‘conspiring’ against state institutions

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 01

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 01

The Thatta water supply company case pertains to the illegal awrd of a contract by the Sindh Special Initiative Department for a water supply scheme in Thatta to a private contractor, Harish & Co. Speaking to reporters outside the court, Zardari, when asked to comment on Khawaja Asif’s statement about him, said: “He must have given the statement on somebody’s instructions.” “The intent was to divide the opposition,” he said. Speaking about the cases filed against him, Zardari said that he had previously suffered under the same circumstances when cases were filed against him. “When we are in opposition, such cases are filed against us,” he said. “We have been going through these cases [in the past as well].”

“The main purpose of Nawaz’s speeches is to isolate Pakistan in front of the international community and to declare it a rogue state,” the FIR says.

It adds that Sharif is trying to turn the people against the democratically elected government.

The aim of the speeches is also to divert attention from human rights violations in occupied Kashmir to benefit Sharif’s “friend” Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the complainant says.

Meanwhile, the Islamabad High Court (IHC) reserved its verdict on the maintainability of a plea seeking a ban on Sharif’s speeches. The petition states that the former premier has started actively participating in politics and has initiated a smear campaign against state institutions, after going abroad on the pretext of availing medical treatment.

‘FIR AIMED AT SUPPRESSING OPP’: PML-N leader Ahsan Iqbal, in a statement condemning the registration of the case, said: “Registering treason cases against politicians cannot hide the ineptitude of the government. Instead of addressing unemployment, inflation and poverty, the government is using state machinery to suppress the opposition.”

In a statement, PML-N spokeswoman Marriyum Aurangzeb said that the registration of the case was proof of the fact that the

MUFAP, CDC ink accord for mutual fund digital platform KARACHI: Mutual Funds Association of Pakistan (MUFAP) and Central Depository Company of Pakistan (CDCP), through its subsidiary ITMinds Limited, have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) for the development and implementation of a digital platform for the support of the mutual fund industry. Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP) Chairman Aamir Khan presided over the MoU signing ceremony held at the CDC House in Karachi. Shedding light on the features of the platform, CDC CEO Badiuddin Akber said, “This FinTech solution aims to enhance the investor outreach for Asset Management Companies (AMCs) by leveraging the power of technology to provide a convenient, informative and interactive medium for investors to invest in a wide range of investment products offered by different mutual funds.”

MUFAP Chairman Dr Amjad Waheed lauded the efforts of CDC and SECP and said that this initiative will pave the way for the growth of the mutual fund industry. Addressing the occasion, SECP Chairman Aamir Khan said that the initiative is in line with the commission's highly recommended course of action for the mutual fund industry which advocates the development of alternate distribution channels and digital platforms. STAFF REPORT

CMYK

“selected” government was “panicking”.

“Voices fighting for the truth and for the rights [of the people] can’t be suppressed by such false and baseless cases.” She added that political opponents, the media, and those fighting for human rights and democracy were now being labelled as “traitors”.

‘PM IMRAN DISPLEASED WITH SEDITION CASE’: While the PML-N leaders play themselves as the victimised revolutionaries, members of the incumbent government have asserted this is not politically motivated. Science and Technology Minister Fawad Chaudhry claimed in a Twitter post that Prime Minister Imran Khan was not aware of the registration of the sedition case against Sharif and other PML-N leaders.

“The prime minister was not aware when I brought into his notice that an FIR has been registered [in Lahore] in which Nawaz Sharif and others have been nominated,” Fawad said, adding that, “He [Imran Khan] expressed strong displeasure.”

Furthermore, Fawad stated it is not the policy of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) to file sedition cases, and rather, that was “a Sharif-era tactic”.

“We still have moves to play on the political chessboard. The PML-N should save its pawns because the king and the queen cannot be dragged into the game too soon,” he wrote in another tweet. “The game has just begun. No need to hurry,” the minister said.

NEWS

05

Mudassar Riaz appointed new Lahore DC LAHORE SHAHAB OMER

Lahore Deputy Commissioner (DC) Danish Afzal has been transferred and Mudassir Riaz has been appointed in his place. On becoming a competent officer, Afzal was appointed Punjab Small Industries Corporation MD. He also worked on the additional charge of commissioner of Lahore Division on the third change of commissioner.

The Services and General Administration Department also issued a notification in this regard. The newly-appointed Lahore DC Riaz said that according to the orders of Chief Minister Usman Bazdar, Lahore will see improvement. “Improving Lahore's problems will be my first priority.

Work on development schemes in Lahore will be completed on time. The doors of my office will be open to all inquirers. We will focus on improving the sanitation system in Lahore,” he said. It is pertinent to mention here that Riaz, a BS-19 officer, belongs to the 33rd Common of the Pakistan Administrative Services Group. He has also been commissioner of DG Khan, special secretary home of Punjab, deputy commissioner of Jhang and Multan in the past. Riaz was serving as Punjab Small Industries Corporation MD.

Fazl’s close aide Moosa Khan sent to jail on judicial remand DI KHAN STAFF REPORT

An accountability court on Monday sent Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman’s close aide, Moosa Khan, to jail on judicial remand. The National Accountability Bureau (NAB) produced him before the court on expiry of his remand and informed that the corruption watchdog has completed its investigation against him, due to which his custody is no longer needed. The court sent the accused to jail on judicial remand until the next hearing. It is noteworthy that the Peshawar High Court is expected to take up his bail plea on October 7. The national graft buster had arrested Khan on September 23 on charges of amassing assets disproportionate to sources of his income. He is a former DFO and his eldest son Tariq Baloch is Fazl’s personal secretary. It is pertinent to mention here that the corruption watchdog is also investigating the JUI-F chief in an assets beyond means case. On September 29, the bureau had said that the inquiry against Fazl is continuing in NAB Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

Capt Safdar gets protective bail in sedition case LAHORE STAFF REPORT

The Lahore High Court (LHC) on Monday granted protective bail to Captain (r) Muhammad Safdar, the son-in-law of Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) supremo Nawaz Sharif, in a sedition case. Justice Asjad Javed approved the bail for Captain (r) Safdar until October 10 and directed him to join investigation into the case. In his plea, the PML-N leader termed the case a political vengeance. He said that he wanted to join a police investigation into the case and requested the court to grant him protective bail. A first information report (FIR) was registered against Safdar and a PML-N MPA, Imran Khalid Butt, at a police station in Gujranwala’s Satellite Town on Sunday. According to the FIR, Captain (r) Safdar had threatened to topple the government through protests and allegedly provoked people against the state and its institutions.

Opposition trying to create anarchy in country: Ijaz ISLAMABAD: Interior Minister Ijaz Ahmed Shah on Monday said that opposition parties want to create anarchy in the country. “Former prime minister Nawaz Sharif is projecting anti-Pakistan propaganda from London,” Shah said, adding that the anti-state narrative adopted by the opposition was aimed at creating anarchy in the country. The minister further said that the PML-N supremo fled to London on the pretext of his worsening health. The former prime minister has launched an assault over state institutions to hide his corruption, he added. STAFF REPORT

Tuesday, 6 October, 2020

06 COMMENT

Hating oneself

The dangerous game Everything seems stable until it is not

A

FTeR having exhausted its narrative of PmL-N leaders’ corruption without creating a dent in the party’s following as revealed by opinion surveys, the Pm says he is hundred percent sure that India is helping mian Nawaz Sharif. An FIR has been registered against the former Prime minister and a number of PmLN leaders for ‘conspiring’ against Pakistan and state institutions. A Special Assistant to Pm told media that ms maryam Nawaz had met an Indian at Khokhar Palace.The charge was promptly denied by the owner of the venue.

Treason cases have been initiated against Captain (rtd) Safdar and PmL-N mPA Usman Khalid Butt for defaming army and inciting hate only because they were organizing a public meeting in Gujranwala. Besides hoping that the allegations would reduce the PmL-N’s following, the PTI also wants to divert its ongoing fight with the PmL-N into a fight between the army and the PmL-N. The Pakistan Democratic movement (PDm) is targeting the government for its abysmal performance.

The government’s lack of competence has made life difficult for millions of people. The wheat price continues to increase because the government failed to control the hoarders who smuggled the commodity to neighbouring countries. The government then delayed the import of wheat. Soon there are going to be gas shortages because the PTI government did not take the required measures to improve the gas supply for more than two years. As winter approaches there will be power shut downs and increase in electricity charges. The issues will continue to roil the common man and lead to protests even if the government arrests the entire PmL-N leadership on whatever charges it likes. madr-e-millat Fatima Jinnah, Bacha Khan, Gm Syed, and Benazir Bhutto have all been called traitors and security risks by the pigmies in power and their sycophants. Those who leveled these charges hoped that the system they were building by jailing the opponents, denying the people’s basic rights, and curbing the media would last long. It didn’t. Stigma remains attached to their names. Those they maligned by calling into question their patriotism continue to be respected.

The greatest love affair of all

HASAN AFTAB SAEED

S

ome people are more partial than others to the finer things in life such as music and dance. many of us appreciate these art forms, provided they are in good taste – a judgment each one of us makes and which differs from person to person. of course, there are those who are of the opinion that their religion prohibits certain art forms and music and dance happen to be on the forbidden list. They believe these things need to be avoided, and they keep away from them – fair enough! It is no surprise if they are not huge fans of singers and dancers. But there is a third category: those who are by no means averse to music or dance but who – at the same time – have some extremely contemptuous things to say about the practitioners of these crafts. I have often wondered what must be going on in the heads of such people.

Recall the holier-than-thou condemnation of political gatherings where participants dance (as if it is a crime!). What is one to make of this reproval if it comes from somebody who is known to enjoy his music as much as the next man? of course, one could dismiss it as mere political fault-finding, but is that all? A politician (or a commentator) will only say such things if he is confident that they will be lapped up by his constituency (or audience). obviously, what is at play here is good old snobbery, where it is somehow beneath ‘respectable’ folks to conceive and perform art, but it is quite all right for them to enjoy it.

But there is more to it than that. of course, this brand of sanctimony can always

South Sindh Constitutional process must be followed

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RBG

UCH like the age old demand for a separate province of South Punjab from seraiki speaking parties of the region, the carving out of a separate province from Sindh, consisting mainly of urban areas such as Karachi and Hyderabad, has been actively pursued by the mQm-P for years. moves are yet again afoot to use the muhajir-card to make a case for ‘South Sindh’, that are being vehemently denounced by the PPP, which is in power in Sindh and therefore cannot allow any break-up of the province. The mQm-P held a massive rally last month to voice its demands while the PPP held a power show over the weekend vowing not to let any such division take place. Both parties however must realise that the creation of a new province from within an existing federating unit is simply not possible without following the constitutionally mandated process of passing a resolution, with a two thirds majority no less, in the legislature of the province that is being proposed to be broken up. With the PPP holding a comfortable majority of 99 seats in the Sindh assembly, it is simply impossible at the moment for the mQm-P with its 21 seats, to pull off such a feat and therefore it cannot do much more than hold rallies.

This dangerous game has been played before and resulted in nothing but Sindhi-muhajir ethnic violence. It seems that although the mQm-P has parted ways with its former boss Altaf Hussain, who was responsible for turning Karachi into a lawless hotbed of targeted killing, extortion and looting; the new leadership of the party has not learnt any lessons. While the city’s law and order situation has improved drastically over the past decade, severe problems still remain, such as the lack of investment in infrastructure development that cripples the metropolis annually during the monsoon season. Both the PPP and mQm-P blame each other for the city’s destruction, but the fact is that both parties have been in positions to fix these persistent issues for years without any meaningful results to speak of. This is one of the bases upon which the mQm-P is pushing for South Sindh.

A separate province is simply not the answer and flaming such fires on the streets of urban Sindh should be discouraged and stopped. Instead, both parties must find some common ground and work together rather than against each other to address the woes of the people.

Justice, justice you shall pursue

SAlmAN muNir

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He was born on march 15, 1933 in New York. on June 27, 1950, she graduated as Valedictorian from her High School but was unable to attend and give commencement address because of the death of her mother just two days earlier. In 1954 she graduated from Cornell University and spent the next two years with her husband, one year her senior, who had been called to military service. In 1956 she entered Harvard Law School as one of the only nine women in a class of 552. Harvard Law School had not admitted women students until 1950 and in 1956 still did not look favorably upon female students. So much so that Dean erwin Griswold in a reception for new students asked each woman student why she occupied a slot that would otherwise have gone to a man. Her husband, also a student at Harvard Law School, graduated a year earlier and took up a position at a law firm in New York. Wanting to join her husband in New York, she applied to Harvard for permission to complete her third year at Columbia University. Her request was denied despite having the practice of granting such permission to male students. Had her request been granted, she would have graduated from Harvard instead of Columbia. At Columbia Law School, she was one of twelve women and in may 1959, she graduated from Co-

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be attributed to doublethink: unconsciously believing posed to give up when one became a muslim. In other two contradictory things at the same time. But this words, had he still been missing things from his old only accounts for part of the problem. The words used life, he would still be living that life. Unfortunately, to refer to musicians and dancers (‘meeraasi’ and not everybody is as uncluttered in his thoughts. There worse) and the disdain on display while doing that are hordes of men who cannot refrain from certain betrays something even more sinister than plain snob- activities despite believing at the same time – justifibery. It becomes very easy to denounce others after ably or otherwise - that they are forbidden. Nothing one’s own guilty pleasures have been successfully messes up the mind quite like this sort of confusion. one of the ways many people deal with the problem projected onto them.

This aspect touches upon the discrepancy is by taking any opportunity to condemn others after projecting onto them their between one’s conception of own moral conflicts that morality (particularly sin) they hate themselves for and one’s actions. This is harbouring. This appears to probably the single largest take care of the guilt for a factor behind most mental This sort of attitude is not while. That the relief is only diseases. As to why one ends confined to music and dance temporary, and that this up doing bad things despite tends to make them even having a perfectly good phionly.

It could be anything that more bitter (and therefore losophy remains a difficult is rightly or wrongly unhappier) with time is anquestion to answer. The other story. problem is as old as humanconsidered a moral injunction, This sort of attitude is ity itself. martin Luther not confined to music and wrestled with it for a very but the temptation of which dance only. It could be anylong time. He asked himself: proves too strong to resist. It thing that is rightly or Why is it that despite all the wrongly considered a moral good intentions I always end could be, for example, choice injunction, but the temptaup sinning? He ‘solved’ the of attire or behaviour on the tion of which proves too problem by redefining sin. strong to resist. It could be, That solution may have satpart of others that is for example, choice of attire isfied him, but sin remains an elusive subject to underconsidered by the ‘righteous’ or behaviour on the part of others that is considered by stand, and people still have folks to be too bold. the ‘righteous’ folks to be all sorts of silly ideas about too bold. of course, they do it. These in turn give birth to not hate any of these things a variety of problems, inper se. In fact, they themcluding the one under disselves often indulge in them cussion. There would be far fewer problems of this sort if people were genuinely in their weaker moments. But they also hate themconvinced that man was punished by his sins, not for selves for it. The rest is convincing themselves just his sins. For starters, there would be much less jeal- how good they are, by the simple act of berating the ousy of those who appear to be enjoying wonderful ‘immoral brigade’. A lot has been written on narcisthings that a thoughtful man is obligated to refrain sism; not nearly enough on hating oneself, which is arguably the greatest love affair of all. from, often with very limited success.

Gary miller was asked what he missed most from Hasan Aftab Saeed is a connoisseur of music, his old life after reverting to Islam. He famously replied that it was not as though there were all sorts literature, and food (but not drinks). He can be of wonderful things outside Islam that one was sup- reached at www.facebook.com/hasanaftabsaeed

lumbia tied for first position in the class. many years because she believed that if you support women you later in 1971, Harvard finally thought her worthy of help men too as they were discriminated against as a degree and Dean Albert Sacks offered her a Har- well. RBG was equally fearless in delivering dissentvard degree if she renounced her Columbia degree. ing opinions as a Justice. Here again she believed that She replied “I hold only one earned degree.” And one day something good might come out of her dis“It is from Columbia. I treasure it and will have no senting opinions. She told Nina Totenberg that “Some other.” She died on September 18, 2020 in Washing- of my favorite opinions are dissenting opinions, I will ton, D.C. at age 87. Her name was Ruth Bader Gins- not live to see what becomes of them, but I remain burg and at the time of her death she was an hopeful.” As RBG explained in one of her lectures Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the “dissenting justices occasionally do more than simply write a dissent—they deliver an oral summary of the United States.

Ruth Bader Ginsburg affectionately known as dissent from the bench, after the case has been anRBG, was the second female Judge at the US nounced by the author of the majority opinion.”

RBG forcefully dissented in one of the landmark Supreme Court. Despite her top place at Columbia, she was unable to find a job with a law firm just cases and where she did live to see the fruits of her dissent become the law in like the first female judge 2009. In 2007, Ledbetter v. at the Supreme Court, SanGoodyear Tire & Rubber dra Day o’Connor who Company was decided by after graduating near the RBG has left a tremendous the Supreme Court by a 5/4 top of her class at Stanford vote overlooking an imporLaw School in 1952 could legacy. As a professor, lawyer tant provision of the civil not find a position in a law rights law barring employfirm except that of a secreand judge she came up with discrimination and tary. Such were the hardthought provoking ideas and ment holding that pay discrimiships faced by women of nation claims against emthat era. The field of law left her imprint as big as ployers could not be was dominated by men Thurgood Marshall. Even brought after more than everywhere including in 180 days from the alleged Pakistan. Law firms were after her death she was act of discrimination. She notorious for hiring males just like male only country honored and became the first said reading her and three justices’ dissent in clubs. The only female woman in US history to lie in other this case “In our view, the lawyer to have broken the Court does not compreglass ceiling erected by state at the US Capital. hend, or is indifferent to, male lawyers in Pakistan the insidious way in which was Asma Jahangir. Little women can be victims of wonder then the Supreme pay discrimination.” She Court of Pakistan has yet to continued “This is not the first time the Court has have a female justice.

There are several other instances that will give ordered a cramped interpretation of Title VII, inthe readers a glimpse of the hardships in the not too compatible with the Statute’s broad remedial purdistant past that career-minded women had to endure pose. In 1991, Congress passed a Civil Rights Act even in a country like the United States. Scott Dodson that effectively overruled several of the Court’s reedited “The Legacy of Ruth Bader Ginsburg” and in- strictive decision and went on to say “Today, the ball cluded Nina Totenberg’s article mentioning that RBG again lies in Congress’ court. As in 1991, the Legis“was recommended for a Supreme Court clerkship, lature has cause to note and correct this Court’s parbut Justice Felix Frankfurter wouldn’t even interview simonious reading of Title VII.” Congress acted her.” And how “she wore loose clothes to hide her upon her nudging and indeed passed a law called pregnancy while teaching at Rutgers for fear she Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act of 2009. This was the would not get tenure if they knew she was pregnant.” first law signed by President Barrack obama.

RBG has left a tremendous legacy. As a profesAnd most remarkably how “she was the first woman to teach at Harvard Law School but was not offered sor, lawyer and judge she came up with thought provoking ideas and left her imprint as big as Thurgood a permanent position.”

With such deep biases in the legal profession it is marshall. even after her death she was honored and amazing that in time Sandra Day o’Connor became became the first woman in US history to lie in state the most powerful woman in the United States and at the US Capital.

RBG was called the Thurgood marshall of women.

Salman Munir is a management consultant and She became an Icon of gender equality and profoundly impacted the way we think about everything. innocence lawyer. He can be reached at She was fearless about pressing the cause for women as1236m@gmail.com

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Tuesday, 6 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

Babri demolition acquittal oN october 1, a special CBI court in Lucknow acquitted all 32 accused in the Babri masjid demolition case, including former deputy prime minister L.K. Advani, former Union ministers murli manohar Joshi and Uma Bharti and former Uttar Pradesh chief minister Kalyan Singh. Ironically, the demolition sparked nationwide riots that killed more than 3,000 people in a decades-long dispute that has fueled Hindu-muslim tension, as the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party’s campaign for Hindu renaissance helped bring it to power. The special court judge said that the demolition was not pre-planned and that the accused were “trying to stop the mob and not incite them”. He added that there was not enough evidence against the accused and that the court could not probe the authenticity of the audio and video evidence provided by the CBI. Reacting to the verdict, Pakistan strongly condemned the “shameful” acquittal of those responsible for demolishing the historic Babri masjid in Ayodhya. The failure of secularism in India is apparent from its treatment to the minorities. India is intolerable of religious minorities.

India preaches democracy and rule of law but does not practice it. The image of India abroad is of a tolerant country but the reality is otherwise as democracy notion include protection of minorities. The government has failed to protect vulnerable communities including Dalits, tribal groups, and religious minorities such as Sikhs, muslims and Christians.

AfiA AmbrEEn rAwAlpindi

A decent society

Imploding from within Trump is pushing the country to the brink of civil war

Dr AloN BEN-mEir

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RUmP has repeatedly refused to commit to a peaceful transfer of power following the election: “Well, we’re going to have to see what happens. You know that I’ve been complaining very strongly about the ballots and the ballots are a disaster.” Trump has demonstrated beyond any doubt that he has no respect for American democracy as such. His words should be seen as an assault on the very foundations of this country, which is first and foremost a nation that has always ensured and honored the smooth succession of executive authority. What the president said is nothing short of treasonous, and may well lead to open violence should he lose — a situation for which he is apparently prepared and fomenting his base. Trump has said and done much that was harmful during his time in office, but this statement may be the very worst and most dangerous things that have ever come out of his mouth.

Last week Senate majority Leader mitch mcConnell rebuked Trump’s statement in a tweet affirming that there will be a peaceful transition of power. That same evening, a resolution introduced by Senator Joe manchin (D-WV) passed unanimously, which affirms “the Senate’s commitment to the orderly and peaceful transfer of power called for in the Constitution of the United States,” noting that a “disruption” in the transfer of executive power “could produce results detrimental to the safety and well-being of the United States.” However, such a resolution is largely figurative and may lack statuary power if Trump still refuses to recognize the result of the election.

Although the resolution sent a clear message that he is crossing a red line that even his supporters in the Senate will not accept, it is critical that every political body, institution, think tank, and media outlet that stands for democracy comes out immediately with a clear, decisive, and unambiguous statement condemning Trump’s assertion to send him a message that

what he said is tantamount to treason and that wide civil disobedience in the absence of such transition. In conjunction, many labor unions, he will face the direst consequences.

In fact, even during the presidential debates such as the AFL-CIo, UAW, and American Fedin 2016, Trump repeatedly stated that he would eration of Teachers, should issue a similar statenot accept the results of the election unless he ment that a nation-wide strike will occur.

Constitutional experts from all over the won. There should be no reason at this point, now that he is president, not to take him at his country should sign a joint letter to state that reword. The media in general should hammer this fusing a peaceful transfer of power is clearly in point day in and day out now until the transfer contrast to what the Constitution is all about, and condemn Trump’s words in the strongest terms. of power on January 20, 2021.

Although he has already pledged to push The House of Representatives must follow the Senate’s lead and pass immediately a resolu- through a hearing, if mitch mcConnell has an tion, warning Trump of the ominous conse- ounce of integrity left, he should now refuse to iniquences he and the country will face if he does tiate a confirmation hearing of any Supreme Court nominee, which Trump not adhere to the constivowed to submit within tutional process and vadays. Trump, who has cate his office gone on a rampage to peacefully.

Beyond In fact, even during the delegitimize the result of Congress, every Repubthe election for months, lican in any official capresidential debates in 2016, made it clear that should pacity must he lose the Supreme immediately issue a Trump repeatedly stated that Court will have to adjustatement condemning he would not accept the dicate and render the in the strongest terms final decision.

Trump’s clear refusal to results of the election unless This is why he is commit to a peaceful he won. There should be no rushing to nominate antransition of power other Republican should he lose in Noreason at this point, now that Supreme Court Justice, vember. Such a statement must be he is president, not to take him hoping that he or she will vote in his favor. unmistakable, and leave at his word. The media in The Democrats should no room for any doubt. hammer home and reopinion writers who general should hammer this mind mcConnell of his value the importance of point day in and day out now actions in 2016, when a peaceful transition of he refused to even meet power and the critical until the transfer of power on with obama’s nominee importance of free and merrick Garland, let fair elections and the adJanuary 20, 2021. alone hold confirmaherence to their results tion hearings. To conshould immediately tinue with Trump’s write a column, whether plan will only demonfor their media outlet or at a minimum on social media, condemning in the strate mcConnell’s hypocrisy, which may destroy the Republican Party in the process. strongest words what Trump has said.

Four years of political turmoil under Trump Vice President Biden should raise Trump’s refusal to commit to a peaceful transfer of may well end with massive violence akin to a civil power during next week’s debate. Biden must war. Trump is priming his base to act violently, demand a clear and explicit commitment from and with over 390 million firearms in the hands of Trump in front of the nearly 100 million Amer- Americans, one can only imagine the calamitous icans who will be watching that he will adhere consequences if violence is to erupt between his to a peaceful transition of power and will not supporters and those who oppose him.

The Republican leadership in every state and contest the results.

Gen. mark milley, Chairman of the Joint every municipality are the prime body that can Chiefs of Staff, should reiterate his statements stop this potential calamity from occurring. Time from July and August that the military will not is of the essence. Should the Republican Party intervene under any circumstances in a political as a whole fall short of taking a stand against matter, whether protecting Trump from being re- Trump at this juncture, they will subject the namoved from the White House should he lose and tion to turmoil unseen since the Civil War. Not refuse to leave, or physically removing him in a single Republican leader will be able to claim the same situation. For good reason, Trump’s that he or she were not warned. physical removal from the White House should Dr Alon Ben-Meir is a professor of internabe left to US marshals. every civil society organization ought to tional relations at the Centre for Global Affairs issue a warning that the American people will at NYU. He teaches courses on international nenot stand for anything less than a peaceful trans- gotiation and Middle Eastern studies. fer of power, and that they will promote nation- alon@alonben-meir.com

We are lucky that we have parents who are our teachers, guiders, supporters, friends and more importantly our confidants. Parents play a vital role in everybody’s life. They care about our every single act. They make us ready to face the world. They support us when we are helpless.

Additionally, parents are too much concerned about their children’s future.

They are the ones who guide and help us to become a prominent person in the society. Parents not only teach the kids the way of behaving but teach them how to stand on their own feet. They are the ones who are with us when all the world is against us. Furthermore, they sacrifice their everything for the comfort of their children. They are the legends of our lives. After doing so much for us they demand nothing except respect.

Thus, the parents are supposed to be respected ever.

Hoorbibi nAz TurbAT

Jodhpur incident I hereby wish to draw the urgent attentions of the relative authorities towards the recent tragic death of eleven innocent Pakistani migrants in Jodhpur, India in August. Indian police claims it was a collective suicide because of a family dispute. While surviving member reported it was a willful murders and victims were poisoned to death by Indian agency. In this context, naturally, many questions raise here: how come a collective suicide possible? If this incident was a family dispute why Indian government was reluctant to reveal the facts on time and allowed access to High Commission of Pakistan in India to crime scene in order to investigate the crime? Clearly, It speaks volume about the sorry state of affairs. Hence, gravity of the crime requires urgent diplomatic measures as it is question of human security of other Dalits as well and Pakistan is obliged to act under international obligations. It is vehemently urged to do the needful on diplomatic level; mitigate the fears of Pakistani migrants living across border and dispense speedy justice to relatives. m SHAHjAHAn mEmon QAmbEr Ali KHAn

Justice denied LATe Indian Bollywood mega star and lead actor Sushant Singh Rajboot did not commit suicide rather his death was a pre-planned murder, reported the Indian media.Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and Narcotics Crime Bureau (NCB) are investigating in order to trace the suspects involved in the crime.NCB had put late actor’s girlfriend Rhea Chakraborty in custody and she has accepted that she used to give Sushant Singh Rajboot drugs.The purpose of giving drugs was to snatch his property of above fifty Indian crores.The disclosion of the case should go to end plus the people involved must be exposed in front of the world and must be awarded great punishments.He had come up from a poor family.By a lot of hard work ,he became a back ground dancer and finally accomplished his dream of being a lead actor.

HAmAl m.nAHEEm bAlocHiSTAn

Smashing patriarchy AFTeR the tragic motorway gang rape, many others rapes cases reported causing intense grief & outrage among the nation. many visionary & wise social activist seeing the current ongoing situations as test case for judiciary & it’s a high time to reconsider the social training for teenage boys. motorway gang rape case should serve as an eye-opener for Pakistani society. Why rape, harassment and domestic violence is increasing day by day? on an average 9 Rape cases per day, harassment at workplace and educational institutions is clear manifestation of “No Rules of Law” in Pakistan. It’s a universal truth that justice delayed is justice denied. mukhtara mai Gang Rape Case is an example where she was raped on the orders of so-called tribunal court “Panchyat”. Neither Pakistan’s Chief executive General musharraf nor judiciary took it seriously. musharraf’s remarks on that case was seriously unscrupulous & can’t be justified. many people claimed films and Vulgar media Content is behind this rape and Harassment mindset. Society needs to understand that what’s going on in the minds of men? How “planned & Scripted” scenes can dismiss 20 years of “Tarbiat” in few minutes? It’s sign of disasters situation for the upcoming progenies. These rising incidents revealed us Parents and Teachers has been failed in fulfilling their responsibilities. mostly girls were socialsexual trained by their mothers but how boys are getting this social-sexual training? In modern world era, sex is shaped by Internet Pornography.

Engr. m. uSmAn jAvEd SiAl bAHAwAlpur

Tuesday, 6 October, 2020

08 WORLD VIEW

The making of The “good Cia” IN HISTORY AND POP CULTURE, A WAVE OF REVISIONISM HAS SUBTLY CLEANED UP THE AGENCY’S IMAGE

PRESTIGE POP CULTURE HAS ASSISTED IN THE IMAGE SURGERY, WITH SYMPATHETIC, TEXTURED DEPICTIONS OF THE AGENCY IN FILMS OFTEN ENDORSED BY OR EVEN CONCOCTED WITHIN THE CIA ITSELF

New Republic

f

GreG Barnhisel

or decades, it’s been an article of faith among leftists that the CIA is fundamentally malign, and has been since its founding. Its purpose was to extend American hegemony; its method dirty tricks (not excluding murder) to undermine popular movements or governments and impose brutal right-wing authoritarian regimes in client states. We can recite the agency’s outrages as a shorthand litany: Mossadegh, Arbenz, Trujillo, Bay of Pigs, Diem, MK-ULTrA, Congress for Cultural Freedom, CHAoS, Allende, Mobutu, “Family Jewels,” Shah, Contras, Afghanistan, Curveball, “Slam Dunk.”

Yet in recent years, the CIA’s image has softened. outrage against obama’s CIA-led drone warfare program was relatively muted, and during his administration the agency experienced no Iraq-scale debacles. In academia, the “new Cold War studies” has in the last 20 years painted a more rounded picture of the CIA’s activities during the conflict.

Soviet communism really was an aggressive threat in the 1940s and 1950s, and an intelligence service was genuinely necessary, even many leftists now grant. Such studies— by scholars like Hugh Wilford, Penny von Eschen, and myself—have also dialed back some of the conspiratorial froth typical of earlier exposés, arguing that just because the CIA tried to get involved and run things doesn’t mean that it succeeded, or that it held as much sway as people think. The agency was not ultimately and fully responsible for the Vietnam War, or the dirty wars in 1970s Latin America, or the dominance of Abstract Expressionism. Cultural and geopolitical history are just too complex for that.

The effect, if not the intention, has been to cool the fury against the agency and subtly recast it in the public imagination. In the last 15 years or so, prestige pop culture has assisted in this image surgery, with sympathetic, textured depictions of the agency in films like Zero Dark Thirty and Argo and series like Homeland (often endorsed by or even concocted within the CIA itself). In these stories, CIA agents courageously put their safety and careers in jeopardy to protect the same people—ordinary citizens of Iran or Pakistan or Venezuela—whom the CIA’s actual plots have done so much to immiserate. The International Spy Museum, which could have been designed by the CIA’s public relations office, has become one of Washington, D.C.’s most popular tourist attractions. Last year, reese Witherspoon’s book club, an influential force in American bookselling today, put Lara Prescott’s novel The Secrets We Kept—which revolves around the CIA’s championing of Dr. Zhivago and thus links the agency with artistic and personal freedom—on the bestseller list. In this year’s juiciest podcast, journalist Patrick radden Keefe investigated the CIA’s possible involvement in writing the Scorpions’ 1990 monster ballad “Wind of Change.”

Insipid as the song is, who could be against power chords reverberating freedom from the crumbled Wall all the way to the moribund Soviet Union? So what if the song lacked artistic integrity?

A new book on the prehistory of the agency, Scott Anderson’s The Quiet Americans: Four CIA Spies at the Dawn of the Cold War—a Tragedy in Three Acts, continues this project of showing a government agency both essential and partially cleansed of its notorious fiascos and excesses. Anderson sees the CIA’s worst actions as the products of outside decisions by arrogant and ignorant politicians and officials in the executive branch. But what situates his book in the wave of CIA revisionism is his contention that the agency’s operations branch was not full of cowboys and adventurers willing to throw any kind of spaghetti at the wall but was rather led by agents and administrators who were, for the most part, cautious and judicious, dubious about the cockamamie schemes proposed to them by people who would never have to get their own hands dirty.

In the aggregate, this wave of scholarly and popular revisionism about the agency is welcome, particularly in dispelling simplistic or conspiratorial thinking. But it may run the risk of glossing over the magnitude of the political, economic, and human tragedies the CIA caused or exacerbated. More impor-

ANDERSON DRAWS AN IMPLICIT DISTINCTION BETWEEN THOSE CIA COVERT ACTIONS THAT ENDED IN INNOCENT BLOOD (BAD!) AND THOSE THAT WERE JUST DIRTY TRICKS OR PSY-OPS (PART OF THE GAME) tantly, this makeover leaves us vulnerable to future adventurism and blunders from an agency with an appalling track record, little meaningful public oversight, and a preoccupation with its own public image, and which has long been susceptible to misuse by the White House.

Unlike earlier defenders of the CIA, Anderson establishes his leftist sympathies immediately, recounting the discomfort he felt watching the “political theater” and celebrations of militarism put on by the South Korean, Indonesian, and Nationalist Chinese governments when he was growing up in East Asia as the son of a USAID administrator. Later, as a young reporter, he traveled to San Salvador during the height of the Central American conflicts and witnessed a death squad dump a woman’s body on the street and a military clean-up team retrieve the corpse for disposal. “The very phrase ‘anticommunist’ took on a squalid quality,” he remembers, “when I considered the crimes done in its name.”

How, Anderson asks, did the United States go from being “a beacon of hope and a source of deliverance” to joining the same side as dictators and death squads? The answer can be found, he argues, in the period between the end of World War II and the Hungarian uprising of 1956, which featured several chances for the Cold War to thaw or even evaporate, instead of freezing into an almost half-century-long standoff. And fundamentally, his answer lies with spies, who were the “animating force” of the Cold War, a conflict that could not be allowed to break into the open combat of a third World War. For Anderson, four particular men embody this transformation: Michael Burke, Peter Sichel, Edward Lansdale, and, above all, Frank Wisner. All served in the oSS, the CIA’s predecessor agency, during World War II—Wisner, Sichel, and Burke in Europe and Lansdale stateside—and were clever, courageous, and comfortable with deception. They slipped into their CIA roles easily. From his cover as a freelance Hollywood producer in Dolce Vita–era rome, Burke organized “operation Fiend,” a shambolic attempt to use Albanian tribesmen to detach that nation from Stalin’s orbit. (After his time at the CIA, Burke became executive director of the ringling Brothers circus—the jokes write themselves.) Lansdale, an adman before the war, was the original “quiet American” of Graham Greene’s 1955 novel, pulling strings first in the Philippines and then in a collapsing South Vietnam. Peter Sichel’s German-Jewish family escaped Nazi Germany in 1938, only to end up in Vichy France before fleeing to Manhattan. Sichel joined up the day after Pearl Harbor, worked with Burke in North Africa during the war, and then ran agents in Berlin and East Germany in the early Cold War. His role in Anderson’s narrative of the early CIA is perhaps more central than actual fact merits, as much of the book relies on Anderson’s interviews with Sichel, the only surviving one of his key players.

In Anderson’s account, Burke, Lansdale, and Sichel embody the “good CIA”—the agency that tries to keep casualties and deceptions to a minimum, that doesn’t stab its assets in the back, and that doesn’t get in bed with fascists and tyrants. If there is an original sin of the CIA, Anderson suggests, it was 1948’s operation rUSTY, the project to help Hitler’s former spy chief, reinhard Gehlen, maintain his espionage network along the Iron Curtain. “The proposal was soundly rejected by all the CIA officers present” at the meeting to assess it, and “none were more vehement than Peter Sichel.” But, Anderson asks, “what was the alternative?” In the end, the CIA decided to work with the unreconstructed Nazis, much to Sichel’s disgust. The agency skulked away from Eden.

The book’s unlikely hero is the CIA’s second director of intelligence, Frank Wisner.

(He turns up in The Secrets We Kept as well.)

A Mississippi native and bon vivant, Wisner served the oSS in liberated romania, where he picked up an aristocratic girlfriend who

would eventually cause him security problems, then was named head of the “office of Policy Coordination” in 1948. Despite its deliberately beige name, oPC was the operations center for the postwar intelligence service, and from there, Wisner oversaw most of the CIA’s more egregious 1950s undertakings. Wisner, in fact, had pushed the CIA to assume operation rUSTY. often seen as a sinister monkey wrencher, Wisner may be best known to the public for dosing unwitting human subjects with LSD as part of Project MK-ULTrA’s research into mind control (depicted in one of the few anti-CIA stories of the last few years, Errol Morris’s 2017 Netflix docudrama, Wormwood). He was also behind the CIA’s infiltration or creation of groups such as the National Student Association and the Congress for Cultural Freedom, whose exposure in 1967 fueled the anti-CIA ragestorm among leftists and intellectuals. And while the CIA was forbidden to act domestically, Wisner also oversaw the wiretapping of American reporters (Project Mockingbird) and a disinformation campaign aimed at American citizens, through which friendly journalists ran CIA-planted stories.

He was no Boy Scout. Yet Anderson stresses Wisner’s cautiousness, characterizing him as “a killjoy … when it came to pursuing adventures abroad.” He was the only administration official to oppose the 1953 overthrow of Iranian Prime Minister Mohammed Mossadegh; he preferred “soft power” efforts like Voice of America to “hard power” initiatives; and, when massive East German demonstrations called for free elections after Stalin’s death in 1953, he insisted to the Berlin station chief that distributing weapons to those demonstrators would lead to a massacre.

If Wisner is the hero, the Dulles brothers are the villains of Anderson’s book. Alan Dulles, the agency’s first director and Wisner’s boss for much of the 1950s, loved

cloak-and-dagger schemes, the more implausible the better, and particularly relished plots to assassinate foreign leaders. John Foster Dulles, Eisenhower’s secretary of state, was a dour, dogmatic anti-Communist who preferred dictators and former Nazis to any even faintly pink democratically elected leader. And President Eisenhower saw covert ops as an “inexpensive alternative to military action.” Under their leadership, and (at least in Anderson’s telling) against the advice of the spies themselves, the CIA became the agency so reviled by generations of American leftists, not to mention the foreign populations who were its collateral damage: cowboy-cocky, a friend to despots, heedless of potential blowback, feckless and smug.

Worse, Anderson argues, the agency’s bosses in the White House and Foggy Bottom ultimately lacked the courage of their convictions, wasting two opportunities to end the Cold War early and prevent millions of deaths. They fundamentally misread the meaning of the death of Stalin, Anderson claims, and when a conciliatory outreach could have significantly ratcheted down tensions between the two nations, Foster Dulles rewrote Eisenhower’s April 1953 “Chance for Peace” speech to add “a whole series of hoops the Soviets first had to jump through” before negotiations could begin. (They refused.) Worse, the U.S. played bait-andswitch with Hungarian insurgents in 1956, suggesting via radio Free Europe that political and even military assistance would be forthcoming but then abandoning them to Soviet tanks and firing squads when the uprising actually materialized.

Anderson draws an implicit distinction between those CIA covert actions that ended in innocent blood (bad!) and those that were just dirty tricks or psy-ops (part of the game).

The first, he suggests, almost never originated within the agency, and thus, to some degree, he absolves the CIA of responsibility for them. The others, he suggests, are ulti-

mately or at least largely harmless, and inherent to great-power relations. And Wisner was a master of these, a creative thinker and irresistible charmer who didn’t instinctively reach for kinetic operations to achieve his goals. These shenanigans make for good stories, and if Wisner had had final say, the CIA’s sordid history of destruction likely would have been less stomach-turning. I’m with Anderson to this point.

But for Wisner and his agency, duplicity and disinformation weren’t just tools to be used abroad. When the CIA needed it—and they came to need it quite often—they manipulated Americans, too. And this is unacceptable in a democracy, where, if citizens aren’t entitled to know everything about how their nation’s foreign relations are conducted, they do have a right not to be deceived.

Anderson calls his book a tragedy in three acts, and it gets positively cinematic near the end, as the scenes get shorter, turning into jump cuts. It’s undeniably well-told and vivid, and the personal reflections of people like Sichel give it a granular, firstperson quality lacking in other critical histories of the agency, without turning it into a pro-CIA screed like agent Tom Braden’s famous 1967 article “I’m Glad the CIA is ‘Immoral’.” Anderson’s heavy reliance on Sichel’s recollections certainly colors the story in favor of the agency. But in a larger sense, Anderson seems willing to countenance many of the CIA’s hijinks as, essentially, capers, while ignoring the secondary and tertiary effects of those operations.

He breezily depicts the 1953 Iranian coup, for instance, as an unexpectedly bloodless win, and then barely returns to it. But a more responsible book would give more attention to the enduring consequences of that little operation: a quarter-century of despotism, repression, and torture of dissidents; the chaos of the 1979 Iranian revolution and the hostage crisis; the Iran-Iraq War; the standoff with Khomeini and the proxy conflicts in Lebanon and Saudi Arabia and elsewhere (including the 1983 bombing of the Marine barracks in Beirut); the endless face-off with the mullahs and Ahmadinejad; and the illfated Iran nuclear treaty. If Iran gets the Bomb, we can trace this directly back to 1953. Great job, everyone.

In this, Anderson’s book differs radically from Tim Weiner’s influential 2007 National Book Award–winning Legacy of Ashes, which has become the definitive pre-Trump leftist take on the CIA: that the agency was misbegotten from the start, and the evils it committed are a feature, not a bug, of its mission. Weiner comes to this conclusion by focusing on the agency as an institution, understanding figures like Wisner as functionaries in a structure that both constrained what they could do and encouraged their worst instincts.

The CIA is no less tragic, no less infuriating, no less destructive in Anderson’s more personalized telling than in the standard leftist one. In his account, the flaws were imposed on the CIA by Cold War ideology; they were not present from the creation. Yet we know now that these evils were not just a by-product of the Cold War: They persisted through the disaster of the Iraq War, through Somalia and Afghanistan and an ongoing drone war. What was once a moral crusade against the Evil Empire became Manuel Noriega, the CIA asset who had to be removed when his anti-communism was no longer needed and his keys of coke moving into Miami became a problem. It became the debacle in Iraq, the failures in Afghanistan, the black sites and the waterboarding and the drones and the assassinations. To this hammer, the CIA, every problem is a nail.

Trump’s retreat from alliances, and embrace of authoritarians, make an active and competent foreign-intelligence service more necessary than ever, to help understand how russia is meddling in our elections, or what Kim Jong Un is up to, or whatever the hell is going on with TikTok. And that Trump is so gullible, so gormless, so solicitous of foreign adversaries, may make some of us on the left more open to a new understanding of the CIA, if only as a counterweight to the dupe in charge. But one day he will be gone, and the CIA will still be there, with the same mission and character that it has always had.

Greg Barnhisel is professor of English at Duquesne University. He is the author of Cold War Modernists: Art, Literature, and American Cultural Diplomacy and a forthcoming biography of Norman Holmes Pearson.

The Quiet Americans: Four CIA Spies at the Dawn of the Cold War—A Tragedy in Three Acts by Scott Anderson, Doubleday, 576 pp., $30.00

Tuesday, 6 October, 2020

BUSINESS 09 CORPORATE CORNER CFA Society declares Meezan Bank as ‘Pakistan’s Best Bank’ KARACHI: Meezan Bank has been declared as the ‘Best Bank of the Year’ and ‘Best Islamic Bank of the Year’ – 2019 by the CFA Society of Pakistan, a member society of the CFA Institute, USA, at its 17th Annual Excellence Awards ceremony. Meezan Bank President and CEO Irfan Siddiqui and Deputy CEO Ariful Islam received the awards from State Bank of Pakistan Governor Dr Reza Baqir, who graced the occasion as the chief guest. This is the first time that CFA Society of Pakistan has recognized Meezan Bank on an overall industry basis as the ‘Best Bank of the Year’, competing with some of the largest local and conventional players.

Indus Motor recognised as ‘Most Outstanding Company’ in Pakistan KARACHI: Indus Motor Company (IMC) has been honored once again as the Most Outstanding Company in Pakistan in the category of Automobile & Components during the year 2020 for the third successive year by Asiamoney, a leading business publication. Sharing his thoughts, IMC Chief Executive Officer Ali Asghar Jamali stated, "We are grateful to be recognized again by one of the influential business publications in the world.

This is an affirmation of our continued commitment and our dedicated efforts that have earned IMC this honor."

He further added, "This accolade has further strengthened our resolve to uphold higher standards of excellence which are expected from us as being one of the leading automobile manufacturers in the country."

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) Chairman Maj Gen (r) Amir Azeem Bajwa presents a memento to Jazz CEO Aamir Ibrahim during his visit to Jazz headquarters.

PAkIStAn tO OPPOSe InDIA’S ClAIM OF BASMAtI RICe In eU: DAWOOD ISLAMABAD

P

STAFF REPORT

AKISTAN has decided to give a befitting reply to India's claim of Geographical Indication (GI) tag to basmati rice by filing its opposition in the European Union. This was decided during a meeting chaired by Adviser to Prime Minister on Commerce Abdul Razak Dawood. The meeting was attended by the commerce secretary, Intellectual Property Organization (IPOPakistan) chairman, representatives of Rice Exporters Association of Pakistan (REAP) and members of the legal fraternity.

During the meeting, REAP representatives were of the view that Pakistan was a major grower and producer of Basmati rice and that India’s claim for exclusivity was "completely unjustified".

Dawood categorically stated that Pakistan would vehemently oppose India’s application in the European Union and restrain India from obtaining exclusive GI tag for Basmati rice.

He further supported the concerns of REAP and relevant stakeholders and ensured that their claim for Basmati rice as GI would be protected.

It is pertinent to mention that India had submitted an application in the European Union claiming sole ownership of Basmati rice, falsely misrepresenting its exclusivity.

During a meeting of the Senate Standing Committee on Commerce last month, IPO Chairman Mujeeb Ahmed Khan had informed that Pakistan’s objection to the Indian application for Basmati rice would be submitted within the stipulated timeframe.

He explained that India had applied for GI tag in EU for Basmati rice under Article 50(2)(a) of Regula-

MARKET DAILY

Bloodbath at PSX; index plunges 998 points KARACHI STAFF REPORT

The Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) witnessed another bloodbath on Monday, as with the benchmark index losing over 1,000 points intraday amid persistent selling pressure. Global equity markets depicted a mixed pattern, whereas crude oil prices headed north from the previous close; WTI crude price surging 4.45pc to $38.70 while Brent crude price appreciating 4.05pc to $40.85.

"The release of monthly inflation data over the weekend, coupled with the overall political uncertainty in the country, caused panic among investors," said a report issued by AHL Ltd. "Selling activity was observed almost across the board, with major contribution from exploration & production, banks and oil & gas marketing sectors."

MARKET SUMMARY: The KSE-100 remained in the red zone throughout the day, recording its intraday low at 38,865.10 after shedding 1,205.73 points. It closed lower by 998.36 points at 39,072.47.

Among other indices, the KMI-30 Index plunged 1,607.37 points to end at 61,787.45, while the KSE

All Share Index dropped 780.14 points, settling at 27,794.70. The overall market volumes increased from 348.6 million shares in the previous session to 409.9 million shares (+18pc). Average traded value, however, declined by 1pc, from $75.6 million to $76.5 million. Hascol Petroleum Ltd (HASCOL -7.48pc), Unity Foods Ltd (UNITY -7.29pc) and K-Electric Ltd (KEL -7.18pc) led the volume chart, exchanging 60.43 million shares, 31.98 million shares and 29.16 million shares, respectively. Sectors that painted the benchmark index red included banking (-130.41 points), power generation & distribution (-112.80 points) and fertilizer (-110.66 points). Among the companies, Hub Power Company Ltd (HUBC -74.21 points), Engro Corporation Ltd (ENGRO -56.28 points) and Pak Petroleum Ltd (PPL -49.77 points) dented the index the most.

Shedding 5.15pc from its cumulative market capitalization, the power generation & distribution sector ended as the session’s top loser, with K-Electric Ltd (KEL -7.18pc), Hub Power Company Ltd (HUBC 4.29pc) and Kot Addu Power Company Limited (KAPCO -6.90pc) posting significant losses.

Govt to spend Rs20bn on PESCO to upgrade KP's power infrastructure PESHAWAR STAFF REPORT

KARACHI: Metro Pakistan concludes its charity donation drive as part of the International Charity Day commemorations, in collaboration with Akhuwat Foundation, a leading non-government organization working on improving the lives of the underprivileged communities.

An amount of Rs15 to Rs20 billion would be invested in the Peshawar Electric Supply Company (PESCO) to improve/upgrade Khyber Pakhtunkhwa's power transmission infrastructure, including establishment of new grid stations and installation of new power transmission lines.

This was informed to a meeting chaired by KP Chief Minister Mahmood Khan on Monday. Federal Energy and Power Minister Umer Ayub, Special As-

sistants to Prime Minister Arbab Shehzad, Qasim Shehzad and Nadeem Babar, Adviser to KP CM on Energy Himayat Ullah, Special Assistant to CM on Information Kamran Bangash, MNA Arbab Sher Ali and Chief Secretary Dr Kazim Niaz were also present on the occasion.

The meeting was told that a project management unit, having representation of the provincial government, would be set up in the Peshawar Electric Supply Company (PESCO) to ensure timely execution of power transmission projects.

tion (EU) No 1151/2012 of the European Parliament and of the Council on Quality Schemes for Agricultural Products and Foodstuffs, mentioned in the EU official journal dated September 11, 2020.

According to Mujeeb, the Indian application mentions Basmati rice as “an Indian origin product”, despite the fact that same commodity is widely produced in Pakistan. “The application is based on half-truth and frivolous grounds having no legal and factual backing.”

Pakistan exports 500,000 to 700,000 tonnes of basmati rice to various countries, of which 200,000 to 250,000 tonnes are shipped to European countries.

“Basmati is already recognized as a product of both India and Pakistan under the European regulations and its duty-free regime, making it illegal for India to claim exclusive rights of Basmati in the EU,” the IPO chairman had said.

Gold price rises Rs700 per tola NEWS DESK The price of 24-karat gold in Pakistan increased

by Rs700 per tola on Monday, the All Sindh Saraf Jewellers Association reported. After the increase

by Rs700, the price of 24k gold stood at Rs112,500 per tola. Consequently, the price of 10 grammes of 24k gold increased by Rs600 to Rs96,450. Meanwhile, the price of 22k gold increased to Rs88,413 per tola from Rs87,863 per tola compared to Saturday. In the global market, gold has increased in value by $6 to $1,906 per ounce.

Dr Waqar Masood appointed SAPM on revenue ISLAMABAD APP

Prime Minister Imran Khan on Monday appointed eminent economist and former finance secretary Dr Waqar Masood as his special assistant on revenue. SAPM Dr Waqar Masood has been given the status of Minister of State, the PM Office said. Having completed his Ph.D in Economics and Masters in Political Economy from Boston University, USA, as well as Masters in Economics and LLB from Karachi University, Dr Waqar Masood Khan has a wide-ranging experience of working with both public and private sectors.

Millers once again raise flour price by Rs2 per kg LAHORE SHAHAB OMER

Govt committed to socio-economic development of GB, says DCPC ‘FEDERAL AGENCIES WILL SOON BE SET UP IN GB SO THAT PEOPLE DO NOT HAVE TO GO TO ISLAMABAD FOR NECESSARY PAPERWORK’ ISLAMABAD STAFF REPORT

Planning Commission Deputy Chairman (DCPC) Dr Mohammad Jehanzeb Khan has said that the incumbent government is fully committed to achieving the objectives of socio-economic development and political stability in Gilgit-Baltistan.

"We believe that a stable and prosperous GB can play an important role in the country’s economy," the deputy chairman said while addressing a seminar on the 'SocioEconomic Development of Gilgit-Baltistan', which was jointly organized by the Ministry of Planning Development & Special Initiatives and Planning Development Department of GB on Monday.

The high-level forum, for the first time, deliberated upon the five-year plan/programme developed for various sectors by the Planning Commission in collaboration with the GB government. Major sectors under the plan include infrastructure, agriculture, tourism, health, education, higher

education, energy and gems & precious stones. The DCPC said that this year, the GB development budget was increased from Rs2.5 billion to Rs10 billion, adding that this massive increase in budget shows the commitment of the Centre towards GB's development. He said that the offices of federal agencies would soon be set up in GB so that the people living here do not have to go to Islamabad for necessary paperwork. Talking about energy issues, the DCPC said that the federal government in collaboration with GB government is planning to take certain important interventions like establishment of regional grid to reduce losses, evacuation of surplus power to other load centers and ultimately provision of a foundation to interconnect GB with national grid.

He said that GB's mineral sector development would be focused upon through strong research & development activities, regulatory framework, resources mapping and deployment of modern technologies.

On tourism, he said that that government is planning to develop the tourism sector as an industry. "Several in-

CMYK

terventions have been identified to harness the potential such as infrastructure development, legal and regulatory framework, private sector facilitation, comfort of tourists and needs of the local community, marketing strategy and skilled development," he added.

Khan maintained that the government would focus on community-based sustainable interventions, capitalizing on the potential local resources, improvement in Human Development Indicators including health, education, water & sanitation and immunization. He informed that the present government has taken different steps to facilitate public-private partnership (PPP) in certain mega projects under Public Sector Development Programme.

"In GB, we are looking for PPP in the social sector to mainstream vulnerable and socially excluded populations. Collaboration with local and international development partners will be made to seek financial and technical assistance in different sectors. A 'PPP cell' will be established in the Planning and Development Department of GB." The DCPC said that increased productivity in agriculture, livestock and fisheries sectors could impact the livelihood of the local community, adding that the establishment of cold chain, agro-based industry and food processing industry, backed by strong R&D, would be the key areas of focus.

Mill owners in Lahore have increased the prices of flour by up to Rs2 per kilogramme, it was learnt on Monday. According to a survey conducted by Profit, the price of flour has gone up from Rs76 to Rs78 per kg in the provincial capital, with people expressing concerns over rising flour prices. Muhammad Afzal, a resident of Ichra, said that no relief has been extended to the people by the government. "Flour is a basic need of the people and it is a matter of concern that prices are rising by every passing day. The government is making poor policies that only result in higher inflation rate. It should immediately take notice of the rising prices of flour and provide relief to the people." Muhammad Taj, a resident of Gawalmandi, told this scribe that he earned Rs15,000 a month and was now worried about the rising prices and unavailability of flour. “It has become difficult for the common man to buy flour, as the prices are rising day by day. The poor man is in distress. Incomes are declining and inflation is rising. The government claims to provide relief to the people but its implementation is nowhere to be seen.”

Meanwhile, Lahore Aata Chakki Owners Association General Secretary Abdul Rehman said that the price of flour was increasing due to a severe shortage of wheat in Punjab. “Wheat in grain markets has reached Rs2,500 per 40 kg while the government has failed to overcome the wheat crisis." It is pertinent to mention that last month, the mill owners had increased the prices of flour by Rs4 per kg.

Tuesday, 6 October, 2020

10 fOrEiGn nEws Imf accord needed for economic certainty: argentina BUENOS AIRES AGENCIES

Argentine­President­Alberto­Fernandez­has­said­that­reaching­an­agreement­with­the­International­Monetary­Fund (IMF)­over­the­country's­more­than­$44­billion­in­foreign debt­"is­basically­necessary­to­provide­economic­certainty."

In­an­interview­with­the­daily­Clarin,­Fernandez­said­he­was confident­the­South­American­country­will­reach­an­agreement­with­the­IMF­"as­soon­as­possible."­"I­have­had­many conversations­recently­with­(managing­director­of­the­IMF) Kristalina­Georgieva­and­I­have­the­impression­that­she­sees the­difficulties­that­exist­in­Argentina­better­than­anyone," said­the­president.­A­new­agreement­with­the­IMF­"clears­up many­doubts,­which­I­do­not­have,­but­that­some­sectors­of the­economy­do,"­said­Fernandez.­"The­Argentine­economy was­in­intensive­care­and­then­on­top­of­that­we­got­the coronavirus.­Everything­became­much­more­difficult,"­he acknowledged,­adding­there­are­"signs­of­improvement."­An IMF­mission­is­set­to­arrive­in­Buenos­Aires­on­Tuesday­to agree­on­a­payment­program­for­the­44.1­billion­dollars­Argentina­owes­the­lender.­­Argentina's­economy­could­shrink by­10.5­percent­this­year­due­to­the­Covid-19­pandemic,­according­to­the­Economic­Commission­for­Latin­America and­the­Caribbean.

eu, uK post-brexit trade deal more urgent amid pandemic: germany BONN AGENCIES

Germany’s­Foreign­Minister­Heiko­Maas­said­the­postBrexit­trade­deal­is­even­more­important­as­people­face­the consequences­of­the­coronavirus­pandemic,­and­the­EU­and Britain­should­not­cause­further­problems­for­them.­The­European­Union­(EU)­wants­to­be­constructive­and­is­aiming for­a­deal,­Maas­said­after­a­meeting­with­EU’s­chief­Brexit negotiator­Michel­Barnier,­adding­that­Brussels­and­London “must­make­quick­progress­in­all­open­questions.”­The­comments­come­after­UK­Prime­Minister­Boris­Johnson­and­European­Commission­President­Ursula­von­der­Leyen­on Saturday­approved­a­further­month­of­Brexit­negotiations.

Speaking­via­video­conference­after­the­final­scheduled round­of­talks,­they­tasked­the­two­sides’­chief­negotiators with­working­“intensively”­to­resolve­the­remaining­differences.­Fishing­rights­and­state­aid­are­still­the­most­contentious­issues.­The­UK­wants­its­partners­to­offer­terms they’ve­offered­to­Canada,­not­the­“Australian-WTO­type outcome,­particularly,­but­we­can­more­than­live­with­it,” Johnson­said.­In­a­joint­statement­after­his­discussion­with von­der­Leyen,­the­PM’s­office­and­the­European­Commission­did­not­mention­a­target­date­for­a­resolution­of­the­trade talks.­After­a­summit­of­EU­leaders­late­last­week,­German Chancellor­Angela­Merkel­said­she­had­seen­no­breakthrough­in­the­UK-EU­talks,­but­stressed­that­a­post-Brexit trade­deal­was­still­possible­before­the­end­of­this­year.

uK minister cautions against reimposing lockdown LONDON AGENCIES

British­Finance­Minister­Rishi­Sunak­has­doubled-down on­his­opposition­to­new­lockdowns,­arguing­that­the negative­effects­of­such­extreme­policies­should­be weighed­against­their­possible­benefits.­In­an­interview with­The­Sun,­Sunak­noted­that­stay-at-home­orders­and other­guidelines­purportedly­designed­to­stop­the­spread of­coronavirus­have­severe­economic­and­social­consequences­that­need­to­be­carefully­considered.­“We­have to­look­at­this­all­in­the­round,­and­beating­coronavirus is­important,­and­minimizing­the­harm­that­it­causes­is important,”­the­finance­minister­said.­“But­there­are other­things­that­are­important.­Kids­not­being­in­school for­months­...­if­university­students’­learning­is­impacted,­that’s­not­a­good­thing.”­He­also­challenged­the notion­that­keeping­the­economy­open­puts­money­before­people,­pointing­out­that­there­will­be­less­money to­fund­public­services­such­as­the­National­Health Service­(NHS)­if­more­people­are­out­of­work.­Sunak also­highlighted­the­fact­that­economic­security­is­an important­factor­in­ensuring­an­individual’s­long-term health.­The­chancellor­suggested­that­Prime­Minister Boris­Johnson­should­be­aiming­to­dial­back­restrictions wherever­possible,­stressing­that­he­doesn’t­“think­it’s wrong­for­people­to­want­to­strive­for­normality,­and­I don’t­think­it’s­wrong­for­the­government­to­want­that for­people.”­Sunak­expressed­frustration­with­the­recently­implemented­10pm­curfew­for­bars­and­restaurants,­but­he­insisted­that­Johnson­was­faced­with “awful­trade-offs”­while­trying­to­navigate­the­health crisis.­Sunak­has­been­vocal­in­his­concerns­about­extending­economic­shutdowns,­as­he­struggles­to­stop record-setting­job­losses­in­the­UK.­Last­month­he­unveiled­a­new­jobs­support­program­designed­to­help firms­keep­more­employees­on­their­payrolls.­UK­business­leaders­have­warned­of­massive­layoffs­unless­they receive­more­support­from­the­government,­which­is ending­its­furlough­scheme­on­October­31.

CovId-19 pushIng global eConomy over the ClIff, g20 warned RIYADH AGENCIES

t

HE global­business­community­has­warned that­G20­countries­need­urgent­reforms­to alleviate­the­impact­of­the­coronavirus­pandemic­on­the­global­economy,­which­is­suffering­from­the­worst­crisis­in­a­century.

The­Business­Twenty­(B20),­which­represents businesses­across­all­G20­countries­and­various­economic­sectors,­issued­its­25-point­list­of­policy­recommendations­ for­ the­ coming­ G20­ summit­ on Monday.­The­virtual­summit,­hosted­by­Saudi­Arabia this­year,­will­take­place­on­November­21-22.

The­global­economy­is­in­its­worst­state­in­a­cen-

tury.­While­the­Covid-19­pandemic­pushed­the­economy­over­the­cliff,­many­mishaps­had­brought­it­to the­edge,”­said­Yousef­Al-Benyan,­the­chairman­of the­ B20­ and­ a­ Saudi­ businessman,­ in­ an­ opening statement.

He­added­that­while­the­economy­is­set­to­rebound­over­the­next­couple­of­years,­“downside­risks remain­elevated”­due­to­existing­trade­and­geopolitical­tensions­as­well­as­low­productivity­growth­and growing­inequality,­among­other­factors.­The­group says­that­“bold­and­collaborative­actions­by­the­G20” can­ support­ the­ recovery.­ It­ outlined­ three­ key spheres­to­focus­on­–­empowering­people,­including reducing­gender­disparity,­safeguarding­the­planet and­shaping­new­frontiers.

Polls marred by vote-buying claims sparks anger in Kyrgyzstan BISHKEK AGENCIES

Multiple­opposition­parties­in­Kyrgyzstan­shut­out­of parliament­in­an­election­marred­by­widespread­and well-documented­allegations­of­voting-buying­have mounted­a­fiery­rally­of­thousands­in­the­centre­of­the capital,­Bishkek.

As­many­as­4,000­supporters­of­almost­a­dozen political­parties­gathered­on­Ala-Too­Square­on­October­5­to­demand­a­repeat­of­a­vote­that­has­handed a­commanding­parliamentary­majority­to­a­pair­of parties­closely­tied­to­the­ruling­order.

The­morning­began­with­disaffected­parties­announcing­protest­demonstrations­at­a­variety­of­times and­locations.­By­the­early­afternoon,­however,­all­the rallies­had­merged­by­a­tribune­near­the­White­House government­ building,­ where­ party­ representatives urged­unity­and­delivered­angry­speeches.­The­crowd periodically­ broke­ into­ chants­ of­ "kaira­ shailoo," meaning­"new­elections."

Smaller­rallies­unfolded­at­around­the­same­time in­the­cities­of­Talas­and­Naryn.­By­the­late­afternoon, about­20­busloads­of­shield-wielding­riot­police­officers­and­at­least­one­water­cannon­had­been­deployed to­a­square­just­a­few­minutes-walk­from­where­the

crowd­was­gradually­swelling.­At­one­stage,­Elvira Surabaldiyeva,­a­candidate­with­the­Ata­Meken­party, appealed­to­the­public­to­come­to­the­help­of­rally­participants,­ some­ of­ whom­ had­ reportedly­ already begun­collecting­money­to­bring­food­for­people­vowing­to­occupy­the­square.­Surabaldiyeva­called­on­the police­to­refrain­from­trying­to­halt­the­rally.

"Not­a­single­policeman­should­go­against­the people.­You­must­defend­us­and­be­on­our­side,"­she said.

Deputy­ Interior­ Minister­ Almaz­ Orozaliyev seemed­to­indicate­that­police­would­not­act­unless the­rally­turned­violent.

"People­ have­ gone­ to­ a­ peaceful­ meeting,­ no questions­ from­ us.­ Our­ job­ is­ to­ maintain­ public order,"­Orozaliyev­told­Radio­Azattyk.­As­of­5­p.m. on­October­5,­a­preliminary­hand-count­from­the­October­4­vote­showed­only­four­parties­winning­seats in­the­120-seat­parliament.­Birimdik,­which­is­closely aligned­ to­ President­ Sooronbai­ Jeenbekov,­ and Mekenim­Kyrgyzstan,­a­party­known­to­be­bankrolled by­a­former­top­customs­official­accused­of­accumulating­vast­riches­through­his­control­of­a­major­smuggling­ operation,­ were­ reported­ to­ have­ got­ around 22.7­percent­and­24.35­percent­of­the­ballots­cast,­respectively.

Record-breaking California wildfires surpass 4 million acres AGENCIES SAN FRANCISCO

I­ n­a­year­that­has­already­brought­apocalyptic­skies and­smothering­smoke­to­the­West­Coast,­California set­ a­ grim­ new­ record­ Sunday­ when­ officials­ announced­that­the­wildfires­of­2020­have­now­scorched a­record­4­million­acres­—­in­a­fire­season­that­is­far from­over.

The­unprecedented­figure­—­an­area­larger­than the­state­of­Connecticut­—­is­more­than­double­the­previous­record­for­the­most­land­burned­in­a­single­year in­California.­“The­4­million­mark­is­unfathomable.­It boggles­the­mind,­and­it­takes­your­breath­away,”­said Scott­McLean,­a­spokesman­for­the­California­Department­of­Forestry­and­Fire­Protection,­known­as­Cal Fire.­“And­that­number­will­grow.”­So­far,­in­this­year’s historic­fire­season,­more­than­8,200­California­wildfires­have­killed­31­people­and­scorched­“well­over­4 million­acres­in­California”­or­6,250­square­miles,­Cal Fire­said­Sunday­in­a­statement.­The­blazes­have­destroyed­more­than­8,400­buildings.

The­astonishing­figure­is­more­than­double­the 2018­ record­ of­ 1.67­ million­ burned­ acres­ (2,609 square­miles)­in­California.­All­large­fire­years­since

Cal­Fire­started­recording­figures­in­1933­have­remained­well­below­the­4­million­mark­—­“until­now,” the­agency­said­Sunday­in­a­Tweet.

“This­year­is­far­from­over­and­fire­potential­remains­high.­Please­be­cautious­outdoors.”­The­enormity­ of­ the­ fires­ has­ meant­ that­ people­ living­ far from­the­flames­experienced­a­degree­of­misery­that in­ itself­ was­ unprecedented,­ with­ historically­ unhealthy­air­quality­and­smoke­so­dense­that­it­blurred the­skies­across­California­and­on­some­days­even blotted­out­the­sun.­ Last­month,­a­relentless­heatwave­hit­the­state­that helped­fuel­the­fires­and­caused­so­much­air­pollution that­it­seeped­indoors,­prompting­stores­across­California­to­sell­out­of­air­purifiers.

Numerous­studies­have­linked­bigger­wildfires­in America­to­climate­change­from­the­burning­of­coal, oil­and­gas.­Scientists­say­climate­change­has­made California­much­drier,­meaning­trees­and­other­plants are­more­flammable.

Mike­Flannigan,­who­directs­the­Canadian­Partnership­for­Wildland­Fire­Science­at­Canada’s­University­ of­ Alberta,­ says­ the­ escalation­ of­ fires­ in California­and­the­U.S.­West­is­“largely,­not­solely, due­to­human-caused­climate­change.”

As­the­pandemic­may­“redraw­the­world­trade map,”­putting­at­risk­global­manufacturing­and­supply­chains,­the­B20­stressed­that­developing­trade­and investment­cooperation­was­necessary.­In­its­statement,­the­group­called­on­the­G20­leaders­to­roll­back protectionism­and­support­open­markets,­and­work closely­with­the­World­Trade­Organization­(WTO)­to enforce­“the­rulebook­to­ensure­a­global­level­playing field.”­The­ call­ comes­ as­ the­ world’s­ two­ biggest economies­–­both­of­which­are­the­members­of­the G20–­the­US­and­China,­are­locked­in­a­simmering trade­and­political­conflict.­The­row­has­recently­intensified­in­the­tech­sphere,­with­the­US­threatening to­ban­popular­Chinese­apps­and­sanctioning­Chinese firms­like­Huawei.

China accuses India of discriminator y trade steps BEIJING AGENCIES

Chinese­authorities­have­accused­India of­discriminatory­and­restrictive­trade measures,­pointing­to­the­ban­on­Chinese­apps­and­curbs­on­foreign­direct investment.­At­a­recent­meeting­at­the World­Trade­Organization­(WTO),­Chinese­officials­said­the­measures­undermine­the­transparency,­stability,­and predictability­of­the­Indian­market.­According­to­the­complaint,­India­has banned­the­use­of­234­mobile­apps, most­of­which­were­developed­and­operated­by­Chinese­internet­companies.

The­banned­apps­cover­many­service sectors­such­as­computer-related­services,­telecommunications,­audio-visual services,­and­financial­services­where India­has­made­specific­commitments under­the­General­Agreement­on­Trade in­Services­(GATS).­“China­expressed its­concerns­about­the­recent­restrictions by­the­US­and­India­on­its­mobile­applications­such­as­TikTok­and­WeChat,” said­an­unnamed­Geneva-based­official as­quoted­by­the­Economic­Times.­Indian­officials­argued­that­the­measures were­fully­compliant­with­GATS­commitments­and­in­line­with­the­democratic­rights­of­its­citizens­to­privacy.

They­said­China­has­“one­of­the­most restrictive­digital­economy­frameworks in­the­world”­and­should­reflect­on­its own­transparency­record­first­and­its long-standing­reluctance­to­fully­open up­to­foreign­trading­services.­“All­software­suppliers­have­to­comply­with­our domestic­regulations,”­another­official said.­Relations­between­the­two­nations have­worsened­since­a­deadly­clash­in June­between­Indian­and­Chinese­soldiers­along­a­disputed­border­in­the­Himalayas­in­which­20­Indian­soldiers were­killed.­New­Delhi­has­since­imposed­100­percent­physical­checks­on shipments­from­China,­which­is­its­second-biggest­trading­partner.­Trade turnover­between­the­two­countries­was worth­$87­billion­in­the­fiscal­year­ending­March­2019,­with­a­trade­deficit­of $53.57­billion­in­China’s­favor,­the widest­India­has­with­any­country.­

Global inflation rates remain stable in August : OECD PARIS AGENCIES

Annual­ inflation­ across­ some­ of­ the world's­ biggest­ economies­ remained stable­at­about­1.2­percent­in­August, according­to­the­Organisation­of­Economic­Cooperation­and­Development (OECD).

Energy­prices­across­the­37-member­bloc­continued­to­decline­–­dropping­7.1­per­cent­in­August­compared with­an­8.4­per­cent­decline­in­July­– but­food­price­inflation­rose­marginally to­ 3.9­ per­ cent,­ from­ 3.8­ per­ cent­ a month­earlier.

There­were­marked­differences­in

changes­across­the­world,­though,­with the­euro­area­nations­experiencing­deflation­for­the­first­time­in­over­four years.­Annual­consumer­price­inflation dropped­ to­ -0.2­ per­ cent,­ declining from­0.4­per­cent­in­July­and­the­first negative­inflation­rate­since­May­2016, the­OECD­said.

"Excluding­ food­ and­ energy,­ annual­inflation­also­dropped­sharply­to 0.4­ per­ cent,­ compared­ with­ 1.2­ per cent­in­July,"­the­Paris-based­organisation­said.

Inflation­dropped­markedly­in­the UK­(to­0.5­per­cent­from­1.1­per­cent) and­France­(to­0.2­per­cent­from­0.8 per­cent),­but­edged­up­to­0.0­per­cent

in­Germany,­from­-0.1­per­cent­in­July.

In­Japan,­inflation­nudged­lower­to 0.2­per­cent,­from­0.3­percent­a­month earlier,­but­in­the­US­it­rose­to­1.3­per cent,­from­1­per­cent­in­July.

Across­ the­ G20­ group­ of­ the world's­ biggest­ economies,­ annual inflation­ edged­ up­ to­ 2.5­ per­ cent, from­ 2.4­ per­ cent­ in­ July­ as­ nonOECD­countries­like­Russia,­Brazil and­ Saudi­ Arabia­ all­ reported higher­rates.

Deflation­in­the­euro­area­continued­ in­ September,­ with­ figures­ from the­EU's­statistics­office­on­Friday­indicating­an­annual­rate­of­-0.3­per­cent.

Excluding­food­and­energy­costs,

core­inflation­dropped­to­0.4­per­cent, from­0.6­per­cent­in­August,­which­is "well­ below"­ the­ European­ Central Bank's­ 2­ per­ cent­ target,­ Emirates NBD's­head­of­macro­strategy­Shady Elborno­said­in­a­note­on­Monday.

"The­figures­on­Friday­are­raising pressure­on­the­European­Central­Bank to­add­stimulus,­as­an­ongoing­recession­ will­ likely­ keep­ price­ growth below­ its­ target­ for­ years­ to­ come.

However,­markets­don’t­expect­action soon,­as­ECB­policymakers­have­long said­that­more­data,­particularly­around 2021­fiscal­policies,­will­be­needed­before­they­can­take­further­steps,"­Mr Elborno­said.

Tuesday, 6 October, 2020

SPORTS 11 NATIONAL T20 CUP

ShAheen TAkeS fifeR AGAin AS kP ThRASh SinDh

S

NEWS DESK

HAHEEN Shah Afridi’s stunning bowling performance helped Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) in registering a comfortable eight–wicket win over Sindh in the 11th match of the National T20 Cup in Multan on Monday.

After electing to field first, Mohammad Rizwan-led unit managed to restrict Sindh to a competitive total of 183-7 in their allotted 20 overs.

Opener Sharjeel Khan was the star performer for the batting team as he finished with the top score of 90 off 56 balls with the help of seven fours and six sixes.

Left-arm pacer Shaheen was the star performer with the ball in hand for Pakhtunkhwa side as he claimed outstanding figures of 5-21 in his quota of four overs.

In reply, KP chased down the target with six balls to spare at the expense of just two wickets, courtesy half-centuries from opening batsman Fakhar Zaman and veteran allrounder Mohammad Hafeez.

Zaman managed to score 61 off 41 balls with the help of six fours and two sixes whereas the 39-year-old top-scored with 70 off 42 with the help of four sixes and four fours. For Sindh, pacer Anwar Ali was the star performer as he claimed two wickets.

It is pertinent to mention that after taking

Misbah says sacking Sarfaraz Ahmed wasn't his call NEWS DESK Head coach Misbah-ul-Haq has distanced himself from the sacking of Sarfaraz Ahmed as Pakistan captain last year, saying that while he was consulted, the actual decision was taken by Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Ehsan Mani. Misbah, in an interview with Samaa, was asked whether he was behind Sarfaraz’s removal, to which he gave the explanation. “I do not have the power to select or remove a captain. It is a prerogative of the chairman PCB and he made the final call,” he is quoted as saying.

“Yes, he asked the management about our opinion but that is not for the public to know. It was the chairman’s decision in the end.” Sarfaraz, revered in southern parts of the country for leading Pakistan to it’s last major ICC Trophy in 2017, was removed from both the captaincy and team last year after months of indifferent form with the bat and the team’s loss to an inexperienced Sri Lanka side in a T20I series on home turf. He has since made his way back into the side but plays second-fiddle to main wicketkeeper, Mohammad Rizwan.

Turkish GP to be held without fans due to Covid-19 ANKARA AGENCIES

The Turkish Formula One Grand Prix will be held without spectators next month after organisers scrapped plans for a 100,000strong crowd at the Istanbul circuit due to the coronavirus outbreak. The Istanbul Governor’s office announced on Monday that the Nov 13-15 race would be behind closed doors, based on a recommendation by the Istanbul Provincial Pandemic Council, amid a rising trend of cases and deaths in Turkey.

“It was decided that the race be held without fans,” the governor’s office said in a statement. Formula One is returning to the Istanbul Park circuit for the first time since 2011. The track layout was popular in the past among drivers but the race was sparsely attended. In a bid to boost the numbers, Istanbul Park’s operators Intercity put tickets on sale at record-low prices for the 2020 weekend and had talked of allowing in up to 100,000 fans. Tickets went on sale in early September, with organisers and officials reporting great interest. Formula One has held 10 races so far in a COVID-hit season, the first eight all without spectators.

Organisers of the most recent race in Russia reported 30,000 fans a day at the Sochi circuit. “Our season has been guided by a safety first approach and that will continue to be our priority,” a Formula One spokesman said. “In Turkey we had hoped to welcome fans but the situation in the country means this is no longer possible and we fully understand and respect the decision.”

Intercity has said it hopes to achieve a lasting place on the F1 calendar after this year’s race, despite so far unsuccessful talks between the sport and the Turkish government. Intercity was not immediately available for comment.

two five-wicket hauls in the National T20, Pakistan’s young pace sensation Shaheen Shah Afridi has now surpassed Afghanistan’s Rashid Khan as the leading T20 wicket taker in the ongoing calendar year 2020.

Afridi has taken his T20 wicket haul for the year to 36 - three more than Afghanistan spinner Rashid. With Rashid in action during the ongoing Indian Premier League 2020 and Afridi's business in National T20 also far from finished, the race between the two is likely to heat up in the days to come.

Pakistan’s Haris Rauf and Shadab Khan, both with 31 wickets each, are also hot on Rashid's heels.

English cricket bosses warn 'bubble' tough to recreate LONDON AGENCIES

England cricket chiefs admitted the "bio-secure bubble" that saved the 2020 season could be impossible to recreate next year due to financial implications and mental health concerns.

The coronavirus pandemic initially threatened to wipe out the entire 2020 campaign but a full men's international programme went ahead alongside shortened county and women's calendars. That helped avert the worst-case scenario of a £380 million ($493 million) loss to the game but English cricket still took a £100-million hit.

A day after the end of the domestic season, the England and Wales Cricket Board revealed it had spent more than £1 million on Covid-19 testing alone.

ECB chief medical officer Nick Peirce said more than 10,000 tests had been carried out, a scale of testing that

was not feasible in the long term.

Chief executive Tom Harrison underlined the ECB's intention not to seek bailout money from the government but warned the losses would start to bite.

The governing body announced last month that it was to cut 62 jobs because of the impact of the pandemic.

"For the ECB, being able to deliver our broadcast commitments has, frankly, saved us from financial oblivion -- it's as stark as that," Harrison said on Monday. "(But) we can't just keep losing hundreds of millions without an impact.

We don't have a bottomless pit of resources to tap into."

The logistics of keeping teams, broadcasters and support staff in bubbles for extended periods is also a major challenge.

Several players experienced family illnesses during the international summer, while others spoke of struggling

with the lack of down time.

"Looking forward to 2021 there are different challenges," said Steve Elworthy, the ECB's head of special projects.

"This was a three-month international summer and a two-month domestic summer. Next season we could be staring at a five or six-month season.

That's a different proposition entirely.

"Something we've certainly learned about is the mental health and mental wellbeing of people spending significant time in the bubble. Something we have to consider if we're expanding from three months to six months is that we need to mitigate as much of that impact as possible."

Peirce said there was a "ceiling of probably three to four weeks".

"After that you need time out," he said. "If we could get away with moving away from those bubble environments we really would, that's how most of us see the future going forward."

Manchester United sign Brazilian left back Telles from Porto AGENCIES Manchester United have signed Brazilian left back Alex Telles from Portuguese side Porto on a four-yeardeal, with an option to extend a further year, the Premier League club said on Monday.

The 27-year-old joins the club a day after they were beaten 6-1 at home by Tottenham Hotspur in the Premier League and the British media said that Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s 16th-placed side paid Porto around 15.4 million pounds ($19.91 million).

"I won many trophies at FC Porto and I want to continue that at United,"

Telles said told the club's website here.

"The manager has a clear plan and direction for this team and I can't wait to pull on the famous shirt."

Telles, who has one international cap for Brazil, is set join the national team for their World Cup qualifiers against Bolivia and Peru after completing his move to United.

He joined Porto in 2016 from after a trophy-laden spell with Turkey’s Galatasaray and has helped the Portuguese side win two league titles and the Portuguese Cup, making 195 appearances for them in all competitions.

Telles broke into the Brazil team last year, making his debut in a friendly

is only just starting.

Shakeeb Al Hasan and David Wiese also boast four five-fors in T20 cricket.

Furthermore, it was Afridi's third 5wicket haul of the year. No other player has more than one this year.

Afridi's 5-fer against Sindh on Monday was his young career’s fourth such haul.

Only Lasith Malinga has more T20 5-fers.

The Sri Lankan fast bowler has five 5-wickets hauls to his credit but is in the twilight of his career whereas the man from Landi Kotal

against Panama.

He is set to compete with Luke Shaw and youngster Brandon Williams for the left back position at United.

“He (Telles) is a player we have been tracking for some time and his performances over the past few years are exactly what we are looking for,” United boss Solskjaer said. “He is a fighter and a winner and will add real determination and competition to the squad.”

United, who signed midfielder Donny van de Beek from Ajax Amsterdam during the close season, have also been linked with a move for 33-yearold former Paris St Germain striker Edinson Cavani on a free transfer.

Djokovic wins 35th match of 2020, into 14th Roland Garros quarter-final PARIS AGENCIES

Novak Djokovic racked up his 35th win of 2020 and a place in the Roland Garros quarter-finals for the 14th time with a 6-4, 6-3, 6-3 win over Russia's Karen Khachanov on Monday. The world number one, chasing a second title in Paris and 18th career Grand Slam, goes on to face either Spain's Pablo Carreno Busta or unseeded Daniel Altmaier of Germany for a place in the semi-finals. Djokovic, who hit 44 winners, has yet to drop a set in the tournament, losing just 25 games in four rounds. "It was a tight match and I am happy to win in straight sets," said the world number one who has now reached 47 quarter-finals at the Slams. It will also be his 11th in a row in Paris. He had a heart-stopping moment in the first set when he stretched for a forehand and was unable to avoid seeing the ball accidentally hit a line judge.

Barca post 97 million euros loss for 2019-20 due to Covid-19 Barcelona have announced a loss of 97 million euros ($114.28 million) after tax for the 2019/20 financial year as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, while a projected estimate of breaking the one billion euro mark in revenues was also scuppered. The Catalan club also said in a statement here on Monday that they had made revenue of 855 million euros, 14% down on the 990 million they posted in 2018/19, while their overall net debt has more than doubled to 488 million euros.

The club said 47 million euros of losses was due to lost matchday revenue, 35 million to reduced club shop sales and 18 million on stadium tours, with further losses expected until fans can return to stadiums in Spain. Predicted revenue for 2020-21 is 791 million euros. The players took a wage cut in order to help combat the deficit while football was suspended due to the coronavirus. The club have also sold players who were on lucrative contracts, such as Luis Suarez, Ivan Rakitic and Arturo Vidal, in the close season in a bid to get salary expenditure within La Liga guidelines, which directly relate to projected income. AGENCIES

Bayern Munich sign trio of Choupo-Moting, Costa and Saar BERLIN AGENCIES

Bayern Munich made a trio of transfer deadline day signings on Monday led by Juventus winger Douglas Costa and Cameroon forward Eric Maxim ChoupoMoting from Paris Saint-Germain.

Both signed one-year contracts while the European champions also boosted their defensive options by adding French rightback Bouna Sarr to their ranks on a fouryear deal.

Bayern had already completed the transfer of Espanyol midfielder Marc Roca on a five-year contract over the weekend.

Saar made 181 appearances for Marseille, including in the 2018 Europa League final, which the French club lost to Atletico Madrid.

The 28-year-old said it was a "dream come true" to join Bayern.

"Bouna Sarr is a dynamic right-back who fits in our game," said Bayern sports director Hasan Salihamidzic.

"He brings stability and experience to the table, we also believe that he'll develop further at FC Bayern."

Choupo-Moting, 31, who was out of contract at Paris Saint-Germain after helping the French club reach the Champions League final in August, has been signed as

CMYK

a back-up to Robert Lewandowski.

The Cameroon forward, who also played for English club Stoke, returns to the Bundesliga following stints with Hamburg, Nuremberg, Mainz and Schalke.

"It's a great feeling to come back to the Bundesliga -- and then to the biggest club in Germany," he said.

"Who wouldn't want to play for FC Bayern?"

Brazil winger Costa, 30, who spent two years at Bayern before leaving in 2017, is returning to compete with Serge Gnabry, Kingsley Coman and Leroy Sane for a place on the flanks.

He has been signed on a one-year loan

deal.

"I'm very happy to be playing for Bayern again, I had a wonderful time in Munich, with lots of successes and I'm sure we'll win titles again," said Costa, who has made 31 appearances for his country.

The Bavarian giants were said to have tried again to sign 19-year-old winger Callum Hudson-Odoi from Chelsea but the German media reported the clubs had failed to agree a fee.

Bayern coach Hansi Flick has made no secret that he needs new signings after losing Philippe Coutinho, Ivan Perisic and Thiago Alcantara from the squad which won the Champions League.

Tuesday, 6 October, 2020

PrAyEr TImINGS

NEWS

eiGht killed, 30 injured in suicide car boMb in afGhanistan Ghani reaches Qatar as afGhan peace talks draG on

LAGHMAN

a

AGENCIES

suicide car bomber has targeted the convoy of a provincial governor in eastern Afghanistan, killing at least eight people, including four civilians, government officials said.

At least 30 others were also wounded in the incident, which took place in eastern Laghman province’s capital, Mehtarlam, Afghanistan’s interior ministry said on Monday. The condition of the governor, Rahmatullah Yarmal, was not immediately known and officials would not confirm local reports that he was slightly wounded in the bombing. Yarmal escaped unharmed, a provincial police spokesperson said.

Interior ministry spokesman Tariq Arian said four of Yarmal’s bodyguards had been killed in the bombing. He said the wounded included 28 civilians and two other guards. No group has claimed responsibility for the incident. Both the Taliban and ISIL (ISIS) armed groups are active in the area. The Taliban group has carried out assassinations of high-profile Afghan officials recently, while both groups attack government representatives, national security and defence per-

DOHA: Afghanistan’s President Ashraf Ghani has arrived in Qatar for a bilateral meeting with leaders but will not meet Taliban officials even as peace talks are under way in the country’s capital Doha, officials said on Monday. Negotiations between the Afghan government and Afghan Taliban that started last month aim to have the warring sides agree to a reduction of violence and a possible new power-sharing agreement in Afghanistan. Violence, however, has not abated even as Afghan negotiators have been engaged in direct talks for the first time.

Scores of Afghan soldiers and Taliban fighters have been killed in intensive clashes and suicide attacks have left dozens of civilians dead in recent weeks.

On Monday, a suicide car bomber targeted the convoy of a provincial governor in eastern Afghanistan, killing at least eight people and injuring 30, including children, government officials said. No armed group claimed responsibility for the latest attack. Political analysts and diplomats in Kabul said Ghani’s trip is aimed at seeking Qatar’s support in getting the Taliban to agree to a ceasefire.

“Several meetings are planned to discuss efforts for deepening AfghanistanQatar ties and mutual cooperation in various areas,” an aide to Ghani said, adding he would also meet the Afghan representatives who are holding talks with Taliban. “But it is clear that Ghani will not meet the Taliban officials as there has been no reduction of violence and they continue to kill innocent civilians,” said a senior Western diplomat overseeing the peace process. AGENCIES

sonnel as well as civilians.

According to the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA), at least 1,282 civilians were killed and 2,176 others wounded in the first six months of

this year. Violence in Afghanistan has not abated even as representatives of the Afghan government and the Taliban are holding intra-Afghan negotiations in Qatar, where the Taliban have a political

office. The negotiations are meant to end the country’s decades-long long war, following a peace deal between the United States and the Taliban, signed in February in Qatar’s capital, Doha.

The talks that started last month in Doha aim at reaching an agreement on a reduction of violence and a possible new power-sharing agreement in Afghanistan.

Afghan President Ashraf Ghani is travelling to Qatar on Monday for a bilateral meeting with Qatari leaders but will not hold a meeting with Taliban officials even as peace talks are under way in Doha, officials said. “Several meetings are planned to discuss efforts for deepening Afghanistan-Qatar ties and mutual cooperation in various areas,” a close aide to Ghani told Reuters news agency, adding that Ghani will also meet the Afghan representatives who are holding talks with Taliban.

“But it is clear that Ghani will not meet the Taliban officials as there has been no reduction of violence and they continue to kill innocent civilians,” a senior western diplomat overseeing the ongoing peace process told the media.

So far, there has been no progress in the Doha negotiations as the warring Afghan sides have become bogged down on processes and procedures, diplomatic sources said.

FAJR SUNRISE

ZUHR

ASR MAGHRIB ISHA

4:42

11:57

4:07

6:04

5:48

7:11

nearly all of iran on coronavirus red alert as cases, deaths hit records AGENCIES Iran’s health ministry said on Monday nearly the whole country was on a coronavirus red alert as cases and deaths rose to record levels, with a member of the state task force’s warning field hospitals might be needed if people flout the rules. Ministry spokeswoman Sima Sadat Lari told state television that 26 of Iran’s 31 provinces were “red” zones, the highest alert level, while four were at the next “orange” level. Authorities registered a record high 3,902 new cases in the past 24 hours, with the total number of identified cases in the country rising to 475,674, Lari said. She said 235 patients had died in the past 24 hours, equalling a daily death toll high set on July 28, bringing the total death toll to 27,192.

Officials have complained that many have defied regulations to wear face masks and some families used lockdowns to go on trips, helping spread the virus with hospitals nearly full. “If people keep going on weekend trips […] our patients might have to go to field hospitals,” Masoud Mardani, a member of the state coronavirus task force, told Khabaronline website. On Saturday, schools, libraries, mosques and other public institutions in the capital, Tehran closed for a week as part of measures to stem the rapid rise in Covid-19 cases. Similar closures have been also imposed in Zanjan province, northwest of Tehan, and cities in several other provinces, shutting museums, theatres, gyms, cafes and hair salons, state media said.

public investment key to covid-19 recovery: iMf WASHINGTON AGENCIES

trump criticised for leaving hospital to greet supporter

Fears grow for civilians as Karabakh fighting rages

AGENCIES US President Donald Trump sparked an angry backlash from the medical community on Sunday with a protocolbreaking visit to his supporters outside the hospital where he is being treated for the highly infectious, potentially deadly new coronavirus. He was masked as he waved from inside his bulletproof vehicle during the short trip outside Walter Reed military medical centre near Washington, which appeared designed to take back the narrative on his improving health after a weekend of muddled messaging from his doctors. The last-minute limousine outing came with Trump’s doctors satisfied enough about his progress to suggest the possibility of his being discharged on Monday. But experts complained that the outing broke his own government’s public health guidelines requiring patients to isolate while they are in treatment and still shedding virus — and endangered his Secret Service protection. Trump, who has been repeatedly rebuked for flouting public health guidelines and spreading misinformation on the pandemic, said in a video that dropped on Twitter just before the appearance that he had “learned a lot about Covid” by “really going to school” as he has battled the virus. But health experts took to the airwaves and social media to criticise the “stunt”, which they said demonstrated that he had learned nothing at all. “Every single person in the vehicle during that completely unnecessary presidential ‘drive-by’ just now has to be quarantined for 14 days,” said James Phillips, chief of disaster medicine at George Washington University.

“They might get sick. They may die. For political theatre.

Commanded by Trump to put their lives at risk for theatre. This is insanity.” White House spokesman Judd Deere said “appropriate” precautions had been taken to protect Trump and his support staff, including protective gear. “The movement was cleared by the medical team as safe to do,” he added. But Zeke Emanuel, chair of the Department of Medical Ethics and Health Policy at the University of Pennsylvania and regular TV pundit, described the appearance as “shameful”. “Making his Secret Service agents drive with a Covid-19 patient, with windows up no less, put them needlessly at risk for infection. And for what? A PR stunt,” he tweeted.

CONFUSED MESSAGING: The episode came hours after a briefing by Trump’s medical team, who said he had “continued to improve” and could be returned to the White House, which has the facilities to treat and isolate the president, as early as Monday. The president was flown to Walter Reed with a high fever on Friday after a “rapid progression” of his illness, with his oxygen levels dropping worryingly low, Trump’s physician Sean Conley said in a Sunday briefing. Health experts have complained that the messaging from the administration — and particularly Trump’s medical team — has caused widespread confusion. Conley admitted on Sunday that he had kept from the public the fact that the president had been given extra oxygen, in a bid to reflect an “upbeat attitude”. And he gave a rosy account of Trump’s progress on Saturday, only for White House chief of staff Mark Meadows to tell reporters immediately after that Trump’s condition had been “very concerning” and that he was “still not on a clear path to a full recovery”.

AGENCIES Clashes between Armenian and Azerbaijani forces were raging over the disputed NagornoKarabakh region on Monday as fears grew for civilians after the two sides shelled major cities.

Separatist forces in Karabakh — an ethnic Armenian enclave that broke away from Azerbaijan in the 1990s — reported firefights along the frontline with the regional capital Stepanakert under heavy artillery fire. Azerbaijan’s defence ministry said Armenian forces were shelling three of its towns, after hitting the country’s second-largest city Ganja on Sunday.

Increasing artillery fire on urban areas has raised concerns of mass civilian casualties if the fierce fight-

ing, which has already killed more than 240 people, continues to escalate. The clashes broke out on September 27, re-igniting a decades-old conflict between the ex-Soviet neighbours over Karabakh and threatening to draw in regional powers like Russia and Turkey.

Neither side has shown any sign of backing down, ignoring international calls for a ceasefire and a return to long-stalled negotiations on the region.

Stepanakert, a city of some 50,000 in the heart of the mountainous region, has been under steady artillery fire since Friday, with residents cramming in to underground shelters and many leaving. The separatists’ foreign ministry said Monday that shelling of Stepanakert had resumed at 6:30am (0230 GMT),

STOCKHOLM AGENCIES

Americans Harvey Alter and Charles Rice together with Briton Michael Houghton won the Nobel Medicine Prize on Monday for the discovery of the Hepatitis C virus, paving the way for a cure, the Nobel jury said.

The three were honoured for their “decisive contribution to the fight against blood-borne hepatitis, a major global health problem that causes cirrhosis and liver cancer in people around the world,” the jury said. The World Health Organization estimates there are around 70 million Hepatitis C infections globally, causing around 400,000 deaths each year.

It is characterized by poor appetite, vomiting, fatigue and jaundice.

Thanks to the trio’s discoveries, highly sensitive blood tests for the virus are now available and these have “essentially eliminated post-transfusion hepatitis in many parts of the world, greatly improving global health”, the Nobel committee said. Their discoveries allowed the rapid development of antiviral drugs directed at Hepatitis C. “For the first time in history, the disease can now be cured, raising hopes of eradicating Hepatitis C virus from the world population,” the jury said.

Alter, 85, told Swedish Radio he was stunned to receive an early-morning call from the committee, saying it was “mindboggling”. “I didn’t even realise this was the day the Nobel Prizes were going to

with four shells hitting the city.

It released video footage of repeated bursts of heavy shelling and of debris from seriously damaged blocks of flats, claiming Azerbaijan had used cluster munitions.

Azerbaijan said Armenian forces were shelling the towns of Beylagan, Barda, and Terter. The two sides have reported 244 deaths since the fighting erupted, including 42 civilians, but the real total is expected to be much higher as both sides are claiming to have inflicted heavy military casualties.

The International Committee of the Red Cross on Sunday condemned the reports of “indiscriminate shelling and other alleged unlawful attacks using explosive weaponry in cities, towns and other populated areas”.

Public investment should play a “central role” in the recovery of both emerging and advanced economies from the coronavirus downturn, the IMF said Monday ahead of its fall meetings. Stepping up such spending with interest rates low globally could “create millions of jobs directly in the short term and millions more indirectly over a longer period,” officials with the International Monetary Fund wrote in a blog post.

Assuming investments are of “high quality,” the Washington-based crisis lender said increasing public investment by one per cent of GDP could raise private investment by 10 per cent, employment by 1.2 percent, GDP by 2.7 per cent along with overall confidence in the recovery. The coronavirus pandemic has caused a sharp economic downturn globally, but even before the pandemic, the IMF said public investment “had been weak for over a decade, despite crumbling roads and bridges in some advanced economies and massive infrastructure needs for transportation, clean water, sanitation” in poorer nations. The time to invest is now, officials said, with many countries still fighting off Covid-19 and people who lost their job amid the downturn looking for work. The IMF estimates two to eight jobs are created for every $1 million spent on traditional infrastructure, and 5 to 14 for every $1 million spent on research, development and green technology. While encouraging countries to maintain existing infrastructure, the IMF encouraged governments to take a second look at projects that had been delayed in the past and plan new ones focused on their needs after the pandemic is over

US-British trio win Nobel Medicine Prize for Hepatitis C discovery be given out,” he added.

“To see so many people get cured is astounding,” he told the Nobel Foundation. Prior to the trio’s work, the discovery of the Hepatitis A and B viruses had been critical steps forward — the discovery of Hepatitis B won the Nobel Medicine Prize in 1976 — but the majority of blood-borne hepatitis cases remained unexplained. The discovery of Hepatitis C virus revealed the cause of the remaining cases of chronic hepatitis, and “made possible blood tests and new medicines that have saved millions of lives”, the Nobel committee said.

Alter was credited for his pioneering work studying the occurrence of hepatitis in patients who had received blood transfusions, determining that their illness was neither Hepatitis A or B. Houghton built on Alter’s work to isolate the genetic sequence of the new virus.

Rice, 68, subsequently completed the puzzle by using genetic engineering to prove that it was the new strain alone — Hepatitis C — that was causing patients to get sick. The trio will share the prize sum of 10 million Swedish kronor (about $1.1 million, 950,000 euros).

In 2013, Houghton reportedly de-

clined Canada’s Gairdner International Award because two of his key collaborators who worked with him at pharmaceutical group Chiron Corp were not included.

Houghton, Alter and Rice would normally receive their prize from King Carl XVI Gustaf at a formal ceremony in Stockholm on December 10, the anniversary of the 1896 death of scientist Alfred Nobel who created the prizes in his will.

But the in-person ceremony has been cancelled this year due to the pandemic and replaced with a televised ceremony showing the laureates receiving their awards in their home countries.

PANDEMIC EFFECT ON PRIZES: The award for work on a virus comes as the world battles the new coronavirus pandemic, which has put the global spotlight on science and research.

“The pandemic is a big crisis for mankind, but it illustrates how important science is,” Nobel Foundation head Lars Heikensten said. No prizes were expected to be awarded this year directly linked to the coronavirus, as Nobel prizewinning research usually takes many years to be verified.

But Nobel medicine committee chair

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Patrik Ernfors said Monday’s prize was “relatively easy to relate to today’s situation”. “The first thing you need to do is to identify the causing virus, and once that has been done, that is in itself the starting point for the development of drugs to treat the disease and also to develop vaccines against the disorder. So the actual viral discovery itself is a critical moment.” The 2020 Nobel season continues Tuesday with the physics prize, with astrophysicists Shep Doeleman of the US and Germany’s Heino Falcke seen as possible winners for work that led to the first directly observed image of a black hole in April 2019.

American mathematician Peter Shor who paved the way for today’s research on quantum computers, or France’s Alain Aspect for his work on quantum entanglement, have also been mentioned.

The chemistry and literature prizes follow on Wednesday and Thursday.

Speculation ahead of Friday’s peace prize has meanwhile focused on press freedom groups, Swedish teenager Greta Thunberg and other climate activists, or several UN organisations.

The economics prize wraps things up on Monday, October 12.